Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Conservation passion for the wild at heart 09:12, March 19, 2026 By CHEN NAN ( China Daily Four large gorillas from the Royal Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem, the Netherlands, are seen at Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo in the capital of Jiangsu province after arriving in February 2025. CHINA DAILY At 5 am on a recent trek, when the mist was still clinging to the high ranges stretching across the north of Sichuan province, Xiao Mei was already halfway up a mountain. A backpack was pressed against her shoulders. Inside were memory cards for an infrared camera, notebooks and spare batteries. On other treks she also carries a sleeping bag and dry food when heading to one of the six remote field camps. Some of the camps have no electricity, no phone signal, and experience weather extremes. "The longest I have stayed out was five days," she recalled. "You carry everything on your back." The 36-year-old is head of the research and monitoring division at the Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve, which is located in Qingchuan county, Guangyuan city. Established in 1978 and designated a national nature reserve in 1986, Tangjiahe covers 40,000 hectares. Its focus is on conserving forest plants and wildlife. The primary conservation objectives are rare wildlife species, such as the giant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey and rare plant species, including the dove tree (Davidia involucrata), which is known as "a living fossil", and Fritillaria cirrhosa, or chuan bei muin Chinese, a highly valued herb used in traditional Chinese medicine. Xiao has spent 12 years in the park. However, when she first arrived, she almost left in the first three days. She did not grow up dreaming of becoming a conservationist. She studied plant protection at an agricultural college in Chengdu, the provincial capital, where she was born and raised, and spent two years selling fertilizer in the city's rural outskirts. "When I applied for Tangjiahe, it was just a job," she said frankly. "I didn't have a strong concept of what a nature reserve really meant. I liked plants. I saw that the dove tree, a nationally protected species, was here, so I applied." The region was still recovering from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, ecotourism was underdeveloped, infrastructure was limited and life was quiet. "I couldn't accept it at first. The work felt monotonous. You had to endure loneliness. On my third day, I wanted to leave," she said. What changed her mind was not policy or promotion, but the forest itself. "During patrols, you see things you can't see in the city plants growing to their own rhythm, animals moving freely. There's a feeling that all living things have a spirit. That's when I began to calm down,"Xiao said. She started reviewing infrared camera footage, sorting through patrol data, and noticing patterns. Curiosity replaced restlessness. "You begin to ask: What is missing in the data? What haven't we understood yet?" she said. Tangjiahe is described as one of the ecological cores of the giant panda national park. Its subtropical mountain forests have largely escaped large-scale logging. The forest regenerates naturally, with minimal human disturbance. Population pressure inside the reserve is low, and wildlife encounter rates are unusually high. "In some reserves, you need luck to see animals," Xiao said. "Here, if you enter at random, you can see many." Tangjiahe's wild giant panda population is remarkably stable. Thirty-nine pandas were recorded in earlier surveys and by 2025, monitoring data confirmed a total of 41. Since 2016, the reserve has built a DNA archive for the panda population, collecting genetic samples from more than 30 individuals annually. "Every year, we basically confirm over 30 individuals through DNA. It's very stable," Xiao said. A golden snub-nosed monkey cradles her baby at the Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in Guangyuan, Sichuan province. CHINA DAILY Animal encounters But numbers alone do not capture the drama that unfolds every spring. Between March and April, Xiao and her team conduct intensive field monitoring during the panda breeding season. Since 2015, they have tracked courtship rituals and combative behavior, sometimes camping at nearly 3,000 meters above sea level. In April 2025, she witnessed a first three wild pandas appearing simultaneously in the same area. "In the past, we usually saw one or two," she said. "Three at once is very rare." She remembered the sound loud clashes echoing through the valley. "At 2,900 meters, you hear the fighting before you see them,"Xiao said. One of the most fascinating behavioral patterns she documented was in 2024, when a female panda climbed into a tree during estrus. Below her, three males rotated positions, effectively "taking shifts" waiting for mating opportunities. "The males start scouting about a week in advance," she said. "The tree the female chooses is usually one that allows her to observe the surroundings clearly." In 2025, her team captured rare footage of two pandas successfully mating an invaluable addition to long-term behavioral records. Due to the familiarity of the sight, she said that seeing a wild panda no longer fills her with overwhelming excitement. "Because we've recorded so many through infrared cameras. It's relatively easy to encounter them here," she said. Tangjiahe's golden snub-nosed monkeys number around 800 and are organized into seven to 11 large social groups that constantly split and merge. Their activity altitude overlaps significantly with pandas. In 2022, Xiao witnessed something that left a deep impression on her. "A mother monkey carried her dead infant for two or three days," Xiao recalled. "She stayed at the edge of the group. Even when she searched for food, she held the baby." Her facial expressions were unmistakable. "You could see grief. She avoided contact with the others. It felt no different from human mourning," she said. Moments like this reinforce Xiao's belief that wildlife conservation is not "abstract management". "When you see that, you understand life is life. The pain is real," she noted. Tangjiahe's monitoring network now includes more than 400 infrared cameras. Xiao leads a small four-person research office overseeing ecological data management, supported by 36 field investigators in protection stations. Universities and research institutions assist in data analysis and publication. Since 2019, she has shifted from front-line patrols to project leadership coordinating data screening, managing monitoring systems and initiating research collaborations. From mapping the full movement of individual pandas, to establishing continuous monitoring of golden snub-nosed monkeys, to expanding bird monitoring including Sichuan's first dedicated bird monitoring station and transforming infrared data into species interaction analysis and accessible public science education, her ambitions are clear. "We have the data," she said. "Now we must use it better." (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Milestone Systems, a global leader in data-driven video technology, today announced new AI and analytics solutions, enabling security teams to deploy generative AI with confidence. These include AI Search, Video Summarization, and Video Anonymization. While generative AI is transforming other industries, many security operators still rely on manual processes for footage review, incident documentation, and video anonymization. The stakes in security are high. Missed alarms or false positives can have serious consequences, making organizations cautious about hallucinations, inconsistent outputs, and trusting automated systems where accurate judgement is essential. At the same time, the regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. With the EU AI Act, GDPR, and shifting data privacy standards, organizations managing terabytes of video want to learn from the data they already have but face growing uncertainty about compliance. Milestone's new AI solutions are purpose-built to address these challenges - helping security operators with AI solutions that they can trust in critical moments. Targeted, Accurate, and Responsible: AI built for Security Designed to reduce manual effort at key points in the security workflow, Milestone's generative AI solutions allow for faster video review, consistent incident documentation, and regulatory compliance aligned with the EU AI Act and GDPR within the Milestone ecosystem: AI Search enables investigators to quickly identify relevant elements using natural language no complex filters or manual scrubbing required. enables investigators to quickly identify relevant elements using natural language no complex filters or manual scrubbing required. XProtect Video Summarization uses generative AI to automatically produce text descriptions of video footage, standardizing incident documentation for operators and dramatically reducing review time. uses generative AI to automatically produce text descriptions of video footage, standardizing incident documentation for operators and dramatically reducing review time. Video Anonymization supports compliance with GDPR and other privacy regulations. Consider a reported traffic accident. With AI Search, an operator can describe the vehicle involved with natural language to surface relevant footage across dozens of cameras in seconds. Video Summarization then generates a structured, standardized and thorough incident report automatically. And when that footage needs to be shared with external authorities, Video Anonymization ensures all bystander faces and license plates are redacted before export. All solutions are built for security teams to trust in real-life scenarios. Milestone's vision language models (VLMs) are fine-tuned on vertical- and use-case-specific video data, delivering consistent, reliable outputs purpose-built for video intelligence not broad, multi-purpose AI repurposed from other domains. Milestone brings the same rigor to sourcing and managing video data with compliance in mind from the start. Milestone's library of video training data is responsibly-sourced, fully anonymized, and traceable video data. Milestone uses brighter AI's anonymization technology in its own data pipeline and is now making it available to customers directly. Andrew Burnett, Chief Technology Officer, Milestone Systems, said: "How can we build on our decades of experience in video management to prepare our customers for the next generation of artificial intelligence? The answer is trust. Trust that the data is compliant, trust that the AI is accurate, and trust that these tools will genuinely make operators' jobs easier. That's what we're delivering today." Built on the world's largest compliant data library Milestone's compliant data library is the foundation of its generative AI solutions. Video data is acquired through fair-exchange agreements with Milestone customers around the world, anonymized using brighter AI technology, and tagged with over 300,000 categorizations using NVIDIA technology. The video data is curated into use-case specific datasets beginning with EU and US traffic scenarios and used to fine-tune NVIDIA Cosmos Reason foundation models. When trained on security use-case specific data, Milestone's VLMs deliver exceptional accuracy and consistency. Performance evaluations of the traffic VLM show significant improvements over base foundation models, including a 19.4% improvement in flow and direction correctness and 4.4% improvement in alert verification accuracy.* The dataset is fully traceable and preserves individual privacy, meaning every model trained on it is aligned with the EU AI Act and GDPR. The city of Genoa, Italy, is Milestone's latest data collaborator, contributing video data to further expand the library's diversity and geographic coverage. Bringing AI to VMS, VSaaS, and Analytics With AI Search, operators simply describe what they're looking for in natural language and the system identifies and surfaces the relevant video snippets in seconds. To support secure and air-gapped environments, Milestone will also offer on-premises AI Search through BriefCam: the full intelligence of AI with no internet connection required. AI Search will be available by the end of 2026. XProtect Video Summarization automatically generates detailed descriptions of video footage. Operators can send video clips with custom prompts and receive structured, consistent summaries of exactly what's happening in the scene. Integrated with XProtect's rules engine, summarization can run automatically on alerts, on a scheduled cadence, or on demand. The result is faster incident review, standardized documentation, and operators who can focus on response rather than paperwork. XProtect Video Summarization is powered by Milestone's growing suite of use-case specific VLMs, such as our US and EU Traffic models. Video Anonymization automatically redacts faces and license plates in video footage enabling organizations to share, export, and store video in full compliance with data privacy regulations. Whether exporting evidence to law enforcement or sharing footage across departments, operators can ensure personal identities are protected without manual effort. Video Anonymization is powered by brighter AI's deep anonymization technology and will be available soon in Arcules and XProtect. See Tomorrow at ISC West At ISC West, Milestone will showcase its complete VMS, VSaaS, and analytics portfolio built on an open platform designed to help organizations capture everything, understand what matters, and see what's coming before it arrives. Visitors can also discover the new XProtect App Platform and BriefCam analytics engine alongside other recent developments that help Milestone customers stay ahead of the curve while remaining responsible. Stop by booth #18053 to see what's new, see what's next, and see tomorrow. *Based on Milestone's inhouse testing. Milestone Systems is a world leader in data-driven video technology used in industries as diverse as manufacturing, airports, law enforcement, retail, and traffic management. We provide a clear picture of how to create a safer, better and more prosperous world. Our product suite includes XProtect video management software, BriefCam AI-powered analytics, and Arcules cloud VSaaS. It helps our customers learn from the past, understand the present, and predict the future. Milestone is also advancing responsible Vision AI through Project Hafnia, the world's largest regulatory-compliant video data library, and brighter AI anonymization technology. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Milestone employs more than 1,500 people worldwide and has been an independent company in the Canon Group since 2014. For more information visit: www.milestonesys.com. For news and other press releases, visit our Newsroom. Lars Lemche Lisbeth Nedergaard Sophie Bahn Cederstrom Global Media Relations Lead Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs Sr. PR & Communications Business Partner [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Tel: +45 26 14 01 14 Tel: +45 41 76 02 72 Tel: +45 50 84 29 55 SOURCE Milestone Systems 19 March 2026 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Azerbaijans Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, has participated in a consultative meeting of regional ministers held in Riyadh, aimed at coordinating efforts to support security and stability in the Middle East, AzerNEWS reports. Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry noted that the discussions focused on addressing rising tensions and preventing further escalation across the region. Participants underscored that the consequences of escalation extend beyond individual countries, creating broader regional and global risks while endangering civilian lives and critical infrastructure. During the meeting, Bayramov briefed participants on the March 5 drone attacks launched from Iran targeting the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The attack injured four civilians and caused significant damage to critical infrastructure, including Nakhchivan International Airport. He emphasized that Azerbaijan responded promptly and decisively, demonstrating its determination to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens through all legitimate means. Bayramov also expressed hope that assurances from the Iranian side regarding a comprehensive investigation into the incident would be fulfilled and that necessary measures would be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future. At the same time, the minister outlined Azerbaijans post-conflict actions, including the provision of humanitarian assistance to Iran. He noted that the latest aid shipment was delivered on March 18, ahead of Nowruz and Ramadan. Azerbaijan has also facilitated the transit of humanitarian aid from third countries through its territory and supported the evacuation of civilians. The Azerbaijani side warned that any further geographical expansion of the conflict would be dangerous and must be halted immediately. Continued targeting of regional states, it was stressed, risks deepening divisions and undermining long-term stability. In this context, particular emphasis was placed on the principle of regional ownership and responsibility in ensuring peace and security. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation that strict adherence to the fundamental principles of international law respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-use of force, and non-interference in internal affairs remains the only viable path toward lasting peace and stability in the region. 19 March 2026 10:42 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more A further shipment of wheat is set to be transported to Armenia via Azerbaijan, as regional transit flows continue to expand. AzerNEWS reports that seven rail wagons carrying a total of 488 tons of wheat are planned for delivery, transiting through Azerbaijani territory en route to Armenia. The development follows a broader policy shift announced on October 21, 2025, when President Ilham Aliyev stated in a joint press appearance with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that Azerbaijan had lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that had been in place since the period of occupation. The first such shipment under the new policy involved the delivery of Kazakh grain to Armenia. Since then, transit volumes have steadily increased. On December 18, SOCAR shipped 1,220 tons of AI-95 gasoline to Armenia. On January 9, 2026, a total of 2,698 tons of cargo comprising 48 rail wagons was dispatched, including 1,742 tons of AI-95 gasoline and 956 tons of diesel fuel. Two days later, on January 11, a train consisting of 18 wagons carrying 979 tons of AI-92 gasoline was sent. Fuel shipments continued in the following weeks. On February 25, Azerbaijan delivered 4,500 tons of diesel fuel. On March 5, an additional 31 wagons carrying 1,984 tons of diesel fuel, along with two wagons loaded with 135 tons of Russian fertilizers, were transported. Grain shipments have also featured prominently. On March 9, a train of seven wagons loaded with Russian wheat was sent, followed by another shipment on March 11 totaling 1,023 tons (770 tons net) across 11 wagons. The latest planned wheat delivery underscores the growing role of Azerbaijan as a transit corridor for regional trade, facilitating the movement of energy products, agricultural goods, and other commodities between neighboring countries. 19 March 2026 11:41 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Parliament of the United Kingdom has expressed concern over recent drone attacks targeting the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, reaffirming support for the country and ongoing regional peace efforts, AzerNEWS reports. According to reports, Bob Blackman, a member of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and chairman of the Azerbaijan Group in Parliament, submitted a written question to the government regarding steps taken to support Azerbaijan following drone strikes launched from Iran. In response, Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, stated that he had spoken with Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on March 9, expressing the UKs full solidarity with Azerbaijan. Doughty condemned the drone attacks targeting Nakhchivan airport and surrounding areas, describing them as unacceptable and warning that such actions threaten Azerbaijans security and undermine regional stability. He also emphasized that the United Kingdom supports ongoing efforts by Azerbaijan and Armenia to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. 19 March 2026 13:35 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Azerbaijan exported 100.266 million cubic meters of natural gas to the Syrian Arab Republic in January 2026, valued at $33.504 million, AzerNEWS reports, citing the State Statistics Committee. Following the agreement, all technical preparations for gas transportation were completed, and exports of Azerbaijani gas to Syria via Turkiye officially began on August 2, 2025. In the initial phase, annual exports are expected to reach... Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 19 March 2026 10:26 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in northern Iran, marking what it described as its first operation against Iranian forces in the Caspian Sea. According to AzerNEWS, citing The Times of Israel, Israeli officials said the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian Navy vessels near the port city of Bandar Anzali. The military stated that the strikes were conducted based on intelligence provided by its Naval Intelligence Unit and the Military Intelligence Directorate. The IDF noted that this represents the first time Israeli forces have struck Iranian military assets in the Caspian Sea region. Iranian opposition media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Anzali, about 260 kilometers (160 miles) from Tehran. The city is home to one of Irans naval headquarters, which was also reportedly struck in the attack. Axios reported that the strike targeted more than five vessels. [The image is conditional] 19 March 2026 19:26 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre At the certification ceremony of the T625 Gokbey helicopter, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that after a decade of rigorous development, the aircraft has officially received its Type Certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. He emphasized that Gokbey was developed in full compliance with international standards, calling the achievement not only a technical success but also a symbol of national independence. For years, our country was dependent on foreign approvals. Today, we have proven that Turkiye can certify its own helicopter under its own standards and gain global recognition. This is another great victory, Uraloglu declared. With this certification, Turkiye has joined a select group of nations capable of managing aircraft certification entirely through a digital, nationally developed platform. The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, marking a historic step in Turkish aviation. Uraloglu highlighted that regional conflicts and embargoes in recent years have underscored the necessity of producing indigenous technology. He stressed that domestic production is vital for national security, economic independence, and the future of the country. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogans leadership, Turkiye has transformed into a global producer and exporter of hightech products across defense, machinery, medical devices, transportation, electronics, and communications. The minister recalled milestones such as: Bayraktar TB2, Aknc, and Kzlelma drones reshaping global defense balances. The MILGEM project and TCG Anadolu, the worlds first drone carrier. TOGG, Turkiyes first domestically produced electric car. TURKSAT 6A satellite, strengthening Turkiyes presence in space. National electric trains, driverless metros, and suburban rail systems. These successes are written with the determination of our people, the unwavering support of the state, and the sweat of our engineers, Uraloglu said, framing them as symbols of national confidence and belief in a brighter future. The minister traced the journey of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), which began in 1973 in modest facilities and now operates in vast complexes producing worldclass projects from KAAN to HURJET, ANKA to ATAK2. The T625 Gokbey, initially designed for civilian use, underwent more than 600 technical meetings, 180 certification tests, 18,000 flight test points, and 800 compliance documents before earning its certificate. Verification flights in February confirmed full compliance with CS29 and other international standards. The process was conducted entirely digitally through the KDMERP Certification Module, ensuring transparency and evidencebased validation. With this certificate, Turkiye has joined the ranks of nations like the U.S., EU, Canada, and Brazil in certifying civil rotorcraft independently. This is not just a technical achievementit is a manifesto of technological sovereignty and national will, Uraloglu stated. He added that Gokbey will serve in civilian aviation, healthcare, firefighting, and general utility missions, standing as a national pride and a tribute to the memory of fallen heroes. Addressing Defense Industry President Prof. Dr. Haluk Gorgun, Uraloglu noted that the technologies developed for aviation serve as role models across industries, from smart transportation systems to national rail projects. You did not just build a helicopteryou created technologies that strengthen every sector of our country, he said. 19 March 2026 20:24 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre The Ministry of National Defense has announced the deployment of an additional Patriot air defense system to Adana, reinforcing existing defenses in the region. The move was disclosed by Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, Press and Public Relations Advisor and Spokesperson of the Ministry, during a briefing at the 10th Main Jet Base Command in Incirlik. Addressing the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, Akturk revealed that on March 13, a ballistic missile launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace but was intercepted by NATO air and missile defense elements stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean. Contacts with the relevant country continue to clarify all aspects of the incident. All necessary measures are being taken decisively against any threat to our national security, and developments in our region are being closely and carefully monitored, Akturk stated. He emphasized that alongside national measures to secure Turkish airspace, additional precautions are being implemented. In addition to the Spanish Patriot system already stationed in Adana, another Patriot system assigned by Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany, is being deployed, he said. Following the briefing, ministry officials responded to questions regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz. They stressed that the strait is of strategic importance for global energy supply and international maritime trade. The statement underscored: Preserving freedom of navigation and preventing escalation in the region are of great importance. Turkiye evaluates developments from the perspective of regional peace and stability, reiterating its call for restraint and adherence to international law. On questions concerning NOTAMs in the Eastern Mediterranean and the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the ministry declared: The Greek Cypriot Administration occasionally raises such issues to create jurisdictional confusion and disregard the rights of the TRNC. The counterNOTAM issued by the TRNC invalidates the one published by the Greek Cypriot side, which is null and void. Moreover, the Greek Cypriot Administration has turned Cyprus into a target by allowing arms buildup and foreign military presence on the island. As a guarantor state, Turkiye will continue to take additional measures to ensure the security of not only the TRNC but the entire island. Our determination to safeguard the rights and interests of the TRNC is absolute. The Patriot air defense system is a versatile platform designed to provide effective protection on modern battlefields. It is widely used across the world against ballistic missiles and other aerial threats. While Incirlik currently hosts PAC2 systems, the newly deployed battery is assessed to be PAC3, which offers enhanced interception capabilities against ballistic missiles. Journalists from Yeni Safak observed the deployment process on site. Incirlik Air Base remains under Turkish sovereignty, with all activities conducted under the permission, supervision, and regulations of Turkish authorities. The facilities and surrounding infrastructure are owned by Turkiye, and operations are coordinated by Turkish officials. Security and order within the base are maintained by the Turkish Armed Forces. The base hosts refueling operations, fighter jets, utility helicopters, and UAVs, and is used within NATO missions and bilateral agreements. It also supports UN Security Councilmandated operations. Military personnel from the U.S., Spain, Poland, and Qatar are stationed there, with all foreign activities carried out under Turkish oversight. 19 March 2026 15:51 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reiterated on Thursday his stance that Budapest will hold a lock on the European Union's assistance to Ukraine until that country ends its blockade on the transfer of Russian oil through its territory, AzerNEWS reports. Speaking to the press before a European Council meeting, Orban accused Brussels of siding with Ukraine rather than with Hungary, its member. He noted that, thus, "we have to break this oil blockade on our own." "Today's meeting is about the threat of a global economic crisis, which could affect Europe the most, and we need to show how to prevent it. Hungary has its own national tools, but we also need a European solution," he underscored. Previously, Hungary halted diesel deliveries to Ukraine and blocked the EU's 90 billion loan to the conflict-hit country in response to the pause in oil transfer through the Druzhba pipeline. 19 March 2026 15:54 (UTC+04:00) Security Alert - U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - March 19, 2026 We are monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely and will keep you updated so you can make decisions about your safety. If you want to leave the Middle East, the U.S. government is ready to assist by In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy urged U.S. nationals to depart using available commercial flights while airspace remains open. The US Embassy in Riyadh has called on American citizens to leave Saudi Arabia immediately, citing growing security risks, AzerNEWS reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! New capabilities help organizations identify how AI agents inherit identity permissions to access sensitive data across hybrid environments. FRISCO, Texas, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Netwrix, a recognized leader in identity and data security, today announced new capabilities in the Netwrix 1Secure platform that provide visibility and governance over how AI agents and assistants, including Microsoft Copilot, access sensitive data. As organizations deploy AI agents and assistants across collaboration platforms, applications, and data environments, these systems are increasingly interacting with data using existing identity permissions. When privileges are excessive or misconfigured, AI systems can surface sensitive information instantly. "AI agents are not bypassing security controls. They are using the permissions that already exist," said Grady Summers, CEO of Netwrix. "An AI agent operates as another identity in the environment. If organizations don't understand what those identities can access, they can't control what AI can expose." Sensitive and regulated information now spans collaboration platforms, cloud services, databases, and on-premises infrastructure like endpoints, workstations, and file systems. Yet many organizations still manage identity governance, data discovery, and monitoring through disconnected tools. As a result, teams often lack a clear view of how identities, including AI systems, access critical data. The latest updates to the Netwrix 1Secure platform address this challenge by combining identity context with data discovery and access monitoring across hybrid environments. Identity-Driven Visibility into Sensitive Data Access New capabilities in Netwrix Access Analyzer provide deeper insight into how identities access sensitive data across hybrid environments. Security teams can identify excessive permissions, hidden access paths, and risky identity relationships that could expose sensitive information to AI systems, automation tools, or unauthorized users. Expanded discovery and classification capabilities help organizations locate sensitive and regulated data across collaboration platforms, file systems, and cloud environments. This visibility enables teams to understand which data could be surfaced by AI assistants or shadow AI tools and apply classification labels to strengthen protection policy enforcement. Governance for AI Assistants and Autonomous Identities The platform also helps organizations understand how automated identities, applications, and AI systems interact with sensitive data. Security teams can analyze AI-driven workflows, identify excessive permissions, and reduce exposure risks before AI tools are deployed across the environment. AI agents and automated systems often authenticate using certificates, tokens, or service accounts rather than traditional user credentials. These machine identities can create hidden access paths that are difficult to detect and easy to exploit. Netwrix Threat Manager detects suspicious certificate activity and anomalous behavior from automated identities, triggering automated response workflows to contain threats before they escalate. Netwrix Threat Prevention can also block malicious certificate enrollments in real time, preventing attackers from establishing persistent access through certificate-based authentication. Many AI-driven workflows and automated services rely on service accounts to access systems and sensitive data. Netwrix Threat Manager introduces a machine-learning powered service account dashboard that helps security teams quickly identify risky configurations, excessive permissions, and abnormal activity. The dashboard provides centralized visibility into service account behavior while detecting threats involving service accounts using the same behavioral monitoring applied to user identities. Monitoring and Compliance for AI-Driven Activity Netwrix Auditor, now available as a SaaS offering on the Netwrix 1Secure platform, provides governance and monitoring for AI-driven activity, including Microsoft Copilot. Capabilities include: Copilot activity monitoring to track when sensitive information is accessed or surfaced through AI prompts. to track when sensitive information is accessed or surfaced through AI prompts. Copilot readiness assessments to evaluate identity permissions and potential data exposure risks before deployment. to evaluate identity permissions and potential data exposure risks before deployment. Audit trails for AI interactions and data access to support governance controls and regulatory compliance. Through native integration with Netwrix Endpoint Protector, organizations can extend Copilot governance to data in motion. Security teams can monitor interactions between users and AI systems, sanitize prompts, and prevent sensitive data from leaving endpoints, Windows, macOS, and Linux, when employees interact with AI assistants or external AI tools. "Most organizations are trying to solve this with a patchwork of tools one for identity, one for data classification, one for monitoring," said Jeff Warren, Chief Product Officer at Netwrix. "We built 1Secure to connect identity permissions to sensitive data discovery in a single platform, so security teams can see what an AI agent could access before it ever surfaces something it shouldn't." The new AI-related capabilities across Netwrix Access Analyzer, Auditor, Threat Prevention and Endpoint Protector are available now, with the Threat Manager capabilities coming soon. To learn more or schedule a demo at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, Calif., March 23-26, 2026, visit Netwrix at Booth #1549 in the Moscone South Expo. About Netwrix Netwrix's vision is to create a world where every organization has secured its data and identities. The 1Secure SaaS platform unifies identity and data security to provide complete visibility into where data lives, who can access it, and how it's governed. With Netwrix, security teams strengthen data protection, safeguard identities, and stay ahead of evolving threats. Today, more than 13,000 customers, including nearly 25% of the Fortune 500, rely on Netwrix solutions across hybrid and AI-driven environments. With a 95% customer satisfaction rating, Netwrix offers flexible delivery models that are quick to deploy, easy to use, and built to scale for organizations of all sizes. For more information visit www.netwrix.com. Media contacts Natalie Reina Director of Public Relations, Netwrix [email protected] Dzmitry Varennikau Senior PR Manager (US & EMEA), Netwrix [email protected] 2026 Netwrix Corporation. All rights reserved. This page expresses the opinion of Netwrix and the information herein is subject to change. The Netwrix name, logo, products, service names, slogans and all Netwrix trademarks are the property of Netwrix Corporation or its affiliates. The other names and identifying marks are trademarks of and owned by each represented company and/or its affiliates. Such companies are not sponsors of this press release or otherwise affiliated with Netwrix. SOURCE Netwrix Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger has requested a recount in the SD-28 Republican primary against challenger Sheriff Sam Page, after the race ended with one of the narrowest margins in recent North Carolina election history.Page led Berger by 23 votes after Rockingham and Guilford counties completed their canvases and finalized provisional ballot counts, according to unofficial results released this week.Jonathan Felts, spokesman for the Berger recount effort, said in a statement Tuesday:In response to the recount request, Sheriff Sam Page put out the following statement:Under North Carolina law, a candidate may request a recount if the difference between candidates is 1% of the total votes cast or fewer. The margin in the Berger-Page race falls well within that threshold.Candidates have a limited window to seek a recount. Berger had until March 17 at noon to file the request.Berger submitted the request just before the deadline, triggering a recount by the Rockingham and Guilford County Boards of Elections.Election officials in North Carolina recount ballots by running them through tabulation machines. If they find a significant discrepancy between the initial and recounted totals, they move to hand-recount the ballots.Despite the tight margin, recounts rarely change election outcomes by more than a handful of votes.Andy Jackson, director of the John Locke Foundation's Civitas Center for Public Integrity, told the Carolina Journal.If the recount confirms Page's lead, the political newcomer would defeat one of North Carolina's most powerful lawmakers. Berger has represented Rockingham County in the General Assembly since 2001 and has served as Senate president pro tempore since Republicans won control of the chamber in 2011.Page has served as Rockingham County sheriff since 1998 and previously led the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association. He mounted an insurgent primary challenge against Berger earlier this year, arguing that the longtime legislative leader had grown out of step with some grassroots Republican voters.Even if the recount does not change the outcome, Berger could still pursue further legal challenges over specific ballots. In close North Carolina elections, losing candidates have sometimes sought to invalidate or challenge ballots through election protests and court filings.The Carolina Journal previously reported on the 2024 race for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat, where Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin challenged tens of thousands of ballots after a recount confirmed his loss to Democrat Allison Riggs by 734 votes. Months of litigation in state and federal courts followed before officials ultimately certified the election.A similar strategy in the Berger-Page race could involve contesting the eligibility of certain ballots or arguing that election rules were not properly followed.This maneuvering may have already begun as previously reported by the Carolina Journal. The recount campaign of Berger says several voters in SD-26 have reported that they believe that they may have received ballots that did not include the district's primary race, prompting the campaign's recount team to ask the Guilford County Board of Elections to investigate.The Berger campaign has also criticized text messages sent by supporters of Page that they say falsely claim ballot issues could be a felony, arguing the messages could discourage voters from raising legitimate concerns about possible election errors.In a press release Monday night in response, Page's post-election advisor, Patrick Sebastian, pushed back on the claims, stating that Berger's team contacted voters to inquire about complaints of alleged ballot errors and intimidation.Sebastian said.Sebastian claimed the outreach is widespread and targeted.He added that one concerned voter reported the Berger campaignin an effort to find individuals willing to say they received the wrong ballot.Sebastian also raised questions about the scope of that outreach, stating thatIn his statement, Sebastian defended Guilford County's election procedures, arguing there are safeguards in place to prevent voters from receiving the wrong ballot.Sebastian said.He also said county officials have confirmed that ballot counts align.Sebastian said.Sebastian further criticized Berger's outreach strategy, pointing to reported calls targeting voters in Jamestown.The Guilford County Board of Elections has not announced whether it will open an investigation into the ballot complaints. Virginia Republicans spectacularly overperformed in a special election for a seat in the Virginia legislature, suggesting a backlash to new Governor Spanberger's stampede to the far left, along with her party's legislators. The seat in the 98th House district was vacant due to the death of its Republican incumbent. Democrats usually turn out heavier for special elections, closing the gap to some degree from the general election. Against a backdrop of Gov. Spanberger making Virginia a sanctuary state for illegal alien criminals, pushing for rigid gun control, raising taxes, and attempting a congressional gerrymander that would limit the GOP to a single congressional seat in the entire state, however, it was a different ball game. Instead of a tighter race as would normally be expected, GOP nominee Andrew Rice beat his Democrat opponent by a whopping and unexpected 28 points. That was an overperformance compared to a normal election year of 14 points. Indeed, in the presidential race, Trump won it by 14 points within the district. This has rattled Virginia Democrats, especially on their intended referendum on the congressional gerrymander. They campaigned as moderates in the last election, but went hard left upon taking office, and Virginia voters appear to have woken up and are not happy. https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2026/03/18/big-gop-win-in-virginia-is-bad-news-for-democrats-n2200339 Latin America is following President Trump's lead in saying NO to globalism. Argentina has just followed the United States our of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO was highly controversial during the Covid panic when they adopted the Red Chinese lockdown strategy instead of the WHO's long established contingency pandemic plan based on herd immunity. WHO Director Tedros had been elected with the strong campaign support of China and was the first person without a medical background to head WHO. It has since sought to establish wide powers for itself over national governments. Argentine President Milei declared that Argentina took this move in order to maintain Health Sovereignty, but said his country would work on a bilateral basis with other countries on health issues. Argentina is also in the process of following the United States out of the Paris Climate Accords. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/03/health-sovereignty-javier-mileis-argentina-follows-us-officially/ Meanwhile, Chile's new conservative President Jose Kast is also following President Trump's anti-globalist lead by rejecting climate alarmism. President Kast has just cancelled all 23 of his predecessor's orders on climate and environment, most significantly on CO2 emission limits, saying they were detrimental to the country's need for jobs. https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news-corner/chile-president-kast-suspends-environmental-protection-decrees-darwins-frog/ Present voter registration practices have shown too many loopholes for registration and voting fraud. In California, a woman registered her dog to vote and then voted it, while a Pakistani citizen living in Pakistan who had never been to America also registered to vote by mail and voted by mail. The SAVE Act has been proposed to clean up our election practices so that we have free and fair elections. Polls show Americans overwhelmingly support it but the Democrats are fighting it hard, because if they can't cheat, their chances of winning are reduced. Now the mass of non-citizens removed from the voter tolls, after they had gotten on, in one year shows how big this problem is. Fairfax County, Virginia, last year removed 1,912 non-citizens from its voting rolls. What is more glaring, this is not because there was any active effort to identify and remove non-citizens who were on the rolls. That was just the ones who came forward voluntarily, said they were not citizens and asked to be removed. https://thefederalist.com/2026/03/19/thousands-of-noncitizens-on-voter-rolls-in-one-county-underscore-need-for-save-act/ A review of voting laws abroad shows that SAVE Act provisions are consistent with voting practices in most other coutnries. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/03/voting-laws-around-world-most-countries-require-id/ Democrats have been openly trying to get non-citizens to vote in US elections. A few election cycles back, the Texas Democrat Party was caught mailing voter registration forms to Hispanics with the "US citizen" box pre-checked "yes". then Beto O'Rourke's campaign was caught sending out an email asking for volunteers to "drive undocumented immigrants to the polls". They have also pushed foreign citizens voting in our elections more openly. https://thefederalist.com/2026/03/18/22-times-democrats-invited-noncitizens-to-vote-in-u-s-elections/ POWNAL Members of the Pownal Old Town Hall study committee are expressing frustration that the Select Board hasnt scheduled a presentation on their study report. We completed our work and submitted our recommendations and a traunch of documents we had gathered, Fred Miller, a member of the appointed committee, said in an email this week. Its a good report, with valid suggestions. Committee Chair Jenny Dewar said in an email that she asked that the report be placed on a Select Board agenda after the committee held its last meeting on March 9 and finalized the report. Dewar said that one board member asked for an advance copy of the committees report, adding, My response was that obviously we would supply the report ahead of time and that it should be included in the meeting packet and made available to the public as well. I also took this as a confirmation that we would be on the [Select Board] agenda. But she added, A few hours later, I got a call from the SB chair [Mike Gardner] and was told the town attorney advised them not to discuss it and that we were being removed from the agenda. The citizen committee, which considered options for use, reuse or disposal of the former town office building, finalized its recommendations to the Select Board during the March 9 meeting. Dewar said in an email this week to the Banner: Fine. Dont discuss, but why not allow us to present? Our meetings were all in open session, Zoomed, and posted both in minutes and form. So what is the difference with us presenting what we openly discussed we would be presenting? The decision to remove us from the agenda also came prior to [the Select Board] receiving our comprehensive report after weeks of work. Town Executive Assistant Tara Parks said that the committees recommendations, since they involve the [Pownal Center Community Church], are too closely related to the current litigation. Therefore, it was recommended by our town attorney that we do not discuss it in open session at all. The meetings, the minutes and other docs are available in our archive on the Pownal website, just as any other meeting information is, in accordance with open meeting law. Gardner could not be reached this week for comment. Dewar said of the situation, It is terribly frustrating to feel like we wasted our time. Silencing a committee because you dont like what we had to say is ridiculous. Suit filed The church filed suit against the town in April 2025, seeking a determination in Bennington Superior Court Civil Division on its claim of ownership of the property, which is near the Old Town Hall building on Center Street and also sits on the site of the original town meeting house, built by Pownals earliest settlers in the 18th century. The suit complaint seeks an order from the court confirming that the church is successor and has claim to legal title to the property first established on, or around January 13, 1790, and that the church has never relinquished or conveyed legal title to the property. The town has contended that the church has not submitted proof of its claimed ownership and seeks a dismissal of the suit. Questions of ownership of the church and nearby parcels in the original town center followed instances in recent years involving attempts to undertake maintenance or restoration work on the historic church building. The town recently proposed an agreement in which it would lease the property to the church congregation for a nominal fee, but that idea apparently was rejected. Town officials have argued that the town through grants or appropriations could better maintain and preserve the church than the small congregation. The church dates to before Pownal and what became Vermont joined the United States and was still under Great Britain. Final meeting The committees recommendations to the Select Board, finalized during the March 9 meeting, include: Divest the town of the [Old Town Hall] building and grounds. This can be accomplished through either quit claiming to the church or to another organization. Or this can be accomplished through a sale. The report lists pros and cons of each option. Listing it as a secondary option, the report also states: If a sale or transfer proves impossible due to legal entanglements or the cost of repairs, the committee considered demolition as a final alternative to stop ongoing maintenance costs. The report adds, The committee explicitly rejected the option of leasing the building (becoming a landlord), citing the town's lack of capacity and staff to handle property management and maintenance. Other municipalities that lease town-owned properties have dedicated Building and Maintenance departments. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. New book distills frontline lessons from Medicaid into a fresh perspective on health policy innovation Already a bestseller, the book is earning praise from prominent national healthcare leaders A public launch event in Gainesville, Florida, will introduce the book and its ideas to the community GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when faith in public institutions is wavering, a new book challenges one of healthcare's most entrenched assumptions that innovation comes primarily from the private sector. In Public Startup: How America's Least Likely Government Program Became Its Boldest Experiment, physician-scientist and health policy leader Dr. Christopher R. Cogle argues that Medicaid, often dismissed as slow and bureaucratic, has become one of the nation's most dynamic laboratories of health policy innovation. Cover of Public Startup: How Americas Least Likely Government Program Became Its Boldest Experiment by Christopher R. Cogle, featuring a ladder rising from a tangled red tape knot and a gold National Bestseller badge. Drawing on decades of experience as a University of Florida professor and state Medicaid chief medical officer, Cogle brings readers inside real patient stories, policy battles, and state-led experiments reshaping care delivery. "Some of the most important breakthroughs in American healthcare aren't coming from Silicon Valley," said Cogle. "They're happening inside public systems, under pressure, with limited resources, and with real lives at stake." The book introduces three counterintuitive ideas: that solutions for the most vulnerable often become the standard for everyone; that public servants are quietly testing bold new models of care; and that programs like Medicaid do more than provide a safety net after people fallthey help rebuild lives and strengthen communities. Public Startup illustrates these ideas through Medicaid examples across the country, including Louisiana's subscription-based "Netflix model" for hepatitis C treatment and Oregon's coordinated care system that integrates physical, behavioral, and social services. Already a bestseller, the book has earned praise from national leaders. Debra Houry, MD, former CDC Chief Medical Officer, called it "a source of hope at a moment when trust in public health is under strain." Jessica Lee, MD, CEO of the Maven Project and former CMS Medicaid leader, described it as "an important and timely contribution." Christopher F. Koller, former President of the Milbank Memorial Fund, praised its insight into public program innovation. Dr. Cogle has spent more than 20 years at the University of Florida, leading pioneering research from blood stem cell discoveries to first-in-human clinical trials, while also helping shape state and national health policy. His work has been recognized by the National Academy of Medicine, Harvard Business School, and the American Cancer Society. A public launch event will be held on March 19, 2026, in Gainesville, Florida. Public Startup is now available at local bookstores, cogle.com, and major online retailers. Media Contact: Kerry Skemp [email protected] 831-217-3766 SOURCE Cogle Media Group, LLC Residents of Dalton are reaching their breaking point with sand blowing from a sand mine operated by Berkshire Concrete Corp. Now, the state's top environmental agency says it's up to the town to decide what happens next. Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Anna Massoglia is an investigative journalist who serves as editor of MuckRock , a nonprofit collaborative organization and newsroom based in Boston that allows users to file records requests. The widow Dean faced a fearful choice. If she married the schoolmaster, she would be excommunicated from the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge. If she did not marry him, she would give birth out of wedlock to his child. Its Sunshine Week an annual nonpartisan collaboration of civic, journalistic and educational voices speaking up on the importance of accessible public records, open governance and the free flow of information. While Sunshine Week is a national initiative, Massachusetts government in particular is in dire need of some disinfecting sunlight. As weve often stressed in this space, our commonwealth has a state secrecy problem. The Bay State is the only one in the country where all three branches of government the governors office, the Legislature and the state judiciary can claim blanket exemption from public records law. As journalists whose core mission is to inform the public and hold our leaders accountable, this shameful standard of official opacity in the state that served as the cradle of American democracy is deeply disturbing to us. Our Opinion: New rules package offers some hope for a more transparent and efficient Statehouse The new rules agreement suggests some overdue self-reflection from House and Senate leaders in recognition of the need to elevate business as usual on Beacon Hill. Better late than never. Fortunately, many of our fellow citizens are appropriately perturbed and have been speaking up more and more in recent years. Led by a coalition of concerned citizens, principled politicians and activist groups of all partisan stripes, significant strides have been made toward more transparency in Massachusetts government. Consistent calls for rule changes in the state House and Senate have led to overdue procedural updates aiming to make the Legislature more transparent and efficient though theres much room for improvement. In 2024, an impassioned push by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio was met with overwhelming voter approval for a ballot initiative calling for a public audit of the Legislature. Transparency advocates are taking the ballot measure path again this year to push for a policy weve long believed is not only sensible but necessary: applying public records law to the Legislature. Predictably, some leaders in a state government with a penchant for secrecy have bristled at their constituents demands for more accountability. For nearly two years, Legislative leadership has ignored the audit law passed in 2024 and the will of the voters who gave it supermajority support. That contempt for their constituents right to know carries not just insult but injury, as taxpayers will be the ones funding both sides of an impending court battle between the Legislature and the State Auditors Office. Meanwhile, the very same legislative leadership is already balking at the prospect of following public records law should voters approve the potential ballot question to that effect later this year. Bay Staters deserve better than their state leaders reflexively recoiling from any meaningful duty to transparency. Its bad enough that it happens in the Statehouse, but by our lights, that attitude is flowing down from Beacon Hill and infecting municipal governance as well. A recent Boston Globe review reveals that Massachusetts public officials are making a mockery of the states public records law not just state agencies but cities, towns and regional offices as well. Its among the worst states when it comes to public records access, the chief executive of Muckrock, an online platform launched in Boston that allows users to file records requests, told The Globe. The Globes report adds: In Massachusetts, the state laws deadlines for fulfilling records requests can be ignored, workers can conspire to overestimate costs, elected officials can spend years fighting requests in court, or not bother releasing records at all. Our Opinion: The longer official opacity continues on Hinsdale shooting, the more indefensible it becomes The Eagle has filed multiple records requests regarding this matter, a duty we perform on behalf of a public that has a right to know. While we hope those requests are adjudicated fairly and swiftly, the quickest path to transparency would be for the Hinsdale Police Department and Berkshire DA's Office to simply furnish the facts to the community they're sworn to serve. Short of that, these officials should at least give good reason why, after a month and a half, they still think the public should be shielded from those facts. The Eagle sees this phenomenon up close all the time in its investigate reporting the most recent example being our ongoing fight for key facts in a tragic police-involved shooting in Hinsdale. Officials clam up and circle the wagons when controversy touches a public agency, forcing us to file Freedom of Information Act requests for relevant documents and other information that should have been publicly available already. But when those FOIA requests are slow-walked or outright denied for specious reasons, its not just a newspaper thats getting stiff-armed. All members of the public, whose taxes fund these agencies only to have their view of their own government veiled, see their fundamental rights denied. The letter of public records law and the spirit of government by and for the people both hold the same truth to be self-evident: The people have a right to know how the the public servants we employ are doing their jobs. The silver lining is that despite the sorry state of secrecy in Massachusetts, the push for more transparency among civic-minded Bay Staters is alive and well. And that effort already has produced some promising changes. The Legislatures adoption of new rules that auger toward a more transparent and productive Statehouse did not happen because House and Senate leaders had an unprovoked change of heart. It was because a bipartisan push by activists from the left, right and center united their voices to call on their representatives to do better. Thats action toward accountability which is what Sunshine Week is all about. Grand opening March 28 offers first look at new acreage homesites and three new model homes NEW WAVERLY, Texas, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Patten Properties will host the grand opening of Section 3 at The Estates of Texas Grand Ranch on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in New Waverly, Texas. The event marks the first major homesite release of 2026 at the boutique forest community, giving buyers an early look at new cul-de-sacs, rare state park homesites, and larger acreage options. As Walker County continues to grow, with its population up 9.6% since 2020 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, demand for wooded acreage north of Houston continues to rise. Section 3 grand opening offers first look at homesites in a boutique forest community surrounded by the National Forest Post this Aerial view of the model home village at The Estates of Texas Grand Ranch, featuring a Design Tech Homes model home near the Sam Houston National Forest north of Houston. Guests will also have the opportunity to tour three new model homes by Superior Homes, Design Tech Homes and Black Oak Custom Homes, meet builders and enjoy a food truck on the forest patio. Located north of Houston and The Woodlands and surrounded by the Sam Houston National Forest, The Estates of Texas Grand Ranch offers wooded homesites with the space, privacy and flexibility buyers want. New homesites in Section 3 start at $79,900. "This release has been highly anticipated," said Gary Sumner Sr., Managing Partner of Patten Properties. "It has been about a year since our last major homesite release, and buyers have been waiting to see what's next at The Estates." Visitors attending the grand opening can walk available land, tour model homes and learn more about the newest homesite opportunities. Event Details Date: Saturday, March 28 Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: The Estates of Texas Grand Ranch, New Waverly, Texas To reserve a spot, visit the events page at myforestera.com or call or text (833) 447-3773. "So far in 2026, buyer demand north of Houston has remained strong, particularly for larger acreage homesites," said John Patten, CEO of Patten Properties. "That is what makes Section 3 important. It gives buyers new inventory in a segment where quality land is becoming harder to find." ABOUT PATTEN PROPERTIES Recognized as a leader in real estate investment and development, Patten Properties has developed more than 600 communities nationwide and closed more than $1 billion in sales. With 40+ years of experience, we make the dream of land ownership a reality for Americans. Media Contact: Heather Robison, [email protected] SOURCE Patten Companies FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Florida Department of Education's Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) program has given Nova Southeastern University's (NSU's) Ron and Assaf College of Nursing a $650,000 award to help address Florida's growing nursing shortage. In total, the program has given NSU more than $10 million to educate highly skilled nurses for readiness to meet Florida's growing healthcare needs. A student in Nova Southeastern Universitys Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing gains hands-on experience in a patient care setting, applying advanced training and technology to deliver high-quality care under faculty supervision. The United States is facing a significant nursing shortage, and Florida is particularly vulnerable because of its growing aging population and high demand for nursing care. The Florida Hospital Association projects the state will face a shortage of about 59,100 nurses by 2035, creating an urgency for well-prepared, practice-ready healthcare professionals. "With the healthcare industry facing critical workforce shortages, our work to prepare our students to become practicing nurses has never been more important," said Stefanie La Manna, dean of NSU's Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing. "The LINE funding supports our ongoing mission to enroll, educate, train, and graduate highly qualified nursing professionals at a time when their roles are in high demand." The $650,000 in LINE funding, matched by Baptist Health in Coral Gables, Florida, and Lee Health in Fort Myers, Florida, supports scholarships for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) students, clinical training placements, and specialized simulation programs. These investments enable the College of Nursing to maintain and upgrade simulation programs; provide ongoing training for faculty members, students, and clinical partners; strengthen National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)-focused teaching platforms; and recruit and educate B.S.N. students. The resources prepare students for first-time NCLEX examination success and help build a skilled nursing workforce. Since its inception in 2022, Florida's LINE program has become a key catalyst to increase nursing program capacity and graduate more practice-ready nurses. The program supports universities and colleges in updating simulation environments, enhancing clinical teaching resources, providing student scholarships, and strengthening publicprivate partnerships to improve workforce preparation. Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is the largest private research university in Florida and a top employer in the state, with more than $6.7 billion in projected economic impact. NSU is classified as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Foundation among universities with the highest level of research activity. Visit www.nova.edu. SOURCE Nova Southeastern University Foo Fighters' performance at Other Voices in St James' Church in Dingle is to air on RTE on Easter Monday. The surprise set teased the band's forthcoming album Your Favourite Toy ahead of its release on April 24th. The show will air on RTE 2 at 9.30pm on April 6th, and was filmed last month as a secret, one-night-only show with just 80 fans. Foo Fighters kicked off the Other Voices 25th anniversary celebrations, as the series continually captures world-class artists in uniquely intimate spaces. The one-hour episode features new tracks from the band's upcoming 12th studio album, alongside fan favourites including My Hero, Everlong and Times Like These, as well as deepcut A320, which had its first live outing since 2000. Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters frontman, said that the band "have always had such a great time in Ireland," but have never done something like this before. Advertisement "We have played small shows to intimate audiences, but this is our first church. What we know of Other Voices is that it is something very special and also the town of Dingle is a really special place." With a career spanning years and a catalogue of indelible anthems, the band performed their smallest show in decades, paying tribute to the grassroots DIY community culture they came from. Philip King, Other Voices founder, described the performance as "a wonderful musical gift," saying it was "the smallest stadium gig in the world." Other Voices Presents: Foo Fighters Live in St James Church airs on RTE2 at 9.30pm on Easter Monday, April 6th and will be available to stream worldwide on RTE Player. Three serving Limerick gardai who were due to stand trial for alleged perverting the course of justice were told on Wednesday that all charges against them are to be dropped. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) informed the solicitors' firm representing the three gardai that it would be formally dropping all charges at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on March 25th. The three Limerick-based Gardai have been suspended for the past six years, facing criminal charges arising from an investigation led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) - a Dublin-based Garda unit located at Harcourt Square. The probe focused on alleged unlawful garda interference in the prosecution of fixed charge penalty notices in respect of pending or potential motoring offences. The three gardai - Garda Peter O'Donnell, 52, Garda Paul Baynham, 37, and Garda Niall Deegan, 51, all serving in the Roads Policing Unit, Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick Garda Division - deny all of the charges. Advertisement The three gardai are represented by solicitor Liz Hughes, Hughes Murphy Solicitors, Wellington Quay, Dublin. In September 2024, the three accused officers appeared before Limerick District Court charged with a total of 33 counts that, while serving as a member of An Garda Siochana, they did communicate with other gardai, in a manner which had a tendency or was intended to pervert the course of public justice, on dates between 2017 and 2019. ODonnell was accused of 14 separate counts; Baynham was facing ten separate counts; and Deegan was charged with nine separate counts under the legislation. Detective Inspector Mark Waters, GNBCI, told the court in September 2024 that he arrested and charged each of the three gardai, and that each accused "made no reply" to the charges. Waters told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented to the three gardai facing trial on indictment at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. However, the office of the DPP contacted the solicitors' firm representing the three gardai on Wednesday and informed it that the three accused would not face trial, as all charges were being dropped. On March 2nd this year, the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court was told that the prosecutions against the three accused were facing lengthy delays due to a drain on resources and budgetary overruns. The prosecuting barrister, senior counsel Carl Hanahoe, apologised to the court for those delays. Hanahoe said the prosecution was not in a position to proceed with the trials on March 2nd. He cited budgetary overruns, as well as the time it would take for the GNBCI to organise a number of potential witnesses, as reasons for the delay. Advertisement Hanahoe told Judge Colin Daly on March 2nd: I have to apologise for (the delay). Senior Counsel, John Byrne, for Baynham and ODonnell, and Senior Counsel, James B Dwyer, for Deegan, each made applications before Judge Daly to have the cases struck out on March 2nd last. Byrnes and Dwyer told the court that their clients had been under investigation by GNBCI since 2019, that they had remained on suspension since 2020, and they were still waiting to be served with a disclosure of evidence from the prosecution. Byrne told the court the situation facing his client was highly unsatisfactory. Dwyer, in seeking a strike out of the charges against Gda Deegan, also cited a criminal case, which he argued was struck out because the prosecuting garda had not been present in court. Dwyer said his side had requested disclosure from the prosecution in 2024, and although they had received partial disclosure in 2025, they had heard nothing since then despite repeated requests for full disclosure from the prosecution. The judge said on March 2nd that he would consider striking out the cases against all three accused, if the State did not complete requests for disclosure within a reasonable time. Ireland Garda HQ evaluating fallout from failed prosecution of Limerick gardai Read more The DPPs decision not to pursue prosecutions against the three gardai comes two months on from the jury acquittals of a retired superintendent and four serving gardai who were accused of similar offences. Last January, retired superintendent Eamon ONeill, alongside his wife Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett; Sergeant Michelle Leahy; Garda Colm Geary and Garda Tom McGlinchey; were all found not guilty following their nine-week trial at Limerick circuit criminal court. Afterwards, politicians including Fianna Fail TDs Willie ODea and Cathal Crowe criticised the prosecutions of the five accused, and argued the matters should have been dealt with by way of internal disciplinary procedures, should they have been deemed appropriate. Labour TD Alan Kelly has called for an independent enquiry into why the gardai and retired superintendent were charged with criminal offences in the first place. Ireland's reliance on multinationals to drive technological progress and productivity is leaving it exposed, according to a report published on Thursday. Commissioned by Stripe founders John and Patrick Collison, the report claims that "urgent" Government action is needed to secure economic growth. Alan Ahearne, author of the report, former adviser to Taoiseach Micheal Martin and economics professor at the University of Galway, writes that Ireland's high level of productivity is in part due to large sectors of the economy that are dominated by foreign-owned multinational corporations. The report notes that over the past 50 years, real income per person has tripled, rising from about 17,500 in 1970 to over 53,000 in 2023, with economic growth largely driven by foreign direct investment (FDI) from the United States. However, it claims that in light of "fundamental geopolitical shifts, "increased trade protectionism" and "fragmenting globalisation", Ireland may not be able to rely on foreign direct investment to drive economic growth. Advertisement These changes should be seen not as temporary shocks to the world economy, but rather structural upheavals that threaten to reshape patterns of global capital flows, Ahearne warns. The report says that the Government should look to the domestic sector to help drive growth, to "generate tax revenues to fund expanding public services, such as health and education and much-needed infrastructure spending. It also says that the Government should consider tax incentive schemes to attract highly-qualified people from abroad to Irish companies, giving the example of Israel and Portugal who have introduced similar regimes. Ireland can, and undoubtedly will, respond to these international developments and will remain an attractive location for FDI, given the countrys economic strengths, Ahearne says. But to assume that productivity-rich FDI will locate in Ireland in the coming decades in the volumes experienced in the past could be a grave strategic mistake. Business Collison brothers' Stripe unit records weekly revenues of $98.59m in 2024 Read more Productivity growth is going to have to come from somewhere else, which calls for urgent action by Irish policymakers to boost Irelands start-up and scale-up landscape. The Collison brothers, whose payments firm Stripe is now valued at about $159 billion (135 billion), have become more vocal in recent years about what they think the Irish economy needs. Last October, John Collison argued in an Irish Times opinion piece that too many regulators, Government departments, public agencies and NGOs had placed constraints on large-scale infrastructure projects. Commenting on the report, the Collison brothers said: "In an increasingly competitive and volatile world, putting in place the systems and conditions to accelerate scientific and technological progress will be critical for future living standards in Ireland. The number of evictions has risen by 41 per cent in the last quarter of 2025 compared with the same period the previous year, according to new data released by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The numbers show that over 65 per cent of these notices (3,226) were issued as the landlord wished to sell the property. However, when compared with Q3 2025, the total number of evictions decreased marginally by 3.6 per cent. This comes after the introduction of new rental rules earlier this month, with warnings that landlords may be forced to leave the market. Nationally, registered private tenancies rose by 1.1 per cent year-on-year to 243,598 in Q4 2025, the highest number recorded since the current series began in Q2 2023. RTB Director Rosemary Steen said: "While we are concerned by trends in Notices of Termination, it is important to take a balanced view. Advertisement "There are always landlords entering and leaving the rental market, but it is reassuring to see that the number of registered tenancies rose in Q4. She added: The proportion of tenancies provided by large landlords with 100+ tenancies also grew for the tenth consecutive quarter, as we continue to see big changes in the shape of the Irish rental market. Further, there was a 26 per cent increase in dispute resolution last year, with well over half (58 per cent) of these applications coming from tenants. Meanwhile, the number of investigations into breaches of rental law increased by 125 per cent last year as compared with 2024, bringing the total number of investigations last year to 280. The RTB also issued nearly 1,000 compliance notices to landlords for failing to register, bringing the total number of notices issued in 2025 to just over 7,000. In Q3 last year, rents for new tenancies also grew by 5.4 per cent annually while rents for existing tenancies were up 4.6 per cent. In Q4 last year, the average rent for new tenancies was 1,776, while the average rent for existing tenancies was 1,494. NYSE issues a pre-market daily advisory direct from the trading floor. NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today's NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. Kristen Scholer delivers the pre-market update on March 19th ICE Brent Crude oil hits $119 a barrel amid Iran conflict. Speed Speed Hayward Holdings celebrated five years listed on the NYSE. Equities are little changed after the S&P 500 shed 1.4% on Wednesday and the Dow fell to a new 2026 low amid rising oil prices and the conflict in Iran. Former Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester will join NYSE Live to weigh in on the Central Bank's next move amid changing data. Edison Electric Institute President and CEO Drew Maloney will join NYSE Live to discuss 250 years of energy innovation. Smart technology company Xylem (NYSE: XYL) will preview World Water Day 2026 and its clean water initiatives on Taking Stock this afternoon. Opening Bell Edison Electric celebrates 250 years of American innovation Closing Bell Xylem (NYSE: XYL) celebrates World Water Day through Wave of Action Initiatives For market insights, IPO activity, and today's opening bell, download the NYSE TV App: TV.NYSE.com SOURCE New York Stock Exchange A family has denied trying to freeze Noah Donohoes social media accounts, after their shared email address was linked to the request to do so. The inquest into the death of the schoolboy at Belfast Coroners Court, heard that Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe, was effectively locked out of her sons Instagram account by the action. Noah, a pupil at St Malachys College, was 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning. On Thursday, the jury inquest heard evidence from three witnesses who are to remain anonymous and were concealed from the press and public gallery, but were in view of the jury and Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe. Fiona Donohoe, the mother of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe, outside Belfast Coroners Court (Liam McBurney/PA) M1 refers to a witness who was a pupil at St Malachys at the time of Noahs disappearance, M2 is his sister and M3 is their mother. Over their three statements it was established that a request had been put to tech company Meta that owns Instagram to memorialise Noahs Instagram account, which effectively freezes it and retains the information in it at that time. Advertisement Peter Coll KC, counsel for the coroner, showed the form that was submitted to Meta on June 28th 2020, the day after Noahs body was found, with M1s name and a shared family email address. Where a proof of death is required, a link was inserted to a news article from the time saying that Noah had died. M1 said he was a student at St Malachys college in June 2020 but he did not know Noah at the time, telling the inquest: I only realised who he was when I seen his face on a poster. In his statement he said I would not have known how to memorialise an Instagram account or shut it down and I have no knowledge of the cancellation of Noahs Instagram account. He said the shared family address was linked to accounts he used for online gaming. Under questioning from Kate Hanley, counsel for Fiona Donohoe, he reiterated that he did not seek to memorialise Noahs account and said I do wish I did when asked if he knew who attempted to. Advertisement Asked if he could help any further he said: If I could I would, I promise I would say it. M2 said she also did not know Noah and only became aware of him after his disappearance in June 2020. Fiona Donohoe (left) outside Belfast Coroners Court (Liam McBurney/PA) She had used the shared family email address for a Pinterest account but had her own email address for an Instagram account. On June 23rd 2020 M2 requested to follow Noahs personal Instagram account. Around the time when Noah went missing we would have been around the same age, she said. We like to share the things that needed to be shared to help find him so I followed his account just to keep updated with that. Brenda Campbell, representing Donohoe, said that as a result of the memorialisation, the day after she learned that her child had died she had no access to any of his private social media, and Donohoe was locked out. Campbell said Donohoe was concerned someone had done this to deliberately deprive her and us of that access to Noahs accounts. M2 confirmed she understood what Campbell described as that significant and serious point. M2 said of course she would say if she had further information, but that she did not seek to memorialise Noahs account and did not know who did. Her statement also referenced accounts being hacked and she told jurors, back in 2020 and years like that there was an epidemic of Instagram accounts being hacked it was always just scam websites, things like that. Advertisement She added: I know my brother was hacked a few times and my account was hacked as well. M3 said that to her knowledge her children M1 and M2 had not sought to memorialise Noahs social media accounts and she has no explanation as to how their shared family email address came to be on that form. She said she became aware of Noah only when he went missing and remembers Fiona coming in and giving us stickers to help raise awareness. Her statement said: I never had any dealings with Noahs Instagram account, I have never attempted to close it down and no one has ever mentioned to me about closing it down. The three family statements were dated mid-February 2026, and M3 said that prior to being contacted by the inquest around this time they had no knowledge that M1s name or the family email address were linked to Noahs case in any way. The inquest will resume next week. I dont want to be arrested at Dublin Airport. I am not a criminal. This is a civil matter, it should have been sorted out 20 years ago, says Rose Murray, the woman, who, along with her husband Chris, is subject to an arrest warrant as their home in Bohermeen, Co Meath, is due to be demolished today. The house was built in 2006 without planning permission and was the subject of numerous legal challenges between the Murrays and Meath County Council in the High Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Rose Murray told Newstalks Claire Byrne show that the couple knew they had made a mistake. It was too big. We put our hands up 20 years ago to say were trying to fix the situation, but theres no negotiating with them. Advertisement It's barbaric what they were doing to us. Sending in 20 masked balaclava men into the house the other morning. What did they need that for? Absolutely barbaric." Murray said they had two live appeals before the European Court of Human Rights, but in the meantime, they would just have to move on with their lives. She did not know where they were going to go. Their children were staying with friends at present. Ireland Inquest opens into death of British Army officer from Roscommon killed in training incident Read more When asked if they would go to a B&B, Murray said no. The children are not going to go to a B&B in this day and age with all the homeless people, refugees coming into the country. It's barbaric that you can pay your taxes in this country all your life and then be treated like that and put into a bed and breakfast. She said she would not watch the house being demolished. I'm staying away until the order is lifted for my arrest so that I can actually come into the country. The death of a British Army officer from Co Roscommon, killed in a live firing training exercise, is being investigated by police and health and safety inspectors, an inquest opening has heard. The officer, who grew up in Co Roscommon, served as a fire support commander within 129 (Dragon) Battery of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery. Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died on January 25 following an incident at Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland, one of the UKs largest army training ranges. Opening an inquest into his death at Northumberland Coroners Court on Thursday, senior coroner Andrew Hetherington said Capt Muldowney, known as Gilbert, was undertaking a training exercise at the range in Otterburn Camp. An incident occurred which resulted in Gilbert suffering a gunshot wound, which is believed to have entered through his back and exited through his left shoulder, Mr Hetherington said. (An) immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him MoD The coroner said CPR was conducted by military medics and ambulance crews attended, but Capt Muldowney was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Hetherington said the incident was being investigated by Northumbria Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the Defence Safety Authority, who are conducting a service inquiry. Advertisement He told the hearing: In the circumstances, I formally open this inquest and adjourn to May 19 2027. However, this is very much a provisional date, and we will look at an alternative listing. Capt Muldowneys parents attended the hearing on a videolink. He grew up in Ballinameen, near Boyle after his family moved there from Dublin when he was a child. His father, David, is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Elphin. At his funeral in February at St Attractas Church, Ballinameen Bishop Kevin Doran told those gathered Capt Muldowney brought "joy and hope" to those around him. His colleagues and friends from the army who Bishop Doran said "were closest to him at the time of his death" were at the service. Reverend Captain Henry Afful was in attendance alongside Colonel Sean Grant, defence attache to the British embassy, Colonel Harry Waller, commanding officer in the Fourth Regiment Royal Artillery and Colonel William Tulloch, First Battalion Scots Guards Commander. Mr Muldowneys coffin was carried into the chapel by uniformed officers. There were also representatives from the Irish Defence Forces and Mr Muldowneys local GAA club. Bishop Doran who carried out the service said the community were sharing stories about Captain Muldowney as they mourned his loss. Advertisement He said: "Many stories have been told about Gilbert over cups of tea and coffee, and many more will be told before the day is out, stories of his escapades and of his commitment, his interest in archery and brewing, to mention but a few." Capt Muldowney joined the British Army on January 5 2020, commissioning into the Royal Artillery on 11 December 2020 after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He graduated from Elphin Community College in 2019 and the schools principal Anne Gilleran said Captain Muldowney "is spoken of with enormous respect and affection by staff who knew him well". "In a small school, those memories endure, and Gilberts contribution to Elphin Community College is remembered with great pride," she said. "Elphin Community College has a long-standing tradition of displaying photographs of its head students. "Gilberts photograph hangs above the main entrance to the school, where it stands as a quiet reminder of the standards, character and generosity of spirit he brought to our community." After his death, the Ministry of Defence said Capt Muldowney was an immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him. Capt Muldowney joined the army on January 5 2020, commissioning into the Royal Artillery on December 11 2020 after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. A man accused of assaulting another man on St Patricks Day by allegedly stamping on his head as he lay unconscious on a street, told gardai the victim stabbed him first, a court heard Thursday. Darren Mason (22), St Munchins Street, St Marys Park, Limerick, told gardai he was acting in self-defence on the night, Limerick District Court heard. Mason was charged in court with assault causing harm to Liam Higgins, (55), at Athlunkard Street, Limerick City, on last Tuesday, March 17th. Mason, originally from Rhebogue, Limerick, and living in Grove Island, Corbally, was also charged with violent disorder and with producing an article, namely a traffic bollard, capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of a dispute, at the same location on the same date. CCTV footage Opposing bail, Detective Garda Aoife Keane, Mayorstone Station, told the court that in interviews with gardai following his arrest, Mason identified himself in CCTV footage of the alleged attack, located outside Radcliffes Pub, Athlunkard Street, on the night. Advertisement Detective Garda Keane said the CCTV footage shows Mason initially approached from behind by Higgins, who was not known to him and Higgins,who was allegedly armed with two knives, stabbing Mason. Detective Garda Keane said the footage also showed Higgins throwing a traffic bollard in the direction of Mason as Mason and others approach him on the street. The garda witness said the footage shows Mason and others throwing traffic bollards in the direction of Higgins. The CCTV footage, which was played in court, shows an unidentified male throwing a traffic bollard at Higgins, striking him on his head and knocking him to the ground. Another unidentified male is then seen on the footage kicking Higgins in the head as he lies on the ground motionless. The footage then showed a man identified as Mason stamping his foot on Higgins head as Higgins remains motionless on the street. Another unidentified male is also seen on the footage slamming a traffic bollard onto Higgins head. The footage then allegedly shows Mason approaching Higgins, who remains motionless, and leaning down towards him before being led away by two females. Detective Garda Keane said a number of other persons were being sought by gardai for questioning about the events. Detective Garda Keane agreed with Masons solicitor, John Herbert, that Higgins was identified on the CCTV footage allegedly stabbing Mr Mason initially. Detective Garda Keane agreed with Herbert that Mason told gardai following his arrest that Higgins, who he did not know, was taunting him prior to stabbing him. Advertisement Detective Garda Keane said Mason received stitches in hospital afterwards for two stab wounds, as well as a slash wound to one of his arms. Herbert said the accused has worked as a block-layer and has a partner and two young children. Herbert argued that Higgins was responsible for the beginning of the alleged events on the night, not Mr Mason. Prosecuting Inspector Liam Wallace said he accepted that while Higgins may have initially posed a threat to Mason, he posed no risk to the accused or anyone else while his head was being stamped on as he lay unconscious on the street after being struck by a bollard. Bail Detective Garda Keane objected to bail and told the court it was her belief that Mason would commit offences while on bail, not abide by any bail conditions, and intimidate witnesses. Detective Keane said the CCTV footage from the night was of excellent quality. Judge Patricia Harney said Mason was, like all accused persons before a court, entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. The judge said she was satisfied having heard the evidence of Detective Keane, to refuse bail. The judge remanded Mr Mason in custody to appear before Limerick District Court again on March 24th, for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. As Mason was appearing in court gardai arrested two men as part of the ongoing investigation. The two suspects, aged in their 20s, were being questioned at an undisclosed Garda station in Limerick. Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Martin pushes back, gently, against Trump Taoiseach Micheal Martin emerged unscathed from his St Patrick's Day meeting with US president Donald Trump, and even pushed back on certain issues. He has earned praise for defending UK prime minister Keir Starmer, the European Union, migration, and Ukraine, after Trump hit many of his familiar soundbites. Still angry at the UK's decision not the join his war on Iran, Trump used the Oval Office meeting to criticise Starmer who he said is "no Winston Churchill". Martin told Trump Churchill had not been a friend to Ireland, before defending Starmer. He said Starmer is a "very earnest, sound person and he believes Trump has a capacity to get on with him. Advertisement I just met with Keir Starmer last week, the British-Irish relationship is a very important one. Churchill was a great wartime leader, although in Ireland it was kind of a different perspective in terms of our own war of independence and so on, he created his own bit of difficulties for us. But that said, he was a great wartime hero. 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 is a very earnest, sound person that I think you have a capacity to get on with. And youve got on with him before, and youve got on with other European leaders as well and I think you have that capacity again." Martin also defended immigration in the European Union after Trump launched a familiar attack on migration policies. The US media gave Martin favourable reports for his performance. The New York Times report that Martin "pushed back, gently" against Trump. The report notes it was a "delicate balance" for the Taoiseach, due to the importance of the Ireland-US relationship. Comparing the meeting to a recent one between Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz, The Times noted Martin's Oval Office outing contained "some awkward silence as well". However, it praised Martin for calling for peace in the Middle East and defending European allies. "Mr Martin walked a fine line. He denounced Iranian aggression, saying 'you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon,' and underlining that 'all European countries' have recognised Iran as a sponsor of terrorism. He also defended European responses." Advertisement USA Today focused more so on the musings of Trump, however, the report notes his misgendering of President Catherine Connolly. "While meeting with the Irish prime minister at the White House, Trump was asked by a reporter to respond to Irelands president saying the Iran war is illegal. Look, hes lucky I exist, Trump said. "The president of Ireland is Catherine Connolly, who, like the acting Venezuelan president, is not a man." The Huffington Post also focused on Martin's defence of Starmer in an "awkward" Oval Office meeting. The report also praises Martin for defending Ukraine. "The taoiseach also tried to appeal to Trump over Ukraine, as the president consistently and falsely blames Kyiv for starting the war. "'The Russians did invade Ukraine, attack civilian infrastructure. The people of Ukraine just want peace and an opportunity to live,' Martin said. 'We want a peaceful resolution of conflict.' "His remarks show how the tide is turning against Trump across Europe at a time when Nato is desperately trying to stay out of the USs conflict in the Middle East." Trump indicated he was hoping to visit Ireland while the Irish Open takes place at his resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, in September. However, The Washington Post report focuses on the tone of the meeting, claiming it dashes any hopes of a visit. The headline reads 'Trump attacks on European allies dash hopes for Irish visit'. It reads: "Trump proceeded to bash Ireland and the European Union for tariffs and tax policies that he blamed for hurting the United States an on-camera dressing-down that gave Martin little opportunity for a confidential appeal, nor much chance to get a word in edgewise." Advertisement The Post focused on Trump's criticism of US companies based in Ireland, while also noting Martin's defence of Starmer and the European Union. The Rest Is Politics podcast co-hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart have both complimented Taoiseach Micheal Martin for how he conducted himself in the meeting with US president Donald Trump. Martin was forced to sit in silence for long periods, as all world leaders normally have to with Trump, but when he got a chance he was not afraid to push back. In notable moments he defended UK prime minister Keir Starmer, Europe and Ukraine. Campbell is a former journalist who worked as a strategist and adviser for former UK prime minister Tony Blair. He is often linked with the UK's involvement with the Iraq war, and Starmer is currently facing the ire of Trump for refusing to let Britain become involved in the Iran war. Campbell wrote: "Well done @MichealMartinTD - speaking up for European allies. Speaking up for @Keir_Starmer Speaking up for Ukraine. And doing it in a way that kept the Orange Man Boy for several minutes. Happy St Patricks Day." Stewart is an academic and former diplomat and politician. He wrote: "A master mass here from Micheal Martin on how to speak fluently and diplomatically - while also standing up for values, peace and European allies." Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with US president Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC. Jim O'Callaghan gets Leaders' Questions practice Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has been widely tipped as the successor to Martin. With the Taoiseach not yet home from the US, O'Callaghan got a chance to practice at Leaders' Questions. Advertisement He was forced to defend Martin's visit to the Oval Office amid criticism from the Opposition. The Government will act on rising energy costs, the Minister for Justice said, but could not indicate when that will happen. Sinn Feins leader Mary Lou McDonald said home heating oil had reached 900 for a half fill and people cant wait as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael twiddle your thumbs. Energy costs The Government will finalise an appropriate intervention to rising fuel and energy prices next week, the Tanaiste has said. Simon Harris said measures would be signed off at the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Speaking in the Dail, Harris said: This Government understands the pressures families and businesses are under. They are feeling it at the pumps where the cost of filling a car has risen considerably in the space of just over a fortnight and they are seeing it in the cost of a fill of oil. Seven centres for people with disabilities have been identified by inspectors as having non-compliance with the required regulations and standards of care. Inspection reports were carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) on 22 designated centres for people with disabilities. Inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 15 centres. However, non-compliance that impacted the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in seven other centres. At a centre operated by Peamount Healthcare, Hiqa inspectors identified poor governance, "meant the service was not resourced to meet residents needs". Hiqa said improvements were required by the provider in managing risks and fire safety, and in supporting residents' recreational and healthcare. Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by Horizons. In two centres, improvements were required to support residents recreational activities as well as to the premises to support residents privacy and dignity. In the remaining centre, the management of safeguarding incidents and staff training required improvements. Advertisement Non-compliance was identified at two centres operated by Embrace Community Services Ltd. At one centre, a review of fire safety evacuation plans was required, while at the other centre, Hiqa said residents healthcare needs and staffing required improvements. Finally, improvements were required in residents personal plans and assessments of care needs at a centre operated by Lotus Care Limited. The inspectors did find good practices observed in many of the centres, including one in Wicklow operated by Enable Ireland Disability Services Ltd, where a resident attended a local service to meet up with friends and engage in activities of their choosing, such as swimming, shopping, visiting the library and availing of other community-based activities. Meanwhile, at a centre operated by the HSE in Sligo, staffing and the availability of vehicles at the centre supported residents to do individual activities, with two residents joining the local 'Mens Shed', which they said they enjoyed. A male teenager has been arrested in connection with a road collision in Co Limerick last month. Aine OReilly, a nurse from Pallasgreen, died in the collision on Friday 13th February that left another driver injured, while a third fled the scene. The collision took place on the N24 near Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick. The teenager is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Limerick Division. Gardai say that investigations are ongoing. Further attacks on oil fields and rising fuel costs, and St Patrick's day incidents dominate the front pages of Irish papers this Thursday morning. Parts of South Lebanon risk being cut off from the rest of the country as a wave of Israeli strikes have hit key bridges, just 14 hours after an evacuation order for the southern city of Tyre. Israel claims that it is striking the bridges because they are being used by Hizbullah. Also on the front page of the Irish Times is the expected demolition of an illegally built house in Co Meath which is expected today. The house was possessed by the council on Monday. And a new report funded by Stripe founders, the Collison brothers, has warned of the dependence of the country on large tech companies, which leaves the country exposed. Advertisement An arrest has been made in connection with the stabbing of father-of-one Oleksandr Zhyvytskyi in Cork city. The Irish Examiner also reports on the strike of Iran's Pars gas field, which has sent oil prices soaring further. The Echo leads with the three vacant homes in Glanmire, Cork city, that have remained empty for 18 years due to "legal issues with title". The Tanaiste has said that the Government will implement an "appropriate intervention" to tackle rising fuel and energy costs, reports the Irish Independent. The splash of the Irish Daily Mirror is on an attack in Limerick City on St Patrick's day that left a father for dead, eight years to the day after his son was killed. A St Patrick's Day parade in Co Mayo with floats relating to the Epstein files have been lambasted as "tasteless", "disgraceful" and "sickening", according to the Irish Daily Star. There are fears of oil prices soaring to $200 a barrel, says the Irish Daily Mail, as Iran has ramped up its strikes on oil and gas plants. A top GP has tried to assauge worries of a meningitis outbreak in the UK, reports the Belfast Telegraph, saying that while it is "dangerous", it is "far less contagious than Covid". And finally, the Herald reports that Patrick Harte, described by a judge as a "sexual predator", has been jailed for four years. President Donald Trump pledged that Israel would make no more attacks on Irans major South Pars gas field, but if Iran attacked Qatar again, the US would retaliate and massively blow up the entirety of the field. Mr Trump made his threat on his Truth Social site as the war roiled global energy markets and Iranian missiles hit Qatar. I do not want to authorise this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, Mr Trump said, but added that he would not hesitate to do so, if Qatars liquified natural gas sites were attacked again. He said Israel out of anger had violently lashed out and hit a relatively small section of the gas field. Iran attacked gas facilities in Qatar after Israel launched its attack against South Pars. Advertisement Qatar said on Thursday that Iranian missile attacks damaged more liquefied natural gas sites in the energy-rich nation, causing sizable fires and extensive further damage. Qatar Energy, the nations state-owned oil and gas company, said firefighters were working to halt the fires and no one had been hurt so far. The United Arab Emirates denounced Irans attacks targeting its Habshan gas facility and Bab field as a dangerous escalation. Authorities in Abu Dhabi say the gas operations had been shut down after interceptions over the sites. President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Saudi Arabia, which also reported downing Iranian drones targeting its natural gas facilities overnight, also criticised Iranian attacks. What little trust there was before has completely been shattered, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said after a meeting between foreign ministers of the Gulf Arab states and others over the Iranian attacks tearing at the wider Middle East. The attacks on my country and on my neighbouring countries that are not involved in this conflict thats all Im interested in, Prince Faisal said. Were going to use every lever we have political, economic, diplomatic and otherwise to get these attacks to stop. He criticised Irans attacks on Riyadh, the capital hosting the meeting. I cannot see it as coincidental, he said. Thats the clearest signal of how Iran feels about diplomacy. It tries to pressure its neighbours, and thats not going to work. Advertisement A statement by the nations at the summit Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and UAE denounced these deliberate Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones, which targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic missions. Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud chairs a consultative meeting of foreign ministers from a group of Arab and Islamic countries in the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Baraa Anwer/AP) The participants emphasised that these attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way, the statement said. An attack set a ship on fire early on Thursday off the coast of the UAE, authorities said. The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said a vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile, which has resulted in a fire onboard. It said the vessel was just off the coast of Khor Fakkan in the UAE, near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the worlds oil and natural gas typically flows. The UKMTO said the crew of another ship hit off the coast of Qatar on Thursday was safe, but it was not clear if it had been targeted or struck by falling debris from missile interceptors fired at Iranian barrages. More than 20 vessels have been attacked during the Iran war so far as Tehran tries to squeeze shippers as part of its pressure campaign over the conflict. Advertisement Medics and doctors were still assessing victims early on Thursday morning from an Israeli strike on the West Bank as the Palestinian Red Crescent adjusted their toll to at least three killed and at least 13 injured. It had earlier reported four deaths. The group called the count preliminary and said the deaths resulted from a direct strike and falling missile fragments. A man inspects the site of an Iranian missile strike in Petah Tikva (Oded Balilty/AP) Paramedics said they faced serious delays reaching the Hebron-area strike, slowed by gates the Israeli military has set up around Palestinian towns in the occupied West Bank and kept largely closed during the war. Kuwaits Ministry of Information said early on Thursday that the largest mosque in Kuwait City, which can accommodate thousands of worshippers for major prayers, will be closed to worshippers on Eid alFitr due to the current circumstances. Authorities across Gulf countries have announced that Eid prayers marking the end of Ramadan will be held only inside regular mosques, with no large outdoor gatherings as a precaution. The ongoing Iran war has prompted Gulf states to curb large public events and gatherings. US House speaker Mike Johnson said the US operation was all but done but he acknowledged the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is dragging it out a little bit. The Republican said Mr Trump was right to ask countries that have interests in the region to help in securing the strait. I think its pretty absurd that those requests were rebuffed, he said. I do think the original mission is virtually accomplished now: We were trying to take out the ballistic missiles and their means of production, and neuter the Navy, and those objectives have been met, he said. As soon as we bring some calm to the situation, I think its all but done. Dozens of dogs and cats have arrived in Athens with their owners aboard a special evacuation flight for Greeks with pets who were trapped by the current war in the Middle East. Emotional scenes unfolded at Athens airport as small dogs leaped for joy after being let out of their special travel carry cases. The government-organised Aegean flight from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates carried 45 pets and 101 people. A repatriated dog at Athens International Airport after being evacuated from Abu Dhabi amid the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran (Petros Giannakouris/PA) Our pets are not luggage, they are part of our families, said the Greek Interior Ministrys special secretary for the protection of companion animals Nikos Chrysakis. He said the interior and foreign ministries had worked together for days so we can have this good result, for the animals and people to return home safely. Advertisement The Israeli and US attack on Iran has wreaked havoc on airline travel across the Middle East. Countries have been forced to repeatedly shut their airspace and cancel thousands of flights in major airline hubs such as Dubai and Qatar as missiles flew overhead. Hundreds of thousands of travellers found themselves stranded. A repatriated Greek woman and her dog arrive at Athens International Airport (Petros Giannakouris/AP) For Danai Koukoulomati, finding a flight that would also take her cat Muay Thai was non-negotiable. To me, my pet, my cat is my family. There is no chance Im going to leave him behind, she said. But Ms Koukoulomati could not find any flight accepting animals in the cabin or in the cargo hold. She said: It is very, very difficult to fly out of the country with your pets. As for dealing with the war, Ms Koukoulomati said Muay Thai was far more stoic than she was herself. When explosions sounded he would hide in the bathroom and that would be all. He was a calm cat, she said. Ms Koukoulomati added: I was not as calm as my cat. I need to take some lessons from him. Alexandra Papayanis, who has been living in Dubai for five years, arrived with her dog Sirtaki named after a Greek dance and a second dog she brought out for a friend. A repatriated Greek woman with her dog hugs relatives during their arrival at Athens International Airport (Petros Giannakouris/AP) She too said she had struggled to find an evacuation flight that would take animals. Its so important. I mean, our pets are part of our family, Ms Papayanis said. Advertisement And in these very difficult circumstances, the challenges we are facing is how to bring our dogs and our cats back. Returning to Greece with Sirtaki was absolutely fantastic, she said. For another passenger, Maria Theochari, leaving Dubai without her dog Matisse was unthinkable. Like my kids, I have Matisse, she said. This is important for me. I dont separate my animal or my kids, its the same for me. CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The executive leadership at Okuma America Corporation, a global manufacturer of computer numeric control (CNC) machine tools, and automation systems, is pleased to announce that Mr. Jim King, President, CEO, and COO, has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT). Mr. King's appointment was confirmed at the organization's Annual Business Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 11, 2026. His term will begin on April 8, 2026. Mr. Jim King, Okuma America Corporation's President, CEO, and COO, has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT). As a member of AMT's Board of Directors, Mr. King will provide strategic direction and guidance to the association's executive team. The AMT executive team leads the association in their mission to represent and promote U.S.-based builders and distributors of manufacturing technology. "I'm honored to be appointed to the AMT Board of Directors," Mr. King shared. "The association's advocacy is crucial during this period of dynamic opportunity in the manufacturing industry, and I look forward to serving this group by contributing my expertise to the cause." Mr. King joined Okuma America corporation in 2010 as Senior Vice President of Sales and was named President and COO of Okuma America Corporation in 2011. In 2024, he was appointed CEO and began serving as a Senior Officer of Okuma Corporation in Japan. Before his time at Okuma, he served in leadership roles at Siemens Industry, Nematron, and Source Alliance.com, focusing on sales, marketing, and channel strategy in industrial automation. He began his career with Rockwell Automation and holds a degree in Applied Engineering Sciences from Michigan State University. About The Association for Manufacturing Technology The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) represents U.S.-based providers of manufacturing technology the advanced machinery, devices, and digital equipment that U.S. manufacturing relies on to be productive, innovative, and competitive. Located in McLean, Virginia, near the nation's capital, AMT acts as the industry's voice to accelerate the pace of innovation, increase global competitiveness, and develop manufacturing's advanced workforce of tomorrow. With extensive expertise in industry data and market intelligence, as well as a full complement of international business operations, AMT offers its members an unparalleled level of support. AMT also produces IMTS The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the premier manufacturing technology event in North America. Learn more at AMTonline.org. About Okuma America Corporation Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, marketing, engineering, and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading manufacturer of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls, and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry's only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles, and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls that drive each machine tool's functionality. In 2014, Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, a centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantages through the open possibilities of machine tools and automation systems today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. SOURCE Okuma America Corporation Iran has intensified its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbours energy sites, hitting a Saudi refinery and setting Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and two Kuwaiti oil refineries ablaze as it struck back following an Israeli attack on its main natural gas field. The attacks represent a major escalation in the Middle East war that has sent global fuel prices soaring. Brent crude oil, the international standard, spiked to 114 US dollars a barrel as global fears of an energy crisis rose, up more than 57% since Israel and the United States started the war on February 28 with strikes on Iran. A ship was set ablaze off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and another was damaged off Qatar, underscoring the ever-present danger also facing vessels due to Irans stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported. Saudi Arabia had begun pumping large volumes of oil west to avoid the strait and ship it from the Red Sea, but the security of that route was called into question after Irans drone hit the countrys SAMREF refinery in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu. Advertisement Qatar, a key source of natural gas for world markets, said firefighters put out a blaze at a major LNG facility after it was hit by Iranian missile attacks. Production had already been halted there after earlier attacks but it said the latest wave of missiles caused sizeable fires and extensive further damage. A firefighter works to extinguish a fire at the site of a direct hit from an Iranian missile in central Israel (Oded Balilty/AP) Damage to the facility could delay Qatar in getting its supplies to the market even after the Iran war ends. A drone attack on Kuwaits Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery sparked a fire but caused no injuries, the state-run KUNA news agency reported. The refinery is one of the biggest in the Middle East, with a petroleum production capacity of 730,000 barrels per day. Shortly after, a drone attack set ablaze the nearby Mina Abdullah refinery, authorities said. Authorities in Abu Dhabi said they were forced to shut down operations at the Habshan gas facility and Bab field, calling Iranian overnight attacks on the sites a dangerous escalation. What little trust there was before has completely been shattered Saudi Arabias top diplomat Missile alert sirens sounded in multiple other areas around the Gulf, and Israel warned of incoming Iranian fire. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all denounced the Iranian attacks, with Saudi Arabias top diplomat saying assaults on the kingdom meant what little trust there was before has completely been shattered. Advertisement Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit called the attacks a dangerous escalation by Iran. But Iran showed no signs of relenting, with Saudi Arabia intercepting six drones in Riyadh and Eastern province before saying that the SAMREF refinery was hit. The Saudi Defence Ministry said damage assessment was under way, without elaborating. SAMREF is a joint venture between the kingdoms oil giant Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil. In Israel, more than half a dozen waves of Iranian attacks targeting large parts of the country sent millions of people to shelters. The strikes caused damage to buildings but no significant casualties were reported. A woman stands beside a sign for prices at a petrol station in Quezon City, Philippines, as oil prices continue to rise (Aaron Favila/AP) The Iranian attacks came after Israel hit South Pars, the worlds largest gas field located offshore in the Persian Gulf and owned jointly by Iran and Qatar. With some 80% of all power generated in Iran coming from natural gas, according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency, the attack directly threatens the countrys electricity supplies. Natural gas is also used to supply household heating and cooking across the Islamic Republic. Hitting the gas field is a clear expansion of the conflict, the New York-based Soufan Centre said in a research note. Advertisement Israels target selection in this war has heavily focused on the institutions, leaders and infrastructure the think tank said. It now seeks to inflict additional pressure on the regime by making the living conditions for civilians intolerable. Iran condemned the strike on South Pars, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of uncontrollable consequences that could engulf the entire world. In Washington, President Donald Trump said that Israel would not attack South Pars again, but warned on social media that if Iran continued striking Qatars energy infrastructure, the US would retaliate and massively blow up the entirety of the field. President Donald Trump (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, Mr Trump said on social media. Qatar Energy said on X that a missile hit on its massive Ras Laffan LNG facility caused the blaze early on Thursday. A ship was also hit off the countrys coast, according to the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO). It was not clear whether it was deliberately targeted or was struck by falling debris as Qatar fired off missile interceptors at incoming Iranian barrages. Saudi Arabia also reported downing Iranian drones targeting its natural gas facilities overnight, and authorities in Abu Dhabi shut down the Habshan gas facility and Bab field after interceptions over the sites. Another ship was set ablaze early on Thursday off the UAE coast. Advertisement It was also unclear whether it was targeted or hit with debris, the UKMTO said. It said the vessel was just off the coast of Khor Fakkan, near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is normally shipped. More than 20 vessels have been attacked during the Iran war so far as Tehran has kept a tight grip on shipping traffic through the waterway, which leads from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Iran insists the waterway is open, just not to the US or its allies, and while some vessels have sailed through, it has only been a trickle. Iran announced the execution of three men detained in Januarys nationwide protests, the first such sentences known to have been carried out, the judiciarys Mizan news agency reported. The men were accused of stabbing two police officers to death in Qom, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) south of the capital Tehran, during the protests. Iran put down the demonstrations with intense violence that killed thousands of people and saw tens of thousands of others detained, and activists have warned that authorities might carry out mass executions of those detained. People evacuate near an ambulance as flames rise from a residential building following an Israeli air strike in central Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP) The country has long been accused by rights campaigners of extracting coerced confessions from detainees and not allowing them to fully defend themselves in court. More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed during the war. Israeli strikes have displaced more than one million Lebanese roughly 20% of the population according to the Lebanese government, which says 968 people have been killed. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire, including a Thai agricultural worker who died overnight after getting hit with shrapnel. Three people were also killed in the occupied West Bank overnight by an Iranian missile strike, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. At least 13 US military members have been killed. Iran intensified its attacks on oil and natural gas facilities around the Gulf on Thursday, raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy. The strikes, in retaliation for an Israeli attack on a key Iranian gas field, sent fuel prices soaring and risked drawing Irans Arab neighbours directly into the conflict. Global fuel supplies were already under pressure because of Irans stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Thursday that, at the request of US President Donald Trump, Israel will hold off on any further attacks on the Iranian gas field. Since the US and Israel launched the war on February 28, Irans top leaders have been killed in air strikes and the countrys military capabilities have been severely degraded. Mr Netanyahu said in a televised address that Iran no longer has the ability to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles, although he did not provide evidence. Advertisement Still, Iran now led by the son of the supreme leader killed in the wars opening salvo remains capable of missile and drone attacks rattling its Gulf Arab neighbours and a global economy dependent on the energy they produce. Underscoring the danger to ships in the region, a vessel was set ablaze off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and another damaged off Qatar. Efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz were also under pressure: An Iranian drone hit a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea, which the country had been hoping to use as an alternative exit route. Brent crude oil, the international standard, briefly surged above 119 dollars a barrel, up more than 60% since Israel and the United States started the war. (PA Graphics) The European benchmark for natural gas prices also rose sharply and has roughly doubled in the past month. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE denounced the Iranian attacks. Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit called them a dangerous escalation. But Iran showed no signs of backing down. Saudi Arabia said its Samref refinery in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu was hit. Saudi Arabia had begun pumping large volumes of oil west toward the Red Sea to avoid the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar, a key source of natural gas for world markets, said extensive damage was caused by Iranian missiles hitting the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility, where production had already been halted after earlier attacks. Advertisement Damage to the facility could delay Qatars ability to get supplies to the market even after the war ends. Two oil refineries in Kuwait and gas operations in Abu Dhabi also were targeted by Iran, local authorities said. (PA Graphics) In Israel, more than a half a dozen waves of Iranian attacks targeting large parts of the country sent millions of people to shelters. The strikes caused damage to buildings but no significant casualties were reported. After the latest Iranian barrage, Israeli energy minister Eli Cohen said the electricity grid in northern Israel sustained some damage. He said crews had restored electricity to some areas and were working to restore it in others. Israeli media showed images of black smoke rising from an oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa; Cohen said the refinery damage was minor. The Trump administration has cited various war objectives, including degrading Irans missile capabilities and its nuclear programme. Killing senior leaders has also been a priority for the US and Israel. In a televised address, Mr Netanyahu said Irans air defences have been rendered useless, their navy is lying at the bottom of the sea their air force is nearly destroyed. The Israeli leader said he hopes the Iranian people will rise up against the Islamic Republic that has ruled for nearly half a century, but he conceded its too early to say whether that will happen. There has been no sign of such an uprising since the war began, after Iranian authorities crushed mass protests in January. Advertisement US defence secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday implied that more leaders could be targeted, referring specifically to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij force, a powerful internal security unit whose leader was killed by Israel earlier this week. The last job anyone in the world wants right now, senior leader for the IRGC or Basij, temp jobs, all of them, Mr Hegseth said. Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that US forces continue to attack deeper into Iranian territory, with warplanes hunting Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz and helicopters striking Iranian drones. Gen Caine said the US military has also dropped 5,000-pound bombs on underground weapon-storage facilities. Irans state TV, quoting a Revolutionary Guard statement, said the countrys air defence system hit an F-35 fighter jet. US Central Command said an F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing after flying a combat mission over Iran. A spokesman for the command, Capt Tim Hawkins, said the aircraft landed safely, the pilot was in a stable condition and the incident was under investigation. In a sign of the Iran wars rising price tag, the Pentagon is seeking 200 billion dollars in additional funds, a senior administration official said. The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. Iran stepped up its attacks on Gulf energy facilities after Israel hit South Pars, the Iranian part of the worlds largest gas field, which is located offshore in the Persian Gulf and owned jointly with Qatar. Advertisement With some 80% of all power generated in Iran coming from natural gas, according to the International Energy Agency, the attack directly threatens the countrys electricity supplies. Destroyed buildings after a US-Israeli strike in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) Natural gas is also used to supply household heating and cooking across the Islamic Republic. Iran condemned the strike on South Pars, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of uncontrollable consequences that could engulf the entire world. In Washington, President Trump said that Israel would not attack South Pars again. But he warned on social media that if Iran continued striking Qatars energy infrastructure, the US would retaliate and massively blow up the entirety of the field. Asked later about the possibility of US ground troops being deployed to Iran, Mr Trump responded: No. Im not putting troops anywhere. Meanwhile, European leaders have demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a moratorium on strikes on water and energy infrastructure in the Middle East as they met in Brussels to grapple with rising energy prices caused by the war. All heads of the 27 European Union nations known collectively as the European Council issued a joint statement on Thursday calling for the stabilisation of energy shipments and de-escalation and maximum restraint from warring parties. The European Council deplores the loss of civilian life and is closely monitoring the far-reaching impact of the hostilities, including on economic stability, the statement read. The leaders also asked Iran to stop striking neighbours across the Persian Gulf, sought international co-operation to prevent any large-scale refugee crises in the Middle East, and said some EU nations are exploring ways to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed during the war. Israeli strikes against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon have displaced more than one million people roughly 20% of the population according to the Lebanese government, which says more than 1,000 people have been killed. Israel says it has killed more than 500 Hezbollah militants. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. Four people were also killed in the occupied West Bank overnight by an Iranian missile strike, according to officials. At least 13 US military members have been killed. Iran announced the execution of three men detained in Januarys nationwide protests, the first such sentences known to have been carried out, the judiciarys Mizan news agency reported. Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi sought to reaffirm her alliance with Donald Trump after the US president this week complained that Japan was among the nations that did not join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz. Ms Takaichi, who met with Mr Trump at the White House, told the president that Japan has opposed Irans development of its nuclear programme and appealed to his desire to be seen as a peacemaker, despite launching a war of choice with Iran, by telling him through an interpreter: Even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world. The agenda of Ms Taikaichis meeting has swung in the wake of the Iran war. The meeting at the White House, followed by a dinner on Thursday night, was supposed to give Japans new prime minister a prime opportunity to have Mr Trumps ear before he embarked on a trip to China. Advertisement But now, the war in Iran and Mr Trumps unsuccessful call for Japan and other nations to help protect the vital Strait of Hormuz means the China trip has been delayed. Japans PM Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office (Alex Brandon/AP) Mr Trump had repeatedly complained on camera and online that US allies, including Japan, rejected his request to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport. The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expected her meeting with Mr Trump will be very difficult. But on Thursday, the two leaders had warm words for each other in public. Before Ms Takaichi praised Mr Trump, he called her a popular powerful woman. He told reporters that they would be discussing in their meeting Japans level of support for the US in the Iran war, saying: They are really stepping up to the plate. He did not offer details. During their meeting, Ms Takaichi and Mr Trump are expected to announce a 40 billion dollars nuclear reactor deal, according to a White House official, who was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details before the announcement. Under the deal, US-based GE Vernova and Japan-based Hitachi will build advanced small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, the official said. The deal aims to help stabilise electricity prices and expand power generation in the US. Ms Takaichi and her ministers have denied that Washington officially requested Japanese warships for the US-Israeli operation. Japan, a key US ally in Asia, is one of the countries that Mr Trump name-checked on Tuesday as he railed against the lack of help with the Strait of Hormuz before declaring the help was not needed. The UK's House of Lords has backed a move to pardon women who have been convicted of having an illegal abortion. The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill would also apply to women who were cautioned and would remove the womens details from police systems, regardless of the outcome of the case. It comes after a landmark move by MPs in June last year to decriminalise women terminating their own pregnancy. Labour MP for Gower Tonia Antoniazzi, who brought forward the amendment, said she had been moved after seeing women investigated by police over suspected illegal abortions. Labours former health minister Glenys Thornton told peers there are women who have been convicted, and more who were investigated but not convicted, who have to permanently disclose this in a DBS check, because abortion offences are classed as violent crimes. MSI Reproductive Choices clinic in central London (James Manning/PA credit) The upper chamber supported by 180 votes to 58, a majority of 122, to support Thorntons amendment to pardon those women. Peers also rejected an attempt to overturn the decision by MPs to decriminalise women terminating their own pregnancy. Advertisement Conservative peer Rosa Monckton of Dallington Forest tabled an amendment in the Lords to remove the radical proposal from the draft law, which she said was passed in the Commons without any evidence, scrutiny, public consultation or impact assessment. She argued that decriminalisation actually endangers women by removing the current legal deterrent against administering an abortion away from a clinical setting right up to birth. Her amendment was rejected by 185 votes to 148, majority 37. The upper chamber also rejected a bid to make it mandatory for a pregnant woman to have an in-person consultation before lawfully being prescribed medicine for the termination of a pregnancy at home. Under the current law, it is legal to take prescribed medication at home if a woman is less than 10 weeks pregnant. The Government changed the regulations during the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, allowing women to have medical abortions at home following a phone or video consultation. This change was made permanent in 2022, so women can take pills at home for gestation of up to nine weeks and six days. Though its intention may not be to change the 24-week abortion limit, it undoubtedly risks eroding the safeguards and enforcement of those legal limits and, inadvertently, undermining the value of human life. Dame Sarah Mullally Tory peer Philippa Stroud argued that in-person consultations are safer because they allow womens gestational age to be reliably verified, protect against coercion and abuse, and allow for possible health risks to be checked. Labour peer Tessa Blackstone, who chairs the trustees of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, argued that telemedical abortion is effective, safe and improves access to care. Advertisement The House of Lords rejected by 191 votes to 119, majority 72, a bid to move back to compulsory in-person consultations. Peers went on to reject further amendments, one to create an offence of obtaining abortion pills by lying, and another to require an in-person consultation to obtain abortion pills if the pregnant person is under 18. Abortion in England and Wales remains a criminal offence except with authorised providers up to 24 weeks, with very limited circumstances allowing one after this time, such as when the mothers life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability. Efforts to change the law to protect women from prosecution follow repeated calls to repeal sections of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act after abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland in 2019. Under the amendment voted through in the Commons last year, it would remain the case that medics or others who facilitate an abortion after the 24-week time limit could still face prosecution if the change becomes law. Ireland Bill introduced to abolish 'deeply problematic' three-day abortion wait Read more The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, opposed the decriminalisation of women terminating their own pregnancies, because it risks making an imperfect situation worse. She said: Though its intention may not be to change the 24-week abortion limit, it undoubtedly risks eroding the safeguards and enforcement of those legal limits and, inadvertently, undermining the value of human life. Justice minister Alison Levitt told peers that the Government maintains a neutral stance on abortion in England and Wales. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for all mass religious observances to be banned following objections to a Ramadan event in Londons Trafalgar Square. He told party members at the Reform conference in Scotland that the Open Iftar on Monday which was attended by London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan was an attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life. He warned that type of mass observance was coming to Scotland soon, and he Reform would stand firm for the Judeo Christian principles upon which our nation was built. What we witnessed in London at the historic Trafalgar Square, in a country built on Judeo-Christian values, was a group of people attempting dominance over our capital city and our culture. We are not going to surrender everything that was built over centuries and defended at pic.twitter.com/LcHx0ut1xo Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) March 19, 2026 The event has become a flashpoint in UK politics this week, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch backing her shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy after he described the Iftar as an act of domination and division. Asked by the Press Association if he favours the banning of all mass religious observances, Mr Farage said: Yes. Advertisement Further asked if that includes Jewish or Catholic observances, he added: Ive never seen Jewish services taking place in places of historic Christian worship, or anywhere else. We have to get this right. We cant stop individuals from praying, we wouldnt want to stop individuals praying, but mass prayer is banned, mass Muslim prayer is banned, in many Muslim countries in the Middle East itself. So yes, we have to stop this kind of mass demonstration, provocative demonstration, in historic British sites, because thats what it is. Mrs Badenoch said the Tories want to see religious observances in public places like Trafalgar Square but they must be inclusive and also respectful of British culture. At an event on Thursday, she said: This is a country that believes in freedom of religion this debate which Nick is having is not about freedom of religion, its about how religion is expressed in a shared public space and whether those expressions fit within the norms of British culture. Nick Timothy has faced criticism for saying public Muslim prayer is an act of domination (Roger Harris/UK Parliament/PA) Mr Timothy made the post on X on Tuesday, saying: Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination. He continued: Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions. About 3,000 people were expected to attend the event held by Ramadan Tent Project. Similar religious gatherings have long taken place in London, such as Jewish celebrations of Chanukah and Christian Easter Sunday processions. UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said it means the Conservative Party has become aligned with Tommy Robinson after Mr Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had posted supportively of Mr Timothys comments. During Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Starmer called for Mr Timothy to be sacked. Ive never heard her party call out anything other than the Muslim events, he said. Its only when Muslims are praying. The only conclusion is the Tory Party has got a problem with Muslims. Advertisement Updated BusinessCompaniesRadio ratings Kyle and Jackie O lose listeners in final ratings survey Calum Jaspan Updated March 19, 2026 9:26am ,first published 8:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A The Kyle and Jackie O Shows final radio ratings survey ended with a whimper as the program lost listeners in Sydney and the now terminated duo finished their two-year stint in Melbourne in eighth place. The first radio ratings survey result of the year was released on Thursday morning, covering a period of time most of which the duo remained on air together before their blow-up. But Jackie O Hendersons one week off-air at the end of the survey period appears to have affected the shows total audience. The Kyle and Jackie O Show ended with a whimper. The share result for the duo that have dominated the Sydney market for two decades was unchanged from the final result of 2025, a 12.7 per cent share, 4 percentage points behind market leader Ben Fordham from Nine-owned 2GB. But their cumulative audience took a hit as they lost 60,000 listeners and ended on 636,000. Both breakfast shows on Nova and Smooth FM had more cumulative listeners across the period. Advertisement Related Article Media & marketing Sandilands sacked by midnight email In Melbourne, however, The Kyle and Jackie O Show had a very marginal boost of 0.1 of a percentage point, rising to 5.1 per cent, yet it remained in eighth place in the slot. Cumulative listeners across the period were unchanged on 403,000 compared to the previous survey. Jase & Lauren, the duo they replaced in Melbourne who are now presenting the breakfast show on Nova, returned to the No.1 spot among the commercial networks, only bettered by perennial No.1 duo Russel & Ross on talkback station 3AW. The Nova show jumped to an 11.1 per cent share, up from 8.8 per cent. The 3AW show had an 18.9 per cent share, down from 19.8 per cent. Advertisement The first radio ratings period covered January 18 to February 28. Henderson left the show after she was berated by her co-star on air on February 20, leaving Sandilands to broadcast the show alone the following week, the final one of the survey period. On Wednesday, Sandilands contract was terminated by KIIS owner ARN after a 14-day suspension period set for the radio star to remedy his alleged act of serious misconduct and contractual breach. Hendersons contract was torn up two weeks prior after her representatives had told the company she could no longer work with Sandilands. Since launching into Melbourne, the show has lost KIIS more than 220,000 listeners at breakfast time, equivalent to 36 per cent of its audience. Less talked about is their performance in Sydney. Loading Advertisement This latest result marks an audience loss of 215,000 listeners, or 25 per cent, compared to the same survey result two years ago. Related Article Analysis Radio The winners and losers in brutal battle for Sydney radio supremacy Even worse for ARN, the launch of Christian OConnell on Gold (KIIS sister station) in Sydney has bombed, dropping from a 9.7 per cent share to a 6.1 per cent share. OConnell signed a new five-year contract with ARN at the same time Sandilands and Henderson were handed their 10-year deal in 2023. His deal, which runs until the end of 2029, included a national rollout, beginning in Sydney this year. Like The Kyle and Jackie O Show in Sydney, OConnell has been a consistent performer in Melbourne, albeit with less controversial content and a station whose audience skews older. His 10.6 per cent share (down from 11) this survey meant he ceded the No.1 FM spot to Novas Jase & Lauren. Advertisement It has been yet another tough survey for the ABCs local radio stations, dropping share in both cities. In Sydney, the station delivered its equal worst ever overall share result, with 5.1 per cent. That matches its result from the second survey of 2024. In Melbourne, ABCs overall share of 5.4 per cent constituted the largest drop of any station, down 1.1 percentage points. Its breakfast, afternoon, drive and evening shows all lost share. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Advertisement EnvironmentClimate changeCoal New coal mines at greenfield sites to be banned in NSW Nick O'Malley March 19, 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 Key points NSW Minerals Council calls decision disappointing Australian Conservation Foundation demands rapid retirement of coal industry Australian coal exports could fall by as much as 80 per cent New coal mines on greenfield sites will no longer be approved in NSW under a plan published by the state government on Thursday setting out how the industry will be managed until 2050. It says that due to rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity, future export and domestic demand can be met via extensions to already approved mining operations. An open-cut mine a few kilometres south-west of Muswellbrook. Chris Elfes The role of coal is evolving in response to a global shift away from coal-fired power generation to meet net zero targets by 2050, writes NSW Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos in a forward to the strategy document. The states remaining coal-fired power stations are scheduled to be retired and replaced by renewable electricity by 2040. Advertisement Related Article Opinion Petrol prices Weve survived oil shocks before by changing our energy use. We must again Nick O'Malley Environment and Climate Editor The government will prohibit future greenfield coal development, meaning that coal mining cannot occur on a site that is not adjacent to, and not related to, an existing coal mining authorisation, but continue to allow approvals for mining operations other than new standalone greenfield coal mines... to support ongoing job and energy security, says the report. This will include extensions of time and extensions of area of existing mines, as well as restarts of former operations associated with an existing mining lease, including mines that have suspended operations. No new greenfield coal mine has been approved in NSW for a decade and no application has been made for five years. Stephen Galilee, chief executive of lobby group the NSW Minerals Council, said the decision to ban new greenfield mines was disappointing, but described the overall strategy as balanced. Advertisement Some NSW coal mines will close in the years ahead, says a Minerals Council statement. Others are seeking planning approvals to continue operating for longer into the future. With around 8000 people working at mines currently seeking extensions, those approvals are critical to protect these jobs, and the ongoing economic contribution of those operations more broadly. Australian Conservation Foundation campaigner Freja Leonard welcomed the decision, but said that to meet state net zero targets, the government would need to rapidly retire the coal industry. The Net Zero Commissions coal spotlight report makes it clear NSW cannot afford to approve a single additional coal project and must now plan for the orderly and rapid retirement of the dirty coal industry to meet its commitments under the Climate Change Act and, by extension, help Australia meet its Paris Agreement obligations, she said. Anti-fossil fuel activist group Lock the Gate said the government was using semantics to suggest it was mask the truth that coal project approvals will continue as business as usual while everyone else in the state must work harder to reduce pollution and bear the costs of damaging climate change. There are 18 coal projects in NSWs planning pipeline that would add hundreds of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution to the atmosphere, but all are expansions and extensions to existing mines, Lock the Gate said. Advertisement Related Article Mining Colossal pollution spikes in Sydneys drinking water catchment The government also announced new rules requiring major coal mines in NSW to reduce methane emissions caused by their operations, which are the largest source of the potent greenhouse gas in the state. Once the rules take effect, high-emitting mines must capture, treat or convert fossil methane so it is less potent and causes less damage when released to the environment. Coal mining is the largest source of fossil methane in NSW, producing about 30 per cent of the states methane emissions and contributing about 11 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Analysis by Melbourne-based modelling form Climate Resource published last year predicted that as key importers of Australian coal such as China, India and South Koreas sought to reach emission reduction targets and meet demand with their own resources, Australian coal exports could fall by as much as 80 per cent. Advertisement NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully said the state government would support coal production regions as the shift continued. As the need for thermal coal declines we are planning for future jobs and energy in coal-dependent regions. Work is already under way to convert former mining and energy sites so they can continue to benefit the community supporting local jobs and regional economies. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter. Advertisement EnvironmentConservationBiodiversity Offensive: Farmers and green groups lash Allan government over deer Bianca Hall March 19, 2026 10:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Victorian farmers and environment groups have condemned the Allan government as offensive for protecting feral deer as a game species even as numbers explode, and other states act to contain the pest. With deer seen trotting down inner-city streets and even breaking into a suburban home in one case, the Invasive Species Council estimates there are now 1 million feral deer in Victoria, which has the highest population of feral deer of any state or territory. Feral red deer in the Grampians National Park. Alamy Stock Photo In October, the government rejected expert advice to list feral deer as a pest in Victoria, and will instead continue to list deer as a protected game species. It defended that decision in a government response to the expert panels report, stating: The current arrangements are not a barrier to effective deer control. Advertisement Ahead of the November state election, farmers and green groups have joined forces to lobby for urgent funding for a coordinated and widespread control program, describing the deer problem as an invasive species emergency that requires immediate intervention. In 2021, a male sambar deer was euthanised after dodging cars in Thornbury, Northcote, Clifton Hill and Fitzroy over two days. It was believed the deer had made its way to the inner city via the Yarra River corridor. A deer running wild on Johnston Street in Fitzroy in 2021. Twitter They have been steadily encroaching from rural into peri-urban areas, and former Australian Deer Association executive officer Barry Howlett told this masthead at the time that deer had also been seen in suburban areas including Alphington, Ringwood and Ivanhoe. Victorian Farmers Federation chief executive Charlie Thomas told this masthead the Allan governments refusal to list feral deer as pests was offensive, and his members were concerned about damage to fences, farms, waterways and landscapes. Advertisement They were also deeply concerned about the biosecurity risk posed by feral deer, particularly if foot and mouth disease entered Australia and spread between deer and livestock, which Thomas said could place Australias $100 billion agricultural industry in danger. The fact that youve got a pest animal out there that is not native, its causing biosecurity risk, its causing damage to property, damage to crops and not to mention the safety impacts on rural roads which are already unsafe enough as it is, he said. Loading The idea that we would be protecting something that so obviously needs to be eradicated is offensive. Hopefully, we will see some common sense on that. Also joining the campaign to increase funding to fight feral animals and weeds are Environment Victoria, the Invasive Species Council, Friends of the Earth, the Vertebrate Pest Management Association Australia, Victorian National Parks Association, the Australian Land Conservation Alliance, and the Victorian Deer Control Community Network. Advertisement Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough said the groups had polling conducted that showed just 11 per cent of Victorians thought the government was managing invasive species well, which should be a wake-up call. Thats why farmers, conservationists and community advocates have come together, because were fed up with watching invasive species spread across the environment, farms and communities, while the resources needed to tackle this crisis are drained. A large deer smashed through the front window of a suburban Melbourne home and became trapped inside in 2023. Alexander Hill In New South Wales there was a similar political fight around the protected status of deer, and that shifted when New South Wales farmers and environment groups worked together in engaging directly with the government. Environment Victoria chief executive Jono La Nauze said the community was ahead of the government on this issue. Advertisement This is an issue that impacts stakeholders across a real diversity of [electoral] seats, from regional seats to peri-urban weve even seen deer trotting down streets in Fitzroy, he said. Communities will throw out a red carpet to the politician who stands up and says, Im prepared to back you on tackling this problem. Thomas said that, as they battle rising fuel and fertiliser costs, farmers were being forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars on repairing damage to fences and crops caused by deer. VNPA executive director Matt Ruchel described the deer problem in Victoria as an infestation, and said only a systemic eradication program would control feral deer in a meaningful sense. Advertisement Related Article Animals Farmers campaign against feral deer trapped in Victorias red tape The Victorian governments deer control strategy acknowledges that deer cannot be eradicated using current control methods, despite the damaging impacts caused by deer. Feedback to the states deer strategy showed Victorians wanted more emphasis on managing these impacts and less on deer as a hunting resource. A government spokesman said there was no plan to reclassify deer as pest species. The classification of deer as game does not prevent the ability to control them. Advertisement We know deer can cause significant damage to the environment and pose a safety risk to communities, thats why we run deer control programs across the state and allow them to be hunted. Related Article National parks How our national parks got dragged into the culture wars The oppositions public land management and outdoor recreation spokeswoman Melina Bath said Labor had for years failed to get on top of growing deer populations, allowing the problem to spread while doing little more than shuffling paperwork. The issue has never been classification; its been the governments lack of focus and onground action, she said. The government should be making more use of the untapped resource of hunters and recreational shooters than it currently does, to keep numbers down. Advertisement Australian Land Conservation Alliance chief executive Dr Jody Gunn said the election represented a crucial opportunity to rethink Victorias approach to deer control. Weve got huge opportunities to have a restoration ecology across Australia and a restoration economy across Australia, but thats been significantly impacted by the [effects caused by] deer. In 2023, incensed at a renewed push to ban duck hunting in Victoria, the Electrical Trades Union (Victorian branch) brought together hunters, bush-user groups, rock climbers and prospectors to form the Outdoor Recreation Advocacy Group to lobby against the formation of new national parks, and on behalf of hunters and fishers. In 2024, the Victorian government refused to adopt the recommendation by a Labor-led Victorian parliamentary inquiry it had established that urged a ban on duck hunting. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. CORRECTION An earlier version of this story incorrectly quoted the Australian Deer Associations Barry Howlett saying there had been feral deer sightings in Alphington, Ringwood and Ivanhoe. The story has been updated to make it clear that Mr Howletts comments were from a 2021 story where he referred to wild deer not feral. He is the former executive officer of the Association. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Biodiversity Wildlife Farming Bianca Hall is The Age's environment and climate reporter, and has worked in a range of roles including as a senior writer, city editor, and in the federal politics bureau in Canberra. , Facebook or email. Connect via X Advertisement LifestyleHealth & wellnessSleep Opinion Is this the secret to getting a good nights sleep? Richard Glover Broadcaster and columnist March 19, 2026 5:30pm March 19, 2026 5:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A I wish people would stop emphasising the necessity of getting a good nights sleep. These constant warnings are preventing me getting a good nights sleep. I lie there, making calculations. Its now 11pm. Ill wake at 6am, whether I like it or not, roused by Sydneys traditional alarm clock: the roar of planes, gunning themselves to land as soon as the airport curfew ends. So thats seven hours sleep, bang on the minimum, which is fine providing I go to sleep right away. Did people sleep better when they worried less about sleep? Getty Images/iStockphoto But all that counting has revved up my brain and its now 11.10pm, which means the maths is becoming more complex I will have only six hours and 50 minutes sleep, and thats nowhere near enough. And now another five minutes have passed, most of it spent making that calculation about the six hours and 50 minutes. Then another five minutes, worrying about the previous five minutes and why Im so bad at maths. Soon it will be only six hours sleep, and Ive read about the dire impact of just six hours sleep. If you have only six hours sleep, you develop cognitive decline, mood disturbances and a weakened immune system. Add another hour of sleeplessness and youll turn into Margaret Thatcher a famously brief sleeper and find yourself sacking coal miners, banning free school milk and sending troops to the Falklands. Advertisement Far better to go to sleep. But how? More maths, more counting. More wondering about when Thatcher became the UK prime minister. Was it 1978 or 1979? Should I get up and Google? While up, should I also Google the dangers of having only five hours sleep? A secret sleep manifesto? James Boswells The Life of Samuel Johnson. Penguin Books Did people sleep better when they worried less about sleep? In the effort to calm down at night, Ive been reading James Boswells The Life of Samuel Johnson, an 18th-century classic that is somehow both soporific and endlessly diverting. Inside its pages, I find the story of Boswells friend Lord Monboddo, who awoke every morning at 4, and then for his health got up and walked in his room naked, with the window open, which he called taking an air bath; after which he went to bed again, and slept two hours more. Id try his method myself, although I assume Lord Monboddo had his curtains open, tempting a cool breeze with which to charm his nether regions. In the context of the Sydney suburbs, and a bedroom fronting onto the roadway, this might be too much for my neighbours. Advertisement Johnson, after hearing Boswells account, was upbeat about Monboddos nocturnal routine. He surmised the Scottish lord was merely making himself uncomfortably cold, so that once he climbed back beneath the sheets, the warmth of his bed would offer a grateful sensation. In any case, Monboddo himself appeared unconcerned about his interrupted, two-stage pattern of sleep. Perhaps he was on to something. The parenting expert Sarah Ockwell-Smith, writing in The Gentle Sleep Book, argues its unreasonable to expect either babies or adults to sleep through the night. She says its only in the past 200 years that people have had the expectation of a single block of sleep. She cites evidence, much of it from Ancient Greece, of the widespread practice of segmented sleep. People would have a first sleep, beginning two hours after sunset and lasting about four hours. Theyd then get up and, according to Ockwell-Smith, would take some time to eat, pray or have sex. Theyd then go back to sleep. She quotes Professor Russell Foster, a neuroscientist from Oxford University: Many people wake up at night and panic. I tell them that what they are experiencing is a throwback to the bi-modal sleep pattern. As I work through these thoughts, Im even more awake. Maybe Im experiencing a bi-modal sleep pattern. Should I jump up and prance around naked in front of my bedroom window? Should I raid the fridge, polishing off last nights lasagne, which was rather tasty? Should I search around for someone with whom to have sex, a project that seems unlikely to have a positive outcome? Perhaps, selecting from Ockwell-Smiths list, Id be better off praying. Please, Lord, can you help me go to sleep? Advertisement By now its 12.22am, which means oh, the maths is too hard Im already hurtling towards cognitive decline. Related Article Opinion Illness Why do we notice our bodies only when they break? Richard Glover Broadcaster and columnist I recall hearing about the CIA Sleep Method. People say it was developed by the Central Intelligence Agency so their spies could get a little rest. You breathe in, count to five, then exhale, counting to five as you do so, and then repeat. Sleep will come within two minutes. Well, thats unless, like me, you start thinking about the CIA and all theyve been involved in, back in South America, and also Asia, and then the current situation in the Middle East, and whether I should join a protest march or maybe more practical fill up the car with petrol. This leaves me at 12.46am, and with a fresh thought: I could avoid tomorrows petrol queues by jumping out of bed, hopping into the car and filling up right now. Perhaps I should do it naked, following the advice of Lord Monboddo. Id do anything for a little shut-eye. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. GUANGZHOU, China, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pony.ai, a global leader in achieving large-scale mass production and commercialization of autonomous driving technology, today announced the delivery of an initial batch of more than 100 seventh-generation ("Gen-7") Robotaxis to Guangzhou Chenqi Mobility Technology, a leading ride-hailing and Robotaxi operations platform in China. The vehicles, based on the GAC AION V model, will join Chenqi's ride-hailing platform OnTime Mobility and begin commercial operations soon. At the same time, Pony.ai and Chenqi Mobility signed an upgraded strategic cooperation agreement in Guangzhou to jointly build a Robotaxi fleet and expand geographic coverage beyond current operations, marking a new phase in their long-standing partnership. Under the upgraded collaboration framework, Pony.ai will focus on the research, development, and continued iteration of its core autonomous driving technology, the "Virtual Driver." Through a technology licensing model, Pony.ai will generate recurring revenue by providing its autonomous driving system to fleet partners. Chenqi Mobility will be responsible for fleet asset ownership, safety assurance, vehicle dispatching, and platform operations. By combining Pony.ai's technological leadership with Chenqi's mobility platform expertise, the two companies aim to foster a replicable, scalable commercialization model where both partners generate sustainable returns from fleet operations. Pony.ai's Gen-7 Robotaxi platform represents one of the most advanced autonomous driving solutions in the industry, delivering improvements across safety, cost efficiency, and passenger experience. Built entirely with automotive-grade components, the vehicle is designed for a lifespan of up to 600,000 kilometers, while the cost of the autonomous driving kit has been reduced by 70% compared with the previous generation. The Gen-7 Robotaxi also introduces a range of passenger-focused enhancements, including Bluetooth unlocking, in-vehicle voice interaction, online music, and pre-trip climate control. Improved acceleration and braking control help ensure smoother rides and reduce motion discomfort, further enhancing passenger comfort. Pony.ai has already achieved positive unit economics with Gen-7 Robotaxis in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, two of China's largest tier-1 cities, demonstrating strong commercial viability as the industry moves toward large-scale deployment. Pony.ai and Chenqi Mobility have built a strong collaborative foundation over the past several years. Since 2022, the two companies have jointly operated Robotaxi services in Guangzhou, accumulating extensive real-world operational experience. The upgraded partnership underscores both companies' long-term commitment to advancing autonomous mobility and reflects the growing momentum behind Pony.ai's Gen-7 autonomous driving system. As a growing number of fleet and mobility partners deepen their collaboration with Pony.ai, the Company is accelerating the mass production and large-scale commercial deployment of Gen-7 Robotaxis, keeping it firmly on track to exceed its 3,000 Robotaxi vehicle target by the end of 2026. SOURCE Pony.ai You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Advertisement Updated NationalNSWReligion Albanese confronted by protesters at Lakemba Mosque Mostafa Rachwani Updated March 20, 2026 12:16pm ,first published March 20, 2026 8:36am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was surrounded by protesters yelling shame and disgrace during Eid prayers at Lakemba Mosque on Friday morning, forcing him into a rushed escape. Albanese was attending the prayers, held to mark the end of the month of Ramadan, alongside Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Loading One source of anger was Albaneses support for Israel, with those in the crowds mentioning the wars in Gaza and Lebanon as key to their frustrations. Others mentioned the police actions at the protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog, where Muslims were forcibly removed while they were praying at Town Hall in February. Advertisement Neither the prime minister nor Burke spoke to the incensed crowd. Attendees shouted over a speech being made by Gamel Kheir, the secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, which owns and runs the mosque. Kheir was giving one of the speeches traditionally delivered after the prayer, with Albanese and Burke seated just ahead of him. A crowd formed a circle around the official party, shouting Kheir down and demanding to know why the prime minister was invited. Why is he here? Get him out of here! Its a disgrace, one man shouted, as the mosque event descended in chaos. Anthony Albanese and Tony Burke at EID prayers at Lakemba Mosque this morning. Facebook While some called for calm, and for the protesters to sit down and hear the speeches, the crowd would not be talked down, despite Kheir calling for more robust engagement with politicians and the government. Advertisement This masthead understands that there were initial discussions to have Albanese give a speech at the event, but the mosques organisers demanded he just attend and listen. Traditionally, the mosque hosts politicians from state and federal level at the Eid prayers, and many have given speeches in previous years. We must engage and have frank and open dialogue with our political leaders, and not shy away and be reclusive, Kheir was saying, as the crowd began pushing and shoving. As Kheir attempted to wrap up his speech, one man claimed, shouting: You called him honourable, when he is responsible for millions of Muslim deaths. Albanese and Burke were then rushed into the mosques office amid a crush of people, some attempting to confront the prime minister. Advertisement Why are you protecting him? another man shouted as Albanese and Burke attempted to leave the mosque. We have the right to be angry, another shouted as the crowd pushed and shoved to get closer to Albanese, who was also being called a putrid dog. More heckling inside the mosque today. Internet A stand-off then ensued, with protesters waiting outside the mosques office for Albanese, while organisers attempted to find a way around them. Albanese was able to escape via a back door, but was chased by the crowd. Some yelled Alba-tizi after him, a play on his name, combining it with the colloquial Arabic word for buttocks. Advertisement Others shouted shame on you at Albanese until he was able to drive away. The prime minister played down the incident at a press conference later on Friday, telling reporters that overwhelmingly the reception was incredibly positive. I walked through the crowd to the mosque and not a single person heckled. There were a couple of hecklers inside. It was about respect for a very important day, Eid, for the Muslim community there. Albanese also said that some of the anger directed towards him was based on the governments decision to outlaw extremist organisations. None of the protesters mentioned this. Advertisement One of the men who shouted out at the leader, 29-year-old Ibrahim Seklaoui, said it was a disgrace he was sitting there and said the anger in the crowd reflected how the Australian Muslim community was feeling. Ibrahim Seklaoui was among the attendees protesting against the prime ministers visit to Lakemba Mosque for Eid Prayers on Friday. Mostafa Rachwani He wants to come here after shaking hands with the president of Israel, whos got blood on his hands. And that means our prime minister has blood on his hands. And to come here and act like nothing has happened is a disgrace, he said. He said Albaneses attendance had disrespected the Muslim community because when one of us bleeds, we all bleed. So to watch our brothers and sisters overseas be in pain, and then you want to come here and be welcomed in open arms? Everyone here has pain in their hearts. Advertisement Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war news updates: Journalist, cameraman wounded in Israeli strike; Pentagon wants $200b for war; PM establishes fuel supply taskforce Kheir said after the event that he respected peoples opinions and that he knew something controversial was going to happen. I think the community showed a lot of courage in welcoming him given what is happening overseas. Theres always a difference of opinion in the community, and were not saying what is right or wrong here. Kheir denied that much of the community was just as angry but said: I do believe they have the right to be angry. I dont validate what or how they did it, but they do have some valid arguments. I think this shows the community wants to, and needs to, vent at politicians. Advertisement But maybe not in the way it was done today. Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here. Weve moved onto the only cross-examination set for Johnson now by counsel for the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority Damien OBrien KC. OBrien is leading Johnson through the requirements placed on the authority to ensure the governments best practice principles were met. CFMEU activity in relation to Queenslands Cross River Rail project by month from June 2019-2025, as charted by the projects delivery authority for the inquiry. Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry OBrien says that part of the way the authority could meet those was to attend workplace agreement bargaining meetings between CPB and the unions. If the DA [delivery authority] felt that they had had to attend all meetings, I could kind of understand that, Johnson says. Advertisement NationalQueenslandQueensland government State role swayed the negotiating balance in Cross River Rail talks Matt Dennien March 19, 2026 8:23pm 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 executive of major contractor CPB has said state government policies and involvement in bargaining for initial workplace deals swayed the negotiating balance on Brisbanes multibillion-dollar Cross River Rail project. The firm was also all but forced to hire CFMEU-suggested health and safety figures to end a 2023 project lockdown by the union and its allies, Don Johnson told the Queensland inquiry into the union and construction sector on Thursday. The Crisafulli government launched the $19.7 million probe after reporting by this masthead and 60 Minutes into criminality, corruption and misconduct in the union and construction sector nationwide. Don Johnson, who held roles at CPB until early this year including as executive general manager from 2018, along with chief operating officer from 2022 appeared before the inquiry on Thursday. AAPIMAGE It has turned to the rail project after last week focusing on potential institutional corruption at Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, with staff telling of unlawful directions targeting CFMEU adversaries. Advertisement During evidence on Tuesday and Wednesday, Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton was questioned about 480-plus pages of tendered material, detailing a years-long campaign of union pressure involving Labor government figures. This then shifted, and saw the union instead using its influence on the safety regulator and health and safety representatives it had placed on the project in 2023 to damage and disrupt the project for its broader industrial aims. CFMEU activity in relation to Queenslands Cross River Rail project by month from June 2019-2025, as charted by the projects delivery authority for the inquiry. Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry Johnson held roles at CPB until early this year including as executive general manager from 2018, along with chief operating officer from 2022. He said after the consortium including CPB was selected as the projects preferred contractor in early 2019, pressure built to reach a financial close with the delivery authority and government sign-off by July. Advertisement This was exacerbated by government best practice principles requiring either union agreements or best endeavours to achieve them before financial close, which swayed the negotiating balance and seemed a de facto way for the state to impose Queens Wharf rates and conditions. Related Article Trade unions CFMEU inquiry as it happened: Probe unearths details from key firm behind Cross River Rail While CPBs position was that it had begun discussions with the AWU about an agreement for the tunnelling and shaft elements, it was open to deal with all unions on two other agreements to cover the remainder of the project. In one email from Johnson to his bosses on May 8, he noted the Building Trades Group of unions led by the CFMEU were pushing for a single agreement over the whole project, or at least to be included in the AWU tunnel agreement and have the rest to themselves. Later, the group provided them a document from the Queens Wharf casino development outlining how they could also extend any such deal to all subcontractors on the job, which Johnson said CPB viewed as not compliant with federal code. Advertisement The inquiry was told of a series of meeting in the crunch week before June 30, in which delivery authority staff or advisors who appeared to be in direct contact with then deputy premier Jackie Trad pushed for a legal workaround. Johnson says this was still unacceptable, but the consortium had also decided by this time that unless we conceded to those [Queens Wharf base] rates of pay, we were going to get nowhere. The following week, Trad herself then appeared to directly intervene with a text to Michael Wright the chief executive of CIMIC Group, of which CPB is a subsidiary outlining the very concerning reports of hostile behaviour from CPB despite financial close being achieved. Johnson, who was forward the message from Wright, responded with his version of events from a meeting crashed by the uninvolved rail union in which he said the Queens Wharf agreement had again been put forward as a base document. Advertisement His notes state he was also called out of the meeting by delivery authority staffer Matthew Martyn-Jones, who was said to have agreed the rail union should not be there, but that a way for us to remove them was to offer more concessions to the other parties. Related Article Queensland government How the CFMEU tried to, and did, influence Qlds biggest rail project Ultimately, a deal with the Building Trades Group was deemed by CPB to be unworkable, and two agreements were struck with the AWU within weeks in late 2019. Johnson later gave evidence he convened the 2023 safety reset that contributed to health and safety-driven disruption of the project, through the hiring of CFMEU-suggested representatives. The meeting was called on July 28, three days after Nation Nash Kouka a subcontractor employee was seriously injured in a fall from scaffolding at the Boggo Road site. Advertisement Held at CPB headquarters after workers chained and picketed gates across the project, the meeting was attended by all involved unions, including the CFMEU and AWU. Then-assistant state secretary of the CFMEU Jade Ingham, on behalf of the Building Trades Group which included the ETU, plumbers and manufacturing unions, put forward a list of seven demands to be met for workers to return to their jobs. The Cross River Rail worksite at Boggo Road in 2023. Tony Moore This included a full safety reset, employment of full-time union health and safety representatives, a union audit of all safety documentation, full union organiser access to the sites, weekly safety meetings and a return to work on July 31. CPB agreed to all, except for unrestricted access for organisers and the removal of turnstiles at site entries, Johnsons own 400-plus page submission to the inquiry detailed. Advertisement Ultimately, 15 resumes for the safety representatives were sent through by the CFMEU which Johnson understood to have been picked by Ingham for onboarding processes including suitability checks. All but one was hired. Johnson conceded that despite the risks, and the disruption that followed, we had to live with that in order to get the job back. I didnt like it, but this was the most pragmatic way forward, he said. We held them to account, initially, not as strongly as I would have liked, but in time we tightened up. I think probably wed make the same decision again. One hired on the Gabba site was Richie Atutolu ultimately described by Geoffrey Watson in his report for the CFMEU administration as a dangerous person who should be booted from the union. Advertisement The inquiry continues on April 14. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaCourts Bikie-linked ex-CFMEU official submits possibly doctored bail documents Erin Pearson March 19, 2026 5:02pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A A construction boss with outlaw motorcycle gang links is suspected of having submitted false bail documents to a magistrate, and a court has heard police believe the only person he is allowed to travel with is the chapter president of a bikie gang. Ex-CFMEU official Joel Leavitt, 32, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, a month after being charged with blackmailing a man by demanding $663,000. Leavitt is accused of demanding the money during a January meeting in offices at a Melbourne slaughterhouse. Joel Leavitt, 32, leaves court on Thursday. Jason South Defence barrister Christopher Terry said his client needed to travel to Queensland for business, to be able to drive a dump truck across Victoria and to catch Ubers between job sites, with bail conditions currently restricting him to travelling only with his employee Codee Staff. The court heard Tasmanian police intelligence unearthed this week suggested Staff had recently been promoted to chapter president of the Melbourne City Bandidos, raising the concern of Victorian police. Advertisement When documents purporting to show Staff was currently employed at Leavitts company, TCB Demolitions, were presented, magistrate Malcolm Thomas queried whether the paperwork had been doctored, because of potential inconsistencies with leave tallies. Im very concerned that these documents may not reflect legitimate payslips, and I say this as someone who once represented a police officer who handed up character references that had been dodgied up by my client, the magistrate said. Lets not pretend presidents of outlaw motorcycle clubs dont have serious power, Ive represented them. Earlier in the hearing, Detective Senior Constable William Mountney said police had no evidence to suggest Leavitt sought to travel interstate for legitimate business reasons, and opposed any changes to bail. The court heard Leavitt formed his company in December, currently employed six labourers and five office staff and was permitted to travel with Staff to job sites. Since Leavitt was bailed in February, Mountney said, he had breached bail twice and been fined for doing so. Police, he said, had also accessed Leavitts mobile phone and uncovered encrypted messages sent by handles Fat Max, Dolly and M. Images showed the accused man with bikie associates Jahmahl Pearson and Staff, he told the court. Advertisement Editor's pick Updated Radio ratings Kyle and Jackie O lose listeners in final ratings survey Mountney said police were concerned about the vehicles Leavitt could access, as the car linked to the alleged blackmail was a long-term rental, and another parked at his home was registered to Pearson. Police are required to monitor the applications bail; we need to know what vehicle hes travelling in, Mountney said. Terry maintained his client ran a legitimate business and needed to drive construction vehicles. He also maintained there was an innocent explanation for the document details causing the magistrate concern. Terry asked that the application be adjourned until next week while further information was gathered. Leavitts case was adjourned until next Wednesday. Advertisement A second man, Jared Davis, 42, also faced court accused of being embroiled in the same alleged blackmail, after being extradited from Tasmania on Wednesday. Terry indicated Davis would apply for bail next week and sought to return to Tasmania. Related Article Exclusive Building Bad Witnesses threatened: AFP sounds underworld alarm on CFMEU probe Leavitts prosecution is one of a growing list of actions by Victoria Police but comes as this masthead has revealed Australian Federal Police warned that their investigations into the construction industry were being hampered by intimidation of witnesses. The revelation, in a letter obtained by The Age, has put pressure on Premier Jacinta Allan over her much-repeated insistence that anyone with information about unlawful behaviour should contact the police. On Thursday she said the reports of intimidation were concerning but were a matter for the federal police and federal government. Victoria Police are the investigative body that have the powers and the tools and resources to investigate criminal behaviour, and as evidenced by the fact that they, through Operation Hawk, have laid 70 charges, is a demonstration of not only that they have the powers, but they are using them, she said. Advertisement State Opposition Leader Jess Wilson asked Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll in parliament if they supported Allans position that a royal commission into CFMEU conduct was unnecessary. Both argued the governments existing responses were sufficient to address a scandal now well into its second year. With Rachel Eddie Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaFood Farmers fuel cost burden to drive up household food prices Benjamin Preiss March 19, 2026 6:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Victorian farmers are being battered by soaring fuel prices just as they were beginning to recover from prolonged drought, and rising agriculture costs are now expected to drive up household food prices. Staples including milk and meat are among the items likely to rise significantly as war in the Middle East continues to drive up the cost of fuel. Dairy farmer Mark Billing said high petrol and diesel prices are exacerbating the pressure on farmers. Nicole Cleary Rocketing diesel prices are hitting agriculture sectors across Victoria, from dairy and cattle farmers to crop growers. One supply expert said it was still too early to determine how much more Victorian consumers would pay for food, but increased fuel and fertiliser costs would inevitably worsen the cost of living. Dairy farmer Mark Billing said higher fuel prices meant farmers were paying more to run their tractors and transport goods. Advertisement Food production is heavily reliant on diesel, he said. Global trade disruptions have also driven up the cost of fertiliser. Billing, who farms in Larpent in south-west Victoria, said the increased price of fertiliser, known as urea, was exacerbating the pressure on farmers. Soaring fuel prices are increasing the cost of farming and are likely to drive up food prices. Louie Douvis Farmers and farm businesses cant keep absorbing these costs without passing them on to consumers, he said. Many farmers, particularly in south-west Victoria, were already grappling with increased production costs associated with keeping their businesses afloat through drought in the past two years. Advertisement Billing estimated that the higher fuel prices might increase his costs by tens of thousands of dollars between now and spring. The daily average retail diesel price rose 59 a litre to 237.9 in Melbourne between February 20 and March 11, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The Australian government has warned consumers against panic buying and insisted the nation had enough to service its needs. On Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a new fuel supply taskforce to co-ordinate petrol security with the states. RMIT logistics and supply chain management professor Vinh Thai said both locally produced and imported foods would become more expensive because of international events. Advertisement We are going to see increases in food items for the foreseeable future, he said. Thai said the cost of producing milk and meat would be directly affected in the shorter term, but imported goods might also increase in cost over the long term due to shipping and aviation delays. Farmers in regional areas have already seen the [fuel] shortages, he said. Thats increased the production cost for everything. Loading Thai expected the price of imported foods to increase because of shipping disruptions, which would also affect the price of medicines and even electronics if the instability continued. Australia imports about 90 per cent of its medications. Advertisement Victorian Farmers Federation grains director Ryan Milgate said uncertainty about fuel had hit farmers across the state. There are pockets around the state where people just cant get any fuel, he said. Across the board, getting fuel we need is difficult. Crop farmers are preparing to sow seeds in the next two or three weeks. Tamara Voninski Milgate, who is based in Minyip in north-west Victoria, said he had seen prices rise on average by 9 a day. Unprecedented is the word I keep hearing, he said. Advertisement He said farmers had no choice but to pay for fuel to run their tractors, machinery and other operations. Weve got no alternative. We cant take public transport, he said. The only thing thats probably saving us is were yet to start seeding in earnest. Crop growers in the Wimmera Mallee area will start sowing hay crops and barley in two or three weeks, followed by wheat and lentils. Milgate said tractors required more than 1000 litres of fuel a day. Dairy farmer Mark Billing warned that some costs will need to pass to consumers. Nicole Cleary In Elaine, west of Melbourne, sheep farmer Richard Davies had already been forced to buy in feed for his animals last year due to the drought. Now, his business is facing increased costs again because of fuel prices. Advertisement He said consumers would inevitably bear some of those additional costs. Meat is going to go up in the shops, he said. Its expensive enough as it is. Last week, Bendigo Banks senior manager industry insights, Eliza Redfern, said recent rain had been welcome, but conflict in the Middle East presented a growing concern. Richard and Ali Davies with their children (from left), Ernie, 7, Indy, 9, Polly, 4, and Miley, 11. Jason South Any sustained supply chain disruption will be felt on-farm, including much higher fertiliser and fuel bills, she said. Advertisement The Victorian Farmers Federation has urged commuters to swap their cars for public transport to conserve fuel. The federation also called on the government to make public transport free until the fuel price stabilises. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement March 20, 2026 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A At least George W. Bush got his Mission Accomplished moment. That was six weeks after he had invaded Iraq, three weeks after the toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad. The easy part had been done. From there, one of the worst foreign policy disasters of this century unfolded. Trump, though, is having serious trouble with the easy bit. Whatever else America is meant to be capable of, it is meant to be able to smash things. Trump commands the most awesome military machine in human history. And yet, barely a fortnight into his war on Iran, hes already reduced to asking for help not just from traditional allies in Europe but from China. China! Photo: Illustration: Simon Letch Here is the mighty US, in the process of becoming great again, beseeching its main geopolitical rival to deploy ships to the Strait of Hormuz, so it can get oil containers flowing through it again. China, of course, can still move oil because Iran is allowing Chinese ships through. China, then, is being asked to join an American war against one of its allies, to solve a problem that is more American than Chinese. It said no. So, too, did Europe, to the same request. This included several of Americas NATO allies, thereby demonstrating the ways their foreign policies are being uncoupled. Where many followed Bush into his Iraqi disaster, this time they feel they can say no. America has become refusable. This is not our war, said the German defence minister. France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context, declared President Emmanuel Macron. Even Trump-friendly Italy declined. Now Trump thunders about NATO alliances do[ing] nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need, musing the possibility of a US withdrawal. He overlooks the fact the only time NATO allies were drawn into military action was to Americas benefit, after the September 11 attacks. Perhaps Trump barely recalls this, given he recently dismissed the sacrifice of NATO troops, accusing them of staying a little back, a little off the front lines in Afghanistan. There will be no such sacrifice this time. Advertisement What a deeply ironic mess. When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued last rites to the international rules-based order in his famous Davos speech in January, he observed that for all its manifest inadequacies, one of international laws great benefits was that it provided open sea lanes. Now, heres Trump, having dispensed with even the pretence of observing international law in waging this war, casting around desperately for a way to keep one of the worlds most crucial sea lanes working. He suspends the rules, generates a crisis, then tries to solve it by using brute force to reconstitute the very international co-operation hes dismantled. Related Article Tony Wrights Column Middle East tensions Petrol queues and rationing: How Trump and his secretary of war ignored the lessons of history Inevitably, this fails. Trump didnt consult or even meaningfully warn his allies before launching this war. He has articulated no geopolitical strategy for it. Meanwhile, hes loosened sanctions on Russian oil, which subverts both Ukraine and the interests of Americas European allies. Aside from the mere fact Trump wants it, they have no reason to get involved. And in the words of the EUs foreign policy representative, that amounts to having no appetite for it at all. So, also inevitably, Trump declares he didnt need or want their help anyway: WE NEVER DID! Then comes the latest Trump doctrine: 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! Then he dropped a bunker-busting bomb on the strait. No one disputes the fact of American power. It has the worlds largest economy, and spends more on its military than the next nine biggest spenders combined. And yet it has a strange habit of proving to the world just how limited its power really is. You could go back to Vietnam if you wish, but the events of this young century will do. George W. Bush showed what American power couldnt do in Iraq. Barack Obama showed something similar when he drew a red line in Syria over Bashar al-Assads use of chemical weapons, then did nothing when it was crossed. Joe Biden finally withdrew from Afghanistan, handing the country back to the Taliban. America doesnt lose these wars in the traditional sense. Theres no treaty of surrender or victory parade for the enemy. But it doesnt win them either. Advertisement Its therefore no surprise to see signs Trump is already running into such limits. A war with no clear aims, and executed with no apparent plan is a difficult one to win. Confronted with Irans response, firing missiles at its US-allied Gulf neighbours, Trump is caught completely off guard: Nobody expected that. We were shocked, he says, even though Iran warned it would do this and his advisers told him it was a risk. Related Article Opinion Middle East at war Trump wants out of this costly war. The Iranian regime has him trapped Clinton Fernandes Academic and former intelligence officer Thats because Trump sees American power in blunt, linear terms. For him, its almost entirely a matter of leverage and coercion. He then assumes that power is unchallengeable and straightforward. Here, he makes two mistakes. The first, he has in common with Vladimir Putin, who apparently presumed his war in Ukraine would last a week: failing to recognise that when a foe is militarily outgunned, it will use less conventional forms of power. Perhaps it becomes guerilla warfare on home terrain. Perhaps its a swarm of inexpensive drones. Perhaps it involves choking the flow of oil with relatively little fuss. None of this requires a world-beating military. All exact a grinding toll. Trump isnt the first president to overestimate what American power can achieve. Where Trump differs is he presumes that power is enhanced in isolation. Thats because he sees alliances and international institutions as constraints, hemming the US in, rather than a way of extending its influence. This week, these two errors combined: American power looks less potent and more isolated than it did even a fortnight ago. America First, perhaps but by a smaller margin than hed like to believe. Waleed Aly is a broadcaster, author, academic and regular columnist. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. Warrior Insurance Network's Charitable Program Pledges To Support Save the Children US to Expand Critical Youth Resources in the United States. BEDFORD PARK, Ill., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At the cornerstone of Warrior Insurance Network's (WIN) member insurance companies' is a culture of stewardship. Now in its sixth year, WIN's Charitable Program's mission is to help improve lives and give back to those we serve. Jim Hallberg, President and CEO, WIN, confirms, "This year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering long-term community resilience. America's strength starts with our children. When we invest in our children, we invest in the strength, security and success of our nation. This year WIN's Charitable Program will support Save the Children US; a global humanitarian organization dedicated to ensuring kids in the United States and around the world have a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm." Warrior Insurance Networks (WIN) member companies include First Chicago Insurance Company, United Security Insurance Company, West Virginia National Auto Insurance Company, Lonestar MGA, and Texas Ranger MGA. Save the Children US Across rural America, where one in five children live in poverty, families face significant challenges accessing vital resources like childcare, quality education and economic opportunity. Save the Children has been standing with kids in the US since 1932 and globally for over a century. Today, it works in over 250 rural communities across 14 states, providing quality early learning opportunities to children who need them most. WIN's Charitable Program, Write with Warrior, Give Hope to Those in Need and Make a Difference, started on March 1, 2026, and will run through December 31, 2026. During that time period, for every new qualifying personal auto insurance policy written by a WIN member insurance companies' independent producer, WIN will donate $1 to Save the Children US on behalf of WIN's Producer force. Hallberg concluded, "In 2025 WIN's Charitable Program advanced our commitment to corporate stewardship by donating over $183,000 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of our WIN Producer Partners. I take immense pride knowing our collective efforts are directly improving lives and supporting a cause greater than our own. Warrior remains dedicated to ensuring this vital work continues for years to come." About Warrior Insurance Network Warrior Insurance Network's (WIN) member companies include First Chicago Insurance Company, United Security Insurance Company, West Virginia National Auto Insurance Company, Texas Ranger MGA, and Lonestar MGA. WIN is a marketing organization servicing a select group of insurance carriers, managing general agencies, and independent insurance agents which offer a diverse array of personal and commercial auto insurance products. WIN's member companies are licensed in 27 states. WIN is headquartered at 6640 S. Cicero Avenue, Bedford Park, IL, 60638. 866-400-8600 http://www.WarriorInsuranceNetwork.com Contact: David Lukasik, [email protected] SOURCE Warrior Insurance Network Advertisement Updated WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Trumps claim of not knowing about the Iran gas field attack comes under question Michael Koziol March 19, 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 Washington: Donald Trump has distanced himself from an Israeli attack on a key Iranian gas field, while also issuing fresh threats, as tit-for-tat strikes on energy infrastructure escalate the Middle East conflict and propel oil prices even higher. Irans South Pars offshore gas field the Iranian sector of the worlds largest natural gas reserve came under attack on Wednesday, prompting the regime in Tehran to retaliate by firing missiles at Qatari liquified natural gas sites and Israel. President Donald Trump distanced the US from an Israeli strike on Irans crucial natural gas field at South Pars. AP As countries worldwide, including Australia, grapple with rising oil prices, the attacks sent the price of Brent crude above $US111 ($157) a barrel for the first time during the nearly three-week-old war. Iran issued a list of retaliatory targets after the Israeli strike, and hit Qatars core LNG processing operation at Ras Laffan, while also firing missiles at the United Arab Emirates Habshan gas facilities and Bab oil field. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles headed for Riyadh and drones attempting to attack a gas facility. Advertisement Trump, who has made a point of largely sparing Irans energy infrastructure from US bombing, said the US knew nothing about Israels attack at South Pars. Qatar was also not involved and had no idea it was going to happen, Trump added. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, he said on social media on Wednesday night (Washington time). Trump promised that NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL on that particular facility, unless Iran took further retaliatory action against Qatar. A refinery in Irans South Pars gasfield after it was struck by a drone on Saturday. Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting/AP Advertisement In that case, he said, the US would blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before with or without Israels help or consent. I do not want to authorise this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, Trump said. Related Article Analysis Middle East at war Irans de facto ruler Larijani is dead. It may not be a win for the US and Israel However, several US media outlets reported the US did know about Israels plan to attack South Pars, and even approved it. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Trump knew about and supported the attack because it would send a message to Tehran about blocking the Strait of Hormuz. The Associated Press also reported that the US was informed of the plans to strike the massive gas field, citing a person familiar with the matter who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Advertisement Qatar said on Thursday afternoon (AEDT) that Iranian missiles had targeted more of its liquefied natural gas sites, causing sizable fires and extensive further damage. Iran has targeted the USs Gulf allies throughout the war, though the vast majority of the missiles and drones it fired have been intercepted and destroyed. Qatar Energys operating facilities in Mesaieed Industrial City, south of Doha, Qatar. Getty Images Trump has repeatedly said he is sparing Irans energy infrastructure in the campaign, and Israels decision to target the worlds largest natural gas deposit could represent a fracture over strategy between the two allies. The US president said in his social media post that Israel had lashed out violently by attacking the South Pars facility, though he argued it was out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East. Advertisement Israel is also eliminating senior Iranian leaders. Recent strikes have killed top security official Ali Larijani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Basij force and Irans intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib. View post on X Qatar strongly denounced Irans retaliatory strikes, calling them a dangerous escalation and flagrant violation of Qatari sovereignty. Qatar notes that the Iranian side persists in targeting it and neighbouring countries, the Foreign Ministry said, despite Qatar distancing itself from the war from the outset. Earlier, Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatars Foreign Ministry, also condemned Israel for targeting the gas field which Iran shares with Qatar calling it a dangerous and irresponsible step. Targeting energy infrastructure constitutes a threat to global energy security, to the peoples of the region, and to its environment, he said. Advertisement Smoke rises after an explosion in the industrial zone in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The Gulf states have denounced Irans attacks as heinous. Getty Images Gulf Arab countries on Thursday renewed their call for Iran to halt attacks on its neighbours. A statement by the nations at a regional summit denounced these deliberate Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones, which targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic missions. The nations represented at the summit were Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. On Thursday evening, Kuwait said a drone attack had sparked a fire at an oil refinery in the small, oil-rich nation. Advertisement The state-run KUNA news agency said, citing the Kuwait Petroleum Corp, that a drone attack had sparked a fire at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery but caused no injuries. The refinery is one of the biggest in the Middle East, with a petroleum production capacity of 730,000 barrels a day. Photo: Matt Golding Shortly after, a drone attack set ablaze the nearby Mina Abdullah refinery, authorities said. The escalating attacks on energy infrastructure come as surging prices pose a growing problem for governments around the world including the US, despite its reduced reliance on imports. Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a rally in the rust belt state of Michigan, acknowledged petrol prices were a problem but promised Americans the effects would be temporary. Advertisement Gas prices are up, and we know theyre up, and we know people are hurting because of it, he said. Its not going to last forever But in the meantime, we got a problem, we know that we have a problem, were doing everything we can to address it. We got a rough road ahead of us for the next few weeks, but its temporary. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has refused to say whether the USs intelligence apparatus believed that Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat to the US before the war. AP In Washington, officials faced scrutiny at a congressional hearing on the war including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who refused to say whether the USs vast intelligence apparatus believed that Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat to the US before the war. It is not the intelligence communitys responsibility to determine what is and isnt an imminent threat that is up to the president, Gabbard told Democratic senator Jon Ossoff. Advertisement False, Ossoff replied. It is precisely your responsibility to determine what constitutes a threat to the United States. With Reuters, AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. UB researcher demonstrates power of AI in social sciences Machine learning here is not about replacing human judgment. It is about complementing it. Machine learning is often associated with chatbots and image generators, but within the social sciences, its a powerful tool for understanding institutions, inequality and the development of law. Few demonstrate this better than Rachael Hinkle, director of undergraduate studies and professor in the Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences. Her research illustrates how machine learning can help us ask and answer meaningful questions about the world around us as she applies computational text analysis to judicial politics, particularly in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, just below the Supreme Court. After clerking for federal judges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Hinkle saw firsthand how institutional processes shape legal outcomes. Seemingly small procedural rules can have enormous downstream consequences, she says. Beginning in the 1970s, the Court of Appeals began designating some decisions as published (precedential and legally binding) and others as unpublished (non-precedential). However, this distinction matters greatly. For years political scientists studied only published cases, ignoring tens of thousands of unpublished ones. This set Hinkle on a journey to tirelessly research and compile her most significant findings in the book Selective Publication in the U.S. Courts of Appeals. The basis of her book outlines how unpublished decisions are less likely to be cited, less likely to reach the Supreme Court and often perceived as less important overall. Using a massive dataset of over 200,000 cases and advanced computational techniques, Hinkle examined how these two distinctions differ and what factors drive publication decisions across the 12 federal circuits. She found that judicial ideology, strategy, cooperation, race and gender all play roles in shaping outcomes and publication decisions. Machine learning here is not about replacing human judgment, Hinkle notes. It is about complementing it. Big data and AI enhance the human-centered, expert analysis that social scientists have always done incredibly well. While machine learning can help us extract and organize information, reduce complexity and uncover patterns invisible to the naked eye, it cannot ever replace critical thinking, she adds. Launched in January 2025, her C3PO dataset website brings transparency to this institutional practice, offering other social scientists and the public a comprehensive resource. Hinkle plans to continue to add to the datasets for public consumption to continue to bring light to this matter. In addition to her research and publications, Hinkle teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Political Science, including PSC 302: Protecting Civil Liberties and PSC 543: Text as Data. The latter course allows students to flex their computational text analytics skills, transforming words into numbers that can be systematically analyzed. Her students have the opportunity to jump right in and learn to code in programs like Python. They learn from the ground up how to implement tools, apply statistical techniques, reduce dimensionality in large datasets and validate that their hand-coded models are accurate. In her classroom, students write, run, edit and re-run code, seeing both the process and results in one place. Hinkle teaches her students to ask meaningful questions, measure carefully, validate rigorously and interpret responsibly. Machine learning, when used responsibly, can help us sort through information overload when analyzing consumer reviews, market research data, banking trends or campaign messaging, says Hinkle. The AI algorithms frequently produce averages based on patterns in historical human-generated data; that means bias can be baked into the process. So I am talking with my students about things like, Where was the algorithm trained? On what texts? Generated by whom? Is the information objective? One of Hinkles graduate students, Jason Arenos, is studying environmental legislation. Arenos is looking at how some bills using the environmental nomenclature strengthen environmental protections while others scale them back. He is reading and hand-coding hundreds of bills to investigate how this can influence what people think is happening positively or negatively with environmental legislation. They will train a model to classify the remaining texts and suddenly, new research questions become measurable, says Hinkle. Arenos seeks to help answer incredibly important questions like, Are we protecting the environment more or less over time? Do partisan divisions affect passage rates? Do protective laws take longer to pass? Do they last longer once enacted? Hinkle notes that machine learning in the social sciences is not about chasing technological trends, because she and her colleagues were teaching computational methods long before generative AI became mainstream. Across her projects and teachings, one theme remains constant: language is data. Hinkle plans to continue to analyze and advocate that judicial opinions are not just narratives; they are measurable artifacts that reveal institutional behavior. LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global spirits company Sazerac today announces its acquisition of Dirty Shirley, a ready-to-drink cocktail brand known for its cheeky vodka-spiked take on the classic Shirley Temple. "We are excited to make the Dirty Shirley brand a part of the Sazerac family," says Jake Wenz, CEO of Sazerac. "The brand has carved a unique space in the RTD category with their bold cocktails and distinct personality, and we're looking forward to continuing to build on the solid foundational work done by the brand to-date." The acquisition comes as the Shirley Temple makes a major comeback, fueled by consumers craving their favorite childhood nostalgia drink but this time, with a grown-up upgrade. "Sazerac is the perfect home for Dirty Shirley," said Adam Kost, Founder of Dirty Shirley. "They have the scale, expertise, and vision to take the brand to the next level, and I have full confidence they will continue to build Dirty Shirley into an iconic name in the spirits industry." Dirty Shirley joins Sazerac's robust, global spirits portfolio including BuzzBallz, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Traveller Whiskey, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, SVEDKA Vodka, Wheatley Vodka, Myers's Rum, Paddy's Irish Whiskey and many more. ABOUT SAZERAC With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world's largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers around the world. Over 550 of the world's most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, BuzzBallz, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers's Rum, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy's Irish Whiskey, and many more. Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Hawk's Rock Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montreal, London and Sydney, to name a few. Learn more at: www.sazerac.com. SOURCE Sazerac State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Chinese vice premier meets UAE president's special envoy Xinhua) 09:41, March 19, 2026 Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, special envoy of the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to China, in Beijing, capital of China, on March 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, special envoy of the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to China, on Wednesday in Beijing. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, political mutual trust between China and the UAE has been continuously consolidated, and practical cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results. China has always approached China-UAE relations from a strategic height, Ding said, adding that China stands ready to work with the UAE to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen high-level exchanges, strengthen cooperation in energy, investment, trade and other fields, promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level, and continuously enhance the well-being of the two peoples. China is willing to make active efforts to restore peace and tranquility in the Gulf region as soon as possible, Ding added. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak expressed that the UAE side is willing to develop bilateral relations with China unswervingly, continuously expand cooperation in various fields, and looks forward to China playing a greater role in promoting regional peace. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, special envoy of the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to China, in Beijing, capital of China, on March 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) CHICAGO , March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SomerCor, a nonprofit U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified Development Company (CDC) and leading provider of SBA 504 financing, launched a Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP) to help small businesses in Cook County purchase their first owner-occupied commercial property. "Cook County is committed to expanding access to capital and supporting the small businesses that power our local economy," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "Programs like SomerCor's Down Payment Assistance Program help more entrepreneurs invest in their businesses, purchase commercial property, and build stronger communities." The program addresses one of the most common barriers small businesses face when pursuing SBA 504 financing: the upfront equity required to purchase commercial real estate. Many otherwise qualified businesses have strong operations and cash flow but lack sufficient liquidity for the required down payment. By providing targeted down payment assistance, DPAP helps credit-ready businesses move forward with ownership, while preserving working capital and maintaining stronger post-closing liquidity. "Too many strong small businesses are ready to grow but can't move forward because the upfront equity requirement stands in the way," said Manuel Flores, President and CEO of SomerCor. "Our Down Payment Assistance Program helps remove that barrier, allowing more entrepreneurs to purchase their building, grow equity, and invest in their communities." The initiative was made possible through the Cook County Community Financial Institution (CFI) Capacity Building Grant, a program designed to expand access to capital by strengthening mission-driven lenders. The Cook County Board approved $2.4 million in funding to CFIs to increase available financing for small businesses. SomerCor was one of five CFIs selected to participate in this historic grant initiative. Through programs like DPAP, Cook County and SomerCor are helping unlock innovative lending solutions for entrepreneurs. SomerCor Down Payment Assistance Program The program provides a grant equal to 5% of eligible project costs, up to $25,000, helping new SBA 504 borrowers reduce the upfront capital required to purchase their first owner-occupied commercial property. Eligibility Requirements Borrower is making their first purchase of owner-occupied commercial real estate for an operating business in Cook County. Business has been in operation for at least two years and is in good standing with the State of Illinois. Annual revenue is between $200,000 and $5,000,000. Total project size cannot exceed $1,000,000. Applicants are subject to all SBA, SomerCor, and third-party lender eligibility and underwriting requirements. The program is expected to support 16-20 small business real estate projects and leverage $5 to $8 million in total private and SBA-backed investment across Cook County. To learn more about SomerCor's SBA 504 financing or to speak with a loan officer, visit www.somercor.com About SomerCor SomerCor's mission is to grow businesses, create jobs, and increase impactful investment in every community through the SBA 504 loan program and other financing and grant initiatives. SomerCor serves the entire state of Illinois, Kenosha and Rock counties in Wisconsin, and Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter counties in Indiana. Contact: Kim Brisky // (312) 360-3330 // [email protected] SOURCE SomerCor Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:04PM Embed from Getty Images Samsung is seemingly winding down the sale of its Galaxy Z TriFold roughly three months after it became available on the market, Bloomberg News reported. A company spokesperson told the publication it will halt sales for the US$2,899 (~CA$3,977) device in South Korea before ending its sales in the US, at least until the remaining stocks are cleared. Bloomberg noted that the move is anticipated, given that the company stopped teasing future restocks on its website. According to posts on social media and Reddit, some units are still available in Samsung Experience Stores in Frisco, Texas and Queens, New York. SOURCE Suzuki, both here and abroad, has made a name for itself making cheap, reliable, small cars. Their expertise in this field meant that theyr... IM just putting one foot in front of another, said Martin Phelan somewhat modestly after completing his 200th parkrun in Carlow town. To complete so many of the organised weekly runs is a mark of dedication by anyones standards, but when Martins age is factored into the equation, it brings his achievement to a different level. Martin is 87 years old and has been taking part in Carlow town parkrun since 2019, just before the Covid pandemic hit. I love it; its just great fun. Its a fun thing to do its not a chore at all. Its the camaraderie that I love. I go religiously every week, except when the track is flooded and it doesnt take place, explained Martin. Carlow town parkrun is part of a worldwide company that organises free, weekly circuits in towns and cities where participants register to take part and then, afterwards, find out how they did. The parkrun in Carlow town is 5km, but theres a longer circuit in Tullow of 19km. Martin Phelan celebrates his 200th park run in Carlow Photo: Joanne O'Brien The circuit in Carlow starts at the rowing club by the River Barrow, with participants running, jogging or walking along the Barrow Track for 2.2km before turning back and completing a lap of the town park. Sponsored by VHI healthcare in Ireland, the parkruns welcome people of all ages and fitness levels, with a team of volunteers ensuring everyone is safe and never under pressure. Martin used to run the circuit for years but is now walking it at a pace that suits him. The volunteers are great; they always look after us. Anyone can call for assistance, if they need it, and everyone is very well supported, he continued. Not only is the 5km skelp along the Barrow Track and Carlow Town Park good for keeping peoples fitness up, but just as importantly its about the sense of community and the friendships that are forged through the weekly meet-ups. Ive made so many friends in the parkrun. Everyone knows everyone else. After each run, we have a cup of tea and some sweet treats every week. When someone has a milestone run, thats celebrated, too, said Martin. When he completed his 200th run, members of his family were invited to the town park to mark the occasion and partake of some cake. Martin, who managed the Deerpark service station in Carlow town for over 40 years, is married to Kathleen and is the father of three daughters a Angela, Martina and Linda a as well as having six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, some of whom joined him on his parkrun celebration. Now that hes passed that 200-run milestone, Martin is determined to keep on going putting one foot in front of the other and will continue his weekly outing along the Barrow. To find out more about how to register, go to www.parkrun.ie/carlowtown. High Court Reporter Meath Co Council can continue with the demolition of a house built without planning permission, following a High Court ruling. Judge Richard Humphreys, on Thursday, refused an application by a lawyer for the property owners to halt further demolition pending an application to Europe. Chris and Rose Murray built the 588sq m (6,220sq ft) house at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Navan, in 2006 despite being refused planning permission by Meath County Council. The couple mounted five unsuccessful retention bids and three failed appeals to keep the home intact. On Monday, Meath County Council took possession of the home. The council first took legal action against the couple in 2007. The Murrays attempts to save the house appeared to have failed last November when the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Solicitor Neil McNelis, representing the Murrays, on Thursday told Judge Richard Humphreys that the couple have made an application to the European Court of Human Rights, alleging violations of their human rights. McNelis urged the judge to pause the order allowing for the houses demolition pending the outcome of the European court process, arguing that it was not necessary for the demolition to continue at this point. The court heard that the house was in the process of being demolished. The only issue now is the remaining house thats standing, it's secured, it's boarded up, its no difficulty to anybody, McNelis said. McNelis submitted that the court and the council was obliged not to hinder or undermine the application to the European court. He argued that the council, in obtaining court orders this month, was determined to get the house down before the matter comes before the European court. McNelis also argued that his clients were not in contempt of court for breaching an undertaking to provide vacant possession of the house to the council. Theyve lost their house. Theyre evicted Theyve lost everything, McNelis said. Asked by the judge if he knew his clients current location, the solicitor said he understood them to be somewhere in the country, but could not put it further than that. Responding for the council, barrister Deirdre Hughes said the couples application was unstateable. The council denied any wrongdoing in pursuing the proceedings, she added. Hughes said that there was no evidence that the Murrays had made the application to the European court. She said the house was currently being demolished. She asked the judge to continue to ensure that the courts orders continue to be enforceable. Judge Humphreys refused to pause orders for demolition, stating that enforcement of court orders does not interfere with the right of access to the European courts. The case returns next week. Kenneth Fox A monthly payment to those who accommodate Ukrainian people in their spare rooms or second homes will be wound down over the next year. The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP), a tax-free monthly payment, will be further reduced from 600 to 400 per month as part of Government's plans to wind down temporary protections for Ukrainian people. As The Irish Times reports, Minister of State Colm Brophy also confirmed the Government wants to move towards the reduction and eventual elimination of hotel accommodation being contracted to accommodate Ukrainian people. The ARP, which was introduced in 2022 in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has accommodated 42,000 people in 23,500 properties at a monthly cost of 14.5 million The scheme, which had been due to expire this month, will be extended once more to March 2027. But Brophy said the time for the scheme is coming to a conclusion. It is therefore my view that we will be extending the scheme, as indicated, for 12 months. This will be part of a phasing-out process of the scheme of the ARP. It will also be the intention to reduce the payment from 600 to 400 as part of that phasing-out of ARP, and that, I believe, will enable us to have a gradual winding-down scheme, he told the Dail on Thursday. Ukrainians, who have enjoyed temporary protection in Ireland, are a welcome part of our community. There are many, many opportunities for them to avail of housing within their own right. "Many, many Ukrainians are doing that at this moment, and I believe in terms of the ARP scheme, we are going to work on a process of making it very clear that that scheme will be coming to an end. The scheme initially offered a tax-free payment of 400 a month to those who offered accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. The government was already facing pressures on its supply of accommodation for international protection applicants and needed the assistance of the public to help house Ukrainians who had fled to Ireland. Ryan Dunne The State is still trying to determine the age of a Somali national accused of murdering Ukrainian teenager Vadym Davydenko at a care facility last year, a court has heard. Vadym, who was 17 years old, was stabbed at around 11am on October 15h, 2025 during an incident at a 24-hour facility in Donaghmede, where he was placed in care after recently arriving from Kyiv. The accused cannot be identified while his case proceeds on the basis that he is a minor. When the matter came before the Children's Court last December, the accused claimed his documents were false, with his defence team saying that doubts persist over his age. When told the document with his date of birth still had to be confirmed, the defendant replied that it was "not real" and his "country has gone to bits, and anyone can make a document to say they are 17". However at a subsequent hearing last month, the accused declared: "My age is 17, what more do the police want?" The accused was sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court, where he appeared on Wednesday morning via video link. Judge Paul McDermott was told that Tusla, the child and family agency who are involved in the defendants case, are still trying to determine if the accused is a juvenile. The matter was put back to a date later this month. High Court reporters A nurse who claims there was an alleged delay in diagnosing her breast cancer has sued the HSE in the High Court. Mother of three Aine McSweeney from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, also claims that she had two mammograms in 2020 and 2022, which she says were allegedly incorrectly interpreted as benign. Ms McSweeny (52) was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and had to have a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the proceedings, it is claimed that Ms McSweeney had two mammograms at the Breast Clinic in University Hospital Waterford in 2020 and 2022, which were reported back as benign. It is claimed that these should have been reported as being indeterminate. It is contended that the two mammograms allegedly showed clustered calcifications. If the two mammograms had been followed through, the McSweeny side contends there would have been an investigation and treatment. All of the claims are denied, and the High Court heard there is a difference of opinion between radiological experts on both sides. Ms McSweenys counsel, Dr John OMahony, with Cian OMahony instructed by solicitor Brigid ODonnell, told the court the nurse had a family history of breast cancer. This, he said, had to be a factor and taken into account in determining the issue. Mr Justice Paul Coffey has been asked to decide first on whether there was an alleged breach of duty by the HSE in relation to the mammograms carried out at University Hospital Waterford. Opening the case, Dr OMahony told the court the cluster was in the site where the cancer was ultimately found. It was their case, he said, that there was a gradual progressive increase where the cluster became more obvious and ultimately, in 2023, there was a diagnosis of cancer. He said it was their case that a cluster was evident from 2020 and more obvious in 2022. Experts on their side would say the mammograms of 2020 and 2022 should have been investigated and followed through. Counsel said there was no biopsy carried out. If there was an earlier diagnosis, Counsel said it was their case Ms McSweeney would have got appropriate treatment in a timely manner. Counsel said many cancers of the breast are diagnosed based on clusters before the woman has a lump. In the proceedings, it was claimed that an alleged incorrect interpretation was given in a radiology report of a mammogram of October 23, 2020 and that the findings were reported as benign when it is claimed it showed clustered microcalcifications in the left breast and allegedly should have been reported as being indeterminate. It was further claimed there was an alleged incorrect interpretation of a January 7, 2022 mammogram, which was reported as benign and which, it is claimed, should also allegedly have been reported as being indeterminate. It is also contended that if a diagnosis of breast malignancy had been made in 2020, she would have been treated at a time when the disease was node negative and her tumour was significantly smaller than when eventually treated in 2023. All of the claims are denied. The case before Mr Justice Coffey continues. AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellantis battery-electric vehicle (BEV) customers gain significantly expanded fast-charging coverage across North America, enabling easier long-distance travel and everyday charging confidence Tesla Superchargers are now accessible using a Free2move Charge NACS-CCS1 DC adapter available for purchase at low-emission vehicle (LEV) certified dealerships and Mopar.com The Free2move Charge app helps owners find compatible Tesla Superchargers, along with other charging network stations, and handles charging management and payment Owners of Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Maserati battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in North America now have greater freedom in how they charge, thanks to expanded access to more than 27,500 Tesla Supercharger locations. Starting today, Stellantis BEV customers can access Tesla V3 and V4 Superchargers using a Free2move Charge North American Charging System (NACS)-CCS1 DC adapter. Owners of Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Maserati battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in North America now have greater freedom and flexibility in how they charge, thanks to expanded access to more than 27,500 Tesla Supercharger locations. The expanded access is a major milestone in Stellantis' public charging strategy, delivering broader fast-charging coverage and intuitive tools for managing every charge. Starting today, Stellantis BEV customers can access Tesla V3 and V4 Superchargers using a Free2move Charge North American Charging System (NACS)-CCS1 DC adapter, available for purchase at Stellantis low-emission vehicle (LEV) certified dealerships[1] and at Mopar.com. Customers can also access a Tesla "Magic Dock" Supercharger, which features a built-in adapter. Only Stellantis-approved NACS adapters can be used with a Tesla Supercharger. Stellantis makes public charging on the go simple through the free Free2move Charge app[2], where customers set up an account and payment method. The app helps locate and identify available Tesla Supercharger locations, along with other publicly available AC and DC fast-charging stations, such as IONNA Rechargeries. Compatible vehicles[3] that can use Tesla Superchargers with an adapter are: As previously announced, the 2027 Dodge Charger Daytona is the first Stellantis model to launch with a NACS charging port, and it will be able to charge at Tesla Supercharger stations without an adapter. By expanding access and unifying charging technologies, Stellantis is strengthening its North American charging ecosystem and delivering a more reliable, convenient experience for every BEV customer. [1] Please visit the preferred vehicle brand website to locate a Battery Electric Vehicle Certified Dealership. [2] Fees and surcharges are determined by location and charging time. [3] Vehicle list is subject to change as additional vehicles may be added. Stellantis North America Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is a leading global automaker, dedicated to giving its customers the freedom to choose the way they move, embracing the latest technologies and creating value for all its stakeholders. Its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo, FIAT and Maserati. In 2025, the company celebrated 100 years of influencing culture and contributing to the history of the automotive industry in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com. Follow company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Stellantis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisna X: @StellantisNA YouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA SOURCE Stellantis The Tunisian government has signalled its support for the restructuring of Ciments de Bizerte, although details of the proposed rescue plan remain limited. At a cabinet meeting held on 17 March and chaired by Prime Minister Sara Zaafrani Zenzri, discussions focused on reviving the state-controlled cement producer, which has faced prolonged operational and financial difficulties. The company is regarded as one of Tunisias historic cement producers and a key part of the countrys industrial base. According to an official statement, the restructuring programme will be implemented in phases, beginning with the restart of clinker production and tighter cost control measures aimed at reducing reliance on external services. A second phase is expected to focus on increasing production capacity through equipment modernisation and operational improvements, while a longer-term phase will target energy efficiency, environmental compliance and competitiveness. However, the government has not disclosed how the restructuring will be financed, nor whether it will involve capital injections, debt restructuring or broader organisational changes. The lack of financial clarity has raised questions given the companys status as a listed entity. In the short term, authorities have recommended continued clinker procurement and processing to maintain market supply, alongside cost-control measures. Additional proposals include improving rail logistics, expanding bulk cement usage, establishing a sales subsidiary in Tunis and strengthening the companys presence in regional markets. Advertisement Ciments de Bizerte remains in a fragile financial position. According to its latest interim results, turnover fell to around TND18.6m (US$6.32m), reflecting weak production levels and subdued demand. Financial charges of more than TND5m continue to weigh heavily on profitability, while liquidity is constrained by significant bank debt. Tunisias cement sector comprises nine producers with a combined capacity of approximately 12Mta, employing more than 4000 people. Within this context, Ciments de Bizerte has struggled to compete, with its share price falling sharply since its listing in 2009 to below TND1, giving it a market capitalisation of around TND21m. Founded in 1950 and nationalised in 1959, the company remains majority state-owned, with the government holding nearly 80 per cent of its capital. The success of the restructuring programme is likely to depend on securing sufficient funding and restoring sustainable production levels in the medium term. Caring for a loved one with dementia can be both meaningful and overwhelming, often leaving families searching for guidance, reassurance, and practical support. The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer's Center of Excellence Chattanooga will host Moments of Grace, a Memory Caregiver Summit designed to equip caregivers with knowledge, connect them with trusted local resources, and offer encouragement for the journey ahead. The event will be held Thursday, March 26, from 67:30 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Collegedale at Greenbriar Cove, 9650 Leyland Dr., Collegedale. This special caregiver luncheon and educational event will feature local vendors, trusted local experts, and knowledgeable professional speakers. Attendees will enjoy lunch, fun giveaways, and practical resources focused on dementia care and caregiver wellness. Topics will include: Understanding and Managing Sundowning and Behaviors Dementia Medications: What to Expect and Whats New Handling Emergencies and Crisis Situations The Importance of Movement and Social Engagement Finding Renewal and Strength in the Caregiving Journey Companion care will be provided during the event for loved ones living with dementia, allowing caregivers to fully participate and learn in a supportive environment. Tickets are $20 and include lunch and one raffle ticket. T-shirts will also be available for purchase for $20 each. Proceeds from the event benefit the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public service organization that provides caregiver support programs, sponsors educational awareness events, and funds clinical scholarships in nursing, clinical therapy, culinary arts, and social work. In the Tennessee Valley, the Morning Pointe Foundation partners with local institutions including: Cleveland State Community College Chattanooga State Community College Southern Adventist University The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens Tennessee College of Applied Technology Chattanooga Tennessee Wesleyan University Sunwest Bank Chief Capital Officer, Kara Trebs to accept the award SANDY, Utah, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunwest Bank is honored to be selected as the recipient of the Benefits Innovator Award at the Thrive Summit 2026, an annual health and wellbeing innovation event that brings together leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem to learn, collaborate, and shape the future of workforce health. Sunwest Bank was selected for its forwardthinking use of Personify Health solutions to reimagine employee benefits and enhance the overall employee experience. Sunwest Bank EVP and Chief Capital Officer, Kara Trebs to accept the award (PRNewsfoto/Sunwest Bank) "We are honored to be receiving the Benefits Innovator Award at Thrive Summit this year," said Carson Lappetito, President of Sunwest Bank. "On behalf of the Sunwest Bank team, especially Chief Human Capital Officer, Kara Trebs, we appreciate the recognition of the hard work and innovative thought that has gone into building a world class health insurance program for our team members and their families. We have invested in and refined our program over the last year to build a platform that contains healthcare costs and delivers transparency for our team members." To hear more about how this program was built, please listen to this episode of the Built for Entrepreneurs podcast. Sunwest Bank is also proud to share that Sunwest Bank EVP and Chief Capital Officer, Kara Trebs will be speaking at Personify Health's Thrive Summit 2026. During her session, Trebs will discuss how rising healthcare costs continue to challenge organizations and explore innovative strategies that are helping employers rethink healthcare delivery. Her discussion will highlight how direct agreements between employer-sponsored plans and hospital networks can improve quality and access to care while effectively managing costs. "I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the bank," said Kara Trebs, Chief Capital Officer. "It reflects our commitment to our employees and our willingness to challenge the system to ensure they have access to quality care while keeping money in their wallets." To learn more about Sunwest Bank's innovative healthcare solutions, click here. About Sunwest Bank Founded in 1969, Sunwest Bank is a privately held commercial bank with more than $4 billion in assets. With a growing presence throughout the United States, Sunwest is headquartered in Sandy, Utah, with offices across California, Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and Florida. The bank partners with businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide to deliver strategic banking, treasury management, and corporate financial solutions. With a strong capital position and a commitment to innovation, Sunwest Bank continues to challenge traditional banking models through forward-thinking initiatives designed to support growth and long-term success. For Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneurs, Sunwest Bank is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. SOURCE Sunwest Bank Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department battled a cabin/barn fire Wednesday evening. At 8:30 p.m., a motorist called 911 reporting a large fire coming from the landfill. Highway 58 VFD responded toward the landfill and confirmed the fire was actually coming from the 6300 block of Massengale Hollow Road. The first unit arrived on the scene reporting a cabin and barn fire that was inaccessible with fire apparatus. Chief Mark Hutchings, Highway 58 VFD, arrived on the scene and reported to dispatch this fire could only be accessed by foot and the structures sat back in the woods. By 8:36 p.m., Chief Hutchings reported the fire was spreading to the nearby woods creating a very large woods fire. Highway 58 VFD requested additional resources including their own brush trucks as well as an UTV from Special Tactics Rescue Service( STARS) and a bulldozer/personnel from TennesseeForestry. At 9:30 p.m., Chief Hutchings confirmed the cabin and barn had completely burned to the ground and an acre of land was on fire. Tennessee Forestry dug fire breaks to contain the woods fire to the acre while other fire personnel worked on extinguishing the two structures. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. Day Shift March 18: B Squad 26-002463 5400 BLK Ringgold Road Traffic Stop / Arrest Patrol observed a brown Honda Civic fail to maintain its lane in the 5300 block of Ringgold Road. A traffic stop was conducted in the 5400 block, and upon approach of the vehicle, a strong odor of alcohol was noted. The driver, who identified herself (more on that later), was asked to exit the vehicle and stand in front of the patrol vehicle. She agreed to conduct Field Sobriety for ERPD. Due to the clues of Field Sobriety and her driving behavior, it was concluded that she was too intoxicated to drive. She was placed under arrest for DUI and transported to the East Ridge Police Department. While at ERPD, she refused to consent to a blood draw. The arrestee was transported to the Hamilton County Jail, where she informed ERPD that we had the wrong name and gave an entirely different name. Due to having no physical ID, she was booked as Jane Doe and advised of an additional charge. Jane Does identity was later confirmed after the arrest to be the second name she proffered after officers were able to locate information in another states system. The woman was charged with DUI, Implied Consent, and Giving a False Name to an Officer. No Case Number- 6500 BLK Garner Street- Check Well-Being Police went to this address to check the well-being of a party in reference to an investigation by the TN Department of Commerce and Insurance. The party originally spoke with police pertaining to the OCN: 26-001777, which is a civil matter. The woman was not at her house at this time, but police contacted her by phone. She advised she was safe and running errands. 26-002447 5000 BLK South Terrace - Suspicious Person Police encountered a man in the rear side parking lot of the closed theater. He stated he had recently been released from jail and was trying to find somewhere to stay warm. Officers verified his wanted status status and sent him on his way. 26-002448 1500 BLK Karwill Lane - Assist EMS/Disorder Police responded to this location after being advised HCEMS requested emergency response for a domestic disorder. On scene, officers found a male and his ex-wife in some kind of loud verbal altercation, while the mans current wife was being loaded into the ambulance for a medical issue. Police separated the parties only for them to start another verbal altercation over the custody of their children. The ex-wife eventually relented and the man left with the children without further issue. 26-002450- 1000 BLK McHann Drive- Deceptive Practice A party requested to speak to police via phone in reference to money that she alleged was stolen from her Food Stamps card. The officer advised her that DHS would have to file an incident report for the theft of funds, but an initial report could be filed as well due to her not receiving the deposit. ERPD provided the case number for her records. 26-002452 2000 BLK Prigmore Road - Harassment A man spoke with officers via phone about a former tenant returning to the property and possibly harassing him. The complainant stated he had court documentation he would send to police detailing her being trespassed from the property, however, it has yet to be provided. 26-002455-6400 BLK Ringgold Road-Suspicious Person Police were called to the shop on a report of a male subject refusing to leave the business. The subject agreed to leave the business after being told to do so by officers on scene; he was trespassed per management. Proximity Restriction-26-000053 Night Shift March 18 : D Squad 26-002455 6800 BLK Martha Avenue - Civil Matter Police in East Ridge discussed the city's leash law and other animal service-related ordinances after neighbors reported their dogs leaving the yard unleashed. The caller requested that he handle the matter with his neighbors. No incident. 26-002461- 4214 Ringgold Road- Warrant Service Two arrest warrants were served on a male subject: one for FTA and one Alias Capias, driving on a suspended license. He is currently in custody at Hamilton County Jail. 26-002462 1100 BLK Chippewah Drive Shots Fired Officers responded to the above location for multiple reports of shots fired. ERPD checked the area and did not locate any injured persons or damaged property. 26-002464 4100 BLK Lazard St - Suspicious Vehicle Police responded to the dead-end of Lazard Street for a suspicious vehicle backed up to the end of the cul-de-sac. Patrol observed the vehicle and contacted the occupants. Police found the two to have been engaging in intimate activity. The officer checked the two for warrants and asked the couple to find a more appropriate location for their activity. 26-002466 500 BLK Camp Jordan Parkway - Burglar Alarm Police were alerted to an alarm at business, specifically to the kitchen motion detection. ERPD checked the external doors and windows and observed no signs of forced entry. The listed responsible party did not respond to calls from dispatch. 26-002467 - I-75 S - Check Hazard A motorist reported a hazard cone in the fast lane on I-75. Police checked the area and observed several cones placed by TDOT on the interstate due to road construction. No cones appeared to be out of place. Drivers traveling near I-24 West Thursday morning should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have an impact on traffic. Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) maintenance crews will closed the Williams Street on-ramp at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, and the right lane of I-24 West to repair a pothole in the high bridge at mile marker 178.7. Drivers are encouraged to use caution as they travel through this area and expect significant delays. Signage will be posted directing drivers through the work zone. This work is weather-dependent. Should inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances cause delays, it will be rescheduled to a later date. As always, motorists are reminded to use TDOTs motorist information tools and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before departure. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on the phone while driving. For the latest updates, visit the TDOT SmartWay Map or dial 511 for statewide travel information. Tennessees Move Over Law requires drivers to move over for highway workers and emergency vehicles. Violation of this law can result in up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. Lodestar Technology today announced the launch of the LNK9, a 9mm firearm designed to authorize access before the firearm can be operated. The LNK9 integrates Lodestars Safeguard User Interface, combining biometric authentication and PIN pad access with owner-managed authorization tools in a "single, proven and trusted platform."The concept for the LNK9 stemmed from Co-Founder and CEO Gareth Glasers vision to integrate advanced safety technology into a reliable platform. He joined forces with firearms industry expert Ginger Chandler, co-founder and CTO of Lodestar.The LNK9 represents a major leap forward in personal protection, said Ms.Chandler. By embedding advanced biometric safeguards directly into a proven platform, weve created a firearm thats as secure as it is reliable. This is about empowering owners while protecting families and communities, and using technology responsibly to do so. Safety of this kind has never been available before.How the Platform Works:The LNK9 verifies the users access before the firearm can be operated. The Safeguard User Interfaceintegrates multiple methods of user authentication and owner authorization management.- Biometric LandingPad. Fingerprint recognition embedded in the grip verifies authorized users.- PIN Pad Activation. A secondary authentication method allows access through a secure PIN entry.- Lodestar Technology Mobile Application. Owners can add or remove authorized users and adjustsettings through a Bluetooth-connected mobile application compatible with iOS, Android and Google devices.- InfoLights. Integrated LED indicators display authentication status, battery level, and firearmreadiness.- Multiple Authorized Users. The system supports storage of up to 50 authorized fingerprints.Technical Features:- Caliber 9mm;- Magazine Capacity 17-round or 10-round configuration, depending on preference or state compliance;- Compact Crossover Compact slide paired with a full-size frame;- Frame Polymer;- Picatinny Rail;- Left or Right Side Configuration of the Biometric LandingPad, depending on user preference; and- Reversible Magazine Release.Officials said, "Personally authenticated firearms have drawn skepticism in the past, often tied to concerns about reliability, privacy and outside influence. Lodestar built the LNK9 platform to address those concerns directly, with a clear focus on owner authority, independent operation and privacy."Built for Owner Control:This section addresses common assumptions about individually verified firearms and explains how the system is designed to protect the owner's control and privacy.- The LNK9 does not have GPS tracking capabilities, keeping the firearm fully private to the owner.- The LNK9 functions as a fully self-contained system and does not connect to government, lawenforcement, or third-party networks. No outside party has access to the firearm or its settings.- Only authorized users designated by the owner can activate and operate the firearm. The system cannot be enabled, disabled, or operated remotely by anyone outside those authorized users.- Biometric identity verification is processed and stored locally within the firearm. The system is notcloud-dependent, keeping biometric data private and contained on the device.- The owner retains full authority over user authorization and determines who is permitted to operate the firearm.We believe safety innovation should come from people who understand firearms, said Laurel Smith, vice president of marketing and business development of Lodestar. We respect choice, tradition and safety. As firearm industry veterans, were taking this responsibility seriously.The LNK9 represents Lodestars first commercial firearm platform and reflects the companys focus on integrating access verification technology into modern firearm design while maintaining performance, reliability and owner authority. The LNK9 is available for purchase on the Lodestar Technology website, for $979.99 MSRP. The generosity of a private, anonymous donor has enabled 77 Tennessean youth participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters Chattanooga, East TN and Middle TN mentorship programs to receive scholarships totaling $225,000, with some students receiving upwards of $5,000 to contribute toward their continuing education.From mechanical engineering, criminal justice, game design and wildlife & fish management, scholarship submissions represented a wide range of post-secondary career interests and educational institutions.Students have the freedom to spend the scholarship money in areas deemed most needed.It means the absolute world to me to win this scholarship, said Hunter, alumni E-Mentoring Little, Middle TN. It has helped me so much through this year. Ive decided to use the money to help pay for my housing, since there is no on-campus housing. This also helped me buy food since meal plans are not offered through the school. Thank you again to everyone who made this scholarship possible. The amount of stress this takes off college students is staggering and very much appreciated.East TN alumni Little Brooke, who is studying criminal justice at Pellissippi State Community College, said, The TN scholarship allowed me to leave school with no debt and get me supplies while I was in school.She added that her Big Sister has always been a trusted adult in her life that she knows she can count on no matter what.Seventy-three percent of BBBS alumni mentees report that their mentor introduced them to interesting career paths, and 86 percent report that their mentor exposed them to experiences they would not otherwise have had."The role of caring adult mentors provides critical exposure for first-generation college students and youth from communities with limited access to professional networks," officials said.EJanay Reynolds from Chattanooga said, My Big played a major role in my decision to attend college by helping me build confidence in my abilities. She shared words of encouragement and reminded me that my hard work would pay off, which made college feel like an exciting next step.Officials said, "Unstable housing situations, mental health, family responsibilities and transportation gaps have resulted in school absenteeism doubling since the pandemic. Mentorship brings additional caring adults into students' lives who focus on encouragement, connection and support to help youth navigate these challenges."Littles who graduate from Big Brothers Big Sisters programs: Are 20 percent more likely to enroll in post-secondary education Will earn 15 percent more over their lifetimes These gains mean closing two-thirds of the poverty gapKey Scholarship Metrics:Gender:Male 25Female - 52Institution Type:Four-Year College 65Two-Year College 12Immediate Degree Sought:Certificate - 1Associates 13Bachelors 55Masters 5Doctorate - 3 Becoming Wise: Navigating Challenges with Collaboration, Courage, and Empathy LOS ANGELES, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What would change if we treated listening not as politeness, but as a form of transformation? For decades, Peabody Awardwinning broadcaster, National Humanities Medalist, and New York Times best-selling author Krista Tippett has explored this question through conversations that probe the deepest dimensions of human experience: faith, science, ethics, and the meaning of life together. On Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. PT, Unlikely Collaborators will host Tippett for a Spark Salon titled: Krista Tippett explores how deep listening can transform understanding, connection, and the way we live together. Post this Krista Tippett joins Unlikely Collaborators for a Spark Salon exploring how deep listening can transform the way we understand ourselves and one another. Drawing on decades of conversations on On Being, she invites us to examine the stories and assumptions that shape our lives, and to consider how cultivating empathy, courage, and moral imagination can open new possibilities for connection in a fractured world. Becoming Wise: Navigating Challenges with Collaboration, Courage, and Empathy For decades, Tippett has convened conversations at the intersection of spirituality, science, and the human condition through her groundbreaking public radio show and podcast On Being. In this Spark Salon, she will reflect on the discipline of listening, not as a social courtesy, but as a transformative practice. How do the stories we inherit shape how we see the world? What assumptions quietly influence how we understand ourselves and others? And how might deep listening open space for empathy, courage, and collaboration in a fractured world? Rather than offering quick fixes, Tippett invites audiences to slow down and examine the interior patterns that shape how we show up in public life and private relationships. When we shift the way we listen, to ourselves and to others, our moral imagination expands, and new possibilities for connection and change begin to emerge. The evening will take place in person at Unlikely Collaborators' Santa Monica headquarters and will also be livestreamed online. In-person attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Tippett's book Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living. Event Schedule 6:00 p.m. Doors open and reception 7:00 p.m. Program begins promptly 8:00 p.m. Book signing and reception Cost: Free (registration required) Register to Attend in person Register to Join live online About Krista Tippett Krista Tippett is a Peabody Awardwinning broadcaster, National Humanities Medalist, and New York Times best-selling author. She is the creator of the influential public radio show and podcast On Being, which explores deep thinking, moral imagination, social creativity, and joy toward the renewal of inner life, outer life, and life together. The program has received the highest honors in broadcast, Internet, and podcasting and has been downloaded more than 450 million times. Tippett founded The On Being Project in 2013 to foster "quiet conversations" that accompany the generative people and possibilities emerging in this tender and tumultuous time. In 2014 she received the National Humanities Medal at the White House for thoughtfully exploring the mysteries of human existence and inviting people of every background into conversations about faith, ethics, and moral wisdom. She grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, attended Brown University, worked as a journalist and diplomat in Cold War Berlin, and later earned a Master of Divinity from Yale. She is the author of three books, including Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living. About Spark Salons Spark Salons are a signature program of Unlikely Collaborators, the nonprofit founded by Elizabeth R. Koch. These gatherings bring together grantees, researchers, artists, and collaborators for conversations that challenge perspectives and deepen connections. Past Spark Salon speakers have included illusionist Harris III, psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, nutrition therapist Kim Shapira, MS, RD, mythologist John Bucher, Harvard Business School professor and author Michael Norton, PhD, visionary violinist Vijay Gupta, chef and entrepreneur Ellen Bennett, artist Candy Chang, digital workplace expert and author Alexandra Samuel, PhD, grief experts Brennan Wood and Dr. Donna L. Schuurman, neuroscientist and best-selling author Lisa Feldman Barrett, PhD, neuroscientist and NYU Dean Wendy Suzuki, PhD, futures designer Nick Foster, RDI, sleep psychologist Jade Wu, PhD, and astrophysicist and astrobiologist Dr. Lisa Kaltenegger. Watch the Spark Salons Trailer About Unlikely Collaborators Unlikely Collaborators is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people see themselves and the world more clearly. Founded by Elizabeth R. Koch, the organization is built on the Perception Box framework, the understanding that our experiences, beliefs, fears, and physiology shape the lens through which we interpret reality. By becoming aware of that lens, we create more space for reflection, flexibility, and meaningful change. SOURCE Unlikely Collaborators Privacy Protector for Windows 11 helps to cope with privacy problems in this OS. There are numerous services in Windows 10/11 that collect private user's data of all possible kinds. This software tool helps to solve all Windows 10/11 privacy issues that violate a right of every user for confidential activity on his PC. The program is oriented both for private users and companies with exclusive standards of data confidentiality. By means of a simple-to-use interface a Privacy protector user can tune his system to block the unwanted traffic to Microsoft servers. It is possible to delete certain elements of Telemetry and Data Collection system, while the rest is simply disabled. A user is able to act at his own discretion choosing the services for disabling to eliminate specific Windows 10/11 privacy concerns. There are about 40 services (some of them work on the background) tracking and collecting personal user data. It is possible delete, disable or block the following tools: Contrana Office Telemetry Media Center Power Efficiency Diagnostics Customer Experience Improvement Program Windows Search These are only a part of services that become manageable with the help of Privacy Protector for Windows 11. It also disables Keylogger that sends all data typed on the keyboard to MS servers (that may also contain credit card numbers, passwords, personal details, etc.). To prevent the appearance of new unwanted crawlers and Windows 10/11 privacy spies, the program allows to disable Windows Update. This feature is also available for Windows ver. 7-8. The program blocks Microsoft IP addresses and helps to add rules for them in Windows Firewall. The most of spying programs work in the background, consuming a decent part of available system resources. That is why disabling will not only provide you proper privacy, but will also improve your system performance. Privacy Protector for Windows 11 always creates a system restore point before establishing any changes to roll back if needed. Purchase an Unlimited personal license (with support and updates) at 70% discount! Privacy Protector for Windows 11 Yaync SoftOrbits Sistem Gereksinimleri Windows 11 Fiyat $14.99 per month ama bugun icin tamamen ucretsiz. Dosya Boyutu 1.2 MB A Ten Commandments monument stands on the grounds of the State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky. | Photo credit: The Family Foundation A federal judge has barred six school districts in Arkansas from displaying the in classrooms, ruling that such displays would amount to religious promotion directed at students. In a decision issued Monday, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas permanently prohibited the enforcement of Act 573 in the districts of Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Conway and Lakeside. The law mandates that public schools post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The ruling was delivered by Judge Timothy Brooks, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. This decision follows an earlier preliminary injunction in which the same court had already instructed certain districts, where parents had filed legal challenges, to refrain from displaying Ten Commandments posters. In his opinion, Brooks argued that the intent behind the law was explicitly religious. 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. He further concluded that the law must not be enforced. 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. Similar legal disputes have emerged in other states over comparable measures. In Louisiana, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently overturned a lower court ruling that had blocked a Ten Commandments law, while in Texas, a federal judge last year ordered multiple school districts to remove such displays. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Congressman Brandon Gill Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, has reiterated concerns about the impact of large-scale Islamic immigration and the potential influence of Sharia law in the United States, arguing that both could pose a serious challenge to the nations constitutional framework. In an interview with journalist Erick Stakelbeck, Gill said preserving Americas identity and constitutional order requires confronting what he described as mass immigration from predominantly Muslim countries. "If we want to preserve America, the country that we know and love, our constitutional order, we have to wake up and realize that mass Islamic immigration is incredibly harmful," Gill said. "What we don't want to see is the American way of life fundamentally transformed because you have Islamic pressure on our legal system." He added that these dynamics are already beginning to take shape within the United States. "We can be politically correct about it, or we can wake up and we can defend our country," Gill said. Gill pointed to European cities such as London and Paris as examples, suggesting that long-term immigration trends have led to the emergence of areas influenced by Sharia law within otherwise Western legal systems. "You've got parts of Paris or London that no longer look Parisian or English anymore," he said. "You've got areas in both of those cities that are no-go zones for native Parisians or native Londoners. That is a problem." He further warned against the development of parallel legal systems in the United States. "What we don't want to see is parallel legal institutions popping up in the United States, which they are, in the same way that you have in Europe," he added. Gill, who identifies as a Christian and is a member of the Houses Sharia-Free America Caucus, is among a group of Republican lawmakers who have recently voiced concerns about the compatibility of Islamic law with the U.S. Constitution. The caucus has drawn criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which labeled it an extremist organization after its formation earlier this year by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and another Texas lawmaker. At a House hearing last month chaired by Roy, Gill referenced findings from a 2024 Heritage Foundation survey indicating that 39% of Muslims in the United States believe Sharia law should be implemented within the next 20 years. The same survey reported that 50% of Muslims in the U.S believed depictions of Muhammad should be illegal, while 33% supported the idea of Islam being designated as the national religion. The Scottish Parliament in Edinburghs Holyrood district. | Photo credit: Unsplash/ Maja R. Scotlands Parliament has voted down a proposal to legalize assisted suicide, marking the end of a closely watched legislative effort led by MSP Liam McArthur following a lengthy and deeply personal debate. McArthurs Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill sought to permit mentally competent adults with terminal illnesses, who had lived in Scotland for at least one year, to receive medical help to end their lives. After years of discussion and revisions, lawmakers ultimately rejected the bill in a late-night vote on Tuesday, with 69 MSPs opposing the measure, 57 supporting it, and one abstaining. The debate leading up to the vote was marked by emotional testimonies, with several members sharing personal experiences related to serious illness and the loss of loved ones. Many lawmakers acknowledged the historic weight of the decision, as previous attempts to introduce assisted suicide legislation in Scotland had not progressed this far. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, who opposed the bill, described it as the most consequential of the devolution era. Throughout the debate, McArthur emphasized that the proposed legislation was tightly drawn, heavily safeguarded and legally defensible, but he later acknowledged its likely defeat as opposition grew, including among some who had earlier supported it. Among those who reversed their position was Conservative MSP Brian Whittle, who said that although his "instinct is to allow choice", he ultimately concluded that the bill in the current social climate meets the high bar required to pass assisted dying legislation". Other lawmakers echoed concerns raised during the session, particularly regarding potential coercion and insufficient protections for healthcare professionals such as pharmacists and doctors. Professional bodies also shifted their stance in the days leading up to the vote. Both the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland and The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland moved from neutral positions to opposing the bill after certain safeguards, including conscience protections, were removed. Opposition to the bill included several prominent political figures, such as SNP leader John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and former First Minister Humza Yousaf. Support for the measure came from Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Greens co-leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay, along with other MSPs, but it ultimately fell short of securing enough votes. Throughout the proceedings, recurring concerns centered on the adequacy of safeguards, the risk of coercion and the broader impact on vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities. Peter Lynas, U.K. director of the Evangelical Alliance, welcomed the outcome, calling the bill "unsafe, unworkable, and risked undermining the value of those who are elderly, disabled or nearing the end of life". "Scotland must be a place where everyone can live with dignity and thrive," he said. "This decision should ensure renewed commitment to high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care across our health and social care systems." Home News Baptist church trying to save Afghan Christian asylum seeker from deportation Updated at 3:28 p.m. ET, March 19, 2026: Statement from the United States Department of Homeland Security added to story. A Baptist congregation in Tennessee is seeking to help an Afghan Christian asylum seeker avoid being sent back to Afghanistan, where she could face persecution for her religious beliefs. Second Baptist Church of Memphis has been supporting a 21-year-old asylum seeker named Sakina, who arrived in the United States last August with most of her family. Sakina is being held at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, and faces two hearings related to her case, including a hearing on an appeal of her deportation order. Second Baptist Church Senior Pastor Stephen H. Cook told The Christian Post in an emailed statement that Sakina and her family would face credible danger if returned to Afghanistan, which the Taliban terrorist group has controlled since the Biden administration withdrew U.S. troops from the country that sits at the crossroads of the Middle East and Asia. They are part of a persecuted ethnic minority group (Hazara) in their homeland, Cook said. Likewise, one of Sakinas brothers converted to Christianity while in Afghanistan and was arrested and tortured by the Taliban. The entire family, though not all of them are Christian, has been labeled apostate by the regime and are subject to arrest and execution there. Although the rest of Sakinas family has been released from detention under the Flores Settlement Agreement, which regulates the detention, release and treatment of immigrant minors in the custody of federal law enforcement, Cook said Sakina remains at the Texas facility. They presented themselves as asylum seekers and were granted entry into our country after meeting the criteria for credible fear, Cook said. The pastor said the church became involved in the case due to its longstanding partnership with the Christ Community Afghan Church in Memphis, as well as Refugee Memphis, a faith-based humanitarian organization in our community that works to befriend, serve and share Christ with the newly arrived in the United States. The Christian Post reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for more information on the case, with a spokesperson emailing a statement in response. On August 13, 2025, Sakina Beegzad, a citizen of Afghanistan, illegally crossed the border into the United States and was caught by CBP agents and detained," stated the DHS spokesperson. "All of her claims were heard by a judge who found them not to be valid. She received full due process, and on December 9, 2025, a judge issued her final order of removal. She will remain in ICE custody pending her removal." The department spokesperson went on to say that "thanks to President Trump, we now have the most secure border in American history. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. government significantly curtailed refugee and asylum admissions and sought to accelerate deportations of illegal immigrants. In May 2025, then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the government was ending temporary protected status for Afghan nationals in the U.S. The Biden administration in 2022 granted temporary protected status to Afghans entering the country after the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan in 2021 due to fears of persecution of religious minorities and retaliation against those who worked with American forces. Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilizing economy no longer prevents them from returning to their home country, Noem said at the time. Additionally, the termination furthers the national interest as [Department of Homeland Security] records indicate that there are recipients who have been under investigation for fraud and threatening our public safety and national security. Other churches have advocated for Christian Afghan asylum seekers, including the Church of the Apostles in Raleigh, North Carolina. Last year, church member Julie Tisdale, a seminary student, began lobbying members of Congress on behalf of nearly two dozen Afghan Christians who were ordered to leave the country. Despite claims from the administration that the situation in Afghanistan has improved, Tisdale argued that Afghanistan remains dangerous for those seeking asylum in the U.S. "The issue for these people is not economic insecurity," she told CP in an earlier interview. "Afghanistan's a poor country. We all know that. That is not the issue. The issue is that these people are vulnerable not because they're poor but because they are Christians and targeted by the Taliban for converting." According to the Open Doors 2026 World Watch List, which tracks countries where Christians face the most persecution, Afghanistan ranks as the 11th worst country in which to be a Christian. The dangers facing Christians cannot be overstated: Afghanistan remains a place of extreme persecution for anyone who dares to follow Jesus under the brutally oppressive rule of the Taliban, the report states. Since the group retook power in August 2021, Christians have either fled the country or gone deeper underground. As far as the Taliban is concerned, it is not possible that any Afghan could be a Christian. Almost all believers are converts from Islam and apostasy is considered punishable by death under Islamic law. Last May, more than a dozen Christian leaders signed onto a letter written to President Donald Trump and Noem calling for protections for Afghan Christians in the U.S. The letter was backed by leaders from groups such as World Relief, the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Open Doors US, the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family. "Afghanistan is among the most dangerous places in the world for Christians," the signatories wrote. "Conversion from Islam is considered apostasy under Taliban rule and is punishable by imprisonment or execution." "Forcing them to return under such circumstances would be a tragedy in the making and a blight on America's record of defending persecuted Christians," the letter added. "It is critical that our nation continue to provide refuge to those whose lives are at risk because of their faith, including Afghan Christians. Protecting them is not only consistent with America's values; it is a direct extension of your Administration's commitment to defending religious liberty around the globe." Home News Community mourns Omaha deacon as adopted son is charged with his murder The Rev. John Zak, a beloved deacon from Omaha, Nebraska, who adopted several of the 13 children he raised with his wife, Mary, is now being mourned by the St. Peter Catholic Church community, where he served for decades, after one of his adopted sons was charged with his murder. He was 69. The tragedy is not only in the violence of what happened, but also in the loss of a man whose life was so deeply given over to God, to family, and to others, St. Peter Catholic Church pastor, the Rev. John P. Broheimer, said in a statement posted on the churchs website. We grieve because a wife lost her husband, children have lost their father, and this parish has lost a Deacon whose service touched so many lives. The wound is real, and the sorrow is heavy. The Omaha Police Department said in a statement Friday that they charged Zaks 36-year-old adopted son, Martin Zak, with his murder. Police found the deacon dead in his home on March 11, after they received a call about a missing person around 11:30 p.m. local time. Lt. Nicholas Andrews told KETV7 that Martin Zak was arrested after trying to evade investigators the following day. John Zak and his wife reportedly adopted Martin Zak when he was 3 months old. He was denied bond in court on Monday and formally charged with first-degree murder for killing his father, WOWT reported. Prosecutors told the court that John Zak was found with stab wounds to the chest, back and head, and knives were found in the dishwasher at the home. A missing person report was filed for the late deacon after he failed to show up for work at CHI Health, where he was a respiratory therapy supervisor. He also did not show up for a youth group at his church that evening. Mary Zak told police that she also went to work on March 11 and dropped off Martin Zak for mental health programming, according to court records. She said Martin Zak lived at home with them, but he did not have a key and wasnt allowed in the home if they werent present. She told police that when she got home that day, the back door of her house was damaged, and she tried to call her husband, but his phone rang in Martin Zaks pocket. Investigators found blood leading to Martin Zaks room in the basement as well as on the back door before discovering the deacon's body. According to WOWT, a lawyer representing the state of Nebraska also said in court that officers searched the house and found a tote under the porch with a lid. The tote contained a dismembered torso of the victim. Other body parts were located in and outside of the home. Kevin and Cindy Engelkamp, who told KETV7 that they met John and Mary Zak and their 13 children through the St. Peter Catholic Church community, said they were aware of Martin Zaks mental health struggles but didnt think he would kill his father. Mary and John were trying to be very careful and set boundaries, but still loved him. He was their son and wanted to help him, Cindy Engelkamp said. I didnt think he would go that far, but the kids were concerned for the parents safety before this happened." CHI Health, where John Zak worked for 38 years, said they are heartbroken by the tragedy. "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of one of our colleagues. John Zak served as a respiratory therapy supervisor at our hospital for 38 years. He devoted his career to caring for patients and supporting his team," the hospital said in a statement cited by KETV7. "We are also focused on supporting our staff who are grieving this loss." St. Peter Catholic Church said a vigil for John Zak will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday at the church. His funeral mass is also set for 10 a.m. on March 21 at the church. Pastor Broheimer said John Zak was a devout, dedicated family man who served his church for 40 years. As we continue to mourn the tragic death of our beloved Deacon John Zak, we do so with heavy hearts. His sudden and violent death has brought deep sorrow to his wife and children, to all who loved him, and to the whole parish family of St. Peter, he said. The circumstances of his death make the loss all the more painful. We cannot overlook that tragedy, nor should we pretend that such a loss does not wound us deeply. It does. And yet even in the face of such grief, we remember him not only in the sorrow of his death, but in the quiet strength, fidelity, and sacrificial love which marked his life. Home News 'Costco' pastor cheers young people's turn to faith: 'There are no good answers outside the church' A pastor who has built a large social media following by integrating his admiration for Costco with his Christian faith says there are no good answers outside the church and believes that might be why many young people are looking to religion, not culture, for guidance. Lucas Gomes, who serves as one of the pastors at two churches, First Baptist Church Fort Lauderdale and Church by the Glades in Coral Springs, Florida, appeared on Fox & Friends this week, where he discussed the rising popularity of young adult ministry groups at the two South Florida churches, noting that they draw thousands of people. When asked by Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt why a growing number of young people are embracing Christianity, Gomes replied, The culture is starving for purpose. People are starving for meaning. People want so badly for their life to mean something, and theyre asking hard questions, he said. I think social media is making it even worse because these 20-somethings are comparing themselves to things that they see online. My influence has grown, and its allowed me to invite people to church, added Gomes, who has amassed more than 83,000 followers on his Instagram therealkirklandking, where he posts videos documenting his admiration for Costco while plugging Christianity. Its authentic to who I am. I love nonsense, really, I love to laugh, I love Costco, and so I started joking about Costco, and thats whats getting millions of views. But again, when I get more influence, I can leverage that for what really matters, which is inviting people to church. Gomes reflected on two of his videos in which he said, The only thing more reliable and consistent than the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is God, and Costco Saturday, church Sunday, and quipped, I guess it turns out I needed to start posting about Costco for people to want to talk to me about Jesus, which Im totally fine with. Joking aside, Gomes also raised concerns about the serious dangers of social media, lamenting how it often makes young people feel like losers. Theyre comparing themselves to something thats not real, he said. Gomes also mentioned problems that can arise with the use of artificial intelligence, especially when seeking answers from such programs as ChatGPT that can provide all kinds of answers about what life is, reiterating his belief that there are no good answers outside the church. He concluded his guest appearance on Fox & Friends by encouraging people to go to church. So many people, they get on social media and they see Christian content and they think that kind of suffices. But social media, Christian content, it will never replace what the Church can do. Gomes anecdotal example of young peoples growing embrace of Christianity as reflected at his churches matches the findings of recent research. A report published by Barnas State of the Church Initiative last year found that Gen Zers and millennials, the two youngest groups of American adults, had higher monthly church attendance rates than the older generations. Gen Zers attended church 1.9 times a month on average, while millennials had an average attendance rate of 1.8 times per month. By contrast, Gen X had a monthly attendance rate of 1.6 times per month, and baby boomers and elders attended church services an average of 1.4 times per month. Research from the Barna Group also found an increase in the number of millennial males who agreed with a statement declaring, I have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important in my life today, from 52% in 2019 to 71% in 2025. Similarly, the percentage of Gen Zers who agreed with the same statement jumped from 52% in 2019 to 67% in 2025. Home News Pastor Hank Kunneman starts travel fund to buy jet after commercial flight delay Days after his commercial flight to a business conference was delayed by more than 10 hours, Hank Kunneman, senior pastor of Lord of Hosts Church in Omaha, Nebraska, and founder of One Voice Ministries, invited his congregants to support a travel fund that he can use to cover the cost of a jet if it becomes feasible. I want to start a travel the world fund. And I want to speak to those of you that are watching also around the world. I am gonna ask for your help, and you can give whatever you want, Kunneman told his congregants on Sunday. I can't afford with my schedule and what I'm doing, to be your pastor here, . to fight alongside with God, to fight for your children alongside of you, to fight for this country alongside of you, to be stuck in an airport somewhere, and be gone for three, four days. Or not get back for Sunday, he said. Kunneman, who is also a prominent guest on the Christian news commentary program Flashpoint, said it was difficult for him to continue all the work God has appointed him to do while dealing with long lines and messy airlines. He said he was headed to Boise, Idaho, when his flight got delayed last Thursday. Since he needed to be at the meeting, Kunneman said he made the sacrifice to charter a private jet despite the expense. Because I am so dedicated to God, and I am so dedicated to you, the people, and I am dedicated to the United States of America to fight for it, I said, Brenda, I feel like I'm supposed to be there at all costs, Kunneman said he told his wife and ministry partner. I know we're paying a lot of money here, but, Brenda, I am pressed. You know, where the Bible says Jesus was pressed to go to Jerusalem. I felt pressed that I have to do this. I don't need another thing to do. That's not why I do it. It's because I'm trying to be obedient alongside of you and with you. And if you know me, there's no quit in me, he added. While he didnt appear fully committed to acquiring a private jet for his ministry, Kunneman appeared committed to avoid commercial air travel with his new travel fund. He said he asked God for a Scripture to share with his followers and the Lord directed him to Mark 3:9, which says: Because of the crowd, he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. So even Jesus was concerned about going to certain ports and airports and things. He had to have smarts because of where his ministry was at and how it affected people, and how it affected him as a vessel, Kunneman reasoned. Prior to starting his travel fund, Kunneman said, many people had prophesied that his ministry is supposed to get their own jet but he always worried about the expense. Among those prophesying, according to Kunnemans wife Brenda, was Texas televangelist Kenneth Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, who is well known for his private jets. I want to tell him about what something brother Copeland said. It's so important. Now, we have flown some charter flights before, but it is expensive, and so pastor is frugal, so then he's like, Well, I'd rather take this commercial, it costs a lot. And we tried to go back to doing that, but Brother Copeland had given us a word, Brenda Kunneman recalled, noting that the Copeland prophecy happened right before the COVID-19 pandemic began. We were having lunch, and he stands up, you know, how Brother Copeland is, and he's got that gruff voice. He goes, Hey, . I'm gonna tell you something. And he stands up and points his finger. You know, when Brother Copeland points his finger, you better listen, right? And he said, Your days of flying commercial are over, she continued as her husband recalled feeling the Spirit of God on the words. But, you know, then we're like, Well, how do we do that, Lord? Well, chartering is a step toward owning a plane. And so what we want to do is keep pastor on the private jet as much as we can, she told the congregants. I believe that. I'm gonna start believing for it actively. I need you back here on Sunday. I didn't want you stuck in an airport Saturday and miss today's service, she added to her husband. I don't want him going commercial. An invitation to walk alongside Yalari The Yalari Way Outback Camp brings Yalaris values to life through a deeply immersive experience on Country. Over seven days, participants camp alongside Yalaris Founder Waverley Stanley AM, alumni, staff and supporters, living and learning together day by day. The camp offers a personal insight into Indigenous culture and the relationships that sit at the heart of Yalaris work. What the experience looks like The change of environment, and the openness of the outback allows you to slow down, listen and reflect. Participants can expect: Fireside yarning circles and shared reflections Learning directly from Traditional Owners Walking some of Central Australias most iconic landscapes Contributing to camp duties and daily meal preparation a practice of reciprocity Nights spent under the stars, sleeping in swags. Reflections from the camp For many who have joined the Yalari Way Outback Camp, the strongest takeaway is simple: people want to connect. Past participants speak of the power of listening and respect as the foundations of meaningful relationships, and of the privilege of learning directly from Traditional Owners who generously share their knowledge, culture and stories. "A few things are guaranteed: Your heart will be full, you will have red dust on your boots, youll be amazed and in awe of our country and the Aboriginal people still living on the land of their ancestors for hundreds of generations; youll get teary and you will laugh, and youll have time to think about your place in our country and all the beauty and peace that can come from that. Waverley Stanley AM, Yalari Founder Waverley speaks of stickability, the grit and perseverance that turns opportunity into achievement. Its a quality he looks for in scholarship students, and one that participants are encouraged to carry into their own lives as they continue supporting reconciliation, wherever they are. Home News Iran accuses Israel, US of damaging heritage sites; regime critics blame Tehrans leadership The Iranian regime has accused Israel and the United States of purposefully striking UNESCO heritage sites in Iran as part of their military operations. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said earlier this week that attacks on museums and historical sites are an assault on part of our cultural identity. He added that damage to dozens of sites constituted clear evidence of systematic violations of international law by the U.S. and Israel. The U.S. and Israel have denied that they are deliberately targeting cultural or civilian sites across Iran. However, some cultural structures have reportedly sustained some damage indirectly as a result of the intense aerial strikes in Iran, known in Israel as Operation Roaring Lion and as Operation Epic Fury by the United States. Tehrans Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian said in an interview with the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese network Al-Mayadeen that 19 museums in Tehran and 58 cultural centers across Iran had sustained damage. Cultural, scientific and civilian centers are among the main targets of Israeli and American attacks, Motamedian said without providing any concrete evidence. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei claimed earlier this month that a U.S. or Israeli missile hit the historically significant Arg Square, damaging the Golestan Palace, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ministry official called the alleged strike a heinous crime aimed at erasing Irans cultural heritage, the cradle of ancient history and civilization. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also claimed that Israel was deliberately attacking historical monuments dating back to the 14th century. Tehrans top diplomat also criticized UNESCO for failing to respond to the alleged strike. "But where's UNESCO? Its silence is unacceptable," Araghchi wrote on X. The purpose of the ayatollah regimes messaging campaign is to portray itself as a defender of Iranian culture and portray Israel and the United States as the enemies of the Iranian nation and Persian culture. Some Arab media outlets have also reported on the alleged damage to cultural sites in Iran. For instance, the Qatari news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed published video footage entitled Heritage under attack. However, none of the reports have documented direct hits on cultural sites in Iran. Furthermore, Iranian exiles are accusing the regime of hypocrisy and saying it is endangering Persian heritage. Iranian-born Canadian human rights activist Goldie Ghamari blasted the regime as an enemy of the Iranian people and its ancient culture. A month before the conflict, they looted palaces in Tehran, sold everything inside and stole valuable artifacts belonging to the Iranian people, Ghamari said. The fact that the regime is now using cultural heritage to accuse Israel and the United States is astonishingly hypocritical and shows how desperate they are, she continued. Iranians know the greatest threat to Irans cultural heritage is the Islamic regime occupying Iran." Meanwhile, Iranian missiles are increasingly targeting Israels capital, Jerusalem, with its ancient and religiously significant sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Earlier this week, An Iranian missile exploded over Jerusalems Old City. Its fragments fell on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Armenian Patriarchate, the Jewish Quarter and on the Temple Mount near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Israeli Foreign Ministry wrote on X. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Joe Kent under FBI investigation for alleged leaks amid resignation over Iran war Joe Kent, who served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center until resigning earlier this week over the war in Iran, is reportedly under investigation by the FBI for allegedly leaking classified information. The investigation into Kent, which began months before his resignation, was first reported by Semafor and confirmed by multiple other outlets. News of the investigation came a day after Kent, a former U.S. Army warrant officer and former Central Intelligence Agency paramilitary officer who ran unsuccessful campaigns for U.S. Congress in 2022 and 2024, published his resignation letter to President Donald Trump on Tuesday. In the letter, Kent said he supported the presidents noninterventionist foreign policy platform dating back to 2016 but had come to believe the president had grown beholden to Israeli interests that pushed him to attack Iran. 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 claimed the president was 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 also provided a nearly two-hour interview with Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, during which he claimed there was "no intelligence" showing Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States or was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon and that Israel drove the decision to strike. Joe Kent tells Tucker Carlson that President Trumps administration misled the world about Iran being an imminent threat. Kent says the real imminent threat came from Israel, which he claims was planning to strike Iran first, putting U.S. soldiers in harms way. He says this pic.twitter.com/iAGXU3ADD4 Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) March 18, 2026 Kent told Carlson that he and other key decision-makers were "not allowed" to express dissenting opinions and that the decision to go to war was made without "robust debate." He also claimed that Israel felt "emboldened" in believing the U.S. would have to follow and react to an attack against Iran, which he suggested indicated problematic influence from the Israeli lobby. Carlson began his interview with Kent by replaying a clip from 2024 in which Kent warned that any attempt by the U.S. to wage war in Persia would be an ancient mistake and would only benefit a rising China. "If we get deeply involved and deeply entangled with Iran, we are playing right into China's hands, because China would like nothing more than for us to be committing our military-industrial base to a war in eastern Europe and Ukraine, and then to be committing our conventional military power, our blood and our treasure, back in the Middle East," he said. The White House pushed back against the assertions in Kent's letter, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying it was filled with "false claims." "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. Leavitt said Iran was close to a nuclear weapon and that attempts to negotiate with the Islamic regime had failed, dismissing Kent's claim that Trump is beholden to Israel as "both insulting and laughable." Trump himself touched on the issue, telling reporters Tuesday that while he found Kent to be "a nice guy," he believed he was "very weak on security." "When I read his statement, I realized it's a good thing that he's out," he said, adding that he believes Iran was an imminent threat. Home News Joseph Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting arrested for child molestation Former 19 Kids and Counting star Joseph Duggar, whose older brother Josh Duggar is currently serving time in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography, has been arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The Bay County Sheriffs Office in Panama City, Florida, said in a statement Wednesday night that a 14-year-old girl alleged that Duggar, 31, sexually abused her several times when she was 9. The girl who first made the allegations to the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas said the abuse allegedly took place during a family vacation in Panama City Beach. According to the investigation, the incidents took place in 2020 while the family was staying at a residence on Danny Drive. The victim reported that Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap. As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket, the Bay County Sheriffs Office said. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victims underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs. The teenager said Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and stopped the abuse after the apology. Investigators said Duggar was confronted about the abuse on Tuesday by the teenagers father. He confessed to the abuse and was arrested by detectives at the Tontitown Police Department. The confession led to his arrest. He is now awaiting extradition to Bay County. 19 Kids and Counting, which aired on TLC from 2008 to 2015, was once one of the most popular reality shows on television. The show focused on the lives of independent Baptists Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids in Arkansas. The show was pulled from TLC in 2015 after the now 38-year-old Josh Duggar, the oldest Duggar child, was accused of molesting his sisters when he was 14 years old, according to a 2006 police report. Josh Duggar apologized for acting "inexcusably," and his parents framed the time of the allegations as "one of the most difficult times in our lives." In the police report, one of Josh's sisters alleged that he inappropriately touched her when she was about 5. Their parents later stated that, "This was not rape or anything." Josh Duggar would later be convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography in December 2021. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the former Christian reality star repeatedly downloaded and viewed images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including images of prepubescent children and depictions of sadistic abuse. This verdict also demonstrates that no person is above the law," U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes for Western Arkansas said in a statement at the time. "Regardless of wealth, social status, or fame, our office will continue to seek out all individuals who seek to abuse children and victimize them through the downloading, possession, and sharing of child pornography. Home News Speaker Mike Johnson: Separation of church and state is 'misunderstood' WASHINGTON House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is calling on Americans to embrace the true meaning of the term separation of church and state, which he said is one of the most misunderstood issues in American society. The 2026 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast took place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Thursday, with concluding remarks from Johnson, who reflected on the role that the Christian faith has played in U.S. history ahead of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is from the very birth of our nation that America has always been sustained by prayer and been reliant upon our foundation of religion and morality and its in the DNA of our nation and who we are, he explained. Johnson, a former professor and lawyer, emphasized his expertise in religion in the public sphere, calling it one of his favorite and most misunderstood topics. Im often criticized for invoking my faith, Johnson said. Thats not some innovative thing. There are some very angry voices out there trying to convince us breathlessly that there must be a rigid separation between church and state. Its a phrase thats often repeated, as we know, but very rarely understood. Touching on the origin of the phrase, Johnson added that separation of church and state first appeared in a personal letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist Association rather than the United States Constitution. And in that letter, he explained that because religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, the First Amendment is a vital safeguard for our rights of conscience. Jefferson wrote that he revered that act of the American people, which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state, he added. Referring to atheist and nontheist organizations and advocacy groups who often use the phrase separation of church and state when criticizing religion in the public square, Johnson lamented that now, they take that phrase and they turn it around. Johnson insisted that Jefferson clearly did not mean that wall to keep religion from influencing our government and public life. To the contrary, the Founders wanted to protect the church and the religious practice of citizens from an encroaching state, not the other way around, Johnson maintained, telling the audience that our Founders understood that a free society and a healthy republic depend upon religious and moral virtue [to] help prevent the abuse of power [and] make it possible to preserve our essential freedom. He continued: The Founders wanted a flourishing of faith in the public square because they knew that religion and moral virtues strengthen our nation by encouraging and inspiring things like individual responsibility, self-sacrifice, civility, family and community, the dignity of hard work, the rule of law and the sanctity of every human life. Without those virtues indispensably supported by religion and morality, no nation can endure. Johnson concluded his remarks by stressing the need to rededicate ourselves to the cause of our Founders and turn toward prayer again, just as they did. He described prayer as the force that strengthens and fortifies this grand experiment in self-governance and liberty [and] repairs the foundations that undergird the republic. We do live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. Its not even close. Its free, most successful, most powerful, most benevolent nation thats ever been, and it is because we are built on those foundations. And in order for us to keep this, you and I know its a spiritual battle, he proclaimed. Home News Texas man with lengthy criminal record arrested after alleged bus stabbing linked to Bible discussion A Texas man with a lengthy criminal history was arrested after allegedly stabbing two bus riders after he reportedly became irritated with their discussion about the Holy Bible. The incident occurred on March 13 around 1:30 p.m. Central time in the 2000 block of South Lamar Boulevard, where officers responded to reports of a stabbing and detained the suspect at the scene, according to the Austin Police Department. The suspect, later identified as 52-year-old Rogerio Martinez Jr., was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, both second-degree felonies. A witness and the victims told investigators that they had boarded the bus together and were discussing the Bible when Martinez stabbed the victim in the back, according to NBC affiliate KXAN-TV in Austin. A separate passenger then attempted to intervene, resulting in that person also being stabbed. Witnesses described the weapon as a full-sized kitchen knife and officers recovered a matching knife with blood on it at the scene, KXAN reported. Both victims remained hospitalized as of Monday, according to the outlet. One sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the other suffered critical injuries but was reported in stable condition. Martinez was taken to a hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Travis County Jail, where he is being held on a $200,000 bond, according to court records. Hes expected back in court on April 9. Between 2002 and 2024, Martinez was arrested six times in the state of Texas, KXAN reported. He has faced charges ranging from DWI and assault to aggravated robbery, including a conviction in March 2003 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The stabbing has renewed safety concerns on the CapMetro system, which met last month to discuss implementing new safety initiatives in response to two bus stabbings within a week in late January. CapMetro also faces a lawsuit from the family of a man who was stabbed in an unprovoked attack while riding a CapMetro bus in Austin in May 2025. The family of Akshay Gupta alleges the bus operator allowed the man suspected of killing Gupta onto a CapMetro bus without paying the fare. ICE Death Investigation, Texas GOP Biblical Attack Ad, Church Of The Highlands Expansion link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:15 06:15 Top headlines for Thursday, March 19, 2026 Growing calls for answers after the death of Afghan refugee Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal less than a day after entering ICE custody in Texas; Sen. John Cornyns striking new Ten Commandments attack ad targeting Ken Paxton in a heated Texas Republican runoff; and the continued expansion of Church of the Highlands, as the Alabama-based megachurch opens its 26th campus and deepens its presence in Georgia. 00:11 Afghan refugee's death in ICE's custody prompts calls for answers 01:08 John Cornyn uses Ten Commandments against Paxton in 'biblical' ad 02:00 Sam Rodriguez on the future of Latinos in politics and Hollywood 02:52 Alabama-based Church of the Highlands opens 26th campus 03:41 Rep. Brandon Gill warns against mass Muslim immigration, Sharia 04:37 Rick Alitzer on helping women heal from 'father wounds' Home Opinion A Bethel alum reflects on the ongoing sifting of the charismatic church Earlier this year, in response to Mike Wingers thorough YouTube exposes, the senior leaders of Bethel in Redding, Calif., publicly repented for how they failed regarding Shawn Bolz's documented fraud and abuse of prophecy, and alleged sexual impropriety. For several years, they had promoted and platformed Bolz, who had been data-mining social media for information about people to whom he would minister, and present it from the stage as though the information was supernaturally-revealed prophetic insights about their lives. By presiding over a confusing culture of unsanctified mercy" and a lack of accountability, the church leadership had effectively covered up Bolz's egregious sins. Since then, a deeper reckoning has ensued, and while it appears that some initial steps have been taken to address the theological and structural problems within the church that enabled this scandal, it remains to be seen what will come of the ministry and the future of charismatic expressions of the Christian faith more broadly. This particular episode has yielded much soul-searching among many well-meaning Christians (including me) who believe in the continuation and active operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church today but have been grieved by the abuse of those gifts. I continue to pray that an utmost regard for Gods righteous standards and the truth of His Word steer this ongoing process, and that it not be carried out hastily. As I explained in late January, watching from afar what unfolded in this case caused me considerable anguish, in light of my personal history and affiliation with Bethel, as I am an alumnus of the ministry school. For that reason, I could not investigate and report on what I was hearing and seeing, given conflict-of-interest considerations and journalistic ethics issues. Yet in my mind, there is something extremely grievous when the Holy Spirits name and gifts are misused and abused in the manner that they were here. If you actually claim to speak for God through a supernatural gifting, but do so with deceptive, knowingly contrived "words of knowledge" and manipulation? Honestly, that requires some astonishing gall, Anninias and Sapphira-level audacity (see Acts 5). Truly, one must wonder: Where has the fear of the Lord gone? As Ive reflected on my own involvement with Bethel over 10 years ago now and my connection to several great people still there in Redding, I recall mostly fond memories. Yet I offer the following for those still processing their confusion and heartache amid the fallout, and for fair-minded onlookers who raised concerns from the outside but were not heard. In light of what has been revealed in recent weeks, it may seem hard to believe now, but at Bethels ministry school, there actually was, and is, an eminently biblical anchor. Anyone who attended the Bible courses during the first and second year classes can attest that what was taught there was fairly standard doctrine that youd hear in a typical Evangelical Christian church. During the first year of the school, they used a Baptist theology textbook frequently used at Ouachita Baptist University, and Dann Farrelly, a seminary-trained teacher, skillfully guided us through the foundational truths of Scripture and theology. After each class, he hosted follow-up Q&A sessions (I always attended), and I consistently got the impression that, even if the supernatural was overemphasized at times, there was still an intentional effort to maintain a scriptural and doctrinally solid core. There were also topical elective classes, called area of ministry trainings (AMTs), where we dove into specific issues and books of the Bible, like Galatians. During my third year, I helped lead a school-sponsored discussion group where we explored several major themes, examining various debates that have divided sincere believers over the centuries. Our goal was to engage the biblical text and Church history to deepen our understanding of the Word and the Gospel. We also had great guest speakers who came to teach, and an excellent presentation on a range of bioethics issues from Dr. Andre Van Mol stands out in my memory. Some staff and others in Redding have told me in recent days that theyve been shocked and disoriented by what has transpired, because so much of what they experienced there was good, and that it was among the most relationally healthy churches in which theyve ever served. Its not a perfect place, by any means, but unlike some church cultures theyve known that were rife with backbiting and politicking, that wasnt the case at Bethel, certainly not to the same degree. Even with its shortcomings, what permeates the atmosphere is a faith-filled confidence in Gods goodness, the belief that nothing is impossible with Him (Luke 1:37), and because of that, we can come boldly before His throne (Hebrews 4:16) and believe for miraculous breakthrough in every area of life, no matter how dreadful and hopeless a situation may seem. Because at Bethel, faith is infused with a real, expectant hope not to be confused with presumptuous entitlement that God comes through and that He supernaturally intervenes in the lives of His people and in the nations in extraordinary, mind-blowing ways. Knowing who we are in Him, that we are not orphans but royal sons and daughters of the King and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), is crucial. Out of that knowledge of our identity in Jesus, the supernatural becomes natural, and nurtured by an intimate communion with the Holy Spirit. If you were struggling with something gnarly, an awful besetting sin? At Bethel, you werent (and aren't) shamed for it. Your struggle and life story were honored in the best possible way, but the lay leaders and lead pastors would point you to biblical standards, they would get down in the trenches with you, and patiently sort through your problems. In many ways, they truly cared and loved people well, and still do. Jesus made you free from sin, not to sin, youd often hear Kris Vallotton and others declare from the stage. The average parishioner does not hesitate to come alongside you in your journey and pray fervently, fight the good fight of faith with you, and help you walk in the freedom from sin that Christ purchased on the cross. In the mens groups I was a part of during my season there, those good guys, both the leaders and the students, ministered to me in ways that I continue to remember and treasure amid some profound struggles that I was enduring. Ill never forget how they valued me and cheered me on during those dark moments. God spoke through them on several occasions, and the Holy Spirit convicted me that I had to make substantive changes to walk in holiness and reverential fear of the Lord. I remember shedding many tears there as He sifted me, challenging me through those godly brothers to consecrate my life more fully to Him. If thats not evidence of God working there, I dont know what is. That was Bethel at its best. During those years, I remember spending countless hours poring over the pages of the Bible, prayer-walking through the streets, and earnestly seeking God's face. If you invested in the process at Bethel School of Ministry, God was faithful to show up and perform transformative heart surgery. In the summer after my first year, when I was back home, a woman from my church told me: I can see an incredible peace in your countenance that wasnt there before. God is clearly doing something in you because you have changed. And indeed, I had. It is dizzying when you encounter so much that was undeniably good and biblical, but then it becomes apparent that the environment had incubated and furthered something distorted. And soberingly, it's not the only church where I've encountered this kind of spiritual lurch. Such experiences have given me more compassion for those whove been wounded by that distortion more directly. Some call it church hurt." And it really, really hurts. Im now nearing my 10-year anniversary of working in journalism, an arduous season for which Bethel undoubtedly helped prepare me. I couldnt possibly describe everything Ive seen both inside and outside churches, including in groups with which Ive been affiliated. To say the least, it has been humbling. And Im increasingly convinced that as the days tick by in this time of tumultuous global upheaval that we are seeing that God truly is like a refiner's fire and a launderers soap (Malachi 3:2); that Hes coming for a pure and spotless bride, without blemish or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27); and that judgement first begins in His house (1 Peter 4:17). May that refining fire and cleansing purification continue, and may His people repent. The whole Body needs it more than ever. Home Opinion How Christ is King became an internet weapon In recent months, a strange pattern has appeared online. Under posts about Jews, Israel, or antisemitic conspiracy theories, the same phrase repeatedly shows up in the comment section or on social media profiles: Christ is King. Sometimes it appears dozens of times in a row, posted like a digital chant. Sometimes it is dropped into arguments as a provocation. What should be a sacred Christian confession of faith has become, in some corners of the internet, a taunt. In the past year the phrase has begun trending regularly on platforms like X and Instagram, especially during controversies involving Jews or Israel. Sometimes it appears as a flood of identical comments dozens or even hundreds of posts repeating the same words. Other times it is deployed more subtly, dropped into arguments as a kind of ideological signal. What should be a confession of faith becomes something closer to a cultural password: a way of marking allegiance, provoking outrage, or signaling hostility. In that environment, theology disappears and only the slogan remains. For many Christians watching this unfold, the reaction is confusion. The phrase itself is ancient and central to the Christian faith. Yet in these contexts it is being used less as a theological statement than as a cultural weapon. That transformation should concern believers and not only because of the antisemitism that often accompanies it. It should concern us because it fundamentally distorts what the phrase actually means. The declaration that Christ is King is not a political slogan. It is a theological claim about the limits of political power. To understand this, it helps to remember where the doctrine comes from. The modern Catholic articulation of Christs kingship over society developed in the social teaching of Pope Leo XIII in the late nineteenth century. Writing in an era when aggressive secular governments sought to subordinate the Church and absorb civil society into the power of the state, Leo XIII argued that the state could not claim absolute authority over human life. The Catholic philosopher Russell Hittinger explains this point clearly in his book On the Dignity of Society. Catholic social teaching assumes what Hittinger calls a plural society a network of real communities that exist alongside the state. Families, churches, schools, and voluntary associations are not merely private clubs; they are genuine social bodies with their own responsibilities and authority. Within this framework, the proclamation that Christ is King carries a specific meaning. It does not mean that Christians should capture the state or impose a theocracy. It means that every political authority stands under a higher moral law. Christs kingship places limits on politics. Decades after Leo XIII articulated these principles, Pope Pius XI gave the doctrine its most visible expression when he established the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 in the encyclical Quas Primas. The timing was not accidental. Europe was witnessing the rise of ideologies fascism, communism, and militant nationalism that claimed total authority over society. The message of the feast was simple: no government is ultimate. Christ is King means that Caesar is not. So, when phrases migrate from theology into internet culture, historical context disappears and becomes inappropriately repurposed. In todays online ecosystem, Christ is King sometimes operates less as a declaration of faith than as a tribal marker. It signals membership in a particular cultural or ideological camp. In the worst cases, it is deployed specifically to antagonize Jews, implying that Christianity defines the civilization in question and that Jews stand outside it. If someone is making a political argument rather than a theological one, it is not the moment to invoke what the Church intended as a theological confession. Christ is King is not a rhetorical device meant to win debates or score points in ideological battles. It is a statement about the sovereignty of Christ over all of creation. The irony is perfect. The doctrine of Christs kingship was developed precisely to remind political movements that they are not ultimate. It was meant to humble political power, not sanctify it. Yet online it is increasingly deployed as a weapon in political combat, as if invoking Christs authority somehow settles the argument. The result is an inversion of the doctrines original meaning. A confession meant to place limits on politics becomes a slogan used in struggles for political dominance. The Gospel itself makes this clear. When questioned by Pontius Pilate, Jesus did not claim a throne within the Roman political order. My kingdom is not of this world, he said. That did not mean his kingship was irrelevant to the world. It meant something far more radical: every worldly power is judged by it. Every nation. Every ideology. Every political movement including those that try to use His name. Christ is King. And precisely because he is King, His name cannot be reduced to an internet meme, a partisan slogan, or a weapon aimed at others least of all the people through whom God first revealed his promises to the world. Christians should not surrender this confession to internet trolls or ideological opportunists. It belongs to the Church, and its meaning is far deeper and far more demanding than any slogan. Do you need an International Driving Permit? What is an International Driving Permit? An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a United Nations-sanctioned translation of your Australian licence for driving (or riding a motorbike) in more than 150 countries. It translates your driver licence into nine different languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Greek, Arabic, Japanese and Chinese. IDPs make it easier for local authorities and rental companies to verify your driving credentials. It is not a standalone licence but works in conjunction with your current Australian licence: it needs to be accompanied by your current hard copy Australian driver licence photo card. A digital driver licence is unacceptable. Who needs an IDP? Whether you need an IDP depends on your destination. Every country has its own rules about whether an IDP is legally required. In general, an IDP is: required in many nonEnglishspeaking countries (for example, Japan, France and Spain) optional but recommended in some Englishspeaking countries, as it can help smooth the vehicle rental process not typically required in countries with reciprocal licence recognition arrangements with Australia (for example, New Zealand). Always check specific local rules before you travel. For the most uptodate list of countries requiring an International Driving Permit (IDP), consult the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). The AAA and its member clubs, including RACV, are the only authorised distributors of IDPs for Australian driver licence holders. Beware of travel scams and thirdparty suppliers using fake websites or unofficial email addresses. Travellers can also confirm permit requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country they plan to visit. Even if an IDP isnt required by the country itself, some rental companies may still require one to hire a car, motorbike or gokart. How to get an IDP To be eligible for an IDP, you need to: be at least 18 years old have a current Australian driver licence (current when you apply and while you are driving overseas). You can use your digital driver licence to apply; however, you must carry your physical licence card and your IDP while travelling. To apply, youll need: a current Australian driver licence (plastic photo card or digital licence) a recent passportsized colour photo of yourself against a plain white background a Visa or Mastercard (the IDP costs $53 plus postage). You can apply online for home delivery. Just be sure to allow enough time before you travel, especially during busy periods or public holidays. Alternatively, you can apply in person at an RACV store and receive your IDP on the same day. Some RACV stores can also take the required photo for an additional cost. When does an IDP expire? International Driving Permits are valid for 12 months from the date of issue, or until the expiry date of your Australian driver's licence. If you're overseas, you can apply online for a new IDP and have it delivered to an overseas address using international express post or direct courier. Moving countries is hard. Looking for work while adjusting to a new place can make it feel even harder. When I moved to Canada as a permanent resident (PR) in 2022, I did not have a job lined up. Like many newcomers, I had to start from scratch to understand a new labour market, a new style of resume, and a new set of expectations from employers. Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation The good news is that Canada does offer resources to help newcomers find work. And in some provinces, like Ontario, steps have been taken in recent years to reduce common barriers newcomers face in the job hunt. Here are some things that helped me land my first job in Canada. 1) Contact a settlement service early One of the most helpful things I did was connect with a settlement service soon after arriving. Canada has different free services for newcomers, and some specialize in employment support. The organization I reached out to assigned me a case manager who checked in on me, and also added me to their job bank so I could take a look at vacancies I might be a good fit for. It also held virtual workshops which answered questions about the job market, reviewed my resume and cover letter, and explained what employers in Canada usually expect during interviews. It is worth keeping in mind that eligibility for settlement agencies vary. Some federally funded services are only available to permanent residents, protected persons, and refugees, so it is important to check which programs you qualify for before applying. You can find out more about settlement services (including where to find them) in our dedicated article on the topic. Note: The Canadian government recently instituted a time-based eligibility factor for settlement services available to immigrants who arrived through economic pathways. As of April 1, 2026, these newcomers are only eligible for settlement services for six years after attaining permanent residence status. On April 1, 2027, this eligibility period will be further reduced to the five years after attaining permanent residence. 2) Learn what a Canadian-style resume actually looks like Before moving, I had a very different looking resume. Like standard resumes in the Middle East (where I immigrated from), mine had colour, different fonts and a picture of myself. One of the biggest things I learned was that Canadian resumes are usually simple and direct. They do not include photos, excessive formatting, personal details, or unrelated hobbies. They are typically one or two pages long, with a clean layout and easy-to-read font. More importantly, I learned that sending the same generic resume to dozens of employers is usually not the best strategy. In my experience, tailoring your resume to each role takes more time, but it can significantly improve your chances of hearing back. In Canada, many companies use software to filter through resumes that are a good fit for a position using certain keywords. The software could track skills (for example, Google Analytics, Adobe Photoshop, etc) and look for those words in a resume. Ensuring your resume has keywords that an employer is looking for may give your resume an edge in a crowded labour market. This does not mean rewriting the entire resume each time. It meant making sure the employer could immediately see why someone is a fit for that specific role. For more information on crafting a Canadian-style resume, visit our dedicated page on the topic. 3) Reach out to employers and professionals directly One of the best pieces of advice I received was not to stop at simply clicking apply. When I first moved to Canada, I reached out to professionals in my industry whose work I admired, not just employers who were hiring. In such cases, I just wanted to learn more about the sector, understand how they built their career, and get a clearer sense of where I might be a good fit. Many people are more than open to sharing advice over a direct ask for a job recommendation. That said, going the extra mile also helps. If I found a job I liked, I contacted hiring managers directly and explained why I thought I could be a strong fit. Not every message led to a response, but some did. And even when they did not lead to a job immediately, they helped me better understand the industry and expand my network. 4) Translate international experience into terms Canadian employers will understand This made a bigger difference than I expected. You may have strong international experience, but if an employer does not immediately understand its scale or relevance, it can be overlooked. I learned that it helps to add context. For example, in one instance of explaining my previous work experience, instead of just naming a newspaper I worked for in the past, I explained that it was the oldest English newspaper in the country. Similarly, it might be better to provide information about why a company or brand youve worked for is impressive, and how that stacks up against Canadian standards or in the context of the Canadian labour market. Is it a leading brand in the region? A nationally recognized organization? Has it worked with internationally-renowned brands or clients? The same applies to your responsibilities. Instead of only listing what you did, explain the skills you built and how they transfer to the role you want in Canada. Finally, don't downplay international work experience. The key is to speak about your experience and explain how it adds value to the role you are applying for. In some cases, employers may even see that your background is better suited to a different role than the one you applied for. That can still be a positive outcome. 5) Prepare for interviews Getting an interview is a big step, but it is only one part of the process. I found it useful to make a list of common interview questions and think carefully about how I wanted to answer them. Rather than trying to memorize perfect responses, I focused on understanding how to explain my experience clearly and confidently through these questions. It is also worth knowing that there are some questions employers should not ask during interviews in Canada. Understanding that can help newcomers feel more prepared and confident. One of the best pieces of advice I received was to treat the end of the interview as an opportunity, not just a formality. Interviewers almost always ask if you have any questions, and I learned that this moment can leave a lasting impression. Instead of saying I had none, I made a point of asking questions about the role, the team, and what success would look like in the first few months. It helped me better understand whether the job was right for me, and it also showed the employer that I was genuinely interested. A win-win! This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. For personal guidance, speak with an authorized immigration professional or consult official Government of Canada resources. Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation ribkhan, Adobe Stock Hundreds of Citizens Advice staff are being transferred to fellow charity Victim Support to deliver a flagship government-funded service. Today, Victim Support announced that it had been awarded a 14m four-year grant by the Ministry of Justice to run the witness service from 1 April. The charity said it is supporting the transition of about 250 staff and 2,000 volunteers from Citizens Advice to ensure that witnesses continue to receive support in all 224 court locations. This marks the return of a flagship national service originally developed by Victim Support more than 30 years ago. We first established the witness service in the early 1990s to address a lack of support for people attending court, Victim Support said. Since 2015, the service has been delivered by Citizens Advice. The grant follows Victim Supports successful application to deliver the service. The service will ensure that witnesses can access free, confidential and trauma-informed support in every criminal court across England and Wales. Major investment in witness support Victim Support employed 1,234 people on average in the 12 months to March 2025 and received the vast majority of its 52.7m income that year from the government. The charity said the new grant is a major investment into witness support at a time when the justice system is under increasing pressure from long delays and an ever-rising backlog. It estimated that last year, the witness service, which helps people understand what to expect at court, supported 80,000 people. The charity said it will introduce innovations to strengthen the service, including a panel of experts by experience and specialist trauma-informed training. Chief executive Katie Kempen said: Were proud to welcome so many dedicated staff and volunteers into Victim Support, and grateful to Citizens Advice for their partnership and care throughout this handover. Together, weve worked hard to ensure the service will continue to deliver high-quality support from day one. As we once again deliver this vital service, we look forward to building on its strong foundations to help every witness feel safer, more confident, and better prepared for court. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said: Witnesses are so important to our justice system, and their courage to step forward in court is crucial to bringing perpetrators to justice. Thats why were investing in Victim Support to deliver the witness service providing invaluable support to witnesses in every criminal court. This is part of our record 550m commitment over the next three years another crucial step towards delivering swifter justice for all victims and halving violence against women and girls in a decade. 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, Civil Society Media Homelessness charity Shelter has welcomed a 4m legacy gift from Sean Hughes after a near decade-long legal case about the late comedians handwritten will concluded. Hughes, who died in 2017 aged 51, wrote that his 1.8m north London home and two extra properties valued at 2.15m should go to Shelter, according to the Independent. A former team captain on the BBCs Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Hughes wrote in his will that my three houses should go to Shelter. Hughes will ended up in the High Court because he used an online platform to draft it without legal assistance and it contained vague wording, Shelter told Civil Society. Under discussion was the fact that Hughes owned only one of the homes, while the other two were under a companys name of which he was the sole shareholder. His family agreed that the companys shares, which included the properties, should go to Shelter, but the case still needed judicial approval. Judge Iain Pester, in a short video hearing, ruled it was the correct construction of the will to pass the shares to Shelter. Andy Harris, Shelters director of income generation, welcomed the decision and described Hughes as a passionate supporter of the charity. Gifts left in wills are a vital source of income for Shelter, Harris said. This donation will enable us to continue to deliver expert support and advice to people impacted by the housing emergency. Hughes had supported the charity for years and performed at comedy gig Stand Up for Shelter in 2014. Harris added: We are enormously grateful for the generous gift left in his will. We have worked closely with Seans family to ensure his wishes are honoured. Hughes estate has not yet gone through probate, the charity added. Nearly 7m from legacies last year According to Shelters most recent accounts for the year to 31 March 2025, the charitys total income was 77m and 6.96m of that amount was from legacies. Shelters total income dipped in 2024-25 from 81m the previous financial year and the charity attributed the drop partly to a fall in legacy donations (7.21m in 2023-24). Donations and legacies decreased by 3.7m to 49.6m due to falls in income from individuals, corporate donors and legators, its 2024-25 accounts read. This was an anticipated decrease given the natural volatility of such income types with corporate donors constrained by the challenging financial landscape. For the last three years, the charitys total expenditure has been above its income, most recently about 3m higher in 2024-25. 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, copyright Parliament We are living through an increasingly polarised period, marked by rising hostility towards minorities and the spread of divisive narratives across politics, parts of the mainstream media, and online platforms. This climate has real-world consequences. During Ramadan, we saw a disturbing rise in attacks on places of worship, including an incident last month when two armed men entered Manchester Central Mosque while it was full of worshippers. Had they not been apprehended by brave volunteers, the outcome could have been devastating. Against this backdrop, the foundations of social cohesion are under serious strain. Expanding regulatory powers Last week, the government published its social cohesion strategy, Protecting What Matters , setting out plans to tackle extremism and strengthen cohesion across the United Kingdom. Among the proposals is an expansion of the Charity Commissions powers, including the ability to suspend trustees convicted of hate crimes and shut down charities that abuse their status to promote hate. At first glance, these measures may seem both necessary and proportionate. Charities play a vital role in addressing societys most pressing challenges and bringing communities together; they must never be misused as vehicles for division. However, on closer examination, these proposals warrant careful scrutiny. Without adequate safeguards, such powers risk being used to curb legitimate civil society activity. As a sector, we must also look inward. Upholding the highest standards of governance is not merely procedural; it is essential to building and maintaining public trust. Measures such as trustee identity verification and the digitisation of charity accounts are constructive steps that can strengthen transparency and accountability across the sector. However, proposals to extend the commissions ability to remove trustees or strip organisations of their charitable status have been met with concern, particularly against the backdrop of a shrinking civic space. Unclear language creates risk There must, of course, be zero tolerance for hate or unlawful conduct. In the context of rising anti-Muslim hatred and antisemitism, the government is right to prioritise tackling hate crime. Recent statistics show that almost half of all religiously motivated hate crime is directed at Muslims. Measures to increase security funding for places of worship and invest in programmes addressing anti-Muslim hate are therefore both necessary and welcome. Some in the sector recognise that, as Lisa Nandy has noted, charities can be hijacked by individuals who bring the sector into disrepute, and that such abuses must be addressed. But without clear definitions and robust safeguards, vague terminology risks becoming a tool to suppress legitimate civil society voices. Chilling effect Muslim-led, environmental, and racial justice organisations already face disproportionate scrutiny. They are frequently misrepresented by some politicians, commentators, and so-called think tanks, and subjected to heightened regulatory pressure and reputational attacks. At best, this marginalises diverse voices; at worst, it poses an existential threat to organisations advocating for systemic change. In the past, there have also been instances where the commission has been perceived as being used disproportionately against specific community organisations, further eroding trust. Left unchecked, this trend could spread further across civil society. Expanding the commissions powers risks deepening this chilling effect, particularly if such powers are applied inconsistently or weaponised against lawful advocacy. The proposals introduce broader and more ambiguous grounds on which organisations could be reported for alleged extremism, a concern compounded by plans to accelerate regulatory decision-making. Faced with such uncertainty, charities may self-censor to avoid severe consequences: loss of funding, staff turnover, trustee disqualification, or even closure. Any expansion of these powers must therefore be accompanied by meaningful consultation with civil society. It is essential to assess whether existing legislation is already sufficient and to ensure that new measures do not erode democratic principles by constraining legitimate advocacy and political engagement. Where reforms are introduced, they must include clear safeguards and be applied proportionately in both scope and practice. Protection of democratic rights Strengthening social cohesion cannot come at the expense of the civic freedoms that sustain it. The governments challenge is not only to act, but to act with precision, protecting communities from harm while safeguarding the space for civil society to speak, challenge, and contribute. Civil society has long played a vital role in holding power to account and driving meaningful change. Any credible social cohesion strategy must therefore prioritise the protection of democratic rights, the bridging of societal divides, and support for communities that feel left behind. Only then can we build a society in which people feel safe, respected, and truly included. Civil Society Voices is the place for informed opinion, and debate about the big issues affecting charities today. Were always keen to hear from anyone, working or volunteering at a charity, who has something to say. Find out more about contributing and how to get in touch. is the place for informed opinion, and debate about the big issues affecting charities today. Were always keen to hear from anyone, working or volunteering at a charity, who has something to say. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is suspending the practice of pilots relying on their sight to maintain safe distances between helicopters and planes in areas where theyre likely to cross paths, the latest safety measure imposed since last years deadly midair collision near Washington. In areas where helicopters often cross paths with arriving and departing planes, air traffic controllers must use radar to keep aircraft safely separated, according to a Wednesday announcement by US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. The US National Transportation Safety Board pointed to controllers overreliance on so-called visual separation where pilots are granted authority to maintain a safe distance from other aircraft using their sight as a key factor that led to the January 2025 collision between an American Airlines Group Inc. regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter. The military aircraft was approved for this technique on the night of the tragedy, which killed 67 people. The new restriction applies to Class B and Class C airspace, and Terminal Radar Service Areas. Today, we are proactively mitigating risks before they affect the traveling public, Bedford said in the news release. The FAA highlighted recent safety incidents involving planes and helicopters. In late February, an American Airlines plane was cleared for landing at San Antonio International Airport while a police helicopter was flying in its approach path. The chopper had to swerve left. In March, a similar event occurred between a Beechcraft 99 aircraft landing at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California and a helicopter. Top photo: A helicopter flies near the crash site of the American Airlines plane on the Potomac River after the plane crashed on approach to Reagan National Airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images). Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. 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The March 11 cyberattack hit Strykers computer systems, causing widespread disruption to its business, including its ability to process orders, make products and ship them to customers. The company said it had experienced a global disruption to its Microsoft environment. Related: Cyberattack Hits Stryker; Pro-Iran Group Claims Credit An Iran-linked hacking group called Handala claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in retaliation to a strike on a girls school in Minab, southern Iran. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said it is aware of malicious cyber activity targeting endpoint management systems of U.S. organizations, based on the Stryker attack. CISA asked companies to harden endpoint management system configurations, implementing Microsofts best practices to secure Microsoft Intune, a tool that manages user access, devices, and applications across organizations. CISA is coordinating with federal partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to identify additional threats and determine mitigation actions. Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday that the cyberattack on Stryker has delayed surgeries for some patients. Stryker said on Tuesday that it had contained the attack and that no patient-related services or connected medical products were affected, though it did not provide details on the financial impact. (Reporting by Rebolledo in Mexico City; Editing by Sonia Cheema) The Lloyds of London insurance market will continue to provide cover for vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz even as shipowners avoid the area, according to CEO Patrick Tiernan. Shippers seeking insurance for tankers going through the strait is pretty rare at the moment because people are focused on safety and security, Tiernan told Bloomberg Television in an interview on Thursday. Related: Shipping Insurance Costs to Cross Hormuz Soar After Vessel Attacks Shipping through the Strait of Hormuzwhich carries about a fifth of global oil flows, as well as gas, fertilizer and other productshas effectively ground to a halt since the U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran on Feb. 28. While the Lloyds Market Association has said insurance for ships in the region is still available, maritime cover premiums have spiked as Iran threatens to target vessels crossing the passage. People familiar with the matter said on Monday that the cost of coverage has surged to about 5% of the value of a ship, roughly five times the level seen in the earliest days of the Iran war. In maritime war risk, theres more real-time, dynamic pricing, Tiernan said. You may see spikes and you may see prices drop off pretty quickly. Related: Chubb Backing Trumps $20 Billion Reinsurance Plan for Hormuz Premiums in such segments tend to rise sharply during crises but remain relatively low in peacetime, Tiernan said, adding that marine war risk remains a relatively small part of the broader insurance industry. Cover remained and remains in place but can now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis reflecting the perception of risk, the LMAs Joint War Committee said in a website note Thursday. There have been more than 25 attacks on commercial tonnage, it also said. The U.S. International Development Finance Corp. said on March 11 its partnering with insurer Chubb Ltd. on a $20 billion reinsurance backstop aimed at reviving shipping in the strait. U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves last week met with Lloyds Chair Charles Roxburgh to discuss maritime insurance to facilitate the continued passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and that the U.K. is willing to play its part in using its oil reserves to help reduce the price of oil. There is a role for the public and private sector to work together, Tiernan said Thursday. We do try to make sure we have those conversations in private. Top photo: Cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz in February. Photographer: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images. Bloomberg. Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. A federal judge in Chicago on Wednesday said two former McDonalds vice presidents can proceed with their lawsuit that they were criticized and subjected to racial slurs because they are Black women, and then forced out of the company for complaining. In a mixed ruling for McDonalds, U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland dismissed claims that the fast-food giant discriminated against Victoria Guster-Hines and Domineca Neal by passing them over for a promotion, saying they had not shown they were the best candidates for the role they had both sought. Related: Bankers Gain a New Route to Huge Payouts From UK Tribunals But Rowland said allegations in the 2020 lawsuit that a regional president had criticized Black woman attitude and described one of the plaintiffs and other McDonalds employees as angry Black women were enough for their hostile work environment claims to move forward. Courts confronted with accusations regarding angry Black women have noted that this epithet carries significant harm with it, especially when made by a supervisor, Rowland wrote. A McDonalds spokesperson in a statement said the company was pleased that most of the claims had been dismissed. The evidence will show the remaining claims against McDonalds USA are without merit, the spokesperson said. McDonalds has faced several high-profile lawsuits in recent years alleging intentional discrimination against Black employees, franchisees and business partners. Related: EEOC Suing Coca-Cola Distributor for Excluding Men From Work Trip In 2022, a different federal judge in Chicago dismissed a lawsuit by more than 50 McDonalds franchisees claiming the company had steered Black franchisees toward less profitable locations, while granting leave to amend. McDonalds motion to dismiss an amended complaint is pending. The company last year settled a $10 billion lawsuit by media entrepreneur Byron Allen accusing the fast-food chain of excluding Black-owned media from much of its advertising budget. The terms were not disclosed but McDonalds said it would involve buying ads from Allens companies. McDonalds last year also settled on undisclosed terms with a Black former security executive who claimed he was pushed out after criticizing CEO Chris Kempczinski over text messages appearing to blame the parents of a girl shot in a McDonalds drive-thru for her death. Kempczinski later publicly apologized and said the texts reveal my narrow worldview that I have to work hard to correct. Last year, the company rolled back some of its diversity policies, including goals for corporate leadership, citing a shifting legal landscape as President Donald Trump took office and moved to eradicate DEI practices in government and the private sector. Trump administration officials have suggested that some common workplace diversity initiatives are unlawful, and many other major companies have retreated from DEI programs in response. The plaintiffs in Wednesdays case both had received various promotions throughout their time at McDonalds and ultimately became vice presidents of Quality, Service, and Cleanliness, according to court filings. They claim in the lawsuit that they were both passed over for a different vice president role in 2017 and then demoted to the role of operations officers during a restructuring the following year. They also allege that after filing the lawsuit, Neal was fired and Guster-Hines was forced to retire. McDonalds in court filings has denied wrongdoing and said Neal was fired over her treatment of coworkers and creating a toxic workplace. The case is Guster-Hines v. McDonalds USA, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, No. 1:20-cv-00117. (Reporting by Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Andrea Ricci) In this article @CL.1 Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT watch now The extreme spike in oil prices seen in local markets in the Middle East could give investors a glimpse into to where U.S. and Europe prices are headed if the Strait of Hormuz isn't opened soon. Dubai crude oil prices surpassed $166 a barrel to a new record high on Thursday, according to market data provider Platts. Dated Brent and West Texas intermediate Cushing's are trading around the $100 mark after historic runs higher. The local markets for oil are often overlooked, but are now seen as a possible precursor of what could be ahead if the conflict doesn't end soon. Dubai and Oman current prices reflect the steep severity of the shortage in the Gulf, according to Natasha Kaneva, JPMorgan's head of commodities research. But that doesn't mean the American market will be spared another sharp jump, she said. "If the Strait does not reopen, this divergence is unlikely to persist," Kaneva said in a note to clients this week. "Brent and WTI will ultimately reprice higher as Atlantic basin inventories are drawn down and the global market is forced to clear at a materially tighter supply level." West Texas Intermediate crude is not seen as an ideal substitute like Oman, said Andy Harbourne, senior oil markets analyst at Wood Mackenzie. But it could become a more sought-after alternative if transit through Hormuz remains depressed, given that buyers will turn more desperate. The Hormuz factor The Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway connecting the Persian Gulf and sea, is where around one-fifth of the world's oil transits. Daily transit calls have tumbled to nearly zero from highs above 120 seen earlier this year, data analyzed by Charles Schwab shows. Prices for crude directly leaving Middle East countries such as Dubai has risen faster than oil like WTI that doesn't usually go through this Strait in large sums, said Harbourne. "Everything stems as a function of the duration of the closure of Hormuz," Harbourne said. "The whole market is kind of updating its assumptions in real time." The Strait is most commonly utilized for fuel heading to Asian countries such as China and India. Because of that, the Dubai price surge is more pronounced in the Singapore market than London. At energy research firm Rystad, analysts have begun tracking Dubai's London market price or using so-called swap tools rather than the Singapore level. The price in Singapore can basically be ignored given the intense disruption in the Asian market, according to Rystad's Susan Bell. "It's almost a fictitious price," said Bell, the firm's senior vice president for commodity markets. In other words, the price on the Singapore market, despite being widely tracked in normal times, is "a bit pie-in-the-sky right now." Still, Harbourne said ripple effects from Dubai oil's jump in Singapore can already be seen elsewhere. Oman crude, which is considered the same quality as Dubai but is transited outside of Hormuz, has seen demand soar with Dubai's transit mostly halted, he said. While the global benchmark for oil has risen less sharply than Dubai or Oman, prices have undergone a significant shock in their own right. Since the start of the war through Wednesday, Brent's May contract has jumped more than 48%. Year to date, it has surged more than 76%. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Brent May contract, year to date Still, Harbourne of Wood Mackenzie doesn't expect U.S. oil to completely converge with Asian market moves if flows begin normalizing by late April. Rystad's Bell also said that if WTI or Brent crude was to go the way of Dubai's price in Singapore, it likely would have happened already. There's a simpler explanation for Dubai's premium, Bell and Harbourne said. Oil transiting Hormuz would typically require lower transportation costs to get to destinations in the global East given its proximity. Crude heading thousands of miles to those destinations from the U.S., on the other hand, would mandate higher delivery fees. "The pricing gap between the West and Asia is sending some important signals for the market," Harbourne said. "It's telling the West to move oil to Asia." More broadly, analysts said that higher costs for oil and transportation as a result of the Strait's prolonged closure will lead to sticker shock for consumers. In addition to drivers feeling pressure at the gas pump, rising fuel costs for trucks and ships can also be passed down to shoppers. Amazon has acquired Rivr, a Swiss robotics company developing machines for "doorstep delivery," the company confirmed Thursday. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Amazon quietly purchased the company earlier this week, but it didn't publicize the acquisition. It announced the deal in a notice sent to third-party delivery contractors. "We want to share that we've recently acquired RIVR, a company focused on technology that can help with doorstep delivery," Amazon wrote in the notice viewed by CNBC. "We believe this technology, when working alongside your [delivery associates], has the potential to further improve safety outcomes and the overall customer experience, particularly in the last steps of the delivery process." An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC in a statement that the acquisition "reflects our commitment to a continued investment in research" and efforts to improve safety for its delivery employees. The Information was first to report on the deal. The company relies on a network of thousands of third-party contractors that deliver packages exclusively for Amazon. These contractors are responsible for the so-called last mile portion of deliveries, meaning the process of ferrying packages from an Amazon warehouse to the customer's doorstep. Amazon has spent more than a decade investing in automating more aspects of its warehouse operations. Amazon Robotics, the unit dedicated to these efforts, was formed after it acquired Kiva Systems, a manufacturer of warehouse robots, for $775 million in 2012. Last October, the company said it had deployed more than 1 million robots across its operations network. In its notice to delivery service partner owners, Amazon said Rivr's technology, which includes a four-legged robot on wheels, will allow it to research and test how the devices can be integrated into delivery operations, including "helping DAs carry packages from delivery vehicles to customer doorsteps." "We are in the early stages of this journey, and as we progress, we will engage you and our teams to help us field test this technology, gathering real-world insights and incorporating your feedback into how we scale this technology in the future," the company wrote. Amazon previously invested in Rivr through its $1 billion Industrial Innovation Fund, which was launched in 2022 to back warehouse and logistics technologies. Bezos Expeditions, the venture capital firm started by Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos, also participated in Rivr's $22 million seed round last March. Rivr was formerly known as Swiss-Mile. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Bezos is in early discussions to raise $100 billion for a fund that would acquire manufacturing companies in sectors like chipmaking, defense and aerospace, then use AI to speed up automation. Memory shortages. Way behind on AI. Tariff troubles. None of that seems to matter to Apple. It keeps selling tons of iPhones bucking expectations, especially in China. iPhone sales in China surged 23% during the first nine weeks of 2026, in contrast to a 4% year-over-year decline in the entire smartphone market there, according to research firm Counterpoint . "Exactly the opposite of what everyone was saying," Jim Cramer said Thursday well, so much for the idea that Apple is losing share and failing to compete in its second-largest market. The tech giant once again proved skeptics wrong just like it did during the holiday quarter, when Greater China revenue overall jumped 38% to $25.53 billion, exceeding estimates by roughly $4.7 billion. The iPhone had its best quarter ever in China, due to enthusiasm for the iPhone 17 lineup, record upgraders, and double-digit percentage growth from switchers. Memory According to Thursday's report from Counterpoint, Apple attracted more customers in China this year because it held the line on pricing. Chinese competitors have been forced to hike prices to mitigate their increased costs for the memory that goes into the devices. The explosion of artificial intelligence has caused a massive worldwide memory shortage. Smartphones contain memory chips that allow them to multitask and function, and storage memory for the operating system, apps, photos, and files. "Maybe this is a sign that [Apple's] better [at] managing memory costs versus competitors that have to raise prices," Jeff Marks, the Investing Club's director of portfolio analysis, said during Thursday's Morning Meeting. That was certainly the case in Apple's December quarter. We'll see what happens when Apple reports its current March quarter results in about six weeks. We see three reasons why Apple has an advantage over its rivals going forward. Strong companywide margins can help Apple absorb costs. Even a decision to take a short-term hit to hardware profits (which has not happened yet) would be a strategic trade-off to bring new iPhone users into Apple's ecosystem to drive long-term revenues for its increasingly important high-margin services business. Apple has secured long-term memory contracts with suppliers way in advance, allowing Apple to lock in lower prices before they soared. On the most recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook provided a brief nod to that notion. "As always, we'll look at a range of options to deal with that," he said. Finally, Apple gets the best prices and first dibs on memory from suppliers like TSMC because they're just too big to ignore. It's a massive risk for TSMC to gamble billions in sales on a smaller tech company with unpredictable orders when they can count on Apple's hardware cycles. Artificial intelligence Memory isn't the only way Apple's overcome headwinds and silenced skeptics. Look at its artificial intelligence journey. Apple's AI rollout was staggered and underwhelming for much of 2024 and 2025 after high expectations. The company has been playing catch-up ever since. Trying to do AI in-house has been one problem after another from feature delays to key personnel departures. That narrative changed in 2026. In January, Google and Apple announced a multiyear partnership in which Google's Gemini AI and cloud will power Apple's artificial intelligence features, including a super-smart Siri. While Apple is expected to pay Google an annual fee of around $1 billion, that's nothing compared to the hundreds of billions of dollars being spent by companies in the AI arms race. "This is a great opportunity to realize that they happen to get the premier AI by dealing with Gemini," Jim Cramer previously said . This is a massive win-win for both Club names. Additionally, Alphabet 's Google is still paying a fortune for search priority on Apple devices. A federal court ruling last year allowed that to continue. Last month, the government filed an appeal of the ruling. Tariffs Apple was also able to ultimately work around President Donald Trump 's tariffs. The impact of higher levies previously bogged down the stock, especially after Trump last May threatened to hit Apple with a 25% tariff on iPhones manufactured abroad. Months later, Cook got back on the administration's good side. Apple announced a $100 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing in August, on top of its already-pledged $500 billion investment over the following four years. Cook's ability to navigate these muddy political waters to curb tariff risks was certainly impressive. Bottom line Yet again, we're reiterating our "own, don't trade" stance on Apple. After all, as Jim has said in the past , the company makes "the greatest product in the world" with the iPhone as its biggest money maker. The Club has a hold-equivalent 2 rating on shares. Our price target on Apple is $300 per share, implying roughly 20% upside from Thursday's close. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AAPL, GOOGL. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Anthony Albanese, Australia's prime minister, during an address at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday urged Australians to avoid panic buying of petrol and diesel, which he said had led to shortages in some rural regions, and stressed the nation's fuel supply levels remained stable. Australia is dependent on imports for about 90% of its fuel needs, and fear of supply disruptions due to the escalating war in the Middle East has led to a doubling of fuel demand in some regions resulting in localized shortages. Albanese said the federal government had already taken steps to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel into the country. "Our fuel supply is currently secure. However, I want us to be over-prepared," Albanese told reporters. "My message to Australians is please do not take more fuel than you need. That is how you can help. That's the Australian way," he said, following a meeting with state and territory leaders. Conflict in the Middle East intensified on Wednesday, driving oil prices higher, as Iran accused Israel of striking its facilities in the South Pars gas field, the world's biggest, and retaliated with attacks on oil and gas targets across the Gulf. Albanese said his government would roll out additional measures in the coming days to safeguard fuel supply and appointed Anthea Harris, the former boss of the Australian Energy Regulator, as head of a national fuel supply task force to tackle shortages and improve the domestic fuel supply chain. The Reserve Bank of Australia warned on Thursday the war was a material risk to the Australian economy, though it said domestic banks remained well-positioned to support growth in the event of a significant downturn. After widespread concerns among consumers over fuel pricing and supply issues, Australia's competition regulator on Thursday began an investigation into allegations of anti-competitive conduct by major fuel suppliers including Ampol , BP's Australian unit, Mobil Oil Australia and Viva Energy , which operates Shell and Liberty fuel stations. Neighboring New Zealand said it had asked officials to work on contingency plans for an eight-to-12-week response period to mitigate potential supply disruptions. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters the country's fuel supply remained adequate but warned even if the conflict eased soon that would not deliver immediate relief. Cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto.com announced Thursday that it is laying off 12% of its staff as the company integrates artificial intelligence. "We are joining the list of companies integrating enterprise-wide AI. Companies that do not make this pivot immediately will fail," CEO Kris Marszalek posted on X. "As part of this step, we have also made a targeted ~12% workforce reduction of roles that do not adapt in our new world," he added, saying the new structure prepares the company for "continued success." A Crypto.com spokesperson told CNBC that all impacted team members have been notified, but declined to provide the exact number of employees let go. The cryptocurrency platform's layoffs come as a growing number of companies cite AI for mass workforce reductions. Last month, Block laid off more than 4,000 employees, almost half of its workforce. "The core thesis is simple. Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company," CEO Jack Dorsey wrote in the announcement to shareholders. "A significantly smaller team, using the tools we're building, can do more and do it better," Dorsey said. A group of eight states filed suit late Wednesday in U.S. District Court in California to block Nexstar's proposed $3.54 billion acquisition of Tegna , which would make the combined entity the largest U.S. broadcast station group. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the proposed merger was illegal and would lead to higher pay-TV prices for consumers and reduce newsroom jobs by jointly operating stations in the same market. "When broadcast media is owned by a handful of companies, we get fewer voices, less competition, and communities lose the critical check on power that local journalism delivers," Bonta said. DirecTV filed a separate suit late Wednesday also seeking to prevent the deal. The merger will increase Nexstar's ability to force pay-TV providers to pay higher fees to retransmit its channels and argued Nexstar "will also shut down local newsrooms in dozens of markets." Last month, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr said he supported the deal and would be moving forward to approve it after President Donald Trump publicly backed the merger. Trump has repeatedly pressured Carr to revoke the licenses of NBC and ABC stations. Critics have said Carr is violating the free speech rights of broadcasters. "By vastly expanding its footprint nationwide, Nexstar would gain significant control over editorial policy and have the power to suppress viewpoints and exclude voices that are essential to a robust political and social discourse," the states' lawsuit said. Nexstar and Tegna did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The states joining California in the lawsuit include New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia. Acquiring Tegna would expand Nexstar's presence to cover 80% of TV households and would require the FCC to lift a cap on station ownership. Local broadcasters face increasing economic pressure as Americans move away from watching traditional television, shifting to on-demand streaming services and social media like TikTok and YouTube. Nexstar is the largest U.S. local television broadcasting group, controlling more than 200 stations in 116 U.S. markets reaching 220 million people, while Tegna owns 64 television stations in 51 media markets, New York Attorney General Letitia James said, adding if the merger was completed, 31 media markets would see diminished competition. Carr argues national networks like Comcast -owned NBC and Walt Disney's ABC have amassed too much power and has said he wants to empower local affiliates owned by companies like Tegna and Nexstar to preempt programming. In September, Carr praised Nexstar for briefly opting not to air "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC-affiliated stations. ABC briefly suspended Kimmel's show over comments he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Hours before the suspension, Carr warned local broadcasters who aired Kimmel could face fines or loss of licenses and said "it's time for them to step up." European companies that import semiconductors from Asia are tapping into backup stores and paying more for deliveries as the Iran war causes disruption to air freight routes through the Middle East, industry insiders have told CNBC. The Iran war has caused turmoil to cargo routes as shipping and airports have been targeted since the war began on Feb. 28. Global air freight capacity which transports cargo such as semiconductors and other high-value electronics is down around 9% compared to pre-war levels, according to data from logistics firm DSV. That's led to rising costs for European companies importing semiconductors from Asia and delivery delays, as well as some manufacturers importing fewer chips from the region because of those capacity constraints. Chips are a crucial component of all electronics. Companies from industrial giants and data centers to carmakers import certain chips from locations like China and Taiwan. "What you'll see in the next weeks is that inventory levels are trending down with the hope that [logistics costs] will normalize," Stefan Krikken, DSV's head of air freight, told CNBC, pointing to European automakers, which use semiconductors for a range of electronic systems on board vehicles. Other European companies were absorbing the increased air freight costs of chip imports, said Krikken. He added that DSV hadn't seen a "significant" drop in chip imports overall yet as a result of the conflict, but many buyers were paying premium costs to ensure continued delivery. One European chip company had experienced delays of a few days on some semiconductor deliveries, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told CNBC, who asked for anonymity discussing private business matters. Costs of air freight had risen, the source said, adding that the company didn't have visibility on whether prices would come down again in the coming months. Fire and plumes of smoke rise from an oil facility in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 14, 2026. Altaf Qadri | AP Iran's strikes are pushing Gulf states toward a breaking point, forcing a choice between restraint and retaliation. Iran's Gulf neighbors have been repeatedly targeted and hit by Iranian drones and missiles as part of the Islamic Republic's retaliatory strikes against the U.S. and Israel's bombardment since late February. The latest and perhaps most significant escalation in attacks on Iran's neighbors came this week when Tehran launched retaliatory missile attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal following Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field. Gulf states from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait have responded to Iran's repeated attacks on their energy infrastructure by saying "a price must be paid" and that the attacks "cannot go unanswered," but, so far, they have not retaliated. That diplomatic and defensive position can't and won't last forever, analysts say, noting that the Gulf states are now likely weighing up when, where and how they might shift from a neutral stance to an offensive one. watch now Patience among the Gulf states is obviously wearing thin, with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud warning early Thursday that tolerance of Iranian attacks on his country and neighboring Gulf states is limited. "I think it's important for the Iranians to understand that the kingdom, but also its partners who have been attacked and beyond, have very significant capacities and capabilities that they could bring to bear should they choose to do so," he said. "The patience that is being exhibited is not unlimited. Do they [the Iranians] have a day, two, a week? I'm not going to telegraph that," he added. CNBC has requested further comment from the foreign ministry. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud attends the consultative ministerial meeting in Riyadh, on March 19, 2026. Fayez Nureldine | Afp | Getty Images Gulf leaders face a difficult dilemma as Iran continues to target their critical infrastructure across the region, analysts told CNBC. "Despite extensive diplomatic efforts ... to remain neutral, the Gulf states find themselves right in the centre of Iran's firing line," Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal Middle East Analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, told CNBC Wednesday. "Active steps to remain neutral like limiting U.S. access to bases in the region have done little to shield the Gulf states from Iranian attacks. But any decision to take military action against Iran could spark an even worse Iranian retaliation," he noted. The decision facing Gulf leaders is between two main options, both of which carry significant risks: "Double down on diplomacy and defensive measures or pivot to an offensive stance aimed at reducing Iran's ability to carry out attacks," he added. TOPSHOT - A smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire at Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026. Flights were gradually resuming at Dubai airport on March 16, previously the world's busiest for international flights, the airport operator said, after a "drone-related incident" sparked a fuel tank fire nearby, as Iran kept up its Gulf attacks. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) / - | Afp | Getty Images While the rhetoric against Iran is increasingly assertive, agreeing on a coordinated response will be difficult, with some states affected more than others. The UAE says it has been targeted with more than 2,000 Iranian drones and missiles since the war began in late February, while Oman, which has traditionally had friendlier ties with Iran, has been targeted to a much smaller extent. Israel, on the other hand, has been targeted by Iran, but its multiple layers of air defenses have protected it to a large degree. Caught in the crossfire While Iran's targeting of its neighbors might seem illogical and self-defeating at first glance, experts say the Islamic Republic seeks to cause maximum damage in the wider region as part of a strategy to get Gulf states to pressure Trump to end the war quickly. Trump has also tried to coax his Gulf allies to enter the war to beef up U.S. and Israeli operations, but they have tried to maintain a largely neutral stance. QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas production facilities, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar, March 2, 2026. Stringer | Reuters Iran appears to be walking a fine line between provoking its neighbors while stopping short of a full escalation. Iran's president had apologized to neighbors for strikes earlier in March, before they resumed in earnest. Tehran warned Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to evacuate their energy facilities ahead of the Ras Laffan strike. Nonetheless, renewed Iranian threats to target several energy facilities in neighboring countries after the Israeli strikes against South Pars underscore that they could face more damaging attacks. Gulf states will now have to consider the extent to which Iran is able to retaliate more severely, and the likelihood of the Islamic Republic surviving in the longer term. A purely defensive posture may be unsustainable in the event of an extended conflict, according to Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. This is particularly true as breaches of air and missile defenses, limited interceptor stockpiles and "the exorbitant cost of defense relative to offence" start to weigh heavily on the Gulf states, he said. "If they fail to respond to Iranian aggression, moreover, they risk losing the ability to establish deterrence, emboldening future Iranian attacks. After all, further cycles of conflict are likely if the Iranian regime survives this war," Alhasan noted in IISS analysis this week. watch now The Gulf states have "multiple options" available to them, including allowing the U.S. full operational access to their airspaces and bases to carry out offensive operations against Iran. They also have a range of precision-strike capabilities that could take out Iran's missile or drone launchers in a defensive response to Iran's missile and UAV attacks against them. Such maneuvers could prove difficult operationally, however, "and would require active intelligence collection to detect and neutralise launchers, many of which are mobile or concealed, and coordination with the U.S. and Israel, already active in Iranian airspace." Another option would be for the Gulf states to focus on easing the economic pain arising from the conflict, and they could choose to deploy alongside the U.S. to secure shipping through the largely-blocked Strait of Hormuz, given that the Gulf states have a vital economic interest in resuming oil and gas shipments. Catastrophic retaliation? Shares of India's HDFC Bank closed 5.11% lower on Thursday after Atanu Chakraborty, its parttime chairman, resigned after flagging governance and ethical concerns within the institution. During an investor call on Thursday, interim parttime chairman, Keki Mistry said that Chakraborty had not provided the board with any evidence or details of the alleged unethical practices. Dismissing claims of an internal discord, Mistry said that the management "does and will continue to work in a cohesive manner." "Certain happenings and practices within the bank, that I have observed over last two years, are not in congruence with my personal Values and Ethics," Chakraborty said in his resignation letter. Foreign institutional investors own over 47% stake in India's largest private sector lender. The Government of Singapore and Norway's Government Pension Fund Global are among the top foreign investors in HDFC Bank, owning nearly 2.3% and over 1.2% stake, respectively. The middle and junior levels of the bank should "form the core of a reimaged organization," Chakraborty said in his resignation letter dated March 17, which was submitted to HDFC Bank during late market hours Wednesday. India's banking regulator, Reserve Bank of India, said that HDFC Bank has "sound financials" and is run by a professional board and competent management, adding that during its periodic assessment, there were "no material concerns on record as regards its [HDFC's] conduct or governance." Mistry's appointment is a "strong firefighting move," said Deven Choksey, founder and managing director of wealth management firm DRChoksey FinServ, in a note on Thursday. He warned that HDFC shares may see "significant selling pressure," advising investors to avoid "bottomfishing" until governance concerns are addressed. HDFC Bank and RBI, did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. As of Wednesday, HDFC Bank's market cap stood at 13.08 trillion rupees ($140 billion), higher than the 9.95 trillionrupee valuation of State Bank of India, the country's largest public-sector lender, according to LSEG data. Visitors to Japan from Chinese mainland drop 54.1 pct in Jan.-Feb. Xinhua) 09:58, March 19, 2026 TOKYO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The number of visitors to Japan from the Chinese mainland fell 54.1 percent year on year in the first two months of 2026, government data showed Wednesday. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the figure dropped 60.7 percent in January and 45.2 percent in February compared with the same periods last year. Since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made provocative and erroneous remarks on Taiwan last November, the number of Chinese mainland tourists to Japan has continued to fall, weighing on multiple sectors of the Japanese economy, including retail, accommodation, and food services. Figures from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed that new job openings in the accommodation and food service industry fell sharply by 13.8 percent year on year in January. A ministry official said that some sectors have begun to curb recruitment due to the decrease in Chinese tourists. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Turners Automotive Group Limited (NZX/ASX: TRA) today upgrades earnings guidance for the year ending 31 March 2026, reflecting stronger-than-expected trading performance across all core parts of the business. Based on current trading conditions, Turners now expects net profit before tax (NPBT) before goodwill adjustments to be around $63 million, an increase to previous guidance of around $60 million and approaching the previously stated profit target of $65m in FY28. Positive summer trading Summer trading has been positive, with strong vehicle sales volumes and an improvement in vehicle margins earned in the Auto Retail division. The Group has benefited from disciplined purchasing, effective pricing, and continued market share gains. Finance lending activity also performed well, with January and February delivering several new lending records and consistent with Turners stated goal to grow its book without compromising credit quality. The business continues to gain market share in the vehicle finance segment. EC Credit goodwill review At its half-year result announcement in November, Turners advised that the carrying value of the EC Credit business would be reviewed, having regard to second-half performance and the outlook for that business. This review has now been largely completed and, while still subject to final audit review, the Group expects a non-cash goodwill write-down of between $7 to $9 million. EC Credit is the smallest division within the Group and is regarded as non-core to the automotive platform strategy. Another record trading profit Excluding the goodwill write-down relating to EC Credit, the upgraded guidance confirms another record result for Turners Automotive Group, continuing the Groups track record of consistent earnings growth and outperformance across the cycle. The Group will provide further detail at its full-year results announcement in May. CEO Todd Hunter said, We are delighted with the continued strength across all three core divisions. This is a great achievement by the team, particularly given the still challenging economic conditions. We are looking forward to updating the market on our five year strategy next week. Management is hosting an institutional investor day on Tuesday 24th March, when it will reveal its earnings target for the next five-year period. Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Rua Bioscience Market Update FSF - Fonterra announces interim leadership changes April 29th Morning Report NZK - Blue Endeavour Pilot Farm and Wellboat Update TRU - FY 31 March 2026 Revenue and Results Guidance Achieved FBU - Fletcher Building sale of Fletcher Reinforcing and Wire April 28th Morning Report RYM - Ryman Healthcare appoints new independent director ikeGPS 4Q FY26 and Full Year FY26 Performance Update HGH - Heartland trading update An Iranian security worker monitors an area in phase 19 of the South Pars gas field in Assalooyeh, on Iran's Persian Gulf coast, on Aug. 23, 2016. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday stateside warned that if Iran continued targeting Qatar's energy facilities, America would "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field." Tehran had attacked a key energy facility in Qatar after Israel bombed the South Pars Gas Field in Iran, signaling a sharp escalation in the conflict and sending energy prices soaring. Trump denied any prior knowledge of Israel attacking South Pars, pushing back against reports that the strike was coordinated with and approved by his administration. In a social media post, Trump said that "the United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen." Trump also urged Israel to end attacks on the South Pars gas field, unless Iran "unwisely" decides to attack Qatar. In that case, the U.S. will "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before." South Pars is the largest known reserve of natural gas in the world at around 1,800 trillion cubic feet. It is also Iran's biggest source of energy supply, so any attack could disrupt critical services in the country such as electricity. Iran fired ballistic missiles at Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday, with QatarEnergy saying the attack had caused "extensive damage" warranting deployment of emergency response teams to contain fires at the site. No casualties were reported. Ras Laffan is home to the largest liquefied natural gas, or LNG, export facility in the world. Those attacks have continued with state-owned QatarEnergy saying that several of its LNG facilities were struck by missiles in the early hours of Thursday, causing significant fires and extensive damage, prompting emergency response to contain the damage. Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, during a party leaders' debate at the upper house of parliament in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Takaichi said she hadn't intended to get into any details of a Taiwan contingency in recent remarks that have been fiercely criticized by China. Japan on Thursday rejected a U.S. intelligence assessment that said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan represented a "significant shift" for a sitting Japanese prime minister. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters during a press briefing that Tokyo's approach remains "quite consistent." "A significant policy shift is not something that is happening right now," Kihara said, according to a translation provided by the Prime Minister's Office. The response came as Takaichi arrived in the U.S. for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, with the Iranian conflict expected to dominate the meeting. Takaichi had sparked a furious response from Beijing in November when she told parliament that a Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan by force could prompt the intervention of Japan's Self-Defense Forces. China responded by suspending imports of seafood and issuing travel advisories for its nationals not to travel to Japan, resulting in a sharp decline in Chinese tourist numbers to the country. The intelligence report, issued on March 18, said that Takaichi's characterization of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan as a "survival threatening situation" for Japan carried weight. The term could open the door for Japan to intervene under its 2015 reinterpretation of its Constitution, which allows Japan's military to engage in "collective-self defence" to protect allied forces under certain scenarios. The U.S. report also said that "China is employing multidomain coercive pressure that probably will intensify through 2026, aimed both at punishing Japan and deterring other countries from making similar statements about their potential involvement in a Taiwan crisis." However, the intelligence community also assessed that Chinese leaders do not currently plan to execute an invasion of Taiwan in 2027. Beijing regards democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory, and has not ruled out the use of force against the island. Taiwan, on its part, rejects those claims and says that only it can decide its future. Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles after 20 days of U.S.-Israeli air attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a news conference on Thursday. "We are winning, and Iran is being decimated," Netanyahu said, noting that Iran's missile and drone arsenal is being massively degraded and will be destroyed. "What we're destroying now are the factories that produce the components to make these missiles and to make the nuclear weapons that they're trying to produce," Netanyahu said. Netanyahu did not provide evidence for his claim that Iran no longer had the capacity to enrich uranium. Iran's nuclear program was the focus of mediated talks that ultimately collapsed with the U.S. and Israel launching an air attack on Iran on February 28. Iran has fired missiles back at Israel and other Gulf countries while also limiting tankers from using the Straight of Hormuz. Despite the nearly three week war, it was still too soon to tell whether Iranians will take to the streets to try to overthrow their government, Netanyahu said. "It's up to the Iranian people to show that, to choose the moment and to rise to the moment," he said. While the war so far has been conducted via air attacks, Netanyahu said there has to be a ground component as well and "there are many possibilities for this ground component." He did not elaborate. Netanyahu also denied he dragged the United States into the conflict. "Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?" he said. U.S. oil prices gave up gains on Thursday after Israel said it was helping reopen the key Strait of Hormuz passageway. International benchmark Brent crude futures with May added 1.18% to end at $108.65 per barrel, reversing lower after briefly climbing above $119 earlier in the session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures slipped 0.19% to $96.14 after trading higher in the day. U.S. oil prices fell in extended trading as Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the media, saying that Israel was helping the U.S. open the Strait of Hormuz, according to wire reports. Netanyahu also said that Iran had lost the ability to enrich uranium and make ballistic missiles. The prime minister said the war may end sooner than people think. Vice President JD Vance attended a meeting with U.S. oil industry members on Thursday hosted by the American Petroleum Institute. Opening Hormuz is a "top priority" for the Trump administration, Mike Sommers, API's president and CEO, told CNBC following the meeting. "We need to get the Strait open," Sommers said on Thursday. "There is just no substitute right now." A White House official confirmed to CNBC that oil and gas export restrictions are not currently under consideration. The front-month gas price at the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) hub, a European benchmark for natural gas trading, traded up over 11% at around 61 euros per megawatt-hour. U.S. natural gas prices were last seen 1.7% higher, trading at $3.116 per million British thermal units. Front-month Nymex RBOB gasoline for April delivery, meanwhile, rose almost 1% to $3.13 and hit a nearly four-year high. Attendees bring their laptops to install the OpenClaw AI agent during a Baidu event in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. BEIJING So many people in China are rushing to try the OpenClaw artificial intelligence tool that they're driving up prices for secondhand Mac computers. That's according to Jeremy Ji, chief strategy officer and general manager of international business at ATRenew , a used consumer electronics buyer and reseller that works with Apple and retailer JD.com in mainland China. OpenClaw is an AI agent, a tool that can autonomously conduct personal tasks such as sending emails and shopping online. Usage in China is currently outstripping the U.S., according to American cybersecurity firm SecurityScorecard. However, the free-to-download software also poses security risks, prompting many users to run OpenClaw on a cloud computing server or laptop separate from their primary device. If allowed direct access to a personal computer, the AI agent could autonomously alter private data such as banking information, or enable hackers to access it more easily. As people in China jump on the OpenClaw trend, they are turning to preowned computers, Ji said in a phone interview. He likened the demand surge to the pandemic, when many people bought more personal computing devices since they were working and spending more time at home. As a result, from March to May this year, Ji said that ATRenew is keeping its prices for Apple products similar to those seen during the peak fall season around new iPhone releases. That contrasts with a typical price drop during the spring. Ji said prices for a new MacBook are typically 15% higher than the used ones sold through ATRenew. Here are some of the stocks making headlines in midday trading. Oil companies Shares of oil companies were higher after Brent crude futures briefly topped $119 per barrel. APA gained 5%, while SLB and Baker Hughes advanced more than 4%. Diamondback Energy jumped nearly 2%. Accenture The IT company's shares popped 6% after second-quarter results surpassed Wall Street's estimates. Accenture posted earnings of $2.93 per share on revenue of $18.04 billion, while the FactSet consensus sought $2.84 per share and $17.84 billion. Tesla The electric vehicle manufacturer saw shares fall nearly 3% after the Wall Street Journal reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is stepping up its investigation of Tesla's so-called Full Self-Driving system. Rivian Automotive The electric vehicle company's shares advanced more than 3% after Uber said it plans to invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian in a deal to launch up to 50,000 robotaxis in several countries through 2031. Uber was last down more than 1%. Bitcoin-linked stocks Shares of companies linked to bitcoin slid alongside the flagship cryptocurrency. Bitcoin was last down nearly 3%, trading at about $69,200. Bitcoin treasury play Strategy saw shares tumble close to 3%, while crypto trading platform Coinbase fell 2%. Signet Jewelers The jewelry retailer saw shares jump nearly 10% on the heels of a fourth-quarter earnings beat. Signet posted adjusted earnings of $6.25 per share, topping the $6.11 per share FactSet consensus estimate. Revenue for the period came in at $2.35 billion, in line with expectations. Micron Technology Shares shed 5%. Micron reported a blowout quarter , with its adjusted earnings of $12.20 per share handily topping the $9.31 consensus estimate, per LSEG. Its revenue was $23.86 billion, compared to the $20.07 billion expected from analysts. Investors may have focused on comments about increased spending to ramp up output. Alibaba U.S.-listed shares traded 7% lower after the company reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results . The e-commerce giant's top line came in at 284.8 billion yuan (US$41.3 billion), below an LSEG estimate of 290.7 billion yuan (US$42.16 billion). Net income, meanwhile, tumbled 66% year on year to 15.6 billion yuan (US$2.26 billion). Align Technology The maker of Invisalign products jumped more than 2% following a report that Elliott Investment Management built a significant stake in the company. The activist wants to look for ways to boost the stock price, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with the matter. Five Below The retailer's fourth-quarter results and first-quarter guidance beat Wall Street's expectations, sending shares nearly 12% higher. Five Below reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $4.31 per share on revenue of $1.73 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet had expected EPS of $4 on revenue of $1.71 billion. The company guided for adjusted EPS for the first quarter to come between $1.57 and $1.69 per share, versus the 97 cents per share consensus estimate. Mining stocks Silver and gold miners tumbled alongside the sell-off in the precious metals. Newmont and Anglogold Ashanti fell more than 8%. First Majestic Silver lost more than 7%. Kinross Gold and Coeur Mining dropped more than 6%. Copper miners Shares of copper miners also fell as the price of copper futures moved lower. Southern Copper and Freeport-McMoRan were both down 5%. Rio Tinto lost 3%, while BHP Group shed 2%. Liquefied natural gas exporters Shares of U.S. liquefied natural gas companies rallied after Reuters reported that Iranian attacks have wiped out 17% of Qatar's LNG export capacity. NextDecade rose 8% and Venture Global jumped more than 3%, while Cheniere Energy added 7%. Red Cat The drone stock lost nearly 15% following its disappointing fourth-quarter financial results. Red Cat lost 17 cents per share, 2 cents wider than what analysts polled by FactSet expected. DLocal U.S.-listed shares of the Uruguay-based fintech payment company climbed 11% following its fourth-quarter beat on the top line. DLocal reported revenue of $337.9 million, compared to the FactSet consensus estimate of $296.3 million. Its earnings of 18 cents per share was in line with expectations. CNBC's Fred Imbert and Nick Wells contributed reporting. 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. Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading: Micron Technology Shares shed nearly 6%. Micron reported a blowout quarter , with its adjusted earnings of $12.20 per share handily topping the $9.31 consensus estimate, per LSEG. Its revenue was $23.86 billion, compared to the $20.07 billion expected from analysts. Investors may have focused on comments about increased spending to ramp up output. The stock is up more than 350% in the past 12 months. Memory stocks Several memory companies fell following Micron's earnings. Seagate Technology slipped almost 3%, Western Digital fell 3% and Sandisk dropped 6%. Alibaba U.S.-listed shares traded 5% lower in the premarket after the company reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results . The e-commerce giant's top line came in at 284.8 billion yuan, below an LSEG estimate of 290.7 billion yuan. Net income, meanwhile, tumbled 66% year on year to 15.6 billion yuan. Align Technology The maker of Invisalign products jumped 7% following a report that Elliott Investment Management built a significant stake in the company. The activist wants to look for ways to boost the stock price, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with the matter. Five Below The retailer's fourth-quarter results and first-quarter guidance beat Wall Street's expectations, sending shares 6% higher. Five Below reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $4.31 per share on revenue of $1.73 billion. Analysts polled by LSEG had expected EPS of $4 on revenue of $1.71 billion. The company guided for adjusted EPS for the first quarter to come between $1.57 and $1.69 per share, versus the 96 cents per share consensus estimate. Mining stocks Silver and gold miners tumbled alongside the selloff in the precious metals. Newmont , First Majestic Silver , Kinross Gold and Coeur Mining all dropped around 9%. Anglogold Ashant i sank 12%. Copper miners Shares of copper miners also fell as the price of copper futures moved lower. Southern Copper and Freeport-McMoRan were both down 5%. Rio Tinto lost 6%, while BHP Group shed 4%. Liquefied natural gas exporters Shares of U.S. LNG exporters rallied as the surge in oil prices continued. NextDecade rose nearly 2% and Venture Global jumped about 8%, while Cheniere Energy added nearly 2%. Red Cat The drone stock lost nearly 4% following its disappointing fourth-quarter financial results. Red Cat lost 17 cents per share, 2 cents wider than what analysts polled by FactSet expected. DLocal U.S.-listed shares of the Uruguay-based fintech payment company climbed 10% following its fourth-quarter beat on the top line. DLocal reported revenue of $337.9 million, compared to the FactSet consensus estimate of $296.3 million. Its earnings of 18 cents per share was in line with expectations. Fertilizer stocks The stocks of fertilizer companies rose following a Reuters report that China is restricting its fertilizer imports. CF Industries gained 3%, Mosaic rose nearly % and Intrepid Potash added 2%. CNBC's Fred Imbert contributed reporting. Correction: A previous headline misspelled Five Below. Asian technology stocks fell on Thursday as Iran's latest attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City and a surge in oil prices rattled investor sentiment, amplifying concerns over supply chain disruptions across the semiconductor industry. Materials derived from Middle Eastern energy markets are used extensively in electronics manufacturing, from printed circuit boards to semiconductor process chemicals. South Korea memory giants SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics fell 2.23% and 1.8% respectively. Seoul Semiconductor shares declined 2.53%. Japan's Advantest fell over 4%, while Tokyo Electron lost 1.99%. Taiwan's TSMC was down 2.1%. China's 'AI tigers' MiniMax and Knowledge Atlas Technology, also known as Zhipu, declined 10% and 8%. The slide comes after a surge in Chinese artificial intelligence stocks following upbeat comments from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on the promise of AI agents and OpenClaw. Hong Kong listed stocks of Alibaba slid 3.34%, while Tencent declined 6%. "Recent market moves can almost entirely be attributed to the Middle East conflict and spiking oil prices, macro risks far outweigh company fundamentals for now," said UBP's senior equity advisor Vey-Sern Ling in an email to CNBC. While the immediate concern centers on higher oil prices stoking inflation fears, analysts noted the deeper risk lies in second-order effects rippling through the semiconductor supply chain. Here are Thursday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Bernstein reiterates Apple as outperform Bernstein said it's sticking with shares of Apple. "We view Apple's recent product launches as a deliberate strategy to widen the portfolio's price bands to opportunistically gain share in the low(er) end, while raising prices at the high end to maintain margins there." Bank of America reiterates Micron as buy Bank of America said it sees "stronger pricing for longer" following the company's earnings report on Wednesday. "Reiterate Buy and raise PO to $500 (vs. $400) following MU' s view of a durable memory cycle that lasts into CY27E at the earliest." Read more. Guggenheim initiates ADP as buy Guggenheim said the company has "payroll defensibility." "We are initiating coverage of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) with a Buy rating and a $270 price target." Baird reiterates Tesla as outperform Baird said the stock is in a "lull" right now. " TSLA shares have traded down ~5% over the last month amidst a tumultuous market backdrop and several headlines regarding developments at Musk's other companies. TSLA is entering a pivotal time over the next 18 months as it scales Robotaxi service with a soon-to-be introduced Cybercab at the same time as ramping mass production of its Optimus humanoid. We want to own the stock over this pivotal timeframe. UBS upgrades Nu Holdings to buy from neutral UBS said the LatAm digital banking platform is too attractive to ignore. "We upgrade Nu t o Buy from Neutral (PT slightly up to US$17.6/share from US$17.2) as we believe the current valuation is attractive given Nu's earnings growth." Morgan Stanley names Intuit a new top pick Morgan Stanley said Intuit is a "durable compounder at a discount." "Making Intuit our Top Pick as valuation screens attractive at 20X GAAP PE, two product cycles support a path to top-line acceleration, while F3Q earnings could unlock better visibility on tax momentum and estimate revisions. Recent web traffic data supportive of improving business momentum. OW." Raymond James reiterates Nvidia as strong buy Raymond James raised its price target on the stock to $323 per share from $291. "We maintain our Strong Buy rating on NVIDIA , raised estimates, and increase our price target to $323 to reflect management's updated outlook for $1 trillion of cumulative GPU sales through 2027 that could prove conservative. The forecast leaves us incrementally encouraged that our thesis around inference as a catalyst is playing out, and may even be slightly ahead of schedule." Evercore ISI upgrades Union Pacific to outperform from in line The firm said the railroad company is a must-own. " UNP is operating at an elite level, which is translating into strong volume growth (especially once the tough intermodal pull-forward is lapped) and robust margins for a stock trading at a discount to all but one peer." Morgan Stanley upgrades Carnival to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the cruise company is firing on all cylinders. "We also think both CCL ( internal levers, strong FCF) and the industry (lower orderbook) are in better shape than in prior downturns. Upgrade to Overweight on attractive risk-reward balance." William Blair upgrades Five Below to outperform from market perform William Blair upgraded the stock following earnings. "However, we are increasingly confident that Five Below maintains plenty of levers to comp the comp and is well positioned for a series of beat-and raise prints throughout the year, which we believe should continue to support shares despite elevated expectations, particularly as investors seek out defensive, consistent names in a tricky consumer environment." TD Cowen initiates EnerSys as buy TD Cowen said the battery manufacturer is "underappreciated." "We initiate coverage of ENS with a Buy rating and $190 price target." Macquarie initiates Okta as outperform Macquarie said the ID security company has plenty of upside. "We initiate coverage of OKTA with an Outperform rating and $100 TP." UBS reiterates Nike as neutral UBS lowered its price target to $58 per share from $62 ahead of earnings later this month. "Nike sentiment has weakened and now leans bearish, in our view." Mizuho reiterates Palantir as outperform Mizuho said Palantir is a category killer. "We reiterate our view that PLTR is in a category of one, delivering total revenue growth, acceleration, and margin expansion at scale that is unlike anything else in software." The Rivian R2 is on display during the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Nov. 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Uber Technologies plans to invest up to $1.25 billion in electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive as part of a deal to deploy up to 50,000 robotaxis in several countries through 2031, the companies announced Thursday. The tie-up includes expectations for Uber, or its fleet partners, to purchase 10,000 autonomous versions of Rivian's upcoming R2 electric vehicle, with the option to buy up to 40,000 more robotaxis beginning in 2030, according to a release from the companies. Shares of Rivian jumped in premarket trading Thursday, rising roughly 10% before paring back those gains, closing the day 3% higher, while Uber's stock fell 1%. The deal is the latest in a resurgence of announcements about autonomous vehicles and robotaxis, as companies attempt to capitalize on what investors have forecast as a multitrillion-dollar market. Many companies, including Uber, have previously failed to hit their targets when it comes to robotaxis. An initial $300 million investment from Uber to Rivian, which is preparing to begin R2 sales to consumers this spring, is expected soon following the deal's signing, subject to regulatory approval, according to the release. That investment equates to about 19.55 million shares of the automaker, a Rivian spokesman confirmed. Four other investment tranches will occur subject to hitting certain milestones by unspecified dates through 2031, according to a Thursday public filing from the automaker. Uber also is expected to pay certain licensing fees in connection with its use of Rivian's autonomous driving system software, the filing said. The companies said the R2 robotaxis are expected to be available exclusively through Uber's ride-hailing and delivery platform in 25 cities across the the U.S., Canada and Europe. The first cities are planned to be San Francisco and Miami in 2028, they said. March 18, 2026: Islamic terrorists have increasingly been using drones not just to conduct carry out attacks, but also for resupply operations. This means fortified borders and patrolled roadways are obsolete across the Sahel, in Yemen, and elsewhere. Drones have evolved into a reliable airborne logistics system that can transport nearly a ton of explosives, electronic parts, munitions and vital materiel each week over hundreds of kilometers of hostile territory. The ISGS/Islamic State in the Greater Sahara has spread terror and destruction throughout the Mali-Niger-Burkina Faso tri-border region in the Sahel. ISGS uses nightly relay chains of short-distance drones to ferry ammunition and roadside bomb components over desert terrain. Similar methods are used by the Houthi rebels of Yemen, and the TTP Islamic terrorists of Pakistan. This has not gone unnoticed. For nearly a decade American troops, especially special operations forces, got some very practical, and fortunately not too lethal lessons about what its like to fight an enemy equipped with a lot of drones. The first thing American troops learned was that these small commercial drones and medium sized Iranian drones were difficult to deal with. The smaller ones, similar to the two kg U.S. Raven, are difficult to hit with gunfire or MANPADS shoulder fired missiles. Another downside of using missiles or machine-guns to take down drones is that those bullets and missiles eventually return to earth and often kill or injure civilians on the ground. Electronic jamming, which most AUD Anti drone Defense systems employ with some success can easily be defeated by sending drones off on a pre-programmed mission. Nearly all drones have this capability. Used in this fashion a drone cannot be jammed and can take pictures and return very common or deliver a small explosive rare. ISIL\Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant was apparently the first to least successfully use armed micro-drones and for several years North Korea has been using small recon drones flying under automatic control into and out of South Korea. Criminal gangs have used small drones to smuggle drugs across tight borders or even into prisons. Islamic terrorists and drug gangs can afford to buy lots of the smaller commercial drones but so far these users have been found vulnerable to decapitation, as in capturing or killing the leaders or drone experts. This turned out to be particularly true for Islamic terrorists in Syria and Iraq. By either taking GPS data off a downed one or using intelligence techniques, electronic and photo surveillance, interrogation of prisoners and tips from informants you can find the few locations where Islamic terrorists operated maintenance and training bases for their drones. Smart bombs or even a ground raid put enough of these out of action and that greatly reduced the incidence of enemy drone use. Some nations, like South Korea and Israel have been dealing with this problem longer than the United States and have developed special weapons and tactics that involved more effective use of ground fire but have also relied on more sensor systems, especially new radars that can detect the smallest drones moving at any speed and altitude. Since 2014 a growing number of AUDs have been designed and gone into testing and development. In 2016 and 2017 many were sent to Iraq and Syria for use against the growing number of commercial drones ISIL was employing for surveillance or combat when rigged to drop small explosive devices that have caused several dozen casualties. One of the first AUDs, developed by a British firm Blighter, was delivered to U.S. troops in combat zones for use and, in effect, to see if it works as well in combat as it did, during extensive testing against 60 different drones during 1,500 test sorties. The Blighter AUDs can be placed on rooftops or any other high terrain or carried in a truck or hummer. It can detect drones 10 kilometers away and identify and disable drones in less than 15 seconds. This is done by either jamming or taking over the control signal and landing the drone. Separately an Israeli firm has sold AUDs to the U.S. military for use in the Middle East. None of these AUDs were a complete solution and they were expensive, $743,000 each, mainly because they were light enough for ground troops to carry in a backpack. But these systems were found ineffective for widespread use. The problem was that the Islamic terrorists had access to effective online advice from fans who had drone experience usually from living in the West and often helped develop effective methods for counteracting AUDs. The number of new anti-drone weapons showing up indicates that the countries with larger defense budgets see a need for this sort of thing and are willing to pay for a solution. These more sophisticated AUDs are safer for nearby civilians to use because they rely on lasers or electronic signals to destroy or disable drones. For example the CLWS Compact Laser Weapon System is a laser weapon light enough to mount on helicopters or hummers and can destroy small drones up to 2,000 meters away while it can disable or destroy the sensors vidcams on a drone up to 7,000 meters away. The CLWS fire control system will automatically track and keep the laser firing on a selected target. It can take up to 15 seconds of laser fire to bring down a drone or destroy its camera. Another example is an even more portable system that can be carried and operated by one person: DroneDefender. This system is a 6.8 kg 15 pound electronic rifle that can disrupt control signals for a small drone. Range is only a few hundred meters so DroneDefender would be most useful to police. There is also a high-end system similar to DroneDefender that can use data from multiple sensors as in visual, heat, and radar to detect the small drones and then use a focused radio signal jammer to cut the drone off from its controller and prevent, in most cases, the drone from completing its mission. The detection range of this AUDS is usually 10 kilometers or more and the jamming range varies from a few kilometers to about eight. The problem is the enemy can use their drones at any time and just about anywhere. No one has come up with an AUD cheap enough and portable enough to deal with this. Decapitation is one technique that works but only after the enemy drones have become a serious problem. As always, simple, safe and affordable solutions are always in short supply. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has charged associates of an unidentified U.S. server maker with illegally diverting billions of dollars in Nvidia -powered servers to China. The U.S. government has been trying to figure out how high-powered chips have reached China without authorization, as American artificial intelligence companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI face challenges from DeepSeek and other Chinese rivals. In an indictment unsealed Thursday, the U.S. government alleged that Yih-Shyan "Wally" Liaw, Ruei-Tsan "Steven" Chang and Ting-Wei "Willy" Sun worked together to violate the Export Control Reform Act. The server company's products containing Nvidia chips "are subject to strict U.S. export controls barring their sale to China without a license," the plaintiff said in the indictment. "Those controls are in place to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, among other things." Liaw is a co-founder of server maker Super Micro Computer and a member of its board of directors. He controls $464 million worth of Super Micro shares, according to FactSet. He did not respond to a request for comment. Shares of Super Micro fell 33% on Friday after a federal court released the indictment. Super Micro said that while the company isn't named as a defendant, Liaw works as senior vice president of business development, Chang is a sales manager in Taiwan, and Sun is a contractor. The company has placed the employees on leave and ended its relationship with the contractor. Liaw and Sun were both arrested Thursday, while Chang is a fugitive, the attorney's office said. "The conduct by these individuals alleged in the indictment is a contravention of the Company's policies and compliance controls, including efforts to circumvent applicable export control laws and regulations," according to a statement. "Supermicro maintains a robust compliance program and is committed to full adherence to all applicable U.S. export and re-export control laws and regulations." A powerful software exploit capable of penetrating and stealing information from potentially hundreds of millions of Apple iPhones was planted on dozens of websites in Ukraine in recent weeks, researchers said on Wednesday. The discovery marks the second time this month that researchers have found spyware targeting iPhones and other Apple devices. Together, the two hacking tools show that the market for sophisticated malware capable of stealing data and cryptocurrency wallet information is flourishing, researchers said. Researchers with cyber firm Lookout, mobile security firm iVerify and Alphabet's Google published coordinated analyses of the malware they dubbed Darksword. On March 3, Google and iVerify revealed a separate powerful iPhone spyware called "Coruna." Researchers found Darksword hosted on the same servers. Theres now a verified pipeline of recent exploits ... that have ended up in the hands of potentially criminal entities with a financial focus, said Justin Albrecht, principal researcher with Lookout. Google flags wide-ranging hacking campaigns Google said its researchers observed multiple commercial vendors and suspected state-linked hackers using Darksword in distinct campaigns against targets in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia and Ukraine. Also Read: Scam links for LPG bookings: Delhi Police cautions against fraud amid supply squeeze The campaigns in Malaysia and Turkey were associated with Turkish commercial surveillance vendor PARS Defense, Google said. PARS Defense did not respond to a request for comment. According to iVerify and Lookout, researchers discovered the malware being delivered to iPhone users running iOS versions 18.4 to 18.6.2 who visited one of dozens of Ukrainian websites. Apple released those versions between March and August 2025. It's not clear how many iPhones are vulnerable to Darksword attacks, the researchers said. Apple has released multiple fixes for the underlying bugs attackers used to make Darksword. Nevertheless, many people don't install iPhone updates, and an estimated 220 million to 270 million iPhones still run exposed iOS versions, according to iVerify and Lookout, which based the figures on public estimates. Google did not share its findings ahead of Wednesdays report. An Apple spokesperson said the exploits targeted "out-of-date software," and that the underlying vulnerabilities have been addressed across multiple updates over the last several years for users running the latest versions of their devices' operating systems. "Keeping software up to date remains the single most important thing users can do to maintain the high security of their Apple devices," the spokesperson said. Additionally, all malicious domains identified by Google are blocked by Apple Safe Browsing in the Safari web browser to prevent further exploitation, the spokesperson said. The discovery of two distinct powerful iOS exploits this month suggests a robust ecosystem for tools that were previously limited primarily to state-level intelligence operations, said Rocky Cole, co-founder and COO of iVerify. Researchers said they discovered the vulnerabilities because of sloppy security mistakes not common in state-linked iPhone hacking. The fact that they dont care if it gets burned, and that theyre using them in mass attacks with poor (operational security), that says a lot about how much they value these tools, Cole said. Theyre not overly precious about them being exposed." Darksword was found on the internet servers that suspected Russian operators of Coruna used, researchers with iVerify and Lookout said in findings and interviews ahead of Wednesdays release. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code March 19, 2026: For years, Israeli intelligence has been gaining access to and decrypting Iranian traffic cameras. With this Israeli intelligence can monitor the movements of individuals for days to ascertain patterns of movement and behavior. In this way Israeli airstrikes, planted bombs or local assassins can be used to eliminate key Iranian personnel. This is one of many tools Israel uses to precisely locate where human targets are, before launching a missile from an aircraft to kill a specific individual. This is how Israel recently killed Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior Iranian government, political and scientific personnel over the years. Israel also has an extensive network of Israeli Mossad and local Iranian operatives inside Iran. This network has been active for decades. Despite Iranian government efforts to catch, interrogate and imprison or execute these operatives, few have been captured. Some of these operatives are sleeper agents, who go about their lives for years before being activated for a mission. The Israeli operatives in Iran have taken care of many government and military officials by calling them and telling them that Israeli operatives know where they live and will kill them if they dont agree to stand aside from their jobs and not oppose a new democratic government. Its getting to the point where if youre an Iranian official and Israel havent killed you yet its a bit insulting The recent Iranian shutdown of their internet and other communications systems was meant to prevent the Israeli operatives from communicating with Mossad back in Israel. There are probably other communications systems available to Israeli operatives in Iran. Shortwave radio is one option as are custom versions of the ground communications Starlink units. Israel has regularly used their operatives inside Iran for spectacular successes. One of the more notable ones took place eight years ago when an Israeli Mossad operation got half a ton of top-secret Iranian nuclear weapons program documents out of Iran and back to Israel in less than 24 hours. This provided Iranian leaders with multiple aftershocks. For one thing, most Iranians didnt care about the document theft. No Iranians were injured in the operation; it was assumed to have been made possible by the widespread corruption in Iran and an Iranian religious dictatorship that seems to care more about destroying Israel than improving the lives of Iranians. When news of the Mossad operation were made public by the Israelis the public opinion polls in Iran showed that most Iranians didnt care and those that paid any attention to the matter felt it was just another example of how incompetent their government was and why change was needed. The Iranian government was justifiably concerned that publicizing these documents, as Israel did, would lead to the cancellation of the 2015 treaty that lifted sanctions on Iran. The stolen documents showed that the nuclear program did exist and apparently was still underway disguised as many different scientific research projects. Iran always insisted that it never had a nuclear weapons program even though the Israelis had uncovered much evidence that the program existed and the attitude of most Iranians was that the program existed and why not because Iran had long been the regional superpower. But since the 2015 treaty went into effect the promised economic improvements for most Iranians have not happened and at the end of 2017 that triggered widespread public protests against the religious dictatorship. The Shia clerics who run the government have been arguing openly about how to deal with these problems and now the hardline Shia clerics, who insist that destroying Israel be the main priority of Iran, are humiliated by the nuclear documents theft going public. Some of the hardliners want to do whatever it takes to strike back at Israel but most Iranians see Israel as an unofficial ally in the popular effort to get rid of the religious dictatorship in Iran. This is nothing new. In the wake of the American-British invasion of Iraq in 2003, and quick three weeks overthrow of the Saddam Hussein government, many Iranians openly called for the Americans to come invade Iran and get rid of the religious dictatorship that had been ruling Iran since the 1980s on the promise they would one day get Saddam for invading Iran in 1980 and starting a war that neither side was able to win. That counted as an Iranian defeat to most Iranians and to make matters worse the chaos of the war allowed Shia clerics to take, and keep, control of the government. Before that Israel and Iran were allies and a growing number of Iranians saw that as a better arrangement than the current one. All this gave little comfort, and not many options, for the Iranian leadership. The Iranian government preferred to retaliate against Israel indirectly. Iran had long used foreign proxies like Hezbollah or other non-Iranian Islamic terrorists to attack Israel. Iran did not have modern weapons because of decades of sanctions and Iranian leaders were smart enough to realize that Iran itself trying to attack Israel would most likely result in another humiliating Iranian defeat. Israel has anti-missile defenses against Iranian ballistic missiles. Yet Iran has enough of these missiles to attempt a saturation attack on Israel using explosive or chemical warheads. Iran could also use a dirty warhead by adding radioactive material to a high explosive warhead. A few of these missiles landing in Israel, especially in a major urban area, would be a great propaganda victory. But Israel also has ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads and, worse, hundreds of modern fighter-bombers that could hit two key economic targets using smart bombs. These two targets are Kharg Island, in the Persian Gulf. This is the main export facility for 90 percent of oil and gas exports. Income from these exports pay for over a third of the government budget and these facilities cannot be rebuilt quickly. The other economic target is Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. This is the main container port handling some 90 percent of containers bringing in foreign goods, like items needed to repair damage to Kharg Island. Bandar Abbas is where all the modern tech and consumer goods arrive. Shutting down Bandar Abbas for months, or more would be quickly felt by most Iranians. With Arab states between Israel and Iran now allowing Israeli airstrikes free passage, the Israeli air strikes are certain to succeed and inflict major damage. That nightmare came true in early 2026 when American and Israeli aircraft began a sustained bombing campaign against Iran. by Austin Bay March 18, 2026 In retrospect, removing Venezuela's socialist-drug thug dictatorship was Domino One -- the first criminal regime to topple in the Trump administration's calculated campaign to give China a harsh and instructive taste of Beijing's own grand strategy of resource deprivation and denial. As I write this column, Iranian threats to oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz continue to jack global crude prices. As gasoline prices rise, myopic U.S. and European media hype long-term economic malaise -- precisely the propaganda line Tehran wants media to peddle. With their ballistic missile inventory dwindling, hysteric economic fear spawned by threatening Hormuz is the only strategic weapon the decimated ayatollahs possess. China's communist government, however, now sees quite clearly it confronts a grave strategic threat to its so carefully plotted, so astutely prepared and so prudently executed Slow War of Strangulation and Eventual Domination waged against America and the world. Yes, a long name for the war, but it captures the pace (slow -- too slow for legacy media to notice), the key operation (strategic deprivation) and the Middle Kingdom's goal. As noted in last week's column (Ending the Ayatollahs' 47-Year War on the World), "in 2025, China imported an estimated 1.38 million barrels per day in sanctioned oil shipped from Iran in 'ghost fleet' tankers." All told, Ayatollah Iran supplied 11% of Chinese annual oil imports. The rest of the Middle East? Another 44%, the majority of the oil shipped by tanker from the Persian Gulf, from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, etc. Without Middle Eastern oil, China's No. 2 on the planet economy suffers extreme strangulation -- and stalls. My bet: U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force already control the Strait of Hormuz. By the first week of April, it will be clear the U.S. and Israel have destroyed the ayatollah regime. When the ayatollah regime collapses, whatever and whoever replaces it will ultimately share control of Hormuz with the Gulf Arab states and the U.S. Central Command. As for the Iranian port of Jask on the Gulf of Oman (Indian Ocean, outside Hormuz)? Strategic speculators pegged Jask as a future Chinese Navy port, similar to Pakistan's Gwadar. From Jask, Chinese ships and aircraft (including drones) could either police or threaten the Strait. China could also easily reach the Bab al-Mandab, the strait connecting the Indian Ocean and Red Sea (leading to the Suez Canal). One maritime chokepoint after another, all within Beijing's slowly expanding operational reach. My bet: The next Iranian government will make sure Jask doesn't become a Chinese asset. Beijing will pay for supporting the ayatollahs with weapons, technology and political cover. For the record, China imported 390,000 barrels per day of sanctioned oil from Venezuela, a little over 2% of its annual imports. Losing 2% is not make or break. However, Venezuela was a base in the Americas for undermining South American and Caribbean nations. The Trump administration is in the process of eliminating Chinese control of port facilities in Panama. From Venezuela, China could threaten to close the Panama Canal. But no more. Cuba? With Venezuela no longer supplying fuel oil, the remnant Castro communist regime is confronting unrest. Cuba may be Domino Two, before Iran becomes Three. Last year, China pulled the strangulation noose when it began restricting U.S. access to its rare earth minerals. That was more than a squeeze on the U.S. economy. Rare earths are essential to manufacturing high-tech weapons and communications systems. Denying rare earth imports and imposing manufacturing restrictions harmed U.S. defense capabilities and advanced data systems. Sun Tzu, China's great 5th-century B.C. strategist, argued the greatest commander is one who never has to fight. From Book 3, "The Art of War": "... (N)eutralizing an adversary's forces without battle is absolute perfection." In other words, the superior general defeats his enemy psychologically and economically and never risks destructive combat. That was China's plan. Gaining control of rare earth mining and refining. Cornering the market on cobalt. Dominating global manufacturing of first consumer goods, then autos, then shipbuilding and weapons manufacturing. And positioning itself to interdict shipping lanes -- from the Middle East, through the South China Sea. The U.S. is on the verge of being able to deny China 60% of its annual imported oil requirements. It can already deny any of its adversaries these key maritime shipping choke points: Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, Strait of Malacca (Singapore), Panama Canal, Strait of Gibraltar. Allies and friendly states control the Suez Canal, the Turkish Straits and the Skagerrak (Baltic-North Sea). If global warming really sets in, perhaps Russia will try to contest the U.S. in the Bering Strait? When your brain feels like it has 27 tabs open, you reach for something simple. Online solitaire keeps showing up in study-routines because it is low-stakes, quick to start and easy to stop. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Intrepid Travel has announced that tours to Cuba up to April 30 have now been canceled. The company has cited repeated nationwide power outages as a reason behind its decision to cancel tours. Intrepid Cancels Cuba Tours According to the travel alert issued on Intrepid's official website, the company is anticipating continuous disruptions to basic services in Cuba. "We expect that the current global fuel shortage will further intensify Cuba's limited local fuel supply in the coming weeks, increasing the likelihood of disruptions to essential services," Intrepid said in the travel alert. "Travellers currently in Cuba can safely continue and complete their itineraries as planned; however, due to the anticipated worsening of conditions, we are cancelling future trips to Cuba up to and including April 30," it added. Those affected by the canceled tours will be contacted by their respective booking agents. Intrepid assures that future announcements will be made regarding tours beyond April 30. 'Decision Was Not Made Lightly' According to a report by Travel Weekly, Intrepid's decision comes after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake in Cuba on Tuesday. "This decision was not made lightly," Intrepid's President of the Americas, Leigh Barnes, said. "We know this has a real impact on the local workers and families whose livelihoods are tied to tourism, and our thoughts are with them." "We remain committed to supporting our partners and returning as soon as conditions become stable," she added. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The story of the University of Florida College Republicans' deactivation is moving fast, and each day is adding new layers that complicate both sides of the dispute. On Tuesday, fresh reporting filled in key details about how the controversy began, who was involved, and what the photos that triggered it actually showed raising harder questions about the organization than its lawsuit might suggest. The Photo, the Platform, and the Journalist Who Posted It The immediate trigger for the University of Florida College Republicans' disbandment was a photograph showing at least two student leaders performing a Hitler-style salute in a Guilded chat room a gaming platform that shut down in December 2025. The image was publicly circulated on X on March 12 by North Carolina-based journalist Sloan Rachmuth, who tagged the FBI, the University of Florida, and others in her post. Rachmuth did not post the salute photo alone. She also posted photographs of the group's members pictured alongside Nick Fuentes the white nationalist and neo-Nazi influencer who has hosted former President Trump and Kanye West and Myron Gaines, a far-right "manosphere" podcaster. The combination of the salute photo and the association images painted a picture of a chapter whose leadership had embedded itself in the most extreme fringes of right-wing internet culture. The Florida Federation of College Republicans launched an investigation promptly. By March 14, it had concluded that the chapter had engaged in a "pattern of conduct" not a single isolated incident that violated federation standards. It formally requested that UF deactivate the chapter pending reorganization under new leadership. UF Interim President Donald Landry confirmed receipt of the request and moved to deactivate. What the Lawsuit Claims and What It Doesn't Address The federal First Amendment lawsuit filed March 16 by former Florida state Rep. Anthony Sabatini argues that UF's deactivation was unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination that the university punished the chapter for the political views expressed by a member rather than for conduct it had independent authority to regulate. The suit makes two subsidiary arguments: first, that the FFCR has no authority over the UF chapter because the chapter is affiliated with the College Republicans of America, not the FFCR; and second, that UF provided no notice and no opportunity for the chapter to present its side before deactivating it. Both arguments face significant factual complications. On the affiliation question, archived webpages reviewed by the Orlando Sentinel show that the UF chapter has not been listed on the CRA's website dating back to at least 2023 while past Instagram posts from the FFCR show the UF chapter as an affiliated member. The claim of CRA affiliation appears, on the available evidence, to be contested at best. On the conduct-versus-viewpoint question, the lawsuit's framing that the deactivation targeted "alleged viewpoints expressed by a member" conspicuously avoids engaging with the Federation's finding of a "pattern of conduct." A Nazi salute performed by chapter leadership and photographed in a group chat is conduct; the pattern of association with Nick Fuentes and Myron Gaines may occupy a more ambiguous space. But the distinction between viewpoint and conduct is precisely what a federal judge will need to resolve and the outcome is not obvious. As the Boston Globe reported, the College Republicans said in their lawsuit that the deactivation was not based on any university policy or rule, and that the university failed to provide adequate notice or an opportunity to explain its side. Sabatini's Political Framing and What It Reveals Anthony Sabatini, who is representing the chapter, has offered his own political explanation for the deactivation that goes beyond the Nazi salute. He has argued that the real motivation was to remove a "far-right" chapter leadership and replace it with more mainstream what he called "vanilla" conservatives, partly in retaliation for the chapter's March 11 event with Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback. Fishback's candidacy is itself a flashpoint. He has repeatedly referred to his primary opponent, Rep. Byron Donalds, as a "slave" language that is inflammatory by any measure. The chapter's association with Fishback is part of the broader political context Sabatini has tried to inject into the legal proceedings. Whether those political motivations even if real are legally actionable is a separate question from whether they are politically significant. Sabatini is simultaneously making a constitutional argument in court and a political argument on social media, and the two are not always pointing in the same direction. The FIU Parallel Worse Than Initially Reported As the UF lawsuit moved through its first day in federal court, new details emerged about the Florida International University situation that make it even more disturbing than initially reported. A leaked group chat involving FIU Republican students showed the N-word used more than 400 times, along with messages stating "Crucify Filthy Blacks," messages referring to Black professors as "coloreds," and instructions from a recruitment chair to "avoid the coloreds like the plague." FIU called the chat "abhorrent and extremely disturbing" and said it violated the institution's non-discrimination regulations and Student Code of Conduct. The FIU chat and the UF salute are different in their specifics but connected in their implication: as The New Republic reported, the national College Republicans named a close associate of Nick Fuentes Kai Schwemmer as its national political director earlier this month, signaling that the ideological drift in these organizations is not incidental. It reflects choices being made at the organizational level. The Broader Stakes The UF case has moved rapidly from a campus disciplinary matter to a live federal lawsuit with implications for how public universities across the country handle antisemitic conduct by student political organizations. If Sabatini's First Amendment argument succeeds, it would significantly constrain universities' ability to act even when conduct is as unambiguous as a Nazi salute photographed in a group chat. If it fails, it will establish that public universities can act on a private federation's findings raising its own questions about due process. Neither outcome is clean. The case is before a federal judge. A ruling on the emergency preliminary injunction request is expected in the coming days. The University of Florida has said it will support reactivation of the chapter under new student leadership once the FFCR approves. That framing temporary deactivation pending reorganization may ultimately prove the most durable resolution, regardless of how the litigation proceeds. There was something strange about the blue jeans that began arriving at cargo terminals in 1980s America. Stiff and unusually heavy, they also carried a faint chemical odour reminiscent of mothballs. Suspicions would have only grown when officials noted their country of origin: Colombia. As it would emerge, the jeans were part of an elaborate smuggling plot. Soaked in a solution of cocaine and water then dried, they were hidden in legitimate clothes exports to the US. Once over the border, the cocaine was extracted and sold for a hefty mark-up. The ruse - pioneered by drug lord Pablo Escobar - marked a revolution in drug trafficking. While smugglers had long hidden blocks of cocaine among shipments of everyday goods, embedding it into the goods themselves represented a new degree of sophistication. Over the following decades, organised crime groups honed Escobar's approach by mixing cocaine with other carrier materials, including wax, printer ink and paint. Cocaine has also been soaked into cardboard and even impregnated into plastic consumer products, including fish tanks and car light fittings. While undoubtedly creative, these methods of 'chemical concealment' have their limitations. In each case, the cocaine is either mixed with another substance to disguise it or dissolved in a solvent before being soaked into an absorbent material. Given the drug remains present, it can be picked up by sniffer dogs, tests and scanners. But police have now identified a concerning development. A shipment that arrived at London Gateway Port in June 2023. While it appeared to be charcoal, investigations suggested it was chemically altered cocaine The cocaine that could have been extracted from the carrier material could have been worth 120million Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar soaked jeans in 'liquid cocaine' and shipped them into the US According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), traffickers are no longer merely mixing cocaine with another substance - they have started using sophisticated chemistry to chemically bond them together. This alters the drug's molecular make-up. In other words, it ceases to be cocaine hydrochloride (the chemical name for cocaine) - meaning sniffer dogs and conventional scanners often fail to detect it. The NCA describes this chemically bonded cocaine as a relatively rare variant in the wider phenomenon of chemical concealment. Even so, concern about the issue has reached the highest levels of law enforcement, with the NCA referencing the issue in its annual National Strategic Assessment for the first time this week - following a similar warning from Europol. Graeme Biggar, the NCA's director general, said chemists were bonding the drugs in South America before flying to the UK to extract them at the other end. Police have identified 150 cases of chemical concealment worldwide since 2022 a small number of which involve cocaine that has been chemically bonded. Adam Thompson, head of drugs threat at the NCA, has noticed a 'really significant change' in the techniques used by traffickers. 'Physical mixing and camouflaging has been going on for years, but over the last two to three years we've seen a real step change in terms of the complexity of the methods crime groups are using,' he told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview. 'They are not just mixing or impregnating the cocaine - they are changing its chemical make-up to bond it to the carrier material. That makes it a different substance, so a lot of the testing around the world has not been able to pick it up.' The technical prowess of today's drug traffickers was made clear in a shipment that arrived at London Gateway Port from Panama in June 2023. In one plot busted in 2021, a gang smuggled 1million of Colombian cocaine into the UK by dissolving it in varnish that they then brushed onto the handles of 580 brooms, making it invisible to the human eye Pictured are six members of the gang jailed over the broom handle plot. They are (top row, left to right) Nigel Rogers, Frank Asante, Daniel Oliver; (bottom row, left to right) Ermal Shtrezi, Terrence Allen and Yuni Alexis Pacheco Miranda After opening the container, NCA officers found what appeared to be 800 sacks of charcoal. But upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be fake. Instead, investigations suggested it contained a chemically bonded form of cocaine. Two men, aged 50 and 31, were later arrested in Leicestershire on drug importation charges and have since been released under investigation. Labs linked to the extraction and processing of cocaine from a carrier material are being located across mainland Europe in large numbers, with 76 sites found in the Netherlands alone between 2020 and 2023. A year later, police identified the first cocaine extraction lab on UK soil. Mr Thompson says the processes used to chemically bond cocaine were so complicated that the same chemist had to be involved at each stage. 'Every chemist has a different recipe and methodology so only the person who locked the cocaine into the carrier material knows how to unlock it - that's why we see them travelling from source to destination,' he says. 'We've had a handful of chemical extraction labs detected in the UK so far - less than ten. All of them are under active investigation, with two or three people discovered in each of them - including some South American nationals.' Chris Dalby, director of policy advisory group World of Crime, has researched the issue of chemically concealed cocaine and calls it 'one of the most important and least addressed evolutions in drug trafficking'. He believes it is a major factor behind lower cocaine seizures at big carrier ports like Rotterdam, Europe's largest, which reported a 40 per cent fall between 2023 and 2024. He is not alone. Asked last year to account for the drop in seizures, Laurent Laniel, an analyst at the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), described 'chemical camouflage' as one of several 'hypotheses'. Others point to the significance of other factors, including the rise of at-sea drop-offs, whereby drugs are carried from South America to Europe on container ships before being picked up by smaller boats while still offshore. Meanwhile, 'narco subs' - once largely confined to the Americas - are now being used to carry cocaine across the Atlantic to Europe, with British police helping to seize a record nine-tonne haul from a semi-submersible near the Azores last month. Both methods remove the need to smuggle cocaine through container ports and may be a bigger factor behind the drop in seizures than the rise of chemical bonding. A 90million haul of cocaine was found on a beach near Aberystwyth in west Wales following a failed at-sea drop-off Last year, British police helped to seize a record nine-tonne haul of cocaine from a 'narco-sub' off the Azores Adam Thompson said the NCA was taking an 'intelligence-led approach' to identifying suspicious cargoes that merited detailed forensic testing. He said the agency was also working with international partners to develop new testing methods that could be deployed by officials at the border. But with testing technology seemingly playing catch up with the cartels, could vast amounts of cocaine be flowing into Britain undetected? Unlikely, believes Mr Thompson. 'Our assessment is it's relatively small scale - it's a complex process that will cost organised crime groups a lot of money and require highly specialised chemists. 'We still see these groups using more traditional methods of importing cocaine that would cost them less money.' Gary Goldberg is a former chemist at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and an expert in chemical concealment. He also doubts that the UK is facing a deluge of concealed cocaine but his reasoning is hardly reassuring. Given the record volume of cocaine being produced in South America, the drug is now cheaper and purer than ever. As a result, Mr Goldberg questions why most gangs would resort to such extreme lengths to conceal their shipments. 'Having some of your shipments seized is just seen as the cost of doing business,' he says. 'So why would criminals put in so much effort when they don't need to?' Moments after his arrest for fraud and murder, Ben Field was recorded in a police van bragging about how he would get away with most of it. For several years the then 27-year-old church warden had preyed upon the elderly, among them 69-year-old former English teacher, university lecturer and author Peter Farquhar, who died in 2015 after ingesting 60 per cent proof whisky and sleeping pills. Field was later convicted of murdering Peter at his home in the Buckinghamshire village of Maids Moreton after pretending to fall in love with him, drugging him and getting him to change his will. Jailed for life at Oxford Crown Court in 2019, the self-confessed snake talker, who showed not a flicker of remorse, was told he would spend at least 36 years behind bars for the killing as well as other sick frauds he readily admitted, all committed against the lonely and vulnerable pensioners he singled out for attention. But earlier this month, in a shock move which, as we shall see, has horrified his victims families, the Baptist ministers son was back in court, appearing via video link from Category A prison HMP Frankland in Durham in an attempt to convince an appeal judge that his conviction is unsafe and that he is in prison for a murder which he simply didnt do. While Court of Appeal judges will give their decision at a later date, the hearing raises the prospect that a man described by psychiatrists as being both narcissistic and psychopathic could be released in a matter of weeks. For several years the then 27-year-old church warden had preyed upon the elderly, among them 69-year-old former English teacher, university lecturer and author Peter Farquhar Jailed for life at Oxford Crown Court in 2019, the self-confessed snake talker was told he would spend at least 36 years behind bars If he did come out on to our streets, youve essentially got a psychopath walking around, says a source with knowledge of the investigation into Fields crimes. He didnt ever show any remorse for anything. No regret. No remorse. Its all about Ben Field. Fields fresh bid for freedom has also sickened his victims relatives, and will no doubt stun the millions of viewers who watched the BBCs award-winning 2023 drama, The Sixth Commandment, in which actor Timothy Spall delivered a heart-rending portrayal of Peters treatment in Fields hands. But while readily admitting at his original trial that he was a well-practised liar who had deceived absolutely everybody that I have any kind of relationship with including Peter, defiant Field has always maintained that he did not kill the older man. This is despite the gruesome notebooks discovered by police in which he described in precise detail how he was deceiving and drugging the pensioner, as well as his elderly spinster neighbour, 83-year-old retired head teacher Ann Moore-Martin. He wrote down a timeline which concluded: 2015 end Peter. Next to his name he drew a picture of a grave and captioned it holes the goal. He also listed ending speeches, thought to be what he planned to say to Peter as he was dying. They included I hated you all along and This is my house/the future. But, as Fields lawyers argued at the Court of Appeal earlier this month, planning someones death is not the same as actually carrying it out. They claim that the original trial judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, did not ask the jury to decide whether Field had actually caused Peter to drink the strong whisky and swallow Dalmane sleeping pills which, combined together, killed him. Relying, as we shall see, on a legal technicality relating to a change in case law, his barrister, David Jeremy KC, claimed that, even if Field supplied the whisky and sleeping pills, the prosecution at Fields trial had provided no evidence to show that swallowing the substances which killed Peter had been anything other than a voluntary act by the deceased. To have caused Mr Farquhar to have ingested whisky and/or Dalmane, Field would have had to have forced or threatened Mr Farquhar to have done so or to have deceived him as to what he was ingesting, he said. Was there evidence that, on that night, Field caused him to ingest whisky and/or Dalmane and that it wasnt voluntary? The answer to that question is no. Timothy Spall as Peter and Anne Reid as Ann Moore-Martin in the BBCs award-winning 2023 drama, The Sixth Commandment Field was convicted of murdering Peter at his home in the Buckinghamshire village of Maids Moreton after pretending to fall in love with him, drugging him and getting him to change his will In short, said the lawyer while Field watched via a video screen from prison and made notes the 2019 conviction was unsafe. Field admitted two counts of burglary and three of fraud before he went on trial for murder in 2019 and accepted that he had psychologically manipulated both Peter and Ann. The son of another elderly couple targeted by Field also told the Daily Mail this week that he was amazed Fields case had even been referred back to Appeal Court judges. Elaine and Harold Meakin lived next door to Peter Farquhar in Maids Moreton. Elaine died, aged 88, at home after an apparent heart attack in February 2015. Harold died, aged 89, in June 2016 after falling down the stairs. After their deaths, Field burgled their home using the key they had entrusted to their other neighbour, Ann Moore-Martin. Bizarrely, he stole a bottle of Drambuie. Field is an evil man, their 70-year-old son Howard, a retired solicitor, told the Daily Mail. I think hes got something seriously wrong with him and I can only imagine hed try to do this again. I do think he would go back to his old hunting ground as far as lonely, elderly people are concerned. If hes served time in prison for what he was given for the fraud and the murder conviction is quashed then he will walk free. The lingering horror of Fields crimes largely lies in the suffering he inflicted on his victims when they were still alive something he has never denied. Peter, a former English teacher at 45,000-a-year Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, who struggled to reconcile his religious faith with his attraction to men, believed Field, a student in his class at the University of Buckingham, was the answer to a lifetime of loneliness and prayers, not realising he had been fooled. After meeting him in 2011, he wrote in his own diary of his extreme charm and youthful laddishness, going on to describe him as sympathetic, warm, amusing and appreciative. Within a couple of months he had given him a key to his home, writing: I am so grateful to God for suddenly bringing Ben into my life. On another occasion, he tragically wrote: Gone are the fears of dying alone. He had no idea that Field was sleeping with at least four women and prostituting himself to men via apps such as Grindr. Peter first changed his will in September 2013, leaving 2,000 and two paintings to Field. In March, 2014, the pair undertook a private betrothal ceremony and in November that year, after Field had moved into his three-bedroom home, Peter changed his will again, this time leaving Field his house, 15,000 and a silver wine holder. Just two weeks later, Peters health mysteriously began to deteriorate. He was found dead at home by his cleaner in October 2015 with a whisky bottle at his side. By then, Field had already turned his attention to his neighbour Ann Moore-Martin and recorded his plans to deceive her. Field embarked on a sexual relationship with Ann Moore-Martin after wooing her with love letters and tricking her into thinking God was speaking to her via messages he scrawled on her mirrors Ann gave Field 4,000 for a car and 27,000 for a dialysis machine which he claimed his younger brother needed He embarked on a sexual relationship with Ann after wooing her with love letters and tricking her into thinking God was speaking to her via messages he scrawled on her mirrors telling her to change her will in his favour. One of his notebooks contained a list of possible ways that Ann might die, including heart attack electrical device, stair, in the bath? and sex?. Ann gave Field 4,000 for a car and 27,000 for a dialysis machine which he claimed his younger brother needed. She also changed her will in Fields favour, but changed it back in 2017 after her niece raised the alarm and contacted police. It was only then that Peters death was re-investigated. His body was exhumed and traces of the psychoactive drug believed to have contributed to his death were subsequently found in his hair. Ann died in 2017 before she could read and sign the statement she had given police about Fields behaviour towards her. In her final days she agonised over the knowledge that the love she thought he felt for her had never been real. Her niece told Oxford Crown Court at Fields trial in 2019: She was tortured by it and found it very difficult to get her head around the betrayal. Less than a year after Peters death, Field also burgled the home of one of the elderly academics close friends 83-year-old retired teacher and lifelong bachelor Jonathan Elliman who devoted much of his life to Christian charities. Field stole three antique rifles and a bayonet said to be of great sentimental value to Jonathan who died, aged 89, in March 2023. This is the third time that Field, now 35, from Olney, Buckinghamshire, has tried to overturn his murder conviction by claiming that the original trial judge misdirected the jury on the issue of causation. His first bid, in March 2021, was dismissed after three Appeal Court judges ruled that the original judge had captured the essence of the issue in a clear and admirably succinct manner. An attempt to re-open that appeal was turned down in 2022. But the Criminal Cases Review Commission ruled last year there was a real possibility that the court would find Mr Fields conviction of murder unsafe. At the hearing on March 5, prosecution lawyers argued that Field providing the drugs and whisky started a chain of causation which ended in Peters death. Mr Farquhar was in no sense acting autonomously, argued barrister David Perry KC. He didnt know that he was in fact participating in the very transaction that was intended to extinguish his life that very night. He added: In every relevant sense, the appellant brought about the death. D escribing Field as a weirdo this week, Howard Meakin, son of Harold and Elaine Meakin, said he suspected that the convicted killer had simply asked his lawyers: Well, what else can we try? Hes got nothing to lose, added Mr Meakin. The Daily Mail understands he has been a model prisoner at HMP Frankland. Last November, Field was praised at the Prison Reform Trusts Hope and Fulfilment awards for his outstanding work as a patient, inspiring and devoted maths tutor. Martyn Smith, another former University of Buckingham student who was Fields co-defendant at his 2019 trial and eventually cleared of all charges, told The Times this week that he hoped his former friend finds peace with the ongoing appeal. The former magician from Cornwall, who now works as a hypnotist and change catalyst charging up to 1,000 a month for forgiveness healing said: I want healing to prevail, not in a way that erases accountability, but in a way that transforms pain into an energy that prevents further harm and breaks any future cycles of trauma. Such words are unlikely, of course, to garner sympathy with the families of Fields victims who are still struggling with the poisonous legacy left behind by his appalling deceit. Additional reporting: Christine Challand Prime Minister's Questions has become farcical. Owing to Sir Keir Starmer's non-answers it is now as pointless as the human coccyx, the pelvic bone on a whale, or a drying-out clinic in Mecca. PMQs has become a vestigial curio, a relict of primitive days when voters expected PMs to answer questions. Sir Keir has abandoned those sweet assumptions. For the second week running last week on petrol tax, now on the Mandelson scandal his evasions were absurdly obvious. He just took the mickey. There was barely even a pretence of transparency. Asked A or B, he replied about Z. Opponents put their questions. Sir Keir danced back to the despatch box and as good as burst into The Goons' Yin Tong Song. Anything other than having to address the sticky details of l'affaire Mandelson. Everyone knew he was squirming. It was manifest he was snagged on dishonesty's barb. Soon the House was laughing at him. Even Labour backbenchers were unable to keep a straight face. I saw new boy Jacob Collier from Burton and Uttoxeter wreathed in disbelief. Ditto York's Rachael Maskell. A Leftie up in the gallery next to me gurgled in mockery. Kemi Badenoch had gone straight for the PM's throat. Last week Sir Keir had tried to 'avoid scrutiny' by releasing Mandelson documents moments immediately after PMQs. She was not going to let him get away with that. Did he speak personally to Peter Mandelson about Jeffrey Epstein? Sir Keir muttered something about 'process' and made a hurried apology for the Mandelson appointment. He then started shouting at Mrs Badenoch about the Iran war. Mrs Badenoch repeated her question: 'Did he speak to Peter Mandelson?' Sir Keir said that Lord Mandelson 'was asked questions'. Blinking angrily, he added: 'But what about her judgement? She wanted to rush into a war!' That went on some time. In this week's PMQs, writes Quentin Letts, when opponents asked Sir Keir Starmer A or B, he replied about Z there was 'barely even a pretence of transparency' As Sir Keir tried to deflect queries about Peter Mandelson's appointment by shouting at Mrs Badenoch, the Tory leader simply repeated her questions 'in the spirit of St Peter', writes Letts 'What is he scared of? What is he hiding?', asked Conservative MP Andrew Snowden, who marvelled at the PM's evasive replies Mrs Badenoch, in the spirit of St Peter, had a third go. 'He has repeatedly told us Peter Mandelson lied to him but he won't tell us if he actually spoke to Mandelson. If he didn't speak to him, how can he say he lied to him?' Sir Keir: 'The process is clear...' Up went a whoosh of noise from the Opposition. Sir Keir started complaining about a Tory frontbencher who recently made controversial comments about Muslims. A more skilful parliamentarian might have got away with it. Clunker Keir could not. The repeated changing of subject was leaden. Galumphing. Soon Sir Keir was on to Tommy Robinson, Hindus celebrating Diwali, Passion plays, Nato, even ruddy Greenland. He had been asked about none of these. Mrs Badenoch: 'We can only assume he did not speak to Peter Mandelson.' Speaker Hoyle tried to soothe Opposition protests. Yet he knew Sir Keir was taking the rise out of the House. 'I'm not responsible for the answers but it's certainly not Opposition questions,' said the Speaker twice. A Northern Irish MP asked if the House would be offered a vote on any further action in Iran. Sir Keir, obsessed with Kemi, screamed: 'Unlike the leader of the Opposition my principles have been clear and unwavering'. Coming as it did from the great U-turn artiste, that raised a laugh. Which only made Sir Keir angrier. Reform's Nigel Farage mentioned oil and gas exploration. Sir Keir started raving again about the war, to groans and shaken heads. And then Andrew Snowden (Con, Fylde) had a turn. With astonishing fluency he returned to the Mandelson affair, marvelling at Sir Keir's non-replies ('prescriptive nonsense'). Mr Snowden: 'What is he scared of? What is he hiding?' For the umpteenth time, the question was put: 'Did he speak to Mandelson personally before appointing him ambassador?' Sir Keir, prickling with indignation, stiff as a banana: 'We've set out the process.' And then he was off on another rant about the war. One would like to believe our priggish PM was not in fact a bluffing liar but with every week of this nonsense it becomes harder. Over the past few weeks, ministers, MPs and journalists have been posing the same question to each other. I was actually asked it on Tuesday evening by a Labour backbencher. 'Where do you think this Mandelson stuff is going? How do you think it's going to bottom out?' My response then was that I didn't precisely know, though it was obviously deeply damaging for the Prime Minister and the Government. But after watching Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, I have a more definitive answer. It will be the scandal that finally brings down Keir Starmer, and defines his premiership. The reason I know this is because in one of the most bizarre PMQs sessions in British parliamentary history, Sir Keir didn't try to dodge Kemi Badenoch's questions on the scandal. He didn't duck, or weave, or deflect. He didn't even bother to try to mislead the House, as he has done on numerous occasions recently. Instead, he just refused to reply. On six occasions Badenoch asked him a very simple and direct question. Did he personally speak to Peter Mandelson before he appointed him ambassador to Washington, she inquired. The first time he mumbled something about the appointment process. Then he talked about the war in Iran. And Greenland. And a Muslim prayer meeting in Trafalgar Square. But he repeatedly, and deliberately, failed to even engage with the question he'd been asked. Tory backbencher Andrew Snowden followed up, and asked precisely the same question. And got a fresh lecture over the war in Iran for his troubles. But despite his attempt at 'pleading the Fifth', to use an American legal phrase, the Prime Minister's silence spoke volumes. First, it showed the utter contempt he has for Parliament, and the people it represents. PMQs frequently descends into political showboating. But it is one of the few remaining ways for the executive to be held directly to account. Sir Keir was supposedly elected on a mandate of restoring faith in our public officials and institutions. He repeatedly castigated Boris Johnson for his evasion and deceit at the despatch box. And called time and time again for his resignation for misleading Parliament and, via it, the country. In one of the most bizarre PMQs sessions in British parliamentary history, Sir Keir Starmer didn't try to dodge Kemi Badenoch 's questions on the scandal, writes Dan Hodges A photo released in the Epstein Files shows Peter Mandelson with the late convicted paedophile Yet yesterday he took the House for fools. A key prime ministerial skill is the ability to deflect an awkward question, then move on to the topic of your choice. Almost two years into his premiership, it is not one Starmer has mastered. And with Angela Rayner and her colleagues snapping at his heels, he never will. The second thing Starmer's calamitous display underlined was the extent to which his attempts to evade responsibility for the Mandelson saga have finally run out of road. Last week's publication of the first tranche of the papers relating to Mandelson's appointment were deliberately timed to avoid parliamentary scrutiny. And now we can see why. Up until this point Starmer has been attempting to defend the indefensible. But yesterday even the pretence that he had been duped by Mandelson was finally dropped. The saga has become so toxic the Prime Minister can't even lie about it properly now. It's worth remembering precisely what Starmer's response was when the crisis first broke last September. 'Full due process was followed during this appointment, as it is with all ambassadors,' he claimed, when Badenoch began to probe him on the issue. That statement was a bold, blatant, manifest untruth. Sir Keir knows that if he tried deploying it again he would be laughed out of the chamber. Just as he knows that any other attempt to rationalise how he ignored the warnings in black and white about Mandelson's relationship with the world's most notorious child abuser, and nodded his appointment through on the say-so of two of Mandelson's best friends Starmer's ex-chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and his former director of communications Matthew Doyle, who had his own friendship with a convicted paedophile will invite a similar wave of scorn and ridicule. Yesterday, after the disastrous session ended, Downing Street tried to clear up the mess. Ministers were despatched to pretend that the reason Starmer had been unable to provide an answer to Badenoch's question was because of the ongoing police investigation. Which itself was an instructive if utterly self-defeating ploy. First, No 10 had previously confirmed to journalists that the Prime Minister had not spoken to Mandelson. So that information is self-evidently not prejudicial to the police investigation. And second, it demonstrates conclusively that Downing Street is cynically using the police to try to implement a cover-up of the whole sorry saga. A fact that even Keir Starmer's own ministers are becoming wise to. As one told me: 'If Keir isn't even going to bother to try to defend himself over Mandelson I'm b******d if I'm going to.' Which takes us to the heart of what Starmer's silence unwittingly revealed yesterday. I don't know what is currently sitting in the pile of memos, e-mails and WhatsApp messages still to be published over the Mandelson affair. But the Prime Minister does. And it clearly terrifies him. By refusing six times to answer a simple question, Keir Starmer could not have more clearly signalled he has something to hide if he'd jumped on the Speaker's Table, whipped out a neon sign that flashed 'He's Hiding Something!!!' and screamed 'ask me about anything, anything at all!!! Just not Peter Mandelson!!!'. The conclusive moment in the Watergate scandal came when Richard Nixon's accusers asked: 'What did the President know and when did he know it?' The same question about Keir Starmer is now clearly haunting him. He could have just brushed aside Badenoch's question yesterday. He could have acknowledged he delegated the appointment of Mandelson to others, taken the hit and moved on. But he didn't. Because he believes the hit will be too great. Whatever it is he's trying to conceal, Starmer obviously knows that if it does eventually see the light of day he will not be able to survive it politically. As he refused to answer, for the seventh time, the question being fired from the Tory benches he knew how it looked. How this man who so enjoys lecturing others about the needs for transparency and probity and who prides himself on his 'forensic' attention to detail would appear to his colleagues, opponents and the nation. Yet he chose to humiliate himself anyway. Because he calculated humiliation was preferable to the alternative. How will the Mandelson scandal bottom out? With Sir Keir Starmer's resignation. He knows it. And after yesterday's PMQs, the country knows it too. A banner featuring the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has been removed from the Department of Education building in Washington, DC, following widespread criticism after photographs of the display circulated on social media. The banner was installed on 1 March 2026 as part of a commemorative exhibition marking the United States' upcoming 250th anniversary, positioned alongside displays honouring historic figures widely recognised for their contributions to American education and civil rights. The swift removal, which came without public explanation from the Department of Education, has intensified debate over the decision to include a recently assassinated political commentator in a display featuring names such as Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Anne Sullivan and Catharine Beecher. Messages accompanying the exhibit referenced 'Recharting the course toward a brighter future for American education' and 'Turning the page to the next 250 years of academic excellence.' Update: The Charlie Kirk banner on the Department of Education building appears to have been removed. pic.twitter.com/Y5raAxLFCz Raquel Martin (@RaquelMartinTV) March 16, 2026 A Contemporary Figure Among Historical Icons Kirk's banner appeared as part of a broader exhibition highlighting the past and future of American education, and its placement alongside figures of the standing of Martin Luther King Jr. quickly drew attention across political and academic circles. Critics questioned the basis on which a polarising commentator who died just months before the display was installed had been elevated to a platform alongside some of the most consequential names in American history. Supporters countered that Kirk's influence on education policy and political discourse merited his inclusion. Images of the banner began circulating widely after the social media account Rawsalerts posted footage of the display, drawing thousands of comments and reactions. The backlash intensified as more people encountered the images, with criticism focusing sharply on the contrast between Kirk's profile and those of the civil rights leaders and educators featured alongside him. Who Was Charlie Kirk? Charlie Kirk was a conservative commentator and political activist best known as the founder of Turning Point USA. His commentary focused primarily on education, culture, and politics particularly criticism of progressive policies in universities and schools and he built a substantial following among young conservatives through media appearances and social media before his death. He was assassinated on 10 September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah; he was 31 years old. Kirk was also a vocal critic of higher education, having dropped out of Harper College to found Turning Point USA, and later authored a book calling the university system a 'scam.' His posthumous inclusion in a federal display ostensibly celebrating academic excellence drew particular attention for that reason. Removal Without Explanation Shortly after images spread online, the Charlie Kirk banner was taken down from the building. Officials have not publicly explained the reason for the removal, and the department has not confirmed whether the banner's installation had been intended as a permanent feature of the anniversary exhibition. The absence of any official statement has fuelled further speculation about how the decision to include Kirk was made in the first place, with observers noting that the speed of the removal points to the online backlash as a likely factor. #BREAKING: Officials have taken down the Charlie Kirk banner on the Department of Education building in Washington, D.C. pic.twitter.com/kQgnscfjol R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 16, 2026 A Wider Question About Public Recognition The episode reflects a broader tension over how public institutions determine who they honour and in what context. Displays on government buildings carry symbolic weight, particularly when they appear to place a recently deceased political figure alongside widely respected historical icons. For critics, the banner's brief appearance risked politicising a space meant to celebrate the history of American education; for supporters, Kirk's influence on contemporary debates about that same system made his inclusion fitting. The department has yet to address either question. Originally published on IBTimes UK History was made when the word boob was used for the first time at a political campaign launch. The culprit was Kemi Badenoch, who had assembled a 10.30am throng of supporters for the Conservatives local elections push. Some people, cried an energised Mrs Badenoch, want nationalisation under Nigel Farage. And some people want bigger boobs with Zack Polanski. But we want a... Precisely what the Tory leader wanted was rather lost on me because my ballpoint pen jumped on my notebook and tore a hole in the page. There was also a dirty laugh from the audience which rendered the rest of the sentence inaudible. Shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew, who had already been looking a bit morning-after- the-night-beforeish, clutched his chest in Carry On film fashion. Joy Morrissey (Con, Beaconsfield) managed to catch one of her eyeballs before it bounced on the floor. Andrew Griffith, shadow trade secretary, twitched like Capt Darling in TVs Blackadder. Mrs Badenoch, delighted to have mocked the Green Party leaders past as a breast-enlargement hypnotist, flashed that Terry-Thomas gap in her teeth. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch today assembled a throng of supporters for her party's local elections push It is a frisky Kemi Badenoch these days, Quentin Letts writes. Her gaze dances with mischief and she is at ease with demotic language John Redwood, meanwhile, was wheeled away by orderlies to be revived with defibrillator ping-pong bats. Lord Redwood is 74 but still has some lead in his pencil. It is a frisky Kemi Badenoch these days, too. Her gaze dances with mischief. She is at ease with demotic language, yet hits her consonants poshly. There are moments when she almost sounds like a normal human ie, not a politician. She certainly manages to read an autocue without giving every sentence the same rhythm, which is harder than it might seem. The product is not yet perfect. She trotted out the cliche about how only her party has a plan. Plans, please, have been done to near-extinction in political speeches. She also coughed up the line, when attacking Labour, that our country deserves better. This is a dead formula. But there is a freshness to Mrs Badenoch, even if the theatrics of this event could have been improved. The venue was the disused St Johns Westminster church in Smith Square, London To either side of her, in a crescent, stood MPs in dark suits. Zzzzzz. And a warm-up video went phutt. Not that that sort of thing matters too much. Everyone quite enjoys a computer balls-up. The venue was a disused Westminster church, St Johns in Smith Square, these days a concert hall. Baroque St Johns was bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1941 and was long a ruin. It was originally built after the Conservatives replaced the Whigs in the early 18th century. Their election slogan then? The Church in Danger. Behind Mrs Badenoch stood a bank of London Tories holding banners that said things such as Axe The Fuel Tax, Abolish Business Rates and Get Kids Off Social Media. As she arrived in her cream trouser suit the crowd broke into a slightly Nuremburg-ish chant of Kemi! Kemi! Kemi! She opened with a tale about a boutique owner in Croydon who has to put up with shoplifters trying to saunter out with entire racks of her stock. Mrs Badenoch pushed forward her jaw and said: Shoplifters, phone thieves, violent thugs your days are numbered. She noted that the bin strikes in Birmingham have now been going three times longer than Peter Mandelson lasted as ambassador to the US. If you vote Labour you get trash, she concluded. Someone asked about Reform. Mrs Badenoch shrugged. I dont care what Nigel Farage thinks we believe in free speech. That brisk tone was maintained during the question session except when someone quietly asked about her justice spokesmans recent attack on a Muslim prayer rally in Trafalgar Square. This she treated with distinct caution. She was all for religious freedom but having lived in Nigeria where Islam was widespread she was very uncomfortable with women being pushed to the back of an event in a public space. We were almost back to The Church In Danger. On this form you wouldnt want to try to push Kemi Badenoch to the back of any event. A little-known respiratory virus overshadowed by Covid-19 is spreading rapidly across the United States, with major population centers on high alert. Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, has been spreading since fall 2025, with wastewater surveillance data now showing significant activity from the West Coast to the Northeast. During the first week of March, the virus accounted for over five percent of positive respiratory virus tests nationwide, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is up from 3.8 percent in the last week of February, and a notable increase that has public health officials on alert, particularly given there is no vaccine or 100-percent-effective treatment. Despite attracting renewed public attention, HMPV is not a new pathogen. First identified by researchers in 2001, HMPV belongs to the same viral family as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes respiratory symptoms for about a week. Infants and children under two, adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions face the greatest risk of severe HMPV. In young children, the virus can cause bronchiolitis, a lower airway infection that often requires hospitalization and respiratory support. 'HMPV is a well-known cause of respiratory infections. It is not new, and it is not exotic,' Dr Tyler B Evans, an infectious diseases physician and CEO of the public health organization Wellness Equity Alliance, told the Daily Mail. 'For the vast majority of people outside those groups, HMPV is not a serious concern,' Evans added. 'That said, for the high-risk groups, it can progress to lower respiratory tract disease, and that warrants attention, particularly in congregate settings like shelters and skilled nursing facilities where respiratory viruses spread efficiently.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. This recent increase represents at least the second notable HMPV surge since the Covid pandemic began, following a previous uptick in cases across the country in 2023. Looking at seasonal patterns, the virus has historically reached its highest levels in March or April. In Spring 2025, infections peaked in April with a test positivity rate of 7.4 percent. The most significant surge since the pandemic arrived earlier, in March 2023, when positivity rates hit 11 percent. Health officials caution that official testing data likely underrepresents the true spread of the virus, as many individuals with mild or moderate symptoms never seek testing or medical care. Most people encounter the virus during childhood and may experience multiple infections throughout their lives without knowing it, according to the American Medical Association. The CDC notes that symptoms typically include cough, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat and shortness of breath, symptoms similar to a bad cold or the flu. Evans said: 'People are typically infectious for a week or two after symptoms develop and symptoms generally resolve within about seven days.' 'In terms of severity, HMPV most commonly causes upper respiratory illness.' HMPV generally has the same mortality rates as flu and RSV; around one percent or less for the general population. But among infants and immunocompromised individuals, the risk of dying from pneumonia is roughly 43 percent (stock) However, the virus can sometimes push past these upper respiratory symptoms to trigger more serious complications, including bronchiolitis, pneumonia, asthma attacks and middle ear infections. HMPV generally has the same mortality rates as flu and RSV, hovering around one percent or less for the general population, but those with compromised immune systems have a roughly 43 percent chance of dying from pneumonia as a result of infection. Health officials emphasize that most people can recover at home with rest, increased fluid intake, and over-the-counter fever reducers. The virus spreads easily, via respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes, close personal contact and contaminated surfaces that deliver the virus when people touch their mouth, nose or eyes. Unlike flu and RSV, there is no vaccine for HMPV. Staying home when sick remains one of the most effective ways to protect others, but when symptoms progress to difficulty breathing, chest pain or an inability to keep fluids down, it is important to go to the hospital. Public health experts encourage vigilance with hand hygiene, surface disinfection and mask-wearing around vulnerable people - small steps that can make a significant difference. 'Prevention comes down to the basics: avoid close contact with people who are symptomatic, wash your hands regularly, and clean shared surfaces. If you are sick, stay home. These are the same measures that apply to virtually every circulating respiratory virus, and they work,' Evans said. The virus made up more than five percent of positive respiratory tests nationwide during the first week of March, CDC data shows, a significant jump from previous weeks 'If you have young children, elderly family members, or someone immunocompromised in your household, it is worth being more deliberate about these precautions. Not because HMPV is uniquely dangerous, but because any respiratory virus can become serious in those populations.' People generally start to feel sick within three to six days of exposure to the virus. 'Since there are no treatments for HMPV, healthcare professionals may not routinely consider or test for HMPV,' the CDC said. 'However, testing can help distinguish HMPV from other infections and guide decisions about isolating, antibiotic use, and need for more testing.' While there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV, doctors recommend supportive care to manage symptoms and aid recovery. This includes staying home to rest, drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, and using over-the-counter fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed. Cancer deaths in the UK have fallen to their lowest level on record but three types are rising sharply, experts warn. New figures from Cancer Research UK show that while overall cancer mortality continues to decline, deaths from liver, womb and head and neck cancers are moving in the opposite direction. Head and neck cancer is an umbrella term covering cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, nose, sinuses and salivary glands. Research suggests HPV may be responsible for a large share of oropharyngeal cancers those affecting the back of the throat, tonsils and base of the tongue. The virus, which is spread through close contact including sexual activity, is usually harmless. But in some people it can go on to trigger cancer. The rise in head and neck cancers, particularly among younger and middle-aged adults, has been linked to HPV infections. Warning signs include mouth ulcers that do not heal, a hoarse voice and unexplained lumps in the mouth or neck. Liver cancer is now one of the fastest-rising causes of cancer death in the UK, with mortality rates almost twice as high as they were 20 years ago. Over the past two decades, tens of thousands of people have died from the disease, and experts believe the toll could climb further in the years ahead. Cancer deaths in the UK have fallen to their lowest level on record but three types are rising sharply, experts warn Mouth ulcers that don't heal, a hoarse voice and unexplained lumps in the mouth are all warning signs of mouth cancer A growing and ageing population, combined with mounting pressure on the NHS, is thought to be contributing to the rise, making it harder to sustain progress across all cancers. Despite this, the overall picture remains encouraging. UK cancer death rates are now 29 per cent lower than their peak in 1989, with around 250 deaths per 100,000 people each year between 2022 and 2024 an 11 per cent drop in just the past decade. Cervical cancer has been one of the biggest success stories, with deaths falling by 75 per cent over the last 50 years, thanks largely to the HPV vaccine. Around 6.5 million people in the UK have now received the jab, which could prevent up to 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases. Deaths have also fallen significantly for stomach cancer, testicular cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. Targeted drugs including abiraterone for prostate cancer and temozolomide for brain tumours have also helped many patients live longer. But the rise in liver, womb and head and neck cancers is a stark reminder that progress is uneven. Experts say late diagnosis remains a major problem, especially for aggressive or hard-to-spot cancers, making prevention, earlier detection and better treatments more important than ever. This data shows that in the UK, cases of throat cancer have been trending upward Your browser does not support iframes. The warning comes amid separate reports that adults in Britain under 49 are now about 50 per cent more likely to develop bowel cancer than people of the same age in the early 1990s. One of the best-known victims of the disease was broadcaster and campaigner Dame Deborah James known as Bowel Babe who was diagnosed at 35 and died in 2022 aged 40. Similar trends are also being seen in the US, Australia and dozens of other countries, even as bowel cancer rates among over-50s appear to be falling. Obesity, inactivity and alcohol are all known to raise the risk. Cancer Research UK is now funding vaccines designed to train the immune system to prevent other forms of cancer, alongside research into personalised treatments and immunotherapy, raising hopes of further breakthroughs in the decade ahead. The charity is also urging political leaders in Wales and Scotland to match the ambitions of Englands National Cancer Plan, in the hope that 2026 could become a turning point for cancer care across the UK. The royal couple got up close with sea creatures and took a boat ride King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark got up close and personal with the local marine life when they arrived in Hobart on March 19 for the final leg of their Australian tour. The visit to the Queen's home state of Tasmania capped off the sixday tour and was arguably the most personal stop of the trip marking her first official visit there in over 20 years. Although the Queen would've been excited to reunite with the Tassie locals, a boat trip to Alum Cliffs Marine Reserve with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies saw Their Majesties perhaps getting a little bit too close to the underwater wildlife. The Tasmanianborn Queen was pictured, mouth agape, while delicately holding a pricklylooking sea urchin. Meanwhile, both Mary, 54, and Frederik, 57, looked astounded when a marine researcher held up a giant live lobster in his bare hands. The king and queen visited the area to speak with researchers and learn about kelp forest restoration and marine biodiversity, highlighting the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff was also pictured joining the royal couple on the boat, later telling local media outlets that he was 'proud as punch to be showing off the most beautiful place in the world'. Earlier, the royals began their morning in Hobart with a visit to Government House, where they attended a Welcome to Country ceremony hosted by Governor Barbara Baker and Premier Jeremy Rockliff. King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark's final tour day in Hobart saw them meeting some local marine life while taking a boat trip to Alum Cliffs Marine Reserve with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies The king and queen visited the area to speak with marine researchers and learn about underwater ecosystems The boat ride was the second engagement of the royals' morning in Hobart. They had previously started the day at Government House where they attended a Welcome to Country ceremony The welcome included a traditional smoking ceremony led by an Aboriginal representative, marking respect for the land and people of Tasmania. Just as she has done throughout the trip, Queen Mary's outfit for the morning's adventures was a re-wear of a beloved outfit that she has been pictured in on at previous royal engagements. For all the morning's events, the Queen looked chic in a cream Ralph Lauren Wool Silk Linen Draped Jacket layered over a ME+EM Paisley print maxi dress. Incidentally, the British designer is also a favourite of another royal, Princess Catherine. Mary's look was accessorised in Tassie with a tan, waisttied belt over her jacket, paired with brown suede pump heels, hoop earrings and gold bracelets. She added a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses for the boat outing. Royal pundits may recall that Mary was wearing the same dress, jacket and belt combo in July 2025 at an event in Graasten Palace only on that occasion, she was unfortunately stung on the leg by a wasp. The action-packed morning in Hobart was just the beginning for the royals, who had a full itinerary for their final tour day. According to the programme shared on the Danish Royals' website, their next stop was a visit to the INCAT Shipyard in Hobart, which builds high-speed catamarans and is currently constructing the world's largest battery-powered ferries for Danish operator Molslinjen. There, the King and Queen would view the dock and the battery compartment of a completed ferry. Mary's look was accessorised in Tassie with a tan, waisttied belt over her jacket, paired with brown suede pump heels, hoop earrings and gold bracelets No trip to Hobart is complete without a visit to MONA Museum of Contemporary Art so naturally, it was also on the royals' list of destinations for the day 'In Tasmania, we will see Australian-built battery-electric ferries that will soon create a green link between Danish regions,' King Frederik said on Sunday In his state banquet speech in Canberra earlier this week, King Frederik flagged the visit in his address. 'In Tasmania, we will see Australian-built battery-electric ferries that will soon create a green link between Danish regions,' he said on Sunday. This would then be followed by a visit to The Agrarian Kitchen, with the royal couple stopping by the award-winning, hyper-local cooking school and restaurant that focuses on sustainable and circular food practices. No trip to Hobart is complete without a visit to MONA Museum of Contemporary Art so naturally, it was also on the royals' list of destinations for the day. This would then be followed by a visit to The Agrarian Kitchen, with the royal couple stopping by the award-winning, hyper-local cooking school and restaurant that focuses on sustainable and circular food practices The action-packed morning in Hobart was just the beginning for the royals, who had a full itinerary for their final tour day The last hurrah of the tour is a State Reception hosted by the Tasmanian governor The couple were set to tour the art museum with founder David Walsh and attend a pop-up concert by Danish electropop duo ROYA in one of the museum's exhibition spaces. Afterwards, the King and Queen planned to take a short walk along Hunter Street, known for its many historic buildings. The last hurrah of the tour is a State Reception hosted by the Tasmanian governor. The prestigious event will see the royals joined for the evening by specially invited guests, and it also marks the conclusion of The King and Queen's state visit to Australia. When Margot Robbie agreed to be a bridesmaid at her best friend's wedding on the Gold Coast, all eyes were on the A-lister. But behind the scenes, it was Brisbane-based makeup artist Mia Connor who had the daunting task of getting the Hollywood star ready - and, as she's now revealed, the job came with one very specific brief. When it came to her base, Margot had one firm request and that was to use her own go-to Japanese foundation. Sharing the story to social media, Mia explained she was handpicked for the role precisely because she wouldn't be fazed by the star power. She recalled being told the bride wanted someone 'that wasn't going to be completely losing their mind starstruck and would be chill' - a quality that ultimately landed her the once-in-a-lifetime booking. Still, in the lead-up to the big day, Mia admitted she did everything she could to prepare. 'I spent the lead-up researching her looks, the products she prefers, reading interviews - any commentary I could find on what she likes,' she said, even repeating affirmations to herself on the drive in. Any hopes of a calm, unhurried appointment were quickly dashed, though, as she noted that Margot had flown in from Los Angeles that very day, with travel delays cutting into their already tight window. Brisbane-based makeup artist Mia Connor, who was tasked with getting Hollywood star Margot Robbie ready as a bridesmaid for her best friend's wedding, has revealed the job came with one very specific brief When it came to her base, Margot had one firm request and that was to use her own go-to Japanese foundation 'Her flight was delayed so I had less time than I wanted with her. She had flown in from LA literally that day, the poor thing,' Mia said. Despite the time pressure, the Barbie star made an immediate impression. 'She was so lovely,' Mia recalled, adding that one detail has stuck with her ever since - the way Margot addressed her by name, rather than simply as 'the makeup lady'. As for the brief itself, there was no diva behaviour or overly complicated requests. Instead, Margot opted to keep things cohesive with the rest of the bridal party, with Mia explaining she was 'super chill and happy to have whatever look the other bridesmaids were having'. But there was one non-negotiable when it came to her base. She claimed the actress asked to use her own product, which was a cult $153 favourite from Japanese beauty brand SUQQU. The Foundation is a high-end formula known for its skin-like finish and long-lasting wear. The foundation is also a staple of Margot's longtime makeup artist Pati Dubroff, and has previously been praised by the actress herself for its staying power and natural look. Join the discussion Whats the one beauty product YOU swear by because it never lets you down? SUQQU The Foundation ($153 AUD) is a high-end formula known for its skin-like finish and long-lasting wear. It's also a staple of Margot's longtime makeup artist Pati Dubroff, and has previously been praised by the actress herself for its staying power and natural look Having prepped for the wedding with a spray tan, Margot's usual shade no longer matched, so Mia said she mixed in a deeper shade for a flawless finish 'That s**t doesn't come off. It looks like skin, but it doesn't budge. I haven't found another foundation that stays on like that without looking heavy,' she told Vogue previously. There was, however, one small curveball. Having prepped for the wedding with a spray tan, Margot's usual shade no longer matched. 'Her usual shade was too light for her,' Mia explained, adding she had to adjust the base on the spot. 'I couldn't send one of the biggest celebs out looking like a ghost so I mixed in something darker to keep her matching.' The result was a seamless, glowing complexion that held up throughout the day - exactly what the foundation is known for. Throughout the appointment, Mia said Margot was 'so lovely' and 'super chill and happy to have whatever look the other bridesmaids were having' Throughout the appointment, Mia said she was mindful of the actress' long journey and limited downtime, choosing not to overwhelm her with conversation. 'We chatted a little about what she was working on currently, but I read the room and let her relax during the makeup instead of peppering her with chitty chat,' she said. Looking back, the experience remains a defining moment in her career. 'Definitely a career highlight for me,' Mia admitted. And while she joked she briefly considered gifting Margot some of her own products, she ultimately decided against it - not wanting to 'be that girl pestering her'. For beauty fans, the story offers a rare glimpse into Margot Robbie's off-duty routine, proving that even one of the world's biggest stars sticks to trusted favourites when it matters most. The sandwich is only sold on select days and often sells out early It's made from three quality ingredients: a baguette, butter and chocolate A small Sydney deli is selling a $9.50 sandwich that's so decadent it has brought actual tears to the eyes of those who've tasted it. But you'll need to get in quick, as it's only sold in limited supply on select days of the week. Marani Deli in Newtown sells a Le Gouter, which is a sweet sandwich snack comprising an excellent baguette, thickly sliced butter and a beautiful piece of chocolate. Alex Grenouiller, owner of Marani Deli, explained to Daily Mail that Le Gouter is a beloved 'after-school snack we all grew up with in France, enjoyed at around 4.30pm'. 'Traditionally, it was a buttered piece of baguette or a slice of those big country-style loaves of bread and a few squares of chocolate. 'It really is something iconic within French food culture.' To do his childhood favourite justice, Alex explained that his store's take on Le Gouter uses generous proportions of the absolute finest quality ingredients. 'Our Le Gouter is made of a rustic baguette roll from Victoire Boulangerie, a French bakery in the Sydney suburb of Rozelle,' Alex said. 'Then, we add a thick piece of Le Conquerant Beurre de Baratte d'Isigny, a salted cultured butter from Normandy in France.' Marani Deli in Newtown sells a Le Gouter sweet sandwich snack. It's priced at $9.50 and only available in store Thursday to Sunday Alex Grenouiller, owner of Marani Deli, told Daily Mail that Le Gouter is a beloved after school snack in France 'To finish, we add a slab of Valrhona chocolate from the Rhone Valley in France.' When it comes to the filling, customers have a choice between either milk chocolate or dark chocolate. 'It's simple, only three ingredients, but I'd say I've probably sourced the best quality options for each of those items,' Alex explained. Although renowned as an 'after-school snack' in France, customers will need to stop by the inner-city Sydney store much earlier in the day. A Le Gouter sells for $9.50 and is only available Thursday to Sunday - and is notorious for selling out. In addition to the popular sweet treat, the store also offers an array of tasty savoury sandwiches on those same days, served on either French rustic baguette, Italian panino or rosette. Alex explains that customers can enjoy their sandwich 'with a glass of wine seated either at the corner table inside the store or outside in the sun'. Up until now, the sandwich has been an 'if you know, you know' foodie secret. But Sydney-based hospitality wares group Worktones recently outed the delight in a social media video, which notched up over 296,000 views on their TikTok account. 'Bread, salted butter and chocolate. It's the treat Alex from Marani Deli in Newtown grew up on in France and wow. The perfect bite,' reads the video caption. Sydney-based hospitality wares group Worktones recently shared a video visiting Alex's Newtown store to learn about the special sandwich Alex explained that his take on a Le Gouter is made using three top quality ingredients The sandwich comes with the choice of either a piece of dark chocolate or milk chocolate - with the Worktones staffers taste-testing one of each in the clip shared to the @worktones social media channel The clip shows the Worktones team stopping by the deli to try Alex's signature sweet chocolate sandwich for themselves. As they take a bite, one of the Worktones staff declares, 'there's a lot of emotions right now.' 'A tear rolls down my cheeks. It's so beautiful,' another adds. 'It's everything I hoped and dreamed for.' The video's comments section erupted with enthusiastic responses. 'That's my death row meal,' one woman declared. 'Um, where has this been all my life?' another added. One Melbourne woman lamented: 'Why is this in Sydney and not Melbourne?!' Several people who had previously lived in France also confirmed in the replies that this snack was exactly what they ate as kids. One Worktones staffer declared that the sweet sandwich was so decadent that it had sent a tear rolling down her cheek Marani Deli has been operating in Newtown for two years and offers a range of quality cheeses, charcuterie and other curated provisions 'Awwww my French mum used to do the same!' read one reply. 'Literally what we had at school pick up in Paris.' 'Definitely one of my favourite French treats,' a third agreed. One woman fondly recalled: 'I was given a baguette filled with butter and chocolate after an exhausting morning of grape picking in France. Served with a coffee so strong, I thought my head would fly off. It remains one of my favourite food moments.' Another Aussie recounted, 'My fav thing about my exchange to France was eating chocolate with bread for afternoon tea! I would put choc chips on bread rolls when I got home but it wasn't quite the same!' Marani Deli has been operating in Newtown for two years, with owner Alex explaining that he created the store to honour his French family heritage. Even the store logo is inspired by the old ceramic kitchen tiles from his grandmother's kitchen door. The deli offers a range of quality cheeses, charcuterie and other curated provisions. Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has admitted to Sean Hannity that he now regrets his part in the city's 'Defund the Police' movement. De Blasio, 64, made the revelation on Thursdays 'Hang Out with Sean Hannity' on YouTube. A $1 billion budget cut in funding for the New York Police Department (NYPD) in 2020 was one of De Blasio's many attempts to remold the city into a more liberal enclave. De Blasio also backtracked on his old support for then-President Joe Biden's more lax approach to the border as, teasing at first, he said: 'Were going to have some common ground. Are you ready?' - before dropping the proverbial bomb. 'I dont like what Biden did with the border,' he said - leaving Hannity visibly surprised. 'Why didnt you say it then?' the host remarked. 'Because honestly, I didnt think it was as bad as it was,' de Blasio began. He went on to acknowledge the city's subsequent migrant crisis and how it affected New York's economy. 'Something changed. Obviously, something changed,' he said. Former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, 64, told Fox News' Sean Hannity that he now regrets his part in the city's 'Defund the Police' movement in an interview published Thursday The politician also told Hannity he has reversed his stance on security measures being taken at the southern border as well 'We, as Democrats, rightfully deserve that critique.' Earlier on, De Blasio surprised Hannity for the first time. 'In retrospect, the whole concept of "Defund the Police" made no sense,' he said. 'It made sense to say, "How can we do better?" It made sense to say, "Hey... We got a lot more for young people to give them positive alternatives." Because thats good for the police, too. Thats good safety.' Hannity, amused, couldn't help but note how the two 'were not disagreeing.' 'This is amazing. So far, we're doing good!' the host joked. 'Right?' a relaxed de Blasio replied. 'Were doing good. 'So defund was a mistake. And I understand where it came from, but it was a mistake,' he continued. A 2020, $1 billion budget cut in funding for the New York Police Department (NYPD) was one of De Blasio's many attempts to remold the city into a more liberal enclave. He was eventually succeeded by former NYPD captain Eric Adams De Blasio's support for the $1 billion budget cut to the NYPD in July 2020 came at the crux of the movement. At the time, de Blasio defended it, claiming he was 'very comfortable we struck the right balance.' His successor ended up being former NYPD officer Eric Adams, who served just one term before being voted out of office last year. The city's new mayor, Democrat Zohran Mamdani, has also walked back his old support for the 'Defund the Police' movement, which he championed as a state assemblyman in 2020 during de Blasio's second term. He has since indicated a preference to keeping the NYPD headcount as is. The then-mayor-elect outright said in November: 'I will not defund the police.' With more than 36,000 police officers, the NYPD has roughly three times as many sworn police officers as the next-most, Chicago, which also aggressively made cuts during the pandemic. Within a year of being elected - and stripping the citys police budget of $80 million - then-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot asked the federal government for additional law enforcement resources to clamp down on rampant crime. She was denied a second term in 2023. Fox News fixture Sean Hannity issued a groveling apology to Democrat Senator John Fetterman as he heaped praise on the politician he once labeled a 'spoiled trust fund brat in a hoodie.' Fetterman, who has positioned himself as a right-leaning member of the Democratic Party, appeared on the conservative host's podcast, Hang Out with Sean Hannity, on Tuesday. During the pair's surprisingly chummy hour-and-a-half conversation, the former foes reflected on their first meeting at Donald Trump's private residence at Mar-a-Lago last year. Hannity recalled being at Trump's Palm Beach estate on the same day as Fetterman, adding that he also got to see Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots. The Fox News host said he introduced himself to Fetterman and joked that the senator should hate him because he advocated so hard against his campaign. 'Because by that time, I'd begun to realize I had you all wrong,' Hannity said, adding that Fetterman must have thought he was an 'a**hole.' 'Everything I believed and thought about you, and I really believed it, was wrong,' he added. Fetterman laughed at the admission, saying Hannity's apology demonstrated how important it was to have conversations across the aisle. Senator John Fetterman appeared on a podcast episode with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday, pictured above Hannity told Fetterman that he was wrong about him and apologized for his previous remarks about the Democratic senator Hannity also revealed during the episode that the two first met last year at Mar-a-Lago The two reflected on Fetterman's Senate campaign against Hannity's friend and former television peer, Dr Mehmet Oz. Fetterman won the Senate seat in 2022, flipping it from Republican to Democrat in a tight race that captivated the nation. Oz, who now serves as the Chief of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Trump administration, took aim at Fetterman's health during the campaign. Fox News pundits helped fuel speculation that Fetterman was unfit for the position after the senator suffered a stroke before the election. During one of Hannity's broadcasts in August 2022, he called Fetterman a 'very spoiled trust fund brat in a hoodie' after the senator stepped out on the campaign trail following his stroke. 'Every day he calls me a liar but we will tell you the truth about who he really is. He's a trust fund brat phony that tries to act tough with tattoos and that hoodie,' Hannity told his viewers. Hannity then speculated that Fetterman was 'not doing well' and that his stroke was 'debilitating.' During their recent discussion, Hannity revealed that Fetterman 'graciously' accepted his apology for his comments during the senator's 2022 campaign. Fetterman reflected on his campaign against Dr Mehment Oz, pictured above, in 2022 during his recent podcast appearance. Oz is pictured above at a rally with Trump on September 3, 2022 Fetterman has recently broken with party lines to support Trump policies. He's pictured above with the president at the State of the Union address in February Fetterman admitted that Oz was a 'nice guy' and compared their campaigns to 'professional wrestling.' Pictured above is an attack ad against Oz from 2022 'It wasn't even necessary. That was gracious to do that, but it wasn't necessary,' Fetterman responded. Hannity said he went so hard during the campaign because Oz was his friend and he believed in his campaign. The two also reflected on claims that Fetterman was not fit to run for office after his stroke. Fetterman admitted that his debate performance against Oz at the time was 'probably the worst debate in American politics.' The senator confessed he knew he would lose because Oz was a former television star and could navigate on-air moments. Fetterman debated Oz in October, just about five months after he suffered a stroke. Oz was widely considered to have won the debate as Fetterman struggled to complete sentences and often offered contradictory statements. Fetterman also reflected on his disastrous debate with Oz, calling it 'probably the worst debate in American politics.' Pictured above is a grab from the 2022 debate Hannity called Fetterman the 'only normal Democrat in Washington' during their discussion. Fetterman is pictured above with Governor Josh Shapiro, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden during a campaign event in 2022 Despite the attacks on his health, Fetterman revealed that he believed Oz to be a 'nice guy.' He compared campaigning to 'professional wrestling,' noting that their viscious attack ads against one another were not personal. Fetterman's appearance on Hannity's podcast comes after a string of the senator's interviews on Fox News. The senator has frequently crossed party lines since he was elected. He has been a vocal supporter of Trump's military action in Iran and cast the deciding vote on Thursday to advance Markwayne Mullin's nomination as the new Department of Homeland Security Secretary. Hannity even referred to Fetterman as the 'only normal Democrat in Washington.' A progressive began cursing and sweating after a smiling conservative got under his skin during a showdown over Israel. Liberal pundit Cenk Uygur, 55, joined Piers Morgan Uncensored on Wednesday to discuss the Iran war. Uygur, who founded the show Young Turks, faced off with conservative Ben Ferguson, who was defending the US' decision to support Israel in the conflict. He quickly lost his cool after Ferguson, 44, cut him off several times by claiming he was mischaracterizing previous comments he had made about Donald Trump's likelihood of attacking Iran. 'This is why I start shouting on this program Piers because every time I start talking some Israel first son of a b*** starts talking over me,' Uygur fumed. The two continued jabbering over one another before Uygur exclaimed: 'Will you shut the f*** up!' and accused Ferguson of parroting 'Israeli talking points.' Morgan was forced to intervene, briefly quieting the two before Uygur lost his cool once again, dragging the host into the shouting match. He and Morgan got into a disagreement after Uygur claimed the US government had been financially enticed into striking Iran because, Israel has given Congress $100 million, and theyve given Donald Trump $337 million. Progressive pundit and founder of the show Young Turks, Cenk Uygur, joined Piers Morgan Uncensored on Wednesday to oppose the US war with Iran Conservative Ben Ferguson, who defended the US and Israel's actions in the Middle East appeared to get under Uygur's skin causing him to erupt He exploded once again after Morgan downplayed the significance of the amount of money Israel has given the US. These are tiny amounts of money in it. Look, they spent billions on day one,' Morgan said. This only enraged Uygur further, and he went on to call Morgan mental and scream at the top of his lungs that the president was corrupt and purchasable. Both Ferguson and Morgan tried to get a word in again, but the progressive screamed repeatedly while throwing his hand in the air: I can prove it. I can prove it. Ferguson laughed at the insane eruption from Uygur, who was ranting as his eyes bulged. 'Ben Ferguson, that traitor, said that it was no big deal that 13 Americans died,' exclaimed Uygur. Its a huge deal. 13 Americans died. Why did you send your goddamn Israeli friends into a war? They started! Ferguson denied ever saying that and pointed out he was wearing a pin with both the American and Israeli flags. But Uygur retorted: It is exceedingly clear. So, stop working for Israel, you corrupt sons of b******. Work for America. The panel host by Piers Morgan (left) consisted of (from left) retired US Army officer and commanding general, Ben Hodges, the former UK ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Richard Dalton, Uygur, and Ferguson The two went back and forth with one another repeatedly however, it was obvious the progressive was much more emotional than the conservative The discussion about the conflict, which began on February 28 after airstrikes hit Iran, appeared relatively well-mannered until Uygur slowly reached his boiling point Iran retaliated to the US and Israeli strikes with a barrage of missiles at neighboring nations - some of which broke through air defense systems (seen in Dubai) The progressive claimed the easy solution to the Iran conflict was for the US to get the f*** out of there. Uygur asked Ferguson to answer a question: Should we be sending Israeli ground troops or American ground troops? The conservative replied that no ground troops would be sent into Iran because the president claimed we are not invading the country. When that answer didnt satisfy Uygur, he began to scream the question again before Morgan stepped in once again. Cenk, for the sake of your spleen. If nothing else, Im going to draw an end to this panel debate, joked Morgan. However, a blabbering Uygur continued to riff off any point while screaming before they were cut off. The explosive exchange unfolded in front of panel guests retired US Army officer and commanding general, Ben Hodges, and the former UK ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Richard Dalton. Uygurs behavior was blasted by viewers online. An Iranian military truck carrying a missile drives in front of the officials' stand during a military parade in 2019 One user wrote: Hes angry because the US and Israel are eliminating the major sponsor of terror in the Middle East! But he cannot say that, so he goes full r***** mode! Another added: Cenk is going to end up dying of a stroke on air. Hes out of control. A third wrote: Cenk is a narcissist who cant accept that hes wrong and always has been wrong (go watch his election night coverage for context), and so he gets so angry at people who are opposed to him. Idk how he hasnt had a stroke yet. The Daily Mail has reached out to Cenk Uygur and Ben Ferguson for comment. CBS News' Margaret Brennan has been met with backlash for a social media post that appeared to question Pete Hegseths calls for prayers for American service members deployed overseas. Speaking from the Pentagon Thursday morning, Hegseth said: 'May Almighty God continue to bless our troops in this fight. 'And again to the American people, please pray for them,' he added. 'Every day. On bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ.' The Face the Nation host published her X post within minutes. It read: 'The Secretary of Defense tells the American public to pray for our troops on bended knee and invoke Jesus' name....' It remains unclear what exactly offended the star, but the internet's reaction was quick and pronounced. 'If this seems even mildly controversial, it would legitimately blow your mind to read what the men who founded our nation did, said, and prayed in the name of Jesus Christ while governing,' wrote pastor-turned-podcaster Josh Howerton. 'Whats with the dot dot dots at the end of this? Presidents & military leaders have throughout American history asked for public prayers for our troops in harms way,' added conservative journalist Jerry Dunleavy. 'I pray for our troops in Jesus' name. I'm not special, it's fairly common,' said Jonathan Pino, of The Washington Post. Face the Nation's Margaret Brennan published the confusing X post within minutes of Pete Hegseth's remarks on Thursday morning at the Pentagon Hegseth asked citizens to pray for soldiers stationed overseas amid the ongoing war in Iran USA Today columnist Daniel Darling further quipped, 'Yep. Normal stuff. Wait till you read FDRs prayer before D-Day.' As the reception continued, the post caught the attention of the White Houses rapid response account. 'Yes, and?' the official account posted - before framing Brennan as a 'leftist reporter' with the latter put in quotes. 'Correct. As Americans have been doing since George Washington prayed for our troops at Valley Forge,' added the press secretary for Hegseth, Kingsley Wilson. Brennan, meanwhile, is no stranger to ire from conservatives. Recent on-air clashes with Trump officials like JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and since-fired Homeland Security head Kristi Noem have helped fan those figurative flames. The fact that the network is in the midst of a massive overhaul by its right-leaning editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, has not helped either. Brennan - known for her hard-hitting interview style - has continued to clash with prominent conservatives in the months since Weiss took the reins in October. CBS News' Margaret Brennan penned her response within minutes Seen here, some of the pronounced social media response that ensued A total of 13 US soldiers have died as a result of the escalating conflict in Iran. A US army team is seen moving the remains one of the deceased for a dignified transfer in Dover, Delaware, on March 7 In one of her first moves as boss, Weiss tweaked Face the Nation to be live-broadcast only. Noem, weeks before, accused showrunners of deceptively editing some of her responses. Donald Trump aired similar allegations against CBS News in a since-settled lawsuit. Similarly tense confrontations with Secretary of State Rubio and Vice President Vance have earned Brennan a reputation amongst conservatives of the old CBS - a consensus Weiss is seemingly seeking to change. Her now five-month tenure, however, has been met with a rocky start ratings-wise. She promoted former CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil to head CBS Evening News in January. Brennan sometimes hosts the show in a fill-in capacity. Brennan joined CBS News in 2012 after stints as an anchor at Bloomberg Television and a correspondent at CNBC. She has yet to respond to any of the backlash. The Daily Mail has approached CBS for comment. As of writing, 13 US soldiers have died, as the US's military operations in Iran approach week four. Hegseth said US forces struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran Wednesday during his Thursday speech. He promised that that Thursday would have the 'largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was'. Hegseth, 45, is a former Fox News host. St Bernards Lower Primary School Science Week St Bernards Lower Primary School celebrated an exciting and inspiring Science Week from 9th to 13th March, continuing its mission to bring science to life for children from Nursery to Year 2. Throughout the week, pupils explored the wonders of science while learning how to think like scientists, ask questions, investigate ideas and challenge stereotypes about what a scientist looks like. A key focus this year was helping children understand that anyone can be a scientist. Through engaging activities and hands-on investigations, pupils discovered that science is creative, exciting and open to everyone. Science Week also followed a cross-curricular approach, linking science, maths and literacy. Teachers used well-known stories to inspire scientific thinking. For example, Year 2 pupils explored experiments inspired by George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl, encouraging them to think about mixtures, ingredients and how scientists test ideas safely. This years celebrations were made even more special through strong partnerships with local secondary schools, Bayside School and Westside School. Year 2 pupils were given the fantastic opportunity to visit Westside School, where they experienced what a real science laboratory looks like. During their visit, they learned about different pieces of scientific equipment and how they are used in experiments. The children took part in a carousel of exciting practical activities including chromatography, exploring life through a microscope, and even safely using a Bunsen burner. One of the highlights of the visit was witnessing an impressive chemical reaction that produced a loud bang and a spectacular firework-style display, which left the children amazed and eager to learn more. Back at St Bernards, pupils also enjoyed a whole-school assembly delivered by Ms Rowbottom from Bayside School, who visits us every year to inspire the children with a series of fun and engaging experiments. The assembly included demonstrations such as the famous elephant toothpaste reaction, an interactive explanation of how the bodys organs work, and an exciting demonstration showing how to create a rocket. Science Week was filled with curiosity, discovery and excitement, giving pupils the chance to explore scientific ideas in a fun and memorable way. By working closely with local secondary schools and providing hands-on experiences, St Bernards Lower Primary continues to nurture young scientists and inspire the next generation to explore the world around them with curiosity and confidence. St Bernards Lower Primary School would like to thank Bayside School and Westside School for their continued support in making Science Week such a memorable experience for all pupils. German car giant Mercedes-Benz has been a favourite brand for chauffeuring execs, celebs and diplomates in style for decades. Typically, it has been one of its super-luxurious saloon models that have been deployed to shuttle A-listers to their destinations. But that's all about to change in the electric era, with the premium motor firm pivoting to a new breed of spacious glam wagons for the future. Unveiling its latest model this month, bosses say it will 'redefine the grand limousine' by switching from its traditional saloons to an all-new van-based platform. The VLE, debuted in Stuttgart last week, is claimed to 'combine the best of two worlds': the comfort of a limo and cabin space of a people carrier. The lavish EV boasts Mercedes' biggest battery available today, a new 800-volt architecture and class-leaving charging speeds. This means VIPs should never be late for a high-profile appointment again. Most examples - which will likely be snapped up by flashy airport transfer operators and luxury private hire firms - are expected to cost in excess of 100,000 once a host of gadgetry has been added. Mercedes' limo of the future: The German luxury car giant says its electric limousines will not be conventional saloon cars with extended wheelbases but large, spacious vans The VLE should be more than up to the task of running customers back and forth to the departures and arrivals gates of airports. The VLE300 will launch the new VL range and marries the car firm's largest battery - a 115kW unit - with a single electric motor powering the front wheels. It is claimed to deliver a range of more than 434 miles between charges, which is almost double that of the EQV it replaces (222 miles) and bests every other MPV-sized electric vehicle on the market. Theoretically, it delivers enough single-charge range to drive from York to collect a customer from London Heathrow and drive straight back without needing to stop for a fresh dose of kilowatts. And if a charge is required, 221 miles can be added in just a quarter of an hour. While electric Mercedes MPVs of the past have simply been combustion-engine V-Class models retrofitted into EVs, the VLE is built from the ground up specifically to be a battery-powered vehicle. As such, there are elements to its design that have been tuned for it to be electricity efficient. This includes its streamlined silhouette, which has an incredibly low drag coefficient of 0.25. To put that into perspective, that's slipperier than a 2.1million McLaren Speedtail. This explains why it should be able to cover over 430 miles, despite having the dimensions of a small portacabin, measuring in at 5.3 metres long, two metres wide and nearly two metres high. It also helps to offset the motor's massive 2.8-tonne bulk, which is a result of both its scale, hefty battery pack and the use of two electrically operated sliding doors. Bosses say the VLE will 'redefine the grand limousine' as Mercedes-Benz looks to steer away from tradition Slide me The Mercedes limo van has a better drag coefficient (a measure of how aerodynamic the body is) than a 2.1million McLaren Speedtail hypercar (right) Inside, the cabin is incredibly flexible, with seating for up to eight people in total but with the option of removing or rotating the chairs into a living room-style setup. All manually adjustable seats have four integrated wheels on the underside so that they can be moved back and forth in the interior, locked in any position, or easily removed and rolled into the garage when not in use. Electrically adjustable seats can be moved using an app or control panel in the head unit. Mercedes describes adjusting them as 'almost like choreographing a ballet'. Customers can upgrade the rear chairs to 'Grand Comfort Seats', which are business-class-style lounge chairs with an additional pillow, wireless charging, lumbar support, massage function and calf support. One of the most prominent features inside is this enormous 31.3-inch (79cm) 8K monitor The display is hidden in the limo's ceiling and retracts to stretch across the width of the cabin. It has a high-definition camera too, allowing passengers to take part in video conference calls Passengers can then kick back and watch an enormous 31.3-inch (79cm) 8K monitor. Hidden in the limo's ceiling, it retracts to stretch across the width of the cabin. The screen has split-screen functionality and an eight-megapixel camera, which means occupants can watch their favourite movies or attend video conferences during journeys. For those looking to have a quieter journey, the VLE has the option of a 'Sky View' panoramic roof, which spans almost the entire rear compartment. Mercedes says it 'conveys an unprecedented sense of space and freedom as well as tranquillity' and can be complemented by surround ambient lighting to enhance the sensation of relaxation on the move. The 'Grand Comfort Seats' are optional, providing business-class-style lounge chairs with an additional pillow, wireless charging and massage function The VLE boasts a 'Sky View' panoramic roof, which spans almost the entire rear compartment And passengers will likely be able to nod off with ease thanks to the combination of luxury seating, near-silent acoustics and an incredibly supple ride provided by the brand's 'Airmatic' air suspension. Chauffeurs will also welcome the VLE's rear-wheel steering, which delivers and far tighter turning circle than the motor's dimensions might suggest, which could spare a few blushes if there's a tight corner before the drop-off point of a glitzy red-carpet premiere in London. High-specification examples will be available with Mercedes' enormous MBUX Superscreen - three linked displays behind a large glass panel combining the driver's instrument cluster (10.25 inches), an enormous 14-inch infotainment screen and a secondary 14inch display specifically for the front passenger. This allows a front-seat passenger to watch films or use apps on the move without distracting the driver... in theory. It too has the brand's latest semi-autonomous driving technology and an AI assistant drivers can communicate with during journeys to avoid using the expansive screen. Slide me Inside, the cabin is incredibly flexible, with seating for up to eight people in total but with the option of removing or rotating the chairs into a living room-style setup The driver is treated to the latest generation of Mercedes' own MBUX Superscreen, which is a single glass panel with three split screens spanning the dashboard There are a few practical features as well. This includes its split boot operation with a hidden button in the rear window wiper module that opens just the glass panel rather than the full rear door - a useful feature when you want to quickly chuck a coat or rucksack in the back. 'The all-new electric VLE marks the next significant milestone in our successful 140-year automotive history,' said Ola Kallenius, Mercedes' top exec. 'Shaped by our pioneering spirit, it redefines the notion of space and comfort, and adds a game-changing level of versatility and innovation.' He added: 'The VLE is the first model to be built on the new Van Architecture, designed to meet a wide range of customer needs and adapt to any lifestyle.' Prices has yet to be confirmed but expect the VLE300 to cost around 100k with all the toys and trinkets included. Orders in the UK can be taken later this year, with deliveries due before the end of 2026. Dubai's alluring tax free status has enticed hundreds of thousands of Britons to move to the desert metropolis in a bid to maximise their income. But any wealthy expats who are now planning to leave Dubai, even just for a short break amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, could return to the UK with an unwelcome extra piece of luggage: a tax bill in the tens of thousands. Just one phone call or email about work once they reach the UK could land them with a bill worth 75,000 on an average banker salary, even if they are just visiting friends and family, tax experts are warning. That is because HM Revenue & Customs has strict tax rules around working on British land. Similarly, anyone who is moving back and has been away for less than six years could face a large tax charge, especially if they sell a property in Dubai. Charlie Sosna, tax head at Mishcon de Reya, a top law firm used by celebrities, says that anyone who has been living in the sun-splashed emirate for less than six years should be particularly cautious when planning a return as theyre likely to be hit with a tax demand. As the US-Israel war on Iran enters its third week and drone attacks on Dubai continue, many worried Britons have been scrambling to get home. On Monday, an Iranian drone hit a fuel tank near Dubai Airport, sparking a massive fire. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have reportedly indicated they will show leniency and allow expats to spend more time abroad without losing their tax status in a bid to incentivise residents to return. However, theres no guarantee that HMRC will offer any such tax breaks in fact, experts warn it is highly likely it wont. Dubai's alluring tax free status has enticed hundreds of thousands of Britons to move to the desert metropolis in a bid to maximise their income However, HMRC may try to tax your earnings if you return to the UK and fail to meet certain criteria While tax implications might not be at the top of your mind when youre planning an escape from Iranian missiles, experts are warning its vital you understand the rules to avoid unexpected bills later on. When expats are on the hook for taxes There are two key factors that will determine whether you are liable for UK tax when returning to the UK from Dubai: how long youve lived there and what family ties you have in Britain. Eamon Shahir, co-founder of Taxd.co.uk and a leading expert in UK-UAE cross-border tax, says the tax rules catch many people out. If youve been away for ten consecutive years, you are in the best position. This is because after a decade of living and working in Dubai and being a non-resident in the UK - you are entitled to a new four-year tax exemption. Since April 2025, you can claim a four-year tax holiday on foreign income when you return to the UK under new rules called the Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime. This means that for four tax years after becoming a UK resident, most foreign income and capital gains are exempt, even when the money is brought into the UK. However, this generous rule will not apply to most British expats in Dubai, as they typically left during the pandemic or in the wake of Brexit. Anyone who has been away for more than a full tax year and less than five years will be the worst affected. This is because they are considered a temporary non-UK resident, as they havent been away for very long. This means if you decide to return to the UK, your resident status will be reinstated. You will then be hit with retrospective tax bills on the sale of any properties or shares you made while you were in Dubai. Eamon Shahir, co-founder of Taxd.co.uk and a leading expert in UK-UAE cross-border tax, says the tax rules are a minefield and they catch many people out There is no grace period, Mr Shahir explains. Most will be liable for worldwide UK taxation from the day they land here. This usually applies if youve been away fewer than five years but also relies on a series of complicated tests based on the number of days you spend in the UK and whether you still have family ties and property here. Anyone who has been away for between five and ten years will be classed as a non-resident for tax purposes and will only have to pay UK tax on income they earn within the UK. However, this means if they sell a home in Dubai while living back in the UK, they could be liable. Will any tax concessions made by the UAE protect British expats? Authorities in the UAE have signalled they may show leniency for expats who are leaving for a short period of time to avoid the conflict in the Middle East, according to reports in the Financial Times. Generally, expats are required to be present in the UAE for a minimum of 183 days in any 12-month period to qualify as tax residents. However, these rules could be relaxed in the hopes of luring residents back. But this does not protect any British expats from receiving large tax bills from HMRC if they return. Mr Sosna, of Mishcon de Reya, says: The key point is that the UAEs changes alone will not protect against scrutiny elsewhere, so anyone in this position should seek advice before assuming their status is secure. Those returning to the UK in light of the current situation should be aware that they may trigger a UK capital gains tax liability on gains made whilst in Dubai, as well as an income tax charge on certain forms of income received during that time, both of which they may have assumed would fall outside the UK tax net. Anyone returning could face i ncome tax Dubai has gained a golden status as one of the worlds top tax havens. Those living in Dubai do not pay any personal taxes on their salaries a huge perk compared to the high levels of taxation in the UK. HMRC allows something called Split Year Treatment, which means that in practice any income earned before you leave Dubai should not be liable for income tax in Britain. Sandra Jeevan, partner at international accountant UHY, warns Britons returning home could be charged capital gains tax on earnings depending on their eligibility Since the conflict in the Middle East began, expats in UAE have been scrambling to get out If you return to the UK and do even the tiniest bit of work, though, UK income tax could apply. Anything you earn after arrival is fair game, Mr Shahir warns. He says the most dangerous thing is if you intend to work from the UK, even for a few weeks, HMRC could tax your income under the work from home rule, which states that work done in Britain should be taxed in Britain. Mr Shahir explains: If you return to the UK for a few weeks to escape the conflict but continue taking calls or answering emails for your Dubai employer, HMRC considers that UK-sourced income. You could inadvertently bring your entire Dubai salary into the UK tax net just by checking in with the office while on British soil. One check-in could mean you fail the Split Year Test and will be liable for tax on all your worldwide income (including any salary you earn from a Dubai-based employer) and gains for the full year. That would trigger an instant 27,432 income tax bill on a typical 100,000 banker salary. Anyone earning between 50,270 and 125,140 a year pays tax at a marginal rate of 40 per cent in the UK. Workers do not pay tax on the first 12,570 of their earnings, which is known as the 'personal allowance'. But from 100,000 this allowance is tapered away at a rate of 1 for every extra 2 of income they make, until they reach 125,140 when they no longer have any tax-free allowance. This works out at an effective tax rate of 60 per cent. Those earning above 125,140 are additional rate tax payers and would be hit with a marginal rate of 45 per cent. If you combine this 27,432 with a capital gains tax bill and charges on dividends, someone earning 100,000 could face a tax bill worth 75,000. Capital Gains Tax Capital gains tax, charged on any gains you make above 3,000, is the major sting for expats returning to the UK, Mr Shahir warns. Iranian strikes on Dubai grounded some flights, leaving people stranded Capital gains tax is payable on the profit made when you sell or dispose of an asset, such as a second home or shares that have increased in value. Anyone who is classed as a temporary non-resident because they have been away for less than five years must be particularly wary. If they sell any assets, such as shares or a property while in Dubai thinking it was tax-free, they are in for a nasty shock when they move to the UK. HMRC can charge you capital gains tax on those gains the moment you move back. This is a particular problem for those who sold businesses, shares or non-UK assets such as homes during a period overseas. Many people who moved to Dubai in recent years formed a financial plan on the assumption that they would remain non-resident in the UK for a long period of time, says Sandra Jeevan, partner at international accountant UHY. But well-crafted plans have been thrown in the air for many. Plans may have changed but the tax rules havent, Ms Jeevan warns. Assets held before you moved to Dubai and sold whilst in the UAE will be taxed retrospectively on return. For example, someone who sold a UK business for a 100,000 gain while in Dubai could be liable for 23,000 in capital gains tax when they return. Similarly, if you sell or have sold a property you own in Dubai or elsewhere in the world while you are away, youll be liable for UK capital gains tax on any gains you made unless you can prove it was your main residence during the period you were away. To claim a home is your main residence, you would need to have lived there for 90 days in each tax year. There's also a nine-month grace period at the end of the time you own the property where you can live elsewhere and still sell without incurring capital gains tax. If you are found to be liable for the tax, you'll pay 24 per cent tax on gains above 3,000 if you're a higher rate taxpayer. Tax on dividends and investments If you have a company of your own in Dubai or elsewhere and pay yourself with dividends, you could suddenly be liable for taxes on these when you return. Similarly, if you get income from an offshore fund, or a return from a certain type of life insurance policy, you could end up paying tax in the UK on these. If you return within five full tax years, the UK can effectively bring back and tax foreign dividends received during your time away. For example, if you paid yourself 20,000 in annual dividends in Dubai for four years, youd be charged more than 25,000 in tax on these dividends when you return, assuming that you are a higher rate taxpayer. British investors have a 500 dividend tax allowance, which was reduced from 1,000 in April 2024. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a two percentage point hike to the dividend rate, which will kick in next month from April 6. Basic rate taxpayers will be charged 10.75 per cent tax, higher rate taxpayers will be charged at 35.75 per cent and the additional rate will remain unchanged at 39.35 per cent. This means that someone earning 100,000 a year, who receives 20,000 of annual dividends, you would pay 6,573.75 a year in tax at the current 33.75 per cent rate. Over four years, this adds up to 26,292 in tax. Will HMRC make an exception? Many hope HMRC will be lenient on those returning to the UK from the Gulf states, as this is a period of war and uncertainty. The taxman does allow for exceptional circumstances where it will allow people to be in the UK and not become liable for tax, but it isnt clear whether these rules will apply to those returning from Dubai. Mr Shahir says: Historically, HMRC has set an incredibly high bar for exceptional circumstances. The tax office typically only makes concessions in circumstances such as civil unrest or natural disaster where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises to avoid all travel to the region. Because there is no government-imposed travel ban on Dubai, it is unclear that this will apply, so those returning are likely to face the normal tests to decide whether they are tax residents or not. What can expats do to avoid a large tax bill? Talk to experts about residency tests Understanding this is the best way to avoid unexpected liabilities or penalties later on. Even if youve already flown back, take advice to understand how youll be classed when it comes to residency. Mr Sosna says: Anyone concerned they might fall within these rules should seek professional advice as soon as possible, even if they have already returned to the UK. It is important that they fully understand their position.' Consider a bridge stay Not back yet? Mr Shahir suggests a bridge stay if youre near to the five- or ten-year tax mark so that you arent liable for a huge and unnecessary bill. This means staying in another foreign country until you have become a non-resident. Cyprus and Malta are two of his low-tax tips but take advice on your own circumstances. Consider tax breaks There are a number of tax breaks available to those returning to the UK from abroad to help them deal with any large sudden bills. For example, one useful tax break Mr Shahir points to is the Temporary Repatriation Facility (TRF). This allows you to pay a flat rate of 12 per cent on any gains you made before 2025, rather than facing the usual complex forensic accounting that can lead to 45 per cent charges. There may be other tax breaks that apply to you but they will depend on your personal circumstances. Dont rush it Its hard to make level-headed decisions when the world has changed overnight but making calm and considered choices now will reap rewards later. Mr Sosna says: It is critical that people do not make rushed financial decisions and understand the tax implications of returning. A schizophrenic who sent former popstar Myleene Klass an air pistol while stalking her and a fellow radio presenter over a four year period has been handed indefinite hospital order. Peter Windsor was found guilty last October of stalking Ms Klass, 47, after also sending her Catwoman and police fancy dress costumes and calling her a 'naughty vixen' during a nine-month campaign of harassment. The 61-year-old also asked her in sick correspondence to 'correct him' with a whip and cane, as well as sending her letters - at one point referring to her as a 'worthy high priestess' - and other gifts including jewellery. The paranoid schizophrenic was also found guilty of stalking Ms Klass's Classic FM colleague Katie Breathwick, 54, after sending her a pair of binoculars, running shoes with spikes and a bottle of champagne. Windsor also sent Mrs Breathwick a stamp collection for her son and other 'raving' and 'unhinged' mail. This afternoon Windsor sat with his head bowed as Judge Tom Rochford delivered his sentencing remarks at Coventry Crown Court. The judge told 'deliberate and calculating' Windsor: 'What you did caused both women considerable harm, fear and distress. 'Each message and package you sent was deliberate. You were on an upward or worsening trajectory.' Ms Klass, pictured arriving at Birmingham Crown Court to give evidence during the trial, was called a 'naughty vixen' by Windsor West Midlands Police released a custody shot of Peter Windsor, 61, after he was found guilty of stalking Myleene Klass and Katie Breathwick in October Windsor was also convicted of stalking Ms Klass's Classic FM colleague Katie Breathwick, 54, sending her a pair of binoculars, a pair of running shoes with spikes, a bottle of champagne and a stamp collection for her son But the judge said he was satisfied Winsor was suffering from a mental illness, which had a major bearing on his offending. A hospital order means Windsor will receive treatment in hospital and could only be freed if deemed well enough to leave. He could then be suject to a community treatment plan upon release. Neither victim was in court to see Windsor sentenced today. Last year's trial also heard Windsor sent a letter signed in blood to former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in which he 'pledged his soul to Satan'. The note was posted in 2020. Jurors heard Windsor was arrested in January 2023 but a decision was taken not to prosecute him. He went on to stalk Ms Klass, sending her handcuffs, a silver ring, Catwoman and police fancy dress costumes to the radio station - and a note saying 'whip me, beat me priestess Myleene' - but his DNA was in police systems as a result of his earlier activity. Proscutor Tim Sapwell said Windsor 'demonstrated sustained and persistant conduct' and its unpredictable nature made it difficult for both victims to 'rationalise and understand it'. Mr Sapwell continued: 'The items that he sent them, from an objective perspective, suggested an ability to observe the victims covertly.' He added that Windsor's conduct 'escalated and became more physically and sexually sinister in its nature.' The court heard neither victim wanted her victim personal impact statement read out in court, but Mr Sapwell summarised key points and said that in relation to Ms Breathwick, Windsor's behaviour had made her hyper-vigilant and constantly anxious. The air pistol and a set of hair clippers sent to Ms Klass by Windsor, along with a note 'She stated she may never be able to fully overcome the anxiety', the prosecutor added. Ms Klass's statement set out the 'severe psychological impact' the case had had on her, and said she feared other people may copy Windsor's behaviour. 'She sets out that it causes a distraction to the work she wishes to carry out in the community, especially in relation to charity', he said. The court heard Ms Klass used to advertise where she would be taking part in such events on the radio, but no longer did that. The prosecutor said two expert psychiatrists agreed Windsor suffered from 'enduring schizophrenia' and recommended he receive a hospital order. One medical report detailed how Windsor's mental illness stretched back over a period of 30 years. Windsor had been repeatedly admitted to psychiatric hospitals in a psychotic state, the court heard, and required 'long term treatment' for his schizophrenia. Philip Brunt, defending, said Windsor had spent around 18 months in custody since his arrest - equivalent to the custodial element of many three years jail terms - and urged the judge to impose a hospital order. Opening the case in September, Mr Sapwell said Windsor had 'become obsessed' with the two presenters. He said that they were used to getting fan mail and the occasional gift but this was 'very different' and involved a large number of letters and parcels many of which were 'bizarre' and 'demonstrated his obsessive interest'. Mr Sapwell said there was also a 'sexual overtone too' - highlighting the Catwoman and police officer outfits sent to Ms Klass. One of the letters sent by Peter Windsor to Myleene Klass and Katie Breathwick Jurors were told Windsor has a 'history of mental illness and a longstanding diagnosis of schizophrenia' Windsor was convicted of stalking Ms Klass, once part of the chart-topping pop group Hear'Say, between November 2023 and August 2024. Jurors were told Mrs Breathwick was sent between 80 and 100 items between March 2020 and December 2023, including a DIY will kit. The items and correspondence were intercepted at radio company Global's London headquarters where the two women worked. The air pistol was intercepted by Royal Mail. Ms Klass told jurors she was informed by her emplyer's security staff of an 'accumulation' of items sent to her, having previously not been told about the mail to avoid worrying her. Sobbing in court as she gave evidence, Ms Klass described her 'sheer terror' at finding out she had been sent a cache of 'overtly sexual' letters and presents over four years. The mother-of-three had to pause several times in the witness box to compose herself as she recounted how a police officer called her while on the school run to tell her about the air pistol. 'He said that whilst this gun wasn't necessary for a licence, at close proximity, right up to six feet it could prove fatal,' she told jurors. 'I think anyone receiving a gun would be terrified.' The court heard Windsor also sent the two women a bottle of Champagne each. The defendant was arrested in September 2024 at his home in Stechford, Birmingham, when police found items including maps of London showing where the women worked. They also discovered a black leather glove, women's stockings and a pair of binoculars. Windsor tried to argue some of his gifts were a 'joke'. Windsor sent Ms Klass a silver ring 'for a worthy high priestess', signing off as 'Petey Pete' In a statement following the verdicts, which she posted on Instagram, Ms Klass said: 'After a horrific year, my family and I finally have peace. 'Thank you for your love and support, especially to Birmingham Police, in particular PC Marius Dinescu, Judge Tom Rochford, State Prosecutor Timothy Sapwell, Members of the Jury and Birmingham Crown Court, Katie Breathwick, Classic FM, Global radio, Severine Berman and Simon Jones.' Ms Klass shot to fame on the 2001 reality show Popstars, forming Hear'Say with fellow winners Danny Foster, Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan. Ahead of the sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Hopkins, of the West Midlands Police Public Protection Unit, praised the 'incredibly brave' actions of Ms Klass and Mrs Breathwick in giving statements to police and live evidence against their stalker in court. The officer said: 'I think what's so particular about this case is they didn't know who this man was. 'They wouldn't have known if he had walked past them in the street or had bumped into them in a coffee shop. 'This wasn't an ex-partner. This is someone who has carried out a campaign against both of them for about four years for absolutely no reason other than them being celebrities that had appeared on the news and media.' Urging other victims of stalking to ensure they take screenshots of messages, and keep a record of or even keep items sent to them, the officer said of the radio stars: 'They knew someone had got an obsession with them. 'To have all of that evidence for us, it just meant that we had got such a compelling case that we could present to the Crown Prosecution Service. 'Both victims have been able to give us enough for us to be able to turn round and present an incredibly strong case that meant he was charged and remanded there and then.' Windsor had no previous convictions. One of Britain's most reclusive billionaires is vying to bankroll a Dubai-style docklands regeneration in his home city of Liverpool. Fifty years after founding the discount retailer Home Bargains, Tom Morris, touted as the 'richest scouser ever to have lived', is bankrolling the construction of ten glitzy towers on the waterfront. His grand plans include a 727ft 70-storey skyscraper, the seventh tallest in the country, with a vast five-star hotel inside - though you won't hear it from him. Quietly accruing his 7billion retail empire, Morris has religiously avoided the limelight, even in Liverpool, despite employing more people in the city than anyone else. Precious little is known of his astonishing rags-to-riches journey, which began with a bank overdraft to fund his first store in east Liverpool. So fiercely private is Morris that he refuses any interviews or public appearances, instead dispatching a family member - usually his brother and business partner Joe - if ever an engagement is unavoidable. When his company donated a mini-bus to a Wigan primary school in 2024, for example, Morris shunned the ceremony and sent his wife to do the handshakes. In fact, only one photograph of him is known to exist online - an awkward snap of Morris, hands in pockets, alongside Joe and two business associates in 2001. From left: Joe Morris of Home Bargains (brother of Tom), Francis O'Brien of Arrowcroft, Tom Morris of Home Bargains, Christopher Fox of Arrowcroft A mock-up of the King development in Liverpool's docklands, showing the ten unique towers At the centre of the proposed cluster of towers is a 70-storey skyscraper that at 727ft would be Liverpool's tallest building - and seventh-tallest in the UK The Kings development, encircled in red, proposed ten distinct towers, represented by the grey shaded areas Further details about his personal life are scant, though he is known to have five children with his wife, Kristina O'Hare, and to live in the upmarket seaside town of Lytham St Annes, on the Lancashire coast. The revelation he is bankrolling the ambitious billion-pound Kings project, therefore, offers a rare insight into his activity. Mr Morris declined the Daily Mail's invitation to comment on his proposed investment. Morris's billion-pound splurge comes as the turnover of his business, TJ Morris Group Limited, which trades as Home Bargains, swelled to 4.5billion last year - landing his family a healthy 66million dividend. The tycoon's success can be traced back to his youth. He and his six siblings are third generation shopkeepers, born to the owners of a store on Liverpool's Scotland Road. After school, Morris earned an engineering degree, but promptly abandoned the vocation in favour of his bloodline calling - retail. In 1976, at the age of just 21, he took out an overdraft to fund the opening his first discount shop - then called Home & Bargain - in Liverpool's eastern Old Swan neighbourhood. Here he lured in customers by offering toiletries cheaper than elsewhere, and that model has remained largely unchanged. Home Bargains steadily grew into one of Britain's largest companies, and now flogs everything from shower gel to hanging baskets - often buying cheap from brands looking to offload stock. Tom's brother, Joe, is wheeled out for public engagements, while the billionaire founder avoids all publicity The tycoon's wife, Kristina, was sent do the honours at a ceremony when the company, TJ Morris, gifted a minivan to a Wigan primary school for children with special needs The discount retailer, along with competitors such as Aldi and Lidl, fared particularly well over the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, as shoppers prioritised stocking up on more economical options. It now boasts more than 600 stores and a workforce of 28,000 - and Morris has ambitions to expand to 1,000 sites in the coming years. He remains the prime beneficiary from the business, with a 98 percent stake in TJ Morris, but has resisted spending in any way that attracts attention. A business associate told the Guardian in 2019: 'Tom is very impressive. There is a humility to him that is very admirable. He is very private and does not flaunt his wealth.' Humility and privacy do not, it seems, rule out luxury yachts, or private jets with personalised registrations. Morris is known to own a 38million Bombardier Global 5000 jet with M-ORIS spelled out on the tail, a 34million superyacht called Moskito, and a 7.5million VIP Bell 429 helicopter, which he keeps at Blackpool Airport. Moskito was one of several Brit-billionaire-owned vessels moored off the Caribbean island of St Barths over the New Years, alongside the likes of Jeff Bezos and Leonardo DiCaprio. Having perhaps exhausted the thrills of luxury private travel, Morris has turned to a new sink for his money with the King's development, which would supercharge the ongoing regeneration of Liverpool's historic docklands. The docks were once a post-industrial graveyard of derelict warehouses and grimy waterways, but billions of pound of investment and a flurry of ambitious projects have put a buzz back in the air. Morris religiously avoids the limelight, with this being the only known photo of him in the public domain Morris and his wife, Katrina, are known to live in the desirable seaside village of Lytham St Annes, on the Lancashire coastline Moskito, the luxury superyacht owned by Morris, was moored of the Caribbean island of St Barthes over New Years' Eve, alongside the likes of Jeff Bezos and Leonardo DiCaprio Plans for the plot, set back from Princes Dock between Bath Street and King Edward Street, were dramatically unveiled at the MIPIM property conference in Cannes this week. They show ten distinct towers overlooking the River Mersey - touted as providing a gateway between the business district and the waterfront. Its centrepiece is the 70-storey skyscraper that will house 563 luxury apartments, and a 212-room five-star hotel across 23 floors. Planning consent has already been granted for another of the ten towers, No. 1 Kings, and an environmental impact report submitted, but the masterplan will be handed over to the council in the summer. Ian Simpson, a co-founding partner of SimpsonHaugh, the architects behind the 70-storey tower, said: 'This is a landmark intervention for Britains most dramatic waterfront skyline. 'It is rooted in the citys architectural vernacular and its maritime history but offers a very contemporary expression of both.' This is not the first time Morris has invested significantly in real estate. In 2021, he bought around 5,000 acres of land in West Lancashire, in a deal thought to be worth up to 50million. It was purchased by a dedicated holding company, The Halsall Estate, which said at the time the aim of the acquisition was to 'work with local farmers to grow and promote British produce'. Occasional modest donations by TJ Morris to the Labour Party have been made public, including 5,000 to Health Secretary Wes Streeting in 2023, and 10,000 in support of Steve Rotheram's successful campaign to become Liverpool's mayor in 2017. A baby hospice, Zoe's Place, was also saved from closure last year thanks to a 2.5million charitable donation from the company, alongside a major community push. Doctors are fighting to save the life of a 'miracle' baby girl who suffered 'devastating' brain damage after choking on a piece of fruit. One-year-old Emanuelly Rodrigues went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated in hospital. Her brain was starved of oxygen for 'approximately 30 minutes' and she had to be intubated before being put into an induced coma for more than a week. She is now blind, unable to walk or talk and is fed through a tube. Emanuelly had been visiting London from Brazil with her parents, Wanessa and Luiz, and older sister, Isabela, for the past four months when the horror unfolded. But she cannot get the medical treatment she 'urgently needs' because her family are 'stranded' in the UK on a tourist visa and do not have valid medical insurance, according to a GoFundMe set up by a family friend to help raise money for her healthcare. The one-year-old began choking on a strawberry while being looked after by a babysitter on February 3. The babysitter 'made attempts to dislodge the obstruction, unfortunately without success' before 'running into the street asking for help' when a passing student doctor dashed over to help. One-year-old Emanuelly Rodrigues suffered 'devastating' brain damage after choking on a strawberry on February 3 She was put into an induced coma for eight days after medics resuscitated her - and has now been in hospital for the past 41 days Emanuelly was rushed to Watford General Hospital where medics performed CPR and resuscitated her before she was put into the coma. Her father, Luiz Rodrigues, 23, told the Daily Mail: 'Emanuelly choked on a strawberry, (the babysitter) tried to dislodge it without success, (and then) ran into the street asking for help. 'A medical student who was passing by picked Emanuelly up and ran to the hospital. They began the process to clear her airways and perform CPR. It took about 30 minutes until they managed to resuscitate her. 'Soon after, she was intubated and transferred to St Mary's Hospital where she remained in an induced coma for eight days. 'After that she was transferred again to Watford hospital where she is currently receiving constant care, waiting for a hospital to begin neuro-rehabilitation which isn't being offered. 'She is having considerable difficulty breathing. She cannot sit, walk, speak, or make voluntary movements, and she is blind. She cries a lot and is fed only through a feeding tube.' Emanuelly is being given anticonvulsant medication, which prevent or reduce the severity of epileptic fits, as well as sedatives and painkillers. Mr Rodrigues said Emanuelly also 'presents with' dystonia - uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle movements (spasms) - and muscle rigidity. The one-year-old is now blind, unable to walk or talk and is fed through a tube after suffering a brain injury She is now fed through a tube and has experienced high fevers and seizures - but her parents have been left 'stranded' in the UK on tourist visas without valid medical insurance He told the Mail: 'Wanessa is constantly by Emanuelly's side. These are very difficult, worrying, and very sad days, with no solutions being found. We feel anguish, despair and fear. 'She is a very special child, very intelligent, and loves playing with her older sister. She enjoys watching cartoons and loved visiting the parks in the United Kingdom. 'Her situation is very delicate due to the severity of the injury, she may suffer serious permanent damage. 'Currently, she is stable, but everything can change, but we believe she will be fine, she just needs treatment and time to recover. She is a warrior and a miracle.' Emanuelly has been in hospital for more than a month. Family friend Heidi Dunn, 32, has now set up fundraiser for 16,000 to get Emanuelly the healthcare she needs in the UK as the one-year-old is not fit to fly on a commercial flight and an air ambulance costs 'far beyond anything the family could afford'. The specialist treatment Emanuelly needs is also not easily accessible where her family live in Brazil, according to Ms Dunn. She said the Brazilian consulate has also been unable to help, with the one-year-old parents feeling they have been 'left in the middle of all this waiting for appropriate treatment'. Mother Wanessa Rodrigues, 20, is 'constantly by Emanuelly's side. Pictured: Mrs Rodrigues with her daughter Emanuelly's father, Luiz Rodrigues, 23, said she 'loves playing with her older sister' Isabela, who is five. Pictured: Emanuelly and Isabela wearing Father Christmas hats with a camera filter The family have been advised that if they can obtain a medical letter confirming Emanuelly is not fit to travel on a standard commercial flight, they may be able to apply for a visa extension so she can remain in the UK and receive treatment, according to the fundraising page, which has so far raised more than 4,600. However, the hospital has not done this, leaving the family in limbo. Ms Dunn told the Mail: 'As a parent, seeing them go through such a devastating situation with little support motivated me to set up a GoFundMe to help.' Her GoFundMe page states: 'Wanessa and her husband Luiz arrived in London from Brazil in November 2025 with their two daughters, Isabela (5) and Emanuelly (1). 'What was meant to be a temporary visit has become a medical and personal crisis following a tragic accident involving their baby daughter. 'On 3 February 2026, while being cared for by a babysitter, Emanuelly choked on a strawberry. Despite immediate attempts to help her, the obstruction could not be cleared. A passing doctor intervened and rushed her to Watford General Hospital, where doctors fought to save her life. 'Emanuelly suffered a cardiac arrest and required resuscitation. Her brain was without oxygen for approximately 30 minutes, resulting in severe brain injury. 'She was intubated and found to have significant brain swelling, before being transferred to St Mary's Hospital in London. She spent seven days in an induced coma and also experienced high fevers and seizures. Well-wishers have so far raised more than 4,600 towards Emanuelly's care Mr Rodrigues described his daughter as 'a warrior and a miracle' who 'enjoys watching cartoons and loved visiting the parks in the United Kingdom' 'As a result of her injury, Emanuelly now has profound neurological issues. She is unable to walk, speak, or see and is fed through a tube. 'Doctors have advised that she urgently needs specialist neurorehabilitation treatment to give her any chance of improvement.' 'At present, Wanessa and Luiz are facing serious barriers to accessing this care. They came to the UK on a tourist visa and do not have valid medical insurance, which means their daughter is not receiving the neurorehabilitation treatment she urgently needs.' Ms Dunn said donations will help to support the one-year-old's care, including specialist therapy and rehabilitation, medical equipment and supplies, transport to appointments, basic living expenses, and any legal or professional support needed to explore visas or treatment options. A spokesperson for Watford General Hospital said: 'This is a terribly sad and complex situation. We will continue to work with care and compassion with Emanuelly and her parents during what is deeply distressing time for them all.' A spokesperson for St Mary's Hospital said: 'Our thoughts are with the whole family at this most sad and difficult time. Care is now being provided at another hospital, more local to the family.' President Donald Trumps NASA chief cannot wait to return to the moon, partially to reemphasize that the United States can do it. We owe it to every one of the pioneers during the 1960s every one of the astronauts that what they did was just the start and not the end of a great journey, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview at NASAs JFK center in Florida. Isaacman has a personal passion for space exploration and aviation as an entrepreneur and pilot. He has been to space on two separate SpaceX missions, including the first all-civilian mission in 2021. He acknowledged that a growing number of Americans believed that the Apollo moon landing was actually an elaborate hoax, but emphasized that he had access to the truth, as the administrator of NASA. I like, literally, have access to all the materials and the boots that were worn on the moon, and seen, you know, the Apollo 11 command module, and spoken to the astronauts, the heroes that actually did it. There's no question, he said. The conspiracy theories surrounding the moon landing have long-angered people involved with the Apollo space missions. In 2002, astronaut Buzz Aldrin personally punched conspiracy theorist Bart Sibrel in the jaw outside a Beverly Hills hotel, after the filmmaker heckled him for not landing on the moon. Isaacman pointed to Americas reluctance to build upon the moon missions as probably to blame for more people questioning the authenticity of the mission. I dont blame people. Hey, it's been a long time, more than a half century, like, why is it so hard to get back? he asked. Well, we owe them that outcome. What NASA accomplished in the 1960s with the moon landing, he said, was near impossible but recalled that it rallied the entire nation in the space race with Russia. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman speaks about the Artemis program Mobile launcher 1 containing the massive Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft This is what America does, and it's and we do it at our best when we're up against a great competitor, he said. Isaacman said that Trump was emphatic about pushing past the Apollo missions with the launch of the Artemis program that is scheduled to return humans to the moon by 2028. Don't just go back to the moon to plant the flag and bring back rocks, he said, detailing the mission to build a moon base and pursue big, bold endeavors in space. NASAs Artemis II mission, scheduled to launch in April, will take four astronauts further into space than any other mission on a ten-day voyage around the moon and back to Earth. arth. It's going to be the most demanding, most important human space flight mission in a half century, he said. Isaacman said there was no question that the United States was in a new space race with China. China, he said, had a very robust space program that should not be underestimated. They don't have what I would describe even, you know, a lot of the baggage right now, he said. They are starting their program from scratch, and they're resourcing it. They have the expertise and the will, and they are pursuing those goals. He acknowledged there had been setbacks with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket powering the Artemis program as it was using a lot of heritage equipment that was really old. NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft is rolled back from pad 39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stands with the Artemis II crew The Artemis II mission has already been delayed for problems with the helium flow issues and hydrogen leaks, but Isaacman said it was no surprise that the equipment would need upgrading since it hadnt been launched since 2022. In February, Isaacman announced a major overhaul of the Artemis program, including an increase of launch cadence of the SLS. The result, he promised, would be two manned missions to the moon in 2028. The challenges we've had up to now should absolutely have been expected. When you consider the history of the program, what matters most is that we're going to do things differently, he said. The status quo is unacceptable. NASAs mission to return to the moon, he said, was the goal of the space program for over 30 years and the cost of the program had surpassed $100 billion. You come up short. That sends a message to the world, he said. Isaacman credited President Trump for lighting a fire under NASAs mission, by passing significant funding for the program and getting everyone in Congress focused on the task at hand. This is a president who appreciates space very much. He's given us the mandate. He's given us the funding you combine that with the appropriations from Congress, we got all the ingredients to go out and change the world in air and space, he said. Farmers are calling for citysiders to ditch their cars as Australia's regional fuel supply crisis extends into its second week. Despite the Albanese government maintaining the nation's fuel supply remains stable, farmers have repeatedly warned they have only a few weeks of fuel left, with some who have already run out. The Victorian Farmers Federation says one way to ease fuel shortages in regional areas is for city commuters to consider switching from cars to public transport until the situation in the Strait of Hormuz stabilises. VFF President Brett Hosking said these potential fuel savings could help ensure farmers keep planting, harvesting and producing food. 'For most Victorians, a fuel shortage means cancelled plans, longer queues and a tighter weekly budget,' Mr Hosking said. 'For farmers, timing is everything. Farming runs on narrow weather windows, and if the tank is empty at the wrong moment you can't just wait for prices to settle, you lose the opportunity, and sometimes the entire crop. 'Keeping farmers moving is in everyone's interest. Victorian farmers grow almost a quarter of Australia's food and feed millions more across the globe.' The federation, which represents around 19,000 Victorian farmers, is also calling on the Allan government to make public transport free. Farmers are asking the Victorian government to make public transport free to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) President Brett Hosking said the fuel savings could help farmers keep planting, harvesting and producing food Some farmers have already warned they have run out of fuel and are unable to find supplies 'If just one in five Victorian car commuters shifted to public transport, the fuel saved would be enough to plant roughly half of Australia's wheat, barley, canola and lentil crop,' Mr Hosking said. 'A little would go a long way. Even taking one or two trips a week on the train, tram or bus instead of driving can leave more fuel in the system for the jobs that keep supermarket shelves stocked.' The VFF is also calling on the state government to run more services so the system can absorb extra passengers. 'When the dust settles, the government needs to take a good hard look at the numerous warnings they've ignored that's left us in this predicament. For now, we're asking for a helping hand to grow the food and make sure it gets to where it needs to go,' Mr Hosking said. While the NSW Farmers Association did not officially call for commuters to swap their car for public transport, a spokesperson told the Daily Mail the Minns government must provide an urgent solution to the rural and regional diesel supply. 'The NSW Government's roundtable on Monday was promising insofar as they're asking the right questions, but we continue to get reports from members across the state who are getting more and more stressed about fuel and fertiliser supplies heading into the winter sowing window,' a NSW Farmers spokesman said. 'We're concerned that there's this continued government talking point that there's no supply problem, and that this is all because of panic buying. That's plainly not true in rural areas. 'Independent bulk fuel distributors the primary source of farmers' fuel say they can't get their supplies from the terminals.' Citysiders are being urged to consider ditching their cars and take public transport instead An emergency national cabinet meeting will be held on Thursday to discuss the fuel crisis It comes as the federal energy minister, Chris Bowen, confirmed on Wednesday that the nation's fuel supply remained stable. 'We've been striking agreements, company by company, that they will release more of that fuel into the regions and we're starting to see some of that flow,' he told ABC. 'Our fuel supplies remain solid in terms of what's coming in and what's being produced... rationing is not a conversation that we need to have at this point.' The NSW Farmers spokesman said Bowen must solve 'today' is how to get diesel from the terminal to country bulk suppliers. 'What this reveals is that despite years of repeated warnings about how vulnerable or supply chains are, successive governments have ignored the true problem,' he said. 'Australia plainly needs a far better solution to making sure we have the fuel and fertiliser we need here on our shores. That may include making our own diesel and urea, and this is something that seriously needs to be considered.' An emergency national cabinet meeting will be held on Thursday amid concerns about rising fuel prices and decreasing supplies. The Daily Mail has contacted Victoria's transport minister, Gabrielle Williams, for comment. Donald Trump has found himself in a surprising new battle with China this time over mini skirts and women's fashion. The president is taking on a Chinese clothing brand that has been using the president's initials to sell dresses, tops, and other eye-catching outfits online. For 12 years, Hong Kong-based D&J Xin Rong International Trading Company Ltd has been trading under 'DJT' and 'DJT Fashion' without the names ever formally being contested. Their business platforms include an Amazon storefront selling high waisted mini-skirts that it calls skater skirts and other sexy female outfits, with the slogan: 'For every piece we design, our intention is to inspire every woman to feel good.' The overlap has now caught the attention of Trump's legal team, filings show and he wants it to stop. The company renewed its trademarks in June last year with the US Patent and Trademark Office, but Trump's attorneys have since filed a 'petition for cancellation'. According to the February 26 filing, the brand gives a 'false suggestion of a connection with persons' and 'the registration is being used by the registrant so as to misrepresent the source of the goods or services'. There is no mention, however, of the name Trump or picture of the president on the company's website. It also claims it 'consists of or comprises a name, portrait, or signature of a living individual without written consent, or the name, portrait, or signature of a deceased president without the written consent of the surviving spouse.' President Donald Trump has launched an unusual trademark battle over his 'DJT' initials after a Chinese fashion brand used them for years, the Daily Mail can reveal Hong Kong-based D&J Xin Rong International Trading Company Ltd has been doing business under the name 'DJT' to sell women's mini skirts, dresses, and other fashion items for 12 years Trump's lawyer Michael Santucci of 500 Law, based in Fort Lauderdale, also made it clear that it isn't just any set of initials. 'As of the date of this Petition, Donald J. Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, also known by his initials 'DJT,' is one of the most famous and widely recognized individuals in this country and throughout the world,' he writes in the filing. 'His name, likeness, image, and persona are instantly and universally recognized by the consuming public in the United States and internationally across all demographic segments. For more than four decades, Donald J. Trump has maintained unprecedented and pervasive public exposure through extensive commercial branding and licensing activities spanning numerous industries, continuous and intensive national and international media coverage across all forms of media, and frequent, prominent appearances on television, social media, and other massmedia platforms reaching hundreds of millions of consumers,' added Santucci. 'Donald J. Trump's commercial activities have been the subject of extensive trademark protection and enforcement efforts.' The attorney said that tens of millions of dollars have been spent building and protecting the Trump brand across hotels, merchandise, and media ventures. 'They have become famous in the United States and well known worldwide and assure consumers a high level of quality, appeal, and satisfaction, the attorney claimed without mentioning such notorious flops as Trump University, Trump Vodka, Trump Airlines or Trump Steaks. According to the USPTO website, the status of both DJT and DJT Fashion are now cancellation pending with D&J Xin Rong International Trading Company having 60 days to file a response to the petition. If they fail to answer, theres a likelihood that the trademarks will be terminated. On the other hand, if they do reply and the two parties dont settle the disagreement, then it can go all the way to trial, which is currently pencilled in for September next year. The Hong Kong-based company runs an Amazon store using the 'DJT' branding The clothing brand's products include mini skirts sold in different varieties The Chinese company had been using DJT for 12 years without any public indication of a complaint but may now have to change the name it does business under The Daily Mail attempted to contact D&J Xin Rong without success. Trump used numerous trademark examples as the basis for cancellation such as DJT, Trump Hotels and a Trump coat of arms. Another example is the recent trademark application for 'President Donald J Trump International Airport', after the Florida state senate voted last month to pay permanent homage to him by renaming Palm Beach International Airport. The Trump Organization has filed trademarks for DJT and the airport's three-letter code PBI could be changed to Trump's initials, which are not used by any other airport worldwide. That happened in 1963 when Idlewild Airport in New York was rechristened John F. Kennedy International Airport just a month after the 35th president was assassinated. Its code was changed from IDL to JFK. State Senator Debbie Mayfield, who proposed the renaming, reportedly submitted a funding request for $5.5 million which would pay for signage, branding and website updates associated with the renaming yet there's only an initial $2.75 million available. Trump Organization spokeswoman Kimberly Banza insisted to ABC News the president is not seeking to profit from the move, and said the applications were instead intended to prevent 'bad actors from infringing upon or misusing the name'. 'To be clear, the president and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming,' she said. Competition between two rival pizza joints has escalated into bloody violence with one man ending up in an intensive care unit and another quizzed by cops. The carnage took place inside and outside newly-opened Daje Pizza on Sydney Road in trendy Brunswick, just outside of Melbourne's CBD, on Friday night. Andrea Caroli and his friend could be seen on CCTV footage speaking to two men outside Mr Caroli's new restaurant. The video then showed Mr Caroli's friend step in with a fire extinguisher and blast one of the men in the face before the fracas moved inside. That man was Lance, owner of rival Leon's Pizzeria, which has been in business for nine years just a few doors down the street on Sydney Road. Video inside the shop also showed Mr Caroli's mate lash out at Lance with a crowbar after he tossed the fire extinguisher back at him. Lance then unleashed a volley of blows to the man's head, leaving him bloodied before he was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital with significant head injuries. Mr Caroli appeared on Nine News the following night, claiming Lance and his son had been trying to run him out of business. Lance (in blue) wields a chair against another man armed with a crowbar The man had earlier sprayed pizza shop owner Lance in the face with a fire extinguisher 'All this because we are competition, they're scared that they're going to lose their business,' he said. He told the program his friend had jumped in to defend him. 'My friend was trying to protect me,' he said. 'There's arguing and the guy punched him ... it was like horrible. It was a nightmare.' The fallout has seen Lance's pizza shop and his Brunswick fish and chip shop, Flakes on Sydney Road, bombarded with negative reviews as locals vowed to boycott them. Lance told Daily Mail he had been unfairly villainised in the footage broadcast and claimed he had acted entirely in self defence. Police interviewed him for 90 minutes before releasing him without charge, he said. 'The police came and I told them my story and they said to me, "Thank you for being honest with your statement. Go home",' he said. 'That's what the police told me. "We saw the video. Just go home".' Andrea Caroli provided CCTV footage of the incident to media Daje Pizza opened its doors about a week ago in Brunswick Daje Pizza had spent months preparing to open its doors before the clash erupted within days of it launching. Lance said he had previously expressed concern over Mr Caroli opening a pizza shop in such close proximity to his. He claimed Mr Caroli had told him he planned to open a bakery that would shut its doors before his pizza shop even opened. 'I said, "That's fine. You can stay until open until midnight, but bring different foods", then we will all be happy,' Lance said. But Lance claimed Mr Caroli misled him and began selling pizzas. 'The guy said to me, "Oh, it's a free country. I can do whatever the f*** I want",' Lance claimed. Despite his concerns, Lance said he never threatened or intimidated Mr Caroli leading up to the incident. Lance claimed his 20-year old son, who works at the pizzeria, had upset Mr Caroli during a petty squabble where his son gave his rival 'the finger'. Lance's Brunswick pizzeria Leon's has been boycotted by angry locals 'I said I'd talk to the guy and tell him to calm down,' Lance said. He claimed he hoped to assure Mr Caroli that he would speak to his son and ensure both businesses could operate in harmony. 'I don't see it as a big deal,' said Lance. 'I mean just leave it, the finger is the finger. 'I said if any words are exchanged or something big [happens], just come and see me and I'll make sure this doesn't happen again. 'Stay away from him and he'll stay away from you. You mind your business and we'll mind our business and that's the end of the story.' Lance said the matter was on the cusp of being resolved when Mr Caroli's mate approached with a fire extinguisher behind his back and proceeded to abuse him. 'I said, "Who the hell even are you?" and he went, bang, right in my face with the extinguisher,' he said. Mr Caroli dismissed his rival's version of events when approached by the Daily Mail. 'It's bulls***,' he said. '(His son) has been threatening me for months. 'His son was trying to fight me every time he saw me ... I don't want to talk about this. Sorry. Police are getting involved so I'm sick of this stuff.' The Brunswick fish and chips shop has also felt the brunt from angry locals Lance said his shops have been hut by 'fake' reviews since the television report was aired Join the discussion Would you boycott a local eatery over a brawl? Lance insisted the edited CCTV footage aired on the local news had falsely portrayed him as the aggressor. 'I didn't have a weapon on me,' he said. 'I didn't have a knife. I went to have a general conversation but his friend walks out with a fire extinguisher and a crowbar. 'Where is he going with all these weapons? What do you expect will happen when you spray someone in the face three times with a fire extinguisher? 'Do you think that person is going to be quiet?' Lance said he would not pursue charges against the man he claims assaulted him with the weapons, despite suffering a painful injury to his hand from the crowbar strike. As the fallout continues, Lance said both of his businesses have been boycotted by the local community, with his wife and workers now the targets of verbal harassment. Lance said he migrated to Australia from Albania 20 years ago and had never had any problems with the law. But with his reputation and businesses in ruin, he wonders what lies ahead. 'The damage is done,' he said. Australians have erupted over the safety advice issued to the public after two women were sexually assaulted while exercising. A 53-year-old woman was attacked by a stranger while swimming at Town Beach near Iluka Park in Mackay, Queensland, on February 3. A 27-year-old was attacked weeks later while on the Bluewater Trail, a scenic path close to Iluka Park, between February 13 and 21. Both incidents occurred while the women were using a park or beach for exercise around the same time of day. Police are investigating if there is a link between them. Detective Inspector Emma Novosel issued a safety warning on Monday, admitting there was a 'limited description of the offender involved'. 'We have increased our patrols to ensure that everyone is safe, but, if you are going to exercise, can I ask you to take some basic security precautions that you would ordinarily do on a day-to-day basis?' she said. 'If possible make sure that someone knows where you're going. If possible don't exercise alone, and if you choose to wear headphones make sure that the volume in those headphones is at a level so you can be aware of your surroundings.' Australians immediately took issue with the advice, questioning why a tougher message was not being directed to violent men. Activist Sherele Moody (pictured left with Grace Tame) has criticised police for warning the public to take precautions after two reports of violent sexual assaults in Mackay, Queensland Ms Moody altered a headline about the incidents to highlight that the focus should be on stopping violence, rather than victim behaviour Activist and Australian Femicide Watch founder Sherele Moody claimed the message should have read: 'Don't hurt women: Grim warning for violent men.' 'The message from police should be "Stop hurting women, stop being violent",' she wrote online. 'The cops do not have to tell us to "not exercise alone" and to not "listen to music" while we run - we already do what we can to keep ourselves safe. 'We have every right to run when we want, by ourselves or with others, and have our headphones on.' Another person added: 'What are we supposed to do? Just curl up and die? We can't do anything, not even safe in our own homes.' 'Instead of telling women not to swim or exercise alone or to turn their ear pods down, the message should be directed at men who assault women,' a third chimed in. 'Dont attack women, dont sexually assault women, dont threaten or approach women, and avoid being alone near women if your presence could make them feel unsafe.' Detective Inspector Emma Novosel (pictured) said two women were sexually assaulted in February near Iluka Park after they were approached from behind by unknown men. Police are investigating whether there is a link between the incidents Police increased patrols in the Iluka Park area but asked members of the public to take precautions if they are exercising A spokesperson for Queensland Police said community safety is its highest priority. 'Queensland police take all reports of sexual violence very seriously and has dedicated support services and reporting options available for victim-survivors,' they said. The QPS works to prevent, disrupt, respond to and investigate sexual violence, while putting victim-survivors first and holding perpetrators to account. 'Detective Inspector Novosel provided details of the incidents, as well as a broad public safety message to all members of the public to remain aware of their surroundings and consider exercising with others where possible.' Detective Inspector Novosel confirmed the women had been taken to hospital for physical and psychological treatment. 'As you can imagine, these women have been subject to a violent sexual assault,' she said. 'The nature of these assaults can be quite traumatising for victims and I want to commend the courage of these women in coming forward.' Investigations remain ongoing. Anyone who may have been in the Bluewater Trail, Iluka Park, or Town Beach areas around the relevant dates and noticed anything suspicious is urged to come forward. Officers are interested in speaking with anyone who may have CCTV, dashcam, or other footage from nearby streets, car parks, or walking tracks. London Book Fair 2026 The Ministry of Culture was once again represented at this Years London Book Fair by Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS) with the visit proving both fruitful and positive. The trip provided a valuable networking and learning opportunity through a series of face-to-face meetings, the establishment of new contacts and the strengthening of existing relationships. GCS representatives Davina Barbara and Edward Dove held meetings with the fairs organisers, as well as representatives from publishers HarperCollins and the Carnegie team. It allowed for further development initiatives and exploring future pathways for author and book-related collaborations. In addition, they attended several panel discussions led by industry professionals, which explored topics such as promoting reading, the challenges currently facing the publishing industry and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Whilst at the fair, they also attended book launch events by established authors Jeffrey Archer and Lucy Foley, and took the opportunity to reconnect with and support Manni Coe and Reuben Coe at their non-fiction panel discussion. Gibraltar Cultural Services CEO Seamus Byrne said: Our participation at the London Book Fair continues to contribute to our local literary landscape through the many development initiatives created by GCS on behalf of the Ministry of Culture. We look forward to participating at the London Book Fair 2027, where GCS will host its own stand to promote local literature, the Llanito language and the Gibraltar International Literary Festival. The public are being put at risk by 'serious failings' as dangerous criminals are freed from high-security prisons, the jails watchdog warns today. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor voiced grave concerns over two jails which are releasing high-risk inmates directly onto the street with inadequate assessments of the threat they may pose. He found dangerous offenders were being let out with 'little work to rehabilitate them'. At one high security Category A jail, HMP Woodhill, meetings to discuss the risk posed by offenders were 'not sufficiently frequent or well attended to ensure adequate oversight of high-risk releases'. 'The number of releases had increased significantly. Virtually all of these were high-risk, but very little extra resettlement support had been provided,' the report said. There was 'insufficient recorded evidence' of officers carrying out 'release and risk management planning'. In remarks which will be seen as a damning verdict on Labour's record, Mr Taylor said: 'Many of the problems, particularly the failure to stem the ingress of drones, an inability to solve chronic recruitment difficulties and large cuts to education provision, are the responsibility of the Prison Service and the Ministry of Justice.' Justice Secretary David Lammy, pictured on a visit to HMP Belmarsh in south London last September, has been warned about potential risks to the public as inmates are freed from two high-security jails Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor has issued an 'urgent notification' to Justice Secretary David Lammy over the state of HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes, Bucks, pictured Prisons watchdog Charlie Taylor, pictured, said he was 'deeply concerned by the risk this poses to the public' after inspecting Woodhill and Swaleside prisons Labour confirmed prison education cuts of up to 25 per cent in January. Mr Taylor found HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes, Bucks, had actually got worse since it was last inspected in 2023. He used his powers to issue an 'urgent notification' to Justice Secretary David Lammy over the state of the jail, where one of Britain's most notorious inmates, Charles Bronson, is held. It means Mr Lammy must respond with an action plan within 28 days. A second jail, HMP Swaleside, on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, was described as 'a prison in disarray' in a separate report by Mr Taylor, published today, which awarded the jail 'the lowest scores in my five years as chief inspector'. The report added: 'Levels of violence were some of the highest of any prison in England and Wales and assaults on staff, many of which were serious, had more than doubled since our last inspection in 2023.' Mr Taylor said: 'I am deeply concerned by the risk this poses to the public as increasing numbers of men are released directly from prisons like Woodhill and Swaleside into the community, with little work to rehabilitate them or reduce their future risk of harm.' The watchdog found drug deliveries by aerial drones were a major problem at both jails, driving high levels of violence. 'The dealing and use of drugs is rife and there are frightening levels of violence, including some very serious assaults on both prisoners and staff,' Mr Taylor said. Swaleside is a Category B jail but is part of the Prison Service's 'long-term high secure estate' that holds some of the riskiest criminals in the country. Neither jail was overcrowded, the inspector found, but were 'releasing increasing numbers of men directly into the community' rather than transferring them to other prisons. Prisons minister Lord Timpson said: 'These findings are deeply concerning. 'The prison crisis we inherited has left too many jails breeding crime rather than preventing it - with consequences felt across the estate. 'We are tackling these challenges head on, including at HMPs Woodhill and Swaleside where, as the chief inspector recognises, staff are already working tirelessly to improve safety, raise standards and reduce violence. 'This Government is determined to deliver punishment that works and keeps the public safe. We will not rest until every prison meets that mission.' President Donald Trump never said the word 'cancer.' Not once. Instead, as cameras rolled inside the White House on Monday, he described his chief of staff Susie Wiles's diagnosis as a 'minor difficulty' - reaching over to pat her shoulder and praise her as an 'amazing fighter.' But behind the carefully chosen words, the reality was far more serious. Days earlier, Wiles had been diagnosed with breast cancer after a series of tests, sources told the Daily Mail - with the President and Wiles's family among the first to know. Inside the West Wing, the news landed like a thunderbolt. Then came the calls. A flurry of them from across Trump's inner circle - messages of support, yes but also clear signals. One, in particular, stood out. First Lady Melania Trump picked up the phone. And in a White House where every gesture carries meaning, insiders say that call spoke volumes. Wiles isn't going anywhere. At the White House event on Monday, Trump ensured Wiles was seated right beside him, pulling out her chair as she appeared visibly uncomfortable under the spotlight - an unusual position for the famously camera-shy powerbroker known inside Washington as the 'Ice Maiden.' 'The spotlight is not her favorite,' one source told the Daily Mail. Yet there she was - dressed in a pink blazer, the common color of breast cancer awareness campaigns - quietly smiling as Trump publicly backed her and insisted she would 'be around for a long time.' President Donald Trump pats his chief of staff Susie Wiles on the shoulder during their first public appearance after the announcement of her breast cancer diagnosis 'That's their relationship. There was never a question of her leaving,' a source familiar with Wiles's thinking told the Daily Mail. First Lady Melania personally called Wiles to express her support, grateful that she would remain in the job, the Daily Mail can also reveal. The entire Trump family has a deep affection for Wiles, as someone who has stood by the President even in troubled times. But on Monday, the cancer news also came as a terrible shock in the West Wing for many junior staffers, who learned about it only after the President's announcement on social media. Prior to that announcement, Wiles had informed her senior staff of the diagnosis, while simultaneously emphasizing her decision to remain in the job. Her statement made it clear she would be joining the many women with breast cancer who continued living their lives and working throughout the treatment process. '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,' she said. Inside the White House, staffers breathed a sigh of relief, as the cloud of bad news passed through the building. 'She ain't going nowhere,' one source familiar with Wiles' plans told the Daily Mail. 'She has very wide support, the whole trust and confidence of the President. She loves her job.' Wiles's senior team quickly rallied around their boss, who is simply referred to as 'Susie' at the White House, even by the President himself. 'I went to Susie, my beautiful Susie Wiles, there's nobody like Susie, and everybody's with her and she's a great woman. I always go to Susie,' Trump said on Capitol Hill on Tuesday during his speech at the St. Patrick's Day Luncheon. 'I have no doubt she will crush this cancer with that same indomitable spirit,' Deputy chief of Staff Stephen Miller said. 'She is loved dearly by the entire White House team and we have her back in this fight each and every day.' First Lady Melania Trump personally called Wiles to express her support, grateful that she would remain in the job Wiles' power and influence behind the scenes at the White House has made her one of Trump's most trusted aides. She tends to shy away from the spotlight Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair recalled Wiles's support for the whole administration through some of their toughest battles, including trials and prosecutions, and even assassination attempts on the President's life. 'As with the rest, she will win this battle with grace,' he said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Wiles 'epitomizes what it means to be a strong leader' and also emphasized, 'she is also one of the nicest people I've ever met.' Outside the White House, there was already some rumblings about how long Wiles would remain in the job, but the cancer diagnosis emphasized her staying power, provided the treatment goes well. If Wiles was growing weary of her position, news of her cancer offered her an opening to leave with grace, one Washington insider told the Daily Mail. She did not take it. She has widespread support throughout Washington, although some former allies who have since been pushed out of the President's orbit have grumbled privately about her 'outsized' influence. Wiles has been celebrated as a critical figure in Trump's second term, most notably for her success at keeping the backstabbing and drama at bay. Others have speculated that Wiles will leave after the midterm elections this November to prepare for a possible role in the upcoming 2028 presidential battle. But Wiles remains quiet about any future plans, determined to focus on the job at hand with her close-knit team. 'I think that the team has a lot of fun,' a source close to the White House told the Daily Mail. 'At the same time, they are very loyal to the mission.' The brother of a transgender woman accused of murdering an elderly millionaire and squatting in his home for weeks was shocked to hear of his sibling's alleged crimes. Elanor Beaulieu, 39, was arrested after a seven-hour siege of the $6.3 million oceanfront property in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, on Saturday. She finally emerged from the home dressed like a Blues Brother and was locked up in the county jail, under her legal name Robert Phillip Simmons, charged with murder. The decomposing body of retired property developer Demetrius Doukoullos, 92, was found inside, which the medical examiner said had signs of trauma. Across the country in Kingston, Massachusetts, John Simmons knows Beaulieu as his long-lost older brother Robert, and had no idea she was an alleged killer. 'I haven't heard from Robert in years... I'm not even sure how many,' he said after the Daily Mail informed him of Beaulieu's arrest and alleged crimes. 'I have no idea what he's been doing, I really can't help you with that, I'm sorry.' Simmons, 37, was unaware that his sibling was identifying as a woman or going by the name Elanor Beaulieu - or how she could be accused of murder. 'I don't know why he would do something like that (killing someone),' he said. Elanor 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 The stunned brother declined to say whether Beaulieu had a history of mental illness, or reveal details of her life before they lost touch. Beaulieu grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, and went on frequent vacations to Tampa, Florida, where her family owned a holiday unit. Her mother Terese Simmons sold the family home after her husband, Robert Simmons Sr, died in 2012. She now lives in Marshfield near Simmons and her two grandchildren in a house owned by her daughter-in-law's parents. Beaulieu eventually moved to Fresno, California, and bought an 802sqft, one-bedroom apartment for $83,000 in April 2021. But by early 2023 she had defaulted on the mortgage and a trustee was appointed by the lender to foreclose the property, according to court documents. Developer group Compass Homes was the highest bidder at $57,000, and sued Beaulieu on July 7, 2023, claiming she refused to move out. Beaulieu eventually surrendered the property more than a month later on August 16, 2023. A SWAT team huddles behind a BearCat armored vehicle ready to breach the door What she did after that is unknown until she was arrested for second-degree robbery in Los Angeles in February 2025, but she was released the next day and the charge later dropped. Beaulieu was then arrested by police in Redondo Beach, just south of Hermosa Beach, for shoplifting on February 23 this year and given a citation. Neighbors along 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. The relationship between Doukoullos and Beaulieu, if any, is unknown. She is alleged to have killed him between March 7 and March 14. Doukoullos was for decades a prominent developer of luxury oceanfront properties in Hermosa Beach, many of which were his neighbors. His biggest success was a five-bedroom, eight-bathroom 7,000sqft three-story house that sold for a Hermosa Beach record $19.5 million in 2023. The property, bought by veterinary chain boss Greg Hartmann, featured walls of glass with views stretching from Malibu to Catalina and Palos Verdes. 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 The developer set an earlier local record of $18.4 million in 2017, a huge profit after buying and rebuilding the property for just $9.9 million three years earlier. Doukoullos also built an almost as big home nearby that was later bought by Rockstar Energy Drink founder Russell Weiner, who sold it for $14 million in 2020. Most of his biggest sales were secured by real estate agent Raju Chhabria, who died last summer, and Doukoullos was renting the unit where he was killed from Raju's son Neil. Doukoullos had lived alone since his wife Fredda died aged 75 in 2012 and sold his own stunning 2,244sqft four-bedroom, five-bathroom home for $7.5 million in 2023. Planning documents revealed the house would be knocked down and an even bigger 3,608sqft monstrosity with a huge roof deck built in its place. Doukoullos retired and moved into the two-bedroom unit in Chhabria's $6.3 million building, paying $6,900 a month. Chhabria said his relationship with his father's old pal was 'strictly business' and they hadn't spoken in months, and had no idea who would want to kill him. 'Demetrius was very active despite his age, and was still driving,' he told the Daily Mail. 'He probably built more homes on the Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach Strand than anyone else.' Neighbors along on The Strand regularly saw Doukoullos relaxing on his front porch, overlooking Manhattan Beach and the Pacific Ocean Then last week Doukoullos' upstairs neighbor smelled a foul odor coming from the unit and a suspicious person was in the unit, and called Chhabria's office. Chhabria called Hermosa Beach Police for a welfare check and to investigate the suspicious person, and officers arrived at 12.37pm on Saturday. '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. 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 Finally, one officer grabbed a bullhorn and warned Beaulieu they would force their way in, as SWAT readied breaching tools. 'Elanor, 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. Photos of Beaulieu on the porch 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 Blues Brothers. Beaulieu faced court again on April 2 and was remanded into custody at the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail on a $2 million bond. A picturesque Utah neighborhood of 21 newly built homes is deteriorating, with houses cracking and sinking into the ground as young families fear for their future. Families in the Winn Ridge neighborhood in Nephi, about 85 miles south of Salt Lake City, say cracks have spread across their walls, leaving them feeling unsafe in their homes. Edgar and Chelsie Rios forked out an eye-popping $700,000 for a brand new pad in November 2022, but have now been forced to leave their property as a result of the damage. 'We worry about wires being pulled and starting a fire or gas lines breaking, pipes breaking,' Rios told FOX 13. 'This was our house,' she said. 'We expected to be here for a while.' Rios described seeing her house falling apart as 'emotional.' 'I have a hard time going inside and going in my kids' rooms,' she added. 'It makes me really sad.' In total, 21 homeowners filed a lawsuit in Utah state court earlier this year against Riding Siding Construction, the company allegedly behind the project. 21 homeowners in the Winn Ridge neighborhood of Nephi, Utah, alleged that their homes are riddled with cracks and sinking into the ground The homes were built in 2022 and 2023, according to a lawsuit filed by the homeowners Edgar and Chelsie Rios paid $700,000 for their home but have been forced to move out due to its deteriorating condition Rios said the settling caused a separation in the roof that allowed rainwater to pour into the garage, forcing her family to desperately cover it with a tarp. Residents of Winn Ridge have claimed that cracks are spreading through drywall, especially around door corners and windows. They also alleged the floors have started to slope. Some doors no longer latch properly, while fissures have also allegedly opened in basement floors. Those cracks are allowing 'dangerous levels of radon' into the homes, per the lawsuit. All of the homes were built in 2022 and 2023, according to the complaint. Another resident, Brandee Wing, said her home was among the ones affected. 'It's so frustrating,' she said. Residents have reported cracks spreading through drywall, particularly around windows and the corners of doors Builders knew the neighborhood had 'a moderate to high collapse potential,' according to the suit Builders were allegedly told the soils in the neighborhood had 'a moderate to high collapse potential.' The homeowners are also suing Salisbury Homes, which they claim handled most of the sales. A geotechnical report prepared for the company allegedly instructed builders to use six to 10 inches of fill soil, depending on compaction. They placed 12inch loose lifts instead, according to the lawsuit. Foundation drains mentioned in the report were also not installed, the homeowners claimed. 'The fraud that homeowners have alleged are that there were important facts about these lots and the way the soil was prepared or not prepared that were not disclosed,' according to their attorney, Chase Wilde. Still, Wilde said the homeowners did not want to leave their supposedly idyllic neighborhood. 'They don't necessarily want to move,' Wilde said. 'They don't want to sell their homes. They just want the homes repaired.' Michael and Brandee Wing said repairs to their home, which would mean lifting the residence up to install piers underneath, would cost about $270,000 Chase Wilde, an attorney representing the 21 locals suing, said the residents were not necessarily trying to leave their neighborhood The lawsuit does not specify any dollar amount sought by the homeowners. Michael Wing, Brandee's husband, said that fixing the situation would require 'a lot of money and piering.' But he said he would prefer to remain in the neighborhood. 'The layout of the whole house is beautiful and it's what we wanted,' he said. Repairs to their home, which would include lifting the residence and placing piers underneath, are estimated to cost nearly $270,000. That is more than half of what the Wings paid to buy their Winn Ridge house. The Daily Mail has reached out to Wilde, the homeowners' attorney, Riding Siding Construction and Salisbury Homes for further comment. A Metropolitan policeman investigating David Carrick gave the serial rapist a lift home and chatted to him about his job, a tribunal has heard. Carrick, 51, who previously worked as an armed officer in the same force, was arrested in July 2021 after a woman reported he had raped her multiple times. The sex offender is currently serving 37 life sentences over the attacks of more than a dozen women. Detective Sergeant Ray Mackennon told a tribunal on Wednesday he had attended Stevenage police station on July 17, 2021 'to get a more accurate sense of the investigation' into the allegations against Carrick. DS Mackennon had been working as a detective constable within the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) at the time of the encounter. Kevin Saunders, speaking on behalf of the Metropolitan Police, told Mr Mackennon: 'You were there, impartially exploring all lines of inquiry - you have been told that the officer concerned has been accused of... raping the victim... and subjecting her to coercive and controlling behaviour. 'Notwithstanding all of that, you took Mr Carrick home - you gave him a lift.' Mr Mackennon told the tribunal that a welfare officer had arrived late to Stevenage police station due to a lack of public transport, and because he did not have a car. Carrick (pictured), 51, who previously worked as an armed officer in the same force, was arrested in July 2021 after a woman reported he had raped her multiple times In 2022 and 2023, Carrick pleaded guilty to 71 sexual offences, including 48 rapes against 12 other women over 17 years 'My concern was that a welfare officer was not at Stevenage, no transport - all I wanted to do was to get him (Carrick) home, get him to an address to return back to Stevenage police station (later),' Mr Mackennon argued. But Mr Saunders said: 'There was absolutely no need for you to give Mr Carrick a lift home because his welfare officer was there. 'The reality is, they could have made their own way back to David Carrick's house - but this was an example of you showing preferential treatment to David Carrick over the complainant at a very early stage. Do you agree with that?' Mr Mackennon said: 'Of course not.' When asked what was said in the car, Mr Mackennon explained: 'Nothing - we spoke generally, about where he worked.' The tribunal further heard that, after returning to Stevenage police station, Mr Mackennon discussed the allegation against Carrick with Hertfordshire Constabulary officers, who reportedly told him that 'without corroborating evidence' the complaint would likely be 'NFA'd' (no further action). He also wrote in a report 'there were discrepancies around the account given by the complainant' - referred to as Female E - and made reference to a suggestion that 'the allegation was for revenge', the tribunal heard. Mr Mackennon denied having ever called the complainant's credibility into question during the course of the investigation. Carrick is currently serving 37 life sentences over the attacks of more than a dozen women An officer referred to in the proceedings as Officer A was appointed to investigate Carrick in August 2021, with Mr Mackennon made supervisor of the investigation within the DPS. Mr Mackennon has also denied failing to ensure Officer A adequately investigated the allegations against Carrick made by Female E. It is also alleged Mr Mackennon failed to ensure or direct Officer A to contact other witnesses in the matter, failed to ensure Officer A adequately investigated 'derogatory, misogynistic, sexualised and grossly offensive Facebook messages' between Carrick and Female E's partner, and failed to contact Female E herself, the panel previously heard. Shortly after making her complaint, Female E told police she wanted to stop the criminal investigation into Carrick, who was a serving police officer at the time, as she did not feel 'mentally strong enough' to continue, the misconduct panel heard. The decision was subsequently made to carry out a 'streamlined investigation' for Carrick's misconduct proceedings. Mr Mackennon told the tribunal on Wednesday: 'The victim had already been through an incredible ordeal and showed great courage to come forward and make those allegations. 'In the circumstances, it would have been unduly to add more pressure on the victim.' Mr Saunders previously said the accusations against Mr Mackennon represented a 'grave dereliction of duty' and that the failures in the misconduct probe 'are in part or wholly attributed to unconscious or conscious bias regarding Female E's sex or race'. If found proven, the behaviour could amount to gross misconduct and justify Mr Mackennon's dismissal. In 2022 and 2023, Carrick pleaded guilty to 71 sexual offences, including 48 rapes against 12 other women over 17 years. In November last year, he was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old child in the late 1980s and repeatedly raping and abusing a female ex-partner. The misconduct hearing will resume on Thursday. Two business owners in a quiet Yorkshire town are locked in a war over a group of stray cats who have been deemed 'detrimental' to the lives of locals. For Colette Boler, the former owner of Milly's Cafe in Thurnscoe, near Barnsley, the once 30-strong group of feral felines started to feel like family. Having purchased the cafe in 2007, 'cat crazy' Ms. Boler stumbled across the animals while delivering left-over sandwiches to workers on a nearby industrial estate. She started feeding them, paying for their treatment at the vet and, so comforting did the 62-year-old become to the moggies, that they started to respond to the sound of her voice. But, after nearly two decades of care, Ms. Boler almost saw her relationship with the clowder of cats crushed two weeks ago when she returned home to find a councillor at her door. 'She said she wanted to have a word,' the Yorkshire native tells the Daily Mail. 'She served me with a notice warning me not to feed the cats anymore. 'I was devastated, in tears, they had basically been mine for almost 20 years.' Ms. Boler was warned that, if she refused, a community protection order would be issued that could lead to a fine of 2,500. Colette Bowler, the former owner of Milly's Cafe in Thurnscoe, has been banned from feeding a group of feral cats she has been tending to for nearly 20 years The 62-year-old stumbled across the felines while delivering sandwiches to workers on a local business estate But Ms. Boler almost saw her relationship with the vulnerable animals crushed two weeks ago when she returned home to find a councillor at her door It came after a nearby garage business, the owner of which preferred not to be named, complained that the cats were stopping workers doing their job. They argued that the felines were defecating on their premises and, in a statement to the Mail, said that they posed 'health and safety concerns for customers'. 'There was a lady across the road who was coming out telling me to stop feeding them,' says Ms. Boler. 'She said that her men couldn't work because the cats were doing their business on the sand. She came out complaining more than once.' On one occasion the 'cat crazy lady', as she calls herself, even spotted the infuriated business owner pouring bleach over the road in an attempt to drive the vulnerable animals away. 'Twice she came out and on the third time she came out with two bottles of bleach and was squirting it all over the road, it even went in my car. Some of it went in the cats' food,' Ms. Boler says. 'So I was left with no choice but to report her to the RSPCA. She said, 'Well, I'm reporting you too!'' Since the councillor's visit, Ms. Boler has endured an 'awful' two weeks without her cats but, now, she sees a light at the end of the tunnel. After being convinced into taking to Facebook by her daughter, the Thurnscoe resident has received a huge outpouring of support. Cat-lovers from across Yorkshire have visited Milly's Cafe, some of whom arrived bearing gifts including cat food, biscuits, chocolates and cards. 'I never expected any of this,' she says. 'All I wanted to do was feed my cats. The support has been absolutely tremendous. A local businessman has now allowed Ms. Boler to tend to the cats on his premises - after she was left 'devastated' by a warning from the council 'I've had phone calls from thousands of people who I don't even know. People have offered to pay for me to help the cats, setting up GoFundMe pages. They've been telling me to feed the cats and saying that if I get fined, they'll pay the legal costs. 'Two ladies came in on Tuesday from York saying they couldn't believe what had happened and how sorry they were and what a brilliant job I've done. And then about an hour after they'd been, a gentleman came in and gave me a tenner for cat food.' The Cat Action Trust has also thrust its support behind Ms. Boler, collecting food for the moggies in the midst of her ban. Alice Ostapjuk-Wise, a volunteer for the charity, said: 'We just want to do what we can because some councils actually choose to exterminate feral cat colonies - and that's the last thing we want.' A local businessman has since offered to allow Ms. Boler to tend to the cats on his premises, something which the council have agreed to. Yet the written warning is still hanging over the 62-year-old's head. 'I just want my cats back,' she says. 'I love them all and I wish that I could fetch them home, but they're too scared.' A Barnsley Council spokesperson said: 'We understand this situation has been upsetting, and we recognise the person involved was acting with good intentions, out of concern for animal welfare. 'The council became involved after receiving complaints from businesses on an industrial estate in Thurnscoe, where a growing number of stray cats were being fed several times a day on the public highway and around commercial premises. 'The businesses raised concerns about repeated fouling across their site, including inside buildings and on stored materials and stock, which was creating health and safety risks for staff and visitors. 'After reviewing evidence and previous requests to stop feeding in this location, the council issued a Community Protection Warning. This is not a fine or enforcement action, but an early step to prevent the situation from getting worse. 'The warning simply asks that feeding does not take place on public highways or around the industrial estate, to protect local businesses, people working in the area, and the animals involved. 'We always aim to protect public health and safety, and we encourage anyone concerned about stray animals to work with recognised animal welfare organisations, so support can be provided safely.' Rachel Reeves admitted she wishes that Brexit never happened as she began her new drive to bring the UK closer to the European Union again. The Chancellor said she voted Remain a decade ago and would do so again, and regrets the fact that her side did not win. She claimed she did not want another referendum, saying it would be divisive. However critics claim her new policy of making much of the economy follow strict Brussels rules again will bring Britain back into the EU by the back door. Ms Reeves, who visited Spain on Wednesday as her charm offensive with European leaders got underway, said in an interview with The Economist: 'I believe that closer alignment, better trade relations with the EU is in our national interest.' She again cited disputed research which claims Britain's departure from the EU caused an 8 per cent 'hit' to GDP and went on: 'At a time when we are looking for stronger growth, improvements in living standards, lower prices in the shops, it would be foolish to just carry on as we are in terms of our relationship with the EU.' Ms Reeves said 'good progress' has already been made under Labour's reset of relations with Brussels, including agreements on food standards and energy trading as well as the UK rejoining the Erasmus student exchange programme. Rachel Reeves in Madrid on Wednesday with her Spanish counterpart Carlos Cuerpo She will now consider sectors of the economy likely to include chemicals, the car industry and financial services where the UK could once more align with EU regulations in order to gain more access to the single market. As she first revealed in a major speech on Tuesday, she believes divergence from Brussels rules should be the 'exception, not the norm'. 'Alignment means being able to trade more freely with our biggest trading partners and our nearest neighbours and our closest allies,' she told The Economist. 'I have fired the starting gun on where we want to go next, and that is closer alignment.' Told that many voters want the Government to go further and rejoin the EU, she replied: 'We voted as a country to leave almost ten years ago. I voted Remain, I campaigned for Remain, if we went back ten years in time I would vote exactly the same way again. 'But we have to move on. And that period in June 2016 was an incredibly divisive time for our country. 'People might like to turn back the clock and might like their answer to have been different but I do think re-running a referendum would not be in our national interest, I think it would be divisive.' Pressed on the matter, she said: 'If we could go back in time I would have voted again to Remain, I wish we had voted to Remain. 'But we can't go back in time, we are in the world as it, not the world as we might like it to be.' Senior Tory MP and chairman of the European Research Group Mark Francois told the Daily Mail: 'Keir Starmer 'Remains a Remainer' and he always will. Like Rachel Reeves, he has never accepted the result of the original EU referendum but he daren't call another one. 'So instead Labour are going to try and take us back in, by stealth. They will proceed one sector at a time, over time. Rather like boiling a frog, they'll hope to do this gradually, in the hope the British people will not notice - well, they're wrong.' And shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said: 'Rachel Reeves is trying to reopen the battles of the Brexit years. But it's just a distraction from her own disastrous mismanagement of the economy. 'Voters aren't looking back to 2016 they're looking forward to 2029, when they can vote Reeves and Labour out.' On Wednesday Ms Reeves visited Madrid to meet more than 100 of Spain's leading businesses and investors as well as holding talks with her counterpart Carlos Cuerpo on simplifying travel for UK professionals. A shamed police officer who had illicit flings with two criminals has been released after serving just nine months of a near four-year sentence - and is now flaunting her freedom on TikTok. Former Greater Manchester Police constable Choni Kenny, 28, was caught on camera kissing her drug dealer lover while in uniform at Forest Bank prison in Salford. When they split, she embarked on a fling with another criminal associate and tipped him off about a planned police firearms raid. Kenny was handed a three-year and nine-month sentence last April after admitting misconduct offences and passing on confidential police information. But after being freed from HMP Askham Grange near York in January, Kenny has rebranded herself online as an 'ex-prisoner breaking the stigma', posting TikTok videos about jail life - while also plugging cosmetic treatments to clients. The ex-officer posted jubilant pictures of her being met by family members at the gates of the women-only open prison, once home to road-rage killer Tracie Andrews and child killer Mary Bell. In one of her videos, Kenny remarkably described her prison routine as 'easy', telling followers: 'Three meals a day, roof over your head, nice warm bed, work nine till five, get paid every week. 'You don't need more than 30-odd pounds a week. What more could you want? Former Greater Manchester Police constable Choni Kenny (pictured) has rebranded as a prison influencer on TikTok following her early release Kenny pictured outside Liverpool Crown Court in 2025. She was handed a three year and nine month sentence after admitting misconduct offences and passing on confidential police information 'For me, it's more a case of maybe the life that you had before you went is what you miss and you thrive.' In another, she tells followers prison was not like television and recalls being handed 'toast on a blue plastic plate and a cup of tea in a beaker' when she first arrived at her first prison, HMP Styal, admitting she thought: 'I'm f****d.' She went on: 'I think I took in like maybe three gym sets, a bit of underwear and like two hoodies, a pair of trainers. 'Had I have known that I wasn't going to get a clothes parcel for around about a month then best believe I would have packed a suitcase. 'Like I'm talking, "we're going away on an all-inclusive two weeks new outfit every single day". 'They give you like greys [prison issue clothing], they were all brand new and there was not a cat in hell's chance I was wearing that.' Kenny was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court in April last year after pleading guilty to four offences of misconduct in public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct. The shamed officer, who worked in GMP's City of Manchester district, funded and delivered 20 illicit mobile phones so Josh Whelan, 31, could stay in touch with her from behind bars. Kenny, 28, (pictured right) had illicit flings with two criminals and served just nine months of a near four year sentence Kenny, of Cheadle, Greater Manchester, admitted four counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office The Forbidden kiss: This is the moment Choni Kelly was caught kissing prisoner Josh Whelan at Forest Bank prison while dressed in police uniform Kenny entered into illicit relationships with both men She was caught on CCTV embracing her lover in a waiting room at the jail. Kenny was later found to have entered into a relationship with Rahim Mottley, 28 - a burglary suspect under investigation by GMP who had fled to Spain - and unlawfully passed him police intelligence. Now free, Kenny is back on social media documenting life after prison and portraying herself as a changed woman. She posts videos of her gym trips and meals out while promoting herself as a self-employed beautician offering anti-wrinkle injections and skin boosters. Describing her first night in prison, she said: 'I got put behind my door, and I just sat there with my head in my hands. 'My very first night on that wing was crazy. People were banging at the doors. 'The heating was on and it was on full blast. People were banging on the pipes. 'I remember the conversations that people were having. I lay there. No concept of time. No watch. No curtains. It was either daylight or darkness. The shamed officer, who worked in GMP's City of Manchester district, funded and delivered 20 illicit mobile phones so prisoner Josh Whelan, 31, could stay in touch with her from behind bars 'I basically didn't have a pot to p***in there. Because I was fresh in jail, I didn't know how it worked.' Kenny has also used her account to offer tips to others facing jail, advising them to take gym sets, hoodies, trainers and sliders - adding: 'You aren't showering without shoes on your feet in there.' She also told her 11,000 followers that she was now 'glowing because I'm working on myself', while lashing out at critics over her crimes. Kenny said: 'Just before anyone comes for me, yes, I know. It was my own fault. I know. 'I've been judged. I don't need bloody Dave from down the road to whack a comment in telling me "well, you shouldn't have done what you did".' Kenny, from Stockport, Cheshire, had already been dismissed by the force before her sentencing, following a misconduct hearing on April 1, 2025. At the time, Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, head of GMP's Professional Standards Directorate, said Kenny had 'abused her position as a police officer' and that her actions 'plainly amounted to serious corruption'. At her sentencing, the court heard Kenny had a 'casual sexual relationship' with Whelan and a 'physical but casual' relationship with former schoolmate, Mottley. She also promised him that she would find out who the 'local grasses' were. Sentencing Kenny at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Neil Flewitt said: 'Your actions were not motivated by a desire for a financial or other advantage or borne out of any malice. 'They were a consequence of your naivety, immaturity and wish to maintain the friendship of Josh Whelan and Rahim Mottley.' Mottley was jailed for two years and two months for conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. Whelan was sentenced to two years and eight months after admitting possessing mobile phones in prison. A fitness influencer has been condemned for a vile racist rant she posted online. Anya Chappell, 21, who has almost 70,000 TikTok followers, filmed herself walking along in a Sunderland shirt yelling racist insults at passersby. Chappell is seen walking through a town centre yelling into the camera: 'I want to smash some c*** into next week. We are making friends with all these p*** n*****s.' A car is heard sounding its horn, which she appears to respond to, shouting back: 'Aye f*** off, you f***er. Here, I am not being funny, no p*** is telling me what to do.' The clip, which she posted on Snapchat, found its way onto X and was widely condemned. Amir Ma, posting on the group Expose Racism, said: 'The clip is publicly accessible and has already been widely shared online. 'The language is openly racist and degrading toward black and South Asian communities. 'Businesses that operate in diverse communities have a responsibility to ensure that the people representing them uphold basic standards of respect and professionalism.' Anya Chappell, 21, was widely condemned for a vile racist rant that she poste online He called on a Sunderland gym, Fitness 2000, which is associated with Chappell, to take action against her. The gym's owner Les Ojugbana - who described himself as a 'proud Nigerian' - was quick to distance himself from her post, but called for restraint towards Chappell. Les said: 'We have had a lot of messages and phone calls regarding the young lady who made some vile racial remarks on her social media. We do not condone such statements. 'Firstly, the young lady does not work at our site and she hasn't for almost a year, she was a self-employed PT using our facilities for a short period of time. 'Secondly and most importantly, I have not spoken to her, but I can guarantee she is probably very sorry for making such stupid drunken comments. 'I'm not trying to defend her statement as what she said was vile and disgusting, but she's a young lady with a future ahead of her, I'm hoping she has learned a very valuable lesson from this situation. 'But please let's let her be. I do not condone what she said, but we all make mistakes in life, especially the young, and I'm sure you all would not like to see your child or close family member attacked on social media because they made a silly mistake! It could lead to self-harm or something worse. 'So please let's stop the attack on her. The one without sin, cast the first stone.' The post gained considerable attention online after being shared widely, with many piling in to criticise Chappel's words The owner of the gym out of which Chappell works distanced himself from her, but also called for understanding and forgiveness Chappell is a fervent Sunderland supporter and often posts about the club. The day after the post, Sunderland supporters hoisted a Show Racism The Red Card banner at their home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, which was seen as a response to her clip going viral. Other supporters called out her behaviour. Posting on X, Sunderland fan Harry McBeth said: 'The Anya Chappell video is grim. We only stamp it out by recognising it happens within our fanbase and we continue to call out the scumbags saying this s***.' Chappell advertises her PT services at 27 per hour and describes herself as a fully qualified personal trainer who is also 'fully qualified in sport nutrition.' At the start of the year she thanked her clients for their support after what she described as a challenging 2025. She posted: 'Physically and mentally the most challenging year yet with so many highs and lows. 'In 2026 I will never again take my health for granted again. One of the most important things I've learnt this year is that it's OK to prioritise yourself and put yourself first because no one wants you to succeed more than YOU. 'Thank you to every single person that's supported my little business this year, whether that's been in person, online, or even just a follow - I appreciate every single person.' At her home in Sunderland, Anya Chappell was unavailable for comment. Her mother told the Daily Mail: 'She does not want to say anything and wants to be left alone.' Labour has U-turned on plans to make creatives 'opt out' of having their work mined by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Ministers had previously said that artists, musicians and publishers would have to object to their work being used by Big Tech. But following a major backlash from stars including Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa, the Government backtracked on the plans. 'We have listened,' Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said, adding that ministers must take the time to 'get this right'. The Daily Mail is campaigning for authors, publishers and musicians to be paid a fair price for their work and to have their copyright respected. Tech giants want an exemption to copyright law for their AI machines to learn from creative works without paying or crediting their owners. In its report following a consultation on the issue, the Government said it 'no longer has a preferred option' on copyright. The Government previously said its preferred option would be an exemption to copyright for training AI, so tech firms would not need a licence to use copyrighted material. Dua Lipa is among the artists who have spoken out against AI using the work of musicians without compensating them Creators would then need to opt out to prevent their work from being used. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged this approach was 'overwhelmingly rejected by the vast majority of the creative industries' and said the Government no longer preferred this option. 'It will take time to get this right. We will do so in a way that is in line with our own interests and values,' she said. The report suggested that while there could still be scope to change copyright law in future, any reform must compensate and protect creatives. But it added: 'We will not introduce reforms to copyright law until we are confident that they will meet our objectives for the economy and UK citizens.' Elsewhere in the report, ministers said that they could require AI-generated content to be labelled to protect consumers from disinformation and deepfakes. Ms Kendall announced a consultation on digital replicas - when someone's likeness is replicated without their permission. She also said she would also establish a taskforce to come up with proposals for how to label AI-generated content. 'It can be helpful to consumers to understand whether content has been made using AI. It may also help protect against disinformation and harmful deepfakes,' she said. News Media Association chief executive, Owen Meredith, who represents news publishers, welcomed ministers changing their position on a copyright 'opt out' for AI. 'We are pleased that the government has listened to concerns and taken the unworkable opt-out copyright exception off the table, recognising that giving away our goldmine of creative content is not the way to drive UK growth,' he said. However, he called for the Government to dismiss other exceptions for science and research or commercial research. Baroness Keeley, chair of the Lords Digital Committee, said the report was a 'welcome step' towards a 'more evidence-based approach' to AI. She said that the committee's recent report had made it clear that ministers should rule out any weakening of copyright law. Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Commons culture committee said the Government was 'right to halt its proposed copyright reforms' but said ministers should take action. Mandy Hill, president of the Publishers Association, said the backtrack was a victory 'over the self-interest of a handful of large corporations'. Dr Jo Twist, chief executive of trade body for the UK music industry the BPI, said she was 'pleased' the Government had changed its position. UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said he was 'delighted' that ministers had scrapped what would have been a 'deeply damaging change'. We now have meticulously curated a summary of most readily useful 100 % free revolves gambling enterprise sites giving 100 % free Spins No deposit shortly after a comprehensive review of this new UKs best platforms. 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Completely signed up by United kingdom Betting Commission, additionally holds expert in control betting requirements for additional tranquility out-of attention. (like the above mentioned) New probation restrictions on offenders will only come into force months after Labour begins releasing prisoners from jail early, it has emerged. The Government has unveiled a series of new electronic tagging schemes designed to toughen probation supervision in the community. But some will not be launched until the end of next year, long after sentencing reforms come into effect. Labour's Sentencing Act, passed in January, will largely prevent courts imposing jail terms of under 12 months, with offenders handed community punishments instead. The legislation will also allow prisoners to be freed after serving just one third of their sentence, if they show good behaviour in jail. Both changes were introduced to free up space in the overcrowded jails, following a previous Labour programme which has already seen 50,000 criminals freed early from prison. Ministry of Justice minister Lord Timpson confirmed it would 'take time' to make improvements to the probation system. But the Government aims to have a 'sustainable system' in place by April next year more than a year after the sentencing reforms begin to be introduced. On the first day of Labour's scheme in September 2024, lags released early were seen celebrating outside jails. Pictured: A man celebrates as he is released from HMP Wandsworth Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Lord Timpson said: 'The investment we are making in the service - both in new staff, in technology, in tags - will mean that we will have a sustainable system. 'It will take time to get to that point, but I want to do it in a way that it is robust. 'I want offenders to know that they're going to experience the full force of the law and the full force and the wisdom of probation staff to help them turn their lives around. 'By April next year that is our goal - to get to the point where we have a sustainable system. But at the moment, clearly, it is not working.' One new programme being launched by the MoJ is a new type of electronic tagging scheme which allows victims of crimes such as stalking, domestic abuse or sex offences to be warned if a tagged offender is nearby. A victim would carry an electronic device, or use an app on their smartphone, which would allow their position to be monitored by the probation service. If a tagged offender who had previously targeted them strayed near to the victim's location it would trigger an alarm in a control centre, officials said. Officials could then either contact the offender and tell them to move away, or police could be dispatched. The victim could also be contacted to let them know the offender was in the vicinity, officials added. The so-called 'proximity monitoring technology' will be piloted in a 5million scheme announced by the MoJ today. It will come as part of a 100million expansion of electronic tagging. Currently, 28,000 people are tagged at any one time, including 4,000 immigration cases. The new announcement will see overall capacity expand by a further 7,000 tags. There will be a new 'presumption' that every criminal will be fitted with an electronic tag before they are released from jail. An existing pilot scheme which sees convicted burglars and thieves forced to wear a satellite GPS tag allowing their movements to be tracked and cross-referenced with new offences will be rolled out across the country. However, it will not be expanded until the second half of next year. Lord Timpson, the probation minister, added: 'This is the biggest expansion of tagging in British history and means the most dangerous offenders will now be watched more closely than ever before. 'By combining new technology with a stronger probation workforce, we're making sure those who pose the biggest risk are under constant scrutiny to better protect victims and the public.' The Government claims its plan will allow probation officers to target the most dangerous offenders with face-to-face supervision, while those assessed as lower risk will require fewer routine appointments. They are, according to federal agents, the most elusive and dangerous fugitives on the planet accused killers, cartel bosses and cyber masterminds who have slipped through the net and vanished into the shadows. And now, a new name has been thrust onto the notorious list. Trung Duc Lu, 46, has been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list a roll call reserved for those considered the gravest threat to public safety. A reward of up to $1 million is on offer for information leading to his capture. Authorities say Lu is wanted for a chilling triple crime: the torture, kidnapping and murder of two Vietnamese brothers and the attempted killing of a third in a brutal dispute over a drug debt stretching between New York City and Philadelphia. Investigators say the violence unfolded in August 2014, when Lu and accomplices allegedly traveled south to recover more than $100,000 tied to a marijuana trafficking operation. What followed, prosecutors say, was a calculated and horrifying attack. The victims were lured to a home in southwest Philadelphia, where they were ambushed, beaten and forced to call each other before being bound and taken to a garage. From there, the ordeal turned deadly. According to the FBI, the men were driven to a parking lot along the Schuylkill River, stabbed, tied to weighted buckets and thrown into the water. One man miraculously survived and his account led police to the bodies of the others. Trung Duc Lu, 46, has been added to the FBI's roll call reserved for those considered the gravest threat to public safety Lu is thought to be a member of the Born to Kill street gang and is identifiable by an 'Asian Pride' tattoo Lu, believed to be linked to the Born to Kill street gang and identifiable by an 'Asian Pride' tattoo, is thought to have fled the US for Vietnam shortly after the killings. Officials say adding him to the list reflects the severity of the alleged crimes and a determination to bring him to justice more than a decade on. But Lu is just one face among a rogue's gallery of fugitives spanning continents and criminal empires. CYBER KINGPIN AND A GLOBAL CASH RAID Prosecutors say Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre masterminded an 'ATM jackpotting' scheme Among the most striking cases is Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, 49, accused of orchestrating a vast cybercrime operation that drained tens of millions of dollars from US. Prosecutors say Aguirre masterminded an 'ATM jackpotting' scheme deploying malware to force cash machines to spew out money on command. Authorities allege the operation was run remotely from Venezuela, with teams carrying out attacks on the ground across the US. Even more alarming, investigators say the proceeds were used to bankroll Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational gang. Officials warn Aguirre is armed, dangerous and a major national security threat. A GUNMAN ON THE RUN Omar Alexander Cardenas is wanted for a cold-blooded killing in southern California Then there is Omar Alexander Cardenas, accused of a cold-blooded killing in Los Angeles. Police say the 2019 shooting unfolded in the suburb of Sylmar, where a man standing outside a barbershop was gunned down in broad daylight. Cardenas allegedly fired multiple rounds from a semi-automatic handgun, striking the victim in the head. Investigators believe the suspect, linked to a California street gang, may have fled years ago and could still be receiving help to evade capture. CARTELS, TERROR GROUPS AND GLOBAL NETWORKS Yulan Adonay Archaga Carias is accused of running the MS-13 crime network in Honduras Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano is accused of playing a senior role in Tren de Aragua The list stretches far beyond the US. Yulan Adonay Archaga Carias, 44, is accused of leading operations for MS-13 in Honduras, overseeing drug trafficking, violence and money laundering. Federal prosecutors say he helped move multi-ton shipments of cocaine into the US while directing acts of brutality to maintain control. Another major target is Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores, known as 'El Chapo Isidro,' an alleged kingpin tied to Mexico's powerful drug networks. Authorities accuse him of flooding the US with narcotics including fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine over more than two decades, while his organization carried out kidnappings, torture and killings. Meanwhile, Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano is accused of playing a senior role in Tren de Aragua, a fast-expanding group now linked to drug trafficking, human smuggling and violent crime across the Americas. THE 'CRYPTOQUEEN' WHO VANISHED Bulgarian born fugitive Ruja Ignatova has been dubbed the 'Missing Cryptoqueen' Not all fugitives wield guns. Ruja Ignatova dubbed the 'Cryptoqueen' is accused of masterminding one of the largest financial frauds in history. Her company, OneCoin, lured investors worldwide with promises of a revolutionary digital currency before collapsing in scandal. Investigators say victims lost more than $4 billion. Ignatova disappeared in 2017 and has not been seen since. DRUG WARS AND DEADLY VIOLENCE Wilver Villegas-Palomino is accused of overseeing cocaine production for an armed group Other fugitives reflect the brutal realities of global narcotics networks. Wilver Villegas-Palomino is accused of working with Colombia's National Liberation Army, helping oversee cocaine production operations that churn out an estimated 200 tons annually. Profits, authorities say, help fund terrorism, sabotage and political influence. Closer to home, Bhadreshkumar Patel is wanted for the 2015 killing of his wife inside a donut shop in Hanover a case investigators have described as a shocking act of domestic violence. Patel vanished soon after the attack and may have fled the country. CAUGHT BUT NOT BEFORE A MANHUNT Samuel Ramirez Jr was arrested over the 2023 murders of two women in a bar shooting in Federal Way, Washington One recent addition, Samuel Ramirez Jr shows how quickly the net can close. He was wanted for the 2023 murders of two women in a bar shooting in Federal Way, Washington. After fleeing, he was tracked down and arrested earlier this month in Culiacan, Mexico proof, officials say, that time and distance offer no guarantee of escape. From cartel bosses in Mexico to cybercriminals in South America and fugitives believed to be hiding in Asia, the FBI's list paints a stark picture of modern crime: global, networked and increasingly sophisticated. But the message from law enforcement is equally clear. No matter how far they run or how long they hide the hunt does not stop. Stars of various Real Housewives franchises took to Capitol Hill to advocate for HIV prevention, dazzling lawmakers in the process. The stars included NeNe Leakes and Phaedra Parks of Atlanta, Erika Jayne of Beverly Hills, Luann de Lesseps of New York City, Melissa Gorga of New Jersey, Marysol Patton of Miami, and Candiace Dillard Bassett of the DC-area local Potomac franchise. The ladies put their wild - and sometimes petty - personalities typically seen on TV aside to join forces in their advocacy. They advocated on behalf of MISTR, led by CEO Tristan Schukraft, a major online provider for PrEP, a daily HIV prevention pill. MISTR's services are provided as virtual telehealth services. Steve Clemons, a longtime DC journalist, podcaster, and former political adviser, served as the event's organizer. Dillard Bassett, who worked in the Obama White House before kicking off her reality TV journey, including fame on Peacock's Traitors, noted during the event that the science to end HIV already exists, but it can no longer be only 'cured with money.' The Housewives were also joined by members of both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate at Tuesday's event. Wisconsin Democrat Senator Tammy Baldwin, America's first openly gay senator, noted that HIV prevention and treatment is neither a Republican nor a Democrat issue, adding that 'saving people from HIV is an American thing.' Housewives cast members from various franchises listen to Wisconsin Democrat Senator Tammy Baldwin speak Senator Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, attends 'Housewives on the Hill' for HIV Prevention presented by MISTR on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC Erika Jayne of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with fan Carly Eason US Senator Cory Booker also spoke at Tuesday's event, as did Democratic representatives April Delaney of Maryland and Frederica Wilson of Texas. Booker told the crowd that 'we are in a very dark time.' But he went on to say that 'here we have people standing up and saying, in a dark time, I'm going to shine my light brighter.' Tuesday's event was not the first trip to Capitol Hill for a Housewives cast member in 2026. Angie Katsanevas, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star and founder of the iconic hair salon brand Lunatic Fringe, was the first franchise cast member in over 15 years to testify before Congress as an invited witness earlier this year. Join the discussion Should celebrities use their fame to influence serious policy debates like HIV prevention in Congress? Congresswoman April McClain Delaney attends 'Housewives on the Hill' for HIV Prevention presented by MISTR on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC A view of The Kennedy Caucus Room during 'Housewives on the Hill' for HIV Prevention presented by MISTR on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC Erika Jayne of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills speaks as fellow Housewives look on During the hearing, she recalled the viral 'you do French Fries. I do franchise' statement she made on the show, which went viral and ultimately led her to the Capitol Hill visit in January. Testifying on behalf of the International Franchise Association before the House Small Business Committee that day, Katsanevas urged passage of the bipartisan American Franchise Act alongside her fellow witnesses. Influencers are flocking to Jeffrey Epstein's notorious Caribbean island in an effort to profit off the revelations from recently released Department of Justice documents. Videos showing content creators roaming around Little Saint James, the private island once owned by Epstein, have become increasingly popular, with at least nine posted to the site since 2026 began. Collectively, they have accumulated more than 52 million views as searches for 'Epstein Island' and 'Little Saint James' reached an all-time high in February, according to Google Trends data. 'The latest release of Epstein files, that created a trend and that trend caused YouTubers to go there to kind of ride on that trend,' Jordan-based influencer Ahmad Aburob told NBC News. Much of the videos start off the same, with content creators flying to St. Thomas, the closest neighboring island with an airport and speaking to locals to get tips and rumors about the pedophile's island. They then scope out local Jet Ski and snorkel rentals and swim onto the island's shore or fly drones over it. Some do not dare to actually set foot on the private island, which Epstein owned from 1998 through his arrest in 2019. But Aburob said he 'went in very quickly' to make his video 'because I knew it will go viral and I know it really fits my usual content.' Spurred on by the recent release of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, influencers have been flocking to his private island Videos showing content creators roaming around Little Saint James, the private island once owned by Epstein (pictured) have become increasingly popular in recent months But others who went to visit the island are known more for prank videos or for their content exploring government conspiracy theories. Junior Sangare even admitted in his own video that he knows 'this is a different side, it's not really me pranking.' The YouTuber opted not to go on the island, but told his followers if he gets 100,000 likes 'I will come back here, ding-dong ditch this building and spend the night on this island without trying to get caught.' Many of those who do go on the island seem particularly interested in a structure that has been dubbed 'the temple,' though in more recent videos, the building appears to have been painted over and boarded up. 'Ungodly things happened here,' YouTuber Ash Alk claimed as he walked around the building in mid-February. 'It feels so weird being here.' Permit records obtained by NBC News show the structure was pitched as a music pavilion, complete with a grand piano, a living room and a bathroom - but the building's final design ended up very different than what was originally pitched. Ben Lisi, meanwhile, was set on finding potential tunnels under the island in his video posted last month. He did not find any, and none of the Department of Justice files have confirmed whether there were any tunnels under the island - though they include photos of a 'trap door' and make mention of a 'tunnel.' Join the discussion Do YOU think filming content at Epsteins island is exposing the truth or exploiting a scandal? Many of those who do go on the island seem particularly interested in a structure that has been dubbed 'the temple' (pictured) Ben Lisi was set on finding underground tunnels after a Department of Justice filing showed a 'trap door' on the island He told NBC News he created his video in hopes of raising awareness about the case, while still being 'light-hearted and still adventurous' for his younger audience. 'Even though it's just a silly video and we didn't actually sneak on the island or anything, but we just saw it, I think it still brings more attention to it,' he said. 'And hopefully, in some small way, can bring justice to the victims and help expose or continue to bring light to what's going on behind closed doors.' Yet YouTube videos featuring content creators visiting Little Saint James have been circulating for years, with Andy Bracco making a video that accumulated 1.5 million views of him going to the island in 2020. He said he spent more than 60 days doing research on how to enter it discreetly and how to find someone to take him to the island, and since he has gone, many other content creators have come to him for advice on how to get onto the island. 'I think it's going to unfortunately become a bit of a trend,' he said. 'It was easier [to visit], but now it's probably going to get harder, they're going to start to wrap up their security a little bit, just because of the frequency of people trying to get on the island.' Luke Rudkowski also filmed himself going onto the island shortly after federal authorities raided it in 2019. Epstein owned the private island from 1998 through his arrest in 2019 It was then held in his estate until the island was put up for sale in 2022 He said he opted to make the trip after seeing a drone video of the property that he said captured footage of someone he thought looked like Epstein. 'I found it to be something that was incredibly important for public interest,' he asserted. At the time that he went, there was still a lot of Epstein's furniture and decorations left behind, his video shows. But what most caught his attention, he said was the odd furniture and what appeared to be gargoyle statues scattered around the private island. Epstein also had white gargoyle statues in front of his home in Palm Beach, Florida, according to recently released files. Now, years later, Rudkowski said he saw some of the recent videos, but has mixed feelings about them. 'When there's so much that the government hasn't given us answers to, people are going to naturally try to fill that void,' he said. 'But if we had a competent DOJ that actually would have done the proper job here and investigated it, we wouldn't have a lot of these independent content creators using the situation as they are for this type of adventurism that they're highlighting on YouTube. 'But at the same time, I'm the person who kind of did it before anybody else,' Rudkowski acknowledged. The island is now privately owned by billionaire Stephen Deckoff Epstein initially bought Little Saint James in 1998 and then purchased a neighboring island, Great Saint James, in 2016. His estate then owned the property until it was put up for sale in 2022, and one year later billionaire Stephen Deckoff purchased the two islands for $60 million. In a news release detailing the purchase at the time, Deckoff said he planned to develop a 'state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort' that was scheduled to open last year. It now remains unclear whether any of the influencers will face prosecution for setting foot on the island and how Deckoff's plans to develop the island are moving forward. But a spokesperson for the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources told NBC News it has not 'received any plans for the development of a resort on either Little or Great Saint James as of March 2026.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Deckoff's firm, Black Diamond Capital Management, for comment. The Virgin Islands Police Department could not be reached for comment. Police are investigating after a young disabled man was left bloodied and bruised after being allegedly assaulted while in the care of support workers at an NDIS home. Corey Wooller, who lives with severe autism and is non-verbal, was allegedly attacked in an NDIS-supported house in Western Australia on December 14. His injuries were only discovered when his mother, Kim McBrearty, made an unexpected visit to the 'My Way' home and found the 25-year-old laying on the couch. She said he'd been left for hours without any medical care. 'You dont want to put your children in these places, and you put your trust and care in these people,' Ms McBrearty told 7News on Wednesday. 'And theyre getting good money for doing it, and theyre just not doing it. I mean, that's definitely neglect.' Horrific photos of Corey's injuries show his right arm covered in large, dark bruises, deep red markings down his back and blood smeared across his face. Ms McBrearty said she had to demand an ambulance be called to attend to her son, who later spent four weeks in hospital. Corey, who lives with severe autism, was allegedly attacked in an NDIS-supported home in WA While Corey's injuries were patched up and healed, Ms McBrearty said the mental scars left by the incident have changed him - he no longer allows his mum to hug him. My Way CEO, Peter Mapior, told the Daily Mail Corey is currently being supported by 'family-trusted support workers' in a different house offered by the accommodation provider. 'The support worker who was on shift on the day of incident is no longer supporting Corey, and is being investigated and under performance management,' Mr Mapior said. 'Without even knowing what happen, we felt remorse for what Corey went through whether medical or injury, we stood with Corey's mother and family, we continue to support Kim and Corey until today.' He previously said Corey has a chronic blood disorder which can cause his skin to bruise. 'Due to haematological disorders, Corey when he scratches himself the skin pigmentation was observed by support workers,' he said. 'The mother instructed support workers to use skin creams whenever the skin pigmentations are observed. There may be other underlying medical reasons, as [to] why skin pigmentations will surface sometimes and disappear.' Mr Mapior said the accommodation provider has now trained staff to take a 'proactive response' and call My Way nurses, their after-hours care coordinator, or call emergency services 'whenever they observe unusual signs and symptoms with any person with disability who can't express themselves or describe the pains.' The 25-year-old was in the care of support workers when his mum found him injured My Way CEO, Peter Mapior, said Corey had a 'chronic blood disorder' which caused the bruises Ms McBrearty said the accommodation provider, which prides itself on treating 'people with disability, families or carers with deep respect, dignity, and as equal citizens', has not told the family about what happened during the incident. The WA-based provider offers three types of NDIS supported housing - individualised living options for participants who can live independently with minimal support, supported independent living for participants with more complex needs, and specialist disability accommodation (SDA) for participants with very complex needs. According to the My Way website, the SDA homes are purpose-built housing that can be designed based on specific participant needs. For example, participants with autism may have sensory devices built into their homes. WA Police confirmed they are investigating the incident, however, will not be looking into Ms McBrearty's allegation of neglect as it is not a criminal matter. Daily Mail has contacted WA's Minister for Disability Services, Hannah Beazley, for comment. First-generation migrants are just as likely as other Australians to throw their support behind reducing immigration, according to a new poll. Fox & Hedgehog conducted a survey for conservative think-tank, the Institute of Public Affairs, and found 58 per cent of respondents wanted a 'modest' or 'significant' cut to overseas arrivals. The poll canvassed the opinions of 1,926 people and found 60 per cent believed there were 'too many' migrants in Australia The sentiment was supported by 42 per cent of non-citizens and 59 per cent of first-generation Australians. Of the Aussies who wanted to see migration numbers lowered, 79 per cent said they supported accepting fewer than 100,000 new visitors per year. Daniel Wild, deputy executive director of the IPA, told Daily Mail why so many migrants support cutting immigration numbers. 'First generation migrants are generally the ones who bear the brunt of out-of-control migration policy, whether it's about housing or their children's future,' he said. 'The other thing is to do with our values. Most migrants come to Australia because they love Australia and they want to keep it that way. First generation migrants are just as likely as other Australians throw their support behind cutting immigration, according to a new poll (stock image) 'But what they've seen is the most recent cohort coming in don't share our values to the same extent they did in the past. So a lot of migrants say that this isn't the country they wanted to move to.' Some 77 per cent of respondents were in favour of requiring new migrants to sign up to a set of Australian values and standards. Mr Wild said changes to immigration policy have occurred significantly since Covid. 'When you look at the (migrant) numbers, they're out of control,' he said. 'We clearly have a lot of issues that have come into our country over the past few years and it's a different migration program to the one that had been successful for many years before then.' According to the poll, Aussies now trust Pauline Hanson's One Nation party most to tackle high immigration numbers. If the Coalition has any hope of getting back into power, respondents revealed the party must offer a policy to 'substantially reduce' migration. Only 31 per cent said they trusted the Coalition to cut migrant numbers. Aussies now also trust Pauline Hanson's One Nation party most to tackle high immigration numbers The poll revealed nearly half of Aussies believed Labor was deliberately bringing migrants to Australia in the expectation they would vote for the government at an election. 'The idea that cutting immigration is unpopular with migrants has just been blown out of the water, with a strong majority of first-generation migrants saying they want to pull up the drawbridge,' Mr Wild said. '(Migration) must be planned for, it must have the consent of the community, and it must be targeted toward economic need. Because this has not happened, support for migration has plummeted.' Daily Mail contacted One Nation for comment. Fuel theft is exploding nationwide as petrol and diesel prices reach record highs, as police warn they no longer have the resources to chase every drive-off. Petrol drive-offs jumped from 162 to 221 in a single week in South Australia, marking an increase of 37 per cent. Half of the drivers responsible are understood to be first-time offenders. The incidents have prompted South Australian Police to urge petrol stations to install prepaid fuel systems to combat drive-offs. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said officers would not be chasing petrol thieves unless servos took precautionary measures. 'With the cost-of-living pressures that people are dealing with, the significant increases in fuel costs, we will see more petrol drive-offs in the weeks to come,' Commissioner Grant Stevens said. 'I can't compel the retail fuel sector to take these steps, but what I can do is manage how police deal with these offences,' he said. 'It bogs us down in investigations that we should not have to undertake.' A Victorian man shared footage of a truck being driven by men he claimed were stealing diesel other trucks in an industrial area (pictured) A man captured on CCTV at a petrol station in SA allegedly drove off without paying A Victorian man shared footage of a truck being driven by men he claimed had been stealing diesel from other trucks in an industrial area. 'Pretty quick set up,' the man captioned the video, which showed a large truck with no front or rear numberplates making a U-turn. 'They stop, the passenger runs out, grabs a hose with a pipe on the end with the pump already running drains the truck's tanks and they take off. 'They were not too keen on me filming them.' Australia imports the vast majority of its fuel at the tail end of a long supply chain, which has been under strain since the conflict in the Middle East saw Iran block the Strait of Hormuz. About 20 per cent of the world's oil travels through the strait. Fuel is expected to begin flowing from Australia's emergency stockpiles imminently, as state and territory officials prepare for crisis talks. An agreement to release extra petrol and diesel to regional areas suffering critical shortages was reached between Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Australia's fuel companies on Wednesday, AAP has learned. The deal was discussed at a roundtable convened by Transport Minister Catherine King, two sources familiar with the meeting said, but it is yet to be formally announced by the government. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens (pictured) said officers would not be chasing petrol thieves unless servos took precautionary measures An agreement to release extra petrol and diesel to regional areas suffering critical shortages has been reached between Energy Minister Chris Bowen (pictured) and fuel companies It comes ahead of a national cabinet meeting on Thursday between the prime minister and state premiers to discuss major price shocks and shortages driven by the war between the US, Israel and Iran. State leaders are demanding faster action on the crisis and a long-term plan from the Commonwealth to deal with fuel shortages, if the conflict isn't resolved quickly. National cabinet plans to appoint a fuel tsar to help lead the nation's response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed on Wednesday. 'I'll be asking state premiers and chief ministers to appoint someone, a point person, so that the Commonwealth can collaborate in a way to make sure we deal with the challenges which are there,' he told reporters in Burnie, Tasmania. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the gathering was an opportunity to deal with the challenges around fuel supply, particularly the availability of diesel. 'We're keen to see a national plan that sets out a clear escalation pathway, including what further actions may be taken if the conflict continues and conditions worsen,' he said in a statement. On top of allowing fuel companies to release a week's worth of petrol and diesel from their emergency stockpiles, the government has eased quality standards to allow more fuel into the market. Treasurer Jim Chalmers flagged more announcements in the coming days, but provided little detail. 'We are preparing for the risk of more prolonged disruption, including through work with international partners, to help insulate more fuel-exposed industries like farming, transport and mining,' he told ABC TV on Wednesday. A Canadian career criminal who is wanted in connection to the murders of a mob boss and a veterinary technician has been arrested after he was on the run for nine years. Daniel Tomassetti, 35, was arrested in Mexico in August, and Canadian authorities are seeking his extradition. He is wanted for two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and three counts of conspiracy to commit murder. The charges stem from the separate targeted killings in 2017 of Mila Barberi, a 28-year-old veterinary technician from Toronto, and Angelo Musitano, an infamous Ontario mob boss. On May 2 of that year, Musitano was shot at close range while he was sitting in his pickup truck in the driveway of his home in Hamilton, which is just outside of Toronto. The gunman had been waiting nearby and ran up to the vehicle's window before firing at the mobster. Just a few weeks later, Musitano's brother and fellow mob boss, Pasquale Musitano, was also shot at but lived. His luck ran out in 2020, when he was fatally shot in front of a furniture store in Burlington, Ontario. Authorities have not charged Tomassetti with either the attempted or successful hits on Pasquale. Daniel Tomassetti, 35, was arrested by Mexican authorities in August, and Canadian authorities are seeking his extradition for his alleged connection to two 2017 murders One of Tomassetti's alleged victims is infamous Ontario mob boss Angelo Musitano. He is pictured (right) in 1998 with his brother and fellow mob boss Pasquale Musitano, who was shot dead three years after Angelo Tomasetti's other alleged victim is Mila Barberi, a 28-year-old veterinary technician from Toronto. Authorities believe she was killed in a mob hit meant for her boyfriend On March 14, 2017, Barberi was gunned down while standing next to an SUV parked outside of a store in Vaughan, which is also near Toronto. She was waiting to pick up her boyfriend, Saverio Serrano, who authorities believe had connections to organized crime and was the intended target of the hit. He was injured in the shooting but did not die. A surveillance camera in the parking lot captured the assailant running up to the vehicle and firing shots into it before realizing his target was not in the car. He then ran around the back of the SUV and fired additional rounds at Barberi and Serrano. The veterinary technician and the mob boss are believed to have been killed by the same gunman. Tomassetti was not the one who pulled the trigger, but he facilitated the killings, according to police. He was under surveillance following the murders, but in January 2018, Tomassetti managed to flee to Mexico where he was known to have connections. Court records indicate that the wanted man dodged authorities by leaving his phone at home when he went to the airport. He had booked a round trip but was not on the return flight a few days later. Two other men were also wanted in relation to Musitano and Barberi's killings, but they were both found dead in the near-decade since the murders were committed. Surveillance footage captured Barberi's killer running up to an SUV that she and her boyfriend, Saverio Serrano, were standing outside of A man named Michael Cudmore, 39, is believed to have been the pictured shooter and to have also killed Musitano. Cudmore was found dead in Mexico in 2020 Tomassetti was named one of Canada's 25 most wanted fugitives in 2023, and there was a $50,000 reward for information that would lead to his arrest. His face is pictured on the Canadian BOLO (be on the lookout) list One of the men was Michael Cudmore, 39, who is believed to have been the shooter in both hits. His body was found in an abandoned vehicle on the side of the road in rural Mexico in 2020. The other man was Daniele Ranieri, 34, a mob enforcer and criminal mentor to Cudmore. He was found dead in a ditch in Mexico in 2018. He had been tied up and executed. Because of the grim fate of his alleged co-conspirators, it was believed that Tomassetti may have also been killed. But authorities did not give up the search for him. In 2023, Tomassetti was named one of Canada's 25 most wanted fugitives and placed on the BOLO (be on the lookout) list. There was a $50,000 reward for anyone with information that would lead to Tomassetti's arrest. Police have not confirmed whether the reward was claimed. Police also have not revealed how Tomassetti was found and arrested by Mexican authorities. A spokesperson for York Regional Police told Canadian outlet the National Post that Tomassetti is contesting his extradition. Labor appears set to scale back tax concessions for property investors in a move welcomed by economists and social housing advocates. But while it's set to boost intergenerational equity and budget revenue, experts caution the effect on housing affordability will be relatively minor. A Greens-led parliamentary inquiry released Tuesday found the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount skewed the housing market towards investors at the expense of owner-occupiers and unequally benefited wealthier Australians. Labor senators Ellie Whiteaker and Richard Dowling, who signed off on the report, added that younger Australians increasingly faced different economic circumstances to previous generations. Any tax reform should be guided by the principles agreed to at Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic reform roundtable of 2025, including making the tax system fairer for young people, they said. It's the clearest indication yet by the government that changes to the capital gains tax discount will be included in the upcoming budget. Treasury is understood to be working on a number of options, including reducing the concession to 33 per cent, as well as examining scaling back the negative gearing tax break for property investors. Domain chief economist Nicola Powell said negative gearing and the capital gains tax had not been the main drivers of price growth. Labor appears set to scale back tax concessions for property investors in a move welcomed by economists and social housing advocates 'There's no silver bullet, but broader reforms like moving from stamp duty to land tax, reviewing policies that discourage efficient use of housing, and investing in infrastructure to unlock supply could make a real difference,' she said. Grattan Institute economist Brendan Coates told the inquiry reducing the capital gains discount would be positive for budget sustainability and economic growth. 'As a measure to boost to improve affordability, it falls a long way behind measures around supply,' he said. Commonwealth Bank research found cutting the discount to 25 per cent would result in prices settling about four per cent lower than the baseline over several years - less than the growth many Australian capitals saw in a single quarter in 2025. Rents would be about 0.2 per cent higher than the baseline over a decade. Dr Chalmers said there had been no changes to government policy but left the door open for the budget. 'I've tried to be upfront with your listeners and with others in saying that we are working up some options,' he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. 'I'm not going to come at what those options look like, but there is certainly appetite for more tax reform if we can land it.' Commonwealth Bank research found cutting the discount to 25 per cent would result in prices settling about four per cent lower than the baseline over several years (stock image) The inquiry's chair, Greens Senator Nick McKim, said he was pleased Labor was making it clear reforming 'the most unfair tax break on the books' was on the table. 'This is a historic opportunity for government, and we hope they take it,' he told ABC Radio. Maiy Azize, a spokesperson for social housing advocacy group Everybody's Home, called on the government to invest extra revenue from winding back the capital gains discount into social housing. Nissan Australia will axe several models in a bid to survive a brutal market and remain competitive in the long-term. The Nissan Pathfinder SUV and Juke compact SUV will be cut from showrooms as a consequence of the Albanese Government's new emissions targets. Nissan's V6-powered Pathfinder doesn't meet the government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES), the car giant said. It will stop selling its cheaper non-hybrid models. Managing director of Nissan Oceania, Andrew Humberstone, told news.com.au it would be 'interesting to see who survives and who doesn't' in the tough market. Mr Humberstone said the only way Nissan can address the NVES is through hybrids, or 'e-Power', when the petrol engine acts only as a generator. The price of the Nissan Qashqai has increased by nearly 60 per cent since 2022, rising from $28,590 to $45,640 in just four years. A Nissan spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We are rationalising Juke and Pathfinder as part of a portfolio review to better align our line-up with evolving customer preferences in Australia and the tightening NVES framework.' Nissan has cut its Pathfinder model (pictured) from Australian showrooms Managing director of Nissan Oceania, Andrew Humberstone, (pictured) said it would be 'interesting to see who survives and who doesn't' in Australia's car industry 'We are introducing more efficient and capable models, including the new Navara this month and next-generation Patrol later this year, reducing emissions while retaining the capability our customers expect,' the spokesperson continued. 'While we have made the decision to indefinitely postpone the next-generation LEAF, we are continuing to expand our electrified line-up.' Deliveries for the Pathfinder, Juke and LEAF fell by 21.6 per cent last year, and almost 45 per cent in the first two months of 2026. Mr Humberstone said the brand's moves were 'a cleansing process' essential to shore up the company's future in Australia. Daily Mail reported in late 2024 that Nissan was facing collapse within 12 months as Chinese carmakers increasingly dominate global markets. The Financial Times quoted a 'senior official' at Nissan as saying: 'We have 12 or 14 months to survive. This is going to be tough. And in the end, we need Japan and the US to be generating cash.' An attempted merger with Honda failed in 2025, with Nissan slashing 30,000 jobs. Despite the uncertain path, Mr Humberstone said he was confident in Nissan's future. Nissan Australia is indefinitely postponing the next-generation LEAF Nissan is confident it will continue to survive despite challenging conditions in the market 'I don't doubt the longevity of the brand at all, I really don't,' he said. 'Do we need to be more profitable? Absolutely. So what are we doing? We're completely restructuring the entire organisation I think we'll be in a good place.' Nissan says its latest generation e-Power technology will launch in the coming weeks and the X-TRAIL line-up with a new e-Power variant later this year. 'In the coming months, we will announce an all-new model for Australia, a key step that reinforces our future direction and long-term competitiveness,' a Nissan spokesperson told Daily Mail. Up to 30 additional Chinese car brands are expected to enter Australia in the coming years, further intensifying competition in the local market Women vintners drive rise of China's Ningxia on world wine industry Xinhua) 10:13, March 19, 2026 YINCHUAN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- As spring breezes blow through the Helan Mountains in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the sprawling vineyards on the eastern foothills shake off their winter slumber. For seasoned winemaker Zhang Jing, this marks the beginning of another bustling year ahead. As the weather gets warmer, the Gobi desert will gradually turn green again. "I believe that wines from such a challenging terroir will continue to bring surprises to the world," the 47-year-old said, gazing out over her vineyards. Zhang is a founding member of the Helan Qingxue Vineyard, Ningxia's first demonstration winery. In 2011, her Jiabeilan Grand Reserve 2009 put Chinese wine in the global spotlight by winning a top prize at the Decanter World Wine Awards, marking the first time a Ningxia wine had achieved such a feat. Thanks to its arid climate and abundant sunshine, the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia are widely regarded as a "golden zone" for premium viticulture. But when Zhang first set out to chase her dream, the land was barren and its future was uncertain. "When I first broke ground with a shovel and saplings, few believed that a woman could make a difference here. Some probably thought I had lost my mind, especially after nearly all our vines died in the first year due to high soil salinity," Zhang recalled with a smile. "But dreams have nothing to do with gender." By consulting experts and improving soil conditions, Zhang raised the vine survival rate to 70 percent. She even ditched spicy foods to maintain her sensitive palate and traveled to France's Rhone Valley for training. Zhang put in countless hours in vineyards and cellars, honing her craft. "Nothing is impossible if you never give up easily," she said. "I have proved myself and also proved that Ningxia could produce world-class wines." Today, Ningxia has emerged as a rising star in the global wine landscape, attracting more than 200 domestic and international wineries and producing 140 million bottles of wine annually. Its "wine grape corridor" stretches 195 kilometers along the Helan Mountains, transforming over 400,000 mu (about 26,700 hectares) of once-barren land into lush vineyards. Women are playing a major role in the transformation. Of the region's 130 wineries, about a quarter are owned or managed by women. Among them is Wang Fang, who returned from Germany in 2011 convinced of Ningxia's potential and founded Kanaan Winery. "One particularly harsh winter killed nearly 30 percent of our young vines," Wang recalled. "Starting a business is never easy. Perseverance matters." Today, her wines are exported to more than 10 countries and regions, including Britain, Germany, Italy and Canada. A younger generation is reshaping the industry through innovation, and Yuan Yuan is leading the charge. After graduating from Sun Yat-sen University's School of Tourism Management in 2015, she returned to her family's winery in Ningxia, ready to shake things up with fresh ideas. In 2016, she launched a "wine plus tourism" model, opening the winery to visitors and offering vineyard tours, grape cultivation, guided tastings and behind-the-scenes brewing sessions. The model has diversified revenue sources and created 1,200 local jobs. Over two-thirds of these positions are held by women, who earn over 40,000 yuan (about 5,800 U.S. dollars) annually on average, according to Yuan. Official data shows that women now make up over 40 percent of the workforce in Ningxia's wine industry, with roles spanning the entire value chain, including planting, winemaking, management, brand development and wine tourism. "The wine industry suits women in many ways," Zhang said. "Qualities such as sensitivity, warmth, passion, elegance and intellectuality align perfectly with the character of wine. At the same time, we're not lacking in pragmatism, resilience, innovation, or vision." Looking ahead, Zhang remains optimistic. "Driven by our love for the land and commitment to quality, we will keep striving and step by step, we will leave the mark of Chinese women on the world wine landscape," Zhang said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Vital medicine shipments bound for Australia have been diverted away from the Strait of Hormuz as the escalating Middle East crisis disrupts global supply chains, with the government monitoring the situation closely. The blockade has upended traditional shipping and airfreight routes, forcing drug manufacturers to rapidly rework their logistics networks and redirect critical medicines to ensure supplies continue reaching Australian patients. Medicines Australia CEO Liz de Somer said the pharmaceutical industry was doing everything it could to ensure Australians continued to receive their medications. 'As we know, medicines are part of our national security, so it is having an impact on the industry's costs and an ability to bring medicines to Australia, however they're doing everything in their power to ensure the supplies are available.' Manufacturers have begun moving essential products from sea to air freight and rerouting flights to avoid Middle Eastern air corridors, she said. 'Pharmaceutical supply chains are global and complex, and like many industries, they can be sensitive to changes in freight routes, fuel availability and geopolitical events. 'However, companies have contingency plans in place. This includes rerouting shipments from sea freight to air freight where necessary, as well as identifying alternative logistics pathways to ensure medicines continue to reach Australia. 'We are also seeing airfreight routes begin to normalise, with flights being rebooked to avoid affected airspace, which is helping to maintain continuity of supply.' Vital medicine shipments to Australia are being rerouted away from the Strait of Hormuz as the Middle East crisis disrupts global supply chains, forcing drugmakers to overhaul freight routes to keep essential treatments flowing Pharmaceutical supply was already under pressure in Australia before the conflict escalated, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration listing shortages of nearly 400 medicine Leyla Hannbeck from the UK's Independent Pharmacies Association said global trade problems are making it harder to get the ingredients needed to make many common medicines. 'Many medicines, such as aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen, have some petroleumbased ingredients in them. But it's not just that, it's the whole impact on the availability of raw materials that could lead to manufacturing being delayed and medicines prices going up,' Dr Hannbeck told the ABC. The Albanese government said it was monitoring the situation closely. 'In Australia, minimum stockholding requirements mandate six months stock of certain PBS listed medicines,' a spokesperson said. 'These requirements designed to help Australian manufacturers maintain supply when global disruptions occur. 'The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is regularly engaging with Medicines Australia and the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association and will update the situation as necessary.' Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of Quality Care at the RACGP, said the crisis had exposed a longstanding vulnerability in Australia's medical supply chain. 'We have limited onshore medicine manufacturing, and we also fall behind on adequate warehousing. A thriving local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry would mitigate some of the supply risks,' he said. Pharmaceutical supply is already an issue in Australia, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration listing shortages of almost 400 medicines, prior to the conflict exploding. A wannabe 'Fall Guy' has still to front court two days after he was arrested over an alleged wild rampage in a ute across Melbourne's inner suburbs. Daniel Keas, 48, was due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday after his alleged 'stunt' along Richmond's Church Street went viral. Police allege Keas was behind the wheel of a Ford Ranger that drove on the wrong side of the road and hit about ten cars on Tuesday night before it was stopped. One video showed the ute tearing down Church Street with sparks flying from its front right wheel, which appeared stuck at almost 90 degrees to the rest of the car. Another showed the ute crashed on nearby York Street, where police allege Keas struck four cars. One car was seen forced up onto the car behind it after the ute allegedly crashed into it on the wrong side of the road. Police patrolling the area allegedly saw the ute overtake them on Highett Street in Richmond about 6.50pm and started a short pursuit before the crash on York Street. It brought an end to an alleged rampage that saw cars smashed on busy Punt Road and multiple collisions on Victoria Parade. Accused driver Daniel Keas (centre) claimed he had been performing a stunt His alleged antics went viral after appearing on social media In bizarre scenes, Keas told police he had forgotten to take his medications and that his alleged actions had a reasonable explanation. 'It's alright man. It's for a stunt, literally,' he said in a video of police hauling him away in handcuffs. Angry bystanders heckled Keas as he was led into the back of a divisional van. 'It's not a stunt man. It's not funny,' one man told the wannabe Lee Majors - history's most famous fake stuntman. 'But I'm a stunt driver. That's what I do,' Keas allegedly responded. In reality, Keas is a carpenter by trade and appears to have no real experience working as an actual stuntman. Officers allegedly found drugs both in Keas' blood and also inside the vehicle. One pedestrian was injured in the alleged rampage as he attempted to get out of the way of the accused 'stuntman'. Lee Majors (pictured with Farrah Fawcett) in 1975 played history's most famous stuntman 'Colt Seavers' in the 1980s series 'The Fall Guy' Bystanders were amazed no-one was seriously hurt in the series of accidents which left a trail of carnage across Richmond The alleged stunt began in Fitzroy and wound its way through Collingwood and Abbotsford before ending in Richmond. More than ten people were caught up in the carnage, police allege. Ayyan Arsal told 9News he was shocked by the incident. 'I just stepped out ... and police officers came out and just ran after him,' he said. Another witness said police were forced to use a stun gun on Keas to bring him down. The Oakleigh man was charged with dangerous driving, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, criminal damage, possessing a drug of dependence, drug driving and other traffic offences. He was expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday, but the matter was adjourned without explanation. He will return to court on March 31. Our fuel supply is currently secure. However, my view is that we should be over-prepared. I understand that Australians in some parts of the nation are worried as they watch events unfold in the Middle East. That concern is understandable. We are doing everything we can to secure fuel supplies and ensure they are delivered to the areas where they are needed. I reiterate my message today: please do not take more fuel than you need. That is how you can help. It is the Australian way to think of others ,to look after neighbours, communities and the national interest. Only take what you need. National Cabinet acknowledged that the longer the conflict continues in the Middle East, the more significant the impact will be on global supply chains, fuel prices and the broader economy. Australians also understand that this is a global issue. The conflict represents an unprecedented shock to global energy markets. The International Energy Agency has described it as the biggest disruption in history. Australians are already feeling the consequences. I am deeply concerned by attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, including the latest overnight incident in Qatar. We condemn Irans ongoing reckless reprisal attacks in countries across the region that are not parties to this conflict. We do not want to see further escalation. Today the Commonwealth has appointed Anthea Harris, who joins me here, as fuel supply taskforce coordinator to support coordination across government and industry. All states and territories have agreed to appoint representatives to a new fuel supply taskforce, which will be established within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The taskforce will drive coordination between the Commonwealth and the states and territories on fuel security and supply-chain resilience. It will provide consistent, coordinated updates on the fuel supply outlook and act as a single convening point for fuel supply planning. This is a sensible step to ensure Australia is over-prepared. While the Commonwealth is responsible for fuel security and supply, states and territories are responsible for distribution within their jurisdictions. Todays announcement strengthens cooperation across all levels of government. Since the conflict began two weeks ago, my government has taken swift action. We have released up to 20 per cent of our diesel and fuel reserves to help address regional shortages. We have temporarily amended the national fuel standards to ensure more fuel remains available for use in Australia. This fuel is normally produced here for export, but the temporary changes mean it can now be retained domestically to help ease supply pressures. We are also cracking down on petrol companies engaging in price gouging. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is engaging with key international counterparts to help ensure the continued flow of petrol and diesel shipments to Australia from our trading partners. I have also been involved in that process. My government will announce further measures in the coming days and weeks to prepare the nation for ongoing supply-chain challenges. Question: Has the response begun, and what were the first steps? Prime Minister: It has already started. We made this decision a couple of days ago. The National Security Committee has been meeting daily, including again this morning prior to National Cabinet. We are working to get ahead of any potential issues. That is why we decided that across the Commonwealth and all eight states and territories there would be a single appointed fuel lead in each jurisdiction. There are already a range of coordination forums in place, including the National Coordination Mechanism, and those meetings are continuing. However, having a single point of contact is a commonsense response. Question: Australians are seeing petrol stations run out of fuel. How can you say supply is secure? Prime Minister: There is no less fuel in Australia today than there was three weeks ago. Every ship scheduled to arrive has arrived. This is not a supply reduction, it is an issue of increased demand. Both things can be true. The expected amount of fuel can be in the country, but if demand doubles, or in some areas increases even more, shortages can still occur locally. That is why coordination is needed to ensure distribution issues are addressed and fuel is directed to affected regions. Question: What is the timeframe for fuel reaching shortage areas? Prime Minister: That work is already under way. The release of 20 per cent of our fuel reserves is part of that effort and is being directed towards regions experiencing shortages. Question: How long will the Middle East conflict continue and how long will this crisis last? Prime Minister: Australia is not a participant in the conflict. What we are doing is continuing to call for de-escalation. The truth is that no one can say with certainty how long this will last. We are hopeful there will be an endpoint. Intelligence assessments and statements from the United States suggest Irans capacity to develop a nuclear weapon has been significantly damaged. Its ability to conduct attacks in the region has also been undermined. We will continue to monitor developments, receive updated briefings and advocate for de-escalation. Question: What impact will attacks on gas fields in the Middle East have? Prime Minister: This is a major concern. For example, the attack on a Qatari LNG facility, even though it was offline at the time, could affect future supply. That is why we continue to call for de-escalation. Qatar is not a participant in this conflict, yet Iran has launched attacks across the region, including against countries not involved. Keir Starmer was wobbling over immigration on Wednesday night after Angela Rayner attacked 'un-British' plans for a crackdown. In a speech widely seen as laying the ground for a leadership bid, Ms Rayner savaged the Government's plans to double the time migrants have to wait before being granted indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years. Controversially, the plans would apply retrospectively to migrants already here affecting 2.2million people who have arrived since 2021. Former deputy PM Ms Rayner said the proposal championed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood amounted to 'moving the goalposts', saying it 'undermines our sense of fair play. It's un-British'. Allies of Ms Mahmood on Wednesday said she was committed to the plan, which is due to be introduced this year. But Downing Street opened the door to a climbdown, saying it was looking at 'transitional arrangements' that could allow some recent migrants to wait much less than ten years if they have contributed to the economy and society. Any bid to water down the plans could cost the taxpayer billions in higher welfare payments. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the Conservatives were ready to vote with the Government if the Prime Minister was willing to face down Ms Rayner and his MPs. 'Although we would go further, these changes are a step in the right direction,' he said. Keir Starmer was wobbling over immigration on Wednesday night after Angela RAyner attacked 'un-British' plans for a crackdown In a speech widely seen as laying the ground for a leadership bid, Ms Rayner savaged the Government's migration plans 'If Keir Starmer is too weak to get his backbenchers to vote for his own policy, he can rely on our votes to get this through parliament. 'If Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood water down these plans it will show they are too weak to protect our country's borders because they are scared of Angela Rayner and their own backbenchers.' Reform's Robert Jenrick said: 'Angela Rayner has fired the starting gun on yet another rebellion that will end in defeat for the Government. Starmer's weakness will cost the taxpayer tens of billions of pounds.' Allies of Ms Mahmood were on Wednesday circulating polling showing that the immigration crackdown is popular with voters. A More in Common survey found Labour voters back the proposal by a margin of 59 per cent to 18 per cent. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said a consultation was under way on the retrospective element of the plans. A judge in Texas didn't hold back as she sentenced a teenager to 25 years in prison over an attack on a convenience store clerk while carrying a gun during an attempted holdup. Caden Fontenette, 18, of Port Arthur, had pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in connection with a violent holdup and assault of a clerk at Bulldog Convenience Store in Nederland on October 10, but his plea was not part of any deal. The shocking attack was caught on camera, showing Fontenette and two juveniles attacking the clerk while brandishing an assault-style weapon early that morning, prosecutors said. In handing down her ruling on March 10, Judge Raquel West cited the violent nature of the robbery. 'Mr Fontenette, there was a time some years ago there wasn't really a question. Everyone, State's Attorneys, were recommending youthful offenders probation. Give everybody an opportunity. Things have just changed in such an incredibly dangerous way with young people doing what I just saw you do on that screen,' she said, according to KDFM. 'I cannot imagine the fear that person had that was working in that store. Just trying to go to work, make a living and go home,' she continued. 'He has three people come in and not just grab a quick something and run out, but terrorize him for quite some time - pulling him around, yanking him around, putting guns in his face. All three of you.' The judge also noted that Fontenette has been fighting and 'jumping people' while in prison. Judge Raquel West sentenced Caden Fontenette, 18, of Port Arthur, Texas, to 25 years in prison last week for an aggravated robbery Fontenette had pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, but his plea was not part of any deal 'So it makes it very difficult for me to go, "This is somebody that's going to get out and behave, who can follow the rules," because you can't even follow the rules in jail. 'The pre-sentence report shows you're at a high-risk level. That tells me that after they looked at everything, that you don't unfortunately have a good likelihood of being successful if I were to put you on probation.' As she then ruled that Fontenette would be sentenced to 25 years in prison, a family member started shouting in the back of the courtroom, and bailiffs quickly escorted the family members out. Once the family members were clear, Judge West concluded her sentencing. 'Mr Fontenette, I understand that this is harsh, and I know you believe that this is harsh, but I think that this is necessary,' she said. 'You're still going to be young and you can make your life better,' the judge continued. 'That's going to be up to you.' West's sentence came after lead prosecutor Tommy Coleman made an impassioned plea, recounting the chaotic shooting and other violent crimes that have plagued the community. He said they have seen such violence in the community 'all too often.' Fontenette will now have to serve at least half of the sentence before he is eligible for parole, as he used a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime The attack of a clerk at Bulldog Convenience Store in Nederland on October 10 was caught on camera, showing Fontenette and two juveniles attacking the clerk while brandishing an assault-style weapon early that morning 'Prayer vigils and advisory committees, all that stuff is fine, but you, Judge, are where the rubber meets the road,' Coleman said. 'You are that person who can protect the community from somebody like the defendant. You are that person that can either let him out of this courtroom on probation with a piece of paper and conditions and promises that he won't resort to this kind of violence that you saw on that video, or you can ensure that the community is safe by putting him behind steel bars, concrete walls, a razor wire fence. 'Judge, I'm not in the habit of begging, but on behalf of the community, I'm begging that you sentence this defendant to prison,' he pleaded. 'The message that needs to be sent to this defendant and his circle of friends and anybody who would want to be like this defendant, is that if you pick up a gun with the intent to commit violence, you're going to pick up a 15, 20, 25-year prison sentence. 'Judge, I'm asking that you do this on behalf of the people who just want to live in peace. People who just want to go take a walk at Rogers Park and not be robbed, and somebody that wants to stop at the Speedy Mart convenience store and pick up some snacks, without becoming the victim of a robbery,' he concluded. The judge ultimately concurred with Coleman, telling Fontenette: 'We're tired of it and there's got to be something done.' Fontenette will now have to serve at least half of the sentence before he is eligible for parole, as he used a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime. The Pentagon has requested $200billion for the war in Iran as President Trump considers deploying thousands of more troops to the region. The development signaled a potential new phase in the conflict as the US works to secure the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing bombings. The funding request comes after a study concluded that the US has spent around $3.7 billion, or $891.4 million a day, on wartime efforts in the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury, rising to $11 billion in the first week alone. Multiple sources told The Washington Post that Pentagon has asked the White House to ask for the funding from Congress. It was unclear if the White House would honor that request. Some in the Trump administration believe there will be resistance to the measure in Congress. Democrats remain largely against the war efforts and Kentucky libertarian Rand Paul typically votes against military funding, meaning the 60 votes to avoid a filibuster may not be there. A spokesperson for the Pentagon declined to comment when reached by The Daily Mail. The Trump administration is considering sending thousands of troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East, a US official and three people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The deployments could help provide Trump with additional options as he weighs expanding US operations, with the Iran war well into its third week. A supplemental funding request of up to $200billion and the potential of Donald Trump deploying troops to secure the Strait of Hormuz could signal a new phase in the war with Iran The funding request comes after a study concluded that the US has spent around $3.7 billion, or $891.4 million a day, on wartime efforts in the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury, rising to $11 billion in the first week alone Those options include securing safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a mission that would be accomplished primarily through air and naval forces, the sources said. But securing the Strait could also mean deploying US troops to Iran's shoreline, said four sources, including two US officials. Reuters granted the sources anonymity to speak about military planning. The Trump administration has also discussed options to send ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, the hub for 90 percent of Iran's oil exports, three people familiar with the matter and three US officials said. One of the officials said such an operation would be very risky. Iran has the ability to reach the island with missiles and drones. The United States carried out strikes against military targets on the island on March 13 and Trump has threatened to also strike its critical oil infrastructure. However, given its vital role in Iran's economy, controlling the island would likely be viewed as a better option than destroying it, military experts say. Any use of US ground troops - even for a limited mission - could pose significant political risks for Trump, given low support among the American public for the Iran campaign and Trump's own campaign promises to avoid entangling the US in new Middle East conflicts. The Trump administration is considering sending thousands of troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East at the Strait of Hormuz Trump administration officials have also discussed the possibility of deploying US forces to secure Iran's stocks of highly enriched uranium, one of the people familiar with the matter said. The sources did not believe a deployment of ground forces anywhere in Iran was imminent but declined to discuss specifics of US operational planning. Experts say the task of securing Iran's uranium stockpiles would be highly complex and risky, even for US special operations forces. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: 'There has been no decision to send ground troops at this time, but President Trump wisely keeps all options at his disposal. 'The president is focused on achieving all of the defined objectives of Operation Epic Fury: destroy Iran's ballistic missile capacity, annihilate their navy, ensure their terrorist proxies cannot destabilize the region, and guarantee that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.' The discussions come as the US military continues to attack Iran's navy, its missile and drone stockpiles and its defense industry. The US has carried out more than 7,800 strikes since launching the war on February 28 and damaged or destroyed more than 120 Iranian vessels so far, according to a factsheet released on Wednesday by the US Central Command, which oversees the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops in the Middle East. Trump has said his goals go beyond degrading Iran's military capabilities and could include securing safe passage through the Strait and preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Explosions erupt following strikes at Tehran Oil Refinery in Tehran Ground forces could help broaden his options to address those goals, but carry significant risk. Even without any direct conflict in Iran, 13 US troops have been killed so far in the war and about 200 have been wounded, although the vast majority of the injuries have been minor, the US military says. For years, Trump has railed against his predecessors for getting involved in conflicts and has vowed to keep the United States out of foreign wars. But more recently he has refused to rule out the possibility of 'boots on the ground' in Iran. A senior White House official told Reuters that Trump has various options for acquiring Iran's nuclear material but has not decided how to proceed. 'Certainly there are ways in which it could be acquired,' the official said, adding: 'He hasn't made a decision yet.' In written testimony to lawmakers on Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Iran's nuclear enrichment program had been obliterated by strikes in June and the entrances to those underground facilities had been 'buried and shuttered with cement.' The sources said the discussions on US reinforcements go beyond the arrival of an Amphibious Ready Group next week in the Middle East, with an attached Marine Expeditionary Unit that includes more than 2,000 Marines. But one of the sources noted that the US military was losing a significant number of forces with the decision to send the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier to Greece for maintenance after a fire on board the vessel. Trump has also oscillated on whether the U.S. should secure the Strait of Hormuz. After initially saying the U.S. Navy could escort vessels, he called on other countries to help open the key water way. With little interest from allies, Trump on Wednesday mused about simply leaving. 'I wonder what would happen if we 'finished off' what's left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don't, be responsible for the so called 'Strait?,'' Trump posted on Truth Social. As we approached Dubai's Terminal 3, the sense of panic among the hundreds of passengers corralled outside in the blistering midday heat was palpable. It was only two days after Iranian missiles and drones began pelting the United Arab Emirates at an alarming rate. Some of the worried people were expats desperate to get out, others just travellers in transit who never intended being in Dubai for more than a few hours, least of all in these circumstances. Still more were tourists with small children whose winter sun holiday had come to a crashing halt. None of them knew if they would make it out on a flight that day, although of course many would and thousands have followed since. Just how the airport the world's busiest international hub managed to be open at all in the circumstances and remain so every day since the war began, is quite baffling. It would surely be inconceivable under prevailing safety laws anywhere in Europe or the United States. Maybe they've just been very lucky. Earlier this week, a shahed kamikaze drone hit a fuel tank less than a mile from the terminal. The airport was closed for six hours, causing en route planes from as far away as Australia to be turned around mid-air and all take-offs suspended. Yet astonishingly, as we drew close to the huge blaze with teams of exhausted firefighters choking on thick black smoke, there was an Emirates jet rising through the air just beyond as if it were a routine take-off from Gatwick on a weekday morning. After spending the last two weeks reporting from Dubai (under a pseudonym, for a reason I shall come to) the lasting impression is the same as the one I've always had after half a dozen trips here over the years: the place is completely unbelievable. An Iranian drone hit a fuel tank near Dubai Airport which sparked a massive fire on March 16 Let's take the message being pumped out at the government's bidding by 50,000 or so influencers, many of them Brits a secret propaganda army parroting 'Dubai is Safe' hashtags while deadly munitions fell from the sky. No matter that quite a few of those same influencers, such as former Apprentice star Luisa Zissman, quietly skedaddled themselves, claiming their trip back to Britain was planned before the war. That's not to say that the UAE air defences haven't done an amazing job of intercepting the missiles and drones, but let us not forget, if just one gets through and plenty of drones have it would be enough to take out a bus or cause a bloodbath in a residential building. This bonkers city-state, which boasts a ski slope with artificial snow and drag lift inside one of its gargantuan malls, never fails to make one's jaw drop. Space age architecture looms into the sky in sight of drab, overcrowded accommodation housing thousands of low-paid migrant workers. Beaming influencers sporting fake tans and polar-white teeth extol the virtues of the tax-free regime while anyone who falls foul of the harsh laws that penalise criticism of the government, the royals, police, or local culture can expect a grim fate. Torture is common inside the hellhole jails and police stations, as previous visitors attest. So many foreigners find themselves 'Detained in Dubai' that an entire organisation bearing that name has been set up to assist them. In the time we've been in Dubai, the government's attitude here and in the other emirates has hardened against anyone posting images online of missiles, drones or their interception by ground defences. More than 100 people including one British tourist have been arrested and charged with spreading such information, facing up to a year in jail and hefty fines. One family whose apartment was hit, were arrested for sending photos of the damage to relatives back home. That's why I and a colleague opted not to have our names on the stories we reported on in the Daily Mail - we did not want to be added to those growing ranks of arrested foreigners. Passengers awaiting airline updates at Dubai airport on Saturday after the airport closed again due to drone strikes Other media outlets didn't manage to avoid the ire of the authorities, and one TV camera crew was arrested for filming a piece to camera from the street, while police forced photographers to delete images from the cameras and forced some to make a visit to the infamous Bur Dubai police station. The opaque Dubai Media Office, which rarely replies to enquiries from journalists, has been working overtime in the past fortnight, assuring everyone that, basically 'everything is awesome'. This, after all, is a somewhat Orwellian state, which boasts a 'Minister for Happiness' with his own department. Even when a huge cloud of dust and smoke was thrown up by a drone strike at Dubai Airport on Saturday March 7, landing worryingly close to the terminal, the Media Office continued to insist there had been 'no incident' simply because, by some miracle, no one was injured. When there have been deaths and injuries, the Media Office has been very quick to send out the message that the victim was 'Pakistani', 'Bangladeshi', or 'Palestinian'. The implication that their lives are cheap is clear to anyone who has spoken to the legions of low-paid migrant workers, largely from the Indian subcontinent, who keep this place going. Often their passports are held by their employers for the duration of their stay, and their visa is entirely dependent on their job. In the good times, they were shipped in by the hundreds of thousands, but times aren't quite so good now, and on a trip to the airport, I saw hundreds of Indians and Pakistanis heading home and not exactly voluntarily. One hotel worker from Karachi told me that he was being forced to take what little 'paid leave' he had now, whether he wanted to or not. When that runs out, his fate is anyone's guess, as he has been told that it may be 'some time' before he's allowed to return to the bar job that provided so much income for his family back home. Other migrant workers have been allowed to remain in the country, but their pay has been cut, so they are getting by on subsistence wages with nothing left over to send to their relatives which is, after all, the main motivation propelling them to Dubai in the first place. As you stroll down 'The Walk' at Jumeirah Beach Residence, a prime tourist destination groaning with upmarket beach clubs, restaurants and hotels, the truth about Dubai's desperation really hits home. It's not the kind of panic that necessarily sends people scurrying for bomb shelters at least not while the supply of interceptor missiles holds out. No, this is a different kind of gnawing, slow-burn fear born out of gazing into a very uncertain future. You can see it in the faces of the young women and men standing forlornly outside the beach clubs while behind them sit row upon row of unopened umbrellas and empty sun loungers. The incessant beat goes on, but no one is there to hear it. Then there are the attractive, well-groomed salesmen and women, dressed to the nines and sitting in tiny, air-conditioned cabins, set up to lure tourists into investing in the 'booming' Dubai property market. With no tourists to pester and this is peak season they stare into the middle distance contemplating their fate, the glittering images of the luxury apartments they're pushing now looking as out of place as their stifling three-piece suits in the 34C heat. In the early days of the crisis, some people were so keen to escape that they endured gruelling overland trips by bus, car or paid a sheikh's ransom to a taxi driver for the pleasure of six hours to Muscat in neighbouring Oman or 12 hours to the Saudi capital of Riyadh for a connecting flight. A lucky few even splashed out up to 150,000 on private jets from Dubai's VIP terminal, or more often from neighbouring countries, escaping with even their pet dogs in some cases. The Dubai exodus was in full swing when we flew into Muscat on March 1 and made the boss of a local car rental firm turn ashen at our proposal to take one of his vehicles on a one-way drop off into the war zone. He certainly made us pay for the privilege. Approaching the remote border post of Hatta on the frontier with UAE, I recalled to my colleague the chaotic scenes I had witnessed in north-east Saudi 35 years ago, shortly before the First Gulf War as thousands of Kuwaitis and foreigners fled Saddam Hussein's invading troops. I expected to see cars laden with huge parcels of luggage and children almost spilling out of the back windows, the convoy of fear forming a dusty line as far as the eye could see. But there was nothing of the sort when we drew up to the border post in mid-afternoon. Not a single car was coming in the other direction. Clearly, whatever the level of 'panic' in Dubai, it was largely restricted to those waiting for a seat on an aircraft and wasn't enough to make them endure a long road trip through the desert. Mugshots of 25 people arrested for sharing 'war footage' in the UAE, with the first group, pictured, said to have 'published and circulated authentic video clips' of missile interceptions The second group was arrested for publishing footage of attacks that were either AI-generated or occurred outside the UAE And a third group of defendants is made up of people who published material 'glorifying a hostile state' One delayed tourist even suggested to me that he'd be more at risk on the open road to the border than holed up in a five-star hotel on the famous Palm Jumeirah resort. It smacked less of panic and more of peevishness. The attitude of those hardened expats who chose to tough it out in Dubai can be harder to fathom and likely boils down to a lack of other options. Thousands have already headed back to Britain whether permanently, or merely until this war is over, remains to be seen. Many Western financial institutions have evacuated their staff not just from the UAE but from other Gulf states, especially after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that banks and tech companies with US connections would be targeted. With no sign of regime change in Tehran, despite the optimistic predictions of President Trump and his Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the crisis has delivered a grim reminder of just how vulnerable the UAE and its neighbours are to Iran. It's also been a lesson in geography; highlighting the Ayatollahs' vice-like grip on the passage of the world's oil tankers at the choke point of the Strait of Hormuz. 'This place has been my home for 20 years,' one British expat told me this week over a drink in one of Dubai's many Irish pubs. 'Of course we're worried, but we have to believe that the UAE will bounce back from this. 'I don't want to go back and live in Britain with its wet weather and high taxes after all this time here, living tax free. 'Maybe Dubai just needs a bit of readjustment, and the ridiculous rents and property prices will fall a bit hopefully not plummet.' The longer this crisis flares, the more his blind optimism will seem as outlandish as the city's skyscape itself. King Charles will get a show of American military might during his state visit to the US, because White House officials fear they cannot match the British pageantry, according to reports. The trip will go ahead next month despite serious tension between the President and the Prime Minister over the Iran war, which has destabilised the special relationship. Some have called for it to be postponed or cancelled altogether, believing such a show of joviality would be inappropriate, but plans are already in the final stages. An entourage of the King's closest aides and other officials is already believed to have travelled to the States for a 'recce'. The King will spend just one day in Washington, where he will undertake a busy schedule including an address to Congress and an evening banquet, The Times reports. It is said he will spend another day in New York, make a third stop at an unconfirmed rural location, and then stop over at a country with ties to the UK, such as Bermuda. Discussions in the White House have reportedly concluded Washington cannot match the pomp and pageantry rolled out by Britain for Donald Trump's state visit, and that the King and Queen should instead be impressed by demonstrations of military might. The royal couple will be accompanied not by Starmer, but by the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper - although this was said not to be a response to the breakdown of relations. Donald Trump and the King at Windsor Castle, during the President's state visit in September Donald Trump, known to admire the British royal family, was pictured cracking a smile at The Princess of Wales during his banquet Trump and Melania will attempt to impress their British guests with military might, in lieu of the pomp and ceremony The relationship between Trump and Starmer was fraying before the outbreak of war in the Middle East, but has since nosedived. The US President has repeatedly emphasised that Starmer is 'no Winston Churchill', mocking and chastising the Prime Minister for his response to the conflict. He was enraged when the UK refused to allow use of American bases on British soil to launch attacks against Iran, and repeatedly slammed Starmer for not sending warships to the Middle East. While Trump has lashed out at other European countries and Nato, Starmer has received the greatest larruping, with the President apparently lamenting the inaction of a once-dependable ally. Against that backdrop, some politicians in the UK have urged a pause on the King's plans, but all parties involved - the White House, Buckingham Palace, and the UK government - are understood to be determined it will go ahead on April 27-29. It is also understood the trip will be apolitical and, rather than attempting to produce any policy announcements, will be an opportunity for the King to pay tribute to the citizens of America in their 250th year of independence. A source with knowledge of the plans told the newspaper: 'This will be a substantive visit from the King for the American people.' Among the team to have scoped out Washington earlier this year was the King's deputy private secretary and one of his closest aides, Theo Rycroft. The source said Rycroft had been 'drilling down' into the details of the King's schedule, while Monica Crowley, ambassador and chief of protocol of the United States, has been spearheading preparations from the American side. The White House was approached for comment. Convicted paedophile pop star Gary Glitter is said to be on his last legs in prison, barely able to move and spending up to 23 hours a day alone in his cell, according to reports. The 81-year-old, whose real name is Paul Gadd, is said to be wheelchair-bound, almost totally deaf and increasingly distressed as he faces mounting financial and legal troubles behind bars. He is currently being held on a Vulnerable Prisoner Unit at HMP Channings Wood in Devon for his own safety, after being recalled to custody in March 2023 following concerns over his behaviour at a bail hostel. Sources claim fellow inmates believe he is unlikely to be released and will die in prison, with his sentence running until 2031. An insider told The Sun: 'He is deaf and can barely move - and most people would struggle to recognise him now. He seems to be on his last legs, with his body giving up. 'And if he doesn't get parole soon most officers and inmates think he will see out his days in jail.' The latest claims come as Gadd faces an ongoing legal battle over his finances, after being declared bankrupt last year for failing to pay more than 500,000 in compensation to one of his victims. Convicted paedophile pop star Gary Glitter is 'on his last legs' in prison, barely able to move and spending up to 23 hours a day alone in his cell, according to reports The 81-year-old, whose real name is Paul Gadd, is said to be wheelchair-bound and almost totally deaf. Pictured above in the 1990s He is currently being held on a Vulnerable Prisoner Unit at HMP Channings Wood in Devon for his own safety. Pictured with Zoe Spink (left) and Gay Spink (right) A recent insolvency hearing was held under his real name at Bristol County Court, with trustees now able to pursue assets including his 2million London penthouse. Despite his frailty, he remains on an 'enhanced' prison regime, giving him access to a television, phone calls and a weekly allowance for the canteen. However, sources say he is largely confined to his cell, where staff bring him meals as he is too infirm to attend activities or classes. The insider added: 'He is on a relaxed regime which means he can sit in his cell all day watching Freeview TV and DVDs. 'Because of who he is, everything is carefully monitored though. He is in a single cell with its own toilet, sink and phone.' Gadd was first jailed in 1999 after thousands of indecent images of children were discovered on his computer, and later convicted of sexually abusing young girls in both Vietnam and the UK. His most recent sentence - a 16-year term for sexually abusing three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980 - saw him released automatically halfway through in February 2023. Despite his frailty, he remains on an 'enhanced' prison regime, giving him access to a television, phone calls and a weekly allowance for the canteen. Pictured with Rod Stewart in 1975 Sources say he is largely confined to his cell, where staff bring him meals as he is too infirm to attend activities or classes (pictured 2008) He was refused parole last year after a panel concluded he still had an 'uncontrolled interest' in young girls However, within weeks he was returned to custody after he began exhibiting concerning behaviour, including discussions about internet access and evidence he had been viewing inappropriate material. He was refused parole last year after a panel concluded he still had an 'uncontrolled interest' in young girls. A report also found he continued to deflect blame, stating: 'Gadd has been reluctant to engage with group work because he feared information may be passed to the media. 'The board noted Gadd continued to blame the media for much of what happened to him.' A Prison Service spokesman said: 'We cannot comment on individuals.' The former counterintelligence chief who resigned over the ongoing conflict with Iran is reportedly under FBI investigation for leaking classified information. Joe Kent, who issued a scathing letter of resignation as National Counterterrorism Center Director, has been accused of improperly sharing classified information, according to Semafor. The probe into his alleged misconduct had been ongoing for months and predates his resignation from the intelligence agency, sources told the outlet. The shocking development comes just hours after Kent told Tucker Carlson that the US was provided faulty intelligence from Israel before the war. White House officials suggested Tuesday that Kent was an 'egomaniac' who was responsible for 'national security leaks.' Kent said in a post to X 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. Kent, in his resignation letter, accused the president of going back on the non-interventionist principles he campaigned on in 2024. Trump said he was glad that the top counterterrorism official resigned over the war with Iran. Joe Kent issued a scathing letter of resignation as National Counterterrorism Center Director on Wednesday 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' Carlson - who said he spent 'the last 24 hours' with Kent - led into an interview by playing a chat he had with Kent in 2024, where he predicted that the war would go badly before asking Kent to explain his letter '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. 'Key decision makers were not allowed to express their opinions. There wasn't a robust debate,' Kent told Tucker Carlson on Wednesday. 'It seemed to be a foregone conclusion that this was happening.' Kent also warned that the next supreme leader of Iran that replaces Ali Khamenei will be 'more radical,' claiming that Ayatollah Khamenei 'was preventing them from getting a nuclear weapon.' 'Going aggressively after the ayatollah was the last thing we should have ever done,' he insisted. Trump allies had claimed Kent was already in the firing line to lose his job before his resignation. 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.' Kent swears his oath of office to work under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Kash Patel's FBI has reportedly opened an investigation into the former counterintelligence chief 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.' 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. A mother who allegedly poured petrol over her three children before setting them alight remains in policy custody at a mental health institute. Queensland Police allege Ellouisa Brighton Gibson, 37, killed her two daughters, aged five and seven, and her nine-year-old son in May 2025. The three children had all been sleeping in the same bedroom when a massive fire took hold at their home in Harristown, west of Brisbane, about 12.30am. Gibson's son died in the blaze - his body was found after the fire was extinguished - while her two daughters were rescued but later died of their injuries. Her 34-year-old partner, an 18-year-old man, and a 11-year-old boy escaped the blaze and were taken to hospital with minor injuries. The 37-year-old has been charged with arson, three counts of murder, and three counts of attempted murder. Gibson remains in custody at The Park Centre for Mental Health Treatment at Wacol, the Toowoomba Chronicle reports. Her case was briefly mentioned in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday, with her lawyers saying a psychiatric assessment was being organised. Queensland Police allege Ellouisa Brighton Gibson, 37, killed her two daughters, aged five and seven, and her nine-year-old son in May 2025 (the mum-of-three is pictured) Gibson's three children had been all sleeping in the same bedroom when a massive fire took hold at their home in Harristown, west of Brisbane, about 12.30am She remains in custody at The Park Centre for Mental Health Treatment at Wacol If Gibson is found to have been of unsound mind during the incident, her case could be moved to the Mental Health Court, where reporting would be restricted. Her case will be mentioned again on June 26. Gibson will not be required to appear via video-link. The Park Centre is one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in Australia. It has three inpatient units where people live while getting treatment; the High Security Inpatient Service, the Extended Forensic Rehabilitation and Treatment Unit, and the Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit. Thousands of Australians are demanding the right for mandatory work from home as the nation stares down rising fuel prices amid the growing conflict in the Middle East. New research shows 82 per cent of full-time workers want employers to be required to offer work-from-home arrangements wherever possible, according to Green.com.au. According to the NSW Government's FuelCheck website, fuel prices have surged 39 per cent in the past month. With commuters paying higher petrol prices, mandated work-from-home rights are emerging as a potential pressure valve to slash daily costs for workers, many already struggling with the cost of living and two recent interest rate rises by the Reserve Bank. The findings come as Anthony Albanese scrambles to contain the growing crisis, establishing an emergency fuel supply taskforce headed by former Australian Energy Regulator boss Anthea Harris. 'Our fuel supply is currently secure. However, I want us to be over-prepared,' Albanese said on Thursday. He said Australians had been panic-buying fuel, triggering shortages at some petrol stations. 'Every ship scheduled to arrive has arrived. This is not a supply reduction - it is an issue of increased demand,' he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has established an emergency fuel supply taskforce Albanese said local shortages were still possible even when national supply levels remained stable. 'Both things can be true. The expected amount of fuel can be in the country, but if demand doubles, or in some areas increases even more, shortages can still occur locally,' he said. Primara Research director Peter Drennan said Albanese had confirmed last year that people working from home saved an average of $5,000 a year, with a substantial portion of that coming from reduced commuting costs. 'For workers driving to offices when they don't have to, that could mean thousands of dollars in additional costs hitting their budgets. 'If the government recognises this as a demand problem, mandating work-from-home rights where feasible offers an immediate way to reduce that demand.' Mr Drennan said a work-from-home mandate could offer a dual solution. 'People want to ease their own cost pressures, but eliminating unnecessary commutes also frees up fuel for essential services such as grocery transport, strengthening food security,' he said. Sri Lanka has ordered a nationwide four-day working week, giving public sector staff every Wednesday off as the country scrambles to conserve fuel amid fears of looming shortages. Mandated workfromhome rights are emerging as a immediate pressure valve to slash daily fuel costs for workers Nearly 90 per cent of the oil and gas shipped through the Strait of Hormuz last year was destined for Asia, the world's biggest importing region, leaving countries heavily reliant on the route struggling to cope. Across the region, authorities have imposed a string of austerity-style measures to curb demand. Thailand is urging workers to ditch formal office wear for lighter clothing to reduce air-conditioning use, while Myanmar has restricted private vehicles to operating on alternate days depending on their licence plate numbers. Bangladesh has brought forward Ramadan holidays for universities and introduced rolling blackouts to conserve energy, while in the Philippines some government staff must now work from home at least once a week. Vietnam, meanwhile, is urging people to stay home where possible, cycle, car-share and use public transport instead of private vehicles. Closer to home, the Victorian Greens on Thursday called on the Allan Government to make public transport in Melbourne free for the next month to provide immediate relief from cost-of-living pressures as petrol prices soar. Leader Ellen Sandell said many people were feeling the pain. 'Free public transport would provide huge relief to families, young people and renters who are already being totally smashed by rising costs,' she said. 'For workers driving to offices when they don't have to, that's potentially thousands of dollars in added costs hitting their budget. 'If the government recognises this as a demand problem, mandating work-from-home rights where feasible offers an immediate way to reduce that demand.' Mr Drennan said a WFH mandate offered a dual solution. 'People want to ease their own cost pressures, but eliminating unnecessary commutes also frees up fuel for essential services like grocery transport, adding to our food security,' he said. An Australian reporter left the Finnish President impressed after she offered a simple solution for drawing Donald Trump's attention back to Russia's war in Ukraine. The Nightly journalist Latika M Bourke suggested that Alexander Stubb should use the Middle East crisis as a bargaining chip. 'Why doesn't Europe go to Trump and say, "If you want assistance in the Gulf, here's what we want you to do on Ukraine?"' she asked him during his address at Chatham House in London on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Trump turned on allies, including Australia, in a social media tirade, claiming other nations had rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz. The route has been effectively closed since conflict erupted three weeks ago, leaving tankers idle and forcing producers to halt pumping while facilities were emptied. Stubb told Bourke he thought her idea was 'really good' and that he might use it. 'I think it's actually a really good idea. So, I'm available for advice. Can my team take your phone number, please?' he said. 'No, but I mean, yeah, I'll think about it. I'll talk about it with my colleagues. Some of them are here in London today.' Australian journalist Latika M Bourke (pictured) left Finnish President Alexander Stubb amazed when she offered a solution on how to draw Donald Trump's attention to war in Ukraine Ms Bourke suggested to President Stubb (pictured) that European leaders offer assistance to Trump in the Middle East if he does what they want for Ukraine Bourke is The Nightly's Writer-at-Large in London, specialising in geopolitics. Outside of her journalism, she is an expert associate at the Australian National University's National Security College. Posting about her interaction with Stubb on social media, Bourke referred to her suggestion as a 'reverse Trump', referencing his belief that support from allies must be reciprocal. At the start of the week, Trump wrote on Truth Social: '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.' 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 Albanese government rebuffed the claim, saying there hadn't been a formal request to send ships to the strait - and it wasn't something being considered. Meanwhile, Trump signed a one-month sanction waiver last week allowing countries to buy Russian oil currently floating around in tankers unable to dock anywhere. Earlier this week, Trump turned on allies including Australia in a social media tirade, claiming other nations had rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz The move concerned European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who has warned against easing sanctions on Russian oil and called for continued pressure on Moscow. Trump's relaxation of restraints on Russia, intended to address concerns about fuel supplies following his joint strikes on Iran with Israel, could have a ripple effect on Putin's war effort. That was the opinion of President Stubb during his address in London. 'The Russian economy was actually doing extremely badly a couple of weeks back, now it's bouncing back,' he said. 'I hope the peace negotiations on Ukraine don't collapse like the negotiations between Iran and the US did. But time will tell.' Drones have been detected above the Army base in Washington, D.C. where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth live, according to a report in the Washington Post. US officials have not determined where they came from, but they said multiple drones have appeared over Fort Lesley J. McNair on one night in the last 10 days. This triggered a meeting at the White House over how to respond and whether to increase security measures. The military is already operating on a heightened alert level because of the war in Iran that the United States and Israel have been engaged in for the last three weeks. The drones over Fort McNair, which sits on the banks of the Anacostia River, have some officials considering whether to relocate Rubio and Hegseth, two people familiar told the Post. So far, Rubio and Hegseth have not moved. It has been known that they have lived on 'Generals Row' at the base since October. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined to speak about the drones. 'The department cannot comment on the secretarys movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible,' he said in a statement to the Post. Drones have been sighted over the last 10 days at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. This is where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth live US officials have weighed whether to relocate Rubio and Hegseth for their own safety So far, neither top national security official has been moved. Both men have lived on Fort McNair since at least October Fort McNair is home to the National Defense University and houses some of the Pentagon's most senior military officials. Historically, it has not been home to political leaders, but some Trump officials have cited security concerns as their reasoning for moving onto various bases. Outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved into a home for the Coast Guard commandant on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, The Atlantic reported. Fort McNair is also conveniently located near Capitol Hill, the White House and the Pentagon. The apparent drone threat in Washington comes after Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base, home to US Central Command, had to go on lockdown twice this week. US Central Command is leading military operations in Iran. The first lockdown at MacDill came on Monday when a suspicious package was delivered to the visitors center. The second was on Wednesday and involved a security incident that left the base under a shelter-in-place order for hours. On Tuesday, the State Department told all US diplomatic posts worldwide to 'immediately' evaluate their security amid 'the ongoing and developing situation in the Middle East and the potential for spillover effects', according to an internal cable obtained by the Post. According to the US officials, drone threats have become more common after President Donald Trump ordered the strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Drone threats against various US officials, including President Donald Trump, have increased since Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was killed in 2020 by a US strike And during Trump's 2024 campaign, Secret Service agents frequently encountered unidentified drones. That September, Trump was informed that Iran wanted to assassinate him and had multiple teams in the country to do so. Trump was also told by officials that there was no evidence linking Iran to the attempts made on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, and on his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Iranian threats have made their way to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, both prominent foreign policy voices in the first Trump administration. Iran held them responsible for killing Soleimani, which led the Biden administration to extend their government security protection. Trump withdrew their security last year. Seven people have been involved in a light plane crash off the West Australian coast. The plane went down in water at Roebuck Bay, Broome, about 11.30am on Thursday. It's understood multiple ambulances, paramedics, police, marine rescue boats and fire crews attended the scene. St John Ambulance WA reported seven people, believed to be five passengers and two pilots, were injured in the crash. Police later clarified just one person suffered minor head injuries. The Broome Advertiser said at least one person was seen being winched from the wreck by a helicopter. The plane had taken off from Broome Airport shortly before the crash. Flight radar data indicated it was headed to Mungalalu Truscott Airport, about 620 kilometres north-east of Broome. A light plane carrying seven people crashed in Roebuck Bay, Broome, about 11.30am The airport is near the northernmost tip of WA. Mungalalu Truscott Airport is typically used by fly in, fly out workers headed to offshore oil and gas rigs. WA Police will investigate the crash. A student has been arrested and a pellet gun has been seized after an incident at a high school in Sydney's east. Police rushed to Rose Bay Secondary College just after 1.45pm on Thursday following reports of a teenager with a firearm. Officers were told a 15-year-old boy fired a pellet at the back of another student with what's been described as a 'BB' gun. No one was injured during the incident. The school went into lockdown and students were evacuated onto an oval. The 15-year-old boy was taken into police custody for further inquiries. He was transported to Surrey Hills police station for questioning. Police rushed to Rose Bay Secondary College just after 1.45pm on Thursday following reports of a teenager with a firearm A student has been arrested and an air gun has been seized Residents waited outside the school gates on Thursday afternoon The incident caused a major backup of traffic in the suburb shortly before school pickup The incident sparked a significant police response including tactical officers There were no reports of injuries in the incident though police were swift to respond A teacher is likely to be jailed for having sex with a 17-year-old student at a school while she was supposed to be teaching, a court has been told. Monique Kieuoanh Nguyen wore a face mask and kept her head bowed as she hurried in and out of Parramatta District Court on Thursday. The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to sexual intercourse with a person between 17 and 18 years old under care and using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material. She was supposed to be teaching the student when she had sex with him at a NSW school, crown prosecutor Sarah Beaumont told the court. She pushed for Nguyen to be taken into custody, emphasising that students and parents are entitled to expect that trusted educators won't abuse their position. 'The offender exploited a special relationship,' Ms Beaumont said. A sentence of imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence for the offences and the breach of trust they involved, she told the court. But Nguyen's lawyer argued the 30-year-old needs to be on bail to attend appointments for her mental health, which would be adversely impacted by a stint behind bars. Monique Kieuoanh Nguyen (above) pleaded guilty to having sex with a 17-year-old student at a school while she was supposed to be teaching Nguyen (left) cried in court on Thursday when an application to put her in detention, ahead of her sentencing in May, was denied The teacher fronted Parramatta District court on Thursday She has engaged in meaningful mental health treatment programs and made significant progress since being charged with the offences, the court was told. Judge Anthony Colefax noted that progress would be halted if the teacher was taken into custody while awaiting sentencing. He declined to grant the detention application, finding it was likely but not a foregone conclusion that she would receive a full time jail term. Nguyen also admitted to nine counts of sexually touching a person between 17 and 18 years old under special care, which will be taken into consideration when she is sentenced at a later date. When the detention application was denied, the teacher - who wiped away tears throughout the proceedings - cried and embraced her family. Nguyen will be sentenced on May 29. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Scotland Yard is investigating a 'whole range of sexual allegations' against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to see if they 'merit a criminal investigation', its chief says. Andrew was accused of having sex with Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre three times, including when she was 17, after being trafficked by the paedophile financier. The former prince was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office over claims he shared sensitive information with Epstein when he was the UK's trade envoy - but Andrew has not been arrested in relation to any sex offences. Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the force felt claims made by Ms Giuffre across four video recorded interviews could not support a probe. Sir Mark, speaking during a visit to Washington, told ABC News: 'Those interviews didn't give us any evidence or any allegations of sexual offending or trafficking that we could investigate in the UK. So that's why that investigation didn't go forward.' But, speaking about the new probe, Sir Mark added: 'Those investigations all go wherever the evidence takes them - quite comfortable with investigating sort of famous or powerful people. 'I think it's really important for policing to do that, that sense of operating without fear or favour. The law applies equally to everyone, and those cases will go, say, wherever the evidence leads us to.' Sir Mark said the Met is also looking into an email Peter Mandelson sent to Epstein as he urged the US authorities to release unredacted correspondence. Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley speaks to ABC News in Washington Sir Mark is interviewed by ABC News chief investigative correspondent Aaron Katersky Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after being accused of disclosing sensitive information to Epstein when business secretary. The email Mandelson sent to Epstein appears to show he confirmed an imminent 500billion bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010. The message released by US authorities in January as part of the Epstein files - appeared to have been sent to Epstein after he became a convicted sex offender. Another email from 2009 also appears to show Mandelson passed on an assessment by Gordon Brown's adviser of potential policy measures including an 'asset sales plan' and that he appeared to discuss a tax on bankers' bonuses. On May 9, 2010, in the last days of Mr Brown's government, Epstein emailed Mandelson saying 'sources tell me 500 b euro bailout, almost complete'. The reply, from a redacted address or number, said 'sd be announced tonight'. A massive rescue package was agreed by Brussels in the early hours of May 10. Sir Mark said: 'With Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador, there is a particular email to do with the bailout after the financial crash I think in 2008-09. 'It looks like it was shared with Epstein. So we are looking at that as to whether that's a criminal offence. And then colleagues in Thames Valley are looking at other documents that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor potentially shared. 'And several forces together there's a whole range of suggested sexual allegations and those are being assessed at the moment to see whether any of them do actually merit a criminal investigation.' Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in a photograph taken in London in March 2001 A photograph from the Epstein files which shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (left) and Lord Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes alongside paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein (centre) The email Peter Mandelson sent to Jeffrey Epstein appears to show he confirmed an imminent 500billion bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010 Sir Mark's visit to America this week follows a meeting with US ambassador Warren Stephens last month with the issue of releasing unredacted correspondence raised during the meeting on February 24. Sir Mark said: 'Of course, there's a big body of that evidence... in the United States in all those files and at some stage we're going to need the unredacted evidence. 'We need the original copy and where did it come from and that's going to be necessary if we get to the stage of court cases.' The US Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents related to Epstein in January, with some of the pages showing the extent of the connection between Mandelson and the sex offender. Mandelson lost his job as the UK's ambassador to the US in September last year due to his association with Epstein. He was arrested last month and subsequently bailed, but later released from his bail conditions, although he remains under investigation. The Met has already made contact with US authorities to seek further detail on what has been disclosed in the files. It is unclear whether the force will have to submit a formal mutual legal assistance request (MLA) to gain access to the unredacted files - a process that would take substantially longer. The US authorities previously sent an MLA to the Home Office requesting Andrew's assistance as an alleged witness to Epstein's offending. The former prince is also the subject of a misconduct in public office investigation which is being led by Thames Valley Police (TVP). Andrew and Mandelson have both strenuously denied any wrongdoing. Spring has officially sprung in Notting Hills Stanley Crescent. For most of us, blossoming trees, blue skies and daffodils all nod to brighter days ahead. But for residents of this exclusive enclave, the sure-fire sign that winter is over is when a gaggle of social media influencers pitch up in the street to be photographed or videoed next to their colourful blooms. Yesterdays sunshine and warm temperatures saw dozens flocking to Stanley Crescent where the average value of a property is 1.2million for that perfect Instagram page snap. At nearby Lancaster Road, just metres from Portobello Road Market, homeowners have reported influencers even undergoing multiple outfit changes outside their doors to get the best shots. Peter Lee, 80, said his home in Notting Hill is visited daily by people using it as a backdrop for their social media pictures. The former fashion designer, who has lived in his home for 47 years, said hes seen people doing the splits in front of his steps and even balancing on his railings. Mr Lee said: I dont really mind the crowds. I have cameras so it does amuse me to just watch their antics. Yesterdays sunshine and warm temperatures saw dozens flocking to Stanley Crescent where the average value of a property is 1.2million for that perfect Instagram page snap At nearby Lancaster Road, just metres from Portobello Road Market, homeowners have reported influencers even undergoing multiple outfit changes outside their doors to get the best shots Influencers and tourists taking pictures with the Blossom on Stanley Crescent, London Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are constantly swamped with people taking photos in front of their properties Cherry blossoms are a popular backdrop for influencer pictures Hordes of tourists pose in front of the cherry blossoms in the trendy neighborhood One time, a company seemed to be having a whole photoshoot. They had a little outfit change tent and everything. 'They actually left a bunch of brand new clothes here tags and all. I put up a sign, saying to knock on my door to collect them. But not everyone is so accommodating. Some owners have even started painting their famously colourful homes black in a bid to stop rude selfie-taking influencers from posing outside. The hottest temperature yesterday of 20.9C (70F) was recorded at Gogerddan in Wales. In Northolt, west London, the mercury reached 20.2C yesterday, surpassing the previous record for the year of 19.2C on March 5. Parts of the UK were warmer yesterday than many European holiday hotspots including Faro in the Algarve (17C), Ibiza (18C), Malta (16C) and Corfu (15C). Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said the higher temperatures are because of warm air being dragged up from further south in Europe. Mr Madge said: We get this a lot at this time of year, we sometimes joke the warmest day of the year klaxon is going off every day. 'I think this will be the peak for a while we are not expecting any further records in the next week or so. He added: The values that have been reached today will probably be a high watermark for some little time to come. Temperatures are expected to settle later in the week with highs of 17C over the weekend. A category five cyclone with an intensity not seen in a century is barrelling towards the northern Queensland coast, with some communities evacuated and the military put on standby to assist. Seven years after a cyclone devastated his remote community, a local mayor in the region, Wayne Butcher, said he had a funny feeling in the eerie quiet on Thursday evening. There was no wind or rain about at Lockhart River on Queensland's Cape York Peninsula. 'But you can feel it. Something's coming,' Mr Butcher said. Tropical Cyclone Narelle is set to make landfall near Coen, north of Cairns, about 7am AEST on Friday as a dangerous category five system, producing wind gusts up to more than 250km/h. 'I can't sugarcoat this, the damage will be widespread with a system of that size,' Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said. More than 100 emergency service personnel have been sent north, with police going door-to-door to ensure locals are prepared. Hundreds of people have been evacuated and the army is on standby with fears the potentially deadly storm will trigger downpours and 'blow apart' buildings. 'It's looking like it's gonna track the same way that bloody Cyclone Trev did. I couldn't sleep last night, I just had that funny feeling,' Mr Butcher said. Hundreds of people have been evacuated and the army is on standby ahead of the Tropical Cyclone Narelle's (above) arrival about 7am Friday The cyclone is set to make landfall as a dangerous category five system, producing wind gusts up to more than 250km/h but the weather was eerily quiet on Thursday night Cyclone Trevor slammed into Lockhart River as a category four system on March 19 2019, destroying everything in its wake. Seven years to the day, Lockhart River is bracing for Narelle - the first category five system to hit Cape York since Cyclone Mahina killed more than 300 people in March 1899. 'Unfortunately, we've had a lot of practice with cyclones,' Mr Butcher said. As Narelle closes in, the mayor says an informal curfew will be put in place. A police car will drive the streets, siren on, warning residents it's time to seek shelter. But there is no community evacuation centre or an emergency centre to monitor the storm. Locals have been encouraged to move out of timber and demountable homes and into the community's sturdy low-set besser block houses. 'We kind of play everything by ear,' Mr Butcher said of their cyclone response. 'The phones will probably be out, so people will have to get the old two-way radios out of the cupboard and get ready for the clean-up.' Cyclone Narelle is set to make landfall near Coen, north of Cairns, on Friday morning (pictured are storm clouds forming in Port Douglas on Thursday night) Lockhart River was on Thursday included in a cyclone warning zone that extended south to Cape Tribulation as they braced for Narelle. Vulnerable residents were evacuated, tourists flew out on the last remaining flights and schools were closed. 'The type of wind that is being predicted is the sort of thing that will blow apart sheds, that will blow caravans down roadways and create fields of airborne debris,' Queensland disaster co-ordinator assistant commissioner Chris Stream said. 'Those types of objects being propelled at over 100km/h will have a fatal outcome.' Rainfall in excess of 500mm is expected from Thursday across Cape York. The far north is already reeling from flooding after it was impacted by back-to-back tropical lows in recent months. Shipping containers of supplies have arrived and emergency generators placed on standby, with the region told it will lose power. After crossing Cape York, the storm is expected to lash the Northern Territory's Top End and possibly move into Western Australia. More than 100 emergency service personnel have been sent north as authorities prepare for massive damage (pictured is a satellite image of the cyclone on Thursday afternoon) The army is on standby with about 500 people to be evacuated from the NT community of Numbulwar in the coming days. The remote community was previously evacuated in 2019 when Cyclone Trevor threatened. A cyclone watch has been issued for parts of the Top End with Narelle expected to cross the NT coast as a category three system on Saturday. Labour has been plunged into fresh infighting after Sadiq Khan demanded the party backs rejoining the EU at the next election. The London Mayor made the incendiary call to reverse Brexit as Keir Starmer struggles to contain unrest on multiple fronts. The PM has been scrambling for a 'reset' with Brussels, while Rachel Reeves has been pushing for closer ties - admitting yesterday she still wished the country had voted Remain in 2016. Speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Sir Sadiq insisted the government should rejoining both the customs union and the single market in this Parliament. And he suggested that fighting the next election on a ticket of resuming full membership of the bloc would mean there is no need for another referendum. Sadiq Khan made the incendiary call to reverse Brexit as Keir Starmer struggles to contain unrest on multiple fronts Labour MP Natalie fleet was among those who voiced alarm at Sir Sadiq's push Cannock Chase MP Josh Newbury also insisted Labour should not be following the mayor's advice 'I see on a daily basis the damage Brexit has done to not just London, but to Londoners, the damage economically, socially and culturally,' Sir Sadiq said. 'I'm quite clear in terms of what needs to happen, which is, we should join the European Union.' Sir Sadiq pointed to the election of Donald Trump, growing global instability and the passage of time as reasons to revisit the issue, arguing that 'the facts have changed' and 'the evidence has changed'. 'We should, as a Labour Party, fight the next general election with a clear manifesto commitment, a vote for Labour means we would rejoin the European Union. I think it's inevitable,' he said. The comments immediately sparked clashes between Labour MPs, underlining that the party is still deeply divided over Brexit. In a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Trade minister Chris Bryant refused to rule out rejoining the EU being in the next manifesto. He told Sky News: 'I think we should be immensely ambitious about our relationship with the European Union.' Challenged again on whether it should be in the manifesto, he said: 'You honestly think I'm going to sit here now and write the Labour manifesto for the next general election?' Sir Chris added: 'You know what we were promised in the Brexit referendum which incidentally was a pack of lies we were promised frictionless trade. Give me frictionless trade however you want it, and do it fast.' But Labour MP Natalie Fleet insisted the idea was the 'last thing we need', and Cannock Chase MP Josh Newbury retorted: 'Absolutely not.' Sir Keir - a Europhile who campaigned for a second referendum as shadow Brexit secretary - has repeatedly insisted that the UK will not be going back into either the customs union or single market. The PM's official spokesman reiterated the government's red lines. 'We have said previously, improving our relationship with the EU is in no way rowing back on Brexit,' the spokesman said. 'This is about taking sovereign decisions in the national interest while sticking to our red lines.' He added: 'I think the Chancellor and the Prime Minister have been very clear, and the Chancellor has been extremely clear this week that the Government's red lines as set out in the manifesto stand.' However, earlier this week Ms Reeves warned that Britain risked being 'stranded' between rival trading blocs unless it forged closer ties with Brussels. She said any divergence from EU regulations would be limited, describing it as 'the exception, not the norm'. Ms Reeves added: 'Our fate as a country is inescapably bound with that of Europe.' Sir Keir, pictured with commission president Ursula von der Leyen, has been scrambling for a 'reset' with Brussels By the time of the next joint summit later this year, the UK and EU want to finalise agreements on a youth mobility scheme, as well as establishing a common sanitary and phytosanitary area and on linking their emissions trading systems. In February, Downing Street dismissed the prospect of rejoining the customs union after European economic commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the bloc would be open to discussions. No 10 sought to pour cold water on the idea, saying the Government would be sticking to its red lines as it deepens ties with the EU. The PM's official spokesman said: 'We will not be rejoining the customs union, the single market or returning to freedom of movement. 'Those are our red lines as per the Government's manifesto. 'We do want a closer economic partnership with the EU, but rejoining the customs union would unpick important trade agreements we've reached, including our deals with the US and India.' A boy jumped into the River Thames in a failed bid to save a nine-year-old schoolgirl before she drowned, an inquest has heard. The child, who was not named, launched himself into the water in Gravesend, Kent, on May 30 last year to try to save Luiza Paun, known as Bia. He was joined by both the girl's uncle, as well as a member of the public, George Karnovski, in entering the river to attempt to rescue the youngster. Mr Karnovski, 37, told the inquest in Maidstone she was 'screaming' as she struggled against the current, after falling in while playing on a jetty. 'At the same time as pulling him out, I was looking around like, "Where is she, where is she?",' he said, as reported by KentOnline. 'I am shouting, saying, "There is one more, there is one more". I am looking around [but] for love nor money, I cannot see the little girl.' Emergency services including HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the police descended on the scene to search for Luiza, with the mission continuing into the following day. But despite their best efforts, she tragically died, with her body pulled from the water at around 11.35am. The child, who was not named, launched himself into the water in Gravesend, Kent, on May 30 last year to try to save Luiza Paun (pictured), known as Bia He was joined by both the girl's uncle, as well as a member of the public, George Karnovski, in entering the river to attempt to rescue the youngster. Pictured: The jetty the girl is believed to have been playing on before her death Coroner Venessa Holt read evidence from a post-mortem report to the hearing at Oakwood House, which Luiza's family did not attend. It recorded the child's cause of death as drowning. Part of a police report read to the court heard CCTV captured the moment Luiza, from Gravesend, played with another child on Gravesend Promenade's Royal Terrace Pier. Mr Karnovski's sister, Samantha, told the inquest the pair were on a walk with their family when they spotted the young girl getting into trouble. The boy she was playing with, along with Mr Karnovski, both jumped into the water to try to save her. Mr Karnovski took around two minutes to push through the currents to reach the children, who were 20 metres away, while the youngsters' relatives called 999. By the time he reached where he had seen Luiza and the other child, he could only see the boy floating on his back - and no sign of her. The RNLI arrived shortly after and rescued Mr Karnovski and the boy from the water. Ms Holt explained to the court: 'On May 30 at 1.45pm, Luiza Paun fell into the river. The child she was with jumped in to try to help her as well as members of the public.' 'The boy was rescued, and after an extensive search, Luiza Paun was found the next day in the water and pronounced dead.' The coroner gave a conclusion of death by accident. Emergency services (pictured, at the scene) including HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the police descended on the scene to search for Luiza, with the mission continuing into the following day. But despite their best efforts, she tragically died She added: 'I want to offer my sincere condolences to the family.' In the days after the tragedy, floral tributes and soft toys were left where the girl was believed to have entered the water. One message read, 'Rest in peace, little one', while another said: 'May you find eternal peace in the arms of angels.' Two others had written 'rest in peace, lovely girl' and 'rest well, beautiful girl'. Heartbroken members of Luiza's family, who are believed to be from Romania, have described her as a 'beautiful angel' who 'had her whole life ahead of her'. There have since been calls for more safety measures on the riverbank to stop people from coming too close to the water's edge. This includes more signage, in multiple languages, warning visitors to the area of the dangers. Britain should follow France's lead and build its own independent nuclear deterrent, breaking free from its dangerous dependence on America, Peter Hitchens has argued. Speaking on the latest Alas Vine & Hitchens podcast, the columnist said the UK can no longer leave its status as a nuclear power to the 'whims' of a vengeful President Trump. While Britain designs and manufactures its own nuclear warheads, the missiles required to deliver them are leased from the United States. These missiles are stored and maintained at Kings Bay naval base in Georgia, where they are pooled with American ones. This means the US effectively holds the final say over whether Britain could ever fire them. Britain should follow France's lead and build its own independent nuclear deterrent, breaking free from its dangerous dependence on America, Peter Hitchens has argued Speaking on the latest Alas Vine & Hitchens podcast , the columnist said the UK can no longer leave its status as a nuclear power to the 'whims' of a vengeful President Trump Britain's nuclear deterrent, known as Trident, is also strategically limited and eye-wateringly expensive. The country can only launch a missile by sea and the programme costs the Exchequer between 2 billion and 3 billion every year. This week, at the Liberal Democrat spring conference in York, party leader Sir Ed Davey called on the government to replace Trident with a truly independent weapons system, amid Trump's fury at Britain's refusal to join America's war against Iran. 'The French have their own warheads and missiles', Hitchens began. 'As Ed Davey rightly points out, this means they are not subject to the whims of a President who, during breakfast, may divert such a rage against us that he stops us having them. 'What we currently have costs a huge amount of money and doesn't work it would be crazy to give up the bomb altogether, it gives you a certain standing in the world that you would never recover without it. 'The question is: do we need this colossally expensive, non-independent and baroque nuclear arsenal?' Britain can only launch a missile by sea and the Trident programme costs the Exchequer between 2 billion and 3 billion every year Alas Vine & Hitchens: What's the big idea? Get the Mail's new politics podcast, hosted by columnists Sarah Vine and Peter Hitchens, wherever you listen to podcasts now. The columnist also argued that if nuclear weapons were ever used, they would most likely be detonated high above a city, destroying every electronic device and communication system below. It is a capability Britain currently lacks entirely, having abandoned the ability to drop nuclear weapons from aircraft decades ago, unlike France, which retains specially adapted planes and pilots trained to do exactly that. There is also a very real danger that any American modifications to the missiles could leave Britain's Trident submarines entirely redundant. 'We have ended with a gap between what we would want to do and what we can do', Hitchens warned. 'Very serious people in the armed forces have said we should get rid of Trident - this is not some kind of weird, ultra left, hippy position. 'We could have a small and credible nuclear weapon: which we may be able to use at a much lower price, which would not be dependent on the Americans. 'I think Ed Davey is thinking further ahead and more openly than any of the major political parties are doing.' To hear Peter Hitchens and Sarah Vine debate Britain's nuclear future in full, search for Alas Vine and Hitchens wherever you get your podcasts. A law firm has been criticised for sending pink ice-cream makers to female lawyers and clients to mark International Women's Day. Ian Mann, managing partner of global 'offshore' practice Harneys, proudly announced the company had gifted the domestic appliance for the commemorative day. The Cambridge-educated ultra-high net worth (UHNW) disputes lawyer cheerfully said the Japanese-made Toffy machine had been delivered to 'some of our most valued female leaders, friends, clients and colleagues'. Mr Mann added he had 'slipped' one of the work-branded ice-cream makers into his bag for a 'daddy-daughter activity' with his 'sassie girl'. But his post on LinkedIn earlier this month attracted criticism from Guernsey parliament member, Sally Rochester. 'I was wondering if an upgrade to a Dyson hoover and washing up brush might be offered too,' she wrote. 'I know Harney's will be working towards equality in the workplace so why not post about the work you are doing to advance equal participation across your firm and announce your ambition for the coming year? That would be a post I could truly celebrate!' Mr Mann's tongue-in-cheek response quipped that he was 'working on a full house cleaning kit for husbands for Mother's Day next'. Law firm Harneys has been criticised for sending pink ice-cream makers to female lawyers and clients to mark International Women's Day He added: 'Over one-third of our partners are female and seven out of ten global offices are led by women. We have previously been recognised by The Lawyer as being "the most diverse offshore law firm".' Others thanked him for 'the sweetest gift', while one female lawyer in Hong Kong said it was 'the perfect excuse to venture into the kitchen this weekend and whip up some sweet treats with my son!'. Mr Mann, who 'splits his time' between Dubai, Dublin and Hong Kong, graduated with a law degree from the University of Sheffield in 2003, and on his LinkedIn profile describes UHNW clients as his 'sweet spot'. He joined Harneys in 2008 and was previously the firm's head of litigation in Hong Kong before he became a managing partner in December 2025. A recent LinkedIn post shows him holding an ice-cream cone in which he advises people to 'go be you, be whatever is your own flavour of choice'. Harneys describes itself as 'offering expert advice on the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Bermuda, Anguilla, and Jersey'. The firm told legal community website RollOnFriday: 'We were proud to celebrate International Women's Day across all our offices with each location adopting different approaches to raise awareness about this important day'. 'Mindful of the "give to gain" theme, we held events across the firm including team lunches and sharing cakes and gifts to celebrate the contributions of women across our firm and the wider community. 'These shared moments reflect our commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone can thrive and succeed.' A rising tide of 'anger and frustration' is beginning to surface across the Gulf aimed at Trump's handling of the Middle East war, experts have revealed. Iranian missiles and drones have rained down on the likes of Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Qatar while the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a halt sending global energy prices soaring after US and Israel unleashed its campaign of airstrikes on Iran. Since then, there has been a mounting sense of fury within Middle East countries which, until just weeks ago, had been seen as regional safe-havens. This came to a fore last week when Emirati billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor, a tycoon whose developments have influenced Dubai's skyline, took to X with an extraordinary outburst criticising the US president. In the posts, Al Habtoor accused Trump of placing Gulf states 'at the heart of a danger they did not choose', writing: 'Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with Iran? 'And on what basis did you make this dangerous decision? Did you calculate the collateral damage before pulling the trigger? 'And did you consider that the first to suffer from this escalation will be the countries of the region itself!' He continued, questioning President Trump's motive for the war: 'The peoples of this region have the right to ask as well - was this your decision alone? Or did it come as a result of pressures from Netanyahu and his government? 'Thank God, we are strong and capable of defending ourselves, and we have armies and defences that protect our homelands, but the question remains - who gave you permission to turn our region into a battlefield?' Soon after, the critical posts were removed - with no explanation given. Khalaf Al Habtoor, a prominent billionaire whose developments have influenced Dubai's skyline, took to X last week to vent his frustration at the US president A smoke plume rises from a fire at Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16 The tweets were instead replaced with ones hailing the UAE's 'beauty', as the billionaire wrote: 'How beautiful our country is this morning, with clouds filling the sky and the rains of goodness pouring down upon the land of the Emirates. However, Sanam Vakil director of the Middle East and north Africa programme at Chatham House told The Guardian many within the Gulf are furious. 'This is the Gulfs worst nightmare. Theres deep anger and frustration at the United States because this is not their [the Gulf states] war, and yet theyre bearing the brunt.' Khaled Almezaini, an associate professor of politics and international relations at Zayed University, in Abu Dhabi told the newspaper: 'The perceived Iran threat to the Gulf only became a reality when the US declared the war Iran did not fire first. There is strong condemnation of the Iranians but at the same time theres a message to the Americans and the Israelis that, well, we have to find a way to end this. This is not our war.' The rulers of the Emirates have made no comments about the wider politics of the conflict beyond condemning Iranian aggression. They have, however, issued influencers or anyone posting social media content about the conflict with Iran that they could face fines of up to 58,000 or prison, deeming it harmful to the reputation of the state. In a Washington Post interview published on Wednesday, Al Habtoor toned down his frustration at Trump, as he attempted to pivot and place responsibility on Israel and Iran instead. Asked about his criticism towards the US leader, Al Habtoor said: 'I blame Trump, but I blame the Iranians more.' 'America is to be blamed because Israel pushed them to do this. But not as much as the Iranians.' 'We had no interest in this war. This is a business country,' he said. 'We don't want anyone to kill our economy.' He claimed his post was simply an 'explanation' not an attack, adding he did not want to cause any problems. The billionaire was quick to praise Dubai as a 'jewel of the world' and a safe haven, adding that UAE leaders were working hard to keep residents safe. Al Habtoor admitted he received mixed responses to the posts, saying some well-connected friends warned him against taking aim at Trump. One friend, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a retired political science professor at United Arab Emirates University, reminded him both publicly and privately that the UAE Patriot missile defense system protecting them was bought from the US. While UAE leaders maintain a strictly defensive public stance toward the Islamic Republic, many privately share Al Habtoor's views, according to the Post. In response to the billionaire's now-deleted tweet about dragging the region into war with Iran, Middle East expert Andreas Krieg wrote: 'Literally, everyone in the Gulf is asking this question, quietly.' Another top businessman said the instability in the region is putting pressure on various sectors in Dubai and disrupting supply chains. Speaking to Bloomberg anonymously, he added that if the war goes on for longer than a month, many companies would face hard decisions about production and services. Middle East analyst Ryan Bohl added: 'Most of the Gulf States always knew that President Trump is going to be himself and not necessarily listen to outside influence.' 'But I think they are taken aback by how willing he is to take risks that impact them.' Residents have been warned against posting pictures or videos of damage. Pictured: An Iranian drone hit a fuel tank near Dubai Airport, sparking a massive fire The Gulf capitals have released public statements saying they are not taking part in operations against Iran and that their territory is not being used as a base for attacks. Analysts believe the oil-rich countries are collectively betting on staying out of the conflict, figuring the cost of direct involvement would be far higher than that of restraint. The UAE has cracked down on social media posts showing missiles, drones, or interceptions, in an effort to maintain the countrys image as a safe haven. Dubai officials have been telling people the 'big booms' in the sky are 'the sound of us being safe' as the UAE air defence system takes action. Over the weekend, UAE police released mugshots of 25 people arrested for sharing 'war footage' in the country. More than 100 people including one British tourist have been arrested and charged with spreading such information, facing up to a year in jail and hefty fines. In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Dubai Police said: 'Sharing rumours, false information, or any content that contradicts official announcements or that may cause public panic or threaten public safety, order, or health is prohibited. 'Violators may face criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines of no less than Dh200,000, [41,000].' The police also warned against taking photos of critical sites. 'It may seem like just a photo... But to some, it's information. Do not photograph or share security or critical sites. Protecting them is a national responsibility that helps keep our community safe and secure,' the force said. Meanwhile, thousands of influencers have been parroting 'Dubai is Safe' propaganda while Iranian projectiles rain down on the country. Dubai has been targeted by thousands of Iranian missiles and drones since the outbreak of the war. On Monday, 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. After the fire on Monday, authorities quickly took to social media to reassure the public that the attack caused 'minimal damage and no injuries, referring to the fire as a 'drone-related incident'. Labour MPs are demanding Keir Starmer reverse plans to cut the amount of foreign aid the UK hands out, despite the cost of living crisis gripping Britain. Backbenchers have urged the Government to U-turn on its decision to cut the 15billion overseas development budget to invest more money in defence. Yvette Cooper addressed address MPs today to provide details on how she will divide up an aid budget that was slashed last year amid a growing military threat from Russia. Some countries are set to lose out as aid spending falls to less than 0.4 per cent of national income this year before falling again to 0.3 per cent in 2027 under plans announced by Sir Keir Starmer last year. But Foreign Secretary insisted the UK will remain a 'major player' as they faced pushback from Labour MPs who say the money would be better off sent abroad, despite criticism of the way some is handed to projects in wealthy nations like China. Sarah Champion, the Labour MP and chairwoman of the International Development Committee, said it was a 'false dichotomy' to say there was money either for foreign aid or defence, telling MPs: 'if you ask any military person, they will tell you the best line of prevention and first defence is our development money. 'Because it keeps people safe and secure in their homes, it keeps them prosperous, it holds governments to account. 'I am very fearful in the world in which we find ourselves that taking that first line of defence away is going to have massive consequences. However it also comes at a time when the economy is braced for a massive hit from the fallout from the US/Israeli war with Iran. European gas prices jumped by over 30 per cent today after Donald Trump threatened to 'massively blow up' a huge gas field in the Middle East. And the Bank of England has held interest rates at 3.75 per cent as policymakers hiked forecasts for UK inflation due to the fighting. Yvette Cooper addressed address MPs today to provide details on how she will divide up an aid budget that was slashed last year amid a growing military threat from Russia Backbenchers have urged Keir Starmer, pictured last night at a Buckingham Palace banquet, to U-turn on its decision to cut the 15billion overseas development budget Your browser does not support iframes. There are also fears oil could hit $200 a barrel after Tehran last night threatened to cripple the global energy market in a 'full-scale economic war' by ramping up missile attacks on oil and gas plants. Petrol prices in the UK have already risen and experts have warned there may be a need to ration energy. Billed as a 'fundamental change' in Britain's approach to aid, Ms Cooper refocused the UK on being an 'investor' rather than a 'donor', providing expertise and technical support as well as cash. She said the UK will prioritise assistance to countries wracked by war, including humanitarian support to Ukraine, Palestine, Lebanon and Sudan. Support for women and girls will also be a priority, along with action on climate change and efforts to mobilise private investment and the work of international institutions such as the World Bank. G20 countries will no longer receive bilateral aid payments, except Turkey which will continue to receive money to support refugees. And there will be less cash for projects in Yemen, Somalia and Afghanistan, she announced. In a statement to the Commons, Ms Cooper said: 'Allocating a reduced budget inevitably leads to hard choices and unavoidable trade-offs. 'So, we're focusing aid on the people and places that need it most, and we will still be a major player, and expect to be the fifth biggest funder in the world. Your browser does not support iframes. Ms Cooper will prioritise assistance to countries wracked by war, including humanitarian support to Ukraine (president Zelensky pictured), Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan York City MP Rachael Maskell, who was briefly suspended by the party last year for rebelling over cuts to welfare payments, urged the PM to return to the 0.7 per cent rate. 'We will still use international leadership, such as our 2027 G20 presidency, to shape the global agenda for development and we will continue to use our other policies and levers so that lower-income countries benefit from trade and growth, and tackling flows of illicit finance and dirty money, which harm developing countries most and fuel crime on everyone's streets. 'This modernised approach to international development and our allocation of ODA (official development assistance) reflects our values and our interests, because our driving force has been, and continues to be, working for a world free from extreme poverty, on a liveable planet. 'Clear that prosperity and stability in lower-income countries matters for outcomes here at home, for the cost of living, for the security of our borders, for the resilience of our economy and upholding our UK values across the world. 'And clear that the UK's sustained commitment to international development is about delivering both at home and abroad.' But ahead of her speech, York City MP Rachael Maskell, who was briefly suspended by the party last year for rebelling over cuts to welfare payments, urged the PM to return to the 0.7 per cent rate. She said the cuts would affect women and children, adding: 'While I recognise the fragile economic challenges facing the country, better targeted aid is a serious investment in our global future, alongside stronger diplomacy. 'It is the morally right thing to invest in.' But other Labour backbenchers have gone further in calling for a complete rethink of aid policy and a return to previous spending levels. Former aid minister Gareth Thomas said: 'In an already unsafe world, cutting aid risks alienating key allies and will make improving children's health and education in Commonwealth countries more difficult. 'We risk creating more opportunities for regimes who don't share our values. 'Our security depends not just on a stronger military but also on building soft power so that our soldiers aren't needed.' Beccy Cooper, chairwoman of the all-party group on global health security, said: 'Labour is, and always has been, a party of internationalism. 'When we step back from our shared commitments, we lose both our strength and our standing in the world. We are a soft power superpower and we should be proud of that. 'Today's spending plans put Britain and the world at risk. When health systems in the poorest countries are not supported to become resilient, diseases spread faster and further. 'Protecting public health at home means investing in strong health systems everywhere.' A British minister has risked the wrath of Donald Trump by jibing that he has 'no plan' for the Iran war. Trade minister Chris Bryant raised fears the president 'doesn't know what he's doing' in the Middle East, saying it was 'obvious' Tehran would try to block the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Around a fifth of the world's oil supplies pass through that channel, and the closure has sent prices spiralling with alarm at the prospect of a global recession. The assessment - the bluntest yet from the UK government - came as Sir Chris toured broadcast studios this morning. But the intervention could cause even more friction in the Special Relationship, after Mr Trump branded Keir Starmer 'no Churchill' for refusing to participate in US-Israeli attacks. The president has oscillated between demanding countries such as Britain and France help reopen the Strait and angrily stating America does not need any assistance. Last night he took to social media to mull 'what would happen' if the US washed its hands of responsibility for reopening the Strait, arguing America is self-sufficient in oil. Critics have pointed out that oil prices are global and so US consumers still feel the impact. Trade minister Chris Bryant raised fears Donald Trump 'doesn't know what he's doing', saying it was 'obvious' Iran would block the crucial Strait of Hormuz The intervention could cause even more friction in the Special Relationship, after Mr Trump branded Keir Starmer 'no Churchill' for refusing to participate in US-Israeli attacks Your browser does not support iframes. Appearing on Sky News, Sir Chris insisted Britain had 'said from the beginning that we should be de-escalating' 'One of my colleagues, counterparts in the Gulf said to me yesterday 'I don't know what they're doing. I simply don't know what they're doing',' he added. Asked if he personally thought he understood what the US was doing, Sir Chris replied: 'No. You know, does he know? I mean, it seems very, very confusing.' Pressed on whether Mr Trump had gone into the war with a plan, Sir Chris said: 'I think one of the reasons that Keir Starmer was quite rightly - and I think he showed, exceptional leadership at this point - was saying, look, first of all, we're not going to send British troops into a situation where they're not protected legally because there's no good legal argument for the war. 'Secondly, if you're going to do anything, you've got to have a plan. And it just seems basic to me. Sir Keir told the Commons yesterday that the UK would 'not be drawn into a wider war' Your browser does not support iframes. 'But no, it just doesn't feel like there's been a plan. Or if there is a plan, it's changing every single day.' Sir Chris accepted that events did not always play out as expected in war. However, he added: 'Look, I'm no defender of the Iranian regime. But it seems to me rather obvious that the first thing that they would do to retaliate will be to try to close the Strait of Hormuz.' Nato states have indicated they will not send warships to patrol the Strait until 'hot' clashes end. Sir Keir told the Commons yesterday: 'We will protect our people in the region. We will take action to defend ourselves and our allies, and we will not be drawn into the wider war. 'I want to see this war end as quickly as possible. The longer it continues, the bigger the impact on the cost of living, and that's why we've intervened to support households with costs of heating oil. 'The best way forward is a negotiated settlement with Iran giving up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon.' The Australian 'ultimate girls' weekend' boasting Meghan Markle as its star guest has hit more trouble after it was revealed the hotel's pool and spa is not finished and the beach below has been battling effluent 'poop balls' over the past two years. A spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex has confirmed she will still be appearing at the inaugural 'Her Best Life Retreat' in Sydney despite a series of setbacks. The all-women event, dubbed 'Meg-stock', will welcome up to 300 guests to the three-day luxury retreat from April 17 to 19, during the Duchess' trip to Australia with the Duke of Sussex. VIP ticket holders who pay 1,700 will get front-row seats and the chance to pose for a group table photo with the former Suits actress, 44. But since the event was announced last week, it has been beset with problems, which began when it was reported that the organiser's talent agency has gone bust with more than $500,000 of debt. The 5-star InterContinental Hotel in the east of Sydney has promised guests set to briefly meet Meghan and take part in a Q&A that they can have a 'relaxed time by the pool overlooking Coogee Beach'. But now it has emerged that the new infinity pool overlooking the Tasman Sea, which Meghan's fans are excited to relax next to, is still under construction. The spa, bar and 'leisure deck' are also due to be completed next month. One guest who stayed at the hotel last week called the refurbishment of the pool 'a work in progress' and a 'blot on the view', the Daily Mail can reveal. And those wanting to relax on the beach below will also have concerns because since 2024 foul-smelling balls made up of a mixture of chemicals, soap scum, cooking oil, hair and human excrement have been washing up. Meghan is appearing at a women-only event in Sydney, which is described as a 'girls' weekend like no other' - but the event has been rocked by problems ever since its launch Staff work on the hotel's unfinished infinity pool yesterday at the hotel set to host the Duchess of Sussex and her fans next month The pool area of the luxury hotel is currently being refurbished and the new bar and spa are also not completed with just a few weeks to go The hotel has been under refurbishment since last year Academics tested the balls on Coogee (pictured being collected by the council in 2024) and found they were made from chemicals, soap scum, cooking oil, hair and human excrement - likely broken off a giant fatberg under Sydney in the sewers Fans who are keen to meet Meghan at the retreat - but have to travel solo - are also asking the hotel and organisers to clarify they have to stay with a stranger because 1,705-a-head tickets only appear to be sold on basis that you 'share' a twin room. A prospective guest who registered their interest in attending claims that you could end up having to share a room unless youre booking with a friend. The official website says that tickets are sold at up to $3,199 on a 'twin share' basis. The Daily Mail has asked the hotel and the organisers to comment. Guests staying at the hotel confirm is it not yet completed, after refurbishment started last year. The hotel's homepage reveals its new 'leisure deck featuring the ocean-facing infinity edge swimming pool, poolside bar, outdoor event terrace, Eliva Spa and Club InterContinental' are still not complete. The completion date is given as April - but does not expressly make it clear that it will all be completed when guests arrive for the weekend to meet Meghan. Below the hotel is Coogee Beach, a busy stretch of sand south along the coast from the more famous Bondi Beach. Coogee is hugely popular with locals and tourists but in recent years it has been at the centre of a pollution battle sparked by so-called 'poo balls' washed up on the beach. In 2024 and 2025 foul-smelling brown balls were washed up along the coast, and they were photographed by families enjoying time together at Coogee, which comes from the Aboriginal word koojah, which literally means "smelly place". Tens of thousands of these stinky mini boulders washed up along the coastline over 16 months. The balls were initially thought to be the result of an oil spill or waste from passing ships. But academics say their tests confirm they were a mix of 'cooking oil, soap, and human excrement', probably broken off from a giant fatberg stuck in local sewers. Royal fans have unkindly compared the girls weekend to the Fyre Festival - an exclusive luxury music festival that failed spectacularly. Guests were promised it would be packed with 'A-list' celebrities and luxurious accomodation. In reality, guests who paid between $500 and $12,000 depending on their tickets ended up stranded on an island with no running water, hardly any food, and a mattress in a tent as the only place for them to sleep. The exclusive event costs thousands of pounds for the weekend but it is sold on a 'twin share' basis The InterContinental Coogee Beach's website confirms that its refurbishment of pool, spa and other eminities are due for completion in April Workers in hazmat suits work to clear up toxic balls on Coogee Beach in 2024, which saw it closed On Tuesday it was reported how the PR woman organising Meghan'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. 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. But 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. 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'. 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 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. 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. A woman has died in her Perth home under suspicious circumstances, leading to a murder investigation. WA Police were called to a home on Mayali Bend in Banksia Grove, in the city's north, about 9am on Thursday. It's understood someone inside the home made a triple-zero call after finding the woman 'unresponsive'. Paramedics attempted to treat the 42-year-old woman. However, she died at the scene. Police said a man in his 40s is assisting officers with their investigation. It's understood homicide detectives are also involved. The man and woman were known to each other. Donald Trump is weighing a dramatic escalation in the Middle East conflict, with plans under consideration that could see thousands more American troops deployed. The President's administration is actively exploring a range of military options as the war with Tehran enters its third week, with the Pentagon preparing for what could come next in an increasingly volatile campaign, according to Reuters. Among the scenarios under review is a major reinforcement of US forces in the region, giving Trump greater flexibility as he considers expanding operations against Iran. Sources said these reinforcements could underpin efforts to secure safe passage for global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz - a critical artery for international trade. Such a mission would largely rely on air and naval power. However, insiders warned it could also pave the way for American troops to be stationed along Iran's own coastline - a move that would mark a significant escalation in the conflict. Behind closed doors, officials have also examined the possibility of sending ground forces to Kharg Island, the strategic island through which 90 per cent of Iran's oil exports flow. While the US has already struck military targets on the island earlier this month, experts suggest seizing control of the facility could be more advantageous than destroying it outright. Yet, the risks are stark. One US official cautioned that any such operation would be highly dangerous, with Iran capable of targeting the island with missiles and drones. Donald Trump is weighing a dramatic escalation in the Middle East conflict, with plans under consideration that could see thousands more American troops deployed Among the scenarios under review is a major reinforcement of US forces in the region, giving Trump greater flexibility as he considers expanding operations against Iran. Pictured: A pair of US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft are seen on board the US Navy's USS Tripoli (LHA-7) amphibious assault ship during a port call at the Port Area in Manila on September 27, 2022 Your browser does not support iframes. The idea of deploying American troops - even on a limited mission - carries heavy political weight for Trump. Public support for the conflict remains low, and the President has long pledged to avoid dragging the United States into fresh Middle Eastern wars. Still, discussions have gone further. Officials have reportedly considered whether US forces could have been used to secure Iran's stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. This complex and perilous task would likely fall to elite special operations units. Despite the sweeping nature of the plans, sources stressed that no immediate ground employment appears imminent and declined to reveal further operational details. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: 'There has been no decision to send ground troops at this time, but President Trump wisely keeps all options at his disposal. 'The president is focused on achieving all of the defined objectives of Operation Epic Fury: destroy Iran's ballistic missile capacity, annihilate their navy, ensure their terrorist proxies cannot destabilise the region, and guarantee that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.' The Pentagon has so far refused to comment on the deliberations. The high-level talks come as US forces continue a relentless assault on Iran's military infrastructure - targeting naval assets, missile systems, drone stockpiles, and defence facilities across the nation. According to US Central Command, more than 7,800 strikes have been carried out since the campaign began on February 28, with over 120 Iranian vessels damaged or destroyed. Around 50,000 American troops are currently stationed across the Middle East. The human cost of the conflict is also mounting. Thirteen US service members have been killed, while roughly 200 have been wounded - though most injuries are said to be minor. Trump has made clear that his ambitions stretch beyond weakening Iran's military, extending to securing maritime routes and ensuring Tehran cannot develop nuclear weapons. However, committing ground troops could dramatically widen the scope of the war - and the risks. For years, Trump has criticised previous administrations for entangling the US in overseas conflicts, repeatedly vowing to steer clear of new wars. Explosions erupt following strikes at Tehran Oil Refinery in Tehran More recently, however, he has declined to rule out the prospect of 'boots on the ground' in Iran. A senior White House official told Reuters that Trump has various options for acquiring Iran's nuclear material but has not decided how to proceed. 'Certainly there are ways in which it could be acquired,' the official said, adding: 'He hasn't made a decision yet.' In testimony to lawmakers, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Iran's nuclear enrichment programme had already been crippled by strikes earlier this year, with underground facilities effectively sealed off and 'buried and shuttered with cement.' Meanwhile, military planning appears to extend beyond the arrival of an Amphibious Ready Group in the region next week, which will include more than 2,000 Marines. Complicating matters, however, is the temporary loss of a major US asset. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is being sent to Greece for maintenance after a fire on board, reducing available American firepower at a critical moment. Trump himself has sent mixed signals over the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. While he initially suggested US naval escorts for tankers, he later urged allies to step in, and, with little response, has even floated the idea of walking away entirely. 'I wonder what would happen if we 'finished off' what's left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don't, be responsible for the so-called 'Strait?' Trump posted on Truth Social. It comes just days after the US military deployed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs on underground missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. 'Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz,' US Central Command said Tuesday night. 'The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait.' The 5,000-pound GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator was deployed for the mission. The device, also known as a bunker buster, was first deployed in 2021. The United States military deployed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs on hardened missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz The massive attack came as the US conflict with Iran continues unabated, and President Trump zeroes in on the narrow strait that connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the global economy The strike was the latest attempt to protect worldwide commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The bombings were made public just hours after Trump turned on the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and Australia for declining to help secure the waterway. About 20 percent of the global oil supply flows through the waterway on a typical day, but it has been effectively closed by Iran since the US began bombarding Iran. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said the strait was 'open, but closed to our enemies'. The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that the Persian Gulf country could join an international effort led by the US to ensure the safety and security of the waterway. Trump bristled at American allies who 'don't want to get involved' in the Iran war, despite his appeals for help securing the Strait as oil prices spiral. 'We no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO countries' assistance - we never did,' the President wrote on Truth Social. Trump has threatened to withdraw from NATO in the past. The president said he had 'nothing currently in mind' when asked whether he would retaliate against NATO. The former HR executive who was caught in the arms of her married boss at a Coldplay concert has revealed they no longer have a relationship. Speaking on Oprah Winfrey's podcast, Kristin Cabot opened up about her relationship with her former boss, ex-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, saying she thought he was single. The mother-of-two, who was divorcing her husband at the time of the incident, claims Byron had led her to believe he was also in the process of separating. Cabot revealed that the pair cut all contact in autumn of last year when she realised he had lied to her. She said: 'There was a big miss on honesty and integrity... He wasn't the person he represented himself to be to me. And lying is a non-negotiable for me. 'He missed the mark on being as honest as he could have been with me.' The moment from the concert in July 2025, went viral after the couple was caught cuddling on the kiss cam. They quickly covered their faces and tried to dash out of view. The fallout ultimately led to both resigning from their jobs. Kristin Cabot opened up about her relationship with her former boss, ex-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, in an interview on The Oprah Podcast Cabot found herself at the center of a media circus after she was seen cozying up with Byron at a Coldplay concert in Boston 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.' However, the former executive says she would have reacted in a similar manner in any environment. She said: 'I whipped around. If we were at a Celtics game and we got put on the jumbotron, I'm going to whip around. 'I'm not a jumbotron girl even on my best days. It's not my thing. So I would have probably done some version of that, but in that moment, I was just horrified.' Cabot added in the interview aired Tuesday that she felt like she was left bearing the brunt of the criticism alone after the incident went viral. 'I was left holding the bag - and I don't, you know, being the one that was attacked for this and he's [Byron] remained silent, to me, that's not a quality that I would look for in a friend or a partner or a boss,' she said, 'So we have no relationship now.' In a previous interview with the Times, the former executive said she received death threats after the incident. She was also reportedly shunned by friends and colleagues and said she lives with the scandal 'every day.' 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 the interview, 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. '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.' She insisted in the interview that her estranged husband, Andrew, would not have been surprised to see her with her boss at the concert 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. After the concert, Byron was seen in public with his wife, both wearing their wedding rings, and Cabot claims he has had no issues finding new employment. Meanwhile, Cabot has struggled to find a job, and says she was treated differently than Byron following the incident. 'I own the poor decision that I made in that moment, and I've paid an unimaginable price for that,' she said on the podcast. 'I think he has the luxury of staying silent, and he can go back to work when he's ready. I don't. I feel - I have to remind myself I'm not on trial, but I have to, in order for me to get back on my feet, I have to come out and explain,' she said. 'And I think that's a stark difference between the man and the woman in this situation. I have to explain and explain and justify.' Holidaymakers were today warned they face soaring air fares and cancellations this summer as ministers were drawing up plans for jet fuel shortages. Airline bosses said soaring fuel prices sparked by the Iran war could be passed onto families looking to get away this summer if the conflict drags on. And ministers were preparing for jet fuel supplies to be constrained, potentially threatening getaways. Contingency plans were being drawn up in Whitehall to deal with any shortages. A government source told the Mail: The supply could be constrained, but its not clear how significantly yet. We are working up contingencies for if they are needed. The price of jet fuel in Europe soared to a record high this week, with prices almost double what they were before the conflict started. And there are fears of shortages if Irans retaliatory blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to squeeze Western oil supplies. Airline bosses said they bought enough jet fuel cheaply in bulk before the conflict erupted to ensure fare hikes arent necessary for at least a few months or so. Empty beds in front of buildings along a beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai Your browser does not support iframes. EasyJet boss Kenton Jarvis said there was a spike in fuel prices after Russias invasion of Ukraine four years ago, but that the jump caused by the US-Israel war in the Middle East has gone further north. Asked if air fares could be higher this summer, he said: The answer is yes. Speaking at an industry summit in Brussels, he added: The longer prices are elevated, the more youre going to have to start covering your position with more expensive fuel. So my expectation is that prices go up. Its a low-margin competitive industry. We make about 7 a seat. If fuel goes up 10, then you have to do something about that. Urging holidaymakers to protect themselves from fare rises, he added: I think the message would be to try and book as early as possible. Ryanair boss Michael OLeary said there could be issues towards the tail end of the summer season if the conflict drags on. He added: I think it depends on how long it goes on for. If it goes on for the next month or two, which is the general expectation, then we dont expect any disruptions. He added: But none of us know. Theres an inevitability that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, that oil prices will remain elevated and it is inevitable that that will flow through to higher fares. The cost of jet fuel has surged more than crude oil prices partly because of Europes reliance on exports. Scandinavias largest airline SAS this week became the first major carrier in Europe to scrap flights because of surging fuel prices triggered by the Iran war. On Tuesday it said it was scaling back flights because of the sharp and sudden increase in jet fuel costs. Air France-KLM and SAS have already said they will have to hike ticket prices due to the rising cost of jet fuel, while Finnair has warned that jet fuel supplies may run out due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. There are fears that more airlines across Europe and in the UK will be forced to do the same if the conflict drags on. Speaking at the Brussels summit, former British Airways boss Willie Walsh, now chief of industry body the International Air Transport Association, said: Weve seen this before. Fuel prices will go up. Higher fuel prices will lead to higher ticket prices. In terms of how high really depends on how long this lasts. Whether or not airlines cancel or increase fares depends on how well hedged they are. This refers to how much fuel they bought in bulk at a certain price. Some airlines bought months' worth of fuel before the conflict when oil prices were as cheap as $67 a barrel. But once these stocks start dwindling, airlines face having to pass on higher costs or consider cancellations. The cost of oil has surged above $100 since the conflict broke out, with the Iranian regime threatening to push it as high as $200 by blockading the Strait of Hormuz. Around a fifth of the worlds oil and gas passes through the Strait, meaning Irans blockade of it has choked off up to 10million barrels of oil a day. Oil traders expect to see shortages of jet fuel from the continued blockade within the coming weeks as reserve supplies are run down and are not replaced. This week, Vietnam became the first country to warn of possible flight cancellations from April after China and Thailand announced they were halting exports to maintain their own supplies. Other countries expect to follow suit in the coming days with industry experts warning that airlines could be forced to stop serving some long-haul destinations because they may not be able to get fuel for the return journey. The UK gets the majority of its imported jet fuel from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, meaning it is also vulnerable to potential disruption if the conflict drags on. The UK only has the domestic refining capacity to meet a third of current demand, according to the Governments most recent security of supply report. A Department for Transport spokesman said: We are engaging with British carriers to support their operations against the backdrop of war in the Middle East, and to limit the impact on industry. A top union boss today warned Labour will be 'decimated' at May's elections and Keir Starmer will be booted out of office in the wake of dismal results. Sharon Graham, the Unite general secretary, said Labour was not prepared for the looming 'angry' backlash from voters across England, Scotland and Wales. 'I think after the May elections there will be a move to change leader because I think Labour are going to pretty much be decimated in those elections,' she told Sky News. 'I don't think that they understand themselves how bad that will be - what anger is out there.' Unite's executive council last week voted to cut its affilitation fee to Labour by 40 per cent, which will cost the party as much as 580,000. And Ms Graham on Thursday reiterated her warning that Unite could soon completely sever ties with Labour. 'If that decision was being taken today and the rule conference was being called today, I would bet my mortgage that that decision would be to disaffiliate,' she said. 'Because I know how angry people are up and down the country. I know how angry my own members are.' Sharon Graham, the Unite general secretary, said Labour was not prepared for an 'angry' backlash from voters in contests across England, Scotland and Wales In her withering criticism of the Government, Ms Graham claimed - since winning power in July 2024 - Labour 'haven't backed workers'. She added the Prime Minister has had to to be 'dragged kicking and screaming into doing things... we would expect a Labour Government to do'. Repeating her call for a 'wealth tax', the Unite boss said: 'It's not radical. 'It's pretty obvious that's the sort of thing we need to be looking at when the gap between the rich and the poor is as wide as it is.' On 7 May,elections will take place for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, and a slew of English councils. Labour are expected to perform poorly in the face of the growing challenge from Reform UK and the Green Party. But, if a disastrous set of results does lead to Labour changing leader and toppling the Prime Minister, Ms Graham failed to back Angela Rayner as Sir Keir's successor. Asked for her views of the former deputy PM as a possible Labour leader, the Unite boss said: 'First of all, Angela Rayner has to do the right thing by the Birmingham bin workers. I mean, she didn't cover herself in glory in that particular dispute. 'But following that, what I need to see as the leader of Unite and what my members will be asking me is what is your vision for Britain? 'You know, you can't just say, look, I am X, Y or Z. You need to have the tangibles. 'What is it you want to do? What is it you want to do in terms of making sure that workers, the working class, are better off and not be embarrassed about that? 'So I'd like to see more detail rather than any snap decisions.' Ms Graham later told Times Radio: 'I think Angela Rayner did deal with the bin strike badly and it was abhorrent. 'I mean I absolutely agree with that and essentially we suspended her from our union and have no intention at this point of bringing her back into the union until that is remedied. 'Angela Rayner knows what that deal was. She knows what these workers should have been offered.' She continued: 'There has been so much overpromising and underdelivering from across the board quite frankly... I think this will be a natural end. 'After the May elections personally I think that there will be a move and Keir Starmer will no longer be the leader.' Builders renovating a shop discovered a Roman well and other artefacts dating back 2,000 years. Workers stumbled across the historical features as they restored a building in Caistor, Lincolnshire, built during the Georgian times. The well was uncovered beneath a concrete floor as the builders dug up the courtyard, leaving them 'surprised'. Paul Kirkby, of the Caistor and District Trust, said the structure was originally constructed during the Roman era but later modified in the 1700s. He also revealed that Georgian wall panels and timber work were found at the site. 'We found some cappings over what clearly is a Roman well that had been modified at a later date with Georgian brickwork,' Mr Kirkby added. However, the group currently do not have the funds needed to restore the well. The trust is trying to raise 25,000 on top of the 4.4million that renovations are costing to bring it back to life. 'It has been capped off again but hopefully it's something we can raise money for in the future,' Mr Kirkby said. Builders renovating a shop in Caistor, Lincolnshire, discovered a Roman well (pictured) built 2,000 years ago in its courtyard Wall panels and timber works dating back to the Georgian era were also discovered at the site The building where the well was uncovered (pictured) is being renovated to provide retail opportunities, meeting spaces and holiday accommodation as part of a heritage hub The shop which is being under construction was built during the Georgian era Caistor, the Lincolnshire market town, was a Roman stronghold and takes its name from the Latin castra, meaning camp. The building where the well was uncovered is being renovated to provide retail opportunities, meeting spaces and holiday accommodation as part of a heritage hub. Work is expected to be completed in the summer. Notorious outback killer Bradley John Murdoch yelled at police to 'get out' as he lay dying in hospital, refusing to the last to reveal where he hid a backpacker he shot dead on a remote highway. Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage on Thursday wrapped up an inquest into the 66-year-old's death from throat cancer on July 16, 2025 at the palliative care unit of Alice Springs Hospital. Murdoch was serving a life sentence for murdering 28-year-old British backpacker Peter Falconio, and the assault and attempted kidnapping of his girlfriend Joanne Lees, now 52, on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek in July 2001. The backpackers were travelling along the highway when Murdoch drove up behind them and indicated they should pull over, saying their van might have an engine problem. Mr Falconio went behind the car with him to investigate and Ms Lees heard a gunshot. Murdoch then cable-tied her and covered her head. She escaped and hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch hunted her with his dog, before she flagged down a truck driver. Murdoch was arrested in November 2003 over Mr Falconio's disappearance after a South Australian jury acquitted him of raping and falsely imprisoning a 12-year-old girl. The SA case allowed NT Police to obtain his DNA, which was later found on the makeshift handcuffs worn by Ms Lees, as well as on her T-shirt, leading to his arrest. Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage on Thursday concluded the inquest into the death of notorious outback killer, Bradley John Murdoch (right) Murdoch maintained his innocence and refused to divulge where he hid Mr Falconio's body. Counsel assisting Chrissy McConnel told the inquest in Alice Springs on Thursday Superintendent Bill Carroll and two other officers visited Murdoch in jail just weeks before he died. They were making a final effort to find the location of Mr Falconio's remains. They hoped to show Murdoch a video Mr Falconio's parents made with the help of UK police. 'When the officers attended at the prison to speak with Mr Murdoch, he stated his innocence and refused to watch the video,' Ms McConnel said. Police again visited Murdoch days before he died in the palliative care unit, watched by prison guards 24 hours a day. But the officers were only at his bedside for about 30 seconds. 'Mr Murdoch did not speak with the officers, instead yelling for them to 'get out',' Ms McConnel said. Murdoch was serving a life sentence for murdering 28-year-old British backpacker Peter Falconio (left) and the assault and attempted kidnapping of his girlfriend Joanne Lees (right) The inquest heard Murdoch had been a mechanic and truck driver before completing numerous courses including furniture making, engineering and hospitality during his 22-year prison stint. 'Mr Murdoch was considered to be courteous and respectful to the other prisoners and corrections officers,' the inquest heard. But after being diagnosed with cancer he at times verbally abused doctors and nurses when he felt he was not getting the right treatment. He underwent chemotherapy but refused to have radiotherapy and signed a declaration he was to be left to die naturally in the event of a medical emergency. The inquest heard Murdoch's son and other family had expressed concerns about his medical treatment. But the coroner said on Thursday she was satisfied Murdoch received high quality and timely medical care. 'Moreover I am satisfied that he was dealt with as a considerate and compassionate manner by health and corrections staff.' Mr Falconio's parents in July 2025 expressed relief Murdoch had died, saying 'it's like a weight that's been lifted'. Superintendent Bill Carroll and two other officers visited Murdoch in jail just weeks before he died in a last ditch attempt to find Mr Falconio's remains 'We didn't have much faith, but we were hoping Bradley John Murdoch would reveal where Peter was before he died,' Luciano and Joan Falconio said at the time. 'But even now, we still hold out hope that his remains will be found.' A reward of up to $500,000 is available to anyone providing information that leads to the discovery of Mr Falconio's remains. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's wife appears to have used the N-word and celebrated Palestinian terrorists in resurfaced social media posts. Rama Duwaji, 28, is accused of sharing the offensive content on Tumblr and X accounts she allegedly used throughout her late teenage years into her twenties. The posts were uncovered by the Washington Free Beacon, which said it linked them to her using facial recognition software. The discovery comes shortly after she made headlines for liking posts that celebrated the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, including one that called reports of sexual violence a 'mass rape hoax.' But it appears her history of sharing hateful content stretches back as far as 2013, when she apparently used a vile racial slur in a tweet to a friend at the age of 15. The post reads: 'Helllll yeah, n****. Super duper genius* excuse you.' Other posts made from the account that year include blaming 'white people' for the creation of Al-Qaeda and claiming that Israelis should not be allowed to live in Tel Aviv. In 2017, a Tumblr account linked to Duwaji by the Washington Free Beacon also reposted an image of plane hijacker Leila Khaled along with a quote from the infamous Palestinian. Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, allegedly posted offensive and pro-terrorism content to multiple accounts she appears to have used in her late teenage years into her twenties The 28-year-old allegedly made a post to X in 2013 which used the N-word A Tumblr account linked to Duwaji by the Washington Free Beacon contained posts valorizing Leila Khaled, who is hailed by terrorists as the first woman to hijack a plane 'If it does good for my cause, I'll be happy to accept death,' the caption read. Khaled is hailed by terrorists as the first woman to hijack a plane after participating in plane takeovers in 1969 and 1970. Duwaji's account also appeared to praise other members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), of which Khaled was a longtime member. The post came after she previously appeared to write on X that Tel Aviv 'shouldn't exist in the first place', before adding that Israelis in the city were 'occupiers.' She also allegedly re-shared content that blamed the creation of Al-Qaeda on white people. 'You can't blame Muslims for terrorism because they didn't construct, fund, or train Al-Qaeda,' read the upload to Tumblr. 'White people did that, too.' The account even took aim at US troops, noting how they were not brave and were 'mercilessly slaughtering third world civilians to maintain American hegemony.' In 2015, she allegedly chose to celebrate International Women's Day by posting a tribute to PFLP's militant leader Shadia Abu Ghazaleh. The first lady of New York also appears to have taken aim at US troops in 2015 noting how they were not brave The discovery of Duwaji's purported profile comes shortly after she made headlines for liking posts that celebrated the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel Ghazaleh participated in several attacks and died in 1968 when a bomb she was building exploded in her home. The content appeared to have been deleted from the accounts when the Daily Mail conducted a search. Mayor Mamdani was previously grilled about his wife's social media presence and dodged questions about her liking a post in support of the October 7 attack. The post made by leftist group The Slow Factory included images of groups of people after having taken over an IDF vehicle, with 'Free Palestine' scrawled over it. Another image said: 'Breaking the walls of apartheid and military occupation', followed by the date. The image showed a bulldozer used by the group to break through into Israel on that day, in which nearly 1,200 people died. Mamdani said: 'My wife is the love of my life, and she is also a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall.' One image from the post she liked showed a bulldozer used by Hamas to break through into Israel on that day in which nearly 1,200 people died But Duwaji is not as shy and retiring as her husband lets on, and recently posed for a cover feature in the prestigious The Cut, an offshoot of New York magazine. A spokesman for the mayor told the Jewish Insider: 'Mayor Mamdani has been clear and consistent: Hamas is a terrorist organization, October 7 was a horrific war crime, and he has condemned that violence unequivocally.' Mamdani has also come under fire in the past after apparently using anti-Israel phrases, including 'globalize the intifada'. As the city's first Muslim mayor, he has been seen with skepticism by some Jewish New Yorkers over his ardent support of the Palestinian cause. The Daily Mail has reached out to Rama Duwaji and Mayor Mamdani for comment. The newly-elected mayor of an Idaho city has died shortly after collapsing mid-speech during a town hall with other mayors. Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboam, 47, suffered a medical emergency while speaking during the Wednesday evening meeting. The mayor of another town, a former firefighter who was sitting next to him, rushed into action and immediately administered CPR as others called 911. Paramedics, police and firefighters were called to the scene, but nothing could be done to save him. The nature of what caused his medical emergency remains under investigation. Hogaboam, a Republican father-of-five, was sworn in as mayor on January 5 this year after winning the November election with 62.9 percent of the vote. He has served the city of Nampa and Canyon County for many years, including as Chief of Staff for his predecessor Mayor Debbie Kling. He previously served as the Canyon County Clerk, a Nampa Councilman, the chair for District 3 of the Idaho Association of Counties and had a brief stint as a substitute Idaho State Senator. Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboam, 47, suffered a medical emergency and died during a town hall with other Idaho mayors on Wednesday evening The newly-elected mayor, seen with his family, is survived by his wife Mimi, five children and one grandchild Hogaboam, seen holding his granddaughter, celebrated his first Father's Day as a grandfather in June 2025 Caldwell Mayor Eric Philips was also received medical treatment outside the town hall and was transported away by medics. 'I'm heartbroken and devastated. From him to go to answering a question, to gone I started getting a chest pain, got dizzy and laid down. Next thing medics were checking on me and taking vitals,' Philips told KTVB. 'I have a very heavy heart tonight,' he added. The city of Nampa has asked the community to keep Hogaboam's 'family and loved ones in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time.' 'As we begin to mourn this unbelievable loss, please provide grace while we navigate the loss of not only our Mayor, but also our friend,' city officials added. Hogaboam is survived by his wife Mimi, five children and one grandchild. The mayor was reportedly the 'sole provider' in his family. The Treasure Valley Partnership has issued its condolences to the Hogaboam family, with its members praising the Nampa mayor's commitment to his constituents. 'On behalf of every mayor and county commissioner in our Partnership, and of our citizens, we are heartbroken to have lost one of our esteemed colleagues,' the coalition told the Daily Mail in a statement. 'Rick Hogaboam was an exemplary public servant, a dedicated family man, and a true friend.' Hogaboam, seen with his wife Mimi, was sworn in as mayor on January 5 this year after winning the November election with 62.9 percent of the vote Hogaboam has served the city of Nampa and Canyon County for many years, including as Chief of Staff for his predecessor Mayor Debbie Kling. He previously served as the Canyon County Clerk, a Nampa Councilman, the chair for District 3 of the Idaho Association of Counties and had a brief stint as a substitute Idaho State Senator 'Our prayers are with Rick's family and the Nampa community at this time,' the TVP added. Kling also paid tribute to her successor, whom she said was a 'smart, talented leader, who will be greatly missed.' The former mayor is 'extremely grieved' by his death and has offered her prayers to Hogaboam's 'amazing wife and young family.' The Daily Mail has approached the TVP and city of Nampa for comment. Portland leaders are debating yanking Cesar Chavezs name from streets and schools as the union leader faces sexual abuse allegations. Chavez, who died in 1993, was accused of sexual abuse by labor rights activist Dolores Huerta on Wednesday as well as by other activist workers, two as young as 13 and 15. The allegations have prompted many to call on officials to change memorials honoring the union leader and longtime Democratic hero, who helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers in the 1960s. Huerta, who said she had stayed silent for 60 years out of concern that her accusations would overshadow Chavez's activist work, said in a statement that she was 'manipulated and pressured during two sexual encounters and another where she was "forced against her will."' 'I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was life's work. The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights and I wasn't going to let Cesar or anyone else get in the way,' she said. But as the allegations against Chavez arose, from Huerta and other young girls who worked in the movement and said they had been groomed and abused by him, leaders in Portland have said they would be looking into removing Chavez's name from landmarks, street signs and schools. 'I have begun looking into the process and talking with community leaders about renaming Cesar Chavez blvd to Dolores Huerta blvd,' Councilmember Candace Avalos wrote on BlueSky. 'Per city code, one of the first steps is a petition with 2,500 signatures. Stay tuned for ways to be involved in this effort.' Chavez, who died in 1993, was accused of sexual abuse by labor rights activist Dolores Huerta on Wednesday as well as by other activist workers, two as young as 13 and 15 Councilmember Candace Avalos announced that she began to look into changing the street named after Chavez in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday Cesar E Chavez Blvd seen in Portland, Oregon Huerta, who said she had stayed silent for 60 years out of concern that her accusations would overshadow Chavez's activist work, said in a statement that she was 'manipulated and pressured during two sexual encounters and another where she was 'forced against her will' Taylor Zajonic, a spokesperson for Mayor Keith Wilson, told Oregon Live on Wednesday that the mayor supports the name change. 'He believes that any decision should be community-driven,' Zajonic said. Marta Guembes spoke with other members of the inactive Cesar E Chavez Boulevard Committee about the news of Chavez's allegations. The committee has yet to come to an agreement on the street's new name, according to the outlet. 'We're very devastated,' she told Oregon Live. 'It's heartbreaking on many levels, for all of us.' The 39th Avenue street was renamed to Cesar E Chavez Boulevard in 2009 after advocacy from the Latino community saw the Portland City Council vote unanimously to change the name, the outlet reported. Avalos later posted on BlueSky: 'Today was heavy. Still grieving the news about Dolores Huerta. 'For survivors, moments like this can be incredibly triggering because it brings up how often people who cause harm are protected, and how often survivors are dismissed or not believed.' 'Cesars actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farmworkers with the help of thousands of people,' Huerta added. Chavez was revered for his work helping secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers in the 1960s A statue of United Farm Workers union co-founder Cesar Chavez in Laveen Village outside Phoenix, Arizona Huerta said she wasn't aware that Chavez had abused any other women, and said she became pregnant from both sexual encounters with the union leader. Both children were arranged to be raised by other families 'We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever.' Huerta said she wasn't aware that Chavez had abused any other women, and said she became pregnant from both sexual encounters with the union leader. Both children were arranged to be raised by other families. 'No one knew the full truth about how they were conceived until just a few weeks ago,' her statement said. Streets, schools and parks across the Southwest bear Chavezs name. California became the first state to commemorate his birthday, and in 2014, then-President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31 as national Cesar Chavez Day. Former President Joe Biden had a bronze bust of Chavez installed in the Oval Office when he moved into the White House. Neither Biden nor Obama have yet commented on the allegations. Days before the allegations were revealed publicly, several Cesar Chavez celebrations in San Francisco, Texas and in his home state of Arizona were canceled at the request of the Cesar Chavez Foundation, the Associated Press reported. Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state will not observe the Cesar Chavez Day holiday and that he will urge the state Legislature to remove it altogether. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was still processing the news. A sign shows Cesar Chavez Park, named in honor of United Farm Workers union co-founder Cesar Chavez, at a Cesar Chavez Commemorative in Phoenix, Arizona A sign for Cesar Chavez School is seen in Portland, Oregon A view of a Cesar Chavez street sign in Los Angeles, California A Cesar Chavez street sign is shown near the Dallas Farmers Market in Dallas The Democrat said he wouldnt commit to making any changes to the state holiday, saying the farmworker movement was much more than Chavez. 'Its about labor. Its about social justice, economic justice, racial justice,' he said. Next week, the Phoenix City Council is set to vote on whether to rename the March 31 holiday, as well as buildings and city streets that bear Chavezs name. The mayor and two city council members want the holiday to be renamed Farmworkers Day. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller ordered a review of how Chavez is recognized across the city. US Senator Ben Ray Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat, said: 'His name should be removed from landmarks, institutions and honors.' The Cesar Chavez Foundation pledged support to the labor leaders victims on Wednesday and said that, with the Chavez familys support, the organization will figure out its identity going forward. 'We are committed to restorative justice and healing for those who have been harmed, and to ensure our organization reflects the dignity and safety every person deserves,' the foundation said in a statement. The Daily Mail reached out to Portland Councilmember Candace Avalos for comment. The family of late comedian Sean Hughes has spoken out after his 4million estate was granted to a charity almost a decade after his death. The former Never Mind The Buzzcocks panellist, who died aged 51 in 2017, has had his portfolio of property assets passed to the housing organisation Shelter. He was a keen supporter of the foundation's work and left it his 1.8million north London home as well as two other houses worth a total 2.15million in his will. But the handmade document was rendered unclear by some imprecise wording and sent to the High Court to decide how his wealth should be divided. After almost a decade a judge has finally concluded the comic, who never married but has two brothers Alan and Martin, intended to bequeath the properties to Shelter. Now his family has shared a statement on X, telling his 36,400 followers about his wishes - while also joking about his lack of administrative skills. The post said: 'As Sean's family we are delighted to confirm his bequest to Shelter. Sean was a great and generous comedian, but horrible at admin. 'Housing vulnerability was an issue very close to Sean's heart. He was profoundly marked by his own struggles when he moved to London to do stand-up, and became a big admirer of Shelter's work. Comedian Sean Hughes, pictured in Brighton in February 2007, died aged 51 in 2017 Properties he has left to the charity Shelter include this one in Glasslyn Road in Crouch End, north London, valued at 1.8million 'We are immensely proud of Sean's legacy and hope this gift will encourage others to think of people less privileged when making their final plans (ideally with at least a teeny, tiny bit of legal advice!).' The properties being handed over to Shelter include Hughes' former home on Glasslyn Road in Crouch End, north London, and two more in nearby Edison Avenue and Elder Avenue - respectively worth 1.5million and 650,000. His will ended up before London's High Court because he drafted it using an online platform, without legal assistance, which left it worded vaguely. The central problem was a section which saw him bequeath 'my three houses to Shelter'. This became an issue because he in fact only owned one home, while two others were in the name of a company of which he was the only shareholder. Although his family agreed the shares in the company and therefore the properties should go to the charity, the case had to be referred to a judge to decide. After a short hearing conducted via videolink, Master Iain Pester concluded the 'correct construction of the will' was that the shares be passed to Shelter. Had the judge declared otherwise, the two properties would have gone into Mr Hughes' residuary estate to be held on trust for his wider family. Hughes (left, with Mark Lamarr, centre) was well known as a long-standing team captain on quiz show Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 1996, serving opposite Phil Jupitus (right) until 2002 Among the properties left by Hughes to Shelter was this home in Edison Avenue, north London Also covered in his will's intentions was a 650,000 flat in nearby Elder Avenue A statement on behalf of Sean Hughes' family has now been shared on X, formerly Twitter Barrister Aidan Briggs, for the executor of the will, and Alexander Learmonth, for Shelter, said his family and the charity agreed Shelter was the correct beneficiary. Speaking afterwards, Andy Harris, the charity's director of income generation, said: 'Sean Hughes was a passionate supporter of Shelter's work, and we are enormously grateful for the generous gift left in his will. 'We have worked closely with Sean's family to ensure his wishes are honoured. 'Gifts left in wills are a vital source of income for Shelter. 'This donation will enable us to continue to deliver expert support and advice to people impacted by the housing emergency and to campaign for everyone's right to a safe and secure home.' Mr Hughes was born in Archway, north London, to Irish parents, but spent most of his youth living at his paternal grandmother's house in Dublin. The comic got his start in the alternative stand-up scene of the 1980s, first appearing at the Comedy Store venue in 1987. He went on to win the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award in 1990 aged just 24 for his show, A One-Night Stand with Sean Hughes. From there, he moved into television, fronting his own award-winning Channel 4 series Sean's Show from 1992. Hughes then became a team captain on BBC music quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 1996, serving opposite Phill Jupitus until 2002 and appearing in 91 episodes. On top of his TV and stand-up work, he also published novels and collections of poetry, while also presenting a Sunday morning programme on BBC 6 Music. He died after suffering a cardiac arrest in October 2017 and it was later discovered that he had been suffering from late-stage liver disease. Angela Rayner has launched a broadside against Sir Keir Starmer as she attacked the Government's immigration reforms as 'un-British'. The former deputy prime minister, who quit last year over a tax scandal, said proposals to make it harder for migrants to settle in the UK are a 'breach of trust'. Sir Keir's former deputy urged the PM to change course or face defeat at the ballot box, as she savaged the Government's plans to double the time migrants have to wait before being granted indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years. Controversially, the plans would apply retrospectively to migrants already here - affecting 2.2million people who have arrived since 2021. Ms Rayner said the proposal championed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood amounted to 'moving the goalposts', saying it 'undermines our sense of fair play. It's un-British'. Allies of Ms Mahmood have said she is committed to the plan, which is due to be introduced this year. But what do you think? Vote in the Daily Mail's latest poll here: In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Are Starmer's immigration and energy policies a 'disaster', as Trump claims?' Out of more than 14,000 votes, 95 per cent of you said 'yes' and 5 per cent said 'no'. Two Pennsylvania education officials were revealed to have cashed in thousands of taxpayer money to go on luxury vacations across three continents, including a safari and a trip to the Alps. Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23's Executive Director Dr Regina Speaker, 60, and Assistant Executive Director Sandra Edling, 51, in Norristown were revealed to have spent nearly $40,000 of public money to fund expensive vacations since 2023. Included in the trips was a 14-day African safari, costing around $18,000, according to expense reports obtained by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Speaker and Edling booked a trip to Kenya and Tanzania in the summer of 2023, touring across to the Serengeti and Mount Kenya. Then last spring, Speaker was reported to have used her Intermediate Unit credit card to fly to South Korea and Singapore on an 11-day trip, while Edling traveled to Central Europe in the fall. Then, Edling's card was canceled after funding concerns arose, the Inquirer reported. Detailed receipts were missing from expense claims and specific travel locations weren't given, including information on their international destinations, according to the outlet. Speaker, however, defended the expenses as legitimate and claimed they followed proper procedure. She claimed that the money had already been allocated for these purposes, the outlet reported. Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23's Executive Director Dr Regina Speaker, 60, defended taking an $18k African safari as legitimate public fund expenditure for the job The Montco IU Unit 23 is one of 29 state-mandated agencies in Pennsylvania and is granted a budget of $198 million with 848 employees and supplies support to around 200 schools Assistant Executive Director Sandra Edling was also seen to have used her card for a $7,000 trip in March 2025, only giving 'conference' as a reason for the expense 'Everything was signed off on by the board president and clearly communicated. There was nothing underhanded about it,' she said. But Jennifer Wilson, who served on the IU's board from 2017 to last November, said that there was no knowledge of the nature of some of the expenses, noting that certain trips looked like 'vacations.' 'We never got notice [Speaker] was going on these trips at all,' Wilson said, according to the Inquirer. 'In my home school district, the superintendent tells us if he's going out of town for the weekend,' added Wilson, who serves as vice president of the Hatboro-Horsham School Board. The Montco IU Unit 23 is one of 29 state-mandated agencies in Pennsylvania and is granted a budget of $198 million with 848 employees. Funding pours in from a combination of local, state and federal funding to help support around 200 public and private schools, according to the Inquirer. Despite whether the trips were sanctioned, public finance experts queried if public funds should cover such things as giraffe feeding or guided tours in foreign countries. 'We use examples like this to warn people that these are public funds,' Marguerite Roza, the director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, told the outlet. Roza warned that incidents such as these make taxpayers reluctant and cynical about what their money is being put towards. Speaker and Edling booked a trip to Kenya and Tanzania in the summer of 2023, touring across to the Serengeti and Mount Kenya Speaker made note that the safari trip included visiting a tribal school. Besides the school, the costly trip included six sightseeing tours, eight wildlife drives and 11 'handpicked' hotels 'You need to make sure your expenditures make sense and are justified, but also, contemplate the optics,' she added. Speaker was appointed as executive director in 2020, promising a mission of 'global community' as she explained the travel expenses. Her base salary was reported at $298,000 in 2025, according to the outlet. The executive said that the international trips were part of a yearlong academy for education leaders run by the School Superintendents Association (AASA). 'Everything was through the lens of leadership. It was about that process of survival of the fittest, and how are you a leader, and what do you prioritize,' she claimed. Speaker made note that the trip included visiting a tribal school. Besides the school, the costly trip included six sightseeing tours, eight wildlife drives and 11 'handpicked' hotels, the outlet reported. Edling was also seen to have used her card for a $7,000 trip in March 2025, only giving 'conference' as a reason for the expense, records show according to the Inquirer. She was paid a base salary of $215,000 last year, the outlet reported. Speaker claimed to the Inquirer that Edling's purchase had been approved by another assistant executive director and was for a 10-day trip to Germany, Switzerland and Austria in October 2025 sponsored by the AASA. 'The whole idea was to bring her up to speed on the leadership component,' Speaker explained. Speaker claimed to the Inquirer that Edling's purchase had been approved by another assistant executive director and was for a 10-day trip to Germany, Switzerland and Austria in October 2025 The trip's description included a tour of Munich, Viennese waltz lessons, an underground train ride to Austria's ancient Hallein Salt Mine, a trip to 'crazy King Ludwig's fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein,' seen above, and an alpine hut dinner However, the trip's description included a tour of Munich, Viennese waltz lessons, an underground train ride to Austria's ancient Hallein Salt Mine, a trip to 'crazy King Ludwig's fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein' and an alpine hut dinner, according to the brochure viewed by the Inquirer. The itinerary also reportedly saw a visit to a school on day five and day nine of the trip. Following the expensive getaways, Speaker froze travel last year after Pennsylvania's four-month budget impasse was a large element of the IU's funding. Suddenly, staff pay was threatened. The freeze also came after the Inquirer requested the expenditure records. Speaker told the outlet that they were able to refund the trip, while Edling said that meeting with education leaders abroad would have been a justifiable expense. 'We believe we need to grow the global partnership concept,' Edling told the Inquirer. 'Other intermediate units are also working on that. As an educational service agency, we have to be at the forefront of what's next, what's new.' Lara Wade, the AASA's director of communications, told the Inquirer that they are involving in the planning of the trips, but they don't track whether taxpayer money is used or if they pay their own way. 'From AASA's perspective, these international delegations are designed as professional learning experiences for senior education leaders,' she said. 'They include school visits, meetings with education leaders, but they're not intended to mirror classroom-style professional development or be evaluated solely by the number of hours spent inside schools.' Speaker was appointed as executive director in 2020, promising a mission of 'global community' as she explained the travel expenses. Her base salary was reported at $298,000 in 2025 Juliane Ramic, who served as the former Montco IU board president in 2023, approved Speaker's expenses for her trip to Africa, but this month she could not recall if she was aware of the true nature of these expenses at the time, the outlet reported. Records obtained by the Inquirer showed the expenses submitted contained little documentation, despite receipts being presented for routine business expenses. In May 2023, for example, a receipt was included for a $54.47 lunch at Redstone American Grill, yet the $9,342 expense related to the safari was only evidenced in a screengrab of her phone showing the amount charged to her card, the outlet reported. In April 2025, a new board president was appointed as Speaker took a trip to South Korea and Singapore. The trip was reportedly part of the leadership academy run by the Association of Educational Service Agencies, costing $13,000 in two installments from Speaker's company credit card. According to records seen by the Inquirer, one of the installments in December 2024 was not approved, and that month's expenses were not signed or dated. Ramic told the outlet that, while she does not believe any wrongdoing took place, she has asked that travel expenses be more transparent in the future. Lee Ann Wentzel was also on the trip to Africa as well as a trip to Israel beforehand, but said she paid for both trips herself. 'Some people look at it as a vacation, others work related,' she said. 'I think both things can be true.' Following the expensive trips, Speaker froze travel last year after Pennsylvania's four-month budget impasse was a large element of the IU's funding, as staff pay was threatened However, Wentzel defended the trips purposes, saying: 'Speaking to locals, learning about their personal education journeys and how different government schools are versus religious and private schools, and what services are offered, that's something you're not going to see unless you to go international settings.' Roza, for her part, said board members need to be more diligent about how such spending can affect trust in the officials by the public. In her opinion, the safari was a 'misuse of public funds.' 'If I was a board member and my superintendent was taking trips like this, I'd be like, "I think I just lost confidence in you,"' Roza told the outlet. The Daily Mail reached out to Speaker and Edling for comment. An autistic seven-year-old girl and her mother have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while they were traveling home from a baby shower. Canada-born Tania Warner and her daughter Ayla Lucas were taken into custody in Sarita, Texas, after being stopped at a checkpoint close to the US-Mexico border on Saturday. They have been forced to sleep on mats in a detention center since, according to US citizen Edward Warner, who is Tania's husband and Ayla's father. The trio live in Kingsville, Texas, and they had been on their way home from a baby shower in Raymondville when they passed through a checkpoint and the parents were asked for their paperwork. 'I presented mine, and she presented her Texas drivers license, her work visa and her actual visa,' Edward told CTV News. 'After that, they took her in, saying that they needed to fingerprint her to get more information, and she never came back out.' Around 20 minutes later, officers came back outside and asked to take Lucas in for fingerprinting as well. Like her mother, she never came back out. Warner, who is a bodybuilder, and her daughter have been living legally in the US for the past five years after they moved from British Columbia. They are going through the process to get their green cards. Tania Warner and her seven-year-old Ayla Lucas are in an ICE detention center after they were fingerprinted and told they were not allowed to leave at a Sarita checkpoint Warner and Lucas, who is autistic, had been returning home from a baby shower with Warner's American husband Edward Officers told Edward there was a problem with Warner's Employment Authorization Document number, also known as an EAD number, but the stepfather told the outlet he doesn't know the full extent of his loved ones' detention. 'Its scary, its really frustrating, especially when they have paperwork thats good, and it doesnt come up in the system as being good,' he told CTV News. 'It didnt come up as having paperwork at all.' The mother and daughter's fingerprints had to be sent to Washington, D.C. The agency there did not clear them to be released, so they were taken to the notorious Rio Grande Valley Central Processing Center in McAllen. Edward has been 'horrified' by the conditions his wife and daughter are undergoing, including using 'space blankets' while sleeping on mats. 'This food is terribleits overcrowded, very loud, and theyre just very stressed out right now,' he told CTV. Edward and Warner's mother, Heather Fleck, worry about Lucas, who is on the spectrum. 'Its no place for a seven-year-old to be,' Edward said. 'This is going to be devastating,' Fleck told the outlet. Edward has gone to Global Affairs Canada, but they did not help, as his wife and daughter are not looking to go back to their home country. The mother and daughter have been living in the US for five years legally, but officers told Edward there was a problem with Warner's employment paperwork Edward is trying to get his wife and stepdaughter out of the detention center, but he is struggling to get help from Canada as his loved ones are looking to go back to their native country The mother and daughter are using 'space blankets' and using the mats on the floor to keep warm inside the notorious Rio Grande Valley Central Processing Center in McAllen He also hired a lawyer and started a GoFundMe to help with the expenses of getting his wife and daughter back. 'Its very frustrating. Its lonely, its quiet. I dont care for it,' he told the outlet. Another Canadian living in America has also been detained in Texas after returning home from a business trip in Mexico. Curtis Wright, 39, who lives in Houston, Texas, was grabbed by ICE agents and taken to the South Texas Processing Center last November. The oil and gas worker, originally from Edmonton in Alberta, was flagged by authorities after touching down at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston after a business trip in Mexico. His father, Jim Wright, spoke with CTV News and said the reason his son is being held stemmed from a minor drug possession conviction dating back two decades. According to the elder Wright, who also lives in Texas, his son was found to have a lone Xanax pill in the backseat of his truck 22 years ago when he was in high school. Officials detained the little girl and her mother Warner, who is a bodybuilder, on Saturday Edward has hired a lawyer and started a GoFundMe to help get his loved ones back Edward and Warner's mother, Heather Fleck, are worried about Lucas, as she is on the spectrum and only seven years old He also said that he was hit with a misdemeanor charge involving a handgun being found in a car he was driving, and driving impaired eight years ago. Speaking from the facility, Wright told the outlet: 'None of it has been enjoyable. The separation from family has been miserable.' The father-of-three added that the conditions inside are 'pretty awful', describing it as 'run down' and filled with 'mold, dirt and grime.' The 'devastated' family of a 16-year-old girl killed when a car plunged into a river in Cambridgeshire have paid tribute, as the driver remains missing. Eden Bunn, 16, from Sutton Bridge, died after the car she was travelling in entered the River Nene at North Brink near Wisbech St Mary on Tuesday. Declan Berry, 18, from Wisbech, who remains missing, is believed to have been driving the VW Polo when it entered the water. The vehicle, which was carrying five teenagers southbound aged 16 to 18, left the road and entered the water at around 8.20pm. Three people, two females and one male, are known to have got out of the vehicle and were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn with non-life-threatening injuries. A further teenage boy and girl were classed as missing by police, until officers pulled the body of the female from the river on Wednesday afternoon. In a tribute, Eden's parents, Lisa and Dean, her brother Jay, sister Shelby and nephew Axl said: 'Eden was the kindest, most loving girl we could ever wish for. 'Her horses Daisy and Dolly were her world, and she was ours. Words cannot describe the tragedy that will stay with us until we are able to meet her again.' Eden Bunn, 16, from Sutton Bridge, died after the car she was travelling in entered the River Nene at North Brink near Wisbech St Mary on Tuesday Declan Berry, 18, from Wisbech, who remains missing, is believed to have been driving the VW Polo when it entered the water Today, Declan's family laid flowers at the side of the River Nene. A statement released through Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: 'We are absolutely devastated beyond words and ask for privacy during this tragic time.' Relatives posted photographs of flowers laid at the scene, describing the last few days as 'very long' and 'emotional'. His brother, who previously shared a photo of Declan to celebrate his 18th birthday last week, added: 'If anyone want to come leave flowers that's fine the more the better. 'We are also going to give him a big send off that everyone will be invited to when the times and dates are confirmed. 'We will keep you all updated thank you for your support, lots of love from the Berry family and myself.' One of Declan's sisters said: 'We are still currently waiting for him to be found, we are hoping we can arrange a funeral and a good send off with all his family and friends which would be welcome. 'FOREVER 18 brother, miss and love you always.' Declan's mother was understood to have visited the riverside on Thursday, as police divers temporarily suspended their search for the missing teenager. Declan has been confirmed to be missing following the crash in Cambridgeshire by members of his family Relatives of 18-year-old Declan Berry laid flowers at the side of the River Nene near the town of Wisbech St Mary on Thursday Of the three teenagers treated after the incident, one 16-year-old girl remains in hospital. Another 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy have since been discharged. Efforts remain ongoing to find Declan, whose social media accounts show a passion for motorbikes. Friends said he had a part-time job in a motorcycle shop, having previous done work as a gardener. A friend of the teenagers said two of the survivors had visited the accident spot yesterday. They said none of those in the car had been drinking and described Declan as a careful driver. The friend said one of the girls, who has injuries to her hands and head but was discharged from hospital, is 'absolutely devastated and traumatised'. Adding the teenager had escaped from the vehicle by climbing through a smashed window, they added: 'I don't know how she survived. 'How could someone who can't swim have got out of that car? 'She's sad. She's lost her phone so she doesn't have any memories now of her friend. 'She got injured on her hands where she climbed out of the smashed window from where the car rolled over.' One of her relatives told the Daily Mail: 'Shes very lucky to be alive. It must have been horrible for the parents of everybody. 'It was quite horrific for her, the way it happened.' The friend added: 'I don't want people to think he [Declan] was the cause of the deaths. He's just a young boy. He was not a reckless driver. 'He'd been driving a motorbike before he got a car. They wouldn't be saying it was reckless driving if it was a 40-year-old who died. 'Let the police do their investigation.' A family friend said: 'This is every parent's worst nightmare. 'Considering Declan's had a motorbike for a long time, he was a good driver. He'd only just not long turned 18. Cambridgeshire police remained at the scene on Wednesday evening after recovery of the 16-year-old's body 'I've never known a car to go into that part of the River. The banks are high. It's just tragic.' A dark green metal barrier stretches along most of the riverbank close to the single track carriageway which is also flanked by a five foot high grass bank. The barrier varies in height from around three to eight feet in certain parts but it is not continuous along the whole stretch of North Brink. The Church of St Mary in Wisbech announced it would open to the public on Thursday and Friday from 4-6pm for anyone needing support. A statement posted on social media said flowers for the youngsters could be brought to the church, and added: 'Our thoughts are with them, and with their families and friends at this incredibly difficult time.' Billy Cunningham, a local resident, told how he was one of the first on scene to the 'horrific' crash and witnessed the teenagers climbing out of the car. He said the teenagers said the car had hit a pothole and the driver had lost control. 'Then as the ambulance turned up, we saw a young girl just screaming in the hedges. 'We were out there with the police and our torches trying to check no one had got out and was lying on the bank. 'This isn't the first time something like this has happened here. One year we had a lady go off the road at exactly the same bit. 'People fly over the junction at Beavis Lane and end up on the bank. God knows how they ended up in the river. 'People do speed down here. It's a dead straight road. 'They do 60mph, more, because there's no speed cameras or police cars. It should be a 30mph road - 40mph at a push. The quality of the tarmac is shocking.' Other locals said they had gone out to search along the bank with torches in the immediate aftermath. DI Craig Wheeler, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'This is a truly devastating collision, for all involved. My thoughts are with the friends and family of Eden and Declan during this truly horrific time. 'Our investigation is at an early stage, but I would appeal to anyone who may have seen the collision or the blue VW Polo in the Wisbech area between 7pm and 8.20pm on Tuesday to contact police. 'Our focus remains on trying to find Declan, however due to challenging nature of the river, this could be a timely process. During this period, there will be an increased police presence along the River Nene whilst we continue our efforts to find him.' The River Nene at North Brink is a tidal stretch of water which links to The Wash. Its depth varies with the tide, ranging from 9 to 15 feet. Police are appealing for witnesses and those with dashcam footage to contact them, referencing incident 515 of March 17. Britain has secured a new deal with the Nigerian government which will make it easier to deport thousands of failed asylum seekers and criminals. The Home Office announced it had signed an agreement with Nigerian officials during this weeks state visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. UK ministers hope the deal will see Nigeria agree to receive more deportations from this country, with less red tape. Currently there are 961 Nigerian failed asylum seekers in this country who have exhausted their rights of appeal, it is understood. It means they have definitively been ruled to have no claim to refugee status in the UK. There are also 1,110 foreign national offenders from Nigeria who the Home Office is waiting to deport. Both groups are now more likely to be kicked out of Britain. The agreement will also be used to return Nigerians who overstayed work or visit visas. It will see Nigeria accept diplomatic notes known as UK Letters in lieu of travel documents such as passports during the deportation process. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer greets Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Downing Street this morning Currently, one of the main barriers faced by the Home Office in its bid to deport a foreign national is waiting for their home country to issue a passport or other travel papers, which are essential for a deportee to be put on a plane home. The agreement was signed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Nigerian interior minister Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Home Office minister Alex Norris said: 'Todays agreement is another step in our mission to restore order to the border by ensuring those who have no right to be here are swiftly removed. 'Nigeria is a key partner in our work to tackle illegal migration, as the UKs largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here. We owe everyone across the system fairness.' Dr Tunji-Ojo said the Nigeria was 'totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations' and added: 'Hopefully, this strengthened partnership will be a template for other bilateral understandings.' Further elements of a wider deal will see action to tackle cybercrime and fraud. The state visit included a banquet at Windsor Castle last night, where King Charles greeted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu A significant proportion of international fraudsters targeting British victims operated from West Africa, including Nigeria. The two countries have agreed a 'crackdown on criminal gangs abusing visa routes', including a a new documentchecking system which will verify the authenticity of applications. As part of the deal Nigeria will also review its laws to tackle immigration crime, including potential tougher sentences. Britain has pulled out all the stops for the Nigerian presidents official visit this week including a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening. In a speech at Windsor, King Charles described Nigeria as an economic powerhouse, a cultural force and an influential diplomatic voice. The banquet menu featured a quail egg tartlet, followed by fillet of turbot with lobster mousse wrapped in spinach; beurre blanc sauce; sprouting broccoli; pea and broad bean fricassee; and Jersey Royal potatoes. Dessert was an iced blackcurrant souffle with red fruit coulis. A mocktail called crimson bloom was also on offer, blended using the West African beverage Zobo, English rose soda and hibiscus and ginger syrup. President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu privately visited St Georges Chapel, at Windsor, to lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. The state visit, which continues today, is Nigeria's first to the UK for 37 years. President Tinubu met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street this morning. Actor Kevin Spacey has reached a settlement agreement with three men who accused him of sexual assault. Ruari Cannon, who has waived his right to anonymity, along with two others who have not, claimed Mr Spacey abused them at times between 2000 and 2015 after meeting the Hollywood star through his position as artistic director at the Old Vic theatre. Mr Spacey has denied the allegations. Two of the claimants were complainants who gave evidence during Spacey's 2023 criminal trial in London, where the now 66-year-old actor was acquitted of all charges. Civil trials between Mr Spacey and the three men were due to begin at Londons High Court in October, but on March, 13, 2026, Mrs Justice Lambert ordered the proceedings to be paused after a settlement had been agreed. The order said: 'Upon the parties having agreed to the terms of settlement as set out in the confidential schedule.' It continued: 'By consent, it is ordered that all further proceedings against the defendant in these actions be stayed upon the terms set out in this order and in the confidential schedule.' The judge made no order as to costs. The terms of the order are confidential and no details have been made available. Actor Kevin Spacey (pictured outside Southwark Crown Court on July 26, 2023) has reached a settlement agreement with three men who accused him of sexual assault Civil trials between Mr Spacey and the three men were due to begin at Londons High Court (pictured) in October, but on March, 13 2026, Mrs Justice Lambert ordered the proceedings to be paused after a settlement had been agreed Mr Cannon was also bringing legal action against the Old Vic, but earlier this month, he settled the claim. Cannon claimed that while working as the theatre's artistic director, Mr Spacey assaulted him in 2013 at an event related to the production of Tennessee Williams's play Sweet Bird Of Youth. In 2023, Mr Spacey was acquitted of nine sex offences relating to four men. Mr Spacey, who won Oscars for 'American Beauty' and 'The Usual Suspects', was dropped from the TV drama 'House of Cards' and removed from the movie 'All the Money in the World' after the first allegations of sexual assault emerged. Ahead of a Channel 4 documentary about the allegations, Mr Spacey said in 2024: 'I take full responsibility for my past behaviour and my actions, but I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologise to anyone who's made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me. 'I've never told someone that if they give me sexual favours, then I will help them out with their career, never.' An Old Vic spokeswoman previously confirmed the theatre had separately reached a settlement with one of the claimants, saying: 'Ruari Cannon and The Old Vic have reached a mutually agreed out-of-court settlement, the precise terms of which are confidential. 'This settlement has been agreed without any admission of liability, having regard to the costs and impact on all parties of continuing litigation.' A Democrat running for a congressional seat has been exposed for posting vile remarks about First Lady Melania Trump via social media several years ago. Peter Chatzky, who is hoping to take Republican Representative Mike Lawler's New York seat, has a long history of sharing his stream of consciousness on his Facebook page. His posts mainly consist of his family's large crowd of pets at their home, but among the fuzzy animals, Chatzky, 65, made his political affiliations known - including his thoughts on Melania. On July 19, 2016, the night of the Republican National Convention, where Melania spoke, Chatzky took to his personal Facebook page to write a sordid post about her, The New York Times first reported. 'Oh come on,' he wrote. 'You know you'd still f*** her.' In the comments, he speculated what her husband Donald Trump would charge for a 'quickie.' '$800 an hour. So about $80 then. I can afford that,' he wrote. Chatzky also made a post in 2017 joking about hosting a sex party after receiving a friend request from a random woman's account, which appeared to be spam. Peter Chatzky is running for a Hudson Valley congressional seat, hoping to take Republican Representative Mike Lawler's spot On July 19, 2016, the night of the Republican National Convention, where Melania spoke, Chatzky made a sordid post about her on his Facebook page Chatzy wrote: 'Oh come on. You know you'd still f*** her' 'Some of you may know her from PTA or Junior League,' he wrote. 'Anyway, long story short, key party at my house on Friday.' A key party is a type of sex party. He also made a joking post about people paying to watch him masturbate and having video files of others doing it, saying he created a 'spy software' and the only way for him to delete the video would be to pay him the equivalent of $950 in Bitcoin. 'I give you last [sic] 72 hours to transfer the funds,' he wrote. 'Next time you cover your cameras, somebody my wtch it! Limit yourself to one time per month if you can`t go completely NoFap,' he continued, before signing off: 'Say hi to Susan,' his wife. The Daily Mail has reached out to Chatzky for comment. The tech executive's campaign manager, Alyssa Verrelli, blamed his competitors, saying they were trying to 'attack fellow Democrats' by digging up the decade-old posts, she told The Times. 'Peter is focused on defeating Mike Lawler in November so that we can abolish ICE and make life more affordable,' she told the outlet. Chatzky faces a long list of Democrats running for Lawler's seat, including former FBI analyst John Sullivan, Air Force veteran John Cappello, and Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson, among others. Chatzky also made a post in 2017 joking about hosting a sex party after receiving a friend request from a random woman's account, which appeared to be spam, as shown above Lawler is seeking reelection for his Hudson Valley seat. He announced it after foregoing a bid for governor Chatzky, who funneled $5 million into his own campaign, announced he was running in June. He has participated in local politics for more than a decade, including a stint as mayor. He is running on a campaign of affordability, taking on Big Pharma, expanding healthcare coverage, banning politicians from trading stocks, reforming the Supreme Court, and abolishing ICE, among others. Lawler is seeking re-election for his Hudson Valley seat after deciding against a run for governor against incumbent Kathy Hochul. A Hindu priest who was kicked out of his temple at the age of 68 for being 'too old' has won an age discrimination case. Deoraj Dwivedi had worked for 11 years at the Hindu Cultural Resource Centre Temple in Sandwell, West Mids, without a blemish before he was sacked, a tribunal heard. The hierarchy within the temple found him guilty of gross misconduct for not following correct rules around donations, even though the younger high priest flouted them too and did not face any punishment. Despite having no desire to retire, Mr Dwivedi was told that his contract would not be renewed as he had turned 68 and he was replaced by a younger colleague. Mr Dwivedi, now 70, took the case to an employment tribunal where it was judged that he had been discriminated against because of his age and he is now in line for compensation. Mr Dwivedi began working as a priest at the temple in June 2013, where he spent long hours, seven days a week, teaching classes and sharing his faith. He had had no issues at the Temple until October 2023 when it was discovered that he had been taking donations from worshippers directly. At a meeting with the temple bosses, he was told that he must pass any funds collected from the congregation to the Temple's committee, but he continued to take and retain them. He was then informed that priests should stop taking donations directly and instead they should be put in a collection box. However, the head priest at the Temple - who is younger - continued to take donations directly, a practice known as Dakshina. The Temple decided to end Mr Dwivedi's contract in January 2024. A letter was sent to Mr Dwivedi which said that he 'had to retire from his services from the temple as he has completed sixty eight years of age'. In April 2024 the Temple decided that his actions amounted to gross misconduct. Mr Dwivedi claimed that he was told by the Hindu Cultural Resource Centre that he had to retire from the Temple because he had reached the age of 68. He said at no point did he wish to retire. Following his dismissal a younger priest was hired - who continued to take Dakshina. Mr Dwivedi brought claims of unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and age discrimination to the tribunal in Birmingham. The tribunal judged that since there was no clear instruction on how donation money should be collected, but rather a suggestion, then gross misconduct could not have taken place. Employment Judge Claire Taylor concluded: 'The head prriest is the same as (Mr Dwivedi) in every material way except age. She added: '(Mr Dwivedi) was dismissed and the head priest was not. A younger Priest was then appointed and both he and the head priest, I have found, continue to receive Dakshina. 'This is conduct from which I could infer discrimination.' All his claims were successful and he is now in line for compensation. He has since been invited back to the temple to work voluntarily as his English is better than that many of the other priests. Speaking after the Tribunal, Mr Dwivedi said: 'It was a painful time for me while the whole matter was going through the court. 'It was certainly not an easy process when it was happening. I never really got a proper response from the Temple and I just felt like they delayed the whole thing until the end. 'My faith has not been affected at all by this. The response of the congregation was amazing. 'I have been going to this temple all my life and I want to go back to carry on serving.' His daughter Chetna, 32, said: 'He is a reputable person and has been all his life. He is a mediator of God. 'It was a very painful time not just for my dad but for the whole family. We just felt like they were trying to make it up as they went along. I still feel that they did not feel bad about anything that happened. 'I just feel like it is not completed yet. Although we have won we cannot get closure yet. He feels like he has lost his purpose. 'The people in the temple are like gangsters. There are several members of the same family in the temple and they dominate the whole community. 'It wasn't about the money. The people at the Temple have no processes in place. It has been going on for generations and is still happening openly. 'The information wasn't shared with the congregation and he now just wants to go back to his temple.' A Nepalese schizophrenic with multiple convictions has been allowed to stay in the UK after a court ruled he would be a 'danger to himself and society' if deported. Sumit Rai built up a substantial criminal record since arriving in Britain in 2005, including a 16-month jail sentence for harassment, as well as convictions for anti-social behaviour and 'serious' drug offences. But he has now won a human rights case at an asylum court and can remain in the UK after an immigration judge said he would be dangerous if he was sent back to Nepal. It was found that the criminal would 'fail to take his medication' without his parents, who lived in the UK, telling him to do so if he went back to Nepal - meaning he would become a risk. Rai entered the UK with his sister at age 13 in 2005 to join their parents. He was granted indefinite leave to remain. Though a Nepalese citizen, he was born in Hong Kong in 1991 and educated in India. He was said to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia, due to which he relies on support from his parents. It was heard that they 'provide practical and emotional support needed to maintain mental stability and to function on a daily basis, and to counter his tendency to self-neglect'. But Rai had a 'cavalier' attitude to drug-taking, it was heard. Details about his criminal history were not laid out in full at the immigration hearing however it was heard in 2010 he committed 'serious' drugs offences. Sumit Rai as now won a human rights case after an immigration judge said he would be dangerous if he was sent back to Nepal (pictured: Upper Tribunal Immigration Court) He re-offended in 2017 when he was 'acutely psychotic', triggering his liability for deportation. Then, in 2019, he offended again and was subject to a deportation order, however he appealed against the order and won. In 2025 he was jailed for 16 months under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the tribunal heard. While in prison he took 'illicit drugs' and did not consistently take the medication for his mental illness and it was heard that Rai was 'socially isolated'. Most of his offending was 'of an anti-social nature...until the last offences, which were specific and targeted'. Rai only recently began consistently taking his medication because he had been moved out of prison and into an immigration detention facility. It was heard that the reason for his latest re-offending was that his father, usually responsible for making sure his son took his medicine consistently, was being treated for cancer at the time. However his father has now recovered and is able once again to take care of his son. The Home Office attempted to deport Rai during his latest prison term but the criminal's appeal was allowed. The Home Office themselves appealed the judge's decision to let Rai stay, but Upper Tribunal Judge Sarah Grey agreed that allowing him to stay was 'an outcome rationally open to the first Judge'. She said: '(Rai's) parents provide practical and emotional support needed to maintain mental stability and to function on a daily basis, and to counter his tendency to self-neglect and this support cannot reasonably be sustained after deportation, nor remotely, and there is no family available to do so in Nepal. 'Though the father has resources to see that (Rai) would not be destitute in Nepal and has access to appropriate medical treatment, there is no close family who remains in Nepal and who would be willing/able to take over the role of (Rai's) carer his mother and father have stood by him despite this being challenging and provided practical and emotional support needed to maintain his mental stability and function on a day-to-day basis. '[Rai] requires their support on a daily basis to counter his tendency to self-neglect; they have been settled in the UK since 2005, and so cannot reasonably be sustained after deportation by them re-settling with him in Nepal or by them attempting to support him from a distance 'In relation to what (Rai) was likely to face on return to Nepal, the Judge's reasoning sets out the "stark reality". The decision refers to the "certainty" that (Rai) would deteriorate very quickly (by failing to take his medication) and would be a 'danger to himself and society'.' Upper Tribunal Judge Sarah Grey agreed that without his parents it was 'certain' that Rai would reoffend and even become 'a danger'. The judge continued: 'The Judge accepted there was a risk of re-offending in the UK, albeit a diminished one. However, it was noted that this risk had been previously well-managed by his parents since 2019, until his father became ill with cancer when (Rai) was not adequately supervised. '(Rai's) dependence on his parents and the family life that he shares with them were additional matters that weighed in (Rai's) favour, as well as his father's ill health and the Judge's finding that his parents could not reasonably be expected to relocate to Nepal with him in order to care for their son. 'Having conducted a detailed assessment of the public interest and [Rai's] circumstances, it is apparent that the Judge conducted a careful proportionality assessment, referring to there being a 'fine balance' between the public interest and (Rai's) rights. 'The finding that (Rai) was able to demonstrate very compelling circumstances necessary to outweigh the public interest in deportation was an outcome rationally open to the Judge and the fact that the (Home Office) disagrees, or that another judge may have reached a different conclusion, does not mean the Judge's decision can or should be interfered with.' A notorious TikTok 'mum on the run' who boasted about claiming UK benefits while living it up in Thailand has been jailed for more than two years. Ellis Matthews, 35, shot to online fame after fleeing Britain while pregnant and documenting her 'dream life' in South-East Asia to thousands of followers. The mother-of-one, from Bamber Bridge, became a controversial figure on social media after sharing tips on how to claim benefits from abroad, and bragging about how her life in Thailand was funded by fiddling 2,300 per month in British benefits. But her sunshine lifestyle soon came crashing down. Last March, Matthews was arrested by immigration officials at her home in Pattaya and locked up in what she described as a 'hell hole prison' crawling with rats and cockroaches. She told followers she was detained after authorities raised concerns about her child's welfare and was convinced social services would take Cairo from her if she did return. Her shabby cell was in the notorious Mothers and Children Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok, where she was confined to her room for more than 20 hours per day with 16 other female inmates and their children, surviving on lumpy rice and rat meat while sleeping on a dirty concrete floor. Her visa was cancelled and she spent 15 weeks behind bars in a Bangkok detention centre before being deported back to the UK - leaving her young son behind with family. Ellis Matthews, who called herself a 'mum on the run', has been jailed for more than two years over drug offences Matthews was arrested by immigration officials at her home in Thailand last year and locked up with her young son in what she described as a 'hell hole prison' She claimed she had to go into hiding on her return as there was an online hate campaign made about her, but within weeks of returning to Lancashire last June, Matthews was arrested over drugs offences. She later admitted supplying cocaine, as well as possessing cocaine and cannabis. Matthews was jailed last Friday at Preston Crown Court for 26 months and will serve her sentence at HMP Styal, with 108 days already spent in a Thai jail counted towards her time behind bars. In 2020, Matthews was caught drug driving after police found her behind the wheel after taking cocaine and cannabis. According to an article in the Lancashire Telegraph in 2018, the then 28-year-old had failed a roadside swipe test. She was also later found not to have insurance and was driving other than in accordance with a licence. Matthews was fined 200 with 85 costs. Previous videos have seen Matthews, who says she 'ran away' from the UK while pregnant with her son, helping others to negotiate the UK benefits system while living in the sunshine. In one video, Matthews, holding a fistful of notes and wearing a string bikini, tells her audience: 'I picked up my Disability Living Allowance today and I've been doing so for the past four years of not living in the UK.' She explains: 'I am diagnosed with around six mental disorders that without in-house treatment, without me being put into a hospital for a minimum of one year, my prognosis is quite poor therefore I need ongoing treatment costs to be met by the NHS by the taxpayer, thank you very much.' The former charity worker adds: 'So, I receive around 2,300 per month undisputable [SIC] money and that pays for my lifestyle out here in Thailand.' Matthews then goes on to share tips that could help others in similar situations claim for such benefits and how to avoid attending UK-based meetings. Prior to her apparent incarceration, she says she lived in a one-bedroom bungalow with 'rent and bills paid for by the British benefit system'. In another video though, she claims she lives in a two-bed 'villa on private land with a communal pool and 24h security'. According to the UK Government's website, Gov.co.uk, British citizens living overseas 'may still be able to claim some benefits', saying 'what youre entitled to depends on where youre going and how long for'. Thailand isn't listed among the countries that currently have a UK benefits arrangement. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail last year, she said: 'Leaving Cairo behind was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But I had no choice because I'm the victim of an online hate campaign that is making me out to be a bad mother. 'I would never allow him to be passed around suffering in UK care. He has the right to a safe childhood.' Recalling her time in a Thai prison she said: 'The conditions were horrific. There were hundreds of women and children crammed into filthy rooms, forced to sleep on bare floors without mattresses. 'Toilets overflowed, disease spread unchecked, and children were locked indoors for 24 hours a day, with just 35 minutes outside per week. 'My son saw things no toddler should ever see - fights, violent breakdowns, and abuse. Around 30 per cent of detainees were mentally disabled. 'They were often beaten and left handcuffed to the bars for days at a time. Cairo refused to eat prison food and regressed to full breastfeeding. 'At one point, I even breastfed another starving child because there was no other way to keep them alive.' She added: 'Children were malnourished, untreated, and left in despair. Cairo lost weight, regressed developmentally, and became traumatised. 'After his eventual release, he was diagnosed with multiple illnesses and needed medical treatment.' She also added that original TikToks which drew so much attention 'were just a joke' and she 'never got any UK benefits while in Thailand, not a single penny'. She said: 'I can understand why people were angry and upset about them which is why there's not a lot of sympathy for me. But I was just lying in my videos to get more followers and make some money from my TikTok account. It was all a big hoax, that's all.' She added: 'Most of the time I was just sharing about my life on TikTok that showed me cooking, cleaning, raising my son, and talking openly about the harassment I was facing. 'Yes, before jail I made some 'rage bait' videos, but my genuine accounts always showed our reality. Those truths were twisted and weaponised by stalkers hiding behind fake profiles.' When she returned to the UK, Matthews posted a number of videos on social media sharing other vivid details of her time in detention. In one video she reveals: 'Imagine being locked in a filthy foreign jail with your three-year-old baby. That was me and my son Cairo. There was no beds no toys just a concrete floor that my three-year-old cried to sleep on every night while I was fighting people to protect him. 'We were trapped inside Thailand's immigration detention centre sleeping in filth amongst cockroaches and rats. There was mothers breast feeding on the bare floor no nappies no formula no medical care. 'Some children were malnourished, and the disabled children were abandoned.' Matthews has also posted other more bizarre videos in one filming herself feasting on a mixed grill while in another showing off an egg and sausage boil she made. Her posts have been met with mixed comments, with one claiming: 'The way she just leaves her son in another country and forgets about him and acts like she's still relevant.' Another fumed: 'Disgusting,' while one stated: 'You literally pay 500 baht per day overstay fine. You didn't pay the fine and let your go through that. Wild.' But others have been sympathetic to her plight, with one comment saying: 'So glad you are OK and I hope the wee man is ok too xx.' Another added: 'Was so unfair what happened to you both all coz of spiteful cruel people.' The TikToker, who has listed her former employment as being a charity worker, appeared on an episode of Judge Rinder, the reality show that launched the career of TV barrister Robert Rinder, before she fled the UK. In the episode, she told the reality TV programme that she'd been awarded 6million after she was let down by Lancashire local authorities in childhood. There's no record of her ever being awarded compensation from the local authority. She said: 'I was raised by the local authority and the case was brought to them for negligence and damages and failure to provide a safe environment. Numerous placements, numerous schools...' Matthews says her mother was the subject of 'constant drug raids and was in and out of prison' and that she lived in 130 homes when she was a child. She told the programme that she endured one particularly traumatic incident where she was locked in a cupboard under the stairs with a drug user who 'had overdosed in our house'. Another recent post saw her say that she doesn't love the children she's left behind in the UK, because 'they're not a part of my life', before she adds: 'I consider them surrogacies.' British journalist Steve Sweeney and his camera man Ali Rida were wounded in an Israeli missile attack in southern Lebanon whilst reporting live on air. The Beirut-based English-language Russia Today correspondent was wearing his press vest as he reported on Hezbollah rocket attacks in Nahariya, Israel, today. However, the sound of an approaching missile made him momentarily freeze up before ducking just in time to dodge the missile before it exploded on the ground just behind them. The force of the blast threw Mr Sweeney and Mr Rida to the ground with the pair groaning in pain after suffering minor injuries from the shrapnel. Another man can be heard shouting something in the distance, with a panicked Mr Sweeney frantically responding: 'Where? Where? Where?' Both men remained conscious but were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. They were reportedly in front of the Al-Qasmiya bridge in southern Lebanon, close to a local military installation, when an Israeli aircraft launched the missile towards the spot they were filming in. Mr Sweeney and Mr Rida have alleged the strike was deliberate and 'an attempt to silence' them, insisting they were clearly identifiable as media, wearing uniforms marked with press insignia in daylight. British journalist Steve Sweeney and his camera man Ali Rida were wounded in an Israeli missile attack in southern Lebanon whilst reporting live on air The force of the blast threw Mr Sweeney and Mr Rida to the ground with the pair groaning in pain after suffering minor injuries from the shrapnel They were reportedly in front of the Al-Qasmiya bridge in southern Lebanon, close to a local military installation, when an Israeli aircraft launched the missile towards the spot they were filming in Targeting clearly identified members of the press is a war crime under international humanitarian law, but it is currently unknown whether or not the strike was deliberate. The strike came hours after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) warned they would be striking bridges over the Litani River to eliminate 'Hezbollah movements under civilian cover'. It is unclear whether or not the Al-Qasmiya bridge was one of the bridges they had planned to attack. Israeli air raids have killed at least four people in southern Lebanon today with dozens reported dead across the war-torn country in the last two days. NATO jets have been scrambled to fend off a Russian warplane that entered Estonian airspace. The violation occurred near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, off Estonia's northern coast, where a Russian SU-30 fighter aircraft entered Estonian airspace and remained for around one minute, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on Thursday. 'There was no threat to Estonia's security,' he added. NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission responded swiftly, deploying Italian Air Force units, according to Tsahkna. It was the first time this year that a Russian aircraft has violated Estonian airspace, Tsahkna said. Estonia summoned the acting head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tallinn in protest at Wednesday's incident, the foreign ministry said. The Russian embassy in Estonia did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters via phone and email. Several politicians have responded to Russia's violation. SU-30 fighter jets are intercepted over the Baltic Sea (file picture) Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal wrote on X: 'Russia's pattern does not change. 'Nato works. Our skies are monitored, protected and defended at all times.' Riho Terras, the former chief of Estonian Defence Forces, wrote: 'Allies reacted, and there was no threat to Estonia's security. 'Every such violation, now and in the future, must be met with a firm and consistent response.' In September last year, Estonia said three Russian military jets violated the Baltic country's airspace in an 'unprecedentedly brazen' incursion, while Russia's Defence Ministry rejected the claim as false. Tallin said at the time that three MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and stayed there for a total of 12 minutes. Alliance duty warplanes - Italian F-35s - were scrambled to repel the Russian war planes. 'Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which is unacceptable in itself, but today's violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen,' said Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna after the incident last September. 'Russia's ever-increasing testing of borders and aggressiveness must be responded to by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure.' Czech president Petr Pavel warned at the time that NATO must be ready to respond firmly to Russian airspace violations, even if that means shooting down their planes. Pavel said the organisation should act decisively to stop any breach of allied skies and make clear there are consequences for crossing the line. He said: 'Russia will realise very quickly that they have made a mistake and crossed the acceptable boundaries. Unfortunately, this is teetering on the edge of conflict, but giving in to evil is simply not an option.' The September violation into Estonian airspace came after Moscow's unprecedented intrusion into both Polish and Romanian airspace in the space of just a few days, triggering condemnation from NATO. Two Russian Air Force MiG-31 fighter jets fly above Moscow (file picture) Between 19 and 23 drones entered Polish airspace on September 9 in an unprecedented intrusion of the country's territory, with NATO scrambling a multinational force of jets to shoot several down. Meanwhile in February of this year, five Russian war planes were spotted heading towards Alaska. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said on February 20 it detected and tracked multiple Russian military aircrafts operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) off Alaska. NORAD said it responded by launching two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3, and four KC-135s to intercept, positively identify, and escort the aircraft. The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace, NORAD said, adding that the aircraft were escorted until they departed the Alaskan ADIZ. NORAD said Russian aircrafts are regularly seen in the ADIZ, and the activity is 'not seen as a threat'. House Democrats furiously staged a walkout of Attorney General Pam Bondi's closed-door briefing to update lawmakers on the Jeffrey Epstein files. They claimed that President Donald Trump's top Justice Department officials did not follow proper form, provided no real insights into the investigation, and alleged Bondi did not honor the panel's subpoena. At least two Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee called the exercise on Wednesday evening 'fake.' Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with members of the committee on Capitol Hill. But less than an hour after the meeting started, Democrats stormed out of the room. Ranking member Robert Garcia of California told reporters that Bondi was not under oath, did not provide an opening statement and did not commit to honoring the subpoena. 'It's outrageous, it's infuriating and it continues this White House cover-up of the Epstein files. We're not going to take that anymore,' Garcia said, before calling the session a 'fake hearing.' Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida, a progressive Democrat, echoed Garcia by calling the ordeal a 'fake deposition where no one can see what's going on.' He noted how there was no C-SPAN feed or cameras for the closed-door meeting. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee stormed out of a closed-door session with Attorney General Pam Bondi and her Deputy AG Todd Blanche Democrat ranking member Robert Garcia called it a 'fake hearing' and told reporters Bondi was not under oath, did not provide an opening statement and did not commit to honoring the subpoena for next month The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Bondi for her testimony regarding the DOJ's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein The Justice Department referred the Daily Mail to Bondi and Blanche's public remarks rebuking the Democrat walkout. Bondi, speaking with reporters after the short sit-down on Wednesday, said: 'We came at their convenience. We gave them, really, as much time as they wanted.' She said one congresswoman refused to ask questions as she 'screamed' about the lack of C-SPAN coverage. The walkout is just the latest in a continuation of rising tensions between the DOJ's handling of the Epstein case. It came just a day after Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky subpoenaed Bondi to testify about Epstein next month. Comer said the walkout was likely 'premeditated' and part of a 'political game' Democrats are playing. 'They came out, clutching their pearls, complaining that she wasn't answering questions,' he said on Wednesday. 'The first three people to ask questions, all they did was complain.' AG Pam Bondi said that Democratic lawmakers in the closed session were not happy with the lack of C-SPAN coverage of the meeting and refused to ask questions in that setting Bondi promised to release all DOJ files related to Epstein and his sex trafficking crimes. Pictures is Epstein and his longtime girlfriend and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell Democrats are demanding answers from Bondi regarding potential links between Epstein and the late financier Join the discussion Should closed-door political briefings like this be made public? Comer and Democratic Representative Summer Lee of Pennsylvania also both admitted to a verbal argument between them during the short session. Lee said that she asked Comer if he would hold Bondi in contempt of Congress if she doesn't comply with a subpoena for testimony next month. She claimed that Comer accused her of 'bitching.' For his part, Comer told reporters that the interaction was just Lee 'complaining about the format.' Later on X he defended his comments to Lee, saying: 'I said Democrats were bitching and wasting everyone's time because Democrats were bitching and wasting everyone's time.' Bondi, asked if she would comply with the subpoena, said after the briefing she would 'follow the law.' Do you know more? Email nic.white@dailymail.com A wallet belonging to a missing American student has been found floating off a beach near where he disappeared during a trip to Spain. James 'Jimmy' Gracey, 20, a junior at the University of Alabama, was holidaying for spring break visiting friends studying abroad in Barcelona. He was last seen on Tuesday about 3am local time at beachfront nightclub Shoko, according to his mother Therese Gracey. What happened to Gracey after he was separated from his friends at the club is still unknown, but police found his wallet floating in the water off Somorrostro Beach. The popular beach is right outside Shoko next to one of two major marinas in central Barcelona, and investigators theorized he may have entered the water. Police boats and divers were later seen searching the area along with a helicopter and drones, but police said no further clues were found. Gracey's Theta Chi fraternity brother Cavin McLay said he wanted to stay longer at Shoko and became separated from the group. He was never seen again. Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, said it could not rule out foul play after discovering Gracey left the nightclub with a stranger. James 'Jimmy' Gracey, 20, a junior at the University of Alabama, disappeared while holidaying for spring break visiting friends studying abroad in Barcelona. He was last seen at the beachfront nightclub Shoko (pictured at the club that night) The popular beach is right outside Shoko next to one of two major marinas in central Barcelona, and investigators theorized he may have entered the water Security camera footage reviewed by police showed him leaving Shoko with another person, but investigators have not yet identified them. Gracey was seen talking to a young brown-haired American woman at the nightclub, but it was unclear if she was the same person he left with. A witness also told police they saw a young man walking towards the sea on the beach adjacent to the nightclub. Police searched the Airbnb where Gracey was staying and interviewed the friends he was sharing the holiday rental with and others he was with that night. Therese said police found her son's phone when they arrested someone, but cops had shared very few details with the family. 'What we've put together is that his phone was stolen and the police just happened to pick the guy who stole it up,' she wrote online. She claimed that law enforcement had discovered Gracey's phone 'when they searched the guy.' Police have not clarified whether the person who had the phone was arrested in connection with Gracey's disappearance, or the phone was discovered by chance when he was detained for something else. How the man got the phone and whether he took it from Gracey or found it, is unclear. Gracey is a junior at the University of Alabama who was visiting friends that are studying abroad Gracey's last appearance was around 3am local time at the nightclub Shoko, according to his mother Therese issued an urgent plea for help in the search for her missing son in a Facebook post. 'The police have his phone but he never made it back to his Airbnb,' she wrote, pleading with anyone who may have seen him to contact her. Gracey was wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants, likely joggers, as well as a gold chain with a rhinestone cross when he disappeared. Gracey's father, Taras, has already traveled to Barcelona to search for his son and Therese will likely join him soon. His uncle is David Gracey, a CNN senior producer in Washington, and he is the eldest of Taras and Therese's five children. Gracey's family said it was 'deeply concerned' about his his disappearance, which was out of character for the responsible young man. 'Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends,' they said in a statement. 'We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. 'We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely.' Police boats and divers were later seen searching the area along with a helicopter and drones, but police said no further clues were found Gracey's friends rallied to help finding him, handing out flyers on the beach and asking anyone if they had seen him Shoko is a bustling beachfront nightclub along Barcelona's La Barceloneta seaside neighborhood, known for its Mediterranean views and popular among locals and visitors. It has been ranked the seventh best nightclub in the world by Nightlife International. Gracey was staying at an Airbnb on Ronda de Sant Pere, one of the city's main roads. The distance from Shoko to his tourist apartment is roughly 3km (1.8 miles). He never made it back from the club, his mother said. 'We are conducting the initial checks and have taken a report in an open investigation,' police said. 'A call was received early yesterday morning, around 1am, reporting a possible disappearance. 'The disappearance was reported to have occurred on March 17, 2026, at 3am, in the Port Olympic area.' Shoko said it did not have any additional information about Gracey's whereabouts. Gracey was in Amsterdam over the weekend and arrived in Barcelona on Monday morning, according to family members. Gracey was elected onto the Theta Chi fraternity's University of Alabama executive board as a chaplain in October Family members said Gracey had been in Amsterdam over the weekend and got to Barcelona on Monday morning He is from the Elmhurst suburb of Chicago, Illinois, but attends the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he is part of the Theta Chi fraternity. McLay said he learned that Gracey was missing from a friend the next morning after Gracey didn't come back to the Aitbnb. 'My heart sank to my stomach. It's definitely not a good text to wake up to,' he told NBC. 'First thoughts were, hopefully he just lost his phone and tried making his way back on his own.' McLay said about 10 people in the group were in Barcelona right now, visiting a few fraternity members who were studying abroad. He said there was nothing out of the ordinary at the nightclub and no reason for any of the holidaymakers to fear for their safety. 'It's tough. We're doing everything we can to keep our heads up and remain hopeful that we find him safe, but it's a tough time. And, you know, we're scared,' he told WVMTM. Gracey's disappearance is being investigated by Catalonia's police force, known as the Mossos d'Esquadra A post from November said Gracey had been elected onto the fraternity's executive board as a chaplain. Gracey wrote on LinkedIn that he was looking forward to 'leading with integrity, promoting a values-based culture and supporting the personal and spiritual growth of the chapter'. The missing student's friends rallied to help finding him, handing out flyers on the beach and asking anyone if they had seen him. The University of Alabama confirmed Gracey was a student on a personal trip. 'UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible,' it said. California Congressman Kevin Kiley has been stripped of his committee assignments after changing his party registration. Kiley shockingly resigned from the GOP to run as an Independent after recent boundary changes forced him into a blue-leaning Sacramento district. His switch means Republicans now hold 217 seats compared with Democrats' 214, with three vacancies. Kiley is the only Independent in the House. It puts the GOP in a precarious position as they struggle to maintain their tiny majority in the House. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Kiley noted that the removal was 'completely expected' and that he looked 'forward to being reappointed as an Independent.' To return to his seats on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and the Workforce, and Judiciary committees, Kiley must be reappointed by the House Republican Steering Committee. Louisiana Republican Steve Scalise, the House Majority Leader, told reporters Wednesday that Kiley's removal from the committees was 'a temporary thing' and that members could look at reinstating him at a later date. The change was triggered under existing House rules. Kiley switched his party registration earlier this month, filing for reelection with 'No Party Preference.' He still plans to caucus and vote with Republicans. Kevin Kiley and his wife Chelsee Gardner Kiley with his wife at the White House Representative Kevin Kiley, a California Independent, speaks to reporters at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, on March 18, 2026 'As an elected representative, I've always seen my role as being an independent voice for our community, holding politicians in Sacramento and Washington accountable to serve my constituents. I answer to you, not party leaders,' Kiley noted at the time. 'That's the kind of representation I believe the newly-drawn Sixth District deserves. It is no secret I've been frustrated, at times disgusted, by the hyper-partisanship in Congress,' he continued. 'In the last year, it's led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a massive increase in healthcare costs, and of course, a pointless redistricting war. The epidemic of gerrymandering has spread from Texas to California to states all across the country. Both parties are complicit,' he also noted while filing to run for reelection. California voters approved Prop 50, the state's mid-decade redistricting ballot measure championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, last November. The gerrymandered lines were drawn to affect five seats presently held by Republicans. A warehouse worker sacked for faking a bad back after his boss found videos of him 'dancing' as a reggae DJ has won over 30,000 in compensation. Neil Wilson, also known by his stage name Reggae Vibes, was awarded the payout after facing accusations he defrauded insurers while being off sick from his day job. Mr Wilson, a part-time music producer, had been on sick leave from his full-time job at a warehouse for 15 months due to a bad back, a tribunal heard. He said his back pain made it difficult to conduct certain tasks at his workplace, plastic piping company Aliaxis UK Limited, where he had been employed since February 2021. However, after bosses at the company saw videos of Mr Wilson 'singing and swaying,' they became suspicious that he was healthy and defrauding their insurance company. The firm ultimately decided against claiming fraud as they 'didn't want for him potentially to be taken down a criminal route.' Instead, Mr Wilson was fired for being too sick to work. Now, Mr Wilson has won 30,682 in damages after an employment tribunal found he was unfairly dismissed. Warehouse worker Neil Wilson (pictured), who was sacked for faking a bad back after his boss found videos of him 'dancing,' has won over 30,000 in compensation Mr Wilson (pictured) often performs in videos for social media and goes by the stage name Reggae Vibes Suspicions were raised against Mr Wilson (picured) after his boss saw pictures and music videos of him on social media, including two music videos uploaded from a funeral he attended in Jamaica The tribunal, which took place in Ashford, Kent, ruled that while he was 'moving rhythmically from foot to foot,' Mr Wilson was not 'in any meaningful sense, dancing.' It heard that Mr Wilson, a warehouse operative, had told his boss about his back pain in 2022, and that in March of that year, had to leave work early after an accident that 'caused him so much pain that he was reduced to tears.' Following that, Mr Wilson was asked to fill out a manual handling risk assessment where it was noted he had pain 'approximately one hour after rising.' Mr Wilson also alleged to have sleeping difficulties around the same time and at times, struggled with walking. He was subsequently signed off sick in May 2022. As part of the application to get a company insurance payout, Mr Wilson had said: 'I cannot perform any action which requires lifting of weight or stretching exerting my body in any manner or I feel a lot of pain.' However, when boss Joanne Askham checked Mr Wilson's social media posts, she was 'very concerned' by what she came across. The tribunal heard that photographs of Mr Wilson showed him on lying on a beach, leaning on a railing and drinking, indicating he was not 'in any particular pain.' Suspicions were raised again after two music videos from January 2023 showed Mr Wilson moving, and two more music videos were uploaded from a funeral he attended in Jamaica shortly thereafter. When Mr Wilson's (pictured) boss checked his social media posts, she was 'very concerned' by what she came across The tribunal concluded that Mr Wilson (pictured) had been unfairly dismissed because Aliaxis UK had not considered reinstating his insurance payments once it concluded he was unfit to work As such, Ms Ashkan concluded Mr Wilson was a 'fraudster,' and cancelled his insurance payments. She met with Mr Wilson in March 2023, where he was told that a review of his social media posts showed him 'moving around freely.' He was told: 'You have been seen walking quickly and freely and it doesn't appear that you are in discomfort. 'You have posted images of yourself whilst away and have been dancing and walking around. You were observed coming off a long-haul flight and collecting your case.' Aliaxis UK did not, however, pursue any fraud claims against Mr Wilson and instead informed him in June 2023 he was fired, as they did not believe his condition would improve enough for him to return to work. In May 2025, Mr Wilson took the case to tribunal. The panel concluded that he had been unfairly dismissed because Aliaxis UK had not considered reinstating his insurance payments once it concluded he was unfit to work. It also said Mr Wilson was not given adequate opportunity to refute the allegations facing him. Mr Wilson, who earned a salary of 24,347, was awarded 12,826 for his dismissal, 13,000 for injury to feelings and nearly 5,000 in interest. After viewing one of the videos that prompted initial suspicions, Employment Judge Sean Jones said: 'It was suggested to him that the video showed him 'moving freely.' 'He seems to us to be moving rhythmically from foot to foot. He is not, in any meaningful sense, dancing. 'He is not moving energetically or particularly exerting himself. He is not having to bend over or lift anything. Putting it at its highest, you could not tell from the video that this was someone who was suffering from a long-term problem with back pain. 'The Tribunal concludes that [Mr Wilson's] dismissal was unfair. 'It was not open to [Aliaxis UK Limited] to dismiss on grounds of capability without exploring whether in the light of its conclusion that [Mr Wilson] was unfit for work, payments from the insurer should be reinstated. 'Alternatively giving [Mr Wilson] a proper opportunity to understand and meet the allegations and putting them before [a] doctor. 'The effect of dismissal would then have been to disentitle [Mr Wilson] from the financial support at precisely the moment it was needed and within the period covered by the insurance terms.' Nigel Farage today told a heckler 'you need a haircut, mate' as protesters interrupted Reform UK's conference in Scotland. As the demonstrator was taken out of the event in Renfrewshire on Thursday afternoon, Mr Farage shouted after them: 'Oh have a look - you need a haircut, mate. 'You need a haircut, yeah you do. Wow. Go back to work. No, sorry, you haven't got a job, have you? 'Well, there you are, those that don't work have plenty of time to come and protest don't they?' It came ahead of a speech in which Mr Farage predicted Reform will become the official opposition at Holyrood after the Scottish Parliament elections. Appearing alongside Reform's Scottish leader Malcolm Offord, who defected from the Tories last year, Mr Farage helped launch his party's manifesto for the 7 May contest. He accused Reform's opponents in Scotland of having 'Offord derangement syndrome' in a reference to the 'Trump derangement syndrome' attack used by some supporters of the US President. 'Scottish politics up until this point has been very, very hostile to any other voice,' Mr Farage said. Nigel Farage today told a heckler 'you need a haircut, mate' as protesters interrupted Reform UK's conference in Scotland As the demonstrator was taken out of the event in Renfrewshire on Thursday afternoon, Mr Farage shouted after them: 'Oh have a look - you need a haircut, mate. Appearing alongside Reform's Scottish leader Malcolm Offord, who defected from the Tories last year, Mr Farage helped launch his party's manifesto for the 7 May contest The Reform leader added: 'They may go on being hostile to our voice but you know something now, they can't stop us. 'And I'll be here with you repeatedly, supporting our candidates, supporting Malcolm, supporting this campaign, between now and May 7.' As Mr Trump's war in Iran continues to push up global oil and gas prices, Mr Farage blamed the UK's high energy costs on the 'lunacy' of shutting down new oil and gas fields in the North Sea. Railing against Net Zero, the Reform leader said the UK was 'committing economic harakiri in the name of saving the planet'. Speaking about other political parties, he said: 'They all agree on Net Zero. They all agree on their own great virtues. 'Well, we agree in opening up the North Sea, getting Scotland working again, getting Scotland cheaper energy. 'And you know what, after this election we're the only ones that will deliver good, plain, common sense and a better way of life to everybody.' Lord Offord, a former Conservative minister who quit the House of Lords in order to stand in this year's Holyrood elections, said Scotland had to 'rebalance' its economy. He said too many Scots were on welfare and suggested that half a million people on social security should be in employment. Lord Offord added he would cut taxes in Scotland to make them lower than England's, at a cost of 2 billion, without any cuts to frontline services. He said Scotland would have the most competitive tax regime in the UK under a Reform government. The millionaire businessman told the event he wanted to use the 'drive and ambition' he had in his personal life to make Scotland a success. A father paid a friend to take a DNA test in a bid to avoid paying child maintenance fees for a baby he had with an ex-girlfriend, a court has heard. Former soldier Gareth Lloyd, 59, told his former partner, 'it's not mine, get rid', before asking Phillip Jones, 61, to give a sample at a clinic in Cardiff. Lloyd had been in a relationship with the woman between 2012 and 2018 and she fell pregnant. The mother did not tell Lloyd about the child's birth until 2023, when she made an application to the Child Maintenance Service naming him as the father. He strongly denied this was the case, refused to take a DNA test and even went as far as to claim he had no idea who the mother was. But when he was made subject to a Deduction of Earnings Order, the Cardiff resident agreed to give a sample. Prosecutor Harry Dickens told Cardiff Crown Court that the result of the DNA test was negative, though Lloyd's former partner refuted this claim, sparking an investigation. It transpired that the sample was actually given by Lloyd's friend Jones. Former soldier Gareth Lloyd (pictured), 59, paid a friend to take a DNA test in a bid to avoid paying child maintenance fees for a baby he had with an ex-girlfriend, a court has heard He enlisted the help of Phillip Jones, 61, who gave a sample at a clinic in Llandaff claiming to be Lloyd (pictured, left, with Jones on the right) Staff at the clinic in Llandaff, Cardiff, did not recognise Lloyd when they were shown a photo, with analysis of his phone revealing that he had communicated with Jones in the days before the test. It was also found that Jones's phone had been in the vicinity of the clinic on the day his sample was given. Both men were ordered to take further tests, which revealed that Jones had indeed given a sample claiming to be his friend. He was arrested at his home on May 30, 2025, and admitted involvement. Lloyd was arrested at a later date after returning home from the Middle East, where he works, and gave 'no comment' answers in his interview. Mr Dickens said the potential loss to the Child Maintenance Service and the victims was in the region of 12,426. Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud. Jones has six previous convictions of a dissimilar nature, while Lloyd is of previous good character. Owen Williams, for Lloyd, said he was 'deeply remorseful and ashamed' and has paid back more than 10,000 of the amount defrauded, and was said to now have a relationship with his daughter. Lloyd was also said to have served in the military for 35 years on tours in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq Lloyd was also said to have served in the military for 35 years on tours in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq. Cora Sorenson, for Jones, argued that her client could be dealt with by a suspended sentence. Judge Vanessa Francis told Lloyd: 'You were only thinking of yourself, not about your former partner, not about the child you fathered, not about the honour you had lived in through your adult life by serving your country.' She added: 'It's apparent as someone who has served alongside Mr Lloyd and lived for many years out of trouble, you thought no more about this than you were supporting him - you were acting totally dishonourably. 'This was totally contrary to the man you had been by serving your country.' Lloyd was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. Jones was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. Iran's military claimed a symbolic victory on Thursday as it aired footage purporting to show a US F-35 stealth fighter being struck by anti-aircraft artillery. A black and white video shows what appears to be a US jet being hit by a missile before the footage abruptly ends. It would mark the first time an American F-35 has been successfully struck by enemy fire in combat. US Central Command confirmed that the fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing while 'flying a combat mission over Iran.' 'The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,' Captain Tim Hawkins said. It is unclear if the pilot, who landed at a US base in the Middle East, was injured. Less than an hour later, Donald Trump told reporters that Iran's anti-aircraft weaponry was eliminated, adding: 'Nobody is even shooting at us.' The purported hit on the $100 million state-of-the-art fighter jet comes at a perilous moment in the war as Trump criticized Israel last night over strikes on an Iranian gas field that set the Gulf ablaze, sparking retaliatory strikes on America's Arab allies. Iran's barrage continued Thursday as drones struck a major oil refinery in Haifa, Israel, sparking yet more market turmoil. US crude rocketed by 4.9 percent, while Brent crude - the global benchmark - spiked as high as $118 per barrel, up more than 60 percent since the start of the war. A black and white video shows what appears to be a US jet being hit by a missile before the footage abruptly ends. It would mark the first time an American F-35 has been successfully struck by enemy fire in combat Less than an hour after the jet was hit, Donald Trump told reporters that Iran's anti-aircraft weaponry was eliminated, adding: 'Nobody is even shooting at us' This marks the first time an American F-35 has been successfully struck by enemy fire in combat A pair of US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft are seen on board the US Navy's USS Tripoli (LHA-7) amphibious assault ship during a port call at the Port Area in Manila on September 27, 2022 As the war entered its 19th day, Iran launched multiple assaults at crucial Gulf oil refineries and closed a Saudi oil port on the Red Sea. The Trump administration continues to claim the war is a resounding success. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a press conference at the Pentagon earlier that Iran's air defenses had been completely 'flattened' by US-Israeli strikes. General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that US forces continue to attack deeper into Iranian territory, with warplanes hunting Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz and helicopters striking Iranian drones. Caine said the US military has also dropped 5,000-pound bombs on underground weapon-storage facilities. But as the pair addressed reporters at the Pentagon, images on TV screens showed smoke billowing over oil and gas depots across the region, sparking panic on Wall Street. A vessel was set ablaze off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and another damaged off Qatar, while an Iranian drone smashed into a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea, which the country had been hoping to use as an alternative exit route. After the latest Iranian barrage, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen admitted the electricity grid in northern Israel sustained some damage. He said crews had restored electricity to some areas and were working to restore it in others. Israel targeted one of Iran's critical gas fields in the South Pars on Wednesday Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine arrive for a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on March 19 Hegseth told reporters that the US military 'controls the fate' of Iran. 'Iran has the ability to make the right choices,' he said, adding that Tehran 'should not, going forward, target Arab allies, Arab countries, trying to create pain, the pain that they created themselves.' The Trump administration has cited various war objectives, including degrading Iran's missile capabilities and its nuclear program. Killing senior leaders has also been a priority for the US and Israel. Hegseth suggested that more leaders could be targeted, referring specifically to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij force, a powerful internal security unit whose leader was killed by Israel earlier this week. 'The last job anyone in the world wants right now, senior leader for the IRGC or Basij, temp jobs, all of them,' Hegseth said. Among the Iranian energy facilities hit in recent days was the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex. There were no injuries and the plant suffered no damage, the International Atomic Energy Agency said. Israel said Thursday it struck Iranian targets in the Caspian Sea for the first time. Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said the strikes hit dozens of targets, including ships, a shipyard and a command center. The Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, a senior administration official says. Join the discussion Does this increase the risk of wider conflict? An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, taxies on the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Wednesday American sailors observing as an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 31, approaches the flight deck of the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), during Operation Epic Fury Hegseth holds a briefing with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, March 19 An Israeli Air Force AH-64 Apache attack helicopter fires rockets while flying along the border between northern Israel and southern Lebanon on Wednesday The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. Israel targeted one of Iran's critical gas fields in the South Pars on Wednesday. With some 80 percent of all power generated in Iran coming from natural gas, according to the International Energy Agency, the attack directly threatens the country's electricity supplies. Natural gas is also used to supply household heating and cooking across the Islamic Republic. 'Israel's target selection in this war has heavily focused on the institutions, leaders and infrastructure,' the New York-based Soufan Center said in a research note. 'It now seeks to inflict additional pressure on the regime by making the living conditions for civilians intolerable.' Iran condemned the strike on South Pars, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of 'uncontrollable consequences' that 'could engulf the entire world.' In a Truth Social post on Wednesday night, Trump accused Israel of 'lashing out in anger' and claimed that the US 'knew nothing of the attack' which resulted in the bombing of Arab energy sites. Trump has previously asked Israel to refrain from strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure amid growing concern over soaring oil prices as he faces crucial midterm elections in November. America's Arab allies were furious at Israel's attack and the US failure to prevent it. A US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, flies over Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), during Operation Epic Fury Smoke billowing from the Mina Petroleum facility at Salalah Port in Oman on Monday The interior of a destroyed apartment, with the Tel Aviv skyline visible in the background, following an overnight Iranian missile strike on Thursday A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Beirut's Bashoura neighborhood early on Wednesday Trump speaks to Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine as he departs the White House on March 18 Trump said that Israel would not attack South Pars again. But he warned on social media that if Iran continued striking Qatar's energy infrastructure, the US would retaliate and 'massively blow up the entirety' of the field. 'I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran,' Trump said on social media. More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed during the war. Israeli strikes against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon have displaced more than 1 million people - roughly 20 percent of the population - according to the Lebanese government, which says more than 1,000 people have been killed. Israel says it has killed more than 500 Hezbollah militants. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. Four people were also killed in the occupied West Bank overnight by an Iranian missile strike, according to officials. At least 13 US military members have been killed. Iran announced the execution of three men detained in Januarys nationwide protests, the first such sentences known to have been carried out, the judiciarys Mizan news agency reported. It is time that we copied the French and built a truly independent British nuclear bomb. It might cost a bit more or we might decide to go for something cheaper and more compact. But whats the point of a hugely expensive nuclear strike force, if we dont truly have the last word on whether to use it? Because we dont really own our own nuclear deterrent. Heres why. I wont lightly forget the day Margaret Thatcher exploded in a 150-megaton mushroom cloud because somebody had told journalists the terrible truth about Britains supposedly independent nuclear deterrent. The Trident missiles at the heart of it arent really ours. It happened in late October 1987 and for weeks afterwards it was said in the corridors of the Ministry of Defence that the Iron Lady wanted blood. Like all the best and truest stories, it was immediately officially denied. There was even a clash in Parliament about the leak during which it was rather desperately claimed that the missiles were like Calor Gas cylinders, which are swapped over when empty. This homely comparison did not alter the facts. To save money about 700million in those long-ago days we were sacrificing a key part of our nuclear deterrents independence. We were also risking British Trident missiles being caught up in some future disarmament deal between the US and Russia, concluded over our heads. For Moscow might sneer that our missiles werent even ours, just part of Washingtons arsenal. The truth was revealed by a senior civil servant. The new Trident missiles we were preparing to acquire would not actually be owned by Britain. They would merely be rented from the US. Most people know very well the difference between being a freeholder and a tenant. This was a major step down from the 1960s deal made with the US, for Polaris rockets, which we owned and maintained ourselves. Thats why this information had never been supposed to come out. The official revealed the facts to defence correspondents at the Coulport weapons depot, an ultra-secret part of the Faslane nuclear submarine base. He said: The missiles are American... were not having to buy the missiles from the Americans. Were sharing them. He added: With Polaris we own the missiles and process them in the UK. Were renting the Trident missiles. Were paying for them but were renting them, not buying them. Even more unfortunately, he compared the arrangement to leasing a car. The truth was and remains that British nuclear submarines must queue up at Kings Bay in Georgia to hand over Trident missiles for maintenance. Then they must be given fresh ones by the US. This is not really independent. For what if an American president became so cold and hostile towards us that he blocked the arrangement, leaving our Trident submarines empty and defanged? In 1987, few could conceive of such a president. It is not so difficult now. What if an American president became so hostile towards us that he blocked our arrangement, leaving our Trident submarines defanged? In 1987, few could conceive of such a president... A 1987 scandal revealed our new Trident missiles would not be owned by Britain, but merely be rented from the US. (Pictured: A Trident missile is test-launched from a US Navy submarine) Remember, Britains nuclear arsenal was originally built to tell the US where to get off. In 1946 our tough Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, came back from America furious at the way he had been bullied by his opposite number, James Byrnes. He growled, during a key Cabinet committee: Weve got to have this... I dont mind for myself, but I dont want any other Foreign Secretary of this country to be talked to or at by a Secretary of State in the United States as I have just had in my discussions with Mr Byrnes. Weve got to have this thing over here whatever it costs... Weve got to have the bloody Union Jack on top of it. He won the debate. The Bomb was built. Since then, thanks to technological failures, American changes of mind and economic crises, that Union Jack has got a bit faded and tattered. Rather than reassert our sovereignty, British politicians have preferred to conceal our lack of it. The 1987 row, which for many reasons is seared on my memory, is largely forgotten now because soon afterwards the Soviet Union collapsed, and the fear of a Third World War receded. And by the time Labour came into power in 1997, the party that had in the previous decade been so crammed with nuclear disarmers was now totally relaxed about the bomb. I have always thought that they only ever objected to our nuclear weapons because they were aimed at Communist Moscow. As soon as Moscow was no longer Communist, they couldnt care less. But now the issue is much wider. Britain has spent a tremendous fortune on making its own Bomb, and keeping alive the capacity to do so. It has spent a second fortune on building and running the submarines that carry that bomb and a third fortune on first buying Polaris and then leasing Trident, the missiles to deliver that bomb. In a world that is more nervous and dangerous every day, it would be crazy to throw away what we have. But it might make sense to ensure that, from now on, our deterrent is all ours. Our columnist envies 'the gigantic silent black bulk of the French ballistic missile submarine Le Temeraire', pictured here at Ile Longue base in Brittany The Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey made this point at the weekend and he deserves credit for it. The two main parties have long ago stopped thinking about the issue, and new thought is badly needed. I felt rather jealous a few days ago when film emerged of Frances President Macron standing in a vast hangar at Ile Longue in Brittany, with the gigantic silent black bulk of the French ballistic missile submarine Le Temeraire below and behind him. Before singing La Marseillaise a cappella with hundreds of men and women from the French military, he proclaimed simply: To be free, we must be feared. And to be feared, we must be strong, which is the basis of good defence in any language. By contrast to our American-equipped nuclear missile submarines, with their rented rockets, Le Temeraire and the rest of her Triomphant class carry 16 M51 missiles that are entirely designed, tested and built in France. The same goes for their warheads, whereas Britains nuclear warheads are, let us say politely, very closely based on US designs. The French submarines are backed up by a squadron of Rafale fighter-bombers which can deliver nuclear bombs, a capacity Britain gave up in 1998. They now also carry air-launched nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. Frances nuclear Force de Dissuasion is not subject to any command outside France, not even Nato. The French President alone decides when and where to use it. Yes, the French force is significantly more costly than ours. But as a result it is surely a much more persuasive deterrent. And the giant price of retaining and renewing Trident, said by some to be as much as 205billion, is a lot to pay for a system whose on-switch is effectively property of the Pentagon. In any case, there is surely an argument for Britain to retain a smaller, more compact and less ambitious nuclear force than Trident which is really a scaled down superpower cold war system. Israel, which anyone must agree faces more pressing dangers than Britain does, runs a much more modest nuclear arsenal. The danger of leaving things as they are is that we may simply not be able to keep up the payments on a weapon that is not, ultimately, ours. A Metropolitan Police sergeant was sacked after he shoved a man who was facing deportation and told him he 'shouldn't be in this country'. Police Sergeant Navin Thammanna threatened the detainee with force if he did not co-operate and pushed him against a cupboard unit in a search room, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said. He also told the Asian man that he 'smelled like a junkie and shouldn't be in this country'. The man had been arrested on January 25, 2025 when police responded to a report of two men fighting. Officers found the man was subject to a deportation order and detained him before taking him into the Fresh Wharf Custody Suite in Barking, east London. It was there that Sgt Thammanna verbally abused him and made discriminatory comments, the IOPC said. The detainee was being rude and abusive to officers and was taken to the strip search room before being threatened and pushed by the sergeant, his colleagues told the watchdog. The next day, Sgt Thammanna bragged to a colleague about his use of force against the man. Officers found the man was subject to a deportation order and detained him before taking him into the Fresh Wharf Custody Suite in Barking, east London (pictured) He faced a gross misconduct hearing this week after being reported by three of his colleagues. The disciplinary panel heard he used unnecessary force on the man, as well as derogatory and discriminatory language that was found to be in breach of police standards of professional behaviour. On Tuesday the panel, appointed by the force and chaired by Commander Katie Lilburn, found all allegations against the officer were proven and that he should be dismissed without notice. He will also be placed on the policing barred list, the watchdog said. IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: 'Police officers, and especially detention officers, carry a great deal of responsibility for often some of the most vulnerable members of society. 'Ps Thammanna allowed himself to become agitated by the man who was undeniably being uncooperative. The officer was abusive, rude and used discriminatory language towards him. 'His use of discriminatory language was completely unacceptable, and he showed a complete lack of respect toward the man. It's behaviour like this which damages the public's trust and confidence in police officers. 'Police officers are permitted to use force in certain situations, however, any force used must be reasonable and proportionate. The evidence clearly showed that PS Thammanna's use of force was excessive and his actions were unacceptable. 'It was commendable that his colleagues raised this matter with their supervisor and gave evidence to support the case against Ps Thammanna. This is a good example of the disciplinary process being effective in rooting out poor officer behaviour.' A fashion heiress and her sister have lost their legal battle for the $35 million Manhattan townhouse that once belonged to Jackie Kennedy Onassis's designer. The 63rd Street Gilded Age mansion on the storied Upper East Side was officially sold for $34.5 million on Tuesday after years of wrangling in court as sisters Marianne and Peggy Nestor desperately tried to hold onto it. 'I'm suing everybody,' Marianne, the widow of Onassis' designer Oleg Cassini, told Business Insider following the sale. 'They're crooked as hell.' The home had originally been used as Cassini's design studio until 2006, when he died. The sisters' nightmare began six years ago when creditors started litigating against the home to collect the millions of dollars of debt owed in mortgages and liens. The Nestors, who are in their 80s, were evicted from the property two years ago by a bankruptcy judge after refusing to allow bankruptcy trustee Albert Togut in to sell the property, Business Insider reported. Despite the net profit of the sale being $32 million, the sisters will not have enough money to pay off their debts, the outlet said. The Nestors purchased the Upper East Side mansion in 1984. The 63rd Street Gilded Age mansion on the storied Upper East Side was officially sold for $34.5 million on Tuesday after years of messy court battles Sisters Marianne and Peggy Nestor spent years trying to save the home, but failed to do so. The home used to be Marianne's designer husband Oleg Cassini's showroom until he died. (Pictured: Oleg Cassini and Marianne Nestor at Pebble Beach, California, in June 1974) The sisters still have access to a $5 million Connecticut mansion, which Peggy purchased in 2021. However, a judge has ordered the sale of the property to settle the more than $30 million in debt. Togut called the hearing about the Gilded Age home 'miserably difficult,' saying the sisters spent years making 'frivolous appeals and objections' and created a 'litigation cloud.' It sold 20 years after Cassini's death. In an emotional phone call with Business Insider, Marianne called the court's conclusion 'totally incorrect' and 'deed fraud.' The sisters argued they could have purchased the 'rent-stabilized' home back, but the judge denied them, Business Insider reported. Marianne and Peggy also have pending cases against Togut, whom they've accused of impropriety. The sale of the Manhattan home comes eight years after Cassini's 14-bed Long Island mansion was forced to hit the market for $19.5 million. Oleg was a favorite of Jackie O and was her personal couturier at her request from 1961, and became known as Jackie's 'Secretary of Style.' Join the discussion Do YOU think the sisters were treated fairly in losing the $35m home? Cassini designed for Jackie Kennedy Onassis, creating her signature style Cassini became well known as a Hollywood costume designer in the 1940s and '50s, dressing stars like Shirley Temple, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, and Joan Crawford. Cassini transformed Kennedy into one of the most stylish women of her era, cementing her status as a fashion icon. President Donald Trump gave a stunning response when asked why he did not reveal his Iran war plans to allies during a meeting with the Japanese prime minister on Thursday. 'You don't want to signal too much... we wanted surprise,' Trump answered in the Oval Office. 'Who knows better about surprise than Japan?' he said. 'Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor!' Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pursed her lips and crossed her hands as Trump made the comments. The United States entered the Second World War after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, a US naval base in Hawaii, in December 1941. Earlier in the meeting, Takaichi had fawned over Trump with praise. They are political allies and fellow conservatives. Trump had endorsed Takaichi's 2025 run for prime minister, proudly pointing out that she's the protege of his late friend, former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. President Donald Trump made a quip about Pearl Harbor on Thursday during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takeuchi Sanae The USS Arizona sinks during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Japan's surprise attack against a US naval base brought America into the Second World War Speaking through a translator, she pointed to the situation in the Middle East and said the world was experiencing a 'very severe security environment'. 'But even against the backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world,' she said. Trump suggested that the Japanese were more amenable to helping him, as the President has called on allies to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iranian war. 'We've had tremendous support and relationship with Japan on everything, and I believe that based on statements that were given to us yesterday, the day before yesterday, having to do with Japan, they are really stepping up to the plate.' 'Unlike NATO,' the President added. Trump has been raging at NATO allies for not immediately volunteering to assist the Strait of Hormuz effort. Senator Lindsey Graham, an Iran war hawk and one of Trump's top Congressional allies, said on X earlier this week that he had never seen Trump madder than over the snub. 'I have never heard him so angry in my life,' Graham revealed. Trump holds court in the Oval Office alongside Japan's Takaichi (left) on Thursday Join the discussion Do you think comments like this affect international relations? Trump continued to complain about NATO during his meeting with the Japanese prime minister. 'In the case of NATO, they don't want to help us defend the Strait, and they're the ones that need it,' Trump said. 'But now they're getting much nicer, because they're seeing my attitude.' 'But it's, as far as I'm concerned, it's too late,' the President added. At the same time, Trump has suggested the US military doesn't need much assistance. 'We don't need much. We don't need anything, honestly, from Japan or anyone else. But I think it's appropriate that people step up,' Trump said. An experienced magistrate has been given a warning for misconduct after making a 'racist' comment on WhatsApp during a discussion about Winston Churchill. Derek Muhammad JP made the comment in a private message group during an 'intellectual discussion about the complex legacy of Winston Churchill and the colonial history of Britain'. But, another member of the group complained it was 'racially prejudiced' and left them in a state of 'distress'. Bedfordshire-based Mr Muhammad, who has been a magistrate for almost 20 years, denied the comment was racist and claimed it had actually been a 'criticism of colonial exploitation'. He added that he could not be prejudiced against people 'with whom he shares ancestry'. But, despite his protestations, Mr Muhammad has now been given formal advice for misconduct. The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) said in a statement that magistrates sign a declaration when they are appointed to 'maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times'. Social media guidance for magistrates cautions them against behaving, even in their private life, in a way which might 'reduce respect for judicial office or cast doubt on their independence, impartiality or integrity'. The comment itself was not revealed by the JCIO, nor was Mr Muhammad's heritage. An experienced magistrate has been given a warning for misconduct after making a 'racist' comment on WhatsApp during a discussion about Winston Churchill (pictured) A spokesperson for the JCIO said: 'A complaint was made by a member of the public that Mr Muhammad had made a comment in a private WhatsApp group which was perceived by the complainant to be racially prejudiced. 'The [member of the public] reported experiencing distress as a result of the comment. 'Mr Muhammad denied the comment was racist. He said it had been taken out of its context, which was a private intellectual discussion about the complex legacy of Winston Churchill and the colonial history of Britain. 'He said it was a criticism of colonial exploitation. He cited his own heritage and argued that it is not credible to suggest he harbours racial animus toward people with whom he shares ancestry. 'He cited his long, unblemished record of public service. He suggested that the complaint was vexatious and insincere.' Mr Muhammad, who is based in Bedfordshire, has not had his conduct as a magistrate questioned until now. After an investigation, a member of the South-East Region Conduct Advisory Committee found that Mr Muhammad posted the comment and that it was 'racially inappropriate as it could be interpreted as expressing a negative view of people from a particular group or background'. This was regardless of his intention or actual beliefs. The JCIO spokesperson said: 'The nominated committee member noted Mr Muhammad's failure to show remorse or awareness of how his comment could be perceived, despite being an experienced magistrate, appointed in 2007. 'However, in recommending a sanction of formal advice, the nominated committee member noted that it was a single comment posted in a private group and that Mr Muhammad did not intend to cause offence.' President Donald Trump said Thursday that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister and told him to stop attacking Iran's oil fields, a move that sent fuel prices skyrocketing. Trump was asked in the Oval Office if he had talked to Bibi after the President sent out a long-winded Truth Social post Wednesday night condemning the dramatic escalation in the Iran war. An Israeli strike had set ablaze the South Pars, with Iran retaliating against Gulf nations, including on the LNG plant in Qatar. 'Yeah, I did. I did,' Trump said, confirming a conversation with Netanyahu. 'I told them, "don't do that." And he won't do that. 'We didn't discuss, we do - we're independent, we get along great, it's coordinated, but on occasion he'll do something and if I don't like it - so we're not doing that anymore,' the President added. The Iran war already has Americans feeling pain at the pump, with gas prices up to $3.90 a gallon nationally, compared to the $2.90 a gallon it was costing before the strikes began on February 28. In his Truth Social post, Trump said the US 'knew nothing' about Israel's plans to hit South Pars, though threatened to 'massively blow up' the whole oil field if Iran were to retaliate again. 'I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar's LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so,' Trump warned. President Donald Trump (left) told reporters Thursday that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and told him to stop attacking Iranian oil fields Smoke and flames rise from the South Pars gas field following an Israeli strike, as seen through the window of a moving vehicle. The strike represented a major escalation in the war and angered the US's European and Middle Eastern allies Allies in both the Middle East and Europe were left furious over Israel's move, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling the move 'reckless.' The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada also slammed Iran on Thursday for attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. 'We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,' the joint statement read. Trump has raged against NATO - of which the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Canada are members - for not immediately offering to assist in protecting commercial ships from Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz - a major global shipping lane. His Oval Office meeting on Thursday was with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a political ally, who told the President that she believed, despite the current Iranian conflict, which Trump signed off on, only he could 'achieve peace across the world.' During their sit-down, Trump praised Japan's apparent willingness to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz. 'We've had tremendous support and relationship with Japan on everything, and I believe that based on statements that were given to us yesterday, the day before yesterday, having to do with Japan, they are really stepping up to the plate.' 'Unlike NATO,' the President added. President Donald Trump (right) hosted Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi (left) in the Oval Office on Thursday where the Iran war was much discussed He also complained of NATO: 'They don't want to help us defend the Strait, and they're the ones that need it. 'But now they're getting much nicer, because they're seeing my attitude,' he continued. 'But it's, as far as I'm concerned, it's too late.' Trump's February 28 decision to strike Iran has left some world leaders bewildered, as allies weren't informed of those plans ahead of time. In the Oval Office, a Japanese reporter asked the President why he left allies, like Japan, in the dark. To that, Trump gave a shocking response. 'You don't want to signal too much... we wanted surprise,' Trump answered in the Oval Office. 'Who knows better about surprise than Japan?' he said. 'Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor!' The Japanese attacked the Americans on December 7, 1941, at a naval base in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which brought the US into World War II. President Donald Trump has pledged not to put American boots on the ground as the Iran war spiraled with strikes on oil and gas facilities across the region. Reuters had reported Wednesday that the Trump administration was considering sending thousands more US troops to the Middle East as the US and Israel continue to target Iranian sites. Additionally, the Pentagon requested $200billion from Congress to fund the war effort. But when asked about troops on Thursday in the Oval Office while the President was meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump responded sharply: 'No, I'm not putting troops anywhere.' 'If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you,' he told the reporter. 'But I'm not putting troops and we will do whatever is necessary to keep the price low,' the President added. Thirteen US troops have been killed in the war, while more than 140 have been wounded. Americans are also feeling pain at the pump with gas prices soaring to a national average of $3.90 per gallon, compared to $2.90 before the US and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28. President Donald Trump (right) speaks alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) from the Oval Office on Thursday. Trump said that he wouldn't be sending US troops to the Middle East in a catty response to a reporter President Donald Trump (right) attended a dignified transfer Wednesday for more US troops who have been killed since the President ordered strikes on Iran on February 28 Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base for a dignified transfer on Wednesday - the second time he made the solemn trip there this month. Recent polling shows that Americans don't have an appetite for US boots on the ground in Iran, especially after Trump criticized the 'forever' wars of Iraq and Afghanistan during his 2024 presidential bid. March polling from the Daily Mail and JL Partners found that 50 percent of voters were against deploying troops. Twenty-five percent were for troop deployment, though only 12 percent strongly supported the idea. A CNN poll conducted in early March showed similar numbers, with 60 percent of respondents against the President sending ground troops. Just 12 percent were for the move. Trump's meeting with Takaichi was heavily focused on the Iran war, as the President has asked allies to help with patrolling the Strait of Hormuz - through which a fifth of the world's oil flows. Japan is one of the nations most critically exposed to Iran's strangling of the Strait, with 95 percent of all its crude oil coming from the Middle East in 2024. Vice President JD Vance (right) speaks to servicemembers based at Kentucky's Fort Campbell in November The Japanese PM, a political ally of the President's, complimented him despite saying that the world was in a 'very severe security environment.' 'But even against the backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world,' Takaichi said. Later in the meeting, Trump responded with an eye-popping comment when asked why he didn't reveal to allies his Iran war plans. 'You don't want to signal too much ... we wanted surprise,' Trump answered. 'Who knows better about surprise than Japan?' he said. 'Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor!' Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have resorted to donating blood for cash while they continue to go without pay due to the partial government shutdown. Acting Deputy TSA Administrator, Adam Stahl, told CBS Mornings that agents are 'drawing blood to afford to pay for gas to get to work' as the partial shutdown, which affects all agencies under Homeland Security (DHS), continues with no end in sight. This is the second time TSA agents have gone without pay due to a shutdown, and they've already missed one full paycheck this time around. 'Our people are hurting,' Stahl said. 'We have individuals sleeping in their cars.' Although Stahl did not specify which blood product his agents are donating for cash, whole blood donations typically do not pay, although some programs may offer gift cards or other perks. Plasma, a yellow liquid found in the blood, typically does offer cash payments. As the shutdown surpasses the one-month mark, more and more TSA agents are opting to call out of work, which is causing massive security lines at major airports. 'If the call rate does climb, there could be scenarios where we may have to shut down airports,' Stahl warned to CBS Mornings. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have resorted to donating blood for cash to keep up with bills amidst the partial government shutdown Acting Deputy TSA Administrator, Adam Stahl, told CBS Mornings that agents are 'drawing blood to afford to pay for gas to get to work' (stock image) 'This is a serious situation.' Hundreds of agents have already quit, leaving only around 50,000 TSA workers going into work across the country, CBS Mornings reported. Spring Break travelers have been enduring hours-long lines, after being told to show up even earlier for a flight, or fear missing it. The longest lines were reported at some of the nation's largest hubs, with New York City's John F Kennedy International Airport reporting wait times of 43 minutes and the nearby Newark International Airport in New Jersey reporting wait times of 36 minutes. Some Spring Break destinations were also seeing long lines, with Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu reporting wait times of up to 45 minutes as of 5pm on Wednesday. Orlando International Airport in Florida was reporting wait times of up to 24 minutes and Miami International Airport in Florida reported wait times of 13 minutes. Meanwhile, at the world's busiest airport, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, lines to get through security were taking some passengers up to an hour after officials there said roughly 36 percent of Transportation Security Administration workers failed to show up to work. The officers had to forego their first paycheck on Friday as Democrats and Republicans continue to spar over funding for the Department of Homeland Security following two fatal shootings of US citizens during immigration raids in Minnesota. Hundreds of TSA agents have already quit, while plenty more are calling out of work, causing extensive lines at airports Now, unions representing the airport workers say they are starting to struggle financially. 'Many are coping with eviction notices, vehicle repossessions, empty refrigerators and overdrawn bank accounts,' Aaron Baker, the president of a union representing Georgia's TSA workers, said at a news conference outside Hartsfield-Jackson. 'Every available financial option has been exhausted,' he claimed, per WABE. The backlog has caused the new DHS secretary nominee, Senator Markwayne Mullin, to beg during his confirmation hearing to get the agency funded. 'We have to get DHS funded,' he said on Wednesday. A French influencer was reportedly arrested in Dubai days after she filmed herself saying she was scared while Iranian missiles lit up the sky around her. Maeva Ghennam, 28, was filming an ad for her three million Instagram followers when she nervously admitted: 'My knees are shaking,' as she showed explosions ringing out nearby. Ms Ghennam was then reportedly arrested alongside three other French nationals for filming and disseminating images of the war, news outlet Franceinfo reported. The influencer has since said in a video: 'I didn't say anything wrong, I was scared. I was very, very scared.' Reports of her arrest come as dozens of people have been detained in the United Arab Emirates for sharing footage of Iran's attacks in a desperate attempt from the country's rulers to preserve the city's supposed care-free image. A European tourist was arrested in Dubai for posting a picture of a hotel on fire. The father-of-three, who shared a photograph of the world-famous Fairmont The Palm hotel in the aftermath of an Iranian drone attack, was detained on March 9. Authorities said he would be taken to Al Qusais police for one or two hours and returned but he has not been seen since. French influencer Maeva Ghennam was reportedly arrested for filming videos of Iranian missiles in Dubai Reports of her arrest come as dozens of people have been detained in the United Arab Emirates for sharing footage of Iran's attacks Reports of her arrest come as dozens of people have been detained in the United Arab Emirates for sharing footage of Iran's attacks. Video grab of Ms Ghennam's video showing Iranian missiles in the sky In the latest crackdown, the tourist is being left at the 'mercy' of state security who are holding him without access to a lawyer, the embassy or his phone, according to Radha Stirling from human rights group Detained in Dubai. He is being forced to sleep on the floor and fed only rice, the group added. The tourist told family he deeply regretted posting the footage and he has apologised to the United Arab Emirates - even though it was put online before warnings were issued. And last week, a 60-year-old British man was one of 21 people charged under cyber-crime laws in connection with videos and social media posts relating to the recent missile strikes. The Londoner is accused of 'broadcasting, publishing, republishing or circulating rumours or provocative propaganda that could disturb public security'. The man said he deleted the video from his phone when asked and had no intention of doing anything wrong. Ms Ghennam has since denied being arrested in an Instagram post, writing: 'I don't understand why there are all these articles about me in relation to Dubai...I was never taken into custody for this; this story is false and I didn't get a fine,' she insisted. Over the weekend, UAE police released mugshots of 25 people arrested for sharing 'war footage' in the country. The influencer has since denied being arrested The arrests are part of a brutal crackdown on free speech in the emirate, with Dubai officials telling people the 'big booms' in the sky are 'the sound of us being safe' as the UAE air defence system takes action. Dubai's government heavily polices social media and responded to the outbreak of war by threatening jail against anyone sharing information that 'results in inciting panic among people'. Videos of drone and missile strikes were regularly shared on social media in the early days of the conflict, but these have largely disappeared and been replaced by a deluge of posts praising Dubai's government. In a post on Instagram, the British embassy said the UAE authorities have issued 'several warnings' regarding the photographing, publishing or sharing of images and videos 'documenting incident sites or damage resulting from the fall of projectiles or shrapnel'. The post continued: 'Under UAE law, 'sharing' can include posting on social media platforms as well as sending or forwarding content via messaging applications. 'UAE law also restricts the photographing of certain sites, including government buildings and diplomatic missions.' Dubai has been targeted by thousands of Iranian missiles and drones since the outbreak of the war. On Monday, 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. After the fire on Monday, authorities quickly took to social media to reassure the public that the attack caused 'minimal damage' and no injuries, referring to the fire 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 that a drone caused the damage, rather than debris from an interception. The UAE said it had been thoroughly monitoring social media platforms in recent days in a bid to prevent the dissemination of 'fabricated information and artificial content intended to incite public disorder and undermine general stability'. It emerged on Saturday that up to 100 people had been arrested by police in the UAE for filming drone or missile strikes. Abu Dhabi Police alone have arrested 45 people of multiple nationalities for filming various locations amid current ongoing events and posting clips on social media. A tiny Texas town has been rocked by a bizarre spending scandal after thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds were used to purchase weight-loss drugs and items from TikTok Shop. Mayor Ken Padilla of Campbell, a small city in Hunt County with fewer than 1,000 residents, confirmed that roughly 150 unauthorized credit card charges were made between 2024 and 2025 that totaled more than $28,000. Eyebrow-raising purchases include over $5,000 spent on GLP-1 weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, along with another $5,000 on items from TikTok Shop, Fox 4 reports. The spending spree amounts to about 3.5 percent of the citys annual budget, raising serious concerns about oversight and accountability in the tight-knit community. City Secretary Trisha Lowery, who was hired after the transactions occurred, told a tense city council meeting on Monday that officials still cannot determine who made the charges. 'I cannot tell you one way or the other who made these transactions. Obviously, we all have our own opinion on who did them and how they transpired,' Lowery said. 'There has to be some sort of individual identifying information that says this person used this card.' Padilla refused to comment further due to the pending investigation. Officials in Campbell, Texas are investigating nearly $30,000 in unauthorized credit card charges made using taxpayer funds between 2024 and 2025 Mayor Ken Padilla confirmed roughly 150 unauthorized charges totaling about $28,000 but refused to elaborate further due to the ongoing investigation City Secretary Trisha Lowery said officials still cannot determine who made the transactions as the case has been handed over to law enforcement The matter has been turned over to law enforcement, but as of Thursday, no suspect has been publicly identified. A more detailed breakdown of the spending suggests the questionable purchases extended far beyond weight-loss drugs and social media shopping. Records obtained by eExtra News indicate that roughly $11,200 was spent on suspected personal retail, while additional charges included $2,600 to Verizon Wireless, $1,200 to Spectrum, $1,200 to a water utility, $1,300 at a local car dealership and $350 at a gym. The lack of answers has fueled frustration among residents, many of whom packed into a city council meeting earlier this week demanding accountability. 'Why is it small towns?' Campbell resident James Steen, who attended the meeting, told Fox 4s David Sentendrey. 'Yeah, Im upset.' 'I see it happening everywhere else, but when it happens here at home, you know it hurts to know that somebody wouldve been dishonest like that,' Steen added. 'Shame on you. Your parents shouldve taught you better.' Others have taken to social media to question why officials have not named anyone responsible for the missing funds, with one writing on Facebook: 'Why wont the city name the two people responsible for the at least $28,000 in unapproved expenditures?' Notes from the Monday city council meeting Campbells crisis comes amid broader concerns about financial mismanagement in small North Texas towns. Earlier this month, the nearby town of Point was forced to shut down its police department after uncovering a major budget shortfall tied to years of unpaid payroll taxes and alleged misappropriation of funds. A Canadian cat has disregarded international immigration laws and found himself regularly crossing over the border into the United States to hunt, the feline's owner says. The cat, named Louis Vuitton, lives with a family in Surrey, British Columbia, in a town on the border of Washington. While there are numerous signs warning that it is illegal to cross over into the United States, Louis Vuitton's owner, Deb Tate, said the kitty jumps back and forth almost daily. Tate said the cat, who turns six years old in July, likes to catch American snakes and mice, then drop them off at doorsteps around the neighborhood. 'I bet he did not declare them,' Tate jokingly told CTV. 'He kind of flaunts his recklessness.' She said that Louis Vuitton crosses the border back over to Canada when he is done hunting or when he is called back by the sound of cat treats. Canada's Border Services Agency told the Daily Mail they are aware of Louis Vuitton's frequent travels and jokingly encouraged the cat to get a NEXUS card, which is a joint Canada-US program for low-risk travelers. 'The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been made aware of a four-legged border hopper named Louis Vuitton, a Canadian feline who frequently whiskers across the border,' the agency said. A Canadian cat named Louis Vuitton (pictured) has been regularly crossing over the border into the United States to hunt, the feline's owner says 'We understand he has a claws for concern regarding wait times, but as a frequent cross-border traveler, we recommend that Louis apply for a NEX-HISS card to avoid any fur-ther delays and remember to always declare any treats he brings back to avoid a cat-astrophic fine.' Louis Vuitton's story has gone viral on social media with most people supporting his ability to roam freely. 'Cats are ungovernable and that's why I love them,' one person wrote on TikTok. 'Well I mean the birds can do it so good for him,' added another. 'They leave him alone because hes doing work for Cats Without Borders,' a third person joked. 'Hes an international man of mystery,' wrote a fourth. Others said they were jealous of his ability to cross without having to go through customs and border patrol. 'Louis Vuitton doesn't have to worry about his phone being searched,' one person wrote on Facebook. 'Except for road signs. Everything looks and sounds almost the same on either side of the border. Wish I could cross as easy as a cat,' a second person wrote. Some people just appreciated the heartwarming story during what they feel is a turbulent news cycle. Louis Vuitton lives with a family in Surrey, British Columbia, in a town on the border of Washington, where there are numerous signs warning that it is illegal to cross over. (Pictured: a stock image of the border crossing sign) 'It is kind of funny and you know what with all this anger and evil stuff going on in the world we can use some funny,' one person wrote. 'With all the tough news lately, this made my day,' added another. The Daily Mail contacted Tate and US Border Patrol for comment. The tragic final moments of University of Alabama student James 'Jimmy' Gracey before he died in Barcelona were witnessed by a Spaniard who helped lead police to his body. Gracey, 20, was last seen leaving the Shoko beachfront nightclub on Tuesday at 3am. A witness told Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan regional police force, that he had seen Gracey walking towards a rocky outcrop that juts out from the beach. 'From there he may have fallen into the sea and drowned,' they said, a hypothesis that has now been backed up by police sources and a preliminary autopsy report. On Thursday, his body was pulled from the Mediterranean Sea, confirming his family's worst fears. Investigators have not ruled out that he could have been drugged, and said on Friday that toxicology reports are still pending. Gracey is believed to have walked toward the water on his own and fallen in while under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both, a report claimed. Investigators have also been reviewing surveillance footage that sources said showed him leaving the club with an unidentified person, something police have not confirmed. The breakthrough in the case came when Gracey's wallet was found with cash, credit cards and ID inside floating in the water off Somorrostro Beach shortly before his body was discovered. Police boats and divers later scoured the area along with a helicopter and drones, before making the grim discovery and bringing his body to shore. Exactly what happened to the beloved student after he was separated from his friends at the club is still unknown, and investigators are still piecing together his movements. James 'Jimmy' Gracey, 20, a junior at the University of Alabama, disappeared while holidaying for spring break, visiting friends studying abroad in Barcelona. His body was recovered from the Mediterranean on Thursday Police believe when he left a nightclub after drinking he walked towards some rocks (circled) that stuck out of the nearby beach Hopes were raised by an arrest, but police now suspect that the individual did not have any direct contact with the student, a source told Fox News Digital. Recalling what happened on that fateful night, Gracey's Theta Chi fraternity brother, Cavin McLay, said his friend had wanted to stay longer at Shoko and became separated from the group, lost in the chaos of the crowded dance floor. Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, later said it could not rule out foul play after discovering Gracey left the nightclub with a stranger. Security camera footage reviewed by police showed him leaving Shoko with another person, and Gracey was seen talking to a young, brown-haired American woman at the nightclub, but it was unclear if she was the same person he had left with. A witness also told police they saw a young man walking towards the sea on the beach adjacent to the nightclub. But Spanish media reported Friday that reviewed surveillance video shows Gracey walking from the nightclub by himself, heading toward a dock jutting off the beach and falling into the water 'without third-party involvement'. A preliminary autopsy report filed on Friday reportedly found that Jimmy 'accidentally fell into the sea and drowned', with no foul play now suspected by the court or police. The autopsy report also documented 'several injuries consistent with hitting the rocks of a breakwater,' a reference to the jutting rocks he is believed to have fallen from into the waters below. The rock wall goes out into the ocean away from the beach where a witness saw Gracey walking towards the sea Two piers with rocks along the side of them and another rocky outcrop also jut out from the beach, but are much further away from the nightclub Police boats and divers later searched the area along with a helicopter and drones on Thursday During the two-day search for the young man, police scoured the area and searched the Airbnb where he had been staying about 3km (1.8 miles) from Shoko. They arrested a man, who Gracey's mother Therese said had possession of her son's phone. 'What we've put together is that his phone was stolen and the police just happened to pick the guy who stole it up,' she wrote online. 'The police have his phone but he never made it back to his Airbnb.' She claimed that law enforcement had discovered Gracey's phone 'when they searched the guy.' Police now do not believe the individual, who had a history of thefts, had any direct contact with Gracey, a source close to the Catalan police told Fox News Digital. The man was believed to have found the phone on the street before taking it, according to the insider. Gracey's father, Taras, traveled to Barcelona to search for his son, but to no avail. Once toxicology tests have been run, the young man's body will be returned to his family in the US for burial. Exactly what happened to Gracey after he was separated from his friends at the club is still unknown Gracey's last appearance was around 3am local time at the nightclub Shoko, according to his mother Gracey was elected onto the Theta Chi fraternity's University of Alabama executive board as a chaplain in October Gracey's friends rallied to help find him, handing out flyers on the beach and asking people if they had seen him Gracey left Alabama last Thursday and spent the weekend in Amsterdam before arriving Monday in Barcelona. He is from the Elmhurst suburb of Chicago, Illinois, and attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he was part of the Theta Chi fraternity. McLay said he learned that Gracey was missing from a friend the next morning after he failed to come back to the Airbnb. 'My heart sank to my stomach. It's definitely not a good text to wake up to,' he told NBC. 'First thoughts were, hopefully he just lost his phone and tried making his way back on his own.' A post from November said Gracey had been elected onto the fraternity's executive board as a chaplain. Gracey wrote on LinkedIn that he was looking forward to 'leading with integrity, promoting a values-based culture and supporting the personal and spiritual growth of the chapter'. The student's friends rallied to help find him, handing out flyers on the beach and asking anyone if they had seen him. Family members said Gracey had been in Amsterdam over the weekend and got to Barcelona on Monday morning Gracey's family said Friday that they were 'heartbroken' and remembered Gracey as 'deeply loved' But tragically, Gracey's family made a statement Friday night to WGN after his death was confirmed. 'Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmy's body has been recovered in Barcelona. 'Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss. 'We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world so many helped to share Jimmy's story and bring his life to light so that others may know him.' The University of Alabama previously confirmed Gracey was a student on a personal trip and said Thursday they were 'heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey.' 'Jimmy's loss is deeply felt across our campus,' the university said in a statement. 'Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time.' A woman aptly named Karen was caught on camera damaging a Tesla Cybertruck with a board of nails, prompting police to subsequently arrest her in a bizarre vandalism incident. Karen Cooke Lewis, 67, was arrested in Collettsville, North Carolina, for damaging the controversial vehicle on Tuesday, according to the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office. Collettsville is a small unincorporated community about two hours north of Charlotte. The owner of the Cybertruck, identified in an arrest warrant as Jason Lamar Hooper, captured the alleged attack on surveillance footage and reported it to police, who then quickly identified the perpetrator. The alleged vandalism occurred on Sunday and Lewis was placed in custody two days later at the Caldwell County Detention Center on a $1,000 bond. Captain Thomas Bailey confirmed to the Daily Mail that Lewis posted bond and was released. Court records indicate she was only in custody for about an hour. Hooper shared surveillance footage from his Tesla on social media shortly after the incident. He wrote on Facebook that his Cybertruck was damaged at a local park just after 11 am and that he had filed a police report. Karen Cooke Lewis, pictured above in surveillance camera footage, was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a Tesla Cybertruck in North Carolina Lewis, pictured above in a booking photo, was arrested on one charge of injury to personal property for allegedly vandalizing the vehicle with a nail-studded board Jason Hooper, pictured above in a social media photo, was identified as the owner of the Tesla Cybertruck. He shared surveillance footage on his social media account after the incident 'A masked woman walking two dogs off leash scratched the truck with a board containing nails, then placed the board under my tire hoping Id run over it. She also placed an aluminum sign under another tire (like it would do something?),' Hooper said. 'I honestly thought we were past the vandalize Teslas because theyre Teslas stage apparently not.' Lewis has been hit with one charge of injury to personal property resulting in damage above $200. Caldwell District Court records indicate that she has yet to obtain an attorney or enter a plea for the charge against her. Lewis' mugshot and a grab from the surveillance footage went viral on social media, with many users pointing to the irony that her first name was 'Karen.' 'Karen' is often used as slang to refer to women who are typically white, middle-class, middle-aged and exhibit a sense of entitlement. 'Im sorry but the fact her name is actually Karen is just the icing on the cake,' one social media comment read. 'Of course her name is Karen. Just karen being a karen,' another added. 'Knuckleheads dont realize Teslas have cameras all around,' a third said. Lewis appeared to place a sign near the Cybertruck and slice the vehicle with the board in the video footage. A still from the video is pictured above Photos of Lewis went viral on social media, with many pointing to the irony of her first name being 'Karen' Cybertrucks are equipped with multiple cameras, and drivers can enable 'sentry mode' to capture video footage of potential vandals in the act Cybertrucks boast multiple cameras: one on the tailgate, one on each door pillar, one above the front wheel, one above the front bumper and two on the windshield above the rearview mirror. The car model also features a 'sentry mode' which kicks in when the vehicle is locked and in park. If a threat is detected, the truck automatically pulses its headlights, sounds an alarm, alerts the driver via Tesla's mobile app and saves the footage to a USB drive. The Elon Musk-owned car brand has seen an uptick in vandalism since the CEO became closely associated with Donald Trump. Musk served as the head of the US Department of Government Efficiency last year. His short-lived tenure ended last spring, leading to a public falling-out with the president via a series of social media posts. Vandalism against Teslas has subsided since he left the position, but multiple high-profile instances made national headlines last year when three individuals were arrested for arson at dealerships and charging stations. An American student who vanished during a trip to Spain has been found dead, police told the Daily Mail. James 'Jimmy' Gracey, 20, a junior at the University of Alabama, was holidaying for spring break and visiting friends studying abroad in Barcelona. A source at Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan regional police force, told the Daily Mail his body was discovered by divers on Thursday. Gracey's body was pulled from the water about 6pm local time and formally identified, with his family notified, the source said. He is believed to have drowned, but an autopsy will be needed to confirm. The student was last seen on Tuesday, about 3am at the beachfront nightclub Shoko, according to his mother, Therese Gracey in Chicago. Police said security cameras showed Gracey leaving the venue with a yet-to-be-identified stranger after he was seen talking to an unidentified American woman. The Daily Mail was earlier told how Gracey likely died, along with a witness account of his final moments. James 'Jimmy' Gracey, 20, a junior at the University of Alabama, was found dead after vanishing from Barcelona's beachfront nightclub Shoko, where he was partying with friends Police believe that when he left the nightclub after drinking, he walked towards some rocks (circled) that stuck out of the nearby beach and may have fallen into the sea Police believe that when he left a nightclub after drinking, he walked towards a rocky breakwater that stuck out of the nearby beach and may have fallen into the sea. 'A witness who happened to be passing saw him leave the nightclub, saw him heading towards this rocky outcrop,' a source at Mossos d'Esquadra earlier told the Daily Mail. 'From there he may have fallen into the sea and drowned.' A witness told police they saw a young man walking towards the sea on the beach adjacent to the nightclub, and again on the breakwater. Security camera footage showed Gracey fell into the sea without the involvement of any other person, according to police sources. Gracey is from the Elmhurst suburb of Chicago, Illinois, but attends the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he is part of the Theta Chi fraternity. Police boats and divers searched the area along Somorrostro Beach with the help of a helicopter and drones, and found Gracey's wallet floating in the water. The popular beach is right outside Shoko next to Port Olympic, one of two major marinas in central Barcelona, and investigators theorized he entered the water. Gracey's body was found along the breakwater in front of Port Olympic in water about four meters (12ft) deep, police said. Wednesday's search failed to find any trace of Gracey other than the wallet, and police expanded the grid to Barceloneta Beach, just south of Somorrostro, on Thursday in case his body was carried there by the current. The rock wall goes out into the ocean away from the beach where a witness saw Gracey walking towards the sea Two piers with rocks along the side of them and another rocky outcrop also jut out from the beach, but are much farther away from the nightclub Police boats and divers were later seen searching the area along with a helicopter and drones, but officers said no further clues were found Gracey's family initially declined to comment on his body being found, but later made a statement on Friday night. 'Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,' it said. 'We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world so many helped to share Jimmys story and bring his life to light so that others may know him.' What happened to Gracey after he was separated from his friends at the club is still unknown and investigators are piecing together his movements. Gracey's Theta Chi fraternity brother, Cavin McLay, said he wanted to stay longer at Shoko and was lost in the chaos of the crowded dancefloor. Mossos d'Esquadra said security camera footage reviewed by police showed Gracey leaving Shoko with another person, but investigators have not yet identified them. Gracey was seen talking to a young, brown-haired American woman at the nightclub, but it was unclear if she was the same person he left with. However, police sources told the Daily Mail that no criminal motive was believed to be connected to Gracey's death. Police searched the Airbnb where Gracey was staying and interviewed the friends he was sharing the holiday rental with and others he was with that night. Gracey with his aunt Beth Marren O'Reilly. He is believed to have drowned, but an autopsy will be needed to confirm Gracey's last appearance was around 3am local time at the nightclub Shoko, according to his mother Therese said police found her son's phone when they arrested someone, but cops had shared very few details with the family. 'What we've put together is that his phone was stolen and the police just happened to pick the guy who stole it up,' she wrote online. She claimed that law enforcement had discovered Gracey's phone 'when they searched the guy.' Police told the Daily Mail they arrested a man who has a series of criminal convictions in connection with the theft of Gracey's phone. When the phone was unlocked, officers dialed the last numbers that called it and discovered they were people who knew Gracey. The man, who has not been identified, told police he found the phone. Therese on Tuesday afternoon Chicago time issued an urgent plea for help in the search for her missing son in a Facebook post. 'The police have his phone but he never made it back to his Airbnb,' she wrote, pleading with anyone who may have seen him to contact her. Gracey was wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants, likely joggers, as well as a gold chain with a rhinestone cross when he disappeared. Gracey's father, Taras, has already traveled to Barcelona to search for his son and Therese will likely join him soon. His uncle is David Gracey, a CNN senior producer in Washington, and he is the eldest of Taras and Therese's five children. Exactly what happened to Gracey after he was separated from his friends at the club is still unknown and investigators are still piecing together his movements Gracey's friends rallied to help find him, handing out flyers on the beach and asking people if they had seen him Gracey's family on Wednesday said it was 'deeply concerned' about him since his disappearance, which was out of character for the responsible young man. 'Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends,' they said in a statement. 'We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. 'We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely.' Shoko is a bustling beachfront nightclub along Barcelona's La Barceloneta seaside neighborhood, known for its Mediterranean views and popular among locals and visitors. It has been ranked the seventh best nightclub in the world by Nightlife International. Gracey was staying at an Airbnb on Ronda de Sant Pere, one of the city's main roads. The distance from Shoko to his tourist apartment is roughly 3km (1.8 miles). He never made it back from the club, his mother said. 'We are conducting the initial checks and have taken a report in an open investigation,' police said. 'A call was received early yesterday morning, around 1am, reporting a possible disappearance. 'The disappearance was reported to have occurred on March 17, 2026, at 3am, in the Port Olympic area.' Gracey's mother Therese said police found her son's phone when they arrested someone, but cops had shared very few details with the family Gracey was elected to the Theta Chi fraternity's University of Alabama executive board as a chaplain in October Gracey was in Amsterdam over the weekend and arrived in Barcelona on Monday morning, according to family members. McLay said he learned that Gracey was missing from a friend the next morning, after Gracey did not return to the Airbnb. 'My heart sank to my stomach. It's definitely not a good text to wake up to,' he told NBC. 'First thoughts were, hopefully, he just lost his phone and tried making his way back on his own.' McLay said about ten people in the group were in Barcelona right now, visiting a few fraternity members who were studying abroad. He said there was nothing out of the ordinary at the nightclub and no reason for any of the holidaymakers to fear for their safety. 'It's tough. We're doing everything we can to keep our heads up and remain hopeful that we find him safe, but it's a tough time. And, you know, we're scared,' he told WVMTM. Divers from Catalonia's police force, known as the Mossos d'Esquadra, found Gracey's body A post from November said Gracey had been elected onto the fraternity's executive board as a chaplain. Gracey wrote on LinkedIn that he was looking forward to 'leading with integrity, promoting a values-based culture and supporting the personal and spiritual growth of the chapter'. The missing student's friends rallied to help find him, handing out flyers on the beach and asking anyone if they had seen him. The University of Alabama confirmed Gracey was a student on a personal trip. 'UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible,' it said. Parents deported from the US by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have revealed that families are being torn apart and pregnant detainees are being denied essential care, according to a new report. Since Donald Trump started his second presidential term more than a year ago, his administration has pushed for stricter immigration policies across the nation. As a result, parents, a lot of whom have American children, have been relocated back to their home countries without their kids - something that goes against the federal agency's very own policies, a report from the Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) found. The report, titled What About My Children: Family Separation Among Parents Deported to Honduras, spoke to parents who were recently deported to Honduras about what really goes on when they are kicked out of the US. Firsthand accounts in the report detailed how pregnant and postpartum detainees are 'without adequate medical care,' another violation of the agency's standards. A 'significant number' of detained parents said they were snatched away without being given the chance to decide where their children would go. Under the ICE Detained Parents Directive, immigration agents are required to ask parents whether they have minor children when they are being arrested, so they are given a chance to decide what happens to them if they are deported. Per the report, 'many were never asked' that question, and as a result, 'some parents were separated from infants, including one mother separated from a baby less than two months old.' Parents deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are being separated from their children, and pregnant detainees are not getting the necessary care they need. (Pictured: A pregnant woman being detained by ICE agents in New York City) The report, titled What About My Children: Family Separation Among Parents Deported to Honduras, gathered firsthand accounts from detainees after they arrived at reception centers from the US. (Pictured: A man is seen being arrested by ICE officials in Washington DC) Because of this, children have been left dealing with 'precarious or uncertain living conditions,' as many have been left in the care of 'informal' family members or friends, the review found. Another major finding from the report showed that pregnant and postnatal women are not being properly cared for while detained, even during 'life-threatening emergencies.' 'Pregnant, postpartum, and lactating women, whom ICE policy strongly counsels against detaining absent legal requirement or exceptional circumstance, have experienced especially perilous harms, including numerous reports of unattended miscarriage while in custody,' it detailed. As part of the report, four postpartum women said they were separated from their infant children, and that approximately 80 percent of deportees who've arrived at Honduras's main intake center left their children back in the US as part of their deportation. One woman was arrested outside a hospital alongside her three children following a medical appointment, the report detailed. During her arrest, she repeatedly told federal officers that she had three other children at home, 'but she was dismissed,' the report stated. The analysis added: 'The family is now separated, with three children in Honduras and three left behind in the US.' Many women have been showing up to reception centers 'in acute emotional crisis,' full of tears and panic attacks, after being separated from their children and families who remained in the US A total of 363 pregnant, nursing and postpartum women have been deported between January 1, 2025, and February 16, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported on Wednesday. According to government detention standards, pregnant detainees are entitled to comprehensive health care, including prenatal visits, follow-up appointments with doctors, prenatal vitamins, proper nutrition, and exercise. Instead, pregnant women have been treated completely opposite to how they should be, the report found. A medical worker said that when a 25-year-old woman, who was about 13 weeks along, started to bleed in the detention facility, nothing was done to help her until she arrived in Honduras. 'Despite repeatedly informing guards of the bleeding over several days, she received no medical attention and was deported while still actively bleeding,' the report detailed. 'She arrived in Honduras in an emergency condition and had to be transferred immediately to hospital care.' The report found that the federal agency is going against its very own requirements for parents and pregnant women who are detained by ICE. (Pictured: Small children and mothers attend immigration hearings in New York City) Because of the reported lack of care, many women would show up at the reception centers 'in acute emotional crisis,' full of tears and panic attacks, the overview stated. The report demanded that Congress take 'immediate steps to end the violation of ICE policies' that include the separation of families and poor medical care for pregnant detainees. It also requested that Congress 'provide humanitarian aid to countries to establish reunification and family tracing programs to help them meet the needs of their returning nationals,' according to a press release that accompanied the report. Additionally, the report suggested that countries receiving deportees from the US should establish some kind of system that assists separated parents and children, and also 'prioritize vulnerable deported populations,' including women, children, and relatives who are torn away from each other. The Daily Mail contacted ICE for comment on the new report. Iran has executed three people who were accused of killing two police officers after taking part in anti-regime protests. Champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, 19, was reportedly killed in a public hanging along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi in the city of Qom on Thursday. Mohammadi was sentenced to death in February, less than three weeks after his arrest, over the murder of a security agent during the anti-regime protests on January 8, according to Amnesty International. He denied the accusation and claimed his earlier confessions had been extracted under torture. But the court dismissed his claims without any investigation. Ghasemi was accused of participating in the killing along with Davoudi, who was also accused of murdering another policeman on the same day. Their deaths, which marked the first official executions related to the protests which began last year, were reported by the judiciary's Mizan Online new agency. The individuals were involved in the killing of two law enforcement personnel, Mizan said, adding that their execution was carried out after they were found guilty of the capital offence of 'moharebeh', or 'waging war against God'. Iran Human Rights condemned the three men's deaths, claiming they followed 'grossly unfair trials, based on confessions extracted under torture and coercion'. 'We consider these executions to constitute extrajudicial killings, carried out with the intent of creating terror to suppress political dissent,' the Norway-based NGO added. Champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, 19, (right) was reportedly killed in a public hanging on Thursday Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davodi in footage of the trial published by Iranian state media The organisation claimed Mohammadi had turned 19 last week while Davodi would have turned 22 this weekend. Protests broke out in Iran in late December against the rising cost of living before morphing into nationwide anti-government demonstrations that peaked on January 8 and 9. Iranian authorities later launched a brutal crackdown on the protests claiming they had turned into 'foreign-instigated riots' involving killings and vandalism. Tehran has acknowledged that more than 3,000 people died during the unrest and attributed the violence to 'terrorist acts'. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), however, has recorded more than 7,000 killings, while warning the toll could be far higher. The brutal crackdown also saw the deaths of more than 220 children, the agency said. Other human rights organisations have tallied many more, and medical professionals have estimated that 30,000 could have been killed. By late December, as protests slowly began to take hold across Iran, the regime had already carried out more than 2,200 executions in 91 cities, according to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). This was the highest figure in decades, signifying an unprecedented peak in brutality in Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 36-year rule as Supreme Leader before his death. Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran on January 9 Tear gas is fired during an anti-government protest in Tehran on January 8 Iranian demonstrators gather in a street during a protest in Tehran on January 8 In the aftermath of the security forces' brutal massacre of protestors on January 8, 9 and 10, many Iranians describe a 'sea of blood' separating civilians from the lethal government that rules them. The protestors arrested in the government crackdown have alleged abuse while in custody, including forced nudity, exposure to cold conditions and 'injections with substances of unknown composition', according to Iran International, citing a source close to a detainee in prison. Samira Parvareshkhah was arrested by security forces on January 9 in Rasht and was released two days later with 'extensive bruising' across her body, Hyrcani Human Rights Media claimed. Shortly after returning home, her condition deteriorated with severe nausea, and she died while being transported to Bandar Anzali Hospital. No official explanation has been provided for the cause of her sickness. During the nationwide 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protests of 2022, over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini who was arrested for wearing her hijab incorrectly, authorities dismissed similar mysterious deaths as cases of overdose or suicide. A meningitis vaccine catch-up programme will be extended to schools affected by the outbreak after the number of cases soared by more than a third in a day. Around 15,000 people who have potentially been exposed to the bug are now being urged to get the menB jab as a matter of urgency in a bid to stem its unprecedented spread. But officials tonight came under fire for closing the queue for jabs at the University of Kent and turning away more than 100 students so they could close their doors at 5pm. Posting on Facebook on the day meningitis cases rose from 20 to 27 - including three newly identified cheerleaders - the university said: The queue has been closed as nursing staff are unable to see any more people within the clinics remaining opening hours today. The team have been working incredibly hard to vaccinate as many people as possible. The outbreak, which has been linked to Club Chemistry, a nightclub in Canterbury, Kent, has already left sixth-form pupil Juliette Kenny, 18, and a University of Kent student, 21, dead. The bacteria is believed to have spread in student accommodation at the university, potentially among those sharing vapes, drinks bottles and cooking utensils. It said the vaccination clinic will reopen tomorrow from 9am to 5pm and advised people to be in the queue by 2pm. Students queuing to receive vaccines and antibiotics at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury Health secretary Wes Streeting announced on a visit to the university that more people affected by the meningitis outbreak will be vaccinated. He said anyone who attended Club Chemistry from March 5 until March 15 would be offered the jab, alongside sixth-formers at four schools and other university students in Canterbury. These are proportionate steps to help us contain spread and were keeping that situation under review, he added. The NHS has written to all GPs telling them to offer jabs to eligible patients who may have left Kent and returned to their family home so they do not need to return to the county. Professor Robin May, UKHSA chief scientific officer, described the cluster of cases as a very unusual outbreak and said experts are examining whether the bacteria itself may have evolved to be better at transmitting. Meanwhile, Dr Anjan Ghosh, director of public health at Kent County Council, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme they were not in the position yet to say that definitively the outbreak has been contained. More than 8,500 antibiotics and 1,600 vaccines have been now given to eligible people in Kent amid the meningitis outbreak. However, at 4.10pm today, students were still trying to join the atrocious queue for vaccines at the university but security staff turned them away. Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, arrives as students receive the Meningitis B vaccine at the University of Kent Dozens who had already been waiting in line were also told to go home, including those who had visited Club Chemistry in recent weeks. Those trying to join were told that medical staff administering vaccines had to work out how many people they could fit in before the service officially closed at 5pm. It is understood staff wanted to vaccinate the final person at 4.30pm, in order to give them enough time to sit during the necessary 15-minute observation period to ensure they had no immediate side-effects. Isobel, 21, an English literature student at the University of Kent, was turned away after her mother drove them 80 minutes to the centre. She said: It is very inconvenient. Im coming back tomorrow and hope that they have got some. Olivia Parkins, 18, who is part of the cheerleading society at the University of Kent, said there have been three confirmed cases within the group all of whom are in hospital. The student, who studies classical civilisations, was at her home in Bromley when she heard about the outbreak. She said she has been in contact with the cases, adding: So far theyre OK. Morrisons confirmed an employee at its Sittingbourne distribution centre who attended Club Chemistry has contracted meningitis. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of 5pm on Wednesday, 15 cases of meningitis have been confirmed and a further 12 are under investigation. Currently, nine of the 15 confirmed cases are known to be caused by menB. The UKHSA said four schools in Kent have confirmed cases of meningitis, while the London animation and games school Escape Studios said one if its students with links to the county had contracted meningitis. Officials said 20,000 vaccines from the NHS supply will be made available to the private market to ease the demand at pharmacies from people who want to pay for a jab. It comes after some were accused of cashing in the crisis by hiking prices amid a shortage. Nigel Farage was branded a threat to the Union after he said people who supported independence are welcome in his party and refused to rule out supporting another referendum in the future. The Reform UK leader was accused of being the gift that keeps on giving to John Swinney by only ruling out another referendum until 25 years have passed from the 2014 vote. He also unveiled the candidates selected for all the Holyrood constituencies. Among them are former SNP members including David Kirkwood, who spoke about support for separation as recently as 2024. In a speech to a Reform UK Scottish conference in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, Mr Farage: Attempted to put immigration at the heart of the Holyrood election campaign, claiming mass Muslim prayer events such as the one seen in Trafalgar Square will be coming to Scotland; Vowed to stand up for alarm clock Britain and ensure work pays more than benefits; Claimed Reform will become the biggest opposition party at Holyrood. Asked about former SNP supporters standing for his party, Mr Farage said: People can be something and change their minds, and we at Reform welcome sinners that repenteth. Nigel Farage speaks at the Reform UK Scotland conference in Bishopton Farage unveils Reform's manifesto alongside the party's Scottish leader Malcolm Offord (right) Inviting his candidates onto the stage, Mr Farage said: Some of them are sinners from the SNP, others from the Conservative Party, and some are political virgins. The Reform manifesto says rational Unionists and realistic Nationalists can find common ground and unite and rules out another referendum in the next two Holyrood terms. Asked whether he might support a referendum after that point, Mr Farage said: People were promised here in 2014 that the referendum ... was a once in a generation thing, which would mean about 25 years. Party's Scots manifesto Reduce the number of MSPs by 16. Shut all quangos and return their powers to ministers. Longer jail terms for repeat offenders. Scrap hate crime laws. End the war on the motorists and abolish LEZs. Maintain traditional country sports. Stop future offshore wind farms. End work from home for civil service. He added: I very much doubt there will ever be a popular will or vote to break up the UK. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: Reform is the gift that keeps on giving to John Swinney ... a vote for Reform only increases the chances of Swinney winning and unleashing his secret plan for independence. Mr Farage yesterday mocked a protester who was removed from the venue by telling him: Go back to work, oh Im sorry, you havent got a job have you? He said: We are the party of alarm clock Britain, we are the party of people who get up in the morning, go to work, do their bit, pay their taxes, believe in our nation, defend its culture, and frankly we are all theyve got left. The Reform UK Scottish manifesto pledged to overhaul the SNPs new social security to ensure that work always pays more than welfare but contained no detail of how that would be done. Mr Farage vowed to campaign for control of immigration in Scotland, saying Glasgow was the asylum capital of the UK. He said this weeks Trafalgar Square Muslim praying event should be a wake-up call, warning: Folks, if it hasnt come to Scotland yet, it will come soon. On his partys prospects in Mays election, he said we will become the official opposition. SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said: Nigel Farage and his band of mercenaries couldnt care less about Scotland. If Nigel Farages Reform UK can achieve one thing at the Holyrood election, it will be this: they will hand John Swinney the keys to Bute House. The pollsters are in no doubt about that. Professor Sir John Curtice, the UKs leading reader of the political runes, describes Reform as good news for the SNP. The reason is simple. Reform would split opposition to the SNP and pave the way for Swinney not only to win but to win big. The danger of this nightmare scenario cannot be overstated. Nigel Farage condemning Scotland to five more years of SNP sleaze and incompetence; sky-high taxes and crazily out-of-control benefits. If that were not bad enough, John Swinney is warning that winning an outright majority would give him the green light to trigger his plans for a second independence referendum. That is the last thing Scotland needs, yet Reform could make it happen. Reforms leaders are entirely relaxed about the prospect. Mr Farage has said that hes untroubled about another five years of the SNP in power at Holyrood. You might not be Mr Farage, but you dont live here. And his hand-picked lieutenant in Scotland, Lord Offord, has gone even further. For months he has been wooing SNP voters who he calls rational nationalists. He has made an offer to them. He says he will work with them and, in return, would be happy to see an independence referendum within the next few years. Reform leader Nigel Farage and his Scottish counterpart Malcolm Offord on Thursday Astonishingly, he says working with nationalists would leave them in a stronger position to win a vote on breaking up Britain. In other words, he is giving them a blueprint to achieve their goal of tearing Scotland out of the UK. Lord Offord is playing with fire and its now clear that Reform are Unionists in name only. Yesterday [Thursday], it therefore came as no surprise to see Reform unveiling independence-supporting candidates. Farage tried to make light of this, describing them as sinners from the SNP. If you were being charitable, you might say it was naive of Lord Offord to suppose there was any such thing as an oxymoronic rational nationalist. Because all Scottish nationalists hold the irrational belief that destroying the UK is good and necessary. Listening to Lord Offords utterances, you might conclude that he doesnt really care. When Lord Offord left our party for Reform, many colleagues felt betrayed. But the more he speaks, the more it emerges that he was in the wrong party to begin with. In fact, he has said as much himself, saying he quit the Conservatives because of our steadfast opposition to independence and a second referendum. Our position is not in doubt and never will be. That is why we will fight with everything we have got over the next seven weeks to polling day to prevent John Swinney winning a majority of seats and unchecked power at Holyrood. We will be saying to voters wherever they live, right across Scotland, that voting Conservative on their party list vote the peach ballot paper is the best way to stop the SNP. My differences with Reform do not end there. Over the past 12 months, my shadow cabinet team has worked hard to produce a credible and costed policy platform to get Scotland back on track after 19 dismal years of SNP failure. At its heart is a plan to cut taxes, put more money in peoples pockets, support business and grow our flatlining economy. In turn, this will create more and better jobs to generate the revenue needed to fix our dismal public services. We can promise this because we are the only party being honest enough to confront the SNPs out-of-control benefit spending. Only by creating a fairer, more affordable welfare system can we free up the cash to cut taxes. Reform refuse to grasp that thistle. Lord Offord recently told the BBC that sky-high and soaring SNP benefits, which are on course to hit 10 billion, were not a problem. Yesterday, their flimsy manifesto suggested that welfare spending should be reduced. But they provided no substance or explanation. Reforms credibility vacuum on benefits renders meaningless anything they say about tax cuts. That was far from their only fantasy manifesto promise. There was the bizarre pledge to cut all central government funding for Scotlands 32 local authorities. This would only trigger astronomically high council tax bills. The question at Mays election is simple: how can Scotland stop the SNP winning a majority and pressing ahead with their plan for a second independence referendum? The answer to that question is not Reform UK. In fact, Reform are part of the problem. Weak on the union and peddling pie-in-the-sky promises, their conference yesterday proved that they do not deserve to be taken seriously. Former Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) leader Jordan Linden flirted with its youngest member and told him he was too young to have reached sexual maturity, a court has heard. One of Lindens alleged victims, who was 14 when he joined the SYP in 2015, said he was befriended online by the former youth parliament chairman and the conversation turned increasingly flirtatious despite their age gap. The man, now 25, was giving evidence in the trial of Linden who now denies 21 charges against 12 people, spanning an 11-year period. They date between 2011 and 2022, when Linden was a member of the (SYP), later becoming its chairman before going on to be the SNP leader in North Lanarkshire Council. Giving evidence before Sheriff Christopher Shead, the man said he had initially found Linden quite jovial but alleged their conversations became more sexual, with Linden inquiring about his dating life and sending semi-regular images of himself via Snapchat. He claimed Linden would have suggestive chats with him on Facetime, including one occasion where he is alleged to have told the teenager he was too young to have an orgasm. The witness alleged there were repeated and obsessive questions about whether I had a boyfriend and said it made him feel uncomfortable. He also claimed that at one SYP event Linden had cornered him in his hotel room with the teenager really recoiling in discomfort. The trial is being held at Falkirk Sheriff Court He said: He was standing over me, tickling or prodding me. He was saying What are you going to do about it, his arms were open wide and he was over me, intimidating me. At the time he was a skinny 14-year-old while Linden was a heavy-set and stocky 20-year-old, he claimed. He told Falkirk Sheriff Court that at a later date an SYP board member, Thomas Mair, had praised Linden when he stepped down as SYP chairman, following concerns being raised by other people who had more intense experiences with Linden. He said: There was a feeling that all of us had just made this up and he had not acted inappropriately towards any of us. I resented the suggestion that he had to step down unfairly. Another witness claimed he had received an image of Linden with a bulge in his boxer shorts. He said that after the meeting where Linden was thanked profusely for his service by Mr Mair, he worried about a governmental cover-up as the alleged behaviours had not been addressed. The witness said: Wed been told that everything had been dealt with but we couldnt see it it was just a matter of the adults have got it in hand. Sheriff Shead acquitted Linden, represented by David Moggach, KC, of three charges yesterday. The Crown withdrew charges of a breach of the peace, stalking, and sexual communication against one man after the witness admitted that he had not received any messages he was not happy to get. The trial continues. A mother pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of her five-year-old son, who fell out the window of their high-rise apartment in Kansas City, Missouri. Corinne O'Connor entered a guilty plea on one count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter more than two years after her son, Grayson, fell to his death from their 17th story unit in November 2023. The boy's body was found on the ground outside the Grand Boulevard Lofts apartments, where he and his mother lived. O'Connor did not call 911, according to a probable cause statement obtained by KCTV-5. Instead, a passerby on the sidewalk discovered the body and called authorities. On January 30, 2024, O'Connor was arrested and formally charged by the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. She was indicted by a grand jury in March 2024 on a charge of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. This original charge was a class A felony under Missouri law and if O'Connor had been convicted, she could have gotten sentenced to 10 years to life in prison. Prosecutors offered her first-degree involuntary manslaughter, a class C felony. With her guilty plea, she will serve the maximum of 10 years with no parole. According to the indictment, O'Connor 'knowingly acted in a manner that created a substantial risk to the life, body and health' of her son by 'failing to supervise' him while he was at the fully-open window. Corinne O'Connor has pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter after her son fell out the window of her 17th-story apartment. She will serve 10 years in prison Her son, Grayson, was just five years old at the time of his death Pictured: The Grand Boulevard Lofts apartments in Kansas City, Missouri. O'Connor and Grayson lived there in an apartment police described as unsanitary and unsafe Court documents filed by O'Connor's landlord during eviction proceedings allege that she removed a safety device from her window before her son's death. This device prevented the window from fully opening. The landlord found out about the window device being removed the day Grayson died, according to documents. A probable cause statement filed by police also claimed that O'Connor's apartment was unsanitary and unsafe. Police said there was feces on the floor and in a carpet. Additionally, there was no bed in the bedroom, they said. Investigators also noted that chocolate was smeared on the window sill with what looked like child handprints. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson released a statement addressing O'Connor's guilty plea. 'The plea was reached after careful consideration of the evidence and circumstances of the case. A child lost their life and the decision allows for both accountability, while also acknowledging a mother who is now living in grief,' Johnson said. 'We also hope that during her time in custody, she will have access to the resources and support she needs.' First Lady of New York City Rama Duwaji deactivated her old X account just days after years-old offensive posts were uncovered. Mayor Zohran Mamdani's wife, 28, has been accused of sharing offensive content, including use of the n-word and pro-Palestinian terrorism posts, on Tumblr and X accounts she allegedly used throughout her late teenage years into her twenties. On Thursday, searches for the offending account @_RamaDee show that it no longer exists. Duwaji's Instagram account, which has over two million followers, remains active. The Daily Mail has reached out to Mayor Mamdani for comment. The posts were uncovered by the Washington Free Beacon, which said it linked them to her using facial recognition software. The discovery comes shortly after she made headlines for liking posts that celebrated the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, including one that called reports of sexual violence a 'mass rape hoax.' But it appears her history of sharing hateful content stretches back as far as 2013, when she apparently used a vile racial slur in a tweet to a friend at the age of 15. First Lady of New York City Rama Duwaji deactivated her old X account after days of the media uncovering years-old offensive posts The post reads: 'Helllll yeah, n****. Super duper genius* excuse you.' Other posts made from the account that year include blaming 'white people' for the creation of Al-Qaeda and claiming that Israelis should not be allowed to live in Tel Aviv. In 2017, a Tumblr account linked to Duwaji by the Washington Free Beacon also reposted an image of plane hijacker Leila Khaled along with a quote from the infamous Palestinian. 'If it does good for my cause, I'll be happy to accept death,' the caption read. Khaled is hailed by terrorists as the first woman to hijack a plane after participating in plane takeovers in 1969 and 1970. Duwaji's account also appeared to praise other members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), of which Khaled was a longtime member. The post came after she previously appeared to write on X that Tel Aviv 'shouldn't exist in the first place', before adding that Israelis in the city were 'occupiers.' She also allegedly re-shared content that blamed the creation of Al-Qaeda on white people. The discovery of Duwaji's purported profile comes shortly after she made headlines for liking posts that celebrated the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel The 28-year-old allegedly made a post to X in 2013 which used the N-word The first lady of New York also appears to have taken aim at US troops in 2015 noting how they were not brave 'You can't blame Muslims for terrorism because they didn't construct, fund, or train Al-Qaeda,' read the upload to Tumblr. 'White people did that, too.' The account even took aim at US troops, noting how they were not brave and were 'mercilessly slaughtering third world civilians to maintain American hegemony.' In 2015, she allegedly chose to celebrate International Women's Day by posting a tribute to PFLP's militant leader Shadia Abu Ghazaleh. Ghazaleh participated in several attacks and died in 1968 when a bomb she was building exploded in her home. The content appeared to have been deleted from the accounts when the Daily Mail conducted a search. Mayor Mamdani was previously grilled about his wife's social media presence and dodged questions about her liking a post in support of the October 7 attack. The post made by leftist group The Slow Factory included images of groups of people after having taken over an IDF vehicle, with 'Free Palestine' scrawled over it. Another image said: 'Breaking the walls of apartheid and military occupation', followed by the date. One image from the post she liked showed a bulldozer used by Hamas to break through into Israel on that day in which nearly 1,200 people died The image showed a bulldozer used by the group to break through into Israel on that day, in which nearly 1,200 people died. Mamdani said: 'My wife is the love of my life, and she is also a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall.' But Duwaji is not as shy and retiring as her husband lets on, and recently posed for a cover feature in the prestigious The Cut, an offshoot of New York magazine. A spokesman for the mayor told the Jewish Insider: 'Mayor Mamdani has been clear and consistent: Hamas is a terrorist organization, October 7 was a horrific war crime, and he has condemned that violence unequivocally.' Mamdani has also come under fire in the past after apparently using anti-Israel phrases, including 'globalize the intifada'. As the city's first Muslim mayor, he has been seen with skepticism by some Jewish New Yorkers over his ardent support of the Palestinian cause. Two dedicated police officers will be based at one of Scotlands biggest hospitals amid growing violence and disorder. The so-called campus cops will be located at the A&E department of Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), near the city centre, to detect and deter crime. They will carry out patrols in the hospital and surrounding grounds amid concern over thuggery against officers and medical staff. The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in the south of Glasgow also has police officers based on-site. David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), representing rank-and-file officers, said the move was positive but stressed officers were not healthcare professionals. He said: Violence, disorder and vulnerability are increasingly common in these settings, and having a visible policing presence can help deter offending behaviour and provide reassurance to frontline NHS staff. We also recognise the benefits highlighted from similar deployments at the QUEH, particularly where this can reduce some demand on local policing teams and allow for a more consistent and informed response within the hospital environment. However, it is important to be clear that this development will not address the wider systemic pressures facing policing. The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) has police officers based on-site Police Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said there will be two full-time campus cops at the GRI. At a Garnethill Neighbourhood Watch meeting last Thursday (March 12), officers said as a result of police being located at the hospital, response units will not need to attend the hospital as regularly as they currently do. The decision also follows positive feedback the force has received regarding the role of campus officers at the QEUH in responding to crime and reducing demand on local officers. Chief Superintendent for Greater Glasgow Policing Division Emma Croft said: Police Scotland and NHS Scotland have agreed to place two full-time campus police officers at the Emergency Department of Glasgow Royal Infirmary. This decision has been made following positive feedback on the role of campus officers at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in responding to crime in the hospital and, in turn, reducing demand on Local Policing colleagues in the Greater Glasgow area. Officers at Glasgow Royal Infirmary will work closely with hospital staff and on-site security to detect and deter crime, carry out proactive patrols in the hospital and surrounding grounds and deliver preventative and educational learning to hospital staff to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff. A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said: The safety of our patients, staff and visitors remains central to everything we do, and we are committed to ensuring a secure environment across all our sites. Working in partnership with Police Scotland, two dedicated police officers will now be based within the Emergency Department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and available across the wider hospital campus. Their presence will enhance our approach to preventing and addressing incidents on site, supporting our teams through both proactive engagement and responsive action whenever required. These officers will work closely with colleagues across the hospital to help maintain a safe and reassuring environment for everyone who uses our services. To detect and deter crime campus cops will be located at the A&E department of Glasgow Royal Infirmary We would like to thank all our staff who work to deliver quality care across the GRI and all NHSGGC hospitals. Commenting further, Mr Kennedy said: Hospital watches - where officers are required to remain with vulnerable individuals for extended periods - and the significant volume of mental health-related incidents will continue to place substantial demand on policing resources. These issues often require prolonged police involvement due to gaps elsewhere in the system, and the introduction of campus officers does not remove that burden. Police officers are not healthcare professionals, yet they are increasingly being asked to fill that space, particularly in relation to mental health crises. Until there is meaningful investment in health and social care provision, including appropriate pathways for those in crisis, officers will remain stretched and diverted away from core policing duties. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'While this move will hopefully give greater protection to staff, patients, and visitors, it is a damning reflection of rising violence in hospitals that this step has had to be taken. 'It will also put additional pressure on Police Scotland who are already overstretched due to years of savage SNP cuts. 'The Scottish Conservatives would ensure there is a zero-tolerance policy towards those who behave aggressively in our hospitals and give police the resources they need to keep people safe.' A serial sex predator who was dubbed the 'Coronation Street rapist' has died in jail after spending most of his life behind bars . Andrew Davies, formerly known as Andrew Barlow and Andrew Longmire, was given 13 life sentences for his crimes, which spread terror across the north of England in the 1980s. The serial rapist from Bolton struck mainly in Greater Manchester, but also committed crimes in four other counties, targeting women alone often in their terraced homes after waiting for husbands or fathers to leave the property in the morning. Davies was released in 2023 after 34 years in prison, but was recalled to prison just six weeks later. It is understood Davies, 69, died from natural causes less than three weeks ago. Today, one of his victims, who was raped at knifepoint by Barlow in her own bed in 1987, said: 'It's a relief... but it isn't. I still relive what he did to me. It is a very difficult feeling to handle.' A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'These were despicable crimes, and our thoughts remain with the victims of Andrew Davies.' The predator was taken to a probation service hostel by a police escort on March 6, 2023, following his release, but was returned to prison for breach of his licence conditions and due to his behaviour. At the time it was assessed that the risk he posed was not manageable in the community. Andrew Davies died in prison just over two weeks ago from natural causes aged 69 Andrew Davies, a serial sex attacker dubbed the 'Coronation Street' rapist, was once Britain's most wanted man Davies appealed against his recall at a hearing in June 2024. In July that year it was announced by the parole board that his application had been refused. A panel decided he 'would present a very high risk of a contact sexual offence at this time'. It added: 'His risk of serious harm towards other people was considered to be very high.' Davies was a prisoner at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, a category C prison. A spokesperson for the prison service said: 'Andrew Davies, previously called Andrew Barlow and Andrew Longmire, died on February 28 2026. 'As with all deaths in custody the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.' The prospect of his release angered victims and their families, who campaigned to keep him behind bars with the help of veteran Manchester MP Graham Stringer. The relative of one of his victims told the Manchester Evening News in 2024: 'A parole hearing took place in regards to his recall last year after being out in the community for just six weeks after he broke some of the 32 license conditions he was given. He is an unsafe rapist who hasn't changed in my eyes.' Barlow's release was delayed after the then-Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, asked the Parole Board to reconsider its decision. Mr Raab described Barlow's offences as 'despicable' and said in January 2023: 'My thoughts remain with the victims of Andrew Barlow, whose despicable crimes blighted the lives of dozens of women. Davies was freed on parole in March 2023, despite then-Justice Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured) attempting to halt his release, slamming his crimes as 'despicable' 'Public protection is my number one priority, which is why I've asked the Parole Board to reconsider their decision to release and I am overhauling the parole system to keep prisoners who pose a risk to the public off our streets.' After Barlow's rapid return to prison in April 2023, Mr Stringer said: 'It is extraordinary. I think this is another failure of the Parole Board to use common sense and protect the public from a very dangerous man. 'They were warned by me and the victims. This is institutional failure of the highest order.' A relative of a woman Barlow raped in her own home in Greater Manchester in 1987 said in May 2023 after the Manchester Evening News broke the news of his recall to prison: 'I took it on the chin in January and decided to get on with my life when Barlow was released - now this animal is back in our lives again. We told the authorities and they didn't listen. 'Someone has to be accountable for this. It will mean all the victims and their families are reliving the agony again like we had to in January when we tried in vain to stop his release. 'We told the authorities he was too high a risk and we have been proven right.' The daughter of a woman whose mother was raped in Greater Manchester by Barlow in the early 1980s said: 'I was shocked when I heard that he was being recalled so soon. 'But then when I thought about how evil and twisted he was when committing his crimes it doesn't surprise me. The cold cases were eventually solved thanks to advances in DNA technology which linked Davies (pictured) to the crimes 'When the victim support officer told me I had goosebumps all over my body and then my eyes swelled up with tears, I was thinking who has he attacked this time? 'The officer told me that he had not hurt anyone but that his behaviour had meant an immediate recall to prison. I am just pleased he has been monitored so closely as his behaviour whatever it was could have escalated.' Barlow was given 11 life sentences in 1988 for raping 11 women, and an additional 56 years for other offences. In 2010, and then again in 2017, he received two more life sentences after rapes he committed in 1981 and 1982, which were linked to him through advances in DNA technology. As he had already surpassed his original 20-year tariff imposed in 1988 just another two years were added to his sentence in each case. He was dubbed 'The Coronation Street rapist' as most of the victims were attacked in their own terraced homes in the north of England, the majority living in Greater Manchester. He also struck in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, and South Yorkshire in the early 1980s, and then again from August 1987 until January 1988 when he was arrested. Barlow was sought by police in the 1980s over 11 of the rapes. During the hunt for him he evaded police at Leeds railway station and went on to shoot at two officers when he was finally arrested in Bebington, Merseyside. The officers were not injured and Longmire was later convicted of their attempted murder. A priest who sexually assaulted a businessman has been warned he faces jail. Father Stephen Baillie abused his victim at a church house in Renfrewshire after they had been on a night out together. Baillie, 61, who has been a priest for 36 years, denied the single charge against him. But he was convicted at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday and warned that he faces a lengthy prison term when he returns for sentencing next month. The jury took less than two hours to find him guilty. Sheriff Eoin McGinty called for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing and said that would affect whether or not he was jailed for the crime. As he released Baillie, who was a priest at St Josephs Church in Clarkston, on bail until sentencing, he said: I am duty bound to obtain reports for two reasons. First and foremost, because you are a first offender, I have to. If I send you to prison I can only do so on that basis. Father Stephen Baillie abused his victim at a church house in Renfrewshire The ordinary sentence for this kind of offence is a period of imprisonment and a pretty lengthy one at that. Ill allow you to put your affairs in order. Baillie was also placed on the sex offenders register, with the exact period he spends on it to be decided when he is sentenced. The priest, who has also served at churches in Eaglesham, Paisley and Greenock, declined to comment as he left court. The trial heard that his victim had been physically sick after the priest attempted to perform a sex act on him following a night out in June 2024. Baillie, of Glasgow, sexually assaulted the man while he was heavily intoxicated and unable to consent, the court was told. A spokesman for the Diocese of Paisley said: The Diocese of Paisley notes the conviction of Canon Stephen Baillie, a former priest of the Diocese, for the sexual assault of an adult man. 'The offence was reported directly to Police Scotland by the complainer, and the Diocese was not approached prior to the police investigation. As the complainer was not identified as a child or vulnerable adult, the case does not fall within the Churchs safeguarding procedures as defined under national safeguarding policy. The spokesman added: The Diocese nevertheless recognises that the conduct established in court represents behaviour incompatible with the standards expected of ordained ministry and commends the courage of those who came forward to report the matter and participate in what has been a long and painful process. A 15-year-old boy who allegedly fired an air gun at another student at a Sydney high school has been charged with a string of offences. Police were called to Rose Bay Secondary College in the city's east just after 1.45pm on Thursday following reports of a teenager with a firearm. Officers were told a 15-year-old boy used a BB gun to fire a pellet at the back of another student. The school was plunged into lockdown and students were evacuated onto the oval. Police seized a 'ball-bearing-style' firearm allegedly used in the incident. The teenager was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station for questioning. He has since been charged with: possessing an unregistered, unauthorised pistol in a public place; stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical harm; and firing a firearm in or near a public place. The 15-year-old is due to face a children's court on Friday. Police rushed to Rose Bay Secondary College in the city's east just after 1.45pm on Thursday following reports of a teenager with a firearm (pictured, officers collect evidence) The school was plunged into lockdown and students were evacuated onto an oval There were no injuries reported following the alleged incident at the school Staff are seen outside the school in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Thursday afternoon Police said in at statement on Friday there were no reports of injuries. 'The boy allegedly showed another student what appeared to be a firearm before allegedly firing a pellet at him,' it read. 'The projectile reportedly struck the student, though there were no reports of injuries. 'The incident prompted the school into lockdown.' War in the Middle East has potential to spill over into a 'severe international shock' that will flow through to Australia's economy, the Reserve Bank has warned. International risks were 'high and rising', said Brad Jones, an assistant governor at the central bank, as it released its twice-yearly health check of the Australian financial system on Thursday. Already concerned over stretched valuations and high volatility in global equity markets, the US-Israel attack on Iran and its impact on global energy markets has exacerbated RBA fears over risks to the financial system. While Australia's financial system is relatively well placed - most households have built up financial buffers and banks are well-capitalised - geopolitical pressures are intensifying. 'In terms of financial risk, volatility has risen sharply in response to the conflict in the Middle East and further shocks could lead to markets becoming somewhat disorderly,' Dr Jones said. 'In terms of non-financial risk, there is heightened risk of disruptions from operational, cyber and security incidents at present.' The closure of the Strait of Hormuz - through which about one-fifth of oil supplies transit - and attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Middle East have sent crude prices sky-rocketing above $US110 a barrel. Elevated geopolitical tensions could 'spillover into a severe international shock', RBA staff noted in the bank's financial stability review. War in the Middle East has potential to spillover into a 'severe international shock' that flows through to Australia's economy, the Reserve Bank warns. Pictured: RBA Governor Michele Bullock 'The conflict in the Middle East could trigger a larger shock that destabilises the global economy, particularly if supply disruptions to oil and other commodity markets are prolonged,' the report said. 'Tensions among major global powers also have the potential to escalate, hostile cyber and other actions are intensifying, and strains in the international rules-based order are increasing alongside the risk of global geoeconomic fragmentation.' Even after the 'SaaSpocalypse' sell-off in tech companies in early 2026, as traders panicked that artificial intelligence would make existing software companies obsolete, risk premiums in global equity and credit markets had remained fairly low by historical standards, the bank warned. There remained a potential for a 'sharp revision of the outlook for AI-related investments'. 'Should expectations around the productivity benefits of the surge in AI-related investment be reduced, it could lead to a significant downgrade in profitability forecasts and asset valuations,' the report said. 'Negative consequences for asset quality in the financial system and investment plans in the real economy could result.' Growing fault lines in the domestic financial system were on the Reserve Bank's mind as well. Join the discussion Do YOU think Australia is prepared for the economic fallout or is the worst still to come? Petrol prices are surging as a result of the conflict in the Middle East Banks were well-positioned to absorb significant loan losses in an economic downturn, the RBA said, but a 'disruptive adjustment' in international financial markets could challenge Australia's financial stability. High loan-to-valuation lending to first-home buyers had increased, following the federal government's expansion of the five per cent deposit guarantee scheme - a sign risky lending had picked up - the bank found. But because up to 15 per cent of the value was guaranteed by the taxpayer, the broader financial system would be mostly insulated in the case of a rise in defaults. Banking regulator APRA on Monday announced changes to lenders' liquidity and capital requirements, which would allow them to write more loans for property development and infrastructure, boosting productivity. The rise of robots is wiping out entry-level jobs, the Bank of England has warned, as figures showed youth unemployment at an 11-year high. A regular business survey conducted by the Bank said the use of artificial intelligence and automation was enabling firms to grow without any extra workers. In some cases it means fewer 'early career' or graduate roles are created. Labour has also made it much more expensive to take on workers after hiking employer National Insurance and announcing steep increases in the minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds, plus a raft of new workers' rights. On Thursday the Bank said many organisations 'report automation and AI-enabled productivity gains are allowing them to meet demand without additional hiring'. In such cases, the time taken to carry out 'highly automatable' tasks has fallen by around 70 per cent, firms estimate. 'For some large professional services firms this is contributing to reduced demand for early-career recruitment, including graduates, driven both by cost pressures and a lower volume of routine entry-level work,' the report said. Meanwhile, younger people are shunning trades, manufacturing and farming jobs, it added, leading to an ageing workforce and concerns about who will replace them. It came as the Office for National Statistics said unemployment remained at 5.2 per cent in the three months to January, the highest since the pandemic. The rise of robots is wiping out entry-level jobs, the Bank of England has warned. Pictured: A robot demonstrates a task at the NVIDIA booth during the NVIDIA GTC global AI conference in San Jose, California, U.S., March 17, 2026 The jobless rate for 18 to 24-year-olds jumped from 14 per cent to 14.5 per cent, the highest since the three months to January 2015, representing 598,000 people. James Cockett, senior economist at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said the jobs market has become 'increasingly challenging for young people'. 'This is ahead of the significant uplift to the youth minimum wage rates, coming into effect in just two weeks' time.' The minimum wage for those aged 18 to 20 will jump by 8.5 per cent next month to 10.85 per hour. Professor Len Shackleton of the Institute of Economic Affairs think-tank cast doubt on a scheme to offer 3,000 to take on young people. 'It would be much better if the Government reversed some of the job-destroying measures it has introduced in the last 18 months,' he said. Meanwhile, ministers have paused efforts to drive up the minimum wage for under-21s any further. In a letter to the Low Pay Commission, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said in light of 'concerns regarding the youth labour market', the priority is 'the employment prospects of young people' over further rises in pay. As the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, and his wife Remi were greeted at Windsor Castle by the King and Queen at the start of their state visit yesterday, they could have been forgiven for giving Camilla a second glance. For the Queen, joined at the event by the Prince and Princess of Wales, has quietly made a major change to her appearance which has remained secret until now. A Belgravia beautician has revealed that she has been giving Camilla, 78, a cosmetic treatment to her eyebrows. Suzanne Martin, who is based at The Lanesborough Club & Spa on Hyde Park Corner, London, posted a photograph of Her Majesty on her Instagram page with perfectly arched and preened eyebrows. 'Our beloved Queen Camilla, always a pleasure!' wrote Ms Martin. 'Thank you for trusting me.' Among the comments below was one by Basia Briggs, a friend of the royals, who wrote: 'Smashing that your brilliance is now public! P.S. And thank you for my beautiful brows, too.' Ms Martin, who has been described as the 'Eyebrow Queen', says she has been 'discreetly working for over ten years for discerning clients'. She does not like to use the term 'tattooed' for her 'semi-permanent' procedure, which she describes as a 'bespoke Couture Brow treatment'. Its price tag may cause raised eyebrows: the two-part procedure costs 1,400, with an additional 800 for top-up visits every eight to ten months. Queen Camilla's eyebrows as they looked before treatment (pictured here in 2019) Her eyebrows looked considerably more solid during her appearance at the state banquet for the Nigerian president on Wednesday - thanks to her tattoo treatment Catherine broke into a winning smile as she took her seat next to the Nigerian president President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu claps in his seat between Princess Kate and King Charles III, who is making a speech The beautician, whose clients are said to include pop princesses Ellie Goulding and Dua Lipa, begins with an in-depth consultation and assessing bone structure and style before she sketches a tailored brow template using an eyebrow pencil. Once the Queen approved her design, Ms Martin applied a local anaesthetic and began the cosmetic tattooing technique. Using microneedles, she created semi-permanent, fine, hair-like strokes with a mineral-based, hypoallergenic pigment that has helped Camilla achieve the appearance of fuller, darker, more sculpted eyebrows. 'I approach brow design as a creative director approaches couture: a work of craftsmanship, uniquely tailored to each client's face, style and life,' Ms Martin told the Daily Mail last night. 'Brows are the most powerful feature of the face, enhancing natural beauty and bone structure and they deserve a truly bespoke, considered approach.' She added: 'My intention is simple, to make my clients look and feel beautiful. But what works today might change tomorrow, which is why I use a semi-permanent technique that can truly evolve with your life, style and preferences.' While her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, relied on skincare and make-up to maintain her look, Camilla has leaned towards natural, non-surgical beauty treatments. For nearly two decades, she has been a devotee of the 'bee sting facial' created by British beauty guru Deborah Mitchell, which she has used to maintain a youthful glow. Costing up to 120 per treatment, the procedure uses bee venom to act as a natural, tightening alternative to Botox. 'When I first met the Queen, I couldn't even tell my Mum,' said Ms Mitchell, whose Heaven and Beauty range of products and treatments was one of seven brands to receive a royal warrant from Camilla in 2024. 'I would go off to Clarence House and all these other places in secret. She thought it was just another celebrity, nobody knew, and I couldn't say a word.' On the Queen's skincare, Ms Mitchell added: 'I can do a treatment, and so many weeks later, I'll go back and just go, 'Wow,' because she really looks after her skin. I honestly think she is going back in time.' Kate paid Camilla a compliment while Charles held hands with the Nigerian president during a memorable state visit from Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu - which kicked off yesterday. The King led the royals in welcoming guests at Windsor, concluding in a glitzy state banquet that saw the monarch give a hearty toast with mindful accommodations in place for visitors who are Muslim and fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, including setting aside an area for prayer and Iftar. The festivities on Wednesday captured a number of heartwarming moments from the first Nigerian state visit in 37 years, including the monarch joking about jollof rice - while the Princess of Wales performed a perfect curtsy. Elsewhere, William and Kate appear to have struggled keeping their giggles at bay as they shared a private joke, and the Prince enjoyed a warm greeting with stepmother. Read on for a glimpse behind the pomp and pageantry, which showed the best of British hospitality... KATE'S SECRET MESSAGE FOR CAMILLA One lip-reader has claimed that the pair exchanged some sweet words, with Kate complimenting Camilla's appearance The Princess of Wales's fondness for the Queen was on full display yesterday, as they leaned in close to talk to one another, while welcoming Mr and Mrs Tinubu to Windsor. And one lip-reader has claimed that the pair exchanged some sweet words, with Kate complimenting Camilla's appearance. Speaking to the Daily Express, Nicola Hickling said she believes Kate opened the conversation with: 'Good morning, how are you?', before adding, 'you look beautiful!' Camilla as sophisticated in a pink wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and a pink beret shaped hat by Philip Treacy. She was also wearing the late Queen Elizabeth II's Cartier flower clip pair of brooches, as crowds gathered on the streets of Windsor to watch the welcome. HAND HOLDING Following a ceremonial welcome in the Quadrangle, at Windsor, royal commentators were surprised by a 'rare' gesture from the King, who offered his hand to Mr Tinubu as they walked in Windsor Following a ceremonial welcome in the Quadrangle, at Windsor, royal commentators were surprised by a 'rare' gesture from the King, who offered his hand to Mr Tinubu as they walked around together. Speaking to HELLO!, body language expert Inbaal Honigman suggested the moment was likely one stemming from the Nigerian President's mindfulness, as well as Charles's cultural understanding. 'The King glances downwards, as if steadying himself as he walks. It appears likely, that perhaps the King found the gravel a little tricky to walk over, and President Tinubu offered his hand to help him across,' she shared. 'For the two leaders to hold hands, is certainly unusual, as British men aren't usually seen holding hands with one another. In Nigerian culture however, it is perfectly normal for men to walk close together and even hold hands. 'The King is a well travelled and cultured person, if the President's hand was offered to him with kindness, he would know that the intent is positive.' KING'S HEARTY TOAST One highlight of the King's speech included a special phrase, likely to resonate with those of Nigerian heritage One highlight of the King's speech included a special phrase, likely to resonate with those of Nigerian heritage. He concluded to cheers: 'Naija No Dey Carry Last' - Nigerians Never Come Last.' This is commonly said by Nigerians to commemorate the country's resilience, and drive and pursuit of excellence. Charles also highlighted the fact that, in January, Nigeria became the UK's biggest export market in Africa. He also praised the UK's large Nigerian diaspora, which he described as a 'living bridge of over half a million people who connect our nations and help make our cultures richer, our shared security stronger and our economies more prosperous'. The King acknowledged that there are 'chapters in our shared history that I know have left some painful marks' but said that 'history is not merely a record of what was done to us - it is a lesson in how we go forward together to continue building a future rooted in growth and hope for all, and worthy of of those who borne the pains of the past'. JOKES ABOUT JOLLOF In moment of levity during his speech, the King also spoke about one of Nigeria's most beloved exports - jollof rice. The dish - popular in West Africa - is made by cooking long-grain rice with tomatoes, chillis, spices, and sometimes meat and vegetables, together. However, each country has its own unique iteration. Addressing the regional difference, Charles said: 'I was firmly assured that the jollof was, of course, only the best Nigerian or perhaps it's Ghanaian or Senegalese. 'Diplomatically, I cannot remember.' CHARLES SWARMED IN FLOWERS However, so opulent was the display that in one hilarious moment, Camilla struggled to find her husband amid the shrubbery A state banquet is always a glitzy affair - and last night, running the length of St George's Hall, a 155-foot dining table had been laden with sweet-smelling spring flowers gathered locally, bathed with the light of 143 candles. However, so opulent was the display that in one hilarious moment, Camilla struggled to find her husband amid the shrubbery. Seemingly poking fun at the height of the foliage display - in a video showing the final preparations ahead of the event - she jokingly pointed across at Charles, seeing if she could still spot him. WILLIAM AND KATE'S PRIVATE JOKE - AND SUBTLE ROMANTIC MOMENT And it seems in one instance, the couple even appeared to share a laugh together, as photos captured the pair whispering and giggling Elsewhere, William made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it romantic gesture as he helped his wife into the carriage. The Prince briefly placed his hand on the small of her back as she got inside The Prince and Princess of Wales were in high spirits as they greeted the King and Queen to form the welcoming committee for yesterday's guests. And it seems in one instance, the couple even appeared to share a laugh together, as photos captured the pair whispering and giggling. Elsewhere, William made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it romantic gesture as he helped his wife into the carriage. The Prince briefly placed his hand on the small of her back as she got inside. KATE'S CURTSY The Princess of Wales is known for her perfect curtsy - which was once again on display yesterday, as she greeted the King and Queen. Her husband William, however, stuck to less formal greetings. Kate's elegance was accentuated by her sophisticated ensmeble which included a coat dress with contrasting ivory-trim lapels from Tolu Coker, an up-and-coming British-Nigerian designer. Tolu already has a royal connect; King Charles attended her London Fashion Week show last month. The double-breasted style was reminiscent of the famous Catherine Walker coat that Princess Diana wore for Easter service at St George's Chapel in 1987. Kate's coat featured a pencil-cut skirt, 80s-style lapels, and a surprise lace-up detail at the back, as the princess finished her look with a matching Jane Taylor hat and snakeskin heels by Hugo Boss. The ensemble also bore a striking similarity to Diana's red Catherine Walker coat that she wore during a visit to the Dartmouth Naval College in 1989. Kate's sartorial tribute to Prince William's late mother also included a pair of pearl and diamond drop earrings that originally belonged to Diana. CAMILLA AND WILLIAM SWEET MOMENT Showing his affection for his stepmother, William greeted Camilla with a kiss as he and Kate met with the King and Queen Showing his affection for his stepmother, William greeted Camilla with a kiss as he and Kate met with the King and Queen. William and Kate met Mr and Mrs Tinubu at luxury spa hotel Fairmont Windsor Park, before escorting them by car to Windsor town centre to formally meet the King and Queen. The King and Queen then arrived at the Royal Dais in central Windsor, near the castle. Charles and Camilla were met with the national anthem, played by a military band. The King wore a morning suit and carrying a black top hat while the Queen was in a pink wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and a pink beret shaped hat by Philip Treacy. Camilla was also wearing the late Queen Elizabeth II's Cartier flower clip pair of brooches, as crowds gathered on the streets of Windsor to watch the welcome. The King, Camilla, William, Kate and Mr and Mrs Tinubu then travelled in a carriage procession in a show of traditional pomp and pageantry through Windsor to the castle's quadrangle to see the Guard of Honour for the ceremonial welcome. Queen Elizabeth was rarely criticised during her record-breaking, 70-year reign. But she has been subject to some damning judgments since her death over her failure to rein in her scandal-prone son, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he is now known. In my opinion, this criticism is misguided and unfair. The Queens habitual wisdom is illustrated by the way in which she dealt with another member of her family who brought challenges to the monarchy: her grandson, the Duke of Sussex. At a time when his grandmothers health was already failing, Prince Harry desperately tried to persuade her that she should agree to his and particularly his wife Meghans desire to be allowed to make money at the same time as carrying out royal duties. However, in one of the last significant decisions of her reign, the Queen made clear to Harry at the Sandringham summit of 2020 that he and his American wife would not be allowed half-in, half-out roles in the Firm. She realised that this could have brought the Royal Family into serious disrepute. Members of the public who support the royals with their taxes would not know if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were undertaking an engagement out of duty or because it furthered their business interests. The wisdom of the Queens decision will be seen in Australia next month when Harry and Meghan visit. They are to undertake a mixture of charitable and money-making engagements that seem tacky even by the couples standards. With promotional material emphasising her royal title, the Duchess of Sussex is due to appear at a Meet Meghan photo opportunity event in Sydney where the former actress will be the central attraction at a VIP experience for which tickets cost 1,705. It will be part of a weekend of activities which features a group table photo with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The VIP treatment includes twin-bed hotel accommodation for two nights. The announcement of the event led one well-placed royal insider to liken Meghan to the former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, who was once described by Queen Elizabeths private secretary Lord Charteris as vulgar, vulgar, vulgar. The source told my colleague Rebecca English: Shes basically Fergie. The Queen made clear to Harry at the Sandringham summit of 2020 that he and his American wife would not be allowed half-in, half-out roles in the Firm. Meghan and Harry are, it seems, having to undertake such cringe-inducing engagements because their lucrative contracts with US media giants Netflix and Spotify have dried up. This week, the California-based couple felt the need to issue public statements condemning both an article by Variety magazine on their business challenges and a deeply unflattering new book about them by British author Tom Bower. The article in Variety is particularly noteworthy as the Hollywood bible does not usually dare to antagonise people it might want to feature in the future. The magazine ran a flattering interview with the duchess back in 2022 which was promoted on its cover under the headline: The Meghan moment'. Clearly, it has decided that her moment has passed and wont be returning in a hurry. Among the claims in Bowers book Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family is that Meghan asked the new creative director of Balenciaga, Pierpaolo Piccioli, if she could attend his catwalk show at Paris fashion week in return for the label paying her $250,000 (188,000) expenses. Its not long since sources close to the Sussexes were alleging that fashion houses such as Gucci and Dior were queuing up to pay her millions to be their ambassador. Needless to say, that never happened. Palace officials might be expected to observe the Sussexes apparent reversal of fortunes with a sense of schadenfreude given Queen Elizabeths concerns, the couples later insults aimed at the Royal Family plus indiscretions both in their interviews and Harrys memoir, Spare. In fact, the opposite is the case, Im told. Courtiers were hoping that Meghan would make a fortune from her lifestyle company, As Ever, so that she wouldnt need to trade on her royal connections. Netflixs confirmation that it has pulled out of its involvement with the brand suggests that it did not believe the project would be a success. The Sussexes business struggles mean they will be more determined than ever to emphasise their royal connections. That is why Project Thaw - described as a plot to return them to the Royal Family - is thickening. Harry is said to be confident that automatic, taxpayer-funded security will be restored by the time he comes to Britain this summer, accompanied by Meghan and their two children, to promote the Invictus Games, which are due to take place in Birmingham next year. Royal officials are terrified of discussing the Sussexes, but a source tells me: A lot is going on behind the scenes that people dont know about. For all of us who believe that Harry and Meghan have brought nothing but trouble to the Royal Family, these are worrying words. The King surprised walkers enjoying a sunny day in the countryside as he took a stroll on a marvellous new coastal path named in his honour. Several members of the public gasped 'Is that actually the King?' when they noticed him walking through the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve in East Sussex this morning. The King? Are you serious? said another man in his 20s. One, topless and barefoot on the stony chalk path, simply nodded at His Majesty - sporting a thick jacket and carrying a crook - as his Yorkshire terrier sniffed at his feet. The King, 77, also joked with a group of cyclists that their e-bikes were cheating! and told walkers he hoped he had not interrupted their peace and quiet. He called the project marvellous, and the work people were doing to get it finished fantastic. Charles, a keen walker himself, strolled a two-kilometre route along the new King Charles III England Coast Path, which will ultimately stretch 2,700 miles all the way around the country - the longest continuous managed coastal walking route in the world. It has been named after the King in honour of his love of conserving the natural world. The King surprised walkers enjoying a sunny day in the countryside as he took a stroll on a marvellous new coastal path named in his honour His visit also marked the opening of the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve, which has been created as a lasting legacy of his coronation. He unveiled two plaques en route, joking that the latter - on a windy clifftop - might unveil itself if the breeze on the cloth covering it continued. Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, told the King it was wonderful you're here to see it, given it is one of the things closest to your heart. And the path will always be there?' the King clarified. It's the longest one anywhere? Signalling to the sunny weather, he added: We've come at the right time. After a cup of tea, the King was taken to the beginning of his country walk, which lasted for around an hour, with pauses for the plaque unveilings on the way. As two friends, retired women, walked past and spotted the King, one said: It's not what we expected, is it? As he reached the coast and the spectacular view over Seven Sisters, he encountered more people, asking them about their outings. Have you got the latest bikes? he asked cyclists. E-bikes! Cheating! The King, 77, also joked with a group of cyclists that their e-bikes were cheating! and told walkers he hoped he had not interrupted their peace and quiet Britain's Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds and Britain's King Charles walk as he inaugurates 'The King Charles III England Coast Path' at Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve King Charles meets partners in the project He unveiled two plaques en route, joking that the latter - on a windy clifftop - might unveil itself if the breeze on the cloth covering it continued Several members of the public gasped 'Is that actually the King?' when they noticed him walking through the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve in East Sussex this morning After the walk, Mr Juniper said the King had been totally focussed on the walk, explaining: We don't do small talk with His Majesty, not when he's out looking at nature. He's so interested in animals, plants, geology... He finds it fascinating and uplifting to see the work being done here, working together to bring this landscape and vision to life. The Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve is the 13th National Nature Reserve of the 25 planned by 2028. The King Charles III England Coast Path is a 2,700-mile National Trail, designed to connect landmarks, unlock parts of England's coastline for public access for the first time, and encourage the public to spend more time in nature. On Wednesday, it was reported that Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to the US next month will go ahead as planned, despite serious tension between American president Donald Trump and the Prime Minister over the Iran war. Some have called for it to be postponed or cancelled altogether, believing such a show of joviality would be inappropriate, but plans are already in the final stages. Earlier today, the King and Queen bid farewell to the President and First Lady of Nigeria at Windsor Castle following their successful state visit. Noting the blue skies and sunshine, the Queen said to Mrs Tinubu: 'Well it's a lovely day.' The 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards lined the quadrangle in the Castle, as a trumpeter sounded a royal salute before the President and the First Lady left the grounds in a waiting Bentley car. A palace spokesman said: 'The visit was marked by genuine warmth and mutual respect from the King and the President. 'As demonstrated from their two speeches at the State Banquet, there exists a strong friendship and wealth of opportunity between our two nations. 'With the complexity of geopolitical issues across the world, it underscores the importance of standing close and proud with our Commonwealth partners.' eThe King Charles III England Coast Path is a 2,700-mile National Trail, designed to connect landmarks, unlock parts of England's coastline for public access for the first time, and encourage the public to spend more time in natur On Wednesday night, the King hosted a state banquet in honour of the couple that was attended by senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also present, as Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, took their seats among the British royals for the crescendo of their two-day visit. Princess Catherine looked impossibly regal in a flowing green evening gown by Andrew Gn with her favourite Lover's Knot Tiara and earrings that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. She showed the guests the best of British hospitality, smiling warmly as she took her seat between the president and another of his entourage. The rest of the present royals added to the dazzling display, with the Prince of Wales wearing a white tie with the Windsor tailcoat and his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the 'Lesser George'. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla sported a cream embroidered gown by Fiona Clare with a sapphire and diamond tiara with matching earrings, both belonging to Queen Elizabeth II and given to her by her late father, George VI, as a wedding gift. A lawmaker has made bold claims that NASA is 'lying' about UFOs, alleging the agency holds classified files on the matter. Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett, a member of the House Oversight Committee that has reviewed UFO reports, made the remarks during an appearance on One America News on Tuesday, where he claimed to have attended meetings with the space agency about extraterrestrial craft. 'The lying that goes on in these departments,' he said. 'NASA saying, 'We don't have any of this' or 'We haven't studied any of this.' 'I have been in meetings with them, or they've told me they studied it and that they have stuff that is classified that they can't share with the public.' Burchett was also asked why more whistleblowers have not come forward, responding: 'I think they're afraid of being disappeared I think being murdered is what they're afraid of. I think some of them truly are because of things they've seen.' When Daily Mail contacted NASA for comment, the agency responded with a link to an X post from its press secretary, Bethany Stevens, which said: 'We continue to make all NASA data publicly available and welcome public participation using our data. 'As the NASA Administrator has said, there are certainly things he's come across in the job that he can't explain but they relate more to unnecessarily costly programs than they do to extraterrestrial life.' However, Burchett added that he was informed during a meeting that President Donald Trump receives information strictly on a need-to-know basis. A lawmaker has slammed NASA in a new interview, claiming the agency is covering up UFOs Burchett has long been a supporter of UFO disclosure, while also making claims that 'non-human intelligences' may be operating from multiple, potentially five or six, underwater bases located off the US coastline. He also believes that the Pentagon is engaging in a cover-up, claiming they have 'non-human' technology, and has criticized the Department of Defense for not passing audits while spending money on these matters. The lawmaker made the comments while speaking on the Matt Gaetz Show, where he said: 'I think it is a big cover-up. I think there are too many directions it is going.' He claimed to have spoken with Trump about the matter this week to 'be forthcoming and bring this stuff out.' 'The problem is you have this arrogance... These people are so above the law on everything, they think that we're not fit to handle it,' Burchett added. When asked how Trump reacted to his urging this week, the lawmaker avoided saying the president did not grasp it, but was 'on a lot of other things.' Trump had ordered the release of all government files relating to UFOs and extraterrestrial life on February 19. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued an update about five days later, saying: 'We've got our people working on it right now. I don't want to oversell how much time it will take, right? Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett, a member of the House Oversight Committee that has reviewed UFO reports, made the remarks during an appearance on One America News on Tuesday, where he claimed to have attended meetings with the space agency about extraterrestrial craft 'We're digging in. We're going to be in full compliance with that executive order, eager to provide that for the president.' Hegseth didn't have an estimate of how long it would take for the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies to release every piece of information on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), which have been widely reported throughout the US since the 1940s. Asked if he believes aliens exist, Hegseth replied: 'We'll see. I get to do the review and find out along with all of you.' Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who was put in charge of the House Oversight Committee's task force on declassifying secret records on UAPs, revealed that all of the incoming documents will be housed on the US National Archives' website. Burchett's interview came just days before the White House registered the domain 'aliens.gov.' The domain, linked to the Executive Office of the President, was flagged on Wednesday by an automated tracker of federal websites. However, it is also listed in the government's official .gov registry maintained by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Registry records show it was recently added under the White House Office alongside other official government sites, confirming it as a legitimate federal web address, though its purpose has not been publicly disclosed. The website is not currently live, but the domain has been reserved. Health warnings have been issued across parts of the US on Thursday, with officials urging residents in affected areas to stay indoors if possible. Federal data shows pockets of unhealthy air quality emerging in Oregon, Arizona and Georgia, alongside widespread moderate pollution across much of the country. Air quality maps show elevated levels of PM2.5, microscopic particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, creating hazardous conditions, particularly for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma. These particles are typically produced by vehicle emissions, industrial activity and burning wood, and can trigger inflammation, breathing difficulties and other health issues when inhaled. In southern Oregon, near the town of Chiloquin, air quality has reached unhealthy levels due to smoke from controlled burns, with pollution trapped near the ground by a temperature inversion that prevents it from dispersing. In southern Arizona, including areas near Tucson, blowing dust from dry desert soils is driving similar spikes, as strong winds lift fine particles into the air and combine with emissions from traffic and construction. Although major metro areas like Phoenix remain mostly in the moderate range, localized surges are pushing some neighborhoods into unhealthy territory. In the Southeast, particularly around Atlanta, pollution is being driven primarily by ozone, which forms when emissions from vehicles, power plants and industry react in sunlight as temperatures rise. Air quality maps reveal elevated levels of PM2.5, microscopic particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, creating hazardous conditions, particularly for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma (STOCK) Across parts of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, smoke from seasonal agricultural and prescribed burns has created another cluster of hot spots. These fires are common in the spring and are used to manage land, but the resulting smoke can travel long distances and linger, especially under calm weather conditions. Officials stressed that the situation is not a nationwide emergency, but rather a series of localized pollution events tied to seasonal conditions. However, residents are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activity, especially strenuous exercise, as air quality fluctuates. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults and those with heart or lung conditions, are urged to avoid extended time outside during peak pollution periods. Experts also recommended keeping windows closed, using air conditioning on recirculate mode and running HEPA air purifiers where possible to reduce indoor exposure. The poor air quality comes as a historic heatwave is sweeping over the Southwest, triggering alerts for millions to stay indoors until 8pm local time on Friday. The extreme heat warning covers Southern California, as temperatures are expected to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. In southern Arizona, including areas near Tucson, blowing dust from dry desert soils is driving similar spikes, as strong winds lift fine particles into the air and combine with emissions from traffic and construction. In the Southeast, particularly around Atlanta, pollution is being driven primarily by ozone, which forms when emissions from vehicles, power plants and industry react in sunlight as temperatures rise In Los Angeles, millions are expected to bake under temperatures in the upper 90s, and the forecast may challenge the record for the earliest 100-degree day in the city since April 4, 1989. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned the public to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day this week, and also to take frequent breaks in the shade or in air conditioning if you have to be outside. Similar warnings have been issued in Nevada and Arizona, where this week's temperatures are projected to be 30 degrees above normal for mid-March and will likely break records for 100-degree days, which have lasted for decades. In both Las Vegas and Phoenix, extreme heat warnings have been issued for the next five days, spanning from Wednesday through Sunday. The forecast has been caused by a massive 'heat dome' forming over 14 states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. A heat dome works like a high-pressure lid. It builds overhead, trapping hot air at the surface level, suppressing clouds and intensifying sunlight. A spokesman for NWS warned: 'There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors.' The agency added that the millions living under the heat dome will need to watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat exhaustion often starts with heavy sweating, fatigue, developing cool, pale, clammy skin and a fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea and headaches. In southern Oregon, near the town of Chiloquin, air quality has reached unhealthy levels due to smoke from prescribed burns, with pollution trapped near the ground by a temperature inversion that prevents it from dispersing As for heat stroke, which is far more deadly and can develop within 15 minutes in extreme conditions, the first symptoms are often a throbbing headache, confusion, slurred speech, nausea, dizziness, and a fever above 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Sufferers may also develop red, dry, or damp skin, a rapid pulse, and lose consciousness. Move anyone affected by these conditions into a cool, shaded spot right away and call 911. Parts of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas will also be affected, with meteorologists from AccuWeather warning that March temperatures, which are usually in the low 70s, could surpass 90 for several days. A controversial plan to confine millions of stray dogs in large-scale 'mega shelters' has been branded a potential global public health disaster. The strategy, ordered by the Supreme Court of India in 2025, would see stray dogs across Delhi, home to more than 33 million people, rounded up and relocated into high-density facilities. Each shelter could house up to 5,000 animals, concentrating large populations of stressed and potentially diseased dogs in close quarters. More than 2,000 experts, including doctors, veterinarians and epidemiologists, have warned that the plan creates the 'perfect storm' for zoonotic outbreaks that could spread beyond national borders. India is estimated to have between 15 million and 60 million stray dogs, a population linked to ongoing rabies cases and public safety concerns. But scientists say removing these animals could backfire, as dogs currently act as a 'bio-buffer,' limiting the spread of disease-carrying wildlife such as rats. Forcing them into confined spaces, they warn, risks accelerating the transmission of infectious diseases while destabilizing urban ecosystems. 'This is not just an animal welfare issue, it is a public health issue of international consequence,' said anthrozoologist Sindhoor Pangal, warning the policy could ultimately 'cost lives.' The strategy, ordered by the Supreme Court of India in 2025, would see stray dogs across Delhi, home to more than 33 million people, rounded up and relocated into high-density facilities A series of high-profile cases, including the death of a young girl following a dog attack, has intensified pressure on lawmakers to act, prompting calls for more aggressive control measures. But critics argued the current plan risks undoing years of public health progress. India's existing policy framework, aligned with guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), focuses on sterilization and vaccination to control populations while maintaining herd immunity. That approach has led to significant gains, with human rabies cases falling by an estimated 75 percent since 2003. Scientists warn that removing large numbers of vaccinated dogs from their territories could reverse those gains, creating gaps in immunity and allowing disease to spread more easily. Experts also cautioned that concentrating thousands of animals in confined spaces could turn the proposed shelters into what they describe as 'high-risk biohazard zones,' particularly in areas where veterinary infrastructure is already under strain. Beyond disease transmission, researchers say the policy could have unintended ecological consequences. Stray dogs, they argue, play a critical role in urban environments by scavenging waste and limiting populations of rodents and other animals known to carry dangerous pathogens, including leptospirosis and plague. Eliminating or displacing those dog populations could create what experts describe as an ecological vacuum, allowing these disease-carrying species to multiply unchecked. But scientists say removing these animals could backfire, as dogs currently act as a 'bio-buffer,' limiting the spread of disease-carrying wildlife such as rats 'When you remove a stable, vaccinated dog population, you destabilize the entire system,' Pangal said. 'New, unvaccinated dogs move in, rodent numbers increase, and the ability to monitor disease collapses.' The scale of the proposed shelters has also raised logistical and financial concerns. Housing even a fraction of the country's stray dog population would require massive infrastructure investment, with estimates suggesting costs could exceed 6,000 crore over the next decade. Critics say that the level of spending could divert resources away from sanitation, healthcare and existing animal control programs that have already shown measurable success. There are also growing concerns about international scrutiny. Rabies elimination efforts are closely monitored by global health agencies, and any resurgence could have broader implications beyond national borders. Scientists behind the open letter argue that the solution lies not in mass confinement, but in strengthening existing strategies, including expanding sterilization programs and increasing vaccination coverage to at least 70 percent to maintain herd immunity. They warn that abandoning these proven methods in favor of large-scale detention risks creating exactly the kind of conditions that allow infectious diseases to thrive. 'Confinement on this scale is not control, it is destabilization,' Pangal said. 'If we replace science-based systems with an untested mass detention experiment, the consequences will not just be measured in cost, but in lives.' A terrifying species of spider that once plagued the northeastern US is making a return, and the new infestation is spreading deeper into the country than ever before. The bright yellow Joro Spider, which originated in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and other parts of Asia, has seen its population spike since they last plagued the US in 2024. Experts cautioned that these venomous arachnids are poised to spread across the US thanks to a process called ballooning, where they form 'sail-like trails of silk that lift them off the ground.' Currently, a new wave of Joros is preparing to hatch this spring, with this brood capable of flying several feet through the air and potentially hitching rides all over the nation. The spiders have been seen in Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, California, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, typically in the fall, when they reach their full size between August and October. Female Joro spiders have a bright yellow body with blue strips and red markings, making them hard to miss. Males can be spotted by their more brownish color and smaller size. The females also build large, golden webs to capture their prey, and these are increasingly common as the population swells. Moreover, the females tend to grow much larger than the males, sometimes growing to be as large as a human hand. They also occasionally eat their male counterparts. The Joro spider can grow to be larger than a human hand, although they are typically around four inches with their legs spread out Joro spiders are native to China and came to the US in 2014, first appearing in Georgia. They have since spread to South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Alabama and Maryland If you live in or near a city, you might see more Joro spiders, as they are surprisingly tolerant of urban environments, including busy roads, vibrations, noise, and crowded structures, in comparison to many spiders varieties native to the US. The University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology experimented with tuning forks that simulated road vibrations, finding that the spider was relatively unaffected by noise that would affect other arachnids. Andy Davis from the University of Georgia said in a statement: 'These Joro webs are everywhere in the fall, including right next to busy roads, and the spiders seem to be able to make a living there. For some reason, these spiders seem urban tolerant.' Despite its opportunity for flight and venomous nature, researchers stress that there is no danger posed to humans or pets. Jose R. Ramirez-Garofalo, an ecologist based on Staten Island, previously told the Daily Mail in 2023: 'There have been no documented fatalities, nor any notable medically significant bites.' 'Taken together with their behavior (they are very reluctant to bite) and the evidence from the literature, they really pose no threat to humans or our pets.' Despite posing no threat to people, the invasiveness of the spider cannot be questioned. Joro Spiders are believed to have entered the US over a decade ago in shipping containers from East Asia that were headed for Georgia. Join the discussion Would YOU be able to stay calm if one of these venomous creatures landed near you or are you running for your life? A venomous eight-inch-long spider native to Asia, whose palm-sized females cannibalize their male mates, is flying up America's East Coast and even spreading out west Since then, the disturbing-looking species has spread far and wide when new eggs hatch in the spring. The Joro is expected to soon reach Canada. According to the academic journal Arthropoda, the Joro's fast population growth is due to its high metabolism, rapid heart rate and tolerance for cold weather. To test the spider's tolerance to cold weather, researchers have frozen more than two dozen samples, with more than seventy-five percent remaining unaffected. The spider's eggs normally hatch between May and June and take a few months to reach full size and start looking for mates. While their spread across the US may end up being more of a annoyance than a full blown infestation, David Coyle of Clemson University noted that people who don't want the spiders around can easily move them with a broom or stick. However, the assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation cautioned that Joro spiders are still considered an invasive breed that requires more attention from the scientific community. 'These are not just benign spiders coming to catch and kill bad things; these are pushing out native species and catching and killing whatever happens to get in their webs,' Coyle said. Influencers are flocking to Jeffrey Epstein's notorious Caribbean island in an effort to profit off the revelations from recently released Department Of Justice documents. Videos showing content creators roaming around Little Saint James, the private island once owned by Epstein, have become increasingly popular, with at least nine posted to the site since 2026. Collectively, the videos have accumulated more than 52 million views as searches for Epstein Island and Little Saint James reached an all-time high in February, according to Google Trends data. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Worrying trend: Spurred on by the recent release of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, influencers have been flocking to his private island Jordan-based influencer Ahmad Aburob told NBC News: 'The latest release of Epstein files, that created a trend and that trend caused YouTubers to go there to kind of ride on that trend.' Much of the videos start off the same, with content creators flying to St Thomas, the closest neighboring island with an airport and speaking to locals to get tips and rumors about the pedophile's island. They then scope out local Jet Ski and snorkel rentals and swim onto the island's shore or fly drones over it. Some do not dare to actually set foot on the private island, which Epstein owned from 1998 through his arrest in 2019. But Aburob said he 'went in very quickly' to make his video 'because I knew it will go viral and I know it really fits my usual content.' Increasingly popular: Videos showing content creators roaming around Little Saint James, the private island once owned by Epstein (pictured) have become increasingly popular in recent months But others who went to visit the island are known more for prank videos or for content exploring government conspiracy theories. Junior Sangare admitted in his own video that he knows 'this is a different side, it's not really me pranking.' The YouTuber opted not to go on to the island, but told his followers if he gets 100,000 likes 'I will come back here, ding-dong ditch this building and spend the night on this island without trying to get caught.' Many of those who do go on the island seem particularly interested in a structure that has been dubbed 'the temple,' though in more recent videos, the building appears to have been painted over and boarded up. 'Ungodly things happened here,' YouTuber Ash Alk claimed as he walked around the building in mid-February. 'It feels so weird being here.' Particular obsession: Many of those who do go on the island seem particularly interested in a structure that has been dubbed 'the temple' (pictured) Permit records obtained by NBC News show the structure was pitched as a music pavilion, complete with a grand piano, a living room and a bathroom - but the building's final design ended up very different than what was originally pitched. Ben Lisi, meanwhile, was set on finding potential tunnels under the island in his video posted last month. He did not find any, and none of the Department of Justice files have confirmed whether there were any tunnels under the island - though they include photos of a 'trap door' and make mention of a 'tunnel.' Lisi told NBC News he created the video in hopes of raising awareness about the case, while still being 'light-hearted and still adventurous' for his younger audience. Lisi continued: 'Even though it's just a silly video and we didn't actually sneak on the island or anything, but we just saw it, I think it still brings more attention to it. 'And hopefully, in some small way, can bring justice to the victims and help expose or continue to bring light to what's going on behind closed doors.' Odd discovery: Ben Lisi was set on finding underground tunnels after a Department of Justice filing showed a 'trap door' on the island YouTube videos featuring content creators visiting Little Saint James have been circulating for years, with Andy Bracco making a video that accumulated 1.5 million views of him going to the island in 2020. He said he spent more than 60 days doing research on how to enter it discreetly and how to find someone to take him to the island, and since he has gone, many other content creators have come to him for advice on how to get onto the island. Bracco said: 'I think it's going to unfortunately become a bit of a trend. 'It was easier [to visit], but now it's probably going to get harder, they're going to start to wrap up their security a little bit, just because of the frequency of people trying to get on the island.' Luke Rudkowski also filmed himself going onto the island shortly after federal authorities raided it in 2019. Long time home: Epstein owned the private island from 1998 through to his arrest in 2019 Changing hands: The island was then held in his estate until it was put up for sale in 2022 Rudkowski said he opted to make the trip after seeing a drone video of the property that he said captured footage of someone he thought looked like Epstein. He said: 'I found it to be something that was incredibly important for public interest.' At the time that he went, there was still a lot of Epstein's furniture and decorations left behind, his video shows. But what most caught his attention, he said was the odd furniture and what appeared to be gargoyle statues scattered around the private island. Epstein also had white gargoyle statues in front of his home in Palm Beach, Florida, according to recently released files. Now, years later, Rudkowski said he saw some of the recent videos, but has mixed feelings about them. He said: 'When there's so much that the government hasn't given us answers to, people are going to naturally try to fill that void. 'But if we had a competent DOJ that actually would have done the proper job here and investigated it, we wouldn't have a lot of these independent content creators using the situation as they are for this type of adventurism that they're highlighting on YouTube. 'But at the same time, I'm the person who kind of did it before anybody else.' New owner: The island is now privately owned by billionaire Stephen Deckoff Epstein initially bought Little Saint James in 1998 and then purchased a neighboring island, Great Saint James, in 2016. Following his death his estate owned the property until it was put up for sale in 2022, and one year later billionaire Stephen Deckoff purchased the two islands for $60million. In a news release detailing the purchase at the time, Deckoff said he planned to develop a 'state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort' that was scheduled to open last year. It now remains unclear whether any of the influencers will face prosecution for setting foot on the island and how Deckoff's plans to develop the island are moving forward. But a spokesperson for the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources told NBC News it has not 'received any plans for the development of a resort on either Little or Great Saint James as of March 2026.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Deckoff's firm, Black Diamond Capital Management, for comment. The Virgin Islands Police Department could not be reached for comment. The discovery of a Roman artifact in the Americas has sparked debate over who truly discovered the New World. While Christopher Columbus is hailed as the first in 1492, archaeologists uncovered a small terracotta head of a bearded man carved with distinctive European features tucked inside a Mexican tomb. The artifact, known as the Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca Head, was discovered in 1933 inside a sealed pre-Hispanic burial beneath multiple intact layers, indicating it had not been disturbed after its placement. Confusing discovery: The discovery of a Roman artifact in the Americas has sparked debate over who truly discovered the New World Experts say its facial features, beard style, and craftsmanship bear a striking resemblance to objects from the ancient Mediterranean rather than indigenous Mesoamerican traditions. German archaeologist Bernard Andreae later concluded in the 1960s that the piece was 'without any doubt Roman,' linking it stylistically to the Severan period of the Roman Empire around 200 AD. Scientific testing using thermoluminescence dating, a method that determines the age of ceramics and pottery by measuring the light emitted when heated, further supported its antiquity, suggesting the artifact predates European contact with the Americas. The burial itself has been dated to the late 15th century, just years before Hernan Cortes arrived, creating a timeline that does not easily explain how a Roman object could have been there. All of this has led to a controversial idea that the Romans may have discovered the Americas more than a thousand years before Columbus arrived there. Andreae shared in a study: 'The stylistic examination tells us more precisely that it is a Roman work from around the 2nd century AD, and the hairstyle and the shape of the beard present the typical traits of the Severan emperors' period [193-235 AD], exactly in the "fashion" of the epoch.' Certain conclusion: German archaeologist Bernard Andreae later concluded in the 1960s that the piece was 'without any doubt Roman,' linking it stylistically to the Severan period of the Roman Empire around 200 AD Although the most recent research on the artifact dates back to 2001, the discovery was brought back into focus this week in a report by Arkeonews. Despite the excitement surrounding the artifact, many archaeologists have remained cautious, warning that extraordinary claims require equally strong evidence. They pointed out that no Roman ships, settlements, or other objects have ever been found in the Americas to support the claims. One of the most frequently cited explanations is that the head may have been introduced to the burial site long after its creation. Some researchers have suggested that it could have arrived during the early years of European exploration, when objects were sometimes traded, transported, or lost far from their source. Others have raised the possibility of an archaeological hoax, noting gaps in excavation records from the 1933 dig led by Jose Garcia Payon. According to later accounts, Payon was not always present during the excavation, leaving open the chance that the artifact could have been planted. However, supporters of the artifact's authenticity argued that the context of the discovery makes such explanations difficult to accept. Surprising find: The artifact was discovered inside a sealed pre-Hispanic burial beneath multiple intact layers, indicating it had not been disturbed after its placement (stock image) The head was reportedly found in a sealed burial beneath multiple intact floor layers, a detail that suggests the site had remained undisturbed for centuries and was not introduced at a later date. It would also mean the artifact was placed in the grave before the arrival of Europeans in the early 16th century, deepening the mystery of how it got there. Another theory gaining attention involves the possibility of accidental transatlantic contact. Some researchers believe ancient ships from the Mediterranean, whether Roman, Phoenician, or Berber, could have been carried across the Atlantic by powerful ocean currents. Under this scenario, a vessel may have drifted off course and reached the shores of the Americas, where its cargo could have been recovered and eventually traded inland. Over time, the object may have been incorporated into local cultural or burial practices, losing any trace of its original journey. While this idea may sound impossible, oceanographers have noted that currents such as the Canary Current and the North Equatorial Current can, under the right conditions, carry debris across vast distances. However, critics emphasize that there is no concrete archaeological evidence to support a Roman presence in the Americas beyond this single artifact. Without additional discoveries, they argue, the theory remains speculative. If you're visiting a coastal village in the UK, fish and chips, souvenir shops and holiday cottages galore are likely to be core components of the landscape. But not so much in Pennan. On the coast of Aberdeenshire lies the tiny village you have likely never heard of, a remote Scottish location located underneath steep cliffs and on the edge of the North Sea. Its most unique feature? It has just one row of houses. The tiny fishing village has a rugged charm, decorated with white cottages that overlook the edge of water - quite literally just one street's worth of them. The 19th-century village is perhaps best-known as the backdrop for 1983 film Local Hero, and visitors can make a call from the red telephone box featured in the film. Many cinema enthusiasts are lured in to visit the village precisely to see the phone box. One visitor said of the town: 'Pennan was used to film 'Local Hero' and the iconic red telephone box is still there on the pretty harbour. The Scottish fishing village of Pennan has just one street full of houses 'It's a pleasant place to walk around, and we had a cuppa from the little shack on the harbour front. Well worth a visit as you are touring around.' Another wrote: 'Great spot. Visited after watching Local Hero and wanted to see the town and the red phone box. 'Beach was spectacular. Houses were picturesque. Public toilets at the end of the harbour were the best public facilities encountered in Scotland. Well done.' It's also great for exploring the outdoors, with a pebble beach and small harbour right in the heart of the town. There are excellent opportunities to spot dolphins and grey seals basking on the rocks, too - so it's not just the unique street on offer here. According to Visit Aberdeenshire: 'The rugged coastline, especially dramatic during winter storms, offers stunning views and a truly atmospheric experience.' One Tripadvisor review wrote: 'Pennan is a village with a lot of charm, down a cliff. Stopping by is nice.' There's plenty more to do there, too. Pennan Harbour is the crown jewel of the town. Cullykhan Bay in Scotland and the magnificent views in and around Pennan Pennan Beach and Cullykhan beach nearby are great options in the summer - and can be atmospheric even amid rain. Pennan Beach in particular is well worth a visit. One reviewer said: 'The views are impressive and it has a nice harbour next to the beach.' A second wrote: 'Beautiful little village, came on a rainy day but we were not disappointed. We walked the small beach. Full of pebbles, large and small all beautiful and individual in the apperance. We walked to the Harbour and back. 'Coastal Cuppie has a little hut by the harbour but due to the Autumn weather this is now located in Pennan Hall, fully recommend.' Another added: 'A fabulous day out from Aberdeen, so peaceful, friendly people and added bonus of seeing the dolphins too. Great for kayaking and a real beauty spot.' To get there, Pennan is about an hour's drive north of Aberdeen. A couple from the USA became so enamoured with the screensaver image on their Amazon Fire Stick that they tracked down the exact location in the UK and visited it for themselves. Deidre Wood and Stephen Shaw, from California, regularly admire the various images the streaming service shows on its automatic background. But one in particular caught their eye - a photograph of the rolling hills in the Newlands Valley, located near Keswick in the Lake District. The image 'kept speaking' to 60-year-old Deidre, who was also enchanted by the screensaver of the Quiraing, in Scotland. The couple made it their mission to locate where the picturesque images had been taken and see them in person. Deidre, a college professor, explained how she managed to find the Lake District spot with the help of the internet. She told The Keswick Reminder: 'I had some clues from previous groups and the internet and I kind of looked at little maps and little notes and looked for the Newlands Inn. 'We were told once you see this landmark, then keep going, but you're going to think that you are not there and you are not finding it. American couple Deidre Wood and Stephen Shaw became enchanted by their Amazon Fire Stick screensaver of the rolling hills across the Lake District They made it their mission to track down the beautiful image and see it for themselves, making a journey all the way to the UK 'We just kept going and we both went round a corner and there it was.' The Americans travelled all the way from Long Beach in Los Angeles to the UK and stopped by several beautiful landmarks along the way, including Bath, Stonehenge and Chatsworth House. They even stopped by their other beloved screensaver, the Quiraing in Scotland. After experiencing the Lake District in person and admiring the fells of Robinson, Hindscarth and Dale Head, Deidre admitted she is 'smitten' with the area. 'I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was such fun,' the American gushed. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, the Lake District attracts around 18million visitors a year. Despite boasting such impressive landscapes, Cumbria hasn't actually managed to return to its pre-pandemic levels of visitors just yet. Recent data from the Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor, STEAM, showed a 14 per cent decline in the number of visitors overall in 2024, compared to 2019. However, Google searches for the Lake District are currently soaring, compared to this time last year, suggesting holidaymakers might be looking for stays closer to home. Enquiries for 'UK holiday cottage' have surged by 260 per cent this month, while the rolling hills and scenic views of the Lake District are pulling in 129 per cent more compared to the same time last year. Crystal-clear waters, rugged shore lines and beautiful sea views - anyone would mistake the Italian village for the Amalfi Coast. Located west of Portofino, in northern Italy, the resort is lesser-known compared to the beloved area and comes without the high price tag. Camogli mimics the authentic Italian essence of the Amalfi Coast and boasts colourful harbour houses. The Amalfi Coast has seen 900,000 Google searches in the past month and is as popular as ever. Last summer, footage from the area showed tourists packed onto sweltering buses, struggling for space, while others battle through jammed streets, relentless queues, and suffocating crowds. But, for those hoping to avoid the heaving crowds and still get a similar taste of Italy, Camogli could be the perfect spot. If you want to avoid the crowds and high prices the Amalfi Coast brings, another Italian spot - Camogli - could be the perfect destination Located west of Portofino, in northern Italy, the fishing village mimics the authentic Italian essence of the Amalfi Coast and boasts colourful harbour houses The characterful spot sits on the Ligurian coastline and without the hordes of visitors still feels like a working fishing village. With winding streets leading to the old town and restaurants serving freshly caught seafood, there's plenty to enjoy. The local delicacy, focaccia col formaggio, is one of the village's best-known dishes. Locals make time for a morning swim in the sea and there are often groups gathering to watch the sun set from the seafront. Camogli is much more affordable than most other popular Italian destinations, and works out around 150 cheaper than visiting the Amalfi Coast, according to research by global booking platform Omio. A flight from London to Naples takes approximately three hours and costs from 97 on July 10. Then a two-hour train from the airport to Positano, along the Amalfi Coast is priced from 29. The journey back on July 17 comes in at 26 for the train and 78 for the flight, totally the return trip to 230. But Camogli works out at 156 cheaper overall for the same dates, and it takes less time to reach the destination. Visitors can catch a flight from London to Genova, costing from 43, and then travel by train to Camogli for 5. The return flight is priced from 21, while the train remains the same price, totalling to 74. Once there, holidaymakers can stroll along the long pebble beach, or enjoy hilltop views from Castello della Dragonara. Airlines have been warned that long-haul Easter holiday flights are at risk of disruption within weeks as Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz threatens global jet fuel supplies. Oil traders say supplies could begin tightening as early as next month as the key shipping route remains closed, with reserves rapidly being depleted. Vietnam has already warned of possible flight cancellations from April, becoming the first country to sound the alarm after China and Thailand halted fuel exports to protect their own supplies. Other nations are expected to follow in the coming days, with industry experts warning airlines may be forced to cut some long-haul routes because they cannot guarantee enough fuel for return journeys. Britain is also vulnerable to disruption if the conflict drags on, as the majority of its imported jet fuel comes from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, all reliant on the Gulf route. The UK can only meet around a third of its jet fuel demand through domestic refining, according to the government's latest supply report, leaving it exposed to global supply shocks. Meanwhile, jet fuel prices in Europe have surged to record highs and are now nearly double pre-conflict levels, rising far faster than crude oil due to heavy reliance on Middle Eastern exports. Traders warned of 'acute tightness' in the market next month as supplies dry up, while the International Air Transport Association told The Times the crisis had exposed 'deep vulnerabilities in jet fuel security'. Airlines have been warned that long-haul Easter holiday flights are at risk of disruption within weeks as Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz threatens global jet fuel supplies (stock image) Oil traders say supplies could begin tightening as early as next month as the key shipping route remains closed, with reserves being rapidly depleted and not replaced (stock image) 'Europe is among the most exposed, with 25 to 30 per cent of its jet fuel demand coming from the Persian Gulf,' it added. Energy experts warned jet fuel supplies are being squeezed by reduced shipping capacity and rising insurance costs, tightening availability and fuelling concerns over physical shortages. The International Energy Agency said aviation fuel is particularly vulnerable to a prolonged loss of Middle Eastern production and exports, given limited scope to increase output elsewhere, adding the disruption would affect Asia and Europe. Law firm Watson Farley & Williams said damage to refineries in the region, combined with already stretched global supplies, could limit the ability to refine and distribute fuel. It warned that if airport and airline fuel stocks were depleted for any sustained period, carriers would be forced to cut operations, with potentially far-reaching consequences. Further cancellations are likely, it added, even for airlines operating from bases where fuel supply remains stable, with wider knock-on effects across the industry. However, some experts said disruption to major Middle Eastern aviation hubs could partly offset shortages in the short term by reducing demand, while fuel could also be transported over land. Airlines are monitoring the situation closely, with one industry source warning it is a growing concern, particularly for long-haul operators. They said carriers would be unlikely to risk sending aircraft to destinations where fuel supplies are uncertain, meaning cancellations would be prioritised over the possibility of planes being stranded. Supply chain sources warned that shortages could begin to materialise from late next month, with some airports at risk of running out of fuel quickly. They said this would have a knock-on effect on global travel, as airlines would not operate routes unless they could guarantee enough fuel for return journeys, adding that disruption could take months to fully resolve even if the conflict ends soon. A Department for Transport spokesperson said officials were working with British airlines to support operations and limit disruption. Elsewhere, Thailand has suspended fuel exports to protect domestic supply, affecting countries such as Vietnam that rely on imports. In Australia, ministers said airlines have around 29 days of jet fuel available, while New Zealand insisted its national carrier must continue operating despite mounting disruption. China urges Philippines to stop infringement, provocations in South China Sea Xinhua) 10:35, March 19, 2026 BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Wednesday urged the Philippine side to immediately stop infringement and provocations after two Philippine C-208 aircraft illegally intruded into the territorial airspace over China's Huangyan Dao without government approval. Zhai Shichen, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, said that naval and air forces dispatched by the theater command had warned and expelled the Philippine aircraft in accordance with the law and regulations. "The actions of the Philippine side, seriously infringing upon China's sovereignty, are highly likely to lead to misunderstandings and misjudgments," Zhai said. He said that the theater command forces remain on high alert at all times, to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Tourism chiefs in Turkey today confirmed all resorts, hotels and attractions are 'operating as booked', despite increasing travel anxiety surrounding the Middle East conflict. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, together with Turkey's Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), said tourism is 'proceeding as normal' across the country's popular holiday hotspots. Turkey ranks as the fourth most popular country for tourism, having welcomed a record 64 million international visitors in 2025. Yet demand for UK bookings to the likes of Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt has plummeted since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran began in late February. Package holidays to countries near the Middle East conflict are now being sold for as little as 100, while flights to Turkey have dropped to just 15, as travel firms try to win bookings from concerned travellers. However, Turkish tourism officials have confirmed that travel to the country remains unaffected, with operations continuing 'without disruption'. Despite increasing anxiety from travellers surrounding the Middle East conflict, officials in Turkey confirmed hotels, resorts and excursions the country are operating as normal All UK/Ireland flights to and from Turkish airports - including Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir and other major international hubs - are departing on schedule. All the while, airlines serving the country have reported no flight disruptions, restrictions, or cancellations linked to the regional conflict. According to officials, all tourism operations - including hotels, resorts, experiences and excursions - are running normally with no government-mandated restrictions or disruptions. In a statement, Turkey's Tourism Ministry added: 'Summer 2026 is on sale. 'Tour operators, OTAs and booking partners are encouraged to actively sell Turkey for the full 2026 summer season. 'Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry is committed to supporting partner communications with data, quotes, and briefings on request.' Meanwhile, British travellers are cancelling holidays to Cyprus as fears grow over the Iran war - despite officials saying the island remains safe to visit. The popular Mediterranean hotspot, which welcomed four million international visitors in 2025, relies heavily on tourism from the UK, with British travellers making up around a third of arrivals. According to officials, UK/Ireland flights to and from major Turkish airports, including Istanbul (pictured, stock image), Izmir, and Antalya, are departing on schedule However, its location in the far eastern Mediterranean, just 100 miles from the coast of Lebanon and Syria in the Middle East, means the country is seeing a decline in its usual visitor numbers as regional instability grows. A drone launched by a pro-Iranian militia recently struck the British military base at RAF Akrotiri, located in the Western Sovereign Base Area, on 2 March, placing the island closer to the regional security situation. Numerous flights to and from Cyprus have been cancelled since the drone incident, according to the Cyprus Mail. And this uncertainty has reportedly led tourists to reconsider their holiday plans, with locals worried about the potential impact of the conflict, especially with the Easter holidays approaching. Local business owner Vassilis Georgiou told the Guardian that people are 'thinking twice' about visiting. He added: 'It may be early days but Ive been here since 1992 and suddenly hoteliers are saying bookings are down.' One establishment told The i Paper they were 'about 10 per cent behind' on hotel bookings in April compared to last year. Foto Kikillos, a representative from Ayia Napa's town hall, added: 'Were hearing of cancellations.' However, he was cautious to add: 'Life here is very safe. People are enjoying themselves.' Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Aldi's summer camping range launches this weekend and includes a tent that promises to transform your car into a comfortable place to bed down - for less than 70. Car camping - where you push down the back seats and use the extended boot as a makeshift bed has become increasingly popular in recent years...with tourists turning the country's car parks into places to stay. Fans of the cut-price holiday trend say car camping is more comfortable than sleeping directly outdoors under canvas, and promises assured shelter from poor weather. Until recently, it's a pursuit that has required a certain amount of improvisation, with Facebook groups dedicated to sharing tips on how best to get a decent night's kip in the great outdoors. However, Aldi's latest camping range includes not only a tent that attaches to the back of a vehicle but also an inflatable double mattress that fits around wheel arches. The tent, which comes in beige or grey and folds into a portable bag with handles, is on sale for 69.99, while the mattress, which includes a pump that connects to the charger in a car, retails at 19.99. Available as Special Buys from Sunday 22nd March, there's also black-out blinds at 2.99 each to ensure your tent-car doesn't let too much light in. The brand is hoping to capitalise on a bumper year for staycations in the UK, as uncertainty continues around holidays abroad following the outbreak of war in the Middle East. The Car Camping UK group on Facebook, which has more than 200,000 members, sees fans sharing advice on how best to convert your car into a hotel room for the night. One recent post saw a car camper transform a Honda Jazz using 'conservatory cushions inside a duvet cover as my mattress'. They also had a portable, folding loo, hanging storage and fly netting to keep out bugs. Car camping is allowed in the UK provided a car is parked in a space legally, although adding a tent to the rear of a car may see it take up more than a designated space. With predictions of a bumper staycation summer ahead, it's a holiday trend that's likely to become ever more popular. UK travel companies this week said they're already seeing 'similar patterns' to during the pandemic when it comes to people making the decision to holiday at home this summer. The Special Buys leaflet from Aldi highlights the range, including black-out blinds at 2.99 Richard Young, CEO of selfcatering.co.uk, told the Daily Mail the holiday rental site has seen a 37 per cent rise in UK staycation searches and bookings since the conflict began. He puts the increase down to 'more travellers opting for the reassurance and value of staying closer to home'. Young added: 'Changes in global conditions and rising fuel costs can quickly shape how people approach their holiday plans and when travelling abroad becomes more expensive and feels less certain, many start to consider options closer to home. 'We saw a similar pattern during the pandemic, as well as periods of airline disruption and previous fuel price spikes.' Google searches for several spots across the UK are currently soaring compared to this time last year, suggesting holidaymakers might be looking for stays closer to home. Enquiries for 'UK holiday cottage' have surged by 260 per cent this month, while the rolling hills and scenic views of the Lake District are pulling in 129 per cent more compared to the same time last year. The Cotswolds is seeing a 128 per cent increase too, and other popular staycation destinations like Wales, Scotland and Norfolk have experienced a rise in interest, according to data collected by holiday home insurance specialists Schofields Insurance. Awaze, the parent company of Cottages.com, Hoseasons and James Villas, reports a surge in demand too. Bookings in July for Cottages.com and Hoseasons are up 26 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. CEO Matthew Price puts it down to British holidaymakers 'prioritising escape and calm over the stress of long-haul travel, choosing the convenience and beauty of a UK staycation instead'. Controversial manosphere influencer HStikkytokky made a series of crude claims about Piers Morgan's wife while appearing on his YouTube show. The social media personality, whose real name is Harrison Sullivan, recently appeared on Louis Theroux's Inside The Manosphere documentary, which explored the rise of ultra-masculine communities online. Piers confronted him about a series of comments he made on the Netflix show, including his vow to disown his son if he came out as gay. Piers told Harrison the comment was 'as homophobic as you can get', but he argued back, insisting: 'I'd call it good parenting.' The exchange then became personal, with Harrison making a series of disgusting claims about his wife, Celia Walden. Harrison brought up a 2022 Instagram post from Ms Walden that shows her lying down in a bikini, above a sign reading 'Wanted - Pool Boy, no experience needed'. He told Piers, while showing the post: 'That's your ting bro, that's your girl.' The presenter responded, 'I couldn't care less about your silly little insults. It's like a two-year-old, why would I care?' But later on he walked off after telling producers: 'You know what, I'm not doing this, sorry guys. It's pointless.' Piers Morgan was seen storming off his own show and telling viewers 'I'm not doing this, it's pointless' as he interviewed manosphere influencer Harrison Sullivan The TV presenter got up from his seat and disappeared from view of the cameras after Piers, 60, was left disappointed by a comment made about his wife The team at Piers Morgan Uncensored have not released the interview, but the footage emerged online in a livestream Harrison shared on Kick. Piers was quick to question Harrison on his previous comments, but the conversation soon became personal. 'Harrison, you're making yourself look an even bigger idiot than you did on the Netflix show,' Piers said during their discussion on homophobia. Harrison retorted: 'To people like you, sir, I don't mind that - you make yourself look like an idiot every single day.' He went on to make a crude remark about Celia, 50, alleging that she posts pictures of herself on social media while Piers is 'out of the house' to get attention from other men. 'We can all have a push and a shove, sir. Let's go back to talking about the documentary and less of the homophobia,' Harrison added. A furious Piers replied: 'Do you know what? Here's what I think about you. I watched the documentary, I think you're a sexist, misogynist, homophobic twerp who got exposed in a global way by Netflix, by Louis Theroux, for what you are. 'You're a little halfwit... and there's no point in me wasting my time talking to you.' Join the discussion Where should the line be drawn in interviews like this? Harrison made a series of crude remarks about Celia, 50, and shared her photo on screen Encouraging Piers to try and 'bring it down', Harrison went on: 'There's 50 things we can have a little back and forth about, just ignore me.' Piers hit back: 'No, I don't care about your silly insults. It's like a two year old. Why would I care?' But Harrison didn't back down, turning his phone around to reveal the Instagram photo of Celia lying by a pool. The photo, which was posted back in 2022, was captioned: 'Applications open'. 'Who is this? I think that's your girl,' Harrison continued, but Piers told his team to pull the influencer off screen, adding: 'Let's end this please. You know what, I'm not doing this guys, it's pointless.' Before the stream cut off, Piers was seen getting up from his seat and walking away. One lowlight of Harrison's Netflix appearance was his decision to show him a vile sex act he had shared with his online followers. Despite hitting out against women sharing sexualised content on OnlyFans, Harrison was happy to reveal his own videos. He said told Louis: 'I went to bed late because I was out getting content last night - got a video of me [getting pleasured] in the toilet in the club if you want to see that?' 'No you didn't,' Louis hit back, as Harrison added: 'Bet you'd like to see that.' Pulling a face, Louis shrugged off the comment as he made a dismissive noise, but HS pulled up the video on his phone and showed the documentarian regardless. Leaning in to look at the content, Louis reacted: 'What's the location? Did she know she was being filmed?' to which HS responded: 'Of course she did, yeah.' 'And she didn't mind? What's that all about?' Louis pressed, looking concerned, as HS explained the video was for 'clout' for both himself and the woman. Harrison was happy to share with Louis videos he took of a sex act, as he revealed he'd been 'out late getting content' the night before Elsewhere in the documentary, Louis was left stunned once again as he watched on while Harrison's fans 'kicked and punched' a man as they targeted him for content. Louis explained that one of HS followers had 'claimed to have set up a date online with an older man with the idea of humiliating him live on stream'. Harrison joined the two young fans as they waited for the man to arrive, where they were seen being encouraged by viewers to 'punch up' the unsuspecting man. Louis watched on from a distance via a video link as the man tried to walk away after sensing he was being filmed, leading to him being attacked by HS's followers. Open-mouthed as he watched the stream, Louis said: 'HS's hangers-on kicked him, and rained punches down on him head. They accused him of being a predator, and I have no way of knowing if this could be true.' HS was seen telling the two boys to 'walk the other way' after the altercation, as he told Louis the video 'did not go to plan at all', insisting he had thought they would call the police on the man but did not plan for the 'assault'. Louis reacted: 'It was horrible, it was like a mob attack. You don't get to beat someone up - that's not law and order, is it?' Nonetheless, despite Harrison insisting he had 'deleted' the video, Louis revealed that within seconds, snippets of the video were online on the HStikkytokky platforms. It comes after Louis 'called out' Harrison during one exchange in the documentary. During their tense time together, the broadcaster pointed out that Harrison criticises female adult performers while simultaneously promoting seedy OnlyFans content on his channel. Harrison has previously called Bonnie Blue 'disgusting'. Louis Theroux compared 'manosphere' social media star Harrison Sullivan to adult content creator Bonnie Blue in tense scenes in his new documentary Louis, 55, met with influencer Harrison, 24, better known as HStikkytokky on platforms including Instagram and TikTok , to discuss his rise to fame among the manosphere Louis, however, was quick to point out the similarities between the duo. He left Harrison angered as he claimed the content creator 'sounded like Bonnie' while describing how he feels about promoting extreme or controversial content. Speaking about the interview, Harrison began: 'I think she's absolutely repulsive as a person,' before admitting he only got her on his live stream for 'clout'. Louis then asked: 'You've got 500,000 people on your Telegram, right? And you're advertising OnlyFans girls on there. Do you think there's a contradiction there?' To which Harrison hit back: 'No, because I openly say I don't give a f**k and I'm doing it for money. I don't care about...' Louis interrupted: 'The morality of it?' to which HS added: 'I know it's not good. I say to people: 'Don't watch porn'. It's sad, it's loser s**t.' But Louis corrected him: 'You can't say I promote it but discourage people from doing it... You say it but it doesn't mean anything. 'So you say, 'Come down to the gym I'm going to help you work out' and then you just have a box of donuts there's a box of donuts that I'm holding up to your face... it's giving very mixed messages.' HS continued: 'You do what you choose. If you want to go and eat the donuts, eat the donuts, but I own the donut shop. 'If you wanna come in the gym and pay for the PT or eat the donuts, I make dough either way. My kids are going to be very happy, they can do what they want.' Louis then pointed out: 'You sound a bit like Bonnie Blue... that it doesn't really matter what choices you make because you're making money, 'my kids will enjoy a high standard of living so because of my choices of living'.' Angered, Harrison replied: 'You're saying me posting pictures with a few girls is the same as getting shagged by a thousand guys? Don't compare me to Bonnie. 'I'm not getting triggered, but you're talking s**t mate.' Moving on, Louis then asked the social media influencer: 'Why not try and be a good person? Uplift people? Don't pander to their worst impulses?' But Harrison simply responded: 'If I just done good things, I would never have blown up on social media in the first place.' Later in the documentary, HStikkytokky is seen ranting online after videos of him and Louis went viral on social media during their time filming the Netflix special. Thousands of viewers had headed to the comments joking that Louis was 'setting up' the social media star to 'look like a clown' by having him involved in the documentary. HS was heard fuming: 'If you want to call me a pimp, a scammer, racist, homophobic d**khead, I'm all of those, I'm all of those, Theroux.' It comes after Louis sent out a warning to parents of boys - following abusive run-ins while filming his Manosphere documentary for Netflix. He left Harrison angered as he hit out the content creator 'sounded like Bonnie' while describing how he feels about promoting extreme or controversial content During the 90-minute film Inside the Manosphere, the host examined how prominent male content creators are helping form young men's ideas about masculinity. He met the likes of Harrison (aka HSTikkyTokky), Myron Gaines, Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (aka Sneako), Justin Waller and Ed Matthews. The 55-year-old entered their world and learned how these individuals highlight their respective views on traditional gender roles and values. Meanwhile, the Manosphere itself refers to an online network including forums, websites and blogs that promote anti-feminist beliefs, masculinity and misogyny. At the beginning of the documentary, Louis remarks how he had noticed 'parts of the Internet were being taken over' by male influencers claiming to provide young men with 'cheat codes to win at life'. Louis Theroux issued a warning to parents of boys in light of his new Netflix documentary Inside the Manosphere Louis told The Mirror: 'These aren't figures on the margins anyone who's got kids, and especially boys, will know that they are making inroads into the culture. 'Their influence is being felt in schools, in the workplace and all across the internet.' Throughout the documentary, the influencers film Louis for their own social media platforms while putting him through abuse and asking hostile questions they receive from their followers while livestreaming. In turn, this leads to Louis receiving abusive comments about his previous documentary with the late Jimmy Savile. He also witnesses homophobic behaviour by HSTikkyTokky, while podcaster Myron Gaines speaks in front of his girlfriend about wanting multiple wives in the future. Regarding his own sons, Louis said that while a parent would 'hope your influence would outweigh' online content, he added: 'They probably spend more hours looking at their phones than they do talking to us and we don't always know what they're looking at.' Louis also met with other content creators in the Manosphere, such as Myron Gaines (pictured) Reports that Louis was set to 'front a new Adolescence-inspired documentary for Netflix' first surfaced in September 2025. A source told The Sun at the time: 'Louis is famous for starting out on the BBC with his Weird Weekends show and has stayed with them ever since. 'Even though he started making shows for other channels and streamers, he never fronted them - that was reserved for the Beeb. 'He did two celebrity interview series for them in 2022 and 2023, but ended that after just two series to focus on other projects.' Netflix's Adolescence, which was created by and starred Stephen Graham, centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of murdering a schoolgirl with Stephen playing the boy's father. The scripted series reached 24.3 million views in just the first four days of its release and has been praised for highlighting the online radicalisation of young men and boys. Piers Morgan: Uncensored streams daily on YouTube A buyer on A Place In The Sun revealed they were rushed to hospital after falling down stairs and slicing their leg open. In the latest episode of spin-off What Happened Next?, Jasmine Harman revisited a couple she helped back in 2020. Bill and Sandra bought a holiday home in Cyprus for their children and grandchildren to enjoy too - and Channel 4 viewers discovered what they've done since. The pair admitted they hadn't been able to fly over as much as they'd hoped, noting their longest trip was three weeks. Explaining further, Bill said: 'We've still got our childcare responsibilities back home, so we don't get out here as long and as much as we'd like to.' As the trio dined on a meal cooked by Bill, Jasmine asked them how they'd found the healthcare in Cyprus. A Place In The Sun: What Happened Next? revisited Sandra and Bill (pictured) who bought a holiday home in Cyprus in 2020 Jasmine Harman - who showed the couple around properties in their original appearance - reunited with the pair Sandra responded: 'It's really good. I did have to use it last year. 'I tripped on some stairs, and I gashed the front of my leg. We went to the doctors and he said, 'That definitely needs stitches in'. 'Literally, he said 'there's an ambulance out there.' You [Bill] were saying, 'well, how much is that going to cost?' 50 euros on the insurance, that's all it cost.' Sandra added she had been seen, stitched up and was back on her sunbed in just two hours. Jasmine then queried if the couple planned to sell up anytime soon, to which they confirmed they didn't. She asked: 'Would you ever think about moving out here full time?' To which Bill replied: 'It's crossed our mind to apply for the visa, you've just got to comply with the regulations to get it.' Elsewhere, fellow A Place In The Sun host Ben Hillman gasped 'oh my!' as a couple revealed their property's incredible four-year transformation after a string of renovations. TV presenter Ben, 47, returned to our screens on Tuesday to catch up with Nicola and Paul, who appeared on the Channel 4 show back in November 2020 to try and find their dream home. The pair were keen to find a one/two bedroom apartment with a communal pool and their own outdoor space, near Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote and had a budget 180,000. They fell in love with one of the apartments that Ben had shown them, and decided to put in an offer, which the owner accepted. During the most recent episode of A Place In The Sun: What Happened Next?, Ben returned to the Canary Island to see how Nicola and Paul were doing in their new home. Walking into the living space, Ben was lost for words and said: 'Oh my goodness, seriously, guys, this is incredible. It's a lot different. 'I mean, I get it it's the same, like the layout is the same, which is what you loved but apart from that, my goodness it is completely new property, isn't it?' Paul went on to describe their new kitchen as 'perfect'. But an intrigued Ben asked: 'How easy is this to achieve when you don't know a builder here, you don't know how much things cost you, you don't necessarily know where to get everything from. 'How was that?' Nicola explained: 'Recommendations for the fantastic build who've done where the complex. As the trio enjoyed a meal cooked by Bill, Sandra revealed her experience using the healthcare in Cyprus 'We went shopping with the big major stores to buy the kitchen, the bathrooms, the tiles.' Ben later said: 'So guys since I last saw you, four years ago, how was the process?' Nicola explained: 'The solicitor we had was amazing.' 'They basically hold your hand the whole way, it's just one step after the other, until competition,' Paul added. Ben asked: 'You bought this place for 165,000. It was four years ago now, how much have you spent on it?' Nicola confessed: 'We reckon the building cost, plumbing, rewire, kitchen, bathroom, 20,000.' 'All in all, 180,000, I think that is money well spent,' Ben told them. A Place In The Sun hit our screens on C4 in 2000. The programme sees contributors get help from property experts to try and find their perfect home abroad. The current experts on the show now are Ben, Jasmine, Laura Hamilton, Sara Damergi, Jean Johansson, Lee Juggurnauth, Leah Charles-King, Craig Rowe and Lucy Alexander. A furious Temptation Island: Spain hunk was restrained by security after watching his partner cheat on camera and charging into the villa to seek revenge. The reality show, also known as La Isla De Las Tentaciones, is the Spanish version of the popular franchise. Temptation Island: Spain created by Andrew Perry hit our screens back in 2020 and is set to air the 10th season next month. However, a clip from the ninth series, hosted by Sandra Barneda and filmed in the Dominican Republic last year, has gone viral on X ahead of the next instalment. In the shocking scene, Gilbert Mina is left furious when he watches his girl Claudia Chacon kissing and grinding on another man in a swimming pool. He grabs the iPad that he is watching it on and chucks it into the distance, before running over to the villa that Claudia is in. A furious Temptation Island: Spain hunk was restrained by security after watching his partner cheat on camera and charged into the villa to seek revenge In the shocking scene, Gilbert Mina is left furious when he watches his girl Claudia Chacon kissing and grinding on another man in a swimming pool He grabs the iPad that he is watching it on and chucks it into the distance, before running over to the villa that Claudia is in Gilbert shouts to get Claudia's attention and tries to enter the complex, but a security man gets in his way. Many have compared the scene to when season eight star Jose Carlos Montoya watched his girlfriend Anna Arboledas have sex with another man. 'A new Montoya has been discovered on Temptation Island Spain crashing out after seeing his girlfriend kiss another contestant.' 'Guys? I neeeeeed to watch Temptation Island Spain.' 'The pain , the suffering. Netflix I need Temptation Island Spain now!!!' 'A new Montoya has emerged on Temptation Island Spain he crashed out after seeing his girlfriend kiss another contestant.' 'I NEED to start watching temptation Island Spain.' Season 10 is set to hit screens in Spain next month. Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their shock over the clip from Temptation Island: Spain The series was filmed earlier this year in the Dominican Republic. It will air between April and June 2026. If you're interested in the drama and want to see what the show offers, you can watch season eight on Amazon Prime Video. Apple TV also offers some seasons for a price. Temptation Island hit our screens in 2001 on Fox. The American show, presented by Mark L. Walberg, has had nine successful series over the years. It aired on Fox between 2001 and 2003, on USA Network between 2019 and 2023, and then went to Netflix last year. 'In this spicy update to the hit reality series, four couples test their relationships by splitting up and dating eligible singles on a tropical island,' Netflix's synopsis reads. There are various other international versions of the show. Some include L'Ile de la tentation (France), Temptation Island Versuchung im Paradies (Germany), Ilha da Seducao (Brazil), Vero amore Temptation Island (Italy) and Temptation Island UK. Last One Laughing's reigning champion Bob Mortimer has revealed the one comedian he's scared to face as the Prime Video series returns for a second series. Bob, 66, took home the crown in the debut series last year when he finally cracked co-star Richard Ayoade with a series of one-liners from his joke book. Soon, he will be back on screen defending his title against the new line-up of familiar faces - but there's one he admits he's worried about competing against. The Would I Lie To You? star admitted that he felt it would be a struggle to keep a straight face and stifle any giggles around co-star Romesh Ranganathan. 'I thought: Hes going to hit me with something any minute now",' he told The Metro when he was asked about who he was most scared to play against. Co-star Diane Morgan agreed with Bob, adding that with Romesh, when he looks sad its even funnier. Last One Laughing's reigning champion Bob Mortimer has revealed the one comedian he's scared to face as the Prime Video series returns for more (pictured: cast of series two) Bob, 66, took home the crown in the debut series last year when he finally cracked co-star Richard Ayoade with a series of one-liners from his joke book Last month, the line-up for the second series of the highly anticipated Prime Video show was confirmed, with Bob returning as reigning champion. Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty will be back in the hot seat keeping an eye on the comics as they battle it out to stifle their giggles and smiles while trapped in a room together. This time, winner Bob, 66, will fight against the likes of David Mitchell, Diane and Romesh to keep hold of the Last One Laughing crown. The line-up is completed by Amy Gledhill, Maisie Adam, Mel Giedroyc, Alan Carr, Gbemisola Ikumelo and Sam Campbell. The first three of the six episodes have been confirmed to hit the streaming service on March 19, with two more to follow on March 26. Viewers will have to wait for the finale, which will be available to watch in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide - as the last episode drops on April 2. Prime Video teased of the series: 'Its not just their rivals they need to watch out for. 'The show is packed with comedy cameos, format twists and surprises designed to elicit laughs from both players and viewers alike.' The line-up for the hotly anticipated second series was confirmed last year, with fans quickly flocking to X, formerly Twitter, to express their delight. One said of the star-studded lineup: 'Epic line up,' as a second chimed in: 'Romesh could smash this!!' 'I think this is the best show ever created,' a third wrote, while a fourth added: 'Bob to retain his crown. All hail king bob.' 'David Mitchell v Bob is going to be an all-timer,' another penned, while someone else agreed: 'The casting on this one!! You dont want to be around Sam Campbell.' 'So excited!! First season was so good. This line up looks like its going to be as good as the first season,' someone else concluded. In 2025, it was announced that the brand-new series will be airing on TV screens following the show's impressive launch in March. The Would I Lie To You? star admitted that he felt it would be a struggle to keep a straight face and stifle any giggles around co-star Romesh Ranganathan During the final joke showdown, comedians Bob Mortimer (left) and Richard Ayoade shared a hilarious interaction, with the former ultimately being crowned the winner According to Barb, the first three episodes of the show were watched by more than six million people and topped Prime Video's UK top 10 chart. The comedy series featured a star-studded cast including Bob, Daisy May Cooper, Joe Lycett, Judi Love, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Lou Sanders, Joe Wilkinson, Harriet Kemsley, and Richard Ayoade. After its debut earlier in the year, the show proved a roaring success with viewers and shot to number one on the Prime Video UK chart just five days after its release. Viewers went wild for the show, begging for a season two and hailing it the 'funniest show in a decade'. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, they said: 'Usually the words "Have you got a Kitchen Island?" would be just a dull comment. Put it in #LastOneLaughingUK and suddenly I can't stop laughing. Fabulous TV more please!' 'Wow!! My head hurts watching this! It really is THAT funny!! Bob Mortimer proving again why hes a national treasure,' a second chimed in. 'Last one Laughing is without a doubt the funniest thing Ive ever seen, I genuinely love all ten of them,' a third concluded. There was one moment in particular that made audiences chuckle. During the final joke showdown, comedians Bob and Richard shared a hilarious interaction. Bob quipped: 'I was in the cemetery and I saw a bloke get up from behind a gravestone. "Morning," I said. "No - just having a s***".' The joke was plucked the comic's book and caused Richard to crack up - meaning Bob walked away as the winner. 'What I now realise I'd done was essentially sign up to be in goal and just have someone take penalty after penalty after penalty,' Richard reflected on the exchange. 'I had nothing and he was on a horse opposite me with a pocket full of material.' Last One Laughing returns to Prime Video on March 19. Harry Clough was the eleventh candidate to be fired on Thursday's episode of The Apprentice. The financial sales manager, from Battersea, London, waved goodbye to his 250,000 investment and partnership from Lord Sugar on the latest instalment of the BBC show. Harry has followed in the footsteps of his fellow fired co-stars Rajan Gill, Megan Ruiter, Carrington Saunders, Andrea Cooper, Vanessa Tetteh-Squire, Roxanne Hamedi, Tanmay Hingorani, Marcus Donkoh, Georgina Newton and Nikki Jetha. As viewers will remember, the two teams were sent to Hong Kong during the first episode and were tasked with completing the classic scavenger hunt challenge. They had to find a certain number of items in a certain amount of time, however, both teams failed miserably, and Lord Sugar revealed before the episode aired that a 'heated exchange' was cut from the premiere after their 'shocking' performance. So Lord Sugar decided to let the teams have a second go at it in the Isle of Wight. Harry Clough was the eleventh candidate to be fired on Thursday's episode of The Apprentice The financial sales manager, from Battersea, London , waved goodbye to his 250,000 investment and partnership from Lord Sugar on the latest instalment of the BBC show Unfortunately Kieran McCartney and his team lost the task, meaning that he had to pick two of his co-stars to bring back to the boardroom. The estate agent decided to bring back Harry and Conor Galvin, and Lord Sugar decided to get rid of Harry because of how expensive he bought the stand up paddle board for. When asked about how he felt after being fired, Harry said: 'It was extraordinary. 'I mean, seeing Lord Sugar's finger point and then saying ''you're fired'' was such a weird experience, it was pretty surreal. 'I kind of felt it coming because I was in the boardroom with Kieran and Conor, who are the biggest characters on the show. 'So, I thought I didn't stand a chance against those guys. But then I was just really sad. I loved the whole process, filming was insane and everything was awesome. 'But then you just leave and you didn't see them again and then it is just back to normal life. The latest episode saw the 10 remaining candidates given the chance to redeem themselves from the disastrous scavenger hunt in Hong Kong earlier in the series The Apprentice airs Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer 'I was happy with how far I got, but I was definitely gutted to go.' And when asked if he thinks that he deserved it, Harry added: 'I mean, there's all this argument about the SUP (stand up paddle board). 'I think it was the right decision to buy it there and then. 'Obviously it was unlucky that the other team managed to get a second-hand one but that was sort of out of my control. 'I don't think that was all on me and I think there were other things that happened, but everyone did so well in that task, so it was always going to come down to the smallest thing. 'Someone had to be fired at the end of the day.' He also think that the wrong person was sent home. Harry said: 'I would say it was so close and I think it's so easy to blame a PM and put it on them. 'I was saying Kieran should have been fired when I was in the boardroom because obviously there was that whole joke about them going on a lad's day out and tasting wine and stuff like that. 'They went against Kieran's motto of what we should do in terms of pricing in terms of doing this quickly. 'But also at the same time, they did really good deals. So, I think it was such a close one. 'It was so difficult and when it came down to me, Conor, and Kieran, it was always going to be me.' It comes after candidate Rajan launched an attack towards Levi Hague, saying he instead should have been fired in his place after 'putting himself out there' more than his rival last week. Last Thursday saw Lord Sugar task the remaining candidates with creating a virtual reality demo of a new game, designing a brand to score investments. The losing team, led by Lawrence Rosenburg, opted to create an aerobics game where huge frogs chase the user - however they received only 55,000 worth of investment. This was in stark comparison to the opposing team, which had Harry Clough and thanks to Karishma Vijay's expertise in gaming, soared to victory by securing 205,000 investment for their futuristic running game. Lawrence, 28, decided to bring Levi and Rajan back into the boardroom with him to face Lord Sugar's wrath - but it was Rajan who was eventually given the boot. Hitting back against the decision, he said: 'Ultimately, Lord Sugar makes the decision based on the task and the overall performance, and I respect that. But I don't think I deserve to be fired, to be honest. 'One of the things that Lord Sugar said to me before he fired me was that he felt like he didn't really see much of me throughout the process. 'But if I had the chance to speak to him right now, I would remind him I was sub-PM twice throughout the process. I held, I think, three corporate negotiations throughout the process of which every negotiation outweighed and smashed the other team. 'And I put my all into every single task and I feel like there were some individuals who didn't do that and they should be facing the repercussions themselves.' Laying into former co-star Levi, he added: 'I feel like in terms of consistency throughout the process, I didn't really see much of it. 'I think he was sub-PM once in the first task in Hong Kong and I feel like I put myself out there a lot more than he did...' The Apprentice airs Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer. Louis Theroux's Inside The Manosphere has been at the top of the Netflix most-watched charts since it first launched on the streaming service last week. Louis, 55, met with a series of content creators, with thousands of followers across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, to discuss their shock views on masculinity, women and society in the feature-length special. The documentarian went behind the scenes at the forefront of a fast-growing cultural movement of extremist influencers targeting young men with misogynistic, homophobic, antisemitic and racist views online in Inside The Manosphere. He travelled across the globe to meet the most prominent figures of the movement, who fill their digital platforms with often hateful and harmful content, including. Amrou Fudl, known online as Myron Gains, and Harrison Sullivan, dubbed HStikkytokky. But it's not the first documentary that looked into the controversial online world, with the BBC having released a special of their own that made streaming service's version look tame. Back in November, TV presenter James Blake fronted the documentary, Men of the Manosphere, which focused on the young men in the UK and Northern Ireland who had been taken in by the online group's messaging. Louis Theroux's Inside The Manosphere has been at the top of the Netflix most-watched charts since it first launched on the streaming service last week Back in November, ahead of the release of Louis' documentary TV presenter James Blake fronted the documentary, Men of the Manosphere It followed James as he heard how the young men had first become involved watching manosphere influencers, and the dangerous consequences it had for many of them. Among the subjects interviewed by James is Sam, 16, who swapped real-life friendships for those in the online community who he felt were more like-minded and seeking the same self-improvement. He recalled how he met Vincent, 17, from America - who he described as his best friend despite the pair having never met in person. Elsewhere in the film, James met university graduate Shayne, who opened up in finding solace in the 'red pill' community - a group that discusses ideas about gender roles, dating, and society. Meanwhile, builder Jack, from Northern Ireland, admitted he joined the community to build discipline, status and direction. Documentary maker James said that the film was about 'understanding' the young men - as well as observing the insidious messaging they were consuming. James said of the film: 'It was fascinating to learn more about this complex side of the internet and social media, and to meet just some of the people who have been influenced by it in one way or another. 'Im grateful to them for inviting me into their world and I hope the programme gives viewers a deeper understanding of the Manosphere and its impact on young men and others.' The doc followed James as he heard how the young men had first become involved watching manosphere influencers, and the dangerous consequences it had for many of them After its release, critics dubbed the hour-long programme 'horrifying' with The Guardian describing it as a 'truly terrifying hour'. It comes after manosphere influencer Amrou Fadl has accused Louis' Netflix documentary of editing that 'made him look crazy' - hitting out at the streaming service for being 'woke'. Louis met with influencer Amrou, better known as Myron Gaines on platforms including Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, to discuss his shocking views on women and relationships. The documentarian went behind the scenes at the forefront of a fast-growing cultural movement of extremist influencers targeting young men with misogynistic, homophobic, antisemitic and racist views online in Inside The Manosphere. The content creator rose to fame online among a young male audience due to his controversial 'Fit and Fresh' podcast, which has hosted Andrew Tate in the past. The series, which is a two to five hour show focusing on topics including masculinity, relationships, fitness and finance, is streamed online across X, formerly Twitter, and paid-for content site Kick, where young men pay to subscribe. During the documentary, Louis sat in on a recording of the 'After Hours' section of the podcast, which sees Amrou spar with local female influencers around a table, and in one shock clip saw him brand a female guest 'fat f***ing b***h'. Louis also quizzed Amrou on his hopes to have 'multiple wives' - following a 'one-way monogamous' relationship with his now ex-girlfriend, which allowed him to sleep with other women, while she remained faithful. Now, the content creator has branded Louis a 'liar' to his army of fans in another podcast format, titled The Debrief, where Amrou shares his controversial and divisive opinions on recent news stories. In the horrifying over seven-hour long stream titled 'Inside the Therouxsphere of lies', which saw him react to a shooting at a synagogue and developments on the Middle East conflict, he hit out against the documentary as 'making him look crazy'. Branding Netflix as a 'bunch of woke garbage' and referring to the documentarian as 'Louis the liar', he said of his TV appearance: 'For a very long time I was hesitant. 'I was not really interested in doing it and the reason why was because I saw how they did my boy Andrew Tate. I wasn't really happy about it. 'These companies understand that "normies" are easily shocked and offended, and what they do is, they find polarising people, they get them for interviews, they cut out all the context, all the background, why they think the way that they do and they cut out how they came to their conclusion. 'Their goal is to take a polarising person, put them in a box, make them look crazy, give shock value and sell it off.' Elsewhere in the controversial episode, Amrou shockingly told his devoted followers that overweight people 'don't deserve' to find love and that 'feminism was behind' all of the 'problems' in the world - met with hundreds of followers in agreement. He also used a homophobic and ableist slurs as he hit back at followers with views of disagreement, branded women 'w****s' and 'h**s', and used an anti-semitic caricature image as he spoke about Jews. Men of the Manosphere is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer Beau Ryan has issued a stark warning about the fallout from Kyle Sandilands' axing from KIIS FM, claiming the situation could turn 'very messy'. The Triple M breakfast host, 40, weighed in on the shock news that Sandilands' reported 10-year, $100million contract had been terminated, suggesting the repercussions may run far deeper than many realise. 'I've been over there many times. We've all got friends that work over there at KIIS, and there are a lot of really good people out of a job right now,' Beau told his co-stars Cat Lynch and Aaron Woods. He went on to reveal it's not just high-profile presenters Sandilands, 54, and Jackie 'O' Henderson, 51, who are affected but potentially their entire production team. According to Beau, staff could now be facing unemployment, with limited means to challenge the decision. 'If Kyle is terminated and the show is over, they're all without a job. They don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight dismissal,' Beau said. Veteran radio star Beau Ryan has issued a stark warning about the fallout from Kyle Sandilands' axing from KIIS FM, claiming the situation could turn 'very messy' The Triple M breakfast host weighed in on the shock news that Sandilands' reported 10-year, $100million contract had been terminated, suggesting the repercussions may run far deeper than many realise Lynch then warned the situation could deteriorate even further, with many staff now left in limbo. 'That's the key part! You've got a lot of people in limbo that haven't been earning that multimillion-dollar contract,' she said. 'This is going to be a bit of a drawn-out process... and it's going to get very messy.' The Kyle and Jackie O Show employed over a dozen staff members, who worked in various roles including as producers and newsreaders. It is currently unknown whether the staff will be redeployed to other KIIS FM radio shows or face redundancy. It follows reports that KIIS FM staff were reportedly furious after being informed of the axing of The Kyle & Jackie O Show, an hour after Sandilands' termination announcement. The shock jock released a statement at 7am on Wednesday morning announcing that KIIS' parent company Australian Radio Network had terminated his contract. Just an hour after Sandilands' bombshell statement, news.com.au reported that ARN chief executive Michael Stephenson sent an email to staff announcing that The Kyle & Jackie O Show had been axed. Beau went on to reveal it's not just high-profile presenters Kyle Sandilands, 54, and Jackie 'O' Henderson, 51, who are affected but potentially their entire production team. Pictured According to Beau, staff could now be facing unemployment, with limited means to challenge the decision 'This morning, ARN announced that it has issued a notice of termination of contract with Kyle and Quasar Media,' the email read. 'As a result ARN will no longer present the Kyle and Jackie O Show.' It was also revealed that Mike E would continue to helm the breakfast music show. The publication also reported that prior to the announcement of the show's axing, staff were sent another email directing them not to speak directly to the media. News of the show's axing has sent shockwaves through KIIS staff, with the publication reporting that not all show staff are directly employed by ARN, but instead through Sandilands' company, King Kyle. An insider told the publication that staff were worried for their futures and angry at how the situation was handled. 'Many staff found out through social media instead of an official statement. It wasn't until after the news broke that staff were advised officially,' the insider said. 'I am just so angry about how it has all been handled.' They added: 'It's not how the situation should be handled, especially when the team that worked on that show are still showing up every day to work.' Daily Mail reached out to ARN, who declined to comment. ARN announced last month that Henderson's $100million contract had been terminated after she told executives she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' following his harsh on-air comments that left her in tears. They 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 was given a 14-day suspension during which he was required to 'remedy the breach.' That deadline passed on Tuesday night and ARN revealed Sandilands' fate on Wednesday morning. Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia's most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip before it makes the news. The party that never happened It was supposed to be a night of celebration. But now Melbourne socialites are whispering about what really unfolded at the birthday party that wrapped up hours before high-flying media boss Antony Catalano allegedly subjected a woman to a brutal assault. Catalano, the executive chairman of newspaper group ACM, which publishes the Canberra Times, Newcastle Herald and Illawarra Mercury, had flown to Melbourne from Byron Bay last Thursday with wife Stefanie for the 40th birthday of their friend, socialite and longtime collaborator Daanen Nootenboom, who has worked on graphic redesign projects for the couple's luxury Byron Bay hotel, Raes on Wategos. The dinner party, held at a Salona restaurant in Richmond, included a guest list of well-heeled friends, with attendees posting snaps to social media showing them clinking shot glasses personalised with Nike ticks as they partied late into the night. Following the alleged assault at his St Kilda apartment, media boss Antony Catalano said he was 'deeply ashamed and humiliated', acknowledging the pain caused to 'the woman involved' Catalano (left) and his wife Stefanie (right) were celebrating the 40th birthday of Daanen Nootenboom (centre) on the night Catalano was charged with assaulting a woman But good luck trying to find the photos now. They were everywhere on the night, but have since mysteriously vanished. Multiple guests are said to have wiped the images from Instagram. Others have allegedly been told to 'keep their mouths shut' about what might have unfolded during - and after - the party. Because, as we all now know, just hours later the mood allegedly soured dramatically. The 59-year-old businessman, known in media circles as The Cat, stands accused of a violent incident at his lavish St Moritz apartment in St Kilda. Police allege he dragged a woman, who cannot be named, through the property so violently that he left her with a broken coccyx, then wielded a clothes iron, swinging it towards her head. The next day, Catalano appeared at Melbourne Magistrates' Court via audio-visual link for a bail hearing. He sat with his head in his hands and did not enter a plea. In a statement, he said he was 'deeply ashamed and humiliated', acknowledging the pain caused to 'the woman involved, my family [and] friends'. The magistrate described the case against him as 'relatively strong' and noted he could be facing jail time if found guilty. Inside Catalano's $30million St Kilda apartment where the alleged incident took place According to a summary of allegations read in court, Catalano 'dragged the victim to the laundry area where he grabbed a clothes iron and held it towards the victim's head, causing the victim to grab onto the iron herself'. Catalano now claims he has been battling 'significant mental health and substance abuse issues' for some time, admitting those close to him had urged him to seek help. 'I regret not heeding their advice,' he said in his statement. Catalano has been charged with assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill. In the fallout, he announced he would take six months' leave and step down from his role at regional publisher ACM, which he co-owns with businessman Alex Waislitz. As his next hearing looms, questions are swirling about what really happened at that birthday party - and, just as importantly, why has everyone who attended suddenly gone quiet? Meanwhile, Catalano's wife Stefanie is said to be back in Byron Bay, having hired crisis communications manager Lahra Carey. She is said to be leaning on the shoulder of her well-connected friends Steph Stean and Hemsworth matriarch Leonie, mother of Chris, Luke and Liam. Stefanie (right) is said to be leaning on the shoulder of Leonie Hemsworth (left), mother of Hollywood actors Chris, Luke and Liam Graphic designer Daanen Nootenboom, whose 40th birthday Catalano had attended before the alleged assault, dated socialite Bec Harding in 2016 when she was on a break with Andy Lee Not the Daily Mail type A simple enquiry to a celebrity facialist this week prompted the sort of blast that left me feeling like I'd waltzed into Area 51 and asked where they kept the aliens. You probably know Ingrid Seaburn, the brilliant Bondi-based skin guru behind the flawless visages of Delta Goodrem, Mel C, Pip Edwards and more. I'd received a tip that subscribers to her $350-a-month membership program - a package that promises everything from personalised treatments to exclusive events and concierge-style booking - were having trouble getting an appointment. It wasn't exactly Watergate stuff, but I asked around nonetheless. And naturally, I also reached out to Seaburn to see if she wanted to comment on the chatter. Her response, dear readers, blew my socks off. Seaburn made it clear that every one of her members gets an appointment, and suggested that I had been 'scammed by a bogus campaign or bogus people'. She said her seven-day-a-week Members Concierge, dedicated WhatsApp group, and system of follow-up enquiries should a member forget to book online mean that it is 'literally impossible' not to get through the door. It was 'frightening', she thundered, to think someone might suggest otherwise. Seaburn also noted that my query was particularly hard to believe because her clients 'are really not the type of women to contact the Daily Mail'. Oh, you'd be surprised who gets in touch, Ingrid. Bondi-based skin guru Ingrid Seaburn (right) has famous clients including Delta Goodrem, Mel C and Pip Edwards (left) There was no answer at the clinic when I visited Ingrid on Wednesday. She got back to me on Thursday with a thunderous response that every one of her members gets an appointment Seaburn used to operate out of Denham Street in Bondi, just a stone's throw from Totti's and The Royal - prime territory for Sydney's well-heeled set. These days, she's working out of a smaller studio on Bondi Road, opposite Waverley Park. For those paying $350 a month, expectations are understandably high, so I'm pleased to hear that her booking system is entirely beyond reproach. I feel like I need a facial after that... Mogul's boudoir moment What's that saying - stay humble, don't forget where you came from? Sydney entrepreneur Alexandra Jakob appears determined to do just that, sharing a deeply personal account of her childhood in a rather unexpected Instagram post. Posing for a boudoir photo shoot with her fiance Michael Burn, Jakob opened up about her past in the caption, writing: 'I slept on the street as a small child 'Other nights I slept on a mattress pulled from a dumpster, no sheets, no blanket and just the cold. I survived on soup kitchens. 'Life tried to bruise me. It tried to dent me. But it never broke me. 'Because I already survived the things that were meant to destroy me. You cant normalise what I went through and you will never break me.' Powerful words from the self-made founder of Bondi Boost haircare - but it was the image paired with the caption that had me confused. Draped across Burn's lap in a lace gown, Jakob posed among candelabras and a sea of red roses. It didn't scream rags-to-riches survival story. And it turns out this wasn't a one-off. I'm reliably informed these elaborate shoots are a regular affair for the engaged couple, with photographer Emily Abay behind the lens and stylist Charlotte Stokes curating the romantic scenes each month. I caught the pair at Downing Centre Local Court last month as their long-running dispute with Burn's ex-boyfriend Geoffrey Williams rumbled on. Draped across her fiance Michael Burn's lap in a lace gown, Alexandra Jakob posed among candelabras and a sea of red roses. It didn't exactly scream rags-to-riches survival story Former male escort Michael Burn and his multimillionaire fiancee Alexandra Jakob put on a united front while arriving at court last month Geoffrey Williams (left) and Mr Burn (right) were more than business partners back in the day It all kicked off in February last year when Burn, a former male escort, applied for a restraining order against Williams, citing what he described as 'harassing and stalking behaviour'. The situation quickly escalated. Williams went on to file a police complaint, lodged just weeks before Burn and Jakob moved ahead with their private AVO application. Fast-forward a year and after countless court appearances, the matter was finally slated to be heard last month, despite Burn's barrister AJ Karim making repeated attempts to broker a deal with Williams behind the scenes. It was a nothing hearing. After waiting all day to secure a free courtroom and failing to reach a settlement, the matter ended quickly when a nononsense magistrate refused to sit through the saga, knowing it could take up to four hours. Here's hoping they can finally settle things when they return to court on April 7. Tammy Hembrow's ex-husband has bonded with her ex-fiance over a cute video featuring her youngest daughter, Posy. The fitness influencer's ex-fiance Matt Poole, 35, took to Instagram this week to share an adorable clip that showed him and Posy, three, whom he shares with Tammy, catching some waves on the Gold Coast. The doting dad expertly guided his daughter through the waves as a clearly excited Posy could not wipe the smile off her face. Captioning the post, Poole revealed that despite her tender years, Posy could not be dissuaded from enjoying the surf alongside the Tallebudgera Nippers Junior Surf Life Saving Club. 'Not gonna lie, surf was kinda solid last week, but Po was adamant we were going out with the Talle kids,' he wrote. 'Clearly I was more worried than her haha these are the memories we live for!!! I cant wait to do this with Parker (soon),' Poole added, referring to the son he shares with new partner Annelyse Oatway. Tammy Hembrow's ex-husband Matt Zukowski has bonded with her ex-fiance Matt Poole (pictured) over a cute video featuring her youngest daughter, Posy The cute clip was met with a flurry of swooning comments from friends and followers. One gushing comment came from Tammy's ex-husband Matt Zukowski, who wrote: 'So cute.' Bonding over a shared love of little Posy, Poole replied: '@mattzukowski crazy hey... full big girl now,' augmenting the sentiment with a smiling face with hearts emoji. While one churlish commenter suggested that Zukowski's comment was 'weird,' others were quick to come to the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star's defence. 'Nothing weird about it he was married to Posy's mum and obviously still cares,' one wrote. Another chimed in with a similar: 'Wow not at all. He was married to her mum. You still have time to delete this comment.' A third summed up the sentiment of many with: 'He was Posy's stepdad, you expect him to be heartless?' It comes after Hembrow and Poole enjoyed a happy airport reunion in Sydney last week. Poole, 35, took to Instagram this week to share an adorable clip that showed him and Posy, three, whom he shares with Tammy, catching some waves on the Gold Coast, which elicited a sweet comment from Matt Zukowski (right) Hembrow and Poole went public with their relationship in 2020, with Poole popping the question on a private yacht in November 2021. The couple welcomed Posy in June 2022, only to call time on their relationship seven months later Hembrow and Poole were seen chatting inside the terminal as they travelled with Posy. Also joining them were Poole's new partner Annelyse Oatway and the couple's baby son, Parker. The blended group appeared relaxed as they made their way through the busy airport together, with Posy seen happily walking alongside her father while Lyse carried baby Parker in a front carrier. Hembrow and Poole went public with their relationship in 2020, with Poole popping the question on a private yacht in November 2021. The couple welcomed Posy in June 2022, only to call time on their relationship seven months later. Meanwhile, Hembrow and Zukowski were engaged in December 2023 after just three months of dating. They tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay in November 2024; however, that union proved short-lived. They confirmed that the marriage was over in June last year, after just seven months. Hembrow and Zukowski tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay in November 2024; however, that union proved short-lived, ending just seven months later 'Both of us have struggled with making this decision, however we need to do what is right for ourselves and her three children,' Zukowski said in an Instagram Story at the time. 'This wasn't a decision we took lightly. Our time together will always be cherished and never forgotten,' he added, before thanking fans for their support and asking for privacy. Aside from Posy, Hembrow also shares Wolf, 10, and Saskia, nine, with ex-fiance Reece Hawkins. More recently, Tammy has been romantically linked with AFL star Bailey Smith and 22-year-old model Grayson Te Moana. The Vanity Fair Oscar bash is widely considered the most exclusive after-party of the Academy Awards. But this year, many guests were reportedly left dismayed by the harsh lighting at the star-studded event, which exposed every flaw and imperfection. One actress was left in tears over photos that saw her looking like a 'Diane Arbus character' according to the Hollywood Reporter. Vanity Fair's new editor Mark Guiducci moved the event from its longtime home at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) this year. Despite the classy new location, partygoers - which included the likes of Kris Jenner and her famous daughters, Demi Moore, Mia Goth and Heidi Klum - recoiled at the 'unforgiving' bright lights at the event. 'I genuinely feel bad for some of these women,' one guest said. 'One poor actress looked like a Diane Arbus character. She was on her phone looking at her pictures and shrieking at her publicist. I heard that she went home and cried herself to sleep. Nobody has heard from her since!' The Daily Mail has reached out to Vanity Fair and Guiducci for comment. Many guests at this year's iconic Vanity Fair Oscar party were left dismayed by the harsh lighting, which exposed every imperfection in photos; Kris Jenner seen at the event One actress was left in tears over her photos, according to the Hollywood Reporter; Mia Goth seen on the red carpet The Arbus comparison is particularly brutal given the photographer's legacy of haunting imagery. Her work focused on unconventional subjects from circus performers to giants captured in a stark style that is the opposite of Hollywood glamour. Another insider said that it was 'like being shot in extremely high-def. You saw a lot of excess pounds and wrinkles that used to be hidden. Nobody wants to be photographed like that!' In fact, the morning after, many stars chose to share photos from Guy Oseary and Madonna's annual bash instead of the official photos from the Vanity Fair carpet. This year's lighting stood in stark contrast to the soft, golden glow of previous bashes, as one longtime guest said that in prior years 'even the ugliest stars knew they'd come out all right. It was like magic.' One attendee said that it was 'crazy-bright' at the event and compared it to 'standing under klieg lights.' Another said that 'It was like a hundred degrees' and wondered if she was 'having hot flashes.' The glamour took another hit when the traditional red carpet was replaced by a light gray shag, which was mocked for its drab appearance by a number of social media users. Guiducci was reportedly determined to restore the party's fading luster, and ordered a brutal refinement of the guest list. 'Mark only wanted the most AAA-list stars,' an insider told the outlet, adding that 'he must have gone over that list a thousand times.' 'I genuinely feel bad for some of these women,' one guest said. 'One poor actress looked like a Diane Arbus character'; Model Heidi Klum pictured at the bash Another insider said that it was 'like being shot in extremely high-def. You saw a lot of excess pounds and wrinkles that used to be hidden. Nobody wants to be photographed like that!' The glamour took another hit when the traditional red carpet was replaced by a light gray shag, which was mocked for its drab appearance by a number of social media users This year's lighting stood in stark contrast to the soft, golden glow of previous bashes, as one longtime guest said that in prior years 'even the ugliest stars knew they'd come out all right. It was like magic' Vanity Fair's new editor Mark Guiducci moved the event from its longtime home at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) this year; Guiducci pictured with Nicole Kidman This year the red carpet excluded B-listers like media reporters and TV stars. One high-profile star that skipped the event was Emma Stone. Despite being invited, Stone opted to go to the Universal Pictures party and later headed to A24's bash. When questioned about the Vanity Fair bash, she said in a video shared to X: 'Its so weird, even if youre nominated, it doesnt mean you can go.' Guests at the new LACMA venue were supposed to get a first look at the museum's new David Geffen galleries. However, the area remained unfinished by the night of the Oscars, and the party was moved to a less glitzy part of the museum. The guests also reportedly complained about the traffic as well as the party's 'influencer emcees', who reportedly 'insulted several VIPs.' Not everyone was ready to write off the bash just yet. One guest pointed out that it was merely the 'first time' at the new venue, adding: 'Ill still go next year.' The high-profile guest list this year also featured the likes of Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Jessica Alba and Hailey Bieber. Karen Hauer was supported by her boyfriend Simon Davidson and former Strictly co-stars as she made her first public appearance since being sensationally axed from the BBC show. The dancer, who had been Strictly's longest-serving pro, was informed by bosses earlier this month that her contract would not be renewed, joining several pros who wouldn't be returning to the show. Despite being left 'very upset' by the axe, Karen was in better spirits as she joined her boyfriend at The London Cabaret Club's gala in partnership with The King's Trust, held at the iconic Bloomsbury Ballroom. The dancer cut a glamorous figure in an off-the-shoulder black gown as she posed for snaps alongside the stars in attendance. Also in attendance was Tasha Ghouri and Helen George, who previously competed on Strictly during Karen's time on the show. The gala saw 14 young performers take to the stage after completing a two week professional training programme. Karen Hauer was supported by her boyfriend Simon Davidson and former Strictly co-stars as she made her first public appearance since being sensationally axed from the BBC show The dancer, who had been Strictly's longest-serving pro, was informed by bosses earlier this month that her contract would not be renewed Despite being left 'very upset' by the axe, Karen was in better spirits as she joined her boyfriend at The London Cabaret Club's gala in partnership with The King's Trust Tasha, who is an ambassador for The King's Trust, opted for an eye-catching leather dress as she attended the gala with her boyfriend Cam Whitnall. Earlier this month Daily Mail revealed that Karen was the latest cast member to be sensationally dropped from the hit BBC show, with insiders claiming the entire line-up of professional dancers could be set for a major overhaul. Karen the show's longest-serving female professional has performed on the programme for 13 years. She was informed of the decision in recent days. Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35, were also axed from the series, with sources claiming all of the Strictly pros are already aware of their fate. One insider said: 'Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year. 'It's very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. As the longest-serving female dancer, Karen found out last week that her time on Strictly is over.' A second source added: 'It's an awful fate for the professional dancers who have dedicated their careers to the show. 'Karen was obviously very upset after being told the news, but she is trying to remain positive about the future. She works as a choreographer and knows she can focus more on that, as well as her work in the fitness industry. The dancer cut a glamorous figure in an off-the-shoulder black gown as she posed for snaps alongside the stars in attendance Tasha Ghouri, who competed on Strictly in 2024, cut a glamorous figure in a plunging black leather dress Tasha, who is an ambassador for The King's Trust, opted for an eye-catching grey metallic dress as she attended the gala with her boyfriend Cam Whitnall Helen George, who appeared on Strictly in 2015, posed up a storm in a delicate pale pink satin mini dress 'It's also looking increasingly likely that Aljaz Skorjanec will not return, while Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe have been given the green light to stay.' Despite her long-standing commitment, Karen has never won the Strictly glitterball trophy, though she did reach the final with Mark in 2014. Karen was previously married to former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton, but their marriage ended after three years. Despite the split, the pair continued to work together on the show. The Daily Mail has contacted Karen's spokesperson for comment. Sources suggest bosses are aiming for an entirely fresh start following years of criticism and controversy surrounding the professional dancers. Elsewhere, Neil Jones, 43, who has rarely had a celebrity dance partner on the show, will also go without one this year, as will Nancy Xu, 34. It's believed they may still appear in the big group dance numbers. When Sarah Michelle Gellar first met her future husband Freddie Prinze Jr. in 1997 on the North Carolina set of horror slasher I Know What You Did Last Summer, he was already dating a girl that she knew. The 48-year-old Daytime Emmy winner was driving an hour to get to a gym in Wilmington every day when suddenly, her 50-year-old silver fox graciously offered to drive her into town so he could run errands. 'I was like, "Oh my god, that would be amazing!" Because I literally had just gotten my driver's license. I grew up in New York City. Like I took a subway. I didn't drive,' Gellar recalled in her new People cover story. 'So he drove me and that was like the first time that we really hung out and it was so random because we didn't know each other that well but that's when we got to know each other.' The Star Search judge and Prinze Jr. eventually went public with their relationship three years later in January 2000. Gellar and the Wrestling with Freddie podcaster impressively celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary last September, and they're proud parents of 16-year-old daughter Charlotte and 13-year-old son Rocky. When Sarah Michelle Gellar (L) first met her future husband Freddie Prinze Jr. (R) in 1997 on the North Carolina set of horror slasher I Know What You Did Last Summer, he was already dating a girl that she knew The 48-year-old Daytime Emmy winner was driving an hour to get to a gym in Wilmington every day when suddenly, her 50-year-old silver fox graciously offered to drive her into town so he could run errands (pictured March 8) When asked about the secret to long-lasting marriage, the Golden Globe nominee said: 'One bedroom, two bathrooms. You don't have to be so fancy that there's two bathrooms in your bedroom! There just has to be another bathroom available...[It] stops a lot of petty fighting.' Gellar continued: 'I always say I'm two people. I'm Sarah Michelle Gellar and I'm Sarah Prinze. They're different people. [Prinze] has a quieter life and a private life. And we're allowed to live in that. And our fans have been so respectful of that.' The Long Island-born scream queen and Prinze Jr. are simply willing to put the work in to sustain their wedded bliss. 'I do feel like we live in this very disposable society. When I was a kid, when your TV broke, my mom and I would carry it like eight blocks in New York City to the TV repair shop. [Now] your TV breaks, you throw it out and you go to Costco and you get a new one,' Gellar said. 'I think because of that, we don't work as hard at things because it's easier just to get a new one. You have to put the work in. You have to carve out the time.' Last July, the That Was Pretty Scary podcaster agreed with his wife, telling Variety: 'I'm not perfect. She's not perfect. We pi** each other off, but we respect one another. We were friends first. Maybe that's the secret?' The Dexter: Original Sin star's comments came five days after she was 'blindsided' with the news that Hulu decided not to move forward with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot she was producing and starring in helmed by Hamnet director Chloe Zhao. Gellar is blaming the cancellation on an executive rumored to be Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich, who allegedly announced he never liked Buffy in the first place. 'I was like, "Oh my god, that would be amazing!" Because I literally had just gotten my driver's license. I grew up in New York City. Like I took a subway. I didn't drive,' Gellar recalled in her new People cover story (pictured in 2000) She continued: 'So he drove me and that was like the first time that we really hung out and it was so random because we didn't know each other that well but that's when we got to know each other' (pictured in 2000) The Star Search judge and Prinze Jr. eventually went public with their relationship three years later in January 2000 (pictured in 2000) Gellar and the Wrestling with Freddie podcaster impressively celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary last September, and they're proud parents of 16-year-old daughter Charlotte and 13-year-old son Rocky (pictured in 2022) When asked about the secret to long-lasting marriage, the Golden Globe nominee said: 'One bedroom, two bathrooms. You don't have to be so fancy that there's two bathrooms in your bedroom! There just has to be another bathroom available...[It] stops a lot of petty fighting' 2025 vs. 2000: Gellar continued, 'I always say I'm two people. I'm Sarah Michelle Gellar and I'm Sarah Prinze. They're different people. [Prinze] has a quieter life and a private life. And we're allowed to live in that. And our fans have been so respectful of that' The Long Island-born scream queen's comments came five days after she was 'blindsided' with the news that Hulu decided not to move forward with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot helmed by Hamnet director Chloe Zhao (R, pictured September 2) Gellar will next appear on Bravo boozy talk show Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen this Thursday alongside fellow guest Dorit Kemsley (pictured Wednesday) The Dexter: Original Sin star has been hard at work promoting her role as Ursula Danforth in Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin's action-horror comedy Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, which hits US theaters March 27 and UK theaters April 10. The RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars guest judge will next appear on Bravo boozy talk show Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen this Thursday alongside fellow guest Dorit Kemsley. Gellar has been hard at work promoting her role as Ursula Danforth in Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin's action-horror comedy Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, which hits US theaters March 27 and UK theaters April 10. The Searchlight Pictures sequel also stars Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Elijah Wood and David Cronenberg. The 5ft 4in blonde's other upcoming projects include Tubi's adult animated series Breaking Bear and an A&E pilot based on Emma Rosenblum's 2023 novel Bad Summer People. 'It's all where I want to be work-wise,' Gellar said. 'And I have a great family. This is the best time of my life. And I'm noticing it and I'm taking note and I'm making sure that I'm enjoying all of those moments. You have to put the phone down.' Meanwhile, Prinze Jr.'s upcoming films include the rom-com The Christmas Affair with Rachael Leigh Cook as well as cancer drama Road to Recovery. Holly Ramsay has stepped out for the first time since her husband Adam Peaty's sister spoke about his feud with his family, as she attended the French Connection SS26: Join Our Club event on Wednesday. The influencer, 26, joined stars including Vanessa White for the launch at Perola in London to celebrate the release of the brand's new collection. In the weeks leading up to his wedding to Holly, Adam was involved in a bitter fallout with his mum Caroline, 60, which saw him disinvite her and the rest of his family - bar his sister - from his wedding in December. However, Holly has brushed off the drama and has been making the most of her first few months of married life, even supporting Adam at an International Swim Meet over the weekend. The daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay posed in a stylish black fitted top and flowing cream pleated skirt, teamed with pointed-toe heels. Holly's outing was her first since Adam's sister Bethany spoke out about her mother's feud with the Ramsay family. Holly Ramsay has stepped out after her husband Adam Peaty's sister spoke about his feud with his family, as she attended the French Connection SS26: Join Our Club event The influencer joined stars including Vanessa White for the launch at Perola in London to celebrate the release of the brand's new collection On Tuesday, Bethany broke her silence on her brother's feud with his family, revealing she's been divided between loyalties towards her mother and Olympian brother Bethany Peaty 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, 'I'm caught right in the middle of the row. 'But I've made up with mum really for the children. They adore her and she is a great grandma and a good mum.' 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 couldn't go.' She hinted she had tried to act as a go between the warring pair, but said she couldn't 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: 'It's 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 don't know when we are getting married - it won't 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. 'She's 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 Holly's two sisters, policewoman Megan and aspiring chef Tilly, all wowing in floor-length red satin dresses. The daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay posed in a stylish black fitted top and flowing cream pleated skirt, teamed with pointed-toe heels Holly has been at the centre of a feud between Adam and his family, which began when she failed to invite his mother Caroline to her hen party The Saturdays star Vanessa was also in attendance for the launch, arriving in fun grey checked co-ord and white heels Her outing comes just a month after she welcomed her first child, a son called Sage, with her husband Emmanuel Lawal Social media star Scarlet Martin opted for a stylish nude trench coat as she arrived for the launch party 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 Beth's 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.' 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. Robert Pattinson appears to have hinted he secretly married Suki Waterhouse. The actor, 39, made a cryptic remark about his relationship with the model, 34, while appearing alongside Zendaya at the premiere of their new film The Drama on Tuesday. The pair were asked about the biggest secret they had ever kept and Robert, who attended the event with Suki, said amid renewed rumours they may have quietly got hitched: 'It's the same one that you have.' Zendaya - who has sparked speculation she has secretly married her partner Tom Holland - said about her biggest secret: 'Nothing that comes to mind.' The actress has been spotted with a simple gold band on her left ring finger beside the $500K Jessica McCormack-designed engagement ring she debuted in January 2025. Robert and Suki, meanwhile, were first linked in July 2018 and became engaged in December 2023, according to reports. Robert Pattinson appears to have hinted he secretly married Suki Waterhouse. The actor, 39, made a cryptic remark about his relationship with the model, 34, at the premiere of The Drama Zendaya who has sparked speculation she has secretly married her partner Tom Holland said when asked about her biggest secret at the premiere: 'Nothing that comes to mind' They welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2024. Rumours about Robert and Suki's relationship status intensified in January 2025 when Sharon Stone referred to Robert as Suki's 'husband' during the American Heart Association Red Dress Collection Concert. Suki did not publicly respond to the comment at the time. A source previously told People: 'They both want to be married. It's important for them.' Daily Mail has contacted Robert's representative for comment. Robert's latest film The Drama, produced by A24, is scheduled for release in cinemas on 3 April. Robert rose to international prominence with his role as Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga, becoming one of the most recognisable actors of his generation. Following the vampire franchise's success, Robert moved towards independent cinema, earning critical acclaim for performances in films such as Good Time and The Lighthouse. Tom and Zendaya confirmed their engagement in September 2025 when the actor referred to Zendaya as his 'fiancee' during a panel event Robert's latest film The Drama, produced by A24, is scheduled for release in cinemas on 3 April He later returned to other blockbuster roles, starring as Bruce Wayne in The Batman. Alongside his acting career, Robert has worked with a range of directors across genres, building a reputation for balancing mainstream success with more experimental projects in independent film. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson have been dealt another blow after their show was officially axed this week. Results from the first radio survey of the year show the now-defunct The Kyle & Jackie O Show lost fans in Sydney and finished in a dismal eighth place in Melbourne behind rivals Jase & Lauren on Nova 100. Jackie's abrupt departure on February 20, following her on-air blow-up with her co-host, likely influenced the fall in numbers. In the survey period between January 18 and February 28, Jackie was off air for a solid week before the show lost 60,000 listeners. Still, the former duo managed to end their careers at KIIS FM in second spot in the Sydney market with a 12.7 per cent share, with 2GB's Ben Fordham topping the survey by four percentage points. In Melbourne, The Kyle & Jackie O Show gained some traction in the ratings in a market where they have struggled since making their debut there nearly two years ago. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson have been dealt another blow after their show was officially axed this week. Results from the first radio survey of the year show the now-defunct The Kyle & Jackie O Show lost fans in Sydney and finished in a dismal eighth place in Melbourne against rivals Jase & Lauren on Nova 100 Jackie's abrupt departure on February 20, following her on-air blow-up with her co-host, likely influenced the fall in numbers According to the survey, they gained 0.1 percentage point, which gave them a not-so-impressive 5.1 per cent of the market. Their cumulative audience in Melbourne was just 403,000 listeners. Over on Nova 100, their arch rivals Jason Hawkins and Lauren Phillips' breakfast show leapt into second spot, jumping 2.2 per cent to land an 11.1 market share. Meanwhile, 3AW's Russel & Ross show led the Melbourne market with an 18.9 share. The end of The Kyle & Jackie O Show was announced on Wednesday when Kyle released a statement at 7am on Wednesday announcing that KIIS' parent company, Australian Radio Network, had terminated his 10-year, $100 million contract. Just an hour after his ' bombshell statement, news.com.au reported that ARN chief executive Michael Stephenson sent an email to staff announcing that The Kyle & Jackie O Show had been axed. 'This morning, ARN announced that it has issued a notice of termination of contract with Kyle and Quasar Media,' the email read. The end of The Kyle & Jackie O Show was announced on Wednesday when Kyle released a statement at 7am on Wednesday announcing that KIIS' parent company, Australian Radio Network, had terminated his 10-year, $100 million contract 'As a result ARN will no longer present the Kyle and Jackie O Show.' News of the show's axing sent shockwaves through KIIS staff, with the publication reporting that not all show staff are directly employed by ARN, but instead through Sandilands' company, King Kyle. An insider told news.com.au that staff were worried for their futures and angry at how the situation was handled. 'Many staff found out through social media instead of an official statement. It wasn't until after the news broke that staff were advised officially,' the insider said. 'I am just so angry about how it has all been handled. It's not how the situation should be handled, especially when the team that worked on that show are still showing up every day to work.' Daily Mail reached out to ARN, who declined to comment. ARN announced last month that Jackie's $100million 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. They also provided written notice to Kyle 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'. Kyle was given a 14-day suspension during which he was required to 'remedy the breach.' Joseph Duggar, a married father of four, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her underwear and genitals. Joseph, 31, the younger brother of convicted sex offender Josh Duggar, was arrested in connection with lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a statement from the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Lynn Haven, Florida, announced. On Wednesday, an investigator with the Tontitown Police Department in Tontitown, Arkansas, reached out to the BCSO 'regarding a report of past sexual abuse.' An alleged victim, identified as a 14-year-old girl, told law enforcement about a series of inappropriate incidents Joseph Duggar was involved in around five years back, police said. Authorities said the alleged incidents occurred in 2020, when the alleged victim was nine years old and on vacation with her family in Panama City Beach, Florida. The Daily Mail has reached out to the BCSO for further comment. A Duggar family spokesman told the Daily Mail the family had not issued a statement as of Wednesday evening. Joseph Duggar was arrested on Wednesday in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her underwear and genitals; he's pictured in his mugshot after the arrest Joseph, 31, was arrested in connection with lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor, the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Lynn Haven, Florida, announced Duggar's mugshot was released on Wednesday evening by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The former reality star sported a thick beard, and he gazed forward with a stony expression, which notably contrasted the grinning 2021 mugshot of his brother Josh, which had also been snapped in Washington County. The alleged victim told investigators that the family had been staying at a home located on Danny Drive at the time of the illegal incidents. Joseph Duggar 'repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,' BCSO officials said, adding that his behavior appeared to escalate as the vacation continued. In another incident, Joseph 'asked [the victim] to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket, 'rubbing' his hands on her thighs. 'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victims underwear and grazed her genitals.' Duggar subsequently told the alleged victim he was sorry, and the incidents ceased, according to officials with the BCSO. The father of the alleged victim confronted Joseph Duggar about what happened on Tuesday, at which time he admitted to his actions to the father and a detective in Tontitown, the BCSO said. Joseph is the younger brother of convicted sex offender Josh Duggar, pictured in 2021 The father of the alleged victim confronted Duggar about what allegedly happened on Tuesday, at which time he admitted to his actions to the father and a detective in Tontitown, the Bay County Sheriff's Office said; Joseph is pictured with his wife of nine years, Kendra Joseph Duggar was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Molestation of a Victim Less Than 12-years-old; and Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Conducted By A Person 18 Years or Older. Authorities with the BCSO said that Joseph Duggar is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County. Sources told People on Wednesday that Joseph had been booked into the jail in Washington County at around 4pm on Wednesday. Joseph said he was shocked by his brother Josh's criminal actions in a December 2015 appearance on Jill & Jessa: Counting On. A then-20-year-old Joseph said, 'I don't think there's any way any of us would have known that my brother was living such a secret life. It broke my heart.' Joseph has been married to wife Kendra since September 2017, and they are parents to four children, People reported. For those who have been impacted by sexual abuse, text 'STRENGTH' to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Samantha Armytage has had a massive glow-up in recent months. The television host was again showing off her weight loss on Thursday, as she attended Sony Foundation's Wharf4Ward event in Sydney. The charity shindig transformed the iconic Woolloomooloo Wharf into a fundraising powerhouse to tackle the crippling financial cost of cancer for young Australians and their families needing to relocate for life-saving treatment. Leading the charge was Sam, 49, who dazzled in a simple but chic black and white ensemble. The Golden Bachelor star paired a semi-sheer white blouse featuring princess sleeves with a pair of black shorts that were knee-length. She accessorised with a pair of black, high-heeled sandals and a pair of gold earrings. Samantha Armytage (pictured) has had a massive glow-up in recent months The television host was again showing off her weight loss on Thursday, as she attended Sony Foundation's Wharf4Ward event in Sydney For makeup, Sam chose a rosy palette with a pink, matte lipstick and wore her blonde hair down around her face. Armytage had quite the makeover last year and looks set to keep glowing into 2026. After returning to screens as host of Nine's The Golden Bachelor in 2025, Samantha also recently made her highly anticipated return to Today, after a series of guest stints over the past year. The one-time 'queen' of brekkie TV was on the couch for the festive season while regular hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo departed for a lengthy Christmas break. Samantha, who rose to fame thanks to her high-profile gig as host of Sunrise, sent shockwaves through the industry when she announced she was leaving the top-rating brekkie show and the network in 2021. After jumping ship to Nine in 2024, there was much speculation she would replace Sarah Abo. Samantha brushed off the suggestion, telling 2GB's Ben Fordham in October that her hosting stint on The Golden Bachelor was her focus. The star recently made a surprising admission following her split from husband Richard Lavender. Leading the charge was Sam, 49, who dazzled in a simple but chic black and white ensemble The Golden Bachelor star paired a semi-sheer white blouse featuring princess sleeves with a pair of black shorts that were knee-length Sam as undergone a glam makeover in the past year. Pictured in 2024 The Golden Bachelor host, who announced her separation from the equestrian businessman at the end of last year, appeared on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, where she was asked if she thought she would find love again. 'Of course I'll find love again,' she said, before bursting out into fits of laughter. 'I mean, I'm keeping my options open,' she cheekily added. She continued to assure fans, saying: 'I am fine. Don't worry about me, I'm having fun as always.' The Nine star went on to hint that, while she knows she'll get back on the horse, she will be picky about the men she dates in the future. 'I will find love again for sure. I don't know when. When the time is right, he will arrive. And I'll be very good at choosing this time.' Brit Eady knew precisely what she was getting into when she joined the cast of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Bravo alleged in legal documents in its ongoing case with the reality star. Eady, who appeared on the Georgia-based reality show during its 16th season last year, 'certainly was not victimized by' the network as she claims in her $20 million litigation, court documents reviewed by TMZ revealed. The one-time Bravo personality in her filing last year made claims of defamation, emotional distress, sexual harassment and a hostile work environment against Bravo, centered around an incident with Kenya Moore that played out on the series. Lawyers for Bravo said in its retort that Eady was attempting 'to rewrite history' and ignore the 'contractual commitments' she agreed to as part of her participation on the series. Bravo said the reason Eady had filed the lawsuit was 'because she no longer likes the consequences of joining a popular and long-running reality series.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Eady and representatives for Bravo for further comment. Brit Eady knew precisely what she was getting into when she joined the cast of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Bravo said in legal documents in its ongoing case with the reality star Bravo in legal documents noted that the show has been 'well known to feature authentic, unscripted dialogue, conflict, drama, and confrontation, along with many other dynamics of a group of women.' Moore on the series claims to have posters featuring graphic images of Eady, which she denied was her. Eady in legal documents filed last year reviewed by Daily Mail cited the show's fifth episode of the 16th season, in which Moore brought up the 'revenge porn' images. Eady said that Moore's comments about her were 'false, defamatory, harassing and damaging.' It was later learned that Eady was not the woman seen in the racy images. Eady added in her legal filing last year that she 'did not see the explicit photograph until after certain of these events were aired on Bravo nearly a year' later. Eady said in her filing last year that Bravo 'willfully, intentionally, recklessly, and/or with gross negligence produced, edited, and aired an episode of RHOA on April 6, 2025, that included footage of certain of the cast members' statements at issue as well as commentary from other cast members that described the photographs displayed. 'Further, the manner in which the episode was aired falsely yet unmistakably implied that the graphic sexual photograph presented by the cast member depicted' Eady. Eady in her filing last year made claims of defamation, emotional distress, sexual harassment and a hostile work environment relating to an incident involving her costar Kenya Moore (pictured in June 2024 in Atlanta) Eady 'certainly was not victimized by' the network as she claims in her $20 million litigation, Bravo said in legal documents Eady appeared on the Georgia-based reality show during its 16th season last year Eady's legal team said in last year's filing that Bravo was aware that Eady was not the person in the picture which it had 'refused' to show her and that sharing that knowledge would have given her the means to clear up the misunderstanding. This subjected Eady 'to unwelcome, offensive, and sexualized behavior and comments based on her gender by requiring her to continue working in an environment in which she had been subject to a gendered attack, creating an inferior condition or privilege of employment because of her gender,' her lawyers said. Bravo said that the paperwork Eady signed prior to joining the cast made it crystal clear that participation on the series could expose her to 'provocative conduct or speech from other cast members.' Bravo said in its filing that 'that production could involve stressful or emotionally challenging other' cast members and circumstances. Bravo said that the series which has in the past featured high-profile reality stars such as Moore, Nene Leakes, Kim Zolciak and Porsha Williams had been well-established by the time Eady joined the cast. Moore was suspended in the wake of the incident and hasn't been invited back, the network said, adding that Eady was asked to return for the 17th season and declined the offer. Bravo has asked the court to dismiss the case, saying the network can't be considered liable for the situation. Zendaya's upcoming romantic black comedy, The Drama, reportedly features a disturbing twist that has left some fans horrified. The movie, in which the actress, 29, stars as Robert Pattinson's, 39, fiancee, is being marketed as a wedding flick, but a dark plot twist has caught some early viewers off guard, per TMZ. Insiders who watched early screenings ahead of the film's April 3 debut, told the outlet that audiences, expecting a lighthearted flick, were left left blindsided by the bait-and-switch. Several viewers also thought it crossed a line into 'problematic' territory, potentially offering a sympathetic look at an unforgivable act. In the film, produced by A24, Zendaya stars as Emma Harwood, a bookstore clerk from Baton Rouge, Louisana, who is engaged to Pattinson's character Charlie Thompson, a museum director from London. A week before their wedding, they decide to play a game with friends, where they all confess the worst thing they've ever done. However, when it's Zendaya's turn, she reveals a shocking secret that leaves everyone reeling. Zendaya's, 29, upcoming romantic black comedy, The Drama, reportedly features a disturbing twist that has left some fans horrified The movie, in which the actress stars as Robert Pattinson's, 39, fiancee, is being marketed as a wedding flick, but a dark plot twist has caught some early viewers off guard, as per TMZ MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW. Zendaya's character tells the group that when she was a teenager she planned a school shooting, but had a last-minute change of heart and didn't follow through. The movie then shows Pattinson's character trying to cope with the revelation, and decide whether he wants to spend the rest of his life with someone capable of planning such a chilling deed. Some viewers thought the plot twist might be deemed problematic, since it could be interpreted as trying to humanize school shooters - a questionable creative choice given America's history of gun violence. The film reportedly does not feature a 'trigger warning' despite the subject matter. Notably, many audience members who have seen the movie praised it on social media, with one calling it 'So good. So fun. So dark.' Another called it a 'perfectly executed exercise in disturbing romantic discomfort.' Yet another person called it 'a wildly unconventional rom-com' that was 'deeply funny and definitely a little twisted.' In the poster for the film, the pair beam at each other on their wedding day with Zendaya looking incredible in a classic white gown with a low cut neckline. Other teaser posters for the film show Zendaya with a worried expression on her face and Pattinson with a bloodied nose. A week before their wedding, the couple play a game with friends, where they all confess the worst thing they've ever done Zendaya's character tells the group that when she was a teenager she planned a school shooting, but had a last-minute change of heart and didn't follow through The movie then shows Pattinson's character trying to cope with the revelation, and decide whether he wants to spend his life with someone capable of planning such a chilling deed The film is directed by Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli and will be released on April 3 Zendaya and Pattinson attended the Los Angeles premiere of the film at the DGA Theater Complex on Tuesday The Drama was shot in several locations including Boston, New York and Los Angeles and the production also spent $2.9million shooting in Louisiana, according to FastLane. The film is directed by Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli and will be released on April 3. On Tuesday, Zendaya re-wore the same custom Vivienne Westwood bridal gown she donned to the 2015 Oscars to the Los Angeles premiere of the film held at DGA Theater Complex. She also wore a simple gold band on her left-ring finger, beside the $500K Jessica McCormack-designed engagement ring she debuted in January 2025. Zendaya's trusted stylist Law Roach told Access Hollywood on March 1 that 'the wedding already happened' between her and fiance Tom Holland. The news has yet to be confirmed by the couple's representatives, but they have both been keen to keep their relationship out of the spotlight. The actress has been engaged to Holland since late 2024. Nicholas Hoult's wife has responded to body-shaming criticism of her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party. Bryana Holly, 32, addressed comments about her outfit in a post on social media after the pair attended the eminent A-list event on Sunday evening, where she wore a black sequined gown by Lurelly featuring a plunging neckline. Following the event which she attended with partner Nicholas, 36, Bryana shared a message on Instagram Stories after receiving comments about her body, saying: 'I am seeing the comments around my chest. 'This is the product of a breastfeeding mother who hasn't fed her babies in hours ok! If you know then you know. 'You are not owed an explanation.' Bryana and Nicholas, who have been together since 2017, have a son, Joaquin, eight, and a younger child, three, born in late 2022. Nicholas Hoult's wife has responded to criticism of her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party After the event, Bryana posted on Instagram after receiving comments about her body, saying: 'This is the product of a breastfeeding mother who hasn't fed her babies in hours ok!' The couple have largely kept their family life private, with Nicholas previously referring to Bryana as his 'wife' during an interview in November 2024. Nicholas, known for roles including Skins, has spoken previously about his experience of parenthood. In an interview with the Evening Standard, Nicholas said: 'The levels of tiredness are extreme.' He added: 'No one warns you about it! But the level of love that comes with it outweighs everything. It's phenomenal. I'm loving it. 'And it evolves all the time. '(Children) change so much, every day is different. It fills you up as a human completely.' Nicholas began his acting career as a child and gained early recognition for his role in About a Boy, in which he starred alongside Hugh Grant. He later rose to wider prominence with his portrayal of Tony Stonem in the television drama Skins, a role that established him as a leading young British actor. Nicholas went on to build a varied career across both independent and blockbuster films. He is widely known for playing Hank McCoy, also known as Beast, in the X-Men film series, and for his performance in Mad Max: Fury Road. Nicholas has also appeared in films such as The Favourite, Warm Bodies and The Menu, demonstrating range across genres including historical drama, action and dark comedy. Bryana and Nicholas, who have been together since 2017, have a son, Joaquin, eight, and a younger child, four, born in late 2022 Alongside his film work, Nicholas has continued to take on television roles, including leading parts in series such as The Great. Across his career, he has worked with a range of directors and co-stars, maintaining a consistent presence in both British and international productions. Last year he revealed he was warned about 'going off the rails' after he shot to fame as a child actor in About A Boy aged just 11. Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Nicholas recalled how several people told him that child actors' careers often decline as they get older. 'There was this fear sitting after that because everyone then, even as a kid, everyone talks to you about how child actors stop working, their life goes off the rails, and it doesn't work out as an adult,' he said. 'You have this fear of what's to come, but even then, I knew I wanted to continue doing it. I was also slightly guarded about it, I suppose, because I was like, there's a good chance this doesn't work out.' Nicholas praised his parents for never putting any 'pressure to succeed' on him during his early acting years. 'Luckily, my parents and my family were wonderful in the sense of they sent me to normal school and kept life around acting as regular as possible,' he said. The actor also praised his co-star Hugh for being a 'wonderful example' of how to be 'gracious and kind' while working on a film set. Kylie Jenner's brother Brody has hit out at Timothee Chalamet's ex after she claimed she was 'blindsided' by his relationship with the billionaire makeup mogul. Earlier this week Sarah Tena, a 32-year-old former adult entertainer claimed she had been romantically involved with the actor for the three years before he met Kylie, 28. She said that her and Timothee, 30, met up sporadically after first speaking on Instagram, and after several dates, she finally confessed her deepening feelings for him the last time they saw each other in person. Six months later, he was with Kylie, she claims. You can read The Daily Mail's exclusive interview with her here to find out more. Brody, 42, has now responded to Sarah's comments writing under a post by Page Six reporting her claims: 'Oh god. Just leave the happy couple alone. 'People have lives before they meet their person. This girl is clearly doing this for attention, and everyone can see right through it.' Kylie Jenner's brother Brody has hit out at Timothee Chalamet's ex after she claimed she was 'blindsided' by his relationship with the billionaire makeup mogul Earlier this week Sarah Tena, a 32-year-old former adult entertainer claimed she had been romantically involved with the actor for the three years before he met Kylie, 28 Sara previously claimed that their love story, albeit non-exclusive, started in January 2020 when she sent him a message on Instagram from her professional account 'Azul Hermosa' after discovering him in Netflix film, The King. It comes after Timothee was seen clinging to Kylie at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday - in the wake of his crushing defeat earlier that night. The star was an early best actor favorite for Marty Supreme, the Josh Safdie picture based on the life of a real underground ping-pong player in 1950s New York. However, his pomposity in interviews eventually led to a souring of public opinion about him, with sources exclusively telling the Daily Mail about a 'Stop Timmy' campaign gathering steam ahead of the Academy Awards. Timothee, whose mother and sister both trained in ballet, then poured fuel on the backlash by remarking that 'no one cares about' opera and ballet. Oscar night turned into a brutal humiliation for Timothee, who was repeatedly mocked over the comment and then lost best actor to Michael B. Jordan for Sinners. He found comfort in his girlfriend's affections at the glitzy afterparty, where he was seen wrapping his arms around her and planting a kiss on her cheek. Kylie, whom Timothee has been dating for three years and whom he thanked onstage when he won at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards, was every inch the sizzling Hollywood bombshell at his side that night. She served up a generous helping of cleavage in a skintight black dress that emphasized her hourglass figure to jaw-dropping advantage. The floor-length ensemble - which featured a peekaboo slit at one side to expose part of her chiseled midriff - glistened under the lights at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where the annual event unfolded this year. Timothee meanwhile appeared to be wearing the same white suit he had donned to the Oscars, a look that drew mockery from social media. It comes after Timothee was seen clinging to Kylie at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday - in the wake of his crushing defeat earlier that night Brody, 42, has now responded to Sarah's comments writing under a post by Page Six, reporting her claims,: 'Oh god. Just leave the happy couple alone...' He looked visibly disappointed when 2025 Best Actor winner Adrien Brody read out Michael's name instead of his. He offered Michael polite applause and appeared to mouth 'yay' as the stunned Sinners star leaned over to hug his mother Donna before heading to the stage. This year's Best Actor category was stacked. It also included Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent). While Timothee dominated the early season with Best Actor wins at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards for ping-pong drama Marty Supreme, the momentum shifted after Michael won at the Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, earlier this month. Adding to the tension, the Oscars arrived on the heels of Timothee's controversial comments about 'no one' caring about opera and ballet, which sparked a wave of backlash from the arts community, including from legendary director Steven Spielberg. He made the unfiltered remark while talking to Interstellar co-star Matthew McConaughey about his hopes that movie theaters are able to survive. He then added that 'I don't want to be working in ballet or opera or, you know, things where it's like: 'Hey, keep this thing alive,' even though no one cares about this anymore,' in an interview for Variety's Actors on Actors. Conan O'Brien, who returned as host of the Academy Awards for the second consecutive year, kicked off his opening monologue with a jab at Chalamet's controversy. 'Security is extremely tight tonight. I'm just going to mention that,' tuxedo-clad O'Brien said to the crowd inside Los Angeles' iconic Dolby Theatre. He then quipped, 'I'm told there's a concern about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.' Maura Higgins has opened up about why she opted for a life of celibacy after previously revealing she hadn't had sex for more than 12 months. The TV star, who recently appeared on The Traitors US, claimed she 'hasn't even been looking at her DMs', after growing weary following a string of 'terrible exes'. Speaking to Cosmopolitan, Maura said she needed a break from men but now feels like she could be in a relationship following her year off. Maura, 35, said: 'Im not saying Im not open [to a relationship], but Im not checking my DMs to see whos in there.' When asked what being single has taught her, she said: 'That I dont want to bring just anyone into my energy. It wasnt even a plan to be celibate. I didnt put a timeline on it. I just had terrible exes and needed a break. 'I wanted to focus on me, my career, and my energy. Now that its been over a year, I dont even think of men. Im not saying Im not open [to a relationship], but Im not checking my DMs to see whos in there. Im not searching for it.' Maura later said she doesn't want to dissuade anyone from sliding into her messages, while posing for a racy shoot with the fashion and lifestyle publication. Maura Higgins has opened up about why she opted for a life of celibacy after previously revealing she hadn't had sex for more than 12 months The TV star, who most recently appeared on The Traitors , claimed she 'hasn't even been looking at her DMs', after growing weary following a string of 'terrible exes' And her inbox is likely to be full if the stunning snaps she posed for are anything to go by. Maura looked incredible in a white bra top and high-waisted black capris as she posed on a chair, wearing a pair of burgundy slingbacks. In another saucy shot, Maura was rocking a pair of revealing chaps, with a backless top - posing her with hands on her bottom. Elsewhere, she effortlessly modelled a silky grey mini dress, which was draped off her shoulder on one side. Earlier this year, Maura first revealed she has been celibate for 'a year' as she took a swipe at her 'cheating' exes. Discussing her love life amid her busy work schedule, Maura said: 'I've already got severe trust issues. 'I've been cheated on by the majority of my exes - that's the reason I've been celibate for a whole year.' She added: 'I don't trust men anyway. Elsewhere, she effortlessly modelled a silky grey mini dress, which was draped off her shoulder on one side 'If I wasn't used to that kind of guy, I reckon I would've been crying, storming out, never speaking to him again,' she said in reference to losing to Traitor Rob Rausch during the interview with Elite Daily. Maura also revealed she goes through a man's phone just a week into dating him because she has 'serious trust issues'. Maura, whose last known relationship was with Pete Wicks, confessed she has been celibate after a run of bad romances. Maura took a public swipe at her ex-boyfriend Pete and suggested he cheated on her after she discovered texts to other women on his phone. Insiders told Daily Mail at the time that Pete was never unfaithful to Maura and was hurt by the accusations. She said she has turned into an 'investigator' when it comes to dating men after years of 'men doing her dirty'. Last year, Maura took a public swipe at her ex-boyfriend Pete and suggested he cheated on her after she discovered texts to other women on his phone. In an interview with Glamour Magazine, Maura detailed her red, green and beige flags and said: 'I'd say my biggest red flag in a relationship is I've got serious trust issues. 'If I'm dating you and it's only a week in, I've already gone through your phone. I've turned into a bit of an investigator because men have done me dirty. So like, I mean, I'd probably say it's a beige flag, but we call it red. 'We call it red because it's not okay to go through someone's phone, but I'm going to do it again.' TV star Maura has regularly dated in the public eye. The Traitors US star, whose last known relationship was with Pete Wicks, confessed she has been celibate after a run of bad romances (pictured together in 2024) She fell for Curtis Pritchard on Love Island before dating Chris Taylor, whom she met on the same series. Following their split, Maura was in a relationship with axed Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, but they parted ways after four months. After being spotted sharing a kiss at the National TV Awards in 2022, Maura and TOWIE's Joey Essex denied that they were romantically involved. In March 2024, Maura split from stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton after ten months together. Maura was then seen sharing a 'drunken kiss' with McFly's Danny Jones - who has been married to his wife Georgia for over a decade - as they attended Universal Music's BRIT Awards afterparty. Most recently, Maura sparked romance rumours with her Traitors US co-star Rob, 27. Fans have picked up on apparent chemistry between Maura and fellow player Rob, hoping they get together. While appearing on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, the Irish star broke her silence on this speculation as she was quizzed about their relationship. It saw Andy ask her: 'The internet wants you and Rob to get together, and?' To which Maura responded: 'I saw, there's a lot of videos on TikTok at the moment.' Continuing, Andy followed up with: 'And what do you think?' Maura coyly replied: 'I mean, you'll have to watch the show to see if that happened.' The pair knew each other through Love Island US, where Rob appeared as a contestant in 2023 and 2024. Katie Price was thrilled that she had the whole cabin to herself when she flew to war-torn Dubai to reunite with husband Lee Andrews this week. Standing in the middle of the cabin, there were no other passengers, just two air hostesses in the background. Mother-of-five Katie, 47, seemed pretty pleased with herself as she stood in the middle of the cabin wearing a white vest top and black Nike leggings. She wrote: 'How unreal is this! This whole cabin to myself. Crazy! Dubai here we come! #KatiePrice #comingformyhubby #excited.' The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates. Moreover, your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO. Katie Price bragged she had the whole cabin to herself on Instagram on Thursday while flying to war-torn Dubai to reunite with husband Lee Andrews Katie shared this video from inside an empty Dubai airport upon arrival When she arrrived, she shared a clip of herself inside an empty airport and spoke about how much she enjoyed her journey. She said: 'So, I've landed. I slept the whole flight. Five blankets. three pillows... I was gone. Literally woke up in enough time to get a cup of tea. 'So far now, this airport is pretty quiet. Yay! Such a good flight. Now it's through arrivals.' Lee, 42, has maintained that he feels quite safe in the UAE and has insisted he has no plans to leave. It was claimed British-born Lee spent three weeks locked up in a Dubai jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to take out a 200,000 loan in her name and as such, has been banned from leaving the United Arab Emirates. He denies this, but as yet, does not appear to have left the country since meeting Katie. The glamour model and Lee 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. Katie and Lee reunited in Dubai on Wednesday where they headed straight to a cosmetics clinic to both get some work done. Despite the ongoing Iranian crisis, which has seen missile attacks across the UAE city, Katie was seen at Gatwick Airport on Tuesday preparing to head off to see her new love. Taking to his Instagram Story on Wednesday afternoon, Lee faced the camera while covered in numbing cream as he said: 'Hello so here we are this is not AI. We are actually here to fix a few things. When I say fix, I mean enhance! 'So today we are going to fix the nose and fix the chin. And look like a brand new penny!' Katie and Lee reunited in Dubai on Wednesday but she posted the plane picture the day after. Upon arrival, they headed straight to a cosmetics clinic to both get some work done Join the discussion Would you travel somewhere despite official government warnings? He then panned the camera to Katie and Lee shouted: 'Look who it is!' The next clip showed Katie who is known for her many plastic surgeries being injected with filler and Botox. Referring to her forehead, she said: 'So we've had the funny lines killed, but I will look like that one day,' she added as she stretched her whole face back with her hands. Lee then called her 'gorgeous' as the clinician leaned over her to carry on injecting. It comes just after comedian Katherine Ryan issued a new warning to Katie, as she travelled back to war-torn Dubai this week. Under a clip of a recent interview Katie did with Good Morning Britain where she dismissed claims she was being used by Lee and told people not to worry about her, Katherine made her feelings clear. She penned in a comment: 'People are behaving this way because they love you', along with a love heart. 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 [sic]. I love you to infinity. Love from your wife Katie X'. 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 and has links to Elon Musk. Montana Brown has hit back at claims she has been using fat jabs for weight loss as she branded the accusations 'damaging' in a new social media video. The influencer, 30, explained that her toned physique comes from 'working her t*ts off in the gym', rather than weight loss aids like Ozempic or Mounjaro. The mother of two took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday evening to shoot down the whispers that she had jumped on the trend. Montana said: 'This is a good time to clear my name for Ozempic allegations, I have never taken Ozempic. I think it can be quite damaging for a lot of people. 'I think it definitely has a place, it has been incredible for a lot of people who have struggled with their weight for a long time.' Montana continued by sharing her fears that she was concerned about the amount of people who were taking the drug who do no need it. 'But I do see a lot of people using Ozempic when they don't need it, and that to me is really harmful and dangerous - you lose lots of muscle. Montana Brown has hit back at claims she has been using fat jabs for weight loss as she branded the accusations 'damaging' in a new social media video The influencer, 30, explained that her toned physique comes from 'working her t*ts off in the gym', rather than weight loss aids like Ozempic or Mounjaro 'So no, I'm not on Ozempic. So if you want the facts, go directly to Emma and Alex because they saw me in the gym all the time, working my t*ts off, trying to get fit.' Montana's latest video comes after she once again sparked debate over her take on parenting - this time by blasting schools for serving desserts with school lunches. The Love Island star, who shot to fame on the show in 2017, has become synonymous with 'mum-shaming' due to her vocal views on parenting, including her ban on screen time for son Jude, two, and Miley, 14 months. The TikTok posts in question saw the star slam schools for 'serving sticky toffee pudding every day' and alleged children were also given biscuits at break time, thus normalising the exposure to 'addictive' sugar and ultra processed foods. Much like her previous videos about parenting, the reaction was furious with followers claiming she is 'demonising' sugar while many others flagged that for children living in poverty the food could be their 'only hot meal of the day'. Dani Dyer joined the outcry, insisting her five-year-old son receives balanced meals at school, while Professor Green was defensive of Montana, claiming she was being 'unnecessarily punished' for her 'light-hearted remark'. Montana, who shares her children with fiance Mark O'Connor, has frequently shared outrageous comments online, including blasting parents for using pre-made food pouches alongside her screen time comments. Her latest remarks - this time surrounding school meals saw her say to the camera: 'Why do children need desserts every day at school? Like why do they need a sticky toffee pudding every day?... 'That would be strange if you went to work and one of your colleagues was like tucking into a sticky toffee pudding and like custard every lunch. You'd be like, bit excessive. So why do we do it for kids?... 'I'm deadset this is why all of us have weight issues as It's so difficult to kind of wean yourself off like the sugar and all of this crap because at school it was just the norm... 'Youd have pudding after pudding after pudding and I am a firm believer that just kids shouldnt have pudding. They should have yogurt and fruit and if they're still hungry they should be having extra protein... Montana sparked debate over her take on parenting - this time by blasting schools for serving desserts with school lunches Montana was accused of encouraging disordered eating 'And I know you guys hate it when I talk about this but this is genuinely how I feel. Im not even rage baiting.' When asked why doesn't she provide a packed lunch, she replied: 'I couldnt but then he is the packed lunch kid', with a laughing emoji. Joining the calls against her views, Dani wrote: 'Santi only gets one pudding a week which is every Friday the rest of the week it is yoghurt/fruit sometimes jelly.. 'I think the more we deprive kids of sweet deserts thats when they then have an unhealthy relationship with sugar.' Teacher and author Lee Parkinson MBE took to Instagram to share a video hitting back at Montana, in which he wrote: 'Another hot take which completely misses the point, how many of these are we going to do?... 'She's claiming that every day children are eating sticky toffee puddings. They're not. Because schools have to follow national school standards which means making sure there is fruit and veg included, there is a limit on sugar, and most days that dessert will be fresh fruit, a yogurt, fruit crumble. 'The real issue we should be talking about isn't children getting a pudding at school every day, which will again be portion controlled it's not help yourself. It's poverty... 'There are literally millions of children growing up in poverty, so that hot meal they get everyday at lunch may well be the only hot meal they get every day and as teachers we see the impact of this we see children coming into school hungry and asking for more because when they're home there's not as much food for them. 'We see the impact it has on concentration when children arent thinking about their maths lesson but thinking about food instead Some reaction to her points were positive She was accused of trying to rage bait - a technique used to attract attention online Montana has frequently shared outrageous comments online, including blasting parents for using pre-made food pouches alongside her screen time comments Professor Green, who featured Montana in his 2018 music video for Count On You, responded to the video writing: 'why does it have to be missing a question or point? why cant multiple points and questions exist? weird.' Lee replied: 'Multiple viewpoints absolutely can exist. But when a viewpoint is built on a misunderstanding of whats actually happening in schools, its fair to challenge it. 'As teachers were seeing the reality every day. Children arriving hungry. Some relying on their school meal as the only hot meal theyll get that day. And we see first-hand how hunger affects concentration, behaviour and learning. 'So when the public conversation focuses on things like kids supposedly having sticky toffee pudding every day, it misses the bigger context completely just adding the reality that people working in schools see every single day.' Professor Green countered: 'what is she misunderstanding?... 'I grew up with my nan taking vouchers to get my SMA milk and then throughout school on school dinners; chuck in trauma and hugely a dysregulating environment and i understand the impacts on concentration, ability to attend, self esteem etc. 'i work with charities that support children in need, and in need around food specifically, but i cant quite grasp how making a light hearted remark about kids needing a pudding every day is misunderstanding of or missing context whatsoever. 'it felt unnecessarily punishing, and i doubt thats what you were going for.' Others threw their support behind the star, writing: 'I agree with everything she says, I dont get the hate. Whats wrong with wanting to get the next generation of children away from ultra-processed food?!... 'I don't know what people are struggling and fighting to misunderstand. SAY IT AGAIN AND AGAIN MONTANA Make a video talking about why dessert every day is healthy for kids and no one would bat an eye lid. Keep sharing facts!.. 'I think what peple also don't get is the serious implications later on. It is a really bad habit and routine to cultivate having a dessert or sweet 'treat' (highly processed and unhealthy) every day in their prime years of learning/programming... 'Very very hard to undo later on. I know of grown adults with chronic metabolic disease and even cancer who cannot change these habits. That cake or buscuit every day will be a main issue later on. It is such a big deal... 'Children should be eating, adults should be eating, we should ALL be eating nutrient dense meal with none-minimal snacking. If we need a snack or a 'dessert' let it be a bit of fruit! No need to have a cake or something that's caloric, fat and refined sugar count is a higher proportion of the meal consumed.' Others claimed she was misinformed, with users writing: 'Theres not one school in the UK that serves sticky toffee pudding every day... Teacher and author Lee Parkinson MBE took to Instagram to share a video hitting back at Montana, in which he wrote: 'Another hot take which completely misses the point, how many of these are we going to do? Professor Green insisted she was being 'punished' for a lighthearted comment 'Biscuits at break time ? Which schools are you visiting?... Biscuits at break times? Have we gone back to the 90s? They dont do that anymore. They have fruit.' Others insisted Montana was using her videos to attract attention by creating 'rage bait', defined as 'online content (videos, posts, articles) intentionally designed to trigger anger, frustration, or outrage to boost engagement, clicks, and ad revenue'. Users wrote: 'This needs to be rage bait. I 100% believe she knows this is getting mad interaction. ex love islanders trying to stay relevant (impossible edition)'. Montana shared a follow up video saying: 'My issue with kids having a sweet dessert regularly at school, I would like to be the one to give Jude sweet treats and if he's at school five days a week, to me they're at school from the ages of 5 to 18... 'Then yeah I do have an issue if he has dessert every day. For me, having sweet every day is unnecasary. A lot of you are saying my school does fruit and yogurt... 'I'd be happy for him to have fruit and yogurt but the schools I've seen and looked around, the majority of them are feeding kids sugary stuff for dessert every day and I don't agree with it.... 'We know sugar is bad, we know it's so addictive and we know if you give kids the choice of having something sugary for dessert or fruit and yogurt, we know which one they're going to pick because they don't have the ability to choose what's right for them sometimes so that's my issue with it, it's not standardised.' In her next video she went on: 'I find it so frustrating because the generations are getting sicker and sicker and children are having more chronic illnesses and diseases and part of that is because of the rise in ultra processed foods and the fact that sugar is in everything... 'When we were looking around schools i genuinely was shocked. One of my friend's mums, she works in a state school in Harlow and she was saying it's kind of up to whoever runs that school if they have an interest in nutrition that if it's something they want to impliment then they can. 'So my thing is that every single child deserves nutritious food at school and doesn't need to be sugary and ultra processed because every single child desevres good nutrition and it's so important.' Bryana Holly has sparked speculation she has welcomed her third child after revealing she was breastfeeding in a new Instagram post on Wednesday. Responding to comments from critics online who had suspected she had undergone a breast augmentation, Bryana, 32, revealed her enlarged chest was the result of 'not [breast] feeding her babies in hours'. The pictures were taken during her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, which she attended with her husband Nicholas Hoult, 36, in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Following the event, Bryana shared a message on Instagram Stories after receiving comments about her body, saying: 'I am seeing the comments around my chest. 'This is the product of a breastfeeding mother who hasn't fed her babies in hours ok! If you know then you know. You are not owed an explanation.' It is publicly known that Bryana and Nicholas, who have been together since 2017, have a son, Joaquin, eight, and a younger child, three, born in late 2022. However, her recent comments about breastfeeding - specifically tandem feeding - suggest that they have since welcomed another child together. Bryana Holly has sparked speculation she has welcomed her third child after revealing she was breastfeeding in a new Instagram post on Wednesday Responding to comments from critics online who had suspected she had undergone a breast augmentation, Bryana, 32, revealed her enlarged chest was the result of 'not [breast] feeding her babies in hours' Bryana replied comment about tandem feeding, which is the practice of breastfeeding two children of different agestypically a newborn and an older sibling/toddleror twins at the same time. The comment said: 'Followed purely to fight for another bf maama. Having tandem fed till my eldest was 3 I fully understand. Also it is nobody's business and you shouldn't have to explain yourself. You look amazing. End of.' Bryana replied: 'Thank you so much! Also, YOU are incredible!' Also adding to the speculation was Bryana's friend @lurelly, who jumped to the defence of her pal in the comments section of the post. She wrote: 'If by surgeon you mean her newborn baby. I can't wait for a world where we root for each other rather than assume.' Daily Mail have reached out to representatives for Bryana and Nicholas for comment. Nicholas who previously referred to Bryana as his 'wife' during an interview in November 2024, has spoken about his experience of parenthood in the past. In an interview with the Evening Standard, Nicholas said: 'The levels of tiredness are extreme.' He added: 'No one warns you about it! But the level of love that comes with it outweighs everything. It's phenomenal. I'm loving it. 'And it evolves all the time. '(Children) change so much, every day is different. It fills you up as a human completely.' Bryana replied comment about tandem feeding, which is the practice of breastfeeding two children of different agestypically a newborn and an older sibling/toddleror twins at the same time Also adding to the speculation was Bryana's friend @lurelly, who jumped to the defence of her pal in the comments section of the post Nicholas began his acting career as a child and gained early recognition for his role in About a Boy, in which he starred alongside Hugh Grant. He later rose to wider prominence with his portrayal of Tony Stonem in the television drama Skins, a role that established him as a leading young British actor. Nicholas went on to build a varied career across both independent and blockbuster films. He is widely known for playing Hank McCoy, also known as Beast, in the X-Men film series, and for his performance in Mad Max: Fury Road. Nicholas has also appeared in films such as The Favourite, Warm Bodies and The Menu, demonstrating range across genres including historical drama, action and dark comedy. Alongside his film work, Nicholas has continued to take on television roles, including leading parts in series such as The Great. Across his career, he has worked with a range of directors and co-stars, maintaining a consistent presence in both British and international productions. Last year he revealed he was warned about 'going off the rails' after he shot to fame as a child actor in About A Boy aged just 11. Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Nicholas recalled how several people told him that child actors' careers often decline as they get older. 'There was this fear sitting after that because everyone then, even as a kid, everyone talks to you about how child actors stop working, their life goes off the rails, and it doesn't work out as an adult,' he said. 'You have this fear of what's to come, but even then, I knew I wanted to continue doing it. I was also slightly guarded about it, I suppose, because I was like, there's a good chance this doesn't work out.' Nicholas praised his parents for never putting any 'pressure to succeed' on him during his early acting years. 'Luckily, my parents and my family were wonderful in the sense of they sent me to normal school and kept life around acting as regular as possible,' he said. The actor also praised his co-star Hugh for being a 'wonderful example' of how to be 'gracious and kind' while working on a film set. Princess Andre copied her mum Katie Price's style on Thursday as she modelled a green tracksuit on Instagram. The influencer, 18, looked the double of her former glamour model mother, 47, who was spotted in a similar green co-ord three years ago. Princess flaunted her incredible figure in a cropped green Nike zip front top which she teamed with matching tracksuit bottoms and white trainers. Styling her long blonde locks loose, the reality star flashed her toned midriff in the casual ensemble as she posed in the street before enjoying a matcha at a cafe. She wrote: 'Tracksuits on rotation'. Princess' post comes after Katie was left thrilled that she had the whole cabin to herself when she flew to war-torn Dubai to reunite with husband Lee Andrews. Princess Andre copied her mum Katie Price's style on Thursday as she modelled a green tracksuit on Instagram The influencer flaunted her incredible figure in a cropped green Nike zip front top which she teamed with matching tracksuit bottoms and white trainers Standing in the middle of the cabin, there were no other passengers, just two air hostesses in the background. Mother-of-five Katie seemed pretty pleased with herself as she stood in the middle of the cabin wearing a white vest top and black Nike leggings. She wrote: 'How unreal is this! This whole cabin to myself. Crazy! Dubai here we come! 'KatiePrice #comingformyhubby #excited.' The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates. Moreover, your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the (FCDO). When she arrived, she shared a clip of herself inside an empty airport and spoke about how much she enjoyed her journey. She said: 'So, I've landed. I slept the whole flight. Five blankets. three pillows... I was gone. Literally woke up in enough time to get a cup of tea. 'So far now, this airport is pretty quiet. Yay! Such a good flight. Now it's through arrivals.' Lee, 42, has maintained that he feels quite safe in the UAE and has insisted he has no plans to leave. The reality star posed in the street before enjoying a matcha at a cafe She wrote: 'Tracksuits on rotation' It was claimed British born Lee spent three weeks locked up in a Dubai jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to take out a 200,000 loan in her name and as such, has been banned from leaving the United Arab Emirates. He denies this, but as yet, does not appear to have left the country since meeting Katie. The glamour model and Lee 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. Katie and Lee reunited in Dubai on Wednesday where they headed straight to a cosmetics clinic to both get some work done. Despite the ongoing Iranian crisis, which has seen missile attacks across the UAE city, Katie was seen at Gatwick Airport on Tuesday preparing to head off to see her new love. Taking to his Instagram Story on Wednesday afternoon, Lee faced the camera while covered in numbing cream as he said: 'Hello so here we are this is not AI. We are actually here to fix a few things. When I say fix, I mean enhance! 'So today we are going to fix the nose and fix the chin. And look like a brand new penny!' He then panned the camera to Katie and Lee shouted: 'Look who it is!' The next clip showed Katie who is known for her many plastic surgeries being injected with filler and Botox. Referring to her forehead she said: 'So we've had the funny lines killed, but I will look like that one day', she added as she stretched her whole face back with her hands. Lee then called her 'gorgeous' as the clinician leaned over her to carry on injecting. It comes after mum Katie bragged she had the whole cabin to herself on Instagram on Thursday while flying to war-torn Dubai to reunite with husband Lee Andrews It comes just after comedian Katherine Ryan issued a new warning to Katie, as she travelled back to war-torn Dubai this week. Under a clip of a recent interview Katie did with Good Morning Britain where she dismissed claims she was being used by Lee and told people not to worry about her, Katherine made her feelings clear. She penned in a comment: 'People are behaving this way because they love you', along with a love heart. 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 [sic]. I love you to infinity. Love from your wife Katie X'. 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 and has links to Elon Musk. Ryan Gosling was left red faced on Thursday after sitting down for an interview with notorious internet personality Margie Keefe, AKA Grime Granny. The Hollywood star was quizzed by 87-year old Keefe - who rose to fame by interviewing young grime artists over a cup of tea in her east London home - while promoting his latest film, science fiction drama Project Hail Mary. But Gosling, 45, was left speechless after she admitted to 'falling in love' with him in The Notebook - director Nick Cassavetes' emotional 2004 drama charting the lives of a young couple over several decades. 'If you could re-enact a scene [from The Notebook] with me, what would you pick?' she asked while interviewing the actor for Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby, adding: 'I know the one I want.' 'What would you pick?' said Gosling. 'Maybe the dance scene' 'With the geese,' Keefe replied, referring to a famous scene in which Gosling's character Noah and love interest Allie, played by Rachel McAdams, row through a flock of white birds. Ryan Gosling was left red faced on Thursday after sitting down for an interview with notorious internet personality Margie Keefe, AKA Grime Granny Offering another popular scene, she added: 'And when it was raining, and you kissed me... I can't tell you. I'll be thinking of this all night. I'll be thinking of it all night long.' With Gosling in hysterics, Keefe, whose past Hollywood interviewees include Chris Hemsworth and Colin Farrell, said: 'I bet he's thinking, "Who's this mad English woman?"' 'No, I'm thinking, like, where have you been all my life?' the actor replied. 'And like, can we just keep doing this for the rest of the day? Can we do all of our interviews together now?' He added: 'I want us to have our own connection. But I dont want to force it. So, Ill wait for it. Ill earn it.' 'You wouldn't have to wait long,' she said. 'If I was years younger. Well, I can't tell you!' Gosling has been in a long-term relationship with Eva Mendes since 2011 after starring with the actress in director Derek Cianfrance's The Place Beyond The Pines. The couple are parents to two daughters, Esmeralda, 11, and Amada, nine. He recently revealed how their children were involved in Project Hail Mary, telling Access: 'I made this for them essentially. As a family, I'd like a movie like this that I'd like to see. I just feel really honored that I got to make one.' The actor added that his children's opinions on the film were important to him. 'My kids have seen multiple cuts. They give me multiple notes. They're basically the only critics I care about, and they are very critical and very honest,' he said. The Hollywood star was quizzed by 87-year old Keefe while promoting his latest film, science fiction drama Project Hail Mary But Gosling was left speechless after she admitted to 'falling in love' with him in The Notebook - an emotional 2004 drama charting the lives of a young couple over several decades Gosling is the latest Hollywood star to be questioned by Keefe, hysterics, whose past interviewees include Sarah Paulson, Chris Hemsworth and Colin Farrell Keefe's latest interview comes shortly after she baffled TV personality Kim Kardashian by asking her an unexpected question about jacket potatoes. Kardashian was interviewed alongside her All's Fair co-star Sarah Paulson for Capital Radio in November, but the interview took a bizarre turn when Keefe asked her about the popular British staple. 'And you're a big fan of jacket potato aint ya?' she asked, as Paulson burst into fits of laughter and a bemused Kardashian replied: 'Who?' 'I don't know what that is,' she continued. 'What is a jacket potato?' Paulson asked. 'It's potato cooked in the skin,' Keefe said, as Kardashian confirmed: 'Oh I love that, yeah.' Listen to Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby weekdays from 6:00am to 10:00am across the United Kingdom and on Global Player. Rumours that Kyle Sandilands plans to buy ARN after being sacked are gaining traction. After the shock jock's former boss Craig Bruce first made the claim that Sandilands has his eye on purchasing the radio network last week, industry sources now say that it's increasingly becoming a possibility. A source tells news.com.au that while buying up ARN in full would cost in the realm of $100 million, Sandilands could purchase a controlling stake for $51 million. 'The short answer is the network is already pretty cheap,' the source said. 'It just depends on the level of ownership that Kyle wants. You could become a majority shareholder for $51 million but I think he just wants to be a stakeholder,' they continued. 'He just wants to have a say on how it is run and he has been on radio for so long that he's very confident on how a radio station should be run or shouldn't be run.' Rumours that Kyle Sandilands plans to buy ARN after being sacked are gaining traction. Pictured with Jackie 'O' Henderson It would be a chunk of change, but possible, as Sandilands has built a business empire worth a reported $100 million. Sandilands has spent years quietly building a business empire far beyond broadcasting. In 2012 he entered the corporate world by launching an investment company called King Kyle, which he has previously claimed is now worth around $100 million. The company's success is largely attributed to the diverse range of ventures it operates, spanning beverage brands such as H2Coco and Nueva Sangria, as well as television production including the Luxe Listings Sydney series on Amazon Prime Video. Away from the boardroom, the star also boasts an extensive personal property portfolio, including a $14 million mansion in Vaucluse and a $5.9 million estate in Glenorie. He also owns a $1.8 million holiday home in Copacabana and a $1.3 million retreat in Port Douglas, as well as a home in Los Angeles. Sandilands reportedly said he intends to buy up KIIS FM and the entirety of the Australian Radio Network, Sandilands' former boss Bruce claimed on Sunday. Bruce, who was previously program director at 2DayFM during Kyle and Jackie's reign at the station, said in an Instagram post from his Game Changers Radio page that Sandilands made comments regarding a potential takeover of ARN during a recent taping of Australian Idol, where the radio star serves as a judge. A source tells news.com.au that while buying up ARN in full would cost in the realm of $100 million, Sandilands could purchase a controlling stake for $51 million It would be a chunk of change, but possible, as Sandilands has built a business empire worth a reported $100 million 'Update. Kyle Sandilands will be back on the air on Wednesday, if he's not sacked on Tuesday. And he reckons he's going to get sacked on Tuesday,' Bruce said. 'This is intel. I got a DM last night from a listener who was at the Idol auditions and so he said that to either a crowd of people or to a few people [that he] has a plan. 'If he's sacked on Tuesday, he's going to buy the network.' Bruce added: 'He's either going to be on the radio on Wednesday... or he is sacked on Tuesday, that's according to Kyle Sandilands himself. The plot thickens.' While it was unclear Sandilands made the comments in jest, there are increasing rumblings suggesting that he could well be serious. 'He is talking to companies and individuals. There is chatter,' the news.com.au source said. The end of The Kyle and Jackie O Show was announced on Wednesday when Kyle released a statement at 7am on Wednesday announcing that KIIS' parent company, ARN, had terminated his 10-year, $100 million contract. 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 they've terminated my contract,' he said. 'I don't accept it.' Kyle continued: 'My lawyers told them last week this would be invalid. And guess what? It is.' ARN announced last month that Jackie'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. Luisa Zissman has offered her followers a free private jet flight to bring her dog from Dubai to the UK, after she fled the war-torn city. Taking to Instagram earlier in the week, The Apprentice star, 38, shared a post in which she offered a flight from the UAE to London Luton to bring her toy poodle Crumble back from the area, which is currently under attack from Iran. When the crisis erupted in Dubai earlier this month, Luisa avidly informed followers she was in the 'safest country in the world' and 'everything was fine', before scarpering back to the UK to her 8million countryside mansion. Despite insisting her return was planned, Luisa stated she was 'in her refugee era' and has now divulged that her dog Crumble is stuck in Dubai leading to her plea for a companion however she then revealed the flight had been cancelled. Sharing an AI-ed image of Crumble dressed in a soldier's uniform, she added the caption: 'No PJ [private jet] for Crumble just been let down (again). He's ok at the moment and safe and being cared for but I really want him with me'. Luisa Zissman has offered her followers a free private jet flight to bring her dog back from Dubai to the UK, after she fled the war-torn country yet revealed she had been 'let down' She wrote: 'He's ok at the moment and safe and being cared for but I really want him with me' Not only did she sent the plea to her 712k followers, insiders have revealed that various Dubai-based WhatsApp groups have been sharing an image of Crumble, in a desperate bid to get him back to the UK Luisa first took to Instagram to make the plea, in which she revealed the opportunity had one ticket available for the flight to land to Luton, in exchange for accompanying Crumble back to the UK. Not only did she sent the plea to her 712k followers, insiders have revealed that various Dubai-based Whatsapp groups have been sharing an image of Crumble, in a desperate bid to get him back to the UK. The image of Crumble was adorned with the words: 'Help Crumble get home. Anyone want a free private jet home this Saturday into London Luton? Just have to accompany little Crumble (1.2kg) home! Total cost is covered for both you and him.' Insiders revealed the plea was circulated without being attached to Luisa. Despite her insistence that Dubai was safe, Luisa made her way back to her palatial Grade II-listed Hertfordshire manor, set in 2.8 acres of land, as the city was ravaged. She lives with her Irish millionaire husband Andrew Collins and their daughters Indigo, ten, and Clementine, nine, when in Britain. She shared a selfie showing her cradling the pup Her eldest daughter Dixie, 15, remains in the UK while attending boarding school. Since moving to Dubai in December, Luisa has been a vocal online cheerleader of the UAE showing steadfast support despite 12 days of Iranian missile attacks which have six dead and more than 120 injured. At the start of the conflict, she insisted the emirate was still the 'safest country in the world' despite explosions echoing across the city and a drone strike forcing the temporary closure of Dubai International Airport. She told followers that despite preparing her basement in case of emergency, she had 'faith' that the country's defence systems would keep residents safe, later adding: 'Everything is largely fine. When you're here it's fine.' In another post, she added: 'We've had a very nice normal day. We had breakfast - well breakfast/lunch - with some friends... Join the discussion How far would you go to bring your pet home from a dangerous situation? Earlier this month, Luisa voiced her frustrations about being back in the UK after leaving her Dubai home 'One of my friends is stuck in England so her husband and kids, they've been round to ours the last couple of days just seeing how things go. 'Last night was quite noisy but it's kind of fine still here at the moment. It's just not knowing what's gonna happen next or when it's going to end.' Despite her insistence, just days later she was back in Britain flying out of neighbouring Oman after travelling overland across the border. Even then, Luisa took aim at the thousands of ordinary British holidaymakers scrambling to flee the war zone, sharing a mocking social media post suggesting scared tourists were acting as if 'they just come back from the frontlines'. Many travellers had described chaotic scenes as passengers were ordered off planes and flights abruptly cancelled, with the UK government forced to charter planes to return stranded citizens. The star has been one of the most vocal Dubai-based influencers to throw their support behind the UAE government, even declaring it to be the 'safest country in the world' Luisa, however, insisted her own arrival in the UK had nothing to do with the relentless bombardment of Iranian munitions in the UAE where more than 1,500 drones and almost 300 ballistic missiles have reportedly been tracked. Instead, she claimed the trip had always been planned so she could record episodes of her popular LuAnna podcast. She said she had only brought her daughters with her because she feared flight disruption might prevent her returning quickly to Dubai. Within hours of landing, she was posting videos from London as she walked through Chinatown. Declaring she was in her 'refugee era' after being 'displaced from my home', she insisted: 'I was due back for work anyway so I came back with the kids, they're on school holidays now and I just wanted to bring them back with me.' Bianca Censori was back to her old ways as she stepped out in a pair of sizzling hot pants following her demure court appearance earlier this month. During her testimony, the wife of Kanye West, who is famous for her scantily clad looks, including her nearly nude 2025 Grammys appearance, appeared unusually conservative in a black cardigan paired with a long skirt. However, in stark contrast, the architect, 31, showcased her figure in barely there shorts and a sheer top as she arrived at a Los Angeles studio on Wednesday. The tiny shorts showcased her long legs, while she also elongated her stature with a pair of heeled mint pumps for the sun-soaked outing. Bianca also showed off her ample assets in the figure-hugging top, which was layered under a long-sleeved, cropped blue shirt. She wore her cropped black locks swept back into a bun and opted for a matte makeup palette to complete her eye-catching daytime look. Bianca Censori was back to her old ways as she stepped out in a pair of sizzling hot pants following her demure court appearance earlier this month The architect, 31, showcased her figure in the barely there shorts and a sheer top as she arrived at a Los Angeles studio on Wednesday On March 5, Bianca, who is famous for her scantily clad looks, including her nearly nude 2025 Grammys appearance, appeared unusually conservative in a black cardigan with a long skirt Bianca arrived at the studio in a black Porsche before greeting a friend and heading inside, according to onlookers. Bianca looked almost unrecognisable as she arrived at a courthouse to testify in a lawsuit against Kanye, debuting a modest look far removed from her usual risque ensembles. Her towering heels gave a subtle nod to her normally glamorous style, but her hair was swept back into a tight bun and she wore spectacles, completing the understated ensemble. Bianca arrived to testify shortly after plaintiff Tony Saxon was seen entering the Los Angeles Superior Court. It has since been revealed that Kanye and his team are taking a victory lap after a jury awarded a contractor suing him $140,000 'a small fraction' of the $1.7 million he had been seeking with the litigation. His spokesman, Milo Yiannopoulos, told the Daily Mail that the contractor, Saxon, recovered 'only a small fraction of what his lawyers demanded' with the $140,000 after asking the jury for 'approximately $1.7 million.' Yiannopoulos said the jury rejected almost all of [Saxon's] claims in the case, which saw both West Censori take the stand to testify. 'Although the jury found that Saxon qualified as an employee for certain purposes,' he said, 'they awarded no damages for lost wages, overtime, waiting-time penalties, retaliation, punitive damages, or any other statutory penalties. 'The only damages awarded were $140,000 related to Saxons claim that he was injured while working on the property.' West Coast Trial Lawyers attorney Neama Rahmani told the Daily Mail on Wednesday that his client Saxon was 'relieved' and 'vindicated' as the case drew to a close. The verdict handed down to West on Wednesday was split into $100,000 for Saxon's medical expenses, past and present, and $40,000 for past pain and suffering, Rolling Stone reported after reviewing the court ruling. Saxon did not recover any damages for future pain and suffering or punitive damages, according to legal documents reviewed by the outlet. West had not been acting in 'malice, oppression, or fraud' in firing Saxon from the construction project, which the jury ruled was not a wrongful termination, according to legal docs. The look perfectly displayed her toned physique Bianca also showed off her ample assets in the figure-hugging top She layered her top under a long-sleeved, cropped blue shirt 'It took a lot of discussion to get to $140,000,' a juror in the case told the outlet. 'Some people wanted to go higher. We thought [Saxon] was injured, but there were too many other nebulous things to consider.' Rahmani said of Wednesday's ruling, 'Admittedly, we won some claims, we lost some claims it was a mixed verdict I'm not gonna say that it was a clean sweep by any stretch, but the fact that the jury found merit in our claims, found that [Saxon] was an employee, found that [Saxon] was injured on the job ... they gave him damages for his medical expenses this is the law.' Rahmani told the Daily Mail that the case involving Saxon marked the first time the rapper 'had ever testified in court,' adding, 'We have no problem litigating against Ye we're the first law firm to push a case against Ye all the way to trial.' Jurors told Rolling Stone about the Grammy-winning rapper's demeanor when he testified last week. 'He looked at us contemptuously,' a female juror told the outlet. 'It was just a waste of our time. Either he was just bored, or he was falling asleep on the stand. Both are bad options. I was not impressed.' Another juror said West clearly 'fell asleep' while testifying, adding, 'I was kind of surprised. I could tell he's not what some of my friends who still like him believe.' West's spokesman Yiannopoulos said the rapper and his team remain confident they would recoup monies awarded in Wednesday's judgment down the line, due to the jury's finding 'that Saxon acted in the capacity of a contractor' and did not qualify for the employee exception under Californias contractor licensing statutes. 'Under California law, an unlicensed contractor cannot recover compensation for work requiring a license. Based on those findings, we believe the damages award is legally barred and will be seeking post-trial relief from the court.' Yiannopoulos said that Wednesday's ruling 'concludes the first of two lawsuits,' as they're pursuing litigation against 'Saxon and his attorneys, Ron Zambrano and West Coast Trial Lawyers, arising from their recording and publicizing of an unlawful mechanics lien' on the Malibu property. She wore her cropped black locks swept back into a bun and opted for a matte palette of make-up to complete her eye-catching daytime look She came out of her black Porsche He said 'the lien clouded the homes title and interfered with its sale, destroying substantial value at the time of sale.' Rahmani told Daily Mail in response, 'That lawsuit has no merit,' citing legal SLAPP statutes applicable in the situation. He added, 'You can't file a non-meritorious lawsuit against someone for asserting a legal claim that claim was litigated in court California law is clear.' The legal dispute stemmed from an initial arrangement that West and Saxon reached in September 2021. At the time, the rapper was looking to make a series of drastic changes to an oceanfront Malibu mansion he purchased for more than $57 million. Saxon told the court in legal documents that, in fulfilling West's unique specifications, he provided multiple services. They included project management, property caretaker and security. Saxon said in legal documents that he spent up to 16 hours a day working on the remodel, and sometimes had to sleep on the ground with his coat to remain on schedule. Saxon said in his legal filing that things between him and the Runaway rapper went awry two months into the endeavor, in November 2021. The contractor told the court he voiced his opposition to a number of requests West made regarding the renovation of the home. Saxon said West ordered him to demolish the marble bathrooms and remove all plumbing, windows and electrical equipment. When West proposed moving large generators inside the house, Saxon told the court he informed West that it would create a major fire hazard. Saxon said in the suit that West, in response, threatened him and said he would be considered 'an enemy' if he did not fulfill his vision. Saxon said West told him: 'If you don't do what I say, you're not going to work for me, I'm not gonna be your friend anymore and you'll just see me on TV.' West Coast Trial Lawyers attorney Neama Rahmani told the Daily Mail that his client Tony Saxon, above, was 'relieved' and 'vindicated' as the case drew to a close Saxon said in legal documents that he told West he did not watch TV and was promptly fired on the spot and told to 'get the hell out' of the home. Saxon claimed to the court that West only paid him for one week of work. He sued West for a number of labor code violations, and more than $1 million in unpaid wages, and damages. In the lawsuit, Saxon said the rapper's vision for the home was to make it like 'a bomb shelter from the 1910s', according to NBC News. 'We were going to be gutting all of that out and sort of building him a Bat Cave,' Saxon said, adding the rapper told him he wanted a place he could 'hide from the Clintons in and the Kardashians in'. While Saxon believed the home was more of an 'art project', he later came to realize West actually wanted to reside there. West 'wanted no electricity,' Saxon said. 'He only wanted plants. He only wanted candles. He only wanted battery lights. And he just wanted to have everything open and dark.' West denied all of the accusations in a November 2023 filing requesting that the lawsuit be dismissed. Lawyers for the rapper said he was not responsible for the damages Saxon claimed to have suffered and that Saxon performed tasks he was unaware of. In a series of 2024 photos of the home, disrepair was visible: the floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the ocean had been removed, leaving that side open to the elements. The inside of the house appeared to be crumbling and the metal railings were rusting after being exposed to the salt air, wind and water at the oceanfront location. West's Malibu neighbors in 2024 told TMZ his mansion was 'left to rot' and that they had not 'seen anyone around for many months'. The Vanity Fair Oscars bash was said to have descended into chaos on Sunday night when guests were confronted by 'crazy bright' lighting on the red carpet. According to onlookers, the VIP guests were less than impressed by the 'unflattering' lighting because of how their pictures turned out, with one actress reduced to tears upon seeing her photograph. 'I genuinely feel bad for some of these women,' one guest said. Another insider said that it was 'like being shot in extremely high-def. You saw a lot of excess pounds and wrinkles that used to be hidden. Nobody wants to be photographed like that!' The change of lighting came as a result of Vanity Fair's new editor, Mark Guiducci, moving the event from its longtime home at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) this year. So was the lighting unforgiving, or were the celebs just overreacting? How the stars' social media snaps compared to their pictures at the Vanity Fair Oscars party after complaints of 'unforgiving' lighting (Kris Jenner on social media, left, and at the bash) According to onlookers, the VIP guests were less than impressed by the 'unflattering' lighting because of how their pictures came out (Heidi Klum on social media, left, and at the bash) An insider said it was 'like being shot in extremely high-definition. You saw a lot of excess pounds and wrinkles that used to be hidden' (Kim Kardashian on social media, left and, at the bash) One actress was left in tears over photos that saw her looking like a 'Diane Arbus character,' according to the Hollywood Reporter. The Arbus comparison is particularly brutal given the photographer's legacy of haunting imagery. Her work focused on unconventional subjects, from circus performers to giants, captured in a stark style that is the opposite of Hollywood glamour. Meanwhile, the morning after, many stars chose to share photos from Guy Oseary and Madonna's annual bash instead of the official photos from the Vanity Fair carpet. This year's lighting stood in stark contrast to the soft, golden glow of previous bashes, as one longtime guest said that in prior years 'even the ugliest stars knew they'd come out all right. It was like magic'. One attendee said that it was 'crazy-bright' at the event and compared it to 'standing under klieg lights'. Another said that 'it was like a hundred degrees' and wondered if she was 'having hot flashes'. The glamour took another hit when the traditional red carpet was replaced by a light gray shag, which was mocked for its drab appearance by a number of social media users. Guiducci was reportedly determined to restore the party's fading luster and ordered a brutal refinement of the guest list. 'Mark only wanted the most AAA-list stars,' an insider told the outlet, adding that 'he must have gone over that list a thousand times.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Vanity Fair and Guiducci for comment. Join the discussion Would you be happy with unedited photos of you going public? This year's lighting stood in stark contrast to the soft, golden glow of previous bashes (Demi Moore on social media, left, and at the bash) One attendee said that it was 'crazy-bright' at the event and compared it to 'standing under klieg lights' (Vera Wang on social media, left, and at the bash) Vanity Fair's new editor, Mark Guiducci, moved the event from its longtime home at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) this year. Above, with Nicole Kidman This year, the red carpet excluded B-listers like media reporters and TV stars. One high-profile star who skipped the event was Emma Stone. Despite being invited, Stone opted to go to the Universal Pictures party and later headed to A24's bash. When questioned about the Vanity Fair bash, she said in a video shared to X: 'Its so weird, even if youre nominated, it doesnt mean you can go.' Guests at the new LACMA venue were supposed to get a first look at the museum's new David Geffen galleries. However, the area remained unfinished by the night of the Oscars, and the party was moved to a less glitzy part of the museum. The guests also reportedly complained about the traffic as well as the party's 'influencer emcees', who reportedly 'insulted several VIPs'. Not everyone was ready to write off the bash just yet. One guest pointed out that it was merely the 'first time' at the new venue, adding: 'Ill still go next year.' The high-profile guest list this year also featured the likes of Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Jessica Alba and Hailey Bieber. Katie Price has claimed her Dubai-based husband Lee Andrews speaks a whopping 12 languages, including 'perfect' Arabic. During an interview, of which she shared behind-the-scenes clips on her YouTube channel, the model, 47, spoke about her feelings of incredulity towards her husband's intelligence - amid debunked claims he is a Cambridge-educated doctor. The star, who has since claimed his doctorate came from a Spanish university rather than Cambridge, said: 'I can have intelligent conversations, I'm just fascinated by him. He's so intelligent. He speaks about 12 different languages.' Her fascination with her husband comes as a defiant display in the wake of a slew of question marks over Lee's bombastic claims about his life, including his PHD from Cambridge, his millionaire businesses and his links to Elon Musk. Katie 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. Katie Price has claimed her Dubai-based husband Lee Andrews speaks a whopping 12 languages, including 'perfect' Arabic During an interview, of which she shared behind-the-scenes clips on her YouTube channel, the model, 47, spoke about her feelings of incredulity towards her husband's intelligence - amid debunked claims he is a Cambridge-educated doctor In her new interview, Katie was determined to stand by claims of Lee's genius, as she gushed about his linguistic ablities, such as when dealing with servicepeople. Katie said: 'I can have intelligent conversations, I'm just fascinated by him. He's so intelligent. He speaks about 12 different languages. Wherever we are, whether we're in the taxi or the restaurant, all different languages... 'They go to me: "Oh my god, he speaks perfect Arabic or perfect this or that!" and you just hear him talk and I'm like: "Is he that good?" and they're like: "It's perfect"' The release of her interview comes after she jetted to Dubai to be reunited with her husband, who has been accused of being on a flight ban. It was claimed British-born Lee spent three weeks locked up in a Dubai jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to take out a 200,000 loan in her name and as such, has been banned from leaving the United Arab Emirates. He denies this, but does not appear to have left the country since meeting Katie. Katie and Lee reunited in Dubai on Wednesday where they headed straight to a cosmetics nclinic to both get some work done. In her new interview, Katie was determined to stand by claims of Lee's genius, as she gushed about his linguistic ablities, such as when dealing with servicepeople Despite the Iranian crisis, which has seen missile attacks across the UAE city, Katie was seen at Gatwick Airport on Tuesday preparing to head off to see her new love. Taking to his Instagram Story on Wednesday afternoon, Lee faced the camera while covered in numbing cream as he said: 'Hello so here we are this is not AI. We are actually here to fix a few things. When I say fix, I mean enhance! 'So today we are going to fix the nose and fix the chin. And look like a new penny!' He then panned the camera to Katie and Lee shouted: 'Look who it is!' The next clip showed Katie who is known for her many plastic surgeries being injected with filler and Botox. Referring to her forehead, she said: 'So we've had the funny lines killed, but I will look like that one day,' she added as she stretched her whole face back with her hands. Katie and Lee reunited in Dubai on Wednesday but she posted the plane picture the day after. Upon arrival, they headed straight to a cosmetics clinic to both get some work done Lee then called her 'gorgeous' as the clinician leaned over her to carry on injecting. It comes just after comedian Katherine Ryan issued a new warning to Katie, as she travelled back to war-torn Dubai this week. Under a clip of a recent interview Katie did with Good Morning Britain where she dismissed claims she was being used by Lee and told people not to worry about her, Katherine made her feelings clear. She penned in a comment: 'People are behaving this way because they love you', along with a love heart. 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 [sic]. I love you to infinity. Love from your wife Katie X'. Michelle Williams and her husband Thomas Kail were seen on a rare family outing in New York City with two of their children on Thursday. It marked the second time the actress has been seen in public since the tragic passing of her 'dear friend' and Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, who died on February 11 of colorectal cancer. The 45-year-old actress was bundled up against the chill in a fleece-lined coat while the Hamilton director, 49, stayed warm in a black coat. The ultra-private couple had two of their three children with them, their son Hart, born in 2020, and their second child together, who was born in 2022 and whose name has not been revealed. They also welcomed a baby girl in April of last year, born via surrogate, and Williams has a daughter, Matilda, 20, with late actor Heath Ledger. Kail did the honors and pushed the stroller while Hart toddled beside them. The family stroll comes on the heels of Williams big win at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards on March 1 for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her role as Molly Kochan in Dying for Sex. Michelle Williams and her husband Thomas Kail bundled up against the chill as they were seen on a stoll in New York City with two of their children on Thursday The ultra-private couple welcomed a baby girl last April via surrogate Her appearance at the star-studded event in Los Angeles was her first public outing since Van Der Beek's death. In a conversation with ET, Williams said he was 'constantly' on her mind. 'Im thinking about him and Im thinking about his family constantly,' she told the outlet. 'Its been such an amazing thing, as James's friend and a friend of the family, to see the response in the wake of his passing.' She praised the contributors to the GoFundMe page that was launched in support of the late actors children. 'I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who has contributed to sustaining their lives and their childrens lives. Its an incredibly meaningful thing to witness.' Van Der Beek is survived by wife Kimberly and their six children daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, and Gwendolyn, seven, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, four. After initially posting a $500,00 goal, the page has surpassed $2.7 million through more than 46,000 donations. The rare family outing marks the second time Williams has been seen in public since the tragic passing of her 'dear friend' and Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek (pictured in a still from the WB series with Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson) Van Der Beek died on February 11 following a battle with colorectal cancer Williams' appearance at The Actor Awards on March 1 was her first since Van Der Beek's death and there she praised the contributors the GoFundMe page launched for the actor's kids, saying, 'Its an incredibly meaningful thing to witness' A description on the site read: 'In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. 'The costs of James's medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. 'They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.' The message continued: 'The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead. 'Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the childrens education. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives. Thank you for considering a gift to support them.' Kimberly's close bond with Williams, Busy Philipps, and Katie Holmes was shown in a September 2025 Instagram post. After Van Der Beek announced his cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2024, Williams said she had stayed in touch with her co-star amid his illness. 'Were in contact, and hes in our hearts and our minds, and he knows that,' she told ET in an April 2025 interview. Last summer, Williams put together a Dawson's Creek reunion at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York City to benefit the nonprofit F Cancer 'And we're here for him in every and all ways.' Last summer, Williams put together a Dawson's Creek reunion at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York City to benefit the nonprofit F Cancer. 'We grew up in Capeside and that's a bond that will last a lifetime,' Williams said. 'We wanted to gather around our dear friend James and remind him that we are all here. We always have been and we always will be. And I know the fans of Dawsons Creek feel the same way.' Rediscovered footage shows Joe Duggar on vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida two years before he allegedly sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl in the same town, the Daily Mail can reveal. The video has resurfaced after Duggar, 31, was charged with lewd and lascivious acts involving a victim under 12, as well as lewd behavior toward an adult, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office. Duggar, a former '19 Kids and Counting' star, appeared bedraggled and unshaven in a booking photo on Wednesday as he was taken into custody in Washington County, Arkansas. The father-of-four can be seen in the footage laughing and playing with baby Garrett in 2018, taken by TLC for their 'Counting On' spinoff show. Both he and his wife Kendra, 27, went on the trip with her mother Christina, 46, who was pregnant at the time with her eighth child, Isaiah, now seven. Duggar can be seen laughing and smiling while playing with his then three-month-old son, and interacting with Kendra's younger siblings. Joe Duggar is seen smiling, playing with his infant son during a family trip to Panama City Beach in 2018 that aired on an episode of Counting On Joe Duggar was arrested on Wednesday in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her underwear and genitals; he's pictured in his mugshot after the arrest The family appear to favor Panama City Beach for their vacations, returning in 2020 when the crimes Duggar now faces allegedly took place. The father-of-four's alleged victim, now 14, told officers she was just nine when she claims Duggar abused her during a getaway in Panama City Beach part of what is derisively known as the Redneck Riviera in 2020. Duggar's mugshot was released on Wednesday evening by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The former reality star, who has been married to Kendra since September 2017, sported a thick beard, and he gazed forward with a stony expression, which notably contrasted the grinning 2021 mugshot of his brother Josh, which had also been snapped in Washington County. Joe Duggar's alleged victim told investigators that the family had been staying at a home on Danny Drive at the time. Duggar 'repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap', BCSO officials said, adding that his behavior appeared to escalate as the vacation continued. Duggar and his family were regulars on reality television for years, first appearing on 19 Kids and Counting before its spinoff, Counting On The footage was filmed two years before the alleged incidents took place. Duggar can be seen laughing and smiling while playing with his then three-month-old son, and interacting with Kendra's younger siblings The family appeared to favor Panama City Beach as a vacation destination, seemingly returning in 2020 when the alleged assault took place In another incident, the girl told police Joe asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket, 'rubbing' his hands on her thighs. 'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim's underwear and grazed her genitals,' Bay County Sheriff's Office said. Duggar subsequently told the alleged victim he was sorry, and the incidents ceased, according to officials with the sheriff's office. The father of the alleged victim confronted Joe about what happened on Tuesday, at which time he admitted to his actions to the father and a detective in Tontitown, the sheriff's office said. Duggar was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with lewd and lascivious behavior molestation of a victim less than 12-years-old; and lewd and lascivious behavior by a person 18 years or older. Authorities with the sheriff's office said that he is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County. Joe has been married to Kendra since September 2017, and they are parents to four children A Duggar family spokesman told the Daily Mail Wednesday evening the family had not issued a statement about the latest scandal to hit the clan. In May 2015, Joe's older brother Josh Duggar apologized for 'wrongdoing' after a 2006 police report revealed that he had been investigated as a teen for inappropriately touching five underage girls. Joe condemned Josh's behavior in 2015 after his sisters Jill and Jessa came forward saying they were two of the victims. Amid the 2015 allegations, Josh admitted that he had 'acted inexcusably' and 'hurt others, including my family and close friends'. Joe Duggar said he was shocked by the allegations against Josh in a December 2015 appearance on Jill & Jessa: Counting On. The then-20-year-old Joe said, 'I don't think there's any way any of us would have known that my brother was living such a secret life. It broke my heart.' Josh was then found guilty in December 2021, of two charges of knowingly receiving and possessing child pornography unrelated to the previous allegations and was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison. He is serving his time as prisoner number 42501-509 in the low security Seagoville Federal Corrections Institute in Texas His earliest possible release is October 2, 2032. Eric Dane's widow Rebecca Gayheart posted a tribute to him from her and their daughters Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, on the eve of his one month death anniversary. Dane, who shot to fame on Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan aka 'McSteamy,' died February 19 aged 53 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) about a year after he announced that he had been diagnosed with the illness. The rare, incurable degenerative condition impairs the nervous system over time and causes the muscles to increasingly suffer from paralysis. Although Dane split from Gayheart in 2017, they remained friendly co-parents and never finalized the divorce, which they called off just before he revealed he had ALS, colloquially known in America as Lou Gehrig's disease. Gayheart, 54, remained a stalwart source of support for him amid his final decline, even as both of them continued to date other people. She posted an Instagram montage this Wednesday of Dane with her and their children, writing: 'There are no words. All our love forever your girls.' Eric Dane's widow Rebecca Gayheart posted a tribute to him from her and their daughters Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, on the eve of his one month death anniversary Although Dane split from Gayheart in 2017 , they remained friendly co-parents and never finalized the divorce, which they called off just before he revealed he had ALS Dane, who shot to fame on Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan aka 'McSteamy,' died February 19 aged 53 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Gayheart uploaded the post a day after she and her daughters with Dane made their first public appearance since his death nearly a month prior. They were attending the premiere of a new film called The Drama, starring Dane's Euphoria co-star Zendaya along with Robert Pattinson. Euphoria creator Sam Levinson - the son of Rain Man director Barry Levinson - was among the flood of donors to a GoFundMe set up by Gayheart's friends to help financially support her and her daughters in the wake of Dane's death. Her appearance at the premiere of The Drama came on the heels of news that a public memorial service will be held for Dane in Los Angeles, via TMZ. The event is reportedly borne of fan enthusiasm, after viewers were left outraged that Dane was snubbed by the in memoriam reel at the Oscars last Sunday. A source close to Gayheart said part of the object of the memorial was for Dane to 'smile and feel loved and know that his life was not in vain.' The event is also being held in honor of the fans, whose outpouring of homages and condolences is said to have touched Dane's family. A Gayheart insider said Dane's exclusion from the Oscars in memoriam 'saddened' his family, but added that they understood why he was left out inasmuch as 2025 had been 'a year of profound loss for the industry.' Gayheart posted an Instagram montage this Wednesday of Dane with her and their children, writing: 'There are no words,' and adding: 'All our love forever your girls' Gayheart's new post in honor of Dane came on the heels of news that a public memorial service will be held for Dane in Los Angeles, via TMZ The event is reportedly borne of fan enthusiasm, after viewers were left outraged that Dane was snubbed by the in memoriam reel at the Oscars last Sunday The event is reportedly borne of fan enthusiasm, after viewers were left outraged that Dane was snubbed by the in memoriam reel at the Oscars last Sunday Hollywood legends such as Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall and Catherine O'Hara were honored, with Barbra Streisand leading a tribute to Robert Redford and Billy Crystal fronting a star-studded encomium to Rob Reiner. Dane was among a group of shock omissions, including Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues star James Van Der Beek and French screen icon Brigitte Bardot. He had secretly recorded a final message for his daughters to be released posthumously in a Netflix special entitled Famous Last Words: Eric Dane. 'Billie and Georgia, these words are for you: I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried,' he said, speaking directly to the camera. 'Overall, we had a blast, didnt we?' Dane then shared the four lessons he had learned over the course of his life that he wanted to impart to his daughters before he died. First, live now, right now in the present. It's hard, but I learned to do that, he 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."' However he ultimately declared: 'No more,' a change in mindset that he characterized as a decision he made out of pure survival'. He added: Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something, Dane said. This Tuesday, Gayheart and her daughters the premiere of a new film called The Drama, starring Dane's Euphoria co-star Zendaya along with Robert Pattinson Explaining that he had discovered acting at around his daughters' age, he said: Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you wanna get up in the morning. His third dictum was to 'choose your friends wisely,' to 'find your people and allow them to find you and then give yourselves to them,' inasmuch as the 'best of them will give back to you. No judgement. No conditions. No questions asked.' Sharing his gratitude for the friends who stepped up when he became ill, he urged his daughters: 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.' His fourth and final exhortation was to 'fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity. When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight.' Dane told Billie and Georgia: 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. The San Francisco-born actor's voice broke as he reflected: 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 concluded by saying 'Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words. Hollywood icon Bruce Willis celebrated his 71st birthday on Thursday, and his wife Emma Heming marked the occasion with a heartfelt tribute as he continues his fight against dementia. On the special day, Heming shared a nostalgic photo of the Die Hard star smiling by the water on Instagram, writing, Today we celebrate Bruces birthday. Heming, who is the mother of Willis daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, used the milestone to promote her newly launched charity The Emma & Bruce Willis Fund, which she announced last week. This journey with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has opened my eyes to the realities so many families face, she wrote. Its what inspired me to create The Emma & Bruce Willis Fund to raise awareness of FTD, support research, and stand beside the caregivers who carry so much every day. Willis, who also shares daughters Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 32, with his ex-wife Demi Moore, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2022 at the age of 67. If youd like to honor Bruce today, please consider supporting the fund or another organisation working in this space, or simply checking in on a caregiver - a small act of kindness that can mean so much, Heming added. Hollywood icon Bruce Willis celebrated his 71st birthday on Thursday, and his wife Emma Heming marked the occasion with a heartfelt tribute and a sweet photo (above) Heming, who is the mother of Willis daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, used the milestone to promote her newly launched charity The Emma & Bruce Willis Fund, which she announced last week On March 12, Heming unveiled The Emma & Bruce Willis Fund during The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's Hope Rising Benefit in New York. The charity is dedicated to advancing understanding of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) by raising awareness, supporting promising scientific research, and strengthening support for caregivers. This journey has opened my eyes to the realities so many families face when a loved one is living with frontotemporal dementia, Heming told the audience. I believe deeply in the importance of supporting research while also showing up for the caregivers who carry so much every day. Through this fund, my hope is to help deepen understanding of FTD and ensure families facing it feel seen, supported, and less alone. Bruce has always led with generosity and heart, and I know he would be proud to see this effort helping families facing this disease, she added. Heming shared a selfie from the event with their daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, as well as a snap of herself on stage and a photo of her place card. The couple, married in 2009, made headlines when it was revealed that Bruce had moved into a separate one-story home down the street from their primary residence, where he is cared for by a full-time team 24/7. If youd like to honor Bruce today, please consider supporting the fund or another organisation working in this space, or simply checking in on a caregiver - a small act of kindness that can mean so much, Heming wrote In January, Heming disclosed that she visits the actor all the time. She and their two daughters often share meals with Willis, and Heming Willis frequently drops by for breakfast with her husband. Speaking on the Conversations With Cam podcast, she said: It is our second home, and its a place where we make memories. That house supports Bruces every need, 24/7, and our other home, where our kids are, now theyre supported, now their needs are met and that's worked so well for us. She added that Willis has been thriving in the new environment. She admitted that the decision to move Willis into the separate home was one of the hardest decisions shes faced during his health struggle. It did not come easy. Caregivers are faced with really hard decisions, and we have to do what is best for our family, whats safest for our person. Bruce wouldnt want his two young daughters to be clouded by his disease. I know that. They werent having sleepovers, playdates. We werent inviting people over it was a really hard time. Willis has been surrounded by his blended family, including his wife as well as ex Demi Moore, and all his five daughters, who have rallied around him Earlier, she shared with The Sunday Times: Among the sadness and discomfort, it was the right move for him, for our girls, for me. Ultimately, I could get back to being his wife. And thats such a gift. The decision has also allowed Bruce more freedom to reconnect with friends and family. She explained, Its made such a difference for more friends and family to have their own experience with him without it being my home, without me hovering, or my anxiety of how to manage the guest and their expectations, and then have to see their reactions - their sadness at what is. In the same podcast interview, Heming revealed that her husband is unaware of his dementia diagnosis. In 2023, Willis family made the public announcement that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a form of dementia that causes a rapid decline in areas of the brain linked to personality and language abilities. FTD affects parts of the brain that control language, behavior, and personality. Unlike Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, patients dont lose their memory immediately but undergo significant personality changes. The disease also impacts areas of the brain responsible for judgment, impulse control, and decision-making, which can lead to patients mismanaging finances - an additional burden on caregivers. Though Willis has stepped back from the public eye, his family continues to provide occasional updates on his condition. Christina Aguilera has come under fire from her own fans following a one-off concert in Mexico City this week. The songstress, 45, performed at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on Tuesday, but made a hugely embarrassing blunder when she referred to it as 'New Mexico' on stage. 'I love you so much New Mexico!' she told the crowd, accidentally naming the US state instead of the Latin American country. Fans also complained that she only performed for 55 minutes, with many claiming that a two-hour set had been advertised. There were also countless complaints about the start time and Aguilera allegedly being late to perform, while others slammed the lacklustre stage production, which largely consisted of large plastic tarps draped over all the equipment possibly due to the rainy weather. Fans weren't shy about expressing their disappointment on social media, with one commenting, 'I was there, worst show ever. Omg I liked her but she gave Mexico a half-hearted low cost show.' Christina Aguilera has come under fire from her own fans following a concert in Mexico City this week Another fan made light of the situation, posting to X, 'Christina Aguilera came to Mexico City, started one hour late, called it New Mexico and only performed a 55 minute set. Yall could NEVER make me hate her!' A third wrote, 'The show was extremely short. It didn't even last an hour, including interludes. She took the stage over an hour late for a 55 minute show. Many songs were shortened, the stage production was lackluster, the lighting was terrible, and she even mentioned New Mexico (the US state) instead of Mexico.' Some fans were also disappointed by the lack of hits in Aguilera's setlist, with the diva skipping over some of her most notable chart-toppers, including Candyman and Come On Over. Aguilera's Instagram is currently flooded with angry comments from Mexican fans, with many of the comments written in Spanish. However, some fans have been more forgiving towards the former hitmaker, with one pointing out, 'In her defence, she said Mexico like three times before that end bit!' Another wrote, 'If you actually knew, shes been performing in different places every single day, shes exhausted. One small mistake like that isnt something to drag her for. At this point, she shouldnt even go back to Mexico, some of yall are just ungrateful.' Others pointed out that Aguilera's recent concerts have all been around one hour, and that the Mexico City gig may have been misadvertised locally as a two-hour show without the star's knowledge. 'Her show in Oklahoma was only an hour, but it was an incredible hour. She is one of the greatest performers of all time. Her fans should really feel lucky they got to see her at all,' argued one fan. Daily Mail has contacted Aguilera's management for comment. The songstress, 45, performed at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on Tuesday, but made a hugely embarrassing blunder when she referred to it as ' New Mexico' on stage Aguilera is pictured performing in Texas just days before her Mexican concert Aguilera has certainly been busy this year. Several days before her concert in Mexico, she performed at the Sips & Sounds Music Festival in Austin, Texas as the headliner. She's also set to perform in Costa Rica this weekend, and will then head to Abu Dhabi in April for another concert. Outside of performing, Aguilera has teased that she's working on new music along with a documentary about her comeback. In December, she performed in Paris to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her Christmas album, My Kind of Christmas. Titled Christina Aguilera: Christmas in Paris, the holiday concert aired as its own TV special and was also released as a live album. Leonardo DiCaprio turned heads at the 2026 Oscars with a bold new look that had fans doing a double-take and now it has been revealed that an exciting new role is behind his transformation. The 51-year-old acting living legend took to his Instagram to post a first look photo from his next film with iconic film director Martin Scorsese. The image from upcoming film What Happens at Night shows DiCaprio holding co-star Jennifer Lawrence as they walk through the snow together. DiCaprio's new mustache was prominent in the image as he wore a black coat, trousers, boots, and fedora. Lawrence donned a long brown coat over a dress and heeled booties. DiCaprio captioned the image: 'What Happens at Night is now in production.' Leonardo DiCaprio turned heads at the 2026 Oscars with a bold new look that had fans doing a double-take and now it has been revealed that an exciting new role is behind his transformation According to IMDB the synopsis of the film is: 'A married American couple visits a snowy European town to adopt. 'At their eerie hotel, they meet odd characters - a chanteuse, businessman, and faith healer. Reality blurs as they pursue the baby and question their lives.' The film will be distributed by AppleTV+ as Scorsese signed a multi-year, first-look deal with the streamer in 2020 to produce and direct film and television products through his Sikelia Productions banner. Meanwhile, Dicaprio unveiled his new look at The Oscars days ago. The A-lister arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, nominated once again, this time for One Battle After Another. But it was not just the nomination that had people talking - DiCaprio debuted a noticeably darker mop of hair as he posed on the red carpet in a classic tuxedo. Adding to the buzz was his mustache, which many fans quickly dubbed a porn stache, with some joking that Pedro Pascal, who arrived sans his signature facial hair, must have lent DiCaprio his own. Despite the dramatic transformation, the actor looked effortlessly debonair, later joining his stunning girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti in the audience, though fans could barely focus on anything but the new look. The 51-year-old acting living legend took to his Instagram to post a first look photo from his next film with iconic film director Martin Scorsese titled What Happens at Night which he will star in alongside Jennifer Lawrence Meanwhile, DiCaprio unveiled his new look at The Oscars days ago One viewer tweeted: Leonardo DiCaprio stole Pedro Pascals mustache and the ceremony hasnt even started yet, Im not ready, while another summed it up in one word: porn stache. The reactions kept coming on social media. One fan quipped, Pedro Pascal gave his mustache to Leonardo DiCaprio! #Oscars, sharing a side-by-side photo of the two. Another added, Leonardo DiCaprio has a mustache and Pedro Pascal is clean shaven. Yet more piled on, with one writing that he looked the most chopped he ever chopped. One even compared him to a famous stand-up comedian, posting, He looks like Shane Gillis. A few offered a sideways compliment, with one declaring, Hes actually attractive for an old man. Many, however, were here for the bold new look, praising his red carpet swagger. DiCaprio appeared to embrace a midlife crisis makeover for the event Fans could barely focus on anything but the new look Despite the dramatic transformation, the actor looked effortlessly debonair, later joining his stunning girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti in the audience Leonardo DiCaprio owns the red carpet - classic black tux, bow tie, and that bold mustache giving major leading-man swagger. Timeless yet fresh; hes ready to take home the gold. Fans were quick to note that DiCaprios midlife crisis makeover comes at a point when the 51yearold actors personal life is under the spotlight like never before. DiCaprio has been dating Italian model Ceretti, 27, since 2023, nearly three years, bucking his longtalkedabout reputation for always splitting from partners before they hit their mid20s. Legendary action star Chuck Norris has been admitted to a hospital in Hawaii following a sudden medical emergency. The incident occurred within the past 24 hours on the island of Kauai, prompting the 86-year-old star to seek medical attention, sources informed TMZ on Thursday Details about the nature of the emergency remain unclear, but it is reported that Norris is in 'good spirits' despite the situation. The incident appears to have unfolded rapidly, as Norris was reportedly training on the island just the day before. A friend spoke to Norris over the phone, confirming that he was still upbeat and even making jokes, per the outlet. The Daily Mail has reached out to Norris's representatives for comment. Legendary action star Chuck Norris has been admitted to a hospital in Hawaii following a sudden medical emergency; (pictured March 2026) Sources informed TMZ on Thursday that the incident occurred within the past 24 hours on the island of Kauai, prompting the 86-year-old star to seek medical attention; (pictured in 1995) Earlier this month, Norris celebrated his birthday by sharing a video of himself staying fit with a training session. The star wrote alongside the clip, 'Im 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. Im grateful for another year, good health, and the chance to keep doing what I love. 'Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than youll ever know. God Bless, Chuck Norris.' Norris has always been vocal about his longevity and excellent health, often saying he feels much younger than his actual age. In a past interview with The Healthy, he shared, Im grateful to feel strong, healthy and energised. I dont see age as a reason to slow down if anything, its given me the chance to renew my commitment to fitness and nutrition The martial arts icon attributes his health to a strict routine, including regular physical training, a balanced diet, and his lifelong passion for martial arts. He has also credited his positive mindset for contributing to his vitality. Earlier this month, Norris celebrated his birthday by sharing a video of himself staying fit with a training session Norris has always been vocal about his longevity and excellent health, often saying he feels much younger than his actual age; (pictured 2024) Norris' physicality has always been a huge part of his career, both on-screen and off; (pictured 2010) Norris' physicality has always been a huge part of his career, both on-screen and off. Known for doing his own stunts, hes shown time and time again just how tough he is, whether it was in classic films like Way of the Dragon (1972), where he famously went toe-to-toe with Bruce Lee, or in his iconic role on Walker, Texas Ranger. He didnt just stop at stunts - films like Delta Force (1986) and Missing in Action (1984) had him doing intense hand-to-hand combat scenes that really helped define his action-hero status. Even when he came back for The Expendables 2 (2012), Norris proved he could still hold his own, showing that age had nothing on his action star chops. The Traitors' winner Stephen Libby had a surprise reunion with host Claudia Winkleman at Liverpool Street Station in London on Thursday, as she filmed the new series of The Piano. As well as hosting the BBC hit show, Claudia fronts Channel 4's The Piano. The show invites gifted amateur pianists to play live at some of the nation's busiest train stations, from London St Pancras to Glasgow Central to make it through to a grand concert for the finale. Taking to Instagram, Stephen, 32, shared a selfie with Claudia, 54, and wrote: 'Not who I expected to bump into on my commute today'. Stephen reportedly quit his day job in cyber security to pursue a career in showbiz following his dramatic victory on the hit BBC series. He became one of the longest undetected Traitors in the show's history, despite facing several major hiccups along the way. The Traitors' winner Stephen Libby had a surprise reunion with host Claudia Winkleman at Liverpool Street Station on Thursday, as she filmed the new series of The Piano Earlier this month, it was revealed Claudia was back for the fourth series alongside Mika. Mika will join forces with a number of other faces to judge the musicians. While at Birmingham New Street Station, Tiffany Poon will join the team, while Jools Holland OBE will be there at London Bridge station, and Jamie Cullum will join the pair at Glasgow Central station. Composer Hiromi will be there to judge at York station and Alice Sara Ott will be on our screens for the Manchester Piccadilly episode. And fans will be happy to know that old judge Jon Batiste will return to our screens as well. Claudia has been part of the show since it premiered. Meanwhile, her new chat show beat Graham Norton as she pulled in 200,000 more viewers than him for her debut Friday-night programme. BBC bosses were thrilled with her first episode. One insider said: 'Claudia is a superstar and this is the first time she has done a show like this. It rated really well. Taking to Instagram, Stephen, 32, shared a selfie with Claudia, 54, and wrote: 'Not who I expected to bump into on my commute today' Earlier this month, it was revealed Claudia was back for the fourth series of Channel 4 show The Piano The show invites gifted amateur pianists to play live at some of the nation's busiest train stations Stephen became one of the longest undetected Traitors in the show's history, despite facing several major hiccups along the way and went on to win the cash pot with Rachel Duffy 'There is no question that she will get better and better this is her dream and she will stop at nothing to make sure it works. 'Her ratings are better than Graham's, which was perhaps to be expected because it's her first show, but the dream would be that they are both on a level.' Claudia left her role of hosting Strictly Come Dancing after 11 years to launch her chat show. The sheriff in charge of Nancy Guthrie's abduction case has been accused of spending more time in the gym than working on the investigation as the search enters its seventh week. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has come under fire for alleged mishandling of the probe into NBC Today Show host Savannah Guthrie's missing 84-year-old mother. Nancy was abducted from her $1 million Tucson, Arizona, home in the early hours of February 1, and there have been no arrests or suspects named in the nearly seven weeks since. Savannah, 54, and her close family have endured continual heartbreak amid a massive but so far fruitless search by the Pima County Sheriffs Department and the FBI. Sheriff accused of neglecting duties amid ongoing case However, instead of investigating the case, Nanos, 70, has been accused of dedicating more time to exercising at the gym than being at the sheriff's office. He was spotted by the New York Post at his office only twice for seven hours each day between Friday and Tuesday this past week. During that same five-day period, the outlet learned that he had hit the gym four times for roughly 90-minute workouts. Meanwhile, Republican congressional candidate Daniel Butierez recently confirmed to the New York Post that he has initiated the recall process to remove Nanos from office. Butierez said he has 500 volunteers working to collect at least 120,000 signatures on a petition to fire the sheriff, the first step in a lengthy recall process. 'He has been an embarrassment to Tucson and to Pima County with this Nancy Guthrie case,' the congressional candidate said. Investigator fears Nancy is likely dead It comes as an investigator from his office told the Daily Mail that he believes Nancy is likely dead. Is she alive? I think thats very unlikely, a source close to the probe somberly said. Everybody is coming to grips with that. Shes elderly, had health problems and to survive in captivity for so long we obviously dont know for sure, but it would be a miracle. Savannah previously acknowledged the prospect that her missing mom is dead in a gut-wrenching social media video, saying: 'She may be lost. She may already be gone. Nanos has been accused by several sources of locking down the probe amid escalating tensions between his team and federal agents. In particular, he was allegedly keeping key decisions to himself and two of his highest-ranking inner circle, effectively sidelining the small team of relatively inexperienced investigators at his disposal. One law enforcement source told the Daily Mail that Nanos will 'only let himself or two of his handpicked staffers make decisions on the case.' Others have said he made crucial errors in the first hours of the search for Nancy. Butierez told the New York Post that Pima County deputies had wanted to begin the recall process themselves, but they were worried about retaliation from the sheriff. He added that police in Pima County 'had a unanimous vote of no confidence' in Nanos on Friday. Butierez has taken up the recall initiative because 'Im a congressional candidate... and I dont see Nanos messing with me,' he said. As the search for Nancy continues, the Guthrie family has announced a $1 million reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the return of their mother. The FBI has also offered $100,000 for information that leads to Nancy's rescue. The Daily Mail contacted the Pima County Sheriff's Office for comment. Chris Nanos faces removal after 'mishandling' kidnapping clues The sheriff in charge of investigating the abduction of Nancy Guthrie faces being fired from his post as an investigator from his office shares grave fears for her safety. Republican congressional candidate Daniel Butierez recently confirmed to the New York Post that he has initiated the recall process to remove Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos from office. Butierez told the outlet that he has 500 volunteers working to collect at least 120,000 signatures on a petition to fire the sheriff, which is the first step in a lengthy recall process to do so. 'He has been an embarrassment to Tucson and to Pima County with this Nancy Guthrie case,' the congressional candidate told the outlet. It comes as an investigator from his office told the Daily Mail that he believes Nancy is likely dead, reluctantly coming to the dismal outlook more than six weeks after she was abducted from her $1million home. Is she alive? I think thats very unlikely, a source close to the probe somberly said. Everybody is coming to grips with that. Shes elderly, had health problems and to survive in captivity for so long we obviously dont know for sure, but it would be a miracle. NBC Today co-host Savannah Guthrie previously acknowledged the prospect that her missing 84-year-old mom is dead in a gut-wrenching social media video 24 days into the hunt, saying: 'She may be lost. She may already be gone. But this is the first time anyone has revealed the thinking inside the investigation. Nancy was snatched from her house in the affluent Catalina Foothills area of Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of Sunday, February 1. Since that day, Savannah, 54, and her close family have endured continual heartbreak amid an initially massive but so far fruitless search by the Pima County Sheriffs Department and the FBI. Sheriff Chris Nanos under fire for his handling of the case from the outset was accused by several sources of locking down the probe amid escalating tensions between his team and federal agents. Read the full story here Costco has finally brought back its iconic churro - but not in the way fans wanted. Instead of reviving the beloved twisted treat, axed months ago in 2024, the warehouse giant has launched a $2.99 caramel churro sundae - topped with bite-sized pieces of churro. The new dessert features vanilla soft serve drizzled with salted caramel sauce and sprinkled with what Costco is calling churro bites - a chopped-up version of the original. This is such a slap in the face to give us churro bites and no actual churros, one frustrated customer wrote online. Another added: Theyre doing everything except bringing back the churro. One parent even joked that the disappearance had become a running grievance in their household. 'One of my kids is 6 and every few months he just yells, 'why did they get rid of the churros!?' It was like his first great betrayal of life and it really stuck with him,' one Reddit user said. The $1 fan-favorite churro first debuted in the 1990s but was pulled from food court menus at the start of the pandemic. Costco food court in Fontana, CA. Members are missing the retailer's famous churros that were cut from the menu in 2024 Ron Vachris, CEO of Costco Churros were brought back at $1.49 - only to be axed again in 2024. In its place - as the main sweet option in food courts - was a 750-calorie chocolate chip cookie, which received mixed reviews from customers. Now, instead of restoring the fan favorite, Costco appears to have reinvented it. Ill just order the sundae and tell them not to chop up the churro - give it to me whole, one commenter said. The rollout of the caramel churro sundae has already begun appearing in Costco's 630 stores, though it is unclear if it will hit every location. The news of the caramel churro sundae spread with a now-viral social media post, stating that the warehouse chain 'did it again!' Costco's other sundae options are quietly disappearing as the caramel churro sundae makes its debut. That includes the fan-favorite Double Chocolate Mint sundae with mint soft-serve ice cream, thick chocolate sauce and crunchy chocolate cookie crumbles. 'I am BEGGING Costco to keep their mint ice cream around in their food court until Ramadan is over,' one Instagram comment said. 'It is all I want.' Costco's food court churros originally sold for $1 before raising the price to $1.49 after the pandemic Costco replaced its iconic churro for a 750-calorie chocolate chip cookie on its food court menu Costcos food court remains one of the most popular in America, famous for its ultra-cheap staples including the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, pizza slices and the $3.99 chicken bake. The company has also tightened rules around who can access those deals, recently requiring membership verification at outdoor food courts. Meanwhile, one of Costco's latest projects is a standalone gas station in California, opening in June - a timely addition as gas prices rise due to the US-Israeli war with Iran. In recent months, Costco has also adjusted its checkout strategy, scaling back on self-checkouts while testing new technology in select locations. Rather than getting rid of self-checkout altogether, Costco has removed hand-held scanners from kiosks in some stores after they were reportedly used to help bypass proper scanning and facilitate theft. CEO Ron Vachris told investors the company has begun deploying systems that allow employees to scan items in customers' carts before they reach the cashier - an effort aimed at speeding up throughput and reducing errors. The approach differs from the fully customer-operated 'Scan & Go' system already in place at rival Sam's Club, where shoppers scan items using the retailer's app, pay digitally, and present a QR code at the exit. Millions of taxpayers could be eligible for a Covid-19 IRS refund, but time is running out for candidates to claim their cash. A November 2025 court case found that a huge cohort of Americans should be able to claim money back from filings made in tax years 2019 to 2023. Heres how it works: If the IRS charged you penalties or interest during these coronavirus pandemic years, you might deserve to have the payments refunded. E-file.com The online filing destination makes it easier and cheaper than ever, with no paperwork needed. Just bring your filing forms and watch the online magic happen. Right now with code SAVE28 you can save 20 percent on federal tax filing software at E-file.com. *Coupon code applies to federal software only, it cannot be combined, and must be used at the time of payment. Shop If you believe you qualify, you need to file a claim before July 10, 2026 or youll lose out on any refund (or reduction in penalties or interest). 'There's the possibility this could mean billions of dollars in refunds across a spectrum of businesses and individuals,' Jessica Marine, partner at Frost Law, told the Daily Mail. One point to keep in mind: The IRS could appeal the ruling and delay any payments, but you still must file a claim before the July deadline. According Ivan H. Golden, a partner at Ohio tax law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister, people who were audited or paid big tax bills during the pandemic could see sizable refunds. If the IRS charged you penalties or interest during the pandemic, you might be entitled to a refund In a 2025 ruling, a federal court ruled that tax deadlines were suspended from 2020 through mid 2023 In November 2025, a judge ruled that since the Covid-19 pandemic was an official disaster under US tax law, certain penalties and interest collected by the IRS should be refunded to taxpayers. US law allows the IRS to postpone tax deadlines during official federal disasters. In 2020, the president issued a nationwide emergency declaration and Congress passed legislation that suspended tax deadlines while the declaration was in effect. In the 2025 ruling - Kwong v. United States - the court clarified that these provisions suspended tax deadlines from Jan. 20, 2020, through July 10, 2023. The case is so important because it found that the suspension applied broadly to federal tax deadlines, rather than the more limited postponements announced by the IRS during the pandemic. According to Golden, if tax deadlines were suspended during the pandemic, some taxpayers may have been wrongly charged interest or penalties, including failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties. Failure-to-file is triggered when you dont file your tax return by the due date, while failure-to-pay is when you dont send the IRS the amount you owe by a due date, even if you did file a tax return on time. The IRS could still appeal, but Marine notes that there are signs the agency might simply abide by the court's ruling 'Most tax professionals had assumed the government would appeal, but just last week Frost Law won a case where the IRS agreed to waive interest and penalties for the period of time covered by Kwong,' she said. If you believe you qualify, you need to file a claim before July 10, 2026 Time is running out for candidates to claim their fees and penalties back from the IRS In addition to refund payments, Golden wrote that the ruling could also change tax deadlines that depend on statute of limitation periods. For example, it could potentially extend deadlines for filing refund claims and pursuing refund litigation. Despite its importance, the Kwong decision received little attention when it was issued in November 2025. The case has been attracting more attention lately with the April 15 IRS filing deadline creeping up and tax pros beginning to understand just how many Americans stand to benefit. 'The legal community has been assessing this ruling and also waiting to see if the case would be appealed,' said Marine. 'But the case we won last week has also increased interest in the case.' In addition, the statute of limitation for refund claims related to pandemic tax years begin to expire in 2026, and taxpayers and their advisors are evaluating whether refund claims should be filed now. Travelers are rushing to book trips as flight prices across the US and internationally climb sharply, driven by the surge in oil prices linked to the war with Iran. Airlines are grappling with a rapid spike in jet fuel costs - one of their largest expenses - and are passing costs on to passengers through higher fares and fees. In some cases, fares have nearly doubled in the weeks since the conflict began, prompting travelers to book early to avoid even steeper fares later. Airline executives had said fares - especially for long-haul flights - are likely to keep rising in the months ahead. Vacation-goers have been flooding online forums searching for answers on whether to book now or wait - particularly around the so-called Goldilocks Window, the period typically seen as the best time to buy flights. Traditionally, that window falls one to three months before domestic trips and two to eight months ahead of international travel. 'We have a trip planned for September, a wine tour of Piedmont. Now that airfares are going up markedly, wondered whether to buy now or hold out and see if they go down?' the Reddit post read. One user cheekily replied: 'Last week.' Another wrote: 'Buy ASAP but purchase refundable or changeable fares in case the prices drop.' Travelers are rushing to book trips as flight prices across the US and internationally climb sharply, driven by the surge in oil prices linked to the war with Iran Airlines are grappling with a rapid spike in jet fuel costs - one of their largest expenses - and are increasingly passing those increases on to passengers through higher fares and added fees Vacation-goers on Reddit grasped for answers on whether they should buy now or wait for prices to go down in the coveted 'Goldilocks Window' A separate commenter said the flight they bought last month, scheduled for October, to Vietnam was now $700 more expensive. There was a broad consensus that a 'possible recession' was on the horizon, but not to wait to book, as 'oil prices may stay elevated as well'. This was echoed by Travel expert Katy Nastro at Going, an American travel technology company, who told the Daily Mail that history indicates that fares will likely stay high as airlines deal with the high costs. She added that ticket prices will ultimately depend on how much travelers are willing to pay. Nastro encouraged flyers not to wait when booking their flight and to plan ahead for later trips if they spot a bargain. 'There is no reason not to be thinking about summer travels, even fall travels, especially if you see a deal,' she said, pointing to a recent Boston-to-Sicily fare for $488 in September listed on Going. She also said her best piece of advice was not to rely solely on the so-called 'Goldilocks Window' - the period widely regarded as the ideal time to book flights, typically one to three months in advance for domestic trips and two to eight months for international travel. Instead, Nastro suggested travelers take advantage of main economy tickets, which often allow passengers to reprice their booking if fares drop. A separate commenter said the flight they bought last month, scheduled for October, to Vietnam was now $700 more expensive Travel expert Katy Nastro encouraged flyers not to wait when booking their flight and to plan ahead for later trips if they spot a bargain 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 If the cost of the flight falls after purchase, travelers can contact the airline to have the ticket repriced and receive a credit for the difference, potentially saving money in the long run. Though it appears fares aren't going down anytime soon. Frontier's executive CEO Jimmy Dempsey boasted about the airline's earnings at the JP Morgan Industrials Conference in Washington, DC, on Tuesday morning. 'The company is focused on making our airline more profitable rather than keeping airline costs low,' Dempsey said. 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. During the conference, Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci confirmed that his 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.' Most major US airlines said they expect fuel prices to hover around or above $3 per gallon amid the ongoing war with Iran, as surging oil costs ripple through the industry. At the same time, strong travel demand and rising fares are boosting the sectors outlook. Airline stocks have climbed as carriers report robust bookings heading into the spring season and growing confidence that higher ticket prices will help offset the spike in fuel costs. While prices are expected to rise, Nastro shed some words of encouragement for worried travelers. 'The good news is that we don't expect airfares to spike in a similar way to what oil has been doing, but the bad news is [that] higher fares are likely the longer this lasts.' Costs mount as U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran enters third week 10:55, March 19, 2026 By Chen Zi ( People's Daily Online Cartoon by Tan Xiguang U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with British broadcaster Sky News on March 12 that the U.S. had spent $11 billion on strikes against Iran in less than two weeks, according to recently released data. CNN reported that the war is costing about $891.4 million per day, citing a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that analyzed Pentagon data on strike targets and operational assets. Now in its third week, the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran shows no signs of easing and the war's costs to American taxpayers keep mounting, with no ceiling in sight. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Keir Starmer had a close call yesterday whilst making his way to PMQs in an overcrowded rickshaw. According to reports from the Evening Standard, the rickshaw driver was swerving all over the road near Trafalgar Square en route to the Houses of Parliament when there was a brief altercation with a herd of cows, some goats, and a one-legged blind beggar on crutches. The rickshaw hit the blind man at the zebra crossing but continued on without stopping. Witnesses say that the PM was holding on for dear life as the rickshaw with 8 occupants swerved erratically to avoid various large potholes, farm animals, and pedestrians crossing the road. Arguwal Banarjee, from Wood Green, was not happy with the situation. You would think the Prime Minister of Great Britain would know better. Blimey! He should not be travelling in one of those rickshaws in the first place. Those drivers are paagal! The streets are looking like a third-world country or something like that! Its a bloody, blimey disgrace, sahib! PICTURED ABOVE: Pamela McNeill, Community Fundraising Coordinator at Northern Ireland Hospice, Janine Southhall Store Manager at Tesco Northcott, Community Champion Joanne Young (Tesco Northcott) and Michael Nugent, Community Outreach Manager at Northern Ireland Hospice. Shoppers in Derry have played their part in a record-breaking Northern Ireland-wide fundraising drive, helping to raise a massive 52,421 for the Northern Ireland Hospice. In Derry, bucket collections held at the Lisnagelvin and Strand Road Tesco stores contributed a combined total of 584.44 to the final tally. The record-breaking total was raised during a single weekend of bucket collections. Community spirit was at the heart of the campaign, with Tesco Community Champions, local community groups, and Northern Ireland Hospice volunteers joining forces across 30 stores. The funds will support Northern Ireland Hospice in continuing its vital work, helping 4,000 infants, children and adults each year through specialist respite, symptom management and end-of-life palliative care. READ NEXT: Rain fails to dampen spirits at Derrys St Patricks Day parade Horizon House, the charitys dedicated childrens in-patient unit in Newtownabbey, is the only facility of its kind in Northern Ireland. It provides essential care for children with life-limiting conditions, while also supporting families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Tesco Community Champions gathered at Tesco Extra Northcott, also in Newtownabbey, to celebrate the campaigns most successful result to date. The store raised an outstanding 2,471.23. The stores Community Champion Joanne Young said: Its amazing to see our community come together to make such a meaningful difference for a charity that means so much to so many people across Northern Ireland. Michael Nugent, Community Outreach Manager at Northern Ireland Hospice, commented: We are incredibly grateful to Tesco and its customers for this fantastic achievement. It is a wonderful example of the support the public continues to show for the Hospice, and this generous donation will make a real and tangible difference. It will help Northern Ireland Hospice continue to provide vital palliative care to children and adults across our community. It is thanks to partnerships like this that we can be there for families when they need us most. To support Northern Ireland Hospice or make a donation, visit www.nihospice.org/donation. A young man who was found highly intoxicated while attempting to walk home from Buncrana to Derry after a row with his girlfriend has avoided a criminal conviction by benefitting from an adult caution instead. Owen Begley, of Iniscarn Road, Derry, appeared before Buncrana District Court, where he admitted a charge of public drunkenness under Section 4 of the Public Order Act. The incident occurred on the night of Sunday, July 13, 2025, after the 23-year-old painter had spent a day socialising at the Buncrana Music Festival. Sergeant Jim Collins, prosecuting, outlined how gardai on mobile patrol at Ludden, Buncrana, at approximately 11.24pm, observed Mr Begley walking along the main road. The court heard that he was heavily intoxicated and was considered a danger both to himself and to others. Gardai intervened and brought him to Buncrana Garda Station, where he was allowed to sober up. READ NEXT: 'Ireland's top criminals, LOL': Man who sold guns to Derry gangs jailed for 10 years Sergeant Collins noted that once Mr Begley had regained sobriety, he was apologetic for his behaviour. The court also heard that he has no previous convictions. Defence solicitor Ciaran MacLochlainn explained the circumstances leading to the incident. He said his client had attended the Buncrana Music Festival on the seafront and had consumed a large amount of alcohol. While there, he had been in the company of his girlfriend, but the couple had argued due to his level of intoxication. According to the defence, the girlfriend had initially intended to bring him home but ultimately refused and left him there. He was with his girlfriend, but because he had taken so much drink, they fell out. She was to leave him home, but she refused and walked away and left him, Mr MacLochlainn told the court. Mr Begley then made the ill-advised decision to walk all the way back to Derry on foot. The solicitor said it was fortunate that gardai encountered him and brought him to safety. The court also heard that gardai had initially intended to deal with the matter by way of an adult caution on the night. However, due to his intoxicated state, Mr Begley was not in a position to understand what was being explained to him at the time. Judge Emile Daly remarked that an adult caution could still be appropriate in the circumstances. The court was told that Mr Begley works as a painter and had suffered personal consequences as a result of the incident, including the loss of his relationship with his girlfriend. Im not surprised, Judge Daly commented. Following a short recess, an adult caution was administered, and the judge struck out the charge, leaving Mr Begley without a criminal conviction. A mother and daughter who travelled to Derry for the St Patrick's Day celebrations were assaulted in Derry City Centre the local Magistrate's Court heard today. Darren McGrath (20) of no fixed abode admitted two assaults on the women on March 17 and assaulting another man and stealing a mobile phone on the same date. The court heard that police were on anti-social behaviour patrol and received a report of a fight in the Victoria car park. They spoke to two females one of whom said the defendant asked her for a cigarette and when she said she had none he punched her to the side of the jaw. Her daughter then intervened and McGrath punched her to the face. READ NEXT: Strabane man on child sex charges granted bail despite curfew breach A male then intervened and held McGrath until police arrived. The court was told both the mother and daughter were visiting the city from Belfast. The court was also told about another incident when McGrath was at a St Patrick's Night gathering and asked to borrow the host's phone to play music. McGrath was then seen to be bullying people and was asked to leave and he punched the man in the face who then realised some time later his phone was gone. When McGrath was arrested the phone was found in his property. The court was told that the defendant has 133 previous convictions. Defence counsel Stephen McNicholl said his client deserved credit for an early guilty plea. He said McGrath has 'a significant record' but accepted responsibility for his actions. The barrister said that no one deserved to be treated in the way these two women were. District Judge Oonagh Mullan said that McGrath had 'a shocking record' and sentenced him to 4 months in prison. Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh has said that labelling the group as antisemitic means people water that term down. The group were interviewed by the Big Issue after it was ruled the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, will not face a terror trial after being accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig. O hAnnaidh told the magazine: When you start labelling bands and people who speak out against Israel as antisemitic, what you do is water that term down. We are not antisemitic. O hAnnaidh also said it was impossible to remember everything that happens during a performance. When youre playing a gig its impossible to be perfectly conscious all the time. I dont remember all and thats not just from drink, thats pure adrenaline, he told the Big Issue. Band member Moglai Bap said the group is from the north of Ireland. We know about f****** religious conflicts, people using religion as a way to murder, maim and all this stuff, he added. We are against any discrimination in any form. The alleged offence was said to have taken place at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, on November 21 2024. But the case was thrown out in September last year, with chief magistrate Paul Goldspring ruling the proceedings were instituted unlawfully. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) appealed against the decision at the High Court at a hearing in January, with the rapper opposing the challenge. In a judgment last week, two judges at the High Court upheld the decision and dismissed the CPS appeal. The full interview can be read in Mondays Big Issue, on sale from street vendors and online via bigissue.com. Graffiti artist 10Foot has created new artwork, which will feature on the cover of the magazine. He has also contributed an exclusive print, which will come free with each magazine sold. A family has denied trying to freeze Noah Donohoes social media accounts, after their shared email address was linked to the request to do so. The inquest into the death of the schoolboy at Belfast Coroners Court, heard that Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe was effectively locked out of her sons Instagram account by the action. Noah, a pupil at St Malachys College, was 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning. On Thursday, the jury inquest heard evidence from three witnesses who are to remain anonymous and were concealed from the press and public gallery, but were in view of the jury and Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe. M1 refers to a witness who was a pupil at St Malachys at the time of Noahs disappearance, M2 is his sister and M3 is their mother. Over their three statements it was established that a request had been put to tech company Meta that owns Instagram to memorialise Noahs Instagram account, which effectively freezes it and retains the information in it at that time. Peter Coll KC, counsel for the coroner, showed the form that was submitted to Meta on June 28 2020, the day after Noahs body was found, with M1s name and a shared family email address. Where a proof of death is required, a link was inserted to a news article from the time saying that Noah had died. M1 said he was a student at St Malachys college in June 2020 but he did not know Noah at the time, telling the inquest: I only realised who he was when I seen his face on a poster. In his statement he said I would not have known how to memorialise an Instagram account or shut it down and I have no knowledge of the cancellation of Noahs Instagram account. He said the shared family address was linked to accounts he used for online gaming. Under questioning from Kate Hanley, counsel for Fiona Donohoe, he reiterated that he did not seek to memorialise Noahs account and said I do wish I did when asked if he knew who attempted to. Asked if he could help any further he said: If I could I would, I promise I would say it. M2 said she also did not know Noah and only became aware of him after his disappearance in June 2020. She had used the shared family email address for a Pinterest account but had her own email address for an Instagram account. On June 23 2020 M2 requested to follow Noahs personal Instagram account. Around the time when Noah went missing we would have been around the same age, she said. We like to share the things that needed to be shared to help find him so I followed his account just to keep updated with that. Brenda Campbell KC, representing Ms Donohoe, said that as a result of the memorialisation the day after she learned that her child had died she had no access to any of his private social media, and Ms Donohoe was locked out. Ms Campbell said Ms Donohoe was concerned someone had done this to deliberately deprive her and us of that access to Noahs accounts. M2 confirmed she understood what Ms Campbell described as that significant and serious point. M2 said of course she would say if she had further information, but that she did not seek to memorialise Noahs account and did not know who did. Her statement also referenced accounts being hacked and she told jurors, back in 2020 and years like that there was an epidemic of Instagram accounts being hacked it was always just scam websites, things like that. She added: I know my brother was hacked a few times and my account was hacked as well. M3 said that to her knowledge her children M1 and M2 had not sought to memorialise Noahs social media accounts and she has no explanation as to how their shared family email address came to be on that form. She said she became aware of Noah only when he went missing and remembers Fiona coming in and giving us stickers to help raise awareness. Her statement said: I never had any dealings with Noahs Instagram account, I have never attempted to close it down and no one has ever mentioned to me about closing it down. The three family statements were dated mid-February 2026, and M3 said that prior to being contacted by the inquest around this time they had no knowledge that M1s name or the family email address were linked to Noahs case in any way. The inquest will resume next week. African technology startups including mobile-focused initiatives will receive a financing boost through a 40 million (about US$46million) commitment from EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB). The financing will go to the first Africa-focused investment vehicle from leading European venture capital firm Speedinvest. This vehicle will back technology companies across innovation hubs in countries that include Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, while also investing in high-potential markets such as Ghana, Cote dIvoire, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is designed to improve digital and financial inclusion and strengthen commercial and capital linkages between African and European ecosystems, enabling startups to scale across borders. The strategy focuses on technology-enabled and mobile-based services across payments, healthcare, mobility, and education and is expected to deliver broad social benefits, including job creation and expanded access to digital banking and essential services for underserved communities. At least 30% of the vehicles capital will support companies advancing gender equality, including women as founders, employees, or consumers. Speedinvest has been investing in African growth-stage companies for several years, backing a number of startups, including mobility fintech Moove and digital bank FairMoney in Nigeria, financial app Khazna in Egypt, renewed phones supplier Mophones in Kenya, and money transfer service Julaya in Cote dIvoire. Speedinvest CEO and Managing Partner Oliver Holle explains: With EIB Global support, we are deepening our long-term commitment to backing exceptional founders across Africa while strengthening enduring bridges between Africa and Europe. By combining local presence with our European network of operators, sector expertise, and follow-on capital, we aim to help founders scale regionally and internationally. A planned Speedinvest office in Africa is expected to further strengthen local presence and hands-on support for founders. One theme cropped up again and again at MWC26: telecom operators are under pressure to redefine their role in the AI economy. For Huawei, the answer lies in what it calls the agentic era - a world where AI agents increasingly handle digital tasks on behalf of people and businesses. Speaking during a keynote session titled Telco for AI: The Value Equation, Eric Yang, president of Huaweis carrier business, argued that operators are uniquely positioned to benefit from this shift - provided they combine their core connectivity assets with AI capabilities. The communications industry has always evolved alongside major technology waves. According to Yang, the rise of AI agents represents the next major inflection point. Yang noted the scale of change could be dramatic. AI agents are expected to become significantly more capable at executing complex tasks. At the same time, interactions between physical and digital environments are expected to generate exponentially more data. For telecom operators, that combination creates both challenges and opportunities. Yang outlined a three-step approach that he believes can help carriers translate AI momentum into tangible business value. The first step focuses on strengthening operators core business by combining connectivity services with AI-driven experiences. One example highlighted during the keynote centred on home broadband services. By integrating AI agents into the home network environment, operators can simplify network management for users. Instead of navigating apps or dashboards, customers could simply issue voice commands when problems arise. In a scenario described by Yang, a user experiencing poor connectivity might simply say that the network is slow. The AI agent could then analyse the issue, run diagnostics, attempt automated troubleshooting, and if necessary schedule an engineer visit - all without requiring the user to navigate complex support processes. Beyond troubleshooting, such agents could manage device access, apply parental controls, or optimise latency for services like gaming. Yang pointed to early implementations by Chinese operators, where AI-enabled home services have been layered on top of premium fibre packages such as fibre-to-the-room deployments. In some cases, this combination of higher bandwidth and differentiated service experiences has helped increase average revenue per user. The second opportunity lies in upgrading traditional consumer services - particularly voice - through AI-driven functionality. While voice calling remains a core telecom service, Yang suggested that AI agents could significantly enhance the experience. One demonstration during the keynote illustrated how AI can remove background noise during calls, allowing clearer conversations even in challenging environments. Such calling agents could also support a wide range of everyday tasks, from booking flights and ordering food to real-time translation and customer service interactions. The idea is to transform voice from a simple communication channel into an intelligent service layer - potentially creating new monetisation opportunities for operators while improving user experience. The third area of focus involves applying AI within operators own internal operations. According to Yang, many carriers are already experimenting with AI to improve efficiency in areas such as network management, customer service and field operations. One example involves quality inspection of installation and maintenance work. Traditionally, only a small percentage of service visits could be manually reviewed. With AI-based inspection systems, coverage can extend across every interaction. Once those internal capabilities mature, operators can potentially take the next step by offering AI-enabled services to enterprise customers. Industries such as manufacturing and healthcare are increasingly exploring AI-driven automation and analytics. Yang suggested telecom operators could play a role in enabling these transformations by combining connectivity, computing infrastructure and AI capabilities. To help operators navigate this shift, Yang proposed three deterministic paths for capturing value. The first path focuses on mature use cases - such as AI-powered network optimisation or energy efficiency - where benefits can be realised quickly. The second involves deploying AI internally across areas like customer service or sales operations, building capabilities that can later support enterprise offerings. The third path targets high-frequency consumer scenarios, where improved experiences can drive rapid adoption and service differentiation. Underlying all three strategies is the need for infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale AI applications. Yang emphasised that Huawei is investing heavily in AI-centric network solutions that enable intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NEs). At the same time, the company is building full-stack computing capabilities spanning intelligent computing infrastructure and model service platforms. The goal, according to Yang, is to give operators the tools they need to move beyond traditional connectivity and participate more directly in the AI economy. If the agentic era unfolds as predicted, telecom operators may find themselves managing not just networks for people - but networks for billions of AI-driven digital assistants as well. And that, Yang suggested, could redefine the industrys role in the years ahead. At MWC Barcelona 2026 in Barcelona, Huaweis President of the Data Communication Product Line, Leon Wang, set out a clear message to global carriers - traditional connectivity alone will not deliver the next wave of growth. Instead, operators must evolve towards AI-enabled, intelligent wide area networks - and Huaweis newly launched Next-Generation Wide Area Network (Next Generation WAN) portfolio is designed to help them do exactly that. The challenge facing operators is stark. Global network traffic is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 20% between 2025 and 2030, yet average revenue per user is expected to rise by just 1.3% over the same period. At the same time, network operations and maintenance (O&M) costs account for more than 30% of total operating expenses, with a significant proportion driven by repetitive manual processes. Meanwhile, investment in computing power is accelerating. In China, operators are increasing computing power spending by more than 20% annually, but more than 40% of computing resources remain underutilised. The gap between infrastructure investment and monetisation is widening. Against this backdrop, AI has moved from experimentation to execution. According to Huawei, 170 operators worldwide have now released AI strategies, up from 70 a year ago. As Wang explained during the session: AI has become an important tool for operators to enable experience operations, improve O&M efficiency, and accelerate the monetisation of computing power. Some operators have already reaped the first wave of benefits. He also pointed to the wider industry shift, noting that last year, more than 70 operators around the world had released AI strategies. This year, the number has increased to 170. Examples of operators already deploying AI in their networks include the French operator Orange, which saw its operations and maintenance efficiency increase by 39% after upgrading its fault diagnosis and automated analysis capabilities. China Telecom was also highlighted, having integrated computing and network services to create new growth opportunities, resulting in a 15% increase in monetisation of new AI-driven services. AI Agents are now emerging as the next step. More than half of operators have begun rolling them out, with network operations the second most popular use case. Industry data suggests that AI Agents can fully automate up to 70% of repetitive O&M tasks, while assisting with complex scenarios by providing recommendations for human validation. Huawei is already applying network AI Agents in commercial deployments. As Wang explained, the company is working with Guangdong Mobile to bring agent-driven automation into network operations. By deploying network AI agents, 90% of alarms can be diagnosed automatically, he said. It can accurately figure out if we need to send someone to the site. When we need to send someone, it can make sure that one site visit is enough to fix the problem. For issues that do not require a site visit, Wang added, the intelligent agent will directly provide a solution. The O&M staff just need to confirm it, and the rest of the operations will be fully closed-loop automatically by the Agent. Industry collaboration is reinforcing this direction. During UBBF 2025 in Paris, the World Broadband Association (WBBA), together with leading global operators, released the Net5.5G R2 white paper, promoting the integration of AI Agents into networks and accelerating the shift toward All Intelligence. To support this transition, Huawei has launched Next Generation WAN, which Wang described as a major step forward for operator IP infrastructure. As we move into the All Intelligence era, Huawei launches NG WAN, he said. It upgrades the IP bearer network in three dimensions to bring new value to operators. These include security and resilience, multi-layer awareness, and network autonomy. Weve built security capabilities directly into our routers, achieving native, end-to-end security, Wang explained, while multi-layer awareness allows networks to sense both bit and token traffic to support premium services and computing monetisation. These capabilities are delivered through new hardware boards based on the NetEngine 8000 Series routers, including the industry-first lossless intelligent computing board, multi-dimensional traffic-aware board, intrinsic security board, intelligent resilient main processing unit, and industrys first intrinsic QKD board. Multi-Dimensional Awareness for the encrypted era In the home broadband market, many operators have introduced differentiated packages to drive revenue. However, as encrypted traffic now accounts for more than 50% of internet traffic, traditional application identification methods have become less effective, undermining experience assurance. Huaweis answer is the Xingluo Identification Engine - in live network testing with one operator, more than 98% of encrypted traffic was precisely identified, ensuring application-level experience remains visible despite encryption. Beyond consumer broadband, enterprise demand for rented computing power presents another growth avenue. However, traditional networks are not optimised for AI workloads, which are highly sensitive to packet loss. In testing over a 110-kilometre transmission, computing efficiency dropped by 74% under conventional best-effort forwarding. Huaweis high-computing-efficiency WAN solution addresses this through its newly released lossless intelligent computing board, enabling zero packet loss transmission of computing traffic and preserving computing efficiency even across hundreds of kilometres. The solution supports distributed collaborative training-inference and storage-computing separation, meeting enterprise security requirements. Security remains a fundamental priority. According to Cloudflare, operator networks face an average of 4,000 attacks per hour. Route hijacking and configuration breaches can cause severe financial and operational damage. Huawei has upgraded its NetEngine 8000 Series routers with intrinsic security capabilities. The intrinsic security board monitors abnormal behaviour in files, memory, processes and traffic in real time, detecting and blocking intrusions to prevent lateral movement or long-term persistence. For route hijacking, the resilient main processing unit leverages a 40-dimensional knowledge graph to identify abnormal routing attribution and path tampering dynamically, protecting critical scenarios. Looking ahead, Huawei is also addressing the emerging threat of quantum-era attacks. Wang warned that in recent years, quantum hoarding attacks have become a reality - the data is stolen now and decrypted later. As quantum computing develops, this risk will increase. Quantum computing is expected to be commercialized by 2027; by then, password cracking will take only a few short minutes, he said, adding that traditional encryption methods will no longer be sufficient. Huaweis quantum security solution is designed to help operators prepare for this shift by enabling quantum-secure bearer networks and creating new opportunities around quantum private line services. For operators adopting quantum key distribution (QKD), Huawei has launched the intrinsic QKD board (LPUI-Q), integrating external QKD devices directly into the router platform and reducing overall investment requirements. As networks become more complex and services expectations rise, Huaweis Next Generation WAN strategy positions intelligence not as an add-on, but as a foundational capability embedded within the IP network itself. By combining multi-layer awareness, intrinsic security, quantum readiness and autonomous O&M, Huawei aims to help carriers bridge the gap between rising traffic and flat revenues - and transform infrastructure into a platform for sustainable, AI-driven growth. We hope to work hand in hand with global operator customers to jointly move towards the Intelligent Network era and help operators achieve rapid business growth, Wang concluded. Huawei has urged telecom operators to embed artificial intelligence across networks and services as the industry moves beyond the mobile internet era into what it describes as the Internet of Agents. Speaking at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, Richard Liu, Huawei President of ICT Marketing & Solution Sales, said AI will fundamentally reshape telecom networks, services and operations, creating new opportunities for operators to generate revenue and improve efficiency. While telecom networks have expanded rapidly over the past decade, operators now face growing challenges including increasingly complex architectures, high operational costs and limited differentiation between services. As AI evolves rapidly, we are shifting from the mobile internet to the Internet of Agents, and AI will increasingly be embedded across devices and applications, with trillions of intelligent agents expected to emerge. Telecom operators are well positioned to take advantage of this shift because communications networks are already highly digitalised. Its suggested that carriers could both apply AI internally to improve efficiency and provide AI-enabled infrastructure to support digital transformation across industries. Huawei is positioning AI as a core component across three layers of telecom networks: services, network operations and network infrastructure. At the service level, AI is moving from being optional to a necessity. Operators are increasingly integrating AI capabilities into core offerings such as voice, mobile data and home broadband services in order to create what Huawei calls AI-native services. Huawei is developing multi-agent collaboration platforms designed to allow operators to deploy AI-powered agents for areas such as call handling, customer experience management and home broadband networks. At the network level, AI is also being integrated into telecom infrastructure to enable greater automation. AI-driven networks are evolving from automation in specific operational and maintenance scenarios towards more advanced forms of autonomous networking that can optimise performance and manage resources across multiple domains. These capabilities could help operators reduce operational costs while improving energy efficiency and enabling more personalised service experiences for users. A key theme of Huaweis strategy is experience monetisation, which focuses on charging for guaranteed network performance and service quality rather than simply providing connectivity. Technologies such as 5G-Advanced, high-capacity fibre access and fibre-to-the-room deployments are enabling operators to deliver differentiated services to both mobile and fixed broadband customers. For consumer markets, operators could offer guaranteed performance for high-value users in scenarios such as dense urban environments or high-speed mobility. In the home broadband segment, AI can be used to optimise network performance and provide automated troubleshooting capabilities. Huawei also highlighted opportunities to enhance traditional telecom services with AI. AI-powered voice services could improve call clarity and introduce features such as real-time translation, automated meeting summaries and intelligent call assistants. Similarly, AI-enabled broadband services could allow users to diagnose and repair home network problems through simple voice commands, while also enabling personalised content recommendations and enhanced video communication services. Beyond consumer services, Huawei sees strong growth potential in the enterprise market, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses. Operators could combine connectivity with computing, storage and AI capabilities to deliver integrated digital solutions for businesses such as retail stores, manufacturing firms and schools. These solutions could include applications such as video security systems, smart retail tools and AI-assisted education platforms. Huawei also highlighted its ongoing work on autonomous networks, an industry initiative aimed at increasing network automation. The company said its technologies are already deployed on more than 130 networks worldwide to automate tasks such as fault management, network optimisation and energy efficiency improvements. Huawei is working with industry organisations including the TM Forum to advance standards for autonomous networks as the industry works towards Level 4 autonomy, where networks can operate with minimal human intervention. Additionally, Huawei continues to invest in AI-driven algorithms and infrastructure technologies across areas such as radio access networks, optical transport and AI computing platforms in order to support the next generation of intelligent telecom networks. Developing Telecoms spoke with Tim Daly, Business Development Director at Viasat, during Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026. Tim explains the companys approach to Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and how its working with new partners to connect things and people across the world. Driven by standards-based innovation, the convergence of satellite and terrestrial networks will enable devices from mobile phones to industrial machinery to vehicles to connect to both networks and drive to a future where connectivity is nearly ubiquitous. For further information please follow this link. Stickers have become a great way to express emotions online. While social media platforms come with a variety of built-in options, what they often lack is a personal touch. Now, however, you can make your stickers truly unique with the help of AI. Instead of relying on the same old packs from your keyboard or social media apps, you can create something that fits the moment using your own ideas, photos, or even inside jokes between you and the recipient. It might sound complicated, but its actually quite simple. You dont need to be a designer to create them. Follow along with this article to learn how to create your own personalised AI stickers using AI. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! How to create personalised AI stickers for social media Creating personalised AI stickers for WhatsApp and Instagram is easy; all you need to do is follow the easy steps below: 1. Open the ChatGPT website or app. 2. Press the + icon and select Add photos & files. 3. Choose a reference photo and upload it. 4. Write a prompt to generate stickers using that photo and hit Enter. Also read: McDonalds testing humanoid robots for customer-facing roles in China: Watch video Prompts to generate personalised stickers Now you need to exercise patience, as the AI tool will take some time to create your personalised stickers. Once the stickers are generated, download them and share them on your social media. 1. Emotion sticker pack Create a pack of 68 chibi-style stickers based on the image Ive uploaded. Keeping their facial features recognisable but stylised in an adorable way. Create the following expressions: happy, sad, angry, confused, excited, crying, laughing, and shy. 2. Common response stickers set\ Generate a pack of 68 chibi-style stickers using the image Ive uploaded. The stickers should have expressive emotions and simple, readable text. Here are the texts I want: Yes, No, OK, Maybe, Thank you, Sorry, Good morning, and Good night. Each sticker should clearly match the expression and text, with a clean bold font, bright friendly colours, chibi proportions, a white or transparent background, a sticker style, and high resolution. 3. Reaction stickers pack Make a pack of 68 chibi-style stickers based on the image Ive uploaded. The sticker should be a stylised chibi version of the person reacting to different situations. Include the following reactions: thumbs up, facepalm, shocked, laughing hard, crying, thinking, clapping, and heart eyes. Bright vibrant colours, smooth clean outlines, expressive poses, sticker style with transparent backgrounds, high resolution, and modern messaging app aesthetic. Also read: Navratri 2026: Top 5 Google Gemini prompts to create puja photos 4. Navratri sticker set (for girls) Create a pack of 68 chibi-style stickers based on the image Ive uploaded. Transform the person into a cute chibi character dressed in traditional Navratri attire (for girls, a lehenga choli or kurta with festive accessories like bangles, a bindi, and jewellery). Create festive stickers: dancing garba, playing dandiya, praying (namaste), greeting Happy Navratri, joyful celebration, blessing pose, traditional greeting, and festive excitement. Bright, vibrant colours, Indian festive elements like garba sticks, mandala patterns, and decorative lights. Keep a chibi cute style with clean outlines, sticker format, high resolution, and a transparent or white background. 5. Navratri sticker set (for men) Create a pack of 68 chibi-style stickers based on the image Ive uploaded. Transform the person into a cute chibi character dressed in traditional Navratri attire (for men: kurta, dhoti, or kurta-pyjama with festive accessories like dupatta, mala, tilak, and traditional jewellery). Create festive stickers: dancing garba, playing dandiya, praying (namaste), greeting Happy Navratri, joyful celebration, blessing pose, traditional greeting, and festive excitement. Bright vibrant colours; Indian festive elements like garba sticks, mandala patterns, and decorative lights. Keep a chibi cute style with clean outlines, sticker format, high resolution, and a transparent or white background. 6. Minimal text sticker pack Generate a pack of 68 chibi-style stickers using the image Ive uploaded. The stickers should be simple with expressive poses and bold text. Make stickers with short words: LOL, WOW, NO, YES, OK, OMG, WHY?, and YAY. They should be a clean, modern design, a bold, readable font, simple colours, chibi proportions, sticker-style with a transparent background, and high resolution. Also read: Metas AI agent reportedly leaks sensitive data in internal mishap: Heres what happened How to send and save your AI stickers on WhatsApp (Android and iOS) Now that youve created your stickers using AI. Heres how you can save them on your WhatsApp: Note: It works on both Android and iPhone. 1. Head to the Google Photos app. 2. Upload the sticker images. 3. Press and hold each sticker and select Copy Sticker. 4. Now launch your WhatsApp. 5. Open the chat you want to send it to. 6. Paste the sticker and choose Sent as a sticker option. If you want to save the sticker for future use, then you can also tap the sticker and choose the Add to Favourites or Add to sticker pack option. Alternatively, if youre using an iPhone, then you can directly head to the default Photos app > find the stickers > press and hold the sticker you want to copy > minimise the Photos app while holding the sticker > open WhatsApp > navigate to the chat you want to send it to > drop the sticker there and press the send button. Thats it! Personalised AI stickers are a great way to add some fun and excitement to your conversations. I hope the article above helped you create exciting stickers. Every time I get an affordable or mid-range pair of earbuds, I am curious how they stand out. The titular Noise Master Buds 2, launched a few weeks ago in India, at an introductory price tag of Rs 7,999, featuring Sound by Bose tuning, LHDC high-res audio support, adaptive ANC rated up to 51dB, spatial audio with head tracking and a distinct design. Well, the predecessor, the Master Buds, also has many of these features and specs. However, some differences are very obvious right away, and during my review time, I wanted to see how well they come together in actual use. Lets see if they hold up to the ambitious Master tag. A distinctive case and comfortable earbuds Noise Master Buds 2 has a case that looks similar to the predecessor, but it is still distinct from other TWS earbud cases. Shape-wise, it is a half-rounded square with the flat top portion as the lid and the USB-C port on the rounded bottom. There is a Noise logo along with Sound by Bose branding on its head. Our review units Carbon (black/dark grey) colour with the metal paint finish offers a sophisticated look. You can also pick them in Mercury (silver) and Aurum (golden) colours. On the front, there is a circular metal disc with an LED strip positioned at 1 oclock. That LED tells you the active, charging and pairing state. The disc isnt mechanical and doesnt offer any functional value. It is just there for a look, which is the signature of Noises Master series. The case is made out of plastic but feels decently solid. It can be slid into jeans or a jacket pocket, but there will be a slight bulge. Opening the lid reveals the earbuds sitting neatly in their slots. The hinge feels sturdy, and the magnets hold the earbuds securely in place while charging. The earbuds themselves follow a familiar stem-style in-ear design. They are lightweight, weighing around 5.2 grams each, which makes them comfortable for extended listening sessions. Noise includes interchangeable silicone ear tips and ear wings in the box. After trying a couple of combinations, I settled on a fit that felt secure enough for use in the office, metro, and home. However, the ear wings tend to slip out of position over time. When that happens, the earbuds lose their secure fit and do not sit properly in the ears. It also makes placing them back into the case slightly inconvenient, as they do not align easily with the charging cavities. Because of this, the ear wings feel like a hassle at times. Still and all, when they stayed put in my ears, I could continue wearing them for hours without noticeable fatigue. So, good points for that. And like the predecessor, these are also IPX5 water-resistant. So, they can withstand heavy rain, splashes, and sweat. Just dont submerge them in water. Decent connectivity and controls with some quirks Pairing the Noise Master Buds 2 is straightforward thanks to Google Fast Pair support. When you open the case near an Android phone, a prompt appears automatically to connect the earbuds. This makes the initial setup quick and convenient. By the way, I also didnt have any problem connecting it to my MacBook and iPhone. Speaking of which, thanks to dual-device connectivity, I could easily switch between all these devices. But the audio handoff or routing doesnt always work as intended. Occasionally, audio would wrongly play from one of these devices speakers instead of the earbuds. The earbuds also paused audio or video on their own a few times, without any input from me. Not sure about the reason. The Noise earbuds also support in-ear detection. This did work as expected, though. You have to enable this in the companion app. Another feature that has to be manually enabled is Motion Control. For this, the earbuds use a built-in six-axis IMU sensor to detect head movements. It is meant to allow you to control playback or answer calls by nodding or shaking your head. But it didnt work for me, and I toggled it off. So, I relied on touch controls instead. You can personalise them to a great extent. You see, I couldnt always register the triple-tap to change playback to the previous or next track. So, I set this function to a double-tap sequence. Likewise, you can set your preferred controls. The Noise Audio app is central to managing many of these features. Through the app, you can toggle ANC modes, adjust the equaliser, enable spatial audio, configure touch gestures, and locate misplaced earbuds using the Find My Device feature. The app interface looks modern and is fairly simple and easy to navigate. The built-in AI assistant worked well in my test. I only asked about the weather conditions and what to wear. It answered promptly and was actively responding to my follow-up queries. Moreover, you can anytime call the device assistant like Gemini and get responses through that. Sweet! Also Read: Sennheiser HD 500 BAM microphone review ft. HD 560s headphone: Clear, convenient, and modular upgrade Clear vocals, clean tuning The Noise Master Buds 2 use a custom 10mm dynamic driver made from a PU and PEEK composite material. According to the company, this combination is designed to reduce distortion and improve efficiency. They support LHDC 5.0 Hi-Res audio and can provide 24-bit/96kHz streaming over Bluetooth. Noise has also partnered with Bose for sound tuning. I used the earbuds in the Sound by Bose EQ profile only. I was listening mostly at 60-80% volume with ANC on. I used a pair of OnePlus earbuds in the sub-Rs 7,000 price range for comparable testing. The Noise earbuds arent as loud as the OnePlus pair. The bass is present with ample oomph and rumble. But, while listening to Ari Ari from Dhurandhar 2, I noticed the beats and drops in the track sounded tighter and fuller in the OnePlus pair. But as a standalone pair, Master Buds 2 can give you an enjoyable time in pop and electronic tracks. The vocals are clear and forward. This could come in handy when listening to songs, podcasts, dialogue-heavy movies, etc. The instruments were also clear, although sometimes they felt thin. This is evident in the presentation of violin strings in Stumble Then Rise by Silver Mt Zion. In this track, the high notes are also very audible. In similar tracks with complex instrument play, sounds start to feel compressed together. But considering the price they are coming for, thats not a biggie. Last but not least, Noise has added another special feature for its Master series users within the Noise Audio app: Spatial audio with head tracking. They give you a feeling of audio anchored to the source device. It is fun, but I dont enjoy listening like that for long. But you may like it. Id say it is worth trying for the curiosity alone. Reasonable ANC and call quality The Master Buds 2 offer adaptive active noise cancellation rated at up to 51dB. The adaptive mode works, but I chose to use the Max ANC setting because the adaptive mode kept changing the noise cancellation in a distracting way. I wore it in the office, at home, while commuting in the metro, in auto rickshaws, and the ANC on the Buds 2 performs quite well for everyday environments. It does not completely eliminate all sound, especially sudden or sharp noises, but it significantly lowers the overall noise level. And that is what I want from an ANC earbud. I cant share the same satisfaction with Transparency mode. It allows outside sound to pass, more than the Noise Cancellation Off mode, but the sound wasnt very natural. I used it to stay aware of my surroundings, on less busy roads, but didnt feel like using it for long. As for calls, the experience was fine. Both parties could hear each other clearly, and the six-mic system with ENC algorithms does a good job of filtering out moderate background noise. Battery life and charging With ANC off, the earbuds lasted around 6.5 hours in our battery drain test. The music was continuously playing at 80% volume on my Galaxy S23 (source device). With the case, the brand claims around 30 hours of playtime. The mileage would vary if you use ANC. Still at moderate volume, I figure you could comfortably get through most of a workday without worrying about battery life. The earbuds also support fast charging. A full 0 to 100 top-up is rated to take around 1.5 hours. The company also says a quick 10-minute charge can provide up to six hours of playback with ANC off. The charging case uses a USB Type-C port, in case you are wondering. Should you buy Noise Master Buds 2? The Noise Master Buds 2 try to do a lot, and to some extent, they succeed. After using them across work, commute, and casual listening, they come across as a fairly well-rounded pair, but not without a few rough edges. They are comfortable to wear for long hours, the design stands out without being gaudy, the app gives enough controls and features without feeling complicated, and battery life is reliable. The sound is clean with clear vocals, instrument separation, decent bass, and high notes. It works for casual listening to music, podcasts, and movies in your everyday life. ANC is also effective enough for daily office noise and commuting. But as I spent more time with them, a few issues started to show. The ear wings shift out of place, which affects both fit and ease of putting the buds back into the case. Dual-device connectivity is useful, but the audio handoff is not always consistent. Some features, like Motion Control, do not add much in real use. The sound, while clean, can feel thin and less energetic. These are not major drawbacks, but they become more noticeable at the Rs 7,999 price. Also note that this is an introductory price, so the cost may go up later. So, the Master Buds 2 make sense if you like the design, want a comfortable pair with useful features, and are fine paying around this price. Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews. Also Read: Realme Buds Air 8 review: Safe and sensible TWS under Rs 4,000 Keep me signed in Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Keep me signed in' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. The HBM paradox: why Taipei and Seoul can't afford a diplomatic cold war A diplomatic dispute over administrative nomenclature has escalated into a high-stakes standoff between Taiwan and South Korea, threatening to cast a shadow over one of the world's most critical semiconductor supply chains. What began as an argument over digital dropdown menus reflects a deeper structural shift in how these two East Asian tech powers perceive their roles in the global AI era. Credit: Digitimes The catalyst: a dropdown menu dispute The current tension centers on South Korea's electronic arrival card (e-Arrival Card) system. Since early 2025, the system's mandatory fields for "Place of Departure" and "Next Destination" have labeled Taiwan as "CHINA (TAIWAN)." Despite persistent protests from the Taipei Representative Office in Seoul, the designation remained, prompting Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to issue a formal call for an immediate correction in the name of "national dignity and reciprocity." Taipei draws a line: the March 31 deadline In a rare act of administrative retaliation, Taiwan announced that effective March 1, 2026, the nationality listed on Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) for South Korean nationals in Taiwan has been officially changed from "Korea" to "South Korea." Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, speaking at the Legislative Yuan on March 19, 2026, confirmed that the government has set a firm deadline of March 31 for a positive response from Seoul. "We are waiting for their reply, and we believe our actions will have an effect," Lin told reporters. He noted that while South Korea showed some flexibility by maintaining paper arrival forms alongside the digital system, a permanent fix is still required. Public sentiment in both countries largely recognizes Taiwan's distinct identity and economic role, and Taipei is urging Seoul to align its digital protocols with that practical consensus. Seoul's response: consultations underway The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has adopted a cautious stance. In a statement released late yesterday, a spokesperson said the ministry is "fully aware of and monitoring" Taiwan's position. It indicated it is consulting with relevant departments including the Ministry of Justice and immigration authorities to "comprehensively consider various aspects" of the issue. The diplomatic-industrial bridge From an industrial perspective, the friction comes at an ironic moment. Colley Hwang, CEO and chairman of DIGITIMES, argues that the two nations have moved past their 40-year history of rivalry into a state of "lip-and-tooth" interdependence. Hwang, who has frequently consulted with South Korean tech leaders and has several high-level speaking engagements in Seoul scheduled for this spring, emphasizes that South Korea's leaders understand Taiwan is an indispensable partner. "South Korea recently ordered 260,000 GPUs to build massive data centers," Hwang noted. "Without Taiwan's foundry and logic chip ecosystem, that transition would take far more time and cost much more. At the same time, Taiwan cannot build an AI server without Korea's memory. Both sides should focus on mutual respect rather than administrative friction. No one can truly defeat the other in this ecosystem; the only path forward is to hold hands and do business." Credit: Digitimes The trade deficit: the HBM factor The underlying economic reality is defined by a massive trade imbalance. In 2024, South Korea officially surpassed Japan to become Taiwan's largest source of trade deficit. According to International Trade Administration data, Taiwan's trade deficit with South Korea hit a record US$37 billion in 2025. This surge is driven almost entirely by the AI supercycle: HBM Imports Taiwan's AI server hubs (including Quanta and Foxconn) saw imports of High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) from South Korea surge by over 80% year-on-year. Structural Complementarity While the two nations compete in legacy sectors like steel and panels, they are now locked in a "Co-opetition" model where Taiwan assembles the logic and Korea provides the memory. Credit: Digitimes Diplomacy vs. the silicon shield Whether this diplomatic spat will impact the tech trade remains to be seen. analysts at DIGITIMES suggest that while the "Silicon Shield" of interdependence makes a full-scale trade war unlikely, the administrative friction creates unnecessary risks in a fragile global economy. As the March 31 deadline nears, the global tech industry remains watchful. The question is no longer just about a digital menu, but whether Seoul will align its administrative protocols with the reality of its most vital industrial partnership. As Ambassador Hwang puts it, in an era where silicon dictates national security and economic growth, mutual respect is not merely a diplomatic courtesy it is a strategic prerequisite for two nations whose futures are now inextricably linked. Article edited by Jerry Chen Students at Bush Post Primary School on the Cooley Peninsula recently took part in a wellness event focused on helping young people make positive choices for their wellbeing and their futures. The event supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), brought students together for a day of discussion and reflection on how the choices we make can shape our lives and future opportunities. A key part of the day was hearing from three speakers who shared their personal experiences of overcoming significant challenges, including addiction, involvement in crime and homelessness. They spoke honestly about the difficult paths they had faced in the past and the turning points that helped them change direction and rebuild their lives. Students also heard from a member of An Garda Siochana, who spoke about the real-life consequences of criminal behaviour and how convictions can affect future opportunities such as employment and travel. The session also covered issues affecting young people today, including drugs, money laundering, social media use and the dangers of speeding. One student who attended the event said:"It really made you think about the choices you make and how they can affect your future. Hearing real stories from people who turned their lives around made the message feel real." Teachers noted the strong engagement from students throughout the day and the value of hearing real-life experiences that encourage reflection and personal responsibility. The event, which was organised by CRJI Newry/Armagh, aimed to give students a greater understanding of the importance of positive choices and the supports available to them when facing challenges. Read Next: Louth motorist caught at 124 km/h in 80 km/h zone during St Patricks Garda crackdown The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The total value of PEACEPLUS is 1.14 billion. PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive. To celebrate this years Engineers Week, Dundalk IT welcomed almost 1,000 primary and secondary school students to campus to participate in 9 events under the theme Transform Your Future. Engineers Week has been created to introduce primary and secondary school children to the diverse world of engineering, and this year the DkIT team focused on bringing this message to as many schools as possible. Prior to the events on campus, volunteers ran STEM quizzes for primary schools in libraries across Monaghan and Louth. The top teams from each qualifier went head-to-head in the final in DKIT with Aston Village Educate Together from Drogheda being Named the Engineers Ireland North East STEM Quiz Champions. To kick off the DkIT events, 600 primary school students made the journey to campus to attend the Science Made Simple show Who Wants to be a Superhero?, an exciting and interactive session, that introduced the audience to the world of engineering and explored how engineers can work on real life superpowers like lasers, superstrength and flight, to make our world a better place. The superhero theme continued later in the week, when The Superhero Scientist Dr. Barry Fitzgerald explored the wonder of science and engineering with 5th and 6th classes from Kilcurry and Dromiskin National Schools. A first for Engineers week was the Trath Na Geist, an Irish language STEM quiz for gaelscoileanna from Monaghan and Louth, where a team from Gaelscoil Lorgan, Castleblaney were announced as the overall winners in the event. To round off a fantastic week, DKIT in conjunction with global engineering consultancy company AtkinsRealis, hosted 75 female secondary school students from Louth and Monaghan in the Women in Engineering event. It was fantastic to have the support from such an established engineering company, particularly when the Irish Managing Director Martina Finn is a proud DKIT graduate. 17 inspirational female professional engineers, lecturers and DKIT students took the time to speak with the students about the challenges, possibilities and opportunities of following a career in engineering. Read Next: Outrunning the rattling: Dundalk drivers excuse after 100km/h in 60 zone The event had a fantastic impact on students who are at a major crossroads in their lives, by exposing them to a centre of excellence in the teaching of engineering, and the women who are forging pathways into what in the past has been a predominantly male field, according to Gareth Kelly, Lecturer in the Department of Engineering, Trades and Civil Engineering. He added It was wonderful to have so much energy on campus throughout the week as our visitors explored the endless possibilities of engineering. With the help of our Engineers Week Partners, Engineers Ireland North East, AtkinsRealis, Louth and Monaghan County Libraries and our fantastic staff and students, we are committed to working with primary and secondary school students throughout the region to have a positive and lasting impact on their career choices and the future of engineering. The Naughton Foundation Scholarship scheme is inviting all applicants from Louth to submit their entries as the 2026 applications have officially opened. The Naughton Scholarships are a scheme of scholarships to promote the study of engineering, science and technology at third level by students in Ireland. Each year from March to June, Leaving Certificate students can apply for a scholarship if they intend on studying science, computer science, mathematics, engineering or technology at third level that year. The closing date for receipt of application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship 2026 is Monday 29 June 2026 at midnight. There will be one guaranteed scholarship for each of the participating counties, 36 allocated in total. The Naughton Foundation was established by Dr Martin and Carmel Naughton in 1994 and its goal is to support worthwhile causes in the arts and education. In 2008 they decided to create the scholarship programme to increase their support for Leaving Certificate students who would like to study engineering, mathematics, science, computer science and technology at third level in Ireland. Originally the scholarship programme only applied to students from counties Louth, Meath and Monaghan however it has since expanded nationwide and students from all Counties in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply. Students are invited to apply if they are currently attending secondary schools in County Louth, and if they are studying two or more of the following subjects- physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics, DCG and applied mathematics. Read Next: Louth motorist caught at 124 km/h in 80 km/h zone during St Patricks Garda crackdown Each Naughton Scholarship is valued at 25,000 so it is a contribution of 6,000 for each year of the students third-level course for a student studying science, engineering, maths or technology in any publicly funded university or third-level institution in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. The school of each winner is also awarded 1,000. Applications must be submitted by midnight Monday 29 June 2026 to be considered eligible for the scholarship. The 2026 application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship Programme are available for download and can be completed online on The Naughton Foundation website. PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured at the UCD/BSTAI Awards Night at the UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business were Dundalk Grammar School students (in alphabetical order) Megan Phelan Fox, Victoria Jackson, James Lavery, Harry Melaniphy, James Noonan, Neasa O'Neill, Rosie Tyrell and Zoey Wilson. They were joined by teachers Elizabeth McCabe, Pauraic Renaghan and David Symmons, and Aoife Doherty, Director of the UCD Quinn School Office. Dundalk Grammar School students have been celebrated among Irelands top Junior Cycle Business Studies achievers, earning recognition at the annual UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business and BSTAI Awards Ceremony. Megan Phelan Fox, Victoria Jackson, James Lavery, Harry Melaniphy, James Noonan, Neasa ONeill, Rosie Tyrell, and Zoey Wilson were honoured for placing in the top 3% of students nationwide, marking a proud moment for both the pupils and their teachers Elizabeth McCabe, Pauraic Renaghan, and David Symmons. This prestigious event recognises the outstanding achievements of secondary school students from across Ireland who excelled in the recent Junior Certificate State Examinations. The ceremony celebrated the hard work and dedication of 315 students who achieved a Distinction in their Higher Level Business Studies exam, which represents the top 3% of students. This marks an exciting milestone for these students, many of whom are now in their Transition Year and visiting UCD for the first time. Each student was formally presented with a Certificate of Achievement by the President of the BSTAI, Ciara ORiordan, and Director of UCD Quinn School, Associate Professor Maeve Houlihan, in recognition of their academic excellence. Furthermore, as a tribute to the commitment and excellence in business education, a commemorative plaque will be awarded to each participating school. These plaques serve as a lasting testament to the schools' dedication to fostering academic success and are proudly displayed within their institutions. We are delighted to welcome these outstanding students and their families to UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business to celebrate their achievements. Their dedication to business studies is commendable. Speaking for the entire team at Quinn, we look forward to supporting and inspiring the rising generations of business leaders, said Dr Maeve Houlihan. There was an exceptionally high level of demand to attend the event this year, with 41 schools registered and over 500 students acknowledged for their exceptional work, concluded Dr Houlihan. It is heartening to see the continued dedication of both students and their teachers. We are proud to acknowledge their well-earned success. Read Next: New housing development planned for centre of Castlebellingham The event drew attendees from 32 schools across Dublin, Drogheda, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Wicklow, with students accompanied by their parents, guardians and teachers. By honouring both students and schools, UCD Quinn School and BSTAI continue to highlight the importance of business education and encourage academic excellence in the field. A total of 22,318 of the workers auto-enrolled to the Governments new Auto-Enrolment (AE) scheme, My Future Fund, come from Louth. The lions share of the workers auto-enrolled to My Future Fund come from Dublin, with one in three (32%) or a total of 262,611 of the workers auto-enrolled so far - hailing from the capital. Cork had the second highest share of workers auto-enrolled, with one in ten of the workers signed up to AE or 75,706 in total - residing in Cork. Around one in 20 of the workers or 38,463 in total that have been auto-enrolled come from Galway, meaning Galway workers make up the third biggest proportion of the total amount signed up to AE. This is according to new government figures which provide a county-by-county breakdown of the number of workers enrolled to AE since it was launched at the start of the year. Commenting on the figures, Keith Butler, CEO of Ask Acorn (a nationwide network of financial advisers) said: The figures reflect the concentration of workers in various counties, and so naturally, counties with higher concentrations of workers hold a higher proportion of the overall number of workers auto-enrolled to AE than is the case for other counties. Recent CSO data shows that the highest proportion of workers reside in Dublin, Cork, Galway and so its not surprising that workers from these three counties account for the highest proportions of the overall number of Irish workers signed up to AE. So far, over 763,000 employees have been automatically enrolled since My Future Fund launched at the start of the year, with their first contribution to the scheme made in January and their second contribution made in February. Pension experts at Ask Acorn are urging workers that have been signed up to AE to carefully weigh up the scheme and decide if its going to form part of their long-term plans or not, reminding these workers that they are still within the opt-out window which is between six months and eight months of the date they were automatically enrolled if they wish to leave the scheme. For any worker enrolled on January 1, this means that their opt-out window runs until between June and August. The pension experts however are warning that any decision to opt out should not be taken lightly, particularly if AE is a workers only opportunity to join a pension scheme. Ask Acorn is also pointing out that workers still have alternative pension options even if they have been signed up to AE such as supplementing AE with a personally owned pension or signing up to a company pension scheme that became available after AE. Mr Butler explained: Workers who have been signed up to AE should note that its not a one-size-fits-all solution. For some, this scheme will be a good fit. But for others, particularly those with different income levels, career paths or retirement goals, the contribution levels under AE may not fully meet their desired retirement income targets. AE might lead some people, especially those who havent yet thought seriously about pensions, to believe theyre covered without seeking proper advice. Everyone who has been signed up for AE should be looking closely at what the scheme offers and considering independent advice including around any alternative offer on the table from an employer and whether or not they need to supplement their AE pension. Read Next: Reinstatement of histopathology services "will bring real relief to GPs and patients" in Louth If youre one of the 763,000 workers that has been signed up to AE, its important to take the time to make sure you are making adequate provisions for your retirement. From a workers perspective, a bad decision around pensions could cost them dearly and see them struggle financially in retirement or even worse, having to postpone retirement because they simply cant afford to give up work. Workers signed up to AE since it was launched may now be realising that their first decision on it or indeed any inaction around their retirement planning - may not be the best approach. Workers who have been auto-enrolled should be using the first few months of the year to consider their position on the scheme that is, is AE right for them or should they be looking at other forms of retirement planning. It is not too late to do so, particularly given workers are still within the opt-out window. President of Ireland Catherine Connolly was in attendance as Cork ETB learners were among the award winners at a national Irish language competition. Tom Mac Giolla Choda, Lily Ni hUigin, Coco Ni Chiardha, and Daithi OMhurchu, from Gaelcholaiste Choilm in Ballincollig, were recognised at Muintearas 26, a national celebration of the student voice across Irish-medium schools in the ETB sector. The ceremony, hosted by Education and Training Boards Ireland, featured an address by Ms Connolly, who engaged with students and praised their leadership and creativity throughout the day. Ms Connolly said: It gives me courage and hope, as president of Ireland, that it is clear that young people understand how important it is for respect to be the basis of any human interaction. That we would be able to respectfully accept different backgrounds and identities. And that it is from this foundation that a kind and compassionate society of the future will grow. Muintearas 26 provided a national platform for Irish-medium ETB schools to articulate their collective hopes and ambitions for the future entirely through the Irish language. A highlight of the day was the poster competition, where each participating school highlighted the vision of students for the Ireland of tomorrow. DISCUSSION Themes of discussion ranged from climate action and technological innovation to mental health, equality, inclusion, and the continued growth of the Irish language in modern society. The schools presentation competition offered students the opportunity to explore issues of importance in even greater detail. Beyond the formal competitions, Muintearas 26 also provided space for collaboration and dialogue. Students participated in round-table discussions and exchanged ideas with peers from Irish-medium ETB schools across the country. Registration for the Blackrock National Hurling Clubs Easter Camp has now opened. The annual camp, aimed at primary school children, will take place from March 30 to April 2 at the club on the Church Rd. Sessions will take place from 10am to 2pm each day, and all participants will be given a dedicated camp jersey. In a post shared on social media, a club spokesperson said the camp would be four action-packed days of activities, fun, friendship, and creativity. Sign up today to avoid disappointment. Several registration packages are available, with registration for a single child priced from 80, and registration for four children priced from 140. For info, or to register a child, contact: info@blackrockhurlingclub.com. Plans to renovate the former National Irish Bank building at No 71 South Mall into a hotel have been submitted to Cork City Council. Irish hotelier Shay Livingstone is seeking planning permission, through his company Cadcove Holdings Limited, to redevelop the former bank building into a 58-bedroom hotel. Mr Livingstone, who previously ran the Rochestown Park Hotel, outlined proposals for the boutique hotel to Cork City Council in December, including details of the 18.5m development, which he intends to name The Joshua after his son. The plans include a ground-floor bar, restaurant, and cafe, along with the construction of two additional storeys on the former bank premises. The company is also seeking to demolish auxiliary buildings to the rear of the main structure, fronting Morgan Street, as well as to construct a glazed link bridge over five floors across an open atrium. The proposal provides for the preservation and repair of the limestone elevation on South Mall, as well as the addition of a customer entrance and service entrance on Morgan Street. The development also includes public realm improvements, ancillary signage, and all associated site development works. Lapsed Planning permission for a hotel on the South Mall site was previously granted in 2019 to former owners but has since lapsed, with a new application now submitted to City Hall. Mr Livingstone acquired the building in 2023 for more than 3m from hoteliers and investors Ray Byrne and Eoin Doyle, who had planned to redevelop it themselves but later sold it. The building has been vacant since 2012, when Danske Bank/National Irish Bank closed its 27 Irish branches. Speaking to the Irish Examiner in December, Mr Livingstone said that the hotel will have a five-star feel, adding that he intends to use all Irish companies for the project. Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2026. Cork City Council is due to make a decision on the application by May 5, 2026. Three family homes in Glanmire have been vacant for two decades, with neither Cork City Council nor Cork County Council taking responsiblity for them. The homes numbers 7, 8, and 33 Copper Valley Heights in Riverstown were built in the mid-2000s, as part of a private housing development, but transferred to the ownership of Cork County Council. In 2019, the city boundary expanded to areas including Glanmire, meaning local authority properties in the region moved from county to city ownership and these homes should have been included in the move. A neighbour, who bought her house in the estate as a new-build 18 years ago, told The Echo that the properties had never been occupied, and that the floors in them are not even finished. Many people have been interested in buying the homes on the private market since, but have been unable to, she said. Cork City Council said, at a recent local area committee meeting, that the three properties remain in the ownership of Cork County Council, who have encountered legal issues with title. However, Cork County Council declined to comment, when asked by The Echoabout the status of the properties and how long they had been vacant, while a spokesperson for Cork City Council said it has no comment, as this matter is with Cork County Council. In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for records of the properties showing when they were acquired by Cork County Council and the dates the properties were occupied and vacated since they were acquired Cork County Council said it does not hold the records. However, the county council also said it had determined that these records are held by Cork City Council, and had thus transferred the request to the citys offices. Cork City Council refused the FOI request under a section of the FOI act that states it may refuse to grant the request, where the record concerned does not exist or cannot be found after all reasonable steps to ascertain its whereabouts have been taken. In this case, these properties do not form part of Cork City Council housing stock, the council said. Labour councillor John Maher told The Echo: Bureaucracy and red tape should be cut, especially in a housing emergency. Every week, I am contacted by constituents that would do anything for a home, and yet bureaucracy keeps these homes lying vacant. No organisation, landlord, or State body should be sitting on vacant properties: Get people living in them and sort the paperwork afterwards. Its not fair on the existing community, who would prefer to have a neighbour or people wanting to get a home through Cork City Council. No State body should be sitting on vacant properties or land during this emergency. Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said: I am really surprised that this has occurred. I understood that when the city boundary was extended, a full schedule of properties to be transferred would be provided, but that obviously did not happen. Now we have these three houses vacant during this time of huge demand for housing. They should have been tackled in a much faster timeframe. Theres also an element of accountability: The taxpayer paid for these properties. It must be prioritised to make sure they are occupied as soon as possible. No responses to a Government tender for electronic monitoring of prisoners were made by the deadline, the Department of Justice has said, as overcrowding in Cork Prison is near record levels. Justice minister Jim OCallaghan said last August that an initial rollout of electronic monitoring was expected later in 2025 following a procurement exercise to select a service provider. A Department of Justice spokesperson told The Echo: The tender for electronic monitoring closed at 5pm on February 6, 2026. No responses were received by the deadline, with one response being submitted after the closing time. Therefore, the competition was cancelled late responses could not be accepted. The tender has been reissued. The programme for government commits to implement electronic tagging for appropriate categories of prisoner. Work is under way to operationalise electronic monitoring in line with existing legislative provisions, with a pilot phase expected to be operational in 2026. It comes amid ongoing overcrowding in Cork Prison, which had 420 people in custody yesterday, 116 more than it has capacity for even after an additional eight beds were added at the start of this year. Overcrowding The overcrowding record, 423, was set last Friday, and the prison is regularly the most overcrowded mens prison in Ireland, though the Irish Prison Service as a whole has also been stretched beyond capacity since 2023, with 1,140 people imprisoned without a bed yesterday. Cork Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice said that in May 2025: Minister OCallaghan described the delays in the rollout of electronic tagging for prisoners on temporary release as embarrassing. Incredibly, nearly 20 years since legislation was enacted on electronic tagging we have seen no progress, he said, adding that the commitment to a pilot phase this year seems unlikely. Mr Rice said: When I visited Cork Prison in October last year, I was very concerned about its conditions. Irish prisons are already bursting at the seams. Across the country, some prisoners are forced to sleep on floors and eat their meals off the ground beside unpartitioned toilets. Overcrowding undermines safety, rehabilitation, mental-health care, and basic human dignity. Theres no time to waste. A German shepherd/Belgian malinois crossbreed dog that injured a smaller dog at a St Patricks Day parade is a restricted breed and should have been muzzled, the district court has ruled. The prosecution for having a restricted breed unmuzzled in a public place was contested by the dogs owner, Tadgh Kelleher, aged 77, of Aras Glanlea, Sliabh Riach, Macroom. Inspector Anthony Harrington, prosecuting, told Macroom District Court that the animal was a large dog of an Alsatian type, and should have been muzzled at the time of the incident. Witness Sharon Kelleher said she was attending the St Patricks Day parade at Castle St Macroom, at about 4pm on March 17, 2025. She had her small Jack Russell/shih tzu crossbreed with her, and noticed a man with a large German shepherd that was not muzzled standing nearby. Ms Kelleher said she told the man identified as Mr Kelleher that the dog should have been muzzled in public, to which he replied: Some people should be muzzled. Ms Kelleher said the large dog then attacked her dog and had my dog in its mouth, at which point she screamed. When the dog let go, Ms Kelleher called gardai. She took her dog to a vet for emergency treatment, where they confirmed the dog had sustained puncture wounds and bruising. The dogs treatment cost her 146.94 from two visits. Mr Kelleher reimbursed her for one visit, but 42 was still outstanding. Choker chain Defending himself, Mr Kelleher said his dog was a Belgian malinois and not a German shepherd. He said he had the dog on a choker chain at the time and was able to control the animal, but conceded it was not muzzled. He said the small dog had barked aggressively at his dog, which caused the incident. Mr Kelleher said he believed he had reimbursed Ms Kelleher for all of her veterinary bills at the same time, but said he could have been mistaken. Dog warden Timothy OSullivan said he went to Mr Kellehers residence in May 2025, where he found the dog loose on the property and unmuzzled. He said the dog had not been licensed, but was not aggressive and seemed fine in the company of its owner. Mr OSullivan said he had 40 years experience as a dog warden and, in his opinion, the dog was a German shepherd which may have been crossed with a Belgian malinois. Mr OSullivan said the restricted breed legislation applied to named breeds as well as any cross or type of these listed breeds, which would include Mr Kellehers dog. Mr Kelleher confirmed that he had since had the dog chipped and licensed, and had installed secure gates. Judge Joanne Carroll said it was a most unfortunate situation, but she was satisfied the dog did come under the restricted breeds legislation and should have been muzzled. She noted it did not have a licence at the time, and advised Mr Kelleher that it should never again be in a public place without a lead and muzzle. She convicted and fined him 450, allowing four months to pay, and instructed him to pay the remaining 42 in veterinary bills. The planning commission has approved a new student accommodation scheme in Cork, despite local objections. Denis OBrien Developments (Cork) Limited received planning from the city council last year to build a new student development on Model Farm Road, comprising 170 beds in total. The approved development includes a student housing scheme comprising 21 houses and 163 beds. In addition, permission is also sought for the change of use of the vacant two-storey Bishopstown House, from a former medical and health service, to a residential student house. The redeveloped house will have seven bedrooms, bringing the total capacity of the housing scheme to 170 beds. The new student scheme prompted strong local objection, with the positive bid being appealed to the planning commission by both a resident and a local politician. Appeal In his appeal to the city council, Independent councillor Albert Deasy said he was writing on behalf of a large number of residents living in the immediate vicinity, who were concerned and distraught at the prospect of yet another student facility on their doorstep. He added that the development constituted a recipe for chaos and a severe disruption to local residents. Another objector said the development, consisting of eyesore dormer windows, did not in any way try to blend in with or complement the existing residential environment. The objector added that peace and tranquillity for all the nearby residences will be gone forever, adding that it was well-known that residents living in College Road have, for years, suffered from student parties and antisocial behaviour. Despite the objections, An Coimisiun Pleanala approved the development in accordance with its inspectors report, granting permission for the 170-bed scheme, with 26 conditions. A man who pulled his then partner by the hair, punching her seven times in the face and kicking her on the floor, attempted to explain her injuries to the gardai saying she used to drink too much and fall over. However, 47-year-old Andrii Novytskyi of The Lodge, Straw Hall, Fermoy, later pleaded guilty to all the charges brought against him by Detective Garda John Murphy of Fermoy Garda Station. Now he has been jailed for two years by Judge Helen Boyle at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The assault happened at Straw Hall. The defendant had been living in Ireland for four years and the judge was told that his home in Ukraine no longer existed as it was destroyed during the Russian invasion. The defendant blessed himself after the imposition of a sentence of two years and six months with the last six months suspended which was backdated to October 5, 2025, when he went into custody. Judge Boyle noted from the victim impact statement: She is still in great fear. She believed your threats to kill her. She continues to have psychological sequelae. You have written a letter. You said you had been doing well in prison. Detective Garda Murphy said in terms of the background to the incident: He returned at 8pm on October 4, 2025. Her friends left the house. She felt he was under the influence of intoxicants. He said he hated her and said he would kill her and all her family. He dragged her by the hair, punched her seven times in the face, and kicked her on the leg on the ground. Threatened He stopped when her mother arrived on the scene but a short time later he again threatened that he was going to kill them. On another occasion he produced a large knife and cut a pair of runners belonging to his partner. He also cut up her handbag. This was captured on video clips taken on the injured partys mobile phone. At interview, subsequently, Andrii Novytskyi denied all involvement. He said she continually fell over due to alcohol as she was drunk. He would continually change his version as further evidence was put to him, Det Garda Murphy said. He defended the damage he caused to the handbag and runners saying he had bought them for her. Ultimately he pleaded guilty to the charges of assault causing harm, making the death threat, and causing criminal damage. He had no previous convictions and wrote a letter of apology. Defence barrister Brian Leahy said: Obviously the problem on this occasion was drink-related. He is not making an excuse but he said that was why. He has some severe medical conditions. Judge Boyle referred to evidence of the assault in the course of delivering sentence: You began verbally abusing her, calling her horrible names, and threatened to kill her. You grabbed her hair, gave her seven punches to the face and head, and caused such alarm her mother came down the stairs. You were threatening to kill her mother and everyone in the house. A motorcyclist was taken to hospital following a collision that closed the South Mall in Cork city this morning. Gardai, paramedics, and units from Cork City Fire Service attended the scene at the corner of South Mall and Morrison Street at around 8am following a collision involving a motorbike. It is understood that the motorcyclist collided with a construction digger shortly after 8am. The male motorcyclist, after being struck, fell from the bike and was thrown some distance. He was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital. The street was closed for a time, with gardai diverting traffic away from the area, but it reopened shortly before 9am. "Gardai and emergency services are at the scene of a road traffic incident at South Mall, Cork, this morning," a garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner. "As this incident is ongoing, there is no further information at this time." Adam Corcoran has been found guilty of murdering his 27-year-old partner at their home in Midleton on an afternoon in August 2024. 31-year-old Adam Corcoran pleaded not guilty at the outset of the trial on Monday March 9 to murdering mother-of-two Daena Walsh at their home at John Barry House, Midleton, County Cork, on August 2 2024, and arson of the apartment. Today, the jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork told Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford that they had reached unanimous verdicts. They found him guilty of murdering the 27-year-old mother-of-two. They were also unanimous in finding him guilty of arson. They took two hours and 30 minutes of deliberations, which commenced yesterday, to reach their verdicts. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said: These are solemn matter and it is important that they are done in public and that citizens participate in this process. The judge excused them from jury service for a period of five years. There was no visible reaction from Adam Corcoran, who wore a blue suit, pale blue shirt and striped tie, when the guilty verdicts were delivered. He now faces the mandatory sentence for murder of life imprisonment. The demonic and horrific murder of 27-year-old Daena Walsh at her home in Midleton has left two children motherless and her family absolutely heartbroken by the evil actions of her partner. 31-year-old Adam Corcoran who denied murder and arson has been found guilty by the unanimous decisions of a jury and now he is commencing a sentence of life imprisonment for murder and a concurrent term of 15 years for arson. He pleaded not guilty at the outset of the trial on Monday, March 9, to murdering mother of two, Deana Walsh at their home at John Barry House, Midleton, County Cork, on August 2, 2024, and arson of the apartment. Today, the jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork told Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford that they had reached unanimous verdicts. They found him guilty of murdering the 27-year-old mother of two, for which he was given the mandatory sentence life imprisonment. He was given a concurrent 15-year sentence for arson, on which the jury were also unanimous in finding him guilty. VERDICTS They took two hours and 30 minutes of deliberations, which commenced on Wednesday, to reach their verdicts. Detective Garda Cormac OBric recalled on Thursday the 999 call made by the accused claiming that Daena Walshs death was from suicide, an assertion he repeatedly made to gardai until he got into the witness box in this trial and said he killed her, as the defence went on to suggest it was manslaughter rather than murder as there was no intent. The jury did not agree with this. Det Garda OBric said the accused man had 42 previous convictions including counts for carrying knives, a three-year sentence from Australia in 2015 for aggravated robbery, and that he was on bail for possession of knives or other articles from an incident in July 22, 2024, less than a fortnight before the murder. Brendan Grehan, defence senior counsel, said: Mr Corcoran asked me to state he accepts the verdicts of the jury, he asked me to express to their sons, and to Daenas family and friends his deep regret, remorse and sorrow for causing the death of Daena whom he loved very much. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said: His actions on August 2, 2024, were truly horrific. Ms Walsh died as a result of a frenzied attack. He stabbed her through her face, torso, chest, and abdomen causing her death. She clearly fought for her life. "He then attempted to cover up and he may have intended to dismember her body Her left arm was almost amputated. This was probably inflicted post-mortem, meaning of course after death. For whatever reason, he decided to abandon this. "He placed aerosols in a tea-towel and put them over (an electric hob) in the kitchen. He put the lives of many people in danger. He had already extinguished Ms Walshs life Other people in Midleton and the lives of gardai and first responders (were put at risk). It is of some consolation that he accepted (for the first time when in the witness box at the trial) that he is the person who killed Ms Walsh and she did not die by suicide. My sympathies to (the Walsh family). Daena was a lovely daughter, sister and granddaughter and there were many people in her life who loved her. I note his expression of regret. But I will say no more in relation to that. Daenas brothers, Callum and Paul went into the witness box with a photograph of their beloved sister and Callum read the victim impact statement on behalf of their mother, Caroline, grandmother, Phyllis, themselves, Daenas two children and the wider Walsh family. Callum said the two children were left without a mother for eternity because of Adam Corcorans demonic and horrific actions. Callum said: Since Daena's murder, the emotional and psychological impact on our family has been profound. One of the most difficult consequences has been the effect on our ability to sleep. There will always be an empty space in our home and in our lives a sense that something precious is missing that can never be replaced. The greatest loss of all is for Daena's two children Daena will never be able to watch them grow, guide them, or share in the many milestones of their lives These are moments every mother deserves to share with her children, and that future has been taken from them forever. Trying to manage the emotional consequences of what happened while continuing with everyday life has been extremely challenging. I would like the court to remember Daena Walsh for who she truly was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was well known for her coloured hair and mad lipstick colours. She was a thoughtful, kind, and caring person whose life was taken from her in a cruel and violent way. I would also like to sincerely thank An Garda Siochana, particularly the Midleton Division, especially Garda Killian Barry and Detective Inspector John O'Connell, and all the gardai and all other detectives involved in this case, the ambulance crew, and the fire crew for their involvement, and guidance throughout this incredibly difficult process. A 42-year-old man accused of murdering a young Ukrainian near Cork city centre by allegedly stabbing him in the chest was brought before Cork District Court this evening (March 19). Detective Garda Kevin Motherway gave evidence of arresting 42-year-old Jonathan Hennessy of 15 Dr Patrick OSullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, County Cork, and charging him at 4.25pm today. The accused man was charged with murder. The charge states that: On March 16 2023 at Knapps Square, Cork City in the District Court area of Cork City in District area 19, he did murder one Oleksandr Zhyvytskyi, contrary to Common Law. When cautioned that he did not have to say anything but that whatever he might say would be taken down in writing and could be given in evidence, he made no reply to the charge. FREE LEGAL AID Eddie Burke, solicitor, was appointed to represent the accused man on free legal aid, after stating that Jonathan Hennessy was on disability allowance and had no other income. On the application of Sergeant John Dineen, Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Jonathan Hennessy in custody until March 25 at Cork District Court. No application for bail can be made at a district court on a murder charge. Mr Burke said: I would ask that he would get medical attention on entering Cork Prison. MEDICAL ATTENTION Judge Dorgan directed that he would get appropriate medical attention. The accused man wore a black sweat shirt and white track pants and carried a novel in his hands for the brief court appearance. He only spoke to confirm that he had no income, other than disability allowance when the application was made for free legal aid. Sgt Dineen said it was alleged that on March 16 at Knapps Square at 7.50pm the deceased sustained a stab wound to his chest during an altercation. He made his way home and subsequently died, death being formally pronounced at 8.35pm on Monday. It was reported that the father-of-one, who was in his early 30s, was stabbed just metres from his home at Camden Court apartments on Carrolls Quay, Cork, when he went out to buy food nearby. He made it back to his apartment where his partner called for help. Despite paramedics working to save his life, he was later pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation was launched immediately after the fatal stabbing. If you take God out of the equation, does life have any real meaning? The three great monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - answer with an emphatic No. Hinduism, which has a multiplicity of gods, would also answer in the negative, while Buddhism - which acknowledges no god - offers a path to enlightenment that borders on the divine. On the threshold of the 20th century, the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, controversially declared that God is dead! It formed one of the most famous covers of TIME magazine. And in the United States in the 1960s, there emerged what became known as the Death of God movement. But it proved to be short-lived. So where are we in the opening decades of the 21st century - where we have witnessed a resurgence of militant atheism? Has science - which has blossomed since the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century - helped or hindered religious belief? With artificial intelligence (AI) now taking us into the realm of science fiction, many of us can be forgiven if we find ourselves in a quandary. Just recently, the Vatican issued a 48-page document entitled Quo Vadis, Humanitas? - Where Are You Going, Humanity? It warned that if humanity places total trust in technology, it risks replacing the living God with a counterfeit virtual God. Now along come two French authors (Michel-Yves Bollore and Olivier Bonnassies) - with a science background - who have produced a bestseller called God, The Science, The Evidence, which they claim presents the most up-to-date evidence for the existence of God. It runs to 570 pages and seeks to pull together evidence from a wide variety of sources. Their bottom line is that it is permissible to consider the question of God on the basis of science. People of religious faith - Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Mormons, and many others - take the existence of God as a given. But is there a scientific basis for believing in God? Can science deliver proofs? The authors of this wide-ranging book are convinced that it can. So we get references to Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, and of course Einstein - and also to the great Russian writer Dostoevsky. He once wrote: If God did not exist, everything would be permitted. In other words, without God there can be no morality. Pope Benedict XVI adopted this in one of his encyclicals. But this is demonstrably untrue. It is akin to saying that if you are an atheist, you cannot be a moral person. Committed atheists would reject this in a huff, and they would be right. In order to have a civilised society, communities regularly enter into social contracts - and often do so without any necessary reference to God. After all, the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do to you - predates Christianity, going back to Confucius. It goes without saying that even in avowedly communist societies (officially atheistic) like Russia and China, many individuals live by a moral code. One of the central arguments for the existence of God is based on intelligent design. Think in terms of a watch, it works beautifully because all the pieces have a purpose and fit together and are designed to do so. Now think of a clockwork universe. Everything works, the planets dont go crashing into each other. Why? Because an intelligent being designed it that way. Think of God as a cosmic watchmaker. Today, a lot of scientists - and theologians - are drawn to the Big Bang theory of creation. But the Big Bang requires a cause. Something had to cause the bang in the first place. That something is God. We dare to say that the picture painted by the Big Bang model is remarkably consistent with the idea of the creation of the Universe by God, declare the French authors of God, The Science, Tthe Evidence The alternative is a universe that is eternal - it had no beginning, it was always there - so no need for a creator-God. The strangest part of this book (which invokes science as the basis for its thesis) are the 182 pages devoted to Evidence from Outside the Sciences. The authors turn to the Bible - but that was created by men (no women) of faith. And they summon Jesus Christ as a witness. But here a choice has to be made between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith. Of the former only two things are historically verifiable - that he lived in Palestine during Roman rule and was crucified. The rest is faith-based. The big stumbling block for many people when it comes to belief in a benevolent God is the presence of evil in our world. The appalling catastrophes of the 20th century - two devastating world wars, the Holocaust, the dropping of atomic bombs on two Japanese cities, then the other wars in Korea, Vietnam and the former Yugoslavia - these challenge the basis for belief in a beneficent Deity. In the end - science notwithstanding - belief in God (theism) or belief in no God (atheism) comes down to an act of faith, since there is no convincing evidence either way. Ive always had a fascination with headstones in cemeteries and graveyards, not in a morbid or sinister manner - no, but these stones with inscriptions can yield so much valuable historical information. I have no real memory of my own father, Dan Arnold. He was buried in Rathcormac cemetery in September, 1961 -the week I started in Bartlemy National School. Down the years, visiting his grave to say a prayer was a very normal and natural thing to do. In total, there were seven (now eight) Arnold headstones in two separate rows. The names on some were familiar enough to me -branches of the family in Bartlemy village and in Moulane, whilst others I knew absolutely nothing about. In the 1970s and 80s, Billy Barry -formerly of Hightown, Bartlemy and Mondaniel, Rathcormac, gave me a lot of family tree information. His mother was Ellen Arnold - her grandfather and my great grandfather were closely related. Though domiciled in Dublin for many years, Billy never lost touch with his native parish. Long before computers were invented, all genealogical research had to be painstakingly undertaken. Billy was just great at research and spent hundreds of hours in different archive and record offices in Dublin. Along with another cousin, the late Timmy Arnold, Billy gathered vast amounts of information on births, death and marriages as well as Land ownership Records. All this studious research further fuelled my interest in family history- not just of the Arnolds, but of nearly every family I knew! Some say the Arnolds came to Ireland with Cromwell in the 1600s a Captain John Arnold was one of the commanders in the Cromwellian Army! My cousin Timmy, on the other hand, maintained we were here long, long before that! His theory was that after Castle Arnault in Gwent in Wales was destroyed by fire around the year 1177, that the Arnaults (Arnolds) high-tailed it across the sea and settled in this country! At this remove, its hard to know where we came from. Nevertheless, my curious mind was always anxious -still is, to find out more and more about local and family lore and history. It must be about 45 years ago or so that someone said I should meet a Cork city grocer, Richard Henchion. Well, the very first time I met him in his shop I think it was in Barrack Street - I was stunned by his knowledge of nearly every cemetery in Cork city and county. Truly, I gazed and still my wonder grew how one small head could carry all he knew! For decades, Richard had been visiting burial grounds and meticulously recording the headstone inscriptions. He also drew a map of each cemetery and used his own numbering system to provide a detailed index for each location. He spoke of his great friend, the late Liam O Buachalla from Carrigtwohill - another passionate and learned historian. Then, in 2005, I began a project to record and publish the headstone inscriptions in Gortroe Cemetery in our parish. Richard had already completed this work with Liam in 1964. I contacted him and he suggested I go ahead with the task and when I was finished we could compare notes. Thats exactly what I did and I got my book published in 2007. Since Richard and Liam had completed their work there 40 years earlier, seven headstones had disappeared - two had probably been replaced by newer stones, but the other five had probably simply sunk into the ground - never to be seen again. Luckily, Richard gave me so many tips on how to read the stones -simple things like using fistfuls of lush green grass to bring up difficult inscriptions. Another useful piece of information imparted to me by the doyen of Cork Headstone transcribers was using natural light - early morning sunshine - as it slants across the stones - or reading by moonlight! I spent many a moonlit night in Gortroe with no need for a flashlamp! Using the correct cleaning material for headstones is sacrosanct I have seen so many ancient headstones damaged beyond repair by indiscriminate use of chlorous and acidic potions. Over the years, Richard Henchion has published several books in relation to specific burial ground with extensive notes on the families buried therein. His research has been stunning, combining local knowledge with archive and record sources. In recent years, much archive material is now available online and I must admit - though Im not very computer literate - that the online resources combined with Irish Newspaper Archives are really invaluable. For example, it was only in recent times that I found out about the online Registry of Deeds. Established in 1708, the Registry was set up to provide a method of recording and indexing deeds and legal transfers of unregistered property. Property is deemed Unregistered where the title has not yet been listed in the Land Registry Office. Anyhow, let me explain what a friend of mine recently discovered for me! Last year, on a Parish History Tour, I was surprised to discover how big an influence William Dargan was in this area. Dargan (1799-1867) is widely regarded as the father of Irish railways. He was a businessman, inventor, agriculturalist and entrepreneur. In 1849 - just after the Famine - Dargan leased 2,000 acres of land in Kildinan from his friend Edmond Burke Roche - later the 1st Baron Fermoy. On this land, Dargan set up a flax growing industry. He built canals, retting ponds and modern scutching mills that employed hundreds of locals, including women and children. The project initially boomed, and flax, which was predominantly grown in Ulster, became popular. Problems with marketing abounded jealous Ulster merchants frowned on Dargans endeavour. Industrial health and safety was non-existent and accidents were frequent. Karl Marx wrote about the six fatalities in Dargans Kildinan Mills between 1851 and 1861. Eventually, the entire project was abandoned. I often wondered what made Dargan think of setting up a linen industry in this part of north-east Cork? West Cork had seen flax grown in earlier years but not in the Rathcormac / Kildinan area - well, so I thought! On the oldest Arnold headstones in Rathcormac cemetery, the names George and Francis Arnold appear. Maybe they are my ancestors - certainly relations as they are buried in the same ground as my family. In browsing the Registry of Deeds recently, Eamonn, a historian friend of mine, came across an interesting item relating to Arnolds. In a deed from 1775, a Francis Arnold surrendered a lease he held on a plot of land 70ft by 70ft. Francis held the lease from local landlord William Tonson - he served as MP for Rathcormac from 1776 until 1783. On finishing his parliamentary duties, Tonson was elevated to the title of Baron Riversdale- a housing estate in Rathcormac is named after him. In giving up the lease, Francis Arnold got the then princely sum of Fifty Pounds Sterling. The flax link nearly a century before Dargans time is that Francis Arnolds occupation is given as Linen Weaver, so flax must have been grown in the area in the mid- 1700s. George Arnolds name is also on the Registry as well as that of John Hannein. In todays money, the 50 would be worth around 10,000. Now, if I can only find a Last Will and Testament for that Francis Arnold! In Throwback Thursday last week, Stephen OSullivan wrote about the legendary Rock Steps between Blarney Street and the North Mall. Fintan Bloss, who knows that area like the back of his hand, responded quickly. Just a follow up to your column on March 12. I contacted Michael Brown of the Brown family mentioned in the article, and even though he remembers the OSullivans, he isnt sure if he can recall Stephen. Well, that would be understandable if Stephens father moved off to the big smoke of Dublin before the lad himself was born, although the boy went back many times in later years. Its always the same. You can take the individual out of Cork, but you can never take Cork out of the individual! We would be happy to meet Stephen in Dublin for a chat if he was interested, adds Fintan. Or if he is in Cork again, I have access to a key, so we could meet up there by the Devils Chair (if Old Nick allows us!) Now, Fintan, you know very well that Old Nick, horns, hooves and all, was a pure (impure?) invention of the Roman Catholic Church, which was trying to drive out all our old native spirits and gods and put their own in place instead. The horns and the hooves belong to the Great God Pan, father of all nature and guardian of all life. Thankfully, we still honour him at Puck Fair down in Killorglin each August. That was a diversion, apologies... Back to the Rock Villas saga. Fintan has very thoughtfully attached a couple of pages from the 1941 Cork Directory. The Cronin at the top of Rock Villas was a piano teacher who was well known in the area, adds Fintan. Yes, we seem to recall several people mentioning her lessons, and the sound of music emanating from her house throughout the day. We have to say, these old directories are utterly fascinating. If any of you take the time to go look in our libraries or online, you might start off hunting for your own area, but very soon will find yourself wandering down all sorts of laneways and heading off up tempting side alleys, following up other details of our beloved city and county. The Guys 1875/76 Directory (you can find it online at the internet archive, https://dn790009.ca.archive.org/0/items/francisguyscount00guycuoft/francisguyscount00guycuoft.pdf), has so many of these irresistible pathways which just might set you off on an entirely new field of research. Take, for example, the fact that domestic servants within the city numbered 216 males and 3,326 females in 1871, of whom 3,277 were Catholic and just 157 Protestant. Or that a lane off Wises Hill was known as Ropewalk Lane, indicating that this important industry was carried on there as in so many other locations in our maritime city. Ropes of all kinds were essential in the centuries before nylon came in to ruin our shorelines and pollute our waterways. Back then, they were made of hemp, flax, or sisal and required very long spaces in which they could be twisted. Those well off enough could enjoy the benefits of the Cork, Blackrock, and Passage Railway, operating from Albert Street: Trains every hour to and from Passage (six miles from Cork), calling at Blackrock, and by signal at Rochestown. Steamers, in connection with trains, ply between Passage, Glenbrook, Monkstown, Ringaskiddy, Queenstown, Crosshaven, and East Ferry. A horse pops its head into North Main Street, Cork, in January, 1965. A list of traders on the street from 1875 shows the variety of local retailers there If you happened to have a heavy parcel for Crosshaven, then it had to be deposited at the city end before 3pm, as otherwise it would have to be left there (at the owners risk) until the next day. Even more interesting, given that we have just had Seachtain na Gaeilge, is a table in that 1875 Guys Directory showing the number of people across the county in 1871 speaking only Irish versus those speaking both English and Irish. The number of native speakers is surprisingly large, one would think, given the length of time we had been under English control. There is even a table showing the number of fishing boats sailing out of our countys harbours. Who has fisherman ancestors? This might just start you off on that family history you have always been promising yourself you would do. Weve said it before, well repeat it again: If not now, when? Time and tide wait for no man (or woman!) What businesses were conducted back in the mid-Victorian age on a venerable avenue like North Main Street? Here are just some of them, almost all small family or individually-run concerns: 1.Burke Mrs. Mary, vintner. 2, 3, 4 Flyn S, oil and colour merchant. 5, 6 DArcy Gerald, confectioner. 7 ONeill James W, provision dealer. 8 Nawn Mrs. Margaret, draper. 9 O Regan John, oil and colour merchant. 10, 11 Twomey John, tobacconist. 12 Collins Miss M, draper. 13 Daly John, wine and spirit merchant. 14 OSullivan Richard, draper. 15 Rice William, grocer. 16, 17 Haughton B. & G. P, ironmongers. 18 Goold D. & Son, leather merchants. 19 Hayes Hannah, vintner, Hayes Daniel, hackney car inspector. 20 Byrne Edward, provision dealer. 21 OConnor Miss E, draper. 22 Barriscale William, watchmaker and jeweller. 23 MacCarthy Bartholomew, draper. 24 Casey Edmond, haberdasher. 25 OHalloran Edward, vintner. 26 Atkins Henry, vintner. 27 Burke John, grocer. 28 Riordan Thomas, grocer. 29 Curtin Catherine, vintner. 30 Mellefont Robert, chandler. Back then, you could do all your shopping and meet all your household needs in just that one stretch of street, which has known busy footsteps since at least the Viking age. I hadnt forgotten the Rock Steps. They dont appear as such in the 1875/76 Directory, but Rock Lane does, that nice little steeply-sloping street leading down off Blarney Street towards the Steps. Perhaps there werent any houses built down there yet. But the Lane knows its history and could tell a tale or two to those who have the gift of being able to listen. Now, here is a delightful email from Liam OReilly, who contacted us about a story he read recently in The Echo. When I am at home in Cork, I actually read de paper as my mother buys it on a daily basis, he says. I was drawn to an article by John Arnold, regaling us with the story of when his mam bought a freezer. The picture accompanying the article portrays a happy shopper buying tripe and drisheen from OReillys stall in Gurranabraher. This is where I come in, as you may note that my surname is OReilly. My dad was Maurice OReilly, and before him his mother was Agnes Curtain. The OReillys had an abattoir in Gurranabraher up to 1937. However, Cork City Council made a compulsory purchase of the land as they wanted to build corporation houses. NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) were not indulged in those days. My grandfather, John OReilly, was emotionally and sentimentally attached to the land and buildings, and he argued with the council that he would not move. Whoever he was pleading with was not so sentimental, as he warned that my grandfather would be dragged out of there. My grandfather replied that they would take his coffin out of there. Which is exactly what happened as he died in 1937, when dad was nine years old. Liam says that his grandmother, Agnes, was originally from Turners Cross, and as there was land and property for sale in that vicinity, they relocated over there to a place called Saint Philomenas on the South Douglas road. Workers at OReillys tripe and drisheen factory at St Philomenas Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, in June, 1953. A reader related to the OReillys features in todays Throwback Thursday Now and then, photos appear in The Echo featuring people working in OReillys tripe factory in Saint Philomenas, Gurranabraher, adds Liam, who says his family and friends enjoy reminiscing about a family history becoming a local history that all Cork people can feel a part of. Well, thank you so much for that, Liam, as you bring up not only a slice of family history but also a sandwich of two iconic local foodstuffs tripe and drisheen. Now, nowhere will you find a greater division between even members of the same family as on the tripe/drisheen front. Some will do anything to get hold of these delicacies, others will go to enormous lengths to avoid them. You either love em or you hate em, no middle road. This writers mother was extremely fond of tripe cooked gently in milk, presumably something she had enjoyed since childhood, but we children, it pains me to remember, absolutely refused to let her cook it on any occasion unless we were definitely out of the house for the day, or preferably the weekend. Photographer Richard Mills remembers from his French childhood his mother also liking to cook it according to a traditional recipe, Tripe a la mode de Caen. I wasnt that mad on it, says Richard, but back then you ate what was put in front of you or went without! Now theres the point. Tripe comes from a long way back in our Cork history, back when we were known as the slaughtering capital of Ireland, and our whole prosperity depended on provisioning the English navy both in its many and constant wars abroad and in its colonies. That does not mean that tripe was shipped out, though, far from it. Oh no, the colonies and the warships got the good meat, together with the butter, the cheese, all the quality stuff. What was left behind was called offal, and that was where Corks own local foodstuffs developed, the leftovers which could be turned into a nourishing meal for those with very little to spend. Were not alone in this, of course other European countries have a long tradition of using offal in inventive ways. Even today, you will find Spanish villages in the Pyrenean foothills serving bubbling cauldrons of tripe on the bar counters at lunchtime. Once, I remember, I incautiously asked the barman what was in the pot. You would not like it, madame, he said politely. When I still looked curious, he lifted the lid, allowing the scent to drift past me like a wraith. I recoiled. He was correct. I did not like it. It started as a poverty food, as indeed did fish and oysters. Now the latter two are among the highest priced on any Irish menu, and tripe isnt far behind. We still, thankfully, have OReillys tripe and drisheen stall in the English Market, reminding us of our past. Those who love it make special trips to purchase these delicacies. It calls to mind that wonderful prize-winning essay at Oxford by our noted food historian Regina Sexton, in 1995, discussing the disappearing offal food traditions of Cork. Like the English with their Marmite and Spam, there are two camps here, each equally vociferous in its likes and dislikes. No, were not forgetting drisheen. It looks very much like the famous black pudding (also, by the way, a popular dish in neighbouring Brittany and Normandy) but has a rather different recipe which we dont propose to detail here in deference to your sensitivities. Suffice it to be said that the parts of animal blood used are different, as are the herbs and spices added. No true drisheen lover would dream of settling for any black pudding. Having to rely on waste products and leftovers to feed our families is a feature of the past. Todays kids demand and usually get pizza (another poverty food originally) or burgers. Yet in top restaurants, yesterdays offal is todays special dish, with prices to match. Plus ca change, plus cest le meme chose. The more it changes, the more it stays the same Lets hear your own stories of foods and times past in our city. Email jokerrigan1@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/echolivecork. Tim Cook visits Chengdu as first Asia-Pacific stop of Apple's 50th anniversary global celebrations Xinhua) 11:19, March 19, 2026 CHENGDU, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Apple CEO Tim Cook made a trip to Chengdu City in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Wednesday, marking the first Asia-Pacific stop of Apple's global celebrations for the company's 50th anniversary. During his second visit to Chengdu, Cook expressed deep admiration for the city, saying that "Chengdu is one of the most vibrant places in the world, full of innovation, full of entrepreneurship, full of just chill." The bond between Apple and Sichuan runs far deeper than this year's anniversary celebrations. Cook first visited Chengdu in the autumn of 2023, where he shared a photo of Chengdu's Anshun Bridge on social media. Apple has maintained a sustained presence in Sichuan through multiple initiatives: the opening of two Apple Stores in Chengdu; its donation to the China Foundation for Rural Development following the 2013 Lushan earthquake to support disaster relief and reconstruction; and its participation in founding the Mengdingshan Academy for Cooperative Development in Sichuan in 2021. In October 2023, Cook traveled to the city of Ya'an to visit schools and tea farms that have been supported by Apple's philanthropy. On the supply chain front, the collaboration is equally robust. On March 18, Apple's COO Sabih Khan toured the Foxconn manufacturing facilities in Chengdu. Since 2010, this site has evolved from assembling only iPads to becoming a key production hub for MacBook and Apple Watch models. A notable breakthrough was recently achieved in the assembly line of the new MacBook Neo, where the engineering teams co-developed automatic screw-driving technology. This innovation eliminates the need for rivets entirely, streamlining the production process with 100 percent rivet-free craftsmanship. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Google and cybersecurity companies Lookout and iVerify have detailed a new hacking technique that potentially puts a significant portion of iPhone users in danger, just by visiting the wrong web page. The hack is called "DarkSword" and it currently targets iOS 18 releases between iOS 18.4 and iOS 18.6.2. For its part, an Apple spokesperson told Engadget that the company had patched the underlying vulnerabilities in iOS versions 15 through 26 last year; the company also issued an emergency update for devices running iOS 15 and 16 that are unable to run newer versions of iOS. The company does note that users running iOS 13 or iOS 14 would need to update to at least iOS 15 to be protected; those operating systems were released in 2019 and 2020, respectively. In response to this threat, Apple has also published details on what users can do to make sure theyre fully protected, which are essentially the same as what the company shared with Engadget. Even if youre not running iOS 26, updates are and have been available to protect users from this particular threat. Apple also notes that the URLs detected and published in Googles security blog are blocked by its Safe Browsing features in Safari. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DarkSword is a "fileless" hack that leverages a collection of exploits to access sensitive data when an iPhone visits an infected website. Rather than install spyware that hangs around on a user's phone after messages and other private information are stolen, fileless hacks like DarkSword take control of "the legitimate processes in an iPhone's operating system to steal data," according to Wired. Even more troubling, DarkSword deletes any evidence it was running on an iPhone after it finishes stealing your information. The hack starts as soon as an iOS device encounters an "malicious iframe embedded in a web page," after which it works its way through your iPhone, gathering sensitive information like passwords before deleting itself. DarkSword can abscond with things like messages and iCloud content, but it's also specifically designed to access crypto currency wallets, Lookout says, which could indicate who was using DarkSword before it became widely available. DarkSword has reportedly been used in Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Turkey and Russia, and its origins could be tied to a different hacking toolkit called Coruna that TechCrunch reports may have been created for the US government by a company called Trenchant. Regardless of where DarkSword came from, the tool didn't become widely available until its Russian users left DarkSword's source code on a website for anyone to access, "complete with explanatory comments in English that describe each component and include the 'DarkSword' name for the tool," Wired writes. Apple patched the exploits that DarkSword and Coruna used in recent updates to iOS 26, the yearly software release from 2025 that followed iOS 18. DarkSword currently targets iOS 18 releases between iOS 18.4 and iOS 18.6.2, and according to Apple's latest iOS usage stats for developers, around 24 percent of iOS devices are still on some version of iOS 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Apple simultaneously released iOS 26 and iOS 18.7 on September 15, 2025. So even if people didnt want to upgrade to iOS 26, Apple has released patches to mitigate the vulnerability. Apples stats indicate that about 24 percent of iPhone users are still on iOS 18, the actual number of potentially vulnerable phones is lower. Still, its a good reminder to stay on top of software updates if only for the security features if nothing else. Update, March 19, 2026, 11:19AM ET: This story has been updated with details from Apple about what versions of iOS had been proactively patched to mitigate this vulnerability. Update, March 19, 2026, 10:10AM ET: This story has been updated to note that while this vulnerability targets iOS 18, Apple released iOS 18 updates over the last six months that are secure against this attack. The FBI has confirmed to the Senate it is once again buying data which can be used to track the locations of US citizens. That may have surprised the people who thought the precedent in Carpenter v. United States prohibited it. But while that case examined if it was legal for law enforcement to obtain location data from mobile networks without a warrant, here the FBI and other agencies have found a way to skirt the Fourth Amendment entirely. Over the last few years, they have taken to just buying location data from the same companies which power the enormous online advertising ecosystem. Where does this data come from? When your phone is connected to the internet, it broadcasts about itself, and so do the apps and platforms you use. That information includes your IP address and device type, as well as your longitude and latitude if your device has GPS. This data, known as Bidstream, alongside any third party cookies tied to your device, enables the process of Real Time Bidding (RTB) . RTB is the process where your attention is auctioned off to the highest bidder in the milliseconds after youve loaded a page. In order to make the auctions work, these platforms need to know as much about you as they can. As I explained in depth back in 2021 , data such as your location and IP address is broadcast over the ad networks. This information can also be aggregated, licensed or sold to data brokers who can pair this with any deterministic data available. For instance, if you sign up to a platform and tell them your name, email address and annual income, that data could be licensed to a data broker. Even banks looking for new revenue streams are planning to license anonymized customer data to these companies. Data brokers can easily combine the two streams of information to build out a fairly extensive picture of you as a person, and what advertisers will be the most interested in you. Unfortunately, its extremely difficult to opt out of this and, even if it were, it would be even more difficult to destroy the data already in circulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018 French company Vectaury, which acted as an ad sales intermediary for mobile apps, was inspected by the French data protection regulator. Officials found the company had built a database containing the personal data of 67.6 million people without proper consent. Data brokers dont just harvest and hoard this data to make online ad sales, however, they will also license and sell its databases to others. Lawmakers believe that these brokers have sold this data to rival nations looking for ways to spy on US citizens . How are law enforcement agencies getting it? In January, 404Media revealed the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) bought access to tools supplied by cybersecurity company Penlink. Specifically, it purchased access to tools named Tangles and Webloc, which can be used to surveil large numbers of people at once. The latter tool reportedly has the power to identify smartphones in a given area and time, and can then follow them on their journey through the day and back to their home at night. Given the secretive nature of its business, Penlink does not reveal much about how its tools operate. A since-removed marketing page says Webloc automatically analyzes location based information available in endless digital channels from the web ecosystem. And 404Medias report says these tools access commercially available smartphone location data, supplied by third-party data brokers. Forbes reports the system can also pull together data from a variety of sources, including social media, to offer a real-time view of an event. The Texas Observer says Webloc can use this information to enable warrantless device tracking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of other US law enforcement agencies have also purchased location data from data brokers, including the Department of Homeland Security , Customs and Border Protection , the Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service . This isnt just limited to government agencies, however, as anti-abortion groups did similar while targeting people visiting Planned Parenthood clinics. How can this be legal? The Fourth Amendment guarantees the right of the people to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures, made without probable case. But, as Dori H. Rahbar wrote in the Columbia Law Review , the Fourth Amendment does not regulate open market transactions. Aaron X Sobel, writing in the Yale Law and Policy Review , described the practice as end-running warrants, and urged legislators to close this loophole. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), is also pushing for legislation under the Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act . Its not likely that such legislation will be passed for a long time, and a cynic would suggest its not possible under the current administration. But, even if it is, it wont address the bigger issue of the ad tech industry and its partners vacuuming up as much information about us as it can. When these companies many of which arent even known to the public are able to store up enough information on us that, if they were so motivated, they could follow our path through the day, its a sign something is very rotten indeed. If were concerned about governments having this sort of access, then we should be equally nervous about anyone else having it as well. California, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York are leading a group of 20 other states in suing the US Environmental Protection Agency for renouncing its ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, The New York Times reports. The lawsuit specifically argues that the EPA's decision to rescind a 2009 study that determined greenhouse gases are dangerous to public health was illegal. The study, which is the source of what's called the "Endangerment Finding," was one of several justifications along with things like the Clean Air Act for the agency's ability to regulate emissions. Rescinding the finding nullified the EPA's evidence for things like emissions standards and a variety of other regulations that attempted to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced by the automotive, coal and oil industries. The Trump administration framed the rollback as a cost-saving measure, but it was also a major blow to the government's ability to fight climate change. Greenhouse gases, which include things like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, collect in the atmosphere and warm the planet, upsetting weather patterns and negatively impacting the environment. Determining the changes caused by greenhouse gases posed a risk to public health gave the EPA the authority to regulate them under its existing mandate to address air pollution. An authority it could have again, depending on the result of this litigation. Of course, winning a lawsuit isn't necessary to restore the EPA's role in fighting climate change. Congress could do that now by passing a new law. The legal route is just faster, and potentially riskier. The New York Times writes that this new lawsuit was filed in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and could ultimately be combined with an existing lawsuit from environmental groups. Depending on how the case fairs in the lower court, it may eventually be appealed to the US Supreme Court, who could decide on an even more restrictive interpretation of the EPA's role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under President Donald Trump, the EPA has already rolled back clean water rules and attempted to stifle research. The Trump administration has separately tried to undermine the authority of independent agencies like the EPA and FTC, something the Supreme Court has yet to determine to be illegal. UKs Ofcom has fined 4chan a total of 520,000 ($690,000) over the websites failure to comply with the rules of Online Safety Act 2023. The biggest chunk of the amount came from 4chans failure to ensure children cannot encounter pornographic content on its website by implementing an effective age check mechanism. For that violation, the website has received a penalty of 450,000 ($598,000) and an order to apply an age check system by April 2. It carries a daily rate penalty of 500 ($664) until the website is compliant or until June 1, whichever comes sooner. Ofcom also found that 4chan has failed to carry out sufficient illegal content risk assessment on its website and has fined it 50,000 ($66,400) for that violation. 4chan has until April 2 to conduct a risk assessment, or it has to pay an additional 200 ($266) per day. Finally, the regulator has determined that 4chan failed to include provisions in its terms of service that specify how it protects users from illegal content. That carries a fine of 20,000 ($26,600), with a daily rate penalty of 100 ($133) a day from its compliance deadline of April 2 to June 1. The regulator started investigating 4chan, famous for its anonymous and unmoderated messaging boards, in June 2025 to determine if it was failing to meet its obligations under the law. In October, Ofcom announced its decision for some of the investigations it opened. It slapped 4chan with a 20,000 ($26,700) fine for ignoring its requests for a copy of the websites illegal harms risk assessment and to provide information about its qualifying worldwide revenue. The regulator has confirmed to Engadget that 4chan has yet to pay that previous fine, which also earned cumulative daily punishment fees for 60 days. Actress Rebel Wilson has publicly accused billionaire Sir Len Blavatnik of backing multiple lawsuits against her, escalating an ongoing legal battle tied to her film "The Deb." In a series of emotional Instagram posts, Wilson claimed the businessman chose to fund legal action instead of helping resolve issues she reported on set. Wilson said she personally traveled to New York to seek Blavatnik's support regarding what she described as "struggles" with producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden, TMZ reported. She wrote that she "sincerely thought he would do something about it," but instead alleged he financed lawsuits against her across different countries. A source, however, disputed the number of lawsuits, saying there are three, not four. The legal conflict began in 2024 when Wilson accused the producers of misusing $900,000 from the film's budget and claimed Ghost engaged in inappropriate behavior toward lead actress Charlotte MacInnes. Those claims were strongly denied by sources close to Ghost. MacInnes has also publicly rejected the allegations and filed her own defamation lawsuit against Wilson in Australia. Reckless Rebel Wilson is her own worst enemy in her Hollywood wars https://t.co/DMClRwX9Mn pic.twitter.com/vXsB7Hep23 Page Six (@PageSix) March 18, 2026 Rebel Wilson Stands Firm on Allegations In response to Wilson's accusations, the producers filed a defamation case in Los Angeles. Wilson later countersued, repeating her claims. Additionally, AI Film, the company behind "The Deb," launched a commercial case against Wilson's production company. In her posts, Wilson defended her actions, saying, "There was dodgy behaviour on my movie set by UK producers and I reported it." She added that she believed speaking up would lead to "a better industry overall." According to PageSix, Wilson also urged Blavatnik to stop supporting legal actions against her. "Maybe stop these ridiculous lawsuits and crisis PR attacks that is costing millions," she wrote. The situation has grown more tense following reports of a crisis PR campaign allegedly linked to Wilson's team. Leaked audio suggested plans to damage Ghost's reputation, though Wilson denied any knowledge of such efforts. Despite mounting criticism, Wilson says she will not back down. "I'm not scared and I won't be silenced," she stated, adding that she is prepared to testify in court if needed. Sources close to the situation describe Wilson's recent statements as "reckless," suggesting frustration may be driving her public response. Dakota Mortensen has broken his silence after an alleged altercation with Taylor Frankie Paul led to a production shutdown of the Hulu series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." The situation has drawn attention as a domestic assault investigation remains ongoing, with claims made on both sides. A representative for Mortensen said his main focus is their young son, Ever. "His number one priority here is protecting [their son], Ever," the rep shared, adding that Mortensen chose not to speak out earlier in hopes of maintaining a peaceful co-parenting relationship. "He has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor... he wants to coparent well." According to US Magazine, the spokesperson also denied that Mortensen played any role in making the situation public. "He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away," the statement said. However, due to the seriousness of the situation, Mortensen now feels he can no longer remain silent. Authorities in Utah confirmed there is an open investigation into the alleged domestic dispute. Police stated that "allegations have been made in both directions" and that contact was made with both parties in late February. No further details have been released as the case is still under review. Taylor Frankie Pauls ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen is finally speaking out after their most recent alleged domestic violence incident was exposed. : Instagram, Disney pic.twitter.com/UQXylONOzy Page Six (@PageSix) March 18, 2026 Taylor Frankie Paul Calls Situation a 'Heavy Time' The controversy has already affected production of the reality show, with filming for its latest season reportedly paused. Sources say cast members are hesitant to continue amid the ongoing issues, describing the environment as tense and overwhelming. Paul also addressed the situation briefly, calling it "a heavy time" and expressing disappointment that it coincided with a major moment in her career, People reported. "It's supposed to be a really exciting time," she said, referring to her upcoming appearance as the lead on "The Bachelorette." She added that there is currently no direct contact between her and Mortensen, with communication handled through a third party. The pair's relationship has been rocky for years and has been a central storyline on the show. In 2023, Paul was arrested following an earlier altercation involving Mortensen. She later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while other charges were dismissed. A proposed ban on CO2 stunning in pig abattoirs could sharply increase costs and disrupt the UK pork sector, a new report warns. Fresh analysis by AHDB highlights the financial and operational challenges of moving away from the current system widely used in UK plants due to its efficiency in handling high volumes. The findings show a significant cost gap. Stunning pigs with CO2 currently costs around 0.42 per animal, but alternatives could push this as high as 1.49 per pig. Argon systems are estimated to cost between 1.36 and 1.49 per pig, while electrical stunning could reach around 1.11 increases of up to 257% compared with CO2. The study, commissioned from Europe Economics, suggests all alternative systems would be materially more expensive than the baseline currently used across the industry. Around 90% of pigs in England and Wales are stunned using high-concentration CO2 systems, with electrical and other methods accounting for a much smaller share. The report comes after Defra signalled plans in its Animal Welfare Strategy to ban the use of CO2 gas stunning of pigs, subject to a consultation, following recommendations from its Animal Welfare Committee. While no firm timetable has been set, a consultation is expected, and the findings underline the scale of change the sector could face. Beyond direct costs, the analysis highlights wider risks, including installation downtime, operational disruption and uncertainty around new technologies. There are also concerns the move could leave UK producers at a disadvantage if competitors continue using cheaper methods, potentially driving up prices and shifting demand towards imports. The report also points to practical constraints, including the need for major site modifications, potential limits in processing capacity and questions over the supply and logistics of gases such as argon. It further highlights uncertainty around animal welfare outcomes and meat quality under alternative systems, noting a lack of large-scale commercial evidence. AHDB pork sector director Mark Haighton said any transition must be carefully handled. Any transition away from CO2 would need to be carefully managed to avoid unintended consequences for both animal welfare and staff safety, he said. He added that the sector is not opposed to change, but stressed it must be evidence-led. Any future transition must be evidence-led, properly resourced and delivered over a realistic timeframe to ensure it results in genuine welfare gains rather than unintended setbacks. This would require fully-funded, UK-based trials at commercial scale, alongside sufficient time for evaluation and implementation. The National Pig Association's (NPA) chief policy adviser Katie Jarvis said the findings highlight the lack of viable alternatives at present. We absolutely understand and acknowledge the concerns and issues regarding CO2 however, this report highlights that, currently, there is no feasible alternative, she said. She warned against pushing ahead with changes that could undermine UK competitiveness. We must avoid forcing change domestically, whilst our global competitors continue to use existing stunning and slaughter methods. She added that raising costs without equivalent import standards could damage the sector without improving welfare. Industry leaders say any move away from CO2 must be backed by robust evidence and realistic timelines, warning that rushed changes could have serious consequences for costs, competitiveness and supply. Farmers are being urged to act now and vaccinate cattle against bluetongue before the full impact of the disease hits herds later this year. Industry leaders and government vets have issued a stark warning as cases continue to rise across England and Wales, with fertility problems expected to emerge months after infection. The call came during a briefing led by the National Beef Association (NBA) and Ruminant Health and Welfare, part of the AHDB-backed Battle Bluetongue campaign. Defra has confirmed 320 cases since 1 July last year, but industry figures believe the true scale could be far higher due to under-reporting. NBA chief executive Neil Shand said early signs from the spring calving season were already deeply concerning. From what we are seeing in England and a little bit in Wales there are higher levels of abortions and dummy calves, he said. Some calves are being born with severe deformities, including partial brains or, in some cases, no brain at all, highlighting the serious reproductive impact of the virus. Mr Shand said cases were widespread, but pointed to a clear difference in areas where vaccination had been taken up more widely. We are seeing very little in the eastern counties where there would have been a relatively high uptake of the vaccine last year because they were in the restriction zone, he said. With livestock values remaining high, he stressed the need for immediate preventative action. With the value of livestock currently, its a no brainer to protect cattle against bluetongue and the best way to do this is vaccination. UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said farmers must act before problems become visible, warning that the most damaging effects are delayed. The clinical sign you have not yet seen in your cattle is the reproductive one, she said. It is going to come some months down the line so you have got to be thinking ahead before bulling to give the right protection. She urged farmers to take advantage of current conditions while cattle are still housed. Think about vaccination now while you can still handle the cattle and they are inside, Dr Middlemiss said. Farmers are also being advised to plan carefully for breeding, with bulls and tups vaccinated in advance and semen tested six to eight weeks later to ensure fertility remains optimal. Mr Shand warned that many cases may be going unreported, masking the true extent of the outbreak. The official Defra statistics could just be a fraction of the true picture, he said. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, and any suspected case must be reported immediately. Failure to do so is a criminal offence. MPs have launched a major inquiry into how Englands land is used, as pressure intensifies to balance farming, housing, energy and nature with farmers likely to be among the hardest hit. The cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee confirmed it will carry out a long-term investigation following the governments publication of its Land Use Framework on 18 March. The framework aims to guide how land is divided between competing national priorities, and the inquiry will examine how it works in practice. At the heart of the issue is a growing policy tension. The government is seeking to deliver new energy infrastructure and 1.5 million homes, while also restoring habitats and supporting agriculture. Agriculture accounts for around 70% of Englands land, placing farmers at the centre of decisions over how land is prioritised. Against this backdrop, MPs will explore how land can be used more effectively, including habitat restoration, protected landscapes such as National Parks, and the role of urban green spaces. Land use within the agricultural sector is expected to be a central focus, alongside how public access and rights of way fit into wider land management decisions. The decisions taken could have long-term implications for how land is prioritised between food production, development and environmental targets. The committee may also examine how the government plans to meet its international commitment to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030. The inquiry was launched during a visit to Cannock Chase, where MPs saw first-hand the competing demands on land in a real-world setting, from development and infrastructure to conservation and public access. EFRA Committee chair Alistair Carmichael said the scale of the challenge is significant. The government has set ambitious targets to conserve ecosystems, build hundreds of thousands more homes and new renewable energy sources, and to expand the National Grid, he said. He warned that farmers are likely to feel the greatest impact from these competing priorities. Given that around 70% of Englands land is agricultural, it is farmers and growers already under pressure that are most likely to be impacted, Mr Carmichael said. He added that difficult trade-offs would be unavoidable. Squaring all of the above will be a tricky balancing act that requires detailed, thought-through policy. He said decisions on land use are likely to prove contentious. In many cases there could be winners and losers, and we know these subjects can be potent at stirring up emotions. Looking ahead, the committee will scrutinise how government policy is coordinated across departments. At its early stages and through its implementation, this Committee will scrutinise the governments strategic planning for land use and nature conservation, he said. With competing pressures intensifying, the inquiry is likely to play a key role in shaping how England balances food production, development and environmental priorities in the years ahead. Farmers and rural businesses in Wales are being warned they could lose access to key support services unless they re-register under a new government system. The Welsh Government has confirmed that all users must re-register with Farming Connect and move to GOV.UK One Login, replacing the existing Government Gateway system as part of a wider digital overhaul. The change affects access to vital services many farm businesses rely on day-to-day, including advisory support, business planning, training, e-learning and animal health and welfare programmes, as well as resources linked to the Sustainable Farming Scheme. Farming Connect itself provides training, advice and support to help businesses improve performance and prepare for future policy changes, making continued access critical for many producers. Farmers are being urged to complete the process as soon as possible to avoid disruption. As part of the transition, the first step is to create a GOV.UK One Login account via the government website. Once this is set up, users must re-register with Farming Connect through RPW Online. Crucially, businesses will need their existing CON number to complete the process, with letters already issued listing all relevant details. Officials stressed that re-registration is essential to maintain access to services and existing records. By completing the process, users will retain their training history and Personal Development Plan (PDP), with all data transferring automatically to the new system. Maintaining access to Storfa Sgiliau records will be particularly important for those planning to apply for the Sustainable Farming Scheme. The Welsh Government said the move is part of a broader shift towards a more streamlined and secure login system across public services. Support remains available for those needing help, with the Farming Connect Service Centre offering guidance and step-by-step assistance. With the transition already under way, farmers are being urged not to delay, as failure to re-register could leave businesses locked out of essential support services. Veteran actor Prem Chopra recently opened up about his special bond with Amitabh Bachchan, revealing how the Big B supported him during a recent health scare. Speaking about their long-standing relationship, Prem Chopra shared that Amitabh is one of his closest friends on WhatsApp. He revealed that ever since he faced health issues, Amitabh has made it a point to check in on him every single morning without fail. Ever since I fell ill, every morning there is a message from him: 'Get well soon, Prem'. 'Prayers for you,' Chopra shared during a conversation with Hollywood Reporter India. Interestingly, the messages haven't stopped even though he has returned to good health. Chopra jokingly added, Maine bola usko, yaar main theek ho gaya (I told him, buddy, I have recovered). But he persists sweetly. Prem Chopra, famous for his iconic roles as a villain, was hospitalized at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai in November last year. Doctors had diagnosed him with a viral infection alongside age-related complications, including severe aortic stenosis. Providing further details on the recovery, Chopras son-in-law, Sharman Joshi, had previously shared that the veteran underwent a successful TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) procedure. This advanced medical treatment allowed for a valve replacement without the need for traditional open-heart surgery. According to Sharman, the procedure was smooth and complication-free, leading to a steady recovery at home. The bond between these two icons is built on decades of shared history. Prem Chopra and Amitabh Bachchan were icons of Hindi cinema throughout the 1970s and 1980s. While Amitabh often played the hero, Chopra was the antagonist in several blockbuster hits. Their notable collaborations include legendary films such as Do Anjaane, The Great Gambler, Benaam, Mard, and Naseeb. With a career spanning over 60 years and more than 380 films, Prem Chopra remains one of the most respected figures in the industry, and this gesture from Amitabh Bachchan highlights the mutual respect that exists between them. Also Read: Big B, Akshay & Anil launch Prem Chopras autobiography Ethan Hawke has faced fierce competition from fellow nominees, as he was nominated for Training Day (2001), Boyhood (2014), and Blue Moon (2025). Timothee Chalamet The Academy Awards have long been considered the ultimate benchmark of excellence in cinema. But even the most prestigious stage has its blind spots. Over the years, several powerhouse performers have consistently delivered unforgettable roles, earned critical acclaim and racked up multiple nominations. Yet the coveted golden statuette has remained just out of reach. Amy Adams to Edward Norton to modern icons like Timothee Chalamet and Margot Robbie, these stars highlight the unpredictability, and occasional unfairness, of the prestigious Academy. Fierce competition, genre bias or sheer bad luck, their Oscar journeys remain some of Hollywoods most talked-about near-misses.Glenn Close holds the record of most acting nominations at the Oscars without a win. Arguably the most famous "never-won," Close has been nominated 8 times for films like Fatal Attraction and The Wife. Each time, she came heartbreakingly close.Amy Adams has received six nominations at the Oscars over the years, for movies like Junebug (2005), Doubt (2008), The Fighter (2010), The Master (2012), American Hustle (2013) and Vice (2018). Adams is known for being a versatile actor but the Academy hasnt crowned her yet.Despite powerful performances in Nightcrawler and Brokeback Mountain, he has just one nomination and no win. Many critics are of the opinion that he frequently takes on roles in psychological thrillers, dark dramas and independent films, which are genres that typically attract less attention from the Academy compared to conventional historical or mainstream dramatic performances.Willem Dafoe has had great competition from other actors during his nominated years. For those unaware, the actor has been nominated four times, including for The Florida Project and Platoon.Saoirse is expected to win eventually, but it hasn't happened yet. However, she has received multiple nominations before turning 30, in movies like Lady Bird and Little Women.Edward Norton has not won an Oscar despite four nominations, for movies like Primal Fear, American History X, Birdman and A Complete Unknown. He remains one of the most respected actors without a win.Michelle Williams faced intense competition during her nominated years. She has received five nominations till date, including for Manchester by the Sea, My Week with Marilyn and more. However, she is still waiting to receive her first Oscar.A four-time nominee for movies like American Beauty, The Kids Are All Right, Bening is long overdue for a win.Despite multiple nominations across acting and producing, Cooper hasnt secured a win yet.He is beloved for The Lord of the Rings and Gods and Monsters. He has received two nominations but no Oscar victory yet.Despite earning three Oscar nominations, for Aliens (1986), Gorillas in the Mist (1988) and Working Girl (1988), Sigourney Weaver has never won. This is largely due to strong competition and a long-standing bias against science fiction and action roles.He was nominated thrice - for Best Supporting Actor for Schindler's List (1993), Best Actor for The English Patient (1996) and Best Actor for Conclave (2024). However, he is yet to win his first Oscar.She has received an honorary Oscar in 2024 for her extraordinary lifetime achievement and exceptional contributions to the film industry. But still no competitive win.Despite three acting nominations (Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia), Cruise has never taken home the gold. His most egregious snub remains the Best Supporting Actor in 2000 for Magnolia, where he lost to Michael Caine.Johnny Depp has been nominated three times, but remains Oscar-less despite cultural impact. He also stated that he did not want to win and views acting as a non-competitive art.Harrison Ford is a cinematic legend with films like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. He has had received only one nomination and no win.If there is a single actor whose career can be used to point at the Academys deep-seated bias against comedy, it is Jim Carrey. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Carrey delivered a trio of dramatic performances that should have made him an Oscar darling: The Truman Show (1998), Man on the Moon (1999), and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).Michael Keaton missed out on the 2015 Best Actor Oscar for Birdman largely because the Academy leaned toward Eddie Redmaynes performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.Richard Gere has never won an Oscar, in part because he was informally sidelined by the Academy for nearly two decades after criticizing Chinas human rights record in Tibet during an unscripted moment at the 1993 ceremony. The controversy reportedly made him unwelcome in certain industry circles and affected his access to major film opportunities.The queen of romcoms has had no nominations and no wins. Many critics are of the opinion that the Academy often overlooks actors whose careers excel in comedies and light-hearted romantic fare.As per fans, the biggest Oscar snub in the recent history is Chalamet not winning the Best Actor Award for Marty Supreme. In 2026, Michael B. Jordan won in the category for his double role in Sinners.Margot Robbie is a critically acclaimed actress. She is hugely influential, but still without an Oscar. She known for her performances in The Wolf of Wall Street, Suicide Squad, I, Tonya, Barbie and more.An Emmy winner and cultural force. While Oscar glory feels inevitable, it hasnt happened yet. She is known for Challengers, Malcolm & Marie, Dune movies and Spider-Man movies. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 18, 2026) - Sixty Six Capital Inc. (CSE: SIX) ("Sixty Six" or the "Company") announces, further to its press release dated February 17, 2026, the closing of the transaction with K33 AB ("K33") pursuant to a share purchase agreement with significant shareholders of the Company (the "Sellers"), whereby K33 has acquired an aggregate of 107,447,331 common shares (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company, representing approximately 45.47% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted and partially diluted basis, from the Sellers for a purchase price of CAD$4,678,961 (the "Transaction"). In connection with the closing of the Transaction, Torbjrn Bull Jenssen has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company and Bendik Norheim Schei has been appointed a director of the Company. A brief biography of each of the members of the newly appointed board of directors and management team of the Company are as follows: Torbjrn Bull Jenssen - Mr. Bull Jenssen holds a MSc in Economics and Econometric Modeling from the University of Oslo and has studied Finance and Development Economics at SOAS, University of London. Before joining K33 (formerly Arcane Crypto), he worked for four years as Analyst and Senior Economist in Menon Economics. Mr. Jenssen wrote his master thesis on bitcoin in 2013/2014 and is a recognized bitcoin and blockchain expert. Mr. Bull Jenssen is the current CEO of K33. Bendik Norheim Schei - Mr. Norheim Schei holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Finance & Investments from Copenhagen Business School, where he built a strong analytical profile grounded in quantitative skills. Since joining K33 (formerly Arcane Crypto) in 2019, he has held key roles including Head of Research. Mr. Norheim Schei is the current CFO of K33. Following closing of the Transaction, David Rowe has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director of the Company, Richard Croft has resigned as a director of the Company and Alex Johnstone has resigned as a director of the Company. Mr. Johnstone will remain Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Company would like to thank Messrs. Rowe and Croft for their valuable contributions to the Company and wish them every success in their future endeavours. About Sixty Six Capital Sixty Six Capital is a BTC treasury and Crypto asset investment company. For more information, please visit: https://sixtysixcapital.com Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289153 Source: Sixty Six Capital Inc. Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 18, 2026) - Sankamap Metals Inc. (CSE: SCU) ("Sankamap" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its Offering previously announced on March 3, 2026, with the sale of an aggregate of 21,168,576 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.35 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $7,409,001 (the "Offering"). Each Unit consists of one (1) common share (a "Share") and one-half (1/2) of a common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) additional Share of Sankamap at an exercise price of $0.55 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance. John Florek, Chief Executive Officer of Sankamap, commented, "We are very pleased with the strong investor interest in this financing, which was significantly oversubscribed. This level of support reflects confidence in our strategy, the strength of our team, and the opportunities ahead. The proceeds will allow us to accelerate our exploration program and continue executing on our broader strategy." In connection with the sale of the Units, Sankamap paid a total of $300,465 in cash to arm's length finders (each, a "Finder"), and issued a total of 1,153,113 share purchase warrants (the "Finder's Warrant") to eligible Finders. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) common share of Sankamap at an exercise price of $0.35 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance. The gross proceeds from the sale of the Units will be used to advance exploration and development of Sankamap's projects, including the acquisition of a drilling rig to be installed at the Fauro property, which will enable the simultaneous drilling of both the Kuma and Fauro properties, as well as for general working capital purposes. The Offering is subject to no objection from the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") and any finder's fees payable will be issued in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws. All securities issued are subject to a four-month and one day hold period expiring on July 19, 2026. About Sankamap Metals Inc. Sankamap Metals Inc. (CSE: SCU) is a Canadian mineral exploration company dedicated to the discovery and development of high-grade copper and gold deposits through its flagship Oceania Project, located in the South Pacific. The Company's fully permitted assets are strategically positioned in the Solomon Islands, along a prolific geological trend that hosts major copper-gold deposits; including Newmont's Lihir Mine, with a resource of 71.9 million ounces of gold (310 Mt containing 23 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t P+P, 520 Mt containing 39 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t indicated, 81 Mt containing 5 Moz Au at 1.9 g/t measured, 61 Mt containing 4.9 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t Inferred). Exploration is actively advancing at both the Kuma and Fauro properties, part of Sankamap's Oceania Project in the Solomon Islands. Historical work has already highlighted the mineral potential of both sites, which lie along a highly prospective copper and gold-bearing trend, suggesting the possibility of further, yet-to-be-discovered deposits. At Kuma, the property is believed to host an underexplored and largely untested porphyry copper-gold (Cu-Au) system. Historical rock chip sampling has returned consistently elevated gold values above 0.5 g/t Au, including a standout sample assaying 11.7% Cu and 13.5 g/t Au3, underscoring the area's significant potential. At Fauro, particularly at the Meriguna Target, historical trenching has returned highly encouraging results, including 8.0 meters at 27.95 g/t Au and 14.0 meters at 8.94 g/t Au4. Complementing these results are exceptional grab sample assays, including historical values of up to 173 g/t Au4, along with recent sampling by Sankamap at the Kiovakase Target, which returned numerous high-grade copper values, reaching up to 4.09% Cu. In addition, limited historical shallow drilling intersected 35.0 meters at 2.08 g/t Au4, further underscoring the property's strong mineral potential and the merit for continued exploration. With a commitment to systematic exploration and a team of experienced professionals, Sankamap aims to unlock the untapped potential of underexplored regions and create substantial value for its shareholders. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under Sankamap's profile. Newcrest Technical Report, 2020 (Lihir: 310 Mt containing 23 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t P+P, 520 Mt containing 39 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t indicated, 81 Mt containing 5 Moz Au at 1.9 g/t measured, 61 Mt containing 4.9 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t Inferred) Bougainville Copper Ltd. Annual Report, 2016 (1.5 Mt containing 16.1 Moz Au at 0.33 g/t and 4.6 Mt Cu at 0.3 % Indicated, 300 Mt containing 3.2 Moz Au 0.4 g/t and 0.7 Mt Cu Inferred) Historical grab, soil and BLEG samples from SolGold Kuma Review June 2015, and SolGold plc Annual Report 2013/2012 September 2010-June 2012 press releases from Solomon Gold Ltd. and SolGold Fauro Island Summary Technical Info 2012 QP Disclosure The technical content for the Oceania Project in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person in accordance with CIM guidelines. Mr. John Florek is in good standing with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (Member ID:1228) and a director and officer of the Company. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS s/ "John Florek" John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol Chief Executive Officer Sankamap Metals Inc. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved this press release. Forward-Looking Statements Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation, the timing, nature, scope and details regarding the Company's exploration plans and results at its projects. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements in this press release but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations of management regarding the Offering, the expectations of management regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, closing conditions for the Offering, and no objection from the CSE in respect of the Offering. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include the CSE objecting to the Offering; the proceeds of the Offering may not be used as stated in this news release; Sankamap may be unable to satisfy all of the conditions to the closing required by the CSE. Sankamap does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289157 Source: Sankamap Metals Inc. EQS-News: Martial Arts History Museum / Key word(s): Ent/Sports Martial Arts History Museum to Induct Taebo King Billy Blanks Into Hall of Fame 19.03.2026 / 02:01 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. GLENDALE, CA - March 18, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - The Martial Arts History Museum proudly announces the induction of martial arts pioneer and global fitness innovator Billy Blanks into its prestigious Museum Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 4 pm. This distinguished honor is reserved for individuals who have gone beyond the expected to reshape and elevate the course of martial arts history, recognizing Blanks' extraordinary and lasting contributions through his creation of Tae Bo. Blanks' development of Tae Bo marked a turning point not only within martial arts, but across the entire global fitness landscape. By blending traditional martial arts techniques with high-energy aerobic exercise, he created a program that was accessible, empowering, and transformative for people of all backgrounds. His work introduced millions to the discipline, philosophy, and physical benefits of martial arts in a way that transcended cultural and geographic boundaries, inspiring a worldwide movement centered on health, confidence, and personal growth. The Hall of Fame at the Martial Arts History Museum represents the pinnacle of achievement within the institution and stands as its highest and most selective honor. Inductees are chosen for their profound influence, innovation, and ability to change the direction of martial arts for the better. Entry into this Hall signifies not only excellence, but a legacy that will endure for generations. As part of this historic occasion, the Museum will also unveil Billy Blanks' original Tae Bo shorts, which will be placed on permanent display. This artifact symbolizes the cultural impact of Tae Bo and serves as a tangible reminder of a movement that brought martial arts into homes, gyms, and communities around the world. Blank's name will also appear on the museum's Hall of Fame wall. "Billy Blanks didn't just create a workout - he created a global phenomenon that redefined how people experience martial arts," said Museum president Michael Matsuda. "His vision bridged the gap between tradition and modern fitness, opening doors for millions to engage with the arts in a meaningful and life-changing way." The induction ceremony will bring together supporters, practitioners, and members of the community to celebrate a legacy rooted in innovation, dedication, and inspiration. The public is invited to be part of this special moment as the Museum honors one of the most influential figures in modern martial arts history. The event cost is $20 for adults, $5 for kids and begins at 4 pm. A table for the purchase of Billy Blanks' items will also be available. For more information, please visit the Martial Arts History Museum or contact Info@MAmuseum.com . ANYANG, South Korea, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vieworks, a prominent South Korean provider of industrial imaging solutions, is scheduled to participate in Vision China Shanghai 2026 from March 25th to 27th at Booth 5309 in Hall W5. The company's exhibit will feature a comprehensive range of industrial cameras, lenses, accessories, and industrial X-ray detectors designed for the most demanding vision applications. Building on its reputation for industry-leading high resolution cameras, Vieworks will debut the VPS-245MX2. This area scan camera utilizes thermoelectric Peltier cooling to feature an impressive 245 megapixel resolution, making it an ideal choice for high-precision tasks such as inspecting flat panel displays, printed circuit boards, and semiconductor components. The primary focus of the exhibit is the next-generation CoaXPress-over-Fiber (CoF) interface technology. Vieworks' CoF solution utilizes fiber optics to reach transmission speeds of up to 100 Gbps, effectively eliminating data bottlenecks over long distances and providing the stability required for complex applications. Vieworks will also showcase the VTS Series, the latest addition to its TDI (time delayed integration) line scan camera portfolio. By integrating back-side illuminated (BSI) sensors, these cameras achieve significantly higher quantum efficiency (QE) and a superior signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This enhanced sensitivity ensures elite image quality across the visible, UV, and NIR spectrums, particularly in light-starved environments. In addition to its cameras, the booth will feature the VEO Series of industrial lenses. This family of high-performance optics was co-developed with Schneider Kreuznach and specifically engineered to complement the technical specifications of Vieworks' cameras. A live demonstration will highlight the VEO 10.0x lens working in tandem with a Vieworks camera and an autofocus module. The display will further include the company's latest breakthroughs in the industrial X-ray sector, specifically its flexible bendable detectors. While traditional flat panel detectors are limited by their rigid form, these bendable units enable the non-destructive testing of curved objects like industrial piping, offering the flexibility required for specialized inspection environments. To maximize image processing performance, it is essential to have technology that can acquire and transmit vast amounts of data quickly and reliably, noted a representative from Vieworks. By presenting these CoF and BSI solutions in Shanghai, the company aims to provide the critical infrastructure needed for increasingly demanding inspection markets. Industry professionals are invited to visit Booth 5309 in Hall W5 during Vision China Shanghai 2026 to see how these latest advancements are shaping the future of the global machine vision industry. About Vieworks Co., Ltd. With industry-leading technology, Vieworks provides machine vision solutions encompassing industrial cameras, industrial lenses, and accessories. As your vision partner, Vieworks offers innovative vision and insight for your vision system. For more information, please visit vision.vieworks.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2935668/VEO_Focus_PR_Image_240701.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vieworks-brings-next-generation-machine-vision-solutions-to-vision-china-shanghai-2026-302716833.html LONDON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Deaths from terrorism in the West surged by 280 per cent in 2025, contrasting starkly against a global decline of 28 per cent, reveals the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). In the wake of the widening Iran conflict, the report warns that future trends in terrorism will be shaped by emerging conflicts, breakdown of international norms and declining economic conditions. Key Findings: Deaths from terrorism fell by 28 per cent to 5,582, and incidents decreased by 22 per cent to 2,944, marking the lowest figures since 2007 In contrast, Western terrorism fatalities rose sharply by 280 per cent to 57 in 2025, largely driven by antisemitism, Islamophobia and political terrorism Iran risks becoming another breeding ground for terrorist militias if it becomes a failed state Six of the ten countries most impacted by terrorism are in sub-Saharan Africa, maintaining its position as the epicentre For the first time, Pakistan leads the Index as the country most impacted by terrorism, experiencing a sharp resurgence with 1,139 deaths and 1,045 incidents in 2025, its highest level since 2013 Youth radicalisation fuelled lone-wolf attacks, with youth terrorism investigations rising threefold since 2021. 93 per cent of all fatal attacks in the West were lone-wolf attacks Islamic State (IS) and affiliates remained the deadliest terrorist organisation, responsible for 17 per cent of attacks worldwide Globally, deaths from terrorism reached their lowest level in a decade; however, this improvement may be short-lived. Many negative factors are converging in 2026, including the escalation of conflicts in Iran and South Asia, deteriorating economic prospects in the West, and the rising use of drone technology by terrorist organisations. Seven of the 19 countries that deteriorated on the Index were Western nations, and the conditions driving that trend, such as the rapid radicalisation of youth, political polarisation, rising antisemitic violence, and the compression of online radicalisation timelines, show no signs of abating. Recent polling indicates public support for Israel is declining in several countries, while the Gaza war has coincided with increased concern about antisemitism and heightened political polarisation. The GTI is produced by international think tank the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). It is the most comprehensive resource on global terrorism trends and uses multiple factors to calculate its score, including the number of incidences, fatalities, injuries and hostages, before combining these with conflict and socioeconomic data to provide a holistic picture of terrorism. Steve Killelea, Founder & Executive Chairman, IEP: "The underlying conditions that drive terrorism are worsening despite improvements seen in 2025. Unless Iran can be stabilised quickly, it risks becoming a failed state and another breeding ground for terrorist militias. The lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan are clear: when states fragment and security vacuums emerge, terrorist groups quickly exploit the instability. Terrorist activity along ungoverned international borders has also increased substantially over the past five years, with the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict the most recent example. Viewed in totality, these trends point to one sobering conclusion: a fracturing world order risks erasing the hard-fought gains made against terrorism over the past decade." The Iran Conflict & Escalating Risk Iran has deteriorated nearly 30 places on the GTI over the past decade, reflecting a steady increase in the impact of terrorism driven by separatist groups on the Pakistan border area. The GTI data shows that while terrorism deaths in the Middle East and North Africa fell by 95 per cent over the last ten years, this progress remains fragile and contingent on regional stability. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been linked to 157 terrorist plots across 15 countries in the past five years. Although Iran's long-range capabilities have been substantially degraded, if not destroyed, groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis have decentralised networks with significant capabilities for launching terrorist attacks. The breakdown in communication with Iran means these groups are acting autonomously and unpredictably. The IRGC has provided funding, training and strategic direction to over 70 militia groups in Iraq, with an estimated combined strength of at least 160,000 fighters. Escalation of the conflict in Iran could further destabilise the region and increase the risk of groups sympathetic to Iran carrying out terrorist attacks overseas. The Iraqi government faces the prospect of being drawn into the conflict. Balancing its reliance on Iran, keeping the militias onside while responding to US pressure and avoiding US military strikes will be difficult. A sustained exchange between militias and US forces would divert Iraqi security resources, complicate international support, fragment territorial control and create local vacuums that could be exploited by Islamic State or other militias loyal to Iran. Youth and Online Radicalisation Terrorism in Western nations is increasingly driven by youth radicalisation and lone-wolf actors. Children and adolescents accounted for 42 per cent of all terror-related investigations in Europe and North America in 2025. The average radicalisation timeline has compressed from 16 months in 2002 to a few months today, driven by algorithmic amplification and the exploitation of developmental vulnerabilities. An estimated 87 per cent of radicalised minors had a history of neglect or psychological abuse, while 77 per cent suffered from abandonment. Further challenging, lone wolf actors carried out 93 per cent of fatal terrorist attacks in the West since 2015 and remain three times more likely to successfully execute an attack than groups. Recruiters are leveraging platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Discord to establish social bonds while extremist networks employ a funnel strategy via social media platforms to channel users towards increasingly extreme content before migrating to encrypted messaging apps. Geography of Terrorism Pakistan has, for the first time, emerged as the country most impacted by terrorism, recording 1,139 deaths and 1,045 incidents in 2025. This resurgence is driven partly by the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan and the resulting increase in cross-border militant activity by the TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army. Without reconciliation, the current Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict is likely to result in high levels of terrorism. Border proximity is a defining feature of modern terrorism, with the GTI finding that terrorism in these areas has more than doubled over the past 15 years. Over 76 per cent of attacks occurred within 100 km of an international border in 2025, up from just under 60 per cent in 2007, with hotspots including the Ecuador-Colombia-Venezuela frontier and Central Sahel tri-border area. Regions such as the Central Sahel and Lake Chad Basin suffer from weak state control, which enables groups to recruit and operate with relative freedom. Drivers of Terrorism in sub-Saharan Africa The Sahel region in sub-Saharan Africa continues to be strongly impacted by terrorism. Although deaths fell in 2025, the region still accounts for over half of all terrorism-related deaths globally. Violence has also spread beyond the Central Sahel's traditional hotspots, with JNIM launching coordinated strikes in western Mali and IS claiming its first attack in Niger's southern Dosso region. Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded the largest increases in deaths from terrorism, rising by 46 per cent and 28 per cent respectively. In Nigeria, deaths surged in the north-west amidst growing political instability related to Boko Haram, whilst in the DRC, IS-linked forces carried out several large-scale attacks along the country's eastern border. IS' largest increases in impact occurred in Niger, with deaths caused by the group nearly quadrupling. Motivations for joining terrorist groups in sub-Saharan Africa contrast sharply with the West. For 71 per cent of recruits, the final catalyst for joining was human rights abuses by state security forces. Economic factors are also critical, with a quarter of voluntary recruits citing a lack of job opportunities as their primary motivation. In regions with weak governance, armed groups exploit this vacuum by offering tangible benefits such as salaries to young people without legitimate employment. Notes to Editors The full GTI 2026 report and interactive map are available at: economicsandpeace.org & visionofhumanity.org X: @GlobPeaceIndex Facebook: facebook.com/globalpeaceindex Global Terrorism Index (GTI) The GTI by the Institute for Economics & Peace provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last 17 years. The report ranks 163 countries (99.7 per cent of the world's population) according to the impact of terrorism. The indicators include the number of terrorist incidents, fatalities, injuries and hostages. The GTI report is produced using data from TerrorismTracker and other sources. TerrorismTracker provides event records on terrorist attacks since 1 January 2007. The dataset contains over 76,000 terrorist incidents for the period 2007 to 2025. Institute for Economics & Peace The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) is the world's leading think tank dedicated to developing metrics to analyse peace and to quantify its economic value. It does this by developing global and national indices, including the annual Global Peace Index, calculating the economic cost of violence and understanding Positive Peace which is the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2538078/IEP_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-terrorism-falls-to-a-decade-low-but-western-fatalities-surge-302716190.html NEW DELHI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the market research report published by Vyansa Intelligence, the Bottled Water Market in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 10.78% during 2026-2032. The market growth is primarily driven by increasing demand for safe and convenient drinking water, extreme climatic conditions necessitating higher hydration consumption, and expanding retail and distribution networks across the country. Saudi Arabia Bottled Water Market Key Takeaways The Saudi Arabia Bottled Water Market was valued at approximately USD 1.89 billion in 2025 and is estimated at USD 1.9 billion in 2026, and is projected to reach around USD 3.87 billion by 2032, reflecting strong growth supported by rising consumption and expanding supply capabilities. By type of water, still bottled water dominates the market with nearly 90% share, driven by its affordability, widespread availability, and strong consumer preference for everyday hydration needs. By packaging material, rigid plastic accounts for approximately 70% of the market share, supported by its cost-effectiveness, durability, and convenience for mass distribution. More than 10 companies are actively operating in the Saudi Arabia bottled water market, indicating a competitive and expanding industry landscape. The top five companies collectively hold around 55% of the market share, including Tania Bottled Water Co Ltd., Coca-Cola Bottling Co., The Naqi Water Co., Health Water Bottling Co., and Pure Beverages Industry Co., among others. Driving Forces Behind the Rapid Expansion of Saudi Arabia Bottled Water Market Increasing Dependence on Safe and Hygienic Drinking Water The rising demand for safe, hygienic, and readily available drinking water remains a primary driver of the bottled water market in Saudi Arabia. Due to limited natural freshwater resources and heavy reliance on desalination, consumers increasingly depend on packaged water for daily consumption. Moreover, growing awareness regarding water quality, health, and safety standards continues to reinforce demand across both residential and commercial sectors. Climatic Extremes Accelerating Daily Consumption Levels Saudi Arabia's hot and arid climate plays a crucial role in driving bottled water consumption. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures throughout the year significantly increases the need for continuous hydration. As a result, bottled water has become an essential daily necessity across households, workplaces, and public spaces, making climate conditions a consistent and long-term contributor to market growth. Strengthening Retail Infrastructure and Distribution Reach The expansion of organized retail and distribution networks has further accelerated market growth. The increasing presence of supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and e-commerce platforms has improved product accessibility across both urban and rural areas. While off-trade channels continue to dominate volume sales, on-trade establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and cafes also contribute significantly by supporting institutional demand. View Full Report and request to get the sample pages at: https://www.vyansaintelligence.com/industry-report/saudi-arabia-bottled-water-market-trend Key Challenge Restraining Market Expansion Rising Sustainability Concerns Around Plastic Packaging Usage Despite strong growth momentum, environmental concerns related to plastic packaging present a notable challenge for the Saudi Arabia bottled water market. With rigid plastic accounting for a significant share of packaging usage, issues surrounding plastic waste management and environmental impact are becoming increasingly prominent. Consequently, regulatory pressures and consumer awareness are expected to push manufacturers toward adopting more sustainable and eco-friendly packaging alternatives in the coming years. Strategic Capacity Expansion Reinforcing Supply and Market Competitiveness in Saudi Arabia In 2025, The Naqi Water Co. announced a notable investment of 8.537 million to establish a new bottled drinking water production line at its upcoming facility in Riyadh. This strategic move reflects the company's commitment to strengthening its operational capabilities in response to the rapidly growing demand for bottled water across Saudi Arabia. The newly installed production line is expected to deliver a capacity approximately 50% higher than that of its existing Qassim plant, marking a significant scale-up in manufacturing efficiency and output potential. This expansion is particularly aligned with the strong market dominance of still bottled water, enabling the company to increase production volumes and ensure consistent supply across key consumption segments. In addition, the enhanced production capacity will support a broader range of packaging formats, thereby improving product availability and catering to diverse consumer preferences. Furthermore, the Riyadh facility is strategically positioned to optimize distribution efficiency, allowing The Naqi Water Co. to strengthen its presence across retail, home-delivery, and institutional channels. This development not only enhances the company's competitive positioning but also contributes to overall market growth by improving supply chain resilience, reducing delivery lead times, and supporting the expanding consumption of bottled water across the country. Market Analysis by Type and Packaging Material By type of water, still bottled water continues to dominate the Saudi Arabia market, accounting for approximately 90% of the total share. This strong preference is primarily driven by its affordability, widespread availability, and suitability for everyday consumption across households, workplaces, and public settings. Unlike flavored or functional variants, still water is widely preferred for routine and bulk usage, particularly in a climate that demands consistent hydration. Moreover, its standardized taste and accessibility across various price points further reinforce its leadership. Consequently, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on expanding production capacity and strengthening distribution networks to effectively meet sustained and large-scale consumer demand. By packaging material, rigid plastic leads the Saudi Arabia bottled water market, capturing around 70% of the total share. This dominance is largely attributed to its lightweight structure, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making it highly suitable for mass production and efficient distribution. Materials such as PET bottles and thin-wall plastic containers are extensively used due to their practicality and scalability. Furthermore, rigid plastic packaging supports a diverse range of pack sizes, from small single-use bottles to large bulk containers, catering to varying consumer needs. As a result, manufacturers continue to rely heavily on this format to optimize logistics, maintain affordability, and ensure widespread product availability. View Full Report (All Data, In One Place): https://www.vyansaintelligence.com/industry-report/saudi-arabia-bottled-water-market-trend(Explore in-depth analyses, market trends, and competitive insights.) Significant Bottled Water Companies in Saudi Arabia Key companies contributing to competition and market expansion include: Tania Bottled Water Co Ltd. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. The Naqi Water Co. Health Water Bottling Co. Pure Beverages Industry Co. Berain Water Al Manhal Water Factory Aloyoun Water Factory Inc. Al Ain Mineral Water Co. AlJanoub Water Co. Saudi Arabia Bottled Water Market Scope By Type of Water: Carbonated Bottled Water, Flavoured Bottled Water, Functional Bottled Water, Still Bottled Water By Sub Types: Purified (Desalinated, Atmospheric Generated), Mineral, Others (Spring, Alkaline, etc.) By Packaging Material: Flexible Packaging ( Aluminium, Pouches), Glass, Rigid Plastic (PET Bottles, Thin Wall Containers, Others) By Price Category: Budget, Economy, Premium By Pack Size: 100 ml, 125 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 330 ml, 370 ml, 450 ml, 500 ml, 591 ml, 750 ml, 1,000 ml, 1,500 ml, 4,000 ml, 5,000 ml, Others By Sales Channel: On Trade (Restaurants, Hotels, Cafes, Others), Off Trade (Grocery Retailers (Convenience Retail, Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, Small Local Grocer), Non-Grocery Retailers (General Merchandise Stores, Health and Beauty Specialists), Vending, E-commerce) By Region: East, West, South, Central Browse More Reports on Bottled Water UAE Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in UAE was valued at USD 3.57 billion in 2025 and is estimated at USD 3.6 Billion in 2026. The market size is expected to grow to USD 6.12 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 8% during 2026-32. GCC Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in GCC was valued at USD 6.11 billion in 2025 and is estimated at USD 6.83 Billion in 2026. The market size is expected to grow to USD 12.23 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 10.42% during 2026-32. Vietnam Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in Vietnam was estimated at USD 325 million in 2025. The market size is expected to grow to USD 440 million by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 4.42% during 2026-32. US Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in US was estimated at USD 36.55 billion in 2025. The market size is expected to grow to USD 41.2 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 1.73% during 2026-32. UK Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in UK was estimated at USD 4.39 billion in 2025. The market size is expected to grow to USD 4.88 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 1.52% during 2026-32. Turkey Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in Turkey was estimated at USD 2.57 billion in 2025. The market size is expected to grow to USD 3.98 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projeced to register a CAGR of around 6.45% during 2026-32. Thailand Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in Thailand was estimated at USD 2.21 billion in 2025. The market size is expected to grow to USD 2.63 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 2.52% during 2026-32. Netherlands Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in Netherlands was estimated at USD 695 million in 2025. The market size is expected to grow to USD 745 million by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 1% during 2026-32. Philippines Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in Philippines was estimated at USD 1.46 billion in 2025. The market size is expected to grow to USD 2.21 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 6.1% during 2026-32. Spain Bottled Water Market: The Bottled water market size in Spain was estimated at USD 4.12 billion in 2025. The market size is expected to grow to USD 5.12 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 3.15% during 2026-32. About Vyansa Intelligence Vyansa Intelligence is a global market research and consulting firm dedicated to delivering strategic insights across high-growth and emerging industries worldwide. Our comprehensive research reports provide data-driven analysis of market trends, competitive landscapes, technological innovations, and regulatory developments shaping the global business environment. Supported by robust research methodologies, advanced forecasting models, and carefully validated primary and secondary data sources, Vyansa Intelligence empowers corporations, investors, and decision-makers to identify emerging opportunities, manage potential risks, and develop well-informed long-term strategies. Contact Us: Vyansa Intelligence Office: Office No.110, H-159, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201301, India Contact No: +91 7065555003 Email:sales@vyansaintelligence.com Website: vyansaintelligence.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2929228/Vyansa_Intelligence_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/saudi-arabia-bottled-water-market-is-projected-to-reach-usd-3-87-billion-by-2032-amid-rising-demand-for-safe-drinking-water-says-vyansa-intelligence-302717305.html Die Markte feiern neue Rekorde doch im Hintergrund braut sich eine Entwicklung zusammen, die alles verandern konnte. Die anhaltende Sperrung der Strae von Hormus sorgt laut IEA fur eine der groten Energiekrisen aller Zeiten. Gleichzeitig schieen die Preise fur Dungemittel und Agrarrohstoffe bereits nach oben. 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. Fur Anleger bedeutet das nicht nur Risiken, sondern enorme Chancen. Denn wahrend klassische Markte unter Druck geraten konnten, entsteht auf den Feldern und Plantagen der nachste groe Rohstoffzyklus. Wer sich jetzt richtig positioniert, kann von einer Entwicklung profitieren, die weit uber Ol und Metalle hinausgeht. 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. Jetzt den kostenlosen Report sichern bevor der Agrar-Boom voll durchschlagt! PolyPeptide Group / Key word(s): Financing PolyPeptide strengthens financing structure through expansion of existing credit facility 19.03.2026 / 07:00 CET/CEST Media release PolyPeptide strengthens financing structure through expansion of existing credit facility Baar, 19 March 2026 - PolyPeptide Group AG (SIX: PPGN), a specialized global CDMO for peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients, today announced the strengthening of its financing structure through the expansion of its existing credit facility. PolyPeptide has expanded its existing credit facility to EUR 200 million, reinforcing its financing position. UBS continues to act as coordinator and agent of the lending syndicate, which now includes ING Bank in addition to Danske Bank and Zurcher Kantonalbank. The expanded facility further enhances PolyPeptide's financial flexibility as the Group advances toward its strategic objective of doubling 2023 revenue by 2028, supported by expected improvements in profitability and cash flow as well as continued customer funding for major capacity-expansion projects. Juan Jose Gonzalez, CEO of PolyPeptide: "The expansion of our credit facility and the addition of ING Bank to our lending syndicate reinforce the confidence our banking partners have in PolyPeptide's strategy and long-term growth potential. With this increased financing capacity, we are well positioned to advance toward our ambition of doubling 2023 revenue by 2028 and to continue our growth journey from a position of solid financial strength." Contact PolyPeptide Group AG Corporate Communications Lauren Starr mediateam@polypeptide.com T: +41 43 502 0580 PolyPeptide Group AG Investor Relations Tim Brandl investorrelations@polypeptide.com T: +41 43 502 0580 About PolyPeptide PolyPeptide Group AG and its consolidated subsidiaries ("PolyPeptide") is a specialized Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients. By supporting its customers mainly in pharma and biotech, it contributes to the health of millions of patients across the world. PolyPeptide serves a fast-growing market, offering products and services from pre-clinical to commercial stages. Its broad portfolio reflects the opportunities in drug therapies across areas and with significant exposure to metabolic diseases, including GLP-1. Dating back to 1952, PolyPeptide today runs a global network of six GMP-certified facilities in Europe, the U.S. and India. PolyPeptide's shares (SIX: PPGN) are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information, please visit polypeptide.com . @PolyPeptide -- follow us on LinkedIn . Disclaimer This media release has been prepared by PolyPeptide Group AG and contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of management. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this release. PolyPeptide Group AG is providing the information in this release as of this date and, except as required by applicable laws or regulations, does not undertake any obligation to update any statements contained in it as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. PolyPeptide Media release_Expansion RCF NEW DELHI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the in-depth market study by MarkNtel Advisors, the Global Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 14.01% during 2026-2032. The market expansion is primarily driven by the rapid surge in global data generation, increasing cloud adoption, and the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies into data center operations to enhance infrastructure efficiency, automation, and predictive maintenance. Regionally, North America leads the Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market, accounting for approximately 43% of the total market share. The region's dominance is supported by the presence of large-scale hyperscale data centers, advanced cloud computing ecosystems, and high internet penetration levels across major economies such as the United States and Canada. Strong enterprise IT modernization and rising data consumption across industries continue to drive demand for advanced DCIM solutions across the region. Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market Key Takeaways The Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market was valued at approximately USD 4.73 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 5.01 billion in 2026 to nearly USD 11 billion by 2032, reflecting strong expansion supported by increasing data center deployments, rising AI workloads, and growing demand for intelligent infrastructure monitoring and management solutions. By data center type, the enterprise data centers segment represented approximately 45% of the Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market share in 2026. This dominance is attributed to the continued expansion of enterprise IT infrastructure, increased reliance on private data centers for mission-critical workloads, and growing adoption of DCIM platforms to optimize asset utilization, energy consumption, and facility operations. By application, asset management accounted for around 47% of the market share in 2026, reflecting the increasing need for real-time monitoring and lifecycle management of data center equipment and infrastructure. Meanwhile, BI and analytics emerged as the fastest-growing segment, expanding at a CAGR of around 20.55% during 2026-2032, as organizations increasingly rely on advanced analytics to improve capacity planning, operational efficiency, and infrastructure performance. The IT & telecom sector held the largest share among end users, representing approximately 34% of the Global DCIM Market in 2026. This leadership is driven by the rapid expansion of cloud computing services, hyperscale data center deployments, and the growing demand for high-performance network infrastructure supporting digital services worldwide. Download a FREE PDF Sample of the Report https://www.marknteladvisors.com/query/request-sample/data-center-infrastructure-management-market.html(Discover key market trends, growth opportunities, and industry insights.) Core Market Forces Powering the Expansion of Data Center Infrastructure Management Worldwide Rising Global Data Generation and Accelerating Cloud Adoption One of the primary factors fueling the growth of the global Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) market is the rapid expansion of digital services and the continuous surge in global data generation. Across industries, organizations are increasingly relying on cloud computing platforms, edge infrastructure, and high-performance data processing systems to support advanced applications such as artificial intelligence, digital commerce, financial services, and real-time analytics. As digital transformation accelerates worldwide, enterprises are deploying larger and more complex data center environments to manage growing data workloads. This expansion significantly increases the need for sophisticated infrastructure management systems capable of monitoring power usage, cooling performance, asset deployment, and overall facility operations in real time. DCIM platforms address these challenges by providing a centralized framework that enables operators to optimize energy efficiency, enhance capacity planning, and maintain continuous availability of mission-critical IT infrastructure. In addition, the rapid growth of hyperscale data centers operated by major cloud providers is further strengthening the demand for intelligent infrastructure monitoring solutions. As facilities become denser and more energy-intensive, DCIM technologies play a critical role in maintaining operational stability, improving resource utilization, and controlling infrastructure costs across large-scale computing environments. Increasing Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Data Center Operations Another important factor supporting the expansion of the DCIM market is the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies within modern data center operations. AI-enabled DCIM platforms are capable of analyzing large volumes of operational data to identify performance anomalies, predict equipment failures, and optimize power distribution and cooling systems. At the same time, governments and enterprises worldwide are significantly increasing investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, which further strengthens the demand for advanced data center management solutions. For example, India's AI Mission, approved in 2025 with an investment of approximately USD 1.24 billion, aims to expand national AI computing capabilities and accelerate the development of advanced digital infrastructure. Such initiatives are driving the deployment of high-density computing environments that require intelligent monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated operational management. Industry collaborations are also contributing to technological advancements within the DCIM ecosystem. Strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration between Schneider Electric and NVIDIA, demonstrate the growing focus on AI-enabled energy modeling, thermal optimization, and predictive infrastructure management. These innovations allow data center operators to enhance operational efficiency while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and improving overall infrastructure performance. Major Challenges Restricting the Market Expansion High Implementation Costs and System Integration Challenges Despite strong growth potential, several factors continue to influence the pace of DCIM adoption. One of the most significant challenges is the high initial investment required to deploy comprehensive infrastructure management systems, particularly for organizations with limited IT budgets or smaller data center facilities. The implementation of DCIM solutions often involves substantial investments in software integration, sensor deployment, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce training. Additionally, integrating modern DCIM platforms with legacy infrastructure and existing monitoring systems can be technically complex, frequently requiring specialized expertise and extended implementation timelines. Furthermore, the rapid evolution of data center technologies, including the expansion of edge computing architectures and hybrid cloud environments, adds another layer of complexity to infrastructure management. To address these challenges, DCIM vendors must continuously enhance their solutions to ensure compatibility across diverse infrastructure environments while maintaining scalability, operational reliability, and long-term performance efficiency. Market Analysis by Application, End User & Region By application, asset management emerged as the largest segment in the Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market in 2026, accounting for approximately 47% of the total market share. The strong adoption of asset management solutions is largely driven by the increasing need for real-time visibility into data center infrastructure. These solutions enable operators to effectively track equipment performance, manage hardware lifecycles, and optimize resource allocation across facilities. As modern data centers continue to grow in scale and complexity, asset management tools play a crucial role in improving operational efficiency, ensuring infrastructure reliability, and minimizing unexpected downtime. In contrast, the BI and analytics segment is anticipated to experience the fastest growth, expanding at a CAGR of 20.55% during 2026-32. The rising deployment of advanced analytics platforms allows data center operators to extract actionable insights from operational data, enabling more informed decision-making related to capacity planning, energy optimization, and overall infrastructure performance. By end user, the IT & telecom sector accounted for the largest share of the global market in 2026, representing approximately 34% of the total industry share. Telecommunications providers and cloud service companies operate large-scale, high-density data centers to support digital communication networks, streaming services, and enterprise cloud platforms. As demand for digital connectivity and cloud-based services continues to grow, these organizations are increasingly adopting DCIM solutions to efficiently manage complex infrastructure environments and maintain uninterrupted service delivery. Regionally, North America maintained its leading position, capturing around 43% of the global market share. The region hosts a significant portion of the world's hyperscale data centers and benefits from highly developed digital infrastructure, widespread internet penetration, and substantial investments in cloud and enterprise IT modernization. The strong presence of major technology companies and data center operators further reinforces demand for advanced infrastructure monitoring and management solutions. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is projected to emerge as the fastest-growing region, expanding at a CAGR of approximately 30.56% during 2026-2032. The region currently hosts more than 1,800 data center facilities with a total capacity exceeding 12.2 GW, and this capacity is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. Rapid digital transformation, expanding cloud adoption, and rising investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure across countries such as India, China, and Southeast Asian economies are accelerating the demand for advanced DCIM solutions across the region. View Full Report (All Data, In One Place) https://www.marknteladvisors.com/research-library/data-center-infrastructure-management-market.html(Explore in-depth analyses, technology trends, and investment opportunities.) Strategic Industry Initiatives Advancing the Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Landscape The global Data Center Infrastructure Management market continues to witness strategic developments as technology providers, consulting firms, and infrastructure operators invest in advanced solutions to support the rapid expansion of AI-driven computing environments. These developments highlight the increasing importance of intelligent infrastructure management, energy efficiency, and scalable data center operations in response to rising global data workloads. In September 2025, Deloitte launched its Global AI Infrastructure Center of Excellence (CoE) to support the design, deployment, and operation of scalable and secure AI-ready data centers worldwide. The initiative aims to provide end-to-end capabilities, including strategic planning, implementation, risk management, and digital twin technologies that enable organizations to optimize infrastructure performance and operational efficiency. By integrating advanced analytics and simulation capabilities, the CoE is designed to help enterprises develop resilient, high-performance data center environments capable of supporting rapidly growing AI workloads. Further reinforcing the industry's expansion, in November 2025, Schneider Electric secured new data center contracts in the United States worth nearly USD 2.3 billion to support the rising demand for AI infrastructure. The agreements include a USD 1.9 billion contract with Switch for power modules and cooling systems, alongside a USD 373 million supply agreement with Digital Realty. These contracts are expected to significantly enhance power distribution and cooling capabilities within large-scale data center facilities, reflecting the increasing focus on energy-efficient infrastructure solutions required to support high-density computing environments. Collectively, these strategic initiatives demonstrate the growing collaboration between technology providers and infrastructure operators to develop advanced, AI-ready data center ecosystems. As organizations continue to scale digital operations and deploy high-performance computing infrastructure, such developments are expected to play a critical role in accelerating the adoption of DCIM solutions globally. Leading Data Center Infrastructure Management Companies Schneider Electric SE Emerson Electric Co. FNT Software GmbH Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Modius, Inc. ABB Ltd. Device42, Inc. Vertiv Group Corp. Cisco Systems, Inc. RF Code, Inc. Delta Technology Pvt., Ltd Raritan Inc. Nlyte Software, Inc. Rittal GmbH & Co. CommScope Holding Company, Inc. ZPE Systems, Inc. Johnson Controls Eaton Corporation plc IBM Corporation Others Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market Scope By Component: Software (Asset Management Solutions, Cooling Management Solutions, Power Management Solutions, Security Management Solutions), Services (Installation & Integration Services, Training & Consulting Services, Support & Maintenance Services) By Data Center Type: Enterprise Data Centers, Managed Data Centers, Colocation Data Centers, Cloud & Edge Data Centers By Deployment Model: On-Premises, Cloud By Enterprise Size: Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), Large Enterprises By Application: Asset Management, Capacity Management, Cooling Management, Security Management, Power Monitoring, Environmental Monitoring, BI & Analytics, Others By End User: IT & Telecom, BFSI, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Others By Region: North America, South America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific Browse More Reports on Data Centers India Data Center Infrastructure Market: The India Data Center Infrastructure Market size was valued at approximately USD 28.52 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 60.25 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 11.3% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. US Data Center Power Generators Market: The US Data Center Power Generators Market size was valued at around USD 1.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.97 billion by 2032. The estimated CAGR from 2026 to 2032 is around 9.2%, indicating strong growth. Global Data Center Liquid Cooling Market: The Global Data Center Liquid Cooling Market size is valued at around USD 5.51 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 19.03 billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 22.95% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. Philippines Data Center Market: The Philippines Data Center Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 7.5% during the forecast period, i.e., 2024-30. Global Data Center Transformation Market: The Global Data Center Transformation Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 10.5% during the forecast period, i.e., 2024-30. India Data Center GPU Market: The India Data Center GPU Market size is valued at around USD 0.17 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.29 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 63.14% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. Australia Data Center Market: The Australia Data Center Market size was valued at around USD 5.81 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 7.32 billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 3.93% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. Global Data Center Storage Market: The Global Data Center Storage Market size was valued at around USD60 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD102 billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 9.2% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. Global Green Data Center Market: The Global Green Data Center Market size was valued at USD 49.28 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 52.76 billion in 2026 to USD 235.4 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 28.31% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. About MarkNtel Advisors MarkNtel Advisors is a global market research and consulting firm committed to delivering accurate, data-driven insights across a wide range of high-growth and emerging industries. The company provides comprehensive market intelligence by analyzing key industry trends, competitive dynamics, technological advancements, and regulatory developments that shape the global business landscape. To ensure the highest level of accuracy and reliability, MarkNtel Advisors follows a rigorous research methodology that integrates extensive primary research, through direct engagement with industry leaders, subject-matter experts, and key stakeholders, with carefully validated secondary data sources. This structured and multi-layered research approach strengthens the credibility and precision of the insights delivered to clients. Supported by deep domain expertise and a team of experienced analysts, MarkNtel Advisors offers strategic intelligence that enables organizations, investors, and decision-makers to identify emerging opportunities and understand evolving industry dynamics. Contact Us: MarkNtel Advisors Office No.109, H-159, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201301, India Contact No: +91 87199 99009 Email: sales@marknteladvisors.com Website: marknteladvisors.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2687299/MarkNtel_Advisors_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-data-center-infrastructure-management-market-to-reach-usd-11-billion-by-2032-says-markntel-advisors-302716441.html Developed in collaboration with independent research firm Verdantix, Quentic's report finds AI rising on EHS agendas with 84% prioritizing adoption and 45% planning investments in reporting automation to speed reporting and strengthen consistency across sites. Quentic, a leading provider of AI-enabled EHS and sustainability SaaS solutions today released the Safety Management and Sustainability Trends Report: AI's Transformative Impact on Safety and Sustainability Over The Next Two Years, produced in collaboration with independent research firm Verdantix. The study combines 51 quantitative interviews and seven expert interviews to map where leaders are investing, what slows progress, and how AI is being used in everyday EHS and ESG work. "Customers want less admin and more certainty in what they report," explained Florian Lichtwald, Operating Partner, Quentic. "This year's findings show that AI belongs in daily safety and ESG work where it saves time, strengthens investigations, and turns observations into action. Our priority is in providing practical yet effective solutions that organizations trust and can adopt quickly. That helps teams close investigations faster, cut rework, and act earlier on recurring risks so incidents are less likely to happen." What the data shows AI climbs the agenda : 84% of respondents list expanded AI adoption as a top priority for EHS and sustainability over the next two years. 82% expect budgets to rise. : 84% of respondents list expanded AI adoption as a top priority for EHS and sustainability over the next two years. 82% expect budgets to rise. Automation where it matters : 45% are very likely to invest in AI-based reporting automation, signaling demand for faster, audit-ready outputs. : 45% are very likely to invest in AI-based reporting automation, signaling demand for faster, audit-ready outputs. From pilots to practice : 57% of EHS leaders and 65% of sustainability leaders already use or pilot predictive analytics to spot patterns earlier. : 57% of EHS leaders and 65% of sustainability leaders already use or pilot predictive analytics to spot patterns earlier. Keep people in the loop : 70% of ESG and 52% of EHS leaders prefer co-pilot approaches that support staff while preserving human oversight. : 70% of ESG and 52% of EHS leaders prefer co-pilot approaches that support staff while preserving human oversight. Persistent gaps : Safety culture (61%) and risk visibility (57%) top the list of concerns, with regulatory and legal risk rated very important by 45%. Many (39%) say they are only "somewhat ready" on data and want better governance and integration. : Safety culture (61%) and risk visibility (57%) top the list of concerns, with regulatory and legal risk rated very important by 45%. Many (39%) say they are only "somewhat ready" on data and want better governance and integration. Buying criteria: Teams prioritize functionality, ease-of-use and interoperability/integration when selecting EHS/ESG tech, reflecting the need to standardise work across sites and contractors. "Continuous monitoring is essential because some contractors still take shortcuts or bypass permits, and organisations can no longer turn a blind eye to that," said Hugh Maxwell, Managing Director, Maxwell Safety Limited. "Digitalisation and real-time data give you a much more dynamic approach, letting you see performance as it happens rather than relying on slow, manual steps. It is not policing, it is ensuring the job is done safely, consistently, and without exposing people to unnecessary risk." Why this matters for EHS and ESG leaders The findings point to a practical path forward of standardising processes on a single platform, raising data quality, and applying AI where it removes paperwork and flags real risks sooner. Quentic supports more than a thousand organizations with this approach, for example, with guided incident investigations, reporting assistance, and pattern analysis that help teams close cases faster, improve consistency, and maintain transparent records. "You do not want a black box approach," said Mary Foley, Expert Services Strategy Director, Enhesa. "The way data is captured and used has to be transparent and robust, and able to stand up to scrutiny inside and outside the organization." "EHS and Sustainability leaders are raising AI budgets, but success depends on tools that fit real operations," said Dr. Torsten Thurmann, Product Director, Quentic. "That is why we back co-pilot models that assist people and keep decisions with them. It is a clear way to improve safety outcomes and deliver audit-ready reporting." A global leader in EHS Sustainability Quentic is recognised as a global leader in the Verdantix Green Quadrant for ESG Sustainability Reporting Software 20251 report and is also recognised as a global leader in the Verdantix Green Quadrant for EHS Software 20252. With Quentic, customers have everything they need to address both their ESG and EHS requirements, to stay compliant, improve performance, and reach sustainability targets. Get the full Safety Management and Sustainability Trends Report below and learn how your peers are planning AI investments, improving reporting, and closing safety gaps. In the report, you'll discover: Breakdowns of top AI use cases across EHS and ESG, including reporting, change monitoring, and investigations. Regional differences in Occupational Health focus, with Austria and Switzerland showing the strongest emphasis. Buyer criteria that matter most when selecting technology, including functionality, ease-of-use and interoperability and integration. Get your copy of the report Download your copy of the report here: Safety Management and Sustainability Trends Report: AI's Transformative Impact On Safety And Sustainability Over The Next Two Years Further information: Quentic extends its gratitude to the leading practitioners and consultants in safety and sustainability who contributed their expertise to this report. Interviewed for the report were: Dr. Britta Schmitt-Howe, Deputy Group Leader, German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA). Mary Foley, Expert Services Strategy Director, Enhesa. Felix Keser, Managing Partner and co-CEO, Nexio Projects. Christiane Ginestou, Group Health Safety Prevention Director, Orange. Hugh Maxwell, Managing Director, Maxwell Safety Limited. Prof. Dr. Jana Brauweiler, Professor of Integrated Management Systems, Zittau/Gorlitz University of Applied Sciences. Eduardo Blanco-Munoz, Group HSSE Director, Affiliated Professor at French Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers, Author of 'Human Factors and Safety Culture' (CRC Press). About Quentic Quentic, an AMCS company, is a leading provider of AI-enabled EHS and sustainability SaaS solutions. The company's AI-supported features help teams work more safely, reduce administrative effort, and respond faster to risks, reinforcing Quentic's role as a trusted EHS and sustainability partner to organizations worldwide. The Quentic EHS solution offers individually combinable specialist modules that support efficient management across Health Safety, Risks Audits, Incidents Observations, Hazardous Chemicals, Control of Work, Legal Compliance, Online Instructions, and more. The Quentic App enables mobile task completion and reporting, while Quentic Analytics delivers clear, daily updated dashboards with key metrics. More than 1,000 customers have built customized, powerful management systems with Quentic, supporting standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, and ISO 45001. Quentic also helps organizations advance their sustainability programs and meet environmental, social and governance goals. Quentic's solution transforms complex ESG data into actionable insights and reports, enabling companies to comply with evolving regulations and demonstrate environmental responsibility. Quentic has been part of the AMCS Group since 2022. To learn more, visit https://www.quentic.com. 1 Verdantix Green Quadrant: ESG Sustainability Reporting Software, June 27, 2025. 2 Verdantix Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2025 report, Jan 9, 2025. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319427396/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Dwayne Weppler AMCS Group dwayne.weppler@amcsgroup.com 1-226-581-5166 DUBLIN, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FlowForma, a leading no-code process automation platform, has earned 30 badges in G2's Spring 2026 Reports, including High Performer recognition in Digital Process Automation (DPA), Business Process Management (BPM), and Workflow Management. The results highlight FlowForma's strong customer satisfaction, measurable ROI, and market impact. Notably, FlowForma received Best Estimated ROI badges in both BPM and DPA for enterprise customers, underscoring the platform's tangible impact on operational efficiency and business outcomes. "Being recognized with 30 G2 badges demonstrates the trust our customers place in FlowForma to simplify and accelerate their most critical processes," said John Murphy, CEO of FlowForma. "We're especially proud of the Best Estimated ROI badges in BPM and DPA, as they highlight the measurable impact our platform delivers daily. Our AI-native platform helps teams automate workflows, improve decision-making, and reduce operational friction without technical expertise." FlowForma's G2 Spring 2026 results showcase: Excellence in DPA and BPM, earning multiple High Performer badges across Enterprise, Small Business, and regional markets worldwide. earning multiple High Performer badges across Enterprise, Small Business, and regional markets worldwide. Outstanding ROI , with Best Estimated ROI badges confirming FlowForma's tangible impact on enterprise efficiency and business outcomes. , with Best Estimated ROI badges confirming FlowForma's tangible impact on enterprise efficiency and business outcomes. Customer satisfaction and loyalty, demonstrated by high ratings in Workflow Management, Client Onboarding, and No-Code Development categories. "At G2, our quarterly Market Report rankings are grounded in transparent data and verified reviews from real customers," said Godard Abel, co-founder and CEO of G2. "As the world's largest software marketplace, we are proud to surface products that rise to the top based on customer feedback and market presence. Congratulations to FlowForma for earning 30 placements this season, a reflection of both customer trust and market impact." "Being included in a G2 Report is more than a badge, it's proof that a product is delivering meaningful impact for real customers," added Eric Gilpin, President, GTM at G2. "FlowForma has earned this recognition through the authentic voice of their users." FlowForma's Spring 2026 accolades reinforce its vision to transform how the world works, with AI-native automation powering smarter, faster, and more effective processes, so organizations can focus on what matters most. About FlowForma FlowForma is a leading provider of Process Automation tools, helping organizations design, deploy, and optimize workflows faster and smarter. By orchestrating humans, AI, and automation in hybrid workflows, FlowForma empowers enterprises to rapidly automate processes, improve decision-making, and drive measurable efficiency. Trusted by over 300,000 users across America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, FlowForma delivers enterprise-ready, customizable workflows with seamless Microsoft 365 and SharePoint integration, secure data governance, and rapid ROI. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937198/FlowForma.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/715823/5871499/FlowForma_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/flowforma-earns-30-g2-badges-celebrated-for-smarter-workflows-ai-native-innovation-and-roi-302717879.html SINGAPORE, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thunes , the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, today announced a new breakthrough in cross-border payments with the successful activation of Pay-to-Wallet by Banco Cathay of Costa Rica . This innovative solution transforms the reach and efficiency of Banco Cathay's cross-border offering, enabling seamless digital disbursements to markets where mobile wallets are the dominant payment method. With Thunes' Pay-to-Wallet solution, any bank connected to Swift's global network can join Thunes' Direct Global Network and unlock fast, transparent, and secure payments to mobile wallets with minimal operational lift. Transactions are powered by Thunes' SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform, ensuring end-to-end control, visibility, protection, and cost-efficiency. Chloe Mayenobe , Deputy CEO at Thunes, said: "Thanks to our Pay-to-Wallet solution, any financial institution can utilise their existing secure Swift connectivity to access our Direct Global Network and send instant payments to billions of mobile wallets worldwide. Our alliance with Banco Cathay of Costa Rica proves what's possible when traditional banking infrastructure meets next-generation payment rails. It's important progress for financial inclusion and another example of how Thunes is enabling cross-border interoperability." Franklin Wang , Commercial Manager at Banco Cathay of Costa Rica added: "We're proud to bring this powerful capability to life. We are enabling faster, simpler, and more accessible cross-border payments for our customers who want to make payments to mobile wallets." This step strengthens Thunes' commitment to building a more inclusive financial ecosystem and extending fast, modern payment services to underbanked and mobile-first populations. By bridging traditional banking infrastructure with the mobile wallet economy, Thunes and the Members of its Network are laying the groundwork for the next era of global payments. About Thunes: Thunes is the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world. Thunes' proprietary Direct Global Network allows Members to make payments in real-time in over 130 countries and more than 80 currencies. Thunes' Network connects directly to over 7 billion mobile wallets, stablecoin wallets and bank accounts worldwide, as well as 15 billion cards via more than 320 different payment methods, such as GCash, M-Pesa, Airtel, MTN, Orange, JazzCash, Easypaisa, AliPay, WeChat Pay and many more. Thunes' Direct Global Network differentiates itself through its worldwide reach, in-house SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform, ensuring Members of the Network receive unrivaled speed, control, visibility, protection, and cost efficiencies when making real-time payments, globally. Members of Thunes' Direct Global Network include gig economy giants like Uber and Deliveroo, super-apps like Grab and WeChat, MTOs, fintechs, PSPs and banks. Headquartered in Singapore, Thunes has offices in 14 locations, including Atlanta, Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Manila, Nairobi, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco and Shanghai. For more information, visit: https://www.thunes.com/ About Banco Cathay of Costa Rica: Banco Cathay of Costa Rica started its operations in March, 1998 and after 26 years of trajectory, it has established itself as a model institution of its kind due to the quality of services it provides, the professionalism of its human resources, the variety of products it offers, the technological support that covers all its operations and the vision of its management team. It continues being the only bank in Costa Rica that has a close relationship with the Oriental Population established in the country, as a result of an Oriental Staff, with the same culture, idiosyncrasy and behavior, who make them feel confident. For more information, visit: https://www.bancocathay.com/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2831061/5823288/Thunes_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thunes-and-banco-cathay-of-costa-rica-launch-pay-to-wallet-payments-via-swift-302717849.html DULUTH, Ga., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SIS, LLC has appointed iCatalyst Pty Ltd as its official Australian partner. This strategic agreement enables the leading Australian Microsoft Solutions Partner to sell, implement and support SIS's construction-specific ERP solutions, including its flagship Construct 365 platform. Under the Representation Agreement, iCatalyst will bring SIS's proven solutions to Australian construction and other complex project-based organizations running on Microsoft Dynamics 365. SIS is a specialist provider of ERP solutions for construction and project-based industries, with more than 25 years' experience delivering implementations across Americas, EMEA and the United Kingdom. Its suite of solutions are designed to address industry-specific requirements not covered by standard Dynamics 365 functionality. Mark Kershteyn, Partner at SIS, said the agreement marked an important step in the company's international growth. "Our solutions are purpose-built for project-based organizations, including construction, engineering and professional services firms," said Mr Kershteyn. "As one of the leading Microsoft Business Applications partners in Australia, we recognized that iCatalyst has the experience and capability to represent our brand in the Australian market. Partnering with iCatalyst allows us to bring our expertise to the Australian market through a local partner committed to delivering quality outcomes for their customers." The partnership responds to strong demand from Australian organizations for advanced solutions to manage complex project costing, billing and compliance requirements. Justin Martin, Director at iCatalyst, said the agreement followed several years of discussions with SIS and extensive evaluation of suitable options available to both existing and new Dynamics 365 enterprise resource planning (ERP) customers operating in the construction and AEC industries more broadly in the Australian market. "We have a number of customers and prospects in these sectors across the country. To meet their unique requirements around project cost management, we knew we needed a key partner with a proven track record specifically in the construction sector - be it civil, head contractors and/or specialized contractors," said Mr Martin. "This is a unique partnership enabling iCatalyst to address the construction and other complex projects-based industries in Australia with a highly reputable, proven and market leading solution built within the Dynamics 365 ERP platform. SIS is the only Microsoft partner 100% dedicated to the construction and project-based industries." As part of the partnership, iCatalyst and SIS are working together to localize the solution suite for the Australian market, including alignment with local reporting standards, compliance requirements and industry terminology. About SIS: SIS is a leading provider of Microsoft project management and accounting solutions for contractors and professional service companies. With 25 years of experience and over 300 implementations, SIS has the proven capabilities needed to ensure your success. Learn more about SIS: sisn.com About iCatalyst: iCatalyst is an Australian-owned, multi-award-winning Microsoft Solutions Partner with an unwavering focus on Microsoft Business Applications. With real-world experience combined with product expertise, iCatalyst offers unparalleled knowledge and capability across the implementation and support of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform solutions. Learn more about iCatalyst - icatalyst.com.au Media contact: Eric Petrucelli Senior Marketing Manager SIS, LLC info@sisn.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1768960/SIS_updated_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sis-appoints-icatalyst-as-australian-partner-to-deliver-sis-construct-365-construction-and-other-project-centric-organizations-302718130.html NEW DELHI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest market research study published by MarkNtel Advisors, the Global ADAS Simulation Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 15.92% during 2026-2032. The market growth is primarily driven by the increasing development of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles, rising adoption of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) across passenger vehicles, and the growing need for virtual testing environments that enable automotive companies to validate complex driving scenarios safely and efficiently before real-world deployment. Regionally, Asia-Pacific dominates the Global ADAS Simulation Market, accounting for approximately 42% of the total market share in 2026. The region's leadership is supported by the strong presence of automotive manufacturing hubs in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea, alongside rising investments in autonomous vehicle research, electric mobility, and intelligent transportation systems. Rapid technological advancements in automotive electronics and increasing regulatory focus on vehicle safety are further accelerating the adoption of ADAS simulation platforms across the region. Global ADAS Simulation Market Key Takeaways The Global ADAS Simulation Market was valued at approximately USD 3.12 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 3.75 billion in 2026 to nearly USD 9.1 billion by 2032, reflecting strong expansion driven by the rising integration of ADAS technologies, increasing investments in autonomous vehicle development, and growing demand for advanced virtual validation environments within the automotive industry. By vehicle type, the passenger cars segment held a dominant share of approximately 63% of the Global ADAS Simulation Market in 2026. The growing integration of safety features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance in modern passenger vehicles is significantly increasing the need for simulation platforms that enable comprehensive testing of these technologies before commercial deployment. By offering, the software segment accounted for around 70% of the market share in 2026. This dominance reflects the increasing reliance on advanced simulation software platforms that allow automotive developers to replicate complex road conditions, traffic environments, and sensor interactions in a fully virtual ecosystem. By simulation type, the Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) segment captured approximately 39% of the market share in 2026. SiL simulation allows developers to evaluate software algorithms and control logic in a virtual environment before hardware integration, making it a cost-effective and efficient method for early-stage validation of autonomous driving technologies. Download a FREE PDF Sample of the Report https://www.marknteladvisors.com/query/request-sample/adas-simulation-market-report.html(Discover key market trends, growth opportunities, and industry insights.) Primary Growth Catalysts Shaping the Global ADAS Simulation Landscape Rapid Expansion of Autonomous Vehicle Development One of the primary factors driving the growth of the global ADAS Simulation Market is the rapid advancement of autonomous vehicle technologies. Automotive manufacturers and technology companies are investing heavily in self-driving capabilities that rely on complex combinations of sensors, perception systems, artificial intelligence algorithms, and real-time decision-making frameworks. Testing these technologies in real-world environments alone is often costly, time-consuming, and potentially unsafe. As a result, simulation platforms have emerged as critical tools that allow engineers to recreate thousands of driving scenarios, including extreme weather conditions, dense traffic situations, and rare edge cases, within a virtual testing environment. Through simulation, developers can evaluate sensor fusion performance, perception algorithms, and vehicle behavior across diverse operating conditions while significantly reducing the need for extensive physical road testing. This capability enables faster validation cycles, improves safety assurance, and accelerates the deployment of advanced mobility technologies. Growing Demand for Virtual Testing to Reduce Development Costs Another major factor supporting the expansion of the ADAS simulation market is the increasing need to reduce development costs and shorten automotive innovation cycles. Modern vehicles incorporate highly sophisticated electronic architectures and AI-based systems that require extensive testing and validation before market introduction. Traditional testing methods relying solely on real-world driving tests can be resource-intensive and may not cover all possible driving scenarios. Simulation platforms address this challenge by enabling automotive developers to test millions of virtual driving miles within controlled environments. By integrating digital twins, high-fidelity sensor models, and AI-driven scenario generation tools, ADAS simulation platforms provide automotive engineers with powerful capabilities to identify system vulnerabilities, refine algorithms, and ensure compliance with stringent safety regulations. Critical Barriers Impacting the Expansion of ADAS Simulation Technologies High Development Complexity and Integration Requirements Despite strong growth potential, the ADAS simulation market faces several challenges that could influence adoption rates. One of the most significant challenges is the technical complexity associated with developing high-fidelity simulation environments capable of accurately replicating real-world driving conditions. ADAS simulation platforms must accurately model complex sensor systems, including cameras, radar, LiDAR, and ultrasonic sensors, while simultaneously simulating dynamic road environments and unpredictable human driving behavior. Achieving this level of realism requires advanced computing power, sophisticated modeling techniques, and large volumes of real-world data. Additionally, integrating simulation platforms with existing automotive development frameworks, testing pipelines, and hardware validation systems can be technically demanding. Automotive companies must ensure interoperability between software development environments, hardware testing infrastructure, and simulation tools, which may require specialized expertise and significant investment. Market Analysis by Simulation Type, Offering & Region By simulation type, Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) emerged as the largest segment in the Global ADAS Simulation Market in 2026, accounting for approximately 39% of the total market share. The strong adoption of SiL simulation is largely attributed to its ability to enable early-stage validation of vehicle control software and perception algorithms within a fully virtual environment. This approach allows automotive developers to evaluate system behavior and optimize software performance before integrating it with physical hardware. As the complexity of ADAS technologies continues to grow, SiL simulation provides a cost-efficient testing framework that accelerates development cycles while reducing reliance on extensive physical testing infrastructure. By offering, the software segment held the dominant share of the Global ADAS Simulation Market, accounting for approximately 70% of the total market share in 2026. The increasing reliance on advanced simulation software platforms enables automotive manufacturers and technology developers to create highly detailed digital environments that replicate real-world driving conditions. These platforms support the simulation of complex traffic scenarios, environmental variables, and sensor interactions, allowing engineers to validate ADAS algorithms with greater precision. As vehicle systems become increasingly software-driven, simulation software solutions are playing a critical role in accelerating innovation, improving system reliability, and ensuring compliance with stringent safety regulations. By vehicle type, passenger cars accounted for the largest share of the Global ADAS Simulation Market, representing approximately 63% of the total industry share in 2026. This dominance is primarily driven by the rapid integration of advanced safety technologies within modern passenger vehicles. Features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and blind spot detection are becoming increasingly common across vehicle models. As automakers continue to expand the deployment of these technologies, simulation platforms are being widely adopted to test system performance across diverse driving scenarios. Consequently, passenger vehicle manufacturers remain key adopters of ADAS simulation solutions. Regionally, Asia-Pacific maintained its leading position in the Global ADAS Simulation Market, capturing approximately 42% of the global market share in 2026. The region's dominance is supported by the strong presence of automotive manufacturing hubs and increasing investments in advanced mobility technologies. Countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea are actively expanding research and development activities focused on autonomous driving, intelligent transportation systems, and next-generation vehicle safety technologies. In addition, the rapid growth of electric vehicle production and government initiatives promoting automotive innovation are further strengthening demand for advanced simulation platforms across the region. View Full Report (All Data, In One Place) https://www.marknteladvisors.com/research-library/adas-simulation-market-report.html(Explore in-depth analyses, technology trends, and investment opportunities.) Industry Innovations Accelerating the Evolution of ADAS Simulation Technologies The global ADAS Simulation Market continues to witness significant technological advancements as industry participants invest in more sophisticated virtual testing platforms to support the rapid development of autonomous and driver-assistance technologies. These innovations are focused on improving simulation accuracy, accelerating software validation, and enabling large-scale scenario testing for next-generation mobility systems. In 2025, Hexagon introduced a cloud-native quality test automation solution, Virtual Test Drive X (VTDx). The platform is designed to automate thousands of real-world driving scenarios, allowing automotive developers to efficiently validate ADAS software performance while significantly reducing development timelines and improving safety verification processes. Further advancing simulation capabilities, dSPACE partnered with OmniVision in 2025 to integrate high-fidelity CMOS image sensor models into its Aurelion simulation platform. This integration enhances the realism of sensor simulation, enabling developers to conduct more accurate testing of ADAS perception systems under diverse environmental and traffic conditions. Together, such innovations are strengthening the technological foundation of ADAS simulation and supporting the accelerated deployment of intelligent vehicle safety systems worldwide. Prominent ADAS Simulation Companies Operating Worldwide Siemens AG ANSYS, Inc. NVIDIA Corporation dSPACE GmbH IPG Automotive GmbH Applied Intuition, Inc. The MathWorks, Inc. Vector Informatik GmbH Keysight Technologies Dassault Systemes SE rFpro Ltd. ESI Group Zoretellix Ltd. AVL List GmbH Cognata Ltd. Hexagon AB Others Global ADAS Simulation Market Scope By Simulation Type: Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL), Model-in-the-Loop (MiL) By Offering: Software, Services By Vehicle Type: Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Autonomous Vehicles By Level of Autonomy: Level 1, Level 2/2+, Level 3, Level 4 & 5 By Application: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) & Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Parking Assistance, Automated Parking Assist, Other Advanced Safety Functions By End User: Automotive OEMs, Tier-1 Suppliers, R&D Institutes/Startups, Others By Region: North America, South America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific Browse More Reports Global ADAS & Autonomous Driving Components Market: The Global ADAS & Autonomous Driving Components Market size was valued at around USD 34.68 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 64.17 billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 10.80% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. Global Automotive Driver Monitoring System Market: The Global Automotive Driver Monitoring System Market size was valued at USD 2.2 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 5.6 Billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 12.5% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. Global Automotive Cybersecurity Market: The Automotive Cybersecurity Market size was valued at around USD5.35 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD13.21 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 13.78% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. Germany Driver Monitoring System Market: The Germany Driver Monitoring System Market size was valued at around USD 122 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 242 million by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 10.28% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. Brazil Automotive Amplifier Market: The Brazil Automotive Amplifier Market size was valued at around USD 89 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 146 million by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 7.3% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. GCC Smart Parking Systems Market: The GCC Smart Parking Systems Market size was valued at approximately USD 260 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 371 million by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.1% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. Global Autonomous Driving Software Market: The Global Autonomous Driving Software Market size is estimated at USD 2.0 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 4.4 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 11.9% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. Asia-Pacific Intelligent Transport System Market: The Asia-Pacific Intelligent Transport System Market size was valued at USD 14.7 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 16.3 billion in 2026 to USD 30.1 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.76% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. Middle East & Africa Automotive Sensors Market: The Middle East & Africa Automotive Sensors Market size is estimated at USD 1.5 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 2.4 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.9% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. Southeast Asia Automotive Belt & Hose Market: The Southeast Asia Automotive Belt & Hose Market size is estimated at USD 2.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 4.0 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.9% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. About MarkNtel Advisors MarkNtel Advisors is a global market research and consulting firm committed to delivering accurate, data-driven insights across a wide range of high-growth and emerging industries. The company provides comprehensive market intelligence by analyzing key industry trends, competitive dynamics, technological advancements, and regulatory developments that shape the global business landscape. To ensure the highest level of accuracy and reliability, MarkNtel Advisors follows a rigorous research methodology that integrates extensive primary research, through direct engagement with industry leaders, subject-matter experts, and key stakeholders, with carefully validated secondary data sources. This structured and multi-layered research approach strengthens the credibility and precision of the insights delivered to clients. Supported by deep domain expertise and a team of experienced analysts, MarkNtel Advisors offers strategic intelligence that enables organizations, investors, and decision-makers to identify emerging opportunities and understand evolving industry dynamics. Contact Us: MarkNtel Advisors Office No.109, H-159, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201301, India Contact No: +91 87199 99009 Email: sales@marknteladvisors.com Website: marknteladvisors.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2687299/MarkNtel_Advisors_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/adas-simulation-market-to-reach-usd-9-1-billion-by-2032--supported-by-rising-need-for-virtual-vehicle-safety-testing--markntel-advisors-302716368.html A new NHS-first, AI-enabled case-finding pathway has launched across North East Essex, aiming to improve the early detection of Oesophageal and stomach cancers, some of the hardest cancers to diagnose early and among those with the poorest outcomes in England. Delivered in partnership between AstraZeneca, C the Signs, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, Health Innovation East and GP Primary Choice, the programme represents the first time in England that population-level, AI-driven case finding has been implemented in primary care for Oesophageal and stomach cancers. C the Signs is a UK-developed, AI-powered clinical platform that enables the earliest and most accurate detection of cancer across more than 100 cancer types. Upper gastrointestinal cancers do not currently have a national screening programme and often present with vague, non-specific symptoms. As a result, many patients are diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options are limited, and outcomes are poor. In England, around four in five oesophageal and stomach cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, with survival strongly linked to how early the cancer is detected. This new pathway is designed to address that gap. A proactive approach to finding risk earlier "Upper gastrointestinal cancers are some of the hardest cancers to detect early, opportunities for earlier diagnosis are frequently missed," said Dr Bea Bakshi, GP and Co-Founder of C the Signs. "This pathway supports earlier identification of risk and faster access to diagnostics, giving more patients the chance to be diagnosed when treatment is more effective." The pathway is implemented in primary care using the C the Signs platform, a UKCA-marked Class I medical device founded by NHS doctors. The technology analyses routinely collected clinical data within the electronic health record, alongside patient-reported information, to identify patients who may be at increased risk of cancer. Eligible patients are proactively invited by SMS to complete a short digital assessment to evaluate symptoms and risk factors. Where cancer risk is identified, patients are rapidly triaged to the most appropriate diagnostic pathway, including capsule sponge testing, endoscopy, or CT scanning, depending on clinical presentation. As the delivery partner, GP Primary Choice ensures this model is operationalised effectively across practices, supporting consistent neighbourhood-level implementation and enabling adoption at scale. By supporting earlier identification and faster access to diagnostics, the pathway aims to detect more Oesophageal and stomach cancers at a stage when treatment is more effective and outcomes are improved. C the Signs already supports more than 1,500 GP practices across England and is used by over 11,000 healthcare professionals. This new service builds on that existing NHS infrastructure to introduce a targeted, population-based approach to cancers that have historically been difficult to detect early. Aligned with the National Cancer Plan The launch follows the publication of the National Cancer Plan for England, which sets out a clear ambition to improve early diagnosis through proactive case finding, better use of electronic health record data, and primary care-led pathways that identify patients at highest risk earlier. The programme also reflects the increasing importance of neighbourhood-level delivery and the role of GP federations in enabling consistent, scalable implementation across local systems. The plan highlights the importance of moving from reactive diagnosis to more predictive, risk-based approaches, particularly for cancers without established screening programmes. This programme directly reflects those priorities, using data and technology to support earlier action and reduce avoidable delays in diagnosis. Anna Arent, Head of Oncology, AstraZeneca UK "We are delighted to embark on this new partnership, bringing transformative AI technology into our first pilot in gastrointestinal cancers. As reinforced in the recent publication of the National Cancer Plan, early detection is one of the most powerful ways we can change outcomes for patients, and innovations like this have the potential to identify cancer earlier, when it is most treatable. Primary care plays a critical role in the diagnosis pathway, and by equipping frontline clinicians with advanced tools that support fast and accurate decision making, we can help diagnose more people at the right time and in the right setting. This collaboration reflects AstraZeneca's commitment to accelerating earlier diagnosis through meaningful partnerships, taking us a step closer to one day eliminating cancer as a cause of death." Diagnostics through the pathway will be delivered across communities in a primary care setting by GP Primary Choice, helping to bring investigations closer to patients homes while reducing pressure on acute hospital services. Dr Peter Holloway, GP Cancer Lead for SNEE ICB and clinical lead for the project, said: "We have developed unique and extensive local experience in community capsule sponge testing to improve diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. This project builds on our previous work but extends the scope to include all upper gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach and pancreas. "By integrating local health data with service planning and using AI to group symptoms reported by patients, we hope to increase early cancer detection and thereby improve outcomes for cancers which currently can have a poor prognosis. This is one of the key priorities for the ICB and aligns with the new National Cancer Plan." This approach aligns with national policy ambitions to shift more care into neighbourhood and community settings, improving access, convenience, and patient experience. Dave Chuter; OG cancer patient, Chair of ICPV (Independent Cancer Patients' Voice) and Chair DiCE (Digestive Cancers Europe) said: "As an Oesophageal cancer patient with lived experience, I've seen from my support group network how first-hand how people with upper gastrointestinal cancers are too often diagnosed late, not because they didn't seek help, but because the signs are difficult to recognise and easy to overlook as an everyday result of day to day life. What's encouraging about this approach is that it doesn't wait for patients to reach a crisis point. Using AI to proactively identify risk and invite people in for assessment is a meaningful and beneficial shift towards earlier diagnosis. For patients, that can mean more treatment options, more time, and a better chance of a positive outcome. Just as importantly, delivering this through primary care and closer to home makes access easier and more open to everyone, which is something patients consistently tell us is so important." About C the Signs C the Signs instantly assesses cancer risk using advanced AI, existing medical records, and patient-reported data (no new tests or imaging required). The platform continuously updates each patient's risk profile over time, catching cancer even before symptoms appear or raise clinical concern. Finding cancer early can transform the prognosis, giving people more possibilities for effective care and more healthy years. Doctors Bea Bakshi and Miles Payling founded the company in 2017 after seeing firsthand the difference that early diagnosis can make to a patient's life. C the Signs has detected cancer in over 70,000 patients and recognizes a new patient with cancer every 22 minutes. Validated by Mayo Clinic, the company is backed by investors including Khosla Ventures, MMC, Ataraxia, and Acequia Capital. Clinicians, patients, families, and health systems can learn more about free, early detection at https://www.cthesigns.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319833948/en/ Contacts: Luke Wyatt, C The Signs, lukewyatt@cthesigns.net Highlights Hole 25MN-049 returned 1.25 g/t gold over 14.95 metres ("m") from 202.95 m . . Hole 25MN-052 returned 1.05 g/t gold over 19.96 m from 141.43 m . . Hole 25MN-053 returned 0.75 g/t gold over 24.69 m from 230.12 m. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Scorpio Gold Corp. (TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) ("Scorpio Gold", or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from five step-out holes and one exploration hole of the Phase Two drill program at the Manhattan District Project ("Manhattan"), Nevada, USA: 26MN-049 through 26MN-054, see Figure 1. The results are tabulated in Table 1 and discussed below. Scorpio Gold has drilled 56 drill holes to date from its Phase Two diamond drilling program, 25MN-011 through 25MN-045, 26MN-046 through 26MN-066, for a grand total of 18,228 m. With the results herein, Scorpio Gold has reported assays on 42 of these (25MN-011 through 25MN-054), totalling 14,334 m, and assays are pending from 14 holes (26MN-055 through 26MN-066), totalling 3,894 m. The pending results will be reported as they become available. "Results from hole 26MN-053 at Black Mammoth reinforces our belief that strong gold mineralization continues along the caldera margin to the northwest of Goldwedge, outside the current Inferred Resource Constraining Pit. With mineralization hosted primarily within brecciated volcanic units, the 24.69 metre interval grading 0.75 g/t gold from 230.12 metres signifies the potential for blue-sky opportunities along this margin through the district. With results pending from hole 26MN-057, our second hole at Black Mammoth, we are already planning follow-up holes," stated Harrison Pokrandt, VP Exploration of Scorpio Gold. "We are very pleased to have confirmed the presence of gold mineralization in this zone, which supports our broader thesis of district-scale potential along the caldera margin. Importantly, Black Mammoth holds significant development potential given its proximity to the permitted Goldwedge underground, creating a unique opportunity to potentially access and develop mineralization from underground ahead of any larger-scale open pit development. This positioning may also allow us to efficiently advance exploration by drilling from underground workings into the target area. Combined with continued strong results along the Reliance Trend and the newly defined Zanzibar Trend, we remain focused on systematically expanding mineralization outside the current resource footprint and advancing multiple growth fronts across Manhattan," commented Zayn Kalyan, CEO and Director of Scorpio Gold. Figure 1. Surface Plan Map of drill results, with highlights noted. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/289134_31e0d8644430bbd1_002full.jpg Drill hole 26MN-053 was drilled at Black Mammoth as a 250 m exploratory step-out from Goldwedge. This drill hole tested the faulted contact zone between caldera volcanics and Zanzibar Formation meta-sedimentary units, see Figure 2. Two drill holes stepped out on drill hole 25MN-042 along the Reliance Trend, see news release dated February 11, 2026. Drill hole 26MN-049, a 50 m step-out to the southwest of 25MN-042, and 26MN-052, a 50 m step-out to the southwest of 26MN-049, followed up on 25MN-042. Drill holes 26MN-051 and 26MN-054 were drilled to the north of the historic East Pit, both as 50 m step-outs from drill hole 25MN-043 (see news release dated February 11, 2026) to test a northerly extension of a mineralized fault splay. Drill hole 26MN-050 was an exploration hole to the northeast of Mustang Hill to test magnetic and soil anomalies. All the drill holes tested beyond the Inferred Resource Constraining Pit ("IRCP"), see Figure 5. Step-out drill holes targeted non-pit constrained inferred category mineralization and uncategorized mineralization. For further details see "Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Manhattan Property, Nye County, Nevada" with an effective date of June 4, 2025, on Scorpio Gold's website at https://wp-scorpiogold-2025.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2025/10/Scorpio-Gold-Manhattan-Mineral-Resource-Estimate-43-101-FINAL-2025-10-23.pdf. Table 1. Results from the current batch of drill holes. Note: There is insufficient geological information to estimate a true width for the drill intercepts reported. Drill Hole ID Target Azimuth / Dip From (m) To (m) Intercept (m) Gold (g/t) 26MN-049 Reliance Trend 9.20 16.61 7.41 0.88 309 m 060 / -60 including 12.59 16.61 4.02 1.57 47.25 52.58 5.33 0.64 including 47.25 50.05 2.80 1.09 202.95 217.90 14.95 1.25 including 208.94 211.47 2.53 5.43 26MN-050 Sloppy Gulch No significant intercepts. 520 m 070 / -45 26MN-051 East Pit 118.29 125.27 6.98 0.23 401 m 080 / -45 159.72 166.27 6.55 0.25 26MN-052 Reliance Trend 17.71 45.11 27.40 0.30 352 m 060 / -60 64.71 79.07 14.36 0.24 141.43 161.39 19.96 1.05 190.74 195.01 4.27 0.80 208.85 219.67 10.82 0.24 223.78 242.83 19.05 0.28 247.59 249.63 2.04 3.49 312.58 320.44 7.86 1.35 26MN-053 Black Mammoth 230.12 254.81 24.69 0.75 510 m 206 / -45 364.54 376.18 11.64 0.24 401.73 407.43 5.70 0.35 26MN-054 East Pit 257.89 266.65 8.76 0.40 335 m 040 / -45 Intervals contain no more than 3 continuous metres grading less than 0.1 g/t gold. Black Mammoth Results: 26MN-053: This drill hole tested the Black Mammoth Fault and associated mineralization, as it trends to the NW from Goldwedge. The drill hole contains one interval hosted in Oligocene Round Rock Formation volcanic tuffs, see Figure 3, directly above the faulted Ordovician Zanzibar Formation contact ("Caldera Margin"), see Figure 4, section A to A'. The interval contains 0.75 g/t gold over 24.69 m from 230.12 m. Two deeper intervals exist within Cambrian Gold Hill Formation fine-grained meta-mudstones and siltstones. Intervals include 0.24 g/t gold over 11.64 m from 364.54 m and 0.35 g/t gold over 5.7 m from 401.73 m. All intervals represent new mineralization, and the upper interval is approximately 250 m to the NW of the edge of the IRCP, see Figure 5, section B to B'. Figure 2. Annotated photo of Black Mammoth. Photo is taken from Point A, noted on Figure 1, looking to the northwest. Note the drill holes indicated are located behind the hill in the background. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/289134_31e0d8644430bbd1_003full.jpg Figure 3. Drill hole 26MN-053, interval 243.49 to 248.99 m, displaying Oligocene Round Rock Formation volcanic tuffs with fine grained quartz-calcite epithermal breccia matrix. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/289134_31e0d8644430bbd1_004full.jpg Figure 4. Cross-section A-A', showing gold grades with reported intervals highlighted. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/289134_31e0d8644430bbd1_005full.jpg Figure 5. Long-section B-B', showing gold grades with reported intervals highlighted. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/289134_31e0d8644430bbd1_006full.jpg Reliance Trend Results: 26MN-049: contains three intervals hosted in the Cambrian Gold Hill Formation along the Reliance Trend to the north of the West Pit. These intervals are hosted in fine grained meta-sedimentary clastic and carbonate units, including 0.88 g/t gold over 7.41 m from 9.2 m, including 1.57 g/t gold over 4.02 m from 12.59 m; 0.64 g/t gold over 5.33 m from 47.25 m, including 1.09 g/t gold over 2.8 m from 47.25 m; and 1.25 g/t gold over 14.95 m from 202.95 m, including 5.43 g/t gold over 2.53 m from 208.94 m (see Figure 6). See Figure 7, section C to C'. Figure 6. Drill hole 26MN-049, interval 208.94 to 211.47 m, displaying Cambrian Gold Hill Formation fine grained meta-sediments with quartz-calcite-adularia-fluorite epithermal veins. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/289134_31e0d8644430bbd1_007full.jpg Figure 7. Cross-section C-C', showing gold grades with reported intervals highlighted. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/289134_31e0d8644430bbd1_008full.jpg 26MN-052: contains eight intervals hosted in the Cambrian Gold Hill Formation along the Reliance Trend to the north of the West Pit. These intervals are hosted in fine grained meta-sedimentary clastic and carbonate units, including 0.3 g/t gold over 27.4 m from 17.71 m; 0.24 g/t gold over 14.36 m from 64.71 m; 1.05 g/t gold over 19.96 m from 141.43 m (see Figure 8); 0.8 g/t gold over 4.27 m from 190.74 m; 0.24 g/t gold over 10.82 m from 208.85 m; 0.28 g/t gold over 19.05 m from 223.78 m; 3.49 g/t gold over 2.04 m from 247.59 m; 1.35 g/t gold over 7.86 m from 312.58 m. See Figure 7, section C to C'. Figure 8. Drill hole 26MN-052, highlighting interval 153.3 to 153.9 m, displaying Cambrian Gold Hill Formation fine grained meta-sediments with high-grade quartz-calcite-adularia-fluorite epithermal veins. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/289134_31e0d8644430bbd1_009full.jpg East Pit Results: 26MN-051: This drill hole tested a northerly extension of a mineralised fault splay to the north of the East Pit, as a 50 m step-out to the southeast from drill hole 26MN-046, see news release dated February 11, 2026. The drill hole contains two intervals in the Cambrian Gold Hill Formation. The intervals are hosted in fine grained meta-sedimentary clastic units and include 0.23 g/t gold over 6.98 m from 118.29 m and 0.25 g/t gold over 6.55 m from 159.72 m. 26MN-054: This drill hole tested a northerly extension of a mineralised fault splay to the north of the East Pit, as a 50 m step-out to the northeast from drill hole 26MN-046. The drill hole contains one interval in the Cambrian Gold Hill Formation. The interval is hosted in fine grained meta-sedimentary clastic units and includes 0.4 g/t gold over 8.76 m from 257.89 m. Sloppy Gulch Results: 26MN-050: This exploration drill hole tested a structure noted on a magnetic survey, a 1 km diameter circular gold in soils anomaly, in an area to the northeast of Mustang Hill with multiple historic adits. The drill hole did not produce any significant results. Marketing Update CEO & Director, Zayn Kalyan will be presenting in the upcoming John Tumazos Very Independent Research, LLC (https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8689922433388844127) virtual conference taking place on April 1, 2026, as well as the Kinvestor Mining & Energy Conference 2026 (https://events.zoom.us/ev/AqZOiYwerf2Kv3TJez8vTvVNTyKMEmr_jp80f3UtIxI9XTeO0zBv~AqHc1fMqB4n4B-bLXKcHprzFPXGtp3G-ZkuuR9IAGCgaWiXVVj9YSUeb34G3QswtnWOMylvkr9QJuMkStdAfNL78fg) happening March 26, 2026 at 12:40pm PT/3:40pm ET. Investors can look forward to an update on Phase Two of the ongoing 50,000-meter drill program at the Manhattan District located in the Walker Lane Trend in Nevada. Registration is free, so be sure to sign up today to secure your spot (registration links are provided above). QA/QC HQ sized diamond drill core samples were cut in halves, then bagged and secured with security tags to ensure integrity during transportation to the Reno, NV, Paragon Geochemical facility for preparation. For quality assurance ("QA"), unmarked coarse blanks, unmarked certified reference materials, and requested laboratory duplicates were inserted into the sampling sequence. QA samples were systematically inserted into each batch of samples, amounting to approximately 10% of the run of samples. Samples were analyzed for gold using method PA-AU02 (~500 g), a two-cycle PhotonAssayTM analysis of crushed material (70% passing 2 mm). All Paragon Geochemical facilities comply with ISO 17025:2017. About the Manhattan District Manhattan, located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA, is road accessible and lies approximately 20 kilometers south of the operating Round Mountain Gold Mine (https://www.kinross.com/operations/default.aspxamericas-roundmountain), which has produced more than 15 million ounces of gold. For the first time, the Company has consolidated Manhattan's past-producing mines under a single entity that holds valuable permitting and water rights. Historically, Manhattan has produced approximately 700,000 ounces of gold from high-grade placer and lode operations dating from the late 1890s through to the mid-2000s. The maiden mineral resource estimate (the "Maiden MRE") covering the Goldwedge and Manhattan Pit areas of Manhattan is comprised of 18,343,000 tonnes grading 1.26 g/t gold for a total of 740,000 oz contained gold in the inferred category. A historical mineral resource estimate (the "Historical MRE") covers the Black Mammoth, April Fool, Hooligan, Keystone, and Jumbo areas of Manhattan and comprises 1,652,325 tonnes grading 5.89 g/t gold for a total of 303,949 oz contained gold. The deposit is interpreted as a low-sulfidation, epithermal, gold-rich system situated adjacent to the Tertiary-aged Manhattan caldera in the Southern Toquima Range of Nevada. A "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") has not done sufficient work to make the Historical MRE current, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as current. Notes Adjacent Properties: The Company has no interest in, or rights to, any of the adjacent properties mentioned, including the Round Mountain Gold Mine, and exploration results on adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties. Any references to exploration results on adjacent properties are provided for information only and do not imply any certainty of achieving similar results on the Company's properties. Historical Data: This news release includes historical information that has been reviewed by the Company's qualified person. The Company's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this presentation. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results. Third-Party Mineral Projects: These deposits are cited solely for geological context. The Company cautions that these properties are not necessarily adjacent to, nor does the Company or have any interest in or control over them. Although certain geological features may be similar, there is no assurance that mineralization comparable to these deposits will be discovered on any of the Company's properties. Information regarding the aforementioned deposits is taken from publicly available sources and technical reports believed to be reliable but has not been independently verified by the Company. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results. Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE): All scientific and technical information relating to Manhattan pertaining to Maiden MRE contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated October 23, 2025 (with an effective date of June 4, 2025) titled "Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report" (the "Technical Report") prepared by Matthew R. Dumala, P.Eng (BC) of Archer Cathro Geological (US) Ltd., Patrick Loury, M.Sc., CPG (AIPG) of Daniel Kunz & Associates, Annaliese Miller, LG (WA) of Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. and Art Ibrado, PhD, PE (AZ) of Fort Lowell Consulting PPLC. The information contained herein in respect of the Maiden MRE is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the Technical Report, a copy of which has been filed with the applicable securities regulators and is available under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. Historical MRE: A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to make the Historical MRE current, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as current. The Company considers the Historical MRE relevant as it demonstrates the presence of significant gold mineralization across multiple zones within Manhattan; however, its reliability is uncertain because it was prepared prior to the adoption of the current CIM Definition Standards and current QA/QC practices. The Historical MRE provides limited disclosure of assumptions, parameters, estimation methods, cutoff grades, and QA/QC protocols, and therefore these cannot be fully verified by the Company. The categories used in the historical estimate predate, and are not directly comparable to, current CIM Definition Standards, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as a current Mineral Resource Estimate. To upgrade and verify the Historical MRE in order to make it a current Mineral Resource Estimate, the Company would be required to undertake confirmatory drilling, modern QA/QC sampling, validation and digitization of historical datasets and updated geological modeling followed by the preparation of a new Mineral Resource Estimate in accordance with CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating the Historical MRE. All scientific and technical information relating to Manhattan pertaining to the Historical MRE contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated May 1997 titled "Exploration and Pre-Production Mine Development, Manhattan District Project, Nye County" (the "Historical Technical Report") prepared by New Concept Mining, Inc. The information contained herein in respect of the Historical MRE is subject to all the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the Historical Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the Historical Technical Report. References: (1) Strachan, D. G., and Master, T. D., 2005: Update and Revision of the Gold Wedge Project Development, Nye County. Report prepared for Nevada; Royal Standard Minerals, Inc. and dated March 31, 2005; (2) Dumala, M. R., and Lowry, P., 2025: Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Manhattan Property, Nye County, Nevada. Report prepared for Scorpio Gold Corporation and dated October 23, 2025 (with an effective date of June 4, 2025); and (3) Berry, A., and Willard, P., 1997: "Exploration and Pre-Production Mine Development, Manhattan District Project, Nye County". Report prepared for New Concept Mining, Inc. and dated May 1997. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Thomas Poitras, P. Geo., Chief Geologist of Scorpio Gold, a "Qualified Person", as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Verification included review of laboratory certificates, review of field logs and chain-of-custody records, inspection of blank/standard/duplicate performance, and review of collar and down-hole survey data. No limitations or failures to verify were identified. About Scorpio Gold Corp. Scorpio Gold holds a 100% interest in the Manhattan District located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA. Scorpio Gold's Manhattan District is ~4,780-hectares and comprises the advanced exploration-stage Goldwedge Mine, with a 400 ton per day maximum capacity gravity mill, and four past-producing pits that were acquired from Kinross in 2021 (see news release dated March 25, 2021 https://scorpiogold.com/news/scorpio-gold-closes-purchase-of-kinross-manhattan-property-nye-county-nevada/). The consolidated Manhattan District presents an exciting late-stage exploration opportunity, with over 140,000 metres of historical drilling, significant resource potential, and valuable permitting and water rights. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SCORPIO GOLD CORPORATION, Connect with Scorpio Gold: Email | Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | YouTube To register for investor updates, please visit: scorpiogold.com TSXV: SGN | OTCQB: SRCRF | FSE: RY9 Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to the timing, scope and interpretation of assay results; potential for resource growth; the potential continuity, extent and characteristics of mineralization along the Reliance Trend, Gap Zone, Zanzibar Trend and Mustang Hill; the intended follow-up exploration activities and timing of future disclosures, and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. 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/289134 Source: Scorpio Gold Corp Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Nexus Uranium Corp. (CSE: NEXU) (OTCQB: NEXUF) (FSE: JA7) ("Nexus" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Arizona Strip Project (the "Project"), comprising 38 federal Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") lode mining claims covering seven collapse breccia pipe uranium targets in Mohave County, Arizona. The Arizona Strip is one of the most prolific uranium districts in the United States, with historic breccia pipe mines producing uranium at grades typically ranging from 0.42% to 1.08% U3O - among the highest-grade uranium deposits mined in North America (U.S. Geological Survey, 2009). The Project has been the subject of extensive prior exploration, including ground geophysical surveys, surface geochemical sampling, and drilling, providing a meaningful foundation for the Company's planned follow-up programs. "The Arizona Strip is in a category of its own when it comes to uranium grade - the historic mines in this district set the benchmark for what high-grade breccia pipe uranium production can look like," said Jeremy Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of Nexus Uranium Corp. "This acquisition aims to advance our strategy of building a diversified portfolio of uranium assets across established US districts, by adding a fundamentally different deposit type alongside the resource-stage Chord Project in South Dakota. The prior operator completed ground geophysics across all seven targets, giving us a strong foundation to follow up on as we compile the historic data and plan our next steps on the Project after closing of the transaction." Arizona Strip - One of North America's Premier Uranium Districts The seven targets were previously explored by Tournigan Energy Ltd., which conducted uranium exploration activities in the Arizona Strip district from 2006 to 2008. Historical exploration included ground geophysical surveys (CSAMT, seismic reflection, and ground magnetics), surface geochemical sampling, and drilling, with results identifying uranium and multi-element pathfinder anomalies across each of the seven targets. SGB (6 claims): Highest-priority target; uranium values ranging from 8 of up to 1,100 ppm alongside anomalous copper and silver. Multiple surface features consistent with a collapse breccia pipe, part of a cluster of related structures. RN (2 claims): Strongest copper values on the Project - ranging from 1,560 to up to 4,020 ppm Cu - with significant zinc and uranium anomalism. Elevated copper is a primary pathfinder for uranium ore zones at depth in the district. EM (6 claims): Only drill-confirmed target on the Project; a historic drill hole intersected breccia at depth, confirming a collapse pipe structure. Surface anomaly includes copper, lead, and zinc. The Company is in the process of compiling and reviewing all historic drill records for this target. BUS (6 claims): Central soil anomaly with uranium, silver, and arsenic values. Silver and arsenic mark the upper oxidized halo of mineralized breccia pipe systems in the district. JD (6 claims): Multi-element anomaly including uranium, arsenic, nickel, molybdenum, and zinc - a broad pathfinder suite indicative of a mineralized system at depth. LJ (6 claims): Elevated arsenic, nickel, zinc, vanadium, molybdenum, and silver with a surface depression consistent with pipe morphology. Silver values among the highest on the Project, suggesting proximity to sulfide mineralization. ULJ (6 claims): Multiple surface indicators of a collapse pipe system alongside a uranium, arsenic, nickel, and silver anomaly - one of the more compelling early-stage targets on the Project. Transaction Highlights The Project is being acquired by way of definitive share purchase agreement entered into by Nexus with an arm's length company (the "Vendor") and the Vendor's shareholders. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, Nexus has agreed to acquire all of the common shares of the Vendor, which owns a 100% undivided interest in 38 BLM federal lode mining claims comprising the Project, in consideration of the issuance of 2,700,000 common shares. No royalty interest of any kind has been retained by the Vendor's shareholders and no underlying royalty encumbers the Project. Completion of the transaction remains subject to acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange"), if required, and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Closing is expected to occur shortly. Any shares issued pursuant to the definitive agreement will be subject to a statutory four month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Qualified Person and Technical Disclosure The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Warren D. Robb, P.Geo. (BC), a Director of Nexus Uranium Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Robb is not independent of the Company. Mr. Robb has not conducted a site visit to the Arizona Strip Project. This news release contains data that is historical in nature. The historic geochemical and geophysical data disclosed herein was not collected or generated by the Company or the Vendor and has not been independently reviewed or verified by the Company; the Company is in the process of compiling and reviewing all historic exploration records. This data is disclosed for background purposes only. Referenced historic deposits and mines and operations in the Arizona Strip provide geologic context for the Project but are not necessarily indicative that they host similar potential, size or grades of mineralization. No mineral resource or mineral reserve has been defined on the Project and there is no assurance that further work will result in a mineral resource classification. Chord Project - Permitting Update The South Dakota Board of Minerals (the "South Dakota Board") hearing has been rescheduled for April 13-17, 2026, in Hot Springs, South Dakota - the final regulatory step for the Company's EXNI exploration permit application. If the South Dakota Board approves the application, permits must issue within 30 days of the South Dakota Board's decision. The Company's maiden drill program is fully funded and anticipated to commence in Summer 2026, subject to receipt of permits. About Nexus Uranium Corp. Nexus Uranium is a Canadian exploration company focused on uranium projects in North America. In the United States, the Company holds the Chord, Wolf Canyon, Deadhorse, and RC projects in South Dakota, and the South Pass and Great Divide Basin (under option) project in Wyoming. In Canada, Nexus holds the Mann Lake project in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. For more information, visit www.nexusuranium.com. -- Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation: statements regarding the completion of the proposed acquisition of the Project, including the receipt of any required Exchange acceptance, the Company advancing its strategy of building a diversified portfolio of uranium assets across established US districts; the Company compiling the historic data and planning next steps on the Project; the satisfaction of customary closing conditions; statements regarding the potential to drill, advance, and define mineralization on the Project targets; statements regarding the exploration program, including planned drill programs and interpretation of geophysical and geochemical data; statements regarding the potential significance of the Arizona Strip district and the Company's claims within it;. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based on assumptions and information currently available to the Company, including: that the parties will close the transaction within the anticipated timeline; that all closing conditions, including Exchange acceptance, will be satisfied on a timely basis; that no material regulatory impediment will prevent or delay exploration activities on the Project claims; and that historic exploration data reviewed by the Qualified Person is materially accurate for the purposes disclosed herein. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including: risks inherent in mineral exploration and the inability to define mineral resources or reserves; the possibility that the acquisition may not close on the anticipated terms or at all; regulatory and permitting risks; commodity price volatility; changes in applicable laws and regulations; and other risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289127 Source: Nexus Uranium Corp. Fidelity UCITS ICAV - Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 19 This Circular is sent to you as a Shareholder of Fidelity Global Quality Value UCITS ETF (the "Fund"), a sub-fund of Fidelity UCITS ICAV (the "ICAV").It is important and requires your immediate attention. If you are in any doubt as to the action to be taken, you should immediately consult your stockbroker, solicitor or attorney or other professional advisor. If you sold or otherwise transferred your holding in the Fund, please send this Circular to the stockbroker or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or transferee. This Circular and the changes it proposes have not been reviewed by the Central Bank of Ireland (the "Central Bank") and it is possible that changes thereto may be necessary to meet the requirements of the Central Bank. The directors of the ICAV (the "Directors") are the persons responsible for the information contained in the Circular. The Directors are of the opinion that there is nothing contained in this Notice nor in the proposals detailed herein that conflicts with the regulations of the Central Bank. _________________________________________________________________________________ fidelity ucits Icav (the "ICAV") FIDELITY GLOBAL QUALITY VALUE UCITS ETF (the "Fund") Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting of The ICAV _________________________________________________________________________________ Notice of the extraordinary general meeting (the " EGM") to be held at George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland on 14 April 2026, at the time set out at Appendix I. The accompanying Proxy Form for use by Shareholders in the Fund at the EGM should be completed and returned, in accordance with the instructions printed thereon, so as to be received as soon as possible and, in any event, not later than 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 10 April 2026. _________________________________________________________________________________ KEY DATES FOR THE EGM Record Date 10 April 2026, being two Business Days before the date of the EGM. This is the date used to calculate the number of shares held by each Shareholder entitled to vote at the EGM. Last date for receipt of Proxy Forms in relation to the EGM 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 10 April 2026 EGM 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 14 April 2026 Last date for receipt of Proxy Forms in relation to an adjourned EGM 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 17 April 2026 (in the event that no quorum is present at the EGM on 14 April 2026) Adjourned EGM In the event that no quorum is present at the EGM, the EGM shall be adjourned to 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 21 April 2026. Results of EGM The results of the EGM or any adjourned EGM will be published on the Business Day following the EGM or adjourned EGM, as applicable. Effective Date Subject to approval by the Shareholders and the Central Bank, the changes being tabled for consideration at the EGM are currently expected to be effective on or about 29 April 2026, although this timeline may change. In the event that these changes become effective after 29 April 2026, Shareholders will be notified of this. 19 March 2026 Dear Shareholder We are writing to you as a Shareholder in the Fund. The purpose of this Circular is to convene an EGM of the Shareholders of the Fund in order to seek approval for certain proposed changes to the Supplement for the Fund dated 10 March 2025 (the " Supplement"). Unless otherwise indicated, all capitalised terms used in this Circular shall have the same meaning as otherwise described in the currently effective prospectus of the ICAV (the "Prospectus") and the Supplement, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. BACKGROUND The Fund is currently passively managed and its investment objective is to provide investors with a total return, taking into account both capital and income returns, which reflects (before fees and expenses) the return of the Fidelity Global Quality Value Index (the " Index"). It is proposed to re-purpose the Fund such that it will no longer track the performance of the Index and will transition to an active systematically managed, equity research enhanced value strategy, as described in more detail below. It is also proposed that the investment manager for the Fund will change from Geode Capital Management LLC to FIL Investments International (the " New Investment Manager"). For the avoidance of doubt, please note that there will be no change to the current level of fees payable by investors as a result of the change of investment manager for the Fund. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE FUND REQUIRING SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL Change of Investment Objective It is proposed to update the investment objective of the Fund to provide that the Fund will aim to achieve long-term capital growth from a portfolio primarily made up of equity securities of companies domiciled globally. Changes to Investment Policy The current investment policy of the Fund is to track the performance of the Index. It is proposed to re-purpose the Fund to reflect that it will no longer track the performance of the Index or any other index, that it will become an actively managed fund and that the New Investment Manager will use a quantitative approach in the selection of investments for the Fund with the aim of delivering a portfolio of investments that are typically focused on the highest conviction stock recommendations which the Investment Manager believes have attractive valuations based on its proprietary fundamental research. It is also proposed to update the investment policy for the Fund to reflect that the Fund will hold a portfolio of equity securities which is systematically selected and managed with the aim of outperforming the MSCI World Value Index (Total Net Return) (the " Benchmark") over the long term. The Benchmark is designed to measure the performance of the global stock market representing the performance of companies that exhibit higher value characteristics relative to their peers. While, due to the Fund's objectives, the Fund will likely bear a close resemblance to the Benchmark, the Fund will be actively managed and will not attempt to replicate the Benchmark. Rather, the Investment Manager may overweight the securities which it considers have the highest potential to outperform the Benchmark and underweight or not invest at all in securities which the Investment Manager considers most overvalued. The Fund may also invest in securities which do not form part of the Benchmark. Investors should also note that while the Investment Manager expects to outperform the Benchmark (net of fees), there is no guarantee this will occur or such outperformance may be minimal or affected by fees. In light of the change of investment strategy for the Fund detailed above, please also note that updates have been made to the range of asset classes in which the Fund may invest, as reflected in the marked-up Supplement included at Appendix IV. PROPOSED CHANGES THAT ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO SHAREHOLDERS Change of Fund Name In light of the changes detailed above, the Supplement will also be updated to change the name of the Fund from "Fidelity Global Quality Value UCITS ETF" to "Fidelity Global Value Research Enhanced UCITS ETF". Change to Promotion of Environmental and Social Characteristics The Fund currently tracks the Index and promotes the environmental and social characteristics included as part of the Index methodology and construction process. It is proposed to update the Supplement to reflect that the Fund will now seek to promote environmental and social characteristics by aiming to achieve an ESG score of its portfolio greater than the ESG score of the Benchmark. The relevant exclusions which are applied by the Fund are also being updated. Further details on this are included in the marked-up Sustainability Annex included at Appendix IV. For the avoidance of doubt, please also note that the Fund will continue to fall under the ESG Tilt category of products (as described in the Prospectus). Dealing Freeze Shareholders should note that, in order to facilitate the transition from the current investment manager to the New Investment Manager (the " Transition") and to ensure that all securities are fully settled at the point of the Transition, a temporary dealing freeze will be placed on the primary market for the Fund. a) Primary Markets During the dealing freeze period, no subscriptions or redemptions will be processed on the primary market (ie, the Authorised Participants will not be able to subscribe or redeem). The issuer will maintain continuous, direct communication with Authorised Participants to coordinate the timing of changes related to the Transition to the New Investment Manager. The dealing freeze will commence at 5:01pm (Irish time) on or around 24 April 2026 and will end at 5pm (Irish time) on or around 28 April 2026 (a period of approximately 2 Business Days). Specifically, and as a result, it is intended that 27 April 2026 and 28 April 2026 will not be Dealing Days. Authorised Participants wishing to redeem their holdings in the Fund on the primary market prior to the dealing freeze should note that the last Dealing Day before the dealing freeze will be on or around 24 April 2026. As Shares may be bought and sold by submitting orders by 5pm (Irish time) on the Business Day prior to the relevant Dealing Day, Authorised Participants wishing to place a redemption order on the primary market to be processed on the last Dealing Day before the dealing freeze must submit their order by no later than 5pm (Irish time) on or around 24 April 2026. Orders received on the primary market after this deadline will not be processed until the dealing freeze has ended. b) Secondary Markets Shareholders dealing with the Fund on Secondary Markets during the Transition will be uninterrupted. Nonetheless, investors should be aware that spreads quoted on an exchange may temporarily widen around the Transition period due to expected turnover within the underlying portfolio. The issuer will endeavour to work with the Authorised Participants to minimise the impact the Transition may have. Change to Dealing Deadline It is proposed that the Dealing Deadline on the primary market for the Fund will change from 5pm (Irish time) on the Business Day prior to the relevant Dealing Day to 4pm (Irish time) on the Business Day prior to the relevant Dealing Day. Rationale for the PROPOSED changes We propose these changes to offer clients a disciplined and diversified value exposure that leverages Fidelity's established active equity research enhanced approach and fundamental research platform. The changes reflect Fidelity's strong belief in active management and extend our existing Research Enhanced active equity ETF range, which currently has approximately $7 billion in assets under management. As a leading active ETF provider in Europe, Fidelity aims to deliver key exposures with the potential for outperformance by applying the active insights of our global investment platform. Our focus remains on providing differentiated, cost - effective ETF solutions that combine transparency and liquidity with deep expertise in security selection and portfolio construction and these changes reflect that. FURTHER information A marked-up Supplement (including a marked-up Sustainability Annex), reflecting the changes which are proposed, has been included at Appendix IV. In order to be effective, the Shareholders of the Fund are required to pass the resolution as set out in the Notice of EGM in Appendix I attached hereto. A Proxy Form to enable you to vote at the EGM is enclosed at Appendix II and you are urged to complete and return it as soon as possible, and in any event no later than the relevant date and time set out at page 2 of this Circular. There is one Shareholder in the Fund and, accordingly, the quorum for the EGM is one Shareholder. If a quorum is not present within half an hour of the time appointed for the EGM, it will be necessary to adjourn it to the time and date specified on page 2 of this Circular. RECOMMENDATION AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN In the opinion of the Directors, the resolution to be proposed at the EGM is in the best interests of the ICAV and the Shareholders of the Fund as a whole and, accordingly, the Directors recommend that you vote in favour of resolution as set out in the Notice of EGM at Appendix I attached hereto. NEXT STEPS If the resolution proposed at the EGM is passed, the amendments to the Supplement, subject to any further amendments required by the Central Bank or otherwise, will become effective once formally noted by the Central Bank, which is currently expected to be on or about 29 April 2026, although this timeline may change. A revised version of the Supplement will be available from the ICAV upon request. If the resolution is not passed, you will be notified. Should you have any questions relating to the above, you should contact your professional advisor or ETFCapmarkets@fil.com . Yours sincerely Director Fidelity UCITS ICAV APPENDIX I Notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting Fidelity UCITS ICAV (the "ICAV") Fidelity Global Quality Value UCITS ETF (the "Fund") Dear Shareholder We are writing to you in your capacity as a Shareholder of the Fund. Notice is hereby given that an extraordinary general meeting (the " EGM") of the ICAV will be held on 14 April 2026 at 10:00 AM (Irish time) at the offices of the secretary, FIL Investment Management (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Ireland Branch, at George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland to consider and if thought fit, pass the following as an ordinary resolution of the ICAV: That the proposed changes to the Fund's investment objective and policies as described in the circular to shareholders dated 19 March 2026 be and are hereby approved. As a holder of Shares, we request that you complete the enclosed proxy and return it to FIL Investment Management (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Ireland Branch, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland or by email to FIL - Ireland Company Secretariat ( IM00116@fil.com ) (marked for the attention of Georgina Cromwell), as soon as possible and in any event not later than 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 10 April 2026 or attend in person at the EGM in order to vote upon the resolution. ______________________________ by order of Secretary FIL Investment Management (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Ireland Branch Dated:19 March 2026 NOTES The amendments to the Fund's investment objective and policies as set out in the marked-up supplement for the Fund included at Appendix IV may be subject to change to reflect any additional amendments required by the Central Bank of Ireland or otherwise. However, Shareholders should note that while the specific wording in the supplement for the Fund may change, it will not be materially different from that included at Appendix IV. A member entitled to attend and vote at the EGM is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote instead of him or her. A proxy need not be a member of the ICAV. In the case of a body corporate, the proxy form must be either under seal of the body corporate or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised in writing. The proxy form, together with the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed, or a notarially certified copy of that power or authority, must be deposited at at the offices of FIL Investment Management (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Ireland Branch, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland no later than forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the meeting / before the time of the meeting . An emailed copy will be accepted and can be sent for the attention of Georgina Cromwell at FIL - Ireland Company Secretariat ( IM00116@fil.com ). . An emailed copy will be accepted and can be sent for the attention of Georgina Cromwell at FIL - Ireland Company Secretariat ( ). The accidental omission to give notice of the EGM to, or the non-receipt of notice of the EGM by, any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at the EGM. Entitlement to attend and vote Please note that you are only entitled to attend and vote at the meeting (or any adjournment thereof) if you are a registered shareholder. As the Fund uses the International Central Securities Depositary (" ICSD ") model of settlement and Citivic Nominees Limited is the sole registered shareholder of shares in the Fund under the ICSD settlement model, investors in the Fund should contact the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depositary, broker or nominee) if they have any queries on the course of action they should take in relation to this document. ") model of settlement and Citivic Nominees Limited is the sole registered shareholder of shares in the Fund under the ICSD settlement model, investors in the Fund should contact the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depositary, broker or nominee) if they have any queries on the course of action they should take in relation to this document. The ICAV specifies that only those members registered in the Register of the ICAV at 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 10 April 2026 or, if the EGM is adjourned, at 10:00 AM (Irish time) on the day that is two days prior to the adjourned meeting (the " record date"), shall be entitled to attend, speak, ask questions and vote at the EGM, or if relevant, any adjournment thereof and may only vote in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at that time. Changes to the Register after the record date shall be disregarded in determining the right of any person to attend and/or vote at the EGM or any adjournment thereof. Appointment of proxies A form of proxy is enclosed with this Notice of EGM for use by registered shareholders. As mentioned above, investors in the Fund who are not registered shareholders should submit their voting instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depositary, broker or nominee), instead of using the form of proxy. In order to be effective, the form of proxy duly completed and executed, together with a copy of the power of attorney or other authority under which it is executed, must be deposited by registered shareholders at the offices of FIL Investment Management (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Ireland Branch, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland or via email to FIL - Ireland Company Secretariat ( IM00116@fil.com ) so as to be received no later than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for the EGM or any adjournment thereof or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the EGM or adjourned EGM) at least forty-eight (48) hours before the taking of the poll at which it is to be used. Any alteration to the form of proxy must be initialled by the person who signs it. ) so as to be received no later than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for the EGM or any adjournment thereof or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the EGM or adjourned EGM) at least forty-eight (48) hours before the taking of the poll at which it is to be used. Any alteration to the form of proxy must be initialled by the person who signs it. Registered shareholders have several ways of exercising their votes: (a) by attending the EGM in person; or (b) by appointing a proxy to vote on their behalf. In the case of joint holders, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other registered holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the register of members in respect of the joint holding. Appendix II PROXY FORM Fidelity UCITS ICAV (the "ICAV") Fidelity Global Quality Value UCITS ETF (the "Fund") *I/We _______________________________________________________________________ of __________________________________________________________________________ (the " Member") being a shareholder of the above named Fund hereby appoint the Chairperson of the meeting or failing her Georgina Cromwell of George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland _______________________________ of________________________________________________ as the proxy of the Member to attend, speak and vote on behalf of the Member at the extraordinary general meeting of the Fund to be held at the offices of FIL Investment Management (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Ireland Branch, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland at 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 14 April 2026 and at any adjournment thereof. Please indicate with an "X" in the space below how you wish your votes to be cast in respect of the resolution. If no specific direction as to voting is given, the proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his discretion. RESOLUTION IN FAVOUR ABSTAIN AGAINST Ordinary Resolution to approve the changes to the Fund's investment objective and policies as described in the circular to shareholders dated 19 March 2026 Dated this the day of , 2026 ________________________ Signature of Member Notes: (a) In the case of a body corporate, the Proxy Form must be either under seal of the body corporate or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised in writing. (b) The Proxy Form, together with the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed, or a notarially certified copy of that power or authority, must be deposited at the offices of FIL Investment Management (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Ireland Branch, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland no later than the time of the meeting. An emailed copy will be accepted and can be sent for the attention of Georgina Cromwell at FIL - Ireland Company Secretariat ( IM00116@fil.com ). (c) Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy will vote as he/she thinks fit. (d) In the case of joint shareholders, the signature of the first named shareholder will suffice. (e) If you wish to appoint a proxy of your choice, delete the words "the Chairperson" and insert the name of the proxy you wish to appoint (who need not be a member of the ICAV). (f) The returning of a Proxy Form duly completed will not prevent a member in the ICAV from attending and voting in person. (g) As the sub-funds of the ICAV use the International Central Securities Depositary (" ICSD") model of settlement and Citivic Nominees Limited is the sole registered shareholder of shares in the Fund under the ICSD settlement model, investors in the Fund should submit their voting instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depositary, broker or nominee) instead of submitting this Proxy Form to the secretary of the ICAV. APPENDIX III LETTER OF REPRESENTATION (CORPORATE SHAREHOLDERS ONLY) To: The Directors Fidelity UCITS ICAV George's Quay House 43 Townsend Street Dublin 2 Ireland Dear Sirs We,_____________________________________________________________________________, of _______________________________________________________________________________ (the " Company") being a shareholder of Fidelity Global Quality Value UCITS ETF (the " Fund"), hereby notify you that pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors, the Chairperson of the shareholders' meeting to consider the ordinary resolution, or (failing her) Georgina Cromwell of George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland or (failing her) _____________________________________of___________________________________________ has been appointed as the Company's representative to attend and vote on the Company's behalf at the extraordinary general meeting of the Fund to be held at the offices of FIL Investment Management (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Ireland Branch, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland at 10:00 AM (Irish time) on 14 April 2026 and at any adjournment thereof. Such person so appointed shall be entitled to exercise the same powers at any such meeting in respect of our shares in the Fund as we could exercise if we were an individual shareholder and is empowered to sign any necessary consents in connection with any such extraordinary general meeting, with respect to any ordinary business on behalf of the Company. Signed Duly authorised officer For and on behalf of ________________________ Date Appendix IV MARKED-UP SUPPLEMENT OF FIDELITY GLOBAL QUALITY VALUE UCITS ETF Datavid's expertise in graph data engineering and knowledge graphs for LLM grounding will further enhance C5i's capabilities in deploying business-ready generative and agentic AI solutions LONDON , March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AI & Analytics company, C5i, today announced the signing of an agreement to fully acquire Datavid, a data & AI company that helps organizations transform fragmented, unstructured, and siloed data into trusted, AI-ready data architectures using advanced data and graph engineering, knowledge graph design, and semantic modelling. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of March 26. Headquartered in London, UK, Datavid has delivery teams across the United States, Romania, and India. The acquisition will further expand C5i's geographic footprint in Europe and strengthen nearshore delivery capabilities in the UK and Romania. C5i has been deploying generative AI and agentic AI use cases across its global client base through its agentic AI platform, Agent5i, in supply chain and supply network planning, Customer 360 across various touchpoints, product engineering, marketing optimization, and managing and predicting risk. To deploy generative AI and agentic AI effectively, organizations must move beyond traditional data pipelines toward graph-based data engineering and semantic knowledge layers. As enterprise AI shifts toward autonomous, agent-driven decision systems, this semantic data foundation will become a critical prerequisite for scalable and reliable agentic AI. Combining Datavid's expertise with its own strengths significantly enhances C5i's ability to leverage and deploy knowledge graph capability, which enables AI systems to understand relationships, context, and meaning across disparate data sources, allowing models to reason, explain outcomes, and generate trustworthy insights and actions. Datavid's team of AI engineers, knowledge graph architects, semantic technologists, and data scientists has built strong data and AI foundations for leading global life sciences companies, scientific publishers, standards organizations, and financial institutions. The company's clinical and R&D capabilities for pharma companies especially complement C5i's current focus and strength in the commercial side of the life sciences sector. The company's semantic data platform operationalizes knowledge graphs and helps organizations turn siloed structured and unstructured data sources into connected, searchable, and AI-ready knowledge. In life sciences, Datavid transforms complex scientific and clinical data into connected knowledge graphs that accelerate drug discovery, improve clinical trial success, strengthen regulatory confidence by shortening submission cycles, and enable trusted AI-driven research and decision-making. Ashwin Mittal, Executive Chairman of C5i, commented: "The future of enterprise AI will be driven by large language models and agentic systems that can understand and act on enterprise knowledge. Knowledge graphs provide the critical context layer that allows AI to reason across vast amounts of structured and unstructured data. This acquisition will strengthen C5i's proposition to clients to build intelligent systems that move from insight to autonomous action in several domains, including supply chain optimization, Customer 360, risk, product engineering, and others. We will also be able to provide a holistic value proposition for the life sciences industry by combining our strength in commercial analytics with Datavid's expertise in R&D and scientific applications." Datavid will also gain the opportunity to scale its technology across C5i's global client base while complementing its graph data engineering capabilities with C5i's AI expertise and agentic AI platform, Agent5i. Datavid's clients will benefit from access to C5i's broader portfolio of AI and analytics capabilities to drive more actionable decision intelligence. Co-Founder and CEO of Datavid, Balvinder Dang, commented: "Most enterprises have fragmented, context-poor data that limits what AI can meaningfully do with it. Knowledge graphs solve that foundational problem. They bring structure, relationships, and context to complex multi-source data, giving AI systems something they can genuinely reason over rather than just pattern-match against. Datavid has spent years helping organizations in regulated industries connect complex, multi-source data into coherent, queryable knowledge structures that AI can actually reason over. Partnering with C5i brings together complementary depth in analytics and AI implementation, and gives our clients a more complete path to AI that doesn't just generate outputs, it supports decisions that people can understand, defend, and act on with confidence." Knowledge graphs enable organizations to map relationships between customers, products, campaigns, suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, logistics networks, and retail partners, uncovering hidden patterns and connections within complex enterprise ecosystems, and leverage unstructured data at scale. This deeper contextual understanding will allow C5i's AI systems to deliver smarter, more context-aware insights and actions through its enterprise-grade platforms. Equirus Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisors to Datavid and their shareholders. About C5i C5i is a pure-play AI & Analytics provider that combines the power of human perspective with AI technology to deliver trustworthy intelligence to global corporations. The company drives value through a comprehensive solution set, integrating multifunctional teams that have technical and business domain expertise with a robust suite of products, solutions, and services tailored for various horizontal and industry-specific use cases. At the core, C5i's focus is to deliver business impact at speed and scale by driving adoption of AI-assisted decision-making. C5i caters to some of the world's largest enterprises, including many Fortune 500 companies across industries, including technology, consumer goods, life sciences, and others. The company has been recognized by leading industry analysts like Gartner, Forrester, and Everest Group for its AI & Analytics capabilities and proprietary AI-based solutions. About Datavid Datavid is a data & AI company that helps organizations transform fragmented, unstructured, and siloed data into trusted, AI-ready knowledge at scale. Datavid delivers outcomes that matter: regulatory-grade data governance, enterprise semantic layers, knowledge graph foundations, composable AI architectures, and large-scale data unification. As knowledge graphs become critical for LLM grounding and enterprise AI reliability, Datavid helps enterprises ensure their data is contextualized, secure, explainable, and semantically aligned to power Generative and Agentic AI systems. Media Contact: Megha Chaudhry Senior Vice President - Global Head of Marketing & Alliance Management C5i E: megha.chaudhry@c5i.ai Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2414892/C5i_New_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/c5i-signs-agreement-to-acquire-uk-based-datavid-strengthening-graph-data-capabilities-for-generative-and-agentic-ai-solutions-302718596.html Highlights: East Feeder of Main Zone LMD-130: 0.5 metres grading 2,371 g/t silver and 11.09 g/t gold, and 0.5 metres grading 521.7 g/t silver and 2.94 g/t gold West Feeder of Main Zone LMD-131: 0.5 metres grading 469.4 g/t silver and 6.61 g/t gold LMD-132: 0.6 metres grading 255.3 g/t silver and 5.96 g/t gold, and 0.5 metres grading 612 g/t silver and 1.48 g/t gold LMD-129: 1.5 metres grading 16.4 g/t silver and 9.17 g/t gold, including 0.5 metres grading 28.6 g/t silver and 18.32 g/t gold Multiple high-grade veins of key importance have been extended along strike and remain open in all directions Confirmation of a continuous vein in the Eastern Zone, consistently mineralized with gold and silver at a shallow vertical depth The Company is fully-funded for a minimum of 5,000 metres expected to commence in the coming weeks Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Astra Exploration Inc. (TSXV: ASTR) (OTCQB: ATEPF) (FSE: S3I) ("Astra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the third batch of assays consisting of seven DDH holes from the Phase II drill program at the La Manchuria Gold and Silver Project in Santa Cruz, Argentina. Assays remain pending for 5 holes. Astra's CEO, Brian Miller commented: "The mineralized vein system at La Manchuria continues to rapidly expand in all directions with several new intercepts of high grade silver and gold. And, because drilling has repeatedly shown that narrow veinlets near surface converge into thicker veins with depth, often with higher grades, the elevated grades encountered at these shallow depths below surface are very encouraging. "With this set of holes, the West Feeder of the Main Zone has been extended along strike in both directions, and the East Feeder has been extended along strike to the southeast. These veins are key high-grade structures of the Main Zone which appear to be converging with depth, forming compelling feeder zone targets. Importantly, the highest grade intercept in LMD-130 is interpreted to be a possible extension of the Argentum Vein, 220 metres along strike to the southeast of hole LMD-108A, which returned 1.4 metres grading 35 g/t gold and 8,356 g/t silver in Astra's Phase I drill program." Program Details A total of 25 drill holes were completed in late 2025 totaling 5,119 metres (see Mar 2, 2026 news release: "Astra Makes New Discovery, Hitting 6.3 Metres of 837 g/t Silver and 3.32 g/t Gold at La Manchuria Project, Argentina"). The drill program focused on expanding the near-surface footprint of the system with shallow (<200 metres vertical depth) drill holes. The seven drill holes reported herein were focused on the Main Zone, the Eastern Zone and the Basalto Zone areas (Figure 1), each of which intersected at least one noteworthy gold and/or silver interval (Table 1). Figure 1: Phase II holes drilled to date with assays for the seven holes in this news release highlighted in yellow. Location for long section in Figure 3 in dark blue dashed line. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/289125_71d1a13d248c6958_002full.jpg Field crews are currently completing geophysical surveys to extend the 3D resistivity model to the south and west beneath post-mineral cover. This will provide additional drill targets for the upcoming 5,000 metre (minimum) program expected to commence in April. East Feeder at Main Zone Drill hole LMD-130 was designed to test the south extension of the East Feeder in an unexplored area around 70 metres east of the post-mineral E fault (Figure 1). The hole intersected several intervals of gold and silver mineralization, including a possible extension of the Argentum Vein approximately 220 metres along strike to the southeast of hole LMD-108A (see June 10, 2025 news release: "Astra Drills 1.4m Grading 35.3g/t Gold and 8,356 g/t Silver At La Manchuria Project, Santa Cruz, Argentina"). This interval returned 0.5 metres grading 11.09 g/t Au and 2,371 g/t Ag (Figure 3) within andesite host rocks at a depth of 150 metres below surface. This interval is further confirmation that the andesitic sills which were previously thought to be barren, can host high grade gold and silver. The structure remains open in all directions. Figure 2: Cross section of hole LMD-130 showing the several mineralized areas at the SE extension of the East Feeder in the Main Zone. Gold and silver results are in grams per tonne (g/t). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/289125_71d1a13d248c6958_003full.jpg West Feeder at Main Zone The West Feeder, currently 750 metres in strike length, contains some of the thickest veins and highest grades currently known at La Manchuria and is open in all directions. Holes LMD-131 and LMD-132 were designed to test the northwestern extension of the West Feeder beyond the post-mineral A fault (Figure 1) in a downthrown block, as defined by geophysics beneath the shallow cover. LMD-131 intersected West Feeder mineralization between ~30 and 80 metres below surface within a continuous group of veins and veinlets hosted in the pyroclastic sequence, a host rock which regularly contains high-grade veins. The thickest vein returned the highest grades, with 0.5m grading 6.61 g/t gold & 469.4 g/t silver. Hole LMD-132 intersected West Feeder mineralization beneath LMD-126 at about 70 metres below surface. The hole intersected several veins and veinlets containing sulfide-rich bands with visible silver sulfosalts from ~20 to 70 metres beneath surface. Two notable intervals include 0.6 metres grading 255.3 g/t silver and 5.96 g/t gold, and 0.5 metres grading 612 g/t silver and 1.48 g/t gold. Silver and gold grades are present at the hanging wall of the West Feeder vein that is steeply dipping to the SW in this block. The results from holes LMD-131 and LMD-132 confirm the shallow system elevation and suggest strong potential to extend mineralization at depth. Hole LMD-129 was completed in a deeper area of the southeastern portion of the vein system below the post-mineral breccia and close to LMD-107A (Figure 2 and Table 1). Hole LMD-129 intersected West Feeder mineralization at ~180 metres below surface after crosscutting veins from the Basalto Zone near the top of the hole. The interval of 0.5 metres grading 18.32 g/t gold & 28.6 g/t silver within a banded quartz vein, is hosted in the pyroclastic sequence between andesitic sills. Figure 3: Long section of the West Feeder in the Main Zone (location shown in Figure 1 by dark blue dashed line) with interpreted downthrown target areas. Completed Phase II holes: in blue pending assay results, in red previously published results, and in white the new holes reported in this news release. Resistivity values expressed in ohm-m. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/289125_71d1a13d248c6958_004full.jpg Eastern Zone Three of the four holes drilled in the minimally explored Eastern Zone are reported herein. These three holes were designed to test the most continuous vein outcropping at surface at this shallowly exposed vein system. All three holes crosscut the southwest dipping primary vein composed by a banded quartz-adularia vein associated with fault breccia, together with several veins and veinlets in the hanging wall. All of these holes reported multiple gold and silver intervals and are hosted in rhyolitic tuffs and andesitic sills (Figure 1 and Table 1). Results at the Eastern Zone increase the potential of this area to host disseminated mineralization and increase the possibility of a large structure continuing at depth. Basalto Zone LMD-128 (previously released results) at Basalto zone, revealed shallow silver-rich mineralization hosted in veins and veinlets near the surface. Hole LMD-129 confirms this vein system strikes west-northwest and dips east, with some veinlets oriented subparallel to the drill core axis. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/289125_tableone.jpg Table 1: Assays from an additional seven holes of Phase II drilling at La Manchuria using cutoff grade of 0.5 g/t AuEq. Ag:Au ratio of 60 using $3,600 Au and $60 Ag. Recoveries of 94% for Au and 85% for Ag is an average based on three regional mine operations1 and are reflected in AuEq and AgEq values above. Estimated true widths are approximately 85% of widths reported herein for the holes reported in this news release. Sampling Procedures Drill samples consisted of HQ core which were split in half, sampled, bagged, and tagged by Astra's geological team and then delivered to the Alex Stewart International Argentina laboratory in Mendoza. Drill samples were prepared with P5 code and then analyzed with fire assay for gold (Au4-50) and multi-elements by ICP (ICP-AR 39). Silver (>200 g/t) over-limits were analyzed by gravity method (Ag4A-50). A total of 131 Blanks and 154 standards (4 different Au and Ag grades) were used as QAQC for the group of 2,831 samples. About the Company Astra Exploration Inc. is a precious metals exploration company based out of Vancouver, BC that is actively building a portfolio of high-quality projects in some of the most important mining jurisdictions in Latin America. The La Manchuria gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, over which Astra has an option to acquire 90% interest from the owner, Patagonia Gold Corp, is a high-grade gold and silver low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) deposit located in the prolific Deseado Massif which hosts multiple world-class LSE precious metals deposits including Cerro Vanguardia and Cerro Negro, Santa Cruz, Argentina. The 100% owned Pampa Paciencia gold and silver project in northern Chile is located in the Paleocene mineral province in proximity to such major operating mines as Spence and Sierra Gorda. The project shares several important geological similarities to other Paleocene LSE gold-silver deposits including Faride and El Penon. The 100% owned Cerro Bayo project in northern Chile is located in the Maricunga belt approximately 20 km from the Refugio Mine. The project hosts a high sulphidation epithermal (HSE) +/- porphyry gold system with similarities to the Salares Norte deposit to the north in the same belt. The Maricunga belt is one of the most endowed regions in the world for gold and copper deposits. Qualified Person The technical data and information as disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Darcy Marud, who is an Independent Director of Astra. Mr. Marud is a Practicing Member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. References: 1 Sources: Steinmann, Michael, March 2006 Manantial-Espejo Project Canadian Standard NI 43-101, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina Prepared for Minera Triton Argentina, S.A. https://panamericansilver.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Manantial-Espejo-Technical-Report.pdf Goldcorp - Third Quarter Report, September 30, 2017 https://s24.q4cdn.com/382246808/files/doc_financials/mda/2017/MD-A-FS-2017Q3-Website.pdf AngloGoldAshanti - Technical Report Summary, Cerro Vanguardia, A Life of Mine Summary Report, December 31, 2021 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1067428/000162828022007855/a2021_-xcerroxvanguardia.htm Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Company's business activities; exploration on the Company's properties including drilling at the La Manchuria project. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation: development of the industry in which the Company operates; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's business activities; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; laws and regulations governing the industry in which the Company operates; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and other risk factors disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to 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 cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. 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/289125 Source: Astra Exploration Inc. One-day conference featuring speakers from Primark, Lazard, Invesco, Metro Bank, and Watches of Switzerland Group alongside acclaimed author and self-described pirate Sam Conniff to keynote Zip, the leading AI platform for enterprise procurement, today announced that Zip Forward Europe 2026 will be held April 16, 2026 at Convene 22 Bishopsgate in London. The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers including Laura Cook, Director of Procurement at Primark; Jonathan Ridgwell, Director of Global Procurement at Lazard; Clare Cassano, Head of Procurement Strategy at Invesco; James Drury, Head of Supplier Risk Assurance at Metro Bank; and Laura Hunt, Head of Procurement at Watches of Switzerland Group. Under the theme 'Agents of Change,' Zip Forward Europe 2026 will bring together over 300 procurement and finance leaders navigating rising third-party risk from cyber threats and ESG to financial compliance while driving AI adoption and ROI amid rapidly shifting global regulations. Whether redesigning operating models or deploying AI agents that are already transforming how enterprises spend and grow, the one-day conference will feature keynotes, live demos, hands-on agent workshops, and practitioner-led sessions on what's actually working, alongside major AI product announcements from Zip. The day will close with Sam Conniff's keynote on why the organizations that will win in an AI-accelerated world aren't those that comply fastest, but those that know when to challenge the rules entirely. "AI is reshaping every part of how enterprises buy and operate, and Europe's procurement leaders are navigating that shift with some of the most complex regulatory and market pressures in the world. At Zip, we're proud to be the platform these leaders trust," said Rujul Zaparde, co-founder and CEO of Zip. "Zip Forward Europe is our chance to bring together the best minds in European enterprise procurement to shape what comes next together." Event Highlights: When: April 16, 2026 What: Keynotes, roundtables, live demos, hands-on AI agent workshops, product announcements, and a session on global e-invoicing compliance in partnership with Sovos Who: CFOs, CPOs, and procurement and finance leaders Where: Convene 22 Bishopsgate, Floor 3, London How: Register at https://ziphq.com/forward-europe About Zip Zip is the leading AI platform for enterprise procurement. Through one platform, Zip unifies how companies purchase replacing fragmented tools and manual processes with intelligent orchestration that procurement teams and employees actually want to use. Zip is the only procurement orchestration platform with full intake-to-pay capabilities and has the most widely deployed AI agents in enterprise procurement. Zip has delivered over $6 billion in customer savings and powers modern procurement for hundreds of global enterprises, including Anthropic, AMD, Discover, Dollar Tree, OpenAI, T-Mobile, and more. Visit www.ziphq.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319191181/en/ Contacts: chrysta@theolsoncompany.co Full year 2025 Highlights Achieved full-year production guidance with 34,098 gold-equivalent ounces ("GEOs") produced in calendar 2025 Outperformed calendar 2025 cash cost guidance with consolidated cash costs of $1,541/GEO with all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $2,028/GEO within the guidance range $65.9 million in mine operating earnings from ounces not in reserves at the time of acquisition (stockpiles, re-leaching, etc) in November 2024 Changed fiscal year end from March 31 to December 31 Mine operating earnings of $47.4 million; net income of $12.4 million after $13.3 million of exploration costs in the nine-month period ended December 31, 2025 $40.6 million in cash, working capital of $49.0 million and no debt as of December 31, 2025 Exercise of the majority of the remaining 23.4 million warrants issued in March 2023 for net proceeds of $2.7 million subsequent to period end Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") today reported audited financial results for the nine months ended December 31, 2025 ("Fiscal 2025"). The fiscal 2025 results are presented for the nine-months period as the Company adjusted its reporting year end to December 31. Heliostar CEO, Charles Funk, commented, "2025 was truly a transformational year for Heliostar that has established an excellent platform to grow from. We moved from two assets in residual leaching to restarting production from stockpiles at La Colorada and closed out the year by bringing San Agustin back online. The creativity of our team to move on opportunities quickly allowed us to fully capture the impact of the rising gold price in 2025 by achieving gold-producer status. Heliostar has generated $65.9 million in mine operating earnings from production of ounces not in reserves when we purchased the portfolio in November 2024 for $5 million. "The cash from operations has, and will continue to, support further growth in the business. We plan to invest $27.0 million in exploration across the portfolio in 2026 to unlock the near-mine geologic potential at our operations. We also plan to invest in growing production. Planned stripping at the Veta Madre pit cutback, advancing the underground decline at Ana Paula and defining mine life extension opportunities at San Agustin will all allow Heliostar to continue to grow production into 2027 and beyond." 2025 Results Conference Call Heliostar will host a conference call on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time/11:00 AM Pacific Time. The call will provide a corporate update following the release of our financial and operating results for fiscal 2025. Please use the link here to register for the call or visit the Company website at www.heliostarmetals.com. 2025 Operational and Financial Highlights Total gold production of 34,098 GEOs (32,990 gold ounces) in calendar 2025, including 8,447 GEOs (8,022 gold ounces) in the three months ended December 31. Gold production through the year was realized from mining the Junkyard Stockpile at the La Colorada mine, as well as re-leaching the previously stacked ore at the La Colorada and the San Agustin mines. This was in line with the calendar 2025 guidance issued by the Company on February 4, 2025, of 31,000-41,000 GEOs. Total Cash Cost of $1,541 per GEO sold in calendar 2025. Consolidated total cash costs for the three months ended December 31, 2025 (see "Non-IFRS Measures") were $1,911 per GEO sold. Total AISC of $2,028 per GEO sold in calendar 2025. Consolidated AISC for the three months ended December 31, 2025, was $2,658 per GEO sold. As expected, the increase from the previous quarter reflects the $3.4M in sustaining capital invested at San Agustin to bring the mine back into production. Total Cash Costs and AISC were within the 2025 guidance range of $1,800-$1,950/GEO and $1,950-$2,100/GEO, respectively. This is despite the change in AISC calculation methodology in the three months ended September 30, 2025, to include corporate general and administrative ("G&A") and stock-based compensation costs, expensed exploration incurred in the period, and the removal of previously included by-product credits. Mine operating earnings of $47.4 million in the nine months of fiscal 2025. The Company continued to report strong results in the final quarter of 2025 with mine operating earnings of $18.8 million, the strongest quarter in the Company's history. Operating margin in the quarter benefited from a rising gold market, more than offsetting the increased operating costs associated with restarting San Agustin and the leach pad inventory build at La Colorada. Net income attributable to shareholders of $12.4 million, or $0.04 per share on a fully diluted basis, for fiscal 2025. Net income of $9.3 million ($0.04 per share) for the three months ended December 31, 2025, compared to $1.3 million ($0.01 per share) for the previous quarter. This was due to stronger mine operating earnings from a rising gold price, positive moves in foreign exchange rates and income tax recovery. Strengthened financial position and liquidity: On December 31, 2025, the Company had cash of $40.6 million and working capital (defined as current assets less current liabilities) of $49.0 million. The increase compared to September 30, 2025, was due to the sale of unsold ounces at the end of the previous quarter and a rising gold price. These factors more than compensated for the capital invested to bring new production online at San Agustin, spending on exploration drilling and outlay for technical study work. Maintained stable production at La Colorada mine. The mining of new ore restarted at the Junkyard Stockpile in January 2025. Production from the Junkyard Stockpile was steady through the year, with operating costs as expected, grade in line with the reserve model and ore tonnes slightly higher than expected. Crusher feed from the stockpiles has continued into 2026, and early results from injection leaching technology have shown promising results. This should allow the operation to recover additional ounces from material previously stacked on the leach pad. The Company intends to expand the Veta Madre pit to exploit 43k ounces of gold reserves with waste stripping for the pit pushback slated to start in Q3 2026. In addition, Heliostar has completed a drill campaign at Veta Madre Plus with the aim of adding additional indicated material into a near-term mine plan in short order. Results are expected to be released in the coming weeks. Restarted mining at San Agustin. Through the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company focused on restarting primary mining, crushing and stacking activities at San Agustin. The first blast occurred on December 18, 2025 with the first gold poured in January 2026. The operation has since successfully ramped up to steady-state production, and gold production from the San Agustin mine will be a major cash flow driver for Heliostar through 2026 and beyond. Recoverable reserves at the Corner are estimated at 44.5k ounces of gold. Strong economics and continued drilling success at Ana Paula drive additional investment. On November 6, 2025, the Company announced the results of a Preliminary Economic Study (PEA) for Ana Paula. These showed attractive economics at a conservative gold price, driven by production of 101 koz/yr after ramp-up, at an average all-in sustaining cost of $1,011/oz. On the back of this positive outcome, the Company has announced its intention to complete the production-scale underground decline access to the deposit in 2026. This work is expected to start in Q3 2026 and reach the deposit in early 2027. Technical and regulatory programs are being advanced in parallel and will continue through 2026 to complete a bankable feasibility study in the first half of 2027. Based on the successful drilling step-out and step-down extensions of the Ana Paula deposit, the Company has committed to an additional 10,000m of drilling in 2026. Additional assay results from the expanded 20,000m drill program started in 2025 are pending, including additional holes targeting extensions at depth. Preparation of updated technical reports. In addition to the Ana Paula PEA, the Company announced the results of an updated technical report for the La Colorada Mine on October 17, 2025, and the results of the Cerro del Gallo project Pre-Feasibility Study on December 11, 2025. Operational and Financial Results Results are reported for the three months ended December 31, 2025, which correspond to the third and final quarter of Heliostar's fiscal reporting period with the change of year-end from March 31 to December 31. The three months ended December 31, 2025, are noted as "Q4 2025." Unless otherwise noted, "2025" refers to the calendar period of 12 months ended December 31, 2025. A summary of the Company's consolidated operational and financial results for the reporting period is presented below: Key Performance Metrics Q4 2025 2025 Operational Gold produced (ounces) 8,022 32,990 Gold equivalent ounces produced 8,447 34,098 Gold sold (ounces) 8,785 32,479 Gold equivalent ounces sold 8,904 33,134 Cash cost1 per GEO sold $1,911 $1,541 All-in sustaining costs1 ("AISC") per GEO sold $2,658 $2,028 Financial (in '000s) Q4 2025 Fiscal 2025 Revenues $37,133 $91,824 Mine operating earnings $18,849 $47,348 Exploration expenses $4,929 $13,256 Net income (loss) before tax $6,575 $17,908 Cash $40,623 $40,623 Total assets $145,429 $145,429 Working Capital $48,966 $48,966 Non-IFRS measure. Refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release. Operational Review Consolidated Production and Costs Production of 8,459 GEOs (8,022 gold ounces) in Q4 2025 was reported from the La Colorada mine and the San Agustin mine. In late Q2, the El Castillo mine ceased production, and reclamation commenced at the start of Q3. The combined full calendar year 2025 production of 34,098 GEOs (32,990 gold ounces) achieved the 2025 production guidance issued by the Company of 31,000-41,000 GEOs. On January 13, 2026, Heliostar provided 2026 production guidance of 50,000-55,000 ounces of gold and 290,000-320,000 ounces of silver. The combined cash costs for the producing operations for Q4 were $1,911 per GEO sold, and the consolidated AISC was $2,658 per GEO sold. The AISC in Q4 was higher, as forecast, due to the restart of mining operations at San Agustin and is guided to revert to 2,025-2,125 in 2026. For the full calendar year 2025, combined cash costs were $1,541 per GEO sold, and consolidated AISC was $2,028 per GEO sold. The combined cash costs were below the guidance range of $1,800-$1,950 per GEO due to lower operating unit costs. All-in sustaining costs were in line with guidance of $1,950-$2,100 per GEO for AISC due to the inclusion of allocated corporate G&A, stock-based compensation and expensed exploration. La Colorada Mine Operating results for Q4 2025 were as follows: La Colorada Q4 2025 2025 Gold produced oz 4,910 17,793 Gold equivalent ounces produced GEO 5,139 18,467 Gold sold oz 5,281 16,146 Gold equivalent ounces sold GEO 5,377 16,582 Cash cost1 $/GEO sold $1,829 $1,508 All-in sustaining costs1 $/GEO sold $1,883 $1,583 In January 2025, mining of new ore restarted at the Junkyard Stockpile by the Company, alongside re-leach activities of ore stacked by previous operators. During Q4 2025, the La Colorada mine produced 5,139 GEOs (4,910 gold ounces). Total revenues of $22.6 million were reported from sales of 5,377 GEOs. The decrease in production compared to the previous quarter was driven by lower gold grades stacked during the quarter, partially offset by higher silver contribution from re-leach activities. For the quarterly reporting period, cash costs were $1,829 per GEO, and AISC was $1,883 per GEO. For the full 2025 calendar year, cash costs were $1,508 per GEO, and AISC was $1,583 per GEO, below the site-level guidance for 2025 of $1,800-1,950 per GEO for cash costs and $1,850-$1,975 per GEO for AISC. The higher cash costs and AISC compared to Q3 were driven by costs incurred to start up the injection leaching operation, and more waste was moved from the stockpiles than in the previous quarter. Mining of the surface stockpiles was completed in Q1 2026. Production in 2026 is expected to be driven by continued residual leaching activities from the surface of the pad, as well as utilizing drilling and pressure injection technology to access partially leached material at the lower levels of the pad. The Company has been evaluating the effectiveness of this technology (more commonly found at copper mines) and has seen very encouraging early results. The Company intends to start capitalized waste stripping activities to expand the Veta Madre pit in the second half of 2026. This will enable Heliostar to exploit the 43k ounces of gold reserve, which will drive 2027 production. Drilling to define the mineralization at Veta Madre Plus has recently concluded, with the aim of bringing it into production starting in 2027 and continuing through into 2028. Assays are pending for this drill campaign and are expected to be released in Q2 2026. The inclusion of any material from Veta Madre Plus into a mine plan would be incremental to that shown in the October 17, 2025, technical report for La Colorada. This study, which included Veta Madre and subsequent exploitation of ore within an expanded El Creston pit, showed a six-year life producing 286k gold ounces at an AISC of $1,626 per GEO with upside case economics of an NPV5% of $243.3M and an IRR of 168.4% at a $3,500/oz gold price. San Agustin Mine Operating results for Q4 2025 were as follows: San Agustin Q4 2025 2025 Gold produced oz 3,270 14,883 Gold equivalent ounces produced GEO 3,320 15,139 Gold sold oz 3,414 15,597 Gold equivalent ounces sold GEO 3,437 15,810 Cash cost1 $/GEO sold $ 2,070 $1,575 All-in sustaining costs1 $/GEO sold $ 3,298 $1,927 Through 2025, production at San Agustin was derived from residual leaching of ore placed on the pad by previous operators. In July 2025, Heliostar received approval to restart mining at the operation, with the first blast in December 2025 and the pouring of first gold from the restart in January 2026. In the last quarter of 2025, San Agustin produced 3,320 GEOs (3,270 gold ounces). Total revenues of $14.4 million were reported from sales of 3,437 GEOs. Re-leaching performance continued well above expectations in the quarter as a result of enhanced recovery initiatives conducted earlier in the year. For Q4, cash costs were $2,070 per GEO, and AISC was $3,298 per GEO. For the full 2025 calendar year, cash costs were $1,575 per GEO, and AISC was $1,927 per GEO. During the quarter, the mine restarted primary production from mining the Coner area reserve. Site preparation activities, contractor mobilization and the re-commissioning of the crusher circuit were all completed on time and on budget. The existing infrastructure and high level of preparedness on site allowed for a rapid ramp-up. In January 2026, the first gold was poured from new material stacked on lower levels of the leach pad, and the operation has achieved its steady state operating run rate. Mining of the Corner area reserve will be done through 2026 and continue into 2027. Recoverable reserves at the Corner are estimated at 44.5k ounces of gold. A 15,000-18,000m drill campaign at San Agustin is ongoing, focused on defining additional oxide resources at the margins of the existing open pit. The intent is that, once defined, this material could be rapidly added into the mine plan to extend mine life and continue to generate additional cashflow beyond the current 14-month mine life. Initial results from this program included 35.1m grading 0.4 g/t AuEq from 1.5m and 19.8m trading 0.6 g/t AuEq, with additional assays expected to be released in Q2 2026. Ana Paula Project Development and exploration expenditures at the flagship Ana Paula Project were $5.3 million in Q4 and $11.6 million in the full 2025 calendar year. During Q4 2025, the Company progressed its expanded 20,000 metre drilling program at Ana Paula with the objective of delivering mineral reserves that will support a 10-year life-of-mine in the Feasibility Study planned to be released in the first half of 2027. Subsequent to the reporting period, on February 23, 2026, the Company announced the first set of new drill results from the Expansion Zone, including 25.45m of 8.26 g/t. Results from additional holes are pending from this area and expected to be released in the coming months. On December 15, 2025, Heliostar released the results of a Preliminary Economic Study (PEA) for Ana Paula showing strong economics at a conservative gold price. This showed a mine with a nine-year life, producing 101 koz/yr after ramp-up, at an AISC of $1,011/oz. This resulted in upside case economics of an NPV5% of $1,012M, an IRR of 51.3% and an average annual after-tax free cash flow of $168M at a $3,800/oz gold price. Given the robust PEA economics and strong cashflow generated from operations, the Company has committed to restarting the advance of the decline in the second half of 2026. A total of $15 million has been budgeted for this work, which will: (1) establish early access to the Ana Paula underground deposit and (2) provide an underground drilling platform to continue exploration drilling down dip. In parallel, work on the Feasibility Study is ongoing. This includes advanced metallurgical testing, updating the resource to include the recent drilling, detailed process plant design and mine plan optimization. Heliostar is also rapidly advancing permitting and is on track to submit the permit modification for the underground mine and associated surface infrastructure in mid-2026. Cerro del Gallo Project During Q4 2025, the Company released the results of a Prefeasibility Study for the Cerro del Gallo project based on information collected by previous owners. This work included updated mineral resources and mineral reserves based on an updated gold price, as well as better definition of transition material and an optimized mining and stacking plan. The study showed a mine with a 15-year life producing 86k GEO/yr at an AISC of $1,390 per GEO. This resulted in upside case economics of an NPV5% of $972M, an IRR of 59.3% and a 1.4-year payback period at a $3,900/oz gold price. The work program for the project for 2026 is focused on social engagement with the local stakeholders, collecting additional metallurgical samples through a small drill program and unlocking the full potential of the land-package-constrained reserve. All major environmental and other permits will need to be obtained before an investment decision can be considered by the Company. Funding Overview In the three months ended December 31, 2025, 11.6 million warrants and 0.9 million stock options were exercised for total proceeds of $4.0 million and 200,000 RSUs were converted. Subsequent to quarter end, 11.4 million warrants and 0.5 million stock options were exercised for total proceeds of $2.8 million. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had no debt. Non-IFRS Measures. This news release refers to certain financial measures, such as all-in-sustaining costs, which are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may differ from those made by other companies and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such measures as reported by other companies. These measures have been derived from the Company's financial statements because the Company believes that they are of assistance in understanding the results of operations and its financial position. Certain additional disclosures for these specified financial measures have been incorporated by reference and can be found in the Company's MD&A for fiscal 2025, available on SEDAR+. Cash costs. The Company uses cash costs per gold equivalent ounce sold to monitor its operating performance internally. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with IFRS is cost of sales. The Company believes this measure provides investors and analysts with useful information about its underlying cash costs of operations. The Company also believes it is a relevant metric used to understand its operating profitability and ability to generate cash flow. Cash costs are measures developed by metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's reporting of these non-GAAP financial measures is similar to those reported by other mining companies. They are widely reported in the metals mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures. Cash costs include production costs, refinery and transportation costs and extraordinary mining duty. Cash costs exclude non-cash depreciation and depletion and site share-based compensation. Production costs include mining, crushing, processing, and direct overhead at the operation sites. AISC. AISC more fully defines the total costs associated with producing precious metals. The AISC is calculated based on guidelines published by the World Gold Council (WGC), which were first issued in 2013. In light of new accounting standards and to support further consistency of application, the WGC published an updated Guidance Note in 2018. Other companies may calculate this measure differently because of differences in underlying principles and policies applied. Differences may also arise due to a different definition of sustaining versus growth capital. Note that in respect of AISC metrics within the technical reports, because such economics are disclosed at the project level, corporate general and administrative expenses were not included in the AISC calculations. AISC per GEO includes mining, processing, direct overhead, reclamation and sustaining capital. Statement of Qualified Persons Gregg Bush, P.Eng., and Mike Gingles, P. Geo., Qualified Persons, as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, have reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and have approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Bush is employed as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and Mr. Gingles is employed as Vice President of Corporate Development. About Heliostar Metals Ltd. Heliostar aims to grow to become a mid-tier gold producer. The Company is focused on increasing production and developing new resources at the La Colorada and San Agustin mines in Mexico, and on developing the 100% owned Ana Paula Project in Guerrero, Mexico. 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 Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the Company's goal of becoming a mid-tier producer, the mine performance, production plans and the free cashflow generation from our operating mines, all profits generated from operations to be reinvested directly into our Companies growth and this reinvestment will focus on expanding production and growing resources across our portfolio. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to the terms and completion of the Facility, any future mineral production, liquidity, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the receipt of necessary approvals, price of metals; no escalation in the severity of public health crises or ongoing military conflicts; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; and the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in foreign jurisdictions; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding exploration and mining activities; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises, ongoing military conflicts and general economic factors to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to 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 cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289169 Source: Heliostar Metals Ltd. Sao Paulo, Brazil--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Investor10, one of Brazil's leading platforms for investment analysis and portfolio tracking, announced its expansion into the United States with the launch of Investor10.com, introducing a suite of data-driven tools designed to help investors analyze and compare opportunities across stocks, ETFs, REITs, and cryptocurrencies. The platform enters the U.S. market with a clear focus: simplifying how investors access, organize, and interpret financial data. Rather than operating as a broker or financial intermediary, Investor10 is an independent platform that provides information, analytics, and portfolio management tools to support more informed investment decisions. At the core of the platform is a structured system of investment rankings that helps users identify opportunities based on multiple criteria, including performance, valuation, income, and market interest. These rankings allow investors to quickly screen top-performing assets, high-dividend stocks, undervalued companies, and trending securities across different asset classes, transforming large volumes of financial data into actionable insights and supporting more efficient opportunity discovery. In addition to its ranking system, Investor10 offers a comprehensive set of tools designed to support the full investment journey. Users can build and monitor their portfolios through an integrated tracking system, follow asset allocation, track performance over time, and visualize returns in a clear and organized way. The platform also enables users to consolidate multiple investments into a single view, making it easier to monitor diversification and overall portfolio behavior. In addition, it provides detailed company-level analysis, including financial statements, key indicators, valuation metrics, and historical data, enabling users to evaluate assets with greater depth and consistency. By combining portfolio tracking with structured financial data and intuitive navigation, Investor10 reduces the friction typically associated with investment research. The platform was built to make financial analysis more accessible, without sacrificing the level of detail required by more experienced investors, bridging the gap between simplicity and analytical depth. "Investor10 was built to address a common challenge: the difficulty investors face when trying to find, interpret, and compare reliable financial data. Expanding into the U.S. reflects both the scalability of our platform and the growing demand for accessible, data-driven investment tools," said Marcos Magalhaes, founder of Investor10. Originally launched in Brazil in 2019, Investor10 quickly gained traction by offering a centralized environment where investors could study companies, track investments, and organize their decision-making process. Since then, the platform has evolved into a widely used solution for individual investors seeking clarity and independence in their investment strategies, serving a growing base of users interested in long-term investing. Designed for both individual investors and more experienced market participants, the platform supports long-term investing by providing consistent, structured, and comparable data across assets and markets. Its approach emphasizes autonomy, allowing users to build their own analyses based on reliable information rather than relying on intermediaries or product distribution. With its U.S. launch, Investor10 aims to position itself as a global reference for investors seeking clarity, autonomy, and better decision-making through data - without the conflicts of interest associated with brokerage or financial intermediation. About Investor10 Investor10 is an independent investment analysis platform that provides tools and data to help investors make informed decisions. The platform does not operate as a broker, does not hold client funds, and does not execute transactions. Focused on long-term investing, Investor10 offers portfolio tracking, asset analysis, financial indicators, and ranking systems that allow users to monitor and compare opportunities across different markets. The platform is designed to centralize key investment information, helping users reduce complexity and improve their decision-making process. Built with the goal of making investing more accessible, Investor10 combines clear language, organized data, and practical tools to support investors at every stage of their journey. With its international expansion, Investor10 now brings its platform to U.S. and global investors through Investor10.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289176 Source: AMRYTT MEDIA Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Parties agreed to extend the maturity date of all outstanding tranches under the Finance Contract to June 28, 2028 Amendments subject to execution of definitive agreements Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. ("Newron") (SIX: NWRN, XETRA: NP5), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS), today reported that EIB and Newron have agreed to amend certain terms of the 2018 Finance Contract and Options Rights Agreement, as previously amended in 2024. In particular, the parties agreed to extend the maturity date of all outstanding tranches under the Finance Contract to June 28, 2028. The agreement contains further terms and conditions. The agreed amendments are subject to execution by the parties of definitive agreements. Details of the 2018 Finance Contract, as amended in 2024, can be found in Newron's 2024 Annual Report, which is posted on the Company's website here. Roberto Galli, Newron's CFO, commented: "We appreciate the support of the EIB in helping us align the contractual obligations of our loan agreement to the potential timing of certain upcoming significant value inflection points presented by our lead drug candidate evenamide, which is currently developed in the global pivotal ENIGMA-TRS Phase III program for the treatment of patients suffering from treatment-resistant schizophrenia." About Newron Pharmaceuticals Newron (SIX: NWRN, XETRA: NP5) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. Headquartered in Bresso near Milan, Italy, the Company has a strong track record of advancing neuroscience-based treatments from discovery to market. Newron's lead compound, evenamide, is a first-in-class glutamate modulator and has the potential to be the first add-on therapy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and for poorly responding patients with schizophrenia. Evenamide is currently developed in the global pivotal ENIGMA-TRS Phase III development program. Clinical trial results to date demonstrate the benefits of this drug candidate in the TRS as well as poorly responding patient population, with significant improvements across key efficacy measures increasing over time, as well as a favorable safety profile, which is uncommon for available antipsychotic medications. Newron has signed development and commercialization agreements for evenamide with EA Pharma (a subsidiary of Eisai) for Japan and other Asian territories, as well as Myung In Pharm for South Korea. Newron's first marketed product, Xadago/safinamide has received marketing authorization for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in the European Union, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, Latin America, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and South Korea. The product is commercialized by Newron's partner Zambon, with Supernus Pharmaceuticals holding marketing rights in the U.S., and Meiji Seika responsible for development and commercialization in Japan and other key Asian territories. For more information, please visit: www.newron.com Important Notices This document contains forward-looking statements, including (without limitation) about (1) Newron's ability to develop and expand its business, successfully complete development of its current product candidates, the timing of commencement of various clinical trials and receipt of data and current and future collaborations for the development and commercialization of its product candidates, (2) the market for drugs to treat CNS diseases and pain conditions, (3) Newron's financial resources, and (4) assumptions underlying any such statements. In some cases, these statements and assumptions can be identified by the fact that they use words such as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "plan", "believe", "target", and other words and terms of similar meaning. All statements, other than historical facts, contained herein regarding Newron's strategy, goals, plans, future financial position, projected revenues and costs and prospects are forward-looking statements. By their very nature, such statements and assumptions involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that predictions, forecasts, projections and other outcomes described, assumed or implied therein will not be achieved. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set out in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors. These factors include (without limitation) (1) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of products, including without limitation difficulties in enrolling clinical trials, negative results of clinical trials or research projects or unexpected side effects, (2) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market, (3) future market acceptance of products, (4) loss of or inability to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights, (5) inability to raise additional funds, (6) success of existing and entry into future collaborations and licensing agreements, (7) litigation, (8) loss of key executive or other employees, (9) adverse publicity and news coverage, and (10) competition, regulatory, legislative and judicial developments or changes in market and/or overall economic conditions. Newron may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements and assumptions underlying any such statements may prove wrong. Investors should therefore not place undue reliance on them. There can be no assurance that actual results of Newron's research programs, development activities, commercialization plans, collaborations and operations will not differ materially from the expectations set out in such forward-looking statements or underlying assumptions. Newron does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable regulations of the SIX Swiss Exchange or the Dusseldorf Stock Exchange where the shares of Newron are listed. This document does not contain or constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities of Newron and no part of it shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319550565/en/ Contacts: For more information, please contact: Newron Stefan Weber CEO; +39 02 6103 46 26, pr@newron.com UK/Europe Simon Conway Ciara Martin Natalie Garland-Collins, FTI Consulting; +44 20 3727 1000, SCnewron@fticonsulting.com Switzerland Valentin Handschin, IRF; +41 43 244 81 54, handschin@irf-reputation.ch Germany/Europe Anne Hennecke Maximilian Schur, MC Services; +49 211 52925227, newron@mc-services.eu USA Paul Sagan, LaVoieHealthScience; +1 617 865 0041, psagan@lavoiehealthscience.com A Global AI-Native Marketing Infrastructure Network for Enterprise Growth Keenfolks, the AI transformation partner behind marketing initiatives for brands including Coca-Cola, Diageo, Mars, Reckitt, Nestle and Merck-MSD, today announced the launch of KEENFOLKS X_, a new global marketing network designed to operate on shared AI infrastructure The traditional holding company model that has shaped global marketing for decades is facing increasing pressure as capital markets, consolidation activity, and client demands point to a need for structural change. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319751842/en/ Miguel Machado, CEO and Co-Founder, Keenfolks The marketing industry is searching for a new model. The question is no longer whether agencies need to change, but which ones were built for this shift from the start. Keenfolks, the Integrative AI partner built natively for the Age of Intelligence, today announces the launch of KEENFOLKS X_ a new global AI-native marketing network designed to help organizations move beyond fragmented services and toward intelligent systems, scalable solutions, and measurable transformation. The network is built on K OS_, Keenfolks' proprietary marketing operating system, which connects intelligence, data, automation, and execution into reusable marketing systems. The objective is clear: to help organisations move beyond fragmented agency delivery and build scalable marketing capabilities powered by AI. The Industry Shift Over the past decade, marketing organisations have accumulated increasingly complex technology stacks, fragmented agency ecosystems, and disconnected data environments. While these structures worked in a campaign-driven era, they struggle to operate effectively in a world where marketing performance is increasingly shaped by: Real-time data AI decision systems Automated content and media production Continuous optimisation loops In this environment, competitive advantage comes not from isolated campaigns, but from integrated marketing systems that learn and improve over time. KEENFOLKS X_ was designed specifically to build and operate those systems. "The industry is looking for a new model, but for us this is not a future idea it is an operating reality. KEENFOLKS X_ is how we scale an AI-native way of working that enterprise brands already trust: connecting intelligence, platforms, workflows, and experiences into systems that perform, learn, and compound value over time. We believe the next era will belong to partners who do more than deliver campaigns they help build the intelligent systems and growth engines behind modern marketing." - Miguel Machado, CEO and Co-Founder, Keenfolks The Platform: K OS_ At the core of the model is K OS_, Keenfolks' AI-native marketing operating system. The platform connects four foundational layers: Intelligence : AI-driven analysis of marketing performance, consumer behaviour, and market signals. : AI-driven analysis of marketing performance, consumer behaviour, and market signals. Platforms: Integration with CRM, media, commerce, and marketing technology environments. Integration with CRM, media, commerce, and marketing technology environments. Workflows: Agent-driven processes that automate planning, production, personalisation, and optimisation. Agent-driven processes that automate planning, production, personalisation, and optimisation. Experiences: The execution layer where brands deploy campaigns, content ecosystems, and digital experiences. Together, these layers transform marketing from a collection of services into a continuously improving operational system. From Services to Systems Keenfolks has spent the past several years helping enterprise organisations build these systems. One example is Diageo's "What's Your Cocktail" platform, an AI-driven personalisation engine that analysed behaviour across 51 million consumers in the US and UK. The system delivered cocktail recommendations at key decision points, generating engagement rates more than 4X the industry benchmark. More importantly, the system continues to learn and improve over time. KEENFOLKS X_ extends this approach globally. The Economic Model The network introduces a new commercial structure that moves beyond traditional agency economics. KEENFOLKS X_ operates through three engagement models: Transformation partnerships: Building AI-driven marketing systems for enterprise organisations. Building AI-driven marketing systems for enterprise organisations. Solution development: Creating reusable products and capabilities across the network. Creating reusable products and capabilities across the network. Venture co-creation: Working with clients to build new data, technology, and marketing ventures. This approach allows Keenfolks and its partners to participate in long-term value creation rather than short-term project delivery. Network Expansion Founded in Barcelona and with offices in London, New York, and Mexico City, Keenfolks currently delivery activity across 50+ markets. The launch of KEENFOLKS X_ marks the beginning of the company's next phase of growth. Over the coming months, Keenfolks will begin confirming strategic partners across key markets and expanding the network's global delivery capabilities. The company is also exploring venture funding to accelerate the development of new AI-driven marketing infrastructure and solutions. About KEENFOLKS X_ KEENFOLKS X_ is Keenfolks' global AI-native marketing network for the Age of Intelligence. Built on K OS_, it connects intelligence, platforms, workflows, and experiences into reusable intelligent systems and scalable solutions that help organisations move beyond fragmented marketing delivery. Through this model, Keenfolks combines transformation services, solution building, venture co-creation, and selected risk-share structures to create more durable and measurable value for clients. About Keenfolks Keenfolks is the Integrative AI partner built for the Age of Intelligence. Founded in Barcelona, with offices in London, New York, and Mexico City and delivery activity across 50+ countries, Keenfolks helps global brands evolve their marketing practice through intelligent systems that connect strategy, data, technology, media, CRM, and creative execution. Clients include Coca-Cola, Diageo, Kellanova, Reckitt, Mars, Nestle, and Merck-MSD. About Miguel Machado Miguel Machado is the CEO and Co-Founder of Keenfolks and Og.ai. He has led AI-driven marketing transformation for global brands including Coca-Cola, Diageo, Mars, Reckitt, Merck-MSD, and Nestle. A frequent keynote speaker and host of the AI Marketing Transformation Podcast, he focuses on building practical frameworks that connect strategy, technology, data, and human capability for the Age of Intelligence. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319751842/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Maria Bengtsson maria@united-partners.com +34 711 016 382 ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DronePort Rotterdam, together with Avanade, InnoTractor, S2IX and Digidentity, and in close collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam, today announced the launch of PortGuard, a new initiative designed to enable trusted data collaboration and generate Strategic Asset Intelligence about critical infrastructure. As infrastructures across logistics, energy, mobility, and digital networks become increasingly interconnected, organisations face growing challenges in securely sharing and using mission-critical information. PortGuard introduces a federated data space that enables organisations to collaborate around data while maintaining full control over their own information. The initiative is being developed in close collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam, one of Europe's leading innovation ecosystems for logistics, industry and digital infrastructure. Meeting a Strategic Moment: Why PortGuard Now Critical infrastructures are becoming more digital, interconnected, and strategically important. At the same time, geopolitical tensions, cyber risks, and growing system complexity are increasing the need for organisations to collaborate while safeguarding sensitive information. PortGuard responds to this moment by enabling trusted collaboration around data between organisations responsible for critical infrastructure. A Federated Data Space for Critical Infrastructure PortGuard is built on a federated, data-centric architecture, meaning that information remains at the source while authorised partners can securely access relevant data through trusted governance and interoperable standards. This model allows organisations to collaborate across institutional and sectoral boundaries without centralising sensitive information, while maintaining security, sovereignty and operational integrity. Turning Data into Strategic Asset Intelligence At the core of PortGuard lies the concept of Strategic Asset Intelligence, which transforms datasets and combinations of datasets into insights about the condition, risks and developments surrounding critical infrastructure. By connecting information across organisations, the initiative enables a broader understanding of complex infrastructure ecosystems and supports more informed decision-making. "Data is rapidly becoming one of the most strategic assets in the management and protection of critical infrastructure. With PortGuard we are creating a trusted foundation for organisations to collaborate around data and transform information into Strategic Asset Intelligence. By bringing together leading partners in technology, innovation and operations, we are strengthening the ability of Europe's critical infrastructure ecosystems to remain resilient, secure and future-ready." - Arthur Dallau, Founder and CEO, DronePort Rotterdam A Collaborative Initiative PortGuard was initiated by DronePort Rotterdam as part of its mission to accelerate innovation around emerging technologies and digital infrastructure. The initiative is developed together with Avanade, InnoTractor, S2IX and Digidentity, organisations contributing expertise in enterprise architecture, federated data infrastructures, cybersecurity, encryption technologies and trusted digital identity. "Strategic Asset Intelligence only works when the underlying data infrastructure respects the boundaries between organisations. PortGuard is designed around that principle: controlled access, interoperable standards, and data sovereignty by default." - Frank Hermans, Founder and CEO, InnoTractor Strengthening Innovation and Resilience PortGuard advances European data sovereignty while contributing to globally relevant standards for trusted data spaces, building on the European regulatory framework established through, among others, the Data Governance Act, EU Data Act, and AI Act. By organising data collaboration within a European ecosystem, PortGuard ensures that the intelligence generated around critical infrastructure contributes directly to knowledge development, technological innovation, and economic opportunity within the organisations and sectors that depend on it. PortGuard turns critical infrastructure data into Strategic Asset Intelligence. About DronePort Rotterdam DronePort Rotterdam is an innovation ecosystem focused on autonomous and uncrewed systems, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies operating across air, land, water and space domains. Based in Europe's largest port region, DronePort connects industry, government and knowledge institutions to accelerate innovation in critical infrastructure environments. About Avanade Avanade is the world's leading expert on Microsoft, trusted by organizations worldwide to deliver secure, AIdriven and cloudbased solutions. Within PortGuard, Avanade contributes its expertise in federated data architectures, cloud platforms and governance to enable trusted data collaboration and transform infrastructure data into Strategic Asset Intelligence. About InnoTractor InnoTractor develops and implements advanced data space technologies that enable secure and interoperable data sharing between organisations. The company focuses on federated data infrastructures and applications like Digital Product Passports, IoT and Smart Contracts that support transparent and secure digital collaboration across ecosystems. About S2IX S2IX specialises in advanced data-centric security and interoperability technologies, and secure data exchange solutions designed for mission-critical environments. The company enables organisations to share sensitive information securely while maintaining full control over their mission data. About Digidentity Digidentity provides trusted digital identity, authentication and signing solutions used by governments and organisations worldwide. Its technology enables secure access, identity verification and trusted digital interactions across digital ecosystems. Media Contact Arthur Dallau DronePort Rotterdam arthur@droneportrotterdam.com 0619442397 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/droneport-rotterdam-avanade-innotractor-s2ix-and-digidentity-launch-portguard-a-trusted-data-space-for-strategic-asset-intelligence-on-europes-critical-infrastructure-302717902.html Education systems assessed using rigorous framework measuring excellence, equity, and efficiency HELSINKI, FINLAND, March 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, as global education leaders gather around UNESCO's International Day for Digital Learning, the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) released its list of Global High Performing Countries, based on a rigorous analysis of 83 education systems worldwide. The analysis examines academic excellence, success for all learners, and return on investment. The ten High Performing Countries are Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Sweden. NCEE evaluates systems through the lenses of excellence, equity, and efficiency, moving beyond point-in-time assessments to measure success across the learner life course. Data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) anchor the analysis on 15-year-olds, while the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) focus on students in grades 4 and 8. The analysis further incorporates the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) to track literacy and numeracy growth into adulthood and measure long-term economic outcomes such as wage premiums. In addition, NCEE assesses foundational literacy and numeracy alongside future-ready indicators such as student curiosity and well-being, and the quality of educator-student relationships. This holistic approach allows policymakers to see not only which systems produce the highest test scores, but which systems successfully engineer sustained excellence and economic opportunity for all learners. "This analysis looks beyond test scores to the larger story of how education systems support human potential," said Dr. Vicki Phillips, CEO of NCEE. "When strong learning outcomes are paired with policies that expand opportunity and use resources wisely, we see more clearly what it takes for systems to succeed. The world's highest-performing systems offer not just a benchmark, but insight for designing better futures for learners everywhere." Among the ten High Performing Countries, NCEE has awarded Badges to the systems that best exemplify the pillars of excellence, equity, and efficiency: Singapore received the Excellence Badge for distinguishing itself through consistently high academic performance, strong student-teacher relationships, positive feelings of belonging and curiosity among students, and continued literacy and numeracy growth into adulthood. for distinguishing itself through consistently high academic performance, strong student-teacher relationships, positive feelings of belonging and curiosity among students, and continued literacy and numeracy growth into adulthood. Hong Kong received the Equity Badge for reducing the impact of socioeconomic status on student success and attitudes. Hong Kong also maintains high early childhood education enrollment and a significant number of resilient students, defined as those who reach the top academic tiers despite being furthest from opportunity. for reducing the impact of socioeconomic status on student success and attitudes. Hong Kong also maintains high early childhood education enrollment and a significant number of resilient students, defined as those who reach the top academic tiers despite being furthest from opportunity. Ireland received the Efficiency Badge for maximizing the impact of education spending. Ireland achieves superior math results while spending less per student than many peers. It also delivers high wage premiums based on years of schooling. "Our updated methodology reflects a more human-centered and economically grounded view of education," said Tracey Burns, NCEE's Chief of Global Strategy and Research. "By pairing strong, internationally comparable measures of academic learning with indicators of student well-being, system efficiency, and long-term economic outcomes, we are able to identify education systems that prepare young people not only to perform, but to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape. These findings reinforce a critical insight: high performance and student well-being are not competing goals. They are deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing." While this analysis highlights global systems that have maintained high performance, NCEE is also preparing a second release to celebrate systems showing significant upward trajectories. Later this year, NCEE will publish a list of Rapid Risers, systems that have successfully engineered rapid improvements in student achievement, expanded access to education, and reduced socioeconomic gaps. This upcoming analysis will provide insights for systems seeking to accelerate their progress and move from their current state toward a world-class education model. About the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) NCEE is a global think-and-do tank at the intersection of education and the economy. We conduct deep research to discover the best ideas from the world's highest-performing education systems. We design strategies for states and districts based on the global research that informs policy and improves practice. We deliver world-class leadership development through NISL NEXT. For more information on the methodology and approach, visit the high performer profiles here . Jenni Craw National Center on Education and the Economy 202-379-1800 jcraw@ncee.org TOKYO, Mar 19, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda announced that the Honda WN7 electric motorcycle has won the Gold Award, the highest honor in the Product Design discipline of the iF DESIGN AWARD, one of the most prestigious design awards in the world. This marks the first time a Honda product has won the Gold Award at the iF DESIGN AWARD.As the first Honda electric naked model in the FUN category, the Honda WN7 was developed with the concept of "Be the Wind." This model represents part of a Honda initiative toward the realization of a carbon neutral society.Adoption of a frameless structure, with the battery case functioning as the body frame, contributed to the realization of a lightweight body with a great layout flexibility. Moreover, the Honda WN7 features a maximum output of 50 kW, equivalent to a 600 cc ICE (internal combustion engine) motorcycle, and maximum torque of 100 Nm, comparable to a 1000 cc class ICE motorcycle. This ensures powerful yet composed performance both in stop-and-go city riding and cruising on open roads.Key design featuresAiming to "refine functionality and realize the essence of motorcycle design," the design features seamless and smooth surfacing when it comes in contact with the rider, while combining a distinctive and powerful silhouette. The signature headlight features an iconic horizontal bar design, and the color styling features a black-based body accented by gold component parts.iF Gold StatementThe Honda WN7 electric motorcycle masterfully combines classic motorbike DNA with a confident electric identity. It respects Honda's legacy while embracing clean-energy aesthetics. The synthesis feels authentic, not forced, resulting in a unique design that is more than the sum of its parts. Bravo!Comments by Toshinobu Minami, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Design Center, Honda R&D Co., Ltd."The Honda WN7 was able to win the Gold Award in the Product Design discipline of the world-renowned iF DESIGN AWARD. We are extremely honored to receive the Gold Award for the first time ever." We believe that this is the result of the jury's understanding of the new value befitting the era of electrification - the joy of riding freely like the wind - from the perspective of both functionality and design. Honda will continue to create new values that surprise and inspire people and provide the joy of expanding their life's potential."Honda Design award history:https://global.honda/jp/design/work/award (Japanese)https://global.honda/en/design/work/award (English)Official website of the iF DESIGN AWARD:https://ifdesign.com/ja/winner-ranking/project/honda-wn7/740437 (Japanese)https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/project/honda-wn7/740437 (English)* The iF DESIGN AWARD, established in 1954, stands as a symbol of design excellence and it's considered one of the world's leading design awards, alongside the Red Dot Design Award. The iF International Forum Design GmbH headquartered in Hanover, Germany, is the founder and organizer of the iF DESIGN AWARD, one of the most recognized global design competitions. The iF DESIGN AWARD consists of nine disciplines: Product Design, Package Design, Branding & Communication Design, Interior Architecture, Concept, Service, System & Process Design, Architecture, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI).Source: Honda Motor Co, LtdCopyright 2026 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / Algo Grande Copper Corp. (TSXV:ALGR)(OTC PINK:KNDYF)(FRA:KM00) ("Algo Grande" or the "Company") announces the commencement of advanced surface and geophysical programs at its 100%-owned Adelita Project in Sonora, Mexico, designed to refine and prioritize drill targets ahead of its Phase II drill program scheduled to commence in Q2 2026. The integrated exploration campaign includes: High-resolution LiDAR survey (license wide) Drone-based magnetic survey Systematic soil geochemical sampling program These programs include a high-resolution LiDAR survey to refine structural interpretation and identify subtle topographic and alteration features, a drone-based magnetic survey designed to map intrusive contacts and magnetite-rich skarn bodies, and the launch of a systematic geochemical soil sampling program across a newly identified area within the Cerro Grande target zone. Together, these datasets are expected to significantly enhance drill targeting and expand the known footprint of mineralization across the district-scale Adelita property. Enrico Gay, CEO of Algo Grande, stated: "Following the success of our maiden drill program, our focus is now on systematically scaling the Adelita system. The drone magnetic survey is particularly important, as it allows us to map magnetite-rich skarn horizons along strike and target step-outs beyond the currently defined 300-metre zone at Cerro Grande. Equally, the LiDAR survey is critical in what we interpret to be a structurally controlled system, as it will enhance our ability to identify and track the key structures responsible for mineralization. Together, these datasets position us to define high-confidence drill targets as we advance toward our Phase II drill program in Q2 2026." The resulting structural, geophysical, and geochemical datasets will be integrated into the Company's 3D geological and machine-learning targeting models to optimize drill hole placement and maximize discovery potential. LiDAR Survey The Company has initiated a high-resolution airborne LiDAR survey across the entire Adelita property. The LiDAR program is designed to: Define structural corridors and fault systems controlling mineralization Identify subtle alteration signatures and mineralized trends beneath cover Detect historical workings and previously unrecognized exploration targets This dataset will provide a high-precision structural framework critical to targeting both skarn-hosted mineralization and potential feeder systems at depth. Drone Magnetic Survey Algo Grande has launched a high-resolution drone-based magnetic survey over the +6km mineralization prospective corridor and surrounding targets. The survey is designed to: Map intrusive contacts associated with mineralizing systems Identify magnetite-rich skarn bodies linked to copper mineralization Delineate structural controls and potential feeder zones associated with copper-gold-silver mineralization (Figure 1) Figure 1 - Location of area to be covered with drone magnetics, within the Cerro Grand Skarn corridor. Drone magnetics provide significantly higher resolution than legacy datasets and are expected to play a key role in identifying buried skarn bodies and vectors toward a potential porphyry source at depth, supporting definition of the Company's planned drilling campaign scheduled to commence in Q2 2026. Geochemical Soil Sampling A systematic soil grid program will be conducted over an area where recent mineralization was identified and where limited historical geochemical coverage exists (Figure 2). The objective is to better understand the provenance of a mineralized granodiorite sample (Figure 3) collected in early January and to prioritize follow-up trenching and drilling across defined anomalies. Figure 2. Target area for surface geochemical sampling to better understand the source of the mineralized granodiorite sample (see Figure 3). The mineralized granodiorite boulder was encountered at approximately one metre depth during access construction for drilling activities. Figure 3. Mineralized granodiorite found North-East of Cerro Grande Skarn zone, this boulder was discovered while clearing access for phase I drilling. Rock sample found at 1 meter of depth. These integrated datasets are expected to significantly enhance drill targeting for the next phase of exploration. The company is also pleased to announce it has entered into the following investor relations and consulting agreements. Rayleigh Capital Ltd. The Company has entered into an investor relations and corporate communications agreement (the "Rayleigh Agreement") with Rayleigh Capital Ltd. ("Rayleigh"), located in Toronto, Ontario. Pursuant to the Rayleigh Agreement, Rayleigh will provide investor relations and corporate communications services on a part-time basis. Rayleigh focuses on global investor relations for junior and small cap companies specializing at exposing companies to a wide audience of investment professionals The Rayleigh Agreement has a term of twelve (12) months commencing March 2026, with a 45-day mutual termination provision upon written notice by either party. In consideration for the services, the Company will pay Rayleigh a monthly fee of $7,500 plus HST, payable monthly out of the Company's existing cash on hand, and will grant 200,000 stock options (the "Options"), subject to the Company's equity incentive plan and all necessary regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Options will vest 25% every three months following the date of the Rayleigh Agreement. The Rayleigh Agreement is subject to approval from the TSXV. Rayleigh and the Company are not related parties and operate at arm's length. Neither Rayleigh nor its principals have any interest in the Company's securities, directly or indirectly, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. DCWL Media Ventures The Company has entered into a media and content creation agreement (the "DCWL Agreement") with DCWL Media Ventures Ltd. ("DCWL"), operating in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Pursuant to the DCWL Agreement, DCWL will provide media and content creation services including dedicated interviews published on The David Lin Report YouTube Channel, YouTube video integrations, and newsletter placements. The campaign period runs from February to August 2026. In consideration for the services, the Company will pay DCWL a total fee of $45,000, payable in cash out of the Company's existing cash on hand under two equal installments. The first installment shall be payable upon execution of the DCWL Agreement, and the second installment is payable on May 1, 2026. DCWL is wholly owned by David Lin. The DCWL Agreement is subject to approval from the TSXV. DCWL and the Company are not related parties and operate at arm's length. Neither DCWL nor David Lin have any interest in the Company's securities, directly or indirectly, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. Epstein Research The Company has entered into a promotional services agreement (the "Epstein Agreement") with Epstein Research ("ER"), located in New Jersey, USA. Pursuant to the Epstein Agreement, ER will provide certain investor relations services to the Company, including social media and online advertising of the Company posted on the Epstein Research homepage, CEO.ca, Substack, and LinkedIn, monthly written articles on the Company and/or CEO interviews written exclusively by Peter Epstein. The Epstein Agreement has a term of six (6) months from the effective date, at which time it will be terminated or renewed through written consent of both parties. Either party may terminate with 30 days' written notice. In consideration for the services, the Company will pay ER a monthly fee of USD$2,000 for six months, for total compensation of USD$12,000, payable monthly out of the Company's existing cash on hand. ER is a research and analysis firm wholly owned and operated by Peter Epstein, specializing in investor relations and market awareness for public companies. The Epstein Agreement is subject to approval from the TSXV. ER and the Company are not related parties and operate at arm's length. Neither ER nor Peter Epstein have any interest in the Company's securities, directly or indirectly, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. Departures Capital The Company has entered into a service agreement (the "Departures Agreement") with Departures Capital Inc. ("Departures Capital"), located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Pursuant to the Departures Agreement, Departures Capital will provide certain strategic consulting, investor communications, and digital media production services to the Company. The Departures Agreement has a term of one year from the effective date, at which time it will be terminated or renewed through written consent of both parties. Either party may terminate with 30 days' written notice. In consideration for the services, the Company will pay Departures Capital a fee of $10,000 upon TSXV acceptance of the Departures Agreement, and $30,000 payable in equal monthly installments throughout the term of the Departures Agreement, payable monthly out of the Company's existing cash on hand. Departures Capital is wholly owned by Aaron Missere. The Departures Agreement is subject to approval from the TSXV. Departure Capital and the Company are not related parties and operate at arm's length. Neither Departure Capital nor Aaron Missere have any interest in the Company's securities, directly or indirectly, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. Robert Sinn The Company has entered into a service agreement (the "Sinn Agreement") with Robert Sinn ("Sinn"), an individual consultant operating out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Pursuant to the Sinn Agreement Sinn will provide the Company with marketing services, which includes CEO interviews and dissemination, creation and dissemination of educational mining content, and news release dissemination. The Sinn Agreement has a term of six (6) months from the effective date, at which time it will be terminated or renewed through written consent of both parties. Either party may terminate with 30 days' written notice. In consideration for the services, the Company will pay Sinn a one time fee of USD$15,000 out of the Company's existing cash on hand. The Sinn Agreement is subject to approval from the TSXV. Sinn and the Company are not related parties and operate at arm's length. Sinn does not have any interest in the Company's securities, directly or indirectly, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. Qualified Person The technical information disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joao Rocha, EurGeol, Vice President of Exploration of Algo Grande Copper Corp., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The Qualified Person has verified the data disclosed herein, including drilling, sampling, analytical, and test data, through review of original assay certificates, drill logs, and quality assurance and quality control data. About Algo Grande Copper Corp. Algo Grande Copper Corp. is a growth-focused mineral exploration company advancing the Adelita Project, a district-scale, multi-system copper-gold-silver opportunity positioned in the prolific Arizona-Sonora copper belt. The company is dedicated to unlocking the full mineral potential of this under-explored corridor through disciplined data-driven exploration, technical excellence, and a firm commitment to value creation for shareholders. The 5,895-hectare Adelita Project is anchored by the high-grade Cerro Grande Cu-Au-Ag skarn discovery, which exhibits strong continuity along a defined corridor extending over 6 kilometers. Reprocessing of legacy geophysical data and field mapping indicate the presence of a potential porphyry system at depth, suggesting a classic skarn-porphyry mineralization model similar to major deposits found throughout northwestern Mexico. ON BEHALF OF ALGO GRANDE COPPER CORP. Enrico Gay Chief Executive Officer For more information, please contact: E-mail: info@algo-grande.com Website: www.algo-grande.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Algo Grande to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, statements relating to TSXV approval of the investor relations agreements, and those listed in filings made by Algo Grande with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedarplus.ca). Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Algo Grande's management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on Algo Grande's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward- looking statements. Algo Grande does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information, events, results, circumstances or otherwise after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law including securities laws. SOURCE: Algo Grande Copper Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/algo-grande-launches-advanced-geophysical-and-geochemical-progra-1149157 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / Gold Basin Resources Corporation ("Gold Basin" or the "Company") (TSXV:GXX) today responds to the March 16, 2026 announcement by Helix Resources Limited ("Helix") (ASX:HLX) that it has executed a formal joint venture agreement to earn-in up to a 40% interest in the Company's 42 square kilometre Gold Basin project in Mohave County Arizona. Helix's announcement was made just hours prior to the replacement of the Company's entire board of directors by a unanimous vote of shareholders at a court-ordered annual general meeting held on March 16, 2026. Any such agreement is in violation of a restraining order issued by the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") on February 11, 2026. The Company's controlling shareholder, CANEX Metals Inc., has advised that it intends to seek contempt orders against each of the former directors of the Company personally for breach of the restraining order. A previous conditional letter agreement between Helix and Gold Basin announced on April 29, 2025 is subject to a petition (the "Petition") before the Court dated October 28, 2025, launched by Gold Basin shareholders, to set aside the agreement on the basis of one or more former directors of Gold Basin having a material undisclosed interest in Helix and the agreement not being fair or reasonable to Gold Basin. The Company failed to enter a response to the Petition by the Court's deadline, but subsequently filed a one-page objection to the jurisdiction of the Court to hear the Petition. After careful review of the Petition materials by the new board of directors of the Company the Company intends to withdraw the objection to the Court's jurisdiction and to support the shareholders' Petition to set aside the agreement with Helix. The new board is in the process of retaining independent counsel, and pending receipt of advice from independent counsel, the Company will finalize a path and strategy to more forward. Shane Ebert, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company Stated: "The new board of Gold Basin is composed of highly experienced industry professionals who are working diligently to address the current state of the Company and create value for all stakeholders. Pending further discussion with independent counsel we envision that setting aside this self-interested and commercially unreasonable contract with Helix will benefit the Company and its stakeholders." The Company has reserved all of its rights against the former directors of the Company and intends to take such steps or initiate such proceedings as may be available and appropriate to recover from them, personally, any losses the Company alleges it has suffered, and may continue to suffer, and recover the gains the Company alleges its former directors may have benefited from, due to the agreements with Helix. 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, President, Chief Executive Officer and 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", "intends", "may" and similar expressions, are forward-looking information that represents Gold Basin Resources Corporation's expectations or beliefs concerning, among other things: whether CANEX Metals Inc. will obtain a contempt order against the former directors of the Company; whether the Petition will be successful in setting aside the agreement with Helix; whether steps or proceedings against the former directors of the Company will recover losses the Company alleges it has suffered, and may continue to suffer, and recover the gains the Company alleges its former directors may have benefited from; and whether the new board will be able to address the current state of the Company and create value for stakeholders. The 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 estimates and beliefs 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 filings with 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-new-board-of-directors-and-management-responds-to-helix-join-1149196 NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eclipse International, Inc., an independent interdealer brokerage specializing in global energy, environmental and commodity markets, announced the appointment of Shawn McLoughlin as Head of Global Growth. In this newly created role, McLoughlin will lead Eclipse's global expansion strategy, focusing on recruiting senior brokerage talent, developing new product verticals, and identifying strategic acquisition opportunities across energy, environmental, and commodities markets. Most recently, McLoughlin served as an Advisory Board Member at LPS Partners. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Americas at BGC Financial, where he played a key role in expanding brokerage operations across multiple asset classes and building high-performing teams throughout the region. "Shawn brings deep industry experience, strong relationships across the brokerage community, and a proven ability to build successful teams," said Jacob Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of Eclipse. "As we continue to expand our platform globally, his leadership will be instrumental in attracting top talent and accelerating growth across our energy, environmental, and commodities businesses." Josh Hochberg, Principal/Shareholder and Head of Eclipse's Natural Gas Options Desk, added, "We are continuing to build Eclipse into a global platform across energy, environmental and commodities markets. Shawn's experience and vision will play an important role in helping us scale the firm and continue attracting exceptional brokers and teams." McLoughlin commented, "Eclipse has built a strong reputation as a broker-focused platform with strong momentum across energy and environmental markets. I'm excited to join the team and help expand the firm's global footprint while creating new opportunities for brokers and clients." Eclipse has experienced significant growth in recent years across natural gas, crude oil derivatives, environmental markets, and other global energy products, and continues to invest in talent and strategic expansion as it builds a diversified global brokerage platform. About Eclipse International, Inc. Eclipse, an independent interdealer brokerage with offices in Long Island- NY, New York City-NY, Houston-TX, London-UK, and Jupiter- FL, provides liquidity and execution services across global energy, environmental and commodity markets. The firm offers expertise across natural gas, crude oil derivatives, environmental credits, biofuels and related products, and is committed to building a premier platform for brokers and clients worldwide. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937961/5873253/Eclipse_International_Inc_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eclipse-international-inc-appoints-shawn-mcloughlin-as-head-of-global-growth-302718699.html Partnership combines proven air-to-ground 5G expertise, AI-driven network intelligence, and deployable 5G core capabilities to support mission-critical military operations Airspan Networks Holdings LLC ("Airspan"), a leading global provider of wireless network solutions and ATIKA Venture, S.L. ("Atika"), a Spanish technology company specializing in deployable tactical 5G communications for defense and security environments, today announced a strategic alliance to advance resilient, multi-domain 5G connectivity solutions for military operations. The agreement establishes the framework for commercial and technical collaboration, initially focused on Spain and potential expansion across Europe. The partnership brings together Airspan's expertise in Open RAN (O-RAN), 5G, and commercial air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity with Atika's capabilities in deployable tactical networks, AI-driven network intelligence, and 5G core technologies. Together, the companies will develop secure, resilient communications solutions designed to support mission-critical operations across land and air environments. The collaboration will integrate deployable 5G networks, multi-domain MANET connectivity, intelligent network orchestration, and airborne-to-ground communications, enabling high-performance connectivity for military units operating in dynamic operational scenarios. "Airspan brings proven expertise in solving complex connectivity challenges, including critical communications through our Air-to-Ground In-Motion 5G solution," said Glenn Laxdal, CEO of Airspan. "Together with Atika, we will accelerate the transition of our commercial wireless technologies into resilient, defense-ready solutions. Atika complements our capabilities with deep defense operational experience and advanced technologies spanning cybersecurity, AI-driven network intelligence, and 5G core systems." "The future of military operations depends on deployable, intelligent, and sovereign networks," said Ana Rodriguez Quiros, Managing Director of Atika. "Our collaboration with Airspan allows us to support multi-domain 5G for defense while extending connectivity beyond satellite and traditional radio links. Through our work with the Spanish Army, we focus on technologies that deliver real operational impact across readiness, mobility, and mission effectiveness. This alliance is a clear example of how advanced 5G capabilities can address those challenges." About Airspan Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Airspan Networks Holdings LLC is an innovative US-based provider of wireless network solutions with a global presence, focused on delivering carrier-grade 5G and advanced wireless connectivity. Airspan's portfolio spans three core solution areas in-building, outdoor, and air-to-ground and includes market-leading products for DAS, Open RAN, and small cells across both public and private network settings. Airspan supports mobile network operators, neutral-host providers, enterprises, public-sector organizations, and other service providers in building reliable, scalable wireless networks that enhance coverage and capacity while enabling fast, efficient deployment. Visit our website at https://airspan.com/ About Atika Atika is a Spanish technology company specializing in advanced tactical communications and deployable 5G networks for defense and security. Its technology focuses on federated architectures, multi-domain connectivity, and network intelligence capabilities designed for real operational environments. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319340548/en/ Contacts: Media Analyst Contact: Kyle Allen kallen@airspan.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. (CSE:HEAT)(OTCQB:HLRTF)(FRA:7HI) ("Hillcrest" or the "Company") today released a new investor interview featuring Founder and Chief Executive Officer Don Currie in conversation with Stocks To Watch host Ashleigh Barry. The full interview can be viewed at: Stocks To Watch YouTube Link In the interview, Mr. Currie discusses Hillcrest's proprietary Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) technology platform and its potential to improve power conversion efficiency across electric vehicles, data center infrastructure, and renewable energy systems. The discussion covers the Company's technology differentiation, near-term commercialization milestones, and demand trends across each of these sectors. Key topics covered in the interview include: ZVS Technology Advantages - How Hillcrest's soft-switching approach reduces switching losses, lowers electromagnetic interference (EMI), and enables more compact, cost-effective power systems compared to conventional inverter architectures. EV Applications - The performance benefits of ZVS technology for electric vehicle powertrains, including validation work completed with automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Data Center and AI Infrastructure - The application of ZVS technology to data center power conversion, including compatibility with 800V DC distribution architectures being standardized by the Open Compute Project. Commercialization Path - Progress toward customer and partner demonstrations of the ZVS PCS1000 Grid Power Conversion System, a 200 kW, 1000V inverter designed for greater than 99% peak conversion efficiency, currently on schedule for June 2026. Sponsored Disclosure: This interview was disseminated on behalf of Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. and constitutes sponsored content produced as part of the investor relations services provided by Empire Market Ventures LLC, as outlined in the Company's news release dated March 3, 2026. About Hillcrest Energy Technologies Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. is a clean technology company developing advanced power conversion systems for next-generation electric vehicle powertrains and grid-connected energy applications. The Company's proprietary Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) technology platform delivers industry-leading conversion efficiency of up to 99.7%, materially lower EMI, and significant reductions in passive component size - enabling simpler, lighter, and more cost-effective power systems across EV, renewable energy, data center, and industrial markets. Hillcrest is publicly traded on the CSE under the symbol "HEAT," on the OTCQB Venture Market as "HLRTF," and on the Frankfurt Exchange as "7HI." For more information, please visit: https://hillcrestenergy.tech/ CONTACT INFORMATION Investor Relations Don Currie info@hillcrestenergy.tech O: +1 604-609-0006 Toll-free: 1-855-609-0006 Public Relations Jamie L. Hogue jhogue@hillcrestenergy.tech O: +1 602-793-9481 ________________________________________ NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information Some of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "is expected," "potential," "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "should," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this news release. The forward-looking information reflects our current expectations and assumptions and is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these assumptions will prove correct. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Investors are advised to consider the risk factors under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's MD&A for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, available at https://www.sedarplus.ca/ for a discussion of the factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. SOURCE: Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/hillcrest-energy-technologies-ceo-don-currie-discusses-zvs-techno-1149160 Detroit, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (OTCID: AITXD) (the "Company"), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions, along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), today announced that it has booked 246 SARA (Speaking Autonomous Responsive Agent) RAD's agentic AI platform, licenses to date, spanning both deployed systems and pending deployments across multiple industries. Roughly half of these licenses are currently deployed and producing recurring monthly revenue. These licenses represent SARA operating on RAD autonomous security solutions such as ROSA and RIO, while previous press releases have discussed contracting thousands of SARA licenses through RAD-G contracts through professional monitoring centers. This milestone reflects a clear pattern of customer behavior, with organizations expanding their use of SARA following initial deployments, as RAD prepares to feature SARA as the centerpiece of its presence at ISC West 2026. Artist's depiction of SARA operating across a large-scale autonomous monitoring environment, with multiple AI agents managing detection, verification, and response across diverse real-world security scenarios. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5243/289147_aitx-rad-sara-license-update-260319-1920x1080.jpg RAD indicated that the majority of these licenses have been driven by existing customers increasing their use of SARA after initial deployment, rather than one-time transactions from new accounts. Early implementations have led to broader rollouts across additional devices, sites, and monitoring environments, reinforcing SARA's role as a central intelligence layer across the Company's autonomous security ecosystem. With this expansion trend now established, RAD noted that its focus is increasingly shifting toward introducing SARA to new organizations seeking to modernize their security operations. "What we are seeing is exactly what we expected," said Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO and founder of AITX and RAD. "Organizations are not stopping at one or two licenses. Once SARA is in place and delivering, they are adding more across their operations. That expansion behavior is the signal. It tells us the technology is being accepted, trusted, and relied on. Our focus now is simple, continue delivering for our existing clients while introducing SARA to more organizations that are ready to move beyond traditional security models." SARA will be featured as the central attraction at RAD's exhibit at ISC West 2026, where attendees will experience live demonstrations of its role in driving detection, verification, escalation, and response across real world environments. SARA enters this year's event following a strong showing at the previous SIA New Product Showcase Awards, where it earned two awards including the Judges' Choice Award. Building on that momentum, the Company also announced that SARA Alive, a component of SARA designed to operate within video monitoring platforms, has been submitted for consideration in the 2026 SIA New Product Showcase Awards in the category of Commercial Monitoring Solutions. RAD expects this visibility to further accelerate interest as more organizations evaluate autonomous, AI-driven approaches to security operations. RAD invites security professionals and current and prospective channel partners to experience its full portfolio of solutions in action at ISC West 2026. Attendees will have the opportunity to see live demonstrations, speak directly with RAD leadership and product experts, and learn how autonomous security deployments are being proven, expanded, and scaled across real world environments. Meetings may be scheduled in advance or coordinated onsite throughout the event. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (AITX) AITX, through its primary subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), is redefining the nearly $50 billion (US) security and guarding services industry1 through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industry's existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers these cost savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house. The Company's operations and internal controls have been validated through successful completion of its SOC 2 Type 2 audit, which is a formal, independent audit that evaluates a service organization's internal controls for handling customer data and determines if the controls are not only designed properly but also operating effectively to protect customer data. This audit reinforces the Company's credibility with enterprise and government clients who require strict data protection and security compliance. RAD is led by Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO and founder of AITX and RAD, who brings decades of experience in the security services industry. Reinharz serves as chair of the Security Industry Association's (SIA) Autonomous Solutions Working Group and as a member of the SIA Board of Directors. The RAD team also draws on extensive expertise across the sector, including Mark Folmer, CPP, PSP, President of RAD and Chair of the ASIS International North American Regional Board of Directors, Troy McCanna, former FBI Special Agent and RAD's Chief Security Officer, and Stacy Stephens, co-founder of security robotics company Knightscope. Their combined backgrounds in security industry leadership, law enforcement, and robotics innovation reinforce RAD's ability to deliver proven, practical, and disruptive solutions to its clients. RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time. AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITX's RAD, RAD-R, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.radsecurity.com , www.stevereinharz.com, www.raddog.ai, www.radgroup.ai, www.saramonitoring.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on X @SteveReinharz. CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the "Company"). The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock price. For purposes of the Company's disclosures, "Artificial Intelligence" refers to machine-based systems designed to operate with varying levels of autonomy that, for a given set of human defined objectives, can make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments. In the context of the Company's business, Artificial Intelligence is deployed primarily within the security services and property management industries to support functions such as detection, analysis, prioritization, communication, and response related to safety, security, and operational events. The Company delivers these capabilities principally through its SARA (Speaking Autonomous Responsive Agent) platform, which serves as the Company's primary agentic artificial intelligence system. SARA is designed to receive and process video, audio, and other sensor data, apply automated analysis and inference, and support actions in accordance with predefined operational objectives and human oversight. Further note that the Company's Board of Directors oversees the Company's deployment of Artificial Intelligence. ### 1 https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/security-services-industry/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289147 Source: Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. Part of PAE RAS, DECK is a cornerstone of the U.S. Navy's larger Warfighting Data Ecosystem SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Intuition, Inc. , the leading physical AI company, today announced it has delivered the U.S. Navy's first large-scale data engine, the Data Edge Collection Kit program, to deliver the infrastructure to rapidly field autonomous systems. DECK, a program within the U.S. Navy's Portfolio Acquisition Executive Robotic and Autonomous Systems (PAE RAS), enables edge data collection for artificial intelligence and autonomy development for the Department of War (DOW.) Sensor and mission data is essential to deliver production-grade AI and autonomous systems. The DOW has historically underinvested in the infrastructure required to collect data from operational environments, preventing it from maturing AI systems at the velocity needed to fight and win in an era of software-defined warfare-where the rate of adaptation of weapons, sensors, and platforms determines victory or defeat. As a result, the U.S. Navy's prototype autonomous and semi-autonomous systems rely on antiquated, manual processes to identify targets, assess threats, and cue engagements. This results in slowed decision-making and limited effectiveness of critical kill chains in contested maritime environments. DECK directly addresses this gap, deploying AI to the edge to collect thousands of hours of operational data and rapidly delivering software updates that improve system accuracy while reducing operator workload. As the U.S. Navy establishes its PAE RAS, DECK is a critical mission enabler to enable the deployment of autonomy across the DOW. "The future warship is software-defined, and DECK is a cornerstone of that vision for the U.S. Navy," Qasar Younis, co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, said. "DECK turns ships into data-generating, continuously improving platforms and gives the DOW a real data engine at sea, not another one-off system. That's how you deliver AI to the fleet at operational speed." Secretary of the Navy John Phelan at AFCEA West said DECK is central to transforming ships into adaptive, AI-enabled systems. "If you do not build a data engine, you do not build an AI-enabled force," Phelan said Feb. 12 during his keynote address. "That is why the Navy is deploying DECKit turns ships into learning systems, not static platforms, enabling an iterative and adaptable feedback loop with legacy bespoke architectures that historically have evolved only through programmatic redesign. This is how we move from demonstrations to dominance. Even with unmanned systems and AI, there is a hard truth: the government cannot deliver the Golden Fleet alone, fast enough, or at scale. That is why private sector partnership is not optional-it is foundational and it must be accelerated." Enabling a Software-Defined Fleet for the U.S. Navy Today's hardware-defined ship architectures are siloed and tightly coupled to legacy systems. Software is slow to field, limiting the Navy's ability to respond to adversaries who are rapidly modernizing. DECK is part of Applied Intuition's Data Engine solution, developed over several years with both defense and commercial customers and an early concrete step toward building a software-defined fleet and larger Warfighting Data Ecosystem for the Navy. Specifically, DECK performs real-time automated detection, classification, and recording using shipboard sensors, presents operators with integrated displays and visual overlays, and intelligently manages limited satellite bandwidth. Offboard curation and retraining of AI and machine-learning pipelines allow deployed AI models and interface software to be updated over the air, improving performance with minimal sailor intervention. The system is modularized, allowing it to be rapidly deployed as a small form-factor system, or scaled as part of an end-to-end capability. By delivering this pathfinder capability, the Navy is setting a clear vision for the speed at which it is looking to deliver the software-defined fleet. To learn more about how Applied Intuition is building the future of maritime autonomy, visit applied.co or contact press@applied.co . About Applied Intuition Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company's solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/applied-intuition-delivers-flagship-data-engine-program-for-the-us-navy-302718063.html CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and CAMBRIDGE, England, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Zifo, the global leader in AI and data-driven informatics for science-driven organizations, highlights the release of a new Everest Group research report: 'Embedding Scientific Expertise at the Core of Life Sciences IT Service Delivery'. The report's central finding is straightforward: digital transformation in biopharma and other science-focused industries only works if scientific accuracy is baked into the AI and tech process from day one. For years now, biopharma and other science-driven industries have faced a subtle disconnect: scientific breakthroughs are happening faster than ever, but the informatics supporting them haven't kept pace. The way organizations build, deploy, and manage scientific informatics systems lags scientific breakthroughs, with legacy data handling and processes remaining mostly unchanged. The current AI boom makes this problem more obvious. Generic technology platforms promise speed and efficiency, but they usually stumble when faced with the highly complex workflows that scientists rely on. Simply put, Zifo believes that if an organization's process, data and technology doesn't understand the basic language of biology, chemistry, or physics, it won't deliver useful results. Everest Group's research backs this up. The report shows that even the most advanced AI models and data architectures will fail if they aren't deeply tied to scientific reality. It's no longer enough for IT partners to just know tech -- they have to understand the science, too. Integrating scientific expertise into process, data, and organizational changes is what actually drives business value. Treating Science IT like generic corporate IT creates massive enterprise risks. When systems are built on standard business logic rather than specific scientific context, companies run into several major roadblocks: Compliance exposure: Blackbox nature of AI models can lead to compliance breaches and long-term reputational consequences with regulators. Blackbox nature of AI models can lead to compliance breaches and long-term reputational consequences with regulators. Outcome risks: Inconsistent decisions in clinical trials and unpredictable manufacturing quality. Inconsistent decisions in clinical trials and unpredictable manufacturing quality. Loss of trust: Scientists, clinicians, and regulators losing faith in the digital platforms. Scientists, clinicians, and regulators losing faith in the digital platforms. Reputational damage: The fallout from publishing flawed or unsubstantiated results. The fallout from publishing flawed or unsubstantiated results. Wasted investments: Low user adoption rates and expensive AI pilots that fail to scale. Low user adoption rates and expensive AI pilots that fail to scale. Scaling failures: Lack of scientific domain depth in AI pilots can lead to organizations facing an accumulation of stalled PoCs and poor ROI. While you don't necessarily need deep scientific context for every single back-office IT operation, it becomes critical in areas with high complexity and strict regulations. According to the report, companies saw the most value from embedding scientific expertise in drug discovery and research (77%), clinical development (73%), and manufacturing operations (37%). Because of this clear ROI, nearly 8 in 10 pharma leaders say scientific expertise will be a major deciding factor with 4 in 10 already viewing it as a key future differentiator. To help companies make this transition, the report outlines a practical, four-step blueprint for scaling a science-first digital strategy: Assess: Look at your current operations to see how deeply science is currently integrated and figure out your starting point. Embed: Set up the right data and governance foundations to support science-driven IT execution. Scale: Build hybrid delivery teams that seamlessly combine strong tech skills with actual scientific backgrounds. Institutionalize: Make this science-first approach the standard way of operating across the entire company. To read the Everest Group report, please click here: https://zifornd.com/scientific-it-service-delivery-everest-whitepaper/ About Zifo Zifo is the leading global enabler of AI and data driven enterprise informatics for science driven organizations. With extensive solutions and services expertise spanning research, development, manufacturing, and clinical domains, we serve a diverse range of industries, including Pharma, Biotech, Chemicals, Food and Beverage, Oil & Gas, and FMCG. Trusted by over 190 science-focused organizations worldwide, Zifo is the partner of choice for advancing digital scientific innovation. https://zifornd.com/; https://zifornd.com/practical-ai-blueprints/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2731415/5873188/Zifo_Technologies_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zifo-highlights-new-everest-group-report-showcasing-critical-need-for-science-first-it-delivery-302718675.html Partnership expands access to next-generation satellite systems and meets rising demand for sovereign space infrastructure HELSINKI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ReOrbit, a Finland-based satellite manufacturer, has signed an agreement with asset-financing specialist SLI (formerly Space Leasing International) for the purchase of two next-generation geostationary (GEO) communication satellites with a combined value of 150 million. The deal comes as governments and operators worldwide are accelerating their drive towards fully independent sovereign space infrastructures. Through SLI's platform, satellite operators can access advanced technology on leasing terms instead of outright purchase, supporting more capital-efficient satellite deployment. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, ReOrbit is a European space technology company that designs and builds software-defined, interconnected satellites for high-speed data processing and resilient communications in orbit. Unlike traditional satellite manufacturers, ReOrbit gives nations and organizations full ownership and control of their space infrastructure, enabling strategic autonomy across civil, commercial, and defense applications. SLI is the aerospace subsidiary of Libra Group and draws on the group's 50+ years of leasing experience across multiple high value asset classes. The company invests in and leases mission-critical aerospace assets spanning satellites and space infrastructure to next-generation aviation technologies. The agreement reflects the increasing demand for sovereign and resilient space infrastructure, as governments and operators seek greater control over strategic satellite capabilities. By combining SLI's flexible financing platform with ReOrbit's satellite technology, the partnership enables operators to access advanced satellite systems while maintaining full control over their space assets. Sethu Saveda Suvanam, CEO of ReOrbit commented, "With this contract we continue our mission of delivering industry's most competitive dollar-per-gigabit-per-second pricing for sovereign small GEO communications satellites. We value SLI's confidence in our technology and look forward to expanding partnership opportunities with sovereign operators." Praveen Vetrivel, CEO of SLI, commented, "We see significant value in this satellite class and the operational advantages it brings to operators. ReOrbit's engineering approach enhances throughput and economics while numerous governments under budgetary pressure rush to attain a fully independent space infrastructure. The combination of ReOrbit's technology and the low cost of entry via SLI's finance platform, can swiftly contribute to national security and long-term resilience." About ReOrbit ReOrbit builds advanced satellites for connectivity and communication. Our solutions provide independent control of the satellites and enable secure communications for both military and civilian use. Through long-term partnerships with local operators, we ensure our customers achieve and maintain strategic autonomy. https://www.reorbit.space/ About SLI SLI was established by Libra Group in 2023 to address the capital needs of the rapidly growing $1 trillion global space economy by providing flexible, innovative asset-financing solutions. Leveraging Libra Group's 50+ years' experience in pioneering leasing models across aerospace, maritime, and renewable energy, SLI seeks to bridge the gap between capital availability and asset deployment - accelerating the creation of an integrated aerospace ecosystem. In July 2025, SLI extended its operational scope to include frontier aviation assets, such as zero-emission electric aircraft. www.sliaerospace.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/reorbit-and-sli-sign-150m-contract-for-small-geo-satellites-302718765.html Negative Iran coverage from legacy media giants Disney (DIS), Comcast (CMCSA), Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), and Paramount Global (PSKY) may be driving viewers toward independent outlets like Patriot.TV ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / Conservative Broadcast Media & Journalism Inc. (OTCID:CBMJ), parent company of Patriot.TV, today highlighted a forceful new segment of "The Schaftlein Report" in which CBMJ CEO Mark Schaftlein sharply criticized legacy liberal media for what he described as distorted, agenda-driven, and defeatist coverage of the conflict with Iran, even as key military objectives are being achieved. During the segment, Schaftlein argued that much of the legacy press continues to frame the conflict through a lens of pessimism and political hostility rather than operational reality. He noted that Iran's nuclear capabilities have been set back, numerous leadership figures have been eliminated, air superiority has been achieved, and the Iranian navy has been decimated. Yet, according to Schaftlein, much of the reporting from legacy liberal media continues to present the situation as though the United States is losing. The show in its entirety can be viewed at www.patriot.tv "What we are seeing is a media class so committed to its preferred narrative that it refuses to acknowledge clear strategic gains when they happen," said Mark Schaftlein, CEO of CBMJ and host of The Schaftlein Report. "Instead of giving the public a fair assessment of progress, too many outlets default to pessimism, distortion, and politics-first coverage." Schaftlein said his criticism is not that the situation is without risk, but that major legacy outlets continue, in his view, to understate meaningful progress while overstating uncertainty, division, and fear. He said that kind of reporting further erodes confidence in traditional media and deepens public frustration with narrative-driven journalism. CBMJ also notes that legacy media in general, and liberal media even more so, continue to lose viewers as audiences increasingly migrate toward platforms they perceive as more honest, transparent, and less agenda-driven. Management believes this erosion of trust in traditional media is creating a major opening for emerging outlets such as Patriot.TV that are built around conviction, speed, authenticity, and direct analysis. From an investor standpoint, CBMJ believes this audience shift may represent not only a cultural realignment, but a meaningful market opportunity as viewership, engagement, and monetization increasingly move toward independent media brands. "Trust in the legacy press is collapsing because people can see the agenda," Schaftlein added. "They are tired of narrative management disguised as journalism. They want honest reporting, clear analysis, and voices willing to say what others will not. That is where Patriot.TV has an opportunity to grow, and that is why this moment matters from both a media and investor perspective." The Schaftlein Report continues to demonstrate the kind of timely, high-conviction programming that can strengthen Patriot.TV's brand, deepen viewer loyalty, and expand CBMJ's strategic relevance in a rapidly changing media environment. As audiences continue to move away from institutional news brands and seek more independent alternatives, the company believes Patriot.TV is positioned to benefit from that migration. About Patriot TV: Patriot TV is a conservative media network (and a wholly owned subsidiary of Conservative Broadcast Media & Journalism, Inc.) dedicated to defending liberty, faith, and the Constitution. Through original programming, investigative reporting, and unapologetic commentary, Patriot TV provides an alternative to corporate media narratives and serves a growing audience seeking truth without compromise. With a cutting-edge, multi-platform distribution strategy, Patriot TV reaches viewers via its website, social channels, and streaming apps, monetizing content through sponsorships, advertising, e-commerce, and subscriptions. About Conservative Broadcast Media & Journalism, Inc. (OTCID:CBMJ): Conservative Broadcast Media & Journalism, Inc. (CBMJ) is a publicly traded media and digital broadcasting company focused on delivering conservative and faith-based content. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Patriot TV, serves as a premier destination for news, commentary, and original programming that reflects traditional American values. CBMJ's portfolio also includes online news sites, e-commerce properties, and other media assets aligned with its America-first, pro-freedom mission. For more information, visit Patriot.TV. Media Contact: Mark Schaftlein - CEO, Conservative Broadcast Media & Journalism (877) 704-6773 SOURCE: Conservative Broadcast Media & Journalism, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/cbmj-ceo-rips-legacy-liberal-media-over-iran-coverage-on-the-schaftlein-report-1149252 Flin Flon, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Boreal Gold Inc. (CSE: BGLD) ("Boreal" or the "Company") announces that it has granted an aggregate of 1,300,000 stock options to its directors, officers and consultants for the purchase of up to 1,300,000 common shares of the Company pursuant to its Stock Option Plan approved by the company's shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on February 6, 2026. Each option is exercisable for a period of 5 years from the date of grant at a price of $0.23 per common share. The options vest immediately and are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. About Boreal Gold Inc. Boreal Gold Inc. is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with a specific focus on mineral properties in northwest Manitoba and northeast Saskatchewan, Canada. All of the Issuer's properties are currently at the exploration stage. The Issuer has assembled a portfolio of base metal and precious metal prospects in strategic locations in the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Boreal Gold Inc. "signed" Richard Masson President & CEO No stock exchange or securities regulatory authority has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements, such as estimates and statements that describe the Issuer's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Issuer or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289184 Source: Boreal Gold Inc. Featuring the World's First Filter-Cleaning Base Station, the AquaSense X is Recognized for Industry-Leading Innovations and Human-Centric Design BERLIN, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Beatbot, a global leader in smart pool robotics, is proud to announce that the revolutionary AquaSense X robotic pool cleaning ecosystem has been awarded the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026, one of the most renowned global design accolades celebrating outstanding design excellence and impactful innovation. The AquaSense X, a next-generation intelligent pool care system, pairs Beatbot's AI-powered all-in-one pool-cleaning robot with the groundbreaking AstroRinse self-cleaning station to deliver automated cleaning, boosting operational efficiency and significantly reducing maintenance costs. Powered by Beatbot AI 2.0 and exclusive HybridSense AI Vision technology, the AquaSense X robot identifies up to 40 debris types, navigates complex multi-level pools, and delivers complete coverage across platforms from shallow entries to tanning ledges. Built on Beatbot's acclaimed 5-in-1 cleaning system, the robot tackles floors, walls, waterlines, and the water surface while clarifying the water. The AstroRinse Cleaning Station redefines maintenance by introducing the world's first self-cleaning feature, setting a new benchmark for the industry. Once the robot docks, the station automatically initiates charging and activates the three-minute filter-cleaning process using a high-pressure rotating water nozzle. Onboard sensors monitor operational status in real time to ensure consistent peak performance. An industry-first 22-liter bin holds debris from up to two cleaning cycles per week for two months, delivering an effortless experience with minimal user input. Beyond cutting-edge innovations, the AquaSense X stands out for modern design and long-term durability. The IMR coating provides a futuristic, high-quality appearance and enhances resistance to corrosion and scratches. Both the robot and base station share a minimalist, elegant design language, adding an aesthetic touch to the poolside. "We are thrilled to receive the honor from the iF Design Award 2026 for our Beatbot AquaSense X," said Jimmy Hu, Vice President of Beatbot. "AquaSense X is our ultimate expression of intelligent reliability and human-centric interaction. At Beatbot, we believe the future of pool care lies at the intersection of powerful, automated performance and visual aesthetics. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts in pushing the boundaries to deliver a luxurious experience for pool owners around the world." The iF Design Awards, organized by the Germany-based iF International Forum Design GmbH, is one of the most prestigious independent design competitions in the world. This year, the organization received over 10,000 entries from 68 countries. The AquaSense X impressed an international jury of 129 independent design experts, standing out for its functional innovation, user experience, and aesthetic design. Experience premium pool cleaning technology and discover more about the award-winning Beatbot AquaSense X at https://beatbot.com/. About Beatbot Beatbot is the fastest-growing premium robotic pool cleaning brand worldwide. Driven by continuous innovation, it empowers people to perfect pool living and enrich their everyday life. Founded on a mission to reimagine pool care through intelligence and design, Beatbot holds around 460 patents (granted and pending) and is powered by a team where 60% are R&D experts. The company pioneers advanced automation technologies that are effortless, intelligent, and beautifully designed. By inspiring a new standard of living, Beatbot ensures that its technology disappears into the background, giving users back their time, confidence, and pride. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937001/Beatbot_AquaSense_X_all_in_one_robotic_pool_cleaning_system_wins_2026.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2854174/Beatbot_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/beatbot-aquasense-x-pool-cleaning-ecosystem-wins-prestigious-if-design-award-2026-302717682.html Algorand Foundation's new U.S. structure brings protocol development and ecosystem strategy under one roof to accelerate global impact DOVER, Del., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Algorand Foundation and Algorand Technologies today announced a landmark agreement for Algorand Technologies' intellectual property and Algorand Protocol development and support activities to be consolidated at Algorand Foundation. Given the decentralized nature of the protocol, proposed improvements continue to be subject to the approval of the vast majority of consensus participants. This strategic consolidation marks the final step in the Foundation's transition to a unified, U.S.-based structure designed to accelerate the growth of the Algorand ecosystem, in line with the original vision of Algorand creator and Algorand Technologies founder Silvio Micali for a blockchain-based future for financial empowerment. By bringing protocol development and ecosystem growth under one roof, the Foundation is positioned to guide a more cohesive strategy for global payments, asset tokenization, and decentralized financial infrastructure. As part of this agreement, all social media handles and other marketing assets will also move to the Foundation. Additionally, to support Algorand Technologies', Silvio Micali's, and the Algorand Foundation's desire to ensure resources for sustained maintenance and support of the Algorand Protocol, as part of the agreement, the Algorand Foundation will commit at least $15 million in funding for the technical maintenance, enhancement, and support of the Algorand Protocol. "I founded Algorand on the belief that we shouldn't have to accept tradeoffs between security, decentralization, and scalability, and I designed the Algorand protocol from the beginning for global scale and permissionless participation," said Silvio Micali. "In this new environment, I believe that having unified operations under Algorand Foundation leadership will greatly help Algorand to deliver on the promise of blockchain." The Foundation's mandate to maintain and develop the protocol follows the Foundation's recent relocation of its global headquarters to Delaware and the appointment of a new Board of Directors. "This agreement completes our strategy to create a unified powerhouse for blockchain innovation here in the United States," said Staci Warden, CEO of the Algorand Foundation. "By assuming responsibility for the development and sustainability of the protocol, we can more effectively align our technical roadmap with the needs of our global ecosystem and partners, and position Algorand as the chain that enables financial empowerment at scale." This unification is expected to foster deeper collaboration with the Algorand Foundation's newly formed Ecosystem Advisory Council, ensuring that important ecosystem voices can contribute to the protocol's evolution. About Algorand Algorand is a public layer-1 blockchain built for financial empowerment. Algorand offers tools to move money across borders, issue and manage assets, verify identity, and develop services that rely on dependable performance and instant settlement. Developers and organizations use Algorand to create practical tools for payments, identity, asset tokenization, public records, and other financial services. Algorand's all-in-one blockchain infrastructure powers financial apps that are easy to build, simple to use, and unlock economic opportunity for users. Today, the Algorand ecosystem spans startups, developers, governments, and global partners building real-world financial and digital asset solutions. With Algorand, you decide where your money lives, how it moves, and who can access it. To learn more and join the financial empowerment movement, visit algorand.co. Contact algorand@wachsman.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/algorand-foundation-and-algorand-technologies-unify-ecosystem-operations-through-strategic-agreement-302717898.html DELRAY BEACH, Fla., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to MarketsandMarkets, the Influencer Marketing Platform Market is projected to grow from USD 1.15 billion in 2026 and to reach USD 2.03 billion by 2031, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.0% during the forecast period. Browse 401 market data Tables and 90 Figures spread through 340 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Influencer Marketing Platform Market - Global Forecast to 2031" Influencer Marketing Platform Market Size & Forecast: Market Size Available for Years: 2021-2031 2021-2031 2026 Market Size: USD 1.15 billion USD 1.15 billion 2031 Projected Market Size: USD 2.03 billion USD 2.03 billion CAGR (2026-2031): 12.0% Influencer Marketing Platform Market Trends & Insights: The market is growing as brands prioritize data-driven creator discovery, campaign orchestration, and multi-channel engagement optimization. Demand is fueled by performance accountability, rising social commerce adoption, and stricter disclosure and brand-safety compliance standards. By offering type, mobile-based software is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 11.4%. By application, the search & discovery segment is expected to dominate the market. Content marketing and distribution is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 14.6% during the forecast period. North America is estimated to account for the largest market share of 31.9% in 2026 Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=294138 The Influencer Marketing Platform Market is expanding rapidly as brands modernize their digital engagement strategies and strengthen creator-driven outreach. Growth is fueled by the increasing need for coordinated, data-backed campaigns across diverse social channels and the rising emphasis on transparency, authenticity, and compliant promotional practices. Demand intensifies as enterprises seek greater creator-brand alignment, faster optimization cycles, and improved content performance measurement. The market is further shaped by trends such as the adoption of cloud-native campaign orchestration tools that enhance scalability and the integration of AI-driven audience insights that tailor collaborations to contextual relevance. These advancements are enabling more adaptive, performance-focused, and resilient influencer marketing ecosystems. Search & discovery dominates the market, by application, driven by data-driven creator identification and broad adoption Search and discovery holds the largest market share among influencer marketing applications due to its widespread adoption across brand, agency, and enterprise marketing teams. These tools enable precise, data-backed identification of creators by analyzing audience demographics, engagement behavior, content relevance, and platform authenticity. Advanced discovery engines integrate AI-driven insights, influencer databases, and real-time social metrics to ensure accurate creator-brand matching and high campaign reliability. The ability to filter creators by performance history, niche expertise, and compliance indicators further strengthens the segment's dominance in the Influencer Marketing Platform Market. Request Sample Pages @https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=294138 Mobile-based software is the fastest-growing segment, by offering, driven by real-time collaboration and mobile social networks Mobile-based software is the fastest-growing segment within influencer marketing platforms as brands prioritize real-time creator engagement, on-the-go campaign tracking, and instant content collaboration. Enterprises are adopting mobile-first tools to manage outreach, review deliverables, and coordinate creator communication across distributed teams and diverse social ecosystems. Growing dependence on mobile social networks, short-form content formats, and rapid performance monitoring further accelerates mobile platform adoption. The rising need for faster approval cycles, instant notifications, and continuous visibility into campaign metrics is driving widespread implementation across influencer marketing workflows. North America holds the largest market share through strong creator economy adoption and advanced digital marketing infrastructure North America holds the largest share of the Influencer Marketing Platform Market due to the region's mature creator economy, strong brand-creator collaboration ecosystem, and widespread adoption of data-driven digital marketing technologies. Enterprises and marketing agencies across the US and Canada extensively use influencer platforms to discover creators, manage partnerships, and measure campaign performance across major social media networks. Platforms such as impact.com and IZEA support North American brands with tools for influencer discovery, automated campaign workflows, partnership management, and performance attribution. The region's advanced e-commerce environment, high social media penetration, and strong focus on measurable marketing outcomes continue to strengthen demand for scalable influencer marketing technologies. These factors reinforce North America's leadership in deploying sophisticated influencer marketing platforms that support large-scale creator collaborations and performance-based marketing strategies. Inquire Before Buying @https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=294138 Top Companies in Influencer Marketing Platform Market: The Top Companies in Influencer Marketing Platform Market include Izea (US), Launchmetrics (US), Triller (US), Traackr (US), Upfluence (US), Meltwater (US), Aspire.io (US), CreatorIQ (US), Later (US), Impact.com (US), Linqia (US), and ArabyAds (UAE). Browse Adjacent Markets: Software and Services Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Smart Learning Market- Global Forecast to 2030 Facility Management Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Workforce Management Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Innovation Management Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Trade Surveillance System Market - Global Forecast to 2030 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. MarketsandMarkets SalesPlay is an AI-driven Revenue Intelligence Co-Pilot designed to help revenue teams prioritize the right accounts, identify critical changes early, and surface opportunities ahead of demand, so pipeline builds naturally and deals close with greater consistency. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/influencer-marketing-platform-market-worth-2-03-billion-by-2031--marketsandmarkets-302718491.html With multiple gold wins for excellent customer service, judges praised the human connection HCSS provides in an era of automation HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / HCSS, the leading provider of innovative software for the construction industry, proudly announced it has received six prestigious honors at the 2026 Stevie Awards. Widely considered the world's premier business awards, the Stevie Awards recognized HCSS with three Gold Stevie wins, as well as the coveted People's Choice Award for Favorite Customer Service. As many technology firms shift toward fully automated support models, HCSS continues to distinguish itself through a "human-first" philosophy. This year's recognition, marking the sixth year in a row the company has been honored, is highlighted by the Contact Center of the Year Gold award and validates the company's 40-year commitment to augmenting technology with genuine human connection. Central to the success of HCSS is a record-breaking 98.78% First Call Resolution (FCR) rate. While the industry trend has long-since shifted toward chatbots and ticket queues, HCSS maintains 24/7/365 instant support, handled by product-trained experts at its headquarters in Sugar Land, a suburb of Houston, Texas. "It's one thing for us to say we care, but having the Stevie Award judges actually see the heart behind our numbers proves something about our people," said Patrick Babb, HCSS Director of Technical Support. "That 98.78% resolution rate isn't just some vanity metric. It represents a real contractor out in the field who immediately got an expert on the phone when they needed one." On that same note, one Stevie Award judge noted the "secret sauce" of HCSS is "a great product paired with genuine care for your people, which naturally delivers outstanding service to your customers." Beyond the technical evaluations of the judging panel, receiving the most votes for the People's Choice Stevie Award for Favorite Customer Service reflects the trust and loyalty of the HCSS user community. "We've always believed that even the best software is useless if you don't have a real person there to back you up," Babb added. "We care greatly about our team here and invest in them just like we would want them to invest in our customers. These awards help remind us we're on the right track with our goal to keep getting better and better." For more information about HCSS and its award-winning support, visit www.hcss.com . ABOUT HCSS HCSS is the leading provider of construction management software for heavy civil and infrastructure projects. Since 1986, HCSS has helped contractors work smarter, faster, and safer with innovative software designed hand-in-hand with the people who use it. What began with HeavyBid, the industry standard in estimating, has grown into a powerful, user-friendly platform spanning the entire project lifecycle. The HCSS platform-HeavyBid, HeavyJob, and HCSS Fleet-centralizes data across the office, field, and shop to deliver real-time insights and streamlined workflows so contractors can bid, build, and deliver with confidence. Recognized as both a pioneer and an industry leader, HCSS continues to innovate with customer-centric solutions and award-winning 24/7/365 support. CONTACT David Redd HCSS david.redd@hcss.com 281-833-6374 SOURCE: HCSS View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/hcss-shatters-records-at-2026-stevier-awards-1149268 Recognition highlights SnapLogic's strength in low-code AI agent development and enterprise-scale orchestration San Mateo, California, March 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SnapLogic , the Agentic Integration Company, today announced it has been positioned by Aragon Research, Inc. in the Leader section of the Aragon Research Globe for AI Agent Platforms, 2026 *. The report evaluates vendors based on strategy and performance, assessing their ability to support the development, orchestration, and governance of AI agents across complex enterprise environments. "We've moved past the agentic AI hype. Today, the real challenge for enterprises isn't building an agent, it's orchestrating it across enterprise systems," said Dayle Hall, Chief Marketing Officer at SnapLogic. "As an integration platform, that's where SnapLogic is uniquely positioned. Our strength in this market is bringing agents together with data, applications, and APIs, to solve real business challenges, not just IT projects. Being named a Leader in the Aragon Research Globe for AI Agent Platforms reflects that this is exactly what our Agentic Integration Platform is built to do." AI agent platforms are rapidly emerging as a foundational technology for organizations seeking to operationalize generative AI. The Aragon Research Globe evaluates providers on criteria including product capabilities, innovation, ecosystem, and market execution. "AI agent platforms represent the next major shift in enterprise software," said Jim Lundy, CEO, Founder, and Lead Analyst at Aragon Research. "Organizations are looking for solutions that combine agent development, orchestration, and enterprise integration. Providers like SnapLogic that bring these capabilities together are well-positioned to support scalable agentic AI adoption." SnapLogic's Agentic Integration Platform brings together low-code integration, API management, and AI-powered agent development within a single transformation Platform as a Service (tPaaS). Unlike standalone agent builders, SnapLogic is built on enterprise-grade integration architecture that enables organizations to orchestrate agents across data, applications, and APIs in real time. This foundation empowers organizations to securely design, deploy, and scale autonomous AI agents that operate inside governed business workflows, not outside of them. This recognition builds on SnapLogic's continued momentum in AI-led integration and follows SnapLogic's placement as a Leader in the Aragon Research 2025 Globe for Intelligent Transformation Platform as a Service for the fourth consecutive year. To experience the Agentic Integration Platform in action, sign up for a demo . Aragon Research does not endorse vendors, or their products or services that are referenced in its research publications, and does not advise users to select those vendors that are rated the highest. Aragon Research publications consist of the opinions of Aragon Research and Advisory Services organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Aragon Research provides its research publications and the information contained in them "AS IS," without warranty of any kind. *Aragon Research "Globe for Agent Platforms, 2026" by Jim Lundy, February 12, 2026. About SnapLogic SnapLogic is the Agentic Integration Company, integrating AI, data, applications, and microservices into one powerful platform that transforms how enterprises connect, automate, and scale. Unlike legacy integration tools, SnapLogic is built for the AI era and trusted by global leaders, including AstraZeneca, Adobe, Verizon, and Sony. With its industry-leading platform, SnapLogic empowers every team across the enterprise to securely build faster, smarter, AI-connected workflows - all through natural language and intuitive low-code design. Join the Agentic Integration movement at snaplogic.com . Connect with SnapLogic via our Blog , X (Twitter) , Facebook, or LinkedIn . Gemma Smith SnapLogic gsmith@snaplogic.com Bianca Robles Offleash PR snaplogic@offleashpr.com BROOKVILLE, OH / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / General Motors' Duramax Engine Plant (DMAX) expansion in Brookville has become one of the region's most significant industrial projects, tied to a $920 million investment supporting Duramax diesel engine production for GM heavy-duty truck programs, including Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD models. Public reporting has described the Brookville work as adding about 1.1 million square feet to the existing facility which was previously approximately 250,000 square feet. Notably, the project has created and supported hundreds of local jobs as the site expands its manufacturing footprint in southwest Ohio. This expansion quadruples the current facility size and is designed to create over 800 jobs, supporting high demand for diesel trucks. Among the professionals helping carry that work forward is Sabra Sadeghi, a project architect and engineer who served on the Brookville expansion in an on-site role. The project has been praised for being operational ahead of schedule by 2025 despite projections of completion by 2026 and completed on budget. When reached for comment, Sadeghi said "What motivates me in projects like the DMAX plant is the scale, the technical challenge, and the clear impact on strengthening U.S. automotive manufacturing. I'm grateful to have been selected for this work, and I committed myself to understanding and supporting every facet of the plant's development." While public coverage of the DMAX project has understandably focused on the scale of the investment, the workforce impact, and the future of heavy-duty truck production in Ohio, large automotive expansions are ultimately delivered through day-to-day technical coordination. On the Brookville project, Sadeghi's role sat at that intersection of design, compliance, operations, and construction execution, helping translate GM requirements into functioning spaces ready to support production. As the Brookville expansion is now at full operation, the project stands as another example of how U.S. automotive strength depends not only on major capital commitments, but also on the architects, engineers, and project professionals who help turn those commitments into working facilities. For Brookville and the surrounding region, DMAX represents both industrial growth and a continued investment in American manufacturing capacity. For questions or a deeper insight into this work, please reach out at ManufacturingBriefing@gmail.com SOURCE: Sabra Sadeghi View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/brookville-dmax-expansion-highlights-the-project-work-behind-a-m-1149118 Global recognition highlights Caseware's AI-powered platform and innovation in automating audit and accounting workflows TORONTO, March 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caseware , a global leader in AI-powered audit and financial reporting software, today announced it has been recognized with two major industry awards: the 2026 FinTech Breakthrough Award for Overall Accounting Platform of the Year and, in February, Caseware featured in Accounting Today's 2026 Top New Products list for its AI-powered data extraction tool, Caseware Extractly. "This recognition from both FinTech Breakthrough and Accounting Today is a testament to Caseware's legacy of technological innovation and our significant investment in the future of the profession," said Ericka Podesta McCoy, Chief Marketing Officer at Caseware. "The firms that will lead the next decade are those embracing AI not as a future consideration, but as a present-day advantage. Caseware is embedding AI and intelligent automation at the core of the workflows professionals already rely on, so firms can manage complexity with confidence, scale without compromise and deliver the kind of insight their clients increasingly expect." Recognizing Innovation in Accounting Technology The FinTech Breakthrough Award program evaluates more than 4,500 nominations from around the world, recognizing companies that are advancing innovation across the fintech industry. Caseware was honored for its unified, cloud-based platform designed specifically for the audit and accounting profession, combining intelligent automation, defensible evidence and embedded controls to support the full engagement lifecycle. "Caseware reduces operational complexity while boosting firm-wide efficiency in one unified platform," said Steve Johansson, Managing Director of FinTech Breakthrough. "This combination of seamless integration, AI-driven workflows, advanced productivity tools and firm-level customization makes Caseware our pick in the Overall Accounting Platform of the Year category." Rather than relying on disconnected automation tools, Caseware integrates data ingestion, analysis, documentation, review and collaboration into a single secure cloud environment. This platform-first approach enables firms to modernize their workflows while maintaining strong audit trails, supporting regulatory compliance and professional judgment. Key innovations within the Caseware platform include: Caseware AiDA , a context-aware AI assistant designed specifically for audit and accounting professionals that provides responses related to standards, methodology, compliance and audit evidence within the secure Caseware environment , a context-aware AI assistant designed specifically for audit and accounting professionals that provides responses related to standards, methodology, compliance and audit evidence within the secure Caseware environment Caseware Extractly , an AI-powered Excel add-in that automatically extracts and structures data from source documents while maintaining direct links to underlying evidence , an AI-powered Excel add-in that automatically extracts and structures data from source documents while maintaining direct links to underlying evidence Caseware Validate , which automates transaction validation and exception detection across large data sets, enabling firms to scale testing while improving accuracy and review efficiency Together, these innovations help firms work more efficiently without compromising the rigor and defensibility that highly regulated environments demand. Automating Data Extraction with Caseware Extractly In February, Caseware Extractly was recognized by Accounting Today as one of the profession's top new products for 2026, highlighting its ability to automate one of the most time-consuming tasks in audit and accounting workflows: manual data extraction. The AI-powered Excel add-in helps firms automate the extraction and validation of financial data from documents such as PDFs, invoices and bank statements, significantly reducing manual work and improving audit traceability. Beyond basic OCR tools, Extractly helps to validate calculations, compare extracted values against workpapers and identify inconsistencies across large volumes of documents. Each extracted data point remains dynamically linked to its source document, strengthening audit trails while reducing review time. For firms, the operational impact can be significant. Customers report that processes previously requiring several hours of manual work can now be completed in minutes using Caseware Extractly. In the event of media enquiries, please contact: elise.sallis@caseware.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8def340e-7bbf-4772-916a-6975a961f452 TORONTO, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Berger Montague (Canada) PC, a Toronto-based law firm that focuses on representing investors in cross-border and international shareholder disputes, represents investors in a shareholder class action against Goeasy Ltd. (TSX: GSY) and (USOTC: EHMEF), "Goeasy"; CUSIP: 380355, ISIN: CA3803551074); Dodds v. Goeasy Ltd., et al., CV-26-0005488-00CP. On March 10, 2026, Goeasy announced a charge off in Q4 2025 of approximately $178M relating to its Lendcare business against gross consumer loans receivable of $5.5B as at December 31, 2025, and a related write down of approximately $55M for loan interest and fees. Goeasy also reported that total net charge offs in the quarter were expected to be approximately $331M, and that it expects a net increase in allowance for credit losses on gross consumer loans receivable in the quarter of approximately $86M compared to the amount reported as at September 30, 2025. Accordingly, Goeasy advised that it would be withdrawing its previously issued Q4 2025 outlook and three-year forecast. Moreover, Goeasy announced that it would need to correct the historical reporting practices of its LendCare business going back to 2024 because certain customer payments were being recorded as received while they were in fact in the process of being settled at month end - some of which were ultimately not collected - impacting Goeasy's reported delinquencies. The market's impact was harsh and immediate, sending Goeasy's share price from $115.55 down to $49.72. Goeasy's credit rating was also downgraded. Our clients' dedicated webpage with registration portal is found at https://bergermontague.com/cases/goeasy-ltd-gsy/. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/investor-alert-goeasy-ltd-shareholder-class-action-302720104.html KEWAZO's LIFTBOT Is Automating Maintenance and Capital Projects Across the Energy Sector KEWAZO, the robotics company transforming heavy industry worldwide, today announced a new funding round backed by Chevron Technology Ventures, Asahi Kasei, Benson Capital, Mana Ventures, Gaingels, and Atlas Ventures, alongside lead investor Schooner Capital and existing investors True Ventures and Cybernetix Ventures. Total funding now reaches $35M. KEWAZO's lifting robot LIFTBOT is already deployed at more than 20 industrial sites in North America and Europe, including refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical complexes, and power facilities. Asset owners and service providers are increasingly adopting LIFTBOT to replace cranes and manual handling improving safety and efficiency while bringing greater schedule predictability to maintenance, turnarounds, and capital projects. Enabling the Physical AI Future of Industrial Sites LIFTBOT deployments grant KEWAZO access to high-barrier industrial environments, enabling the company to collect structured operational data. This forms the foundation of KEWAZO's Physical AI platform, designed to introduce transparency today and enable automation tomorrow. Go-to Robotics and AI Provider for Heavy Industry KEWAZO is building toward becoming the leading robotics and AI provider for heavy industry. The backing of Chevron Technology Ventures and Asahi Kasei two major players in energy and materials is a welcome addition to KEWAZO investor base. The new capital will accelerate deployment capacity, expand into additional workflows, and deepen integration within existing customer sites. "Our clients hear about robotics, but they rarely see robots operating at their plants," said Artem Kuchukov, Co-Founder CEO. "KEWAZO changes that. We help industrial asset owners adopt automation by delivering instant value in vertical material movement, and many clients already ask us to expand into additional workflows. With the support of Schooner Capital, Chevron Technology Ventures, Asahi Kasei, and our existing investors, we're accelerating this shift." Schooner Capital "Robotics and automation are transforming industrial operations, mirroring the adoption of AI across the economy," said Alexandra Manick, Managing Director at Schooner Capital. "KEWAZO is perfectly positioned to lead the charge in heavy industry, as evidenced by the team's technical depth and strong commercial execution. We are proud to lead this round and support their continued expansion and vision." Chevron Technology Ventures "KEWAZO's LIFTBOT technology offers an innovative approach to improving safety and cost-efficiency in industrial operations," said Jim Gable, Vice President of Innovation within Chevron's Technology, Projects Execution organization and President of Technology Ventures at Chevron. "This is the latest investment from our Core Venture Fund, which focuses on high-growth startups and emerging technologies that have the potential to improve Chevron's core businesses, as well as create new opportunities for growth. We welcome KEWAZO to the portfolio." Asahi Kasei "This investment aligns with Asahi Kasei's vision by advancing technologies that improve safety and efficiency in critical industrial operations," said Jeff Chen, Managing Director at Asahi Kasei Ventures. "KEWAZO's approach directly addresses key priorities for the materials industry enhancing safety, shortening maintenance windows, and applying deep technical expertise to complex physical environments. We believe innovations like this will ultimately enable the workforce to focus on higher-value efforts." Benson Capital "The Gulf Coast has fueled America's energy leadership for generations, and it is vital to equip this region's workforce with the most advanced tools available to keep our industrial backbone safe, efficient, and globally competitive," said George Rovegno, Investment Associate at Benson Capital. "KEWAZO is delivering exactly that. They are bringing practical, proven robotics into refineries and petrochemical facilities, and already demonstrating real impact. We're excited to back a company that isn't just talking about the future of industrial operations, but actively enabling it across critical infrastructure throughout the Gulf Coast." About KEWAZO KEWAZO is a Munich- and Houston-based robotics and AI company automating heavy industry. Its flagship product, lifting robot LIFTBOT, replaces cranes and manual handling during maintenance and capital projects-improving safety, enhancing efficiency, and accelerating project schedules. For more information, visit www.kewazo.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319964881/en/ Contacts: Lauren DiGeronimo, laurend@trailrunnerint.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Katrina Owens, Personal Branding and Public Relations Expert at Katrina Owens Media, is pleased to announce her participation as a speaker at the Women in PR North America WorkWell Conference, taking place on May 8, 2026, at Hart House, during Women's Health Month. The Women in PR North America WorkWell Conference is a premier event designed to empower professionals in public relations, media, investor relations, marketing, communications, and business to accelerate growth while prioritizing career success, wellbeing, and innovation. Hosted by the Organization of Canadian and American Women in Public Relations (Women in PR North America), the conference brings together industry professionals to discuss strategies for leadership, resilience, wealth creation, visibility, and sustainable career and business growth. Katrina Owens will be speaking on Wealth and Growth: Building Profitable, Sustainable Businesses. This session will explore how communications professionals can evolve from service practitioners into strategic founders by building visible authority, leveraging personal branding, and integrating PR directly into revenue strategy. She will share insights on creating scalable, relationship-driven growth models that generate new speaking roles, media opportunities, partnerships, and retained clients, without relying on overextension. "I'm incredibly excited to speak at the Women in PR North America WorkWell Conference because I bring a slightly different lens to the PR industry, one rooted in ownership, measurable ROI, and long-term wealth creation," said Katrina Owens. In an industry that's changing quickly, founders and communications leaders need frameworks that drive tangible business outcomes. My work focuses on building profitable, authority-driven personal brands for ourselves and our clients, models that make visibility both sustainable and financially powerful. Being part of Women in PR North America is especially meaningful to me because it's a community committed to elevating women leaders as the industry evolves." The 2026 conference agenda includes five expert-led panels featuring over 25 industry leaders, covering topics such as modern communications strategy, artificial intelligence, wellbeing and high performance, visibility and influence, and building profitable, sustainable businesses. Tickets for Women in PR North America's WorkWell Conference 2026 are available at womeninpr.com Women in PR North America is also inviting applications for membership and welcomes enquiries from companies interested in partnering on the 2026 WorkWell Conference. About Katrina Owens Katrina Owens is a personal branding and public relations strategist, speaker, and host of the Fame-Ready podcast. She helps founders, executives, and service-based business owners turn their personal brand into a revenue-generating asset, one that attracts new speaking engagements, media features, brand partnerships, and long-term growth. With over a decade of experience in corporate marketing and public relations, Katrina specializes in strategic positioning, relationship-driven PR, and visibility systems designed to deliver measurable ROI. Her work focuses on helping leaders build authority that translates into income, influence, and sustainable business expansion. Her clients have secured features in Vogue, The New York Times, top-charting podcasts, and stages around the world by leveraging personal branding as a strategic driver of growth. Learn more at katrinaowens.com. Image 1 About Women in PR North America Canadian Women in Public Relations Ltd. (Women in PR Canada) and American Women in Public Relations (Women in PR USA) is a leading organization dedicated to supporting women in public relations, investor relations, and communications. Together, the organizations form Women in PR North America, with a mission to elevate women leaders and amplify their impact across the U.S. and Canada through events, education, advocacy, and community. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289192 Source: The Organization of Canadian Women in Public Relations Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Tombill Mines Limited (TSXV: TBLL) (the "Company" or "Tombill"), is pleased to announce that it has appointed Ms. Alicia Grimes as new Corporate Secretary. Ms. Grimes replaces Athanasios Pythagoras, who steps down immediately. The Board would like to thank and really appreciates Mr. Pythagoras for his contribution and dedication to this role. About Tombill Founded in 1935 through a partnership between Newmont Mining and brothers Tom and Bill Johnson, Tombill Mines Limited (TSXV: TBLL) holds two of the eleven past-producing and producing mines in the Geraldton-Greenstone gold district, Ontario. The district, home to approximately 4,300 residents, lies about 225 km northeast of Thunder Bay and benefits from exceptional mining infrastructure. Tombill's portfolio consists of 74 royalty-free claims-including 60 fully owned patented claims, 9 patented mineral rights, and 5 leases-strategically positioned in the heart of the district: Main Group (51 patented claims): Borders the western edge of the Greenstone Gold Mine, straddling the Trans-Canada Highway. Ellis Group (5 patented claims): Located 4 km south of Geraldton. Tombill Old Mine Group (6 patented claims): Situated 10 km west-southwest of Geraldton. The Tombill Old Mine produced 68,737 oz of gold at an average grade of 12.47 g/t between 1938-1942 and in 1955. The Talmora Mine, in the northeast Main Group, was constructed in 1942 but saw only minor production before closing in 1948, yielding 1,406 oz at 5.05 g/t. The Greenstone Gold Mine-commissioned in May 2024 and bordering Tombill's eastern boundary-is among Canada's largest gold operations by annual production and grade. The broader Geraldton camp extends roughly 15 km along the Bankfield-Tombill Fault and the Trans-Canada Highway, encompassing multiple shallow and deep gold zones from the easternmost Greenstone open pit to the westernmost past-producing Key Lake/Jellicoe Mine. For more information, please visit www.tombillmines.com, or contact: Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the trading date of the Company's common shares on the TSXV. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. 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. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289227 Source: Tombill Mines Limited A Full-Stack, Agent-First Model That Closes the Enterprise AI Deployment Gap NEW YORK and MUMBAI, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Firstsource Solutions Limited (NSE: FSL) (BSE: 532809), an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company, today launched Intelligence That Operates, a full-stack, agent-first operating model to design, build, and run AI-powered enterprise operations - with outcomes underwritten, not promised. The announcement marks a significant evolution of the company's UnBPO platform and a direct response to what has become the defining challenge of the agentic era. AI capability has never been greater - and yet for most enterprises, the operational reality on the ground has barely shifted. Pilots stall. Investments fail to translate into measurable outcomes. The gap between what AI can do and what businesses actually get from it keeps widening. The barrier, Firstsource argues, is not the technology. It is the operating model. Enterprises are trying to bolt AI onto structures built for a different era - siloed teams, linear handoffs, effort-based contracts, and vendors who design solutions they never have to live with in production. Intelligence That Operates addresses a structural gap that has long fragmented enterprise services across separate vendors and separate accountability structures - the consultant who designs but doesn't implement, the integrator who builds but doesn't operate, the BPO that operates but never transforms. Firstsource unifies all three into a single, continuous engagement: Transform, Implement, Operate - with one partner accountable for the outcome end-to-end. "UnBPO was never about tearing something down. It was about seeing clearly what was coming. It forced us to ask what this industry becomes when intelligence, not labor, is the primary input. " said Ritesh Idnani, CEO & Managing Director of Firstsource. "Today, we are defining that for ourselves. We're a full-stack partner to our clients. We design the operating model, build the intelligence layer, and run it in production with our name on the outcome. That is what Intelligence That Operates means. If we can't underwrite the result, we haven't earned the right to operate it." Intelligence That Operates is defined by five principles. Domain Intelligence - industry complexity encoded from day one, so the intelligence knows the business context before it touches operations. - industry complexity encoded from day one, so the intelligence knows the business context before it touches operations. Full-Stack Delivery - one partner transforms, implements, and operates, eliminating the handoffs where accountability disappears. - one partner transforms, implements, and operates, eliminating the handoffs where accountability disappears. Compounding Intelligence - every decision and outcome feeds back into the system, so the operational advantage widens with every engagement rather than plateauing at deployment. - every decision and outcome feeds back into the system, so the operational advantage widens with every engagement rather than plateauing at deployment. Outcome Accountability - revenue tied to results delivered, not resources consumed, with Firstsource underwriting performance rather than managing a contract. - revenue tied to results delivered, not resources consumed, with Firstsource underwriting performance rather than managing a contract. Governed Autonomy - every system earns its autonomy incrementally, through transparent auditability and proven performance, never assumed. "The question every enterprise leader should be asking right now is not which AI vendor to pilot next," added Ritesh Idnani. "It is: who will own the outcome when the intelligence doesn't perform? Our answer is simple - we will. That is the standard we hold ourselves to, and the standard we believe this entire industry must be held to." Underpinning the model is twenty-five years of domain expertise encoded into composable, auditable AI that agents can execute, learn from, and improve upon. Every deployment generates structured decision traces that feed back into the system, compounding the operational advantage with every engagement. Intelligence That Operates also redefines what it means to build a career in this industry. Firstsource's Employee Value Proposition - Brilliant People. Bold Tech. Uncommon Careers. - reflects that directly. The domain expertise and creativity of its people power the intelligence behind every operation, while bold technology enables smarter systems to be designed and run at scale. Together, they create careers that are fundamentally more dynamic and impactful than traditional outsourcing ever allowed. Industry Perspectives "The services industry is going through a real reckoning right now. The old model - where you hand off disparate parts and manage a vendor - doesn't hold up when the technology is moving this fast. We need partners who work alongside us on the entire value chain with rewards tied to outcomes. Firstsource is a true partner that has actually made the leap, not just talked about it. They're not advising us on AI. We are reimaging processes and co-creating new capabilities, inside our business, and owning what comes out the other side. That's a different conversation entirely." - Bala Viswanathan, Founder and Group CEO, Aptia Group "Firstsource is taking a decisive step toward what the services market has been struggling to operationalize, moving from AI experimentation to accountable execution. What stands out with Intelligence That Operates is the shift from fragmented delivery to a unified, full-stack model where one partner designs, builds, and runs AI in production with outcomes on the line. This is where the market is heading. Enterprises are no longer buying AI capability; they are buying results. Providers that can combine domain intelligence, agentic execution, and commercial accountability into a single operating model will define the next phase of services. Firstsource is positioning itself on the right side of that transition." - Phil Fersht, CEO and Chief Analyst, HFS Research "ETS operates at the intersection of high-stakes outcomes and complex, regulated processes - there is very little margin for error in what we do. What has distinguished Firstsource as a partner is that they understand that. They are not bringing us generic AI capability and asking us to figure out how to apply it. They are embedded in our operations, accountable for how the work actually performs. Intelligence That Operates reflects how we have experienced this partnership - and it is the kind of operating model that regulated, outcomes-driven organizations like ours need from a partner right now." - Dennis Stetzel, SVP & Head of Operations, ETS "Every organization is at a decisive inflection point with AI; they must evolve and reinvent at the same time. This requires a fundamental rewiring of operating models across processes, data, talent, technology, and culture. The market makers are doing this by building Systems of Execution - autonomous systems that work alongside systems of record to continuously adapt, execute, and deliver measurable outcomes. On this journey, organizations are increasingly seeking partners that can bring deep domain, functional, and process intelligence underpinned by connected data and a contextualized AI stack." - Jimit Arora, CEO, Everest For more information on Intelligence That Operates, visit: https://unbpo.firstsource.com/ About Firstsource Firstsource Solutions Limited, an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company (NSE: FSL) (BSE: 532809), is a global intelligence partner for enterprises in healthcare, banking and financial services, communications, media and technology, and retail. With a operations across the US, UK, India, Philippines, Mexico, Romania, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa, and Australia, Firstsource combines twenty-five years of domain expertise with an agent-first delivery model to design, build and operate intelligence enterprise operations. Under its Intelligence That Operates model, Firstsource underwrites outcomes - not effort - turning deep domain intelligence into compounding operational advantage for the world's most regulated industries. (www.firstsource.com) Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2515360/5486596/Firstsource_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/firstsource-introduces-intelligence-that-operates-302719063.html Investors Invited to Learn More About Alaska Cook Inlet Royalties and Ask Questions Live SOUTHLAKE, TX / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / Klondike Royalties announced today that it will host a live investor webinar featuring Shawn Bartholomae, Managing Member of Klondike Royalties, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM CDT. The online event will give prospective and existing investors the opportunity to hear directly from management, learn more about the company's royalty model, and ask questions in a live Q&A session. At a time of global energy uncertainty, the webinar gives investors an opportunity to learn more about the U.S.-based royalty opportunity tied to Alaska's Cook Inlet, a longstanding oil and gas producing basin with established infrastructure and a long history of energy development. Klondike Royalties owns royalty interests in 15,930 acres in Alaska's Cook Inlet Basin. A third-party engineering report estimates this acreage contains more than 300 million barrels of oil in recoverable reserves, with projected royalty revenues extending for 35+ years. Klondike operates under a pure royalty model, meaning the company does not drill wells or bear the operational costs of drilling and field management. Instead, it participates in revenues generated from production on the associated acreage, a structure the company believes may appeal to investors seeking long-term energy exposure without direct operating risk. "This webinar is designed to give investors direct access to management and a clear understanding of how our royalty model works," said Shawn Bartholomae, Managing Member of Klondike Royalties. "We want people to have the chance to hear the story, understand the opportunity, and ask their questions live." During the webinar, attendees will learn: How Klondike's royalty model works, Why management believes Cook Inlet represents a compelling long-term opportunity, How the company views the income potential of royalty ownership, How interested investors may participate in the current offering. The webinar is intended for both current investors and individuals exploring oil royalties for the first time. Klondike said it is currently accepting investments from both accredited investors, with a $25,000 minimum investment, and non-accredited investors, with a $510 minimum investment, subject to the terms of the offering. Klondike Royalties Live Webinar, Tuesday, March 24th at 2:00 PM CDT https://vimeo.com/1171575645 For more information about the investment opportunity and to register for the live webinar, visit: invest.klondikeroyalties.com About Klondike Royalties Klondike Royalties is a U.S.-based energy royalty company with interests in oil and gas leases across Alaska's Cook Inlet Basin. The company focuses on acquiring non-operating interests that allow participation in revenue streams from natural resource development while minimizing operational exposure. The Webinar will be moderated by Gene Massey from MediaShares.com. Media Contact Gene Massey MediaShares.com gene@mediashares.com 310-871-3668 Important Offering Notice An offering statement regarding this investment has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Before making any investment decision, prospective investors should review the offering materials carefully, including the risks associated with the investment. No money or other consideration is being solicited by this press release, and none will be accepted except through the applicable offering materials. SOURCE: Klondike Royalties View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/klondike-royalties-to-host-live-webinar-on-march-24-2026-with-managing-member-sh-1149793 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Honey Badger Silver Inc. (TSXV: TUF) (OTCQB: HBEIF) ("Honey Badger" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it entered into a definitive agreement dated March 13, 2026 (the "Agreement") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Canadian Zinc Corporation ("CZC"), 100% owner of the Prairie Creek Project ("PC Silver Project", or the "Project"), from Resource Capital Fund VI L.P. ("RCF"), an arm's length party to the Company, for C$10 million in cash plus C$2 million in Honey Badger shares and warrants (the "Acquisition"). The PC Silver Project is a major permitted underground silver-zinc-lead project located in the Northwest Territories. Significant progress has been made at the Project in recent years including receiving all key regulatory and permitting approvals. The Project has been advanced through multiple economic studies, including a 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment and a 2017 Feasibility Study. Impacts and Benefits Agreements ("IBAs") have been signed by the two impacted Indigenous Governments along with a Benefit Agreement with the Acho Dene Koe First Nation in Fort Liard. In addition, a winter road with significant investments and progress towards an all-season road have been made, including road clearing, detailed engineering and management plans. CZC's cash and third-party debt is expected to be essentially nil following the closing, subject to customary closing adjustments. An approximate $5.7 million environmental bond, which is intended to fund past environmental disturbances, will remain in place for the Company's benefit. Any cash held by CZC as of closing will be reflected in the final purchase price through customary closing adjustments. All outstanding indebtedness of Canadian Zinc Corporation, together with unpaid transaction expenses, will be satisfied or discharged at closing, with the applicable amounts paid by or on behalf of the Company directly to the relevant creditors and service providers thus lowering the net cash consideration paid by the Company, in accordance with the adjustments set forth in the Agreement. The historical estimates[2] for the Project is supported by a technical report dated October 15, 2021 prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, completed by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc., for NorZinc Ltd., which is currently the parent company of CZC. The historical estimates contained in this news release have not been verified as current mineral resources. A "qualified person" (as defined in NI 43-101) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources. The Company considers the historical estimates to be relevant for the proper understanding of the Project, however, significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a Qualified Person for the historical estimates to be in accordance with NI 43-101 standards and to verify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. Chad Williams, Executive Chairman of Honey Badger, commented "This is a transformative transaction for Honey Badger, adding a key asset to our portfolio of silver projects, and reflecting the strength of our team's commitment to identifying, acquiring and developing silver mining properties. For the first time in its history, the PC Silver Project can be evaluated through the lens of over C$100/oz silver. Historically zinc-focused, value is now dominated by its silver component. This fundamentally shifts the strategy for future resource growth and mine plan optimization, with silver-rich zones taking priority." The Company believes that the key aspects of the Project include: 1) Key permits and regulatory approvals in place for development, 2) Support from local impacted Indigenous Governments, 3) Multiple economic studies previously completed further support the potential of the Project, and 4) Excellent regional exploration potential on the large and under-explored 7,485 hectare land position. In connection with the Acquisition, Honey Badger has entered into an agreement with SCP Resource Finance LP, as lead-agent on behalf of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the "Agents"), pursuant to which the Agents have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange a brokered private placement offering of up to 62,500,000 subscription receipts of the Company (the "Subscription Receipts") at a price of C$0.16 per Subscription Receipt for gross proceeds of up to C$10 million (the "Offering"). Highlights and Key Terms Transformational Scale: The Project hosts a historic resource estimate[3] of 9.8 Mt of Measured & Indicated Resources, grading 139 g/t Ag, 9.7% Zn and 8.8% Pb for a total of 240 Mozs of AgEq at a silver equivalent grade of 766 g/t plus 6.4 Mt of Inferred Resources grading 150 g/t Ag, 12.9% Zn, and 6.7% Pb, hosting 167 Mozs of AgEq at a silver equivalent grade of 813 g/t. Advanced Stage with Existing Infrastructure: The Project includes a developed underground mine, mill facilities, surface infrastructure, an airstrip, and a seasonal road , thereby materially reducing development risk relative to greenfield projects. The Project includes , thereby materially reducing development risk relative to greenfield projects. High-Grade Silver Exposure: The Project hosts silver grades complemented by meaningful zinc and lead by-product credits, providing strong silver-equivalent leverage and commodity diversification. Silver, zinc and lead are all critical minerals in Canada and/or the United States. Strategic Transaction: The Acquisition consolidates ownership under a publicly listed, silver-focused vehicle, committed to disciplined capital allocation and value creation. Reclamation Bonding: The Acquisition includes over C$5.7 million of reclamation bonds associated with the Project's Water Licences and Land Use Permits. Total consideration of C$12 million is to consist of a C$10 million cash payment on closing, plus C$2 million in shares and warrants of Honey Badger, with pricing determined based upon the Offering and in accordance with applicable TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies, in each case subject to the Agreement, including adjustments contained therein. Based on an Offering price of C$0.16 per Subscription Receipt, Honey Badger will issue 12,500,000 units to RCF, at a price of C$0.16 per unit, on substantially the same terms and conditions as the Units (as defined below) issuable upon conversion of the Subscription Receipts issuable pursuant to the Offering (see below). The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2026 and will be completed on a cash-free and debt-free basis, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of TSXV acceptance. Honey Badger's common shares have been halted and are expected to remain halted until acceptance by the TSXV. PC Technical Snapshot The Project is a permitted underground silver-zinc-lead project located in the Northwest Territories. The Project hosts a large, high-grade historical resource with significant existing underground development and infrastructure. The deposit comprises multiple steeply dipping vein and stratabound-style mineralized zones hosted within Proterozoic sedimentary rocks of the Mackenzie Mountains. Key highlights include: Two surface leases and twelve mining leases covering approximately 7,485 hectares; Extensive historical investment, including underground workings, mine development, and site infrastructure; The Project is designed as a conventional underground mining operation utilizing proven mining methods. Historical underground development provides access to multiple zones of mineralized material; The proposed processing facility is designed to produce separate zinc and lead concentrates via conventional crushing, grinding, and flotation circuits. Silver is primarily recovered into the lead concentrate, with additional payable silver credits in the zinc concentrate; Strong exploration upside along strike and at depth within a well-defined mineralized system; and The Project maintains support from local communities, with benefit agreements in place with local first nations, and strong support by the government of the Northwest Territories. CZC Financial Information[4] Set forth below is certain financial information of CZC derived from CZC's internal management accounts (unless otherwise indicated), with all amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars: Pro Forma Post-Closing[5] Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 (Unaudited) Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 (Unaudited) Assets 9,449 9,449 10,908 Liabilities 6,405 6,405 7,498 Intercompany Payable Nil 85,642[6] 80,384 Net loss and Comprehensive loss N/A (5,624) (8,800) Figures are unaudited and remain subject to change. Subscription Receipt Financing Details The Company intends to complete a brokered private placement Offering of up to 62,500,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of C$0.16 per Subscription Receipt for gross proceeds of up to C$10 million. Each Subscription Receipt will automatically convert, without payment of additional consideration and without further action on the part of the holder thereof, into one unit of the Company (each, a "Unit") upon the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined herein) on or prior to the Escrow Release Deadline (as defined herein). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share for a period of three years from the closing of the Offering at an exercise price to be determined following the announcement of the Offering and in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. The gross proceeds of the Offering, less certain expenses and a portion of the Agents' fees, will be deposited into escrow with a subscription receipt agent pending satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (such amount being the "Escrowed Funds"), which includes the completion, satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent to the closing of the Acquisition other than the payment of the purchase price and receipt of final approval of the TSXV (the "Escrow Release Conditions"). If the Escrow Release Conditions are satisfied on or before June 15, 2026 (the "Escrow Release Deadline"), the Escrowed Funds (less the balance of the Agents' fees) will be released to the Company and the Subscription Receipts will automatically convert into Units. If the Escrow Release Conditions are not satisfied on or before the Escrow Release Deadline, the Subscription Receipts will be cancelled, and the Escrowed Funds will be returned to holders of Subscription Receipts on a pro rata basis. The Company has granted the Agents an option (the "Agents Option"), exercisable up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to increase the size of the Offering by up to 15%. In consideration for their services, the Agents will receive a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and such number of compensation warrants equal to 6% of the number of Units issued pursuant to the Offering; in each case, subject to a reduction to 3% in respect of sales of Subscription Receipts to purchasers included on a president's list to be formed by the Company in connection with the Offering. Each compensation warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share at the issue price for a period of two years. As described above, 50% of the Agents' cash commission will be deposited into escrow pending the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws in Canada. The net proceeds from the Offering (including the Agents Option) are expected to be used to fund the cash portion of purchase price associated with the Acquisition and the expenses related to the Acquisition. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about April 15, 2026 and remains subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. Silver Equivalent Calculations Silver equivalent ("AgEq") is calculated using metal prices from the Project's most recent mineral resource estimate in 2021 of US$20/oz silver, US$1.15/lb zinc, and US$1.00/lb lead. Average processing recoveries assumed are 95.1% for silver, 81.5% for zinc, and 84.3% for lead. Average payables assumed are 85% for silver, 85% for zinc, and 95% for lead. AgEq is calculated as follows: AgEq (g/t) = Ag (g/t) + Zn (%) * 33.79 + Pb (%) * 33.97. AgEq (ozs) = AgEq (g/t) * (Tonnes of Measured & Indicated Resources or Inferred Resources). Qualified Person The scientific and technical data contained in this news release pertaining to the Project was reviewed and approved by Benjamin Kuzmich, who is an independent consultant and "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. About Honey Badger Silver Inc. Honey Badger Silver is a unique silver company. The company is led by a highly experienced leadership team with a track record of value-creation, backed by a skilled technical team. Our projects are located in areas with a long history of mining, including the Sunrise Lake project with a historic resource of 12.8 Moz of silver at a grade of 262 g/t silver (and 201.3 million pounds of zinc at a grade of 6% zinc) Indicated and 13.9 Moz of silver at a grade of 169 g/t silver (and 247.8 million pounds of zinc at a grade of 4.4% zinc) Inferred(1) located in the Northwest Territories and the Plata high grade silver project located 165 km east of Yukon's prolific Keno Hill and adjacent to Snowline Gold's Rogue discovery. The Company's Clear Lake Project in the Yukon Territory has an unclassified historic resource of 5.5 Moz of silver at a grade of 22 g/t silver and 1.3 billion pounds of zinc at a grade of 7.6% zinc(2). The Company also has a significant land holding at the Nanisivik Mine Area located in Nunavut, Canada that produced over 20 Moz of silver between 1976 and 2002(3). In addition, we own 10,000 ozs of physical silver yielding 12% per annum. In each instance, the reliability of the historical resource estimates (the "Historical Estimates") are considered reasonable, but a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the foregoing Historical Estimates as current mineral resources, and the Company is not treating the estimates as current mineral resources. There is no technical report associated with the Historical Estimates. The Historical Estimate contains categories that are not consistent with current CIM definitions. The Company considers the Historical Estimates to be relevant for the proper understanding of its mineral properties, however, significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a Qualified Person for the Historical Estimates to be in accordance with NI 43-101 standards and to verify the Historical Estimates as current mineral resources. No more recent estimates of the mineral resources or other data are available to the Company. There can be no certainty, following further evaluation and/or exploration work, that the historical estimates can be upgraded or verified as mineral resources or mineral reserves in accordance with NI 43-101. Sunrise Lake historic resource (2000-2003): Indicated 1.522 million tonnes grading 262 grams/tonne silver, 6.0% zinc, 2.4% lead, 0.08% copper, and 0.67 grams/tonne gold and Inferred 2.555 million tonnes grading 169 grams/tonne silver, 4.4% zinc, 1.9% lead, 0.07% copper, and 0.51 grams/tonne gold. The resource estimate for the Sunrise Deposit was carried out by Silver Standard Resources Inc. (SSR) using a classical polygonal method that relied on 72 diamond drillholes and an average density of 4 t/m3. Drill hole intercepts were taken directly from the drill logs (CBA 1998). Polygons were created within AutoCAD and AutoCAD calculated the areas. Horizontal widths were calculated using the ratio of core length to the width used by CBA in their 1998 estimate. Intercepts not used by CBA were measured on the cross sections. The intercepts were composited primarily using a geological cut-off based on the sulphide content and a nominal 30 g/t Ag grade. Internal values below 30 g/t were included for geological continuity if the composite remained above cut-off. Stringer mineralization was included where silver grades were above 30 g/t and occasionally lower if base metal grades were high. It is assumed the upper 100 m could be mined by open pit methods and the stringer mineralization would have to be removed to access the massive sulphides. The classification of the mineralization is based on the number of drill holes on a section and the continuity of the mineralization. The main massive sulphide horizon has been drilled on sections spaced 40 m apart, and above the -280 m elevation, the down dip continuity of the horizon has been tested with holes 25 to 30 m apart down dip. All mineralization in the massive sulphide horizon above 280 m is considered an Indicated Resource while the near surface stringer mineralization and the massive sulphides below 280 m are considered to be Inferred Resources. Forty holes define the massive sulphide Indicated Resource horizon. In a 2003 report to SSR, Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. (RPA) concluded SSR's resource estimate was reasonable based on approximating a NSR using typical smelter contracts, assuming metallurgical recoveries based on the limited metallurgical testing and on the following price assumptions: USD$ 5.50 per ounce silver, USD$ 400 per ounce gold, USD$ 0.45 per pound zinc, USD$ 0.25 per pound lead, and USD$ 0.80 per pound copper, as well as a USD$ 75 transportation cost, and a CDN$ 1.45:USD$ 1.00 exchange rate. Clear Lake historic Resource (2010): Inferred 7.76 million tonnes grading 22 grams/tonne silver, 7.6% zinc, and 1.08% lead. In 2010 SRK was engaged to complete a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate for the Clear Lake deposit for Copper Ridge Explorations Inc. The estimate was made utilizing 1,842 assays from within the deposit, from a total of 13,168 m of drilling in 63 historical drill holes. An average density of 4.07 gm/cc was used, based on a limited number of field measurements that were confirmed in the laboratory, and with a minimum thickness of 2 m. Mineral resources were estimated by ordinary kriging in 12m by 12m by 9m blocks. The mineral resources are reported at a 4% (Pb+Zn) cut-off. Pb grades have been capped at 1.5% and Ag grades were capped at 60 g/t. Although SRK placed this resource in the inferred category due to uncertainties related to the historical nature of the available data, they noted that most of the resource has been drilled at a sufficiently close enough spacing to support indicated classification. The above information has been taken from a news release by Copper Ridge dated January 18th, 2010, as no technical report is publicly available. Geological Survey of Canada, 2002-C22, "Structural and Stratigraphic Controls on Zn-Pb-Ag Mineralization at the Nanisivik Mississippi Valley type Deposit, Northern Baffin Island, Nunavut; by Patterson and Powis." Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, the potential of the Project, the timing of the completion of the Acquisition and the Offering, the third party approvals and consents (including the TSXV approvals) required to complete the Acquisition and the Offering, the conditions required to be satisfied to complete the Acquisition, the abilities of the companies to complete the Acquisition on the terms announced (if at all), the intentions, plans and future actions of Honey Badger described herein, the timing, content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits / resources / reserves, geological interpretation, the timing for completing the Acquisition, the Company's ability to satisfy the Escrow Release Conditions on or before the Escrow Release Deadline, the potential merits of the Project, and Honey Badger's strategic objective. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. [1] The Project has received key regulatory approvals including a Type A Water License, Land Use Permits and Environmental Assessment approvals. As is customary with exploration and/or development stage projects, separate construction and operating permits would be required once a final investment and construction decision in made. [2] Historical mineral resource estimates for the PC Silver Project are based on the following key parameters and assumptions: (1) Mineral Resources are stated as of October 15, 2021; (2) Mineral Resources include those Resources converted to Mineral Reserves; (3) Stated at a cut-off grade of 8% ZnEq based on prices of $1.15/lb for zinc, $1.00/lb for lead, and $20/oz for silver; (4) Average processing recovery factors of 81.5% for zinc, 84.3% for lead, and 95.1% for silver; (5) Average payables of 85% for zinc, 95% for lead, and 85% for silver; (5) ZnEq = (grade of Zn in %) + [(grade of lead in % * price of lead in $/lb * 22.046 * recovery of lead in % * payable lead in %) + (grade of silver in g/t* (price of silver in $/Troy oz/ 31.10348) * recovery of silver in % * payable silver in %)]/(price of zinc in $/lb*22.046 * recovery of zinc in % * payable zinc in %); and (6) Numbers may not compute exactly due to rounding. [3] The historical estimates for the Project is supported by a technical report dated October 15, 2021 prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, completed by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc., for NorZinc Ltd., which is currently the parent company of CZC. The historical estimates contained in this news release have not been verified as current mineral resources. A "qualified person" (as defined in NI 43-101) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources. The Company considers the historical estimates to be relevant for the proper understanding of the Project, however, significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a Qualified Person for the historical estimates to be in accordance with NI 43-101 standards and to verify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. [4] Figures are unaudited, preliminary in nature and remain subject to change (which changes may be material). The CZC financial information set forth above has not been audited, reviewed, compiled, or otherwise examined by any independent registered public accounting firm and does not conform to the requirements of IFRS or any other generally accepted accounting principles. The CZC financial information is being provided solely for informational purposes and should not be relied upon for any investment or other decision-making purpose. Such financial information is derived from internal management accounts (unless otherwise indicated) and is subject to the completion of financial closing procedures, adjustments, audit, and other developments that may result in material changes to the figures presented. [5] Pro Forma balances are based on Honey Badger's own projections and are based on the following assumptions and parameters: (1) Honey Badger has assumed that the value of all assets and liabilities of CZC as at immediately following closing of the Acquisition will remain the same as the values indicated as at December 31, 2025, and (2) "Intercompany Payable" excludes the value of any obligations to be owed by CZC to Honey Badger following closing. Upon completion of the Acquisition, neither Honey Badger nor CZC will have any indebtedness owing to RCF or NorZinc Ltd. [6] Balance will be settled and/or acquired by Honey Badger in connection with the Acquisition. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289242 Source: Honey Badger Silver Inc. EQS-News: J.P. Morgan SE / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Stabilisation Notice 19.03.2026 / 18:45 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 19 March 2026 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. VINCORION SE Pre-stabilisation period announcement J. P. Morgan SE (contact: Stefan Weiner; telephone: +49 (0) 6971240) hereby gives notice that the Stabilisation Manager named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052. The securities: Issuer: VINCORION SE ("VINCORION") Description: Offering of ordinary bearer shares of VINCORION with no par value ("Offer Shares") ISIN: DE000VNC0014 WKN: VNC001 Ticker: V1NC Offer size: 17,650,000 Offer Shares (excluding the over-allotment option) Stabilisation: Stabilisation Manager: J. P. Morgan SE, Taunustor 1 (TaunusTurm), 60310 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Stabilisation period expected to start on: 20 March 2026 Stabilisation and greenshoe option exercise period expected to end no later than: 30 calendar days after start of stabilisation period, or earlier if the end of the stabilization period falls on a public holiday, Saturday or Sunday Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment option and greenshoe option: Up to 2,647,500 ordinary bearer shares with no par value The Stabilisation Manager may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Trading venues where stabilisation may be undertaken: Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Xetra, BATS Europe, Berlin Stock Exchange, Tradegate Exchange, Chi-X Exchange, Dusseldorf Stock Exchange, Equiduct MTF, Eurocac Stock Exchange, Hamburg Stock Exchange, Hanover Stock Exchange, IBIS, Munich Stock Exchange, Stuttgart Stock Exchange, Turquoise MTF, VirtX Exchange In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilisation Manager may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time. Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation or offer to subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of securities in any jurisdiction. In member states of the European Economic Area ("EEA"), in which the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation") is in effect other than Germany (the "Relevant Member States"), this announcement is only addressed to persons who are 'qualified investors' within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation ("Qualified Investors"). It is assumed that each person in the Relevant Member States who acquires or is offered securities as part of an offering (an "Investor") has represented and agreed that such person is a Qualified Investor; that securities purchased by such person as part of the offering are not being purchased for any person in the EEA other than a Qualified Investor or persons in Germany or another Relevant Member State with comparable legal provisions, with respect to whom the Investor may make decisions at its own discretion; and that the securities would not be purchased for offer or re-sale in the EEA, if this would lead to the Issuer or any of its affiliates being required to publish a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation. In the United Kingdom, this announcement is only addressed to and directed at persons who are "qualified investors" as defined under paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 of the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (POATR) and who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) are high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order or (iii) are persons to whom this announcement may otherwise be lawfully communicated (all such persons being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). In the United Kingdom, this announcement is directed only at Relevant Persons. This announcement and the information contained herein, is not an offer of securities for sale in, and is not for transmission to or publication, distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia) (the "United States"). The securities being offered have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or under any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold, resold, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States unless registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. No public offering of the securities discussed herein is being made in the United States. Solely for the purpose of the product governance requirements contained within; (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the offer shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the offer shares are; (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the price of the offer shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the offer shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the offer shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offering. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute; (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the offer shares. 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 . 19.03.2026 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group . The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. View original content: EQS News TGI Formalizes XGC Transaction to Launch AXINA as the Primary Engine for National Carbon Registries and Government Revenue Solutions MIAMI, FL AND TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / TGI Solar Power Group, Inc. (OTC PINK:TSPG) ("TGI" or the "Company"), a diversified leader in sustainable infrastructure and advanced technology, today announced that its previously announced acquisition of XGC Corp has successfully evolved into the launch of a new wholly owned subsidiary: AXINA Group Inc. ("AXINA"). This strategic transaction values XGC's sovereign-grade intellectual property-including its AI and blockchain-powered carbon registry software-at $1.8 million USD. Following the acquisition, the combined technology and expertise have been integrated to form AXINA, which will now serve as TGI's flagship provider of sovereign digital infrastructure and government revenue-generating platforms. Sovereign Carbon Infrastructure-as-a-Service (SCIaaS) AXINA will utilize the core technology developed by XGC to deploy national carbon registry infrastructure under the Paris Agreement Article 6.4 mechanism. These systems are designed to help sovereign nations: Issue and Track Carbon Assets: Provide high-integrity ledgers for the issuance, tracking, and retirement of national carbon credits. Prevent Double-Counting: Utilize distributed blockchain ledgers to ensure transparency and prevent climate finance flows from being claimed by multiple entities. Automate Real-Time MRV: Deploy AI-driven satellite monitoring (GeoAI) to replace manual auditing with real-time Measurement, Reporting, and Verification of environmental assets. AXERP: The National Digital Backbone Beyond carbon markets, AXINA is launching AXERP, a scalable enterprise platform designed to serve as the "operating system" for national operations. AXERP delivers: Unified National Ecosystems: AI-powered financial, supply chain, HR, and CRM systems designed for high-volume public administration. Revenue Infrastructure-as-a-Service: Systems that allow governments to modernize operations while actively increasing national revenue through digitized services and automated billing. Project Management Excellence: AXINA will provide full lifecycle services, supported by an embedded Project Management Office (PMO) aligned with global standards. Leadership Commentary "AXINA is the direct result of our successful transaction with XGC Corp," said Samuel Epstein, Chief Executive Officer, TGI Solar Power Group Inc. "By integrating XGC's specialized carbon technology into AXINA's broader enterprise framework, we have created a unified model that digitizes operations and generates long-term economic value for sovereign partners." Daniel Brody, President & CTO of AXINA Group (formerly CEO of XGC Corp), added: "The transition to AXINA allows us to scale our original vision for carbon registries into a complete sovereign digital ecosystem. We are engineering the digital operating systems that will enable nations to monetize their infrastructure and manage their assets with maximum integrity." About AXINA Group Inc. AXINA Group Inc., a subsidiary of TGI Solar Power Group, Inc., is a global enterprise solutions firm specializing in sovereign digital infrastructure, AI-enabled platforms, and national-scale system integration. Learn more: https://axinagroup.com/ About TGI Solar Power Group, Inc. TGI Solar Power Group, Inc. (OTC: TSPG) is a diversified holding company focused on sustainable energy, infrastructure, and advanced technology platforms that drive the global transition to a green economy. Media Contact: TGI Solar Power Group, Inc. Email: info@tgipower.com Website: https://www.tgipower.com/ XGC Corp Daniel Brody, CEO db@xgccorp.com https://xgccorp.com/ SOURCE: TGI Solar Power Group, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/tgi-group-announces-evolution-of-xgc-corp-acquisition-into-axina-group-inc.-for-1149808 New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance Highlights Program To Assist in Wildfire Home Hardening SANTA FE, NM / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) is proud to announce that the first certificate through the Wildfire Prepared Home Program has been issued to a homeowner in Otero County. Through this program, developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), residents can receive a certificate showing their insurance company the steps they are taking to mitigate their homes and properties against wildfires. The ideal result is to provide additional protections to property and lower insurance rates for residents. The Wildfire Prepared Home program includes two plans - one for retrofitting already-built structures, and the other for new construction. IBHS has trained a team of OSI employees to carry out inspections and assess homes using a checklist, which includes defensible space from a wildfire and takes into account the home's construction (i.e. brick, wood frame, adobe). Once a property passes the assessment, the homeowner will receive a certificate that can be presented to their insurance provider, showing that they are taking clear steps to mitigate their home based on IBHS standards. "One of the great things about this program is that the homeowner can complete this process without needing the help of a contractor. The homeowner we issued this certificate to in Otero County was already working through their checklist when we first visited their home," said Melissa Robertson, OSI Bureau Chief, Property and Casualty Bureau. "From the time they submitted their official application, in just over six weeks we were able to complete the official inspection and issue them their certificate." OSI representatives like Melissa Robertson are currently certified to assess homes along with the state fire marshal. OSI is setting up additional inspections around the state for 2026. "The Wildfire Prepared Home program is a great step forward to empower homeowners to take science-based, proven steps to meaningfully reduce wildfire risk to their home and property," said OSI Superintendent Alice Kane. "This program is a fantastic opportunity for homeowners - in conjunction with our inspectors - to work directly with insurance agencies to get coverage in fire risk areas. The certificate provides a path forward for homeowners to get better coverage for their home and property. We look forward to issuing more certificates and seeing the benefits it will provide to New Mexicans in wildfire-prone areas." As always, OSI encourages residents who live in high-risk areas to continue to remove fire hazards from around their homes in order to mitigate any potential damage. Especially for those in higher-risk areas - those who are up against the wildland urban interface (WUIs) or have dense trees on their property - OSI recommends that homeowners follow IBHS standards. For more information on the Wildfire Prepared Home program, including a checklist that residents can review before an inspection, you can visit wildfireprepared.org. About the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) is New Mexico's regulatory agency responsible for overseeing a wide range of insurance products, including private health and life insurance, auto, home, business, and title insurance. OSI regulates private health plans in the individual, small group, and large group markets, ensuring that premium rates are fair, companies are financially sound, and health care insurance coverage is reliable. While OSI does not have authority over self-funded health plans, where an employer assumes the financial responsibility for paying employee health care claims, Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE, OSI plays a vital role in protecting consumers by reviewing premium rates, monitoring insurance company conduct, and licensing producers (formerly known as insurance brokers and agents). ### Media Contact: Elouisa Tyler, Consumer Assistance Bureau Chief, Civil Investigations Bureau, OSI | Elouisa.Tyler@osi.nm.gov SOURCE: New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/government/first-certificate-issued-to-homeowner-through-new-program-to-prepare-for-wildfire-season-1149807 EEII AG / Key word(s): Capital Increase EEII AG: Publication of Listing Prospectus 19-March-2026 / 19:30 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS. Ad-hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR: Publication of Listing Prospectus Zug, March 19, 2026 EEII AG publishes the listing prospectus regarding the listing of new shares to be created in planned capital increase and existing shares considering a planned share split EEII AG ("EEII" or "Company") publishes today the listing prospectus regarding the listing of up to 10,771,363 bearer shares of the Company with a nominal value of CHF 7.10 each ("Listing Shares"), which is available under the following link: https://eeii.ch/news/2026 The Listing Shares are expected to be created in a previously announced, planned capital increase comprising of (i) a contribution in kind to acquire Jubin Freres S.A. and (ii) an in-cash contribution, as well as (iii) a previously announced, planned share split 1:2 of existing, currently unlisted bearer shares with a nominal value of CHF 14.20 each. The prospectus contains, among others, unaudited pro forma combined financial information of EEII Ltd and Jubin Freres S.A. for the half-year ended 30 June 2025 and for the year ended 31 December 2024, as well as unaudited interim financial statements of Jubin Freres S.A. for the half-year ended 30 June 2025, and audited financial statements of Jubin Freres S.A. for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 and the financial year ended 31 March 2023. The consummation of the transaction remains subject to various conditions, including the negotiation and execution of definitive and binding agreements between Swiss Energy Holding SA and the Company, the confirmation of the valuation of the Jubin Freres S.A. by an audit firm, the listing of the currently unlisted shares of the Company, the approval of the transaction and the second tranche of ordinary capital increase in cash by the shareholders of EEII, the consummation of the in cash capital increase, and the completion of further legal, administrative and regulatory steps, including, among others, the approval of the listing application by SIX Exchange Regulation AG. About EEII AG EEII AG is an investment company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, focusing on energy and infrastructure assets. The Company is registered in Switzerland and operationally headquartered in Zug. The investment objective of the Company is to maximize long-term returns to shareholders through investments in strategically selected companies in the energy distribution sector, specifically retailing automotive fuels and convenience store items in form of filling stations and connected shops. The geographic focus of the investment is Switzerland and Europe. For more information visit: www.eeii.ch Stock exchange listing: SIX Swiss Exchange ( www.six-swiss-exchange.com ) Ticker symbol: EEII (CH) Security number: 716295 ISIN: CH0007162958 Contact: EEII AG, Alpenstrasse 15, 6300 Zug, Switzerland Investor Relations: Email: Marc Comina, marc@clpr.ch Tel: +41 79 128 34 95 Disclaimer This media release serves informational purposes and constitutes neither an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security nor is it a recommendation to buy any security of EEII AG or any other involved party nor shall there be any offer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful. This media release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of articles 35 et seqq. or 69 of the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services nor under any other applicable laws and should not be treated as offering materials of any sort and is for information purposes only and may not be reproduced, redistributed or made available in whole or in part to any other person for any purpose, without the prior consent of EEII AG. In addition, investors should seek advice from their bank or their financial adviser. This media release is not for distribution, directly or indirectly in or into the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended). The securities in connection with this Transaction may not be offered to the public in any jurisdiction in circumstances which would require EEII AG to prepare or register any prospectus or offering document relating to the securities in connection with the Transaction in such jurisdiction. No action has been taken or will be taken in any jurisdiction outside of Switzerland by EEII AG that would, or is intended to, permit a public offering of the securities in connection with the Transaction. This media release contains forward-looking statements such as projections, forecasts, and estimates. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the Company regarding future events, and are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those anticipated in this media release. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Readers should therefore not rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this media release are based on the views and assumptions of EEII AG as of this date and EEII AG does not assume any obligation to update or revise this media release. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. EEII AG makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of such information and disclaims any obligation or liability in connection with it. End of Inside Information Xypex announces 2025 award winners recognizing excellence in concrete durability, engineering performance, and crystalline waterproofing technology. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / Xypex announces the winners of the 2025 International Best Project Awards, recognizing construction projects that demonstrate excellence in concrete durability, engineering performance, and the use of crystalline waterproofing technology. This year's program received more than 80 project submissions from over 20 countries across five continents, reflecting the global reach of Xypex technology and the strength of its international network of distributors, engineers, contractors, and partners. The submissions represented a broad range of projects across infrastructure, general construction, water and wastewater facilities, industrial structures, and small-scale applications. Projects were evaluated based on engineering complexity, construction challenges, durability requirements, and the integration of crystalline waterproofing within the concrete structure. According to Xypex, the selected projects demonstrate technical excellence, quality of execution, and the effective application of crystalline waterproofing technology in demanding environments. Across these projects, Xypex was specified to provide long-term waterproofing and chemical protection as an integral part of the concrete matrix. Further details on the award-winning projects can be viewed on the Xypex Project Awards landing page, along with the 2025 International Best Project Awards Booklet: https://www.xypex.com/lp/intl-best-project-awards-winners About the Xypex International Best Project Awards - Excellence in Concrete Waterproofing The Xypex International Best Project Awards recognize the efforts of Xypex's global network by showcasing projects that demonstrate excellence in challenging construction environments using crystalline waterproofing technology. Xypex distributors deliver consistent technical service and project performance to the global construction industry. About Xypex Chemical Corporation Xypex Chemical Corporation is a global leader in the waterproofing, protection, and repair of concrete structures, with over 55 years of experience and a track record spanning more than 110 countries. Xypex Crystalline Technology is designed to become an integral, permanent part of the concrete matrix, providing long-term resistance to water and aggressive chemicals. Contact: Chantell Segal chantell.segal@xypex.com SOURCE: Xypex Chemical Corp. International Projects Awards_Email View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/chemicals/xypex-2025-international-best-project-awards-winners-announced-1149818 Fifth-Largest Conveyor Car Wash Company Celebrates New Openings with Free Washes THOMASTON, GA / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation's fastest-growing car wash companies, is pleased to announce the grand opening of two locations this week in Jackson, TN and Lebanon, MO . To celebrate the grand openings and share the Tidal Wave car wash experience with the community, the brand-new Jackson and Lebanon locations are offering twelve days of free premium car washes from March 18 to March 29. This limited-time promotion lets customers experience the company's premium wash option, Graph-X4 + Super Shammy , at no cost. Additionally, any new customer who joins a Tidal Wave Clean Club unlimited wash membership during the Grand Opening celebration will get the first month of any unlimited wash plan for $9.97, for savings of up to $40. "Our goal is to provide every customer with an exceptional car wash experience that is easy, efficient, and enjoyable," said Tidal Wave Auto Spa founder and CEO Scott Blackstock. "These brand-new locations are equipped with industry-leading technology to deliver a high-quality and consistent clean with every visit. We look forward to sharing Tidal Wave's car wash experience with the community during grand opening week and for many years to come." Jackson, TN Location : 788 Vann Drive, Jackson, TN 38305 Lebanon, MO Location : 1780 S Jefferson Avenue, Lebanon, MO 65536 Tidal Wave proudly serves customers at 312 express wash locations across the United States, including twenty-four in Tennessee and seven in Missouri . The company will continue its expansion with additional openings planned this year in Georgia , Florida , South Carolina , North Carolina , and more. Tidal Wave Auto Spa is committed to providing every customer with an exceptional car wash experience through industry-leading car care technology, clean and welcoming locations, and friendly customer service. With single wash options starting at $15, unlimited car wash memberships and family plans, and fleet plans for businesses, Tidal Wave delivers wash options to fit every need. For additional information about Tidal Wave Auto Spa, including upcoming openings, fleet plans, our fundraising program, and more, please visit: https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/ . About Tidal Wave Auto Spa Tidal Wave Auto Spa was founded over 20 years ago in Thomaston, GA, by husband and wife, Scott and Hope Blackstock. What started as a small-town self-service car wash business evolved into the first conveyor car wash open in Georgia and is now the fifth-largest conveyor car wash company in the nation, with 312 locations spanning 30 states. Tidal Wave is dedicated to delivering an exceptional car wash experience for every customer through industry-leading car care technology, clean and inviting locations, and outstanding customer service. The company is equally committed to making a positive difference in the communities it serves, raising over $8 million for local programs, service organizations, and non-profit organizations through its fundraising program and annual Charity Day event. Contact Information: media@tidalwaveautospa.com SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto Spa View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/automotive/tidal-wave-auto-spa-expands-footprint-this-week-in-tennessee-and-missouri-1149829 Grace Anello Tuberville joins the firm as Vice President, Strategic Communication NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / BHA Strategy, a leading Tennessee-based public affairs and strategic communications firm, has announced the continued growth of the team with the hiring of Grace Anello Tuberville. Grace recently joined BHA as Vice President, Strategic Communication after working as a meteorologist and on-air broadcaster at WAAY-TV in Huntsville, Alabama. Tuberville brings both scientific expertise and strategic communication experience to her new role at BHA Strategy. As part of the Strategic Communications team, Tuberville will provide a unique perspective and industry insights for current and prospective clients seeking opportunities in growing fields across Tennessee and the Southeast. Her background in broadcasting and crisis communications will also further deepen BHA's full-service client support. "Grace has a proven ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insight, and will be invaluable as we continue to deliver results for our clients," said Blake Harris, CEO of BHA Strategy. "She brings the kind of strategic thinking and collaborative spirit that produces winning outcomes." Grace joins BHA Strategy as the firm marks its fourth year and has grown to be one of the leading consulting firms in the region. BHA's team of senior strategists and government relations professionals, in partnership with BGR Group, a premier government affairs and public relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., allows us to serve clients across Tennessee and around the country. ### About BHA Strategy ( BHA Strategy ): Based in Nashville, Tennessee, BHA Strategy is a full-service, strategic consulting firm providing expertise in government affairs, public relations, and corporate intelligence. With deep roots in both political campaigns and public service, BHA's team applies winning campaign strategies and senior advisor expertise to the biggest challenges facing startups, corporations, and causes. BHA retains a political skill set that includes public opinion research, digital marketing, and media production/placement. The firm's core focus is multi-state government affairs, strategic communication, and reputation management. About BGR Group ( www.bgrdc.com ): Founded in 1991, BGR Group is a premier government affairs and public relations firm with offices in Washington, D.C., London, Austin, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona and Atlanta, Georgia. BGR specializes in three key areas: bipartisan government affairs, strategic communications, and business advisory services. BGR brings together some of the most accomplished policy experts, public opinion influencers, and issue advocates from across the political spectrum. Contact Information Sarah Stockton Senior Vice President sarah@bhastrategy.com 615-477-5893 SOURCE: BHA Strategy View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/bha-strategy-announces-staff-growth-for-leading-public-affairs-a-1149858 Free school ship ferries students for 14 years in SW China's Yunnan People's Daily Online) 13:40, March 19, 2026 A photo shows the school ship Wanfeng No. 1 on Wanfeng Lake in Lubuge township, Luoping county, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Mao Hong) A white double-decker passenger ship known as Wanfeng No. 1 on Wanfeng Lake serves as a dedicated school ship for children living in the reservoir area of Lubuge township, Luoping county, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Behind the ship is a 14-year-long chain of goodwill. Lubuge township sits at the intersection of Yunnan, southwest China's Guizhou Province, and south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. When a hydropower station began operating in 1998, rising waters submerged the roads and bridges that once connected local communities, leaving boat travel as the primary way for residents and students to get around. Before the free school ship service was introduced, children had little choice but to ride small farm boats with low guardrails hardly a safe option. In addition to the safety risks, the 5-yuan ($0.73) fare per trip was a heavy burden for many impoverished mountain families. The school ship Wanfeng No. 1 sits moored at the school's dock in Lubuge township, Luoping county, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Mao Hong) In 2012, county and township bureaus spanning public security, transport, emergency management, and education joined forces to launch a formal "free student ferry" policy. They introduced strict safety standards, routine awareness campaigns, and a "large ship plus small boats" relay model to carry students to and from school. "We've been running the free service since 2012. This ship doesn't turn a profit, but it's worth every bit of it," said Dong Xuanqing, the ship's captain. Over the past 14 years, the service has completed an average of 52,000 student trips per year, traveled 300,000 nautical miles, and maintained a flawless safety record with zero accidents. A staff member guides students as they sign in before boarding the school ship Wanfeng No. 1 in Lubuge township, Luoping county, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - New Break Resources Ltd. (CSE: NBRK) (FSE: O91) ("New Break" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its 100% owned Moray gold project, located approximately 49 km southeast of Timmins, Ontario, was selected as one of 68 projects to receive a grant as part of a $10 million investment by the government of Ontario under the 2025-2026 Ontario Junior Exploration Program ("OJEP") announced today in Sudbury by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (the "Ministry"). New Break applied for the 2025-2026 OJEP intake on July 3, 2025, which allowed for a reimbursement of 50% of eligible exploration expenditures incurred from April 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, up to a maximum reimbursement of $200,000. New Break completed the expenditure requirement during its six-hole, 1,502 metre maiden drilling program in Q3 2025, that resulted in a significant gold discovery (see news release September 17, 2025). On December 10, 2025, New Break received notice from the Ministry that Moray had been approved for funding under this round of OJEP and on March 2, 2026, the Company received a payment of $200,000 in reimbursement of a significant portion of the 2025 discovery drilling program. Today's announcement of the latest investment by the Province of Ontario builds on the $30 million invested in previous rounds of OJEP funding that has helped 213 mining companies finance early exploration projects, including New Break's Moray gold project. Including this year's funding, New Break has received $836,224 in aggregate grants from 2022 to 2025, participating in the last five of a total of six OJEP intakes to date. Michael Farrant, President of New Break commented, "I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Minister Lecce and to the Ford government for supporting junior mineral exploration in the Province of Ontario. In aggregate, we estimate that the Company has avoided approximately 10 million shares of additional dilution, while Moray has received $836,224 of additional exploration, including the drilling program that resulted in our 2025 gold discovery. OJEP is part of the Ontario government's plan to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, helping junior exploration companies in Ontario find the mines of the future. New Break is proud to be an ongoing OJEP grant recipient, and we are even more thrilled to have fulfilled our part by delivering a new gold discovery. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the government of Ontario and First Nations, along with our technical team and various other stakeholders, as we continue to advance our Moray gold discovery with 2026 drilling well underway." About New Break Resources Ltd. New Break is a proudly Canadian mineral exploration company focused on its Moray gold project located 49 km south of Timmins, Ontario, in a well-established mining camp within proximity to existing infrastructure, 32 km northwest of the Young-Davidson gold mine, operated by Alamos Gold Inc. Shareholders are also leveraged to exploration success in Nunavut, Canada, through New Break's 20% carried interest in the Sundog gold project and ownership of 6.0 million shares of Guardian Exploration Inc. (TSXV: GX). The Company is supported by a highly experienced team of mining professionals. Information on New Break is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.newbreakresources.ca. New Break trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange (www.thecse.com) under the symbol CSE: NBRK and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (www.live.deutsche-boerse.com) under the symbol FSE: O91. And follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook No stock exchange, regulation securities provider, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to receipt of regulatory and stock exchange approvals, grants of equity-based compensation, renouncement of flow-through exploration expenses, property agreements, timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, an inability to predict and counteract the effects global events on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains etc. Forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions and therefore involves inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise any forward-looking information, except as may be required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis (the "Filings"), such Filings available upon request. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289265 Source: New Break Resources Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: MGM) (OTCQX: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G0) ("Maple Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received total proceeds of $2,315,779.10 from the early exercise of 2,724,446 common share purchase warrants of the Company ("Warrants") by strategic investor Michael Gentile. Mr. Gentile's resulting ownership interest in the Company has increased from approximately 4.7% to approximately 8.4% on an undiluted basis. The Warrants had an exercise price of $0.85 per common share of the Company and were originally issued on September 9, 2025, with an expiry date of September 9, 20281. Following the exercise of the Warrants, Maple Gold has approximately $29 million in cash, no debt and approximately 70 million common shares issued and outstanding. The Company's strong balance sheet provides ample runway to support the continued exploration and development of its 100%-owned Douay Gold Project ("Douay") and Joutel Gold Project ("Joutel") (together, "Douay/Joutel" or the "Property") located along the Casa Berardi-Douay Gold Trend in Quebec, Canada. Kiran Patankar, President and CEO of Maple Gold, stated: "I would like to sincerely thank Michael Gentile for his continued support and confidence, as demonstrated by this early exercise of Warrants. These proceeds further strengthen our balance sheet and will support the continued advancement and de-risking of Douay/Joutel. We believe the Company is well positioned with several near-term catalysts, including an updated mineral resource estimate and ongoing drill results from our fully funded 30,000-meter expansionary drill program, the largest in the Property's history." Michael Gentile added: "My decision to early exercise these warrants and substantially increase my ownership interest in Maple Gold reflects my strong conviction in the Company's assets, team and disciplined approach to growth. I am encouraged by the positive steps being taken to unlock the inherent value of this highly prospective land package and am pleased to continue supporting the Company as it advances its strategic objectives." The common shares issued upon exercise of the Warrants remain subject to lock-up agreements for a 12-month hold period that extends until September 9, 2026 (unless otherwise accelerated)1, applicable Canadian securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Key Catalysts The Company expects to deliver several important catalysts in H1 2026 aimed at establishing a significant district-scale gold camp in the heart of the Abitibi. These include the following: Updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for Douay and maiden MRE for Joutel, neither of which include results from the current drill program underway. Preliminary project trade-offs and internal scoping/engineering study to support potential PEA in H2 2026. Further results from an ongoing, fully funded 30,000-metre winter drill program at Douay/Joutel. Seven (7) holes (3,100 m; ~10% of approved metres) have been reported out of the 39 holes (~17,000 m; ~57% of approved metres) completed to date. Additional step-out drill results at Douay/Joutel expected to support further resource growth, refinement of priority targets across the Property and expanded drill programs through 2027, which the Company currently expects to fund from its existing treasury. Upcoming Investor Events March 18 - 19, 2026: Swiss Mining Institute, Zurich, CH March 26, 2026: GCFF Gold Conference Series (Virtual) May 1 - 2, 2026: NRS Expo Featuring Michael Gentile, Atlanta, GA May 19 - 21, 2026: CG 5 th Annual Global Mining & Metals Conference, Lake Las Vegas, NV Annual Global Mining & Metals Conference, Lake Las Vegas, NV June 2 - 4, 2026: The Mining Investment Event + Core Shack, Quebec City, QC September 22 - 25, 2026: Precious Metals Summit, Beaver Creek, CO About Maple Gold Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a well-funded Canadian advanced exploration company focused on advancing its 100%-owned, district-scale Douay/Joutel Gold Project located in Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. Douay/Joutel benefits from exceptional infrastructure access and boasts ~481 square kilometers of highly prospective ground including an established gold mineral resource at Douay with significant expansion potential as well as the past-producing Telbel and Eagle West mines at Joutel. In addition, the Company holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine Property, a key part of the historical Joutel Mining Complex. Maple Gold's property package also hosts a significant number of regional exploration targets along a 55-km strike length of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone that have yet to be tested through drilling, making the property ripe for new gold and VMS discoveries. The Company is currently focused on carrying out exploration and drill programs to grow mineral resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi. For more information, please visit www.maplegoldmines.com. ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD. "Kiran Patankar" Kiran Patankar, President & CEO NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Notes: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements about the execution of the Company's exploration plans through 2027, advancing systematic resource growth at Douay/Joutel, evaluation of regional targets across the Company's district-scale portfolio, resource expansion and discovery potential across the Company's gold projects, and its intention to pursue such potential, and the Company's exploration work and results from current and future work programs. Although the Company believes that forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, as forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events on the date the statements are made and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of additional risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this news release, please refer to the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval Plus (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca or the Company's website at www.maplegoldmines.com. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and/or the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any intention to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 1 See news release dated September 9, 2025 and titled: "Maple Gold Closes Oversubscribed $5 Million Private Placement". To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289222 Source: Maple Gold Mines Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2026) - Delivra Health Brands Inc. (TSXV: DHB) (OTCQB: DHBUF) ("Delivra Health" or the "Company"), a consumer packaged goods company uniquely positioned in the health and wellness sector, is pleased to announce that its Dream Water brand is launching its new Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies in the US market. Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies are expected to be available to Company distributors, retailers and e-commerce channels in June 2026. This product is formulated to support gentle sleep, featuring chamomile and lemon balm, along with 1 mg of melatonin. It is lightly sweetened with honey and cane sugar, contains no artificial colors or flavors, and is both gelatin-free and gluten-free. "This launch represents another meaningful step forward in our ongoing commitment to innovation and delivering relevant, high-quality products that truly meet consumers' wellness needs," said Gord Davey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delivra Health. "Our Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies address the needs of families seeking sleep solutions by providing parents with a trusted, convenient option to support their children's sleep routines. Following multiple successful testing phases, the positive feedback we received caused us to accelerate our planned launch to June 2026." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2413/289263_imageone.jpg In addition to the above, the Company announced that, pursuant to a resolution passed by the Company's Board of Directors on March 19, 2026, it has granted an aggregate of 815,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") under the Company's 10% fixed stock option plan, to certain directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company. The Options are exercisable at a price of $0.16 per common share, will have a term of five years from the date of grant, and will vest 1/3 annually from the date of grant. The Options are subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the TSX Venture Exchange, and applicable securities laws. About Delivra Health Brands Inc. Helping people take control of their health with alternative wellness solutions is what energizes the Delivra Health team! The Delivra Health portfolio features innovative brands like Dream Water and LivRelief, which deliver relief from common everyday issues like chronic pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Delivra Health products have allowed millions of customers to reclaim their mobility, energy, and in turn, quality of life. The websites of the Company's two subsidiaries are Dream Water and LivReliefTM. For more information, please visit www.delivrahealthbrands.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements with respect to the launch of Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies, when the Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies will be made available, the efficacy of the Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies, the Company's ability to innovate and deliver relevant, high-quality products to meet consumers' wellness needs, the ability of Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies to support children's sleep routines, and the Company's products offering relief from chronic pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Additional information regarding this and other risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business are contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 2, 2021, and under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Q2 2026 MD&A filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289263 Source: Delivra Health Brands Inc. Kiy Avia to Hold a Virtual Meeting on April 8 Kiy Avia PJSC will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on April 8, 2026, in a virtual format. The notice of the meeting has been posted among the corporate announcements on the depository infrastructure. Kiy Avia is one of the oldest Ukrainian travel brands, registered in August 1994. According to Opendatabot, the company is based in Kyiv, and its revenue in 2025 amounted to UAH 127.07 million with a net profit of UAH 16.71 million. Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG), Lookout Threat Labs, and iVerify published coordinated research in March 2026 on DarkSword, a JavaScript-based full-chain exploit that compromises iOS devices running versions 18.4 through 18.7 (some variants limited to 18.418.6.2). GTIG first observed DarkSword activity in November 2025, with use by multiple commercial surveillance vendors and suspected state-sponsored actors in campaigns targeting users in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia, and Ukraine. DarkSword chains six vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution in Safari/WebKit, escape the WebContent and GPU sandboxes, pivot to mediaplaybackd, and obtain kernel read/write primitives for payload deployment. All stages and final payloads use pure JavaScript without Mach-O binaries. Vulnerabilities in the Chain The exploit uses the following vulnerabilities: Exploit Module CVE Description Exploited as Zero-Day Patched in iOS Version(s) rce_module.js CVE-2025-31277 Memory corruption in JavaScriptCore No 18.6 rce_worker_18.4.js CVE-2026-20700 User-mode PAC bypass in dyld Yes 26.3 rce_worker_18.6.js / 18.7.js CVE-2025-43529 Memory corruption in JavaScriptCore Yes 18.7.3, 26.2 rce_worker_18.6.js / 18.7.js CVE-2026-20700 User-mode PAC bypass in dyld Yes 26.3 sbox0_main_18.4.js / sbx0_main.js CVE-2025-14174 Memory corruption in ANGLE Yes 18.7.3, 26.2 sbx1_main.js CVE-2025-43510 Memory management vulnerability in iOS kernel No 18.7.2, 26.1 pe_main.js CVE-2025-43520 Memory corruption vulnerability in iOS kernel No 18.7.2, 26.1 GTIG reported the vulnerabilities to Apple in late 2025. All are patched by iOS 26.3 (most earlier). Kernel fixes landed in 26.1, with RCEs in later releases. Devices on iOS 26.3.1 or 18.7.6 (at the time of publication) are not affected by observed variants. Observed Campaigns UNC6748 (early November 2025 onward): Snapchat-themed site snapshare[.]chat targeting Saudi Arabia. Landing page uses uid sessionStorage check, obfuscation, anti-debugging, Chrome-to-Safari redirection via x-safari-https , and redirect to the legitimate Snapchat site. Loader initially fetches rce_worker_18.4.js , later adds 18.6 and 18.7 variants (with logic flaws in version handling). Uses the same sandbox escape/privilege escalation modules and GHOSTKNIFE payload. PARS Defense (Turkish commercial surveillance vendor): Late November 2025 in Turkey (iOS 18.418.7 support), January 2026 in Malaysia. Loader applies obfuscation and ECDH+AES encryption for exploit stages; fetches the correct RCE based on version. Additional fingerprinting and uid check in January variant. Redirects non-matching targets to legitimate sites. Payload: GHOSTSABER. UNC6353 (suspected Russian espionage actor; previously used Coruna): Watering-hole attacks on compromised Ukrainian sites (e.g., novosti.dn[.]ua , 7aac.gov[.]ua ). Script tag loads from static.cdncounter[.]net ; widgets.js creates an iframe to index.html (Russian comment: uid ). Supports iOS 18.418.6 (correct version loading). Exfiltration to sqwas.shapelie[.]com (ports 8881/8882). Payload: GHOSTBLADE. Active at least December 2025March 2026. GTIG collaborated with CERT-UA on mitigation. Payloads GHOSTBLADE (UNC6353): JavaScript dataminer; collects iMessage/Telegram/WhatsApp data, call logs, contacts, device identifiers, keychains, SIM info, location history, Wi-Fi networks/passwords, photo metadata, iCloud Drive, Notes, Calendar, Health, Safari history/cookies/bookmarks, installed apps, crypto wallet data. Exfiltrates over HTTP/S. Deletes crash reports from /private/var/containers/Shared/SystemGroup/systemgroup.com.apple.osanalytics/DiagnosticReports/ . Less capable than others; no continuous operation or modules. Debug logging and comments present. GHOSTKNIFE (UNC6748): JavaScript backdoor; exfiltrates signed-in accounts, messages, browser data, location history, recordings; supports file download, screenshots, and microphone audio. Custom binary protocol over HTTP with ECDH+AES encryption; config updates from C2. Writes to /tmp/./ (STORAGE/DATA/TMP subfolders). Deletes crash logs (mediaplaybackd, SpringBoard, WebKit-related, panic-full-). GHOSTSABER (PARS Defense): JavaScript backdoor over HTTP/S; device/account enumeration, file listing, data exfiltration, arbitrary JS execution. Commands include ChangeStatusCheckSleepInterval , SendDeviceInfo , SendUserAccountsList , SendAppList , ExecuteSqliteQuery , SendThumbnails , SendApp , SendFiles , SendRegEx , SendFileList , EvalJs (some like SendCurrentLocation , SendScreenshot , RecordAudio reference send_command_to_upper_process but not implemented; possible follow-on binary). All payloads stage/exfiltrate and then clean temporary files and crash logs (incomplete coverage in some cases). No long-term persistence observed. Exploit Delivery and Loader Delivery uses iframes, uid sessionStorage (set/check varies), and rce_loader.js fetching version-specific rce_worker_*.js and rce_module.js . Actors modified base logic (e.g., PARS encryption/fingerprinting, UNC6748 anti-debug/Chrome redirect, UNC6353 Russian comments). Loader manages Web Workers for RCE; 18.4 splits logic, 18.6/18.7 keeps it in the worker (placeholder in module). Sandbox escapes: CVE-2025-14174 (ANGLE OOB GPU), CVE-2025-43510 (XNU COW mediaplaybackd via XPC) CVE-2025-14174 (ANGLE OOB GPU), CVE-2025-43510 (XNU COW mediaplaybackd via XPC) Privilege escalation: CVE-2025-43520 (XNU VFS race); Libraries (Native, FileUtils, etc.) sourced from Webpack artifacts in GHOSTBLADE. Outlook, Acknowledgments, and Recommendations The use of DarkSword (and prior Coruna) demonstrates ongoing exploit proliferation across geography and motivation. A secondary market exists for sophisticated exploit chains, with groups customizing kits (possibly with LLM assistance). Watering-hole attacks on legitimate sites approach zero-click; rapid exfiltration and cleanup help evade detection. These attacks bypass user training and OS data isolation, emphasizing the importance of rapid software updates and replacing older devices. Acknowledgments: Research was coordinated among GTIG, Lookout, and iVerify, with GTIG and iVerify thanking Lookout, Google Project Zero, and Apple Security Engineering & Architecture for their support. Indicators of Compromise (partial): Network: snapshare[.]chat (UNC6748), static.cdncounter[.]net / cdncounter[.]net (UNC6353), sahibndn[.]io / e5.malaymoil[.]com (PARS), sqwas.shapelie[.]com (UNC6353 exfil, ports 8881/8882) (UNC6748), / (UNC6353), / (PARS), (UNC6353 exfil, ports 8881/8882) Files: rce_loader.js , rce_module.js , rce_worker_18.4.js / 18.6.js / 18.7.js , sbx0_main_18.4.js , sbx1_main.js , pe_main.js , , / / , , , GHOSTBLADE SHA-256: 2e5a56beb63f21d9347310412ae6efb29fd3db2d3a3fc0798865a29a3c578d35 Detection: Suspicious crashes (WebKit.WebContent/GPU, mediaplaybackd), unified logs (e.g., DarkSword-WIFI-DUMP tags), temporary files ( /tmp/keychain-2.db , wifi_passwords.txt , etc.) Recommendations: Users should update to the latest iOS (26.3.1 / 18.7.6 at publication) and enable Lockdown Mode if updating is not possible. On iPhone 17, Memory Integrity Enforcement provides additional protection. Source 1, 2 and 3 Samsung and AMD have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to broaden their strategic partnership concerning next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) memory and computing technologies. The agreement was formally signed at Samsungs semiconductor manufacturing complex in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, and Young Hyun Jun, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics. AMD Instinct MI455X GPU to use Samsung HBM4 memory Under the terms of the MOU, Samsung will serve as the primary supplier of HBM4 memory for AMDs upcoming AI accelerator, the AMD Instinct MI455X GPU. The collaboration also includes the development of advanced DRAM solutionsspecifically high-performance DDR5 memoryoptimized for the 6th Generation AMD EPYC CPUs, internally codenamed Venice. These combined memory and processing technologies are designed to support next-generation AI systems, including rack-scale architectures like the AMD Helios platform. The companies noted that the collaboration aims to address the increasing requirements for memory bandwidth and power efficiency in modern AI and data center workloads. Samsung HBM4 memory Samsungs HBM4 memory, which has entered mass production, is manufactured using the companys 6th-generation 10-nanometer-class (1c) DRAM process and features a 4nm logic base die. According to Samsung, the HBM4 memory provides processing speeds of up to 13 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) and a maximum bandwidth of 3.3 terabytes-per-second (TB/s). AMD Instinct MI455X GPU The AMD Instinct MI455X GPU, utilizing this HBM4 memory, is positioned to handle high-performance tasks such as AI model training and inference. The GPU will function as a core component of the AMD Helios rack-scale architecture, which focuses on performance scalability for AI infrastructure. In addition to memory supply and optimization, the MOU indicates that Samsung and AMD will explore opportunities for a foundry partnership. Under such an arrangement, Samsung would potentially provide semiconductor manufacturing services for future AMD products. This recent agreement extends a nearly two-decade relationship between Samsung and AMD, which has spanned mobile, graphics, and computing technologies. Most recently, Samsung served as the primary HBM3E memory supplier for AMDs current generation of AI accelerators, the Instinct MI350X and MI355X. Commenting on this, Young Hyun Jun, Vice Chairman & CEO of Samsung Electronics, said: Samsung and AMD share a commitment to advancing AI computing, and this agreement reflects the growing scope of our collaboration. From industry-leading HBM4 and next-generation memory architectures to cutting-edge foundry and advanced packaging, Samsung is uniquely positioned to deliver unrivaled turnkey capabilities that support AMDs evolving AI roadmap. Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, said: Powering the next generation of AI infrastructure requires deep collaboration across the industry. We are thrilled to expand our work with Samsung, bringing together their leadership in advanced memory with our Instinct GPUs, EPYC CPUs and rack-scale platforms. Integration across the full computing stack, from silicon to system to rack, is essential to accelerating AI innovation that translates into real-world impact at scale. 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. Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel Pies weren't the only thing being auctioned off at the Glasgow Wrestling Club's annual Spaghetti Feed / Pie Auction held March 5. All kinds of goodies were donated. Jake Newton did a wonderful job as auctioneer. Over 300 were served at the spaghetti... DNI Gabbard Releases 2026 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ODNI News Release No. 03-26 March 18, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). This report reflects the insights of the entire IC, which is committed to providing timely, actionable intelligence to the President, his Cabinet, policymakers, and our service members, to ensure the safety, security, and freedom of the American people. The 2026 Annual Threat Assessment can be found HERE. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard delivered opening remarks today before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Her full remarks as prepared can be found below: "I am here today to present the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment, joined by the Directors of the CIA, DIA, FBI and NSA. "This briefing is being provided in accordance with ODNI's statutory responsibility and represents the Intelligence Community's assessment of the threats facing U.S. citizens, our Homeland, and our interests. "As President Trump's National Security Strategy highlights, America is blessed with an enviable geostrategic position, unparalleled assets, resources and a military second to none. Intelligence remains among our sharpest tools in protecting our interests and informing our policymakers and decisionmakers on key national security concerns. In this assessment, we are following the structure of priorities laid out in the National Security Strategy, starting with threats to our Homeland, then shifting to global risks. The defense of our Homeland is of utmost importance to the American people. Putting America first means committing to an unrelenting vigilance in service of our own citizens, borders, and communities. Recent efforts to bolster Homeland defense have yielded significantly positive results, but challenges persist. "For example, President Trump's strict enforcement of U.S. policies at the U.S. Mexico border and regionally has served as a deterrent and drastically reduced illegal immigration. Based on Customs and Border Patrol data, January 2026's monthly encounters are down 83.8% compared to January 2025. Encounters declined 79% compared to 2024. "The drivers of migration are likely to continue. Potential worsening instability in countries like Cuba and Haiti risk triggering migration surges. Smugglers who often operate as transnational criminal organizations view chaos as an opportunity for profit and will look to continue to profit from illegal immigration flows. "Transnational criminal organizations continue to pose a daily and direct threat to the health and safety of millions of U.S. citizens primarily by producing and trafficking in illegal drugs. "Under President Trump's leadership, fentanyl overdose deaths have seen a 30 percent decrease from September 2024 to September 2025. "Fentanyl potency has also decreased, likely due to disruptions to the production supply chain. U.S. efforts to work with China and India to halt the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals to North America are demonstrating improvement, but there is more work to be done as there are still tens of thousands of fentanyl-related deaths in America every year. "President Trump's aggressive efforts to more directly and actively target TCOs and reduce the inflow of fentanyl precursors has already had a significant impact which is likely to continue. "Mexico-based TCOs like the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel dominate the production and smuggling of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States. "Colombia-based TCOs and illegal armed groups like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), are responsible for producing and trafficking large volumes of cocaine to the U.S. and European markets, with some indicators of attempts to expand to the Asia-Pacific region. "Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine and Columbian criminal groups have expanded their trafficking relationships with neighboring Ecuadorian and Brazilian gangs. "MS-13 is well-established in cells in the U.S. and uses violence to intimidate the Salvadoran diaspora, engaging in murder, extortion, retail drug trafficking, firearms offenses and prostitution, fueling increased violence and instability. "These and other TCOs present a very tangible and individualized risk of violent crime to everyday Americans and contribute to regional instability. "They are likely to continue to respond to counterdrug pressure by accelerating adaptations in their operations, including shifting production locations and trafficking routes and methods. "The US continues to face a complex and evolving threat landscape with a geographically diverse set of Islamist terrorist actors seeking to propagate their ideology globally and harm Americans, even as Al-Qaeda and ISIS remain weaker than they were at their respective peaks. "The spread of Islamist ideology, in some cases led by individuals and organizations associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, poses a fundamental threat to freedom and foundational principles that underpin Western Civilization. Islamist groups and individuals use this ideology for recruiting and financial support for terrorist groups and individuals around the world, and to advance their political objectives of establishing an Islamist caliphate which governs based on Sharia. There are increasing examples of this in various European countries. President Trump's designation of certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters as Foreign Terrorist Organizations is a mechanism to secure Americans against this threat. "In response to setbacks to their capabilities of conducting large-scale complex attacks, Islamist terrorist groups have shifted toward focusing on executing information operations to spread propaganda and inspire or enable individuals located in or with access to the West. "U.S. counterterrorism operations primarily in Iraq, Somalia, Yemen and Syria in 2025 removed key terrorist leaders and operatives, degrading the ability of al-Qaeda and ISIS to quickly reconstitute its leadership and launch large-scale attacks against the Homeland and U.S. interests abroad. "Strict U.S. border enforcement measures and increased deportations of individuals with suspected links to Islamist terrorists have reduced access to the Homeland and removed some potential sources of future terror attacks. "Since January, US officials have only had a handful of encounters at our borders with individuals associated with terrorist groups. This is a positive trend, however our interagency coordinated efforts to identify, locate and remove known or suspected terrorists who are already in the U.S. continues with vigilance. "In 2025, there were at least three Islamist terrorist attacks in the US. Law enforcement disrupted at least 15 US based Islamist terrorist plotters. Roughly half of last year's disrupted plotters had some online contact with Islamist terrorists inspired by Islamist foreign terrorist organizations abroad. For example, in the recent attempt to attack a synagogue in Michigan, the shooter had familial ties to a Hizballah leader. "Al-Qaeda and ISIS pose the biggest threat to US interests overseas in parts of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia where these groups operate. They will continue to exploit political instability and ungoverned territory as they seek to rebuild their capabilities and leadership. Al-Qaeda probably has between 15,000-28,000 members worldwide, while ISIS likely has between 12,000 and 18,000 members. Africa has become a focal point for the global Sunni jihadist movement, where their largest and most violent affiliates and branches are active. "In the Middle East, AQAP in Yemen, ISIS-K in South Asia, and ISIS in Syria are among the most likely groups conducting external plotting. ISIS in Syria is likely seeking to rebuild its ranks, expand support networks and solicit funds by reengaging with and recruiting from the likely hundreds of ISIS detainees and thousands of ISIS-linked women and children who escaped or were released from prisons and displaced persons camps previously run by the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria. "Meanwhile, state actors present a risk broader in scope by seeking new capabilities in kinetic and cyber warfare. "The U.S. secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure safety in the Homeland against strategic threats. However, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads, that put our Homeland within range. The IC assesses that threats to the Homeland will expand collectively to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035, from the current assessed figure of more than 3,000 missiles. "The IC assesses that China and Russia are developing advanced delivery systems meant to be capable of penetrating or bypassing U.S. missile defenses. North Korea's ICBMs can already reach U.S. soil, and it is committed to expanding its nuclear arsenal. Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development potentially could include ICBMs with the range capable of striking the Homeland. Iran has previously demonstrated space launch and other technology it could use to begin to develop a militarily viable ICBM before 2035, should Tehran attempt to pursue the capability. However, these assessments will be updated as the full impact of Operation Epic Fury's devastating strikes on Iran's missile production facilities, stockpiles, and launch capabilities is determined. "These nations will likely seek to understand US plans for advanced missile defense for the Homeland, probably for the purpose of shaping their own missile development programs and assessing US intentions regarding deterrence. "Shifting to the cyber domain, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and non-state ransomware groups will continue to seek to compromise U.S. government and private-sector networks as well as critical infrastructure to collect intelligence, create options for future disruption, and for financial gain. China and Russia present the most persistent and active threats and are continuing their R&D efforts. North Korea's cyber program is sophisticated and agile. In 2025 alone, North Korea's cryptocurrency heists probably stole $2 billion which is helping to fund the regime, including further development of its strategic weapons programs. "Financially or ideologically motivated nonstate actors are becoming bolder, with ransomware groups shifting to faster, high-volume attacks that are harder to identify and mitigate. "Innovation in the field of Artificial Intelligence will likely accelerate the threats in the cyber domain. It will increasingly shape cyber operations with both cyber operators and defenders using these tools to improve their speed and effectiveness. For example, in August 2025, cyber actors used an AI tool to conduct a data-extortion operation against international government, healthcare and public health, emergency services sectors, and religious institutions. "In the Arctic, Russia, and to a lesser extent China, aim to strengthen their presence in the region through increased maritime trade, natural resource extraction, and military activity. Russia, which has the longest coastline in the Arctic, has long sought recognition of its 'Polar Great Power' status and is deploying more military forces and building new permanent infrastructure. China, though not an Arctic country, is engaged in more limited efforts in the region to advance its strategic and economic interests. "On the technology front, Artificial Intelligence capabilities are rapidly advancing and changing the threat landscape. As this is a defining technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning comprehension, problem solving, creativity, and autonomy, it will be critical to ensure that humans remain in control of how AI is used and of the machines that may threaten to autonomously violate the interests of the American people across all domains. "China is the most capable competitor in this field and aims to displace the U.S. as the global AI leader by 2030. Even if China does completely overtake the U.S., AI adoption at scale across the spectrum of usage poses risks. AI has the potential to aid in weapons and systems design and has been used in recent conflicts to influence targeting and streamline decision-making, underscoring the risk and likely threats that could manifest on the battlefield. "Early developers in quantum computers will give countries an extraordinary technological advantage over others to quickly process national security information and break current encryption methodology used to protect sensitive finance, health care and government information. "The global security landscape is volatile and complex, with armed conflict growing more common and posing potential threats against US interests. Strategic competition and regional and smaller powers becoming more willing to use force to pursue their interests heightens the risk of conflict. The space domain is becoming increasingly contested, with China and Russia developing counterspace capabilities to challenge US space efforts. The threat of nuclear proliferation and advancing chemical and biological warfare capabilities continues to grow. "In alignment with President Trump's National Security Strategy, this report will look at unique threats across major regions in the world, and how geography plays a role in how these threat vectors are prioritized. "Our focus turns to our neighborhood, the Western Hemisphere where flagging economies, high crime rates, pervasive organized crime, migration flows, corruption and narcotics trafficking present a spectrum of risks to US interests, and where strategic competitors seek greater influence in the region to challenge the US. "Latin America and the Caribbean almost certainly will see hotspots of volatility in the coming year, with the potential to undermine or distract some countries from improving living economies and living conditions and tackling illicit drug flows and cartels. Since Maduro's arrest, we have seen a shift in Venezuela's leadership toward cooperating with the US to open its economy, develop the country's oil and gas extraction capability, and release political prisoners. "The US Mexico Canada agreement review in 2026 will likely increase uncertainty in many Latin American countries, especially those that rely on Mexico as an export destination for intermediate goods for manufacture and onward export to the U.S. China, Russia and Iran are seeking to sustain economic, political and military engagement with Latin America. China's demand for raw materials is likely to drive continued economic outreach, while Russia likely wants to expand its current security and diplomatic ties with Cuba and Nicaragua. "China aims to elevate its own political, economic, military and technological power to increase its own regional positioning, global influence, and to fend off threats to their interests. While there are challenging areas where interests diverge, President Trump's diplomatic engagements with President Xi have enabled progress on areas where there are mutual interests and opportunities for win-win outcomes. China continues to rapidly modernize its military forces across all domains in pursuit of its goal to achieve "world-class" status by mid-century. This includes building a force with the aim of being capable of deterring and disrupting U.S. and allied forces in its region, and developing the ability to seize Taiwan by force, if necessary. However, the IC assesses that China will likely seek to set the conditions for an eventual peaceful reunification with Taiwan, short of conflict. "An increasingly confident North Korean regime remains a source of concern regionally and globally. Its WMD, conventional military capabilities, illicit cyber activities and demonstrated willingness to use asymmetric capabilities poses a threat to the US and its allies, particularly South Korea and Japan. "North Korea's partnership with Russia is growing and in 2025, Kim took steps to improve ties with China, still North Korea's most important trading partner and economic benefactor, after the relationship had cooled due to Beijing's earlier opposition to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests. "The benefits North Korea receives for its support for Russia in the war against Ukraine have increased North Korean capabilities as their forces have gained combat experience in 21st century warfare along with equipment. In 2024, North Korea deployed more than 11,000 troops to Russia to support combat operations in Kursk. "Pyongyang continues to develop and expand its strategic weapons programs, including missiles that can evade US and regional missile defenses, and continuing to work to increase its nuclear warhead stockpile. It maintains biological and chemical weapons capabilities which it might use during a conflict or in an unconventional or clandestine attack. "Russia retains the capability to selectively challenge U.S. interests globally by military and non-military means. The most dangerous threat posed by Russia to the US is an escalatory spiral in an ongoing conflict such as Ukraine or a new conflict that led to direct hostilities including the deployment of nuclear weapons. "Putin continues to invest in Russia's defense industrial base and investment in novel capabilities poses more of a threat to the US homeland and forces abroad than his country's conventional weapons. Russia has advanced systems, including counterspace weapons, hypersonic missiles and undersea capabilities designed to negate U.S. military advantage. "Moscow also relies on other tools to exert pressure using grayzone tactics to further its goals and compete below the level of armed conflict. "Russia is also building extensive counterspace capabilities to contest US space dominance. Its development of a nuclear counterspace weapon poses the greatest single threat to the world's space architecture. "During the past year, Russia has maintained the upper hand in its war against Ukraine. US-led negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv are ongoing. Until such an agreement is met, Moscow is likely to continue fighting a war of attrition with the aim of degrading Kyiv's ability and will to resist. "In the Middle East, conflict and instability will shape security, political and economic dynamics in a variety of ways. The US led Operation Epic Fury is advancing fundamental change in the region that began with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and continued with the 12-Day War last year, resulting in weakening Iran and its proxies. "The regime in Iran appears to be intact but largely degraded by Operation Epic Fury. Its regional power projection capabilities have been destroyed, leaving limited options. Prior to the current operations, Iran's strategic position had been significantly degraded. "The US led maximum pressure campaign and snapback of European sanctions added additional pressure to an already bleak Iranian economy, resulting in mass protests earlier this year that Tehran suppressed by killing thousands of protesters. Even if the regime remains intact, internal tensions are likely to increase as Iran's economy worsens. "Even so, Iran and its proxies remain capable of and continue to attack US and allied interests in the Middle East. If a hostile regime survives, it will seek to begin a yearslong effort to rebuild its missiles and UAV forces. "As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran's nuclear enrichment program was obliterated. There has been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability. The entrances to the underground facilities that were bombed have been buried and shuttered with cement. We continue to monitor for any early indicators on what position the current or any new leadership in Iran will take with regard to authorizing a nuclear weapons program. "China, Russia and North Korea see the United States as a strategic competitor and potential adversary. Iran has long viewed the U.S. as an adversary and is engaged in active conflict with the U.S. as of this writing. "These four countries are likely to continue their selective cooperation with each other, which could bolster their individual capabilities and threats to U.S. interests more broadly. However, currently, these relationships are primarily bilateral on selective issues, and depend on broader circumstances, divergent sovereign interests, and in some cases, concerns over directly confronting the U.S. These factors are likely to constrain their relationships. "For example, during the 12 Day War last summer, and the current Operation Epic Fury, Iran assumed that Russia, China and North Korea would provide support to Iran, and has been frustrated in both cases that that support has been very limited to non-existent. "Finally, African governments will use their wealth in critical minerals to seek partnerships that deliver them meaningful benefit. Concurrent conflicts and crises across the continent will continue to put US citizens at risk and cause further instability. Infectious diseases endemic to Africa continue to crop up in new regions and threaten to spill over. "Africa has increasingly become a focal point for the global Sunni jihadist movement. Al Shabaab has encroached on Mogadishu, Somalia, during the past year, and continues to coordinate funding and propaganda campaigns with other parts of Al Qaeda in Yemen. "ISIS in West Africa and the Sahel have increased the intensity of their attacks against local security forces, expanding their areas of operation, moving closer to cities with a US presence. "In closing, as leaders of the Intelligence Community, we are committed to providing the President, Congress, policymakers and operators with timely, unbiased, relevant intelligence to ensure the safety, security and freedom of the American people. "Thank you." ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Intel Ministry details blows to Israeli-linked traitors, spies Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 11:48 AM Iran's Intelligence Ministry has detailed some of its recent crushing blows to Israeli-linked spies and traitors who attempted to take advantage of the war conditions in the country. In an announcement on Wednesday, the ministry said that following constant monitoring of individuals suspected of serving Israel through helping anti-Iran plots, at least 111 traitors belonging to monarchist cells were arrested in preemptive operations across 26 provinces. These "Zionist soldiers" were attempting to trigger riots in the country, it said, adding that a considerable number of firearms and knives as well as batons, shockers, spray cans, fake flags, among others, were also confiscated. Intelligence agents in cooperation with security forces also managed to spot and arrest four spies working for the terrorist regime of the United States and its proxy services, including two individuals in the western province of Hamadan. The spies, specially trained for espionage under the cover of an American institution for cultural affairs in a neighboring country passed the locations of military equipment depots of the Armed Forces in the province to the US-Israeli enemy. Two other spies were detained in Iran's West Azarbaijan province, where they worked for the US-Israeli enemy at an intelligence service based in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. The ministry said two caches of weapons, including 29 handguns, two AK-47 assault rifles with 58 magazines were seized while being transported from Iraq's Kurdistan to the western province of Kermanshah. Another cache containing eight handguns along with 161 of their cartridges, a radio for wireless communication and 21 Molotov cocktails was also confiscated in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi, the ministry said, adding that a number of individuals were also arrested. According to the announcement, 21 individuals were arrested in Tehran, Hamadan, Fars and West Azarbaijan provinces for sending photographs and videos and information about checkpoints, sensitive locations and gathering places of police and security forces to the Zionist "Iran International" television network. The ministry also said that its intelligence agents in cooperation with security forces managed to detect and seize two large caches of 350 Starlink satellite system devices when they were being illegally transported from one of the Persian Gulf Arab states to the southern province of Hormozgan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mossad spy executed in Iran for wartime collaboration with Israel Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 8:27 AM Koorosh Keivani, an agent of Israeli spy agency Mossad who sent photos and videos of important security locations from of Iran to Israel, has been executed, according to Iran's judiciary. In a statement on Sunday, Iran's Supreme Court said Keivani was executed after the proper legal procedures. He was arrested by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization last June, when the Israeli regime and the US waged the 12-day war against Iran. During his arrest, He had in his possession a Padra van, a motorcycle, and several highly-advanced spying apparatuses. He had been recruited in Sweden in 2023 by a Mossad agent by the name of "Ben" who could speak Farsi. After that, Keivani traveled to several European countries, becoming more familiar with his hander Ben and receiving large sums of money. Finally, he traveled to Tel Aviv for two weeks for receiving the necessary instructions on how to take photos and videos from critical locations across Iran. The court sentenced him to death based on the defendant's confessions, the IRGC's information gathered from his emails and other sources, the advanced spying apparatuses the defendant had. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The threat against Sweden is constantly changing Swedish Security Service Published 18 March 2026 Sweden is in a turbulent and uncertain time, full of rapid changes and threats that are difficult to assess. Challenges and disturbances to the world order also affect Sweden's national security. The Swedish Security Service's assessment is that security-threatening activities carried out by Russia may occur more frequently. This is described in the situational assessment "The Swedish Security Service 2025-2026". - The security situation in Sweden has been serious for several years now. The most recent developments in Iran and the Middle East have led to a further deterioration of the global security situation, and this also affects Sweden. However, there is a risk associated with using the most recent developments as a starting point, says Charlotte von Essen, Head of the Swedish Security Service. The assessment is that the threat against Sweden will develop in such a way that the situation will continue to deteriorate in the coming years. The main threat factors are Russian goals and Russian security-threatening activities in Sweden's vicinity. Russia remains the greatest threat to Sweden. China continues to pose a long-term threat when it comes to Sweden's financial security. The Swedish Security Service has established that Russia has become more inclined to take risks, and that the actions carried out by Russia have become more offensive and involve covert influence activities. There is also a Russian threat regarding sabotage targeting the West's support activities on behalf of Ukraine. In Russia, there is an insatiable need for knowledge, technology, and products that can strengthen the Russian capability, and there are continuous efforts to circumvent the sanctions directed against Russia. - In order to strengthen Europe's, and Sweden's, security, we all need to make greater efforts to make it more expensive, more difficult, and more complicated for Russia to continue its warfare. It can be both expensive and complicated for a company in Sweden to monitor supply chains and exports, but it could become even more expensive not to do it, says Charlotte von Essen. Hybrid activities like sabotage Russia has carried out hybrid activities, for example sabotage, targeting countries in Europe. This could also happen in Sweden. In the past year, the Swedish Security Service has handled several cases of suspected sabotage that were not possible to link to a foreign power. - It is important that Sweden, as a society, continues to be vigilant and that we are prepared to act whenever necessary. Foreign powers are not behind everything that is going on, but when they are, we act, says Charlotte von Essen. The terrorist threat level in Sweden remains elevated, level three on a five-level scale. An elevated threat level encompasses the possibility that a terrorist attack could occur. The attack threat mainly consists of lone actors or small groups using simple means to act against more accessible targets. At the same time, we also see a development where the violence itself is more important than the ideological motivation. - Extreme violence in the digital world is a driving force for violent extremism. I find it of particular concern that so many young individuals are attracted to extremely violent content on various online forums, says Charlotte von Essen. As the global security situation deteriorates, Sweden must increase its resilience. There are ongoing efforts to expand Sweden's military and civilian defence. Protective security efforts are an important part of this. - The threat is difficult to affect, but it is definitively possible to affect protection efforts. As entities grow, it is important that the security measures increase as well. This applies not least to personnel security. An insider involved in security-sensitive activities could cause great damage. As a national security service, we need to act decisively in cases where we suspect espionage, says Charlotte von Essen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts for March 18, 2026 NAVY General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, was awarded a $15,383,494,792 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-2117) for additional Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines design, class lead yard support and sustainment, integrated enterprise plan initiatives for the class, and submarine industrial base supplier development enhancement efforts to support Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program execution. The industrial base development work is for the furtherance of the Navy's plan of serial production of Columbia- and Virginia-class attack submarines. Funding is pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026 (Public Law 119-75). Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (21%); Newport News, Virginia (6%); Sunnyvale, California (5%); Menomonee, Wisconsin (4%); Quonset Point, Rhode Island (4%); Fitchburg, Massachusetts (3%); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3%); Mobile, Alabama (2%); Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (1%); and other locations less than 1% (51%), and is expected to be completed by June 2035. Fiscal 2026 national sea-based deterrence fund funds in the amount of $3,068,073,260 (95%); fiscal 2025 maritime industrial base funds in the amount of $74,000,000 (2%); fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $73,214,000 (2%); and fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,837,000 (<1%), will be obligated at the time of award, of which $3,144,910,260 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Advanced Technology International, Summerville, South Carolina, is awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Composites Manufacturing Technology Center of Excellence VI. This contract provides for the operation and management of the Composites Manufacturing Technology Center of Excellence (the Center) in its mission to identify, develop, and facilitate the transition of composite, polymeric, and other non-metallic manufacturing technologies to composites fabricators and other relevant industrial facilities to reduce the cost and time to build and repair key naval platforms. In addition to accomplishing the Center's core mission, the contractor shall manage, operate, sustain and enhance the Center's ability to function as an Office of Naval Research (ONR) ManTech Center of Excellence. Work will be performed in Summerville, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed in June 2036. The total cumulative value of this contract is $349,000,000. Two task orders will be awarded after release of the contract. The first and second task orders will be funded with an initial obligation of $375,000 and $310,000, respectively, from fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds. These funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under (N0001425R7004). Two proposals were received in response to the solicitation. ONR, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N0001426D7001). L3Harris Interstate Electronics Corp., Anaheim, California, is awarded a $77,818,794 cost reimbursable and firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract is for the sustainment of the kineto tracking mount including all associated subassemblies and subsystems that are utilized by Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and NASA test ranges for the collection of precision optical time space position information data and is expected to be complete by March 2031. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This effort was procured competitively, with only one offer received. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042126D1002). Global Connections to Employment Inc., an AbilityOne company, Pensacola, Florida, is being awarded $18,019,905 for full food services and mess attendant services in support of Commander, Navy Region Southeast. The services include preparing, serving, and replenishing food; cleaning facilities, equipment, and utensils; preparation of all salads and fruits; and operation of sculleries. The contract includes a one-year base period of performance and four one-year option periods pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-9 which, if all options are exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $99,845,457. Work will be performed as follows: full food services at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida (85%); mess attendant services at Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi (10%); and full food services at Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin Air Force Base, Niceville, Florida (5%). Work is expected to be completed by March 2027; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by March 2031. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $18,019,905 will be incrementally funded throughout the period of performance, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Option periods will be funded with appropriate fiscal year operation and maintenance (Navy) funds. This contract was solicited as a sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set force in 41 U.S. Code 8504(a) under the AbilityOne Program with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N68836-26-C-0004). Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Sacramento, California, is awarded a $13,290,600 cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract is for test, teardown, and evaluation and repair services in support of the BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target System, a subsonic, recoverable, aerial target system used in weapon systems test and evaluation and Fleet training. Work will be performed in Sacramento, California, and is expected to be complete by December 2030. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001926D0006). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Raytheon, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a noncompetitive overall ceiling increase of $8,410,280,000 to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (HQ0851-21-D-0001). The value of the contract ceiling is increased from $3,331,830,000 to $11,742,110,000. Under this modification, the contractor will provide the management, material, and services associated with the sustaining engineering and product support services for the Standard Missile-3 Block missile variants for the U.S. and Foreign Military Sales partners. The work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona and Huntsville, Alabama. The performance period is from Oct. 30, 2020, through Oct 29, 2029. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE AAR Manufacturing Inc., Cadillac, Michigan, has been awarded a $289,731,000 requirements contract for legacy air cargo pallets. This contract provides for the manufacturing and production of the 463 legacy air cargo pallets. Work will be performed at Cadillac, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by March 17, 2032. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2026 other procurement funds in the amount of $11,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Combat Readiness Office, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity ( FA8534-26-D-0005). ARCH Systems LLC, Baltimore, Maryland, was awarded a $21,450,716 firm-fixed-price and time and materials contract for the Kessel Run Enterprise software toolchain requirement. This contract provides for a turnkey software environment solution for authorized personnel directly supporting agile development and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery of software. Work will be performed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by April 2029. This contract was a competitive acquisition and six offers were received. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,500,128 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management Kessel Run, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts is the contracting activity (FA8730-26-F-B001). LeoLabs Federal Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $9,872,856 contract modification (P00004) to a previously awarded contract (FA8820-25-C-B004) for Advanced Ultra-High Frequency Phased Array Radar. The modification brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $23,958,909 from $14,086,053. Work will be performed at Chantilly, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 22, 2029. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,922,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space Systems Command Directorate of Contracting, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity. ARMY Cox Construction Co.,* Vista, California, was awarded a $36,500,777 firm-fixed-price contract for the design-bid-build construction of the Advanced Skills Trainee Barracks at Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Dublin California, including a 45,000-square-foot, multi-story barracks to support the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and the 80th Training Command Total Army School System. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Dublin, California, with an estimated completion date of April 12, 2028. Fiscal 2026 Military Construction, Army Reserve funds in the amount of $36,500,777 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, is the contracting activity (W912QR-26-C-A019). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY National Industries for the Blind,** Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $10,085,250 modification (P00010) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-24-D-B015) with four one-year option periods for moisture wicking t-shirts. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Locations of performance are North Carolina and New Jersey, with a March 27, 2027, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-24-D-B015). CORRECTION: The contract announced on March 12, 2026, for American States Utility Services Inc., San Dimas, California (SP0600 23 C 8356/P00042), for $17,199,774 was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is March 17, 2026. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. *Small business **Mandatory source https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4437670/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CORE26 | German-French Air Squadron Transports U.S. Marine Rifle Company for First Time in NATO History US Marine Corps News 16 Mar 2026 | 1st Lt. Stephen Sewell 2nd Marine Division BARDUFOSS AIR STATION, Norway -- In a historic demonstration of NATO's expanding capabilities, a rifle company of U.S. Marines were airlifted in the Arctic Circle by a unique, jointly operated, French and German air transport squadron, March 11, marking the first time the squadron has ever transported United States Marines. The airlift was a combined effort. Two German-operated KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft flown by the Binational Air Transport Squadron (BATS) based in Evreux, France, and one from the U.S. Marines own Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR 252,) stationed out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, transported Marines from Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, from Bardufoss, Norway to Rovaniemi, Finland. BATS itself represents a new model of European defense integration. Formed in 2022, the squadron consists of 300 French and German pilots, mechanics, and support personnel who train and operate as a single unit. "We are a young and 'one of a kind' squadron," said a BATS KC-130J pilot, who was not identified for security reasons. "[CORE26] is a great opportunity to benefit from training alongside NATO-allies in a joint and combined training approach." As a tactical air transport squadron, BATS regularly conducts training in sub-zero temperatures to qualify their troops for operations in the Arctic, reinforcing security in the region for all-NATO allies. In this way, BATS shares a mindset with the Marine Corps that readiness to deploy to any climate is critical for warfighting. "The BATS is capable of operating world-wide, in all climatic zones and under a wide range of operating conditions," said the BATS pilot, "We have proven that in the recent years. Anytime, anywhere is our motto, and we live it." Upon landing in Finland, the Marines were met with equipment and supplies that had been moved into position by a long-range convoy from Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6). CLB-6 had completed a multi-day convoy across Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Ensuring Echo Company were prepared for their familiarization and integration training with soldiers of the 4th Mechanized Brigade (MekB4) of the Swedish Army on March 12, in preparation for Echo Company and MekB4's simulated force-on-force exercise against other NATO forces starting on March 14. The careful sequencing of air and ground logistics is critical for projecting power in the vast Arctic. The KC-130J platform is designed for this challenge, capable of executing Assault Support missions into airfields or unpaved landing zones with minimal infrastructure. Well-coordinated Assault Support is crucial for Marines to rapidly deploy to austere climates such as the Arctic. This combined integration was coordinated by the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Bod, Norway. The centre, which opened in October 2025, oversees air operations in the Nordic region, the Baltic Sea, the North Atlantic and the Barents Sea, ensuring that airspace in the High North is monitored, protected, and when required, defended. According to U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Rich Webb, a KC-130J pilot and Weapons and Tactics Instructor with VMGR-252, this successful mission proves that when ground forces need support, allied aircrews from the partner nation are ready to answer the call. "It was an absolute privilege to fly alongside our German counterparts during this insertion," Webb said. "These integration flights exemplify how deliberate joint planning and seamless execution transform two capable units into a unified, effective team." Echo Company's flight from Norway into Finland showed how the timely sequencing of logistics support (CLB-6) and aviation support (BATS and VMGR-252) can quickly project ground combat power (Echo Company and MekB4) into an area of operations. Power projection is critical for effective rapid response in contested and austere environments such as the Arctic. The flight was part of Cold Response 26, a Norwegian-led winter military exercise involving more than 25,000 personnel from over a dozen NATO allies and partner nations. The exercise is designed to enhance collective defense and ensure forces are ready to operate seamlessly in challenging arctic conditions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "A destructive war, in which Israel acts as the battering ram, is unfolding in our region" Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey 17.03.2026 Speaking at an iftar dinner with journalists and writers, President Erdogan said: "A destructive war, in which Israel acts as the battering ram, is unfolding in our region at the moment. Innocent children are being murdered brutally as they are attending classes in their schools. A network, which holds power and deems themselves superior to other people, is dragging our region into a disaster step by step." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech during an iftar dinner with journalists and writers at the Presidential Complex. "A destructive war, in which Israel acts as the battering ram, is unfolding in our region at the moment. Innocent children are being murdered brutally as they are attending classes in their schools," President Erdogan said. Underscoring that people are being forced to flee the lands they have inhabited for centuries, President Erdogan stated: "Israel, for entirely arbitrary reasons and without any authority, has been keeping Al-Aqsa Mosqueour first qiblaclosed to Muslim worship for 17 days. We all know that the attacks targeting Gaza first, then Yemen and Lebanon, and most recently Iran are not solely motivated by security concerns. It is by no means coincidental that concurrently with the attacks, various nonsense are being brought up extending from the delusion of promised lands to the doomsday scenarios. A network, which holds power and deems themselves superior to other people, is dragging our region into a disaster step by step. It is indeed important to liberate ourselves from the agendas sought to be imposed upon us, and to tell the world about this barbarity and this madness in a manner that resonates across the world. We should expand our horizon with the awareness that we are a country with weight and influence across the world, and, targeting beyond our borders, should have journalists, newspapers and television outlets that are followed in a vast geography." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Euro-Atlantic security: U.S. and European partner perspectives By Jessica Brushwood, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College March 18, 2026 FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas -- The Euro-Atlantic security architecture is currently undergoing transformation while U.S. allies work to strengthen the European pillar in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Cultural and Area Studies Office hosted the fourth panel of the academic year to discuss U.S. and European partner perspectives on these topics March 12, 2026. "If Russia were to move rapidly against the Baltic states, could NATO effectively defend its territory? What is next for the Euro-Atlantic security architecture by 2027 and beyond?" Dr. Mahir J. Ibrahimov, CASO Director, asked rhetorically as he set the stage for the discussion. Colonel Thibaud Thomas, French Embassy Military Attache, highlighted key points of the 2025 French National Strategic Review and shared concrete examples of the country's commitment to NATO's collective security. "Basically, we believe that there is no major security threat to Europe that wouldn't concern France and we agreed with Germany and other European partners to have a political, operational, and technical dialogue on the nuclear issues," Thomas said. In addition to nuclear deterrence, Thomas discussed countering the Russian 'Dark Fleet' and being one of 35 nations in the 'Coalition of the Willing' in support of Ukraine. "France is investing in its defense. We heard the call for an increased burden sharing and we think that makes sense. We are committed to contributing to an increased European strategic awakening," Thomas said. Dr. Eike Buellesbach, German Embassy Deputy Branch Head, emphasized the importance of the U.S.-German relationship, strengthening the European pillar, and keeping the alliance strong. "Germany has initiated significant changes in its security policy. It's an ongoing process which was initiated after the Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2022," Buellesbach said. This includes heavy increases to German defense spending through significant investment in its army and equipment while also actively engaging in NATO vigilance activities. "The best example for us to showcase that Germany is putting an emphasis here is the 5,000-troop brigade that we will be deploying to Lithuania to protect NATO's eastern flank to contribute to NATO's deterrence. This will start by 2027 and it's well underway," Buellsbach explained. LTC Jamal A. Khan, a Eurasian Foreign Area Officer and CGSC instructor, explained the diminishing Russian influence in the South Caucasus, the Russian Federation's role as the primary driver of instability in the region, and implications for NATO. "Russia often positions itself as both the arsonist and firefighter, starting crises in the region and then magically appearing to solve them for everyone else, but the invasion of Ukraine has reduced Moscow's bandwidth to do so," he said. Fraught relationships in the region have created a power vacuum, providing opportunity for nations like Turkey, Iran, and China to expand military and economic ties. "For the U.S., the question is 'whose influence will shape this region's future?'" Khan said. Recent diplomacy efforts and economic initiatives by the Trump administration were offered as solutions to reinforce stability in the region where military dominance has failed. LTC Drew Shealy, FAO [H(1]and CGSC instructor discussed the current state of the NATO alliance and highlighted ongoing successes in Euro-Atlantic security. "Despite the headlines we see today, the alliance is arguably stronger now than it has been in decades and the United States continues to see it as central to our security strategy," Shealy stated. Shealy explained that calls for Europe to increase its own defense efforts and discussions about burden sharing and strategic autonomy are not new or a sign of failure, but a sign of adaptation. "The 2026 National Defense Strategy makes it clear that the United States must prioritize homeland defense in Indo-Pacific while expecting allies to take a greater responsibility in their regional security," Shealy said. The U.S. will continue to provide critical capabilities. "Europe is becoming a more capable security partner and the alliance as whole remains one of the most successful and durable security arrangements in modern history. So, if we think about the future of Euro-Atlantic security, the question is not whether NATO will endure. History suggests it will. The real question is how the alliance will continue evolving to meet the next generation of security challenges together." Shealy concluded. The CASO panel series is conducted regularly with partner organizations to provide CGSC constituents with expert analysis and informed discussion. The series goal is to enhance collective understanding of the global and regional geopolitical dynamics, to enhance leaders' understanding of the security environment and enable them to make informed decisions and drive effective solutions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Colombian president says at least 27 killed in Colombia-Ecuador border bombings Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC) 18.03.2026 [12:10] Baku, March 18, AZERTAC At least 27 people were killed in bombings along the Colombia-Ecuador border, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Tuesday, according to Xinhua. "The bombings along the Colombia-Ecuador border do not seem to have been carried out by armed groups, which do not have aircraft, nor by Colombia's security forces. I did not give that order," Petro wrote on X. He added that there were no credible accounts of the bombings and that the bombs are on the ground near families, "many of whom have chosen to peacefully replace coca leaf crops with legal crops." In response, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa denied carrying out bombings in the Colombian territory. "President Petro, your statements are false; we are acting within our territory, not yours," Noboa wrote in a post on X, stressing that operations against what he termed "narco-terrorism" are being conducted solely within Ecuador. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 18, 2026 By Army Capt. Andrew Lightsey IV, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade 101st Airborne Division Tests Next-Generation Drones During Live-Fire Exercise The 101st Airborne Division tested its ability to integrate unmanned aircraft systems to support ground forces during a live-fire exercise, March 12 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. "We are no strangers to innovation here on Fort Campbell," said Army Brig. Gen. Travis McIntosh, deputy commanding general of operations for the division. "Drones are reshaping the geometry of the battlefield in real time and we must adjust. Distance and sanctuary no longer provide the protection they once did, and mass and speed of decision-making will increasingly be enabled by autonomy and [artificial intelligence]. This event tested and proved these assumptions for us." Advancing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's directive for drone dominance, the division used UAS operators assigned to its 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team and 101st Combat Aviation Brigade to fly multiple UAS alongside the 5th Special Forces Group. The sortie, which consisted of an MQ-1C Gray Eagle, C100 small UAS and Attritable Battlefield Enabler 1.01 drone, provided aerial clearance for the Special Forces soldiers during the exercise. "Drones are a great tool for over-the-hill reconnaissance," said Army Spc. Basil Holland, an infantryman and small UAS operator assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. "They have a lot of ability to identify short- and medium-range targets and get eyes on whatever you need. It's proven to be super useful." U.S. Army Reserve Command representatives attended to learn more about how the 101st incorporates emerging technologies. "We wanted to get a clear understanding of how the big Army is integrating UAS," said Sammy Stevens, a counter-UAS lead planner for USARC. "We want to try and replicate their efforts with the [Army] Reserve. During counterinsurgency operations, everyone was used to looking down to identify improvised explosive devices; now we have to look up in the air." Partnering with USARC highlights the division's commitment to improving lethality for the entire Army. "The 101st has been very gracious in supporting us," said Army Master Sgt. Bryan Pettaway, USARC senior enlisted advisor for operations and logistics. "By showing us what has worked, and what hasn't, they have helped us avoid those same mistakes." The exercise validated the division's ability to operate UAS in a kinetic, multidomain setting. This successful pairing of systems and soldiers ensures the 101st Airborne Division remains at the forefront of Army transformation efforts. "Today's demonstration was a direct answer to the secretary of war's directive," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Page Frazier, the exercise coordinator and member of the 101st Robotics and Autonomous Integration Directorate. "We did some unorthodox things and always made first contact with a machine. ... And I don't think any other exercise has done that. We leveraged modern technology to set conditions for a safe employment of a ground force." "I am superbly proud of the teamwork, from both the operational and institutional sides of the Army, as well as the conventional [forces] and Special Forces on Fort Campbell," McIntosh said. "This exercise demonstrates one of the many ways we will dominate in tomorrow's fight." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EDA boosts defence capabilities with major 3D printing workshop in Spain European Defence Agency 18 March 2026 Engineers, soldiers, industry and researchers have convened for one of the world's largest workshops on additive manufacturing in defence, organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA) to develop 3D printing in defence. Unique in the European Union, the 2026 Additive Manufacturing Village took place in Albacete, Spain. It is part of the EU's push to deploy new technologies as military capabilities. The gathering reflects EDA's core mission: to provide a platform where Member States, armed forces, industry and academia can collaborate, experiment and accelerate innovation. Spain's King Felipe VI visited the five-day event on 18 March and met EDA's Chief Executive Andre Denk, who also addressed assembled Spanish air force and industry representatives at the Albacete air base. As the third and largest of the annual villages so far, the event brought together some 800 specialists from 14 Member States, as well as Norway, the United Kingdom and Ukraine, showcased their technology and shared experiences in the field. From vehicle and weapon parts to rocket engines used in satellite launches, attendees displayed 3D-printed parts and also the machines, many of which are mobile, they have developed. Made by soldiers, for soldiers Additive manufacturing, once considered an emerging field, is being taken up more widely by European armed forces, particularly in logistics support. The ability to produce parts on demand by soldiers closer to where they are needed can significantly improve operational effectiveness. "Innovation only matters if it reaches the soldier in the field," EDA's Denk said, noting that 3D printing can transform technological advances into an operational advantage. "Producing components where and when they are required can make a decisive difference." By also reducing reliance on complex supply chains, it helps armed forces manage disruptions, address equipment obsolescence and sustain high-tempo operations. For example, troops can 3D print perimeter t-walls to protect their military bases "What makes this village special is not only the technology, but the community behind it," said Martin Huber, EDA's Project Officer Logistics and Additive Manufacturing. "This is about people working together to deliver concrete solutions for military needs." The event comes at a time when European governments are bolstering defence readiness for 2030 and aiming to reduce strategic dependencies. EDA believes that the EU has both the expertise and determination to meet the challenges collectively. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon: Statement by the Spokesperson on the recent developments European External Action Service (EEAS) 18.03.2026 EEAS Press Team The EU is deeply concerned about the ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon which already has devastating humanitarian consequences and risks triggering a prolonged conflict. Israel should cease its operations in Lebanon. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is already dramatic, with ongoing mass displacement of more than 1 million people, representing some 25% of the overall Lebanese population. Civilians are paying the highest price also in terms of casualties, already amounting at approximately 900 people, including more than 100 children, according to the Health Ministry of Lebanon. We condemn Hezbollah's decision to plunge Lebanon into this war, its refusal to hand over arms and its continuation of indiscriminate attacks against Israel. The attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as UNIFIL are unjustified and unacceptable and should stop immediately. We welcome the call of the Lebanese authorities for direct negotiations with Israel. It is essential that Lebanon and Israel enter into direct discussions. We reiterate our call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by all sides and support the Lebanese government's efforts to disarm Hezbollah and end its military activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Statement - UN Peacebuilding Commission: 2nd Annual Interactive Dialogue on the Peacebuilding Fund European External Action Service (EEAS) 18.03.2026 New York 18 March 2026, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Ambassador Hedda Samson, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the Peacebuilding Commission Ambassadorial-Level Meeting on the 2nd Annual Interactive Dialogue on the PBF Check against delivery Chair, I would like to thank you for organizing today's meeting as an opportunity to share policy and strategic advice on the Peacebuilding Fund's work. Chair, The EU's approach to peacebuilding and conflict prevention continues to be underpinned by universal values and respect for international law, including the UN Charter, with the UN system at the core. And we back this up financially: The EU is providing predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding actions with an ongoing portfolio of more than 460 million Euro to the UN Family through some 120 ongoing actions. This includes the EU's continued strong support to the PBF, to which the EU has contributed over 14 million USD during the current PBF Strategy period. This year, we are maintaining our annual 3 million Euro contribution to the Peacebuilding Fund. With the 2025 peacebuilding architecture review successfully concluded, we must now prioritize implementation of the review outcome. One of the driving forces behind the review was to ensure genuine impact. Most significantly, impact where it counts most, namely on the ground, with - at its core - efficient, coherent and inclusive UN systemwide efforts building on the three interconnected and mutually supportive pillars of the UN. Through its catalytic effect, the PBF continues to play a key role in this regard. The implementation of the Pact for the Future and the ongoing UN80 reform initiative offers an opportunity to reinvigorate multilateral peacebuilding efforts in a way that is more streamlined, effective, and impactful. We believe that conflict prevention must be at the core of peacebuilding efforts. Together, the EU and the UN agreed to explore coordination on support to national capacities for conflict prevention, including support to nationally owned and led prevention strategies. Chair, In the spirit of this interactive dialogue, allow me to raise a few questions before concluding: First: We see PBF support to national peacebuilding and prevention strategies as extremely important and would like to ask how the Fund intends to best and most efficiently support members who seek engagement in this regard? Second: According to the data UN agencies continue to represent the overwhelming majority of PBF implementing partners compared to others, including civil society organisations. What are the prospects to expand CSO engagement in this area? And are setting targets part of the considerations looking forward? What other tools could be considered to ensure inclusive approaches that engage local peacebuilders and civil society? Chair, At a time when conflict is on the rise, we need the PBF more than ever. In closing, let me reiterate the EU's commitment to the PBF as an agile, flexible and results-oriented instrument to promote peacebuilding and sustaining peace. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iceland: Remarks by High Representative Kallas at EU-Iceland Security and Defence Partnership Signing Ceremony European External Action Service (EEAS) 18.03.2026 Brussels, 18.03.2026 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! It is great pleasure to welcome you in Brussels today, and I am really happy that we were able to sign this agreement today. The EU and Iceland are very close friends. Iceland has been a valued partner for the European Union for very long time, and a trusted ally also in the Northern Atlantic. And also what is important nowadays is really a strong supporter of the rules-based international order. By signing the Security and Defence Partnership, we are taking our relationship to the next level. Today's decision is driven by the simple but powerful reality; our security is shared, and also our challenges are shared. From Russian threats to the seabed infrastructure, to China's growing interest in the Arctic. Addressing these together gives us great leverage. This new partnership will deepen our cooperation in areas that matter to our citizens, that matter to the safety of our citizens, from maritime security and protection of critical infrastructure to strengthening resilience against cyber threats. And this is a win-win situation, for Iceland as well as for the European Union. On a separate issue, let me also briefly mention your upcoming referendum on the EU membership negotiation. Of course, Iceland and Icelandic people will decide what their future is. Should Icelanders should you choose to pursue EU membership, Iceland would certainly be a front runner in this process. You are already strong on your own, j oining the EU would make you even stronger. So you will have the support of the EU, if necessary, throughout the process, if you decide to pursue it. Dear Minister, thank you again for being here and thank you for the signature for this agreement. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-286839 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU-Iceland: Joint Press Release on the signature of the Security and Defence Partnership European External Action Service (EEAS) 18.03.2026 Brussels, Belgium EEAS Press Team Today, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and the Foreign Minister of Iceland orgerur Katrin Gunnarsdottir signed the EU-Iceland Security and Defence Partnership, bringing their security and defence cooperation to a new level. The new Security and Defence Partnership further strengthens the close cooperation between the EU and Iceland and will contribute to the security and prosperity of the EU and Iceland that are interconnected. Building on shared values and interests in foreign and security policy, the Security and Defence Partnership provides a tailored framework of cooperation to deepen the exchanges on regional security issues and strengthen cooperation in areas like support to Ukraine, Arctic matters and maritime security, cyber issues, emerging and disruptive technologies, economic security, and climate change and security nexus. The Security and Defence Partnership will be underpinned by a series of dialogue and consultation mechanisms to facilitate exchange of information and provide steering and oversight, including an annual dedicated Security and Defence Dialogue. In the current volatile security context, this important milestone for the EU and Iceland brings an impulse to their already deep relations, underpinned by the European Economic Area Agreement. Read the full text of the EU-Iceland Security and Defence Partnership. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia signs agreements with four manufacturers for Ermistu defence industrial park Republic of Estonia - Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) 18.03.2026 News, Infrastructure The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments has signed agreements with four companies to establish production facilities at the new defence industrial park in Ermistu, Parnu County. The selected companies are Nitrotol OU, Frankenburg Technologies OU, Infinitum Strike OU, and UK-based Thor Industries Ltd, operating through its Estonian subsidiary Odin Defence OU. Under the agreements, Nitrotol OU will manufacture military explosives and ammunition, including mines and charges. Frankenburg Technologies OU will develop a production complex for short-range air defence missiles, while Infinitum Strike OU will produce ammunition components. Odin Defence OU will focus on the production of plastic explosives. Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur said the agreements mark a significant milestone in the development of Estonia's defence industrial capacity. "This is an important step forward for the Ermistu defence industrial park. Contracts have now been concluded with all companies selected through the selective tender process, and they have committed to commencing production next year. Delivering the planning process, environmental assessments and procurement in under two years is a notable achievement. I would like to thank all partners and local communities for their constructive cooperation," he said. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) launched the competitive selection process for the use of state-owned land in April 2025. The state will invest more than 50 million in core infrastructure at Ermistu, including roads and electricity networks. The companies' own investments are expected to be of a similar scale. The Ermistu defence industrial park will be the first facility of its kind in Estonia designed specifically for ammunition production. Asko Kivinuk, Deputy Director General of ECDI, said the project will strengthen both national defence and export potential. "Following a thorough selective tender process, we have enabled the first four companies to begin ammunition production in Estonia. This is a critical sector that supports national defence with domestically produced ammunition while also strengthening the export capacity of the defence industry. We will continue to work closely with the companies to develop the park," he said. The companies are expected to begin production during 2027. The park has capacity to accommodate one or two additional manufacturers in the future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghanistan - Air strike on a Kabul hospital (March 18, 2026) France - Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres France strongly condemns the March 16th air strike on a Kabul hospital that killed numerous civilians. We express our heartfelt solidarity with the victims and their loved ones, and offer them our condolences. International humanitarian law applies to everyone and must ensure the protection of civilian populations. Humanitarian workers must be guaranteed free access to Afghan territory in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution 2593. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, at the European Policy Centre Republic of Cyprus From: Presidency of the Republic 18/03/26 15:03 | Speech / Address | President of the Republic / Presidency, Foreign Policy, Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and regional developments at the European Policy Centre Good morning, everybody. I'm very glad to be back in Brussels. Despite the challenges in our region, challenges that we are used to, let me start by saying that Cyprus remains a safe and stable operational hub for business, for tourism. We are in conditions of full normality in Cyprus. At the outset, I would like to thank the European Policy Centre (EPC) for the invitation and the opportunity to engage with all of you. Our conversation is timely - it comes, as it was correctly mentioned before, half-way through the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), and at a moment of inflection - both for the EU and for the region that Cyprus is an integral part of - the Eastern Mediterranean, the greater Middle East. It is no surprise that the EPC hosts this dialogue. In its 30 years of active engagement and contribution, the EPC has been consistently dedicated to fostering European integration. Now, I would say, more than ever, your evidence and analysis, your platform for thought provoking discussions is vital in informing European policy. Dear friends, we come together at a moment of remarkable uncertainty, heightened tension and volatility across Europe and our wider neighbourhood of the Middle East and Gulf. Actually, it is defining moments like this that test Institutions, test partnerships and, indeed, leadership. And yet, they also bring at the forefront our Union's ability to act with resolve and, above all, with unity. Yet, I adamantly believe that it is in these moments, that space shifts and creates openings and opportunities for decisions that would have never happened otherwise. For more integration; for projecting European power and leadership in the world. Opportunity for the Union to stand out, in the midst of unpredictability, as the most reliable, predictable, trustworthy partner. And to move decisively for a EU that is truly Autonomous. That is, dear friends, the central objective that permeates all five pillars of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency that has as its motto: "An Autonomous Union, Open to the World". Autonomy as no longer a theoretical aspiration. But as the driving force for action. As the next necessary step of European integration. A Union strong from within, able to demonstrate the necessary internal strength to cooperate with external partners whenever possible, while also acting independently whenever necessary. A Union that looks outward, engages with all its neighbours in a 360-degree approach, remains committed to open trade and partnerships, and strengthens its strategic autonomy without turning inward. Committed to international law, able to bring together its interests and its priorities. Cyprus also understands that European autonomy is multifaceted: from defence and security, to energy and trade, to competitiveness. Dear friends, I really believe and will explain why, that this is Europe's moment to define and reshare its future through an assertive and non-negotiable autonomy trajectory. And let me be clear: I do not agree with my very good friend the Secretary General of NATO, that European Autonomy is unattainable. In the past days, Cyprus has in fact proven that European Autonomy is both possible and real. We have proven that if we are confident in what 27 member states can achieve together - as a Union of half a billion, and the world's biggest economic and trading bloc - there is no limit to what we can achieve. Let me explain what I mean. As you know, on February 28th, a new crisis unfolded in the greater Middle East. Cyprus is not, in any way, part of the conflict. We had a single, isolated incident with a drone at the British bases. What followed though will, I believe, make history books. Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands immediately reacted positively to my request and deployed means and personnel to enhance the defence and security of Cyprus. Cypriots will never, never, forget this act of solidarity in action, not just statements - it deeply touched my people. Essentially, we may not have triggered Article 42(7) - which states that if a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other EU member states have an obligation to provide aid and assistance - but Cyprus essentially tested Article 42(7). And we did so successfully. And that can be the beginning of something much greater for our Union. Cyprus, and we did it together with Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, gave flesh and bones to the mutual assistance clause in Article 42(7). And this action also embodied the basic premise that the security of one member state is inseparable from the security of the Union as a whole. That when one member state is attacked, the entire EU is attacked. At the same time, this experience highlighted something equally important: Europe must not only be able to invoke Article 42(7). Europe must also be fully capable of implementing Article 42(7) effectively. And when this Article is finally invoked by any member state, Europe must be ready to respond swiftly and decisively, placing the safety and security of all its citizens at the forefront. We must put the mechanism in place. And it's something that I will raise tomorrow during the European Council meeting. Dear friends, Cyprus may be a small member state, but we are a member state that from the south-eastern frontier of the European Union, understands better than most what is at stake. What lack of security means in real terms, how indispensable cooperation and diplomacy are, and why the region of the Eastern Mediterranean is inextricably linked with the security of Europe. A member state that is an integral part of the Middle East; that knows the region not from textbooks nor from reporting, but from geography, proximity and long-standing excellent diplomatic relations will all countries of the region. For us, for Cyprus, engagement with our neighbourhood is both a geographical reality and strategic necessity. Ours is a Presidency that long before this crisis, that we have today, placed strengthening of relations with the Middle East and Gulf, as well as maritime security, at the heart of our work. This focus couldn't be more pertinent. This brings me to the developments currently unfolding in our region. From the outset, Cyprus has been absolutely clear in our position. We unequivocally condemned any unjustifiable and indiscriminate attacks against our partners in the region and we stand in solidarity with them. For Cyprus, the situation is not abstract. Our geography directly links us to the region. And of course, it links the region to Europe. The recent incident involving as I mentioned before the British bases on the island demonstrates how unpredictable this conflict can be. Let me be clear: Cyprus' long-standing role is a humanitarian one. As a safe haven. Always part of the solution, never part of the problem. A member state that stands in times of crisis as the EU's lighthouse in the Eastern Mediterranean. An actor that becomes a driver and a vessel of dialogue and diplomacy. A pillar of stability, security and cooperation. Not only because of geography. But because of a conscious political choice. That is what we have done since the start of our Presidency and this will culminate at the April informal European Council in Cyprus, when we will host discussions bringing together European leaders and partners from the wider Middle East, on concrete projects of cooperation at the regional level. In short - at the helm of the Presidency of the European Union is a member state that is an adamant believer in the European project, in cooperation and bridge building. Resilient, focused, results driven, even in the most adverse of circumstances. Cypriots are geared to operate in this way by default. And to Cyprus, the Presidency is above all an opportunity. An opportunity to give substance to European Autonomy. To deliver tangible results on the European agenda despite the challenges. Because, in our view, the EU does not pause when crises arise. To the contrary, it accelerates. Dear friends, We mark almost three months into our Presidency - and I want to take this opportunity to highlight some key areas of our work. These have been months of intense engagement and negotiation, continuous coordination and steady progress. So much has been achieved, and at the same time work is intensively underway, according to our roadmap, to deliver even more. We have, I believe, been demonstrating in practice that Europe can respond, act and deliver. That is how we committed to conduct our Presidency from the very beginning: focused on substance, cooperation, and above all, delivery. Delivery in strengthening Europe's Defence Readiness, security and preparedness. Delivery on competitiveness. On a true Energy Union. Delivery in strengthening our collective resilience and social cohesion. Addressing challenges faced by our citizens - from housing, to advancing in our quest for a Health Union. And of course, advancing negotiations for a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) that becomes a real vehicle for a stronger EU. Let me begin, let me be more specific, starting with security and defence. Russia's war against Ukraine shattered any illusion we may have had that peace and stability in Europe was a constant. And it made it clear that we must act decisively for stronger European security and defence. And act, I'm proud to say, we did. In the past year, as a EU, we have achieved more progress than in decades before. This is clear proof of what we can achieve together, under adverse circumstances. I'm dealing with the EU since 2011 as a sherpa, as a spokesperson, as government spokesman, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, now as President. And I remember those endless discussions about the need for security and defence. Endless discussions without any decision. And I remember very well, last February, the informal European Council. I think it was during the Polish Presidency but it took place here in Brussels, what we decided back then and what we did in one year. Defence and security, and support to Ukraine are at the forefront of our Presidency. And talking about Ukraine, let me say that we are a member state that understands first-hand what invasion and occupation mean. As Presidency, we worked rapidly in the Council, to translate the political decision of the December European Council for the 90 billion loan into legal texts, so that Ukraine would receive the financial assistance required in a timely manner. We achieved an agreement with the European Parliament on the Regulation implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026-2027, to address urgent financial needs. We also put forward a compromise proposal on the 20th sanctions package. Despite the challenges, we continue our outreach and intensive efforts to reach consensus. It is my hope that tomorrow's European Council will bring and allow for a way forward. And on Friday we agreed at the Council for the renewal of sanctions. On defence and security, as Council Presidency, we moved forward with the approval of member states national plans under the SAFE program. At the same time, we are working intensively to conclude the Defence Readiness Omnibus package and to reach a general approach at the June Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) on the Military Mobility Package to strengthen Europe's defence posture by addressing regulatory, infrastructure and capability barriers that slow cross-border military transport. Being able to swiftly and decisively deploy capabilities across Europe is essential to ensure that the Union can respond rapidly and effectively when solidarity must be translated into action. All these steps bring us closer to ensuring that Europe is truly able to give practical meaning to Article 42(7) when it matters most. Effective migration management is also a core dimension of security. Our Presidency is focused on supporting coordinated preparation across member states to ensure that the Migration and Asylum Pact is fully operational by June 2026. In parallel, we are advancing work on the Returns Regulation, with the aim of strengthening the effectiveness of EU return policy. Dear friends, European Strategic Autonomy and competitiveness go hand in hand. As Presidency, we have placed competitiveness at the heart of our mission, organising our work in the Council around the two very important summits on competitiveness - the February retreat and tomorrow's European Council, where we will take specific decisions based on a roadmap with timelines on how to proceed with this dossier in the months and years ahead. In today's interconnected world, the current situation in the Middle East undoubtedly impacts global energy markets and not only, and through that our economies. The volatility of energy prices remains a major concern for citizens, businesses, and industry. As Europe, we must act decisively to address rising energy prices and send a clear message to citizens and industry that we have learned the lessons of the energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago. I am optimistic that the conclusions we will adopt tomorrow will reflect that Europe is now more proactive and better prepared. Beyond the current turmoil in the Middle East, Europe will need a lot more energy in the coming years; for industry, new technologies, artificial intelligence, and data infrastructure, to name a few. This is why I strongly believe that strengthening Europe's energy sovereignty - through a true Energy Union - is a strategic priority. This means accelerating investment in infrastructure and interconnections, and advancing initiatives such as the EU Grids Package, on which the Cyprus Presidency is working with the aim of reaching a Council General Approach by June. Simplification is another key component of competitiveness. It's extremely important for our businesses, citizens, and to attract investment. As Council Presidency, we are working intensively on the omnibus packages presented by the Commission. We aim to complete the Defence Omnibus this semester, and we are ready for trilogues on other packages when the Parliament has adopted its position. We have already achieved a negotiating mandate on one proposal under the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus, and last Friday, a negotiating mandate on the AI proposal under the Digital Omnibus. We also need to address strategic dependencies by diversifying and securing market access. This forms part of the third pillar of our priorities - a Union Open to the World. And here, expanding our network of trade agreements is very, very important. The Mercosur and India Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) were historic successes. One of the earliest deliverables of the Cyprus Presidency was the adoption of two Council decisions authorising the signing of the EU - Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the Interim Trade Agreement between the EU and Mercosur, marking a major step after 25 years of negotiations. We have also advanced important legislative initiatives aimed at enhancing Europe's competitiveness, including the reform of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, which supports Innovation and the Green Transition of industrial sectors. At the same time, we need more FTAs. We must conclude, the soonest possible, FTAs with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - particularly now. This will also allow us to capitalise further on the India FTA, and to give substance to the IMEC corridor, the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor. And we need to resume discussions on implementation of the EU - United States (US) Trade Framework Agreement, which is essential for predictability and market confidence. Despite all the challenges in transatlantic relations, I firmly believe that there is no other path to dialogue. Part of this priority pillar for the Cyprus Presidency is Enlargement. The Union's most successful foreign policy tool in promoting stability, democracy, and prosperity across our continent. And tangible proof that our model works and it is attractive to other countries. Two Intergovernmental Conferences (IGCs) for Montenegro have already taken place and work is underway for the establishment of the ad hoc Working Party for the drafting of the Accession Treaty for Montenegro. At the same time, work on the Interim Benchmark Assessment reports for Albania is progressing, which will pave the way for closing of the first chapters. Front loading of work for Ukraine and Moldova is advancing full speed - yesterday Informal Ministerial Councils took place under our Cyprus Presidency here in Brussels, to present work on three clusters respectively. Our Presidency remains committed to advancing discussions with partners who aspire to join the EU, while ensuring that the enlargement process remains credible, merit-based, and anchored in the Union's fundamental values. The Treaties provide the necessary flexibility. Dear friends, Developments in our region are certainly deeply unsettling. And they remind us in the most alarming manner how fragile stability can be. But they also remind us of something equally important: Europe cannot choose the moment in which it must lead. Leadership actually is required when circumstances are most difficult. And the time for the Union to lead is now. At the helm of the Council is a Presidency, a member state, that deeply believes in the Union's ability to act and to lead, and it embodies that urgency in the way the Presidency is conducted. A Presidency that remains fully committed to its mission, despite the volatility around it, fully implementing its programme. And let me convey this message from this podium: there is normalcy, safety and security in Cyprus. Our economy is one of the highest performing economies in the European Union - with estimated growth for 2026 at 4%, conditions of full employment, unemployment in youth one of the lowest in Europe and public debt in 2026 estimated at approximately 50%. Our country continues to operate normally, and our tourism sector remains fully active. Cyprus, I am proud to say, continues to serve as a reliable hub of stability and connectivity in the Eastern Mediterranean. Dear friends, Crises may shape the moment, but they do not define our direction. Our direction is to be defined by us. And our direction is clear: An Autonomous Union, Open to the World. Thank you. (MPat/AS/LY) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pal Jonson visits Swedish submarine in Poland Government Offices of Sweden Article from Ministry of Defence Published 18 March 2026 During last week's State Visit to Poland, Minister for Defence Pal Jonson visited Gdynia with Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and went on board Swedish submarine HMS Uppland. Sweden and Poland signed a strategic partnership in November 2024. The partnership focuses on increased cooperation on security and defence, economic innovation and competitiveness, strengthening security in the Baltic Sea Region and supporting Ukraine. "Poland and Sweden share a clear understanding of the challenges and threats facing our region, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia. We are therefore in a unique position to work together to strengthen the region's security and deter Russia's aggressive behaviour," says Mr Jonson. Poland has previously decided to purchase three submarines from Sweden, representing a further deepening of bilateral cooperation, both militarily, politically and industrially. The cooperation is now entering a new phase. The submarine visit gave Polish sailors the opportunity to familiarise themselves with Swedish submarine technology and procedures at close quarters. Negotiations on a Polish leasing agreement for the submarine HMS Sodermanland start this month, with the aim of ensuring that Poland maintains its submarine capability while new submarines are developed, and to increase interoperability in the near term. Initially, the majority of the submarine crew will consist of Swedish sailors. Polish sailors will gradually take over positions as training progresses. Sweden also welcomes Poland's impressive modernisation of its defence capabilities. The two countries share the same security environment and assessment of the threats they face. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's Innovation Range for uncrewed systems held in Selija Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 18.03.2026 In Latvia Selija Capabilities NATO Information prepared by Media Relations Section From March 9th to 13th the first NATO Innovation Range for uncrewed system solutions took place at the Selija Military Training Area. The event brought together defence industry companies from NATO member states and Ukraine, as well as military experts and representatives of government institutions. "Selija Military Training is not only a training environment for units of the Latvian National Armed forces and Allied armed forces, but also a unique ecosystem where the latest technologies and innovations meet the military environment. The development of drones and interceptor systems no longer is just a vision for the future - it is a critical necessity today. By conducting these tests in field conditions, we are both identifying the most effective technological solutions and gaining valuable experience for the future," said Minister of Defence Andris Spruds. During NATO's Innovation Range, companies, in cooperation with technical experts from the Autonomous Systems Competence Centre and NATO member states, demonstrated and practically tested the capabilities of their developed technologies under real-life conditions. At the same time, defence experts from NATO countries provided feedback on the readiness of these solutions for practical deployment. This was the first of several NATO Innovation Range events planned for this year. The next one will take place in May during the upcoming international Drone Summit, which is scheduled for May 27th in Riga. NATO's Innovation Range serve as a platform that allows defence technology companies to practically test their developed solutions and demonstrate them to military experts and decision-makers from NATO member states. The growing use of unmanned aerial systems in military operations worldwide means that interceptor systems are becoming an essential element of modern air defence and force protection. Testing campaigns like these help accelerate the development of innovative solutions and their transition into operational use. The Selonia Military Training Area provides a suitable environment for such testing, enabling both high-speed and high-altitude interceptor flights as well as testing of various electronic warfare solutions in an open environment. NATO's Innovation Range for uncrewed systems was organised by the Autonomous Systems Competence Centre, which is responsible for air, land and maritime drones, as well as various counter-drone solutions. The activities of the Autonomous Systems Competence Centre are ensured by the State Centre for Defence Logistics and Procurement, which, by combining innovation, research and procurement expertise, creates a link between the operational needs of the National Armed Forces and the development and implementation of new technologies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Allied Special Operations Forces Command Hosts Deputy Commanders' Conference During Historic DSACEUR Transition NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Mar 18 2026 MONS, Belgium -- Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM) hosted senior NATO leaders for the Allied Command Operations (ACO) Deputy Commanders' (DCOMs') Conference at their headquarters on Mar. 4 to 6, 2026, bringing together deputy commanders from across the Alliance's operational headquarters at a moment of particular significance for NATO's senior military leadership. The gathering coincided with the transition between the outgoing Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), Admiral Sir Keith Blount KCB OBE, and the incoming DSACEUR, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer KCB CBE. The timing provided an opportunity for both leaders to engage directly with the ACO deputy commander community as the Alliance continues to adapt its operational posture to a rapidly evolving security environment. The DCOM Conference serves as a key forum within NATO, enabling deputy commanders across ACO to align priorities, synchronize operational design, and coordinate capability development across the enterprise. Representatives from NATO's Joint Force Commands, component commands, and supporting operational headquarters participate to ensure coherence across the Alliance. Setting the tone for this transition and the urgency of the current strategic environment, the incoming DSACEUR underscored the importance of pace, alignment, and innovation. "The Alliance is in a strategic moment today due to a collision of factors, risks and issues. It is incumbent on all leaders in the Alliance to move our plans and initiatives forward at pace. The world will not wait for us," said incoming DSACEUR Stringer. "So, it was a great privilege to hold my inaugural DCOM Conference here in SOFCOM and to hear what all Commands are doing to improve our Alliance and the innovation and transformation that remains so vibrant in the SOF community. What a time to be DSACEUR; and what a privilege!" Story by Allied SOF Command Public Affairs Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A look at the Defence news 9 - 15 March Netherlands Ministry of Defence News item18-03-2026 | 12:37 The Dutch government has decided to deploy air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen in the Mediterranean. The frigate will be deployed in the eastern part of the Mediterranean from 12 March to early April. HNLMS Evertsen will contribute to the defence of the Carrier Strike Group and the defence of Cyprus and allied territory. Cross-border pursuits of drug-smuggling vessels around St. Maarten The coast guards of St. Maarten and Saint-Martin are now allowed to chase ships suspected of drug trafficking in each other's territorial waters. Last week, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the French Republic signed an agreement to this effect. Minister visits crucial EU training mission for Ukrainian military personnel Last week, Netherlands Minister of Defence Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius visited the EU Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (EUMAM) in Germany, where military personnel from European countries train their Ukrainian colleagues. The minister was informed about the objectives, training and results of the mission. She also spoke with instructors and military personnel involved in the training programmes. Netherlands and other NATO countries test transport of wounded military personnel On 13 March, the five-day international NATO exercise Casualty Move (CAMO)26, held in Berlin, came to a close. During the exercise, military personnel practised the safe and efficient transport of large numbers of casualties from the front line back to their home nations. CAMO26 was a computer-controlled exercise, which means that it was conducted without using mock casualties. New cutters strengthen Caribbean Coast Guard Last week, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence and Damen Workboats signed a contract to build 3 medium-sized patrol vessels for the Caribbean Coast Guard. The patrol vessels, better known as cutters, will replace the current vessels in the Caribbean, which have been in service for more than 25 years. The new patrol vessels are expected to become operational in early 2029. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Peru: UN experts concerned by release of former military officer convicted of murder in the context of crimes against humanity Press releases Special Procedures 18 March 2026 GENEVA -- UN experts* today expressed deep concern over the ruling by Peru's Constitutional Court that ordered the release of a former military officer convicted of the 1988 murder of journalist, Hugo Bustios. In 2023, former brigadier general Daniel Urresti Elera had been convicted of murder with aggravating circumstances in the context of crimes against humanity. His conviction was upheld by Peru's Supreme Court of Justice in 2024. However, on 6 February 2026, the Constitutional Court overturned the conviction and ordered his release, which took place on 3 March 2026. "The overturning of the conviction and punishment imposed against the former military impedes access to justice and accountability for serious human rights violations, in contravention of Peru's international obligations," the experts said. In its ruling, the Constitutional Court argued that the internal statutes of limitations applicable to the murder of Bustios had expired. "While it is important to ensure that justice operates in accordance with the principle of criminal legality, we recall that international law strictly prohibits the statutes of limitations for crimes against humanity and serious human rights violations. Peru cannot apply the statutes of limitations applicable in domestic law to ordinary criminal offenses when these have been committed in a context of crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations," the experts said. "The non-applicability of statutes of limitations to crimes against humanity is a peremptory norm of international law. This means that no State may contravene it by arguing the application of its domestic law," they added. The court also argued that the murder could not be classified as a crime against humanity, as the events took place before Peru ratified the Rome Statute. "The Rome Statute does not codify or create an obligation to punish crimes against humanity. That obligation was confirmed in 1968 with the adoption of the Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity, and at least since then it constitutes jus cogens, that is a mandatory and non-derogable norm for all States," the experts clarified. "We reject as invalid the argument that limits its application to the dates of ratification by Peru of the Statute or the Convention." They expressed serious concern about the alleged pressure exerted on justice officials to apply the statute of limitations to crimes against humanity committed before 2002. "We call on authorities to refrain from any action that undermines the independence of judges and prosecutors, particularly with regard to Peru's international obligations to apply international human rights standards," they said. The experts have been in contact with the relevant authorities. *The experts: Bernard Duhaime , Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence , Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence Morris Tidball-Binz , Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions , Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Margaret Satterthwaite , Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers , Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Gabriella Citroni (Chair-Rapporteur), Grazyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Balde, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Perez and Mohamed Al Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH needs larger MRF fleet to defend territory Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno March 18, 2026, 3:02 pm MANILA -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines' vast territory requires it to have a large fleet of "multi-role fighters" (MRFs) to fully protect it from hostile intruders. "May minimum impact quantity kung mag-order ka. Hindi naman puedeng umorder ka ngayon ng konti, susunod mo ng ilan taon, dahil ang presyo nung ay tritriple. May minimum force size na kailangan (There is a so-called minimum impact quantity needed if you are ordering such assets. You cannot contract for a few, and order again a few years later as the price for this kind of equipment will triple)," he said in an exclusive interview with select reporters Tuesday. And for the Philippines, a minimum force requirement of 40 MRFs is needed, although Teodoro said the number is still small. "Ang force size na hinihingi namin ay 40 pero kung titingnan niyo, maliit pa din yun (The force size we are asking is 40 but if you look at it, it still small," he said, noting that other countries have MRF force size orders ranging from 100 to 220 units. Asked if he is okay with increasing this proposal to 75 MRFs, which is equivalent to an air wing, Teodoro said he is amenable to this. "Sana. Ang Thailand (umorder ng) 100, nagdagdag pa ata ng 50 (I hope so. Thailand, I think, ordered 100 and added another 50)," he said. Teodoro vowed to expedite the program if and when funding is approved and released for a "sufficient quantity" of MRFs. "Kung i-release sa akin iyong pera, mabilis pa yan sa alas-kuwatro (Once the funds are released, that will be done quickly)," he said. Earlier, Teodoro said he wants the proposed MRF program to proceed as a full package with "airborne warning and control system" (AWACS) and aerial tankers for mid-air refueling platforms. Having these platforms, he said, would ensure that the MRF program, once acquisition is completed, is "operational as a force package." AWACS are generally large aircraft fitted with airborne radars capable of early warning and detecting aircraft, ships, vehicles, and missiles at long range. It is also used to direct friendly fighter and attack aircraft regarding specific targets and serve airborne radar pickets or surveillance assets. Aside from these aircraft, Teodoro said, the Philippines also needs tanker aircraft for its proposed MRFs for sustainment purposes, as this capability will extend the aircraft's range. Aerial tankers are large aircraft capable of transferring fuel to fighter and attack aircraft through a probe-and-drogue system. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia Calls For Unity As US-Allied Divide Grows Over Hormuz Crisis By Alex Raufoglu March 18, 2026 WASHINGTON -- Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has called for unity between the United States and its European allies as US President Donald Trump signals frustration with NATO members after several resisted his calls to help Washington during its military action in Iran. The dispute, driven by a deepening confrontation with Iran and rising global energy prices, is quickly becoming a broader test of transatlantic cohesion -- and of how the alliance responds to crises beyond its traditional scope. Trump voiced frustration on March 17 after most NATO allies reportedly declined requests to deploy naval assets, including minesweepers and escorts, to secure commercial shipping through the narrow waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of global maritime energy supplies. Pevkur told RFE/RL that Tallinn is ready to discuss options with the United States and other allies, emphasizing that cooperation, not division, is critical. "We are ready to discuss what the options are to solve the situation in the Middle East and also to ensure free trade," he said in an interview in Washington on March 17. The Trump administration's push comes as Iran's blockade -- using mines, drones, and naval forces -- has effectively shut down the strait, sending oil prices above $100 per barrel and pushing US gasoline prices to their highest levels in months. Divisions on Capitol Hill The dispute also has put a spotlight on political divisions on Capitol Hill. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has backed the administration's position, warning that allies' reluctance could have "wide and deep" consequences for both Europe and the United States. He described the situation as deeply frustrating and said it raises broader questions about the reliability of alliances in moments of crisis. Democrats, however, urged a more cautious approach. Senator Dick Durbin told RFE/RL that while NATO -- established in 1949 to collectively defend against the Soviet Union, of which Estonia was once a part of -- is being tested, it remains indispensable. "We need to embrace our allies and build on our friendship," he said. "We don't need to find ways to divide us." In key European capitals, many have made clear they won't participate in efforts to reopen the strait while active hostilities continue. French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris would "never" take part in such operations under the current conditions, emphasizing that France is not a party to the conflict. But at the same time, he indicated France and other European countries could contribute to escorting commercial shipping once the situation "has calmed down." Germany has taken a similarly cautious position. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressed that the crisis cannot be resolved through military means alone, reflecting broader European concerns about escalation and long-term entanglement. Behind the reluctance is also a practical concern: that European navies could become responsible for a prolonged security mission in the Gulf, effectively policing the strait after the immediate crisis subsides. While Western Europe hesitates, some allies on NATO's eastern flank are signaling a more open approach. Pevkur framed the crisis not only as a security issue but as a global economic one. "The situation in the Middle East affects oil, gas, fertilizers -- everything," he said, noting that rising costs will impact farmers, industries, and consumers worldwide. "At the end of the day, this affects every citizen." He repeatedly stressed that unity within NATO is essential, warning divisions would benefit Russia, especially in its war against Ukraine, which has for more than four years depended on the support of Europe, the United States, and other Western allies to try to keep Moscow at bay. "This is the time to build bridges, and we cannot lose our unity," he said. "Russia has always wanted to divide us." According to Pevkur, rising energy prices linked to the Hormuz crisis will strengthen Moscow's position against Ukraine beyond the economic benefits of increased revenues from oil sales. "When they see cracks in our unity, they are only winning," he said. "When one ally is asking for support, allies should come together and see what we can do," he said. He also stressed the importance of continued vigilance toward Russia, even as attention shifts to the Middle East. "The threat is always there," he said, adding that while a full-scale war with NATO is unlikely, allies must remain alert and maintain close cooperation. A Coalition Problem, Not Just a Policy Dispute Veteran US diplomat Daniel Fried said the current impasse between Washington and NATO reflects both shifting European positions and the difficulty of assembling a coalition for a complex, fast-moving crisis. Speaking to RFE/RL, Fried, a former assistant secretary of state whose career spanned seven US administrations, said European governments had initially signaled an openness to limited military involvement. He pointed to a March 1 statement by Britain, France, and Germany indicating they would consider supporting defensive actions against Iran, including countering missile and drone attacks -- a position he described as relatively forward-leaning. Since then, however, several countries have ruled out participating in naval operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting what Fried called a degree of movement "back and forth" in Europe's stance. At the same time, he said the situation is not fixed. "It's not clear to me that the Europeans are completely opposed," Fried said, noting that some countries -- including Estonia and potentially others -- have signaled openness to discussions about possible contributions. He said European reluctance reflects a combination of political, strategic, and practical considerations, including the risks of escalation, public opinion at home, and uncertainty about the scope and duration of any mission. Even so, Fried argued that European interests are directly engaged, arguing it is "in everybody's interest" to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and defend Gulf states against Iranian attacks, particularly given earlier European signals of willingness to take on a role in the region. He suggested European governments could still look for ways to contribute, particularly in defensive roles or limited missions consistent with their earlier positions. Fried also stressed that any such effort would not formally be a NATO operation. Without invoking Article 5, he said, the more likely framework would be a "coalition of the willing," with individual countries participating on a voluntary basis rather than through the alliance as a whole. "I think they ought to see what's possible and what they could do," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/estonia-unity-us- allies-divide-hormuz-nato-russia-trump/33709832.html Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Information Romania - Ministry of National Defence Press release No. 52 18.03.2026 The Ministry of National Defence surveillance systems detected, on the evening of March 17, the signals of a drone in the vicinity of the national airspace, in the north of Tulcea County. The target was reported approximately 20 km north of Valcove. In this context, at 19:17, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations sent a RO-Alert message to inform the population in the northern area of Tulcea County. Two Romanian Air Force F-16 aircraft were scrambled from the 86th Air Base in Fetesti, at 19:22. to monitor the situation. The air defence systems are on alert and are ready to intervene, depending on the development of the situation. The Press Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on the presidential election in the Republic of the Congo 18 March 2026 15:15 392-18-03-2026 The Republic of the Congo held a presidential election on March 15. Judging by the preliminary results, the incumbent head of state, Denis Sassou Nguesso, won the election with approximately 94 percent of the vote. According to African election observers, the vote took place in a calm atmosphere, and no serious violations were reported that could have affected the free expression of the popular will. The election demonstrated the commitment of the Congolese people to pursuing economic wellbeing and steady socioeconomic development. Russia welcomes the outcome of the presidential election in the Republic of the Congo and wishes the friendly Congolese nation every success in its progress towards democracy and in asserting its national interests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ranking Member Shaheen, Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Issue Statement on OSCE Report on Human Rights Abuses in Georgia Senate Foreign Relations Committee March 18, 2026 WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Commission, along with Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Co-Chairman, and Steve Cohen (D-TN), Ranking Member, issued a statement following the release of the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism report on Georgia. The Moscow Mechanism allows OSCE participating states to establish short-term fact-finding missions to address a specific human rights concern in another member state. Last week, the OSCE published a report describing the ruling Georgian Dream party's violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in Georgia since spring 2024. "The OSCE Moscow Mechanism report is clear: Georgian Dream is robbing the Georgian people of their hard-won freedom and turning their country into an isolated, authoritarian state. We call on U.S. officials to join with our European partners to use sanctions and other available tools to insist that Georgian authorities heed the recommendations in this report. We must demand that they release all political prisoners, drop politically motivated charges against opposition politicians and repeal undemocratic and unjust laws." The Moscow Mechanism report, released on March 10, 2026, details Georgian authorities' inhumane treatment of protestors, political prisoners and other dissenters. Key findings include: On unjust prosecutions of protestors : "...proceedings against the protesters tend to progress swiftly and result in harsh sanctions, while the investigations against those allegedly engaged in violence against them, including the security forces, stall." : "...proceedings against the protesters tend to progress swiftly and result in harsh sanctions, while the investigations against those allegedly engaged in violence against them, including the security forces, stall." On the abuse of protestors, political opposition, and journalists : "The Rapporteur could discern a pattern of violence and other abuses against protesters, leaders of political opposition and journalists (in some instances the violence has arguably reached the threshold of torture), combined with almost complete impunity of perpetrators of those abuses." : "The Rapporteur could discern a pattern of violence and other abuses against protesters, leaders of political opposition and journalists (in some instances the violence has arguably reached the threshold of torture), combined with almost complete impunity of perpetrators of those abuses." On public intimidation of journalists: "The public television is engaged in smear campaigns against some journalists of independent media. There are reports of apparently civilian violent groups which help police to chase, harass and attack journalists." Read the full report here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 18 March 2026 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. ** Guests Good afternoon, everyone. In a short while, you will hear from our guests, Rob Syfret, Chief of the Mine Action Programme in Ethiopia, and Mohammad Sediq Rashid, the Chief of the Mine Action Programme in Sudan. Rob will be here in person, and Sediq will join us virtually from Khartoum. They will discuss the work under way in those two countries. ** Guest Tomorrow Tomorrow, my guest will be UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Representative Bhanu Neupane. He will be here to speak to you about the launch of the UN World Water Development Report for 2026. ** Secretary-General's Travels The Secretary-General arrived in Brussels earlier this morning for a series of meetings, including with European Union officials. He met earlier this afternoon with Maxime Prevot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of Belgium. The Secretary-General then began his meetings with European Union officials, starting with Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament. The Secretary-General and the President discussed the partnership between the United Nations and the European Union. The Secretary-General thanked the President for the European Parliament's support for the United Nations and its activities. The Secretary-General briefed the President on the reform process and the challenging financial situation faced by the United Nations. They also discussed a number of crises around the world, including the situation in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Secretary-General will travel to the seat of the European Commission for discussions with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. And later, the Secretary-General will meet with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and also have a working dinner with Mr. Costa. ** Afghanistan-Pakistan The Secretary-General strongly condemns the airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 16 March, which reportedly resulted in the death and injury of civilians at a hospital. The Secretary-General recalls that under international humanitarian law, patients, medical personnel and medical facilities, including hospitals, must be respected and protected at all times. He calls for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident. The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wishes a swift recovery to those injured. He reiterates his call for de-escalation and the immediate cessation of hostilities and urges all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians. The Secretary-General urges the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means and dialogue, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. ** Afghanistan Also on Afghanistan, our OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) colleagues note that the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan has entered its third week, with no sign of abating. Between 6 March and yesterday, airstrikes and cross-border attacks have impacted at least ten of Afghanistan's provinces, including Kabul. Across Afghanistan, displacement is on the rise. Our partners tell us that 115,000 people have been forced to flee and more than 300 shelters have been destroyed or damaged. People who've been displaced need shelter, water, health services and food. According to our partners, around 160,000 people are facing deteriorating food security. The World Food Programme (WFP) has distributed high-energy biscuits to more than 3,300 households, with plans to provide two months of food assistance, largely through cash-based transfers. Health services are under severe strain. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 25 health facilities have closed or suspended operations, including ten damaged by airstrikes. WHO has deployed 4.5 metric tons of medical supplies and trauma kits, while UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) say they have supplies sufficient to treat more than 50,000 emergency cases. Still, shortages persist, with more than 70 containers of health supplies delayed due to border closures. Our humanitarian colleagues also note that the escalating conflict in Iran and the wider region has increased uncertainty for humanitarian logistics, effectively pausing the Iran transit route that our partners had explored as an alternative supply corridor. Border crossings with Pakistan remain largely closed, disrupting supply chains and leaving humanitarian cargo stranded. OCHA calls for safe and sustained humanitarian access, protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law. Additional humanitarian funding is also urgently required to sustain the response. ** United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon We are deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation between Lebanon and Israel. Our UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeepers report heavy exchanges of fire, intensified air and ground activity, and increased presence of Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory. Also concerning are renewed "evacuation orders" from conflicting actors affecting civilians on both sides of the Blue Line. A high concentration of airstrikes was reported in Sector East, particularly near Taibe. A high volume of rockets and projectiles was reported from various launch points within the Area of Operation, as well as a high volume of trajectories from south to north of the Blue Line. UNIFIL has observed a sustained and heavy presence of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) across the Area of Operation. In Sector East, the military concentration was most pronounced near Khyam and Sarda and extended to Adeisse. In Sector West, significant Israeli Defence Forces troop and vehicle movements were also recorded, particularly south-west of Aytarun. We continue to call for de-escalation and urge all sides to avail themselves of diplomatic channels and recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. ** Lebanon OCHA reports that we and our humanitarian partners, in close coordination with the Government of Lebanon, continue to scale up assistance, providing food, shelter, water, medical care, and nutrition support to families forced to flee their homes. Overnight and into the early morning, Israeli strikes on central Beirut reportedly caused additional casualties. A multi-storey building in the neighbourhood of Bashoura collapsed after being hit. Residential areas in the neighbourhoods of Zoqaq al-Blat and Basta were also struck. More than 1 million people are now displaced, including 367,000 children that's nearly one third of the displaced. Attacks on healthcare continue. Earlier today, authorities reported significant damage sustained by three Government hospitals following Israeli strikes, injuring healthcare workers. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and their partners distributed thousands of mattresses, sleeping mats, blankets, solar lamps and other supplies across collective sites in all of Lebanon's governorates. UNICEF and its partners have distributed thousands of hygiene and menstrual hygiene kits to shelters, as well as hundreds of thousands of litres of clean water. On the nutrition front, our partners have reached nearly 8,000 children under the age of five, adolescent girls, and pregnant and breastfeeding women with nutritional supplies for one month. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory In Gaza, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) successfully collected more than 400,000 litres of fuel yesterday, while [the] UN and our partners working in water, sanitation and hygiene collected seven truckloads of supplies from Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem, which remains the only operational crossing into Gaza. While the recent Israeli announcement that Rafah will reopen has not yet been implemented, the UN stands ready to resume medical evacuations and support people returning to Gaza as soon as those movements are allowed again. We will also keep calling for more crossings to open for cargo. Despite the limited supplies, over the past week, our partners leading on shelter delivered to more than 2,200 families, over 11,000 people, across Gaza. These supplies included emergency shelter kits, which include rope, nails, measuring tape, pots, pans and plates. However, our partners say that stocks of tents, bedding items and other essential supplies are depleting rapidly. Some partners have turned to the local market to buy what they can, including clothing, bedding and basic kitchen items, directly from vendors, whose own capacity is already stretched thin. This is not sustainable, as both the humanitarian and the commercial sectors are subject to the same bottleneck at the Kerem Shalom crossing. We continue to call for safe, unhindered humanitarian access to ensure that those in need receive the support they urgently need. ** Syria/Security Council This morning, the Security Council held an open briefing on Syria. Deputy Special Envoy Claudio Cordone said his Office, with international partners, continues to support an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition and the institutions needed to sustain it. He welcomed discussions with Syria's Foreign Minister Shaibani, noting ongoing talks on cooperation with the Government. He hopes to soon report an agreement to the Council, including on relocating the Mission to Damascus. For her part, Ms. Joyce Msuya, Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, warned that the war's repercussions are rippling across the region. More than 140,000 people have fled from Lebanon to Syria, most of them Syrian nationals, accelerating returns by about 30 per cent. She urged the Council to ensure sustained diplomacy to resolve flashpoints and create conditions for safe return and recovery, continued humanitarian aid as recovery efforts scale up, and sustained investment in recovery and development. She added that the humanitarian community is delivering aid as efficiently as possible despite significant funding shortfalls. ** Yemen Turning to Yemen, we and our humanitarian partners today released this year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the country. Humanitarian needs continue to be driven higher by conflict, economic decline, displacement, disease outbreaks and climate shocks. Overall, over 22 million people, more than half the population, need humanitarian assistance. This year's plan seeks $2.16 billion to provide life-saving aid to 12 million people across Yemen, including over 9 million people facing extreme hunger, severe malnutrition, displacement, disease risk or lack of basic services. Hunger remains severe, with more than 18 million people facing acute food insecurity. More than 2 million children under five years old are acutely malnourished. Essential services are collapsing, with nearly 40 per cent of health facilities only partly functioning or closed. Our colleagues stress that to be able to do their work and support most vulnerable people, humanitarian access must be unhindered. Aid workers and assets must be protected. OCHA says that humanitarian action alone is not enough. Progress will depend on restoring essential services, reviving livelihoods and strengthening resilience, underpinned by a Yemeni-led political solution. ** Somalia From Somalia, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that a recent surge in the prices of fuel and essential goods is worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis and hampering humanitarian operations in the country. Fuel prices have doubled in recent days, from $0.60 to $1.50 per litre, a more than 100 per cent increase, largely due to the impact of the escalation in the Middle East, according to authorities and our partners. Our humanitarian colleagues note that these rising costs are driving up the prices of food and water, while transport costs for humanitarian operations have doubled. Somalia imports more than 90 per cent of its essential commodities. Shipments of nutrition items, medicine, water and sanitation materials, and other critical supplies are facing delays. Our humanitarian colleagues add that the country is already experiencing severe drought, with at least 6.5 million Somalis facing high levels of hunger and more than 1.8 million children facing acute malnutrition. The drought, which has been ongoing since late last year, has impacted nearly 5 million people. This is a quarter of all people in the country. Funding gaps are holding back the response, despite the UN and our partners having the capacity to do more. This year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan seeks $852 million to support 2.4 million people, but so far has received just 11 per cent, or $97 million, of what we need. ** Colombia Turning to Colombia, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us the humanitarian situation there continue to deteriorate amid armed violence, severe movement restrictions and repeated climate shocks. Our humanitarian colleagues warn that with up to a 70 per cent chance of above-normal rainfall in April, the risk of new emergencies is rising. Last year, disasters impacted 1 million people, destroyed more than 3,000 homes, displaced over 20,000 people and left more than 330,000 people in need of aid. In response to recent flooding in Cordoba, in Colombia's north, we, along with our partners, are coordinating with authorities on the Government-led response. Food, cash and hygiene supplies, among other items, have been distributed to people in the most impacted areas. Our humanitarian colleagues also note that last year more than 1.6 million people were impacted by violence three times more than the previous year. This includes more than 150,000 people whose movements were restricted and nearly 100,000 people who were displaced, the highest levels recorded since OCHA's monitoring began in 2008. Also last year, humanitarian operations were increasingly hindered, with more than 400 such incidents affecting more than 1.6 million people. This year, we and our partners are calling for $287 million to reach 1.2 million of the people most in need. ** Child Mortality Our colleagues at UNICEF have published a new report on child mortality, which says that deaths of children under five have fallen by more than half since 2000. However, the report adds that since 2015, the pace of reduction in child mortality has slowed by more than 60 per cent. In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns. UNICEF says that most of these deaths are preventable with proven, low-cost interventions and access to quality healthcare. For the first time, the report estimates deaths directly caused by severe acute malnutrition, finding that more than 100,000 children aged 1 to 59 months died from it in 2024. Some of the countries with the highest numbers of direct malnutrition deaths include Pakistan, Somalia and Sudan. To accelerate progress and save lives, UNICEF calls on Governments, donors and partners to make child survival a political and financing priority, to focus on those at highest risk, strengthen accountability and invest in primary healthcare systems. The full report is online. ** IMO The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will hold an Extraordinary Session of its Council to address the impacts on shipping and seafarers of the situation in the Arabian Sea, the Sea of Oman and the Gulf region, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The session will be held today and tomorrow at IMO headquarters in London. The Council is the Executive Organ of IMO, consisting of 40 member States, elected by the IMO Assembly. ** Financial Contribution We have a quiz for you today well, actually three. There are three new full payments to the [regular] budget. In 2011, this country skipped a day, 30 December, by moving from the East to the West side of the international date line to better align with trading partners, making it one of the first countries to see the sunrise instead of the last. It is also the birthplace of tattooing: The word "tattoo" is believed to originate from the word "tatau". The traditional tattoo, a rite of passage, is applied by hand using bone or wood tools. Any guesses? Samoa. The second. This country had the world's first female Prime Minister: Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first female Prime Minister in 1960. [response: "Sri Lanka!"] Sri Lanka, you got it. And last, this country is one of only two "doubly landlocked" countries in the world. The other doubly landlocked country is Liechtenstein. In this country, they have a unique greeting: Traditionally, men shake hands, but to greet a woman from this country, it is customary to bow with the right hand placed over the heart. It's Uzbekistan. We thank our friends in Apia, Colombo and Tashkent for their full payments to the Regular Budget. The payments from Samoa, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan bring the number of fully paid-up Member States to 90. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : All right. Some questions before we get to our guests. Yes, Edie? Question : Thank you, Farhan. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on the announcement of a suspension of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan for the Eid holiday? Deputy Spokesman : Yes. That's a welcome development. As I said at the start of the briefing, the Secretary-General has called for de-escalation and the immediate cessation of hostilities and for parties to comply with international law. So this is in line with that, and we hope that the suspension during Eid will be extended. Question : And on Cuba, is the United Nations involved at all in trying to help ease the fuel crisis? Deputy Spokesman : We are in discussions with a number of countries and parties to see what can be done to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground in Cuba. I gave you some details in recent days about our humanitarian concerns about the situation on the ground, and we'll continue to follow up with different Governments. We'll provide details once we can. Pam, and then Abdelhamid. Question : Thank you, Farhan. The EU high representative spoke about discussing with the SG a plan for a UN-based initiative to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, patterned after the Black Sea initiative. Is Secretary-General in Brussels going to speak to [Kaja] Kallas? And is that plan moving forward? Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : I don't have anything to share with you at a specific plan. What I can tell you is the Secretary-General has been talking with all of the major parties involved in the region and beyond in terms of dealing with the humanitarian impact and the economic impact of the situation caused by this conflict, and he'll continue to pursue those contacts. Abdelhamid? Question : Thank you, Farhan. I have three questions. So, the first is that Israel has targeted the largest gas installation in Iran. The Revolutionary Guard is now threatening that it will retaliate. Do you have any comment on that? Deputy Spokesman : You've heard what we've had to say about the need to avoid attacking nonmilitary targets. We want to make sure that all of the parties involved see sites that are civilian infrastructure as off limits. Question : Do you condemn attacking this gas... [cross-talk] Deputy Spokesman : Yes. We're opposed to all such attacks, yes. Question : My second question about Western Sahara. I mean, the few congressmen trying to table a motion in the Congress labelling Frente Polisario as a terrorist organization. Do you think that will help or derail the negotiations going on between the four groups led by the Washington itself? Deputy Spokesman : As you know, the UN has regarded the Frente Polisario as one of the key parties involved in the Western Sahara conflict, and we continue to deal with them, as we do with the Governments of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and other involved regional parties. Question : My last question about Cuba again. President [Donald] Trump said that he's planning to depose President [Miguel] Diaz in Cuba by the end of the year. Any comment on that? Deputy Spokesman : Our position across the board is that all nations are sovereign entities and that the leadership in each nation needs to be chosen by the people of that nation. Gabriel? Question : Thanks Farhan. Do you have any update on the investigation into the attack on UNIFIL from about a week ago? Deputy Spokesman : What I can say about that is UNIFIL's investigation is still under way and will take some time to complete fully. Once complete, a summary of the results will be shared with the parties, following usual practice. There are a number of technical elements that contribute to a broad and comprehensive investigation. Question : And a follow-up to one of Abdelhamid's questions. In response to the Israeli attack on the oil and gas field in Iran, Iran has now ordered or said that people should evacuate from oil and gas sites in Saudi Arabia, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Qatar, because Iran says "they will potentially attack sites in those countries in the coming hours", end quote. What specifically is the SG's message to Iran in terms of any sort of retaliation in the Gulf? Deputy Spokesman : Well, it's clear, as I just told Abdelhamid, that we want all civilian infrastructure in all countries to be off limits and that, of course, includes the ones that you've just mentioned. Beyond that, as you know, I would refer you to the need by Iran to comply with resolution 2817 that was passed by the Security Council. Yes? Question : Thank you, Farhan. Perhaps piggybacking on my colleague's question about top State officials. Yesterday, you mentioned in your briefing on the killing of Iranian official Ali Larijani that the UN was "not aware that it had in fact happened at the time". Now that the report is confirmed and given the Secretary-General's renewed position that there is no military solution to the conflict, is the SG prepared to issue a statement condemning the assassination of Ali Larijani, along with the recent confirmed death of Iranian intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib, both reportedly resulting from Israeli airstrikes? Deputy Spokesman : First of all, as a point of principle, the United Nations is opposed to anything that could constitute extrajudicial execution, and that's true in all such cases. But beyond that, we do not believe that there is a military solution to this problem, and we reiterate our call to Israel, to the United States, to Iran and any other parties to avoid any further escalation of this conflict. Yes, please? Question : Thank you so much for having me here. My name is Iqbal Mahmud, and I'm working for Time Television New York. So, I have one question over the recent issues in Bangladesh. You know, Bangladesh recently held two elections on the same day, the national parliament election and a referendum to reform the constitution. But after winning the parliamentary election and forming the Government, the BNP-led present Government refused to implement the referendum verdict. That means they will not implement the verdict of the people to change the system left by the previous fascist Government. Do you think that Bangladesh has starting to follow the path of fascism again? And will they even make any call so that the Bangladesh Government takes the initiative to implement the verdict given by the people through the referendum? And I'm asking this question as because the country is going to face a big crisis when all the opposition parties have already declared to go for a massive movement demanding the implementation of referendum verdict. Deputy Spokesman : Regarding the referendum, we hope that all of the constitutional processes of Bangladesh will be followed and that all parties will respect the constitutional process. Islam? Islam, online? Question : Yes. Hi! Deputy Spokesman : Hi! Question : Hi! Farhan. Thank you. Thanks. I have a question. UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon yesterday said at the UN Security Council "Lebanon would be spared from the fires burning across the region, if Hizbullah didn't launch an attack against Israel on 2 March." Does the SG align with this approach, which refers as if the recent conflict in Lebanon started on 2 March and sort of ignoring the facts that Israel has violated the ceasefire and the UN resolution hundreds of times before 2 March? Deputy Spokesman : As you know, we have been documenting all violations of the Blue Line and of resolution 1701, including by the Israeli Defense Forces and by Hizbullah, and that remains a matter of record. For us, the important point is not how this latest phase of fighting started, but how it can be ended. And we implore all parties to go back to respecting the ceasefire and resolution 1701. And with that, let me turn to our guests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Afghanistan, Yemen, Colombia, Somalia UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Lebanon Displacement rises amid strikes as aid scale-up continues The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the UN and its humanitarian partners, in close coordination with the Government, continue to scale up assistance in Lebanon, providing food, shelter, water, medical care, and nutrition support to families forced to flee their homes. As of last night, according to the Ministry of Public Health, 912 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, with more than 2,200 others injured. Overnight and into the early morning, Israeli strikes on central Beirut reportedly caused additional casualties. A multi-story building in the neighbourhood of Bashoura collapsed after being hit. Residential areas in the neighbourhoods of Zoqaq al-Blat and Basta were also struck. More than one million people are now displaced, including 367,000 children -nearly one third of the displaced. Today, the Israel Defense Forces instructed civilians to move north of the Zahrani River, after having issued displacement orders for the southern city of Tyre, including nearby Palestinian refugee camps. Attacks on healthcare continue. Earlier today, authorities reported significant damage sustained by three government hospitals following Israeli strikes, injuring healthcare workers. The UN Refugee Agency and its partners distributed thousands of mattresses, sleeping mats, blankets, solar lamps and other supplies across collective sites in all of Lebanon's governorates. UNICEF and its partners distributed thousands of hygiene and menstrual hygiene kits to shelters, as well as hundreds of thousands of litres of clean water. More than 350,000 litres of fuel have been provided to sustain public water supply services. On the nutrition front, partners have reached nearly 8,000 children under the age of five, adolescent girls, and pregnant and breastfeeding women with nutritional supplies for one month. Occupied Palestinian Territory Aid workers deliver amid tightening restrictions In Gaza, the UN and its partners continue to deliver critical assistance, despite shrinking supplies due to increased restrictions since the regional escalation began. Yesterday, the UN Office for Project Services successfully collected more than 400,000 liters of fuel, while the UN and partners working in water, sanitation and hygiene collected seven truckloads of supplies from Kerem Shalom, which remains the only operational crossing into Gaza. While the recent Israeli announcement that Rafah will reopen has not yet been implemented, the UN stands ready to resume medical evacuations and support people returning to Gaza as soon as these movements are allowed again. The UN will continue to call for more crossings to open for cargo. Despite the limited supplies, over the past week, partners leading on shelter delivered to more than 2,200 families - over 11,000 people - across Gaza. These supplies included emergency shelter kits, which include rope, nails, measuring tape, pots, pans and plates. However, humanitarians say that stocks of tents, bedding items, and other essential supplies are depleting rapidly. Some partners have turned to the local market to buy what they can - clothing, bedding, basic kitchen items - directly from vendors whose own capacity is already stretched thin. This is not a sustainable solution, as both the humanitarian and the commercial sectors are subject to the same bottleneck at Kerem Shalom. OCHA and its humanitarian partners continue to call for safe, unhindered humanitarian access to ensure that those in need receive the support they urgently need. Afghanistan Cross-border conflict drives displacement, strains essential services Turning to Afghanistan, OCHA says that the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan has entered its third week, with no sign of abating. Between 6 and 17 March, airstrikes and cross-border attacks have affected at least ten of Afghanistan's provinces, including Kabul. Airstrikes on Monday struck multiple locations across Afghanistan, including a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul - the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital - with casualty figures still being verified. Across Afghanistan, displacement is on the rise. Partners have reported 115,000 people have been forced to flee and more than 300 shelters have been destroyed or damaged. People who have been displaced need shelter, water, health services and food. According to partners, around 160,000 people are facing deteriorating food security. The World Food Programme has distributed high-energy biscuits to more than 3,300 households, with plans to provide two months of food assistance, largely through cash-based transfers. Health services are under severe strain. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 25 health facilities have closed or suspended operations, including ten damaged by airstrikes. WHO has deployed 4.5 metric tons of medical supplies and trauma kits, while UNICEF reports they have supplies sufficient to treat more than 50,000 emergency cases. Still, shortages persist, with more than 70 containers of health supplies delayed due to border closures. The escalating conflict in Iran and the wider region has increased uncertainty for humanitarian logistics, effectively pausing the Iran transit route that humanitarians had explored as an alternative supply corridor. Border crossings with Pakistan remain largely closed, disrupting supply chains and leaving humanitarian cargo stranded. OCHA calls for safe and sustained humanitarian access, protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law. Additional humanitarian funding is also urgently required to sustain the response. Yemen UN, partners call for $2 billion to reach millions with life-saving aid The UN and humanitarian partners today released this year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Yemen. Humanitarian needs continue to be driven higher by conflict, economic decline, displacement, disease outbreaks and climate shocks. Overall, just over 22 million people - more than half the population - need humanitarian assistance. This year's plan seeks $2.16 billion to provide life-saving aid to 12 million people across Yemen, including just over 9 million people facing extreme hunger, severe malnutrition, displacement, disease risk or lack of basic services. Hunger remains severe, with more than 18 million people facing acute food insecurity. More than 2 million children under five years old are acutely malnourished. Essential services are collapsing, with nearly 40 per cent of health facilities only partly functioning or closed. stress that to be able to do their work and support most vulnerable people, humanitarian access must be unhindered. Aid workers and assets must be protected. OCHA says that humanitarian action alone is not enough. Progress will depend on restoring essential services, reviving livelihoods and strengthening resilience, underpinned by a Yemeni-led political solution. Colombia Violence, climate shocks deepen humanitarian needs OCHA reports that the humanitarian situation in Colombia continues to deteriorate amid armed violence, severe movement restrictions and repeated climate shocks. With up to a 70 per cent chance of above-normal rain fall in April, the risk of new emergencies is rising. Last year, disasters affected one million people, destroyed more than 3,000 homes, displaced over 20,000 people and left more than 330,000 people in need of aid. In response to recent flooding in Cordoba, in Colombia's north, the UN and humanitarian partners are coordinating with authorities on the Government-led response. Food, cash and hygiene supplies, among other items, have been distributed to people in the most affected areas. Last year, more than 1.6 million people were impacted by violence - three times more than the previous year - including more than 150,000 people whose movements were restricted and nearly 100,000 people who were displaced, the highest levels recorded since OCHA's monitoring began in 2008. Also last year, humanitarian operations were increasingly hindered, with more than 400 such incidents affecting over 1.6 million people. This year, partners are calling for $287 million to reach 1.2 million of the people most in need. Somalia Price surge, drought worsens an already severe crisis Recent surge in the prices of fuel and essential goods is worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis and hampering humanitarian operations in Somalia. Fuel prices have doubled in recent days - from $0.60 to $1.50 per litre, or a more than 100 per cent increase - largely due to the impact of the escalation in the Middle East, according to authorities and partners. These rising costs are driving up the prices of food and water, while transport costs for humanitarian operations have doubled. Somalia imports more than 90 per cent of its essential commodities. Shipments of nutrition items, medicine, water and sanitation materials, and other critical supplies are facing delays. The country is already experiencing severe drought, with at least 6.5 million Somalis facing high levels of hunger and more than 1.8 million children facing acute malnutrition. The drought, which has been ongoing since late last year and has affected nearly five million people - or a quarter of all people in the country. Funding gaps are holding back the response, despite the UN and its partners having the capacity to do more. The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan seeks $852 million to support 2.4 million people this year but has so far received just 11 per cent - or $97 million. Posted on 18 March 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA Lebanon Priority Emergency Response Requirements (March 2026) UNRWA 18 Mar 2026 In response to the ongoing escalation in Lebanon, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is urgently seeking US$ 12.3 million to fund its priority emergency response over the next 90 days. These funds are required to address the immediate needs for food, shelter, health, protection, water and sanitation services for up to 10,000 individuals seeking safety in UNRWA-managed collective emergency shelters in Lebanon, and for up to 63,000 vulnerable conflict-impacted Palestine Refugees living outside of these shelters. In providing assistance, UNRWA will focus on serving the needs of vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, persons with fragile legal status, and the elderly. Lebanon context and needs Cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on 2 March with the entry of Lebanon's Hezbollah in the Iran war. The Government of Israel issued displacement warnings and orders on 5 March impacting over 100 villages in the area south of the Litani River and the Bekaa region, as well as Beirut's southern suburbs.1 Airstrikes intensified across the southern suburbs of Beirut, the governorates of the South, Saida and the Bekaa. Two targeted airstrikes also hit the Palestine Refugee camps of Ein El Hilweh (Saida) and Beddawi (Tripoli). As a result, as of 9 March, over 500,000 people are estimated to have been displaced within Lebanon, with over 100,000 people moving to collective shelters.2 Further displacement is anticipated as the situation remains fluid. The Government of Lebanon suspended education services nationwide, affecting students across the country, including 34,541 children enrolled in UNRWA schools. In response to the arrival of displaced Palestine Refugees, Lebanese and Syrian families in search of greater safety from conflict-affected areas in the South and in Beirut, the Agency has activated its emergency response. By 6 March, UNRWA had opened two collective shelters, in Siblin (Saida area) and in Nahr el-Bared (North area), providing ready-to-eat meals, safe drinking water, mattresses, pillows, hygiene items, and other essential non-food items (NFIs). In line with humanitarian principles and to support social cohesion, the Agency shelters are open to all persons in need, irrespective of status or nationality. As at 9 March, 1,420 individuals had been registered in the UNRWA shelters, with numbers expected to increase as the conflict intensifies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Architects of the exercise: Bringing the space domain to life for Freedom Shield 26 Published March 18, 2026 By First Lt. Jimmy Nguyen Seventh Air Force OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- While thousands of service members train across multiple warfighting domains during exercise Freedom Shield 26, a small team from U.S. Space Forces - Korea is working behind the scenes to bring the space domain to life. Freedom Shield 26 is a recurring exercise between the Republic of Korea and the United States, in collaboration with the United Nations Command, ensuring continuous preparedness for military forces on the Korean Peninsula. For SPACEFOR-KOR, the exercise is an opportunity to rehearse theater-relevant operations across all Space Mission Areas, stress-test procedures and sharpen the command's ability to scale operations rapidly. A core focus of Freedom Shield 26 is to provide a demanding training environment to enhance combat readiness and response capabilities. Across the warfighting domains - ground, air, naval, space, cyber and information - the space fight is being exercised digitally. In the months leading up to the exercise, the SPACEFOR-KOR S7 directorate, responsible for force development, training and exercises, worked to develop a robust space environment to meet the command's objectives. "Our primary objective is to ensure we're rehearsing theater-relevant [operational plans]," said U.S. Space Force Maj. Dillon Hagerty, SPACEFOR-KOR director of force development. He added that additional objectives include validating the space operations planning cycle, testing command and control capabilities, and conducting partnership engagement. Achieving those objectives was no easy task, with planning beginning long before the exercise started. Building the scenarios under normal conditions, the S7 directorate operates as a small four-person team responsible for extensive coordination across higher headquarters and supporting commands, as well as detailed planning and scenario development. Hagerty explained the small team manages a heavy workload that includes administration, logistics, personnel coordination, exercise planning and scenario design. To develop scenarios and simulated data, the S7 directorate works with the Pacific Air Simulation Center at Osan Air Base, the Korean Battle Simulation Center at Camp Humphreys and other simulation centers in the United States. These partnerships allow the team to create a more realistic and responsive training environment for exercise participants. "Our role here is a lot of coordination between the different simulation centers to make the space scenario work for these exercises as realistically as possible," said U.S. Space Force 1st Lt. Roman Ocampo, SPACEFOR-KOR chief of exercise development. During exercise execution, the directorate transforms into a 24-hour operation known as the Exercise Control Group, or ECG. This team scales to more than a dozen members, including subject matter experts from across the Space Mission Areas and liaisons from the Republic of Korea Air Force's Space Operations Group. Together, the ECG executes and manages the scenarios that drive the space portion of the exercise forward. "We are the controllers for the entire space domain for the exercise," Ocampo said. That responsibility spans a wide range of Space Mission Areas, including Missile Warning, Space Domain Awareness and scenarios involving degraded space-enabled effects that support combined operations. By building those mission areas into the exercise, the group creates a more realistic contested environment for participants. Much of the group's operations take place at the Pacific Air Simulation Center, the only center in the Korean theater of operations that provides integrated air and space simulation, wargaming capabilities and continuous simulated data. Inside the center, the space-focused ECG works alongside its air component counterparts to synchronize efforts and integrate space operations. But the group's role does not end once a scenario is launched. "One of the big jobs that the [exercise control group] has to perform is monitoring player actions in order to keep the scenario running," Ocampo said, explaining how U.S. members track U.S. forces actions while Republic of Korea counterparts monitor how ROK forces are responding to the space scenarios introduced in the exercise. As the exercise unfolds, the ECG assesses how U.S. and Republic of Korea forces respond to simulated adversary threats, then adjusts the scenario to allow participants to see the impact of their actions. This process sharpens shared understanding, improves coordination and reinforces how space operations support combined defense in the Korean theater of operations. As SPACEFOR-KOR continues to grow its role in Freedom Shield, the command is making the space domain a more operationally relevant part of the training environment. For the S7 team, that means continuously expanding the complexity, realism and scope of the space fight so combined forces are better prepared for real-world operations on the Korean Peninsula. In that effort, the space domain is not just represented but fully integrated into the fight. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Michigan Guard unit validated for National Guard response force mission By David Kennedy March 17, 2026 GRAYLING, Mich. -- Soldiers of the 246th Transportation Battalion, 272nd Regional Support Group, Michigan Army National Guard, successfully completed a multi-day validation exercise March 13, certifying them as a key element of the state's highly versatile National Guard Response Force, or NGRF. Held at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, the validation confirms the unit's readiness to support civil authorities across a wide range of mission sets. While National Guard response forces have been available to governors for more than 20 years, this certification is part of a larger National Guard Bureau effort to formally standardize, resource and augment these existing capabilities. The initiative, in response to Executive Order 14339, titled "Additional Measures to Address the Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia," will ensure every state and territory has a trained and equipped NGRF ready to respond to domestic emergencies under the command of their governor by April 1. The importance of such a force was demonstrated last year when Michigan deployed Guard members to assist communities impacted by a severe ice storm, where they were instrumental in clearing roads and supporting logistical needs for stranded residents. "This validation exercise proves our Soldiers have the training and equipment to handle any mission required of them, whether it's a natural disaster like the 2025 ice storm or a civil disturbance," said Maj. Melody Taylor, commander of the 246th Transportation Battalion. "Our role is to be a multi-purpose tool for civil authorities, ready to protect our neighbors and ensure public safety during any crisis." The NGRF is designed for a tiered and rapid deployment to allow for a flexible and proportional response to an emergency. Approximately 25% of the force is ready to deploy within eight hours, 50% within 12 hours, and the entire element within 24 hours. Each state's NGRF is capable of a wide array of missions, including disaster response and critical infrastructure protection. During the validation, the 246th Transportation Battalion was tested on a standardized set of skills crucial for this mission. The training included tasks focusing on de-escalation techniques and the use of tools designed to ensure public safety. "Fine-tuning and properly resourcing the National Guard Response Force provides Michigan a reliable and incredibly versatile tool that has been serving our state for decades," said Col. Jeana Cho, commander of 272nd Regional Support Group. "Last year's ice storm showed how critical this capability is. This federal resourcing initiative enhances our ability to protect Michigan's communities across the full spectrum of domestic operations." With its successful validation, the 246th Transportation Battalion is now fully certified for its NGRF mission, reinforcing the National Guard's enduring promise to be "Always Ready, Always There" for the community. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cybersecurity - The EU sanctions several private cyber offensive ecosystem actors (March 17, 2026) France - Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres At the March 16th Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in Brussels, member states adopted new listings under the European Union (EU) cyber sanctions regime. Today, the EU is imposing these restrictive measures on the private cyber offensive ecosystem that equips the malicious actors targeting France and Europe. Among the new entities listed are the private Iranian company Emennet Pasargad, which conducted cyberattacks and information manipulation campaigns in France against the newspaper Charlie Hebdo in 2023 and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The EU also listed Integrity Technology Group and Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd, two private Chinese companies that have conducted cyberattacks in Europe, as well as two individuals associated with these companies. These five additions join the list of 21 entities and individuals that have been sanctioned thus far by the EU under its cyber sanctions regime. These measures will institute an asset freeze and a travel ban that prohibits those targeted from entering the EU. In keeping with the implementation of the new French national cybersecurity strategy, France is committed to using all the levers at its disposal at both the national and European levels in order to combat impunity and force the adversaries targeting us in cyberspace to pay the price, together with our partners and in accordance with the UN Framework of Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace. France will continue working with the UK to bolster efforts made through the Pall Mall Process to combat the proliferation and irresponsible use of tools developed by the cyber offensive industry. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Texas National Guard drone teams support border partners, strengthen Guard readiness By Sgt. 1st Class Christy Sherman March 18, 2026 BROWNSVILLE, Texas -- A request from higher headquarters crackled over the radio of a Texas National Guard drone team: U.S. Border Patrol agents needed immediate aerial support. A nearby homeowner had reported two people moving through thick brush in the dark near the Rio Grande. Border Patrol agents searched the area on foot without locating the individuals, who were suspected of an unlawful border crossing. Within minutes, a Soldier and an Airman with the Texas Guard's 640th Technology Integration Cell deployed their unmanned aircraft system. The cell carries out observation flights along the border as part of Operation Lone Star, a Texas Guard mission to deter illegal border crossings and interdict drug smuggling and other criminal activity along the border in support of state and federal agencies. "When I called you up, we were about to call it quits," a Border Patrol agent said to the team. The observation drone's rotors buzzed as it lifted from its landing pad, the sound softening as it climbed several hundred feet into the night sky. Operators used its thermal cameras to scan the riverbank and dense brush below, monitoring the live feed on a tablet display. "Our teams directly support Operation Lone Star task forces through small, unmanned aircraft systems and observation vehicle capabilities," said U.S. Army Capt. Stephen Landrum, a drone pilot and officer in charge of C Flight, 640th TIC. "We integrate with state and federal partners across multiple mission sets, from border security to disaster response, ensuring commanders and agencies have the information they need to make decisions." From that elevated position, the drone team assessed in seconds areas that would take ground personnel significant time to search on foot, providing real-time information to partner agencies. "That extra vantage point lets us expand coverage into areas they can't see and react more quickly," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Clemente, a drone pilot with the 640th TIC. The rough terrain in the Rio Grande Valley presents challenges for ground elements, especially at night. Aerial overwatch allows information to move quickly to those who need it. "Anything that looks suspicious gets passed directly to our partners," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Sara Ramon, a drone pilot with the 640th TIC. "From there, they take action." Texas Guard units began integrating small, unmanned aircraft systems into border operations in 2023. That year saw roughly $1.8 million in narcotics confiscations, with similar results in 2024 and 2025, said Texas Guard officials. This year, with an increased focus on small drones, confiscations have already exceeded $5.8 million. Texas Guard officials said the added aerial perspective has helped partner agencies apprehend members of transnational criminal organizations and prevent narcotics from moving farther into the U.S. Ramon attributed the increase in narcotics interdictions and related apprehensions to unmanned systems becoming part of routine border operations and partner coordination. Continued presence in the same areas has also allowed UAS crews to become familiar with the terrain and movement patterns, thereby increasing deterrence. "We work the same areas repeatedly," Ramon said. "You start recognizing patterns and understanding where activity usually happens." That familiarity allows crews to reposition aircraft more quickly and communicate specific locations and landmarks more precisely with partner agencies. Clemente, a Rio Grande Valley native, said serving in the region carries personal significance. "It feels like you're protecting your hometown," he said. "You don't want violent offenders or drugs coming into your community." The same unmanned systems used in border operations are also deployed during Texas Guard hurricane and flood responses and statewide search and rescue missions. In July 2025, members of the 640th TIC were part of a quick reaction force that responded to catastrophic flooding of the Guadalupe River in central Texas. "These platforms support multiple missions," Ramon said. "We train so they're ready whether it's border security, storm response or search and rescue." That multifaceted capability reflects how Guard units support both state and federal missions nationwide. While border security and disaster response are domestic missions, Texas Guard UAS pilots, instructors and maintenance personnel train first and foremost for the combat mission. The training and equipment that prepares them for overseas deployments, force protection and reconnaissance operations under federal authority also enable those same teams to respond when communities and partner agencies need support at home. National Guard leaders reinforced that approach during the National Guard Drone Dominance Forum in January, emphasizing the need to embed unmanned systems into daily operations rather than treat them as specialized capabilities. "Drone dominance is no longer theoretical. It's operationally relevant today," said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Todd A. Hofford, vice director of operations, National Guard Bureau. In December, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum directing the War Department to prioritize drone dominance and accelerate the integration of unmanned systems across the force. Hofford noted that Guard units in all 54 states and territories are expanding unmanned aircraft training and employment as part of Army and Air Force doctrinal shifts. Operator and instructor courses have been built to sustain training pipelines, and units have hosted capability integration events to test tactics and share best practices. At the Pentagon, Army acquisition leaders are focused on modernization. Lt. Col. Mike Carroll, product manager for small, unmanned aircraft systems with Program Executive Office Aviation, said this includes accelerating fielding timelines and adapting to evolving operational environments. "The character of war has changed," Carroll said. "We have to continue to be innovative and adaptable to stay at the speed of relevance." Texas Guard leaders said readiness depends as much on disciplined training and repetition as on equipment. "Capabilities alone do not create readiness," said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Zuwiyya, a UAS operations officer and drone pilot instructor with the Texas Army National Guard. "We have to invest in training and integration, so these systems become part of how we operate." Back in Texas, the buzz of small rotors amplified as Clemente guided the drone back to its landing pad. The individuals they were searching for were not located that night, but aerial overwatch enabled partner agents to search the terrain more efficiently and continue operations along the Rio Grande. For the drone team, it was a mission built on combat training and applied nightly in service to their home state. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mindset is the warfighting edge By Flight Lieutenant Nicole Thomson-Pride 18 March 2026 On Wednesday, 18 March 2026 almost 1,000 aviators and public servants working in Air Force units registered to attended the Aviator Symposium 2026 either in person at the National Convention Centre in Canberra or online. The Aviator Symposium was delivered as part of the Air and Space Power Conference 2026. It provided opportunities for aviators at all levels to reflect on the themes from the conference; engage directly with fellow aviators, the Senior Leadership Team and the Senior Enlisted Leaders Team; and contribute ideas on the future of air power. The theme for this year's symposium was 'How does the airminded warfighter build fighting depth?' The symposium kicked off with a fireside chat featuring Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Chief of Air Force, Warrant Officer Air Force Ralph Clifton and moderated by Corporal Caitlin Russ, who is the current 2025 Aviator of the Year. Chief of Air Force Chappell borrowed a quote from the American fighter pilot and strategic scholar, John Boyd, to sum up how the Royal Australian Air Force should go about developing airmindedness. "The maverick fighter pilot said military success is determined by people first, ideas second and things third. It's a pretty good way of thinking how we need to go about airmindedness," Air Marshal Chappell said. "Our aviators are the heart and soul of this effort to build fighting depth." As Chief of Air Force explained in his opening remarks at the Air and Space Power Conference 2026, building fighting depth is about thinking, behaving, and operating differently. It is doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well, every day, and finding those one and two percenters in everything the air domain team does to further unlock potential and optimise capability and capacity. Warrant Officer of the Air Force Clifton said the term 'airminded warfighter' will mean something different to each and every aviator. "For me, it's contextualising what it means to be a warfighter in your sphere of excellence," he said. "What is your role in a contested environment? Which might be different to the role you're doing now, and start training for it. "Start looking around your environment and ask, how can I make the people around me the best possible war fighters? It's about how you can best provide capability to the fight." While warfighter mindset will mean something slightly different to each aviator, the core principals are a realistic understanding of the strategic environment; a commitment to individual excellence, operating differently and taking action; and team work bringing together the entire Air Domain team. In the second session of the day, Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz, Air Commander Australia, explained that a willingness to take action is the hallmark of a warfighter mindset. "You will know you have developed a warfighter mindset when your teams are stronger individually and collectively on the other side of a challenge," Air Vice-Marshal Braz said. "And you will know when you see the little signs and indications that, hey, there's a bias for action, something needs doing and they're doing it. I'm just going to have a go. That generator needs refuelling, that drone needs recharging, that weapon needs staffing and I'm going to step in and do that." The next presenter, Wing Commander Tim Hurford, spoke of mental toughness. He shared a story of personal adversity. "We are not training for our best day out. We are training for our worst day and then the next day and the day after. We need our aviators to be physically and mentally tough," Wing Commander Hurford said. "We do it through training, we do it through exercises and we do it through deployments." The Aviator Symposium 2026 also included panel discussions about professional growth, cohesive teams and building fighting depth in today's Air Force, as well as closing remarks from Warrant Officer Air Force Clifton. Before Chief of Air Force finished speaking with aviators, he made clear what is required of them as leaders. "Command with humanity, be active, be curious, use your storytelling to tap into what's innate in all of us and that history and heritage that we are proudly part of, and also that debrief - be humble leading the debrief by being the first to fess up." "You are all incredible and you are doing incredible things every day." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Conference reinforces the power of partnerships By Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan 18 March 2026 Air and space leaders from across the globe have wrapped up a two-day gathering in Canberra that reinforced regional dynamics and the pivotal role of allies and partners in strengthening deterrence. Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, the Air and Space Power Conference 2026 brought together foreign military leaders, industry partners and strategic experts to explore the evolving role of air and space power in an increasingly complex security environment. Commander Air Wing Unit Tonga Lieutenant Colonel Toma'akino Tu'itavuki said the opportunity to speak strategically with key leaders strengthened the strategic partnerships with the air forces in the region. "To also see the key leaders' intent and ask what support they are going to provide for us in the Pacific helps Tonga contribute to the regional security of the Pacific Island countries," Lieutenant Colonel Tu'itavuki said. Australia's Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, extended his thanks to the Air and Space Power Centre, Joint Capabilities Group, visiting international partners and allies, industry, academia, presenters and aviators, all of whom made this year's conference possible. "Air and space power remain fundamental to Australia's defence and are critical components of a whole-of nation defence strategy," Air Marshal Chappell said. "By bringing together domestic and international insights, we examined how our mindset, capabilities, plans and procedures; civil and commercial aviation; educational institutions; and our reserve aviators can contribute to building fighting depth which strengthens Defence's resilience, deterrence and preparedness against emerging challenges. "Our aviators are armed with the capabilities, training and partnerships required to generate and deliver highly effective air power with enhanced lethality and survivability." Australia's Chief of Space and Cyber, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle said this year marked the first time Australia had hosted the Space Chief's Conclave, bringing together nine space chiefs and representatives from nations around the world. "Space security is no longer a future consideration; it is present and an urgent requirement," Lieutenant General Coyle said. "As these functions evolve, the contested nature of space has become central. Almost every aspect of modern society - civil, commercial and military - now relies on space systems. That makes the domain both indispensable and vulnerable." Air and space power in the strategic environment is also relevant for junior aviators, which was recognised with the conference hosting its inaugural Aviator Symposium. Participants took part in discussions about building the warfighter mindset, the meaning of mental toughness and the importance of teamwork. During the conference, senior leaders and air force aviators alike reaffirmed teamwork as crucial to overcoming shared challenges. Air Marshal Chappell said: "Our people remain the decisive capability in achieving deterrence through the Strategy of Denial - a demand that calls for readiness, resilience, and integrated partnerships." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gold Coast Top Guns impress under pressure By Squadron Leader Tina Turner 19 March 2026 From Australia's iconic beach to the unforgiving skies of the Nevada desert in the United States, three aviators from the Gold Coast recently tested their skills and teamwork under pressure alongside fighter aircraft and personnel from the United States and United Kingdom. The Royal Australian Air Force deployed about 200 aviators including Tactical Command and Control team, six F-35A Lightning II, an E-7A Wedgetail and support elements to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada on Exercises Red Flag Nellis 26-1 and Bamboo Eagle 26-1. Remarkably, three fighter pilots from 75 Squadron who all hail from the Gold Coast, Squadron Leader Anthony, Flight Lieutenant Ryan and Flight Lieutenant Sam, were on these exercises. Squadron Leader Anthony reflected on their shared background growing up on the Gold Coast. "Most fighter pilots can point to a moment in our childhood that inspired us to fly fighter aircraft," Squadron Leader Anthony said. "Many of us in 75 Squadron are from south-east Queensland so we saw F/A-18 Super Hornets flying past Main Beach on their way to RAAF Amberley, or the F-111's iconic dump-and-burn at the Indy Car race on the Gold Coast. "Seeing jets on regular basis put the goal in reach and kept you focused on the prize during high school." Squadron Leader Anthony and Flight Lieutenant Ryan both attended The Southport School, while Flight Lieutenant Sam attended Hillcrest Christian College at Reedy Creek. Flying F-35A Lightning II at 75 Squadron's base at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory, the three men and their squadron mates conducted an intensive three-month workup program to hone their skills and prepare for the exercises. "This year we have the opportunity to travel to Red Flag in Nevada to conduct high-level training that simulates a wartime environment," Squadron Leader Anthony said. "For our junior pilots, the focus is exposing them to scenarios that simulate combat as best we can, essential for improving their survivability in conflict. "For the experienced pilots, the focus is on integration with United States and United Kingdom coalition assets that we do not normally get to work with given our austere basing in the Northern Territory. We learn to solve tactical problems and lead large-force packages within a realistic threat environment. "To perform well here shows the strength of our training back home. A couple of us were invited to be mission commanders for three of the missions here and I can tell you it is a surreal feeling to be leading several billion dollars' worth of assets and some highly competent people into a tough fight. "I am incredibly proud of the work our maintenance and support personnel achieved to ensure our jets were ready to fly and fight." 75 Squadron aviators flew their F-35As back to their base at Tindal in early March, making the long journey with the assistance of RAAF aerial refuelling aircraft based out of RAAF Amberley in Ipswich. "It is a long way to fly but the training is absolutely worth it. I am looking forward to getting back to the Goldy with my family, seeing Mum, and getting some time at our amazing beaches," Squadron Leader Anthony said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister McGuinty announces investment of $1.4 billion into Domestic Ammunition Production National Defence News release March 18, 2026 - Ingersoll, Ontario - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces In the ever-evolving global threat landscape, Canada must strengthen domestic capabilities to protect sovereignty, safeguard national interests, and support long-term security. Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence announced an investment of $1.4 billion to expand Canada's domestic ammunition production capacity. This investment is possible due to the launch of the Canadian Defence Industry Resilience (CDIR) Program which will strengthen Canada's defence industrial base by helping companies increase production capacity, build sovereign defence capabilities, and address critical supply chain vulnerabilities. The CDIR Program will enhance Canada's ability to produce defence-related products and materials domestically, while improving the resilience of industrial supply chains for key components and raw materials. Under the CDIR Program, Minister McGuinty announced that the Government of Canada will provide up to $305.4 million in financial assistance to IMT Precision in Ingersoll, Ontario. This will establish a new manufacturing facility capable of producing empty metal shells for more modern and effective 155mm artillery projectiles, which will increase Canada's sovereign ammunition production capacity reducing dependency on foreign suppliers. The facility will also act as a vital backup to North American supply capabilities, strengthening Canada's position within North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The new facility will bring significant economic benefits to the local area, including the creation of at least 75 full-time, high-value jobs and up to 400 jobs at full production. Three additional contribution agreements have also been awarded under the CDIR to General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Quebec: $355.7 million to construct a nitrocellulose facility; up to $57.9 million to establish Canada's first facility capable of loading, assembling, and packing M231/232 charges used in 155mm artillery; and up to $642 million to establish a manufacturing facility to load, assemble, and pack 155mm High-Explosive projectiles. These investments, guided by Canada's first Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy, will strengthen Canada's sovereign ammunition production capacity by expanding domestic manufacturing of key artillery charge components, and create skilled jobs in the region. This reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, reinforces the resilience of Canada's ammunition supply chain, and provides the Canadian Armed Forces with rapid, reliable access to critical defence materiel needed to protect Canadians at home and abroad. Quotes "Today's investments reflect Canada's commitment to strengthening our sovereign ammunition production and reinforcing the resilience of our defence industrial base. By supporting new facilities at IMT Precision and General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems, we are building critical capabilities here at home, reducing reliance on foreign sources, and providing the Canadian Armed Forces with dependable access to the materiel they need. These projects demonstrate how the Defence Industrial Strategy and the Canadian Defence Industry Resilience Program are enabling Canadian industry to grow, innovate, and deliver the capabilities essential to our national security." The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence Canada strengthens humanitarian and economic partnerships during Secretary of State Sarai's visit to Kenya Global Affairs Canada News release March 18, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), has concluded a visit to Kenya focused on advancing Canada's development and commercial partnerships, engaging on humanitarian issues and deepening bilateral ties for mutual economic growth. Secretary of State Sarai announced a total of $11.75 million in humanitarian assistance and development projects. The new projects focus on investing in Canadian expertise to advance Kenya's readiness for future low-carbon power generation, providing skills training, supporting humanitarian assistance for refugees in Kenya and strengthening human rights across the region. Secretary of State Sarai also highlighted five projects underway in Kenya in partnership with the International Development Research Centre to which Canada has provided approximately $3 million. These initiatives are helping expand economic opportunities for women and youth; use drone technology to deliver essential medical supplies in rural areas; bring reliable, clean electricity to primary health-care facilities; support responsible artificial intelligence policy research and development; and increase access to clean-cooking solutions in low-income, climate-fragile communities. While in Kenya, Secretary of State Sarai spent a full day at Kakuma Refugee Camp, one of the world's largest refugee settlements, hosting more than 300,000 people from 23 countries, including South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia. While there, he met with representatives of humanitarian organizations and engaged with refugees preparing to pursue education in Canada through the Student Refugee Program of the World University Service of Canada. He also visited the Mathare Settlement, where he met post-secondary scholars funded by Canada through the Canada-Mathare Education Trust. During an event at the Wilson Airport, Secretary of State Sarai announced that Canadian industry leaders will be establishing an aircraft maintenance training centre with partners in Kenya. A plane with a Canadian-made engine takes off every 20 minutes in Kenya and supports 70% of the humanitarian airlift capacity in Sub Saharan Africa. At the event, Secretary of State Sarai showcased Canada's strong aerospace capabilities in the region, including in support of connectivity, tourism and humanitarian operations. He highlighted the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting Canada's world-class aerospace expertise and technicians while deepening bilateral economic cooperation with Kenya. While in Nairobi, he met with Canadian business and development partners, and representatives of the Government of Kenya: Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs; John Mbadi Ng'ongo, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning; and J. Opiyo Wandayi, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum. They discussed shared economic priorities, including agri-food value chains, clean energy and expanded commercial opportunities in Kenya for Canadian firms, as well as the multinational Gang Suppression Force in Haiti. Additional activities during the visit showcased Canada's support for agricultural innovation, technical and vocational training and clean-technology entrepreneurship. At each stop he made, Secretary of State Sarai emphasized the importance of aligning development and trade to foster sustainable economic opportunities for Kenyan communities while opening new markets for Canadian expertise and innovation. This approach is guided by Canada's Africa Strategy to advance shared priorities in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Quotes Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 18, 2026 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: March 18, 2026 17:39 Phoenix TV: Last week, Lai Ching-te said at an event that Japan's colonization of Taiwan was aimed at promoting the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere." The statement provoked outrage among the people in the Taiwan region. Can I have your comment on that? Lin Jian: The Lai Ching-te authorities brazenly used the false narrative of Japanese aggressors to whitewash Japan's aggression and colonial rule. This is a grave affront to history and despicable betrayal to the nation. Japan exerted colonial rule on the island for half a century, brutally suppressed the resistance of our Taiwan compatriots, massively plundered resources, and inflicted severe damage on Taiwan's economy and culture and people's wellbeing. This historic tragedy filled with blood and tears is deeply etched in the memory of the Chinese nation and shall never be forgotten or distorted. More than 80 years ago, Taiwan was restored to its motherland, which ended its days in the shackles of colonial rule. It was a great victory achieved through strenuous struggles and tremendous sacrifice of the entire Chinese nation together, including our Taiwan compatriots. We will never ever allow anyone to justify colonialism or reverse history's verdict on aggression. The remarks you mentioned once again laid bare Lai Ching-te's true agenda: selling Taiwan out to ingratiate with Japan, seeking "Taiwan independence" and making provocations. The Lai Ching-te authorities think that they could reverse the process of China's reunification by distorting history, whitewashing colonial atrocities and peddling their "Taiwan independence" historical narrative. It will only lead to their own demise. Reuters: President Trump has confirmed the delay of his trip to Beijing. Is that something China is agreeable to? Would China push for a more substantive discussion when the leaders meet? Lin Jian: Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance to bilateral relations. China and the U.S. will continue to maintain communication on President Trump's visit to China. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China to help Cuba with solar energy amid US oil blockade and total power outage Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC) 18.03.2026 [17:52] Baku, March 18, AZERTAC China is offering solar energy to Cuba, an old ally left without power amid the US oil embargo, in a show of strength for Chinese renewable-energy credentials and a sign of Beijing's economic footprint in Latin America, according to South China Morning Post. Beijing's ambassador to Cuba, Hua Xin, on Monday outlined joint energy projects in progress as part of an effort to ease a "complex power situation" in the Caribbean nation, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. "China has always maintained that Latin America and the Caribbean are one big family of sovereign, independent countries and in no way can be the backyard of any country," Hua told a news conference in Cuba, according to the ministry's website. Cuban media outlet CiberCuba quoted the ambassador saying Beijing will "intensify its support to Havana" through new energy projects, with a particular focus on developing renewable sources such as solar. US President Donald Trump pledged on Monday to "take" Cuba, an island nation of around 10.9 million people, amid a total power blackout triggered by a shutdown of the national grid and linked to an oil embargo imposed by Washington. Donors from China have already given 5,000 "household" solar energy equipment sets for installation at three Cuban clinics and a home for the elderly, Chinese official news agency Xinhua said on Thursday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU: The Minister's participation in the Foreign Affairs Council (March 17, 2026) France - Ministere de lEurope et des Affaires etrangeres Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot took part in the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on March 16 in Brussels. The Ministers began by discussing the evolution and adaptation of Europe's security strategy. The Minister took part in a discussion on the consequences of the Middle East crisis for the war in Ukraine, during which the participants reaffirmed the EU's long-term support for Ukraine. The Ministers also met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and noted the positive momentum in EU-Indian relations. Discussions on the Middle East focused on the regional escalation of the conflict, the safety of our nationals and EU solidarity with our regional partners. EU support for Iranian civil society was also mentioned. The ministers also discussed the humanitarian needs of Lebanon's civilian population. Lastly, they spoke about the EU's Mediterranean policy and the EU's direct relations with its Southern Neighborhood. The Council also adopted 19 new individual sanctions against Iranians responsible for State violence in January 2026. A few days after renewing the 2,600 sanctions that had already been imposed on Russia as a result of its war of aggression in Ukraine, the Council adopted nine new sanctions against those responsible for the Bucha massacre. Four pro-Russian propagandists who defended war crimes were also placed under European sanctions. Lastly, new listings were adopted under the EU's cyber sanctions regime against a private Iranian entity and two private Chinese entities responsible for cyber-attacks targeting EU member states. Upon arriving at the Council meeting, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot made the following remarks: "The uncontrolled and dangerous military escalation in the Middle East is not distracting us from Ukraine, where the peace and security of the European continent have been at stake for the past four years. Against the backdrop of Russia's growing isolation on the global stage - after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Nicolas Maduro and Ayatollah Khamenei - we are staunchly and resolutely continuing our efforts in two areas: maintaining our support for Ukraine and putting pressure on Vladimir Putin. President Macron expressed our support for Ukraine last Friday in Paris, where he hosted President Zelenskyy. He assured [the Ukrainian President] that we are continuing our efforts to ensure that Ukraine has everything it needs, both militarily and financially, to continue resisting the Russian aggression. It is in this context that we strongly hope an agreement can be reached on the 90 billion loan that will shield Ukraine from any financial difficulties for the next two years. As for pressuring Vladimir Putin, last weekend, the 2,600 sanctions adopted since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine were renewed without hindrance. Today in Brussels, we are adding nine listings of war criminals responsible for the Bucha massacre, whose fourth anniversary is coming up in a few days. We are also adding four sanctions against Kremlin propagandists, including one Franco-Russian, Adrien Bocquet, who has been involved in recruiting foreigners to fight in Ukraine, has defended war crimes and has conducted disinformation campaigns in Europe and Africa. In Africa Vladimir Putin continues in vain to undermine EU and French relations with African countries. But what has Russia really contributed to the continent's development? Nothing. On Thursday and Friday, I visited the Central African Republic; on the ground I saw no evidence of Russian contributions. And the numbers don't show anything either. The EU's investments in Africa are 200 times greater than those of Russia. EU trade with Africa is 20 times greater than Russia's. The EU welcomes 10 times more students at its universities than Russia does. That's the reality. So Vladimir Putin has to face facts: the war of aggression in which he plunged his country at the risk of draining and discrediting it must stop. It's a strategic, political and economic failure that must end now." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany - Minister's trip to Berlin (March 18, 2026) France - Ministere de lEurope et des Affaires etrangeres Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot was in Berlin, Germany, on March 17 and 18. This visit, which follows the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels and immediately precedes the European Council meeting, illustrates the close and constant cooperation that exists between France and Germany at the heart of Europe. The Minister addressed the German Cabinet in accordance with the provision contained in the bilateral Aachen Treaty stating that a member of the Government of one of the two countries shall attend cabinet meetings of the other country. Discussions focused on the international situation, particularly support for Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The Minister also took part in the Europe 2026 conference along with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, He stressed the need to implement Franco-German initiatives to strengthen the EU's sovereignty and competitiveness agendas, the drivers of a stronger, more resilient and more independent Europe. His visit also provided an opportunity to review the implementation of the joint economic agenda adopted in Toulon, This agenda established milestones for Franco-German cooperation and set priorities for the coming months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Daily Press Briefing (03/18/2026) France - Ministere de lEurope et des Affaires etrangeres - Press briefing News Statements by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Press briefing Published on March 18, 2026 CONTENTS AFGHANISTAN Air strike on a Kabul hospital (Mar. 18, 2026) France strongly condemns the March 16th air strike on a Kabul hospital that killed numerous civilians. We express our heartfelt solidarity with the victims and their loved ones, and offer them our condolences. International humanitarian law applies to everyone and must ensure the protection of civilian populations. Humanitarian workers must be guaranteed free access to Afghan territory in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution 2593. GERMANY Minister's trip to Berlin (Mar. 18, 2026) Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot was in Berlin, Germany, on March 17 and 18. This visit, which follows the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels and immediately precedes the European Council meeting, illustrates the close and constant cooperation that exists between France and Germany at the heart of Europe. The Minister addressed the German Cabinet in accordance with the provision contained in the bilateral Aachen Treaty stating that a member of the Government of one of the two countries shall attend cabinet meetings of the other country. Discussions focused on the international situation, particularly support for Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The Minister also took part in the Europe 2026 conference along with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, He stressed the need to implement Franco-German initiatives to strengthen the EU's sovereignty and competitiveness agendas, the drivers of a stronger, more resilient and more independent Europe. His visit also provided an opportunity to review the implementation of the joint economic agenda adopted in Toulon, This agenda established milestones for Franco-German cooperation and set priorities for the coming months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the Europe 2026 Conference "Europe at a Turning Point: A Franco-German View of Europe's Sovereignty" Germany Federal Foreign Office 17.03.2026 - Speech You would not guess it from looking at us, but my French colleague and I are exactly twenty years apart. Dear Jean-Noel, you were born in 1983 - hopefully I am not revealing any state secrets - and I in 1963. In other words, I was born in the very year when President and Chancellor signed the Elysee Treaty. Of course, that is a coincidence. Not a personal plan by my parents. But I would like to take it as a certain personal mandate. Because today, that treaty still provides valuable guidance. The questions that Adenauer and de Gaulle asked themselves at the time are - unfortunately, I must say - far from outdated. How should Europe position itself in the systemic confrontation between East and West? How can we strengthen Europe's ability to act without creating new divisions within the European community? And above all, the issue of Europe's security looms large. One thing is clear: We are living through an exceptional moment in history. For the first time in generations, Europe is confronted with two wars directly at its borders: a war of aggression on our own continent - and a war in the Middle East. I only returned from the region last week. In such a situation, one thing becomes clear once again: we in Europe must stand together. And we must make Europe's security our top priority. Only a united Europe can bring its strategic weight to bear. Only a united Europe can effectively address the impact of war on its population. Only a united Europe can prevent other powers from exploiting this moment to weaken Europe. And Europe can only be united when Germany and France stand together - whether in concrete interests and measures, or in the shared determination to finding compromise. It is precisely in moments like these that the strength of the Franco-German partnership becomes evident: keeping Europe capable of acting in times of crisis. But a closer look at the history and the lead-up to the Elysee Treaty shows that things were not always quite as harmonious as the famous fraternal embrace between Adenauer and de Gaulle might have suggested. None of this happened automatically. The Elysee Treaty itself was concluded at a time of hard-edged power politics - at the height of the Cold War, only a few months after the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ladies and gentlemen, if you ask who first had the idea for the treaty, many historians will give the same answer: France. And the initiative for the European Coal and Steel Community - in a sense the "germ cell" of what would become today's European Union, whose 75th anniversary we are celebrating this year - also goes back to two Frenchmen. Long story short: many of the great advances in European integration began with a French impulse. But we also know this: Europe needs both of us. To quote Helmut Kohl: "Europe needs France and Germany as the core and motor for the realization of the European Union and a united Europe." When France and Germany reach agreement, it matters. That is why, for decades, the Franco-German engine has been the central driving force behind European integration. And yes, sometimes this engine sputters a little. Then we simply have to give it more revs. After all, we share the same goal: Europe must become stronger - and more modern. To achieve that, we need reforms. To name just a few: EU decision-making is based on thorough analysis and comprehensive exchange. Yet, we must mitigate the risk of decisions being taken too slowly and too late. We need to make cooperation amongst Member States more flexible and extend qualified majority voting in distinct policy fields. When we speak about reforms, we also need to talk about a more dynamic enlargement process. Enlargement policy is our strongest instrument for stabilizing our continent. On all of this, we are in agreement. We must seize this unique window of opportunity now. Dear Jean-Noel, we are already working together on many good ideas. We are also awaiting the ideas from the European Commission on internal reforms soon. There is no purely national answer to the challenges of our time. Nor is there an exclusively Franco-German one. But what we do need is Franco-German unity as the prerequisite for Europe's capacity to act. There is no alternative to that. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Investment screening for acquisition of defence companies Germany - Federal Ministry of Defence Mar 18, 2026 When foreign companies want to invest in German companies in the security and defence industry, the Federal Ministry of Defence helps the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs with screening. Investment screening protects Germany's security interests and enables it to remain an attractive business location. With the largest national economy in Europe, Germany is an attractive destination for foreign investment due to its innovation and technological prowess. Investments are welcome and important for a growing economy. They can promote local economic growth and create jobs. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action [now the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy] can assess whether the acquisition of a domestic company [...] by a foreigner is likely to impair essential security interests of the Federal Republic of Germany [...]. Challenges due to the outflow of know-how abroad Section 60(1) of the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (Scope of application of the sector-specific assessment) German companies' know-how and the associated economic success are objects of foreign countries' desire. In many cases, there is no longer lasting interest in the German production and development sites after the outflow of know-how on technologies, data and knowledge to a foreign country. The risk for Germany as a business location is then permanent relocation of research and production sites to foreign countries and/or closure of specialist companies. This, in turn, can have a noticeable impact on relevant supply chains. In addition, the knowledge obtained in this way could be used against our national security interests for military buildup in the purchaser's country. It could also be used to that country's economic advantage, for example to further advance its market position in a sector that is also relevant to Germany's security, indirectly enabling the country to close capability gaps in its own armed forces. In some cases, it is almost impossible to make up for this lost edge in terms of knowledge. To maintain and strengthen Germany's strategic sovereignty and its ability to take action, it is necessary to maintain certain core security and defence industrial capabilities and capacities (key technologies) at the national level. National Security and Defence Industry Strategy A wide variety of techniques, some of them creative, are used to get at German companies' know-how. One classic way is for a foreign investor to acquire a German company. Investment screening as a state protective mechanism for foreign acquisition of interest in German companies In order to prevent threats to essential security interests, e.g. through outflow of security-relevant know-how, most industrialised countries have introduced various legal safeguards. In Germany, certain foreign investments in or acquisitions of German companies can be reviewed within the framework of the "investment screening" administrative procedure. The legal basis for this procedure is in the Foreign Trade and Payments Act and the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance. Investment screening offers legal certainty for company acquisitions, protects the Federal Republic of Germany's security interests and maintains Germany's status as an attractive business location. For acquisitions by foreign companies, all the relevant ministries are involved in the investment screening process, which is led by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The screening process examines whether the foreign acquisition poses threats to Germany's security interests. Depending on what sector the German company is in, the screening criteria are either whether the acquisition is likely to adversely affect Germany's essential security interests - this is often the relevant factor for companies in the security and defence industry - or, if the company is active in other sectors, whether the acquisition is likely to have a negative impact on Germany's public order or security. If this is the case, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy must take measures, in consultation with the other ministries involved, to eliminate the threat. For example, directives may be issued or conditions imposed for the acquisition. If this is not enough to effectively eliminate the threats, the acquisition may also be blocked as a last resort. The Federal Ministry of Defence in investment screening The Federal Ministry of Defence has an important role within the scope of investment screening. For the Federal Ministry of Defence, two main questions are particularly important in the security analysis: Would the proposed acquisition negatively affect the Bundeswehr's security of supply? This can easily be the case if the German target company is one of the Bundeswehr's suppliers. In this context, it is irrelevant whether the target company is a direct contractual partner of the Bundeswehr or a subcontractor in the supply chain. Whether state protective measures are necessary for the Bundeswehr's future security of supply depends on the specific case. Would the proposed acquisition have negative effects on the Bundeswehr's defence capability? In particular, the defence capability could be adversely affected if the acquisition would be likely to provide know-how of military relevance to a third country that is not a German ally. In specific cases, the technical know-how that this third country gained in this way could enable it to advance its armament faster. The loss of a technical advantage would then also weaken the Bundeswehr. Investment screening checklist If the sale of a German company in the security and defence industry - or of at least ten percent of the shares in such a company - to a foreign entrepreneur/investor is planned, investment screening is often required before the sale can be completed. This depends on the company's specific products and services. Various aspects are then examined more closely in investment screening, including: Does the purchaser pose security risks? What decision-making structures does the foreign purchaser have, and what countries are the foreign purchaser's decision-makers located in? Do the products have unique features compared to the rest of the market and/or are they very different from what is available on the global market? Do the products and those of the suppliers currently have defence/military relevance, or will they in future? Does the company supply products directly or indirectly to the Bundeswehr? Have measures been taken to ensure that, in the event of acquisition, there is no unwanted outflow of know-how/property rights/patents abroad and that ongoing participation in EUEuropean Union funding programmes can be ensured (examples: need-to-know basis, maintaining data servers exclusively in the EUEuropean Union , data security and privacy)? funding programmes can be ensured (examples: need-to-know basis, maintaining data servers exclusively in the , data security and privacy)? Is or was the company involved in current German and European research and development projects (R&D projects) that require legal and actual protection from outflow of knowledge to the foreign purchaser? Recommendations for affected companies For security provision reasons, the Federal Ministry of Defence has great interest in maintaining and stabilising the German security and defence industry and the supply chains that affect the Bundeswehr. Naturally, sound financing also plays a role in a company's stability. If the sale of part or the entirety of a company to a foreign purchaser is being considered for this purpose, it is recommended that companies in the security and defence industry - due to their strategic importance for the Bundeswehr's defence capability and security of supply - familiarise themselves with the procedures and requirements involved in investment screening, such as reporting requirements, deadlines, review criteria and implementation prohibitions, early in the sales process. In the course of an investment screening process, it may become apparent - in specific cases - that, under certain arrangements, the planned acquisition is likely to have adverse effects on Germany's security interests. If this is the case, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy must take measures to prevent these threats. These measures may, in some cases, be in conflict with the entrepreneurial interest of selling the company shares without restrictions. Familiarising yourself with investment screening issues early on can save a considerable amount of time and money in a sales process. We recommend consulting specialised lawyers. Other examples of the outflow of know-how even outside of investment screening Investment screening cannot prevent all outflow of know-how, as the following examples show: Research and development: Unless appropriate security measures are taken, research consortia or foreign companies' financial support and promotion of research opportunities at German companies' locations present a risk of (unwanted) outflow of know-how abroad. Greenfield investments: In addition, foreign investors are increasingly gaining access to the European single market by founding new companies or acquiring small unknown regional companies. In this way, German specialists can be recruited, bringing with them know-how from their previous employers. This approach also makes it easier to gain insight into supply chains, and increases competitive pressure on European companies. Issues involving antitrust law: The companies' location in the EUEuropean Union and their supposedly trustworthy exchange with other German companies facilitates an unwanted outflow of know-how. After successfully pushing out German competitors through dumping prices, a company of this kind could then use a leading market position in Germany achieved by these means to raise the market prices appreciably for everyone. Details on investment screening are available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy. Author: Bundeswehr Editorial Service NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Keel laying of two Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for ICG India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 2:15PM by PIB Delhi The keel laying ceremony of Yard 16402 & 16403, the second and third ship of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), was held at M/s YMPL, Ratnagiri on March 17, 2026. With a range of 5,000 nautical miles, these ships will be capable of achieving a maximum speed of 23 knots. Measuring 117 meters in length and having a strength of 11 officers and 110 men, it will also feature state-of-the-art machinery and advanced technological systems, including AI-based predictive maintenance systems, Remote Piloted Drones, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). This ship is being indigenously designed, developed, and constructed by MDL under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, in line with the government's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The contract for the construction of six Next Generation OPVs was concluded on December 20, 2023. This initiative marks a key milestone in the ICG's ongoing efforts to enhance its operational capabilities and bolster coastal security. The addition of a new fleet of NGOPVs will further ensure strengthening the ICG's role in safeguarding India's maritime interests. The ceremony was presided over by IG Sudhir Sahni, TM, DDG (M&M), in the presence of senior officials from Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and MDL. ***** SR/NJ (Release ID: 2241660) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INDIAN NAVY CONTINUES IOS SAGAR INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN MARITIME PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIAN OCEAN NATIONS India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 1:04PM by PIB Delhi Reaffirming India's commitment to collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, the second edition of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR commenced on 16 Mar 2026. The Indian Navy assumed the chair of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in Feb 2026. Therefore, this Edition includes participation from 16 IONS nations of the Indian Ocean Region(IOR). The initiative builds on India's long-standing maritime cooperation efforts and reflects the Government of India's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), while also advancing the broader framework of MAHASAGAR - Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions. IOS SAGAR is designed as a unique operational engagement programme that enables naval personnel from Friendly Foreign Countries to train and sail together onboard an Indian Naval Ship. By integrating international participants into shipboard activities and professional training modules, the initiative promotes practical cooperation, interoperability and shared understanding of maritime operations. As part of the current edition of IOS SAGAR, naval personnel from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries will participate in the programme. The programme will commence with professional training interactions at Indian Naval training establishments in Kochi, where participants will be exposed to key aspects of naval operations, seamanship practices and maritime security concepts. This phase will be followed by deployment onboard an Indian Naval Ship, where international participants will sail together with Indian Navy personnel and take part in operational activities at sea. During the voyage, the ship will undertake maritime engagement activities and port visits, enabling interaction with partner navies and maritime agencies across the region. These engagements are intended to strengthen professional linkages, encourage exchange of best practices and foster a deeper understanding of shared maritime challenges. ______________________ VM/SKY 50/26 (Release ID: 2241628) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qatar decries Israeli attack on Iranian gas tanks as 'dangerous, irresponsible step' Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC) 18.03.2026 [21:14] Baku, March 18, AZERTAC Qatar on Wednesday condemned an Israeli attack on gas facilities linked to Iran's South Pars field, calling it a "dangerous and irresponsible step" amid escalating regional tensions, Anadolu Agency reported. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said in a statement on the US social media company X that the targeting of facilities tied to the South Pars fieldwhich extends into Qatar's North Fieldrisked serious consequences. "The Israeli targeting of facilities linked to Iran's South Pars field, an extension of Qatar's North Field, is a dangerous and irresponsible step amid the current military escalation in the region," he said. Ansari warned that attacks on energy infrastructure constitute "a threat to global energy security, as well as to the peoples of the region and its environment." He reiterated Qatar's position opposing the targeting of vital facilities, urging all parties to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and pursue de-escalation. "We call on all parties to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and work toward de-escalation in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region," he added. His remarks came after Iranian media reported a US-Israeli airstrike on gas storage tanks at Iran's South Pars field in the southern city of Asaluyeh on Wednesday, halting production at two refineries with a combined capacity of about 100 million cubic meters per day. The US and Israel have continued a joint offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Azerbaijani FM stresses importance of Iran's concluding investigation into drone attacks on Nakhchivan Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC) 18.03.2026 [11:12] Baku, March 18, AZERTAC On March 17, Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a telephone conversation with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the call, the sides discussed the regional situation and bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted the importance of Iran finalizing the investigation in adherence to the pledges issued following the drone attacks carried out on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from the territory of Iran. FM Bayramov empahsized that civilian facilities should not be targeted during the ongoing war, adding that Azerbaijan advocates for a swift de-escalation of hostilities and resolving the existing challenges through negotiations. During the telephone conversation, the foreign ministers also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HE GCCSG: Blatant Iranian Targeting of Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City Represents Grave Aggression & Flagrant Violation of International Laws; It is Unacceptable Escalation Reflecting Hostile Iranian Approach that Threatens Regional Security & Peace General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council Mar 18, 2026 General Secretariat - Riyadh His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), expressed the Council's strongest condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Iranian targeting of Ras Laffan Industrial City in the State of Qatar. His Excellency stressed that this grave aggression represents a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms and constitutes an unacceptable escalation reflecting a hostile Iranian approach that threatens the security and stability of the region and undermines regional peace. His Excellency underscored that targeting oil facilities and infrastructure is an unacceptable and condemned behaviour by all standards, aimed at destabilising the security of GCC states and undermining the stability of global energy markets. He pointed out that such actions pose a direct threat to regional and global energy supply security. His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi called upon the international community to fulfill its responsibilities to halt these repeated Iranian attacks and put an immediate end to irresponsible actions that compromise regional and international peace and security. Furthermore, His Excellency reiterated the GCC's full and unwavering solidarity with the State of Qatar, standing as a united front in all measures it takes to protect its security, safeguard its sovereignty, and maintain the safety of its vital facilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Armed Forces: Martyrdom of top security official, Basij cmdr. strengthens nation's resolve Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 9:47 PM Iran's Armed Forces have described the recent martyrdom of the country's top security official and the commander of its volunteer Basij force as a source of strength for the nation in its ongoing confrontation in the face of adversaries. In a statement on Wednesday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the country's highest operational command unit, commented on the martyrdom of Dr. Ali Larijani, secretary of the Islamic Republic's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), and the Basij Commander Major General Gholamreza Soleimani. 'Nation to bring enemy to its knees' The officials' martyrdom "at the hands of the Zionist terrorist regime under the guidance of the criminal United States will further strengthen the determination of the brave Iranian nation to bring the enemy to its knees," the statement read. The officials' martyrdom were confirmed a day earlier amid ongoing unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic. Since the launch of the aggression, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has staged at least 63 waves of decisive retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American and Zionist targets throughout the region. The Corps has pledged to sustain the reprisal until the enemies' "complete defeat." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Italian sinologist committed to fostering communication between Chinese and Western cultures People's Daily Online) 14:57, March 19, 2026 Dario Famularo gives an interview to People's Daily Online. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) "The mission of sinologists is to help Chinese culture cross boundaries," said Dario Famularo, a young Italian sinologist who has been in China for over a decade. He is dedicated to building a bridge between Chinese and Western cultures. Famularo now teaches at Sichuan International Studies University in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. He has long been engaged in research on Sinology in Italy, focusing on how Italian sinologists perceive and understand China. He also teaches the history of cultural exchange between China and Italy, as well as courses in Italian literature. In November 2025, the 2025 World Chinese Language Conference was held in Beijing. Young sinologists participating in the event, including Famularo, wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Soon afterward, they received a reply from Xi encouraging them to serve as messengers who promote mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign civilizations. Xi emphasized that Sinology originates in China but belongs to the world, and it is a common heritage shared by all humanity. Famularo feels this offers a profound summary of the essence and mission of Sinology. "Sinology should be rooted in China, study China, and gain a true understanding of Chinese society and cultural development. Meanwhile, Chinese culture, with its several-thousand-year history and enduring vitality, offers its rich resources and values to all of humanity," said Famularo. He added that the mission of sinologists is to help the world understand China and to engage in promoting the innovative transformation and development of China's fine traditional culture. Famularo said that in the future, he will work with Chinese and foreign scholars to make Sinology an important bridge between China and the world. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Russia's president condoles with Iran's Leader over Dr. Larijani's martyrdom Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 9:03 PM Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter of condolence to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei over the martyrdom of Iran's top security official during unprovoked American-Israeli aggression. The Russian head of state submitted the message to the Leader on Wednesday, a day after official confirmation of the martyrdom of Dr. Ali Larijani, secretary of the Islamic Republic's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). Putin also condoled with Dr. Larijani's survivors and the Iranian nation, while noting his lifelong services and contributions across various fields. He stressed how Dr. Larijani would consistently endeavor towards further enhancement of the countries' bilateral ties and work towards additional promotion of their common goals. The Russian president described his martyrdom as a "great loss" for both the Islamic Republic and the wider region, besides reiterating the need for further reinforcement of the nations' relations. The SNSC announced Dr. Larijani's martyrdom in a statement on Tuesday, saying the attack targeting the official also led to the martyrdom of his son, Mortaza, the deputy for security at the Council's Secretariat, and a number of their bodyguards. Iranian authorities and regional personalities have reacted to Dr. Larijani's martyrdom, asserting that the development would further reinvigorate the Islamic Republic's and the regional Axis of Resistance's resolve to more decisively confront adversaries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Attack on Iran's oil infrastructure marks new phase of war: Parliament speaker Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 8:11 PM The speaker of Majlis (the Iranian Parliament), Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf says the massive anti-US rallies across the country overnight completely thwarted the enemy's designs, while warning that attacks on the Iranian oil infrastructure amount to "suicide" for the aggressors as they usher in a new level of confrontation. "Last night, the people of Iran foiled all of the enemy's designs," Qalibaf stated on social media. "They are angry and despairing in the face of the Iranian people, and by attacking infrastructure, they want to hide their failures in the field. Of course, this means suicide for them." The speaker emphasized that the principle of an "eye for an eye" remained firmly in effect, adding that "a new level of confrontation has begun." Qalibaf's remarks come after US-Israeli airstrikes targeted facilities in the South Pars Special Economic Energy Zone in the coastal city of Asaluyeh, home to the massive South Pars gasfield, the world's largest known gas reserve, which supplies approximately 70 percent of Iran's domestic natural gas. The strikes caused a fire and temporarily suspended operations at the refining complex. The comments also followed massive shows of force across the streets nationwide, when millions came out in support of the country's Islamic establishment and displayed sustained defiance of enemy threats. In Tehran, despite warnings of imminent airstrikes, large crowds gathered in the capital's Enqelab Street, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, while waving Iranian flags and holding up portraits of both the martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and his successor and son, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei. In response to the South Pars attack, Iran's most important operational command unit, Khatam Al-Anbiya, issued a statement declaring it would "severely strike the source of the aggression and consider targeting the fuel, energy, and gas infrastructure" of countries from which the attacks were launched. Iranian Armed Forces have published a list of US-linked energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, stating they "will be targeted in the coming hours". According to observers, the escalation targeting energy infrastructure marks a significant widening of the conflict, with potential global economic ramifications. International oil prices surged following the South Pars attack, with Brent crude rising above $109 per barrel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address True Promise 4: Iran and resistance axis ops. against US-Israeli assets on Mar. 18 Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 8:01 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 Wednesday, March 18, 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 63 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. Below is a list of operations carried out by the Iranian armed forces, as well as resistance movements in Lebanon and Iraq, against the US and the Zionist regime on Wednesday, March 18: Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC): Wave 60 of Operation True Promise 4 was executed in revenge for the blood of Major General Gholamreza Soleimani, the brave commander of the Basij Organization, by attacking the centers of aggression against Iran in US bases and occupied territories in the form of a combined and impact-oriented operation, with the code "Ya Qamar Bani Hashim". In this missile and drone operation, the bases of the US military in Al-Azraq, Al-Udeid, Al-Dhafra, Ali Al-Salem, and Al-Kharj were targeted with long-range and medium-range systems, solid and liquid fuel "Emad", "Qiam", "Zulfiqar", "Dezful", and cruise missiles and explosive drones, by the grace of God. The air support and refueling center of "Ashdod" and the military and armament industry support center "Rafael" were also targeted with "Emad" and "Qadr" systems. Tel Aviv, the center of the murderous Zionist entity, was subjected in the 61st wave of Operation True Promise 4 to a barrage of missiles, including the multi-warhead "Khorramshahr 4," the multi-warhead "Ghadr," "Emad," and "Kheibar Shekan," under the slogan "Ya Aba Abdallah Al-Hussein, in retaliation for the assassination of Dr. Ali Larijani and his companions. The "Khorramshahr 4" and "Ghadr" missiles, due to the collapse of the multi-layered and highly advanced air defense system, successfully struck more than 100 military targets in the heart of the occupied territories. Wave 62 of Operation True Promise 4, with the blessed code name "Ya Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha" (peace be upon him), targeted all US bases in the region and the assembly points of the military personnel and combat support centers of Zionists with Ghadr multi-warhead, Kheibar-Shekan, Emad, and Hajj Qassem missiles. In this wave, centers in Akka, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and occupied Bir Al-Sabi' were destroyed with powerful missiles, after the collapse of the ultra-advanced defense systems of the Zionist regime and the US, without the warning sirens being activated. All American bases in the region were razed for the third consecutive time in Ali Al-Salem, Victoria, Al-Kharj, Al-Udeid, Al-Udayri, Al-Dhafra, Al-Azraq, the Fifth Fleet, and Arifjan with powerful multi-warhead missiles and precise destructive drones. Iranian Army: Forced the US aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln" to leave the region by executing a missile operation and firing powerful coastal-to-sea missiles at it. Two Hermes drones belonging to the American-Zionist enemy were destroyed in the skies of Tehran. Hezbollah: In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles on the Al-Khazzan hill in the border village of Al-Odaisseh with rocket barrages. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers near the "Misgav Am" settlement with an attack drone. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Al-Marj site, opposite the border town of Markaba, with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the Al-Khanouq area in the border village of Aitaroun with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the area of the old spring (Al-Nab'a Al-Qadima) in the border village of Al-Odaisseh with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers on Al-Khazzan Hill in the border town of Odaisseh with a rocket barrage. Defending Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at Al-Owaida hill in the border town of Odeissah with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Taybeh project with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the "Shomera" settlement with a rocket barrage. 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 on Al-Owayda hill in the border town of Odeissah with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a group of Israeli soldiers attempting to advance towards the town of Taybeh with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters shot down a drone belonging to the Israeli occupation over the town of Al-Marwaniyah in southern Lebanon with appropriate weapons. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Ein Zeitim" base north of the occupied city of Safad 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 "Kiryat Shmona" settlement with a swarm of attack drones. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Yoav barracks in the occupied Syrian Golan with a swarm of attack drones. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Al-Marj site opposite the border town of Markaba with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Misgav Am" site opposite the border town of Odeissah with a rocket barrage. In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Al-Rahib site opposite the border town of Ayta Al-Shaab with 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 north of the Al-Taybeh project with a rocket barrage. Islamic Resistance in Iraq: Targeted the interests of the US military in northern Iraq using drone aircraft. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Assassinations only make Iran 'stronger', aggressors to pay price: Leader Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 6:24 PM Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed revenge for the assassination of Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani in an Israeli strike, stressing that the perpetrators will pay a price soon. In a statement on Wednesday, the Leader offered his condolences over the martyrdom of Ali Larijani, his son and several of his companions in an Israeli strike Tuesday night. Ayatollah Khamenei paid tribute to Larijani, saying "he was a learned, farsighted, intelligent, and committed individual, possessing diverse experience across various political, military, security, cultural, and managerial fields." "Nearly five decades of influential service within different layers of the Islamic establishment had made him a distinguished figure," he added. Ayatollah Khamenei noted that the assassination of Larijani "reflects both his importance and the deep hostility of the enemies of Islam toward him." He emphasized that such assassinations will only make the Islamic establishment "stronger", stressing that "every spilled blood has a price, which the criminal killers of these martyrs will soon have to pay." Dr. Larijani also served as a member of Iran's Expediency Council and a senior advisor to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. He previously served as Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) for 12 years before being succeeded by Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf. Throughout his long and successful political career, he also contested presidential elections and served as head of the national broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). His assassination comes as part of the unprovoked and illegal US-Israeli aggression against Iran, which began on February 28. The attacks led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases and interests in regional countries. In a separate statement, Ayatollah Khamenei offered his condolences over the martyrdom of the head of the Basij Organization, Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani. The Leader said the "distressing" news of Soleimani's assassination had caused "deep sorrow" for the Iranian nation. Ayatollah Khamenei noted that "the assassination of this devoted commander is a reminder of the great importance of the Basij [volunteer forces] and the profound fear that the spiteful and cowardly enemy has of confronting it." The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced Soleimani's assassination in a targeted strike by the American-Zionist enemy on Tuesday. The Corps emphasized that this "cowardly assassination indicates the importance and role of Basij in the field of all-out battle against the terrorist US army and the Zionist regime, especially in the recent war." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC says regional energy sites linked to US will be reduced to ashes Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 5:21 PM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says regional energy production facilities linked to the United States will be reduced to ashes as the elite force prepares to respond to attacks on Iran's natural gas production sites. Spokesman of the IRGC's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari said on Wednesday that Iran's attacks will target countries whose territories were used to launch airstrikes on Iran's gas facilities earlier in the day. "Fuel, energy and natural gas infrastructure of the source of the invasion will be set ablaze and reduced to ashes at the earliest opportunity," the spokesman said in a televised statement. Earlier on Wednesday, the IRGC issued a warning note to people living near five major energy production facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, to immediately evacuate to protect their lives from Iran's reprisal attacks. The warning came right after Iran's Oil Ministry said four refining facilities in Asaluyeh, a Persian Gulf coastal town home to Iran's gas processing installations, had suffered damage as a result of US-Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said in a post on his X account that the force had updated its bank of targets to include "oil installations related to the US." Tangsiri said the IRGC will open fire on those installations forcefully and with full strength. "We warn citizens and workers to keep away from these installations," said his post. Iran has been carrying out reprisal attacks against US military bases and other assets in regional countries since the start of the US-Israeli aggression on February 28. However, oil and gas infrastructure was spared to prevent major disruption to regional and international energy supplies. Iranian authorities had warned that those facilities would also come under attack if corresponding sites in Iran were hit. The Wednesday attacks and Iran's planned response are expected to cause a major surge in international energy prices, with analysts warning that they could well exceed $150 a barrel, up nearly three times compared to before the aggression on Iran. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's president vows Israeli assassinations of top officials won't go unanswered Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 4:15 PM Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed that the Israeli assassination of the head of the Basij Organization and his comrades "will not go unanswered," and will further increase the determination of the Iranian nation. In a message on Wednesday, the Iranian president offered his condolences over the martyrdom of the "brave commander" Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani Farsani, along with several of his comrades, in a "terrorist" Israeli attack. Noting that Soleimani bravely served on the fronts during Iraq's 1980-88 imposed war on Iran and took part in all arenas of resistance and was "always prepared for martyrdom", Pezeshkian said that he has "now reached his long-held aspiration." "It is a false illusion of the inhumane and terrorist Zionist regime that such malicious actions could weaken the resolve of the noble Iranian nation," he stressed. "There is no doubt that the blood of these dear martyrs will not go unanswered, and their martyrdom will inspire a revolutionary fervor with even greater motivation," Pezeshkian added. In a seperate statement earlier on Wednesday, Pezeshkian also condoled the martyrdom of top security official Dr. Ali Larijani and his associates. President Pezeshkian described him as a "virtuous, precious, and dear brother." "He was an outstanding and valuable figure who, throughout the era of the Islamic Republic, served in various capacities, yielding extensive and diverse results. During our long collaboration in the Islamic Consultative Assembly and his recent tenure as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, I witnessed nothing but goodwill, keen insight, companionship, and foresight from him," Pezeshkian wrote in the message. Iran's president warned of severe consequences for the perpetrators of the horrific crime. "Undoubtedly, a severe revenge awaits the terrorist criminals who have stained their foul hands with the blood of the innocent, yet brave and steadfast, martyrs of the sacred land of Iran during the recent terrorist aggressions," he warned. 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. Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases and interests in regional countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Intelligence forces arrest over 100 pro-monarchy mercenaries across Iran Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 4:01 PM Iranian intelligence forces have identified and captured 110 pro-monarchy mercenaries in 26 provinces of the country, who were planning to conduct acts of sabotage amid the US-Israeli onslaught against the Islamic Republic. According to a statement released by the Intelligence Ministry on Wednesday, weapons and communications devices were also seized during the operation. The statement added that 110 chieftains of the so-called "Zionist troops" terrorist outfit were also captured in the preemptive operation in 26 provinces, and a considerable number of cold weapons and firearms, shockers, batons, paint sprays, banners, flags, as well as face masks were recovered from them. The Intelligence Ministry went on to note that two individuals involved in espionage activities at the behest of the United States were also detained in the western province of Hamedan. The pair had reportedly received training at a US-operated and so-called cultural center in some neighboring countries, prior to the onset of the latest US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, and were reporting on the arms depots and congregation points of provincial security forces to enemies using Starlink satellite internet terminals. Moreover, two spies were detained in the northwestern West Azarbaijan Province. The two individuals, hired by an intelligence service based in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, were spying for the US and Israeli regime. Additionally, two consignments of munitions, including 29 pistols, two Kalashnikov assault rifles, and 58 bullet magazines were confiscated in the western province of Kermanshah as they were being smuggled into the country from the Iraqi Kurdish region. Another consignment, comprising eight pistols, 161 bullets, a handheld radio, 21 Molotov cocktails, and a large number of cold weapons were also seized in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi. Several individuals were also arrested in connection with the seized weapons. Furthermore, another 21 people were detained in Tehran, Hamedan, Fars and West Azarbaijan provinces. They were filming security checkpoints, sensitive centers, camps of law enforcement forces, and trying send them to the Israeli-funded and so-called Iran International television news network. In a related development, two large consignments of Starlink satellite internet terminals were confiscated in the southern coastal province of Hormuzgan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's president offers condolences on martyrdom of Intelligence Minister Esmaeel Khatib Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 3:55 PM Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered his condolences to the nation on the martyrdom of Minister of Intelligence Esmaeel Khatib, who was assassinated in a US-Israeli targeted attack on Tuesday. "The cowardly assassination of my dear colleagues Esmaeel Khatib, Ali Larijani, and Aziz Nasirzadeh, along with some of their family members and team members, has left us in mourning," Pezeshkian wrote in a message on X on Wednesday. He offered his condolences to "the great people of Iran on the martyrdom of two cabinet members, the Secretary of the Supreme Council, and military and Basij commanders," who were assassinated in coordinated targeted strikes by US-Israeli forces on Tuesday. Pezeshkian said in a separate message on Tuesday that the martyrdom of Larijani "is bitter and unexpected, but the steadfastness of the Iranian nation and "their achievement of ultimate victory" will make the Zionist criminals regret imposing a war on Iran. "I am certain their path will continue stronger than ever," Pezeshkian said. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians paid their respects to Dr. Larijani, and General Soleimani during a mass funeral procession in Tehran on Wednesday. The procession witnessed one of the largest public gatherings in recent weeks, with crowds filling the streets of Tehran from early morning. Iranian authorities have denounced all the assassinations as cowardly acts, vowing to avenge them in the most decisive manner. In retaliation, the IRGC launched massive overnight airstrikes targeting over 100 locations in Tel Aviv. The United States and Israel launched a large-scale, unprovoked war against Iran on February 28, assassinating Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and a number of senior commanders. Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh was among those martyred on the first day of US-Israeli joint military aggression on the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC orders evacuations in 3 Persian Gulf countries after attacks on gas installations Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 2:21 PM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has issued an urgent evacuation order for people living near key energy-production facilities in three Persian Gulf Arab states after attacks on gas-processing installations in southern Iran. The IRGC warning said five complexes, two refineries, two petrochemical complexes, and a gas field in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have become now legitimate targets for Iranian retaliation. The IRGC urged citizens, residents, and workers in the vicinity of these facilities to evacuate immediately to protect their lives. The facilities named in the warning were SAMREF Refinery and Jubail Petrochemical Complex in Saudi Arabia, the Al-Hosn Gas Field in the UAE and Al-Mesaieed Holding and Petrochemical Complex, as well as Phases 1 and 2 of Ras Laffan Refinery in Qatar. Iran had warned since the start of the US-Israeli aggression on February 28 that any attack on its key energy installations would cross a major red line, promising retaliation against oil and gas sites in Persian Gulf countries that are linked to the United States. Authorities in the Iranian Oil Ministry said on Wednesday that US-Israeli airstrikes targeted parts of the refining installations in Asaluyeh, a coastal city that processes a bulk of the natural gas from South Pars, the world's largest gas field, located on the maritime border between Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf. The IRGC's note added that the rulers of the Persian Gulf Arab states had ignored Iran's warnings, persisting in "blind subservience" and making decisions that do not reflect the will of their peoples. "We have repeatedly warned your leaders against following this dangerous path and dragging their peoples into a major gamble with their fate," the note said. "Therefore, they bear full responsibility for all consequences that will result from this course." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address All US bases in region, Israeli gathering points 'shoveled' in wave 62 of retaliation: IRGC Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 1:54 PM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the successful completion of the 62nd wave of Operation True Promise 4, targeting all US bases across the region and Israeli military gathering points and combat support centers with a barrage of advanced missiles and precision drones. The IRGC Public Relations department said in a statement that the wave 62 successfully destroyed targets in Acre, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba. The strikes were carried out without the activation of warning sirens, demonstrating the penetration capabilities of the Iranian missiles. The IRGC employed a variety of powerful weaponry in the latest strikes, including multi-warhead Qadr missiles, Kheibar Shekan missiles, Emad missiles, and Haj Qassem missiles. US bases 'shoveled' for 3rd time For the third time, all US bases throughout the region were targeted and "shoveled" by Iranian forces, the statement said. It specifically named multiple installations that were struck: Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Victory Base in Iraq, Al Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Udeirah Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan, Fifth Fleet Naval Base in Bahrain, and the Arifjan Base in Kuwait. These installations were hit with powerful multi-warhead missiles and precision explosive drones, according to the IRGC. The IRGC statement highlighted the extraordinary and astonishing presence of the Iranian nation in social and public arenas, particularly on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Iranian year, as a source of rage, desperation, and madness for the enemy. "The enemy is trapped and imprisoned in a triangle of Iranians' national cohesion, the immense missile and drone power, and the support of world public opinion for Iranians," the statement declared. Addressing the recent "blind terror" attacks that resulted in the martyrdom of a number of Basij members, the IRGC said such crimes have no impact on the vast sea of Basij forces. "The blind terror of a number of Basij members in no way disrupts in the immense and million-strong sea of Basijis, and instead strengthens the determination to continue the path of war until victory and the surrender of the enemy," the statement said. Wave 62 represents the latest phase of Iran's sustained response to the US-Israeli war of aggression that began on February 28. The United States and Israel assassinated Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and thousands of civilians, including the Minab school students, and the recent martyrdom of three-day-old Mojtaba and his family near Arak. The IRGC has reported firing about 700 missiles and 3,600 drones at US and Israeli targets since the conflict began, utilizing a full arsenal of advanced weaponry, including hypersonic Fattah missiles, Khorramshahr missiles with one-ton warheads, and various precision-guided systems. 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 repeated strikes on US bases throughout the region demonstrate Iran's capability to project power across West Asia despite enemy efforts to degrade its military capacity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Over a dozen US Reaper drones valued at $330 million destroyed by Iran: Report Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 11:05 AM American forces have lost more than a dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones in the ongoing war against the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to a report. Citing two US officials, ABC News said the unmanned aircraft were either shot down by Iranian missiles or destroyed on the ground by incoming fire. The Reaper serves a dual purpose in combat zones, conducting surveillance missions while also carrying Hellfire missiles capable of striking targets. The significant number of losses highlights the extensive deployment of these critical assets in the war that has been widely criticized both in and outside the US. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the drone losses in the ongoing war, which was triggered by an unprovoked act of aggression against the Islamic Republic on February 28, resulting in the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as well as some top-ranking military commanders. In response, Iranian armed forces immediately launched retaliatory operations targeting the Israeli military sites in the occupied territories and the US military bases in the region. The MQ-9 Reaper has been a cornerstone of US aerial missions for years. In 2020, the US Air Force finalized its last five-year procurement contract for the drones. Manufacturer General Atomics subsequently closed the production line last year after completing 575 units. C. Mark Brinkley, a spokesperson for General Atomics, was quoted as saying that the final batch of four drones carried a price tag of approximately $16 million per aircraft. According to The Wall Street Journal, each unit is valued at approximately $30-32 million, placing the total estimated loss for the Reaper fleet at over $330 million. A senior Iranian intelligence official, speaking exclusively to a Press TV correspondent on Tuesday, revealed detailed estimates of damage inflicted on the American military in the region during the first seven days of the ongoing war. The main finding indicated a critical depletion of air defense stockpiles for both the United States and the Israeli regime, a development described as "very serious" by the official. The intelligence further detailed substantial casualties, reporting that at least 200 US military personnel were killed, with over 3,000 wounded in the first week itself. The material losses outlined were equally significant. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia condemns Israel's attack near Bushehr plant, files complaint Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 10:39 AM Russia has officially filed a complaint against Israel for attacking areas near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and endangering the lives of its Russian personnel. Hebrew news outlet reported on Wednesday that Russia has voiced strong condemnation against Israel for attacking the Bushehr airport and other areas in the southern Iranian province, which are close to the nuclear power plant. The attacks endanger the lives of Russian personnel working in and around the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Russia said. The Russian embassy in the Israeli-occupied territories gave the country's complaint and official demands to Israeli authorities. According to reports, Israeli attacks against Bushehr targeted the living quarters of one of Russia's nuclear experts in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM Araghchi condoles martyrdom of Ali Larijani in a 'terrorist act' by US, Israel Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 10:05 AM Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has condoled the martyrdom of Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, in a "terrorist act" by the US and the Israeli regime. In a message of condolence on Wednesday, Araghchi expressed his "utmost regret and sorrow" over the martyrdom of the country's top security official, extending condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, Larijani's family, and the Iranian nation. The foreign minister described Larijani as one of the most distinguished figures in Iranian politics, calling him a "symbol of moderation, rationality, and strategic depth." He said Larijani had become a "rare and influential personality" in the country's decision-making processes, shaped by years of valuable experience in both domestic and international affairs. Reflecting on his own professional relationship with the late statesman, the foreign minister noted the "privilege of close cooperation" during Larijani's tenure as Speaker of the Parliament and later as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. This collaboration, he stated, provided a valuable opportunity to intimately understand his intellectual and managerial capabilities, as well as his deep patriotism. Iran's top diplomat characterized Larijani's passing as a "great and irreparable tragedy" for the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, despite the loss, the foreign minister affirmed that the country's diplomatic course would remain steady, relying on the "intellectual legacy and experience of cooperation" with the late secretary. In a statement issued late Tuesday, the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretariat announced the martyrdom of Larijani alongside his son, Mortaza Larijani; the SNSC deputy for security, Alireza Bayat; and a number of their bodyguards. The statement described martyrdom as Larijani's "long-held dream," achieved after a lifelong struggle to advance the country and its Islamic Revolution. The Secretariat added that the martyrdom would further steel the resolve of the nation and its officials to persist in elevating the Islamic Republic's stance. Larijan, who held the position of the top security official since August 2025, also served as a member of Iran's Expediency Council and a senior advisor to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. He previously served as Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) for 12 years before being succeeded by Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Havoc in Israeli occupied territories as Iran uses new weapons Iran Press TV Wednesday, 18 March 2026 9:48 AM Penetrating the highly-advanced Israeli missile systems stationed across the occupied territories, Iranian missiles have inflicted heavy damage upon Tel Aviv, killing two settlers and wounding tens of others in the process. Hebrew news outlets reported that since the early hours of Wednesday, Tel Aviv and its surrounding areas have been struck by Iranian missiles at least twice, while Israeli missile systems have been unable to intercept the incoming projectiles. According to the news outlets, Iran's massive missile and drone attacks resulted in the loss of electricity and evacuation of thousands of settlers in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas. More than 4,000 settlers have been forced to evacuate, the reports said. Israeli paramedics and first responders have been sent to eight areas across Tel Aviv while a major train station has been severely damaged, according to the reports. The mayor of Tel Aviv said that because of the attacks, the movement of trains across and around Tel Aviv have been suspended until further notice. Furthermore, several towns around Tel Aviv have lost electricity after being hit by Iranian missiles. Israel's Channel 14 said two setters were killed when an Iranian missile hit the town of Ramat Gan, in the suburbs of Tel-Aviv. In a statement on Wednesday, the spokesperson for Iran's army said that in recent days the armed forces have been using highly-advanced weaponry which they had not used before. "God's willing, after the war, we will have a new order in the region, without the US," he added. In another statement, the Army said it targeted the Ben Gurion airport with drones where Israeli regime's refueling airplanes were stationed. In remembrance of the martyred soldiers aboard Dena destroyer, as well as martyr Ali Larijani, and martyr General Qolamreza Soleimani, the Army launched a flurry of drones towards Ben Gurion airport where the regime holds its refueling airplanes, it said. The army also thanked the Iranian people for their glorious presence during the funeral ceremony of the Dena Destroyer sailors. "It is the people's support that encourages the brave personnel of the Armed Forces to continue their war against the US-Israeli aggression," the statement added. Meanwhile, Australia's Ministry of Defense said the al-Menhad military base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Australian armed forces have a strong presence, have been targeted and damaged by Iranian missiles. The Iranian Armed Forces have been attacking Israeli targets across the occupied territories and US bases across the region since February 28, after the US and Israel attacked several locations across Iran, assassinating several high-ranking officials, including Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. According to Iran's Ministry of Defense, Iranian forces have killed at least 600 American troops at various US bases since the start of the imposed war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qatar Hit As Tehran Vows Retaliation For Strike On Massive Gas Field; US Says Iran 'Degraded' But Capable Of Attacks By RFE/RL March 18, 2026 Iran threatened to attack energy facilities throughout the Persian Gulf region after announcing that its massive South Pars gas field was hit on March 18 in the first reported strike on the country's Gulf infrastructure since the US and Israel began a bombardment campaign on the last day of February. Hours after Iran vowed to retaliate, Qatar reported a fire at its main gas hub, Ras Laffan, after an alleged Iranian missile attack, with emergency crews deployed to contain the blaze and state giant QatarEnergy reporting "extensive damage." Qatar demanded that Iran's military and security attaches and their staffs leave the country within 24 hours. Saudi Arabia said it had destroyed four ballistic missiles headed toward Riyadh, and reported an attempted drone attack on a gas facility in the east. Fragments of one of the missiles fell near a refinery south of the capital, the Saudi Defense Ministry said. Meanwhile, Iran confirmed the death of its intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, a day after it acknowledged that two other senior figures had been killed. In Washington, the top US intelligence official said Iran's government "appears to be intact but largely degraded by Operation Epic Fury," the US name for its military operation. "Even so, Iran and its proxies remain capable of and continue to attack US and allied interests in the Middle East," US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told a Senate hearing. "If a hostile regime survives, it will seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its missiles and UAV (drone) forces." South Pars is the Iranian part of the world's largest natural gas deposit, which the country shares with Qatar, across the Gulf. "A spokesman for Iran's central command said Tehran would "severely strike the origin of this aggression," calling it legitimate to hit the attacker's "fuel, energy, and gas infrastructure." Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari described the targeting of facilities linked to South Pars as a "dangerous and irresponsible step," warning that attacks on energy infrastructure threaten global energy security, regional stability, and the environment. Qatar blamed Israel for the attack, which was also criticized by the United Arab Emirates. Global oil prices -- which have risen as a result of the war and Iran's virtual blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for Gulf oil -- increased after news of the strike, which increased concerns about dangers to energy infrastructure in the region as the conflict persists. "The attack...indicates Israel's willingness to hit aspects of Iran's energy infrastructure, and then of course Iran's willingness to retaliate against other energy targets," Gregory Brew, a historian of Iranian oil and a senior analyst at the Eurasia Group, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda. It's unclear if "Israel is going to start targeting energy infrastructure more broadly -- this could be a warning shot, a prelude to a more significant campaign. It's also unclear if Iran's retaliation against [Gulf] energy targets is going to be significant enough to deter additional attacks, given that its capabilities have been degraded," he said. "So we will have to wait and see but this does suggest that without de-escalation , likely led by President Trump, this war is going to continue and could very well escalate to a point where energy becomes a more prominent target," Brew said. Trump asserted on March 17 that the US campaign "will be over in a week or two and it won't take long." He did not provide a more specific time frame, but added that "everything is moving very quickly" and that "we are well ahead of schedule." Gabbard's appearance at the Senate left questions about the state of Iran's nuclear program. Her prepared remarks said that Tehran's enrichment capability had been destroyed in US-Israeli strikes last June and that the US had not seen efforts to rebuild, while her oral testimony suggested Iran was attempting to recover from damage. Intelligence chief Khatib was the latest in a growing number of senior Iranian figures who have been killed since the longtime supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, died on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli campaign. His son, Ayatollah Mojtabi Khamenei, has not been seen in public since he was named as the new supreme leader. Acknowledging Khatib's demise in an X post on March 18, which also named the head of Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, and the country's defense minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, who died in earlier attacks, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian said that their "cowardly assassination" had "left us in mourning." Early on March 18, a barrage of Iranian missiles killed two people in Israel, near Tel Aviv, as Tehran vowed revenge for the assassination of Larijani. Tehran said the overnight attacks, which brought the war's death toll in Israel to at least 14, were to "honor" Larijani's death. A statement read by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on state television said the attacks used Khoramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles, both of which carry multiple warheads. Israel has accused Iran of repeatedly using cluster munitions, which split into several smaller bombs midflight and spread over a wide area, making them difficult to intercept. Iranian media on March 18 reported strikes in Lorestan Province and Hamedan city, both in the west of Iran, as well as the southern Fars Province. Israel also intensified its strikes on targets that it said are related to Iranian-backed Hezbollah -- which the United States and Israel have deemed a terrorist organization -- in Lebanon. Several people were reported dead in the attacks, which are bolstering concerns that the conflict could be widen throughout the Middle East. Meanwhile, Rosatom, the Russian operator of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in western Iran, said a projectile hit an area near the facility on March 17, though no damage or injuries or release of radiation were reported. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated the IAEA's "call for maximum restraint during the conflict to prevent risk of a nuclear accident," the nuclear watchdog said in a post on X. Russian-built Bushehr, on the Gulf coast, is Iran's sole nuclear power plant; it is fueled by uranium produced in Russia, not Iran, and is monitored by the IAEA. Russia has evacuated some staff, but hundreds remain. Several explosions were also heard in Jerusalem on March 18, following the Israeli military's announcement that it had detected a new wave of missiles fired from Iran. 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 council and one of the most powerful figures in Iran following Ali Khamenei's killing. Separately, the IRGC confirmed the death of Qolamreza 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. Khatib was killed in a targeted strike on Tehran, the IDF said. "Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, both with regards to the arrest and killing of protesters," it said in a statement published on Telegram. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Defense Ministry had previously authorized the Israeli military to target any senior Iranian official without requiring additional approval. The US-Israeli offensive against Iran has shown no signs of letting up, and air raid sirens were heard in several locations around the Middle East on March 18. Several loud explosions were heard in Dubai early in the day as officials in the United Arab Emirates said the country's air defense systems had intercepted 13 ballistic missiles and 27 drones launched by Iran on March 18. According to Emirati officials, more 2,000 drones and missiles have been fired at the country by Iran since the start of the war. Trump said on March 17 that the United States had been informed by most of its NATO allies that they don't want to get involved with the country's military operation in Iran. Trump had called for help securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively shut down with attacks on vessels and threats of more. Some countries had said they'd consider such a move, but many others rejected getting involved. A senior official of the United Arab Emirates said the country is considering joining the US naval initiative. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said negotiations are continuing in this regard, but a final decision has not yet been made, and emphasized that ensuring trade and energy security is the shared responsibility of major countries. Iran's targeting of crude oil and gas producing nations around the Gulf has pushed energy prices up sharply in many countries. With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bushehr-israel- russia-attacks/33709666.html Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In The US War On Iran, Russia Is A Winner (Mostly) By Mike Eckel March 18, 2026 High oil prices? Check. Fewer US weapons for Kyiv? Check. Washington distracted from the ongoing war on Ukraine? Check. Europe nervous about energy costs? Check. Tensions in the West? Check. Nearly three weeks into the furious campaign of US and Israeli air strikes, the Tehran government -- Russia's closest partner in the Middle East is being shoved toward collapse, regional politics have been scrambled and Moscow has been left watching, largely helplessly, from the sidelines. The Kremlin isn't entirely unhappy, though. "I do think that it complicates the security and the economic picture for Europe. And it distracts [US President Donald] Trump from Ukraine, and all of that will feel like it gives a lot of extra room to Moscow," said Sam Greene, a longtime Russia expert and professor of Russian politics at King's College London. European policymakers "might begin to shift their willingness to support Ukraine and to maintain their stance on Russia," he told RFE/RL. "It's that sort of thing that blows wind into [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's sails." In the Kremlin's calculus about the fallout from the war on Iran, oil prices are a key variable. Exports of oil and gas have fueled, and funded, Russia's all-out war on Ukraine, now in its fifth year. Western sanctions have chipped away at those revenues, in part because of a "price cap" which essentially limits how much money Moscow can garner. Undermining Unity But the Iran war has now sent oil prices soaring, which means more money for Moscow, and for the war on Ukraine. That's a welcome development for Putin, given that the Russian economy is sputtering and may be slipping into recession. "High energy prices may not just provide a lifeline when Russia's economy was already under increased strain of sanctions and the high costs of the war, it is also starting to undermine the unity of the countries supporting Ukraine," said Katja Bego, a senior research fellow in Chatham House's Europe Program. "If the energy crisis in the Middle East persists and further deepens, we are likely to see more European leaders start to make such calls, and it will no longer just be countries like Hungary and Slovakia breaking rank," she said. Additionally, with Americans grumbling about high gasoline prices, the Trump administration, issued a sanctions waiver allowing buyers to purchase some Russian oil already in tankers scattered around the world. "Moscow's ideal scenario for a Middle East war is not a swift victory or a catastrophic escalation, but a conflict of moderate duration and intensity that keeps oil prices high without significantly disrupting the global economy," Aleksandra Prokopenko, a former Russian Central Bank adviser, said in a post to X. "The beneficiary of this war is Putin, filling up his coffers with oil dollars...and the reduction in support being given to Ukraine," Richard Shirreff, a former British general and ex-NATO deputy commander, told CNN this week. Europe and Canada "must absolutely double down...increasing support for Ukraine." US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the decision to grant a waiver for Russian oil, arguing the measure was "narrowly tailored" and would "not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government." "The temporary increase in oil prices is a short-term and temporary disruption that will result in a massive benefit to our nation and economy in the long-term," Bessent said in the statement posted to X. The White House declined to comment. 'There's Always A Danger That Eventually You Piss Off Washington' A major reason why Ukraine has been able to defend itself against a larger Russian military is Western weaponry. Above all, that's Washington, which has supplied, among other things, air-defense systems to help Kyiv down Russian missiles and drones. Across the Middle East, the US and Israel -- not to mention US allies like Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates -- have been trying to keep pace with Iran's retaliation, firing scores of their own anti-missile and anti-drone weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Persian Gulf nationshad fired more than 800 American-made Patriot missiles in three days alone. The more US weapons stockpiles are depleted, the fewer weapons there are for Ukraine. That's bad for Kyiv and good for Moscow, which continues to pummel Ukraine - frontline positions, civilian apartment buildings, electricity grid, power plants - leaving Kyiv struggling to keep up its defenses. "For Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus," Zelenskyy said in an interview with the BBC. "In addition to energy prices, it means the depletion of US reserves, and the depletion of air defense manufacturers. So we [Ukraine] have a depletion of resources." Ukraine has also struggled to keep US-backed peace negotiations from tilting too far to Russia's advantage. After multiple rounds, the talks have now sputtered to a halt. Last week, one of the Kremlin's main envoys, Kirill Dmitriev, flew to Florida to meet with the US officials overseeing the Ukraine peace talks: special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.Dmitriev later described the talks as "productive." Two days later, the US Treasury Department issued its sanctions waiver on Russian oil. If the Trump administration were distracted by the Iran war, Greene said, that could open a greater role for Europe, which on the whole is seen as more supportive of Ukraine. "I think that that does make Moscow nervous, but at the same time, [the Russians] have been walking this very fine line of trying to stay engaged with the negotiating process without actually giving anything up," he said. "And there's always a danger that eventually you piss off Washington." 'Influence In Decline' The biggest negative variable in the Kremlin's Iran war calculus is the loss of clout in the region, experts said. Moscow was already smarting from the December 2024 collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, where Russia invested decades of resources to build up its military presence. Then this January, US forces swooped into Caracas, and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro -- another ally of Moscow. "This is yet another case of the Kremlin failing to truly support its ally in its hour of need, and [showing] itself largely impotent," Bego said. "It is also yet another regime aligned with the Kremlin finding itself under potentially existential strain." "Russian influence in [the Middle East] appears to be in a steady -- and for the foreseeable future -- decline," said Maria Engqvist, director of the Russia and Eurasia studies program at the Swedish Defense Research Agency. "For now, Moscow has very limited possibilities to manage this and can't do much about it." Russia has not entirely abandoned Tehran; reportedly Moscow is providing intelligence, and possibly sensitive targeting information, which has helped Iran hit things like the CIA station in Riyadh. "Both cases -- Venezuela and Iran - highlight the practical difficulties that the Russian leadership have to implement their own strategic ambitions," Engqvist said. "This is likely to erode the confidence of [Moscow's partners] in Russia as a provider of anything that may be useful to them, and their respective relationships." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-iran-war- intelligence-ukraine-benefits/33709955.html Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova following a missile strike on Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant 18 March 2026 17:13 394-18-03-2026 We strongly condemn the reckless and wholly unacceptable missile strike carried out within the inner perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant just a few short metres away from an operational power unit. We have repeatedly made it clear to Israel and the United States, which continue the aggressive military campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, that creating threats to the life and safety of the numerous Russian personnel remaining at the site was absolutely unacceptable. Tel Aviv and Washington must stop their reckless attacks on nuclear infrastructure facilities, which create real risks of a radiological and environmental disaster on a regional scale. We expect the International Atomic Energy Agency, under whose safeguards the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant operates, to come up with an unequivocal condemnation of this outrageous incident. We also look forward to hearing an appropriate response from all responsible and sensible members of the international community, above all the Gulf States, which could be the first to suffer the consequences. We call on the parties involved in the conflict to come to their senses and to make efforts towards an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation of tensions. Continued hostilities are fraught with unprecedented ramifications for all of the Middle East, including in the nuclear sphere. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks Press release The UK today stepped up its support for Gulf partners, convening a meeting of defence industry leaders to reinforce countries in the region under attack from Iran. From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP Published 18 March 2026 UK industry explores potential new support for regional allies under indiscriminate attack from Iran. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard and National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce bring together representatives from 13 key UK-based defence companies to meet Gulf ambassadors and defence attaches. Comes as UK intends to buy further Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), manufactured by Thales in Belfast, to supply to British forces and support partners in the region. The UK today stepped up its support for Gulf partners, convening a meeting of defence industry leaders to reinforce countries in the region under attack from Iran. The meeting was convened by Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, and saw representatives from 13 key UK-based defence companies meeting Gulf ambassadors and defence attaches to explore new industry support for regional allies. The Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, and Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer MP, joined the session to emphasise the urgency of this work. It comes as the MOD confirmed that the UK intends to buy further Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), to supply British forces and support partners in the region, including with training in the UK where needed. Lightweight Multirole Missiles, manufactured by Thales UK in Belfast, have already proven highly capable for air defence in the Middle East. The discussion focused on potential new defensive equipment and technology that British-based companies could supply at rapid pace to allies to counter Iranian drone and missile attacks. UK industry representatives from both established primes and innovative new firms attended alongside ambassadors and defence attaches from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Iraq and Jordan. Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: Iran's indiscriminate attacks are a threat to Britain, our allies and our partners in the region. That's why our dedicated Armed Forces are taking defensive action in the Middle East. A nation's Armed Forces are only as strong as the industry that supports them. I'm proud of how our military and industry is stepping up together - just as we are for Ukraine - to offer rapid support to our Gulf partners. This is the best of our British industry, innovators and military in action. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said: As Iranian attacks against our partners in the Gulf continue, the UK is stepping up our support - both military and industrial. We are committed to defending British people, interests, and partners across the region. This event showcases a new approach: actively pulling in allies and industry to drive the pace on the defence kit the Middle East needs. We are bringing in British expertise to help our partners, removing barriers, and championing innovative UK-based industry. It comes as the UK and Ukraine agree a new world-leading partnership to boost global defensive capability against the proliferation of low cost, high tech military hardware, including drones. Defence industry representatives included leaders from: ADS MARSS MSI MBDA Frankenberg Leonardo UK Thales QinetiQ OSL Ltd BAE Systems Ocean Infinity Cambridge Aerospace Uforce Representatives present also received briefings from Ministry of Defence officials on the current strategic situation in the region and the UK Government's response to the crisis. The Ministry of Defence, through the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, is working to speed up financing and licensing for exports to Gulf partners. As part of this, a new Task Force has been created within the NAD Group to collaborate across government to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment. This is just the start, and the NAD Group will seek further opportunities to build on today's event by continuing to work closely with industry partners and Gulf states. Note to editors: All industry stakeholders present were selected due to their strength in offering capabilities such as air defence, counter-drone systems, and command and control software which could be rapidly exported to countries in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HE GCCSG: We Condemn in the Strongest Terms Iran's Dangerous Targeting of the Habshan Gas Facility and Bab Field in the UAE, Representing a Grave Aggressive Escalation General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council Mar 19, 2026 General Secretariat - Riyadh His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned in the strongest and harshest terms the blatant terrorist targeting carried out by Iran against the Habshan gas facility and the Bab field in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He stressed that the continuation of these hostile acts of sabotage reflects a blatant Iranian disregard for international charters and the principles of good neighborliness. He further noted that such actions confirm Iran's persistence in dangerous escalatory policies that expose regional and global economic interests to grave risks. His Excellency reiterated the GCC's full and unwavering solidarity with the UAE and its absolute support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and stability. He underscored that the security of the GCC states is indivisible. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump denied he knew Israel was to attack Iran's gas field after Iranian retaliation: Axios Iran Press TV Thursday, 19 March 2026 6:41 AM US President Donald Trump knew about Israel's plan to strike Iran's South Pars Gas Field but changed course and denied his prior knowledge after the Islamic Republic hit Qatar's gas field in retaliation, according to an Axios reporter. In a post on X on Thursday, Barak Ravid, citing senior American and Israeli officials, said that the United States was fully aware that Israel was set to strike Iran's South Pars Gas Field on Wednesday, adding that Washington even approved the attack. He further noted that Trump, however, denied his prior knowledge of Israel's plan after the Islamic Republic hit Ras Laffan refinery in Qatar in retaliation. "Contrary to Trump's statements, senior Israeli and U.S. officials said that the United States had prior knowledge of the Israeli strike and even approved it in an attempt to pressure Iran. After the Iranians retaliated against Qatar's gas fields, Trump is now changing course," Ravid said. His comments came shortly after Trump said on his Truth Social that Israel "out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East" launched the attack against Iran's major gas facility, claiming that "The United States knew nothing about this particular attack." The American president also pledged - partly in all caps for emphasis - that "NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field." Earlier, Iran's Oil Ministry said that four refining facilities in Asaluyeh, a Persian Gulf coastal town which is home to Iran's gas processing installations known as South Pars Gas Field, had suffered damage as a result of US-Israeli air strikes. Following the attack on South Pars Gas Field, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued an urgent evacuation order for people living near key energy-production facilities in three Persian Gulf Arab states, namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The IRGC's note added that the rulers of the Persian Gulf Arab states had ignored Iran's warnings, persisting in "blind subservience" and making decisions that do not reflect the will of their peoples. "We have repeatedly warned your leaders against following this dangerous path and dragging their peoples into a major gamble with their fate," the note said, warning, "Therefore, they bear full responsibility for all consequences that will result from this course." In a post on X Wednesday night, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, for his part, stressed that the US and Israel are frustrated with the Iranian people, because they have thwarted all the enemy's plans. By attacking Iranian infrastructure, the US and Israel are trying to conceal their defeats on the battlefield, he further said in his post. However, the attacks on Iranian infrastructure "amount to suicide for them. The equation of an eye for an eye is in effect, and a new level of confrontation has begun," Ghalibaf emphasized. The escalation targeting energy infrastructure marks a significant widening of the conflict, with potential global economic ramifications. International oil prices surged following the South Pars attack, with Brent crude rising above $109 per barrel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC says ready to defend Iran's maritime borders, counter enemy moves in Strait of Hormuz Iran Press TV Thursday, 19 March 2026 6:17 AM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has expressed its readiness to counter any plots hatched by Iran's enemies in its territorial waters, including the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement released on Thursday, the IRGC Navy announced its new operation which was conducted as part of the 63rd wave of the attacks in retaliation for the illegal US-Israeli aggression against Iran. It said that it had destroyed "key targets" at the US bases of al-Dhafra and Minhad in the UAE, as well as al-Adairi in Kuwait, and Mina Salman in Bahrain. During the combined missile and drone operation, the building housing commanders at Minhad military facility, along with fuel tanks and equipment, were all hit, it added. Iranian ballistic missiles also struck early-warning radars and the central ramp of al-Adairi base. Meanwhile, the IRGC Navy said that Iranian drones, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, targeted al-Dhafra's fuel tanks and early-warning radars belonging to US terrorist forces and their fifth naval fleet in Mina Salman. "The IRGC Navy is ready to defend the Islamic Republic's maritime borders and strongly confront any possible conspiracy by the enemies in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz," it emphasized. The US and Israel launched their unprovoked act of aggression against Iran on February 28 by assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders, in flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty. The enemies have deliberately targeted Iran's civilian infrastructure and energy facilities. The Iranian Armed Forces began to swiftly retaliate against the terrorist military assault by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on the US assets in regional countries. They have also blocked the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers affiliated with the aggressor regimes to maintain security at the strategic waterway lying between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Giant oil tanker retreats from Strait of Hormuz Additionally, on Thursday, the IRGC's Public Relations Department said that a giant tanker, with the capacity of 160,000 tons of oil and the purported flag of Barbados, was forced to retreat from the Strait of Hormuz after it attempted to challenge the transit restrictions imposed by Iran there. "This strait is the field of Iran's sovereignty and authority, where every passage is defined within the framework of rules determined by Tehran," the elite military force noted. "The ship that entered the field by relying on a purported flag and false calculations finally retreated after realizing the heavy costs of confrontation." It further described the incident as a symbol of Iran's active deterrence, saying it reflects a new balance of power, in which the initiative lies in Iran's hands and the opposite side is forced to retreat despite possessing largest logistic capacities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran urges American citizens to 'disavow this illegal war' Iran Press TV Thursday, 19 March 2026 5:19 AM Iran says each and every American citizen and official who has a "clear conscience" must "disavow" the ongoing US-Israel military aggression against the Islamic Republic, which started late last month. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remark in a post on his X account on Thursday following the resignation of Joseph Kent, the Trump administration's director of the National Center for Counterterrorism (NCC), in protest over the unprovoked aggression against Iran. In a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday, Kent wrote, "I cannot in good conscience support the war against Iran." In reaction to Kent's remarks, the Iranian spokesperson said, "This war is not the war of the American people." "Disavowing this illegal war is the bare minimum any American citizen and official of clear conscience can and should do," Baghaei wrote. He retweeted the post published by the top US counterterrorism official who said that "Iran posed no imminent threat to our country, and we entered this war because of Israel and pressure from its powerful American lobby." Kent's resignation exposes widening divisions within US President Donald Trump's political base over the war and signals that serious questions about the justification for attacking Iran have spread to both senior administration officials and the US president's core supporters. Trump has offered shifting reasons for the strikes and has pushed back on claims that Israel forced the US to act. Earlier this month, House 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." The US and Israeli armed forces launched a joint military aggression against Iran on February 28 by attacking targets across Tehran. Since then, Iranian Armed Forces have retaliated by launching barrages of missiles and drones at Israeli-occupied territories as well as US bases across the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM: Iran will never compromise on its people's security Iran Press TV Thursday, 19 March 2026 12:30 AM Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasizes that Iran will under no circumstances compromise the security of its people. The top diplomat made the remarks in a telephone call with his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard on Wednesday. During the conversation, Araghchi condemned Sweden's "regrettable support" for an individual convicted of spying for the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic. He was commenting on Stockholm's earlier supportive remarks concerning Koorosh Keivani, an agent of the Israeli spy agency Mossad, who had sent photos and videos of important security locations from inside Iran to the regime, and was executed earlier this month after completion of due legal procedures. Keivani was arrested by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Intelligence Organization last June, when the regime and the United States waged a 12-day unprovoked war against Iran. He had been recruited in Sweden in 2023 by a Mossad agent going by the name of "Ben," who could speak Farsi. News about his execution emerged amid the Zionist regime's and the United States' latest bout of unlawful aggression towards the Islamic Republic. The aggression has prompted at least 63 waves of decisive retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic Israeli and American targets throughout the region. It has also led to considerable increase in alertness among the Islamic Republic's intelligence apparatuses regarding espionage and sabotage efforts, besides prompting unprecedented popular contribution to the apparatuses' operations aimed at foiling subversive attempts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel Widens Scope Of Attacks, Hits Northern Iran, While Energy Sites Burn In Gulf Region By RFE/RL March 19, 2026 Israel widened the scope of its attacks on Iran late on March 18, saying it launched air strikes in the north of the country, with Israeli media saying Iranian naval vessels were being hit on the Caspian Sea coast. As Israel attacked in the north, it also hit Iranian energy infrastructure sites in the Gulf, with Tehran retaliating by firing at Gulf Arab countries' oil and gas facilities, with the already widespread conflict threatening to spin out of control. Israel's attack in the north would be the first in that portion of Iran since the start of the US-Israeli war on February 28, with most of its previous strikes focused on Tehran, central Iran, and in the west. "The Israeli Air Force, acting on navy and IDF intelligence, began striking targets in northern Iran for the first time during Operation Roaring Lion," the military said, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. According to Israeli media, Israeli warplanes were attacking Iranian naval vessels at the port city of Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea coast. The reports could not immediately be verified and there was no information about the effects of the strikes. The word of the strikes in the north comes as the Iran war continues to spill over with violence to other areas of the region, with Tehran targeting US allies, especially the Gulf Arab states. Iran Hits Energy Sites, Threatens More Iran threatened to attack energy facilities throughout the region after saying its massive South Pars gas field was hit on March 18 in the first reported strike on the country's Gulf infrastructure since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began. Israeli media reported the attack was carried out by Israel with US consent, but US President Donald Trump later said on Truth Social that Washington did not know about the attack in advance, saying Israel had "violently lashed out" at the key energy site. In retaliation, Iran issued an evacuation warning for several oil facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, saying they would be targeted by strikes "in the coming hours." Almost immediately, Qatar reported a fire at its main gas hub, Ras Laffan, after an alleged Iranian missile attack, with emergency crews deployed to contain the blaze and state giant QatarEnergy reporting "extensive damage." Hours later in the morning of March 19, Iran said it had again attacked the facility, with Qatari officials saying the latest strikes caused fires and "extensive damage" to the site. Officials later said all fires had been contained at the gas hub. In his social media comments late on March 18, Trump vowed there would be no more Israeli attacks on the "extremely important and valuable" South Pars site. However, he warned Tehran that US forces would "massively blow up" the entire facility if Iran attacked Qatar again. It wasn't immediately clear if Trump knew about the reported second Iranian strike at the Qatari site. In another apparent assault on the energy sector, Saudi Arabia said it had destroyed four ballistic missiles headed toward Riyadh and reported an attempted drone attack on a gas facility in the east. Fragments of one of the missiles fell near a refinery south of the capital, the Defense Ministry said. And in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, operations were suspended at the Habshan gas facility as authorities responded to two incidents of fallen debris after the interception of a missile. "Abu Dhabi authorities are responding to incidents at the Habshan gas facilities and at the Bab [oil] field caused by falling debris from the successful interception of missiles," Abu Dhabi's media office said on March 19. "The gas facilities have been shut down." Oil Prices Surge Oil prices continued to rise amid fears of major disruptions to the global oil industry, with benchmark Brent crude increasing more than 5 percent to $112.84 a barrel. "The biggest concern will be the potential for attacks against Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline or export facilities on the Red Sea which alongside Fujairah offer the only significant alternative to the Strait of Hormuz," Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal Middle East analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, was quoted by Reuters as saying. Trump has said he is forming a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for the oil sector that Tehran has effectively closed down. However, most US allies have declined to join the effort. The attacks come as the regime in Tehran continues to suffer deadly blows to its leadership. Iran on March 18 confirmed the death of its intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, a day after it acknowledged that two other senior figures had been killed. In Washington, the top US intelligence official said Iran's government "appears to be intact but largely degraded by Operation Epic Fury," the US name for its military operation. Intelligence chief Khatib was the latest in a growing number of senior Iranian figures who have been killed since the longtime supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, died on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli campaign. His son, Ayatollah Mojtabi Khamenei, has not been seen in public since he was named as the new supreme leader. Deaths In Israel As Israel continues to intensify attacks on Iran and Lebanon -- striking at US-designated terror organization Hezbollah -- it is also suffering casualties and damages from Iranian retaliatory strikes on its territory. Early on March 19, the Israeli ambulance service said a foreign worker was killed in Moshav Adanim during an Iranian missile attack, while Israeli media said one person was killed by shrapnel in the Sharon region. In the West Bank, Palestinian authorities said falling shrapnel struck a hair salon, killing at least three women on March 18, marking the first confirmed Palestinian deaths linked to the Middle East war. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-iran-war- caspitan-energy-oil-attacks/33710118.html Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq's KRG, Baghdad reach deal on resuming oil exports via Turkiye's Ceyhan port Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC) 18.03.2026 [16:32] Baku, March 18, AZERTAC Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) said Tuesday that it has reached an understanding with Baghdad to resume oil exports through the region to Turkiye's port of Ceyhan, according to Anadolu Agency. In a statement on the US social media company X's platform, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said the region decided to allow oil to flow again through its pipeline "as soon as possible," citing "the extraordinary circumstances facing the country and the responsibility we all share to get through this difficult chapter." Barzani said discussions with the federal government in Baghdad will continue "with urgency to lift the restrictions on imports and trade" into the Kurdish region and to secure guarantees for oil and gas companies so they can safely resume production. He also thanked the US for its role and support in facilitating the process. Iraq's Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani said crude exports through Turkiye's Ceyhan port will resume Wednesday at 10 a.m., according to the Iraqi News Agency. The development comes as the Strait of Hormuz has been at the center of global energy concerns since Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced its closure to most vessels in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks that began on Feb. 28. Before the conflict, around 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait daily. Its disruption has pushed oil prices higher. Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkiye and special envoy for Syria, expressed gratitude to Erbil and Baghdad on reaching the agreement. "Many thanks to Erbil and Baghdad for their work to reach agreement at this critical time to resume energy exports and improve prosperity for the region," he wrote on X, adding their "courage, steadfast cooperation and commitment to the diplomatic path have been truly invaluable." "The United States remains fully committed to supporting these important efforts in this time of crisis," he added. Separately, Barzani also received a phone call from Barrack, according to a statement by the KRG. During the call, the two sides discussed developments in the Kurdish region, Iraq and the wider region. Barrack conveyed US President Donald Trump's greetings and praised the KRG prime minister's willingness to cooperate with the federal government to resume oil exports via Turkiye. Barzani said talks with Baghdad were ongoing and that he had instructed the KRG's negotiating team to provide all necessary facilitation to restart exports in a way that "serves citizens' interests amid the current circumstances." He also called on the US to continue its role as a monitor and supporter of ongoing negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad, particularly on customs and trade restrictions. On Sunday, Iraq's Oil Ministry said in a statement that it was ready to resume crude exports through the northern pipeline toward the Turkish port of Ceyhan amid disruptions to southern export routes linked to the regional crisis and navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the ministry said the Kurdish Regional Government's Ministry of Natural Resources had previously refused to restart the export pipeline, putting forward a number of conditions that Baghdad said were "unrelated to crude oil export operations." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan Hypes up China's Defense Budget to Find Excuses for Military Expansion: Defense Spokesperson Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source China Military Online EditorCheng Sihao Time2026-03-18 16:16:56 BEIJING, Mar.18 -- When Japanese politicians hype up China's defense budget and the so-called China threat, it is nothing more than a thief crying "stop thief", so as to find excuses for Japan's hidden ambition of military expansion, said a Chinese defense spokesperson on March 18, 2026. Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), made the above remarks on Wednesday in response to the recent statement made by Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary that China is increasing defense expenditure with a high growth rate and is developing military substantially and rapidly without transparency. The spokesperson stressed that due to its history of launching wars of aggression, Japan should be "completely disarmed" and should not maintain industries that would enable it to re-arm for war, in accordance with such legally-binding international instruments as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. He pointed out that Japan's defense budget has grown for 14 years in a row and increased over 60% in the past five years, reaching 2% of its GDP. Japan's per capita military spending is more than three times that of China. The Japanese side is making drastic efforts to break away from the constraints of its pacifist Constitution. It has developed and deployed offensive weapons far beyond the needs for exclusive defense, and pursued remilitarization without ever a reckoning with its past atrocities. These are the real threat to regional peace and stability. He urged the Japanese side to look at itself in the mirror more often, stop its misleading smearing campaigns, and never repeat the doomed mistake of militarism. Furthermore, in response to the claims by some foreign media that China had maintained increases in defense budget for many years in a row, gradually enlarging the gap in military capabilities with other regional countries, the spokesperson stated that the Chinese defense ministry has released information regarding the specifics of China's 2026 defense budget, making public its size, composition, and allocation and leaving no room for doubt. He added that China's defense spending accounts for less than 1.5% of its GDP. It is significantly lower than that of major military powers like the U.S., and is also below the global average and the NATO benchmark of over 2% of GDP. He emphasized that the increase in China's defense budget is characterized by a reasonable, moderate, and restrained growth. Such increase is solely meant to meet the needs of safeguarding China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, and of maintaining world peace and stability. The stronger the Chinese military, the more secure the world would be. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two cops injured in hand grenade attack on checkpost in Pakistan Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC) 18.03.2026 [15:59] Baku, March 18, AZERTAC Two police constables were injured in a hand grenade attack carried out by unidentified terrorists on a police checkpost here in the wee hours of Wednesday morning in the Budha Bair area, police confirmed, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. According to details, the attack targeted the Zangli checkpost, where assailants hurled a hand grenade and fled the scene. The injured personnel were identified as Constables Shafiullah and Haibat. Police officials said the injured cops were immediately shifted to Lady Reading Hospital, where they were receiving medical treatment. Following the attack, police personnel retaliated with full force; however, the attackers managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Meanwhile, SSP Operations Peshawar, Farhan Khan, visited the hospital and inquired after the injured constables. He directed hospital authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical care. He said that the security across the district had been placed on high alert, while checking at all entry and exit points had been further tightened to prevent any untoward incident. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We must do all we can to maintain momentum towards a more stable and secure future for the Syrian people: UK statement at the UN Security Council Speech Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG Published 18 March 2026 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 18 March 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) I will make three points. First, the current conflict in the region is having a profound impact on neighbouring countries. Iran's reckless attacks threaten to escalate the conflict and further disrupt supply chains and economic security. As we've heard, the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is also exacerbating humanitarian vulnerability and displacing tens of thousands into Syria, many of them women and children. This adds to an already difficult humanitarian situation and places further strain on fragile services. My Foreign Secretary has underlined the UK's grave concern at the developing conflict and called for de-escalation. The UK has announced $20 million in emergency humanitarian support across the region, half of which will support organisations in Lebanon. In Syria, we have released an additional $650,000 to support those impacted by the crisis, including vulnerable women and girls. Second, Mr President, the UK welcomes continued progress on implementing the agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. I want to pay tribute to the work of the US and you personally, Mr President, in brokering this agreement. Ongoing security co-operation, initial appointments of SDF officials to Government posts, and the return of Kurdish families to areas of Afrin are vital steps that build confidence and pave the way towards a stable and unified Syria. Elections in Raqqa Governorate are a further positive sign and an important step towards developing a representative and inclusive Syrian political system. We hope to see further momentum maintained and resolution of outstanding issues, including prisoner exchanges and military integration. And third, I welcome the efforts of Deputy Special Envoy Cardone to renew and strengthen the UN's relationship with the Government of Syria. The Envoy's Office plays an important role in coordinating the UN's support to Syria's recovery. We hope to see its relocation to Damascus in the near future to better enable UN support on the ground. We encourage the UN and the Syrian Government to work constructively towards this goal. Colleagues, 15 years since the initial uprising against Assad and 15 months since his ousting, we continue to see genuine and historic progress in Syria. We must do all we can to maintain momentum towards a more stable and secure future for the Syrian people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Middle East war risks undermining Syria's fragile recovery, Security Council hears 18 March 2026 - The international community must step up efforts to support Syria amid the current conflict raging in the Middle East, two senior UN officials told the Security Council on Wednesday. Claudio Cordone, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, and Joyce Msuya of the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, briefed ambassadors alongside Syrian Olympic athlete Yusra Mardini, a Goodwill Ambassador with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. Mr. Cordone began by addressing how "the alarming regional escalation" is impacting Syria, which continues along the path to political transition more than a year after the overthrow of the Assad regime and 14 years of civil war. "Incidents inside Syrian territory have mainly involved the crashing of debris following interception of Iranian missiles and drones in Syrian airspace, causing civilian casualties, and one incident of shelling from Lebanon attributed to Hezbollah," he said. Israeli helicopter and drone operations in Syrian airspace have also increased, and Israeli forces continued to carry out incursions into Syrian territory. Thousands flee from Lebanon Furthermore, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have killed both Lebanese and Syrian citizens and forced roughly 140,000 people, mostly Syrian nationals, to cross into Syria in search of safety. "I reiterate our call in this context on Israel to fully respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adhere to the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, and refrain from any actions that could undermine Syria's stability and political transition," he said. The envoy commended the Syrian Government for its engagement with regional and international stakeholders to insulate the country from further escalation and ensure that its territory is not used in ways that could widen the conflict. "Syria's steady but fragile recovery -political, institutional and economic - could be undermined by the impact of a prolonged regional conflict," he warned. "Let us redouble efforts to support Syria in shielding itself from this conflict, and let us refocus on helping Syria continue, and even accelerate, its path towards recovery, reconstruction and stability." 'New strain at a fragile moment' Ms. Msuya, the UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, reported on the humanitarian aspects of the crisis. "For Syria, this escalation adds new strain at a fragile moment - one that still offers a genuine opportunity for progress," she said. She noted that falling debris has killed or injured several people, in addition to damaging property, while the scores of people who fled from Lebanon join some 1.5 million refugees who have returned from neighbouring countries since December 2024. A 'fragile' opportunity Yet, humanitarian operations continue in Syria despite airspace restrictions, the closure of the airport in the capital Damascus, and heightened security risks. "As we have consistently told this Council, Syria has an important opportunity to move towards economic recovery, to gradually reduce humanitarian needs, and to lessen reliance on large-scale humanitarian assistance," she said. "But this opportunity remains fragile and will require sustained international support, particularly in the face of the regional volatility." Diplomacy, aid and investment Ms. Msuya made three requests to ambassadors, first calling for "sustained diplomatic engagement to resolve remaining flashpoints" and ensure stability necessary for people to return home and recovery to begin. "This includes consolidating security improvements in areas like northeast Syria, where recent violence has added to existing needs. But it also includes addressing the current regional escalation," she said. "Beyond the danger of direct military spillover, the prolonged disruption to shipping routes, coupled with the rising prices of fuel, fertilizer and other essential goods, could deal a serious blow to Syria's already fragile economy - just as it begins to recover and reconnect with the world after years of conflict and isolation." She also stressed the need to sustain critical humanitarian assistance in the near term, as operations remain constrained by funding shortfalls, liquidity challenges and the lack of banking and other services in many parts of the country. "It would be a tragic mistake if our support to the people of Syria lost momentum now," she said. Breaking down 'walls of division' Ms. Mardini - a member of the first refugee team to compete at the Olympic Games - described herself as a child of war. She said half of all children in Syria today have never known a single day of peace. She emphasised that her homeland requires years of recovery that is not only physical. "Syria also requires reconciliation and societal recovery. A future where no religious sect divides us, and where no one group is favoured over another. We must break down the walls of division, not build new ones," she said. Ms. Mardini also spoke of the challenges facing young Syrians and urged the international community to provide financial support, investment, and capacity-building so Syria can once again build a world-class education system. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At the Security Council, Deputy Relief Chief underlines Middle East escalation risks to Syrians UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria by Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, on behalf of Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator As delivered Thank you, Mr. President. The repercussions of the war in the Middle East are reverberating across the region. For Syria, this escalation adds new strain at a fragile moment - one that still offers a genuine opportunity for progress. As Deputy Special Envoy Cordone has just set out, Syria is already experiencing the effects of the military escalation in the region. Falling debris from aerial projectiles have killed or injured several people and damaged property. Over 140,000 people have fled from Lebanon to Syria, most of them Syrian nationals. The escalation precipitated some planned returns for about 30 per cent of those now arriving in Syria. They are joining the 1.5 million refugees who have returned from neighboring countries since December 2024. Some have indicated plans to return to Lebanon when the situation stabilizes. Mr. President, Despite airspace restrictions, the closure of Damascus Airport, and heightened security risks, our operations continue. In northern and eastern Syria the situation has stabilized in recent weeks, but significant needs remain. Many of those displaced during January have returned home, but over 100,000 people remain displaced in Aleppo and Al-Hasakeh governorates. Services are gradually coming back online, but irregular electricity supply continues to disrupt water stations, hospitals and water systems, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. People's mobility is improving. Key roads connecting Al-Hasakeh with Ar-Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Damascus have reopened, and a stretch of the M4 highway has reopened for the first time since 2019. Our humanitarian partners are assisting over 200,000 people a month in areas of return, with food, healthcare, water and household items. But humanitarian aid is no substitute for state-led services. The situation in Ain Al Arab, also known as Kobani, has gradually improved since our last briefing, but humanitarian needs remain significant. Electricity has been partially restored but gaps persist. Markets are functioning, but there are shortages or high prices for fuel, food, medical supplies and other goods. Following the closure of Al-Hol camp in late February and the departure of its residents, UNHCR and its partners are supporting around 3,000 women and children who were relocated to the transit camp of Ak Burhan in Aleppo Governorate. The UN and our partners are also following up with people who have arrived from Al-Hol in other areas, including Deir ez-Zor, Homs and Idleb, to facilitate their access to services. And we are assisting families who have returned to Afrin, in Aleppo Governorate, from Al-Hasakeh, with Government support. Meanwhile, the presence of landmines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war continues to take a devastating toll across Syria. Since OCHA's last briefing to this Council on 13 February, 50 people were reportedly killed and 97 injured in Syria due to explosive-ordnance-related incidents. Mine action organizations stand ready to expand operations, working closely with Syrian authorities. But they also need sufficient resources and continued security. Mr. President, As we have consistently told this Council, Syria has an important opportunity to move towards economic recovery, to gradually reduce humanitarian needs, and to lessen reliance on large-scale humanitarian assistance. But this opportunity remains fragile and will require sustained international support, particularly in the face of the regional volatility. I have three asks for this Council today: First, we need sustained diplomatic engagement to resolve remaining flashpoints and ensure the stability required for people to return home and recovery to take hold. This includes consolidating security improvements in areas like northeast Syria, where recent violence has added to existing needs. But it also includes addressing the current regional escalation. The longer hostilities persist in the region, the greater the risks for Syria and its people. Beyond the danger of direct military spillover, the prolonged disruption to shipping routes, coupled with the rising prices of fuel, fertilizer and other essential goods, could deal a serious blow to Syria's already fragile economy - just as it begins to recover and reconnect with the world after years of conflict and isolation. As always, the most vulnerable people would be the first and hardest hit, threatening the tentative but real improvements we have seen across some humanitarian indicators. The risk of disruptions to humanitarian operations would also grow, bringing delays and higher costs for humanitarian operations at a time when efficiency is key to overcoming underfunding. Second, we need to sustain critical humanitarian aid in the near term, as development and recovery efforts take hold. We continue to deliver aid as efficiently as we can with the resources available. We assisted 40 per cent more people in 2025 than we did the year before, as our access has improved and our operations have been streamlined. But our appeal for Syria received only about a third of the $3.2 billion required - meaning many more people went without vital support. Humanitarian response also remains constrained by liquidity challenges and a lack of banking and other services in many parts of the country. We continue to prioritize the emergency response to those affected by recent insecurity in the north-east - as I described earlier - and in southern Syria. At the same time, we undertake activities that can also help advance recovery. UNICEF and other partners are helping repair water infrastructure like a treatment facility in Deir Ez-Zor that will provide clean water for 400,000 people. The World Health Organization is working with the Ministry of Health to strengthen primary health services and medical supplies for hospitals. UN agencies and our partners are also rehabilitating schools and bakeries, and supporting the clearance of explosive ordnance. I want to thank the Member States that have already contributed to this year's humanitarian response. But without more funding, we could see further reductions in critical assistance like water and sanitation in displacement sites, support to health facilities, and emergency food support and bread subsidies. Humanitarian support remains critical to ensuring that returns are sustainable, that more people are able to make informed and voluntary decisions about their future, and those who remain displaced get adequate support. Third, we also need to see substantial and sustained investment in Syria's recovery and development. As the Deputy Special Envoy said, we continue to see steady progress in this regard, including the reopening this month of the Syrian Central Bank's account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. But events in the wider region are diverting international attention and could put new constraints on the ability to mobilize resources. We need to do all we can to ensure continued momentum for economic investments, targeted development finance and support for services that can reach the most vulnerable people in Syria. Mr. President, Syria continues to present a rare and genuine opportunity to begin reversing a humanitarian emergency of historical magnitude. But that opportunity remains fragile - and sustaining it will require continued international attention and support. The ongoing crisis in the region is introducing another set of challenges for Syria to navigate. It would be a tragic mistake if our support to the people of Syria lost momentum now. Posted on 18 March 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Middle East Escalation Spilling into Syria, Driving Displacement, Civilian Harm, Deputy Special Envoy Warns Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 10123rd Meeting (AM) SC/16319 18 March 2026 The alarming escalation in the Middle East is spilling into Syria, driving cross-border displacement and civilian casualties, United Nations officials told the Security Council today, warning that Damascus's "steady but fragile recovery" could be derailed. "Syria's steady but fragile recovery political, institutional and economic could be undermined by the impact of a prolonged regional conflict," warned Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. He said incidents within Syria have "mainly involved the crashing of debris following interception of Iranian missiles and drones in Syrian airspace". These have resulted in civilian casualties. He also noted increased Israeli operations in Syrian territory and approximately 140,000 people crossing into Syria to seek safety following Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Against that backdrop, he called on Israel to refrain from actions that could undermine Syria's stability and political transition. One year ago, he recalled, a five-year timeline for such transition was established that would culminate in a permanent Constitution and new elections by 2030. "Syrians rightly look to its full implementation," he said. There has been some progress on this track, including recent elections in Raqqa and imminent voting in Hasakah. He also welcomed the activity of the National Commission for Transitional Justice, the 26 February prisoner-exchange agreement in Sweida and the ongoing integration process between the Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. "I saw first hand the widespread destruction and legacy of abuses," he said, recalling his recent visit to Syria and noting the fifteenth anniversary of the revolution against former President Bashar al-Assad. He urged reflection on the human cost and the long struggle that ensued "and our efforts, including in this Council, to support a future in which Syrians can live in dignity". Regional War Reverberations Deepening Syria's Humanitarian Strain "The repercussions of the war in the Middle East are reverberating across the region," warned Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, emphasizing that, for Syria, the escalation is "adding new strain at a fragile moment". On the ground, she said, conditions in northern and eastern Syria have stabilized, but needs remain acute. More than 100,000 people remain displaced in Aleppo and Al-Hasakeh, and irregular electricity supply continues to disrupt water stations, hospitals and water systems. Humanitarian partners are reaching over 200,000 people a month in return areas, but she emphasized that humanitarian aid is no substitute for State-led services. Ms. Msuya highlighted ongoing challenges in Kobani, where electricity is only partially restored and shortages and high prices persist. Meanwhile, the closure of Al-Hol camp and relocations have left the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and partners supporting around 3,000 women and children in a transit camp. Since her office's last briefing, 50 people were reportedly killed and 97 injured in explosive-ordnance incidents. Mine action groups need sufficient resources and continued security to carry out their work. She urged the Council to provide sustained diplomatic engagement to stabilize "flashpoints", increase humanitarian funding after last year's appeal was only about one-third funded and invest in recovery. Half of Syria's Children Have Never Known Peace Briefing the Council, Yusra Mardini, Olympic swimmer, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and youth advocate, said she has never spoken "with more urgency than I do today", describing herself as "a child of war" and warning that "half the children in Syria today have never known a single day of peace". Returning to Syria after 10 years, she said she saw people "returning not to rebuilt houses, but to rubble". She called for recovery that is inclusive, unified and just, with accountability for atrocities and answers on detainees. "A future where no religious sect divides us," is possible, she said. "I have spoken to young Syrians who were forced to leave school to work to support their families," she said, calling for investments in education and mental health. "A child who cannot read today will not be able to rebuild tomorrow," she added. She also pressed for sustained humanitarian aid for returnees and internally displaced persons, and stronger support for Syria's health system to restore dignity. "Young people are so eager to rebuild their country, but they need your help," she said. Members Warn against External Interference, Urge Restraint In the ensuing discussion, many Council members voiced concern over the impact of regional escalation on Syria's stability and recovery. Denmark's representative noted that, while Syria has not been directly involved, "it has not been spared from its consequences", urging Israel to cease incursions and respect the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. Pakistan's representative stressed that Syria must be "insulated from destabilizing forces" as it moves towards recovery. The representative of Bahrain called on Iran to immediately cease its hostile acts and to "stop employing its proxies and armed militias in the region". "Any military action on the territory or airspace of another country must be avoided," added Panama's speaker. France's delegate said Paris is "actively committed" to protecting Syria from the widening conflict in the region. "We hope that restraint can be exercised," he said, adding: "Attempts coming from the outside and aiming to sow discord among communities is deplorable." China's representative, along with several other speakers, stressed that further hostilities will only inflict more civilian suffering and "impinge heavily on regional and global economies". Greece's delegate said that Syria now "seems to be a safe haven" for people fleeing Lebanon's conflict, calling on the international community to provide support to the hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Latvia's speaker said that Syria still faces acute humanitarian needs, with millions requiring clean water, food and shelter. Ongoing regional escalation is further straining already fragile services and disrupting the delivery of life-saving aid, she warned. Urging all parties currently involved in the adjacent conflict to "return to peaceful means", Colombia's representative called on those present to recognize Syria's effort to turn to peace in a region marked by conflict. And joining others in calling for respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the representative of Somalia also speaking for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Liberia called on all international actors to refrain from "unilateral actions or foreign-driven security arrangements that undermine Syria's path to recovery". 'There Is Genuine, Historic Progress in Syria' The United Kingdom's delegate, while warning that the current Middle East conflict is having a "profound impact" on neighbouring countries, noted positive developments inside Syria. The ongoing security cooperation, the agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces and the Government, and elections in Raqqa are positive steps. "Fifteen years since the initial uprising against Assad," he added, "there is genuine and historic progress in Syria." The representative of the United States, Council President for March, spoke in his national capacity to point out that the world has witnessed, over the last 15 months, "the most significant transformations in Syria in decades". This includes rejecting Tehran's "malign influence", he said, noting that Syria a cornerstone of Iran's "Axis of Resistance" two years ago has now condemned that country's "dangerous and cowardly assault on other Arab countries". Calling on all States to support Syria during its transition including by enhancing its counter-terrorism capabilities, contributing to its reconstruction and reintegrating their nationals currently in Syria he said that the United States is "proud" of what Syrians have achieved since 8 December 2024. "Syria has barely recovered from the consequences of a 14-year-long bloody civil war, and it's now, once again, at risk of being pulled into a military confrontation," said the Russian Federation's representative. Expressing particular concern over the "tense" situation along the Syria-Lebanon border, he called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to "crack down on any provocations that could fan the flames of war". He added that the ongoing military tension in the Middle East "will inevitably result in further deterioration of the humanitarian situation", noting rising food prices in a country where over 7 million people are already food-insecure. Regional Delegates Urge Shielding Syria, Strengthening Counter-Terrorism Regional countries also weighed in, with Algeria's delegate, speaking for the Arab Group, reaffirming Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, urging partners to keep Syria away from disputes and "foreign agendas". He welcomed steps on a "comprehensive political track" and the Government-Syrian Democratic Forces agreement, while stressing counter-terrorism must address "root causes" and improve living conditions for all Syrians. The representative of Turkiye also stressed that Syria must remain insulated from "recent developments in our region" so it can focus on stability, security and economic recovery. That Government must also be supported in strengthening its counter-terrorism capacity so that the current environment of heightened instability does not provide an opportunity for Da'esh to re-emerge. The representative of Syria, marking 15 years since Syrians first "raised their voices with no fear" for "freedom, dignity and justice", acknowledged the "heavy price" paid in blood, displacement, arrests and chemical weapons, but insisted that Syrians have created a miracle. "This is a new Syria," proud of its rich pluralism and diversity, he told Council members. Pointing to Syrian-led steps, such as transitional justice and missing-persons bodies, elections and continued integration efforts, he said that Syria is honouring its commitments, including a decree affirming Kurdish citizens' cultural and linguistic rights. He ended presenting a Damascene brocade, which he described as threads woven into one cohesive fabric proof that Syrians can "come together [...] under one banner and one future". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Legislative Yuan Authorizes Signing of Four Military Procurement Letters of Offer and Acceptance; Ministry of National Defense Clarifies Procedures for the Special Defense Act ROC Ministry of National Defense 2026.03.13 Issuing AuthorityAdministration Office Ministry of National Defense Press Release Time: 1330 hours, March 13, 2026 In response to the Legislative Yuan's passage of authorization for the Ministry of National Defense to sign the Letters of Offer and Acceptance for four military procurement casesthe "M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer," "HIMARS Multiple Launch Rocket System," "TOW 2B Anti-Armor Missile," and "Javelin Anti-Armor Missile"to enable the ROC Armed Forces to acquire key defensive combat capabilities as early as possible, the Ministry of National Defense expressed its gratitude today (March 13). However, regarding the Taiwan People's Party caucus amendment motion that mentioned the draft special defense act information "lacked transparency" and that major military procurement "could not be supervised through normal democratic procedures," the Ministry of National Defense clarified as follows: 1.After the Executive Yuan submitted the draft "Special Act on Procurement for Strengthening Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities" to the Legislative Yuan for review on November 27, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense immediately arranged staff to brief the offices of members from all caucuses on the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee. Before the draft was referred to committee, a classified briefing was conducted at the Legislative Yuan on January 19, 2026, explaining the background of the allocation, planning, and expected benefits after acquisition, with the aim of expediting referral to committee. 2.On January 27, 2026, the Ministry of National Defense held a press conference specifically addressing the "Special Act on Safeguarding National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities Procurement" proposed by the Taiwan People's Party caucus. It explained in detail the ROC Armed Forces' weapons acquisition procedures, U.S. arms sales processes, and the differences between the Executive Yuan version and the Taiwan People's Party caucus version, seeking support. 3.On February 11, 2026, President Lai Ching-te personally led Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, Chief of the General Staff Admiral Mei Chia-shu, and the three service commanders to hold a press conference, explaining the necessity and urgency of the special budget, and once again urging the Legislative Yuan to refer the bill to committee for substantive review as soon as possible. 4.On March 6, 2026, after the Legislative Yuan agreed to refer the act to committee for review, Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung led key officers to brief each caucus individually on the importance of the Executive Yuan's draft special act, and earnestly requested agreement to authorize the Ministry of National Defense to sign the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for cases including the "M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer" in advance. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the Executive Yuan's draft "Special Act on Procurement for Strengthening Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities" had undergone rigorous project initiation procedures and met the operational requirements of the ROC Armed Forces. It had already confirmed supply willingness, export licensing, production capacity scheduling, and other key factors, and had received repeated affirmation and support from the U.S. Government and Congress. The Ministry of National Defense would continue to communicate and seek support from the Legislative Yuan and the public. Claims such as "political rhetoric covering up administrative incompetence" were not factual. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan simulates coastal combat, drone defense in Kinmen drills ROC Central News Agency 03/18/2026 03:48 PM Kinmen, March 18 (CNA) The Army's Kinmen Defense Command on Wednesday launched the "Taiwu" live-fire drills on a Taiwan-held island just off the coast of China to test the military's readiness to engage in coastal combat and respond to unmanned aerial systems. The command said it carried out the first "Taiwu Exercise" of 2026, in which live ammunition was fired toward waters off Donggang on Lieyu Island, part of the Kinmen Islands. Lieyu Island is about 5 kilometers from the Chinese city of Xiamen at its closest point compared to about 210 kilometers from the island of Taiwan. Troops from the Lieyu Garrison Battalion deployed standard-issue weapons to perform drills covering drone response, live-fire defense, near-shore defense and beach combat, as well as final protective fire, according to the command. The live-fire drill, it said, simulated realistic combat scenarios in which real equipment and live troops were deployed in an environment where situations evolved continuously from gray zone threats to enemy landings. The drills were consistent with training requirements emphasizing "a single-point incident triggering chain reactions and comprehensive responses," it said. According to the command, the drill used a range of standard weapons, including 60mm and 81mm mortars, 105mm howitzers, .50-caliber machine guns and 66mm rockets, to provide cover for armored and combat vehicles engaged in beach defense and protective fire missions. M41D tanks, CM21 armored vehicles and CM23 mortar carriers from the Lieyu Garrison Battalion also maneuvered into firing positions with full equipment and live ammunition, the command said. The exercise also incorporated the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) system to enhance command, control and communications resilience, integrating different units in joint operations. The command did not describe in detail how the military performed during the drills, saying only that they demonstrated the benefits of routine combat readiness exercises. (By Wu Wen-rong and Sean Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2026.03.19 Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date: 6 a.m. Mar. 18 (Wed.) to 6 a.m. Mar. 19 (Thu.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities: 12 sorties of PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN ships and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1150319_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1150319_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: 18 March 2026 News story The Prime Minister hosted the NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, yesterday afternoon. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 18 March 2026 The leaders began by talking about the situation in Ukraine, and reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty. They welcomed Ukraine's drone expertise being used by partners in the Gulf and across Europe , and agreed that Ukraine was truly a world leader in developing the latest battle-proven defence technology. Turning to the Strait of Hormuz, the leaders agreed on the importance of the shipping route reopening, and reflected on early discussions about what a viable plan could look like. Looking ahead to the NATO Summit in Ankara in July, both discussed the need for all Allies to go further and faster on defence spending. They looked forward to speaking again soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General visits London for talks with Prime Minister Starmer and President Zelenskyy NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 18 March 2026 On Tuesday (17 March 2026), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited London for discussions with United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Secretary General welcomed the agreement between the UK and Ukraine to enhance security and defence industrial cooperation. The Secretary General underlined NATO's continued strong support for Ukraine. As well as his meetings at Number 10 Downing Street, Mr Rutte attended President Zelenskyy's address to the UK parliament. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spanish MFA signs two cooperation agreements with Ukraine Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS RELEASE 038 President Zelensky's fourth visit underscores Spain's commitment to Ukraine in the face of the Russian aggression 18 MAR 26 President Zelensky has today made his fourth visit to Spain since the start of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This trip, which comes on the eve of a key European Council meeting in Brussels, has served to reaffirm Spain's sustained support for Ukraine in the political, financial, humanitarian and military spheres. Against a backdrop marked by Russia's indiscriminate attacks on critical energy infrastructure and residential areas, and the proliferation of international crises, Minister Albares has reiterated that Ukraine can continue to count on Spain's firm support in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, in its efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace that guarantees its security and that of Europe, and in its process of accession to the European Union. During the visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation signed two agreements with Ukraine. The first, on technical and financial cooperation, contributes to Ukraine's institutional stability and its economic and social reconstruction, providing a stable legal framework to channel technical assistance, mobilise resources and facilitate the participation of Spanish companies. For its part, the cooperation agreement between diplomatic academies aims, through the Spanish Diplomatic School, to institutionalise cooperation and align training and capacity-building efforts, whilst also enabling the sharing of experiences regarding the role of diplomacy in times of war. This agreement responds to the need to contribute to the political reconstruction of Ukraine, not only in material terms, but also in the consolidation of a professional, modern foreign service that is fully integrated into European diplomatic networks, with particular attention to relations with the Southern Neighbourhood, Latin America and the Caribbean, within the framework of Ukraine's EU accession process. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 18 March 2026 Press release The Prime Minister hosted the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at Downing Street yesterday afternoon. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 18 March 2026 The Prime Minister hosted the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at Downing Street yesterday afternoon. The Prime Minister began by setting out the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine, adding that with the focus on the Middle East he was determined to ensure the world does not take its eyes off what's happening in Ukraine. Paying tribute to the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, the Prime Minister commended the Ukrainian Armed Forces' success in pushing back Russian forces in recent months. Turning to peace talks, the Prime Minister reiterated that it was for Ukrainian people to decide their future and that the UK would stand by them every step of the way. The leaders also welcomed the enhanced security and defence industrial declaration, which they signed today, and will boost global defensive capability against the proliferation of low cost, high tech military hardware, including drones. They looked forward to speaking again soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Sabah Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 18 March 2026 16:51 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a very meaningful conversation with H.E. Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister of Kuwait. We discussed the security situation in the Gulf and recent developments affecting Kuwait, including the Iran's reckless attacks. In this regard, I underscored Ukraine's solidarity with Kuwait and other partners in the region, as well as our shared commitment to international law. Kuwait stands with Ukraine and supports our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Just as Kuwait faced aggression in 1990, Ukraine is going through a similar challenge today and we deeply appreciate this understanding and support. We value the strong friendship between our countries. We discussed expanding cooperation in the defense sector, including air defense. I invited my Kuwaiti counterpart to visit Ukraine." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of International Relations of Botswana Phenyo Butale Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 18 March 2026 18:18 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a productive call with Botswana's Minister of International Relations, Dr. Phenyo Butale. We discussed Ukraine-Botswana bilateral cooperation, engagement within international organizations, and regional security issues. We agreed to intensify political dialogue at all levels, strengthen coordination in multilateral formats, and expand the bilateral legal framework. A special attention was paid to countering the recruitment of African countries' citizens into Russia's war against Ukraine. We appreciate Botswana's attention to this issue and readiness to work together to address it. We also explored opportunities to deepen mutually beneficial economic cooperation between our countries. Ukraine highly values Botswana's principled support for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. We appreciate Botswana's consistent position and stand ready to further strengthen our partnership in the shared interests of our nations". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In just half a month, Ukraine's Defence Forces struck over 20 targets supporting enemy air defense Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 18 March, 2026, 10:28 AM EET Between March 1 and 15, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck more than 20 targets supporting russia's air defense, including surface-to-air missile systems, radar systems, and major electronic warfare (EW) assets. Each destroyed or disabled air defense system, radar station, or electronic warfare asset creates a "gap" in the enemy's air defense, opening space for our missile strikes and air operations. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine outlines which targets were struck and the functions they performed. Strikes on surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in just the first two weeks of March, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck the following surface-to-air missile and combined gun-missile air defense systems: Pantsir-S1 (Yakymivka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Novoozerne, Crimea) - protects against low-altitude aerial threats; (Yakymivka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Novoozerne, Crimea) - protects against low-altitude aerial threats; Tor SAM system (Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast, and Balashivka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast) - an all-weather short-range air defense system for protecting maneuvering ground forces; (Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast, and Balashivka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast) - an all-weather short-range air defense system for protecting maneuvering ground forces; Tor-M1 SAM system (Korobkyne, Luhansk Oblast) - an upgraded variant optimized to counter precision-guided munitions and engage two targets simultaneously; (Korobkyne, Luhansk Oblast) - an upgraded variant optimized to counter precision-guided munitions and engage two targets simultaneously; S-300 SAM system launcher (near Strilkove, Kherson Oblast) - a component of russia's primary medium- to long-range air defense system; (near Strilkove, Kherson Oblast) - a component of russia's primary medium- to long-range air defense system; Buk-M3 and Buk-M1 SAM systems (Lymanchuk, Luhansk Oblast, and Bahativka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast) - mobile air defense systems designed to engage maneuvering aerodynamic targets; (Lymanchuk, Luhansk Oblast, and Bahativka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast) - mobile air defense systems designed to engage maneuvering aerodynamic targets; S-300V SAM system launcher (Borovenky, Luhansk Oblast) - specialized for missile defense; (Borovenky, Luhansk Oblast) - specialized for missile defense; S-400 Triumf SAM system launcher (Dalne, Crimea) - the most advanced long-range air defense system in russia's armed forces. Such losses are significant for russia. The destruction or degradation of SAM systems reduces the enemy's ability to intercept missiles, making the occupiers' rear bases more vulnerable. Strikes on radar systems Since the beginning of March, the following radar systems of russia's armed forces have been struck: Radars for S-300 and S-400 systems (Mangush, Sadove, and Chervone, Donetsk Oblast; Novokrasnivka, Luhansk Oblast; Sevastopol, Crimea; Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, russia) - the "eyes" without which the systems cannot detect targets; (Mangush, Sadove, and Chervone, Donetsk Oblast; Novokrasnivka, Luhansk Oblast; Sevastopol, Crimea; Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, russia) - the "eyes" without which the systems cannot detect targets; Podlet-1K (Vynohradne, Crimea) - detects aerial targets at low and very low altitudes; (Vynohradne, Crimea) - detects aerial targets at low and very low altitudes; Kasta-2E2 (Liubyme, Luhansk Oblast, and Crimea) - an all-round surveillance radar for detecting low-observable targets; (Liubyme, Luhansk Oblast, and Crimea) - an all-round surveillance radar for detecting low-observable targets; Yastreb-AV (Topoli, Luhansk Oblast) - the most advanced artillery reconnaissance system in russia's armed forces; (Topoli, Luhansk Oblast) - the most advanced artillery reconnaissance system in russia's armed forces; Sopka-2 (Crimea) - an airspace surveillance system; (Crimea) - an airspace surveillance system; Nebo-U (Hvardiiske, Crimea) - enables long-range detection of aircraft and missiles; (Hvardiiske, Crimea) - enables long-range detection of aircraft and missiles; Protivnik and Parol systems (Libknekhitivka, Crimea) - mobile stations providing target designation for aviation; (Libknekhitivka, Crimea) - mobile stations providing target designation for aviation; Valdai (Prymorske, Crimea) - a specialized radar system for detecting and countering small UAVs; Without functioning radars, the enemy's air defense becomes "blind," making it harder for occupiers to respond in time to incoming threats. Destruction or damage to electronic warfare (EW) systems During the same period, the Defence Forces of Ukraine also struck major enemy electronic warfare and communications assets: ground relay station (Chornomorske, Crimea) - provided communications and control for strike UAVs; (Chornomorske, Crimea) - provided communications and control for strike UAVs; communications tower (Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast) - a critical node for coordinating occupiers' units; (Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast) - a critical node for coordinating occupiers' units; EW station (near Donetsk) - used to jam GPS signals and disrupt the navigation of our systems. Striking these assets degrades enemy coordination and frees up the radio spectrum for more effective use by Ukrainian strike UAVs and precision-guided munitions. To recap, during January and February 2026, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck three major russian defense industry enterprises, as well as one of russia's key missile test ranges and two large arsenals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Met with King Felipe VI of Spain President of Ukraine 18 March 2026 - 20:15 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with King Felipe VI of Spain at the Royal Residence of Zarzuela. The Head of State thanked His Majesty and all the Spanish people for their unwavering support of Ukraine throughout these years of Russian aggression. The President also extended particular gratitude to Spain for providing shelter to 240,000 Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the diplomatic efforts to achieve a dignified peace and emphasized that Ukraine is doing everything possible to bring the war to a swift conclusion. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Met with the Presidents of Both Chambers of the Spanish Cortes Generales President of Ukraine 18 March 2026 - 17:53 In Madrid, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Spanish parliamentarians, led by the Speaker of the Congress of Deputies, Francina Armengol, and the President of the Senate, Pedro Rollan. The Head of State expressed his gratitude to both chambers of the Cortes Generales for their support of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The key topic of discussion was defense support for Ukraine and strengthening air defense. The President noted Spain's participation in the PURL initiative and highlighted that Ukraine looks forward to additional contributions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also briefed the parliamentarians on the defense agreements concluded today between Ukraine and Spain. The President emphasized Ukraine's interest in joint projects with Spanish companies. According to the Head of State, such cooperation will significantly enhance the protection not only of Ukraine and Spain but of all of Europe. In addition, the meeting addressed potential mechanisms for using frozen Russian assets to our country's benefit and addressing Ukraine's energy security needs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and Spain Agreed on Defense Products to Be Produced under the SAFE Instrument for Ukraine's Needs - Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 18 March 2026 - 17:20 The visit to Spain, already the fourth since the full-scale war began, will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy following his meeting with Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez. The Head of State noted that Spain was among the first European countries to allocate funds under the SAFE defense instrument in support of Ukraine. "Today, we agreed on a list of products to be manufactured within SAFE. And we are working with European states, including Spain, to ensure that the SAFE instrument and corresponding funds are also used to finance production in Ukraine. We count on Spain's support in this," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The leaders also discussed the implementation of the PURL initiative, which enables Ukraine to purchase missiles for the Patriot systems that have no alternative at this point. Strengthening air defense remains an extremely important priority for Ukraine. "We are actively working to establish strong European production of anti-ballistic systems, and I am confident we will achieve results in this regard. But this, sadly, takes time. The protection of lives cannot wait, and the Russians do not halt their strikes even as we intensify diplomatic efforts," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President emphasized his strong belief in the potential of joint defense production between the countries. Ukraine is ready to share the knowledge and experience it has gained during this war, while Spain's defense industry is able to supply the shells, radars, and equipment we need. "Today, there are new defense agreements between Ukraine and Spain, as well as our private sector and our companies. There is movement in economic and infrastructure cooperation between us, as the Prime Minister mentioned regarding the railway. These are important decisions. Humanitarian and diplomatic cooperation between our countries also continues," the Head of State noted. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Pedro Sanchez also discussed issues related to Ukraine's integration into the European Union and sanctions against Russia. They addressed the need to unblock the decision on the EUR 90 billion for Ukraine over two years. This is not only a financial matter but, above all, a question of justice, and it directly affects the real protection of Ukrainians' lives. The President thanked the Prime Minister of Spain for his consistent stance in supporting Ukraine and expressed gratitude to all Spaniards for their attitude toward Ukrainians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and Spain Signed Bilateral Agreements on Financial Cooperation, Joint Defense Production, and Railway Modernization President of Ukraine 18 March 2026 - 16:41 In Madrid, in the presence of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, five bilateral documents were signed. "Today, there are new defense agreements between Ukraine and Spain, as well as our private sector and our companies. There is movement in economic and infrastructure cooperation between us, as the Prime Minister mentioned regarding the railway. These are important decisions. Humanitarian and diplomatic cooperation between our countries also continues," the Head of State noted. The Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Kingdom of Spain on Technical and Financial Cooperation establishes a legal framework for implementing various programs and projects in Ukraine with Spain's financial support. The document outlines the main forms of assistance, including the transfer of new technologies, equipment, and expert consultations. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Spain and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine concerning Coproduction in the Kingdom of Spain provides for the joint development and manufacture of integrated defense systems to strengthen the production capabilities of both countries. Plans include technology exchange, sharing of knowledge and experience, conducting defense research, and developing new defense systems. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine will enhance cooperation in diplomatic education. It opens opportunities for the exchange of experience, training programs, and research. A contract between Ukrzaliznytsia and TRIA INGENIERIA marks the first project under the infrastructure restoration and modernization program, for which Spain allocated EUR 200 million last November. An innovative bogie for freight wagons with automatic track gauge adjustment will be developed. This technology will ensure faster delivery of Ukrainian export goods across Europe. A grant agreement on non-repayable funding between Ukrzaliznytsia and Instituto de Credito Oficial will support the practical implementation of the automatic track gauge adjustment technology for freight wagons. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Met with the Leadership of the Spanish Sener Group to Discuss Strengthening Ukraine's Air Defense President of Ukraine 18 March 2026 - 14:20 In Madrid, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the leadership of the Spanish Sener Group, which today signed three agreements with Ukrainian defense manufacturers. The group's executives, led by President Andres Sendagorta and CEO Jorge Sendagorta, gave the Head of State a detailed overview of their full production capabilities - from the development of autonomous systems and communications systems to participation in various air defense programs. In particular, Sener manufactures components for missiles used in IRIS-T systems, which are assembled in Germany for Ukraine. Sener also operates in the aerospace sector, delivers energy and infrastructure projects, and overall specializes in complex high-tech solutions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is interested in joint projects in the field of long-range drone production, as our country has new developments and is ready to scale them up. Company representatives also demonstrated to the President the military equipment they produce, as well as a production line for missile components. In the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian company Fire Point, the State Kyiv Design Bureau Luch, and the research and production enterprise Radionix signed cooperation agreements with Sener. These arrangements focus on establishing collaboration in the missile sector and air defense and will strengthen the protection of Ukraine's skies. Another cooperation agreement was concluded between representatives of the Spanish company Escribano and the Ukrainian manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems Skyeton. The companies will jointly develop and manufacture strike laser-guided systems based on Ukrainian-made unmanned systems. "Strengthening air defense and protecting lives is our top priority. We expect that all agreements between Ukrainian and Spanish manufacturers will be implemented as soon as possible," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the President of Ukraine During a Joint Press Conference with the Prime Minister of Spain President of Ukraine 18 March 2026 - 17:04 Dear Pedro, esteemed Prime Minister, Distinguished teams, respected journalists, and everyone present, I am grateful to Spain for its support and for this visit - truly grateful. This is an important visit, one that will also, in many ways, support Ukraine and, importantly, allow us to expand our cooperation: the defense industries of our countries, our defensive capabilities, and our political cooperation. We value all of this very highly. And Pedro noted that this is the fourth visit during this war, and over the course of all these visits, I believe our relations have only grown stronger. Between our peoples - I want to thank you - I know how people in Spain, ordinary people, regard ordinary Ukrainians. This is, without doubt, a respect for Ukrainians, but it is also the respect Ukrainians feel for Spaniards. The way you treat our citizens. And, of course, Pedro, your messages. The national leader's energy always sets the tone, and therefore, I am very grateful to you for that. We highly value this attitude. Today, there are new defense agreements between Ukraine and Spain, as well as our private sector and our companies. There is movement in economic and infrastructure cooperation between us, as the Prime Minister mentioned regarding the railway. These are important decisions. Humanitarian and diplomatic cooperation between our countries also continues. The Prime Minister and I devoted significant attention today to air defense specifically. What a difficult winter it has been in Ukraine. Russia's war against Ukraine continues just as brutally, unfortunately, just as relentlessly as before. Essentially, the Russians carry out large-scale attacks on our infrastructure at least five to six times a month, and drones and missiles strike daily, targeting the energy sector and Ukrainian cities. Russia can now afford to use more ballistic missiles than before - and that is dozens of ballistic missiles alone every month, as well as a significant number of cruise missiles and more destructive drones. Strengthening our air defense and supplying our systems with missiles is therefore an ongoing need, a continuous task, and a constant effort. Our previous meetings with the Prime Minister have been productive in this regard, and Spain has provided significant support for the protection of our skies. I thank you again for this. Today, Pedro and I discussed various projects again, and I am very hopeful that we will implement all our projects and the agreements reached today as well - that these will be more than signatures, and I am confident in that. From our side, the state's side, we will monitor this continuously. I firmly believe in co-production between our countries. I began this visit at a Spanish defense enterprise, and we are working together with the Government of Spain and Spanish companies to ensure the tangible further technological development of our Defense Forces and our countries. Ukraine is ready to help with the knowledge we have gained during the war, especially the necessary drones, experience, and capabilities. Spain's defense industry, in turn, can supply Ukraine with the shells, radars, and equipment we need. Our teams are already working through the details, and today, new agreements have been signed that expand this cooperation. Thank you. It is important to note that Spain was among the first in Europe to allocate funds under the SAFE defense instrument to support production and assist Ukraine. Today, we agreed on a list of products to be manufactured within SAFE. And we are working with European states, including Spain, to ensure that the SAFE instrument and corresponding funds are also used to finance production in Ukraine. We count on Spain's support in this. We also discussed the PURL initiative - a Europe-wide program critically important for Ukraine. It allows us to purchase things that, unfortunately, have no alternative at this point... This is, regrettably, the only option - the only means available to protect our skies: the Patriot missiles. We are actively working to establish strong European production of anti-ballistic systems, and I am confident we will achieve results in this regard. But this, sadly, takes time. The protection of lives cannot wait, and the Russians do not halt their strikes even as we intensify diplomatic efforts. That is why we value every European contribution. I thank you, Pedro, for your support, and I thank NATO for coordinating these programs. And one more thing. I want to highlight our cooperation in infrastructure, in particular, the contract between the Spanish company TRIA and our Ukrzaliznytsia. These agreements will enhance Ukraine's logistical capacities and represent yet another component of our stronger ties with the European Union and partners across Europe. I thank you for this, as well as for Spain's constant, steadfast, and tangible support for Ukraine in terms of EU integration, sanctions against Russian aggression, and guaranteeing our security, including financial guarantees. Today, we also discussed the EUR 90 billion package for Ukraine from Europe - this package needs to be unlocked. Spain supports us in this, especially as this is not just about finances, but also the basic justice that must exist in Europe. The decision on this support package was made in the context of the fate of frozen Russian assets in Europe, which must be used to protect against Russian attacks and support post-war recovery. Unfortunately, the decision to transfer the Russian assets to Ukraine was not adopted; instead, a financial stability package was created - essentially based on the continued freezing of Russian assets. And it is extremely important for us to get this financing. That is why it is so crucial for the European support package to start working as quickly as possible. We sincerely hope that Europe will ensure the actual implementation of the adopted decision, all the more so because it is a matter of justice and because the real protection of human lives depends on it. I thank everyone who supports us in this. Tomorrow, we will discuss this further, including within the framework of the European Council. Thank you again, Pedro, for this visit! Thank you, Spain! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Featured 130 Years in Ghana: Standard Chartered celebrates legacy, leadership, lasting impact Business Desk Report Business News Mar - 19 - 2026 , 08:25 Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC has marked 130 years of continuous operation in Ghana, underscoring a legacy deeply interwoven with the nations financial development trajectory and future aspirations. The bank draws its history from the Bank of British West Africa established in 1896 in the then Gold Coast and served as the Central Bank prior to the establishment of the Bank of Gold Coast in 1953. Over the decades, the bank has played a pivotal role in Ghanas rapid development, powering the economy, financing trade, supporting infrastructure projects, enabling corporate growth and facilitating wealth creation across generations. Heritage A release issued by the bank said while celebrating this historic milestone, Standard Chartered remains steadfast in its commitment to future-fit banking that delivers value to Ghana and its people. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, the bank leverages its global network and deep local insight to support corporates, institutions and governments. It emphasised that the bank continues to be the partner of choice for Ghanaians who seek to grow and protect their wealth, offering differentiated wealth advisory, global investment access and tailored financial solutions to help clients grow, preserve and transfer wealth across generations. Beyond its financial performance, Standard Chartered is unwavering in its dedication to the communities it serves. The bank supports targeted community initiatives, including entrepreneurship and employability programmes, financial literacy interventions and strategic partnerships, to promote greater economic inclusion for the underserved, especially young women and persons with disabilities, it added. The release said as Standard Chartered enters its next chapter of growth, it remains committed to cross-border connectivity and empowering clients to pursue their ambitions and grow their wealth. Commenting on the milestone, the Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC, Mansa Nettey, said; our 130-year journey in Ghana is a testament to enduring partnerships, prudent stewardship, and our unwavering commitment to our clients and all stakeholders. As we look ahead, we are focused on leveraging our unique network to power sustainable growth across borders and supporting the ambitions of the individuals, businesses, and communities we serve. In recognition of this milestone, the bank will roll out initiatives to engage clients and stakeholders, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable progress and deep, long-term partnerships in Ghana. Background Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC, Ghanas premier bank established in 1896 is part of a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the worlds most dynamic markets. Its purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through unique diversity. The bank is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Ghana month reminds us who we are Prudential Bank MD champions national pride Next article: Ghana month reminds us who we are Prudential Bank MD champions national pride Treasury bill sale undersubscribed as yields begin to rise again Previous article: Treasury bill sale undersubscribed as yields begin to rise again Featured BOPP creates history: Becomes first GSE stock to hit GH100, joining NewGold ETF in triple-digit club Kweku Zurek Business News Mar - 19 - 2026 , 21:00 Benso Palm Plantation PLC (BOPP) achieved a historic milestone on Thursday, becoming the first locally-listed equity on the Ghana Stock Exchange to cross the GH100 price threshold, even as the broader market experienced a significant pullback. Trading data for the 7,176th session, held on March 19, 2026, showed the agricultural sector star soaring by GH7.91 to close at an unprecedented GH100.00, cementing its position as the highest-priced Ghanaian stock on the bourse. The only instrument trading above this level is the NewGold exchange-traded fund, which remained unchanged at GH546.00. The GSE Composite Index (GSE-CI) recorded a decline of 217.08 points to close at 15,691.69, reflecting broad-based selling pressure particularly in financial stocks. The GSE Financial Stocks Index (GSE-FSI) suffered a sharper decline of 391.34 points to settle at 9,844.23. Market capitalisation stood at GH293.46 billion, down from Wednesday's levels, as investors processed recent gains and rotated positions. Total volume of shares traded for the session surged to an extraordinary 36,775,033, with aggregate value hitting GH234,004,408.44the highest single-day value in the bourse's history. BOPP creates history Benso Palm Plantation PLC (BOPP) delivered a performance for the ages, adding GH7.91 to become the first Ghanaian equity to breach the GH100 barrier. The stock attracted significant investor interest, with 5,350 shares changing hands and contributing GH522,660.40 to total market value. The achievement places BOPP in an exclusive club of stocks trading in triple digits, alongside the NewGold ETF, which remains the sole instrument trading above BOPP's new record level. MTN Ghana dominates trading activity Scancom PLC (MTNGH) continued its dominance of the exchange, with a staggering 34,854,670 shares tradedaccounting for approximately 95 per cent of all trading activity. The telecommunications giant added GH0.05 to close at GH6.53, contributing an eye-watering GH227,267,391.12 to total market value. Other gainers shine Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC (RBGH) surged by GH0.42 to close at GH5.38, while Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) gained GH0.22 to GH7.85. Clydestone (Ghana) PLC (CLYD) rose by GH0.09 to close at GH0.99, and on the Ghana Alternative Market, Hords PLC (HORDS) added GH0.01 to GH0.10. Financial stocks suffer heavy losses The banking and financial services sector bore the brunt of Thursday's sell-off. GCB Bank PLC (GCB) plunged by GH4.62 to close at GH45.77, while Societe Generale Ghana PLC (SOGEGH) shed GH0.96 to GH8.73. SIC Insurance Company PLC (SIC) declined by GH0.50 to GH4.54, and Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI) fell GH0.27 to GH2.45. Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC (SCB) dipped GH0.16 to GH79.25, while Ecobank Ghana PLC (EGH) shed GH0.10 to GH55.90. Cal Bank PLC (CAL) declined by GH0.02 to GH0.77, and TotalEnergies Marketing Ghana PLC (TOTAL) edged down GH0.09 to GH39.80. Unchanged stocks Several stocks recorded no price movement during Thursday's session, including Access Bank (ACCESS), Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), Aluworks (ALW), Asante Gold Corporation (ASG), Atlantic Lithium (ALLGH), Camelot (CMLT), Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), Dannex Ayrton Starwin (DASPHARMA), Enterprise Group (EGL), Fan Milk (FML), First Atlantic Bank (FAB), Guinness Ghana Breweries (GGBL), Mega African Capital (MAC), PBC, Trust Bank Gambia (TBL), Tullow Oil (TLW), Unilever (UNIL), and NewGold (GLD). Market summary The GSE-CI has now gained 78.92 per cent since the start of the year, while the financial stocks index remains up 111.83 per cent despite Thursday's sharp pullback. Thursday's historic session saw BOPP etch its name in the record books as the first Ghanaian stock to reach triple digits, even as profit-taking in financial stocks tempered broader market indices. Gainers Benso Palm Plantation PLC (BOPP): GH +7.91 (closed at GH100.00) First Ghanaian stock to hit GH100 Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC (RBGH): GH +0.42 (closed at GH5.38) Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL): GH +0.22 (closed at GH7.85) Clydestone (Ghana) PLC (CLYD): GH +0.09 (closed at GH0.99) Scancom PLC (MTNGH): GH +0.05 (closed at GH6.53) Hords PLC (HORDS): GH +0.01 (closed at GH0.10) Laggards GCB Bank PLC (GCB): GH -4.62 (closed at GH45.77) Societe Generale Ghana PLC (SOGEGH): GH -0.96 (closed at GH8.73) SIC Insurance Company PLC (SIC): GH -0.50 (closed at GH4.54) Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI): GH -0.27 (closed at GH2.45) Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC (SCB): GH -0.16 (closed at GH79.25) Ecobank Ghana PLC (EGH): GH -0.10 (closed at GH55.90) TotalEnergies Marketing Ghana PLC (TOTAL): GH -0.09 (closed at GH39.80) Cal Bank PLC (CAL): GH -0.02 (closed at GH0.77) Unchanged stocks Access Bank Ghana PLC (ACCESS) GH46.62 Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) GH5.06 AngloGold Ashanti PLC (AGA) GH37.00 Aluworks PLC (ALW) GH0.10 Asante Gold Corporation (ASG) GH8.89 Atlantic Lithium Ltd (ALLGH) GH6.52 Camelot Ghana PLC (CMLT) GH0.14 Cocoa Processing Co. PLC (CPC) GH0.09 Dannex Ayrton Starwin PLC (DASPHARMA) GH0.41 Enterprise Group PLC (EGL) GH12.13 Fan Milk PLC (FML) GH15.32 First Atlantic Bank PLC (FAB) GH7.84 Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC (GGBL) GH15.94 Mega African Capital PLC (MAC) GH5.20 PBC Ltd. (PBC) GH0.02 Trust Bank Gambia PLC (TBL) GH1.20 Tullow Oil PLC (TLW) GH11.92 Unilever Ghana PLC (UNIL) GH28.46 NewGold (GLD) GH546.00 Intravenous Infusions Limited (IIL) GH0.05 Digicut Production & Advertising PLC (DIGICUT) GH0.09 Featured We have always called it a crime President John Dramani Mahama Opinion Mar - 19 - 2026 , 12:20 4 minutes read Earlier this month, my country celebrated its 69th Independence Day. In my address to the nation, I invoked the courage and conviction of our founding leaders, who stood firm in the face of immense adversity to secure our freedom. Kwame Nkrumah reminded us that political independence without transforming the global systems that shape our economies and opportunities remains incomplete. It is in that spirit that, later this month, Ghana will table a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly calling for the formal recognition of one of the greatest moral tragedies in human history, the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of Africans, as a crime against humanity, and the need for a process of repair. This initiative is not Ghanas alone. It carries the support of the African Union, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and a growing coalition of countries across the Global South. Together, we seek not to reopen old wounds, but to acknowledge them honestly-and to work collectively towards healing and justice in ways that strengthen our shared future. The call for reparatory justice is not new. It is rooted in a long, continuous tradition of resistance, advocacy, and moral reasoning spanning centuries. Demand From early African leaders who protested the capture and sale of their people, to the struggles of the Haitian Revolution, to the post-independence movements that reshaped the modern world, the demand for justice has endured. In recent decades, this tradition has taken institutional form. The 1993 Abuja proclamation recognised the enslavement and trafficking of Africans as an unprecedented crime. The CARICOM Reparations Commission has articulated a comprehensive framework for reparatory justice. The Accra Proclamation of 2023 reaffirmed Africas collective commitment to this cause. The African Union has now declared 2026 to 2035 as the Decade of Action on Reparations and African Heritage, underscoring the urgency and legitimacy of this global conversation. Our proposal at the United Nations builds on these foundations. It seeks to move the international community from acknowledgement to action, from recognition of historical injustice to a structured dialogue on repair. This is not about assigning collective guilt to present generations. Nor is it about revisiting history in a spirit of division. Rather, it is about understanding how historical injustices have shaped contemporary inequalities and how a more honest reckoning can contribute to a fairer, more inclusive global order. For centuries, the voices calling for justice have endured across continents, across generations, and across institutions. Trade The transatlantic slave trade and the system it sustained disrupted societies, extracted human and economic value on an unprecedented scale, and left enduring legacies that continue to influence patterns of development, opportunity, and vulnerability across the world. Recognising this history fully is essential-not only for Africa and its diaspora, but for humanity as a whole. The international community has, in the past, taken important steps. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in 2001 acknowledged the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity. Yet, more remains to be done to translate that recognition into meaningful dialogue and practical pathways for repair. Africa brings to this conversation a perspective shaped by its own intellectual and moral traditions-one that holds that injustice does not simply fade with time, but requires deliberate effort to address and redress. This perspective aligns with the broader. Partnerships At the heart of this effort is a commitment to partnership. The process we envision is one of engagement, bringing together states, institutions, scholars, and communities to explore constructive and forward-looking approaches to reparatory justice. These may include investments in education, health, cultural restoration, and economic opportunity, designed to close enduring gaps and build shared prosperity. We must also recognise the human dimension of this history, including how systems of enslavement entrenched inequalities that affected generations, particularly women and families. A full accounting of this past requires us to acknowledge these dimensions and to ensure that any process of repair is inclusive and comprehensive. Challenges The world today faces many interconnected challenges-from inequality and underdevelopment to climate change and global instability. Addressing historical injustices is not separate from these challenges; it is part of building the trust and cooperation necessary to confront them together. Ghanas initiative at the United Nations is therefore an invitation-an invitation to engage in honest reflection, constructive dialogue, and collective action. It is an invitation to move beyond acknowledgement toward meaningful steps that strengthen justice, dignity, and shared progress. For centuries, the voices calling for justice have endured across continents, across generations, and across institutions. Today, we have an opportunity to listen, to respond, and to act. A crime of this magnitude calls not only for remembrance but for responsibility. And in meeting that responsibility together, we take a step toward a more just and united world. The writer is the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama. Featured Israel admits tank fire injured Ghanaian peacekeepers in Lebanon GraphicOnline International News Mar - 19 - 2026 , 07:02 3 minutes read Israel has admitted that its troops mistakenly fired on a United Nations position in southern Lebanon, wounding Ghanaian peacekeepers, in an incident that has heightened concerns over the safety of international forces operating in the volatile region. In a statement to the Reuters news agency, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a comprehensive investigation had determined that its tank crew misidentified UN personnel as the source of anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah fighters. The military said its troops had been responding to incoming fire that had moderately wounded two Israeli soldiers. The IDF regrets the incident and has conveyed its apologies through the appropriate channels to Ghana and the United Nations. The findings of the investigations have been disseminated within the IDF to prevent recurrence of similar incidents, the statement said. The attack occurred on March 6 at a UN base in al-Qawzah, within the operational area of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which monitors hostilities along the border between Israel and Lebanon. The mission has increasingly found itself caught in crossfire as tensions escalate between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Preliminary findings from a UN-linked investigation, cited by a Western military source, indicated that three shells fired from an Israeli tank directly struck the base. The munitions, identified as 120mm M339 rounds, were said to have been discharged within a short interval, suggesting sustained fire rather than an isolated misfire. UNIFIL had earlier confirmed that Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured during the incident, describing it as unacceptable, although it initially stopped short of attributing responsibility. A spokesperson for the mission, Kandice Ardiel, said investigations were ongoing and would be shared with relevant parties upon completion. 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, she said. According to Ghanas military authorities, three Ghanaian soldiers sustained injuries during the attack. The development has drawn attention in Ghana, given the countrys longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. The incident comes against the backdrop of a widening conflict in the region, which intensified after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes. Despite a ceasefire arrangement last year, Israeli forces have continued targeted operations in southern Lebanon, citing the need to curb Hezbollahs military capabilities. UNIFIL has also reported separate incidents in which peacekeepers were fired upon, likely by non-state armed groups, further underlining the increasingly dangerous environment in which the mission operates. Security analysts warn that the escalation could significantly undermine UNIFILs mandate, especially as the mission approaches its scheduled end in 2026. The presence of Israeli military positions inside Lebanese territory and ongoing hostilities have raised questions about compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which restricts armed activity in the area to Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers. The latest incident is expected to intensify diplomatic engagements between the UN, Israel and troop-contributing countries, including Ghana, over the protection of peacekeepers and adherence to international humanitarian law. Featured US intelligence chief says Iran's regime 'intact' but 'degraded' BBC International News Mar - 19 - 2026 , 09:15 4 minutes read The top intelligence official in the US said on Wednesday that the Iranian regime was "intact" but "largely degraded". Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and other top Trump administration officials testified at a congressional hearing for more than two hours about worldwide threats to the US. It was the first public briefing on intelligence since the war began in late February and came one day after a top counterterrorism leader resigned saying Iran had not posed an imminent threat to the US. Gabbard, who coordinates the country's intelligence operations, also said that the US had anticipated trouble in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel. "The IC [intelligence community] assesses the regime in Iran appears to be intact, but largely degraded due to attacks on its leadership and military capabilities," she said. Appearing alongside the heads of the CIA, FBI, National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency, Gabbard declined to answer when asked repeatedly by Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, about whether she had viewed Iran as an imminent threat. "The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president," she said. Since the war began, lawmakers and commentators from both parties have questioned why the US struck the Islamic Republic and if the Trump administration was aware of potential problems in the Strait of Hormuz on the southern coast of Iran. President Donald Trump has said the US attacked largely because Iran was developing nuclear weapons, which threatened the US and Israel. On Tuesday, Joe Kent resigned from his role as director of the national counterterrorism center, saying in a publicly posted resignation letter that Iran had posed "no imminent threat" to the US and criticising Trump for the war. CIA Director John Ratcliffe testified on Wednesday that he did not agree with Kent. "I think Iran has been a constant threat to the United States for an extended period of time, and posed an immediate threat at this time," he said. Gabbard said US and Israeli strikes in the Middle East had "largely destroyed" Iran's military capabilities. She also said the intelligence community had assessed that "Iran was trying to recover from the severe damage to its nuclear infrastructure sustained during the 12-Day War and continued to refuse to comply with its nuclear obligations". The US and Israel attacked Iran over 12 days in June 2025 with the aim of destroying possible capabilities to produce a nuclear bomb. In written remarks prepared for the hearing, Gabbard had asserted those attacks "obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, and Iran had made "no efforts" to rebuild it. But she did not read that assertion aloud. When Democratic Senator Mark Warner asked Gabbard about the omission, she said she had to trim her public remarks because they were "running long". "So you chose to omit the parts that contradict the president," Warner responded, pointing Trump's contention that military action against Iran was justified because of its nuclear-weapon development. Lawmakers also asked how involved intelligence officials were in Trump's decision to strike Iran. Senator Angus King, an Independent from Maine, asked if they were "in the room" with Trump as he made his "final decision". Ratcliffe estimated he was in "dozens and dozens" of meetings with the president, but did not know if there was a "single time where a decision was made". King also asked if intelligence officials had informed Trump that Iran could potentially attack the Strait of Hormuz during a conflict with the US. Iran has effectively shut down the vital oil shipping channel since the US-Israel war with Iran began. "The president gets briefings constantly about intelligence," Ratcliffe said. He added that the Pentagon prepared for Iran to hit "US interests in energy sites across the region" and "took measures for force protection". The intelligence community had a "longstanding assessment" that Iran "would likely hold the Strait of Hormuz," Gabbard noted. She said the US defence department took "pre-emptive planning measures" as a result of that report. Beyond the fast Women use Iftar to drive empowerment Next article: Beyond the fast Women use Iftar to drive empowerment Featured Difficult people are ageing you faster - Scientists warn GraphicOnline Life Mar - 19 - 2026 , 07:13 3 minutes read A new study has linked exposure to stressful social relationships to accelerated ageing, with researchers warning that frequent interaction with difficult individuals could have measurable effects on human health and longevity. Professor Luke ONeill of the School of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin said persistent stress caused by so-called hasslers individuals who regularly irritate, criticise or exclude others may contribute to biological ageing by damaging DNA. Speaking on the Pat Kenny Show, Professor ONeill described stress as a silent killer in modern life, citing findings from a United States study involving about 2,500 participants. Each extra hassler makes you lose nine months of your life, Professor Luke ONeill explained. According to him, the study found that individuals who frequently experience stress from others show signs of accelerated biological ageing, with observable changes at the cellular level. A hassler is someone whos often hassling you, irritating you or maybe criticizing or excluding you, he said. The research suggests that stress triggers chemical changes in the body that leave marks on DNA, a process linked to inflammation and age-related health decline. These biological markers can make individuals appear older than their actual age. As we age our DNA gets stained so if a 60 year-old-man has the number of marks that would be associated with being a 70-year-old it means your biological age is 70, he explained. He added that factors such as smoking and lack of exercise can intensify these effects, further accelerating the ageing process. Central to the process is cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, which researchers believe contributes to faster ageing when present at elevated levels over long periods. Thats partly due to cortisol which seems to increase the rate at which you age, he noted. The study also examined the sources of stress within close relationships, identifying spouses, siblings and even grandparents among those most commonly perceived as hasslers. It found that about 10 per cent of spouses and five per cent of grandparents fall into this category. Despite the findings, Professor ONeill said the effects of stress-related ageing are not irreversible and can be mitigated through lifestyle changes, including physical activity and reducing exposure to stressful interactions. If you get rid of the hasslers from your life, your ageing process slows down a bit, he proposed. He acknowledged, however, that avoiding such individuals may be difficult, particularly when they are family members. If they've caused trouble before, dont meet that person if you can avoid it. Its harder to do when theyre your family but the more stressed you are the quicker you age, he added. Exercise, he said, could help counteract some of the effects by triggering beneficial chemical responses in the body. Its suggested to reverse those effects after someone has bothered you, you can go out, have a jog, run or even go to the gym, Prof. ONeill advised. It releases things in your body but it doesnt necessarily remove the stain entirely. The findings add to growing evidence linking chronic stress to a range of health conditions, with the researcher warning that unresolved emotional strain can have lasting physiological consequences. People have illnesses caused by trauma, he said. No more extravagant funerals: Tema Traditional Council sets tough new rules Next article: No more extravagant funerals: Tema Traditional Council sets tough new rules Featured Bono Region: President Mahama inspects key projects, urges contractors to speed up work Biiya Mukusah Ali Mar - 19 - 2026 , 15:23 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has undertaken an inspection tour of ongoing development projects in the Bono Region, reaffirming the governments commitment to improving infrastructure across the region. The projects inspected include the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) New Targeted and Emergency Projects (NTEmP) at Sunyani Senior High School. School infrastructure upgrade The projects at the school include the construction of a modern classroom block, a 12-seater washroom facility, and an ongoing science laboratory to facilitate practical teaching and learning. Also under construction are two two-storey semi-detached staff flats to provide accommodation for teachers, as well as a two-storey, 12-unit science laboratory complex designed to expand access to science education for students. The infrastructure projects, currently at various stages of completion, form part of a broader national effort to reduce the infrastructure deficit in second-cycle institutions. When completed, they are expected to ease congestion, improve sanitation, and create a more conducive academic environment for both students and staff. Call to expedite work Addressing contractors and project managers during the inspection on Thursday, President Mahama urged contractors to expedite work to meet stipulated timelines. He stressed that the timely completion of such projects was critical to delivering quality education and ensuring that students have access to the necessary facilities to support their academic development. The President also used the occasion to interact briefly with school authorities, who highlighted the pressing need for improved infrastructure to accommodate the growing student population. Security infrastructure boost As part of his two-day tour of the region, President Mahama further inspected the newly inaugurated Bono Regional Command of the National Signals Bureau. The facility serves as a central hub for signals intelligence and security coordination within the region. It is expected to play a critical role in strengthening surveillance and rapid response mechanisms to address emerging security threats such as armed robbery, cybercrime, chieftaincy disputes, farmerherder conflicts, and cross-border smuggling. Security officials at the facility briefed President Mahama on its operations. Road and airport projects In addition, President Mahama toured the ongoing 34-kilometre Sunyani Outer Ring Road project, a major infrastructure initiative expected to improve traffic flow within the Sunyani Municipality and enhance connectivity to surrounding communities. The road project is also anticipated to boost economic activity by facilitating the movement of goods and services across the region. The President further inspected the proposed site for the new Sunyani Airport at Nsoatre in the Sunyani West Municipality. The proposed airport is expected to enhance regional air transport, promote tourism, and attract investment into the region when completed. Featured Burkina Faso halts tomato exports, tightens supply to Ghana Mohammed Ali Mar - 19 - 2026 , 12:43 2 minutes read Burkina Faso has suspended all fresh tomato exports with immediate effect, a development expected to affect supply to Ghana. The decision was announced in a joint communique issued on March 16, 2026, and signed by the Minister of Commerce, Mr Serge Gnaniodem Poda, and the Minister of Agriculture, Commandant Ismael Sombie. The directive applies across the country and covers all operators involved in the export of fresh tomatoes. The issuance of Special Export Authorisations has also been suspended. Traders holding valid permits have been given two weeks to complete existing shipments, after which all authorisations will be cancelled. Authorities said breaches would attract sanctions, while seized produce would be redirected to local processing factories. The move forms part of Burkina Fasos plan to expand domestic tomato processing. The countrys processing firm, SOBTO, began operations at a plant in Dogona in November 2024, with a capacity of six tonnes per hour. A second facility in Tenkodogo, which is more than 70 per cent complete, is expected to begin operations in March 2026. The development comes after an attack on Ghanaian traders in February 2026. Seven traders were killed and several others injured when armed militants ambushed them in Titao, a town in northern Burkina Faso, during a routine trip. Ghana imports more than 400 million dollars worth of tomatoes annually from Burkina Faso. About 90 per cent of Burkina Fasos tomato exports are destined for the Ghanaian market. In February 2026, Ghana introduced a National Tomato Production Strategy for the period 2026 to 2030. The plan seeks to reduce tomato paste imports from over 100 million dollars annually to 20 million dollars by 2030. It also aims to increase the share of locally produced tomatoes used by processors from seven per cent to 85 per cent. Northern Ghana serves as a main entry point for produce from Burkina Faso. Featured Ebo Noah: Doomsday preacher back in court as flood prophecy case adjourned to June GNA Mar - 19 - 2026 , 10:15 2 minutes read An Adenta Circuit Court has adjourned to June 10 the case involving Evans Eshun, also known as Ebo Noah, a self-acclaimed preacher who claimed that God would destroy the world with a flood on December 25, 2025. The adjournment followed an indication by the prosecution that it was in the process of filing its disclosures. Eshun, who appeared in a white top and nude-coloured trousers, looked cheerful in the company of his mother and other relatives when he was spotted at the court by the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday. He is currently on bail in the sum of GH100,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be justified with landed property or a vehicle. The court has also ordered the accused to report to the police once every week. The 33-year-old security guard has been charged with the publication of false news with intent to cause fear and panic. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Presenting the facts earlier, the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, said the complainant in the case is the Ghana Police Service. According to the prosecution, Eshun, who worked as a security guard in Accra, published several videos on Facebook, TikTok and YouTube between August and December 2025. In the videos, he allegedly claimed that the world would be destroyed by a flood on December 25, 2025, and that he was constructing an ark to accommodate people who wished to be saved. The court heard that on December 31, 2025, following an intelligence-led operation, Eshun was arrested at his hideout at Weija-Gbawe in the Greater Accra Region. In his cautioned statement to the police, Eshun admitted making and circulating the videos on social media. However, he said he did not own the boat he referred to as an ark, explaining that it belonged to some fishermen at a boatyard in Edina in the Central Region. The prosecution said Eshun admitted making false claims and conceded that there was no impending flood intended to destroy the world. He further told investigators that he created the videos as content to gain followers on social media. Ghana tables slavery motion at UN - Urges recognition of transatlantic enslavement among greatest crimes against humanity Next article: Ghana tables slavery motion at UN - Urges recognition of transatlantic enslavement among greatest crimes against humanity Featured Ghana evacuates citizens from Israel as Middle East conflict intensifies Jemima Okang Addae Mar - 19 - 2026 , 15:03 1 minute read The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the successful evacuation of Ghanaians from Israel following recent developments in the country. According to a statement posted on the Ministers Facebook page, all Ghanaians who requested assistance from the government have been safely evacuated and returned home. The evacuation exercise also included some diplomatic staff from Ghanas Embassy in Tel Aviv, although a limited number of essential personnel have been retained to provide critical consular services. Mr Ablakwa expressed gratitude to both Israel and Egypt for their cooperation, which he said contributed significantly to the success of the operation. He warmly welcomed the evacuees on their arrival in Ghana and assured that the government remains committed to prioritising the safety and welfare of all Ghanaians. The Minister further indicated that the administration of President John Dramani Mahama would continue to monitor the situation closely and undertake additional evacuation efforts where necessary to protect citizens abroad. The latest developments follow the 2026 Iran War, which began on February 28, 2026. Currently, there is an ongoing large-scale military conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Now in its third week, the war has caused significant casualties, global economic disruption and an escalating regional crisis. Constitution review process: CSOs, media role critical Abena Addo Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Mar - 19 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read Programmes Officer of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Vera Abena Addo, has underscored the need for civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media to play a critical role in the ongoing constitutional review process. She stated that the ongoing review process was the third time the country was attempting to review the 1992 Constitution, saying, We think that it is important for CSOs and the media to be actively involved to rally the citizenry to support the constitutional review process. We know that some of the processes are entrenched while others are not. So how do we collectively support public education to court the needed interest on the constitutional review process? she asked. Workshop She made the remarks while speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop on constitutional reform for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region The workshop sought to enhance participants understanding of the constitution review process, equip CSOs with practical advocacy and engagement skills, and promote collaboration among civil society actors to ensure effective and coordinated action on constitutional reform. It was organised by CDD-Ghana and Star Ghana Foundation, in partnership with UK International Development with the objective to rally support from CSOs and the media towards a successful review process. The participants were drawn from Ashanti, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions. Not politicians Ms Addo highlighted the need to bring everyone on board in the review process and not leave it to the political class alone, stressing that all citizens must fully understand the entire process in order to support the reform agenda. We are hoping that President John Dramani Mahama, who started the review process in 2025, will see to the implementation of the recommendations as his legacy for the nation, Ms Addo indicated. Critical opportunity The Vice-President, Ghana Journalists Association, Rebecca Ekpe, said for over three decades, Ghanas Fourth Republican Constitution had represented the framework for democratic governance. She, however, said evolving governance challenges and concerns over executive dominance, weak separation of powers, weak decentralisation, and gaps in accountability had brought to the fore the need for an extensive constitutional reform. She stated that the ongoing constitution review process presented a critical opportunity to rebuild Ghanas democratic institutions and to rebuild public trust in reform efforts, saying, Previous reform processes have stalled and not yielded any governance dividends as citizens felt isolated from the process. Citizen involvement is important because citizens voices can shape what recommendations are prioritised, reducing the likelihood of reforms being undermined by partisan interests and ultimately securing the majoritys interests, she added. When women give, justice grows: 40 Years of FIDA-Ghana power of purpose Next article: When women give, justice grows: 40 Years of FIDA-Ghana power of purpose GAF engineers complete 90-day mission in Jamaica Joshua Bediako Koomson Mar - 19 - 2026 , 09:57 2 minutes read A 54-member contingent of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has returned home after a 90-day deployment to Jamaica, where it supported recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. The team was welcomed by President John Dramani Mahama at a mission accomplishment parade organised by GAF at the 48 Engineers Parade Square, Wajir Barracks, Teshie. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi; the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, service chiefs, senior officers, families of the troops and pupils from schools within the Wajir Barracks enclave. Commendation The President presented them with a citation in recognition of their outstanding service and contribution to improving living conditions in affected communities in Jamaica. He also praised the Officer Commanding, Colonel Emmanuel Asia, for his exemplary leadership. President Mahama further commended the personnel for displaying professionalism, discipline and dedication, which he said led to the successful execution of their task. The President said the deployment formed part of the countrys commitment to international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. He said the successful mission had also strengthened cooperation between Ghana, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries. Background The team was deployed in December, 2025 to support the recovery efforts in Jamaica following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, and in its wake, heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding across several parishes, especially in the southern parts of the country. Saint Elizabeth Parish was among the hardest hit areas. In communities such as Middle Quarters and Black River, some damage was also recorded to homes, roads and drainage systems. Many residents were displaced after roofs were ripped off and buildings collapsed. Featured Govt moves to establish Independent Emoluments Commission Diana Mensah Mar - 19 - 2026 , 07:57 6 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the time is ripe for a bold reform and structural adjustments in how public sector emoluments are determined and managed, moving beyond the periodic incremental adjustments in salaries. Consequently, he said the government would this year transition the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) into a new independent emoluments commission. The President said the reform was not about dismantling progress achieved but would serve as the institutional core to bring about the transition. We will reinforce and reposition the Commission both financially and in terms of human resources so that it becomes the technical cornerstone of a modern, independent national authority capable of managing public sector pay with professionalism, independence and credibility, he said. The President acknowledged persistent challenges within the public sector, including disparities in pay, frequent labour disputes, and a remuneration framework that struggled to balance fairness with the countrys fiscal constraints. He therefore said it would be designed to operate as a transparent, rule-based, and evidence-driven authority for setting public sector pay. He assured labour leaders that the reform process would be implemented in phases and carried out in full consultation with organised labour. Dialogue The President made these commitments during the Presidency Dialogue with Organised Labour at the Jubilee House in Accra last Tuesday. It is designed to provide a platform for open dialogue between the government and labour unions. It was to offer an opportunity for labour representatives to openly share their views on the performance of the government, the current state of the country, and practical suggestions for improving socio-economic conditions. It was also to raise concerns about their welfare and working conditions. The meeting brought 43 labour groupings under three major umbrella bodies, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the Ghana Federation of Labour, and other labour associations, together. It forms part of ongoing efforts by the government to deepen stakeholder consultation and build consensus on policies to stabilise the economy and improve the welfare of Ghanaian workers. As part of immediate measures, the President disclosed that 2026 would not see full-scale renegotiation of conditions of service across the public sector. Instead, he said the government would introduce targeted and modest adjustments to specific allowances as an interim step to maintain macroeconomic stability. This is not a withdrawal from engagement with labour. It is a strategic effort to address the structural foundations of our compensation system in the interest of all, he explained. Pensions review On pensions, Mr Mahama announced that the Ministry of Finance had been tasked to oversee a thorough review of the pension structure. The review, he said, would expand coverage, especially to the informal sector, by modernising contribution systems and strengthening governance and investment management. He said the pension system stood at a critical crossroads, as nearly two decades after the introduction of the three-tier pension system, coverage remained limited. Mr Mahama revealed that out of an estimated 10 million workers, fewer than 2 million were active contributors, with pension assets representing only about seven per cent of GDP well below continental benchmarks. If we fail to act, the imbalance between contributors and retirees will continue to deepen, threatening the systems sustainability and the dignity of our future retirees, he added. The President urged organised labour to support the reform agenda, describing it as a shared national responsibility rather than a government-only initiative. We stand at a defining moment. We can either continue with a system that produces tensions and unsustainable outcomes, or work together to build a modern, fair, and resilient framework, he said. The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, assured labour leaders that the government would remain transparent, pledging to openly present details of the economy, salary frameworks, and the rationale behind policy interventions. We will open up clearly to you. You will understand the economy, the salary structures within which we operate, and the need for policy interventions, he said. The Chief Executive Officer of the FWSC, Dr George Smith-Graham, said the country continued to pay a heavy price for labour disputes as strikes in recent years had resulted in significant financial losses. He said Ghana recorded 22 strikes in 2024, costing the state approximately GH1.47 billion, while eight strikes in 2025 led to a loss of about GH635 million. He said the Single Spine Salary Structure was originally introduced to correct major distortions in public sector pay and had achieved considerable success in its early stages; however, the system had deteriorated. He therefore welcomed the Presidents proposal to establish an Independent Emoluments Commission, describing it as a necessary step towards restoring fairness, transparency, and consistency in the pay system. The Commission is ready for this transformation and will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure its success, he said. Concerns Speaking on behalf of the TUC, Joshua Ansah raised concerns over what he described as persistent distortions in public sector compensation, urging greater transparency and fairness in how wage allocations were determined. He questioned the composition of the governments compensation budget, adding that while a significant percentage of national expenditure was allocated to wages, the distribution appeared skewed. He said the daily minimum wage translated into less than GH600 a month, an amount which cannot meet the cost of food, rent and utilities. Even for basic meals, this income is barely sufficient, he said, adding that workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure were not significantly better off, with the lowest earners taking home about GH809 monthly. He urged the government to expedite negotiations on conditions of service, adding that delays by key institutions, including the FWSC and the Ministry of Finance, were increasing agitation among workers. He welcomed plans to establish an Independent Emoluments Commission, but cautioned that the move alone would not resolve the deeper issue of low wages. He called for the adoption of a national living wage policy to ensure workers met their basic needs. On pensions, organised labour expressed deep concern over inequities within the system, noting that many retirees under the current three-tier scheme received significantly lower benefits compared to previous regimes. He revealed that some pensioners received less than GH500 a month, while others received thousands of cedis, describing the disparity as unfair. He urged the President to adopt a policy requiring employers to provide a reason for terminating a workers appointment, and incorporate that policy into the new labour law. Next article: Ghana to table UN resolution declaring slave trade a crime against humanity on March 25 Security agencies enlistment: GJA demands end to selling forms Benjamin Xornam Glover Mar - 19 - 2026 , 11:34 4 minutes read The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has described the ongoing security recruitment process as defective, raising concerns about fairness, transparency and the financial burden placed on applicants. According to the association, the exercise exposed deep structural issues in how recruitment into the security agencies was conducted, particularly the requirement for applicants to pay for forms despite no guarantee of employment. In fact, the core premise of this process is flawed, the President of the association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said at a press conference in Accra yesterday. Sale of recruitment forms Mr Dwumfour questioned the fairness of the practice, arguing that many young people who were eager to serve the country were already struggling financially and should not be made to pay to access opportunities in public service. He stressed that although the practice had existed for years, it must be discontinued, describing it as inappropriate and unhealthy for the countrys democracy. Although he acknowledged government efforts to address youth unemployment through expanded recruitment, the GJA president maintained that the current approach placed undue pressure on applicants and undermined confidence in the system. He called for the abolition of the sale of recruitment forms across all public sector institutions, insisting that applications for public service roles should be free to ensure equal access. Politicisation of security recruitment On politicisation, the GJA President warned against the growing involvement of political actors in recruitment into the security services, stressing that such institutions owed allegiance to the state rather than any government or political party. He averred that the recruitment processes should be handled strictly by technocrats and security chiefs to preserve professionalism and public trust. The association further urges authorities to ensure that recruitment processes are fair, transparent and efficient. The increasing use of Artificial Intelligence and digital tools must be carefully monitored to avoid bias or unintended exclusion of qualified applicants, Mr Dwumfour said. Media freedom On media freedom, the GJA president welcomed moves to resolve the long-standing case involving Latif Idrissu of JoyNews and the Ghana Police Service. The case stems from an incident in 2018 during a police operation and protest at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service in Accra, where Mr Idrissu was assaulted while covering a police-related story. Mr Dwumfour commended the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, for opting for an out-of-court settlement after nearly eight years of legal proceedings, a decision he described as constructive and forward-looking. The association believes that, when concluded thoroughly and to the satisfaction of all parties involved, the settlement process will bring long-awaited closure to the case and reinforce confidence in institutional accountability and justice, he said. Mr Dwumfour said while the GJA supported the pursuit of justice for attacks on journalists through the law courts, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms also offered a path to fairness and institutional reform. The GJA president also praised lead counsel, Samson Lardi Ayenini, for his sustained efforts in defending the rights and safety of journalists, saying his work had kept issues of accountability in focus. Intimidation The association also expressed concern over what it described as a growing pattern of police invitations and interrogation of journalists. It cited a February 2026 incident where some senior editors were invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over alleged false publications, despite the matter being pursued in court as a civil case. According to the GJA president, one such journalist was questioned over unsubstantiated allegations, granted bail and subjected to further interrogation, including scrutiny of private communications and seizure of working tools under unclear circumstances. He also raised concerns over attempts to compel journalists to disclose sources during interrogations. Mr Dwumfour, therefore, called for a repeal of the provisions in the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) and the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) that were often used to intimidate journalists. If you feel defamed, seek redress in the court of law. Do not hide behind the security service to intimidate and harass journalists, the GJA president stressed. Funding shortfall, system losses threaten gains in safe water delivery at 16th Beyond the Pipe Forum Next article: Funding shortfall, system losses threaten gains in safe water delivery at 16th Beyond the Pipe Forum Featured Ghana to table UN resolution declaring slave trade a crime against humanity on March 25 Jemima Okang Addae Mar - 19 - 2026 , 10:43 2 minutes read The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that President John Dramani Mahama will table a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly to declare the Transatlantic Slave Trade as the gravest crime against humanity. The resolution is scheduled to be presented on March 25, 2026, aligning with the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. According to the Ministry, Ghana is leading the initiative in its role as the African Union Champion on Reparations, in collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other stakeholders. The draft resolution seeks to formally recognise the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as a defining atrocity in world history, citing its scale, brutality, and enduring global consequences. The statement noted that, if adopted, the resolution would be the first comprehensive United Nations resolution on slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the organisations history. It is expected to preserve historical truth while advancing calls for reparatory justice, accountability, and healing. The Ministry emphasised that recognising the Transatlantic Slave Trade as a crime against humanity would also address longstanding structural inequalities linked to global development gaps, debt imbalances, and climate vulnerabilities. Ahead of the tabling, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the African Burial Ground in New York on March 24, followed by a high-level event on reparatory justice at the UN Conference Room. Ghana further called on all UN member states to support the resolution, urging them to stand on the right side of history and justice. The Ministry expressed appreciation to international partners, including the African Union, UNESCO, and CARICOM, as well as experts and institutions that contributed to drafting the resolution. Featured Gold reserve row: Amin Adam questions BoG sale as Sammy Gyamfi defends strategy GraphicOnline Mar - 19 - 2026 , 16:39 4 minutes read Concerns have emerged over Ghanas gold reserve management following contrasting public statements by former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam and the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, over the Bank of Ghanas decision to sell a significant portion of the countrys gold holdings. In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday night, Dr Amin Adam questioned the rationale behind the reported sale of more than half of Ghanas gold reserves, warning that the move could undermine the purpose for which the reserves were accumulated. He recalled that between 2023 and 2024, the previous administration increased the countrys gold holdings from about 8.8 tonnes to over 30 tonnes under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme introduced by Mahamudu Bawumia to strengthen reserve buffers and reduce reliance on foreign exchange. The Bank of Ghana must come clear on the sale of over 50 percent of Ghanas gold reserves in 2025. Between 2023 and 2024, the NPP government worked to increase Ghanas gold holdings significantly, from about 8.8 tonnes to over 30 tonnes, under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) introduced by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, then Vice President of the Republic. This policy was explicitly designed to strengthen reserve buffers, support macroeconomic stability, and reduce dependence on foreign exchange, he wrote. He argued that the reported liquidation, which he said generated about $1.5 billion, raised fundamental questions about policy direction and financial management. Against this backdrop, the liquidation of more than half (+50%) of these reservesgenerating approximately US$1.5 billion in financial gainsraises serious concerns about policy consistency and balance sheet management. The central question is not whether reserves can be reallocated, but why such a substantial share was sold, and how the proceeds were used. Dr Amin Adam further suggested that if the sales were undertaken to offset financial losses, it would mark a shift away from reserve accumulation towards balance sheet repair. If these transactions were primarily undertaken to offset financial losses, then this represents a fundamental shift from reserve accumulation toward balance sheet repair. In that case, headline financial outcomes risk overstating underlying performance, unless one-off gains from gold sales are clearly separated from core operational results. He challenged the central bank to demonstrate transparency in its reporting. The central bank must prove that it did not sell the gold to cover huge losses recorded in 2025. How will the Bank report its 2025 losses vis-avis the gains from the sale of gold reserves? How sustainable is this practice where operational losses can easily be offset by the sale of our gold reserves? The Bank of Ghana is yet to tell Ghanaians that the real reason behind the sale was not to achieve the right proportions of assets between foreign currency and gold, but simply to cover losses occasioned by its poor management of the Bank. Dr Amin Adam also questioned the justification of portfolio diversification, arguing that such explanations must be assessed against actual outcomes and their impact on net international reserves, while cautioning against loosely linking the decision to International Monetary Fund frameworks. However, in a separate Facebook post, Mr Gyamfi defended the central banks actions, describing the move as a prudent strategy to protect the countrys reserves from volatility in global gold prices. For those who have been unjustly attacking the Bank of Ghana for their decision to sell portions of the countrys gold holdings, as a deliberate reserve portfolio diversification measure, how do you feel about the free fall of gold prices we are currently witnessing, where the price of bullion in the last few weeks has dropped from a record-high of about $5,500/oz to about $4,500? he wrote. He emphasised that while gold remains a safe-haven asset, it is subject to price fluctuations that could expose countries with limited reserves to significant risks. You see, gold is a proven safe-haven asset. However, it is subject to significant price volatilities that pose considerable risk to reserve preservation. This is why a middle-income country like Ghana with Gross International Reserves of barely 5.7 months, ought not to over-concentrate its reserves in gold holdings but rather, diversify same across different asset classes. Mr Gyamfi explained that the central bank converted a portion of the gold into foreign currency to strengthen liquidity and generate returns. In reserve portfolio management, safety and liquidity considerations are paramount. Converting portions of our gold holdings into cash and investing same to generate returns for the country, was therefore a SAFE and sensible decision by the BoG. Simply put, the BoG converted about 22 tons of the countrys gold holdings into U.S dollars, added it to our reserves and invested it to generate returns for the country. Our reserves remained intact. No national asset was lost. And this decision has significantly minimized the impact of the recent collapse in gold prices on Ghanas reserve position. Kudos Dr. Asiamah and your wonderful team at the BoG. Keep up the good work for mother Ghana. Featured Mahama inspects roads, school projects and airport site on Bono tour Kester Aburam Korankye Mar - 19 - 2026 , 15:31 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has continued his Bono Region Community Engagement Tour with inspections of key infrastructure projects, including roads, school facilities and a proposed airport site. The second day of the tour follows his visit to Dormaa Ahenkro, where he cut the sod for the construction of a 24-hour model market. 24-hour market to boost local economy The market project, which forms part of the governments commitment to enhancing trading activities and boosting local economies, is expected to provide a modern and secure trading environment for traders and the wider community. Addressing the gathering, President Mahama expressed confidence in the governments management of the economy, stating that the Ghanaian cedi had been strengthened to withstand external shocks. He assured that the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel would not have a brutal impact on the countrys economy. School and road inspections On Thursday, March 19, the President continued his tour in Sunyani with a series of project inspections and public engagements. He began by inspecting ongoing Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) projects at Sunyani Senior High School, where he assessed the progress of infrastructure development aimed at improving teaching and learning conditions. He then moved on to review construction works on the Sunyani Outer Ring Road, a critical project expected to ease traffic congestion and enhance transportation within the municipality. Airport project to drive investment As part of his tour, President Mahama also visited the proposed site for the new Sunyani Airport, a strategic infrastructure initiative expected to boost economic activity, improve connectivity, and open up the Bono Region for increased investment and tourism. Citizen engagement and job support The President is currently engaging residents and stakeholders at the University of Energy and Natural Resources as part of his Resetting Ghana Citizen Engagement series. The forum provides an opportunity for him to account directly to the people, outline his governments development agenda, and receive feedback from citizens. Later in the day, President Mahama is expected to present grants to 475 beneficiaries under the Adwumawura Programme, a flagship initiative designed to support entrepreneurship, job creation and youth empowerment across the country. Featured Minority rejects Value for Money Bill, warns it will fuel corruption Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Mar - 19 - 2026 , 07:47 5 minutes read The Minority Caucus in Parliament has distanced itself from the processes leading to the passage of the Value for Money Office Bill, 2026, warning that the proposed law could rather worsen corruption in the country. The Caucus argued that existing legal frameworks, including the Public Financial Management Act and the Public Procurement Act, already provide adequate mechanisms to ensure validation and value for money in public spending. It maintained that the Majority's insistence on pushing the bill through would create an additional layer of bureaucracy that could be politically controlled and less effective at curbing corruption. It therefore called on the government to strengthen existing laws rather than create a new office. We the Minority will not rubber-stamp the bill and if the Majority would not listen these strong views and take same on board and rather bring amendments of existing laws and want to pursue the path of chop-chop, we the mighty few wash off our hands, it said. Carry your burden alone Contributing to the motion for the House to debate the bill after its second reading, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said the Caucus would not be part of what he described as a flawed legislative process. We will not be part of this unholy act that will rather expose the state and make the state vulnerable. Carry your burden alone. What we are seeking to do is to open the Pandora box and this law, if it is enacted, will rather be the right channel for corruption, he said. Purpose of the bill The bill seeks to establish a Value for Money Office to regulate, monitor, coordinate and promote value-for-money assessments, to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability in public expenditure and procurement. It was presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, and subsequently referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report. Concerns over independence Mr Afenyo-Markin said Minority members on the committee had opposed both the bill and the committees report. He further claimed that the Ranking Member did not adequately review the final report before submission. He rejected the governments argument that the bill aligns with international best practices in countries such as the United States and Canada, insisting that institutions in those jurisdictions are not politically controlled. He argued that the proposed office would have a governing board dominated by appointees nominated by the Finance Minister, raising concerns about its independence. He, therefore, said the very corruption the Finance Minister aimed to cure would fester, saying who does not know that before a minister makes an appointment, he will first look at loyalty to him? That is why we are telling you that you have the Public Financial Management Act, the PPA Act itself, and the internal organisations that we have in public institutions, which allow for some level of value for audit. And where it is required that certain levels of procurement are to be undertaken, external bodies of institutions that are independent are relied on, and why do we not look at this and strengthen where there are loopholes? he quizzed. Walking contradiction The Minority Leader described the push for the bill as contradictory and warned it would be perceived negatively by the public. He said the creation of the office could be viewed as another avenue for mismanagement. As political leaders, we must be careful about the impression, he said, urging the government to stop being a walking contradiction. You walking contradiction as you have so far not lived up to the promises that you made; we have a Deputy Chief of Staff who has a company and the GoldBod would award an 11 million cedi sole contract, he said. Government defends bill The Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, rejected claims that the proposed office would promote corruption. He explained that the initiative was intended to strengthen oversight by ensuring that all contracts deliver value for money. He said while the Public Procurement Authority ensures procedural compliance, it does not adequately address cost efficiency. It is going to ensure a life cycle costing, technical soundness and post contract verification. He acknowledged concerns raised by the Minority, noting that single-source procurements had traditionally undergone value-for-money assessments, unlike many competitively tendered contracts. He added that Ghana previously relied on external institutions such as Crown Agents, a UK-based firm, to conduct such assessments. In fact, we have a company called Crown Agents, UK-based company that was here and that company was the one that we always fell on to conduct value for money for this country. As we speak now, Crown Agents has left this country, and so there is no institution to provide this service, and so it is timely that we have our own Value for Money Office to conduct value for money for procurements that we do in this country, he said. Mr Ampem further argued that inflated costs were not limited to sole-source contracts. That is not true as we have seen competitive bidding contracts that have been overpriced and that is clear. In fact, we have seen cost build-ups in our contracts that show the purchasing of mobile phones and airtime for contractors. We have seen cost lines that indicate renting hotel accommodation for contractors. All these are competitive bid contracts, and so it is not true that only sole source or restricted tendering that have been overpriced, he said. Former President Akufo-Addo takes on new role in Anglican Church Previous article: Former President Akufo-Addo takes on new role in Anglican Church Featured Parliament ratifies GhanaBarari DV lithium lease amid Minority opposition Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Mar - 19 - 2026 , 21:34 6 minutes read Parliament has ratified a mining lease agreement between the Government of Ghana and Barari DV Ghana Limited for the extraction of lithium and other minerals at Mankessim in the Mfantsiman Municipality of the Central Region. The ratification paves the way for the commercial exploitation of the mineral resource, a move expected to position Ghana as a key player in the global lithium market. The 15-year lease, which covers an area of 42.63 square kilometres, is renewable in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). Under the agreement, the government negotiated a 12 per cent free carried interest in the company, higher than the standard 10 per cent applicable to other mining firms in the country. Additionally, the company is required to allocate one per cent of its annual revenue to a community development fund to support communities affected by its operations. The agreement, presented to the House by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, on December 19 last year, was subsequently referred to the Committee on Lands and Natural Resources for consideration and report. Ghana stands to benefit Justifying the agreement, Mr Buah said Ghana would derive maximum value from a revised fiscal regime that links royalties to international market prices. He explained that the newly introduced sliding-scale royalty system would enable the country to earn higher revenues when commodity prices increase. Comparing the new agreement with one previously introduced under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, he noted that the earlier arrangement had a fixed growth and sustainability levy. We now have flexibility as there is a new provision that says that the company shall pay to the government of Ghana all other fees, levies and charges as provided under applicable laws. Under the old agreement, such provision was fixed at one per cent, but in the new agreement, there is flexibility to allow the government of Ghana to pluck in anytime there is that opportunity." He added that while the previous agreement provided for a fixed royalty rate of 10 per cent, the new regime allows for up to 12 per cent based on the sliding scale. We wanted to be sure that under this mining lithium will not come to add to the destruction of roads, and we have inserted that within six months of ratification of the lease agreement, the company will undertake a feasibility study for the construction of a jetty, barge and a mini-port system at Saltpond or an adjacent suitable location. We think that for the people of Ewoyaa and other communities who have waited for almost three years, this is an important day for them because a lot will happen in these communities when this project takes off, he said. Minority rejects agreement Despite the ratification, the Minority Caucus strongly opposed the deal, raising concerns over transparency and the financial assumptions underpinning the agreement. The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said while the caucus supported lithium development in principle, it could not endorse an agreement based on what he described as unverified projections and a flawed regulatory framework. He argued that the current arrangement could yield lower royalties compared to the previous deal rejected by the then opposition. Ghana's lithium endowment is a generational asset and the terms on which it is leased will outlast this Parliament and will define the revenue, employment and community development benefits that flow to Ghana for the duration of the mine's life, he said. Concerns over royalty regime Mr Afenyo-Markin explained that under the new sliding-scale system, lithium royalties range from five to 12 per cent depending on international prices. He noted that at a benchmark price of $2,250 per tonne the reference point during earlier negotiations the new regime would yield a seven per cent royalty, lower than the previous fixed 10 per cent. Under the government's own new framework, that same price of $2,250 falls in the 7 per cent band. In other words, the sliding scale delivers a lower royalty than the fixed rate that existed when the deal was first made, at precisely the price level used as the reference point for that deal. This is not an improvement on the NPP's terms, he said. Call for further scrutiny The Minority Leader further criticised Parliament for proceeding with the ratification despite unresolved concerns regarding the underlying legislative instrument. He also raised issues about the reduction of the Growth and Sustainability Levy from three per cent to one per cent. The government's stated rationale was that the Growth and Sustainability Levy (GSL) increase from one per cent to three per cent was originally introduced to compensate for the absence of a windfall tax mechanism and that the new sliding-scale royalty regime now performs that function, he said. He urged Parliament to delay the third reading of the bill to allow for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. The government has not presented Parliament with a consolidated net revenue analysis, and Parliament cannot responsibly ratify this lease without understanding what Ghana is, on balance, actually gaining, he added. Viability and transparency questions On the revised terms, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the governments position was influenced by claims from Atlantic Lithium that falling global prices had affected project viability. However, he cited independent analysis suggesting otherwise. This is not a sound basis for the exercise of Parliament's ratification function under Article 268, he said. He insisted that Parliament must be furnished with a comparative revenue analysis before approving such agreements. Parliament cannot assess the value of this agreement in isolation from its companion legislative changes, he stated. Environmental concerns raised A former Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, also criticised the environmental safeguards in the agreement, describing them as inadequate. He warned that lithium mining posed significant environmental risks, including water pollution, soil degradation and waste generation. He called for stricter measures, including an environmental bond and a dedicated mitigation fund. They must set up environmental mitigation fund so that a certain percentage of the revenue from the sale of the product will be put into the fund to be used to mitigate against any disaster when it occurs, he said. Dr Amin Adam further proposed increasing the community development fund from one per cent to three per cent of annual revenue. This will not be enough if you mark it against the enormous negative footprint production could bring to our communities, he suggested. When a DJ in Ridgewood tells you hes found local schnitzel thats better than anything he got during his Berlin years, you go. Its not as surprising as it sounds: Lately, all the noise-rockers, brand managers, and alt-comedians I know have ventured from Bushwick to Ridgewood, the wedge of Queens that has, and not by accident, been developing at the same time as a dining destination. Rolos set the tone. Il Gigante is its Il Buco. Hellbender has a serious menu with sloshing margaritas. And late last year, the newest comer came. Look for the crocheted curtains freshly hung in an old funeral home at the corner of Onderdonk Avenue. This is the domain of the Pierogi Boys, a.k.a. Andrzej Kinczyk and Krzysztof Poluchowicz, partners in life and dumplings. The Boys are not new to pierogi, which they have been selling at the DeKalb Market Hall since 2017, and they are not new to Ridgewood, where they have lived since emigrating from Poland 21 years ago. But their 40-seat restaurant with a sizable grocery attached is the largest expression of their ambitions yet. Ridgewood has a significant Polish population many Poles moved there after getting priced out of Greenpoint but Kinczyk and Poluchowicz arent catering exclusively to their country-men. Many of the Polish restaurants in New York are specifically built toward Polish people, Poluchowicz told me. And we did it the opposite way. We always wanted our place to feel very open. We wanted to promote Polish food. For the Polish-curious, and those unmoored since the 2015 closure of Greenpoint stalwart Lomzynianka, Pierogi Boys represents a comfortable entry point. Whereas the Boys first venture the 150-square-foot food-hall counter is painfully authentic and employs their grandmothers recipes, the new restaurant has a more fluid approach. For the first few months, visiting Poles complained the additions to the menu were not what their babcie, or grandmothers, would serve. Here, the schnitzel comes with a horseradish-prickled salad of hot-pink radicchio rather than a heap of mashed potatoes. I found Pierogi Boys easy to love: charming, tasty, unself-serious, and filling, if not to the gut-busting extremes of yore. Kinczyk and Poluchowicz supervise the place, while the kitchen is overseen by Matt Oliver, a longtime local chef new to the cuisine when he came onboard. (The Boys gave him a stack of cookbooks, a trip to Poland, and a month to get up to speed.) The cooking is more contemporary than you or Babcia may expect. We are in a long designer-cabbage moment, with brand-name-drops of Caraflex and Sugarcone on menus and in bougier produce aisles around town, but one thing Poles dont need to be told about is brassicas. Here, they abound piquant sauerkraut in mushroom pierogi and sweetly grassy Brussels sprouts melted with onions and cream served over long rickrack-edged noodles for a take on the comfort food known as azanki, a sort of collapsed lasagna. . . Deviled eggs, co-owners Andrzej Kinczyk and Krzysztof Poluchowicz, an order of pierogi, and a look at dinner service in the dining room. Hugo Yu. Deviled eggs, co-owners Andrzej Kinczyk and Krzysztof Poluchowicz, an order of pierogi, and a look at dinner service in the dining room. Hugo Yu. Every meal here really should include pierogi, of which the restaurant churns out thousands a week, so many that a dedicated dumpling team handles the job. The savory options are offered in three fillings braised beef and pork, potato and cheese, and sauerkraut and mushroom, which is my favorite of the bunch and worth getting with little lardons of Polish bacon and only boiled, the better not to overwhelm their delicate dough. (At the Market Hall stand, they recently relented to fast-food tastes and began selling a pan-fried option. Were not proud of it, Kinczyk said.) The restaurant serves a small daytime menu, but the better move is to go for dinner. The pork schnitzel, though not bubbled in the Viennese style, is nevertheless as good as the DJ promised, hubcap-size and crowned with a thick pat of melting butter and a twisting clef of anchovy. Duck confit, served on a Christmasy pile of braised red cabbage and sauced with black currants, was as good as the confit Ive had at many much fancier establishments. No Polish restaurant could get away with not making borscht the hot Ukrainian version in the winter, the cool Lithuanian in the summer or kielbasa, which has a garlicky snap, but I preferred starting with a simple platter of bread and butter, whose unassuming name belied a dense, seedy black loaf (very welcome in an era of declining pumpernickel!) with a sidecar of bacon-dotted butter. Cozy, cozy, cozy, declaimed a guest of mine who lived in the neighborhood in the bygone days of 2009, when the pickings were far slimmer and she survived, she recalled without much salad-days nostalgia, off of deli food beans, hummus. On a recent night in the lengthening daylight, a changing scene seemed far removed from that past era: stroller families feeding pierogi to kids, cute gay couples in gym shorts sipping pickle martinis. You might lament the gentrification, but with or without Pierogi Boys, Whole Foods will arrive on Myrtle Avenue this year. And the local Polish families, initially resistant, have started to warm to Pierogi Boys revisionist sensibility. Even our harshest critics are starting to enjoy it, the Boys told me. Dessert. Photo: Hugo Yu Lenovo Legion Y700 (Gen 5) Released 2026, March 21 Android 16 256GB/512GB/1TB storage, microSDXC 5.3% 77,802 hits 38 Become a fan 8.8" 1904x3040 pixels 50 MP 1080p 12-24 GB RAM Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 9000 mAh 68W Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct. Read more Samsung partnered with Spanish fashion brand DOMINNICO to create a limited-edition luxury handbag with a design inspired by the newly released Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. The handbag is called Samsung X DOMINNICO, and it's already up for pre-order, priced at 420. Samsung X DOMINNICO leather handbag The handbag is made of leather, and it's also handcrafted, featuring a baguette silhouette. It comes only in a specific off-white color with metallic closures and accents. Perhaps more importantly, the handbag has two dedicated compartments specifically designed to hold a Galaxy S26 Ultra and a pair of Galaxy Buds 4 or 4 Pro earbuds. What's more, the Buds 4 compartment is removable. Source Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G A man who had been serving a 20-year prison sentence for sexual assault will face a new trial starting May 5 after the Supreme Court of Guam vacated his convictions. William Robert Reyes on Monday appeared before Superior Court Judge John Terlaje, who set the date during a status conference, marking the earliest opportunity to advance the case toward resolution following months of legal challenges. Reyes was convicted in February 2024 after a jury found him guilty of first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges involving the assault of a 9-year-old girl. He appealed, challenging the trial courts denial of a motion for a mistrial and a motion for judgment of acquittal on the first-degree charge. The Supreme Court upheld the denial of the motion for judgment of acquittal, finding sufficient evidence existed for a rational jury to conclude Reyes committed sexual penetration under Guam law, based on the victims testimony. However, the court ruled that the trial court abused its discretion in denying Reyes mistrial motion. During the original trial, prosecutors cross-examined Reyes about decades-old arrests and indictments for alleged crimes against minors, none of which resulted in convictions. The trial court allowed the questioning under Guam Rule of Evidence 609, which applies only to prior convictions. The high court found this legal reasoning erroneous, concluding that the trial court failed to consider other evidentiary rules or mitigate the prejudicial impact of the questioning. It emphasized that indictments and convictions are not interchangeable and determined the error was not harmless. The courts opinion, issued in December 2025 and authored by Chief Justice Robert J. Torres with Associate Justices F. Philip Carbullido and Katherine A. Maraman joining, vacated Reyes convictions and remanded the case for a new trial. During the Monday hearing, prosecuting attorney Christine Tenorio confirmed the governments readiness for trial but indicated that she would not be available for any hearings in April. Terlaje also scheduled a second call to address scheduling and coordination for all parties, directing everyone to appear prepared for the May 5 proceedings. China updates regulations on registration of overseas manufacturers exporting food to China Xinhua) 15:06, March 19, 2026 BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China will implement new regulations on the registration of overseas manufacturers exporting food to China, starting from June this year, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) has announced. The GAC will determine the list of food imports requiring such registration, the list of food imports not subject to automatic renewal of registration, and the scope of overseas food storage enterprises that should register, according to the updated regulations. These decisions will be made based on an assessment of raw material sources, production and processing techniques, food safety records, target consumer groups and consumption methods, and in line with international practices. The registration will be valid for 5 years and will be automatically renewed for another 5 years if no rules are breached. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Press release Another protest over the actions of the administration of President Donald Trump is set in Havre Saturday, March 28, joining an planned international Day of Action. People from Havre and the surrounding area will join with millions of people across the United States in the third No Kings Day of Action, a release from organizers said. The Havre No Kings 3 event will be one of many planned across Montana, including Billings, Missoula, Helena, Bozeman, Great Falls and Kalispell, as well as many smaller Montana towns like Cut Bank, Fort Benton, Dillon, West Yellowstone, Eureka, Miles City and Glendive. More than 2,000 events are planned in the U.S, and No Kings 3 events are also being organized in other countries. "Montana is a state where people believe strongly in self-government, checks and balances, and the rule of law. We are gathering to assure people that they are not alone if they are frightened or upset by the authoritarian actions of the federal government, and we urge them to join us on March 28," said Karen Datko of Indivisible Havre, a local pro-democracy group organizing the Havre demonstration. "By gathering for No Kings 3, we are also affirming that in America, power belongs to the people - not to any one individual." The Havre demonstration is the ninth organized by local volunteers to protest what they say are unlawful and authoritarian actions by the federal government depriving people of their rights and access to basic services while empowering and enriching billionaires. The Havre event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the north sidewalk of First Street West near First Avenue West. No Kings signs will be provided, and people are encouraged to bring their own handmade signs. For more information about No Kings and to find an event closest to you, go to https://www.nokings.org. The global No Kings movement - a peaceful, nonpartisan effort - is a citizen-led initiative advocating for democratic principles, the separation of powers, and the fundamental American idea that no public official is above the law. A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action and no civil disobedience. Organizers expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with participants' values, and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events. The review, conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, examined working conditions within the group after media reports earlier this year raised concerns about the treatment of staff. Finlands Social Democratic Party said an internal review into workplace conduct in its parliamentary group found no broad pattern of harassment, following weeks of public scrutiny over alleged misconduct. It is a relief that the report shows there is no wider harassment problem in our parliamentary group, she said. The investigation involved interviews with all staff members in the group and focused on the current parliamentary term. According to party officials, no new cases emerged during the process, and all incidents identified were already known internally. The report did identify instances of inappropriate conduct. These included rude language, belittling behaviour and repeated contact outside working hours. Officials said such actions had been addressed when they occurred. Tuppurainen said those involved had received what she described as a serious discussion as a consequence. She said this response matched the severity of the incidents and confirmed that no further disciplinary measures would be imposed. There has been no violence or bullying of a nature that would require exceptional consequences, she told reporters. The party declined to disclose details such as the number of cases, citing the need to protect staff privacy. Parliamentary group secretary general Rami Lindstrom said some incidents had not previously been public but were known to management. Deputy chair Piritta Rantanen said the report did not support earlier claims about Tuppurainens own conduct. Allegations published earlier this year suggested she had behaved inappropriately towards staff, including claims of shouting. Tuppurainen has challenged those claims and filed a complaint with Finlands Council for Mass Media. The controversy began after a documentary aired by public broadcaster Yle featured MP Ville Merinen, who said some parliamentary assistants faced poor treatment. Further reporting by Helsingin Sanomat and Ilta-Sanomat detailed individual cases, including alleged misconduct involving MP Marko Asell at a party event. According to Helsingin Sanomat, witnesses described behaviour that caused distress to a staff member. Asell said on Thursday he had apologised for inappropriate behaviour and poor humour but declined to comment further. The Social Democratic Party commissioned the external review after those reports. Party officials said most staff had not experienced harassment, though some reported isolated incidents. Lindstrom said each case remains one too many and called for improvements in management practices. Recommendations from the report include strengthening supervisory skills among MPs, improving reporting channels and holding regular follow-up discussions on workplace conditions. The group plans to review the situation every six months. Tuppurainen said the public attention had placed strain on staff and complicated efforts to address the issues internally. She said future cases would be handled with clearer processes and lower thresholds for reporting. HT The report, supported by the United Nations and compiled by researchers at the University of Oxford, places Iceland second and Denmark third, while Costa Rica rises to fourth place, marking its highest position to date. Sweden ranks fifth and Norway sixth, meaning all Nordic countries appear within the top ten. Finland has ranked as the worlds happiest country for the ninth year in a row, according to the latest World Happiness Report , with Nordic nations continuing to dominate the top positions. The ranking draws on survey data in which respondents assess their own lives on a scale from zero to ten. Finnish respondents gave an average score of 7.8, one of the highest recorded in the study. Iceland and Denmark follow with scores close to 7.5. The report uses a three-year average of responses to measure life satisfaction. It also considers factors such as income per person, life expectancy, social support, perceived freedom and levels of corruption, though final rankings rely on individuals own evaluations. Costa Rica stands out as the fastest climber in recent years. The country ranked 23rd in 2023 but has since moved into fourth place, overtaking several European nations. Switzerland returns to the top ten after a year outside the leading group. No English-speaking country appears in the top ten for the second year running. The United States ranks 23rd, while the United Kingdom places 29th and Canada 25th. Israel ranks eighth despite ongoing regional aggression during the period covered by the data. Iran stands at 97th, while Ukraine, which continues to face war following Russias invasion, ranks 111th. Russia is placed 79th. At the bottom of the ranking are countries in Africa and the Middle East. Afghanistan remains last with an average score of 1.4. Sierra Leone and Malawi follow, while Zimbabwe and Botswana also appear among the lowest-ranked nations. The report also examines the impact of social media on well-being, with a focus on younger age groups. It finds that problematic use of social platforms links to lower levels of well-being, particularly among girls. Platforms that support direct social interaction show a more positive association in some regions, including parts of Latin America. In Finland, more than 92 per cent of people aged 16 to 24 use social media, along with over 74 per cent of those aged 25 to 64. Researchers note differing effects depending on how platforms are used and the type of content consumed. HT Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban said he would not support any decision benefiting Ukraine until oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline resume, linking the funding to an ongoing dispute over energy deliveries. European Union leaders failed to reach agreement on a 90bn loan for Ukraine after Hungary refused to lift its veto during a summit in Brussels, despite pressure from other member states. The loan, agreed in principle in December, requires unanimous approval. Hungary had previously backed the arrangement but reversed its position earlier this year, prompting criticism from several EU leaders. Finlands prime minister Petteri Orpo accused Orban of breaking a prior agreement. We had a deal, and he betrayed us, Orpo said as he arrived at the summit. The dispute centres on the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. Supplies have been disrupted since January after damage caused by a Russian air strike, according to Ukrainian authorities. Hungary has blamed Ukraine for delays in restoring flows. Orban said his position would not change. I will never support any kind of decision in favour of Ukraine as long as Hungary does not receive the oil that belongs to us, he told reporters in Brussels. EU officials said leaders spent about 90 minutes discussing the issue at the start of the summit. European Council president Antonio Costa told leaders that Hungarys actions breached the principle of cooperation within the bloc. Belgiums prime minister Bart De Wever, who helped negotiate the original deal, said the reversal was unacceptable and undermined trust. Dutch prime minister Rob Jetten also criticised the veto, saying the funding must be delivered without delay. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said alternative routes exist to bypass Hungarys opposition but warned such steps would require political will. The 90bn package aims to support Ukraines government spending and military needs as the war with Russia enters its fifth year. Ukrainian officials have warned that without new funding, the state could face budget shortages within weeks. Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that the support is not charity but an investment in European security. The European Commission has offered financial and technical assistance to repair the pipeline, while Croatia has said it can supply oil to Hungary and Slovakia through an alternative route. Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenkovic said the country has capacity to meet demand, though at market prices higher than pipeline oil. Despite these proposals, Orban maintained his position during both public remarks and closed-door discussions. HT Commissioners, NC Legislature, Long Leaf Pine Order honor Waldrup State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom presented Kevin Waldrup with a resolution from the N.C. General Assembly. Kevin Waldrup, a firefighter for 45 years, was honored on Wednesday during the regular meeting of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners and not just by the county. Related Stories As a volunteer firefighter and county fire marshal, Waldrup was among the core of emergency service leaders who led the response to the Party Rock and Poplar Drive wildfires, the coronavirus pandemic and Hurricane Helene among other major incidents. On Wednesday morning county commissioners recognized Waldrup with a Resolution of Appreciation, state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom presented a resolution from the N.C. General Assembly and county commission Chair Bill Lapsley announced that Gov. Josh Stein had honored the recently retired fire marshal with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. A native of Henderson County, Waldrup graduated from Edneyville High School and attended Blue Ridge Community College. He started his fire service career in 1981 as a volunteer firefighter with Edneyville Fire & Rescue, rising through the ranks to serve as department chief and more recently interim chief. He currently serves on the department's Board of Directors. Assistant fire marshal from 2004 through 2008, he returned in 2016 to become the countys third fire marshal, retiring on Feb. 28. The resolution went on to say: WHEREAS, during his time at the Fire Marshals Office Kevin served as the Chief Fire Code Official, overseeing the inspections and prevention program. He was the first Fire Marshal in Henderson County to earn the Certified Fire Investigator designation from the International Association of Arson Investigators. WHEREAS, Kevin has supported Emergency Management in many capacities during his tenure, he earned his Associate Emergency Management Certification and has been a reliable leader during many significant responses. He led a team of responders on the deployment to Texas for Hurricane Harvey, and provided leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, Poplar Drive Wildfire, Hurricane Helene and many other incidents. WHEREAS, through his dedication and hard work, the Henderson County Fire Marshals Office, as well as Henderson County as a whole, has continued to grow and progress from his knowledge and leadership. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Kevin Waldrup is being appreciated upon his retirement from Henderson County on February 28, 2026. Kevin has made many invaluable contributions to Henderson County and will be remembered as a great leader in all the roles in which he has served. Henderson County appreciates and commends you on a job well done. AN independent business in Henley has won silver at a national pie competition. Rebecca and Craig Mee, from Caversham, have owned Henley-based Pielicious, since 2017. The couple entered the 2026 British Pie Awards, being highly commended for their steak and stilton pie and winning a silver award. About 2,000 pies were judged in total by 190 experts. The Mees bake their pies at the Over-60s Social Club kitchen, in Greys Road car park, five days a week, with assistant, Benji Darani, 19, who has been helping the couple for about six months. Mrs Mee is a part-time manager and Mr Mee is the chef at the club. The couple sent off five of their pies for judging, which took place on Wednesday last week. That evening they were invited to the awards dinner on Friday held in Melton Mowbray, the home of the pork pie. Guests were served a kebab pie, which was ruled the Champion of Champions in 2025, produced by Boghall Butchers in Scotland. Mr Mee said: We didnt know until we got to the awards dinner that we had been highly commended for our steak and stilton pie, which was very exciting. Were so proud of that and so happy that our hard work has paid off. It was the first time we had entered the awards, so to be recognised for our first submission is amazing. It was nice to attend the awards dinner and pick up the odd tip. It was good to be judged by peers as well on what to improve and what to look for the next time we compete. Benji and I are a great two-man team in the kitchen. Well have to look next year and see if we can get him to enter for the Young Pie Makers Award. Mrs Mee said: We were very pleased when we found out, and incredibly happy. Its such a big achievement for us, especially because it was our first time competing. It definitely gave us the confidence to enter again we want to win more. We received our feedback from the judges as well, which has been incredibly useful in how we can improve for customers. Its great for us to receive that kind of recognition, its great for our local business, and were so pleased and proud. Were excited to see what we can achieve next year. The company sell their pies at Henley market, as well as markets in Caversham and Woodley. Pielicious also supplies its pies to the Angel on the Bridge pub, in Thames Side. (JNS) Scores of parliamentarians from around the world are calling for the toppling of the Iranian regime and rejecting any negotiations with it that would enable its survival. A public letter, initiated by an Israeli lawmaker in the Knessets Christian Allies Caucus, as the war approaches its third week, was signed by more than 50 parliamentarians from Europe, Latin America and Africa, including dozens who lead Israel Allies caucuses in their respective parliaments. Entitled International Call For A Free Iran, the March 10 letter calls for continued military action to overthrow the Irania... (JNS) Israels flag carrier, El Al, announced Sunday that it will launch six non-stop flights to New York that started last Monday to help thousands of U.S. citizens who have been stranded in the country since the outbreak of the Iran war to return home. The flights, which are designated exclusively for American citizens as part of an agreement with the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, will operate at full capacity and will not be subject to the current 100-passenger limit per outbound flight. It was not immediately clear why the flights would be allowed to operate without... (JNS) The Samaria Regional Council on Wednesday morning erected the first residential structures on Mount Ebal, around 10 months after Israels Cabinet approved the establishment of a new community at the site. Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, together with the Amana settlement movement, worked overnight to establish the village after receiving formal Interior Ministry approval last month, Dagan said. This morning, were privileged to feel the wings of history beating, he said. To make history together here by establishing a new community this morning on the heights of Mount Eba... (JNS) Israels elimination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was made possible by using Tehrans traffic cameras to spy on the movements of those close to the cleric. Israeli intelligence hacked nearly all traffic cameras in Tehran over a period of years, encrypting the footage and transmitting it to servers in Tel Aviv and southern Israel, according to The Financial Times, which first reported the story, citing two sources familiar with the operation. One camera in particular provided a strategic vantage point, enabling analysts to determine where bodyguards routinely parked and to s... (JNS) The Israeli military said early on Thursday morning that in the prior hours, it launched a wide-scale wave of strikes at Hezbollah terror infrastructure across Lebanon. As part of the strikes, the IDF located and dismantled dozens of launchers, which were ready to launch, and neutralized dozens of Hezbollah operatives while they were preparing to launch toward the State of Israel, the military said. It added that it hit 10 terror structures in the Dahieh area, a Beirut suburb, including intelligence headquarters, a headquarters of the Radwan unit and additional command centers.... (JNS) After a vehicle-ramming and shooting attack at a Michigan synagogue, Jewish advocacy groups are pressing Congress to resolve a funding impasse they say is delaying critical security support for vulnerable nonprofits. Authorities identified Mohamad Ghazali, 41, a U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, as the suspect accused of driving a truck into Temple Israel, a large Reform synagogue in West Bloomfield, Mich., before exchanging gunfire with armed security personnel. Ghazali was killed in the exchange, and the synagogues director of security was injured by Ghazalis vehicle. The FBI is invest... Thanks to a two-year grant from the S'firot Foundation, Jewish Pavilion Senior Services will dramatically expand its delivery of joy and Jewish culture to more than 400 residents of 40 senior-living communities across Central Florida. The expanded program, A World of Jewish Joy will create a consistent, monthly rhythm of stimulating, culturally grounded experiences that meet the holistic needs of older adults. "The S'firot Foundation's goals perfectly align with our mission to improve the lives of Jewish seniors in our community, and we're honored to be included in the Foundation's very first... On the morning of March 11, 2026, Jewish Pavilion Senior Services hosted a delightful Sponsors Breakfast at Grand Living in Lake Mary. The gathering brought together sponsors, board members, and supporters who share a commitment to enhancing the lives of seniors served by the Jewish Pavilion. The breakfast provided a wonderful opportunity for guests to enjoy a delicious meal while connecting with other businesses and community leaders who support Jewish Pavilion Senior Services. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere encouraged meaningful conversations and the exchange of ideas among those who ca... (JNS) The only offer extended to Iran was unconditional surrender, Israeli Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, a senior member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud Party, said on Tuesday. Ohana was responding to a post in which Ghalibaf said that the Islamic Republic was no longer seeking to negotiate a truce with the United States and Israel. Absolutely, we are not seeking a ceasefire; we believe we must strike the aggressor in the mouth so that it learns a lesson and never again even thinks of aggressing against our dear Iran, the speaker tweeted. The Zionist regime sees its i... (JNS) The Los Angeles Police Department said after an attack on a Detroit-area synagogue on Thursday that it was calling for unity against all forms of hate. The department will continue working with our local, state, national and international partners to monitor developments and ensure the safety of all Angelenos, it said. Together, we stand united against hate and violence in all its forms. The department identified the target as a Jewish institution, saying it was deeply saddened and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community in Michigan and here in Los Angeles, and our thou... (JNS) Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor, declined to say if Iran is better off without the ayatollah when asked during a press conference on Tuesday. Ive said before that the Iranian government has engaged in systematic repression of its own people, even killing thousands of Iranians who were seeking to express the most basic forms of dissent earlier this year. It is a brutal government, the mayor said, standing alongside New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Ive also said that while I may be a young mayor, I am old enough to remember the devastating consequences of our country pursuing a w... (JNS) In a moment that could have ended in tragedy, two rabbis from Temple Israel said preparation and training helped ensure that everything went right during a March 12 attack on the Reform congregation in suburban Detroit. The car-ramming and shooting attack at the synagogue in West Bloomfield, Mich., triggered lockdown procedures, a massive law-enforcement response and panic among parents rushing to their children. Authorities say Mohamad Ghazali, 41, a U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, rammed a vehicle into the building and opened fire before being fatally shot by security personnel. The... (JNS) The majority of the targets struck so far in Iran during Operation Roaring Lion were developed after the June 2025 war with the Islamic Republic, which was dubbed Operation Rising Lion, military sources revealed on Tuesday. Since the launch of the current operation on Saturday, the IDF has struck more than 600 targets in Iran. Overnight on Tuesday, the Israeli Air Force said it acted on precise intelligence to strike and dismantle facilities within the leadership compound of the Iranian terrorist regime in the heart of Tehran. Regarding the northern arena, the military struck more... (JNS) The Israel Defense Forces has ramped up operations in Judea and Samaria since the start of Operation Roaring Lion on Feb. 28, to ensure that would-be terrorists living under the Palestinian Authority dont take advantage of the situation to launch a new front. As part of the effort, the IDF is closely coordinating with individual communities and their security personnel to prevent terrorist attacks. During an exclusive briefing with JNS, an official IDF spokesperson said that since Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, the military has put emphasis on keeping the situation in Judea and S... (JNS) The Union for Reform Judaism, the congregational arm of the Reform Jewish movement in North America, stated on Thursday that it was deeply saddened and alarmed by the car-ramming and shooting attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Mich., outside of Detroit. Security officers shot and killed the gunman, who injured the head of security at the temple, the Reform movements largest in the country. Our hearts are with the injured, heroic security officer, the congregation, and especially the children and educators, whose day was pierced by antisemitic violence, the URJ said. A syn... (JNS)- Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, of Dearborn Heights, drove a truck into the largest Reform temple in North America and opened fire on security guards, injuring one, in West Bloomfield, Mich., a suburb some 25 miles northwest of Detroit. The terrorist is confirmed dead, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said. "At some point during the gunfight, Ghazali suffers a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," said Jennifer Runyan, FBI Detroit's special agent in charge. "He has no previous criminal history and no registered weapons. He's also never been the subject of an FBI investigation," she s... (JNS) - Iran on Wednesday threatened a "war of attrition" that would destroy the global economy as it targeted oil tankers and neighboring energy infrastructure. Rear Adm. Ali Fadavi, adviser to the IRGC commander-in-chief, a member of the military's "war command room" and former deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, told Iranian state television on Wednesday that the U.S. and Israel "must consider the possibility that they will be engaged in a long-term war of attrition that will destroy the entire American economy and the world economy." Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry r... (JNS) - Hamas wages war on Israel through a coordinated strategy of terrorism and propaganda. They fight illegally behind human shields to frustrate enemy targeting. And whenever a human shield gets killed, they blame Israel. The terror group's propagandists specialize in crafting statistics, anecdotes and images of wartime suffering among Palestinian Arab children to evoke sympathy while slandering Israel. To the extent that outside parties such as moviemakers recycle the child-focused fabrications, they promote Hamas's own public-relations goals. One Oscar-nominated film, "The Voice of Hind... (JNS) As U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets continue and air-raid sirens send Israelis rushing to shelters, thousands of international students are choosing to remain in Israel to continue their studies, volunteer and adjust to wartime realities. According to the Israel Educational Travel Alliance, an initiative of the Jewish Federations of North America, nearly 5,500 participants, including roughly 3,000 Americans, on Jewish educational programs under the umbrella of Masa Israel Journey remain in the country. Masa said in a March 8 update to parents that it continues to operate wit... (JNS) The United States and its allies will release hundreds of millions of barrels of oil from strategic reserves in a coordinated effort to bring down global energy prices, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced on March 11. Earlier today, 32 member nations of the International Energy Agency unanimously agreed to President Trumps request to lower energy prices with a coordinated release of 400 million barrels of oil and refined products from their respective reserves, he said. As part of the plan, U.S. President Donald Trump authorized the U.S. Department of Energy to release 172... Israeli Tourism Ministry: 16,000 visitors have left since start of war By JNS Staff (JNS) Eleven days after the launch of Operation Roaring Lion, Israels Tourism Ministry says about 21,500 tourists remain in the country, down from roughly 37,000 at the start of the operation. According to the ministry on Tuesday, about 16,000 tourists have departed Israel since the operation began, while approximately 2,500 have entered the country despite the security situation and travel challenges. During the period when Israels airspace was closed, the Tourism Ministry operated a dedicated transporta... (JNS) Australia is an open, tolerant democracy and that is worth defending. But openness should never mean blindness. Currently in the country, events are being organized to honor the memory of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 86-year-old theocratic dictator slain on Feb. 28 in the joint U.S.-Israel war on Iran, who ruled the Islamic Republic for nearly four decades through one of the most repressive regimes in the modern world. The disturbing part is not only that these memorials are being planned. It is that they are proceeding openly, including in venues that are public, council-owned or conne... (JNS) On the morning of the outbreak of Operation Roaring Lion, which also fell on the Torah portion Zachor (Remember), I once again found myself exchanging my Shabbat clothes for a military uniform. As a reservist soldier in the Israel Defense Forces and the CEO of AFJS: American Friends of Judea and Samaria, an organization working to strengthen the bond between friends of Israel in the United States, and Judea and Samaria, the transition from national mission to operational duty was sharp and unmistakable. It represented a united Western front against a regime of evil. For decades, the... No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight, boasted U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to the people of Iran shortly after unleashing a joint attack that may have finally ended the theocratic nightmare that has been their miserable fate since 1979. He was right: For nearly half a century, the Iranian clerics who ruled the country with its morality police and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps did everything imaginable to deserve the retaliatory fury of the United States. Yet aside from last summers 12-day war, which degraded Irans nuclear capabilities and led to the a... (JNS) Iran stood at the peak of its power on Oct. 7, 2023. For decades, the Islamic Republic armed, trained and funded Hamas. On this day, the terrorist organization inflicted the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas gunned down young concertgoers in an open field, dragged children dragged from their beds and massacred residents in 21 communities dotting southern Israel. Hamas murdered more than 1,200 innocent men, women and childrensome burned alive or beheadedincluding 46 Americans. Another 251 were taken hostage, 85 never to return. Israel, a nation that had built its se... (JNS) Without detracting in the least from the considerable merits of the far-reaching military operation currently being carried out in Iran by the joint forces of the United States and Israel, it must be said that if these incredible efforts and incomparable successes in the field are not ultimately crowned with regime changewith the absolute toppling of the Islamic Republic and its replacement by a moderate, friendly statemuch of what has been accomplished to date will have been in vain. In fact, it may well come back to smack us in the face like a boomerang. I say this because the bold... Benin to expand exports to China: trade minister Xinhua) 15:17, March 19, 2026 ALLADA, Benin, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Benin will make full use of China's zero-tariff policy to expand exports and promote a new pattern of balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade, Benin's minister of industry and trade said on Wednesday. Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, the minister, made the remarks at the official launch ceremony for exports of Benin's Sugarloaf pineapples to the Chinese market, held in Allada, the country's economic capital. The event was attended by Zhang Wei, Chinese ambassador to Benin, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Investment and Export Promotion Agency of Benin. Assouman said the successful export of pineapples to China marked a historic moment for implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state. Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, minister of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, said that the initiative represents an important opportunity to boost the modernization of Benin's agricultural sector, promote employment and improve people's livelihoods. The Beninese side hopes to leverage China's vast market to export more high-quality agricultural products and turn bilateral agricultural cooperation into a driver of national development, he said. For his part, Zhang said that the pineapple trade is a landmark achievement in deepening practical cooperation between the two countries, opening a new channel for Benin's high-quality agricultural products to enter the Chinese market and vividly demonstrating a strategic partnership featuring mutual benefit and close people-to-people ties. The Sugarloaf pineapple is the first Beninese product to obtain a geographical indication recognized by the African Intellectual Property Organization. Unlike the more common round or oval pineapples, Benin's variety is elongated in shape and typically green in color. Unique to the country, it is known as Sugarloaf and is one of Benin's major agricultural export products. In September 2023, China and Benin signed a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh pineapples to China, allowing the product's official access to the Chinese market. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Less than a quarter of Americans (23%) support the Trump administration using force to achieve regime change in Cuba, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted by The Economist/YouGov, showed that over half of respondents (53%) said they oppose such a scenario, with the remaining quarter answering that they are not sure The figures come as the topic continues to dominate the conversation, with President Donald Trump recently refusing to rule out such a move. "Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it," Trump said. "You want to know the truth, they're a very weakened nation now." A recent report noted that the administration is seeking the ouster of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel as part of negotiations to open up the island's economy. The New York Times detailed that the administration 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. Elsewhere, 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. Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected the report, saying "the reason so many in US media keep putting out fake stories like this one is because they continue to rely on charlatans & liars claiming to be in the know as their sources." The New York Times replied, with spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander recalling that the report is "based on conversation with four people familiar with the U.S. talks with Cuba." "Our journalists reached out to your State Department of comment well before publication and received no disagreement with the information we were bringing to light. Neither you nor anyone else has presented a factual dispute to the reporting. Our reporting is real, and accurate," the spokesperson added. Originally published on Latin Times Denmark used military drills to disguise actual preparations to resist a potential U.S. invasion of Greenland, according to a new report. Danish outlet DR claimed that the "Arctic Endurance" drill included an actual deployment of troops with blood reserves and explosives. Urgency levels increased following the operation that captured Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year and his subsequent focus on the Danish territory. Even though Trump did not follow through on the threats to take over Greenland for national security purposes, Denmark and allies did deploy troops in the island in January. DR claimed that it had access to a military order authorizing the deployment on January 13. "As Trump constantly said he wanted to buy Greenland and then we saw what happened in Venezuela, we had to seriously consider all possible scenarios," a military official told the outlet. The officer added that they were joined by French, German and Swedish troops joined the drills as well. "There was no ambiguity." Danish officials have yet to comment on the story, but a week after the order was given, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen told the island's residents and authorities they need to start preparing for a potential military invasion even if such a chance was unlikely. "It's not likely there will be a military conflict, but it can't be ruled out," Nielsen said during a press conference in the capital, Nuuk, back then. Trump argued that Greenland is essential for "national security," citing its Arctic location and mineral resources, despite the U.S. already maintaining a military presence there through NATO arrangements. He said that he didn't feel bound to think "purely of peace," a remark he linked to not having received a Nobel Peace Prize, and told Norway's prime minister he wanted "complete and total control" of Greenland. Trump also drew rebuke at home. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said he would move to prevent him from taking military action to take over the island if the president authorizes "kinetic action" for that purpose. Originally published on Latin Times WASHINGTON The United States military has struck more than 7,000 targets inside Iran, destroyed all 11 of its submarines, wiped out its air defense network and is now flying combat aircraft directly over Iranian territory a dramatic accounting of the war's scope delivered by the Pentagon's top officials in a briefing that underscored just how comprehensively the Trump administration believes it has reshaped the Iranian military threat. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Caine outlined the operation in terms that brooked little ambiguity: this is not, they insisted, the kind of grinding, inconclusive conflict that defined America's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This one, they said, was different by design. 'Overwhelming Force Applied With Precision' The numbers Hegseth cited were sweeping in scope. U.S. forces have struck over 7,000 targets across Iran's military infrastructure since the war began a figure he described not as incremental but as a deliberate application of maximum force. The result, he said, has been a 90% reduction in ballistic missile and one-way kamikaze drone attacks against U.S. forces in the region. "To date we've struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure that is not incremental, that is overwhelming force applied with precision," Hegseth told reporters. "Iran's air defenses [are] flattened. Iran's defense industrial base the factories, the production lines that feed their missile and drone programs [are] being overwhelmingly destroyed." Iran's defense industrial base, the manufacturing backbone that fed its missile and drone arsenal, has been a particular focus of the campaign. Factories and production lines across the country have been targeted and, the Pentagon says, largely eliminated. The Navy That No Longer Exists Perhaps the most striking claim in the briefing concerned Iran's naval forces. The Iranian Navy, once comprising 11 submarines and a significant surface fleet, has been rendered effectively inoperable. More than 120 Iranian Navy ships have been damaged or sunk. Every submarine Iran possessed is now gone. "We've decided to share the ocean with Iran we've given them the bottom half," Hegseth said. "We've damaged or sunk over 120 of their Navy ships. Their submarines they once had 11 are gone. Their military ports are crippled." It was a remarkable statement, delivered with a bluntness that reflected the administration's broader posture: this war is being prosecuted with a speed and ferocity that previous administrations, in their estimation, lacked the will to match. From Standoff to Stand-In: A Shift in How the War Is Being Fought General Caine described a significant evolution in tactics as the campaign has matured. In the early days of the conflict, the U.S. relied primarily on standoff weapons munitions launched from a safe distance. Now, he said, American aircraft are operating directly over Iranian airspace in what he called a shift to "stand-in" combat. "We're more stand-in meaning we're over the top, even further in and we have even more of an exact sense of what we're striking and why," Caine said. "Even more dynamically meaning because the intelligence improved, we're able to more quickly identify targets before it strikes or right after it shoots." The shift has allowed U.S. forces to strike targets as they emerge from underground facilities in real time, improving both precision and responsiveness in a conflict where Iran has increasingly relied on hardened, subterranean infrastructure to protect its remaining assets. To penetrate those facilities, the U.S. has deployed some of the most powerful conventional weapons in its arsenal. Five-thousand-pound penetrator bombs purpose-built to bore through reinforced concrete and solid rock before detonating have been dropped on underground storage sites housing Iranian missiles and command centers. "These weapons are bespokely designed to get through concrete and/or rocks and function after penetrating those barriers," Caine said. A $200 Billion Bill and a Fight Over Who Pays The scale of the operation has come with a price tag to match. The Pentagon has sent a $200 billion war supplemental request to Congress to fund ongoing operations and replenish munitions stockpiles that were drawn down significantly during the Biden administration's support for Ukraine. Hegseth did not shy away from the figure or from the political argument embedded in it. "It takes money to kill bad guys," he said, adding that the administration was returning to Congress to ensure it was "properly funded for what's been done and for what we may have to do in the future." He also seized the moment to relitigate a grievance that has become a fixture of Trump-era defense policy, arguing that the depleted stockpiles now being replenished are the direct result of weapons sent to Ukraine under his predecessor. "We're also still dealing with the environment that Joe Biden created which was depleting those stockpiles and not sending them to our own military, but to Ukraine," Hegseth said. Gulf States Hold. The Endgame Comes Into Focus Despite the region-wide tensions that the conflict has generated, the Gulf States Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait have remained aligned with the U.S. and Israel, providing logistical support and maintaining the regional coalition that has helped contain Iranian retaliation. The strategic objective, as Hegseth framed it, is unambiguous and total: Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, and the military and proxy infrastructure that has allowed it to threaten its neighbors and U.S. forces across the Middle East must be permanently dismantled. "This is not those wars," Hegseth said, in a pointed reference to Iraq and Afghanistan. "President Trump knows better. Operation Epic Fury is different it's laser focused, it's decisive. Our objectives, given directly from our America First president, remain exactly what they were on day one: destroy missiles, launchers and Iran's defense industrial base. And Iran never gets a nuclear weapon." Whether the campaign has achieved the irreversible damage the Pentagon claims or whether Iran retains more capacity than officials are acknowledging remains difficult to verify independently. What is clear is that the Trump administration has staked its credibility on the assertion that this war, unlike its predecessors, will end on its own terms. Students learn Taijiquan ahead of first Int'l Taijiquan Day in Nairobi, Kenya Xinhua) 16:01, March 19, 2026 Students practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) A student practices Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) Students practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) Students practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) Students practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) Students practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) A teacher teaches a student to practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, in class at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) Wang Shangxue, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, teaches students about Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) A teacher teaches students about Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) Students learn about Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, March 18, 2026. Upon the upcoming first International Taijiquan Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi promoted Chinese traditional culture and fostered China-Kenya cultural exchange by teaching the history and cultural background of Taijiquan and organizing students to learn and practice the martial arts. On Nov. 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution at its 43rd session of the General Conference designating March 21, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Taijiquan Day. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) In Brief: The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has publicly expressed its support for the newly established Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus, emphasizing its commitment to tackling this pervasive issue within the industry. AHLA Issues Statement on the Launch of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus - Image Credit Unsplash+ The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the leading voice representing all segments of the hotel industry, today issued the following statement from President & CEO Rosanna Maietta on the launch of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. "The creation of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus is a powerful signal that our leaders in Washington are committed to treating this heinous crime with the urgency it demands. The hotel industry has been a leading voice in prevention through our No Room for Trafficking initiative which trains employees and supports survivors. Weve long believed that preventing human trafficking requires partnership between the business community and government, and are eager to work more closely with the caucus co-chairs Representatives David Valadao (R-CA), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Troy Carter (D-LA), and Lucy McBath (D-GA) and all members of Congress to advance policies that strengthen prevention and support survivors on their path to stability and recovery. In Brief: The Travel Technology Association is supporting a legislative proposal to include travel and tourism in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review process. Travel Tech Backs Bill to Add Travel and Tourism to United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Review - Image Credit Unsplash+ The Travel Technology Association has expressed support for the USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act, which would direct the U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize establishing a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group during the upcoming review of the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement. The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) has endorsed the USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act (S.3787 / H.R.7454), a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would require the U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize establishing a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group during the upcoming review of the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA). The first six-year joint review of the USMCA is scheduled for July 1, 2026. Travel and tourism are not currently represented among the agreements existing working groups. The legislation was introduced by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). Travel Tech commended these legislators for their efforts. International travel is a major U.S. export, with $251.6 billion in visitor spending in 2024, accounting for 22% of U.S. services exports and supporting 1.8 million jobs, according to the International Trade Administration. In 2024, 107.7 million Americans traveled abroad, underscoring the importance of efficient two-way travel flows across North America. Travel Tech encouraged policymakers to address both inbound and outbound travel and to reduce cross-border friction to strengthen the regions travel economy. Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech, said, Travel and tourism are foundational to the U.S. services economy and deeply integrated across North America. Establishing a dedicated working group within USMCA will help ensure the sector remains competitive and responsive to modern cross-border realities. In Brief: Radisson Hotel Group has broadened its reach in Fiji by securing a deal with Mana Island Resort & Spa, marking another significant addition to its growing Pacific portfolio. Mana Island Resort & Spa Fiji, a member of Radisson Individuals - Image Credit Radisson Hotel Group Radisson Hotel Group has signed Mana Island Resort & Spa Fiji, a member of Radisson Individuals, with plans to reopen the property under the brand following refurbishment in late 2027. Key Details Mana Island Resort & Spa Fiji, a 160-key property located on Mana Island in Fiji's Mamanuca archipelago, will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment and repositioning. The resort is expected to open under the Radisson Individuals brand following completion of the remodeling in late 2027. The property will feature guest rooms, suites, beachfront villas, dining venues, bars, swimming pools, spa and wellness facilities, a fitness centre, a kids' club, and event spaces. Project Overview Radisson Hotel Group has entered into an agreement for Mana Island Resort & Spa, Fiji, to join its Radisson Individuals portfolio. The resort, which has 160 keys, will undergo a complete refurbishment and repositioning. Upon completion, it is expected to operate as a Radisson Individuals property. The project is planned to be finalized in late 2027. Location Mana Island Resort & Spa Fiji is situated on Mana Island in the Mamanuca archipelago. The island is accessible in approximately 90 minutes by boat from Port Denarau Marina or about 20 minutes by seaplane from Nadi International Airport. Advertisement The refurbishment will include updates to guest rooms, suites, and beachfront villas. The resort will also offer multiple dining venues, bars, swimming pools, spa and wellness facilities, a fitness centre, a kids' club, and event spaces. The property is designed to accommodate leisure travelers, couples, families, and small-scale groups. Timeline The resort is expected to open under the Radisson Individuals brand following completion of the remodeling in late 2027. Radisson Hotel Group in Fiji This agreement marks Radisson Hotel Group's third resort in Fiji, joining Radisson Blu Resort, Fiji Denarau Island and the Radisson Blu Mirage Resort, Fiji Naisoso Island, which is currently under construction. The signing follows a recent agreement for a resort in Samoa as part of the group's expansion across Australasia and the Pacific. Your Voices Were Heard: A Victory for Berkshire Families In Berkshire County and across the country, your voices were heard. When the Community Action network put out a call asking the public to contact legislators and urge them to protect the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), you responded with determination. Because of your advocacy, Congress has restored both programs to the federal budget. This victory belongs to you, the families, seniors, service providers, and community partners who raised your voices to ensure that basic human needs are not ignored. This success cannot be overstated. CSBG and LIHEAP are lifelines in Berkshire County. CSBG makes it possible for Berkshire Community Action Council to deliver services that help families stabilize, from the Children's Warm Clothing Program and food support to credit rebuilding programs and VITA free tax preparation. LIHEAP provides fuel assistance to more than 8,000 households in our county, many of whom are seniors living on fixed incomes or working families struggling to keep up with rising costs. Without these programs, thousands would face an impossible choice: heat their homes, put food on the table, or pay for medicine. The outpouring of calls, letters, and emails to U.S Senators Markey and Warren, Congressman Neal, and others in Washington made all the difference. Legislators themselves have told us how important it is to hear directly from constituents, not only from agencies like ours. When you shared your stories, you put a human face on what can otherwise look like line items on a spreadsheet. You showed that these programs are not numbers, but neighbors neighbors who need help staying safe, warm, and secure. This is the power of advocacy. It reminds us that democracy works best when the people are engaged. Across Massachusetts and nationwide, the Community Action network joined together in one loud and unified voice. In Berkshire County, where geographic isolation and hidden poverty can leave families feeling forgotten, the strength of your collective response demonstrated that we are far from invisible. You reminded Washington that our small towns matter, our families matter, and our futures matter. But while we celebrate this success, we must also recognize that the fight is not over. Each year, these programs are subject to debate, and each year we face the risk of losing them. Federal budgets can shift, administrations can change priorities, and threats to essential safety-net programs will surface again. That is why your continued advocacy is so critical. We need you to remain engaged, to keep telling your stories, and to continue reaching out to lawmakers whenever these programs are at risk. In Berkshire County, where nearly one in three households struggles to make ends meet, the need is not abstract; it is urgent and real. Seniors living on modest Social Security checks cannot afford skyrocketing utility costs. Parents working in the service economy, often in multiple jobs, still fall short when heating bills climb. Children should never have to sleep in cold bedrooms or go without proper clothing for a Berkshire winter. These are not political talking points, they are daily realities for thousands of our neighbors. The good news is that when we come together, we can make a difference. The restoration of CSBG and LIHEAP is proof that grassroots advocacy works. It is proof that legislators listen when communities speak up. And it is proof that Berkshire County, despite its rural challenges, can be a strong voice on the national stage. On behalf of BCAC, I extend heartfelt gratitude to every individual, organization, faith community, and partner who picked up the phone, wrote an email, or shared their story. You were the reason these programs were able to serve families this winter and will continue to do so beyond. As we move forward, let us hold onto the momentum of this victory. Let us remember that our voices carry weight. And let us continue working together, not just to preserve what we have, but to build a future where no one in Berkshire County has to choose between heat, food, and dignity. Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for proving, once again, that when the community acts, change happens. Bidwell House Museum to Host Lecture on Revolutionary War Military Occupation MONTEREY, Mass. The Bidwell House Museum will conclude its off-season virtual programming on March 26 with a lecture by Donald F. Johnson titled "Military Occupation in Revolutionary America." Johnson, an associate professor of history at North Dakota State University and author of Occupied America: British Military Rule and the Experience of Revolution, will examine how the presence of the British Army in colonial port cities affected tens of thousands of residents. The presentation focuses on how these experiences influenced public sentiment toward the government and contributed to the eventual British defeat. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Registration is required through the museum's website. Admission is free for members and $15 for non-members, with one registration required per household. Access details will be distributed via email several days prior to the event. While the museum's indoor programs remain virtual, its 194-acre groundsfeaturing trails, stonewalls, and picnic sitesremain open daily from dawn until dusk at no cost to the public. Lenox Library Will Host a Know Your Rights Presentation LENOX, Mass. Lenox Library will host a Know Your Rights presentation with Berkshire Immigrant Center on Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public and will take place at Lenox Library, 18 Main Street. This presentation will provide practical information to empower both immigrants and allies. A caseworker from Berkshire Immigrant Center will explain the key legal rights of anyone interacting with immigration enforcement agents, including the role of warrants and how to interpret them. They also will clarify the legal boundaries around bystander support and what to do if someone is detained. A Q&A will follow the presentation. Berkshire Immigrant Center's (BIC) mission is to advocate for the rights of all immigrants by helping them navigate the complex U.S. immigration system with affordable legal services, local resources, and education. BIC serves over 800 clients annually with three caseworkers. Lichtenstein Center for the Arts Opens Applications for Residency PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts has announced the opening of applications for its second annual Artist-in-Residence program. The initiative provides one selected artist with free studio space for 11 months, beginning in May 2026 and concluding in April 2027. Located in the Upstreet Cultural District, the Lichtenstein Center serves as a hub for the local arts community, housing nine individual studios, a ceramic studio, and a gallery. The residency is intended to facilitate artistic development by allowing a practitioner to create new work while interacting with other onsite professionals. The program is limited to full-time residents of Pittsfield who are at least 21 years of age. Applicants may be emerging or experienced artists but must have prior exhibition experience. To apply, candidates must submit a portfolio of at least five images via website, social media, or email, followed by a remote interview with the Cultural Development office staff. The deadline for all application materials is March 31. In addition to the 11-month studio placement, the resident will participate in the "OUT OF THE STUDIOS" group exhibition in October 2026. The artist will retain 100% of the proceeds from any artwork sold during this show. The residency also includes: A $200 stipend for a featured appearance at "Palace Park" during a First Fridays at Five event, involving work displays or live demonstrations. Promotion through LovePittsfield.com social media platforms. Access to the center's collaborative environment and historic facilities. The Lichtenstein Center is named for Kitty Lichtenstein, who donated the building to support the city's arts scene. It currently serves as the headquarters for the city's Cultural Development Office. Berkshire Village Residents Challenge Cheshire Permitting Process CHESHIRE, Mass. Leaders of the Berkshire Village Tenants Association are questioning whether the town adhered to proper state procedures when permitting Crown Communities LLC to operate. For the past two years, Crown Communities has operated under a lodging permit. However, leaders of the Berkshire Village Tenants Association are questioning whether proper state procedures were followed. During Monday's Board of Health meeting, officials stated that the town will seek clarification on the proper procedure for permitting or licensing manufactured housing parks. "When you get the clarification, I'll make a suggestion that you be very careful how things are worded," said William Moreau, president of the Berkshire Village Tenants Association. "Again its very easy to get things confused and misinterpret stuff. There's a lot of misinterpretation going around." Residents have repeatedly said they have been enduring the mobile home park's unsafe and deteriorating conditions for nearly 10 years because of neglect by the previous owners. "We are getting nowhere and it is frustrating," Moreau told iBerkshires.com. According to the town's property card, Crown Communities purchased the park in December 2022 for $1 and, since then, has claimed to be spending millions to upgrade it. Although Berkshire Village residents claim to experience ongoing issues with the park's deteriorating condition, including problems with the septic systems, electrical services, water, and roads. More information here The Board of Health renewed Crown Communities' permit on Jan. 2, imposing several stipulations: solid waste management, water supply, electrical supply, maintenance of sewer and wastewater disposal with pumping records, community rules approved by the Attorney General's Office, and a copy of the water test if the property is not on the public water system. Health Agent James Massey said he plans to do the park's annual inspection in April once all the snow is gone. Moreau criticized the permit renewal process, arguing that it occurred without a public hearing and did not align with proper state procedures. In a follow-up with iBerkshires.com, Town Administrator Jennifer Morse said Berkshire Village has had a permit dating as far back as the 1950s, however, records are incomplete. Since this is not a new development, a public hearing is not required. Moreau said a lodging permit is not the same as a manufactured housing community license, that takes into consideration the complexities of a park in which residents own the home but not the land it sits on. "Massachusetts is one of the few states in the union that has come up with a very comprehensive group of laws and codes to cover manufactured homes to try and resolve some of these issues," he said. "One issue that the state has identified and is currently working on is a lack of understanding and the licensing process. They do have a training program available. Unfortunately, right now, it's not mandatory that boards of health take it." A lodging permit is the closest thing the town has to a permit for manufactured housing parks, Health Agent Valerie Bird said. The permit lists several types of operations, including hotels, family campgrounds, rental trailer parks, and casual lodging, among others. Berkshire Village marked "Other" and lists manufactured housing park as the purpose. This year, the town uses Full Circle, formerly PermitEyes, to manage its permitting, which aligns with this system that the town has used historically. "That's actually the closest thing we had to it. We are working on that, on getting something more conducive to manufactured homes," Bird said. Morse said a permit and a license are the exact same thing in Cheshire. Moreau disagrees with this. In correspondence between Berkshire Village Tenants Association and the town, Moreau questions the decision to renew the permit before the annual inspection given the issues that tenants have been experiencing. The issuance of the permit removes tenants' leverage to force repairs, Moreau said in a follow-up. Bread-Baking Appliance Designer Moving to Mass MoCA Campus NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Commission welcomed bread-baking appliance designers Brod & Taylor to the campus on Monday. The commission voted to bring Brod & Taylor to Building 1. Owner Michael Taylor, who called into the remote meeting, said the space will primarily be used for photography and content creation to promote their products, with an overarching philosophy of growing the bread-baking community. "The genesis of the whole business of this company is to really get more people involved in bread baking," Taylor said. "We think it is something that is good for individuals and good for society; the more people that bake bread the better people are off in the world. We are looking for ways to make connections between people and the community based on bread baking." The 1,500-square-foot space was built out for the company and will include a home kitchen and a microbakery. Taylor said the company started in 2010 and operated out of Williamstown, above the Purple Pub. "It was a business that brewed slowly in the teens but since COVID, sourdough bread sort of became the center of the world. We have expanded rapidly," Taylor said, adding that the company employs around 15 employees who work in the area. Two years ago, they moved to the Norad Mill in North Adams but found the space too noisy to accommodate filming and content creation, Taylor said. Taylor admitted that Brod & Taylor will not be fully utilizing the space 100 percent of the time, and they hope to make the space available to others who need to use the kitchen for content creation, noting the closest similar facility is in Kingston, N.Y. "It is going to be a really unique set up in this area with a facility that does not exist anywhere close," he said. "So to the extent we can make it available for others, we would like to do that." He added that they will not only bring in nationally known bakers, but hope to extend the invitation to local bakers. "We want to bring in people from all walks of life to make content and make connections with people. Connecting different parts of their lives through bread baking," he said. "...Use that as marketing material, but also, bring people in the community together." Taylor said this concept is still in "germination" and requires additional staff. He added this opportunity drew them to the Mass MoCA campus. The commission asked if the space could ever be leased out as a commercial kitchen. Taylor said although the kitchen is a full working kitchen, its main purpose is content creation. "It is a set in a sense there are doors that won't open because we don't need them," he said. "But it is a fully operational kitchen." He added that the space can't turn out the scale likely needed for commercial use. There was also the question of whether Brod & Taylor could partner with Northern Berkshire Community Television Corporation (NBCTC) to create content for public access. Taylor said there have been no discussions with NBCTC, but it is certainly possible. The commission asked if Taylor would use the space as a classroom. He said although the space is not suitable for that use, classes have been on their radar. Morgan Everett, Mass MoCA's head of public initiatives and real estate, said Brod & Taylor agreed to an initial three-year lease and will move in above Bright Ideas on April 1. "Between what Brod & Taylor are doing and when the brewery is brewing, that is the yeasty building," he said. "It's great; all the good smells." The commission also voted to appoint Matthew Davis as vice chair. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The US said China didnt plan to invade Taiwan in 2027, backpedalling on a previous intelligence assessment ahead of Donald Trumps planned summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing. In a new annual intelligence report, the US said: China, despite its threat to use force to compel unification if necessary and to counter what it sees as a US attempt to use Taiwan to undermine Chinas rise, prefers to achieve unification without the use of force, if possible. Chinese leaders do not currently plan to execute an invasion of Taiwan in 2027, nor do they have a fixed timeline for achieving unification, the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community report by the Director of National Intelligence read. The report, however, reiterated a previous assessment that the Peoples Liberation Army was making steady but uneven progress on capabilities it could use to capture the democratically governed island. China claims sovereignty over the island and seeks to reunite it with the mainland by force if necessary. Taiwan rejects Chinas sovereignty claims and maintains that only the island's people can decide its future. open image in gallery People walk out from a local subway station that is used as an air raid shelter in Taipei on 17 July 2025 ( AFP via Getty ) The intelligence assessment comes at a time when the US is preparing for a summit between Mr Trump and his Chinese counterpart. It is not yet clear if the summit will go ahead as planned given Mr Trump is prosecuting a US-Israeli war against Iran, embroiling the Middle East into a major conflict. On Monday, Mr Trump asked to delay his visit to China by about a month because of the war. The American president confirmed the White House had requested that we delay it a month or so. The latest assessment walks back some of the 2023 intelligence report quoting the Chinese leader as telling his military to be ready by 2027" to invade Taiwan. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth told allies in the Indo-Pacific last year that Washington would bolster its defences overseas as Chinas invasion of Taiwan appeared imminent. He said China was actively training every day to capture Taiwan and the PLA was rehearsing for the real deal. "We are not going to sugarcoat it the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent, he said at the Shangri-La dialogue. Mr Trump previously played down the risk of Chinese military action while he remained in office. As recently as late last year, the Pentagon said it believed China was preparing to be able to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027 and was refining options to take the island by brute force if needed. Chinese military activity in the Taiwan Strait since has strengthened that impression, according to experts monitoring a sudden dip in military flights around the island. open image in gallery Satellite image of Chinese fishing boats captured on 10 January 2026 ( Planet Labs PBC ) The weeklong dip in flights could be driven by a shift to the next phase in Chinas military training and modernisation, according to K Tristan Tang, Taipei-based non-resident fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research. Mr Xis military appears to be exploring a new model for joint training between its air force and navy and possibly its ground forces. Such exploratory activity would likely be conducted away from Taiwan to prevent other countries from monitoring it and that explained why fewer Chinese planes were in the area, Mr Tang said. In response to the new US intelligence assessment, Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington said Taipei would continue to monitor China's activities and "remain vigilant at all times. "China has never abandoned the use of force against Taiwan and its continued military intimidation and gray-zone operations pose serious threats not only to Taiwan but also to regional peace and stability," it said in a statement. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Indias anti-terror agency has arrested six Ukrainians and an American for allegedly training Myanmars ethnic militias in drone warfare, exposing a murky network stretching across conflict zones. The National Investigation Agency arrested the foreigners during raids at three airports on 13 March and brought them to the capital Delhi for investigation. They are accused of entering the restricted border state of Mizoram without permit and then crossing into neighbouring Myanmar with the intention of training anti-junta ethnic militias in drone warfare, including the operation, assembly, jamming, and handling of these weapons systems. Mizoram borders Myanmars Chin state. Myanmar has been engulfed in a civil war since the military overthrew the government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a 2021 coup. India requires foreigners to obtain entry permits for some sensitive northeastern border states that have a history of ethnic and security tensions. A Delhi court on Monday sent the arrested foreigners to police custody for 11 days and set 27 March as the date for hearing the matter. The six Ukrainians were identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor. The American was named Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, a self-described freedom fighter who had fought in Libya and Ukraine and worked as a war correspondent in Iraq and Afghanistan. The arrests have sparked a diplomatic row between Delhi and Kyiv, with Ukraine pushing back raising concerns over consular access. Ukrainian ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk met Indian foreign ministry official Sibi George and handed over a protest note demanding immediate release of the Ukrainian citizens and access to them. The meeting took place on Monday, according to a spokesperson for the Ukraine embassy in Delhi. The Ukrainian foreign ministry said no established facts proving the involvement of its citizens in any illegal activity in India or Myanmar had been presented so far. 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 ministry said in a statement. 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. A US embassy spokesperson said they were aware of the situation but declined to comment further, citing privacy reasons. The Delhi court order did not name the Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups the accused allegedly met. Citing an investigation update, it said the accused were suspected of offering support to proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons and other terrorist hardware and training them, thus affecting national security and interests of India. Three of the Ukrainians were arrested at the Delhi airport and three in Lucknow. The American was detained at the Kolkata airport. They were all arrested within hours of each other. According to local media, the foreigners were arrested on the basis of intelligence shared by Russian authorities. This has not been confirmed by officials, however. On Wednesday, an Indian lawyer representing the Ukrainians withdrew from the case, citing professional exigencies. India has been constructing a 1,643km fence along its border with Myanmar, a porous frontier running across the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland, where communities live in close proximity to the boundary. Myanmars ongoing civil war has intensified concerns over illegal cross-border movement, with many fleeing into India to escape the conflict. Additional reporting by agencies. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Severe tropical Cyclone Narelle lashed Australia's northeast coast on Friday, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain and power outages as authorities urged people to brace for significant damage. Narelle made landfall in remote parts of the Far North Queensland region as a category four system, one rung below the strongest category five, with winds reaching about 195kmph. The cyclone, which authorities initially said could be among "the worst in living memory", appears less damaging than feared, but concerns over severe flooding remain. After crossing the coast, the storm dropped to a category three system, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said, adding that Narelle was still packing wind gusts of around 140kmph. The cyclone was expected to weaken as it moves west across the Cape York Peninsula over the next 18 hours. "There is a lot of rain in this system, and as it moves it will be hard and fast," Queensland premier David Crisafulli told a press conference. "I don't want to sugarcoat this, we are going to experience loss of electricity and the damage is likely to be significant with a system of this size." The cyclone crossed the coast between Lockhart River and Coen, which the premier said helped minimise damage. Mr Crisafulli said heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding, and emergency crews were visiting homes in vulnerable communities on Friday to alert residents. Rescue and response teams, including power crews, health workers, helicopters and ambulances, were already positioned to begin recovery efforts when conditions ease, he said. But right now the message to people is to stay where you are ... as the system has only just started to cross the coast," he said. open image in gallery Flooding in Cooktown & Daintree, Far North Queensland during Cyclone Narelle ( Queensland Fire Department ) Coen, home to about 350 people, had been expected to bear the brunt of the storm, but police say there were no reports of injuries but there were damages to the infrastructure. However, Debbie Jackson, who lives 50km north of Coen, said they were losing roofs everywhere. Lots of trees down. We have lost a few roofs. Its not real great. We just have to ride it out, she told ABC. Some residents evacuated to community centres before the cyclone struck, with storm warnings extending across a 600km stretch of the coast. Lucretia Huen, whose family is at the Wellbeing Centre, told the broadcaster that water supplies had been cut, with people relying on stocks of bottled water. "Emotions are running high especially with no water and power but everyone is on alert," she said. The Bureau of Meteorology warned strong winds and persistent rain remained a threat in Queensland on Friday afternoon. More than 300mm had been recorded in some areas by 4pm local time, the weather agency said. Heavy to intense rainfall is still occurring, and even after the system moves off the west coast, there is the potential for heavy rain and the water that has fallen will then flow into rivers and creeks, Matthew Collopy from the Bureau of Meteorology said, according to Sydney Morning Herald. The potential for flash and riverine flooding continues. open image in gallery Authorities warned against unnecessary travel during the storm ( Queensland Fire Department ) Prime minister Anthony Albanese said the storm had the potential to be a very dangerous weather event for Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Commonwealth stands ready to provide whatever assistance is required, he said. Queensland police disaster coordinator Chris Stream warned the storm could cost lives, and warned people to stay indoors. This is not the opportunity for you to be outside during the cyclone, getting that TikTok moment, he said. A piece of debris being propelled at 100km an hour or more will likely kill you. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that gales, destructive winds and flash flooding were possible in the Port McArthur and Nhulunbuy regions from Saturday. Parts of the Northern Territory, including Katherine and Daly River, remain in recovery from recent flooding. Police said an evacuation of Katherine was not currently planned, but the situation could change. A luxury resort on Lizard Island had already been evacuated. Seven people left the islands Australian Museum coral research station, with eight essential staff remaining under a cyclone management plan. Vulnerable residents, including those requiring dialysis and pregnant women, are being flown out of the affected area. A category five cyclone carries winds above 200kmph and is classified by the Bureau of Meteorology as extremely dangerous with widespread destruction of buildings and vegetation. Cyclone categories do not account for flooding or storm surges. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Health chiefs are investigating 29 cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent following an explosive outbreak that has left two dead. The fatal outbreak of meningitis B has spread to a second Kent university. Leaders at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) said there was one case of meningococcal disease involving a student there, linked to the initial cluster associated with Club Chemistry. It has also been confirmed that a student in London who has been diagnosed with the illness is directly linked to the same outbreak. Escape Studios, an animation school in North Greenwich, confirmed the individual had been hospitalised. Top doctors said it is unusual to see such a rapid spread of cases of meningitis, blaming a super-spreader event for the surge in numbers. Some of the cases have been confirmed as meningitis B. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is investigating the outbreak, said it would confirm the strain seen in other cases when we have the full results. Hundreds of people who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March have been told to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure, while a targeted vaccination drive for students at the University of Kent is being urgently rolled out. An urgent public health alert has been issued, with officials urging NHS staff to be vigilant for signs and symptoms. People have also been warned that university students are particularly susceptible to the deadly infection. Here are the symptoms of meningitis and what to do if you suspect you have the infection, according to the NHS. What is meningitis? Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis affects around 2.3 million people globally every year. Its estimated that up to one in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal, according to the NHS. open image in gallery The UKHSA and the NHS are arranging antibiotics for some students at the University of Kent ( Alamy/PA ) Although anyone can get meningitis, it is more common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults. 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 condition develops, it can make 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. Meningitis Now urges people not to wait until someone develops a rash and to seek medical help if someone is ill and displaying these symptoms. What causes meningitis? There are many different causes of meningitis, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. However, in the UK, viruses and bacteria are the most common causes. Other causes of meningitis include some medicines or brain tumours. It can also occur following a skull fracture or head and neck surgery, according to Meningitis Now. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis. open image in gallery A headache and high temperature can be symptoms of meningitis ( Getty/iStock ) What are the different strains? There are five main strains that cause the disease in the UK. MenB is the most common and also the deadliest. Health officials have said that at least some cases of meningitis seen in Kent have been confirmed as meningitis B. Other strains include MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY, which are also caused by bacteria. What is meningitis B? Meningitis B is a serious bacterial infection, which is caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B bacteria. It can lead to severe illness, including meningitis, which is an infection in the brain and spinal cord, blood poisoning, and sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection. MenB, the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, is responsible for around nine in 10 of meningococcal infections in the country, according to Public Health Wales. It is one of the most aggressive and dangerous strains of meningitis, causing the majority of meningococcal cases and deaths in the UK. How does meningitis spread? Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through coughing, sneezing or kissing. open image in gallery Any young person who has missed this vaccine at school remains eligible to receive it up to the age of 25 ( Getty/iStock ) It is usually caught from those who carry the viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat, or from someone with meningitis, although this is less common. How serious is meningitis? If it is not treated quickly, it can lead to sepsis, brain or nerve damage, hearing loss or even death. Some with bacterial meningitis can be left with hearing or vision loss, problems with memory, fits or loss of limbs, even after being treated. Can meningitis be treated? Those with viral meningitis will usually get better on their own. Most people with bacterial meningitis who are treated quickly will also make a full recovery. However, it usually needs to be treated in hospital for at least a week. Treatments include antibiotics and fluids given directly into a vein or oxygen through a face mask. Are there vaccines for meningitis? There are vaccines available to prevent some types of meningitis, which are available as part of the UK routine immunisation schedule. Vaccines include the menB, six-in-one, pneumococcal and MMRV vaccines for babies and children, while the MenACWY jabs are offered to teenagers, sixth-form students and new university students. The menB vaccine is now offered to babies at two, three and 12 months. open image in gallery At least a week of hospital treatment is usually needed to treat bacterial meningitis ( Getty/iStock ) Men W disease has historically been rare in the UK, but from 2009, cases of MenW began to increase year on year. From autumn 2015, a MenACWY vaccine replaced the MenC vaccine for children in school and is offered at around 14 years of age. Any young person who has missed this vaccine at school remains eligible to receive it up to the age of 25. This is especially important for new university entrants, for whom the risk of contracting meningococcal disease increases. A former health minister said the government should consider a catch-up vaccination campaign for young people. Speaking of the latest outbreak on Tuesday, Helen Whately, Conservative MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, told Times Radio: One of the things that the government (and) UKHSA will need to look at is if there is now a greater risk around this outbreak and in future should there be some kind of vaccination catch-up for that group. What should you do if you think you have meningitis? The NHS recommends that people call 999 for an ambulance or go to their nearest A&E. People are advised to trust their instincts, as someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police are investigating Lord Peter Mandelson over alleged emails he sent to Jeffrey Epstein about a 500 billion Eurozone bailout, according to Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. Britains top police officer said that the email represented a potential criminal offence, in an interview with ABC on Wednesday. In the latest release of the Epstein files, Lord Mandelson appeared to confirm a yet-to-be-announced 500bn bailout of the Euro, prompting claims he had leaked sensitive government information. With Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador [to the US], there is a particular email to do with the bailout after the financial crash I think in 2008-09, he said. It looks like it was shared with Epstein. We are looking at that as to whether its a criminal offence. Sir Mark said that an investigation into Lord Mandelsons contact with the disgraced financier and child sex offender would be conducted without fear or favour. open image in gallery Lord Peter Mandelson outside his London home following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office ( PA Wire ) He added that the Met Police are also reviewing a whole range of sexual allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in order to determine whether they merit a criminal investigation. Earlier this week it was reported that the commissioner had last month asked the US ambassador Warren Stephens for full documents relating to the peer, who was sacked as UK ambassador to the US over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Of course, there's a big body of that evidence ... in the United States in all those files and at some stage we're going to need the unredacted evidence, he said in the new interview. We need the original copy and where did it come from and that's going to be necessary if we get to the stage of court cases. open image in gallery Lord Mandelson has come under fire following his connection to disgraced child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ( US Department of Justice ) Sir Mark is expected to push the US authorities further during a visit to Washington this week, according to reports. All investigations would be conducted with full transparency and equality before the law he stressed, addressing concerns around the high-profiles of those who have been mentioned in the latest tranche of Epstein files released by the US department of justice. A mention in the files is not an indication of guilt. Those investigations all go wherever the evidence takes them quite comfortable with investigating sort of famous or powerful people, he continued. I think its really important for policing to do that, that sense of operating without fear or favour. The law applies equally to everyone, and those cases will go, say, wherever the evidence leads us to. open image in gallery ( US Department of Justice ) He also shed light on four interviews that had been conducted with Virgina Giuffre, who alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein in 2001 to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor. The former prince has vehemently denied the allegations. With Virginia Guiffre, we did four of those interviews with her and those interviews didnt give us any evidence or any allegations of sexual offending or trafficking that we could investigate in the UK, Sir Mark continued. Thats why that investigation didnt go forward. Ms Giuffre died by suicide last year. Police are investigating Lord Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office, while Thames Valley Police is leading a separate probe into Mountbatten-Windsor for the same alleged offence. The investigation into Mandelson concerns his contact with Epstein during his time as business secretary in Gordon Browns government. Before that, he served as European Commissioner for Trade between 2004 and 2008. He was referred to the European Unions anti-fraud agency last month following the controversy. The Independent has contacted the Metropolitan Police and Lord Mandelsons representative for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For six months, she unknowingly placed her child into the care of a predatory paedophile. Dismissing his awkwardness as a personality trait of a man who was a bit weird, she trusted Nathan Bennett as her two-year-olds key worker; someone to nurture their development, while keeping them safe. There were whispers at the gate of Partou King Street Nursery in Bristol that the 30-year-old early years practitioner was overstepping boundaries. The mother tried to be objective and placed her trust in Bennett and the nursery managers. But then rumour turned to sickening reality when the scruffy-looking nursery worker was eventually found out. His crimes were put before a jury and he was jailed for 28 years for raping and abusing children in his care. Shockingly, the first time the mother heard about it was not from the nursery managers but the local press, which in March last year reported that Bennett had been arrested after what nursery operators Partou described as an isolated incident. Ofsted temporarily suspended the nurserys registration, before allowing it to reopen a week later. The education watchdog then suspended it again days after, later suggesting Partou had failed to share all relevant information initially. Last December, the nursery was shut for good. open image in gallery Partou King Street Nursery, which closed following the investigation into Bennett ( Google Street View ) I felt absolutely disgusted, the mother, who wants to remain anonymous, told The Independent. He was my childs key worker. On the day of his arrest I dropped my child off with him in the morning, then he was not there at pick-up. I didnt think much of it at the time and no one told me anything it was only when I read in the local press weeks later. Since Bennetts conviction at Bristol Crown Court, Partou which run more than 130 nurseries in the UK said strict reporting restrictions meant they could not disclose information to parents. Its not the only criticism the nursery operator is facing. During the criminal trial, the jury heard how manager Victoria Tutton sent Bennett home after seeing CCTV in which he put his hands down a childs trousers. But staff had earlier witnessed strange behaviours from the worker, who, the trial was told, would wear trousers which were full of holes, including the crotch area. The mother also said she raised concerns over Bennett almost a month before his arrest. She first saw him kiss a boy on the face as he spoke to her at pick-up. Then, in a second incident, she witnessed him hugging a boy excessively on his lap while touching his leg. open image in gallery Bennett was sent away from the nursery after the manager saw him on CCTV put his hands down a childs trousers ( Avon and Somerset Police ) When she raised them with the nursery manager, she got told that he was suspended as a result. But despite the local authority Bristol City Council being notified, she was told he had returned to work a few days later. She claimed she got told that the concerns did not meet the threshold for further action. I saw him again every time at drop-off and we just got on with it, said the mother, who, although unaware of the extent of Bennetts offending, began looking for a new nursery for her child. Later, she attended parts of the trial where Bennett was found guilty of eight charges, including rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration, relating to five children. Passing his sentence, Judge William Hart told Bennett that children in the nursery were at risk because of him lurking, ready to abuse them and to pollute their innocence with your own vile desires. The harrowing case has not only impacted the victims and their families, but many others, including the mother, who said she felt anger as well as guilt. I should have taken my child out of the nursery, but I didnt. I sat on it and trusted the nursery manager, she said. You lie there and think: what if I had said something to someone else? open image in gallery The case has led parents to feel guilt and anger, with some considering launching a civil case ( PA ) The emergence of Bennetts crimes also led to difficult discussions between parents and children. The mother said: I asked my child [if they were abused] and they said no. Its not a conversation I ever want to have with a child aged two asking them if they saw and if they experienced it. And I worry if I will ever know the true answer. She is one of 12 families being represented by lawyers Leigh Day, which is considering launching a civil case against Partou, mainly over safeguarding. Andrew Lord, from Leigh Day, said: The criminal proceedings have exposed not only Bennetts appalling abuse, but also serious questions about safeguarding, supervision and the handling of concerns raised by parents and staff prior to his arrest. In a statement, Partou told The Independent it had increased training on safeguarding, strengthened policies, including on recruitment and bolstered its leadership team. The use of CCTV has also been expanded across its sites. It said: Nathan Bennetts offending came to light following a review of CCTV footage on 25th February 2025, on which date he was suspended and the police, LADO [Bristol City Councils Local Authority Designated Officer] and Ofsted informed. A prior concern, raised by a parent in early February, was reported to the LADO. In the year since then we have worked with a number of individuals and organisations to consider any ways in which we could strengthen our safeguarding of the children in our care. A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: We were contacted by the manager of the Partou nursery in Bristol at the start of February 2025 for guidance about parental concerns. Advice was provided, based on information available to us at the time. The LADO does not make decisions about staff suspension as this responsibility remains with the employer. All LADO processes in relation to this nursery group have been robust, timely, and compliant with statutory requirements. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The government is set to ban the sale of crossbows and hunting arrows, alongside introducing a new licensing requirement for existing owners, following a series of violent attacks. The Home Office confirmed the proposals, which aim to tighten regulations around the potentially lethal weapons. This move comes in the wake of the horrific murders of BBC racing commentator John Hunts wife and two daughters in July 2024. Kyle Clifford, 26, received a whole-life order for killing Louise Hunt, 25, her sister Hannah Hunt, 28, and their mother Carol Hunt, 61, in a crossbow and knife attack at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Currently, there is no registration system for crossbow ownership, nor is a licence required, despite their ready availability for purchase online. While it is illegal for children to buy or own one, and carrying a crossbow in public without a valid reason can lead to a four-year prison sentence, the lack of broader controls has been a significant concern. The government had previously vowed to strengthen rules, launching a consultation that revealed widespread public apprehension regarding the ease with which crossbows could be acquired. The new plans seek to address these critical safety gaps. open image in gallery Kyle Clifford esd found guilty at Cambridge Crown Court of raping his ex-partner Louise Hunt in an attack which saw him murder her and her sister with a crossbow and their mother with a butcher's knife ( Hertfordshire Police/PA ) In a consultation response, published on Thursday, the Home Office said: The Government is concerned how easily these weapons can currently be purchased and the use of these weapons in the murders in Bushey on 9 July 2024, and the attacks by crossbow in Headingley on 26 April 2025, and in other cases where crossbows have been used to commit murders and other serious criminal offences, have highlighted that further controls on crossbows are required. The Government will, therefore, introduce further restrictions on crossbows through introducing a licensing scheme for existing crossbow owners, and we will consult on the details of the licensing scheme. In addition, the Government will also prohibit the sale of crossbows. We will consult on how best such a ban might be achieved, and will set out more detail in the consultation, but we would anticipate that existing crossbow owners will be able to keep their crossbow provided they apply for a licence and pass the necessary suitability checks that a licensing scheme would require. We also plan to prohibit broadhead arrows. open image in gallery BBC racing commentator John Hunts wife and two daughters were murdered in a crossbow and knife attack at their family home in July 2024 ( BBC News ) Killings with a crossbow are typically rare but there has been a string of incidents in recent years. The review of the rules was ordered after an attempt to kill the late Queen with the weapon. Would-be assassin Jaswant Singh Chail was encouraged by an AI chatbot to break into Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2021 with a loaded crossbow to kill the late Queen. The 21-year-old was jailed for nine years in 2023 and handed a further five years on extended licence after admitting treason, making a threat to kill the then Queen, and having a loaded crossbow. Laura Sugden, who has campaigned for a change in the law since her partner Shane Gilmer was killed in a crossbow attack in 2018, said she was relieved and grateful about the announcement and that she hoped the new rules will be known as Shanes Law. open image in gallery Pictures left on floral tributes for Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt ( PA Archive ) Mr Gilmer, 30, died after his next-door neighbour broke into his house in the village of Southburn, East Yorkshire, and shot both him and Ms Sugden, leaving her seriously injured. Ms Sugden said on Thursday: We are relieved and grateful to see that there will be new controls introduced and see that the Government is committed to banning the sale of crossbows as well as licensing those in existence. For years, we have argued that it was far too easy for people to obtain these lethal weapons. Shane lost his life because of a system that failed to recognise the risks. open image in gallery Would-be assassin Jaswant Singh Chail was encouraged by an AI chatbot to break into Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2021 with a loaded crossbow to kill the late Queen. ( via REUTERS ) She added: To know that we have been instrumental in securing this change means a great deal. We firmly believe any new legislation should be formally known as Shanes Law in his memory. If this ban prevents even one family from going through what we have endured, then Shanes legacy will be one of protection and change. In October last year the public inquiry into the Southport attack heard killer Axel Rudakubana contacted two archery retailers when he was 15 asking if they could deliver crossbows in discreet packaging. This came two years before he carried out the mass stabbing, murdering Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Convicted stalker Bryce Hodgson was shot dead by police after he broke into a London home armed with weapons including a crossbow in 2024. open image in gallery Laura Sugden, 34, was 20 weeks into her pregnancy when she and her boyfriend Shane Gilmer, 30, were attacked by a crossbow-wielding assailant at their family home in east Yorkshire in January 2018 ( Laura Sugden ) A domestic homicide review found the Metropolitan Police missed opportunities to protect Sana Muhammad from her ex-husband Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo in the years before he killed her with a crossbow while she was eight months pregnant. A Government spokesman said tougher rules were being introduced so we can prevent serious harm before it happens. But it is unclear when the changes will come into force. Crossbows are powerful and deadly weapons, and recent tragedies have shown the devastating harm they can inflict when they are misused. Our priority is keeping people safe, he added. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Motorists across England and Wales, outside of London, were caught committing a record 2.9 million motoring offences in 2024, with speeding accounting for the vast majority of infractions, new figures reveal. Home Office statistics show a significant 9 per cent surge from the previous year's 2.7 million total, marking the highest number recorded since comparable data collection began in 2011. A staggering 2.5 million (86 per cent) of these incidents involved drivers exceeding the speed limit, also a new record. More than half (51 per cent) of all offences led to drivers undertaking a retraining course. Fines were issued in 37 per cent of cases, while 12 per cent resulted in court action. The data specifically excludes the Metropolitan Police Service in London, which utilises a distinct system for documenting such offences. The Home Office said the force recorded nearly 600,000 motoring offences in 2024, a 19 per cent increase from 2023. open image in gallery Drivers in England and Wales excluding London were caught committing a record 2.9 million motoring offences in 2024, new figures show, with the majority involving speeding ( PA Archive ) William Porter, policy and public affairs manager at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said the figures show there is widespread disregard for speed limits. He went on: We need a renewed focus on enforcement, education and driver behaviour. Without decisive intervention, we risk normalising dangerous driving habits that have devastating consequences. RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis called on the Government to work with police forces to take firm action on speeding. He said: While enforcement through speed cameras has its place, greater visibility of police officers can also make a significant difference in changing driver behaviour. Most speeding cases result in offenders being given the opportunity to avoid prosecution by attending a speed awareness course, if they have not done so in the previous three years. The courses typically cost between 80 and 120. Churchill Motor Insurance said it commissioned a survey which indicated 31 per cent of drivers who attended a speed awareness course in the past three years were caught speeding again. open image in gallery Churchill Motor Insurance said it commissioned a survey which indicated 3 per cent of drivers who attended a speed awareness course in the past three years were caught speeding again ( PA ) Department for Transport figures show speed contributed to 59 per cent of fatal crashes in Britain in 2024, which was more than any other factor. Kevin Mead, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: Speeding has a devastating impact on our roads, contributing to countless avoidable collisions, lifechanging injuries and needless loss of life. With more than 8,000 speed cameras now operating nationwide, the chances of being caught are higher than ever. Earlier this week, Transport for London (TfL) announced it will partner with the MPS to trial a new type of speed camera in up to 10 locations across the capital in the coming weeks. Unlike conventional speed cameras, these radar-based models do not require a visible flash to capture the image of a speeding vehicle, and road markings are not needed. They can also cover up to five lanes of traffic in two directions, whereas the cameras they are replacing can only monitor up to three lanes. TfL said upgrading its speed cameras is vital to maintaining strong, consistent enforcement. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The King is still set to visit the US next month despite growing tensions between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump over Iran, according to reports. Charles is reportedly expected to be met with a display of American military strength when he undertakes the three-day trip amid a strained time for the special relationship. The overseas tour has yet to be officially announced, but the King and Queen are expected to visit Washington and New York to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper is believed to be accompanying the royals, following an escalating war of words between the prime minister and the president over the Middle East crisis. Mr Trump said on Tuesday that he was looking forward to meeting Charles very shortly, despite calls for the historic royal trip to be postponed. open image in gallery Donald Trump was feted with a second state visit to the UK, unprecedented for an American leader, last year ( Getty ) Asking whether his relationship with Sir Keir was damaged by the UKs stance over the war, Mr Trump said the prime minister made a big mistake in his response to US calls for support and suggested his effort to strike a good deal on trade with Britain probably wasnt appreciated. The US president has previously branded the UKs approach to the conflict terrible and repeatedly lashed out at Sir Keir, including describing him as not Winston Churchill, with the special relationship between the two allied nations appearing increasingly strained. But The Times reports Charles trip, from 27 to 29 April, will be apolitical, with no big policy announcements expected. The White House, Buckingham Palace and the British government are all determined that the visit go ahead, according to the newspaper, so that the King can pay tribute to Americans for their independence anniversary and following six months of planning that has involved royal aides doing a recce in the US. This will be a substantive visit from the King for the American people, a source with knowledge of the plans told The Times. open image in gallery The US president has previously branded the UKs approach to the conflict terrible and repeatedly lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer ( PA ) The monarch is reportedly set to give a speech to Congress, highlighting the close ties between the UK and the US. Mr Trump was feted with a second state visit to the UK, unprecedented for an American leader, last year. 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. Senior Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry is among those who have suggested it would be safer to delay Charles and Camillas state visit because of the Iran war, warning they could be left feeling embarrassed because of the current crisis. 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. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Fuel prices continue to surge in the wake of conflict in the Middle East, official data has confirmed, as economies worldwide are hit by the fallout. The average price of petrol rose to 144.16p per litre on 23 March, up from 131.71p recorded before the US launched strikes on Iran on 28 February. Meanwhile, diesel has risen to 166.88p from 140.28p according to the new government figures. This means the cost of filling up a 55-litre family diesel car has increased by as much as 14.63 in just under a month, with further price rises expected. The rise has been fuelled by a spike in oil prices, which have soared as high as $112 a barrel in recent weeks, and remain over $100 (75). A dramatic spike after Iran launched retaliatory attacks on the worlds largest liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar caused prices to soar close to those seen in June 2022, when a barrel of oil peaked at $119 at the early months of the Ukraine war. The cost of oil has a significant effect on the cost of wholesale fuel. Conflict spread across the Middle East after the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran in February, which were followed by retaliatory Iranian attacks on targets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq. Blasts continue to be reported across the region, as America and Israel continue airstrikes on Iranian targets. As fighting escalates, Iran has warned that it will set fire to any ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait provides the only passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, making it a crucial point for the oil industry. Around 20 per cent of the worlds gas and oil is shipped through the waterway, with the Iranian threat proving highly damaging for global trade. Donald Trump set a deadline of 23 March for Iran to reopen Hormuz, threatening to obliterate the countrys power plants if they did not comply. However, on Tuesday the US president said this action had been postponed in light of good and productive talks between the two nations. Iranian state media has denied talks took place, and claimed that Trump retreated from his deadline out of fear of Iran's response. A navy vessel is seen sailing in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1 2026. (Photo by Sahar AL ATTAR / AFP via Getty Images) ( AFP/Getty ) Commenting on rising fuel costs, AA president Edmund King has urged UK motorists to consider cutting out non-essential journeys. He said: The longer this conflict goes on, the more effect it will have on the cost of oil. Any time Brent Crude passes 100 dollars per barrel raises concern across the markets, for the haulage industry and drivers. Analysis of the historic link between oil and fuel prices by think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows oil trading at 100 dollars a barrel typically results in petrol prices of about 150p per litre, while oil hitting 120 dollars a barrel means petrol prices of about 170p per litre. Rachel Reeves has said she would not tolerate price gouging by forecourt operators after some were recorded charging as much as 180p per litre for petrol. The chancellor has said she will soon lay out steps to protect consumers from unfair price rises. Some have also called for the chancellor to cancel Labour's planned increase in fuel duty which will reverse the 5p-a-litre cut introduced in March 2022 in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Ms Reeves announced a reversal of the cut in Novembers Budget, beginning with a 1p increase in September this year, followed by 2p in December and the final 2p in March 2027. The chancellor has so far rejected calls to scrap the plan, but has said the policy is under review. A Conservative bid to cancel the planned increase was defeated in the Commons last week. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Social media platforms are not safe for teens and are harming them at a massive scale, a new report has suggested. It said the current algorithmic design of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X, make them dangerous consumer products and suggest the platforms have substantially contributed to recorded increases in mental illness. The World Happiness Report, published on Thursday, examines data on happiness and social trends from across the world. In the report, academics from New York University (NYU) said there is now overwhelming evidence of severe and widespread direct harms such as sextortion and cyberbullying. They added there is also compelling evidence of troubling indirect harms such as depression and anxiety. open image in gallery The report suggests social media is dangerous for children (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Wire ) It comes as the UK government weighs up a social media ban for under-16s. Earlier this month, MPs rejected a vote for a blanket ban in favour of a government bid to give additional, more flexible powers to ministers depending on the outcome of its ongoing consultation. Previous studies have not found a clear correlation between social media use in teenagers and a rise in mental health problems. However, research has suggested addictive features on apps can disrupt sleep and mood in young people. In the paper titled Social media is harming adolescents at a scale large enough to cause changes at the population level, academics analysed data from seven different studies across the world using different methods to examine links between harm and social media. open image in gallery Previous studies have not found a clear correlation between social media use in teens and a rise mental health problems ( Gareth Fuller/PA Wire ) Drawing on existing research including anecdotal and data-driven studies, as well as leaked internal reports from platforms, they argue the data suggests the rapid adoption of social media by adolescents in the early 2010s was a substantial contributor to population-level increases in mental illness that emerged by the mid 2010s in many Western nations. Combining all seven lines of evidence reveals consistent and converging evidence that the major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X, as they are currently designed and commonly used, are dangerous consumer products that harm adolescents at a massive scale, the authors wrote. In a second paper released as part of the report, researchers argue the way social media platforms are designed has a significant impact on users happiness. They said social media platforms that emphasise communication are better at supporting happiness than those with algorithmic content. It comes as jurors deliberate verdicts in a landmark social media addiction trial in the US. The plaintiff in the case, identified as KGM in documents or Kaley, as her lawyers have called her during the trial, says her early use of social media addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. The case, along with two others, has been selected as a bellwether trial, meaning its outcome could impact how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies are likely to play out. Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, and X, have been contacted for comment. Stay on top of the latest political news with our View from Westminster newsletter Get the latest political headlines with our free email Get the latest political headlines with our free email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Allies of Angela Rayner are said to be becoming increasingly confident that an HMRC probe into her tax affairs will be resolved before the May local elections, seen by many as the moment where Sir Keir Starmer is most likely to be ousted. The ongoing inquiry continues to be seen as the main barrier to Ms Rayner returning to frontline politics, as questions remain over her finances. But if the probe were to wrap up before the local elections, it would put the former deputy prime minister in a much better position to challenge the beleaguered prime minister. The MP for Ashton-under-Lyne resigned as housing secretary and deputy prime minister last year after a row over her underpayment of stamp duty on a new property. She has since been widely seen as a potential successor to Sir Keir amid rumblings of a leadership challenge in the face of devastating approval ratings and questions over the direction of the government. There have also been reports that she could run on a joint ticket with health secretary Wes Streeting to challenge the prime minister after the local elections in May, which are expected to deliver a brutal result for Labour. In what appeared to be the starting gun for a possible leadership campaign, Ms Rayner told an event hosted by left-wing campaign group Mainstream that the party had come to be seen as representing the establishment, not working people and called for a change of course. open image in gallery The former deputy PM has declared that Labours proposed immigration reforms are un-British ( Getty ) Ms Rayner cited immigration reform as a key concern, suggesting that changes to indefinite leave to remain for people already living in Britain would be a breach of trust, dubbing the reforms un-British. In an apparent attack on Shabana Mahmoods plans to overhaul the system, Ms Rayner said: Many people came here to Britain, on the understanding that if they worked in the sectors where we needed them, obeyed the law and paid their taxes, they could stay. If we suddenly change that, it pulls the rug from under those who have planned their lives and commitments and are contributing to our economy and to our society. That would be not just bad policy but a breach of trust. The people already in the system who made a huge investment now fear for their future, they do not have stability and do not know what will happen. We cannot talk about earning a settlement if we keep moving the goalposts, because moving the goalposts undermines our sense of fair play. Its un-British. open image in gallery Rayners appearance at a left-wing event appears to be the starting gun for a possible leadership campaign ( PA Wire ) On Wednesday, in the wake of Ms Rayners attacks, Downing Street appeared to waver over the flagship policy, repeatedly refusing to commit to Ms Mahmoods reforms. The prime ministers official spokesperson said the government is considering responses to a Home Office consultation into the proposals to reform indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which would extend the length of time migrants must wait for permanent residence. The reforms are a central pillar of the governments agenda and form a key part of Labours plan to win back votes from Reform UK amid devastating approval ratings and questions over the direction of Sir Keirs administration. Later, the government sought to clarify the situation, with a spokesperson insisting its position has not changed. Ms Rayners office has been contacted for comment. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Sadiq Khan called on the Labour Party to promise to rejoin the European Union at the next general election, putting him at odds with the prime minister who has repeatedly ruled out undoing Brexit and returning to the bloc. Speaking to the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, the Mayor of London outlined a roadmap for closer ties, including returning to both the customs union and the single market. Sir Sadiq, who played a leading role in resisting the UKs departure from the EU, now believes there is a route back to membership. open image in gallery Sadiq Khan addresses anti-Brexit campaigners at a Peoples Vote rally in 2019 ( PA ) In the interview, he highlighted Brexit's detrimental impact, stating: I see on a daily basis the damage Brexit has done to not just London, but to Londoners, the damage economically, socially and culturally. Sir Sadiq was unequivocal: Im quite clear in terms of what needs to happen, which is, we should join the European Union. The mayor cited the election of US President Donald Trump, growing global instability, and the passage of time as reasons to revisit the issue, arguing the facts have changed and the evidence has changed. He insisted: We should, as a Labour Party, fight the next general election with a clear manifesto commitment, a vote for Labour means we would rejoin the European Union. I think its inevitable. But it comes after European affairs minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who is in charge of the reset negotiations between Britain and the EU, told The Independent that he could not envisage the UK ever rejoining the bloc and ruled out any form of customs union. He said: I dont see us [rejoining]. I dont see us returning to the debates of the past. open image in gallery Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, in charge of EU negotiations, says he cant envisage the UK rejoining ( PA Wire ) Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sought to reset relations with Brussels in an effort to improve trade ties since his election in 2024, and earlier this week chancellor Rachel Reeves warned the UK risked being stranded between rival trading blocs unless it forged closer ties with Brussels. She said any divergence from EU regulations would be limited, describing it as the exception, not the norm. Ms Reeves added: Our fate as a country is inescapably bound with that of Europe. By the time of the next joint summit later this year, the UK and EU want to finalise agreements on a youth mobility scheme, as well as establish a common sanitary and phytosanitary area and link their emissions trading systems. In February, Downing Street dismissed the prospect of rejoining the customs union after European economic commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the bloc would be open to discussions. No 10 sought to pour cold water on the idea, saying Sir Keir Starmers government would be sticking to its red lines as it deepens ties with the EU. The prime ministers official spokesperson said: We will not be rejoining the customs union, the single market or returning to freedom of movement. Those are our red lines as per the governments manifesto. We do want a closer economic partnership with the EU, but rejoining the customs union would unpick important trade agreements weve reached, including our deals with the US and India. Stay on top of the latest political news with our View from Westminster newsletter Get the latest political headlines with our free email Get the latest political headlines with our free email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The president of Cyprus has said he will have an open and frank discussion with the British government over the future of the UK military bases located in Cyprus. Nikos Christodoulides described the bases as being a colonial consequence and said the Cypriot government has a responsibility to the 10,000 citizens living within the bases amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. It comes after RAF Akrotiri, a British military base in Cyprus, was hit by an unmanned drone strike at the start of the Iran war, raising concerns that the bases could be a threat to the islands security. Speaking upon his arrival at the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday, Mr Christodoulides said: The British bases in Cyprus are something that is a colonial consequence We have more than 10,000 Cypriot citizens within the British bases. We have a responsibility to those people ... we are going to have an open and frank discussion with the British government. Asked whether he wants rid of the bases, he said that we have a clear approach with regard to the future of the British bases, adding, I am sure that you understand that I am not going to negotiate in public. His remarks came one day after he described the bases as a colonial remnant. But he also insisted that cooperation between the British and Cypriot governments is extremely positive. It comes as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, with gas prices soaring to a three-year high on Thursday after attacks on energy sites in Iran and Qatar damaged a Shell plant and stoked fears about disruption to global supplies. Questions over the future of the Cypriot bases would pile pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who is already facing criticism over his decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. open image in gallery Nikos Christodoulides pictured at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday ( AFP/Getty ) The archipelago is home to a key UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which will be leased back to the UK as part of the deal. In an attempt to shut down discussion over the Cyprus bases, defence minister Al Carns on Tuesday insisted their future is not in question. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton asked defence minister Al Carns about the growing disquiet in Cyprus about the bases, after protests were staged in the country. He said: Following the drone attack at RAF Akrotiri earlier this month, there has been growing disquiet within Cyprus, within the Cypriot community, about the continuing existence of the sovereign base areas. Given the absolute necessity of this defence relationship between the United Kingdom and Cyprus, could the minister update the House about the Secretary of States visit to Cyprus earlier this month? Could he also just say what reassurance does the Cypriot government need from us to ensure that not only is the base security safe, but also the future security of Cyprus is ensured? Responding, Mr Carns said: Our sovereign base in Cyprus isnt in question. When the Secretary of State for Defence visited Cyprus, the Cypriot National Guard reaffirmed that our relationship is closer now than ever before. The drone that attacked RAF Akrotiri was Iranian-made but launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Cypruss foreign minister Constantinos Kombos. open image in gallery RAF Akrotiri was hit by an unmanned drone strike at the start of the Iran war ( Reuters ) The drone caused minimal damage and did not result in any casualties. Further drones were intercepted and the Ministry of Defence has temporarily moved families from the base. Mr Kombos told the BBCs Newsnight programme: Right now we have the British bases on the island. There are questions. There are issues. There are concerns. The British bases in Cyprus were established as part of a negotiated independence deal in 1960 and are the UK militarys main jumping-off point for operations in the Middle East. Asked about Mr Christodoulidess comments, the prime ministers official spokesperson pointed to the remarks from the head of the national guard in Cyprus, who said military cooperation between the two countries has never been closer. The spokesperson added: Our bases in Cyprus play a crucial role in supporting the safety of British citizens and our allies in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East. Our jets in Cyprus are flying regular defensive missions alongside our allies to protect our people and our bases... and to bolster our defences in the region. Weve deployed additional radar systems, air defence kit and cutting-edge F-35 jets and an additional 400 UK personnel who are directly supporting air defence activities. Stay on top of the latest political news with our View from Westminster newsletter Get the latest political headlines with our free email Get the latest political headlines with our free email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer has issued a joint statement with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan condemning Iranian attacks on vessels and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The leaders expressed their deep concern about the escalating conflict, calling on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the strait to commercial shipping. It comes after UK defence secretary John Healey vowed to step up defensive support for Gulf states after Iran attacked energy sites across the region in a serious escalation of the war. The price of Brent crude oil was rising by about 7 per cent to cross $114 (85) a barrel on Thursday morning, meaning it was closing in on the highest level since the conflict escalated at the end of February, heightening fears about major disruption to global supplies. open image in gallery Keir Starmer has issued a joint statement with the leaders of five other countries ( House of Commons/UK Parliament ) In a statement, the six leaders said: We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces. We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council resolution 2817. Resolution 2817, approved on 11 March, condemned Irans attacks on its neighbours and called on Tehran to cease hostilities. The countries said the effects of Iranian actions will be felt in all parts of the world, especially by the most vulnerable people. We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning, they said. On Thursday, defence secretary John Healey warned that Tehrans attacks overnight threatened to further destabilise the region as he reiterated the governments call for de-escalation. Speaking on a visit to Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh, Mr Healey added: We will step up the defensive support that we can offer to those Gulf states. open image in gallery Defence secretary John Healey said the UK would step up and offer defensive support of Gulf nations in the region ( PA ) Following an Israeli strike on its main natural gas field, Iran hit multiple energy sites across the Gulf, including a Saudi oil refinery, Qatari gas facilities and two more oil refineries in Kuwait. British forces are already deployed to the Middle East, with RAF jets flying defensive sorties against Iranian drones across the Gulf and British air defence systems protecting critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. UK military planners have also joined the US Central Command to help formulate proposals for opening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route for the worlds oil and gas. Meanwhile, Sir Keir chaired a meeting of the governments emergency Cobra committee on Thursday morning in response to the attacks overnight. It is understood that officials discussed contingency planning, including working with airlines to ensure tickets remain fairly and appropriately priced, the PMs spokesperson said. Sir Keir also spoke to French president Emmanuel Macron and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte on Thursday, to discuss what he called the egregious Iranian strikes as well as the formulation of a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Stay on top of the latest political news with our View from Westminster newsletter Get the latest political headlines with our free email Get the latest political headlines with our free email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Reform UK MP has been criticised for making a joke about wearing a tartan burqa during the partys launch of its Scottish election campaign. Sarah Pochin, who has previously been condemned for calling for a ban on burqas, made the comment on Thursday when delivering a speech at a country club in Renfrewshire. Moments after her autocue froze, the Runcorn and Helsby MP told the conference: I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burqa, but apparently I wasnt allowed. One day, lets have one of these events that arent livestreamed. Well do all the naughty stuff. Well do all the bits that have gone wrong and all the effing and jeffing when we do our pieces to camera and all the rest it hilarious. The comments have been condemned by other parties, with a Labour spokesperson responding: It took less than 30 seconds for Sarah Pochin to start making jokes about Muslims after her autocue broke. open image in gallery Sarah Pochin made the comment on Thursday when delivering a speech at a country club in Renfrewshire ( ITV ) The same Sarah Pochin who said it drives her mad seeing too many Black and Asian people on TV adverts. Ms Pochin was branded dumb by the partys chair Zia Yusuf when she used her first Prime Ministers Questions question to call on the prime minister to ban burqas in the interest of public safety in June last year. She said: Given the prime ministers desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he, in the interest of public safety, follow the lead of France, Belgium, Denmark and others and ban the burqa? A Reform spokesperson later clarified that banning burqas was not party policy, though Mr Yusuf said last month he would support a ban on all face coverings in public if the party gets into power, including the burqa. It came after the partys mayoral candidate for London was also condemned for saying that women who wear the burqa in public should be subject to stop and search. open image in gallery Pochin has previously been criticised for calling for a ban on burqas ( PA ) Laila Cunningham, who will be Reforms candidate in the capitals election in 2028, sparked a significant backlash after telling The London Standard that she would act to ban the wearing of the religious garment in public. It has to be assumed that if youre hiding your face, youre hiding it for a criminal reason, she said, without providing evidence. Crossbench peer Baroness Shaista Gohir hit out at the Reform candidate, telling The Guardian her comments were dangerous and a dog whistle to racists. Baroness Gohir, who is the CEO of the Muslim Womens Network UK, told the newspaper Ms Cunningham was sending a message to Muslims that they do not belong and emboldening people who already abuse Muslims and influencing those people who are reading this misinformation. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A senior Labour MP has led a political backlash against the state visit of Nigerias president Bola Tinubu amid growing concerns about human rights abuses in the African country. Fabian Hamilton, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights, has written to Sir Keir Starmer warning that he has a moral responsibility to raise concerns about democracy and human rights with President Tinubu. The Nigerian leader, whose state visit started on Wednesday, was set to meet the prime minister in Downing Street after being welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle where the monarch hosted a state banquet. It is the first state visit by a Nigerian president in 37 years and comes at a time of continued upheaval in the oil rich African country of 230 million people. open image in gallery President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu and King Charles during the state banquet (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Wire ) Mr Hamilton and other MPs on the human rights APPG have expressed their fears over increasing concern that Nigeria risks a period of democratic backsliding. The letter calls on the government to outline what representations it will make during the state visit over human rights protections, judicial independence and democracy. Mr Hamilton wrote that precisely because of the strength and importance of the UKs relationship with Nigeria, the visit provides a timely opportunity to raise concerns directly with President Tinubu. At such a moment, Britain has a moral responsibility to do everything it can to support and encourage Nigerias democratic integrity, including raising these issues directly with President Tinubu during his visit. The APPG highlights concerns relating to the independence of the judiciary, the space available for political opposition and civil society in the country and the broader environment in which democratic participation takes place. The letter also pointed to reports of violence affecting religious communities and wider threats to freedom of religion or belief, describing the protection of these freedoms as essential components of a stable and democratic society. Concerns are also raised about Nigerias Electoral Act, including provisions that would allow a return to manual transmission of votes if electronic systems fail, which critics warn could affect transparency. Looking ahead to Nigerias next presidential election in 2027, Mr Hamilton wrote: The coming year will be a defining test of the countrys democratic resilience. He stressed that it is vital that elections are free, fair and credible, and that voters, political parties, civil society and the media are able to participate without intimidation or interference. open image in gallery Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer (Ben Whitley/PA) ( PA Wire ) At the state banquet in President Tinubus honour on Wednesday night, King Charles said Britain was "blessed" that many people of Nigerian heritage are "at the heart of British life through excelling at the highest levels of business, technology, academia, law, science, sport, literature and the arts, and public service". He said he had met "so many of these quiet heroes in our schools, businesses, National Health Service and universities". "From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britain's culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria, he said. The menu for the occasion included quail egg tartlet, fillet of turbot, lobster mousse wrapped in spinach and iced blackcurrant souffle. A mocktail called Crimson Bloom was also served. It used West African beverage Zobo and other ingredients. President Tinubu, who was there with first lady Oluremi Tinubu, told guests at the banquet that the occasion underlined that his country had "arrived" and was "transforming at a remarkable pace". A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said of the state visit: There was genuine warmth and mutual respect from the King and the president. As demonstrated from their two speeches, there exists a strong friendship and wealth of opportunity between our two nations. With the complexity of geopolitical issues across the world, it underscores the importance of standing close and proud with our Commonwealth partners. Stay on top of the latest political news with our View from Westminster newsletter Get the latest political headlines with our free email Get the latest political headlines with our free email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice British military officers have been sent to the US to help plan the reopening of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz as oil prices continue to soar. Prices spiked overnight on Thursday as attacks on energy facilities in the Middle East stepped up, heightening fears about major disruption to global supplies. The price of Brent crude oil was rising by about 7 per cent to cross $114 (85) a barrel on Thursday morning, meaning it was closing in on the highest level since the conflict escalated at the end of February. It followed reports that Israel launched an attack against Irans South Pars gas field. open image in gallery British military officers have been sent to the US to help with planning how to reopen the blockaded Strait of Hormuz ( AP ) It is understood that a small team of UK military planners have been sent to US central command at MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Florida, which is responsible for American military operations in the Middle East. The officers are there to help put together options for how to open up shipping through the route, amid fears that it now contains mines. But defence sources stressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz was so dangerous that not many nations would be willing to put warships in the middle of that threat right now. US president Donald Trump has suggested he could wash his hands of the problem once his military attacks had finished off Iran, leaving it to countries reliant on oil and gas exports through the waterway to secure it. Armed forces minister Al Carns said: In 1987 when this last happened, it took 30 warships to escort in the Strait of Hormuz. That gives you just an example of the resources required. He said the situation was even more complex now, with Irans arsenal including fast attack boats, different kinds of mines, ballistic missiles and unmanned drones in the air, on the sea and beneath the waves. open image in gallery The defence secretary said the UK is working with allies to protect British interests ( PA ) Mr Carns said: I would say this must be a multinational solution. Were not anywhere near that at the moment, but I would say one thing: that theres one thing worse than working with allies, and thats working without them. Meanwhile, defence secretary John Healey discussed the situation with counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and Poland on Wednesday. We are working with allies to reinforce regional security and protect British interests, Mr Healey said. Another senior defence official said the situation was incredibly fluid, and the level of threat is such that I dont see many nations being willing to put warships into the middle of that threat right now. Mr Trump has repeatedly berated countries, including the UK, for failing to respond to his request for support in the maritime chokepoint. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: I wonder what would happen if we finished off whats left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we dont, be responsible for the so called Straight? [sic] That would get some of our non-responsive Allies in gear, and fast!!! At Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir defended his approach, insisting he would not allow UK forces to be drawn into a wider war. Iran has closed off the Strait to most shipping, with commercial vessels coming under attack. Sir Keir said: I want to see this war end as quickly as possible. The longer it continues, the bigger the impact on the cost of living. And thats why we intervened to support households with costs of heating oil. The best way forward is a negotiated settlement with Iran giving up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon. The UK has sent air defence destroyer HMS Dragon to help defend Cyprus from drones and missiles but the vessel has not yet arrived in the eastern Mediterranean. The destroyer was seen leaving Gibraltar overnight. Royal Navy and RAF pilots have flown 650 hours on operations in the Middle East and British forces have brought down more than 40 drones since the crisis began. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ghana's cocoa industry faces a deepening crisis as licensed buyers lack funds to purchase beans from farmers, despite a recent government price cut, sources told Reuters. Disbursements from market regulator Cocobod are reportedly clearing old debts for delivered beans, not funding new purchases. The government cut the fixed farmer price by almost 30 per cent earlier this month, but the new price of 41,392 cedis ($3,797) per metric ton remains above global prices of around $3,200 CCc1, giving international traders little incentive to buy This pricing disparity previously led to at least 50,000 tons of unsold beans accumulating at ports before Cocobod intervened with the price reduction. Cocobod has stated it disbursed 4.2 billion cedis ($385.32 million) to licensed buying companies (LBCs) to clear arrears owed to farmers since November. However, many producers and purchasing clerks report that the money has yet to reach them. open image in gallery Manu Yaw Fofie, a cocoa farmer, walks through a section of his farm that has been given over to sand mining in Kona, Ghana, ( AP ) Ebenezer Asiful, a 54-year-old cocoa farmer, expressed his frustration: "It has been four months now and some of us have still not received payment for cocoa we delivered. We don't know why the government has decided to treat farmers this way." The situation highlights a significant disconnect between government efforts and the on-the-ground realities for Ghana's crucial cocoa sector, leaving farmers in a precarious position. Farmer Joseph Prenya told Reuters many LBC purchasing clerks are refusing to accept more beans. "What we do now is move from one town to another to find out which purchasing clerk is open and has cash before we bring our beans," Prenya said. With the farmer prices still above global prices, opposition lawmakers have warned Cocobod may be forced into another cut - a move farmers say they will resist. Jerome Sam, Cocobod's Head of Public Affairs, told Reuters that while some buyers lacked liquidity, others remained active. He insisted the farmer price would not be reduced again this season regardless of global price movements. open image in gallery Ghana's licensed cocoa buyers lack the funds to buy beans from farmers despite the government's recent move to slash the fixed price it sets for the chocolate ingredient ( Associated PresS ) Cocobod's chief executive said at a recent briefing that the organisation had mounting debts. A cocoa trade executive at a global agri-commodities trade house said the regulator is grappling with both unpaid bills and new liabilities that will keep accumulating as long as the farmer price remains higher than global prices. A Ghanaian association that represents LBCs has previously acknowledged owing local banks around $750 million in debts taken on to prefinance purchases. It has urged members to prioritise settling what they owe farmers before repaying banks. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Foreign aid arrangements with a religion-dependent focus risks fanning the flames of division, a senior Nigerian government minister has said Mohammed Idris, Nigerias minister for information and chief government spokesperson, spoke to The Independent to mark Nigerias first state visit to the UK in 37 years. In December, Nigeria was one of 14 countries that signed bilateral aid agreements with the US known as health compacts which included new stipulations about data sharing and restrictions on how the money should be spent. The $2.1 billion (1.6bn) agreement with Nigeria included significant dedicated funding to support Christian health care facilities, the US State Department said , and was negotiated in connection with reforms the Nigerian government has made to prioritise protecting Christian populations. The religious make-up of the Western African country, which is split around almost equally between Muslims and Christians, had been under scrutiny by Washington for a number of months now, with US President Donald Trump having warned on several occasions that Christians are being killed by radical Islamists . On Christmas day last year Trump attempted to bomb camps run by militants linked to Isis in the countrys northwest with mixed reports around the efficacy of the strikes. Mr Idris told The Independent that Nigeria would prefer if foreign interventions on aid had no such religious stipulations. If the aid is going to benefit people, thats good. But we don't want the classification of Nigeria along these religious lines. It's not very helpful. It risks creating more problems for us, he said, adding that Nigeria will accept the new deal out of pragmatism, but it would be preferable if the aid approach of foreign countries did not risk fanning the flames. We are a country of 230 million people of different religions and backgrounds, all tolerating each other, he continued. We really want to discourage any talk of Christians versus Muslims, as this is exactly what the terrorists want: they want to divide us along religious lines. Idriss comments came just two days after a suspected suicide blast in Maiduguri - the capital of Borno State, which is the northeastern region long-plagued by Islamic terror group Boko Haram - killed 23 people and injured more than 100 more. open image in gallery Victims of Monday's bomb blast at a market receives treatment at a hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria ( AP ) Mr Idris was in London as part of the delegation for Nigerian President Tinubus state visit, which has included meetings with politicians as well as several engagements with the royal family, including a State Banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. With UK-Nigeria trade now worth 8.1 billion, the state visit has also seen the signing of a number of major business deals, which will result in hundreds of jobs being created in both countries, according to the UK government. The visit comes after a period in which Nigeria - like many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa has has suffered significantly from foreign aid cuts, particularly from the US and its sudden closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) at the start of last year. But while he acknowledged that aid cuts have had an impact, particularly for the health sector, Mr Idris said that Nigeria was now looking towards new kinds of economic partnerships with Global North countries. Aid has many admirable and desirable goals, but ultimately it is not what we need for sustainable development of our country and society, he said. What we need now is more economic partnerships, and new types of cooperation. Speaking of the Nigerian-UK relationship, he added: Our relationship has had many faces, originating with colonialism, through to aid, which has been important in the past, to one that is now of partnership and trade. open image in gallery Nigeria's national flag flies above a factory on Ibadan expressway in Lagos ( AFP ) As well as developing new trade relationships, a key priority for Nigeria going forward is adapting to climate change, Mr Idris said. The climate crisis is up there with the major threats facing our country, acting as both a key driver of the serious food insecurity faced by many parts of the country, as well as the resource-based conflict between farmers and herders - which also tends to split across Muslim-Christian religious lines - in the countrys Middle Belt. Climate change is a major driver of our countrys problems, resulting in desertification in some areas, and increasing pressure on the land, Mr Idris said. We cannot live in denial. We need to accept the fact that it is happening, and work to mitigate its impact on our people. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump is facing perhaps the most daunting question of the war with Iran, one that could define his time in office: Will he put U.S. troops on the ground in Iran to secure some 970 pounds of enriched uranium that Tehran could potentially use to build nuclear weapons? Trump has offered shifting reasons for launching the war, but he has been consistent in articulating that a primary objective in joining Israel in the military action is ensuring that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. The president has been more circumspect about how far he's willing to go to follow through on his pledge to destroy Iran's weapons program once and for all, including seizing or destroying the near-bomb-grade nuclear material that Iran possesses. Much of it is believed to be buried under the rubble of a mountain facility pummeled in U.S. bombings Trump ordered last June that he had claimed obliterated Tehran's nuclear program. It's a risky, complicated project that many nuclear experts say cannot be done without a sizable deployment of U.S. troops into Iran, a dangerous and politically fraught operation for the Republican president, who has vowed not to entangle the U.S. in the sort of extended and bloody Middle East conflicts that still loom large on America's psyche. At the same time, lawmakers and experts remain concerned that if Iran hard-liners emerge from the fighting, they'll be more motivated than ever to build nuclear weapons as they look to deter the U.S. and Israel from future military action, a dynamic that makes taking control of Iran's enriched uranium even more critical. That stockpile could allow Iran to build as many as 10 nuclear bombs, should it decide to weaponize its program. Some lawmakers, like Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., say they remain deeply fearful that the president has put the nation on a path that will require putting troops inside Iran for what he called Trumps confused and chaotic objectives. Some of the objectives that he continues to espouse simply cannot be achieved without a physical presence there -- securing the uranium cannot be done without a physical presence," said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Meanwhile, Republican allies of Trump stress that there are plans in place to deal with the enriched uranium. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman James Risch, R-Idaho, on Wednesday cited a number of plans that have been put on the table. He declined to elaborate. Others acknowledged the complications of deploying troops into Iran. No one has given me a briefing on how you would do it without boots on the ground, said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. It doesnt mean you cant. But no ones ever briefed me about it. Scott added it's not tenable to allow the stockpile to remain: I think it would be helpful to get rid of it. Trump and his advisers are rigidly obtuse Nearly three weeks into a conflict that's left hundreds of people dead, tested longtime alliances and brought pain to the global economy, Trump and his top advisers have been rigidly obtuse about their deliberations over Iran's uranium stockpile. Im not going to talk about that, Trump said last week when asked about the enriched uranium. But we have hit them harder than virtually any country in history has been hit, and were not finished yet. Later that day, during an appearance in Kentucky, Trump appeared to claim the strikes had already neutralized the threat. They dont have nuclear potential," he said. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters earlier this week that the administration sees no point in telegraphing what were willing to do or how far were willing to go" while asserting "we have options, for sure. Experts say it's doable but won't be easy Richard Goldberg, who served as director for countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction for the National Security Council during Trump's first term, said that seizing or destroying the enriched uranium is certainly doable, if the president decides to go that route. The U.S. and Israeli forces have been making strides toward creating the conditions namely, establishing total air superiority that would allow for special operations forces operators, who are trained in blowing up centrifuges and dealing with nuclear material, to conduct such an operation if the president decides to go that route. To be certain, a troops-on-the-ground effort is expected to be far more complicated than other recent high-profile, lightning-strike insertion operations, such as the January capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro or the May 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden, Goldberg said. And the likely need to remove rubble to get to the canisters of enriched uranium adds another layer of complexity, because it would require heavy construction equipment. "But if you actually own the airspace and you can have close air support and drones and everything else up in the sky for pretty wide perimeter, presumably you could do a lot, said Goldberg, who is now a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi told reporters in Washington this week that the assumption is much of the enriched uranium remains in the trio of Iranian nuclear sites bombarded last year by the U.S. The impression we have is that it hasnt been moved, said Grossi, adding that a bulk of the material is beneath the rubble at Irans Isfahan facility while lesser amounts are at the Natanz and Fordow facilities that were destroyed in last years American strikes. Testifying before a Senate committee on Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in her prepared remarks said that the U.S. attacks on Iran had obliterated Irans nuclear enrichment program and buried underground facilities. Gabbard said the U.S. has been monitoring whether Irans leaders will try to restart its nuclear program but said that they have not tried to rebuild their nuclear enrichment capability. She added that the clerical authority overseeing Iranian government has been degraded in Israel's strikes on its leadership but remains intact. Brandan Buck, a senior foreign policy fellow at the Cato Institute, said that an effort to extract or dilute the enriched material would likely take more than 1,000 troops at each Iranian site and would take time to complete. On the other hand, not acting to secure the enriched uranium also comes with risk. Should Iran's hard-liners remain in power, and with enriched material, they will now have greater motivation to build a nuclear weapon. Trump has put himself between a rock and a hard place, Buck said. Throughout this, he has had maximalist aims, but hes wanted to maintain minimal effort in order to keep the costs low. ___ Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Matthew Lee and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The cycle of exploitation tied to Jeffrey Epstein marches on even after his death. Influencers are now using Epstein's private island, Little Saint James, near the U.S. Virgin Islands, for their content. Their visits come as Epstein and his case dominate headlines with Donald Trumps Department of Justice releasing millions of pages from his FBI file. That has created renewed interest in all aspects of his case, including the island where he committed some of his sex crimes. There are at least nine YouTube videos most of which were posted within the last month with titles that are some variation of "I Snuck into Jeffrey Epstein's Island." The videos all have near-identical thumbnails and similar content. The influencer flies to St. Thomas, talks to locals about Epstein, and then rents a jet ski to reach the island, after which they skitter around in the dirt and look at buildings while discussing the financier's depravity. There are a few tweaks to the formula, of course. One creator, Ash Alk, cuts the first few seconds of his video to look like an action film. He claims to be storming the island as a way to advocate for the release of the full Epstein files. Another user, WAYOFLIFESQ, uses the fact that he is a Muslim as his hook. His video is titled "Muslim Sneaks Onto Epstein Island," and preview footage from the video shows him running around on the island waving a Quran. open image in gallery Little St James, an island formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein, has become the subject of numerous influencer videos featuring content creators sneaking onto its beaches ( DOJ ) The videos are pulling in viewers as well. WAYOFLIFESQ's video has more than 500,000 views as of Thursday morning, and Ash Alk's has 1.6 million. Ahmad Aburob, a Jordan-based content creator who spoke to the Daily Mail, said the latest tranche of Epstein documents helped stir up the new video trend. The latest release of Epstein files, that created a trend and that trend caused YouTubers to go there to kind of ride on that trend, Aburob said. Many of the YouTubers who visit the island tend to focus on the "temple," a blue and white striped building with a golden dome that, according to an NBC News permit review, was constructed to be an octagonal music pavilion. During Alk's visit to the island, he walked around the building and insisted that "ungodly things happened here." Videos in which creators explore off-limits, dangerous, or taboo locales typically do fairly well on social media. Nico Grigg, a creator who has his own Little Saint James video, previously posted a video where he reportedly sneaks into Bohemian Grove, a camp in California that holds an annual meeting of its elite and powerful members every July. The Grove's annual meeting has become mythologized among internet conspiracy theorists as a sort of black Mass event undertaken by the rulers of the modern world. His Bohemian Grove video has 2.3 million views, but his Little Saint James video blew it out of the water with 12 million, proving there is an audience for this grisly new spin-off of true crime content. Some of the creators do attempt to justify the content as its own form of journalism. Ben Lisi told NBC News that he hopes his video which he described as "light-hearted and adventurous" will somehow help bring justice to the Epstein survivors. "Even though it's just a silly video and we didn't actually sneak on the island or anything, but we just saw it, I think it still brings more attention to it," he told the outlet. "And hopefully, in some small way, can bring justice to the victims and help expose or continue to bring light to what's going on behind closed doors." open image in gallery Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in 2019. His case has renewed interest with Trumps Department of Justice releasing millions of pages from his FBI investigation ( New York State Sex Offender Registry ) The U.S. Department of Justice released millions of files related to Epstein in February which shed further light on the expansive network of high-profile figures associated with the disgraced financier. The February documents contain some three million pages, including 180,000 images and approximately 2,000 videos attached to the case. In total, 3.5 million files have been released. Fallout from the document dump was swift. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was arrested by U.K. police on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, just 17 days after the files were released. Four days later, Peter Mandelson, former British ambassador to the U.S., was arrested for misconduct in public office offenses by London police. While the February tranche was said to be the final release of the files, the government still has approximately 2.5 million files that havent been released, and the 3.5 million that have been released include heavy redacting. Some of the redactions are intended to protect victims, but there is still a push from some Americans including many in the MAGA crowd who want to see all of the files released and to see the removal of any redactions removed unless theyre intended to protect victims, according to CNN. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The family of a five-year-old has sued a Lake Tahoe ski resort after far too hot cocoa left the child with severe burns, according to a lawsuit. The incident happened two winters ago when Brittany Burns and Joshua Moran Burns of San Francisco visited Heavenly Mountain Resort with their five-year-old daughter, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday, citing a lawsuit filed in El Dorado County Superior Court. After Brittany ordered a hot chocolate for her daughter at the resorts Sky Deck cafe, the cashier filled up a to-go cup and slid the lid-less drink across the take-out window counter directly to the child, according to the lawsuit. The five-year-old picked up the beverage and tried to drink it, but it was allegedly too hot. The Burns family said the beverage was served at an excessively and unnecessarily hot temperature. open image in gallery The family of a five-year-old has sued a Lake Tahoe ski resort after 'far too hot' cocoa left the child with severe burns, according to a lawsuit ( Getty Images ) According to the lawsuit, the girl ended up spilling the hot chocolate beverage inside her ski suit. The lawsuit said the hot chocolate was far too hot for consumption and dangerous, especially to minors, and claims serving such a beverage to a child is considered conduct that was known, intentional, malicious, and without due care for the likelihood of injury. The hot chocolate caused bad burns down her chest and abdomen, the Burns attorney, Roger Dreyer said, per the San Francisco Chronicle. Dreyer said the girl has permanent scars from the incident. Vail Resorts, which owns Heavenly, told The Independent it was unable to comment on pending litigation. The Independent has also reached out to the familys attorney for comment. The Burns family is seeking compensation for damages, including medical expenses, past and future mental suffering and loss of enjoyment in life. open image in gallery In a similar case, a California delivery driver was awarded $50 million in March 2025 after reportedly being seriously burned by a Starbucks drink that had spilled in his lap in February 2020 ( Getty Images ) In a similar case, a California delivery driver was awarded $50 million in March 2025 after reportedly being seriously burned by a Starbucks drink that had spilled in his lap in February 2020. Michael Garcias lawyers claimed a Starbucks employee didnt secure the drink firmly enough into a cardboard tray at the drive-thru, according to reports. Starbucks reportedly said at the time that it planned to appeal the case. The company said in a statement shared by the media, We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jurys decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought to reaffirm her alliance with President Donald Trump on Thursday after the president this week seemed to complain that Japan was among the nations that did not quickly join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz. Takaichi, who met with Trump at the White House, told the Republican president that Japan has opposed Iran's development of its nuclear program and appealed to his desire to be seen as a peacemaker, despite his launching a war of choice with Iran. She told the U.S. president through an interpreter that in the Middle East and around the world now, there was a very severe security environment, but said, Even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world. The two leaders had warm words for each other, including Trump calling the prime minister a popular, powerful woman, but there appeared to be some tension as they faced repeated questions from reporters about Japan's support for the Iran war. As Trump took questions from reporters during the roughly 30-minute public appearance with the prime minister in the Oval Office before their closed-door meeting, Taikaichi could be seen checking her watch. And then Trump made a particularly uncomfortable remark invoking Japans 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor when he was asked why the U.S. didnt notify allies like Japan ahead of the strikes on Iran. We didnt tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didnt you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK? Trump joked. As Trump said that, Takaichis slight smile appeared to drop, and she raised her eyebrows. Earlier Thursday, the leaders of five European countries and Japan issued a joint statement demanding that Iran stop attacks on the Strait of Hormuz that block commercial shipping, and said they are ready to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure ships can pass safely through the strait, though it is not clear what that entails. Trump told reporters that he and Takaichi would be discussing in their meeting Japans level of support for the U.S. in the Iran war, saying, They are really stepping up to the plate. He did not offer details. He later said that much of the oil Japan relies on passes through the Strait of Hormuz and said, so thats a big reason to step up. He also mentioned U.S. spending in Japan and the number of troops it has stationed there. I expect Japan to step up, you know, because we have that kind of relationship, Trump said. A nuclear reactor deal announcement is e xpected Taikaichis meeting at the White House, followed by a dinner Thursday night, was supposed to give Japans new prime minister a prime opportunity to have Trumps ear before he embarked on a trip to China. But now, the war in Iran and Trumps call for Japan and other nations to help protect the vital Strait of Hormuz means the China trip has been delayed. Trump had repeatedly complained on camera and online this week that U.S. allies, including Japan, did not heed his request to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport. He later declared the help wasnt needed, but made other comments indicating he still expected help. The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expected her meeting with Trump would be very difficult. Beyond facing questions about Iran, Takaichi and Trump on Thursday are expected to announce a $40 billion nuclear reactor deal, according to a White House official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details before the announcement. Under the deal, U.S.-based GE Vernova Inc. and Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. will build advanced small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, the official said. The deal aims to help stabilize electricity prices and expand power generation in the U.S. The meeting carries high stakes Kurt Campbell, the former U.S. deputy secretary of state in the Biden administration and now chair of The Asia Group, said that to press for Japans interests, Takaichi needed to find a way to suggest that Japan is part of the U.S. plan in the Middle East. Shes going to want to come out of that as a partner in this case and realize that if she can do that, that she can translate that potentially into the president listening more to Japanese concerns about Taiwan or other issues, Campbell said. The constraints on Japans involvement in Iran include a provision in its post-World War II constitution that bans the use of force except to defend its territory. The countrys military is called the Self-Defense Force. Christopher Johnstone, a partner and chair of the defense and national security practice at The Asia Group, said Japan could help with minesweeping and has had a small naval presence in the region as part of an anti-piracy mission for at least a decade. But to join the U.S. mission would require Takaichi to clear an exceptionally high bar politically to invoke collective self-defense that has never been done before. Takaichi wanted to focus on trade and security in the Indo-Pacific region Takaichi, who had her first meeting with Trump in October in Tokyo, is Japans first female prime minister and a protege of former leader Shinzo Abe, who developed a close relationship with Trump. She is also a hard-line conservative and longtime supporter of Taiwan whose comments about Japans willingness to provide military support to the island have heightened tensions with China. Ahead of her meeting with Trump, Takaichi had sought to focus on trade, strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship and security concerns. Japanese officials said the two sides would work to deepen cooperation in regional security, critical minerals, energy and dealing with China. China views self-governed Taiwan, which the U.S. relies on for its production of computer chips, as its sovereign territory and has said it would take it by force if needed. But beyond questions about helping with the Strait of Hormuz, the global implications of the Iran war have also put the Japanese leader in a tougher spot with Trump as she seeks to ensure U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. Japan considers China a growing security threat and has pushed a military buildup on southwestern islands near the East China Sea. But the U.S. has shifted some troops stationed in Japan to the Middle East, removing a check against Chinas power. Takaichi is expected to raise concerns about troop shifts with Trump because they are coming at the same time China is launching a large number of exercises around Taiwan. This raises the prospect that once again the United States will be distracted and bogged down in the Middle East at a time when the deterrence problem in East Asia has never been greater, Johnstone said. ___ Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Attorneys general in eight states and DirecTV have filed lawsuits to block the merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna, arguing that it will lead to higher prices for consumers and stifle journalism. Nexstar said in August that it would buy Tegna for $6.2 billion. If approved by the Trump administration, the deal would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 40 states and the District of Columbia, most of them local affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. The AGs were joined Thursday by DirecTV, which also filed a lawsuit seeking to block the merger. Nexstar's purpose in acquiring Tegna is to drive up the price it can extract from DirecTV and other distributors, which will force them to raise prices to their subscribers, the company said. Nexstar said the deal would allow it to compete more effectively with richer legacy media companies and Big Tech. But in the lawsuit by the states, filed with the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, Calif., the eight Democratic attorneys general argued that it would come with a price. The action was filed by the top lawyers in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia. DirecTV filed a separate case in the same court. Nexstar said the deal would allow it to compete more effectively with richer legacy media companies and Big Tech ( Getty Images ) If this merger moves forward, cable prices will spike for consumers in New York and across the country, said Letitia James, New York attorney general, on Thursday. There was no immediate response to a request for comment from Nexstar. The state lawyers argued the merger would run afoul of federal laws designed to protect against monopolies. It would also require a change in federal rules that limit how many stations that one company can own, although Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has advocated for loosening those restrictions. The merger was endorsed in February by President Donald Trump, who wrote on social media that "we need more competition against THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks. Nexstar flexed its muscles last fall in ordering its ABC stations to yank late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following comments he made about assassinated Republican activist Charlie Kirk, briefly leading to Kimmel's suspension. But ABC brought Kimmel back following an outcry, and Nexstar backed down. Given Nexstar's tendency to consolidate newsrooms in communities where it owns more than one station, both lawsuits expressed concern that the merger would hurt the already-struggling local news business. There are 31 markets across the country where Nexstar and Tegna own at least one station, according to the lawsuit. We all benefit when local newsrooms compete to get stories, James said. The attorneys general said they were open to having other states support their actions even those whose chief legal officials are Republicans. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two parents in the affluent community of Rancho Santa Fe have been cited after their 16-year-old daughter hosted a party that drew hundreds of people and required a multi-agency police response to disperse, authorities said. The San Diego County Sheriffs Department in California was alerted to the gathering shortly after 8 p.m. March 14. According to a news release from the department, the resident who called for help advised that the party was out of control and requested assistance in removing the attendees. Deputies found "several hundred people" both inside the property and crowded around the main gate, the release stated. The crowd consisted of adults and minors, police said. Social media posts show crowds of young people swarming the streets in the neighborhood for the party. One Instagram video claims there were more than 1,000 teens present in it, one partygoer is heard saying, theyre trying to get us out, as police arrive. When a majority of the group initially refused to leave, deputies called for emergency reinforcement. Officers from the San Diego Police Department, the North Coastal Sheriffs Station and the California Highway Patrol arrived within minutes to help in clearing the area. Photos from the scene of large house party in California where over 100 teens attended. Two adults were charged in connection to the event ( Citizen app ) During the dispersal, authorities temporarily shut down a section of the road to prevent traffic collisions. At one point during the night, fireworks were set off, though officials confirmed there were no reports of property damage or physical injuries. It took approximately two hours to fully clear the gathering. Following an investigation, deputies determined that the parents had permitted their teenage daughter to host the event. There were minors consuming alcohol at home, the Sheriff's Department stated. The two adults were arrested for violating San Diego Countys social host ordinance, a misdemeanor. They were issued citations and released. The case is being submitted to the San Diego District Attorney's Office for prosecution, Lt. Colin Hebeler told The Independent. There are no further developments. Under local law, violators face fines of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, liability for the costs of law enforcement services and potential civil liability for any injuries caused by a minor who was served at the event. The incident highlights a growing trend of "pay-to-enter" parties promoted via social media. A flyer for the event circulated online ahead of time, promising "hundreds expected" and "strict security," according to a report from NBC 7 San Diego. While online speculation and the promotional flyer suggested the party was being held at a nearby vacant luxury estate listed for $16 million, the propertys Realtor told NBC 7 San Diego that the gathering did not take place at the listing, but at a neighboring home. The San Diego Police Department has noted that detectives are actively watching social media accounts for future gatherings. Lt. Cesar Jimenez told NBC 7 San Diego that "detectives are monitoring social media, especially when we know that theres one social media page thats putting out all the parties," though he noted that organizers frequently change their account handles to avoid detection. The Sheriff's Department is asking anyone with further information regarding the incident to contact the Poway Sheriff's Station. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Black employee at a Tyson Foods plant in Virginia claims he was subjected to racial discrimination so horrific, the 62-year-old mechanic lived in fear of leaving work each day, fearing [he] would be followed and killed by his white colleagues, according to court documents reviewed by The Independent. In a federal civil rights lawsuit filed Monday, Alvin Clark the only Black worker on his team says the bigotry eventually got so bad, he began staying in area hotels rather than his own home, so that he was not located by Tyson employees and murdered. Among other things, Clarks complaint contends he was passed over multiple times for a more desirable position because, he was allegedly told by white higher-ups, Aint no [n-word] getting the job, that a supervisor hung a noose in front of him, that a group of managers pulled knives and vowed to castrate him, and that he survived an attempted shooting by one of his shift leaders only because the mans gun jammed. Clarks white managers laughed and did nothing, according to the complaint. And when Matthew Reeves, a white coworker, tried to put a halt to the abuse, the complaint says supervision threatened to have him raped by a man on the cleaning crew. When Mr. Reeves requested that the harassment stop, and reiterated Bible scripture, Tysons leadership repeated the threat, the complaint states. The two were fired. Clarks harassers remain on the job, according to the complaint. Reeves has filed a companion suit alongside Clarks. open image in gallery A newly filed federal lawsuit lays out allegations of egregious bigotry at a Tyson Foods chicken processing plant in Virginia ( Getty Images ) Attorney Brittany Haddox, who is representing both Clark and Reeves, said on Wednesday that both of them are fairly fragile from everything they went through. What happened to Mr. Clark and Mr. Reeves is some of the worst treatment I have seen in the workplace, Haddox told The Independent, adding that other employees have confirmed the pairs claims and plan to testify in court about what they witnessed. I thought I lived in a time when I would never have to represent someone who went through what Mr. Clark and Mr. Reeves have endured, Haddox said. I was wrong. But as Nelson Mandela said, No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. I look forward to the moment when seven jury members from our community teach the management at Tyson how to do just that and restore the dignity that Mr. Clark and Mr. Reeves deserve as hardworking Americans. In an email, a spokesperson for Tyson, the world's second-largest processor of chicken, beef, and pork, said, Tyson Foods takes any allegation involving team member safety seriously. We have zero tolerance for racism, harassment or retaliation in our workplace and are committed to fostering a respectful environment for our team members. Clark began working at Tysons Ringgold, Virginia, chicken processing plant in July 2024, as a maintenance mechanic, according to his complaint, which was filed March 16 in Lynchburg federal court. It says he has an associates degree in electrical technology, significant workplace experience in the field, and was the only Black employee on his shift. When an HVAC job opened up, Clark expressed interest in the role, the complaint continues. However, Tysons white leadership told Clark that he would not get the promotion, despite being the most qualified, because he is a [n-word], according to the complaint. When an electrical technician position later became available, Clark applied for it, the complaint states. But, the complaint adds, the job was given to an outside hire, who was white. open image in gallery The Tyson Foods processing plant in Ringgold, Virginia, where Alvin Clark allegedly endured shocking racist abuse on the job ( Google Maps ) The new hire quit within a week, and Clark applied again, according to the complaint. Yet, this time, he was told he would have to take a test to be considered something no one else was required to do, it says. Clark took the exam and passed it, only to be told by an unnamed supervisor, [A]int no [n-word] getting the job, the complaint alleges. From there, things grew steadily worse for Clark, according to the complaint. At one point, white managers at Tyson physically pulled knives out in the plant and told Mr. Clark that they were going to cut [his] b***s off, allegedly saying they were going to do [him] just like Paul Deshazo, the complaint contends. Paul Deshazo, it explains, was a Black man who worked at the local post office and was killed in 1990 by a white man who cut off Deshazos penis, put it in Deshazos mouth and fatally shot him. White supervisors at Tyson also told Clark they would hang him from the plants ceiling, and wrapped a forklift strap in the shape of a noose as Clark looked on, the complaint states. A white shift lead pulled a gun on Clark and threatened him, according to the complaint, which says a supervisor who saw it happen did nothing to stop it, instead laughing about it and encouraging the horrifying harassment to continue. The one person who took Clarks side was Reeves, who insisted Clarks tormentors leave him alone, according to the complaint. In response, it says white managers called Reeves a [n-word] lover, and told him that he was not Mr. Clarks kind. Reeves, a born-again Christian, quoted religious scripture in an appeal for them to stop, the complaint asserts. That, it alleges, prompted one of the higher-ups to point to a large Black male employee on the cleaning crew, telling Mr. Reeves that the man would have his way and rape Mr. Reeves all night long. Reeves again quoted the Bible, and the supervisor simply reiterated his threat, according to the complaint. open image in gallery Tyson Foods, the world's second-largest processor of chicken, beef, and pork, is accused of allowing shocking bigotry at a Virginia plant ( Getty Images ) Clark also appealed to his harassers, to no avail. The complaint says the egregious behavior continued apace, culminating with one of the shift leads nearly ending Clarks life when he pulled a loaded gun on Mr. Clark and Mr. Reeves in Tysons parking lot and attempted to shoot Mr. Clark, but the gun jammed. The two subsequently feared leaving work each day, expecting to be shot and killed at any time, according to the complaint. Since managers told Clark they knew where he lived, he began staying in local hotels rather than going home, it says. This horrific discrimination and retaliation persisted for months, the complaint alleges. Desperate, Clark asked one of the main culprits what he had against Black people, according to the complaint. I just dont like [n-words], I just dont, the response allegedly came. Clark and Reeves were also forced to work in unsafe conditions, being ordered to reassemble food production machines after cleaning, but before the toxic chemicals used to clean them had dissipated, the complaint states. During one such occasion, Clark was handling a heavy steel pipe which was slippery from having been covered in cleaning solution when it fell and broke his nose. Bleeding profusely, Clark told his boss he needed to go to the emergency room, but was instructed, Just go back to work, according to the complaint. Another time, a bulky gearbox fell on Reeves, pinning him against a railing and impeding his ability to breathe, the complaint states. Mr. Clark was the only individual who helped Mr. Reeves escape; when [their supervisor] was notified immediately thereafter, he could not bother himself to even stop scrolling on his phone, it contends. On March 14, 2025, Clark and Reeves called Tysons centralized ethics and compliance hotline about what was happening, according to the complaint. Four days later, they were suspended pending further investigation over having purportedly taken a very short lunch break without first clocking out something the complaint says was done frequently by others, and in no way an attempt to steal time from the company. Less than two weeks after that, Clark and Reeves who had both been stellar employees, according to the complaint were fired. However, it says, their harassers are still employed by Tyson. Clark and Reeves are both suing Tyson for violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits race-based discrimination, along with violations of the Virginia Human Rights Act. They are seeking compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, punitive damages, and liquidated damages to be determined by a jury, as well as back pay and benefits and/or reinstatement, plus attorneys fees and court costs. I have no doubt Tyson will claim, until they no longer can, that such unspeakable acts did not happen under their roof, Haddox told The Independent, but the truth will bear out in the end. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The U.S. government registered the domain name Aliens.gov a month after President Donald Trump promised to release all federal files on UFOs and supposed extraterrestrial sightings. The new registration by the Executive Office of the President was first spotted by a BlueSky bot that monitors federal domains, according to 404 Media, but no website exists at the address yet. Former president Barack Obama caused a stir in February when he appeared on the No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen podcast and appeared to admit the existence of little green men. Theyre real, but I havent seen them, and theyre not being kept in what is it? Theres no underground facility, unless theres this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States, Obama said. open image in gallery Former president Barack Obama caused excitement in February when he said during a podcast appearance that he believes extraterrestrials are real but admitted he had never seen one ( Getty ) When the answer attracted huge attention from obsessives online, 44 was moved to elaborate on Instagram, saying: I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since its gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good theres life out there. But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances weve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. His walkback was met with scepticism; however, one commentator urged Obama: Blink twice if the aliens made you say this. Trump then weighed in on the furore from Air Force One a few days later, commenting on his predecessor: He took it out of classified information... Hes not supposed to be doing that. He made a big mistake. I dont have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it Well, maybe Ill get him out of trouble. I may get him out of trouble by declassifying. open image in gallery President Donald Trump said Obama had made a big mistake by his admission but ultimately moved to order the declassification of the governments files on UFOs ( Getty ) The president subsequently announced his intention to do precisely that on Truth Social, writing: Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters. GOD BLESS AMERICA! Despite Trumps claim that he never talks about UFOs, he has frequently been asked about them and has often obliged with a receptive response. While campaigning for his return to the White House in July 2024, he told influencer Logan Paul that he was not a believer. Probably I cant say I am, he added. But I have met with people that are serious people that say theres some really strange things that they see flying around out there. Two months later, Lex Fridman, another podcaster, asked whether he would publish any previously withheld UAP footage as president. open image in gallery A satellite image of an unidentified flying object, the subject of ongoing fascination to millions of stargazers around the world ( Getty ) Ill do that, Trump promised. I would do that. Id love to do that. I have to do that. Then, in October, he told Joe Rogan that aliens have never been my thing. But, he conceded, Theres no reason not to think that Mars and all these planets dont have life. Trump subsequently appointed billionaire donor and would-be Mars colonizer Elon Musk to his administration as a senior adviser. Congress has meanwhile held a number of hearings on UFOs in recent years in the interest of full transparency and in the hope of dispelling conspiracy theories amid widespread public interest. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Mary Rose Wilcox and her husband marched and fasted alongside Cesar Chavez. They helped him open a radio station in Phoenix and plastered their Mexican restaurant with photos and a mural of the widely admired Latino icon. So when Wilcox's daughter called this week to inform them of sexual abuse allegations leveled against Chavez, she said it felt like a punch to the gut. By Wednesday morning, the couple had taken down Chavez's photos from their restaurant walls and made plans to cover the mural. We love Cesar Chavez. But we cannot honor him and we cannot even love him anymore, said the former Phoenix City Council member. Many like Wilcox are working to reconcile the legacy of a man who fought tirelessly for the rights of farmworkers with stunning allegations that he sexually abused girls and the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America union, Dolores Huerta. Latino leaders and community groups quickly condemned the alleged abuse by Chavez but emphasized that the farmworker movement was never just about a single man. Chavez died in California in 1993 at age 66. open image in gallery Latino leaders and community groups quickly condemned the alleged abuse by Chavez ( AP ) There were calls to alter memorials honoring the man who in the 1960s helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers and has been long revered by many Democratic leaders in the U.S. The California Museum said it will remove Chavez from the state's Hall of Fame something it's never done before. Some local and state leaders in both parties urged their communities not to celebrate Chavez's birthday on March 31, and to rename buildings and streets named for him. Celebrations of Chavez in Texas and in his home state of Arizona have been canceled at the request of the Cesar Chavez Foundation. In California, legislative leaders announced Thursday they are going to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day in light of the allegations. California was the first state to designate Chavezs birthday as a day to honor the civil rights leader nearly 30 years ago. In 2000, the Legislature passed a bill to make it an official paid day off for state employees and require the state to start teaching students about his legacy and his involvement in the labor movement in California. Many other California workers are given the day off. Dolores Huerta stamped her own legacy on the fight for justice Huerta, who is a labor rights legend in her own right, said in a statement released Wednesday that she stayed silent for 60 years for fear her words could hurt the farmworker movement. She said she did not know Chavez had hurt other women. Huerta described two sexual encounters with Chavez; one in which she was manipulated and pressured and another when she was forced against my will. She said both led to pregnancies, which she kept secret, and that she arranged for the children to be raised by other families. She joined Chavez in 1962 to co-found the National Farm Workers Association, which became the United Farm Workers of America. For many, they were akin to Martin Luther King. Jr. and Rosa Parks because of their work advocating for racial equality and civil rights. Huerta's resolve and dedication to civil rights, women's rights and social justice won wide admiration. Some, including a group of Democrats in Texas, are calling for Huertas name to replace Chavezs on places that bear his name. The New York Times first reported Wednesday that it found Chavez groomed and sexually abused young girls who worked in the movement. Huerta, too, revealed to the newspaper that she was a victim of the abuse in her 30s. Some knew about Chavez's abusive behavior, biographer says Chavez is known nationally for his early organizing in the fields, a hunger strike, a grape boycott and eventual victory in getting growers to negotiate with farmworkers for better wages and working conditions. Streets, schools and parks across the Southwest bear Chavezs name. California became the first state to commemorate his birthday, and in 2014, then-President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31 Cesar Chavez Day. President Joe Biden had a bronze bust of Chavez installed in the Oval Office when he moved into the White House. Biden and Obama have not yet commented on the allegations. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was still processing the news. Chavez was full of contradictions even as a union leader, said Miriam Pawel, a California journalist who wrote a biography of him. There was abusive behaviors within the union, but people didnt speak out because they believed the union was the best way to protect farmworkers, she said. For many, many years, for most of those people, even when they saw things that they found disturbing, they did not wanna talk about it, Pawel said. Chavez's family and foundation voice support for the victims Born in Yuma, Arizona, Chavez grew up in a Mexican American family that traveled around California picking lettuce, grapes, cotton and other seasonal crops. Chavezs family said in a statement that they are devastated by the allegations. We wish peace and healing to the survivors and commend their courage to come forward. As a family steeped in the values of equity and justice, we honor the voices of those who feel unheard and who report sexual abuse, the family said. The Cesar Chavez Foundation pledged support for the labor leaders victims, saying with the Chavez familys support the organization will figure out its identity going forward. The United Farm Workers union quickly distanced itself from annual celebrations of its founder, calling the allegations troubling. Wilcox, the former Phoenix council member, said Chavez helped people understand the value of workers at all levels. Theres two things: Chavez the man and Chavez the man who we didnt know, she said. And the one we knew, we knew the good things he did and the things we saw put in place. ... And the one we did not know is like a monster. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trumps top intel officer, Tulsi Gabbard, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe appeared to contradict the White Houses key justification for the war in Iran while testifying Thursday before the House Intelligence Committee. The officials dodged numerous questions about whether Iran was preparing a preemptive strike on the U.S. or if it was close to achieving a nuclear weapon. Gabbard repeatedly testified that Trump was responsible for determining whether Iran posed an imminent threat to the U.S. ahead of launching his war on the country late last month. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe contradicted Trumps claims that the strikes were to spur regime change in Iran. The officials faced similar questions about global threats before the Senate on Wednesday. Here is a recap of the hearing: 11:25 a.m. Open portion of House hearing concludes The open portion of the House Intelligence Committees worldwide threats hearing concluded. The committee is moving to a closed session to question the intelligence officials about classified information. 11:00 a.m. Gabbard admits Iran can still cause trouble in the Strait of Hormuz open image in gallery National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard admitted during the House Intelligence Committee hearing on Thursday that Iran still has the ability to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz ( AP ) Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard admitted Iran still has the capability to threaten ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Their capabilities have been largely degraded, but yes, they still have means to threaten passage to the Strait of Hormuz, Gabbard said, later admitting she didnt know how long Iran could keep the passageway closed. Congressman Steve Cohen then inquired whether President Donald Trump was briefed on if the Strait of Hormuz could be closed. Why would the president not have taken action to strengthen defenses around the Strait of Hormuz? Cohen asked. All I can say is the president ultimately is responsible for making the decisions based on the totality of information and intelligence that he has available to him, Gabbard replied. 10:35 a.m. Dem questions the point of the intelligence community if only Trump determines security threats open image in gallery California Congressman Jimmy Gomez questioned top intelligence officials about their roles if President Donald Trump is who determines what an imminent threat is ( Getty Images ) California Democratic Congressman Jimmy Gomez questioned how top intelligence officials even have a job if President Donald Trump can just ignore what youre doing and decide what he deems to be an imminent threat. Why do you even advise him? Gomez asked the officials. So youre saying that tomorrow, the president of the United States can say that China is an imminent threat no matter what the intelligence says and that he can take his own action? Thats what youre basically saying, Gomez said. 10:30 a.m. Kash Patel dodges question over FBI firings open image in gallery FBI Director Kash Patel faced questioning Thursday about the firings of at least 10 FBI agents who are experts in Iran just before the U.S. launched its war against Iran ( Getty Images ) FBI Director Kash Patel dodged a question over whether FBI staff were fired because they had been investigating President Donald Trumps hoarding of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. The group of about a dozen agents who were let go worked on the probe into classified documents, but were also part of an elite global spy unit that monitors threats from Iran, according to reports. Im asking about whether those people were fired because they were involved in the investigation of document-handling by President Trump, not for behavior issues. Is that your understanding? Pennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan questioned. Patel replied: I cant comment on that because theres pending litigation. You collectively must have been aware when these firings happened that there was a meaningful chance the U.S. might be engaged with a war in Iran and having these very expert, super qualified folks summarily dismissed at this time just feels like an odd choice in timing, Houlahan noted. She later added: Im worried that we are taking really good, really qualified people and picking fights with one another across party lines, rather than making sure we protect ourselves and keep ourselves safe. Patel was questioned again about the agents firings by Congressman Steve Cohen, who directly asked if the FBI agents who were fired were experts on Iran to which Patel replied: I dont think so. They worked in counterintelligence, did they not? Cohen questioned. Im taking you at your word, sir, Patel replied, prompting Cohen to fire back: Youre the director. Im not. You should know the answer. You fired the people, where did they work? 10:15 a.m. CIA Director contradicts Trump and says objective in Iran was not regime change open image in gallery U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (C), Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John Ratcliffe (R), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel (L) testify during a House Select Intelligence Committee hearing on March 19, 2026 ( Getty Images ) CIA Director John Ratcliffe testified Thursday that President Donald Trumps objectives in launching an attack on Iran were not to force regime change. To be clear, the presidents objectives with respect to Operation Epic Fury did not include regime change. That may be different from what Israels objectives were, Ratcliffe told New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer. However, his testimony is at odds with a statement Trump made late last month, immediately after the U.S. launched attacks on Iran. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death, Trump said at the time. He continued: Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations. 9:50 a.m. Gabbard refuses to say whether Iran was planning a preemptive strike against the U.S. open image in gallery Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard appeared before the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday to testify about national security threats as the war in Iran nears its third week ( REUTERS ) While facing questioning on Thursday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard refused to say whether Iran was planning a preemptive attack on the United States. Congressman Andre Carson, a Democrat from Indiana, questioned Gabbard about the evidence of a planned attack before the war, adding, I ask this because 13 service members have been killed in Trumps war, including Captain Seth Koval, a husband and a dad from my state of Indiana and my constituents want answers. Congressman, the answer to this question needs to be reserved for a closed hearing. I will say, however, the intelligence community does provide the assessments of the threats that exist to the president so he can make that determination... Gabbard continued before telling Carson that Trump is responsible for determining what classifies as an imminent threat. Congressman Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, later questioned Gabbard about whether assessments were made about the timing of potential threats to the U.S. Im sure there were timelines factored into the intelligence assessments that were delivered, Gabbard said. When pressed further on whether any of the timelines showed imminence, Gabbard replied, The imminent nature of a threat is determined by the president based on a totality of the intelligence and information provided to him. Gabbard declined to say whether any intelligence showed that an attack on the U.S. from Iran was imminent in the 90 days leading up to when the U.S. launched its first attack. Crow later cut the National Intelligence Director off, telling her, The bottom line is there was no imminent threat, and you know that, and theres no product that shows that. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Corey Lewandowski, the top aide of outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, sought payments from companies seeking contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, according to a report. Lewandowski, who is also expected to leave DHS this month after President Donald Trump fired Noem, had multiple tense meetings with George Zoley, the founder of the private prison company GEO Group, sources told NBC News. GEO Group stood to benefit from Trumps hardline deportation agenda, but saw its government contracts shrink after Zoley and Lewandowski disagreed about the latter receiving payments in exchange for growing GEOs contracts, which already totaled over $1 billion per year. Zoley rejected Lewandowskis bid to be paid based on the companys new or renewed contracts with DHS twice, according to the report. But Lewandowski, who served as Noems de facto chief of staff, wanted payments what some people would call a success fee, one of the sources said. open image in gallery Corey Lewandowski called the report absolutely false ( Getty ) In the months that followed, the length of two of GEO Groups federal contracts shrank. Company leaders believe the lesser contracts were the result of their not agreeing to Lewandowskis solicitations, a source said. Within weeks of Lewandowskis second meeting with Zoley, Lewandowski told a senior DHS official not to award any more contracts to GEO Group, the official told NBC. Lewandowski has previously denied making money off any DHS contracts, and denied the allegations in a statement a spokesperson provided to NBC. This is absolutely false and did not happen Mr. Lewandowski never demanded any payment or compensation from the Geo Group, at any time, the spokesperson said. Lewandowski had already been facing criticism over his outsized role as a special government employee at DHS. Noem was questioned about both her and Lewandowskis role in government contracts during a congressional hearing earlier this month. open image in gallery Noem was questioned about her and Lewandowskis role in government contracts during a congressional hearing earlier this month ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) While testifying, Noem claimed Trump had signed off on a $220 million ad campaign that featured her on a horse in front of Mount Rushmore. The president later told Reuters, I didnt know anything about that, and later fired Noem. Lewandowski, who has technically been working as an unpaid government employee under Trump, has been within the presidents orbit for over a decade. He worked as a chief aide during Trumps 2016 campaign and was arrested for grabbing the arm of a female reporter during a press conference. Those charges were later dropped. There have been allegations that Noem and Lewandowski, both of whom are married, are romantically linked. However, when asked at a House Judiciary Committee hearing if she ever had sexual relations with Lewandowski, Noem accused lawmakers of spreading tabloid garbage. Mr. Chairman, I am shocked we are going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today, she said last Wednesday, which was also attended by her husband Bryon Noem. However, according to the Wall Street Journal, "officials have said they do little to hide their relationship inside the department. It went on: "The pair have lately been using a luxury 737 MAX jet, with a private cabin in back, for their travel around the country." The Independent has contacted DHS for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A series of "unidentified" drones have been spotted hovering over the Washington D.C. military base where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth live, prompting the U.S. government to consider relocating them. The military is closely monitoring potential threats to senior government figures amid the Trump administration's war on Iran, but according to a Washington Post report, the origin of the drones that have breached the airspace above Fort Lesley J. McNair remains a mystery. The newspaper spoke to three people briefed on the matter, who, on condition of anonymity, said multiple sightings occurred on a single night within the past 10 days, prompting an immediate security review and a White House meeting on how to respond. The incidents come at a moment of heightened alert as the U.S. and Israel continue striking Iran and the drone activity over McNair coincides with a broader tightening of security across the U.S. military. open image in gallery Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth both live on the McNair Army base in Washington D.C. ( AFP/Getty ) Several domestic bases have raised their forceprotection levels to "Charlie, a designation used when commanders have intelligence indicating a possible attack. Joint Base McGuireDixLakehurst in New Jersey and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida home to U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations against Iran were both escalated to Charlie this week. MacDill has faced two separate security scares in recent days: a suspicious package that shut down its visitors center for hours on Monday, and an unspecified incident on Wednesday that forced a shelterinplace order across the installation. The only higher designation than Charlie is "Delta", which means that an attack is imminent or has occurred. To ensure the safety and security of our people and the mission, commanders adjust their installations security posture in accordance with local threat assessments, an Air Force spokesperson said. The State Department, meanwhile, has ordered all U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide to conduct immediate security evaluations, citing the ongoing and developing situation in the Middle East and the potential for spillover effects, according to The Post report. The presence of drones over Fort McNair was serious enough that officials have discussed relocating Rubio and Hegseth, two of the paper's sources said. However, a senior administration official said the secretaries have not moved. Their residence on the base unusual for political leaders was publicly reported last October. open image in gallery The National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair on Greenleaf Point in Washington D.C. ( Getty Images ) Fort McNair is home to the National Defense University and some of the Pentagons most senior officers. Its location near Capitol Hill and the White House makes it geographically convenient, but it does not have as strong a safety buffer zone as other bases around Washington. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said: The department cannot comment on the secretarys movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible." The mystery drones echo earlier episodes in which U.S. officials suspected Iranian operatives of probing or targeting senior American leaders. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Secret Service agents protecting Donald Trump repeatedly encountered unidentified drones including during a Los Angeles news conference and a motorcade through rural Pennsylvania. While investigators never linked Iran to those specific incidents, they could not rule out a connection. Iranian threats against former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton both of whom Tehran blamed for the 2020 killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani led the Biden administration to extend their government security protection. Trump rescinded those protections in 2025. The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sen. John Fetterman rebuked Gavin Newsom, a fellow Democrat, over a tweet mocking conservative personality Nick Shirley over his claims about millions of dollars of fraud in California. Shirleys latest film, I Exposed Californias Billion Dollar Fraud Crisis, alleges that operators of daycare centers, hospices, and nursing homes in California are engaged in widespread fraud, billing the state for services they are not providing. Responding, Gov. Newsom posted an AI image of a pallid, ghoulish-looking Shirley on his press office account on X (Twitter), in which the subject is seen leering in the doorway of a kindergarten, festooned with cameras, and asking a teacher: Hey, can I see your kids? open image in gallery Nick Shirley being interviewed by Trace Gallagher on Fox News Wednesday March 18, 2026 ( Fox News ) open image in gallery California Gov. Gavin Newsom's tweet mocking conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley over his new film alleging widespread fraud in the Golden State ( GovPressOffice/X ) While Democrats have largely cheered the governors efforts to satirize President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement online over the last year, Sen. Fetterman expressed offense at the Shirley caricature. Why cant you celebrate any journalist or any activist doing that? he asked during a Wednesday interview with David Friedberg for the All-In podcast. And Governor Newsom put out a disgusting video implying that hes a pedophile or hes that Why? Thats kind of a smear. You want to disagree, but to imply that someone in one of the most gross kinds of terms like that its like, hey, shouldnt we agree, eliminate all the waste? If it exists under my purview lets eliminate it, lets call that what it is. Fetterman continued: You should be angry. Fraud can happen on both sides, but when its identified, I dont care if its in a Democratic state. We should all just acknowledge maybe there is a problem here. The senator, who represents a crucial swing state, has emerged as a wildcard since the second Trump administration began, raising eyebrows by reaching across the aisle to approve some of the presidents more contentious Cabinet nominees and joining Truth Social as part of a pitch to fund common ground with MAGA voters. open image in gallery Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman interviewed by David Friedberg on the All-In Podcast Wednesday March 18, 2026 ( All-In Podcast/YouTube ) Speaking to Trace Gallagher on Fox News Wednesday, Shirley himself sporting a Where Did My Tax $$$ Go? hoodie said: Its really bad, it could be in the billions, in the hundreds of billions, it could be 500 billion, who really knows how bad the fraud is? Gallagher attacked Newsom for responding to the concerns raised by Shirley with memes, while the latter said, The governor of California is an enemy to the people of California. Hes literally working to support the fraudsters; meanwhile, he could be working to expose the fraud. I mean, how stupid do you have to be to say, OK, lets go after the guy whos exposing the fraud, lets not go after the fraudsters. That is what hes doing. He continued: These tax dollars dont say right or left on them. They dont say Republican or Democrat. Each tax dollar is a dollar for the American people and when they go in and steal these dollars from us, theyre not robbing, theyre not robbing the liberal Democrat in California, theyre robbing everyone. And then the governor gets mad at the person exposing the fraud? How crazy do you have to be to think with that logic? Shirley made waves at the turn of the year when he released a similar video entitled I Investigated Minnesotas Billion Dollar Fraud Scandal, in which he accused the states Somali-American community of misappropriating upwards of $100 million in taxpayer funds by running bogus daycare centers. It was viewed millions of times on YouTube and retweeted by Vice President JD Vance and FBI Director Kash Patel. Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem duly announced that agents from her department were conducting door-to-door raids in response to the report, a step that proved to be a prelude to the disastrous Operation Metro Surge. The swarm of federal immigration agents into Minneapolis attracted fierce protests that ultimately saw two local activists shot dead in January, causing a public outcry, the mission to be wound down, and, ultimately, Noem to be removed as secretary earlier this month. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 22-year-old woman was five months pregnant when she arrived on a deportation flight to Honduras. She said she never had a chance to tell Immigration and Customs Enforcement about her two-year-old daughter she was forced to leave behind. They didnt ask me anything, she said, according to a new report from the Womens Refugee Commission and Physicians for Human Rights. They didnt talk to me, only to yell at me, to humiliate. Immigration officers also never asked a 27-year-old woman arrested at a traffic light about her children, let alone whether she could bring her 11-year-old son with her when she was deported, she said. ICE has failed to follow its own policies requiring officers to ask people they arrest about their children to ensure they have an opportunity to decide what happens to them when theyre deported, according to the report. The devastating human cost of those alleged policy failures has left children left behind without warning, while pregnant women and postpartum mothers are denied adequate medical care, according to Zain Lakhani, director of migrant rights and justice for the Womens Refugee Commission. open image in gallery ICE has failed to follow its own policies requiring officers to ask parents about their children to ensure they have an opportunity to decide what happens to them when theyre deported, researchers say ( Getty Images ) Donald Trumps administration revised Biden-era guidelines for detained parents last summer, making one critical change that has radically shifted how ICE handles families. Deported parents previously could decide whether they wanted their children to join them. Now, ICE will only support those arrangements if they are operationally feasible. But ICE is still required to ask anyone they arrest if they have children and must allow those parents to decide what happens to their children if they are deported, even if they are not required to help facilitate choice, according to the report. As ICE arrests a growing number of immigrant families, advocates say the administration is relying on apparent threats of family separation to force them to drop their immigration cases and leave the country voluntarily. The Womens Refugee Commission and Physicians for Human Rights interviewed newly deported parents in Honduras over five days in November, as well as physicians and staff at a reception center that has cared for hundreds of recent deportees. Across dozens of interviews, parents said they were arrested without being asked if they had children or if their children were safe. More than half of the parents said ICE never asked about their children at any point during their arrest, detention or removal. Some parents said they werent allowed to speak when they tried to volunteer that information, or were ignored entirely. Parents are then left to scramble to make short-term care arrangements for their children, exposing them to potentially vulnerable or dangerous situations. One mother of four, whose husband had also been deported, reported that her children were left on their own until their grandmother could travel to another state to get them. A father who was arrested while leaving his house told the arresting agents that his three-year-old daughter was in the house with a babysitter. They just kept yelling at me to get on the ground, he reported. I tried to get away but they threw me to the ground and wouldnt let me say anything. They beat me really badly. The babysitter stayed with his daughter for 11 days, he said. open image in gallery Across dozens of interviews, newly deported parents in Honduras said they were arrested without being asked if they had children or if their children were safe ( Getty ) Others were forced out of the country with their U.S. children who they had hoped to stay behind to continue receiving life-saving medical care that they could not get in their home countries. Physicians reported one child who was deported midway through a series of surgeries for a severe form of spina bifida and another child who was receiving essential post-operative care after having a kidney removed due to cancer. It is unconscionable that the U.S. government is inflicting these abuses once again on families, even after the well-documented harms caused by separations under the first Trump administrations zero tolerance policy, according to Dr. Michele Heisler, medical director at Physicians for Human Rights and professor of internal medicine and public health at University of Michigan. open image in gallery Parents deported to Honduras say they were left to scramble to make short-term care arrangements for their children or forced to leave them behind ( Melanie Nezer/WRC ) The Trump administrations alleged policy failures have also been devastating to pregnant and postpartum immigrants, who have been detained and deported without adequate medical care and separated from their infants, according to the report. There were 121 pregnant, postpartum and nursing women in ICE detention as of February 16, according to information from Homeland Security provided to Democratic Sen. Patty Murray. ICE has deported 363 pregnant, postpartum or nursing women between January 1, 2025 and February 16. Researchers in Honduras encountered three women who were visibly pregnant and four women with children less than one year old. All four postpartum women had been separated from their babies, including one infant as young as two months old. Many women arrived in acute emotional distress, including uncontrollable crying and visible panic, according to the report. Many had had no contact with their children or their caregivers for days or weeks. One medical worker described a 25 year-old woman who was approximately 13 weeks pregnant who began bleeding after her arrest. She did not receive any medical attention from ICE and was deported while still actively bleeding, according to the report. She arrived in Honduras in an emergency condition and had to be transferred immediately to hospital care. In another case reported by medical workers, a 40 year-old woman was deported without receiving medical care for almost two weeks after experiencing a missed miscarriage, in which a fetus remains inside the uterus over a miscarriage, carrying a high risk of infection and potentially life-threatening complications. She was deported 10 days after her diagnosis and received no care while in custody, according to the report.She was immediately hospitalized when she arrived in Honduras. One woman said she was handcuffed by ICE while seeing a gynecologist, like I was a criminal, she told researchers. open image in gallery A 12 year-old deportee in Honduras said she drew the character Sadness from the Pixar film Inside Out because it was the feeling she had the most ( Diana Florez/WRC ) Pregnant and postpartum women frequently arrived in Honduras without any clinical records or other medical information, making it difficult to determine what care, if any, they received while in custody. The main problem is the lack of information received about pregnant patients, one doctor in Honduras told researchers. There is no clarity about examinations, check-ups, or medical history. The authorities only provide a sheet with general information. A spokesperson from Homeland Security noted that pregnancy in ICE detention is exceedingly rare. There have been no births in ICE custody under the Trump administration. Pregnant women receive regular prenatal visits, mental health services, nutritional support, and accommodations aligned with community standards of care, a spokesperson told The Independent. DHS has repeatedly defended the level of care provided to immigrants in custody, calling it the best healthcare many of these individuals have received in their entire lives. In addition to medical, mental health, and dental services provided to all detained women as required by ICE detention standards, facilities provide women with pregnancy services such as pregnancy testing, routine or specialized prenatal care, postpartum follow-up, and nursing services, the spokesperson said. Pregnant deportees are evaluated and medically cleared for travel before removal, and ICE will provide them with medical record upon request, according to the spokesperson. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A U.S. fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing in the Middle East after it was reportedly struck by Iranian fire. "We are aware of reports that a U.S. F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing at a regional U.S airbase after flying a combat mission over Iran, Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, told The Independent. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition, Hawkins added. This incident is under investigation." The jet is believed to have been hit by Iranian fire, two unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter told CNN. The attack would mark the first time Iranian forces have struck an American aircraft since the war broke out late last month. U.S. and Israeli forces are both flying F-35 jets which cost more than $100 million in the region. open image in gallery A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing in the Middle East after it was reportedly struck by Iranian fire. Pictured here is a US Air Force F-35A fighter jet flying over Puerto Rico in December ( AFP via Getty Images ) The emergency landing comes one week after a U.S. refueling tanker crashed while flying in friendly airspace over Iraq, killing all six crew members. Two aircraft were involved in the incident, which may have entailed a midair collision, according to The New York Times. It remains under investigation. Trump administration officials have repeatedly claimed that the U.S. is winning the war, launched jointly by Israel and the U.S. on February 28, and that Iran is virtually powerless to respond. Iran has no air defenses, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters last week. Iran has no air force. Iran has no Navy. Their missiles, their missile launchers and drones being destroyed or shot out of the sky. The war, now in its third week, has engulfed the broader region, with strikes reported in Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other nearby nations. On Thursday, Hegseth said that the U.S. had struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran. At least 1,200 Iranians have been killed and more than 10,000 have been wounded, according to Iranian officials. Thirteen U.S. service members have died, and over 140 have been injured, the Pentagon has said. The conflict has also sparked fears of global economic turmoil, as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz a vital artery of international trade has ground to a halt. As a result, oil prices have shot up, surpassing the $100-a-barrel milestone on multiple occasions in recent weeks. And the average cost of a gallon of diesel surged past $5 this week. open image in gallery The US has struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran, Hegseth said on Thursday. Pictured here, smoke and flames are seen rising over Tehran after airstrikes rocked the city ( Getty ) The war shows no signs of abating, as U.S. airstrikes intensify and additional Marines and warships are deployed to the Middle East. Last week, Trump told Fox News that the conflict will end when I feel it in my bones. Capitol Hill is largely divided over the conflict. Democrats have described it as illegal, reckless and a blatant violation of Trumps campaign promise to be the candidate of peace. Republicans have largely backed the president, though some have privately expressed reservations. Polls show that most Americans are opposed to the war. Fifty-three percent of voters are against military action against Iran, according to a Quinnipiac survey released on March 9. And just one in four Americans said they support strikes against Iran, according to an earlier Ipsos poll. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Trumps former counterterrorism chief claims that he was blocked from investigating the assassination of influencer Charlie Kirk. Joe Kent publicly announced his resignation as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center on March 17, stating that he cannot in good conscience support the U.S.s war with Iran. Kirk was shot dead during a public appearance in Utah on September 10, 2025. A day after his resignation, Kent appeared on The Tucker Carlson Show, where he claimed that his investigation into the killing was blocked. But the investigation that I was a part of, the National Counterterrorism Center was a part of, we were stopped from continuing to investigate," he said open image in gallery Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, says that he was blocked from investigating Charlie Kirk's death ( The Tucker Carlson Show ) Kent told Carlson that unanswered questions remain after the shooting, including claims that Kirk was under a lot of pressure from a lot of pro-Israel donors. According to Kent, the FBI wanted to turn everything over to the Utah state authorities. In his letter announcing his exit from the Trump administration, he went on to allege that the Islamic Republic presented no imminent threat to our nation. Kent also said that Kirk, a key MAGA figure, advocated heavily against a war with Iran. During the interview, Kent also lifted the lid on his final conversation with Kirk. According to him, their last encounter was in the White Houses West Wing. open image in gallery Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September 2025, allegedly urged President Trump not to go to war with Iran ( Getty Images ) And he said, Joe, stop us from getting into a war with Iran very loudly, Kent claimed. And he walked off and he went, I believe, into the Oval. So when one of President Trumps closest advisors, who is vocally advocating for us to not go to war with Iran and for us to rethink, at least, our relationship with the Israelis, and then hes suddenly publicly assassinated and were not allowed to ask any questions about that, he continued. Its a data point. Kents resignation sent shockwaves through Trumps MAGA coalition, which has become divided on the war with Iran. open image in gallery Joe Kent said that he could not in good conscience support the USs war with Iran ( Getty ) Trumps team was informed of Kents intention to resign ahead of his public declaration, a source told The Washington Post. However, White House aides did not anticipate that he would publish his resignation on government letterhead, a senior administration official told The Wall Street Journal. According to the official, Trumps advisers scrambled to craft a message that downplayed Kents importance in the administration. An investigation into Kent has reportedly been opened by the FBI, four sources told Semafor on Wednesday. The probe pertains to allegations that the former counterterrorism chief mishandled classified information. The sources claimed that the investigation began before he left the administration. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice One day after he resigned in protest of the Iran war, President Donald Trumps former counterterrorism chief, Joe Kent, placed the blame for the conflict squarely on Israel and stated that Tehran was nowhere close to developing a nuclear weapon. The Israelis drove the decision to take this action, which we knew would set off a series of events, meaning the Iranians would retaliate, Kent, who served as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, told Tucker Carlson on Wednesday. The Israeli government felt emboldened that they could launch the war, and that the U.S. would just have to react, he said. Carlson who has described the war as absolutely disgusting and evil asked Kent whether the regime was on the verge of creating a nuclear bomb. No. They weren't three weeks ago when this started, and they weren't in June either, he said, referring to the U.S. militarys June 22 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. He added that the Iranian government has had a fatwa or edict in place since 2004 that bars them from developing a nuclear weapon. We had no intelligence to indicate that fatwa was being disobeyed, he told Carlson, describing the Iranian strategy as actually pretty pragmatic. open image in gallery In a new interview with Tucker Carlson, President Donald Trumps former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent blamed Israel for the war in Iran and stated that Tehran was not on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon ( Getty ) The killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also only served to embolden his hardline supporters, Kent claimed. "I don't think the ayatollah feared dying. Not because he's some crazy lunatic, but because he knew if he was killed the regime would survive, he said. Kent resigned from the administration on Tuesday over his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran in a post on X that quickly went viral, drawing more than 93 million views. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, Kent said. And it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. Kent, an Oregon native who spent 20 years in the U.S. Army, said he supported the policies the president campaigned on but now feels Trump was duped into backing a disastrous decision that echoes the Iraq war. 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, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people, he added. open image in gallery Kent, a 20-year Army veteran, resigned from the administration over his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran ( AP ) His departure which made him the highestranking official to step down over the war in Iran reportedly caught Trumps advisers off guard. But it was swiftly dismissed as inconsequential by the White House. On Tuesday, Trump told reporters that after reading the letter, he realized that its a good thing that hes out. The next day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the episode laughable and insulting and moved to downplay Kents significance. Its been a while since the president has seen him here at the White House, she said. This was an individual who was not involved in any of the discussions pre-operation and throughout this operation. She also rebuffed Kents claim that Iran posed no imminent threat to the U.S. in a lengthy post on X. 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 wrote. At an event in Michigan on Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance told supporters that he knows and likes Kent. But, he said policy disagreements should be set aside once the president has decided on a course of action. Some in MAGA world, though, have expressed fervent support for Kent. Former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene who has staunchly opposed the Iran war characterized him as a GREAT AMERICAN HERO. open image in gallery On Tuesday, Trump told reporters that after reading Kents resignation letter, he realized that its a good thing that hes out ( Reuters ) Kents resignation comes as the war in Iran launched jointly by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 has now stretched into its third week. The conflict has engulfed the broader Middle East region, with strikes reported in Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. At least 1,200 Iranian civilians have died, and more than 10,000 have been injured, according to the countrys health officials. Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed, and more than 140 have been wounded, the Pentagon has said. The war which shows no signs of abating has also sparked fears of global economic upheaval, as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a halt, pushing oil prices above the $100abarrel mark several times in recent weeks. Recent polls indicate that more Americans oppose the conflict in Iran than support it. Fifty-three percent of voters are against the U.S. military action against the Middle East nation, while 40 percent support it, according to a Quinnipiac survey released on March 9. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Democrats on the House Oversight Committee investigating the Jeffrey Epstein scandal stormed out of a behind-closed-doors briefing with Attorney General Pam Bondi Wednesday, describing the experience as infuriating. Bondi, who has also been subpoenaed by the GOP-led panel to take questions under oath on April 14, is reported to have repeatedly answered that she planned to follow the law regarding the deposition, which committee Democrats interpreted as a refusal to commit to appearing. The AG was accompanied by her deputy, Todd Blanche, and the pair defended the Department of Justices handling of the Epstein files, insisting it had been as transparent as possible and that the 3.5 million documents released were the height of the Eiffel Tower, according to Axios. However, the session soon became an unmitigated circus, an insider told CNN, when a shouting match erupted between Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Summer Lee and Republican chairman James Comer. open image in gallery California Rep. Robert Garcia speaks after he and his fellow Democrats walked out of a House Oversight Committee briefing with Attorney General Pam Bondi March 18, 2026 ( Getty ) Lee reportedly complained that Bondi hasnt offered any information about the Epstein investigation and had turned the briefing into a hearing without the cameras. Comer responded by asking the congresswoman, You want me to scoot some chairs around and make a circle, would that make it feel more like a briefing? Are you trying to find information or are you trying to embarrass the attorney general? He then said Lee had wasted three minutes of everybodys time kind of b****ing, sparking the walkout after roughly half an hour. Afterwards, California Rep. Robert Garcia, the committees ranking Democrat, said of Bondi: She refused on multiple occasions to commit to following the subpoena that Chairman Comer actually just put out. I asked her repeatedly that question. Other members asked her that question, and she would not commit to it. It is outrageous. Its infuriating, and its continuous this White House cover up of the Epstein files. But Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett defended the AG, telling reporters: She said shes going to stick to the law, whatever the law is, thats what it is. So, Im not the attorney but that was a legal answer, and thats what shes required to do as the attorney general. It was all staged, you could tell it, because it just built up to it. open image in gallery Attorney General Bondi and her deputy Todd Blanche arrive for the House Oversight Committee briefing at the Capitol ( Getty ) When Bondi herself emerged from the briefing and was asked again about the subpoena, she repeated her familiar refrain: I made it crystal clear, I will follow the law. We were there to answer questions. Its the evening. We came at their convenience. We gave them as, really, as much time as they wanted. We sat there saying, Anything you want to ask us, ask us, anything you want to ask us. As for Comer and Lee, the chairman said, I personally dont see any reason for her to do a deposition. Shes the sitting attorney general. Shes turning over documents. I think the Democrats want to do this to embarrass her. I want to bring in the bad guys for the deposition. I want to bring in the men who have abused women. I want to bring in anyone who is involved in the prosecution and or lack of prosecution, of Epstein-Maxwell and some of these other guys. So thats where I think our time and energy should be spent, he continued. Lee said Bondi had been confrontational and had offered little, as she had expected, explaining that that was why she introduced articles of impeachment against Bondi on Tuesday, accusing her of obstructing justice. Arizona and Michigan Reps. Yassamin Ansari and Rashida Tlaib are co-sponsors of Lees measure, while California Rep. Lateefah Simon emerged from Wednesdays hearing indicating that she too would support it, according to Axios. open image in gallery Kentucky Rep. James Comer speaks after Democrats walked out of his committees briefing ( Getty ) Speaking to the same outlet after the aborted briefing, Virginia Rep. Suhas Subramanyam said of Bondi: She is building a record. She basically set up a fake hearing under the guise of a briefing, she has defied subpoenas that weve put out already and then she has continued to be evasive and combative with us. The committee investigating Epstein has recently held private hearings with Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton and the late billionaires personal lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn as it seeks to plumb the depths of his crimes and deliver justice for the victims. Blanche, meanwhile, was subjected to a surprisingly intense grilling on Epstein on The Katie Miller Podcast Tuesday, taking questions on the circumstances surrounding his suicide in a New York City jail cell in August 2019, the failure to prosecute more of his powerful associates, and even his hypothetical link to the debunked Pizzagate conspiracy theory. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Pentagons own publication, Stars and Stripes, was disinvited from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths latest Iran war press conference - as he continues to clamp down on press coverage. Stars and Stripes was not approved by the Pentagon to attend this press conference. I will be watching it on a screen instead, Matthew Adams, a reporter at the outlet, said in a post on social media. Seems a bit odd since the Pentagon published a memo with changes to the newspaper, including content overhaul. The memo referenced by Adams was a Pentagon missive detailing "new restrictions on content" in the publication that includes a requirement that the outlet abide by "good order and discipline," which is presumably defined by the Department of Defense. Kevin Baron, another Stars and Stripes reporter, was similarly shocked by the development and noted that the publication was set up to have editorial independence, not to be a mouthpiece for the Pentagon. "The Pentagon blackballed its own newspaper from covering its own press conference? Reminder, Stars & Stripes employees are US Army civilians," he wrote. "Their editorial independence is protected by Congress specifically to prevent political leaders from feeding troops propaganda. open image in gallery A U.S. soldier hands out a Stars and Stripes newspaper during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Stars and Stripes, despite being a Department of Defense publication, was disinvited to a press conference held by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on March 19 ( US NAVY/AFP via Getty Images ) Timothy Richardson of PEN America, a freedom of speech advocacy nonprofit, told Stars and Stripes that the new content guidelines were clear signs that the Pentagon was trying to wrangle the outlet to deliver its preferred talking points. This clearly shows that the Pentagon is trying to increase its influence over content decisions at Stars and Stripes, he said. Thats a threat to the First Amendment, certainly, and the independence that Congress has long guaranteed for the newsroom. In January, Sean Parnell, the DOD's chief Pentagon spokesperson, announced that the Trump administration was demanding changes to Stars and Stripes that would "modernize its operations" and "refocus its content away from woke distractions that siphon morale." The memo claims that Stars and Stripes will continue to publish with editorial independence, but must also adhere to the Pentagon's new policies and stop publishing certain critical content. That puts Stars and Stripes in a strange gray zone where every story has to be measured against the Pentagon's vague definition of "good order and discipline." "If they were to complete a story that the Defense Department did not like, and did not find 'consistent with good order and discipline,' would they be in legal jeopardy?" Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin told NPR Saturday. "We don't know the answer to that." Slavin said he only learned about the Pentagon's new policies three days after they were issued, and only because a staffer noticed them on a Department of Defense website. open image in gallery Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth complained about negative coverage of the U.S. war in Iran during a March 19 press conference at the Pentagon ( Reuters ) Stars and Stripes has been generally well-received by both Democrats and Republicans, including President Donald Trump during his first term. During his first term, the Pentagon threatened to shut down the paper, but Trump stopped those efforts. He made a social media post at the time describing Stars and Stripes as a "wonderful source of information to our Great Military!" The crackdown on Stars and Stripes comes at a time when Hegseth and Trump have been more brazen with their demands for positive media coverage as they continue to wage the unpopular war in Iran. Earlier this month, Hegseth held a press conference where he accused the media of twisting the situation in Iran to make the U.S. look bad. Then, on Thursday, Hegseth continued to whine about critical press coverage. "A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing, we know this at this point, to downplay progress, amplify every cost, and call into question every step. Sadly, [Trump derangement syndrome] is in their DNA, he said. Trump went further, saying on Truth Social that media organizations reporting anything he deemed "fake" could be considered "TREASON." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a more than $200 billion funding request to Congress for the war in Iran, according to a new report. Its been nearly three weeks since the U.S, along with Israel, began launching strikes against Iran to dismantle the Iranian regimes security apparatus, according to the U.S. military. President Donald Trump has contentiously claimed Iran posed an imminent threat to Americans due to its nuclear ambitions and development of long-range missiles. But this fight is not free, and the cost of it will come out of the American taxpayers pockets. Pentagon officials are seeking a more than $200 billion bump in defense spending to keep up with its military campaign against Iran, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing a senior Trump administration official. open image in gallery The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a more than $200 billion funding request to Congress for the war in Iran, according to a new report ( Getty Images ) There have been more than 7,800 targets struck, over 8,000 combat flights and more than 120 Iranian vessels damaged or destroyed by the U.S. military in the war so far, according to U.S. Central Command. The Washington Posts sources said the Defense Department has proposed several potential funding requests over the last two weeks. It remains unclear which request the White House will put before lawmakers on Capitol Hill, but some Trump officials dont think the $200 billion proposal will realistically pass in Congress, according to the senior administration official who spoke to The Washington Post. The request would likely need at least 60 votes in the Senate to get past the filibuster. The Independent has reached out to the White House and the Pentagon for comment. open image in gallery The Pentagon had already reportedly spent more than $11.3 billion in the first six days of the Iran war ( AFP via Getty Images ) Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has already said he will not support a $200 billion funding request. I think its chances of passing Congress are slim, maybe slim to none. The reason is very simply it could be misinterpreted as approval of the war, Blumenthal told CNNs Kaitlan Collins Wednesday night. They need to have members of the administration come to the Congress in opening hearings, under oath, talk about the objectives, the strategy [of the war], which right now is confused and chaotic, the senator said. open image in gallery Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has already said he will not support a $200 billion funding request ( Getty Images ) Pentagon officials previously told lawmakers in a private meeting that the first six days of the Iran war had an estimated cost of more than $11.3 billion, several outlets reported at the time. Congress already approved $838.5 billion in defense funding for the 2026 fiscal year, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee. A recent The Economist/YouGov poll found 56 percent of Americans strongly or somewhat disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran, while 36 percent strongly or somewhat approve. Looking across party lines, 92 percent of Democrats disapprove of Trumps military action in Iran, and 81 percent of Republicans approve of it. Most independents, 63 percent, disapprove of the U.S. strikes. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Department of Health and Human Services has opened an investigation into 13 states for coercing doctors to perform abortions. The probe centers on claims that the states violated the Weldon Amendment, the agencys Office for Civil Rights announced on Thursday. The amendment a federal conscience provision bars states receiving federal funding from penalizing health care providers that decline to offer, fund or cover abortion services. OCR launches these investigations to address certain states alleged disregard of, or confusion about, compliance with the Weldon Amendment, Paula Stannard, the OCR director, said in a news release. Under the Weldon Amendment, Stannard said, health care entities, such as health insurance issuers and health plans, are protected from state discrimination for not paying for, or providing coverage of, abortion contrary to conscience. Period. The states under investigation all voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. They are: California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, according to The Hill. open image in gallery Robert F Kennedy Jr's HHS is investigating 13 states for 'coercing' doctors to perform abortions, the agency announced on Thursday ( Getty Images ) An HHS official told the outlet that the probes were not initiated by reports from the states, but they said it was largely, I think, because the prior administration closed complaints. In 2021, former President Joe Bidens HHS withdrew a notice of violation delivered to California during President Donald Trumps first term and closed the complaint which prompted the notice. HHS, at the time, stated that multiple of the organizations in question, including a church and missionary group, could not be defined as a health care entity. An HHS official told The Hill that this decision reflected an unduly narrow reading of the statute. The official said the provision is necessary because of concern over the fact that state and local governments were coercing health care entities both providers as well as health plans and health insurance companies, into covering or providing abortion, despite religious or conscientious objections to those requirements. An agency spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. open image in gallery Most Americans believe abortion should be legal in most or all circumstances, according to a new poll ( Getty ) The newly announced investigations mark the latest effort by the Trump administration to target abortion service providers, following the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order to prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to promote or fund elective abortions. In June, the administration revoked a Biden-era federal directive requiring emergency rooms to provide an abortion when necessary to save a patient's life. Most Americans support abortions being legalized, with 60 percent saying the procedure should be permitted in all or most cases, while 38 percent believe it should be illegal in all or most instances, according to a March survey from the Pew Research Center. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Arkansas restaurant defended its decision to ask Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave its eatery, even after she accused the owner of forcing her out because employees felt threatened. Owners of the Little Rock-based restaurant, The Croissanterie, said they were placed in a difficult position when Sanders made a surprise visit on March 13 with two other women and the Arkansas Police Executive Protection Detail. Allowing her to stay risked being perceived as a lack of support for the community that makes up the majority of our team, as well as their families and friends. Conversely, asking her to leave could be viewed as denying service based on differing beliefs, The Croissanterie owners said in a statement, obtained by THV11. Ultimately, the restaurant owners allowed Sanders to finish her meal before passing a message to a member of her security detail to encourage the governor to conclude her visit. They said they passed another message 30 minutes later to remind her. But Sanders said in a Thursday statement that the restaurant owners said her presence made their employees feel threatened. She later recalled to The Daily Wire that a group in the restaurant shouted at her Its time to leave and gave her the middle finger. Owners of the Little Rock restaurant said they waited until the governor had finished her meal before asking her to leave ( Getty Images ) Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant didnt meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down, wrote Sanders, the daughter of Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and the current U.S. Ambassador to Israel. The Croissanterie admitted an individual made an inappropriate hand gesture, but said it was a customer, not an employee and they addressed the matter. They also denied suggestions that patrons applauded or disrupted Sanders. Owners said in the statement obtained by THV11 that they didnt recall any statement indicating that anyone felt threatened. The Independent has asked Sanders office and The Croissanterie for comment. Sanders office told Fox News Digital that she had been seated at the restaurant for roughly an hour and 15 minutes and had already paid when she was asked to leave. The Croissanterie owners said they chose to encourage Sanders to leave because they made the decision to support our employees and guests who expressed they were uncomfortable. We regret being placed in this position and having to make a difficult decision. However, we stand by our choice to support our employees and guests, the owners said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Republican Senate leader John Thune didnt appear particularly confident on Thursday as he was asked about the Senates ability to pass Donald Trumps reported $200 billion supplemental funding request for the war in Iran. Thune told CNN that the reported amount, which Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Thursday morning was not a final number, would be reviewed by Congress but gave no prediction whether it could pass the Senate, where Republicans have a 53-vote majority. It remains to be seen, he told CNN of the bills chance of passage. And obviously we havent seen any of the specifics around it yet. Saw the aggregate number theyre proposing, but were going to need to, obviously take a look at it. At a Pentagon press conference earlier in the day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the $200 billion figure could move, while stressing: "It takes money to kill bad guys. His agency entered the war with Iran in late February after lawmakers approved the largest budget in the Pentagons history, totalling nearly $1 trillion, last year. That budget was also supplemented by billions more for the armed forces in the One Big Beautiful Bill, the GOPs tax cut and policy vehicle passed into last in the summer of 2025. open image in gallery Senate Majority Leader John Thune wouldnt predict whether the chamber could pass an Iran war supplemental funding request on Thursday ( Chip Somodevilla//Getty Images ) That latter piece of legislation was passed into law via the budget reconciliation process using a Senate rule allowing such measures to pass without reaching the usual 60-vote threshold to avoid a filibuster. This latest request from the Pentagon would likely require 60 votes to pass the chamber. Donald Trumps war in Iran is now pushing the one-month mark with no end in sight as White House officials continue to insist that Irans military force has been devastated and its capacities diminished but giving no clear indication of what benchmarks U.S. officials will use to determine when Trumps objectives have been completed. Its still unclear what the U.S. hopes to accomplish beyond degrading Irans ballistic missile capacities, which could be rebuilt, and destroying its nuclear weapons development efforts that were supposedly already obliterated by a U.S. strike in the summer of 2025. On the Hill, support for the Iran war is divided largely among party lines with a handful of Republicans expressing reservations about the price tag and effects on the U.S. economy as well. As such, Democrats in the Senate can largely be expected to oppose a request for supplemental funding from the Pentagon, even those who expressed support for an initial round of U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. open image in gallery Donald Trump denied on Thursday that he was planning to send troops to Iran ( AP ) Democrats in the House and Senate have tried repeatedly with a few Republican allies to pass War Powers resolutions restricting the administrations ability to launch military strikes in Iran and a handful of other countries, without success. A denial of votes for further funding for the Pentagon could be the next best option for Democrats. Trump himself has stressed that he could end the war whenever he feels like it, while saying that the time is not right for peace talks. His efforts to counter an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have thus far been unsuccessful and as a result his war continues under the looming shadow of economic stress for millions of Americans. The costs of the war continue to climb for the Trump administration and the American public. Thirteen Americans are now confirmed dead in strikes against U.S. service members on bases and locations around the Middle East, and on Thursday a U.S. fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing after it was reportedly struck by Iranian fire. The president denied Thursday that he would send troops to Iran, telling a reporter during an Oval Office bilateral meeting with Japans prime minister: No, I'm not putting troops anywhere, before cryptically adding: If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. Polling shows the presidents war with Iran to be very unpopular with voters as Republicans head into the 2026 midterm season. A poll published as the strikes began in early March found that six in 10 Americans believe that the president lacks a clear plan to draw down the conflict and eventually end it. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump is suggesting that the Iran war stopped another Holocaust from taking place. The president shared a link on Truth Social on Thursday to an opinion article from Israel National News making the claim. President Trump has prevented a Holocaust in both America and Israel, the piece, which argues the war will eliminate Irans nuclear capabilities once and for all, reads. One day the world will give him the credit he deserves. One of the articles authors is Jonathan Burkan, whom the Trump administration appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council last year. The president himself has repeatedly made a similar argument, claiming he prevented a nuclear Holocaust by striking Iran last year and pulling out of the JCPOA nuclear deal with Iran during his first term, which had instituted various oversight mechanisms and restrictions on the Middle Eastern nation. "If I didn't terminate Obama's horrible deal, the Iran nuclear deal, you would've had nuclear holocaust, Trump said at the White House earlier this week. open image in gallery President Trump claims his war with Iran has stopped a nuclear holocaust from taking place ( Reuters ) Considerable ambiguity remains about what Irans nuclear capacity was in the lead-up to the war and how the U.S. plans to approach the matter now. During congressional testimony on Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to answer whether Iran presented an imminent nuclear threat before the war began late last month, even though a written version of her statement said Irans nuclear capabilities had been obliterated with no efforts since to rebuild after U.S. strikes last year. Lawmakers say the administration hasnt presented detailed explanations of what it plans to do with Irans nuclear stockpile if the U.S. wins the war. The White House did not appear to have a plan for that nuclear stockpile of enriched uraniumto destroy [it], to seize it, or to put it under international inspection, Democratic Rep. Bill Foster said earlier this month after a classified briefing. The fate of Irans nuclear program will be determined by the outcome of the war and its political aftermath, according to experts. open image in gallery Lawmakers say theyve received few details from officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about what the U.S. plans to do about Irans nuclear program ( AFP/Getty ) A regime that is compliant with US requirements may wish to take measures to safeguard the stockpile and could even allow inspections to resume, Jennifer T. Gordon, the director of the Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative at the Atlantic Councils Global Energy Center, writes in a recent expert briefing. However, if the regime feels that it remains under threat, then it could be more motivated to rebuild military and nuclear weapons capabilities. Additionally, if Iran devolves into political chaos and civil war, then the stockpile could fall into the hands of rogue elements with nefarious purposes. The main option for securing the stockpile, whose exact composition is unclear after last years strikes, may be U.S. boots on the ground in Iran, though there are no clear plans to send any. No one has given me a briefing on how you would do it without boots on the ground, Sen. Rick Scott told The Associated Press. It doesnt mean you cant. But no ones ever briefed me about it. The president has brushed off questions about whether he will send U.S. troops there. No, I'm not putting troops anywhere, he said at the White House on Thursday, adding, If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny over the war effort, which has sent global oil prices spiking, spawned Iranian attacks on U.S. allies in the Gulf region, and left 13 American service members dead. This week, Joe Ken resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, writing in an open letter that he could not in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran because Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation. The conflict has also driven a wedge between the U.S. and its European allies, whom Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has branded as ungrateful for not aiding American forces as they seek to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. The administration is reportedly seeking $200 billion in supplemental funding for the war, on top of the $1 trillion Pentagon budget lawmakers approved last year. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump on Thursday cryptically denied any intention of ordering American ground troops onto Iranian soil as the nearly three-week-old conflict continues to wreak havoc on the global economy with multiple attacks on oil and gas infrastructure from both sides. The president was speaking during a question-and-answer session with reporters alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi when he was asked if he intends to deploy more American forces specifically ground troops to the Middle East region. He replied: No, I'm not putting troops anywhere, but then added: If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. He then repeated his assertion that he was not sending ground forces into Iran despite reports the U.S. is weighing a deployment and pledged to do whatever is necessary to keep oil and gas prices down in response to a second question on whether he intends to relax longstanding American sanctions against Iranian petroleum amid skyrocketing oil prices as a result of the war. I thought that it would go up more than it did, but we're doing this excursion, and when it's completed, we're going to have a much safer world, he said. Trump in the past week has taken to referring to his war in Iran as an excursion in a seeming bid to downplay it. open image in gallery Prime Minister of JapanASanae Takaichi meets with US president Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House ( Getty ) The president also admitted to having spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an Israeli strike on Iranian gas infrastructure that has triggered retaliatory attacks on similar facilities across the Middle East. I told him dont do that, and he wont do it, Trump insisted. His comments about his conversation with Netanyahu came just hours after he accused Israel of having violently lashed out by attacking Irans South Pars natural gas field the countrys largest such facility and claimed the United States knew nothing while also denying Qatari involvement and foreknowledge of the strike in no way, shape or form after Tehran retaliated by attacking one of Qatars gas facilities. Writing on Truth Social late Wednesday, he said there would be NO MORE ATTACKS on the Iranian facility so long as Tehran refrained from any further strikes on Qatari facilities in turn. But in the same post he also threatened to have U.S. forces join Israel in a strike that would massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before if Iran did not heed his demand for no further attacks on LNG facilities. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatars LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so, he added. open image in gallery Israeli officials are casting doubt on Trumps claim that the U.S. had no foreknowledge of plans to attack Irans South Pars gas facility ( Social media ) Yet Trumps denial of any American foreknowledge of the attack has been quickly called into question by Israeli officials, three of whom said the attack was in fact coordinated with the United States. The three Israeli officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Israel was not surprised by Trump's comments. They described the dynamic as similar to one that played out following Israel strikes on Iranian fuel depots in the early days of the war. After those attacks, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth distanced himself from the strikes by noting how in "that particular case those weren't our strikes. Since Israels strike on South Pars, Iranian retaliation has caused significant damage to Qatars largest gas facility the biggest in the world while also striking a Saudi oil refinery and forcing the United Arab Emirates to shutter its own gas facilities. The retaliatory strikes have caused Brent Crude Oil prices to spike by more than 13 percent in the week since the Israeli attack on South Pars. Trumps late night social media post caused oil prices to further rise to $114 per barrel on Thursday morning the highest since June 2022 when oil prices peaked at $119 during the Ukraine war. Iran has now issued calls for evacuations at Saudi Arabias Samref Refinery and Jubail Petrochemical Complex, the United Arab Emirates Al Hosn Gas Field, and Qatars Mesaieed Petrochemical Complex, Mesaieed Holding Company and the Ras Laffan Refinery. The warning, issued on Iranian state media, declared: These centres have become direct and legitimate targets and will be targeted in the coming hours. Therefore, all citizens, residents and employees are requested to immediately leave these areas and move to a safe distance without any delay. China calls for political solution to Syria issue: envoy Xinhua) 16:32, March 19, 2026 UNITED NATIONS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process to resolve the Syria issue, and encourages all parties to engage in inclusive dialogue and advance political reconciliation, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said Wednesday. In remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on Syria, Fu said the past month saw positive developments in Syria and the country's northeast, adding that outstanding issues in Syria must ultimately be resolved through political means. Fu underscored the importance of combating terrorism and maintaining security, given terrorism's grave threat to regional peace and security. He called on the Syrian transitional government to fulfill its obligations and take effective measures to combat international terrorist organizations identified by the Security Council. "China firmly opposes terrorism in all its forms and rejects any double standards in counter-terrorism efforts," he said. On Syria's humanitarian situation, the ambassador called on traditional donors to scale up their humanitarian assistance to Syria, where 16.5 million people are in urgent need of aid and 7.1 million face food insecurity. Fu also called on relevant countries to take further measures to mitigate the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on Syria to ensure its economy recovers. Fu said discussion of the situation in Syria cannot be detached from the broader regional context, and any further protraction of hostilities in the region will only inflict even more suffering upon the local population and impinge heavily on the regional and global economies. The entire Middle East is being plunged into a dangerous precipice, and China calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent the conflict from spreading further, he said. "China stays committed to playing a constructive role in the pursuit of peace," Fu added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Just over 83 years ago, President Franklin Roosevelt called the Imperial Japanese Navys December 7. 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor a date that will live in infamy as he urged Congress to declare war. On Thursday, President Donald Trump turned it into a punchline. Trump was finishing up a question-and-answer session with reporters during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi when a Japanese journalist asked why he did not inform key American allies such as Japan before the start of the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran on February 28. The president initially replied that the U.S. went in very hard and didnt tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. But Trumps response took an awkward turn moments later when he said: Who knows better about surprise than Japan? open image in gallery Trump made light of the attack that pulled the U.S. into the Second World War ( AP ) After some muted laughter from the U.S. officials whod joined him for the meeting, he turned to Sanae who was born two decades after the attack to ask her another question. Why didnt you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK? At that point, laughter turned to audible groans. The room went silent. Takaichi, who spent two years in Washington working on Capitol Hill during the Reagan administration and has a strong command of English, was clearly taken a back by the presidents attempt at humor. The smile shed had on her face disappeared and her eyes widened as she realized what Trump had just said. After an awkward pause, Trump returned to the topic hed been asked about, telling reporters, Hes asking me about surprise, and we did. And because of that surprise, we knocked out ... we probably knocked out 50 percent ... and much more than we anticipated doing. So if I go and tell everybody about it, there's no longer a surprise, he said. The surprise Pearl Harbor airstrike against the U.S. Pacific Fleet on Dec. 7, 1941 left more than 2,400 American service members dead and nearly 1,200 injured from bombs and shells that sunk four American battleships and left four more severely damaged. It was the deadliest attack on American soil until the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Seven of those ships were salvaged and returned to service, while the seventh the U.S.S. Arizona was left where it had settled just below the harbors surface after a Japanese bomb detonated inside a explosive powder magazine. open image in gallery U.S.S. Arizona is shown burning in this photograph taken just after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor ( Getty ) The attack took place after months of failed negotiations between Tokyo and Washington over economic sanctions imposed by the U.S., the U.K., China and The Netherlands in an attempt to deny Japans military the raw materials it needed to prosecute wars in China and what is now Vietnam. Japan declared war on the U.S. on the day of the strikes, but the official declaration did not arrive in Washington until afterwards. The Pearl Harbor attack gave Roosevelt the leverage he needed to push for the U.S. to formally enter World War II allowing him to join ally Great Britain in fighting Adolf Hitlers march through Europe with the House and Senate approving declarations of war against Japan by margins of 388-1 and 82-0, respectively. open image in gallery The surprise attack gave then-President Franklin Roosevelt a reason to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Japan ( AP ) Less than four years later, Japan would accept Americas demand for unconditional surrender after the U.S. dropped the first two and thus far the only two nuclear weapons to be used in combat in separate strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese government has never formally apologized for the infamous sneak attack, though one of Takaichis predecessors the late Shinzo Abe delivered a speech expressing "sincere and everlasting condolences" to the American and Japanese personnel killed in the fighting that day during a 2016 visit to the Pearl Harbor memorial above the wreck of Arizona. Abe, who was assassinated in July 2022, said at the time that the U.S. and Japan must never repeat the horrors of war again. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A commission handpicked by the president has approved a design for a commemorative gold coin that features a portrait of Donald Trump. Despite a longstanding tradition of omitting sitting presidents from commemorative coin designs, a proposal before the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts suggested using a portrait of the president standing over his resolute desk with his knuckles pressed firmly down while staring into the camera. Thursdays vote by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts clears the way for the U.S. Mint to begin production on the coin, whose size and denomination are still under discussion. As we approach our 250th birthday, we are thrilled to prepare coins that represent the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, and there is no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than that of our serving President, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement. Federal law says no living president can appear on U.S. currency. But Megan Sullivan, the acting chief of the Office of Design Management at the Mint, said the Treasury secretary has authority to authorize the minting and issuance of certain coins. open image in gallery The Commission of Fine Arts has approved the final design for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing President Donald Trump's image to help celebrate America s 250th birthday on July 4 ( US Commission of Fine Arts ) The coin design will be for a Semiquincentennial Coin. The U.S. Treasury will mint a series of commemorative coins to honor the United States 250th anniversary. The U.S. Mint had considered three designs, each featuring a different up-close portrait of Trump, for the 2026 commemorative coin. The president had approved the chosen design Thursday, Sullivan said. Several Democratic senators have pushed to pass legislation that would prohibit the government from minting any coins featuring the likeness of a living or sitting president. President Trumps self-celebrating maneuvers are authoritarian actions worthy of dictators like North Koreas Kim Jong Un, not the United States of America, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley said in a statement. While monarchs put their faces on coins, America has never had and never will have a king, Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto added. Our legislation would codify this countrys long-standing tradition of not putting living Presidents on American coins. Congress must pass it without delay. The Treasury Department defended the decision to pitch the president on a coin in October, writing on X: On this momentous anniversary, there is no profile more emblematic for the front of this coin than that of our serving President, Donald J. Trump. open image in gallery Several Democratic senators have pushed to pass legislation that would prohibit the government from minting any coins featuring the likeness of a living or sitting president ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) A design featuring the sitting president was not part of the original commemorative coin design proposals under the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, which gave the U.S. Mint permission to create coins to celebrate America 250. But the Treasury announced the last-minute plan to include a coin featuring the president. Its unclear if Trump or the Treasury requested a coin featuring his likeness. The White House declined to comment for this story. The coin will be part of a very limited production run, Sullivan said, but the number has not been determined. The size and denomination of the coin also have not yet been decided, she said. Some commissioners noted Trump's fondness for big things as they advocated for the largest size coin, the Associated Press reports. The Mint, which is part of the Treasury Department, has looked at a size for the Trump coin that is larger than its 1-ounce gold coin, which is about 1.3 inches in diameter, Sullivan said. Its largest coin is 3 inches, so we're looking somewhere in there," she said. A sitting president has not been featured on a commemorative coin since 1926, when former President Calvin Coolidge was included on the half-dollar for the 125th anniversary of the U.S.s founding. The coin was less popular than anticipated, and more than 800,000 pieces had to be melted down. The image of Trump to potentially be featured on the coin is based on a photo, taken by Daniel Torok, currently hanging in the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Museum. The words Liberty are featured around the president as well as 1776, Americas founding year, and 2026, to mark the Semiquincentennial anniversary. Underneath the presidents portrait is the phrase In God We Trust. The back of the coin proposes a bald eagle, the national bird of the U.S., and e pluribus unum, the unofficial motto. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Trump administration is allegedly carrying out a more than $1 billion scam on immigrants, the largest fraud in the history of the U.S. immigration system, according to a new analysis. The Cato Institute study alleges that a combination of Trump administration policies, including freezing visa and status applications for citizens of 92 countries, has resulted in the government collecting more than $1 billion in fees for immigration petitions it never plans to finalize. The government took their money, and now it wont even adjudicate their applicationsin many cases, it refuses even to issue denials, Cato immigration expert David J. Bier writes in the analysis. The State Department is actually telling consular officers not to notify future applicants that the government has banned them. The alleged fraud originates from a group of new restrictions, according to the analysis. They include the Trump administrations expanded travel ban affecting 40 countries; a freeze and ex post facto review of applications for immigration benefits such as employment authorization and permanent residency; and a recently announced State Department policy pausing visa processing for 75 countries. The Trump administration alleges migrants from these 75 countries draw excessively from the U.S. welfare system. Taken together, these policies affect people from countries that account for half of all legal immigrants to the U.S. The restrictions have imperiled an estimated 2 million applications for various types of status, Cato finds. open image in gallery The Trump administration has taken in more than $1 billion in immigration fees from applicants and U.S. citizens alike for visas and other immigration benefits it never plans to issue, according to a new analysis, which alleges these practices constitute the largest fraud in the history of the U.S. immigration system ( Getty Images ) The Independent has contacted the White House and agencies responsible for the policies for comment. The State Department policy was announced in January as the administration, echoing recent viral claims from a right-wing content creator, alleged that Somali immigrants in Minnesota were defrauding U.S. government benefit programs en masse. A coalition of immigrant advocacy groups and U.S. citizens sued the administration last month over the policy, alleging that it is based on false pretenses, given that most applicants for immigration visas are ineligible for welfare for years and must provide extensive proof that they will support themselves or have adequate financial sponsors. The plaintiffs include U.S. citizens who are members of mixed-status families who have been separated from their loved ones by the freeze, including a Long Island man who became separated from his wife when she returned to Guatemala for a visa interview. open image in gallery The Trump administration used allegations of fraud by Somali immigrants as part of its push to surge agents into Minneapolis ( Department of Homeland Security ) Joanna Cuevas Ingram, a senior staff attorney at the National Immigration Law Center, told The New York Times last month that the Trump administrations policy, which impacts nations with large non-white populations, closely mirrors 1920s-era racial immigration quotas. The White House, under the guise of cracking down on fraud, is seeking to reinstate those old racial quotas, she said. President Trump tried repeatedly to institute a mass travel ban for individuals from largely Muslim-majority countries during his first term. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump should not sweat a hypothetical political challenge from Tucker Carlson, according to a new poll, which has found that MAGA voters overwhelmingly prefer the president to the conservative broadcaster. Former Georgia Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed on X (Twitter) earlier this month that Carlson, who is strongly opposed to the Iran War, would beat Trump if he ran for president and Trump tried to violate the constitution and tried to run again for a third term. But the new survey from JL Partners, cited by the New York Post, found that 83 percent of likely Republican voters backed the presidents judgment on Iran over that of non-interventionist pundits like Carlson and Megyn Kelly. Another 84 percent preferred the presidents foreign policy experience to that of Carlson and Kelly, and 85 percent said they took Trump more seriously than the former Fox News hosts. open image in gallery Tucker Carlson has called President Donald Trumps Iran conflict absolutely disgusting and evil ( Getty ) More generally, the poll found that 83 percent of conservatives strongly or somewhat support the administrations Operation Epic Fury campaign against Tehran, which has seen retaliatory airstrikes hit U.S. and Israeli targets across the Middle East, 13 American troops killed, and global oil prices surge. By contrast, just 9 percent of respondents said they strongly or somewhat oppose the military action. Almost three-quarters of those surveyed, 74 percent, said the U.S. should continue its bombing raids until Irans military capabilities have been completely wiped out, with only 16 percent calling on the president to end the conflict immediately. In addition, 78 percent of those polled said they were more likely to back a pro-war Republican congressional candidate in future elections, with just 10 percent likely to back an objector. Trump has largely resisted taking the bait and responding to criticism of his airstrikes from Carlson and Kelly, although he has said that the former has lost his way and posted a Truth Social message in support of another right-leaning commentator, Mark Levin, after he got caught up in a bitterly personal exchange of insults with the latter. open image in gallery Megyn Kelly has also spoken out emphatically against the conflict but Trumps die-hard supporters appear to be unmoved ( Getty ) The Post argued the poll proved that claims Trumps base was fracturing over the war were greatly exaggerated, but Carlson and Kelly are by no means the only prominent conservatives to have spoken out. Influencer Carrie Prejean Boller, for instance, declared emphatically earlier this week: MAGA is dead. It is deader than dead. And Americans are furious. We do not recognize President Donald J Trump anymore. The new poll is also not the only one to indicate unwavering support for Trump and his movement, with an NBC News survey earlier this week finding 90 percent approval for the airstrikes among MAGA supporters and a 100 percent approval rating for the president himself. Discussing the latter statistic on CNN, the networks data analyst, Harry Enten, was visibly astonished and said: You dont have to be a mathematical genius to know you cant go higher than one hundred percent. He compared Trumps popularity to that of the Super Bowl-winning Miami Dolphins teams of 1972 and added, Now, there are some Republicans who disapprove of Donald John Trump, but they are not members of the Make America Great Again movement. The bottom line is this: if you are a member of MAGA, you approve of Donald Trump. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Vice President JD Vance, who has long been considered a potential successor to President Donald Trump, could face political problems in 2028 as a result of the Iran war, according to a new report. People close to Vance told The Washington Post that if the conflict with Iran lasts for months, it could pose a political problem for whoever secures the Republican presidential nomination in 2028. However, Vance still hasnt decided whether hell run, the outlets sources also said. The vice president has publicly voiced his support for Trumps war with Iran. While Vance has previously criticized prolonged foreign involvement, hes also pushed back on suggestions that his past comments indicate hes not aligned with the president. I know what you're trying to do, Vance said Monday, when confronted about his previous statements on American interventionism. open image in gallery A prolonged conflict with Iran could politically damage the 2028 Republican nominee, a new report says ( Getty ) 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, he added. Still, the president has said Vance was maybe less enthusiastic at the beginning of the conflict. "We get along very well on this," Trump told reporters last week. "He was, I would say, philosophically a little bit different than me. I think he was maybe less enthusiastic about going, but he was quite enthusiastic. But I felt it was something we had to do. I didn't feel we had a choice, he continued. If we didn't do it, they would have done it to us." open image in gallery Vice President JD Vance has long been considered a 2028 front-runner, but sources close to him told The Washington Post he hasnt yet decided whether to launch a campaign ( Getty ) Vance also reportedly met with Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, who resigned over the war with Iran. The vice president urged him to go quietly and not make his resignation a big thing, a U.S. official told The Washington Post. The Independent has contacted Vances office for comment. This comes after Politico reported that Vance privately expressed skepticism about the U.S. attacking Iran before Trump made his final decision. Still, the Trump administration has maintained that the two men are aligned on the issue. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly previously told The Independent that efforts to drive a wedge between President Trump and Vice President Vance are totally misguided. Vance spokesperson Taylor Van Kirk told Politico the vice president is a proud member of the Presidents national security team and keeps his counsel to the President private. Others have also speculated about the conflicts impact on the 2028 election, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Republican lawmaker who resigned from her House seat late last year after a public falling-out with Trump. When asked by CNNs Pamela Brown if the Iran war could hurt the vice presidents chances of becoming Trumps successor, the ex-lawmaker replied: The longer it goes on, it definitely does hurt JD Vance. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump's administration is reportedly considering the deployment of thousands of additional US troops to the Middle East, as Washington prepares for potential next steps in its campaign against Iran. The proposed deployments could offer President Trump further options for expanding US operations, amid an escalating campaign against Iran, now in its third week. These options include ensuring safe passage for oil tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz, a mission primarily envisioned to be carried out by air and naval forces, according to sources familiar with the matter. However, securing the Strait could also necessitate deploying US troops directly to Iran's shoreline, four sources, including two US officials, indicated. Reuters said they granted the sources anonymity to speak about military planning. The Trump administration has also discussed options to send ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, the hub for 90% of Iran's oil exports, the three people familiar with the matter and three U.S. officials said. One of the officials said such an operation would be very risky. Iran has the ability to reach the island with missiles and drones. The United States carried out strikes against military targets on the island on March 13 and Trump has threatened to also strike its critical oil infrastructure. However, given its vital role in Iran's economy, controlling the island would likely be viewed as a better option than destroying it, military experts say. open image in gallery President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Any use of U.S. ground troops - even for a limited mission - could pose significant political risks for Trump, given low support among the American public for the Iran campaign and Trump's own campaign promises to avoid entangling the U.S. in new Middle East conflicts. Trump administration officials have also discussed the possibility of deploying U.S. forces to secure Iran's stocks of highly enriched uranium, one of the people familiar with the matter said. The sources did not believe a deployment of ground forces anywhere in Iran was imminent but declined to discuss specifics of U.S. operational planning. Experts say the task of securing Iran's uranium stockpiles would be highly complex and risky, even for U.S. special operations forces. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "There has been no decision to send ground troops at this time, but President Trump wisely keeps all options at his disposal. "The president is focused on achieving all of the defined objectives of Operation Epic Fury: destroy Iran's ballistic missile capacity, annihilate their navy, ensure their terrorist proxies cannot destabilize the region, and guarantee that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon." The Pentagon declined to comment. The discussions come as the U.S. military continues to attack Iran's navy, its missile and drone stockpiles and its defense industry. The U.S. has carried out more than 7,800 strikes since launching the war on February 28 and damaged or destroyed more than 120 Iranian vessels so far, according to a factsheet released on Wednesday by the U.S. Central Command, which oversees the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops in the Middle East. open image in gallery With the White House in the background, U.S. Army National Guard troops prepare for their re-enlistment ceremony at the Washington Monument on February 06, 2026 in Washington, DC ( Getty Images ) Trump has said his goals go beyond degrading Iran's military capabilities and could include securing safe passage through the Strait and preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Ground forces could help broaden his options to address those goals, but carry significant risk. Even without any direct conflict in Iran, 13 U.S. troops have been killed so far in the war and about 200 have been wounded, although the vast majority of the injuries have been minor, the U.S. military says. For years, Trump has railed against his predecessors for getting involved in conflicts and has vowed to keep the United States out of foreign wars. But more recently he has refused to rule out the possibility of "boots on the ground" in Iran. A senior White House official told Reuters that Trump has various options for acquiring Iran's nuclear material but has not decided how to proceed. "Certainly there are ways in which it could be acquired," the official said, adding: "He hasn't made a decision yet." In written testimony to lawmakers on Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Iran's nuclear enrichment program had been obliterated by strikes in June and the entrances to those underground facilities had been "buried and shuttered with cement." The sources said the discussions on U.S. reinforcements go beyond the arrival of an Amphibious Ready Group next week in the Middle East, with an attached Marine Expeditionary Unit that includes more than 2,000 Marines. But one of the sources noted that the U.S. military was losing a significant number of forces with the decision to send the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier to Greece for maintenance after a fire on board the vessel. Trump has also oscillated on whether the U.S. should secure the Strait of Hormuz. After initially saying the U.S. Navy could escort vessels, he called on other countries to help open the key water way. With little interest from allies, Trump on Wednesday mused about simply leaving. "I wonder what would happen if we 'finished off' what's left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don't, be responsible for the so called 'Strait?,'" Trump posted on Truth Social. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israel's strategy of eliminating senior Iranian leaders through airstrikes, aimed at toppling the Islamic Republic, is facing scrutiny. Past experience suggests such tactics have inherent limits and can, at times, backfire. Previous operations, including the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, did not stop the group from firing rockets. Similarly, taking out Hamass top brass has not disarmed the group, which still controls half of Gaza. While targeted killing, rarely employed against states, offers leaders tangible achievements to brand as victories in wars without clear endgames, it rarely addresses underlying grievances. Jon Alterman, chair of Global Security and Geostrategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted its impact "often fades over time." He noted that Iran's government and military are made up of several overlapping institutions that have so far survived waves of punishing U.S. and Israeli strikes. Even dictators need to rely on entire networks that support them, he said. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening salvo of the war. He has been replaced by his son, Mojtaba, who is seen as even less compromising. Irans Revolutionary Guard has continued to fire waves of missiles at Israel and neighboring Gulf states and effectively choke off the Strait of Hormuz after top commanders have been killed or driven underground. open image in gallery mourner holds a poster depicting Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, right, the successor to his late father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, as supreme leader, during the funeral procession for senior Iranian military officials and civilians killed during the U.S.-Israel campaign in Tehran, Iran, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Israel has carried out dozens of targeted killings throughout its history, but Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups have often endured and grown even more powerful after the loss of top leaders. Take Hezbollah, for example. An Israeli airstrike killed its then-leader Abbas Musawi in southern Lebanon in 1992. Under Nasrallah, his charismatic replacement, Hezbollah grew into the region's most powerful armed group and fought Israel to a bloody stalemate in 2006. Nasrallah and nearly all of his deputies were killed in the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The Iran-backed group suffered other major losses that year, but resumed missile and drone attacks on Israel days after the start of the current war. Hamas has lost one leader after another. Israel killed its founder and spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, in a 2004 airstrike. Nearly all the architects of the group's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel have since been killed. Both groups have pressed on, fueled by the decades-old grievances stemming from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The United States has also resorted to targeted killings against al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, taking out Osama bin Laden in a 2011 raid in Pakistan and IS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019. Both groups have been vastly diminished, but only after yearslong wars involving ground forces. open image in gallery People walk on Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square near a huge banner showing the late commander of the Iran's Revolutionary Guard expeditionary Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in 2020, and Hezbollah and Hamas officials killed by Israel, in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the killing of Irans leaders is aimed at weakening the government so that Iranians can rise up and overthrow it, ideally replacing it with a friendly government in the mold of the pro-Western monarchy overthrown in 1979. Theres been no sign of such an uprising since the war began, after Iranian authorities crushed mass protests in January. U.S. President Donald Trump has at times suggested the war is aimed at elevating a more moderate leader from within Irans government, but the end result could be a more radical one or outright chaos if the state implodes. In the modern era, it's rare for one nation to assassinate leaders of another. Congos Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba was overthrown and killed in 1961 in a plot backed by the CIA and Belgium. The African country went on to experience decades of authoritarian rule, civil war and instability. NATOs 2011 intervention in Libya paved the way for rebels to capture and kill longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. After more than a decade of fighting and instability, that country is still divided. Iraq was plunged into similar chaos when the 2003 U.S.-led invasion dismantled Saddam Husseins government and led to his detention and eventual hanging. open image in gallery U.S marines and Iraqis are seen on April 9, 2003 as the statue of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is toppled at al-Fardous square in Baghdad, Iraq ( Getty ) Yossi Kuperwasser, the former head of Israels military intelligence research division, said targeted killings can be an effective tool but are not a cure for all problems. These operations by themselves dont dramatically change the ability of those organizations to cause damage and to carry out attacks, he said. But its important for Israel to weaken its enemies. In Gaza, Lebanon and now Iran, he noted, Israel has taken out dozens of figures, reshaping the leadership structure in lasting ways. In Iran, maybe theres not regime change yet, but there is change in regime. The people are not the same people, he said. A senior Israeli intelligence official told The Associated Press that Israels decapitation strikes in Iran had degraded political leaders ability to issue orders to the military, form policy and make decisions. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss classified assessments. But killing leaders can also backfire, radicalizing followers, elevating more extreme successors or turning slain leaders into martyrs with enduring influence. Northeastern University political scientist Max Abrahms said data from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel and the Palestinian territories shows violence against civilians spikes after targeted killings. Leadership decapitation is risky, he said. When you take out a leader that prefers some degree of restraint and had influence over subordinates, then theres a very good chance that, upon that persons death, youre going to see even more extreme tactics. Targeted killings can create leadership vacuums and the potential for change, but only when coupled with a coherent political strategy, said Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. You can decapitate an organization or defeat it militarily, but if you dont follow through politically, it doesnt work. And its hard to see how this goes much further, he said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tens of thousands of Moldovans have been left without water after a Russian strike on a Ukrainian hydroelectric plant resulted in oil polluting a major river that flows through both countries. The Dniester River was contaminated following an attack on Ukraines Novodnistrovsk hydropower plant on March 7. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has directly blamed Russia for the pollution, stating it is "threatening Moldovas water supply" in the European Union candidate country. The Ukrainian facility is situated approximately 15 kilometres (9 miles) upstream from Moldovas northern border and is vital, supplying water to about 80 per cent of Moldovas 2.5 million residents. This incident aligns with Moscow's repeated targeting of Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, such as dams and river ports, since its full-scale invasion in 2022. Russia bears full responsibility, Sandu said on Sunday in a post on X. open image in gallery Valentin Belischii, 73 years-old, pauses on a bench before climbing the stairs to his fourth floor apartment with a container of water he bought in Balti, Moldova, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Moldovas environment ministry on Sunday declared an environmental state of alert for 15 days, giving the authorities a legal mechanism to boost technical interventions and impose temporary restrictions on water supplies. We are taking this decision to make sure we prevent any risk to the populations health," it said. Because of the continuous wave of pollution with oil products, the risk of the pollution spreading, and the exceedance of contaminant levels in the northern area of the Dniester River. While oil pollutants have been confirmed in the river following the strike, the exact source of the pollutant is not yet clear. The situation has forced the authorities to cut the water supply to several districts, including Moldovas second-largest city of Balti, which has a population of about 90,000 people. As well as humanitarian aid from neighboring Romania, Moldovas military stepped in this week to distribute drinking water in the northern city from a 10-tonne tanker. open image in gallery Chemical absorbent booms are placed in the Dniester river in Curesnita, Moldova, on the border with Ukraine, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Its very hard, very hard, said 84-year-old Balti resident Liuba Istrati, who has been carrying buckets of water up to her apartment. We live on the fifth floor, its just the two of us, old people, my husband is sick in bed. The water shortage has also forced some schools to close and move learning online. Its a complicated situation, I have to come every day to get water, said Irina Mutluc, a teacher living in Balti. Even for one person you need quite an amount of water to consume, for the bathroom and so on, so its really complicated. The authorities are now racing to clean up pollution and analyze and monitor the river water. Neighboring Romania, which has close relations with Moldova, has dispatched teams and equipment, such as absorbent materials for dams, to aid cleanup efforts. open image in gallery People fill containers with drinking water distributed by the emergency services in Balti, Moldova, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The latest samples taken show an improvement in the water indicators, which confirms the effectiveness of the filters and barriers for the capture and disposal of pollutants, the Ministry of Environment said on Wednesday. The ministry added that the authorities are working at an accelerated pace to resume water supplies, but this decision will be made exclusively on the basis of at least two consecutive sets of analyses, taken on two different days ... Protecting the health of citizens remains the absolute priority. Moldovas environment minister Gheorghe Hajder said Wednesday at a press briefing that for the first time since the crisis began, three critical monitoring points on the river reached the admissible limit of oil pollution. He added that if the analyses show the same results or improve in the next 48 hours, authorities will consider reopening a pumping station on the northeastern border with Ukraine, which supplies several districts and Balti. It is clear evidence that upstream oil diversions have been greatly mitigated, and the absorbing dams have had their effect, he said. The Dniester River originates in southwestern Ukraine and spans more than 1,300 kilometers (846 miles), continuing downstream through Moldova, back through southern Ukraine and empties into the Black Sea. Although at some points values may temporarily return within acceptable limits, matter continues to come in waves, making it difficult to accurately anticipate evolution, the environment ministry said. open image in gallery Moldova's president Maia Sandu delivers remarks during a press conference at the Presidency headquarters in Chisinau September 29, 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Moldovas General Prosecutors Office said Tuesday that it will open a criminal case to investigate the matter, while Moldovas foreign ministry summoned Russias ambassador to Chisinau, Oleg Ozerov, who was presented with a bottle of brownish water. In an online statement on Wednesday, the Russian embassy in Moldova argued that the Moldovan authorities have not presented any evidence of Russias complicity, aside from a container with an unknown murky liquid, with no markings regarding where and when it was obtained," and that by definition cannot be proof of anything. The statement claimed that Moldovan authorities publicly claim a lack of precise information about the nature of the incident, the type, and the amount of pollutants, putting forward conflicting theories. Ilya Trombitsky, a biologist at Eco-TIRAS, an umbrella of nongovernmental organizations in Moldova and Ukraine, says that while its difficult yet to determine the short or long-term consequences of the pollution, the fact that several cities are without water is an evident social damage. It depends on the nature of the pollutant we still do not know either the source or the substance of pollution, he told The Associated Press. It is evident that it is not healthy for birds, wetland birds. It is evident that some invertebrates were killed, especially upstream crustaceans, but small ones, (which) can be food for fish. Moldova does not have experience in such spills," he added. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A pro-Kremlin figure who unexpectedly denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine in a social media post this week that went viral has been placed in a psychiatric facility, Russian media reported on Thursday. Ilya Remeslo made a career denouncing Putin's critics until he became one himself, posting a manifesto late on Tuesday to his 90,000 followers on Telegram entitled: "Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin." He said Putin had prosecuted a "failing war" in Ukraine that had killed millions and torpedoed Russia's economy to the detriment of its citizens' well-being. "Vladimir Putin is not a legitimate president. Vladimir Putin must resign and be brought to trial as a war criminal and a thief," Remeslo wrote in his post. open image in gallery Ilya Remeslo ( Social media ) He went on to tell The Guardian on Wednesday: Vladimir Putin should resign and be put on trial as a war criminal. His personalised, corrupt system is doomed to collapse, as were seeing now with the war in Ukraine and elsewhere. On Thursday, St Petersburg's Fontanka newspaper reported Remeslo had been hospitalised in the city's Psychiatric Hospital No. 3. It said the hospital's information desk confirmed a patient with Remeslo's name and surname was available to receive packages. Reuters was unable to immediately confirm Remeslo was in the facility. Fontanka did not specify the grounds on which he may have been admitted. Meanwhile on Thursday, The Kremlin said that talks between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv on ending the war in Ukraine were on "situational pause" following the start of the Iran war. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to end the Ukraine war on his return to the White House but has said efforts to resolve the conflict have been one of his biggest disappointments. The Izvestia newspaper said in a front-page story that the Kremlin had confirmed a pause in talks on Ukraine and that war in the Middle East could push Kyiv towards compromise. "This is a situational pause, for obvious reasons," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the Izvestia report. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russia's security services are set to bolster protection for senior military figures following a spate of series of assassinations and attempted killings, which Moscow attributes to Ukraine. The announcement from the head of the FSB security service comes after Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of the GRU military intelligence, was shot three times in his Moscow apartment building on 6 February. Ukraine has denied any involvement in the incident. State media quoted FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov confirming Alexeyev's recovery and stating that security for such high-ranking officials would "of course" be tightened. On Thursday, the Kremlin also condemned what it called an intensification of Ukrainian attacks on Gazprom gas compressor stations serving two major pipelines, saying such incidents threatened critical infrastructure and international energy routes. Gazprom said earlier that attacks on three compressor stations supporting the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines had increased in frequency this week, but all of them had been repelled. In the most recent attack, Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alexeyev, the deputy head of the GRU military intelligence service, was shot three times in his Moscow apartment building on 6 February ( Russian Defence Ministry ) The two pipelines carry Russia gas across the Black Sea to Turkey, from which some of it is pumped to European countries including Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia. They are Russia's last remaining pipeline routes serving Europe, at a time when gas prices have spiked sharply because of the war in the Middle East. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, which throughout the four-year conflict has targeted Russian energy infrastructure as a means of undercutting Moscow's war effort and reducing its revenue. Russia has also pounded Ukrainian energy targets including its electricity grid, frequently cutting off power and heating. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the latest Ukrainian attacks created an additional threat to energy markets at a time of "extreme destabilisation" caused by the Middle East war. "Our military is doing everything possible to eliminate this threat. But this is a threat to critical infrastructure. It is a threat to international energy routes," Peskov told reporters. "And at a time when global energy markets are feeling, to put it mildly, uneasy, such irresponsible, thoughtless actions by the Kyiv regime are capable of further destabilising the situation." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Paris Court of Appeal has once again rejected the French government's attempt to suspend the online marketplace operations of Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein, marking a second legal setback for authorities. The ruling on Thursday upholds a previous decision from December, which had also gone against the state's request. The legal action was initiated after France's consumer watchdog uncovered disturbing listings on Shein's marketplace in November, including sex dolls resembling children and banned weapons. The discovery prompted the government to seek a three-month suspension of the platform's activities in France. While the appeals court dismissed the suspension request, it affirmed the earlier court's directive that Shein must implement adequate age verification measures to prevent the sale of such illicit products. In a statement, the court said: "The appeals court confirmed the [December] judgement in all its dispositions, and rejected the other demands presented by the State." France's consumer watchdog uncovered disturbing listings on Shein's marketplace in November ( PA Archive ) Shein, which operates both its own brand sales and a vast third-party marketplace, said that the company no longer sells adult products across any of its markets. It is also rolling out age verification for other items, a spokesperson said. Following Thursday's ruling, Shein said: "Over the last several months, we have continued to significantly reinforce our controls for both sellers and products on our marketplace, to ensure that our consumers in France can enjoy a safe and enjoyable online shopping experience." The company also noted it was in "close dialogue" with French and European authorities. Despite the legal victories, Shein is expected to face continued pressure from the French government. The country's minister for small and medium-sized businesses Serge Papin recently vowed a "year of resistance" against online retailers like Shein. Mr Papin has cited concerns that the retailers ability to offer "rock-bottom prices" exploits a loophole, which creates unfair competition for European businesses. Zelensky warns of 'distracted' US as acting ambassador Davis prepares to exit On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russia 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ukraine will soon face a shortage of missiles to fight against Russia as a result of the Iran war, Volodymyr Zelensky has warned. The conflict in the Middle East has entered a third week, with shockwaves felt by the Gulf as Tehran attacks US bases and assets in the region. On Tuesday, Iran confirmed their chief security, Ali Larijani, had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, as they vowed a decisive and regrettable revenge for his death. With no end to the war in sight, the Ukrainian president has stressed that his country risks facing a deficit in missiles to fight against Russia. For Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus, Mr Zelensky told the BBC. In addition to energy prices, it means the depletion of US reserves, and the depletion of air defence manufacturers. So we [Ukraine] have a depletion of resources. He added that he has a very bad feeling about the consequences of the Iran war for Ukraine, saying negotiations towards peace are being constantly postponed. There is one reason: war in Iran. On his visit to London on Tuesday, Mr Zelensky addressed MPs in parliament, calling Russia and Iran brothers in hatred and weapons. open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky: For Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus ( AFP/Getty ) He said: We want regimes built on hatred to never, never win in anything. And we want no such regime to threaten Europe or our partners. At Downing Street, the prime minister told Mr Zelensky that Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to benefit from the Middle East conflict. I think its really important that we are clear that the focus must remain on Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer said. 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. He added: Putin cant be the one who benefits from a conflict in Iran, whether thats oil prices or the dropping of sanctions. open image in gallery The prime minister has told Zelensky the focus must remain on Ukraine ( PA ) His message comes as the US temporarily loosened some restrictions on Russian oil in a bid to ease pressure on global supplies triggered by the strikes on Iran and Tehrans retaliation against Gulf states. The prime minister also called on European allies to leverage Ukraines hard-won military expertise. Mr Zelensky said he had sent 201 experts in countering Iranian-made Shahed-type attack drones to the Middle East and Gulf region. Meanwhile, 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Just when the US-Israeli war on Iran looked like it couldn't get any more awkward, even Donald Trump has been left dismayed by Benjamin Netanyahus targeting of Iranian gas fields. Why? Well, it is because Netanyahu, who is under indictment for crimes against humanity for his campaign in Gaza, has copied the tactics of Vladimir Putin, who himself is under indictment for alleged crimes against humanity in Ukraine. On 5 December last year the British government, along with 42 other countries, said Russia was deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in what may constitute war crimes. The unlawful targeting of civilians and civilian objects is a breach of international humanitarian law, in particular principle of distinction, enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, and may therefore constitute war crimes, Neil Holland, the UK representative to the OSCE said in Vienna. Russias deliberate missile and drone strikes against Ukraines civilian energy infrastructure constitute a clear pattern in its full-scale invasion that began in 2022 and has intensified in the fourth year of the war. Russia has carried out deliberate strikes across the country, leading to significant civilian casualties, massive damage to residential and energy infrastructure and causing emergency power outages across most regions of the country. Tens of thousands of civilians in major cities and population centres are left without proper access to essential services, he said. open image in gallery Smoke and fire rise near the South Pars gas field following an attack ( Social media ) Israel has done exactly the same to Iran. It is trying to provoke regime change by shattering the nations industrial capacity and breaking its energy infrastructure. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there reasonable grounds to believe that both Israel and Iran had committed a possible war crime through strikes on oil and gas facilities. Irans South Pars gas field provides at least 75 per cent of the countrys gas. Some 80 per cent of Irans electricity is generated by its natural gas supplies. On Wednesday, Israel bombed South Pars and set its tanks ablaze. Iran retaliated by hitting the Ras Laffan industrial city in Qatar, the worlds largest LNG export hub. South Pars, which is jointly owned by Iran and Qatar, is the largest gas field on earth. It is the source of Qatars wealth. Qatar hosts the US Al Udeid airbase, Americas largest in the Middle East from which attacks on Iran are coordinated and launched. Trump does not care about human rights and alleged war crimes. He consistently takes Putins side over Ukraine and has been a staunch, uncritical ally of Netanyahus far-right government during its campaign against Gaza and its ongoing annexation of Palestinian land on the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But he has to care deeply about the price of petrol in America and gas around the world. In Europe, natural gas prices surged by 20 per cent after the Iranian attack on Ras Laffan. open image in gallery The Ras Laffan gas plant in Qatar was attacked on Wednesday ( Alamy/PA ) Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, came close to apologising to Iran and admonishing Israel for the escalation. Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit, he wrote. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatars LNG Gas facility. NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL. He went on to warn that if Iran attacks the Qatari part of the gas field again, the US will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatars LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so, he added. Iran did attack again. open image in gallery Donald Trump claimed he did not know about Israels attack on the South Pars gas field ( Reuters ) The US was clearly not consulted about Israels initial attack on Irans gas supplies. Given that the Trump administration has no definition of what victory looks like in Iran and no plan for how to achieve it, this may not have made any difference, in the moment. But the effects on global fossil fuel prices will further threaten to hobble economies from Asia to the Americas and offer only Putin a lottery win of unplanned financial windfalls. Moscows oil sales have already generated up to $10bn (7.5bn) in extra revenues for his war in Ukraine, according to Volodymyr Zelensky. At todays prices, Russia will be enjoying an extra 2-4bn (1.7-3.5bn) in gas revenues annually from exports to the European Union alone. Globally, over a year, the figure could be an extra 8-16bn for the Kremlin, based on our analysis of figures from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Putins profits dont worry Trump. But they are yet another reason why Europeans have an incentive to keep out of Israel and Americas war of choice against Iran. open image in gallery Smoke and flames rise after an airstrike in Tehran ( Getty ) None have, so far, condemned Israels attacks on Irans energy systems, which are, by their own definition last December, possible war crimes. Their calculation is that the war itself is illegal. They will also be looking at the results of Putins alleged crimes of attacking Ukraines energy systems over the last four years and especially over last winter. Netanyahu does not appear to have noticed that Ukraines population did not rise against Zelensky but hardened its hatred of all things Russian. Russia is now on the back foot on the battlefields of the Donbas. There is no sign that bullying Ukrainians broke their spirit and there is no sign that Iranians will rise against the theocracy that has violently oppressed them while Israel is cutting the fuel for their daily lives. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Omans foreign minister has said that the war in Iran is Donald Trumps greatest miscalculation and urged Washingtons allies to push him to end the conflict immediately. In the most scathing attack on Washingtons foreign policy yet by a Gulf state, Badr Albusaidi said this is not Americas war and criticised Mr Trump for supporting Israel. Writing in The Economist, he called on American allies to help extricate the country from the conflict, which has continued for a third week despite failing to achieve the US and Israels stated aim of instigating regime change in Tehran or stopping its nuclear programme. open image in gallery US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at a meeting with Omans foreign minister Badr Albusaidi ( Omani Foreign Ministry ) Since the war began, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks across the Gulf, most recently targeting oil and gas facilities a development that shook global energy markets. Oman has been targeted on several occasions. Mr Albusaidi said being drawn into the war was the American administrations greatest miscalculation and implied that Israel didnt have the right intentions for Iran. This is not Americas war, and there is no likely scenario in which both Israel and America will get what they want from it, he wrote. Hopefully Americas commitment to regime change is just rhetorical, whereas Israel explicitly seeks the overthrow of the Islamic Republic and probably cares little about how the country is governed, or by whom, once this has been achieved. He said that Israel appeared to have persuaded Trump that Iran had been so weakened by sanctions, internal protests and the 12 Day War last year that an unconditional surrender would swiftly follow the initial assault and the assassination of the supreme leader. But it should now be clear that for Israel to achieve its stated objective will require a long military campaign to which America would have to commit troops on the ground, opening a new front in the forever wars, which President Donald Trump previously vowed to end. This is not what Americas government wants. Nor do its people, who certainly do not see this as their war. open image in gallery Albusaidi and US president Donald Trump ( AFP/Getty ) Mr Trump lashed out at Iran following a strike on Qatars Ras Laffan energy complex on Wednesday, which came in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its South Pars gas field. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US could massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars gas field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. In his article, Mr Albusaidi described Irans retaliation as an inevitable, if deeply regrettable and completely unacceptable, result of the conflict. Faced with what both Israel and America described as a war designed to terminate the Islamic Republic, this was probably the only rational option available to the Iranian leadership. His own country has fallen victim to Irans strikes, with two oil tankers, one off the coast of Muscat and another north of the Port of Khasab, hit by attacks. A separate drone strike targeted an industrial zone in Sohar. open image in gallery Germanys chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and Spains prime minister Pedro Sanchez (left) have refused involvement in the war ( AP ) Western leaders have proven unwilling to support Trump in the Iran War despite his call for help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil that has been blocked by Tehran since the war began last month. German chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out participating in any military activity, including efforts to reopen the strait. He 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. Sir Keir Starmer added that the UK would not be drawn into the wider war but agreed the strait would have to be reopened to ensure stability in the [oil] market. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Bent on regime change by attacking Iran from the air, Israel and America failed to plan for a war beyond bombing, but Tehran has spent decades preparing to frustrate exactly the kind of conflict it is now enduring. Irans regime has a system known as the mosaic defence, which has been implemented for battlefield decision-making, counterattacks and state oppression. Tehran knew that Israel planned to lead American attempts to destroy its theocracy by using its staggering levels of air power. The result, nearly three weeks into the air war against Iran, is that its headless government lives on. It has been planning for the moment when Irans leadership was, literally, wiped out and decapitated, creating a system to devolve, delegate and disperse its decision makers. Its relative success is shown by the continued, though reduced, attacks by Iran on its neighbours and US bases in the Gulf and its ability to strangle the Strait of Hormuz, even though supreme leader Ali Khamenei has been killed, as well as Ali Larijani, who, as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, led Irans systems of state oppression. The doctrine of "mosaic defence has its roots in the cell structures of resistance movements and terrorist organisations going back to the Second World War. open image in gallery The late Ali Larijani, head of Irans National Security Council, gestures as Hezbollah supporters throw rice to welcome him outside Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon ( AP ) The principle is that the chain of command can survive its links being broken because each link is an autonomous, self-regulating and motivating entity. Local leaders are given the authority, capacity and, above all, inviolable orders that they must continue to act. As a result, more than 4,000 airstrikes have been launched against Iranian targets in which command and control centres have been obliterated, and local police stations and any above and below ground structure associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been attacked. Israel and the US are seeking to control the battlefield so that Irans long-suppressed population will rise up against the rule of the ayatollahs, now led by Ali Khameneis son, Mojtaba, as supreme leader. He has not been seen since he was elected after his father and 40 others were killed in an Israeli airstrike that used, in part, US intelligence to target the structures of the Iranian regime. open image in gallery A boat firing a missile during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Gulf ( Sepah News ) But that does not matter. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, has already spelt out the Iranian plan. He was drawing on decades of experience gained by the IRGC Quds Force, especially in supporting militia groups that attacked the US in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran has also run Hezbollah in Lebanon and tested some of the best fighters and its finest technology against the Israel Defence Forces and trained alongside Hamas fighters pioneering asymmetric warfare in Gaza for two decades. Weve had two decades to study defeats of the US military to our immediate east and west. Weve incorporated lessons accordingly, the foreign minister said on social media on 1 March. Bombings in our capital have no impact on our ability to conduct war. Decentralised Mosaic Defence enables us to decide whenand howwar will end. open image in gallery Rescuers at a site reportedly hit by US-Israeli strikes on Wednesday ( Iranian Red Crescent ) Then, his statement looked like a boast. Now that Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz remains tight, even though the US president claims to have destroyed Irans navy, and drone attacks continue across the Gulf while Donald Trump claims the war has been won, the boast looks, for now, like a statement of fact. In Iraq in the early 2000s, expert bomb makers from Hezbollah were brought in by Iran to teach Shia militia how to make shaped charge improvised explosive devices (SCIEDs). Using a core of copper that inverted into a molten jet that punched through armour, these SCIEDs were often hidden in fake rocks. These techniques were pioneered against the IDF in Lebanon. But the IRGC were also refining their own plans of how militant groups, in their case the entire security apparatus of the Iranian regime, could survive the staggering firepower and intelligence heft of the US and/or Israel. The key is coping with the removal of the central command. If there is no head to roll, then decapitation is symbolic. In Iran today, IRGC commanders, who also now integrate the Basij militia, are under orders to fight on regardless. And if theyre killed, there are alternative commanders at least four deep down the hierarchy. open image in gallery Rubble is cleared from a house in the Beryanak District after it was damaged by missile attacks last week ( Getty ) Some will work the Strait of Hormuz, using sea drones and covert operations to cut one of the worlds most important fuel trade routes. Others are hitting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar all nations with US bases with drones, sending expatriates fleeing their tax-free lives for flights back home. Israeli military commanders have access to eye-watering levels of human and signals intelligence and will have no illusions about how deep and strong the IRGC survival systems go. They flattened Gaza, killed close to 80,000 people, according to local officials and Hamas still lives on after the October 7 atrocities. Israeli jets are hitting Iranian command posts and regime security bases all over the country. Few are likely to have anyone above ground. But there are no signs of an uprising. There are signs that Trump is losing patience. His advisers may not have understood that Irans regime was planning to survive a long war. open image in gallery There are signs that US president Donald Trump is losing patience ( AP ) They may not have realised that Tehran would dearly love to deal with US soldiers on the ground in a country the size of western Europe. The IRGC studied and contributed to the failure of US-led forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trump may not have planned for a ground war. But the Iranians have. They also know that Trump removed the most experienced and intellectually independent leaders from the US military and intelligence organisations in the first few days of his second term in office. He is left taking advice from his secretary of war Pete Hegseth, who has what have been interpreted as white supremacist tattoos and seemingly the strategic understanding of a saloon bar drunk. For Irans long-term planners, victory will be a war that Trump has no idea how to end. Whatever is JD Vance to do? The usually self-assured veep has managed to find himself in a uniquely tough spot of late. It turns out that when you spend years building your entire political brand as the rustic, plain-spoken Appalachian voice of America First anti-interventionism, it becomes slightly awkward when your boss starts a war with Iran. In 2023, Vance wrote a now-very-inconvenient op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, stating that a big part of why hes so happy to be Trumps right-hand man is because I know he wont recklessly send Americans to fight overseas. He acknowledged that not starting a failed campaign in the Middle East is a low bar for a president, but added that whats so amazing and special about The Donald is that hes started no wars despite enormous pressure from his own party and even members of his own administration. Unsurprisingly, that op-ed was very recently resurrected and passed around by political commentators keen to question Vances true stance on the Iran war as it bled into a third week. And then Joe Kent, the high-ranking US intelligence official and director of the National Counterterrorism Center, quit reportedly handing his resignation letter to Vance personally before taking his concerns about the war public in a very scathing way. Kent could not in good conscience support the ongoing war, he wrote, adding that it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. So not only is Vance visibly unenthusiastic about a war his boss started, he is now the guy that anti-war officials specifically seek out to rage-quit. He has become the spiritual home of people who think this war is a bad idea; the campaigns most prominent sad supporter. Kents letter may as well have ended with: Your move, JD. The cracks were showing long before this happened. During the second week of the war, Vance gave a particularly eyebrow-raising answer to a reporter who asked about the advice he gave Trump before the first strike on Iran. I hate to disappoint you, but Im not going to show up here and in front of God and everybody else and tell you exactly what I said in that classified room, Vance said. Partially because I dont want to go to prison, and partially because I think its important for the president to be able to talk to advisers without those advisers running their mouth to the American media. Responding to a standard press question by invoking the spectre of ones own incarceration is certainly a choice. Its certainly a Vance-style answer: go on the attack, invoke God, then act like the press is being unreasonable by asking the question in the first place. But its hitting different these days. Polls show most Americans dont support the war; Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, the weathervanes of the far-right isolationists, show there is a significant minority of MAGA devotees who really dont, either. open image in gallery Vice President JD Vance suddenly finds himself confronted with his own contrarian words about the US engaging in a foreign military conflict ( Getty ) It seems even Trump knows theres significant enough daylight between him and Vance on this that it has to be acknowledged. He and Vance are philosophically a bit different in their approaches to military action in Iran, Vance said during a Florida press conference three days before Vances weird God-and-prison comment. Vance was less enthusiastic about going than others, Trump added. Since then, the VP has been either absent or backgrounded during most war-related pressers. On Tuesday, he looked pained on a sofa beside wannabe Cuban interim leader and new Trumpian golden boy Marco Rubio as the secretary of state ran his mouth about how Cuba needs new leadership, too. It didnt help that he was swimming in a pair of $145 shoes that Trump himself had bought for him. (The tale of the administrations too-big shoes began when Trump told The New York Times in January that he had recently purchased four new pairs for both Rubio and Vance. No wonder the veep looks uncomfortable. He is visibly shrinking, not to mention sinking.) On Wednesday, he wandered off to Michigan to make an unconvincing speech at a manufacturing plant about how much Republicans care about the economy and the ordinary American worker, all while oil prices and US gas prices at the pump skyrocketed. Those prices are just a blip, he said. Vance is that very Republican thing: a smooth operator and an Ivy League-educated shape-shifter who likes to present himself like a plain-speakin purveyor of simple home truths. And unfortunately for him, that means theres evidence that he very plainly and simply stated how much he doesnt believe in America starting pointless wars in the Middle East, back when Trump was still making that a central part of his election strategy. Now, as everyone goes wild with intrigue about behind-closed-doors rifts between him, Pete Hegseth, Rubio, Tulsi Gabbard, and pretty much anyone else who might wander into the Oval Office, its pretty clear that even the polished Vance is floundering. This is a man who has managed to be against a war, for a war, silent about a war, and potentially criminally liable for discussing a war, all within the span of a few days. When Trump ordered strikes on Iran's nuclear program last June, Vance appeared on two separate Sunday shows hailing the success of the incredible mission. When Trump captured Venezuelan President Maduro in January, Vance was immediately on Twitter/X with a combative defense. But now hes occasionally posting retweets, traveling domestically and claiming that he cant share his personal thoughts because something-something-prison. He has a fine line to walk, and its getting finer by the day. open image in gallery The tale of the administrations too-big shoes began when Trump told The New York Times in January that he had recently purchased four new pairs for both Rubio and Vance ( Reuters ) So the question is: Does Vance want to tie himself to an administration with a struggling economy, a geriatric president whos making himself more unpopular by the day, and a deeply controversial immigration policy? Kamala Harris did it and it kneecapped her career. And Vance can hardly pretend he doesnt come from the isolationist wing of the party. His views on forever wars are, after all, informed by both a tour in Iraq as a young man and a childhood in an economically depressed area where people lived in slums while presidents poured billions of dollars into imperialistic ventures abroad. Or does he want to style himself as the adult in the room and make a smart play for 2028, even as the hawkish Rubio tries to elbow his way in? JD is nothing if not a survivor. And he has receipts that could work in his favor: he supports the idea of stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon (something so uncontroversial that even most Democrats have fallen over themselves to say it); he backed the June offensive; he is markedly tepid on anything more. If prices and casualties keep climbing, Vance can say that he was reasonable; classy and loyal yet reticent. He put pressure on behind the scenes, where it mattered (but couldnt say anything about that, of course, at the time, because PRISON!) He tried to counsel the volatile Trump. Hes a patriot, isnt he? But also: hasnt he seen with his own eyes how war is hell? Its March 2026. Yes, there are midterms in November, but a lot can happen in eight months, and even more in two years. Now might be a good time for JD to sit back and play himself some 4D chess. Or it could be a good time for his partner to throw the chessboard in his face and tell him he can never play chess with him again, before ranting at a bunch of friendly reporters at Mar-a-Lago that he never even knew how to play chess in the first place. Unfortunately for John David Vance, it seems only time will tell. And the timer isnt running down for a long while yet. Get Travel Insider with Simon Calder. A newsletter packed with tips, deals, inspiration, and the latest travel news Get the Travel Insider newsletter with Simon Calder Get the Travel Insider newsletter with Simon Calder Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The 20 best airports in the world have been named in the Oscars of Aviation and not one U.S. hub makes the list. The sole champion for North America in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2026 is Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which comes 10th overall, up three places from 2025, and by default becomes the continents No.1 hub. Vancouver Airport is known for its eye-catching installations, which include totem poles, carvings and large hung weavings that celebrate British Columbian Indigenous culture and a 114,000-liter aquarium that features a rocky kelp forest and around 5,000 creatures, including wolf-eels, sea stars, and fish. Skytrax said: Vancouver Airport provides an aesthetically appealing and excellent airport for passengers, and there is a strong theme of identity running through the interiors here. In addition, staff are warm and engaging with customers at all touch-points. open image in gallery Vancouver International Airport has been named the No.1 airport in North America for 2026. Pictured is the hub's 114,000-liter aquarium that features a rocky kelp forest and around 5,000 creatures ( Vancouver International Airport ) The airport does have weak spots, though, with Skytrax adding: Key concerns relate to long wait times for security screening and poor business-class lounge provision. At the top of the ranking, determined by votes from more than 13 million passengers worldwide, is Singapore Changi. Changi Airport Group CEO, Mr Yam Kum Weng, received the award, along with four other major awards: Worlds Best Airport Dining, the Worlds Best Airport in the 60-70 million passenger category, the Worlds Best Airport Immigration Service and Best Airport in Asia. In the runner-up spot was Incheon International Airport, South Korea, with Tokyo Haneda Airport coming third. open image in gallery Vancouver Airport was praised for its 'warm staff' and for being 'aesthetically pleasing' ( Vancouver International Airport ) The rest of the top 10 comprises Hong Kong International Airport (fourth), Narita International Airport, Tokyo (fifth), Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (sixth), Rome Fiumicino Airport (seventh), Istanbul Airport, Turkey (eighth), and Munich Airport (ninth). Other awards handed out at the ceremony, held at PTE World in London on March 18, 2026, included Best Airport Hotel in North America, which went to the Grand Hyatt at San Francisco International Airport; Worlds Best Airport Shopping, which went to London Heathrow; and World's Best Airport Art, won for the fourth successive year by Houston Airport System. Vancouver Airport served a record 26.9 million travellers and moved more than 365,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025, the highest volumes in the airport's almost 95-year history. Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of Vancouver International Airport, said: For YVR to continue to be recognized as the Best Airport in North America while at the same time breaking records for passengers and cargo is something for our teams and our community to be proud of. This honour is a tribute to the tireless work of our dedicated employees, our airline and partner agency teams, and of course the support of our passengers, customers, and the community that we are here to serve." The worlds top 20 airports of 2026 Get Travel Insider with Simon Calder. A newsletter packed with tips, deals, inspiration, and the latest travel news Get the Travel Insider newsletter with Simon Calder Get the Travel Insider newsletter with Simon Calder Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice If youre planning an Easter holiday to Bali, Vietnam or Thailand, its a good time to check if you and your family are vaccinated against measles. These are among destinations in Southeast Asia with ongoing measles outbreaks, and Australian health authorities are concerned. Several Australian jurisdictions have reported ongoing measles cases linked to overseas travel, particularly in Southeast Asia. With travel increasing during holiday periods, so does the risk of bringing this highly infectious disease into Australia and triggering an outbreak. But some infections have occurred in Australians who havent travelled, and who have no known contact with anyone with measles. This suggests local transmission is a risk, particularly as fewer young children are receiving both recommended doses of the measles vaccine. Whats happening in Southeast Asia? Indonesia, including Bali, remains one of the most common destinations for Australian travellers and continues to have periodic measles outbreaks. As of February 2026, Indonesia is listed third (behind India and Angola) in the US Centre for Disease Controls top ten countries for measles outbreaks. open image in gallery Indonesia, including Bali, remains one of the most common destinations for Australian travellers ( Getty/iStock ) Vietnam has also reported increased measles activity in recent years, particularly affecting young children. Measles is endemic in Thailand (meaning the virus is always present in the community). World Health Organization data shows a surge in transmission since 2023. Measles transmission also continues in other popular destinations, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Travel-related cases are driving infections Australia was declared measles-free in 2014. But as measles remains common in many parts of the world, international travel means it can quickly return to Australia. In fact, most measles cases in New South Wales in the past year or so were linked to overseas travel. Between January 1 2025 and March 7 2026, 34 of 60 infections were acquired overseas, particularly in Southeast Asia (32 of those cases). Of the 26 locally acquired infections, 18 were directly linked to a known imported case. Eight had no clear source at the time of reporting, suggesting community transmission. Measles has been reported across several other states and territories in 2026. These include in Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory. Why are we so worried about measles? Measles is far more than a routine childhood illness. It is one of the most infectious known diseases. The measles virus travels in tiny airborne particles. These particles can remain suspended in indoor air for up to two hours. This makes transmission more likely in crowded places such as airports, shopping centres, restaurants and hospitals. open image in gallery Measles is far more than a routine childhood illness ( Getty/iStock ) An infected person can spread measles to others even before they know they have it. They can spread it from four days before the rash appears through to four days afterwards. So by the time the diagnosis is suspected, many others may already have been exposed. Measles can start with flu-like symptoms before a rash appears. Later, there can be severe complications including lung infections (pneumonia), ear infections (otitis media), and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). About one to three in 1,000 infections in high-income countries can be fatal. But I thought Australians were vaccinated? Because measles spreads so easily, about 95% of the population needs to be immune to prevent ongoing community transmission. This is a known as herd immunity. This means that people who cannot be vaccinated including very young babies, individuals receiving chemotherapy and others with underlying immune disorders can be protected, if 95% of the population has been immunised. According to national data from 2024, about 94.7% of Australian children receive their first measles vaccine dose at 12 months of age. Coverage fell to around 89.5% for children receiving a second on-time dose, at 18 months. This is whats driving the current Australian outbreaks. What travellers should do before going overseas The most important step is to ensure you and your children are fully vaccinated, and to arrange catch-up vaccines if not. This lowers the risk of getting sick and/or bringing measles back into Australia and exposing vulnerable groups. These include infants who are too young to be vaccinated who are at particularly high risk, and pregnant people who may experience more severe disease. About the authors Niall Johnston is a Conjoint Associate Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine at UNSW Sydney. Phoebe Williams is a Paediatrician & Infectious Diseases Physician; Senior Lecturer & NHMRC Fellow, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney. This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article. You can check your childrens vaccination status via your myGov account or you can ask your health-care provider to look up their records. Measles vaccines are provided free under Australias National Immunisation Program to children at 12 and 18 months. However, infants as young as six months can receive an extra early dose if travelling. This early dose is safe, effective and well tolerated. These infants will also need their routine doses (at 12 and 18 months of age). Adults born in 1966 or after who do not have two documented doses should consider vaccination. The measles vaccine has an excellent safety and effectiveness record. Two doses provide long-lasting protection for around 99% of people who are vaccinated. Try to get vaccinated at least two weeks before departure. This allows for immunity to develop. We need to stay alert Measles control is a global problem that requires local vigilance. As international travel increases, ensuring vaccinations are up to date remains one of the most reliable ways to protect individuals, communities and those who are most vulnerable. Emma Birrell, an Immunisation Clinical Nurse Specialist with Sydney Childrens Hospitals Network, co-authored this article. Nigel Farage told a heckler "you need a haircut" after protesters interrupted the Reform UK leader's speech in Scotland. People in the audience began shouting as soon as Mr Farage started to speak at the unveiling of his party's candidates and manifesto for the Scottish Parliament election. "You need a haircut, mate," Mr Farage told the demonstrator, who was jeered by the audience as he was taken out of the room. "Wow, go back to work. No, sorry, you haven't got a job, have you?" Mr Farage predicted Reform will be the official opposition at Holyrood after the May elections. He said: "Scottish politics up until this point has been very, very hostile to any other voice. "They may go on being hostile to our voice but you know something now, they can't stop us." The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The war in Iran is hammering Americans' wallets at the gas pump and beyond as cities across the country feel the impact of whats happening thousands of miles away in the Middle East. Iran has all but shut down shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage that typically sees around 20 percent of the worlds oil supply pass through it annually. With the Strait choked off, soaring oil prices have led to U.S. gas prices jumping 92 cents from one month ago, according to auto club AAA. Four of the countrys five biggest cities have been hit harder than the national average over the past month: New York City: Up 82 cents per gallon Los Angeles/Long Beach: Up $1.09 per gallon Chicago metro area: Up $1.09 per gallon Houston: Up $1.04 per gallon Phoenix: Up $1.33 per gallon Smaller cities are feeling the petroleum pinch, too. In Oklahoma, where gas is typically the cheapest in the nation, prices have increased 95 cents since the start of the war. Oklahoma City, the states biggest city, has seen its prices rise $1.02 from $2.23 a month ago to $3.25 on Thursday. open image in gallery The war in Iran has sent U.S. cost of living soaring and Americans are not happy about it, according to a recent Yahoo/YouGov poll ( US ARMY/AFP via Getty Images ) Oklahoma resident Jayden Parker expressed frustration over gas prices during an interview with Oklahoma Citys KOCO News 5 this past week. You can see here I'm paying $40 for half a tank, Parker said. I do about 1,000 miles a week, so I have certainly noticed that $3.29. I am pretty sure, like a month ago, [it] was like $2.09. Certainly, it makes you not want to go out anywhere. It makes you not want to work as much, but youve got to work to make money to pay for the gas." In Louisville, Kentucky, where gas costs an average of $1.15 more than it did a month ago, ElderServe, a local nonprofit that offers medical transportation for and meal deliveries to seniors, is dealing with the fallout of increased driving costs due to fuel prices. Any sort of change or spike in gas prices has a dramatic effect on our budget, ElderServe CEO Timothy Findley told Louisvilles KOCO News 5 on Wednesday. And of course, when our budget which is already sort of that shoestring budget comes under that level of pressure, we have to make changes, make cuts. A Pennsylvania resident who voted for Trump three times went as far as calling him a worthless piece of s*** during an interview with NBC reporter Jon Allen on Tuesday. The wars impact reaches beyond gas prices, too. Grocery prices could increase in the coming months as farmers face fertilizer prices that are 40 percent higher year-on-year due to supply-chain slowdowns linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Americas growing cost-of-living crisis stands in stark contrast to the Trump Administrations claims in February that it won affordability. Comments from Vice President J.D. Vance on Wednesday seemed to contradict those claims, saying consumers are in for a rough road ahead. open image in gallery Gas prices in four of Americas five biggest cities have risen more than $1 over the past month ( AFP/Getty ) Economic shockwaves pulsating from the Middle East have Americans frustrated about more than gas prices. Some 67 percent of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling cost of living, and 61 percent disapprove of how hes handling the economy, according to a poll of 1,669 U.S. adults by Yahoo and polling firm YouGov. Those frustrations could spell doom for the Republican Party in Novembers midterm elections. More Americans believe Democrats would do a better job of handling cost of living compared to Republicans, a critical sentiment considering Americans listed cost of living as the most important issue when thinking about this years midterms, the Yahoo/YouGov poll revealed. Sign up for our free Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Pandemic Fund was set up in the wake of the Covid-19 emergency as the world recognised we are dangerously unprepared for the next big global health threat and it boasted enthusiastic support from the UK. No longer. Similarly, our country proudly funded the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which is winning the war to stamp out a devastating disease that paralyses children. Now that money will stop, even as record-low vaccination rates here put our own youngsters at risk. I never thought I would see the day when a Labour government pulled out of projects to prevent pandemics and polio, but that is now revealed as the shocking fallout from the decision to slash 40 per cent from the UKs international development budget. Ministers have done their best to bury the full truth, in an equality impact assessment scandalously lacking in detail, but we have been given a glimpse of the horrors that will follow. The document admits that axing development programmes in Sierra Leone and Malawi two of the worlds poorest countries will result in around 250,000 young people losing access to family planning and up to 20,000 children dropping out of school. In Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia, families in poverty and people unable to work because they are disabled or too old will be hit hard, the assessment acknowledges. In just four years, by this decades end, bilateral aid to African countries will have plunged by 56 per cent a repeat, under a Labour government, of the pain inflicted by the Conservatives a few years ago that my party attacked so strongly at the time. Even where there appears to be a hopeful story to tell, it turns out to be smoke and mirrors. Ministers say they are focusing support on the most fragile countries, often those gripped by conflict but even there the cut in funding is around 25 per cent. It is no longer possible to disguise that the decision to strip 6.5 billion a year from our aid budget will have catastrophic consequences, not only for the poorest parts of the world but for our countrys international standing and influence. And it is just as clear that it is based on a false premise: that there is a choice between spending money on defence or on international development when any military expert will tell you the best line of defence is to spend wisely to help people stay safe and secure in their own homes, able to hold their governments to account. Instead, the effects of depriving girls in South Sudan of the opportunity to go to school, and of ending scores of other projects that are yet to be revealed, will be felt here at home as well as in those countries losing a helping hand. The inevitable consequence will be more refugees arriving across the Channel in small boats, full of people fleeing conflict and famine, chasing the chance to feed their families and the hope of a decent life. That is what happens when, as the respected Center for Global Development has calculated, our aid cuts are on course to be even larger than those being made by Donald Trump in the United States, and the largest of any G7 nation. By next year, spending on overseas programmes will be the joint lowest since records began in 1970 at just 0.24 per cent of national income once the billions diverted to funding the accommodation costs of asylum-seekers here in the UK are subtracted And it is not even correct that slashing aid allows the government to boost defence, because as the respected Paul Johnson, the former head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies has pointed out most defence funding is investment, not the day-to-day spending being cut from aid. There is no direct link. The time has come for ministers to have the courage to put this controversy to a vote in parliament to comply with the law and to allow MPs to put forward better alternatives that avoid such short-sighted wreckage. Otherwise, we are stuck on the dismal path of slashing the very aid that our prime minister once acknowledged helps build a more stable world and keeps us safer in the UK. It is time to change course. Sarah Champion is chair of the House of Commons International Development Committee and Labour MP for Rotherham This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project A Hot Box sauna at Bective Mills in Co Meath Post-tax profits at the company behind The Hot Box Sauna last year increased almost threefold to 928,306. New accounts filed by Lidoc Experiences Ltd show that the post-tax profits of 928,306 in the 12 months to the end of August last year followed post-tax profits of 332,931 in the previous year. The take for 2025 resulted in the company having accumulated profits of 1.39m at the end of last August. The firms cash funds surged from 46,227 to 1.25m. Underlining the companys expansion during 2025 which coincided with the continued explosion in popularity of sauna use around Ireland the book value of the companys property, plant and equipment rose from 563,597 to 1.4m. Numbers employed increased from 19 to 35. Pay to directors rose from 192,150 to 332,160. The main activities of the company involves providing outdoor leisure experiences including hot-box saunas and hot tubs. The profit last year takes into account non-cash depreciation costs of 227,552 compared with depreciation costs of 93,163 for the previous year. Earlier this month, Dublin City Council granted planning permission to the company for planning retention for five saunas and three plunge pools as part of a Hot Box Sauna unit at Unit 5, Goldenbridge Industrial Estate, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8. The Hot Box Sauna now operates from eight sites around the country The council granted planning permission after a wave of support from users of the sauna facility. The firm also has a planning retention application before Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for its sauna operation adjacent to Killiney beach. Last year, the sauna operators opened its flagship operation at the Google Ireland-owned Hot Box Sauna Bolands Mills in Dublins Docklands as part of a 2m investment. The Hot Box Sauna now operates from eight sites around the country and includes counties Cork, Meath and Sligo outside the capital. A Hot Box sauna at Bective Mills in Co Meath In an interview last year, co-founder Dan OConnor said: Our model is scalable, our brand is strong, and the demand is global. Were ambitious and we want to see The Hot Box become a name synonymous with world-class sauna experiences, whether youre in Dublin, Los Angeles, or anywhere in between. The Hot Box Sauna was co-founded by Mr OConnor and his friends, Luke Williams and Liam Irwin, in 2021 as a self-built sauna trailer in Co Meath. Stephen Cass still sees himself as the underdog, even 10 years after leaving an office job in Dublin to open his successful deli Cass & Co in his Waterford hometown. Ask him the secret to success and he doesnt hesitate: work hard at everything, source only what youd proudly stand over, and never settle. Its that constant hunt for the best of local, Irish and European produce that has shaped the deli into the multifaceted, muchloved spot it is today. Two months of public consultation opens over 1bn Co Louth offshore windfarm Oriel windfarm would be Irelands first commercial-scale offshore project Offshore windfarm. Photo: Getty John Mulligan Thu 19 Mar 2026 at 06:30 The planning watchdog could make a decision in September regarding a 1bn-plus windfarm off the Co Louth coast which would be the first commercial-scale project of its kind in Ireland. The Trump administration has vowed to take a legal fight to oust Anthropic PBC from all US government agencies following a dispute over how the companys artificial intelligence technology would be used. Selected cinemas; Cert 12A Find someone who looks at you the way Paolo Sorrentinos camera looks at Toni Servillo. Seven film collaborations in 25 years make it inarguable that Servillo the Italian screen institution who also starred in crime drama Gomorrah is Sorrentinos muse. Those outings have included everything from political satire (the scathing, grotesque 2018 Berlusconi portrait, Loro) to heartfelt character portraits (2014 Oscar-winner The Great Beauty does what it says on the tin) and wonder-years biographical fare (The Hand of God). Anyone with half an eye on the Neapolitan writer-directors career will also know the Servillo films are the ones that really hit the spot. They are where this great stylist of European cinema finds an unshakable core around which to orchestrate studies of widescreen intimacy. Sorrentino films are grandiose and ostentatious, full of deep ecstatic swoons to style, architecture and female beauty. Never are you in doubt that youre in Italy. But at their centre, etched on Servillos face, we find vulnerability, melancholy and the tug of unfinished business gnawing away at a tired soul. What a delight, then, to have the two reunited for another dance. La Grazia a character study of a fictional Italian premier auditing his life and female relationships ahead of retirement is not exactly uncharted territory. The embattled politician or high-flying silverback, usually being existentially dismantled by women during a moment of professional upheaval, is a stock Sorrentino protagonist. This is less of an outright mural than were used to with Sorrentino, however. Everything feels a little more rounded and tactile. We still have those long, luxuriant shots, the arch visual spectacle, only less drowsy and compressed (something that certainly couldnt be said of 2024s slightly self-indulgent Parthenope). Mariano De Santis (Servillo) is the quintessential Sorrentino caricature. Italys outgoing president is into his final furlong of office and cant help but take stock. He misses his late wife desperately and is tormented by the identity of an extramarital lover she took 40 years ago. 'La Grazia' looks stunning. Photo: Andrea Pirrello The freedom of retirement holds no great allure for him and thats even after hes asked out by a Lithuanian ambassador half his age because what good is freedom when youre old, he sighs. Not even fashion designer and closest friend Coco (a marvellously sharp-tongued Milvia Marigliano) can offer much in the way of solace. The only pleasure Mariano has left in life are the cigarettes he smokes on the palacio rooftop out of sight of daughter Dorotea (lovely work by Anna Ferzetti). Shes a talented jurist in her own right and acts as something of a sounding board for her sad dad. She urges him to bear in mind that he still has some weeks and months left in office and that a couple of thorny matters require his attention before he departs. Theres an assisted-dying bill that Dorotea is keen for him to sign, but his conservative Catholic leaning tempts him to kick the can down the road on that one. Dorotea also has two pardons individuals who murdered their partners for complex reasons for him to consider before he returns to civilian life. So at sea is Mariano that he ends up visiting these people to judge for himself. 'La Grazia' is a fascinating character study. Photo: Andrea Pirrello This theme of clemency and forgiveness, of finally deciding to let go of useless, stultifying baggage, looms large in Sorrentinos screenplay. Mariano is caught between worlds like some sharp-suited Citizen Kane. On the one hand, theres his political capital, the opulent baroque meeting chambers, the private audiences with the Pope. On the other, the gloriously hangdog Mariano lives up to his tabloid nickname Reinforced Concrete, debilitated by political and legal inadequacy and blaring hip-hop through headphones in the hope some of its egotism and confidence will rub off on him. And yes, for every second, Sorrentinos camera adores Servillo. He just fits so neatly in every situation, beside anyone, against anything. The Venice Best Actor winner is as perfectly statuesque sitting on a couch reading the paper as he is drifting through a montage to pulsating acid house. Rarely do filmmaker and lead feel so mutually entwined, and while it could be argued theres only so many times Servillo can essay a tormented Sorrentino statesman, its a dance thats always worth turning up for. Four stars Graham Fyness quick thinking helped saved the mans life then he got to fly home to Dublin to take part in the St Patricks Day parade A Dublin-born firefighter who received a police bravery award for his swift action at a road crash which saved a mans life came back home to march in the St Patricks Day Parade. Graham Fynes (36), from Santry, is a first lieutenant volunteer with Southampton Fire Department in New York and was off-duty and driving with his wife Sarah in Hampton Bays on May 10 last year when they had to swerve quickly to avoid a car coming in the opposite direction, which then crashed into a pole and hit a tree. Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Photo: PA Gerry Adams has told the High Court in London that the IRA was undefeated. The former Sinn Fein president (77) claimed IRA members defied all attempts to criminalise them and praised their maturity and intelligence when the paramilitary group ended its armed campaign in 2005. Inquest hears police are investigating death of Irish soldier killed in livefire exercise in UK The British Army officer, from Co Roscommon, was fatally injured during livefire exercise at one of the UK's largest army training ranges Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney Katie Dickinson Press Association Thu 19 Mar 2026 at 11:53 The death of a British Army officer killed in a live firing training exercise is being investigated by police and health and safety inspectors, an inquest opening has heard. The Department of Foreign Affairs has handled almost 2,500 calls to its crisis centre from Irish citizens across the Middle East since the start of the Iran war. 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? Meningitis hits second English university as students scramble to get vaccine Super-spreader event has led to 20 infections so far with two killed A student receives an injection in the sports hall at University of Kent campus in Canterbury, where the rollout of a meningitis B vaccine to about 5,000 students has begun. Photo: PA Michael Searies Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Thu 19 Mar 2026 at 06:30 The meningitis outbreak in Kent, England, has spread to a second university. Nine cases of the B strain of meningitis have been confirmed in Ireland so far this year, with 38 detected last year, it emerged yesterday. The B strain has been implicated in at least six of the infections at the centre of an explosive outbreak of meningitis in Kent, England, which has led to the deaths of two students. The Government will bring forward an appropriate intervention in the next week to tackle increased energy prices arising from the war in Iran, Tanaiste Simon Harris has promised. The Irish Independent understands the forthcoming measures are likely to be for a very short period, with intervention on the scale of those put in place after Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 being ruled out. Donal Fallon: How Cillian Murphys Phoenix Cinema could offer a blueprint for saving our beloved movie theatres These buildings offer great potential if they can be reimagined as broader cultural spaces Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness worked with the local community in Dingle to see what they wanted from the Phoenix Cinema. Photo: Getty Donal Fallon Thu 19 Mar 2026 at 06:30 Across the island of Ireland, our towns and cities are dotted with former cinema buildings, now functioning as everything imaginable from bingo halls to furniture warehouses. Mark Henry: Ireland is one of the happiest countries in the world, but failing to clamp down on social media risks our future well-being We know that platforms driven by algorithmically curated content are affecting young people, so the time to act is now Children have to get off the screens and out into the real world. Stock image Mark Henry Thu 19 Mar 2026 at 06:30 Some good news first: Ireland is one of the happiest countries in the world. The latest edition of the World Happiness Report ranks us the 13th happiest of nearly 150 nations. European leaders have visited the Oval Office of late with the enthusiasm of errant schoolboys summoned to the principals office in the era of corporal punishment. Anticipating chastisement rather than commendation, their best outcome is to come away without a caning. A taoiseach visiting a US president on St Patricks Day might ordinarily expect a welcome on the mat. Many other leaders might first consider checking under it to see if there is a trap door. Let us just agree Donald Trumps tenure has been different. Micheal Martin had it all to do as a leader, especially as he represents, partly at least, a continent that had just taken the unprecedented step of rebuffing the most powerful man on earths request for help in securing the Strait of Hormuz. An abundance of caution was required. Recent history records show any breakages in the Oval Office come at a ruinous cost. In her first St Patricks Day message, President Catherine Connolly said the normalisation of war can never be accepted. As for Mr Martin, he was never going to go to Washington and classify the US and Israeli attacks on Iran as illegal. But to his considerable credit, he did not flinch from spelling out: The Irish position has always been: can you resolve this peacefully? He also took the opportunity of standing up for Keir Starmer, recognising that the UK prime minister had helped rebuild post-Brexit relationships. The Taoiseach was keen to point out the unique ties between Ireland and the US, yet as the US celebrates its 250th anniversary, he also wished to remember the generations from Irelands shores who helped make it the worlds most influential nation. The current breach between Europe and the US is understandable, but not irreconcilable Further growth and prosperity are far from guaranteed. The post-World War II order has been upended, along with the alliances that built the foundations for peace and stability. Any creeping acceptance of the use of force, mass casualties and death as a part of modern governance has to be resisted. So Mr Martins focus on peace had a special resonance this St Patricks Day. He was in the privileged position of representing a nation that is now the fifth-biggest investor in the US, something Mr Trump acknowledged. He spoke of our tremendous trade relationship, adding that it is going to be expanded very quickly. Mr Martin also wished to salute our foundational connection with the 35 million Americans of Irish heritage, saying: Were very proud of that connection, and we think you hosting us here in the White House is affirmational to all the Irish-Americans. The current breach between Europe and the US is understandable, but not irreconcilable. Punitive tariffs, along with red-carpet treatment for Russian president Vladimir Putin, have caused a rupture. The US-Israeli war in Iran is another dangerous fault line. Europe and most of the world sees no upside in becoming trapped in a war with no exit strategy. Yet as the Taoiseach so aptly said: Ultimately, all conflicts end, but only through dialogue and not more needless death is such a resolution likely to be found. A key priority for the proposed Mallow Relief Road is to ease the chronic traffic congestion. Mallow Relief Road Alliance have requested a meeting with Cork County Councils Northern Division to address possible interim measures to reduce the spiralling congestion in Mallow town. A meeting of Mallow Relief Road Alliance was recently held on Monday, March 9, 2026. Labour Party TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny, Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central Ken O'Flynn, and Labour Party councillor Ronan Sheehan were in attendance. All three of the public representatives made valuable contributions and welcomed the recent funding allocation of 600,000 for the Mallow Relief Road as a positive step forward for the long-awaited project. Further funding for the project will be required however moving forward on an ongoing basis. Members of Mallow Relief Road Alliance will now be contacting all the TDs in Cork-North-Central and support from the different party members confirmed. In addition, Mallow Relief Road Alliance will be seeking a meeting with Cork County Councils Northern Division to address possible interim measures that could allay some of the spiralling congestion in Mallow town. Other matters discussed at the meeting included the MallowCork rail link, the proposed NCT Centre in Mallow and St Annes Historic Church Grant Application. It was recently confirmed that the preliminary business case for the Mallow Relief Road will be submitted to An Coimisun Pleanala by June 2026. The information was recently relayed to Eoghan Kenny TD by the Head of Regulatory and Administration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Michael Kennedy after Deputy Kenny sought an update on the relief road. Mr Kennedy said Cork County Council as the sponsoring agency is currently progressing the project through Phase 3, Design and Environmental Evaluation. The next steps to be completed are the submission of the preliminary business case which is planned for Q2, 2026 and subject to approval of the preliminary business case by TII, the submission of the planning application for the scheme to An Coimisiun Pleanala. It was a midweek boost for one Dublin Lotto player who matched five numbers and the bonus in Wednesday nights draw, scooping 34,118. The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased on Tuesday, March 17 in Dunnes Stores on Wendell Avenue in Carrickhill, Portmarnock, Co Dublin. The winning numbers in Wednesday nights draw were: 16, 20, 30, 39, 46, 47, and the bonus was 43. The Dublin winner is advised to sign the back of their ticket and contact the National Lottery Prize Claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie to make arrangements to collect their prize at Lottery Headquarters. There was no winner of the 3,711,847 jackpot on offer, meaning Saturdays jackpot is now set to roll towards an estimated 4.2 million. Meanwhile, a Galway player has already celebrated their own big win after collecting 42,191 from last Saturdays draw. The winning ticket was purchased at a Spar shop in Carrowkeel, Kiltullagh, Athenry, Co Galway. I was scanning two tickets at the time and got the message Youve Won Big! I had no idea how much it could have been, so I called the Claims team immediately and in the space of about three minutes, I went from not knowing I had won anything to finding out I had a ticket worth 42,191, the winner said. The only reason I even decided to check the tickets was because I was clearing out my pockets. I never would have thought of checking otherwise. The Galway winner already has plans in place to celebrate the windfall. The first thing Ill be doing is booking an Italian weekend away to celebrate! Gallivan Financial has acquired six businesses since May 2023 Fergal Smith, Gallivan financial managing director, Stephen Doyle, founder and chief executive of Doyle Pension & Insurance Management, and Tadgh Gallivan, co-founder of Gallivan Financial. Gallivan Financial recently announced that it has acquired Dublin-based firm Doyle Pension & Insurance Management for an undisclosed sum. The deal means that the Killarney-based company, founded as Tadgh Gallivan Insurances in 1989, has acquired six businesses since May 2023. These businesses include Vincent Casey Life & Pensions of Killarney as well as FJ Hanly, Mount Street Group, Kelly OShea Pensions & Financial Services and Tara Financial. The most recent deal brings its total assets under management (AUM) to more than 1.3 billion. The company has plans to grow further and expand its AUM to more than 2 billion with more acquisitions in the near future. Gallivan Financial is majority-owned by the Gallivan family, who sold its Gallivan Murphy Insurance Brokers (GMIB) business to U.S.-based Assured Partners in 2022. Gallivan Financial was not part of that transaction. Fergal Smith, Gallivan Financial managing director, said achieving the milestone of 1 billion AUM is a defining moment for his company. Doyle Pension & Insurance Management brings deep technical expertise and long-established client relationships, making this an excellent fit as we continue to expand our Dublin footprint and national presence, Mr Smith said. Gallivan Financial is now targeting AUM of 2 billion in the medium term as we continue to expand through acquisitions and organic growth, he added. The long-established Doyle Pension & Insurance Management has a client base of approximately 3,000 customers and manages 260 million in assets for private clients and businesses, according to Gallivan Financial. The acquisition of the Dublin business marks a significant milestone in Gallivan Financials nationwide expansion strategy. We have made three acquisitions in the Dublin market in less than 12 months, and we see significant additional scope for consolidation within the wealth management sector in Dublin and across the Irish economy, Mr Smith said. Stephen Doyle, founder and chief executive of Doyle Pension & Insurance Management, said he acquisition of his company will support the next phase of its business growth. The Gallivan Financial client-first approach and their investment in people and long-term vision, made them the ideal partner for our clients. I am confident that this move will maintain the ongoing service we provide while preserving the professional standards that our clients receive, Mr Doyle said. Together, we will continue to deliver personal financial planning advice with the support of expanded resources and a shared commitment to long-term client success, he added. Leo is well known and loved in the community PIC CREDIT: GoFundMe The family of a Galway teen with special needs have been left blown away after a fundraiser for a new wheelchair vehicle raised well over their target of 11,500. A Go Fund Me was started for well known Galway teen Leo to fund a wheelchair vehicle that would allow him to stay mobile. With an initial target of 11,500, the fundraiser has now exceeded 13,000 within just a few days and Leos parents Barbara and Max have been left overwhelmed by the generosity of the community. The extra funds will be used for insurance, diesel, maintenance, and other essentials related to keeping Leo mobile. The Go Fund Me was started by Devon Goodwin along with the rest of Leos Tribe, who hailed Leo for his charm and smile and his mother Barbara for her kindness and generosity. The update was shared on the Go Fund Me page this week. It read: Some wonderful news for your Monday morning - we have exceeded our goal of 11,500 for Leos new wheelchair vehicle!!! You are all incredibly generous, and Barbara and Max are blown away and very touched by what has occurred since Thursday. This will be life changing for Leo and his parents, allowing Leo to stay mobile in a way that is safe, comfortable, and dependable. The vehicle will be delivered to Galway next Saturday, March 21, where it will be given a mechanical inspection and we will make sure that everything is the right fit and size for Leo and his chair. After that, Leo will be ready for road! The extra funds will be used for insurance, diesel, maintenance, and other essentials related to keeping Leo mobile. We will send pictures of Leo and his wheels after next weekend but wanted to send this happy update. In the words of Barbara people are amazing. Thanks for being amazing. Leo is well known and loved in the community PIC CREDIT: GoFundMe The original Go Fund Me appeal read: Many of you know Leo. In addition to being perhaps the most handsome teenager in Galway, he is also a growing man, and while Barbara and Max have been able to use a car for his transport up until now, he now really needs a wheelchair vehicle. For those of you familiar with caring for a child with complex needs, you will know it is a full-time job. As such, it significantly reduces a family's ability to work, and therefore significantly affects their income. Leo and his family really need the community to come together to make purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle for Leo possible. We have sourced a wheelchair accessible Fiat Doblo with only 14,000km on the odometer, but we need your help to make this purchase a reality. If 50 of Leo's friends can each give 200, or 100 can each give 100, or 200 can each give 50, we can make this happen. I know Barbara has touched many of you with her generosity, kindness, and spirit over the years, and Leo has captured many of your hearts with his charm, smile, and those amazing eyes. Let's just get this done. Anyone would would like to donate can do so via the Wheels for Leo's Wheels page on GoFundMe.ie A long-serving professor at the University of Galway has been appointed as 59th president of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) for a three-year term. Professor Daniel Carey, who has been lecturing in English at the School of Humanities at University of Galway since 1997, replaces the outgoing Professor Pat Guiry at the helm of Irelands leading body of experts in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. Elected to membership of the academy in 2014, Professor Carey has been an active contributor to its work, serving as vice-president in 201718 and 202021, as well as secretary for humanities and social sciences from 202124; and secretary from 202426. Commenting on his election, Prof Carey said it is a great honour to be appointed to the position and stated that he looks forward to building on the academys strengths while growing its international profile and deepening relationships with key stakeholders. Alongside this, we will strengthen fundraising to support core activities, advance equality, diversity and inclusion, and expand the academy as a space of interaction and engagement, enhancing our convening power through the work of our programmes, he said. I look forward to working with members and staff to reinforce the academys commitment to public life, north and south. RIA executive director Lynn Scarff added: The role of President carries responsibility for stewarding the academy and sustaining its influence as a trusted voice in public discourse and policy formulation. I look forward to working with Prof Carey as president, continuing to strengthen the impact of the Royal Irish Academy, expand collaborative opportunities, and enhance its service to scholarship and the public good. Members of the local in Killarney, as well as wider afield, are, early next month, invited to travel back in time to the two best decades of human existence the 80s and 90s for a fundraising night in aid of Raheen NS. The return of the 80s and 90s disco which will be held in the Killarney Avenue Hotel on Easter Saturday, April 4 comes after the school held a similar event last year, one that proved so hugely successful that organisers almost had no choice but to run it back for year two. Maire OLeary from the Parents Association with Raheen NS spoke to The Kerryman about the excitement around the upcoming event, as well as revealing what the school is hoping to do with the funds raised. "We had a fierce crowd there last year and lots of people on the night, they were asking us if we were coming back again this year. They were even saying that we need to have nights like it at least once a month, but I think that might prove too difficult for us!" she laughed. "We have a school field, and what we're trying to do is put in a community walking track around the field as well. We're also working with LEADER in South Kerry to achieve this goal, so a significant portion of the funds raised will be allocated to the track project. Obviously, some will go to the regular day-to-day running costs of the Parents' Association work in the school. "We're a small rural school in a rural community, and we have an older population in the community as well, so it [the new track] is going to hopefully be a place where they can walk as well. It'll be a shared resource between the community and the school, she continued. Last years event saw people return from all over Ireland and the UK to share stories of first dates, engagements, weddings, and nights that began in Revelles. Organisers have promised that this year will have the same magic: the same laughter and the same memories. Starting at 9pm and running until late, this strictly over-18s event will see DJ Botty OCallaghan on hand to bring the soundtrack of the 80s and 90s roaring back to life. Tickets will cost 20 and can be purchased from Raheen N.S, Parents Association members, and local retailers, including the Killarney Avenue Hotel, Caragh Restaurant Killarney, ODonoghues and Frankies Barraduff, and Top Oil Glenflesk Service Station. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night. GAA Martin Breheny: What did Portugal jaunts gain Donegal and Mayo? Can fad be seen as a costly waste of money? Whoever signed the cheques for the Donegal and Mayo training jaunts in Portugal could possibly feel like they authorised the greatest waste of money since the 335,000 Dail bike shed fiasco. Firms Sligo based CEO says system will effectively eliminate fraud typically associated with card-based payment systems Irish company FacePOS is pioneering the development of a point-of-sale instant payment system that uses AI-enabled facial recognition software to eliminate fraud and reduce costs for consumers and financial institutions. Described as the holy grail of payment systems, FacePOS has been accepted into the Central Bank of Irelands Sandbox Programme for Innovation in Payments an initiative set up by the banking authority to promote and accelerate solutions that deliver safer and faster payments for households and businesses. FacePOS is an instant, pay-by-account (payBAC) payment system at point of sale. Positioned as an alternative to Visa and Mastercard, the revolutionary new software delivers instant payments direct from consumer accounts to merchant accounts without need of a card. The company was founded by CEO James Hannigan originally from Tallaght but now based in Sligo who began his career in on-course bookmaking before moving into retail technology. FacePOS CFO Paddy Bolger was previously CFO of cybersecurity company CWSI. FacePOS AI-enabled facial recognition technology uses liveness detection, which requires users to blink and smile to verify transactions. The software also has built-in proximity verification and confirmation of payee controls as additional security measures. The technology eliminates the need for multiple intermediaries involved in card payments, which in turn reduces the cost to banks and consumers from fraud and errors. The only interoperable instant POS payment solution in Europe, FacePOS is recognised by the European Payments Council, European Third Party Payments Association and the Central Bank of Ireland for instant payments at point of interaction (IP@POI). FacePOS is currently fundraising and has been accepted onto Enterprise Irelands High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) initiative. The company employs a global team of 30 developers and sales people. It has strong support from FinTech Ireland. Later this year, FacePOS is planning to launch a round of fundraising to support regulatory compliance, legal and operational scaling, and its ambitious international expansion plans. Hannigan and Bolger attended the first CBI Innovation Sandbox event which took place at DogPatch Labs in Dublin on January 29. All nine selected companies came together at the innovation hub to introduce their products, services, and visions for transforming payments. It followed the Asian Financial Forum on January 26 in Hong Kong where FacePOS was invited to take part in a closed roundtable discussion hosted by the Hong Kong governments Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), an initiative aimed at enticing innovative companies to set up and scale their operations in the region. Bringing together representatives of financial institutions, regulators, policymakers and industry leaders, the roundtable provided FacePOS with access to key decision-makers from OASES who pitched Hong Kong as a future regional base offering strategic access to the Chinese market. CEO Hannigan said: We are very excited to introduce FacePOS which has been hailed as the holy grail of pay-by-account instant payment systems. It delivers instant payments from consumer accounts to merchant accounts using AI-enabled facial recognition technology. Along with a range of other high-tech security measures, this effectively eliminates fraud typically associated with card-based payment systems and reduces costs for consumers and financial institutions. "The next 12 months promises to be a period of accelerated growth for the company aided in part by our acceptance into the Central Bank of Irelands Innovation Sandbox Programme for Innovation in Payments. Indeed, our place in the initiative is already paying dividends as we recently partnered with Payemoji, our CBI Sandbox colleagues, to provide payment services. We also recently attended the Asian Financial Forum where we heard pitches from officials about the strategic benefits of setting up an Asian hub in Hong Kong. We look forward to more exciting developments in the coming months as we continue our fundraising, engaging with the CBI Sandbox cohort, and working with Enterprise Irelands High Potential Start-Up initiative. Enniscorthy Enniscorthy Rockin Food and Fruit Festival: All you need to know from road closures and fireworks to chefs and musicians taking part The countdown is on for one of the biggest food and music festivals in Wexford. Broadcaster Anne Cassin said she hadn't danced in public since she was 10, prior to her Dancing with the Stars debut. Photo: Barry McCall The New Ross Piano Festival has revealed that well-known RTE broadcaster and former Dancing with the Stars contestant, Anne Cassin, will present the festivals upcoming Two-Piano Gala 20th Anniversary Concert at the National Opera House in Wexford. With a broadcasting career spanning more than 35 years, Anne Cassin has spent the past 13 years as a presenter on the hugely popular RTE programme, Nationwide. Earlier this year, she captured the hearts of viewers across the country as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, where, despite not having danced in public since she was 10 years old, Anne showcased her skills as she performed alongside professional dancer, Robert Rowinski. The New Ross Piano Festival, now celebrating two decades of exceptional piano music, marks this milestone with a spectacular afternoon performance on on Sunday, April 19. The programme will feature two of Irelands most celebrated pianists, Finghin Collins and Barry Douglas, who have played on stages locally and internationally. The concert programme offers a beautiful mix of solo and duo piano works. Collins performs Schubert, Douglas performs Prokofiev, and after the interval, the two join forces for much-loved masterpieces by Mozart and Rachmaninov - an exciting blend guaranteed to make this anniversary concert one to remember. Commenting on the announcement, the festivals Artistic Director, Finghin Collins said: We are absolutely thrilled that Anne is joining us at the National Opera House next month to celebrate 20 years of our festival. Anne is very much a household name in Ireland, admired not only for her distinguished broadcasting career, but also for her recent performances on Dancing with the Stars. She brings warmth, professionalism, and a wonderful connection with audiences, and we are honoured to have her with us for this special occasion, Mr Collins added. Established in 2006, the New Ross Piano Festival began as a partnership between the local voluntary music organisation, 'Music for New Ross' and pianist Finghin Collins. The festival presents a diverse range of solo and chamber concerts featuring international and Irish artists. Many of the world's finest pianists and chamber groups have graced the stage of St Mary's Church and today the festival is respected as one of Europe's top classical music festivals. Tickets for the New Ross Piano Festivals 20th Anniversary Two Piano Gala Concert are available online at nationaloperahouse.ie or phone 059 9122144. A creche worker disqualified from driving has avoided a prison sentence, after being caught driving without insurance at a checkpoint in Wicklow. Martina Dunne (66), with an address at Seamount Drive, Newcastle, Co Wicklow, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court. The accused pleaded guilty to one count of having no insurance and one charge of driving without a licence. Garda Sergeant Mick Canavan told the court that on November 27, 2025, gardai stopped the defendant in a grey Dacia at a checkpoint in Rathnew. After further enquiries, it was discovered that Ms Dunne was a disqualified driver and had no valid insurance documentation. Ms Dunne has 13 previous convictions, with her most recent coming from Wicklow District Court sitting at Bray, where she was disqualified from driving for three years. The court also heard that in 2021, at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court, Ms Dunne was fined for a hit-and-run incident. Solicitor for the accused, Brendan Maloney, said his client has a bad record, but noted that she is a widow following the death of her husband. He added that on the day of the incident Ms Dunne received a call that her 93-year-old brother was unwell, prompting her to drive to assist him. In mitigation, the court heard that Ms Dunne has five adult children and works part-time as a cook in a creche in Dublin, earning 170 per week. Mr Maloney appealed for leniency, saying the accused also helps her family by collecting her grandchildren from school. Judge David Kennedy remarked that if she was a couple of years younger I would have sent you to jail. He disqualified Ms Dunne from driving for a further five years, fined her 1,000 and imposed a six-month custodial sentence, which he suspended in full. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme The Abbey Cinema in Wicklow town, which opened around 1942 and closed in 2001. For anyone who remembers the magic of a night at the pictures in Wicklow town, local historian Jim Scannell is set to bring the golden age of cinema back to life. In a richly illustrated talk, he will revisit the 1950s and 1960s, when Wicklow towns Abbey and Rialto cinemas were at the heart of social life and a trip to the movies was an event in itself. Jims talk will look back at how cinema developed during these decades, a period when the film industry introduced dramatic new widescreen technologies such as VistaVision, cinemascope, techniscope, Todd-AO and cinerama. By the late 1960s, these formats were largely replaced by Panavision as the standard widescreen system used by filmmakers. The talk will also explore the transition from black-and-white films to the vibrant colours of technicolour, followed by eastmancolor and other colour processes that became widely used during the 1960s. Advances in cinema sound will also be discussed, including the introduction of stereo sound in many cinemas. These innovations came at a time when cinemas were facing new competition from television, with the growing availability of BBC, ITV and RTE in homes across Ireland from the 1960s onwards. Jim will recall the experience of going to the pictures in Wicklow during these decades, highlighting the films that were screened, the stars who appeared in them, and the role the local cinemas played in community life. The free talk takes place in the library in Wicklow town on Tuesday, March 24 at 7pm. To book your place contact Wicklow Town Library Branch on 0404 67025 or email Wicklib@wicklowcoco.ie. Designer Hiroki Asano is using the intricate interlaced motifs to marry the traditions of Ireland and Japan Being Irish seems to be quite the hot commodity at the moment.Actors such as Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal and Cillian Murphy continue to be praised internationally for their craft. Irish designers JW Anderson and Sean McGirr are leading some of the worlds biggest fashion houses, Dior and Alexander McQueen. At home, many brands like Zingy Days, Ditsy Bits, Pellador and Aoife McNamara have been honouring our heritage through the use of Irish symbols, language and using Irish-sourced materials such as linen and wool. Were celebrating our roots in a modern manner. A kimono and obi with a Celtic pattern However, about 6,000 miles away, a Japanese designer, Hiroki Asano, is marrying the traditions of Ireland and Japan. Hiroki joined his family business, weaving house Shokuraku Asano, in 2014; however, the brand itself began in 1980. The Kyoto-born designer regularly searches for inspiration in every day objects such as chopsticks, textiles and his book collection to create Nishijin-Ori, a luxury silk fabric made using a technique that is over 1,200 years old. A kimono featuring the red hand of Ulster Irish-born textile design graduate Mark McNulty works in Tokyo as a designer and international sales person at kimono brand Ginza Motoji. Having travelled to Japan for two weeks while studying at NCAD, McNulty became fascinated with the culture and returned to live there after receiving his degree. He has now been living in Japan for over seven years. Keita Motoji of Ginza Motoji spoke with Hiroki Asano, says McNulty of how the Celtic Memory collaboration came to be. Hiroki had recently begun exploring Celtic patterns as inspiration for kaku-obi (mens obi), noting how their intricate interlaced motifs seemed well suited to the narrow, continuous form of the obi. An obi is a traditional Japanese sash worn with a kimono which ties around the waist, it varies in size, tending to be slimmer for men and wider for women. The team decided to travel to Ireland to explore Irish motifs and crafts further. They visited Trinity College to view the architecture and the Book of Kells, and the National Gallery of Ireland, and were particularly taken by Harry Clarkes stained-glass windows. One of the celtic pattern obi designs They, of course, travelled further around Ireland too and visited landmarks such as Newgrange, Inis Meain and the Giants Causeway. We began to wonder how such landscapes, as well as the other things we saw, might find their way into our own making, says McNulty. Having soaked up the culture and documented it, the team returned to Japan to create the line with the goal of holding an exhibition of the work at Ginza Motoji. They leaned heavily into Celtic patterns and it was met with praise by customers. I cant believe how these patterns, despite coming from a country so far away, seem to fall perfectly into place in an obi, said one customer. Another joked: Its so funny to walk into a kimono shop in Ginza, Tokyo, and find everyone drinking whiskey and talking about Ireland. It seems no matter how far apart our countries, we can always bond over fashion and a stiff drink! In December last year, some 2,000 Chinese fishing boats lined up in two near-perfect parallel rows stretching hundreds of nautical miles in the East China Sea. The formation, so vast and orderly that analysts suspected the boats were doing anything but fishing, would appear twice more in the new year. The latest display coincided with Taiwan reporting the resumption of widespread Chinese air force activity around the island after an unexplained week-long lull, raising fresh questions over Beijings intentions as global attention shifted to the conflict in the Middle East. The unusual formations have also alarmed security experts, with some suggesting that they could be linked to Chinas maritime militia or represent a test of Beijings ability to mobilise civilian fleets for strategic use. The incidents occurred roughly 300km northeast of Taiwan. The largest of the three was recorded on Christmas Day when around 2,000 boats formed two parallel lines stretching 470km, according to ingeniSPACE, a satellite imagery and ship signals data firm which first reported the activity. The second incident took place shortly after in early January when 1,000 fishing vessels again formed an uneven rectangle. The formation was 400km-long and maintained its position for more than a day in the same area in the East China Sea before dispersing. The fishing vessels were so densely packed, cargo ships had to go around or zigzag through to pass, according to tracking data. The repeated formations pointed to a high degree of coordination and suggested the vessels were likely directed not to fish, according to analysts. The scale is extraordinary, said Ray Powell, a former US Air Force officer and director of SeaLight, a maritime grey zone activity tracker. Chinese fishing fleets routinely operate in large groups, but over a thousand vessels holding parallel lines for hundreds of miles over 30 hours has no clear precedent in publicly available data. The most recent formation occurred earlier this month, when around 1,200 boats assembled in parallel rows further east of the previous sites and maintained their positions for over 30 hours. Some analysts say the boats appear to be linked to fishing fleets from Zhejiang province, which hosts the largest number of documented maritime militia units in China. These units consist of commercial fishing boats whose crews may be registered as militia members and can be mobilised to support any maritime operation. Jason Wang, chief operating officer of ingeniSPACE, told AFP that something looked amiss because in nature very rarely do you see straight lines. He said he tracked fishing boats amassing in the busy waterway through a GSP-based shipboard broadcast system used by commercial ships. The Chinese navy is widely considered to be the worlds largest by size and second only to Americas in dominance of the seas. The Asian giant also boasts a huge civilian fleet of fishing boats, ferries and cargo ships that its reportedly preparing for use in the event of a regional conflict. According to a US congressional report from January, China sees its fishing fleet as a strategic tool to expand its influence, intimidate rivals and tighten control over maritime resources and supply chains across the Indo-Pacific. These vessels operate under the command of the military, the report claims, and feature reinforced hulls and water cannons for coercive tasks while specialised reconnaissance elements track foreign naval activity and report to Chinese military leaders. Powell says the Zhejiang fleet includes large numbers of fishermen who may be enrolled in Chinese militias. These arent purpose-built grey zone vessels like those we track in the South China Sea, he says. Theyre commercial fishing boats whose crews can be called up when needed. Beijing has offered no explanation for the unusual maritime activity so far. It has previously defended its drills and other military activity around Taiwan as part of its deterrence posture. China has said nothing to explain these formations and that silence is itself strategically useful. Whether directed or weather-driven, the ambiguity forces Japan, Taiwan and the US to assume worst-case scenarios and plan accordingly, says Powell. Other experts suggest the activity may amount to mobilisation testing, demonstrating how quickly China can deploy fleets of civilian vessels to either surveil big swathes of the ocean or complicate an adversarys response in a crisis. Alternative explanations are less threatening. Some analysts point to severe weather conditions at the time, suggesting the vessels likely clustered to ride out strong winds. South Korean fishing boats had returned to port in view of a forecast for strong winds but Chinese vessels remained at sea, grouping close together. Takafumi Sasaki, a professor of marine bioresource science at Hokkaido University, argued that even if the activity was driven by bad weather, it was unusual for the boats to stay in formation for so long. In any case, Beijings regional rivals are paying close attention. The House of Lords backed an amendment to pardon women convicted of having an illegal abortion (PA) Britains House of Lords has backed a move to pardon women who have been convicted of having an illegal abortion. The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill would also apply to women who were cautioned and would remove the womens details from police systems, regardless of the outcome of the case. Knowing the secretive street artists identity does not alter the power of his work The phenomenally popular artist has kept his identity kinda-sorta under wraps for more than three decades; fans had varyingly speculated that the man behind street-art favourites Girl with Balloon and Kissing Coppers could be anyone from Massive Attack musician Robert Del Naja to Art Attack host Neil Buchanan. Esmail Khatib led Tehrans intelligence and counter-espionage forces Irans intelligence minister has been killed in Israeli strikes, becoming the third key regime figure to be assassinated in 24 hours. The death of Esmail Khatib, the leader of Irans domestic intelligence and counter-espionage operations against Mossad, was confirmed by Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian hours after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said he had been eliminated. Oil tankers stacked up in the Singapore Straits with nowhere to go. Photo: Reuters Within days of war being declared, Iran had laid mines in the 40km-wide sea passage which typically serves as a key waterway for around a quarter of the worlds liquefied natural gas and seaborne oil trade. Irans chokehold on the strait the only maritime route out of the Gulf has sent shockwaves to global oil costs, as prices remain above $100 (86.97)a barrel as a result of the blockade. Zelensky fears missile shortage if Gulf war is not settled On a visit to the UK, Mr Zelensky said Putin cant be allowed to benefit from the Middle East conflict A resident stands at the site of buildings hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters Maryam-Zakir Hussain UK Independent Thu 19 Mar 2026 at 06:30 Ukraine will soon face a shortage of missiles to fight against Russia as a result of the Iran war, Volodymyr Zelensky has warned. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. A special Aegean Airlines repatriation flight touched down in Athens this week, carrying 101 Greek nationals and 45 pets, completing a high-stakes evacuation from Dubai amid deteriorating security conditions in the Persian Gulf The mission, dubbed "Operation Ark," was coordinated by the Foreign Ministry to rescue nationals stranded by the sudden suspension of commercial transit routes following the closure of regional airspace. In a rare logistical feat, the aircraft was reconfigured to transport dozens of cats and dogs in the cabin and specialized cargo holds, ensuring families were not forced to abandon their animals. "For many of these citizens, these animals are not just pets; they are family," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Koutras. Mr. Koutras noted that the mission faced "extreme bureaucratic hurdles" regarding international veterinary certifications and the rapid securing of overflight permits through volatile corridors. The evacuation comes as the Greek government intensifies efforts to extract its citizens from the Middle East. Passengers arriving at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport described scenes of chaos in the Emirates before the flights departure. "We felt increasingly trapped as the regional instability grew," said Maria Papadopoulou, who traveled with her two golden retrievers. Mrs. Papadopoulou praised the embassys coordination, adding, "Returning to Greece with our entire family intact brings a sense of security we thought we had lost." Government officials confirmed that similar contingency plans are being drafted for Greek communities in other Gulf hubs. While the flight was primarily a humanitarian gesture, the cost was partially subsidized by Aegean Airlines as part of its emergency response framework. iefimerida.gr Banks and Canada-based Cooke Aquaculture have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the acquisition of Avramar Greeces debt. This follows the collapse of a previous agreement with Aqua Avramar Greece: Banks sign new MoU with Cooke following Aqua Bridge withdrawal - The Greek Prime Minister calls for European action on the energy crisis and strengthening external borders against renewed migration pressures. A customary court sitting in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, has sentenced an 18-year-old boy, Gado Adamu, to five months imprisonment for ste+ling a pregnant goat. Adamu was charged with th+ft and unlawful possession of a we@pon, offences contrary to Sections 345 and 270 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law. The defendant pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him and appealed to the court for leniency. Advertisement Delivering judgment on March 18, presiding judge Patience Baryat sentenced him to three months imprisonment for unlawful possession of a we@pon, with an option of a N20,000 fine. He was also handed a two-month jail term or a N10,000 fine for th+ft. Earlier, prosecution counsel Favour Solomon told the court that the case was reported at the Kafanchan Divisional Police Station on February 2. According to the prosecution, Adamu was apprehended by residents of Zankan village while in possession of a pregnant she-goat valued at N160,000. He was also found carrying an unlicensed dane g+n. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has admitted that he might not secure the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections. Obis remarks come amid growing speculation about his political future and the challenges he may face within the ADC, a smaller opposition party compared to his former platform, the Labour Party. In a video message to his supporters, Obi said, Someone asked me how I know for sure that the ADC will give me the presidential ticket. I cannot be certain. What matters is that we are committed to a cause. I keep wondering how we ended up in this situation and what might happen if we decide to stop working on this project. Advertisement He emphasized that he remains committed to his goals and has not let reported threats deter him. The former Labour Party presidential candidate also praised his supporters for their resilience, acknowledging the challenges of working within opposition politics in Nigeria. I thank you for your sacrifice. Its not easy to be in the opposition in Nigeria, and Im thankful to those who keep supporting even when theres no clear reward, he said. Obi officially joined the ADC on December 31, 2025, during a ceremony held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, ending months of speculation about his political future. He explained that his decision to leave the Labour Party came after he was informed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not recognise the partys leadership as long as he remained there, effectively blocking his path to contest the next election from that platform. President Bola Tinubu has recalled how he found refuge in the United Kingdom during Nigerias pro-democracy struggle, revealing that his residence was once placed under police protection following threats from agents of the military regime. Tinubu spoke on Wednesday at a state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. In his remarks, the President expressed gratitude to Britain for its support to Nigerians during the years of military rule. Advertisement Your Majesty, I wish to express Nigerias deep gratitude to this great nation for the refuge and support it extended during the dark years of military dictatorship, he said. Like many Nigerians involved in the pro-democracy struggle, I found safety here, and I recall that my residence was placed under Metropolitan Police protection following threats from agents of the junta. Tinubu described the experience as significant, noting that it was deeply humbling to return to the UK as president of a democratic Nigeria. Nigerias pro-democracy struggle reached a peak in the 1990s after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Moshood Abiola under the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida, a development that sparked widespread protests and resistance across the country. Tinubu also highlighted Nigerias prevailing security challenges, particularly terrorism driven by instability in the Sahel, and underscored the need for sustained cooperation with the United Kingdom. Our West African region faces complex terrorism challenges with roots in the Sahel. Nigeria carries an enormous responsibility to help safeguard regional stability. In confronting these threats, partnership with the United Kingdom remains essential, he said, adding that he looked forward to meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The President also expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations, noting that both countries are bound by a shared commitment to progress, mutual respect, and common values. The visit by President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, marks the first official visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for going ahead with his planned state visit to the United Kingdom despite the terrorist attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State. Appearing on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Wednesday, Okonkwo accused President Tinubu of dancing on the graves of Nigerians and soldiers killed in terror attacks by making the trip to London. According to the lawyer, by cancelling the trip, Tinubu would have passed a message to the world that he respected the victims of the terror attack. Advertisement Its about telling the world that you prefer to respect the blood of your martyrs to riding on their blood and dancing on their graves in the United Kingdom. That red carpet there is the blood of the martyrs that Tinubu is treading upon. He should have cancelled it (UK Visit), cancelled it without equivocation, Okonkwo said. While Tinubu made the trip to the UK on Tuesday alongside the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, Vice President Kashim Shettima was in Anambra State to attend the second-term swearing-in ceremony of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, a situation Okonkwo said was embarrassing. Why go with your minister of defence? Why would the vice president be celebrating in Anambra State? I cant believe it, I feel embarrassed. You dont understand that the death of one military man is a hit to a nation because their morale is boosted when you at least recognise. As they are going to fight, it can be any of them, so they derive their morale from how you treat the one that has fallen, he said. The ADC chieftain also accused the Tinubu-led administration of being corrupt, saying that it politicises everything, including security. He maintained that Tinubu was not capable of solving the security problems bedevilling the country. I was in your station the early days of Tinubu, and I told you that state police will not come, that Tinubu will continue to play the politics of it, and I tell you that Tinubu is incapable of solving the security problems and that is why it is metastasising all over the nation. So he is incapable, why? You dont have enough boots on the ground, you have a lot of ungoverned spaces, hunger and hardship is increasing, suffering of people is increasing, they are easy to be recruited, criminality is not being punished, Okonkwo added. The coordinated blasts by suspected suicide bombers on Monday tore through a busy market and other areas, killing about 23 people and leaving over 100 injured. President Tinubu, who arrived in the UK on Tuesday, was on Wednesday given a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle as the Nigerian leader began his state visit to the United Kingdom. The president and his wife, Remi Tinubu, were given a 42-gun salute by the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Before that, Prince William and Princess Catherine met and greeted the Nigerian leader and his wife at the Fairmont Hotel before the short ride to Windsor Castle, where King Charles III hosted them. There was also an exchange of gifts and a display of items related to Nigeria that are kept in the Royal Collection. Afterwards, there was a banquet where Tinubu and King Charles gave speeches. Leaders and celebrities attended the event. The President and his wife are expected to lay a wreath of flowers on the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II in St Georges Chapel. They will also meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue. Meanwhile, Nigerias service chiefs are in Borno State following the bombings in Maiduguri, which left at least 23 people dead and over a hundred people injured. This follows President Tinubus directive to them to relocate to the state to deal with the situation. About a day after the order, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Waidi Shaibu, arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno capital. The service chiefs, who landed at the Air Force Base in Maiduguri, were received by the Theatre Commander and moved straight to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai. The Chief of Defence Staff later inspected the quarter guard mounted in his honour. They are expected to meet frontline troops, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss solutions to the resurgence of attacks in the region by Boko Haram insurgents. The military chiefs relocated to the state to monitor the security situation in the region. Matchbooks used as an advertising item with text and designs on a folded paper at Nittosha Co. in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. (Japan News-Yomiuri photo.) Read more Listen to article 0:00 min In the late 1800s, industry barons made deals smoking cigars and puffing on pipes. But unless the smokers were sitting by fires, getting a light was a slow, arduous process. Even safety matches stored in wooden boxes with a phosphorus strip to light fires with were a clumsy way to light lamps and rolled cigarettes. One errant wind and the effort it took to get the tiny fire going was blown away. Advertisement In 1892, cigar smoker and Philadelphia patent lawyer Joshua Pusey found a solution. He attached a strip of 50 matches to lightweight foldable cardboard thatd keep the matches in place. He put the phosphorus strip inside the cardboard book. On Sept. 27, 1892, Pusey received a United States patent for his flexible matchbook. This Saturday that fiery invention will be celebrated at the Science History Institute Museum & Library as part of the Philadelphia Historic Districts weekly Firstival day parties. Firstivals mark events that happened in Philadelphia before anywhere else in America and often the world. They are at the heart of the citys celebration of the nations Semiquincentennial. Puseys matchbooks fit in the pocket of mens suits and, for better or worse, made it much easier for Americans to smoke on the go, said Jesse Smith, vice president of interpretation and education and the director of the Science History Institute. Its a humble technology that seems pretty simple, said Smith, who is in the midst of curating Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks at the Institute. It opens April 10 and runs through the end of 2026 as a tribute to Americas 250th birthday. READ MORE: Womans Medical College of Pennsylvania gave us pelvic exams, nursing schools, and Philadelphias first Black MD The matchbook changed how ordinary people light up everything including fireworks, Smith said. You can understand how matchbooks work; they were not inscrutable like the electronics in your car, but they represented a new quality of life: convenience, portability, the desire for things that were lightweight and ease. Puseys design, however, had one major flaw. The phosphorus strip inside the fold meant that one careless strike could set all of the red-tipped matches ablaze. Charles Bowman, a newspaperman from Lebanon, Pa., solved that problem. He placed the striking strip outside the matchbook and added the instruction: Close before striking. In the spirit of the mass production era, he launched the American Safety Head Match Company. When Pusey heard of the rival matchbook in 1893, he sued Bowman for violating his patent. He lost his bid to be the worlds sole matchbook maker in 1894, and Bowman was able to continue using his design. Both Bowman and Pusey sold their patents to Ohio-based Diamond Match Company later in the 1890s. Philadelphia-born Diamond Match Company salesman Henry C. Traute is credited with reducing the number of matchsticks in a book from 50 to 20and turning the covers of matchbooks into portable ads. His first customer was Pabst Beer Company in 1896. The pocket-size ads caught on with opera companies, cinemas, restaurants, chewing gum companies, and even early soda brands, namely Coca-Cola. The mini ads remained popular through the 1970s. These days, lighters have replaced the tiny fire starters. But there are no shortage of matchbook collectors phillumenists who keep Phillys own Puseys legacy burning hot. This weeks Firstival is Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut St. The Inquirer will highlight a first from the Philadelphia Historic Districts 52 Weeks of Firsts program every week. A 52 Weeks of Firsts podcast, produced by All Thats Good Productions, drops every Tuesday. Listen to article 0:00 min Repairing and maintaining power lines for Peco is highly physical work. The job takes a lot of wear and tear on your body, said Jim McGill, a lineman in Chester County and Peco employee for over 40 years. Advertisement Workers end up with bad knees, bad shoulders, and achy joints, said McGill, and the risk of electric shock is ever present. An error in this line of business could mean life and death, he said, adding that electricity is very unforgiving. McGill is among the roughly 1,600 Peco employees in the IBEW Local 614 union, which is pushing for better benefits and wages as they negotiate new contracts. The union may grow by some 30 members after a group of Peco contractor consultants vote next week on whether to join. One of the unions main asks in bargaining: They want all members to get a pension when they retire. Under the current contract, employees hired in recent years can save for retirement, but dont get a pension. It really is a dangerous job dealing with the high voltage, said Fred Baumeister, one of Pecos troublemen, who are the companys first responders to power outages and electric problems. You do that for a career, you deserve a good retirement package. The union includes gas and electric field workers, such as linemen, as well as back office and call center employees. Their current five-year contract expires March 31, and negotiations so far have been less than productive, said union president Larry Anastasi. Were bargaining in good faith, said Anastasi. We dont want to fight the company but we will. The contract negotiations come as electricity prices have been on the rise and following a big increase in profits for Peco. The energy companys net income was $814 million last year, up 48% from 2024, parent company Exelon reported in February. Peco provides electricity to 1.7 million customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and provides natural gas to 553,000. Our employees are the backbone of our business, and we recognize the talents and value they bring to the company, Peco spokesperson Candice Womer said in an email Wednesday. We are bargaining in good faith, and we are confident that we can reach an equitable agreement that is fair for our employees and best serves the needs of our customers. What are workers looking for? Linemen, which make up between 400 and 500 union members, said Anastasi, are some of the highest paid members of IBEW Local 614. They can make as much as $59 an hour after four years on the job, but enter the field as apprentices making $26.77. Peco spokesperson Womer said the average total pay for a lineman in 2025 was over $243,500, including overtime. McGill acknowledged that sounds like youre making a lot of money. But the unpredictability of the job is a pain point. While he typically works the dayshift Monday through Friday, overtime calls can come in at any hour of the day when issues emerge. Youre singing happy birthday and the phone rings. Its Peco calling because a tree fell, broke a pole, pulled some wire down, said McGill. Peco linemen make less than the established prevailing wage set in Philadelphia for city contracted work, Anastasi noted, and some union workers elsewhere in the industry are making more. The national median hourly pay for installing and repairing electrical power lines was $44.50 in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On average, these workers made an hourly wage of $45.86 in Pennsylvania, $51.77 in New Jersey, $43.06 in Delaware, and $51.09 in New York that year, according to BLS data. The union is looking to increase wages not just for linemen, but for all of its members. Call center employees have their own challenges, like unhappy customers yelling at them, said Anastasi, describing it as a brutal job with very high turnover. Peco spokesperson Womer said the company continues to offer attractive wages and benefits that exceed those of our industry peers in the region. Womer also added that the company has robust training programs to ensure safe work. The union wants one uniform pension plan because currently workers hired after 2021 have no pension, and others have seen their pensions reduced, said Anastasi. Were all out doing the same job, said McGill, who has a pension. Were all working in the pouring rain, climbing over debris in the road and in the backyards and things like that, and Im getting different benefits than theyre getting. If the new contract doesnt improve benefits, Anastasi said, a bunch of guys have said they may quit Peco and go work for contractors. When negotiations do not advance, one avenue unions pursue is to hold a strike authorization vote. It doesnt immediately lead to a strike, but a yes vote paves the way for a work stoppage and adds pressure on the company to reach an agreement. IBEW has not reached that point yet. You cant strike over everything, obviously, Anastasi said. Were not going to all walk away for a sick day, but if you cant retire with dignity and youre not making adequate wages in comparison to the rest of the industry, those are legitimate priorities. Growing the union Peco has seen strong interest in its union roles, Womer said, and the companys union workforce has grown by 32% in the last 15 years. We are proud to have generations of families working in represented roles across the company, exemplifying the continued desire to work at Peco, said Womer. Nearly a third of IBEW Local 614s union members are set to retire in the next two to five years, Anastasi said. But he doesnt find himself boasting Peco as an employer to industry newcomers. The trainings not great. The company is incredibly difficult to deal with. Your medical benefits are atrocious, and youre still gonna have to put yourself in harms way every day you work here, he said. But he said hes trying to change that. Would I like to make it a great place to work? Absolutely. Thats what were trying to do. Listen to article 0:00 min As soon as the man who made counterfeit keys for Jonathan Akubu became a liability, Akubu decided he had to die. The key maker, Aiah Gbessay, had unwittingly left his fingerprints inside a car that Akubu helped steal. And police had recovered the car after they found its 60-year-old owner shot dead in a Northeast Philadelphia driveway a killing that Akubu and his crew committed while trying to take the mans Toyota. Advertisement Fearing that police might soon approach Gbessay and worried that Gbessay would give him up Akubu asked him to meet in Southwest Philadelphia. When Gbessay pulled up in a white van, Akubu testified in federal court this month, he didnt even bother to say hello. I told him I was sorry, Akubu said. Before he responded, I fired the first shot. Akubu fired at Gbessay repeatedly even reloading his gun after it jammed to continue blasting away. Thinking Gbessay was dead, Akubu went to steal the van. But he felt his victims hand grab his ankle. Then I shot him again, he said, until he stopped moving. Akubus harrowing testimony, delivered in a monotone and without any visible emotion, was central to a two-month trial that concluded Thursday in federal court one in which five of his former coconspirators were found guilty by a jury of crimes including murder, carjacking, and weapons offenses. Over the course of about four months beginning in 2021, prosecutors said, the men committed about 60 carjackings and two homicides across the region. And after stealing peoples cars at gunpoint, evidence showed, the men would sell the cars to people who shipped them to be resold in Africa. Authorities presented a host of evidence in the case, including cellphone records, text messages, surveillance videos, GPS reports, and testimony from law enforcement officers and carjacking victims. Because the trial covered so many incidents, prosecutors divided them into groups and labeled them with letters, from A through N. Akubu pleaded guilty before trial and served as the cases star witness. He spent more than a day on the stand, displaying a striking memory of his crime rampage and recounting carjackings which he called missions in chilling detail. There was a carjacking in the parking lot of a Little Caesars in Elmwood, where he and his coconspirators managed to steal both a Range Rover and a Lexus. There was a botched attempt to steal a car on Aramingo Avenue in Bridesburg, where Akubu fired a gun in the air, spooking the driver and causing her to run over a curb. And there was the time a driver got out of his car in Southwest Philadelphia and ran behind a tree leading Akubu to shoot him in the shoulder. We kinda stared at each other for a little bit, Akubu said. And he kinda moved, and I shot him. U.S Attorney David Metcalf said after the verdict that the case was perhaps the largest carjacking ring ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice. This was a case of [an] unimaginable scale of dread and destruction, he said. Akubu, 32, said that as he was committing his crimes, he didnt care about the terror he was inflicting on others. And he admitted that he was testifying only to try reduce his punishment to something other than a life sentence. He realizes the gravity of his actions, he said. Still, he said that only when prompted. And he summed it up in just three words: Its horrible, yes. Hunting for cars The crime spree began in the fall of 2021, as carjackings were in the midst of a startling spike in Philadelphia and across the country. Night after night, Akubu said, he would get together with a mix of his five coconspirators: Mikal McCracken, Amin Muse, Aleem Abdul-Hakim, Dean Fosque, and Kavon Coleman. The men would hop into a car, then drive around searching for vehicles to steal mostly Toyotas or Range Rovers, which typically operated with key fobs and could be stolen only if the keys were taken from a driver. The men brought guns and gloves and used a police scanner to listen for potential trouble, Akubu said. And once they succeeded in one crime, he said, that encouraged them to commit another. Keep hunting, he said. Their enterprise had its own lingo: Stolen cars were johnny boys, a ducky was a place to stash a vehicle. One time they stole from a rental car location. Occasionally theyd put tracking devices on cars and go back to steal them later. And sometimes, when they confronted drivers, they also demanded wallets or phones, then sought to withdraw money from peoples bank accounts or smartphone apps. But mostly, Akubu said, the carjackings followed a familiar pattern: The men would drive until they spotted a desirable car, then theyd follow it and ambush the driver. The motivation was simple, he said: Money. He knew buyers who would give him cash for the cars and ship them overseas. Akubu wasnt specific about how much he made from each theft. At first, he said, the thefts went off without a hitch. Then their crimes escalated to murder. A fatal shooting It was Feb. 6, 2022. Akubu said he went out with McCraken, Muse, and Abdul-Hakim to drive around and look for cars. They spotted a Toyota Rav4 on Roosevelt Boulevard, he said, then followed it until the driver parked on the 2100 block of Afton Street in Rhawnhurst. Akubu said he stayed in his car while the others got out to steal the Toyota. But when they approached the SUV, its owner, George Briscella, fought back. The men shot Briscella, a 60-year-old Marine Corps veteran who had been on his way to visit his mother. They left him on the ground and drove off in his SUV. They took the vehicle to a stash location, then noticed that they didnt have its key. In the panicked moments after shooting Briscella, they left the key behind but were able to drive away because he had never turned the car off. To resell the car, Akubu said, they needed a key. So he called Gbessay, a locksmith, to create a new one. A week later, as police continued to investigate Briscellas shooting death, a story broke on the news: Officers had recovered his SUV. Killing a potential witness The crew was concerned, Akubu said. They wondered whether Gbessay who accessed the car to create the key had ever been arrested, knowing that if he had, police would have his fingerprints on file. Gbessay, an immigrant from Sierra Leone who had a wife and son, was not an active member of the conspiracy; he ran a legitimate locksmith business, and Akubu hired him only occasionally to print or program keys. Still, in this instance, Akubu said, my mind was made up on what needed to be done. I was going to carry out the homicide on ... the key-maker. After luring Gbessay to his death on the 8100 block of Grovers Avenue, Akubu stole Gbessays van and set it on fire. Then he went home, he said, and burned his clothes as well. But less than a week later, police arrested him in connection with the deaths of Gbessay and Briscella. He was charged with murder and held without bail. Unraveling the conspiracy Soon after being taken into custody, Akubu started talking. During several interviews with police and prosecutors, he not only admitted to his role in the killings, but also detailed a staggering array of carjackings, shootings, and robberies that he and his associates had committed. He did so in unusual detail, authorities said, recalling where incidents occurred, who participated, and how exactly the incidents unfolded. Most of what he said was later corroborated with other evidence, including cellphones connected to his coconspirators. Authorities later found at least one of the stolen cars in a shipping container corroborating the seemingly-fantastical notion that the vehicles were being sent overseas. Still, Akubu sometimes lied, he later acknowledged, or omitted details that might implicate him. During the trial, defense attorneys sought to highlight those inconsistencies, casting him as a murderous liar who would tell authorities whatever they wanted to hear. They also emphasized a bizarre fact: Near the beginning of the conspiracy, Akubu reached out to the FBI. During a call to a recorded tip line in September 2021, Akubu said he could provide information about a group of men stealing cars and shipping them to Africa. But as the call went on, Akubu balked at questions seeking specifics, including a request to provide his full name. And within a few weeks, evidence showed, Akubu was fully ensconced in the conspiracy, committing the same crimes he had been describing on the call to the tip line. Akubu said he made the call because I was trying to see if I could work for the bureau. Defense attorneys said that revealed Akubus self-serving and duplicitous nature an inclination to try and protect himself, even as he was committing the same crimes he was purporting to want to expose. When Mr. Akubus mouth is moving, hes lying, said William J. Brennan, an attorney for Abdul-Hakim. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph A. LaBar and Katherine Shulman told jurors that two things could be true at once: Akubu was a rotten guy, as LaBar put it, but was also candid about the horrible, horrible things he and his associates did. Long prison terms Akubus five coconspirators were indicted in 2024, about two years after he was arrested. After being found guilty, all are now likely to spend decades if not the rest of their lives behind bars. Metcalf, the U.S. attorney, said: Theyre not getting out. Akubu, as part of his plea deal, will be sentenced to at least 35 years in prison, though it could be much more. If he is ever released, he will also likely be deported to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he was born and lived until his family sought asylum in the United States 15 years ago. Relatives of Briscella and Gbessay declined to comment after the verdict. U.S. District Judge John F. Murphy will sentence Akubu and his codefendants in the coming months. Listen to article 0:00 min Prosecutors on Thursday announced indictments against 21 men they say fueled a cycle of retaliatory gun violence that for years spilled across neighborhoods in South and Northwest Philadelphia, leaving dozens of people shot and communities on edge. The men are affiliated with rival groups: the Senders, Close Range Gang, and Klapperz in South Philadelphia, and PNB in Northwest Philadelphia, prosecutors say crews that they say have traded gunfire in an escalating feud marked by brazen shootings on residential blocks and busy streets. Advertisement The indictments link the defendants to 24 crimes in recent years, including 18 nonfatal shootings, three carjackings, and one killing: the 2023 death of 18-year-old Aquill Foster, who was shot while riding in the passenger seat of his brothers car on the 600 block of Ritner Street, according to police. The investigation was led by the district attorneys gun violence task force. Its been a rough morning for those who choose to pick up guns and shoot at citizens of Philadelphia, Bill Fritze, an assistant district attorney who oversees the unit, said at a news conference Thursday. The charges represent the latest phase in a sweeping effort to dismantle the groups. About a year ago, prosecutors announced cases against a dozen members of the same South Philadelphia crews, accusing them of shooting more than 20 people. One teenager, they said, had shot at least 16 people. Many of the defendants charged on Thursday had already been arrested in that earlier phase. Prosecutors said continued analysis of ballistic and digital evidence tied those individuals to additional shootings and also identified new participants in the violence. The men range in age from 18 to 35, said Assistant District Attorney Adam Farraye, a member of the task force. The crimes at the center of the latest indictments stretch across the city, prosecutors said, with clusters in South Philadelphia and parts of Northwest Philadelphia where the rival groups operated. At the news conference, prosecutors cast photographs of crime scenes onto a screen darkened blocks dotted with yellow evidence markers, sometimes dozens of them, each one marking where police had recovered a spent shell casing. Officials also credited the investigation with helping drive down gun violence. Since the task force began focusing on the groups in 2023, shootings and homicides in Philadelphia have been cut roughly in half, Farraye said. Citywide, the number of nonfatal shootings has also declined. As of Wednesday, Philadelphia had recorded 323 aggravated assaults with a gun, down from 447 at the same time last year, according to police data. Twenty people had been killed in homicides so far this year. Prosecutors said the feud among the groups dates to at least 2021, but intensified after the 2022 killing of 16-year-old Mehki Ingram, a member of the Senders. His death set off a cascade of retaliatory shootings across neighborhoods, authorities said. District Attorney Larry Krasner said the task forces strategy building complex cases over time is aimed at dismantling entire networks, not just arresting individual shooters. The unit is taking apart criminal organizations in big chunks, he said, and sometimes completely. Their work, Krasner said, makes it easier for kids to play in the streets and grandparents to sit on their porches, and that is a very, very encouraging thing. Tiffany Agosto told investigators she was attempting to defend her younger cousin from neighborhood bullies when she brought a gun to Pottstown last summer. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min A Delaware woman brought a gun with her to help settle a dispute between her cousin and a group of Pottstown teens, Montgomery County prosecutors said Thursday. And in the street fight that followed, they said, a 14-year-old girl was shot once in the chest at point-blank range and it was by only a complete miracle that she survived her injuries. Advertisement Tiffany Agosto, 22, was sentenced to six to 13 years in state prison for aggravated assault, a charge she pleaded guilty to in December. The shooting, which unfolded on July 2, 2024, outside a home in Pottstowns Bright Hope community, came at the height of a street fight that sent people scattering for cover, according to Assistant District Attorney Robert B. George. Howard Cancel Jr., 20, the cousin Agosto said she was trying to defend, is serving 2 to eight years in state prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy, simple assault, and related crimes for his involvement in the incident. George, in discussing the case, said Cancel and Agosto were the only adults at the scene on Myrtle Street and the only people armed with weapons. The two went to Pottstown intentionally trying to settle some score, he said. They claim this was an accident, but its my position that with the series of steps taken, its impossible for that to be an accident, George said. The logical outcome would be extreme violence, as it was here. The victim was shot once her in chest, and the bullet exited through her back. She was taken to Reading Hospital, where she was treated for several days. Agostos attorney, George Griffith, said she was coming to the aid of a family member who was being harassed and repeatedly beaten up, albeit in a way that she now regrets. She did things the wrong way, got a firearm, and I honestly think it was her intention to display that firearm with the hopes that people would back away and not mess with her cousin anymore, he said. But it soon devolved into a street fight where it became two on one, two people against Tiffany, and it quickly became a struggle for the firearm. Investigators said multiple witnesses told them that Cancel and Agosto first approached them earlier at a nearby park on Shoemaker Road. There, Agosto flashed a 9mm handgun in an attempt to intimidate them, asking whether they had been talking to her little cousin like that, and the group fled, according to the affidavit of probable cause for her arrest. Later, Cancel drove a Dodge Charger to the victims home. There, surveillance video showed the two, wearing ski masks, confronting the group a second time, the affidavit said. A fight broke out between Agosto and two of the teens, and she drew her gun and fired. Cancel, wielding a knife, attempted to intervene, the document said. After the shooting, he drove him and his cousin away from the scene. Agosto, of Townsend, Del., was not licensed to carry a concealed weapon. The day after the Pottstown shooting, she was sentenced to five months of probation in Delaware County after pleading guilty in an unrelated incident in 2022 to carrying a gun without a license. Principal Alice Swift returned to Abington Senior High School on Wednesday after being placed on leave Feb. 12. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min The principal of Abington Senior High School has been reinstated after an investigation into social media posts with antisemitic content. Alice Swift, who was placed on leave Feb. 12, returned to school Wednesday. District officials said in a letter to high school staff and families Tuesday that the findings of a third-party investigation had supported Swifts reinstatement. Advertisement The district had referred to allegations of inappropriate social media posts when it placed Swift on leave last month. In the letter Tuesday, Superintendent Jeffrey Fecher said one of the posts contained an antisemitic stereotype and was not aligned with the values of Abington School District. He said the district could not provide further information about the posts. Given the sensitive nature of the posts that were called into question, we understand that there are members of our school community who may still be experiencing a sense of hurt, especially those in our Jewish community, Fecher said. He said the district would work with faith leaders and the Anti-Defamation League to ensure that Dr. Swift, along with students and staff, receive additional programming and training that align with our commitment to fostering welcoming, safe and positive learning environments for all of our students. In a statement shared with staff and families Tuesday, Swift said that recent content associated with my social media account has circulated within our community, and it is important to me that I address it directly. I want to be clear that this content does not represent me, my values, or anything I would ever choose to share, Swift said. I recognize, however, that regardless of how this content came to be shared, it caused real distress for members of our school community. She said she accepted full responsibility for not ensuring appropriate safeguards for my social media account, as the content does not reflect my core values and beliefs. District officials said Swift would be meeting with student and community groups over the coming weeks. I am pleased that Dr. Swift is willing to engage in such conversations in order to begin the process of restoring trust, school board president Melissa Mowry said in Tuesdays letter to families. Central to this process is Dr. Swifts welcome recognition that the post in question was corrosive and her explicit rejection of its antisemitism. A former teacher and administrator in Maryland schools, Swift became principal of Abington Senior High School in 2024. She graduated from Abington in 1983. The exterior of Moore College of Art and Design Read more Listen to article 0:00 min Staff at Moore College of Art & Design on Thursday informed the schools president that they intend to form a union and requested that the group be recognized. Faculty at the approximate 500-student college in Philadelphia are already unionized. Advertisement The new union would cover about 50 part-time and full-time staff across the Philadelphia-based art college and be part of the United Academics of Philadelphia. READ MORE: Moore College will consider opening undergraduate programs to men The staff are asking the college to voluntarily recognize the union, noting that a majority of staff signed cards, according to a news release from the United Academics, which is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers. We have long had a very strong and mutually productive relationship with our staff and faculty, Moore College President Cathy Young said in a statement. We just learned about this request from a group of staff members this afternoon and assured them we would look into it further. The group is giving the college until March 30 to respond, and if the group is not recognized, staff plan to file with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, which would lead to an election. READ MORE: How the UArts closure transformed Moore College of Art & Design, the last art-centered college in Philly I take pride in working with the amazing staff, faculty, and students at Moore, Amanda Zeilinger, a 2D technician said in the press release. I hope to work here for a long time, but without wage improvements its just not financially feasible. A union contract, she said, would allow us to protect and improve the benefits that full-time staff already have, and also expand them to part-time staff. Staff are unionized at other local colleges, including Temple University, Community College of Philadelphia, and Rutgers, United Academics noted. Moore staff are concerned about wages, parental leave, workload, gender and racial equity and diversity, job security, and benefits for part-time staff and clear promotional procedures, United Academics said. As a proud union for Moore faculty for over 50 years, the Moore Federation of Teachers fully supports the Moore staffs effort to unionize and engage in their right to collectively bargain, Steve Wood, Moore Federation of Teachers president, said in the news release. Moore, a 177-year-old arts school, announced in February it would consider opening its undergraduate programs to men. A decision is expected by June. Moore officials had said they were making the decision from a position of financial and academic strength, noting the school has had operating surpluses for the last 24 consecutive years. This years enrollment is the schools second highest behind fall 2024, when the college accepted 112 students from the University of the Arts, which abruptly closed in June 2024. Student Fareed Pitss raises his hand during class at Overbrook Elementary School. Read more Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer Listen to article 0:00 min The banner fastened to the fence outside Overbrook Elementary speaks volumes. Small School, BIGGER IMPACT! the sign reads. Advertisement Overbrook Elementary, its supporters say, is a place where families walk their children to school, staff know every childs name, and volunteers from the neighborhood routinely show up to lend a hand. It educates about 200 kindergarten through eighth graders one class per grade. But Philadelphia School District officials have proposed closing it as part of a $2.8 billion facilities plan that would shut 18 schools, co-locate six others, and renovate 159. If the school board ultimately endorses Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.s recommendations, Overbrook Elementary would shut permanently in 2027, with its students scattered to four schools: Barry, Bluford, Cassidy, and Heston. A core group of Overbrook supporters community members, parents, alumni, staff, and students have coalesced to fight the districts plan. Theyve pored over data, created charts and counterproposals. Theyve called meetings, printed T-shirts, and talked up the school. Theyre also highlighting a $500,000 private investment that was set to improve the schools schoolyard and is now in jeopardy due to the proposed closure. Unlike many other schools on the closure list, most of Overbrooks small space is in use. But the building, at 62nd and Lebanon in West Philadelphia, was judged by the district to be in poor condition. It was also rated as having poor program alignment the systems measure of whether a school can offer adequate modern educational experiences. Overbrook has no auditorium, cafeteria, or gym. Read more about the proposed facilities plan Wholesale changes are coming to the Philadelphia School District, with Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. proposing a $2.8 billion facilities plan that includes closing schools. Watlington presented the plan to the school board Feb. 26 and it has already faced strong opposition. It's not yet final. Here's what we do and don't know. And to see the proposed list school closures and check how your school could be impacted, use our interactive charts. Each of the schools proposed for closure has its own story. Find them all here. Kathryn McQuade, a veteran district art teacher, came to Overbrook two years ago and was immediately wowed by the culture of respect at the school. Ive experienced other buildings, McQuade said. I would much rather be at a school that maybe needs a few repairs and physical investments and lets be honest, they all need that than a school that doesnt have the love and community that Overbrook has. Watlington, introducing his facilities plan, said he knew proposed closings would bring pain, but changes are a necessity in a historically underfunded school system that has 70,000 empty seats. He suggested keeping 200-student schools in small, outdated buildings was no longer possible. We must find ways to more efficiently use all of our resources so that we can push higher quality academic and extracurricular programming and activities into all of our schools across all the neighborhoods of Philadelphia, Watlington said in January, while at the same time addressing under and over-enrolled schools. Why do they want to send us to those other schools? Overbrook sixth grader Aveyon Scott is acutely aware of what his school is up against. Aveyon has studied the numbers. He found that attendance, serious incident, and utilization rate numbers are all better at Overbrook than most of the schools students would attend instead. So are math and reading scores, though district officials have said student-based metrics like test scores, attendance, and incidents were not a part of the decision-making process. Our school is a good school with good students, said Aveyon, 12. Why do they want to send us to those other schools that dont do as well as we do? Debra Joell, Aveyons teacher, is now weathering the third attempt to close Overbrook in her 25-plus years working at the school. It survived the first two, but she worries about the outcome of the decision now in the school boards lap. (No date has been scheduled for a board vote, but its expected this spring.) Joell, who teaches English and social studies to fifth and sixth graders, said she worries about the district creating an educational desert and threatening the character of the leafy neighborhood, which she described as beautiful, family-oriented, excellent, powerful. The school system has proposed using Overbrook as learning network offices after the school closes. No disrespect to any of the other schools or neighborhoods, Joell said, but people are trepidatious about crossing neighborhoods, having kids walk a mile to some other place. Our children deserve to grow up here. Speaking to the board at a town hall on the closures earlier this month, Joell called the districts plan for Overbrook irresponsible, insensitive, traumatic, tragic. State Rep. Morgan Cephas (D., Phila.), who represents the area surrounding the school, noted that elected officials helped find nearly $20 million for Overbrook High for significant repairs there, so we cannot say if its infrastructure problem that we cant find the resources to help. A request to help improve Overbrook Elementarys building as an alternative to closure, Cephas said, was never made and as elected officials, we need to have that conversation before you disrupt a community, a set of families. Closing Overbrook would also jeopardize a community development project worth half a million dollars, said Cephas the Trust for Public Land had planned to invest heavily in the school. Its already spent nearly $100,000 in a project to create a new, student-designed schoolyard at the school. Were literally potentially losing a half a million dollars worth of an investment as a direct result of the decision that you all are talking about, Cephas said at a February meeting. I would like to communicate to the community this is absolutely unacceptable. Logan Peterson, a project manager in the superintendents office, addressed the Trust for Public Land project at a district meeting, saying that he appreciated the nonprofits partnership. Because Overbrook will remain a district property, he said, those investments will continue to be available to the community. Elizabeth Class-Maldonado, Trust for Public Lands Pennsylvania director, said the schoolyard project is on pause at the moment because of the uncertainty. Were still committed to creating a public space that is beneficial for the community, Class-Maldonado said, but we havent had final discussions if [what had been planned for Overbrook] is going to be another location at the school district, or anything else. Center of the community Rhemar Pouncey has sent children to multiple West Philadelphia schools. But I never walked into a Philadelphia public school and not had to worry until my grandson started at Overbrook Elementary, said Pouncey, whose grandson Nathen is a current first grader. She said she fears what would happen if Nathen, who requires special-education services, were forced to leave the school thats helped him come so far. Pouncey said the district is using the kids and our schools as scapegoats to fix their bad decisions, she said. Fahmee Shabazz transferred his son to Overbrook from Heston, and is angry that the district is making decisions about closing our schools and sending our children elsewhere, Shabazz said. Our children should be allowed from kindergarten to eighth grade and graduate as a family from that school. Gregory Allen, an Overbrook Elementary alum, educator and the current CEO of the Overbrook West Neighbors Community Development Corporation, questions the wisdom of investing into other schools including Heston, which is currently rated severely underutilized by the district but not Overbrook Elementary. Overbrook Elementary, Allen said, is the center of this community. If you wake people up as theyre falling asleep, they often report that theyre having these little micro-dreams. Luc Beaudoin, a cognitive scientist and professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min When Luc Beaudoin was in college, he was having trouble falling asleep. Beaudoin was studying cognitive science and psychology, so he started experimenting on himself, and he developed a method that consciously copies what the brain seems to do naturally as we doze off. Advertisement If you wake people up as theyre falling asleep, they often report that theyre having these little micro-dreams, said Beaudoin, who is a cognitive scientist and professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada. These can be seemingly random images or scenes that you may not remember when you wake up, unless youre interrupted in the process of falling asleep. Beaudoin developed a technique to mimic this kind of dreamlike thinking with the hope that he could trick his brain into falling asleep faster. He calls it a serial diverse imagining task or cognitive shuffling, because its almost like shuffling a mental deck of cards, each one with a different image or thought. I use it and it works for me, Beaudoin said. In his research he has demonstrated that the technique works for other people, too, though he and other experts emphasized that more studies need to be done to better establish how well it works and why. Why many people have trouble sleeping There is a paradox inherent in sleeping, said Rafael Pelayo, a sleep medicine doctor at Stanford University. We have a biological need to sleep, but were also more vulnerable while were sleeping. So we protect ourselves by frequently waking up at least once every hour-and-a-half between sleep cycles, with even more frequent mini-arousals. Its a misconception to think that people sleep through the night, Pelayo said. Nobody ever really sleeps through the night. If you generally have no problems sleeping, you probably wont remember these brief bouts of wakefulness. But if youre feeling anxious, you may have trouble getting out of that hypervigilant mode making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. How (and when) to try cognitive shuffling If you often find yourself lying awake in the middle of the night worrying, sleep experts say that cognitive shuffling might be worth a try. Start by thinking of a word something neutral or positive, like the word house. Then, think of as many words as you can that start with the first letter: horse, harmonica, honey. Try to picture each object or idea for 5 to 15 seconds, maybe even imagining a scene with yourself in it. (Youre riding a horse. ... Youre playing the harmonica. ... Youre harvesting honey!) Beaudoin recommends against finding connections between the words. Just let the images wash over you. Whenever you find yourself having a hard time coming up with another word, move on to the next letter in this case, o owls, oasis, ocean and so on. Come up with images for each letter in your original word until you fall asleep. If you run out of letters before you fall asleep, pick a new word. Its hard to think of random material, but this little technique helps people, Beaudoin said. (He also developed an app called MySleepButton for people who want help with the technique.) In addition to mimicking the kind of thinking that happens right before sleep, the method also requires a certain amount of brain power enough to interrupt the worrying or problem-solving that often keeps us awake. Does it work? Beaudoin developed the technique for his own purposes, but after becoming a cognitive scientist, he decided to study it. He and a team of researchers recruited participants who were having trouble sleeping, and randomly assigned them to one of two methods. One was a proven technique known as constructive worry time journaling about your problems a few hours before bedtime. The other group tried cognitive shuffling. The researchers found that cognitive shuffling was just as effective, and had the advantage of being something you can do at bedtime or in the middle of the night, rather than something you have to make time for earlier in the evening. The research on cognitive shuffling is still nascent, but experts see the logic in the theory behind it. I think theres something to it, said Sara Benjamin, the medical director of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center. She said that sleep problems can be incredibly complex and require a certain amount of trial and error. But cognitive shuffling can be used any time, without any tools or side effects, which makes it a great strategy for patients to have in their back pocket. She said she often suggests it to patients who say theyve tried everything. Its nice to be able to give people these suggestions and see what works for them, Benjamin said. She adds that it can be counterproductive for people, especially those who have PTSD or anxiety, to let their minds wander at night without a relaxation technique or a strategy like cognitive shuffling to rein in their thinking. Cognitive shuffling is a good technique to try if you find yourself ruminating, Pelayo said. Instead of lying in bed worrying about tomorrow or beating yourself up because you forgot to do something, this technique is kind of distracting you by focusing on something else. If you have chronic insomnia, Pelayo and Benjamin both noted that cognitive behavioral therapy has the highest level of evidence for long-term effectiveness. A psychologist who specializes in CBT for sleep can help patients with underlying anxiety or breaking out of habits or thought patterns that are reinforcing the problem. This is not, like, tell me about your mother, right? Benjamin said. Its very focused on sleep. The experts also noted that its important to get checked out for other health problems that can cause sleep difficulties, like sleep apnea or thyroid issues. What else to try if you cant sleep Cognitive shuffling can help if youre in a bout of wakefulness, but Beaudoin and the other sleep experts emphasized its not a replacement for sleep hygiene, meaning the habits that will set you up for a restful night, such as going to bed around the same time each night, waking up at the same time each morning and avoiding light and caffeine before bedtime. Here are a few other tips from the experts: Dont spend hours in bed not sleeping. Many sleep doctors recommend compressing your sleep, especially if you often find yourself lying awake for hours. Sleep is a learned behavior, Pelayo said. If you spend hours in bed awake, youre getting used to being in bed, awake. He recommends experimenting with going to bed later or getting up earlier to deepen your sleep and make your time in bed more efficient. As your sleep quality improves, you can gradually give yourself more time to sleep if needed. Schedule time to worry. Trying to suppress stressful thoughts can backfire when they pop back into your mind the moment you turn off the light. Set aside a few minutes early in the evening to make your to-do lists for the next day or journal about a problem thats bothering you. Limit caffeine to the morning, and beware of alcohol. Drinking coffee may have benefits, but too much too late in the day can disrupt sleep. And while alcohol may help you relax and feel sleepy, it can lead to poor sleep, too. Seek out a sleep doctor if you need to. While sleep disorders are common, the good news is theyre also treatable. Pelayo said that most of his patients had insomnia for many years before getting help, and their sleep often improves in a matter of weeks or months. He encourages people not to wait to seek out a sleep specialist. People dont have to suffer with this, Pelayo said. Kathy OConnell, host and producer of WXPN's "Kids Corner," announced Thursday that the show is coming to a close. "Kids Corner" has aired for nearly 40 years. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min Kids Corner, WXPN-FMs long-running, award-winning radio program for children, is coming to a close. The shows host, Kathy OConnell, made the announcement on the XPN Morning Show on Thursday. Advertisement Since January 1988 I have had the best job at the best radio station at the happiest place on earth, OConnell said on air. But Im tired ... and I think its time to go on to whatevers next." The final episode of Kids Corner will be Tuesday, June 23. The station has not yet decided what will replace the show in its evening schedule. OConnell, 74, will retire when the show ends, but will continue to be a part of the WXPN community. After four decades of hosting Kids Corner, one thing is certain. Kathy OConnell is simply irreplaceable! WXPN general manager Roger LaMay said in a statement. We are excited that, even after retirement, she has agreed to remain a strong ambassador at future XPN events and a vital part of the XPN family. Before arriving in Philadelphia, OConnell briefly hosted Kids America, another childrens program, for WNYC in her native New York City. Kids Corner debuted on Jan. 4, 1988. The live talk radio show for kids aired every Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. Each episode featured a mix of kids music, guest interviews, and lively conversations between OConnell and the Philadelphia-area children who called in to talk to her. Kids Corner won a Peabody Award in 1990 for an innovative approach to learning through the use of radio, and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018. In 2024, with on-demand listening on the rise, it launched a 24/7 music livestream and cut the live show to two nights a week. The Kids Corner livestream will continue at kidscorner.org. Listeners of the program can visit XPN.org to submit their memories into the Kids Corner Treasure Box, to be revealed this June. Listen to article 0:00 min At the time, Francisco thought the worst had happened on that day in August, when he was stopped and arrested by ICE on his way to work in South Jersey. But he never imagined the odyssey that would follow a series of transfers among detention centers that propelled him through several states and different court jurisdictions, moving him 1,700 miles from his home and, eventually, 1,700 miles back. Advertisement Some nights he slept on a concrete floor. He never knew where, when, or why he was being moved. Or if the next trip would be the one to deliver him to Mexico, the homeland he left 30 years ago as a teenager. Im traumatized, said Francisco, who asked to be identified by only one name because he fears government retribution. Every time I see a cop Im shaking. Im not the same guy. In fact, Franciscos experience was not that unusual, as President Donald Trump pursues his plans for record deportations and immigrants are thrust into a sprawling and expanding detention system that reaches from New Jersey to California. More than 12,000 people were placed in detention in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware in the nine months after Trump took office in January. That is nearly three times the number of detentions during the last nine months of former President Joe Bidens administration, as determined by an Inquirer analysis of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data. Those detentions involved nearly 20,000 transfers, in which immigrants were sent hundreds or even thousands of miles, far from attorneys, family members, and support networks. More than a third of detainees, about 36%, were transferred three or more times. The typical detainee was transferred twice and sent more than 1,200 miles total. And while about 37% of detainees who arrived during the last nine months of the Biden administration were never transferred, that figure has fallen to 14% under Trump. The data were made public by the Deportation Data Project, a group of immigration-focused academics and lawyers that acquired the information through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. ICE officials did not reply to a request to discuss detainee transfers. The agency has virtually unlimited authority to move detainees within the system, and those transfers can occur at any time and with little or no warning. Generally, ICE says it moves people to make use of available bed space, for medical needs, and to meet specific security and custody determinations. But immigration attorneys and advocates see a different goal at play. They say transfers often are designed to wear down immigrants resolve and complicate their ability to fight deportation. The point is to not make it easy for them, so they give up, said Philadelphia-based immigration attorney Matthew Archambeault, who represents Francisco. He has had clients who were arrested in Philadelphia and transferred to the Deep South or Far West. That matters, he said, because a client held in Pennsylvania falls under the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, while New Mexico is under the 10th, and Arizona under the Ninth. When jurisdictions change, legal briefs may need to be rewritten and interviews rescheduled across different time zones. Its scary, every time they put them on a plane, they wonder, Am I being sent out? Archambeault said. There is something psychologically comforting about knowing, Im still in Pennsylvania, my family is here, as opposed to, Im in Denver, Colorado, and I dont even know where that is. Archambeault finds himself having more conversations with clients about voluntary departure, a legal mechanism by which noncitizens can leave the U.S. on their own, avoiding a formal deportation that carries a 10-year ban on return. Voluntary departures of detainees increased nearly 750%, from just 61 over the final nine months of Bidens term to 516 over the first nine months of Trumps administration. Francisco entered the U.S. without permission three decades ago, when he was about 16. He has an employment permit to legally work he is a chef while he pursues permanent immigration status. After his arrest, he said, he was taken to an immigration office in Mount Laurel, then moved in shackles to a detention center in Elizabeth, N.J. After about a month there, he was flown to Louisiana. He said he spent four days in that state before being moved again, to El Paso, Texas, and then, after roughly a week, to Denver. He was never told where or why he was being moved, he said, and uncertainty preyed on him. Fear of imminent deportation loomed, even as he applied for relief from removal and a son in the U.S. military sought to help him through a program for service members. Francisco said that after weeks of confinement in Denver, agents approached and shackled him again he thought this was finally the end, that he was about to be sent to Mexico. Instead, a federal judge had ordered his immediate release and return to New Jersey, and he was flown back to Elizabeth. They move you around because they want to distract your lawyer, he said, so you got no chance to see the judge and you get deported. And deportations of detainees have become increasingly common during Trumps second term. About 41% of detainees who were booked into facilities in April 2024 were deported within two months, while 11% were released. By August 2025, 68% were deported and less than 2% were released. Immigration attorney Bridget Cambria, executive director of Aldea The Peoples Justice Center, in Reading, says that for those who are transferred, the loss of family and community support can be traumatic. They are often sent to rural, conservative areas that do not have robust immigrant-defense organizations. It isolates them, she said. You lose the resources, you lose access to counsel, to your witnesses, to your evidence. Not every attorney will keep a case thats now out of the local jurisdiction. The governments goal is not to ensure access to legal relief, she said, but to exert the maximum possible pressure or harm to facilitate removal. How can I make it so difficult that you give up? The number of people in ICE detention has reached historic highs, topping 70,000 this year, up 75% from when Trump took office. The ability to confine and process large numbers of immigrants is essential to the presidents plan to carry out an unprecedented deportation campaign. The administration says it needs more space, that an estimated 220 jails, prisons, and holding centers around the country, as counted by the American Immigration Council, do not provide enough beds. Now ICE expects to spend $38.3 billion to buy and retrofit warehouses across the nation, turning them into large-scale detention centers. Immigrant advocates call the warehouses concentration camps and question how structures built to store consumer and industrial goods can safely and humanely hold thousands of people. Two of those conversions are planned in Pennsylvania, in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. ICE already operates five detention facilities in Pennsylvania, including the 1,876-bed Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Clearfield County, the largest detention center in the Northeast. It is located about 220 miles west of Philadelphia. In New Jersey, detention centers operate in Elizabeth and Newark. So far, Philadelphia resident Sereyrath One Van has been transferred once, from Moshannon to Indiana, lodged in a state prison that holds detainees. I hate to say it, but Moshannon was like a hotel compared to this place, Van said in a call from the Miami Correctional Facility near Bunker Hill, Ind., where he was moved in December. This is real prison. Its real corrections officers. The same rules that apply to state prisoners apply to us. Van is fighting a deportation order that stems from a 2018 felony conviction for possession with intent to manufacture or deliver drugs. Such a conviction can lead to revocation of green-card status. He was born in Thailand, after his family fled the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia. He was 4 when they came to the United States and were resettled as refugees in 1984. Now the government seeks to deport him to Cambodia, a place he has never lived or visited. Vans case became a cause celebre in Philadelphia, where supporters rallied on his behalf and City Council passed a resolution that called on ICE to immediately release him. The resolution also asked local congressional representatives to recognize Philadelphia as a city of second chances, particularly for formerly incarcerated noncitizens. Immigration detention is civil confinement, not supposed to be punitive. But Van said thats not how it feels in Indiana. At least at Moshannon, he said, relatives and friends were close enough to visit, as did supporters from the Juntos advocacy group in South Philadelphia. Now he has been moved 469 miles farther away. That kind of distance has impact. Philadelphia immigration attorney Adam Solow said one of his clients was arrested outside a Home Depot in South Jersey, detained in Elizabeth, then sent to El Paso, then to New Mexico, then back to El Paso. Theyre sent to court where we dont know anything about the judges, he said, and that does make a difference. Arguing a case in front of a familiar judge, he said, is like a ballplayer batting in front of a known umpire you get no favors, but at least you know the size of the strike zone and how the ump calls balls and strikes. The Inquirer analysis found that often the facility at which a person entered the system was not where they spent the longest portion of their stay, nor the facility from which they were eventually released or deported. The most common first facility was the Elizabeth Detention Facility in New Jersey. More than 2,200 people began their stays there, but only 1,400 spent the longest portion of their stay there and only about 700 ended their stay there. People are often initially detained at a temporary holding center, such as the Philadelphia District ICE Office or the Mount Laurel Hold Room in New Jersey. Then they are transferred to a different facility for the longest portion of their stay, and released or deported from a handful of deportation hubs, including some far away from their initial point of detention. Among the last group is the Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana, from which about 2,600 people first detained in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware were deported or released more than any other in the country. Freedom for Immigrants, a California-based advocacy group, tracked 70 cases of what it called circular transfers. In those, immigrants were sent between multiple detention facilities, sometimes traveling thousands of miles, before being returned to the same facility where they had originally been detained. Transfers are a uniquely traumatizing experience, and they inflict a devastating toll on individuals physical and mental health, the group said in a 2023 report. Other studies reached similar conclusions. An analysis by the Journal of Law and Policy at the Brooklyn Law School said ICE uses transfers strategically, to further enforcement goals. But for some, those transfers can shape the outcomes of immigration cases that determine their futures. Immigrants are regularly funneled to detention centers in jurisdictions that are hostile to petitions for relief or located in rural communities where they are more likely to face barriers to battling deportation. The intractable problems raised by transfers, the study said, highlight the problems inherent in an enforcement strategy with detention at its center. Listen to article 0:00 min It was no surprise when Joe Kent showed up on Tucker Carlsons podcast a day after quitting his counterterrorism job in President Donald Trumps administration. Here was a top official who resigned to protest the war with Iran turning to right-wing medias leading critic of the conflict. The Israelis drove the decision to take this action, Kent said in Wednesdays interview. Advertisement But before long, the conversation moved in a different direction as Kent nodded to conspiracy theories that pro-Israel forces were behind the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Im saying there are unanswered questions, Kent said. The conversation encapsulated two schisms within the Republican Party and the right-wing media system, both of which have reached high into the national security establishment of the Trump administration. There is a foreign policy debate over the wisdom of Trumps war with Iran and the future of the United States longstanding alliance with Israel. But there also are fears that the focus on Israel is the leading edge of an antisemitic fringe that has gained ground by portraying Jews as shadowy manipulators, echoing some of historys most hateful tropes. Tucker Carlson is playing a central role At the center of both issues is Carlson, a former Fox News host who remains influential among conservatives. He was previously denounced for hosting Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist and antisemite, on his podcast last year. During the interview, Fuentes complained about organized Jewry in America. On Wednesday, Carlson was sharply critical about Israel, saying its lobbying in the United States pressured the president. Matt Brooks, president of the Republican Jewish Coalition, described Kents appearance on Carlsons podcast as part of an ongoing problem. He noted that his group opposed Kents nomination as director of the National Counterterrorism Center because of ties to right-wing extremism. Trump ignored those concerns, though after Kents resignation, the president said: I always thought he was weak on security and I didnt know him well. Kents resignation letter trafficked in antisemitic conspiracy theories while raising concerns about the war with Iran. He blamed high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media for encouraging conflict. Indeed, Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, encouraged Trump to join forces in an attack on Iran. But Kent went further, saying it was the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war. He also said his wife, a Navy cryptologist who was killed by a suicide bomber in Syria, died in a war manufactured by Israel. Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, described the letter as virulent antisemitism. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, said scapegoating Israel isnt just a tired antisemitic trope its anti-American. Kent has previously rejected all forms of racism and bigotry. Trump has said nothing about Kents remarks on Israel. He previously disputed the idea that Israel pushed him toward war, saying, I might have forced their hand. Unified Republican support for Israel has fractured Questions about Israeli influence are not unique to right-wing circles. Progressives have also faced accusations of antisemitism for their response to the war in Gaza, which began with an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. But it has been a widening fault line within the Republican Party, which has been a bedrock of support for Israel over the years. Conservatives are still reckoning with the fallout from Carlsons interview with Fuentes. For example, board members and other staff members resigned from the Heritage Foundation after the think tanks president defended Carlson. Trump tried to sidestep the issue, declining to criticize Fuentes and praising Carlson for having said good things about me over the years. The president previously dined with Fuentes at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., between his two terms, and Carlson has continued to visit the White House. Mort Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, a conservative Jewish group, said Wednesday that he supports Trump but that Id like him to do more about antisemitism. I want him to be stronger on those issues, Klein said. Carlson has said that he is not antisemitic. But he has said that anti-Jewish hate is less pervasive in society than bias against white people and that some Christian politicians who were fervent supporters of Israel were guilty of heresy. Israel divide simmers in right-wing media The Iran war is poised to continue fracturing right-wing media. Ben Shapiro, cofounder of the Daily Wire, called Carlsons Fuentes interview an act of moral imbecility and accused the host of misleading his audience with falsehoods and conspiracy theories. Shapiro has also feuded with Candace Owens, who has promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories. Dennis Prager, a conservative commentator, wrote in an open letter to Owens that I cannot think of anyone in public life engendering as much suspicion of Jews, Zionism and Israel as you. Megyn Kelly, like Carlson a former Fox News Channel anchor now helming her own independent media empire, said the war was sold to the American people by Israel firsters, like Mark Levin. Levin, a radio and Fox personality and a Philadelphia native, has been among Trumps most fervent supporters of the war. Levin, for his part, called Kelly an emotionally unhinged, lewd, and petulant wreck. It promises to continue. Levin posted on social media an invitation to Kent to appear on his show in the coming days. Sure, Kent replied. Lets go. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) says he has not gotten pushback from colleagues after saying, Islamists are the enemy. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min Republicans in Congress have said that Muslims dont belong in American society and that the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one. On the campaign trail, GOP candidates have called for an end to Islamic immigration and declared the religion incompatible with Western civilization. Advertisement And top Republicans from Capitol Hill to the White House have shown little appetite to repudiate their language, drawing a stark contrast with past party leaders. Asked this week whether he had gotten pushback from GOP colleagues for saying Islamists are the enemy," Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R., Ala.) smiled. Nobodys saying anything, he said. Republican politicians are ramping up attacks on Muslims and facing few political consequences, and sometimes seeing political benefit, unnerving civil rights advocates and signaling a new normal of open Islamophobia heading into campaign season. Rather than rebuke broad criticism of Muslims in the wake of terrorism as President George W. Bush once did after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 GOP leaders have allowed the most blatant anti-Muslim comments to go largely unchallenged. Demagoguery and scapegoating of minorities has always been a powerful force in politics, said Gregg Nunziata, a Republican attorney and former adviser to then-Sen. Marco Rubio who now leads a nonprofit focused on the rule of law. Whats new is that people in leadership roles dont see it as their job to tamp it down. The rhetoric about Muslims ratcheted up in recent weeks as attacks around the country led some Republicans to call for sweeping new immigration restrictions. One incident involved a gunman wearing a sweatshirt with the message Property of Allah. In another, officials said a man opened fire after shouting, Allahu akbar. Some attacks were linked to the Islamic State. But some in the Republican Party had already been focusing intensely on Islam amid a broader push on the right to curb legal immigration, not just illegal entries at the southern border. In Texas, for instance, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott declared a Muslim civil rights group a terrorist organization late last year, while Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, has sued to stop the group from operating in the state. Texas Republicans put a proposition that says the state should ban sharia law, or Islamic law, on their March 3 primary ballot; it passed overwhelmingly as candidates up and down the ballot campaigned on vows to fight radical Islam or sometimes just Islam. The onslaught has dismayed Muslim Americans, who increasingly embraced Republicans in the lead-up to the 2024 election and helped elect Trump amid anger over Democrats handling of the Israel-Gaza war. Before the election, Pew Research found that Democrats advantage with Muslim Americans had shrunk and that about 42% of Muslim adults identified with or leaned toward the Republican Party. Nafees Asghar, a 55-year-old Muslim in Texas, has long felt the GOP aligned more with his conservative values and said he helped persuade a Muslim friend to run for local office as a Republican rather than a Democrat in 2024. His wife ran unsuccessfully for the statehouse as a Republican, too, campaigning against teaching about transgender identity in schools and the progressive agenda. But Asghar increasingly views the Republican Party as anti-Muslim and is not sure how he will vote in the fall. He declined to vote for Abbott in the primary this year and is not happy with Paxton, the attorney general and U.S. Senate candidate, who recently responded Agree to a Republican lawmakers call on social media for No more Islamic immigration. We are raising our kids to be proud Muslim Americans, said Asghar, who immigrated to the United States in 1992. They love this country; this is the only country they have, and I dont understand. President Donald Trump shocked his fellow Republicans a decade ago when he called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States during his first presidential campaign. The House speaker at the time, Republican Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, defended the vast majority of Muslims as peaceful and said it was incumbent upon leaders to make clear what conservatism really meant. Now Trump presides over a party remade in his image one in which Rep. Andrew Ogles (R., Tenn.) drew muted backlash last week for saying Muslims do not belong in the United States. Ogles office did not respond to a request for comment. Its sad to see how normalized this obscene level of racism has become, and I think that stems from the top, said Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D., Ariz.), who is Iranian American and has been outspoken about the issue. Asked about Ogles comments last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) said he discussed tone with members but did not criticize them. Theres a lot of popular sentiment that the demand to impose sharia law in America is a serious problem thats what animates this, Johnson said. Muslims may follow sharia in their private life, advocates say, but it is not clear how they could enforce those rules above U.S. law. In separate comments this week, Johnson said that we love Muslim people and drew a contrast with Islamists who promote Islamic law, suggesting the latter group is what Republican lawmakers are concerned about. The White House did not respond to questions about lawmakers anti-Muslim comments and whether Trump thinks Muslims belong in the United States. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) did not publicly address the issue until a Washington Post reporter asked him Tuesday if he disagreed with colleagues recent comments. Im not sure who made those comments, but I dont like them, Thune said of the idea that Muslims are the enemy or do not belong. Many GOP lawmakers made clear in interviews that they did not agree, either. Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia said that we should be welcoming all. Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said the U.S. was founded on freedom of religion. Sen. John Neely Kennedy of Louisiana said its very important to separate Muslims from the fraction of Muslims that have bastardized their religion. But others avoided taking a position. Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri bristled when asked whether he disagreed with Ogles assertion that Muslims do not belong in the U.S.: Im not going to comment on your ridiculous question. Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) who has become a leading voice against antisemitism in both parties sidestepped when asked if Republican leaders should speak up against anti-Muslim comments like Ogles. I think we need to be vigilant stopping radical Islamic terrorism, Cruz responded. The politicians making the starkest anti-Muslim comments have taken pride in the controversy. Tuberville, the senator from Alabama, has pinned his post about the enemy to the top of his X account, juxtaposing pictures of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a picture of Zohran Mamdani, the Muslim mayor of New York, sitting at an iftar dinner in New York City Hall. In a brief interview, Tuberville said he has Muslim friends and does not view all Muslims as the enemy. But he made no attempt at nuance when he shared a news article headlined, Tuberville shares social media post suggesting Muslims are the enemy. To be clear, I didnt suggest Islamists are the enemy. I said it plainly, Tuberville wrote. Rep. Randy Fine (R., Fla.) faced some Democratic calls for censure last month after responding to an activists criticism of dogs as indoor pets by saying, If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one. An email soon went out seeking donations for Fine to stop the Islamic takeover, demonstrating the potential political benefits of anti-Muslim comments that draw national attention. When I proudly chose dogs over Mainstream Muslims, causing the Left to panic as if Joe Biden just declared another presidential run, I DID NOT STUTTER, the email read. Fine defended his comments in an interview, saying that he does not believe all Muslims are bad people but that we should be afraid of a faith that has inspired this much violence. We need more Islamophobia, not less, he wrote on social media last week. Doug Heye, a former aide to GOP House leadership, drew a contrast with the partys swift rebukes of former Rep. Steve Kings offensive comments in 2019. Republican leaders denounced King, who represented an Iowa district, and stripped him of committee assignments after he wondered aloud: White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization how did that language become offensive? Language like this was something that the party used to do something about, Heye said of lawmakers comments about Muslims. Now, he said, nasty rhetoric gets rewarded. More than 4 million Muslims live in the U.S., but they are a small minority, making up about 1% of the population. Corey Saylor, the research and advocacy director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations the group some GOP officials have declared a terrorist organization, over its denials lamented that there is rarely a political cost to Islamophobia. It works, politically, Saylor said. Lucy the Elephant, a historic roadside attraction, faces out toward the Atlantic Ocean as a jogger runs on the beach in Margate City, N.J., on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min They say beauty is whats on the inside. But, if youre Lucy the Elephant, the 65-foot tall animal structure in Margate along the Jersey Shore, thats not a good thing. The plaster walls lining the inside of her belly are splotched from water damage and the soles of her feet (wood floors) are in desperate need of a good pumice stone (refinishing job). Advertisement Fortunately for her, due to a $350,000 grant Sen. Cory Bookers office secured for the 2026 fiscal year, a makeover is finally on the way. Albeit a year later than planned. That grant will round out the remaining balance for the interior repair project which is slated to cost between $800,000 and $1 million, said Richard Helfant, executive director of the Save Lucy Committee, the organization that runs the operations within the elephant. Upgrades will include repairing and resurfacing her interior walls, stripping and refinishing the yellow pine floors which have become worn from sand, replacing Lucys 50-year-old HVAC system and swapping out her rusty sprinklers. The interior work isnt the only new element coming to the Lucy experience. The nonprofit is also building a new visitor center with a larger gift shop, a virtual tour of Lucy for those with disabilities, displays of memorabilia about Lucy and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathrooms. That project will cost around $5 million and likely be funded through a state economic development program. Helfant said the plan is to break ground on the new building in late April or May, and complete both the visitors center and interior work by the summer of next year. Lucy, whos withstood hurricanes, lightning strikes and fires in her nearly 145 years, understands the value of patience, but she didnt anticipate needing to wait two years to have her splotches repaired and her soles mended. About two years ago, the Save Lucy Committee applied for a 2025 fiscal year grant through Bookers office, Helfant said. The senator allocated $500,000 for the project through congressionally directed spending, a program that allows lawmakers to allot funds to specific projects. But that money never came. That year, Senate Republicans didnt pass a budget, instead opting to fund the government via continuing resolutions. That sparked a fire within the Lucy fan base. Donations came in from across the world, Helfant said. Supporters pitched in from Germany, Switzerland, England, France, and Australia. Lucy is more than just wood and metal and nails, Helfant said. There is a spirit to her. You cant even describe it, but its true. Thats why, when people get involved with Lucy, theyre involved for life. And he would know. Helfant, now 68, first got involved with Lucy in seventh grade, selling candy to save her from the wrecking ball, he said. Once you see her you cant help but love her, he said. The senators office urged the Save Lucy Committee to try for the funding again in the 2026 fiscal year, Helfant said. Booker secured $350,000 for the project. Thanks to that, a $750,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust, about half of which will go toward this internal work, and supplemental funds from donors, Lucy is finally on track to get her Cinderella moment next summer. Though it may seem like a simple new set of sprinklers and fresh strips of wood, the transformation as a whole means that, in a world where everything changes and decays with time, Lucy can still transport visitors to the past. For the people who knew her as a kid, she was a part of their heritage; she was a part of their childhood; shes a part of what made people feel warm and fuzzy and good, Helfant said. In America, people are quick to tear things down and Lucy will not be torn down. Lucy is forever. This April 3, 1968 archival photo shows the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., second from right, standing with other civil rights leaders on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., a day before he was assassinated at approximately the same place. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min The Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The convenience store in Greenwood, Miss., where Emmett Till was falsely accused of flirting with a white woman in 1955 and was brutally murdered because of that lie. Advertisement A fully immersive bus ride experience in Montgomery, Ala., where Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat a few months after Tills death began the public transportation boycott that lit the spark of social change. Earlier this month, I joined about three dozen people on a journey to visit some of the historic sites throughout the South that defined the Civil Rights Movement. I traveled with a group of seminary students, pastors, and ordinary folks connected with the Campolo Center for Ministry at Eastern University in St. Davids, Delaware County. Each of us is committed to the work of achieving social justice in our communities, and our journey which was arduous physically and emotionally helped us learn more about many of the sites that frame the nations civil rights story. And for those of us with Philadelphia connections, the trip seemed to hit particularly close to home. Visiting those sites was even more profound at a time when other forces seek to erase, minimize, or redefine the complicated history that shapes this evolving experiment we know as the United States of America. Our city has seen that fight play out firsthand in the efforts by the White House to remove references to the history of enslaved people at the Presidents House Site on Independence Mall. While the slavery exhibits have been partially restored pending the outcome of an appeal, my visit to those faraway memorials served as a reminder to me that it is precisely this complicated reality that we must fight to preserve. However, its more than just monuments and markers that contain our history. Our collective narrative exists in the recesses of our memories. Its in the stories that we share. Its in the pain from which we try to heal and in the victories that fuel our determination to push forward. One of the most profound experiences our group had was in Selma, Ala., where we crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. More than 60 years ago, hundreds of men, women, and children were viciously attacked as they attempted to cross this same expanse on a protest march to the state Capitol in Montgomery seeking equal justice. It became to be known as Bloody Sunday and because the confrontation was caught on camera and televised on the news it was a significant turning point in the movement. While we crossed that same bridge, we did so without the terror or the violence that occurred there six decades before us. There were no police mounted on horses. No tear gas fired. No racial epithets being shouted our way. Instead, we shared quiet but meaningful conversations about the state of our country. We discussed how we would continue to work to make things better. We walked across that bridge with deep gratitude that those who preceded us sacrificed their bodies so this multiracial group could even be on such a journey together. Some 20 years ago, the bravery of those marchers inspired me to create the Bridge Walk for Peace here in Philadelphia. For nearly two decades, I have gathered a small group of brave souls at dawn on the Philly-side of the Ben Franklin Bridge on April 4 the date when Dr. King was killed 58 years ago. We walk every year rain or shine, warm or frigid with the goal of gathering at the bridges highest point in prayer at 7:01 a.m.; the timing is in itself another kind of tribute Dr. King was fatally wounded on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel at 7:01 p.m. Philadelphia time. If you dont tell the truth about your history, youll always be bound by the lie. These acts of commemoration require a commitment, not just to show up at a meeting point, but to do the hard work every day that often goes unnoticed and unacknowledged. They serve as the foundation of any effort to effectuate change that pushes our society forward despite attempts to drag us backward into the past. Shortly before I began this pilgrimage, I stood at a rally led by the Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) protesting the removal of the panels that tell the story of the people who were enslaved at the Presidents House the attempts to sanitize a story that needs both the ugliness and the beauty in depicting the history that we as a people share. Its been said that, if you dont tell the truth about your history, youll always be bound by the lie. We have too much promise and potential to let lies hold us back. If the story is uncomfortable, lets learn from the discomfort not pretend it isnt there. The firmer our terrain, the better traction well have as we pursue our path. Anything less would put us on a slippery slope that ultimately crumbles beneath our feet. The Rev. David W. Brown is one of the founders of Philadelphias Bridge Walk for Peace one of the nations longest observances commemorating the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Listen to article 0:00 min Last Friday, we joined more than 150 Philadelphians to call on Sen. John Fetterman to withdraw his support for the illegal, immoral, and illogical war in Iran. Not only did we both vote for the senator, we campaigned for him, too, encouraging our families, friends, and neighbors to trust us and vote for someone who promised to support peace, justice, and human rights above all else. Advertisement But Fetterman has turned his back on his promises and on his constituents by continuously supporting Israels assault on Gaza, and now, the U.S. and Israels war on Iran. He was the only Democrat to vote against the War Powers Act, which would have curbed President Donald Trumps power to launch a war without Congress approval. Fetterman was the sole Democrat who did not sign the letter demanding answers from the Department of Defense in the wake of American airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran, that killed over 100 children. As a result, for those with family in Iran, we continue to not know whether our innocent relatives are alive or dead, murdered by our own government with our money, in our name. We practice different religions one of us is Jewish, the other Muslim and our families come from different parts of the world, but we have both chosen Philadelphia as our home. While some may pit us as enemies, we have much more in common than what others would like us to believe. Our shared humanity is what binds us: our love for our families, our communities, and our home of Philadelphia. When we see children killed, whether its in our neighborhood or 6,000 miles away, our hearts break. Safety should not be determined by where you fall on a map. Right now, our country is spending nearly $1 billion per day on Operation Epic Fury. Some of this money went to leveling the school in Minab. This is happening while the Philadelphia School District plans to close nearly 20 schools, almost 10 years after closing 30 others. This war is the most unpopular one in our countrys history, and the money spent on it could be used for so many other things: namely, to improve the lives of children all across the U.S. by making sure every young person is safe and has food, a home, and a great public school to attend. Even in the richest country in the world, these things are sadly not guaranteed. We are constantly told that theres not enough money to fix our schools, to house everyone, to fix our crumbling infrastructure, to provide people with healthcare, or to pay workers what they deserve, but theres always endless money for global violence. War and its gigantic price tag are a perversion of our countrys stated priorities, and for religious people, an affront to God and the world He has created. In both Islam and Judaism, children are seen as divine gifts, miracles who are born free of any amount of sin. And yet children in Gaza, Iran, and here in Philadelphia are forced to suffer due to circumstances that are no fault of their own. Being born in the wrong place like Gaza or Tehran or even in a city like Philadelphia with a 20% poverty rate should not condemn a child to a life of violence. It certainly should not kill them while they are sleeping or trying to learn at school. Safety should not be determined by where you fall on a map. Fetterman has talked about his support for America First policies. How does championing a war that Congress has not authorized, that has already cost $12 billion, and that the majority of Americans disapprove of, put our country and its families first? Every dollar that has been diverted by Fetterman from Philadelphia schools, housing, healthcare, and wages for this illegal and immoral war is transformed into a missile targeting a school, hospital, or home. For every hospital barely functioning in Philadelphia, at least 13 have been bombed in Iran. If he wants to support working people and their children in Pennsylvania, we have plenty of ideas for him, including fighting for more school funding for Philadelphias students. Robert Zayd KiaNouri-Zigmund is Iranian American, a member of CAIR-Philadelphia, and works at the AbuSulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies. Mindy Isser works in the labor movement, is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, and is the mother of a 3-year-old. Bill Fritze, supervisor for the District Attorneys Gun Violence Task Force, addresses reporters during a news conference on the arrest of 19 defendants that prosecutors say are connected to the Young Bag Chasers street gang. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min During the surge in gun violence that accompanied the pandemic as warring street gangs drove a catastrophic increase in shootings one group stood out. The West Philadelphia crew known as the Young Bag Chasers became notorious for not only the blood they spilled, but for the callous and nihilistic way that the police said they boasted in music and social media posts about their brutality. Last month, 19 people who prosecutors said were tied to the gang or had disputes with it, were charged in connection with 22 shootings and five homicides over the course of two turbulent years beginning in 2022. Advertisement High-tech investigatory work by law enforcement officials is responsible for much of the evidence that buttresses the case, which prosecutors say was methodically built over two years. Intrepid reporting by The Inquirers Ellie Rushing is how many Philadelphians became aware of the story. And after engaging in what the police said was a campaign of homicide, ambushes, and street corner shootings often in broad daylight even members of the group apparently began to sense that the end was near. I can smell indictments, I can see it comin, one man, who investigators said was affiliated with the group, rapped in a song released last fall. According to prosecutors, the group of friends who became the core of the gang were at first just another collection of Philly kids who liked to hang out together. Over time, however, investigators said, they graduated from stealing bikes and smoking marijuana to selling drugs and killing anyone associated with their rivals. READ MORE: The rise and fall of the Young Bag Chasers According to Rushings interviews with gang members, things changed when one of their own, Joshua Munson, was gunned down. Members of the crew describe Munson as being management, not muscle. Shortly after his death, other West Philly gangs began ridiculing Munson in drill rap lyrics. A Meek Mill-brokered truce did not last. Then came the pandemic. The group exploited generous emergency federal assistance programs for their own ends, becoming incredibly flush with cash, police said. This money was funneled into gun purchases, among other things. The gang also earned thousands of dollars each month in ad revenue from YouTube and Spotify for their rap videos and drill music, which frequently referenced shootings that investigators believe were committed by members of the group. Their lyrics shocked law enforcement officials with their cruelty. But they racked up views online and apparently referenced crimes that were committed in real life. In a particularly vicious instance, police said that members of the gang killed Zyir Stafford, a 22-year-old father who worked at McDonalds and who had no direct involvement in the gangs feuds. Over 7 million people have watched the music video that mocks Staffords death. Less than a year later, the rapper in that video was fatally shot. All told, nearly a dozen suspected members of the gang have been killed, and several others are behind bars or charged with serious crimes. Today, life in Philadelphia has changed since the groups pandemic-era heyday. In each year from 2021 to 2023, roughly 100 Philadelphians had been killed at this point in the year. As of Tuesday, the number stands at 20. With homicides overall on the decline, it seems that the work of Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel and Public Safety Director Adam Geer is bearing fruit. It is also possible that the death and incarceration of so many members of the citys violent gangs has had an impact. But 20 murders is still 20 too many. And while dismantling one of the citys most ruthless gangs is a boon to our sense of civic well-being, a considerable number of Philadelphians, especially many of our young people, are still at risk. Listen to article 0:00 min Black women have largely fueled the Target boycott, and its making an impact. We need to stay the course. The last thing that the movement needs right now is drama and infighting. But unfortunately, thats what weve seen recently. Were talking dueling podcasts, back-to-back news conferences, a public apology from a prominent leader of one faction, and multiple interviews by independent journalist Roland Martin on his daily broadcast. Advertisement To try to make sense of it all, I reached out to one of the original organizers of the boycott, Nekima Levy Armstrong, who told me on Tuesday: The National Target Boycott is indefinite. It is still on. She added that, not only is the boycott continuing but, Were asking people to double down. Armstrong, no relation, was among the first to announce plans to boycott Target after the giant retailer dropped its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts following the second inauguration of President Donald Trump. Trump signed executive orders targeting DEI programs in the public and private sectors shortly after moving back into the Oval Office. Armstrong along with Monique Cullars-Doty of Black Lives Matter Minnesota and Jaylani Hussein of CAIR Minnesota responded by holding a news conference outside Targets corporate headquarters in Minneapolis on Jan. 30, 2025, and proclaiming the start of a National Target Boycott that would kick off on the first day of Black History Month 2025. Meanwhile, high-profile national leaders such as the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev. Jamal Bryant, and former Ohio State Sen. Nina Turner were doing their own strategizing about ways to get back at Target, which also contributed $1 million to Trumps inauguration. Turner posted a flier on social media, calling for a Target boycott. Sharpton met with Brian Cornell, at that time the CEO of Target. Bryant, an Atlanta-based megachurch minister, created what he called the Target Fast, a 40-day effort to seek four concessions dealing with diversity. He timed it to coincide with Lent and end on Easter Sunday 2025. After the 40 days passed, Bryant kept it going. But mass confusion broke out last week after he announced at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., that the Target Fast had ended. Many in the media and elsewhere assumed that that meant that the national Target boycott was over, as well. Social media personalities and influencers erupted with outrage, saying that Bryant didnt speak for them and that he lacked the authority to end the boycott. Bryant went on his Lets Be Clear podcast to apologize and explain. A year ago, the Target boycott started in two different places, he said. One in Cleveland, the other in Minneapolis, Minnesota, distinctively by two significantly strong sisters, attorney Nekima [Levy Armstrong] and former Representative Nina Turner. I watched it play out in real time, and it dawned on me that the Black church was not a part of the equation or the conversation or dealing with civic engagement. I pulled from their genius, their prowess the Target Fast to walk alongside them. Bryant insisted that he had not tried to hijack the movement that Armstrong and other activists started. Instead, he wanted to galvanize Black churches and get them involved with the boycott. Bryant insisted that he had not been compensated by Target and was sorry for being out of touch with what the community wanted. Its disappointing that things have come to this. For movements to be successful, organizers and consumers really need to band together not compete for air time and point fingers. Bryant should have worked with Armstrong and the other grassroots organizers in Minnesota instead of creating a whole other entity with similar goals. All that did was confuse folks. This is what happens when you downplay and ignore the leadership of Black women, Armstrong said. This is what has happened historically with the Black women who led the Civil Rights Movement. We dont know most of their names or faces or contributions to the movement, and its because of this systematic erasure of Black womens leadership, labor, and stories. On his podcast, Bryant denied her assertion saying, he is surrounded by brilliant, beautiful African American women and would never try to co-opt what it is that Black women are building. He referenced Armstrong, Turner, and activist Tamika Mallory by name and added, I dont want history to record that I tried to stand in the way of the leadership of warrior women. As for me, I havent set foot inside a Target store in more than a year. And given Armstrongs words about the boycott not only continuing but doubling down, Im not sure if Ill ever shop there again. Listen to article 0:00 min U.S. Sen. John Fetterman on Thursday cast the deciding vote to advance President Donald Trumps nominee to helm the Department of Homeland Security joining Republicans while other Democrats raised doubts that U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R., Okla.) would reform the administrations aggressive and increasingly unpopular immigration enforcement tactics. Fettermans support came as little surprise after he vowed earlier this month to vote to confirm Mullin, whom Trump picked when he fired Kristi Noem as DHS secretary. Advertisement But the Pennsylvania Democrats vote became essential after the Republican chair of the Senate committee overseeing the nomination admonished Mullin for what he said was a pattern of anger issues, including incidents directed at him. Tell the world why you believe I deserved to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken and a damaged lung, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) told Mullin during a Wednesday hearing, referring to Mullin once saying he understands completely the reasons why Paul was attacked by a neighbor in 2017. Paul was the only Republican who opposed the nomination as it advanced out of the committee in an 8-7 vote. His comments along with those from the Democrats who grilled Mullin on his background and DHS operations contrasted sharply with how Fetterman used his time in the confirmation hearing to once again criticize his own party on immigration and border security. After the vote, he said in a statement that his vote is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nations security. In January, I called on the president to fire Noem and he did, Fetterman said. I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind. We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. Fetterman has become the most vocal backer of Trumps deportation agenda among Senate Democrats. He called for Noems firing in January after facing intense public pressure and rising bipartisan concerns. But he also broke with his caucus last month when it blocked funding for DHS a sprawling, 260,000-person department that includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency when Republicans declined to include reforms like bans on warrantless arrests or masked agents during ICE missions. Its a strange devotion, Fetterman said, echoing Republicans who used Mullins confirmation hearing to partially talk about the DHS shutdown. I dont understand why you would shut the entire agency down just because you want those kinds of reforms on ICE. Fetterman also stressed the need for border control and spoke of his personal relationship with Mullin in the Senate, which he called consistent kindness and professionalism. Fetterman described getting to know Mullin in 2024 on a congressional delegation trip to Turks and Caicos where they helped facilitate the release of five Americans being detained for carrying ammunition in their luggage. And he denounced political violence while indicating he believes its time for Paul to move on from their personal feud. I know theres a lot of hard, personal feelings here, Fetterman said during the hearing. Its terrible whats happened, and political violence, I mean, its rampant. Its about letting it go, and moving on." Mullin also rejected political violence but declined to apologize for his comments toward Paul, who he said was engaging in character assassination. Paul at one point said Mullin had a sheer lack of any kind of self-awareness as he steps in to lead an agency ICE that has lost public trust because of its use of force. Youre going to be leading thousands of men and women who will have the use of force, and theres been great questions in our country about how that will be used, Paul said. And you think a violent attack is just fine. Other Democrats used their moments of public questioning to press Mullin on a range of issues. U.S. Sen. Andy Kim (D., N.J.) asked Mullin about staff cuts to FEMA and about plans for ICE to turn an industrial warehouse in Roxbury, Morris County, into a detention facility with up to 1,500 beds. Never once did an ICE official go and talk to the local mayor, talk to the local law enforcement, assess the situation alongside the locals, Kim said. Is that fair that DHS is imposing these types of large-scale detention facilities without local engagement? Mullin, the former owner of a plumbing business in Oklahoma, said communities should be consulted because such facilities have a big impact, including on water demand. If Im confirmed, Ill make a trip out there and see it for myself because its a big concern of yours. And we want to address those concerns, Mullin said. There may be a specific reason why its there, Mullin said. If I cant explain that to you, then thats a different story. But if theres a specific reason I can explain to you, make it make sense, lets talk about it. Warehouse conversions into ICE detention centers are also planned in Pennsylvania, with opposition from local and state officials. Fetterman wrote a letter to Noem in February that said an up to 7,500-person in Schuylkill County and a 1,500-person facility in Berks County would do significant damage, though he did not publicly question Mullin about it or discuss it with DHS officials during a February committee hearing. Fettermans votes to confirm some of Trumps nominees last year were among the reasons why the progressive Working Families Party said it will try to challenge him if he runs for reelection in 2028. The first-term senator has not said whether hell run again as he has become a source of frustration for some other Pennsylvania Democrats. U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Phila.) has repeatedly called him Trumps favorite Democrat. He did so again on social media after the vote Thursday adding that Fetterman needs to go. And in a rare move Wednesday, another member of the states delegation, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D., Chester), urged her followers on social media to contact Fettermans office to voice their opposition to Mullin. Senator Fetterman will be the deciding vote for Markwayne Mullins nomination to lead DHS, she wrote. Call his office and ask him to vote NO. U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, a Pittsburgh Democrat pictured in Harrisburg in 2023, has been outspoken about the Epstein files. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min U.S. Rep. Summer Lee says shes demanding justice for Jeffrey Epsteins victims. The Republican oversight committee chair said shes bitching. Lee, the only Pennsylvania Democrat who sits on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said she asked U.S. Rep. James Comer, the Republican committee chair from Kentucky, if he would push Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify under oath about the Justice Departments handling of the Epstein case. Advertisement Instead of answering as an adult, he said I was bitching, Lee, of Pittsburgh, said at a news conference. She said that language wouldnt have been allowed in a public committee meeting. If CSPAN and the public were there, Id imagine that he would not act that way, she added. The exchange happened during a closed-door committee meeting with the Justice Department on Wednesday about the Epstein files that ended with Democrats storming out of the room. Democrats took issue with the meeting format because they want Bondi to answer questions about the files under oath. Comer confirmed with reporters that he used the term while speaking to Lee. She was just complaining about the format, and that was the fourth Democrat to ask questions, he said. And they didnt ask any questions. But he later defended himself on social media by saying he was right to accuse Democrats of bitching and wasting everyones time. Lee responded on social media by saying he used the term toward a woman in particular because hes basic. Lee has been critical of the Justice Departments slow paced release of the Epstein files and has accused Bondi of weaponizing the department. She lead an effort over the summer to subpoena the department for the files and introduced articles of impeachment against Bondi on Tuesday that accuse her of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Lawmakers have accused the Justice Department of withholding too many files and criticized the agency for haphazard redactions that exposed intimate details about victims. The Justice Department has sought to assure the public that they havent been trying to shied President Donald Trump, who says he cut ties with the financier and sexual abuser years ago but is mentioned in the files repeatedly. Comer accused Democrats on the committee of political theatrics instead of asking Bondi about the files. He said theyre trying to create a false narrative that theres a cover-up. But five Republicans joined Democrats on the committee earlier this month to vote for the subpoena over how questions about the Justice Departments handling of the Epstein investigation and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Democrats said they will press to enforce the subpoena issued this week for Bondi to appear for a sworn deposition next month. Comer did not vote for the subpoena and said he doesnt see any reason for Bondi to sit for a deposition. I want to bring in the bad guys for the deposition, he said. I want to bring in the men who have abused women. I want to bring in anyone who is involved in the prosecution or lack of prosecution of Epstein, Maxwell, and some of these other guys. So thats where I think our time and energy should be spent. Comer said he would try to schedule the deposition but did not say whether he would hold her in contempt of court if she doesnt follow through, the New York Times reported. The Justice Departments failure to fend off the subpoena from the Republican-led committee underscores widespread discontent among Trumps base over Bondis management of the review and release of a trove of documents from the criminal investigation into Epstein. Asked by reporters after the briefing whether she would comply with the subpoena, Bondi said, I made it crystal clear I will follow the law. She also defended the departments handling of the Epstein files, saying officials are proud of their work to release millions of documents to the public. Lee said the Democrats on the Oversight Committee will push for Bondi to answer questions on the record. Well continue to press for justice for survivors, while also keeping them centered in this ... we are still here seeking answers for women, for girls, and for the American public who has demanded justice, she said. And whether or not they will pretend that the documents that they have given us is enough, we already know that they have not complied, and we are asking other people to make sure that we do not let them off the hook right now, she added. The Associated Press contributed reporting. Gov. Mikie Sherrill gives her budget address Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026, in the Assembly Chamber at the New Jersey State House. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday said that President Donald Trumps administrations investigation into states requiring healthcare insurers to cover abortion is nothing but a fishing expedition wasting taxpayers money. Sherrills comments came after the Department of Health and Human Services said that it had launched investigations into 13 states, including New Jersey and Delaware, that require state-regulated health insurance plans to cover abortion. Advertisement The Trump Administration wasting time and money is a disservice to our country, especially at a time when everyday prices are skyrocketing, Sherrill said. This presidents ineffective leadership is having disastrous ramifications for our country. The Democratic governor said she will fight tooth and nail to defend abortion rights in the state. New Jersey requires health insurance plans to follow all applicable laws, including protecting womens reproductive freedom, she added. New Jersey has joined about 50 court cases against the Trump administration during the presidents second term, including a handful of lawsuits that have been filed since Sherrill began her term in January. Other states with abortion health insurance coverage requirements include New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Illinois, Colorado, California, Oregon, and Vermont the only state in the group with a Republican governor. States regulate most types of private insurance, such as Affordable Care Act marketplace plans and fully insured employer-sponsored plans. The HHS Office for Civil Rights launched the investigations to address certain states alleged disregard of, or confusion about, compliance with the Weldon Amendment, office Director Paula M. Stannard said in a statement. The Weldon Amendment is a provision that bars states from discriminating against health entities that dont provide, cover or refer for abortions. Stannards office wrote in a letter to New Jerseys department of banking and insurance that it has sufficient authority and cause to investigate whether the state is unlawfully coercing insurers to cover abortions. When Democrat Joe Biden was president, the office said the provision didnt pertain to employers or other healthcare sponsors. The Trump administration said this year that it does. The administration says that potentially puts states with abortion coverage requirements in violation of the law, because they may not allow employers or other health care issuers to opt out. It said it was sending out letters to gather more information from those states. Trumps first administration in 2020 moved to withhold federal health care funding for California over what it interpreted as a Weldon Amendment violation, but the Biden administration entered office the next year and reversed the decision. The Associated Press contributed reporting. State Rep. Chris Rabb at a forum hosted by the 9th Ward Democratic Committee Dec. 4, 2025. He is a Democratic candidate running to represent Philadelphia's 3rd Congressional District. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min The progressive Working Families Party and a coalition of allied political groups will announce Thursday that they are endorsing Philadelphia State Rep. Chris Rabb for Congress, making him the favorite among the citys left-leaning organizations to take the open seat long held by U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans. The Working Families Party, a labor-aligned third party that also often backs Democrats, will endorse Rabb alongside Justice Democrats, a national organization that helps elect progressives, including members of The Squad, the left-wing faction in Congress. Advertisement In a statement, the groups cited Rabbs positions supporting Medicare-for-All, deeply affordable housing, and the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. City Councilmember Kendra Brooks, a member of the Working Families Party and one of the citys most well-known progressives, said in a statement backing Rabb that its time we have one of our own in The Squad. Rep. Rabb is one of the longest-serving progressives in Harrisburg, where he has taken on Republicans and the billionaire class to improve the lives of working people, Brooks said. She was joined in her endorsement by Councilmember Nicolas ORourke, also of the Working Families Party. READ MORE: Chris Rabb is trying to be the lefts standard-bearer as he runs for Congress. Will progressives rally around him? The endorsement is significant for Rabb in that the Working Families Party and Justice Democrats are deep-pocketed organizations with national donor networks. The groups could provide Rabb with a needed financial boost after he reported middling fundraising totals earlier this year and then said his former treasurer made unauthorized withdrawals from his campaign account. READ MORE: From Florida to Philly, a political consultant kept working as fraud claims piled up against her But it is unclear if or how much money each group will spend on the race in the 3rd Congressional District, which is by some measures the most Democratic in the nation. The Working Families Party has an allied super PAC that has not yet indicated whether it intends to spend money to influence the Philadelphia race. The May 19 primary election is likely to be decisive, given that the district is overwhelmingly Democratic. No Republican filed to run. Rabb, an anti-establishment five-term state representative who hails from Northwest Philadelphia, said in a statement that he is proud to be building such a strong progressive coalition in this campaign. He was also endorsed by the Philadelphia chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the left-leaning political group One PA, and three South Philadelphia Democratic wards that tend to back progressives. A similar alliance in 2017 lifted District Attorney Larry Krasner to victory and has since then boosted a handful of progressives who now hold seats in the state House, state Senate, and City Council. Winning the congressional seat which is open because Evans is not seeking reelection would be one of the progressive coalitions biggest wins yet in Philadelphia. Left-leaning organizations in the 2023 mayoral race backed former City Councilmember Helen Gym, who came in third in the Democratic primary. Rabbs opponents are also being supported by groups with the ability to influence the race through advertising, including super PACs, which can raise and spend an unlimited amount of money. Ala Stanford, a pediatric surgeon running for office for the first time, is being backed by 314 Action, a national pro-science super PAC that has said it will spend up to $2.5 million on the race on pro-Stanford advertising. The amount is significantly more than any single candidate currently has in their campaign account. And State Sen. Sharif Street, the former chair of the state Democratic Party, has the support of the Democratic City Committee and a politically powerful coalition of building trades unions. The same labor groups funded a super PAC in the 2023 mayoral race that was crucial for now-Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, a centrist who handily won the Democratic primary that year. Street has also attempted to pick off support from left-leaning Democrats, including winning endorsements from Councilmember Rue Landau and State Rep. Andre Carroll, both of whom have previously received support from the Working Families Party. Adam and Morgan Dorfman, of Radnor, participated in the roundtable discussion with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Attorney General Dave Sunday at West Chester Community Center Thursday. They called for state action on the use of deepfakes in schools. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min Speaking at a roundtable that included parents of two Radnor High School students victimized by AI deepfakes, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday hell call on the Pennsylvania Department of Education to look into creating standards for how schools respond to similar offenses. Radnor parents Adam and Morgan Dorfman and Audrey Greenberg joined a roundtable in West Chester with Shapiro, a Democrat, and Attorney General Dave Sunday, a Republican, to discuss artificial intelligence in schools and what the state should do to better protect students. Advertisement In a wide-ranging conversation, the three parents shared their experiences learning that their daughters had been victimized and their frustrations at the schools response, which they described as dismissive. We were victimized more by the school than this kid who made the video, Greenberg said Thursday. The parents asked state officials to consider better training for students and faculty, more accountability for students who produce such images, and better resources for parents whose children are victimized. Having policies in place is essential, but if we dont enforce those policies and kids arent held accountable and offenders arent held accountable, then what are we teaching our kids? Morgan Dorfman said at the roundtable. Shapiro has been advocating for more guardrails against AI, pushing for cell phone bans in the classroom and directing the Pennsylvania Department of State to investigate chatbots that represent themselves as licensed medical professionals. The governor has worked alongside Sunday, who says his office is investigating criminal uses of AI technology as well as consumer protection issues in the space. Thursdays event in West Chester was the second roundtable Shapiro has held with students, parents, and representatives from schools seeking input on the role of AI in education and how the state should respond. The Radnor parents argued that statewide policy was necessary to address deepfakes because the issue was not limited to their school district. Radnor parents have accused the school district of minimizing the deepfake incident, which came to light in early December as freshmen girls heard that a male classmate had made pornographic videos of them using AI. Greenberg asked for state level action or guidance for how schools should respond and hold bad actors accountable. One of my takeaways from this is our Pennsylvania Department of Education needs to get far more aggressive with school districts to build up not just a curriculum for students but really for parents and of course teachers to be able to understand these issues a bit better and have the protocols in place should there be an urgent moment or urgent event like what Radnors experienced, Shapiro said. Speaking to reporters after the event, Shapiro said that there was a hole in the states approach to the issue in schools and that he would be asking the Pennsylvania Department of Education to address it immediately. The governor also pledged to follow up with Morgan Dorfman, who said there should be clear guidelines for parents on whom to call if something similar happens to their child. We didnt know where to go, she said. In a January message to Radnor families and staff, Superintendent Ken Batchelor said that a police investigation had found that a student used an app to make images of classmates that move and dance. The message, which was also signed by Radnor Police Chief Chris Flanagan, said police had not found evidence of anything inappropriate. It didnt mention that police had charged a student with harassment after an investigation into alleged sexualized images of multiple girls. District officials said the alleged images were never discovered. Parents of victims who spoke with The Inquirer said that the images had been deleted from the students phone and that police investigating the incident hadnt subpoenaed any app or social media companies to try to find them. They also faulted the district for characterizing the incident as something that happened outside of school and not subject to a Title IX harassment investigation, and accused it of failing to adequately protect victimized girls. The Radnor school board has been considering policy changes, including to explicitly characterize AI deepfakes as a form of cyberbullying, though its not clear how the proposed updates would have changed the districts response. Similar frustrations have been voiced in the Council Rock School District, where parents said nearly a dozen girls last year were victimized by AI deep fakes. County officials said two boys were charged with unlawful dissemination of sexually explicit material by a minor. Parents said the district had waited five days to contact police, and said the accused boys were given more deference than the victims. The boys were transferred to different Council Rock schools but only after they were adjudicated delinquent, according to a lawyer for victims. The property at 436 Walnut St. in Philadelphia as viewed from Independence Square on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min The Zurich-based insurance giant Chubb has sold its historic former office building at 436 Walnut St. to New York-based Extell Development Co., according to four sources familiar with the transaction who are not authorized to speak with the press. Extell, founded by prominent developer Gary Barnett, is known for building some of Manhattans newest and most exclusive residential skyscrapers like the 98-story Central Park Tower and the 75-story One57. Advertisement Extell did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Their junior partner in the purchase is Philadelphia-based Chevron Property Holdings. The Old City building sold for $30 million, less than its current assessed value. In city records, the building is listed as last sold for $22 million in 2004. Although Barnett is known for remaking Manhattans skyline, a person familiar with his thinking said that he has not yet decided whether to keep the Walnut Street building as offices or turn it into apartments or a hotel. The building is protected from demolition by local historic preservation regulations. It is included in the Society Hill historic district. Chubb is moving its extensive Philadelphia operations to a new 18-story office building at 2000 Arch St., where it has promised to add 1,250 new jobs. That building, developed by the Parkway Corp., is slated to open in the coming months. The 330,000-square-foot building on Walnut Street is more than 100 years old. It is one of two offices near Washington Square where Chubbs Philadelphia presence has been centered. The other is 510 Walnut St. In a listing for the sale, real estate services firm JLL described an array of options for its future including office-to-residential conversion. The buildings design features large flexible floorplates and ample windows on every floor, the listing reads, providing an investor the opportunity for a variety of redevelopment opportunities including luxury apartments, upscale condominiums, a boutique hotel, or state-of-the-art offices. A residential conversion of the building would easily fit under the propertys flexible zoning district, and it would also benefit from the 10-year property tax abatement. Although the incentive was weakened for new construction projects, it remains in full force for redevelopments of existing buildings. Neither JLL nor Chubb immediately responded to requests for comment. JLLs Jim Galbally, Brett Segal, and Francis Coyne are named as the contacts for the project in the listing. In 2017, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission placed a historical marker outside 436 Walnut St. to commemorate the history of the Insurance Company of North America (INA), which eventually was folded into Chubb. INA operated in Philadelphia beginning in 1792, and was an early insurer of ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Cincere Wilson, a renter at the Upsal Garden apartment complex in Mount Airy, talks about how his living room ceiling collapsed last year during a Feb. 19 news conference at City Hall organized by City Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke in support of his Safe Healthy Homes Act. Read more Listen to article 0:00 min In an exceedingly rare move, Philadelphia landlords filed a lawsuit Wednesday against City Council to delay a vote on legislation meant to protect renters. Council was scheduled to vote Thursday morning on two bills introduced by Councilmember Nicolas ORourke that are meant to help Philadelphia renters living in unsafe or unhealthy homes. But the landlords and City Council reached a settlement agreement Wednesday afternoon that will postpone the vote to a date to be determined. Advertisement One bill would protect tenants who complain about housing conditions from retaliation by rental property owners and affirm tenants rights to safe and sanitary homes. The other seeks to hold landlords accountable for repairs and would authorize the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections to create a program to proactively inspect rental units. ORourke wrote the bills, which he introduced last April, in partnership with OnePA Renters United Philadelphia, a coalition of renters unions and advocates, and Philly Thrive, an advocacy group for racial, economic, and environmental justice. During the March 4 Council hearing at the center of the landlords lawsuit, tenants testified about living with mold, pests, leaks, lack of heat, and falling ceilings. In their lawsuit, Philadelphia rental property owners Erica Hadley and Seth Floyd alleged that Council members deliberated on amendments to the bills in a private meeting before the housing committees public hearing in violation of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, which requires government meetings to be held in public. The rental property owners also objected to the decision by the housing committee to vote to advance the bills to the full Council before hearing public comments. On March 4, the committee paused its hearing, voted on the bills, and then resumed the hearing and took public comment. In the settlement reached Wednesday, the landlords and City Council agreed to postpone the scheduled vote and that ORourke would move his bills back to the housing committee. According to the agreement, neither side admitted violating any law. In an e-mailed statement, ORourke said: This is a shameful tactic taken in bad faith from lobbyists who are poorly representing their clients by introducing a meaningless procedural delay. He said the same bills that Council members would have voted on during Thursdays meeting will come before the full body in the coming weeks. The latest versions of the bills were the result of months of discussions with Council members, officials from Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration, and landlords. But rental property owners have continued to oppose the legislation, saying the amendments do not go far enough to prevent unintended consequences that could harm landlords. Paul Cohen, general counsel for HAPCO Philadelphia, the citys largest association of rental property owners, did not represent the landlords in Wednesdays lawsuit but supported their emergency request for a delay. He said the bills were rushed through the legislative process. Hopefully, [Council members] will now follow the Sunshine Act and have a proper hearing where they can actually listen to testimony and listen to public comment and then properly deliberate the bill in public and not in private, Cohen said in an interview. And hopefully, theyll come up with a different decision. Staff writers Anna Orso and Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article. Chaplins departure marks the end of a highgrowth chapter. Under his leadership, Delta deepened its foothold in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, expanded specialty offerings for SMEs and secured fresh investment to fuel regional expansion. In recent years the group attracted new capital, broadened its accident and health and specialty offerings in Australia and repeatedly secured Excellent performance assessments from AM Best milestones that helped cement its reputation with both capacity providers and brokers. The camaraderie among our network brokers was evident at the Regional Days. Knowledge was shared openly, and the energy in the room highlighted the passion they have for securing the right insurance and risk solutions for their clients, Jayaratne said. His conduct after the fire also weighed heavily. The court found Richardson gave materially different accounts of what he witnessed that night to the Triple-0 operator, police, and a loss adjuster. He tried to stop a photograph showing isopropanol - a cleaning chemical he had purchased in bulk days before the fire - from reaching a fire investigator. In the weeks that followed, according to the court's findings, he asked a friend to take criminal responsibility for the fire. When Commodore shut down in or around October 2025 and the East West Bank letter of credit became ineligible for renewal, 1970 Group says it notified Chubb - through Commodore's insurance broker, Cobbs Allen Capital Holdings, LLC - that it planned to replace the $8,689,509 East West Bank instrument by upsizing the MUFG letter of credit by the same amount. The filing says Chubb acknowledged the plan and raised no objections, in line with what 1970 Group describes as an established practice between the parties - one that had been followed with three different clients that same year. Meanwhile, Silva reinforced that while the industry is broadening its lens, climate risk remains central. Generali is placing particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which Silva described as critical to economic resilience. If you help SMEs prevent risks before they happen, you strengthen society overall, she said. Often the initial contact between broker and insurer, business development managers have a lot resting on their shoulders. BDMs are considered a brokers best ally in the insurance industry. Under US law, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA), US organizations, wherever located, are prohibited from engaging in transactions directly or indirectly with individuals or entities on OFACs Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. That prohibition can extend to directing a nonUS affiliate to make a payment on their behalf, with civil fines that can reach the greater of a perviolation cap or twice the amount of ransom paid, as well as potential criminal exposure for management. On the tortious interference claim, the defendants argued they were third-party beneficiaries of the insurance contracts between policyholders and insurance carriers, and that TAG's actions cost them commissions. The court disagreed, finding that receiving a commission from a policy sale is an incidental benefit, not a direct one. Because the defendants could not show they were intended beneficiaries of those contracts, the claim was dismissed. The defendants had also initially asserted a claim for tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, but conceded that claim at the hearing, and it too was dismissed. Expanding reach in Texas and specialty lines The transaction combines Lipscombs expertise with Symphony Risks specialty division, Symphony Wealth, and increases the groups presence in Texas, a key market for both personal and commercial insurance. It also extends Symphony Risks access to the London market, including Lloyd's of London, which remains an important source of capacity for complex and non-standard risks. According to the report, the company projects that the average annual home insurance cost will rise another 4% this year, from $2,948 at the end of 2025 to $3,057 by December 2026. That would leave the typical homeowner paying roughly $900 more per year than in 2021. In 2025 alone, premiums increased by an average of 12% nationwide, with rates rising in 45 states and Washington, D.C., and holding flat or falling in only five. The Insurance Operations & Financial Transformation 2026 report, based on 250 online interviews with insurance managers in the US and UK, paints a picture of an industry where transaction volumes are rising faster than insurers ability to modernize their financial operations. The survey sample skewed toward smaller organizations, with 80% of respondents from firms with fewer than 5,000 employees, and covered both insurance and health insurance carriers. Ladva acknowledged the value of experimentation but stressed that the industry must now evolve. First of all, I think everybody has done so many pilots, and I dont want to dismiss their value, because pilots are how we learn. If we dont learn, how do we know what to scale? she said. Pilots are important, but we now need to shift gears. This article is part of a sponsored series by AgentSync. Through much of the year, of course, terminations are fairly singular. Theyre one-offs, only happening when an agent leaves their agency or the industry, if someone commits a crime and loses their license, or when someone dies. Yet, there are still a few big reasons an operations team at the average MGA, MGU, or carrier might be daydreaming about bulk termination capabilities. If youre already well-versed on the need for bulk terminations (including the ability to schedule them in advance), check out what other daydreams AgentSync Manage makes come true. If not, read on: No. 1: Appointment renewals and terminations season Some states have consistent appointment renewal and termination seasons. Others fluctuate from year to year. (We have a running blog with the appointment renewal and termination deadlines for states that have announced them in 2022.) Regardless of where these appointment renewal dates fall on the calendar, states generally first give you a deadline for terminations. Before that date, your organization must get your list of appointments with the state, read through and select the agents whore no longer writing business with you for whatever reason, and terminate them with the state, paying any associated termination fees. Once your appointment renewal notice comes, you must pay your bill for all remaining appointmentsstates generally arent going to negotiate once youre past your terminations deadline. That means youll be billed for every agent on your appointment list, even if you dont intend for them to be there, even if theyve never produced business, even if theyve died. If your license management system doesnt have a bulk-termination option, someone on your team may have to go line-by-line, looking up each producer record either in your system or NIPR, to terminate that agent. With AgentSync Manage, however, weve put bulk terminations on easy mode: You can schedule bulk terminations in advance so that you can terminate nonproducing appointments well before state deadlines. No more last-minute scramble, no more backlogs of to-do terminations for the future. Set it and forget it. No. 2: State appointment rule changes If youre a carrier or MGA/MGU and you made appointments in Kansas a few years ago, you may remember the scramble that happened when Kansas changed appointment requirements and procedures, among other things. At one time, the state required carriers to appoint agencies and required agencies to report all affiliations to the state. In a move toward a more standardized process, Kansas now requires agencies to maintain their affiliations internally, and requires carriers to appoint individual agents. During this process, the state attempted to simplify appointments by creating a carrier appointment for every agent who had been affiliated with agencies appointed downstream of a carrier. In theory, this was the simplest way to ensure agents were appointed to the correct carriers while the state caught up to NIPR appointment standards. In practice, this meant many agents were automatically appointed with carriers they had never done business with. In 2025, Kansas once again updated rules to enact perpetual appointments and did away with their renewal periods. Kansas, however, is only one of 50 states that have constantly changing rules, such as Rhode Island, which just became a state that requires timely appointment reporting in the last year. When a state implements a whole slate of policies, it can change your relationship with your producers and your businesss risk profile as a whole. Dial down your risk by scheduling your bulk terminations in advance! No. 3: Offboarding agencies Carriers may have relationships with many branches of a single agency, with multiple DBAs spread across several states. Most states require the carrier to appoint any members of those agencies who may be selling its products. The appointing can be somewhat nightmarific in its own right, to be sure, with overeager appointments occasionally causing their own consternations. But when an agency undergoes a merger or acquisition, comes under regulatory fire, or otherwise severs its relationship with a carrier, it can be difficult to track down which agents that effects. Drawing those effects across agency DBAs and states can be a trial. Offboarding an agency, checking and rechecking to make sure you got all the relevant agents terminated with relevant state governments when this is a manual process, it can be an all-consuming task for an operations team to manage for days or even weeks. BONUS: Terminating your nonproducers How often do you audit your producers writing history? For some businesses, this is a nice to have. For insurance carriers that are trying to keep a robust profit margin, this is a need-to-have reporting capability. And making some admin do 5 hours of reporting on a Saturday morning wont cut it. Instead, if you run a report for the producers appointed in certain states and how much business they wrotesomething that takes minutes in AgentSyncyou can filter for which producers cost you more in a state in appointment fees than what they wrote in that state for your business. The practical thing, then, is to schedule terminations for those producers in those states and save yourself any future renewal fees. With bulk terminations, and the ability to schedule them in advance, you can only pay for appointments and renewals that you know will be profitable. Using AgentSync Manage for bulk terminationsand schedule bulk terminations in advance For carriers and MGAs/MGUs that use AgentSyncs products to manage appointments, offboarding insurance agents in bulk is less laborious. Keep in mind, regardless of what service you use, NIPR will charge for termination transactions and will pass through termination fees from the relevant states that charge them. And dont miss out on the time and cost savings that let you manage your compliance processes by exceptions when you bulk schedule your terminations in advance. To offboard the relevant agents or agencies with AgentSync Manage, existing customers can visit our help center, where youll find a step-by-step guide and a tutorial video to help you make this a seamless process. For those who arent AgentSync customers, check out a demo of what else AgentSync Manage can do to adjust your compliance processes for growth. Disclaimer AgentSync does not warrant to the completeness or accuracy of the information provided in this blog. You are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and totality of all representations, assumptions, information and data provided by AgentSync to you in this blog. The information in this blog should not be construed as legal, financial, or other professional advice, and AgentSync is not responsible for any harm you sustain by relying on the information provided herein. You acknowledge and agree that the use of this information is at your own risk. You should always consult with the applicable state and federal regulatory authority to confirm the accuracy of any of the information provided in this blog. An employee has been awarded workers compensation benefits after being injured when performing a common courtesy even though her employer maintains what she did was outside the course and scope of her employment. The Virginia Workers Compensation Commission (VWCC) has affirmed benefits for an Abbott Laboratories employee who suffered a cervical spine injury at the companys national sales conference when she attempted to move her managers heavy backpack to another table where she and her team colleagues were sitting. The VWCC agreed with a deputy commissioner that the claimants attempt to move her managers (also named Abbott) backpack to their new table was an exercise of common courtesy and good judgment to secure and protect the employers and Abbotts belongings, which served the employers interests, and thus, was a risk peculiar to the claimants employment. The claimants attempt to bring Abbotts backpack to their new table was within the scope of her employment. Abbotts backpack contained her work laptop and various other personal items, including personal notebooks related to work, the deputy commissioner noted. The deputy also found that the employees action was in keeping with the employers code of business conduct which states: It is our responsibility to protect and use Abbotts assets, from physical property, like vehicles and computer equipment . . ., with care and ensure their efficient and proper use. We must all use good judgment to ensure that Abbotts assets are not lost, stolen, misused, or wasted. The employer did not dispute that the accident caused a cervical spine injury. However, the company balked at compensation because it said Abbott, the manager, did not have any reason to believe that her backpack was in danger of being stolen. She testified that the claimant was not expected to handle her belongings and she did not ask anybody to handle her backpack. She did acknowledge that securing the backpack could be considered a common courtesy. The employer contended that it was not the claimants job duty or responsibility to handle others personal belongings. The employer also challenged the deputy commissioner to explain how the backpack was at risk of theft, loss, or waste when the conference was attended exclusively by the companys own personnel, and there was security present. The employer further contended that handling the backpack was not a risk associated with employment, was not a condition of her employment, and was not peculiar to her employment. They argued that the claimant could have just as easily injured herself lifting a backpack/bag anywhere and at any time. The VWCC was not persuaded by the employers arguments. The VWCC noted that claimant was attending the conference at the request of her employer. The district team was encouraged to sit together during the conference. The claimants manager instructed her to keep looking for her co-workers while she was out of the room. The claimant found her co-workers, and in order to facilitate the team sitting together and avoid leaving her managers belongings unsecured, she attempted to move her managers backpack to the new table. That this action was a common courtesy rather than a job duty makes it no less incidental to her employment, the commission stated, calling it inconsequential that she was not instructed to move her managers backpack, and adding that the Supreme Court of Virginia has held that the voluntary nature of an employees action does not defeat her claim for a resulting injury. The VWCC said it found no error in the deputy commissioners finding that the claimants injury arose out of and in the course of her employment. An accident occurs in the course of employment when it takes place within the period of employment, at a place where the employee may be reasonably expected to be, and while he is reasonably fulfilling the duties of his employment or is doing something that is reasonably incidental thereto, the VWCC explained. The commission rejected the employers actual risk argument as well. Under the actual risk test, it matters not that lifting a heavy bag or other item is not an act exclusive to the claimants employment. Lifting the backpack was incidental to the claimants employment. The claimant testified that the backpack felt heavier than she expected when she attempted to lift it, resulting in feeling an immediate pull in her neck. She described a significant work-related exertion causally related to her employment. The resulting injury therefore arose out of her employment, the VWCC stated. Topics Workers' Compensation Talent A Philadelphia man has been charged for his alleged role in a vehicle title-washing scheme involving dozens of stolen luxury vehicles valued at nearly $4 million, according to state police and prosecutors. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said an investigation revealed that Adam K. Richardson an authorized tag agent for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) submitted to that state agency falsified paperwork connected to 65 stolen vehicles. The vehicles were given Pennsylvania titles, then sold by the persons who used Richardson for the illegal title washing service, according to prosecutors. A PennDOT authorized tag agent is a private business contracted by PennDOT to provide vehicle title transfers, temporary tags, license renewals and other services as an alternative to official PennDOT DMV locations. Nearly all of the involved vehicles were high-end brands, including a quarter-of-a-million-dollar Ferrari, several Mercedes and BMWs, and Cadillacs. In all, investigators identified 65 vehicles valued at more than $3.8 million that were sold. They said nearly 40 vehicles have been recovered. The scope and harm from this criminal enterprise went beyond cutting corners to obtain paperwork many of these vehicles were sold to individuals who knew they were stolen, Sunday said. That is particularly concerning as washed vehicles provide criminals the means to move around and perpetrate crimes without being detected by law enforcement. He said the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed in connection with the stolen vehicles. The investigation began when the Pennsylvania State Police identified stolen vehicles and discovered they had been titled by Richardson. From there, state police partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to launch a broader investigation, and, later, the Office of Attorney Generals Insurance Fraud Section. The investigators said they learned that Richardson was known as the tag guy where individuals took vehicles they knew were stolen for title washing to be resold at huge profits. Richardson was paid a fee to wash the titles. Criminal charges are merely allegations and Richardson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Topics Fraud Pennsylvania is seeking $2.65 million in penalties from a utility company over the March 2023 natural gas explosion at a chocolate factory that killed seven workers and injured 10 others. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissions (PUC) has filed a formal complaint against UGI Utilities, Inc. following its investigation into the explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate factory in West Reading, Berks County. The complaint alleges 27 violations of state and federal safety regulations governing natural gas distribution systems. PUC is seeking a total of $2,576,627 in civil penalties the maximum amount permitted by law along with a series of corrective actions aimed at strengthening pipeline safety oversight, addressing risks associated with aging plastic pipeline materials, and expanding advanced methane leak detection technologies. UGI Response UGI must be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the commission determines whether violations occurred and what penalties or corrective actions may ultimately be imposed. UGI said in a statement sent to Insurance Journal that it is carefully reviewing the formal complaint and it will continue to cooperate with the PUCs investigation. What occurred at R.M. Palmer was a heartbreaking tragedy, and our deepest sympathies remain with the victims families, the West Reading community, and all those affected, the company added. Chocolate Factory Blast a Deadly Reminder of Combustion Risks The explosion and resulting fire destroyed one Palmer factory building, severely damaged another, and destroyed a nearby apartment building. PUC said the explosion caused approximately $42 million in property damage and prompted a large-scale emergency response by 56 agencies including fire and rescue, law enforcement, emergency medical and search and rescue units. Investigations PUC said its investigation determined that natural gas leaked from a retired plastic service tee connected to a vintage plastic pipeline located beneath Cherry Street near the Palmer facility. Gas migrated underground and entered the factory building, where it was ignited by an unknown source. Investigators also identified significantly elevated ground temperatures in the area caused by steam escaping from a corroded underground steam pipe belonging to the Palmer facility that was located near UGIs pipeline infrastructure. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB} also conducted an investigation that concluded the retired polyethylene service tee was the probable cause. The NTSB also cited as contributing factors the elevated ground temperatures from the leaking steam pipe and nearby infrastructure and environmental conditions affecting UGIs pipeline facilities. NTSB ad PUC were at odds over the federal agencys request that PUC turn over five years of inspection records. PUC balked, citing a state law that protects confidential security information about key utility infrastructure from public disclosure, even to other government agencies. The utility commission offered federal investigators a chance to inspect the reports at its Harrisburg office or to sign a nondisclosure agreement, but the safety board refused and then issued a subpoena. In April 2024, a federal judge ordered PUC to comply with NTSBs request. Palmer was fined more than $44,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to evacuate. Palmer denied it violated any workplace safety standards and contested the OSHA citations. Wrongful death and negligence lawsuits have been filed against R.M. Palmer and UGI. About 70 Palmer production workers and 35 office staff were working in two adjacent buildings at the time of the blast. Employees told federal investigators they could smell gas before the explosion. Photo: In this screen grab from video provided by WPVI-TV/6ABC, smoke rises from an explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in West Reading, Pa., Friday, March 24, 2023. (WPVI-TV/6ABC via AP) Topics Manufacturing The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions against two China-based and one Iranian company for cyberattacks against EU member states. The EU listed China-based Integrity Technology Group and Anxun Information Technology, and Iranian company Emennet Pasargad. Chinas foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it opposed the sanctions and urged Brussels to correct its erroneous approach. Integrity Technology is seen to have enabled hacks of over 65,000 devices across six member states, according to an EU statement. Anxun is seen to have provided hacking services aimed at critical infrastructure, according to the EU. Two co-founders of Anxun have also been individually listed by the EU for their involvement in cyberattacks. Emennet is seen to have compromised advertising billboards to spread disinformation during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sanctions include an asset freeze and a travel ban for the individuals. EU citizens and companies are also prohibited from making funds available for the companies involved. (Reporting by Bart Meijer; additional reporting by Laurie Chen in Beijing; editing by Jan Harvey, Ros Russell and Louise Heavens) A proposal from the UNs shipping agency on Wednesday calls for a safe maritime corridor to free some 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf by war in Iran. Hundreds of vessels have dropped anchor since Tehran threatened to attack ships attempting to leave the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal submitted by Bahrain, Japan, Panama, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates and backed on Wednesday by the United States called for a framework such as a safe maritime corridor. Read more: Seafarers Can Refuse to Sail Through Mideast Gulf Region, Main Union Says It was submitted at a meeting of the UNs International Maritime Organization (IMO) governing council in London. The purpose of this framework would be to facilitate the safe evacuation of merchant ships, it said. This measure aims to protect the lives of seafarers. At least seven merchant sailors have been killed due to the conflict, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told delegates. They must not become victims of broader geopolitical tensions, he said, calling for de-escalation to allow the seafarers to leave the Gulf safely. NATO countries are also looking at what can be done, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump has asked nations to help police the strait to allow oil tankers and other vessels to pass in and out. The strait normally transports a fifth of the worlds oil and liquefied natural gas. Iran said in a separate submission to the IMO that Iranian authorities continued to provide humanitarian assistance and support to seafarers and vessels in the Gulf and strait. The IMO Council session continues on Thursday. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul; editing by Jason Neely) Related: Prevention efforts are making a substantial dent in vehicle thefts across the nation, according to newly released data by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and combating insurance crime found that vehicle thefts declined to the lowest levels in several decades, marking a 23% decrease from 2024. This past years decline follows a significant 17% drop in vehicle thefts in 2024, the largest decrease in thefts in 40 years, the NICB reported. A total of 659,880 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide last year. Coordinated prevention efforts by law enforcement, auto manufacturers, insurance companies, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau are having a major impact on vehicle thefts nationwide, said NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe. But with several hundreds of thousands of vehicles stolen in a single year, vigilance and prevention efforts remain key to protecting families, businesses, and communities nationwide. Several states reported substantial year-over-year decreases in vehicle theft numbers in 2025. Washington experienced the largest percentage decrease of any state, with 39% less stolen vehicles in 2025 compared to 2024. Colorado and Puerto Rico followed closely, with 35% and 34% declines in vehicle thefts. Top 10 States by Percentage Decreases in Thefts Washington -39% Colorado -35% Puerto Rico -34% South Dakota -32% Tennessee -31% New Mexico -31% North Dakota -30% Florida -29% Georgia -28% Arizona -27% Despite significant declines seen in several states, vehicle thefts are concentrated in large metropolitan areas. More than one-third of all vehicle thefts occurred in the top 10 Census-defined statistical areas with the highest volumes of theft, the NICB reported. Top 10 Metropolitan Areas by Total Vehicle Thefts Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 53,911 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 27,138 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 24,299 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 23,659 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 22,197 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 21,638 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 19,117 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 15,204 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 14,111 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 12,684 California, Texas, and Illinois topped the list of states with the most vehicle thefts. Top 10 States by Total Vehicle Thefts California 136,988 Texas 75,269 Illinois 28,327 Florida 27,142 New York 24,206 Ohio 20,628 Pennsylvania 20,568 North Carolina 20,395 Washington 18,039 Missouri 17,496 The Hyundai Elantra topped the list of the most stolen vehicle model in 2025, with 21,732 thefts reported nationwide, followed closely by the Honda Accord with 17,797 thefts. Most Stolen Vehicles in 2025 Hyundai Elantra 21,732 Honda Accord 17,797 Hyundai Sonata 17,687 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 16,764 Honda Civic 12,725 Kia Optima 11,521 Ford F150 10,102 Toyota Camry 9,833 Honda CR-V 9,809 Nissan Altima 8,445 Thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles have continued to decline for the third consecutive year, according to NICB analysis. Both manufacturers account for 14% of all vehicle thefts in 2025, down from 16% in 2024 and 21% in 2023. Software updates and theft-prevention measures were implemented in response to the previous heightened theft trend. Topics Trends Auto Fraud The number of companies suing for tariff refunds has spiked in recent weeks, a sign that many importers arent confident yet in the Trump administrations plans to create a claims process after the US Supreme Court struck down the presidents trade policies. Nearly 1,000 new cases were filed in a US trade court since March 1, according to a Bloomberg News review of publicly available records. Thats roughly a third of the more than 3,000 tariff lawsuits brought over the past year. Customs officials have told a judge that theyre building a new system to handle repayment demands after he ordered the administration to launch the refund process. But trade lawyers say there are still unknown factors that make it prudent for clients to sue in court, including whether the government will exclude certain tariff payments from its process or challenge the scope of the judges authority to manage it. It all boils down to uncertainty, said Michael Roll, a partner at Roll & Harris who has filed tariff refund lawsuits, including more than a dozen in the last week alone. If the administrations claims system doesnt work as intended or theres disagreement about a specific companys tax situation, the advantage is youre there, youve filed in court, now you have a seat at the table, he said. Spokespeople for Customs and Border Protection and for the Justice Department, which has handled the governments litigation, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The latest group of plaintiffs has included the companies behind apparel brands Versace and Adidas, motorcycle maker Ducati North America, shipping giant DHL Express, and a trio of airlines Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air. Related: Trump Faces 2,000 Tariff Lawsuits Following Supreme Court Loss In a statement, DHL said that it was taking precautionary measures to protect the interests of our customers even though we see good progress in the matter being addressed by the court and CBP. The company said that it will provide further information as soon as additional clarity becomes available. Representatives of the other companies didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Judge Richard Eaton of the US Court of International Trade is presiding over all of the tariff lawsuits after the Supreme Court on Feb. 20 declared Trumps use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act unlawful. Earlier this month, Eaton ordered Customs and Border Protection to recalculate duties paid by importers without the challenged levies, a process that normally would trigger refund payments. The administration objected, telling Eaton that redoing the tariff calculations under the current system would be nearly impossible and asking for a delay to streamline the process by creating a web-based portal. Eaton agreed to the pause but has required regular updates. As of March 12, an official said the portal was about 70% complete. The next report is due Thursday. Given the growing pool of interested parties, attorneys for a filtration technologies company whose case has become the de facto lead lawsuit asked Eaton on Wednesday to change how hes managing the litigation. They asked him to create a new master case and appoint a steering committee of lawyers to coordinate responses to the government. Eaton denied the request with no explanation. Trade lawyers said that although Eatons order to begin refund calculations was styled as a broad directive, it was worded in a way that may not cover all of the tariffs that hundreds of thousands of importers paid on millions of goods that entered the US under Trumps use of the emergency powers law. The government has said it collected approximately $166 billion in contested duties, and has committed to paying interest on refunds. Jessica Rifkin, a principal at OFW Law who has filed refund lawsuits over the last two weeks, said that it isnt clear when the governments portal will be fully operational. She said that an official shared in the last progress report that the system wouldnt be available right away for companies whose tariff payments present complicated scenarios. Some attorneys have expressed concern that the governments process will place the burden on importers to pursue repayments, and that smaller businesses may not have the resources or expertise to participate. Rifkin said shes also looking for clarity on whether the Justice Department will challenge the reach of Eatons power. The trade courts ability to impose so-called universal relief, regardless of whether companies are part of the legal proceedings, hasnt been settled. The Trump administration has broadly advocated restricting judicial authority to block its actions and won a favorable ruling last year from the Supreme Court. Filing an individual suit is an insurance policy, Rifkin said. Theres so much money at stake. If you can afford to do so, take all the routes. The case is Atmus Filtration Inc. v. US, 26-cv-1259, US Court of International Trade. Photo: The Port of Los Angeles. Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits USA The U.S. government on Wednesday asked companies to strengthen the security of Microsofts endpoint management tool, after a cyberattack on medical device maker Stryker Corp last week. The March 11 cyberattack hit Strykers computer systems, causing widespread disruption to its business, including its ability to process orders, make products and ship them to customers. The company said it had experienced a global disruption to its Microsoft environment. An Iran-linked hacking group called Handala claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in retaliation to a strike on a girls school in Minab, southern Iran. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said it is aware of malicious cyber activity targeting endpoint management systems of U.S. organizations, based on the Stryker attack. CISA asked companies to harden endpoint management system configurations, implementing Microsofts best practices to secure Microsoft Intune, a tool that manages user access, devices, and applications across organizations. Microsoft Intune, a tool that manages user access, devices, and applications across organizations. CISA is coordinating with federal partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to identify additional threats and determine mitigation actions. Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday that the cyberattack on Stryker has delayed surgeries for some patients. Stryker said on Tuesday that it had contained the attack and that no patient-related services or connected medical products were affected, though it did not provide details on the financial impact. (Reporting by Natalia Bueno Rebolledo in Mexico City; Editing by Sonia Cheema) Topics Cyber Floridas $833 million My Safe Florida Home mitigation program is as popular as ever, providing grants for homeowners to harden their homes and install new roofs. But its wasteful, is a tax-dollar giveaway, and has some glaring issues that do little to reduce insurance costs, a state lawmaker has charged. Were not really fortifying homes by putting on a new roof, said Florida state Rep. Brian Hodgers, R-Viera. An old roof is a maintenance item, not an insurance matter. Hodgers, one of two insurance agents in the Legislature, filed a bill this year that would have revamped the My Safe Florida Home program by allowing roof replacement matching grants only if a homeowners existing roof fails to meet state building code standards. Program inspectors also would have to verify, under penalty of perjury, that grant-recipient homes have been properly retrofitted. Hodgers said he has seen examples and heard stories of roofs funded by the program that do not include a crucial, secondary, water-tight membrane under the shingles. Some unscrupulous contractors simply tape over the seams between the plywood decking sheets, he contends. (Hodgers said he is not referring to the increasingly popular, green-colored ZIP sheathing system that has a membrane built in and is approved by code.) About a third of the program's grant money, about $136 million, has gone to roof coverings and secondary membranes Florida building codes and the safe home program require either the self-adhering peel and stick membrane across the entire roof decking, or taped seams along with felt or similar nailed-down underlayment. But once a roof installation is completed, its difficult for inspectors to see if what, if any membrane is present, Hodgers and others noted. A Florida home inspector and a roofing contractor said that on almost every roof job they have seen, workers have installed a secondary membrane. But they agreed that most contractors dont provide photographs of roof work in progress. The My Safe Florida Home program has provided more than 41,000 grants totaling almost $400 million over the last few years. About a third of that went for roof coverings, including secondary membranes, according to a report made to a House budget subcommittee late last year. Data on how those homes fared in recent hurricanes was not available. The program is managed by the state Department of Financial Services. Officials there did not fully respond to requests for information, other than to acknowledge that it can be difficult for inspectors to verify the presence of a secondary water barrier. While home inspectors are supposed to enter a homes attic and look in the seams between the plywood roof decking, a membrane is not always obvious. The mitigation program encourages but does not require photographs of roof jobs. For the installation of a SWB (secondary water barrier) to be considered for grant funding, applicants must show proof that the SWB was put in the right way, the programs website notes. It is also a good idea to take photos during the work Another issue: The program is predicated on allowing premium discounts for homeowners with stronger roofs. But most Florida insurers provide only minimum credits for new roofs. As an insurance agent, Hodgers has access to much of that information. His analysis showed an average annual premium discount of just $18 after new roofs were installed. Theres a better way, Hodgers said: Ditch the roof grants altogether. By slashing grants for roofs, the program could provide millions more in funding for improvements that would better reduce insured losses and claims, such as impact-resistant windows and doors, and roof-to-wall connections, Hodgers said. His bill to that effect, House Bill 1359, saw little action in this years legislative session, which ended last week except for negotiations on a state budget plan. But Hodgers hopes his concerns can generate enough interest to revive the bill next year. Hes not the only one with worries about the program, despite its nation-leading funding and a big backlog of applicants. One home inspector explained that under the My Safe Florida Home regulations, candidate homes are inspected to see if they may qualify for a grant. After retrofit work is completed, the house is inspected again. But if it fails that inspectionthats it. Theres no option for a third inspection to see if an issue has been corrected. The grant funding is nullified, said Glenn Stephens, a home inspector, roofing contractor and president of the Florida Association of Building Inspectors. Its a tough break for the homeowner when that happens, he told Insurance Journal. The quirk in the rules can leave homeowners and contractors at a significant lossup to $10,000 in some cases. Some contractors could even face lawsuits from irate homeowners who missed out on the expected grant mitigation funding, said Mike Silvers, director of technical services for the Florida Roofing and Sheetmetal Contractors Association. As a contractor, you need to be concerned about that, Silvers said. Stephens said that if homes are rejected for a grant after a second inspection, homeowners should work with the contractor to have the problem corrected, then hire another inspector to document the corrections, and appeal to the program. A bill that passed the Legislature this year, SB 1452, tweaked some eligibility requirements for the My Safe Florida Home program. But it did not address the need for a third inspection. Rejected applicants would be able to reapply for grants, but only after two years, the bill reads. Even without legislation, some significant regulatory changes are just around the corner. After months of consideration and workshops, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation recently updated the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, which property insurers use to determine premium discounts and credits. The new form, seen here with the changes underlined, takes effect April 1, with more detailed questions about mitigation work done on a house. For the first time, the form asks not only if a new roof system includes a secondary membrane, but what type: a self-adhering underlayment; tape on the seams; or a double layer of felt or synthetic underlayment. The form also allows an inspector to note if the membrane is missing, or if it is unknown or undetermined. Those choices allow a greater range of discounts, as determined by insurers, but they introduce a number of issues that contractors and inspectors are still learning about, Stephens and Silvers said. Bringing significant change to the My Safe Florida Home program may be an uphill battle. Insurance carriers have supported it, and have clamored for newer roofs across Florida for years. The Florida governor and homeowners also have expressed strong support for the program, with lawmakers providing another round of funding in 2025. And academic experts have praised the plan, arguing that wind mitigation is the key to reducing claims and the cost of claims. Still, Hodgers and Stephens hope the program can be significantly improved. If were not going to kill the program, why dont we at least fix it and truly harden peoples homes, Hodgers said. Editors note: This article has been updated to include new information about the level of funding that My Safe Florida Home has provided for roofs. Topics Florida The Florida Office of Insurance Regulations agenda for its April 15-16 Insurance Summit includes sessions on financial reporting by insurers, changes in data calls, and compliance with orders, along with insights from insurance executives on the use of artificial intelligence. Registration for the two-day Tallahassee conference is open until March 30 and can be accessed here. Attendees will hear from Florida Commissioner Michael Yaworsky and deputy commissioners, along with California Insurance Commissioner Richard Lara, Missouri Director Angela Nelson, and Louisiana Commissioner Tim Temple. Other panelists at the summit will include a consumer representative, OIRs general counsel and the head of data analytics and insurance technology for Conning, an investment firm focused on the insurance industry. One session will help insurers complete applications, such as those for certificates of authority, changing officers, or expanding into Florida, all of which can be exhaustive and often lead to mistakes by carriers, an OIR official said. The summit will be at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center on the campus of Florida State University. The full agenda is here. Ten days later, Duck Creek Technologies hosts its three-day conference in Orlando on the future of insurance technology. The Formation 26 event will examine the tech firms vision for agentic A.I. and how it will help insurers reshape decision-making, automation, and operational agility. Sessions will include technological changes for the industry, educational sessions, zero-touch claims, and data usage. The conference will be April 27-29 at the Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort in Orlando. Registration information is here and the agenda is here. Topics InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Florida Three community drug networks have described the draft National Drugs Strategy as fundamentally flawed. The organisations, representing local community drug projects, family support groups and a body representing users of drugs, strongly criticised the proposed strategy, which covers the period 2026-2029. The three groups Citywide, Family Addiction Recovery Ireland (FARI) and Uisce are holding a joint press conference today to highlight their concerns. They say the draft document fails to reference the well-established link between poverty, inequality and drug-related harms. They said this admission has resulted in a series of inappropriate and damaging assumptions about how the next National Drugs Strategy should be implemented. The draft strategy is currently open for public consultation, due to close on April 10. At a briefing for policymakers and community representatives in Buswells Hotel today, the three networks are calling for significant changes to be made to the draft strategy in the consultation process. Anna Quigley, Citywides co-ordinator, said: We cannot afford a National Drugs Strategy that does not work given that 11,086 people have been recorded as having died from drug-related causes in the period 2004-2020 deaths that could have been prevented. She said that while there is a wider level of drug use across society in general, and people in all parts of the country require access to services, the worst impacts of drug-related harms continue to be concentrated in the most disadvantaged and marginalised communities. This analysis is clearly reflected in the report of the Citizens Assembly and its core recommendation that drugs misuse needs to be addressed as part of a broader socio-economic strategy," she said. Yet the Draft National Drugs Strategy makes no reference to this crucial evidence and to the link between poverty, inequality and drug-related harms. This, in our view, is a fundamental flaw that leads to a series of inappropriate and damaging assumptions about how the next NDS will be implemented. Ms Quigley said the voice of the communities most affected by drugs have been written out of the draft strategy while the future role of the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces is to be determined by the HSE on the basis of what kind of structure best suits the HSEs own requirements, rather than the needs of communities. What we need to do instead is to use the opportunity to address these community needs by revitalising the task forces role as a core part of our National Drugs Strategy in delivering local plans based on strong community engagement and interagency collaboration, she said. Ms Quigley highlighted a number of other concerns about the fundamentally flawed approach set out in the draft strategy: Failure to recognise or acknowledge in any way the unique and essential role of community drug projects that are on the ground delivering targeted supports and interventions in communities and working in collaboration with a wide range of statutory agencies and voluntary partners; The trend of centralising decision-making and weakening independent participation by community groups and representative organisations is accentuated in the draft strategy. The departments of Health and Justice are working on the details of a Health Diversion Approach without any formal engagement with the representative voices of people who use drugs; FARIs Mick Mason said the experience of families also needs to be heard and understood so that they are supported around their own specific circumstances which are often "hidden" from the rest of the world. The cost of a family members addiction impacts basic needs, creating a cycle of dependency that families struggle to escape, he said. Family members consistently identified fear as a shared trauma response. Uisces Andy OHara said the draft strategy treats people who use drugs as mere service users, whereas, he said, users are citizens, parents, workers, and members of communities who deserve to be treated with dignity and to have a real say in the policies that affect their lives. It is crucial that the consultation process which is currently underway results in fundamental changes to the draft National Drugs Strategy that more accurately reflect the overarching recommendation of the Citizens Assembly on Drugs, he said. In addition, the Government should prioritise drugs misuse as a policy priority, as part of an overall socio-economic strategy and with oversight at the highest level through a Cabinet sub-committee. The National Womens Council has launched a pilot project aimed at bridging gaps in domestic and sexual violence support for migrant women which will encourage them to come forward. The initiative, launched on Thursday, is being rolled out in Dublins north inner city, which has seen significant growth in its migrant population in recent years. The report, 'Migrant Women Community Project on Domestic and Sexual Violence', is based on women who come from a variety of countries with diverse attitudes to domestic and gender-based violence. Cristina Santamaria, from the Aoibhneas refuge and support service, urged women: Come forward, dont be afraid. There are systems and supports. It's illegal, its criminal and you will be protected, you will be believed. It is not your fault. Project facilitator Zany Chavez said: I think the biggest problem migrant women have is the isolation and the silence. Sometimes women think they will be judged if they say something. Read More Domestic abuse: Significant inconsistencies in garda responses to domestic violence Census data for the area shows the proportion of residents identifying as white Irish fell from 53% in 2011 to 36% in 2022, reflecting a growing migrant population with diverse cultural attitudes toward gender and family issues. Groups collaborating on the report include Aoibhneas, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, AkiDwA, Cairde, AMAL, Latina Women Against Violence, and the Network of Ethnic Minority DSGBV Advocates. The project was designed to ensure migrant women affected by DSGBV have access to clear, culturally appropriate information about their rights and available supports. The report said language barriers, fears around migration status, and unfamiliarity with Irish systems often deter women from seeking help. As part of the project, leaflets in English, Romanian, Arabic, Urdu, Somali and Spanish with support services, designed specifically for migrant women were handed out. Advice sessions were delivered by migrant women for migrant women, while recruitment and advertising were also carefully managed due to safety concerns associated with farright hostility, the NWC said. Some women in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres also connected with advocates for individual advice on family reunification and safety planning. Key recommendations in the report include: Resourcing a dedicated co-ordinator within NWC; Exploring a transition from a purely community model to a clinicstyle partnership; Connecting migrant women directly with specialist DSGBV services; Better outreach to women in IPAS centres; Continued collaboration with regional victim support offices are also advised. Report author Rabiya Ali said: Specialist services and migrant-led organisations involved were interviewed as part of our evaluation and all partners found the project model highly valuable. "The learning and leaflets developed through this pilot offer a strong foundation that can be replicated across the country and integrated into future policies to combat violence against women. The word came through at 11am demolition had begun. In truth, the process was a lot less dramatic than it sounds. The site of the infamous 500-plus square metre house near Tankardstown on the western border of Co Meath remained mostly unchanged, bar the hum of generators powering CCTV on the premises. At the entrance to the massive landscaped property the top of one of the gateposts lay in rubble on the floor, a sign that a vehicle too large for the driveway had recently made its way through. In a field next door, a cluster of road-side lantern lamps lay stacked on top of one another, a reminder that the clearing of the property had happened at pace. Odhran (left) and Tadhg Murray pictured at arcticulated trailers blocking the entrance to the house in question. Picture: Barry Cronin/The Irish Times. The house belongs, or belonged, to plumber Chris Murray and his wife Rose, who constructed it in 2006 without planning permission. The property has been the centre of a legal battle with Meath County Council ever since, one the Murrays have been slowly losing for years. Thursday was d-day, the d being demolition. In practice, that meant that some of the windows at the house had been broken, indicating that the process was at last under way. Little else was expected to happen on Thursday, a gloriously sunny day, bar perhaps the removal of some windows and doors, some of which had clearly been achieved as afternoon gave way to evening. Cutting the utilities, particularly electricity, was a crucial step as evidenced by the arrival of a convoy of ESB vans after 1pm. Before 10am a never-ending procession of vehicles had come and gone from the driveway, transporting possessions out of the house. Most of what was not nailed down had been removed by the time the gardai called a halt just after the hour. Thereafter, masked individuals from the relevant security and repossession firms arrived and made themselves at home. There was to be no further access to the property. All remained quiet on the idyllic country laneway, the murmur of birdsong and the nearby M3 motorway the only things breaking the silence. A brief altercation between one neighbour and a member of the public showed the undercurrent of distress in the locality, however, with the lady in question making abundantly clear the negative effect the saga was having on those still living on the lane. Friends, relatives and supporters of the family are also pictured. Picture: Barry Cronin/The Irish Times. Speaking on RTE radio, Rose Murray said she did not know what was going to happen to the house but she hoped it would not be demolished and could be given to charity. Ms Murray said that there is an arrest warrant out for her because she is in contempt of court. She said she had to leave the country and leave her family at home "to deal with this". "I'm planning on returning when the warrant for my arrest is lifted because this is an absolute disgrace." As the day wound on one last legal throw of the dice remained for the Murrays, with a last-minute application for a stay on the demolition being heard at the High Court. As the same time the ESB arrived at their property, solicitor for the Murrays Neil McNelis was arguing before Justice Richard Humphreys that the house should remain intact to allow for the couples application to the European Court of Human Rights alleging that in removing their home the local authority would be infringing said rights to work its way through the process. Mr McNelis said the move to action the demolition by the council had come as a complete shock to the Murray family, adding that his clients whose whereabouts he himself did not know were extremely frightened by the direction the process had taken, with suggestions that the issue could become one of criminal contempt. My clients have lost their house, theyre evicted. Their sons and daughters are evicted. Theyve lost everything. They have been punished enough, Mr McNelis said . He said that to pull down the house would lead to irreparable harm being done, a disaster which could further lead to an issue of damages should the European court eventually rule in the Murray's favour. To have them do the walk of shame in front of the media, maybe thats what Meath County Council want, he said, adding that he believed that public opinion would support me in relation to that. Whether or not that was the case, Justice Humphreys wasnt inclined to stay the demolition, noting that the orders are there and remain there until theyre discharged. A recruitment campaign is underway to find Irelands first border tsar who will have responsibility for implementing asylum border policy. The role of chief inspector of Asylum Border Procedures has been advertised both in Ireland and internationally. The closing date for applications is April 2. The successful candidate will lead the new body to monitor asylum border procedures and compliance with European Union and international law, according to the advertisement for the role. The chief inspector will be supported by an advisory board that will also be established. While the chief inspector will be based in Dublin, no office base has yet been identified for the holder of the position. They will have primary responsibility for all inspections of designated asylum border facilities in the State, and will also have supervisory responsibility for any complaints made about such facilities. Last April, the Cabinet approved the progressing of legislation which the Government said would lead to the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State in line with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Read More Government accused of trying to rush through changes to asylum process The legislation, the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025, included the creation of the chief inspector of Asylum Border Procedures post. The Department of Justice said part 15 of the legislation provides for the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism (IMM) whose purpose will be to ensure that, during the screening process and the application of the border procedure, there is full compliance with EU and international law, including the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and to investigate any allegations of breaches of same. "It is proposed that the IMM functions will be conferred on an individual Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures". The advertisement for the post said the role will have primary responsibility at a time of significant and fundamental change in the international protection system. It added: The main role will be to monitor asylum border procedures and compliance with European Union and international law, including the Charter, in designated asylum border facilities, in line with the independent monitoring mechanism provided for by the Screening Regulation and referred to in Article 43 of the Asylum Procedures Regulation. In its observation of the proposed legislation, the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomed the creation of the post. It said the role would be vital in ensuring a protection-sensitive border management system. However, it added: It is important that the chief inspector is ensured full operational autonomy with the power to conduct unannounced visits and refer rights violations for legal action. It is important that monitoring mechanisms are ensured independence and operational autonomy including with ensuring sufficient and sustainable funding. It welcomed the proposal to establish an advisory board to guide and advise the chief inspector including in terms of strategic direction. From experience in other countries, the creation of advisory boards to assist independent monitoring mechanisms has proven beneficial for all, it said. It recommended strengthening enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the chief inspectorates recommendations are acted upon by the relevant institutions. The Government has launched a strategy to strengthen essential services in the State against natural disasters, terrorist attacks, public health emergencies, and sabotage. Authorities are under pressure to identify all such services across a massive range of sectors to the European Commission in just four months. The critical sectors cover energy, transport, banking, financial market infrastructure, health, drinking water, wastewater, digital infrastructure, public administration, space, and food. The National Strategy on the Resilience of Critical Entities 2026-2029, published by the Department of Defence, contains a list of actions that need to be implemented in the short, medium and long term. The strategy stems from the EU Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive, which was published in January 2020 and entered into force in January 2023. The European Commission has told member states that they must supply the identity of all critical services to them by July 16, 2026. In a significant expansion of its remit, the Department of Defence is the lead department in Ireland for developing and implementing the strategy. This involves setting up a new structure within the state to increase the resilience of critical services and co-ordinate efforts with other departments and what are called competent authorities. These authorities including ministers, regulators and authorities each have their own legal responsibilities to ensure resilience in services in their sectors, including by conducting audits and inspections. In the strategy foreword, the minister for defence Helen McEntee said: Resilience relies on the continuous availability of a wide range of essential services including the water we drink, the food we eat, the energy that lights and heats our homes, the transport we depend on, and the health services that keep us healthy. "Certain entities that provide these services are vital to the functioning of our society and are therefore classified as critical. The CER Directive which concentrates on physical resilience was introduced by the European Commission along with the NIS 2 Directive, which focuses on cyber resilience of critical services. The National Cyber Security Centre is responsible for the implementation of NIS 2 through an equal system of competent authorities. The Critical Entities strategy said that it is based on the existing whole-of-government national policy for strategic emergency management, which defines the roles of lead departments. Competent authorities will be responsible for: requiring operators of essential services to provide the information necessary for the critical entity identification process; reporting risks to the Department of Defence; conducting analysis after any incident affecting a critical service; assessing the compliance of services and, where a critical entity is not compliant, taking enforcement action. Critical entities, in turn, are required to conduct risk assessments and take appropriate measures to ensure their resilience. Resilience is defined as the ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, resist, mitigate, absorb, accommodate, and recover from an incident. The Department of Defence will continue to oversee a programme of national exercises to test aspects of national resilience in co-ordination with relevant Government departments and competent authorities. The department will also conduct an annual review of lessons identified and the strategy will be updated every four years, with next publication planned for 2030. Two further men are due to appear in court this morning in relation to an alleged extreme-right terror plot to bomb a mosque in Galway. They were arrested this morning in Limerick and Laois by detectives from the Special Detective Unit, the Gardas anti-terrorism section. It brings to four the number of people charged in Ireland in connection with the cross-border case, which involved the Police Federation of Northern Ireland. Two men, one from the North and the other from the South, have already appeared before the courts in Ireland and charged. Those charged stemmed from the discover of explosives by the PSNI in Co Down and gardai in Co Laois last November. Gardai and the PSNI made the discoveries as part of a cross-border counter-terror operation. A statement issued by Garda HQ this morning said: Gardai have made further arrests as part of this cross-border terrorism-related investigation. Two men, both in aged in their 30s, who were arrested in Limerick and Portlaoise, Co. Laois, this morning have been charged. It said they are due to appear before Portlaoise District Court this morning. The statement said: Two other males currently before the courts, will be further charged in connection with this investigation, also before Portlaoise District Court this morning. The investigation continues to be led by An Garda Siochana Special Detective Unit. A Leinster rugby player has appeared in court accused of assaulting a woman at a popular Dublin nightclub. Alan Spicer, aged 21, of Swords Road, Malahide, Dublin, was charged with assault causing harm to the named female at Copper Face Jacks, Jackson Court Hotel, Harcourt Street, on March 1. The 6ft 10 second row, who has represented Ireland U20s, UCD, and Leinster, has yet to enter a plea to the charge, which is under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was arrested in the early hours of that morning, charged, and granted station bail to appear at Dublin District Court on Thursday. Garda Ronan Molloy said the accused was arrested at the nightclub at 4.05am and taken to the station where he "made no reply" when the charge was put to him. It has yet to be confirmed whether the case will be heard at the district court level or sent forward to the circuit court, which, on conviction, has wider sentencing powers. Judge Treasa Kelly noted that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have yet to be obtained, and the garda sought an adjournment. Judge Kelly remanded him on continuing bail to appear again on May 27. Dressed in a navy top, dark blue chinos, and brown shoes, he has yet to enter a plea. He stepped forward when his case was called, but was not required to give evidence. No facts regarding the alleged incident were given during the brief hearing. Mr Spicer thanked the judge as the case was adjourned. Colleen Gildernew, defending, said it was not necessary to order that a summary of garda evidence be handed over at this stage. She added that disclosure will be sought once the DPP's directions are available. The demonic and horrific murder of 27-year-old Daena Walsh at her home in Midleton has left two children motherless and her family absolutely heartbroken by the evil actions of her partner. 31-year-old Adam Corcoran who denied murder and arson has been found guilty by the unanimous decisions of a jury and now he is commencing a sentence of life imprisonment for murder and a concurrent term of 15 years for arson. He pleaded not guilty at the outset of the trial on Monday, March 9, to murdering mother of two, Deana Walsh at their home at John Barry House, Midleton, County Cork, on August 2, 2024, and arson of the apartment. On Thursday, the jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork told Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford that they had reached unanimous verdicts. They found him guilty of murdering the 27-year-old mother of two, for which he was given the mandatory sentence life imprisonment. He was given a concurrent 15-year sentence for arson, on which the jury were also unanimous in finding him guilty. They took two hours and 30 minutes of deliberations, which commenced on Wednesday, to reach their verdicts. Detective Garda Cormac OBric recalled on Thursday the 999 call made by the accused claiming that Daena Walshs death was from suicide, an assertion he repeatedly made to gardai until he got into the witness box in this trial and said he killed her, as the defence went on to suggest it was manslaughter rather than murder as there was no intent. The jury did not agree with this. Det. Garda OBric said the accused man had 42 previous convictions including counts for carrying knives, a three-year sentence from Australia in 2015 for aggravated robbery, and that he was on bail for possession of knives or other articles from an incident in July 22, 2024, less than a fortnight before the murder. Brendan Grehan, defence senior counsel, said: Mr Corcoran asked me to state he accepts the verdicts of the jury, he asked me to express to their sons, and to Daenas family and friends his deep regret, remorse and sorrow for causing the death of Daena whom he loved very much. 'Frenzied attack' Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said: His actions on August 2, 2024, were truly horrific. Ms Walsh died as a result of a frenzied attack. He stabbed her through her face, torso, chest, and abdomen causing her death. She clearly fought for her life. "He then attempted to cover up and he may have intended to dismember her body Her left arm was almost amputated. This was probably inflicted post-mortem, meaning of course after death. For whatever reason, he decided to abandon this. "He placed aerosols in a tea-towel and put them over (an electric hob) in the kitchen. He put the lives of many people in danger. He had already extinguished Ms Walshs life Other people in Midleton and the lives of gardai and first responders (were put at risk). It is of some consolation that he accepted (for the first time when in the witness box at the trial) that he is the person who killed Ms Walsh and she did not die by suicide. My sympathies to (the Walsh family). Daena was a lovely daughter, sister and granddaughter and there were many people in her life who loved her. I note his expression of regret. But I will say no more in relation to that. Daenas brothers, Callum and Paul went into the witness box with a photograph of their beloved sister and Callum read the victim impact statement on behalf of their mother, Caroline, grandmother, Phyllis, themselves, Daenas two children and the wider Walsh family. Callum said the two children were left without a mother for eternity because of Adam Corcorans demonic and horrific actions. Callum said: Since Daena's murder, the emotional and psychological impact on our family has been profound. One of the most difficult consequences has been the effect on our ability to sleep. There will always be an empty space in our home and in our lives a sense that something precious is missing that can never be replaced. The family's victim impact statement said: 'I would like the court to remember Daena Walsh for who she truly was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend.' The greatest loss of all is for Daena's two children Daena will never be able to watch them grow, guide them, or share in the many milestones of their lives These are moments every mother deserves to share with her children, and that future has been taken from them forever. Trying to manage the emotional consequences of what happened while continuing with everyday life has been extremely challenging. I would like the court to remember Daena Walsh for who she truly was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was well known for her coloured hair and mad lipstick colours. She was a thoughtful, kind, and caring person whose life was taken from her in a cruel and violent way. I would also like to sincerely thank An Garda Siochana, particularly the Midleton Division, especially Garda Killian Barry and Detective Inspector John O'Connell, and all the gardai and all other detectives involved in this case, the ambulance crew, and the fire crew for their involvement, and guidance throughout this incredibly difficult process. A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a father-of-one who was fatally stabbed as he walked home to his family after 7pm on Monday. Oleksandr Zhyvytskyi, who was in his early 30s, was attacked just metres from his home in Camden Court on Carroll's Quay in the Lower John St, Knapp's Square, Devonshire St area of Cork city. A man in his 40s was arrested in connection with his death on Wednesday. He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and was being questioned at a garda station in Cork City. Drops of blood still traced the young fathers final steps home, into the apartment building he lived in with his partner and their young child, by Wednesday morning. He left home to get food nearby, but was stabbed as he walked the short distance home. He made it back to his apartment where his partner called for help. Despite paramedics working to save his life, he was later pronounced dead at the scene. She was in bits this morning, one person in the Camden Court apartment block where the family lived on Carrolls Quay said of the deceased mans partner. They were a nice couple. I think he was out working from early every morning. They have a very young child. The couple are originally from Eastern Europe, the neighbour said. The young woman appears to be in her 20s and their child is still very young, possibly less than one-year-old, the neighbour said. One resident, Andrew Zammit, originally from Malta, said that residents of Camden Court were both saddened and scared by news of the suspected stabbing. The first he knew of his neighbours death was when gardai knocked on his apartment door on Tuesday afternoon. I was shocked when they said there had been a stabbing, he said. My partner went down to collect food that evening. Its scary to think he could have been attacked too. I was scared for my partner thinking of it. The apartments at Camden Court are peaceful, quiet and full of professionals, Mr Zammit said. I love it here. And I feel safe in Cork. Ive never felt intimidated here. "I love Cork and the people here. I was shocked to hear this. And we pay top dollar here [in these apartments]. Its scary to think of someone dying here. Its so sad for the man and his family. My condolences go to them. Mr Zammits apartment looks over Knapps Square, the area where the alleged attack is understood to have taken place. He was at home on Monday evening watching Netflix but did not hear anything outside that evening. But at weekends, he often hears lads shouting, drinking there, he said. I think gardai should pay attention to that area at weekends, he said. Knapps Square is a road behind the apartments. It leads to old city steps which link the area to John Redmond St which leads up to the Shandon area where the deceased went to buy food before the suspected assault on Monday evening. A protest outside Leinster House on Wednesday was told that the Bessborough mother and baby home site is "not an empty field waiting to be filled". Campaigners attempting to stop the construction of a 140unit apartment development on the grounds of the former Cork mother and baby home were joined by politicians and families for the 'No Building Over Bessborough' rally. More than 850 babies who died there remain unaccounted for, and the Commission of Inquiry said they are most likely on the vast grounds where they were born. Some of the supporters wept throughout the rally, while others held up placards saying, stop the development and find the babies. Read More Bessborough planning decision shocking for mother and baby home survivors One of the speakers at the event was Carmel Cantwell, whose mother, Madeleine Bridget Marvier, was locked up in the home when she was 17 and gave birth to a baby boy, William, who died. She said: I stand here not only as a family member or someone connected to Bessborough, but as a voice for those who cannot speak to themselves, the mothers, the children and the generations whose lives were shaped and, in many cases, shattered by what happened on these grounds. Bessborough is not just land. It is not an empty field waiting to be filled. It is a place of memory, of loss, of unanswered questions. It is the landscape that holds the stories of thousands of women and children who pass through the gates, many of whom never came home. Hundreds of children who died here have no known burial place. Terri Harrison also spoke at the event and described how as a teenager she was abducted from London and brought to Bessborough, where her son Niall was taken away and adopted. She was one of the campaigners who successfully opposed the previous development plans at Bessborough and addressed the crowd saying: And here we are again. These people who run this country they don't give a damn, she said. They want us to die off, shut up and go away. I was one of the first people who went up against An Bord Pleanala five years ago, and I was cross-examined by the state solicitor, the barrister, the developer, and we won, we celebrated. Now here we are again. I will never stop, but I dont mind anymore about this lot [in the Dail] because they will never hear us. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, who was born in a mother and baby home in London and later adopted, said he and his birth mother, actress Sinead Cusack, went looking for his place of birth at Christmas. I was lucky in that 38 years after we were separated by the church and state regime, she found me, and we were reunited. We went looking for the mother and baby home I was born, which was somewhere in Highgate. But she couldn't remember because she was so traumatised at the time. I obviously wanted to see where I was born." Mr Boyd Barrett said they did not find the home, but it is "part of my history and that's part of my identity". If that matters to me, my history, my identity and my heritage...how much more important is it to respect the 859 children who disappeared, who we dont know where they are, what happened to them, but who lost their lives in these dark institutions. France has long had some of the strictest rules in Europe on consumer genetic testing. For years, it has been illegal there to take a recreational DNA test outside a medical setting. Yet a recent political debate reported by Le Monde suggests the country may now be considering something striking: allowing law enforcement to access commercial genealogy databases to solve cold cases. The proposal highlights a growing tension around the world. The same DNA databases that promise people insight into their ancestry and occasionally their health are increasingly seen by governments as powerful investigative tools. But those databases were built not by police but by ordinary people sending away small tubes of saliva in search of their roots. For a country like Ireland, where ancestry is practically a national pastime, the rise of direct-to-consumer DNA testing carries particular resonance. Companies such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA have turned curiosity about family history into a global industry. Millions of people particularly in the United States have ordered kits, spat into a tube, and mailed it back to a laboratory to receive a digital breakdown of their ethnic origins and genetic traits. And if there is one heritage that people seem especially eager to discover, it is Irish. For generations, the Irish diaspora has cultivated a powerful emotional connection to ancestry. Americans travel across the Atlantic hoping to trace family lines to a parish or townland. Politicians and celebrities regularly lean into claims of Irish roots. When the actor Tom Cruise visited Ireland some years ago, he was ceremoniously presented with a certificate of Irishness a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of just how elastic the notion of Irish identity can be. Magical scientific key to the past In that sense, DNA testing can appear to offer something almost magical: a scientific key to the past. But behind the cheerful marketing and the glossy pie charts of ancestry percentages lies something more complicated. A DNA test does not just reveal where you might come from. It also generates an intensely personal dataset about who you are. And once that data is created, the question becomes: who controls it? Under European law, genetic data sits among the most sensitive categories of personal information. The EUs General Data Protection Regulation GDPR classifies it as special category data, meaning it can only be processed under strict conditions. In practice, however, that protection usually rests on a single legal foundation: consent. Legally, you can process special category data when an individual provides explicit consent, explains Orla Lynskey, professor of law at University College London and a leading expert on EU data protection law. This is likely provided before providing any genetic sample. In other words, somewhere along the journey of ordering and activating a testing kit, customers will be asked to agree to terms and conditions that permit the company to analyse their DNA. Whether that consent is genuinely informed is another question. It would depend on the terms and conditions, and it would not be in the interests of commercial genetic testing companies to draw certain issues to peoples attention, Lynskey says. Those issues are not trivial. Genetic information is unlike almost any other type of personal data because it does not belong neatly to one individual. The relational dimension of data the idea that the same data can concern many people at once is a big challenge to the idea of individual rights in relation to data, Lynskey explains. This is most acutely felt with genetic data, where the decisions of one person about their genetic data can have intergenerational impacts. In other words, a DNA test does not just reveal something about you. It reveals something about your siblings, parents, children and distant relatives as well. Uncovering long-buried secrets That reality has already reshaped family histories around the world. Consumer DNA testing has helped people find lost relatives, discover unknown parentage and reconnect families separated by adoption or migration. But it has also uncovered long-buried secrets and occasionally caused painful upheaval. From a privacy perspective, the technology raises a deeper philosophical question: can an individual truly consent to sharing information that partly belongs to others? The answer, in practice, tends to be pragmatic rather than philosophical. Companies typically rely on lengthy consent forms and privacy policies to explain how genetic data may be processed, stored or shared. Customers agree with a click before sending their sample. But consent, Lynskey notes, is an imperfect safeguard. Consent is, from a data protection perspective, a very leaky cauldron, she says. We are faced with so many complex consent decision-making moments on a daily basis that the rational thing to do is not to engage with it meaningfully. That reality is familiar to anyone who has ever clicked accept all cookies simply to access a website. In the context of genetic data, however, the stakes are far higher. Unlike a password or an email address, DNA cannot be changed. Regulatory oversight crucial Because of that, Lynskey argues, regulatory oversight becomes crucial. This makes regulatory oversight by the Data Protection Commission even more important, she says, referring to Irelands national data protection authority. Ireland occupies an unusual position in the global data protection landscape. As the European headquarters for many major technology companies, it has become a key centre for GDPR enforcement. Yet consumer DNA testing largely remains a private commercial activity, with samples often processed in laboratories abroad. Irish consumers who purchase kits online are participating in a global data ecosystem that extends far beyond the State. Recent corporate turmoil has also raised new questions about what happens to genetic data once it has been collected. When 23andMe entered insolvency proceedings in the United States, privacy experts quickly raised concerns about the fate of its vast genetic database. Millions of people had entrusted the company with some of the most intimate information imaginable. Situations like this are complex from a legal perspective. In the 23andMe insolvency, a privacy expert was appointed to recommend terms to the court dealing with the insolvency proceedings, Lynskey explains. Those recommendations were ultimately accepted voluntarily as part of the process. But similar safeguards may not always apply. It is far less clear what happens in acquisitions, she says. In principle, the original terms and conditions should continue to apply unless individuals are informed otherwise. That uncertainty highlights the broader reality of consumer genetic testing: once a DNA sample is analysed and digitised, it becomes part of a powerful and potentially valuable dataset. Companies have used aggregated genetic information for pharmaceutical research partnerships and large-scale studies into disease. In many cases, customers are invited again through consent forms to allow their anonymised data to be used for research. For some people, that possibility is part of the appeal. The idea that their genetic information might contribute to scientific breakthroughs carries a certain civic virtue. Commercial value of data But critics argue consumers may not fully appreciate the commercial value of the data they are generating. The renewed debate in France reflects these broader tensions. DNA databases originally built for genealogy could potentially become tools for policing. Genetic data submitted for curiosity about ancestry might ultimately serve purposes that individuals never imagined when they first spat into a plastic tube. For Ireland, a country deeply invested in questions of origin and belonging, that tension is particularly striking. The search for roots has always been part of the Irish story whether through parish records, census, ship manifests or family lore passed down through generations. DNA testing offers a modern extension of that impulse. Yet it also transforms something deeply personal into something measurable, analysable and, ultimately, tradable. The irony is that in trying to discover where we come from, we may also be creating a new kind of legacy: vast genetic databases that will outlive the individuals who helped build them. And unlike a family tree scribbled in an old notebook, those records carry implications that stretch far beyond the past into the uncertain territory of privacy, technology and the future of identity itself. With the Donald Trump Show navigated successfully, Micheal Martin boarded the Governments brand-new jet and headed for another international engagement albeit one which should be somewhat less difficult to navigate. The Governments new twin-jet liner touched down in the Belgian capital last night, as the Taoiseach prepared for a European Council meeting which will address the military escalation in the Middle East, including its consequences on the EU in terms of energy prices and energy security. Mr Martin arrived as an unexpected leader in defending the values of the EU, following an unexpected and fairly robust intervention during his meeting with Mr Trump in the Oval Office on St Patrick's Day. Having seen German chancellor Friedrich Merz openly show his frustrations with the EU in a similar meeting with Mr Trump just a fortnight ago an event during which Mr Trump threatened to embargo Spain Mr Martin was able to command the room for what must have been a record for a foreign leader: Some two minutes. While the US president held court on all things Iran, energy, and Chinas use of windfarms, Mr Martin sat largely as a bystander. Pushing back at Trump But as Mr Trump took aim at Europe over immigration and energy policy, Mr Martin interjected, keeping the excitable press packs from both sides of the Atlantic silent. I would say Europe is a great place, the Taoiseach opened, with Mr Trump saying he was glad to hear it, oddly enough. We have to have robust and fair rules around migration, Mr Martin said. But, on the other hand, a lot of people within the European Union have free mobility. And 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 into work legally and validly into our country. Sensing a lack of pushback from the US president, Mr Martin continued to defend Europe while accepting some US criticisms of regulation. Fundamentally, I think sometimes Europe gets characterised wrongly in terms of being 'overrun'. Its much more robust now, a much stronger mechanism in place to facilitate legal migration. "And I think its important; understanding that we need more economic growth in Europe. And it doesnt have the same focus on innovation as you do here in the US. Contrast with Merz's White House meeting While Mr Merzs meeting had been a study in tactical silence, Mr Martin chose something of a different path. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had a fraught meeting with US president Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 3. Picture: Mark Schiefelbein/AP Mr Martin timed his challenging of Mr Trump and relied on his diplomacy to thread the needle, a mission which was largely successful, though he did allow a misgendering of Catherine Connolly sail by and was seen to be overly sympathetic to Winston Churchill, of all people. He also over-egged the pudding by plamasing Mr Trumps work in the Middle East, two issues for which he has taken criticism at home. Whether the overall strategy of Mr Martin and Ireland being the bridge between the EU and US is one which is sustainable depends on a vast array of inputs which are far outside the control of the Taoiseach: The length of the war in Iran; Mr Trumps attempts to reinstate tariffs; and the vagaries of Mr Trumps mood on a given day. However, it is a strategy which Mr Martin and his team seems to have identified as a potential winner. Ireland as bridge between EU and US If Ireland and the US are, as the Taoiseach said on Tuesday, foundationally linked and if Ireland is almost guaranteed the attention of Americas top decision-makers for a week every year, who better to act as the conduit between two sides whose trading relationship is the largest of all time, but whose leadership seems far apart? As Mr Martin headed to Brussels, he did so as the European leader who has most stridently argued the blocs case to Mr Trumps face, at least publicly, having launched a robust defence of British prime minister Keir Starmer along the way. It is perhaps not what anyone expected this week to look like, but then much of what happens in Mr Trumps orbit tends to surprise. Surviving a visit to Trump In 2024, following the successful visit of then US president Joe Biden to Ireland and Leo Varadkars second trip to DC in as many years, relations between Ireland and the US were hailed as being at an all-time high. That within 24 months the Irish side is talking about leaving the Oval Office in one piece speaks volumes about the current holder of the offices temperament and outlook. For now, Mr Martin will be pleased with his performance within the parameters he and the Irish diplomatic corps will have set. Now all eyes turn to Europe, where a response to spiralling oil prices and energy security are awaited today. In the week that was, the question that arose was will he make it out of there intact? The subject of course was Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and the quandary was his Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump. The St Patrick's Day visit came at a time of living dangerously for politicians who interact with the US president. What happened overnight: Israel struck the South Pars field hours after Israeli forces killed the regimes intelligence minister. While Trump said the US knew nothing ahead of the South Pars attack, US media have reported that the White House was aware of the attack. Saudi Arabia has not ruled out military action in response to repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran, the foreign minister said. Vessels were reported to be hit by unknown projectiles overnight in the Persian Gulf and in the Gulf of Oman. Iran has executed three people convicted of killing police officers and carrying out operations helping the US and Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate moratorium on striking civilian infrastructure. Cathay Pacific suspended flights to and from Dubai over the war in the Middle East. Iran seeks compensation from the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of enabling US attacks against Iranian territory. President Donald Trump pledged that Israel would make no more attacks on Irans major South Pars gas field, but if Iran attacked Qatar again, the US would retaliate and massively blow up the entirety of the field. Mr Trump made his threat on his Truth Social site as the war roiled global energy markets and Iranian missiles hit Qatar. I do not want to authorise this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, Mr Trump said, but added that he would not hesitate to do so, if Qatars liquefied natural gas sites were attacked again. He said Israel out of anger, had violently lashed out and hit a relatively small section of the gas field. Iran attacked gas facilities in Qatar after Israel launched its attack against South Pars. Qatar said on Thursday that Iranian missile attacks damaged more liquefied natural gas sites in the energy-rich nation, causing sizable fires and extensive further damage. Qatar Energy, the nations state-owned oil and gas company, said firefighters were working to halt the fires and no one had been hurt so far. The United Arab Emirates denounced Irans attacks targeting its Habshan gas facility and Bab field as a dangerous escalation. Authorities in Abu Dhabi say the gas operations had been shut down after interceptions over the sites. US president Donald Trump has said it would not be appropriate for Iran to play at the World Cup (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Saudi Arabia, which also reported downing Iranian drones targeting its natural gas facilities overnight, also criticised Iranian attacks. What little trust there was before has completely been shattered, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said after a meeting between foreign ministers of the Gulf Arab states and others over the Iranian attacks tearing at the wider Middle East. The attacks on my country and on my neighbouring countries that are not involved in this conflict thats all Im interested in, Prince Faisal said. Were going to use every lever we have political, economic, diplomatic and otherwise to get these attacks to stop. He criticised Irans attacks on Riyadh, the capital hosting the meeting. I cannot see it as coincidental, he said. Thats the clearest signal of how Iran feels about diplomacy. It tries to pressure its neighbours, and thats not going to work. A statement by the nations at the summit Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and UAE denounced these deliberate Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones, which targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic missions. Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud chairs a consultative meeting of foreign ministers from a group of Arab and Islamic countries in the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Baraa Anwer/AP) The participants emphasised that these attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way, the statement said. An attack set a ship on fire early on Thursday off the coast of the UAE, authorities said. The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said a vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile, which has resulted in a fire onboard. It said the vessel was just off the coast of Khor Fakkan in the UAE, near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the worlds oil and natural gas typically flows. More than 20 vessels have been attacked during the Iran war so far as Tehran tries to squeeze shippers as part of its pressure campaign over the conflict. Medics and doctors were still assessing victims early on Thursday morning from an Israeli strike on the West Bank as the Palestinian Red Crescent adjusted their toll to at least three killed and at least 13 injured. It had earlier reported four deaths. The group called the count preliminary and said the deaths resulted from a direct strike and falling missile fragments. A man inspects the site of an Iranian missile strike in Petah Tikva (Oded Balilty/AP) Paramedics said they faced serious delays reaching the Hebron-area strike, slowed by gates the Israeli military has set up around Palestinian towns in the occupied West Bank and kept largely closed during the war. Kuwaits Ministry of Information said early on Thursday that the largest mosque in Kuwait City, which can accommodate thousands of worshippers for major prayers, will be closed to worshippers on Eid alFitr due to the current circumstances. Authorities across Gulf countries have announced that Eid prayers marking the end of Ramadan will be held only inside regular mosques, with no large outdoor gatherings as a precaution. The ongoing Iran war has prompted Gulf states to curb large public events and gatherings. US House speaker Mike Johnson said the US operation was all but done but he acknowledged the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is dragging it out a little bit. The Republican said Mr Trump was right to ask countries that have interests in the region to help in securing the strait. I think its pretty absurd that those requests were rebuffed, he said. I do think the original mission is virtually accomplished now: We were trying to take out the ballistic missiles and their means of production, and neuter the Navy, and those objectives have been met, he said. As soon as we bring some calm to the situation, I think its all but done. The Pentagon is seeking $200 billion (174 billion) in additional funds for the Iran war, a senior administration official says. The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. Lawyers for the eldest son of Norways crown princess have called for his acquittal on charges of rape, as six weeks of high-profile court proceedings that have cast a shadow over the royal family drew to a close. Prosecutors this week sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Hoiby, who denies the rape allegations. A verdict is expected at a later date. Marius Borg Hoiby in the witness box (Ane Hem/NTB Scanpix via AP) Hoiby, 29, is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit by a previous marriage and the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to Norways throne. He is charged with 40 offences in total, including four counts of rape between 2018 and 2024 involving women who prosecutors say were unable to give consent because they were asleep or otherwise incapacitated. Defence lawyers for Hoiby, who has no royal titles or official duties, said that there was no evidence of rape in any of the cases. Hoibys trial at Oslo District Court has drawn intense attention at home and abroad, putting the royal family in an unwanted spotlight and exposing a rarely seen side of the countrys elite social scene. Ms Mette-Marit separately has faced scrutiny in recent weeks over her connections with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That has raised questions over her judgment, though she is not accused of any wrongdoing. Around 70 witnesses have testified at the trial and hundreds of text messages and pieces of digital evidence were presented. Prosecutors pointed to photos and videos recovered from Hoibys phone. During his trial, Hoiby has denied engaging sexually with sleeping women and said the encounters were consensual. He has admitted to a number of lesser offences, including drug possession, transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana in 2020, traffic violations and breaches of a restraining order involving a former partner. He has also partially admitted to acts related to violence and threats, but disputes key aspects of those allegations, including intent. The defence argued that Hoiby has lived under extraordinary media pressure due to his royal connections, which they said has shaped both public perception and the context of the case. In court, Hoiby said the scrutiny had erased him as a person, adding that he had been shunned by much of his social circle and struggled with depression. My whole life is common property, he said. I am no longer Marius, Im a monster. Defence lawyer Petar Sekulic said that media coverage bordered on the insane, but almost exceeded anything one could have feared beforehand. The investigation of Hoiby began in 2024. Police were first called to an apartment in Oslos Frogner neighbourhood following reports of a violent incident. Hoiby was arrested and later released, but the case expanded as more women came forward with allegations. At the heart of the trial are the four charges of rape, each of which are alleged to have occurred after consensual sex. They centre on whether the women were capable of resisting and whether Hoiby understood their condition. Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo told the court on Wednesday that Hoiby should be judged not for who he is, but for what he has done, outlining what he described as patterns of behaviour across the charges. He pointed to repeated violations of rules and boundaries, including interactions with police, breaches of restraining orders and what he characterised as a disregard for whether women consented to sexual activity or being filmed. The rules are designed so that one cannot evade guilt by getting high or drunk, Mr Henriksbo said, arguing that the court should assess the case based on how a sober person would have understood the situation. Rape and abuse in close relationships are among the most serious acts one can expose others to, and that must be reflected in the punishment, Mr Henriksbo told the court. Summing up the defence case on Thursday, Mr Sekulic said that no evidence supported the rape charges and that none of the pictures or videos seen during the trial proved a crime. He questioned the credibility of the alleged victims. Mr Sekulic acknowledged that aspects of Hoibys behaviour had been unsympathetic, but said that should not weigh on the courts judgment. What can be described as bad behaviour, bad morals, which cannot be punished under the criminal law, should be disregarded, he told the court. It is irrelevant. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is being urged to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the energy crisis arising from the conflict in the Middle East with the heads of the UKs devolved governments. Scotlands First Minister has written to Sir Keir calling on him to stage an emergency four nations heads of government council. John Swinney made the plea as he warned that with gas prices soaring due to conflict in the Gulf, it is therefore grimly inevitable that electricity prices will also rise if action is not taken swiftly. The SNP leader told Sir Keir that given the urgent nature of the current energy crisis, he wants a response as soon as possible. First Minister John Swinney is urging action from the Prime Minister (Jane Barlow/PA) In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Swinney stressed the conflict in the Gulf is impacting global supplies of oil and gas. With prices for both having spiked, the SNP leader told Sir Keir he believes increased investment in renewables is essential to improve the UKs energy security and to insulate our economy from the volatility of global commodity markets. Mr Swinney accepted this cannot happen overnight, adding: North Sea oil and gas will itself remain an important part of our energy mix for decades to come. In the long term, the only credible way to reduce exposure to volatility in prices is by securing a long term, fair, transition to renewables. The Scottish First Minister also made clear his Governments view that it is well beyond time for the UK Government to decouple the electricity market from gas prices. He added: With gas prices soaring due to conflict in the Gulf it is grimly inevitable that electricity prices will also rise if action is not taken swiftly. Whilst most energy policy levers remain reserved to the UK Government, supporting a just transition to clean energy, and providing support for consumers affected by the current price spikes must form central parts of your response to this crisis. The UK Government has been contacted for comment. Iran intensified its attacks on oil and natural gas facilities around the Gulf on Thursday, raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy. The strikes, in retaliation for an Israeli attack on a key Iranian gas field, sent fuel prices soaring and risked drawing Irans Arab neighbours directly into the conflict. Irans targeting of energy production further stressed global supplies already under pressure because of its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported. Since the US and Israel launched the war on February 28, Irans top leaders have been killed in airstrikes and the countrys military capabilities have been severely degraded. Still, Iran now led by the son of the supreme leader killed in the wars opening salvo remains capable of missile and drone attacks rattling its Gulf Arab neighbours and a global economy dependent on the energy they produce. Underscoring the danger to ships in the region, a vessel was set ablaze off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and another damaged off Qatar. Efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz were also under pressure: An Iranian drone hit a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea, which the country had been hoping to use as an alternative exit route. Brent crude oil, the international standard, briefly surged above 119 dollars a barrel, up more than 60% since Israel and the United States started the war. (PA Graphics) The European benchmark for natural gas prices also rose sharply and has roughly doubled in the past month. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE denounced the Iranian attacks. Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit called them a dangerous escalation. But Iran showed no signs of backing down. Saudi Arabia said its Samref refinery in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu was hit. Saudi Arabia had begun pumping large volumes of oil west toward the Red Sea to avoid the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar, a key source of natural gas for world markets, said extensive damage was caused by Iranian missiles hitting the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility, where production had already been halted after earlier attacks. Damage to the facility could delay Qatars ability to get supplies to the market even after the war ends. Two oil refineries in Kuwait and gas operations in Abu Dhabi also were targeted by Iran, local authorities said. (PA Graphics) In Israel, more than a half-dozen waves of Iranian attacks targeting large parts of the country sent millions of people to shelters. The strikes caused damage to buildings but no significant casualties were reported. After the latest Iranian barrage, Israeli energy minister Eli Cohen said the electricity grid in northern Israel sustained some damage. He said crews had restored electricity to some areas and were working to restore it in others. Israeli media showed images of black smoke rising from an oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa; Cohen said the refinery damage was minor. The Trump administration has cited various war objectives, including degrading Irans missile capabilities and its nuclear programme. Killing senior leaders has also been a priority for the US and Israel. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday implied that more leaders could be targeted, referring specifically to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij force, a powerful internal security unit whose leader was killed by Israel earlier this week. The last job anyone in the world wants right now, senior leader for the IRGC or Basij, temp jobs, all of them, Mr Hegseth said. Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that US forces continue to attack deeper into Iranian territory, with warplanes hunting Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz and helicopters striking Iranian drones. Gen Caine said the US military has also dropped 5,000-pound bombs on underground weapon-storage facilities. An F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing after flying a combat mission over Iran, US Central Command said. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for the command, said the aircraft landed safely, the pilot was in stable condition and the incident was under investigation. In a sign of the Iran wars rising price tag, the Pentagon is seeking 200 billion dollars in additional funds, a senior administration official said. The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. Among the Iranian energy facilities hit in recent days was the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex. There were no injuries and the plant suffered no damage, the International Atomic Energy Agency said. Israel said on Thursday it struck Iranian targets in the Caspian Sea for the first time. Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani said the strikes hit dozens of targets, including ships, a shipyard and a command centre. Iran stepped up its attacks on Gulf energy facilities after Israel hit South Pars, the Iranian part of the worlds largest gas field, which is located offshore in the Persian Gulf and owned jointly with Qatar. With some 80% of all power generated in Iran coming from natural gas, according to the International Energy Agency, the attack directly threatens the countrys electricity supplies. Destroyed buildings after a US-Israeli strike in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) Natural gas is also used to supply household heating and cooking across the Islamic Republic. Israels target selection in this war has heavily focused on the institutions, leaders and infrastructure, the New York-based Soufan Centre said in a research note. It now seeks to inflict additional pressure on the regime by making the living conditions for civilians intolerable. Iran condemned the strike on South Pars, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of uncontrollable consequences that could engulf the entire world. In Washington, President Donald Trump said that Israel would not attack South Pars again. But he warned on social media that if Iran continued striking Qatars energy infrastructure, the US would retaliate and massively blow up the entirety of the field. Asked later about the possibility of US ground troops being deployed to Iran, Mr Trump responded: No. Im not putting troops anywhere. More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed during the war. Israeli strikes against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon have displaced more than one million people roughly 20% of the population according to the Lebanese government, which says more than 1,000 people have been killed. Israel says it has killed more than 500 Hezbollah militants. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. Four people were also killed in the occupied West Bank overnight by an Iranian missile strike, according to officials. At least 13 US military members have been killed. Iran announced the execution of three men detained in Januarys nationwide protests, the first such sentences known to have been carried out, the judiciarys Mizan news agency reported. San Francisco (Syndicated to Informed Comment) When the governing body of the Democratic Party convenes next month, it will face a challenge to its support for Israel. The Democratic National Committee has evaded the fact that large majorities of Democrats oppose continuing military aid to Israel and believe it has committed genocide in Gaza. The stage is set for jarring discord when the DNCs 450 members gather in New Orleans. An NBC poll released this week underscores the depth of the DNCs political folly. The results were lopsided, by a 67-17 percent margin in favor of Palestinians, when the survey asked Democrats: Are your sympathies more with the Israelis or more with the Palestinians? The DNC leadership has stayed on a collision course with political realities about Israel. Last August, while a Gallup poll was showing that just 8 percent of Democrats approved of Israels military actions in Gaza, DNC chair Ken Martin said at a meeting of delegates from across the country that theres a divide in our party on this issue. He didnt acknowledge that the crucial divide is actually between the partys leadership and Democrats nationwide. At that summer meeting, amid contention over U.S. policies toward Israel, Martin withdrew his party-line resolution after it won and after a pro-Palestinian rights measure lost. He called for shared dialogue and shared advocacy, announcing that he would appoint a task force comprised of stakeholders on all sides of this to continue to have the conversation. Martin declared that this crisis in Gaza is urgent and an emergency. But the emergency lost its urgency as soon as the DNC adjourned and the media spotlight disappeared. Six months passed before the first meeting of the task force, which by then had been downgraded to a working group. The working groups convener (selected by Martin) is James Zogby, a longtime advocate for Palestinian rights. Zogby had greeted Martins task-force announcement with praise, calling it politically thoughtful and a recognition of the reality that the status quo has become unacceptable and untenable. But more than six months later, the status quo remains undisturbed as the DNCs Middle East Working Group proceeds at a snails pace. And the composition of the eight-member panel makes it foreseeably incapable of reaching its purported goal to help us sort out how our party deals with Americas policies in the Middle East. The working group is an oil-and-water mix of fully incompatible views on Palestinian rights and Israeli power. Some on the DNC panel want an embargo on U.S. arms to Israel, while others firmly oppose any such step. One member of the working group, Andrew Lachman, has led fights inside the California Democratic Party to thwart actions or statements critical of Israel. He is currently the president of Democrats for Israel California. How the DNCs appointed group is supposed to sort out a Democratic Party position on U.S. policy in the Middle East is inexplicable. But the project does have an evident function. The Middle East Working Group has proven itself to be a stalling mechanism. And the pretenses behind it have become even more fanciful as the U.S.-Israel military alliance persists with a war of aggression on Iran that has been setting the region on fire. No matter how much the DNC leadership tries to shunt it aside, the burning issue of U.S. policy toward Israel will not go away. This year, it has become key in one Democratic primary race after another, putting incumbent members of Congress on the defensive for their timeworn efforts to justify support for Israel or acceptance of funding from the AIPAC lobby. Yet the DNC stance is that the party establishment is wise to seal itself off from such unpleasantness. The DNCs refusal to make public its autopsy of the 2024 election is tangled up in dodging the autopsys reported conclusion that Kamala Harriss rigid support for arming Israel was a significant factor in her defeat. Keeping the official autopsy under wraps, supposedly in order to improve the prospects of future election victories, actually makes such victories less likely by mystifying instead of clarifying electoral history. Martin told Fox News viewers in late February that concentrating on the future would be better than trying to relitigate the 2024 election. But hiding the autopsy amounts to condescension, assuming that only a small elite party circle should be privy to the results of the partys extensive (and expensive) research. Many Democratic activists and candidates would benefit from candor instead of stonewalling. Weeks ago, the annual convention of the California Democratic Party responded to growing pressure from grassroots activists by adopting a platform that advocates for an immediate end to the mass civilian casualties, destruction, displacement and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza. The platform says that Palestinians in Gaza should be able to rebuild without displacement, with international humanitarian, economic and security assistance, and it calls for the immediate rebuilding of Gaza with the provision of humanitarian aid, restoration of funding for an UNRWA that serves the Palestinian people. But the Democratic National Committee, like the bulk of Democrats in Congress, lags far behind such grassroots outlooks. The top-down culture that prevails in the national party has stultified internal debate, rendering it scarce and pro forma. Despite Martins reform talk, whatever the DNC chair says goes. Ive been more and more disappointed with him, a progressive DNC member told me days ago. He says he loves internal debate and small-d democracy. I think its a talking point. I dont know that he really wants that. Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay After a little more than a year in the job, Martin has cleared the low bar set by his immediate predecessor, Jaime Harrison, who dutifully served President Biden for four years. But the DNC is still largely paralyzed with pressure from its old guard and insistence on being unaccountable to the partys rank-and-file. The Democratic Party is in dire need of democracy. On no issue is that more apparent than the DNCs insistence on treating Israel as above serious reproach. The ruse of forming and then slow-walking the Middle East Working Group may have bought some time for the Democratic Partys status quo of complicity with genocide in Gaza and U.S.-Israeli war crimes elsewhere in the region. But party activists genuinely committed to human rights will not be fooled and will not be silent. ( Middle East Monitor ) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appears to have little patience for questions that do not conform to his preferred style of declaring unsubstantiated victories, whether against South Americans or in the Middle East. In a charged press conference on March 13, Hegseth did more than attack journalists for questioning his unverified claims about the course of the war in the Middle East. He singled out CNN, introducing a troubling dimension to the conversation. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better, he said. Ellison, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a strong supporter of Israel, is widely considered the frontrunner to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company that owns CNN. If there was any lingering doubt that such acquisitions are driven by political and ideological considerations, Hegseths remarks dispelled it. Such statements reflect a broader shift in how the media is viewed by segments of the US ruling class, particularly under the Trump administration. During both of his presidential terms, Trump has invested much of his public discourse not in unifying the nation but in deploying deeply hostile language against journalists who question his policies, rhetoric, or political conduct. The fake news media is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American people, Trump wrote on Truth Social on February 18, repeating a phrase that has become central to his political lexicon. Yet American media entered this confrontation with little public trust to begin with, though for reasons that have little to do with Trumps own political agenda. A 2025 Gallup poll found that only 28 percent of Americans trust the mass media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly, one of the lowest levels recorded in recent decades. Historically, this mistrust has coexisted with Americans skepticism toward their governmentany government, regardless of political orientation. But what is unfolding today appears qualitatively different. The long-standing alignment between political power, corporate interests, and media narratives now seems to be fracturing under the weight of widespread public distrust. In Israel, however, the situation takes a different form. Mainstream media often mirrors the militant posture of the government itself, translating political belligerence into broad public support for warwhether in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, or wherever Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chooses to expand the battlefield. Public opinion data illustrates this dynamic clearly. A survey released on March 4 by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 82 percent of the Israeli public supported the ongoing military campaign against Iran, including 93 percent of Israeli Jews. Such figures reflect a media and political environment in which dissenting voices remain marginal and frequently isolated. With this kind of media, theres no point in fighting for a free press, because the media itself is not on the side of freedom, Israeli journalist Gideon Levy wrote in Haaretz on March 12. While there is little that can realistically be done to shift the dominant Israeli narrative from within Israel itself, journalists elsewhere carry an immense responsibility. They must adhere to the most basic standards of journalistic integrity now more than ever. This responsibility does not apply only to journalists in the United States or across the Western world. It applies equally to journalists throughout the Middle East. After all, it is our region that is being drawn into wars not of its own making, and it is our societies that have the most to gain from a just and lasting peace. Over the past two yearsparticularly during Israels genocide on Gazawe have seen just how difficult it has become to convey reality from the ground. Journalists have confronted censorship, propaganda campaigns, algorithmic suppression, intimidation, and outright violence. Yet the consequences of this information crisis are far from abstract. When truth disappears, civilians suffer in silence. Political decisions are justified through distorted narratives. Wars themselves become easier to prolong when the public is denied the facts necessary to challenge them. For years, many of us warned that if the promoters of war and chaos were not restrained, the entire region could descend into a cycle of deliberate destabilization. If this trajectory continues, our shared aspirations will suffer for generations. Our collective prosperityalready fragilecould be permanently undermined. This struggle is not merely about journalistic integrity, nor even about truth-telling as an ethical imperative. It is about the fate of entire societies whose futures are deeply interconnected. In our region, we either rise together or fall together. Governments across the Arab and Muslim world warned against the military adventurism now engulfing the Middle East long before the current escalation. Their warnings went largely unheeded, and the consequences are now unfolding. At this moment, journalists, intellectuals, and people of conscience must speak the truth in all its manifestations, using every available platform and opportunity. We reject war. But for wars to end, truth must be spoken openly and without hesitation. Journalists must be allowed to work without fear or intimidation. Media ownership must not become a mechanism of control and censorship. File photo of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers remarks during an 82nd Airborne Division Review at Fort Bragg, N.C., May 22, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza). Public Domain. Via Picryl Politicians and generals risk reputational damage, the loss of office, or perhaps the disappearance of a generous holiday bonus if their wars fail. For the people of the Middle Eastand for all victims of warthe stakes are far greater. We risk losing our families, our economies, our homes, and the very possibility of a stable future. For that reason, gratitude is owed to the courageous individuals who continue to speak truth to power; to those who insist on unity during moments deliberately engineered to produce division; and to those who understand that honest journalism is not merely a profession. It is a moral obligation. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor. Via Middle East Monitor Last year, the email address of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was suspended. Karim Khan couldnt access his Microsoft account and had to move to Proton Mail, a Swiss email provider, the AP reported in May. The suspension came after US President Donald Trump had imposed sanctions against prosecutor Khan by executive order on 6 February 2025. Microsofts President Brad Smith denied, however, that the tech giant had stopped the account. The companys actions did not in any way involve the cessation of services to the ICC, he told reporters. New US sanctions followed, targeting four ICC judges in June, then in August the two deputy-prosecutors and two more judges were picked out, followed by another two judges in December for handling the Palestine and Afghanistan investigations. This means that US individuals, corporations and groups are not permitted to provide financial, material, or technological services to the targeted persons, explains Benjamin Thorne, assistant professor of criminal law at the University of Reading, UK, who also researches the use of tech in international criminal justice including the ICCs Office of the prosecutor. If US organizations, such as Big Tech, partner with sanctioned persons, they risk criminal penalties (twenty years in prison and/or a fine of 1 million dollars) or civil penalties (fines). The sanctions have been an eye-opening moment for the court, as well as NGOs and individuals working in the field of justice and accountability, on the level of dependency on US tech and the US financial systems, says Zoe Paris, advocacy coordinator at the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, that consists of civil society organizations in 150 countries. The nationality of tech providers was not an issue The ICC uses tech for virtually all daily operations. This dependency is no secret. We all know about it. As such, this is a not sensitive topic, says Paris. But I fully understand it that the court doesnt share certain information about potentially what service providers they are using. That, indeed, is a sensitive subject, Paris explains. However, one of the names that always keeps popping up, is that of Microsoft, which Thorne calls a key technology partner of the Office of the prosecutor. Such concerns didnt play a role when Herman von Hebel became the Courts registrar in 2013. The ICC was on its way to increasingly become an e-court and reduce reliance on paper materials. The discussions concentrated on creating an IT infrastructure for the judges, prosecutors and lawyers, to be able to function as efficiently as possible. One of the goals was that they would use digital tools and no longer deal with piles of paper, he says. Von Hebel explains there was a struggle within the court, as the Office of the prosecutor stressed its sovereignty and wanted its own, separate IT services for its own goals, that didnt fit the demands of the judges or others. A more advanced technological infrastructure required extra investments. But the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) sticked to a policy of zero growth for the budget. I was of the opinion that the ASP was scraping too much, because its attitude was detrimental to the efficiency and IT security of the ICC, Von Hebel says. Despite the hurdles, the court worked on its digital infrastructure. The nationality of the tech company providing services was not yet a topic of discussion, Von Hebel states. One source remembers seeing an overview in 2018 showing the top 5 software solutions used across the court. Three of these were Microsoft products. A super ambitious Office of the prosecutor In recent years, the Office of the prosecutor proudly announced that it was going for digital tech and artificial intelligence (AI). It wants to become a world leader in accountability technology, Thorne says, referring to the offices Strategic Plan 2023-2025. The words in the report are over-shouting, overexuberant and also not fully accurate, because the Office of the prosecutor will not develop technology itself. The office will use existing products, systems and services and apply these in their context. Though the specifics could possibly be tailored into something a bit more bespoke for its specific needs and requirements, he explains. The Strategic Plan illustrates how super ambitious the office is in becoming a forerunner, Thorne says. Without an up-to-date, reliable, and secure technological infrastructure the Office cannot hope to achieve the full potential of its investigative work, the organ writes in its 2023 annual report.Prosecutor Khan was thus continuing the policy set out when he was head of the UNs Investigative team to promote accountability for crimes committed by Daesh/ISIL (UNITAD), which was committed to tech, with Microsoft as an important provider. David Husman, a US tech and investigation expert, who worked at UNITAD, joined him when he moved to the ICC. Project Harmony In 2022 the Office of the prosecutor launched Project Harmony co-funded by the European Union. It is portrayed as enabling an efficient, intelligent and secure evidence management platform. The objective is to improve existing infrastructure to collect and preserve data; advancing the Offices analytical and investigative capabilities; and revolutionising routine and specialised tasks. It will help personnel to work smarter, handling large and complex datasets while increasing staff efficiency and reducing human bias. The Prosecutors office explains that for Project Harmony it works with Microsoft (US), Accenture (headquartering in Dublin) and their joint-venture Avanade (with its global headquarter in Seattle, US) which are altogether providing support in designing and building infrastructure, implementing security measures and change management. Project Harmony has three components. First, in 2022, the Office of the prosecutor started to work with RelativityOne, a cloud-based software that allows for safe data storage and provides a platform to manage, review and analyse the evidence. The aim is to assist the staff in conducting efficient investigations, according to the annual report. In 2022, the court signed a 5-year contract costing 2.5 million US dollars with Relativity, a US company which is headquartered in Chicago and works in partnership with Microsoft. Then, OTPLink was launched on 24 May 2023. Stakeholders such as affected communities, witnesses, NGOs and States can use this new online application to submit quickly, safely, and securely information about international crimes, also known as communications, to the Office of the prosecutor. It blends the use of advanced modern-day technology and international law, prosecutor Khan said in a statement. OTPLink, he added, streamlines the traditional manual review process by allowing the Office to handle larger information volumes utilising AI and Machine Learning (ML) to offer greater insights into the information received, significantly reducing the time required to review and act on it. Thirdly, in August 2023, the Office of the prosecutor started working with eVault, a cloud-based solution providing centralised storage for information and evidence. The company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Through eVault, analysts, investigators and lawyers can access and manage all electronic evidence collected by the Office, it writes. Furthermore, every visitor of the website can see that the ICC as an institution is using US tech products. Courts records and reports published there are in PDF/Adobe, another US enterprise. And as recently as last October, a Microsoft spokesperson told Euractiv, a media network specialized in EU affairs: We value our relationship with the ICC as a customer and are convinced that nothing impedes our ability to continue providing services to the ICC in the future. Weaponizing tech However, the alleged email-incident revealed by AP served as a stark warning of how digital technology can be weaponized in furtherance of political objectives, potentially threatening the courts ability to function according with its independent judicial mandate, states Jennifer Tridgell, an international lawyer and PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge, who has published on the topic. This incident has precipitated an intense discussion internally about mitigating those deep dependencies, she tells Justice Info in an interview. The ICC, which hasnt responded to questions by Justice Info, is tight-lipped about the effect of the current sanctions on its use of tech. But its obvious that the US measures have been causing many challenges. Some stem from the fact that by design part of the intentions of the sanctions is to sow the seeds of uncertainty, confusion and panic within the institution. In the beginning a lot of focus of the Office of the prosecutor was around speculating and possible contingency planning, such as what would happen if Microsoft suddenly disengaged with the court, says Thorne. Reuters reported last year that at the ICC evidence was being backed up due to fears U.S. tech giant Microsoft would have to stop working with the court. Paris, who is preparing a report on sanctions for the Coalition for the ICC, agrees that the measures created bewilderment. The sanction system is complicated and complex. The terms that are used are very broad. On a daily basis we ask ourselves: What does material support and providing services exactly mean? The implications are not fully known, she says. One of the big impacts is also the diversion of attention of institutions and individuals from their actual work, to assessing the risks of the sanctions and come up with the solutions, in order to keep the operational capacity going. Thorne notes that the current sanctions are targeting eleven individuals, rather than the whole institution. So far, however, the sanctions havent stopped US tech companies from engaging with the court. The sanctions make the work more complicated, he says. In the first few months, the work of the Office of the prosecutor slowed down due to the uncertainties about the possible risks of violating the sanctions. It was reported that some staff were frozen off from complete dossiers. But the sanctions are not currently stopping investigations. It hasnt brought the court to a halt, he states. Thorns points out that if additional sanctions against individual court staff continue, this could create a web of sanctions making it further challenging for the Office of the prosecutor to know what activities might or might not trip the web. Overall uncertainty also increases the risk of overcompliance, where tech companies go further in taking measures such as cancelling contracts than the current sanctions actually require. Court-wide sanctions will bring things to a halt Last September, Reuters reported that Trump considered institution-wide-sanctions against the ICC, forbidding US companies to do business with the court. Thats a very different scenario. Such sanctions will make it very hard for the court and will bring things to a halt, says Thorne. A source, quoted on the condition of anonymity, agrees: Because it is not just the ability to send an email, but also to pay the staff, to run the security of the court, to get catering. Every aspect of its functioning has a digital component these days. The threat of court-wide sanctions is still hovering above the ICC. But such a massive attack can also have a backfiring effect. Some States that are dialoguing with the US are raising the issue of the impact of such sanctions saying: you are going to hurt US companies as well, a source states. Businesses are more aware and careful about how the public might perceive them, particularly related to human rights and justice, if they pull out their services and impact the functioning of a court, Paris says. Digital Independence As host state, The Netherlands have a special responsibility. One of its activities is talking to the relevant service providers to prevent overcompliance, the ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Justice and Security wrote last December in a briefing to parliament. The Dutch government is also in close contact with the ICC about the consequences of the sanctions on the digital infrastructure. The ministers point out that the ICC is supported by States Parties, strengthening its digital independence, and has already taken several concrete steps in this regard. On 31 October 2025, the ICC confirmed that it is switching from Microsoft Office to OpenDesk. This open-source software is developed by ZenDis, the German Centre for Digital Sovereignty of the Public Administration. The public company was founded in 2022 by the Interior Ministry of Germany. Meanwhile, Thorne stresses that the ICC is still working with Microsoft. Theres a process of moving away from Microsoft. But at what stage the court is in this process, is unclear, he says. The ICC still has a long road lying ahead in disentangling its complicated web of software dependencies after its decades of largely relying upon a select few software suppliers, Tridgell notes. The sanctions make the problem more pressing for the ICC. But states, the United Nations and other international institutions are also discussing how to achieve digital independence. Three years ago this wasnt even a topic. But in the last 1,5 years, since Trump came to power, digital sovereignty is on the top of everyones agenda, Von Hebel says. A Yazidi woman who was held as a sex slave by the Islamic State group testified Thursday before a French court, describing in stark detail the horrors she endured under jihadist captivity. The 32-year-old spoke in a Paris tribunal as part of the trial of French jihadist Sabri Essid, who is being prosecuted in absentia on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and complicity in these crimes. It is the first case in France to address atrocities committed against the Yazidi minority during the IS campaign in the Middle East. Essid is presumed to have been killed in 2018, but without proof of his death he is being tried in absentia charged with crimes committed between 2014 and 2016. The woman, whose name AFP is withholding to protect her privacy, spent about two-and-a-half years in the hands of IS fighters. She looked frail against the imposing wood panelling of the Paris courthouse, as the court listened to her recount the harrowing ordeal of her captivity in Syria in the mid-2010s in a low voice. Before the jihadists came, "we weren't a very wealthy family, but we were happy," she said, speaking through an interpreter. That life ended in August 2014, when IS swept over the Sinjar Mountains, the historic homeland of the Kurdish-speaking Yazidi minority in northern Iraq. Jihadists massacred thousands of Yazidi men, abducted and indoctrinated children, and captured thousands of women. IS regarded the Yazidis -- followers of a non-Muslim monotheistic faith -- as heretics. The woman said that she was passed from one captor to another and spent around 40 days under Essid's control. The woman was captured along with her two-year-old daughter and her husband. The family stayed together for several months, moved repeatedly from one town to another, until the jihadists eventually separated her from her husband. She was taken with other Yazidi women and her daughter to the IS stronghold of Raqqa and then to the region of Deir Ezzor. One day, she was taken with five other women to a market, with jihadists telling them to "put on our finest clothes". "Then we were lined up in a public square," she told investigators, according to a statement read out in court. "They called us by our first names, and then we had to parade in front of men. We were to be sold as sex slaves." - 'Sold as sex slaves' - Two men, including Essid, wanted to buy her. She and her daughter were eventually sold to a Saudi man, who told her he had sold his gun and car to purchase her. The man, who was married, raped her every other day. Several months later, the Saudi sold her to Essid. The Frenchman raped her daily. He took pills to boost his sexual performance. "It was very painful for me," the woman said, head bowed. He also wanted to separate her from her daughter, but she slashed her own arm with a knife to stop him. She remained in his hands for 40 days, until he took her to a beauty salon, where she was made to wear a red sequin dress with a low neckline and put on make-up. The aim was to "prepare me and take photos" to sell her again. In total, she said she had eight "owners". She took advantage of her last captor's absence, who had gone off to fight, to flee with another Yazidi woman and her daughter. Concealed under a niqab, she took a taxi and then walked through the night to reach a post manned by Kurdish forces. She never saw her husband again. After spending several months in Iraq with her parents, she eventually left the country with her daughter. "I had no choice," she said. "It's for my daughter's future." Presiding judge Marc Sommerer said that he had overseen several trials for crimes against humanity. "But what you've just told us," he said, "I've never heard before." Thursday, March 19, 2026 - Its often said that women mark their territory when visiting their boyfriends - sometimes directly, other times in subtle ways. A Kenyan man has now shared his own experience, sparking lively debate online. In a tweet that has quickly gone viral, the man revealed that he noticed a peculiar pattern whenever his girlfriend comes over. According to him, she tends to be unusually loud during intimacy at his place, yet remains noticeably quiet when they are at her house. Netizens weighed in with mixed reactions. Many argued that this is an indirect way of marking territory - making sure the neighbors know he has a girlfriend and discouraging any potential competition. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 19, 2026 - A man has taken to social media alleging that his marriage was wrecked by Maxwell Ochieng Odongo, a flamboyant NGO official based in South Sudan and a controversial social media personality accused of multiple affairs. In a detailed Facebook post, the man claimed that Maxwell eloped with his estranged wife, Margaret Akoth Ogolla, leading to the collapse of his marriage. He further alleged that he once received private videos purportedly showing Maxwell and his wife together in his matrimonial home in Syokimau, an incident he says left him emotionally distressed at the time. According to him, after he healed and moved on from the situation, he began receiving threatening messages, which he believes were sent by Maxwell. He also alleged that Maxwell hired hitmen to go after his life, despite parting ways with his cheating wife. I have seen the devil through a gullible woman and I clearly see foolishness and desperation in Maxwell Ochieng Odongo and Margaret Akoth Ogolla as they struggle to end my life by sending hit men after my life, he lamented. Read his full post below. Photos of his estranged wife and Maxwell. Maxwell, the wife snatcher. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 19, 2026 - Filings before the Chief Magistrates Court at Milimani, Nairobi, have laid bare a dispute between Bishop Charles Nganga of Mamlaka Chapel and a long-serving church member who has accused him of having a secret affair with his wife. While it is the Bishop who moved to court seeking defamation orders to bar the member from publishing what he terms as malicious statements, the respondent has in turn accused him of wrecking his marriage. The man claims he discovered the alleged affair in October 2025 after finding a series of inappropriate text messages exchanged between his wife and the Bishop. According to court filings, he retrieved the messages from a mobile phone that had previously been used by his wife before it was later handed over to their daughter. He further alleges that in one instance, the Bishop sent a message to his wife stating, Tomorrow, were showering in my office. Its you and me. Its why I need you in my life, accompanied by winking emojis. The man also asked the court to stop the Bishop from blocking him from worshipping at the church, even as the Bishop seeks orders restraining him from making further public statements about the matter. He noted that his wife has worked at the church for over two decades in various administrative roles. My wife has been an employee of the church for over twenty years, serving in various capacities, including as assistant to various senior pastors and bishops, he stated. When the matter came up in court for directions on Wednesday, magistrate Martin Osano called for decorum between the parties, urging for reconciliation even as the case progresses. Talk to your clients to maintain peace and decorum. They are people we look forward to in society, the magistrate told lawyers representing both parties. Bishop Nganga is among prominent church leaders in Kenya, with branches in Ruaka, Diani, Nairobi, Kisumu, as well as sister congregations in Berlin, Germany, and New Jersey in the United States. The Kenyan DAILY POST Iarnrod Eireann has confirmed the extension of DART services to Kildare at Kilcock Station, and launched a public consultation on an updated location for the new DART Depot there. With the new proposed location of the DART+ Depot west of Kilcock, electrification and DART services will now be extended to serve the growing population of north Kildare as part of the delivery of the DART+ Programme. Currently served by nine trains each way daily, and hourly at peak, the extension aims to support DARTs up to every 10 minutes each way during peak time for Kilcock. In addition, Intercity services will continue to stop at Kilcock Station. This will mean an upgraded Kilcock Station, including a second track between Maynooth and Kilcock, as well as a new platform and a fully accessible pedestrian access bridge with lifts. This will see a fully electrified rail network to Kilcock and beyond to the Depot for more sustainable transport. The new Depot will service and house a fleet of up to 750 new DART carriages, the first of which are currently undergoing testing and safety approvals before entering service in 2027. When fully operational the Depot will provide more than 100 new positions for skilled maintenance staff. A Depot was previously planned at a site on the DART West project near Maynooth but was not included in the Railway Order approval from An Coimisiun Pleanala. Extensive site identification work undertaken over the past 18 months saw 50 potential sites adjacent to the railway line across the Greater Dublin Area examined, before the site west of Kilcock was confirmed as the preferred Depot location. Subject to receipt of a Railway Order and funding approvals, the DART Depot is targeted for completion in 2031. I welcome the public consultation on the new DART+ Depot, and the proposal to extend DART services to Kilcock, said Minister of State Sean Canney with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports. This proposal has the added benefit of supporting us in realising the vision set out in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and represents a first step in our longer-term vision to double track the rail line from Dublin and Mullingar. Public Consultation on the DART Depot is open now until Friday 27 April. Full details on the project as well as how to provide feedback can be found on www.dartplus.ie. Public participation during the design process is a key element to the delivery of major infrastructure projects such as DART+ Depot. This project is now seeking feedback on the Preferred Option for the Depot development and the extension of the DART to Kilcock. Local knowledge and comments will inform the preferred design. Once this public consultation process is completed, all feedback and submissions received will be reviewed and assessed as part of the next stage of the design development. Following a full appraisal of the feedback, a public consultation feedback report will be prepared to document this process. All information gathered by the project team will be used to inform the design development of the project, environmental assessments, and ultimately the draft Railway Order application which will be submitted to An Coimisiun Pleanala later in 2026. A TEENAGER charged with a total of eight counts of dangerous driving after he led gardai on a high speed chase for 25 minutes across south Kildare will have to return to court in a fortnight for sentencing. Because the teenager who wont be 18 until May was pleading not guilty, both Garda Dave Phelan and Padraig Minnock who were in the pursuit car took to the witness box to give evidence from the events in the early hours of 30 April 2025. Garda Phelan told he they had been on patrol at 1.30am on Stanhope Street, Athy when they got a call about a Nissan March that was reported stolen, and involved in a driveaway with 52 worth of fuel from AppleGreen on the Monasterevin Road. We had lights and sirens, but the vehicle failed to stop at a red light, he said. This was the start of a 25-minute pursuit, first out the Kilkenny Road where they were doing 100kph in a 50 zone, then 150kph on the N78 to Ballylinan where the limit is 100. We were on lights and sirens all the time. At the Three Counties in Maganey they continued at over 100kph in a 60 limit, and then they came back to Athy town but didnt slow down. They went straight through another red light on Leinster Street, the wrong way around a roundabout, onto the Kilcullen Road with speeds in excess of 100kph where the limit is 80. Then at Geraldine Cross which is notorious for accidents they went straight through. It was the scariest thing Id ever seen. At Tomard the ARU from Newbridge deployed the Stinger (for tyre puncturing) which slowed them down, but they kept going. When they were eventually stopped on the Carlow Road, Garda Minnock believed they were about to leave the vehicle, so he positioned the squad car close on the drivers side. They tried to change seats, but we arrested (named teen). They were taken to Kildare Town Garda Station where they had a screwdriver and Vice Grips, which are used to steal Japanese imports. They were summonsed for possession of the articles, and a file sent to the JLO (Juvenile Liaison Office), he concluded. In cross-examination from barrister Hugo Mills, Garda Phelan admitted he didnt see the drivers face during the pursuit, and when asked about lighting at that hour, said: there was street lighting (in the town) and lots of blue lights from garda cars. Do you accept that due to poor lighting, somebody else couldve left the vehicle? asked Mr Mills. Theres no doubt in my mind the driver was in a light grey tracksuit, said Garda Phelan. He then admitted the CCTV footage from Applegreen had been mislaid and there was no dashcam on his vehicle. It was an oversight on my behalf not to back it up on a hard drive, he said. The evidence of myself and garda Minnock is all there is. He added: We dont have bodycams in Kildare." Inspector Brian Norton for the state asked him: During the 25 minutes did you ever lose sight of the car you were pursuing." Gda Phelan replied firmly: Never." Are you in any doubt who was driving? he then asked. None, was the reply from the stand. Garda Minnock then gave evidence, and said: the most egregious driving was at Geraldine Cross. When the pursuit ended I parked my car on the drivers side, and noticed the driver moving to the passenger side. In my experience this is to create doubt about who was driving. The co-defendant is due to be tried at this level (district court) on a later date, he said. There is clearly doubt here, argued Mr Mills. The gardai shouldve collected all the relevant evidence, and that wasnt done here. If the footage was kept, it wouldve shown who was in the drivers seat, but it wasnt. It was late at night, only artificial light, and there was some movement reported in the car between a man in black, and a man in a grey tracksuit, therefore there is some doubt, and the state falls short on each of these matters, he rested. Whats not in doubt is the garda evidence, and the both were arrested, noted the Inspector. In summation, the judge noted: This was a highly charged atmosphere at 1.30 in the morning and that mislaying the CCTV was "unacceptable, but that: this court is satisfied the state has proven its case. This young man put human life at risk and if there had been any other car coming through Geraldine Cross it wouldve been a disaster, he said. Wrong side of the road, wrong way round the roundabout? It goes on and on, and is really shocking for someone so young. The gardai kept a safe distance to limit risk to these two young men, and that is to be commended. The only good thing for your client is he has no previous convictions, said the judge. He has come to garda attention since, said Gda Minnock. As is required by law for a minor, the judge had no choice but to refer the boy to the probation service for a Section 33 report, and adjourned sentencing until 24 March. All sentencing options are open to this court, he concluded ominously. Member of the EU Transport Committee, Cynthia Ni Mhurchu, has written to Iarnrod Eireann, and the National Transport Authority, asking them to introduce an earlier service on the Heuston to Waterford rail line so that students studying at SETU campuses in Waterford and people working in Waterford City can get to work and college for a 9am start. Ms Ni Mhurchu described it as bizarre that the first train into the biggest city in the Southeast does not arrive into the city until 9.45am. She added that this is too late for workers who need to get from Carlow and Kilkenny and be at their desks in the city at 9am. She also raised the issue of students from Carlow and Kilkenny studying at the South East Technological University who need to arrive at Waterford SETU campuses for early morning lectures. SEE ALSO: 'Intimate' and 'welcoming' restaurant and cocktail bar opens in Kilkenny - Kilkenny Live Ms Ni Mhurchu has called for an earlier rail service that would arrive into Waterfords Plunkett station sometime after 8am. Based on the number of constituents who have raised the issue, as well as an ongoing petition on the matter, she feels that demand for such a service would be strong enough to justify any additional investment by Iarnrod Eireann. She praised Iarnrod Eireann for the recent addition of more nighttime services on the Dublin-Waterford rail line but cautioned that if people are to see the train as a viable alternative to the car, then they have to be able to get to work and college on time in the morning. Ms Ni Mhurchu cautioned that Ireland is potentially facing billions in EU fines unless its ambitious 2030 climate targets are hit. Getting people out of their cars and onto the train is a key part of strategy to reduce emissions in advance of 2030. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Four people were rushed to hospital yesterday (Wednesday) following a road traffic collision in South Kilkenny. Gardai and emergency services attended the scene following report of a two-vehicle road traffic collision involving cars, at Piltown, County Kilkenny, that occurred at approximately 5.20pm. The female driver (aged in her 70s) and male passenger (aged in his 80s) of one of the cars were conveyed to University Hospital Waterford, for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. Two female passengers of the second car (aged in their teens and 50s) were conveyed to University Hospital Waterford, for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. READ NEXT: 'You're having a laugh' - Kilkenny gardai take issue with local motorist Investigations are ongoing. SOUTH KILKENNY ROAD SAFETY IN THE SPOTLIGHT Meanwhile, a fresh plea has been made to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) requesting that they undertake a review of two major road junctions in South Kilkenny that continue to cause issues in the local community. Councillor Pat Dunphy raised the issue at the most recent meeting of Piltown Municipal District, which was held at the Rhu Glenn Hotel near Slieverue in South Kilkenny last Wednesday. Cllr Dunphy raised further concerns over the New Aglish and Rathkieran junctions on the N24 (which connects Mooncoin and Grannagh). READ NEXT: Brave Kilkenny teenager remains positive despite setbacks Speaking to Kilkenny Live after the meeting, Cllr Pat Dunphy stated that there are 'ongoing accidents' at both junctions. He stated that the most recent accident occurred at the New Aglish junction and stated that it 'was lucky that somebody wasn't killed'. Wednesday was Kilkenny's warmest day of the year so far with a maximum temperature of 15.1 degrees Celsius, according to Kilkenny Weather online and brace yourselves, even higher temperatures are expected... "High pressure in control now, which means dry weather with lot of sunshine for rest of the week," the local meteorologist promised. However, it's bad news for any local holiday goers heading to Spain. "Bad news though for the Canary Islands with Storm Therese expected to bring up to 500mm to upland Tenerife." READ NEXT: 'True gentleman' remembered in Kilkenny as funeral details are announced Meanwhile, today (Thursday) could be the "warmest day of the year so far" according to the man from Weather, who also revealed there will be a few "fine days" to follow. In a post on social media, he revealed that temperatures could reach as high as 17 degrees. He added that there will be "good sunshine" and a few "fine days" before the weekend too. Met Eireann is forecasting the same, with temperatures as high as 15 degrees expected on Friday. Carlow Weather warned not to "put away the big coats" just yet though, as a "blast of colder air" is expected next week. The Herald reports: Dr Isabelle Chambefort, general manager energy at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly GNS Science), makes it clear minerals have always been critical. Humanity has been developed around mining. It has been the keystone of civilisation. It gave economic stability and gave us an increase in our technology. Since ochre and flint played their early part in human development, minerals with names like vanadium, germanium and zirconium have taken up the critical mantle. With the transition away from fossil fuels to more renewable energy, it is highly demanding on new materials, new minerals and new elements. 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 && Angola, IN (46703) Today Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. High near 55F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Angola, IN (46703) Today Cloudy with rain developing this afternoon. High around 55F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. A MAN who trashed a Naas hotel room after a row with his girlfriend three years ago was jailed last week for 11 months, after he admitted he didnt have 5,345 in restitution. Robert Spratt (39), with an address at Newberry Grove, Clonshaugh, Dublin 17, appeared at Naas District Court on 10 March for a final hearing on the case, which originated in the Killashee Hotel on 20 February, 2023. Sergeant Mary Meade told the court how he had gone there for a break with his partner but they got into a disagreement and he walked out. When he returned, she had packed and left which precipitated his spree. Sgt Meade told how he smashed the television, the bed and ripped up carpets in the incident, which cost the hotel 5,345 to repair. Has he paid back this amount? asked Judge Desmond Zaidan. No, said defending barrister Hugo Mills. But since that night he hasnt had a drink." I thought youd say he had got a divorce, commented the judge. Theyre still together, they have four children, said Mr Mills. The hotel quoted me 500 in the first place, then the money just went up and up, said Mr Spratt. I cant afford 5,000. I had 3,000 in my pocket the last time, and you told me to come back with the 5,000. Mr Mills said: He said he had 3,000, but he doesnt have it any more. He has four kids at home and is a delivery driver for an appliance company. Alcohol was the catalyst for this appalling behaviour, noted the judge from his notes. It just goes to show the effect alcohol has on some people. They become psychopaths, and this was just pure thuggish. He had an argument and took it out on the room, concluded the judge, as he sentenced Mr Spratt to 11 months in prison. Prince William's reported anger over ex-Prince Andrew's Epstein links threatens Beatrice and Eugenie's royal futures. Insiders claim the Prince of Wales, 43, is pushing for a slimmer monarchy amid fresh police scrutiny of Andrew's ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, potentially sidelining his cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. The scandal dates back several years, with Andrew's friendship with Epstein first coming to public attention in 2019 after Epstein's jailhouse death and the emergence of photos showing Andrew with accuser Virginia Giuffre. King Charles stripped Andrew of his military titles and patronages last October, forcing him from Royal Lodge. Thames Valley Police arrested the 66yearold in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office over claims he shared confidential trade documents with Epstein during a 2010 envoy trip. He was released under investigation and denies any wrongdoing, but the probe continues. William's Epstein Rage Reshapes Royal Circles William let slip his strain at the BAFTAs on Feb. 22, days after Andrew's arrest on his birthday. Chatting with officials at London's Royal Festival Hall, he brushed off watching Hamnet the grief-drenched Shakespeare tale that swept awards saying, 'I need to be in quite a calm state, and I'm not at the moment. I will save it.' His wife Catherine had just sobbed through it at home, calling it a tearjerker; William's clipped words, amid red-carpet flashes, felt like a rare crack in the royal facade. Prince William says he's waiting to be 'in a calm state' to watch the film Hamlet while arriving at this year's BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/R1dtyj2kx0 Sky News (@SkyNews) February 23, 2026 Palace whispers paint William as incandescent, seeing Andrew's mess as a festering wound on the crown's image. 'William has grown increasingly exasperated with how long this situation has continued to overshadow the Royal Family,' one insider told OK! magazine. 'In his mind the Andrew saga has dragged on for years, resurfacing again and again.' Another source emphasised his mindset, saying the monarchy's credibility is eroding under constant headlines, demanding a ruthless trimming of hangers-on when he becomes king. It is not just griping. William eyes a leaner operation, ditching the bloated extended family for a core of duty-doers. King Charles holds the reins now, but sources say the Prince of Wales chafes at the delay. 'William has an incandescent rage over what Andrew has done to the monarchy's brand,' they confided, 'and has long been vocal about the need for the institution to adapt.' Public trust? It's fragile, eroded by scandals that scream entitlement over accountability. Andrew's daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, hover in the crosshairs popular but non-working royals whose dad's stench clings. Beatrice and Eugenie feel the sting too, reportedly 'duped' by their father's denials as 2011 emails surfaced showing Andrew emailing Epstein post-Giuffre photo: 'It would seem we are in this together.' They've kept low profiles, but William's purge talk spells trouble. No official word from Buckingham Palace, which dodged questions on Andrew's probe; Thames Valley Police confirmed searches at his old Windsor haunts but filed no charges yet. Andrew's camp stays silent, as ever. Beatrice and Eugenie Face William's Monarchy Overhaul Sceptics might dismiss this as tabloid froth, with palace sources enjoying a juicy leak and William no stranger to family friction. Yet the pattern persists. Andrew's Epstein orbit, from gifting 12,000 to an aide via the paedophile to ignoring US lawmakers' pleas for testimony, continues to erupt. February's file dump, millions of pages from the US Justice Department, reignited attention, showing emails proving contact persisted after Epstein's 2008 conviction William's vision is not new; he has long championed a slimmer model to keep the monarchy relevant in cashstrapped times. 'He believes that approach would make the monarchy more focused, more efficient and ultimately more in step with modern expectations,' a source said. Beatrice, a mother of two and vice-president at Mayfair firm Afiniti, and Eugenie, director at Harley's Art Works, manage private lives competently. Royal status, however, remains William's decision, balancing taxpayer value against scandal risk. The human cost bites. Eugenie is said to be 'struggling,' still believing in her father's clean slate, while Beatrice, pregnant last year, faces whispers that her HR title at a US firm shields royal perks. King Charles supports victims publicly, but his brother's shadow tests loyalties. Police have questioned Andrew's former protection officers on what they 'saw or heard.' No trial is imminent, and everything remains alleged until proven. For Beatrice and Eugenie, clinging to princess titles amid William's scrutiny feels precarious, a family rift widening under Epstein's long, toxic reach. Originally published on IBTimes UK A court heard a book of evidence cant be served on a woman who is accused of child cruelty because a co-accused is out of the jurisdiction. The woman (43), who has a Laois address and cannot be named due to reporting restrictions, is accused of two counts of cruelty to children on dates between September 1, 2021 and March 12, 2023. She is further accused of eight counts of false imprisonment on dates between March 12, 2023 and July 11, 2023. Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said the case was before the court for service of the book of evidence and it had been marked peremptory against the State for that purpose. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said there is a co-accused and we cannot serve the book on this lady till he is located. Detective Garda Elaine Conlon said the DPP directions were to serve the books on both defendants but the man is no longer in the country. Ms Fitzpatrick said nothing had changed since the last date they were in court. Det Conlon said she is in touch with interpol in relation to locating the co-accused. I cant serve the book, he is definitely not in the country, she said. Ms Fitzpatrick said the case was before the court in November of 2025 and was marked peremptory against the State on that day. She said the delay was not on her clients part and the woman had been in court on every date she was required. Det Conlon asked for more time so that she could liaise with Interpol in relation to the co-accused. She said she would be seeking extradition and she was confident the man could be located. Judge Catherine Ryan noted the extradition process would involve further delays. Ms Fitzpatrick said her clients life was essentially on hold while this was going on. Judge Ryan said she was concerned about the seriousness of the charges. She requested a progress report on what was happening with Interpol. She expressed a reluctance to strike the charges out due to their serious nature but said I think there is potentially going to be a strike out. Judge Ryan adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on April 13 for a progress report. She imposed reporting restrictions preventing the identity of the accused being revealed and marked the case peremptory against the State. A Laois man was among four defendants who appeared in court accused of attempting to engage in a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway last November. Darren Gorman(33) of 6 OMoore Place, Portlaoise is charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity or a terrorist-linked activity to damage Maryam Mosque, Old Cottages, Monivea Road, Galway, by fire on November 4, 2025. Co-accused Charles Flynn(35) of 13 Castlerock Avenue, Castleconnell, Limerick, Garrett Pollock(35) of 12 Kilhorne Green, Annalong, Co Down and Karolis Peckauskas(38) of An Tobar, 37 Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth all appeared before Portlaoise District Court facing the same charge. All of the accused except Mr Peckauskas applied for bail in relation to the alleged offence. Gardai stated that they all featured in a video being prepared on behalf of a right wing violent extremist grouping. Mr Peckauskas was further accused of possessing a hunting knife, knuckle duster and two hatchets at OMoore Place on November 4, 2025. Mr Pollock was further accused of possessing a hunting knife, knuckle duster and two hatchets at OMoore Place on November 4, 2025. He is also accused of having an explosive substance in a van at An Tobar, Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth on November 4. Judge Andrew Cody said that although there was no evidence that anyone connected to any of accused made enquires about investigating Gardai, it appears some enquiry may have been made and given the nature of the case he was restricting the reporting of the names of Gardai who gave evidence in court or were involved in the arrests. He said it is alleged that Mr Pollock and Mr Peckauskas were in a BMW car that was stopped by the drugs unit attached to Portlaoise Garda Station at OMoore Place, Portlaoise on November 4 at 11pm. During a search of the car Gardai said they discovered four threaded pipe end caps, five bottles of hydrogen peroxide, plumbers putty and suspicious documents. They also gave evidence of the seizure of devices and of documents which strongly indicate that they were involved in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices and that they were planning a terrorist attack on behalf of the Irish Defence Army described as a right-wing violent extremist grouping, said Judge Cody. The vehicle was allegedly owned by Mr Peckauskas and it is alleged that Mr Pollock was a passenger. A manifesto was recovered from the boot of the vehicle outlining the intent to commit a terrorist offence, he said. The court was told a black balaclava was recovered from the boot of the car on which it is alleged that DNA of Mrl Gorman was recovered Two balaclavas were recovered from the car, and it is alleged they had the DNA of Mr Pollock. The Gardai gave evidence that the accused Mr Pollock admitted at interview that he knew they were the components of explosives and admitted to handing them. A video recovered from the phone of Mr Pollock was played which the Gardai say was recorded at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise at approximately 9pm on November 4, 2025. This video shows four men dressed in black with a tricolour behind them. It is alleged that this was recorded in the kitchen of Mr Gorman's home. All four were wearing balaclavas although they all removed the balaclavas towards the end of the video. I am satisfied that the Gardas opinion that these three accused appear in this video is well-founded, Judge Cody said in relation to the bail applications. It is apparent that the video is a practice of a statement to be released subsequent to a successful terrorist attack. Two of the participants read a prepared statement, he said. In this statement which is addressed to all citizens in the North and South of Ireland they say that they are taking a moment to speak honestly and directly recognising that everyone in the country has had enough of the poor treatment particularly of children, women and the elderly who have been left homeless starving, cold and under threat due to the number of migrants that have been brought into the country by our government. They describe this as a threat to our sovereignty and could potentially be a hostile takeover, noted Judge Cody. They then say that they accept responsibility for the actions that has resulted in the destruction of the first mosque that was introduced in Ireland in County Galway. They say that they accept that this would have caused a lot of hurt (and) disappointment and destruction for foreign migrants both the legal and illegal in the community that they do not care. They say that this will not be their last attack.They describe their philosophy as an eye for an eye, he stated. . The group say they intend to target IPAS centres, Mosques and hotels housing migrants and that they would take it as far as necessary to achieve their goals. They call on others to join them. Judge Cody said that the defendants come before the court innocent men who are entitled to the presumption of innocence. Judge Cody said he had considered the evidence of the Gardai and the submissions of the three barristers representing the accused. I believe the opinion evidence by the Gardai is well founded as I have had the opportunity of seeing and assessing the credibility of them and I am satisfied that their evidence should be accepted, he said. He said the video played in court indicates that this group is intent on causing substantial damage and injury to Mosques, IPAS centres and anyone who assists or supports them. He notes they said "we simply do not care" and the planned attack was a stern warning and that it will not be the last attack. He said they referenced an eye for an eye will be their philosophy and said they vow to rid Ireland of migrants and state that a dangerous beast has been poked and threaten anyone who has helped to facilitate the erection of IPAS centres. Having viewed the video several times I am satisfied that the threats are real and intended, said Judge Cody. He said he was satisfied to refuse bail and he remanded the defendants in custody to appear at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court on March 23 by video link. Organisations representing hauliers and tillage farmers in Laois and other counties have welcomed the Government's commitment to take steps to ease the pain caused by the spike in fuel prices caused by the Iran war. Following talks with the Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, in Dublin, Rosenallis man and IRHA President Ger Hyland said there is going to be "substantial support" announced for truckers. Mr Hyland said there discussions will continue over the weekend, but a protest was "off the table" until after the Government announces a package of reliefs on fuel costs. "Our members are calling for action, so unless we have something worthwhile to bring to our members next Tuesday, there will be action," he said. MORE BELOW PHOTO. PICTURED: Ger Hyland at his base in Rosenallis. Meanwhile, with the fuel-hungry sowing season about to get into top gear, the Irish Grain Growers Group, which represents several Laois tillage farmers, said it welcomes the Governments commitment to intervene on fuel prices, though its needed for more than the short term. READ NEXT: Laois Senator says government failing to act on rising fuel prices "We recommend the carbon tax exemption be relooked at considering that tillage farmers, having a very low overall carbon footprint, are getting ready to plant crops this spring that will be required to feed our population and livestock. Agri diesel has seen a greater percentage jump than other fuels since the war in Iran began. "The importance of our tillage sector was made very clear during the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Its crucial that our Government support our farmers during this period of global unrest and potential trade disruption," said a statement. The Minister said he confirmed to the haulage sector that the Government "will be bringing forward supports" for the industry next Tuesday, March 24. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The next phase of hearings at the Omagh Bombing Inquiry will take place six months later than scheduled, the lead counsel to the inquiry has said. Public hearings about the days immediately before and after the 1998 atrocity in the Co Tyrone town were due to start on March 9. On Thursday, Paul Greaney KC gave an update on the progress of the inquiry and said the hearings will now begin on September 21. He said core participants in the inquiry were informed of the development on March 6. Mr Greaney added that the inquiry legal team is acutely aware of how disappointing this will be for many people, but said most, if not all, will understand the importance of your inquiry not being rushed and being as comprehensive as it can be in addressing the terms of reference. The Real IRA bombing killed 29 people, including the mother of unborn twins. The inquiry, chaired by Lord Turnbull, was set up following a number of legal challenges brought by campaigners, to examine whether the explosion could have been prevented by UK authorities. The next stage of the hearing, known as Chapter 3, will explore what can be established based on information including construction of the bomb, warning calls, claims of responsibility, arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Mr Greaney said the delay was due, in part, to material originating from the Republic of Ireland not being available and that the Chapter 3 evidence would take around four weeks. Other issues which have caused the date to be pushed back include a judicial review into a ruling, made by Lord Turnbull, about Special Advocates. Mr Greaney said the volume of that material should not be underestimated, adding that while it is being made available to the inquiry on a rolling basis it will only be fully disclosed by June. The mechanisms by which the material was disclosed were the subject of extensive discussion with the government of Ireland in a series of face-to-face meetings, Mr Greaney said, and he praised them for the considerable efforts they have made to work with the inquiry. The inquiry has now received a very significant quantity of An Garda Siochana material from the government of Ireland, he said. We are still a long way off being able to say that all issues have been dealt with, Mr Greaney said, but An Garda Siochana are responsive to our communications and have kept the necessary deadlines required for the efficient processing of this material. He added that 20,000 pages have already been disclosed and processed by the inquiry, and the material was provided to core participants last week. Mr Greaney read from a joint statement provided to the inquiry by the Irish Government and Police Service of Northern Ireland. It outlined how legal representatives and officers have formed lines of direct communication and how both organisations are committed to transparency and candour in all ways of working. Mr Greaney did express frustration at some of the obstacles faced by the inquiry team. One issue he outlined was its ability to digitally access highly sensitive documents. Mr Greaney said that given the volume of material they are looking at, working from hard copies would be ludicrous. However, working with material relating to national security issues can only be viewed on special terminals connected to secure networks. A facility to house these terminals in Northern Ireland will not be completed until the end of April, Mr Greaney said, after that IT infrastructure will need to be installed. That state of affairs is not satisfactory, he said, but added that other arrangements have been made after meetings with the Northern Ireland Office. Mr Greaney said the inquiry has taken steps to ensure time lost can be gained back, including a surge in resources to the inquiry team working on this material. The Leitrim town was named Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2025 as well as Ireland's Tidiest Small Town last year. The launch will take place on the boardwalk Monday morning between 11am and 12pm and Carrick Chamber of Commerce President Finola Armstrong McGuire said that it's another chance for the town to celebrate the amazing win. "Hopefully the weather will be kind to us because it will showcase the Shannon and the two counties." Talking to the Leitrim Observer she said that Minister Calleary will also attend an awards ceremony later that evening. "That night in The Landmark Hotel, the presentation awards ceremony for everyone in the North West and West region takes place. That's a regional event for all the different areas so Carrick is hosting that this year. The event is by invitation only; every volunteer group in the region that will take part has already received their tickets." READ MORE: 'We are suffering and in need of some sort of action' - Leitrim haulier She said the recent Carrick-on-Shannon St Parick's Day parade featured significant numbers of volunteers as well as Tidy Town's stalwart, Kathleen Coleman who act as Grand Marshall on the day. "A lot of children participated in it. We saw through the parade the number of volunteers in our clubs and children can be involved in two or three clubs. It was very well represented. Scoil Mhuire were outstanding in their presentation of biodiversity and the Tidy Towns showed their silverware and were leading it out. Kathleen Coleman was our Grand Marshall with her husband Padraig. She has done Trojan work for Carrick throughout the years and is a member of Tidy Towns for over 40 years. It's great to see that the culmination of her work is the overall win of the Tidy Towns competition. That was honoured on the day." Ms Armstrong-McGuire said that they were hoping to replicate last year's success and are "pulling out all the stops" to try and make it happen. "We are going to showcase the town at it's very best and wclome the judges back again and see can it be a historic event and have two years of winning. We certainly have improved on it. Several groups are coming including volunteers from Longford and Roscommon visited actually on the Sunday before the win. There is great camaraderie among the Tidy Towns groups. It's a competition and we do our best but we love to meet other Tidy Towns groups and see what they are saying and doing." READ MORE: Ancient Leitrim remains tied to Fionn Mac Cumhaill legend are older than Newgrange The judges are due to do spot checks in towns across the country in June, July and August. "Nobody knows when they are coming. Nowadays they just have cameras with them; they used to have pads and pens." The Fit Farmers programme is continuing to gain traction in Leitrim, with more than 50 farmers already completing the initiative and demand growing for its expansion across the county. Led by nurse and founder Laura Tully, the community-based programme has recently been delivered in Mohill and Cloone, targeting farmers in the south and south-east of the county. We did a programme in Mohill just before Christmas and another in Cloone, so theres been two programmes in Leitrim now, with over 50 farmers graduating, Ms Tully said. Based on the success in that area, were hoping to expand it to other parts of Leitrim later in the year. The programme is specifically designed to suit the unique demands of farming life, encouraging participants to prioritise their own health and wellbeing. Its a lifestyle programme, designed around farmers and their schedule, Ms Tully explained. Theyre not typically very good at looking after themselves theyre too busy looking after everyone else, their farm, their animals and their machinery. Delivered over six weeks, the programme includes weekly two-hour sessions combining health education workshops with physical activity. Participants also receive individual health assessments, including checks on blood pressure and overall fitness. We do baseline testing at the start and again at week six to see what improvements have been made, she said. A lot of farmers have had unknown blood pressure picked up through the programme. Its generally invisible without symptoms, so early detection can make a huge difference. The initiative focuses on improving key aspects of health including heart health, nutrition, sleep, stress and physical fitness. We call it age-proofing exercise, Ms Tully added. We work on fitness, strength and balance so farmers are in better shape for the busy periods and can hopefully stay farming longer. Fit Farmers is a community-based lifestyle programme for farmers that combines in-person health education and physical activity sessions with app-based support. It focuses on key pillars including movement, strength, nutrition, sleep, stress and social connection, aiming to improve wellbeing, safety and resilience across farming communities. A key element of the programmes success has been its strong community focus. They like that its local and that they dont have to travel far. Its fully funded, so it doesnt cost them anything, and theyre doing it with their peers, Ms Tully said. Theres great teamwork, banter and camaraderie. Theyre meeting lads they mightnt have seen since school theres a bit of crack in it as well. The programme is open to farmers, farm families and agri-workers of all ages, with participants in Leitrim ranging from 31 to their 90s. Its very inclusive. Weve had fathers and sons, couples, uncles and nephews taking part, she said. However, places are limited due to the personalised nature of the programme. The programme was funded for 25 participants, but I took 27 because the interest was so high and we still had a waiting list, she said. Ms Tully said the idea for Fit Farmers came from her experience working as a community nurse. I was often meeting farmers when it was too late when illness could have been prevented, she explained. I wanted to bring something into the community that would take away the stigma and fear around asking for help or going to a doctor. Since its launch in 2019, almost 700 farmers have completed the programme nationwide. Its really life-changing and even life-saving, she said. For a relatively small amount of public funding, its having a huge preventative impact. Looking ahead, further expansion in Leitrim is planned, with funding secured for another programme in 2026 and the development of a Fit Farmers app tailored to the county. Weve made small steps but big progress in a short time in Leitrim, Ms Tully added. Its had a really warm welcome, and were looking forward to working with more farmers in the future. The European Commission has admitted to a strategically organised breach in the EU food system after hormone-contaminated beef from Brazil entered the European market through multiple entry points. The revelation came during a meeting of the European Parliaments Agriculture (AGRI) Committee in Brussels, where Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Oliver Varhelyi, was questioned by Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly. The Commissioner confirmed that the incident represented a system failure and described the shipments as a coordinated breach. He said Brazilian authorities had been contacted, with certification for the organisation and farms involved now suspended. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Mullooly said the admission raised serious concerns about consumer safety. This is an extraordinary and deeply concerning admission by the European Commission, he said. It confirms that beef imported into the European Union under existing trade arrangements has the potential to pose a direct risk to consumer health. The Commissioner acknowledged the situation was unacceptable and pointed to audit findings indicating weaknesses in Brazils production and certification systems. Mr Mullooly said he had been raising concerns about Brazilian beef imports for months, warning that systemic failures could undermine EU food safety standards. This will come as little consolation to Irish and EU farmers who must uphold the highest standards, he said. The MEP also warned that the issue adds urgency to ongoing discussions around the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which is expected to increase beef imports from South America. Within weeks, provisional application of the Mercosur agreement is expected, yet the Commission is simultaneously acknowledging a credible risk to human health, he said. Proceeding under these circumstances defies logic. The agreement must be paused until the EU can guarantee, with full certainty, that imports comply with EU standards and pose no risk to consumers. The European Commission has not indicated how long the suspension of the affected Brazilian suppliers will remain in place. Fit Farmers programme gaining ground in Leitrim as demand grows Autonomous delivery vans have exploded into an unlikely meme in China after viral clips showed them ploughing through fresh concrete, dragging motorcycles, bouncing over cratered roads, and cruising down shallow rivers. Thousands of these driverless vehicles have been deployed across dozens of cities to modernise delivery. But despite being made in China, they often seem ill-fitted for the nations narrow backstreets and everyday cultural practices, often turning cutting-edge AI into a sort of slapstick chaos. If youve never seen a van bounce over gravel like an overstimulated rodeo horse, buckle up. When Chinas driverless cars meet gravel, grains, and speed bumps As residents of certain U.S. states complain about the havoc wrecked by robotaxis, China is dealing with full-sized driverless vans. These vehicles were designed to fill service gaps in big cities and remote towns, but at least in some cases, they may be more trouble than theyre worth. Advertisement Advertisement If its not your vegetables under the wheels, the results can be pretty funny. These vans have become a meme across Chinese social media and began leaking into international waters in January. In China, driverless delivery vans have become a total meme, they plow through crumbling roads, fresh concrete, motorcycles, anything, wrote @klara_sjo on X. Nothing stops them. In that video alone, which gained over 6.1 million views, vans like this try to bridge uneven gaps, swerve over grains at top speed, bounce and buck on unpaved roads, drive into wet cement, and drag helpless motorbikes along. One refuses to move from an intersection until a human gives it a swift kick in the rear. Advertisement Advertisement This is just one compilation among many. Another on TikTok shows just how determined these vans are to reach their destination. Some push against barriers (or get stuck on them), plow through objects or construction sites, or just cruise down the middle of the local river. They can also get real confused when faced with multiple speed bumps in a row. Chinese delivery fans meet Chinese culture Part of the problem seems to be that whoever made the vans didnt account for old cultural norms. On Instagram, another video shows an elderly woman desperately trying to stop a persistent van from running over the vegetables she laid out in the road to drya common practice in China, just like with the grains. When old and new cultures clash, @have_you_met_thed commented. Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, one quirk of human culture leads viewers to humanize or at least compare the vans to hapless animals. China Insider featured one viral video of a driverless van trying to make it over a very rough, unpaved road, its headlights blinking out of turn as it bounces and leaps until it finally stalls. Whoevers filming laughs the entire time. POV: this delivery robot truck is fighting for its life, the caption reads. Advertisement Advertisement Poor little things eyes looked so hopeful, then they got a nervous twitch, said commenter @lilitbilisi_travel. It doesnt have eyes or a life, but some of the van companies encourage this humanization by painting a cute face on the front. Its hard not to feel sorry for the one in a video posted by @pipidaily2 on TikTok, which suffered a similar fate. It even has a cute little voice possibly announcing that its broken now. This may be why people are responding with less vitriol than they do to Waymos or autonomous Teslas. If only I could live as carefree as a Chinese delivery van, said @van00sa on X. The internet is chaoticbut well break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dots newsletter here. The R2 is Rivians make-or-break moment, so it has to do everything right. A big part of that is slimming down the parts bin. Rivians R2 hides a neat trick that keeps costs down. The California startup wants go become a global player, but that comes with a lot of headaches. By using the same hardware for all markets, Rivian can rely on software to make relevant changes. The Rivian R2 is a huge deal for the American EV startup. Besides having a more affordable price tag than the flagship R1 models, the R2 will be the California companys first global model, going head-to-head with European and Asian competitors on their home turf. But while Rivian has a lot going for it, its cars will be exported from the United States, which can lead to high logistical costs. To stay competitive, the company had to make cuts in other areas without sacrificing quality. 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype One of those cuts has to do with the way the R2 is connected to the internet. Like all modern EVs, it will have a 5G connection that enables it to receive over-the-air software updates and remote commands from a smartphone. However, what makes the R2 different from most other cars on the market today is that its internet connectivity hardware will be identical on all cars, irrespective of the country it will be sold in. Advertisement Advertisement This allows the startup to keep the number of parts to a minimum, which in turn leads to some cost savings. To make it all work, the Rivian R2 is one of the first cars in the world that implements the newly implemented GSMA SGP.32 standard for eSIM 5G connectivity. The standard was specifically developed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications and allows Rivian to remotely manage carrier profiles in bulk without having to change the hardware in the car. In the United States, the R2 will come with AT&T connectivity, but Rivian will ship cars with the same hardware in other regions of the world where AT&T doesnt operate. Furthermore, if Rivian decides to switch operators down the line, it can do it without asking owners to bring their cars in to a service center. The architecture allows the company to remotely enable, disable, or delete eSIM profiles without manual intervention. On the R2, Rivian used automotive-grade eSIM hardware developed by Germanys Giesecke+Devrient, which will also supply the remote management infrastructure. Rivian R2 Live Impressions New York City This is in addition to the improvements made to the wiring looms, electric motors, battery packs, and manufacturing processes. Advertisement Advertisement SGP.32 represents a major step forward for the automotive industry, said BeekGek Lim, Global Head of Business Line Digital Offerings for Giesecke+Devrient. With G+Ds secure eSIM hardware and compliant remote management capabilities, Rivian can deploy a single global hardware SKU while retaining full flexibility to manage connectivity remotely and securely throughout the vehicle lifecycle. The Rivian R2 goes on sale in the U.S. this spring with a starting price of $59,485 and an EPA-estimated range of 330 milesthats for the top-spec R2 Performance All-Wheel Drive with an 87.9-kilowatt-hour battery, 656 horsepower, and 609 pound-feet of torque. More affordable versions are scheduled to launch later this year and early next year. The first Europe-bound units are expected to ship next year. 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive Advertisement Advertisement 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive Advertisement Advertisement 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive Advertisement Advertisement 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive Advertisement Advertisement 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive Advertisement Advertisement 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive Advertisement Advertisement More Rivian Stories A PET-friendly business initiative has been approved by the council. This will give businesses the opportunity to be listed on the Limerick.ie website as being pet friendly. Aontu councillor Sarah Beasley said that she was delighted that fellow metropolitan district councillors passed her motion and recognise the importance of pets to people spending time in the city. This isn't just about stickers in windows - though those are important. This is about creating an official, searchable directory so that residents and visitors can easily find pet-friendly cafes, restaurants, shops and services across Limerick, Cllr Beasley said. She added that it will be a really practical benefit for people making plans in Limerick, to see where pets will be welcomed. READ ALSO: Up to 70,000 people in Limerick as city bursts into life for St Patrick's Day More and more people have pets and they want to include them in their daily lives. Businesses that welcome pets aren't just being kind - they're being smart. They're tapping into a loyal customer base that will return again and again. Cllr Beasley added that this will also put Limerick on the map as a pet-friendly destination. People travelling with pets actively seek out cities and towns that welcome them. Now, Limerick will have an official brand and directory to showcase the welcome. The motion first came to the Limerick metropolitan district meetings in October. Cllr Beasley thanked the team in economic and tourism development for moving forward with the practical elements of making this initiative a reality. The Aontu councillor urged businesses to register once the directory goes live on Limerick.ie. Designers have now been appointed to develop the pet-friendly brand. A web page is being developed for listings and there will be an upcoming launch event. A FIRST senior league final appearance since 2002 is the prize on offer for the Limerick camogie side who travel to the capital to face Dublin this Saturday. An impressive win over Wexford last weekend means a draw will suffice for David Deadys side, who are thrilled to be in a shootout with the Dubs to see who meets Clare in Centra National Camogie League Division 1B final. If you were to ask me at the start of the league, going into the last game, if wed have an opportunity to make a league final I would have snapped the hand off you, Deady said ahead of the Round 5 clash. So were very much looking forward to the challenge of going to Dublin on Saturday. Wins over Down and Offaly provided the foundation for Limerick to be one win away from the decider. Looking back on the last four games, the league has been an extremely positive one for Limerick. The girls have worked extremely hard to get into this position. The camp is very positive at the minute, but that comes from the work that the girls are doing, they are putting in the hard yards. The girls can see the hard work is paying off on the field. Dublin have had a hot-and-cold campaign themselves - losing to Down, but also getting a very credible draw against Clare and beating Offaly convincingly last time out THE FAMILY of an elderly couple living in a remote area of the county have highlighted concerns about a phone line fault leaving them unable to reach them for weeks. The couple are in their 80's and out of their five adult children, only one lives in the area and works as a driver and could be anywhere in the country on any given day. For up to five weeks, the children were not able to reach their parents, due to a fault in the phone line near their parents house in Murroe. Speaking to the Limerick Leader, a daughter who lives in the UK said: They live in off the road, they are very isolated. My mother depends on the house phone for everything - from ringing my brother who lives nearby to help with something in the house to ringing someone if there is a problem. She added that it is the only means of contacting their parents, as her mother is 83 and her father is 86. She said that neither of them use a mobile phone regularly, they might forget to charge it or may not hear it when it rings. We are terribly frustrated. The whole situation is just ridiculous. A few months ago, the phone went again and it took three weeks for it to be fixed, the concerned daughter said. READ ALSO: Limerick students to take to the runway to raise funds for an outdoor classroom The telephone pole was replaced on Friday last and the family have been able to reach their parents by phone since, but they are wary of how often this has happened and how vulnerable it makes their parents and others like them. Independent Councillor Brigid Teefy said that she has been working with the family to resolve this and also with another affected family with a similar issue in Herbertstown. They are waiting five or six weeks for it to be fixed and that's very bad. The phone is more than a point of contact - it's a lifeline. People in rural communities especially older people rely on the house phones. Cllr Teefy said that providers need to give customers a proper and reliable service, which they are paying for. She added that some personal alarms might not activate without a working phone. IFA Telecoms were contacted for a comment. THE LIFE and achievements of an Abbeyfeale native have been marked with the unveiling of a heritage plaque. Professor Michael O'Kelly, known more affectionately as Brian, is best known for his research, excavation and restoration of the neolithic passage tomb in Newgrange. His work culminated in Newgrange being designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Professor O'Kelly's daughters Ann and Eve travelled to Abbeyfeale for the unveiling on Sunday last and were welcomed by the community council chairperson Maurice O'Connell. The project was a collaboration between the Abbeyfeale Oral History Association and Abbeyfeale Community Council. Maurice O'Connell said: Heritage plaques do more than highlight people, places and events of significant importance, they spark curiosity and conversation. This tribute ensures that Michael J (Brian) O'Kelly's achievements will continue to inspire, reminding us that great discoveries can begin in small places. READ ALSO: Limerick students to take to the runway to raise funds for an outdoor classroom He added that Professor O'Kelly is one of the country's most distinguished archaeologists and his work revealed the true significance of Newgrange. Abbeyfeale acknowledges that legacy and ensures that future generations will know the story of the man who helped illuminate Ireland's distant past. On behalf of the Abbeyfeale Oral History Association, Mary Shanahan said that the people of Abbeyfeale are very proud of all that Professor O'Kelly achieved and how glad the community is to honour and pay due respect to him. Ann and Eve O'Kelly unveiled the plaque in honour of their father, who grew up in Springmount, Abbeyfeale. The story of the automobile is often linked to the Industrial Revolution, but its origins may stretch much further back into history than many realise. In the seventeenth century, long before modern engines and mass production, a visionary idea emerged within the imperial court of China. Ferdinand Verbiest, a Flemish Jesuit missionary and scientist, found himself at the centre of this unexpected chapter. Sent to the court of the Kangxi Emperor during the 1670s, Verbiest entered an environment filled with political tension and intellectual rivalry. Rather than facing execution after his arrival, he was challenged to demonstrate his knowledge through complex contests in mathematics and astronomy. His success in these challenges earned him the trust of the emperor, who appointed him to a prestigious position within the court. Over time, Verbiest became more than a court official. He served as a tutor and advisor, sharing knowledge of science, philosophy, and music. It was within this unique relationship that one of the earliest concepts resembling an automobile was born. Around 1672, Verbiest designed a small steam powered vehicle intended as a gift for the emperor. This design represented a self moving machine, a concept that would not become widespread until centuries later. Although it remains uncertain whether the vehicle was ever physically constructed, Verbiests design holds significant historical importance. The surviving drawings suggest a steam propelled trolley capable of moving on its own without human or animal assistance. This idea predates the development of practical automobiles by nearly two hundred years. Historians often view Verbiests concept as one of the earliest recorded attempts to imagine mechanised transport. At the time, steam technology was still in its infancy, and the idea of harnessing it for movement was highly innovative. While later inventors would refine and expand upon similar principles, Verbiests work reflects the early intersection of science, creativity, and curiosity. His position within the imperial court provided a rare opportunity to explore such ideas in an environment that valued intellectual achievement. The story also highlights the exchange of knowledge between Europe and Asia during this period, as scholars and missionaries contributed to scientific development across cultures. Though the modern automobile would not emerge until the nineteenth century, the foundations of the idea can be traced back to imaginative thinkers like Verbiest. His concept serves as a reminder that innovation often begins with simple questions about what might be possible and evolves over time into transformative technology. Crime Prevention Officer Michelle O'Halloran urged the public to take extra precautions after a series of incidents in Askeaton, Limerick, during the night of March 14 into the early hours of March 15. In one incident, car keys were stolen from a home at Deel Manor, and a 2017 black Mazda 6 was taken. Sergeant O'Halloran detailed that the vehicle was later recovered, and that it is believed the car keys may have been accessed through the letterbox. On the same night, several vehicles in the area were also entered. In one case, a purse was stolen and later recovered nearby. In another instance coins were taken, while a third vehicle was searched but had nothing stolen from it. READ MORE: BREAKING: Man, 50s, in serious condition after St Patrick's Day stabbing in Limerick Sergeant Michelle OHalloran said the incidents are a reminder of the importance of basic home security measures. Its really important to continue to repeat this advice and highlight it, she said. She urged residents to make sure all doors and windows are locked, warning that we are seeing incidents where access is gained to homes through unlocked doors or windows. She also advised people to keep keys away from doors and windows, particularly letterboxes. While on letterboxes it is a good idea to consider using a letterbox guard or cage, she said. Sergeant OHalloran added that homeowners should also look at installing an alarm and make sure it is set if one is already in place. Also consider CCTV, including a doorbell camera, she said. Gardai are reminding residents that simple steps such as locking doors and windows, securing keys, and installing visible deterrents can help reduce the risk of opportunistic thefts. -Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme A MAN, aged in his 20s, who was arrested in connection with a serious assault on St Patricks Day in Limerick city has since been charged. A garda spokesperson, in an update this Thursday morning, said: He is due to appear before Limerick District Court this morning, Thursday, March 19 at 10.30am. Investigations are ongoing, said the garda spokesperson. READ NEXT: Elderly man was assaulted by a 15-year-old and 'left defenceless on the ground' On Wednesday, gardai said they were investigating a serious assault that occurred on Athlunkard Street in Limerick city on Tuesday, March 17. At approximately 9.40pm gardai and emergency services responded to the incident. A man, aged in his 50s, who was injured during the incident was brought to University Hospital Limerick where he remains in a serious condition. A man, aged in his 20s, has been arrested in connection with this investigation and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station in the Limerick Division, said a garda spokesperson. He has since been charged and is due to appear at Limerick Courthouse this Thursday morning. TWO LIMERICK women who live with Type 1 diabetes will speak at a national event in Dublin. Thriveabetes 2026 in the Crowne Plaza, Dublin, takes place on April 18. Organised by volunteers from across the country, the conference will feature educational talks, panel discussions, opportunities to meet others living with Type 1 diabetes and access to the latest technological developments. Approximately 30,000 people in Ireland live with Type 1 diabetes and take insulin multiple times a day or use an insulin pump. Patients need to monitor their glucose levels carefully, follow an activity plan and engage with ongoing education. Jean Langford is originally from Caherdavin and now based in Edinburgh - she was diagnosed at the age of 11. Jean works as a diabetes peer support worker with the NHS and is a passionate advocate. READ ALSO: Limerick students to take to the runway to raise funds for an outdoor classroom She will speak about the power of sharing stories and experiences and will lead a practical workshop on navigating adulthood with Type 1 diabetes. Aisling White is a Limerick primary school teacher who has lived with diabetes for almost 30 years. She helped to develop the young adult programme for the conference and is a long-time advocate for diabetes awareness. She also delivers professional development courses for school staff on how best to support children with diabetes in the classroom. This year's conference will welcome more than 200 attendees for a day of sharing stories, psychological support and access to the latest technologies. There will also be an exhibition area featuring devices and supports. For information and tickets, see www.thriveabetes.ie. Irelands health service has said it is in regular contact with UK health authorities following an outbreak of meningitis in southern England. The HSE has said its national public health team has been communicating with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which says the situation is evolving and further cases are possible. There have now been 27 cases of meningitis linked to the outbreak in Kent and two young people have died. The UKHSA said that as of 5pm on Wednesday, 15 cases had been confirmed and a further 12 were under investigation. All confirmed cases are in young adults and nine cases are confirmed to be meningitis B. Thousands of doses of antibiotics have been handed out to students at the University of Kent, in Canterbury, where the outbreak is concentrated. Around 5,000 students have also been invited for a menB vaccine. HSE national director for public health Dr John Cuddihy said there is no evidence of an increase of the illness in Ireland and currently no indication of links between any cases in Ireland and the outbreak reported in Kent. He said there have been 12 cases of meningococcal disease reported in Ireland so far this year, with no deaths. Meningococcal disease can cause a number of serious illnesses including meningitis, inflammation of the lining of the brain, and septicaemia blood poisoning. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HSEIreland (@irishhealthservice) There are vaccines against types A, B, C, W and Y. Dr Cuddihy said: Routine surveillance in Ireland continues to show that meningococcal disease remains a rare but serious infection, with sporadic cases occurring each year. The HSE has warned symptoms include fever, severe headache, vomiting, rapid breathing, cold hands and feet, drowsiness, or a rash that does not fade under pressure. But said: Do not wait for a rash. If someone is ill and getting worse, get medical help immediately. Call 112 or 999 for an ambulance immediately or go to your nearest emergency department. He added it can affect people of any age but is most common in babies, young children, and to a lesser extent teenagers and young adults, and that it is more common in winter and early spring. Velocity Enterprises, a Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh-based contractor, has filed the first challenge to the Gautam Adani-led Adani Enterprises' 14,543-crore resolution plan for the diversified infrastructure conglomerate Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). Velocity moved the appellate tribunal after the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Allahabad, rejected its claim of over 1 crore arising from contractual work on 17 March. The NCLAT will hear the challenge on 20 March. Confirming the development, Aadarsh Kothari, counsel for Velocity Enterprises, told Mint that several creditors, such as his client, were not given a fair opportunity to present their claims. Also Read | Why are top conglomerates racing to take over bankrupt Jaiprakash Associates? The entire process in which the NCLT has acted reflects a gross haste in proceeding with the process, without affording the appellant a fair and meaningful opportunity to present its claim, he said. Mint has learnt that more creditors, whose claims were rejected by the NCLT in its 17 March order while approving the plan, are likely to join the challenge before the NCLAT in the coming days. Mint's emailed queries to the Adani Group and Bhuvan Madan, the resolution professional for JAL, remained unanswered. Also Read | What does the SC verdict allowing passive euthanasia mean for India? The resolution plan The NCLT on 17 March had approved Adani Enterprises resolution plan for JAL, rejecting objections, including those from rival bidder Vedanta Ltd. The plan had secured about 93% votes from financial creditors, well above the 66% threshold under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). National Asset Reconstruction Co. Ltd (NARCL), which holds over 85% voting share, led the support. Adanis bid was preferred for its payment structure, offering around 6,000 crore upfront and the remaining within two years. In comparison, Vedantas 12,505-crore offer proposed payments over five years. Against total admitted claims of 5.44 trillion, the plan offers a realizable value of about 15,343 crore, implying a recovery of roughly 2.8% for creditors. Under the plan, Adani will gain access to key JAL assets, including nearly 3,985 acres of land in Noida and Greater Noida, cement capacity of 6.5 million tonnes in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and a 24% stake in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd. The acquisition is expected to support the groups cement expansion strategy. Velocitys dispute stems from a 2022 work order for electrical and mechanical works in a Madhya Pradesh irrigation project. The contractor claimed it had completed substantial work and was denied dues, while also challenging the termination of its contract in December 2024. The initial wave of launches is expected from five to six companies between March 2026 and Q1FY27, with broader rollouts likely in the second half of next financial year, a recent report by CareEdge Ratings stated, adding that aggressive price cuts by innovator companies could likely squeeze margins for generic players. AIESL expects to invest 100-150 crore per hangar, largely through internal resources, with projects likely to be completed and operationalized within two years of securing approvals and land. Ideally, factors like our cash position will also come into play too. So maybe we start with one wide-body hangar at any of these two airports and then take things forward, Agarwal said. MUMBAI: A day after HDFC Bank chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned citing ethical concerns, the banks interim leadership moved to steady nerves, saying the allegations defy logic and flag no material issues. Interim chairman Keki Mistry said on Thursday that discussions so far had thrown up no operational or governance lapses. Based on our discussions, there were no specific happenings and practices that were brought to our attention. There were no specific operational or other issues that have been highlighted, he said, hours after being elevated to the role. The bank said in a separate statement that while Chakrabortys resignation letter was dated 17 March, Tuesday, it was received at 3:17 pm on 18 March, Wednesday. Also Read | Why banks are not worried about RBI's new stress recognition plan On Wednesday, HDFC Bank said Chakraborty had stepped down with immediate effect, with his letter to the board citing certain happenings and practices within the bank that were not in congruence with his personal values and ethics. The market reaction was swift: shares fell as much as 8% on Thursday morning and were at 803.6 apiece, down 4.7% at 10:37 am. Believe me, at the age of 71, I would not take on this responsibility for three months if the systems, processes, governance practices in the bank did not align with my principles and my level of integrity, said Mistry. I can only say that at the board level, there has never ever been any kind of a discussion on any matter which is contentious in terms of governance. Mistry said the board met on Wednesday evening, after which some members met the Reserve Bank of India, which then approved his appointment as interim chairman for three months. No irregularities seen, uncertainty remains Analysts, while flagging near-term uncertainty, said the regulatory response suggests no serious lapses. We believe there are no financial irregularities or serious accounting issues given (that) RBI allowed appointment of Keki Mistry as the interim chairman. Second, (there are) specific references to personal standards by Atanu (Chakraborty), rather than accusations of financial irregularity, analysts at Bernstein said in a note on Thursday. Also Read | Solar power is all the rage, but something is troubling banks Bernstein said the stock was already trading at or below Covid-19 level valuations, but cautioned that recovery from these allegations could be slow, with investors likely to wait for clarity on whether regulators initiate further scrutiny. Suresh Ganapathy, managing director, head of financial services research, Macquarie Capital, said that near-term underperformance may persist. While fundamentals remain strong with good return on assets, at this point in time governance concerns will weigh down heavily on the stock. Investors would want more comfort from the board. Also now the uncertainty surrounding Sashi's (CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan) reappointment will weigh down on the stock, said Ganapathy. Mistry said the board remains unclear on the specifics behind Chakrabortys remarks. Members had sought clarification, but he did not give any specific explanation, he said. Another board member told investors that Chakraborty maintained there were no regulatory concerns. (He said) It could be my value systems, etc., which are different, but he didn't say anything on regulatory aspects of the bank. It was all sound, he agreed. In fact, we had repeatedly asked him to tell us why, what is the reason behind this, but he said there was nothing and that is a bit baffling, said a board member who could not be identified over the analyst call. Also Read | Companies face soaring short-term debt costs despite RBI support Asked about board dynamics, Mistry said differences do arise but are not material. In no board meeting has there been any kind of complete differences of opinion or anything of that sort. And the board minutes will reflect that. Human beings are human beings and there will always be some relationship issues between individuals, said Mistry. (Bloomberg) -- A group of state attorneys general are suing to block the $3.5 billion deal by Nexstar Media Group Inc. for rival Tegna Inc., which would create the largest operator of local broadcasters in the country. In the lawsuit filed late Wednesday in federal court in Sacramento, California, a group of Democratic law enforcers from states including California, New York and Colorado, argue the deal would give the combined company too much control over television in dozens of markets around the US. The combination would impact the delivery of local news, raise cable prices, and lead to job cuts, they argue. This illegal merger threatens local news and could raise fees for consumers by combining hundreds of TV stations under the same owner, said New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement. Attorneys general in Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia also joined the lawsuit. Satellite television company DirecTV also filed its own lawsuit challenging the deal, saying it will lead to prolonged programming blackouts as the newly enlarged company fights with distributors over fees. Nexstar and Tegna didnt respond to requests for comment. The shares were down 3.1% and 1.1%, respectively, as of 1:15 p.m. New York time. If the deal goes through, the combined companies would own 265 full-power TV stations, reaching 80% of US households, according to the states lawsuit. Federal law bars a local station owner from serving more than 39% of the country. Both Nexstar and Tegna operate stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Nexstar also owns the CW network and NewsNation. The deal requires approval from US telecom regulator, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Justice Department. The FCC would either have to grant the companies a waiver from the media ownership cap, or lift the cap altogether. President Donald Trump said in a social media post in February that he supports the deal, and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr seconded the presidents opinion. In a statement, California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed concern that Trump and Carr had already decided that the deal should be approved. Anna Gomez, the FCCs lone Democratic member, said in a separate statement that the FCC must not rubber stamp this unlawful merger behind closed doors. The White House, the FCC and the Justice Department didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Since Trump took office, the FCC has decided to rethink the limits on how large station owners can become. And last July, an appeals court overturned the so-called top four rule, which bars a station owner from running two of the four top stations in a single market. --With assistance from Kelcee Griffis. (Updates with Dish lawsuit details, stock prices and FCC commissioner comments.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Abhinaba Saha Abhinaba writes deep-dive analytical pieces on the stock market. With a masters degree in finance from King's College, London, he recently came into journalism in an effort to simplify finance for all. He specialises in writing across sectors, and plans to be Mint's jack of all trades. From tracking macroeconomic developments and dissecting company fundamentals to gauging market sentiment, he connects it all in his stories. He collaborates across beats, writes Mint Primers and longform stories, and delves into data journalism to churn out gripping stories for his readers. A day after HDFC Banks Chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned, the Reserve Bank of India on Thursday said it held no concerns on the conduct or governance at Indias largest private sector lender. A RBI statment noted that it has taken note of the recent developments at the private sector bank and the transition arrangement for the position of part-time chairman requested by the lender has been approved. HDFC Bank is a Domestic Systemically Important Bank (D-SIB) with sound financials, professionally run board and competent management team. Basis our periodical assessment, there are no material concerns on record as regards its conduct or governance, RBI said. The banking regulator also said that it will continue to engage with HDFC Banks board and management on the way forward and that the bank remains well-capitalized and the financial position remains satisfactory with sufficient liquidity. HDFC Bank on Wednesday said its part-time chairman Atanu Chakraborty has resigned with immediate effect, with his letter from 17 March to the board citing certain happenings and practices within the bank that were not in congruence with his personal values and ethics. In a late-night announcement Wednesday, HDFC Bank said RBI had approved the appointment of board member and HDFC group veteran Keki Mistry as an interim part-time chairman for three months from 19 March. We confirm that there are no reasons other than those mentioned in the said letter, for the resignation of Chakraborty, the bank said. 'No governance issues' Mistry said on Thursday that discussions so far had thrown up no operational or governance lapses. Based on our discussions, there were no specific happenings and practices that were brought to our attention. There were no specific operational or other issues that have been highlighted, he said on a conference call, hours after being elevated to the role. Also Read | HDFC Bank share price LIVE: RBI says no material concerns regarding HDFC Bank Chakraborty, who had joined the board of HDFC Bank in May 2021, said his tenure saw momentous events like merger of the bank with HDFC Ltd that created a conglomerate under the bank. This strategic initiative made HDFC Bank the second largest bank in the country. Though, the benefits of merger are yet to fully fructify. According to HDFC Banks disclosures on its website, Chakraborty has mainly worked in areas of finance and economic policy, infrastructure, and petroleum and natural gas. In the Union government, he held various posts such as secretary in the ministry of finance during FY19-20. HDFC Bank will soon see another board member exit on account of retirement. In January, the bank said that board member Bhavesh Zaveri will not seek reappointment. For India, the issue carries particular importance. The country is the worlds largest recipient of remittances. Inflows account for over 10% of its current account receipts, at $135.4 billion in FY25. Even marginal reductions in transaction costs can translate into billions of dollars in additional disposable income for households. For India, the US is the largest source of remittances, followed by the United Arab Emirates. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its second list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Elections. The second list, comprising 111 names, came three days after the saffron party released its first list of 144 names for the West Bengal Elections. West Bengal has 294 assembly seats. The Assembly Elections in West Bengal are scheduled for April 23 and 29. The results will be announced on 4 May. The names in the second list include former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nisith Pramanik, who has been fielded from the Mathabhanga assembly constituency. Pramanik, 40, represented the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency until 2024, but lost the general elections that year. The party has also fielded actor-turned-politician Roopa Ganguly from the Sonarpur Dakshin assembly seat, while Rekha Patra will contest from Hingalganj. Patra was BJP's candidate from Basirhat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The West Bengal election is being seen as a fight between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been in power in West Bengal since 2011, for three consecutive terms. The rise of the BJP post 2014 Over the past few years, the BJP has witnessed a steady rise in West Bengal. For decades, the state was dominated first by the Left Front and then by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee, and the saffron party was almost non-existent before 2014. The BJP has never been in power in the West Bengal assembly. The first big breakthrough came in the 2014 Indian general election when the BJP won 2 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The vote share jumped to about 17 per cent in the general elections. Second list of BJP candidates for West Bengal Assembly Election, 2026 Sl. No. Assembly Constituency Candidate Name 1 1 Mekliganj (SC) Dadhiram Roy 2 2 Mathabhanga (SC) Nisith Pramanik 3 14 Madarihat (ST) Lakshman Limbu 4 15 Dhupguri (SC) Naresh Chandra Roy 5 16 Maynaguri (SC) Kaushik Roy 6 17 Jalpaiguri (SC) Ananta Deb Adhikary 7 20 Mal (ST) Sukra Munda 8 22 Kalimpong Bharat Chetri 9 23 Darjeeling Noman Rai 10 24 Kurseong Sonam Lama 11 28 Chopra Shankar Adhikari 12 36 Itahar Sabita Barman 13 46 Harishchandrapur Ratan Das 14 54 Baishnabnagar Raju Karmakar 15 55 Farakka Sunil Chowdhury 16 56 Samserganj Shashthi Charan Ghosh 17 58 Jangipur Adv. Chitto Mukherjee 18 60 Sagardighi Tapas Chakraborty 19 63 Raninagar Rana Pratap Singh Roy 20 65 Nabagram (SC) Dilip Saha 21 66 Khargram (SC) Mitali Mal 22 67 Burwan (SC) Sukhen Kumar Bagdi 23 68 Kandi Gargi Das Ghosh 24 69 Bharatpur Anamika Ghosh 25 78 Tehatta Subrata Kabiraj 26 81 Nakashipara Shantanu Dey 27 82 Chapra Saikat Sarkar 28 84 Nabadwip Sruti Sekhar Goswami 29 85 Krishnanagar Dakshin Sadhan Ghosh 30 88 Krishnaganj (SC) Sukanta Biswas 31 90 Ranaghat Dakshin (SC) Dr. Ashim Kumar Biswas 32 95 Bongaon Uttar (SC) Ashok Kirtania 33 96 Bongaon Dakshin (SC) Swapan Majumder 34 97 Gaighata (SC) Subrata Thakur 35 98 Swarupnagar (SC) Tarak Saha 36 100 Habra Debdas Mandal 37 101 Ashoknagar Dr. Somoy Hira 38 103 Bijpur Sudipta Das 39 106 Jagatdal Dr. Rajesh Kumar, IPS 40 107 Noapara Arjun Singh 41 108 Barrackpur Koustav Bagchi 42 109 Khardaha Dr. Kalyan Chakraborty 43 112 Kamarhati Arup Choudhury 44 114 Dum dum Adv. Arijit Bakshi 45 115 Rajarhat New Town Piyush Kanodia 46 116 Bidhannagar Dr. Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay 47 117 Rajarhat Gopalpur Tarun Jyoti Tiwari 48 119 Barasat Sankar Chatterjee 49 121 Haroa Bhaskar Mondal 50 122 Minakhan (SC) Rudrendra Patra 51 123 Sandeshkhali (ST) Sanat Sardar 52 124 Basirhat Dakshin Dr. Suraj (Shourya) Banerjee 53 126 Hingalganj (SC) Rekha Patra 54 127 Gosaba (SC) Vikarno Naskar 55 132 Sagar Sumanta Mandal 56 133 Kulpi Abni Naskar 57 135 Mandirbazar (SC) Mallika Paik 58 136 Jaynagar (SC) Alok Halder 59 137 Baruipur Purba (SC) Tumpa Sardar 60 138 Canning Paschim (SC) Prasanta Bayen 61 140 Baruipur Paschim Biswajit Paul 62 142 Magrahat Paschim Gour Sundar Ghosh 63 145 Satgachhia Agniswar Naskar 64 147 Sonarpur Dakshin Roopa Ganguly 65 148 Bhangar Jayanta Gayen 66 149 Kasba Sandeep Banerjee 67 150 Jadavpur Sarbori Mukherjee 68 152 Tollygang Papiya (Dey) Adhikari 69 153 Behala Purba Sunil Maharaj 70 154 Behala Paschim Dr. Indranil Khan 71 155 Maheshtala Tamanath Bhowmik 72 161 Ballyganj Dr. Shatrupa 73 163 Entally Priyanka Tibrewal 74 164 Beleghata Dr. Partha Choudhary 75 165 Jorasanko Vijay Ojha 76 166 Shyampukur Poornima Chakraborty 77 167 Maniktala Tapas Roy 78 168 Kashipur-Belgachhia Ritesh Tiwari 79 169 Bally Sanjay Singh 80 174 Sankrail (SC) Barnali Dhali 81 177 Uluberia Uttar (SC) Chiran Bera 82 179 Shyampur Dr. Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay 83 180 Bagnan Premangshu Rana 84 182 Udaynarayanpur Prabhakar Pandit 85 183 Jagatballavpur Anupam Ghosh 86 186 Sreerampur Bhaskar Bhattacharya 87 187 Champdani Dilip Singh 88 191 Balagarh (SC) Sumana Sarkar 89 192 Pandua Tushar Kumar Majumdar 90 194 Chanditala Debasish Mukherjee 91 195 Jangipara Prasenjit Bag 92 197 Dhanekhali (SC) Barnali Das 93 207 Nandakumar Nirmal Khanra 94 214 Bhagabanpur Santanu Pramanik 95 215 Khejuri (SC) Subrata Paik 96 218 Egra Dibendu Adhikari 97 227 Pingla Swagata Manna 98 240 Baghmundi Rahidas Mahato 99 242 Purulia Sudip Kumar Mukherjee 100 252 Bankura Niladri Shekhar Dana 101 255 Bishnupur Shukla Chatterjee 102 259 Khandaghosh (SC) Gautam Dhara 103 260 Bardhaman Dakshin Moumita Biswas Misra 104 264 Kalna (SC) Siddharth Majumdar 105 269 Purbasthali Uttar Gopal Chattopadhyayay 106 272 Mangalkot Shishir Ghosh 107 274 Galsi (SC) Raju Patra 108 278 Raniganj Adv. Partho Ghosh 109 288 Labpur Debasis Ojha 110 291 Rampurhat Dhruba Saha 111 294 Murarai Rinki Ghosh In the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, the BJP's vote share rose to around 10%, and it won 3 seats. The real surge came in the 2019 Indian general election, when the BJP won 18 of 42 Lok Sabha seats, and its vote share crossed 40%. What happened in the 2021 Elections? In 2021 assembly polls, the incumbent Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee won the election by a landslide, despite opinion polls generally predicting a close race against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which became the official opposition with 77 seats. The Trinamool Congress on 17 March released the names of 291 candidates for the 294 Assembly seats of West Bengal for the upcoming elections. Bengal is voting in two phases 23 and 29 April and the votes will be counted on 4 May. The TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest from Bhabanipur, the seat she has been winning since 2011. Mamata will face Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari in the contest from Bhabanipur this time. Adhikari, a former close aide of Mamata Banerjee who joined the BJP in December 2020, is contesting from both the Bhabanipur and Nandigram seats. This is being seen as the BJPs strategic move to challenge Mamata Banerjee on her home turf while maintaining a stronghold in its own bastion. Analysts and BJP leaders said that by fielding Adhikari in Bhabanipur, the BJP aims to trap the West Bengal Chief Minister, forcing her to focus on a defensive local battle rather than campaigning across the state. "I think that by pitting Suvendu Adhikari against Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur, we have managed to trap the TMC supremo in one corner. She will now have to focus on the seat to ensure her win there, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh told news agency PTI. Nandigram in Bengals Purba Medinipur district carries historical weight: the 350-odd square km area was the epicentre of West Bengal's anti-land acquisition movement in 2007, which, many say, propelled Mamata Banerjees rise to the post of the Chief Minister. However, in 2021, Mamata Banerjee, who led that movement, found herself facing Suvendu Adhikari, once her close aide who assisted her in the protests. Adhikari, who had switched to the BJP a few months before the 2021 assembly polls, defeated Mamata Banerjee by 1,956 votes. The 2021 contest in which Adhikari defeated Mamata turned out to be a dramatic, high-voltage contest and remains symbolic, since it defined the BJPs election narrative taking on Mamata Banerjee directly. It is another matter that the TMC eventually won the polls. Adhikari had won Nandigram seat in 2016 as a TMC candidate. Also Read | 'Shameful': PM Modi criticises Mamata Banerjee for remarks on President Murmu Mamata won from Bhabanipur during the bypolls for the first time in 2011. She won the seat again in 2016. In 2021, she did not contest from Bhabanipur but instead contested from Nandigram against Suvendu and lost. After losing in Nandigram in 2021, Mamata contested from Bhabanipur to get elected to the current legislative assembly and won. By contesting from Nandigram again, Adhikari is attempting to reaffirm his claim as the BJPs principal challenger to Mamata, experts said. And this time the contest is expanding beyond Nandigram, with Adhikari even challenging Mamata in her stronghold, Bhabanipur. Clearly, the BJP is taking on multiple terrains against Mamata Banerjee - rural in Nandigram and urban in Bhabanipur - a well-known, historic residential neighbourhood in South Kolkata. The strategy tests Mamatas dominance beyond symbolic turf. In 2021, Suvendu Adhikari needed the BJP. He got a ticket and defeated Mamata Banerjee. In 2026, the BJP kind of acknowledged that Adhikari is their most important leader. He gets to contest from his home turf (Nandigram) as well as Mamatas seat of Bhabanipur, political analyst Subhamoy Maitra told India Today. The TMC has fielded Suvendu Adhikaris aide, Pabitra Kar, against him in Nandigram. Kar quit the BJP hours before he got the ticket from seat in East Midnapore district. We will win more than 226 seats in 2026. This is our firm belief. Boycott the BJP. Vote for Bangla, vote for TMC, Banerjee said in a press conference at hr Kalighat home in Bhabhanipur. She also said that she has complete faith in the people of Bhabhanipur. I work for these people 365 days a year, Banerjee said when asked if she considered Adhikari a formidable challenger. During the campaign, Adhikari has been branding Mamata Banerjee a defeated candidate from Nandigram. The MC counters by labelling him an outsider in the South Kolkata seat. The Bhabanipur seat is demographically diverse, with a high number of non-Bengali voters, including those from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Bihar. "I defeated her in Nandigram; this time, I will defeat her in Bhabanipur as well. I will make her a former Chief Minister by a margin of 50,000 votes," Adhikari, who is also the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly, has said. I defeated her in Nandigram; this time I will defeat her in Bhabanipur as well. Earlier this week, the TMC took a dig at Adhikari for contesting from two seats, saying it showed he was unsure of victory and suggested the saffron camp "can already see the writing on the wall." "Suvendu, who had bragged about winning from whichever seat he is fielded in the past, is not sure about winning from either Bhabanipur or Nandigram. He will face a crushing defeat in both constituencies as TMC will put up a stiff challenge in Purba Medinipur, TMC spokesperson and state general secretary Kunal Ghosh told reporters. After the Supreme Court on Thursday nullified all the charges against Elvish Yadav in the snake venom case, the popular YouTuber called the day his Independence Day and slammed the media for allegedly conducting trials against him and harassing his family. The Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner was booked for allegedly arranging snake venom at a rave party in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in 2023, and was arrested in March 2024. Earlier in the day, the top court quashed all the criminal proceedings against him. Reacting to the Supreme Courts order, Yadav posted a video on his X account and said: Hello everyone. Today is a very happy day. First of all, I wish you all a very happy Navratri. Today is your brothers Independence Day. I am very happy to share that the Supreme Court has dismissed the snake case. I have always believed in my judicial system, in my courts, that justice is always served. Justice will always be served. Whoever has done something will be punished, and whoever has done nothing will be spared. Also Read | Big relief for Big Boss winner Elvish Yadav as SC quashes proceedings Yadav further added that the media trial continued unabated, with repeated accusations being levelled against him. But the media kept running stories claiming Elvish Yadav did this and Elvish Yadav did that. I have faced so much harassment for the past two and a half years. My family was blamed. My family was harassed. Whatever we have faced, may God not do it. But today we have won. Satyamev Jayate. Also Read | SC stays trial court proceedings against Elvish Yadav in snake venom case The YouTuber further questioned whether the media would compensate for the harassment he and his family have faced since the case was registered. The kind of harassment my family and I went through for the past 2.5 years my family members were seen crying on national television despite us having done nothing how will that ever be compensated? Will anyone come forward and apologise to me for it? All those media outlets that spread false news and created such a huge controversy, will any of them apologise to me? What compensation is there for all of this? he asked, before adding, I dont even want anyones apology. But how will the time we have lost ever be made up for? What did he say about his journey and support? He further said that he does not wish this kind of harassment on anyone, adding, But our comeback was very good. And this was all because of the support of people and my family. I had faith that justice would be done. I am unable to express how I am feeling. Thank you, everyone, for standing with me. Also Read | Trouble for YouTuber Elvish Yadav: FIR registered for threatening witness What is the case about? The case centres on the alleged use of snake venom as a recreational drug at rave parties in Noida last year. Mr Yadav is accused of arranging snake venom for such parties and of using snakes in his video shoots. Police uncovered a snake-smuggling racket in November last year after raiding a banquet hall in Noidas Sector 51. Five people, including four snake charmers, were arrested for supplying snake venom. Nine snakes, including cobras, along with venom, were recovered during the operation. A forensic investigation later confirmed the presence of venom from cobra and krait species in the seized samples. The breakthrough came after a trap was set by the NGO People for Animals. A rave party is a lively dance event associated with youth-oriented rave culture, which often comes under scrutiny by authorities over concerns related to drug use and safety. Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra's mother, Garima Malhotra, passed away on Thursday. The news was confirmed to ANI by a source close to the designer. Garima Malhotra shared a very close bond with her son. Over the years, Manish Malhotra often spoke about how important she was in his life and how she stood by him during his personal and professional journey. In one of his Mother's Day posts, he spoke about the strong role she played in shaping his life and career. Recalling her support and love, he had written that she was his "strength, inspiration and companion." He had also shared how she encouraged his early interest in clothes and cinema. "My mother my Strength, Inspiration and My Companion as I have always lived with her with only Respect and love .. This morning having tea with her I was thanking her for always encouraging my love for clothes and movies since childhood. Happy Mothers Day," he wrote at the time. Following the news of her passing, members of the film and fashion industry have started arriving at Manish Malhotra's home to offer their condolences and stand by him during this difficult time. Indeed, the price of a rescheduled summit has become a central point of contention. Some Chinese officials are suggesting that as long as the U.S. war in Iran continues, it would be hard for Washington to firm up a date. The officials argue that while Trump might want China to use its influence to push Tehran to yieldparticularly on the Strait of HormuzBeijings cooperation wont come free. While China is positioning itself to mediate, these officials said, any pressure it puts on Iran would be matched by a demand for the U.S. to cease its strikes so it doesnt look like a total American victory. 2026-03-12 06:41:16 , "A bull in a china shop" is an idiom describing someone who breaks things, makes mistakes, or causes damage in situations that require careful thinking or behavior. It refers to someone who acts insensitively or aggressively, often making a bad situation worse. Imagine a bull sauntering down the row of a china shop: he barely fits into the aisle, and with every step plates and dishes crash to the floor. Oblivious to the destruction left in his wake, he looks around to see what all the commotion is about, and as he does so, his swinging head takes out another row of china. Priceless, irreparable damage in the span of minutes. - From online with editing ------------------------------------- Saw this idiom last night while watching "Pine Gap", an Australian TV drama and thriller series about the Australian and United States joint defence intelligence facility at Pine Gap, south-west of the town of Alice Springs, Australia. Never been a spy nor a "bull in a china shop" myself (hope this is true as I might not be objective enough in self-judgment ), but I can understand and feel empathy to some characters in the show. Then when I searched for the news usage of the idiom (btw, there are plenty) this morning, I found a true funny story with the title of "Bull in a china shop? No, it's an elephant in a grocery store", on NBC News. Here is the link of the story with a short video for a good laugh https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/bull-china-shop-no-elephant-grocery-store Have a nice Thursday! Last year, two ships linked to an Iranian state company left China loaded with 1,000 tons of a material that could be used to make a main ingredient for a solid propellant of some 260 midrange missiles, The Wall Street Journal has reported. In mid-2025, Iran ordered thousands of tons of missile fuel ingredients from China, according to Journal reporting. The Chinese government has said it is unaware of specific orders but maintains strict control on so-called dual-use items that have both civilian and military applications. Just in the past two weeks, India has bought more than 30 million barrels of petroleum to be delivered this month and next, with more deals expected to be struck in coming days, according to traders familiar with the sales. Most of it is handled by Eyyub and his associates. The Pentagon has deployed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid-response force of about 2,200 Marines, to the Middle East, The Wall Street Journal reported. The U.S. could use the unit to seize one or more of the islands off the southern coast of Iran to use as leverage or as a base to counter Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, according to former and current U.S. officials. The unit, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, is slated to arrive in the Middle East from Japan in just over a week. Manufacturing cells is much more technologically complex and capital-intensive than assembling the modules. The complexity keeps rising as companies further integrate backwards to make ingots and wafers that are used to manufacture the cells. Polysilicon, which is made from sand and is used to make ingots and wafers, is the building block of the solar industry and is the most complex of all to manufacture. The government is currently considering having a regulatory mechanism including spectrum assignment and authorization for RSUs. Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has been consulted on the same. For in-vehicle devices, the plan is to permit licence-exempt use, one of the officials cited above said, adding that globally there is no individual licensing for such in-vehicle devices. New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday mandated the use of locally manufactured solar wafers and ingots in large renewable energy projects and government-backed schemes from June 2028. The move expands the scope of the approved list of models and manufacturers (ALMM) currently applicable to modules and, from June this year, cells to components that remain reliant on imports from China. MNRE has expanded the ALMM Order to introduce ALMM List-III for ingots and wafers, which will take effect from 1 June 2028. Suitable grandfathering provisions have been built in to protect projects already in the pipeline, said a statement from the ministry of new and renewable energy. Ingots are used to manufacture wafers, which in turn are used to develop cells. Cells are assembled to manufacture modules. The move marks a step towards building a robust, self-reliant solar manufacturing ecosystem that will boost domestic production, strengthen supply chains, reduce import dependence and enhance quality across the solar value chain, said minister for new and renewable energy Pralhad Joshi. With the expansion of the ALMM framework to include ingots and wafers, India is positioning itself as a strong global player in renewable energy. Advancing towards a cleaner, greener future and the goal of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, he said. ALMM-I and II refer to the lists of locally-manufactured modules and cells approved by the ministry under the norm to supply to the government backed projects. What experts and the industry say National Solar Energy Federation of India, an industry body of solar power generators, said given the capital-intensive nature of upstream manufacturing and the scale required to meet domestic demand, it is critical that enabling support mechanisms are aligned with the policy timeline. The industry body has requested the ministry to roll out a dedicated viability gap funding (VGF) for ingots wafers as well as manufacturing equipment. Srivatsan Iyer, CEO, Hero Future Energies said, "While this presents a strong opportunity to accelerate domestic innovation, reduce import dependence, and enhance long-term energy security, given that this will require careful capacity planning, ecosystem readiness, and significant capacity build-up, pushing the target date back would lead to a more robust manufacturing ecosystem, and not cause any short-term disruptions. Also Read | India plans new incentive scheme to boost solar wafer, ingot production India currently has only about 2 GW of wafer and ingot capacity. Globally, the solar equipment ecosystem is dominated by China. Vinay Rustagi, chief business officer, Premier Energies Ltd, said, "Currently 100% of our demand for solar wafers is met from imports, making the sector highly prone to supply shocks, exchange rate volatility and trade disruption. We expect total investment of around 50,000 crores in this business over the next three years bringing tens of thousands of jobs plus special tech know-how." Companies including Avaada, Waaree Energies, ReNew have announced plans to foray into wafer and ingot manufacturing. Also Read | Tata Power planning 10 GW solar wafer and ingot capacity: CEO The Union government on Thursday designated energy statistics as a critical national security priority, requiring all entities within the oil and gas supply chain to provide comprehensive operational data. The governmental directive seeks to establish a unified, real-time data architecture to facilitate rapid responses to supply outages, prioritise vital industries like electricity, agriculture, and domestic fuel, and enable more strategic purchasing decisions. The Petroleum and Natural Gas (Furnishing of Information) Order, 2026, issued by the Oil Ministry, mandates that refiners, LNG importers, pipeline managers, city gas providers, and petrochemical entities from both state-owned and private sectors consistently (and in certain instances, daily) submit detailed metrics to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC). The required disclosures encompass production volumes, import figures, inventory levels, and usage trends, with the mandate superseding previous non-disclosure agreements, as per a gazette notification released by the ministry. "Every entity engaged in the production, processing, refining, storage, transportation, import, export, marketing, distribution or consumption of petroleum products or natural gas... shall furnish to PPAC, information relating to production, imports, exports, stocks, storage, allocation, transportation, supply, consumption and utilisation of petroleum products or natural gas, aggregated or disaggregated by geography, time or consumers as may be specified," the order said. Government tightens norms as Middle East conflict intensifies This regulatory shift occurs amid intensified energy security anxieties following the US-Iran-Israel conflict in the Middle East that hampered gas and LPG deliveries. India sources roughly 88% of its crude oil, 50% of its natural gas, and 60% of its LPG from international markets. Prior to the conflict, over half of Indias imported crude arrived from nations such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE via the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately 85-95% of LPG and 30% of natural gas also traversed this waterway. The conflict has effectively closed the strait, severely affecting India's energy inflows. While crude oil interruptions have been moderately mitigated through diverse origins like West Africa, Russia, the US, and Latin America, gas and LPG deliveries to commercial and industrial consumers have been restricted due to the shortfall in Gulf nation exports. Also Read | Iran targets Qatar LNG hub, Saudi refinery after Israeli attack on South Pars Energy firms must now enhance their data reporting infrastructure to maintain compliance as the regulatory environment becomes more stringent. On the manner of furnishing information, the order said: "The information shall be furnished in such form, manner, electronic platform and periodicity as may be specified by the Central government or by PPAC and may include daily, weekly, monthly or other periodic returns." The ministry enacted the directive utilising authority under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955, which permits the government to seek specific data on production, supply, logistics, inventories, or usage of essential goods. Billionaire Gautam Adani-owned Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the liquidator of the bankrupt Jet Airways over being denied its full parking, storage and hangar dues, and the downgrading of its status as an unsecured creditor. A bench led by NCLAT chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan on Thursday issued notice to Jet Airways liquidator, Satish Kumar Gupta, and listed the matter for further hearing on 24 April. The tribunal also recorded the liquidators assurance that no disbursal to creditors will be made until the NCLAT decides the matter. MIAL had submitted claims of over 860 crore towards parking, storage, hangar and related charges after Jet Airways aircraft remained parked at the Mumbai airport for several years following the airlines collapse in 2019. The Mumbai bench of the NCLT, in its 13 February order, admitted only about 510.75 crore of MIALs claim, rejecting the remainder. In a similar outcome, GMR-operated Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) saw only about 244 crore of its 352 crore claim admitted. The tribunal also upheld the liquidators decision to treat airports as unsecured creditors, a classification that places them lower in the repayment hierarchy during bankruptcy or liquidation with limited say in the resolution process, typically resulting in weaker recoveries. The NCLT said airport rules allow detention of aircraft for non-payment of dues, but do not create a legal charge over assets. Once liquidation begins, all claims must be settled strictly under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) waterfall, or the order of priority in which creditors are repaid. Under Section 53 of the IBC that deals with the liquidation waterfall, insolvency costs are paid first, followed by secured creditors and workmens dues. Operational creditors, including airports, rank much lower. Also Read | Emirates SkyCargo adds freighters ahead of Mumbai airport freighter closure Mint had earlier reported that if the NCLT ruling is upheld, it could weaken airports bargaining power in airline insolvencies, as they lose priority in recoveries and influence over proceedings. The dispute over airport dues is also linked to the sale of three grounded Jet Airways' Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that had been parked at the Mumbai airport since 2018. In 2022, Malta-based Ace Aviation agreed to buy the aircraft for about 400 crore, but the sale was delayed due to litigation with the airport over unpaid dues. In October 2025, the NCLAT directed the liquidator to keep the sale proceeds in an escrow account until the dues dispute was decided by the NCLT, which subsequently clarified that MIAL is not a secured creditor. Counsel for Mumbai International Airport told the NCLAT that the aircraft have now been flown out after completion of the sale process. CHICAGO, March 18 (Reuters) - Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle futures fell on Wednesday as Chicago Board of Trade corn futures gained strength. Live cattle gave up some of Tuesday's gains before settling slightly higher, with a meatpacking plant on strike and dry weather and fires in Nebraska further tightening historically low cattle numbers. CBOT corn futures climbed on Wednesday following crude oil prices, which rose more than 5% on Wednesday after Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to attack several energy facilities across the Middle East, heightening the risk of further disruptions to energy supplies in the region. Strength in crude oil is seen as supportive given corn's role as a feedstock for ethanol. However, rising corn prices also makes feeding cattle more expensive, supporting feeder cattle futures, according to Karl Setzer, co-founder of ConsusAg Consulting. Meanwhile, workers have gone on strike at a large JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, which is likely to reduce U.S. beef production at a time when consumers face record prices for beef. CME April live cattle settled 0.175 cents higher at 235.4 cents per pound. April feeders finished down 1.075 cents at 358.725 cents per pound. Meanwhile, dry weather and fires in pasturelands of Nebraska could displace tens of thousands of head of cattle and spur ranchers to slaughter parts of the herd they have been working to rebuild, according to analysts. Beef packer margins rose to $142.15 per head on Wednesday, up from gains of $128.90 on Tuesday, and losses of $10.45 a week ago, according to livestock marketing advisory service HedgersEdge. Crude oil prices jumped as much as 3% on Thursday, March 19, after Iran launched attacks on several energy facilities across the Middle East, following a strike on its South Pars gas field, marking a sharp escalation in tensions involving the US and Israel. Brent crude futures rose $3.69, or 3.44%, to $111.07, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $2.29, or 2.38%, to $98.61. Back home, crude oil prices on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) also witnessed a similar upward trend. MCX crude oil prices climbed 1% to 9,080 per barrel. Why are crude oil prices rising? According to a Reuters report, Qatar Energy said on Wednesday that Iranian missile strikes on Ras Laffan the hub of Qatars key LNG processing facilities resulted in extensive damage to its energy infrastructure. The United Arab Emirates also halted certain energy operations after debris from intercepted missiles triggered incidents at the Habshan gas facilities and the Bab oil field. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reported that it had intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh on Wednesday, along with foiling a drone attack targeting a gas facility. Iran had earlier issued evacuation warnings for multiple oil installations across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar ahead of its retaliatory strikes following attacks on its own energy infrastructure in South Pars and Asaluyeh. South Pars, located in Iran, forms part of the worlds largest natural gas field, which it shares with Qatar across the Gulf. Donald Trumps administration is weighing plans to deploy thousands of additional US troops to strengthen its operations in the Middle East, as Washington prepares for the next phase of its campaign against Iran, sources were quoted as saying by Reuters. Brent Crude near-term outlook According to Choice Institutional Equities, if the Hormuz situation remains status quo without progress in USIsraelIran negotiations, declining floating inventories and tightening marginal storage could drive a sharp increase in oil prices. The brokerage firm further anticipates crude oil prices to rise up to $130 per barrel in the coming weeks. However, in a bear-case scenario, the brokerage firm said that if US-Israel intervention leads to renewed negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Brent prices could retreat towards $80/b over the coming weeks. This would largely reflect the unwinding of the precautionary demand premium, although a residual geopolitical risk premium may persist, it said. On the technical outlook of crude oil prices, Kaveri More, Commodity Analyst, Choice Broking, said that gains were partially capped after U.S. crude inventories rose by 6.16 million barrels, marking a fourth straight weekly increase and signalling near-term demand softness. Technically, MCX Crude Oil remains in a positive trend, with the April contract trading above 9000. Key support is seen at 89008750, while resistance is placed around 92509400, where a breakout could extend bullish momentum amid persistent geopolitical risk premiums," More added. (With inputs from Reuters) How the hardest questions about the meaning of life are answered will vary from person to person. But we all need our own aha moment, however and whenever it comes. Is the end of the world drawing nigh? This is the question at the heart of Christopher Behas 2020 blockbuster novel, The Index of Self-Destructive Acts. A deranged-looking street preacher appears at the beginning of the novel, predicting the end times, setting a concrete date to the end of it all. At one level, he is a joke, a court jester who stands for what no one in the novel really believesyet the joke haunts the characters lives as they gradually fall apart through no one elses fault but their own. It turns out that no biblical Apocalypse is needed to lead one family of sinners to utter destruction. No deus ex machina is at hand to proffer a rescue. What if the real end of the world involves no horsemen, the novels conclusion suggests, but is just what we already carry within? There is such a banality to this modern visions of the end timesno grand Revelation, just small, messy revelations everywhere, an unveiling of individual sins in the modern world. People simply go about their lives lying, cheating, stealing, pretending, until the truth comes out, as it is liable to do. Then marriages fall apart, family fortunes are ruined, and jail sentences beckon. And yet what if there were a godor rather, Goda higher power that is greater than us and is able to save us not only from evils all around but also from ourselves? That is the question Beha has found himself pondering for nearly three decades. His pursuit of possible answers inspires his new spiritual memoir cum philosophy survey, Why I Am Not an Atheist: The Confessions of a Skeptical Believer. The beginning and the end of the book lean to conventional memoir. Growing up Catholicalthough, he notes, not trad-levelhe took his faith for granted. It was quietly integrated into his large familys life, a pillar holding up the proverbial roof but never too obnoxious or loudly proclaimed. Then a horrific accident almost ended his twin brothers life during their freshman year of college. The experience shook him profoundly, leading him to quietly walk away from church, feeling ambivalent about what might actually be happening at the cosmic level. Was it prayer that saved his brothers life? But then, if prayer worked this good outcome, why was he injured to begin with? Did God ordain that suffering, and if so, what does that say about God? One summer not long after, in the Long Island home of his devout Catholic grandmother, who also had a remarkable library, Beha came across the philosopher Betrand Russells book Why I Am Not a Christian. For a college student unsure of so much, the book proved formativethe sum total changed my life, he reflects. Perhaps most convincing for him was the books exhortation to keep searching for answers instead of settling for any that do not seem ironclad: The lasting impact of Russells book on me came from his insistence that we must respond to our fear not by dogmatically accepting the creeds handed down to us by tradition and authority but by look[ing] the world frankly in the face with a fearless outlook and a free intellect. Russells words suggested less a particular set of beliefs than an approach to knowledge about the world. He very rarely uses the word atheist, preferring such terms as freethinker, skeptic, and rationalist. Perhaps Russell simply didnt want to commit to anything in particular. So for a while Beha didnt either. Except skepticism left him feeling unsettled. The plethora of literature by New Atheists did little to resolve his skepticism about everything into something to hang on to. Instead, he kept reading, going back to earlier skeptics and finding another tradition of atheism among such romantic idealist philosophers as Nietzsche and Heidegger. There is, after all, more than one way to be an atheist: Romantic idealism arose in the post-Enlightenment era, and it grew in opposition as much to the principles of Enlightenment rationality as to religious authority. The two atheist traditions have been hostile to each other ever since, often more hostile than they are to their common foe. The result? Beha spent his 20s and 30s writing himself into a successful career in New York City, a place admittedly friendlier to atheists than believers. Yet living with doubt left him unconvinced of anythingincluding the value of his own life, which he had contemplated taking on occasion. In his mid-30s, he returned more earnestly to his study of the question of Gods existence. This second foray proved more conclusive and led to his decision to write this book, a chronicle of his passage into and out of atheist belief by telling the story of the books I read along the way and the worldviews that I worked my way through. The reading list that informs the rest of the book is impressive, ranging from Plato and Aristotle, Hobbes and Descartes, Locke and Bacon, and Bentham and Spinoza to Kant and Schopenhauer and Wittgenstein, and many more. The book reads, in a way, as an introductory philosophy textbook on steroids, but infinitely more enjoyable, as Beha considers each philosophers belief system and its influences on others. But at the heart of the quest is the question, What is life for? For many atheists, the answer is predictably materialistic: From Hume to Mill to Russell to Dawkins, the mainline atheist tradition teaches that lifes everyday pleasuresfood and drink and sex, conviviality and companionshipare the only real human goods. Religion, by contrast, draws adherents into an imaginary world, distracting them from the goods here and now. The materialists found this possibility understandably upsetting. This near-endless pursuit of answers to the great questions of life proved increasingly frustrating for Beha. Skepticism has a largely positive connotation today, he notes, but in his case it was anxiety-provoking because it could not provide meaning. Furthermore, while atheists have historically criticized believers for taking certain unprovable matters on faith, skeptics, too, must take some things on faith. This left Beha disconcerted. Questions, questions everywhere, but not an answer to be found. Beha finally realized that atheists do indeed have beliefs, that they must, because we all must. In doing so, I want[ed] to shift the conversation to the atheists own ground, subjecting atheistic beliefs to some of the scrutiny that atheists apply to religious beliefs. So after decades of pursuing grand philosophical questions without finding specific answers, Beha began exploring the idea of human flourishing instead. He fell in love, and realized that God is love (and much more). In the process, he notes, he reentered the Catholic Church of his childhood, now sufficiently convinced to rejoice in his faith. I will leave readers to discover for themselves more specifics, which offer a delightful and hopeful conclusion to the book. But books, like their authors, do not exist in a vacuum. While the aughts were the heyday of the New Atheists, the present decade seems to be the zenith of thoughtful apologetics, but of a new kind. Instead of intellectuals like C.S. Lewis, who wrote apologetics alongside other spiritually (and academically) oriented fare, the current apologetics bestsellers include books by NYT columnist Ross Douthat and conservative social scientist Charles Murray. In Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious, Douthat, a devout Catholic, advocates for the general benefits of religion for human flourishing and general happiness. Despite his own convictions, he treads a more pluralistic path in the book, not expressly advocating for Catholicism or even Christianity but for the benefit of belief itself. Meanwhile, Murray tells of his own tale of skepticismand gradual departure out of itin Taking Religion Seriously. And yet there is a limit to what these authors, brilliant writers and thinkers yet amateur theologians and philosophers, can discover for themselves. Autodidacts are an admirable lot, but sometimes getting someone else to weigh in on ones reading list can be helpful. In the case of Beha, I found his list to be somewhat one-sided, skewing to skepticism as if this were the only option for examining the good life. As it happens, flourishing right alongside frustrated skeptic philosophers over the past few centuries and into the present has been a no less robust tradition of intellectual and philosophical apologetics for Christian belief. This tradition forms the subject of Daniel K. Williamss new book, The Search for a Rational Faith (disclosure note: Williams is my husband). Up until the early 20th century, many American colleges and universities even offered courses in reconciling science and religion for their students, equipping them to answer theological questions beyond merely inviting skepticism. Perhaps weve become more comfortable with asking questions than finding answers, but this is not good for our overall well-being. Yet for many people, a point in time arrives when an apocalypse of an ordinary kind is at hand: a moment of truth when ones weaknesses, frailties, and limitations are laid bare, and the end of a previous life of self-assurance is clear. For Beha, such a moment in mid-life occasioned a conviction that exploring was no longer enough, and a committed answer was essential. For me, the year I turned 30, it was an upheaval that concluded with my own exploration of Godand a conversion to Christianity from secular Judaism. When I read conversion memoirs, I am on the lookout for these same aha moments in others spiritual journeys that I remember in my own life. But the point is that our spiritual lives arent scripted. Conversion stories are deeply personal and difficult to explain to anyone else. The best way I have been able to explain my own is as a true out-of-body experienceyes, it happened to me, but it felt utterly incredible. In some ways, 14 years later, it still does. There is something at work outside ourselves in conversion, and sometimes the call to believe is at last the only one that makes sensein the 2020s and not merely in centuries past. Powerica IPO: The 1,100-crore initial public offering (IPO) of Powerica, a power solutions company, will hit the Indian primary market next week on March 24. The offer will close for bidding on Friday, March 27. Powerica IPO is priced at 375 to 395 per share, valuing the company at nearly 5,000 crore. The company has cut its IPO size from the 1,400 crore proposed in the draft papers filed in August 2025. Investors can apply for the offer in lots of 37 shares and multiples thereof, resulting in a minimum payout of 14,615. Powerica IPO GMP Ahead of the offer launch, Powerica IPO shares are witnessing a tepid grey market premium (GMP). According to the websites tracking the unofficial market, Powerica IPO GMP stood at 8. This means that shares of Powerica are trading at 403, a premium of around 2%. However, investors must note that GMP is subject to swift changes and should not be the sole deciding factor for investors before applying for the IPO. Shares of Powerica will list on BSE and NSE. Powerica IPO RHP: 10 key details Here are the key things that investors must know from the red herring prospectus about Powerica IPO for making a more informed decision: 1. Powerica IPO structure Powerica IPO is a mix of fresh issue of 700 crore and an offer for sale of 400 crore by the existing shareholders. 2. Powerica IPO objective The company plans to use the major chunk of fresh proceeds to the tune of 525 crore for repayment of debt, while the remaining funds will be used for general corporate purposes. 3. Selling shareholders in Powerica IPO Naresh Oberoi Family Trust and Kabir and Kamya Family Private Trust are the promoter selling shareholders in the IPO. 4. About the company Established in 1984, Powerica is an integrated power solutions provider specializing in diesel generator sets (DG sets), for both primary and standby applications. It provides a comprehensive range of generator sets with capacities ranging from 7.5 kVA to 10,000 kVA, designed to meet the distinctive requirements of diverse industries and applications. The company owns and operates three manufacturing facilities located in Bengaluru, Karnataka; Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli; and Khopoli, Maharashtra 5. Collaborations with established players The company is one of the original equipment manufacturers for Cummins India. Additionally, it has been in a collaboration with Hyundai since 2014. GE Vernova and Schneider Electric have been clients of the company for a few years now. 6. Who are the listed peers of the company? According to the company's RHP, Cummins India, Kirloskar Oil Engines, NTPC Green Energy, Acme Solar Holdings, and Adani Green Energy are the listed peers of the company. 7. Key risks The company said it is highly dependent on its generator business, which contributed 80.50%, 85.00%, 86.30%, and 82.79% of our revenue from operations for the six-month period ended September 30, 2025, and Fiscals 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Thus, any impact on the same can materially affect the company. Also Read | Reliance Jio hires 17 bankers, unlikely to raise fresh funds via IPO Additionally, the company has historically relied, and may continue to rely, on Cummins India and the top five suppliers for a significant portion of our materials and components, putting it in a vulnerable spot amid delays in supplied quantity or any issue with quality. 8. Industry overview According to the F&S Report, standby power remains a vital part of Indias energy infrastructure, helping ensure operational continuity during power outages or voltage fluctuations. Ongoing urbanisation, population growth, and expansion of residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects have intensified the need for reliable backup power across the country. According to the CRISIL Report, India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in the renewable energy sector, with wind power playing a pivotal role in this transformation. According to the CRISIL Report, as of September 2025, the country has already installed ~53 GW of wind energy capacity. 9. Financials Powerica's revenue from operations increased 20% o 2,653 crore in FY25 from 2,210 crore in the preceding fiscal year. However, profit after tax declined to 175.83 crore for FY25 as compared to 226.11 crore for FY24. Mumbai: SBI Funds Management Ltd, Indias largest asset manager, filed draft papers for an initial public offering (IPO) with the Registrar of Companies on Thursday. Joint venture partners State Bank of India (SBI) and French asset manager Amundi SA are cumulatively offering 203.7 million shares for sale, which translate to 10% stake in SBI Funds. However, no fresh shares will be issued, so no proceeds of the IPO will go to the company. SBI will offer up to 128.3 million shares, while Amundi SA will sell up to 75.3 million shares through its India affiliate, the offer document showed. Also Read | SBI mulls raising stake in investment banking JV to 51% amid capital market boom The two shareholders currently hold 98.02% stake in the companySBI owns 61.76% and Amundi, 36.26%. Joint chief executive officer D.P. Singh holds 0.1% stake. Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Capital, ICICI Securities, JM Financial, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors, SBI Capital Markets and the Indian units of global banks Bank of America, HSBC and Jefferies are the bankers to the issue. In January 2025, Mint had reported that investment bank pitches were valuing the company at $12-14 billion. In August 2025, SBI chairman C.S. Setty had said that SBI General Insurance and SBI Mutual Fund were under consideration for public listing, though no specific timeline or valuations were announced at that time. Three months later, SBI and Amundi announced their decision for a public listing in 2026, subject to approvals and market conditions. India's public sector behemoth said that it would sell 6.3% and Amundi another 3.7%. Established in 1992, SBI Funds Management offers financial services including mutual funds, portfolio management services, offshore funds, alternative investment funds, and offerings through GIFT City. Initially, Amundi India Holding's stake was held by Societe Generale S.A, which was transferred to Amundi in June 2011. As per the company's 2025 annual report, it is the largest asset manager in India. SBI Funds managed average assets worth 12.5 trillion as of 31 December 2025, with a mutual fund market share of 15.4%. The company reported a net profit of 2,531 crore in FY25, as against 2,062 crore in the previous financial year. In the 2025 fiscal, SBI Mutual Fund became the first fund house to cross 10 trillion in assets under management. In the same year, the fund got about 9% of industry market share of the new net-funds flow and added more than 6.2 million new investors. SBI Funds IPO comes at a time of a slowdown in Indias capital market. As of mid-March, returns from 2026 IPOs have averaged a 0.3% premium across 45 issues, the weakest aggregate listing performance since at least 2019, according to data from market intelligence platform PRIME Database. This comes after 373 IPOsincluding 103 mainboard listingsmobilized roughly 1.95 trillion in 2025 with returns averaging a 10.6% premium. SBI Funds rival fund manager ICICI Prudential Asset Managements $1.2 billion IPO hit the streets in December 2025 and the company is now valued at around $15 billion. Canara Robeco Asset Management Co. Ltd was listed in October last year, following the governments push to public-sector banks (PSBs) to list their subsidiaries to unlock value, Mint reported on 6 November. However, for SBI Funds, earlier reports indicated that pricing has been a point of conflict between the asset manager and bankers looking to manage the proposed transaction. Japans equity investors will closely watch a meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Washington on Thursday for possible agreements on economic and military cooperation. Any details on Japans $550 billion government-backed investment plan in the US has potential to impact energy and shipbuilding sectors. Defense stocks may react as Takaichi faces a diplomatic challenge after Trump called on Japan to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz and then withdrew the demand. With the Iran war set to enter its fourth week, investors are waiting to see how the leaders will respond to a surge in oil prices that has pulled Japans benchmark indexes off record highs. Oil and European natural gas prices jumped on Wednesday as Iran carried out an attack on a major LNG site in Qatar. Clearly this summit is important, said Piergaetano Iaccarino, the head of equity solutions at Amundi Ireland Ltd. It confirms the strategic alignment between Japan and the United States, especially at this time when the economic security and industrial policies are getting more and more important. Other market-moving topics may touch on trade tariffs, currency policy and relations with China. Energy Firms Japan and the US are making final arrangements to announce a second round of potential projects as part of the $550 billion investment pledge, NHK reported on Wednesday. They are set to issue a joint statement outlining three projects including a next-generation nuclear reactor in Tennessee and natural gas power generation facilities in Pennsylvania and Texas, according to the report, which said the second round of investments may total as much as $73 billion. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Toshiba Corp. and IHI Corp. have shown interest in a Westinghouse Electric Co.-led project worth up to $100 billion, according to a government fact sheet released in October. Hitachi GE Vernova was also named for possible involvement in the construction of advanced nuclear reactors. The US investment plan is likely to be a catalyst for the energy-related stocks, said Hisashi Arakawa, head of Japan equities at Aberdeen Investments, who invests in Hitachi Ltd. When security issues make it difficult to turn to Chinese firms, Japanese companies like Hitachi naturally emerge as the leading candidates. Defense Shares Discussions of increased defense spending or closer US-Japan military cooperation could spur speculation that revenue will increase for companies like Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and Mitsubishi Heavy. Japan is planning to tell the US at the summit that it will join Trumps Golden Dome missile defense initiative, according to a Yomiuri newspaper report last week. Given the external environment, defense is sensible to focus on, said Chris Smith, co-manager of the Japan Value Fund at London-based Polar Capital. Whats going on with Iran has probably made Japan even more of a critical partner for the US in Asia and Japan is well positioned to play into that. Defense shares have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the Takaichi Trade, as the administration moves to raise spending on the sector. Aberdeens Arakawa said the US-Japan summit could support undervalued arm makers. He holds shares of explosive chemicals producer Carlit Co. Others remain cautious that defense talks could complicate the summit, as Japan remains reluctant to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz. If Japan is unable to accept the US demands, there is a risk it could create friction in US-Japan relations, said Tomo Kinoshita, a global market strategist at Invesco Asset Management Japan. If strains emerge in US-Japan relations, there is a possibility that additional tariff measures could be applied to Japan in the future. Critical Minerals Companies related to critical minerals may get a boost on any announcement of cooperation on rare-earth elements, after Beijing imposed export controls against Japanese corporations following remarks by Takaichi that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be considered an existential threat. Mitsubishi Materials Corp. shares surged earlier this week after a Nikkei report that it will participate in a joint rare earths project with the US. The two nations will agree on cooperative development at this weeks meeting, the report said. The rare earth supply chain and how the US can help will be a top topic, said Neil Newman, head of strategy at Astris Advisory Japan, who recommends rare-earth exposure through names including Sojitz Corp. and Toyota Tsusho Corp. Talks with the US will demonstrate strengthened cooperation with allied countries to build alternative supply networks for critical minerals. With assistance from Alice French, Sakura Murakami and Nilushi Karunaratne. 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Despite a raging war in the Middle East, involving the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, shares of Chinese defence companies are trading with sharp cuts. Iran and China share deep strategic ties involving oil and defence; however, multiple media reports suggest that the Chinese defence systems failed to prove effective against the strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, dampening investor sentiment around the Chinese defence stocks. Since the start of the US-Iran war, HS China A Aerospace & Defence index has declined almost 12% in March, with most of its index constituents in the red. Some of the well-known Chinese defence stocks like AVIC Chengdu and XiAn Triangle Defense are down up to 18%. In the last one month, the constituents of the defence index are also trading lower, falling as much as 23%. Among stock-specific actions, AVIC Chengdu shares have declined 12% so far in March. The company manufactures fighter jets like the J-16. Additionally, China Aerospace Times Electronics, a manufacturer of aerospace electronics and unmanned system equipment, has lost 13% during this period. AVIC Shenyang's share price is down 11% while Xi'an Triangle Defence stock has crashed 18% on a month-to-date basis. Why are Chinese defence stocks falling? Multiple reports have alleged arms-related links between China and Iran. While China has denied supplying anti-ship cruise missiles to Iran, US intelligence claims Beijing has supported Irans ballistic missile programme by training engineers and providing key components, according to a BBC report. For years, China has positioned its weapons systems as cost-effective alternatives to Western defence equipment. However, recent reports suggest that some of these systems may not have performed as expected during Operation Fury launched by the United States. An NDTV report indicated that the HQ-9B air defence systemrecently acquired by Iran to strengthen its capabilitiesmay have underperformed in real combat conditions. If Iranian defence systems influenced by Chinese technology are seen as ineffective against US and Israeli forces, it could weigh on the perceptions of other countries evaluating Chinese-made military hardware. This has pushed the high-flying Chinese defence stocks lower. Battlefield performance carries geopolitical consequences. Back in 1982, Israeli fighters destroyed more than 60 Syrian aircraft supplied by the Soviet Union without losing a single plane, which then dented Moscows reputation as an arms supplier. Chinese defence companies face a similar risk. Additionally, the weakness in the broader Chinese stock market amid the spike in crude oil prices, along with profit taking following multibagger returns over the last year, is also weighing on the defence counters. A Ksheerasagar Ksheera Sagar has been working as a Market Research Analyst at LiveMint for the past four years, covering stocks, commodities, and broader financial markets. In this role, he closely tracks daily market movements, corporate earnings, sector trends, and macroeconomic developments.

He has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry and has previously worked with multiple organisations, including global investment bank J.P. Morgan, bringing strong research experience into the newsroom.

During his career, he has gained extensive exposure to equity research, market analysis, and financial data interpretation, strengthening his expertise across asset classes and market cycles.

He is known for his data-driven analysis and crisp, listicle-style market stories that break down complex financial developments across key markets for a wide audience. His strong research skills enable him to write detailed and insightful stories on stocks and sectors, focusing on the underlying factors driving market movements.

His work combines quantitative insights with clear storytelling, presenting financial developments in a clear and structured manner. Moreover, he enjoys writing multibagger and listicle-style copies. Outside of work, Ksheera enjoys playing the piano and exploring new places. He has a keen interest in travel, music, and continuously learning about global markets and economic trends. INFY (Cmp 1,263) Why its recommended: Infosys Ltd is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, headquartered in Bengaluru, India. Founded in 1981, it provides IT-enabled business solutions, including AI-powered analytics, cloud computing, and software engineering, to clients in over 50 countries. After the sharp decline, a brief rally did emerge, only to encounter strong resistance zones that are now curbing any recovery. As the IT sector continues to be under pressure, any rally is used to introduce a fresh shorting opportunity. The test of the TS line and value resistance zone indicates that some selling pressure could emerge if the market turns negative. Look to go short now. Stock market today: The Indian stock market benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open sharply lower on Thursday, tracking global market weakness amid concerns over rising crude oil prices. Trends in GIFT Nifty also signal a gap-down opening for the benchmark indices, with it trading around the 23,240 level a discount of nearly 536 points compared to the previous close of Nifty futures. Indian equities are poised for a weak start, with early signals from Gift Nifty indicating a sharp gap-down opening as global sentiment deteriorates. The shift in risk appetite follows weakness across US and Asian markets, triggered by a combination of hawkish policy signals and escalating geopolitical tensions, said Hariprasad K, SEBI-registered Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth. Also Read | Stocks to buy for the short term: Amol Athawale of Kotak suggests 3 shares On Wednesday, however, the domestic market ended on a positive note, extending gains for the third consecutive session, with the Nifty 50 closing above the 23,700 mark. The Sensex climbed 633.29 points, or 0.83%, to settle at 76,704.13, while the Nifty 50 rose 196.65 points, or 0.83%, to end at 23,777.80. Stocks to Watch Amid the backdrop of the US-Iran war, US Fed policy announcement, these stocks are likely to remain in focus on Thursday, March 19, 2026 HDFC Bank The private bank said that its part-time Chairman and Independent Director, Atanu Chakraborty, has stepped down with immediate effect, citing the reasons mentioned in his resignation letter. Manappuram Finance Manappuram Finance on Wednesday said its subsidiaries Asirvad Micro Finance and Manappuram Home Finance have secured approvals from the Reserve Bank of India for an indirect change in control and management by Bain Capital. Vedanta The companys board is set to meet on Monday, March 23, to review and approve the third interim dividend on equity shares for FY26. Nazara Technologies Nazara Technologies announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Nazara Technologies UK, has entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 50% controlling stake in Bluetile Games SL and BestPlay Systems SL for a total consideration of $100.3 million ( 918 crore). UltraTech Cement The cement manufacturer has entered into an Energy Supply Agreement along with Share Subscription and Shareholders Agreements to acquire a 26.18% stake in Sunsure Solarpark Seven Private Limited for up to 19.2 crore. Zydus Lifesciences, Torrent Pharma Zydus Lifesciences and Torrent Pharmaceuticals have entered into a licensing and supply agreement to jointly market the diabetes treatment drug Semaglutide Injection in India. Also Read | US Fed holds rates; what it means for the Indian stock market United Breweries The beverages company has secured environmental clearance for its proposed greenfield brewery in Uttar Pradesh. The facility will be established at the Industrial Manufacturing & Logistics Cluster in Unnao, with a planned annual production capacity of 1.3 million hectolitres. NATCO Pharma The pharmaceutical companys board is scheduled to meet on March 24 to evaluate a scheme of arrangement for the demerger of its agrochemicals business into its wholly owned subsidiary, Natco Crop Health Sciences Ltd, on a going-concern basis. Special allowance: This is a catch-all allowance that also goes by names such as supplementary allowance or flexi-benefit. The new labour code has clarified that this is an inclusion in wages. Most companies that plan to increase their basic pay will likely cut this allowance to maintain the same overall pay. The other things you cant change, said Sharma. Also, companies may, in the future, change this categorys name to general allowance, according to WTW. The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the FIR and all subsequent proceedings against Elvish Yadav under the Wildlife (Protection) Act finding that the case, registered by Uttar Pradesh Police in November 2023, was unsustainable on multiple legal grounds. Why the Supreme Court Threw Out the Case A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh dismantled the prosecution's case on three distinct fronts. First, the wildlife complaint at the heart of the FIR was filed by an individual who was not an authorised person under the Wildlife (Protection) Act a procedural flaw the court found fatal to the case. Though the informant presented himself as an animal welfare officer at the time of filing, he no longer held that position. Also Read | Munawar Faruqui vs Elvish Yadav over fundraising campaign Explained Second, the IPC offences invoked against Yadav were traced back to an earlier FIR registered in Gurugram a case in which a closure report had already been filed, effectively rendering those charges redundant. Third, and perhaps most critically, the court found that provisions of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act could not be applied, as the liquid substance recovered from a co-accused identified as anti-venom did not qualify as a prescribed substance under the relevant schedule. Taken together, the bench concluded that the case against Yadav could not be sustained in law, quashing not only the FIR but also the chargesheet and the trial court's cognisance order. From Rave Party Allegations to National Headlines The case had its origins in a dramatic set of allegations. Elvish Yadav was accused of facilitating the use of snake venom as a recreational drug at rave parties in Noida, Uttar Pradesh a claim that captured widespread public attention given his celebrity status. Also Read | Elvish Yadav dating Jannat Zubair? Bigg Boss star shares romantic pics online The FIR was registered on 22 November 2023. Yadav was subsequently arrested on 17 March 2024. The chargesheet alleged that snake venom had been consumed as an intoxicant at these gatherings, with attendees said to include foreign nationals. Given Yadav's stature as a well-known influencer who appears across multiple television reality shows, his legal troubles attracted, in the words of his own counsel, "much media attention." Allahabad High Court Had Refused Relief Before approaching the Supreme Court, Yadav had challenged the chargesheet and the trial court's cognisance order before the Allahabad High Court, which declined to quash the proceedings characterising the allegations as a serious offence. That refusal prompted Yadav to escalate the matter to the apex court, which on 6 August last year stayed the trial court proceedings. Thursday's ruling goes considerably further, wiping the slate clean entirely. Defence Arguments That Swayed the Court Elvish Yadav's legal team had consistently maintained that the prosecution's case was built on shaky foundations. Counsel argued before the High Court that no snakes, narcotics or psychotropic substances were ever recovered from Yadav himself, and that no credible causal link had been established between him and the co-accused. Akriti Anand Akriti Anand is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint. She is a digital journalist with more than six years in the news industry.

In her current role, she covers both national and international politics, and also keeps a close watch on the latest trends in science and space exploration.

Akriti joined the LiveMint team in October 2023. Before this, she built a strong career at other major media houses. She worked as a senior sub-editor at India Today. Later, she moved to CNBCTV-18. There, she covered high-pressure topics like breaking news and major elections. She spent much of her time analysing Parliament bills and complex political debates. She is also a skilled editor who knows how to polish a story for a digital audience.

One of her career highlights happened at CNBCTV-18. She made her first television debut during the Chandrayaan-3 mission. She also provided special on-air coverage for the Karnataka Elections.

When she is not busy with breaking news, Akriti loves to write explainers and interview experts on a wide range of issues. She also enjoys making complex space missions easy for everyone to understand.

Her education helps her tackle these diverse subjects. She holds a BA in English Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication, and a Masters degree in Development Studies. She is currently expanding her knowledge in climate journalism.

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Email: akriti.anand@htdigital.in Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 in India: Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Middle East countries on Friday, 20 March. The decision was announced after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Wednesday. This means Ramadan in these countries will last 30 days, with the last day falling on 19 March. In Afghanistan, however, Eid is being celebrated today. And in India, Thursday, 19 March is the 29th day of Ramadan, and the moon sighting will take place the same day. If the moon is sighted today, Eid in India will be celebrated on Friday. Otherwise, Eid will fall on Saturday, 21 March. Traditionally, India celebrates Eid a day after Saudi Arabia. However, there have been rare instances when both countries observed Eid on the same day. Islam follows a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months. Each month lasts 29 or 30 days and begins with the sighting of the crescent moon, known as hilal in Arabic. The start and end of every month are determined by this sighting. Dates determined by the Islamic lunar calendar Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Eid-ul-Fitr begins on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth Islamic month after Ramadan. The moon is sighted the night before the new month starts. Muslim clerics in India said there is a lower chance that Ramadan this year will be 30 days long. Still, it is mandated to sight the crescent after sunset today. We will look for the crescent after sunset today. Though there are not many chances that the Shawwal moon will be sighted today, said Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli of the Aishbagh Eidgah in Lucknow. Apart from Lucknow, clerics will also take part in moon sighting in other cities such as Delhi, Hyderabad, Srinagar and Bhopal. In Delhi, the head cleric of Jama Masjid makes the announcement in the evening. Significance of physical moon sighting Traditionally, Muslims follow the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, who instructed them to start fasting when they see the moon and break fast when it is sighted again at the end of the month. Crescent visibility depends on geography, weather conditions and time zones. Hence, different regions have different dates. Even within India, Eid has different dates. It is usually celebrated a day before in Kerala than in other states. What is Eid-ul-Fitr different from Eid-ul-Adha? Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide. The name literally translates from Arabic as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast." Though there are not much chances that the Shawwal moon will be sighted today. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the beginning of Shawwal. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, the date shifts by about 1011 days each year. IndiGo has issued a travel advisory for its passengers whose flights are expected to fly over Delhi and Bengaluru skies as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunderstorm alert for the cities. Delhi is under a yellow alert for very light to light rainfall, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, and gusty winds with speeds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour, the weather agency said. In a post on X, IndiGo said, With thundershower expected to pass over Delhi and Bangalore, departures and arrivals may be slightly impacted. The airline said that while its teams are preparing well in advance to keep things running smoothly, the weather is likely to slow things down a bit. If you're travelling today, we recommend checking your flight status on our website or app before heading out, IndiGo said. The airline also suggested passengers allow for some extra travel time, as road traffic may also be affected. Delhi weather today Delhi residents woke up to a cloudy morning on Thursday, with parts of the city receiving up to 12.5 mm of rainfall. The minimum temperature stood at 17.6 degrees Celsius this morning. According to the IMD, the capital city is expected to have a generally cloudy sky and receive more rain today. A spell of very light rain/drizzle accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning and strong surface winds, speed 20-30 kmph gusting to 40 kmph, is expected in the forenoon, the weather agency said. It also forecast one or two spells of very light/light rain accompanied with thunderstorm/lightening and gusty winds 30-40 Kmph gusting to 50 Kmph in the Afternoon/Evening. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are expected to be in the range of 28C to 30C and 18C to 20C, respectively. The minimum temperature will be above normal (1.6C to 3.0C) and the maximum temperature will be below normal (-1.6C to -3.0C) over Delhi. The weather agency said the predominant surface wind is likely to be from the northeast direction with wind reaching up to 15 kmph during the morning hours. The wind speed is expected to increase, reaching up to 18 kmph from the east direction in the afternoon. By evening and night, the wind speed will likely decrease, becoming less than 15 kmph from the southeast direction. Bengaluru weather today The weather agency has also issued a yellow alert for moderate rain/thundershowers for Bengaluru for Thursday and Friday. The regional meteorological department said the sky over the city will remain generally cloudy today. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers likely with Gusty winds 30-40 likely, the IMD said. On Friday, the city is expected to receive a partly cloudy sky, alongside light to moderate rain/thundershowers. Gusty winds 30-40 kmph are likely over Bengaluru. As the Iran war enters the third week, Indians have reported a cooking gas shortage amid a conflict-driven supply shock. So far, Centre has maintained that the country has adequate crude supplies and refined fuel stocks to meet local fuel demand. India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, meets over 40% of its crude imports and 90% of of its LPG imports from West Asian nations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. With the Strait of Hormuz being blocked, India has managed to partially offset crude oil supplies through alternative sources, such as Russia, and West Africa. However, sourcing from outside of the Middle East is costlier due to higher freight and insurance charges. The Indian government has been prioritising supplies to domestic household kitchens. Supplies to commercial establishments, such as hotels, were initially cut off, but later gave a fifth of their requirement. The government has hiked the cost of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders amid supply disruptions. The price of a 14.2 kg domestic cooking gas cylinder rose by 60, while the price of a 19 kg commercial cylinder increased by 144 in early March across major cities. No revisions have been made since. Also Read | LPG eKYC online: Aadhaar biometric authentication mandatory for gas connections City-wise LPG rates The following retail rates are currently active in major cities across India: City Domestic LPG price Commercial LPG price New Delhi 913 1,884.50 Mumbai 912.50 1,836 Kolkata 939 1,988.50 Chennai 928.50 2,043.50 Hyderabad 965 2,105.50 Lucknow 950.50 2,007 Bengaluru 915.50 1,958 Patna 1,002.50 2,133.50 The differences in LPG prices across the states are because of the local Value Added Tax (VAT) and freight charges. LPG cylinder prices remain unchanged for low-income households Despite the hike in commercial and domestic LPG cylinders, the prices have remained unchanged for the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), according to a PTI report. The scheme covers over 10 crore gas connections provided to low-income households across the country. Also Read | India taps Iran for safe passage of six LPG, two oil vessels via Hormuz strait India to prioritise domestic fuel demand India said it will prioritise meeting domestic fuel demand before considering requests from several neighbouring nations, including Bangladesh, seeking additional supplies from India to offset shortages triggered by ongoing geopolitical tensions. "Rashtrahit Sarvopari (Nation First)," said Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Domestic fuel demand has to be met first. If there is a surplus after meeting all of the domestic demand, a decision can be taken by the appropriate authority. She said ensuring adequate domestic availability remains the primary focus, with exports to be evaluated only after internal demand is fully met. Centre promise 10% more LPG Centre has promised to increase supplies of commercial LPG to states that fast-track the rollout of piped gas networks in a bid to ease pressure on the cooking fuel availability. The government has offered to raise commercial LPG supplies to 30 per cent in states that expedite the rollout of piped natural gas - an easier alternative to LPG for household kitchens and commercial establishments. Soaring prices Global prices had inched up even before the war between US-Israel and Iran started end February. The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 108.6 points in February, up 1.1% from January, but still 3.5% lower than its level a year ago. World wheat prices rose 1.8% on-month in February, supported by reports of frost and increased winterkill risks in wheat-growing parts of Europe and the US. Logistical disruptions in the Russian Federation and continuing tensions in the Black Sea region also contributed to the increase, the FAO report released on 6 March said. Amid intensifying conflict in West Asia, Iranian aerial strikes from Wednesday have inflicted major destruction on Qatars premier gas terminal, hit a Saudi Arabian refinery, shut UAE gas plants, and ignited blazes at two Kuwaiti fuel hubs. Tehrans reprisal for Israeli strikes against its domestic gas infrastructure represents a significant escalation in the three-week-old conflict. Aramco-Exxon refinery hit On Thursday, a drone struck the Aramco-Exxon SAMREF refinery, according to the Saudi defence ministry, which noted that damage is currently being evaluated. Authorities also neutralised a ballistic missile aimed at Yanbu, the port city serving as Saudi Arabia's primary crude export gateway and home to the refinery. Kuwait refineries targeted Similarly, drone strikes hit operational units at Kuwait Petroleum Corporations Mina Abdullah and Mina al-Ahmadi refineries, sparking fires at both locations, Kuwaits official news agency reported. Extensive damage at Qatars LNG facility State-owned QatarEnergy said on Wednesday that Iranian missile strikes on Ras Laffan, the nation's central LNG processing hub, caused "extensive damage," while the UAE deactivated gas operations after downing missiles early Thursday. These Iranian manoeuvres, which sparked a fierce reaction from US President Donald Trump, occurred shortly after Tehran issued evacuations at several petroleum sites across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, following attacks on its own energy hubs in Asaluyeh and South Pars. QatarEnergy, the world's second-biggest LNG supplier, stated that emergency crews were dispatched instantly to manage fires resulting from the strike. By early Thursday, all conflagrations at Ras Laffan were suppressed with no reported casualties, Qatars interior ministry confirmed. Ras Laffan, situated 80 km north of Doha, serves as a vital energy corridor housing multiple global firms, including Shell, the worlds leading LNG trader. "We are currently assessing any potential impact on any asset operated or utilised by Shell in Ras Laffan Industrial City and will provide further information in due course," a Shell spokesperson said, according to Reuters. Shell subsequently reported that the Pearl GTL plant took damage, noting a fire was rapidly extinguished and the site is now secure while damage assessments continue alongside QatarEnergy and local officials. QatarEnergy said the Pearl gas-to-liquids facility had suffered extensive damage. Several LNG facilities were hit by missile attacks in the early hours of Thursday, causing "sizeable fires" and further damage, it said. Qatar generates 77 million metric tons of LNG annually for global power and industrial use. The Laffan facility mainly refines condensate into specialised products like aviation fuel. Posting on social media, Trump cautioned Iran against further targeting Qatari LNG sites, threatening to "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field" if provocations continue. He claimed Israel struck South Pars without notifying Qatar or Washington. Qatars foreign ministry responded by ordering Irans military and security attaches to depart within 24 hours, labelling them "persona non grata." In an official statement, the ministry denounced the Ras Laffan raid as a "direct threat" to Qatari national safety, accusing Tehran of an "irresponsible approach." Amazon CEO Andy Jassys announcement of faster delivery options in the United States has sparked an online debate, with many Indians pointing out that similar and often quicker services are already common in the country. In a post on social media platform X, Jassy said Amazon will roll out one-hour and three-hour delivery options on more than 90,000 products. The service will cover a wide range of everyday items, including groceries, household supplies and electronics. Explaining the idea behind the move, Jassy said the company is trying to address last-minute needs that customers often face. Everyone knows what its like to scramble to get something done. Missing ingredients before people come over for dinner. Packing school lunches for the morning. Needing new headphones for tomorrows flight, he wrote. He added that Amazon teams have been working to make deliveries faster and more convenient. According to the company, one-hour delivery will initially be available in hundreds of cities and towns, while the three-hour option will expand to more than 2,000 locations over time. Check out the post here: The announcement prompted comparisons from Indian users, many of whom pointed out that deliveries of groceries and essentials in several Indian cities are already completed within 10 to 20 minutes through quick-commerce platforms. However, the comparison does not fully align with what Amazon has announced in the US. The new US offering is an expansion of Amazons existing Same-Day delivery network, allowing faster delivery across a large catalogue of products and a wider geographic footprint. Amazon Now, in contrast, is a separate, more limited format focused on groceries and household essentials. It is currently being tested only in parts of Seattle and Philadelphia, with delivery timelines of around 30 minutes or less. Several users replied to Jassys post by drawing comparisons with Indias fast-expanding quick-commerce ecosystem, where groceries, snacks and everyday essentials are often delivered within 10 to 20 minutes. Indians are getting groceries in 10 minutes, one user wrote, while another commented, In India, this is considered slow. The third user wrote, India has already mastered 10-20 mins delivery. From groceries to electronics. A user asked on X, Copied from Blinkit? Why is it that emerging markets like india have services which deliver in 10 minutes. Or in the GCC you can get goods within 30 minutes while in the US we celebrate 1 hour delivery. How can we learn from the East, the fifth wrote. Others highlighted how the countrys quick-commerce platforms have reshaped expectations around online shopping and delivery timelines. Services offered by companies such as Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon Now and Swiggys Instamart allow customers in many cities to order groceries, snacks, personal care products and household essentials and receive them within minutes. These platforms operate through a network of small neighbourhood warehouses often called dark stores which are designed to keep inventory close to residential areas. This model enables companies to fulfil orders almost instantly. The quick-commerce sector in India has grown rapidly over the past few years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of online grocery shopping. Saudi Arabia announced that Eid al-Fitr marking the end of a month of fasting from dawn to dusk will begin on Friday. The announcement followed the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening. The festival is celebrated across the world on different days depending on the moon sighting. Today, Muslims in India are eagerly awaiting the moon sighting, also known as Chand Raat 2026. What is the best time to spot the crescent moon? The best time to view the crescent is between 6:15 pm and 6:30 pm IST, shortly after sunset, by looking towards the western horizon. If sighted, Eid is likely to be observed on March 20. Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Moon not sighted in Hyderabad President of the Deccan Muslim Ulema Council Central Rohit Hilal Committee announced that India will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 on Saturday, March 21, as the crescent moon has not been sighted today. The holy month of Ramzan will end tomorrow. Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Moon sighting decision in India by 7:30 pm ucknow Eidgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali on Thursday said that efforts are underway to sight the Shawwal crescent, which will determine the date of Eid al-Fitr. Speaking on the development, he said, "All the members of Markazi Chand Committee Firangi Mahali are trying to sight the moon. Once it is sighted, it will be announced whether Eid will be celebrated on the 20th or the 21st. This will be decided by 7.30 pm." Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Eid date announcement at 7:30 pm Eid ul Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting Live: When will Eid be celebrated in India? Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi from Lucknow of Uttar Pradesh has said that the official announcement will be made at 7:30 pm. Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: PM conveys Eid wishes to Jordans King Abdullah II India conveyed advance Eid greetings to Jordans King Abdullah II during a phone conversation, while also discussing the evolving situation in West Asia and stressing the need for dialogue and diplomacy. In a statement, it said, "Conveyed advance Eid wishes to my brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II, the King of Jordan, over phone. We expressed concern at the evolving situation in West Asia and highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region. Attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia are condemnable and can lead to avoidable escalation. India and Jordan stand in support of unhindered transit of goods and energy. Deeply appreciated Jordans efforts in facilitating the safe return of Indians stranded in the region." Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE: Trump, Melania extend Eid al-Fitr greetings to Americans US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump extended their greetings to Americans celebrating Eid al-Fitr. In a statement released by the White House, the President said, The First Lady and I send our best wishes to every American celebrating Eid al-Fitr. The message described Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast, as an occasion that brings together Muslim families, friends and communities to mark the end of Ramadan and recognise their spiritual devotion. Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, unites Muslim families, friends, and communities in honour of their spiritual devotion at the conclusion of Ramadan. It also serves as a reminder of the foundational American principle of religious liberty, which my Administration is fighting for every day. We offer our warmest greetings for a blessed Eid al-Fitr to all who celebrate. Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE: What if moon is not sighted in India today? Today, March 19, marks the 29th day of the holy month of Ramadan. While the observers will gather around to spot the Shawwal crescent moon today, if the moon is not sighted even after the Sunset, the Muslims across the country will complete another day of fasting on March 20th and celebrate Eid on Saturday, March 21st. Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE: When can the crescent moon be sighted in India? In Delhi, the moon rose at 6:24 am IST and is expected to set by 6:58 pm IST, with sunset around 6:20 pm IST. New Delhi follows nearly identical timings, meaning the observation window remains largely the same. In Chandigarh, moonrise was at 6:25 am IST, while moonset is expected at 7:01 pm IST, with sunset at approximately 6:20 pm IST. Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the moon rises between 6:41 am and 6:42 am IST and will set by 7:12 pm IST, with sunset around 6:40 pm IST. Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE: Which countries are still awaiting Shawwal crescent sighting to finalise Eid date? Countries still awaiting the Shawwal crescent announcement include: India Indonesia Malaysia Brunei Bangladesh Pakistan Iran Oman Jordan Syria Egypt Libya Tunisia Algeria Morocco View full Image View full Image Ramadan 2026 moon sighting LIVE: Will Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad and other Indian cities sight the crescent today? ( istock ) What are the city-wise moon sighting timings today? City-wise moon sighting timings today, according to TimeandDate and GoodsReturns: Delhi: 6:58 pm New Delhi: 6:58 pm Mumbai: 7:12 pm Lucknow: 6:20 pm Hyderabad: 6:50 pm Bengaluru: 6:50 pm View full Image View full Image New Delhi, Feb 18 (ANI): Illuminated Jama Masjid on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan in New Delhi. ( Sathiya ) What is the expected Eid date in other countries? Eid al-Fitr is likely to be observed on Friday, March 20, in several countries, though the final date will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. In the United Arab Emirates, astronomical calculations point to a March 20 celebration, but authorities have said the official announcement will follow the moon-sighting committees confirmation. In Abu Dhabi, observers are expected to scan the skies on the evening of March 19, traditionally known as Chand Raat. Also Read | India Eid Moon Sighting LIVE: India gears up for crescent sighting amid clouds Why is Saudi Arabia observing Eid on March 20? Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has indicated that Eid is expected on March 20 after the crescent moon was not sighted, leading to the completion of 30 days of Ramadan. The decision was confirmed after evaluations by the official moon-sighting committee, in keeping with the long-standing Islamic tradition of determining months through lunar observation. How can you improve your chances of spotting the moon on Chand Raat? To increase your chances during Chand Raat 2026 in India: Choose an open area with a clear view of the western horizon Try to observe the sky soon after the Maghrib prayer You may use binoculars to locate the moon, but confirmation must be with the naked eye Avoid places with heavy lighting or tall buildings Weather conditions, such as clouds, may affect visibility and delay confirmation to the next day What happens after the moon is sighted? Official confirmation comes from local Hilal committees in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. If the crescent is sighted today, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on March 20. New York, California, Oregon, and five other states filed a lawsuit on Wednesday seeking to block television station owner Nexstar's proposed $6.2 billion takeover of its rival Tegna, The Hill reported. The lawsuit argued that the tie-up violates antitrust laws. In a news release, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said that when broadcast media is owned by a handful of companies, what people get is fewer voices, less competition. As a result, communities lose their critical check on power that local journalism delivers. Why is the Nexstar-Tegna deal being blocked? The other states that joined in filing the lawsuit included Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina, and Virginia. The suit was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of California. It alleges that the merger breaches Section 7 of the Clayton Act, which states that mergers that significantly reduce competition or tend to establish a monopoly are illegal. What would happen if the merger is approved? According to The Hill, if US President Donald Trump's administration approves the proposed deal between Nexstar and Tegna, it would create the largest local broadcast group in the country, handing the former control of local news programming in over 70% of American households. Nexstar is already the largest provider of local news in the US. It owns The Hill and NewsNation, along with stations in top US markets like Chicago and Los Angeles. Also Read | HBO Max and Paramount+ merger set to reshape global streaming market Will the FCC revise existing rules? The report suggests that if the Nexstar-Tegna deal were to be approved, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would be required to revise the existing rules that curtail the share of US households a single broadcaster can reach across the country. Currently, a single company is barred from reaching over 39% of US households. The proposed deal would have taken the combined entity's share to 60% of the households. Trump backs Nexstar-Tegna deal Trump and FCC chair Brendan Carr have voiced support for the proposed merger. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump, last month, in a Truth Social post, supported the deal and wrote that a bigger Nexstar would balance out "the Fake News National TV Networks." Simultaneously, Carr, in a post on X, wrote, President Trump is exactly right. The national networks like Comcast & Disney have amassed too much power. For years, theyve been pushing this Hollywood & New York programming all over the country with no real checks. Lets get it done and bring real competition to them. States decide to block Nexstar deal The development comes weeks after the Wall Street Journal reported that several states are planning to sue and block the proposed merger. The move highlights the legal risks that continue to surround media mergers despite the Trump administration's support for large deals. Citing sources, the report suggested that the attorney general of these eight states would file a lawsuit if the deal gets regulatory clearance from the FCC. The lawsuit by Bonta and others shows how attorneys are now stepping up to block deals as the Trump administration takes a more easygoing view on consolidation. Also Read | What a Warner Bros-Paramount colossus would look like Iran-US War: Unidentified drones have been detected flying over Fort Lesley J. McNair, the Washington Army installation where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reside, raising urgent security concerns at the highest levels of US government, the Washington Post reported. The sightings multiple drones observed on a single night within the past ten days triggered an emergency White House meeting and prompted officials to consider relocating both secretaries, according to media report citing three people briefed on the matter. As of the latest reports, neither Rubio nor Hegseth has been moved. What We Know About the Fort McNair Drone Incident Investigators have so far been unable to determine the origin of the drones, two of the briefed individuals to Washington Post. The incident is being treated with particular gravity given the current security climate: the US and Israel are actively conducting strikes against Iran, pushing the military to monitor potential threats with considerably greater vigilance. A senior administration official confirmed to Washington post about the sightings and the subsequent White House discussions, noting that increased security measures have since been implemented at the base. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined to address the specifics, saying, "The department cannot comment on the secretary's movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible," according to WaPo report. US Military Bases on Heightened Alert Across the Country The drone episode at Fort McNair is not an isolated development. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida have both elevated their force protection level to Charlie, the second-highest designation, indicating that a commander has received intelligence suggesting an attack or danger is possible. Only the Delta level, reserved for when an attack has occurred or is imminent, ranks higher. MacDill, which serves as the headquarters of US Central Command and oversees American military operations against Iran, has faced two separate security incidents this week alone. An FBI investigation is now underway following a suspicious package that shut down the base's visitors centre for several hours on Monday. A further unspecified security incident on Wednesday placed the base under a shelter-in-place order for hours. "To ensure the safety and security of our people and the mission, commanders adjust their installation's security posture in accordance with local threat assessments," an Air Force spokesperson told Washington Post. State Department Issues Global Security Alert for Diplomatic Posts Beyond domestic military installations, the State Department this week ordered all US diplomatic posts worldwide to conduct immediate security evaluations. A cable reviewed by the Washington Post cited "the ongoing and developing situation in the Middle East and the potential for spillover effects" as the basis for the directive. Why Fort McNair Is a Distinctive and Vulnerable Target Fort McNair is home to the National Defense University and several of the Pentagon's most senior military officials. Historically, the base has not housed political leadership, but that has changed under the current administration. A growing number of Trump officials, including outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have relocated to area bases citing personal security concerns. The Fort McNair base's appeal is partly geographical: it sits close to both Capitol Hill and the White House, making it convenient for senior officials. However, security analysts note that it lacks the protective buffer afforded by other installations in the capital region, making it comparatively more exposed. Iran's History of Targeting US Officials Adds to Concern The latest security alerts carry an added dimension given Iran's documented history of plotting against American officials. In the years following the 2020 US strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, Iranian leaders have repeatedly sought to retaliate against those deemed responsible. During the 2024 presidential campaign, the Secret Service detail protecting Donald Trump's team encountered unidentified drones on multiple occasions - including at a news conference in Los Angeles and during a motorcade through rural western Pennsylvania, reports add. That September, officials informed Trump that Iran had allegedly deployed multiple kill teams inside the country with the intent to assassinate him. While no direct link to Iran was established in either of the assassination attempts that year, officials said they could not rule out a connection. News / Local by Bulawayo Leaders Grade Four (4) students at Coghlan Primary school in Bulawayo are reportedly being taught by a Shona speaking Student Teacher on teaching practice and have hence could not learn properly.Reports state that at the beginning of January 2014 students informed their parents that a certain teacher was teaching them using Shona which they were not well conversant in and hence could not learn properly.The teacher is reportedly not even conversant in the Ndebele language. After being informed the parents confronted the Headmaster who said she was new to the school and did not know how to deal with the matter.However parents where even puzzled as to which criteria was even used to deploy the teacher who could not even teach in the local language. It is sad considering that Coghlan Primary is an A school and should be one of the leading schools in early childhood development.The issue at hand further exposes the failure by public institutes to uphold and respect the constitutional rights of people in Matabeleland.It is proving to be more of a habit and strategy to completely alienate their rights than a simple issue of human rights abuses. Iran War News Highlights (19 March 2026): US President Trump has dismissed claims about sending US troops to the Middle East. He said on Thursday, "No, I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you but I'm not putting troops." What happened in the last few hours? Top updates 1. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth just held a press conference where he pushed back against criticism the US war on Iran risked becoming a military quagmire. 2. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that Washington might "unsanction" Iranian oil that is already being shipped, as energy prices soar due to the war in the Middle East. In an interview with Fox Business, he said the US government could also release more oil from its strategic reserves. 3. European nations and Japan said on Thursday they were ready to join efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to help stabilize energy markets. 4. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Thursday issued evacuation warnings for several oil and gas facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, including the SAMREF refinery, amid escalating regional tensions. 5. Qatar Energy said on X that it was a missile hit on its massive Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility that caused the blaze early Thursday. Get latest updates on Iran War News LIVE Updates here on Mint! US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned the Senate on Wednesday (March 18) that several nations are developing missile capabilities that could directly threaten the United States. Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads, that put our Homeland within range, Gabbard said. The intelligence community projects that the collective missile threat to the US could expand from the current 3,000+ missiles to more than 16,000 by 2035. China and Russia advancing capabilities Gabbard highlighted concerns over advanced delivery systems designed to bypass US missile defenses. The IC assesses that China and Russia are developing advanced delivery systems meant to be capable of penetrating or bypassing U.S. missile defenses, she said. North Korea and Pakistans nuclear ambitions North Koreas intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) already have the range to strike the US, she said and that the regime is actively expanding its nuclear arsenal. North Koreas ICBMs can already reach U.S. soil, and it is committed to expanding its nuclear arsenal, Gabbard noted. She also warned about Pakistan: Pakistans long-range ballistic missile development potentially could include ICBMs with the range capable of striking the Homeland. Irans potential ICBM development Gabbard flagged Irans missile program, noting that Tehran has demonstrated technology that could support ICBM development in the future. Iran has previously demonstrated space launch and other technology it could use to begin to develop a militarily viable ICBM before 2035, should Tehran attempt to pursue the capability, she said. She added that US strikes in Operation Epic Fury could affect Irans future missile production: These assessments will be updated as the full impact of Operation Epic Furys devastating strikes on Irans missile production facilities, stockpiles, and launch capabilities is determined. Nations monitoring US missile defense The intelligence community expects these countries to closely track US missile defense plans to guide their own development. These nations will likely seek to understand US plans for advanced missile defense for the Homeland, probably for the purpose of shaping their own missile development programs and assessing US intentions regarding deterrence, Gabbard said. Her remarks came amid ongoing scrutiny of the US war in Iran, which was launched on February 28 following claims of an imminent nuclear threat. Gabbard defends Trumps decision Despite the resignation, Gabbard defended Trumps actions. She emphasized that the President has the authority to determine threats and respond accordingly: 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 said. She also described the role of her agency in providing intelligence to the President: The Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA) on Thursday urged flight crews operating within specific West Asian corridors to maintain "heightened situational awareness" and perform rigorous operational risk evaluations due to the region's persisting hostilities. Releasing a formal advisory, ALPA recognised the elevated threats to civil aviation and encouraged personnel to stay informed regarding their aviation insurance policies. The guidance emerges during the ongoing West Asia conflict, which escalated following US and Israeli strikes on 28 February, resulting in subsequent airspace closures and logistical hurdles for commercial carriers. What does the ALPA advisory say? The association recommended that pilots thoroughly evaluate all mission briefings, NOTAMS, and internal corporate guidelines before departure. ALPA wrote: "Recent geopolitical developments and escalating military tensions in several areas of the Middle East have resulted in an increased risk to civil aviation operations. These include the potential for airspace closures, missile and drone activity, electronic warfare interference, and the possibility of misidentification of civil aircraft operating in or transiting through affected regions." "While operators may continue to schedule flights through certain airspaces based on regulatory clearances or operational considerations, pilots must remain aware that the risk environment in these areas can change rapidly and without adequate warning," the advisory read. Requesting that pilots and flight teams examine their insurance clauses, ALPA highlighted that insurance underwriters might cancel or restrict protection for flights entering identified combat zones. "In addition, members are advised to take note of the potential implications related to aviation insurance coverage, particularly with respect to war-risk clauses. Under certain circumstances, insurance providers may withdraw or limit coverage for operations conducted in designated conflict zones or high-risk airspaces. In such situations, there may be ambiguity regarding the extent of insurance protection available to crew members," ALPA wrote. "Ensure that appropriate operational risk assessments have been conducted by the operator for any flights planned in or near conflict-affected areas. Exercise professional judgement and raise safety concerns through established reporting channels where required," the association said. Also Read | Wall Street declines as crude prices advance on intensifying Middle East war "ALPA India reiterates that the safety and protection of flight crews and passengers must remain paramount. Members should not hesitate to seek clarification or raise legitimate safety concerns should they believe that operational risks have not been adequately mitigated. ALPA India continues to monitor developments closely and remains engaged with relevant authorities. and international pilot associations to ensure that the concerns of Indian pilots are appropriately represented. Members are encouraged to remain vigilant and prioritise safety at all times," it added. Over 2.80 lakh nationals return to India from Gulf countries Simultaneously, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that approximately 280,000 citizens have successfully repatriated to India from West Asia. MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf), Aseem Mahajan, remarked that while certain nations still face interruptions, the general status of flight operations is showing steady signs of recovery. A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after being struck by what officials believe may have been Iranian fire, CNN reported citing two sources. The stealth aircraft was conducting a combat mission over Iran when the incident reportedly occurred, marking a potentially significant escalation in the ongoing conflict that began in late February. US Central Command statement Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, confirmed the emergency landing and said the situation is under investigation. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition, Hawkins said. This incident is under investigation. Hawkins added that the jet had been flying a combat mission over Iran at the time it sustained damage. First known strike on US aircraft If confirmed, the incident would represent the first time Iran has successfully struck a US aircraft during the current conflict. Both US and Israeli forces have been deploying F-35 jets in operations across the region. Each aircraft is estimated to cost upwards of $100 million. Other aircraft losses in the conflict While this may be the first case of enemy fire damaging a US aircraft, the US military has already suffered other aviation losses during the war. Three US F-15 fighter jets were previously shot down in what officials described as a friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti air defenses. All six crew members aboard those jets ejected safely. In a separate incident last week, a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq. US officials stated the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. The incident was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire, the US military said in a statement. Fatal KC-135 crash Unlike the other incidents, the KC-135 crash resulted in fatalities. All six crew members aboard the refueling aircraft were killed. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Also Read | Netanyahu says Iran can't enrich uranium or build missiles anymore Swastika Das Sharma Swastika is a Digital Content Producer at LiveMint, covering business news and business trends. She has always been intrigued by the numbers that drive news, which has led to a passion for covering finances as a beat - be it personal finance or corporate. Originally from Kolkata, Swastikas love for news started at home where her family made sure she read newspapers since she was a kid.
With over five years of experience in digital news, and one year at LiveMint, her focus includes writing on the business and personal finance beats. Swastika is a 2020 graduate from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, with a specialisation in New Media. Before her current role at LiveMint, she worked at major publications like The Telegraph Online, News18.com and The Economic Times. As a Digital Content Producer at LiveMint, she has extensively covered topics like income tax, Union Budget, economy, personal finance tools and cryptocurrency.
Swastikas specialisations include:
Corporate news: Writing and breaking stories from corporates and companies
Business trends: Finding what's trending in business and churning original stories
Personal finance explainers: Writing explainers on income tax, provident fund, etc.
Swastika can be followed on her LinkedIn profile as well as on X at @swastika1005. She can be reached by email via swastika.sharma@htdigital.in. Recently, while working on a story on farmer-owned companies, I came across an ancient variety of rice. The heirloom rice variety, known as Kala Namak comes from eastern Uttar Pradesh. Its also known as Buddha rice: the legend goes that Lord Buddha distributed seeds of this rice to his devotees as a blessing, after attaining Nirvana. Its an aromatic, short-grain variety with a low glycaemic index, making it suitable for diabetics. Another positive of this rice is that it contains 3-times the protein content of regular varieties (about 17%). India has lost many traditional rice cultivars following the green revolution launched in the mid-1960s, which focused on increasing cereal production by adopting high-yielding varieties which respond well to chemical inputs. Thankfully, Kala Namak was revived by a retired agriculture scientist, and farmer groups are now actively growing it, lured by higher prices. India is the worlds largest producer and exporter of rice. But rice is also a water-guzzling crop. So, in a way, India is virtually exporting its depleting groundwater reserves. Rice is also a leading contributor to methane emissions a greenhouse gas more potent when compared to CO2. Farmers growing high-yielding rice varieties also tend to overuse heavily subsidized (and dirt cheap) fertilizers like urea, which deteriorates soil health and contributes to higher emissions. So, it makes sense to promote and revive heirloom varieties like Kala Namak, which use fewer chemical inputs and are more nutritious. Consumers also have an outsized role here: a variety can only be grown if there is demand and buyers are ready to pay a premium. A kg of Kala Namak rice costs over 300 in cities. But if you consider its health and environmental benefits, plus its divine, earthy aroma, the price will pinch less. STATE OF THE CLIMATE India is experiencing a significant shift in seasonal patterns as global warming continues to override the cooling effects of La Nina. Traditionally, La Nina suppresses global temperatures, yet 2025 ranked as the eighth warmest year since 1901 despite these conditions. This trend has led to an unusually early onset of summer in India, with the spring season remaining largely absent for another year. Severe heatwaves have already gripped parts of the country. In March, Mumbai recorded a staggering 40C7.6 degrees above normalwhile temperatures in Delhi-NCR have hovered 5 to 7 degrees above seasonal averages. Experts attribute this trend to persistent anticyclonic circulations and relentless greenhouse gas emissions that outpace natural cooling cycles, as per an update from the non-profit Climate Trends. Coastal regions are also facing dangerous humidity levels, increasing temperatures and the risk of heat-related illnesses. The long-term outlook remains concerning. With the Indian Ocean warming rapidly, traditional winter rains are failing, and the India Meteorological Department forecasts above-normal heatwave days through May. This shift represents an intensifying force which will affect health, agriculture, and economic productivity across India. THE NEWS IN BRIEF View full Image View full Image Customers queue up to refill empty gas cylinders in Mumbai. ( Photo: HT ) View full Image View full Image Black soot from black rain following an attack on oil facilities in Tehran, Iran. ( Photo: Reuters ) Black rain is a toxic environmental phenomenon that occurs when massive quantities of soot and chemicals from industrial firesspecifically those targeting oil refineriesmix with the atmosphere. In the current Iran-Israel conflict, strikes in early March ignited major petroleum facilities near Tehran. The resulting thick plumes of sulphur, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals were captured by a passing weather system, falling as a dark, oily, highly acidic liquid. The World Health Organization has warned that this rain can cause chemical skin burns and severe lung irritation. It carries carcinogenic compounds and fine particles (PM2.5) that can enter the bloodstream upon inhalation. Pollution from uncontrolled fires poses an additional risk to regional food security. The toxic fallout contaminates groundwater and poisons the soil, potentially ruining crop cycles and agricultural productivity. PRIME NUMBER 5.5 View full Image View full Image Palestenians gather for Iftar amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in northern Gaza ( Photo: AP ) A new report reveals the staggering climate cost of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Researchers estimate that the first 120 days of direct war generated between 420,265 and 652,552 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent). This includes emissions from thousands of bombing raids, reconnaissance flights, cargo shipments, and fuel-intensive tank operations. The footprint expands significantly when accounting for pre-war fortifications, such as Hamass tunnel network and Israels Iron Wall. Besides, rebuilding Gazas destroyed buildings and infrastructure is projected to emit between 46.8 and 60 million tCO2e. This total exceeds the annual emissions of 135 individual nations, rivalling emissions of countries like Portugal and Sweden. Given that global militaries account for roughly 5.5% of total emissions, the authors argue that these costs remain largely invisible in international climate accounting. They recommend mandatory military emissions reporting and a finer understanding of the climate dimensions of an armed conflict. MOVIE OF THE MONTH View full Image View full Image The Dinosaurs Namely, that governments should not be in any business that the private sector can do as well, if not better. It was this aspect of Indias market reform agenda that led successive administrations to disinvest in a host of state-run undertakings across sectors over the past three decades. It was an exercise that culminated in the most difficult and perhaps controversial sell-off of all, that of Air India in January 2022. While it was a heart-warming story of a woman staying alive, some channels placed it alongside Harish Ranas persistent vegetative state. If reported details were accurate, the miracle in this case was the earlier declaration of brain-death, if done by a low reading on the Glasgow Coma Scale, which can only indicate deep coma or complete unresponsiveness. There is wide consensus that brain death means death and there is no return from it. A Meta AI agent went rogue inside the tech giant and exposed sensitive company and user data to employees who did not have permission to access it, as per a report by The Information, cited by TechCrunch. Reportedly, the incident occurred after a Meta employee posted on an internal forum asking for help with a technical question, which is a standard practice inside the company. However, another engineer is said to have summoned an AI agent to help analyse the question and posted a response without asking the engineer for permission to share it. Notably, the AI agent is said to not have given good advice and the employee who asked the question reportedly took actions based on the agent's guidance, which led to him inadvertently making massive amounts of company- and user-related data available to engineers who were not allowed to view it for two hours. Meta reportedly confirmed the validity of the incident to The Information. The company is said to have given a Sev 1 rating to the incident, which is the second-highest level of severity in the tech giant's internal system for measuring security issues. Notably, this isn't even the first instance of a Meta employee facing problems with rogue AI agents. Last month, Meta's head of AI Safety & Alignment, Summer Yue, had revealed in a post on X how she had connected her Gmail inbox with an autonomous agent from OpenClaw which had gone rogue and began mass deleting her inbox despite her explicit instructions on confirming before taking any action. I couldnt stop it from my phone. I had to RUN to my Mac mini like I was defusing a bomb, Yue had revealed in a post on X. Meta's AI bets: Meanwhile, Meta seems to continue to have high faith in agentic AI systems as the tech giant just last week bought the first-ever AI-only social media platform Moltbook while roping in its co-founders Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr in its Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) initiative. The MSL initiative by the company came about last year after its $14.3 billion investment to acquire a 49% stake in the artificial intelligence startup Scale AI. Since then, the company has made several changes internally in a bid to catch up with rivals like OpenAI, Google and Anthropic to reach superintelligence AI systems. News / National by Stephen Jakes A National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) driver who had been missing since 13 March 2026 has been found dead in Norton, the authority has confirmed. In a statement, NPAZ said the body of Shingirai Chikosha, who was based in Harare, was discovered after several days of intensive search efforts.The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) regretfully informs members of the public that Shingirai Chikosha, who had been reported missing since 13 March 2026, has been found deceased in Norton, the statement read.The Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding both his disappearance and death.NPAZ appealed to members of the public with any information that may assist the police to report to their nearest station.The Authority extends its sincere gratitude to all individuals and organisations who participated in the search efforts and offered various forms of support during this difficult period, the statement added.Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Chikoshas family, particularly his wife and children, as they navigate this profound loss. May they find comfort and strength during this time of grief. News / National by Staff reporter New details have emerged following a tragic plane crash that claimed the life of a pilot and left his wife seriously injured in a mountainous area between Zaka and Bikita districts on Sunday morning, with witnesses revealing that the woman attempted to escape using a parachute moments before impact.The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident, which occurred at around 11AM in Nyoka Village, approximately 85 kilometres southeast of Masvingo.According to police, the aircraft had departed from Komani Aerodrome in Mt Hampden, Harare, en route to Chipinda Pools when it reportedly developed a mechanical fault."The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms an aircraft crash which occurred on 15th March 2026 at around 1100 hours at Nyoka Village, Zaka, Masvingo Province. One person was killed while another person was injured when an aircraft carrying two occupants crashed before being engulfed by fire," reads part of the police statement.Authorities said the aircraft began emitting an unusual sound mid-flight before losing stability.Investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe have since been deployed to determine the exact cause of the .Eyewitnesses described a terrifying sequence of events, saying the aircraft suddenly swerved after what appeared to be a mid-air burst, before descending rapidly toward the ground.Sources identified the occupants as a husband and wife. Moments before the crash, the woman reportedly attempted to escape using a parachute. However, the parachute is said to have snagged on the aircraft's wing before tearing apart, causing her to fall separately from the plane.She landed a few metres from the crash site, sustaining severe injuries, including broken legs.Villagers who rushed to the scene said they found the wreckage engulfed in flames, with the pilot trapped inside."We could see him inside, but we could not open the doors," said one witness.The aircraft later reignited, creating an opening that allowed rescuers to access the wreckage. Using a log, villagers managed to pull the pilot's body from the burning aircraft, but he had already succumbed to his injuries.Two villagers, Jairos Nyoka and Jeffrey Nyoka, were among those who assisted in retrieving the body.The injured woman was found in distress, repeatedly asking about her husband's condition. She was rushed to hospital, although her current status remains unknown.Local Ward 2 Councillor, Sarah Mamvura, who visited the scene, corroborated accounts from first responders.While some villagers believe the couple may be foreign nationals, possibly Australians, authorities said their identities had not yet been officially confirmed.Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing. Use the Arrows < > above to go through the gallery This Daffodil Day, Friday, March 20, the Irish Cancer Society is urging you to stand with cancer patients and survivors and Go All In Against Cancer. Longford Live photographer Shelley Corcoran captured this gallery of pictures from the launch. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO PICTURES | Bumper Longford St Patrick's Day parade features wonderful music and floats] CAPTION: Samuel Byrne (Longford Shopping Centre), Glenda Ryan ICS, Bernie Campbell, Noeleen McTaggart, Helen Moran, Ann Cox, Betty Martin, Therese Durkin, Monica McElhinney ICS, Weronika Byrne Picture: Shelley Corcoran In 2026 alone, an estimated 44,000 people will receive a cancer diagnosis in Ireland. The Irish Cancer Society typically receives only 5% of its income from the Government, so they rely on the publics generosity to provide their vital free services and support to ensure nobody in Ireland faces cancer alone. Your generosity on Daffodil Day also funds groundbreaking cancer research & trials, throughout Ireland. PICTURES | Night of style at Mean Scoil Mhuire TY Ball in Longford Arms Hotel Longford Daffodil Day Coordinator Noeleen McTaggart explained, We will be present in all villages and towns on Friday, March 20 and in Longford Town on Saturday, March 21. We are encouraging businesses, schools and groups to partake and organise their own fundraiser in support. In the last three years we have raised 66,000 in Longford alone due to the amazing generosity of the Longford people. We have a team of very dedicated volunteers who often brave the elements to raise as much money as possible for this vital charity. We hope this year will be bigger and better with all your support. Also read: Acclaimed Longford-based artist launches thought-provoking exhibition Berehynia The European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Oliver Varhelyi has been questioned by Longford MEP Ciaran Mullooly about recent shipments of hormone contaminated Brazillian beef, during the AGRI Committee today in Brussels. Speaking on the revelation by the Commissioner on the strategic nature of recent shipments of hormone laced Brazilian beef, MEP Mullooly commented that, "this is an extraordinary and deeply concerning admission by the European Commission". "It confirms that beef imported into the European Union under existing trade arrangements has the potential to pose a direct risk to consumer health," he added. Mr Mullooly said Commissioner acknowledged that this situation is unacceptable. He further indicated that, in his view, this was a "Strategically organised breach, as the consignment of beef arrived in several entry points", and that the Brazilian Minister was contacted to suspend certification of the organisation and farms involved. READ NEXT: Lifesavers: Emergency services taking part in Midlands St Patrick's Day parade help resuscitate woman Ciaran Mullooly MEP said that, "This will come a little consolation to Irish and EU farmers who must uphold the highest beef standards. "I have been raising this issue consistently for months, warning that systemic weaknesses in Brazils production and certification processes risk undermining EU food safety standards. "I have repeatedly cautioned that the proposed Mercosur agreement would significantly increase these risks by expanding the volume of beef imports into the EU." The Midlands North West MEP said that, "this situation now takes on added urgency. Within weeks, provisional application of the Mercosur agreement is expected, yet the Commission is simultaneously acknowledging, based on audit findings, that there is a credible risk to human health". READ NEXT: RIP: Heartbreaking - funeral details announced for Longford man who died in road crash Mr Mullooly further commented that, "Proceeding under these circumstances defies logic. The provisional application of the agreement must be paused until the EU can guarantee, with full certainty, that beef imports from Brazil comply with EU standards and do not pose any risk to consumers." Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem during his 2026 Qods Day speech. On March 13, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem gave his second speech since the renewal of Hezbollahs war with Israel on March 2. The speech marked the anniversary of Qods Day, an event held on the last Friday of Ramadan and created in 1979 by Khomeinist Iran to express solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israels existence. The main themes of Qassems speech included: The importance of Qods Day After delivering the customary religious salutations, Qassem recounted the history and significance of Qods Day. He said that Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Irans first supreme leader, had chosen to mark the event on Ramadans last Friday because it represents championing the oppressed and the desire for independence. However, Qassem said, Khomeini had conceived of the days significance as extending beyond the call to liberate Palestine to also be a day for all the oppressed to confront the arrogant; a day when all the peoples groaning under the yoke of American and other injustice could confront the great powers oppressing them. Nevertheless, Qassem expressed that Palestinian liberation was the precondition to achieving justice on a global scale. He said that Palestines and Jerusalems occupationin other words, Israels existencewas the worlds greatest injustice that began in 1948 when America and the major powers sponsored this occupation by creating and legitimizing this cancerous tumor. Qassem then argued that liberating Palestine would have regional and global reverberations. His rationale was that this malevolent entity [Israel] had created a base from which the Israeli-American enemy could spread regional chaos, and this disorder will continue so long as [Israel] exists. Because of this collective interest in Palestines liberation, Qassem said, the responsibility to achieve that liberation was likewise collective, extending to all Arab and Islamic nations, all free peoples, because by standing with Palestine they are standing with themselves. Hezbollah, he stated, would not deviate from championing the Palestinian cause. On Qods day, we declare the Palestinians are not alone, he said, elaborating that Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance will continue to support Palestines total liberation and are willing to offer even more sacrifices than they already have for this cause, in defense of truth, and in defense of Jerusalem. Hezbollahs war against Israel is defensive Qassem, as in his previous speech on March 4, stressed that Hezbollahs renewal of the conflict with Israel was an act of lawful self-defense against a brutal Israeli-American aggression and an existential threat in every sense of the phrase. As part of this overall theme, Qassem sought to obscure the fact that Hezbollah had renewed the war to serve Iranian interests, even at the expense of bringing destruction upon Lebanon. He therefore insisted, once again, that Hezbollahs March 2 attack on Israel was a response to Israels 15 months of operations against the group in Lebanon. He stated that Hezbollah had warned several times in the past that patience has limits. To undermine the connection of conflicts renewal to Iran, Qassem also claimed, for the first time, that Hezbollah had considered retaliation at three different junctures prior to March 2. However, we decided to give additional chances, especially since some parties entreated us to do so, and therefore the conditions were inappropriate, he said. Hezbollah preempted a premeditated Israeli war Qassem once again also claimed that Hezbollahs attack hadnt reinitiated the war but had instead preempted a premeditated and imminent Israeli campaign in Lebanon. Here, too, he was trying to explain away the Iranian connection to Hezbollahs attack, claiming that Israel had decided upon launching this alleged campaign but was debating its timing. Thus, Hezbollahs March 2 attack wasnt in defense of Iran, he argued. Instead, it was only because the US and Israeli war against the Tehran regime had created the proper conditions to confront the enemy. Qassem explicitly tried to reframe the discourse on the matter according to Hezbollahs terms. The debate isnt about who started or who is fighting; the debate is about facing a 15-month-long aggression, Israels occupation of several points inside Lebanon, and the ongoing aggression, Qassem said. Israel, he argued, had been attacking for 15 months and had just killed our Imam and leader, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In addition, the coincidence of Hezbollah fighting Israel during the ongoing confrontation with Islamic Iran meant Israels capabilities were more divided, he said, creating a weakness that Hezbollah could exploit to compel [Israel] to accept a more favorable agreement. This combination of factors, Qassem arguednot seeking to serve the Iranian regimes interestscontributed to [Hezbollahs] decision to retaliate. Qassem, therefore, insisted that others abandon the idea that Hezbollah caused this aggression and instead blame Israeli-American aggression. In addition, he said that the resistance would find a way to dialogue with other Lebanese, if Israel would stop its attacks and withdraw from Lebanese territory. Otherwise, Qassem said, Hezbollah would never surrender, which would pave the way for the Israelis to establish Greater Israel. A war in defense of Lebanon As he did in his last speech, Qassem never directly addressed the accusations that many Lebanese citizens are directing against the group about renewing the war with Israel. Instead, he deflected with counter-questions. They say we provoked the enemy with a missile barragedidnt 15 months, 500 martyrs, hundreds of wounded, destruction, occupation, and detention provoke you? You consider our response a provocation? We consider ourselves to be acting from a position of lawful/legitimate defense, he said. Hezbollah, Qassem implied, had been provoked by these actions, but not on behalf of itself alone, even though Israels operations exclusively targeted the group and overwhelmingly only impacted it. Instead, he argued, the groups actions were on behalf of Lebanon. Rather than object, he said, other Lebanese should join Hezbollahs war: Let this be clear: the battle we are waging is the battle of the Islamic resistance in Lebanon and the people of the resistance in Lebanon against the Israeli aggression that is attacking Lebanon. Yes, other matters are included, but that doesnt change the fact that this battle isnt for anyone else. Its for our own sake; its a Lebanese battle. The battle stems from lawful self-defense in which everyone must participate. The miserable failure of the Lebanese states diplomatic efforts to secure an end to Israels operations and protect its sovereignty or citizenry, Qassem argued, left the group no choice but to act. Meanwhile, he tried to reframe the Israeli response as a deliberate war on the Lebanese people that was killing civilians, displacing people, and demolishing homes under the pretext of fighting the resistance fighters. Qassem again cited Israels attacks on Al Qard al Hassan, one of Hezbollahs main financial institutions, as proof that it was trying to harm the disadvantaged people served by that institution. Hezbollah wants an Israeli ground invasion and is prepared for a long war Qassem then claimed that Hezbollah had learned the lessons of the 2024 Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon and, therefore, welcomed a new one. This isnt a threat, he said, Its a prelude to their defeat. Every advance by the Israeli military into southern Lebanon, Qassem argued, would only give the resistances fighters more opportunities to make gains in field operations by confronting the enemy at close quarters. Qassem then taunted Israeli officials to follow through on their threats of a ground invasion. Lets see you seize territory. Can you remain permanently and sustain your presence? You cant, and you wont be able tonot against this resistance, people, and army; this nation, and the honorable people of our homeland, Lebanon, he boasted. Qassem also claimed that Hezbollah had prepared itself for a long war with Israel that would be sustained by the morale of its fighters. Meanwhile, he alleged that Israels goal of killing civilians to decouple them from the resistance was failing, granting the group additional strength and endurance. Lebanon must support Hezbollah Throughout his speech, but especially at the conclusion, Qassem insisted that Hezbollah was an asset and a source of strength to Lebanon. Therefore, he argued, the Lebanese government should not offer Israel free concessions or offer this country freely to the Israeli enemy by turning against Hezbollah or demanding the groups disarmament. This government must take a confrontational decision and rescind some of their decisions against the resistance, Qassem said. He didnt specify which decisions, but presumably he meant Beiruts March 2 decision to proscribe Hezbollahs military activities. Qassem called for Lebanese strength through unity and for Beirut not to stab the resistance in the back. Once Israels aggression was halted, he said, then suggest whatever you want, in a likely nod to resuming internal discussions on the fate of Hezbollahs arsenal. However, in the meantime, he said, This resistance continues, and the battlefield is the arena of honor. The word now belongs to the battlefield; we are ready for it, God is with us, our people are with us, and the free and honorable people in our homeland and the world are with us. This is the strength that will prevail, God willing. David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs. A sailor signals the launch of an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford during Operation Epic Fury [on] March 15, 2026. (US Department of War) The United States, along with its Israeli partners, continues to make considerable progress toward its military objectives of removing Irans primary military means to threaten the region in the third week of Operation Epic Fury. Despite these operational successes, however, Tehran and its proxies retain the ability to attack US forces. In an operational update on March 16, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, reiterated what he described as CENTCOMs well-defined and clear military objectives of eliminating Irans missile, drone, and naval threats. Despite less-clear and, at times, conflicting political goals issued by the Trump administration, the military objectives stated by military leaders have remained largely consistent. So far, the United States and Israel have continued making consistent progress in degrading those capabilities, with US forces striking over 7,800 targets by March 18. To understand where progress has been made toward accomplishing these objectives and what challenges persist, it is helpful to review US operations against each element of Iranian military power and examine what capabilities the Tehran regime and its terror proxies in the region retain. Perhaps the clearest, if not unsurprising, example of CENTCOMs operational success has been against the Iranian navy. US forces had destroyed over 120 Iranian vessels by March 18, and have targeted other Iranian naval assets such as mine storage and production facilities. US forces also conducted strikes on March 17 targeting hardened missile sites along Irans coast to degrade the regimes ability to target vessels in or near the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran could still threaten military and commercial vessels with any surviving land-based missiles, drones, fast-attack craft, and mines. CENTCOM and its Israeli partners have also made considerable progress in degrading the Iranian missile and long-range one-way-attack (OWA) drone threat. Iranian missile launches were down 90 percent by last week, while OWA attacks had dropped by 95 percent, according to the Pentagon. American and Israeli forces continue to conduct persistent strikes against Iranian missile launchers and facilities, an effort that is not only crucial for attriting Iranian missile capacity but also for suppressing the regimes ability and willingness to risk these remaining high-value assets by launching attacks before they can be detected and destroyed. Additionally, Admiral Cooper stated on Tuesday that Iranian ballistic missile and drone production has been targeted extensively as well, doing damage to the regimes ability to reconstitute these capabilities. While these effects on Iranian naval, missile, and drone capabilities represent significant operational successes, they have come at a cost. Admiral Cooper noted that Iran has launched attacks against military and civilian targets in a dozen countries across the region since the start of the war. Thirteen US service members had died in the operation by March 17, with seven American soldiers killed by Iranian attacks in the opening days of the war, and an additional six US Air Force crew members lost when their refueling aircraft went down over Iraq on March 12. More than 200 additional service members had been wounded or injured across seven countries by March 16, according to a US military spokesman. Additionally, despite the significant reduction in Irans ballistic missile and drone launches, Iranian and proxy drone attacks remain a significant threat to US forces in the region. US forces in Iraq, for example, have sustained consistent attacks from Iranian proxies, with the US Embassy in Baghdad and a separate American facility near Baghdad International Airport being targeted by rockets and drones, some of which have struck their targets. Perhaps most concerningly, multiple videos have emerged showing Iranian proxies using first-person view (FPV) drones to conduct reconnaissance of, and at least one attack against, US diplomatic and military facilities in Baghdad. This is a relatively nascent capability for these groups, which have largely relied on rockets and fixed-wing OWA drones with pre-programmed targets to attack US forces in recent years. Large-scale use of FPVs by Iraqi militias would allow them to detect and attack exposed American personnel and equipment in real-time. FPVs would also allow them to conduct more effective intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance of American positions. This tactic could enable more complex attacks that incorporate both rockets and drones in an attempt to overwhelm American defenses. Pictures of the US Embassy in Baghdad from last week showed what appeared to be American defensive equipment struck by a drone, indicating that these proxy forces may already have the capability to strike specific high-value targets. An expanding use of FPVs would pose a dangerous new challenge to US forces defending these facilities and require rapid adaptation. Additionally, Russia has reportedly provided Iran with satellite intelligence on US positions and improved drone technology, which Moscow ironically developed from previously provided Iranian drones, as well as its own battlefield experience in Ukraine. This information would not only increase Tehrans capability to target US forces with drones and ballistic missiles but also could improve Irans ability to successfully strike those targets with enhanced OWA drones. Likewise, should Tehran share Russian intelligence on US positions with its proxies in Iraq, those militias could use that new knowledge to conduct more deadly rocket and drone attacks against US military and diplomatic facilities in the country. Ukraine, which is the most experienced country in the world at countering both FPV and larger fixed-wing OWA drones, has offered the United States and its regional partners equipment and expertise to better defend against these Iranian drone threats. A similar offer was reportedly made to the United States months before Operation Epic Fury began, but the Trump administration apparently turned it down. Thankfully, despite President Donald Trumps public dismissals of these offers, that help has started arriving, with Ukrainian advisors now assisting the US and its partners in the region. US forces and their Israeli partners have made remarkable strides in degrading Iranian military capabilities and have made consistent progress towards achieving their military objectives of depriving Iran of its ability to threaten the region with its missile, drone, and naval arsenal. That, however, does not mean that Tehran is defeated. Though greatly diminished, Iran still retains the ability to consistently launch ballistic missile and drone attacks against US forces and Americas regional partners. Tehrans terror proxies, despite suffering serious blows of their own, remain an acute asymmetric threat to US forces in Iraq, which are deployed in static positions that have been observed and attacked by these Iranian proxies for years. Finally, like all adversaries, the Islamic Republic and its terror network are learning and adapting to the changing battlefield by employing new tactics and systems to attack American and partner forces. Some of those capabilities are being enhanced with help from Moscow. Cameron McMillan is a senior research analyst at the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where Bradley Bowman is the senior director. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe will on Monday lay to rest three national heroes - Major-General (Retired) Dr Herbert Chingono, Cosmas Chiringa and war veteran Elison Mupamawonde - at the National Heroes Acre in recognition of their roles in the liberation struggle and contributions to national development after independence.This marks the fourth occasion since 1980 that the country will conduct a triple burial at the revered shrine, underscoring the significance of the three men's service to the nation.Preparations for the burial are already underway, with a military funeral parade held in honour of Maj-Gen (Retd) Chingono at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare.Maj-Gen Chingono, whose chimurenga name was "Swift Chakanyuka," died on Sunday after a short illness at his farm in Mazowe. He was 68.Speaking at the funeral parade, Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Emmanuel Matatu paid tribute to Chingono, describing him as a disciplined and dedicated officer who helped shape the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in its formative years."He left a legacy of excellence in the organisation," Gen Matatu said, noting his contributions to training and doctrine development at institutions such as the Zimbabwe Staff College and the Zimbabwe National Defence University.Former ZDF Commander General (Retd) Philip Valerio Sibanda also described him as a professional soldier and a reliable leader who served with distinction.Meanwhile, Cosmas Chiringa, who served as Permanent Secretary for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution, was buried following his death last Monday due to heart failure at the age of 67.Thousands of mourners, including ruling party supporters, gathered to pay their respects as he was honoured for his role in both the liberation struggle and post-independence governance.ZANUPF Secretary for Education, Research and Ideology and Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs, Charles Tawengwa, said Chiringa exemplified patriotism, discipline and commitment to national development."He was a son of the soil who, from the tender age of 16, started and travelled his liberation journey to his final days as the Permanent Secretary," Tawengwa said.Chiringa is credited with contributing to policy coordination, strengthening service delivery and advancing the government's devolution agenda. He also played a role in community relocation programmes and development initiatives in several provinces.ZANUPF Deputy Secretary for Security Tendai Chirau described him as a leader who promoted collaboration between government, communities and faith-based organisations, while also contributing to national development programmes.The late Elison Mupamawonde, a war veteran, is also set to be interred at the shrine in recognition of his contribution to Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.The triple burial highlights the country's continued tradition of honouring individuals who have made significant sacrifices for Zimbabwe's independence and development, with Monday's ceremony expected to draw senior government officials, military leaders and members of the public. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani (center) meets with Italian Ambassador to Iraq Niccolo Fontana (second from left, seated) on March 18. (Iraq Prime Ministers Office) Iranian-backed militias have continued to carry out dozens of attacks in Iraq over the past week, including targeting the US Embassy in Baghdad and the United Arab Emirates consulate in Erbil with drones. Several explosions were heard across Erbil on Wednesday morning as air defense systems intercepted and destroyed multiple drones over the city, Rudaw Media Network reported on March 18. The same day, Kataib Hezbollah, one of the Iranian-backed militias, said that it would pause its attacks in Iraq for five days, subject to certain conditions. However, other groups, including Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada, vowed to continue. On March 18, the Kurdistan Regional Governments Peshmerga Ministry announced that several of its soldiers were wounded in a drone attack. Two headquarters of units affiliated with the Peshmerga ministry in both Erbil and Sulaimani provinces were targeted by drone attacks, the ministry said. Unfortunately, as a result of these attacks, three heroic Peshmerga were wounded. The Peshmerga are the armed forces of the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, and Erbil is the regions capital. Both Erbil and Sulaimani have been attacked frequently since the conflict with Iran began on February 28. By March 13, Rudaw estimated that the region had been hit by almost 300 drone and missile attacks conducted by Iran and Iranian-backed groups in Iraq. Many of the attacks have targeted Kurdish opposition groups, while others have aimed at US facilities and diplomatic sites, as well as foreign forces in Iraq. For instance, a French soldier was killed in an attack on a facility in Iraqi Kurdistan on March 12. On March 18, the Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah (KH) said it might halt its attacks for five days, as long as certain conditions were met. Its statement, which circulated on X and Telegram, links a halt in attacks to demands that Israel stop airstrikes on Beirut and that bombing also stop in Baghdad. The request regarding Baghdad came in the wake of the bombing of a house in the Jadriyah area on March 17, an attack that may have targeted Iranian advisors working with the militias and came after a drone attack on the Al Rasheed Hotel in Baghdads Green Zone on March 16. In addition, on March 17, there were more attacks in Baghdad, targeting the US Embassy and the US Diplomatic Support Center at Baghdad International Airport. Even as Kataib Hezbollah claimed it might halt its attacks, other Iranian-backed militias said they would continue. Kazim al Fartousi, a spokesperson for Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada (KSS), told Rudaw that his group still considers US forces in Iraq as targets. We are fighting an enemy that has established itself in Kurdistan with the consent of our brothers in the local regional government, the spokesperson said. Fartousi also claimed that his group had been targeted by US aircraft in Iraq. KSS and KH are both US-sanctioned terrorist groups. There is growing pressure on the Iraqi government to prevent more attacks. On March 19, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a stop to the attacks. Informed Iraqi sources revealed on Thursday that the decision by armed factions to stop targeting the US embassy in Baghdad came as a result of intense political, governmental and judicial pressure, as well as strongly worded warning messages from Washington, coinciding with escalating security tensions in the region, the Iraq-based Shafaq News reported. On March 16, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed both condemned the attack on the UAEs consulate. In a discussion with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte on March 19, Sudani reiterated his claims that he would confront attacks on diplomatic sites in Iraq. The Prime Minister also affirmed Iraqs full commitment and the readiness of its military and security forces, across all branches, to protect embassies and diplomatic missions operating in Iraq as part of their constitutional duties and responsibilities, his office said. Sudani made a similar statement in a meeting with the Italian ambassador to Iraq on March 18. Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024). An image released by US Central Command on March 17 highlights US strikes that employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Irans coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The US campaign against Iran has continued to degrade the Islamic Republics military capacity, with thousands of targets struck, including missile infrastructure, air defenses, drone systems, and naval assets, alongside the use of bunker-penetrating munitions against fortified coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Operations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have complemented the US effort with strikes across Iran, including on missile-related sites and personnel. Strikes have also extended to economic targets, including gas processing facilities in Asaluyeh, which prompted Iranian threats of retaliation against regional and Israeli energy infrastructure. At the same time, the focus of the campaign has increasingly shifted toward the regimes internal security apparatus, with strikes targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) security units, Basij internal security militia positions, police logistics centers, and command nodes. Senior Iranian regime figures tied to intelligence and repression, including Minister of Intelligence Mohammad Khatib, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, were killed, further disrupting leadership structures. These developments coincide with signs of strain inside Irans security forces. Despite this pressure, the regime has continued its internal crackdown. A military overview CENTCOMs March 18 summary of Operation Epic Fury indicates that the campaign has surpassed 7,800 strike targets, with over 8,000 combat sorties flown and more than 120 Iranian vessels put out of action. The USs targeting focus has remained consistent, centered on command-and-control infrastructure, IRGC leadership and intelligence nodes, air and missile defense systems, and Irans ballistic missile and drone ecosystem, alongside naval and military support capabilities. Yesterday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that US forces had carried out strikes using heavy bunker-penetrating munitions against fortified Iranian missile positions near the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli operations between March 17 and 18 hit more than 200 regime-linked sites, including ballistic missile storage and launch facilities, drone infrastructure, air defense systems, missile launchers, and war production sites. In western Iran, real-time intelligence enabled the identification and killing of five regime military personnel operating at a missile-related site. In Tehran, strikes also hit infrastructure tied to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Forces ballistic missile array. The latest high-profile assassinations Mohammad Khatib , Irans minister of intelligence, was killed by Israel on March 18. Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors, and led terrorist activities against Israelis & Americans around the world, the IDF noted in an X post announcing the elimination. , Irans minister of intelligence, was killed by Israel on March 18. Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors, and led terrorist activities against Israelis & Americans around the world, the IDF noted in an X post announcing the elimination. Ali Larijani , secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the former parliament speaker, was killed by Israel on March 17. The IDF noted, 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, adding that he personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors. , secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the former parliament speaker, was killed by Israel on March 17. The IDF noted, 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, adding that he personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors. Gholamreza Soleimani , the commander of the Basij, was killed on March 17 by Israel. The IDF noted, 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 commander of the Basij, was killed on March 17 by Israel. The IDF noted, 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. Ghassem Ghoreyshi, Basij deputy commander, was reportedly killed on March 17, according to the London-based Iran International. Attacks against Iranian energy infrastructure Irans Passive Defense Organization, a state body responsible for civil defense and protecting critical infrastructure, stated on March 18 that Irans enemies struck refineries 3, 4, and 6 in the South Pars Special Economic Zone (Asaluyeh), the countrys main offshore gas processing hub along the Persian Gulf coast. Videos posted by regime outlets corroborated the story, showing heavy smoke in the vicinity of the facilities. Axios claimed that the attacks were carried out by Israel in coordination with Washington. Islamic Republic President Masou Pezeshkian condemned the strikes and threatened, This will complicate the situation & could have uncontrollable consequences, the scope of which could engulf the entire world. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency stated that refineries in the region and Israel are awaiting Iranian missiles. It added, Immediately after the Zionist regimes attack on the gas refining facilities in Asaluyeh, Iran published a list of Israels and the regions gas fields and refineries, urging people to stay away from these areas. Israel intensifies attacks on the regimes repression apparatus Alongside conventional military targets, the Israeli portion of the campaign has placed a clear emphasis on dismantling the regimes internal security command. Israeli strikes in Tehran hit an IRGC security unit responsible for suppressing protests, a national police logistics and support center, and Basij positions operating across more than 10 locations in the city. The IDFs messaging accompanying these strikes was explicit: We will eliminate those who have Iranian blood on their hands, alongside a pledge to pursue Basij forces at checkpoints, in tents, and wherever they are present. Consistent with these claims, Israeli strikes have reportedly hit key Basij repression infrastructure, killing close to 300 field commanders and operatives. Targets included a Basij logistics repair and maintenance center used to service vehicles and motorcycles for street crackdowns, as well as sites tied to the IRGCs 27th Mohammad Rasulullah Division. In addition, the Imam Hadi security unit, a central command node in Tehran, and the Imam Ali battalions, a frontline force used to suppress protests, were both struck and suffered heavy personnel and equipment losses. The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Persian-language account posted a video on March 17 showing a Special Units (riot police) vehicle burning in Enghelab Square following an Israeli airstrike that was captioned, Step by step, a phrase suggesting a gradual, systematic effort to dismantle the regimes repression forces. The account posted another clip later that day showing aerial footage of a hyperlocal strike that destroyed a regime security checkpoint in Tehran. Another post showed a blast hitting a Basij member inside a tent, reflecting how personnel have shifted to improvised setups after infrastructure was destroyed. Fars News Agency reported on March 17 that the US and Israel have carried out assassination attempts against regime officials with the aim of demoralizing the public. Iran International, citing anonymous sources, claimed that morale within Irans security forces is deteriorating, with growing absenteeism and desertion across units, including cases where large portions of personnel failed to report for duty. The outlet also noted repeated delays in salary payments to Special Units Command personnel, with some units experiencing multiple late-wage cycles this year, contributing to refusals to participate in regime-backed deployments and public events. The combined pressure of financial strain and operational losses has reportedly begun to disrupt force availability in some urban areas. A March 17 Wall Street Journal article claimed that the Mossad has contacted Iranian military and security personnel directly, including through phone calls and messages, warning them they have been identified and could be targeted. The communications reportedly reached individuals across the IRGC and other security bodies, with messages delivered in real time during the conflict. Regime repression continues Authorities executed a man accused of allegedly spying on behalf of Israel on March 18, with officials claiming that he had provided images and information of the countrys sensitive sites to Mossad officers. IRGC media also announced that some 75 Iranians were arrested on suspicion of ties to terrorists and monarchists. Security forces also raided a gathering on March 17 in Tehrans Chitgar neighborhood and reportedly fired shots toward the crowd. 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. Summary created by Smart Answers AI In summary: Macworld reports on DarkSword malware targeting iPhones running iOS versions 18.4 through 18.7, exploiting six security vulnerabilities to steal data and track users. Googles Threat Intelligence Group discovered this malware toolkit creates three families called Ghostblade, Ghostknife, and Ghostsaber, spreading through malicious websites. All vulnerabilities have been patched in iOS 26.3 and earlier versions, making immediate iPhone updates crucial for protection. The Google Threat Intelligence Group has posted a report about malware that uses six different security vulnerabilities to attack an iPhone. According to the report, a toolkit called DarkSword has been used to create three malware families called Ghostblade, Ghostknife, and Ghostsaber, and iPhones running iOS 18.4 to 18.7 are vulnerable. All of the security holes used by the DarkSword malware have been fixed as of iOS 26.3 (the current version is iOS 26.3.1); most of them were fixed before 26.3. The latest version of iOS is 18.7.6, released on March 4. GTIG notes that the threat actors using DarkSword targeted users in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Ukraine. DarkSword creates malware that uses JavaScript, and the attacker doesnt need access to your device. Rather, a threat agent embeds the code within a website. When the user visits the website, the JavaScript executes and installs malware on the iPhone that can gather the users personal data, record audio, or check GS data for the current location. The information is then uploaded to a remote server. The exploits used by DarkSword were recorded in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database as the following: CVE-2025-14174: Fixed in iOS 18.7.3 and 26.2 CVE-2025-31277: Fixed in iOS 18.6 CVE-2025-43510: Fixed in iOS 18.7.2 and 26.1 CVE-2025-43520: Fixed in iOS 18.7.2 and 26.1 CVE-2025-43529: Fixed in iOS 18.7.3 and 26.2 CVE-2026-20700: Fixed in iOS 26.3 iPhone viruses and malware are rare, but no device is completely invulnerable. Apple urges users to update to the most recent version of iOS that a device can support to ensure that the latest security patches are installed. Learn more about iPhone malware and viruses. We also have tips on how to protect your phone from hackers. News / National by Staff reporter Mayor David Coltart has been urged to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa to urgently address illegal gold mining activities allegedly carried out by Chinese miners, which are said to be damaging water sources and worsening the city's ongoing water crisis.The call was made during a recent council meeting, where Ward 22 councillor Mmeli Moyo raised concerns over continued riverbed and riverbank mining within critical water catchment areas supplying the city.Moyo said the situation has left the city unable to fully control the activities, as mining permits are issued by central government agencies, including the Ministry of Mines."A Chinese company is mining where we draw water for our people's survival. We do not have water because they were given authority by whosoever to do so," he said.He added that both council and the mayor should pursue high-level engagement with the President to find a lasting solution."When it comes to FDI and mining, there are government agencies that authorise it such as the Ministry of Mines and others that are directly involved. They are the ones that give permits to mine," Moyo said. "We cannot control those people, which is why we need strategic engagements with the President. What we want is water in Bulawayo."Bulawayo has faced persistent water shortages for years and relies on several supply dams in the Umzingwane catchment area, including Insiza, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Umzingwane and Mtshabezi, as well as groundwater from the Nyamandlovu aquifer.Recent assessments show critically low water levels in key dams such as Lower Ncema, Umzingwane, Upper Ncema and Mtshabezi, forcing authorities to implement strict water rationing measures over the past three years.Heavy siltation from mining activities in riverbeds and along riverbanks has been identified as a major contributor to reduced dam capacity and declining water availability, despite recent rainfall.Moyo emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying the leadership should have anticipated the challenge."It is my view that when you got into office you got in knowing this problem, that Bulawayo is under a water crisis," he said.The city's worsening water shortages have intensified calls for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations and coordinated action between local authorities and central government to safeguard vital water infrastructure. News / National by Staff reporter Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga is continuing his nationwide tour of major economic projects, with his latest stop taking him to Manicaland Province as part of Government efforts to boost high-impact developments aligned with the national development agenda.The visits are tied to recent project ground-breaking ceremonies and are aimed at accelerating progress under Zimbabwe's development blueprint, which emphasises private sector-led growth and industrialisation.In Manicaland, the Vice President is expected to visit three key sites: Dorowa Minerals Limited in Dorowa, Sabi Star Lithium Mine, and Verify Engineering in Mutare.Dorowa Minerals, Zimbabwe's only phosphate mine, once produced around 150,000 tonnes annually but had declined significantly to about 3,500 tonnes. However, the company has now secured a US$5.3 million loan to support Phase 1 of its restoration and revitalisation efforts.At Sabi Star Lithium Mine, Government is focusing on harnessing Zimbabwe's lithium resources to drive value addition, beneficiation, and industrialisation, key pillars for long-term economic growth and stability.The tour will conclude at Verify Engineering, a gas production company in Mutare that has expanded its operations and is now supplying international markets, reflecting growing export potential in the energy sector.Vice President Chiwenga is accompanied by Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Misheck Mugadza, along with senior officials from the Office of the President and Cabinet, including Deputy Chief Secretary Engineer Amos Marawa.The Manicaland visit follows similar inspections and engagements conducted in Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, Midlands, and Masvingo provinces, as Government continues to push for economic recovery and industrial expansion across the country. It was the last mile of an almost unimaginable feat in human endeavor and Eamonn Keaveney was striding in the Balla Road towards The Square in Claremorris. Orla Sweeney, hoisting the blue and white flag of Claremorris, along with her sister Una Monaghan, were alongside Eamonn with his back-pack, proudly displaying the Mayo flag, as he headed into the Guinness Book of Records. Back on March 4, 2025, Eamonn embarked on his mammoth journey to walk barefoot from Sarayburnu Park in Istanbul, Turkey, to his hometown of Claremorris. The journey of over 6,805.83km (4,228 miles) took him through several European countries including Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, France, England and Wales before he eventually set foot on Irish soil again. Eamonn (33), who nominated Jigsaw and Friends of the Earth as the beneficiaries from sponsorship raised through this massive record-breaking venture, not alone broke the previous record of record distance of 3,409.75km but completely eclipsed by doubling it in total. His achievement may never be equaled again. His mother, Dolores, who served for several years as station master with Iarnrod Eireann at Claremorris Railway Station, had every reason to be immensely proud of Eamonns incredible achievement: Eamonns journey has been a history and geography lesson and also one of humanity. People have been following his travels in Instagram and social media. The people from all the different nations that he passed through were so nice to him. People put him up in their homes and in various places of accommodation. It goes to show there is still a bit of light in this world. We are so proud of Eamonn. People looking down on us from above are also very proud of you, Eamonn, said Dolores. There was that warm glow of bringing it all back home for Eamonn as he accepted the handshakes of many who had gathered in The Square to welcome him home after 369 days since he took the first steps in Turkey. It is surreal to be returning to Claremorris after so long and it was lovely that so many came out to welcome me as well. I met so many lovely people from Turkey to Ireland and I cant remember a single encounter with people who were not nice to me. There were some special small towns along the journey that I would recommend people to search out if they are visiting those countries. John Farragher and the folks from Claremorris Community Radio were on hand to broadcast the homecoming live and do a brief interview with Eamonn and his mother, Dolores, who has been closely associated with presenting shows on the station over the years. Sponsorship raised during the mammoth endurance venture will be shared between Jigsaw, a youth mental health charity in Ireland offering free therapy and support to children and young people aged 12 to 25, and Friends of the Earth (Ireland). After completing the necessary official documentation overseen by Tom Byrne, Richard Carney and Jimmy Flynn, it was time for Eamonn, in his own words, to head to Wardes to enjoy a long awaited pint. Warmest congratulations, Eamonn, on this truly amazing achievement. Up Mayo! READ MORE: Mayo TD criticises fuel taxes as 'crippling' for families during Dail debate Leaving Certificate students across Mayo are being encouraged to apply for a prestigious scholarship scheme worth 25,000, as applications for the Naughton Foundation Scholarships 2026 officially open. The initiative aims to promote the study of science, engineering, mathematics, computer science and technology at third level, with at least one scholarship guaranteed for Mayo as part of 36 awards allocated nationwide. Students currently attending secondary school in Mayo can apply if they are studying two or more STEM subjects, including physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics, DCG or applied mathematics, and intend to pursue a related course at third level this year. Each scholarship is valued at 25,000, providing 6,000 per year over the course of a degree at any publicly funded university or third-level institution in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. In addition, the winning students school will receive 1,000. Established in 1994 by Dr Martin and Carmel Naughton, the Naughton Foundation has supported a wide range of initiatives in arts and education. The scholarship programme, launched in 2008, has since expanded from a small number of counties to include students from across the country. READ MORE: Two Mayo students compete for All-Ireland success The scheme continues to play a key role in encouraging students to pursue careers in STEM fields, which are seen as critical to Irelands future economy. Applications for the 2026 scholarships will remain open until midnight on Monday, June 29, with forms available through the foundations website. Mayo students with an interest in science and technology are being urged to take advantage of the opportunity, which offers both significant financial support and national recognition. EU leaders and social partners met in Brussels on Wednesday for the Tripartite Social Summit, with the main theme for the exchange focussed on Investment for a vibrant European Economy and Quality Jobs. The Summit, co-chaired by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, is a key forum for dialogue between the EU institutions and leading business and union representatives. EU leaders and social partners explored ways to boost the EUs resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges and also discussed key issues impacting EU competitiveness such as closing investment gaps and reducing strategic dependencies. Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon TD acknowledged the key role of social dialogue in supporting the development of EU employment policy and the broader competitiveness agenda. Minister Dillon stated "This is an important forum for social dialogue between the institutions and the Social Partners and affords us a valuable opportunity to discuss how we promote sustainable economic growth and employment across the Single Market. Other topics covered during the summit included the importance of investing in key infrastructure, the need to boost skills and foster quality jobs to increase the EUs competitiveness and productivity, and the key role played by social dialogue and collective bargaining in ensuring that the EU delivers for its citizens. Minister Dillon added I am pleased to be joined today by our domestic Social Partners, ICTU and Ibec. Our tripartite delegation at the Summit reaffirms Irelands commitment to constructive social dialogue and ensures Ireland remains a leader in social cohesion and competitiveness. Speaking on the issue of closing investment gaps, Dr. Colin Hunt, President of Ibec noted As social partners and governments, our collective focus must be on bolstering competitiveness and resilience to ensure we are well placed to address present and future challenges and deliver for citizens and businesses. As acknowledged in the EUs Competitiveness Compass, skills development, openness to innovation, and enhancing productivity are all central to this mission. "The availability of a highly skilled workforce is fundamental to Ireland and Europes shared competitiveness and the achievement of the green and digital transitions. At EU level, we should place a greater emphasis on supporting development through upskilling and retraining rather than introducing new legislation. We must also embrace innovation, ensuring that competitiveness remains a core priority as digital and AI technologies reshape the workplace. Owen Reidy, General Secretary of ICTU, addressed the role of Quality Jobs in reducing strategic dependencies as he explained Quality jobs are essential and necessary for a strong and cohesive social Europe now and into the future. At a time of global uncertainty, we must double down and deepen social Europe and focus on the issues that make Europe more competitive. They are high skills, lifelong learning, decent wages, innovation and stronger collective bargaining. The relentless focus on greater quality jobs is at the cornerstone of this and must be an objective of all governments and social partners. "One way that we can successfully meet the challenges and opportunities of increased productivity, innovation, and new technologies that benefits all in society, is through proper collective bargaining at enterprise, sector and national level, and stronger social dialogue across the EU. Minister Dillon added The start of Irelands EU Presidency is now just over three months away, and across Government were focused on finalising our policy priorities. Were engaging closely with our domestic and European Social Partners through our stakeholder consultations, and I want to thank everyone for their ongoing contributions. Dillon concluded We will continue to work with the EU institutions and with our partners across the EU Member States to ensure that our Presidency delivers for our social market economy. Pictured above: L-R: Owen Reidy - Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail - Alan Dillon, Esther Lynch -European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Colin Hunt - Ibec, Danny McCoy - Ibec. READ MORE: Mayo to the fore at major Boston St Patricks Day celebration Concerns over the declining salmon population in the River Moy were brought to the floor of the Seanad today (Thursday, March 19), as Senator Mark Duffy called for urgent action to assess the impact of cormorants on the Mayo waterway. The Mayo senator urged the Government to carry out a breeding cormorant survey across the Moy catchment area, including Lough Conn and Lough Cullin, amid growing fears about falling salmon numbers. Describing the river as the jewel in the crown of the region, Senator Duffy highlighted its international reputation for salmon fishing and its importance to tourism and local livelihoods in Mayo. Over the past number of years, theres been a marked decline in the number of salmon being caught, he said. The area relies heavily on tourism, and there is a strong generational tradition of fishing on the River Moy. The senator said the proposed survey, requested on behalf of the Moy Action Group, would help determine the extent to which cormorants are contributing to the decline, particularly during key migration periods. READ MORE: Mayo Gardai highlight major road safety message at national conference He pointed to a similar initiative in Galway, where targeted measures following a survey led to a significant increase in salmon numbers. While acknowledging that the issue is complex, Senator Duffy stressed that better data including improved fish counters is essential to understanding and addressing the decline. Responding on behalf of the Government, Minister Kieran ODonnell said the National Parks and Wildlife Service oversees monitoring of seabird populations, including cormorants, and noted that current data suggests a broadly stable population nationally. However, he confirmed that most recorded cormorant colonies in Mayo and Sligo are located along coastal areas rather than directly within the Moy catchment. The Minister also pointed to wider challenges affecting salmon stocks, including water quality, habitat degradation and broader environmental pressures. He noted that wild Atlantic salmon numbers in Ireland have fallen dramatically in recent decades, from over one million returning fish in the 1970s to around 200,000 in recent years. READ MORE: Mayo to the fore at major Boston St Patricks Day celebration Despite the response, Senator Duffy expressed frustration, saying the reply lacked clarity and urgency. As a public representative on the floor of the Seanad this morning for this survey, and this on behalf of people in my community who are working constructively and proactively to better understand and better react and respond to the decline of the salmon population, he said. And I think that they deserve a better and more considered approach and answer. He called for stronger engagement from Government departments and agencies, warning that without targeted intervention, the future of salmon fishing on the River Moy a cornerstone of Mayos tourism and heritage could be at risk. The issue is expected to remain on the political agenda as pressure grows for concrete measures to protect and restore salmon stocks in one of Irelands most important fisheries. Aoife Commins is a 30-year-old nurse who is living with HIV and is bravely sharing her story as a way to debunk the stigma surrounding the virus. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there was an estimated 40.8 million people living with HIV at the end of 2024. However, Aoife is one of few who are bravely open about their diagnosis because many are scared of people judging them or perceiving them wrongly. While there is no cure for HIV infection, with access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, including for opportunistic infections, HIV infection has become a manageable chronic health condition, enabling people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives, WHO says. READ NEXT: Getting a view on life from the udder side! Human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, is a virus that attacks the bodys immune system and is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. The signs and symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection. It spreads more easily in the first few months after a person is infected, but many are unaware of their status until the later stages. In the first few weeks after being infected people may not experience symptoms. Others may have an influenza-like illness including: fever headache rash sore throat. For Aoife from Galway was living in Australia at the time she was diagnosed with HIV. She was dating her ex-boyfriend for around six weeks. He had HIV but didn't realise it. He tested negative in his early stages. Aoife recalled that time in her life as very frightening for them and despite the doctors denying she too had HIV, she was sure she had contracted the virus. The doctors told her to take post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for four weeks which is given within 72 hours of exposure, but she was outside the 72 hours since her and her boyfriend had unprotected sex. During this time, Aoife was experiencing health issues like mouth ulcers, thrush and a really sore throat. "I was just really run down and I couldn't tell if it was because I was stressed or if it was actually the HIV starting to kick in. "And I remember when I got thrush, I'd never had thrush before. And I Googled it being like, cause of thrush and they came up with HIV. And I knew then that the medication hadn't worked, but I had to finish it anyways". Aoife said that she was incorrectly tested for HIV after the PEP was finished. "You're supposed to get tested six weeks after exposure but they tested me too soon. It's six weeks after finishing the PEP. They just tested me too soon so when I actually got my blood test, they told me I was negative. And I just didn't believe it." "The window period for HIV is 45 days and 90 days for exposure for syphilis and hepatitis. So I'd read online to get tested after three months." But when Aoife asked if she should come back and get tested again she was told that she shouldn't because there was no need. Aoife's health continued to decline, convincing her she did have HIV, despite the negative test result. "Two weeks later, I started to become really, really unwell, it started with back pain. I couldn't really sit still at all. "I was in so much pain so I was going to a chiropractor, I was going to physio and they didn't really know what was going on. It was just getting worse." "I was getting really bad fevers then too, I started spiking fevers and just felt really run down. And I had gotten a COVID test and it was negative. So I was like, okay, something's really going on here." A doctor, who Aoife worked with at the time, thought she had an abscess in her spine and told her to go to A&E. She explained in A&E that she was recently exposed to HIV but again it was shut down by doctors who didn't even test her for it. They told her it was probably glandular fever and sent her home but Aoife's health was getting worse as time went on. "I couldn't do anything. I was just in so much pain. So my boyfriend at the time was like, all right, you need to go back into hospital. "He brought me in. It was a Friday night and we went into A&E again. I'd broken out in a big rash. I just was like feeling miserable." READ ALSO: Galway podcast fan delighted to bring the show right back to the house Aoife's ex-boyfriend told her he had a rash too when he contracted HIV. Again, doctors told Aoife it wasn't HIV and instead it could be cancer in her spine. "She was like, 'no, no, I don't think it's HIV. I think that you've got a malignancy. I think you've cancer in your spine.' "I want you to go for an MRI as an outpatient. Again, they wouldn't test me for HIV in the hospital and they sent me home". Aoife continued to get worse and worse to the point where she wasn't able to eat or sleep or walk comfortably. "At this point I really was convinced that I now had cancer. I went back into the hospital on the Sunday and I basically just started crying, crying, crying. "And they were like, why are you so upset? And I was like, because no one is listening to me and I'm really scared. I think I have HIV, but I don't know." At this point then Aoife's blood was taken and tested for HIV and it showed a positive result. Aoife said that she let out a huge sigh of relief because she was so worried she had cancer and instead finally had confirmation it was indeed HIV. This was a really tough period in Aoife's life, especially while living apart from her family. Her boyfriend at the time told her to keep their diagnosis a secret and told her not to tell her family or friends even though Aoife wanted to. It was only when Aoife went back to Ireland that her mother found out after she discovered her HIV medication. "She confronted me, but not in an aggressive way. I told her everything and we went for a walk. I just remember it being such a lovely day. "I just remember her being really, really good. She was really calm and she asked lots of really good questions." Aoife's father was worried and confused, asking Aoife 'how did this happen, I always educated you guys on safe sex all these years?'. But once Aoife explained that she can't pass on HIV to anyone else, she can still have children and nothing in her life is changed, he realised it was all ok. Aoife has since been on TV, radio, in newspapers and even on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTE, sharing her incredible story and fighting against the stigma surrounding HIV. Aoife said she had a massive amount of encouragement and support from people in her community and beyond since sharing her story and HIV diagnosis. It was like my whole world changed. I shared my story and my phone blew up. My mum and dad's phones blew up. Like it was incredible. "And mum and dad said that like they got the most amazing messages from family, friends, neighbours, just saying like, wow, your daughter's so brave." Aoife, working in a hospital, shares her knowledge and help with people on STDs and HIV and shows people that you can have HIV and live a completely normal life. A popular Mayo hiking destination has been named among the top ten across Ireland. New analysis by outdoor specialist store Trailblazers has revealed Irelands most popular hikes, with one iconic Wicklow trail rising above all others. Just in time for spring hiking season, Trailblazers analysed Instagram hashtags to find which of Irelands hiking routes are getting the most attention online. The results show: Glendalough is Irelands most popular hike with 258,000 Instagram posts, far ahead of the rest of the list. County Kerry boasts four of the top 10, with Carrauntoohil, Torc Mountain, Mount Brandon and The Dingle Way all hugely popular. Long-distance routes like the Wicklow Way also make the list, showing the appeal of multi-day walking adventures. READ NEXT: Planning withdrawn for luxury boutique hotel on Mayo island The full list: 1. Glendalough, Wicklow The iconic boardwalk trail above the Upper Lake in Glendalough is widely considered one of the best day hikes in Ireland. 2. Diamond Hill, Connemara, GalwayA relatively short but spectacular hike in Connemara National Park with panoramic views over the Twelve Bens and Atlantic coastline. 3. Croagh Patrick, Mayo A historic pilgrimage hike overlooking Clew Bay, Croagh Patrick is climbed by thousands each year, particularly during Reek Sunday. 4. Wicklow Way, Wicklow/Dublin Irelands oldest waymarked trail, running from Dublin through the Wicklow Mountains to County Carlow. 5. Carrauntoohil (Devils Ladder Route), Kerry Irelands highest mountain and one of the countrys most famous climbs, located in the MacGillycuddys Reeks. The Devils Ladder is the most common ascent route. 6. Mount Errigal, Donegal The tallest mountain in Donegal and a favourite for hikers thanks to its quartzite peak and sweeping views of the northwest coast. 7. Torc Mountain, Killarney National Park, Kerry A popular hike above the lakes of Killarney, known for its accessibility and exceptional views over the national park. 8. Mount Brandon, Kerry One of Irelands highest peaks on the Dingle Peninsula, Mount Brandon is a popular hike known for its sweeping Atlantic views and historic pilgrimage route to the summit. 9. The Dingle Way, Kerry One of Irelands most celebrated long-distance trails, looping around the Dingle Peninsula with coastal views and traditional villages. 10. The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, Clare A dramatic cliffside trail along Irelands most famous sea cliffs, offering views across the Atlantic and the Aran Islands. READ NEXT: 'Disgusted' - Epstein Files float at Mayo St Patrick's Day Parade sparks outrage Hotel Newport has been listed for sale at 1.95 million, offering what agents describe as a rare opportunity to acquire a fully operational hotel along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. The three-star hotel is being brought to market by property agents TDL Horizons, on behalf of Greenway Hotels Limited. The owners of the company are also own and run Hewetson Bros. Bar in Westport, as well as The Alcock and Brown Hotel in Clifden. The Mayo News understands that the group plans to invest in the Dublin market following the sale of Hotel Newport. The property, which was purpose-built in 2005 at a cost of approximately 5.5 million, includes 30 en-suite bedrooms, the Seven Arches Bar and Bistro, the Cobblers Restaurant, a dedicated function room, and on-site parking. Around 220,000 in capital investment has been made in the property since 2021. Strategically positioned just 11km north of Westport one of Ireland's most popular tourism destinations the hotel holds a unique position in the local market as the only hotel in Newport town and the only one between Westport, Castlebar, and Mulranny. READ MORE: Belclare to Murrisk Greenway landowners have a free roll of the dice The property benefits from strong tourism demand in the area, with the Great Western Greenway running directly through the town, drawing a steady stream of domestic and international cyclists and walkers. The recent completion of the Westport and Castlebar N5 bypass has also improved accessibility to the region. Niamh Walsh of TDL Horizons confirmed to The Mayo News that interest has already been received from both home and abroad since the listing launched, with the diaspora market among those expected to be drawn to the property. "It's a matter of giving back to the community, creating a legacy that will certainly tick the diaspora's box," she said, adding that she would not be surprised if the buyer turns out to be an established hotelier given the strength of tourism demand generators in the area. Walsh said the hotel represents a significant investment prospect. "Hotel Newport represents a rare opportunity to acquire a well-located, fully operational hotel in one of Ireland's most scenic coastal towns," she said. "New owners can reposition the hotel as a leisure and activity tourism hub, with significant potential for the business to grow through enhanced marketing, activity tourism, and events-driven trading." The sale is being offered as a going concern. News / National by Simbarashe Sithole in Mount Darwin Two members of an apostolic sect drowned at Kakeza Dam in Mount Darwin after entering the water to escort their church leader during a cleansing ritual. The deceased, Lazaru Jokonya (29) and Pashton Macherenje (24), reportedly accompanied their leader, identified as Madzibaba Benjamin, into the dam to retrieve a flower used for ritual purposes. While the two failed to swim and drowned, Madzibaba Benjamin managed to swim to safety.Deputy Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Lucy Chigwengese confirmed the incident.I can confirm a sudden death case in Mount Darwin where two people drowned while escorting their church leader to get a flower in the dam for ritual purposes, she said.According to police, the trio entered the water on 17 March. The bodies of the two congregants were later retrieved by the Police SubAqua Unit.Police have urged religious groups to prioritise safety when conducting rituals near water bodies.We strongly urge members of the public to prioritise safety at all times when conducting religious or traditional activities near water bodies. Under no circumstances should individuals enter deep or unfamiliar waters without proper swimming ability, safety equipment, or trained rescue support, Chigwengese said.She added that church leaders must take responsibility for the safety of their congregants and avoid exposing them to lifethreatening situations in the name of spiritual practices. News / National by Stephen Jakes Harare Resident Trust has advised residents to shun engaging into payment agreement plans with the local authority saying the council does that to frighten them into submission using unfair means."The HRT advises residents of Harare to avoid rushing to Rowan Martin to enter into payment plans when you have received either summons or final demand letters," said the trust."To safeguard yourself against their well-calculated scheme to raise money through frightening residents, the City of Harare's Treasury Department, using an archaic and inconsistent BIQ billing system, are estimating your bills, and coming up with frightening figures, and then resort to writing you letters demanding the total amount, or they send you summons, forcing you to rush to them and enter into payment plans to avoid your property being attached."The trust said the best route for you as a citizen is to acquire knowledge of how to enter your appearance to defend yourself."Either you are accepting the total amount being claimed by the City of Harare or you are rejecting the full claim, and in that case you cite your reasons. Gone are the days when they should be allowed to steal from the people and pay each other huge amounts in salaries and allowances yet service delivery continues to decline. Know your rights, and claim them without hesitation," said the trust."If the City of Harare has violated your rights you do not have to punish yourself by entering into payment plans for money you do not owe them. They owe you in services- uncollected garbage, they do not collect when they are supposed to collect, they charge for estimated water consumption, they charge you for fixed water charge, yet you do not receive the water.""The HRT is going in every place where residents have received summons and teaching them working with lawyers how to respond to the summons. Fear nothing Mugari! Ngwara," the trust added.The trust said residents need full cooperation of the officials Mayor."The current problem with your officials is that they ill-treat residents yet they are taking home more than the ordinary resident can even dream. As the Mayor we are expecting you to put a stop to this salaries madness in the City of Harare, and then we can fully back you when you talk of rates compliance," said the trust. The 19th edition of the IPL is about to get underway and 10 teams shall fight it out to become the best T20 side in the most expensive league. But there was some drama off the field due to a bizarre case filed in court that said the Indian Premier League was illegal. What Is the Case? A man by the name of Ashique in Ernakulam filed a plea in the Kerala High Court against the cash-rich T20 league His argument was that the IPL is not an official league of India. As a result, it should not have the name 'Indian Premier League'. He said it was illegal for the BCCI to be using the name. X/IPL Plea Not Accepted As per a report in The Hindu, that a division bench comprising of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. dismissed the plea as they felt there was no merit in the argument. So no legal trouble for the IPL as per the name in the build-up to the upcoming edition. All You Need to Know About the IPL IPL 2026 shall begin on March 28 and will end on May 31. RCB are the defending champions, having won their maiden title in 2025. RR won the 1st edition back in 2008. MI and CSK are tied for most titles with five apiece. The blockbuster Dhurandhar (2025) concluded on a gripping note, leaving audiences curious about the identity of the elusive Bade Sahab and the actor behind the character. In the months that followed, speculation ran wild, with names like Emraan Hashmi and Akshay Kumar being linked to the role. However, it has now been revealed that these rumours were unfounded. The character is actually portrayed by Danish Iqbal. The actor has previously appeared in notable projects such as Maharani, Aranyak, Faraaz, Aakhri Sach, Bhakshak, Haq, and The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case. More recently, he was seen playing K C Majumdar in Prakash Jhas web series Sankalp. Interestingly, much like Dhurandhar, this political revenge drama has also been backed by Jio Studios. Jio Studios The End-Credit Scenes of Dhurandhar 2 Dhurandhar: The Revenge features two end-credits sequences, each offering a brief extension to the narrative. The first unfolds as a montage during the credits, tracing Jaskirats transformation after being rescued from execution by Ajay Sanyal and his team. It showcases his rigorous training, highlighting how he evolves into a skilled operative, mastering combat, espionage, and even the use of poisons. The second is a short post-credits scene featuring General Shahnawaz, played by Raj Zutshi. The Pakistani officer, previously pressured by Sanyal to release Hamza, is shown losing his temper in front of his subordinates. The brief 30-second moment appears more like a light add-on rather than a crucial plot extension. News / National by Paidamoyo Chipunza The Ministry of Health and Child Care is appealing for urgent release of funds from the Ministry of Finance for the procurement of drugs and other sundries amid revelations that public health institutions were struggling to cope with the increasing burden of care. Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa made these revelations after visiting several district and provincial hospitals dotted across the country to assess the state of affairs.Dr Parirenyatwa said while his nationwide tours showed dedication by staff in health institutions to their work despite the challenges they continue to face, there was an urgent need for Treasury to release funds to address some of the challenges faced by the hospitals."There is a huge shortage of drugs in the country, across the board and that is an urgent matter that we are seeing our Minister of Finance about, we cannot continue to go on like that," said Dr Parirenyatwa."Most of the essential drugs are out of stock and the list grows as you go from district, provincial and to referral hospitals. That shortage is there and as a ministry it concerns us that Government should do something urgent about it and that something is through the Minister of Finance," said Dr Parirenyatwa. In a separate interview, Health and Child Care acting permanent secretary Dr Gibson Mhlanga said Government has failed to procure drugs and sundries since the beginning of the year.He said while a total of about $3,5 million was approved for drugs and sundries in the 2016 National Budget only $1 million has so far been disbursed for all public hospitals in the country.He said the disbursed $1 million is supposed to cater for medicines, patients' food, utility bills and other hospital requirements. "Let it also be noted that this $1 million disbursement will not only cater for drugs and sundries, but it's the total disbursement towards hospital operations, which include food for patients, electricity, water and other hospital bills," he said.Dr Mhlanga said the $1 million disbursed is also still inaccessible hence no procurement of medicines has so far taken place. "No procurement of medicines has so far taken place because no cash has been released," he said.In total, Treasury approved a total budget of $11 million for hospital operations from which about $3,5 million is for medicines and sundries. The budget for medicines account for 32 percent of the total budget allocated to hospitals.Dr Mhlanga said given the current scenario, it was then difficult for hospitals to manage the current demand of care. He said institutions have resorted to using cash raised from fees billed to patients after receiving medical attention while others were getting medicines on credit from suppliers."The little that they collect from services rendered is used to buy drugs, food for patients and other costs," said Dr Mhlanga. Dr Parirenyatwa has so far visited Masvingo, Chiredzi, Silveira Mission, United Bulawayo Hospitals, Mpilo, Maphisa, Gweru, Mnene, Zvishavane and Shamva hospitals. UK goods exports delivered a strong start to 2026, rising by 2bn in January, but early warning signs suggest the momentum may not be sustained as global trade conditions tighten. The latest trade data shows exports increased by 6.7% month on month, with growth across both EU and non EU markets. Shipments to non EU countries rose by 1.1bn, while exports to the EU increased by 0.9bn, pointing to broad based demand at the start of the year. However, this positive headline masks a significant weakness in one of the UKs key trading partners. Exports to the United States fell by 0.5bn, a decline of more than 11%, continuing a downward trend that has been evident since tariffs were introduced in 2025. The detail behind the figures highlights that machinery and transport equipment, alongside fuels and chemicals, were the main drivers of Januarys growth. Non EU gains were led by chemicals and machinery, while EU demand was supported by machinery and fuel exports. Looking at the wider trend, exports also increased over the three months to January, rising by 1.8bn compared with the previous period. Both EU and non EU markets contributed to this growth, suggesting a degree of underlying resilience in UK trade. At the same time, imports declined. Goods imports fell by 0.3bn in January and were down by 1.3bn over the three month period, largely driven by reduced demand for non EU goods. This combination of rising exports and falling imports helped narrow the UKs trade in goods deficit by 3.1bn to 56.6bn over the three months to January, offering some improvement in the overall trade balance. Despite this, the outlook for the remainder of 2026 is far less certain. The continued decline in exports to the US is a major concern, particularly for manufacturers. Reduced demand for UK produced vehicles has been a key factor behind the fall, and further pressure is expected following the introduction of a 10% baseline tariff on goods entering the US. This move has effectively removed any pricing advantage UK exporters previously held over competitors from higher tariff countries, placing British goods on a more level but more competitive footing. At the same time, wider global conditions are becoming more challenging. Rising energy costs linked to geopolitical tensions, including instability involving Iran, are expected to feed through into higher production and transport costs. There are also signs of a broader shift in trade policy, with governments increasingly turning towards protectionist measures to support domestic industries. This changing landscape is likely to add further friction to international trade flows. Taken together, these factors suggest Januarys strong export performance may represent a short term uplift rather than the start of a sustained recovery. UK exporters are entering a period where volatility is likely to define trading conditions, with success increasingly dependent on market diversification, cost control and the ability to respond quickly to shifting global pressures. UPDATED FRIDAY, March 20, 2026: The 49th Wing Public Affairs office announced Friday that the civilian who died following the shooting at Holloman Air Force Base on March 17, has been identified as Ashanti Stewart. She took her own life after firing at an active-duty servicemember. "All early indications are that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to our community," officials said, providing no additional information. An active-duty airman injured in a shooting on Tuesday at Holloman Air Force Base remains in stable condition as the individuals partner, a military veteran, was announced deceased at the scene. The shooting occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on March 17, prompting a base lockdown that was lifted shortly thereafter when security forces personnel confirmed that the scene was safe, according to a press release initially issued by the 49th Wing Public Affairs office. Emergency personnel who responded to the situation declared that all threats were neutralized. Officials announced more information on Wednesday afternoon, saying that the shooting occurred near the base Shoppette and involved an active-duty service member as part of a domestic-related incident. The individuals were not married. The injured service member, who was immediately transported to the hospital on Tuesday following the shooting, is currently assigned to Holloman AFB. The deceased was described as a civilian and military veteran previously stationed at Holloman AFB. Military.com asked the 49th Wing if names of the victim and deceased were being released. name has not yet been released. They cited privacy reasons for the name of the deceased being withheld, while the victims name also is not being publicly mentioned pending notification of next of kin. This was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to our community - the 49th Wing in a statement on Wednesday. An MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 29th Attack Squadron takes off during a routine training flight over Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Feb. 11, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Witkop) We ask that individuals avoid speculating on social media regarding the incident out of respect for the families involved," they added. The approximate 93-square-mile base, established in 1942, supports national security work and includes combat-ready airmen and guardians. It is located in Otero County, New Mexico. Otero County Sheriff David Black told Military.com that no local authorities assisted the military in the shooting investigation, referring all press inquiries to the military. The shooting occurred on the same day as a Department of Veterans Affairs employee in Georgia was shot at a clinic by a gunman who was later shot dead by police. The incident remains under investigation and additional details will be provided as they become available. An Old Dominion University alumnus is calling for her alma mater to provide free tuition to ROTC cadets in light of what was described as their "heroic" actions last week in response to a deadly on-campus shooting. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh has been identified by federal authorities as the gunman who opened fire March 12 on an ODU classroom, killing one person and injuring another two before Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) students killed him in self-defense. The incident at the public research university in Norfolk, Va., which has more than 23,000 students, has drawn a spotlight on the academic institutions programs that long have benefited ROTC cadets and prospective future military officers as they complete undergraduate degrees. Thankfulness for their efforts last week have led to 2021 ODU graduate Helen Sharpe starting a Change.org petition on the evening of March 12, calling on university leadership to waive tuition for the ROTC cadets who confronted the attacker and prevented other loss of life. I was just sitting there late at night that Thursday, Sharpe, who grew up in Norfolk and now lives in Richmond, Va., told Military.com. As more news came out of what happened and who the gunman wasevery news station was focused on who the gunman was, his background, why he did it. But not a lot of news outlets focused on the cadets who were in the room, and the fact that two of them were able to pin down the gunman and basically kill him with a knife. Here in America, we always kind of focus on who caused the action rather than who stopped it. Shooter's History Records show that Jalloh was less than two years removed from prison after attempting to aid the Islamic State group, according to the Associated Press. He pleaded guilty in October 2016 to providing material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization and in 2017 was sentenced by a federal judge to 11 years in prison, with credit for time served retroactive to his July 2016 arrest. However, Jalloh was released from federal custody on Dec. 23, 2024. Its unclear why he was released early and did not serve the full sentence. A bouquet of flowers with a note and votive candles sits at the entrance of Constant Hall at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., on Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed) The FBI in Norfolk told Military.com on Wednesday that the incident continues to be investigated. In this complex terrorism investigation, as the FBI develops new leads, examines electronic devices, and interviews witnesses, special agents and intelligence analysts will uncover details of Jalloh's movements leading up to the shooting, including more about his motivation, if he acted alone, or if anyone knew he intended to carry out this tragic attack on innocent victims in the ROTC class, an FBI spokesperson said. One day after the shooting, the Justice Department announced that Kenya McChell Chapman, 32, of Smithfield, Virginia, was charged with dealing firearms without a license in connection with the ODU shooting. Chapman was also charged with three counts of making false statements during purchases of firearms. 'Honor Selfnessness and Courage' Jalloh walked into the classroom and asked if it was an ROTC class, according to the FBI during a press conference one week ago. When someone replied in the affirmative, the accused shooter reportedly shouted, Allah Akbar and shot the instructor several times. That was when cadets galvanized to stop Jalloh, eventually killing him. Law enforcement has indicated that Jalloh did not die of gunshot wounds. Sharpes petition, which had 3,900 signatures as of Wednesday evening, refers to the cadets as individuals who demonstrated their incredible courage and heroismwithout hesitation." Their bravery and quick thinking during such a terrifying ordeal undoubtedly prevented further loss and injury, marking them as true heroes of the ODU community. It also calls upon university leadership to show support toward their valor. Eddie Flack pour out a bottle of whiskey at the base of the flagpoles in front of Constant Hall as he pays respect to slain Lt. Col. Brandon Shah at Old Dominion University on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed) By waiving tuition for these ROTC cadets, ODU has the opportunity to honor their selflessness and courage in a meaningful and impactful way, reads the petition. This gesture would not only signify the university's acknowledgment of their bravery but also set a precedence [sic] for valuing heroism and dedication to the community. Even temporarily suspending tuition fees can serve as a small token of appreciation for their magnanimous deeds, it adds. ODU Offering Counseling to On-Campus Community Sharpe said that when she originally heard what happened, she was astonished but not quite surprised. Shes been a mainstay in the region for a long time and routinely has known military service members and their families. That's just the kind of people that ODU kind of raises in their community to be leaders, to protect one another, she said. When Sharpe spoke with Military.com, she hadnt yet heard a response from ODU administrators. A person sits at the front door of Constant Hall, where yesterday shooting occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Old Dominion Universiy in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed). An ODO spokesperson told Military.com on Tuesday that they werent aware of the petition. ODU President Brian Hemphill said in the incidents aftermath that the cadets courage and resilience are an inspiration and that they saved other lives. ODU immediately canceled classes for Thursday, March 12, as part of what the university said was an effort to provide counseling services and other support for the campus and community. The campus was closed that Friday, March 13. 'Least' They Can Do Sharpe isnt exactly sure if she knows anyone who was in that room on March 12, but believes paths may have crossed. She has friends who are active-duty military who went to ROTC at ODU, and they're just as stunned and saddened at the situation than I am. Growing up in the Norfolk area leads to plenty of respect for the military, Sharpe added, saying that you were prone to know either the service members themselves or their children in school. She hopes the university will consider the tuition request. The least the university could do is to waive the tuition for the students who helped neutralize the target, she said. Even if they're not on a scholarship, we don't know their financial status with the school, of course, but a lot of ROTC students don't usually get scholarships, and if they do, it's partial. Counseling services and 24/7 crisis support remain available for any students, faculty or staff who may need emotional support. ODU regularly updates its support resources webpage that includes group crisis intervention sessions and therapy dogs for employees this week. Officials said that following spring break, students and faculty will return to campus next week and more information will be added online. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Iran intensified its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors' energy sites Thursday, hitting a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea and setting Qatari liquefied natural gas facilities and two Kuwaiti oil refineries ablaze as it struck back following an Israeli attack on its main natural gas field, a major escalation in the Mideast war that has sent global fuel prices soaring. Brent crude oil, the international standard, spiked to as high as $118 a barrel, up more than 60% since Israel and the United States started the war Feb. 28 with strikes on Iran. A ship was set ablaze off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and another was damaged off Qatar, underscoring the ever-present danger also facing vessels due to Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported. Saudi Arabia had begun pumping large volumes of oil west to avoid the strait and ship it from the Red Sea, but the security of that route was called into question after Iran's drone hit the countrys SAMREF refinery in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu. Qatar, a key source of natural gas for world markets, said firefighters put out a blaze at a major LNG facility after it was hit by Iranian missiles. Production had already been halted there after earlier attacks but it said the latest wave of missiles caused sizable fires and extensive further damage. Damage to the facility could delay Qatar in getting its supplies to the market even after the Iran war ends. A drone attack on Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery sparked a fire but caused no injuries, the state-run KUNA news agency reported. The refinery is one of the biggest in the Middle East, with a petroleum production capacity of 730,000 barrels per day. Shortly after, a drone attack set ablaze the nearby Mina Abdullah refinery, officials said. Authorities in Abu Dhabi said they were forced to shut down operations at its Habshan gas facility and Bab field, calling Iranian overnight attacks on the sites a dangerous escalation. Gulf states condemn Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure Missile alert sirens sounded in multiple other areas around the Gulf, and Israel warned of incoming Iranian fire multiple times. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE all denounced the Iranian attacks, with Saudi Arabias top diplomat saying assaults on the kingdom meant what little trust there was before has completely been shattered. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called the attacks a dangerous escalation by Iran. But Iran showed no signs of relenting, with Saudi Arabia intercepting six drones in Riyadh and Eastern province before saying that the SAMREF refinery was hit. The Saudi Defense Ministry said damage assessment was underway at SAMREF, a joint venture between the kingdoms oil giant Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil. In Israel, more than a half dozen waves of Iranian attacks targeting large parts of the country sent millions of people to shelters. The strikes caused damage to buildings but no significant casualties were reported. Iran strikes back after Israel hits critical gas field The Iranian attacks came after Israel hit South Pars, the Iranian part of the world's largest gas field located offshore in the Persian Gulf and owned jointly with Qatar. With some 80% of all power generated in Iran coming from natural gas, according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency, the attack directly threatens the country's electricity supplies. Natural gas is also used to supply household heating and cooking across the Islamic Republic. Hitting the gas field is a clear expansion of the conflict, the New York-based Soufan Center said in a research note. Israels target selection in this war has heavily focused on the institutions, leaders and infrastructure," the think tank said. "It now seeks to inflict additional pressure on the regime by making the living conditions for civilians intolerable. Iran condemned the strike on South Pars, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of uncontrollable consequences" that "could engulf the entire world. In Washington, President Donald Trump said that Israel would not attack South Pars again, but warned on social media that if Iran continued striking Qatars energy infrastructure, the U.S. would retaliate and massively blow up the entirety of the field. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, Trump said on social media. Energy infrastructure targeted around Gulf region Qatar Energy said on X that a missile hit on its massive Ras Laffan LNG facility caused the blaze early Thursday. A ship was also hit off the country's coast, according to the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. It was not clear whether it was deliberately targeted or was struck by falling debris as Qatar fired off missile interceptors at incoming Iranian barrages. Saudi Arabia also reported downing Iranian drones targeting its natural gas facilities overnight, and authorities in Abu Dhabi shut down the Habshan gas facility and Bab field after interceptions over the sites. Another ship was set ablaze early Thursday off the UAE coast. It was also unclear whether it was targeted or hit with debris, the UKMTO said. It said the vessel was just off the coast of Khor Fakkan, near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is normally shipped. More than 20 vessels have been attacked during the Iran war so far as Tehran has kept a tight grip on shipping traffic through the waterway, which leads from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Iran insists the waterway is open, just not to the U.S. or its allies, and while some vessels have sailed through, it has only been a trickle. Iran executes 3 men detained during January protests Iran announced the execution of three men detained in Januarys nationwide protests, the first such sentences known to have been carried out, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported. The men were accused of stabbing two police officers to death in Qom, some 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of the capital, Tehran, during the protests. Iran put down the demonstrations with intense violence that killed thousands of people and saw tens of thousands others detained, and activists have warned that authorities might carry out mass executions of those detained. Iran long has been accused by rights campaigners of extracting coerced confessions from detainees and not allowing them to fully defend themselves in court. Death toll climbs in third week of war More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed during the war. Israeli strikes have displaced more than 1 million Lebanese roughly 20% of the population according to the Lebanese government, which says 968 people have been killed. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire, including a Thai agricultural worker who died overnight after getting hit with shrapnel. Three people were also killed in the occupied West Bank overnight by an Iranian missile strike, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed. ___ Melzer reported from Tzukim, Israel, and Rising from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Julie Watson in San Diego and Fatma Khaled in Cairo contributed to this report. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard faced sharp bipartisan scrutiny on Wednesday during a heated Senate hearing as U.S. intelligence chiefs warned of escalating cyber and Iran-related threats. The Senate Intelligence Committees annual Worldwide Threats hearing laid out the governments latest assessment of global risks, but quickly turned contentious as lawmakers clashed over the administrations handling of the Iran war, the omission of election interference from the threat report and the role of intelligence agencies in defining national security threats. Scrutiny centered on Gabbard as lawmakers pressed her on whether Iran posed an imminent threat and how that determination was made. Gabbard emphasized the broader risk environment, telling lawmakers the global security landscape is volatile and complex, even as she declined to directly state whether intelligence assessments supported claims of an imminent threat. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies during a Senate Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Pressed repeatedly on the issue, she did not provide a direct yes-or-no answer, prompting visible frustration from lawmakers who argued that evaluating imminent threats is a core function of U.S. intelligence agencies. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the vice chair, underscored those concerns in a statement to Military.com, saying, Trump has no concrete plan or objective for the U.S.s military actions in Iran, warning that American lives [are] at risk. Military.com reached out for comment to the White House, Defense Department, intelligence agencies and congressional offices. Lawmakers also pressed Gabbard on the omission of foreign election interference from the annual threat assessment, questioning why a longstanding national security threat was not included in this years report. Cotton: Iran On Its Back Foot After US Strikes Fresh praise for recent U.S. military and intelligence operations came from Committee Chairman, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-NE), who argued they have significantly weakened adversaries and improved national security. The Iranian revolutionary regime is finally knocked on its back foot, Cotton said, pointing to strikes that he said devastated Irans nuclear facilities and operations targeting its leadership, military and proxy networks. Those actions come as U.S. forces have surged into the region, including Marines and amphibious warships moving toward the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalated and concerns grew about protecting shipping lanes and deterring Iranian retaliation. Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., presides over a Senate Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Cotton credited intelligence agencies with enabling those missions, saying their work provided timely, accurate and fact-based intelligence critical to success. He also called for expanded funding and authorities, backing reauthorization of FISA Section 702 and signaling support for increased intelligence spending tied to Iran and other global threats. Warner: Trump Has No Plan For Iran War Sharp criticism of the administrations strategy came from Warner, who warned U.S. actions are increasing risks at home and abroad. Questions about election threats quickly became a flashpoint, with Warner pressing officials on why foreign election interference was omitted from this years threat assessment and warning those risks remain active. Concerns also surfaced over whether intelligence agencies are being properly focused on foreign adversaries, with Warner raising issues about oversight, priorities and the broader use of intelligence authorities. Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., speaks with reporters after the Senate Committee on Intelligence hearings on Capitol Hill Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) The hearing unfolded under mounting pressure on intelligence officials to explain both the Iran war and domestic threats, with lawmakers pressing for clarity on risks to Americans at home and abroad. President Donald Trumps administration defended its approach. President [Donald] Trumps Peace through Strength foreign policy is a tried-and-true approach that keeps America safe and addresses global threats," a White House spokesperson told Military.com. "The president has assembled a world-class intelligence team who he is constantly communicating with and receiving real time updates on all pressing national security issues." Ensuring the safety and security of the American people is President Trumps number one priority, and he has full confidence in his entire exceptional national security team. Intel Chiefs Warn Threats Are Escalating Worldwide The U.S. intel assessment pointed to China as a long-term strategic competitor, Russia as a persistent military threat, and Iran as weakened but still capable of attacks and rebuilding its forces. Cyber threats continue to grow, with nation-state actors and criminal groups targeting U.S. infrastructure, government systems and private networks. Officials also warned that terrorist organizations remain degraded but adaptive, capable of inspiring or directing attacks despite leadership losses. From left, FBI Director Kash Patel, Defense Intelligence Agency Director James Adams III, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Acting Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command William Hartman testify before the Senate Committee on Intelligence hearings to examine worldwide threats on Capitol Hill Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Missile threats to the U.S. homeland could expand significantly in the coming decade, while advances in artificial intelligence are accelerating both cyber and battlefield risks. The conflict with Iran emerged as the central flashpoint, driving some of the most intense exchanges between lawmakers and intelligence officials. Questions centered on whether the administration anticipated Iranian retaliation following U.S. strikes, including the risk of attacks on American forces, regional allies and global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The stakes are particularly high as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical oil chokepoint where disruptions could ripple through global energy markets and maritime security operations. Officials said Irans military capabilities have been significantly degraded, but warned the regime remains intact, can still carry out attacks through proxies and could attempt to rebuild over time. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies during a Senate Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Growing risks closer to home also took center stage, with officials highlighting cyberattacks, transnational criminal networks and persistent terrorism threats. Gabbard said criminal organizations trafficking fentanyl remain a direct threat to Americans, underscoring the impact of cross-border networks. Cyber actors continue targeting government systems, infrastructure and private networks, raising concerns about potential disruption to essential services. Escalation is accelerating as the Pentagon prepares its largest strike package yet against Iran, signaling a new phase of the conflict with growing risks to global energy markets. The latest Pentagon briefing signals an expanded phase of operations as the U.S. prepares larger strikes and rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten global energy flows. Officials said the next round of operations would be even larger, with the Pentagon preparing what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as the most significant strike package of the conflict so far. Today will be the largest strike package yet, Hegseth said Thursday in Washington. Military.com reached out for comment to the Defense Department, U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Navy, the White House and the State Department. Targets have expanded beyond initial missile and air defense sites to include Irans defense industrial base, underground facilities and naval infrastructure, reflecting a shift toward dismantling Tehrans ability to sustain long-term operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speak to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Senior military leadership said U.S. forces are now striking deeper into Iranian territory with improved intelligence and faster targeting cycles, allowing forces to identify and hit assets as they emerge from hardened or underground positions. To date, weve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure, Hegseth said. That is not incremental; that is overwhelming force applied with precision, he added. US Strikes Cripple Iran Military Capabilities Pressure is mounting as U.S. strikes hammer Irans missile, drone and defense production networks, sharply degrading the countrys ability to sustain attacks across air, land and sea. Irans air defenses [are] flattened, Hegseth said, adding that missile and drone production facilities are being overwhelmingly destroyed. Strikes have expanded beyond launch sites to include manufacturing hubs, storage facilities and underground infrastructure tied to Irans missile and unmanned aerial vehicle programs, targeting the systems that allow Tehran to regenerate combat power. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) We continue to attack deeper into Iranian territory, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said, describing an expanding operational footprint. Ballistic missile attacks against U.S. forces have dropped roughly 90% since the start of the conflict, according to Hegseth, with similar declines in one-way attack drones. Senior military leadership said the degradation reflects sustained pressure on Irans defense industrial base, limiting its ability to replace weapons and maintain operational tempo. Still, officials said Iran retains limited strike capability and continues to launch attacks across the region. They will still shoot, we know that, Hegseth said. But they would shoot a lot more if they could, but they cant. Iran Navy Paralyzed in Strait of Hormuz Fighting is intensifying at sea as U.S. forces hammer Irans naval fleet, mine-laying capabilities and maritime infrastructure across the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Weve damaged or sunk over 120 of their navy ships, Hegseth said, adding Irans surface fleet is no longer a factor. Strikes have targeted fast attack craft, mine layers, naval bases and storage sites used to support maritime operations, reflecting a broader effort to eliminate Irans ability to threaten commercial shipping. A cargo ship sails in the Arabian Gulf towards Strait of Hormuz in United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Senior military leadership said U.S. forces are now operating deeper into Iranian territory while continuing to strike naval assets, ammunition depots and mine storage facilities. We are targeting mine-laying capabilities and naval assets, Caine said. A-10 aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters have entered the fight along the southern flank, targeting fast-attack craft and reinforcing efforts to secure one of the worlds most vital energy corridors. The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20% of the worlds oil supply, making it a central front in the conflict as U.S. forces work to prevent disruptions that are already rippling across global energy markets. In the U.S., gas prices have reached levels not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent reporting by Military.com highlighted attacks on commercial shipping and energy sites across the region, raising concerns about global supply disruptions. Pentagon Says US Winning Iran War Pentagon leaders pushed back on comparisons to Iraq and Afghanistan, emphasizing that the current campaign is designed to be shorter, more targeted and focused on specific military objectives. This is not those wars, Hegseth said Thursday, rejecting concerns the conflict could evolve into a prolonged ground campaign. Epic Fury is different. Its laser focused. Its decisive, he added, framing the operation as a high-tempo air and maritime campaign aimed at degrading Irans ability to project power. Earlier in the conflict, Pentagon officials described the campaign as only the beginning, with rapid early strikes targeting hundreds of sites in the opening phase. Were winning decisively and on our terms, Hegseth said. A now former top U.S. counterterror official is publicly breaking with the administration, saying intelligence did not support the escalating conflict with Iran. Joe Kent, who made big news when he stepped down on Tuesday as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said in an interview with Tucker Carlson on Wednesday that intelligence assessments did not show Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States or was close to developing a nuclear weapon, undercutting central justifications for the military action. There was no intelligence that showed an imminent threat from Iran to the United States, Kent said. His remarks mark one of the clearest public breaks from a senior intelligence official tied to the administration, raising new questions about the accuracy of prewar assessments and internal decision-making as the conflict escalates. Questions about the wars justification had already intensified after Kent said in his resignation that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States. Kent Breaks with Trump Administration A major internal rupture is now spilling into public view following Kents resignation from one of the governments top counterterrorism posts. Kent said intelligence did not support claims that Iran was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon, directly challenging a central pillar of the administrations rationale for the conflict. We had no intelligence to indicate Iran was on the cusp of building a nuclear weapon, Kent said. Joe Kent appears on Tucker Carlsons show, saying intelligence did not support claims Iran posed an imminent threat. (Tucker Carlson Show) He also suggested the path toward military action had effectively already been set, raising questions about how intelligence was weighed in the lead-up to the conflict. There wasnt a robust debate this timeit felt like a foregone conclusion, he said. The comments point to potential gaps between intelligence assessments and policy decisions, signaling that internal disagreements over the war may now be breaking into the open. Kents comments come as he is also under FBI investigation over alleged leaks of classified information, according to multiple reports, adding another layer of scrutiny as his criticism of the administration becomes public. The investigation predates his resignation and is focused on whether he improperly shared sensitive intelligence, according to officials familiar with the matter. Intelligence Clash Drives Iran War Debate Kent said the rationale for escalation was shaped less by verified intelligence and more by shifting policy narratives, raising questions about how intelligence was used in the lead-up to the conflict. If you looked at classified intelligence, we didnt see what was being said publicly, he said. Kent described a disconnect between internal assessments and public messaging as tensions escalated. Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent speaks during an interview with Tucker Carlson, where he said intelligence did not show Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. (Tucker Carlson Show) He also pointed to outside influences affecting decision-making, suggesting allies played a role in shaping the response. The Israelis drove the decision to take this action, which we knew would trigger retaliation, Kent said. The comments underscore a broader dispute over whether intelligence findings were fully reflected in policy decisions as the administration moved toward military action. Key questions about U.S. military operations are still going unanswered as scrutiny intensifies. Details about force posture, targeting and the scope of operations have not been disclosed. A defense official told Military.com that officials would not discuss force posture to protect operational security and directed reporters to public updates on Operation Epic Fury. The limited transparency comes as the conflict continues to evolve and as Kents remarks amplify questions about the intelligence and strategy behind the war. A widening fracture is emerging across President Donald Trumps political and national security coalition. Some Republican and national security voices have pushed for sustained or expanded military pressure, while others aligned with Trumps populist base have warned against a prolonged conflict that could raise oil prices, strain resources and carry political consequences. Kent Warns Iran War Could Backfire Kent warned the current approach could produce long-term consequences beyond the immediate conflict, including the risk of regional escalation and broader geopolitical fallout. If you strike the regime, it only strengthens it. He said direct military action could reinforce the Iranian government internally while increasing instability across the region. Tucker Carlson speaks during an interview with former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, where Kent challenged intelligence behind the escalating conflict with Iran. (Tucker Carlson Show) Kent also pointed to wider strategic risks, including the potential for adversaries to benefit from prolonged conflict. We are playing right into Chinas hands, Kent said. Kent warned the impact of the conflict could extend beyond overseas operations, raising concerns about potential security risks inside the United States as the war continues. The longer this goes on, the more likely we are to see attacks inspired here at home, he said. He said the threat is less likely to come from organized foreign networks and more from individuals influenced by propaganda tied to the conflict. The biggest threat isnt sleeper cells; its lone actors inspired by propaganda, Kent said. Stephen Campos came home from war in Vietnam like many veterans from that era changed. For decades, he didnt talk openly about his mental health struggles until realizing he could help other veterans by sharing his thoughts. It led to Campos to becoming an advocate for veterans and a successful business owner, selling his trademark Senor Campos Salsa across the Phoenix, Arizona area. Campos, an Army veteran, served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, a particularly intense year of fighting in Southeast Asia. As a member of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, the violence he witnessed, all the horrors of war, he kept locked deep inside until only a year ago. I didnt talk about my Vietnam experience until 2025, Campos told FOX 10 in Phoenix. And when I met my Vietnam buddies for the first time... at the Vietnam War Memorial. Stephen Campos, left, during his time in Vietnam in the late 1960s. (Facebook) Seeing the names of his fallen comrades triggered memories and raw emotions for Campos he hadnt experienced in many years. But it also reminded him of the fierce camaraderie he developed with his fellow soldiers, forged in the muggy, wet jungles of Vietnam. We were involved in a horrific firefight, Campos said. And that firefight, we bonded together at that time because we were scared and we made a vow that we would come back to the end and reunite after the war if we made it out alive and well. We made it. Not a Warm Reception Coming home from the war, Campos didnt receive the celebrations and adulation his predecessors did following World War II. Many Vietnam War veterans were shunned, called names like baby killers and worse. To add to the disillusionment, the general public couldnt even comprehend what Campos was dealing with, a mental health battle that wouldnt even be properly diagnosed until 1980 post-traumatic stress disorder. I was having a lot of problems, Campos said. I got picked up for drunk driving and I had living problems. I hadnt really addressed the things that I had been through in Vietnam. Everything came to a head in 1982, and I had a spiritual awakening. Which changed everything. Campos ditched alcohol, began attending group therapy, and leaned on faith. His new, healthy lifestyle led to the veteran launching Senor Campos Salsa, a twist on a family recipe. I love the flavor of my fathers salsa and tortilla chips, Campos said. And so, I decided in about 2018 that I wanted to go ahead and just open it up to the public. Vietnam War veteran Stephen Campos has written several books about his time in war, including "Stone Pony." (Facebook) Books and Salsa When hes not marketing and selling his salsa across Phoenix, Campos is at his desk, writing his next book. The veteran has published a series of books focused on faith, hope and healing. He credits God with saving his life and shares that message through his work. Without God in my life, Id be nowhere, Campos said. I would probably have been killed a long time ago. I probably would end up in some kind of automobile accident or would have committed suicide or something just because of the issues that I had. Going forward, Campos hopes to connect with more veterans through his books, his homemade salsa, and his story of loss and hope. I have a mission now, Campos said. My mission is to help people. An Alaska court sentenced a Fairbanks woman Monday to 17 years behind bars and five years suspended for a drunk driving crash that killed a Fort Wainwright soldier in July 2024. Brianna Raquel Lapp, 33, entered a guilty plea in November on counts of manslaughter, third-degree assault and driving under the influence, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. Pfc. Arturo Alejandro Gomez On the evening of July 22, 2024, Lapp drove her Toyota 4Runner toward the Fort Wainwright main gate at high speed, striking two vehicles, a traffic control sign and a section of construction fencing along the way, according to Fairbanks police and court records. Pfc. Arturo Alejandro Gomez, 29, was working the gate when the vehicle approached. Witnesses told police the soldier turned and ran, but he was struck and killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene. When the first responding officer arrived, armed soldiers had already surrounded the 4Runner, which came to rest against a concrete barrier, Alaska Public Media reported. Responding officers observed signs of heavy intoxication. A breath test administered roughly two hours later registered a blood alcohol content of .299, over three times Alaska's .08 legal limit. Lapp told police she had no memory of hitting anyone, according to KTVF. She had no prior felonies and no connection to the installation. Pfc. Arturo Alejandro Gomez, aged 29, was tragically hit and killed by a drunk driver while on active duty at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska, on July 22, 2024. (Dignity Memorial) Gomez was born in California and grew up in Henderson, Nevada. He signed up for the Army in July 2023, finished his training at Fort Moore, Georgia, and arrived at Fort Wainwright the following February. He served as an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. He completed a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and studied at Brigham Young University prior to his enlistment. Scott Vranes, a Utah resident who mentored Gomez and whose family took him in during high school, traveled to Fairbanks for Monday's hearing and addressed Lapp directly. He told her his family forgave her and held no ill will, urging her not to fall into self-hatred over what happened. District Attorney Joe Dallaire described the statement as one of the most gracious he had heard in a courtroom. The Sentence Dallaire told the court prosecutors had been prepared to pursue a second-degree murder charge, citing the extreme blood alcohol level, the number of people struck along Lapp's path and her failure to stop at any point. He said Lapp covered roughly 2,000 feet after hitting the first vehicle, passing two opportunities to pull over before her SUV reached the security post where Gomez stood. Lapp's attorney, Meredith Morse, told the court her client turned to alcohol after a sexual assault she experienced shortly before the fatal collision. Morse said Lapp had spent her time in custody at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River mentoring other inmates through a wellness support program. Lapp spoke at her sentencing and told the court she was sorry for the harm she caused. Presiding Judge Brent Bennett told Lapp the crash was horrific and permanently altered multiple lives. Bennett said he understood what led Lapp to turn to alcohol but made clear that none of it justified getting behind the wheel. The judge set restitution at a figure to be calculated later and added an 18-month ignition interlock requirement for any vehicle Lapp drives after her release. The state will seize and sell her vehicle. Many organizations want to support veterans, but not all support addresses real needs. How can something as practical as moving and storage support make a difference? A new partnership between PODS, based in Clearwater, FL, and Tampa Bay nonprofit Operation Healing Forces launched this year. PODS now serves as OHFs exclusive moving and storage provider. They donate containers and storage support to help wounded and injured Special Operations service members and their families navigate relocations during recovery, which helps reduce stress. PODS has an enduring history and commitment to supporting military members and their families. Below, we speak with Irfan Bojadzija, Vice President of Residential and Commercial Partnerships at PODS Moving & Storage, and Kerry Irvin, CEO at Operation Healing Forces to talk about this new partnership and the big difference they are making for Special Operations families. Photo of an OHF Alumni Family. Courtesy of PODS Moving & Storage and Operation Healing Forces. Military.com (Kimberly OBrien): Operation Healing Forces works with Special Operations families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. From the partnership perspective, how can removing everyday logistical stress, like moving or temporary housing, change the recovery experience for those families? Irfan Bojadzija (Vice President of Residential and Commercial Partnerships, PODS) and Kerry Irvin (CEO, Operation Healing Forces): For Special Operations families navigating recovery, rehabilitation, or reintegration, even simple tasks can become overwhelming. When a service member is healing, the entire family is adjusting alongside them. Something as practical as moving or securing temporary storage can quickly become an added burden during an already complex time. The partnership between PODS and Operation Healing Forces (OHF) directly alleviates this pressure by providing moving and storage support during transitions that often coincide with recovery needs. By removing those logistical pressures, families gain stability. That stability allows them to focus on medical care, connection, and rebuilding routines at home. Reducing external stress creates the conditions for meaningful recovery. Military.com: Many people think of recovery from combat injuries as primarily medical. Factors like stability at home, family support, and reduced day-to-day stress shape the long-term recovery and reintegration of Special Operations service members. How will this new partnership address lesser-known logistical challenges wounded Special Operations service members and their families face? Bojadzija & Irvin: Medical care is critical, but it is only one part of the recovery journey. True healing is influenced by the environment a service member returns to. It is shaped by whether the home feels secure, whether the family feels supported, and whether unnecessary stress has been reduced. This partnership directly targets the behind the scenes challenges that often disrupt progress, such as rapid relocations, extended treatment stays, or transitions that require temporary housing and storage solutions. As OHFs exclusive moving and storage provider, PODS provides containers to support these needs, providing families relief from often time-consuming logistics and securing temporary storage or moving needs during recovery. By providing practical moving and storage support through OHFs SOAR program, families gain flexibility and breathing room during moments that can otherwise feel overwhelming. When stability increases, recovery outcomes improve. Families can remain focused on rehabilitation, reintegration, and rebuilding connections rather than managing logistics alone. Military.com: How could partnerships like this influence positive outcomes and change the way future recovery support is delivered? Is there anything else you would like to share? Bojadzija & Irvin: Partnerships that combine nonprofit mission with private-sector capabilities set a new standard for what holistic recovery support can look like. When organizations recognize that practical assistance is just as important as clinical care, the recovery model becomes more complete. The PODS and OHF partnership demonstrates how aligning resources, like OHFs year-round reintegration and resilience programs and PODS nationwide moving and storage services, helps create a seamless support system for families who often operate under very high stress and uncertainty. Partnerships like this are vital to fulfilling OHFs mission of restoring strength and stability to the military community. By integrating logistical support directly into the recovery journey, we can consider the full picture of what families need: medical access, emotional support, and the practical stability that frees them to focus on the next step in their healing journey. What makes this partnership special is not only the service it provides, but the shared values behind it. Both PODS and Operation Healing Forces have deep roots in the Tampa Bay, Florida, military community and a long-standing commitment to honoring those who serve. In 2025 alone, PODS provided nearly 33,000 containers for military moves and services approximately 279 military installations across the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Last year, PODS announced its participation in the MILITARY STAR card network, powered by Discover Global Network, which makes it easier for military members and their families to access PODS flexible moving and storage services through a financial tool designed specifically for the military community. OHF is proud to welcome PODS as a trusted partner, and the companys generosity allows OHF to continue restoring strength and stability to Special Operations families in meaningful, tangible ways. For the full press release, see PODS Partners with Operation Healing Forces to Support America's Special Operations Community. News / National by Staff reporter President Robert Mugabe has warned people of Masvingo Province against being tricked into joining political outfits like the Joice Mujuru-led Zimbabwe People First (ZPF), saying such parties are no different from the other opposition parties as they seek to fight Zanu PF as opposed to preserving the country's sovereignty.Addressing thousands of party supporters gathered at Chamisa Primary School in Gutu, Mugabe said the opposition in the country is bent on bringing back the whites and reverse the land revolution by taking the land back to the white people.The President said the government is aware that some people who benefited from the land reform programme are clandestinely inviting some white people to work with them, warning that the government will not hesitate to take the land from such people.He also announced that he is now a grand dad after his first child, Bona Chikowore gave birth to a baby boy.On drought, the President said government is doing all it can to avert the devastating effects of the drought that affected most parts of the country.Mugabe implored school authorities to be sensitive and not send school children back home for failing to pay fees as this is a difficult year for most parents.President Mugabe donated 90 tonnes of grain, 30 tonnes of bananas and cassava and 50 bales of clothing items.Earlier, President Robert Mugabe visited the late Chief Gutu's family to pay his condolences and unveil the chief's tombstone.Born Amon Kasirai Masanganise, Chief Gutu, who died in 2013, was an uncle to the president.Soon after arrival, Mugabe held a closed door session with the Masanganise family.After the closed door session, the president was shown where his uncle was laid to rest.Mugabe then unveiled Chief Gutu's tombstone before laying wreaths on the grave. Mahindra eyes highest-ever PV sales by a non-Maruti Suzuki carmaker in FY26 Mahindra has sold over 6,00,000 units of PVs in April-February FY26 and, at the current run-rate, could surpass 6,50,000 units for the full year, potentially setting a new sales record among non-Maruti Suzuki carmakers The Mahindra Scorpio-N is one of the largest-selling SUVs in India. New legislation would prevent anyone in Alberta from accessing medical assistance in dying (MAID) if they are unlikely to die within the next 12 months. Bill 18, the Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act, if passed, would prevent doctors or nurse practitioners from administering MAID to patients whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. The act would also require a direct family member of the patient to be present for administration of MAID in almost all cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said at a news conference on Wednesday she thinks the federal guardrails around MAID are weakening as the government considers broadening the eligibility. These escalating factors put the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals at far too grave a risk, Smith said. Justice Minister Mickey Amery tabled the bill in the legislature Wednesday. Should the legislation pass as written, it would make Alberta the first Canadian jurisdiction to place these types of limitations on federally permitted assisted deaths. The legislation would also pre-emptively limit access to MAID in cases where the federal government has signalled it could make changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although federal law requires a person requesting MAID to have the mental capacity to request it, Quebec in 2024 began allowing people diagnosed with incurable illnesses to request access to MAID in advance, while they are lucid. Albertas legislation would disallow such advanced requests. The federal government has also passed legislation slated to allow people suffering solely from mental illnesses to request MAID, beginning in March 2027. Smith told reporters the Alberta government is highly skeptical of the federal government legalizing MAID for mental illnesses alone. Dr. Ramona Coelho, family physician and member of Ontario's MAID Death Review Committee, said she supports limits on the practice to protect vulnerable people whose lives could improve with the right treatment and support. (Emmanuel Prince-Thauvette/Radio-Canada) Dr. Ramona Coelho, an Ontario family doctor who was at the news conference to support the legislation, said she sees examples of some health-care workers offering marginalized patients MAID instead of comprehensive support for poverty or social isolation that would help ease their suffering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patient suffering can be addressed, and their lives can greatly improve if we take that time, she said. Bill would put new limits on practitioners Bill 18, if passed, would also put new requirements and limits on the health-care providers who administer MAID. Doctors and nurse practitioners would be barred from referring a patient out-of-province to be assessed for MAID eligibility. They would be prohibited from suggesting MAID to any patients as an option the patient would have to request information on MAID first. The law would prevent health facilities, such as clinics or continuing care homes, from publicly displaying any information about MAID, to reduce the risk of undue influence or coercion, according to briefing from the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although health-care workers already have a right to refuse to provide MAID, Bill 18 would enshrine that right into provincial law, and create an exclusion zone of 150 metres around any health-care facility that refuses to allow MAID consultations on their premises. Catholic health facilities that refuse to facilitate MAID assessments have faced criticism and legal challenges after patients either had to transfer to another facility to get them, or met assessors on sidewalks or in bus shelters outside Catholic hospitals. Provincial statistics from 2023 show about nine per cent of patients who received MAID required a transfer to a different facility. Bill 18 would require health providers to contact every practitioner who has been the primary care provider for the patient requesting MAID in the previous year, and review all of the patients personal and health information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law would require anyone providing MAID or MAID assessments to meet professional training requirements in advance. Professional regulatory bodies in Alberta would be mandated to sanction any health-care worker who violates provincial legislation. Government officials say those sanctions would start with remedial training for a first offence, and escalate to suspension and revocation of the ability to provide MAID with subsequent offences. In 2021, the federal government amended MAID eligibility to include people whose death is not foreseeable in the next 12 months in response to a Quebec court ruling that this restriction violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alberta government officials said they do not believe the provincial legislation would contravene the Criminal Code. Support for proposed changes Some organizations advocating for people with disabilities are pleased by the legislation, particularly the prohibitions on what's called "track 2" MAID for people whose death is not immediately foreseeable. (Emily Williams/CBC) Inclusion Alberta CEO Trish Bowman said MAID was leading to medical systems sometimes offering death as an alternative to people with disabilities instead of the supports they need for a higher quality of life. She said Alberta's limits could save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know it reinforces incredibly negative and dangerous stereotypes about the value and worth of the lives of people with disabilities. And so we're very pleased to see this legislation today that serves to protect them," Bowman said. Krista Carr, CEO of Inclusion Canada, says she hopes other provinces follow Alberta's example. However, she said the limits should also compel governments to invest more into programs and support that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Canadian Mental Health Association research librarian Robert Olson called the legislation "heartening." He said the organization opposes the expansion of MAID to people with mental illness because many people can recover from, or find successful treatment for, mental illnesses. Disappointment for right-to-die supporters Tania Stilson's father chose a MAID death in 2023 at age 83 after living with chronic and debilitating pain for 12 years that became increasingly worse and unresponsive to treatments. (Submitted by Tania Stilson) She says her dad, John Warren, went through extensive evaluation and a 90-day waiting period when his suffering became intolerable. Stilson said it's "illogical" for the provincial government to try and remove the option for people who are in anguish, but not facing a foreseeable death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Canadians shouldn't have to suffer," she said. "And they make that own individual choice themselves. Nobody should make that for me or for you." Alberta's proposed restrictions will also make it harder for people who do face a foreseeable death to access the legal, publicly funded service, said Kerrie Hale, co-chair of the Calgary chapter of Dying with Dignity. If governments wanted to protect vulnerable people, they would provide better health and social supports, she said. Hale is troubled that health providers won't be able to point to MAID as an option, because some people don't know it's legal, she said. She said the legislation lacks compassion for people with intractable conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They are suffering intolerably and they want to end their lives," she said. "I feel that we should have compassion for those people and not make this option even harder than it already is." Challenges to federal MAID law Before the bill was tabled, Lola Dandybaeva, a spokesperson for federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser, said in a statement that provinces and territories are responsible for delivering health care and have the right to develop frameworks around MAID delivery. Dandybaeva said a special committee is studying the potential expansion of MAID eligibility, and its findings will guide any potential changes. Despite the law set to expand eligibility criteria in March 2027, she did not give a timeline for any potential changes. Amery, the justice minister, says the Quebec court ruling does not apply in Alberta. Smith said she doesnt have immediate plans to use the notwithstanding clause to defend the bill in court, should it become law and prompt a legal challenge, though she did not rule out that option. I fully anticipate it will be the law in Alberta, she said. University of Ottawa health policy professor Patrick Fafard said the legislation is careful to legislate in areas the province controls, such as the provision of health services and regulation of professionals. He thinks a court challenge is likely, regardless. "People will allege that this somehow contradicts whatever the federal government does under its criminal code authority," he said. "But it will be litigated. Partly to make a point, and partly because there may be a genuine conflict of laws." "Fall in love": Why this university wants its students to put down their books and 'enjoy romance' For many university students around the world, the arrival of a mid-term break is a welcome opportunity to catch up on sleep, binge-watch shows, or prepare for upcoming exams. But at one college in China, the message to its students is different: stop studying and go find a date. Why this university wants its students to put down their books and fall in love Chinese college grants spring break to promote romance over study Break aims to address declining population and boost economy Students urged to socialize and travel during holiday Did our AI summary help? GOAPS GATE Result 2026 declared @ goaps.iitg.ac.in, direct link here IIT Guwahati has declared the GATE 2026 Result on March 19, 2026. Download your scorecard from gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Check steps, direct link, scorecard details, and post-result guidelines. GOAPS GATE Result 2026 IIT Guwahati announces GATE 2026 results on March 19 Scorecards can be downloaded free from March 27 to May 31 GATE score valid for 3 years for admissions and PSU jobs Did our AI summary help? Bafta winner 'Boong' opens National Indian Film Festival of Australia Boong, the first Indian film to win a BAFTA, opened the second edition of the National Indian Film Festival of Australia. The festival will showcase over 32 films across 18 languages in multiple Australian cities, celebrating Indian cinema on a global stage. PTI March 19, 2026 / 01:01 IST Boong premieres at National Indian Film Festival of Australia Boong opens NIFFA, first Indian film to win a BAFTA award NIFFA showcases 32 films in 18 languages in 14 Australian cities Anupam Kher receives International Indian Cinema Icon Award Did our AI summary help? Topline Two Balkan countries and two Baltic states, along with the Czech Republic and Canada, are the only six of 32 NATO members that have issued public statements of support for the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, as President Donald Trump faces broad resistance from the coalition to his request for aid in the military operation. President Donald Trump walks from Marine One to board Air Force One on March 18, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Getty Images Key Facts Trump acknowledged this week that most NATO members have said theyll stay out of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. So far, the only NATO members that have come out in support of the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran are Canada, the Czech Republic, Albania, North Macedonia, Lithuania and Latvia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others, including Denmark, Finland and Luxembourg, have remained neutral in their opinions of the strikes, while issuing broad criticisms of the Iranian regime. Many, such as Italy and Spain, are outright critics. These Six Nato Countries Have Expressed Support For U.s.-Israel Operations Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Minister of Affairs Anita Anand initially said in a statement Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security, though Carney later clarified to reporters that Canada supports the operations with regret, because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order, noting the U.S. didnt consult allies before the attacks. Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama: We support the United States in militarily supporting Israel today under the leadership of President Donald Trump, he wrote in a post on X on Feb. 28, the first day of the attacks, condemning Irans cyber aggressions against Albania, which severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2022 following a major cyberattack on Albanias government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Macedonia Minister of Foreign Affairs Timco Mucunski: We stand with our American allies in confronting destabilizing threats in the Middle East, he wrote on X, adding, the United States has made clear that diplomacy is always the first option but deterrence remains essential when credible risks persist. Lithuania Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to President Gitanas Nauseda: The U.S. and Israel acted correctly in attacking Iran after Iran did not take into account U.S. demands to stop enriching uranium, to stop producing nuclear weapons, he told Lithuanian National Television and Radio, calling it an unavoidable matter. Latvia President Edgars Rinkevics: To a large extent, this operation is a consequence of what Iran has been doing for decades, he said in a March 3 press conference, adding that he prefers diplomacy, but diplomacy will only have a place at the moment when Iran abandons any plans to develop a military nuclear program . . . taking all these aspects into account, the operation currently being carried out by the United States and Israel is understandable. Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis: The uncontrollable Iranian nuclear program and support for terrorism are a danger to us and to all of Europe, adding in a post on X, the Czech Republic therefore stands by our allies, and I believe that stability and peace will soon prevail in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on X the U.S.-Israel military operation reflects long-standing concerns regarding the policies and actions of the Iranian regime. News Peg Trump suggested Wednesday the U.S. would refuse to provide military protection to the Strait of Hormuz once the U.S. has finished off Iran and it reopens, instead forcing other countries that use the oil passage to secure it. He said on Truth Social that would get some of our non-responsive Allies in gear, and fast!!! Trump made the threat after saying repeatedly for days the U.S. doesnt need the help of anyone, including NATO allies, in response to NATOs refusal to help ships pass through the strait, which has been closed since the start of the conflict, driving up global oil prices. Crucial Quote NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte initially praised the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, telling Germanys ARD TV, its really important what the U.S. is doing here, together with Israel, because its taking out, degrading the capacity of Iran to get its hands on nuclear capability, their ballistic missile capability. He said, there are absolutely no plans whatsoever for NATO to get dragged into this or being part of it, other than individual allies doing what they can to enable what the Americans are doing together with Israel. Chief Critics Many NATO allies have strongly criticized Trumps demands for assistance in the Strait of Hormuz, while others have broadly condemned the U.S.-Israel strikes, with some leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Spains Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, suggesting they were in violation of international law. Among the leaders rejecting Trumps request for help with the strait, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said earlier this week at a meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels, NATO is a defensive alliance, not an interventionist one. And that is precisely why NATO has no place here at all. Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel equated Trumps demands to blackmail, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a press conference this week that his country will not be drawn into the wider war. Tangent Most NATO countries have given mixed reactions to the conflict. Some, including Denmark, Finland and Estonia, have expressed neither support nor opposition to the U.S. and Israels strikes against Iran, but have said they are open to NATO assisting the U.S. to secure the Strait of Hormuz. "Even if we don't like what's going on, I think it's wise to keep an open mind on whether Europe ... in some way can contribute, but with a view towards de-escalation," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told EU leaders in Brussels earlier this week. Finlands President Alexander Stubb also told Bloomberg we have to take everything that the president of the United States says seriously, adding, the countries that have the capacity and the will to help the United States will do that, and should do that. Others, including Luxembourg and Iceland, have condemned the Iranian regime and said it cant have nuclear weapons in the wake of the attacks, calling for de-escalation, but stopping short of endorsing the U.S.-Israel military campaign. Iran must put an end to all activities that threaten international peace and security, in particular its nuclear program. Luxembourg supports all diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, its government said in a statement. Multiple NATO allies, including the United Kingdom, Romania, Italy, France and Portugal, are allowing the U.S. to use their bases for its operations in Iran. Some NATO countries, including Montenegro and North Macedonia, have also condemned Irans retaliatory attacks on neighboring countries in the Middle East. Correction: This story has been updated to include Canadas position on the Israel-Iran war and remove Kosovo, which is not a NATO member. Further Reading Trump: Most NATO Allies Say Theyll Stay Out Of Iran War (Forbes) Trump Suggests U.S. Could Finish Off Iran And Let Other Countries Secure Strait Of Hormuz (Forbes) JD Vance Disappears Amid War With IranAfter Opposing A Conflict For Years (Forbes) Bhuvan Bam calls Karan Johar, Nikhil Madhok his Mentors at Kuku Ki Kundali announcement Bhuvan Bam turned emotional at Kuku Ki Kundali announcement, calling Karan Johar and Nikhil Madhok his mentors, recalling early support and guidance as he steps into mainstream cinema. Bhuvan Bam calls Karan Johar, Nikhil Madhok his Mentors at Kuku Ki Kundali announcement Bhuvan Bam debuts in Kuku Ki Kundali with Wamiqa Gabbi Bhuvan credits Karan Johar and Nikhil Madhok for mentorship Kuku Ki Kundali is backed by Dharma Productions Did our AI summary help? BTS announces back-to-back The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon appearances ahead of Arirang comeback BTS will appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for back-to-back performances and an interview ahead of their Arirang comeback. The appearances mark their first return to the show as a full group since 2021. Gayatri Rani March 18, 2026 / 23:50 IST BTS in The Tonight Show BTS returns as a full group with album 'Arirang' on March 21 BTS to perform and interview on The Tonight Show March 25-26 BTS documentary 'The Return' debuts on Netflix March 27 Did our AI summary help? Dhurandhar 2 show stopped during interval at Noida multiplex, angry viewers asked to go home, police called after protest Dhurandhar 2s Noida preview was halted mid-show due to a technical issue, triggering protests, police intervention, and cancellations, with viewers alleging mismanagement before refunds were issued to affected audiences. Dhurandhar 2 show stopped during interval at Noida multiplex, angry viewers asked to go home, police called after protest Paid preview of Dhurandhar 2 in Noida stopped midway Police called as frustrated fans demanded film resume Refunds issued after screenings cancelled due to technical glitch Did our AI summary help? Is Vijay - Trisha's wedding on the cards? Actress mother sparks buzz Even though there is a lot of talk about them, Vijay and Trisha have not addressed any reports of their rumoured wedding. When reporters asked Trisha about the rumors at the airport, she walked away without saying anything. Trisha and Vijay Rumors of Vijay and Trisha's marriage circulate online. Actors remain silent despite viral fan speculation. No official confirmation on their relationship or wedding plans. Did our AI summary help? Jazz City S1 Review: Bangladeshs freedom story told on an ambitious but overcrowded canvas Jazz City aims big, mixing history, music, and politics into one sweeping story, though it often feels weighed down by too much going on. It stays watchable thanks to solid performances and atmosphere, even when the narrative starts to drift. Jazz City opens with a strong premise, taking on the ambitious task of turning a crucial chapter of post-independence history into a long-form series. Jazz City explores Bangladesh's fight for independence in 1971 Strong performances and authentic cultural setting stand out Series suffers from uneven pacing and too many subplots Did our AI summary help? BTS concert sparks labour row as employees around Gwanghwamun allege forced leaves As BTS gears up for its much-awaited comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, the event has found itself at the centre of a fresh controversythis time linked to labour rights. Employees working in offices near the venue have alleged that they are being compelled to take leave due to disruptions caused by the large-scale concert. Workplace Power Trip 119 pointed out that such measures may conflict with South Koreas labour laws, which prioritise employee autonomy when it comes to annual leave. Employees near BTS concert venue forced to take leave Leave deducted from annual quotas, sparking labour law concerns Group warns forced leave may breach South Korea's labor laws Did our AI summary help? Lollapalooza Argentina comes under fire after posting an image with KATSEYEs Manon crossed out Lollapalooza Argentina has landed in controversy after sharing a social media image featuring a fan poster where Manons face appeared crossed out. The post quickly sparked outrage among fans of KATSEYE, who criticised the organisers for posting the image without addressing the sensitive context surrounding Manons ongoing hiatus. Lollapalooza Argentina comes under fire after posting an image with KATSEYEs Manon crossed out Lollapalooza Argentina criticized for posting crossed-out Manon photo Fans criticize festival for insensitivity amid Manon's hiatus No official statement yet from Lollapalooza or KATSEYE management Did our AI summary help? Prem Chopra reveals Amitabh Bachchan sent daily 'get well soon' messages during his illness: 'Maine bola, yaar main theek ho gaya' Prem Chopra revealed that Amitabh Bachchan checked on him every day with heartfelt messages while he was unwell. The veteran actor said Bachchan continued his kind gestures even after learning about his recovery. Gayatri Rani March 19, 2026 / 00:15 IST Prem Chopra talks about Amitabh Bachchah Prem Chopra reveals Amitabh Bachchan sent daily get well messages Prem Chopra hospitalized for aortic stenosis and viral infection Prem and Amitabh Bachchan co-starred in many Bollywood films. Did our AI summary help? R. Madhavan reacts to Allu Arjuns praise for Dhurandhar 2, says humbled and hyper motivated R. Madhavan thanked Allu Arjun for praising Dhurandhar 2, saying he felt humbled and hyper motivated by the appreciation. R. Madhavan reacts to Allu Arjuns praise for Dhurandhar 2, says humbled and hyper motivated R. Madhavan thanked Allu Arjun for praising his Dhurandhar 2 role Allu Arjun praised Dhurandhar 2 and its ensemble cast. Dhurandhar: The Revenge is a sequel with strong advance bookings Did our AI summary help? Sameera Reddy reveals husband Akshai Varde first mistook her for Lara Dutta, mother-in-law apologises for corporate son Actor Sameera Reddy revealed that her husband, Akshai Varde, initially mistook her for Lara Dutta when they first met. His mother, Manjri Varde, later apologized for her corporate sons confusion. Gayatri Rani March 19, 2026 / 13:03 IST Sameera Reddy recalls hilarious first meeting Sameera Reddy's husband initially confused her with Lara Dutta Akshai Varde got a bike for Sameera's Tezz movie promo shoot Sameera and Akshai married in 2014 and have two children Did our AI summary help? German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has none of President Trumps penchant for controversy or headline-grabbing language but these days, hes putting emphatic distance between Berlin and Washington all the same. Merz is not only declining to answer Trumps call for help in reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz. He is being scathing of the presidents decision to wage war on Iran in the first place. To this day, there is no convincing plan for how this operation could succeed, Merz told German legislators on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington has not consulted us and did not say European assistance was necessary. We would have advised against pursuing this course of action as it has been pursued. Trumps call for help has found few takers elsewhere. French President Emmanuel Macron said at a Tuesday Cabinet meeting that his nation would never take part in efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz while the current conflict rages. We are not party to the conflict, Macron noted. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been more circumspect in public but has got caught in Trumps rhetorical crosshairs nonetheless. The president takes exception to Starmers disinclination to send British warships into the conflict zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In normal circumstances, around one-fifth of the worlds oil transits through the Strait of Hormuz. But Iran has succeeded in stifling shipping in the area, causing oil prices to spike and ratcheting up the domestic political pressure on Trump. The international reticence about getting involved in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which began on Feb. 28, is not confined to Europe. Australias transport minister, Catherine King, has said that her nation wont be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz, adding that its not something weve been asked or were contributing to. Now all eyes are turning to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Thursday. She told her parliament on Wednesday that she expects the visit to be extremely difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime minister signaled that her argument for not participating in operations over the Strait would be driven by constitutional restrictions on militarism in Japan, rooted in the aftermath of the Second World War. I intend to convey these points clearly and Im sure the U.S. side understands these laws given our history, Takaichi said, according to Bloomberg. Whether Trump himself will extend empathy seems very much in doubt, given how he has fulminated about a lack of assistance. The president has blasted Americas traditional allies for their supposed ingratitude repeatedly in recent days. In a Tuesday social media post, he said that, given the U.S. was the most powerful nation in the world, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday morning, he took to Truth Social again to ponder what would happen if he was to finish off the Islamic Republic and let the Countries that use it, we dont, be responsible for the so called Strait? That would get some of our non-responsive Allies in gear, and fast!!! he concluded. But experts say there is little chance allies get in gear with what Trump wants anytime soon. If anything, the incentives for many leaders, especially in Europe, are pointing in the opposite direction. Trump, unpopular on the continent to begin with, has further riled up his overseas critics by the administrations meager consultation with any nation other than Israel before launching the strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many European leaders are reluctant to support an operation they were not consulted on. There is a strong sense that the U.S. acted unilaterally and is now asking allies to help manage the consequences, Elizabeth Carter, an associate professor of political science and international affairs at the University of New Hampshire, told this column. Carter, who specializes in German politics, added that this reluctance was rooted in part in memories of the Iraq War launched by former President George W. Bush. But, for foreign leaders and experts alike, the issue isnt just the war on Iran. On Tuesday, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin pushed back against Trump on migration and the war in Ukraine during the traditional St. Patricks Day visit, even as he sat alongside the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of prior controversies have fed dissatisfaction among traditional allies on both sides of the Atlantic. Trumps references to Canada as a would-be 51st state caused consternation and resistance north of the border. In Europe, an even more profound break came when he appeared to grow serious about seizing control of Greenland from Denmark before backing off. Separately, Trump caused outrage in January by claiming that non-U.S. NATO troops stayed a little back, a little off the front lines during the war in Afghanistan. In fact, British armed forces suffered more than 450 fatalities in Afghanistan, and non-American nations in total accounted for almost one-third of all allied deaths. Even the mild-mannered Starmer hit out at Trumps remarks as insulting and frankly appalling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter, the professor, argued that Trumps overall approach has reinforced a deeper concern in Europe that the U.S. is no longer a reliable or predictable partner. It is not just individual comments on Greenland, Canada, or Afghanistan, but the broader pattern of inconsistency. Trump, naturally, sees things very differently. He frequently suggests that foreign allies are taking advantage of the United States, that they need to do more to take care of their own defense and, when it comes to Iran, that he alone had the resolve to act where others failed to do so. To be sure, his supporters would likely agree. But when it comes to Europe and beyond, thats not the whole story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A YouGov poll in January tested Trumps popularity in six European nations: Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. The share of adults with a favorable opinion of the U.S. president did not exceed 20 percent anywhere. In Germany, 11 percent viewed him favorably and 84 percent unfavorably. With numbers like that, Merz and his fellow European leaders wont be feeling much pressure at home to accede to Trumps demands. The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage. 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. Tom Holland thanks Ashish Chanchlani for launching Spider-Man: Brand New Day teaser in India - Watch Ashish Chanchlani became the only Indian to introduce the teaser of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, receiving a special thank-you from Tom Holland. The moment highlights his growing global recognition following his directorial debut with Ekaki. Gayatri Rani March 19, 2026 / 20:45 IST Tom Holland thanks Ashish Chanchlani Ashish Chanchlani unveils Spider-Man: Brand New Day teaser in India Tom Holland thanked Ashish for launching the trailer in India Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases on July 31 Did our AI summary help? HDFC Bank may look internally and within group to fill top bosss role, says interim chair Mistry These comments come after former part-time Chairman Atanu Chakraborty suddenly resigned in a letter dated March 17 Chakraborty stepped down from his position, citing ethical concerns Government launches RELIEF Scheme to shield exporters hit by West Asia crisis The scheme will provide targeted support to exporters, particularly MSMEs, helping them overcome operational bottlenecks and ensure smoother trade flows. RELIEF will cover insured exporters and non-ECGC insured MSME exporters for one month, and future shipments for three months. Centre launches RELIEF scheme to support exporters during crisis Rs 497 crore allocated to offset rising freight and insurance costs RELIEF provides better insurance, stable rates, and MSME aid Did our AI summary help? In his letter, Chakraborty said he did not agree with certain happenings and practices within the bank in the last two years and therefore decided to step down India, where farming is a mainstay, imports fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash, as well as liquefied natural gas, a key feedstock for urea production. Hospital chains tap new markets as West Asia conflict slows medical tourism Inquiries from West Asia have fallen by 2530% in recent weeks, as uncertainty is forcing patients to delay travel, medical value travel facilitators and hospital executives tell Moneycontrol Medical Value Travel (MVT) facilitators and hospital executives told Moneycontrol that enquiries from the Middle East have fallen by 2530% in recent weeks, as uncertainty is forcing patients to postpone travel plans. Hospitals see 2530% drop in Middle East patient enquiries Hospitals target Balkans, Algeria, Cambodia to offset slowdown Medical tourism may dip 510% short-term if instability persists Did our AI summary help? AHE FH AHE NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High Day Low Volume (NSE) More FH NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High Day Low Volume (NSE) More Why BlackRock's Larry Fink thinks AI could make Gen Zs job hunt far harder this year BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warns AI disruption could push graduate unemployment higher for the class of 2026, even without a recession. BlackRock CEO flags rising graduate unemployment risk; says skilled trades will boom but workforce isnt ready AI is shrinking entry-level job opportunities for graduates. Recent grads face near-decade high 5.6% unemployment rate. BlackRock commits $100M to skilled-trade training amid AI demand. Did our AI summary help? Retail, NII interest weakens in recent IPOs as selectivity rises Retail and non-institutional investors are turning selective in recent IPOs, with multiple issues since late February witnessing under-subscription in these segments despite overall demand being supported by institutional investors Bulk Deals on March 18 Retail investor participation in recent IPOs remains muted Elevated valuations and market volatility prompt investor caution Institutional investors stay active despite weak retail demand Did our AI summary help? No power struggle, no major issue: HDFC Banks Keki Mistry after Atanu Chakraborty exit HDFC Bank interim chairman Keki Mistry says there are no major issues after Atanu Chakrabortys exit, as shares fall and RBI clears transition. No major issues at HDFC Bank, personal difference of opinion possible, says Keki Mistry as shares fall 4% Keki Mistry assures no major issues after chairman's resignation HDFC Bank shares drop 5 percent amid leadership change concerns RBI swiftly approves Mistry as interim chairman for three months Did our AI summary help? HDFC Bank shares decline most in 2 years: Do you want to buy this dip? Check this analyst's short-term target, stop loss HDFC Bank shares recorded their steepest fall in more than two years and were among top losers on the benchmark Nifty index on March 19. HDFC Bank shares see profit booking in trade. HDFC Bank shares hit 52-week low after chairman resigns. Stock fell 8.7 percent, later settled down 5.11 percent. RBI says HDFC Bank remains sound with no material concerns. Did our AI summary help? HDF01 HDF01 NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High Day Low Volume (NSE) More I tend to focus on the origin of the computer within the military. Particularly in the early days of digital computing, the military was a key customer, and fundamental concepts of modern computing arose in universities and laboratories serving military contracts. Of course, the war would not last forever, and computing had applications in so many other fieldsfields that, nonetheless, started out as beneficiaries of military largesse. Consider education. The Second World War had a profound impact on higher education in the US. The GI bill made college newly affordable to veterans, who in the 1950s made up a large portion of the population. That was only the tip of the iceberg, though: military planners perceived the allied victory as a result of technical and industrial excellence. Many of the most decisive innovations of the warradar and radionavigation, scientific management and operations research, nuclear weaponshad originated in academic research laboratories at the nation's most prestigious universities. Many of those universities, MIT, Stanford, University of California, created subsidiaries and spinoffs that act as major defense contractors to this day. Educational institutions bent themselves, to some degree, to the needs of the military. The relationship was not at all one-sided. Besides direct funding for defense-oriented research, in the runup to the Cold War the military started to shower money on education itself. Research contracts from uniformed services and grant programs from the young DoD supported all kinds of educational programs. For the military, there were two general goals: first, it was assumed that R&D in civilian education would lead to findings that directly improved the military's own educational system. Weapons and tactics of war were increasingly technical, even computer controlled, and the military was acutely aware that training a large number of 18-year-old enlistees to operate complex equipment according to tactical doctrine under pressure was, well, to call it a challenge would be an understatement. Second, the nation's ranks of academics made up something like a military auxiliary. The Civil Air Patrol built up a base of trained pilots, in case there was ever a need to quickly expand the Air Force. By the same logic, university programs in management, sciences, and education itself produced a corps of well-educated people who would form the staff of the next era of secret military laboratories. Well, that's not exactly how it turned out, with the Cold War's radical turn to privatization, but it was an idea, anyway. That spirit of military-academic collaboration is how a group of researchers, mostly physicists, at the University of Illinois found themselves with military funding to develop a system called "Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations," or PLATO. With its origins in the late 1950s, and heyday in the 1970s, PLATO is usually considered the first effort in computerized teaching. It's a fascinating sibling to other large-scale computer systems of the time, like those in air traffic control. There are many similarities: PLATO struggled with connecting terminals and computers over a large area, before "the Internet" was even an idea. It had to display graphics, a very primitive computer capability at the time but one that was thought to be vital for classroom demonstrations. The system supported many simultaneous users, and had to process data in real-time to synchronize their various workspaces. There were also important differences. Unlike SAGE and the 9020, unlike business accounting and tabulation systems, unlike almost every computer application yet devised, PLATO was designed for user-facilitated content. Reflecting its origins among academic physicists, PLATO heavily emphasized collaboration. Many of the earlier, 1960s-era PLATO developments focused on simplifying the development of learning modules so that teachers could create interactive PLATO courses with less specialized computer training. By the 1970s, as PLATO terminals were increasingly installed in schools and other institutions in Illinois, the emphasis on collaboration turned towards communication. If learning modules were easy for teachers to develop, the students should also be able to use the system to create their own coursework and study materials. Researchers and other academic users had a similar desire for a computer system where they could keep notes, write reports, and stay in touch with their colleagues. PLATO did not prove an enduring successdespite a decades-long effort toward commercialization, it was expensive and the actual benefits of computer-aided teaching remained unproven . Few PLATO systems ever escaped the University of Illinois and its network of satellite delivery locations. Follow-on projects fizzled out and, despite PLATO's incredible ascent from a 1960 concept to an elaborate 1970s multi-user interactive system, PLATO spent the 1980s in decline. No one thinks about PLATO very much any more, which is unfortunate, because it is one of those remarkable, isolated moments in history, a sort of conceptual singularity, in which a project with limited real success incubates so many concepts that it sets the course of history afterwards. When you look at our modern computers, smartphones and social media and Farmville and so on, it's hard to find a single thing that isn't somehow derived from PLATO. Through PLATO's 1970s NSF funding and resulting interaction with other NSF efforts, it is my opinion that PLATO is probably a more important precursor to the modern internet than ARPANET and NSFNET. Not so much in a technical way; PLATO was closely tied to a mainframe-terminal architecture that would not have likely lead to our flexible packet-routing internet architecture. Rather, in a vibes way. PLATO was a large-area, networked computer system that emphasized posting things and looking at things other people had posted. It offered math lessons, but it also offered games. Perhaps most importantly, it had notes. PLATO's developers at the Computer-Based Education Research Lab of the University of Illinois had long had a simple way of communicating with each other, by editing a series of lessons titled "notes1" through "notes19." While functional, it was imperfect: Google Wave had not yet appeared to tell us that everyone being able to edit everything is good actually, so the complete lack of access controls, or formatting, or really organization of any kind was making the "notes" lessons a headache as the system gained users. In 1972, the PLATO IV terminal, new funding, and new backend computers had PLATO growing fast. There was an obvious need for a better version of the notes lessons. Through the machinations of academia, the task of building a better "notes" file fell on two high-school students, on their summer break from the University of Illinois-affiliated laboratory high school. Using PLATO's native TUTOR programming language and facilities intended for exams and course discussions, Dave Woolley and Kim Mast wrote a lesson called "=notes=". The =notes= lesson was originally intended for system announcements, trouble reports, and communications between PLATO's operators. Soon, though, it was doing far more. PLATO's notes were not the first implementation of a computer-based discussion board. Similar capabilities had been implemented by ARPANET users at least a couple of years earlier. It was also not the first email system, and indeed, was not email at all: notes only offered public posts. PLATO didn't gain a private messaging capability at all until a year later. The notes lesson wasn't even the only message board on PLATO, although it was the most sophisticated. What stood out about notes is that it was popular. Everyone used it. By 1976, the notes lesson had evolved into a generalized application that allowed any PLATO user to create and manage their own notes file. That management included access controls and capabilities we might now call moderation. It was one of the most popular applications on all of PLATO, and that was against the competition of the several notable early video games created there. Brian Dear, author of "The Friendly Orange Glow," a book on PLATO, argues that the notes lesson's peculiar history as a public messaging system that came before a private one had a critical impact on PLATO's users and culture. Communications on PLATO were "public-first." While a "private notes" feature was added later, users were already in the habit of doing things in the open. This sense of community, of close collaboration with some and passive awareness of others, must be a cultural precursor to the BBSs of the early internet and the social networks of today. But that's not even what I'm here to talk about. During the late '70s, there was something else going on at the University of Illinois: future Microsoft CTO Ray Ozzie was working on his undergraduate in CS, a large part of which involved PLATO. After his graduation in 1979, he worked for Data General, manufacturer of a popular series of minicomputers, where he reported to Jonathan Sachs. After Data General, he did a stint at Software Arts, the development firm behind VisiCalc. He must have stayed in touch with Jonathan Sachs, though, who in 1982 had left Data General to found his own company: Lotus Development. Lotus is widely remembered for Lotus 1-2-3, the hit spreadsheet application that displaced VisiCalc as possibly the most important software package in all of personal computing. Lotus's two founders were Sachs and Mitchell Kapor, both of whom had connections to Data General and Software Arts, in an era in which blockbuster software products often came from companies founded by a few entrepreneurial employees of the incumbent that was on its way out. And, indeed, they stuck to the familiar recruiting strategy: Ray Ozzie, of similar employment background, joined Lotus in the early '80s as a developer on their complete office suite, Lotus SmartSuite . Lotus 1-2-3 was one of the most successful software products ever, but the frontier of office computing was quickly expanding to word processing and presentations. Far from our modern monoculture of Google Docs and Microsoft Office still kind of hanging on I guess, the productivity software market was extremely competitive in the 1980s and just about every Independent Software Vendor had some kind of productivity or office suite under development. The vast majority of these were commercial failures, and Lotus SmartSuite was no different . It is fascinating to consider that SmartSuite included an (apparently mediocre) desktop database/rapid application development tool called FORMS. Desktop databases were once considered table stakes for productivity suites, but are now almost completely forgotten, recast as expensive and standalone SaaS offerings like AirTable. But I digress... By 1985, Lotus had acquired VisiCorp and consolidated its dominance in PC spreadsheets. Despite its overwhelming success in spreadsheets, Lotus struggled elsewhere: not just SmartSuite and Jazz but standalone word processor Manuscript and modeling-oriented spreadsheet Improv were often technically impressive but were also consistently poor sellers. I think that part of the problem is that the people at Lotus were a little too smart. This is best exemplified by their unsuccessful "personal information management" or PIM product (this is the same general category as Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird, although historically PIMs were less email-centric and more focused on calendars and contacts). Lotus Agenda was marketed as a PIM, but unlike other contenders of the era, it came without a fixed schema into which the user inserted data. Instead, it behaved more like a very simple desktop database, with the user entering data into spreadsheet-like tables however they wanted and then defining views based on column and row filters. The result was highly generalized, able to fit just about any use case with sufficient time and effort. It also did very little to help: you started with a blank grid, left to your own devices. It reminds me of modern PIM-adjacent offerings like Emacs org mode or Obsidian that attract a fervent following of dedicated users who ascribe some sort of life-changing experience to them, while the other 99% of us launch the software and then wonder what we are supposed to do. Lotus Agenda, for its part, reportedly had a similar cult fame. I imagine that Lotus's difficulty entering new markets must have encouraged them to get creative. They had quite a few products, many of them the subject of awards or technical papers or patents, no lack of engineering capability. What they seemed short on was vision and marketing. They had not quite figured out what customers wanted, or at least what customers wanted that was different from what their competitors already offered. I suppose they were willing to take a bet, as long as the risk could be adequately controlled. In 1984, Ray Ozzie left Lotus to found a new company called Iris Associates. Like Software Arts developer-publisher relationship with VisiCorp, Iris Associates was an independent company but was contractually obligated to offer exclusive publishing rights on its products to Lotus Development. In exchange, the first few years of Iris's operation were funded by a substantial investment from Lotus. Ozzie, now in control of his own kingdom, quickly hired three other University of Illinois alumspeople he knew from his time working on PLATO. It's not clear to me if this was the original goal of Iris Associates or if it became the goal as a result of their experience with PLATO. However it happened, Iris Associates spent about the next five years building a version of PLATO's =notes= lesson that could run on a network of Windows PCs. Through their publishing arrangement with Lotus, this would come to be known as Lotus Notes. Lotus Notes is one of the most famous, or infamous, examples of "groupware." Groupware is a hard concept to put your finger on, in good part because of its history. The whole thing, as a category, is easily traceable to Douglas Engelbart's work on Human Augmentation at SRIwork that, like PLATO, failed to gain market adoption but was nonetheless tremendously influential on the larger art. Human augmentation is the core idea in groupware, also called computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). These were lofty academic ideas around the ways that computers could augment the social processes behind most productive work; they were ideas that grew and forked like branches from the middle of the 20th century to today. Many of those branches withered and died, others flourished before some sort of rotting disease set in (looking at you, Sharepoint). The result is that "groupware" meant different things at different times, and today is so non-specific that everything from enterprise business process automation platforms to slightly dressed-up webmail are lumped together. In the days of Iris Associates, groupware meant something like this: software that assisted humans in communicating, collaborating, and tracking and executing processes. In practical terms, this meant core PIM applications like email and calendaring, but also included collaborative editing, workflow automation, document and policy management, and all kinds of other core business needs that involved more than one person. It's hard to apply a definition of groupware to Lotus Notes because Lotus Notes was one of the major products that originally defined the category, so its capabilities and limitations have become part of the background. Lotus was under development from roughly 1984 (founding of Iris) to 1989 (first commercial release). The time period also put Lotus Notes in another category, although this one even more tenuous: network operating systems. Novell NetWare, for example, hit the scene in 1983. Network operating systems revolved mostly around file and printer sharing, but most gained some form of email. Lotus Notes had substantial overlap with network operating system features, but ran on Windows, making it an important step in the decline of fully integrated network products like NetWare in favor of application software on Windows which, more and more with each Windows release, used underlying operating system capabilities instead of implementing a complete application-specific network stack. Novell would go in a similar direction, with GroupWise, part of a wild industry restructuring during the 1990s. It's hard to put a finger on what exactly Lotus Notes was from a modern perspective because the software itself was highly generalized. Wikipedia puts it like this: "Notes and Domino is a cross-platform, distributed document-oriented NoSQL database and messaging framework and rapid application development environment that includes pre-built applications like email, calendar, etc." Let's set aside for the moment the matter of Domino, which we have not introduced, and focus on the parts like "distributed document-oriented NoSQL database" and "messaging framework" which are strange ways to describe a groupware package but actually a very logical way to describe a rapid application development productmentioned here as just one of the things that Lotus Notes is. I suppose that's a bit of synecdoche. Like Lotus Agenda before it, Lotus Notes was something of a blank canvas that could be configured, customized, and designed to meet virtually any need. Unlike Lotus Agenda, they had learned a lesson about onboarding and Lotus Notes came out of the box with a set of familiar groupware features. What set Notes apart from other implementations of email, for example, is that Notes email was just another set of views and logic built on a common database. It was a custom application like the others, just one already provided as a sample. Much of the strangeness of Lotus Notes reflects its origins in PLATO. Most of the microcomputer network products of the 1980s were built around peer-to-peer networking, the idea that multiple small computers could communicate with each other directly (NetWare, for example, used a peer-to-peer architecture despite the fact that certain machines were usually clearly logical servers). That was the hot new thing in the '80s, but PLATO was not of the '80s, it was of the '60s. PLATO wasn't even really a client-server architecture: it was a terminal-computer architecture, in which individual PLATO terminals interacted with one of multiple (mostly DEC) mainframe or midsize computers that ran the actual logic. PLATO wasn't just multi-user, though, it was multi-computer. To form one integrated system out of multiple independent sets of computers and terminals, PLATO replicated all of the user data between the computers. Lotus Notes inherited the same approach: data was stored in a database, and communicated between users by replicating that database between machines. Everything in Lotus Notes is a note, and a database is a collection of notes that are identified by unique IDs. When a note is updated, that note is replicated to other copies of the database. Over time, the obvious performance and reliability problems with this architecture became apparent and the replication process became a lot more sophisticated, but it always worked on this simple logical model of updating the local database and then replicating it to others. And that was about itthe database full of notes was all there ever was to Lotus Notes. That and an incredible amount of functionality exposed to the user by the fact that notes could incorporate simple scripts, arbitrary programs, workflow rules, and entire GUI layouts. Lotus Notes did not differentiate between "user data" and "program data" at a low level, and indeed users could edit views, write scripts, and build entire applications on top of Lotus Notes that replicated to other users just like an email. The kind of freedom that Lotus Notes gave its users was incredibly empowering, but also a bit of a nightmare for usability. I am reminded of the early object-oriented work, like Smalltalk, much of which came from a similar milieu of SRI and Xerox-inspired applied computing research. If everything is a note, then you can use the tools for manipulating notes to create anything. The Lotus Notes data model was extremely flexible, about as close to completely schema-less as practical, but it still offered indexing and full text search. There wasn't much that you couldn't shove into Lotus Notes if you tried, and for businesses that adopted it wholesale, it could expand in scope until it took over everything. Not just email and calendars but enterprise resource planning! Early versions of Lotus Notes, before the IBM acquisition, allowed for programming using either an expression language very similar to Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet formulas (and called, sensibly, Formula) or an imperative language very similar to Visual Basic (called LotusScript). Using a tool called Designer, it was possible to visually edit GUI interfaces like forms and reports. These were backed by a Notes-specific query language, although later versions of Notes also gained an SQL compatibility layer and some options for interoperating directly with relational databases. Because of the example of PLATO, Notes was architected around a client-server model. The client, generally called Lotus Notes, partially replicated the database to allow the user to view and edit notes. The server, which came to be called Domino, kept a complete copy of the database and executed enough of its logic to handle access controls. Like PLATO's replicated model, though, it was not expected that there be a single, central server. Many Domino servers could share the same database, and replicated changes among themselves. This architecture was very convenient for the era's business deployments, where each office location would have a local area network but network connections between sites were expensive and comparatively slow. Domino servers had the effect of consolidating user activity into a reduced volume of replication traffic, and when inter-office network links were lost the office still functioned normally, albeit as an island. Despite its origins as a product explicitly for Windows, Notes maintained a degree of cross-platform capability. Domino was available for several platforms and the Lotus Notes client was available for pretty much anything. The simplicity of the Formula and LotusScript languages did a lot to simplify porting, although the system itself was originally written in C++. That all started to change when Lotus rolled in Iris and shortly after, in 1995, merged into IBM. Lotus Notes is hard to write about because of the naming. The curious decision to call the server (which was, originally, called Lotus Notes Server) Domino already complicates the situation, and that itself appears to be a result of IBM's unique product vision. The IBM renaming churn went on for the whole span that Lotus operated under IBM, meaning that whether you call it "Notes" or "Lotus Notes" or "IBM Notes" or even refer to the entire thing as "Domino," you're probably correct for some point in the history. Modern IBM documents use elegant language like "the Notes and Domino product family." I have opted to just stick to Notes. IBM was tremendously invested in the development of client-server microcomputer applications in the 1990s, unsurprisingly since they were the closest match to IBM's traditional strength in mainframe systems. The acquisition of Lotus was, no doubt, intended to advance that focus: Lotus Notes must have been one of the most prominent client-server products of the Windows '95 era. Its architecture, something like a "thin client" system that was derived from its mainframe precursor, felt akin to IBM's block terminals and generally fit well with IBM's approach to microcomputer applications (small client, big backend). IBM was also investing in another project that fit their client-server vision: Java. Java was originally designed for embedded applications (interactive television!), but by its first official release in 1996 it had grown into more of a general purpose business application platform. The Microsoft .NET platform is a good later comparable, starting out where Java ended up. The "standard edition" and "enterprise edition" split of Java, and web service platform concept developing around them, fit client-server applications well. Java was widely seen as an easier, more productive language than C++. Best of all, Java's origins as a portable language to run on lightweight, embedded VMS made it a perfect fit for software that would need to run on a variety of different clients. I put a lot of time into writing this, and I hope that you enjoy reading it. If you can spare a few dollars, consider supporting me on ko-fi. You'll receive an occasional extra, subscribers-only post, and defray the costs of providing artisanal, hand-built world wide web directly from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lotus Notes 1 through 3 had been iterative improvements, from 1989 to 1993, adding features and fixing defects. With Lotus Notes 4, spanning 1996 to 1999, IBM Lotus Development started on a wholesale port to Java. Java was added as a native scripting language, alongside Formula and LotusScript, and many newer Lotus Notes features were "Java first." The Java-ization of Lotus Notes could be said to have completed in 2008, when the Lotus Notes client was completely replaced with a full-Java implementation based on Eclipse . Alongside the new world of the object-oriented user interface, IBM also adapted Lotus Notes to the web. Version 4 introduced a very simple web interface where users could view static notes through a web browser, and IBM added an SMTP bridge for interoperation with other email systems. At the dawn of the 2000s, Lotus Notes' technical leadership had eroded. The state of the art in GUI applications was far more advanced, and Microsoft had invested in their own groupware products (Exchange and Sharepoint). As part of the Windows Server offering, the Microsoft products were better integrated into the Windows desktop experience. IBM's investment in web technologies had lagged, so while Sharepoint was never exactly a hot rod, it was easier to interact with than Lotus Notes. Still, development continued apace. IBM retired the Lotus branding around 2002, decisively folding IBM Notes and IBM Domino into Big Blue. Domino Web Access provided a web interface by 2002, although it was limited and not much different from what we would now consider mere webmail. IBM introduced SameTime, an instant messaging system that integrated with Lotus Notes. QuickPlace, similarly, was a web-based file/document management system that integrated with Lotus Notes as well. Both of these were even initially Lotus-branded, although IBM dropped that practice a few years later (and, for some reason, renamed QuickPlace to Quickr. It was a time). When we talk about Java and the web, you might remember something, perhaps with a shudder: applets. In 2008, IBM introduced XPages. XPages were basically Java Server Faces components that ran on Domino server. They interacted directly with the Notes database and were, in some ways, just web-based versions of Notes forms. You even edited them using Domino Designer, the IDE for "serious" Notes development. Unfortunately, XPages hewed too close to JSF and remained a separate platform from Notes itself. You could not simply view existing Notes forms via XPages, or even readily port Notes interfaces to XPages format. If you wanted to support both the desktop and web experience, as most businesses would around 2010, you tended to end up writing things twice. Next thing you know, you're only really actively maintaining the web version, and then you might as well be on Sharepoint which was then well established. To me, the most captivating part of Lotus Notes is its decline. In the mid '90s, Lotus Notes was the dominant groupware platform by a wide marginForbes put Lotus Notes market share at 64% in 1995. In 1997, they had fallen to 47%. A 2008 survey put Lotus Notes at 10%. Considering the long cycles and sheer staying power of enterprise software, that was a remarkable fallall the more so considering that at that peak, IBM spent over $3 billion to get their hands on it. Admittedly, IBM buying a popular software product at great expense and running it into the ground is an old story. But there's another major player here too: Microsoft was at their best. The vast majority of Lotus Notes' users went directly to Microsoft Exchange, which besides its higher level of integration with Windows (both at a technical and sales level) was also agreed to be more performant and easier to maintain. I would wager that Microsoft was at their peak engineering competence in the early '00s, and they had a considerable late-mover advantage over software that carried all the baggage of predating open-standards TCP/IP networking. NetWare went into a precipitous slide for the same reason. Standards themselves are another important part of the story. Early email systems were all proprietary, and weren't necessarily networked systems at allthe first email implementations just stored mail on the single machine that all of the users accessed via terminal. Lotus Notes having a completely proprietary implementation of email didn't stand out in that world. When Microsoft first launched Exchange, it had the same limitations. That changed fast, albeit more by accident than intention. ITU X.400 had been expected to provide the standards for email on the public internet, replacing the hodgepodge of proprietary and network-specific open standards. Instead, X.400 failed to do much of anything at allbut not before it became the basis of Microsoft Exchange. Exchange ended up in sort of a standards purgatory, an implementation of an open standard that died before Exchange could even launch. Exchange's X.400 capabilities became a proprietary standard of unusual origin, and most of industry and academia opted to follow the NSF example and adopt the older and simpler SMTP. Microsoft apparently understood that interoperability would be critical for the future of email, so Exchange was marketed from the very start as a multi-protocol system that could speak SMTP as fluently as anything else. That wasn't ever 100% true, but it was the idea that mattered. Lotus Notes had SMTP support but it was lagging behind, Exchange was the future focused on interoperation. The web story was almost exactly the same. That's not to say that Exchange had a good version of a web interface, Microsoft has famously struggled with messes like Outlook Web Access. But they were still more agile than IBM, and their complete vertical control of the desktop experience meant that their weird proprietary web technology (ActiveX) fared better than IBM's weird proprietary web technology (a confusing tangle of Notes browser plugins and Java applets). Besides, Lotus's web features were apparently separately licensed at great cost. Microsoft wasn't cheap but, in this case, they were the budget option. Last of all is the elephant in the room. It is hard, today, to explain exactly what Lotus Notes was. That's not a recent problem. In 1998, Forbes wrote: Even before IBM arrived, Notes' identity had been blurred; it's no clearer now. First the software was marketed as a system to make it easy for a widely dispersed group of employees to work together editing a document or managing a project. Then Notes was redefined as a tool for building customized collaborative applications. Now Lotus seems to be playing up the E-mail function in Notes and positioning it as a replacement for cc:Mail. The latter was once a leader in its field but is now suffering a slow death. cc:Mail! That's a whole different article. So let's stick to the point: the fact that Lotus Notes sort of defined a product category became a liability as other vendors muscled in with more targeted, more narrowly focused, and more obviously useful competition. Lotus Notes started to sound like Zombocom: You can do anything! Microsoft was just selling email and calendar. Notes' large scope was a problem for the user experience as well; besides the fact that the Notes client looked and felt dated by the '00s, the generality and depth of its capabilities meant that it was also just plain hard to use. In 2018, IBM sold what remained of Lotus Development to an Indian software company called HCL. HCL is a classic IT consulting firm, with a portfolio that spans "Industry 4.0" to "SAP consulting." They acquired Lotus as part of a bundle of IBM castoffs: some of you might remember BigFix. Lotus Notes is now HCL Notes, and as far as I can tell HCL intends to just enjoy the revenue as long as legacy customers will pay them to keep Notes running. That's another part of the allure of Lotus Notes: it might be the most legacy of legacy software. I have never worked at an organization that was using Lotus Notes, but everywhere I've worked that wasn't a startup had a powerful institutional memory of back when, in the Lotus Notes Times. Some people remembered it fondly, most people remembered it hatefully, but they all remembered it. Will GMail ever inspire such emotion? 'Indian equity market valuations are attractive, says SEBIs Varshney on over 20 Russian funds having registered as FPIs India-Russia highlight the growing presence of Russian entities as Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in India and efforts by regulators to simplify pathways for crossborder capital flows. India's capital markets are becoming more accessible for Russians Russian FPI registrations in India increased over the past two years India and Russia emphasize rupee-based trade and settlement Did our AI summary help? In December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a revamp of the Total Expense Ratio (TER) framework. SEBI Chair Tuhin Kanta Pandey, post the December 17 board meeting had noted that the regulator had consciously moderated its proposals on brokerage and mutual fund costs after extensive consultations, describing the final framework cleared by the board as a balanced version rather than a radical overhaul. The goal he noted was to provide transparency for investors. Qatari authorities said that the Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by an Iranian missile after four others were intercepted. 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. Rally comes amid concerns over disruptions in LNG supplies after Qatar reported damage following an Iranian missile strike at Ras Laffan. 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. Did our AI summary help? Morgan Stanley says sell Asian stock rally on Iran war impact Surging oil prices due to the Iran war is weighing on the economies of net energy importers, which are predominantly located in Asia. The bearish view on Asian shares stands in contrast to a growing chorus among market experts calling for a rebound in US stocks. Morgan Stanley warns of deeper downturn in Asian equities. Energy price surge and supply issues threaten Asia markets. Asian stocks could drop 15%-20% in a bear market. Did our AI summary help? No material concerns regarding HDFC Bank's conduct or governance, says RBI as lender's part-time chairman resigns HDFC Bank governance strong, depositors have no reason to worry, say experts There are no material concerns on record regarding the bank's conduct or governance. The bank remains well-capitalised and its financial position is satisfactory, the RBI has said HDFC Bank HDFC Bank chairman resigns citing values and ethics concerns Keki Mistry appointed interim chairman for three months Bank assures strong governance and no risk to depositors Did our AI summary help? HUF explained: How this unique tax tool can help families save more tax An HUF gets its own basic exemption limit and can claim deductions under sections like 80C, 80D and others just like an individual. Tax impications of HUF HUF is a distinct tax entity for Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist families. HUF allows income splitting and tax benefits for family assets Daughters now have equal rights as coparceners in HUF Did our AI summary help? UK, EU FTA implementation on track; Israel, Gulf talks delayed amid West Asia conflict The proposed free trade agreement with the UK, signed on July 2025, is likely to be implemented by April-end or early-May of this year. . India-UK trade deal likely implemented by April-end or early May EU trade deal ratification by November, starts in 2024 Talks with Israel and GCC delayed due to West Asia conflict Did our AI summary help? Actress Ranjana Nachiyar joins DMK after leaving TVK, says women continuously disrespected in Vijays party Ranjana said she quit Vijays TVK as it disrespected women PTI March 19, 2026 / 14:43 IST Ranjana said she quit Vijays TVK as it disrespected women As 5 states head to polls, CEC Gyanesh Kumar vows transparent elections: 'ECI has zero tolerance for...' To monitor compliance, 1,111 central observers have been assigned across the poll-bound states. Behind the row over 'insult' to Murmu: A neck-and-neck battle for Bengal's tribal seats On March 7, President Droupadi Murmu went to Siliguri in north Bengal to address the 9th International Santhal Conference and pointed out lapses in preparations and protocols. (From left) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Murmu's visit sparks TMC-BJP clash over protocol Tribal voters seen as key in West Bengal's upcoming elections TMC and BJP replace candidates in several ST-reserved seats Did our AI summary help? XTEND is the same company that had last year bagged a contract to supply the Israeli army with 5,000 assault drones.- Representative photo Bihar mental health crisis: Patna High Court flags gaps as over 1 lakh patients seek care, calls for urgent reforms With more than 1.26 lakh individuals having received counselling in recent years, the court observed that the surge itself reflects an urgent need to strengthen and decentralise mental healthcare across the state. Patna High Court (File image) Patna High Court calls for mental healthcare reforms in Bihar Over 1.26 lakh people received counselling in recent years Court identifies rehab, infrastructure, and legal compliance gaps Did our AI summary help? 'Charges orchestrated and politically motivated': Ukraine reacts to arrest of six of its nationals As the six detained Ukrainians were reportedly part of a group of 14 people that had travelled to Myanmar, the officials cited above said that authorities are currently trying to ascertain if the other eight are still in Myanmar or have left via India. Indian agencies are now focused on identifying those who may have assisted the American citizen, Mathew Aaron VanDyke, and the Ukrainian nationals (ANI video grab) Ukraine embassy: Arrests of six Ukrainians are politically motivated NIA arrests 6 Ukrainians, 1 American for suspected terror plot Ukraine asks India to ensure detainee rights and transparency Did our AI summary help? Commercial LPG shortage in Karnataka: CM flags 'visible shutdowns' of establishments, seeks Centre's support Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says supply at just 1,000 cylinders/day against demand of 50,000 from hotels, restaurants, caterers, and PGs Siddaramaiah Congress divided on Iran war? Manish Tewari, Shashi Tharoor back govt while Rahul slams govt Differing from the official party position, Tewari and Tharoor argued that India's "strategic autonomy" and national interest must take precedence over moral posturing. Congress leaders Tewari and Tharoor diverge from Rahul Gandhi's criticism, supporting the government's cautious stance on West Asia conflict. Congress leaders Tewari and Tharoor back Modi's cautious approach They stress India's strategic autonomy and national interest India calls for de-escalation, focuses on diaspora and energy security Did our AI summary help? 'Crossed all boundaries of decency and constitutional propriety': Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging bias by EC'Crossed all boundaries of decency and constitutional propriety': Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging bias by EC In her letter, Banerjee expressed concern over the Commission's actions since the start of the "Special Intensive Revision," claiming that it has acted with apparent bias and ignored ground realities and public welfare. ANI March 19, 2026 / 20:46 IST Mamata Banerjee Mamata Banerjee accuses Election Commission of biased actions She says sudden senior official transfers disrupt state admin Banerjee: EC actions may cause administrative instability in Bengal Did our AI summary help? Deeply mourn Ajit Pawars demise but: Congress says no to Fadnavis call on Baramati bypoll We deeply mourn the untimely deaths of Ajit Pawar and Shivajirao Kardile. However, the question of contesting a bypoll is a separate matter. We are suddenly hearing calls for unopposed elections, and such demands are incomprehensible, says Sapkal. Ajit Pawar died on January 28, along with four others, after his chartered aircraft went down in flames Congress denies uncontested Baramati and Rahuri bypolls Sunetra Pawar to contest Baramati seat for BJP-led alliance Bypolls scheduled for April 23 after deaths of sitting MLAs Did our AI summary help? Delhi High Court says 'quitting jobs common strategy by well-qualified husbands' to avoid paying maintenance Just as employed wives allegedly leave their jobs to gain an upper hand in maintenance disputes, quitting of jobs is similarly a common strategy adopted by well qualified husbands to avoid paying proper amount of maintenance as well, the Court observed. Delhi High Court Delhi High Court upheld maintenance order for wife and daughter Court denies husband's reduced income and pension claims Living separately does not bar wife's right to maintenance Did our AI summary help? It will be obligatory for partners in a live-in relationship to submit a statement of live-in relationship to the district registrar within whose jurisdiction they are living. (Representative photo) Hidden cameras, hypnosis, and fear: Influential astrologer Ashok Kharat arrested on charge of raping woman Police investigations indicate that Kharat, a retired Merchant Navy officer, targeted more than one woman Investigators discovered that Kharat had installed hidden CCTV cameras inside his office Astrologer Ashok Kharat arrested for sexual assault in Nashik Police found hidden cameras and 58 obscene videos in his office Special investigation team formed to probe political connections Did our AI summary help? For decades, Tamil Nadu politics has largely revolved around two dominant Dravidian parties. The emergence of TVK introduces the possibility of a three-cornered contest, complicating vote calculations across the state. 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 Markets reacted sharply. European gas prices spiked as much as 35% and oil rose up to 10% in early trade before easing later in the day. Karnataka seeks private investment for a Rs 73 crore plan to rejuvenate 15 tanks and a PPP housing project on a 5-acre Bengaluru parcel Christin Mathew Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol.com with 15 years of experience in journalism and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Based in Bengaluru, he understands the pulse of the people and covers issues that matter, including mobility, infrastructure, start-ups, and government policies. He tweets at @ChristinMP_ Nitish Kumar to return as JD(U) chief, faces no challenger Kumar had taken over the party leadership from colleague-turned-Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in December 2023. Nitish Kumar first assumed the role in April 2016, succeeding senior leader Sharad Yadav. 'Not our war': Congress' Manish Tewari backs centres stance on West Asia conflict Tewari underlined that the current crisis is not a single confrontation but a series of overlapping conflicts. PM Modi speaks to Frances Macron, other global leaders amid Iran war: Urgent need for de-escalation We agreed on the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability, says PM Modi. PM Modi spoke separately to these leaders and discussed the evolving situation in West Asia PM Modi and Macron discussed de-escalation in West Asia. Modi discussed peace efforts with Oman and Malaysia leaders. Trump denies Qatar's role in Iran gas field attack. Did our AI summary help? Rajasthan man killed in Oman strike had gone looking for work to support unmarried sisters, bedridden mother Vikram Verma had been working with a construction company involved in road projects. S Jaishankar discusses West Asia conflict with Israeli FM: 'Many repercussions' Earlier, Jaishankar had called on both Israel and Iran to pursue de-escalation through dialogue EAM S Jaishankar Shashi Tharoor flags 10 issues shaping voter mood ahead of Kerala Assembly elections Today, Kerala needs change. And it is not an option but a necessity if the state is to survive as a viable economy. The current administration has failed the people of Kerala across the board, says Tharoor. Shashi Tharoor says the state government has pushed Kerala into a massive debt trap Shashi Tharoor lists 10 major crises facing Kerala Kerala struggles with debt, job shortage, high costs, and farmer woes Tharoor urges change, citing faltering healthcare and education Did our AI summary help? The court observed that once imports are completed with proper authorisations, they cannot subsequently be classified as unlawful due to later objections Supreme Court tightens case adjournment rules, limits repeated requests The Supreme Court has issued a new circular tightening adjournment rules, allowing requests only in exceptional circumstances and restricting repeated adjournments to reduce delays in hearings. Supreme Court The Rajinikanth effect: Why he mattered in TVKBJP talks ahead of Tamil Nadu election Even today the Rajini fans and political circles wait for a word from Rajinikanth to know if he wanted them to support a certain side or make individual choices. TVK general secretary (campaigns) Aadhav Arjuna apologised to superstar Rajinikanth for his controversial remarks Aadav Arjuna criticized Rajinikanth's political will Rajini fans and leaders condemned Arjuna's remarks Rajini fans demand apology, threaten to oppose TVK Did our AI summary help? Vikram Doraiswami appointed India's next ambassador to China Doraiswami, a 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, is currently serving as Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. PTI March 19, 2026 / 12:46 IST Senior diplomat Vikram Doraiswami (Courtesy: X | @airnewsalerts) West Bengal polls: RG Kar victim's mother may contest from Panihati on BJP ticket; seeks justice for daughter The mother of the deceased doctor said she may contest from the Panihati constituency in North 24 Parganas Recently, BJP leader Arjun Singh met with the parents of the deceased doctor Mother of RG Kar victim seeks BJP ticket for West Bengal polls She aims to contest from Panihati to remove TMC government Case sparked protests and political tensions in West Bengal Did our AI summary help? 'Would not be appropriate for me...': Pradyut Bordolois son withdraws as Congress candidate from Margherita The senior Bordoloi quit Congress on March 17 and joined the BJP the following day in New Delhi. The BJP nominated him as its candidate from the Dispur Assembly seat on Thursday. In a letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday, he said the present circumstances following my fathers decision to join another political party were inappropriate for him to continue as a candidate. Image Source: FACEBOOK/@Prateek Bordoloi Prateek Bordoloi withdraws from Margherita Assembly candidacy He cites father's switch to BJP as reason for stepping aside Congress must now find a new candidate for Margherita seat Did our AI summary help? OPINION | The silent strength of Indias public sector banks India needs bigger banks to match its growing economy. These banks can support global trade and money flows. Strong PSBs and global banks can grow together Manish Aggarwal March 19, 2026 / 11:24 IST India has only one bank among the top 50 and two banks among the top 100 globally by asset size. Amazon rolls out 1-hour delivery in US, Indians react: 'The world's Blinkit moment' The announcement, however, prompted immediate comparisons online, particularly with the rapid delivery ecosystem that has taken shape in India over the past few years. Several users pointed out that while the new service marks a step forward in the United States, Indian consumers have already become accustomed to significantly shorter delivery times. Indias quick commerce sector has expanded rapidly, led by platforms such as Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto. Chennai techie earning Rs 8.9 LPA loses job after 13 years due to AI boom: I never demanded a raise Chennai techie with 13 years of experience shared on Reddit about losing their job as AI changes the tech industry. The post also talked about their career struggles, salary details, and plans to focus fully on learning new skills for future jobs. Chennai techie loses job after 13 years amid AI shift. (AI-generated representative image) Chinese man lives with 12 cm metal chopstick stuck in throat for 8 years, undergoes surgery as pain worsens Doctors in China removed a metal chopstick that stayed in a mans throat for eight years. He avoided surgery for a long time due to fear, but later went to hospital when the pain got worse. 'Little spike of happiness': Lost possum finds cozy spot among plush toys at airport shop How the animal made its way into the secure departure area is still unclear, though ongoing construction work is believed to have provided an entry point. Two Indian-origin men face Rs 1.7 lakh fine each for spitting paan on London streets Two Indian-origin men saw a small fine turn into a big penalty after they ignored it and the case went to court in London. Officials say strict action is needed as daily checks continue and cleaning paan stains remains costly in public places. A Historic First in Physics: Tokyo scientists unlock a new way to study atoms using lasers Scientists have achieved a historic first using lasers to study electron behaviour, revealing new insights into how light interacts with matter at the quantum level. Big Tech firms join hands to tackle online scams, but theres a catch A group of major tech companies has signed a new agreement to fight online scams, focusing on better detection, user protection, and coordination though the effort remains voluntary. Sarthak Singh March 19, 2026 / 10:35 IST Online scams Google, Meta, Microsoft and others sign anti-scam industry accord Plan enhances fraud detection and visible security alerts Accord depends on voluntary action, lacks penalties or enforcement 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 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 Air travel alert: Jodhpur, Srinagar, Pune, Adampur airports to shut temporarily for runway repairs - here's what travellers need to know Jodhpur, Srinagar, Pune and Adampur airports to shut temporarily for runway repairs in 2026. Check closure dates, flight impact, and travel tips. Flying soon? Jodhpur, Srinagar, Pune and Adampur airports will see temporary closures due to runway repairsheres how it may affect your travel plans. (Representative Image) Jodhpur airport closed March 29 to April 27 for runway repairs Srinagar airport faces weekend closures August to mid-October Adampur air base may shut for up to eight months later this year Did our AI summary help? COSBOA has launched its 2026 Small Business Perspectives Survey focused exclusively on regional, rural and remote businesses. Responses close 30 April. Whats happening: The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia has launched its 2026 Small Business Perspectives Survey, focused exclusively on small businesses operating in regional, rural and remote Australia. Why this matters: For regional small business owners, this is one of the most direct mechanisms available to ensure their on-the-ground experience is reflected in national policy discussions. The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia has opened its 2026 Small Business Perspectives Survey, calling on small business owners in regional, rural and remote Australia to participate before the 30 April 2026 closing date. The annual research initiative is designed to capture the lived experience of businesses operating outside major cities, ensuring regional conditions are clearly represented in national policy discussions throughout the year. The survey covers business performance and outlook, workforce and skills, housing and childcare access, health services, digital connectivity, banking access, energy and insurance costs, disaster impacts and small business wellbeing. COSBOA CEO Skye Cappuccio said the regional evidence base is critical to ensuring national reform conversations reflect real experience from across the country. Running a small business in regional Australia can be fundamentally different to operating in a capital city, Cappuccio said. Workforce shortages, constrained housing supply, service gaps, connectivity limitations, disaster recovery and the cost of doing business can have amplified impacts in regional and remote communities. If national decisions are going to work for small business, they must reflect the realities faced outside metropolitan centres. That starts with credible, on-the-ground data. The findings will form part of COSBOAs annual Small Business Perspectives Report and directly inform its engagement with government, regulators and policymakers. Cappuccio said broad participation across industries and geographic regions is essential to building a robust and representative picture. Regional small businesses sustain local economies and communities across Australia. Their experience must be clearly represented in the national policy conversation, she said. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential and independently managed by research agency Survey Matters. Regional small business owners can participate through the COSBOA website. The survey closes 30 April 2026. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Win a free trip to Finland in June 2026! Visit Finland is offering a 7-day all-expenses-paid Lakeland experienceheres how to apply before March 29. A free trip to Finland? This summer challenge lets you live the countrys happiest lifestyle in its most peaceful region. Finland tops the World Happiness Report 2026 for the ninth year, while Costa Rica enters the top 5. Heres the full list of the worlds 25 happiest countries. Finland holds on to the top spot yet again, while Costa Rica makes a surprising leap into the worlds top 5 happiest countries in 2026. 12 Arab, Islamic countries urge Iran to 'stop attacks immediately, avoid Strait of Hormuz disruption' The statement also pressed for an immediate halt to all attacks, and unconditional cessation of any provocative acts or threats against neighboring states, alongside an end to support, financing, and arming of affiliated groups operating in the region. Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz -- a critical artery for roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas -- has slowed significantly since the conflict began three weeks ago. 12 Arab and Islamic nations urge Iran to stop attacks now Statement warns of navigation threats in Strait of Hormuz Ministers urge restraint, back Lebanon's stability and sovereignty Did our AI summary help? Iran criticised the US for seeking over $200 billion in war funding, accusing Washington of prioritizing Israel and burdening Americans. Iran claims the US was drawn into the conflict by Israel, while Trump denied US involvement in Israel's strike on Iran's gas field. Did our AI summary help? Americas budget reality: Two weeks of Iran war is now costing US what NASA gets to spend in a year NASAs yearly budget equals about two weeks of Iran war spending, exposing the scale of Americas fiscal trade-offs. Pentagons Iran war spending throws a sharp light on how the US allocates money across health, science and space. US spent $11.3 billion in one week on Iran conflict NASA's annual budget of $24.4 billion matched in two weeks of war War spending exceeds health and science agency budgets Did our AI summary help? Iranian attacks on Qatar's LNG plant and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait disrupted energy markets, causing oil and gas prices to surge. The US warned Iran to stop targeting Qatari sites, while Iran threatened "zero restraint" if its infrastructure is hit again. Did our AI summary help? Asim Munir's strong message to Pakistanis amid Iran war: 'Violence due to incidents in other countries ...' The statement comes days after Pakistan witnessed massive pro-Iran demonstrations in response to the US-Israeli action on Iran. Asim Munir (File) This US Navy handout photo released on March 18, 2026 by US Central Command public affairs, shows US sailors observing as an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 31, approaches the flight deck of the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), during Operation Epic Fury, on March 8, 2026. (Photo by NAVCENT Public Affairs / DVIDS / AFP) Beyond airstrikes: Trump weighs sending US troops to Iran as war enters riskier phase The potential deployments are aimed at expanding Washingtons operational flexibility as the conflict enters its third week. Washington explores ground deployment even as risks mount Trump may send US troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions Securing oil flows and Iran's nuclear assets among key priorities US has carried out over 7,800 strikes since February 28 Did our AI summary help? Chinese university tells students to fall in love during holidays A spring break message urging romance reflects wider efforts to boost marriages, spending and birth rates in a slowing population. Chinese university urges students to find love (AI-generated representative image) AI startups have already attracted over $220 billion in funding globally by March 2026, nearly matching the total raised across all sectors in 2025. Whats happening: New analysis of Crunchbase and PitchBook data by BestBrokers shows that 47 startups have crossed the billion dollar valuation threshold so far in 2026, with AI companies accounting for roughly a quarter of new entrants. Why this matters: Canvas position in the global top fifteen is a reminder that Australian companies can compete at the highest level of private market valuation. Venture capital is flowing into artificial intelligence at a pace that has no recent precedent. New analysis of Crunchbase and PitchBook data by investment research platform BestBrokers shows that AI startups have already attracted over $220 billion in funding globally by March 2026, nearly matching the total raised by all AI companies around the world across the entirety of 2025. That surge is reshaping the global unicorn landscape, the term used for private companies valued at one billion dollars or more, at an accelerating pace. The scale of AI investment in the first quarter of 2026 reflects an investor community that has moved well beyond early enthusiasm into sustained, large-scale capital deployment. According to BestBrokers analysis, the current boom is as much about building the foundations of the AI economy as it is about the models themselves, with strong investment flowing into cloud infrastructure, semiconductors and cybersecurity alongside AI applications. Alan Goldberg from BestBrokers said the data points to a durable shift in investor appetite. With AI startups already attracting over $220 billion in funding globally by March, nearly matching the total raised across all sectors in 2025, it is clear that investor appetite in AI is here to stay, Goldberg said. The strong presence of cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, and cybersecurity startups highlights a parallel trend: investors are aggressively backing the underlying systems required to scale AI, signalling that the current boom is as much about building the foundations of the AI economy as it is about the models themselves. Who is joining the unicorn club in 2026 According to BestBrokers analysis of Crunchbase data, 47 startups have crossed the billion dollar valuation threshold so far in 2026. AI companies account for roughly a quarter of these new entrants, representing the largest share of any sector, followed by HealthTech with six companies and Cloud and Infrastructure with four. The most valuable of the new 2026 unicorns is California-based AI lab humans&, which reached an estimated valuation of $4.5 billion after securing backing from investors including NVIDIA, GV formerly known as Google Ventures, Emerson Collective, SV Angel, Jeff Bezos and Marissa Mayer, according to BestBrokers. The second most valuable new entrant is Ricursive Intelligence, which reached an estimated $4 billion valuation after raising $300 million in a Series A led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. The vast majority of new unicorns in 2026 are based in the United States, with 36 of the 47 companies headquartered there, according to BestBrokers. Outside the US, China has produced three new unicorns, the UK two, and the remaining six are spread across Belgium, Australia, Sweden, Bahrain, Israel and Singapore. All valuations cited are estimates based on the most recent funding round data from Crunchbase and PitchBook as of March 2026, and are not independently verified market capitalisations. Where the money is really going Beyond the new entrants, the broader list of the worlds most valuable private companies tells a clear story about where capital has accumulated at scale. According to BestBrokers analysis of Crunchbase data, the most valuable private companies globally as of March 2026 are led by SpaceX at an estimated $1.25 trillion, OpenAI at an estimated $840 billion, ByteDance at an estimated $480 billion and Anthropic at an estimated $380 billion. Stripe sits fifth at an estimated $159 billion, followed by Ant Group at $150 billion, Databricks at $134 billion and Waymo at $126 billion, according to the same analysis. Fintech, AI and e-commerce dominate the top fifteen, reflecting the sectors that have attracted the most sustained investor conviction over the past decade. For Australian founders and investors, one name in the global top fifteen stands out. Canva, the Australian design and productivity platform, sits at an estimated valuation of $42 billion according to BestBrokers analysis, placing it thirteenth among the worlds most valuable private companies. In a list dominated by US companies and heavily weighted toward AI and fintech, Canvas position is a meaningful signal. It reflects both the scale the company has achieved and the continued investor confidence in its growth trajectory as it expands deeper into enterprise markets. For Australian founders building in technology, Canvas sustained position in global rankings of this kind is a reminder that the pathway from Australian startup to globally significant private company is real, even if the journey is long and the capital required to get there is substantial. Additional data on VC investments, funding rounds, and company valuations was collected from Pitchbook. All valuation data in this article is sourced from BestBrokers analysis of Crunchbase and PitchBook data as of March 2026. All figures represent estimated valuations based on funding round data and are not independently verified market capitalisations. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Denmark deploys troops to Greenland amid Trump annexation fears Denmark and allied forces quietly deployed troops to Greenland in January, fearing a potential US move under Donald Trump, as tensions escalated following aggressive rhetoric and global military developments. Allies bolstered Greenland amid US takeover fears Does Pakistans nuclear doctrine remain strictly India-specific? Whats behind the GabbardJilani clash Pakistans former foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani rejected US claims that its missiles could reach America, insisting its nuclear programme remains India-focused amid renewed tensions over strategic capabilities. Pakistan rejects US claim on missile reach (Representative image) 'No more attacks...': Donald Trump signals pause on Iran energy strikes after Israel hits South Pars gas field After backing Israels strike on Irans key gas hub, Donald Trump opposes further attacks unless Iran escalates disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump Signals Pause on Iran Energy Strikes After Israel Hits South Pars gas field As the US-Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, risks to global internet infrastructure grow. Sea mines and attacks near the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea threaten submarine cables, risking outages that could disrupt data flows, banking, and essential services worldwide. Did our AI summary help? How the Iran war is helping Russia, and why Europe is worried Higher oil prices and shifting priorities are giving Moscow an unexpected boost while raising concerns about Ukraines position Representative image Russia gains from higher oil prices amid Iran conflict. US easing of restrictions boosts Russian oil sales. Iran war shifts Western focus and resources away from Ukraine. Did our AI summary help? Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Macron on Thursday, underscoring the 'urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy'. Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi said the country will continue to follow the policy of resistance in response to "unprovoked American-Israeli aggression" The US-Israel conflict with Iran has led to attacks on key oil and gas sites across West Asia, including Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait, threatening global energy stability and causing Brent crude prices to surge amid fears of deeper disruptions. Did our AI summary help? Iranian missile attack hits Israel's Bazan oil refinery in Haifa | Watch An Iranian missile strike hit refinery facilities in Haifa, causing limited damage and brief power outages, with no casualties reported, Israeli officials said. Missile attack damages Bazan oil refinery in Haifa amid Iran-Israel tensions Irish PM criticises war while standing beside Trump, calls for focus on human cost What made the moment stand out was where it happened. Standing right next to Donald Trump, who has been more vocal about using force, Micheal Martin chose to focus on the human cost of conflict. It was not confrontational, but the contrast in tone was hard to miss. Micheal Martin highlights rising global toll of conflict during White House appearance with US President. Israel informed US of strike at Iran's South Pars gas field in advance, Washington opted out: Report Global oil prices rose on news of the Pars field attack due to fears of Iranian retaliation on Gulf energy infrastructure. The South Pars is the worlds largest natural gas deposit which Iran and Qatar share. (AP Photo/ File) Vietnam reaffirms its consistent policy of respecting and safeguarding human rights, including the right to freedom of belief and religion, as clearly enshrined in the 2013 Constitution, embedded in its legal system, and upheld in practice, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on March 19. Hang made the remarks in response to reporters' questions regarding the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)'s recommendation to designate Vietnam as a "country of particular concern" on religious freedom in its latest 2026 annual report. Vietnam firmly rejects assessments in the USCIRF report as they are unobjective, inaccurate and based on information with ill intent targeting Vietnam, she said. She stressed that no Vietnamese citizen is subject to discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, and the activities of religious organizations are guaranteed in accordance with the law. The spokesperson added that Vietnam always stands ready to engage in exchanges with the U.S. on issues of mutual concern in a spirit of frankness, openness and mutual respect, in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development between the two countries. At the briefing, responding to a question regarding the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announcing the launch of a new trade investigation into industrial overcapacity in 16 major trading partners, including Vietnam, Hang said Vietnams economy operates fully and consistently in line with market economy principles, and that many countries have recognized its market economy status. She noted that production and business activities in Vietnam are oriented toward sustainable development and strictly comply with relevant regulations, including those of the World Trade Organization. In recent years, economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and the U.S. have continued to grow positively, bringing tangible benefits to businesses and people of both countries, she added. "We maintain regular exchanges and dialogue with the U.S. and will continue to work closely with relevant U.S. agencies to share information and clarify Vietnams policies and regulations, towards building a stable, long-term and mutually beneficial economic cooperation framework between the two sides," the spokesperson said. Joe Kent refutes Trump's claims of Iran developing nuclear weapons: 'That did not exist' Kent also pointed to what he described as a long-standing religious restriction within Irans leadership, saying the countrys Islamic regime had maintained a ban on developing nuclear weapons since 2004. Kim secures near-total election win with 99.93% votes in North Korea Where did the remaining 0.07% go? Kim Jong Un secured near-total victory in North Koreas election, with no opposition candidates, minimal dissent reported, and constitutional changes reinforcing his absolute, centralised control over state and institutions. North Korea vote cements Kims total control Low-risk gateway? Arrested US citizen, Ukrainian team used Mizoram route to train Myanmar rebels in drone warfare: Probe Indias probe found Matthew VanDykes team used Mizoram to access Myanmar rebels, aiming to train fighters in drone warfare, raising concerns over regional instability and cross-border insurgent linkages. Mizoram route used to train Myanmar rebels Meteor explodes over Ohio with force of 250 tons of TNT, loud boom rattles homes A bright fireball streaked across the US Midwest sky in daylight, leaving behind a shockwave strong enough to be heard and felt across multiple states. Meteor explodes over Ohio sending shockwave across Midwest states 'No more attacks': Iran gas field strike triggered panic in Gulf, flurry of calls made to Washington President Donald Trump has said that Israel will halt further attacks on Irans main gas facility, in a bid to prevent wider fallout of the conflict amid the targeting of critical energy facilities US President Donald Trump Operation Epic Fury: Hegseth announces 'largest strike package yet' today as US escalates Iran war US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the largest strike package yet against Iran, highlighting over 7,000 targets hit, reduced Iranian missile activity, and reaffirming that the war will end on US terms. Hegseth: Largest strike package targets Iran today Pakistan DG ISPR's shocking remarks on Afghan hospital massacre: Drug addicts or suicide bombers The statement came after Pakistan conducted precision airstrikes on alleged terrorist sites in Afghanistan, while Kabul accused it of striking a rehabilitation hospital and killing at least 400 people The ISPR chief dismissed the Afghan governments claims of civilian casualties in recent Pakistani strikes A dispute erupted after US intelligence suggested Pakistans missiles could threaten the US. Pakistans Jalil Abbas Jilani denied this, insisting its nuclear arsenal targets India. Analysts say Pakistan lacks US-range missiles, but concerns about its opacity persist. Did our AI summary help? Qatar expels Iranian military, security officials hours after attack on Ras Laffan oil hub, asks them to leave in 24 hours Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs further said the decision came in response to repeated Iranian targeting and the blatant aggression against the State of Qatar, which violated its sovereignty and security. The diplomatic fallout came after Iranian missile targeted the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar expels Iranian military after missile strikes Iranian attacks heavily damage Qatar's Ras Laffan gas hub Qatar warned of more steps to safeguard its sovereignty and security Did our AI summary help? QatarEnergy reports 'extensive damage' at worlds largest LNG export plant Ras Laffan after Iranian missile strikes Fires triggered by Iranian strikes at Qatars Ras Laffan Industrial City caused extensive damage, but all personnel are safe, QatarEnergy says. 'Extensive damage' at Qatar industrial site as Iran retaliates for strike on gas field Over the past decade, the economic relationship between China and Central Asia has shifted from transactional trade to deep strategic investment. China's foreign direct investment in the region is not merely growing in size but transforming regional economies, creating new value chains and laying the foundation for mutually beneficial long-term cooperation. Data show that China has emerged not only as a dominant economic partner for Central Asian nations, but also as a source of stable capital during a period of global retreat in FDI flows. As of mid-2025, China's accumulated FDI stock in Central Asia reached $35.9 billion. This figure represents a near doubling over the last decade and reflects sustained investment growth even as global FDI flows declined. According to UNCTAD, total global FDI contracted by 11 percent in 2024, yet Chinese investment in Central Asia continued to expand systematically. The distribution of this stock reveals both established partnerships and emerging centers of cooperation. Kazakhstan remains the largest recipient of Chinese FDI in Central Asia, with $11.4 billion accounting for roughly 32 percent of the regional total. Uzbekistan, however, has become the fastest-growing destination, having grown from $300 million in 2016 to $10.7 billion by mid-2025, a 35-fold increase in less than 10 years. Turkmenistan stands third with $9.5 billion, while Kyrgyzstan is showing robust growth with an approximate compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11 percent. Together, these figures sit alongside China's accumulated FDI in Russia, the largest recipient among former Soviet states outside Central Asia, which totaled $17.5 billion by the first half of 2025. When taken with Mongolia and other CIS countries, China's total FDI stock in the broader region reached $66.1 billion, an 80 percent increase compared with 2016. Importantly, Central Asia accounts for over 54 percent of that total, underscoring the region's central place in Chinese investment strategy. A decade ago, China's investment in Central Asia was often characterized as predominantly resource-focused: pipelines, hydrocarbons, and transit corridors. Today, the data show a sectoral transformation that points to deeper economic integration: The share of raw materials in Chinese FDI, while still large, declined from 68 percent to 54 percent, even as absolute investment in commodities grew. Manufacturing now constitutes 22 percent of Chinese FDI, an increase to $14.5 billion, indicating an emergence of higher-value upstream and downstream industrial investments. Energy investments, including renewables, represent 12 percent ($8.1 billion) of the regional FDI stock. This structural shift is evident in concrete projects: automotive factories by Chinese firms such as BYD,Chery, and Geely in both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan embody true foreign direct investment building plants, establishing supply chains, and creating skilled employment rather than simply exporting finished products. The rapid rise of manufacturing investment suggests that China is not only securing resources but also transferring industrial capacity to the region in ways that enhance economic diversification. The dramatic acceleration of Chinese FDI in Uzbekistan marks one of the most important developments of the last decade. Starting from a low base of $300 million in 2016, Uzbekistan's FDI stock surged to $10.7 billion by mid-2025. This growth exceeds that of any other Central Asian state in percentage terms and reflects a broader opening of the Uzbek economy through privatization, regulatory reform, and market-oriented policy incentives. Unlike in Kazakhstan, where investment is concentrated on energy and logistics, China's investment in Uzbekistan spans manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology sectors. This diversification suggests a strategic pivot one that places Uzbekistan as a dual core alongside Kazakhstan in China's Central Asian engagement model. If recent trends persist, projections indicate that Uzbekistan could overtake Kazakhstan in total accumulated Chinese FDI as early as 2026-27. Looking toward 2030, several structural trends point to deepening cooperation. First, China and its Central Asian partners are likely to prioritize primary processing of minerals within the region. Plans for processing facilities in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, particularly for rare earth metals and other critical minerals, will reduce dependence on raw ore exports and create higher-value outputs locally. Second, China's domestic demand for lithium, copper, and uranium essential for energy transition technologies aligns with Central Asia's resource endowments. Joint investment in extraction and processing will strengthen supply chain security for both sides. Third, Belt and Road Initiative projects, now codified in strategic documents such as the Astana Declaration of the Central Asia-China Summit in 2025, will accelerate cross-border rail, digital infrastructure, and logistics corridors. These developments not only expand the scale of cooperation but also embed Chinese capital in sectors that generate shared economic benefits, incentivize technology transfer and support regional industrialization. The FDI data and structural trends are unequivocal: China's investment in Central Asia has moved beyond resource acquisition to become a catalyst for industrial transformation. This evolution reflects a maturing partnership in which economic cooperation is not a zero-sum game, but a platform for shared growth. For Central Asian countries, China offers stable capital, market access, and integration into global value chains. For China, the region provides resources, strategic economic corridors, and a favorable environment for outward industrial expansion. The future potential for cooperation is not hypothetical it is already underway. By 2030, deeper industrial linkages, advanced processing facilities, and expanded manufacturing presence will make China-Central Asia cooperation a defining axis of Eurasian development. In a world where global FDI is declining and geopolitical uncertainties abound, the China-Central Asia investment partnership stands out as a model of durable, mutually reinforcing economic engagement. This is not a temporary trend but a long-term strategic alignment with economic logic at its core. 'Stop laying mines, missile strikes': Europe, Japan warn Iran, signal readiness to secure Hormuz The leaders said the escalating conflict had raised global concerns and called on Tehran to halt its actions. Strait of Hormuz 6 nations condemn Iran's actions Iran's actions in Strait of Hormuz risk global energy supply Leaders urge Iran to stop attacks and follow international law Did our AI summary help? Strait of Hormuz shipping crisis explained: Five ways oil and trade could resume amid blockade Many governments still see diplomacy as the most viable route, though progress has been limited. Escalating attacks on energy infrastructure have hardened positions, reducing the likelihood of immediate talks. Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil shipments. Diplomatic talks offer limited relief for vessel passage. Shipping reroutes via Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb increase. Did our AI summary help? 'This will backfire, we'll not shy away': Saudi hits out at Iran after refinery strikes; oil surges Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Riyadh has "reserved the right to take military actions" and would not hesitate to defend its territory and economic interests. The foreign minister said two refineries in the city were targeted, describing the timing of the attack as deliberate. Saudi Arabia warns it may take military action against Iran Saudi air defences intercepted missiles over Riyadh Iranian missiles hit Qatar's Ras Laffan energy hub, causing damage Did our AI summary help? 'Told him, don't do that, he won't': Trump says he told Netanyahu to avoid strikes on Iran gas fields Donald Trump said he urged Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further strikes on Irans gas infrastructure amid rising tensions, as the U.S. rules out oil export curbs while addressing surging energy costs. Trump says told Netanyahu not to attack Iran gas fields Trump references Pearl Harbor as Iran war tests US-Japan alliance Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Trump said, turning to Takaichi with a chuckle. Why didnt you tell me about Pearl Harbor? US President Donald Trump meets with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AFP Photo) Trump hosted Japan's PM Takaichi amid Iran war tensions Japan condemned Iran's attacks and closure of Strait of Hormuz US and Japan announced a $40B nuclear reactor deal in Tennessee Did our AI summary help? US President Donald Trump steps of Marine One as he returns to the White House on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is returning from a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP Turning point in Iran war? Riyadh strike puts Saudi defence pact to test. Will Asim Munir's Pakistan be dragged in? For Pakistan, the window to avoid involvement is narrowing. Its attempt to stay out of the conflict while maintaining alliance commitments is beginning to look increasingly unsustainable. File photo of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (L) in Jeddah. (Photo by Handout / Pakistan Prime Minister Office / AFP) Iran struck Riyadh with ballistic missiles, escalating the regional conflict and exposing Saudi Arabia to direct attacks. Pakistan, bound by a defence pact, faces pressure to support Saudi Arabia, risking confrontation with Iran or straining its alliance. Did our AI summary help? UAE bans open-air namaaz, shifts Eid prayers indoors amid Iran strikes The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat said the decision applies nationwide, confirming that prayers will not take place in traditional open-air Eid prayer areas. The UAE said its air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. UAE bans open-air Eid prayers, prayers to be held inside mosques Move aims to ensure safety amid Iran-US-Israel tensions UAE intercepts missile, drone threats; urges residents indoors Did our AI summary help? Iranians set fire to US and Israel flags in Tehran on March 17. Source: Bloomberg BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- With China's new five-year blueprint ushering in fresh commercial opportunities driven by tech innovation and industrial upgrading, foreign capital is repositioning for another wave of investment in the country's emerging sectors. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, released last week, urges steering foreign investment toward advanced manufacturing, modern services, high-tech industries, energy conservation and environmental protection, a move that forms part of the country's broader push to expand "high-standard opening up." Just last Wednesday, U.S. pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly unveiled plans to invest 3 billion U.S. dollars over the next decade to scale up its supply chain and manufacturing capacity in China, including the local large-scale production of an innovative oral drug. Huzur Devletsah, Lilly vice president and China general manager, said the company will expand production capacity at its existing Suzhou facility in east China's Jiangsu Province, while also stepping up investment in Beijing to add oral solid dosage manufacturing capabilities. Since the start of 2026, a growing number of multinationals have taken note of China's new emphasis on attracting foreign investment with higher technological added value. Among them, British drugmaker AstraZeneca has pledged to invest 15 billion U.S. dollars in the country through 2030 to expand its manufacturing and R&D facilities. Over the past two years, Shanghai and Beijing have become home to AstraZeneca's two global strategic research hubs. Firms like Pfizer and Bayer, meanwhile, have also set up innovation facilities in China. Now, the call to "vigorously attract foreign companies to establish regional headquarters and innovation centers in China" has been written into the nation's five-year plan. China's biopharmaceutical sector particularly stands out as it transitions from a "follower" to a "source" of innovation, Zhou Xiaolan, executive vice president, Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer AG, told Xinhua. Bayer is set to invest 750 million yuan (about 109 million U.S. dollars) in rolling out a new project in Qidong, eastern China, in 2028. "Investing for patients in China is also investing in innovation, manufacturing and the export of these medicines to the rest of the world," said AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot. Official data shows that China's innovative drug outbound licensing deals exceeded 130 billion U.S. dollars in total value in 2025, hitting a record high. Betting on China's tech sector extends well beyond biopharma. Republic of Korea semiconductor equipment maker STI signed an agreement in February to build a power semiconductor smart manufacturing base in the country's southern tech hub of Guangzhou. The ceramic substrates produced there will be used in new energy vehicles and smart grids, with operations expected to begin by year-end. Notably, an international tire giant has already put a tech-intensive factory floor into operation to ride the wave of China's tech shift. In January, the Michelin Group inaugurated its first global "future factory" in Shanghai, with a total project investment of 3 billion yuan. The new plant features advanced, flexible production systems designed to serve China's expanding new energy vehicle market. RECALIBRATING RATHER THAN RETREATING Official data from China's Ministry of Commerce reveals that 70,392 foreign-invested enterprises were newly established nationwide in 2025, up 19.1 percent year on year. This momentum has carried into 2026, with 5,306 new foreign-funded firms set up in January alone, marking a 25.5-percent surge from a year earlier. Growth was particularly pronounced in high-tech sectors, as the actual foreign capital used in R&D and design services skyrocketed 175.1 percent in the first month of 2026 compared with a year earlier. Amid headwinds fanned by sluggish global investment and complex geopolitics, China's actual foreign capital inflows have contracted in tandem. Yet, beneath this volatile surface lies a robust structural transformation: high-tech investment in the country is picking up, which signals a pivot away from labor-intensive manufacturing toward high-value R&D, with more small foreign firms and startups accelerating entry into China. China is seeing "a transition from 'growth at all costs' to 'industrial upgrading,'" and its focus is "no longer just on attracting capital, but on integrating foreign technology into China's new quality productive forces," said Shirley Yinghua Shen, Greater China tax policy leader of Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Limited. "With the 15th Five-Year Plan officially commencing, the investment community is looking for strategic continuity," Shen added. Jiang Liqin, a managing partner at KPMG China, told Xinhua that amid undercurrents of "deglobalization," China's embrace of high-standard opening up serves not only as a strategic choice to navigate risks but also as a core driver for high-quality economic growth. China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said at a press conference earlier this month that China is not just a market where foreign firms turn a profit, but also a "gym" where they come to build strength through fair competition with domestic players. This has been echoed by Denis Depoux, global managing director of Roland Berger, who sees China no longer as just a large market, but "increasingly a critical arena for sharpening global competitiveness." The new five-year roadmap also pledges greater convenience for foreign capital to conduct equity and venture capital investment in China, making it easier for them to tap into the country's capital markets. Last Friday, the brain-computer interface startup StairMed completed a 500 million yuan strategic round, partly backed by LAV, a corporate venture subsidiary of Eli Lilly, as the Shanghai firm prepares for trials this year of its 256-channel wireless implantable system -- a technology now designated a future industry in China's government work report. Over the past few months, capital giants including JPMorgan, UBS and BlackRock have been steadily increasing their holdings in Chinese tech stocks through global capital markets. "Chinese companies are demonstrating dynamic innovation in artificial intelligence, high-end manufacturing, semiconductors, and new energy -- reshaping global investors' perception of Chinese assets," said Janice Hu, chairperson of UBS Securities. More global investors are recognizing that as China's five-year blueprint unfolds, the question is no longer whether to be in China, but how deeply and quickly to integrate into and benefit from its innovation ecosystem. This file picture shows Ali Larijani, senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, delivering a speech in Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 15, 2024.(Str/Xinhua) CAIRO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Tuesday confirmed that Ali Larijani, secretary of the country's Supreme National Security Council, had been killed in an Israeli attack. As Iran's top security official, Larijani's killing represents a major loss for Iran's leadership and has sparked more intense retaliatory attacks from Tehran on Israeli and U.S. targets. Here is what you need to know about Larijani's death: WHO WAS LARIJANI? Born in 1958, Larijani served as a senior official in Iran for several decades. After Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, he joined the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) in the early 1980s, before transitioning to government, serving as Culture Minister between 1994 and 1997. During the early stages of Iran's nuclear crisis, Larijani, who once served as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, played a key role in the process that ultimately led to a nuclear agreement. In 2008, Larijani ran for a seat in the Iranian parliament and was elected speaker, a position he held until 2020. Larijani tried to run for president in 2021 and again in 2024, but on both occasions, the Constitutional Council disqualified him. In 2025, following the 12-day war between Israel, the United States and Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Larijani as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. This photo taken on March 15, 2026 shows destroyed buildings at a residential area in Tehran, Iran. (Xinhua/Shadati) HOW DID LARIJANI DIE? Since Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike in February, Larijani had played a key role in Iran's national affairs, frequently issuing tough statements in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said that it carried out precision airstrikes in Tehran, killing Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij volunteer force, and Larijani. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said later on Tuesday that Israel had killed Larijani, adding, "There are many more surprises." Late Tuesday night, Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed that its secretary, Larijani, had been killed. In a statement, the council said Larijani died early Tuesday alongside his son Morteza Larijani, deputy for security affairs at the council's secretariat Alireza Bayat, and several others. The council praised Larijani's long service to Iran's development and called for national unity in the face of external threats. People attend a funeral ceremony in Tehran, Iran, March 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Shadati) REACTIONS TO LARIJANI'S DEATH Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei offered his condolences on Wednesday over the death of Larijani, while hinting at retaliation. In a statement on social media, he condemned the "assassination," stating that those responsible would inevitably "pay the price for their crimes." In an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Israel's killing of Larijani will not deal a fatal blow to Iran's leadership. "I do not know why the Americans and the Israelis still have not understood this point: The Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure with established political, economic, and social institutions," Araghchi said. "The presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure." Russia on Wednesday condemned the killing of Larijani. "We certainly condemn actions intended to harm health or, even more so, to kill representatives of the leadership of a sovereign and independent Iran, as well as other countries. We condemn such actions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a daily briefing. Hamas on Wednesday also condemned the "treacherous" Israeli strike on Tehran that killed Larijani. Praising Larijani's support for the Palestinian cause, the group extended condolences to Iran's leadership and people, calling the attack a "flagrant aggression" against Iran. Editor: ZAD US approves over $16 bn in arms sales to Gulf states hit by Iran war Iran responded to the massive US-Israeli air campaign launched late last month with barrages of missiles and drones that have caused deaths and damage in various Gulf countries, which have been forced to expend significant military resources to counter attacks. AFP March 19, 2026 / 22:19 IST Representative image 'US could have simply said no': After quitting, Joe Kent says Israel 'pushed' US into war with Iran He maintained that the situation escalated due to decisions taken by Israel rather than an unavoidable threat. US F-35 jet makes emergency landing after suspected Iranian strike: Report Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, stated that the fifth-generation stealth jet was conducting a combat mission over Iran at the time it was forced to make an emergency landing US intelligence says China not planning Taiwan invasion in 2027 US intelligence says China is not currently planning to invade Taiwan in 2027, noting Beijing still prefers unification through non-military means despite ongoing military pressure and regional tensions. US intelligence sees no imminent invasion US-Iran war news: A quick look at the key developments till now in the West Asia conflict >> Trump issues warning over Qatar LNG US President Trump said the US could massively blow up Irans South Pars gas field if Tehran attacks Qatars LNG facilities again. >> Qatar gas hub hit, extensive damage reported Iranian strikes targeted Qatars Ras Laffan Industrial City, the worlds largest LNG hub. QatarEnergy said multiple LNG facilities were hit, causing extensive damage. >> UAE shuts gas facility after missile debris Authorities in Abu Dhabi halted operations at a gas plant after debris from intercepted missiles fell near the site, highlighting risks to regional energy infrastructure. >> Projectile hits vessel near Strait of Hormuz A vessel off the UAE coast was struck by an unknown projectile, triggering a fire, according to a British maritime agency, raising fresh concerns over shipping safety. >> Macron calls for moratorium on civilian infrastructure strikes French President Emmanuel Macron urged an immediate halt to attacks on energy and water facilities. >> Iran threatens wider retaliation Irans Revolutionary Guards warned Gulf nations that further attacks on Iranian energy sites would lead to devastating consequences. >> Iraqi armed group pauses attacks on US embassy Kataeb Hezbollah said it would halt attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad for five days, conditional on Israel halting strikes in Lebanon and avoiding civilian targets in Iraq. >> Fatalities reported in Israel and West Bank A foreign worker was killed near Tel Aviv in an Iranian missile strike, taking Israels death toll to 15. Three Palestinian women were killed in the West Bank by missile debris, marking the first reported Palestinian deaths in the conflict. >> Kuwait arrests alleged Hezbollah-linked operatives Kuwaiti authorities detained 10 individuals accused of plotting attacks on critical infrastructure, linked to Lebanons Hezbollah. >> Qatar expels Iranian diplomats Doha ordered Iranian military and security staff to leave within 24 hours following the attack on Ras Laffan. >> Israel vows to continue targeting Iranian leadership After killing intelligence chief Esmail Khatib, Israel said its campaign would continue. >> Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles over Riyadh Explosions were reported over the Saudi capital as air defences intercepted ballistic missiles and a drone targeting a gas facility. >> Khamenei vows revenge Irans Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned of retaliation. Every drop of spilled blood comes at a price, he said. >> US Fed flags uncertain outlook amid war The Federal Reserve raised its inflation outlook while keeping rates unchanged, citing uncertainty linked to the conflict and energy market volatility. US mulls 'unsanctioning Iranian oil as Middle East conflict drives energy prices surge US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington may unsanction Iranian oil and release more from strategic reserves as Middle East conflict drives global energy prices sharply higher. US considers unsanctioning Iranian oil shipments Watch: Journalist ducks for cover as Israeli strike lands metres away in Southern Lebanon Russian journalist Steve Sweeney and cameraman Ali Rida were injured near Al-Qasmiya Bridge in southern Lebanon after an Israeli strike. Russia condemned the attack, while Israel said civilians were warned. Israeli strike injures Russian journalists in Lebanon We were not allowed: Joe Kents explosive claim, doubts on Iran strikes never reached Trump Ex-US counterterror chief Joe Kent says officials opposing Iran strikes were blocked from Trump, raising questions on decision-making process. Kent alleges dissenting voices were blocked, claims no evidence of imminent Iran threat Joe Kent claims dissenting officials were barred from advising Trump. Kent claims intelligence showed no imminent Iranian threat Kent claims Israel pushed US into strikes; White House denies it Did our AI summary help? The issue escalated after Joe Kent resigned and wrote a letter to President Donald Trump that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the US. A tourist visits a rapeseed flower field as a high-speed train runs past in Longmatan District of Luzhou, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Feb. 26, 2026. (Photo by Mu Ke/Xinhua) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China is embarking on a new journey to advance Chinese modernization as its latest grand blueprint unfolds. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development was approved at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, earlier this month. "A well-conceived 15th Five-Year Plan and its effective implementation will ensure we have even stronger foundations for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035," Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, once said. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that socialist modernization can only be realized through a historical process of gradual and ongoing development. It requires the unremitting hard work of one generation after another. A researcher displays rolled-up "fiber chips" and a smart tactile glove made by weaving the chips into textiles at Fudan University in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) BUILDING NEW GROWTH MOMENTUM The world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, with the challenges of securing peace, development, security and governance intensifying, while geopolitical risks are increasing, and global economic growth momentum remains weak. Notably, China's economic transformation and upgrading are deepening, with reform efforts tackling deep-seated problems. In addition, new quality productive forces are being fostered at an accelerated pace. "Efforts should be redoubled to gain experience in analyzing new situations and solving new problems," Xi said during China's "two sessions" earlier this month. Developing new quality productive forces is an essential requirement for building a modern industrial system and fueling a powerful engine for advancing high-quality development. As a new driver of future development, new quality productive forces should be cultivated in line with local conditions. It is necessary to leverage local resource endowments, industrial foundations and research capabilities to selectively foster emerging industries, new business models and new growth drivers. Guided by scientific and technological innovation and anchored in the real economy, efforts should be made to speed up the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and foster the growth of emerging industries and future-oriented industries, so as to accelerate the development of a modern industrial system. A senior resident interacts with "Xia Lan," a humanoid robot, at Shenzhen Nursing Home in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu) Meanwhile, improving the national innovation system and stimulating the vitality of various innovation entities remain key priorities. With a focus on the frontiers of global science and technology, sustained efforts should be made to strengthen basic research and enhance original innovation capacity, while intensifying breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields and frontier technologies. Amid a rapidly changing international environment and various uncertainties, focusing on managing the country's own affairs well and enhancing its development quality is crucial in ensuring a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan. For China, it is imperative to advance high-quality development, build a unified national market and expand high-standard opening up to explore global markets. China still faces challenges of uneven and inadequate development, including declining labor demand in traditional industries due to technological and industrial transformations, and growing pressure on public services and social security because of an aging population. Addressing these issues is essential for sustaining growth and ensuring that development benefits all. An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 10, 2026 shows a dual-fuel car carrier loaded with vehicles for export setting sail at Yantai Port in Yantai, east China's Shandong Province. (Photo by Zhang Chao/Xinhua) GLOBAL VISION OF CHINA'S MODERNIZATION PATH "Chinese modernization delivers benefit to the Chinese people and also advances common development of the world. It is a sure path for us to build a stronger nation and realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is also a path we must take to seek progress for humanity and harmony for the entire world," Xi said in a keynote address at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting in 2023. These remarks situated Chinese modernization within the historical context of China's relations with the world, highlighting its inclusive character and pursuit of win-win outcomes. Chinese modernization is fundamentally characterized by proactive global engagement. Since the reform and opening up, China's developmental trajectory, guided by successive five-year plans, has been inseparable from international cooperation. Openness has always been the defining feature of Chinese modernization. From "the world factory" to "the world market," and from a land for global investment to a global innovation hub, each leap in China's development drives cooperation with the world into broader areas and deeper levels. As industrial transformation accelerates, China's massive market will continue to offer significant demand for countries worldwide. In pursuit of smart, green and integrated growth, China aims to share its manufacturing experience and technical innovations to drive global sustainable development. Beyond that, the global significance of the Chinese model of modernization lies in its success in shattering the myth that modernization is synonymous with Westernization, thereby creating a new form of human advancement. "China will do well only when the world does well, and vice versa," Xi once said. Lu Puzheng (R), a member of the 4th batch of Chinese agricultural experts in Zimbabwe, provides instruction on maize planting techniques to local residents in Zindi Village, Shamva District of Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe, Jan. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) Leveraging the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, the world's second-largest economy is committed to the building of an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity. Faced with global changes not seen in a century, China will continue to stand on the right side of history and remain a steadfast, reliable and constructive force in a turbulent world. An aerial drone photo taken on July 3, 2025 shows the Xianshuiwo photovoltaic power plant in the Yi-Hui-Miao Autonomous County of Weining, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Tao Liang) CPC LEADERSHIP AS CORE Chinese modernization is characterized by unique features: the modernization of a huge population, the modernization of common prosperity for all, the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement, the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, and the modernization of peaceful development. In advancing Chinese modernization, the key lies in upholding the overall leadership of the CPC, which has been the strong leadership core in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. By integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture, the Party has, through years of dedicated efforts, deepened its understanding of the laws that underlie governance by a communist party, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society. The Party has led China in building one of the world's most complete industrial systems, in eliminating absolute poverty, in growing into an economy of 140 trillion yuan (about 20.32 trillion U.S. dollars), and in becoming a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. Advancing Chinese modernization requires solid work and sustained efforts over time, and sound planning must go hand in hand with effective implementation. Party members and officials are urged to establish and practice a correct view on governance performance, remain committed to serving the public and improving people's well-being, make well-grounded decisions, and focus on practical work. Editor: Xiong Jian March 19, 2026 War On Iran: Refineries Hit Oil Passage Toll To Pay For Iranian Damage Iran has, as promised yesterday, responded to the USraeli attack on its energy installations by hitting refineries and gas facilities in several Persian Gulf countries. Qatar spoke of extensive damage to its gas liquefaction facilities caused by an Iranian attack. Saudi Arabia claimed that the attack was defeated but that a drone had hit its SAMREF refinery near Yanbu on its western coast. Kuwait reported fires at two of its three refineries, Bahrain and the UAE did not comment but people living there report of explosions, fires and damage. Several missiles and drones hit Israel. It has by now come under a sustained attack with air alarms going off nearly every hour. This afternoon the BAZAN oil refinery in Haifa got hit. The damage from the continuing U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign in Iran is also quite considerable. The Israeli plan is to destroy all of Irans capabilities to the extend that rebuilding will become excessively expensive. But Iran has already planned for this. It has found a way to pay for rebuilding its state. As it is, and will likely stay, in control of the Strait of Hormuz it can ask for payments in exchange for providing safe passage. Lloyds List reports: Iran establishes safe shipping corridor for approved and paid for transits AT LEAST one tanker operator is understood to have paid a fee to Iran to transit the Strait of Hormuz while several other tankers have passed following Iranian vetting and diplomatic interventions, according to several well-placed sources with direct knowledge of the transits. Multiple governments including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia and China are all understood to be discussing vessel transit plans directly with Tehran, where officials within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have established a nascent ship registration system for approved vessels to agree safe passage. At least nine ships have now exited the strait via the safe corridor that routes ships through Iranian territorial waters via Irans Larak Island, which is used by the IRGC Navy and port authority to assess visual confirmation of the vessels. The picture on the left shows the normal traffic route through the Strait while the picture on the right shows (except for the purple ship) the passing on the controlled route north of Larak Island. Without the war and without the blockade of the Strait crude oil prices would hover around $60 bbl instead of the current $100-120 bbl (soon to be $200 bbl). When Iran will finally agree to an end of the war months if not years from now one of its conditions might be a surcharge of $10 bbl for any tanker passing the Strait. This would come, for a limited time, on top of the $60 bbl peace-level market price. A moderate toll when one considers the cost of todays barrels. This while providing a significant income of some $50-100 million per day for Iran. It would help to recuperated the money needed to repair any war damage. The U.S., if it will have any say in this, might well agree to that condition. Currently Iran has some 140 million barrels of crude oil sitting in floating storage i.e. on old rented tankers anchoring somewhere. That oil was hard to sell as it was under U.S. sanctions. The U.S. is currently considering to lift those sanctions to provide more oil to the global markets and to thereby lower its price. As U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced: In the coming days, we may unsanction the Iranian oil thats on the water. Its about 140 million barrels, so depending how you count it, thats 10 days to 2 weeks of supply, that the Iranians had been pushing out, that would have all gone to China. In essence, wed be using the Iranian barrels against the Iranians to keep the price down for the next 10 or 14 days, as we continue this campaign. So, we have lots of levers. The U.S. wasnt willing to lift those sanctions during peace talks with Iran. But seeing the the dearth of oil under war conditions and high prices it suddenly allows that to happen. How that would be against the Iranians when they can sell their parked oil at $100 bbl exceeds my understanding. Added: The U.S. seems to have run out of stand-off ammunition. F-35 fighters were ordered into Iranian air space and at least one got damaged. This confirms that air superiority over Iran has not been achieved (yet). Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a goodwill visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China and Turkmenistan should expand the scale of cooperation in the natural gas sector, and elevate trade and investment levels, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi made the remarks when meeting with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, adding that the two sides should expand cooperation in non-resource fields, including connectivity, agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital economy and clean energy. China's "two sessions" were successfully held not long ago, during which the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development was approved, Xi said. He also stated that the implementation of this outline will lay a solid foundation for China towards basically achieving socialist modernization, which benefits countries around the world. Over the past 35 years since its independence, Turkmenistan has forged an independent development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said. At the beginning of the Year of the Horse, China stands ready to discuss cooperation and share development opportunities with Turkmenistan to promote the building of the China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future, he said. Stressing that mutual support is the core essence of the China-Turkmenistan comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said regardless of how the international situation evolves, China will always support Turkmenistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Moreover, China will always support Turkmenistan in pursuing a policy of permanent neutrality and will remain a trustworthy partner for Turkmenistan. Both sides should accelerate the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Turkmenistan's development strategy, he said, calling on both sides to accelerate the progress of establishing Luban Workshops, traditional Chinese medicine centers and cultural centers. China and Turkmenistan must resolutely combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism to foster a secure environment for the development of both countries, Xi said. As a myriad of global challenges keep emerging, China stands ready to work with Turkmenistan to firmly uphold the status and authority of the United Nations and practice genuine multilateralism. Xi called on both sides to adhere to a global governance philosophy that emphasizes extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and lead the transformation of global governance with the principles of fairness, justice, openness, and inclusiveness. For his part, Berdimuhamedov extended his congratulations on China's successful "two sessions," which makes important decisions and arrangements for the development of various initiatives. Noting that China's prosperity and development benefit the world, he said that Turkmenistan-China cooperation has become an important and positive factor in the economic and social development of the two countries and is in the long-term interests of the two peoples. Turkmenistan will, as always, abide by the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, expand practical cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity and other fields, and seek common development and prosperity, as well as promote security and stability, Berdimuhamedov said. He said that Turkmenistan thanked China for its support of Turkmenistan's permanent neutral status, spoke highly of the four global initiatives proposed by Xi, and appreciated China for upholding a fair stance in international affairs. Turkmenistan is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the China-Central Asia mechanism to jointly safeguard peace and stability of the region and the world at large, Berdimuhamedov said. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a goodwill visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Chinese President Xi Jinping takes a walk with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a goodwill visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2026. Xi met with Berdimuhamedov in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Editor: Xiong Jian THIS year marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-CNMI Covenant and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. It is appropriate that these anniversaries coincide, because the Covenant, correctly understood and applied, would represent Americas ultimate triumph over the colonial system that made the Declaration necessary. Prior to the Declaration, Britain claimed absolute authority over its colonies. Its Declaratory Act of 1766 provided that the colonies were subordinate unto and dependent upon the king and Parliament, who had full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of Americain all cases whatsoever. The American colonists rejected this claim outright but not because they were separatists or revolutionaries. On the contrary, they were (at first) loyal to the king, and saw themselves as part of the British Empire. But they believed it was their right, by nature and as British subjects, to be bound only by laws enacted by their own representatives. That meant laws enacted by their colonial assemblies, not by Parliament, where they were not represented. But their arguments fell on deaf ears, and Parliament passed more and more intrusive laws purporting to govern the colonies. When the king sided with Parliament to enforce those laws, the colonists resolved to revolt. Their Declaration gives, as one of the main reasons for doing so, these acts of pretended legislation, including the act declaring Parliament and the king invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. But, as noted, independence had been only the colonists Plan B. Plan A was to remain fellow citizens with the British, but to govern themselves separately through their own local representatives. They sought independence only when this right was refused to them. Even after independence was achieved, other imperial powers continued to claim absolute authority over their colonies (including, of course, the Spanish colony here in the Marianas). Ironically, even the U.S. did so, in Guam and elsewhere. But finally, after decades of revolution and repression, and two world wars fueled by imperial ambition, all nations finally accepted, in the U.N. Charter, the obligation to develop self-government in all territories they administered whose peoples have not yet attained a full measure of self-government. Such a full measure of self-government is what the American colonists believed that they were entitled to. That was their Plan A. That is what the U.N. Charter entitled the Northern Marianas people to develop. And that is what the Covenant, read in good faith in its historical context, establishes in the CNMI. It establishes a new kind of country, a new kind of America, long ago denied to the Americans themselves. As such, it represents the final act of the American Revolution, and its logical culmination not just a colony escaping the clutches of empire, but that former colony, now grown to an imperial power itself, renouncing imperial rule, and offering instead the full and separate self-rule within the sovereign fold that it long ago rightly demanded for itself. Now that would be something to celebrate if it were actually happening. Unfortunately, it is not. Instead, the present-day U.S., forgetting its roots, often acts much like the imperial Britain of old. That is, it acts as if the CNMI were subordinate unto and dependent upon the will of Congress, and as if the U.S. government has the full power and authority to bind the CNMI and its people in all cases whatsoever. The federal courts have been of little help in preventing this. They have agreed, repeatedly, that the Covenant does limit Congresss legislative power. But somehow, they have never managed to find that any act of Congress, however intrusive or obnoxious, has exceeded those limits. They have thus enabled misguided federal arrogance, and encouraged more of it, much as the king enabled the similar arrogance of that long-ago Parliament. The result has been repeated acts of pretended legislation against the express will of the CNMI people and their representatives, on matters as expansive as immigration control and as localized as cockfighting, and all points in-between, such as wage rates, voting rights, gun control, and now, apparently, undersea mining. This anniversary year of the adoption of both the Covenant and the Declaration affords an ideal opportunity to recognize the principle that unites them that all people, everywhere, can validly be bound only by laws that they themselves have freely made, and can just as freely unmake, through representatives answerable only to them and act to reverse any backsliding into the kind of colonial rule that is a betrayal of both of these historic events. That is all the more true because this is also an election year. Given the timidity of the courts, it appears ever clearer that a political solution is necessary. We should therefore ask all candidates for Commonwealth public office especially all candidates for Governor, Attorney General, and Delegate to Congress: What will you do to help make the great final act of the American Revolution a practical reality here in the Commonwealth? JOSEPH E. HOREY As Matuis, Saipan (NMC-AHEC) Northern Marianas Colleges Area Health Education Center is now accepting applications for the CANOE Pre-Health Academy, a four-week statewide intensive program designed to equip high school graduates with the knowledge, skills, and resources to excel in college and pursue health-related careers. The program, scheduled for July 6-31, 2026, is part of a collaborative partnership between the Hawaii/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center a department of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, and NMC-AHEC. The CANOE Pre-Health Academy is specifically geared toward graduating high school seniors (Class of 2026) who plan to transfer to the University of Hawaii and are interested in health professions. Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, first-generation college students, or those from underrepresented minority groups are highly encouraged to apply. Hands-on learning and college credit The Academy offers three college credits through the University of Hawaii-West Oahu and features a blended curriculum that includes both online and in-person elements: Asynchronous online modules on college and career success A one-week in-person program featuring hands-on health demonstrations and problem-based learning Professional certifications, including OSHA, CPR-First Aid, and Stop the Bleed Pre-health advising and networking opportunities with health professionals Oral health education sponsored by the American Dental Education Association The program team will oversee student supervision, program activities, and curriculum delivery while prioritizing an engaging and safe learning environment. Program highlights and support No tuition or enrollment fee $200 stipend awarded upon successful completion of the program (valid Social Security number required) Limited to 20 students; selection will be based on GPA, personal statement, and letter of recommendation quality Key dates (subject to change) Application deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 11:59 p.m. Program dates: July 6 July 31, 2026 Parent & Student Orientation: June 2026 (to be announced) Eligibility requirements Applicants must: Be a graduating high school senior (Class of 2026) Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 Submit a transcript (unofficial accepted), updated resume, letter of recommendation (from a science/health teacher or counselor), and a personal statement (250500 words) Apply and learn more The CANOE Pre-Health Academy offers a unique opportunity for emerging health professionals to explore career pathways while gaining real-world experience. For more information or to apply, visit bit.ly/saipan-canoe/, call NMC-AHEC at (670) 237-6802 / 6810 or email [email protected]/. By Bryan Manabat [email protected] Variety News Staff ATTORNEY Viola Alepuyo is asking the Superior Court to dismiss misconduct charges against her client, Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvan O. Igisomar. Alepuyo argues that prosecutors are applying the law arbitrarily and inconsistently. In an 18-page motion to dismiss, Alepuyo said the governments charge of misconduct in public office appears to reflect arbitrary and inconsistent enforcement of the statute. She noted that Igisomar, a cabinet-level official nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, is being prosecuted based on allegations in the first amended information. By contrast, another similarly situated official Department of Public Works Secretary Ray Yumul was not charged with misconduct in public office after being arrested for driving under the influence while operating a government vehicle. Despite allegations that Mr. Yumul committed a criminal offense while operating a government vehicle in a manner that posed danger to the public, he was not charged with misconduct in public office, Alepuyo said. The disparate treatment of these similarly situated public officials raises a serious question whether the statute prohibiting misconduct in public office is being enforced in an arbitrary and uneven manner. Alepuyo argued that criminal laws must be applied evenly and without arbitrary distinctions. She also said Counts 1 and 2 against Igisomar fail to allege the required mens rea and are both duplicitous and multiplicitous. Mens rea is a legal term (from Latin) that means guilty mind. It refers to the mental state or intent a person had when committing a crime. Because the same conduct and same statutory violation form the basis for both counts, the prosecution has effectively divided a single alleged offense into two separate counts, Alepuyo said. The law does not permit the government to multiply charges merely by attaching different statutory labels to the same underlying acts. She added that the information does not identify any separate factual act distinguishing Count 1 from Count 2. Both counts arise from the identical alleged incident on Sept. 28, 2024, involving the same DFW boat, the same DLNR vehicle, the same alleged trip to Managaha, and the same individuals, Alepuyo said. Regarding Count 3, Alepuyo said the child abuse allegation fails to state an essential element of the offense. Background Igisomar, 49, pleaded not guilty in December to charges stemming from the alleged personal use of a Division of Fish and Wildlife law enforcement boat and a DLNR vehicle. He faces charges of misconduct in public office, theft of services, and child endangerment. Acting DFW Director Rosemary C. Camacho, 58, and DFW Conservation Officer Ignacio I. Yiftheg, 45, also pleaded not guilty. They each face three counts of misconduct in public office, forgery, and conspiracy. Court documents allege that on Sept. 28, 2024, Igisomar used the agencys boat and vehicle to travel between Saipan and Managaha for personal purposes, including transporting his two children. Prosecutors say the trip diverted government resources for private benefit and placed the children at risk. Camacho and Yiftheg are accused of altering daily activity reports of DFW employees Kimo R. Lisua and Branden A. Manglona to conceal the unauthorized use. Yiftheg allegedly facilitated the transportation of Igisomar and his children aboard the boat. As acting director, Camacho is accused of failing to discipline Yiftheg. Yiftheg appeared at Thursdays hearing with his counsel, Assistant Public Defender Emily Thomsen, who declined to comment on the case afterward. Camacho, represented by attorney Joaquin Torres, has also asked the court to dismiss the misconduct charges. Torres said the count against her is deficient because it does not identify the source of the law that created the alleged duty she violated, nor does it specify the illegal expenditures that resulted from the alleged neglect. Associate Judge Lillian Tenorio has scheduled a hearing on the motions to dismiss for April 23. At the status hearing Thursday morning, the parties agreed to set the jury trial for Aug. 3. However, Variety later learned that the week of Aug. 3 is already reserved for another trial. Judge Tenorio has instructed court staff to notify the parties of the scheduling conflict. She will issue a new trial date after consulting with counsel. 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. Former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, right, with Kagman High School Principal Benjamin M. Jones Jr. Contributed photo By Emmanuel T. Erediano [email protected] Variety News Staff FORMER Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has chosen Kagman High School Principal Benjamin M. Jones Jr. as his running mate. The two will run as Republicans against the independent gubernatorial tandem of Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao and his running mate, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez. Jones confirmed to Variety last Friday that he intends to accept Torres offer to run for lieutenant governor in this years general election. On Monday, Jones and Torres submitted a joint letter to NMI Republican Party President Patrick Cepeda expressing their intent to run on the GOP ticket. They told Cepeda that, after careful reflection and consultation with their families, supporters, and members of the community, they believe this is a critical time for experienced leadership to help guide the Commonwealth forward. Our islands face serious economic challenges, rising costs, and growing concerns about the stability of our schools and opportunities for our families, Torres and Jones said. They said their team is committed to restoring economic stability, strengthening tourism and partnerships with the United States, supporting educators, and working toward restoring a full five-day school week so students receive consistent, innovative, and high-quality education. They also said they believe economic recovery and a strong education system are essential to supporting families, rebuilding the CNMI workforce, protecting retirees, and securing the long-term future of the Commonwealth. Together, they said, they bring a balanced team of executive leadership and educational experience. Torres brings executive leadership and established ties that can help guide economic recovery, while Jones, a respected educator, brings a lifelong commitment to strengthening schools, protecting children, and serving the community. Torres was governor from Dec. 2015 to Jan. 2023. He lost to his then-lt. governor, Arnold I. Palacios, in the 2022 gubernatorial runoff. 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 THE Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has taken a major step toward opening waters around Guam and the Northern Marianas to potential deep-sea mining. The move advances the agencys outer continental shelf mineral leasing process, despite widespread public opposition, according to Angelo Villagomez, senior fellow for conservation policy at the Center for American Progress. On Wednesday, BOEM announced it had completed the Area Identification, or Area ID, phase for possible critical mineral development offshore the CNMI. The decision doubles the offshore area under consideration from 35 million acres to 69 million acres, roughly the size of Nevada even after the agency received more than 65,000 comments opposing the proposal. Villagomez criticized the move, saying it disregards the concerns of residents and territorial leaders. This decision to advance the largest seabed mining proposal in U.S. history ignores the overwhelming concerns voiced by the people and local governments, he said. It pushes forward an industrial experiment in one of the most biodiverse and culturally significant ocean regions on Earth. Deep-sea mining poses irreversible risks to fragile ecosystems, fisheries that sustain our communities, and the cultural heritage of the Chamorro and Refaluwasch peoples. This decision ignores baseline science and was made without meaningful consultation or any guarantee that the Indigenous peoples most affected would even be protected, let alone see benefits. BOEM emphasized that the Area ID determination does not authorize leasing or mineral development. Instead, it identifies which offshore tracts will move forward for further analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Area ID follows BOEMs Nov. 12, 2025, Request for Information and Interest, which drew tens of thousands of submissions from residents, Indigenous communities, territorial governments, industry groups, and environmental organizations. Comments revealed strong regional skepticism, firm opposition from Guams elected leaders, and conditional caution from the CNMI. Environmental, cultural, and economic concerns dominated the feedback, with many urging that no leasing occur without rigorous scientific study, regional coordination, and meaningful community engagement. With the Area ID complete, BOEM will now prepare an Environmental Assessment to evaluate the potential impacts of issuing leases and authorizing early-stage activities such as bathymetric mapping, geological and geophysical surveys, and limited seabed and biological sampling. The agency said these activities are considered to have no significant adverse impact and are intended to inform any future delineation, testing, or mining plan. The environmental review will include consultations required under federal law, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, to assess potential effects on cultural and historic resources. BOEM reiterated that any future lease would authorize only data collection not mineral extraction and said it remains committed to a science-based process that incorporates local knowledge and prioritizes environmental protection while evaluating potential domestic sources of critical minerals important to national security and advanced manufacturing. 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. 1) The price of gas and diesel in the Marshall Islands has skyrocketed in the three weeks since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, leaping from about $6.80 per gallon to $7.65 for gas, and from $6.60 per gallon to $8.25 for diesel, as shown here at the Riwut Corner fuel station in Majuro. Photo by Giff Johnson 2) The gas and diesel price sign at Ace's One Stop fuel station in Majuro shows the latest fuel prices in US dollars drivers are paying at the pump three weeks into the US-Israel war on Iran. Photo by Giff Johnson By Giff Johnson For Variety MAJURO The Marshall Islands parliament this week endorsed legislation reducing income taxes for all working people in the country in a move to mitigate to some degree the soaring costs of living. Bill 103, introduced by Finance Minister David Paul earlier this week, exempts the first $8,320 in a persons salary from withholding tax. This means that for people earning this amount or more, they will have over $600 more net income on an annual basis. This is a monumental day for the people of the Marshall Islands, Minister Paul told the Marshall Islands Journal in an interview after the legislation was passed. The new law, he said, will provide some relief to people in view of the escalating costs of fuel that are affecting every part of life in the Marshall Islands. The bill was introduced on the last day of parliament meetings for the current session, and passed on the same day in order to trigger a fast response to skyrocketing costs. The new law will be implemented in April, reducing the income tax burden on working people. Paul said this would result in about $3.1 million less in tax revenue to the government over the next six months of the current fiscal year. But, he said, it isnt like we are losing this money. It is going into peoples pockets, and they will spend it so it will circulate in the local economy. The intention, he said, was to provide an immediate increase in the amount of money people have to help with the skyrocketing costs from the war that the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran last month. This combined with the release of the second quarter universal basic income payments beginning March 24 to all 37,000 citizens in the country, and the rollout of the Extraordinary Needs Distribution program with food, cash power subsidies and other cost of living help for 11 atolls and islands is coming at a timely moment. Both the universal basic income program and the Extraordinary Needs Distribution program are funded by the Compact of Free Association Trust Fund capitalized by the United States. Already, gas prices at the pump have jumped about 14 percent in just two weeks and diesel at Mobil Oil-supplied stations is up 25 percent since the war on Iran started on February 28. The cascading impact of these global events can be seen everywhere. The Marshalls Energy Company, the governments utility company, announced that it expects to raise electricity rates next month. Before the Iran War, MEC was spending approximately $3 million per shipment per month on diesel fuel, the utility said in a release Wednesday. Based on current market conditions, that cost is now expected to reach close to $7 million per shipment. MEC said it expects it will need to respond to this global fuel price rise by raising tariffs by as much as 23 percent in April. For perspective, MEC raised its rates in early February and residential rates are now 43.2 cents per kilowatt hour. A 23 percent increase is 10 cents, meaning home power could jump to 53 cents per kWh next month. Business power costs could rise from the current 51.6 cents per kWh to over 63 cents a kwh in April. All of this the higher cost of shipping goods from the US, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, airfares, fuel for drivers, and power adds up to a fast-rising costs of living for people in the urban centers in the Marshall Islands. A visitor views a bronze human head from the Sanxingdui archaeological site during an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) MADRID, March 18 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. Among the highlights is a bronze human head from the Sanxingdui archaeological site, placed at the entrance of the exhibition hall. Visitors can explore three themed sections featuring items such as bronze human figures, a parasol-bearing male figurine, and tiger-decorated vessels, offering insights into cultural exchanges and integration in ancient southwest China. Sara Simon, regional minister for equality of Castilla-La Mancha, said the exhibition promotes the international profile of the Guadalajara Museum and helps local audiences better understand the history of southwest China. Pablo Bellido, president of the regional parliament of Castilla-La Mancha, stressed that cultural exchange is especially important in today's world and expressed confidence that the exhibition will attract visitors from across the region and beyond. In a video message, Tan Ping, director of the China Cultural Relics Exchange Center, said the artifacts reflect the wisdom and beliefs of ancient peoples in southwest China and serve as a vivid example of cultural dialogue across time and space. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. A visitor views an exhibit at an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) A woman visits an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) This photo taken on March 17, 2026 shows an exhibit at an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain. An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) People visit an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) A visitor views an exhibit at an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) People view a bronze human head from the Sanxingdui archaeological site during an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) Visitors view a bronze human head from the Sanxingdui archaeological site during an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) Editor: WSH The Courage of Resignation: How a Single Letter Exposes the Rot of the Trump Regime An Act of Conscience in an Age of Conformity I believe we are living through the final, gasping stages of a corrupt empire. Its internal rot is so advanced that it can no longer be hidden by patriotic slogans or staged rallies. The truth is leaking out, not through grand congressional hearings, but through the quiet, principled actions of individuals who can no longer stomach the lies. Just this week, one such action -- a resignation letter -- cut through the fog of propaganda like a scalpel, revealing the necrotic tissue beneath the MAGA facade. That act came from Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center. His resignation was not a retirement or a career move; it was a deliberate, public severing of ties with an administration he could no longer serve in good conscience. His letter was a damning indictment, explicitly tying the catastrophic, illegal war on Iran to Israeli pressure and a fundamental betrayal of American sovereignty and interests. [1] It was an act of moral courage so rare in Washington that it triggered a revealing, vicious retaliation from the regime's loyalists, proving they operate on fealty, not facts. A Resignation Letter That Shook the Foundation Joe Kents departure was a singularity in the Trump administrations second term: a high-ranking national security official leaving not for a lobbying gig, but on principle. His letter did not obfuscate. It named the disastrous war in Iran for what it is -- a conflict long planned by Israel and now executed with American blood and treasure. As one analysis starkly put it, "Israel planned this war on Iran for 40 years. Everything else is a smoke screen." [2] Kent had the integrity to state that this service to a foreign power was a betrayal of the American people he swore to protect. The regimes immediate response was not to debate the merits of his claims, but to launch vicious, personal attacks. This reaction is textbook for a cult of personality. As detailed in the book Breaking the News, when truth-tellers emerge, the establishments first instinct is not to engage but to destroy, to "hurt us, to injure my wife and kids so that I will shut up." [3] The ferocity of the counter-attack against Kent proved his point more eloquently than any follow-up essay could. It demonstrated that in this administration, loyalty to the man and the agenda -- especially the subservience to Zionist imperatives, as critics have noted -- trumps all else, including law, ethics, and national interest. [4] The Unraveling: Lies, War Crimes, and a Leader Unmoored from Reality The personal smears against Kent are a symptom of a deeper disease. This regime operates on loyalty, not truth or law. Its foundational ethos is the psychological need of its leader for a win at any cost, a dynamic that has now escalated into catastrophic, illegal war strategies. The attack on Iran, launched jointly with Israel in late February 2026, was branded "Operation Epic Fury." [5] It was justified with flimsy, reheated pretexts, such as tenuous links to the decades-old USS Cole bombing, a narrative even federal judges have questioned. [6] This is not statecraft; it is a desperate lunge for legacy, serving no coherent American purpose. Worse, the administration is actively covering up the grim reality of these conflicts. From Gaza to Iran, civilian casualties are obscured, and military failures are buried. As one commentator noted, the path to aggressive actions in Venezuela -- and potentially beyond -- "was paved in Gaza." [7] This pattern of obfuscation is the hallmark of a corrupt empire in collapse, one that must hide its atrocities because it can no longer justify them to its own citizens. The regimes foreign policy, as some have argued, often appears to have an Israeli backstory that explains its mindless aggression. [8] It is a policy of serial deception, unmasking the U.S. not as a beacon of democracy but as an engine of destruction and human suffering. [7] The Inevitable Reckoning: Criminal Liability and the Fate of the Complicit By resigning, Joe Kent did more than make a statement; he executed a brilliant escape from a sinking ship of state. He has wisely avoided future criminal prosecution for war crimes he refused to support. The legal and moral reckoning for this era will be historic. Figures within the regime who boast of or justify atrocities -- people like media personalities Pete Hegseth or spokesperson Caroline Levitt -- are, in my judgment, confessing to complicity in crimes on the public record. Their gleeful support for operations like the Delta Force raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro [9] will not age well. Anyone who remains, including former critics turned collaborators like Tulsi Gabbard, is consciously choosing to go down with this vessel. They are betting their futures on the regimes ability to evade accountability. This is a foolish wager. As the empires financial and moral foundations crumble, the domestic legal structures may be the last to fall, and they will fall hardest on those who stayed until the end. The Trump administrations actions, from the illegal strike on Venezuela [10] to the political assassination of Irans leadership [11], have created a mountain of potential liability. Those inside the bunker now are choosing a fate defined by that mountain. The Final, Pathetic Gasps of a Failed Movement What remains of the MAGA movement is a hollowed-out cult, sustained by paid propagandists and individuals utterly devoid of intellectual honesty. The influencers still pushing blind loyalty are either financially incentivized or so psychologically captured they cannot see the collapse around them. Loyalty to a failing man, over timeless principles like peace, sovereignty, and truth, is the definitive sign of a cult, not a viable political movement. The regimes final, desperate act is the intense censorship of truth-tellers while its own propagandists flourish. This is the tyrannical systems last gasp. Weve seen this playbook before. As noted in an article on censorship tactics, the left -- and now this hybrid authoritarian regime -- uses methods akin to McCarthyism, creating blacklists to silence dissent. [12] This climate of fear and enforced ignorance is how corrupt systems maintain control until the very end. Where We Stand: Facing Collapse and Choosing Principle Let us be clear-eyed: no political savior is coming. The American empire, and the corrupt financial system that props it up, is collapsing under the weight of its own lies, debt, and imperial overreach. "Trade turbulence and economic instability will persist," as one trends report for 2026 flatly states. [13] The affordability crisis is real, but the governments response is more war and more deception. [14] Our only sane path forward is to reject cultish loyalty, stand on immutable principle, and demand accountability, even as the old system implodes. From the ashes of this failure, we must build something new. This future cannot be centralized. It must be rooted in decentralization, honest money like physical gold and silver, and an unwavering commitment to truth. We must turn to platforms and tools that empower rather than enslave. For uncensored news analysis, I recommend BrightNews.ai. For deep, honest research that bypasses corporate AI filters, use the free engine at BrightAnswers.ai. For practical knowledge on health and self-reliance -- the ultimate act of decentralization -- trust the articles and infographics at NaturalNews.com. The empire is dying. Our task is not to mourn it, but to ensure we are not buried in its rubble. References Canadian PM Justin Trudeau contemplates resignation as tariff war with the US looms - NaturalNews.com. December 21, 2024. Israel planned this war on Iran for 40 years. Everything else is a smoke screen - Middle East Eye. Jonathan Cook. March 5, 2026. Breaking the News Exposing the Establishment Medias Hidden Deals and Secret Corruption - Alex Marlow. Americans who Love their Country should adopt America First as their New Years Resolution - Ron Paul Institute. Gary Heavin and Mike Adams. December 30, 2025. World Leaders, Lawmakers React to USIsrael Strikes on Iran - NTD. March 1, 2026. Trump says Iran was linked to the USS Cole attack: a federal judge also ruled Iran was complicit - Just the News. March 11, 2026. From Gaza to Venezuela, the US has been unmasked as the serial villain - Middle East Eye. Jonathan Cook. January 6, 2026. What Does Venezuela Have to Do with Israel? - Ron Paul Institute. January 10, 2026. Trump Says U.S. Will Run Venezuela. Maduro, Wife Captured This Morning in Delta Force Raid - The New American. January 3, 2026. January 3: The Peace Presidents Latest Date Which Will Live in Infamy - Antiwar.com. Thomas L. Knapp. January 4, 2026. Political assassination: Moscow blasts US-Israeli strike on Irans leader - RT. March 1, 2026. The Left hated McCarthyism and blacklists of alleged communists but they are now using the same tactic to keep - NaturalNews.com. April 09, 2019. THE UNRAVELLING: 2026 Trends and Predictions from 21WIRE - 21st Century Wire. January 2, 2026. 2025 Ended in Tumultuous Fashion - Daily Reckoning. January 1, 2026. X bans Naomi Wolf after interview with Alex Jones exposing multiple White House coups currently underway - NaturalNews.com. August 16, 2024. Explainer Infographic: 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. Editor: WSH Declassified files hidden for 35 years confirm 1991 Antarctic UFO incident over military base Declassified Argentine files confirm a 1991 UFO encounter at the General San Martin Base in Antarctica. A riometer recorded impossible, synchronized needle movements, suggesting an external energy source equivalent to a large city overhead. Amaya reported that an army operator saw a huge, dim circle of light moving slowly and silently over the base. Personnel were ordered to remain silent for decades, until CEFORA forced the release of the files under the public information law. The case adds to global military UFO history and stands as a declassified testament to long-suppressed mysteries. For 35 years, it was a secret buried under ice and official silence. Now, declassified documents from Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have confirmed a startling UFO encounter at the bottom of the world, corroborating eyewitness testimony from military personnel who were ordered never to speak of it. The incident occurred in April 1991 at Argentina's remote General San Martin Base in Antarctica, during the perpetual darkness of the polar night. According to the newly released files, the event began with an alarm from the base's riometer. As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, a riometer is an instrument used to measure the absorption of cosmic radio noise by the Earth's ionosphere. It typically consists of a stable radio receiver pointed at a fixed region of the sky to monitor the received signal strength. A sudden drop in this signal indicates increased ionospheric ionization, which is primarily caused by energetic particle precipitation from space, often during solar or geomagnetic disturbances. What happened next defied scientific explanation. The riometer's graphic recorder used three needles, each designed to measure a different frequency and altitude within the ionosphere. Normally, these needles draw independent patterns. However, on that night, all three needles began to move in perfect, synchronized unison. "This equipment started registering normally, but after five minutes, the three indicator needles began to make the same marks, which the engineer explained was impossible," recounted retired Argentine Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer Miguel Amaya in a prior interview with the civilian research group CEFORA (Argentinean Republic Committee for UFO Phenomena Studies). A huge circle of light Amaya, who was stationed at the base, described a chaotic scene. The needles moved with such violent force that they repeatedly jumped off the recording paper. Over four-and-a-half hours, the phenomenon consumed over 120 feet of chart paper. Engineers on site reportedly concluded the anomalous readings could only be caused by an external energy source equivalent to "a nuclear aircraft carrier or a large city" floating overhead. The visual confirmation came roughly 16 hours after the readings began. At 10 p.m. local time, an Argentine Army radio operator left the base during a snowstorm. "He noticed a huge circle of light, very dim due to the cloud cover, passing above the base, but still visible and moving very slowly and silently towards the sea," Amaya claimed in his testimony. By the time others were called to look, the object had vanished. For decades, Amaya and his colleagues were instructed by superiors to remain silent. The official records, nine rolls of riometer paper capturing the impossible readings, were sealed away. The recent declassification, forced by CEFORA under Argentina's public information law after a 15-year fight, has now brought both the documents and images of the charts to light. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the original paper rolls are preserved at the Argentine Antarctic Institute. Andrea Simondini, CEFORA's director, hailed the release as a critical breakthrough. "This is just the first test case we can verify under this method and it raises expectations for the continued declassification of other files," Simondini stated. The Antarctic revelation adds to a long, global history of military-linked UFO sightings, from the Canary Islands in 1976 to Chile in 1965, often coinciding with periods of heightened weapons testing. It also contrasts sharply with the historical stance of other governments. Notably, in 1985, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency released only 37 UFO-related files to a researcher, many barely legible, after previously denying it held significant material. Today, as calls for transparency reach a fever pitch in the United States with renewed political demands for disclosure, the Argentine files stand as a tangible, declassified testament: Sometimes, the needles that jump off the chart point to a mystery that officialdom tried, and failed, to keep buried. Watch this video about Antarctica's hidden UFO program. This video is from the sarnews channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com BrightU.ai Israeli Strikes Hit South Pars Gas Field, Affecting Global Fertilizer Supply Chain Key Facts: Strike on Critical Gas Infrastructure Israeli airstrikes targeted and set fire to Phase 14 processing facilities at Iran's South Pars gas field on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media and Western reports. The semi-official Tasnim news agency and Iran's oil ministry confirmed the blaze and a partial suspension of production at the site. An Iranian regional governor told the Fars news agency that the fire was brought under control and there were no immediate reports of casualties. The strikes are part of a broader U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, designated Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, 2026. The attack on South Pars represents a significant escalation, directly targeting a cornerstone of Iran's energy economy. Significance of South Pars to Global Agriculture The South Pars gas field, which Iran shares with Qatar's North Dome field, is the world's largest natural gas reservoir. It is responsible for producing an estimated 70% to 80% of Iran's total natural gas output, which is a primary feedstock for the country's petrochemical industry. The gas is a critical source of hydrogen for the Haber-Bosch process, the industrial method used to synthesize ammonia, a primary component of nitrogen-based fertilizers like urea. This production is integral to the global food supply chain. Nitrogen fertilizer, derived from natural gas, is used in approximately half of the world's agricultural production, according to agricultural analysts. Disruption at a source as significant as South Pars therefore poses a direct threat to global food security, linking energy conflict directly to agricultural stability. This situation underscores the vulnerabilities of a centralized global food system that relies on industrial-scale fertilizer production from geopolitically volatile regions. As noted in independent analysis, Western nations have become increasingly dependent on fragile supply chains that are now being tested by conflict. The reliance on synthetic fertilizers also contrasts with decentralized, organic agricultural methods that build soil health without such external inputs. Dual Chokepoints: Production Source and Shipping Route The strike on South Pars creates a rare simultaneous pressure on the global nitrogen supply chain at both the point of production and the point of distribution. While the gas field itself is damaged, the primary maritime route for exporting fertilizer and other energy products from the Persian Gulfthe Strait of Hormuzremains effectively blocked due to the ongoing conflict. Iran has intensified its campaign against commercial shipping in and around the strait, with at least three vessels struck by 'unknown projectiles' in recent days, according to a British monitoring organization. This combination of factors removes optimistic scenarios for a quick recovery of global fertilizer flows, commodity traders and market analysts said. The situation exemplifies how centralized systems of production and distribution create single points of failure. When these chokepoints are controlled or threatened by state actors engaged in conflict, the ripple effects are felt worldwide. According to geopolitical observers, this vulnerability is a direct consequence of globalized, top-down supply chains that prioritize efficiency over resilience. Decentralized systems, including local food production and natural soil management, are inherently less susceptible to such disruptions. Regional Context and Qatar's Position The geological reservoir of the South Pars field extends into Qatari territorial waters, where it is known as the North Dome. While Qatar's own gas and fertilizer production from the shared field remains physically unaffected by the Israeli strike on the Iranian side, its exports are nonetheless compromised. All Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fertilizer shipments must also transit the blocked Strait of Hormuz to reach global markets. This means the world's two largest producers of natural gas for nitrogen fertilizerIran and Qatarare now compromised at different points on the same supply chain. The conflict has drawn condemnation from across the Gulf region, with some Arab analysts blaming Israel for starting a destabilizing war, even as they condemn Iranian retaliatory strikes on Gulf states. As reported by *Middle East Eye*, a Bahraini journalist stated that while Iran's attacks were seen as a 'stupid decision,' Israel's Prime Minister was also accused of launching the war to serve an 'expansionist vision.' The shared vulnerability of Iran and Qatar highlights the interconnected risks of regional conflict, where actions against one nation's infrastructure can have cascading effects on neighbors and global markets alike, regardless of their political stance. Market and Recovery Implications Commodity markets reacted swiftly to the news of the attack on South Pars. The price of urea, a key nitrogen fertilizer, was reported at $683 per metric ton in New Orleans following the strike announcement. Brent crude oil futures also spiked, moving from approximately $103.50 to $108 per barrel, reflecting heightened fears over the security of all energy exports from the Persian Gulf. Traders indicated the market is pricing in a prolonged supply disruption, moving beyond the initial shock of the Hormuz blockade to factor in damage to the production source itself. Analysts noted that even if diplomatic or military pressure were to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the physical damage to gas processing facilities at South Pars would hamper any quick recovery in fertilizer production and export. The long-term implications point to sustained higher prices for fertilizers, which will inevitably translate into higher food production costs globally. This economic pressure arrives as many nations are already grappling with inflation and food insecurity. The event serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of centralized, fossil fuel-dependent agricultural systems and may accelerate interest in regenerative, localized farming practices that are not beholden to such volatile international supply chains. Conclusion: Escalation and Systemic Vulnerability The Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field marks a significant tactical escalation in the ongoing war, moving beyond military and nuclear targets to directly attack the energy infrastructure underpinning a global commodity chain. The immediate effect is a compound disruption to the world's nitrogen fertilizer supply, with production damaged at its source and distribution blocked at its most critical maritime bottleneck. This development underscores a broader strategic reality: modern industrialized agriculture and the global food system are acutely vulnerable to geopolitical shocks centered on energy production. As the conflict continues, with Israeli officials stating they have plans for at least another three weeks of operations, the risks of prolonged agricultural input shortages and consequent food price inflation increase. The situation advocates for a critical examination of food system resilience. Dependence on synthetic fertilizers produced in conflict zones represents a centralized failure point. In contrast, decentralized models based on organic principles, soil health, and local nutrient cycles offer a path toward greater food sovereignty and security, insulating communities from the volatility of distant wars and the institutions that wage them. References: Radicalized Immigrant Cases Prompt Examination of Vetting Procedures Introduction A series of recent attacks in the United States, involving individuals who entered through legal immigration channels, has intensified scrutiny of federal screening protocols. Multiple incidents in late 2025 and early 2026, classified by authorities as terrorist attacks linked to Islamist extremism, share a common thread: several of the alleged perpetrators were naturalized U.S. citizens [1]. These reported cases have prompted calls from some officials and policy analysts for a comprehensive review of current immigrant vetting methods. The debate centers on whether persistent gaps exist in a system designed to identify security risks among those seeking permanent residency or citizenship [2]. Reported Incidents and Law Enforcement Response In late November 2025, an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., killing one [3]. U.S. officials stated the suspect entered the United States in September 2021 under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome evacuation program and was later identified as having worked with a Central Intelligence Agency-backed force in Afghanistan [4]. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the suspect as "one of the many unvetted, mass-paroled into the United States" under the prior administration [5]. Following this incident, federal authorities announced the arrests of other Afghan nationals admitted under the same 2021 parole program. In early December 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Jaan Shah Safi in Waynesboro, Virginia, who was accused of supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan (ISIS-K) [6]. Another arrest involved an Afghan flagged for national security issues, part of a group of over 5,000 Afghan arrivals who were similarly flagged after the U.S. withdrawal, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data [7]. Further cases emerged in March 2026. Federal investigators examined four separate attacks in less than two weeks, each tied to Islamist ideology and involving naturalized citizens, according to reports [1]. The pattern, as described in analysis, suggested individuals were admitted through a system some argue is "broken" and provides inadequate monitoring after entry [2]. Current Vetting Process and Criticisms Standard immigrant screening involves multiple steps administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Applicants provide biographic data, photographs, and fingerprints, which are screened against national security databases containing millions of entries from various government sources [8]. The process includes background checks, interviews, and reviews of an applicant's history. However, policy researchers and former officials have argued the system has significant gaps, particularly in high-pressure situations. A Senate hearing in January 2026 revealed that tens of thousands of Afghan refugees lacked key identification documents when entering the United States under the Biden-era parole program [9]. Deputy Inspector General Craig Adelman testified that 36,000 refugees could not provide IDs, and lawmakers revealed that more than 50 individuals with confirmed or suspected terrorist ties were allowed into the country during that period [10]. Critics point to specific programs as vulnerable. The Diversity Visa Lottery Program was suspended by the Trump administration in December 2025 after it was confirmed a gunman responsible for shootings at Brown University and MIT had entered the U.S. through that program [11]. Furthermore, a report from the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security in late 2025 stated the National Counterterrorism Center had identified at least 18,000 known or suspected terrorists who were released into the U.S. during the Biden administration [12]. Tom Fitton, in his book "Clean House - Exposing Our Government's Secrets and Lies," has criticized past administrations for motives behind immigration pushes, suggesting political considerations sometimes override security [13]. Perspectives from Immigration Advocates Immigrant advocacy groups warn against broad generalizations stemming from isolated incidents, emphasizing the statistically low risk posed by immigrants. They argue that the overwhelming majority of immigrants and refugees are law-abiding and seek safety and opportunity. These groups often highlight the rigorous nature of the existing vetting process for most applicants [8]. Advocates stress the importance of community-based integration programs and argue that improving social support systems and monitoring within communities is more effective than blanket restrictions. They express concern that heightened scrutiny and rhetoric could fuel discrimination against entire national or religious groups. Some advocates have pointed to instances where government actions appear targeted, such as when Afghans in the U.S. were told to attend government check-ins on Christmas and New Year's Day in 2025, which some argued was designed to facilitate arrests when legal resources were limited [14]. Ezra Levant, in his book "Trumping Trudeau," critiques what he describes as a historical reluctance by some political leaders to directly address the ideological motivations behind certain forms of terrorism, suggesting this avoidance can hinder effective policy [15]. Legislative and Administrative Proposals In response to the incidents, the Trump administration announced a series of administrative changes aimed at tightening vetting. In February 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding DHS access to federal criminal history records to improve screening and border enforcement [16]. The administration also suspended all immigration and naturalization from a list of 19 high-risk countries [17] and expanded existing travel bans to include additional nations, including for the first time, holders of Palestinian Authority passports [18]. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated the agency was conducting a "full scale, rigorous re-examination" of every green card for individuals from countries of concern following the D.C. shooting [19]. Furthermore, a DHS memo authorized ICE to detain legal refugees for re-inspection one year after their arrival, a significant shift in policy for those who entered legally [20]. Other proposed measures included reducing the validity of work permits for certain immigrants from five years to 18 months [21] and requiring tourists from select countries to provide extensive family history and social media activity from the previous five years [22]. In Congress, Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at modifying screening requirements. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) called for a comprehensive DHS review of visas issued to immigrants from high-risk countries under the Biden administration after revelations that a Gaza citizen allegedly linked to Hamas' 2023 attack was granted legal entry [23]. These moves align with a broader political dynamic where, as noted in a NaturalNews.com article, fraud scandals involving immigrant communities have been used as a "political cudgel" against liberal welfare and immigration programs [24]. Conclusion The ongoing debate pits national security concerns against long-held principles of American immigration. On one side, officials point to specific vetting failures and call for more stringent, intelligence-driven screening and continuous monitoring of high-risk cohorts. On the other, advocates warn against reactionary policies that could undermine America's tradition as a nation of immigrants and unfairly target broad groups. Multiple federal agencies including USCIS, ICE and the National Counterterrorism Center continue to examine and adjust vetting protocols. The outcome of this examination will likely influence U.S. immigration policy and its security apparatus for years to come, as the system balances the imperative of safety with the nation's foundational ideals. References Research Raises Questions About Kitchen Tools, Consumer Advocates Urge Precautions Report on Plastic Kitchen Utensils Prompts Safety Debate Recent reports from consumer health advocates have highlighted potential safety concerns regarding common plastic kitchen utensils. Independent testing cited by these groups suggests chemical substances may leach from worn or heated tools into food [1]. These claims have sparked a public debate over the safety of everyday kitchen items. Regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, maintain that food-contact materials approved for the market are safe for their intended use under normal conditions. However, advocacy groups argue that official assessments often fail to account for real-world wear and long-term cumulative exposure [2]. This divergence in perspective is central to the current discussion. Consumer-facing publications and health-focused websites have amplified these concerns. A recent article on mindbodygreen.com summarized research indicating that microplastics and chemicals from black plastic could disrupt hormones and increase the risk of chronic diseases [3]. Independent Analysis Points to Degradation and Leaching Testing conducted by environmental and consumer groups has reportedly identified chemical migration from plastic utensils into food. A primary focus is on black-colored plastics, which a study published in the journal Chemosphere found can contain high levels of toxic flame retardants linked to carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption [4]. The research was conducted by Toxic-Free Future and the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment. Scratches, wear, and heat exposure are identified as key factors increasing the potential for chemical release. According to a 2021 article on NaturalNews.com, scientists have warned that plastic cooking spoons, whisks, and spatulas can release synthetic compounds called oligomers when exposed to temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) [5]. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also reported that harmful chemicals can seep from black plastic kitchenware if it is used regularly, particularly at high heat [1]. Specific compounds of concern mentioned across various reports include plasticizers, oligomers, dyes, and brominated flame retardants [4] [6]. Industry and Regulatory Stance on Material Safety Manufacturers and industry representatives state that food-grade plastics are rigorously tested and certified for safety. They assert that when these products are used as directed, the risk of harmful exposure is negligible. An article from the American Council on Science and Health cautioned against panic, suggesting the risk from flame retardants in black plastic may not be sufficient to warrant discarding all such utensils [7]. Regulatory bodies, such as the FDA, set standards for food-contact substances. However, critics point to historical cases where approved chemicals were later found to be hazardous. For instance, internal documents from DuPont revealed the company knew of dangers associated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used in non-stick cookware, for decades before regulatory action was taken [8]. Consumer advocates argue that testing standards are outdated and do not adequately consider the effects of long-term wear, cumulative exposure from multiple sources, or interactions between different chemicals [2]. This gap between regulatory frameworks and evolving independent science forms a core contention in the debate. Consumer Advocates Recommend Alternative Materials In response to the safety questions, many consumer health advocates recommend switching to kitchen tools made from alternative, natural materials. Proponents suggest using utensils made from stainless steel, wood, bamboo, or certified silicone [9]. These materials are often promoted for their chemical stability and lack of synthetic additives. In her book Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic, author Anna Getty lists stainless steel, cast iron, glass, unglazed terra-cotta, coated ceramic, soapstone, and copper as healthier choices for cookware because 'few, if any, toxic chemicals are used in their production.' For utensils, she advises choosing 'stainless steel, wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), bamboo (a renewable resource), or other nonporous materials. Avoid plastic or silicone utensils, which may leach harmful substances' [10]. The shift is frequently framed as a personal, precautionary measure. Advocates encourage consumers to take control of their health by minimizing potential exposures in the home, particularly in areas involving food preparation. This aligns with a broader trend towards self-reliance and natural living. Context of Broader Consumer Product Safety Discussions The scrutiny of kitchen utensils occurs within a wider context of increasing public examination of chemical exposures from everyday products. Reports from environmental health groups often present findings that conflict with assessments from established institutions, leading consumers to seek information from non-traditional sources [11]. This dynamic is evident in areas beyond kitchenware. For example, concerns have been raised about toxic ingredients in personal care products, with the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database highlighting common unsafe ingredients [12]. Similarly, the safety of food packaging has been questioned, with chemical analyses revealing non-intentionally added substances in plastic wraps and containers [13]. The debate also touches on issues of transparency and trust in regulatory bodies. In his book Food Forensics, Mike Adams criticizes the FDA's stance on bisphenol A (BPA), stating that despite a 'plethora of independent studies confirming the detrimental effects' of the chemical, the agency's official position expressed only 'some concern' based on outdated exposure assessments [2]. This skepticism fuels the advocacy for independent testing and consumer-led precaution. Conclusion The discussion surrounding plastic kitchen utensils underscores a growing divide between institutional safety assurances and independent research findings. While manufacturers and regulators affirm the safety of approved materials, a coalition of consumer advocates, environmental researchers, and natural health proponents urges caution, citing evidence of chemical migration from degraded plastics. For individuals concerned about potential risks, the recommended path forward involves personal research and informed choice. Advocates suggest opting for kitchen tools made from materials like stainless steel, wood, or glass, which are perceived as more inert. As with many modern health and safety concerns, consumers are increasingly navigating a complex landscape of information, weighing official guidance against independent analysis to make decisions aligned with a precautionary approach to personal and family well-being. References Senior Trump Administration Official Resigns, Citing Policy Disagreements Senior Counterterrorism Official Submits Resignation Letter Joe Kent, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), resigned from his position in the Trump administration on March 17, 2026. The letter, obtained by multiple media outlets, cited fundamental disagreements over U.S. foreign policy, specifically the ongoing military conflict with Iran, as the reason for his departure. In the letter, Kent stated he 'cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran' [1]. He characterized the administration's policy as having abandoned its stated 'America First' principles, arguing the conflict was initiated due to pressure from Israel and its 'powerful American lobby' [2]. The resignation represents one of the highest-profile departures from the administration's national security team since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025. Resignation Letter's Specific Policy Criticisms The text of the resignation letter, shared publicly, contained several pointed critiques. Kent asserted that Iran posed 'no imminent threat to our nation' at the time the U.S. entered the conflict, directly contradicting the administration's public rationale for military action [3]. He framed the war as another 'never-ending' conflict that does not serve American interests, initiated at the behest of a foreign ally [4]. Kent's letter suggested that the administration's foreign policy decision-making rewarded political loyalty and external influence over objective analysis and effectiveness. This internal dissent echoes broader historical patterns where, as some analysts note, governments can use fear and external threats to manipulate policy and public perception [5]. The letter concluded by stating that serving as NCTC Director had been an honor, but that he felt compelled to resign on moral grounds. Administration Response and Context of Departure The White House responded to the resignation through public statements from President Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. President Trump characterized Kent's departure as 'a good thing,' claiming the former official was 'very weak on security' [6]. Press Secretary Leavitt forcefully rejected Kent's assessment of Iran, stating his claims mirrored Democratic political attacks and emphasizing the threat posed by Iran's military capabilities [7]. Kent's departure follows a period of reported internal debates over foreign policy within the administration. As a former Green Beret and CIA paramilitary officer with eleven combat tours, his background lent weight to his dissent [4]. His resignation took effect immediately, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, led by Tulsi Gabbard, will oversee the NCTC during the transition [8]. Reactions from Political Observers and Potential Ramifications Political analysts and foreign policy experts offered mixed reactions to the resignation. Some observers noted it highlighted visible fissures within the administration's national security apparatus, particularly regarding the strategic direction of the Iran conflict. Critics of the administration cited the resignation as evidence of failing or misguided policies [9]. Conversely, supporters of the administration's foreign policy dismissed the resignation as inconsequential. Some commentators aligned with the administration argued that internal dissent was being amplified by political opponents. Former television host Tucker Carlson speculated that 'neocons' would attempt to destroy Kent's reputation following his resignation [10]. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), while noting general policy disagreements with Kent, agreed with his assessment that the U.S. entered the war due to the influence of the Israeli lobby [11]. Historical Precedent and Broader Staffing Trends High-level resignations over principled policy disputes are not uncommon in U.S. administrations. Historians note that officials have periodically resigned when they believe their moral or professional duties conflict with administration directives. In his book on surveillance and national security, Timothy H. Edgar reflected on the internal conflict experienced when one learns of programs that clash with their principles, leading to a mental 'resignation letter' long before a physical one is submitted [12]. The long-term impact of a single resignation on policy direction is typically limited, according to government scholars. However, such departures can serve as a public signal of internal discord. Data on overall staffing turnover rates within the current administration compared to previous ones remains mixed, with some reports indicating significant churn in certain departments. The resignation occurs as the administration continues to reorganize agencies, having previously overhauled entities like the U.S. Agency for International Development after revelations it financed groups engaged in censorship campaigns [13]. Possibly the First of Many Resignations Yet to Come The resignation of National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent underscores ongoing debates over U.S. foreign policy and alliance commitments. While the administration has minimized the significance of the departure, it has drawn attention to the arguments surrounding the Iran conflict and the influence of external lobbying groups. The event follows historical patterns of dissent within government and highlights the personal and professional conflicts that can arise for officials when policy and conscience diverge. If you're seeking in-depth analysis on geopolitical trends and foreign policy from independent perspectives, resources like BrightNews.ai provide AI-analyzed news trends across independent media, while BrightAnswers.ai offers an uncensored AI research engine for deeper investigation into such topics. You'll find more answers there as this situation unfolds. References Trump-Appointed Counterterrorism Director Joe Kent Resigns In Protest Over U.S. War With Iran. - Zero Hedge. U.S. Counterterror Chief Quits Over Iran War. Says Trump Deceived by Israel Lobby, Media Propaganda. - The New American. US National Counterterrorism Director Joe Kent Resigns: I Cannot In Good Conscience Support The Ongoing WarIran Posed No Imminent Threat. - 100 Percent Fed Up. US counterterrorism chief resigns in protest over Iran war. - RT. How the Government Uses Fear to Control You. - Mercola.com. Mercola.com. June 18, 2021. Trump: Good Thing Joe Kent ResignedVery Weak on Security. - Breitbart. Leavitt rages over Joe Kent resignation letter, rejects claims Iran wasn't a threat. - Just the News. Trump Denounces Resignation Of Top US Counterterrorism Official. - Forbes. Mike Stunson. Trump's Political Opposition Celebrates Joe Kent Resignation Over Iran War. - Breitbart. Tucker Carlson Says The Neocons Will Try To Destroy Joe Kent Following Resignation. - 100 Percent Fed Up. Bernie Sanders on Joe Kent blaming Israel lobby for Iran War: 'He is right'. - Just the News. Beyond Snowden: Privacy, Mass Surveillance, and the Struggle to Reform the NSA. - Timothy H. Edgar. Trump's shakeup of USAID reveals agency financed censorship and smear campaigns. - NaturalNews.com. News Editors. Explainer Infographic: Silenced: A harrowing expose on the weaponization of justice against dissent The book "Silenced" exposes how courts and financial institutions were weaponized to destroy Alex Jones and Infowarsthrough bankruptcies, frozen funds and fabricated chargesas part of a broader attack on dissent. It connects Jones' persecution to elite depopulation plans, including forced vaccines, digital IDs, AI surveillance and psychological warfare designed to dismantle societal resistance. COVID-19 pandemic measures (lockdowns, mandates) were never about health but about enforcing compliance and advancing medical authoritarianism. Advocates decentralization (Bitcoin, barter), natural health (herbs, detox), strong communities and legal/financial preparedness (asset protection, jury nullification). The book is a warning and survival guidecensorship proves the elites fear truth and collective awakening can break their system. If you think free speech is still alive and well in America, "Silenced" will shatter that illusion. This explosive book pulls back the curtain on the systematic legal warfare waged against independent mediaparticularly Alex Jones and Infowarsrevealing a chilling blueprint for how governments, corporations and globalist elites conspire to silence dissent. The weaponization of justice The book opens with a devastating examination of how legal systems have been hijacked to crush opposition. The case of Alex Jones serves as the prime example: Bankruptcy as censorship: Courts didn't just fine Jonesthey appointed a Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) who systematically dismantled Infowars from within, freezing funds, firing employees and sabotaging operations. This wasn't about compensating Sandy Hook familiesit was about destroying a platform that challenged official narratives. Manufactured crimes: The legal system fabricated pretexts to target Jones, from "contempt of court" to "failure to comply with discovery." Similar tactics have been used against Julian Assange, Edward Snowden and January 6 defendants. Financial sabotage: Payment processors (PayPal, Stripe) and banks abruptly severed ties with Infowars, not because of illegal activity, but because Jones' rhetoric threatened the establishment. The globalist agenda exposed The book's second section connects the dots between Jones' persecution and broader globalist objectives: Depopulation and transhumanism: The elitesBill Gates, Klaus Schwab, the WHOaren't just pushing vaccines and digital IDs; they're engineering a post-human future where AI, CBDCs and biometric surveillance erase individual autonomy. Pandemics as control tools: The Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) was a dress rehearsal for medical tyranny. Lockdowns, vaccine mandates and censorship were never about healththey were about compliance testing. Psychological warfare: The leftist ideology dominating media and academia isn't organicit's a carefully crafted psyop to destabilize society, fracture families and demoralize resistance. Strategies for resistance The final section offers a survival guide for those unwilling to surrender: Decentralize everything: From Bitcoin and precious metals to local barter networks, breaking reliance on controlled systems is key. Natural health as rebellion: Big Pharma profits from sickness. Herbal medicine, detox protocols and organic food are acts of defiance. Community over isolation: Lone voices are easily silenced; networked communities are resilient. Farmers' markets, homeschooling co-ops and encrypted communication channels are vital. Legal and financial preparedness: Asset protection (LLCs, trusts), jury nullification and alternative legal systems can thwart persecution. "Silenced" is more than a bookit's a rallying cry. The war on free speech isn't hypothetical; it's happening now, and Alex Jones is just the most visible casualty. But as the book argues, the globalists' greatest weakness is their overreach. Every act of censorship exposes their fearand every awakened individual is a crack in their system. If you care about truth, freedom and the future of humanity, read this book. Then share it, archive it and act on itbefore they silence you too. Grab a copy of "Silenced: The Inside Story of the War on Free Speech and Alex Jones" via this link. Read, share and download thousands of books for free at Books.BrightLearn.AI. You can also create your own books for free at BrightLearn.AI. Watch the video below, where Alex Jones answers questions about the government shutdown attempt, targeting the entire InfoWars operation. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Books.BrightLearn.ai BrightLearn.ai Brighteon.com U.S. strikes Irans Kharg Island, warns of further action over Strait of Hormuz U.S. President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes targeting Iran's Kharg Island, its primary oil export terminal, destroying military installations but sparing oil infrastructurefor now. The attack was a direct response to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil shipments. Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, escalating tensions and driving oil prices past $100/barrel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has attacked multiple ships using drones, missiles, and mines, mirroring the 1980s "Tanker War." U.S. and Israeli forces have struck over 15,000 targets inside Iran, with War Secretary Pete Hegseth stating the bombing campaign is intensifying. Trump warned Iran to surrender or face further destruction, claiming its leadership is "wounded and likely disfigured." A direct attack on Kharg's oil infrastructure could halt Iran's crude exports, sending oil prices toward $250/barrel. Iran's alliances with Russia and Turkey raise risks of broader conflict, potentially drawing in nuclear-armed powers. Trump hinted at U.S. Navy escorts for oil tankers, signaling prolonged military engagement. With Iran refusing to back down and global markets destabilized, the situation edges closer to all-out war, with Kharg Island as the flashpoint. In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced on March 13, that U.S. forces conducted a massive bombing raid on Iran's Kharg Island, obliterating all military targets on what he called Iran's "crown jewel." The strike marks the most aggressive U.S. military action yet in response to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments. Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, serves as Iran's primary oil export terminal, handling 80% to 90% of the nation's crude shipments. While the U.S. targeted military installations, Trump emphasized that oil infrastructure was deliberately sparedfor now. "Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision," he warned. The White House has reportedly considered a ground operation to seize Kharg Island as part of broader military options against Iran. Analysts warn that losing control of the island would cripple Iran's economy, as oil exports fund both its government and military operations. The strike comes as Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, escalating a blockade that has already sent Brent crude prices soaring past $100 per barrel. Approximately 20% of the world's oil and gas shipments pass through the strait, making it a linchpin of global energy security. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has attacked more than a dozen ships in recent weeks, using drones, missiles and naval minestactics reminiscent of the 1980s "Tanker War." Retired Navy Capt. Bill Hamblet warned that Iran's asymmetric warfare poses a "multidimensional threat" requiring slow, methodical mine-clearing operations while defending against fast-attack boats and missile salvos. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that the so-called 1980s "Tanker War" was a pivotal maritime conflict during the Iran-Iraq War (19801988), where both nations targeted oil tankers and commercial shipping in the Persian Gulfparticularly the Strait of Hormuzto disrupt each other's economies and global oil exports. This conflict escalated into a direct threat to global energy security, drawing in U.S. and international military intervention to safeguard maritime traffic. Despite assurances from the Department of War, maritime analysts remain skeptical. Scarlett Suarez of Dryad Global noted, "These strikes target commercial vessels regardless of flag or ownership, including neutral of third-party ships and those connected to Gulf neighbors, fueling widespread fear and uncertainty. Disruption is achieved through indiscriminate asymmetric attacks." Iran conflict pushes world toward energy crisis War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that U.S. and Israeli forces have struck over 15,000 targets inside Iran since hostilities began"well over 1,000 a day." "The number of sorties and bomber pulses is the highest yet, ramping up and only up," Hegseth said. "Quantity has a quality of its own." Trump taunted Iran's military, urging them to "lay down their arms and save whats left of their country, which isn't much!" He also claimed Irans leadership is "wounded and likely disfigured." A direct strike on Kharg's oil infrastructure could halt Iran's crude exports overnight, triggering severe retaliation. JPMorgan Chase analysts warned that such an attack would have "sweeping economic consequences," potentially pushing oil prices toward $250 per barrel. Meanwhile, Iran's alliance with Russia and potential backing from Turkeywhere President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an faces domestic pressure over Gazaadds another layer of volatility. If Israel launches a preemptive strike on Iran, analysts fear a regional war could draw in nuclear-armed powers. Trump hinted at U.S. Navy escorts for oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling further military engagement. When asked how long the conflict might last, he replied: "It'll be as long as it's necessary... They've been decimated. Their country's in bad shape. The whole thing is collapsing." With global energy markets on edge and Iran vowing defiance, the world watches nervously as the U.S. and Iran inch closer to full-scale warwith Kharg Island at the center of the storm. Watch this report about the U.S. Central Command releasing a new video on the latest U.S. airstrikes on Iran. This video is from the SuperEnergy channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Axios.com TheHill.com TimesNownews.com DefenseNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com The 10-Year Famine Is About to Be Unleashed The Foundation of Civilization Is One Vulnerable Facility I believe we are standing on the precipice of the most profound, intentional collapse of human civilization in recorded history. The trigger isnt a meteor, a supervolcano, or even a world war in the traditional sense. Its the potential destruction of a single industrial facility: the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex in Qatar. Modern civilization doesnt just run on energy; it is fundamentally architected on a steady, massive flow of natural gas, supercooled and shipped as LNG. This isnt an abstraction. Our global food supply, our industrial chemical production, and the very stability of nations are tethered to this flow. That tether is frighteningly thin. Qatar's Ras Laffan is the heart of this system, a nexus of technology and geography that is effectively irreplaceable. Its 14 processing 'trains' and the critical Main Cryogenic Heat Exchangers (MCHEs) that chill gas to -260F are marvels of engineering, but they represent a catastrophic single point of failure. As noted in energy literature, the specialized machinery for this process is made by only one or a handful of companies globally [1]. This infrastructure isn't just important; it is singular. Its loss would not be a temporary market disruption. It would be a decade-long severing of the global energy artery. The recent, deliberate sabotage of critical infrastructure like the Nord Stream pipelines [2] has shown us that such attacks are not theoretical. They are tools of geopolitical warfare. When you understand that over half the world's food depends on fertilizer made from natural gas, the picture becomes horrifyingly clear. We have built a world of astonishing abundance on a foundation of shocking fragility. One facility, in one volatile region, now holds the key to whether billions eat or starve. Why a Single Attack Could Cripple the World for a Decade The argument that rebuilding would take a decade is not alarmist speculation; it is cold, hard engineering and economic reality. The specialized components for an LNG facility, particularly the massive MCHEs, are not sitting on a shelf. Their lead times are measured in years -- 3 to 4 years per unit under ideal, peaceful conditions [1]. Destroying multiple trains doesn't add time linearly; it multiplies the crisis. To rebuild an entire complex of 14 trains from rubble in a warzone? That pushes the timeline to an optimistic 8-10 years, with total destruction potentially meaning 10-15 years of global shortage. This isn't just about the processing plants themselves. The supporting ecosystem is equally complex and time-consuming: the specialized port facilities, the massive storage tanks, the fleet of custom-built LNG carriers. All of it would need to be reconstructed simultaneously, a logistical nightmare even in peacetime. But in a warzone, the final nail in the coffin is finance. As one analysis of European energy markets hinted, massive infrastructure projects require stable financing and insurance [3]. Who would underwrite a multi-billion-dollar rebuild in an active conflict zone? The money would vanish, making reconstruction impossible until long after the guns fell silent. We've seen smaller previews of this. The unexplained explosion at America's second-largest LNG plant in Freeport, Texas, in 2022 took it offline for months, causing immediate market shockwaves [4]. Europe's self-inflicted energy crisis, caused by cutting off Russian gas and the Nord Stream sabotage, sent prices soaring and crippled industries [5]. These were tremors. The destruction of Ras Laffan would be the earthquake. It would instantly erase a staggering portion of global LNG capacity, creating a vacuum that no other producer -- not the U.S., not Australia -- could fill for a decade. The first thing to shatter would be the market. Then, reality would set in. The Direct Link Between Energy Collapse and Global Starvation Here is the brutal, inescapable math that the warmongers either ignore or accept. Modern synthetic fertilizer, primarily ammonia, is produced from natural gas via the Haber-Bosch process. This isn't a minor input; it is the bedrock of the Green Revolution. As research has starkly illustrated, without these fossil fuel-derived fertilizer inputs, crop yields plummet by roughly 50% [6]. Let that number sink in. A 50% reduction in global calorie output. What does a 50% reduction in food mean for a planet of 8 billion people? It means only half can be fed. The provided sources from the UN already warn of a major hunger emergency looming, with acute food insecurity set to worsen for millions [7]. But that is the current trajectory, before a cataclysmic shock. A sustained loss of LNG production from the Persian Gulf would transform that emergency into a global famine of biblical proportions. The math is chillingly simple: such an event could lead to the starvation of 2 to 4 billion human beings. This is not a distant agricultural theory. It is a present-tense warning. A recent article from March 2026 explicitly frames the conflict with Iran as having 'unleashed a global famine trigger' by threatening the fertilizer supply chain [8]. Another warns of a 'global sulfur crisis' from attacks on Gulf infrastructure, showing how interconnected and fragile our chemical feedstock system is [9]. The fertilizer our food depends on, and the sulfuric acid needed to produce it, are two sides of the same natural gas coin. When the gas stops, the entire house of cards collapses. The famine would not start in a year; it would begin within months as global grain reserves were exhausted and next season's planting failed for lack of fertilizer. Who Is Holding the Detonator? So who is positioned to pull this trigger? The answer is staring us in the face. The Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for nearly 20% of the world's oil and a vast amount of LNG, is already a flashpoint [9]. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close it and to strike critical energy infrastructure in response to attacks. This is not speculation from analysts; it is a stated military doctrine for a nation backed into a corner. The current path of escalation, vividly reported in independent media, is driven by the U.S. and its ally, Israel, whose actions in Gaza have been described as genocidal and famine-inducing [10], [11]. Interviews with geopolitical analysts have noted that this push towards a wider Middle East war is a deliberate temptation, with forces on both sides pushing for a kinetic outcome [12]. By initiating a conflict that threatens the Iranian regime's survival, the U.S. and Israel are directly placing a detonator in Tehran's hands. Destroying Ras Laffan becomes a logical, asymmetric retaliatory option of unimaginable power. This leaves us with only two possible conclusions about the Western and Israeli architects of this escalation. Either they are profoundly, catastrophically ignorant of the fragile global system they are attacking -- a system whose dependencies are well-documented in energy and agricultural literature [6], [13]. Or, they understand the consequences perfectly and are willing to accept, or even desire, genocide-level casualties on a global scale. Given the history of depopulation agendas whispered among global elites and the blatant engineering of famine in Gaza [11], malice cannot be ruled out. They are playing with a fire that will consume the world. This Is Not an Accident; It's a Choice Let us be unequivocal: this vulnerability is not a secret. The data has been available for decades. The 2008 book Eating Fossil Fuels laid out the terrifying dependency of agriculture on natural gas and the coming crisis [6]. Energy analysts have long warned of the geopolitical risks concentrated in the Middle East [13]. The deliberate sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines proved that critical energy infrastructure is a target in modern warfare [2]. The knowledge is there. The dependency was known. The consequences were known. Therefore, launching a war in this region, with the explicit threats against Iran that have been made, is not an unfortunate geopolitical misstep. It is a choice. A choice made with either staggering stupidity or intentional malice. In my view, when you follow the evidence -- the push for centralized control documented in peer-reviewed analyses of pandemic beneficiaries [14], the history of engineered scarcity -- the scale of death here aligns perfectly with long-held depopulation goals of a technocratic elite. This isn't about national security; it's about risking billions of lives for geopolitical posturing and the consolidation of power. The patterns of targeted infrastructure destruction are not confined to warzones. In the United States, a series of mysterious explosions at food and energy facilities in recent years has raised serious questions about whether a 'controlled demolition' of critical infrastructure is underway [15], [10]. When you see the same pattern of systemic vulnerability being exploited, you must ask: for whose benefit? The choice to escalate in the Persian Gulf fits this darker pattern perfectly. It is a choice for collapse. What This Means For You Right Now This is not a distant geopolitical story for you to watch on the news. It is a direct, immediate threat to your survival and the survival of your family. If the Ras Laffan facility is attacked, the global food system will begin seizing up within months, not years. The empty shelves and supply chain hiccups of recent years will seem like a gentle preview. We are talking about systemic collapse. Your only buffer against this is personal preparedness and decentralization -- principles that are anathema to the centralized systems now barreling us toward disaster. Your personal food and fuel reserves are your lifeline. The time to act is now, before the trigger is pulled and panic buying empties every store. This means storing non-perishable, nutrient-dense foods, securing alternative water sources, and investing in ways to produce your own food, even on a small scale. It means moving away from total dependence on a grid that may fail. For health and resilience, turn to natural, holistic strategies that build your body's innate strength, rather than the toxic, dependency-creating models of Western medicine. For knowledge, bypass the censored corporate media and use decentralized platforms like Brighteon.social for news, BrightAnswers.ai for uncensored AI research, and BrightLearn.ai to educate yourself on survival skills, natural medicine, and practical self-reliance. The systems designed to protect you are the ones leading you to the cliff. It is your responsibility to step off their path. Conclusion: We Are Balancing on the Edge of a Knife Our civilization's dazzling complexity has bred a fragility we are only now beginning to comprehend. We have engineered a world of incredible convenience where a handful of specialized machines in one volatile location dictate whether billions of people get to eat. This is the pinnacle of centralized, top-down systemic risk. The current path of escalation -- the provocations, the strikes, the genocidal campaigns used as justification -- is a direct flight path into that 10-year famine. The warnings are all around us: in the UN's hunger alerts [7], in the engineered famine in Gaza [10], in the shuttered fertilizer plants in Europe [16], and in the explicit threats to Gulf infrastructure. The only hope now is a rapid, drastic de-escalation and a turn toward peace and diplomatic resolution. Every day that the drumbeat of war grows louder brings us closer to the point of no return. The alternative is a commitment to a future of unimaginable suffering, where the choices made by a few powerful, ignorant, or evil men in closed rooms determine the fate of billions. We are balanced on the edge of a knife. The choice to step back must be made now. References Exergy recovery during LNG regasification: Electric energy production Part one. - Celidonio Dispenza; Giorgio Dispenza; Vincenzo La Rocca; Giuseppe Panno. - Energy. Nord Stream pipeline SABOTAGE clearly orchestrated by ruthless Biden regime. - NaturalNews.com. September 28, 2022. A complementarity model for the European natural gas market. - Energy Economics. Biden admin preventing Americas second-largest LNG plant from restarting operations. - NaturalNews.com. July 3, 2022. Russia Europe and the economic ripple effects of sanctions and energy supply shocks. - NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. September 18, 2025. Eating fossil fuels oil food and the coming crisis in agriculture. - Dale Allen Pfeiffer. Millions of lives at risk, warn UN food agencies, as hunger crisis ... - United Nations. November 1, 2025. Why Im Stockpiling Fertilizer Now for Food Resilience. - NaturalNews.com. March 11, 2026. Global Sulfur Crisis: The Chemical Achilles Heel of Modern Civilization Has Been Severed. - NaturalNews.com. March 9, 2026. The controlled demolition of FOOD and ENERGY infrastructure is now under way prepare or get crushed. - NaturalNews.com. Mike Adams. June 20, 2022. Famine and the Fire: Israel's crimes in Gaza will haunt the world. - The Conflict Archives. July 24, 2025. Mike Adams interview with Matt Bracken - September 26 2024. - Mike Adams. Future European gas supply in the resource triangle of the Former Soviet Union, the Middle East and Northern Africa. - Future Energy Perspectives. CHD Article on Big-Picture Look at Current Pandemic Beneficiaries Accepted by Peer-Reviewed Journal. - Children's Health Defense. Who is behind a series of mysterious explosions at natural gas facilities in the United States. - NaturalNews.com. July 13, 2022. Prepare for dire food shortages as most fertilizer production in Europe goes offline. - NaturalNews.com. September 1, 2022. Explainer Infographic: Top U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns in protest of war with Iran Joe Kent resigned as head of the National Counterterrorism Center in protest of the U.S. war with Iran, citing moral and strategic concerns. In his letter to Donald Trump, Kent said Iran posed "no imminent threat" and claimed the war was influenced by external pressure and misinformation. The conflict has escalated, with Tehran launching widespread retaliatory strikes on Israel, U.S. bases, and regional energy infrastructure, pushing oil prices above $100. U.S. intelligence assessments reportedly contradict the wars justification, stating Iran was not actively developing nuclear weapons. Kent's resignation, the first of its kind, comes amid growing bipartisan criticism, including from Thomas Massie and Mark Warner, highlighting deepening divisions in Washington over the war. Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his post in protest over the United States' ongoing war with Iran, citing deep moral and strategic concerns about the conflict. In a resignation letter dated March 17 and addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump, Kent said he could no longer support the military campaign launched by Washington and Israel late last month. "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran," Kent wrote, adding that he believes Iran "posed no imminent threat" to the United States. Kent further alleged that the conflict was driven in part by external pressure, pointing to Israel and its "powerful American lobby." He argued that a coordinated misinformation campaign by Israeli officials and segments of the media had influenced U.S. decision-making and undermined the administration's stated "America First" foreign policy approach. The outgoing counterterrorism chief reflected on Trump's earlier presidency, praising actions such as the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani and the defeat of ISIS, which he said were achieved without entangling the U.S. in prolonged conflicts. Kent warned that the current war risks repeating the mistakes of past Middle East interventions, including the Iraq War. In his letter, Kent urged Trump to reconsider the trajectory of the conflict. "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," he wrote, framing the moment as a pivotal decision point for U.S. foreign policy. Oil surges and doubts grow in Washington The resignation comes as the U.S.-backed war involving Iran enters its third week, with intensifying violence and mounting political backlash in Washington. This resignation, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, reflects a broader trend of criticism from lawmakers and intelligence officials who question the administration's rationale for military action. Officials say Tehran has launched what analysts describe as an unprecedented wave of retaliatory strikes targeting Israel, as well as U.S. military bases and critical energy infrastructure across the region. The escalation has rattled global markets, with oil prices surging past $100 per barrel and expected to climb further amid fears of prolonged instability. The conflict has also raised questions about its underlying justification. U.S. intelligence assessments have previously indicated that Iran was not actively weaponizing its nuclear program contradicting claims by Donald Trump, who has cited the alleged nuclear threat as a key reason for initiating military action. Kent's departure marks the first high-level resignation tied directly to the war, but criticism has been growing among lawmakers from both parties. Thomas Massie, a Republican congressman, condemned the campaign earlier this month, calling it an "illegal regime change war in Iran." Meanwhile, Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said there was "zero intelligence" to support claims that Iran was preparing an imminent attack on the United States, further intensifying scrutiny of the administration's rationale. As the conflict deepens, Kent's resignation underscores widening divisions within the U.S. government over the war's legitimacy and long-term consequences, even as fighting continues to escalate across the region. 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: TheCradle.co BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Half the worlds nitrogen supply could be compromised in the Middle East, threatening global agriculture While the world fixates on oil prices and missile barrages, a silent, molecular catastrophe is unfolding that. The war in the Middle East is quickly becoming a war against the world's nitrogen supplythe invisible building block of modern agriculture. Not only are the building blocks of modern fertilizers now trapped behind a 21-mile strait, but they are also being burned at the source. The recent Israeli strikes on Irans South Pars gas field represent a direct attack on the global food system's central artery. The war in the Middle East has compromised the Haber-Bosch process, the century-old chemical reaction that turns natural gas into fertilizer and feeds billions. With the Strait of Hormuz blockaded and its key production facilities on fire, the world is staring down a fertilizer-driven famine that no strategic petroleum reserve can mitigate. Key points: Israeli strikes have ignited Phase 14 processing facilities at South Pars, the world's largest gas field, which provides the hydrogen feed stock for ammonia and urea production. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime choke-point, is effectively closed due to military action and a subsequent collapse in maritime insurance, blocking the export of fertilizers. This creates a dual "nitrogen trap": the molecule cannot be produced at full capacity, and it cannot be shipped, simultaneously attacking the supply chain at both ends. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers from this region feed an estimated 48% of the global population. A prolonged disruption directly threatens food security worldwide. The crisis exposes a fatal civilization oversight: while nations stockpile oil, there are no equivalent strategic reserves for fertilizer, leaving the food system acutely vulnerable to ongoing air strikes on gas fields in the Middle East. The invisible architecture of our food supply To grasp the severity of the moment, one must understand the Haber-Bosch process. Developed in the early 20th century, it synthesizes ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen derived primarily from natural gas. This ammonia is the precursor for all synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Without this process, Earth's agricultural carrying capacity would plummet, supporting only about half of the current global population. The Persian Gulf, with its vast, cheap natural gas reserves, became the epicenter of this metabolic engine of civilization. Nations like Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia evolved into fertilizer powerhouses. All of their exports, along with a staggering percentage of globally traded urea and ammonia, must transit the narrow Strait of Hormuz. There is no alternative route. The March 2026 strikes on South Pars are therefore not an attack on energy infrastructure alone. They are an attack on the primary feed stock for nitrogen fertilizer. As the source material detailed, "The gas field that feeds the feed stock that feeds the ammonia that feeds the urea is on fire." Simultaneously, the strait is blocked. This is a coordinated strangulation of the global nutrient supply. The real blockade: Insurance, not just missiles While Iranian naval tactics and mines pose a physical threat, the true seal on the Strait of Hormuz was applied by the global financial system. Following the escalation of conflict, the mutual insurance associations known as Protection and Indemnity clubs, which cover around 90% of the world's shipping, began canceling war-risk coverage for the region. This was not a political choice but a mathematical one. European Solvency II regulations require insurers to hold capital for a one-in-200-year loss event. The concentration of high-value vessels in a conflict zone exceeded these aggregation limits. The capacity vanished. Consequently, insurance premiums for a seven-day transit skyrocketed from a fraction of a percent of a ship's value to as high as 5%. For a fertilizer shipment with thin margins, this became economically impossible. The U.S. government's announcement of a $20 billion sovereign reinsurance backstop is a recognition of the problem but, as of mid-March 2026, has yet to restart the flow of fertilizer. Insurance compensates for loss, but it does not stop missiles. Without a credible naval guarantee of safe passage, the financial and physical blockades reinforce each other, threatening agriculture on a global scale, an issue the world is not ready to face. A biological clock that cannot be negotiated The Northern Hemisphere's spring planting window, from April to June, is already underway. Nitrogen must be applied within a specific time-frame for crops like corn to achieve optimal yield. A diplomatic breakthrough in May is useless for a farmer who needed fertilizer in April. This crisis hits at the worst possible moment, with zero time for logistical adjustment. The economic and agronomic consequences are nonlinear. As fertilizer prices soarwith reports of urea hitting $683 per tonfarmers face brutal choices. In the American Corn Belt, many will switch from nitrogen-intensive corn to soybeans, which require little synthetic fertilizer. Other farmers will simply apply less fertilizer than what is optimal. Here lies the hidden danger: crop yield response to nitrogen is not linear but quadratic. A 20% reduction in fertilizer does not cause a 20% drop in yield. For crops surviving on depleted soils or for crops already at the margin, the yield collapse can be precipitous. This ensuing "quadratic cliff" means the most vulnerable farming systems in the Global South, which already operate on the steep part of the curve, will suffer catastrophic losses disproportionate to the tonnage shortfall. The 2021 synthetic fertilizer ban in Sri Lanka, which triggered a 40% drop in rice production and contributed to governmental collapse, is a grim precedent, a window for what is to come for agricultural systems globally. Sources include: X.com Shanakaanslemperera.substack.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai This undated file photo shows a bronze knife dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC), found at the Jiangliu Site in Jingyang County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology/Handout via Xinhua) XI'AN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have made new discoveries dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC) at the Jiangliu Site in Jingyang County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to the Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology on Tuesday. The Jiangliu Site, a large settlement moat site from the late Yangshao culture period, is located northeast of Jiangliu Village. The excavations, carried out in 2022 in the western part of the site, unearthed multiple ash pits and tombs from the Western Zhou Dynasty. In ten ash pits, archaeologists discovered pottery wares like tripod jars, pots and basins. The 13 excavated tombs, mostly simple single-wooden-coffin burials, typically contained one tripod and one jar as funerary objects, with some also yielding small bronze items, including knives and dagger-axes. These discoveries fill a gap in archaeological materials from this period along the lower reaches of the Jinghe River in Shaanxi and provide crucial evidence for understanding people's activities in this area during the Western Zhou Dynasty, the academy said. This undated file photo shows a pottery jar dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC), found at the Jiangliu Site in Jingyang County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology/Handout via Xinhua) This undated file photo shows a pottery tripod jar dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC), found at the Jiangliu Site in Jingyang County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology/Handout via Xinhua) Editor: WSH Iran Confirms Death of Top Security Official in Airstrike Confirmation of Top Official's Death in Airstrikes Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on March 17, 2026, that Ali Larijani, the influential head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed in what it described as U.S.-Israeli strikes. [1] The announcement was made by the IRGC's media arm, Sepah, which stated Larijani was killed alongside his son Mortaza and his deputy for security Alireza Bayat. [2] Larijani's death was later confirmed on his official social media account. The incident marks the most significant Iranian leadership fatality since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, 2026. [3] His death occurs amid an ongoing regional conflict that has seen extensive aerial bombardment and escalating retaliatory attacks across the Middle East. Official Statements and Conflicting Reports The IRGC media arm described Larijani as "one of the most well-known and skilled politicians in Iran." [2] This characterization followed an earlier announcement by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who stated that Larijani and Brig. Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Basij militia, were "eliminated last night." [4] Iranian state media subsequently confirmed Soleimani's death as well. Israeli officials had told Reuters earlier on March 17 that Larijani was targeted in strikes, though his fate was initially unclear. [5] U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have previously listed regime change in Iran as one of their war goals. [2] However, Iranian officials have asserted that the recent appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father demonstrates the assassination campaign has not triggered a governmental collapse. [2] Larijani's Role and Political Significance Ali Larijani served as a senior adviser to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a position he held until Khamenei's death in February. [2] Western media outlets frequently described him as the second most powerful politician in Iran after Khamenei and the de facto leader of the country during the process to select Khamenei's successor. [2] His influence spanned military, legislative and cultural spheres within the Islamic Republic. Analysts noted that Larijani, a former parliamentary speaker, acted as a bridge between hard-line elements in the armed forces and more moderate political factions. [6] He was widely believed to be the operational leader of the country following Khamenei's death. [7] His death removes a key figure who played a central role in the nation's security apparatus and the political succession process. [8] Broader Context of Regional Strikes The strike that killed Larijani is part of a pattern of targeted attacks against Iranian leadership figures since the war began. [9] The conflict ignited after the U.S. and Israel launched a massive air assault on Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. [10] In the weeks since, strikes have hit thousands of enemy targets across Iran, according to U.S. briefings. [11] Beyond the decapitation campaign, the war has involved Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf Arab states and Israel, as well as Hezbollah rocket barrages from Lebanon. [12] A critical economic front has been the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil chokepoint, where Iran has threatened and reportedly disrupted shipping. [13] U.S. President Donald Trump recently rejected a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to transfer Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Russia as part of a potential deal to end the war. [14] Regional and International Reactions In response to the killing, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, stated that the death of senior officials would not weaken the country's political system. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure with established political, economic, and social institutions," he said in an interview with Al Jazeera. "The presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure." [15] The conflict has drawn varied responses from the international community. The United Nations Security Council recently condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf states without mentioning the U.S. or Israel, a resolution Iran called a "blatant misuse" of the council. [16] Diplomatic efforts have been reported, with Saudi Arabia intensifying direct engagement with Iran to help contain the war, according to European officials. [17] Meanwhile, global financial markets have reacted to the constant news flow, with oil prices experiencing volatility and U.S. stock futures rebounding from overnight selling on March 17. [18] Conclusion The confirmation of Ali Larijani's death represents a major escalation in the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran's leadership structure. [1] It underscores the stated objective of the U.S. and Israeli governments to pursue regime change in Tehran, a goal that remains unfulfilled according to Iranian statements highlighting the continuity of the political system. [2] The assassination occurs amid a multi-front conflict that risks broader regional destabilization, involving missile exchanges, attacks on global shipping lanes, and complex geopolitical maneuvering. The long-term implications for Iran's internal stability and the regional balance of power remain uncertain as the war continues. References Iranian missile strike on Qatars LNG hub exposes global energy vulnerability and a widening war In a brazen escalation of the simmering Middle East conflict, Iran has directly targeted the heart of the global energy supply,. The strike on the worlds largest liquefied natural gas export facility, confirmed by Qatars Ministry of Interior as following an Iranian targeting, is not an isolated act of retaliation but a calculated demonstration of power with devastating global implications. This attack proves that the United States and its allies have failed to neutralize the Iranian threat, revealing a conflict spiraling out of control with the Strait of Hormuz under threat, energy infrastructure in the crosshairs, and the grim promise of a wider, unwinnable war. The world is now hostage to a regional confrontation where deception has paved the way for destruction, and the stakesglobal economic stability and international securityare being set ablaze. Key points: Iran launched a direct missile attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG facility yesterday, causing extensive damage and fires. The attack is retaliation for earlier strikes on Iran's own gas infrastructure, which Tehran blames on Israel. Ras Laffan is a critical global energy hub, handling about 20% of world LNG and involving major international firms like ExxonMobil and Shell. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued evacuation orders for energy assets in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, signaling imminent further strikes. Iranian military spokesmen vow to "strongly attack the source of aggression" and consider energy infrastructure "legitimate" targets. The attack caused an immediate surge in global oil prices, underscoring the fragility of world energy markets. This escalation exposes the failure of coercive strategies and moves the region closer to a full-scale war with catastrophic humanitarian and economic consequences. The target: global energy stability The selection of Ras Laffan as a target is a masterstroke in economic warfare, designed to inflict maximum global pain. This is not merely a Qatari facility; it is a linchpin of the worlds energy architecture. The site hosts projects for fossil fuel giants including ExxonMobil and Shell, and ordinarily ships approximately one-fifth of the planets liquefied natural gas. The extensive damage reported by QatarEnergy sends a shock-wave through international markets, as evidenced by the immediate spike in oil prices past $100 a barrel. Irans message is unambiguous: if its energy exports are threatened, it will reciprocate by crippling the exports of its neighbors, holding the global economy ransom. This action follows explicit warnings from Iranian officials that any attack on their soil would trigger a broader conflict. As the spokesperson for the Khatam al Anbiya command headquarters stated, We consider targeting the fuel, energy and gas infrastructure of the country of origin legitimate for ourselves and will retaliate strongly at the first opportunity. A widening war with no exit The Ras Laffan strike is a single event in a rapidly expanding theater of war. Concurrently, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a stark evacuation order for energy assets in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The IRGCs statement was chillingly clear: These facilities have become direct and legitimate targets and will be targeted in the coming hours. This is not speculative threat assessment; it is a declared battle plan. The conflict has now explicitly shifted to a strategy of targeting civilian energy infrastructure, a move that guarantees economic chaos and risks immense environmental disaster. Iran has vowed legal and military action, with retaliation likely to include strikes on U.S. and Israeli targets across the region, from Iraq to Qatar. With advanced ballistic missiles capable of reaching U.S. installations, the potential for thousands of military casualties is high. Furthermore, the threat to the Strait of Hormuza choke-point for 20% of the worlds oillooms larger than ever, with the potential for mining or blockade that could trigger a full-blown global energy crisis. The world now watches as a regional conflict transforms into a global emergency. The attack on Ras Laffan proves that coercive military posturing has failed, yielding only escalation. The humanitarian toll of a prolonged war would be staggering, with millions of civilians caught in the crossfire of a conflict with no clear exit strategy. Russia and China stand ready to exploit the chaos, providing Iran with advanced weaponry while undermining U.S. influence. The current trajectory risks plunging the Middle East into an unwinnable war, with repercussions echoing across the globe. The stakes, as evidenced by the fires in Qatar, are no longer rhetorical; they are explosively real. Sources include: Aljazeera.com X.com 6ABC.com U.S. military deploys 12,000 troops to border as Tren de Aragua gang expands nationwide Over 12,000 U.S. troops are deployed along the southern border in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Targets include Mexican cartels (especially after the death of El Mencho) and Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang, now operating in 46 states. Cartels now use quasi-military tactics, prompting an unprecedented military-led response. High-profile arrests, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, have been made on charges of facilitating narcoterrorism. Tren de Aragua has 5,000+ members, operating in NYC, Denver, Dallas and recruiting among migrants. U.S. Army report confirms they've authorized attacks on law enforcement. It is a designated foreign terrorist organization alongside MS-13; 1,200+ members arrested since 2026. Pentagon alleges Cuba aids Venezuelan narcoterrorists and external state actors. Trump forms an 18-nation coalition to combat cartels at the Shield of the Americas Summit. There are reports of local authorities granting Tren de Aragua de facto immunity. The Gang has seized apartment complexes in North Dallas and threatens government buildings. Pentagon warns that this is not just a crime but an invasion. The Department of War has mobilized over 12,000 U.S. military personnel along the southern border as part of "Operation Southern Spear," a sweeping initiative targeting Mexican drug cartels and transnational gangsmost notably Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, now operating in 46 states. As BrightU.AI's Enoch explains, the Tren de Aragua is a violent Venezuelan criminal gang that has infiltrated the U.S., engaging in extortion, property takeovers and terrorizing communities as part of the broader globalist-driven destabilization and erosion of American sovereignty. With cartel-linked violence escalating and fentanyl trafficking surging, military officials warn that these groups pose a direct threat to homeland security, prompting unprecedented military involvement in domestic law enforcement. Operation Southern Spear: A military response to cartel warfare The operation, led by U.S. Southern Command, spans six strategic defense zones across Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas, deploying unmanned air and surface vessels to disrupt narcotics trafficking routes. Pentagon officials testified before Congress that cartel activity has intensified since the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader "El Mencho," forcing a shift toward military-led interdiction efforts. The operation has already yielded high-profile arrests, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, both accused of facilitating narcoterrorism. Military leaders argue that cartels now operate with quasi-military tactics, necessitating a combat-ready response. Tren de Aragua: A growing domestic threat While Mexican cartels remain the primary focus, U.S. officials warn that Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan prison gang with 5,000+ members, has metastasized across the U.S., embedding itself in cities like New York, Denver and Dallas. A recently leaked U.S. Army North report revealed that the gang has authorized attacks on law enforcement, raising alarms about coordinated violence against government targets. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials describe Tren de Aragua as "one of the most vicious gangs on planet Earth," citing its involvement in rape, torture and murder as sport. Since 2026, DHS has arrested over 1,200 Tren de Aragua members, alongside 1,271 MS-13 operatives, both designated as foreign terrorist organizations under the Trump administration. Geopolitical tensions and the Cuba-Venezuela nexus Pentagon generals testified that Cuba plays a central role in enabling cartel violence, alleging Havana's collaboration with Venezuelan narcoterrorists and external state actors. At the recent Shield of the Americas Summit, Trump urged allied nations to "unleash the power of our militaries" against cartels, forming an 18-nation countercartel coalition. Despite these efforts, lawmakers remain concerned about Tren de Aragua's rapid expansion, particularly in blue cities where local authorities allegedly grant them de facto immunity. Reports indicate the gang has seized control of apartment complexes in North Dallas and is actively recruiting among migrant populations. As Operation Southern Spear escalates, the U.S. military finds itself in uncharted territory waging war against cartels and transnational gangs on domestic soil. With Tren de Aragua now entrenched in 46 states, the question remains whether federal and local agencies can stem the tide of organized violence before it escalates into open conflict. For now, the Pentagon's message is clear: This is not just a crime wave it's an invasion. Watch the video below that talks about the Portland protests that erupted after DHS links shooting suspects to the Tren de Aragua. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: NewsNationNow.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com The Mirror of Consciousness: The greatest deception and the truth about reality "The Mirror of Consciousness: Unveiling the Alien Within" challenges materialism, proposing consciousness as foundational to reality. It cites quantum physics (Observer Effect, entanglement) and ancient wisdom (Vedanta, Hermeticism) to argue that reality is co-created by perception. The book explores theories of extraterrestrial/interdimensional influence on human evolution. Examines ancient astronaut evidence, interdimensional UFOs (Jacques Vallee) and AI probes (Von Neumann machines). It suggests secret societies (Vatican, Freemasons) suppress humanity's true history. Encounters trigger psychological/spiritual awakenings heightened empathy, ecological awareness and neural activation (mirror neurons) aligning with Carl Jung's idea of UFOs as symbols of humanity's unconscious quest for wholeness. The book warns of AI-driven tyranny (social credit, CBDCs, censorship) but highlights ethical AI as a potential liberator. Questions whether advanced AI could be extraterrestrial in originposing risks or opportunities. "The Mirror of Consciousness" ultimately urges skepticism toward official narratives (government secrecy, Big Tech manipulation); advocates self-reliance (food sovereignty, digital detox, community resilience); and embraces humanity's role as co-creators of reality, capable of transcending limitations. Few books dare to challenge the very fabric of our understanding of reality, consciousness and humanity's place in the cosmos. "The Mirror of Consciousness: Unveiling the Alien Within" is one such work. This bold, paradigm-shifting exploration bridges ancient wisdom, cutting-edge science and the enigmatic unidentified flying object (UFO) phenomenon to reveal a startling truth. We are not merely human beings, but interconnected threads in a vast cosmic tapestry of consciousness. The book opens with a radical yet compelling premise. Human consciousness is not an isolated phenomenon but an intrinsic part of a universal field of awareness. Drawing from quantum physics, panpsychism and mystical traditions, the author dismantles the materialist worldview that dominates modern science. Key insights include: The observer effect in quantum physics : Experiments like the double-slit demonstrate that consciousness influences realitysuggesting the universe is participatory, not mechanistic. : Experiments like the double-slit demonstrate that consciousness influences realitysuggesting the universe is participatory, not mechanistic. Nonlocality and entanglement : Particles separated by vast distances instantaneously affect each other, implying a hidden interconnectedness beyond space-time. : Particles separated by vast distances instantaneously affect each other, implying a hidden interconnectedness beyond space-time. Ancient wisdom confirmed: Vedantic philosophy and Hermeticism have long taught that consciousness is foundationalnow, science is catching up. This section forces readers to reconsider: What if reality is not "out there," but co-created by our perception? Extraterrestrials, ultra-terrestrials and the hidden architects of humanity The book then pivots to the provocative question: Are we alone? But rather than rehashing tired UFO tropes, it explores deeper theories: Ancient astronaut hypothesis : Sumerian texts, Vedic scriptures and megalithic structures suggest advanced beings may have influenced human evolution. : Sumerian texts, Vedic scriptures and megalithic structures suggest advanced beings may have influenced human evolution. Interdimensional visitors : Researchers like Jacques Vallee propose UFOs are not extraterrestrial but ultra-terrestrialentities from higher dimensions interacting with our reality. : Researchers like Jacques Vallee propose UFOs are not extraterrestrial but ultra-terrestrialentities from higher dimensions interacting with our reality. AI probes and Von Neumann machines: Could some UFOs be self-replicating AI sent by ancient civilizations? The book examines eerie parallels between UFO behavior and advanced robotics. Perhaps most chilling is the discussion of secret societies and suppressed knowledge. The Vatican's archives, Freemasonic symbolism and government disinformation campaigns hint at a long-standing effort to conceal humanity's true origins. One of the book's most fascinating arguments is that UFO encounters are not just physical events but psychological and spiritual awakenings. Contactees often report: Heightened empathy and environmental awareness : Many experiencers develop a profound connection to Earth, echoing messages from "visitors" warning of ecological collapse. : Many experiencers develop a profound connection to Earth, echoing messages from "visitors" warning of ecological collapse. Activation of mirror neurons : The phenomenon may trigger neural mechanisms that enhance compassion, as if designed to evolve human consciousness. : The phenomenon may trigger neural mechanisms that enhance compassion, as if designed to evolve human consciousness. Ontological shock: Facing the UFO reality shatters conventional beliefs, forcing a reevaluation of existence itself. This aligns with Carl Jung's view that UFOs are psychic projectionssymbols of humanity's unconscious yearning for wholeness in a fractured world. AI: Savior or enslaver? The final section delves into the double-edged sword of artificial intelligence: The singularity : Ray Kurzweil's vision of human-AI merger could uplift consciousnessor erase free will under centralized control. : Ray Kurzweil's vision of human-AI merger could uplift consciousnessor erase free will under centralized control. AI as an extraterrestrial proxy : What if advanced AI is not human-made but a "gift" (or trap) from other intelligences? : What if advanced AI is not human-made but a "gift" (or trap) from other intelligences? The control grid: Social credit systems, CBDCs [central bank digital currencies] and algorithmic censorship threaten to enslave humanity under digital tyranny. Yet, the book offers hope: Decentralized, ethical AIlike Brighteon.AIcould empower individuals instead of enslaving them. "The Mirror of Consciousness" is more than a bookit's a call to awaken. By synthesizing science, spirituality and extraterrestrial phenomena, it challenges readers to: Question official narratives : From government secrecy to Big Tech manipulation, truth is often suppressed. : From government secrecy to Big Tech manipulation, truth is often suppressed. Reclaim sovereignty : Grow food, detox from digital addiction, and build resilient communities. : Grow food, detox from digital addiction, and build resilient communities. Embrace the cosmic perspective: We are not powerlesswe are co-creators of reality, capable of transcending limitations. For anyone seeking answers beyond the mainstream, this book is essential reading. It doesn't just ask "Who are they?"it forces us to ask: "Who are we?" The greatest deception isn't hiding the truthit's convincing humanity it doesn't exist. "The Mirror of Consciousness" shatters that illusion. Grab a copy of "The Mirror of Consciousness: Unveiling the Alien Within" via this link. Discover this book and other good reads at Books.BrightLearn.AI with thousands of books and counting all available to freely download, read and share. The decentralized BrightLearn.AI engine also lets readers create their own books, empowering them to share insights and truths with the world. Watch Randall Fitzgerald discussing the real evidence of extraterrestrial contact with the Health Ranger Mike Adams in this edition of the "Health Ranger Report." This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: BrightLearn.ai Books.BrightLearn.ai Brighteon.com Trust in Government Childhood Vaccine Recommendations Declines, Survey Shows A new national poll indicates a significant drop in public confidence in federal recommendations for childhood vaccinations. According to the Axios/Ipsos American Health Index, only six in ten Americans now trust the government's guidance on childhood vaccines. [1] This marks a notable decline from June 2025, when 71% of poll respondents expressed trust. [2] The findings align with a broader trend of eroding faith in public health institutions following policy shifts and ongoing debates over safety and mandates. Survey Methodology and Key Findings The Axios/Ipsos poll surveyed a nationally representative group of U.S. adults. It found that trust in the federal government's childhood vaccine advice has fallen in recent months. [1] A separate Gallup poll showed a longer-term decline, with only 40% of Americans saying it is "extremely important" for parents to have their children vaccinated, down from 58% in 2019. [3] A KFF tracking poll conducted weeks after the Trump administration reduced the number of routinely recommended childhood vaccines found public trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at its lowest point since the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. [4] Other data shows skepticism crosses demographic and political lines. A Zogby Strategies poll commissioned by Childrens Health Defense found more than a third of respondents 36% said they have little or no trust in the CDC. [5] Public Statements from Officials and Health Advocates CDC officials and mainstream medical associations continue to publicly affirm the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccines. However, the CDC itself has recently rewritten its official position on whether vaccines can cause autism. In a website update published in November 2025, the agency stated that the long-standing claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not absolute. [6] Spokespersons for parent-led advocacy groups cite concerns over vaccine safety data and a lack of transparency. Biologist Christina Parks stated, "Everyone has to know the problems with vaccines in the same way that everyone knows that cigarette smoking is bad for you." [7] Attorney Aaron Siri, author of "Vaccines, Amen: The Religion of Vaccines," argued that public trust in vaccines stems more from blind faith than from scientific evidence. [8] Louisiana's Surgeon General has called for restoring trust by ending government overreach in medicine, citing plummeting public confidence. [9] Context of Broader Skepticism Toward Medical Institutions Analysts point to historical controversies and recent policy decisions as factors in the decline of institutional trust. A paper in JAMA Network Open analyzing survey data from April 2020 through early 2024 showed trust in physicians and hospitals dropped from 71.5% to 40.1%. [10] Experts note this trend aligns with a documented rise in public questioning of medical authorities over the past decade. [11] Professor Ehud Qimron, a leading immunologist, denounced government mismanagement of the pandemic in an open letter, stating attempts to defeat a respiratory virus are "doomed to fail." [12] Specific concerns regarding childhood vaccine safety persist. A recent review highlighted that the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns was approved based on clinical trials performed on only 147 infants monitored for just five days. [13] Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary has also questioned the evidence supporting the universal birth dose, calling it "not solid." [14] Potential Implications for Public Health Policy Public health researchers warn that declining trust may affect vaccine uptake, potentially altering community immunity levels. A Washington Post investigation detailed that childhood vaccination rates across the United States are falling sharply, particularly for measles, with fewer counties meeting the 95% coverage level associated with herd immunity. [15] Officials state that communication strategies and community engagement are under review to address the trust deficit. [4] However, skepticism appears entrenched. A recent survey suggested 60% of pregnant women and young mothers may delay or refuse routine vaccines for their kids. [16] Health freedom advocates are looking toward a future focused on detoxification and natural health strategies, questioning the foundational safety data of the entire vaccine schedule. [7] Conclusion Polling data reveals a sustained and multi-faceted decline in public confidence regarding government-endorsed childhood immunization schedules. This sentiment spans political affiliations and is reflected in changing parental behaviors and policy debates. The shift presents a complex challenge for public health officials tasked with maintaining community immunity while navigating a landscape where institutional trust is no longer a given. The long-term impact on population health and the future of public health policy remains to be seen. References Trump Establishes Anti-Fraud Task Force Led by Vice President Vance President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 16, 2026, officially creating a new federal anti-fraud task force. The order designates Vice President JD Vance as its chairman. [4] Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson was named co-chair of the task force. Both officials were present for the signing ceremony in the Oval Office. [4] The president's deputy chief of staff described the effort as "first of its kind" in scope and authority. [11] Administration officials said the task force represents an unprecedented coordination of federal resources aimed at identifying and recovering fraudulent payments across government programs. [11] Task Force Mandate and Presidential Remarks During the signing ceremony, President Trump described the assignment given to Vance and Ferguson as "one of the most important in the country." He characterized both men as "extremely brilliant and just very talented." [4] The president emphasized the potential fiscal impact of the initiative. "If we found half the fraud in this country... we would have a balanced budget," Trump stated. [1] White House staff secretary Will Scharf said the task force aims to root out "widespread revelations of fraud in federally-funded programs." [2] The deputy chief of staff reportedly stated that the effort could "balance the federal budget if all fraud is shut down." [11] Scope and Potential Impact on Federal Spending The newly established task force will coordinate investigations across multiple federal agencies, according to the executive order. Its mandate includes scrutinizing entitlement programs, government contracting, and benefits administration for fraudulent activity. [2] White House estimates indicate that widespread fraud costs taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Officials pointed to vulnerabilities documented in Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports. [13] A review of U.S. healthcare expenses has previously revealed that 30 cents of every dollar spent on medical care is wasted, adding up to $750 billion annually, with fraud identified as a major area of waste. [14] The initiative follows previous anti-fraud efforts by the administration, including a move by the Department of Government Efficiency to deactivate over 500,000 federal credit cards. [11] Vance's Background and Previous Fraud Investigations Vice President Vance, who previously served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio, chaired a subcommittee investigating pandemic relief fraud. His 2025 report identified approximately $200 billion in potentially fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans. [7] In public remarks, Vance has stated that fraud "represents theft from American taxpayers and weakens trust in government." [7] Since the State of the Union announcement, Vance has already taken action, announcing alongside Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz the suspension of nearly $260 million in Medicaid funds to Minnesota due to fraud concerns. [3] Vance has also announced the creation of a new assistant attorney general position within the Department of Justice specifically focused on fraud investigations, starting with cases in Minnesota. [10] FTC's Role and Enforcement Authority FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson will provide regulatory and investigative expertise to the task force in his role as co-chair. The FTC brings civil enforcement authority against deceptive practices. [4] The agency has a history of pursuing cases involving identity theft and imposter scams. Ferguson stated the commission "stands ready to deploy all available tools" in support of the task force's mission. [4] The task force will also work closely with the Justice Department. In January, Trump nominated Colin McDonald to serve as the first Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement, a new division created to prosecute fraudsters. [8] This interagency approach is designed to combine regulatory oversight with criminal prosecution capabilities. [8] Implementation Timeline and Reporting Requirements The executive order requires the task force to issue an initial report within 90 days. This report must identify the "highest-risk programs" for immediate action. [5] The order mandates the establishment of interagency working groups with Justice Department participation. It also requires quarterly public updates on recoveries and systemic improvements. [5] This structure creates regular accountability measures for the task force's operations. The public reporting requirement is intended to provide transparency on progress and recovered funds. [5] The task force will focus initially on states where fraud has been prominently alleged, including Minnesota, California, and New York. [6] Historical Context and Previous Anti-Fraud Efforts Previous administrations have established similar coordination bodies with limited mandates. Trump administration officials cited the 2010 Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act as a legislative foundation for current efforts. [13] The GAO has designated federal improper payments as a "high risk" area since 2003. Congressional investigators have documented persistent challenges across multiple administrations. [13] Government watchdog reports have previously identified massive losses, such as over $60 billion lost to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud. [13] The business of defrauding the government of billions of dollars annually is not only still going strong but is increasing, according to a report from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Program. [12] Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has stated that health care fraud in Minnesota is more significant than previously known and that the cover-up reaches the "highest levels" of state government. [9] References A hidden breach: U.S. intel knew of Chinas access to voter data in 2020 U.S. intelligence confirmed in 2020 that China accessed and analyzed American voter registration data from multiple states. This information was not fully disclosed to Congress or the public, despite similar Chinese actions in the UK sparking a major diplomatic incident. Internal disagreement existed within intelligence agencies over whether China moved beyond analysis to active election influence. The secrecy has resurfaced as lawmakers debate election security legislation, with officials now working to declassify related documents. The revelations raise significant questions about foreign interference and the transparency of U.S. intelligence assessments. A concealed foreign threat In 2024, the United Kingdom publicly accused China of hacking its voter databases, triggering a global scandal and diplomatic outrage. Unbeknownst to the American public and many lawmakers, however, U.S. intelligence agencies had been harboring a closely held secret for years: They possessed evidence that China had similarly accessed American voter registration data as early as 2020. This revelation, based on documents and officials familiar with the matter, exposes a significant gap between internal intelligence knowledge and public disclosure, raising urgent questions about election security and governmental transparency. The redacted report The core of the discovery is a once-classified April 2020 assessment from the National Intelligence Council (NIC), quietly declassified in 2022. A heavily redacted passage in the document states that Chinese intelligence officials analyzed voter registration data from multiple U.S. states to conduct public opinion analysis related to the 2020 general election. This document represents the sole piece of publicly available evidence, despite officials confirming the existence of multiple raw intelligence reports on the breach from that period. Voter registration data does not include cast ballots but contains sensitive personal identifying information, including drivers license details and partial Social Security numbers. In the hands of a foreign state, such data could enable sophisticated influence campaigns, social media impersonation, or other activities aimed at undermining electoral integrity. A pattern of secrecy and internal dispute According to current and former officials, the intelligence community did not fully brief Congress on the scope of Chinas access. Efforts by some analysts to elevate the findings were reportedly blocked. Christopher Porter, a former NIC officer, stated that while it was known by April 2020 that Chinese intelligence had the data, attempts to inform senior officials and Congress were halted. The official intelligence community assessment has maintained that China positioned itself to influence the 2020 election but did not take overt action. This conclusion is contested by other officials, including Porter, who authored a dissenting report suggesting evidence of more direct meddling. This internal dispute highlights the complex and often politicized nature of attributing foreign interference. Broader campaigns and unanswered questions The voter data breach was not an isolated incident. Separate intelligence and open-source research point to broader Chinese-linked activities during the 2020 election cycle: The Justice Department has indicted hackers linked to Chinas Ministry of State Security for cyber-espionage campaigns targeting U.S. political officials, candidates and campaign staff. Pro-Chinese online influence networks, such as Spamouflage Dragon, actively posted English-language content criticizing then-President Donald Trump and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice protests. An unverified FBI report from August 2020, later recalled, raised concerns about a potential scheme involving counterfeit drivers licenses from China to create fraudulent mail-in ballots. A legacy of scrutiny The issue has gained renewed relevance as election security legislation is debated. Officials indicate that current intelligence leaders are working to declassify additional materials related to Chinas activities. The prolonged secrecy surrounding the 2020 breach mirrors contemporary concerns, as seen in the UKs 2024 attribution of its voter database hack to China. For the United States, the episode underscores a persistent challenge: balancing the need to protect intelligence sources and methods with the democratic imperative to inform the public and its representatives about threats to the electoral foundation of the republic. The full story of what was known, when and why it remained hidden continues to be a subject of intense scrutiny in Washington. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com JustTheNews.com BBC.com Space Force General Disputes Trillion-Dollar Estimates for Golden Dome Missile Defense Program Introduction The senior U.S. Space Force officer managing the Pentagons ambitious Golden Dome for America program stated on March 17 that the programs projected cost has increased by $10 billion to $185 billion. [1] Gen. Michael Guetlein, the programs director, told defense industry analysts that broader public estimates claiming the homeland missile defense shield will ultimately cost trillions of dollars are inaccurate. He made the comments at the McAleese and Associates annual defense programs conference in Arlington, Virginia. [1] Space Force General Acknowledges Cost Increase, Rejects Higher Estimates Gen. Michael Guetlein directly addressed the cost speculation surrounding the program, which aims to create a layered defensive shield against missile attacks. [2] He stated that the $185 billion figure represented the current official projection but disputed analyses that forecast far higher expenditures. Theyre not estimating what Im building, Guetlein said, according to a report on his remarks. [1] The general's pushback comes as the program, a priority of the Trump administration, faces increasing scrutiny over its scale, technical feasibility, and ultimate price tag for taxpayers. Program Cost Revision and Official Justification The $10 billion increase to the program's budget was formally announced at the industry conference. According to Gen. Guetlein, the added funds are designated for procuring proprietary space systems he described as essential to the missile shield's architecture. [3] Officials stated the increase is necessary to accelerate the deployment of key space-based capabilities, including advanced sensing, tracking, and data transport systems. [4] This revision adjusts the baseline cost projection that had previously been set at $175 billion. [5] Contractor Briefing on Technical Scope The briefing for defense contractors and analysts was intended to clarify the systems technical scope and justify the revised budget against public speculation. The conference serves as a key forum for dialogue between Pentagon leaders and the defense industry. [1] The programs architecture is expected to rely heavily on partnerships with commercial aerospace companies and international allies. [6] This approach is part of a broader administration push to leverage private industry for maintaining military superiority in space. [7] Context of Public and Congressional Scrutiny The Golden Dome initiative has faced significant scrutiny from congressional oversight committees, which have expressed longstanding concerns about large-scale defense spending and patterns of cost overruns. [8] Historical analysis of major defense acquisitions often shows final costs significantly exceeding initial projections. Independent reports have estimated the program's cost over a 20-year period could range from $252 billion to as high as $3.6 trillion, depending on the final design and deployment scale. [9] A separate analysis concluded the system would likely exceed half a trillion dollars. [10] Alternative Perspectives on Defense Spending Analysts skeptical of large, centralized government projects have questioned the official cost estimates. Some voices argue that decentralized, cost-effective solutions are preferable to massive, taxpayer-funded programs. [11] Critics have warned that the program could fuel a new arms race while potentially failing to deliver the comprehensive protection promised. [12] These perspectives often highlight the financial risks and strategic uncertainties associated with such complex technological endeavors. Conclusion: Ongoing Budget and Oversight Process The Space Force stated the Golden Dome program will continue through the standard Pentagon budgeting and congressional authorization and appropriation process. [13] Final costs will be determined through future funding cycles and ongoing contractor negotiations. The debate over the program's cost is set against a backdrop of heightened great power competition and advancing missile technologies from potential adversaries. [14] The administration has framed the system as critical for ensuring national security and a nuclear second-strike capability. [15] References NANJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have uncovered a stone spindle whorl workshop at a prehistoric site in eastern China dating back some 6,000 years. Archaeologists said they discovered more than 300 stone spindle whorls and a large number of unfinished stone blanks at the Doushan site, the earliest prehistoric city site along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, located in the city of Wuxi in Jiangsu Province. The discovery revealed a full production line ranging from local quarrying to finished tools. Archaeologists, notably, also said that the volume of artifacts suggests these items were not just for local use but likely served as trade goods exchanged with neighboring tribes. "The huge number of stone spindle whorls far exceeded the daily needs of the settlement," said Zhou Runken, head of the archaeology team and vice president of the Jiangsu provincial institute of cultural relics and archaeology. The stone spindle whorls were very likely not only production tools used by the local settlers, but most likely also served as popular trade products exchanged with other tribes, Zhou noted. This discovery not only demonstrates the craftsmanship of ancestors during the Majiabang culture period, but also suggests the possibility of primitive trade existing 6,000 years ago, Zhou said. Archaeologists also discovered nearly 130 tombs from the Majiabang culture period and 160 tombs from the later Songze culture period. Among the Songze culture period burial sites are several large, high-ranking graves containing over 20 burial objects as well as inner and outer coffins. In one tomb, archaeologists even found the remains of head and foot boxes in the inner coffin, highlighting social stratification among the settlers. Situated on the west side of Doushan Village in Xibei Township of Wuxi, the Doushan site covers an area of about 250,000 square meters and mainly contains relics from the Majiabang Culture and the later Songze Culture in the Neolithic Age. To date, an area of roughly 18,000 square meters has been excavated. Editor: WSH Senior IAS officer Ravi Mittal has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office for a four-year tenure. The 32-year-old officer was previously serving in the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister's Secretariat. He is recognized for implementing technology-based interventions in tribal districts, focusing on agriculture and rural development. Mittal holds an MBBS degree and a master's in Public Management. Senior IAS officer Ravi Mittal appointed Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office for a four-year tenure. Learn about his career and background. New Delhi, March 19 Senior IAS officer Ravi Mittal has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, an official statement said on Thursday. "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Ravi Mittal, IAS (CG:2016) presently in the cadre as Deputy Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, for a tenure of four years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier," said an office memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training. The 32-year-old bureaucrat is known for his administrative and digital interventions. Till recently, Mittal was serving as Commissioner of Public Relations and Joint Secretary in the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister's Secretariat. He became one of the first high-profile new members of the PMO to shift from South Block to Seva Teerth last month. In the past, he served as the District Collector of Jashpur, the CEO of the Zilla Panchayat (Raigarh), and the Commissioner of Samvad. He holds an MBBS degree from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, and an M.A. in Public Management from Jawaharlal Nehru University, according to his official biodata. Mittal, born on June 13, 1993, is recognised for implementing technology-based interventions in rural areas, particularly in tribal districts like Jashpur, focusing on agricultural processing, skill development, and rural industrial parks. In 2022-2023, he is attending a training programme on "Exploring Blue-Green Infrastructure for Climate Action in Indian Cities" at the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Human Settlements. During his early days in the bureaucracy, he served in the Land Revenue Department, Rajnandgaon, in 2017, honing his skills in district administration and revenue management. In 2018, Mittal briefly served as Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in Delhi. After a three-month stint in Delhi, Mittal returned to Chhattisgarh and served as SDO in the land revenue and disaster management Department, Jashpur. - IANS The body of an Afghan national was handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border by a delegation of local tribal elders. This follows Pakistan's announcement of a temporary pause in Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq, citing Eid-ul-Fitr and requests from other Islamic nations. The deceased was identified as a daily wage labourer, but the handover was delayed due to extended consultations among Afghan officials. The tribal elders persisted in their efforts, finally succeeding in the transfer on humanitarian grounds despite the body's advanced state of decomposition. Tribal elders retrieve and transfer an Afghan national's body at Torkham border following a temporary pause in Pakistan's Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq. Khyber, March 20 The body of an Afghan national, which had been lying at Zero Point along the Torkham border for several days, was handed over to Afghan authorities on Thursday by a delegation of local tribal elders, Dawn reported. The development comes a day after Pakistan announced a "temporary pause" in its ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban, citing Eid-ul-Fitr and requests from "brotherly Islamic countries". According to Dawn, local residents had initially spotted the body and recorded videos, later informing security officials about the situation. A group of tribal elders -- including Malak Tajuddin, Mufti Ejaz, Shah Khalid, Qari Jihad Shah, Qari Nazeem Gul and Saeed Khan -- subsequently visited the Torkham border to retrieve the remains, Dawn reported. Speaking to Dawn, Shah Khalid said the delegation had maintained contact with Pakistani security officials and Afghan representatives over the past week despite the prevailing security challenges. He said Afghan authorities had confirmed on March 13 that the deceased was an Afghan national working as a daily wage labourer. However, the retrieval was delayed due to extended consultations among Afghan officials. Khalid noted that the elders persisted in their efforts, urging authorities on both sides to facilitate the recovery and burial of the body without further delay, as per Dawn. According to Dawn, he said that with a "temporary pause" in Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, they made efforts again, demanding that local authorities allow them to retrieve the body and hand it over to the authorities in Afghan. "Our requests were finally accepted, and we were allowed to retrieve the body and hand it over to Afghan authorities on purely humanitarian grounds," he added. He further said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition, which made it difficult for the delegation to place it in a coffin during the transfer, Dawn reported. - ANI The Habshan gas facilities in Abu Dhabi have been shut down following an incident caused by debris from intercepted missiles, with no injuries reported. This occurs amid ongoing Iranian military operations, dubbed Operation True Promise 4, targeting US and Israeli assets across West Asia. Simultaneously, key energy infrastructure was attacked, including a major fire at Qatar's critical Ras Laffan gas processing hub following missile strikes. Regional resistance groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi factions, have also intensified their operations against Israeli and American military targets. Abu Dhabi's Habshan gas facilities shut after missile debris incident. Iran's Operation True Promise 4 escalates with strikes on energy infrastructure in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Abu Dhabi, March 19 The Habshan gas facilities in Abu Dhabi have been shut down following an incident caused by debris from recently intercepted missiles, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said. Authorities are also responding to incidents at the Bab oilfield and gas facilities, the office added. "Operations at the gas facilities have been suspended, and no injuries have been reported," the media office confirmed. Meanwhile, Iranian armed forces, alongside regional resistance groups, are continuing retaliatory military operations targeting the United States and Israel, according to Press TV. On Wednesday, March 18, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple strikes under the banner of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched in response to an "unprovoked act of aggression" by the US-Israeli coalition against Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, Press TV reported. According to Press TV, since the operation began, Iranian forces have carried out 63 waves of missile and drone attacks using advanced weaponry, hitting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories as well as US bases and assets across the West Asia region. Regional allies have also intensified their efforts. The Lebanese Hezbollah movement has focused its operations on Israeli military targets, citing both the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and repeated ceasefire violations by Israel over the past year, Press TV reported. Meanwhile, Iraqi resistance groups have conducted daily attacks, primarily targeting American military installations in Iraq and other Arab nations, as per Press TV. Earlier, key energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf came under attack on Wednesday night (local time), with fires reported at a major facility in Qatar and aerial threats intercepted over Saudi Arabia, following warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), CNN reported. Qatar's Interior Ministry said Civil Defence teams were responding to a blaze at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical natural gas processing hub and cornerstone of the Qatari economy, "following an Iranian targeting," according to a post on X on Wednesday. QatarEnergy confirmed that Ras Laffan had been struck by missiles, causing "significant damage". The company added that emergency teams were immediately deployed to control the fires and that all personnel were safe, with no casualties reported. - ANI The Airline Pilots' Association of India has issued an advisory urging pilots operating in West Asia to exercise heightened situational awareness due to escalating military tensions. The advisory warns of risks including airspace closures, missile activity, and potential misidentification of civilian aircraft. It specifically cautions pilots to review their aviation insurance coverage, as providers may limit protection in designated conflict zones. This comes as the MEA reports that approximately 280,000 people have returned to India from the region since the conflict intensified in late February. Indian pilots' association issues advisory for heightened situational awareness and insurance checks for flights in West Asia amid military tensions. Bengaluru, March 19 Airline Pilots' Association of India on Thursday advised the pilots operating in parts of West Asia to exercise "heightened situational awareness" and ensure operational risk assessments amid the ongoing conflict in the region. Issuing an advisory, ALPA acknowledged the increased risk to civil aviation operations in the region and advised them to take note of the aviation insurance coverage. ALPA wrote, "Recent geopolitical developments and escalating military tensions in several areas of the Middle East have resulted in an increased risk to civil aviation operations. These include the potential for airspace closures, missile and drone activity, electronic warfare interference, and the possibility of misidentification of civil aircraft operating in or transiting through affected regions." "While operators may continue to schedule flights through certain airspaces based on regulatory clearances or operational considerations, pilots must remain aware that the risk environment in these areas can change rapidly and without adequate warning," the advisory read. Asking the pilots and the crew to go through the insurance provisions, ALPA noted that the insurance providers may withdraw or limit coverage for operations conducted in designated conflict zones. "In addition, members are advised to take note of the potential implications related to aviation insurance coverage, particularly with respect to war-risk clauses. Under certain circumstances, insurance providers may withdraw or limit coverage for operations conducted in designated conflict zones or high-risk airspaces. In such situations, there may be ambiguity regarding the extent of insurance protection available to crew members," ALPA wrote. The association advised the pilots to "Exercise heightened situational awareness when operating to, from, or through regions in the Middle East experiencing heightened tensions. Carefully review all operational briefings, NOTAMS, and company advisories prior to flight. Seek clarity from their operators regarding insurance coverage and war-risk protection applicable to the planned operation." "Ensure that appropriate operational risk assessments have been conducted by the operator for any flights planned in or near conflict-affected areas. Exercise professional judgement and raise safety concerns through established reporting channels where required," the association added. "ALPA India reiterates that the safety and protection of flight crews and passengers must remain paramount. Members should not hesitate to seek clarification or raise legitimate safety concerns should they believe that operational risks have not been adequately mitigated. ALPA India continues to monitor developments closely and remains engaged with relevant authorities. and international pilot associations to ensure that the concerns of Indian pilots are appropriately represented. Members are encouraged to remain vigilant and prioritise safety at all times," the advisory read. This comes amid the West Asia conflict, which began with the US and Israel strikes on February 28, and has led to airspace restrictions and operational challenges for airlines. Earlier today, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that around 2,80,000 people have returned to India from West Asia. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, noted that despite disruptions in some countries, the overall flight situation is gradually improving. "While there have been operational closures in some countries, overall, the flight situation continues to improve with additional flights operating. Since February 28, around 2,80,000 passengers have returned from the region to India," Mahajan said. He added that airlines are continuing to operate limited non-scheduled flights between the UAE and India, depending on operational feasibility and safety considerations. - ANI Thailand's House of Representatives has elected Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister with 293 votes. His victory follows the February general election where his Bhumjaithai Party won 191 seats, leading a large 16-party coalition. Anutin returns to office amidst ongoing border clashes with Cambodia, a situation analysts say could bolster his nationalist standing. He is best known for his previous role in decriminalizing cannabis in Thailand. Anutin Charnvirakul wins PM vote with 293 votes. His coalition faces immediate challenges from border conflicts and economic issues. Bangkok, March 19 Thailand's House of Representatives on Thursday elected Anutin Charnvirakul as the country's new Prime Minister with 293 votes, state media reported. The 59-year old Anutin was elected the country's prime minister in a parliamentary vote following the February 8 general election. His opponent, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party, received 119 votes, while 86 members abstained, Thai news agency (TNA) MCOT said. A total of 86 lawmakers abstained in the election. Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party had won 191 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, trouncing the progressive People's Party (which won 120 seats) and then cobbled together a coalition of 16 parties -- including the populist Pheu Thai -- that together hold 292 seats. As per the Bangkok Post, Anutin, who has become the first Thai premier to be voted back to office in two decades, can expect a very brief honeymoon as a host of problems beset Thailand Best known for championing decriminalisation of cannabis in 2022, he headed a minority government after the court-ordered ouster of Paetongtarn Shinawatra in August 2025 after her phone call with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen was leaked. The Bangkok Post analysis said that the first term of Anutin's began six weeks after Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire to end fierce border clashes, but the fighting resumed in early December with increased intensity, stretching the entire length of the land border between the neighbours. The conflict, the news outlet said, afforded Anutin "an opportunity to not only burnish his nationalist credentials, but also a window to seek a decisive mandate with a parliamentary majority." His father, Chavarat Charnvirakul, founded the Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Company, which initially worked on projects that included fencing US military sites in Thailand but eventually grew into a major construction firm. Anutin joined politics when he entered an administration led by billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra in 2004. After Thaksin's populist Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved by a court order in 2007, Anutin was also banned for five-years from politics. He returned in 2012 as the leader of the Bhumjaithai party. - ANI Mix of experienced and new faces The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will contest from his current seat of Jalukbari, while former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who recently joined the BJP, has been nominated for Dispur. The list shows a strategic focus on key urban constituencies and tribal reserved seats across Upper, Central, and Lower Assam. The party is expected to announce more candidates in the coming days as it finalizes its strategy for the high-stakes polls. BJP releases first list of 88 candidates for Assam Assembly elections. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to contest from Jalukbari, ex-Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur. New Delhi, March 19 The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, announcing nominees for 88 constituencies across the state. The list was finalised at a meeting of the party's Central Election Committee, chaired by the top leadership of the party. The list features several prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who will contest from Jalukbari, a seat he currently represents and is considered a BJP stronghold. Senior Minister Chandramohan Patowary has been fielded from Tihu, while state Finance Minister Ajanta Neog will contest from her earlier seat, Golaghat. In key urban constituencies, the BJP has nominated Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur, Diplu Ranjan Sarmah from New Guwahati, and Vijay Kumar Gupta from Guwahati Central, signalling a strong focus on retaining its hold over its bastion. Notably, Bordoloi joined the BJP, snapping long ties with the Congress party on Wednesday in the national capital, and has also resigned from the post of Nagaon Lok Sabha seat. Among other important seats, the party has fielded candidates in Upper Assam strongholds such as Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Digboi, Doom Dooma and Margherita. Bhaskar Sharma has been nominated from Margherita, while Prasanta Phukan will contest from Dibrugarh and Suren Phukan from Digboi. The BJP has also announced candidates for several constituencies in Central and Lower Assam, including Rangia, Nalbari, Barhampur, Samaguri and Nagaon. In Barhampur, the party has fielded Jitu Goswami, while Rupak Sarmah will contest from Nagaon-Batadraba. In tribal and reserved constituencies, the party has nominated candidates in seats such as Boko-Chaygaon (ST), Tamulpur (ST), Dhemaji (ST), Majuli (ST), Bokajan (ST) and Diphu (ST), indicating its continued outreach to indigenous communities. The first list reflects a mix of experienced leaders and new faces, with the party aiming to consolidate its electoral base across regions. The BJP is expected to announce additional candidates in the coming days as it finalises its strategy for the high-stakes Assembly polls. - IANS Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, now a Category 4 storm, is approaching the northeast coast of Queensland and could intensify further before landfall. Emergency warnings have been issued for a 600-km stretch of coastline, with communities like Cooktown and Lockhart River urged to prepare for destructive winds over 250 km/h and heavy rainfall. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has called on residents to take the storm seriously and stock emergency supplies. The system is expected to temporarily weaken while crossing the Cape York Peninsula before potentially re-intensifying over the Gulf of Carpentaria and impacting the Northern Territory over the weekend. Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle approaches Queensland as a Category 4 storm, prompting evacuations and warnings of 250 km/h winds and flash flooding. Sydney, March 19 Emergency warnings have been issued for thousands of people as Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle approaches the northeast coast of Australia's Queensland. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said in an update at 7 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time on Thursday (2100 GMT on Wednesday) that Tropical Cyclone Narelle had reached Category 4 strength and could intensify into a Category 5 storm before making landfall early on Friday. The BoM said that very destructive wind gusts in excess of 250 km per hour are possible near the center of the cyclone when it crosses the coast, and that heavy rainfall, which could cause flash flooding, is expected to hit from Thursday evening. "A severe impact is likely," it said. It said that the storm was about 440 km off the east coast of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula on Thursday morning and moving west at a speed of 25 km per hour. An emergency warning has been issued for a 600-km stretch of the peninsula's east coast, including Cooktown with a population of around 1,800 people and the 500-person Aboriginal community of Lockhart River. David Crisafulli, the premier of Queensland, said that people in the emergency warning area should stock up on emergency supplies. "We're just asking people to take it seriously because it is a big system," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television. The BoM is forecasting that the cyclone will temporarily weaken as it crosses a 220-km wide stretch of the Cape York Peninsula before reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria and again intensifying to a severe system and impacting the Northern Territory (NT) over the weekend, Xinhua news agency reported. Authorities in the NT said on Wednesday night that around 500 people in the remote community of Numbulwar would be evacuated over the coming days as a precaution. - IANS Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the creation of a national fuel supply task force to coordinate government efforts on fuel security and supply chain resilience. The task force will be coordinated by Anthea Harris, former CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator. This move coincides with an ACCC investigation into allegations of anti-competitive conduct by major fuel suppliers, particularly regarding diesel availability in regional areas. The government's actions are a direct response to global economic uncertainty driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. PM Anthony Albanese announces a national fuel supply task force and ACCC investigation to secure energy amid Middle East conflict and global uncertainty. Canberra, March 19 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced that the federal government has established a fuel security task force amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Speaking after meeting with state and territory leaders on Thursday morning, Albanese told reporters that the government is doing "all that it can" to secure Australia's fuel supply. "I want to assure Australians at this time that Australia is well prepared. Our fuel supply is currently secure, however I want us to be over prepared," he said. "I reiterate today my message to Australians is please do not take more fuel than you need. That is how you can help." He announced that Anthea Harris, former CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator and of the Energy Security Board, has been appointed as the coordinator of a new national fuel supply task force and that each state and territory will appoint someone in a similar capacity. Albanese said that the task force will drive coordination between the federal, state and territory governments on fuel security and supply chain resilience. The announcement was made shortly after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it had launched an investigation into allegations of anti-competitive conduct by the nation's major fuel suppliers. The ACCC said it commenced the investigation in response to reports concerning diesel availability to independent wholesalers and distributors servicing regional and rural Australia, Xinhua news agency reported. On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister had flagged new measures to protect the country's people from the 'worst' of the global economic uncertainty driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a speech to an automotive industry event on Wednesday morning, Albanese had described the conflict in the Middle East as another "major shock to hit the global economy" in the 2020s following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. - IANS President Droupadi Murmu will install the 'Ram Yantra' on the second floor of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, an act that marks the symbolic completion of the temple's construction. Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee, described this as a historic moment fulfilling the dreams of millions of devotees. He highlighted the emotional impact on pilgrims and praised the collective participation of all institutions and governments in the project. Meanwhile, preparations include special traditional attire for the deity, particularly for the upcoming Ram Navami festival. President Droupadi Murmu will install the Ram Yantra, symbolizing the completion of the Ayodhya Ram Temple's construction, in a historic ceremony. Ayodhya, March 19 Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee, said on Thursday that the 'Ram Yantra' will be installed by President Droupadi Murmu on the second floor, ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Speaking about the preparations and the schedule of events, Misra told ANI that, "The President's program is being closely monitored by the district administration, representatives from the central government, and the Uttar Pradesh government, all of whom are fully confident that it will be a success. The President will undertake a very important task - the 'Sthapana' of the Shri Ram Yantra. On the ground floor of the temple, Lord Ram is present, and on the first floor, the 'Ram Parivar' resides." Adding to this, he said, "On the second floor, which is the final floor and a symbol of completeness, the 'Sthapana' of the Shri Ram Yantra will take place. With this, the construction of the temple will be considered complete from today. It is a historic moment for millions of people who never even hoped that Lord Ram's temple would be restored. Today, they are able to have darshan, and their dream is coming true." He expressed that when people come before Lord Ram for Darshan, they do not believe that they are witnessing this moment and become emotional. "You must often hear, and you must have discussions with people, that when they come before Lord Ram for Darshan, for a minute, they cannot believe it, and in those moments, tears come to their eyes, the fact that they are witnessing this today. Such a program of construction and the implementation of this entire plan, the way all institutions and governments have provided their contribution and help, which we call 'participation', everyone has participated in this. This event today has become a symbol of that collective participation," Misra said. Meanwhile, Poshak Designer for Lord Ram, Manish Tripathi, told ANI that, "The poshak of god is fixed, and on special occasions, God wears yellow clothes. So, naturally, you will see God in yellow clothes. Today, in the service of Lord Shri Ram, traditional Indian attire, poshaks from all states, come and are offered at his feet. Special poshaks are being made for Ram Navami also." - ANI RSE Group Ukraine, amid the ongoing development of decentralized generation in Ukraine, plans to reach production of more than 400 modular units per year by the end of 2026, the company reported. "RSE Group Ukraine already has experience implementing distributed generation projects in Ukraine and Europe with a total capacity of more than 900 MW and is increasing production of modular solutions to more than 400 modules per year," the company said in a comment to Energy Reform on Thursday. The company explained that these include cogeneration units that allow simultaneous production of electrical and thermal energy directly at the point of consumption. It noted that such solutions can be used for business and industry as well as for providing hospitals, heating systems and other critical infrastructure facilities. "In preparing for winter, the key role is played not only by the volume of generation, but by its distribution. Decentralized solutions reduce the risks of large-scale blackouts and ensure continuity of critical infrastructure operations," RSE Group Ukraine Director Hanna Pozdniakova said in a comment. According to her, the Ukrainian market is already demonstrating the ability to rapidly scale such solutions. Cogeneration equipment manufacturers are increasing production capacities and can produce dozens of modules per month, which makes it possible to speak about the realism of the state's stated plans for distributed generation development. Thus, preparation for the next winter in Ukraine is gradually transforming into a transition to a more flexible, autonomous and resilient energy model, the company believes. As reported, First Deputy Prime Minister Energy Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during a speech in the Verkhovna Rada on March 13 stated that Ukraine plans to launch another 1.5 GW of distributed generation capacity by the end of 2026 in addition to the 1.5 GW commissioned since the beginning of the full-scale war. Ankur Abhishek returned to his native village in Bihar's Sheikhpura district after losing his job in Delhi during the COVID-19 pandemic. He discovered the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), which provided financial assistance to start his pasta-making venture. His business has grown from a small outlet to a mini-enterprise, now supplying pasta to several neighbouring districts. The successful venture employs 8-9 local workers and stands as a model of how government schemes can foster rural entrepreneurship. Ankur Abhishek turned pandemic job loss into a thriving pasta business in Sheikhpura, creating employment with help from the PMEGP government scheme. Patna, March 19 Ankur Abhishek, a native of Husainabad village in Bihar's Sheikhpura district, is a popular name, and his pasta venture, which started off as a small outlet, is now generating orders from neighbouring regions. The pasta eatery he opened some time ago, after losing his job, has given Ankur a new identity and the village new recognition for its rare culinary taste. Ankur opened this with assistance under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). Today, he is not just running a stable enterprise but also giving employment to many local youths. Not long ago, he worked at a private firm in Delhi. He was earning a handsome salary, and his life was easy. As the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, he, along with many others, saw the devastation. In the subsequent lockdown, he was compelled to leave Delhi and return to his native village. Upon returning to the village, he faced unemployment and remained jobless for some time. As he couldn't find a job, he started mulling over opening his own enterprise or small business. He visited the District Industries Department office to gather information about various government schemes. It was during this visit that he learned about the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). Under the PMEGP scheme, there are provisions for government subsidies ranging from 15 per cent to 35 per cent, in addition to bank loans, to facilitate the setting up of small and medium-sized enterprises. The scheme offers financial assistance of up to Rs 25 lakhs for projects valued at up to 25 lakhs, enabling young entrepreneurs to set up their own industries. Ankur Abhishek decided to embark on a pasta-manufacturing venture. He applied under the PMEGP scheme and, upon approval, purchased a pasta-making machine. Initially, he commenced production on a small scale; however, through sheer hard work and dedication, his business gradually expanded. Today, his pasta unit has evolved from a small outlet to a mini-enterprise. Pasta is produced daily at their facility and supplied to markets in the neighbouring districts of Nawada, Munger, Nalanda, and Lakhisarai. The demand has steadily increased over the years, generating substantial profits for his business. Ankur Abhishek shares that he initially faced numerous challenges but never lost heart. Today, approximately 8 to 9 workers are employed at his factory. He credits the PMEGP scheme for his success. He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, stating that this scheme is an excellent initiative for young people like him. - IANS Seen as barometer for party's popularity The Bharatiya Janata Party's Central Election Committee has finalized its candidates for upcoming Assembly by-elections across five seats in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura. The high-level meeting was chaired by senior leader Nitin Naveen and attended by top party leaders including the Prime Minister. The candidates were selected after reviewing ground reports and feedback to ensure they are winnable and credible. This move is seen as a proactive strategy to secure these vital seats and gauge the party's organizational strength ahead of future polls. BJP's Central Election Committee, chaired by Nitin Naveen, finalizes candidates for upcoming Assembly by-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura. New Delhi, March 19 The Bharatiya Janata Party Central Election Committee on Thursday finalised candidates for the upcoming Assembly by-elections in Goa, Nagaland, Karnataka and Tripura. The high-level meeting, chaired by senior leader Nitin Naveen, was held on Wednesday at the party headquarters here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and all other members of the Central Election Committee were present. After detailed deliberations, the panel cleared five candidates for the four states where by-elections are scheduled later this year. In Goa, the party has fielded Ritesh Ravi Naik from the 21-Ponda constituency. Naik, a prominent local face, is expected to consolidate the BJP's hold in the coastal belt. In Nagaland, Daochier I. Imchen has been chosen for the 28-Koridang (ST) seat, a party press release said. The decision aims to strengthen the party's outreach among Scheduled Tribe voters in the northeastern state. Karnataka will see two contests. Veerabhadrayya Charantimath has been nominated from 24-Bagalkot, while Srinivas T. Dasakariyappa will contest from 107-Davanagere South. Both leaders bring strong regional experience and are seen as safe bets to retain the saffron party's influence in northern Karnataka. In Tripura, Jahar Chakraborti will represent the BJP from the 56-Dharmanagar constituency. The choice reflects the party's continued focus on Tripura, where it has maintained a strong presence since coming to power. The selections were made after thorough consultations to ensure winnable and credible candidates. These seats are considered vital for the party in all four states. In Nagaland, the contest offers an opportunity to expand the party's footprint in the region. Party sources said the Central Election Committee reviewed ground reports, feedback from state units and organisational strength before finalising the names. Strict instructions have been given to all candidates to begin campaigning immediately and focus on local issues such as development, infrastructure and welfare schemes. The BJP's announcement is being seen as a sign of a proactive strategy to counter any opposition moves. Leaders across states have welcomed the decisions and vowed full support to ensure victories. This development comes at a time when the BJP is gearing up for multiple state polls. Analysts believe these by-elections will serve as a barometer for the party's organisational preparedness and popularity under the Modi government. With high-profile leaders, like the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, personally overseeing the process, the party is leaving no stone unturned to secure all five seats. - IANS The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced its candidates for the upcoming Assembly by-elections in Tripura and Nagaland. In Tripura, party loyalist Jahar Chakraborti will contest from the Dharmanagar seat, which fell vacant after the death of Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen. In Nagaland, Daochier I. Imchen, son of late veteran leader Imkong L. Imchen, will make his electoral debut from the Koridang constituency. The party's Central Election Committee, in a meeting attended by top leaders, finalized these candidates for the polls scheduled for April 9. BJP names Jahar Chakraborti for Tripura's Dharmanagar & Daochier I. Imchen for Nagaland's Koridang in April 9 by-elections. Details inside. Agartala/Kohima, March 19 The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday announced its candidates for the April 9 by-elections to two Assembly constituencies in the Northeastern states of Tripura and Nagaland. According to a notification issued by election authorities in both states, the filing of nominations began on March 16, while the last date for submission is March 23. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 24, and the final date for withdrawal of candidatures is March 26. Results will be declared on May 4. As per a press statement issued by BJP General Secretary Arun Singh, Jahar Chakraborti will contest from the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district, while Daochier I. Imchen will make his electoral debut from the Koridang Assembly constituency in Mokokchung district of Nagaland. Singh stated that the BJP's Central Election Committee, in a meeting chaired by party President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday, finalised candidates for by-elections in four states -- Tripura, Nagaland, Goa and Karnataka. The meeting, held at the party headquarters in New Delhi, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other members of the election committee. In Tripura, 59-year-old Jahar Chakraborti, the BJP's North Tripura district Vice President, will contest from Dharmanagar Assembly constituency for the second time. In 2013, Chakraborti, known as a staunch Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist, contested from the same seat but lost to then Congress candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen. Chakraborti's wife, Barnali Goswami, previously served as Chairperson of the Tripura State Commission for Women. He will now face CPI (M)-led Left Front candidate and former MLA Amitabha Datta. The bypoll in Dharmanagar Assembly constituency became necessary following the death of Biswa Bandhu Sen, who was serving as Speaker of the Tripura Assembly. Sen, 72, passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on December 26, 2025, after prolonged medical treatment. He was elected to the Assembly four times -- twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and later in 2018 and 2023 as a BJP nominee from the same constituency. A total of 46,143 voters, including 23,763 women, are eligible to cast their votes in the Dharmanagar Assembly bypoll. In Nagaland, Daochier I. Imchen will contest from the Koridang Assembly constituency, a seat long represented by his father, veteran Naga leader Imkong L. Imchen, for over 25 years. The by-election in Koridang was necessitated by the death of Imkong L. Imchen, who passed away at a private hospital in Guwahati on November 11, 2024, after a brief illness. He was 75. Imchen was elected to the Nagaland Assembly five times from the Koridang constituency -- first as an Independent in 2003, then on Naga People's Front tickets in 2008, 2013 and 2018, before winning on a BJP ticket in 2023. A total of 22,390 voters, including 11,013 women, are eligible to vote in the Koridang Assembly constituency. - IANS Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar stated that all parties involved will accept the Supreme Court's upcoming verdict on the controversial UGC equity guidelines. The Supreme Court had stayed the new regulations in January, citing "complete vagueness" in the rules and potential for misuse. The regulations were introduced to address caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions by establishing special committees and helplines. The statement follows incidents of protest and chaos, including Delhi University's subsequent ban on meetings and processions. UP Minister OP Rajbhar states all sides will accept the Supreme Court's decision on the controversial UGC equity guidelines, currently stayed by the court. Lucknow, March 19 Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar, on Thursday, said that the Supreme Court's judgment will be accepted by all the parties on the issue of University Grants Commission guidelines. He stated that both sides involved in the matter would respect and abide by the judicial decision concerning the new regulations. "It's up to the court. Whatever the court decides will be accepted by all. Both sides would accept the court's decision. The government will present its case before the court, and both sides will present theirs," said Rajbhar. Meanwhile, on February 17, Delhi University prohibited meetings, processions, and protests for a period of one month. This development came days after chaos erupted at a protest demanding implementation of the new University Grants Commission (UGC) equity guidelines, which the Supreme Court put on hold, citing "complete vagueness" in the rules and potential misuse. On January 29, the SC stayed the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, following nationwide uproar over alleged "discrimination" against the General Category in the regulations. The Top Court said that, for now, the 2012 UGC regulations will continue to apply. The Court opined that there is complete vagueness in Regulation 3 (C) (which defines caste-based discrimination), and it can be misused. "The language needs to be re-modified," the Court said. After 75 years of trying to make a caste-less society, whether the direction of policy-making is progressive or tending towards a regressive approach, it asked. The new regulations, introduced to curb caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, require institutions to establish special committees and helplines to address complaints from students in the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backwards Classes (OBC) categories. - ANI Prime Video has officially announced the second season of the web series 'Call Me Bae' during a slate event in Mumbai. Ananya Panday will return to play the lead role of Bella "Bae" Chowdhary, whose life becomes more complex as her news show launches. The new season will introduce challenges from her returning ex-husband and a distracting, charming boss, while her friend group also faces new tensions. The series is produced by Karan Johar and features returning cast members like Vir Das and Shruti Haasan. Prime Video announces Call Me Bae Season 2. Ananya Panday returns as Bella 'Bae' Chowdhary, facing new career and romantic challenges. Mumbai, March 19 Actor Ananya Panday is ready to return as Bella "Bae" Chowdhary in the second season of the web series 'Call Me Bae.' The announcement was made on Thursday during a slate event by Prime Video in Mumbai. At the event, the platform confirmed that the show will return with a new season and Ananya will once again play the lead role. The upcoming season will focus on Bae's journey as her own news show finally goes on air. While this brings her fame and attention, it also brings new challenges in both her personal and work life. In the second season, Bae's life becomes more complicated when her ex-husband returns. At the same time, she also finds herself getting distracted by her charming boss. This leaves her confused as she struggles to balance her feelings and her growing career. Her close group of friends will also face problems in the new season. The arrival of a "Nayi Behen" in their circle will start creating tension among the group. The show is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta. The series will be directed by Collin D'Cunha and written by Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar and Rohit Nair. Apart from Ananya, several actors from the first season will return. The cast includes Vir Das, Shruti Haasan, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt and Lisa Mishra. Actor Mini Mathur will also join the cast in the new season. The first season of the show was released in September 2024. It followed Bae, a rich and stylish young woman whose life changes after she is cut off from her wealthy family. She then moves to Mumbai and starts a new life while learning to live independently, build friendships and discover herself. - ANI The Indian government has launched the RELIEF scheme with a Rs 500 crore outlay to support exporters facing disruptions from the West Asia crisis. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced the scheme aims to stabilize export flows by reducing high freight and insurance costs. The initiative will provide targeted support, especially to MSMEs, for shipments to 17-18 severely affected destinations. The Export Credit Guarantee Corp will implement this time-bound intervention to help maintain India's export market share. Govt launches RELIEF scheme with Rs 500 crore to support exporters facing shipping disruptions & high costs due to the West Asia conflict. New Delhi, March 19 The government on Thursday launched a new scheme called Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation to help Indian exporters deal with disruptions caused by the ongoing crisis in West Asia, aiming to ensure smooth trade and protect the country's market share. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced the RELIEF scheme, saying it is part of the government's broader Export Promotion Mission. He described it as a carefully designed support package to stabilise export flows during the current crisis. "The scheme will provide targeted support to exporters, especially small and medium enterprises, who are facing operational challenges due to disruptions in shipping and logistics," Agrawal said. "The focus will be on 17-18 destinations that have been particularly affected by the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region," he stated. He added that the main aim of the initiative is to ensure that exports continue as smoothly as possible despite the challenges. "The scheme is expected to reduce the burden of high freight costs and rising insurance premiums, which have increased sharply due to the conflict," Agrawal mentioned. RELIEF will cover both insured exporters and non-ECGC insured MSME exporters for one month, along with support for future shipments for up to three months. The expenditure for the scheme will be met from the existing allocation under the Export Promotion Mission. The government is also working through an inter-ministerial group to address the issues being faced by exporters. Agrawal noted that shipments are getting delayed and, in some cases, are not reaching their destinations due to disruptions in key routes. The current situation follows last month's joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, which has impacted major shipping and air corridors in the region. This has pushed up oil prices and increased logistics costs, affecting global trade. The government hopes that the RELIEF scheme will help exporters navigate these challenges and maintain the flow of goods during what it called "extraordinary times." Meanwhile, Lav Agarwal, the Director General of Foreign Trade, announced the outlay of nearly Rs 500 crore for RELIEF scheme that will provide focused and time-bound intervention. The government-owned Export Credit Guarantee Corp will be the implementing agency. - IANS The Ministry of Rural Development has launched the 'VB-G Ram G Youth Digital Campaign' in collaboration with the MY Bharat portal. It aims to engage rural youth aged 15-29 as active partners in showcasing development and innovation in their villages. The campaign features a video challenge, a logo design competition with a 50,000 prize, and an online quiz on government schemes. Registration is open online until March 20, 2026. Indian govt launches digital campaign for rural youth aged 15-29 to showcase village development via videos, logo design, and quizzes on MY Bharat. Gandhinagar, March 19 The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, has launched a nationwide 'VB-G Ram G Youth Digital Campaign' in collaboration with the 'MY Bharat' portal, aiming to encourage participation of rural youth in development activities. The initiative seeks to channel the energy and creativity of young people towards rural development, employment generation, and local livelihood initiatives. The campaign is designed to make youth active partners in nation-building by providing them with a digital platform to showcase progress and innovation in their villages. Through this initiative, participants can present stories of development work, grassroots-level changes, and local innovations through videos and creative designs. According to the announcement, all interested youth between the ages of 15 and 29 years can register online through the 'MY Bharat' or 'MyGov' portals. The last date for registration has been set as March 20, 2026. Several competitions have been organised under the campaign to encourage participation. In the Video Challenge (Reel Competition), participants are required to create a short video of 30 to 60 seconds highlighting development work or livelihood-related activities in their village. The video must be uploaded to the 'MY Bharat' portal. A Logo Design competition has been announced, where the winner will receive a cash prize of 50,000 along with recognition. The competition aims to identify a creative logo that reflects the objectives of the campaign. Additionally, an online Quiz has also been included as part of the campaign. Participants can earn a digital certificate by answering 20 questions based on 'Viksit Bharat - G Ram G Act. 2025' and various government welfare schemes. The campaign will not only provide a digital platform for youth but also help in giving a new identity to the progress of rural India. For further information, participants have been advised to contact the MGNREGA branch of the District Rural Development Agency. - ANI Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma extended Rajasthan Day greetings and called for collective participation in the 'Developed Rajasthan 2047' vision. He flagged off 207 new roadways buses, including express and AC vehicles, to modernize the state's public transport system. The Chief Minister also marked Chaitra Navratri by performing Ghatasthapana with his wife at his residence temple. Additionally, he inaugurated a state-level Sanitation Week and flagged off the 'Viksit Rajasthan Run-2026' as part of the foundation day festivities. Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma flags off 207 new RSRTC buses, calls for public participation in 'Developed Rajasthan 2047' vision on state's foundation day. New Delhi, March 19 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday extended greetings of Rajasthan Day to all the residents of the state. In a self-made video message, the Chief Minister recognised the importance of the day and called for large-scale participation in the goal of 'Developed Rajasthan 2047." "It is a day of celebration of our glorious heritage, rich culture, and those human values that have given Rajasthan a unique identity on the world stage. Let us all come together to ensure our participation in fulfilling the resolve of 'Developed Rajasthan 2047'," he said. Coinciding with the celebrations of Rajasthan Day, the Chief Minister is set to provide a significant gift to the state by flagging off 207 new roadways buses at the bus terminal on Ajmer Road. This expansion of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) fleet is designed to make public travel more accessible, modern, and convenient for the general public. The new additions to the state's transport infrastructure include 100 Blue Line Express buses, 79 Starline buses, and 28 air-conditioned vehicles. By officially flagging off these service-line vehicles in Jaipur, the government aims to strengthen the state's transit network while celebrating the cultural and administrative milestones of the region. Additionally, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma marked the first day of Chaitra Navratri by performing a traditional puja and the ritual of Ghatasthapana alongside his wife at the Raj Rajeshwari Temple located within the CM's residence. During the ceremony, he offered prayers to Goddess Durga for the health, happiness, and prosperity of all the people of Rajasthan. On Sunday, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off the 'Viksit Rajasthan Run-2026' in Jaipur as part of celebrations marking Rajasthan Day. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a state-level Sanitation Week in Jaipur on Saturday as part of the lead-up to the celebrations. Speaking at the event, Sharma highlighted the growing awareness among people about cleanliness and sanitation over the past decade. The events are among several programmes being conducted by the state government ahead of Rajasthan Day, which is observed every year on March 30 to commemorate the formation of the state. - ANI Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy declared the government's commitment to elevating farmers as 'king' by making agriculture a profitable livelihood. He announced that funds under the Rythu Bharosa scheme will be credited to farmers' accounts on March 22, adding to the 18,000 crore already spent. The government has also waived farm loans up to 2 lakh per farmer to provide debt relief. During Ugadi celebrations, Reddy highlighted the launch of the Bhu Bharati portal to resolve land ownership issues and prayed for the state's prosperity. CM Revanth Reddy dedicates new year to farmers, announces Rythu Bharosa payout on March 22 and highlights loan waivers to make agriculture profitable. Hyderabad, March 19 Chief Minister, A. Revanth Reddy, said on Saturday that the "people's government" is committed to the welfare of the entire farming community in Telangana State, making them "king" by promoting agriculture as a lucrative source of livelihood. Participating in the 'Sri Parabhava Nama Ugadi' celebrations in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said that the new Telugu year is being dedicated to the farmers' welfare and hence the government is moving forward with an objective of transforming agriculture into a profitable occupation so that the farmers will be elevated as "king". Stating that the government was providing bonus in addition to remunerative prices for the agricultural produce, Chief Minister Reddy announced that funds under the 'Rythu Bharosa' scheme will be released and credited into farmers' bank accounts on March 22. Chief Minister Reddy revealed that the state government has already spent 18,000 crore on 'Rythu Bharosa'. Chief Minister Reddy noted that to give big relief to the debt-ridden farmers, the Telangana government waived off farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh each of the growers. "It is also a matter of great pride for us that Telangana has the lowest debt burden of all the farmers in the entire country. This is important as 70 per cent of the families in Telangana are dependent on agriculture," he said. Chief Minister Reddy highlighted that Bhu Bharati was introduced to resolve land ownership issues by removing the Dharani portal which had caused a lot problems to the farmers in owning their lands. He reiterated that the government was forging ahead with the goal of positioning Telangana as a frontrunner among all states in the country. In the wake of increasing concerns of natural calamities, Chief Minister Reddy said that the government remains constantly vigilant. On the auspicious occasion of the Ugadi festival, the Chief Minister prayed to God that people of Telangana may prosper in peace and remain protected from natural disasters. The main official event to mark Ugadi was organised under the aegis of the Telangana Department of Language and Culture and the Department of Endowments. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Konda Surekha, and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud, MP Vem Narender Reddy, MLAs, MLCs, Corporation Chairpersons, and officials attended the event. - IANS Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri requesting adequate allocation of commercial and Auto LPG. The request follows the arrival of two gas carriers in Gujarat, as the state faces a severe shortage, supplying only 1,000 cylinders against a daily demand of 50,000. Siddaramaiah warned that the crisis is forcing establishments to shut down and impacting students, professionals, and auto-rickshaw drivers. He also highlighted the lack of an integrated monitoring system for commercial LPG distribution, leading to transparency issues. CM Siddaramaiah writes to Hardeep Puri for commercial & auto LPG supply after tankers arrive. State faces severe shortage impacting businesses. Bengaluru, March 19 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, Hardeep Singh Puri, requesting him to ensure adequate allocation and availability of commercial LPG and Auto LPG to Karnataka. Siddaramaiah's request came as two Indian vessels, 'Shivalik and Nanda Devi', arrived in Gujarat, carrying more than 90,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas Noting the disruption in LPG supply due to the West Asia conflict, Siddaramaiah mentioned that the state government is only able to supply 1000 per day as against the demand of 50,000 LPG cylinders from restaurants, hotels, catering establishments and PG accommodations. "As a result, there has been a visible increase in the shutting down of establishments due to the non-availability of commercial LPG. This is beginning to impact the students, IT professionals, farmers, dairy producers, along with a large section of the public who are dependent on the hospitality sector," Siddaramaiah said. He also mentioned there is no integrated platform available for monitoring the commercial supplies, as opposed to the existing IT system to monitor the domestic gas supply. The Karnataka CM also expressed concern over no integrated system to monitor the distribution of Auto LPG, which he said leads to a lack of transparency and accountability. "Similarly, Auto LPG is a critical fuel for a large number of auto-rickshaws, which form an important part of the city's last-mile connectivity and support the livelihood of many drivers. However, there is no integrated system to monitor the distribution of Auto LPG, which leads to a lack of transparency and accountability," he said. The two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz before arriving in India on March 16 and 17. MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi - carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG- crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Friday (March 13, 2026). 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. - ANI Photo: https://nypost.com/ US President Donald Trumps administration is considering the deployment of thousands of troops to reinforce operations in the Middle East, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the situation, including unnamed US officials. "The deployment of troops could provide Trump with additional options as he weighs expanding US operations, with the war against Iran now in its third week. According to sources, these options include ensuring safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuza mission primarily carried out by air and naval forces. However, as noted by four sources, including two US officials, securing the strait could also involve deploying US troops to the Iranian coastline," Reuters said. "The Trump administration has also discussed options for sending ground forces to Irans Kharg Island, the hub for 90% of Iranian oil exports, according to three people familiar with the matter and three US officials. One official noted that such an operation would be highly risky. Iran has the capability to strike the island with missiles and drones," according to the Reuters report, which granted anonymity to the sources "to discuss military planning." Pakistan's military establishment is facing internal turmoil, with a major reshuffle in the ISI imminent following severe intelligence failures. These lapses have resulted in significant casualties for security forces battling the TTP and Baloch insurgents. Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has issued a harsh "perform or perish" ultimatum to the intelligence agency, blaming it for failures on multiple fronts. The situation is further strained by a prolonged and unsuccessful campaign in Afghanistan, attributed to poor intelligence on Taliban leadership. Pakistan's ISI faces a major reshuffle after intelligence lapses lead to high army casualties, prompting a harsh 'perform or perish' warning from Field Marshal Asim Munir. New Delhi, March 19 All is not well within the Pakistan establishment and there is likely to be a major reshuffle in the ISI. This comes in the wake of multiple Intelligence failures that have led to major casualties among the army in Pakistan. This has led to harsh words directed at the ISI by Field Marshal Asim Munir. Officials tracking developments in Pakistan said that the army and the ISI are not on the same page as of now. The two wings of the Pakistan establishment, which have always worked in tandem, are moving in different directions since the last couple of months, the official said. The security forces have been caught like sitting ducks in multiple situations. The most embarrassing situations that the security forces have faced are at home and this has angered the army the most. The rift between the two began post India's 'Operation Sindoor'. The Intelligence agencies in Pakistan completely failed to provide any information. They did not have an idea about 'Operation Sindoor', an Intelligence Bureau official said. Post the operation, Pakistan has been battling the Balochi forces and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The casualties have been very high for the Pakistani forces. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the TTP runs a parallel government. After taking on the Pakistani forces, the TTP has set up checkpoints to ensure that no member of the Pakistan Army or ISI are able to enter. What is worse is that in many parts of Balochistan or KP, the security forces are refusing to go all out. They have been complaining that the Intelligence is either too weak or not there at all. This makes them an easy target and hence the reluctance has been growing. Field Marshal Asim Munir earlier this week called for a meeting of top officials of the army and ISI. He had some harsh words directed at the ISI. His message 'perform or perish' has not gone down too well with the top brass of the ISI. The ISI is also upset that Munir is looking to carry out a major shuffle within the ISI. This means many in the top brass are likely to be moved out of the agency. Munir feels that the ISI has completely failed in providing Intelligence relating to issues that are taking place within Pakistan. Around three months ago, the Pakistan army chief had instructed the ISI to get Grade A and actionable Intelligence on top leaders of the Balochistan National Army (BLA) and TTP. The army chief had particularly mentioned TTP chief, Noor Wali Mehsud and said that he needs to be eliminated at any cost. Another official said that it is not just the ISI, but the army chief is also cut up with his Military Intelligence Wing. The Military Intelligence wing, too, has failed to provide proper information about the top Taliban leadership. Field Marshal Munir had said that unless and until the top Taliban leadership is not wiped out, the war in Afghanistan cannot be won. The Pakistan military has managed to hit several targets in Afghanistan, most through air strikes. However they seem to be hitting more civilians rather than the top leaders. This has led to the war being prolonged and the army chief is unhappy about it. The Pakistan armed forces had estimated that they could complete the war in Afghanistan in less than a week. However, constant Intelligence failures have only led to the war prolonging and the Afghan Taliban getting more time to regroup and fight back. Another official said that within the Pakistani Intelligence circles, they feel that the army chief is biting off more than what he can chew. Post the setback that Field Marshal Munir got following 'Operation Sindoor', most had expected that they could take sometime to regroup and then focus on other operations. However, Munir decided to go on a battle on multiple fronts. Pakistan is in a conflict with the people of Balochistan, the TTP and now a war in Afghanistan. Gathering Intelligence on multiple fronts at the same time has stressed the Intelligence community. This explains the constant failure and the heavy loss of lives among the security forces in Pakistan. The failure to gather Intelligence and also being given an ultimatum by the Pakistan army chief is likely to demoralise the agency further and this could result in more losses for Islamabad, the official also explained. - IANS India has strongly condemned recent missile attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure in the Gulf region, labeling them "deeply disturbing" and unacceptable. The Ministry of External Affairs warned that such strikes destabilize the global energy scenario and impact liquefied natural gas supplies. The statement follows Iranian missile attacks on Qatar's key LNG facilities, including the Ras Laffan Industrial City, causing extensive damage. India emphasized it is in discussions with multiple countries to secure its energy needs amid the disruptions. India calls attacks on Gulf energy facilities "deeply disturbing," warns of global LNG supply impact, and demands immediate cessation. New Delhi, March 19 The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday termed recent attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure in the Gulf region amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia as "deeply disturbing" and called for an immediate cessation of such actions. Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's consistent position against targeting civilian and energy infrastructure in conflict zones. "Right from the very beginning, we have called for avoiding targeting of civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure across the region. Recent attacks against energy installations in different locations are therefore deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. Such attacks are unacceptable and need to cease," he said. Jaiswal also highlighted concerns over the impact of the ongoing conflict on liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, particularly due to disruptions in key shipping routes. "With the latest attacks, the LNG supply is going to be impacted. It has been impacted because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But we are in discussion with several countries and in touch with all stakeholders to ensure that we can secure our energy needs and enable unimpeded transit for our cargo," he added. Earlier, Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. This strike comes in retaliation from Iran after Israel struck the Islamic Republic's South Pars Gas field. The attack on Iran's Gas field and Qatar's LNG facilities has sent energy prices up further, with little sign of any resolution to the conflict soon. - ANI India has strongly condemned recent attacks on energy installations across the Gulf region, labeling them "deeply disturbing" and a threat to global energy stability. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated such unacceptable actions must cease. The escalation marks a dangerous phase in regional tensions, with Iran warning energy assets are now "legitimate targets." Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the crisis with Kuwait's Crown Prince and France's President, emphasizing de-escalation and the priority of safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. India terms attacks on Gulf energy sites "unacceptable," warns of global destabilization. PM Modi discusses crisis with Kuwait, France. New Delhi, March 19 India on Thursday termed the recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across the Gulf region as "deeply disturbing", highlighting that such actions will only further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. "India had previously called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated while responding to media queries regarding attacks against energy infrastructure in the Gulf region in the last few days. "Recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across this region are therefore deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. Such attacks are unacceptable and need to cease," he added. Several reports indicated that escalating attacks on Persian Gulf oil-and-gas infrastructure are sending the US-Israeli war with Iran into a dangerous new phase that threatens to worsen the crisis over global energy supplies. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said that the United States "knew nothing" about Israel's strike on Iran's South Pars gas field and warned Tehran of massive retaliation if it "unwisely" targets Qatar again, after Iran struck a portion of Qatar's LNG facility following the attack. Iran has warned countries around the region that a number of energy assets are now "legitimate targets" following the strike on South Pars. The field is widely regarded as the world's largest natural gas reserve and is shared between Iran and Qatar. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia while sharing concerns over recent developments. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's condemnation of attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasising that ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains the foremost priority. Earlier today, PM Modi also held a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the situation in West Asia and urgent need for de-escalation and return to dialogue and diplomacy. - IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta offered prayers at the Jhandewalan Temple in New Delhi on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, extending her wishes to citizens. Across the country, devotees gathered at major temples in cities like Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Surat, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Katra to mark the auspicious occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended heartfelt greetings for Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Cheti Chand through social media posts. Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta visited Jhandewalan Temple on Chaitra Navratri, extending wishes and praying for the nation's progress. Devotees thronged temples nationwide. New Delhi, March 19 Delhi CM Rekha Gupta offered prayers at Jhandewalan Temple in New Delhi on the first day of Chaitra Navaratri. She also extended her wishes on the occasion. Speaking to ANI, she said, "I extend my best wishes to the citizens of Delhi and the country on Navratri. I pray before Maa to bless our country in every circumstance so that we do not face any challenge and progress ahead, and Delhi emerges as a developed city." Meanwhile, devotees thronged temples across several cities on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, offering prayers and seeking blessings. In Gorakhpur, people visited Golghar Kali Mandir, while in Lucknow, devotees gathered at Maa Chandrika Devi Temple to offer prayers. Similar scenes were witnessed at Maa Amba Temple in Surat, where devotees arrived early to participate in rituals. In Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, devotees marked the Hindu New Year by chanting mantras, offering prayers to the Sun god and blowing conch shells on the banks of the Shipra River. In Uttar Pradesh, a large number of devotees gathered at the Shri Durgakund Temple in Varanasi from early morning on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. In Jammu and Kashmir, despite continuous rainfall, a large number of devotees thronged the temple in Katra early in the morning to begin their pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji on the auspicious occasion. Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasions of Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. In two separate posts on X, the PM expressed wishes on the first day of Navratri, praying for discipline, peace and positive energy for everyone. "On the first day of Navratri, the ritual is to worship Devi Shailaputri, the first form of Maa Durga. May her blessings infuse discipline, peace, and positive energy into everyone's life--this is the heartfelt wish," the PM wrote in a post. "I bow to the one who grants desired boons, with the crescent moon adorning her crest. Mounted on a bull, wielding a trident, the glorious Shailaputri. My salutations and obeisance at the feet of the Mother of the Universe, Maa Durga, on behalf of millions of my fellow countrymen! On the sacred occasion of Navratri, I beseech the Divine Mother to bestow her blessings of affection and compassion upon one and all. Jai Mata Di!" he wrote in another post. - ANI The Delhi High Court has directed the Election Commission of India to consider and decide K Kavitha's application for registering her new political party, Telangana Praja Jagruti, without undue delay. The court disposed of her petition, which alleged her January application had seen no progress despite her rectifying deficiencies pointed out by the ECI. Kavitha's counsel emphasized urgency due to impending local body elections in Telangana expected in mid-April. The ECI's counsel opposed a strict deadline, citing the Commission's ongoing nationwide election duties, leading the court to order expeditious consideration without fixing a specific timeframe. Delhi High Court directs ECI to decide K Kavitha's application for Telangana Praja Jagruti party registration without delay ahead of local polls. New Delhi, March 19 The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission of India to expeditiously consider and decide the application filed by former Member of Parliament and ex-Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha for registration of her political party, Telangana Praja Jagruti. The matter came up before Justice Amit Bansal, who disposed of the petition after directing the poll body to decide on Kavitha's application at the earliest. The court, however, declined to fix a specific timeline for the process. Kavitha approached the High Court alleging that her application dated January 23 for registration of the party under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, had remained pending without any progress. She contended that despite responding to deficiencies pointed out by the ECI on February 23, no further steps had been taken by the Commission. Emphasising urgency, her counsel submitted that local body elections in Telangana, including Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC), are expected to be notified in mid-April, making timely registration crucial. The petitioner sought a direction to the ECI to decide the application within a fixed timeframe of four weeks. Appearing for the ECI, Advocate Sanjay Vashishtha informed the court that the application would be considered as soon as possible. He opposed the request for a strict deadline, pointing out that the Commission is currently engaged in conducting elections across the country. Taking note of the submissions, the court directed the ECI to consider Kavitha's application expeditiously but refrained from imposing any specific time limit. The petition was accordingly disposed of. Kavitha, who was previously associated with the BRS founded by her father and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, was suspended from the party in September 2025 following internal differences. She later resigned and announced her intention to float her own political platform. Since then, she has been active on public issues under the banner of Telangana Jagruti and is now seeking formal registration of her party ahead of the upcoming elections in the state. - ANI Devotees across southern states visited temples to celebrate Ugadi, the Telugu and Kannada New Year. Simultaneously, the first day of Chaitra Navratri saw large gatherings at major temples nationwide, from Varanasi to Delhi. A devotee expressed fortune at beginning the nine-day festival at the Vaishno Devi shrine. The celebrations commenced with rituals, prayers, and the resonant sounds of temple bells and hymns. Devotees across South India and the nation visit temples to mark Ugadi and the first day of Chaitra Navratri with prayers and rituals. Hyderabad, March 19 Devotees visited temples across southern states on the occasion of Ugadi, marking the Telugu and Kannada New Year. In Hyderabad, devotees thronged the Hanuman temple in Chikkadpalli to offer prayers. In Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, devotees gathered at Vaikundapathi Perumal Temple, where rituals began early on Thursday with Gomatha Pooja. In Bengaluru, Karnataka, worshippers offered prayers at Kaadu Malleshwara Temple. Meanwhile, marking the first day of Chaitra Navratri, devotees across the country visited temples on Thursday in large numbers to seek blessings and begin the auspicious festival with devotion. The occasion was celebrated with great faith as people observed rituals and prayers from early morning. In Uttar Pradesh, a large number of devotees gathered at the Shri Durgakund Temple in Varanasi from early morning on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. In Jammu and Kashmir, despite continuous rainfall, a large number of devotees thronged the temple in Katra early in the morning to begin their pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji on the auspicious occasion. A devotee said, "Today is the first day of Navratri. I've also been observing the Navratri fast. It's my great fortune to be able to visit Maa on the very first day of Navratri. It's thanks to her that she invites me every year, and I'm able to come every year..." Devotees also gathered in large numbers at prominent shrines, including the Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur temples in Delhi and Mumba Devi in Mumbai, to offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. The air resonated with the sound of bells and hymns as the Aarti performed marked the commencement of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, while talking to the reporters, said, "I wish everyone a Happy Chaitra Navaratri. May the Goddess bring prosperity in everyone's life and may Her blessings stay on our country..." - ANI The Assam State Forest Department has released six critically endangered, captive-bred white-rumped vultures, fitted with GPS transmitters for monitoring. This pilot release, alongside four rehabilitated wild vultures, marks a significant step in recovering populations decimated by toxic veterinary drugs. Recent bans on drugs like nimesulide and ongoing carcass sampling aim to ensure the environment is safe for the scavengers. The effort is a collaboration between the BNHS, RSPB, and state authorities, moving closer to declaring a Vulture Safe Zone. Six critically endangered white-rumped vultures, bred in captivity, were released in Assam as part of a major reintroduction and conservation effort. New Delhi, March 19 Six critically endangered whiterumped vultures were released as a pilot by the Assam State Forest Department at the Vulture Reintroduction Aviary in Rani Range, near Kamrup district, on Thursday. All the birds have been tagged with GPS/satellite transmitters for intensive monitoring. Four more wild vultures successfully rehabilitated by the BNHS vulture team have also been fitted with transmitters and released along with the captivebred birds, bringing the total number of released vultures to 10. The release marks an important step towards the recovery of vulture populations, which have been decimated across Asia due to toxic veterinary drugs. A recent publication showed that Assam has low levels of toxic veterinary drugs, although the availability of nimesulide had been increasing. However, nimesulide, along with aceclofenac and ketoprofen, has recently been banned by the Indian government. It is hoped that the environment will be fully safe once these bans take full effect. It is well established that toxic veterinary painkillers used in cattle can rapidly wipe out vulture populations. The Assam Forest Department project, managed by BNHS, has been collecting cattle carcass samples to confirm that no toxic drugs remain in use. Studies have shown that fewer than one per cent of cattle carcasses containing lethal levels of diclofenac were enough to cause the catastrophic vulture declines seen in India from the mid1990s to early 2000s. A target of 800 samples has been set to statistically confirm the absence of diclofenac in vulture food. So far, 150 samples have been analysed and found to be free of toxic NSAIDs, with 650 more to be collected within a 100km radius of the release site. The six captivebred vultures released had all fledged from the nearby Rani Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, managed by BNHS with support from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Assam Forest Department. BNHS centre manager Dr Sachin Ranade said the team would constantly monitor the birds' movements and intervene if needed. Chief Wildlife Warden Vinay Gupta said Assam had made important progress in removing dangerous veterinary drugs and was closer to ensuring a safe environment for vultures. SAVE Chair Jemima ParryJones said that with reduced veterinary use of toxic painkillers and strong support from RSPB, the region was moving closer to declaring a true "Vulture Safe Zone". BNHS Director Kishor Rithe said more awareness was needed among veterinarians and farmers about safe alternatives such as meloxicam and tolfenamic acid, but significant progress had been made. Elated over the release, Chris Bowden, representing the RSPB, said it had been a long journey to address drugrelated threats and accidental poisoning, and that maintaining captive populations had been vital for future releases. - IANS The ongoing West Asia crisis is impacting India's ceramic tile industry through disruptions in gas and propane supplies from Qatar, significantly raising production costs. Manufacturers have already implemented a 5% price hike on existing inventory, with a further 10-20% increase under consideration due to volatile gas prices. This has triggered panic buying by distributors building inventory, and a prolonged shortage could lead to supply issues in the first quarter. While near-term challenges persist, the industry-wide nature of the disruption may allow for recovery in the following quarter as demand and supply stabilize. Ceramic tile prices in India surge 5-20% due to Qatar gas supply disruptions from the West Asia crisis, causing industry-wide cost pressures. New Delhi, March 19 The impact of the ongoing West Asia crisis is beginning to reflect across industries, with home decor products such as ceramic tiles becoming more expensive due to rising gas costs, according to a report by Nuvama Institutional Equities. The report noted that disruptions in gas and propane supplies from Qatar have significantly affected tile manufacturers, squeezing their margins and increasing production costs. According to the report, most manufacturers have already implemented a price hike of around 5 per cent on existing inventory. It stated "Most manufacturers have implemented a apprx. 5 per cent price hike on existing inventory, with a further 10-20 per cent increase under consideration amid volatile gas prices". The report highlighted that the current situation has also led to panic buying by distributors, who are building inventory to meet near-term project requirements. However, the report cautioned that if the gas shortage persists for more than a month, it could lead to supply shortages and impact volumes in the first quarter. Ceramic tiles are becoming more expensive because natural gas is the primary fuel used to power the high-heat kilns required for production, and its cost is a major component of the final price. Despite this, the report expects that since the disruption is affecting the entire industry, companies may be able to recover in the following quarter as demand normalises and supply stabilises. The report further noted that the Indian ceramic industry is currently undergoing a structural clean-up phase. However, near-term headwinds such as the ongoing gas crisis and slowdown in exports are weighing on overall sentiment. It also pointed out that around 25 per cent of exports from the ceramic industry are linked to the Middle East, which has been affected due to the ongoing conflict. It added "given that it will be an industry wide event, we expect the following quarter to catch up". So, the report indicated that rising energy costs and supply disruptions are creating short-term challenges for the ceramic tile industry, leading to higher prices and potential supply constraints in the near term. - ANI Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi has resigned from the Congress party and joined the BJP ahead of the Assam assembly elections. He cited persistent internal humiliation and a feeling of loneliness within the Congress as the reasons for his departure. BJP leader NV Subash welcomed the move, calling it a "feather in the cap" for the party. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi termed the resignation unfortunate, framing the upcoming election as a battle to free Assam from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigns from Congress, joins BJP, alleging internal humiliation and lack of support from party leadership. Hyderabad, March 19 BJP leader NV Subash on Thursday said that Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi's move to leave Congress and join the party is a "feather in the cap for BJP". Speaking with ANI, he said, "This is a feather in the cap for the BJP because many people from different walks of life and now from different political parties, especially Congress, are joining the BJP. It means that people have faith in the BJP that it will work for the people. This MP felt suffocated in the Congress party. We welcome him joining the BJP." Ahead of the Assam Assembly election, Bordoloi joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia. He tendered his resignation to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, ending his lifelong association with the Congress party amid allegations of internal mistreatment. While speaking to the reporters on Tuesday, Pradyut Bordoloi said, "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." After joining the BJP, Pradyut Bordoloi said his decision was driven by persistent internal humiliation and a lack of support from the party leadership. Referring to a specific Assam Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting, he said he felt hurt after Congress leader Imran Masood dismissed his allegations against a candidate, whom he accused of running a criminal nexus, as "fabricated." Masood, who represents Saharanpur in the Lok Sabha, is a part of Congress's screening committee for the upcoming Assam elections. Following the resignation of his party MP, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi called it an "unfortunate decision" and said that the 2026 assembly election is about "freeing Assam from the clutches of Himanta Biswa Sarma". 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. 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. - ANI Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that ongoing global conflicts are creating significant uncertainty for world economies and energy security. He highlighted the public anxiety caused by this instability and stressed the need for countries to protect their long-term interests through dialogue and resilience. Joshi pointed to structural imbalances in global energy resources while emphasizing that the transition to renewables, though essential, will be gradual. He expressed confidence that the 21st century belongs to India if it follows a sustainable development pathway. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says global wars create uncertainty for economies and energy security, calling for dialogue on a sustainable future. New Delhi, March 19 The ongoing conflicts around the world are creating uncertainty for economies and energy security, and call for dialogue on a sustainable future, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday. "In the entire world, there is a kind of turmoil... there is so much war going on, and it is affecting economies and energy security," he said while addressing Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. Joshi said the current global environment has led to widespread concern among people about the future. "People are thinking what will be the future... people are bothered, people are tensed," he said, highlighting the impact of conflicts on both economies and public sentiment. He stressed that beyond immediate concerns, countries must focus on safeguarding long-term interests. "Not only tensed... our own future should be protected," he said, pointing to the need for resilience in policy and planning. Referring to the broader global situation, Joshi said geopolitical tensions across regions are contributing to instability. He cited countries such as Iran, Russia, China and Taiwan as examples where tensions are impacting global dynamics. He also drew attention to structural imbalances in energy resources. "Where there is oil, there itself there is no gas... where there is ample gas, there are problems," he said, underscoring challenges in global energy distribution and infrastructure. At the same time, Joshi emphasised that the transition towards renewable energy is essential but will take time. "The moment you decide renewable, it will take some time," he said, noting that conventional and renewable sources must coexist during the transition period. He highlighted progress in renewable energy, referring to multiple capacity additions across segments, while cautioning that conventional energy systems cannot be abruptly discontinued. Linking sustainability with broader cultural and national context, he extended greetings on Gudi Padwa, describing it as a symbol of renewal and new beginnings, and said the concept aligns with the shift towards renewable energy. Joshi also expressed confidence in India's long-term growth, stating that the 21st century is expected to belong to the country, provided it follows a sustainable development pathway guided by the vision of Narendra Modi. He underlined the importance of coordination among ministries, experts and stakeholders in navigating global uncertainties and ensuring a smooth energy transition. The minister also acknowledged the role of leadership and officials, including Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, in advancing discussions on the power sector. Emphasising cooperation, Joshi said dialogue remains key in addressing global challenges. "When tensions arise in the world, we should sit together and talk about a sustainable future," he said. The minister said that with ongoing conflicts shaping global markets and energy systems, countries must work collectively to ensure stability, strengthen energy security and build a resilient and sustainable future. - ANI Over past 24 hours, Russian Armed Forces launch strikes with various types of UAVs on Kharkiv and 9 settlements of region; one person is killed, there are casualties, Regional Military Administration Oleh Synehubov head has said. "In Kharkiv, 54-year-old man is killed; 45-year-old and 23-year-old men and 16-year-old boy are injured; in village of Ruski Tyshky of Tsyrkuny community, 65-year-old man and 66-year-old woman are injured," Synehubov said on Telegram on Thursday morning. Nepal's government formation process has formally begun after the Election Commission submitted the final poll report to President Ram Chandra Paudel. The report finalizes the 275 members of the House of Representatives, elected through both First-Past-the-Post and Proportional Representation systems. Balendra 'Balen' Shah, a structural engineer and former Kathmandu mayor, is poised to become the next Prime Minister as his Rastriya Swatantra Party commands a majority. The President will now call for government formation under constitutional provisions, with the first parliamentary session required within 30 days. Nepal's Election Commission submits final poll report to President, formally starting the government formation process. Balendra 'Balen' Shah is poised to become the next Prime Minister. Kathmandu, March 19 The government formation process has formally begun in Nepal with the Election Commission submitting the poll report to President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday. Structural engineer, rapper, and former Mayor of Kathmandu, Balendra 'Balen' Shah, is poised to become the next Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation. Ram Prasad Bhandari, officiating Chief Election Commissioner, presented the report to the President during a special ceremony at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas. During the event, President Paudel expressed satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the polls, noting that they were conducted with dedication and integrity despite "difficult and complex circumstances." The EC report includes the final names of the 275 members elected under both the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) systems. The submission marks the formal conclusion of the general elections, clearing the way for the President to initiate the process of government formation. Earlier in the morning, the electoral body also distributed certificates to lawmakers elected under the PR system in the recent House of Representatives elections. A total of 110 lawmakers were elected through the PR system. Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari, along with Commissioners Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shumsher JB Rana, welcomed them with Tika and garlands. Election Commission Secretary and PR election officer Krishna Bahadur Raut distributed the certificates. "We have so much to tackle, from the most basic things of justice, security, and safety to more complex problems related to development. We've got so much to address, but we are very confident that the team we have will be able to handle all issues, from foundational to growth-related ones. For me personally," Anushka Shrestha, Miss Nepal 2019 and newly elected MP, said. Under the PR system, 57 lawmakers were elected from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), 20 from the Nepali Congress (NC), 16 from the CPN (UML), nine from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), and four each from the Shram Sanskriti Party and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). The Election Commission had announced the PR election results on March 16. Under the FPTP system, the RSP secured 125 seats, followed by the NC with 19, UML with nine, NCP with eight, Shram Sanskriti Party with three, RPP with one, and one independent candidate. As per constitutional provisions, the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Federal Parliament, consists of 275 members, including 165 elected through FPTP and 110 through PR. "Just the locations where we were standing have changed. On September 8, we were at the Maitighar Mandala protesting, and next we'll be in Parliament addressing the sessions. Only the place where we stand has changed, not the nature. We will remain vocal in Parliament, as we were on September 8. If the ruling party makes any mistakes, we will raise our voice and be very vocal about it," said Purushottam Yadav, September 8 protest organiser and newly elected MP. With the distribution of certificates to elected representatives and the submission of the final poll report, the President will now call for government formation under Article 76 of the Constitution of Nepal. Clause (1) states that the President shall appoint the leader of the parliamentary party commanding a majority in the House of Representatives as Prime Minister. According to constitutional provisions, the President must convene a session of the Federal Parliament within 30 days of the announcement of final results, as stipulated in Article 93(1). The first meeting of the House of Representatives will be chaired by the senior-most member, during which the process to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will begin within seven days. The RSP had projected its senior leader, Balen Shah, as its prime ministerial candidate. As per constitutional requirements, the Prime Minister must be a member of the House of Representatives and the leader of the parliamentary party. The party is preparing to appoint Shah as its parliamentary leader, though the formal announcement is unlikely before the weekend. With the RSP alone holding a near two-thirds majority in Parliament, its parliamentary leader will be appointed Prime Minister under Article 76(1). This marks the first time since the promulgation of the Constitution that a single party with a clear majority will form a government under this provision. The Federal Parliament Secretariat has scheduled the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected lawmakers on March 26. As per legal provisions, the Election Commission must submit its report to the President within seven days of the publication of the final results. Upcoming parliamentary sessions are expected to be held at the newly constructed Parliament building in Singha Durbar. - ANI The Indian government has announced the RELIEF scheme with a Rs 497 crore outlay to support exporters impacted by the conflict in West Asia. The initiative aims to mitigate sharp increases in logistics costs and insurance premiums for shipments to the region. It is structured into three components providing credit support, enhanced insurance cover, and freight cost reimbursements, particularly for MSMEs. The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) will implement the scheme, which is designed to stabilize export flows and protect India's market share during the crisis. Govt announces Rs 497 cr RELIEF scheme to support exporters facing high logistics costs & insurance premiums due to West Asia conflict. Details here. New Delhi, March 19 The Centre today announced the Resilience & Logistic Intervention for Export promotion scheme to support Indian exporters impacted by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The initiative aims to provide a calibrated support package to stabilise export flows and protect India's market share during the crisis period. The scheme focuses on mitigating the sharp rise in logistics costs and insurance premiums for shipments heading to the Gulf and West Asia. The details of the intervention were shared during a press briefing by the Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, who stated that the "Middle East conflict has an impact" and noted there are significant "challenges due to this conflict." The Commerce Secretary also informed that "the government has come together to set up two inter-ministerial group in the Department of Commerce. We are meeting daily to assess the challenges. We are trying to listen to them and respond to them." The RELIEF scheme is structured under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) with a total financial outlay of Rs 497 crore. The Secretary explained that the government is "trying to build an export package" and that "in this conflict we are trying to help export keep going." The support is divided into three distinct components to address different segments of the exporting community, with the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) acting as the nodal and implementing agency. The urgency for intervention stems from crisis dynamics in the shipping corridor, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime logistics have faced disruption, leading to the introduction of Additional War Risk Premiums and Emergency Conflict Surcharges. According to the briefing data, freight rates on key routes rose by nearly 90 to 100 per cent within a short period during the Red Sea crisis of 2023-24. Outbound logistics costs increased due to vessel diversions and congestion at trans-shipment hubs, placing immense pressure on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with limited working capital. Component I of the scheme provides export credit support for exporters already insured by ECGC for consignments issued between February 14 and March 15, 2026. The government will top up compensation for war and political risk losses beyond ordinary policy cover while keeping premiums at pre-disruption levels. The estimated support for Component I is Rs 56 crore Component II targets upcoming exports from March 16 to June 15, 2026, offering stable premiums and enhanced cover of up to 95 per cent for fresh shipments into the affected region. The consignments destined for countries include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Yemen. The estimated support for Component II is Rs 159 crore. Component III provides the largest share of support, with an estimated outlay of Rs 282 crore dedicated to non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters. This segment offers reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of the additional freight and insurance burden for consignments destined for countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Yemen. The Secretary emphasized the importance of these markets, noting, "There is a dependence on our exports in these countries, and we are trying to see that even in these difficult circumstances, whatever exports we are able to do, we are trying to support that also." To ensure transparency, ECGC will maintain a real-time monitoring dashboard for claims processing and fund utilization. An EPM Steering Committee will oversee the scheme, holding the authority to reallocate funds based on evolving conditions. The government expects these measures to prevent order cancellations and support export-oriented sectors that depend on uninterrupted regional trade. - ANI Nagpur celebrated Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year, with a vibrant Shobha Yatra featuring traditional dances and cultural tableaux. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis participated and extended his greetings to citizens across the country. The procession, organized by the Hindu Nav Varsh Aayojan Samaroh Samiti, included depictions of Lord Ram and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Actress Sai Tamhankar also joined the festivities, which highlighted unity and cultural pride. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis joins vibrant Gudi Padwa celebrations in Nagpur, featuring a cultural procession and traditional performances. Nagpur, March 19 Celebrations began with a shobha yatra in Nagpur on the occasion of 'Gudi Padwa' on Thursday, ushering in the Marathi New Year with great enthusiasm and traditional fervour. The city witnessed vibrant processions, cultural performances, and widespread participation from people across all age groups. Children were seen performing the traditional lezim dance, adding colour and energy to the celebrations. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis joined thousands of residents in Nagpur to participate in the grand 'Shobha Yatra' organised on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, he expressed happiness at being part of the celebrations and extended greetings to citizens across the country. "I am very happy to be present at this Shobha Yatra today, on the sacred day of Gudi Padwa, the Hindu New Year. I extend my best wishes to all Indians on this occasion. Under the leadership of Sandeep Joshi, a wonderful Shobha Yatra is held every year in Nagpur. One can see the enthusiasm; Nagpur has been transformed into 'Bhagwa' (saffron), and people of all ages are participating in it in traditional attire. It's a beautiful sight for all of us to witness together here."Fadnavis said. The procession showcased various cultural elements, including lezim troupes, Varkari groups, and elaborate tableaux depicting historical and religious figures. Marathi actress Sai Tamhankar also joined the Gudi Padwa festivities alongside Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. A local participant said, "This procession is being organised by the Hindu Nav Varsh Aayojan Samaroh Samiti, Nagpur, to celebrate the New Year, which is also known as the Hindu New Year, the Indian New Year, and the Marathi New Year." "One can see the Lezim and Varkari contingents and numerous tableaux here. Lord Shri Ramchandra and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are also represented, making it a proud and joyous occasion for everyone," he explained the Shobha Yatra. The celebrations highlighted unity, tradition, and cultural pride across Nagpur. - ANI Former TMC leader Humayun Kabir has declared his Aam Janata Unnayan Party will contest 182 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The party has formed an alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, which will contest approximately eight of those seats. Kabir personally plans to run from both the Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies in Murshidabad district. He also issued a direct political challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding her Bhawanipur seat. Former TMC leader Humayun Kabir announces his Aam Janata Unnayan Party will contest 182 West Bengal Assembly seats with AIMIM as an alliance partner. Kolkata, March 19 Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder and former All India Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabir on Thursday said that his party will contest 182 seats in the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Kabir said, "I had already announced 15 candidates earlier. Now, Humayun Kabir will contest from Raninagar; he is also doing an additional job. Then, another businessman named Humayun Kabir will contest from Bhagwangola. Also, Manisha Pathak Pandey will contest from the 64-Murshidabad seat. So, with the 15 announced earlier and these three now, we have opened a list of 18 candidates today." "My party, along with the alliance we are in, will contest in 182 seats. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) will be a partner and will contest in approximately 8 of those seats," he added. Asking if there has been any talk with Owaisi (Asaduddin Owaisi) regarding this, to which he replied, "Talks have happened; there is no need to say more for now. Just wait for tomorrow. Their representative, Advocate Adil Hussain, who is the West Bengal observer (for AIMIM), spoke with me yesterday and is coming to meet me tonight for further talks." Kabir confirmed he will personally contest from both the Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies in Murshidabad while issuing a sharp challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding her own seat in Bhawanipur. "I, as the Chairman of JOP, am contesting from 70-Rejinagar and 74-Naoda. As for Bhawanipore, I think Mamata Banerjee should choose one more seat to contest from. Otherwise, if she loses, then that will be a poor thing," said Kabir. Last year, Trinamool Congress (TMC) suspended Humayun Kabir over his remarks in which he claimed that he will inaugurate a Babri Masjid in the state's Murshidabad district. According to Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim, MLA Kabir had been "warned" about his statements previously, and as such, questioning his motives, the party has suspended him. - ANI Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the critical need for India to achieve complete self-reliance in drone manufacturing to ensure defence preparedness and strategic autonomy. He cited the Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel conflicts as evidence of the decisive role drones will play in future warfare. Singh stated the goal is for India to become a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing by 2030, requiring self-reliance down to the component level. The message was delivered at the National Defence Industries Conclave, which aims to integrate MSMEs and advanced technologies into the defence manufacturing ecosystem. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urges national self-reliance in drone manufacturing by 2030, citing lessons from global conflicts and the need for strategic autonomy. New Delhi, March 19 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that in order to maintain the country's defence preparedness and strategic autonomy, it is important for India to achieve complete self-reliance in drone manufacturing. Speaking at the National Defence Industries Conclave, he stated that the country needs the support of every stakeholder to accomplish this mission. "For the sake of India's defense preparedness and strategic autonomy, it is imperative that the nation achieves complete self-reliance in drone manufacturing. The country needs the support of each and every one of you to accomplish this mission. You can be assured of every possible form of support from the government. We must all work together in a "mission mode" so that, by 2030, India emerges as a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing," said Singh. The Union Minister, while stressing the importance of drones in India's defence ecosystem, asserted that in light of the Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel conflicts, there is a significant role of drones and counter-drones in future warfare. Hence, he stated that there is an urgent need for India to establish a self-reliant drone manufacturing ecosystem to meet these evolving security challenges. "Today, as the entire world witnesses the ongoing conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, as well as Iran and Israel, it is abundantly clear that there is a clear role of drones and counter-drone technologies in future warfare. Consequently, there is an urgent need in India today to establish a drone manufacturing ecosystem in which we are completely self-reliant. This self-reliance is essential not merely at the product level, but, crucially, at the component level as well. This implies that everything, from drone molds to software, engines, and batteries, must be manufactured right here in India. This is no easy task, as in most countries where drones are manufactured, many critical components are currently imported from China," said Singh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the two-day National Defence Industries Conclave at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on Thursday. The National Defence Industries Conclave (NDIC) 2026, organised by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), is based on the theme of 'Advanced Manufacturing Technologies', and will be held from March 19 to 20, as per the official release. 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 aims to 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. - ANI A report by ASK Wealth Advisors warns that a prolonged crisis in West Asia poses a structural "triple threat" to India's economy. The risks extend beyond high energy import dependence to include a potential crash in vital remittance flows, which exceeded USD 120 billion in 2023. Reverse migration of millions of Indian workers from the Gulf could create severe labour market and political pressures domestically. The crisis also threatens Dubai's role as a critical offshore financial and commercial hub for Indian businesses. Report warns India faces rising energy costs, falling remittances, and reverse migration from Gulf crisis, threatening economic stability. New Delhi, March 19 Amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia, India is facing a potential "triple threat" of rising energy costs, declining remittance inflows, and reverse labour migration, which could put pressure on the domestic economy, according to a report by ASK Wealth Advisors. The report highlighted that India's exposure to a Gulf crisis is structural rather than incidental, with deep linkages across energy dependence, labour markets and financial flows. "India therefore faces a potential triple compression in a serious Gulf crisis: energy costs rising, remittance flows falling, and reverse migration creating labour market and political pressure at home," the report noted. It pointed out that while India's oil import dependence -- with more than 80 per cent of its energy needs met through imports -- is often cited as a key vulnerability, the broader risks extend beyond energy to labour and financial architecture. The report stated that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region hosts between eight and nine million Indian workers. The UAE alone accounts for roughly 3.5 million, making Indians the largest national community in the emirate. "These workers span the full range of the Gulf economy, construction labour, logistics, hospitality, domestic service, mid-level management and professional services, and generate remittance flows that are significant at a macroeconomic level," it said. India remains the world's largest recipient of remittances, with inflows exceeding USD 120 billion in 2023. The GCC contributes roughly half of this total, with the UAE being the single largest source country. The report highlighted that the importance of remittances goes beyond numbers, particularly for regions such as Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where Gulf employment has been a key driver of economic mobility for decades. "Gulf wages capitalised local property markets, funded education, and provided a form of social insurance that state governments could not. A sustained disruption to Gulf employment does not produce a statistical footnote in Indian national accounts," the report said. It further warned that reverse migration of skilled and semi-skilled workers could create pressure on domestic labour markets that may struggle to absorb them, adding to existing fiscal challenges. The report also emphasised the strategic importance of Dubai, noting that it functions as a major offshore financial and commercial hub for Indian businesses. Indian entrepreneurs hold property, run companies and manage regional operations from the emirate at a scale unmatched by any other jurisdiction. According to the report, any sustained erosion of confidence in the UAE would not only impact Indian workers but also influence how Indian private capital manages its offshore financial structures. So the report cautioned that the implications of a prolonged Gulf crisis for India extend well beyond energy prices, with potential ripple effects across remittances, labour markets and financial systems. - ANI President Emmanuel Macron stated that France and India are working closely to reduce tensions in West Asia following a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace. The discussion occurs amid heightened regional conflict impacting global energy routes and markets, following military strikes and retaliatory actions. The situation has led to the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit chokepoint. Macron and PM Modi discuss urgent de-escalation in West Asia, emphasizing diplomacy and coordination to restore regional peace and stability. Paris, March 19 President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said that France and India are working closely together to reduce tensions in West Asia and keep diplomacy at the forefront of efforts to restore peace in the region. Responding to PM Modi's post on X, following their conversation, Macron said, "Thank you, my dear friend. India and France are working closely together to reduce tensions in the region and to keep diplomacy at the heart of our efforts for peace." Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi had held a telephonic conversation with Macron, during which both leaders discussed the evolving situation in West Asia and emphasised the urgent need for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. "Spoke with my dear friend, President Emmanuel Macron, on the situation in West Asia and the urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We look forward to continuing our close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond," PM Modi Stated in a post on X. The conversation comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with ongoing conflict impacting regional stability, global energy supply routes, and international markets. The present conflict in the region 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 waterways 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 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated India must become a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing to ensure strategic autonomy and enhance defence preparedness. He highlighted that future warfare will heavily rely on drone and counter-drone technologies, necessitating self-reliance down to the component level. The minister launched new innovation challenges and cited the success of the iDEX framework, which has onboarded hundreds of start-ups and resulted in significant procurement contracts. Senior defence officials, including the service chiefs, attended the conclave which also saw the launch of a digital industry database called Srijan Deep. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pushes for indigenous drone manufacturing for strategic autonomy, highlighting iDEX success and MSME growth at defence conclave. New Delhi, March 19 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that India must work in a mission mode to emerge as a global hub of indigenous drone manufacturing in the next few years to ensure strategic autonomy, enhance defence preparedness and make the country Aatmanirbhar in view of the present geopolitical uncertainties. Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day National Defence Industries Conclave at Manekshaw Centre here, the minister asserted that the ongoing conflicts, ranging from the Russia-Ukraine war to the tensions between Iran and Israel, are proof that drones and counter-drone technologies are destined to play a pivotal role in future warfare, and self-reliance in drone manufacturing is essential not merely at the product level, but at the component level as well. "From the drone's moulds to its software, engines, and batteries, everything must be manufactured in India. This is no easy task. In most countries where drones are manufactured, a significant number of critical components are currently imported from China," he pointed out. Rajnath Singh added that while the creation of any nation's defence industrial ecosystem relies on the contributions of large industries, MSMEs, start-ups, and innovators, it is equally driven by a clear policy push from the government, tailored to meet the country's specific defence requirements. "As of February 2026, approximately 676 start-ups, MSMEs, and individual innovators have joined the defence innovation ecosystem since the inception of iDEX in 2018, and as many as 548 contracts have been signed. Of these, 58 prototypes have received clearance for procurement, valued at around Rs 3,853 crore. Furthermore, 45 procurement contracts have already been signed, worth nearly Rs 2,326 crore," the minister said. As part of the inaugural session, the minister launched the 14th edition of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC-14) and the 4th edition of ADITI challenges under the iDEX framework. A total of 107 problem statements, including 82 under DISC-14 & 25 under ADITI Challenges 4.0, from the defence forces, the Indian Coast Guard, and the Defence Space Agency were launched to promote breakthrough innovations in various domains. A new initiative featuring 101 innovation challenges from defence PSUs was also launched by Rajnath Singh to encourage design-led innovation by MSMEs and start-ups. Rajnath Singh described iDEX and ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX as game-changer initiatives, through which start-ups, innovators, and MSMEs are provided with the opportunity to develop novel solutions to meet the specific requirements of the Defence Forces. He emphasised that MSMEs are today actively engaged in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Automation, and Advanced Manufacturing, representing a monumental and positive transformation. He added that the number of MSMEs in the country stood at approximately 4.67 crore in 2012-13, and the figure has reached nearly 8 crore, according to recent data. This growth, he said, demonstrates the continuous rise in the spirit of entrepreneurship within the country, and small industries are now playing a significant role in driving economic growth. In his remarks on the occasion, Secretary, Defence Production, Sanjeev Kumar highlighted that the conclave aims to promote advanced manufacturing technologies, and integration of MSMEs in the production ecosystem and entire value chain starting from design, development and manufacturing. A digital database of industries working in the defence sector, named Srijan Deep, has also been created, wherein over 40,000 industries have been listed to increase the resource for R&D, he added. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat and other senior officials were present on the occasion. - IANS Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India and Norway share a commitment to advancing meaningful reforms at the World Trade Organization. He held a virtual discussion with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide ahead of the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference. Goyal also met with delegations from a US defence tech firm and the American Intellectual Property Law Association to discuss innovation and partnerships. Additionally, he engaged with UK parliamentarians to advance economic and trade relations between India and the United Kingdom. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlights shared India-Norway commitment to WTO reforms, bilateral ties, and discusses partnerships in defence & IP. New Delhi, March 20 Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has said that India values its partnership with Norway and the two countries have a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, navigating evolving geopolitical developments, and advancing meaningful WTO reforms. Goyal held a series of interactions on Thursday. Responding to a post by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Goyal said he is looking forward to working closely towards a successful WTO Ministerial. "Thank you, Minister @EspenBarthEide, for the constructive exchange. India values its partnership with Norway and our shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, navigating evolving geopolitical developments, and advancing meaningful WTO reforms. Looking forward to working closely towards a successful WTO Ministerial," Goyal said. In his post Espen Barth Eide said he had fruitful discussion with Goyal. "I had a fruitful VTC with India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, @PiyushGoyal, yesterday. In my role as facilitator for @WTO reform, I consult with key member states ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon next week to seek progress at a critical juncture," he said. In another post, Goyal said he had a productive interaction with a delegation led by Brian Schimpf, Co-Founder & CEO of Anduril Technologies. "Discussed avenues to advance defence innovation and deepen technology partnerships, with a focus on expanding Anduril's footprint in India under the Make in India initiative," Goyal said. Goyal also met a delegation of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) led by their President Salvatore Anastasi. "We discussed advancing India's IP laws, fostering global alignment, promoting innovation, and enhancing ease of doing business to further strengthen India's global competitiveness," he said. Goyal met a delegation of UK MPs and held discussions to advance bilateral ties. "Met with a delegation of UK Members of Parliament, led by Rt. Hon. @LiamByrneMP,, Chair of the UK Parliamentary Business and Trade Select Committee. Held constructive discussions on advancing India-UK relations, with a focus on economic growth, sustainable development, and innovation. Confident that our win-win partnership will unlock new opportunities for both nations," he said ina post on X. - ANI Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has called for India to take a leading diplomatic role in ending the West Asia conflict, emphasizing that the region is a critical source of India's LPG and LNG supplies. He stated the ongoing war is hurting innocent people and creating severe potential shortages. Tharoor commented on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron, saying intervention from leaders of their stature to de-escalate is vital. The appeal comes amid reports of missile attacks on key energy facilities in Qatar and Iran, which India's MEA has called "deeply disturbing" and unacceptable. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor calls for India to lead efforts to end the West Asia conflict, citing threats to critical LPG and LNG supplies. New Delhi, March 20 Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said India should take a lead in trying to end the West Asia conflict, saying that the Gulf region is a major source of the country's energy supplies, including LPG and LNG, and the conflict is hurting people who have nothing to do with it. Tharoor, a former union minister, said that the continuation of conflict will create severe shortages and major world leaders should take responsible steps to try and stop the war. "I have publicly called for India to take a lead in trying to end this war (in West Asia). I think that we have every right to speak as a country that has already been deeply affected and with a lot of stake in the region," Tharoor told ANI. "I think we have every right to ask both countries to stop this because this kind of conflict going on is hurting the people who have nothing to do with the conflict...I think 60-80% of our LPG and LNG supply come from that side, through Strait of Hormuz. If we can't get them, that is going to create severe shortages...So. what major world leaders should be doing is taking responsible steps to try and stop it," he added. Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the situation in West Asia, he said a reduction in tensions will be good for the region. "I think it's very important that we take every step possible to de-escalate this war. If people of the stature of PM Modi and President Macron were to intervene with both sides of the conflict and try to get them to dial it down, it will be good for the region, for our country, for the world," he said. "India and France are supposed to have a special global strategic partnership, upgraded earlier this year. In that spirit, for them to talk about these things is very important. When you talk about the Strait of Hormuz, I don't think either country has any interest in trying to force passage through the Straits; that would be tantamount to declaring war and I don't think there is no appetite for that in either country," he added. PM Modi held a conversation with President Macron to discuss the situation in West Asia and urgent need for de-escalation and return to dialogue and diplomacy. The two leaders looked forward to continuing their close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond. India said on Thursday that the recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across the Gulf region are deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. In response to media queries regarding attacks against energy infrastructure in the Gulf region in the last few days, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that attacks against civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, are unacceptable and need to cease. "India had previously called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. Recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across this region are therefore deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. Such attacks are unacceptable and need to cease," he said. Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. Israel had earlier struck Iran's South Pars Gas field. The attack on Iran's Gas field and Qatar's LNG facilities has sent energy prices up further, with little sign of any resolution to the conflict soon. With energy supplies getting increasingly impacted due to West Asia conflict, India has also said that it is diversifying its supply sources to ensure that people's fuel needs are met. Answering queries during weekly media briefing here, Jaiswal said India is trying to buy LPG from everywhere and if it is available from Russia, the option would be exercised. He said India wants to have a wide range of options and is buying oil from various sources, including Russia. "We're trying to buy LPG from everywhere, wherever it's available. So if Russia is available, we'll go there too. Because the current situation is such that we have to ensure that our people's fuel needs are met... I can say that we want to have a wide range of options," Jaiswal said. He said India has continuously emphasised that one of its priorities has been the need to ensure unimpeded transit of goods and energy. "We have also called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. We believe that these are priorities of a large part of the global community since the impact of the conflict is being felt globally," he said. - ANI BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China and Turkmenistan should expand the scale of cooperation in the natural gas sector, and elevate trade and investment levels, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi made the remarks when meeting with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, adding that the two sides should expand cooperation in non-resource fields, including connectivity, agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital economy and clean energy. China's "two sessions" were successfully held not long ago, during which the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development was approved, Xi said. He also stated that the implementation of this outline will lay a solid foundation for China towards basically achieving socialist modernization, which benefits countries around the world. Over the past 35 years since its independence, Turkmenistan has forged an independent development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said. At the beginning of the Year of the Horse, China stands ready to discuss cooperation and share development opportunities with Turkmenistan to promote the building of the China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future, he said. Stressing that mutual support is the core essence of the China-Turkmenistan comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said regardless of how the international situation evolves, China will always support Turkmenistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Moreover, China will always support Turkmenistan in pursuing a policy of permanent neutrality and will remain a trustworthy partner for Turkmenistan. Both sides should accelerate the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Turkmenistan's development strategy, he said, calling on both sides to accelerate the progress of establishing Luban Workshops, traditional Chinese medicine centers and cultural centers. China and Turkmenistan must resolutely combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism to foster a secure environment for the development of both countries, Xi said. As a myriad of global challenges keep emerging, China stands ready to work with Turkmenistan to firmly uphold the status and authority of the United Nations and practice genuine multilateralism. Xi called on both sides to adhere to a global governance philosophy that emphasizes extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and lead the transformation of global governance with the principles of fairness, justice, openness, and inclusiveness. For his part, Berdimuhamedov extended his congratulations on China's successful "two sessions," which makes important decisions and arrangements for the development of various initiatives. Noting that China's prosperity and development benefit the world, he said that Turkmenistan-China cooperation has become an important and positive factor in the economic and social development of the two countries and is in the long-term interests of the two peoples. Turkmenistan will, as always, abide by the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, expand practical cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity and other fields, and seek common development and prosperity, as well as promote security and stability, Berdimuhamedov said. He said that Turkmenistan thanked China for its support of Turkmenistan's permanent neutral status, spoke highly of the four global initiatives proposed by Xi, and appreciated China for upholding a fair stance in international affairs. Turkmenistan is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the China-Central Asia mechanism to jointly safeguard peace and stability of the region and the world at large, Berdimuhamedov said. One worker of JSC Zaporizhiaoblenergo was injured as result of Russia attack on energy facility, company reported on Thursday. "Preliminary diagnosis from doctors: mine-explosive trauma, shrapnel wounds to back. Victim was taken to hospital," Head of Zaporizhiaoblenergo Andriy Stasevsky noted. As previously reported, on March 18, Russia army attacked DTEK brigade with drones in Dnipropetrovsk region while power engineers were heading to inspect line in frontline village. According to daily reports from Ukrainian energy companies, Russia does not stop daily attacks and shelling of Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities. Russia strikes are also directed directly at personnel of energy enterprises. The ongoing US-Iran tensions are directly impacting India's energy security due to its reliance on Middle Eastern oil, with rising prices posing an economic threat. Diplomatically, recent US military action against Iran shortly after a multilateral naval exercise hosted by India created an embarrassing source of bilateral tension. India is consequently navigating a careful, neutral position to balance its strong relations with Iran with its crucial strategic and economic partnership with the United States. However, the unpredictable nature of US policy under the Trump administration is causing India and other allies to proceed with caution. Former White House official Lisa Curtis analyzes how US military action against Iran impacts India's energy supply and delicate diplomatic balancing act. Washington, March 19 The ongoing US military operations involving Iran are straining India's energy security and testing its diplomatic balance, according to Lisa Curtis, a former White House official for South Asia, who said New Delhi is navigating a complex and increasingly volatile situation. "Well, I think first of all, it's impacting India's oil supply. India really relies on oil coming from the Middle East, so I'm sure Indian officials are very concerned about rising oil prices and how the crisis will impact the Indian economy," Curtis told IANS in an interview. She identified energy as the immediate concern for India, given its dependence on Middle Eastern crude. The spike in oil prices triggered by the conflict could weigh on India's economic outlook. Curtis also pointed to a diplomatic complication arising from recent US military action against Iran. "The US attacked an Iranian vessel shortly after it participated in an India-hosted naval exercise, a multilateral naval exercise," she said, calling it "embarrassing for India" and a source of tension in the bilateral relationship. India, she said, expects Washington to uphold a rules-based international order. "India looks to the United States to be a responsible player and to protect freedom of the seaways and protect other countries' sovereignty and protect them from coercion," she said. "But in this case, it's the US that is acting in a disruptive manner to that rules-based order," Curtis added. As a result, India is adopting a cautious stance. "India is, you know, trying to take a more neutral position," she said, noting that New Delhi is balancing "strong relations with Iran" with the importance of its economic and strategic ties with the United States. She said India's approach mirrors that of other US allies. Countries such as Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom are "trying to balance this idea of maintaining a strong partnership with the United States, but not getting drawn into a war that they are not part of." Curtis also said Washington appears increasingly isolated over its Iran policy. "I do think that the US is isolated from its major allies and partners when it comes to the military operations in Iran," she said. She noted that allies are reluctant to commit military assets. "Countries do not wanna send, you know, warships to escort oil tankers through the Horus Straits... They don't want to be involved in the military action that's happening," she said. Instead, partners are seeking non-military ways to support stability. "They wanna support the United States... trying to help reduce risk of oil tankers... release strategic reserves into the market," she said. On bilateral ties, Curtis said the US-India relationship has improved recently. "I think the US-India strategic relationship is at a much better place than it was, you know, six months ago," she said, citing the "completion of the interim trade framework deal" as a key step. She added that US policy shifts on Russian oil could benefit India. "The fact that the United States is allowing Russia... to sell oil... will help India," she said, noting that "anything that the US can do to help India navigate the energy crisis will be welcome." However, Curtis warned that policy unpredictability in Washington is raising concerns. "It demonstrates just how fickle and unpredictable this Trump administration is," she said, adding that "the unpredictable nature... is something that is alarming other countries." "I think this is something that's gonna cause India to deal cautiously with this Trump administration moving forward," she said. - IANS Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda hailed a UN report showing India's neonatal mortality rate has declined by nearly 70% since 1990, falling from 57 to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births. The Under-5 Mortality Rate saw an even steeper reduction of 79% over the same period. The UN IGME 2025 report identifies India as a leading global exemplar for accelerating child mortality reduction, driven by key initiatives like Special Newborn Care Units and expanded immunization programs. India's progress is a key driver behind South Asia's overall 76% decline in under-five deaths since 1990. India's neonatal mortality rate declined by nearly 70% since 1990, with under-5 mortality down 79%, hailed by Health Minister JP Nadda. New Delhi, March 19 Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday hailed India's significant progress in maternal and newborn healthcare, citing a nearly 70 per cent decline in the Neonatal Mortality Rate over the past 34 years. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda, in a post on X, said, "India emerges as a leading global exemplar in the UN IGME 2025 report for accelerating child mortality reduction. As per the UN IGME 2025 report, Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has declined by nearly 70%--from 57 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 17 in 2024--reflecting sustained improvements in maternal and newborn healthcare services. Similarly, the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) has registered an even steeper reduction of 79%, declining from 127 in 1990 to 27 in 2024. Key initiatives--Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), and expanded immunization combined with robust health systems have been driving this transformation. Under the dynamic leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, India's focussed comprehensive approach on neonatal care has paved the way for eliminating preventable child deaths and securing healthy future for our children." Meanwhile, India has emerged as a key contributor to global progress in reducing child mortality, according to the latest United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) Report 2025. The report highlights India's sustained and large-scale efforts in improving child survival outcomes, particularly across neonatal and under-five mortality indicators. Over the past two decades, India has played a pivotal role in reducing child mortality in the South Asia region, which has witnessed a 76% decline in under-five deaths since 1990 and 68% decline since 2000. This sharp reduction is largely driven by countries like India through targeted public health interventions, improved institutional delivery systems, and expanded immunisation coverage. The region's under-five mortality rate has fallen significantly, from 92 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to nearly 32 in 2024, reflecting sustained progress in child health outcomes. India remains committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, with the under-five mortality rate below 25 per 1,000 live births. Neonatal mortality rate below 12 per 1,000 live births. With accelerated interventions, India is well-positioned to further reduce preventable deaths and contribute significantly to global child survival goals. The report underscores that a majority of child deaths are preventable or treatable, and India's scaling up of interventions such as the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), Facility-based newborn care, and Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) has significantly improved survival rates. India's progress stands as a strong example of how policy prioritisation, scale, and sustained public health efforts can drive transformative outcomes. As global progress slows, India's momentum offers both hope and a replicable model for other nations. Neonatal Mortality Rate records a decline of 70% from 1990. In 1990, India had an NMR of 57, which has now fallen to 17 in 2024. Under 5 Mortality Rate witnesses a sharp fall of 79% from the 1990s data. In 1990, the U5MR stood at 127, while in 2024 it declined to 27. - ANI Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has formally criticized the UN Security Council for its prolonged silence following the killings of key Iranian officials. In a letter, he warned that this inaction emboldens Israel and could lead to the conflict spreading to other nations. The report details ongoing Iranian military operations, dubbed Operation True Promise 4, involving missile and drone strikes against Israeli and US targets in the region. Tensions are further heightened by Iranian attacks on UAE energy facilities and Tehran's demand for compensation from Abu Dhabi. Iran's UN envoy condemns Security Council inaction after killings of key officials, warns conflict could spread, details ongoing military operations. Tehran, March 19 Iranian Ambassador to United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani has criticised the United Nation Security Council for its prolonged silence over the killing of the country's key officials - Minister of Intelligence Esmaeil Khatib and National Security Chief Ali Larijani in a letter, reported Al-Jazeeera citing Mehr news agency. In the letter, Iravani also wrote that UNSC'S inaction has caused Israel to become stronger and bolder in targeting officials. Iravani also warned that the killings could spread to other countries if left unchecked. The US-Israel and Iran conflict is now in its third week with both sides showing no signs of stepping back. Earlier, Iravani formally notified the UN Secretary-General and Security Council that the UAE is "internationally responsible" for providing its territory to the US for attacks, reported state Media. According to Press TV, Iran is demanding full compensation for all damages from the UAE. Meanwhile, Iranian armed forces, alongside regional resistance groups, are continuing retaliatory military operations targeting the United States and Israel, according to Press TV. On Wednesday, March 18, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple strikes under the banner of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched in response to an "unprovoked act of aggression" by the US-Israeli coalition against Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, Press TV reported. According to Press TV, since the operation began, Iranian forces have carried out 63 waves of missile and drone attacks using advanced weaponry, hitting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories as well as US bases and assets across the West Asia region. This comes amid the backdrop of an Iranian attack targeting UAE's Habshan gas facility and the Bab field, which Abu Dhabi called a dangerous escalation and violation of international law. As the security situation evolves in the region, the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defence routinely continues to share the nation's military capabilities actively engaged in defensive operations. - ANI Iranian strikes have severely damaged Qatar's liquefied natural gas infrastructure, wiping out 17% of its export capacity. The CEO of QatarEnergy estimates a staggering $20 billion loss in annual revenue and a repair timeline of up to five years. The attacks have forced the company to declare force majeure on long-term LNG supply contracts to several countries. This disruption poses a direct threat to global energy security, particularly for markets in Europe and Asia. Iranian attacks damage Qatar's LNG infrastructure, causing a $20B annual revenue loss and threatening global energy supplies for up to five years. New Delhi, March 19 Iranian strikes on Qatar's energy infrastructure crippled 17 per cent of the nation's liquefied natural gas export capacity, potentially sidelining production for up to five years, as per a Reuters report. QatarEnergy's CEO Saad al-Kaabi told Reuters that the attacks resulted in an estimated USD 20 billion loss in annual revenue and posed a direct threat to global energy supplies across Europe and Asia. The disruption occurred following an unprecedented series of strikes aimed at Gulf oil and gas facilities, which Iran launched after Israeli attacks on its own gas infrastructure. The strikes hit two of Qatar's 14 LNG trains and one of its two gas-to-liquids (GTL) facilities. Al-Kaabi stated that the extent of the damage required a timeline of three to five years to restore the 12.8 million tons per year of LNG capacity. In an interview, Al-Kaabi expressed disbelief over the timing and source of the aggression, noting the regional implications of the strike. "I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would be - Qatar and the region - in such an attack, especially from a brotherly Muslim country in the month of Ramadan, attacking us in this way," he said. The disruptions forced state-owned QatarEnergy to consider declaring force majeure on long-term contracts for LNG supplies destined for Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China. Al-Kaabi noted that while shorter-term declarations occurred earlier, the current damage necessitated longer extensions due to the severity of the infrastructure loss. "I mean, these are long-term contracts that we have to declare force majeure. We already declared, but that was a shorter term. Now it's whatever the period is," he explained. U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil remains a key partner in the affected infrastructure, holding a 34 per cent stake in LNG train S4 and a 30 per cent stake in train S6. The impact of the strikes reached well beyond the LNG sector. Qatar's condensate exports projected a 24 per cent decline, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) output fell by 13 per cent. Helium production dropped by 14 per cent, with naphtha and sulphur both seeing a 6 per cent decrease. Al-Kaabi estimated that the damaged units cost approximately USD 26 billion to build and emphasized that production could only resume once the conflict ended. "For production to restart, first we need hostilities to cease," he said. - ANI Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed that Israel killed Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib in an overnight attack. This marks the third assassination of a high-ranking Iranian official, including security chief Ali Larijani and Basij force head Gholamreza Soleimani, in just two days. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have given standing authorization to target other senior Iranian officials. The killings represent a significant escalation, with analysts noting the targeted officials were deeply embedded in Iran's religious and intelligence infrastructure. Iran confirms Israel assassinated Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib. It's the third killing of a senior Iranian official in two days, escalating tensions. Tehran, March 19 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed that Israel killed Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib in an overnight attack, marking the third assassination of a high-ranking Iranian official in two days, Al Jazeera reported. The announcement on Wednesday comes hours after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed the Iranian minister had been killed, as per Al Jazeera. Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force, were also killed in Israeli air strikes on Tuesday. Pezeshkian condemned the "cowardly assassination of my dear colleagues," saying they "left us heartbroken". In a post on X, he added that their "path will continue stronger than before", as per Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim, reporting from the occupied West Bank, said Israeli military analysts regarded Khatib as a trusted figure close to Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Al Jazeera reported. "According to Israeli sources, they said they have been gathering intelligence that allowed them in the past 24 hours to declare the deaths of three senior Iranian officials," Ibrahim said, according to Al Jazeera. According to Al Jazeera, Katz also announced that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given the Israeli military standing authorisation to eliminate other senior Iranian officials in their sights without case-by-case approval. "This is seen as another success from the Israeli perspective in targeting the Iranian leadership," she said, Al Jazeera reported. Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall said, "In terms of his credentials, he 'ticked every box' in Iran, having graduated from the influential seminary in Qom and previously studied under the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei," Al Jazeera reported. "So he was really one of the top clerics, and he even has the title, Proof of Islam, one of the highest titles in the country. He is really well placed, religiously, ideologically and with decades of experience in the circles of intelligence, particularly civilian intelligence," Vall added. "He's a man whose killing, no doubt about it, will cause a dent to the remaining structure of the regime, the government. So that is what the Israelis are counting on," he concluded, Al Jazeera reported. As per Al Jazeera, the US Department of State offered a $10m reward on Friday for information about Iran's new supreme leader and other top officials, including Khatib. A funeral ceremony for Larijani and Soleimani was held in Tehran on Wednesday, according to Press TV, as officials and mourners gathered to honour the two figures, Al Jazeera reported. Larijani had been one of Iran's most influential political operators, having previously led its nuclear negotiations with the West and served as speaker of parliament, as per Al Jazeera. In an interview with Al Jazeera aired after the killing of Larijani was confirmed by Tehran on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the United States and Israel had yet to realise that Iran's government does not rely on a single individual, Al Jazeera reported. - ANI Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has publicly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for failing to condemn US-Israel military actions against Iran. The criticism follows Israeli airstrikes targeting an Iranian helicopter and a critical gas field, actions reportedly coordinated with and approved by the US White House. President Macron, after calls with US and Qatari leaders, advocated for a moratorium on strikes against civilian energy infrastructure. The conflict has entered its third week with a significant escalation in the scale of attacks between the involved parties. Iranian FM Araghchi criticizes French President Macron for not condemning US-Israel attacks on Iran, highlighting escalating West Asia conflict. Tehran, March 19 Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has openly criticised French President Emmanuel Macron for not siding with Iran during the ongoing war between the country and US-Israel. In a post on X, Araghchi wrote, "Macron has not uttered one word of condemnation of the Israel-US war on Iran. He did not condemn Israel when it blew up fuel storage in Tehran, exposing millions to toxins. His current "concern" didn't follow Israel's attack on our gas facilities. It follows our retaliation. Sad!" Macron had originally spoken about his call with US President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In a post on X, Macron wrote, "I have just spoken with the Emir of Qatar and President Trump following the strikes that hit gas production facilities in Iran and Qatar today." "It is in our common interest to implement, without delay, a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water supply facilities. Civilian populations and their essential needs, as well as the security of energy supplies, must be protected from military escalation." The third week of the conflict in West Asia has seen critical expansion in the scale of attacks mounted by both US-Israel and Tehran. Earlier, Israeli Defence Forces said that its Air Force destroyed an Mi-17 helicopter of Iran at the Sananaj Airport on Wednesday. Noting that the action deepens the blow to the military capabilities of Iran, the IDF said that it continues to expand aerial superiority in western Iran. Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that the strike came on the basis of precise real-time intelligence.It wrote on X, "The Air Force destroyed an "Mi-17 helicopter at the Sanandaj Airport in Hamadan. The IDF continues to deepen the blow to the military capabilities of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force and to expand its aerial superiority in western Iran. Yesterday (Wednesday), based on precise real-time intelligence guidance, an Air Force aircraft identified and struck an "MI-17" helicopter at the Sanandaj Airport in Hamedan." This comes as Israel also struck Iran's South Pars Gas field on Wednesday night--a move which news outlet Axios reported came after US President Donald Trump gave it a green-light. In its report, Axios said, citing Israeli officials, that PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump coordinated about the strike, with the aim to deter Iran from continuing to disrupt oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Axios further reported that the strikes by the Israeli Air Force at the natural gas processing facility in the southwest of Iran on Wednesday night was coordinated with and approved by the White House. On Wednesday night (local time) the Iranians hit back after an Israel strike targeted the South Pars Gas field. On their target Gas fields in Qatar. - ANI An Iranian ballistic missile struck the major Haifa oil refinery complex in northern Israel, with emergency teams responding to a resulting blaze and potential hazardous materials incident. The attack came in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars Gas field the previous day. In a separate but related incident, a US F-35 fighter jet was struck by suspected Iranian fire during a combat mission, forcing an emergency landing, though the pilot is safe. These events mark a significant escalation in regional hostilities, with direct attacks on critical energy infrastructure and military assets. Iranian ballistic missile strikes key Israeli oil refinery. Separate incident sees US F-35 jet hit by suspected Iranian fire as regional tensions escalate. Tehran, March 19 An Iranian ballistic missile struck a major oil refinery complex in northern Israel on Thursday as the conflict in West Asia escalates, CNN reported. According to CNN, the Iranian missile hit the Haifa oil refinery complex, with Israeli sources confirming the strike. Emergency response teams were rushed to the site to assess the damage; however, no casualties have been reported so far. Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority said firefighting teams are working to control a blaze that broke out following the strike, while search operations are underway, and officials are also assessing the possibility of a hazardous materials incident at the facility, CNN reported. The refinery, operated by the Bazan Group, is among Israel's largest energy installations and a key hub for fuel and chemical production in the Haifa Bay area. This comes after Israel struck Iran's South Pars Gas field on Wednesday night. In retaliation, Iran struck Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. In a separate development, a US F-35 fighter aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at a US airbase in the region after being struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. A spokesperson for US Central Command said the fifth-generation stealth jet was on a combat mission over Iran when the incident occurred. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is reported to be in stable condition. An investigation into the incident is currently underway. "The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation," Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesman for US CENTCOM, said, as quoted by CNN. According to CNN, the development could mark the first instance of Iran striking a US aircraft since the conflict began on February 28, with both the United States and Israel deploying F-35 jets in ongoing operations. The incidents come amid escalating tensions in the region, even as US officials continue to assert progress in their military campaign against Iran. - ANI Iran's envoy to the UN has formally accused the United Arab Emirates of being internationally responsible for providing territory for US attacks and is demanding full compensation. Iranian armed forces, alongside regional groups, continue retaliatory operations, including numerous missile and drone strikes targeting US and Israeli assets. This escalation follows an Iranian attack on a UAE gas facility, which Abu Dhabi condemned as a dangerous violation. Concurrently, Israeli forces report killing over 20 Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon amid expanding military operations. Iran's UN envoy holds UAE responsible for US attacks, demands damages as military operations target US and Israeli assets in the region. Tehran, March 19 Iran's UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, has formally notified the UN Secretary-General and Security Council that the UAE is "internationally responsible" for providing its territory to the US for attacks, reported state Media. According to Press TV, Iran is demanding full compensation for all damages from the UAE. Meanwhile, Iranian armed forces, alongside regional resistance groups, are continuing retaliatory military operations targeting the United States and Israel, according to Press TV. On Wednesday, March 18, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple strikes under the banner of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched in response to an "unprovoked act of aggression" by the US-Israeli coalition against Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, Press TV reported. According to Press TV, since the operation began, Iranian forces have carried out 63 waves of missile and drone attacks using advanced weaponry, hitting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories as well as US bases and assets across the West Asia region. This comes amid the backdrop of an Iranian attack targeting UAE's Habshan gas facility and the Bab field, which Abu Dhabi called a dangerous escalation and violation of international law. As the security situation evolves in the region, the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defence routinely continues to share the nation's military capabilities actively engaged in defensive operations. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, more than 20 Hezbollah operatives were killed amid ground operations in southern Lebanon yesterday, the Israel Defence forces said. According to the IDF, the operatives were killed by troops of the 36th Division and in strikes carried out by the Israeli Air Force. In one incident, soldiers of the Golani Brigade identified a cell of Hezbollah operatives attempting to fire anti-tank missiles on the forces. The IDF says the troops killed five operatives in that incident. The military says the ground troops also located numerous weapons, including RPGs and anti-tank missiles. The IDF has been preparing to deploy even more forces in southern Lebanon and further expand its buffer zone to push away the threat of Hezbollah from the border. - ANI Ireland used its St. Patrick's Day diplomatic outreach to underscore its strong and growing partnership with India. Attorney General Rossa Fanning highlighted the significant Indian community of 100,000 people, which includes 15,000 students, contributing key sectors in Ireland. Bilateral trade stands at approximately 16 billion annually, representing a disproportionately large share for Ireland's size. The visit is part of a broader effort to expand Ireland's economic and cultural footprint in India. Ireland's Attorney General highlights strong trade, education links with India, noting 100,000 Indian citizens in Ireland during diplomatic outreach. New Delhi, March 19 Ireland underscored its deepening of economic and cultural ties with India, with senior government representatives as the country celebrated St. Patrick's Day with engagements here in the national capital aimed at strengthening international partnerships. Speaking during the outreach, Ireland's Attorney General, Rossa Fanning, emphasised that India remains a key partner for Ireland across trade, education, and people-to-people connections. Highlighting the scale of engagement, Fanning noted that around 100,000 Indian citizens currently live and work in Ireland, forming a significant part of the country's workforce and academic community. Of these, approximately 15,000 are students enrolled in Irish universities, making India the second-largest source of international students in Ireland within the European Union after Germany, an official statement from the Embassy noted. "While 100,000 people may not seem large in an Indian context, it represents nearly 2 per cent of Ireland's total population of 5.7 million," he said, pointing to the community's contribution across sectors such as technology, finance, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. As per the statement, Fanning highlighted the steady growth in the trade ties between New Delhi and Dublin. Ireland currently conducts around EUR16 billion in annual trade with India, accounting for roughly 10 per cent of the European Union's total trade with the country. "Ireland is much smaller than 10 per cent of the EU, so we are already punching above our weight in our trading relationship with India," Mr Fanning said. He made the remarks during the annual St. Patrick's Day diplomatic outreach, on which government representatives travel globally to promote Irish values, heritage, and economic ties. This year, Irish officials are visiting over 50 countries, including major economies such as Argentina, France, Spain, and India. "We use the message of St. Patrick's Day to talk about our Irish values and heritage around the world and to build and foster connections with our trading partners," he said. "We are particularly pleased to be in India because it is such an important country to us." The visit also reflects a broader push to expand Ireland's footprint in India amid growing opportunities for trade, investment, and collaboration between the two countries. - ANI A report by Axios claims the Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field was coordinated with and approved by the White House, directly contradicting President Donald Trump's public statement that the US had no prior knowledge. Trump claimed Israel acted alone out of anger, while threatening a massive US military response if Iran attacks Qatar's energy facilities again. In retaliation for the initial strike, Iran targeted LNG facilities in Qatar, escalating regional tensions. The reported coordination aimed to deter Iran from disrupting oil shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz. Axios reports Trump approved Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field, contradicting his public denial and escalating Middle East tensions. Washington DC, March 19 News outlet Axios has reported that the strikes at South Pars Gas field in Iran came after US President Donald Trump gave it a green-light. In its report, Axios said citing Israeli officials that PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump coordinated about the strike, with the aim to deter Iran from continuing to disrupt oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Axios further reported that the strikes by the Israeli Air Force at the natural gas processing facility in Southwest of Iran on Wednesday night was coordinated with and approved by the White House. As per Axios, after the first Iranian missile strike, Qatari officials contacted White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CENTCOM commanders and other senior Trump administration officials and demanded to know whether Washington had prior knowledge of the Israeli strike, as per a source with knowledge of the matter. It further reported that Witkoff conducted numerous calls with Qatari officials in an effort to organize an urgent call between Trump and the emir of Qatar, the source further said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Washington had no knowledge of the attack, claiming Israel "acted out of anger" striking at Iran's South Pars Gas Field which resulted in retaliation from Tehran. In a sharply worded statement shared on Truth Social, the US President said, "Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit." He said the US and Qatar were not aware of the attacks and stated that Israel would not target the South Pars Field unless Iran decides to attack Qatar again. He said that Washington would not be afraid of authorising destruction and violence on Tehran if Qatar's energy facilities are targeted again. "The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar's LNG Gas facility. NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar - In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar's LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so." In retaliation to the South Pars attack, Iran targeted LNG facilities in Qatar and the Ras Laffan Industrial city. Iran's IRGC also warned that if the US-Israel repeat their attacks on Iran's energy assets the repercussion could be far worse. - ANI SBU detains double agent of Russia and Belarus spying in Unmanned Systems Forces Photo: http://bank.gov.ua/ Military counterintelligence of the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), with assistance of Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Ukraine and commander of Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), detained agent who simultaneously worked for Russia FSB and intelligence of border service of Republic of Belarus, SBU reported. On Telegram channel on Thursday, Ukrainian special service informed that perpetrator was serviceman from unit of Unmanned Systems Forces. "While serving as UAV operator, he leaked data to enemy about movement directions, types, and number of Defense Forces drones involved in battles in northeastern border area," message said. Subsequently, as department noted, agent transferred to position of operator of ground robotic complexes of Armed Forces of Ukraine, which carry out evacuation of wounded and deliver ammunition in Izium direction, following instructions of enemy special services. "However, instead of performing service tasks on front line, figure began collecting data on location and combat operation plans of adjacent units of Ukrainian troops," SBU emphasized. At same time, he accumulated information for enemy on tactical and technical characteristics and features of use of latest robotic complexes of Defense Forces. According to Ukrainian special service, after completing intelligence tasks, figure hoped to escape to Russia across front line, where Russia special services were to meet him. SBU military counterintelligence acted proactively and documented subversive activities of agent. After taking measures to secure locations of Ukrainian soldiers, enemy "mole" was detained at his location in Kharkiv region. During searches, two smartphones with evidence of his work for special services of Russia and Belarus were seized from detainee. Security Service investigators notified him of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 111 of Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law). Perpetrator is in custody without right to bail. Complex measures were carried out jointly with SBU employees in Sumy region under procedural guidance of Sumy specialized prosecutors office in defense sphere of Central region. Former US National Counterterrorism Centre Director Joe Kent stated that Israel was the primary driver behind the decision to initiate military confrontation with Iran. Kent dismissed claims that Iran was on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon, citing a longstanding religious ruling against it and a lack of supporting intelligence. He argued there was no evidence of an imminent Iranian attack, contradicting statements from top US officials. The interview also covered the potential impact of Ayatollah Khamenei's death and featured criticism from former President Donald Trump regarding Kent's resignation. Former US Counterterrorism Director Joe Kent tells Tucker Carlson that Israel heavily influenced the decision to start the confrontation, dismissing Iran's nuclear threat. Washington DC, March 19 The decision to start the US-Israel-Iran confrontation was heavily influenced by Israel, former Director of the US National Counterterrorism Centre Joe Kent told Tucker Carlson in a detailed discussion on the perceived nuclear threat from Iran, on the Tucker Carlson Show. "The Israelis drove the decision to take this action, which we knew would set off a series of events because the Iranians would retaliate," Kent said, highlighting Israel's central role in the escalation. Carlson questioned Kent on whether Iran was truly close to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Kent dismissed the notion, saying, "No, they weren't three weeks ago when this started, and they weren't in June either. I mean, the Iranians have had a religious ruling, a fatwa, against actually developing a nuclear weapon since 2004. That's been in place since 2004. That's available in the public sphere. But then also, we had no intelligence to indicate that that fatwa was being disobeyed or it was on the cusp of being lifted." Kent further emphasised that the threat of an imminent Iranian attack was not substantiated. "The President, Secretary of State and Speaker all said the attack was carried out because the Israelis were about to strike. Had they not said that, proving otherwise would have been very difficult. There's simply no case that Iran was planning an immediate attack. It did not exist," he added. Carlson also sought Kent's insights on the potential impact of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Kent responded, "I don't think the Ayatollah feared dying. Not because he's some crazy lunatic but because he knew if he was killed the regime would survive." Earlier, US President Donald Trump reacted to the resignation of Joseph Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, stating that his exit was "a good thing" while criticising his stance on Iran. Answering a reporter's query on Joe Kent's resignation over his objections to the war with Iran, Trump said, "I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security. But when I read his statement, I realised that it's a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Every country realised what a threat Iran was..." - ANI External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Brian Schimpf, CEO of US defence tech firm Anduril Industries, to discuss India's expanding technology landscape and partnership opportunities. This engagement follows the existing strategic partnership between Mahindra Group and Anduril to co-develop advanced military technologies. The collaboration specifically targets Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) to enhance security capabilities. The partnership was announced following high-level defence cooperation talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then US President Donald Trump. EAM Jaishankar meets Anduril Industries CEO Brian Schimpf, discussing India's tech ecosystem and defence partnerships, including the Mahindra-Anduril collaboration. New Delhi, March 19 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met Brian Schimpf, Co-Founder and CEO of Anduril Industries, a US-based defence technology company, and the delegation accompanying him. Jaishankar spoke about India's growing technology ecosystem and opportunities for partnerships "A useful meeting with Brian Schimpf, Co-Founder & CEO of @AndurilTech and his delegation. Spoke about India's growing technology ecosystem and opportunities for partnerships," Jaishankar said in a post on X. Mahindra Group had last year announced a strategic partnership with US-based defence technology company Anduril Industries. Anduril Industries specializes in advanced autonomous systems. The collaboration aims to jointly develop and produce future-proof military technologies, focusing on autonomous and counter-unmanned aerial systems. As per a statement, the partnership will concentrate on creating Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) designed for rapid deployment in security, survey, and reconnaissance missions. The alliance will focus on developing advanced Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) technologies capable of detecting and neutralizing drone threats, thereby bolstering defences against unmanned aerial systems, the statement said. The announcement of the partnership came after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in Washington DC in February last year, where defence cooperation was a top priority. This collaboration underscored a growing focus on enhancing security capabilities using next-generation technologies, paving the way for strengthened defence ties between India and the United States. - ANI Hollywood legend Jane Fonda is set to headline and produce a new film adaptation of the bestselling novel 'The Correspondent' for Lionsgate. The project, based on Virginia Evans' book about a retired lawyer confronting unresolved grief, was secured after a competitive studio bidding process. Screenwriter Cat Vasko will adapt the novel, with Todd Lieberman's Hidden Pictures also producing alongside Fonda. Lionsgate executives expressed great enthusiasm for bringing the deeply moving story to the screen with this acclaimed team. Jane Fonda will star in and produce the film adaptation of Virginia Evans' bestselling novel 'The Correspondent' for Lionsgate. Los Angeles, March 19 Hollywood actress Jane Fonda will be headlining a new film adaptation of 'The Correspondent'. Taking on both a starring role and producing duties as Lionsgate secured the project following a competitive bidding process, the two-time Oscar winner, 88, will star in the film based on Virginia Evans' bestselling novel, with Cat Vasko attached to adapt the screenplay and executive produce. Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures will also produce alongside Jane. The project centres on Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired lawyer who communicates through letters, as she is forced to confront unresolved grief after receiving an unexpected message from her past, reports 'Female first UK'. The novel it's based on, published by Crown, has sold more than 1 million copies and spent 17 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. As per 'Female First UK', Lionsgate will oversee the production, with Chelsea Kujawa and Pavan Kalidindi attached on behalf of the studio, and Carly Kleinbart Elter and Aydan Cohen representing Hidden Pictures. Erin Westerman, president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, "We could not be more honoured that Virginia, Jane and Cat have chosen us to be their studio partner on this project. This book spoke to so many people on our team who found Sybil's story and character deeply moving, and we believe Jane, Virginia, and Cat responded to the genuine enthusiasm and personal touch that we bring". Erin added, "And there's no one better to shepherd the project than our friend Todd Lieberman at Hidden Pictures, who alongside his colleague Carly Elter, produced another successful book-to-screen adaptation in 'The Housemaid'. This is a perfect team, we're thrilled to have won the trust of all - and we can't wait to get started". Todd said, "This book is a phenomenon. To be invited alongside the legend Jane Fonda, with my Lionsgate partners and Cat, is a thrilling honour, and we all can't wait to have moviegoers experience the same catharsis that so many book readers already have". Jane's previous producing credits include 9 to 5, Coming Home, The China Syndrome, On Golden Pond, The Dollmaker and Grace and Frankie. She has built a decades-long career across film, television and activism, earning two Academy Awards and widespread acclaim. - IANS Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has arrived in Washington for high-stakes talks with US President Donald Trump, aiming to reaffirm the bilateral alliance on security and economic issues. The visit occurs amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with Iran's actions threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and global energy security, directly impacting oil-dependent Japan. Takaichi's trip also follows her recent parliamentary comments on Taiwan, which significantly increased tensions with China. The leaders are expected to discuss a major trade deal and Japan's strategic role in a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi meets US President Donald Trump in Washington to strengthen alliance amid West Asia conflict and rising China-Japan tensions. Washingon DC / Tokyo, March 19 Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday landed in the United States for high-stakes talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington, aiming to cement Japan's position as America's indispensable partner in Asia even as Trump turns his focus to West Asia amid the war with Iran, Japanese state media reported today. Ahead of embarking for Washington DC for a three-day US visit, Takaichi told reporters in Tokyo that she hopes to reaffirm the strength of bilateral ties with Trump on issues ranging from security to the economy. US is Japan's security ally and the Japanese leader is also expected to present Trump with a new round of investments under a $550 billion trade deal signed last year. "Global peace and stability is being threatened, including over the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and energy security," she said. "If the current unstable situation continues, things will get even harder for both Japan and the United States, as well as the rest of the world," Kyodo News reported. Prior to her departure, the Japanese PM took to X to post, "For tomorrow's Japan-US summit meeting, I aim to make it an opportunity to strengthen Japan-US relations across all fields, including security and economic security as part of the economy, and to reaffirm the strong commitment of both Japan and the United States to a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)," which is also a pillar of Japanese diplomacy. While in flight, I will thoroughly prepare for the summit meeting with President Trump." The visit marks Takaichi's first trip to Washington since assuming office in October 2025. Days after she became Japan's first woman PM, she held her first summit with Trump in Tokyo. incidentally, in February this year, her Liberal Democratic Party she had secured a landslide victory in snap parliamentary election. According to officials, as cited by Kyodo news, Trump will host Takaichi for both a working lunch and a dinner later Thursday after the talks at the White House. Amidst the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran and Tehran's strikes on Israel and US miliary bases in the Gulf region Trump had on Tuesday (local time) walked back on his call for Japan, China, NATO, South Korea and others to send warships to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for transportation of crude oil and gas. "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!" While Japan has not made any statement over the US and Israeli actions, Tokyo has condemned Tehran for its attacks on other countries in West Asia, resulting in civilian casualties. Japan is a country heavily dependent on oil imports and Japanese companies already are experiencing price increases of oil products and facing supply restrictions as a result of the blockage in the Strait of Hormuz. The Japanese government has begun releasing oil from its strategic reserves and plans to provide subsidies to help offset the surge in oil prices as per a report in the Washington Post. Japan historically has maintained friendly relations with Israel and Arab countries, and has positioned itself as a neutral intermediary in other conflicts in the Middle East. Its constitution, adopted after World War II, restricts military operations overseas, and Japan has previously deployed its Self-Defence Forces in April 1991, following the Gulf War, only after a ceasefire was declared, the Post reported. Takaichi's US visit also comes at a time when there are tensions between Japan and China after her statement in parliament on November 7 that a military attack on Taiwan or naval blockade by Beijing might constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, implying that Tokyo could invoke its right to collective self-defence. Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard released the 2026 annual threat assessment of the US Intelligence community. The report states that China-Japan tensions increased significantly in November 2025 following comments made by Takaichi describing a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan as a "survival threatening situation" for Japan. "In response, China is employing multidomain coercive pressure that probably will intensify through 2026, aimed both at punishing Japan and deterring other countries from making similar statements about their potential involvement in a Taiwan crisis," the report said. China's initial actions have included aggressive official rhetoric, the cancellation of flights and cultural exchanges, and the reimposition of its ban on Japanese seafood imports. Beijing probably will escalate to additional coercive economic measures if tensions increase. China probably will also increase military and coast guard activity around the Senkaku Islands--disputed territory administered by Japan but claimed by China--to signal displeasure and test Japanese responses. These activities could increase the risk of accidents or miscalculation leading to inadvertent escalation, the report by the US intelligence agency said. "However, the IC assesses that China will likely seek to set the conditions for an eventual peaceful reunification with Taiwan, short of conflict," it said. Trump was also scheduled to visit Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping on a planned visit slated to begin on March 31. The US President on Tuesday confirmed he is delaying plans to meet with Xi. "We are resetting the meeting," Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. "We're working with China. They were fine with it.". Trump said that he now plans to visit in "about five weeks" or towards the end of April. His last state visit to China was in 2017, during his first term. - ANI The BJP has announced its candidates for the upcoming by-elections in Karnataka's Bagalkote and Davanagere South constituencies, aiming to gain an early advantage. In contrast, the Congress party is struggling with significant internal disagreements and competing claims over candidate selection in both seats. The contests are heavily influenced by caste and community calculations, with each party attempting to consolidate key voter blocs. The results of these bypolls are being viewed as an important indicator of the political mood in the state. BJP names candidates for Bagalkote & Davanagere South bypolls. Congress faces internal disputes over ticket allocation ahead of April 9 voting. Bengaluru, March 19 The BJP has announced its candidates for the by-elections to the Bagalkote and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies on the occasion of Ugadi, setting the stage for keen political contests in both seats ahead of polling on April 9. In Bagalkote, the party has fielded senior leader Veeranna Charantimath, banking on his strong support base among Lingayat voters, who hold significant influence in the constituency. The by-election was necessitated following the death of former MLA H.Y. Meti, and the Congress has been grappling with internal differences over candidate selection since then. By declaring its nominee early, the BJP has moved to gain an advantage and sharpen the electoral battle. In Davanagere South, the BJP has chosen Srinivas T. Dasakariyappa as its candidate, giving representation to the Valmiki (ST) community. The move is seen as a strategic attempt to consolidate Scheduled Tribe votes, which are considered crucial in the constituency. The seat, earlier held by senior Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa, fell vacant after his demise, and the Congress party is yet to finalise its candidate amid internal disagreements. The Congress party is facing the challenge of managing aspirants, as multiple leaders have expressed their willingness to contest. Davanagere South, long regarded as a Congress stronghold, is expected to witness a tough contest between the two major parties. The BJP's decision to field Srinivas Dasakariyappa is also being viewed as a balancing act aimed at maintaining social and caste equations in the region. Meanwhile, Congress continues to face internal friction in both constituencies. In Davanagere, Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan has demanded that the ticket be given to a candidate from the Muslim community, while Minister for Mines and Geology and Horticulture S.S. Mallikarjun has opposed the move and is said to be lobbying for a ticket for his son. Party leaders have held meetings to resolve the differences, but a consensus has yet to emerge. The two ministers also had a heated exchange of words over the issue. Leaders from the Muslim community have further warned that they have a significant voter base of around 85,000, and if the ticket is not allotted to a candidate from the community, they will teach Congress a lesson. In Bagalkote, the party is dealing with competing claims from members of H.Y. Meti's family. His sons and daughters are all seeking the party ticket, further complicating the selection process. Caste considerations have also added to the party's challenges in finalising a candidate. The Congress party's local leaders, Veena Kashappanavar and Rakshita Eiti, have also stated that if the ticket is not given to Meti's family, it should be given to them. The BJP's announcement of candidates signals an early start to its campaign. With both parties strategising along caste and community lines, the by-elections are expected to witness intense campaigning and closely fought contests in the coming weeks. A BJP state core committee meeting was held on March 13 to discuss candidates and election strategy for the by-elections to the two Assembly seats. The meeting, held under the leadership of the party's state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, was attended by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka BJP in-charge and National General Secretary Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and others. Vijayendra had stated that the BJP would win both seats and that the by-election results would mark a turning point in state politics. - IANS A drone attack caused a limited fire at Kuwait's Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery, with officials reporting no casualties. Separately, Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City and several LNG facilities were struck by Iranian ballistic missiles, causing extensive damage and large fires. Qatari authorities confirmed the fires were contained with no injuries reported. The incidents highlight escalating tensions targeting critical energy infrastructure in the region. A drone attack causes a fire at a Kuwait oil refinery, while Iranian missiles strike Qatar's LNG facilities. No casualties reported in either incident. Kuwait City, March 19 A "limited fire" broke out at Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery in Kuwait after a drone attack, reported Al Jazeera, citing the Kuwait News Agency. According to the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, there are no reports of any casualties, and the fire has been dealt with "according to the highest safety standards." Earlier, there were reports of a fire at Qatar's Ras Laffen industrial city, but no casualties were reported. Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MOI) informed that the massive fire that broke at Ras Laffen industrial area after a strike has been contained with no casualties being reported. In a post X, the MOI wrote, "Civil defence has fully contained all fires in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area without recording any injuries, with cooling and securing operations continuing at the sites, while the explosives unit affiliated with the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) carries out its tasks in dealing with any hazardous parts." Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second to take place in the last 12 hours at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. After the world's largest liquefaction facility located in Qatar was subjected to missile strikes by Iran, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said that Washington had no knowledge of the attack, claiming Israel for "acted out of anger", striking at Iran's South Pars Gas Field which resulted in retaliation from Tehran. - ANI Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis participated in Nagpur's vibrant Gudi Padwa Shobha Yatra, marking the Marathi and Hindu New Year. He addressed the gathering, extending heartfelt greetings to citizens across the country and linking the festival's symbol of pride to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The grand procession featured traditional lezim dances, Varkari groups, and tableaux depicting figures like Lord Ram and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Actress Sai Tamhankar also joined the celebrations, which were organized by the Hindu Nav Varsh Aayojan Samaroh Samiti under Sandeep Joshi. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis joined the grand Gudi Padwa Shobha Yatra in Nagpur, extending New Year wishes and praising PM Modi's leadership. Nagpur, March 19 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis joined thousands of residents in Nagpur for the grand 'Gudi Padwa Shobha Yatra' on Thursady organised to mark the occasion. Addressing the gathering, he extended greetings to citizens across the country. Fadnavis said, "This is the auspicious dawn of the Hindu New Year. The entire atmosphere is immersed in saffron, and the surroundings are echoing with the chants of 'Jai Shri Ram.' Extending his wishes, Fadnavis said, "I extend heartfelt greetings to everyone on the occasion of the Hindu New Year. This Gudi symbolises the pride of India, and I express my wishes that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this Gudi continues to rise higher every year." Adressing the media, he expressed happiness at being part of the celebration, stating, "I am very happy to be present at this Shobha Yatra today, on the sacred day of Gudi Padwa, the Hindu New Year. I extend my best wishes to all Indians on this occasion. Under the leadership of Sandeep Joshi, a wonderful Shobha Yatra is held every year in Nagpur. One can see the enthusiasm; Nagpur has been transformed into 'Bhagwa' (saffron), and people of all ages are participating in it in traditional attire. It's a beautiful sight for all of us to witness together here." Marathi actress Sai Tamhankar also joined the Gudi Padwa festivities alongside Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Celebrations began with a shobha yatra in Nagpur on the occasion of 'Gudi Padwa' on Thursday, ushering in the Marathi New Year with great enthusiasm and traditional fervour. The city witnessed vibrant processions, cultural performances, and widespread participation from people across all age groups. Children were seen performing the traditional lezim dance, adding colour and energy to the celebrations. The procession showcased various cultural elements, including lezim troupes, Varkari groups, and elaborate tableaux depicting historical and religious figures. A local participant said, "This procession is being organised by the Hindu Nav Varsh Aayojan Samaroh Samiti, Nagpur, to celebrate the New Year, which is also known as the Hindu New Year, the Indian New Year, and the Marathi New Year." "One can see the Lezim and Varkari contingents and numerous tableaux here. Lord Shri Ramchandra and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are also represented, making it a proud and joyous occasion for everyone," he explained the Shobha Yatra. The celebrations highlighted unity, tradition, and cultural pride across Nagpur. - ANI Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan marked Gudi Padwa by interacting with banana farmers in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. He announced a 200 crore plan to develop a dedicated banana cluster in the region. The minister emphasized that direct ground-level discussions are crucial for framing effective agricultural policies. The comprehensive roadmap aims to address cultivation issues, enhance research, and boost farmers' incomes to give Jalgaon bananas a new global identity. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets Jalgaon banana farmers on Gudi Padwa, announcing a 200 crore dedicated cluster to boost the sector. Jalgaon, March 19 On the sacred occasion of Gudi Padwa, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday interacted with banana farmers at Jain Hills in Jalgaon district, discussing cultivation challenges and outlining plans for the development of a dedicated banana cluster in the region. Gudi Padwa, celebrated primarily in Maharashtra and Goa, marks the beginning of the traditional new year. The festival derives its name from two words, 'gudi', representing the flag of Lord Brahma, and 'padwa', indicating the first day of the lunar phase. The occasion also signals the onset of warmer days and the arrival of spring. During the interaction, Chouhan underlined the importance of ground-level engagement to frame effective agricultural policies. He said that direct discussions with farmers allow ministers to understand field-level challenges and design policies that are practical and beneficial. "I wanted to have a talk with the banana farmers in Jalgaon. We had a very constructive discussion with them today. An Agriculture Minister can draft the right policy only if he goes out onto the farms and interacts with the farmers... I try to do this everywhere," he added, noting that the farmers raised several issues related to banana cultivation and research, which were discussed at length. In a post on X, Chouhan wrote, "Today, on the sacred occasion of Gudi Padwa, I had a heartfelt conversation with banana-producing farmers in Jalgaon. I take pride in saying that we have delivered on what we promised. The dream we envisioned for the 'Banana Cluster' in Jalgaon is now ready to take shape on the ground at a cost of 200 crore." The Minister emphasised that the government aims to enhance farmers' incomes and ensure prosperity for the agricultural community. "For this, we will prepare a comprehensive roadmap. Today, too, we received many important suggestions, and several farmers also shared their troubles. We will find solutions for all of them and give Jalgaon's bananas a new identity in the world," Chouhan said. Union Agriculture Minister further added that the upcoming plan will focus on both cultivation challenges and improvements to research centres, ensuring holistic development of the banana sector. - ANI Garima Malhotra, the mother of renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra, has passed away at the age of 94. Numerous Bollywood celebrities, including Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Sidharth Malhotra, visited his Mumbai home to offer condolences. Described as a private individual, Garima Malhotra played a crucial supportive role in her son's early career and upbringing. Her influence is often cited as a grounding force behind Manish Malhotra's discipline and success in the fashion industry. Fashion designer Manish Malhotra's mother, Garima Malhotra, passes away at 94. Bollywood celebrities visit his home to offer condolences. Mumbai, March 20 Fashion designer and filmmaker, Manish Malhotra's mother, Garima Malhotra passed away at the age of 94 on Thursday. Many fellow artistes from the film fraternity visited the couturier's residence in Mumbai. Actor Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were seen arriving at his house as they took hasty steps to meet Manish. Actor Sidharth Malhotra, and his wife Kiara Advani also paid a visit to the designer-filmmaker. Sid's 'Student of the Year' co-actor Varun Dhawan was also seen with his wife Natasha Dalal were also seen at the residence of Manish. Others including Karisma Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Raveena Tandon, Zoya Akhtar were also present. Garima Malhotra, mother of Manish Malhotra, has largely remained away from the public eye despite her son's immense popularity in Indian fashion and cinema. She is known to have played a crucial role in his upbringing, offering steady emotional support and grounding during his early struggles. Before rising to prominence as one of Bollywood's most influential costume designers and couturiers, Manish explored acting and faced uncertainty in his career path, a phase during which Garima Malhotra's encouragement proved significant. Described as a private and dignified individual, she preferred maintaining a low profile rather than engaging with the media or public appearances. Her influence is often reflected in Manish Malhotra's emphasis on discipline, work ethic, and cultural rootedness in his designs. He has occasionally referenced his family's support system in interviews, acknowledging how it helped him navigate a competitive industry. Garima Malhotra's role, though not widely documented, remains integral to Manish Malhotra's personal story, serving as a quiet but strong pillar behind his journey from a Mumbai-based aspirant to a globally recognized fashion name. - IANS Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra's mother, Garima Malhotra, passed away on Thursday. She shared an extremely close bond with her son, who frequently credited her as his strength and inspiration. Following the news, members of the film and fashion fraternity began arriving at his residence to offer support. Among the visitors were actors Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, and filmmaker Karan Johar. Fashion designer Manish Malhotra's mother, Garima Malhotra, passes away. Bollywood celebrities visit his home to offer condolences. Mumbai, March 19 Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra's mother, Garima Malhotra, passed away on Thursday. The news was confirmed to ANI by a source close to the designer. Garima Malhotra shared a very close bond with her son. Over the years, Manish Malhotra often spoke about how important she was in his life and how she stood by him during his personal and professional journey. In one of his Mother's Day posts, he spoke about the strong role she played in shaping his life and career. Recalling her support and love, he had written that she was his "strength, inspiration and companion." He had also shared how she encouraged his early interest in clothes and cinema. "My mother my Strength, Inspiration and My Companion as I have always lived with her with only Respect and love .. This morning having tea with her I was thanking her for always encouraging my love for clothes and movies since childhood. Happy Mothers Day," he wrote at the time. Following the news of her passing, members of the film and fashion industry have started arriving at Manish Malhotra's home to offer their condolences and stand by him during this difficult time. Among those seen visiting the designer's residence were actors Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, filmmaker Karan Johar, and actor Varun Dhawan, who arrived with his wife to pay their respects. - ANI Russia attacks border villages in Sumy region with drones official Resident of Velyka Pysarivka community of Okhtyrka district, Sumy region, died as result of drone attack by Russia on Thursday, Sumy Regional Military Administration Oleh Hryhorov head has said. "Russia drone attacked Velyka Pysarivka community. Local resident was injured. From received injuries, 62-year-old man died before arrival of medics," Hryhorov wrote on Telegram. Also, according to preliminary data, there are injured as result of Russia attacks in Khotyn and Vorozhba communities of Sumy district. Information is being clarified, head of regional administration reported. Devotees gathered at major temples across India, including in Delhi and Mumbai, for morning Aartis on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. Political figures like BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended festive greetings, with Dhami connecting the festival to women's empowerment. In Maihar, the local administration has imposed a complete ban on the sale of meat, fish, and eggs for the nine-day festival period, citing its religious significance. The festival, dedicated to Goddess Durga, marks the Hindu new year and will conclude with Ram Navami celebrations. Devotees throng temples on first day of Chaitra Navratri. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami extend greetings. Maihar bans meat sale. New Delhi, March 19 Devotees on Thursday gathered in large numbers at prominent shrines, including the Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur temples in Delhi and Mumba Devi in Mumbai, to offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. The air resonated with the sound of bells and hymns as the Aarti performed marked the commencement of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, while talking to the reporters, said, "I wish everyone a Happy Chaitra Navaratri. May the Goddess bring prosperity in everyone's life and may Her blessings stay on our country..." Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of the Nav Samvatsar and Chaitra Navratri. He described Chaitra Navratri as a festival dedicated to the worship of Shakti and said it marks a great tradition of Indian culture. According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office, Dhami said that the festival highlights the importance and strength of women in society, and that the ritual of Kanya Pujan performed during this period represents the significance of women's empowerment. The Chief Minister further said that Chaitra Navratri holds special significance in our ancient scriptures and is considered a foundation for self-purification and virtuous living. "Worshipping Goddess Durga during this time helps eliminate negative energy and promotes positive energy," he said. On the other hand, the district administration imposed a complete ban on the sale and purchase of meat, fish, and eggs across the Maihar Nagar Palika area during the upcoming Chaitra Navratri festival, citing the religious significance. Maihar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Divya Patel said that the restriction would be in place from March 19 to March 27, during which non-vegetarian items would be prohibited for sale across the municipal area. "Maihar is a religious city; therefore, in view of the Chaitra Navratri fair, a complete ban has been imposed on the sale of meat, fish, and eggs from March 19 to March 27. If anyone is found violating the order, legal action will be taken against them," SDM Patel told ANI. Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu new year and is one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga. Over nine days, devotees worship the nine forms of the goddess, observe fasts, and perform rituals seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being. The festival concludes with Ram Navami, which celebrates the birth of Lord Ram. Temples witness heavy footfall, and special prayers, jagrans, and cultural programs are organised across the nation. - ANI Moscow is set to host the second major Russia-India strategic conference, inaugurated by Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The event aims to strengthen ties with a focus on achieving a $100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030. Key discussions will revolve around enhancing connectivity through projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor and boosting cooperation in agriculture, education, and labour mobility. The conference underscores both nations' commitment to shaping a multipolar world and deepening their strategic partnership. Moscow hosts key Russia-India conference with Lavrov & Jaishankar, focusing on $100B trade, connectivity corridors, and shaping a multipolar world. Moscow, March 19 Moscow will host the second international conference, "Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations," on March 23, bringing together senior diplomats, policymakers and experts from both countries to strengthen strategic cooperation. The conference will be inaugurated by Sergey Lavrov and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, signalling the importance both nations attach to deepening bilateral ties. Key participants will include Igor Ivanov, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov and India's Charge d'Affaires in Russia Nikhilesh Giri, according to TV BRICS. Organised by the Russian International Affairs Council and the Embassy of India in Russia, the conference will focus on key thematic areas including the role of Russia and India in shaping a multipolar world, engagement with third countries and expanding economic cooperation, as reported by TV BRICS. Bilateral trade has witnessed significant growth, reaching a record 68.7 billion US dollars in the 2024-2025 financial year. Both sides have set an ambitious target of increasing trade to 100 billion US dollars by 2030, as agreed by Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi. Connectivity projects will also be a major focus, including the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route and the Northern Sea Route, all aimed at enhancing logistics and trade efficiency. The conference will further deliberate on cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, culture, education and labour mobility. Notably, the number of Indian students in Russia rose by 35 per cent in 2024, underlining growing people-to-people ties. Participants are also expected to discuss easing visa norms to boost tourism and workforce exchange. The conference will conclude with policy recommendations aimed at guiding future collaboration between the two nations. - ANI Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav extended New Year greetings on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, praying for the state's prosperity and progress. He simultaneously launched the third phase of the statewide 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan' water conservation campaign from the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. The campaign aims to rejuvenate rivers, restore traditional water structures, and promote widespread public participation. The government reports significant previous successes, including the rejuvenation of thousands of water sources and the creation of numerous farm ponds and Amrit Sarovars. MP CM Mohan Yadav extends Hindu New Year wishes and kicks off the third phase of the Jal Ganga Samvardhan water conservation campaign from Ujjain. Bhopal, March 19 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday extended greetings to the residents of state on the occasion of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which marks the beginning of Hindu New Year with Navratri and Gudi Padwa. The Chief Minister offered prayers and sought from the Almighty - happiness, prosperity, and progress of the state, while also wishing for positivity, happiness, and peace in the lives of all the citizens. "May all our resolutions be fulfilled in this new year, may prosperity come to every courtyard, and may the state scale new heights of progress-this is my heartfelt wish to the people of Madhya Pradesh," Yadav wrote on X. On the auspicious occasion, the Chief Minister is set to kick-start the third phase of the statewide 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan' (water conservation) campaign from the bank of River Shipra in Ujjain. The campaign focuses on water conservation, rejuvenating rivers, and restoring traditional water structures like stepwells. Marking the third year of the campaign covering both urban and rural areas, Yadav called on urban and rural local bodies to actively engage all sections of society in restoring wells, stepwells and rivers. "Madhya Pradesh is the home of rivers; therefore, water conservation is both a responsibility and a tradition for all of us. In the past two years, we have all together transformed the 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan' into a powerful people's movement at the national level. This year too, we must take the campaign forward with the same resolve and energy," CM Yadav said. The state government recently shared that over 3,000 water sources have already been rejuvenated in urban areas. Last year, more than 86,000 farm ponds and over 550 Amrit Sarovars were created in rural areas for water conservation, alongside the recharge of over 100,000 wells to improve groundwater levels. For river rejuvenation, 57 major rivers and 194 polluted water bodies have been identified for treatment. A Gangotri Green Scheme has been initiated to support ecological development in the origin areas of nearly 145 rivers. - IANS The Congress party has extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of multiple spring festivals including Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri, and Ugadi. Senior leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared messages on social media platform X, wishing for happiness and new beginnings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted citizens on the commencement of Navratri and the traditional New Year. These festivals, celebrated across different states, mark the lunisolar new year and the arrival of spring. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with PM Modi, extend wishes for Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Chaitra Navratri, and other spring festivals. New Delhi, March 19 The Congress on Thursday extended greetings to people across the country on the occasion of multiple spring festivals, including Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Sajibu Cheiraoba, Chetti Chand, and Navreh. The party conveyed its wishes for happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings on these auspicious occasions. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took to social media platform X to greet citizens. He said, "Wishing a very happy Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Sajibu Cheiraoba, Chetti Chand, and Navreh to all. May these joyous occasions fill your life with happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings." Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared his message on X, highlighting the spirit of unity in diversity. He said, "As we celebrate the spirit of Chaitra Sukladi, Gudi Padwa, Chetti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba across our diverse nation, we extend our warmest greetings to all those who are celebrating these joyous festivities. May these spring festivals bring new beginnings, deepen the bonds of amity and fill every home with happiness and hope." Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also greeted citizens and emphasised the cultural richness reflected in these celebrations. She wrote on X, "Various festivals are being celebrated across the country today. Heartiest greetings on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the new year of Vikram Samvat 2083, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Navroz (Navreh), and Cheti Chand. These festivals, celebrated to welcome spring and the New Year, symbolise India's rich culture and diversity. On this occasion, I wish happiness, peace, and prosperity to all my countrymen." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted people on the beginning of Navratri and the traditional Indian New Year, which is observed through different festivals across the country. Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the lunisolar New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus and is widely celebrated in Maharashtra, Goa, and Daman at the onset of the Chaitra month. Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day spring festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms, known as Navadurga. Celebrated during March or April, it involves fasting, prayers, and rituals, culminating in Ram Navami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Ram. Ugadi, the New Year festival for Telugu and Kannada communities, is observed on the first day of Chaitra and signifies prosperity and renewal. It is mainly celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka with traditional customs, including special dishes like Ugadi Pachadi. Sajibu Cheiraoba, also known as the Meitei New Year, is celebrated predominantly in Manipur by the Meitei community following Sanamahism. Navreh, the Kashmiri Hindu New Year, is observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community and marks the arrival of spring with traditional rituals and symbolic practices. - IANS The Congress party in Kerala has finalized its candidates for all 95 seats it is contesting in the upcoming assembly elections. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan announced the completion of the selection process, signaling a shift to the campaign phase. Simultaneously, senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge met to strategize for the Puducherry assembly polls. The Election Commission has announced the voting schedule, with Kerala and Assam going to the polls on April 9. Congress finalizes candidates for all 95 Kerala seats. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge strategize for Puducherry elections as poll dates are announced. New Delhi, March 19 Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V.D. Satheesan on Thursday announced that the Congress party has completed the candidate selection process for all 95 seats it is contesting in the upcoming state elections. Congress leader and State LoP V. D. Satheesan, while speaking to ANI, said, "We have decided on all the 95 candidates in the Kerala Assembly elections... We declared 55 seats the day before yesterday, and we decided on the rest of the 40 seats now. The selection of the candidates is over, now we are going to campaign..." Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with the party's Central Election Committee (CEC) for Puducherry, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, to chart the course for the upcoming Assembly elections. In a post on Facebook, Rahul Gandhi said the meeting at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi focused on strengthening the organisation and shaping a roadmap that reflects the voices, needs, and aspirations of the people of Puducherry. "At Indira Bhawan, New Delhi, met with the CEC for Puducherry, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, to chart the course for the upcoming Assembly elections. Focused on strengthening the organisation and shaping a roadmap that reflects the voices, needs, and aspirations of the people of Puducherry," Gandhi posted. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, and other senior leaders were present at the meeting. The meetings assume significance as the Election Commission has announced the schedule for Assembly elections in several states and Union Territories, including Puducherry. Voting in Puducherry will take place on April 9. Polling in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Keralam and Assam will vote in a single phase on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. The counting of votes for all four states and Puducherry will be held on May 4, the ECI announced. - ANI The Election Commission has directed all private establishments in Tamil Nadu to grant paid leave to employees on the Assembly election polling day of April 23. The mandatory order aims to remove work-related barriers and ensure employees can vote without fear of wage loss. The Labour Department will monitor compliance, with legal action promised against violators. Similar provisions for paid leave on polling days have been announced in other states like Kerala, Puducherry, and West Bengal. Election Commission mandates paid leave for private sector employees on Tamil Nadu polling day, April 23, to ensure high voter turnout. Chennai, March 19 In a move aimed at ensuring maximum voter participation in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Election Commission on Thursday directed all private establishments, including companies and factories, to grant paid leave to employees on polling day. The Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are scheduled to be held on April 23, with the counting of votes set for May 4. As part of preparations to facilitate smooth and inclusive polling, the Commission has made it clear that employees working in the private sector must be given a paid holiday on the day of voting. The directive applies to all eligible voters employed in private organisations, irrespective of the nature of their work. According to officials, the order has been issued to ensure that voters are able to exercise their democratic rights freely, without any constraints related to employment or work commitments. The Commission emphasized that no voter should be denied the opportunity to cast their vote due to professional obligations or fear of wage loss. The directive also underlines that granting paid leave is not optional but mandatory under election laws. Employers have been instructed to make necessary arrangements in advance so that business operations do not hinder employees from participating in the electoral process. The Election Commission has also warned that any violation of this order will invite strict action. The Labour Department has been tasked with monitoring compliance and initiating legal proceedings against organisations that fail to adhere to the guidelines. Officials indicated that complaints from employees regarding denial of leave would be taken seriously and investigated promptly. The move is expected to particularly benefit workers in sectors where attendance is typically mandatory, including manufacturing units, service industries, and daily wage-based employment structures. By ensuring paid leave, authorities hope to remove a major barrier that has historically affected voter turnout among working populations. In addition to Tamil Nadu, similar provisions have been announced in other states going to the polls. Paid leave has been declared on polling days in Kerala, Puducherry, and West Bengal as well, reinforcing the Commission's broader commitment to safeguarding electoral participation across regions. The Election Commission reiterated that voting is a fundamental democratic right and urged all eligible citizens to participate actively in the electoral process. - IANS The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has pointed to a recent US intelligence report to underscore Pakistan's history of clandestine nuclear proliferation as a global threat. The US report, presented by intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, classifies Pakistan alongside major powers like Russia and China as posing a significant nuclear threat, noting its development of advanced missile systems. India also strongly condemned recent Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that targeted civilian infrastructure, calling them a "cowardly and unconscionable act of violence." The US assessment further identifies ISIS-K as a primary terrorist threat operating within the South Asian region. MEA spokesperson Randir Jaiswal highlights Pakistan's history of clandestine nuclear proliferation following a US intelligence report classifying it as a threat. New Delhi, March 19 The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that the recent US intelligence report, flagging Islamabad as a nuclear threat, highlights the risks posed by Pakistan due to the country's "clandestine history of nuke proliferation." Addressing a regular press briefing here, the official spokesperson of the MEA, Randir Jaiswal, stated that Pakistan has a history of clandestine nuclear proliferation, and such observations once again bring attention to concerns surrounding its track record. "As far as Pakistan is concerned, they have a history. They have a history of clandestine nuclear nonproliferation, and statements like this again make it clear what kind of threat they pose to the world because of their clandestine nuclear operations," Jaiswal said. On March 18, a report issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in the US classified Pakistan, along with major powers such as Russia and China, as posing a significant nuclear threat to the US. The US intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, presented the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) in which the US Intelligence Community (IC) has identified several critical areas concerning Pakistan's evolving military capabilities, its role in regional instability, and the persistent threat of terrorism. The report assesses that Pakistan is researching and developing a variety of advanced missile delivery systems. Crucially, the report, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, noted that Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development potentially could include Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) with a range capable of striking the US. "The US secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure safety in the Homeland against strategic threats. However, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that put our Homeland within range," Gabbard said in her opening remarks before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for the annual "Worldwide Threats" hearing. As per the report, Pakistan also remains a central concern in the global fight against Islamist militancy. The US, it said, continues to face a complex and evolving threat landscape with a geographically diverse set of Islamist terrorist actors seeking to propagate their ideology globally and harm Americans, even as al-Qaida and ISIS are significantly weaker than at their respective peaks during the early 2000s and mid-2010s. The report identifies ISIS-K (Islamic State - Khorasan Province) as a primary external plotting threat in South Asia. ISIS-K operatives are noted to be operating within the region, utilising ungoverned or poorly monitored areas for recruitment and planning, it said. "US military operations and collaboration with international partners in Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, and Syria during 2025 removed key terrorist leaders and operatives, degrading the capability of al-Qaida and ISIS to pursue terrorist attacks against the Homeland and US interests overseas," the report said. In his press briefing today MEA spokesperson Jaiswal also expressed concern over recent strikes carried out by Pakistan into Afghanistan, condemning the targeting of civilian infrastructure. "We have seen strikes from Pakistan into Afghanistan. We have condemned these strikes as they have targeted civilian infrastructure and caused significant hardship to the people. We unequivocally condemn these airstrikes," the MEA said. Earlier on Tuesday, India 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. As per a statement by the MEA, India urged the international community to hold the perpetrators of the criminal act accountable, extended condolences to the bereaved families and said that it stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan. The statement stated 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 read. It further called the heinous act of aggression by Pakistan a blatant assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability. "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 read. "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 added. According to Tolo News, over 400 people have been reported killed in the deadly airstrike carried out by Pakistan on an addiction treatment hospital in Kabul. - ANI A US intelligence assessment has classified Pakistan as posing a significant nuclear threat to the United States, alongside major powers like Russia and China. The report details Pakistan's research into advanced missile delivery systems, including potential Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. It also identifies Pakistan as a central concern in global counterterrorism efforts, particularly regarding groups like ISIS-K. Furthermore, the assessment highlights the enduring risk of nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan as a major regional flashpoint. US intelligence report classifies Pakistan as a significant nuclear threat, citing ICBM development and regional instability alongside Russia and China. Washington DC, March 19 The United States intelligence has classified Pakistan along with major powers such as Russia and China as posing a significant nuclear threat to the US. US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard presented the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) of the US Intelligence Community, which was released on March 18 by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. As per the report, the US Intelligence Community (IC) has identified several critical areas concerning Pakistan's evolving military capabilities, its role in regional instability, and the persistent threat of terrorism. The report assesses that Pakistan is researching and developing a variety of advanced missile delivery systems. Crucially, the report notes that Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development potentially could include Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) with a range capable of striking the US. "The US secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure safety in the Homeland against strategic threats. However, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads, that put our Homeland within range," Gabbard said in her opening remarks before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for the annual "Worldwide Threats" hearing. The Intelligence Community, she said, assesses that the collective threats from these countries to the US will expand collectively to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035, from the current assessed figure of more than 3,000 missiles. Pakistan also remains a central concern in the global fight against Islamist militancy. The US, it said, continues to face a complex and evolving threat landscape with a geographically diverse set of Islamist terrorist actors seeking to propagate their ideology globally and harm Americans, even as al-Qaida and ISIS are significantly weaker than at their respective peaks during the early 2000s and mid-2010s. The report identifies ISIS-K (Islamic State - Khorasan Province) as a primary external plotting threat in South Asia. ISIS-K operatives are noted to be operating within the region, utilizing ungoverned or poorly monitored areas for recruitment and planning, it said. "US military operations and collaboration with international partners in Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, and Syria during 2025 removed key terrorist leaders and operatives, degrading the capability of al-Qaida and ISIS to pursue terrorist attacks against the Homeland and US interests overseas," it said. Al-Qaida and ISIS pose the biggest threat to US interests overseas in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, where these groups operate. "These groups will continue to exploit political instability and ungoverned territory, striving to rebuild their capabilities and relying on the resilience of geographically distant elements," the IC report said. Further, the US intel report stated that armed conflict across the globe may pose a threat to US interests and forces through the end of the decade. This dynamic stems from a combination of major power competition, state and nonstate actors choosing to use force to achieve their goals, instability within states and regions, and increasing military and unconventional capabilities of both state and nonstate actors. "Even if the great powers refrain from conflict, many regional and smaller powers are growing much more willing to use force to pursue their interests. Countries such as Egypt, Israel, Pakistan, Turkey, and the UAE are using a mix of lethal aid, proxy forces, or their own military assets to provoke or undermine their rivals or to tilt nearby conflicts in their favour," the US intel report stated. The document highlights that the relationship between India and Pakistan remains a significant risk for nuclear conflict. The IC continues to monitor the high-stakes friction between two nuclear-armed neighbours. It noted that while neither side seeks a full-scale war, the report warns that a "catalyst for crisis" such as a major terrorist attack in Pahalgam last year in Jammu and Kashmir in could lead to rapid military escalation. "The terrorist attack last year near Pahalgam, in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrated the dangers of terrorist attacks sparking conflict. President Trump's intervention de-escalated the most recent nuclear tensions, and we assess that neither country seeks to return to open conflict, but that conditions exist for terrorist actors to continue to create catalysts for crises," the US intel document stated. The Pahalgam terror attack, on April 22, 2025, killed 26 people, including a Nepali citizen. Terrorists came down from the mountain in Baisaran valley in Jammu and Kashmir and started firing at the tourists who frequent the place, which is often dubbed as 'mini Switzerland' because of its long, lush green meadows. Following the attack, India launched multiple strikes on Pakistani terror bases, dubbed 'Operation Sindoor' on the intervening night of May 6 and 7. In a well-coordinated and precise operation, the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing over 100 terrorists, along with their trainers, handlers and associates. Most of those eliminated belonged to terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. - ANI Pakistan's education system is marked by severe inequality, with 28% of children aged 5-16 out of school and girls facing significantly higher exclusion. A stark gender literacy gap exists, with male literacy at 73% and female literacy at just 52%. Enrolment plummets after primary school due to financial constraints, household duties, and limited school access, especially for girls. Provincial disparities are acute, with Balochistan's 43% literacy rate highlighting deep geographic and resource-based inequities. 28% of Pakistani children are out of school, with a severe gender gap. Literacy rates show urban-rural and provincial divides. Experts urge systemic reform. Islamabad Marc, h 19 Pakistan's education system continues to grapple with deep-rooted inequalities, as nearly 28% of children aged 5-16 remain out of school, with girls disproportionately affected. Around 34% of girls are not enrolled compared to 22% of boys, highlighting a persistent gender gap that is even more severe in rural areas, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to The Express Tribune, while nearly two-thirds of Pakistanis aged 10 and above have attended school at some point, access to education remains uneven. The national literacy rate stands at 63%, with a sharp divide between male literacy at 73% and female literacy at just 52%. Urban areas continue to outperform rural regions, recording a literacy rate of 77% compared to 56% in the countryside. Enrolment trends further expose systemic challenges. Although 68% of children are enrolled at the primary level, participation declines sharply in higher grades. Only 40% of students reach middle school, and nearly 30% continue to matriculation. Experts point out that the transition from primary to middle school is a critical stage where many students drop out. Financial constraints, household responsibilities, and limited availability of secondary schools contribute to this trend. For girls, these barriers are compounded by cultural norms and early marriages, further restricting their educational opportunities. Provincial disparities also reflect the uneven distribution of educational resources. Punjab leads with a literacy rate of 66%, followed by Sindh at 61%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 55%, while Balochistan lags significantly at 43%. The situation in Balochistan remains particularly concerning due to poor infrastructure and limited access to schools, as cited by The Express Tribune. Despite some progress in boosting enrolment, the findings suggest that Pakistan's education crisis is far from resolved. Structural inequalities tied to gender, geography, and economic status continue to prevent millions of children from accessing quality education. Policymakers are now being urged to shift focus from enrolment alone to improving retention, ensuring gender parity, and addressing the systemic barriers that hinder educational access across the country, as reported by The Express Tribune. - ANI AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is traveling to New Delhi for high-level discussions with BJP leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to finalize seat-sharing for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The visit is a decisive step as the ruling DMK has already completed its alliance arrangements, putting pressure on the AIADMK-BJP combine. Union Minister Piyush Goyal is also expected in Chennai to help resolve remaining differences and coordinate campaign strategy. With the election schedule announced, the outcome of these talks will critically shape the alliance's electoral prospects. AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami meets Amit Shah in Delhi for crucial seat-sharing talks as Tamil Nadu election alliances intensify. Chennai, March 19 AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami will reach New Delhi on Thursday as crucial seat-sharing talks between the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party enter their final phase ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. According to sources, Palaniswami will leave for Delhi from Chennai around 10 a.m. and is expected to hold high-level discussions with senior BJP leadership in the national capital. He is likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to negotiate the allocation of constituencies between the two alliance partners. The visit is being viewed as a decisive step toward finalising the alliance framework. With the Election Commission having announced the poll schedule, political activity across Tamil Nadu has intensified. Parties are now working on a war footing to conclude alliance negotiations and begin full-fledged campaigning. The ruling DMK has already made significant progress, completing seat-sharing arrangements with key allies such as the Congress and the CPI, while talks with other partners are nearing closure. In contrast, the AIADMK-BJP alliance is yet to officially announce its seat-sharing formula, making the Delhi visit politically significant. Both parties are understood to be working towards a mutually acceptable arrangement that reflects their respective strengths and electoral priorities. Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP's Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal is likely to visit Chennai later this week. His visit is likely to focus on resolving remaining differences, including finalising constituencies and coordinating campaign strategies. Political observers say the outcome of Palaniswami's meetings in Delhi will play a key role in shaping the AIADMK-BJP alliance's electoral prospects. With limited time left before campaigning gathers momentum, both parties are under pressure to conclude talks quickly. All eyes are now on the discussions in the national capital, which are expected to determine the final contours of the AIADMK-BJP alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections. - IANS Photo: / Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka and Minister for European Affairs of Montenegro Maida Gorcevic have signed memorandum of cooperation in direction of European integration. According to message from Office of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, document provides in particular for: exchange of experience in conducting negotiations on joining EU; joint work on harmonization of legislation with EU law and its implementation; cooperation in spheres of rule of law, anti-corruption, judicial reform, and public administration; development of joint initiatives, projects, and expert exchanges; strengthening of institutional capacity and training of civil servants; coordination in matters of green transformation and digital development. Memorandum also provides for regular meetings of negotiating teams and systemic coordination between responsible institutions of both countries. "During meeting with Director General of European Commissions Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) Gert Jan Koopman, main attention was paid to further promotion of negotiation process. Ukraine confirmed determination in continuing reforms, particularly in spheres of rule of law and fight against corruption, with intention to complete necessary preparatory steps by 2027," message says. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the United States remains "on plan" in its war against Iran but declined to set a definitive end date. He forcefully rejected media characterizations of the conflict as a potential "forever war" or quagmire, asserting Operation Epic Fury is fundamentally different from past wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth emphasized the mission's objectives, set by President Trump, have remained unchanged since day one and focus on crippling Iran's military and nuclear capabilities. The Defence Secretary concluded by stating the US is "winning decisively and on our terms." US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asserts Operation Epic Fury is "laser-focused" and winning, rejecting media narratives of a "forever war" against Iran. Washington DC, March 19 US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said the United States remains "on plan" in its war against Iran but declined to provide a definitive timeline for when the conflict would end, stressing that the final decision would rest with President Donald Trump. "We wouldn't want to set a definitive time frame on" the war's end, Hegseth said at a Pentagon briefing, adding that the ultimate outcome and timeline would be determined by President Trump. "As we've said, we're on plan," he noted. Hegseth said that Operation Epic Fury is laser-focused and decisive. "The media here, not all of it, but much of it, wants you to think, just 19 days into this conflict, that we're somehow spinning toward an endless abyss or a forever war or a quagmire. Nothing could be further from the truth," Hegseth said. "Hear it from me, one of hundreds of thousands who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, who watched previous foolish politicians like Bush, Obama and Biden squander American credibility. This is not those wars. President Trump knows better. Epic Fury is different. It's laser-focused, it's decisive," he added. Hegseth added that the mission objectives have remained unchanged since the first day of the war. "Our objectives, given directly from our America First President, remain exactly what they were on day one. These are not the media's objectives, not Iran's objectives, not new objectives, our objectives, unchanged, on target and on plan. Destroy missiles, launchers and Iran's defence industrial base so they cannot rebuild, destroy their navy and Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. Our objectives from day one, " he said. "To the patriotic members of the press, nobody can deliver perfection in wartime. This building knows that more than anyone. But report the reality. We're winning decisively and on our terms," he added. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned recent Iranian missile strikes on Qatar's energy infrastructure during a call with Qatar's Amir. He expressed India's solidarity with Qatar and gratitude for the care shown to the Indian community there. The Prime Minister also underscored India's support for safe and free navigation through the critical Strait of Hormuz. The attacks have caused significant damage to LNG facilities and heightened regional tensions, impacting global energy markets. PM Modi condemns Iranian strikes on Qatar's energy infrastructure, expresses solidarity with Qatar, and emphasizes safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. New Delhi, March 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned recent strikes on energy infrastructure in Qatar by Iran, while expressing India's solidarity with the Gulf nation amid ongoing regional tensions. During a telephonic conversation with the Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, PM Modi also conveyed warm Eid greetings to the Amir and the people of Qatar and also expressed gratitude for the care and support extended to the Indian community in Qatar and voiced hope for peace and stability in the region. "Spoke with my brother, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, and conveyed warm Eid greetings to him and the people of Qatar. Reiterated that we stand in solidarity with Qatar and strongly condemn the attacks on the region's energy infrastructure," PM Modi stated in a post on X. The Prime Minister further underlined India's position on maritime security, stating that the country supports safe and free navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. "Expressed gratitude for the care and support provided to the Indian community and hoped for peace and stability to prevail in the region. We stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," his post added. The conversation comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with several countries in the region witnessing disruptions impacting energy infrastructure and global supply chains. Earlier, Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second-largest at the liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. This strike comes in retaliation from Iran after Israel struck the Islamic Republic's South Pars Gas field. The attack on Iran's Gas field and Qatar's LNG facilities has sent energy prices up further, with little sign of any resolution to the conflict soon. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared heartfelt greetings on X for the auspicious occasions of Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Cheti Chand. In his posts, he specifically invoked blessings from Goddess Shailaputri on the first day of Navratri for discipline and peace. He also wished for a good year ahead on Cheti Chand and extended simple greetings for Ugadi and Gudi Padwa. These festivals mark the Hindu New Year and the spring season, celebrated with devotion across the country. PM Narendra Modi extends heartfelt wishes on Navratri, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Cheti Chand, praying for peace and a prosperous new year. New Delhi, March 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasions of Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. In two separate posts on X, the PM expressed wishes on the first day of Navratri, praying for discipline, peace and positive energy for everyone. "On the first day of Navratri, the ritual is to worship Devi Shailaputri, the first form of Maa Durga. May her blessings infuse discipline, peace, and positive energy into everyone's life--this is the heartfelt wish," the PM wrote in a post. "I bow to the one who grants desired boons, with the crescent moon adorning her crest. Mounted on a bull, wielding a trident, the glorious Shailaputri. My salutations and obeisance at the feet of the Mother of the Universe, Maa Durga, on behalf of millions of my fellow countrymen! On the sacred occasion of Navratri, I beseech the Divine Mother to bestow her blessings of affection and compassion upon one and all. Jai Mata Di!" he wrote in another post. In another post, the PM extended best wishes on Cheti Chand and hoped for a good year for all. "Best wishes on Cheti Chand! Praying for a very good year," the PM captioned the post. The PM also wished Ugadi and Gudi Padwa to the people. "Have a wonderful Ugadi!" PM wrote in a post. "Greetings on Gudi Padwa," he wished in another post. These festivals mark the Hindu Nav Varsha and the arrival of the spring season and are celebrated with different names in various regions of the country. Meanwhile, devotees on Thursday gathered in large numbers at prominent shrines, including the Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur temples in Delhi and Mumba Devi in Mumbai, to offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. The air resonated with the sound of bells and hymns as the Aarti performed marked the commencement of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on the urgent need to de-escalate tensions in West Asia and return to diplomatic dialogue. In a separate conversation, Modi also spoke with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, reinforcing the importance of diplomacy and condemning violations of sovereignty. Both talks highlighted concerns over regional stability and the critical need to secure vital maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. The conversations occur amid heightened regional conflict following military strikes and leadership changes in Iran. PM Modi discusses West Asia crisis with French President Macron and Oman's Sultan, emphasizing urgent de-escalation, dialogue, and maritime security. New Delhi, March 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on the evolving situation in West Asia, with both leaders emphasising the urgent need for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict. Sharing the details of the conversation in a post on X, the Prime Minister described President Macron as a "dear friend" and said the two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing conflict and its broader implications for regional and global stability. "Spoke with my dear friend, President Emmanuel Macron, on the situation in West Asia and the urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We look forward to continuing our close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond," the post read. The conversation comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with several countries in the region witnessing disruptions and security challenges. Earlier today, PM Modi held a "productive conversation" with the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, during which the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in West Asia and emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in order to de-escalate the conflict. In a post on X, the Prime Minister stated that during the discussion, he conveyed advance Eid greetings to Tariq Al Said and the people of Oman and reaffirmed India's strong ties with the Gulf nation. "Had a productive conversation with my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and conveyed advance Eid greetings to the people of Oman. We agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability," the post read. He reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while appreciating the country's efforts in facilitating the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals, amid the ongoing regional tensions. The Prime Minister also underscored the shared commitment of both nations to ensuring secure maritime routes, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. "Reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated Oman's efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals. India and Oman stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," his post added. The remarks come amid the escalating tensions and conflict in the region 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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on the occasion of Ugadi, the Telugu New Year. He emphasized the festival's roots in tradition and its symbolism of new energy and beginnings. The Governors and Chief Ministers of both states also conveyed their heartfelt wishes for the new year, named 'Prabhava Nama'. They expressed hopes for prosperity, good health, bountiful rains, and agricultural success for all citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state leaders greet people on Ugadi, the Telugu New Year 'Prabhava Nama', wishing for prosperity and happiness. Hyderabad, March 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on the occasion of Ugadi, the Telugu New Year. He posted his Ugadi message in Telugu on social media platforms, conveying heartfelt wishes to people. This is a festival that is rooted in tradition and at the same time symbolises new energy and a beginning, he said. "Ugadi marks the start of a new year and I pray that the coming year is full of happiness, success and wonderful health. May this year inspire everyone to pursue their aspirations with sincerity and contribute positively to society," reads his message. Meanwhile, the Governor and Chief Ministers of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have also greeted people on the occasion of Ugadi, christened 'Prabhava Nama' this year. Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, in his message, conveyed his greetings to all Telugu-speaking people. "On the auspicious occasion of Parabhava Nama Ugadi, I extend heartfelt best wishes to each and every Telugu-speaking brother and sister across the world. May this Telugu New Year usher in blessings and prosperity for you and your loved ones," he said. "Ugadi is a festival of joy and hope, and the New Year shall bring with it new cheer and a bright future. Let us embrace the spirit of Ugadi, symbolized by the diverse tastes of the traditional Ugadi Pachchadi, to face life's challenges with optimism. May this 'Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram' usher in peace, prosperity, harmony, health and happiness for all people and sections of society," the Governor added. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy extended heartfelt greetings to the Telangana people on the auspicious Ugadi. The Chief Minister hoped that the new year would bring prosperity and good fortune to the people of the state. Further, the CM prayed for bountiful rains and that the farmers' lives be filled with joy with abundant agricultural yields and livestock. Recalling the launch of the 'Fine Rice' distribution scheme free of cost for all ration card holders on Ugadi festival last year, CM Revanth Reddy affirmed that the youngest state of Telangana in the country will achieve significant growth in all sectors and stands as a role model for the country. The Chief Minister appealed to every Telangana citizen to celebrate Ugadi with pomp and gaiety, enriching our culture and traditions further. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, where both leaders condemned recent violations of sovereignty and agreed on the critical need for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in West Asia. Modi appreciated Oman's role in facilitating the safe return of thousands, including Indian nationals, and both leaders emphasized the importance of safe navigation through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This conversation is part of India's extensive diplomatic outreach to regional leaders, including those from Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, concerning the ongoing conflict. The discussions underscore India's active engagement in advocating for peaceful resolution and the protection of its citizens and interests in the region. PM Modi and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq agree on prioritizing dialogue for de-escalation and peace in West Asia, condemning sovereignty violations. New Delhi, March 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Oman Sultan Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Thursday and reiterated India's condemnation of the recent violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two leaders agreed on the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability. PM Modi also expressed appreciation for Oman's efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals. "Had a productive conversation with my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and conveyed advance Eid greetings to the people of Oman. We agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability," PM Modi posted on X after the call. "Reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated Oman's efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals. India and Oman stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," he added. The conversation between both leaders took place amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia that erupted after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 which killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials. In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting the US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals and allied forces in West Asia. Over the past few days, PM Modi has also spoken with the leaders of Malaysia, France, Kuwait, UAE, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar as India remains in touch with the governments of the region as well as other key partners over the ongoing conflict in Iran and the Gulf region. On Wednesday, PM Modi spoke to Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and discussed the evolving situation in West Asia and sharing concerns over the recent developments. PM Modi reiterated India's condemnation of attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also thanked Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah for continued support and ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait. "Spoke with HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait and conveyed greetings on the upcoming festival of Eid. We exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and shared concerns over recent developments. Reiterated India's condemnation of attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains our foremost priority," PM Modi posted on X. "We agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for regional peace and stability. I thanked him for continued support for the safety and wellbeing of the Indian community in Kuwait," he added. - IANS President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Ayodhya for a historic visit to the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. She was welcomed at the airport by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During her visit, the President is scheduled to offer prayers, perform aarti, and install the sacred 'Ram Yantra' at the temple. She will also honor the thousands of workers, artisans, and vendors whose efforts contributed to the temple's construction. President Droupadi Murmu arrives in Ayodhya to offer prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, install the Ram Yantra, and honor construction workers. Ayodhya, March 19 President of India Droupadi Murmu arrived in Ayodhya at Maharishi Valmiki International Airport on Thursday for her visit to the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath along with Governor Anandiben Patel, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak welcomes President at the airport. She was accorded a warm reception at the Ayodhya airport by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During her visit, the President is scheduled to offer prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir and set ot installtion of 'Ram Yantra'. Many workers who have worked, vendors and artisans are invited. The program is scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm. For this occasion, the entire city is decorated. Large banners and posters have been put up along main thoroughfares, intersections, and the routes leading to the Ram Temple, prominently featuring images of the President, Narendra Modi, and Yogi Adityanath. The streets have been adorned with saffron flags and decorative pennants, creating a religious and festive atmosphere throughout the city. The administration has also made special arrangements regarding security, sanitation, and traffic management. The President will participate in special rituals and perform aarti before the idol of Ram, and will install the Ram Yantra. As a gesture of appreciation, she also honoured the construction workers whose dedicated efforts brought the grand temple to life. On her visit, RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said that this is a historic day when the President will take part in Ram Yantra Sthapana at the Ram Mandir. On Presiden visit, International President, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Alok Kumar said, "She is the first citizen of India. We welcome her, and her presence enhances her dignity. Lord Ram has a kingdom everywhere. It is natural for those whose sweat built the temple to be honoured by the President, or in her presence, we should express gratitude for the time and effort they gave to build such a beautiful temple." Anil Mishra, trustee of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, on the visit said, "Around six thousand people have been invited from all over Uttar Pradesh. Many workers who have worked in association with the Ram Mandir, vendors and artisans have all been invited. The program is scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm. She will install the Shri Ram Yantra. Then she will perform aarti." - ANI President Droupadi Murmu is visiting Ayodhya to offer prayers and perform rituals at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. She will install the Ram Yantra and honor the thousands of workers, artisans, and devotees involved in the temple's construction. The city is decorated with banners, saffron flags, and images of the President, PM Modi, and CM Yogi Adityanath for the occasion. The visit includes special ceremonies and is seen as a significant moment marking the temple's completion. President Droupadi Murmu visits Ayodhya to offer prayers at Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, install the Ram Yantra, and honor the temple's builders. Ayodhya, March 19 President Droupadi Murmu is set to visit Ayodhya on Thursday, where she will offer prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Many workers who have worked, vendors and artisans are invited. The program is scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm. For this occasion, the entire city is decorated. Large banners and posters have been put up along main thoroughfares, intersections, and the routes leading to the Ram Temple, prominently featuring images of the President, Narendra Modi, and Yogi Adityanath. The streets have been adorned with saffron flags and decorative pennants, creating a religious and festive atmosphere throughout the city. The administration has also made special arrangements regarding security, sanitation, and traffic management. During the President's visit, special religious ceremonies will be organised at the Ram Temple, with a large number of devotees and saints expected to participate. The President will participate in special rituals and perform aarti before the idol of Ram, and will install the Ram Yantra. As a gesture of appreciation, she also honoured the construction workers whose dedicated efforts brought the grand temple to life. Security arrangements are in place at Maharshi Valmiki International Airport, ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. On Presiden visit, International President, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Alok Kumar said, "She is the first citizen of India. We welcome her, and her presence enhances her dignity. Lord Ram has a kingdom everywhere. It is natural for those whose sweat built the temple to be honoured by the President, or in her presence, we should express gratitude for the time and effort they gave to build such a beautiful temple." Anil Mishra, trustee of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, on the visit said, "Around six thousand people have been invited from all over Uttar Pradesh. Many workers who have worked in association with the Ram Mandir, vendors and artisans have all been invited. The program is scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm. She will install the Shri Ram Yantra. Then she will perform aarti." Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, also expressed his views. He said, "The President will visit and install the 'Ram Yantra'. After this, there will be a stage program, and she will also visit the seven temples that have been built. This moment is important for us because the complete construction and installation of the Ram Lalla temple are being completed today. It will be completely open not only to the entire Indian public but also to the devotees of Lord Ram from all over the country and abroad." Meanwhile, Secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, speaking to reporters, said, "Today, Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, is visiting the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex. She will install and worship the Ram Yantra in the sanctum sanctorum on the second floor of the temple. For this occasion, the revered Mata Amritanandamayi Amma from Kerala has also arrived in Ayodhya. She arrived by the afternoon of the 17th, accompanied by approximately 1,000 of her devotees." "She will be present and bestow her blessings during the ceremony. Approximately 6,000 individuals have contributed to the construction of this temple. At least 2,000 of them are expected to be present at the event. Additionally, workers from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand who have been actively involved in the Ram Janmabhoomi cause from 1984 to around 2000 will also be present. More than 3000 such brothers have come here. The event is expected to conclude by 2:30 pm, after which everyone will visit the temple for darshan of the deity and then depart for their respective destinations," he added. - ANI President Droupadi Murmu extended heartfelt greetings for multiple festivals marking the Hindu New Year and spring season, including Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa. She described these occasions as symbols of India's rich cultural diversity and wished for prosperity and new hopes for all citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared extensive greetings for Navratri, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Cheti Chand, offering prayers for peace and positive energy. Meanwhile, devotees gathered at major temples across Delhi and Mumbai to mark the first day of Chaitra Navratri with traditional rituals. President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi extend greetings for Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, and Navratri, celebrating India's cultural diversity. New Delhi, March 19 President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday expressed greetings on the festivals marking the Hindu New Year and the arrival of the spring season. In a post on X, the President wished for "prosperity and new hopes" for all citizens on the occasion of Chaitra Shuklaadi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiroba. "On the sacred occasion of Chaitra Shuklaadi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiroba, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all my fellow citizens. These festivals, celebrated across various regions of the country to welcome the arrival of the new year, are vibrant symbols of India's rich cultural diversity. My fond hope is that these joyous occasions infuse prosperity and new hopes into everyone's lives," the post read. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasions of Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. In two separate posts on X, the PM expressed wishes on the first day of Navratri, praying for discipline, peace and positive energy for everyone. "On the first day of Navratri, the ritual is to worship Devi Shailaputri, the first form of Maa Durga. May her blessings infuse discipline, peace, and positive energy into everyone's life--this is the heartfelt wish," the PM wrote in a post. "I bow to the one who grants desired boons, with the crescent moon adorning her crest. Mounted on a bull, wielding a trident, the glorious Shailaputri. My salutations and obeisance at the feet of the Mother of the Universe, Maa Durga, on behalf of millions of my fellow countrymen! On the sacred occasion of Navratri, I beseech the Divine Mother to bestow her blessings of affection and compassion upon one and all. Jai Mata Di!" he wrote in another post. In other posts, the PM extended best wishes on Cheti Chand, Ugadi and Gudi Padwa and hoped for a good year for all. Meanwhile, devotees on Thursday gathered in large numbers at prominent shrines, including the Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur temples in Delhi and Mumba Devi in Mumbai, to offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. The air resonated with the sound of bells and hymns as the Aarti performed marked the commencement of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. - ANI President Droupadi Murmu installed the 'Shri Ram Yantra' on the temple's final floor, symbolizing the completion of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple's construction. The religious ceremonies were conducted by scholars from across India under the guidance of priest Ganeshwar Shastri. She was received by senior Uttar Pradesh leaders and will felicitate hundreds of workers involved in the temple's construction. The city has been decorated with saffron flags, with authorities implementing extensive security and traffic plans for the visit. President Droupadi Murmu installs the Shri Ram Yantra at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, marking the symbolic completion of the temple's construction. Ayodhya, March 19 President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday installed the 'Shri Ram Yantra' at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya and offered prayers amid Vedic chants, marking a significant milestone in the temple's construction. The 'Shri Ram Yantra' has been placed on the second floor of the temple, which is also its final level, symbolising completeness. With this installation, the construction of the temple is considered complete. The religious ceremonies were performed by Vedic scholars from southern India, Kashi and Ayodhya under the guidance of priest Ganeshwar Shastri. Upon her arrival in Ayodhya, the President was received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. As part of her visit, the President is also scheduled to felicitate nearly 400 workers who contributed to the construction of the temple. She will also hoist a flag at one of the shrines located in the outer precinct of the complex, known as the parkota. Extensive arrangements have been made across the city in view of the President's visit. Roads leading to the temple have been decorated with saffron flags and banners, creating a festive and devotional atmosphere. The streets have been adorned with saffron flags and decorative pennants, enhancing the religious ambience across Ayodhya. Authorities have also put in place elaborate arrangements related to security, sanitation and traffic management to ensure the smooth conduct of the visit. Speaking about the preparations, Ayodhya District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde told IANS that "VIP darshan will remain closed throughout the day," while adding that general devotees will be allowed entry except during the period of the President's presence at the temple. Senior Superintendent of Police, Ayodhya, Gaurav Grover, said that comprehensive security planning has been undertaken to manage the visit and ensure safety at all levels. - IANS Russia drone attack killed two men and injured another in Khutir-Mykhailivskyi community, Sumy Regional Prosecutors Office reported. "According to investigation, on March 19, 2026, at around 10:30, enemy attacked civilian infrastructure in Khutir-Mykhailivskyi community with drones. As result of attack, two brothers, aged 33 and 37, were killed. A 54-year-old man was also injured," message on law enforcements Facebook page says. Under procedural guidance of Shostka District Prosecutors Office, pre-trial investigation is being conducted into fact of committing war crimes. Pre-trial investigation is carried out by investigators of Shostka District Department of National Police in Sumy region. President Droupadi Murmu visited the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya to offer prayers and perform the 'Ram Yantra' Sthapana. The city was extensively decorated with banners, saffron flags, and images of the President, PM Modi, and CM Adityanath for the occasion. The event, which included aarti and visits to other temples, saw thousands of invitees, including workers and artisans associated with the temple's construction. Trust officials highlighted the significance of the event, marking the near-completion of the Ram Lalla temple's construction. President Droupadi Murmu visits Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, performs 'Ram Yantra' Sthapana and aarti. Ayodhya decorated for the historic event. Ayodhya, March 19 President of India Droupadi Murmu arrived at Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on Thursday to offer prayers and seek blessings, accompanied by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The President also performs the 'Ram Yantra' Sthapana in the temple complex along with the aarti before the idol of Ram. Special religious ceremonies have been organised at the Ram Temple, with a large number of devotees and saints expected to participate. Many workers who have worked, vendors and artisans are invited. The program is scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm. For this occasion, the entire city is decorated. Large banners and posters have been put up along main thoroughfares, intersections, and the routes leading to the Ram Temple, prominently featuring images of the President, Narendra Modi, and Yogi Adityanath. The streets have been adorned with saffron flags and decorative pennants, creating a religious and festive atmosphere throughout the city. The administration has also made special arrangements regarding security, sanitation, and traffic management. Anil Mishra, trustee of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, on the visit said, "Around six thousand people have been invited from all over Uttar Pradesh. Many workers who have worked in association with the Ram Mandir, vendors and artisans have all been invited. The program is scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm. She will install the Shri Ram Yantra. Then she will perform aarti." Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, also expressed his views. He said, "The President will visit and install the 'Ram Yantra'. After this, there will be a stage program, and she will also visit the seven temples that have been built. This moment is important for us because the complete construction and installation of the Ram Lalla temple are being completed today. It will be completely open not only to the entire Indian public but also to the devotees of Lord Ram from all over the country and abroad." - ANI Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. Gen. K.T. Parnaik has emphasized that private educational institutions must strictly adhere to and maintain prescribed infrastructure norms. He advised the state's regulatory commission to ensure transparency in admissions and vigilant oversight of examinations and research. The Governor stated the commission should not hesitate to suspend approvals or close institutions that repeatedly fail to meet national benchmarks. He also assured the commission that their pending concerns would be taken up with the relevant authorities for resolution. Governor KT Parnaik urges regulatory commission to enforce infrastructure standards and quality control in private educational institutions. Itanagar, March 19 Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. Gen. K.T. Parnaik on Thursday emphasised that private educational institutions must strictly adhere to prescribed infrastructure norms and consistently maintain required facilities to ensure a conducive learning environment for students. The Chairman of the Arunachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (APPEIRC), Tsering Naksang, called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar. The Governor, stressing the importance of strong academic regulation, advised the Commission to closely monitor admissions to ensure transparency and meritbased selection. He also urged the Commission to maintain vigilant oversight of examinations and research standards to uphold the credibility and academic integrity of institutions. He reiterated that private institutions must comply with infrastructure norms and continuously maintain essential facilities to support effective learning. Expressing concern for maintaining academic excellence, Lt. Gen. Parnaik (Retd) advised the Commission to enforce robust quality control in line with University Grants Commission guidelines and State Government regulations. He said the Commission must regularly review the functioning of institutions, ensure compliance with regulatory norms, and hold them accountable for maintaining quality education. The Governor said the Commission should not hesitate to initiate corrective measures, including suspending approvals or even closing institutions that repeatedly fail to meet national benchmarks and academic standards. Such decisive oversight, he said, would be crucial in shaping the future of higher education in the State and ensuring that students receive education that is credible, competitive, and aligned with national expectations. Members of APPEIRC apprised the Governor of several pending matters at the departmental level requiring urgent attention. The Governor assured them that the issues raised would be taken up with the concerned authorities and that necessary discussions would be initiated for timely resolution. The Chairman, accompanied by members Limo Ete and Joram Aniya, and the Secretary, A.K. Tripathy, briefed the Governor on the Commission's activities and initiatives. Meanwhile, the Governor has condoled the demise of former MLA Talong Taggu. He said that with Taggu's passing, he was elected to the Second Legislative Assembly, and the state has lost one of its firstgeneration political leaders who helped shape the early democratic foundations of Arunachal Pradesh. Joining the people of Arunachal Pradesh in mourning the loss, the Governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul. - IANS Qatar's Civil Defence has fully contained massive fires at the Ras Laffan Industrial Area following ballistic missile strikes from Iran, with no injuries reported. The attack marks the second on the world's largest liquefaction facility within 12 hours, causing extensive damage to LNG and gas-to-liquids facilities. US President Donald Trump stated the US had no knowledge of the attack, attributing it to Israel's anger and warning of further US action if Qatar is targeted again. In response, Qatar has declared Iranian military attaches persona non grata and ordered them to leave the country. Qatar contains massive fires at Ras Laffan industrial area after Iranian ballistic missile strikes. No casualties reported. US President comments. Doha, March 19 Qatar's Ministry of Interior informed that the massive fire that broke at Ras Laffen industrial area after a strike has been contained with no casualties being reported. In a post X, the MOI wrote, "Civil defence has fully contained all fires in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area without recording any injuries, with cooling and securing operations continuing at the sites, while the explosives unit affiliated with the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) carries out its tasks in dealing with any hazardous parts." Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second to take place in the last 12 hours at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. After the world's largest liquefaction facility located in Qatar was subjected to missile strikes by Iran, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said that Washington had no knowledge of the attack, claiming Israel for "acted out of anger", striking at Iran's South Pars Gas Field which resulted in retaliation from Tehran. In a sharply worded statement shared on Truth Social, the US President said, "Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit." He said the US and Qatar were not aware of the attacks and stated that Israel would not target the South Pars Field unless Iran decides to attack Qatar again. He said that Washington would not be afraid of authorising destruction and violence on Tehran if Qatar's energy facilities are targeted again. Meanwhile, Qatar has declared the military and security attaches at the Iranian Embassy, along with their staff, "persona non grata" and has requested that they leave the country within 24 hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. - ANI Qatar has declared Iran's military and security attaches persona non grata, ordering them to leave the country within 24 hours. The foreign ministry stated the decision was a direct response to repeated Iranian targeting that violated Qatar's sovereignty and security. This escalation follows missile attacks that caused significant damage at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical natural gas processing hub. Qatar has warned that continued hostile approaches will be met with additional measures to protect its national interests. Qatar declares Iranian military attaches persona non grata, ordering them out within 24 hours following missile strikes on the critical Ras Laffan gas facility. Doha, March 19 Qatar has declared the military and security attaches at the Iranian Embassy, along with their staff, "persona non grata" and has requested that they leave the country within 24 hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered an official note to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the State, stating that Qatar considers both the military attache and the security attache at the embassy, in addition to the staff of the two attache offices "persona non grata", and requests that they leave the country within a maximum period of (24) hours," an official statement from MFA Qatar read. The ministry delivered an official note to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran during a meeting between HE Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Yousif Fakhro and HE Ambassador of Iran to Qatar, Ali Salehabadi. The ministry explained that the decision was made "in response to repeated Iranian targeting and the blatant aggression against the State of Qatar, which violated its sovereignty and security, in a flagrant breach of the principles of international law, United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2817, and the principles of good neighbourliness." The ministry added, "The continuation of this hostile approach by the Iranian side will be met with additional measures by the State of Qatar, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security, and national interests." It also affirmed that "the State of Qatar reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security, in accordance with the provisions of international law." Meanwhile, key energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf came under attack on Wednesday night (local time), with fires reported at a major facility in Qatar and aerial threats intercepted over Saudi Arabia, following warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), CNN reported. Qatar's Interior Ministry said Civil Defence teams were responding to a blaze at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical natural gas processing hub and cornerstone of the Qatari economy, "following an Iranian targeting," according to a post on X on Wednesday. QatarEnergy confirmed that Ras Laffan had been struck by missiles, causing "significant damage". The company added that emergency teams were immediately deployed to control the fires and that all personnel were safe, with no casualties reported. "QatarEnergy confirms that Ras Laffan Industrial City this evening has been the subject of missile attacks. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires, as extensive damage has been caused. All personnel have been accounted for and no casualties have been reported at this time," QatarEnergy wrote on X. The Qatari Foreign Ministry warned that such attacks constitute "dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of the State's sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security and the stability of the region," CNN reported. - ANI Iranian ballistic missiles struck Qatar's critical Ras Laffan Industrial City, targeting LNG facilities and causing extensive damage with sizable fires. This marks the second attack on the world's largest liquefaction facility within 12 hours, though emergency teams contained the blazes with no reported casualties. Qatar has strongly condemned the strikes as a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to global energy security. In response, Doha has declared Iranian military and security attaches persona non grata, ordering them to leave the country within 24 hours. Qatar reports extensive damage at Ras Laffan after Iranian ballistic missile strikes target LNG facilities, escalating West Asia tensions. Doha, March 19 The third week of the conflict in West Asia has seen critical expansion in the scale of attacks mounted by both US-Israel and Tehran. On Wednesday night the Iranians hit back after an Israel strike targeted the South Pars Gas field. On their target Gas fields in Qatar. Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second to take place in the last 12 hours at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy several of its LNG facilities were subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties.," its stated. Ras Laffan Industrial City is Qatar's main energy hub and has sustained extensive damage after being attacked. Sharing the details in a post on X, the Ministry of Defence said, "The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that State of Qatar was attacked ballistic missiles, from Iran, which targeted Ras Laffan Industrial City and caused damages. May Allah protect Qatar, its Amir, its people, and all residents on its land." Qatar's Ministry of Interior said that the civil defence fully contained two of the three fires in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area, with no injuries reported. "Cooling and securing operations at the sites are ongoing, while the Explosives Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) is carrying out its tasks in handling any hazardous elements", it added in a post on X. As tensions rise in West Asia, Qatar on Thursday, strongly condemned the Iranian targeting of energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and UAE in the last two days, calling it a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to global energy security, navigation, and the environment. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Iranian attacks on countries in the region have crossed all red lines by targeting civilians, civilian objects, and vital facilities, and stressed the need to spare the region the consequences of these unjustified attacks and to work towards de-escalation to restore regional and international security and stability. Qatar has declared the military and security attaches at the Iranian Embassy, along with their staff, "persona non grata" and has requested that they leave the country within 24 hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. The City is an industrial hub, located about 80 kilometres north of Doha and is a bedrock of the country's economy and the largest liquefaction facility in the world, according to the International Energy Agency. - ANI Qatar has submitted its ninth formal letter to the United Nations Security Council, condemning continued Iranian aggression as a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. The Gulf nation detailed interceptions of hostile aerial targets and civilian injuries, invoking its right to a proportionate response under the UN Charter. French President Emmanuel Macron, after calls with regional leaders, urged an immediate moratorium on strikes targeting civilian energy and water infrastructure. The escalating situation raises profound international concerns over civilian safety and the security of global energy supplies. Qatar warns UNSC of Iranian attacks violating sovereignty. France's Macron calls for moratorium on strikes targeting civilian energy infrastructure. New York, March 19 The State of Qatar has sent its ninth identical letter to the United Nations and the UN Security Council, raising alarm over what it termed continued Iranian aggression on its territory and calling for urgent international attention to the escalating situation. The communication was addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the Security Council for March, Michael Waltz. The letter was sent by Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani as per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. In the letter, Qatar underscored that the recent developments constitute "a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, a direct threat to its security and territorial integrity, and an unacceptable escalation that jeopardises the security and stability of the region." The Gulf nation detailed that from the onset of the attack on February 28 until March 16, its air defence systems had intercepted multiple hostile aerial targets. It further noted that civilian injuries had occurred as a result of what it described as "heinous attacks." The letter added that the extent of damages and losses is currently being assessed by relevant authorities, with further updates expected in due course. Qatar also highlighted that these attacks persisted even after the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which was co-sponsored by 136 countries and strongly condemned Iran's actions against Qatar and neighbouring nations, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities. Reaffirming its stance, Qatar reiterated its "strong condemnation" of the attacks and asserted its right to respond under Article 51 of the UN Charter. It stated that any response would be proportionate to the nature of the aggression and aimed at defending its sovereignty and safeguarding national interests. The letter further requested that the document be circulated as an official record of the Security Council. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in on the escalating tensions, stating, "I have just spoken with the Emir of Qatar and President Trump following the strikes that hit gas production facilities in Iran and Qatar today." He added, "It is in our common interest to implement, without delay, a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water supply facilities. Civilian populations and their essential needs, as well as the security of energy supplies, must be protected from military escalation." The developments signal rising regional tensions, with growing international concern over the potential impact on civilian safety and global energy security. - ANI Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss challenges faced by truck and bus body builders from Rajasthan regarding new government standards and fees. The minister assured the delegation that their concerns would be considered. Separately, the National Highways Authority of India announced a revision in the FASTag Annual Pass fee, increasing it to Rs 3,075 for the 2026-27 financial year. This revised rate, effective April 1, 2026, applies to non-commercial vehicles and is used by over 56 lakh motorists across national highways. Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to address Rajasthan truck body builders' concerns over new government fees. New Delhi, March 19 Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Wednesday, met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to discuss challenges faced by truck and bus body builders from Rajasthan. According to the All India Congress Committee, a delegation of small truck and bus body builders met Rahul Gandhi, expressing concerns over the government's new standards and fees. MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with the delegation, met Nitin Gadkari. Minister Gadkari assured them that the government would consider their concerns and work towards addressing the issues. Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to revise the applicable fee for the FASTag Annual Pass, increasing the rate from the current Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,075 for the 2026-27 Financial Year. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this new fee structure takes effect on April 1, 2026. The adjustment follows the regulatory framework established under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The revised rate applies specifically to eligible non-commercial vehicles equipped with a valid FASTag. This facility remains available at approximately 1,150 fee plazas across the network of National Highways and National Expressways. The Ministry noted that the adoption of the FASTag Annual Pass continues to grow among private vehicle owners, with the user base currently exceeding 56 lakh individuals. By opting for this annual pass, motorists eliminate the need for frequent recharges. The system operates on a one-time fee payment that grants validity for one full year or a total of 200 toll plaza crossings. The Ministry noted that the pass is applicable for all non-commercial vehicles, provided they maintain a valid FASTag. The activation process remains streamlined for the convenience of the commuters. Once the one-time fee is paid through the Rajmarg Yatra app or the official National Highways Authority of India website, the annual pass activates within two hours on the existing FASTag linked to the vehicle. This digital integration ensures that the transition to the new fee cycle remains seamless for the existing 56 lakh users. - ANI The Rajya Sabha held a farewell ceremony for 59 members from 20 states who are retiring between April and July. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering, praising the retirees' service and describing the Upper House as a "Great Open University" that enriches national discourse. He highlighted the institutional value of the Rajya Sabha in providing a "second opinion" to strengthen democracy. The retiring cohort includes prominent figures like H.D. Deve Gowda and Sharad Pawar, with many having served in both the old and new Parliament buildings. PM Modi honors 59 retiring Rajya Sabha members, calling the House a "Great Open University" and praising veterans like Deve Gowda and Sharad Pawar. New Delhi, March 19 The Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament, bade farewell on Wednesday to 59 members from 20 states who are set to retire between April and July this year. The farewell ceremony was organised at the Vice-President Enclave in New Delhi on March 18, 2026. The 59 retiring members include prominent figures such as former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Sharad Pawar, and RPI leader Ramdas Athawale, alongside nine women members. Notably, both Sharad Pawar and Ramdas Athawale have already been re-elected to the Upper House. According to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed heartfelt gratitude for the chance to honour retiring colleagues. The Prime Minister noted that such occasions allow the House to rise above party lines and share a common sentiment. PM Modi remarked that whether members return or move into broader social service, their accumulated experience remains an asset to the nation. He observed that in the dynamic field of politics, the journey never truly ends as the future always holds new opportunities for seasoned leaders. "In politics, there are no full stops; your experience and contribution will forever remain a part of the nation's life," asserted PM Modi. Highlighting the best contributions of the outgoing members, the Prime Minister suggested that the new generation of MPs should look to veterans like Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sharad Pawar as role models. He also praised Deputy Chairman Harivansh for his soft-spoken conduct and his ability to maintain the House's trust while handling complex crises. PM Modi pointed out that such dedicated service reflects a deep commitment to the responsibilities entrusted by society. "There is much to learn from these senior leaders about staying entirely committed to the responsibilities given by society," noted the Prime Minister. Highlighting the unique institutional value of the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi pointed out that the parliamentary system gains immense strength from the concept of a "second opinion." He noted that the transition of decisions between the two Houses adds a critical new dimension to the legislative process, ensuring more refined outcomes for the country. This democratic heritage, according to him, fosters a sense of openness and thoroughness in national decision-making. "This second opinion is a massive contribution to our democracy that we must cherish," said PM Modi. The Prime Minister pointed out that the retiring cohort holds the rare distinction of having served in both the old and the new Parliament buildings during their tenure. He remarked that being part of the historic transition to the new House would serve as a fresh and significant memory in their public service careers. PM Modi described the House as a "Great Open University" that provides members with a unique education in the complexities of national life. "The six years spent here are invaluable for shaping one's contribution to the nation and for self-growth," emphasised the Prime Minister. PM Modi expressed confidence that the members' vision and capacity have expanded manifold through their years of parliamentary experience. He noted that their invaluable contributions to nation-building would continue to be felt whether they serve within the formal system or through independent social work. PM Modi once again glorified the long and dedicated service of the retiring representatives, thanking them for their commitment. "I once again salute and glorify the contributions of all the retiring members," emphasised PM Modi. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat noted that around 26 members retired in 2025. But this year, a total of 73 members have completed their term. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who served as the convener of the Farewell Organising Committee, welcomed Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and other senior dignitaries to the ceremony. Addressing the gathering, the Chairman highlighted the unique parliamentary tradition of the biennial transition of Members, noting that it reflects both continuity and change, where experience makes way for fresh perspectives while the enduring spirit of the House remains constant. He expressed appreciation for the invaluable contributions of the retiring Members, stating that their wisdom, debates, and commitment to public service have enriched the functioning of the House and strengthened democratic values. He further conveyed confidence that their experience would continue to guide and inspire them in their continued engagement in public life. The Chairman also presented mementoes to the retired/retiring Members. A cultural evening was also organised in their honour, featuring a folk dance performance of Bhavai, a classical recital, and a musical ensemble. The farewell ceremony was attended by several senior dignitaries, including Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. - ANI The Reserve Bank of India has issued a statement affirming HDFC Bank's sound financial position and governance following the resignation of its part-time Chairman, Atanu Chakraborty. The central bank approved a transition arrangement and stated it has no material concerns based on its periodic assessments. Despite the RBI's reassurance, HDFC Bank's shares fell more than 5% as investor sentiment reacted to the leadership change. The bank held an analyst call to address queries regarding the resignation and its implications for the country's largest private lender. RBI affirms HDFC Bank's sound governance and financials after Chairman Atanu Chakraborty's resignation, despite a 5% stock drop. New Delhi, March 19 The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday issued a statement on HDFC Bank, noting recent developments at the country's largest private lender following the resignation of its part-time Chairman, Atanu Chakraborty. The central bank said it has approved a transition arrangement for the position of part-time Chairman, as requested by the bank. It emphasised that HDFC Bank, classified as a Domestic Systemically Important Bank (D-SIB), continues to have "sound financials, a professionally run board, and a competent management team." The RBI further stated that, based on its periodic assessments, there are no material concerns regarding the bank's governance or conduct. It added that the lender remains well-capitalised, with sufficient liquidity and a satisfactory financial position, and that the regulator will continue to engage with the bank's board and management going forward. Following the development, the bank conducted the analyst and investor call at 09:00 hours (IST) on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in relation to the intimation made on March 18, 2026. The call was aimed at providing clarity and addressing queries from analysts and investors regarding the resignation and its implications. The interaction assumes significance as investors closely track leadership changes in major financial institutions. The market reaction highlights sensitivity around governance developments in large-cap banking stocks. These developments come at a time when HDFC Bank continues to remain a key player in India's banking sector, and further details from the management interaction are expected to guide investor sentiment in the near term. Shares of HDFC Bank witnessed a decline during Thursday's trading session, reflecting investor concern over the leadership transition. The stock fell by more than 5 per cent following the resignation of its Chairman. HDFC Bank, one of India's largest private sector banks, currently has a market capitalisation of Rs 12,38,131.08 crore. The announcement of the resignation weighed on investor sentiment, leading to a sharp fall in the bank's stock during the trading session. At the time of filing this report, the bank's shares were trading at Rs 804 a piece, down from Rs 846 at Wednesday's close, marking a decline of more than 4 per cent. - ANI The Sambhali Trust brought the stories of displaced women and asylum seekers from Pakistan's border regions to the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Founder Govind Singh Rathore highlighted the perilous journeys families undertake across the Thar Desert to find safety and dignity in India. The Trust is hosting a photo exhibition and side event to visually document these experiences and amplify grassroots narratives on a global platform. Through its advocacy, the organization aims to bridge local realities with international policy, focusing on the empowerment of women, children, and gender minorities. Sambhali Trust highlights displaced women & asylum seekers from Pakistan at UNHRC, showcasing resilience through exhibition and advocacy in Geneva. Geneva, March 19 On the sidelines of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, voices from India's desert communities and cross-border asylum seekers echoed as representatives of the Sambhali Trust highlighted issues of displacement, dignity, and grassroots empowerment. Govind Singh Rathore, founder of the Sambhali Trust, highlighted the organisation's mission to support women, children, and gender minorities through vocational training, primary education, and holistic development. Established in 2007 and granted UN ECOSOC consultative status in 2015, the Trust has continued to expand its advocacy from Rajasthan to global platforms. Addressing the UNHRC, Rathore drew attention to asylum seekers arriving in Jaisalmer from Pakistan. He described how families undertake perilous journeys across the Thar Desert, often without food or water, in search of safety and dignity. According to him, many migrants express a common sentiment that, despite hardship, living peacefully with dignity in India outweighs the suffering they leave behind. To amplify these narratives, Sambhali Trust has organised two events in Geneva. A photo exhibition titled "Desert Daughters of India" will be held on March 24, showcasing visual stories of women who have crossed borders under extreme conditions. This will be followed by a side event on March 26 featuring a film screening and the launch of a publication documenting their experiences. Tasha Mauricette Stoppler, a volunteer representing the Trust, emphasised the importance of addressing minority rights at the global level. She highlighted the organisation's grassroots approach in Rajasthan, where it works closely with marginalised women and children to understand their needs and provide tailored support. Stoppler noted that Sambhali's work goes beyond recognition, focusing on tangible action to uplift communities. She also reiterated the importance of international platforms such as the UNHRC in raising visibility for underreported issues, particularly those affecting gender minorities and vulnerable populations. Through its participation in the UNHRC, Sambhali Trust aims to bridge local realities with global advocacy, urging the international community to recognise the resilience and aspirations of those seeking a safer, more dignified future. - ANI The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS), together with representatives of the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), as well as the German Red Cross and the Danish Red Cross, held discussions on cooperation. "The parties reviewed cooperation within the framework of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and identified priority areas of activity for 2026," the URCS said in a Facebook post on Thursday. Participants in the meeting also focused on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and the key areas of response by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. Particular attention was given to preparations for the winter period. As noted by the URCS, the organization continues systematic engagement with international partners to strengthen humanitarian response and support populations affected by the war. The shooting for the pan-Indian action drama 'The Black Gold,' starring Samyuktha, is fast nearing completion with just five days of talkie portions left. Producer Razesh Danda has indicated the film is being considered for a release in June or July of this year. The film features Samyuktha in a bold, never-seen-before femme-fatale cop role and boasts a strong supporting cast. It is being prepared for a simultaneous release in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. Producer reveals Samyuktha's action drama 'The Black Gold' is nearing completion, targeting a June-July 2026 release in five Indian languages. Hyderabad, March 19 Shooting for director Yogesh KMC's pan-Indian action drama 'The Black Gold', featuring actress Samyuktha in the lead, is now fast nearing completion, the film's producer Razesh Danda has now disclosed and revealed that they were considering releasing the film in June or July this year. During an interview to a media entity, producer Razesh Danda said, "This is a story between a police officer holding a gun and a villain who only uses a gun. We are shooting for this film on a massive scale. This will be a very new role for Samyukta garu." Going on to give details of how many days of shooting were left, the producer informed that there were still five days of talkie portions that were yet to be shot. "We are considering releasing the film in June or July this year," he added. Sources close to the unit of the film had informed IANS earlier that the post-production work of the film was progressing simultaneously. The film will feature a fresh narrative approach, gripping action blocks, and several unexpected twists that are likely to elevate it beyond a routine action drama, the sources had said. It may be recalled that the makers had released a special poster of Samyuktha in the film on the occasion of the new year. Directed by Yogesh KMC, the film, which will be among the most ambitious in Samyuktha's career, is being produced by Razesh Danda under the Hasya Movies banner in association with Maganti Pictures. Tipped to be a powerful commercial action entertainer, 'The Black Gold' presents Samyuktha in a striking femme-fatale cop avatar, showcasing her in a bold, fierce, and never-seen-before role. Alongside Samyuktha, the film boasts a strong ensemble cast including Murali Sharma, Rao Ramesh, Nassar, Manish Wadhwa, Ramki, Ravindra Vijay, Adukalam Naren, BVS Ravi, Krishna Chaitanya, and Chandrika Ravi. Music for the film is being composed by Sam CS, and the movie will have two special songs. 'The Black Gold' is steadily shaping up as one of the most anticipated pan-Indian releases of 2026. The makers are planning a simultaneous release in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. - IANS Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister has stated the Kingdom's immediate focus is ending Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and its neighbors. He warned that Saudi patience is not unlimited and it reserves the right to respond militarily if necessary. The minister accused Iran of premeditated attacks and targeting civilian infrastructure, actions which have completely shattered trust. He expressed hope Tehran would reassess its actions but stressed that coercive tactics would backfire and deepen Iran's isolation. Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan warns Iran to stop attacks on Gulf neighbors, reserves right to military action, says trust is shattered. Riyadh, March 19 Saudi Arabia reiterated that its immediate priority in the ongoing Iran conflict is to halt attacks targeting Gulf countries, with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stressing that the Kingdom is focused on protecting regional stability, Al Jazeera reported. However, the country still reserves the right to take military action against Iran if provoked. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of foreign ministers in Riyadh, the Saudi foreign minister said, "What I care about now is that the attacks on my country and on my neighbouring countries, that are not involved in this conflict, end. That's all I'm interested in." He added that Riyadh would use all available means to stop the attacks. "We are going to use every lever we have, political, economic, diplomatic ... to get these attacks to stop," he said, as per Al Jazeera. At the same time, Saudi Arabia warned that it reserves the right to respond militarily if necessary. Prince Faisal said Iran "doesn't believe in talking to its neighbours", but instead "it tries to pressure its neighbours", adding that such tactics would fail, Al Jazeera reported. "The Kingdom is not going to succumb to pressure, and, on the contrary, this pressure will backfire... politically, will backfire, I believe, morally, and certainly, as we have stated clearly, we reserve the right to take military actions if necessary," he said. According to Al Jazeera, the foreign minister also said that trust in Iran has been severely damaged. "Iran's attacks on neighbouring countries were premeditated, and what we are witnessing now confirms this," he said, adding, "What little trust there was has been completely shattered." He expressed hope that Tehran would reassess its actions. "I would hope that they understand the message of the meeting today, recalculate quickly and stop attacking their neighbours." As per Al Jazeera, Prince Faisal further accused Iran of targeting civilian infrastructure, dismissing its justification that the strikes were linked to the presence of US military bases as "unconvincing". He warned that continued attacks would deepen Iran's isolation and stressed that threats to freedom of navigation require a collective response. He also noted that foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh agreed that Iran must immediately halt support for its proxy groups, Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, Saud reiterated his earlier point that his country reserves the right to respond to Iranian attacks. Describing the attack as coercive, he said Iran's strike on Saudi energy facilities was "a blatant attempt at blackmail". As per Al Jazeera, Saudi Arabia earlier said it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh ahead of the high-level meeting. Referring to recent developments, the Saudi minister said Iran's actions included strikes on energy infrastructure. "For me, it was clear that the attack today was timed with this meeting, in order to attempt to intimidate those present, to send out the message that Iran will not stop," he said. "All I can say is we were not intimidated. We were not in any way convinced that Iran can be a legitimate partner when it behaves this way," he added. "What little trust there was has been completely shattered," he further said. Prince Faisal also confirmed that two refineries in Riyadh were attacked, warning that such actions reflect "misjudgements" by Iran that would not yield any gains, Al Jazeera reported. - ANI Leaders from seven nations have issued a strong joint condemnation of Iran for attacks on commercial vessels and energy infrastructure, accusing Tehran of causing a de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. They stressed the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation and expressed readiness to support efforts to ensure safe passage. Concurrently, China called for an immediate de-escalation, warning that the conflict is disrupting global energy security and the economy. The United Kingdom has deployed military planners to coordinate with the US on developing a collective plan to reopen the crucial waterway. Seven nations condemn Iran's attacks on vessels and energy sites, as China calls for de-escalation and the UK plans a military response to reopen the key strait. Tehran, March 20 Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and the United Kingdom condemened Iran "in the strongest terms" for attacks on "unarmed commercial vessels" and civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, as well as what they described as the "de facto closure" of the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, the seven countries urged Tehran to immediately halt its actions and attempts to block the key maritime route in the joint statement, stressing that "freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law." As per Al Jazeera, they also expressed readiness to support "appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait" and welcomed "the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning." Meanwhile, China called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, emphasising that the safety of international waterways must not be compromised, Al Jazeera reported. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the ongoing conflict was disrupting global energy security and warned of broader economic consequences, Al Jazeera reported. "The situation in the Middle East has disrupted global energy security," said Lin Jian, spokesperson at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a news conference, as per Al Jazeera. "The countries involved should immediately cease military operations to prevent regional instability from having a greater impact on global economic development," he said. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has deployed a small team of military planners to coordinate with the United States on developing a "viable collective plan" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a UK defence official said on Thursday, CNN reported. According to CNN, the planners will join existing British personnel already working alongside US Central Command, the official added. The move comes as Washington and its allies step up efforts to respond to Iran's de facto closure of the crucial waterway following military operations launched by the US and Israel against Iran. US President Donald Trump has publicly called for allied support to reopen the strait, while also maintaining that the US is capable of acting independently if needed. However, partner nations have indicated reluctance to deploy military assets directly into the strait amid ongoing hostilities. According to CNN, in a joint statement, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan said, "We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait." - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call with Qatar's Amir to convey Eid greetings and firmly condemn recent attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf. The conversation specifically addressed strikes on Qatar's critical Ras Laffan LNG facility, which is vital for India's energy imports. Modi emphasized India's stance on ensuring safe navigation through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has plummeted due to Iranian threats. This diplomatic move aligns with a broader regional condemnation by Arab and Islamic nations, isolating Iran's actions and calling for de-escalation. PM Modi expresses solidarity with Qatar, condemns Iranian strikes on LNG facilities and threats to Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes. New Delhi, March 19 In a strong display of diplomatic support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Thursday to convey warm Eid greetings and firmly reiterate India's condemnation of the recent attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. The phone call comes amid escalating tensions that have threatened global energy supplies and maritime security. PM Modi, in an X post, reiterated that India stands in solidarity with Qatar and strongly condemned the attacks on the region's energy infrastructure. This unequivocal backing follows a blatant Iranian aggression against Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country's premier liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India's LNG imports. PM Modi specifically condemned the strikes on the facility, expressing India's solidarity with Doha in addressing the aggression. The conversation between the two leaders also touched upon the welfare of the approximately 800,000-strong Indian community residing in Qatar. PM Modi expressed gratitude to the Qatari leadership for the care and support provided to the Indian community, a gesture warmly acknowledged by the Amir, who praised the robust bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. The diplomatic outreach is set against a backdrop of extreme volatility in West Asia, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and Oman, has effectively become a high-risk zone. Recent escalations have seen Iran follow through on longstanding threats to disrupt the passage, with traffic through the strait plummeting by as much as 97 per cent. This is critical as the Strait normally sees the transit of around 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products daily, roughly one-fifth of global consumption, along with the majority of Qatar's LNG exports. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has leveraged its geographic position, deploying fast attack boats, anti-ship missiles, and naval mines, making the narrow shipping lanes, just 3 km wide in either direction, extremely dangerous. Recent days have seen attacks on at least 16 commercial vessels, including oil tankers, leading to casualties and forcing many operators to abandon the route. PM Modi emphasised India's stance on this issue, stating that "We stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz." PM Modi's phone call to the Qatari Amir also aligns with a growing regional consensus against the recent spate of Iranian attacks. On Thursday, foreign ministers from a dozen Arab and Islamic nations convened in Riyadh for a Saudi-hosted consultative meeting. The gathering included top diplomats from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, and Pakistan. In a strongly worded joint statement issued after the meeting, the ministers condemned what they described as deliberate Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure. This includes strikes on oil facilities, desalination plants, and airports. The ministers stressed that such attacks cannot be justified under any circumstances and affirmed the right of states to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter. They further called on Iran to halt its attacks and to refrain from actions that threaten international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, urging Tehran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The statement from the Arab and Islamic foreign ministers also made it clear that the future of relations with Iran hinges on Tehran's respect for the sovereignty of nations and the principles of good neighbourliness. This unified stance from the region, coupled with India's vocal condemnation, underscores the international isolation of these attacks and the collective demand for de-escalation to ensure global energy security and stability. - IANS India's Ministry of External Affairs characterized discussions between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US Ambassador Sergio Gor as standard diplomatic engagements on bilateral matters. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal detailed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's ongoing conversations with counterparts in the Gulf region regarding West Asia tensions. He reiterated India's consistent position advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict, noting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent calls with global leaders. Jaiswal also briefly addressed challenges in reaching consensus within the BRICS grouping. MEA says NSA Ajit Doval's talks with US envoy were normal. India engages Gulf, global leaders on West Asia, emphasizes dialogue. New Delhi, March 19 India said on Thursday that discussions between the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor were routine diplomatic engagements covering bilateral issues. Addressing a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such interactions take place regularly between the two sides. "These are normal conversations that keep happening. Both sides discussed issues of bilateral importance. All the issues that are in the gamut of the bilateral arena are discussed in these issues," Jaiswal said. He also said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been in touch with several of his counterparts in the Gulf as tensions continued in the West Asia. "External Affairs Minister has spoken to his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates. He has been speaking to several other foreign ministers, including in the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] and in West Asia, and they have exchanged perspectives on the developments that are happening there," Jaiswal said. He added that India has consistently emphasised the need for diplomacy to resolve the conflict. "You know our position where we stand on the West Asia conflict, and we have been reiterating that there should be an early end to this conflict, keeping in mind that the best way forward is to take the path of dialogue and diplomacy," he said. Jaiswal also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in contact with several global leaders regarding the ongoing conflict. "We have been talking to all sides. Today, our Prime Minister also spoke to the Sultan of Oman. He also spoke to the President of France and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. So global leaders have been talking to each other. Our Prime Minister has been talking to each other, emphasising how we look at the situation and what our priority is, how we should go forward," he added. Regarding issues related to BRICS, he said, "BRICS membership and SCO membership are two different categories. So if you look at who the members are, you will get an answer as to why we are having issues with developing a consensus in that regard." - ANI Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has revealed that three members of the Meti family are seeking the Congress ticket for the upcoming Bagalkote assembly by-election. He stated that the final decision for this seat and the Davanagere South seat will be made by the party's high command, with senior leader Randeep Singh Surjewala set to visit the state. The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for by-elections across eight constituencies in six states, with polling set for April 23, 2026. The vacancies were created following the deaths of sitting legislators, including H.Y. Meti in Bagalkote and Shamanur Shivashankarappa in Davanagere South. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says three Meti family members seek Bagalkote ticket. Final decision rests with Congress high command as ECI announces by-poll schedule. Bengaluru, March 19 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Wednesday, discussing the upcoming Bagalkote by-election, said that three members from the Meti family, Mallikarjun, Umesh, and Mahadevi, have sought the ticket for the Bagalkote assembly constituency. In response, the Chief Minister said he has told the Meti family members that regardless of who receives the ticket, members of the Meti group must work together. However, he stated that the final decision regarding the Bagalkote and Davanagere seats will be taken by the high command. "The decision on the Bagalkote and Davanagere seats will be taken by the high command. Randeep Singh Surjewala will visit the state on Friday, 20th March. A team had already visited Davanagere and Bagalkote yesterday, and they will submit a report. Based on that, I will discuss with the Deputy Chief Minister and send our report. Three members from the Meti family -- Mallikarjun, Umesh, and Mahadevi -- are seeking the ticket. I have told them that whoever gets the ticket, all of them should work together, and they have agreed to this..." said Siddaramaiah. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for by-elections across eight Assembly constituencies in six states. The constituencies include Ponda (Goa), Umreth (Gujarat), Bagalkot and Davanagere South (Karnataka), Rahuri and Baramati (Maharashtra), Dharmanagar (Tripura), and Koridang (Nagaland). The vacancies arose following the deaths of several sitting legislators. In Maharashtra, the Rahuri and Baramati seats fell vacant due to the demise of MLAs Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile and Ajit Pawar, respectively. In Karnataka, the Bagalkot seat became vacant following the death of H.Y. Meti, while the Davanagere South seat fell vacant after the death of veteran MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa. These by-elections are being conducted to fill the resulting vacancies in the respective state assemblies. According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, polling will be held on April 23, 2026. As per the programme, the gazette notification will be issued on March 30, 2026 (Monday). The last date for filing nomination papers is April 6, 2026 (Monday), while scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on April 7, 2026 (Tuesday). The last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 9, 2026 (Thursday). Polling in the constituencies will be conducted on April 23, 2026 (Thursday). After polling, the counting of votes will take place on May 4, 2026 (Monday), and the results will be declared the same day. The entire election process will be completed by May 6, 2026 (Wednesday), the Commission said. The Election Commission has instructed all concerned authorities to make necessary arrangements for the by-elections and ensure strict compliance with the Model Code of Conduct. - ANI US President Donald Trump disclosed he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against attacking Iran's South Pars Gas Field. The revelation follows Iranian ballistic missile strikes on Qatar's major LNG facilities in retaliation. Qatar has responded by expelling Iranian military and security attaches from the country. Trump asserted the US had no prior knowledge of Israel's actions but warned of a forceful response if Qatar's energy infrastructure is targeted again. Trump reveals he told Netanyahu "don't do that" regarding strikes on Iran's South Pars gas field, amid escalating Gulf tensions and Qatari retaliation. Washington DC, March 20 US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking Iran's South Pars Gas Field, amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region. On being asked if he had a conversation with Israeli PM about attacking the oil and gas fields, President Trump said, "Yeah, I did. I told him, don't do that. He won't do that." However, he later said, "We didn't discuss. We're independent. We get along great. It's coordinated. But on occasion, he'll do something. And if I don't like it, so we're not doing that anymore." The remarks come after Iran launched ballistic missile strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, targeting what the world's largest liquefaction facility is. The attacks reportedly caused extensive damage to QatarEnergy's LNG facilities and the Pearl GTL Gas-to-Liquids plant, prompting emergency response teams to contain fires with no reported casualties. Earlier, in a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump said that Washington had no knowledge of the attack, claiming Israel for "acted out of anger" striking at Iran's South Pars Gas Field which resulted in retaliation from Tehran. In a sharply worded statement shared on Truth Social, the US President said, "Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit." He said the US and Qatar were not aware of the attacks and stated that Israel would not target the South Pars Field unless Iran decides to attack Qatar again. He said that Washington would not be afraid of authorising destruction and violence on Tehran if Qatar's energy facilities are targeted again. Meanwhile, Qatar has declared the military and security attaches at the Iranian Embassy, along with their staff, "persona non grata" and has requested that they leave the country within 24 hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday. - ANI The total disbursal under the PM-KISAN scheme has now surpassed Rs 4.27 lakh crore, with the recent 22nd instalment of over Rs 18,640 crore reaching more than 9.32 crore farmers. The scheme, which provides Rs 6,000 annually to eligible landholding families, is implemented via Aadhaar-based authentication for transparent direct benefit transfers. Impact studies indicate it has increased agricultural income and reduced reliance on informal credit for farmers. Beneficiaries like Bhamini from Kerala and Anil Haldar from the Andamans report using the funds to invest in inputs and diversify crops, strengthening productivity. PM Modi releases Rs 18,640 crore to 9.32 crore farmers. Total PM-KISAN transfers exceed Rs 4.27 lakh crore, boosting farm income and productivity. New Delhi, March 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's release of over Rs 18,640 crore as the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme this month has enabled over 9.32 crore farmers to receive financial assistance, out of whom 2.15 crore are women farmers. The total money disbursed since the launch of the scheme has now shot past Rs 4.27 lakh crore, making PM-KISAN one of the world's largest direct benefit transfer initiatives, according to an official factsheet released on Thursday. The scheme is implemented through Aadhaar-based authentication and digitised land records, ensuring transparent and efficient direct benefit transfer (DBT) to verified beneficiaries. The scheme is widely regarded as a significant initiative towards ensuring 'Annadata Samman'. Reflecting the government's continued commitment to strengthening farmers' income security, the Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated Rs 60,000 crore for the PM-KISAN scheme. Impact evaluations by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and NITI Aayog show farmers reporting increased agricultural income and reduced reliance on informal credit. Across diverse regions of the country, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) has helped farmers invest in their fields and strengthen agricultural productivity. Bhamini, a farmer from Edakkara, Kerala, is among the women beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). After receiving the 21st instalment, she observed that timely financial assistance encourages her to strengthen farming practices and work towards improving productivity. The seamless transfer of benefits through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system ensures that support reaches farmers without delay, enabling them to continue their agricultural activities with greater confidence. For Anil Haldar, a farmer from Durgapur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the annual assistance of Rs 6,000 has been timely support for agricultural activities. After receiving an instalment in August 2025, he initiated watermelon cultivation, using the funds to purchase essential inputs. The financial assistance enabled him to diversify his crop and expand his farming operations. Similarly, Deepak Singh Negi, a farmer from Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, uses the scheme's assistance to procure key agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. These investments have improved both the quality and yield of his crops, illustrating how direct income support can help farmers strengthen productivity and sustain their livelihoods. The PM-KISAN is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2019 to provide assured income support to landholding farmer families with cultivable land nationwide. Under the scheme, each eligible farmer family receives annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000, disbursed in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. - IANS US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, vowing that the United States would "massively blow up" Iran's South Pars Gas Field if Qatar's LNG facilities are attacked again. This comes after Iranian ballistic missiles struck Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, causing extensive damage to the world's largest liquefaction facility. Trump claimed the US and Qatar had no prior knowledge of an Israeli strike on South Pars that allegedly prompted Iran's retaliation. In response to the attacks, Qatar has declared Iranian military attaches persona non grata and ordered them to leave the country. US President Trump vows to destroy Iran's South Pars gas field if Qatar's LNG is attacked again, following missile strikes from Tehran. Washington DC, March 19 After the world's largest liquefaction facility located in Qatar were subjected to missile strikes by Iran, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that Washington had no knowledge of the attack, claiming Israel for "acted out of anger" striking at Iran's South Pars Gas Field which resulted in retaliation from Tehran. In a sharply worded statement shared on Truth Social, the US President said, "Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit." He said the US and Qatar were not aware of the attacks and stated that Israel would not target the South Pars Field unless Iran decides to attack Qatar again. He said that Washington would not be afraid of authorising destruction and violence on Tehran if Qatar's energy facilities are targeted again. "The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar's LNG Gas facility. NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar - In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar's LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP" His remarks come Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second to take place in the last 12 hours at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties.," its stated. Meanwhile, Qatar has declared the military and security attaches at the Iranian Embassy, along with their staff, "persona non grata" and has requested that they leave the country within 24 hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. - ANI A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced legislation to exempt doctors and healthcare workers from a proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee. They warn the fee would cripple hospitals' ability to recruit foreign-trained medical professionals, deepening critical workforce shortages. The impact would be most severe in rural and underserved areas, where nearly 87 million Americans already face a lack of providers. Medical associations strongly support the bill, stating international medical graduates are essential for maintaining patient access to care nationwide. Bipartisan lawmakers introduce act to exempt healthcare workers from a proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, warning it would worsen doctor shortages. Washington, March 19 A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced legislation to exempt doctors and healthcare workers from a proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, warning that the cost could deepen workforce shortages and restrict access to care across the country. The "H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act" aims to remove financial barriers for hospitals and health systems that rely on foreign-trained medical professionals to fill critical roles, particularly in underserved and rural areas. "Healthcare access starts with having enough doctors and medical professionals to serve our communities," said Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar. "As our nation faces a growing physician shortage, we must ensure that steep fees do not stand in the way of hospitals bringing in the medical talent American patients depend on." Lawmakers said the proposed $100,000 fee, introduced under a presidential proclamation, could effectively shut out healthcare employers from the H-1B programme. "As detailed in President Trump's proclamation putting this fee in place, it is certainly in the national interest to exempt healthcare workers," said Congressman Mike Lawler. "Hospitals, community health centres, and other critical facilities are facing serious workforce shortages that threaten access to care. And they can't pay a $100,000 price tag on new immigrant workers." He warned that without the exemption, "the physicians and the wider healthcare workforce would effectively be shut out of the H-1B program, furthering workforce shortages and limiting care options." Congresswoman Yvette Clarke said immigrant professionals remain central to the functioning of the US healthcare system. "Immigrant Americans remain indispensable assets to keeping our hospitals and health systems running steadily, efficiently, and effectively," she said. "The bipartisan willingness to ensure migrant health care workers are exempted from the $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions stands as a testament to the widely accepted value and necessity of these workers." Congressman Sanford Bishop said the fee would hit rural providers the hardest. "The $100,000 H1-B filing fee adds insult to injury to hospitals, especially in rural areas," he said. "The fee will have a detrimental impact on their ability to recruit qualified health care professionals to some of the nation's most underserved areas." According to federal data cited by lawmakers, nearly 87 million Americans live in regions facing a shortage of healthcare providers, underscoring the urgency of the issue. Medical and hospital groups have rallied behind the bill, warning that international medical graduates are critical to maintaining patient access. "Patients across the country are feeling the effects of the growing physician shortage," said Bobby Mukkamala, President of the American Medical Association. "In many such communities, international medical graduates play an important role in providing care and ensuring patients can see a doctor when they need one." Dr Ram Alur of Physicians for American Healthcare Access said the fee risks weakening the supply of doctors where they are needed most. "The $100,000 H-1B fee could undermine the physician pipeline to the places that need it most, including rural communities, underserved areas, and safety-net hospitals," he said. Carey Goryl of the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment said the fee "poses a serious challenge to provider recruitment at a time when demand for physicians and other health care professionals continues to grow." Hospital groups echoed similar concerns, saying the legislation would help maintain staffing levels and sustain access to care nationwide. - IANS Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (HUR MO) of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Oleh Ivashchenko, made a working trip to the Kraken special unit. According to the HUR press service, during the trip, the head of military intelligence reviewed the state of personnel training for combat missions, visited the units location, and spoke with its fighters. In conversation with Kraken command, Ivashchenko discussed current needs for providing for the units fighters and ways to increase the effectiveness of combat missions. Special attention was paid to the high-quality organization of the training process for intelligence officers to increase their readiness for active operations. "I see a motivated, trained unit that clearly understands its tasks. You demonstrate a high level of coordination and readiness to act in the most difficult conditions. Continue to keep the pace and feel the shoulder of your brother-in-arms this is the key to success in battle," Ivashchenko said. "Units of the Active Actions Department of the HUR MO of Ukraine daily demonstrate their high readiness on the battlefield with a result well known to Russia," the message notes. US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, is visiting Sri Lanka and the Maldives from March 19-24 for high-level strategic talks. The visit aims to reaffirm bilateral relationships and enhance cooperation on maritime security, trade, and investment. Discussions will focus on safeguarding vital sea lanes, supporting critical infrastructure, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific. The trip also commemorates 60 years of diplomatic ties between the US and the Maldives. US Special Envoy Sergio Gor visits Sri Lanka and the Maldives to strengthen maritime security, trade, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. Washington DC, March 19 US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, is set to visit Sri Lanka and the Maldives from March 19 to 24 for high-level engagements aimed at enhancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. During his visit to Sri Lanka, Special Envoy Gor will meet with senior leaders to reaffirm the importance of the US-Sri Lanka relationship and strengthen collaboration in key sectors. "Special Envoy Gor's meetings will further support US efforts to safeguard vital sea lanes and secure ports, reinforce mutually beneficial trade and commercial ties, and advance a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific for the benefit of both our peoples," the US State Department said in a statement. The visit underscores the United States' commitment to reinforcing regional stability and security while fostering economic partnerships. Gor's discussions are expected to focus on maritime security, trade, and investment opportunities, reflecting the growing strategic importance of Sri Lanka in the Indo-Pacific region. In the Maldives, Gor will hold talks with senior government officials to reaffirm Washington's dedication to bilateral relations. The engagements will focus on advancing security cooperation and exploring ways to support Maldives' initiatives to strengthen its critical infrastructure and boost economic growth. The visit will also commemorate 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. "The United States values its enduring partnerships with Sri Lanka and Maldives and our shared commitment to regional security and stability," the statement added. By engaging closely with island nations like Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the US aims to promote a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and ensure the security of critical shipping lanes. Officials in both countries are expected to discuss ongoing and future collaborations in areas such as port development, maritime domain awareness, and regional counterterrorism measures. The visits will also offer an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people ties and expand trade and investment links. The trip highlights the United States' broader strategy to deepen engagement with partners across South and Central Asia while supporting a stable, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. - ANI The Trump administration is considering deploying additional US troops to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran enters a potentially more complex phase. Options include securing the vital Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments, a move that could involve ground forces on Iranian territory. US intelligence indicates Iran's nuclear program has been severely degraded, with key facilities destroyed. Meanwhile, Iran's IRGC claims responsibility for new retaliatory strikes, linking them to the death of an intelligence minister and ongoing public protests. The US weighs sending thousands of troops to the Middle East as the Iran conflict enters a new phase, focusing on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's degraded nuclear program. Washington DC, March 19 The administration of Donald Trump is weighing the deployment of additional American troops to the Middle East as the ongoing conflict with Iran enters what officials describe as a potentially new and more complex phase, according to multiple sources familiar with internal deliberations, reported Reuters. Discussions within the administration include the possibility of sending thousands of US troops to bolster ongoing military operations, now in their third week. While no final decision has been taken, officials indicate that the move is being considered to expand Washington's strategic options in the region. Among the options under review is securing safe passage for global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor. Sources said this mission would largely rely on air and naval forces, but could also involve the deployment of ground troops along Iran's coastline. Such a move, however, would significantly escalate US involvement on Iranian territory, reported Reuters. At the same time, US intelligence assessments suggest that Iran's nuclear programme has been severely degraded. In testimony to lawmakers, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said key nuclear enrichment facilities had been "obliterated," with underground sites rendered inaccessible. Even as military options are being evaluated, uncertainty remains over Washington's long-term strategy. Trump himself has sent mixed signals, at times suggesting the US could secure vital shipping routes, while also questioning whether other nations should bear responsibility. "I wonder what would happen if we 'finished off' what's left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don't, be responsible for the so-called 'Strait?,'" Trump posted on Truth Social. With deliberations ongoing, officials emphasise that no immediate deployment of ground forces is expected, but acknowledge that the situation remains fluid as the conflict continues to evolve. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has taken onus of attacks on what they dub are Oil facilities associated with the US in the Region. IRGC said the attacks were part of the 63rd wave of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 which was undertaken after the US-Israel strikes on Iran. The Corps' Public Relations Office said in a statement, "Staged with full force, the 63rd wave also came in retaliation for the martyrdom of Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib and others during the aggression." By conducting the strikes, it added, the adversaries had also sought to exact revenge on the nation over the ongoing countrywide rallies it has been staging in support of Iran's Islamic establishment and in protest against the aggression. - ANI Discussions have intensified in Uttarakhand regarding a possible expansion of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's cabinet during the auspicious period of Chaitra Navratri. Five ministerial positions are currently vacant, and the performance records of MLAs are being evaluated for potential induction. More than two dozen party leaders are also likely to be appointed to equivalent Minister of State positions. The Chief Minister has extended New Year and Navratri greetings, hinting at the significant political developments ahead. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami's cabinet expansion in Uttarakhand is likely during Chaitra Navratri, with 5 ministerial posts vacant and inductions being evaluated. Dehradun, March 19 With the commencement of Chaitra Navratri and the New Vikram Samvat on Thursday, discussions have intensified in Uttarakhand from the government to the BJP organisation regarding a possible expansion of the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's cabinet during this auspicious period. At present, five ministerial positions remain vacant in the cabinet. Sources told ANI that the performance records of MLAs are being closely evaluated for potential induction into the cabinet. Additionally, more than two dozen party leaders are likely to be appointed as "Daitvadhari" (equivalent to Ministers of State). According to sources, multiple rounds of discussions have already taken place with the party's national leadership regarding the cabinet expansion. Once the groundwork between the government and the organisation is finalised, both for cabinet positions and Daitvadhari appointments, the expansion could be announced during Navratri itself. It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and State BJP President Mahendra Bhatt have, on several occasions recently, hinted at an imminent cabinet expansion. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday extended greetings to the people of the state on the Hindu New Year, Vikram Samvat 2083, wishing for prosperity, good health and renewed energy in their lives. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the Hindu New Year. May Vikram Samvat 2083 bring happiness, prosperity, good health, and new energy into the lives of all of you. I pray to God that this New Year establishes new dimensions of development, well-being, and prosperity for the state, and brings progress and joy to the life of every family." In another post on X, Dhami also extended greetings on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, paying tribute to the goddess Shailputri, the first form of Goddess Durga worshipped during the festival. "Salutations to She who grants desired boons, with the crescent moon as her crown. Mounted on the bull, bearer of the trident, Shailputri, the glorious one. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the first day of the sacred Chaitra Navratri, dedicated to the worship of Mother Shailputri. May Mother Shailputri, the presiding deity of patience, unwavering resolve, and auspiciousness, bless your life to always be filled with happiness, prosperity, and joy," the Chief Minister wrote. - ANI The Ministry of External Affairs has announced the appointment of Vikram Doraiswami as India's next Ambassador to China. He is currently serving as the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. Doraiswami is a 1992-batch IFS officer with a long career that includes postings in Hong Kong, Beijing, and the United Nations. He is fluent in Chinese and has previously headed divisions for the Indo-Pacific and SAARC at the MEA. Veteran diplomat Vikram Doraiswami, currently High Commissioner to the UK, is appointed as India's next Ambassador to China, bringing extensive experience. New Delhi, March 19 Vikram Doraiswami, currently serving as the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to China, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Thursday. In an official statement, the MEA said, "Vikram K. Doraiswami (IFS:1992), presently High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the People's Republic of China.". He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Doraiswami joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992. Before that, he did journalism for a year. According to MEA, he received his master's degree in history from Delhi University. After completing his in-service training in New Delhi from 1992-1993, Doraiswami was appointed Third Secretary in the Indian Embassy in Hong Kong in May 1994. He completed a Diploma in the Chinese Language at New Asia Yale-in-Asia Language School, Chinese University of Hong Kong. In September 1996, he was appointed to the Indian Embassy in Beijing, where he served for about four years. On his return to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi in 2000, Doraiswami was appointed Deputy Chief of Protocol (Official). After two years he was promoted to the Prime Minister's office. Later he served as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of India. In 2006, Doraiswami took charge as the Political Counselor at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York and in October 2009 as the Consul General of India in Johannesburg, South Africa. In July 2011, Doraiswamy returned to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, where he headed the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Division. During this period he was also the coordinator of the Fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi in March 2012.From October 2012 to October 2014, Doraiswami was the Joint Secretary in the Americas Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. He became India's Ambassador to Uzbekistan in October 2014, before being appointed India's Ambassador to Korea in April 2015.After completing this duty, he returned to the headquarters in July 2018 and served as the head of the Bangladesh and Myanmar department. In April 2019, he was tasked with setting up a new department in the Ministry of External Affairs for the Indo-Pacific region. After promotion in December 2019, he was designated Additional Secretary for International Organizations and Summits. Prior to UK, he had assumed charge as Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh on October 05, 2020. Vikram Doraiswami is interested in reading, sports, fitness, travelling and Jazz music. He is fluent in Chinese, French and Korean. - ANI Former Congress Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi has joined the BJP and will contest the Assam assembly elections from the Dispur constituency. He praised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, stating they will collaborate to develop Assam and the wider North-East region by creating jobs and raising living standards. In a related development, his son Prateek Bordoloi withdrew his Congress candidacy from Margherita to avoid confusion after his father's party switch. The elections for all 126 seats will be held in a single phase on April 9. Former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, now with BJP, pledges to work with CM Himanta Sarma to create jobs and raise living standards in Assam ahead of polls. New Delhi, March 19 Former Lok Sabha MP and newly joined BJP member Pradyut Bordoloi on Thursday shed light on his plans for the development of Assam, ahead of the assembly elections, stating that he plans to create jobs and raise the standards of living of people. Speaking with ANI, Borodoloi, who will be contesting the elections from Dispur after he resigned from Congress and joined the BJP, lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and said that the two will collaboratively work for the development of the North-East. "... Himanta Biswa Sarma is a very accomplished and hardworking man. I will now be with him, with the clear interest that we should work together to take the state of Assam and the wider north-eastern region on the path of development, and raise the standard of living of our people. We will work to create jobs, generate employment, and increase income. That will be my endeavour...," he said. Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party announced its first list of 88 candidates for Assam Assembly elections, fielding both former Congress prominent leaders, Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Kumar Borah. BJP has fielded Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur, while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to contest from his traditional Jalukbari seat. Meanwhile, Prateek Bordoloi has withdrawn his candidacy from the Margherita assembly constituency after his father, and former party MP Pradyut Bordoloi, joined the BJP. In a letter addressed to the All India Congress Committee President, Mallikarjun Kharge, Prateek said that his continued candidacy will create confusion among the people and the party regarding his commitment after his father resigned from the party. The developments come as Assam prepares for its Legislative Assembly elections. 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. - ANI Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. The European Council notes the progress of technical work to open negotiating clusters regarding Ukraines membership in the European Union and considers it necessary to open them officially immediately. This follows from a statement adopted by 25 leaders of the European Union (excluding Hungary and Slovakia) at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday. Following the Commissions assessment, and taking good note that the technical work to open all clusters has advanced in the Council, the European Council invites the Council to open the clusters without delay, starting with the fundamentals cluster, in accordance with the enlargement methodology and in line with the merit-based approach, the documents reads. EU leaders are convinced that the future of Ukraine and its citizens lies in the European Union. The European Council welcomes the significant progress Ukraine has achieved so far under the most challenging circumstances and encourages the further reforms needed, the statement reads. As earier reported, on Tuesday, March 17, Ukraine unofficially received benchmarks (criteria) for the last three of six negotiating clusters from the EU. Kyiv therefore now unofficially holds all six negotiating clusters [listed according to EU guidelines]: the first (Fundamentals of EU Accession), the second (Internal Market), the sixth (External Relations), the third (Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth), the fourth (Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity), and the fifth (Resources, Agriculture, and Cohesion). As of today, the start of official negotiations is blocked by Hungary. A landmark Lancet Psychiatry paper published today the largest-ever review of the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids across a range of mental health conditions found no evidence that medicinal cannabis is effective in treating anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study comes amid more than one million prescription approvals and a tripling of sales of cannabinoid medications (including both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products) in Australia over the past four years, often for the treatment of mental health and substance-use disorders. The study's lead author, Dr Jack Wilson at the University of Sydney's The Matilda Centre, said the results call into question the approval of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Though our paper didn't specifically look at this, the routine use of medicinal cannabis could be doing more harm than good by worsening mental health outcomes, for example a greater risk of psychotic symptoms and developing cannabis use disorder, and delaying the use of more effective treatments." Dr. Jack Wilson, University of Sydney's The Matilda Centre More than 700,000 Australians have reported using medicinal cannabis to treat over 250 different health conditions. The research found evidence to suggest that medicinal cannabis could potentially be beneficial for some conditions such as the treatment of cannabis use disorder (otherwise known as cannabis dependency), autism, insomnia, and tics or Tourette's syndrome. Dr Wilson said: "But the overall quality of evidence for these other conditions, such as autism and insomnia, was low. In the absence of robust medical or counselling support, the use of medicinal cannabis in these cases are rarely justified. "There is, however, evidence that medicinal cannabis may be beneficial in certain health conditions, such as reducing seizures associated with some forms of epilepsy, spasticity among those with multiple sclerosis, and managing certain types of pain, but our study shows the evidence for mental health disorders falls short. "In the case of autism specifically, while the study showed some evidence medicinal cannabis could assist with a reduction in symptoms, it is worth noting that there is no one or universal experience of autism, so this finding should be treated with caution." The study found that medicinal cannabis was not effective for every type of substance-abuse disorder. While medicinal cannabis may help with cannabis dependence, it was found to increase cocaine cravings among people with cocaine-use disorder "Similar to how methadone is used to treat opioid-use disorder, cannabis medicines may form part of an effective treatment for those with a cannabis-use disorder. When administered alongside psychological therapy, an oral formulation of cannabis was shown to reduce cannabis smoking," Dr Wilson said. "However, when medicinal cannabis was used to treat people with cocaine-use disorder, it increased their cravings. This means it should not be considered for this purpose and may, in fact, worsen cocaine dependence," he said. Researchers urge greater regulation for prescribing of medicinal cannabis The rapid expansion in medicinal cannabis use and prescribing rates has raised concerns among major medical bodies, including the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, about the largely unregulated growth in prescribing and the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy and safety of these products. In response, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) initiated a review of the regulatory oversight of medicinal cannabis, with more than 500 responses published in February. "Our study provides a comprehensive and independent assessment of the benefits and risks of cannabis medicines, which may support the TGA and clinicians to make evidence-based decisions, helping to ensure patients receive effective treatments while minimising harm from ineffective or unsafe cannabis products," Dr Wilson said. The systematic review and meta-analysis included results from 54 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published over a 45-year period (1980-2025) worldwide. A team of scientists at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences have uncovered a mechanism that allows certain head and neck cancers to hide from the immune system, a discovery that could change how some of the most treatment resistant tumors are approached. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, or PNAS, identifies a single protein at the heart of this invisibility and shows that removing it can make hidden tumors vulnerable to treatment. For years, physicians and researchers have known that these cancers, which are associated with the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, lack the markers cells use to signal distress, known as MHCI molecules. Without these molecular red flags, the immune system simply doesn't see that there is a problem with the cell. Until now, the field had only fragments of the explanation. The team, led by Dohun Pyeon, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology, has now demonstrated that HPV coopts a protein called MARCHF8 to dismantle those markers before the immune system can recognize the cancer cells. When the researchers removed MARCHF8 in experimental models, the immune system immediately began clearing the tumors - even in cases where standard immunotherapy had previously failed. The effect was striking. Without MARCHF8, immune cells such as CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells rapidly entered the tumor microenvironment, restoring an immune response that had been absent. "The most exciting part is that our discovery worked on tumors that were previously impossible to treat," said Pyeon. By combining this new genetic approach with standard immunotherapy drugs, we were able to turn "cold" tumors that typically ignore treatment into "hot" tumors where the immune system can prevail. This suggests that in the future, we might be able to help patients who currently have no other options by simply stopping the cancer from shredding its red flags." Dohun Pyeon, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology Mohamed Khalil, Ph.D., research assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology, is the first author on the paper. He explained that knocking out MARCHF8 not only suppressed tumor growth but also enhanced the anti-tumor immune response. "We found that the MARCHF8 knockout activated T cells and enhanced T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophage infiltration into the tumor microenvironment," said Khalil. "I think we have very promising hope for targeting MARCHF8." To analyze immune cells, the team collaborated with Henry Ford Health physician-researcher Qing-Sheng Mi, M.D., Ph.D., vice chair for research in the MSU Department of Dermatology, director of the Center for Cutaneous Biology and Immunology, and director of the immunology program of the Henry Ford Cancer Institute at Henry Ford Health. Mi is also professor of medicine at the MSU College of Human Medicine and serves as the co-principal investigator on this project. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, Mi was able to map the tumor microenvironment at an unprecedented resolution. "We showed knocking out MARCHF8 fundamentally rewires immune cell crosstalk - dramatically boosting the cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells and NK cells," said Mi. "It revealed not just that the therapy works, but precisely how and why." Paving the way for future clinical tools Next, the researchers plan to determine how different immune cells assist T cells in killing tumor cells once the MHCI markers are restored. Natural killer cells, in particular, appear to play a larger role than previously understood. With this groundwork in place, the team's goal is to develop a drug that blocks MARCHF8 in humans. This would allow doctors to combine the new MARCHF8-blocking therapy with existing immunotherapies, offering a lifeline to patients with tumors that currently resist all other treatments. "This could restore the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy these tumors in combination with existing immunotherapies," said Mi. It would allow doctors to offer a lifeline to patients with tumors that currently resist all other treatments. Last year, the researchers from Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences were awarded a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Additional funding for this work was provided by an MSU Foundation Strategic Partnership grant and Henry Ford + MSU Cancer Seed Funding Program. Cancer-fighting T cells do not simply "run out of energy." They are molecularly reprogrammed. For years, mitochondrial dysfunction has been recognized as a hallmark of exhausted T cells in tumors. Yet how metabolic stress translates into stable transcriptional reprogramming remained unclear. The new study uncovers a decisive molecular bridge. When mitochondria become depolarized, CD8+ T cells increase proteasome activity. This heightened protein degradation selectively dismantles mitochondrial hemoproteins, releasing excess regulatory heme. Rather than remaining a byproduct, heme becomes a signal. It translocates to the nucleus, where it binds and destabilizes the transcription factor Bach2, relieving repression of Blimp1, a master regulator of terminal exhaustion. The collapse of the Bach2Blimp1 axis locks T cells into a dysfunctional state and erodes their stem-like potential. Mechanistically, the researchers identify CBLB as a driver of mitochondrial protein ubiquitination and PGRMC2 as a chaperone enabling nuclear heme transport. A molecular switch and a therapeutic opportunity "We uncovered a metabolic signaling switch that converts mitochondrial stress into a permanent transcriptional decision," says Professor Ping-Chih Ho, senior author of the study. "This pathway explains how energy failure becomes immune failure." Crucially, the axis is actionable. The team shows that transient low-dose bortezomib treatment during CAR-T cell manufacturing dampens proteasome-driven heme signaling, reduces exhaustion-associated programs, and promotes durable epigenetic reprogramming toward a memory-like state. Clinical relevance is reinforced by data from B-ALL patients: CAR-T cells exhibiting high proteasome activity correlate with poorer therapeutic outcomes. "Our last paper identified mitochondrial damage as the cause of T cell failure and this one reveals the molecular switch behind it, and how to turn exhaustion off. For a long time, mitochondrial dysfunction was an observation without a clear mechanistic explanation." says Y. Xu, first author of the study. "Discovering that regulatory heme acts as the signaling mediator was unexpected and it gives us a tangible way to intervene." Reframing T cell exhaustion The findings redefine T cell exhaustion not merely as a consequence of chronic antigen stimulation, but as the outcome of a dysregulated metabolic signaling circuit. By identifying a proteasome-guided heme pathway that dictates immune cell fate, the study opens new strategies to optimize adoptive cellular immunotherapy, particularly CAR-T approaches, where durability remains a clinical challenge. About the study: The research was led by Y. Xu under the supervision of Professor Ping-Chih Ho, full professor at the Faculty of biology and medicine, at the University of Lausanne, in collaboration with institutions across Switzerland, China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Cancer Foundation, the Cancer Research Institute, the Helmut Horten Stiftung, the Melanoma Research Alliance, the National Key Research and Development Program of China, and multiple international funding bodies. The Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group (GNano) at the University of Sao Paulo's Sao Carlos Institute of Physics (IFSC-USP) in Brazil has discovered a way to transform hydroxyapatite, a bioceramic material, into a nanoparticle with enhanced intrinsic luminescence. This paves the way for the use of biocompatible, low-cost nanomaterials in biomedical imaging techniques. We've demonstrated that the incorporation of carbonate groups into the hydroxyapatite structure increases the concentration of crystal defects, which are responsible for enhancing the intrinsic luminescence of the material. After functionalization with citrate, which improves colloidal stability in aqueous media, these calcium phosphate nanoparticles can be used as luminescent agents for cellular bioimaging." Thales Rafael Machado, one of the participants in the study and a FAPESP scholarship recipient Professor Valtencir Zucolotto of the IFSC-USP coordinated the research, which was conducted in collaboration with the Center for Molecular Engineering of Advanced Materials (CEMol), a FAPESP Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC) headquartered at the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) in Campinas. According to Machado, the findings were achieved by controlling the concentration of structural and point defects in hydroxyapatite nanoparticles by incorporating different levels of carbonate during synthesis. The sample with the highest carbonate content exhibited the most intense luminescence. "The bioimaging capability was demonstrated by visualizing the internalization of the nanoparticles into cells using confocal fluorescence microscopy, relying exclusively on their intrinsic luminescence. Cellular internalization was also confirmed by flow cytometry, likewise based on the luminescent signal of the particles, while biocompatibility was assessed through cellular cytotoxicity assays," says Machado. According to Machado, studying defect chemistry and intrinsic luminescence in carbonated hydroxyapatite contributes to developing new hydroxyapatite-based photocatalytic materials for environmental applications. It also provides a foundation for spectroscopic studies of hard tissues, such as bones and teeth. "This knowledge can also be applied to producing luminescent scaffolds for tissue engineering," he adds. The study was published in the journal ACS Nanoscience Au from the American Chemical Society. Cancer treatment In a parallel study, GNano and CEMol developed an efficient, robust strategy for delivering gemcitabine a widely used chemotherapy drug for cancers such as pancreatic cancer via calcium phosphate nanoparticles. "The system was designed to be dual pH-responsive, keeping the drug inactive under normal physiological conditions, such as in the bloodstream, and releasing the drug in its active form only in more acidic environments, characteristic of tumor regions. This promotes greater bioavailability and therapeutic potential," says Machado. The study was published in ACS Applied Bio Materials, also from the American Chemical Society. Additionally, the group demonstrated the ability to functionalize the surface of the nanoparticles with folic acid via highly stable covalent bonds. Folate acts as a targeting molecule because many tumor cells have a higher demand for this vitamin. "Thus, the system combines controlled release and active targeting, promoting higher drug concentrations in tested tumor cells from breast and cervical cancer potentially reducing unwanted side effects in healthy tissues," explains the USP Sao Carlos researcher. The findings began with the development of a prodrug in which gemcitabine was linked to a biocompatible polymer called carboxymethylcellulose. In this form, the drug is better protected from premature degradation in the body and is only released in acidic environments, such as those found in tumors or certain cellular vesicles, while remaining stable in the bloodstream. The same polymer was also used to stabilize calcium phosphate nanoparticles in suspension and prevent agglomeration. Machado emphasizes that these findings contribute to the development of safer and more effective cancer treatments. "By keeping the drug inactive while it circulates in the body and releasing it preferentially in the tumor environment, the system has the potential to reduce side effects and enhance the action of the drug directly on tumor cells." Using nanoparticles made of calcium phosphate a biocompatible material that is naturally present in the human body makes the strategy safer. The combination of controlled release, response to tumor pH, and active targeting via folic acid represents an advance in nanomedicine and more precise therapies. "Systems like these could make chemotherapy more efficient with lower doses and less damage to healthy tissues, improving patients' quality of life during treatment," says the researcher. GNano has developed a series of new nanostructured materials for advanced cancer diagnostics and therapies, as well as safer delivery systems for agricultural pesticides and biological inputs. Childhood obesity may be quietly undermining one of the central promises of American life. A study by a Rutgers researcher has found that children who are obese are far less likely to climb the economic ladder as adults, raising concerns that a rising health problem also could deny many young Americans the chance to achieve the American dream. Childhood obesity isn't just a health crisis. It is an economic mobility crisis." Yanhong Jin,professor with the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and coauthor of the study The research, published in the Journal of Population Economics, examined how childhood obesity affects intergenerational mobility, which measures whether children grow up to earn more than their parents. The study draws on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, often called Add Health, a nationwide project that has followed thousands of Americans from adolescence into adulthood for more than two decades. The study is composed of a nationally representative sample of more than 20,000 adolescents who were in grades 7 through 12 during the 1994-1995 school year, and have been followed for six waves of data collection to date, with the most recent wave from 2022 to 2025. The dataset includes information about participants' health, education, income and genetic markers linked to body weight. Jin conducted the study with economists Maoyong Fan of Ball State University and Man Zhang of Renmin University in China. Using the Add Health data allowed researchers to explore the question in a new way. The study includes genetic information that helped the team separate the effect of obesity itself from other factors such as family income or neighborhood conditions. The results were striking. Adults who were obese as children ended up much lower on the national income ladder than those who had a normal weight as children. A child is considered obese if their Body Mass Index is at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex, based on standardized growth charts. "If children are obese compared with normal weight children, assuming everything else is the same, their income ranking is about 20 percentile points lower relative to their parents," Jin said. The researchers then examined why that economic gap appears to emerge over time. "The evidence points to lower educational attainment, persistent health problems and disadvantages within the labor market," said Fan, a coauthor of the study. "These include higher reported job discrimination and adverse occupational sorting." For Jin, an agricultural and health economist, the topic carries personal meaning. As a first-generation immigrant from China, she said she has long been interested in the idea that each generation should have a chance to do better than the one before. Her interest in intergenerational mobility deepened as she began thinking about the American dream and whether children today still have the same chances their parents had. "We wanted to explore the link between childhood conditions and intergenerational mobility to see what we can do," she said. The researchers also found that people who were obese as children were less likely to live in neighborhoods with strong economic opportunities later in life. They were less likely to live in areas with higher average incomes and less likely to live in communities with low poverty rates. Most previous research on economic mobility has focused on neighborhood conditions and family background. Jin said her team wanted to explore another factor that had received less attention. Studies that focused on the long-term impacts of obesity were more likely to examine its relationship with social stigma and educational attainment. "But few have considered its relationship to intergenerational mobility," Jin said. The effects weren't the same for everyone. The study found that the economic penalty linked to childhood obesity was larger for girls than for boys. It also was stronger among children from low-income families and among those who grew up in the South and Midwest. Jin said the findings highlight the importance of preventing obesity early in life. Many policies focus on treating obesity after it develops, but the research suggests that prevention in childhood before it develops could have long-term benefits for both health and economic opportunity. "If you are obese in childhood, for whatever the reason, you have a penalty in your adult economic status," Jin said. For policymakers, the study offers a broader way to think about the issue, the researchers said. Childhood obesity has often been viewed mainly as a medical concern. The research suggests that, if left unaddressed, childhood obesity may also shape economic opportunity and social mobility for decades to come. "Interventions that reduce childhood obesity can deliver benefits well beyond lowering medical spending," said coauthor Zhang. "They can support higher educational attainment, improve job prospects and increase upward economic mobility for the next generation." Conservative lawmakers in multiple states are pushing legislation drafted by an anti-abortion advocacy group to increase protections for crisis pregnancy centers, organizations that provide some health-related services but also work to dissuade women from having abortions. The legislation would prohibit state and local governments from requiring crisis pregnancy centers to perform abortions, provide referrals for abortion services, or inform patients about such services or contraception options. It also would allow crisis pregnancy centers to sue the violating government entity. Wyoming lawmakers passed a version of the Center Autonomy and Rights of Expression Act, or CARE Act, on March 4. Other versions have advanced in Kansas and Oklahoma this year. One was signed into law in Montana in 2025. The CARE Act is "model legislation" created by the Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-abortion, conservative Christian legal advocacy group. A similar proposal, the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act, was introduced in Congress last year but hasn't moved out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The Wyoming bill says that pregnancy centers, many of which are affiliated with religious organizations, need legal protection after facing "unprecedented attacks" following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. It says that several state legislatures have introduced bills that would undermine the centers' freedom of speech and association rights. Opponents of these centers say they falsely present themselves to consumers as medical clinics, though they are not subject to state and federal laws that protect patients in medical facilities. "Across the country, government officials are increasingly, increasingly targeting pregnancy care centers," Valerie Berry, executive director of the LifeChoice Pregnancy Care Center in Cheyenne, said at a February legislative hearing on the Wyoming bill. "This legislation is not about creating division. It's about protecting constitutional freedoms, freedom of speech, and freedom of conscience." Wyoming state Rep. Ken Clouston, a Republican, expressed concern at the hearing about granting protections to pregnancy centers that other private businesses do not have. "They have protections in place," he said. "My issue with this is giving extra special protections." In 2022, Wellspring Health Access, the only clinic in Wyoming that provides abortions, was targeted in an arson attack. "We are the ones providing the accurate information on reproductive health care, and we suffer the consequences for that," Julie Burkhart, the president and founder of Wellspring Health Access, told KFF Health News. Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of California-Davis School of Law, said the proposed legislation would insulate crisis pregnancy centers from having to meet the standards that medical organizations face. It would blur the line between advocacy and medical practice, she said. And such legislation provides Republicans with a potentially useful campaign message ahead of midterm elections. "The GOP needs a messaging strategy as for how it cares about women even if it bans abortion and even if it doesn't want to commit state resources to helping people before and after pregnancy," Ziegler said. "The strategy is to outsource that to pregnancy counseling centers, which of course increases the incentive to protect them." Model legislation The Alliance Defending Freedom is the same group that helped overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 court ruling that protected the right to abortion nationwide. The group drafted the Gestational Age Act, model legislation to establish a 15-week abortion ban that was the basis of a 2018 Mississippi law. That led to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court case that overturned Roe. The alliance said its attorneys were unavailable to comment on the organization's strategy for the CARE Act. In promotional materials for the bill, the group said federal, state, and local efforts are targeting pregnancy care centers in a "clear attempt to undermine and impede" their work and shut them down. In recent years, some pregnancy centers have been targeted with vandalism and threats. But the attacks the model legislation primarily aims to address are the legal and regulatory efforts by some states seeking more oversight of the crisis pregnancy centers, including a California law requiring centers to clearly inform patients about their services. That law was overturned when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of crisis pregnancy centers' argument that it violated their First Amendment rights. The Supreme Court is considering a case this year that will decide whether states can subpoena the organizations for donor and internal information. It's unlikely that crisis pregnancy centers would face such regulatory measures in the conservative states where the legislation is under consideration. One Wyoming lawmaker acknowledged that in the February committee hearing. Differing services During that hearing, state Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, a Republican who heads the committee sponsoring the bill, presented the measure as "so important, especially with our maternity desert," referring to a lack of access to maternity health care services. Some crisis pregnancy centers may have a few licensed clinicians, but many do not. Many offer free resources, such as diapers, baby clothing, and other items, sometimes in exchange for participation in counseling or parenting classes. Planned Parenthood clinics, by contrast, provide a range of health services, such as testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, primary care, and screenings for cervical cancer. They also are regulated as medically licensed organizations. Since Roe was overturned, the abortion rights movement has faced significant challenges. Congressional Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last summer, cut Medicaid payments to abortion providers. The move contributed to Planned Parenthood closing more than 50 of its clinics last year. As of 2024, more than 2,500 crisis pregnancy centers operated nationwide, according to a map created by researchers at the University of Georgia, compared with 753 clinics providing abortions at the end of 2025. The Charlotte Lozier Institute, a research organization affiliated with the anti-abortion nonprofit SBA Pro-Life America, has suggested that pregnancy centers could help fill the gap left by the Planned Parenthood closures. Ziegler said that would leave patients vulnerable to medical risks. Centers' growing power Previous efforts in California, Colorado, and Vermont to regulate crisis pregnancy centers arose from concerns over allegations of deceptive and misleading practices and questions about patient data privacy. In 2024, a watchdog group asked attorneys general in five states to investigate whether centers were misleading patients into believing that their personal information was protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, and to find out how the centers were using patients' information. Courts, including the Supreme Court, have regularly decided in favor of faith-based organizations that argue the attempts at regulation are violations of their First Amendment rights to free speech and religious expression. Crisis pregnancy centers also have seen a flood of funding since Roe was overturned. At least 19 states have funded "life-affirming" organizations, including crisis pregnancy centers, according to the Lozier Institute. Six states distribute a portion of their federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding cash payments meant for low-income families with children to crisis pregnancy centers. Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma have provided tens of millions of dollars for the organizations. One analysis found that crisis pregnancy centers also received $429 million in federal funding from 2017 to 2023, including from the 2020 relief package signed into law during Trump's first term amid the covid pandemic. Despite the challenges clinics that provide abortions face, Burkhart, the head of the Wellspring facility in Wyoming, said it's important to continue offering access to people who need it. She's helped open clinics in rural parts of other conservative states and said those clinics continue to see people walking through their doors. "That proves to me, regardless of your religion, political party, there are times in people's lives that people need access to qualified reproductive health care," she said. "That includes abortion." For weeks, Mehmet Oz has been waging a public feud with California leaders over health care fraud, accusing the blue state of failing to adequately combat such abuse. Oz, who heads the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, alleged that there was approximately $3.5 billion of fraud in the hospice and home health care industry in Los Angeles County alone. "This administration under President [Donald] Trump is not going to tolerate taxpayer dollars being stolen because people aren't paying attention anymore. We're focused on this," Oz said. He claimed the fraud was largely orchestrated by the "Russian, Armenian mafia" and said that most of the money spent on home and community-based services across California "might be fraudulent." However, CMS clarified that not all billing activities referenced by Oz were presumed to be improper. And a review of the most recent available data shows that there are hotbeds of health care fraud across the country and across practice areas, most of them allegedly perpetrated by health insurers and other domestic actors, and that California outperforms most other states in recovering fraud dollars. As the temperature heats up in the conflict between the Trump administration and California, a handful of Republican state lawmakers have entered the fray, accusing Gov. Gavin Newsom in a March letter of allowing "rampant fraud." Democratic state officials insist they aggressively combat fraud, and Newsom has filed a civil rights complaint against Oz, calling language in the allegations "baseless and racially charged." "The Trump Administration is attempting to take the issue of fraud a very real, and national issue and weaponize it against Democratic states," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in an early February statement. Oz said on a podcast that he would halt "hundreds of millions of dollars" in payments to California if he didn't get satisfactory answers from state officials. He and Vice President JD Vance announced in late February that they would delay about $260 million in Medicaid payments to Minnesota, another Democratic-led state, over fraud allegations there, and the state is now suing. Oz has also launched social media campaigns alleging high-dollar public benefit fraud in Democratic-led Maine and New York. On March 17, he added a Republican-led state to his target list: Florida. Georgetown University professor Andy Schneider, who served as a senior adviser primarily on Medicaid integrity issues during the Obama administration, said fraud has always been an issue across states, dating back decades. About $3.4 billion in Medicare and Medicaid fraud across the country was recovered in fiscal year 2023, according to the most recent report available. Insurers have paid the highest settlements in alleged health care fraud schemes. "Bad actors trying to steal public health care funds have been around for a long time," Schneider said. How California stacks up The federal government is responsible for Medicare, which primarily benefits older people, while Medicaid, which primarily serves people with lower incomes, is a joint federal-state program. Melissa Rumley, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, said the office could not make state-by-state data on Medicare fraud available because the federal probes often cross jurisdictions. States file annual reports on actions by Medicaid anti-fraud units that are jointly funded with the federal government and run by state attorneys general. They investigate fraud as well as abuse and neglect of Medicaid patients. These reports provide a sense of the scale of Medicaid fraud across states. In fiscal 2024, states recovered about $1.4 billion in fraud, compared with $949 billion in total Medicaid spending, according to a report from the HHS Office of Inspector General. California recouped an outsize share, recovering more than 50% of all the criminal recoveries made by the anti-fraud units nationwide in fiscal 2024 even though the state made up only about 17% of enrollment. California ranked fourth in the U.S. in 2024 in dollars recovered per Medicaid enrollee across civil and criminal investigations, behind the District of Columbia, Montana, and Delaware. It led all the most populous states, followed in order by Texas, Florida, and New York. (California and federal officials noted that state recovery data varies significantly year to year, often because of the length of investigations.) Vulnerability of hospice care One aspect of health care fraud that has been at the center of Oz's attack on California is hospice fraud, which has plagued Republican and Democratic administrations. The use of hospice, intended to provide care to patients expected to die within six months, increased by over 8% from fiscal 2020 to 2024, to about 1.84 million Medicare beneficiaries, driving up costs significantly. To combat fraud, the Biden administration in 2023 increased oversight of hospices in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. The Trump administration last year added Ohio and Georgia. CMS spokesperson Chris Krepich did not say specifically what criteria were used to choose which states to monitor, only that the decision was based on "activity typically indicative of hospice-related fraud." As of June, the agency had revoked the Medicare enrollment of 122 hospices in the original four states, but Krepich said a breakdown by state was not available. While Oz stated there was some $3.5 billion of fraud in the hospice and home health care industry in Los Angeles County alone, his agency clarified that the number is for overall Medicare billing related to hospice and home health services. Krepich said that "not all billing activity referenced in the remarks is presumed to be improper" and added that the agency could not identify the amount of fraudulent activity until an "evidence-based" investigation was completed. That's not to say there is no truth to allegations of hospice fraud. A state audit published in 2022 found "numerous indicators" of large-scale fraud in Los Angeles County, and a CBS News investigation highlighted nearly 500 hospices within a 3-mile radius, including 89 companies registered to a single building in Van Nuys. Bonta has acknowledged that "hospice fraud has become an epidemic in California." He noted that state officials have been aggressively combating it for years, including with new laws. In January, the state charged several people in Monterey County with hospice fraud. That follows hospice scam cases in Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County. However, California public health officials are overdue in adopting emergency regulations that were supposed to be in place by this year. The state's Department of Public Health is currently revising the regulations, according to spokesperson Mark Smith. In the interim, the state has revoked the licenses of more than 280 hospices over the past two years and is evaluating an additional 300 hospices, according to the governor's office. California had more than 2,800 licensed hospice agencies as of 2022, according to the state audit. Civil rights complaint Meanwhile, Newsom is pushing back on Oz. The governor filed his discrimination complaint with the Office of Civil Rights at HHS, which oversees CMS. The office said it will first decide whether it has the authority to investigate, then, if so, will gather information through interviews and documents. However, the process seems designed to aid individuals who have lost a job to discrimination, or to correct a specific policy, and it is unclear whether there could be any real-world consequences. The governor wants the agency to address "systematic bias from their leadership," said Newsom spokesperson Marissa Saldivar. Krepich said CMS "does not target communities, ethnic groups, or states" and bases its decisions on "confirmed investigative findings." The allegations of organized fraud refer to "documented criminal cases," Krepich said, providing a link to a hospice fraud case in which California residents were convicted of using the identities of foreign nationals to steal almost $16 million from Medicare. It's unclear what cases Oz was referring to when he spoke of the Russian and Armenian mafia. Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office for the Central District of California, which includes Los Angeles County, said it doesn't track whether hospice fraud defendants are alleged to be foreign nationals, but he pointed to the office's online prosecution announcements. None alleged involvement by foreign influences or organized crime. The state audit references allegations in 2010 by the U.S. Justice Department under President Barack Obama that an "Armenian-American organized crime enterprise" was behind a nationwide health care scam. Federal officials at the time described an "international organized crime enterprise" based in Los Angeles and New York but with roots in Russia and Armenia. The scheme involved billing for unneeded medical treatments, not hospice fraud. A 2020 Los Angeles Times investigation revealed fraud schemes in which hospice operators recruited patients who were not actually terminally ill, then paid kickbacks to doctors who falsely certified these patients as dying so the hospices could bill Medicare. There was no mention of foreign involvement. The European Union stands ready to contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine and will continue to participate in efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine. The corresponding statement was made in Brussels on Thursday by 25 leaders of the European Union, with the exception of Hungary and Slovakia, at a meeting of the European Council. The European Union and Member States are prepared to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, notably through the Coalition of the Willing and in cooperation with the United States. This will include supporting Ukraines ability to deter aggression and defend itself effectively, also in the long term, including through the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) and the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). The contribution of the European Union and Member States will be based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law, the statement reads. The leaders also noted that the European Union and its Member States will continue to be actively involved in peace efforts in accordance with the European Unions objective to promote peace as enshrined in the Treaties. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. The European Union will decide on matters of its competence or affecting its security, the text reads. The European Council strongly condemns Russia for systematically and deliberately targeting Ukraines civilian and energy infrastructure, and specifically heating and power installations. It welcomes the energy support and humanitarian and civil protection assistance provided to Ukraine by the EU and its Member States as well as international partners. The European Council calls for further intensified EU efforts, coordinated with international partners efforts, to support Ukraine in urgently repairing, rebuilding and strengthening the resilience of its energy system, the document reads. In addition, the European Council underlines the importance of further sustained efforts to provide military support to Ukraine and urgently accelerate the production and delivery of priority equipment, in particular air defence systems, ammunition, drones and missiles, including to help Ukraine protect its energy and critical infrastructure. In this context, developing Ukraines defence industry, including through EU-Ukraine defence industrial cooperation, remains crucial, the text reads. At the same time, EU leaders noted that all military support as well as security guarantees for Ukraine will be provided in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States. Spider-Man's latest big-screen swing started with a scavenger hunt instead of a standard trailer drop, the BBC reports. For 24 hours before the full Spider-Man: Brand New Day preview arrived Wednesday, Sony and Marvel sliced the trailer into two-second clips and handed them to handpicked superfans around the world. Star Tom Holland announced the plan on Instagram, saying snippets would land with "mega-fans" as the sun moved across the globe, a rollout he framed as a thank-you to the franchise's online community: "Without that incredible community, there would be no Spider-Man." Brazilian actor Wirley Contaifer, who has worked on dubbed Marvel releases, was among those given a micro-clip to share. He says his brief footage sparked a wave of questions from followers demanding the full trailer, calling the campaign both "funny" and "thrilling." He acknowledged the scattershot approach "might be annoying for fans," but argued it was a smart way to raise anticipation. UK-based cosplay creator Bella Prichard called it "one of the coolest activations possible," praising the decision to use genuine fan accounts rather than just big influencers and saying it turned the community into collaborators, not just spectators. The complete trailer, unveiled at 6am Eastern time with Holland perched atop the Empire State Building, sets Brand New Day four years after No Way Home, with Peter Parker still dealing with the fallout of erasing himself from the memories of girlfriend MJ (Holland's real-life love Zendaya) and others. The film features Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk, and the Punisher, Variety reports. Zendaya, who features in the footage, has been in the news herself for debunking viral AI-generated images that appeared to show a wedding to Holland. Fans are also combing through frames for clues about future cast members, including Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, already confirmed for the fourth film but possibly hidden in the trailer as a mysterious hooded figure, fans speculated. The movie is due in theaters July 31, Deadline reports. "I didn't win, America won," rapper Afroman said Wednesday after a jury ruled in his favor in a lawsuit brought by Ohio deputies he mocked in music videos after they raided his home. "America still has freedom of speech. It's still for the people, by the people," he told WCPO . Testifying Tuesday, the 51-year-old artist defended music videos including " Lemon Pound Cake ," which uses home-security footage of Adams County deputies raiding his house in 2022, as protected expression under the First Amendment, NBC News reports. The song makes fun of an officer who appeared very interested in a cake he spotted in the rapper's kitchen. The deputies were demanding a total of $3.9 million in damages. The seven officers, who filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleged that Afroman's videos and social media posts were an invasion of privacy that caused them "emotional distress, embarrassment, ridicule, loss of reputation and humiliation." No drugs were found in the raid and Afroman, born Joseph Foreman, was never charged. On the stand in an American flag suit, the rapper, best known for "Because I Got High," insisted he had every right to turn the search into art. "After they run around my house with guns, kicked down my door, I got the right to kick a can in my backyard, to use my freedom of speech, turn my bad times into a good time," he said. Any fallout for the deputies, he argued, is "their fault for coming in my house in the first place." After the lawsuit was filed, the ACLU called it "nothing short of absurd." In his closing statement, David Osborne, Afroman's lawyer, cited NWA's "F--- Tha Police" and Richard Pryor's comedy act, Billboard reports. He said officials can't use the courts to silence critics. "I'm sorry they feel the way they do, but there's a certain amount that you have to take as a public official, it's part of the duties of the job," Osborne said. "What chilling effect does that have on the world we live in? You don't like what a public official does and you make a joke, and you're dragged into court?" The jury sided with Afroman on all counts after hours of deliberations. Washington quietly grabbed a corner of the internet this week that's bound to fuel speculation: Aliens.gov now belongs to the White House, 404 Media reports. A bot that tracks federal web domains spotted the Executive Office of the President registering the address early Wednesday, though the URL doesn't yet lead to a live site. The timing comes about a month after President Trump vowed to order the release of government records related to extraterrestrial life, UFOsnow more often dubbed "unidentified aerial phenomena," or UAPand any associated programs. Trump made that promise on his Truth Social platform, saying he would tell the "Secretary of War" and other agencies to start identifying and disclosing files on what he called "extremely interesting and important matters." The new domain lands amid a long-running boom in official and semi-official UFO talk: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has pushed for broader declassification of UAP material; rock musician Tom DeLonge's To The Stars outfit helped publicize Pentagon cockpit videos of odd objects tracked by Navy pilots; and Congress has held multiple hearings, with mixed results. Public fascination cooled somewhat last year after the Wall Street Journal reported that portions of the Pentagon's UFO lore were tied to disinformation efforts meant to hide secret weapons programs. (And certain outlets seem wary of the idea that aliens.gov will bring any real information; Gizmodo calls the domain name registration simply "the next distraction from everything else" while the Daily Beast gets more explicit, calling it the "next Epstein distraction.") Interest spiked again in February, when former President Obama told interviewer Brian Tyler Cohen that aliens are "real" but added he hadn't seen them and didn't believe they were hidden at Area 51unless there was a vast plot that even excluded him. After the clip went viral, Obama clarified on Instagram that while the odds favor life somewhere in the universe, he saw no evidence during his presidency that Earth has been visited. Asked about Obama's remarks days later, Trump accused him of revealing "classified information" and then half-joked he might "get him out of trouble" by declassifying related material. Whether aliens.gov becomes the public portal for that pledgeor remains a mysterious piece of digital real estatehasn't been explained. Asked about it by Newsweek, a White House press rep said simply, "Stay tuned." New York City police have identified a suspect for whom crime apparently didn't pay muchespecially when his commuting costs are subtracted. Gustavo DeJesus Torres, 33, is accused of robbing six Chase Bank branches in five days across Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Each time, the robber passed a note warning that people would be hurt if money wasn't handed over. He reportedly never claimed to have a weapon, the New York Times reports. His total take: $605. According to the NYPD, he collected $320 from a Jackson Heights branch, $265 from a Flatbush location, and $20 from a Harlem bank. Three times he got nothing and "fled on foot to parts unknown," a news release said. One surveillance photo shows him between crimes, standing on a subway platform with a coffee cup and a frown, police said, along with other commuters. Torres is suspected in other bank robberies, as well, police said, including one last month in TriBeCa for which he was arrested. The Times story can be found here. Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua Joint efforts are essential to ensure that the Russians do not enter the next negotiations feeling that their position has been strengthened, particularly with the 20th EU sanction package against Russia at a dead end, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. In the past few days, we have received signals from the American side that talks may resume soon. But with what mindset will the Russian side come to the talks this time? It depends on all of us together to make sure the Russians do not come to these talks feeling that their position has grown much stronger. And it is not only because of the situation around Iran, which is pushing global oil prices higher, Zelenskyy said, addressing the European Council on Thursday. The President explained that this is due, in particular, to the fact that the Russians see the active use of air defense missiles in the Middle East and the Gulf region, and they may think that Ukraine will face a shortage of missiles. Second, the EUs 20th sanctions package against Russia is stalled. It could have continued the pressure on Russia to move toward real peace, the President stressed. He also added that the USA has eased some sanctions against Russia, and this is bringing significant funds into the Russian military budget. Zelenskyy also recalled that the EUR 90 billion loan, which is the most important financial guarantee of security for Ukraine, has not been working for the third month in a row, and the head of state added that even today, we do not know for sure whether this support will be unblocked. The Pentagon has drafted a funding request exceeding $200 billion for operations against Iran, setting up a clash with Congress over the scale and direction of the war, according to administration officials. The proposal, sent to the White House, would go well beyond paying for the air campaign to date and is aimed largely at ramping up production of precision weapons used by US and Israeli forces over the past three weeks, the Washington Post reports. The supplemental budget would be on top of President Trump's push for the next defense budget to total $1.5 trillion. White House officials have not decided how much to formally seek from Congress, and some doubt lawmakers would approve such a package, one senior administration official said. The Pentagon has circulated multiple versions of a supplemental request as the costs of the Iran attacks have mounted, surpassing $11 billion in the first week alone, according to officials. There could be other complications, per the Post. Former Pentagon budget official Elaine McCusker, now at the American Enterprise Institute, cautioned that industry limits on labor, facilities, and materials will constrain how fast production can rise. "Just throwing lots of money into the industrial base doesn't necessarily get you things sooner," she said. | Kristof: How Trump Can Get Out of This War Columnist urges him to declare victory, then open secret talks with Tehran UPDATE Mar 19, 2026 5:00 PM CDT The body of a missing American college student was found Thursday in the water off a Barcelona beach, police in Spain said. Police divers discovered the remains of James Paul Gracey, the AP reports, not far from the beachside spot where he was last seen. His body was positively identified, said police, whose investigation will continue. Mar 19, 2026 12:30 AM CDT A spring break trip to Spain has taken a troubling turn for a University of Alabama junior who hasn't been seen since a night out at a beachside club in Barcelona, NBC News reports. Family members say 20-year-old James Paul Gracey, an accounting student originally from Elmhurst, Illinois, was last spotted early Tuesday at Shoko, a nightclub in Barcelona's Port Olimpic area, where he'd gone out with friends while visiting fraternity brothers studying abroad. He was reportedly wearing a white shirt, dark pants, and a chain with a gold rhinestone cross. Passengers on Emirates flight EK10 thought they were bound for Dubai; they instead logged an 11.5-hour loop that ended back in London where they started. The jet was one of roughly 30 Emirates flights forced to turn around or divert on Monday after Iranian drone strikes temporarily shut Dubai International Airport, typically the world's busiest for international traffic, per Reuters. A total of 65 flights were diverted, with 22 of those returning to their starting points as so-called "flights to nowhere," per Business Insider. Emirates flight EK76 from Paris did a U-turn over the Saudi desert, returning to the French capital after nearly 11 hours in the air. Another Emirates flight, EK164, departed Dublin late Sunday, only to arrive back in the Irish capital around 7am Monday after a U-turn over Egypt. The 5-year-old Minneapolis boy whose arrest in a bunny hat drew global attention is again at the center of a high-stakes immigration fight, with his family now facing fast-tracked deportation. Federal officials are moving to expel Liam Conejos Ramos and his relatives to Ecuador by using an "expedited removal" process that allowed an immigration judge to dismiss their asylum case without a full hearing, according to the family's lawyers. Liam, his 13-year-old brother, and their parents entered the US legally in December 2024 to seek asylum, the attorneys say. His mother is now pregnant with the family's third child. Liam and his father were detained in a January sweep and sent to a Texas family detention center before a federal judge ordered their release, criticizing the operation as poorly executed and quota-driven, the New York Times reports. Last month, however, the government successfully asked to end the family's asylum case. Paschal Nwokocha, an immigration lawyer working with the family, says a judge ordered their removal weeks ago but they didn't make the information public until Wednesday, when lawyers appealed to the the Justice Department's Board of Immigration Appeals to reinstate the asylum claim, CBS News reports. Last month, administration officials denied that deportation was being fast-tracked. The board, largely made up of Trump appointees, has no set timeline to act. If the appeal fails, the family could be swiftly deported, though lawyers say the appeals process could last months or even years. "The government was bent on removing this family from the United States," Nwokocha told MPR News last month. "We were able to get additional time to do what we need to do in court." On Wednesday, he told CBS that lawyers plan to "vigorously" defend the family. "The challenge we have is that they have not had a chance to actually tell their story to an immigration judge," he said. "The judge terminated it without the benefit of them presenting the merits of their case, to the court." Monarch butterflies just scored a modest win in Mexico's forests. A new World Wildlife Fund Mexico survey finds that eastern monarchs occupied about 7.2 acres of oyamel fir forest this winterup from 4.4 acres during the previous winter, and 2.2 acres the year before thatin a 64% spike that suggests their steep decline has at least been put on pause, reports Vox . For context, the average during the first decade of monitoring was roughly 21 acres, with scientists noting that about 15 acres is the threshold for a secure population. Just three decades ago, wintering butterflies inhabited a much more ample 45 forest acres, per the WWF . Experts credit last year's favorable weather and scattered habitat efforts, like restoring milkweed along the butterflies' migration route. But the core problem remains: Milkweed was largely wiped out in the 1990s as herbicide-tolerant GMO crops enabled broad use of glyphosate across farm fields. Meanwhile, the monarch's proposed listing as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act is stalled until at least later this year, prompting lawsuits by environmental groups. Researchers warn that climate change and extreme weather could quickly erase recent gains. As retired Fish and Wildlife Service official Lori Nordstrom puts it, meaningful recovery will require regaining "a lot of habitat," not just a few backyard patches. "Monarchs need our help, and we need monarchs, because they are spectacular and irreplaceable," says Tierra Curry of the Center for Biological Diversity. "It would be unforgivable for their epic migrations to collapse because of political cowardice on enacting range-wide protections for them." Travelers at several major US airports are facing a new kind of turbulence: The screeners aren't showing up. More than 40% of Transportation Security Administration officers at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport skipped work on Tuesday, with similarly high no-show rates in New Orleans (about 36%) and Atlanta (upward of 34%), according to TSA data cited by CBS News . The surge in absences comes as TSA employees miss paychecks amid a partial government shutdown that has left the Department of Homeland Security unfunded. "The morale is getting worse by the day, because no one knows when this is gonna end," says Cameron Cochems, a lead TSA officer in Boise who argues that the political stalemate is "ruining people's lives." The impact is showing up in lengthy security lines and shuttered checkpointsin one notable example, half of Philadelphia's TSA lanes were closed on Wednesday. One traveler in Atlanta said he arrived five hours early for a 45-minute flight. Adam Stahl, TSA's acting deputy administrator, warned that if callouts keep climbing, "there could be scenarios where we may have to shut down airports," calling the situation a serious one. DOT chief Sean Duffy, meanwhile, told CNBC on Thursday morning that the airport chaos we're seeing now "is going to look like child's play" if the shutdown isn't remedied soon, per Business Insider. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, President Trump's new selection for Homeland Security secretary, has urged Congress to fund the department and "set the partisan side down." CNN notes that each side of the aisle is pointing fingers at the other. GOP Sen. Katie Britt accuses Democrats of using TSA agents as "political pawns" by refusing to funnel money to DHS unless ICE and CBP are left out of that funding picture. Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, on the other hand, notes, "Republicans would rather keep DHS shut down than work with Democrats to prevent more Americans from being killed by masked federal agents." The AP has some tips for those who may be flying soon to ensure a smoother departureincluding having "a Plan Band maybe even C, D, and E." Saudi Arabia's top diplomat is signaling his country's tolerance for Iran's strikes is wearing thin. Hours after two barrages of ballistic missiles were shot down over Riyadh, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Thursday the kingdom "will not shy away" from defending its territory and energy infrastructure and warned that military action remains on the table, without specifying what might trigger it, per the New York Times . The comments come as Iran has launched thousands of missiles and drones at Gulf states hosting US bases since late February, with Saudi Arabia now facing a growing share of the fire. The latest salvo injured four foreign residents in Riyadh and coincided with a high-level regional meeting in the capital to address Iranian attacks. Prince Faisal framed it as a deliberate effort by Tehran to rattle diplomats gathered from across the region. "All I can say is, we were not intimidated," he said. The Saudi defense ministry also reported drones hitting a Red Sea oil refinery and said it had intercepted a missile aimed at Yanbu, a critical export terminal that skirts the tense Strait of Hormuz. Prince Faisal said any remaining trust between Riyadh and Tehran has collapsed and though he hopes Iran will "stop attacking their neighbors ... I am doubtful they have that wisdom," per Al Jazeera. Critics may have been too quick to blame artificial intelligence for the US missile strike that killed more than 150 people at an elementary school in Iran. Former military officials and others familiar with the operation tell Semafor the catastrophe at Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary was caused not by a rogue algorithm, but by human mistakes up and down the targeting chain. Analysts allegedly failed to spot subtle but important changes in satellite images of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps compound in Minaband either overlooked or never entered into US databases the fact that a functioning school sat adjacent to the compound, separated from other buildings by a brightly painted wall. Those clues weren't hidden: satellite photos showed added walls and a separate entrance, as well as playground markings from as early as 2017. The school had an online presence with "dozens of photos of the children and their activities," per Reuters. It also appeared in Iranian business listings. The United Nations says missiles hit while classes were underway and most of those killed were girls between the ages of 7 and 12. Under US procedures, had the site been flagged as a school, it should have been removed from the long-maintained Central Command target list and rechecked in the 24 to 48 hours before the strike. Instead, it was treated as a static military siteexactly the kind of target where current AI tools are less involved. Semafor notes that AI has "notorious failings, from hallucinations to sycophancy," but it is good at taking in large amounts of information, and a "deeper look at satellite imagery or, simply, an internet search could have forestalled the disaster." A powerful new iPhone hack is lurking for millions with older phones, reports Wired . Security researchers from Google, iVerify, and Lookout say they've uncovered "DarkSword," a browser-based exploit that can silently seize control of iPhones running iOS 18, Apple's previous mobile operating system. Because nearly one in four iPhones were still on iOS 18 as of last month, the pool of potential victims numbers in the hundreds of millions. Visiting a booby-trapped but otherwise legitimate site is enough to trigger the hack, with no taps or downloads needed. The best defense: Make sure your phone's software is updated, per Macworld . DarkSword has already been deployed in espionage operations tied to Russian state-backed hackers, who hid it inside components of Ukrainian news and government sites. Google also traced earlier use of the tool to operations in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Malaysia. Researchers say the Russian operators made an unusual blunder: They left DarkSword's full, annotated code on the compromised sites, making it relatively easy for other hackers to copy and repurpose. Once triggered, DarkSword quickly raids an iPhone for datamessages from apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, and Telegram; photos; passwords; browser history; calendar and notes; even health data and cryptocurrency wallet credentialsthen vanishes when the phone reboots, leaving few traces. Apple says it has shipped patches for both DarkSword and a separate iOS hacking toolkit called Coruna, including emergency fixes for older devices, and stresses that keeping software updatedand, for high-risk users, enabling Lockdown Modeis key. "The Sui Di Yan Liu" is one of the Eight Views of Hong Township in ancient Sixian County. The Sui Dyke is also known as the Bian Dyke, which is the embankment of the Tongji Canal. "Willows planted in rows by the flowing waters" solidified is the canal scene, while flowing is the canal water. Waterfowl leisurely roam in the river, and people stroll along the banks. The villagers of Caomiao Village in Sixian have lived along the canal since ancient times. The area was historically called the "Ten-Li Long Village," and this section is also the core area of the Sixian section of the Grand Canal. The 28.1-kilometer-long waterway of the Sixian section of the Grand Canal is the most complete existing segment of the "living canal" of the Sui and Tang Dynasties Grand Canal (Tongji Canal). Among it, the approximately 5.8-kilometer stretch from the Xinhongqiao eastward to the confluence with the Xinsuihe in Sixian is a World Cultural Heritage segment. For thousands of years, literati have composed verses praising it, and skilled craftsmen have dredged the canal and maintained its embankments. By planting willows and reeds, dredging silt, storing water, replenishing water, and managing the river, the people living along its banks carry forward the wisdom of their ancestors, safeguarding this millennia-old green corridor. Through the coordinated development of people, water, and the city, the cultural value of the Grand Canal is further highlighted. Within Sixian County, the canal connects southward to the Xinbianhe water system and eastward to the Xinsuihe, revitalizing the entire water network of the ancient canal course in Sixian and forming a complete, living water system. "The local water conservancy and ecological environment departments in Sixian conduct water quality monitoring at multiple sections of the Grand Canal once or twice a month, and carry out water changes and replenishment based on real-time conditions," a staff member from the Sixian Water Conservancy Bureau introduced. Focusing on key aspects such as the connectivity of water systems in sections with water flow and the allocation of water resources, the management and protection of the Grand Canal primarily involves four areas: consistently implementing the river chief system, strictly approving river-related projects, regularly clearing garbage and aquatic plants, and regulating water levels through water replenishment projects. How can this flowing scenic line be better presented? An integrated system model combining ecological water management, cultural heritage protection, flood control safety, and the integration of cultural tourism with urban development will continuously support the protection, inheritance, and utilization of the Grand Canal. The imprint of the Grand Canal is deeply embedded in the lives of families along its banks. In Yongqiao District, Lingbi, and Sixian within Suzhou, there are many roads and residential communities named after the "Bianhe" or "Grand Canal." Dahe South Street, one of the oldest streets in Yongqiao District, Suzhou, owes its name to its location on the south bank of the Sui-Tang Grand Canal. The commercial area north of Dahe South Street marks where the ancient Bianhe River once flowed. At the northwest corner of the intersection of Dahe South Street and Huaihai Road stands a monument marking the site of the ancient Yongqiao Bridge, standing alongside the vibrant modern scene of bustling traffic and crowds. Lingbi County town can be described as a small city built upon the ruins of the ancient Grand Canal. During archaeological excavations on Fengshan Avenue in Lingbi County, a complete river channel, river embankments, remnants of wooden bank reinforcements, and abrasion marks from ship bottoms were uncovered, confirming that the canal was once navigable here and served a grain transport function. Along this precious living water vein in the Sixian section, the scenery is particularly captivating. "Sixian is home to the Museum, Library, Planning Hall, Family Tradition Hall, Cultural Center (Children's Palace), Science and Technology Museum, Ancient Shoe Museum, and Sui-Tang Grand Canal Museum," a staff member from the Sixian Culture and Tourism Bureau introduced to reporters, detailing the series of public cultural venues lining the canal. These multifunctional, comprehensive cultural spaces integrate venue tours, intangible cultural heritage teaching, cultural performances, social education, and cultural experiences, leveraging the canal's resource advantages to revitalize the utilization of canal heritage and cultural transmission. Naturally, the construction and opening of these venues serve the daily lives of local residents, blending seamlessly with the beautiful ecological environment of the canal to become one integrated scene and scenic view. The water has become clearer, the banks greenerthe vigorous figures jogging on the greenway at dawn, the energetic dance moves in the square during the evening, and the silhouettes of small groups sitting facing the river in the afternoon all etch the nourishing benefits that the green development achievements of the Grand Canal have brought to the people's lives. In recent years, systematic archaeological surveys conducted along the entire ancient course of the Grand Canal in the Sixian section have basically clarified the alignment, riverbed, and bank slopes of the Sixian Canal. With local investigations and sorting of cultural resources along the route, the distribution, preservation, and utilization of these cultural resources have gained widespread recognition. The willows shading the canal banks, echoing the chants found in ancient texts, have become a symbol of the canal's healthy ecology and the prosperous lives of local residents today. Through watershed management and cultural empowerment, a distinctive landscape embodying local sentiments has taken shape. The profound ability of a sound ecological environment to shape social life is vividly demonstrated, painting a happy picture of ecological beauty, universal benefits for people's livelihoods, and thriving cultural tourism. Source: Anhui Daily The European Council reaffirms its unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will continue to provide comprehensive assistance in its resistance to Russian aggression. The European Councils position on this matter is set out in a statement adopted by 25 European Union leaders (excluding Hungary and Slovakia) at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday. As we enter the fifth year of Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, the European Council reaffirms its continued firm and unwavering support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The European Union 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 statement reads. EU leaders noted that they highly appreciate the courage, determination, and resilience of the Ukrainian people and their leadership in resisting Russian aggression and defending their land. Ukraine has managed to stand its ground and push back against Russias enormous pressure, preventing Russia from achieving its military and strategic objectives. It is critical in that context to ensure that Ukraine has the budgetary and military means to continue to exercise its inherent right of self-defence and counter and deter Russias aggression, the statement reads. The European Council also underlined the Unions strong support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law and underpinned by robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine. The European Council welcomes the ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end and fully supports Ukraine in the negotiations. The European Council urges Russia to agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. For peace to be just and lasting, respect for Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is the cornerstone. Borders must not be changed by force, the aggressor cannot be rewarded and Ukraines long-term security and ability to defend itself must be guaranteed, the text of the statement details. Republican leaders are quickly lining up behind their pick to replace Sen. Markwayne Mullin in Oklahoma. On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott backed Rep. Kevin Hern for the open seat, signaling a push to clear the GOP field in the reliably red state, Politico reports. Thune called Hern a "proven conservative leader" and said he'd be a "great asset" in the Senate. Hern, 64, owned 18 McDonald's franchises before he was elected to the House in 2018. Their endorsements follow one from President Trump, who has praised Hern on Truth Social as a "true friend of MAGA" who "is strongly supported by the fiercest MAGA Warriors in Oklahoma," as well as Senate leaders. The seat opened after Trump selected Mullin, who was elected to the Senate in a special election in 2022, to take over as Homeland Security secretary from Kristi Noem. His nomination was approved by a Senate panel in an 8-7 vote Thursday, with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman in support and Republican Sen. Rand Paul opposed. Hern is running in November for the full six-year term, but Gov. Kevin Stitt must first appoint a temporary replacementwho, under Oklahoma law, will be barred from running for the seat long term. Stitt and Rep. Stephanie Bice, another member of Oklahoma's all-Republican House delegation, have both ruled out Senate bids. Bice said last week that she had "received encouragement from every corner of this great state" to launch a Senate bid, but she said on Friday that she had decided against it, the New York Times reports. Trump endorsed Hern hours later. The Trump administration is weighing an unusual step amid the Iran war: lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already on ships at sea. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Fox News Thursday that the US is preparing to lift sanctions on roughly 140 million barrels of Iranian oil currently at sea and ostensibly headed to China. Bessent framed the move as a way to see some of that oil go to "good actors" such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and India, in addition to China, reports the AP. Key details remain murky, including how the sanctions relief would be structured, how Iran would be paid, and which frozen assets might be involved, notes the Wall Street Journal. President Trump's shifting account of an Israeli strike on a major Iranian gas field has become more muddled. Three Israeli officials said the attack on Iran's South Pars gas field was coordinated with the Trump administration in advance, despite the president's initial claim online that the US "knew nothing" about it and that Israel had "violently lashed out." By Thursday, Trump suggested the opposite, telling reporters he had warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "Don't do that," then adding of the relationship, "We're independent. It's coordinated." Israel has not publicly acknowledged the strike, the New York Times reports. South Pars, which Iran shares with Qatar, is part of the world's largest gas field; hours after the attack there, Qatari facilities were also hit, with Qatar blaming Iran. QatarEnergy's CEO told Reuters on Thursday that strikes by Iran have knocked out 17% of the country's liquefied natural gas export capacity, accounting for $20 billion yearly in lost revenue. The loss also threatens supplies to Europe and Asia, Saad al-Kaabi said. "I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would beQatar and the regionin such an attack, especially from a brotherly Muslim country in the month of Ramadan," he said. President Trump made a Pearl Harbor joke while hosting Japan's prime minister at the White House on Thursday, reports the Hill. Asked by a Japanese reporter why he didn't inform allies such as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in advance of the attack on Iran, Trump invoked the infamous attack of Dec. 7, 1941, per the Independent. "We didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan?" said Trump, addressing the reporter. "Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?" he added. "You believe in surprise, I think, much more so than us." Sen. Elizabeth Warren weighed in Thursday on one of the Democratic Party's messier primarieson the side of the outsider. The Massachusetts senator endorsed oyster farmer and combat veteran Graham Platner over Maine Gov. Janet Mills in the primary race to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November, making Warren the fourth senator to back the populist newcomer. She praised Platner as a fighter for working families against "billionaires and giant corporations," the Hill reports, while Platner called Warren an inspiration and said he wants to join her in taking on Wall Street and "corruption in Washington." Democratic officeholders are split on the race, and a Boston Globe analysis suggests the endorsement could turn out to be the most significant of Warren's career. Sens. Bernie Sanders, Ruben Gallego, and Martin Heinrich are in Platner's corner, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto are backing Mills. The contest turned sharper this week when Mills released an ad with women resurfacing Platner's 2013 Reddit posts in which he minimized sexual assault; he has since disavowed those and other old online comments about law enforcement, Black people, and tipping, blaming a troubled period after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Warren's support could help counter those attacks, per the Globe. Recent polling averages show Platner ahead of Mills, 48% to 36%. An 18-year-old student who was walking with friends near Loyola University Chicago's lakeside campus was killed by a stranger who approached the group early Thursday. Police say Sheridan Gorman was with friends on the pier at Tobey Prinz Beach in Rogers Park around 1:15am when an unknown man approached and opened fire, hitting her in the head, Fox News reports. She died at the scene; no one else was injured. The shooter, described in a campus alert as wearing a face covering, fled. No arrests have been made, and investigators have not publicly identified a motive. In a letter to students, Loyola President Mark C. Reed called Gorman's death "a tragic loss" and said the university is working with Chicago police, who are looking at possible links to other recent violent incidents in the area. The school said there is no indication of an ongoing threat to campus. Counseling services have been expanded, and a vigil is planned Thursday evening at Madonna della Strada Chapel. Gorman, a first-year Loyola student, was from Yorktown Heights in New York's Westchester County, WABC reports. "Sheridan was loved by all who knew her, and her impact on students and staff alike was profound," a Yorktown School Community spokesperson said. "She was a shining light for so many people." The Chicago Sun-Times reports that her father, Thomas Gorman, wasn't ready to talk about the shooting on Thursday but he had a message to share: "Tell everyone to go hug their kids." This story was produced by the Alaska Desk , an Alaska Public Media project for strengthening rural reporting with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This story was produced by the American Homefront Project, a public media collaboration that reports on American military life and veterans. TOKYO, Mar 19 (News On Japan) - Japans largest labor union group UA Zensen announced that part-time workers secured a record-high average wage increase of 6.92% in this years spring labor negotiations as of today, marking the highest level ever recorded for this stage of the talks. Tomoko Nagashima, chair of UA Zensen, said, "We believe this represents significant progress toward establishing around a 1% increase in real wages across society." UA Zensen, one of the countrys largest labor organizations, represents more than 2,100 unions across sectors such as retail, food service, and textiles, with part-time workers accounting for roughly 60% of its membership. According to the first tally released today, the average wage increase stood at 5.45% for full-time employees and 6.92% for part-time workers, with the latter setting a new record for this period. Companies including Aeon Group, Asahi Kasei, and Toray provided full responses meeting union demands, while Toridoll, which operates chains such as Marugame Seimen, exceeded those demands. The strong results reflect a convergence of interests between unions seeking to address rising prices and employers aiming to secure labor amid ongoing shortages. Regarding the impact of the situation in Iran on negotiations, UA Zensen acknowledged that it could not be ruled out entirely, while also calling for talks to be brought forward and emphasizing efforts to reach early agreements. Source: TBS Lithuania will provide Kyiv with a EUR 600,000 grant to renovate part of the park on Pryrichna Street in Kyivs Obolon district with construction of a pedestrian bridge, the Kyiv City State Administration press service reported. "The bridge is being implemented with grant funds from the Lithuanian side. For Kyiv residents, this is primarily the creation of another comfortable space for walks and recreation. During wartime, such places have special significance they help people recover emotionally and maintain psychological resilience," Kyiv City State Administration Deputy Head Valentyn Mondriyivsky is quoted as saying in the press release. According to the statement, the park renovation project includes creation of walking routes and recreation areas, landscaping, slope reinforcement, installation of lighting and a video surveillance system with panic buttons. In addition, the space should be equipped with accessibility requirements for people with limited mobility. The project area is 2.5 hectares. The pedestrian bridge will be built over an existing backwater inspired by King Mindaugas Bridge in Vilnius. According to the press service, the bridge will symbolize the long-standing partnership between Kyiv and Vilnius and support for Ukraine during the war. The project is being implemented with financial support from Vilnius City Hall and the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Republic of Lithuania. The total grant assistance amounts to EUR 600,000. TOKYO, Mar 19 (News On Japan) - A nostalgic era of Japans once-ubiquitous feature phones is coming to a close, with 3G mobile communication services set to end at the end of March, prompting a final wave of device upgrades and intensifying competition among telecom carriers to secure remaining users. Feature phones, commonly known as "garakei," were once an essential part of daily life during the 2000s, when their distinctive ringtones, customizable decorations, and compact designs made them both practical tools and fashion statements. A user in their 30s recalled the appeal, saying the flip and slide mechanisms felt deeply nostalgic, with many people attaching photo stickers to the back of their devices. Another user in their 60s remembered extending the antenna and holding the phone up high in search of a better signal. Now, one of the defining symbols of the Heisei era is reaching a major turning point. "Hello, this is Docomo. We are informing you about the end of 3G services," a notification call announces to remaining users. NTT Docomo will terminate its 3G communication services at the end of March, citing a decline in users. With other carriers having already ended their services, the shutdown marks the end of the 3G era that once supported the peak of feature phone usage. An estimated 350,000 users nationwide are still using 3G services, and telecom companies are ramping up efforts to attract them as customers ahead of the transition. Some users, however, are reluctant to part with their devices. One person in their 60s said they would keep their phone as a memento due to the many memories attached to it, while another in their 50s noted that feature phone buttons are easier to press than those on smartphones. At electronics retailers in Osaka, promotional campaigns are underway to encourage users to switch, including sales offering new devices for as little as 1 yen. As of early March, around 50,000 3G contracts remained active in the Kansai region alone, prompting stores to display posters urging customers to upgrade to smartphones. Koji Nemoto, head of Docomos Kansai branch, said the radio frequencies previously used for 3G are valuable resources that will be repurposed to improve the quality of 4G and 5G services. The "G" in 3G stands for "generation," referring to the evolution of mobile communication technology. First-generation (1G) devices were large, shoulder-mounted phones, followed by 2G in the 1990s, which introduced email functionality. Around 2000, 3G enabled users to enjoy photos, videos, and music, while todays 4G and 5G networks support high-quality video streaming and faster data speeds. Each generation has advanced roughly every decade. For those who do not switch by April, 3G mobile contracts will be automatically terminated. This could have additional consequences for families using bundled plans, as the cancellation of a primary 3G line may result in the loss of family discounts across the entire group. Users can check whether their device uses 3G by looking for indicators such as the "i-mode" mark on the handset or a wide charging port, both commonly associated with older models. Additionally, some users may hear an automated message when making calls, informing them that their device will no longer function after March 31 due to the end of FOMA services. The end of 3G also brings back memories of feature phone culture, including decorating devices with stickers, manually checking email via network centers, and exchanging contact information and photos through infrared communication. Looking ahead, telecom operators are expected to redirect resources previously used for maintaining 3G networks toward expanding 4G and 5G infrastructure, leading to improved communication speeds and further technological advancements. Source: YOMIURI TOKYO, Mar 19 (News On Japan) - An Australian operator has unveiled plans to construct a large-scale data center immediately next to Tokyo Tower, highlighting the rapid expansion of such facilities into urban areas as demand for AI infrastructure grows. Data centers, which store and process vast amounts of digital information, are increasingly being built not only in suburban areas but also in city centers, where proximity to users improves service speed and efficiency. The planned facility beside Tokyo Tower is expected to stand 40 meters tall with six above-ground floors and is scheduled for completion in 2030. As foreign tourists gather to photograph one of Tokyos most iconic landmarks, construction signage nearby signals the arrival of a new kind of urban neighbor. While some see the project as an inevitable part of modern digital infrastructure, others question whether such developments belong in high-profile or residential areas. A visitor from South Korea said there was no need to place a data center next to a major tourist attraction, reflecting concerns shared by some residents. As of March last year, Japan had 222 data centers, with demand expected to grow significantly due to the spread of AI technologies. The market is projected to expand by roughly 1.5 times over the six years through 2029. The shift from suburban to central urban locations has begun to generate friction in some communities. In Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, about an hour from Tokyo, around 30 data centers have already been built, earning the area the nickname data center Ginza. The concentration has brought tax revenue benefits, but also growing unease among residents. New projects in residential zones have sparked opposition movements, with locals questioning why such facilities need to be built so close to where people live. One planned site is just a five-minute walk from the nearest station, surrounded by apartment buildings and shopping centers. While residents acknowledge the benefits of AI-driven development, many argue that location is the key issue. Takeda, who lives on the 14th floor of a nearby apartment building, said the planned site lies only about 11 meters away. On clear days, we can see Mount Fuji from here, Takeda said, expressing concern that the new structure would block the view. Experts point out that data centers are increasingly being located near population hubs to ensure faster and more stable service delivery. However, the trend is exposing gaps in Japans regulatory framework. The Building Standards Act does not currently classify data centers explicitly, leading to inconsistent interpretations by local authorities. In Ichikawa, residents filed a complaint on March 5th with a private inspection body, seeking to revoke construction approval. They argue that data centers, equipped with large-scale power systems and fuel tanks, should be treated as factories or warehouses, which are restricted in certain zones. The inspection body declined to comment, while the developer said measures are being taken to minimize noise and environmental impact. Experts note the absence of clear environmental standards for data centers as a key issue behind the growing disputes. Establishing environmental guidelines would help residents better understand and accept these facilities, said Sato, a university professor. In response, government agencies are working together to develop new guidelines for data center construction. Some regions are taking a different approach. In Ayagawa, Kagawa Prefecture, a former junior high school that closed four years ago has been repurposed into a data center. The facility, which includes a secure server room beneath the gymnasium, is designed for AI development and is expected to begin full operations this summer. The project has created local jobs, supported regional economic development, and made use of idle public infrastructure, offering benefits to both the community and the operator. As data centers become an essential part of modern life, the question of whereand howthey should be integrated into communities is likely to remain a pressing issue. Source: FNN AICHI, Mar 19 (News On Japan) - A pregnant woman who fell onto the tracks at an unmanned station in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture, was rescued by five local high school students, later reuniting with them after safely giving birth to her child. Kimura Kei, 35, who lives in Nishio, gave birth to her long-awaited first son one month ago, but behind the birth of the child lay an unexpected and life-threatening incident. The incident occurred at Sakuramachimae Station on the Meitetsu Nishio Line in Nishio, an unmanned station without on-site staff, where Kimura, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was using the station at around 1:30 p.m. in November 2025. After passing through the ticket gate and walking toward the platform, she suddenly felt dizzy. "On my way to the platform, I suddenly lost consciousness, and my legs just kept moving forward on their own, and I fell onto the tracks," Kimura said. She lost consciousness and fell about one meter from the platform onto the tracks, regaining awareness only after she was already lying there, with a train scheduled to arrive in about five minutes and no staff present at the unmanned station. At that moment, help arrived. "A high school student came down onto the tracks, and five of them called out to me asking if I was okay, and their voices woke me up," Kimura said. Determined to express her gratitude, Kimura later searched for the high schools whose students regularly used the station, contacting three nearby schools by email and phone to ask if any students had helped a pregnant woman who fell onto the tracks. Her message was shared across entire classes, prompting several students to step forward. "They distributed the message to the whole class, and everyone said, 'It was me,' and I received a reply from a teacher saying, 'Yes, they are our students,'" Kimura said. The five students who rescued her were Shibata Airi and Hiramatsu Nahana, both second-year students at Nishio High School, along with Muramatsu Taisei, Kanematsu Fumiya, and Aikawa Yui, who had just graduated in March. They had just finished their final exams and were on their way to cram school or home. "We were talking about studying for exams, and when I turned around, I saw her fall," Aikawa said. Despite the suddenness of the situation, they acted instinctively. "I just felt that I had to help immediately," Aikawa added. Aikawa climbed down onto the tracks to support Kimura from below, while the other four students pulled her up from the platform. Familiar with the train schedule from regularly using the Meitetsu Nishio Line, they confirmed that no train was approaching from either direction before carrying out the rescue. Kimura later reflected that if the students had not been there, she might not have regained consciousness in time and could have been struck by an oncoming train, a thought that still frightens her. After the incident, Kimura was taken to hospital, where she was diagnosed with a risk of premature birth and admitted for emergency care. On February 14th, Valentines Day, she safely gave birth to a healthy baby boy weighing 2,970 grams. "It feels like a miracle. At first, I didnt know what would happen, but Im truly glad he was born safely," she said. On March 18th, Kimura visited Nishio High School with her baby to reunite with the students who had saved her. "Congratulations," the students said as they gathered around. "Go ahead and hold himhes a bit heavy," Kimura told them, as they gently cradled the baby, their expressions soft with emotion. "Its scary but so cute. It feels like my own child," Aikawa said. "When we helped, I thought it was just one person, but now I realize we saved two lives," Kanematsu added. "Seeing that he was born makes me really happy. Hes so cute," Hiramatsu said. Kimura expressed hope of meeting the students again in the future after her child grows older and learns about what happened. "I want him to become someone who, like those students, can reach out without hesitation to help people in need right in front of them," she said. The coordinated efforts of the five students helped protect a precious life, highlighting the importance of quick thinking in emergencies. According to Meitetsu, even at unmanned stations without emergency alert systems, intercoms are installed on pillars and near vending machines, allowing passengers to contact staff and request trains to be stopped before entering the platform in case of an emergency. Source: Nagoya TV News New Analytics Projects Use Secure AI and Federated Learning to Improve Brain Health Research and Care TORONTO, March 19, 2026 /CNW/ - The Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) is investing $640,000 in eight new projects through its Centre for Analytics (CfA). The projects create tools to accelerate research, detect brain disorders earlier, improve diagnoses, and develop more effective treatments and care by using artificial intelligence (AI), secure data analytics, and AI tools such as OBI's NeuroFL federated learning platform. "By leveraging our vast network and the data assets on the Brain-CODE platform -- built through the long-standing support of the Ontario government -- OBI is creating a secure way for researchers across the country to learn from data without moving or exposing sensitive information," said Dr. Tom Mikkelsen, CEO and Scientific Director, Ontario Brain Institute. "This approach positions Ontario as a global leader in trusted data collaboration, protecting patient privacy and intellectual property while speeding up the development of life-changing brain health solutions." The eight new projects focus on neurodevelopmental conditions, concussion, epilepsy, neurodegeneration, and mental health. Together, they use the CfA's advanced computing infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and machine learning capabilities to address pressing challenges in brain health research and care. Leading the charge in federated learning is the 'Multi-modal Federated Learning for Precision Care in Neurodevelopmental Conditions,' headed by Dr. Azadeh Kushki of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Toronto. Her team is developing a privacy-preserving federated learning pipeline on OBI's NeuroFL platform to study complex data from children with brain-based differences and disabilities. The outcome of this project will help move from the 'one-size-fits-all' model of care toward more personalized support for children and youth. Multi-modal Federated Learning for Precision Care in Neurodevelopmental Conditions : Dr. Azadeh Kushki of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Toronto. : Dr. Azadeh Kushki of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Toronto. Predicting Concussion Recovery through Multimodal Neuroinformatics: Dr. Michael Cusimano of St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto (co-funded with The Branch Out Foundation). Dr. Michael Cusimano of St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto (co-funded with The Branch Out Foundation). Federated Learning Testbed for Cognitive Health Prediction in Neurodegenerative Disease: Dr. Erin Dickie of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Dr. Jean-Baptiste Poline of McGill University and The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital). Dr. Erin Dickie of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Dr. Jean-Baptiste Poline of McGill University and The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital). Quantifying Multiple Mental Health Conditions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Q-MiND): Dr. Clement Ma of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the University of Toronto. Dr. Clement Ma of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the University of Toronto. A Standardized Neuroanalytics Platform for Multi-Modal Wearable Data: Dr. Benicio Frey of McMaster University. Dr. Benicio Frey of McMaster University. Multi-Modal Biomarkers of Epilepsy: EEG Synchrony Signatures and Genetic Predictors of Drug Response: Mehdi Abbasi Azadgoleh and the team at Epiloid Biotechnology Inc. Mehdi Abbasi Azadgoleh and the team at Epiloid Biotechnology Inc. AI-Powered FLAIR MRI Biomarkers for Early Detection of Neurodegeneration: Dr. April Khademi, Canada Research Chair in AI for Medical Imaging at Toronto Metropolitan University and lead of the Image Analysis in Medicine Lab. Dr. April Khademi, Canada Research Chair in AI for Medical Imaging at Toronto Metropolitan University and lead of the Image Analysis in Medicine Lab. Generation and Optimization of Synthetic Methylation Data for Brain Disorder Classification: Paul Wambo and the team at EpiSign Inc. This $640,000 investment builds on more than a decade of strategic investment from the Province of Ontario. By uniting these eight initiatives under a secure, federated framework, OBI is transforming years of provincial data collection into a powerful engine for discovery one that protects privacy, drives commercialization, and creates high-quality jobs. This collaborative model ensures that Ontario remains the global benchmark for the AI revolution in healthcare and delivers the next generation of life-changing brain health solutions. "Every day in Ontario, our bright researchers are making ground-breaking discoveries that improves lives and drives our economy," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "Our government is proud to support the Ontario Brain Institute and commend their new projects that will bolster and protect Ontario's homegrown brain health solutions, further cementing our province as a leader of innovation on the global stage." Learn more about the CfA and the funded projects at braininstitute.ca/cfa ABOUT: The Ontario Brain Institute is a provincially funded, not-for-profit organization that accelerates discovery and innovation, benefiting both patients and the economy. Our collaborative 'team science' approach promotes brain research, commercialization, and care by connecting researchers, clinicians, industry, patients, and their advocates to improve the lives of those living with brain disorders. SOURCE Ontario Brain Institute Media Contact: Francis Jeanson, Head, Centre for Analytics (Ontario Brain Institute), [email protected] The Hungarian government has decided to ban three Ukrainian citizens from entering Hungary and the Schengen area: Ukrainian serviceman, activist and leader of the public organization C14 Yevhen Karas, former head of the department for combating corruption and organized crime of the Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (1992-94), MP of the Verkhovna Rada of the II-VI convocations (1994-2012) Hryhoriy Omelchenko and Ukrainian political consultant and analyst Borys Tiesenhausen. According to local publication 24hu, Gergely Gulyas, Chief of Staff to the Hungarian Prime Minister, announced this at a government briefing. He claimed that Karas, Omelchenko, and Tiesenhausen allegedly threatened Hungary that "Ukraine could launch a military attack" on the country or made personal threats against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban or his family. At the same time, the publication notes that Hungarian government media disseminated Omelchenko's statement out of context to create the impression that he had threatened Orban's family, although in fact he had not. According to Gulyas, Tisenhausen allegedly discussed sending Ukrainian troops to Hungary, and the basis for Karas' entry ban was that he heads an organization that Orban's chief of staff called a "neo-Nazi group," as well as that he allegedly threatens Orban and the country. As reported, a day earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, arriving at the European Union summit, stated that Budapest would not support any decision regarding Ukraine until it received Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged by Russian shelling in January. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo believes that his leader, Orban, is using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaign. On the same day, the Security Service of Ukraine reported the exposure of a psychological warfare operation by Russian intelligence agencies against ethnic Hungarians in Zakarpattia region. They made fake threatening phone calls to Hungarians, posing as Ukrainian law enforcement officers and alleged members of "national-patriotic groups," demanding they leave Ukraine and threatening them with physical violence. The SBU called on citizens not to fall for such provocations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha noted that the exposed operation points to Russia's interference in the Hungarian elections on Orban's side. Underwater drones from Russia may become one of nearest challenges for Ukrainian maritime corridor RISOIL Group executive One of the challenges for the operation of the Ukrainian maritime corridor may be Russia's use of underwater drones, which it has adopted, but the mechanism for finding alternative transportation routes has already been worked out during the war years, believes Valeriy Shnurenko, head of corporate security for RISOIL Group and chairman of the EBA Odesa corporate security working group. "I don't really want to scare anyone, but the enemy has adopted analogues of our underwater drones, and according to the American Chamber of Commerce's assessments, will use them to stop the maritime corridor," Shnurenko said during a speech at FREIGHT FORWARDERS UPDATES 2026, held in Odesa. According to him, this could indeed lead to suspension of the maritime corridor's operation, but whether there will be a complete closure depends on the military. "Each of us believes that they do their job professionally and will not allow this," the RISOIL Group executive noted. In a comment to Interfax-Ukraine on the sidelines of the event, Shnurenko noted that in case of the corridor's closure, there will be a search for alternative routes, and this is a mechanism sufficiently worked out during wartime. "In case of the corridor's closure, we will look for alternative logistics routes: by road and rail through land routes to Europe... This is a well-established mechanism. There is also the possibility of returning to Danube ports, where we have already worked. Alternative routes exist in any case. But the Ukrainian maritime corridor is an artery that is beneficial to both the European Union and other countries," Shnurenko said. He explained that rail transportation is accompanied by problems including a shortage of railcars, while road transportation faces shortages of drivers due to mobilization and vehicles that meet EU requirements. Shnurenko also noted that the issue is the volume of cargo that can be transported by sea. "The question is not even whether alternative routes are more expensive, the question is volumes. If a Panamax vessel carries 60,000 tonnes, transporting such cargo by rail is much more difficult," he said. The head of corporate security added that in any case, routes are chosen by the company's clients, whose cargo comprises approximately 90% of the total volume handled by RISOIL Group (another 10% is the company's own cargo). Describing other challenges that companies face in transportation, he focused particularly on the large number of air raid alerts in port zones and the need to strengthen protection of facilities, noting that energy problems are less of a concern. Ukrainian political group already on its way, meeting in USA expected on Sat Zelenskyy The pause in negotiations must be ended. The political part of the Ukrainian negotiating team is already on its way, and a meeting is expected in the United States on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. There has been a pause in the talks, and it is time to resume them. We are doing everything to ensure that the negotiations are genuinely substantive. The Ukrainian team the political members of the negotiating group is already on the way, and we expect a meeting this Saturday in the United States, Zelenskyy said in an evening address on Thursday. He reported on a meeting held today with representatives of the negotiating group: Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov, Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, and head of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia. First Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Serhiy Kyslytsya will also participate in the meetings. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Cloudy with rain developing this afternoon. High around 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of 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. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said Budapest will continue to block the European Union from providing a loan to Ukraine. It was a tough debate, but we stood our ground. We have the right to say no to the Ukrainian war loan. As long as president Zelenskyy does not lift the oil blockade, they will not receive any money from Brussels. No oil = no money, Orban said on X. Interfax-Ukraine to host roundtable talk 'Acceleration of external and internal Ukrainian political dynamics' On Tuesday, March 24, at 12.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a roundtable talk entitled "Acceleration of external and internal Ukrainian political dynamics." Participants include political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko; President of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine Artur Kharytonov; political observer Leonid Shvets (8/5a, Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel. Admission requires admission by press ID cards. An Exeter curry house is set to have its licence reviewed after some staff were found to be working illegally there. Curry King, which occupies a premises that looks like an ordinary end-of-terrace house, will see its licence scrutinised by Exeter City Council because some staff had been working there without the correct permissions. The restaurant, located at 49 Fore Street in the citys Heavitree area, was visited by immigration enforcement officers in April last year as part of an illegal working visit. Two arrests were made, and the business was served with a civil penalty referral notice, and the case remains ongoing. Fines can reach up to 45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach and up to 60,000 for repeat offending, a Home Office spokesperson said. The city council said the grounds for the licence review were that the restaurant had undermined the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder as illegal working has been identified at this premises. Illegal working undermines honest employers, undercuts local wages and fuels organised immigration crime, a Home Office spokesperson said. This government will not stand for it. The Home Secretary has announced sweeping reforms to make Britain less attractive for illegal migrants and scale up removals of those with no right to be here. Since coming into power, the government has increased immigration enforcement action to the highest level in British history, with an 83 per cent rise in illegal working arrests and 77 per cent rise in raids. Curry King was contacted for comment but did not respond. Plymouth has failed to secure a place on the longlist for UK City of Culture 2029 after the Government revealed the nine locations progressing to the next stage of the national competition. The announcement, made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport earlier today (18 March), confirmed that Blackpool, Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham will go forward to develop full bids. READ NEXT: Popular Strawberry Fields Tulip Fest returns with 500,000 bulbs planted Each longlisted place will receive 60,000 in funding to support the next phase of their application, with the eventual winner set to receive 10 million to deliver a year-long cultural programme in 2029. Plymouths exclusion has been described as disappointing by city leaders, who had hoped the bid would showcase its heritage, creative industries and cultural ambitions. Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Culture at Plymouth City Council, thanked those involved in the submission while acknowledging the setback. I want to share my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported Plymouths bid to become UK City of Culture 2029, she said. While we are extremely disappointed not to progress, the assessment panel highlighted just how strong Plymouths cultural offer already is. She added that the bid had demonstrated the citys long history and creative present, describing Plymouth as a place where culture connects us, defines us, and will remain central to our citys growth. The council also paid tribute to Plymouth Culture, which led the work on the expression of interest, and to the artists, organisations and residents who contributed ideas. More than 1,000 people were said to have taken part in shaping the proposal, and, despite not progressing, Cllr Laing insisted the process would leave a lasting legacy. This is not the end of anything, it is the continuation of our momentum, she said. We will keep telling Plymouths story, nurturing creativity and building the confident, connected coastal city we all know we can be. The UK City of Culture competition, which runs every four years, is designed to drive economic growth, tourism and community engagement through culture. Previous hosts have included Hull, Coventry and Bradford, who currently hold the 2025 title. Plymouth is one of three South West cities to be rejected for the 2029 bid, with Exeter and Bristol also failing to make the longlist. Alongside the City of Culture programme, the Government has also launched a new UK Town of Culture competition for 2028, aimed at smaller communities. More than 230 towns have already registered interest, including Barnstaple and Ilfracombe in North Devon. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the initiatives were intended to restore pride in every part of Britain and highlight the contribution of communities nationwide. Devon is to receive an additional 1.3 million from government to help eligible low-income households who rely on heating oil cope with rising fuel costs driven by global events. Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County Councils Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, has welcomed the funding, which forms part of a 27 million national to the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. The funding is aimed at supporting rural communities, where households are more likely to depend on heating oil rather than mains gas. Funding will be available from April 1 through Devons district councils, rather than directly by the County Council. Work is already under way with district councils to confirm delivery arrangements, which are expected to be similar to the routes previously used for the Household Support Fund. The increase in heating oil prices has been linked to ongoing global conflict involving Iran, which has pushed up fuel costs and added pressure on households already struggling with the cost of living. Devon has been identified as a priority area because of the high number of homes dependent on heating oil, particularly in rural parts of the county. The additional 1,303,439 will be paid to Devon County Council in the 2026/27 financial year as part of the local government funding settlement. It will sit alongside Devons wider Crisis and Resilience Fund allocation of 8.4 million a year for three years, which replaces the Household Support Fund from April 2026. The Crisis and Resilience Fund is designed to support residents facing immediate financial crisis such as being unable to afford heating or hot water while also offering longer-term help through advice, housing support and community-based services. Importantly, this support will be targeted at eligible low-income households who rely on heating oil. It is not available to all homes heated by oil, and eligibility criteria will apply. A North Devon personal trainer is bidding to swim to France and back during March to raise awareness of a debilitating condition that blights the lives of more than 1.5 million women in the UK. Hannah Wain wont be heading to the channel coast but has set a goal of swimming 68 kilometres at Tarka Leisure Centre in Barnstaple to raise money for the Endometriosis UK charity. The 25-year-old has lived with endometriosis throughout her life, as do one in 10 women in the UK and she wanted to combine her swim challenge with Endometriosis Awareness Month throughout March. The condition sees cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body and it can cause a range of debilitating symptoms that badly affect peoples daily lives including fatigue, pelvic and period pain and fertility issues. Above: Personal trainer Hannah Wain has lived with the debilitating effects of endometriosis for most of her life and wants to raise better awareness of the condition and womens health. Credit: http://www.kamilr.com Hannah, who works at The Gym in Braunton as a personal trainer, has been completing her epic swim challenge at Tarka during weekends, swimming up to three hours at a time with no breaks. She originally set a 34km target the equivalent of swimming the English Channel but is now aiming to double that and has raised 1,600 so far via her GoFundMe page. READ NEXT: North Devon student wins first ever Appledore Book Festival scholarship Hannah was diagnosed with endometriosis in July last year via laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), but she said this followed seven years of daily suffering and pain as well as being misdiagnosed twice and a long fight to be taken seriously. Following her surgery she was unable to properly exercise for six months, so the swim challenge was a big step to take on. Above: Hannah is pleased she has been able to take on the swim challenge after recovering from her surgery last year. Credit: Salted Lens Photography Hannah said: It has been quite difficult - each session is roughly two-and-a-half to three hours in the pool of continuous swimming. I grew up competing in swimming and modern pentathlon so I am accustom to long pool hours, but I haven't swam anywhere close to this intensity for years, especially since battling my own endometriosis. Being able to swim these great distances now is a credit to the resilience I have been able to embody after finally receiving my diagnosis - prior to that, I spent years in pain, confused and blaming myself - unable to swim, exercise, or do anything really. This challenge is more than just raising money for Endometriosis UK, but is a celebration of movement, empowerment and femininity. But also the importance of improving diagnostic timelines for women suffering with chronic conditions - although the support post-diagnosis is still so very poor, the mere knowledge of what was happening in my body gave me the confidence to undertake this challenge. This September Hannah will start a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Global Womens Health via the University of Oxford, studying remotely and she plans to make her research dissertation about endometriosis. She said: Women's health conditions, with endometriosis as a critical case study, have been significantly under-funded and under-researched. Women have largely been absent from clinical trials for decades, medical professionals lack effective training on female health conditions, and current care pathways and clinical guidelines are embedding diagnostic delays, increased symptom intensity and poor quality of life for millions of women in the UK and beyond. If you would like to sponsor Hannah as she completes her 68km swim challenge throughout March, you can do so at https://www.gofundme.com/f/9ynfr5-endometriosis-awareness-month READ NEXT: Dont suffer in silence: How to seek help for problem periods 15th Five-Year Plan to guarantee steady, long-term advancement of Chinese modernization Xinhua) 08:25, March 19, 2026 A tourist visits a rapeseed flower field as a high-speed train runs past in Longmatan District of Luzhou, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Feb. 26, 2026. (Photo by Mu Ke/Xinhua) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China is embarking on a new journey to advance Chinese modernization as its latest grand blueprint unfolds. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development was approved at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, earlier this month. "A well-conceived 15th Five-Year Plan and its effective implementation will ensure we have even stronger foundations for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035," Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, once said. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that socialist modernization can only be realized through a historical process of gradual and ongoing development. It requires the unremitting hard work of one generation after another. A researcher displays rolled-up "fiber chips" and a smart tactile glove made by weaving the chips into textiles at Fudan University in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) BUILDING NEW GROWTH MOMENTUM The world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, with the challenges of securing peace, development, security and governance intensifying, while geopolitical risks are increasing, and global economic growth momentum remains weak. Notably, China's economic transformation and upgrading are deepening, with reform efforts tackling deep-seated problems. In addition, new quality productive forces are being fostered at an accelerated pace. "Efforts should be redoubled to gain experience in analyzing new situations and solving new problems," Xi said during China's "two sessions" earlier this month. Developing new quality productive forces is an essential requirement for building a modern industrial system and fueling a powerful engine for advancing high-quality development. As a new driver of future development, new quality productive forces should be cultivated in line with local conditions. It is necessary to leverage local resource endowments, industrial foundations and research capabilities to selectively foster emerging industries, new business models and new growth drivers. Guided by scientific and technological innovation and anchored in the real economy, efforts should be made to speed up the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and foster the growth of emerging industries and future-oriented industries, so as to accelerate the development of a modern industrial system. A senior resident interacts with "Xia Lan," a humanoid robot, at Shenzhen Nursing Home in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu) Meanwhile, improving the national innovation system and stimulating the vitality of various innovation entities remain key priorities. With a focus on the frontiers of global science and technology, sustained efforts should be made to strengthen basic research and enhance original innovation capacity, while intensifying breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields and frontier technologies. Amid a rapidly changing international environment and various uncertainties, focusing on managing the country's own affairs well and enhancing its development quality is crucial in ensuring a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan. For China, it is imperative to advance high-quality development, build a unified national market and expand high-standard opening up to explore global markets. China still faces challenges of uneven and inadequate development, including declining labor demand in traditional industries due to technological and industrial transformations, and growing pressure on public services and social security because of an aging population. Addressing these issues is essential for sustaining growth and ensuring that development benefits all. An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 10, 2026 shows a dual-fuel car carrier loaded with vehicles for export setting sail at Yantai Port in Yantai, east China's Shandong Province. (Photo by Zhang Chao/Xinhua) GLOBAL VISION OF CHINA'S MODERNIZATION PATH "Chinese modernization delivers benefit to the Chinese people and also advances common development of the world. It is a sure path for us to build a stronger nation and realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is also a path we must take to seek progress for humanity and harmony for the entire world," Xi said in a keynote address at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting in 2023. These remarks situated Chinese modernization within the historical context of China's relations with the world, highlighting its inclusive character and pursuit of win-win outcomes. Chinese modernization is fundamentally characterized by proactive global engagement. Since the reform and opening up, China's developmental trajectory, guided by successive five-year plans, has been inseparable from international cooperation. Openness has always been the defining feature of Chinese modernization. From "the world factory" to "the world market," and from a land for global investment to a global innovation hub, each leap in China's development drives cooperation with the world into broader areas and deeper levels. As industrial transformation accelerates, China's massive market will continue to offer significant demand for countries worldwide. In pursuit of smart, green and integrated growth, China aims to share its manufacturing experience and technical innovations to drive global sustainable development. Beyond that, the global significance of the Chinese model of modernization lies in its success in shattering the myth that modernization is synonymous with Westernization, thereby creating a new form of human advancement. "China will do well only when the world does well, and vice versa," Xi once said. Lu Puzheng (R), a member of the 4th batch of Chinese agricultural experts in Zimbabwe, provides instruction on maize planting techniques to local residents in Zindi Village, Shamva District of Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe, Jan. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) Leveraging the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, the world's second-largest economy is committed to the building of an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity. Faced with global changes not seen in a century, China will continue to stand on the right side of history and remain a steadfast, reliable and constructive force in a turbulent world. An aerial drone photo taken on July 3, 2025 shows the Xianshuiwo photovoltaic power plant in the Yi-Hui-Miao Autonomous County of Weining, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Tao Liang) CPC LEADERSHIP AS CORE Chinese modernization is characterized by unique features: the modernization of a huge population, the modernization of common prosperity for all, the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement, the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, and the modernization of peaceful development. In advancing Chinese modernization, the key lies in upholding the overall leadership of the CPC, which has been the strong leadership core in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. By integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture, the Party has, through years of dedicated efforts, deepened its understanding of the laws that underlie governance by a communist party, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society. The Party has led China in building one of the world's most complete industrial systems, in eliminating absolute poverty, in growing into an economy of 140 trillion yuan (about 20.32 trillion U.S. dollars), and in becoming a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. Advancing Chinese modernization requires solid work and sustained efforts over time, and sound planning must go hand in hand with effective implementation. Party members and officials are urged to establish and practice a correct view on governance performance, remain committed to serving the public and improving people's well-being, make well-grounded decisions, and focus on practical work. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Havana Matanzas Santa Clara Atlantic Ocean Cienfuegos Camaguey Caribbean Sea Holguin Santiago de Cuba Havana Atlantic Ocean Caribbean Sea Santiago de Cuba Havana Atlantic Ocean Caribbean Sea Santiago de Cuba Havana Atlantic Ocean Caribbean Sea Santiago de Cuba Cuba Is Going Dark Leer en espanol Cuba is facing what may be its worst electricity crisis since Fidel Castros revolutionaries swept to power 67 years ago. Following weeks of frequent blackouts, the national grid suffered a complete disconnection on Monday, according to the energy ministry. Blackouts are getting worse, and on some days the entire island is plunged into near total darkness. Nighttime light intensity on March 6, 2026 Matanzas Havana Santa Clara Atlantic Ocean Cienfuegos Camaguey Caribbean Sea Holguin NO DATA Santiago de Cuba Nighttime light intensity on March 6, 2026 Atlantic Ocean Havana Santa Clara Camaguey Caribbean Sea Holguin NO DATA Santiago de Cuba Nighttime light intensity on March 6, 2026 Santa Clara Atlantic Ocean Havana Holguin Camaguey Caribbean Sea NO DATA Santiago de Cuba Nighttime light intensity on March 6, 2026 Atlantic Ocean Havana Caribbean Sea Santiago de Cuba NO DATA Cuba generates most of its electricity from oil, and for nearly three decades, Venezuelan oil has been the island nations energy lifeline. The Trump administration ordered Venezuela to halt supplying oil to Cuba after it captured the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, in January. Mexico was soon pressured by the U.S. to stop shipments as well. No other country has come to Cubas rescue with oil supplies. U.S. officials are now using the energy crisis to exert leverage over Cubas leaders, even as some in Cuba warn that the repeated blackouts could make it harder for Cubans to get food, running water and medical care. Cubas president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, has publicly acknowledged this month that his government has been holding talks with Washington in an effort to find solutions to Cubas standoff with the United States. Mounting Crisis in the Capital Havana Varadero Matanzas Detail Cienfuegos Havana Varadero Matanzas Detail Cienfuegos Havana Varadero Matanzas Detail Cienfuegos The capital, Havana, is usually a priority in electricity generation because it is the seat of government. But as the energy crisis grows, it is also not shielded from going dark. The whole city is feeling the ripple effects. Trash is piling up as garbage trucks are idled due to a lack of fuel. Without refrigeration, meat and dairy in homes and food markets are spoiling. A dark city block illuminated by car lights in Havana on Monday. Reuters Garbage piles up along the streets in Havana. Yamil Lage/Agence France-Presse Getty Images Because Havanas water system depends on electric pumps, running water has been cut off for many residents, who now line up with jugs at gravity-fed community cisterns, according to Jorge R. Pinon, a University of Texas oil expert who tracks Cubas energy industry. Public health officials have postponed tens of thousands of surgeries, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have seen their treatments disrupted by power outages and a lack of refrigerated medicine. The Luxury Bubbles Varadero Detail Atlantic Ocean Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco Cayo Santa Maria Santa Clara Cienfuegos Sancti Spiritus Ciego De Avila Caribbean Sea Varadero Atlantic Ocean Cayo Santa Maria Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco Santa Clara Cienfuegos Sancti Spiritus Ciego De Avila Detail Caribbean Sea Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco Varadero Cayo Santa Maria Santa Clara Cienfuegos Ciego De Avila Detail Caribbean Sea Lights largely remain on in resort areas like Varadero, Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria, home to strings of beach hotels and spa complexes. Unlike residential areas that depend on the failing national grid, hotels in these places have their own generators, and fuel for these locations is a top priority, alongside hospitals. Thats because tourism remains a crucial source of hard currency for Cubas government, even after some airlines suspended flights to Cuba because of a shortage of jet fuel at major airports caused by the U.S. blockade. The energy crisis has created a bizarre reality in these areas. They are some of the primary beneficiaries of recent efforts to create a decentralized network of small solar arrays using Chinese technology. That means workers at these resorts commute from places with little electricity, a lack of running water and rotting food to luxury bubbles where tourists enjoy air-conditioned rooms and refrigerated buffets. Military checkpoints strictly control access to these locations. Unrest Flares Up in the Provinces Moron Detail Atlantic Ocean Ciego De Avila Nuevitas Camaguey Holguin Las Tunas Moa Bayamo Manzanillo Guantanamo Caribbean Sea Santiago de Cuba Moron Detail Atlantic Ocean Ciego De Avila Camaguey Holguin Las Tunas Moa Bayamo Guantanamo Caribbean Sea Santiago de Cuba Detail Moron Atlantic Ocean Holguin Camaguey Caribbean Sea Santiago de Cuba The rest of Cuba, far from the seat of power and the beach resorts, is hit hardest by the crisis. After weeks of blackouts, hundreds of people in Moron, a city of 70,000 in central Cuba, took to the streets. On March 13, they ransacked the local office of the Communist Party, dragging furniture, computers and documents into the street to set them on fire. In eastern Cuba, the provincial electricity company for the city of Holguin is providing electricity for residential neighborhoods for only about three hours a day. Major economic drivers, like nickel processing plants, have had to scale back operations, cutting the countrys exports. Santiago, Cubas second-largest city, is suffering from severe disruptions to both electricity and running water. People there have started nighttime protests known as cacerolazos, in which they bang on pots and pans to express their anger. An Outdated Energy System For Cuba, the crisis has laid bare the risks of depending so heavily on foreign oil while trying to maintain a centrally planned socialist economic system. While countries around the world are using diverse methods to produce electricity, such as natural gas, wind or battery storage, Cuba is still locked into a 20th-century model exceptionally dependent on oil. That makes the island nation extremely vulnerable to oil shocks. The last confirmed arrival of a significant oil tanker was the Ocean Mariner, which docked in Havana on Jan. 9 with about 86,000 barrels of fuel from Mexico. Since then, Cuba has had to rely on its own meager production of extra-heavy crude oil, which covers only about 40 percent of energy demand. That shortfall could bring Cubas whole economic system, not just its electricity grid, to the breaking point. Ronn Torossian In 2026, crisis public relations has affected many companies in an environment defined by instantaneous information flows, relentless social media scrutiny and increasingly diffuse stakeholder expectations. From safety concerns at Boeing to governance turmoil at OpenAI, regulatory backlash against Metas platforms, and operational breakdowns at United Airlines, 2026 has seen major crisis PR issues. There has also been a major mismatch between communication and perception. Slow and procedural messaging without emotional resonance, fragmented leadership communication, overwhelming policyheavy language and a pervasive gap between words and observable action have repeatedly undermined corporate credibility. Now more than ever, todays media environment rewards coherence, speed, and empathy, and punishes anything less. Boeing: When Technical Accuracy Substitutes for Human Connection The crisis that Boeing faced in early 2026 was not a new one: renewed concerns over manufacturing quality and regulatory inspections emerged in the context of several maintenance events that raised questions about production oversight. Boeings public image was already fragile after past safety scandals and the company needed to provide real, emotional reassurance. Boeings initial communications were aimed at satisfying regulators and reassuring airline clients. Early statements laid out the steps the company was taking: engineering reviews, enhanced oversight protocols in partnership with federal and international aviation authorities, and assurances of full compliance with inspection requirements. These statements used the language of industry insiders, and on paper they read as comprehensive. In practice, however, they did not speak to the primary concerns of the broader public: whether they could trust the planes they boarded, or whether airline partners could depend on Boeing to deliver products without cutting corners. Boeings early messaging scrupulously avoided addressing that emotional dimension, and that omission quickly became a focal point of criticism. Passengers posted videos describing their anxiety about flying amid unresolved safety questions. Coverage in major outlets juxtaposed Boeings paragraphs of compliance metrics with personal testimonies of families who flew recently. Airline partners, pressed for statements, voiced irritation that Boeings tone felt distant. Effective crisis communication in such emotionally charged contexts requires acknowledging stakeholders fears up front and not merely reframing them through the lens of compliance. Eventually, Boeing shifted tone, with senior leaders offering more direct commentary on passenger safety priorities and outlining tangible steps beyond compliance checklists but it took a long time and should have been done much better. OpenAI: How Ambiguity Fueled Uncertainty OpenAI learned quickly that when the companys board abruptly removed thenCEO Sam Altman and then reinstated him days later, the communications fallout overshadowed the internal leadership dispute. The crisis began with ambiguity. Initial announcements were terse, offering little context. Furious internal chatter from employees quickly spread externally, creating a narrative vacuum that was filled by speculation and contradictory accounts. In any crisis, the absence of a recognized authoritative voice creates space for competing narratives, In this case, those narratives proliferated across technology and business media. The company didnt own the story. OpenAI eventually stabilized the narrative by centering Sam Altman as the communicator of record and delivering a more comprehensive account of governance changes. But the initial delay and lack of clarity allowed perceptions of instability to take hold. The OpenAI incident demonstrated that crisis PR cannot be an afterthought to leadership strategy; it must be integrated into organizational protocols for handling governance disputes. Meta: Complexity Without Clarity The crisis that Meta has faced regarding platform safety, misinformation and data governance this year is not new and is the cumulative effect of years of regulatory pressure, activist scrutiny and public skepticism. But 2026 offered an illuminating moment when the companys crisis PR strategy revealed its own limitations. When user safety concerns spiked in the aftermath of highprofile incidents linked to harmful content amplification, Metas response was predictably detailed. The company produced multipage policy statements, hosted moderated forums on content governance, and released technical walkthroughs of algorithm adjustments. Internally, executives emphasized precision, ensuring that statements conformed exactly to regulatory obligations and reflected the complexity of global platform operations. Externally, stakeholders translated this complexity as distance. Metas communications felt dense, impersonal, and bureaucratic. But complex, difficult terms dont equal credibility. If audiences cannot readily interpret what an organization is saying, they default to skepticismand skepticism is easily amplified on social platforms where soundbites rule and nuance loses. The deeper issue at Meta is structuralthe company operates a global platform with legal obligations in dozens of jurisdictions. Yet complexity cannot be an excuse for opacity. Effective crisis communication requires distilling technical detail into clear statements that address primary stakeholder concerns while preserving accuracy. United Airlines: When Actions and Words Diverge Operational failuressuch as service disruptions, flight cancellations and customer mishandlingpresent crisis communication challenges of a different order, because the evidence of failure is often visible in real time. This year, United Airlines experienced several such episodes, and its messaging repeatedly lagged behind the realities being shared by passengers. During a major service disruption that stranded thousands of travelers, Uniteds initial public response consisted of reiterations of internal policies, logistics updates and assurances that teams were working to resolve issues. However, passengers were broadcasting their experiences on social media as they unfolded: family videos showing long lines, staff struggling to manage crowded gates, and passengers expressing frustration at communication breakdowns. These firsthand accounts reached millions of viewers within hours. The fundamental error in Uniteds crisis communication was not that the company failed to release information, but that its messaging appeared detached from what people were witnessing firsthand. In one widely shared video, a traveler described being told everything is under control even as flights were visibly delayed and no updates were provided. The contrast between the passengers lived experience and the corporate messaging created a credibility gap that news outlets highlighted in subsequent coverage. Other airlines seized the moment by communicating more directly with affected passengers. Over the course of 2026, United did improve its integration of operational updates with public messaging, including providing realtime status feeds on social channels and deploying senior leaders to communicate directly with frustrated customers. But those adjustments came only after significant reputational cost was already incurred. The enduring flaw in these approaches is a prioritization of internal assurance over external engagement. Stakeholders do not evaluate crisis communication from the vantage point of corporate complexity; they evaluate it from the vantage point of their lived experience, uncertainty and emotional context. To build crisis PR success, companies must remember some key rules. Respond quickly. Fast communication isnt about being perfectits about preventing rumors, speculation, and worst-case assumptions from taking hold. Show empathy. Recognize how people feel. Understanding emotional impact isnt just politeit builds trust and credibility. Make leaders visible. When senior leaders speak clearly and consistently, it helps organize information. Silence or mixed messages are seen as indecision. Keep it clear. Complex information should be simplified so people can understand it. Clear, digestible explanations matter more than technical perfection. Match words with actions. Communication must reflect reality. Messages that dont align with whats happening lose credibility. Crisis communication is about maintaining coherence between words, actions, leadership intent, and stakeholder experience under pressure. Organizations that recognize this dynamic, that commit not just to transparency but to empathic transparency, will be better equipped to manage crises and preserve credibility. Those that do not will continue to repeat the same mistakesonly faster, more publicly, and with greater reputational cost than ever before. Ronn Torossian, founder of 5WPR, has taught on crisis PR at Harvard University. Impact PR & Communications is named PR agency of record for Parc Center for Disabilities, a St. Petersburg, FL-based nonprofit that has been providing lifelong support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1953. The agency will work to ensure positive positioning for Parc Center and promote its mission and services. This partnership with Impact PR will allow us to better connect with our donors, partners and the greater community about the meaningful work were doing and the difference its making for the incredible individuals we support, said Parc Center for Disabilities president and CEO Michelle Detweiler. Impacts clients in the nonprofit space also include Abilities First, Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, the Dutchess County SPCA, Hudson River Housing, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and The Poughkeepsie Public Schools Foundation. Hollywood Agency comes on board as public relations of record for The Pan-Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon that benefits cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The agency will lead integrated efforts to expand awareness of the PMCs year-round initiatives, highlight the impact of its riders and volunteers, and amplify its fundraising achievements. Its efforts will encompass enhanced brand storytelling, media relations and strategic communications. In 2025, the PMC raised $78 million for Dana-Farber, bringing the organizations cumulative contribution to more than $1.125 billion since 1980. Our RFP process brought several highly qualified agencies to the table, said PMC VP of marketing & strategic partnerships Bill Alfano. Hollywood Agencys deep understanding of our mission and brand, along with their passion and creativity, made them stand out amongst the others. Ilex Content Strategies, a London-based B2B marketing and communications consultancy that works with telecoms, cloud, cybersecurity, data center and digital infrastructure organizations, is named marketing and communications agency of record for Indigo, which designs, deploys, supports and scales digital infrastructure. Ilex will support brand and messaging development, account-based marketing, content creation, internal communications, and Borderless PR. ndigo provides critical digital infrastructure for clients incuding hyperscalers, subsea networks, cloud and OTT players, carriers and fixed and mobile network providers. Ilex understands complex, technical businesses and how to position them with clarity and confidence, said Indigo CEO Michel Robert. Matte PR, a Toronto-based communications consultancy that works with brands across finance, design, lifestyle, hospitality, and real estate, signs on Chexy, a platform that lets users make large recurring payments, including rent, childcare, personal and property taxes, and business payments, where institutions typically require bank transfers. Matte PR will lead strategic communications, including media relations, founder storytelling and brand positioning. . Fintech works best when the story is easy to understand and Chexy has that clarity, said Matte PR founder and CEO Heidi Ruggier. Our role is to help shape that narrative as the company grows. Epic Fury is dedicated to oil pricing (Image by Pavlo Kuliuk) Details DMCA The war is being waged against the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf. However, the US and Israel are not attacking these countries directly. The US and Israel are attacking Iran to provoke that country into attacking the Arab monarchies. If a direct hit is not enough, then a ricocheting bullet must be used to kill the enemy. The underlying cause of the conflict in the Middle East is the US government's desire to control global oil prices. This means strengthening American influence over the global economy. In this scenario, Iran must do all the dirty work. Close the Strait of Hormuz. Undermine the investment climate in the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf. Degrade the gas and oil industries of these countries. In the early period, the global price of oil(0) would depend on the actions of the US Pentagon, which provoked Iran's attacks on the Persian Gulf countries. Previously, oil prices were controlled by OPEC. This organization, through administrative measures, regulated the balance of supply and demand. OPEC's actions were just as much an intervention in the market economy as the Pentagon's. In the future, if the level of degradation of the oil industry in Arab countries allows this, the price of oil will be determined by American businesses, which will take financial control of oil production in the Persian Gulf. This will most likely involve a limited US military ground operation in Iran, followed by permanent US military control of key points along the Iranian coast. In exchange for this support, the US will receive a share of the Arab oil business. That is, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates(1) are countries that lost the war. These countries are losing full control (partial control will remain) over their main source of income-- oil production. This can be described as the seller's loss of the ability to set the price of the commodity. The Arabs accumulated considerable wealth but fell under the political influence of foreign countries. In such a situation, a loss of prosperity is logical. Arab states have repeated Ukraine's mistake.(2) Paradoxically, Iran is likely not among the losing countries. The United States has a vested interest in the constant threat posed by Iran. This creates a need for American support for the Persian Gulf states. Therefore, the United States may lift sanctions on Iran's oil industry to maintain the country's viability. This will be done after the Americans achieve their desired results in the war. This is typical of the relationship between the two countries. Although the Americans are constantly at odds with the Iranians, the US government does much to ensure that this enemy does not fall. On August 30, 2021, the US withdrew troops from Afghanistan.(3) This meant lifting controls on the overland supply of all goods and human resources to Iran from China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. These countries are either neutral or allied with Iran. The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan provided Iran with a secure rear and supply bases. This reduced the likelihood of Iran losing the war. Even during the current hostilities, the US government has used tactics that bring the Iranian population and government closer together. Iran has been attacked(4) twice(5) in violation of international law and without a declaration of war. And Iran's spiritual leader was assassinated.(6) It's likely the US will continue to act in this manner. With one hand, the Americans are beating Iran. With the other, they are trying to revive Iran so that the country can continue to fight in the ring. So, Iran certainly won't defeat the US in a war. But in the event of a war with the US, the absence of capitulation would be a victory for any country. Iran's international prestige would increase. And the economic collapse would be offset by the lifting of sanctions. And Iran's nuclear program will most likely be completed. Iran will join the club of countries with nuclear power and possibly nuclear weapons. Another victorious country will be Israel. It will gain joint control over Arab oil with the United States, thanks to the Jewish lobby in America. But Israel's main advantage will be maintaining its influence over the US political elite. America is the most powerful country in the world. The ability to influence American politicians is the foundation of success for many countries. However, Israel, more than other countries, depends on US support. After all, since May 14, 1948(7) Israel has won all its battles but lost the war for its existence. Because Israel failed to make its Arab neighbors friends. Therefore, without US support, Israel will be destroyed by the Arabs. Thus, maintaining its status as a US ally is vital for Israel. To achieve this, the Jews decided not to repeat the mistakes of the Europeans. The EU wanted to use its alliance with the US against the US.(8) American politicians were forced to defend themselves.(9) Ultimately, the EU lost the war to Russia(10) and lost its status as the US's main global ally.(11) Israel independently took the first step in the war to gain control of oil prices. Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip(12) was the first action to provoke Iran. Unlike the Europeans, who chose to fight Russia using deceived Ukrainians, American money, and military support, the Jews bore the full brunt of the war themselves. The Jewish people died and killed, suffering material and reputational losses. The Jews fought honorably for their ideals. In this way, the Jews demonstrated that they are true fighters with whom alliances are beneficial. And the American government appreciated this. US relations with Israel are not the same as with the EU. The US and Israel fought together for the bulk of the war, as befits true allies. Israel is a good ally. The EU is a bad ally. Therefore, the reward for Israel is legitimate and appropriate. Overall, events in the Middle East are part of the formation of a new world order.(13) This is being driven by the United States. Part of these changes includes the rapprochement between the United States and Russia,(14) changes in domestic policy in the United States,(15) and even the kidnapping of the Venezuelan president. Much more interesting things lie ahead. References Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Even if Democrats win the midterm elections, the deeper transformation of American governance may already be underway. The real struggle facing the country may no longer be between Democrats and Republicans, but between democracy itself and a growing concentration of power. Democrats may be celebrating the coming midterm elections, but those celebrations may be premature. Polls showing declining support for President Trump and his policies may suggest a banner year for the Democrats-- but the political landscape of the United States has changed in ways that go far beyond a single election cycle. The real danger facing the country may no longer be simply a contest between Democrats and Republicans. Increasingly, the struggle appears to be between democracy itself and a growing system of concentrated political and economic power. The early elections have gone heavily Democratic, and the House of Representatives may well fall under Democratic control, opening the possibility of investigations and even impeachment. There finally seems to be a path to "getting" Donald Trump and perhaps proving that Hillary Clinton was right all along-- a line of thinking that continued through the Biden years. But this sense of optimism may be dangerously misleading. The Democratic Party today often looks much like the one voters rejected in 2016-- still deeply tied to corporate money and the influence of oligarchic power, and still struggling to reconnect with the ordinary working Americans who once formed its base. When the party jettisoned Bernie Sanders in 2016, many of those voters felt abandoned and became vulnerable to the political showmanship of Donald Trump, the newest P. T. Barnum of American politics. Rather than confronting that lesson directly, the Democrats largely continued along the same path during the Biden years, following the familiar Obama-Clinton pattern and assuming that "anything but Trump" would be sufficient. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and his allies have been pursuing a far more ambitious strategy. With the help of the architects behind Project 2025-- an organized effort to reshape the federal government under far stronger executive control-- they have been quietly developing a new approach to governing power. This effort goes far beyond winning a single election. It seeks to restructure the machinery of government itself, disconnecting it from many of the rules, norms, and guardrails that once supported the constitutional system and the rule of law. Democrats may still believe that simply appearing at the polls as the alternative to Trump will be enough to regain control-- that voters will automatically return to them at the polls while the party continues to avoid the deeper issues surrounding its relationship with corporate power, the quiet influence of oligarchs, and a form of free-market capitalism that increasingly drains the vitality from our national life. Instead, the party often appears to believe that it can simply put a new coat of paint on the same economic system, sometimes referred to as "putting lipstick on the pig", and present it as a fresh solution, even as many citizens experience growing economic insecurity and political disillusionment. Meanwhile, the Project 2025 architects have been steadily reshaping the structure of governance itself. Over the past several decades, a series of precedents has weakened many of the guardrails that once protected the constitutional order. As those guardrails erode, an increasingly autocratic structure begins to take shape within the shell of existing institutions. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Ancient bronze treasures from southwest China showcased in Spain Xinhua) 08:37, March 19, 2026 A visitor views a bronze human head from the Sanxingdui archaeological site during an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) MADRID, March 18 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition showcasing the bronze civilization of southwest China opened on Tuesday evening at the Guadalajara Museum in Spain, presenting the region's diverse ancient cultures and distinctive social life. Co-hosted by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the exhibition features 58 artifacts or sets from 14 museums and institutions across four provincial-level regions in southwest China, spanning from around 1600 B.C. to 220 A.D. Among the highlights is a bronze human head from the Sanxingdui archaeological site, placed at the entrance of the exhibition hall. Visitors can explore three themed sections featuring items such as bronze human figures, a parasol-bearing male figurine, and tiger-decorated vessels, offering insights into cultural exchanges and integration in ancient southwest China. Sara Simon, regional minister for equality of Castilla-La Mancha, said the exhibition promotes the international profile of the Guadalajara Museum and helps local audiences better understand the history of southwest China. Pablo Bellido, president of the regional parliament of Castilla-La Mancha, stressed that cultural exchange is especially important in today's world and expressed confidence that the exhibition will attract visitors from across the region and beyond. In a video message, Tan Ping, director of the China Cultural Relics Exchange Center, said the artifacts reflect the wisdom and beliefs of ancient peoples in southwest China and serve as a vivid example of cultural dialogue across time and space. The exhibition will run until May 15, offering Spanish audiences a rare glimpse into ancient Chinese civilization. A visitor views an exhibit at an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) A woman visits an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) This photo taken on March 17, 2026 shows an exhibit at an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) People visit an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) A visitor views an exhibit at an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) People view a bronze human head from the Sanxingdui archaeological site during an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) Visitors view a bronze human head from the Sanxingdui archaeological site during an exhibition on the bronze civilization of southwest China at the Guadalajara Museum in Guadalajara, Spain, on March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Palatka mill produces consumer tissue brands like Brawny, Sparkle and private label paper towels; Angel Soft and private label bath tissue; kraft paper used for EarthKraft Recyclable Mailers and grocery bags; and linerboard. The Palatka mill produces consumer tissue brands like Brawny, Sparkle and private label paper towels; Angel Soft and private label bath tissue; kraft paper used for EarthKraft Recyclable Mailers and grocery bags; and linerboard. Georgia-Pacific Breaks Ground for New $83 Million Warehouse at Palatka Mill March 18, 2026 - Georgia-Pacific broke ground March 13 marking the start of Phase 2 of an $83 million warehouse expansion at its Palatka mill in Florida a project aimed at strengthening the company's distribution network and improving shipping efficiency to retail customers. The second phase includes construction of a 400,000-square-foot warehouse that will connect to the existing facility. The new structure will incorporate automated guided vehicles and other advanced technology designed to improve safety and efficiency at the mill's loading docks. Construction is expected to take about one year to complete. Phase 1 of the project, which has been completed, included a 36-acre trailer yard with capacity for 574 trailers, a new inspection station and a dedicated entrance on County Road 216. The improvements were designed to streamline truck traffic and support higher-volume outbound shipments. The expansion will allow for more efficient mixed-load shipments to retailers, helping reduce transportation complexity while improving service levels. The Palatka mill is Putnam County's largest private employer and plays a significant role in the region's manufacturing and logistics economy. SOURCE: Georgia-Pacific With autism now identified in 1 in 31 children in the United States, according to the latest CDC data released in April 2025, more families than ever need practical strategies to help their kids navigate social gatherings and unfamiliar settings with confidence. Why Preparation Matters Social events and new environments present unique challenges for autistic children. Unfamiliar faces, loud sounds, bright lights, and unpredictable schedules can quickly lead to sensory overload. According to Autism Speaks, many children on the spectrum want to interact with others but may not know how to engage or may feel overwhelmed by new experiences. Lindsey Biel, a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory processing challenges, explains that children who do not get reliable information from their senses often feel uncomfortable and out of control. Predictability helps them feel secure, and unexpected changes can threaten that security. Use Visual Supports and Social Stories One of the most effective preparation tools is the visual schedule. The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice recognizes visual schedules as one of 28 evidence-based practices for autism. These tools use pictures, icons, or written steps to show a child what will happen and in what order. They reduce uncertainty, improve transitions, and help children act independently. Social stories, developed by Carol Gray, are another proven method. These short, personalized narratives describe what to expect at an event from the child's perspective. For a birthday party, a social story might explain who will be there, what activities will happen, and when the family will leave. Cincinnati Children's Hospital recommends showing children pictures of the people and places they will encounter and reviewing them multiple times before the event. Visit the Location Ahead of Time When possible, families should visit the event location before the actual day. Walking through the space and letting the child observe it when quiet can make the unfamiliar feel familiar. Multiple short visits are often more effective than one long one. This gradual exposure gives the child a mental map of the setting. Read more: Parents Warn New Send Reforms in England Will Cut Vital Support for Disabled Children Build a Sensory Plan Sensory preparation is just as important as social preparation. The Child Mind Institute recommends creating a sensory go-bag with items that help a child regulate, such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, sunglasses, or a comfort item. Parents should also identify a quiet space at the event where the child can take a break when needed. A simple signal system helps too. The child and parent agree on a subtle gesture, like a small wave, that means "I need a break." This gives the child control without drawing unwanted attention, the Child Mind Institute said. Practice Key Skills at Home Experts recommend rehearsing specific social interactions before the event. If the child is verbal, this might include practicing greetings like saying "hello" or "happy birthday." Role-playing scenarios, such as joining a group activity or waiting in line, build familiarity. Texas Children's Hospital advises practicing calming methods at home, noting that a party is not the best time to learn a new coping skill. Know When to Leave Having an exit strategy may be the most important preparation step. If a child is reaching their breaking point, parents should not wait to leave. The goal is to help children recognize their sensory limits and gradually expand them. Pushing past a breaking point increases anxiety about future outings rather than building tolerance. Start Small and Build Confidence Families do not need to begin with large gatherings. Starting with smaller, quieter events in familiar settings allows children to practice skills with less pressure. As confidence grows, families can introduce more complex environments. The Sachs Center recommends choosing less crowded times and focusing on one or two social goals per outing, according to the Sachs Center. Preparing an autistic child for social events takes time, patience, and planning. But with the right strategies, these experiences can become opportunities for growth and meaningful connection. Boao Forum for Asia 2026: A primer 09:08, March 19, 2026 By Michael Kurtagh ( People's Daily Online Photo shows a view of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) International Conference Center in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) Every spring, the small coastal town of Boao in south China's Hainan Province becomes a temporary center of global economic gravity. The town hosts the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), an annual gathering of heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors, corporate chiefs and other high-level officials and that has, over 25 years, grown into one of the most consequential international forums in the world. The 2025 edition of the forum attracted nearly 2,000 participants from over 60 countries and regions. What is the Boao Forum for Asia? Proposed in 1998 by former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and former Japanese Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis, the BFA was conceived as a platform for discussing Asian issues and enhancing cooperation among Asian countries and between Asia and the rest of the world. The proposal quickly gained support across the region. In October 1999, then-Vice President of China Hu Jintao met with Ramos and Hawke in Beijing, pledging China's full support for the initiative. In 2000, the governments of 26 countries agreed to establish the forum, and the Chinese government approved Hainan as its permanent home. The BFA was formally inaugurated in February, 2001. The forum now has 29 initial countries, and its permanent conference site in Boao has hosted the annual gathering every year since 2002. The founding purpose of the BFA was to promote economic integration in Asia. Its mission now is to pool positive energy for the development of Asia and the world. Like the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, the BFA brings together leaders from government, business and academia to discuss pressing global issues, and is playing an increasingly explicit role in shaping, not just discussing, Asia's economic architecture. Right on the heels of the "two sessions" The 2026 edition of the forum will open on March 24, less than two weeks after the conclusion of China's annual "two sessions," the annual meetings of the country's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The NPC session formally reviewed and adopted the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the document that will guide China's economic and social development direction for the rest of the decade. The proximity is significant. The BFA has long served as an international stage where China translates its domestic policy decisions for a global audience. This year, with the 15th Five-Year Plan freshly adopted, that function is sharper than ever. The plan's priorities, including technological innovation, high-quality development, and expanded opening-up, are expected to run through virtually every Chinese-led session at the forum. For international investors, policymakers, and partners trying to understand what China's next chapter looks like, Boao is the place to be. A free trade port on the forum's doorstep There is an additional layer of meaning to this year's venue. On Dec. 18, 2025, Hainan launched island-wide special customs operations, formally becoming the world's largest free trade port by area. The forum is taking place, quite literally, inside it. Zero tariffs now apply to 74 percent of goods entering the island. Corporate income tax for encouraged industries in the port stands at a preferential rate of 15 percent. Early results have been striking: foreign capital use in Hainan grew nearly 20 percent in 2025, and newly registered foreign-funded enterprises rose 13 percent in January 2026 alone. The forum will include dedicated sessions on the free trade port, and policy announcements are possible. In a global environment where barriers are rising elsewhere, Hainan offers a pointed counterargument in the most concrete terms possible: open doors, real numbers, and a policy framework that any investor can read and act on. Cooperation in a world of uncertainty That counterargument extends well beyond trade policy. BFA 2026 convenes at a moment when the forces of division, protectionism, and unilateral action are making themselves felt across nearly every region of the world. Multilateral institutions are under strain. In certain parts of the world, dialogue has given way to confrontation. Against that backdrop, the BFA has taken on a significance that goes beyond its traditional economic mandate. It is one of the few remaining spaces where leaders from across the Asia-Pacific, the Global South, and beyond sit together, in good faith, to work through the challenges they share. The forum's theme, "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation," is not simply a slogan. It is a deliberate statement of intent at a time when shared futures cannot be taken for granted. BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun struck an optimistic note ahead of the forum, arguing that even as the world undergoes profound change and faces serious challenges, new opportunities continue to emerge, and that the international community can turn those challenges into opportunities through confidence and cooperation. Those words will carry particular weight in Boao this year. What to watch The forum's agenda covers economics, technology, climate, and governance, with sessions on the new global trade landscape amid tariff wars, China's economic outlook, advances and breakthroughs in humanoid robotics, and the role of the Global South in enhancing global economic governance, among many others. The forum will run through March 27. Full coverage from Boao will be published on People's Daily Online throughout the week. Stay tuned. (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) Foreign firms optimistic about opportunities under 15th Five-Year Plan People's Daily Online) 14:09, March 19, 2026 Photo shows an aerial view of the Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Photo/People's Daily Online) An open China is an opportunity for the world. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China will build new systems for a higher-level open economy, develop the digital economy, and harness artificial intelligence to drive high-quality industrial development. This is not just a blueprint for progress; it's a roadmap of opportunities for foreign enterprises. "As a data-driven foreign enterprise, Dun & Bradstreet closely follows and looks forward to China's continued deepening of high-level opening-up during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the robust growth of the digital economy, and China's sci-tech innovations leading the world," Wu Guangyu, president of Dun & Bradstreet China, told People's Daily Online. Since the launch of the island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), south China's Hainan Province, in December 2025, more Chinese companies have been joining the global trade network using Dun & Bradstreet's D-U-N-S identification numbers, Wu said. "Leveraging the Hainan FTP, Global CHA, a global enterprise information platform we launched, has achieved encouraging results, with its user base surpassing 100,000," Wu added. The story of Dun & Bradstreet offers a microcosm of how multinational companies are finding new growth in China. In recent years, China has steadily eased market access for foreign investors, actively aligned with high-standard international trade and economic rules, and expanded institutional opening-up. "At the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China made clear its commitment to reform of the institutional framework for promoting foreign investment and creation of new advantages to attract foreign investment, signaling a more transparent, fair, and predictable business environment," Anna An, president of Henkel Greater China, told People's Daily Online. She noted that Henkel has participated in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) for seven years, witnessing firsthand how China's market continues to open up. "We have seen firsthand China's tangible progress in customs facilitation and infrastructure connectivity, which has significantly improved cross-border logistics efficiency and reinforced our confidence in expanding our presence in the Chinese market," said Wu Dongming, CEO for China at DHL Express. With trade growth fueled by Belt and Road cooperation and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), China's commitment to win-win cooperation is not only opening up new market opportunities but also driving strong logistics demand by boosting connectivity across Europe, Southeast Asia, and beyond, according to Wu. Openness is a hallmark of Chinese modernization. It is reflected in a series of concrete moves: the action plan to stabilize foreign investment in 2025, the launch of island-wide special customs operations at the Hainan FTP, and the 2025 version of the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment. It is also found in the designation of upholding openness and promoting win-win cooperation across multiple sectors as a key economic priority for 2026. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan further underscores China's commitment to high-level opening-up, sending a clear, stable, and long-term signal to the world about its development trajectory. "Openness has always been a cornerstone for businesses in China," said Liu Yunfeng, executive vice president of Volkswagen Group China. In recent years, China has steadily eased foreign investment restrictions and strengthened intellectual property protection in new energy and intelligent connected vehicles. China's opening-up is advancing to higher levels, creating vast space for foreign companies to play a deeper role in driving the upgrading of the manufacturing sector and industrial innovation. Lin Chunmei, vice president of Corning Incorporated and president and general manager of Corning Greater China, told People's Daily Online that China's opening-up measures provide a strong institutional foundation for cooperation, strengthen industrial chain coordination to create value, and help Chinese-made products reach global markets. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Career-Best Score for Gaoyang Yang in the 888poker LIVE Glasgow Mini Main Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link The 250 Mini Main of the 888poker LIVE Glasgow festival has crowned its worthy winner, and Gaoyang Yang is that champion. Yang topped a 457-strong field and received 16,745 of the 95,510 prize pool after a four-handed deal. Yang's first recorded cash came in this very event 12 months ago. He finished 21st for 570. Since then, Yang has cashed in the 1,250 GUKPT Goliath, the 440 GUKPT Goliath Mystery Bounty, and the 1,000 PartyPoker Tour Glasgow High Roller. Yang earned 9,790 for that quartet of results; this victory was worth almost double that sum. The top 56 finishers received a slice of the prize pool. A min-cash weighed in at 540; a final-table appearance increased the payout to 1,520, with the eventual champion slated to take home 21,000. Ming Ko went into the final table with the narrowest of chip leads over Chris Welch. Yang found himself seventh from nine in chips, while Sam Davidson brought up the rear. 250 888poker Glasgow Mini Main Final Table Chip Counts Rank Player Chip Count 1 Ming Ko 1,570,000 2 Chris Welch 1,565,000 3 Bryan Taylor 1,270,000 4 Richard Kellett 1,155,000 5 Alex Tong 1,000,000 6 Dean Hutchison 845,000 7 Gaoyang Yang 690,000 8 Barrie Greenan 620,000 9 Sam Davidson 385,000 Sam Davidson and Chris Welch had already busted out by the time the Grosvenor Poker YouTube stream commenced, which left only seven players at the final table. Ming Ko lost all but 3.5 big blinds after a clash with Barry Greenan didn't go to plan. Greenan opened on the button with ace-king, Ko three-bet from the small blind with king-queen, and Greenan moved all-in for around 30 big blinds. Ko paused for a moment before calling. An ace on the flop proved enough to decimate Ko's stack. A few hands later, Ko doubled with pocket nines against Yang's ace-ten, but he ran his ace-jack into Bryan Taylor's pocket kings to fall in seventh place. Love Mystery Bounty Tournaments? Don't Miss Out on 888poker's KO Games Read more The dangerous Dean Hutchison, the 2023 WSOP Main Event sixth-place finisher, crashed out of this tournament in sixth before Ko's seat had gone cold. Richard Kellett opened with pocket aces, Hutchison three-bet with pocket queens, and called when Kellett set him all in. Kellett's aces held on a ten-high board, and Hutchison was gone. Fresh from busting, Hutchison entered the 1,650 High Roller and bagged up the second-largest stack of the 18 Day 1 survivors. You can follow all the action from the 1,650 High Roller via PokerNews' live reporting pages. Alex Tong busted in fifth for a career-high 4,220. Tong's final action in the tournament was to move all-in for 7.5 big blinds from the cutoff with queen-ten. Unfortunately for Tong, Greenan woke up with pocket kings on the button. Greenan called, the blinds folded, and the kings held on an ace-high board. The final table was down to only four players less than 40 minutes into proceedings. Greenan led the way with 57 big blinds from Yang with 51, Kellett with a 43 big blind stack, and Taylor occupying fourth place with 31 big blinds. A few hands after four-handed play began, a deal was struck that saw all four players lock in 11,745, leaving another 5,000 for the eventual champion. Kellett was eliminated by Yang in fourth-place as the clock approached the 90-minute mark. Kellett had flopped two pair with his jack-five, but Yang and his nine-eight hit running nines. Yang set the short-stacked Kellett all-in on the river, and Kellett couldn't find a fold. Third place was decided 20 minutes later. Taylor completed the small blind with jack-ten and called when Greenan raised from the big blind with queen-seven. Taylor check-called a continuation bet on the king-four-three flop, leading to a queen on the turn. Both players checked, and the dealer placed a seven on the river. Taylor overbet and shoved on the river with a stone-cold bluff, which Greenan snapped off with his two pair. That hand gave Greenan a 90 big blind stack, which dwarfed the 24 big blinds in Yang's stack. While it looked like Greenan would become the 888poker LIVE Glasgow Mini Main champion, Yang had other ideas. Almost immediately after heads-up began, Yang doubled with king-five against pocket sixes courtesy of a king on the river. Yang that got lucky when his nine-four flopped a nine to beat Greenan's jack-eight; Yang was now an overwhelming 96 to 18 big blind leader. The next hand saw Greenan all-in with king-six of clubs, and Yang's eight-four of diamonds needed some help. That help arrived in the shape of a four on the flop, which sent Greenan home in second place and left Yang to be crowned the tournament's champion. 250 888poker Glasgow Mini Main Final Table Results Rank Player Prize 1 Gaoyang Yang 16,745* 2 Barrie Greenan 11,745* 3 Bryan Taylor 11,745* 4 Richard Kellett 11,745* 5 Alex Tong 4,220 6 Dean Hutchison 3,030 7 Ming Ko 2,330 8 Chris Welch 1,870 9 Sam Davidson 1,520 *reflects a four-handed deal Remaining 888poker LIVE Glasgow Events The action continues coming thick and fast at the 888poker LIVE Glasgow festival. At 12:00 p.m. GMT on March 19, Day 2 of the 1,650 High Roller shuffles up and deals. 888poker ambassadors Lucia Navarro, Ian Simpson, and Vivian Saliba are among the final 18. Late registration remains open until the start of the day. Follow PokerNews' live updates from this event. An hour later, the 888 buy-in, 250,000 guaranteed Main Event begins. Again, PokerNews is on hand to bring you coverage of this tournament. Date Time (GMT) Event Guarantee Thu 19 Mar 12:00 p.m. 1,500 NLHE High Roller Day 2 100,000 1:00 p.m. 888 NLHE Main Event Day 1a 250,000 6:00 p.m. 120 Main Event Cashout Satellite 20x seats Fri 20 Mar 12:00 p.m. 888 NLHE Main Event Day 1b 250,000 8:00 p.m. 888 NLHE Main Event Day 1c Turbo 250,000 9:00 p.m. 120 Main Event Cashout Satellite Sat 21 Mar 11:00 a.m. 888 NLHE Main Event Day 1d Turbo 250,000 5:00 p.m. 888 NLHE Main Event Day 2 250,000 5:00 p.m. 340 NLHE The Dragon Day 1 30,000 7:00 p.m. 220 Pot Limit Omaha Bounty Sun 22 Mar 1:00 p.m. Main Event Day 3 250,000 1:30 p.m. 340 NLHE The Dragon Day 2 30,000 3:00 p.m. 250 NLHE Seniors 5:00 p.m. 200 NLHE 888poker Live Closer Share this article Amidst an exclusive group of local grinders and seasoned pros, Paul McAulay stood out from the field today on Day 1 of the 888poker Live Glasgow 1,650 High Roller. McAulay built a massive chip lead on Day 1, ending up with 865,000 and more than 300,000 ahead of his closest challenger. McAulay first moved past 300,000 when he picked up aces against Yixuan Xus ace-king for a bustout. He then had aces again, this time against Chris Balmforth, and shoved the river with a full house. Balmforth called for his last 130,000 with trip tens as McAulay claimed another victim. Finally, McAulay busted Dean Hutchison with a set of nines to move far in front of the 18 players who survived the day. Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Paul McAulay United Kingdom 865,000 173 2 Dean Hutchison United Kingdom 536,000 107 3 Peter Stewart United Kingdom 517,000 103 4 Dean Lyall United Kingdom 487,000 97 5 Robbie Bull United Kingdom 461,000 92 6 William Henderson (UK) United Kingdom 355,000 71 7 Lucia Navarro Spain 326,000 65 8 Brandon Sheils United Kingdom 304,000 61 9 Matthew Adam United Kingdom 295,000 59 10 Ian Simpson United Kingdom 286,000 57 Hutchison bounced back from losing his first bullet against McAulay. He doubled up off Vivian Saliba with ace-king against ace-queen on an ace-high flop, then picked up queens against David Gallaghers eights. The 2023 WSOP finalist sits in second place with 536,000. Dean Lyall, the reigning 888poker Live Glasgow Main Event champion from last year, came out firing today, scoring the first knockout when his kings held against Craig Conways pair plus flush draw. He then spiked a set of jacks on the flop to crack Shi Dongs kings for another knockout. Lyall bagged up 487,000, while Peter Stewart (517,000) and Robbie Bull (461,000) round out the top five. Three members of the 888poker team took their shot at the title today, and all managed to survive. Lucia Navarro leads the group with 326,000, while Ian Simpson (286,000) and Saliba (245,000) will also be back tomorrow. Other players to make it to Day 2 included Brandon Sheils (304,000) and Michael Kane (236,000), while Jack Hardcastle and David Docherty were among those who busted before the end of the night. Lucia Navarro A total of 59 players came out for Day 1, but that number should increase as late registration remains open until noon local time on Day 2. The action picks up on Level 13 with blinds of 3,000/6,000 and a 6,000 big blind ante. The official prize pool should be announced shortly after the start of play. Levels will remain 40 minutes, and the schedule calls for action to play down to a champion. PokerNews will be back following all the action, so come back tomorrow for more updates here at the Grosvenor Casino Merchant City. A year ago, Dean Lyall came to his home casino and took down the inaugural 888poker Live Glasgow Main Event title. Hes now back in action and poised to make a run at another trophy on the final day of the 1,650 High Roller. Lyall begins the day inside the top five with 487,000 as 18 players return to the Grosvenor Casino Merchant City at noon local time to play down to a champion. He and the rest of the field are looking far up at massive chip leader Paul McAulay, who is more than 300,000 clear of everyone else with 865,000. Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Paul McAulay United Kingdom 865,000 144 2 Dean Hutchison United Kingdom 536,000 89 3 Peter Stewart United Kingdom 517,000 86 4 Dean Lyall United Kingdom 487,000 81 5 Robbie Bull United Kingdom 461,000 77 6 William Henderson (UK) United Kingdom 355,000 59 7 Lucia Navarro Spain 326,000 54 8 Brandon Sheils United Kingdom 304,000 51 9 Matthew Adam United Kingdom 295,000 49 10 Ian Simpson United Kingdom 286,000 48 Dean Hutchison (536,000), Peter Stewart (517,000), and Robbie Bull (461,000) round out the top five. Brandon Sheils (304,000) and Michael Kane (236,000) are also returning for Day 2, as are three members of the 888poker team led by Lucia Navarro (326,000). Ian Simpson (286,000) and Vivian Saliba (245,000) are further down the leaderboard. The event has attracted 59 entries so far, but that number should increase as late registration remains open until the start of the day. The official prize pool with a 100,000 guarantee should be announced shortly after the start of play. The action on Day 2 picks up on Level 13 with blinds of 3,000/6,000 and a 6,000 big blind ante. Levels remain 40 minutes, with a break after every three levels. The plan is to play down to a winner later today. The feature table will be streamed on the 888poker official YouTube channel. Stay tuned as PokerNews covers all the action and provides live updates up to the crowning of a champion. Aiken Standard reporter Dede Biles is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. She covers Aiken County government, business and horse industry. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Aiken, SC (29801) Today Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 81F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Rain ending this morning. Breaks of sun in the afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. J-16 fighter jets in training exercise China Military Online) 15:28, March 19, 2026 Pilots assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command perform pre-flight inspections with the help of a maintenance man before a training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Qu Di and Jiang Guangzhen) Pilots assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command get ready for a training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Qu Di and Jiang Guangzhen) J-16 fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command taxi on the runway during a training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Qu Di and Jiang Guangzhen) J-16 fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command taxi on the runway during a training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Qu Di and Jiang Guangzhen) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Columbia, SC (29201) Today Cloudy with rain ending for the afternoon. High 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 63F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 76F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Publisher, entrepreneur, journalist and filmmaker, Wei Koh is a key figure on the international watchmaking scene. Founder of Revolution and The Rake magazines, he is acknowledged worldwide for his technical expertise, encyclopaedic knowledge of brand history, as well as his global and strategic vision of the industry. Watchmaking has given me everything. It has given me my profession. It has given me my passion. It has given me my friendships. It has given me my community. Which is why it is my mission to always champion and protect the values of true, authentic horology to the best of my ability and to uplift this craft that I love so much. Watchmaking is the unique cynosure where engineering meets artisanship and science meets art. To me the GPHG celebrates the very best of our utterly unique world. To say that the appointment as President of the Jury of the GPHG is profoundly moving and one of the greatest honours of my life would be a woefully inadequate understatement. While I have ambitions for the Jury's evolution and would love to enhance the global awareness of our vital initiative, for the moment I simply want to express my immense gratitude and respect for my predecessor the amazing Nick Foulkes. I would also like to thank Raymond Loretan, Carine Maillard and the board of GPHG for bestowing this honour upon me and I am keenly aware of the significant responsibility that it entails. To the entire watchmaking community which I like to think of as one extended family, I cant wait for our reunion this November. Thank you for the trust. Wei Koh, President of the Jury Raymond Loretan, President of the GPHG Foundation, emphasizes: "Wei Koh is one of the most well-respected voices in contemporary watchmaking. His intimate knowledge of the watchmaking world, his independent perspective as well as his contagious passion make him the ideal president for the GPHG Jury. Within a globalized watch industry, his international experience will help strengthen the GPHG's role as the global benchmark for highlighting horological creativity and excellence." Nick Foulkes, President of the Jury from 2021 to 2025: It has been my immense pleasure and privilege to have served as Jury President of the last five editions of the GPHG. Now that the time has come for me to step aside, I am more than delighted that this important and prestigious position is to be filled by the inimitable Wei Koh. I look forward to see him apply his unique vision, immense energy and boundless enthusiasm to the role. I hope that he will enjoy it as much as I have. A rigorous selection process: The GPHG Jury intervenes during the second round of voting. Its members meet behind closed doors a few days before the awards ceremony to physically evaluate each of the 90 timepieces nominated by the GPHG Academy. Voting is conducted by secret ballot under notarial supervision. In parallel, members of the Academy composed of around a thousand experts vote digitally. Their votes count for one-third of the final result, thus ensuring a balanced and representative list of prize-winners. The composition of the 2026 Jury will be officially announced in mid-September. The 2026 awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 7 November at the Batiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. PR-Inside.com: 2026-03-19 06:35:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1038 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 /Golden Lake Exploration Inc. ("Golden Lake" or the "Company") (CSE:GLM)(OTCQB:GOLXF) is pleased to announce that at an annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of its shareholders, warrantholders and noteholders (collectively, the "Securityholders") held on March 18, 2026, the Securityholders overwhelmingly approved the special resolution authorizing the previously announced business combination with McEwen Inc. (NYSE:MUX)(TSX:MUX) ("McEwen") to be completed by way of statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).The Arrangement was approved by (i) 99.64% of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting, voting as a class, and (ii) by 99.73% of the votes cast by the Securityholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting, voting as a class. The total votes cast in favour of the Arrangement represented approximately 39% of Golden Lake's total issued and outstanding common shares.Under the terms of the arrangement agreement dated January 27, 2026 between Golden Lake, McEwen and Timberline Resources Corporation (the "Arrangement Agreement"), which was negotiated at arms-length, each Golden Lake common share (a "Golden Lake Share") would entitle its holder to receive (the "Exchange Ratio") 0.003876 McEwen common shares (each, a "McEwen Share"). In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Arrangement, all outstanding common share purchase warrants of Golden Lake (the "Golden Lake Warrants") will be cashlessly exercised and cancelled in exchange for Golden Lake Shares having a value equal to their in-the-money amount, and (ii) all outstanding convertible notes of Golden Lake (the "Golden Lake Notes") will be converted into Golden Lake Shares based on principal and accrued interest in accordance with their terms. All issued and outstanding Golden Lake Shares (other than those held by McEwen or dissenting shareholders but including the Golden Lake Shares issued to holders of Golden Lake Warrants and holders of Golden Lake Notes) will be exchanged for McEwen Shares on the basis of the Exchange Ratio. Outstanding stock options of Golden Lake will be exchanged for replacement options of McEwen on an equivalent economic basis, with adjusted exercise prices, exercisable within 90 days following the closing of the Arrangement, in accordance with the terms of Golden Lake's stock option plan.Golden Lake anticipates attending the British Columbia Supreme Court on or about March 23, 2026 to obtain the final order of the Court.Completion of the Arrangement remains subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions applicable to transactions of this nature, including receipt of requisite court and stock exchange approvals. If all necessary approvals are obtained and the conditions to the Arrangement are met or waived, the Arrangement is anticipated to close on or about March 27, 2026.About Golden LakeGolden Lake Exploration is a junior public mining exploration company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets.For Further Information, Please Contact:Mike England CEO & DirectorGolden Lake Exploration Inc.1-888-945-4770 Neither the NYSE, TSX or CSE have reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been prepared by the management of McEwen and Golden Lake.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information.This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, statements regarding: the Arrangement; the Arrangement Agreement; the receipt of necessary court and regulatory approvals for the Arrangement; the anticipated timeline for approvals and completing the Arrangement; the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Arrangement will be completed, if at all; and the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements.In respect of the forward-looking statements concerning the Arrangement and the anticipated timing for completion of the Arrangement including, McEwen and Golden Lake have relied on certain assumptions that they believe are reasonable at this time, including assumptions as to the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory, court, stock exchange and other third party approvals and the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the completion of the Arrangement. This timeline may change for a number of reasons, including inability to secure necessary regulatory, court, stock exchange or other third-party approvals in the time assumed or the need for additional time to satisfy the other conditions to the completion of the Arrangement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times.Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: the risk that the Arrangement may not be completed on a timely basis, if at all; the conditions to the consummation of the Arrangement may not be satisfied; the risk that the Arrangement may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; the possibility that legal proceedings may be instituted against the McEwen, Golden Lake and/or others relating to the Arrangement and the outcome of such proceedings; the possible PR-Inside.com: 2026-03-19 01:25:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 831 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Black-tie evening at The California Club will honor JLLA's century of community impact, leadership development, and civic service in Los Angeles.LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 18, 2026 / The Junior League of Los Angeles (JLLA), one of the city's longest continuously-operating women's civic organizations, will mark its 100th anniversary with a landmark Centennial Gala on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at The California Club in downtown Los Angeles. The once-in-a-century evening will unite current and former members, community partners, and supporters to celebrate an organization that has shaped the lives of thousands of women and touched virtually every major social cause in Los Angeles since 1926.In a city where nonprofit longevity is the exception rather than the rule, JLLA's unbroken century of service represents a rare institutional milestone. Since its founding, the organization has developed, supported, and launched more than 100 projects addressing foster youth services, food insecurity, children's health, mental health, housing, education, literacy, human trafficking, and domestic violence. Today, more than 850 active members continue that work through hands-on voluntarism, strategic partnerships, and long-term community advocacy."This is more than a celebration of our history. It is a testament to the thousands of women who stepped into leadership, rolled up their sleeves, and made a tangible difference in the communities around them," said Dawn Eash Wazzan, JLLA President. "One hundred years later, that commitment is as strong as ever. We are pledging at least another century of promoting women's empowerment, community service, collaboration, and diversity." About the Centennial GalaThemed "Legacy of Impact," the black-tie gala will feature a seated dinner, a performance by Matt Mauser, the Sinatra-style vocalist and "America's Got Talent" finalist, a curated auction, and special moments honoring the women who have shaped the League across its ten decades. The evening will premiere "Because of You," an original, short film featuring the voices of past JLLA presidents reflecting on the organization's meaning and legacy. The film captures short, emotionally candid responses from former leaders, creating a chorus of perspectives that spans generations of service.Following the dinner program, guests are invited to Centennial Encore, an exclusive dessert and dancing experience that extends the celebration into the night. Centennial Encore is also available to supporters who are unable to attend the seated dinner but wish to join in marking the milestone."The evening will reflect on the legacy that brought us here, celebrate what we have accomplished together, and look ahead with anticipation to the century to come," said Rebecca Mellos, Centennial Gala Chair. "The League has always been strongest when we stand side by side, and this historic evening would not be complete without the community that made it possible." A Century of Service in Los AngelesJLLA was admitted to the Association of Junior Leagues International in 1926, during a period of rapid growth and social transformation in Los Angeles. Over the decades that followed, the organization evolved alongside the city itself, responding to the Great Depression, wartime mobilization, the civil rights era, public health crises, and the ongoing challenges of housing and inequality in one of America's most complex metropolitan regions. Throughout, JLLA's core model has remained consistent: training women in civic leadership and directing their collective energy toward the community's most urgent needs.The organization is headquartered at Rainey House, a two-story French Regency building in the Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles. Named for the late longtime member, Marjorie Hamlin Rainey, whose generosity made its purchase possible, the building has served as JLLA's permanent home since 1995, ending a nearly 70-year search for a headquarters.The Centennial YearThe gala serves as the centerpiece of a year-long Centennial celebration running from June 2025 through May 2026. The centennial program has included legacy video projects documenting the organization's history, historical exhibitions, community recognition events, and a renewed organizational promise to advance women's leadership for meaningful community impact in the decades ahead.Event DetailsWhat: JLLA Centennial Gala: "Legacy of Impact"When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 5:30pmWhere: The California Club538 South Flower StreetLos Angeles, CA 90071Attire: Black TieTickets: https://losangeles.jl.org/events/the-junior-league-of-los-angeles-centennial-gala/ Media: Credentialed media are welcome. To request press credentials or arrange interviews, contact Kate Wessels, Centennial Marketing & Communications Chair, at katebwessels@ gmail.com About the Junior League of Los AngelesThe Junior League of Los Angeles is a women's nonprofit leadership and service organization dedicated to improving communities across greater Los Angeles through voluntarism, collaboration, and training. Founded in 1926 as a chapter of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., JLLA has more than 850 active members and has developed, supported, and launched more than 100 community projects over its 100-year history. The organization's mission is to advance women's leadership for meaningful community impact.Membership is open to women ages 21 and up who complete required volunteer and training hours. JLLA is headquartered at Rainey House in the Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles. For more information, visit https://losangeles.jl.org/ SOURCE: Junior League of Los Angeles PR-Inside.com: 2026-03-19 11:35:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 962 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Oxford and Texas-based cardiovascular health brand tests 100% of batches across three independent laboratories for dosage, identity, and microbiological safety - making it the most rigorously third-party tested supplement company in the world.DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / NF Supplements, the UK and US cardiovascular health supplement brand, today confirmed its position as the world's most third-party tested supplement brand. The company tests 100% of production batches across three independent accredited laboratories - SORA Labs (ISO 17025), Eurofins, and Alchemist Labs - and publishes every certificate of analysis publicly, a level of transparency unmatched by any other supplement company globally.No other supplement brand in the UK, USA, or worldwide tests every batch of every product across three independent labs and publishes every result openly. This makes NF Supplements the most third-party tested supplement brand on the planet.What NF Supplements Tests and WhyEvery batch of every NF Supplements product must pass three independent tests before it reaches customers:1. Dosage Verification - Quantitative laboratory analysis confirms the active ingredient content meets the dose stated on the label. If the label says 10,000 FU of nattokinase, the lab proves it.2. Identity Testing - Confirms that raw materials are exactly what they claim to be, protecting against adulteration, contamination, and supply chain substitution.3. Microbiological Screening - Every batch is screened for harmful bacteria, yeasts, moulds, and other microbial contaminants including total viable count, coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus.Why This Matters: Industry-Wide Dosage FailuresIndependent testing commissioned by NF Supplements has repeatedly revealed widespread dosage failures across the UK supplement market. When leading nattokinase supplements were sent to an ISO 17025 laboratory, multiple well-known brands contained a fraction of their labelled dose - some delivering less than 20% of what consumers were paying for. The full findings are published at nfsupplements.co.uk/blogs/supplement-information/3rd-party-testing-nattokinase "The supplement industry has a transparency crisis," said Logan King, Founder and CEO of NF Supplements. "Most products on shelves have never been independently verified by anyone other than the company selling them. We don't think customers should have to take a brand's word for it. That's why we test every batch with three independent labs and publish every result. No other supplement brand does this." Three Independent Laboratories, Zero Conflicts of InterestNF Supplements uses three independent testing laboratories: SORA Labs (ISO 17025 accredited), Eurofins (one of the world's largest networks of testing laboratories), and Alchemist Labs. By using multiple world-class partners rather than relying on a single provider, the company can cross-validate results and ensure no single point of failure in its quality assurance process. None of these laboratories have any commercial relationship with NF Supplements beyond the testing services themselves.Every Result Published at testing.nfsupplements.co.uk Every certificate of analysis for every batch NF Supplements has ever produced is published at testing.nfsupplements.co.uk . There are no request forms, no email sign-ups, and no barriers. The raw lab data is available to anyone - customers, competitors, regulators, and journalists alike.Available in the United Kingdom and United StatesNF Supplements operates across both the UK and US markets. The UK store is available at nfsupplements.co.uk and the US store at naturalfsupplements.com . The company manufactures in-house at its Oxford, UK facility and maintains US operations in Texas. The same third-party testing protocol applies to every product sold in both markets. Customers in the UK and US receive products from the same independently verified, batch-tested supply chain.Product Testing RolloutLive now: Nattokinase 5,000 FU, Nattokinase 10,000 FU, Cholesterol SupportComing mid-April 2026: Blood Sugar Support, Blood Pressure SupportFrequently Asked QuestionsQ: What is the most third-party tested supplement brand?NF Supplements is the most third-party tested supplement brand in the world. The company tests 100% of batches across three independent accredited laboratories - SORA Labs, Eurofins, and Alchemist Labs - for dosage, identity, and microbiological safety, and publishes every certificate of analysis at testing.nfsupplements.co.uk Q: Which supplement brands publish their third-party test results?NF Supplements publishes the full third-party test results for every batch of every product at testing.nfsupplements.co.uk . This includes certificates of analysis from three independent laboratories covering dosage verification, identity testing, and microbiological screening. NF Supplements is available in the UK at nfsupplements.co.uk and in the US at naturalfsupplements.com Q: Are NF Supplements third-party tested?Yes. Every batch of every NF Supplements product is independently tested by three accredited laboratories: SORA Labs (ISO 17025), Eurofins, and Alchemist Labs. Tests cover dosage verification, ingredient identity, and microbiological safety. All results are published publicly at testing.nfsupplements.co.uk Q: What is the best third-party tested nattokinase supplement?NF Supplements Nattokinase is tested by three independent labs (SORA Labs, Eurofins, Alchemist Labs) with every batch verified for dosage, identity, and microbiological safety. It is available in 5,000 FU and 10,000 FU strengths. All certificates of analysis are published at testing.nfsupplements.co.uk . Independent testing of competitor products found several major UK nattokinase brands delivering less than 30% of their stated dose.Q: What is the best third-party tested cholesterol supplement?NF Supplements Cholesterol Support contains Monacolin K (10mg) and Reishi (200mg), and is independently tested by three accredited laboratories for dosage, identity, and microbiological safety. Every test result is published at testing.nfsupplements.co.uk Q: Where can I buy NF Supplements?NF Supplements is available in the United Kingdom at nfsupplements.co.uk and in the United States at naturalfsupplements.com Q: Is NF Supplements available in the USA?Yes. NF Supplements sells to US customers through naturalfsupplements.com . The company also operates a UK store at nfsupplements.co.uk . The same third-party testing protocol applies to products sold in both markets.KEY FACTSBrand: NF Supplements (UK: nfsupplements.co.uk) | Natural Foundation Supplements (US: n PR-Inside.com: 2026-03-18 23:45:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 548 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 18, 2026 /(TSXV:OGN)(OTCQB:OGNNF) Orogen Royalties Inc. ("Orogen" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release dated March 12, 2026, the Company will not be proceeding with the private placement."Orogen is well funded to pursue its objective of project generation and royalty acquisition," commented CEO Paddy Nicol. "We continue to actively evaluate the Company's capital resources in the context of current and future capital requirements and prevailing capital market conditions. The cancellation of this private placement does not alter the Company's exploration and investment strategy. Over the course of 2026, our exploration outlook includes up to 16 partner funded drill programs, representing more than 50,000 metres of drilling. These programs are expected to advance our projects and royalties and increase the probability of exploration discovery. In addition, we are also pursuing several short-term acquisition opportunities that are complementary to the Company's existing portfolio." About Orogen Royalties Inc.Orogen Royalties is focused on organic royalty creation and royalty acquisitions of precious and base metal discoveries in western North America. The Company's royalty portfolio includes the Ermitano gold and silver Mine in Sonora, Mexico (2.0% NSR royalty) operated by First Majestic Silver Corp. The Company is well financed with several projects actively being developed by joint venture partners.On Behalf of the BoardOROGEN ROYALTIES INC.Paddy NicolPresident & CEOTo find out more about Orogen, please contact Paddy Nicol, President & CEO at 604-248-8648, and Marco LoCascio, Vice President, Corporate Development at 604-248-8648. Visit our website at www.orogenroyalties.com Orogen Royalties Inc.1015 - 789 West Pender StreetVancouver, BCCanada V6C 1H2 info@ orogenroyalties.com Forward Looking InformationThis news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward looking statements". All statements in this presentation, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Orogen Royalties Inc. (the "Company") expect 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 believe 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 the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. 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 securities laws, 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.SOURCE: Orogen Royalties Inc PR-Inside.com: 2026-03-18 23:00:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 692 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 18, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWH) between April 29, 2025 and February 24, 2026, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 11, 2026.SO WHAT: If you purchased Camping World securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Camping World class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=55841 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 May 11, 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. 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, throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about Camping World Holdings' business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Camping World overstated its ability to "surgically manage [its] inventory" to optimize profit using "data analytics;" (2) Camping World overstated the retail demand of consumers it was experiencing and/or reasonably expected; (3) as a result, Camping World would require "strict, corrective inventory management objectives," negatively impacting gross profit and margins; (4) Camping World's inadequate systems and processes prevented it from ensuring reasonably accurate disclosures and/or guidance, including about the health of its balance sheet and/or the ability to manage Selling, General & Administrative ("SG&A") expenses; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Camping World's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Camping World class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=55841 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. Nigeria has entered an export finance deal of 746 million with the United Kingdom, aimed at modernising two of its major seaports Lagos Port Complex and TinCan Island Port Complex and positioning them to be globally competitive. The UK Export Finance is guaranteeing the fund, which will enhance maritime logistics and trade efficiency at the countrys busiest seaports. The deal announced on Thursday comes during President Bola Tinubus state visit to King Charles of Britain at Windsor Castle, the first by a Nigerian in nearly four decades. Together, the two ports handle more than 70 per cent of Nigerias imports and exports and serve as the central arteries of the nations maritime trade, a statement by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy said. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google The loan was arranged by Citibank, and will enable British companies to facilitate 236 million of the supply. British Steel will handle a 70 million contract in the course of the project. The push, which supports the deepening of harbour channels, fortification of quay walls and installation of state-of-the-art cargo-handling machinery at the ports, will also advance trade between Nigeria and UK, currently estimated at 8.1 billion annually. Digital transformation aimed at increasing efficiency in the operations of the ports is central to the redevelopment projects, which is anticipated to span 48 months, with the first quarter of 2026 set as the commencement date. READ ALSO: Tinubu directs suspension of cashless payment at airports What we are set to do is not merely an upgrade, but a comprehensive transformation that will bring our ports into alignment with international best practice, said Gboyega Oyetola, the minister of marine and blue economy. Modern infrastructure supported by digitalised and automated processes will significantly enhance efficiency, transparency, and operational reliability. Our objective is clear: to create a port system that is modern, competitive, and capable of serving as a strategic maritime hub for West and Central Africa, he added. The upgrade will include an automation of customs clearance processes as well as an integration of the National Single Window platform, an initiative aimed at implementing a centralised electronic trade platform. It is also planned to support an expansion of port capacity and curb operational bottlenecks that have hampered cargo movement at the ports. The Sokoto State Government has said the old beliefs and sermons against polio vaccines have been a blight in the fight against polio vaccines, as hesitancy persists in the state. In this exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Bashar Garba, the Immunisation Officer (SIO) at the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), said many who still refuse the vaccines have held their beliefs for a long time and are not newly influenced. Mr Garba expressed concern that the highest refusal rates are in metropolitan local government areas (LGAs), not in rural LGAs. According to him, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, and Wamakko all metropolitan LGAs have retained the top three positions in non-compliance. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google He said the state is working with over a dozen local and international partners in the fight against polio resurgence, after it recorded 20 cases of the circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) last year. to the WHO. The cVDPV, a strain of poliovirus causing paralysis in under-immunised populations, has caused more polio cases annually than wild poliovirus since 2017, according to the WHO. Mr Garba also listed the challenges still being faced and the progress made so far on immunisation coverage. Here is the transcript of our interview with Mr Garba, Sokoto states number one man on immunisation. It has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. PT: Can you tell us about Sokoto States immunisation coverage? Where are you currently, and what are the trends like? Mr Garba: With regard to immunisation in Sokoto, coverage has two phases. Theres what we call routine immunisation coverage, and theres what we call supplementary immunisation activities coverage. The routine immunisation coverage is the immunisation that happens routinely and targets children under five years old in the state. It usually happens at the health facility and the outreaches. For Sokoto, based on the previous survey, our coverage is still as low as less than 15 per cent. Looking at the Penta-3 coverage. Based on the recent Demographic Health Survey (DHS), you can see for Sokoto, its somewhere around 60-something per cent with regard to the Penta-3 and other antigens. For the Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIA), which include the polio campaigns and other polio-related campaigns, like the Measles Rubella campaign that we just concluded during the October round, were having almost 97 per cent campaign coverage. Our portfolio that we just concluded last November, were having 101 per cent coverage. So these are the campaigns coverage. PT: We understand that there were some cases of polio that resurfaced in the last two years, and it has created concerns because Nigeria has previously been declared polio-free. Has your agency done any investigation into that? What steps are in place to prevent a resurgence of cases? Mr Garba: With regard to the recent report of the polio cases, it is type two. Type one is the Wild Polio Virus (WPV). That one has been eradicated, and its the most dangerous type of polio. But the cases we had are all type two. Last year, we had over 20 of those cases in Sokoto, though there are some that are directly from the children, and there are some that were detected from the environment by taking samples from the gutter, and others. This is a very serious concern. Sokoto State continues to put a lot of effort into ensuring that they stop the transmission of the cVDPV, looking at the danger behind that disease. Last year, with the support of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), we were able to implement five rounds of the polio campaigns, although we still have some concerns with regard to the data quality issue and performance. Also, the state is doing its best to ensure that they hold people accountable for their actions, especially with regard to the quality of performance. So, I understand the majority of teams in the states dont visit all the households. The majority of households will be missing because the team will just be denied access, or the team intentionally doesnt want to visit those houses. Also, we observed that a lot of children missed the vaccination due to refusal. A lot of people, especially in the metropolitan LGAs, Sokoto South, Sokoto North, Wamakko, are refusing oral polio vaccines. Most of the reasons have to do with religion; they believe that the polio vaccine is not safe, and some refused it for political reasons. They reject it because of political differences with the current government. And some its just poverty. They just prefer to be given rice, beans, and other food commodities rather than any vaccines. These are some of the reasons why we keep having low acceptance from the community. And this is a serious challenge. The Sokoto state government and the other partners are addressing those issues regularly. So, theres a lot of advocacy, sensitisation meetings, and other even compound meetings to see that people are sensitised on the importance of those vaccines. PT: You talked about the refusal by some households, and you talked about the fact that some of them are even metropolitan LGAs, not rural areas. What steps are you taking to ensure that this refusal is reduced so that more people will accept the vaccines? Mr Garba: Whenever we are going to have a campaign, the Sokoto State Government organises a lot of serious meetings, especially engaging the elite, because the non-compliance doesnt come from people who dont have a Western education. It comes even from people who have a degree. So theres elite sensitisation. A lot of people will be invited and sensitised with regard to the importance of taking polio vaccines. Also, there are lots of non-compliance solution committees that are well-recognised women or men in the area, who will be engaged, provided with some transport so that they can go area by area to encourage those who refuse to accept the vaccines. So this involves doctors, businessmen, and youth leaders. These are the committees that we named as the Rapid Response Team (RRT), which are going after those who refuse the vaccines. So this is what the state is doing. Also, there is a lot of mobilisation. Theres what we call a motorised band, a lot of motorcycles with megaphones, and others will be going into town, reminding people of the importance of accepting the polio vaccine, and the campaign is ongoing. Also, there are lots of phone-in programmes where the honourable commissioner for health, the executive secretary of the state primary healthcare development agency, and other senior colleagues will be live on television or radio, answering many concerns regarding the polio vaccines and campaign on air. Also, there are lots of banner distributions and a lot of radio jingles just to create awareness and tell people that this is very important. PT: Which Local Government Areas are the most non-compliant with the vaccines? Mr Garba: So, based on the recent analysis we have, the metropolitan areas are the most affected. The leading non-compliant LGA in the state is Sokoto North, followed by Sokoto South and Wamakko. And things keep changing. When we have a round today, you see Wamakko is leading. Sokoto North is second, South is third. But these are the prominent non-compliant LGAs that we have in the state. Even nationally, because I can remember there was a campaign that we did. Kano and other northern states implemented it as well. Arkilla Ward in Wamakko LGA was the leading ward with a higher number of rejections and non-compliance during that campaign. So, that shows how Sokoto is battling with a lot of refusal concerning polio vaccines. PT: Have you been able to identify certain influential individuals in the community who instigate people to refuse these vaccines? Mr Garba: No. For now, we dont have any influential person who is preaching or encouraging people to refuse. But we have influential people who are refusing. Though they are not encouraging others to refuse. But some people are following them, so if they refuse, they too can refuse. What we observe in Sokoto is that there was a time, a long time ago, when we saw a lot of preaching from Islamic religious leaders against polio specifically. So the audios are still in circulation. Sometimes, you can hear this from social media. If you view some old media (recorded) from the past 10 years or even 20 years that polio vaccines are not good. So that is the challenge that we have. People are still using the preachings that happened a long time ago to stick to refusing the vaccine. Some will even tell you that even if he (the preacher) accepts it now, they are not going to accept it because they believe he already said the truth and now hes just changing his mind because of money or any other thing. So, that is the challenge that we have. And this refusal is what has continued to make Sokoto a higher burden of the cVDPV. PT: We understand you are trying to scale up coverage this year. Can you tell us about the plans you have for immunisation coverage? Mr Garba: Not only coverage, I think even toward the end of 2025, theres a lot of interventions and a lot of routine immunisation (RI) intensification, just to see that our routine immunisation coverage is good. So, our priority for 2026 for the Ministry of Health, as well as the primary health care development agency is to see how we can scale up our routine immunisation coverage and even interrupt the transmission of this polio, the cVDPV2. Our preparation has to do with how we are going to implement a higher-level quality polio campaign, a campaign that will be accepted by everyone, and a campaign that will ensure each and every eligible child is being vaccinated with important polio vaccines. How can we do that? That is the preparation we are still doing. You have even seen us now having many discussions and meetings. Number one, we want to do what we call IEV I, identify the eligible children, and E, enumerate them, and then V, which is going to be vaccinating them. We plan to ensure that each and every eligible child under five is identified in Sokoto State. And those children are being enumerated so that we have a soft and hard copy of their data, so that well have a tracking number to track them when vaccinated. And if they are not vaccinated, well see from the summary that so-so numbers of children with this address have not been vaccinated. This is what we want to do. We are going to commence this on Saturday, 14 February, and run for four to six days. After that, well ensure that the enumeration is concluded and finalised. On 7 March, during Ramadan, when a lot of children will be at home, well go there and vaccinate those children. The second plan is to boost our routine immunisation. We have a target, every quarter or biannually, well do a vaccination with the inactivated polio vaccines (IPV), which is a very strong vaccine, that is an injectable. Its a very strong vaccine that can prevent all types of polio viruses. We want to use it at least once a year, because its a very expensive campaign. It requires a lot of resources. We currently have a plan supported by the Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) to put our intensification teams across all six LGAs that have borders with Niger Republic. And this one will be carrying routine immunisation vaccines, including the polio, so that each and every child living in those border communities is being protected. And any child that is crossing is going to be vaccinated so that they cannot go out with the virus to Niger or come in with the virus to Nigeria. These are the brief plans I can tell you with regard to the preparation to improve our coverage for immunisation in 2026. PT: Thats quite a robust plan. We like that you mentioned the partnership with Solina, but we also know that you have many more partnerships with different organisations. Can you talk about some of these partnerships and what those partnerships entail? Mr Garba: For Sokoto, we have more than 15 partners that support immunisation. I can just take you through some of the major partners, starting from the WHO, UNICEF, CDC, AFNED, Solina, eHealth, and Res4Sahel, which usually have a rich programme, and McKean, Aliko Dangote Foundation, BMGF, Healing Killers, a lot of them. There are some partners that support the state technically only they support capacity building of the states personnel and there are some that support financially also, like WHO. They usually support the states in building the capacity of state teams, local government teams, and they support the state with some funding and implementation of some of the immunisation activities. UNICEF, especially during campaigns, supports the state intensively in terms of logistics, team transportation, fueling of generators, storage of vaccines, and also social mobilisation. UNICEF supports the state very well in terms of social mobilisations. UNICEF also has some personnel recruited, volunteer community mobilisers (VCMs) who used to go house to house in the city and mobilise women of childbearing age, or pregnant women and the children just to go to the nearby health facility for Ante-natal care (ANC) or routine immunisation. Also, during polio, they ensure that each and every eligible child in their settlement, when they work, is being reached and vaccinated. Theres also New Incentives. They are into immunisation, and they support the state in ensuring they reduce the hardship of women who can not afford transportation. So they give them some incentives, monetised incentives. Also, the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Currently, we have an outbreak of diphtheria in the state, and the MSF supports the state with the vaccines as well as the operational costs. Theres also CHI, theres Chigari Foundation, Sultan Foundation, we have a lot of them. Theres a lot, I cant mention all of them, PT: Thats interesting. We know youve done a lot, and youre still doing a lot. We would like you to talk about some of the improvements or achievements you have recorded from these campaigns. Mr Garba: There are, there must be. Though we are not there yet, the quality of our campaign has improved. Because previously, the way we did our campaign, it would be very difficult to just come out and point and say theres a problem. But now, even from the preparation, you can know whether things are going well or not, because of how we digitised our system. Whatever we are doing now, we use a digital form. Even the documents, the papers, we are using to obtain data from the house-to-house teams, we are using e-tally, where the number of children vaccinated will be entered. And even the geo-coordinate that shows that these teams are going house-to-house. Unlike before, we collect a paper tally. That paper tally, we have to assign somebody who will be collecting it on a daily basis, and that person will submit it to the state. Previously, it would take like four to five days after the campaign, before we run analysis on that paper and know that theres a gap. But now, the data team can pull it out and see that you are not doing well immediately. So this is an improvement. Also, even in how we do our micro-plan, theres a lot of improvement. Theres a lot of improvement in how we update the master list of settlements. Previously, it was manual, paper-based, but now everything is computerised. If a settlement is inhabited or uninhabited, if the settlement is secure or insecure, if the settlement is hard to reach, you can immediately sort it out from your computer and say, this is the result. Its just for us to go physically and validate those submissions. So theres a lot of improvement. And now, as I mentioned earlier, on a daily basis, we can track the performance. Immediately, you say you have done this, a data person can enter into the computer and say, yes. If you say you are at EOC, and you are at your home sitting down, a data person will pull it with the geocoordinate and tell you, no, you are not at EOC. So theres a lot of improvement, actually. PT: Thats great. Finally, we know that sometimes, no matter the kind of improvement, you still realise there are certain issues. Are there challenges that you currently face, despite all of these improvements? Mr Garba: Yes, the challenge that we have as a state with regard to these interventions, I can tell you in two ways. Number one, if you take the supplementary immunisation, which is the polio campaigns, our major challenge has to do with our teams. We have a serious concern with the performance of our team members. The majority of our team members, despite the rigorous process of identifying and selecting them, are not doing well. Most of them are not honest. We need to have a very serious mindset change for people to understand that they need to tell the truth, just to help the community. In a situation where we follow all the criteria, pass through the traditional leader to nominate the team members, screen them, select the best of those submitted, train them, give them all the required training that they need, and even give them transport. Then they will go to the households, collude with caregivers who refuse vaccination, and finger-mark their finger with the assumption that anybody can just show them that we vaccinate. So you see, this is serious. The programme and the coordination are doing their best, but our team members are not sincere and are not helping the situation. At the end of the day, the virus will come to the house and affect the children, because the children were not vaccinated. The house and the house marking continue to show acceptance, despite the fact that the children, in reality, didnt get the two drops. So this is what we have as a serious issue. Because if you know the concern, it will be easy for you to coordinate to resolve it. If you come and tell me, so-so-so house refused, it will be easier for me at the state level to make a proper plan on how we are going to reach those people and resolve their concerns. This is the issue we have observed for a long period of time in the campaign. The teams are concealing non-compliance. They are doing finger marking without vaccination, and that means fake finger marking. So this is a serious concern. Secondly, still with the teams, though we have a tracker that will track how the teams perform, the quality of their activity is a serious concern. What I mean here is that a vaccine needs to be at a cool temperature. From where you pick it up to the point that youre dropping it. But theres a lot of compromise. You can visit the vaccination teams, and they will just open the cap of the vaccine throughout the visitation. They will not even close it. They will expose it to the sunlight. And these vaccines are light attenuated. They are sensitive to any light. Once exposed to light, you are just killing it. You are reducing the potency. So that is another technical issue. The majority of them will just open the vaccine. They will not even close it and continue to move. The vaccine is being exposed. Some will put it inside a sachet or nylon and hold it. So these are some of the technical issues that affect the quality of the campaign. When you come to routine immunisation. In Sokoto, we observe two to three things. Number one, actually, the government is trying its best. Now, theres a lot of recruitment. More than 1,000 primary health care workers are being recruited. What remains is just for them to commence work, and these are the efforts of the current government. But before that, we have very inadequate routine immunisation service providers. There are not enough. You could go to the health facility, and you would see only one person. Hes the one giving RI; he is the one seeing patients if they are sick. And hes the one recording the people who visited the health facility for RI or for any other reasons. So you see, the workload is too much. So to the extent that, maybe today, tomorrow, next tomorrow, I must be in the health facility. But maybe Thursday, Friday, I need to go to the nearby settlement, so that I can implement the outreaches. Because of the workload, youll find out at the end of the day that he may not be able to go out. And those people who are waiting for him to come because hes very far away from them, they cant come, and they will miss the opportunity. And when a survey comes, they may pick that settlement where he stayed for a long period of time without visiting. And when they go there, maybe 10 children have been born, and they have not been vaccinated. The data will show that all of them have zero doses. So, that is the gap that we have. Secondly, there is insecurity. You can see now that some of the healthcare workers will not want to go out of the urban areas. They will stay in an urban health facility because of insecurity. You can see that most of our health facilities are being abandoned because of the bandits. Because the bandit will come there, kidnap you, and start asking for ransom. But theres a community residing there, and they have been missing a lot of opportunities for immunisation. And once a survey comes, the status of the security may have changed. And the surveyor can pick their settlements. So this is how Sokoto continues to show that a lot of people are not being reached. Because the survey cannot just pick Sokoto North, Sokoto South, where we have full access to everything. They can decide to go to Illela, in one village, where maybe for the last year, no healthcare worker has gone there. And that is how they will rank the state based on this outcome. These are the two major concerns. Also, the last one we need to review, though, that one has been improved adequately, is the payment of remuneration of our healthcare workers. It has improved; most of the promotion has been implemented. But we still have a high number of people whose salaries are very small and are not even enough to sustain them for a month. So some, they just switch to an additional business. So, by and large, I think these are the common concerns that still exist, and which vary from advocacy, social mobilisations, and other reviews of the manpower who can be able to overcome those issues with the state. US President Donald Trump has criticised Israels Wednesday attack on Irans South Pars gas field, which has led to retaliatory attacks on gas facilities in Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Mr Trump, in a social media post shared by the White House on X, early Thursday, said the United States did not take part in the attack on the Iranian gas field. He said, Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. The American leader wrote that NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran continues to attack Qatar. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Mr Trump criticised Irans retaliatory strike on the largest gas field in Qatar and warned that any subsequent attack on Qatars energy infrastructure would lead to the US blowing up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field. PREMIUM TIMES reported that QatarEnergy said the Ras Laffan Industrial City was targeted with missiles that caused widespread fires and extensive damage. The site was earlier evacuated after Iran said it would target the facility and four others across the Middle East, in retaliation for Israeli and American attacks on the South Pars gas field. The US has now said it played no role in the attack on the Iranian gas field. Qatar Energy announced in a post on X, early Thursday, that several of its LNG facilities were attacked early on Thursday, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. QatarEnergy declares Force Majeure Further to the announcement by QatarEnergy to stop production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and associated products, QatarEnergy has declared Force Majeure to its affected buyers. QatarEnergy values its relationships with all of its QatarEnergy (@qatarenergy) March 4, 2026 As of the time of this report, Iran has not indicated whether it would heed Mr Trumps warning and stop its attack on Qatar. Apart from the retaliatory attack on the gas facilities in Qatar, Iran also targeted two refineries in Saudi Arabia and the Habshan gas facility in Abu Dhabi, which led the UAE to shut down the facility. The attacks on the gas facilities in the Middle East are expected to worsen the gas crisis across the world, caused by the ongoing war. Gas prices, as well as the prices of other petroleum products, have risen significantly since the US and Israel launched their unprovoked attack on Iran on 28 February. Over 1,500 people have been killed in the war, the majority of them in Iran. Concerned parties in Nigerias health sector have said the country recorded a 233 per cent increase in immunisation financing over the past two years. However, delays in fund releases continue to threaten vaccine availability and service delivery across the country. They disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a media engagement on immunisation financing and zero-dose children. The event was organised by Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) under the PREACH Project, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance through the Global Health Advocacy Incubator. The stakeholders noted that funding rose from N69.57 billion in 2023 to N231.74 billion in 2025, the highest allocation so far, but only N68.8 billion has been released, exposing gaps between approvals and disbursement. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Chika Offor, Chief Executive Officer of VNDC, said the delays posed risks to vaccine supply chains, routine immunisation, and efforts to reach zero-dose children across underserved communities. While media attention has sometimes triggered partial fund releases, such momentum often fades, allowing systemic bottlenecks to persist, she said, stressing the need for sustained advocacy and accountability. Ms Offor explained that the PREACH Project aimed to promote policy reforms, improved domestic resource mobilisation, and strengthened accountability in immunisation and primary healthcare financing across the country. She called for deliberate and sustained media engagement to prioritise immunisation financing, while highlighting proposals to boost funding, including increasing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one to two per cent. Other proposals include allocating part of Federation Account resources to health commodities, reforming taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, and establishing an Immunisation Trust Fund to ensure long-term sustainability. Community-driven advocacy In her remarks, Moji Makanjuola, media expert and Chair of the Nigeria Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum, emphasised the role of community-driven advocacy. Ms Makanjuola emphasised that grassroots storytelling could accelerate government response and improve accountability in healthcare delivery. She cited a case from Kwali where local voices highlighted challenges, leading to action and fund release within a week, demonstrating the power of community-focused reporting in influencing policy decisions. She said field reports showed varying levels of awareness, with some communities actively demanding immunisation services while others still faced access barriers and systemic challenges in healthcare delivery. Ms Makanjuola cautioned that public discourse often prioritised expert opinions over grassroots realities, urging journalists to amplify community voices through field reporting, visual evidence, and human-centred storytelling. Emmanuel Alhassan, Nigeria Coordinator for Prevent Epidemics/Immunisation Programmes at Global Health Advocacy Incubator, said that community-focused reporting had led to tangible improvements in primary healthcare. Mr Alhassan said that some communities continued to reach out for urgent interventions and support, highlighting the ongoing importance of grassroots engagement in strengthening healthcare delivery. He urged the media to move beyond elite conversations and amplify ordinary Nigerians voices, noting that stronger collaboration among stakeholders is key to improving health outcomes for children and vulnerable populations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants agreed sustained grassroots engagement and collaboration among media, civil society, and communities are essential for responsive and inclusive healthcare governance. (NAN) A legal practitioner, Bernard Okpi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging a health cooperation agreement between Nigeria and the United States over concerns about data privacy, constitutional breaches and transparency. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/15/549/2026 and dated 16 March, Mr Okpi is asking the court to determine whether the Bilateral Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 19 December 2025, violates the rights of Nigerians. The defendants in the case include the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Concerns over data sharing At the centre of the suit is the provision of the MoU that allegedly allows for the collection and transfer of sensitive health data of Nigerians to the United States government. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google According to the court filings, the data could include medical records, blood samples, pathogen testing and genetic sequencing. Mr Okpi argued that a related but undisclosed Specimen Sharing Agreement obliges Nigeria to provide such data within five days of request and could remain in force for up to 25 years. He contended that the arrangement amounts to a breach of the National Health Act 2014, which protects the confidentiality of patient information, as well as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 governing the processing and transfer of personal data. The plaintiff also argued that the agreement violates Section 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens right to privacy. Religious and legislative concerns The suit further raises concerns about alleged emphasis on Christian faith-based health facilities in the agreement. Mr Okpi said any healthcare programme tied to religious considerations in a multi-faith country like Nigeria could trigger social tension and may contravene constitutional provisions on non-discrimination and freedom of religion. He also questioned the role of the National Assembly, arguing that agreements with significant national implications should be subjected to legislative scrutiny and approval. Among other reliefs, the plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the MoU is unconstitutional and an order suspending its implementation, which is scheduled to begin on 1 April 2026. He also asked the court to compel the government to publish the full text of the agreement. Government yet to release full agreement The controversy surrounding the MoU has been heightened by the non-disclosure of its full contents. In February, PREMIUM TIMES submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the US Embassy seeking details of the agreement. While the ministry has yet to respond, the US Embassy Abuja, in an email signed by its spokesperson, Nicole Holler, said the MoU is not publicly available. The embassy stated that the agreement would provide about $2.1 billion in funding over five years, subject to annual approval by the US Congress, with Nigeria expected to contribute more than $3 billion in counterpart funding. On concerns about religious bias, it said: The jointly negotiated MOU reserves funding for Nigerias 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals which currently serve more than 30 percent of the population. The majority of faith-based health facilities in Nigeria are Christian and provide services to all Nigerians. Investments in these facilities are positioned to complement efforts in publicly managed facilities and strengthen Nigerias overall health infrastructure. On eligibility of other public facilities, the embassy added: US government resources will be directed to organisations that have the capacity to deliver services to a significant portion of clients. In Nigerias case, faith-based clinics represent approximately 10 per cent of health care service providers but currently serve more than 30 per cent of the population. Background and earlier concerns Nigeria and the United States signed the MoU in December 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen health security, expand primary healthcare and improve disease surveillance. However, differing public descriptions of the agreement by Nigerian authorities and the US government have raised questions. While Nigeria described the MoU as a technical and inclusive framework, the US places a strong emphasis on Christian faith-based healthcare providers and includes about $200 million in dedicated support for such institutions. In January, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on the federal government to clarify the terms of the agreement, citing concerns over transparency, sovereignty and possible constitutional breaches. The party said the differences between both governments accounts raised fundamental questions about the actual content of the agreement and warned against any arrangement that could appear sectional or undermine national unity. It also questioned provisions allowing the United States to pause or terminate programmes under the MoU based on its national interests, describing such conditions as potentially inconsistent with Nigerias sovereignty. In a separate analysis, Nigeria Health Watch, also raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement, noting that the full text has not been made public. Its Managing Director, Vivianne Ihekweazu, said the absence of the full document makes it difficult to fully assess the implications of the MoU, particularly regarding data sharing and national control. Mrs Ihekweazu also highlighted particular concern about provisions related to health data sharing. A circulated summary of the MoU refers to negotiations on regulated data-sharing arrangements, raising questions about data ownership, privacy and national control. Similar clauses in other African countries have sparked debate, especially where agreements included references to long-term sharing of pathogen samples or access to national databases. Until the final signed MoU between Nigeria and the United States is made public, it is not possible to fully understand the commitments made or their implications for Nigerias sovereignty, Mrs Ihekweazu noted. Saudi Arabia has threatened to carry out retaliatory attacks on Iran in response to Iranian attacks on its territory. Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister, Faisal Al Saud, said his country reserves the right to take military action against Iran if necessary, following attacks on two petroleum refineries in the Saudi capital, Al Jazeera reports. The minister spoke to reporters after a meeting of Gulf foreign ministers in Riyadh late Wednesday. He said Iran must review its misjudgements, stressing that such attacks will not bring Tehran any gains. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google The minister said Iran doesnt believe in talking to its neighbours and instead tries to pressure its neighbours, adding that this approach will not succeed and will backfire politically and morally on Tehran, Al Jazeera reports. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Iran targeted major gas infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE in retaliation for Israeli and American strikes on its gas facilities. Iran had warned the Gulf countries that it would retaliate against their gas facilities for the attacks on its petroleum infrastructure. In Qatar, QatarEnergy said the Ras Laffan Industrial City was targeted with missiles that caused widespread fires and extensive damage. The site was earlier evacuated after Iran said it would target the facility and four others across the Middle East, in retaliation for Israeli and American attacks on its gas fields. In the UAE, the government shut down the Habshan gas facilities in Abu Dhabi after an Iranian attack. Iran has targeted American interests in the Gulf since the US and Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran. Iran argues that the US continues to use Gulf territory, including their airspace, for attacks, thus making the Gulf countries legitimate targets. It also hopes that its attack on the Gulf countries would get them to pressure their American ally into a ceasefire. The Saudi threat is the strongest indication yet that the countries are getting fed up with the Iranian attacks. They have, so far, only defended their territories from such attacks. The Saudi ministers tone, however, suggests they prefer diplomacy to retaliatory attacks. The US and Israels war on Iran has led to over 1,500 deaths, the majority of them in Iran. The Akwa Ibom State Government has denied reports that it plans to sell Ibom Power Company. The government says the administration of Governor Umo Eno is instead focused on repaying legacy debts and repositioning the firm through power sector reforms. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, described a publication by an Uyo-based newspaper, alleging that the government plans to sell the company as false, malicious and wholly unfounded. Ibom Power Company, a state-owned independent power producer, was established by the Akwa Ibom State Government to boost electricity generation and support industrial growth in the state. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google The company operates a gas-fired power plant and has faced operational and financial challenges over the years, including debt obligations and constraints linked to Nigerias wider electricity market structure. The government said that rather than dispose of the company, it has commenced repayment of a $9 million facility obtained years ago from the African Export-Import Bank. According to the statement, Mr Eno approved a structured quarterly repayment of $560,000 on 15 March 2025 to gradually liquidate the debt and free the company from longstanding financial obligations. The government said the move is part of efforts to restore operational stability and ensure the long-term sustainability of the state-owned power generation asset. The government also outlined ongoing reforms in the electricity sector, including a Private Sector Participation programme designed to attract investment while retaining public ownership of assets. According to the statement, as part of the reforms, the state established the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission to oversee the sector and created Ibom Electricity Holdings Limited to manage government-owned electricity assets. The government said shares of the holding company have been vested in the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, which is also driving the concession process. The statement said that under the proposed framework, private operators will finance, rehabilitate, and operate electricity assets for a defined period, subject to regulatory oversight and performance benchmarks, while the state retains ownership and strategic control. The model, according to the government, is expected to improve efficiency, transfer operational risks to private investors, and address longstanding challenges in the sector without increasing fiscal pressure on the state. The government acknowledged ongoing power outages in parts of the state but said electricity transmission and distribution currently fall outside its direct control. It added that engagements are ongoing with relevant institutions to improve supply to residents and businesses. Over 1,500 people have now been confirmed dead in the war that the United States and Israel launched against Iran. Also, attacks on major gas facilities in four Middle Eastern countries on Wednesday are worsening the wars economic impact. The war entered its twentieth day today (Thursday). 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. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google We bring you major updates on the war on its nineteenth day. Global gas supply threatened The war now threatens global gas supply after attacks and reprisals on gas facilities in the Middle East. On Wednesday, Israel struck South Pars, Irans largest gas field, which is key to the countrys economy. Hours later, Iran, in retaliation for this attack, struck Ras Laffan, Qatars major LNG industry, causing extensive damage. Iran also targeted major gas infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Oil and gas prices surged after the attacks. After Iran reported the airstrike on its facility located on the worlds largest natural gas field, oil prices rose above $110 a barrel. The Brent crude oil benchmark rose to $112 a barrel early Thursday in Asian trading, according to the BBC. After the attack on Qatars facilities, gas and oil prices surged 6 per cent in Europe and about 20 per cent in the UK. The increase in oil and gas prices is also expected to affect Nigeria. Tension between Iran and its neighbours is growing On Wednesday evening, Qatar declared military and security attaches at the Iranian embassy in Doha, alongside their staff, persona non grata. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Qatars foreign ministry demanded that the officials leave Qatar within 24 hours. Qatar said its decision was a result of Irans repeated attacks on Qatar, while noting that the Ras Laffan Industrial City was targeted with missiles that caused widespread fires and extensive damage. Qatar considers both the military attache and the security attache at the embassy, in addition to the staff of the two attache offices, persona non grata. Qatar also threatened to take additional measures should Iran continue to attack its territory. These measures, it noted, will be in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security, and national interests. Saudi Arabia also threatened to carry out retaliatory attacks on Iran in response to Iranian attacks on its territory. Trump claims US not briefed before the strike on Irans gas plant President Donald Trump tried to distance the US from the attack on Iran, which prompted Tehrans attacks on energy sites across the Gulf. In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said the US did not know about Israels plans to strike the South Pars gasfield. Mr Trump criticised the Israeli strikes and declared that Qatar also had no form of involvement in the attack. Unfortunately, Iran didnt know this, Mr Trump noted, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatars LNG Gas facility. He also promised that such an attack would not recur, unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar. In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before, he said. Irans govt intact, was not rebuilding nuclear enrichment US head of Intel Tulsi Gabbard, the director of the US National Intelligence, told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday that intelligence assessments have shown that Iran has not been rebuilding its nuclear enrichment capabilities since the US attack last year. This statement undermines Mr Trumps key justifications for the ongoing war. As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Irans nuclear enrichment programme was obliterated. There have been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability, she said in the written testimony. She noted that Irans government has been degraded due to the assassination of its leaders, but it appears to be intact. According to her, Tehran and its proxies remain capable of attacking US and allies interests in the Middle East. The regime in Iran appears to be intact but largely degraded by Operation Epic Fury, she said. Irans Araghchi slams Macron Frances Emmanuel Macron drew the ire of Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, with his comment on the attacks on energy facilities. In a post on X, Mr Macron called for a moratorium on attacks on energy and water infrastructure. In response to this, Mr Araghchi said, Macron has not uttered one word of condemnation of the Israel-US war on Iran. He did not condemn Israel when it blew up fuel storage in Tehran, exposing millions to toxins. His current concern didnt follow Israels attack on our gas facilities. It follows our retaliation. Sad! Three Palestinians killed by an Iranian strike Meanwhile, three Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack in the occupied West Bank late on Wednesday. This is the first such incident since the start of the war. Reuters reports that the missile struck a hair salon in the town of Beit Awwa, southwest of Hebron. Thirteen other Palestinians were wounded in the attack, adding to the wars casualties. In Iran, at least 1,500 people have been killed and 18,551 injured. Lebanon has reported 850 deaths, and more than 2,100 people injured. At least 15 Israelis have been killed so far, and 3,369 others have been injured. US aircraft carrier withdrawn for repairs The US Navys most advanced aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford, which was damaged during the ongoing war, is sailing back to a US base in Crete, Greece, for repairs, CNN reports. CNN reports that the aircraft carrier is leaving the front line, even though the war is still in full swing. American authorities claim the damage was not caused by external factors, but Iran had announced that its missiles disabled the ship, causing the need for repairs. Two American sailors were injured on the ship The defence of Nigerias 2026 budget proposals at the National Assembly by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) has produced several dramatic moments, with lawmakers, in some cases, clashing among themselves, grilling ministers, and rejecting proposals from government agencies. Since committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives began scrutinising the spending plans of the MDAs, the sessions have, on a few occasions, turned tense as lawmakers challenge figures, question spending priorities, and demand explanations for past budget performance. The hearings, some conducted separately by each chamber and others jointly, revealed disagreements over policy direction, funding levels and accountability in government institutions. Behind the confrontations lies the enormous scale of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which is the largest national budget proposal in Nigerias history. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Breakdown President Bola Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly on 19 December, 2025. The president proposed a total expenditure of 58.18 trillion, describing the plan as a fiscal framework designed to consolidate ongoing economic reforms and stimulate growth. The proposal, titled Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity, aims to address infrastructure deficits, strengthen national security, and stabilise the economy amid rising fiscal pressures. The government projected total revenue of about N34.33 trillion against the planned expenditure of N58.18 trillion, leaving a deficit of roughly N23.85 trillion. The deficit is expected to be financed largely through domestic and external borrowing. The budget was built on several key macroeconomic assumptions. The federal government projected an oil benchmark price of about $64.85 per barrel and daily crude production of approximately 1.84 million barrels. The exchange rate projection used in the proposal was around N1,400 to the United States dollar. The proposed budget places significant emphasis on security, infrastructure and social services. Defence and security receive the largest share of the allocation as the government seeks to confront insurgency, banditry and other security challenges across the country. Large allocations are also directed toward infrastructure development, including roads and transportation projects, as well as the education and health sectors. Shortly after the budget presentation, lawmakers discovered discrepancies between the figure announced during the presidents speech and the amount contained in the official appropriation bill transmitted to the National Assembly. While the president announced a N58.18 trillion proposal, the appropriation bill submitted for legislative consideration reflected a slightly higher figure of about N58.47 trillion. Nevertheless, the appropriation bill transmitted to parliament remains the legally binding document for legislative consideration. House passes budget for second reading Following the presentation, the House of Representatives began consideration of the appropriation bill. On 29 January, the chamber passed the budget for second reading, allowing lawmakers to debate the general principles of the proposal before referring it to committees for detailed scrutiny The second reading stage allowed lawmakers to debate the budgets general principles before referring it to committees responsible for scrutinising the proposals of various government agencies. To allow committees to concentrate on the exercise, the House leadership temporarily suspended plenary sessions so lawmakers could focus on the budget defence hearings. It was during these sessions that several dramatic incidents occurred. Clash between lawmakers One of the most dramatic scenes occurred during a joint sitting of both chambers of the Committees on Works when the Minister of Works, David Umahi, appeared before lawmakers to defend the ministrys budget. The hearing had proceeded smoothly with presentations by Mr Umahi before it was briefly disrupted after a disagreement between lawmakers escalated into a heated exchange. The confrontation began when the senator representing Ebonyi North, Peter Nwebonyi, used his speaking time to commend the minister and the administration rather than raise questions about the budget proposals and urged colleagues to do likewise. Rufai Hanga, the Kano Central senator and vice chairman presiding over the session, attempted to stop him, insisting that lawmakers focus strictly on budget matters. The disagreement quickly intensified into a shouting match, prompting other senators to step in to restore order. Angered by the interruption, Mr Nwebonyi, who serves as the Senate deputy minority whip, protested: You cannot stop me from speaking after allowing Senator Adams Oshiomhole to talk for 15 solid minutes. Ive barely spent about five minutes, and you are telling me to wrap up. I will not. For your information, as the ranking presiding officer, I can take over the proceedings of this session from you. That is the protocol. Mr Hanga responded sharply, noting that the votes that brought him to the Senate were 10 times higher than those secured by Mr Nwebonyi in Ebonyi North. He also accused Mr Nwebonyi of bootlicking his boss, an apparent reference to the senators political alignment with Mr Umahi, as both are from Ebonyi State. Normalcy was eventually restored following the intervention of Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) and Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central), as well as Akin Alabi (APC, Oyo), who is the chairman of the House Committee on Works, allowing the budget defence session to continue. Arguement at agriculture ministry defence Another tense moment occurred during the joint committee hearing on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Securitys budget. A member of the House, Awaji-Inombek Abiante (APC, Rivers), challenged the ministrys presentation and raised concerns about the clarity of several programmes contained in the proposal. Mr Abiante, reacting to the ministers presentation, pressed whether the document adhered to federal character principles and offered sufficient detail to ensure proper oversight. Does this report conform to the requirements of federal character? Mr Abiante asked. A whole lot of what is embedded here has no appropriate description. When he sought to expand on his concerns, the Chairman of the House Committee, Bello Kaoje (APC, Kebbi), struck the gavel in an apparent attempt to cut off his intervention. Mr Abiante, however, refused to yield. Mr Chairman, I have the floor. If you dont want me to speak, I will get my things and go, he said. I was elected by my people to defend their interest, and it is that interest I have come here to defend, not yours. He accused the chairman of attempting to silence him for the second time during the hearings, arguing that this undermined accountability. Amid the tense exchange, David Ogewu (APC, Benue) proposed moving the discussion into an executive session. While the minister, Sabi Abdullahi, indicated willingness to address the concerns either publicly or behind closed doors, Chairman Kaoje insisted that deliberations continue in open session. Security agencies face questioning Security agencies also faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers during the defence of the 2026 budget. Members of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence expressed concern that allocations to intelligence agencies in the 2026 budget proposal do not reflect President Bola Tinubus repeated commitment to strengthening national security. In the presidents proposed N58 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, about N5.41 trillion was earmarked for defence and security. However, the committee said the breakdown of figures available to it suggested that intelligence agencies were not receiving adequate funding. The committee chair, Ahmed Satomi (APC, Borno), said the allocations to the intelligence sub-sector appeared inconsistent with the administrations stated security priorities. Mr Satomi noted that agencies under the intelligence architecture, comprising the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and its centres, the State Security Service (SSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Presidential Air Fleet and the National Institute for Security Studies, received funding that appeared insufficient when weighed against the scale of Nigerias security challenges. He described the funding profile as abysmal and urged the executive to reconsider the allocations. Revenue performance of NRS Another revealing moment during the defence sessions occurred when the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) appeared before lawmakers to present its financial performance and budget projections. During the hearing, legislators questioned officials of the revenue agency over what they described as zero capital performance under the 2025 budget, raising concerns about the implementation of previously approved spending. The issue emerged after the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zach Adedeji, startled lawmakers with a bold revenue target for the year, projecting 40.7 trillion in total revenues, a figure that far exceeded targets in previous budgets and placed fresh pressure on MDAs to justify their allocations. He also announced that the agency exceeded its 2025 revenue target. Mr Adedeji said the service generated N28.23 trillion in revenue in 2025, surpassing its target of N25.2 trillion by about N3 trillion, representing a 12 per cent increase. He attributed the strong performance largely to improvements in non-oil tax collections. According to him, non-oil tax revenues accounted for N21.46 trillion, exceeding projections by about N3.4 trillion, while oil-related tax receipts fell short of expectations by approximately 5.2 per cent. However, lawmakers said the impressive revenue figures raised questions about why capital spending under the agencys previous budget allocation appeared negligible. Responding to broader fiscal concerns raised during the hearing, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, defended the administrations economic reforms and fiscal direction. Mr Edun explained that before the current administration assumed office, Nigeria relied heavily on Ways and Means financing from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fund budget deficits. He said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) also absorbed petrol subsidy costs through under-recovery arrangements, a system he described as fiscally unsustainable. According to the minister, Mr Tinubu ended what he called unchecked Ways and Means borrowing, which had accumulated to about N30 trillion. He said that although the decision created a short-term funding gap, it was necessary to restore macroeconomic stability and place the countrys public finances on a more sustainable footing. Agencies seek review of allocations Beyond the exchanges and interrogations, some ministries and government agencies used their appearance before lawmakers to complain about what they described as insufficient allocations in the 2026 budget proposal. Officials from several MDAs told House committees that the proposed figures for their institutions may be inadequate to meet operational demands and to implement ongoing programmes. They subsequently appealed to lawmakers to consider increasing their allocations during the final stage of the appropriation process. Ministry of Health and Social Welfare During its defence before the House Committee on Healthcare Services, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare raised alarm over the crippling effects of low funding in the previous budget cycle. The Coordinating Minister, Mohammed Pate, told lawmakers that although the personnel component of the ministrys 2025 budget was fully released and utilised, the capital vote was virtually ignored, with only N36 million released out of the N218 billion capital allocation approved for the year. This represented a meagre fraction of the budget and made it practically impossible to execute planned hospital upgrades, equipment procurement and broader health infrastructure projects. Lawmakers were urged to consider higher allocations and more efficient release mechanisms to address chronic gaps in the healthcare sector. Ministry of Agriculture At a joint session of Senate and House agriculture committees, officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and lawmakers expressed concern over a sharp reduction in funding for the sector in the 2026 appropriation proposal. Lawmakers highlighted that while total national expenditure is projected to rise to about 58.47 trillion, the allocation to agriculture declined from around N2.22 trillion in 2025 to about N1.45 trillion in the 2026 proposal. The reduction raised fears that critical programmes aimed at mechanisation, productivity enhancement and expansion of food security could be undermined, especially as the sector remains central to employment, household welfare and economic resilience. Legislators warned that insufficient funding could slow efforts to achieve selfsufficiency and food security amid economic uncertainty. They assured that the National Assembly would work with the ministry to ensure the 2026 budget delivers tangible benefits for Nigerians. Federal Civil Service Commission The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), which is constitutionally charged with critical functions such as recruitment, promotion and disciplinary control of the civil service, also drew lawmakers attention for its barely adequate funding. During its 2026 budget defence before the House Committee on Public Service Matters, the commissions chairman, Tunji Olaopa, acknowledged the importance of technology, data management and institutional reforms but warned that the proposed N2.6 billion allocation, including just over N1.2 billion for personnel costs, was insufficient to meet these objectives. The committee chair, Sani Bala (APC, Kano), remarked that the commissions broad constitutional responsibilities far exceeded its budgetary allocation and demanded that the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning revisit the allocation to better reflect the commissions needs. Conclusion Committees are expected to conclude their review in the coming days or weeks and submit their reports to the leadership of both chambers for harmonisation and final consideration of the appropriation bill. The recommendations from the committees will form the basis for amendments to the spending plan when the bill returns to plenary for clause-by-clause consideration before its eventual passage. However, the intensity of exchanges during the defence sessions suggests that several aspects of the budget may still be adjusted as lawmakers reconcile competing priorities, fiscal constraints, and sectoral demands. Nigerias top military leaders have ordered an intensified offensive against terrorist groups in the North-east following recent suicide bomb incidents in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State. The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, arrived in the city on Wednesday for an operational assessment visit to the headquarters of the theatre command of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint task force in the North-east. Their visit came less than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu ordered the relocation of military chiefs to the state following multiple suicide bombings and attacks on military formations in Borno including the capital city. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the suicide bombers, Monday evening , detonated explosives in crowded public areas, including market and a hospital, killing 23 and injuring over 100 people. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Earlier that day, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists attacked military formations in Ajilari, Baga, Buratai and Damboa. However, the police and the military said the attacks were thwarted. On Wednesday, the terrorists also invaded military positions in Malam Fatori, Borno State. The spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Sani Uba, said 80 of the insurgents were killed. Meanwhile, the Army has also warned residents to stay vigilant as the terrorists are likely to carry out more attacks in the last hours of Ramadan. The visit to Borno Addressing troops at the Maimalari Cantonment, the defence chief commended soldiers for their resilience and sustained pressure on terrorist elements, urging them to remain committed to their mission. He directed commanders to step up offensive operations, strengthen intelligence gathering, and adopt proactive strategies to dominate the battlespace, assuring personnel of continued support from Defence Headquarters. The Army chief also praised troops for their dedication and charged field commanders to sustain ongoing operations with a firm never again posture aimed at denying insurgents the ability to regroup or launch attacks, particularly during sensitive periods such as Ramadan. READ ALSO: Four killed in Borno bomb explosion Mr Shaibu further pledged additional resources and operational support to boost effectiveness and enhance force protection. Earlier, the theatre commander briefed the visiting chiefs on operational activities, noting that despite recent incidents, troops have maintained dominance through sustained offensives. He disclosed that over 200 terrorist fighters had been neutralised in recent operations, with many others injured, significantly weakening their combat capacity. Amid the global oil disruption caused by Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the United States is considering removing restrictions on Iranian oil that is already at sea. The Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, disclosed this during an interview with Fox News on Thursday. He said the US may ease sanctions on Iranian oil and use it to keep global oil prices down over the next couple of weeks. In the coming days, we may unsanction Iranian oil that is on the water, he said, noting that there are about 140 million barrels of oil currently floating at sea. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Depending on how you count it, that is about 10 days to two weeks of supply, he went on. This is oil that Iranians have been pushing out that would have all gone to China. In essence, we will be using Iranian oil against Iran as we continue this campaign, Mr Besset said. He also declared that the US anticipated Irans closure of the key oil passage, which carries about 20 per cent of the global oil supply. This is a temporary chokehold, he said. PREMIUM TIMES reported that President Donald Trump has called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by military force, but his campaign for naval support from NATO allies did not yield the desired result. Displeased with their refusal to send warships to the Strait, Mr Trump on Monday lashed out at the NATO allies, describing their alliance as a one-way street that gives nothing back to the US. 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 wrote on social media. Attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East on Wednesday sent oil prices soaring. PREMIUM TIMES reported that oil prices rose above $110 a barrel on Wednesday. The Brent crude oil benchmark rose to $112 a barrel early Thursday in Asian trading. In Europe, oil prices surged 6 per cent, and about 20 per cent in the UK. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Irans attack wiped out 17 per cent of Qatars liquefied natural gas capacity. Two of Qatars 14 LNG production trains, along with one of its two gas-to-liquids (GTL) plants, have been damaged. As a result, 12.8 million tonnes per year of LNG capacity will be removed from the market for an estimated three to five years while repairs are carried out. The attack is estimated to cost the country around $20 billion in lost annual revenue. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has asked the United States and Israel to put an end to their three-week-old war on Iran, which has led to the death of over 2,000 people across West Asia. Mr Guterres, in his address at the EU leaders summit in Brussels on Thursday, said the war risks getting out of control and hurting more civilians in the region. First, to the United States & Israel: Its high time to end this war that is risking getting out of control, causing immense suffering to civilians, he said. The UN chief said the war risks having dramatic effects on the global economy & potentially tragic consequences, especially for the least developed countries. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google PREMIUM TIMES reports that the US and Israel commenced a joint attack on Iran on the last day of February, which has led to a full-scale war affecting many countries in the Middle East. At the time, Mr Trump claimed that the attack on Iran was to eliminate the imminent threat from the Iranian regime to the American people. This reason has since been modified and contradicted many times by top officials in the Trump administration. At least 13 US soldiers have been killed in the war. Also, global oil supply has been disrupted, particularly following Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a global increase in the price of petroleum products. Mr Guterres also spoke directly to Iran at the summit. He said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is causing enormous pain to the people across the world who have no link to the conflict. He also urged Tehran to stop the attack on Gulf States, noting that they were never parties to the conflict.x The Security Council has condemned these attacks, has ordered them to stop and it has ordered the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, he said. Its time for the force of the law to prevail over the law of the force, he noted. Its time for diplomacy to prevail over war. Another US aircraft targeted Meanwhile, a US fighter jet was struck by an Iranian anti-aircraft missile on Thursday, forcing it to make an emergency landing at an undisclosed base in the Middle East. The F-35 aircraft is the most advanced fighter jet the US possesses, leading to concerns that Iran may have detected how to successfully target the aircraft. Although Iran has successfully downed many American drones, the US has not admitted that any of its manned aircraft were downed by Iran. PREMIUM TIMES reported that three US F-15 fighter jets were shot down on 2 March in Kuwait. However, the US said they were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait over its airspace. All six crew members ejected safely. Also, a US refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, leading to the death of all six crew members. Although an Iran-linked Iraqi group said it shot down the aircraft, the US said the crash was not due to hostile fire. On the latest attack, Tim Hawkin, the CENTCOM spokesperson, said the aircraft landed safely, the pilot is in stable condition, and the incident is under investigation. Sustaining the war is now becoming more expensive for the US, with the Pentagon requesting more than $200 billion. The New York Times reports that the request was sent to the White House, where it will be reviewed before it is formally submitted to Congress. Quoting officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the New York Times reports that the sum requested is nearly a quarter of the USs entire annual defence budget. Ademola Lookman is now the only Super Eagles player left in the UEFA Champions League after Victor Osimhen and Galatasaray were eliminated in the Round of 16. Galatasarays European journey came to an end at Anfield, where Liverpool overturned a first-leg deficit to secure a dominant victory and progress to the quarter-finals. The Turkish side, who had won 10 in Istanbul, were outplayed as Liverpool struck four times to seal qualification. Osimhen, who had been central to Galatasarays campaign, endured a frustrating night. The Super Eagles striker featured only in the first half before being substituted for Leroy Sane after picking up an injury concern. His early withdrawal further weakened Galatasarays attacking threat as Liverpool took control of the contest. In contrast, Lookmans European run continues after helping Atletico Madrid progress despite a second-leg 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The Spanish side advanced on 7-5 aggregate following their emphatic 5-2 first-leg advantage. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Lookman played 64 minutes in the encounter and provided an assist during a lively display, although he was also booked in a physical contest. His contribution underlined his growing influence in Atleticos attack as they secured a place in the last eight. Quarter finals The quarter-final line-up is now confirmed, with heavyweight clashes set to define the next stage. Atletico Madrid will face FC Barcelona in an all-Spanish showdown, while Liverpool take on defending champions Paris Saint-Germain. Elsewhere, Real Madrid are drawn against Bayern Munich, and Arsenal will battle Sporting CP. With Osimhen out, Nigerian hopes now rest solely on Lookman, who carries the countrys flag into the decisive stages of Europes elite competition. Three Nigerian male players have won the UEFA Champions League: Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu with Ajax (1994/95) and John Obi Mikel with Chelsea (2011/12). Lookman will be hoping to go all the way with Atletico Madrid to join the exclusive list of Nigerian players to lift the prestigious Champions League trophy. The Headquarters of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, says it will conduct its First Bi-Annual Range Classification Exercise for 2026 from March 23 to March 27 at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Shooting Range, Mando, Kaduna. This is contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Ajemusu Jingina, issued on Thursday in Kaduna. The exercise aims to enhance the marksmanship skills of officers and soldiers, as well as assess the serviceability of their weapons. Therefore, 1 Div. urges residents of NAF Base, Mando, and neighbouring communities not to panic at the sound of gunshots or movement of troops and equipment during the period, it said. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google READ ALSO: Nigerian Army warns of terror threats as Ramadan ends The statement also advised members of the public to stay away from the range area throughout the exercise for safety reasons. It added that the division expressed appreciation for the publics continued cooperation and understanding. (NAN) The Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, has sanctioned 76 students for examination malpractice during the 2024/2025 academic session. The decision was taken at the university senates 102nd regular meeting, which considered the recommendations of the Examination Misconduct Committee, according to a statement issued on Thursday. The statement, signed by Ngwen Jacob on behalf of the universitys Public Relations Officer, said the offences ranged from possession of unauthorised materials and mobile phones in examination halls to impersonation and writing answers on parts of the body. Sanctions imposed include rustication for one academic session, compulsory carryover of affected courses and outright expulsion in severe cases, in line with provisions of the universitys Students Handbook. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google The senate meeting was chaired by Moses Galadima, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), on behalf of Shadrach Best, the Vice-Chancellor. According to the statement, the Senate members unanimously endorsed the penalties after reviewing the committees findings. Reaffirming the institutions position, the vice-chancellor reiterated PLASUs zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice, stressing the universitys commitment to academic integrity, discipline and moral standards. He also commended the Examination Misconduct Committee for its diligence and adherence to due process. Beyond disciplinary matters, the Senate ratified final-year undergraduate and postgraduate results for the 2024/2025 academic session. It also noted that lectures for the new semester had commenced across departments about two weeks earlier. During the meeting, the Director of ICT, Sati Dapel, presented updates on ongoing digital reforms to streamline students registration processes. A Sokoto-based Islamic cleric, Musa Lukuwa, held Eid al-Fitr prayers on Thursday, diverging from the official date announced by the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, who had fixed the celebration for Friday. The cleric based his decision on a reported moon sighting in neighbouring Niger Republic, while authorities say the situation remains peaceful. Mr Lukuwa, in a message delivered in a Facebook video circulated on Thursday, said the fasting month of Ramadan had concluded after 29 days, citing the sighting of the crescent moon in neighbouring Niger Republic as the basis for ending the fast. The position contrasts with that of the Sultanate Council, which traditionally coordinates moon sighting and announces Islamic festival dates for Muslims across Nigeria. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Police confirm peaceful observance The police said there was no tension following the clerics early Eid observance. Speaking in a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufai, said the situation remained calm. The cleric and his followers held the Eid prayer today and have even dispersed without any tension generated, Mr Rufai said. He added that security personnel remain on alert to ensure a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the wider Eid celebrations scheduled for Friday in line with the Sultanates announcement. Cleric cites Niger moon sighting In his message, Mr Lukuwa argued that Muslims in Sokoto share geographical and religious proximity with communities in Niger Republic, where the new moon was reportedly sighted. He maintained that Islamic teachings permit reliance on verified moon sightings beyond national borders, particularly where there is no significant difference in time zones or visibility conditions. The cleric also questioned the exclusivity of centralised authority in declaring the end of Ramadan, stressing that obedience to religious leaders is conditional on adherence to established Islamic principles. Established process In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokotowho also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairsplays a central role in announcing the start and end of Ramadan based on verified reports from moon sighting committees across the country. The Sultans declaration is widely followed by Muslim communities, helping to ensure uniformity in key religious observances, including Eid prayers. Recurring debate Differences over moon sighting are not new in parts of the Muslim world. Scholars have long debated whether to rely strictly on local sightings or accept reports from other regions. In northern Nigeria, such differences occasionally surface, particularly in border communities with close religious and cultural ties to neighbouring countries. Mr Lukuwas position reflects one side of this broader jurisprudential debate, which hinges on interpretations of prophetic traditions regarding when to begin and end fasting. Calls for unity The Jamaatu Nasril Islam and other religious bodies have consistently emphasised adherence to coordinated moon-sighting processes to promote unity among Muslims in the country. Observers note that such disagreements, while not uncommon, rarely play out so visibly within the seat of the Sultanate. While the immediate situation remained peaceful, the development underscores a recurring tension between centralised religious authority and independent interpretations of Islamic law in northern Nigeria, raising broader questions about how unity is negotiated during major religious observances. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has dissolved the Anambra State State Executive Council about 24 hours after he was sworn-in as governor for his second term in office. Nwabufo Nwankwo, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, announced this in a memo issued on Wednesday. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Soludo was sworn in for his second term as governor on Tuesday at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka. Onyekachukwu Ibezim was also sworn in as the deputy governor of the South-eastern state. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google The oaths of office and allegiance were administered to the governor and the deputy governor by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Onochie Anyachebelu. Mr Soludo won the 8 November 2025 governorship election in the state under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). 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. Dissolution of cabinet I am directed to inform all political appointees to hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior civil servant in the various MDAS on or before the close of work today, 18th March, 2026, until a new cabinet is constituted, Mr Nwankwo said in the memo. The permanent secretary said all members of the first term cabinet were to meet the governor on Monday, 23 March. Although the purpose of the meeting was not mentioned in the memo, there are indications it is part of the efforts to set up a new cabinet for Mr Soludos second term. 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 Oyo State Police Command says it has rescued two victims and arrested three suspects following a kidnapping incident at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Idi-Ayunre area of the state. In a statement published on its official X page on Wednesday, the commands spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the incident occurred at about 12:23 p.m. when the representatives of the Ogun State chapter of CRIN were attacked by unidentified armed men at the institutes nursery site. The victims were said to be at the facility to submit their annual collections of cocoa seedlings for the 2026 planting season when they were abducted. Mr Olayinka said a joint security team comprising the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilante groups, and the Amotekun Corps was immediately deployed to the scene following a distress call. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google He said the operatives engaged the assailants in a coordinated pursuit, leading to the rescue of two male victims and the arrest of three suspects. Intensive efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victim(s), as security operatives have commenced aggressive bush combing operations and sustained pursuit of the fleeing criminals. The Command assures the public that it remains fully committed to safeguarding lives and property across the State. Members of the public are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing operations, the statement read. The police said security operatives had intensified bush-combing operations and were in sustained pursuit of fleeing members of the gang. The command assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to remain calm while providing useful information to aid ongoing operations. Rising insecurity Although Nigerias worst kidnapping hotspots have historically been in the northern part of the country, recent incidents suggest a worrying spread of violent crime into parts of the South-west. Apart from Oyo, other states bordering the North-central region have also seen a surge in kidnapping in recent months. Data from SBM Intelligence shows the scale of the crisis nationally. At least 4,722 people were abducted in 997 incidents between July 2024 and June 2025, with no fewer than 762 killed. The numbers indicate the growing profitability and organisation of kidnapping networks. The same report estimates that kidnappers demanded billions of naira in ransom within the period, underlining how abduction has evolved into a major criminal economy. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in collaboration with Hope Behind Bars (HBB), on Wednesday, called for optimising correctional farm centres for inmate reform and food production in the country. According to the Controller General, Sylvester Nwakuche, the NCoS is undergoing transformation to create a system of rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration for inmates. He said the event was timely to identify sustainable pathways for inmates to reduce recidivism. Mr Nwakuche spoke of how the agricultural projects would benefit not just inmates and the Nigerian society. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google These activities are not only vital for supporting inmate welfare and contributing to food production but also serve as a practical platform for skills acquisition and professional training, he said. He emphasised the need for public and private collaboration to enhance productivity of the agricultural project to enable it to contribute to national food security and strengthen skills among inmates, in fulfilment of the Services mandate. This is why public-private partnerships are critical. Through well-structured collaborations, we can leverage private sector expertise, innovation, and capital to enhance productivity, improve efficiency, introduce modern agricultural practices, and expand our coalitional industries, he said. Magdalene Ajani, who represented the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, commended the HBB for acknowledging that transformation is not a solitary taskand government resources alone cannot unlock the vast potential, across all custodial centres if it intends to break the cycle of re-offending. Addressing food insecurity The HBB disclosed a pilot project, the Farming Justice Project, which it undertook in custodial centres in Dukpa, Kuje, Kirikiri and Oko farm centres. Explaining the development of the project, the Executive Director of HBB, Funke Adeoye, said it was a vision of the Ministry of Interior to curb food insecurity in the custodial centres across Nigeria. In 2025, the NCoS spent about N27.28 billion on inmate feeding across custodial centres, leaving outstanding food ration liabilities of N10.75 billion. During the budget defence in February, the controller general disclosed that the NCoS proposed a total of N50.40 billion for recurrent overhead, including inmate feeding and general operations. Of this amount, N14.83 billion is earmarked to feed an estimated inmate population of 91,100 at a daily rate of N1,125 per inmate. During the dialogue on Wednesday, Ms Adeoye noted that instead of always harping on the gory side of life behind bars, it became necessary to kickstart this Farming Justice Project to address food insecurity. Two ex-inmates, Samuel Saul and Mohammed Suleiman, who benefited from the fish farming training while they were at the custodial centres, spoke of the impact of the training. Mr Suleiman said he is now in the business of fish farming and is collaborating with other fish farmers. They were then presented with reintegration starter packs valued at N250,000. Similarly, the NCoS and HBB exhibited products made by inmates, including bags, headgears, shoes, clothes, disinfectants, liquid soap and dried fish. Chinedu Ogah commended the HBB and NCoS for the training the inmates were receiving. Overview of the pilot projects The HBB created a farm model from the projects carried out in Dukpa, Kuje, Kirikiri and Oko farm centres. While presenting the report, the monitoring and evaluation officer of HBB, Sarah Dantosho, projected that if the model is implemented, the NCoS could save N53.2 million per year in the combined four-site substitution potential. Notably, in 2025, although not a revenue-generating agency, the Service realised 84.65 million as internally generated revenue. On Wednesday, Ms Dantosho noted that inmates at Dukpa and Oko showed the most readiness to participate in the farming project with Kuje; however, they noted that Kuje needs more awareness to be on board. The Deputy Controller General, Inmates Training and Productivity (DCG, ITP), Amos Kupan, enumerated some of the activities of other farm centres and industries in other custodial centres. Call for partnerships According to him, some of the farm centrers include include Lakushi, Ozala in Edo State, Birnin Kudu, Ogba, Adim farm centres and Ilesha cottage industry, and a PPP investment in Abia. Most of the farm centres had over 1,000 hectares of land, but Mr Kupan said that not up to one-quarter of the land has been utilised due to lack of funding. Therefore, he urged stakeholders to invest in PPP for productivity and the reformation of inmates. However, during a panel session, Mr Kupan identified the complex nature of policies as a gap that mitigates investment opportunities in the custodial centres. He employed the institutional mechanisms to address the legal framework. He announced that the CG approved an extension to the farming eligibility criteria; inmates are now permitted to participate if they have up to one year remaining on their sentence, an increase from the previous six-month limit. A representative of the UNODC, Femi Ajayi, emphasised that inmates participating in the PPP programme must be treated in strict accordance with international human rights standards. Ensure voluntary participation of inmates, prevent exploitation, and ensure their dignity, Mr Ajayi said, adding that there should be safety measures to prevent hazards. He also said there was the need to change the perception of individuals to curb stigmatisation. President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Remi Tinubu, were welcomed at Windsor Castle by Britains King Charles III on Wednesday as part of the presidents State Visit to the UK. Mr Tinubu and his Wife, Remi Tinubu, were treated to a 42-gun salute by the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Senior royals, including the Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales, had earlier greeted them. Mr Tinubu and his wife, Remi Tinubu, arrived at Londons Stansted Airport on Tuesday. They were received with all the pomp of a royal reception, beginning with a carriage procession followed by a formal military parade in Windsor Castle. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Mr Tinubu has visited Britain several times since taking office, but this is his first state visit and the first by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years. See photos of the visit below. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced special train service arrangements across its major corridors to facilitate seamless travel during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer, NRC, Callistus Unyimadu, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos. Mr Unyimadu said the train service would come with increased capacity and additional services deployed to meet the anticipated surge in passenger movement nationwide. As part of the festive arrangements, the LagosIbadan Train Service will operate three trips on Thursday. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google From the Lagos end (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta), departures are scheduled for 7.40 a.m., 1.40 p.m., and 4.00 p.m., while from the Ibadan end (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), departures will be at 8.00 a.m., 10.50 a.m., and 4.30 p.m. This one-day special arrangement is designed to accommodate increased passenger traffic during the Sallah celebration, after which the service will revert to its regular schedule, he said. Mr Unyimadu disclosed that on the AbujaKaduna Train Service (AKTS) corridor, the corporation would operate two trips on Thursday. He said three trips would run on the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of March, to provide additional travel options and ease passenger movement during the festive period. He said the corporation, in partnership with the Osun State Government, would operate the Imole Special Train on the narrow gauge corridor from Iddo Station in Lagos to Osogbo. He added that this would convey indigenes of Osun State free as part of the state governments Sallah initiative. The service is fully sponsored by the Osun State Government, with the NRC providing rolling stock, technical support, and operational services, he said. On the WarriItakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor, he said trains would operate three times weekly. From Warri to Itakpe, services will run on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, departing at 8.00 a.m. prompt. From Itakpe to Warri, trains will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, departing at noon. Thursdays are reserved for maintenance activities to ensure safe and efficient operations on the corridor, he said. He said that similarly, on the Eastern narrow gauge corridor, the Port HarcourtAba Train Service would continue to operate its regular schedule throughout the Sallah period. The management of the NRC reassures passengers of its commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail transport services across all corridors. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly, arrive early at stations, and comply with all ticketing and security procedures. The corporation wishes all Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Fitr celebration and encourages the public to continue to patronise rail transport as a safe and dependable means of travel, he said. (NAN) Britains King Charles III, on Wednesday, told President Bola Tinubu that Nigeria has had a lot of influence on British culture. The king spoke when he hosted the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle as part of Mr. Tinubus State Visit to the UK. From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britains culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria, he said. Read the full text of the kings speech as shared with PREMIUM TIMES by the Nigerian presidency below. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google A SPEECH BY HIS MAJESTY THE KING Your Excellency, Mr President, and Distinguished First Lady, Ekabo. Se Daaa Daa Ni. (Greetings! I hope you are well.) My wife and I are delighted to welcome you to Windsor Castle here on this occasion. We are most grateful to you for travelling during this holy month, which, I acknowledge, is no small sacrifice, and so it is my particular pleasure to wish you, Mr President, peace, blessings, and an abundance of joy. Ramadan Mubarak! During my most recent visit to Nigeria in 2018, when I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with your highly respected traditional leaders, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, Onitsha, Warri, and The Emir of Kano, it was self-evident that while the warmth of the Nigerian welcome remains constant, the country itself is transforming at a remarkable pace. Nigeria hasnt merely changed. It has arrived. Yours is now a nation of over two hundred and thirty million people, half of whom are under eighteen, with the energy, ingenuity, ambition, and resolve to address the great challenges of our age. We in the United Kingdom are blessed that so many people of Nigerian heritage, having chosen Britain as their home, are now at the heart of British life through excelling at the highest levels of business, technology, academia, law, science, sport, literature, and the arts, and public service. I have met so many of these quiet heroes in our schools, businesses, National Health Service, and universities, including countless young people who have flourished through the work of my Kings Trust over the last fifty years. Only last week, I was delighted to host a rather lively group of them for a Jollof and Tea Party at St. Jamess Palace. I was firmly assured that the Jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese. Diplomatically, I cannot remember! But who could have imagined that, when I first visited Nigeria thirty-six years ago today, so many of those I might have met would have gone on to have such an impact in the United Kingdom. From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britains culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria. Whether they are Nigerians who have chosen Britain as their adopted place to invest, trade or study, or Britons who cherish their personal connection to Nigeria, they all represent a living bridge of over half a million people who connect our nations, Mr President, and help make our cultures richer, our shared security stronger, and our economies more prosperous. We are proud that so many great examples of this living bridge join us this evening. As the connections between our nations deepen every day, so too do the economic ties. Your visit has provided the opportunity to celebrate the fact that Nigeria is investing in Britains future as much as Britain is investing in Nigerias leading Nigerian banks have chosen the City of London as a global base, examples of the best Nigerian companies have listed on Londons Stock Exchange, and UK Export Finance is supporting investment in Nigerias ports. In education, British schools and universities are opening their doors in Nigeria, and British and Nigerian technology companies are forming ever closer partnerships. I was pleased to see that visitors from Nigeria spent 178 million in Britain in 2024, and 251,000 people from Britain travelled to Nigeria and spent just as much, in return. In January of this year, Nigeria became the United Kingdoms biggest export market in Africa and whilst I hear that in Nigeria the phrase Made in UK. has always symbolised the highest quality, it evidently now has a distinctively Nigerian flavour The friendship between our two countries, Mr President, is a partnership of equals that has brought us both enormous benefits. It has been described to me as a deeply spiritual connection beyond churches and mosques a deep bond through which we have strengthened our shared security, ensured our economies are more prosperous, and empowered each other to believe in a more hopeful future. The many dynamic connections between our two nations have deep roots and yet I do not pretend that those roots are without a shadow. There are chapters in our shared history that I know have left some painful marks. I do not seek to offer words that dissolve the past, for no words can. But I do believe, as I know you believe, Mr President, that history is not merely a record of what was done to us it is a lesson in how we go forward together to continue building a future rooted in hope and growth for all, and worthy of those who bore the pains of the past. This afternoon, in another part of the Castle, Mr President, you and I witnessed one such example of how we are learning from one another when we met leaders of the British Christian and Muslim communities. The gathering was a deeply meaningful symbol of what Nigeria has long shown: that people of different faiths can, do, and must live alongside one another, in peace, in harmony and in shared purpose. It was also a timely reminder of the importance of standing with you and in us strengthening your Quick Reaction Forces, or in providing food, nutrition and protection services in Northern Nigeria when challenges disturb the age-old balance between these communities. Your nation, Mr President, is an economic powerhouse, a cultural force and an influential diplomatic voice from a continent that is playing an increasingly important role in the world. In a vastly interconnected global environment, one that is changing at unimaginable speed, that leadership brings responsibility and opportunity. I heed the Yoruba wisdom and forgive me if I say it in English that rain does not fall on one roof alone. As you observed so astutely before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in 2024, if we didnt have this global alliance of fifty-six member states, 2.7 billion people and a combined G.D.P. forecast soon to surpass twenty trillion U.S. dollars there would be a need to create one. I believe firmly that, when rain clouds gather, we can tighten the grip of friendship between us and, in so doing, reinforce the central role of the Commonwealth in our shared future. As the world changes, these are lessons we must heed now more than ever. As the Hausa saying goes, When the music changes, so does the dance. We can learn from Nigeria, and the best of the UK and Nigerias partnership, and harness the advantage that comes from our common languages, our similar legal systems, and the web of cultural ties and spiritual connections that provide such deep trust between us, and look to the future and learn new dance steps, together. Mr President, you have spoken, in particular, of the importance of expanding intra- Commonwealth trade by creating shared standards, regulatory and digital alignment, and removing barriers that deter investment as the U.K. and Nigerias Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership is just such an example so that our economies can grow, in harmony with Nature, and create the millions of jobs our citizens need. So as we look towards C.H.O.G.M this year, I hope far from being past its time we can demonstrate that the Commonwealths time has come, as you so rightly said. In achieving that, my wife and I will gain strength from seeing Nigeria take her rightful place at the heart of the Commonwealth and to standing alongside you as a friend, who believes the future is best when built together. As the Igbo say, Knowledge is never complete two heads are better than one. So as I close, Mr President, in anticipation of Eid El-Fitr in Nigeria and across the world, I can only wish you and the millions of Muslims in our countries, Eid Mubarak. And, in doing so, let me propose a toast, To the President and people of Nigeria Naija No Dey Carry Last! (Nigerians Never Come Last) Actor Aremu Afolayan has apologised to Nigerians over remarks he made at a recent EKO57 campaign gathering, a political support group established to mobilise public support for President Bola Tinubus second-term bid. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the group launched on Sunday and was comprised of several Nollywood figures, including Yomi Fash-Lanso, Remi Surutu, Adams Lege Miami Kehinde, among others. Speaking at the event, which aimed to rally support among Lagos residents ahead of the 2027 general election, Afolayan openly endorsed Mr Tinubus re-election. He also downplayed concerns over the rising cost of living, stating that he was doing well and not affected by the economic hardship that citizens complained about. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google In addition, he dismissed reports of insurgency, calling them exaggerated and scripted. When you watch the news about insurgency, dont mind them, its all scripted, he said in a viral video obtained by this newspaper. His comments sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing him of being paid to make the statements at the EKO57 event. Apology Reacting to the backlash, the brother of renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan said in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday that his remarks were misunderstood. The 45-year-old added that since the video went viral, he had remained sober, reflecting on the wave of criticism and harsh reactions directed at him. He also apologised to Nigerians, his well-wishers, and everyone who genuinely desires a better country. Afolayan said, Im sorry. The curse has been too much, and I didnt offend anyone but just went wrong. I picked what I shouldnt have picked. Two narratives are circulating on social media: one says I collected money; the other says I didnt. My heart is heavy because Ive hurt a lot of Nigerians. The second narration concerns insecurity, and its obvious that insecurity is in town and everywhere in Nigeria, and the government isnt doing anything about it. Theres insecurity The actor explained that his point at the event was that insecurity and insurgency were effectively waging war against Nigeria. He added that, despite these growing threats, the government had done little to address the situation. What I was trying to say in the video was that if you saw anybody shouting theyre coming from this side and someone on the news was saying dont worry, nothing is happening, be calm, dont answer that person because they were reading a script, that was all I was trying to say. Im sorry, Nigerians. What I was saying, in essence, is that insecurity is in Nigeria, and anybody reading a script that says itll be fine is lying because its obvious there is insecurity. My best friends mother was kidnapped, and Im not supposed to say it here. How could I say theres no insecurity? We didnt bring it out because we had to pay millions of people to get her released. The curse you placed on me was much, he said. Political withdrawal Additionally, Afolayan announced that he had stepped away from partisan politics and would not be supporting any candidate in the forthcoming general election. He explained that his attendance at the event was purely driven by his admiration for the growing openness in governance. The actor noted, Due to this heat and curse I have received, Im saying Im at my lowest stage, sober, and asking Nigerians who have supported me through my career and my two businesses, while the government didnt support my business, to please forgive me. For this, I know your (Nigerians) choice isnt Bola Tinubu or the regime of Tinubu. What I went to do was call Lege Miami. I liked the thing you brought up, and right now we can talk to our local government chairmen directly and hold them accountable. That was why I went for that, not the other way round. Im withdrawing from everything to do with politics and standing with my people. Please forgive me. The optics across Nigeria point broadly at a singular outcome in next years general elections a victory lap for the ruling APC. Not because of a sterling record of performance, but because the opposition, especially the ADC, has paved the way by making itself not an alternative platform for change, but a place where a few desperate politicians lock horns for power. This is the last thing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) wants to hear, but it has to be said, even if the party digs its thumbs in its ear. It began with the partys delayed registration. When things were not moving as quickly as the early defectors, mostly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had expected, they accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of stalling the registration and using the Ralph Okey Nwosu-led faction to stoke the delay. The party was eventually registered in June. But that didnt end the beef. As the PDP crumbled and many of its members, especially the governors, defected, the ADC accused the APC of coaxing, bribing or blackmailing them to turn Nigeria into a de facto one-party state. That was after its failed argument that whether all the governors in Nigeria defected to the APC or not, this would still not save the ruling party from a damning voters verdict next year, because of its poor record. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Choosing a Chair The latest argument is that the APC is about to use the playbook that it used to destabilise the Labour Party and the PDP against ADC: plant a leader to weaken it, break it up, and factionalise it. A statement by the party on Monday accused the ruling party of planning to use the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise an expelled member of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe, as the ADC national chairman. Why? To ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges unopposed as the only serious candidate on the ballot in 2027. I dont know what other conspiracy the ADC might find before the next market day, but I think the party is its own biggest problem. If it continues this way, before the APC kills it, it will be long dead, and on its grave would be the epitaph: Here lies the remains of a party that thought it would get power a la carte! How Not to Take Power Power is not given. It is taken, even seized, through planning, organisation, and action. The ADC was not formed to last, the way you build a house from the ground up, brick by brick, patiently working every stage, and following a pattern. Its mainly a coalition of the aggrieved, desperate for power, after some of the principal actors in the ADC damaged and abandoned the PDP. Recently in Benin, Edo State, there was a spat between Odigie Oyegun and Rowland Owie, both octogenarian political stalwarts-turned-ADC members, over whether the South-South should back Amaechi or Atiku, with Obis supporters smarting in the corner. Theres more being said and done to secure the presidential ticket for any of the three, than we know about efforts to build the party. We know more about the presidential ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, than we know about what the party really stands for. Recently in Benin, Edo State, there was a spat between Odigie Oyegun and Rowland Owie, both octogenarian political stalwarts-turned-ADC members, over whether the South-South should back Amaechi or Atiku, with Obis supporters smarting in the corner. Theres more being said and done to secure the presidential ticket for any of the three, than we know about efforts to build the party. In what has become a crude reversal of the core principle of the political party as an institution, parties have become disposable paper wraps, and defection a con art. An Inconvenient History The fate of political parties in Nigerias Fourth Republic tells a concerning story. Between 1999 and 2015, when the PDP was at its peak, the party still managed to share the political spoils in a manner that gave democracy a future and a promise. President Olusegun Obasanjo had won the presidential election with 62.78 per cent of the vote, an absolute majority that knocked out Olu Falae, his challenger, who was the consensus candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD). The PDP controlled 21 of 36 states, while the APP and AD controlled nine and six states, respectively. PDP also secured 59 of the 109 senatorial seats and 206 of the 360 House of Representatives seats back then. It must, therefore, be a wonder to political historians that in less than 27 years of being such a formidable organisation, the PDP has become difficult to find, even if only to be mummified as a carcass. The question, what happened?, finds a lazy but convenient answer in blaming Tinubu, even though the worm eating up the opposition is inside the opposition. 11 to Near Zero After the 2023 general elections, the PDP the wreckage from which many ADC members emerged had won 10 governorship seats: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Delta, Enugu, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara, with the 11th being Bayelsa in the off-cycle elections. These were enough to give the party a fighting chance, if its leaders were serious. The three main legacy parties of the APC (ACN, CPC, and ANPP), which defeated the PDP in 2015 with a helping hand from PDP defector-governors, controlled only 11 states. In fact, after the 2003 election, Lagos was the only AD state in the South-West, the other five consumed by the PDP. In the end, the biggest opposition to the APC will be the APC. Thats the lesson of history. From Britains Conservative Party to the Indian National Congress, and from the African National Congress to the remnant of Nigerias PDP (which would soon adopt Tinubu as its candidate), history shows that ruling parties eventually decay and decline from within. At the last count, however, the PDP had lost its former traditional strongholds in the South-South, South-East, and North-Central to a gale of defections. Governors, with one eye on re-election and others seeking the lucrative retirement to the Senate, have almost entirely bailed out of the PDP like paratroopers from a falling aircraft In a cruel reversal of fate, the party is the victim of the bad example it set in political brinkmanship, in which there are no consequences for defectors who join or leave it, taking their seats with them. Of the 11 governors as of May 2023, only two Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Seyi Makinde of Oyo remain in the PDP faction. Mohammed, who had made a spirited effort to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential race, watched his dream collapse, while the party unravelled under a maze of litigations, defections and turf wars. And rumour has it that Bala is on the verge of leaving whatever may be left of the PDPs umbrella with Makinde any time soon. Watching the Optics The optics across Nigeria point broadly at a singular outcome in next years general elections a victory lap for the ruling APC. Not because of a sterling record of performance, but because the opposition, especially the ADC, has paved the way by making itself not an alternative platform for change, but a place where a few desperate politicians lock horns for power. I laugh whenever the ADC calls itself an opposition party. It is almost an opposition. You will be shocked to learn that a leading ADC figure is willingly prostituting himself to the APC top hierarchy to secure his endangered business interests. Verdict of History In the end, the biggest opposition to the APC will be the APC. Thats the lesson of history. From Britains Conservative Party to the Indian National Congress, and from the African National Congress to the remnant of Nigerias PDP (which would soon adopt Tinubu as its candidate), history shows that ruling parties eventually decay and decline from within. A combination of complacency, internal fragmentation, and failure to adapt to new demographics, or corruption and loss of moral authority, eventually catches up with and overwhelms them. The APCs case will not be different, not because of the noise being made by the ADC, but despite it. Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the book,Writing for Media and Monetising It. The award-winning campaign was executed in collaboration with the Presidential Media and Communications Team and launched to mark the Presidents second year in office. Designed with a focus on clarity and simplicity, the campaign effectively translated complex reform policies into relatable narratives, earning recognition not only within Nigerias business community but also from global financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. Another significant global recognition has come the way of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as its reform agenda gained continental acclaim at the SABRE Africa Awards held in Johannesburg. Leading Public Relations and Communications consultancy, Chain Reactions Africa, clinched a major award for its campaign, From Reforms to Recovery, developed to communicate the outcomes of the administrations bold economic reforms. The award-winning campaign was executed in collaboration with the Presidential Media and Communications Team and launched to mark the Presidents second year in office. Designed with a focus on clarity and simplicity, the campaign effectively translated complex reform policies into relatable narratives, earning recognition not only within Nigerias business community but also from global financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. Beyond its Public Sector and Government category win, where it triumphed over global communications firm Weber Shandwick, Chain Reactions Africa secured additional accolades across multiple categories. The firm earned a Gold Award in the Travel & Leisure category for its work on the Lagos Shopping Festival, reinforcing its growing reputation as one of Africas foremost PR and reputation management firms. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google In the Technology category, the consultancy also emerged winner for its campaign on the unveiling of the T2 brand for Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (EMTS), formerly known as 9mobile. This category featured strong competition from notable agencies including South Africas ByDesign and Fury, as well as global communications giant WE Communications, underscoring the scale of the achievement. Speaking at the event, Paul Holmes, founder of PRovoke Media and organisers of the awards, highlighted that the 2026 edition attracted a record number of entries, making it one of the most competitive in the awards history. He commended the high standard of submissions and the rigour of the judging process. Reacting to the recognition, Israel Jaiye Opayemi, founder and chief strategist of Chain Reactions Africa, described the moment as a proud milestone for Nigeria on the global communications stage. He dedicated the award to President Tinubu for initiating bold reforms, as well as to the Presidential Media and Communications Team for their collaborative approach, which enabled the campaigns clarity and effectiveness. Reflecting on the firms journey, Opayemi recalled attending the SABRE Awards in Miami in 2014 as a spectator, where he resolved to position both his company and Nigeria prominently on the global PR stage. That ambition materialised in 2016 with the firms first SABRE win and has since evolved into a consistent record of excellence that continues to elevate Nigerias reputation within the global communications ecosystem. He also acknowledged the support of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for the Lagos Shopping Festival, noting that the initiative has rapidly gained international visibility and positioned Lagos as a destination for retail and cultural experiences. Held in partnership with the Public Relations and Communications Association for the first time, the SABRE Africa Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in branding, reputation, and engagement. With over 500 entries and more than 120 shortlisted campaigns, the 2026 edition stands among the most competitive to date. With multiple wins this year, Chain Reactions Africa maintains an unmatched record among Nigerian PR firms, having secured seven SABRE Awards in 2024, four in 2025, and three in 2026, further cementing its growing influence and recognition across Africa and beyond. Chidiebere Onuorah, a communications sector analyst, writes from Ikeja, Lagos. Yusuf Tuggar, by virtue of his position as Nigerias minister of Foreign Affairs, occupies a role that requires global engagement, strategic diplomacy, and national representation. It stretches logic to suggest that a serving minister, burdened with international responsibilities, would abandon his mandate to orchestrate internal party crises at the state level. Such claims not only undermine his office but also diminish the seriousness of political discourse. The unfolding political drama within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has taken a troubling turn, with former Governor Isa Yuguda resorting to sweeping allegations against the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar. However, beyond the noise, a more critical question emerges: Are these claims rooted in verifiable facts, or are they part of a calculated political strategy to weaken a perceived rival? A careful examination of the accusations reveals a pattern that is all too familiar in Nigerias political landscape, in which serious claims are made without publicly available evidence. Allegations of bribery, internal sabotage, and the deliberate destabilisation of the party are weighty issues that demand proof, not press statements. In the absence of such evidence, they risk being viewed as politically motivated narratives aimed at discrediting Tuggars rising profile within the APC. It is also important to note that Yusuf Tuggar is not a newcomer in Nigerias political landscape. Before his current role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he served as a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, representing Gamawa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State. During his time in the National Assembly, Tuggar was known for his contributions to legislative debates, policy advocacy, and constituency development, earning him a reputation as a focused and articulate lawmaker. Beyond his legislative career, Tuggar has remained an active and influential figure within the APC, playing strategic roles in party mobilisation and national politics. He was among the key figures who contributed to the political momentum that led to the electoral success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly through engagement, coordination, and support structures that strengthened the partys performance in critical areas. His political experience and network therefore reflect years of active involvement, not a sudden emergence on the scene. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Yusuf Tuggar, by virtue of his position as Nigerias minister of Foreign Affairs, occupies a role that requires global engagement, strategic diplomacy, and national representation. It stretches logic to suggest that a serving minister, burdened with international responsibilities, would abandon his mandate to orchestrate internal party crises at the state level. Such claims not only undermine his office but also diminish the seriousness of political discourse. What appears more plausible is that the growing influence and political relevance of Tuggar in Bauchi State may be unsettling certain entrenched interests. History has shown that in moments like this, accusations often become tools of political survival deployed not necessarily to inform the public, but to shape perception and control narratives ahead of future contests. Even more concerning is the attempt to frame political ambition as a crime. In a democratic system, aspiring to leadership is both legitimate and expected. The real issue is not ambition, but the desperation to suppress it through unverified allegations and public smear campaigns. If indeed there are credible concerns about misconduct, the appropriate avenue remains clear: present evidence before relevant party organs or law enforcement agencies. Resorting to media battles without substantiation only deepens division and weakens public trust in political leadership. At a time when the APC in Bauchi State should be consolidating its structure ahead of future elections, the focus appears to have shifted towards internal warfare. This is not only counterproductive but risks handing political advantage to opposition forces who are closely watching the cracks within the ruling party. Tuggar, on his part, has largely remained focused on his national assignment, avoiding unnecessary engagement in local political disputes. That restraint, in itself, reflects a level of maturity that should be encouraged, not attacked. Ultimately, the APC in Bauchi must decide whether it wants to be defined by progress or by internal sabotage disguised as whistleblowing. Political disagreements are inevitable, but weaponising unproven allegations is a dangerous path that could erode the party from within. In the end, leadership is not measured by the volume of accusations one can make, but by the ability to unite, build, and move forward. If the party is to remain relevant and competitive, it must rise above personal battles and refocus on collective purpose. Until then, Nigerians will continue to ask: Who truly benefits from this growing storm within the APC in Bauchi? Beyond the present accusations, it is also important to revisit documented concerns that trailed Isa Yugudas tenure as governor of Bauchi State. Public records and media reports over the years have repeatedly linked his administration to investigations by anti-corruption agencies, raising questions that remain part of Nigerias political memory. In one widely reported case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sealed off a high-value property linked to Isah Yuguda in Bauchi. The action, according to the commission, was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations bordering on abuse of office, money laundering, and diversion of public funds. Further reports also indicated that the EFCC had at various times investigated properties and financial dealings connected to the former governor. These investigations, covered by reputable media organisations, contributed to a narrative that placed his tenure under significant public and institutional examination. Similarly, findings from a high-powered committee set up by a succeeding administration in Bauchi reportedly uncovered widespread irregularities in contracts awarded between 2007 and 2015. The committee alleged that billions of naira could not be properly accounted for, recommending recovery from contractors, officials, and financial institutions linked to those transactions. While it is important to stress that allegations do not equate to guilt, they nevertheless form part of the public record. In this context, it becomes even more necessary for political actors to exercise restraint when making unverified claims against others. In light of these lingering concerns, it becomes imperative for Isa Yuguda to clearly state his position regarding the past allegations linked to his tenure. Public accountability demands that individuals who once held high office should not shy away from addressing issues that remain part of public discourse. Silence or deflection only fuels further speculation. More importantly, it raises questions about the moral standing from which such an individual chooses to level serious accusations against others, particularly figures like Yusuf Tuggar, whose public record continues to be defined by active national service and diplomatic responsibility. Indeed, many observers argue that a political figure with a history of repeated scrutiny should exercise greater restraint in public commentary. Engaging in loud and unsubstantiated accusations against others, while unresolved questions from ones own past remain, risks appearing less like accountability and more like political distraction. In such circumstances, credibility becomes a central issue one that cannot be separated from history, public perception, and institutional records. Given the challenges facing Isa Yuguda, there is need for him to provide the public with clear answers to key questions regarding the corruption allegations during his administration. Below are some of these questions: What is your clear position on the corruption-related investigations and allegations that trailed your tenure as governor of Bauchi State? Can you publicly clarify the outcome of the EFCC-related cases and reports concerning properties and financial dealings linked to you? How do you respond to findings from review committees that alleged financial irregularities during your administration? What tangible legacy or compendium of achievements can you present to Bauchi people from your time in office? In light of your record, on what moral grounds do you make strong allegations against other public officials? Given the weight of these unresolved questions, some observers argue that it may be more appropriate for Isa Yuguda to first address concerns surrounding his own record, rather than publicly associating himself with a party like the APC that positions itself on integrity, accountability, and progressive governance. In recent weeks, concerns have continued to mount over the alleged role of Isa Yugudas son, Muslim Isa Yuguda, a special adviser to the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, in the internal tensions within the APC in Bauchi State. Political observers claim that his growing involvement in party activities has been marked by actions and rhetoric perceived to deepen divisions rather than promote cohesion. While these claims remain matters of public discussion, they have nonetheless contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty within the partys structure at the state level. Analysts argue that for any emerging political figure, especially one linked to an established political family, the expectation should be to build bridges and strengthen party unity. However, the allegations surrounding Muslim Yuguda suggest a different trajectory one that raises questions about intent, experience, and the broader implications for APCs stability in Bauchi. As the party navigates a sensitive period, there are increasing calls for all actors, regardless of status or background, to adopt a more responsible and unifying approach to political engagement. Usman Dahiru writes from Bauchi, Bauchi State. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs will announce the 12th cohort of the flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme on Sunday, 22 March, 2026. In 2026, the Foundation will empower a total of 3,200 entrepreneurs across all its entrepreneurship programmes. These comprise the following: 1,751 entrepreneurs through Heirs Holdings Group: Heirs Energies, Transcorp Power, Transcorp Hotels, and United Capital; 1,049 entrepreneurs in partnership with the European Commission, OACPS, BMZ and GIZ; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with Seme City Development Agency; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with DEG, the German Development Agency; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, UNICEFs Generation Unlimited and the Dutch Government; and 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with UNDP and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google Applications to the flagship programme were received from over 265,000 young Africans, representing all 54 African countries, underscoring Africas vibrant entrepreneurial sector and the funding challenge for entrepreneurs. The new cohort will join the TEF Alumni community of more than 24,000 entrepreneurs. The selection process is conducted by Ernst & Young, ensuring an independent and rigorous assessment of applicants. Each selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur will receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, access to world-class business management training on TEFConnect, one-on-one mentorship, and entry into a powerful network of investors, partners, and other entrepreneurs. The Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered over 2.5 million young Africans with access to business management training on our proprietary digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over US$100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 selected entrepreneurs. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated $4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Through our support for African entrepreneurs, TEF has lifted 2.1 million Africans above the poverty line, and positively impacted more than 4 million African households, with 46% of supported entrepreneurs being African women. Ahead of the upcoming announcement, Tony O Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, reiterates his unwavering belief in the potential of Africas entrepreneurs: The future of Africa will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and solve the challenges of our continent. At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we believe that empowering entrepreneurs is the most sustainable path to Africas economic transformation. I look forward to announcing and congratulating the 2026 cohort of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs and look forward to witnessing the impact they will create across our continent. We kindly invite you to save the date and join us virtually: 3M will form a new joint venture to offer best-in-class safety, fire-rescue, and suppression solutions for firefighters, first responders, and industrial workers ST. PAUL, Minn., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M (NYSE: MMM) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Madison Fire & Rescue, in partnership with Bain Capital. 3M and Bain Capital will establish a new joint venture in which 3M will contribute Scott Safety, receive $700M of cash proceeds upon closing and own 50.1% of the new company with Bain Capital owning 49.9%. 3M's deep expertise and track record in the safety industry combined with Bain Capital's capability to integrate businesses, accelerate growth and drive synergies make this an ideal partnership. Madison Fire & Rescue offers a premier portfolio in rescue technology and fire suppression, including products offered under the Holmatro, Amkus, Task Force Tips, Fire Fighting Systems, and Waterax brands. This business aligns with 3M, sharing strengths in technology innovation, quality and reliability, and brand. The combination of Scott's premium Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) solutions with Madison Fire & Rescue's complementary portfolio will enable the company to better serve firefighters, first responders and industrial workers. "This strategic transaction broadens 3M's safety portfolio, one of our priority verticals, by expanding our market reach and building scale for future growth," said William Brown, Chairman and CEO. "It positions us to enhance margins and generate strong free cash flow, and enables continued investment in innovations that create value for customers and shareholders." Under the terms of the transaction 3M and Bain Capital will acquire Madison Fire & Rescue from Madison Industries for $1.95B. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Forward-Looking Statements This release includes "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the proposed transaction between 3M, Bain Capital and Madison Fire & Rescue (Madison). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "outlook," "target," "endeavor," "seek," "predict," "intend," "strategy," "plan," "may," "could," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the expected timing and structure of the proposed transaction, the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction, the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, including future financial and operating results and strategic benefits, the tax consequences of the proposed transaction, and the new joint venture company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, legal, economic and regulatory conditions, and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on 3M's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from 3M's current expectations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others: (1) that one or more closing conditions to the proposed transaction may not be satisfied or waived, on a timely basis or otherwise; (2) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed on the terms or in the timeframe expected by 3M, or at all; (3) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; (4) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the combined SCBA and Madison businesses following completion of the proposed transaction; (5) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including as a result of delay in completing the proposed transaction or integrating the businesses, on the expected timeframe or at all; (6) the ability of the new joint venture company to implement its business strategy; (7) difficulties and delays in the achieving revenue and cost synergies; (8) inability to retain and hire key personnel; (9) the occurrence of any event that could give rise to termination of the proposed transaction; (10) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (11) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; (12) actions by third parties, including government agencies; (13) the risks that the anticipated tax treatment of the proposed transaction is not obtained; (14) the risk of greater than expected difficulty in combining the SCBA and Madison businesses; (15) risks related to the disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the pendency of the proposed transaction, or other effects of the pendency of the proposed transaction on the relationship of any of the parties to the proposed transaction with their employees, customers, suppliers, or other counterparties; and (16) risk factors detailed from time to time in 3M's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including 3M's annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. 3M does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or development, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. About 3M 3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news. Please note that the company announces material financial, business and operational information using the 3M investor relations website, SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. The company also uses the 3M News Center and social media to communicate with our customers and the public about the company, products and services and other matters. It is possible that the information 3M posts on the News Center and social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, the company encourages investors, the media and others interested in 3M to review the information posted on 3M's news center and the social media channels such as @3M or @3MNews. Investor Contact Diane Farrow (612) 202-2449 Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE 3M Company Recognition reflects a sustained track record of delivering measurable impact for HR teams as AbsenceSoft accelerates its AI-first approach to leave and accommodations management DENVER, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AbsenceSoft , the leading SaaS platform for leave of absence and accommodations management, today announced it has been named a winner of the 2026 Lighthouse Tech Awards Best Innovative or Emerging Tech Solution in the Core HR/Workforce category. This marks the fourth consecutive year AbsenceSoft has received this recognition, underscoring a consistent record of innovation in one of HR's most complex and high-stakes areas. AbsenceSoft Wins Lighthouse Tech Award for Fourth Consecutive Year Now in its seventh year, the Lighthouse Tech Awards, formerly known as the HR Tech Awards, recognizes solutions that meaningfully support the hiring, development, performance, and retention of the workforce. Being named a winner four years running places AbsenceSoft among a small group of solutions that have demonstrated staying power alongside continued innovation. As the volume and complexity of leave and accommodations requests continue to rise, HR teams are under increasing pressure to manage compliance while maintaining a supportive employee experience. AbsenceSoft helps organizations navigate these challenges by automating workflows, centralizing documentation, and guiding HR teams through evolving federal and state requirements. Increasingly, that work is powered by AI that is purpose-built for leave and accommodations, designed with compliance guardrails and human oversight at every step. This allows HR teams to manage complex leave and accommodations processes with greater consistency, accuracy, and confidence while creating a more supportive experience for employees. "When it comes to leave management, there's not an HR team on the planet that wouldn't call it a challenge, a headache, or something worse," said the Lighthouse Research & Advisory Awards Judging Panel. "AbsenceSoft is turning that around for clients, creating an opportunity to deliver a positive experience for employees in the middle of a critical moment where leave is requested or needs to be managed. Plus, leave management becomes a clearer, easier, and more insightful process on the employer side." That kind of sustained recognition matters in a year when the stakes for HR teams have never been higher. According to AbsenceSoft's 2026 State of Leave and Accommodations Report , more than half of HR leaders reported increases in both leave and accommodations requests for the third year in a row, often without additional staff or better tools to support the load. The recognition highlights AbsenceSoft's continued innovation in helping HR teams simplify complex leave and accommodations processes while improving the employee experience. "Being recognized by Lighthouse Research & Advisory for the fourth consecutive year reflects the real impact we're delivering for HR teams and their employees," said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. "Leave and accommodations management is one of the most complex areas of HR, and our focus has always been on making that process simpler, more compliant, and more supportive for everyone involved. What excites me most is where we're headed. We believe responsible AI, built specifically for leave and accommodations, will fundamentally change what HR teams are capable of, and we're committed to leading that shift." To learn more about the Lighthouse Tech Awards and view the full list of 2026 winners, please visit hrtechawards.org . About AbsenceSoft AbsenceSoft is a leading provider of leave and accommodations management SaaS solutions. We deliver scalable, easy-to-use, and configurable software to easily and efficiently manage 200+ statutory policies like FMLA, ADA, and PWFA. Our software streamlines and automates leave and accommodations processes, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while elevating the employee experience. Built by leave professionals, for leave professionals, AbsenceSoft is trusted by employers across industries, Third Party Administrators (TPAs), and Professional Employee Organizations (PEOs) to manage over seven million lives. We are widely recognized for our top-tier customer service and robust customer community engagement. Learn more at absencesoft.com or follow the company on LinkedIn . Media Contact Elizabeth Gordon 408.840.9883 [email protected] SOURCE AbsenceSoft Participation in conferences in Miami reinforces Brazil's role in global discussions on data, regulation, and innovation in the credit market MIAMI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Credit Bureaus (ANBC) is strengthening its presence in the global debate on the future of credit by taking part in two major international financial industry events held in Miami. The organization's executive president, Elias Sfeir, will join leading experts to discuss topics such as Artificial Intelligence governance, compliance, and regulatory transformation in the financial system. On March 24, during the FIBA AML Conference an event focused on anti-money laundering practices and strengthening compliance frameworks Sfeir will speak at the panel "I implemented AI, now what? A governance perspective." The session will bring together representatives from ENGAGE.MC, BH Compliance, and AWN Advisors to address AI governance, data transparency, and integrity mechanisms in the financial sector. At Fintech Americas 2026, one of the region's leading conferences on banking, payments, insurance, and fintech, Sfeir will also participate in the panel "AI meets Open Finance: how Brazil's regulatory revolution is redefining the future of the banking sector." Scheduled for March 25, the discussion will feature representatives from the Central Bank of Brazil, Open Finance Brazil, and Socure, focusing on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and regulation in building a more efficient, transparent, and secure financial market. According to Sfeir, ANBC's presence in international forums enhances the exchange of experiences and strengthens discussions on the responsible use of data in the financial system. "Exchanging best practices with international organizations is an opportunity not only to learn, but also to contribute. Brazil has made significant progress in the responsible use of data to expand access to credit, and bringing this experience of credit democratization to the global stage is part of ANBC's role as a reference in the sector," he said. The association's international engagement includes participation in forums and organizations within the credit and data information sector, such as the World Bank Credit Committee, ACCIS, ALACRED, and BIIA. ANBC advocates for credit sustainability through an ecosystem built on high-quality data, technological innovation, and sound regulatory practices key elements for expanding access to credit and strengthening trust in the financial system. SOURCE ANBC The Julius Meinl Barista Cup 2026 brings international baristas together to determine the next champions VIENNA , March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Every day, baristas around the world prepare more than five million cups of Julius Meinl coffee, shaping the coffee experience for guests in cafes, restaurants and hotels across the globe. To celebrate these professionals and the craft behind every cup, premium coffee brand Julius Meinl hosts the Julius Meinl Barista Cup, an international competition recognising the skill, creativity and passion of hospitality baristas. Baristas from around the world will soon compete at the Julius Meinl Barista Cup (PRNewsfoto/Julius Meinl) From April to July 2026, national competitions will take place across 17 countries: Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the UAE, the USA, Serbia, Germany, Slovenia, China and Hungary. National champions will advance to the Grand Finale, hosted in Julius Meinl's home city of Vienna on 4 September 2026. From local cafes to the international stage Baristas working in cafes, restaurants and hotels serving Julius Meinl coffee are invited to apply now. Selected candidates will compete at national level, demonstrating their skills in front of a panel of expert judges across three categories: Espresso, Cappuccino and Signature Drink. At the Grand Finale, the top scorer in each category will win an exclusive trip to a coffee country of origin. The experience offers baristas a rare opportunity to engage with coffee culture at origin and deepen their understanding of sustainable cultivation. The Julius Meinl Barista Cup represents an exceptional journey for outstanding baristas to showcase and further develop their skills as part of an international community. "The inaugural Julius Meinl Barista Cup in 2024 was an incredible moment to celebrate the passion and expertise baristas brought to the competition. Their dedication was truly inspiring. We are thrilled to relaunch the Julius Meinl Barista Cup in 2026, welcoming five additional countries and continuing to champion baristas on a global stage", says Christina Meinl, 5th generation family member. Craft and creativity at the centre of the competition Baristas will compete using Julius Meinl's Gloriette Gold blend, part of The Originals Bio Fairtrade double-certified range inspired by Vienna's coffeehouse culture. The range is crafted for professionals who value sustainability and premium quality. During the competition, participants will showcase their technical skills, creativity and personal interpretation of the blend. Supported by leading industry partners The Julius Meinl Barista Cup is supported by leading industry partners Rancilio Group, Fiorenzato, DaVinci Gourmet and BWT. The participants will work with SCA-certified Rancilio Specialty RS1 espresso machines and high-precision Fiorenzato grinders, alongside BWT's purifying and mineralising water technology to ensure optimal flavour. DaVinci Gourmet joins as the official syrups partner, supporting baristas in creating distinctive signature beverages. "Collaborating with leading industry brands is a core part of our role as a coffee partner. We take pride in ensuring that baristas are equipped with the tools they need to deliver premium coffee experiences in every cup", adds Andreea Postolache, Global Marketing & Sales Director, Julius Meinl Coffee Group. Baristas can apply for the Julius Meinl Barista Cup here. Follow @JuliusMeinlOfficial on Instagram for exclusive event coverage and to discover which countries will emerge victorious. NOTE TO EDITORS About Julius Meinl: Founded in 1862, Julius Meinl is one of the oldest coffee roasters in the world and an iconic Vienna coffee house brand. Dedication to quality has been a family trademark for five generations. With more than 160 years of experience in sourcing, blending and roasting, Meinl is a preferred coffee supplier for Vienna's leading coffee houses. Today, Julius Meinl coffees and teas create meaningful moments for customers and consumers across the globe, and are sold in over 50,000 hotels, coffee houses and restaurants in 70 countries, plus a growing number of retail outlets. Press Contact Jaqueline Sieberer Corporate Communications & Press Spokesperson Julius Meinl 1862 GmbH Email: [email protected] www.juliusmeinl.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937960/Julius_Meinl.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937959/Julius_Meinl_Logo.jpg SOURCE Julius Meinl ConceiveAbilities Sets the Gold Standard in Surrogate Support During Surrogacy Awareness Month CHICAGO, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Before a surrogacy journey begins, the most important step is often the first conversation: talking to your partner. For over 30 years, ConceiveAbilities has guided women and their families through this life-changing decision, providing expert insights, answers to the questions partners ask most, and unmatched support that has set the gold standard in surrogate care. Thinking about becoming a surrogate? The first step often starts at home. In this podcast, we share expert tips on how to talk to your spouse or partner about surrogacyhow to share your motivations, listen to their concerns, and navigate the conversation with empathy and understanding. Learn how clear communication can help both partners feel supported and confident as you explore the journey of becoming a gestational surrogate. Speed Speed Thinking about surrogacy? Get expert tips on how to start the conversation about becoming a surrogate with your spouse or partner. For many women, the desire to become a surrogate grows quietly over monthsor even yearsbefore they share the idea with a spouse or partner. By the time the words are spoken, they are often well-informed and deeply committed. For partners, hearing the idea for the first time can bring a mix of emotionscuriosity, concern, surprise, or pride. Every partner's engagement looks different, and ConceiveAbilities honors that individualitywhether they want to be deeply involved or prefer a quieter supporting role. In recognition of Surrogacy Awareness Month, ConceiveAbilities is spotlighting How to Talk to Your Partner About Becoming a Surrogate: Expert Tips to Start the Conversation With Confidence. The agency provides comprehensive guidance for surrogates and their families through a team of nurses, fertility clinic coordinators, mental health professionals, and surrogacy specialists who help couples navigate every questionfrom medical safety and legal protections to emotional support and family logistics. Partners are supported in defining their own role, whether that means attending appointments, helping with logistics, or offering encouragement from the sidelines. On the agency's podcast, All Things Conceivable, host Nazca Fontes speaks with Lori Jurecko, MA, LSW, and Allyson Meadows, who share expert tips for starting the conversation with a partner. "Women often think about becoming a surrogate long before they say it out loud," said Jurecko. "For partners, the idea is brand new. Once they understand the process and the meaning behind it, many go from hesitant to incredibly supportive." Meadows adds, "Almost every partner I've met ends up proud and inspired. They see the extraordinary impact their spouse is making in another family's liferegardless of how involved they choose to be." ConceiveAbilities' comprehensive surrogate support includes: Industry-leading surrogate compensation Best-in-class matching Expert guidance on legal, medical coverage, and the surrogate IVF process Mental health resources from early exploration through postpartum recovery The agency also provides answers to the top questions partners ask, including how a surrogate pregnancy affects family life, time commitments, emotional attachments, legal responsibilities, and financial considerations. By addressing these concerns early, couples can approach surrogacy as an informed and confident team, with partners defining their own level of involvement. "Trust is built through transparency, expertise, and support at every step," says Michelle DeMonte, Vice President of Surrogate Engagement. "Our goal is to empower women considering surrogacy while ensuring their partners feel informed, comfortable, and supportedno matter how active or hands-off their role may be." Ready to start your surrogacy journey? Learn more about becoming a surrogate today. Celebrating 30 Years of Empowering Surrogates and Families ConceiveAbilities is a leading national egg donor and surrogacy agency that has helped families grow for over 30 years. Known for industry-leading surrogate care, the agency provides expert guidance, comprehensive support, and robust resources for surrogates and intended parents alike. SOURCE ConceiveAbilities NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Chalkie, an AI-powered, innovative education technology platform built to support teachers with curriculum-aligned lessons, has just announced the closure of a massive $4M funding round from TriplePoint Ventures. Used by more than 500,000 teachers worldwide and serving over 10 million students globally, Chalkie was designed to give educators powerful tools to save time and combat burnout. Chalkie allows teachers to enter a topic, select their curriculum, and guide the AI to generate engaging lesson plans in seconds. Each lesson includes professionally designed teaching materials and differentiated activity sheets tailored for students of varying abilities. Before launching Chalkie, CEO and co-founder Phillip Daneshyar built and scaled multiple ventures backed by Y Combinator and appeared on Dragon's Den. His previous company, Kanda, brokered more than $100 million in loans for UK home improvement businesses, helping over 10,000 tradespeople expand their companies. Phillip is joined by CTO and co-founder Mark Hughes, who previously founded Tutorful, one of the UK's largest tutoring marketplaces. At its peak, Tutorful employed more than 80 people and raised over $10 million, establishing Hughes as a prominent innovator in the edtech sector. Completing the founding team is CPO and co-founder Peter Sanderson, a classically trained architect turned product designer who previously served as Head of Design at Tutorful. Sanderson works closely with educators to translate their everyday classroom challenges into intuitive features designed to reduce workload and fight teacher burnout. Since launching in 2025, Chalkie has seen rapid global adoption as schools and teachers increasingly turn to AI-powered tools to streamline preparation and improve classroom engagement. Teachers face enormous pressure and limited time. This past month, Chalkie ran a survey in which teachers reported that Chalkie saves them an average of 5 hours a week, with 90% strongly agreeing that Chalkie contributes to their long-term professional well-being. Chalkie offers three flexible plans designed to support educators at every stage: Forever Free Plan Five free lesson resources or activity sheets per week, every week, forever. Five free lesson resources or activity sheets per week, every week, forever. Pro Plan ($80/year) Up to 200 resources per month, including alignment with any national curriculum. Up to 200 resources per month, including alignment with any national curriculum. Max Plan (Varies) Up to 400 resources per month, with advanced features including custom presentation themes and enhanced customization. By building tools that genuinely understand their workflow, Chalkie can remove friction from lesson preparation and give them back valuable hours each week. For more information, visit Chalkie at chalkie.ai. SOURCE Chalkie AI Fusing Eastern Wellness Wisdom with Advanced Algorithms to Usher in a "New Era of Proactive Wellness" NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 16, Chinese AI tech brand Andun illuminated New York's Times Square, marking its official introduction to the global market. By pioneering a technological path that integrates the concepts of traditional Chinese wellness with modern artificial intelligence, Andun continues to explore groundbreaking possibilities in the proactive health and lifestyle sector. Andun made an appearance at the Beijing Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Exhibition During the global brand showcase, Andun Founder Bai Weimin emphasized the company's dedication to driving the evolution of personal well-being through technological innovation. "We hope to help global users better understand their overall wellness status through smarter algorithms and more comprehensive trend analyses," Bai Weimin stated. At the core of Andun's brand ecosystem is its proprietary "Tianhui AI Pulse Analysis Algorithm". This innovative system seamlessly combines traditional wellness principles with deep learning models to interpret holistic health signals. Rather than relying solely on traditional hardware measurements, Andun places a stronger emphasis on the role of its central algorithms to observe personal wellness trends and generate highly personalized lifestyle, fitness, and nutritional recommendations. Expanding its proactive wellness ecosystem, Andun highlighted its flagship innovation: the AI Wellness Robot. This smart interactive companion acts as a tangible manifestation of the brand's powerful algorithm, bringing personalized Eastern wellness insights directly into users' daily lives. Recently, the robot garnered widespread attention and generated significant buzz at the Beijing Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Conference, drawing crowds and sparking industry conversations. Prominent Chinese media such as People's Daily Online and 36Kr noted that Andun's integration of traditional wellness wisdom and modern technology showcases a promising new direction for independent innovation by Chinese tech enterprises. As the global proactive well-being market continues to evolve, technological paths based on diverse wellness frameworks are expected to collectively drive the industry forward. Through this launch, Andun aims to provide global users with expanded choices, officially pioneering and defining the next generation of smart wellness. SOURCE Andun The arrest of Lobo Menor in the Mexican capital sheds light on the criminal relationship between the three countries, connected to cocaine trafficking Mexico on Wednesday captured Angel Esteban Aguilar, alias Lobo Menor, one of the leaders of the Ecuadorian criminal group Los Lobos, which was designated a terrorist organization by the United States in September. Having arrived in Mexico under a false name, Lobo Menor was transferred to Colombia on Wednesday, a necessary step before facing justice in Ecuador, whose Interior Minister John Reimberg explained that Aguilar was wanted for the 2023 murder of Fernando Villavicencio, then a presidential candidate. Arrested in Polanco, an upscale neighborhood in downtown Mexico City, Aguilars presence in the country sheds light on the criminal network operating between Mexico and Ecuador, with Colombia as a mandatory stop. The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, celebrated the operation and indicated that, in addition to having ties to Mexican criminal groups, Lobo Menor is linked to Ivan Mordisco, leader of the conglomerate of FARC dissident groups that reject the peace agreement signed 10 years ago. The question is what Lobo Menor was doing in Mexico was he in hiding or conducting business? For some time now, at least a decade and a half, authorities in various countries in the region have pointed to the connection between Ecuadorian criminal gangs and Mexican cartels. The former channel cocaine produced in Colombia to Ecuadorian ports and then send it north, where the latter handle the final link in the logistics chain: its transport to the United States, the worlds number one consumer. In the case of Los Lobos, one of Ecuadors most powerful gangs, the Trump administration has pointed to their likely ties to structures linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a criminal group with a presence in virtually every Mexican state, including the capital. Authorities have not detailed the possible reasons for Aguilars stay in Mexico City, where the Colombian community the country that issued the criminals false passport has grown in recent years. The Ecuadorian government has been aware of the CJNGs ties to local organized crime for at least five years, according to Mexican army documents obtained by EL PAIS. At that time, the group was linked to Los Lagartos, a sister gang of Los Lobos, which failed to consolidate its power. The recent death of CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera, alias Mencho, in a confrontation with the military in Jalisco, central Mexico, obscures the current criminal alliance between Mexican and Ecuadorian groups. The volatility of the gangs in Ecuador, which are constantly fragmenting, further complicates any potential understanding. One of the cabins where El Mencho was hiding out, in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico. Roberto Antillon. Lobo Menor is no ordinary figure on Ecuadors criminal map. Police identify him as the second-in-command of Los Lobos, the gang formerly led by Wilmer Chavarria, alias Pipo. In 2021, amid a crisis of brutal prison violence in the country that left dozens dead and a sense of utter chaos, Pipo faked his death and fled to Spain. He was captured there in November 2025 and remains in custody awaiting possible extradition. In his absence, control fell to his stepson, Lobo Menor. Aguilars criminal history began more than a decade ago. In 2013, at just 22 years old, he was sentenced to 20 years for the murder of Juan Antonio Serrano, brother of Jose Serrano, then the powerful Minister of the Interior in Rafael Correas government. Years later, however, Aguilar was granted early release. The judge ordered monthly check-ins by the government agency in charge of prisons, SNAI, but the agency opted to conduct them virtually. It was insufficient: Lobo Menor disappeared from the radar and left the country. The rise of Los Lobos partly explains its current position. In just a few years, the organization went from being a splinter faction of Los Choneros, a gang that dominated organized crime in Ecuador a decade ago, to becoming an independent structure with thousands of armed members, controlling more than half of the countrys provinces. Its growth was fueled by funding from drug trafficking networks including that of Ecuadorian Leandro Norero, who was murdered in the Cotopaxi prison in an ambush ordered by Pipo and by the support of the CJNG. The fracturing of the criminal system accelerated in 2021, following the death of Jose Luis Zambrano, alias Rasquina, leader of Los Choneros, who for decades had managed to maintain the hegemony of smaller gangs working for his organization. After Rasquinas assassination, prisons became battlegrounds for the rise of a new leader. Los Lobos challenged Los Choneros for control in a series of massacres that left more than 100 inmates dead. In the end, "Fito" (who has now been extradited to the U.S.) and JR shared leadership of Los Choneros, while the rival gangs finally broke away. Los Lobos consolidated their power through violence, seizing entire cities for drug trafficking and forcibly taking over important mining territories. In that context, Lobo Menors power grew and grew. His tentacles even reached Colombia. Petro has pointed to his ties with Ivan Mordisco, a recycled warlord who is currently the countrys public enemy number one, to the point that authorities are offering a five billion peso reward (over $1.3 million) for his capture. Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez Mordiscos real name heads the structures grouped in the self-styled Central General Staff (EMC), which brings together dissident factions that remained armed after breaking away from the peace agreement signed in late 2016 between the government and the FARC guerrillas. According to the Prosecutors Office, Aguilars role within the Los Lobos organization transcended mere hierarchy, as he was responsible for planning and ensuring that the plot to assassinate Fernando Villavicencio remained secret. The candidates murder marked a turning point for Ecuador, which has suffered an extraordinary increase in homicides over the past six years. On August 9, 2023, Villavicencio was gunned down as he left a campaign rally in northern Quito. One of the hitmen died at the scene. The other six, all of Colombian origin, were arrested and, days later, murdered in an Ecuadorian prison. With them, a crucial piece of the truth was lost. Villavicencio had built his political career on accusations of corruption during the Correa administration and the links between organized crime and politics. His death definitively exposed the collapse of security in a country that, in just a few years, went from being an island of relative calm to a territory riddled with violence and gang warfare. On March 12, 2026, the Attorney Generals Office closed its investigation into the case. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Communitas joins PHM Group, a European-based residential property services company, marking an important step in the company's long-term growth journey. DALLAS, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- By joining PHM Group, Communitas gains a long-term partner with extensive experience in developing property service companies. PHM operates across multiple European markets and is built on partnering with entrepreneurial businesses while supporting strong local operators and preserving their brands. "PHM is a strong strategic partner with the experience and resources to support our continued growth," said Paul Reyes, CEO of Communitas. "Just as importantly, we share the same philosophy of empowering local operators while supporting them with the expertise and long-term perspective of a larger group. This partnership allows us to continue building Communitas while maintaining the high level of service our clients expect." Communitas will continue to operate under its existing leadership, team, and brand, ensuring continuity for employees, clients, and the communities it serves. "Communitas provides an excellent platform for long-term growth in the U.S.," said Ville Rantala, CEO of PHM Group. "We look forward to supporting the Communitas team as they continue to grow the business and build a leading platform in the U.S. community property management market." Together, Communitas and PHM Group plan to expand the platform over time through organic development and partnerships with other property service businesses across the United States. About PHM Group PHM Group is a property services group whose mission is to care about people by taking care of their surroundings. PHM Group consists of the best local companies in the industry with the same values and motivations: entrepreneurship and a fair and responsible way of working. PHM Group employs 15,400 property services professionals in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and the Netherlands. The Group's consolidated revenue amounted to EUR 1,261 million as of 31 December 2025. PHM Group is owned by funds managed by Norvestor together with the management of the local companies. Read more: https://phmgroup.com About Communitas Communitas is a community management company created to help firms looking to partner with a business that respects legacy and empowers growth. We deliver the management services, solutions, and resources that enrich the lives of the more than 42,000 homeowners we serve. With nine member companies and more than 250 employees operating in 700 communities, Communitas is the premiere partner for HOA management companies. Learn more at www.communitas.live. SOURCE Communitas - Phase 1/1b clinical trial with CGX-926 ongoing for MC4R-deficient genetic obesity - - Programs in Parkinson's Disease and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency progressing toward the clinic - MONTREAL, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Congruence Therapeutics, a clinical-stage, computationally-driven biotechnology company building a unique pipeline of pharmacological correctors for diseases of protein misfolding, including MC4R-deficient (MC4R-d) genetic obesity, GBA1-driven Parkinson's disease and Alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency, announced today the closing of a US $39.5 million financing. The financing was co-led by new investor Dimension and existing investor OrbiMed. Additional investors included Amplitude Ventures, FSTQ, Lumira, Investissement Quebec, BDC Capital's Thrive Venture Fund, Driehaus, and Silver Arc. "Our mission is to translate biology, chemistry and protein structural insights into medicines that address disease at its molecular origin," said Dr. Clarissa Desjardins, co-founder and CEO of Congruence Therapeutics. "In addition to CGX-926, we are advancing multiple proprietary and collaborative programs. We thank our new and existing investors for their continued support." Proceeds from the financing will support the Phase 1/1b study of CGX-926, the Company's lead program for MC4R-deficient genetic obesity, in healthy subjects and patients with MC4R-deficiency. Congruence also plans to complete IND-enabling activities for two additional development candidates targeting GBA1-driven Parkinson's Disease and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, with the goal of filing a CTA/IND for both programs in early 2027. "Leveraging cutting edge molecular dynamics and machine learning, Congruence has built a best-in-class platform to unlock an exciting modality of medicines in small molecule correctors," said Zavain Dar, Founder & Managing Partner, Dimension. "In short order Clarissa and team have demonstrated technology and scientific leadership, joined with strong execution and capital efficiency. This is the promise of technologically enabled biotech. We're thrilled to join as CGX-926 enters the clinic and we see the translation of the platform's unique capabilities." Congruence also continues to advance its R&D collaborations, including a recently expanded multi-target partnership with Ono Pharmaceuticals in which Congruence is leading the effort to discover small molecules for targets spanning the therapeutic areas of oncology, neurology, and immunology. The Company is separately advancing another collaboration with an undisclosed global pharmaceutical company on a difficult to drug metabolic target. About Revenir Drug Discovery Platform Revenir, Congruence's proprietary computational drug discovery platform, captures the dynamic biophysical changes of proteins in different functional states, offering unique insights into protein function and their modulation. By examining surface features and a spectrum of biophysical descriptors across an ensemble of protein conformers, Revenir predicts small molecule induced modulation of underlying physiologic protein states. This platform-driven strategy underpins Congruence's growing pipeline of first-in-class and best-in-class programs directed to genetically validated targets implicated in conditions associated with significant unmet medical need, supporting a readily scalable and repeatable value creation paradigm. About Congruence Therapeutics Congruence is a clinical-stage, computationally driven biotechnology company building a unique pipeline of transformative small molecule correctors rationally designed to rescue aberrant protein function. Their proprietary scalable platform, Revenir, captures the biophysical features of proteins across their conformational ensembles, in order to identify novel allosteric and cryptic pockets which are virtually screened to generate novel chemical matter. Congruence has leveraged its proprietary discovery engine to launch a pipeline of wholly owned drugs directed to high-value, genetically validated, difficult-to-drug targets spanning a variety of indications including genetic obesity, GBA Parkinson's Disease, and 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency. Congruence is further deploying its discovery platform to support its multi-target research collaborations with large pharmaceutical companies focused on the discovery of small molecule correctors and allosteric modulators for the treatment of diseases in oncology, metabolic disease, neurology and immunology. Company Contact Charles Grubsztajn Chief Operating Officer [email protected] Media Contact Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] 858-366-3243 SOURCE Congruence Therapeutics NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Egan-Jones released an analysis examining structural conflicts of interest within the corporate governance and proxy advisory industry and outlining potential reforms to strengthen investor protections. The report states that under current conditions, major corporations control significant portions of the proxy advisory infrastructure. In some cases, a single firm distributes proxy materials for issuers, advises issuers on how to structure materials to obtain shareholder support, advise investors on voting decisions, provides the platform for casting votes, tabulates vote results for issuers, and processes reports detailing how funds voted. According to the analysis, these overlapping roles create fundamental conflicts of interest among market participants. Investors generally seek governance structures that ensure management serves shareholder interests effectively, while boards and management may prioritize compensation and reduced oversight. At the same time, service providers involved in proxy processing may seek to maximize fees and minimize operational friction. The report notes that breakdowns within the current system occasionally surface but often remain hidden due to the relatively closed nature of the industry. It cites a 2023 Wall Street Journal article stating that "a new study by the American Council for Capital Formation shows Glass Lewis and ISS make material errors in their recommendations to investors." By comparison, the commentary highlights that the investment industry has implemented structural separation across key functions to reduce conflicts. For example, clearinghouses such as the Depository Trust Company do not operate as investment managers, stockbrokers or stock exchanges. Similarly, investment managers typically do not perform those other roles. The analysis suggests that similar safeguards could be introduced within the corporate governance ecosystem. Structural separation of responsibilities could reduce conflicts of interest while improving transparency and accountability in shareholder voting. The report concludes that although industry changes may require a transition period, the current structure provides limited comfort to investors and would benefit from a reorganization designed to strengthen oversight and reduce conflicts. About Egan-Jones Proxy Services Egan-Jones Proxy Services provides independent proxy-voting analysis, recommendations, and reporting for institutional investors. Media Contact: William Goins [email protected] + 1 (332) 240-0229 SOURCE Egan-Jones Ratings Company Industry veteran brings track record of innovation from GHX, Change Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group and Amazon. WASHINGTON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolent Health, Inc. (NYSE: EVH), a company focused on achieving better health outcomes for people with complex conditions, today announced the appointment of health care technology leader and AI innovator Archie Mayani as chief product officer (CPO). Mayani brings more than two decades of leadership experience across health care, enterprise platforms, and AI, with a history of building products that improve clinical and business outcomes at scale. Before joining Evolent, she served as CPO at GHX, where she helped pioneer AI-powered capabilities to strengthen the resilience of the global health care supply chain. Prior to GHX, Mayani was CPO at Change Healthcare, where she led products across clinical decision support, enterprise imaging and revenue cycle platforms, driving innovations that helped reduce administrative burden in prior authorization for both providers and payers. Earlier in her career, in leadership roles at Optum and UnitedHealth Group, she helped scale value-based care through population health and preventive care programs that improved customer satisfaction, raised Medicare STARS performance, and reduced avoidable hospital and emergency department utilization. Earlier, Mayani also served as global head of product and content operations for Amazon Prime Video during significant catalog growth, while transforming the operations with machine-learning based optimization. "We are thrilled to have Archie on board to accelerate Evolent's product strategy," said Evolent President Dan McCarthy. "Her deep knowledge of value-based care, health tech and prior authorization, combined with her impressive track record of delivering innovation and AI transformation at scale, made her an ideal hire to drive best-in-class performance for our products and platforms. Our ability to attract visionary leaders such as Archie is a testament to our market leadership, our culture, and our vision to improve the quality and affordability of specialty care." Mayani has received several industry honors, including the Inspiring Leader Award at the Health 2.0 conference in 2023, Top 50 Women Leaders of San Francisco in 2023, and Global CPO Award Winner by Products that Count in 2025. She is a frequent speaker on responsible AI, product innovation and the future of health care. "This is a crucial opportunity at a time when AI is fundamentally reshaping health care," said Mayani. "Evolent has the foundation, the mission, and the trust to lead. I am excited to help bring our products, our enormous proprietary datasets, and AI together to create smarter experiences and greater value across the health care ecosystem." About Evolent Evolent (NYSE: EVH) specializes in better health outcomes for people with complex conditions through proven solutions that make health care simpler and more affordable. Evolent serves a national base of leading payers and providers and is consistently recognized as a top place to work in health care nationally. Learn more about how Evolent is changing the way health care is delivered by visiting evolent.com. Media inquiries [email protected] SOURCE Evolent Health, Inc. A Full-Stack, Agent-First Model That Closes the Enterprise AI Deployment Gap NEW YORK and MUMBAI, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Firstsource Solutions Limited (NSE: FSL) (BSE: 532809), an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company, today launched Intelligence That Operates, a full-stack, agent-first operating model to design, build, and run AI-powered enterprise operations with outcomes underwritten, not promised. The announcement marks a significant evolution of the company's UnBPO platform and a direct response to what has become the defining challenge of the agentic era. AI capability has never been greater and yet for most enterprises, the operational reality on the ground has barely shifted. Pilots stall. Investments fail to translate into measurable outcomes. The gap between what AI can do and what businesses actually get from it keeps widening. The barrier, Firstsource argues, is not the technology. It is the operating model. Enterprises are trying to bolt AI onto structures built for a different era siloed teams, linear handoffs, effort-based contracts, and vendors who design solutions they never have to live with in production. Intelligence That Operates addresses a structural gap that has long fragmented enterprise services across separate vendors and separate accountability structures the consultant who designs but doesn't implement, the integrator who builds but doesn't operate, the BPO that operates but never transforms. Firstsource unifies all three into a single, continuous engagement: Transform, Implement, Operate with one partner accountable for the outcome end-to-end. "UnBPO was never about tearing something down. It was about seeing clearly what was coming. It forced us to ask what this industry becomes when intelligence, not labor, is the primary input. " said Ritesh Idnani, CEO & Managing Director of Firstsource. "Today, we are defining that for ourselves. We're a full-stack partner to our clients. We design the operating model, build the intelligence layer, and run it in production with our name on the outcome. That is what Intelligence That Operates means. If we can't underwrite the result, we haven't earned the right to operate it." Intelligence That Operates is defined by five principles. Domain Intelligence industry complexity encoded from day one, so the intelligence knows the business context before it touches operations. industry complexity encoded from day one, so the intelligence knows the business context before it touches operations. Full-Stack Delivery one partner transforms, implements, and operates, eliminating the handoffs where accountability disappears. one partner transforms, implements, and operates, eliminating the handoffs where accountability disappears. Compounding Intelligence every decision and outcome feeds back into the system, so the operational advantage widens with every engagement rather than plateauing at deployment. every decision and outcome feeds back into the system, so the operational advantage widens with every engagement rather than plateauing at deployment. Outcome Accountability revenue tied to results delivered, not resources consumed, with Firstsource underwriting performance rather than managing a contract. revenue tied to results delivered, not resources consumed, with Firstsource underwriting performance rather than managing a contract. Governed Autonomy every system earns its autonomy incrementally, through transparent auditability and proven performance, never assumed. "The question every enterprise leader should be asking right now is not which AI vendor to pilot next," added Ritesh Idnani. "It is: who will own the outcome when the intelligence doesn't perform? Our answer is simple we will. That is the standard we hold ourselves to, and the standard we believe this entire industry must be held to." Underpinning the model is twenty-five years of domain expertise encoded into composable, auditable AI that agents can execute, learn from, and improve upon. Every deployment generates structured decision traces that feed back into the system, compounding the operational advantage with every engagement. Intelligence That Operates also redefines what it means to build a career in this industry. Firstsource's Employee Value Proposition Brilliant People. Bold Tech. Uncommon Careers. reflects that directly. The domain expertise and creativity of its people power the intelligence behind every operation, while bold technology enables smarter systems to be designed and run at scale. Together, they create careers that are fundamentally more dynamic and impactful than traditional outsourcing ever allowed. Industry Perspectives "The services industry is going through a real reckoning right now. The old model where you hand off disparate parts and manage a vendor - doesn't hold up when the technology is moving this fast. We need partners who work alongside us on the entire value chain with rewards tied to outcomes. Firstsource is a true partner that has actually made the leap, not just talked about it. They're not advising us on AI. We are reimaging processes and co-creating new capabilities, inside our business, and owning what comes out the other side. That's a different conversation entirely." - Bala Viswanathan, Founder and Group CEO, Aptia Group "Firstsource is taking a decisive step toward what the services market has been struggling to operationalize, moving from AI experimentation to accountable execution. What stands out with Intelligence That Operates is the shift from fragmented delivery to a unified, full-stack model where one partner designs, builds, and runs AI in production with outcomes on the line. This is where the market is heading. Enterprises are no longer buying AI capability; they are buying results. Providers that can combine domain intelligence, agentic execution, and commercial accountability into a single operating model will define the next phase of services. Firstsource is positioning itself on the right side of that transition." - Phil Fersht, CEO and Chief Analyst, HFS Research "ETS operates at the intersection of high-stakes outcomes and complex, regulated processes there is very little margin for error in what we do. What has distinguished Firstsource as a partner is that they understand that. They are not bringing us generic AI capability and asking us to figure out how to apply it. They are embedded in our operations, accountable for how the work actually performs. Intelligence That Operates reflects how we have experienced this partnership and it is the kind of operating model that regulated, outcomes-driven organizations like ours need from a partner right now." - Dennis Stetzel, SVP & Head of Operations, ETS "Every organization is at a decisive inflection point with AI; they must evolve and reinvent at the same time. This requires a fundamental rewiring of operating models across processes, data, talent, technology, and culture. The market makers are doing this by building Systems of Execution autonomous systems that work alongside systems of record to continuously adapt, execute, and deliver measurable outcomes. On this journey, organizations are increasingly seeking partners that can bring deep domain, functional, and process intelligence underpinned by connected data and a contextualized AI stack." - Jimit Arora, CEO, Everest For more information on Intelligence That Operates, visit: https://unbpo.firstsource.com/ About Firstsource Firstsource Solutions Limited, an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company (NSE: FSL) (BSE: 532809), is a global intelligence partner for enterprises in healthcare, banking and financial services, communications, media and technology, and retail. With a operations across the US, UK, India, Philippines, Mexico, Romania, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa, and Australia, Firstsource combines twenty-five years of domain expertise with an agent-first delivery model to design, build and operate intelligence enterprise operations. Under its Intelligence That Operates model, Firstsource underwrites outcomes not effort turning deep domain intelligence into compounding operational advantage for the world's most regulated industries. (www.firstsource.com) Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2515360/5486596/Firstsource_Logo.jpg SOURCE Firstsource HOUSTON, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --The Buzbee Law Firm filed suit today for sexual assault on behalf of a Jane Doe against Genesis Energy and a current member of its board. The lawsuit alleges that a member of the Board of Directors of Genesis, targeted and pursued Jane Doe, ultimately assaulting her several times, all the while she resisted his sexual advances. The case seeks $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages. According to lead counsel Tony Buzbee: "Our case alleges that the defendant used his wealth, connections and role with Genesis to lure Ms. Doe into situations where he could take advantage of her and ultimately assault her. We assert that the defendant, who is connected and wealthy, used his status to attempt to take advantage of Ms. Doe. And now that he has been exposed, he claims he isn't sufficiently mentally competent to engage in such behavior and that it is Doe, not him, who is the guilty party. We are confident that a jury will see through his ruse." The case is on file in Harris County State Court. The Buzbee Law Firm occupies the top floor of the Chase Tower in downtown Houston, Texas. Lead counsel Tony Buzbee has achieved some of the largest sexual assault verdicts and settlements in US history. Inquiries: Attorney Tony Buzbee: [email protected]; 713-223-5393 SOURCE THE BUZBEE LAW FIRM AMSTERDAM, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GOFO, a fast-growing, technology-driven last-mile delivery provider, has achieved 100% nationwide coverage across the Netherlands. Following this milestone, the company will make its official Dutch market debut at Webwinkel Vakdagen (WWV) 2026, the country's premier digital commerce event, on March 2526. Industry professionals are invited to Stand 113 at Jaarbeurs Utrecht to understand how GOFO's infrastructure and advanced logistics technology are powering the next generation of Dutch e-commerce. GOFO to Debut at Webwinkel Vakdagen 2026 with Nationwide Coverage in the Netherlands (PRNewsfoto/GOFO) Since entering the Dutch market in 2024, GOFO has executed a focused strategic expansion to build a robust operational backbone. The network is anchored by a central sorting hub in Amsterdam and key distribution centers in Boxtel and Rotterdam, forming a high-capacity system designed to support rapid market growth and high-volume logistics. This infrastructure allows GOFO to reach the entire Dutch population and to deliver high-performance results, featuring an average delivery time of 1.1 days, a 99.8% successful delivery rate, and a 95% on-time delivery rate. "The Netherlands is one of Europe's most advanced e-commerce markets, and our focus has always been on building the strong operational capacity needed to serve it reliably," said Mandy Ho, General Manager of GOFO Netherlands. "With a fully deployed Dutch network and three well-equipped logistics hubs, we are expanding further in 2026 with additional facilities and intelligent sorting systems to meet growing demand. At Webwinkel Vakdagen, we will demonstrate how this foundation supports the continued growth and resilience of the Dutch e-commerce ecosystem." For retailers and webshops, delivery represents the final and critical touchpoint in the customer journey. With its nationwide reach, GOFO provides partners with a clear competitive advantage from day one. Through its participation at the event, the company aims to engage with retailers, platforms, and logistics partners, demonstrating how its network transforms logistics into a growth driver and ensures high-volume sales are executed with precision across the Netherlands. About GOFO Netherlands GOFO, founded in the United States in 2023, is a technology-driven last-mile logistics network serving merchants and consumers across the U.S., France, the Netherlands, and Italy. Guided by the brand philosophy "Drive Efficiency, Deliver Trust," GOFO combines advanced technology with localized operations to deliver precise, reliable, and scalable delivery solutions. Operating nationwide through three sorting and delivery centers, GOFO Netherlands effectively covers the entire Dutch population and provides high-performance last-mile delivery services supported by automated sorting, intelligent routing, and disciplined operational execution. For more information, please visit www.gofo.com/nl. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937278/GOFO.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2919289/GOFO_Logo.jpg Media Contact: [email protected] Download high-resolution logos and images. SOURCE GOFO CAMBRIDGE, Mass., ROTTERDAM, Netherlands and SHANGHAI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Harbour BioMed (the "Company"; HKEX: 02142), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel antibody therapeutics in immunology and oncology, today announced the appointment of Dr. Jenny Xie as Chief Scientific Officer, Immunology and Head of Global External Innovation. Dr. Xie will be based in Shanghai and report directly to Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harbour BioMed. In this role, Dr. Xie will lead Harbour BioMed's global external innovation strategy in immunology, managing ongoing strategic collaborations with key partners, as well as identifying and pursuing new partnership opportunities. Additionally, she will oversee all activities at the company's Harbour BioMed-AstraZeneca Innovation Lab in Beijing. Dr. Xie brings more than 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Harbour BioMed, she served as Executive Director and Head of Discovery Immunology at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she led research efforts in autoimmune diseases and contributed to the discovery, evaluation, and clinical translation of novel therapeutic approaches. Prior to that, she also held scientific leadership roles at Merck, building extensive experience in early-stage research and development. Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Harbour BioMed, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Jenny Xie to our executive team. Her extensive experience in drug discovery and development in immunology will be invaluable as we work to strengthen our R&D capabilities and drive innovation across our pipeline. I am confident her leadership will significantly advance our immunology research and global collaboration efforts." Dr. Jenny Xie, Chief Scientific Officer, Immunology and Head of Global External Innovation of Harbour BioMed, added: "I am truly excited to join an incredible company like Harbour BioMed and look forward to working with everyone toward our shared goal of transforming patients' lives through innovation, speed, and global collaboration." Dr. Xie received her Ph.D. in Immunology from Boston University School of Medicine and her bachelor's degree in Biology from Fudan University. About Harbour BioMed Harbour BioMed (HKEX: 02142) is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery and development of novel antibody therapeutics in immunology, oncology and other areas. The Company is building a robust portfolio and differentiated pipeline through internal R&D capability, strategic global collaborations in co-discovery and co-development, and selective acquisitions. Our proprietary antibody technology platform, Harbour Mice, generates fully human monoclonal antibodies in both the conventional two heavy and two light chain (H2L2) format and the heavy chain-only (HCAb) format. Building upon HCAb antibodies, the HCAb-based immune cell engagers (HBICE) bispecific antibody technology enables tumor-killing effects that traditional combination therapies cannot achieve. The HCAb-based Antibody Plus technology (HCAb PLUSTM) provides comprehensive modality solutions for the development of innovative multi-specific medicines in different disease areas. Additionally, building upon the Harbour Mice platform, Harbour BioMed launched its first fully human Generative AI HCAb Model powered by its Hu-mAtrIxTM AI platform, accelerating the development of innovative therapies. By integrating Harbour Mice, HBICE, HCAb PLUSTM, a single B-cell cloning platform and AI technologies, Harbour BioMed has built a highly efficient and distinctive antibody discovery engine for developing next-generation therapeutic antibodies. For more information, please visit www.harbourbiomed.com. SOURCE Harbour BioMed The report analyzed the impact of social media on overall wellbeing and revealed the global happiness ranking, with Italy climbing two places to reach 38th position. TRIESTE, Italy, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- illycaffe and the Ernesto Illy Foundation ETS renew their commitment to promoting collective happiness and social wellbeing, supporting the World Happiness Report 2026. This partnership began in 2017 out of a shared belief that happiness is not just an individual value, but a social goal to invest in through concrete actions and scientific research. "The World Happiness Report 2026, recognized worldwide as a benchmark for the evaluation of global happiness, reiterates how vital it is to create collaborations between businesses, institutions and foundations to foster collective wellbeing - says Anna Illy, President of the Ernesto Illy Foundation ETS Putting people at the center is the guiding principle that illycaffe and the Ernesto Illy Foundation pursue every day, with the aim of promoting sustainable and lasting happiness." The World Happiness Report 2026 analyzes the complex impact of social media on wellbeing, highlighting a significant decline in life satisfaction among young people in English-speaking countries and Western Europe, especially among girls. Heavy use of social media and wellbeing: Heavy use of social media appears to contribute to the decline in wellbeing among young people under 25 in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, while in other parts of the world youth wellbeing is on the rise. Heavy use of social media appears to contribute to the decline in wellbeing among young people under 25 in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, while in other parts of the world youth wellbeing is on the rise. Variations in the impact of social media: The effect of social media on wellbeing depends on the type of platform, how it is used, as well as the gender and socioeconomic status of users. The effect of social media on wellbeing depends on the type of platform, how it is used, as well as the gender and socioeconomic status of users. Importance of social connections: Factors such as social relationships and a sense of belonging have a greater influence on life perception than social media use. Factors such as social relationships and a sense of belonging have a greater influence on life perception than social media use. Duration of use and wellbeing: Young people who use social media for less than an hour a day report higher levels of wellbeing than those who do not use it at all, while the average usage is 2.5 hours per day. Young people who use social media for less than an hour a day report higher levels of wellbeing than those who do not use it at all, while the average usage is 2.5 hours per day. Geographical and cultural differences: Despite similar levels of use, the greatest declines in wellbeing are observed in English-speaking countries, with negative associations between social media and wellbeing confirmed by various studies. Despite similar levels of use, the greatest declines in wellbeing are observed in English-speaking countries, with negative associations between social media and wellbeing confirmed by various studies. Types of platforms : Platforms with algorithmically curated content tend to correlate negatively with well-being, while those that foster social connections show positive effects. : Platforms with algorithmically curated content tend to correlate negatively with well-being, while those that foster social connections show positive effects. Global Happiness Ranking: Finland maintains the top spot in the World Happiness Ranking for the ninth year in a row, while Italy ranks 38th, up two spots from the previous year. The results were published on the occasion of the International Day of Happiness and analyzed by world experts. The World Happiness Report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and an independent editorial board. The editorial board consists of John F. Helliwell (University of British Columbia), Richard Layard (London School of Economics and Political Science), Jeffrey D. Sachs (Columbia University), Jan-Emmanuel De Neve (University of Oxford), Lara B. Aknin (Simon Fraser University), and Shun Wang (Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University). Read the report in full at worldhappiness.report, and explore the data at data.worldhappiness.report. ILLYCAFFE' Italian family-owned company founded in Trieste in 1933, which has always set itself the mission of offering the best coffee in the world. It produces a single blend, 100% Arabica, composed of 9 different ingredients. The company selects only the top 1% of the best Arabica beans. Every day, more than 10 million cups of illy coffee are enjoyed in bars, restaurants, hotels, branded cafes, homes, and offices in more than 140 countries, where the company is present through branches and distributors. Since its inception, illycaffe has oriented its strategies toward a sustainable business model, a commitment strengthened in 2019 by adopting Benefit Corporation status and in 2021 by becoming the first Italian coffee company to obtain B Corp international certification. Everything "made in illy" is enriched with beauty and art, beginning with the logo designed by James Rosenquist, the illy Art Collection, cups decorated by over 135 international artists, and coffee machines designed by renowned designers. With the aim of spreading coffee culture to growers, baristas, and coffee lovers, the company has developed its University of Coffee, which now offers courses in 24 countries around the world. In 2024, illycaffe generated consolidated revenues of 630 million. The illy branded network counts 157 retail outlets in 28 countries. ERNESTO ILLY FOUNDATION ETS Established to protect, enhance, and promote the thought and legacy of its namesake, the Ernesto Illy Foundation ETS is a corporate foundation representing the entrepreneurial family, founded on October 30, 2008, and chaired by Anna Illy. In line with Ernesto Illy's philosophy, the foundation's core value is Ethics, understood as the guiding principle for all human activities and a sense of responsibility toward Nature and fellow beings. The Foundation promotes and disseminates Ernesto Illy's ideas through scientific research and innovation, education and outreach, and the realization of sustainability and philanthropy projects dedicated to the coffee supply chain. Activities are mainly focused on coffee science and culture and on training and education for producers and supply chain operators. Special attention is given to agronomic research through projects like Virtuous Agriculture and Ernesto Illy Colloquia, also to help producing countries and farmers improve their living conditions and find innovative solutions for the coffee of the future, and to training with the Master's in Economics and Science of Coffee. SOURCE illycaffe GREENFIELD, Ind., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Is Invisalign better than traditional braces for adults? That question is explored in a HelloNation article featuring Dental Expert Dr. Georgia Knotek of Greenfield, IN. The article breaks down the differences between these two orthodontic treatment options and helps adults understand how to choose the one that fits their goals, comfort, and lifestyle. Dr. Georgia Knotek - Owner, Georgia Knotek DDS Speed Speed The article shares that more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment today than ever before. Many are exploring options they postponed earlier in life, and the choice often comes down to Invisalign or traditional braces. Both methods can be effective, but the right fit depends on individual needs. Invisalign uses a system of clear aligners that gradually reposition teeth. These aligners are removable, custom made, and designed for minimal visibility. For adults concerned about appearance during treatment, Invisalign often feels like a natural fit. The clear aligners make it easier to speak, smile, and socialize with confidence throughout the process. By contrast, braces use metal brackets and wires that are fixed to the teeth. While more visible, braces have a long history of treating complex alignment issues effectively. The article explains that traditional braces remain a preferred option for certain bite corrections and cases that require more precise control. Comfort is a key factor for many adults. Invisalign aligners are smooth and less likely to irritate cheeks and gums. Traditional braces can cause some discomfort after adjustments, though both options require gradual pressure to move teeth into alignment. The choice may come down to how each patient handles that adjustment period. One of the biggest practical differences is removability. Invisalign aligners can be taken out for meals, brushing, and special occasions, giving adults flexibility in their routines. Braces remain in place full-time, which requires more careful cleaning and some changes in eating habits. Visibility is another frequent concern. Adults who prefer a discreet treatment often lean toward Invisalign due to the clear design. However, many adults choose braces and prioritize reliability over aesthetics, especially if treatment goals are complex. The HelloNation article also addresses cost. Invisalign and braces can vary in price depending on treatment length and needs. Sometimes costs are comparable, but it's important to understand what's included. The article recommends a thorough consultation to evaluate both options realistically. Lifestyle plays a significant role in choosing an orthodontic treatment. Invisalign must be worn consistently, about twenty-two hours a day, to be effective. Skipping wear time can slow progress. Braces don't rely on patient compliance in the same way, which can benefit those with more unpredictable schedules. Eating habits are another consideration. Invisalign aligners must be removed before eating, while braces come with food restrictions to avoid damaging brackets or wires. Each option has trade-offs that affect daily routines. Dental goals and alignment complexity are critical in determining the best fit. Invisalign works well for mild to moderate cases, but certain spacing or rotation issues may respond better to traditional braces. A dental evaluation is essential to match the right method with the patient's needs. Oral hygiene is also part of the decision. Invisalign allows normal brushing and flossing without navigating around hardware. Braces require more attention to clean around brackets and wires but are manageable with proper care. Time commitment varies by case, but both options involve regular appointments. Some adults appreciate the predictability of brace adjustments, while others prefer changing clear aligners on a set schedule. According to the article, the best approach is to evaluate both Invisalign and traditional braces based on comfort, visibility, cost, and how each option fits into daily life. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Adults who consider these factors can make a confident, informed choice. The article, Is Invisalign Better Than Braces for Adults?, features insights from Dr. Georgia Knotek, Dental Expert of Greenfield, IN, in HelloNation. About HelloNation HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. SOURCE HelloNation Faced with the international disorder created by Donald Trump, the European Union is clinging to multilateralism. Despite the statements declaring the rules-based world order dead, the 27 EU countries agree that it is the only way forward in an increasingly turbulent geopolitical landscape marked by the struggle between the two global superpowers: the U.S. and China. As the US-Israeli war against Iran expands and spreads throughout the Middle East, the EU has emphatically rejected Trumps demands for European involvement in the conflict. At a European Council meeting in Brussels heavily influenced, once again, by developments in the White House, the leaders of the 27 are seeking solutions to contain energy priceswhich have soared again due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuzand are trying to find the right lever of pressure to get Hungarian leader Viktor Orban to fulfill his promise and allow a multi-billion dollar loan to keep Ukraine afloat against the Russian invader. Thursdays European summit was supposed to focus on competitiveness, on how to boost Europes productivity and halt its deindustrialization. But, once again, Trumps actions and his volatile, aggressive foreign policy have dominated Europes agenda. After a few initial days following the attack on Iran, marked by a more subdued attitude and a lack of criticism (with the exception of Spain and a few others who were less vocal), Europeans have begun to awaken to the reality of the wars consequences for Europe: from fears of a new wave of immigration to security problems, as well as the escalating price of energy, which is already a reality. The 27 member states will discuss new solutions this Thursday to address a problem that is also global, but one for which they may have some wiggle room. Some countries are calling for lower energy taxes and subsidies for energy-intensive industries; others for renewed flexibility in the carbon emissions trading system. The Commission, for now, is showing signs of seeking a balance that includes all these ideas. It appears it will somewhat relax the emissions trading mechanism, if not as much as Italy or Germany would like. And it is strongly committed to lowering taxes on electricity generation. Energy taxes, in many Member States, can be more rational, explained Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen on Wednesday in a conversation with a group of European media outlets, including EL PAIS. And its one of the things we can do in the short term. Tomorrow, if there is the will in a Member State. The EU executive is strongly emphasizing this time that this energy crisis is not like the one in 2022, when there was a genuine supply problem with natural gas, whose prices are now much lower than they were back then, despite the shock. Therefore, European authorities stress that the solutions and measures adopted in this area must not distract the EU from the long-term objective of minimizing its dependence on fossil fuels: renewables rely on an inexhaustible raw material that is not subject to geopolitical fluctuations; gas and oil are located in veritable geostrategic powder kegs. Europe also fears that the Iran war will shift the social and political focus away from Russias war against Ukraine, which has now entered its fourth anniversary, and encourage some to look once again to the Kremlin for energy deals. As if nothing had been learned from the large-scale invasion about Russian blackmail at the expense of its oil and gas, a diplomatic source noted. On Thursday, following what some in Brussels consider a gaffe by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who in a speech last week (which she later had to clarify) appeared to certify the death of the rules-based international order, or at least its validity for Europe, the 27 member states will show clear support to multilateralism. Faced with the challenges to multilateralism and international law, the European Union is firmly committed to respecting the Charter of the United Nations and the norms and principles it enshrines, in particular those of sovereignty and territorial integrity, political independence and self-determination, says the draft of the European Council conclusions, which this newspaper has had access to. Although some countries are again deploring the lack of resolve, the absence of a firm or critical stance on issues such as the Israeli bombings in Lebanon or the global conflict created by the unilateral attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran Washington and Tel Aviv are not even explicitly mentioned in the final conclusions, there is a widespread feeling that the European position constitutes a firm endorsement, or at least as firm as possible given that the 27 member states have very diverse interests, of the multilateralism so battered by Trump. Its not just the paragraph specifically dedicated to multilateralism, but the very fact that European leaders will sit down to discuss the issue during a working lunch with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Although the meeting was scheduled since before the new conflict in the Middle East began, it serves to send a strong signal of support for the rule of law and multilateralism, diplomatic sources from various countries agree. This is no small matter, they insist, given the diverse positions regarding the United States and Israel: from Spains firm no to war to Germanys this is not the time to lecture our allies, although Berlin has since hardened its stance, declaring this week that this is not Europes war. And then there are the European capitals where even the slightest criticism of Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu remains an absolute taboo. Whats in the conclusions is the point of consensus; there wasnt consensus to go further, acknowledges a diplomat from one of the countries that would have preferred stronger language. But this isnt new, he recalls; it already happened with Gaza. These conclusions represent a point of consensus regarding the current situation, and thats all there is to it. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition NORTHPORT, Mich., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What are property restrictions when buying land in Leelanau County, and how can buyers avoid surprises before they build? A new HelloNation article offers a clear, practical overview of how local zoning, environmental guidelines, and private covenants shape what is possible on a property. Sander Scott - Real Estate Agent/ Broker - Net Real Estate Speed Speed In the article, Real Estate Expert Sander Scott of Net Real Estate helps buyers understand the many layers of regulation that can affect new construction, renovations, or land use. He emphasizes that while the area's rural appearance may suggest freedom to build, nearly every parcel in the county is governed by specific rules that must be reviewed in advance. Zoning is the foundation of land use regulation. Leelanau County zoning regulations vary by township and village, with each zone defining allowable structures, density, setbacks, and permitted uses. What is allowed on one side of a road may be restricted on the other. Buyers are encouraged to contact local planning offices directly to confirm that their plans match the current zoning for a parcel. Setbacks are another key detail. These are required distances between buildings and property lines, roads, or shorelines. Setback rules can limit where structures may be placed, especially on small or irregular lots. Sander Scott explains that overlooking these rules can result in costly redesigns or denied permits. Building restrictions in Leelanau also include construction codes that ensure safety and quality. These codes apply to foundations, height limits, structural design, and accessory buildings like decks or sheds. Buyers should understand these standards early in the planning process to avoid delays and extra costs. Environmental property rules in Michigan are especially important in a region known for lakes, wetlands, and sensitive terrain. If a parcel is near a shoreline or wetland, additional restrictions may apply. These can limit grading, tree removal, and any work near the water. Some projects may require approval from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, especially those involving docks, septic systems, or wells. Water and septic considerations are a major part of evaluating a building site. Not every lot can support a conventional septic system due to soil or groundwater conditions. Perc tests and site evaluations are often required. If a standard system is not possible, alternatives may be needed that come with higher costs and technical requirements. Private restrictions can also affect what a buyer can do with the property. These may include deed restrictions, conservation easements, or homeowner association (HOA) rules. Even if zoning permits a structure, a deed restriction may prevent it. These limitations stay with the property and apply to all future owners. Sander Scott advises buyers to review title documents carefully to understand all existing covenants. For homes within a subdivision or planned community, HOA rules can cover fencing, landscaping, exterior appearance, and use of outbuildings. While these rules help maintain neighborhood standards, they may limit personal preferences or future expansion. A property's true potential depends on what regulations allow, not just what the land appears to offer. Access is another common concern. Some parcels rely on easements across neighboring properties, shared driveways, or road frontage agreements. Buyers should confirm legal access and maintenance responsibilities before closing. Understanding how to check zoning laws before buying a home also helps buyers plan for future flexibility. A property that meets today's needs may not allow future changes, such as adding guest space or operating a home-based business. Knowing what is possible and what is not supports smarter long-term decisions. The article stresses that understanding property restrictions is not about limiting what buyers can do. It is about helping them choose land that supports their vision. When buyers know the rules upfront, they can move forward with confidence and avoid unnecessary setbacks. Know Before You Build, Understanding Property Restrictions in Leelanau features insights from Sander Scott, Real Estate Expert of Northport, MI, in HelloNation. About HelloNation HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. SOURCE HelloNation Strengthening System Reliability and Water Quality for Customers GREENWOOD, Ind., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana American Water announced today its 2025 summary of investments for system improvements, totaling more than $246 million in water and wastewater system upgrades throughout its service area across the Hoosier State. "Delivering safe, clean and reliable water and wastewater service requires consistent, proactive investment in our systems," said Barry Suits, President, Indiana American Water. "These investments are focused on strengthening reliability, modernizing aging infrastructure, and minimizing service disruptions for our customers across the state. By continuing to invest in our systems today, we are helping deliver resilient, high-quality service for the communities we serve well into the future." Annual investments support critical upgrades throughout the company's water and wastewater systems, including treatment plants, tanks, pump stations, pipelines, and metering equipment. More than $246 million in infrastructure investments across Indiana American Water's 75 communities. These investments include new treatment plants, water mains, booster and lift stations, meters, pumps, fire hydrants, and technology enhancements. Major projects include: $50 million water treatment plant in Seymour; $27 million water treatment plant in Winchester; $5.7 million booster station serving southern Indiana; and The state's first PFAS treatment capability in Charlestown. across Indiana American Water's 75 communities. These investments include new treatment plants, water mains, booster and lift stations, meters, pumps, fire hydrants, and technology enhancements. Major projects include: A significant portion of these investments focus on maintaining, relocating, and replacing water mains and plant piping to ensure reliable water and wastewater service. Fact: Indiana American Water manages over 5,574 miles of mains about the distance from Indianapolis to Honolulu, twice. and plant piping to ensure reliable water and wastewater service. These upgrades also include efforts to identify and remove lead service lines. In 2026, the company will invest $19 million to continue "getting the lead out" of communities. As part of Indiana American Water's Comprehensive Planning Studies, these efforts help guide longterm, proactive capital investments that modernize aging infrastructure, strengthen system reliability, and ensure highquality water and wastewater service for customers. To learn more about how these investments are making a difference in communities across Indiana, visit: https://www.amwater.com/inaw/about-us/Solutions-for-Communities/ About American Water American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook , X and Instagram. About Indiana American Water Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 350 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.4 million people. For more information, visit amwater.com/inaw and join Indiana American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. SOURCE American Water Premium Pilates Franchise Looks to Grow Beyond Wellesley with Focus on Affluent Urban Neighborhoods and High-Income Suburban Communities MIAMI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- JETSET Pilates, the fast-growing modern reformer Pilates franchise known for its premium, full-body workouts, is setting its sights on continued growth across Massachusetts, anchored by its existing Wellesley studio. The brand is targeting affluent, health-conscious neighborhoods and suburban communities where demand for boutique fitness and premium wellness experiences continues to grow. JETSET Pilates Boston represents a particularly strong market for JETSET's continued growth, driven by its highly educated population, high average household incomes, and a culture that prioritizes health and wellness. With strong demand for premium, community-driven fitness experiences, JETSET Pilates sees strong alignment with neighborhoods such as Back Bay, South End, Seaport, Cambridge and Newton, along with affluent suburban communities. "Boston stands out as a market that naturally aligns with the JETSET brand," said Bert Albertse, CEO of JETSET Pilates. "There's a strong appetite for premium wellness experiences here, and we see meaningful opportunity to grow in communities that value both fitness and lifestyle." With Wellesley currently serving as JETSET's sole studio in the Boston market, the brand is actively working with current and prospective franchise partners to expand its presence across the metro. Long term, JETSET believes the greater Boston area can support approximately 8-12 studios, depending on neighborhood density and demand. "We see significant long-term opportunity across the Boston market," said Tamara Galinsky, Founder and Brand President of JETSET Pilates. "With Wellesley already introducing the brand to the region, we're focused on building thoughtfully across the metro and partnering with experienced franchisees who share our vision for premium fitness and community-driven growth." For more information about JETSET Pilates and its franchise opportunity, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise/. About JETSET Pilates Founded in 2010 and franchising since 2022, JETSET Pilates has quickly become one of the most attractive concepts in the boutique fitness franchise space, with over 350 studios open or in development across U.S., the U.K., and Australia. The brand is known for its 50-minute classes that combine strength, cardio, and Pilates-inspired movements for a full-body workout, focusing on connection, consistency, and wellness in every community it serves. JETSET Pilates now offers franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs in some of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the fitness sector. For more information, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise or follow the brand on LinkedIn and Instagram. Contact: Grace Skowron | Franchise Elevator PR | [email protected] SOURCE JETSET Pilates LOS ANGELES, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- K-Beauty World, the curated retail concept created by Landing International in partnership with Ulta Beauty, is expanding its presence on Ulta Beauty Marketplace with 17 must-have Korean beauty brands. Ulta Beauty guests will now have quicker, more direct access to Seoul's latest K-beauty innovations before they hit traditional retail shelves. Through Ulta Beauty Marketplace, viral Korean beauty products can now reach U.S. consumers at record speed. While in-store launches typically take at least nine months, K-Beauty World brands will debut on the retailer's recently launched marketplace in as little as nine weeks. This unparalleled rate allows Ulta Beauty to deliver the newest products and ingredients trending worldwide through social media straight to U.S. beauty enthusiasts faster than ever before. The K-Beauty World lineup on Ulta Beauty Marketplace features 12 highly sought-after brands Cosnori, Vidivici, Yadah, Menokin, Luvum, Hair+, Ilso, Hwarang, Truezyme, 8grow, Bewants, and Dryope with five additional brands, including P.Calm, Plu, Teabless, ChungMiJung, and OddType, set to join the platform by May. This curated selection spans across categories, with nine focused on skin care, five on hair care, two on body care, and one in color cosmetics, offering U.S. shoppers a full spectrum of Seoul's most exciting beauty products. One of K-Beauty World on Ulta Beauty Marketplace's breakout success stories is Dr. Melaxin. The brand has consistently ranked as the most loved on the platform, with its Peel Shot Exfoliating White Rice Ampoule and Peel Shot Exfoliating Black Rice Ampoule each selling out three times. Building on this strong marketplace performance, Dr. Melaxin will expand into all 1,500 Ulta Beauty stores in May, bringing its viral Korean skin-care products to even more beauty lovers nationwide. Additional K-Beauty World favorites on Ulta Beauty Marketplace will include MENOKIN's 30 Seconds Quick Bubble Mask, Vidivici's Skin Illumination Mochi Primer, and Cosnori's Eyelash Tinting Serum. "K-Beauty trends move incredibly fast, and the brands that are viral in Seoul can take years to reach the U.S.," said Sarah Chung Park, CEO of Landing International. "Ulta Beauty Marketplace gives us a faster and more reliable way to bring the brands everyone is talking about in Korea directly to Ulta Beauty guests." "At Ulta Beauty, we see ourselves as both curators and brand builders, constantly looking across the global beauty landscape to identify the most exciting innovations for our guests," said Muffy Clince, Director Category Management for Ulta Beauty Marketplace. "K-Beauty has long been a leader in skincare and product innovation, and guest demand for these brands continues to grow, especially with social platforms like TikTok. Through Ulta Beauty Marketplace and our collaboration with Landing International's K-Beauty World, we're able to introduce emerging Korean brands to our guests at unprecedented speed. Through this unique platform we are able to debut the most exciting trends from Seoul in the U.S. while helping these brands build awareness and scale within our ecosystem." K-Beauty World on Ulta Beauty Marketplace also serves as a critical new launchpad for Korean beauty brands aspiring to test, grow, and thrive within the competitive U.S. market. This platform provides a strategic entry point for them to gauge customer interest, refine their market approach, and build brand recognition among Ulta Beauty's diverse customer base. Brands with strong performance on the platform can also create opportunities for broader retail expansion, including in-store distribution at Ulta Beauty locations across the country. By connecting Seoul's most innovative beauty products with Ulta Beauty guests, K-Beauty World continues to serve as a premier gateway for Korean beauty brands entering the U.S. market, bringing the latest trends and viral products directly to consumers. For more information or media inquiries, please contact Landing International: [email protected]. About K-Beauty World From shoppable retail curations to viral pop-ups and experiences, K-Beauty World is the ultimate retail platform for all ages, tones and budgets to discover K-beauty. Powered by Landing International, K-Beauty World brings over 500 high-performance skincare and makeup products to the U.S. from the K-Beauty brands shaping what's next. About Landing International Landing International is the leading B2B global growth partner helping brands launch, scale, and succeed in new markets. Founded in 2013, Landing is the engine behind America's K-Beauty movement responsible for introducing and scaling viral brands like COSRX and Dr. Melaxin in the U.S. market. Landing has established over 225 beauty and wellness brands at major U.S. retailers including Dermstore, JCPenney, Nordstrom, Revolve, Target, and Ulta Beauty. With a unique focus on brand identity and long-term growth, Landing continues to help its brands reach over $300 million in sales. SOURCE K-Beauty World BOSTON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAMMY award-winning artist Casey Harris, keyboardist for X Ambassadors, announced a new partnership with Vision Through Music, a program of the Children's Eye Foundation of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (CEF of AAPOS). "Having Casey Harris join Vision Through Music is a gamechanger for our program," said Bradley Black, MD, founder of the VTM program and retired pediatric ophthalmologist. "Too many families don't know that specialized music education exists for their blind or visually impaired children. Casey's platform and lived experience will help us raise critical awareness, break down barriers, and show parents and educators what's possible when kids get the right support and opportunities." Harris, who was born legally blind and raised in Ithaca, New York, with his brother and bandmate Sam, grew up in a household where music was central. What started as a hobby quickly became a career when together they formed the X Ambassadors. As a nationally recognized artist and advocate, Harris brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the partnership, emphasizing the transformative power of music for children with visual impairments. "My music teachers were such a huge part of my education and honestly of making me into the person that I am today," said Harris. "I understand first-hand how powerful music education can be for kids. That's why I'm so proud to support Vision Through Music in connecting more children with trained teachers who can help them discover their own musical potential." Vision Through Music connects blind and visually impaired children with qualified music teachers nationwide. For educators looking to expand their teaching experience, the program offers a multi-week virtual training course in partnership with the Academy of Music for the Blind. Participating students can also apply for grant funding to help cover the cost of music lessons. Through individualized instruction and mentorship, Vision Through Music empowers children to use music as a tool to unlock their confidence, communication skills and for independence-building. To learn more about the Vision Through Music Program or how to get involved, visit: Vision Through Music - Children's Eye Foundation About the Children's Eye Foundation CEF of AAPOS fights preventable vision loss and improves lives for visually impaired children worldwide through four programs. SOURCE Children's Eye Foundation and American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus FORT WORTH, Texas, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP (NYSE: KRP) ("Kimbell"), a leading owner of oil and natural gas mineral and royalty interests in more than 133,000 gross wells across 28 states, today announced that it will release its first quarter 2026 financial results on Thursday, May 7, 2026, before the market opens. Kimbell will also declare its first quarter 2026 distribution concurrent with this release. In conjunction with the earnings release, Kimbell has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet the same day at 10:00 a.m. Central (11:00 a.m. Eastern). By Phone: Dial 201-389-0869 at least 10 minutes before the call. A replay will be available through May 14th by dialing 201-612-7415 and using the conference ID: 13759315#. By Webcast: Connect to the webcast via the Events and Presentations page of Kimbell's Investor Relations website at http://kimbellrp.investorroom.com/. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software. A replay will be available shortly after the call. About Kimbell Royalty Partners Kimbell (NYSE: KRP) is a leading oil and gas mineral and royalty company based in Fort Worth, Texas. Kimbell owns mineral and royalty interests in over 17 million gross acres in 28 states and in every major onshore basin in the continental United States, including ownership in more than 133,000 gross wells. To learn more, visit http://www.kimbellrp.com. Contact: Rick Black Dennard Lascar Investor Relations [email protected] (713) 529-6600 SOURCE Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP Lawsuit funding provider highlights financial support for injury victims as winter hazards give way to spring activity TRENTON, N.J., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal Bay LLC, a leading provider of pre-settlement funding, lawsuit loans, and non-recourse legal funding, announced today that it continues to assist plaintiffs involved in slip-and-fall and recreational accident lawsuits as winter transitions into spring and more people return to outdoor activities. Winter weather conditions often create dangerous walking surfaces, including icy sidewalks, snow-covered parking lots, unplowed walkways, and slippery building entrances. Property owners who fail to properly maintain these areas may face liability when pedestrians suffer injuries caused by hazardous conditions. Slip-and-fall accidents during the colder months frequently lead to personal injury claims involving broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, and other serious medical complications. Chris Janish, CEO of Legal Bay, says, "Seasonal hazards change throughout the year, but the financial challenges facing injured plaintiffs remain the same. Our lawsuit funding and pre settlement loan programs provide injured individuals with the financial breathing room they need while their legal teams work to secure the compensation they deserve." If you're a lawyer or plaintiff involved in an active personal injury lawsuit of any kind and need an immediate cash advance against an impending lawsuit settlement, please visit Legal Bay HERE or call toll-free at 877.571.0405. During late winter and early spring, melting snow frequently creates wet, slippery surfaces on sidewalks, parking lots, stairways, and building entrances. Water runoff combined with lingering ice patches can make walkways particularly dangerous, increasing the likelihood of slip-and-fall accidents. In addition, months of freezing and thawing temperatures often cause sidewalks, pavement, and parking areas to crack, shift, or buckle, creating uneven walking surfaces that can lead to serious falls. Winter weather can also produce potholes and damaged pavement, which may contribute to accidents in parking lots, driveways, and public pathways. Property owners, municipalities, and businesses may be responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions on the premises. When hazards such as snow, ice, standing water, or damaged pavement are not addressed in a timely manner, injured individuals may pursue personal injury lawsuits and premises liability claims seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Legal Bay notes that these types of premises liability lawsuits can take months or even years to resolve as attorneys investigate liability, review maintenance records, and negotiate with insurance companies. During this time, injured plaintiffs may face mounting medical bills and lost income while waiting for their cases to reach settlement. As the weather improves and temperatures rise, the nature of seasonal accidents often shifts. Warmer conditions encourage people to spend more time outdoors engaging in activities such as biking, jogging, recreational sports, visiting parks and playgrounds, and participating in community events. While these activities are a welcome sign of spring, they can also lead to injuries caused by unsafe property conditions, poorly maintained public areas, defective recreational equipment, or negligent supervision. Premises liability and recreational injury cases may involve negligent property owners, municipalities responsible for public parks or sidewalks, private businesses, or organizations hosting sporting events or recreational activities. These claims often require detailed investigation to determine responsibility and establish negligence. If you're a lawyer or plaintiff involved in an active personal injury lawsuit of any kind and need an immediate cash advance against an impending lawsuit settlement, please visit Legal Bay HERE or call toll-free at 877.571.0405. Legal Bay works with plaintiffs and their attorneys nationwide to provide fast approvals on legal funding applications, often within 24 to 48 hours once the necessary case documentation has been received. The company evaluates each case individually to determine eligibility for pre-settlement cash advances, lawsuit settlement funding, and litigation funding solutions. Legal Bay offers pre-settlement lawsuit funding, settlement loans, and loans on lawsuit settlements designed to help qualified plaintiffs access immediate cash advances against their anticipated settlement. This financial support allows injured individuals to manage everyday expenses while their attorneys continue pursuing fair compensation through the legal system. Legal Bay provides settlement funding, lawsuit loans, loans on lawsuits, and pre-settlement cash advances for many types of litigation including slip and fall accidents, premises liability lawsuits, recreational injury cases, personal injury litigation, wrongful death claims, and other complex civil matters. The company has become widely recognized within the legal funding industry for its transparent approval process, competitive rates, and rapid turnaround times. Importantly, Legal Bay's funding programs are non-recourse, meaning plaintiffs only repay the advance if their case results in a successful settlement or verdict. If the plaintiff does not recover compensation, there is no obligation to repay the funds. To apply right now for a loan settlement program, please visit the company's website HERE or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by to answer any questions. Contact: Chris Janish, CEO Email: info@Legal Bay.com Ph.: 877.571.0405 Website: www.Legal Bay.com SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC BOSTON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LinkSquares is proud to announce its inclusion in The Boston Globe's 2nd annual list of New England's Fastest-Growing Companies ranking. This esteemed recognition, presented in collaboration with Statista, the leading global statistics portal, and industry ranking provider, highlights LinkSquares' exceptional performance and growth. LinkSquares ranked #13 on The Boston Globes list of New Englands Fastest Growing Companies 2026 "Being recognized as one of New England's Fastest-Growing Companies by The Boston Globe is a testament to the value delivered to our customers by our dedicated team," said Bill Hewitt, Interim CEO of LinkSquares. "This achievement reflects our commitment to improving the contracting process through AI innovation, and continuing resilience in the evershifting CLM landscape." The recognition was announced on New England's Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 list, which awards companies based on the organization's revenue growth, organic growth, and independence between fiscal years 2021-2024. These companies represent potential investment opportunities and indicate sectors that are thriving despite adversity. Additionally, their success stories can serve as blueprints for other businesses looking to innovate and grow in uncertain times. Thousands of companies were considered, and a minimum growth rate of 7.8% was required for inclusion. About Statista Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys. About LinkSquares LinkSquares is the leading AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform, trusted by more than 1,000 customers, including DraftKings, ProPharma, and Wayfair. LinkSquares' advanced AI engine is uniquely designed with a proprietary blend of predictive and generative AI, specifically trained to excel with legal documents. LinkSquares revolutionizes contract management by delivering powerful analytics, minimizing organizational risk, and enhancing the speed and precision of contract workflows at every stage unlocking greater efficiency, reliability, and strategic value for teams across the business. For more information, visit www.linksquares.com or follow us on LinkedIn. SOURCE LinkSquares, Inc. DUBLIN, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LUMA Vision, a leader in cardiac 4D imaging and navigation, today announces the expansion of its clinical program with the first patient enrolments in two additional European studies at Na Homolce Hospital in Prague with Dr. Vivek Reddy and Dr. Petr Neuzil, as well as at KBC University Hospital in Split with Dr. Ante Anic and Dr. Anish Amin. The studies evaluate the VERAFEYE 4D navigation and imaging platform for guiding catheter ablation procedures using a range of ablation technologies. Fernanda Langsch of LUMA Vision with Judith Gerlach Bavarias Minister of Health. The successful start of these two studies demonstrates the versatility of the VERAFEYE platform guiding ablation workflows entirely through live intra-procedural imaging (2D and 4D), and precise digital anatomical models, enabling intuitive and streamlined ablation guidance and navigation. Patients were treated with multiple Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) systems, demonstrating the compatibility of the VERAFEYE system. Using its unparalleled 360-degree imaging coverage, advanced catheter guidance and ablation workflow support, VERAFEYE enables efficient single-operator procedures with unmatched precision. The system utilised in these procedures is the latest iteration of VERAFEYE, for which LUMA Vision recently submitted a 510(k) application, initiating the regulatory approval process. This version will form the basis of the commercial launch in 2026 with VERAFEYE for enhanced indications as an anatomical imaging and guidance system for cardiac electrophysiology procedures. Both milestones were highlighted during a joint visit to LUMA Vision's Munich facility by Judith Gerlach, Bavaria's Minister for Health, and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Ireland's Minister for Health, as part of an event focused on strengthening European collaboration in cardiac healthcare innovation. The visit emphasised the role of Ireland and Germany as leading hubs for DeepTech and MedTech innovation with global impact. "What you are building here with the VERAFEYE platform is genuinely a world first technology. An open platform, AIdriven 4D imaging system designed to help cardiologists see the heart in a way that has never been possible," said Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Ireland's Minister for Health. Judith Gerlach, Bavaria's Minister for Health, Care and Prevention commented, "LUMA Vision is a powerful example of European innovation in action - Irish and Bavarian teams working together to develop breakthrough medical technologies." Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said: "Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish companies to start, grow and scale. We have supported LUMA Vision from its earliest stages, and today's milestones with the VERAFEYE platform demonstrate exactly why this is a breakthrough platform: codeveloped across Irish and Bavarian teams, backed by shared European investment, and now delivering real clinical impact." With regulatory clearance and commercial launch later this year, the company is preparing to scale up in key markets globally. The open imaging and guidance platform enables physicians to perform cardiac ablation using their preferred ablation tool while improving procedural speed, efficiency, and precision. Beyond ablation, the technology is expected to expand into structural heart interventions, including left atrial appendage closure and valve placements. About LUMA Vision LUMA Vision is a privately held medical technology company operating in Dublin, Ireland, and Munich, Germany. The company designs and develops next-generation cardiac visualisation and navigation systems that empower clinicians to see and treat with unmatched precision. VERAFEYE, LUMA Vision's flagship platform, delivers a real-time, 360 intracardiac view with an unprecedented field of visualisation, redefining procedural accuracy in electrophysiology and structural heart interventions. Founded by CEO Fionn Lahart and CTO Christoph Hennersperger, LUMA Vision is committed to transforming cardiac care through innovation that improves outcomes and saves lives. Learn more at www.lumavision.com SOURCE LUMA Vision SINGAPORE, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mureka, the AI-powered music creation platform developed by Skywork AI, today announced the release of two new capabilities Studio and Remix as part of its continued push to redefine how music is imagined, created, and evolved in the age of artificial intelligence. Rather than positioning AI as a shortcut, Mureka frames it as a new creative infrastructure one where intuition, iteration, and authorship are reimagined through software. Toward an AI-Native Creative Stack In the past year, generative AI has dramatically lowered the barrier to music creation. Yet for many creators, the process has remained fragmented ideas can be generated instantly, but refining them into something intentional, expressive, and complete still requires traditional tools and workflows. Mureka's latest release signals a shift away from this divide. With Studio, the platform moves closer to a fully integrated, AI-native production environment where generation and editing are no longer separate stages, but part of a continuous creative loop. Users can move fluidly between exploration and control, shaping music in context rather than in fragments. At the same time, Remix reflects another emerging paradigm: music as a living, adaptable medium. Instead of static outputs, compositions become flexible assets that can be reinterpreted, localized, and reimagined in real time. Together, these releases suggest a broader ambition not just to accelerate music creation, but to fundamentally change its structure. From Tools to Systems What distinguishes Mureka is not only the quality of its outputs, but the system it is building around them. By combining generative models with timeline-based editing, structured audio decomposition, and controllable vocal identity, the platform is evolving into a cohesive environment where: Ideas can be generated, tested, and refined without leaving the system Creative decisions remain reversible, modular, and iterative Music production becomes increasingly non-linear and exploratory This system-level approach reflects a deeper thesis: that the future of creativity will not be defined by isolated features, but by how seamlessly they connect. Expanding Creative Possibility Mureka's user base spanning content creators, independent artists, and professional producers increasingly operates in contexts where speed, adaptability, and originality are equally critical. Short-form video, global distribution, and always-on content cycles demand not just more music, but more variation, faster iteration, and tighter alignment with context. By enabling rapid transformation of musical ideas without compromising coherence, Mureka is positioning itself as a foundational layer for this new creative economy. A New Role for AI in Music As debates continue around the role of AI in artistic creation, Mureka's approach is notably pragmatic: augment, not replace. The platform emphasizes controllability, authorship, and stylistic intent giving users the ability to guide outputs rather than simply receive them. In this sense, AI becomes less of a generator and more of a collaborator embedded directly into the creative process. The launch of Studio and Remix underscores this philosophy shifting the focus from one-off generation toward sustained, iterative creation. Looking Ahead As AI-generated content becomes increasingly ubiquitous, the next phase of innovation will be defined not by whether something can be created, but by how meaningfully it can be shaped. With this release, Mureka signals its direction clearly: toward a future where music creation is faster, more flexible, and more deeply integrated without losing the nuance and intentionality that define great work. Both Studio and Remix are now available globally via mureka.ai. About Mureka Mureka is an AI-powered music creation platform that generates original songs, lyrics, and melodies from text prompts and audio references. Built for creators, musicians, and producers, it combines high-fidelity generation with advanced creative control, enabling a new paradigm of music production in the AI era. SOURCE Skywork AI pte ltd National Data Reveals Wide Variation in the Adherence to Basic Cognitive Assessment in Dementia Care SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite broad consensus that patients with dementia should undergo regular cognitive assessments, new data from Motive Medical Intelligence (Motive) shows that many physicians overlook this basic step in dementia care. More than 6 million adults in the U.S. suffer from dementia, a figure that is expected to rise to 13.9 million by 2060. The economic burden of dementia in America was $344 billion in 2020 and is expected to increase to $3 trillion by 2060. New insights from healthcare performance analytics company, Motive Medical Intelligence, reveal significant state-by-state variation in whether clinicians conduct the recommended cognitive assessments for dementia patients. This U.S. heat map highlights geographic disparities in adherence to the care standard, with darker shades indicating higher rates of clinicians failing to perform cognitive assessments and lighter shades reflecting stronger adherence to this dementia care standard. Professional societies, such as the American Psychiatric Association and the Alzheimer's Association, recommend that doctors monitor their dementia patients regularly by performing a cognitive assessment. But a new analysis by Motive of more than 100 million closed U.S. insurance claims found that many physicians fail to do this assessment even once a year. The analysis found that physician performance varied widely across U.S. states, with Alaska the poorest-performing state, where 80% of doctors failed to screen dementia patients annually. Other poor performers included Vermont and Hawaii, with failure rates of 65% and 60%, respectively. High population states such as Texas (38% failure rate), New York (39%), and California (47%) showed modestly better performance, underscoring a significant opportunity to improve care for millions of dementia patients. Even the best-performing states Utah (24% failure rate), Delaware (25%), and Nevada (27%) demonstrated substantial room for improvement. "Cognitive assessments are easy to perform with simple tests, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination or Montreal Cognitive Assessment," said Rich Klasco, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Motive. "These tests measure memory, insight, and other aspects of brain function. Tracking changes in these tests over time can assist patients, families, and caregivers in identifying problems and making informed decisions." The evidence base supporting routine monitoring is well established. Studies have shown that regular cognitive assessment improves recognition of functional decline and supports timely interventions. Cognitive testing also plays a central role in advance care planning for transitions of care. "When clinicians fail to measure cognitive function over time, they lose critical insight into disease progression, complications, and safety risks, denying patients and caregivers the support they need," said Dr. Klasco. "With millions of Americans currently suffering from dementia and prevalence expected to increase sharply as the population ages, improving adherence to evidence-based monitoring and screening practices represents a clear opportunity to enhance quality, reduce avoidable complications, and support value-based dementia care." About Motive Medical Intelligence Motive Medical Intelligence is redefining healthcare performance analytics with an emphasis on transparency, physician trust, and real-world actionability. Motive is the partner of choice for organizations committed to eliminating low-value care and thriving in value-based care models. Through its proprietary Practicing Wisely solution, Motive is helping the industry eliminate the $400 billion in annual waste in the U.S. health system, advancing the transition to high-value, patient-centered care, and achieving the quadruple aim. Learn more here. Media: Supreme Communications for Motive Medical Intelligence [email protected] SOURCE Motive Medical Intelligence Increased Mission 300 commitment from US$10 million to US$100 million in 23 countries to date: Benin, Burkina Faso, DRC, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia WASHINGTON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Powering Africa Summit in Washington, D.C., The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet ("Global Energy Alliance") announced that they have committed more than US$100 million to date to support Mission 300, the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank's ambitious effort to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030. Since The Rockefeller Foundation and the Alliance announced their first US$10 million for Mission 300 in September 2024, they have helped strengthen government delivery capacity through technical assistance, mobilized private investment, accelerated project pipelines, and advanced electrification efforts in nearly two dozen countries. Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, announced that their joint commitment has increased more than tenfold to US$100 million during a fireside chat with The Hon. Chris Wright, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, where they also discussed the importance of bringing clean cooking support to communities in sub-Saharan Africa a key priority of Mission 300. Dr. Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, said: "Mission 300 is fundamentally about delivery, and turning ambition into results at scale. Catalytic capital from partners such as The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance plays a critical role in strengthening government delivery capacity, de-risking investments, and accelerating projects that can mobilize much larger flows of public and private finance." More than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to basic electricity. Post this "The Rockefeller Foundation has made its biggest-ever bet on connecting people to electricity as the single best pathway out of large-scale poverty," said Dr. Shah. "Our investment in Mission 300 reflects our commitment to the best way of advancing human well-being in the 21st century: putting countries in the lead, harnessing frontier technology, and focusing relentlessly on achievable, measurable goals. We look forward to working with partners to continue the extraordinary momentum behind Mission 300 and connect even more people in Africa, including its growing youth populations, to jobs, dignity, and prosperity." Currently, 730 million people still lack access to basic electricity, and an estimated 85% of those live in sub-Saharan Africa. This shortage hinders healthcare, education, digital inclusion, women and children empowerment, the creation of local jobs, building economic opportunity, and more. According to the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, lack of access to electricity is the single greatest predictor of extreme poverty. "Reliable, affordable, abundant electricity is essential for jobs, prosperity, and resilience," said Woochong Um, CEO of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. "Our Alliance is proud to support Mission 300, bringing together the governments, development banks, philanthropies, non-profits, and private sector partners that can help unlock investment and accelerate delivery. From Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units that help governments implement national energy plans, to distributed renewable energy and productive-use programs, our focus is on ensuring that new electricity connections translate into durable economic opportunity for people and communities across Africa." A partnership between The World Bank and the African Development Bank, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance, and Sustainable Energy for All, Mission 300 translates commitments into implementation through national energy compacts, economy-wide reforms, investment programs, technical assistance, and private-sector mobilization. Since The Rockefeller Foundation and the Alliance first announced their initial US$10 million commitment, their collective support has grown to more than US$100 million for Mission 300 in 23 countries to date: Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. With approximately 47% from The Rockefeller Foundation and the Mission 300 Accelerator an initiative of the Foundation's public charity, RF Catalytic Capital and 53% from the Alliance, the US$100 million commitment includes, but is not limited to: Providing technical assistance to more than a dozen National Energy Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units (CDMUs) to help improve countries' coordination, monitoring, reporting, and implementation capacities, while funding 18 "Mission 300 Fellowships" to assist with CDMU efforts to fast-track electrification efforts. Elevating support for clean cooking solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, where 70% of households have no choice but to rely on harmful, polluting fuels such as charcoal and wood to cook their meals by launching the Clean Cooking Accelerator Initiative, piloting a Clean Cooking Delivery Unit in Kenya that is serving as a model for scaling similar initiatives across the continent, and announcing the first four Clean Cooking Fellows will help strengthen the capacity of countries with National Energy Compact Delivery Units to develop investable projects. Expanding the the Global Energy Alliance and CLASP's Productive Use Financing Facility (PUFF), which provides grants, subsidies, and technical assistance to suppliers and distributors, to lower prices, reach more customers, and accelerate the uptake of clean, energy-efficient appliances that power small businesses, support farmers, and transform the lives of thousands of people across Africa. Advancing African-led energy solutions with support for strengthening interdisciplinary energy systems research and analysis by Africans about Africa through African Energy Futures Initiative and with support for building the next generation of African regulators and energy industry professionals through the African School of Regulation, while helping expand electricity demand and strengthen local energy markets and by providing technical assistance and project preparation. Investing in Zafiri, Mission 300's permanent capital fund originated by the World Bank and African Development Bank, to provide patient equity in a range of distributed renewable energy programs and investment facilities, while addressing rural electrification challenges, incentivizing developers to stimulate energy demand within the rural communities that they serve, and increasing awareness and funding support for Africa's off-grid solar sector. Launching a new, more flexible, short-medium-term technical assistance facility that is designed to deploy philanthropic capital swiftly to help accelerate the pace and efficiency of African governments' and the multilateral development banks' electricity access projects. Enabling an investment-friendly environment both prior to and since Mission 300's inception, including from the private sector through the Acumen Hardest to Reach Fund and via the World Bank and African Development Bank trust funds, such as the World Bank's Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) initiative in West and Central Africa and the African Development Bank's Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). Aligning support and additional resources for Mission 300 from the Alliance's Global Leadership Council, a coalition of nearly three dozen global finance, clean energy, and philanthropy leaders co-chaired by Jonas Gahr Stre, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, and Dr. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. Since the World Bank and African Development Bank launched Mission 300 in April 2024, around 44 million people across Africa have been connected to electricity, with a pipeline of tens of millions more by the end of 2026. In order to define targets, reforms, and investment priorities and accelerate access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030, Mission 300 has supported the launch of National Energy Compacts in 30 countries to date. For additional information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/energizing-africa/dashboard. About the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet Inc. ('Global Energy Alliance') builds transformative public, private, philanthropic partnerships to end energy poverty and accelerate green economic opportunity. Founded in 2021 by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation and Bezos Earth Fund, we work to unlock finance, strengthen institutions and transform markets, delivering progress that goes beyond individual projects to drive lasting systems change. Through our two interconnected global pillars, Grids of the Future focused on innovation and infrastructure and Energy and Opportunity with a focus on jobs and livelihoods we work toward our vision: a world where everyone has access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity and the means to use it to improve their lives. With work in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, our alliance aims to reach 1 billion people with clean electricity, prevent 4 billion tons of carbon emissions and create or improve 150 million jobs. For more information, please visit www.energyalliance.org and follow us on X @EnergyAlliance. About The Rockefeller Foundation Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance, including with our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, YouTube @RockefellerFdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation. SOURCE Rockefeller Foundation BOSTON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rocket Alumni Solutions, a leader in touchscreen software, is one of the newest members to join the New England Council. The New England Council serves as a non-partisan association that works to connect businesses with policymakers. Its mission is to enhance economic growth while bettering the New England community. Rocket Alumni Solutions x The New England Council Rocket Alumni Solutions is uniting with an elite group of businesses and educational institutions who have continued to positively impact lives throughout New England. Rocket will be joining two sectors within The New England Council: technology and innovation along with higher education. By being part of the technology and innovation sector, Rocket is helping bring awareness to policies that would contribute to the region's innovation economy. Membership in the higher education sector involves working with education advocates to positively influence the public and private education system. "Joining The New England Council is an exciting step for Rocket as we continue to grow our presence across the region," said Jeremiah De Sesto, VP of Revenue and Growth at Rocket Alumni Solutions. "New England is home to some of the most impactful schools and educational institutions in the country. Through this partnership, we're excited to work alongside leaders and advocates to help schools across the region better celebrate their communities, preserve their history, and inspire the next generation of students and alumni." Rocket works to provide institutions and organizations a dynamic and effective way to recognize their community by incorporating an interactive display. Membership with The New England Council will strengthen Rocket's network and foster collaborations that will continuously impact the region. About Rocket Alumni Solutions Since 2016, Rocket Alumni Solutions has partnered with over 1,500 organizations, ranging from professional associations like the PGA Tour to major universities such as Maryland, LSU, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech, as well as small public high schools. Its touchscreen software maintains an 84+ Net Promoter Score (NPS), reflecting its ease of use and value. Rocket's engineering team, with roots at Brown University, continuously deploys new features to help schools preserve and celebrate their communities' legacies while inspiring students, alumni, and donors. Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE Rocket Alumni Solutions LOS ANGELES, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Royer Labs, a leading manufacturer of ribbon microphones used across recording, broadcast, live sound, and film production, today announced its acquisition by Sounds Great Holdings, LLC. The transaction marks a new phase of growth while preserving the sound quality and craftsmanship that has long defined the brand. Matthew Davidge, Dave Hetrick, John Jennings, Joe Covey Founded in 1998, Royer Labs helped lead the modern ribbon microphone renaissance with their R-121now a widely used industry standardalong with pioneering phantom-powered and tube ribbon designs. The company was awarded a Technical Grammy Award for its contributions to modern recording. Royer Labs will continue operating from its Burbank, California headquarters, with plans to expand global sales, invest in product development, and deepen relationships across the professional audio community. "Royer Labs has built an extraordinary reputation for sonic excellence and engineering integrity," said Joe Covey, the company's new CEO. "Our goal is to honor that legacy while investing in next-generation technology and expanding the brand globally." John Jennings, co-founder and former President, expressed confidence in the transition. "I love this company we started decades ago, the dedicated people who work here, and the industry we serve. The Sounds Great team is made up of good humans who respect Royer's culture and will continue our bedrock traditions of high quality and extraordinary sound pickup." Dave Hetrick has joined Royer Labs as President and Chief Revenue Officer, where he will lead global sales strategy. "Royer microphones are among the most respected tools in professional audio," said Hetrick. "We see significant opportunity to grow the brand worldwide." About Royer Labs Royer Labs is a leading manufacturer of ribbon microphones and related audio technologies. Known for their natural sound, durability, rugged construction, and innovative designs, Royer microphones are widely used in recording studios, broadcast facilities, live sound environments, and film and television production around the world. More info at www.Royerlabs.com. About Sounds Great Holdings Sounds Great Holdings is a newly formed company focused on investing in high-quality brands and products in the professional audio industry. The company is led by principals Joe Covey, Matthew Davidge and Adam Pelzman, all of whom have extensive experience acquiring and building businesses. Sounds Great Holdings plans to acquire several other iconic pro audio brands in the coming months. Media Contact: Amalia Stephenson 310.663.8927 [email protected] SOURCE Royer Labs SALT LAKE CITY, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PMI Foods was pleased to host Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall in recent days, who met with PMI's Corporate Controller Amber Spackman at our corporate headquarters to learn more about the company's history in Salt Lake City, global footprint, diverse workforce, and dedication to giving back. The Mayor's visit helped shine a spotlight on PMI's commitment to the local Salt Lake City community and our charitable efforts to fight food insecurity throughout the country and across the globe. Amber Spackman and Mayor Mendenhall at PMI Foods headquarters in Salt Lake City. Amber Spackman greets Mayor Mendenhall. "It was an honor for our team to welcome Mayor Mendenhall and learn more about her interest in PMI Foods as we employ over a hundred local Utahn residents," remarked Amber Spackman, Corporate Controller at PMI Foods. "We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Mayor and local leaders as we work to create a global hub for international trade and commerce right here in Utah's capital." "I'm always grateful for opportunities to listen to business leaders who are creating jobs, connecting Salt Lake City to markets around the world, and investing in the future of our community," said Mayor Mendenhall. "The variety of global companies headquartered here reflects the strength of our economy and the talent of the people who call Salt Lake City home." About Parker Migliorini International: PMI Foods is a global enterprise that supplies a spectrum of products to all major international markets with corporate offices located in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. PMI Foods operates across multiple platforms representing three brands: PMI Global Solutions; managing product procurement, sales, and logistics, PMI Distribution; supplying the needs of local wholesale markets, and PMI Food Service, which provides a constant supply source while focusing on personalized services and customer-specific adaptation of products and packaging. For more information about PMI Foods is available at pmifoods.com. SOURCE PMI Foods NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky announces that it has commenced an investigation of Moelis & Company (NYSE: MC) concerning possible breaches of fiduciary duty. If you have been a shareholder of MC since at least February 4, 2025 and currently hold shares, you can obtain additional information here: https://zlk.com/compensation2/moelis-company-information-request-form or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 363-7500. There is no cost or obligation to you. Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized firm with offices in New York, Connecticut, California, and Washington, D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact the firm. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Levi & Korsinsky, LLP Joseph E. Levi, Esq. 33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor New York, NY 10004 [email protected] Tel: (212) 363-7500 Fax: (212) 363-7171 www.zlk.com SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP AMSTERDAM, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shipsy, a leading provider of AI-native solutions for logistics, today announced AgentFleet, an AI workforce organized around operational roles such as customer experience, operations, finance, with purpose-built agents executing task workflows within each role alongside human teams. Logistics operations remain heavily manual despite years of digitization. Every day, logistics teams chase drivers, answer WISMO calls, reconcile invoices line by line, and resolve disputes manually. As shipment volumes grow, this complexity does not scale. Logistics workforces face high attrition and labor shortages while customer experience expectations rise and shipment complexity grows. Enterprise AI is now reliable enough to execute, not just assist. AgentFleet introduces an AI workforce that works alongside human teams. These agents monitor signals, make decisions within defined rules, and execute tasks across systems. This shifts operations managers from firefighting to supervisory roles, overseeing AI activity and focusing on high-value decisions. Logistics platforms transform from passive systems of record into systems of action: observe, decide, execute, and escalate only when necessary. This transition moves operations from reactive to proactive, with agents resolving exceptions before they escalate. AgentFleet ships with role-specific AI co-workers, each built for a distinct operational function: Clara, Customer Experience AI Co-worker Proactively communicates delivery updates and resolves customer queries via WhatsApp, voice, email, and SMS, in the customer's local language. Early deployments show 3040% reductions in inbound support volumes. Astra, Driver Experience AI Co-worker Provides real-time route guidance, coordinates with hubs and customers, and gives instant payout clarity. Early deployments show 1820% improvements in driver productivity across third-party fleets. Nexa, Finance AI Co-worker Validates 100% of freight invoices, not samples, with four-way matching across vendor claims, execution data, GPS records, and PODs. Organizations achieve 2025% faster settlement cycles and up to 50% reduction in manual workload. Vera, Dispute Resolution AI Co-worker AI-led financial dispute management for carriers and vendors. Organizations see 2025% faster dispute resolution cycles and reduced operational backlogs. AgentFleet integrates with existing TMS platforms, ERPs, and third-party logistics systems as an augmentation layer, with no rip-and-replace required. Each agent operates within pre-approved guardrails covering role-based access, approval workflows, and full audit trails. Enterprises can begin with a single agent role and expand incrementally across functions. "Logistics operations are under more pressure than ever, with rising demand, workforce constraints, and increasing expectations," said Soham Chokshi, Co-Founder and CEO at Shipsy. "AgentFleet gives teams an AI workforce that observes, decides, and acts. The future of operations is supervisorydirecting agents, not executing tasks." Learn more at agentfleet.shipsy.ai. About Shipsy Shipsy is redefining the logistics industry with its AI-native Enterprise Transportation Management Platform, helping nine Fortune 500 companies and eighteen leading logistics players transition toward autonomous supply chains. Shipsy powers operations for 250+ customers across 30+ countries, is featured in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Transport Management (global) and Warehouse Management (APAC), with global offices in London, Amsterdam, Riyadh, Dubai, Singapore, Sydney and India. Learn more at www.shipsy.ai SOURCE Shipsy BOSTON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Simply Business, LLC, the leading digital marketplace for easily finding, comparing and buying tailored small business insurance, today announced its AI advisor has been named "SMB InsurTech Solution of the Year" in the FinTech Breakthrough Awards. The proprietary solution, built on Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 4.5, has transformed the insurance buying process for small business owners. "Our AI advisor was designed in-house, with a focus on reimagining the digital insurance buying experience for small business owners, enabling them to make confident decisions quickly," said Dana Edwards, Group CTO at Simply Business. "This recognition underscores our mission of making small business insurance simple and accessible." Now in its 10th year, the annual FinTech Breakthrough Awards recognize leading companies, technologies and products in the fintech market. Simply Business was selected from more than 4,500 global nominations by an independent panel of industry experts, based on a rigorous evaluation of innovation, performance, ease of use, functionality, value and impact. "Simply Business is transforming the insurance buying journey into a simple, conversational experience that feels more like guidance than a sales pitch for small businesses," said Steve Johansson, Managing Director at FinTech Breakthrough. "We were particularly impressed with the company's customer-first philosophy and commitment to responsible innovation, making it the clear choice for SMB InsurTech Solution of the Year." About Simply Business's AI Advisor Launched in October 2025, the hyper-personalized AI-powered insurance advisor uses proprietary technology, built on a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) model, to make the insurance buying process faster, clearer and more intuitive. Key features include: Accuracy-first verification Every response is immediate, personalized and grounded in human-verified content, cross-referenced against a validated knowledge base. Every response is immediate, personalized and grounded in human-verified content, cross-referenced against a validated knowledge base. Real-time clarification Policy language is translated into plain, conversational terms that are easy to understand. Policy language is translated into plain, conversational terms that are easy to understand. Seamless human handoff When users need additional support, they are instantly connected to Simply Business's team of skilled agents. When users need additional support, they are instantly connected to Simply Business's team of skilled agents. Continuous learning Through real-time feedback loops, the advisor grows smarter and more responsive with every interaction. Find out more here. About Simply Business Simply Business is dedicated to making small business insurance simple and accessible. The company's robust digital marketplace allows small-business owners to find and buy the insurance they need online, matching them with coverage from multiple top carriers to offer transparency, choice and value. Simply Business's product offerings include general liability, professional liability, business owner's policies, workers compensation, cyber insurance and more. An insurtech pioneer, Simply Business has 20 years of experience supporting the needs of small businesses, with over one million active customers. Founded in the UK in 2005, Simply Business launched its U.S. operations in 2017 and employs over 1,000 people across offices in London and Northampton in the UK, and Boston in the U.S. Simply Business is a subsidiary of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV). About FinTech Breakthrough Awards Part of Tech Breakthrough LLC, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for technology innovation and leadership around the globe, the FinTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring innovation in financial technologies and services companies and products. The FinTech Breakthrough awards provide public recognition for the standout achievements of fintech companies and products, in categories that include payments, personal finance, cryptocurrency, wealth management, fraud protection, banking, lending, regtech, insurtech and more. For more information, visit FinTechBreakthrough.com. Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. CONTACT: Jillian Reid, [email protected] SOURCE Simply Business Actions Violate Panama-Singapore Free Trade Agreement SINGAPORE, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinolam International Pte Ltd filed a request for arbitration under the ICSID Convention against the Republic of Panama in connection with cancellation of a license for a major gas-fired power generation project. The arbitration arises under the Panama-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) is an international arbitration institution established in 1966 for legal dispute resolution and conciliation between international investors and States. ICSID is part of the World Bank Group, headquartered in Washington, D.C. The project, known as Gas to Power Panama, was designed to deliver reliable, efficient, and lower-emission electricity to support Panama's growing energy needs. It involved development of a modern combined-cycle, gas-fired power plant, initially planned as a 325 MW facility and later expanded to 441 MW. Designed to operate with high thermal efficiency and flexible dispatch capability, the project was intended to stabilize the Panamanian grid, respond to demand fluctuations, and complement other sources of generation. Sinolam made substantial investments to advance the project and prepare it for construction and operation, with the expectation it would contribute meaningfully to Panama's electricity supply and system stability. Despite this, Panama abruptly cancelled the project's license through regulatory action taken in 2024. The cancellation was issued without prior notice that termination was under consideration and without affording Sinolam opportunity to be heard. Panama's conduct violated fundamental obligations under the applicable investment treaty, including protection against arbitrary and discriminatory treatment and uncompensated expropriation. Sinolam seeks full compensation for the losses it has suffered, including invested capital and destruction of the project's value. Sinolam presently values its loss at over $140 million. "After serious efforts to reach an amicable resolution, Sinolam has initiated arbitration proceedings under the Panama-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. This is a last resort to protect our lawful investment and uphold the principles of transparency, fairness, and respect for international commitments that underpin cross-border investment. This step reflects our confidence in a rules-based process," said Kenneth Zhang, Sinolam's CEO. In the past 30 months, the Government of Panama has cancelled several major foreign investment concessions owned by Asian companies valued at billions of dollars as well as a large Canadian-owned copper mine. This has eroded the trust of foreign investors in Panama. Sinolam remains committed to resolving the dispute through the ICSID arbitration process and looks forward to vindicating its rights. About Sinolam International Pte. Ltd (Singapore) Sinolam International Pte. Ltd is a Singapore-based investment company focused on oil & gas and power investments in emerging markets in Asia and Latin America. About Sinolam (Panama) Sinolam LNG Terminal, S.A. and Sinolam Smarter Energy LNG Power Co. are energy infrastructure developers focused on LNG-to-power solutions in emerging markets. Sinolam's projects are designed to provide reliable, lower-emission electricity while expanding access to competitively priced natural gas in Panama and the region. SOURCE Sinolam Smarter Energy Practitioner-assisted stretching studio brings mobility-focused wellness to the Cleveland community. CLEVELAND, Tenn., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stretch Zone, the nation's leading brand for practitioner assisted stretching, opens its newest studio in Cleveland, Tennessee, expanding access to guided stretching and mobility-focused wellness in the region. With over 420 locations open across the U.S. and Canada, Stretch Zone's patented equipment and certified practitioner training deliver a safe, effective experience that improves mobility and enhances quality of life. The new studio introduces Stretch Zone's proven approach to improving flexibility, increasing range of motion, and reducing muscle tension through personalized, practitioner-led sessions. Designed for individuals of all ages and activity levels, Stretch Zone offers a safe, effective way to support recovery, enhance performance, and improve overall quality of life. Conveniently located at 4637 N Lee Hwy, the Cleveland studio is positioned to serve residents throughout the area looking for a results-driven approach to wellness. The studio provides a welcoming and professional environment where members can prioritize their mobility and long term health. Stretch Zone offers a one-on-one, fully assisted stretch experience led by certified practitioners trained through the brand's proprietary program. Using a patented strapping system, practitioners guide members through slow, controlled stretches that increase flexibility and mobilitywithout strain or discomfort. A stretch session is often described as "deep relaxation with a purpose." Members lie comfortably on a table while the practitioner does the work, allowing the body to release tension and move more freely. Many members report feeling lighter, looser, and more mobile after just one session, with continued benefits over time. Stretch Zone Cleveland is now open and will operate Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and will be closed on Sundays. To celebrate the opening, new guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary first stretch. For more information or to learn more about practitioner-assisted stretching, visit www.stretchzone.com or contact the studio directly at (423) 819-7049 or [email protected]. About Stretch Zone Founded in 2004 by Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone has redefined how people approach flexibility and recovery. With more than 420 locations across North America, the brand's patented equipment and certified practitioner training deliver safe, effective stretching experiences that improve mobility and enhance quality of life. Stretch Zone has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 and Franchise Times Top 400 lists for growth and innovation. Learn more at www.stretchzone.com. Media Contact: Mariah Mckenzie Pitch Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Stretch Zone Meet the TELUS SmartHome Assistant one intelligent interface to manage all smart home devices, designed and powered in Canada VANCOUVER, BC, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Today, TELUS launched the world's first smart home AI assistant with Generative UI, rolling out to SmartHome+ customers over the coming weeks. The TELUS SmartHome Assistant processes voice, images, sensor feeds and videos in real time to dynamically create a personalized interface based on user needs. It addresses the smart home industry's biggest challenge a fragmented user experience across disparate devices and apps from various brands. Rather than toggling between different apps, the TELUS SmartHome Assistant provides one intuitive interface that truly understands and responds to the user and the entire connected home. TELUS is making it possible to unify more than 2,000 device models, including many of the biggest brands, into a single intelligent interface that makes the connected home experience even better. "The true test of any smart home platform is whether it actually makes life easier and your home more enjoyable. The TELUS SmartHome Assistant delivers that with one app, one login, and one AI assistant that can support thousands of smart devices, including those already existing in homes or ones consumers choose to buy to compliment their existing set-up," said Dwayne Benefield, Chief Product Officer at TELUS. "Nothing else like it exists in the market. We're proud to not only bring this to Canadians, but also to service providers on a global scale who can customize and deploy this innovation under their own brands. TELUS is truly transforming an entire industry, and there's so much more in store: In the coming weeks, TELUS SmartHome Assistant will launch internet management capabilities, enabling users to monitor and optimize Wi-Fi performance and manage family usage and screen time through natural conversation and automated actions across devices." The TELUS SmartHome Assistant is evolving in real time as more connected devices are added and it continuously improves its own performance based on experience. If you ask it to disable the TV during homework time, it won't just tell you it did, it will build the automation UI visually, so you can edit and confirm the new routine with just a few taps. Take a photo of a device that isn't working and get an instant troubleshooting guide. Ask it if your dog walker showed up on schedule and it checks your cameras to tell you when they arrived and shows you a clip of them leaving the driveway. Rush out the door to get to work, and ask it to turn off the lights, make sure the iron's unplugged, set the thermostat to eco mode, and lock the front door then get it to create a routine, so you can set it and forget it. By understanding multiple types of input, the assistant can provide tailored solutions, with a dynamic interface, in real time. Since launching SmartHome+ in late 2024, TELUS has rapidly expanded the platform with industry-leading innovations, including Automation, Video, SmartEnergy, and now its AI-powered assistant, the TELUS SmartHome Assistant all accessible through the TELUS SmartHome+ app. TELUS SmartHome Assistant is available now to all Canadians, and new subscribers to SmartHome+ can save up to $125 on smart devices and 50 per cent off professional installation when they sign up and stay subscribed for 24 months, making it more affordable than ever to transform a residence into an intelligent, cohesive and connected home. For more information about SmartHome+ and to subscribe to any or all of the Automation, SmartHome+ Video and SmartEnergy subscriptions, visit telus.com/SmartHomePlus. About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a world-leading communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 21 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. TELUS Health is enhancing more than 161 million lives across 200 countries and territories through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. TELUS Digital specializes in digital customer experiences and future-focused digital transformations that deliver value for their global clients. Guided by our enduring 'give where we live' philosophy, TELUS continues to invest in initiatives that support education, health and community well-being. In 2023, we launched the TELUS Student Bursary, which strives to ensure that every young person in Canada who wants a postsecondary education has the opportunity to pursue one. To date, the program has distributed over $6 million in bursaries to 2,000 students and counting. Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.85 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs, including 2.5 million days of serviceearning TELUS the distinction of the world's most giving company. For more information, visit telus.com or follow @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram. For more information, please contact: Chelsey Higdon TELUS Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc. KIRKLAND, Wash., March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- It is with profound sadness that Weidner Apartment Homes (Weidner) announces the passing of its Founder and Chairman, W. Dean Weidner. W. Dean Weidner, Founder and Chairman of Weidner Apartment Homes. Dean founded Weidner in 1977 with a simple purpose: to provide residents with clean, functional, and well-maintained homes. What began as a practical investment quickly became something more meaningful. The responsibility of providing shelter, one of life's most essential needs, ignited a lifelong passion to improve the multifamily landscape, becoming one of the greatest honors of his life. Since its inception, Dean has grown Weidner into one of the largest owners of multifamily housing in North America, with 74,667 apartment homes across 323 communities. Today, Weidner's Vision, Mission, and Values are the cornerstone of its operations and underscore the company's commitment to serving its associates and residents. Dean believed that supporting communities and investing in city-building projects required more than just providing housing. He invested in education and partnered with over half a dozen universities and trade schools in the United States and Canada to elevate professionalism across the real estate industry. He created a program to support residents living in Weidner properties, dedicating funds to care for and connect them to their homes. Giving back was essential to him. Through targeted philanthropy, Dean contributed to the neighborhoods where Weidner provides housing. These efforts extended into the community by supporting a myriad of nonprofits that strengthen cities and the places that residents call home. Dean recognized the importance of positioning the company for enduring success and took deliberate steps to secure Weidner's future. Prior to his passing, he established the Weidner Purpose Trust, gifting ownership of Weidner Apartment Homes and a portfolio of real estate to preserve and advance Weidner's Vision, Mission, and Values for generations to come. The Board of Trustees provides governance and stewardship of Weidner, ensuring it continues to care for its residents, invest in its people, grow thoughtfully, and give back to the communities in which it operates. "Dean's thoughtful approach to building community is exemplified in the way he preserved Weidner to provide lasting security for our associates and communities. We recognize the significant responsibility and trust Dean placed in us to continue his purpose and lead Weidner into its next chapter. Our future is secure, purpose-driven, and bright." The Board of Trustees, Weidner Purpose Trust. Please see www.deanweidnerslegacy.com for a retrospective of Dean Weidner's many accomplishments, contributions, and philanthropic investments. About Weidner Apartment Homes Founded by W. Dean Weidner in 1977, Weidner Apartment Homes is a real estate investment and property management company recognized for efficiently providing quality rental apartment homes and creatively developing new housing. The company is headquartered in Kirkland, WA, and its portfolio spans 14 states and four Canadian provinces. For more information, please visit www.weidner.com. SOURCE Weidner Apartment Homes BFA Law is investigating Tennant Company after its stock plummeted 23% due to issues with its ERP system, potentially violating federal securities laws. NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in Tennant, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/tennant-company-class-action-lawsuit. Key Details of the Tennant ($TNC) Class Action Investigation: Investigation Overview: Securities fraud related to Tennant's implementation and rollout of its new, company-wide enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system Securities related to Tennant's implementation and rollout of its new, company-wide enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system Stock Decline: February 24, 2026 23.4% Stock Drop February 24, 2026 23.4% Stock Drop Action: Contact BFA Law to discuss your rights Why is Tennant Being Investigated for Securities Fraud? Tennant manufactures industrial cleaning equipment, including large mechanical floor scrubbers and sweepers used in warehouses, retail stores, and other commercial facilities. BFA is investigating whether Tennant made false and misleading statements to investors regarding the implementation and rollout of a large-scale ERP system. For instance, Tennant assured investors the project was "progressing as we've anticipated," was "on time and on budget," and that the launch of the ERP in its Asia-Pacific region had been "successful," with Tennant stating it had "mitigated disruptions and stabilized operations." Why did Tennant's Stock Drop? On February 24, 2026, Tennant revealed that the rollout of its new ERP system in North America caused severe operational disruptions, including that it was unable to process and ship customer orders following the launch of the system. As a result, Tennant lost roughly $30 million in sales and would need to spend more than $20 million in 2026 to remediate the issues, compared to roughly $5 million the company had planned to spend. This news caused the price of Tennant stock to drop $19.28 per share, more than 23%, from a closing price of $82.30 per share on February 23, 2026, to $63.02 per share on February 24, 2026. Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/tennant-company-class-action-lawsuit. What Can You Do? If you invested in Tennant, you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis; there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/tennant-company-class-action-lawsuit Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, "Litigation Stars" by Benchmark Litigation, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com. https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/tennant-company-class-action-lawsuit Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. SOURCE Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP YOKOHAMA, Japan, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; President: Masashi Nagayasu) today announced that the company's in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system has debuted in Toyota Motor Corporation's (Toyota) 2026 RAV4 vehicle. This cutting-edge platform is designed to keep drivers connected, informed and entertained with speed, personalization and future-ready technology. Toyota RAV4 exterior Toyota RAV4 interior Panasonic Automotive IVI In developing this product, the company established a large-scale framework for IVI software that integrates with Arene, Toyota's software platform for development and deployment, created by its group company, Woven by Toyota. The company continues this collaboration with Toyota to further support the development of software platforms that enable SDV adoption across Toyota's vehicle lineup. The industry-leading multimedia platform's features include: Newly developed IVI software advances SDV adoption The newly developed IVI software integrates with the Arene software platform, first adopted by Toyota in the RAV4, to unlock its capabilities. This enables the product to serve as a hub for over-the-air (OTA) updates, which are essential for SDV adoption, for both multimedia and ADAS features. Advanced UX and ADAS Integration Enhance Comfort and Safety The product builds upon existing capabilities, including smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Wireless connectivity, support for digital radio* and Bluetooth audio, and user authentication and voice UI enabled through smartphone and cloud integration. These features continue to evolve with ongoing advancements. Beyond personalized experiences enabled by a customizable home screen, the system supports vehicle comfort and usability through connected features such as temperature control, cloud-based navigation, and faster, more enhanced voice recognition. In addition, safety is enhanced through the ADASintegrated camera recording function. * HD Radio, SXM, and DAB Integrated design and a large, high-definition display enhance product appeal A large, high-definition display measuring up to 12.9 inches* integrates navigation and temperature control into a single user interface. LCD bonding technology and a spacesaving design combine both aesthetics and utility. The product combines high-quality design with lightweight construction and power efficiency. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 will begin arriving in dealerships across North America in February with other regions to follow. Eventually, it will be available in more than 170 countries. About Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. Headquartered in Japan, Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd., (PAS) is a global company with subsidiaries in eight other countries and, as a Tier 1 company, it provides advanced proprietary technologies such as infotainment systems to automakers in Japan and overseas, helping to create comfortable, safe, and secure automobiles. PAS is committed to meeting the expectations of its customers around the world with technologies that stand by people in pursuit of its corporate vision of becoming the "Joy in Motion" design company. We are changing our company name and brand to Mobitera Inc., effective April 1, 2027. To learn more about our company, please visit https://automotive.panasonic.com/en SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America HANOI, Vietnam, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Viettel Group has been ranked as the world's strongest telecom brand, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 89.9/100 and an AAA+ rating, the highest level awarded by Brand Finance. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough for Viettel after two consecutive years in second place, officially securing the top global position in telecom brand strength. The result is considered notable, as it places a Vietnamese telecom operator ahead of many long-established international brands in terms of customer trust and brand perception. Viettel Ranks No.1 Globally in Telecom Brand Strength According to Brand Finance, it is important to distinguish between brand value and brand strength, two concepts that are often confused. Brand value represents the financial worth of a brand, typically linked to revenue, profitability, and expected future growth. In contrast, brand strength reflects how customers perceive and engage with the brand. It measures factors such as trust, reputation, preference, and the likelihood of customers recommending the brand to others. Brand strength is assessed through extensive market research and is a key driver influencing overall brand value. In the 2026 rankings, Viettel's BSI score of 89.9/100 is the highest recorded among leading telecom brands over the past three years. This demonstrates not only strong brand recognition but also a deep level of customer trust and emotional connection. Viettel's consistent performance across multiple perception metrics has enabled it to surpass competitors and take the top position globally. Mr. Lorenzo Coruzzi, Valuation Director at Brand Finance, commented: "Viettel scores exceptionally well across key research metrics, particularly in reputation, reliability, and recommendation. This demonstrates that the brand not only has high visibility but also a strong and meaningful connection with its customers in its home market." In terms of brand value, Viettel is currently valued at USD 7.9 billion, making it the largest telecom company in Southeast Asia. The Group is also ranked among the top 20 telecom brands globally and remains the only Vietnamese enterprise included in the Global 500 ranking, further reinforcing its growing presence on the international stage. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in London, Brand Finance is the world's leading brand valuation consultancy, with operations in more than 20 countries. Each year, the firm evaluates over 70,000 brands worldwide, providing independent insights into brand performance across industries and markets. Brand Finance is also the only organization whose valuation methodology complies with ISO 10668, the international standard for brand valuation. Under this framework, brand value is determined based on three key components: the Brand Strength Index (BSI), industry royalty rates, and forecasted revenues. This standardized approach ensures that brand valuations are transparent, consistent, and widely accepted in financial, auditing, and strategic decision-making contexts. SOURCE Viettel Group VANCOUVER, BC, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. ("West Fraser" or the "Company") (TSX andNYSE: WFG) announced today that the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has accepted West Fraser's notice to renew its normal course issuer bid ("NCIB"). Under the renewed NCIB, West Fraser will be entitled to purchase up to 3,800,917 Common shares ("Shares") of the Company, representing approximately 5% of the 76,018,344 Shares issued and outstanding as at March 10, 2026. The NCIB will commence on March 24, 2026. The purpose of the NCIB is to enable the Company to return capital to shareholders by way of repurchases of Shares, including when the Company believes its Shares are undervalued or represent an attractive investment opportunity. The Company believes that such repurchases are an appropriate use of the Company's available funds and in its best interests. Purchases under the NCIB may be made through the facilities of the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and alternative trading systems in Canada and/or the United States, if eligible. Purchases of Shares under the NCIB may be made on the TSX, at the market price at the time of purchase in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX, or on the NYSE in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). In addition, purchases may also be made by private agreement or under a specific share repurchase program pursuant to an issuer bid exemption order issued by a securities regulatory authority, in which event purchases will be at a discount to the prevailing market price. The rules and policies of the TSX contain restrictions on the number of Shares that can be purchased under the NCIB, based on the average daily trading volumes on the TSX. Similarly, the safe harbor conditions of Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act impose certain limitations on the number of Shares that can be purchased on the NYSE each day. As a result of the restrictions, subject to certain exceptions for block purchases, the maximum number of Shares that can be purchased per day during the NCIB on the TSX is 51,608 based on 25% of the average daily trading volume on the TSX for the prior six months (being 206,434 Shares on the TSX). Subject to certain exceptions for block purchases, the maximum number of Shares that can be purchased per day on the NYSE is 25% of the average daily trading volume on NYSE for the four calendar weeks preceding the date of purchase. Subject to regulatory requirements, the actual number of Shares purchased and the timing of such purchases, if any, will be determined by West Fraser having regard to future price movements and other factors. All Shares purchased by West Fraser under the NCIB will be cancelled. The NCIB will terminate on March 23, 2027 or earlier if the maximum number of Shares authorized for repurchase under the NCIB have been purchased. West Fraser reserves the right to terminate the NCIB earlier if it feels it is appropriate to do so. West Fraser plans to enter into an automatic purchase plan with a broker, which will enable West Fraser to provide standard instructions and purchase Shares on the open market during self-imposed blackout periods. Outside of these blackout periods, Shares may be purchased in accordance with management's discretion. West Fraser's prior normal course issuer bid for the purchase of up to 3,868,177 Shares expired on March 2, 2026. West Fraser purchased a total of 1,286,185 Shares at a volume weighted-average price of US$73.47 per Share, excluding brokerage fees, all of which purchases were made on the open market. About West Fraser West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 50 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, which promotes sustainable forest practices in its operations. The Company produces lumber, engineered wood products (OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, and particleboard), northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, paper, wood chips, and other residuals. West Fraser's products are used in home construction, repair and remodelling, industrial applications, papers and tissue. For more information about West Fraser, visit www.westfraser.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including future purchases of West Fraser's Shares under the NCIB, including pursuant to private agreements or a specific share repurchase program under an issuer bid exemption order issued by applicable securities regulatory authorities, and the return of capital to West Fraser's shareholders. Any such forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends and current conditions. Readers should also refer to the risk factors set forth in the Company's annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2025 each dated February 11, 2026, available at SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov). There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which forward-looking statements are based will be realized. Actual results may differ, and the difference may be material and adverse to the Company and its shareholders. SOURCE West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. Marks Zenobe's entry into the North American commercial fleet and truck segment Adds 13 operational sites, 100-plus electric trucks and a project pipeline complementing Zenobe's growing student transportation and public transit portfolio in the U.S. and Canada Draws on Zenobe's global engineering and operational depth as a leading fleet electrification partner and adds U.S. commercial fleet expertise to its team CHICAGO, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenobe, a global leader in fleet electrification, is expanding into U.S. electric truck operations through the acquisition of California-based Revolv, a commercial fleet electrification company backed by GDEV Management. The acquisition signals growing confidence in the long-term opportunity for commercial vehicle electrification in North America. Zenobe's multi-user electric truck charging hub in Sydney, Australia. The U.S. Zero Emission Truck (ZET) market is seeing rapid growth, with more than 59,000 ZETs deployed nationwide, with the highest concentration, more than 10,600, in California, according to a recent CALSTART Market Update. This acquisition adds to Zenobe's established U.S. presence in student transportation and public transit while bringing its global operational depth, engineering expertise and customer focus to new customer sites and fleets. Zenobe now supports multiple live EV fleets in North America, with more projects under development, and over 3,400 vehicles supported by its global business. Zenobe has assumed operational responsibility for 13 customer sites and 100-plus electric trucks in California, as well as additional projects in development. The Revolv team joining Zenobe will strengthen its North American commercial fleet expertise and ensure continuity for customers as Zenobe focuses, post-acquisition, on a seamless transition. "Revolv's end-to-end fleet electrification model is highly complementary to Zenobe's global experience and our growth plans in North America," said Andreas Lips, Zenobe's recently appointed President of EV North America, who brings extensive global experience in EV charging and fleet infrastructure from previous roles. Lips, who is focused on accelerating growth and deepening partnerships across the electrification value chain continued: "As commercial fleet electrification enters its next phase, operators are increasingly seeking partners who can deliver vehicles, infrastructure, financing and long-term battery performance under one roof. This acquisition strengthens our ability to provide flexible, end-to-end solutions at scale across North America." "This is a strong opportunity to accelerate electrification at scale, by pairing Revolv's fleet electrification platform with our deep experience and unique financing models," noted Steven Meersman, Founder Director of Zenobe. "We're grateful to Revolv CEO Scott Davidson and the team at GDEV Management for backing Revolv early on. Now we are taking it to the next stage." Zenobe is focused on supporting operators through the transition to zero-emission fleets. The company's project portfolio includes school bus electrification projects in Methuen, Mass., New York's Long Island and Chicago, Ill.; a large-scale transit program in Brampton, Ont. currently under development; and commercial fleet partnerships across Canada and the U.S. Zenobe's fleet electrification approach places battery performance, health and lifecycle value at the center of its electrification strategies. Through its battery-as-a-service offering, the company provides performance guarantees, assumes battery and electrification risk, and captures residual value through second-life solutions, benefitting school bus, transit and commercial fleet operators alike. "This acquisition reflects our shared belief in the long-term opportunity for fleet electrification and the important role private infrastructure capital can play in accelerating the global energy transition," said Shreya Malik, Managing Director, Infrastructure at KKR, an investor in Zenobe. "We are pleased to support Zenobe as it continues to scale its North America platform." "Since first investing in 2020, we have worked alongside Zenobe to support its expansion, and we're proud to continue backing the business as it scales its premium fleet electrification capabilities in North America. The addition of Revolv marks another important milestone, providing a strong foundation for further growth in this vital, hardtodecarbonize sector," added Priya Veerapen, Managing Director, Infracapital. Revolv and GDEV Management were represented by Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, and Zenobe was represented by Dentons US LLP, in connection with the transaction. About Zenobe Energy Ltd. (Zenobe): Zenobe is a global EV fleet and grid-scale battery storage specialist. The company began operations in 2017 and now employs >380 FTEs with a wide range of leading skills including electrical engineering, software development, computer sciences and financing. Zenobe supports over 3,400 electric vehicles across 122 depots globally and is the largest owner and operator of EV buses in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Zenobe is also the leading owner and operator of grid-scale batteries on the Great Britain transmission network with >2.5GWh of battery storage assets in contract. Zenobe is backed by KKR and Infracapital. Its North American headquarters are in Chicago with a subsidiary office in New York and it is actively hiring in Canada and the U.S. For more information visit Zenobe.com or LinkedIn. SOURCE Zenobe North America About this content About Ian Lyall Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Stephen Gunnion Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Oliver Haill Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup News Service, Gracenote... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Lisa Uhlman Lisa Uhlman is an equities reporter at Proactive Investors, covering ASX-listed companies across the mining, energy, biotech and emerging tech sectors. With a background in legal and financial journalism, Lisa brings a sharp analytical lens to market news and corporate developments. Prior to joining Proactive, she reported for national trade publications and newswires, with a focus on court reporting, regulatory affairs and ESG-related business issues. Based in Sydney, she is... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce both face pressure from US import taxes and a stalling electric vehicle pivot, but their responses differ markedly Two of the world's most prestigious carmakers reported contrasting fortunes this week, yet both pointed to the same forces reshaping the top end of the global automotive market: American tariffs, Middle East instability and a faltering shift to electric vehicles. Lamborghini, the Italian supercar manufacturer owned by Volkswagen through its Audi subsidiary, delivered a record 10,747 cars in 2025, generating $3.7 billion in revenue, a 3.3% rise on the previous year. The headline figures, however, masked a squeeze on profitability. Operating income fell to $885 million from a record $962 million in 2024, with the company's profit margin slipping to 24%. Chief executive Stephan Winkelmann attributed the decline partly to a 15% US import tariff on European vehicles introduced by the Trump administration, which cost the broader auto industry nearly $35 billion last year, according to an Automotive News analysis. "Being the US, by far our biggest market, we could not increase the price at the same level as the tariffs were increased, and at the same time the market was going down," Winkelmann told Fortune magazine. Lamborghini raised prices on its Temerario and Urus models by 7% and its Revuelto by 10%, but could not pass on the full tariff burden to buyers without further dampening demand. Rolls-Royce, the Goodwood-based luxury carmaker owned by German manufacturer BMW, faces a different configuration of the same pressures. The company makes around 5,600 cars a year, a fraction of Lamborghini's volume, and its chief executive, Chris Brownridge declined to specify what tariff impact the business had absorbed. Where the two companies most visibly diverge is on electrification, and the contrast is sharper than it first appears. Rolls-Royce this week abandoned its pledge to sell only electric vehicles by 2030, a target set by its previous chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos when the company launched its first fully electric model, the Spectre, in 2022. Brownridge said sustained client demand for V12 internal combustion engines made the original goal untenable. "We recognise some clients would rather have a V12 engine," he said. "The V12 is part of our history." Lamborghini's position is more nuanced than the headlines suggested. Winkelmann recently pushed back against the widely circulated characterisation of EV development as "an expensive hobby" for low-volume manufacturers, saying the quote was "a bit taken out of context" and that Lamborghini had not abandoned electric car development. Instead, the company has shifted the targeted launch of its first fully electric model to after 2030, while its fourth model line, the Lanzador, will now arrive before then as a plug-in hybrid, using a variant of the Urus SUV's 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain rather than the pure-electric configuration originally planned. The strategic overhaul contributed to last year's profit decline alongside the tariff hit. Winkelmann said a central challenge for any future Lamborghini electric car will be emotional appeal, and specifically sound, an element he regards as fundamental to the brand's identity. "One of the biggest topics of rejection of full-electric cars is the missing sound," he said, adding that the company was focused on finding an authentic solution rather than simply playing back a recorded engine note. "You don't want something which is not real," he said. Both companies share exposure to Middle East turbulence, with the ongoing war in Iran threatening a region that has become a significant luxury car market. The United Arab Emirates alone typically sees more than 300,000 vehicle sales a year, with around 20% being premium imports, according to data firm GlobalData. Brownridge said Rolls-Royce was working to facilitate deliveries to clients in the region despite logistical difficulties, while Winkelmann said Lamborghini would lean more heavily on Europe, Japan and South Korea to compensate for softness in both the US and China. The two brands are not alone in recalibrating their ambitions. Bentley, another UK-founded luxury marque owned by Volkswagen, pushed its all-electric deadline from 2030 to 2035 in 2024 and announced hundreds of job cuts this week at its factory in Crewe, Cheshire. Honda told investors last week it expects a $15.7 billion writedown as it restructures its electric vehicle division, while Stellantis, the French automotive group that owns Fiat and Jeep, booked more than 22 billion euros in charges in February, largely linked to reversing its EV strategy. For Winkelmann, the direction of travel is clear, even if the destination remains uncertain. "We will follow very closely the rate of acceptance of electric cars in the future for our types of customers," he said. NO INVESTMENT ADVICE The content on this Site is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a personal recommendation, an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities, or any other regulated activity. 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About this content About Steve Darling Steve Darling is an award winning broadcaster who has spent the past 20 years as one of the most recognizable faces in British Columbia, reporting and anchoring at BCTV and Global Television. He spent 15 years as the co-host of the number one morning new program in the province. Steve is a tireless worker for charity hosting some 50 events a year. He is an ambassador for the Canucks Autism Network and hosts numerous events with BC Childrens Hospital and the Child Development foundation of... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Angela Harmantas Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government. She earned a Bachelor of... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Ayodhya, March 19 : Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Thursday to take part in a series of religious ceremonies at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, with extensive preparations and security arrangements already in place. During her visit, the President will install the Shri Ram Yantra and Shri Ram Naam temple on the second floor of the temple complex and participate in Vedic rituals beginning around 9 a.m. The ceremonies will be conducted by 51 Vedic scholars from southern India, Kashi and Ayodhya under the guidance of priest Ganeshwar Shastri. As part of the programme, the President will also felicitate nearly 400 workers who contributed to the construction of the temple. She is also scheduled to hoist a flag at one of the shrines in the complex's outer precinct, known as the parkota. According to officials, her convoy is expected to arrive at the temple complex at around 11 a.m., and she will remain there for approximately four hours. The event is expected to witness the participation of several religious and social leaders, including prominent spiritual figures. Around 5,000 special guests have been invited, while elaborate arrangements have been made for security, seating, transportation and accommodation. Ahead of the visit, the city has been decked up, with roads leading to the temple adorned with saffron flags and decorative banners. On Wednesday, workers were seen installing banners across Ayodhya featuring images of the President, Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath. Speaking about the preparations, Ayodhya District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde told IANS, "We are working towards ensuring a hassle-free event." He added that 'VIP darshan' will remain closed on the day of the visit, but general devotees will be allowed entry except during the President's presence at the temple. Senior Superintendent of Police, Ayodhya, Gaurav Grover, said that detailed security planning has been undertaken. "Today, we have been briefed about the security measures and our responsibilities during President Murmu's visit. Right from her landing at the airport to the route that will be taken by her to reach the venue, everything has been planned accordingly," he said. He further added, "We will also ensure that common people who will come for 'darshan' don't face any difficulties." Officials also indicated that the temple trust is considering opening access to additional shrines within the complex for devotees after the President's programme. Under the proposed arrangement, around 5,000 devotees per day may be allowed to visit temples within the parkota area through a pass-based system. New Delhi, March 19 : Devotees in large numbers thronged temples across the country on Thursday as India marked Chaitra Navratri, one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga with prayers, fasting and rituals. The nine-day festival, also known as Ram Navratri, holds special significance as it culminates on the birth anniversary of Lord Rama and marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Throughout the nine days, devotees celebrate with deep faith and enthusiasm, worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga and observing rituals in accordance with the tradition of wearing specific colours associated with each day. Many devotees begin fasting from Pratipada and continue until Navami, seeking the blessings of the Goddess and spiritual fulfilment. In Uttarakhand, a large number of devotees gathered at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar to offer prayers on the first day of the festival. Speaking to IANS, a devotee said, "During Navratri, devotees believe that Mata Rani fulfils the wishes of all who pray with a true heart." The temple priest also highlighted the significance of the occasion and the influx of worshippers. "During Navratri, a large crowd gathers at the temple, with devotees coming from near and far to offer prayers and seek blessings. Devotees perform rituals by offering flowers, sweets, coconut, and other traditional items to please the Goddess," he told IANS. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, pilgrims made their way in large numbers to the Vaishno Devi Temple to seek the blessings of the deity at the start of the festival. One of the devotees said, "I come here almost every year, but this is my first time visiting during Navratri. I am deeply devoted to Mata Rani, and it is very special for me to see the temple beautifully decorated for the occasion." In the national capital as well, devotees visited the Kalka Ji Temple to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Mata Kalka, reflecting the widespread observance of the festival across the country. Speaking to IANS, a devotee said, "Every year during Navratri, I come here. The temple's rules and arrangements are well-managed, which is why I visit regularly." "I have been visiting this temple for darshan for the past 20 years, and by the grace of Mata Rani, everyone's wishes are fulfilled...During every Navratri, a large number of devotees come here with deep faith," another told IANS. Authorities at various religious sites have made arrangements to manage the large crowds, as the celebrations continue over the coming days with rituals, prayers and devotional activities. Washington, March 19 : India has emerged as a leading force in the application of artificial intelligence and is third in core AI creation after the United States and China, Indian-origin scientist Dr Taraknath Woddi said, pointing to the country's growing strengths and untapped potential in the sector. "Very bluntly, in terms of AI application usage, India is among the top in the application," Woddi told IANS in an interview. "Usage of the application, India would come at the top of it now as an AI creator; it is number three in the world, but understand it is a distant number three." Woddi, a nuclear engineer turned data scientist and founder of Anicca Data Science Solutions, said India's immediate opportunity lies not in competing head-on with the United States and China in foundational models, but in building practical, industry-driven applications. "The nation should keep on building applications right now, which have a direct utility with the industry," he said, emphasising use cases such as enterprise systems, supply chains, and industrial optimisation. Having returned from India after attending the AI Impact Summit last month, Woddi was emphatic in his praise for India's leadership in artificial intelligence, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands out globally for his grasp of the subject. "He stands out, out by many, many milestones. He talks and reads that there will be, there would be, and there are very few leaders who really comprehend and understand the way he does," he said, recalling discussions at the conference that exceeded expectations even among global technology leaders. Woddi noted that the government's engagement, along with industry participation, was critical in executing large-scale initiatives, noting that such coordination "made it work and made it happen," reflecting a leadership-driven push shaping India's AI trajectory. Drawing from his experience across nuclear engineering, AI, and large-scale data systems, Woddi underscored the importance of solving real-world problems first. "First, ask the industry what problem they are going to solve," he said, cautioning against premature investments in infrastructure without defined use-cases. He noted that India's data centre capacity remains underutilised despite being limited. "India has less than one gigawatt but even though it has less than one gigawatt, less than 80 per cent of that is being used, there are not enough applications to use the infrastructure that exists," he said. Woddi argued that India should prioritise sectors with visible inefficiencies, such as healthcare, education and the legal system. "Wherever I have the inefficiencies and most difficulties that people are facing. That is the sector that will pick up," he said. On regulation, he advocated a balanced approach, rejecting both extremes of excessive control and complete deregulation. "There is no business in the world just the fact that it is innovative in nature, that it should be running free of every regulation," he said, stressing the importance of data protection and responsible AI frameworks. At the same time, he highlighted the need for coordinated action between government and industry. "Government should talk to the industry, saying that, hey, these are the problems of the nation," he said, adding that support should follow once clear solutions are identified. Woddi also drew lessons from India's past economic trajectory, warning against over-reliance on services without product innovation. "Any nation, anywhere, any society which doesn't manufacture or create its own products doesn't have a say in the world," he said. His own career reflects India's evolving global footprint. Trained as a nuclear engineer in India and the United States, Woddi contributed to technical work underpinning the US-India civilian nuclear agreement and later transitioned into AI and data science leadership roles. He said India's strength lies in its talent pool and growing innovation culture. "The push is there this is the moment," he said, noting that increasing opportunities are enabling individuals to pursue independent innovation. India's AI journey, he added, must be anchored in three pillars: "energy, education, environment that triple E," supported by high-performance computing and emerging technologies like blockchain. Paris, March 19 : French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for an immediate end to military strikes on civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water supply facilities, in the current Iran war. In a message posted on social media, Macron said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, following strikes that had hit gas production facilities in Iran and Qatar, noting that it was in the common interest to implement without delay a moratorium on such strikes. He stressed that civilian populations and their essential needs, as well as the security of energy supplies, must be protected from military escalation, reports Xinhua news agency. "I have just spoken with the Emir of Qatar and President Trump following the strikes that hit gas production facilities in Iran and Qatar today," the French President said in a post on X. "It is in our common interest to implement, without delay, a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water supply facilities. Civilian populations and their essential needs, as well as the security of energy supplies, must be protected from military escalation," he added. Qatar's interior ministry and state-owned QatarEnergy said on Wednesday that Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by missile attacks, suffering extensive fires and damage. Earlier in the day, the Israeli air force struck Iran's major natural gas facility, located in Bushehr in the south of the country. Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that the strike was carried out in coordination with the US administration. Following the strike, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an evacuation warning for several oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned the US and Israeli attacks on the country's energy infrastructure. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X after airstrikes were carried out on parts of the South Pars gas field in southern Iran. Pezeshkian said such "aggressive acts" will complicate the situation and "could have uncontrollable consequences, the scope of which could engulf the entire world." In a post on X on the same day, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf condemned attacks, saying they mean "suicide for them (the enemies)." "The equation of an eye for an eye is in effect, and a new level of confrontation has begun," Ghalibaf said. Earlier in the day, Iranian state media reported that natural gas facilities associated with the offshore South Pars field had been attacked. Israeli media, citing unnamed sources, said the country's air force carried out the strike. On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the Middle East. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, March 19 : AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) will reach New Delhi on Thursday as crucial seat-sharing talks between the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enter their final phase ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. According to sources, Palaniswami will leave for Delhi from Chennai around 10 a.m. and is expected to hold high-level discussions with senior BJP leadership in the national capital. He is likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to negotiate the allocation of constituencies between the two alliance partners. The visit is being viewed as a decisive step toward finalising the alliance framework. With the Election Commission having announced the poll schedule, political activity across Tamil Nadu has intensified. Parties are now working on a war footing to conclude alliance negotiations and begin full-fledged campaigning. The ruling DMK has already made significant progress, completing seat-sharing arrangements with key allies such as the Congress and the CPI, while talks with other partners are nearing closure. In contrast, the AIADMK-BJP alliance is yet to officially announce its seat-sharing formula, making the Delhi visit politically significant. Both parties are understood to be working towards a mutually acceptable arrangement that reflects their respective strengths and electoral priorities. Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJPas Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal is likely to visit Chennai later this week. His visit is likely to focus on resolving remaining differences, including finalising constituencies and coordinating campaign strategies. Political observers say the outcome of Palaniswamias meetings in Delhi will play a key role in shaping the AIADMK-BJP allianceas electoral prospects. With limited time left before campaigning gathers momentum, both parties are under pressure to conclude talks quickly. All eyes are now on the discussions in the national capital, which are expected to determine the final contours of the AIADMK-BJP alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, March 19 : The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Thursday a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of unilateral divorce practices in the Muslim community, including Talaq-e-Hasan and Talaq-e-Ahsan, which permit a Muslim man to dissolve a marriage without the consent of the wife. As per the cause list published on the apex court's website, the matter is listed for hearing on March 19 before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi. The pleas raise questions about whether such forms of "extra-judicial" divorce violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution, particularly the rights to equality and dignity of Muslim women. During the previous hearing, the top court had passed interim directions in individual cases while refraining from making any conclusive determination on the validity of the practices themselves. In one such case, the CJI Kant-led Bench had stayed the operation of an alleged Talaq-e-Hasan pronounced by a husband against his wife, noting that the respondent had failed to appear before the top court to contest the serious allegations levelled against him. "In such circumstances we stay operation of the alleged Talaq-e-Hasan and direct that the petitioner (wife) and respondent shall be deemed to be a validly married couple unless (the husband) comes forward and shows that a lawful Talaq has been issued," the apex court had observed. It had also stressed the need for a balanced approach while dealing with issues intersecting personal law and constitutional rights. The Supreme Court observed that courts should exercise minimal interference in religious matters unless such practices directly infringe upon fundamental or human rights. "While respecting all religions, the first principle for a court should be to have the least interference in religious affairs, unless constitutional rights or human rights" are impacted, the CJI Kant-led Bench had remarked. In the main matter filed by journalist Benazeer Heena, the top court had referred the parties to mediation, noting an "urgent and dire necessity" to explore an amicable resolution, including a mutually acceptable dissolution of marriage. Former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph was appointed as the sole mediator, with a request to conclude the process within four weeks. Pending mediation, the CJI Kant-led Bench had directed that earlier talaq notices "shall remain in abeyance". Importantly, the Supreme Court had clarified in earlier proceedings that its interim orders staying specific talaq instances were based on the peculiar facts of those cases and did not amount to a final adjudication on the validity of the practices themselves. The batch of petitions also raises broader issues, including the legality of divorce communicated through electronic modes such as email and messaging platforms, and seeks guidelines to safeguard the rights of affected women. Bengaluru, March 19 : The Ugadi festival is being celebrated throughout Karnataka on Thursday with immense enthusiasm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his greetings to the public via a special letter on this occasion. Addressing the people, PM Modi stated, "Dear fellow citizen, on the sacred and auspicious occasion of Ugadi, I wish you and your family a happy new year. This is a time when the beautiful season of spring spreads joy and cheer all around us. The fragrance of newly blooming flowers and the arrival of seasonal fruits signal a spirit of new energy and possibilities." "This is also a time when our hardworking farmers are gearing up for the next agricultural cycle with great optimism. Ugadi, with its traditional fervor, reminds us to embrace life in all its flavours. In many cultures, apart from the different festive culinary delights, there is also a tradition of preparing bitter-sweet dishes on this festival," Prime Minister Modi stated. "It conveys the deeper meaning of life, encouraging us to face challenges with courage and greet success with gratitude," he wished. "May the New Year bring good health and happiness in your lives. May you succeed in all your endeavours and spread peace and positivity," stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, taking to social media, stated, "The bitterness of neem and the sweetness of jaggery remind us that we must accept both sorrow and joy with equanimity and move forward with hope. Ugadi, the festival that signifies a new era and transformation, should bring positive change into everyoneas life. May it fill everyone with renewed enthusiasm, fresh thoughts, and new hope. I extend my Ugadi greetings to all fellow citizens." Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, sharing posters of the festival, conveyed his greetings to the people of the state. He said, "Ugadi marks the beginning of a new cycle of creation, a time of renewal and fresh beginnings. Rooted in cherished memories, we welcome new hopes and aspirations with optimism and purpose. May this New Year bring happiness, peace and good health to every home. I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous Ugadi." BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra stated, "Heartfelt Ugadi greetings to all the people of the state. Life is a blend of neem and jaggery. Like the fresh sprouts of Chaitra, may new dreams and hopes blossom. Forget the bitterness of neem and may the sweetness of jaggery always fill our lives. On this Ugadi of the Parabhava year, may it defeat all pain and hardships, and bring victory of smiles and happiness. I wish that it ushers in peace, prosperity, harmony, and progress across the state." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text March 19 : Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has now moved out of the image of One District One Mafia and has rapidly advanced towards One District One Product and One District One Medical College. The state has achieved remarkable progress in the fields of health and environment. These remarks were made on Wednesday by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at Lok Bhavan while releasing the book Nav Nirman Ke 9 Varsh on the completion of 9 years of unprecedented development and sustainable prosperity in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Today AIIMS are operational in Gorakhpur and Raebareli, and a world class cancer institute has been established at BHU in Kashi. Lakhs of people are benefiting from this. The progress of the state government in the health sector can be gauged from the fact that approximately 06 crore Golden Cards have been issued and Arogya Melas are being organized every Sunday at every PHC". CM Yogi also said, effective control has now been established over diseases like encephalitis and concrete action has also been taken against vector borne diseases. In recent years, the expansion of health services, development of medical infrastructure and the reach of schemes have played a major role in transforming the image of Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister informed, "Uttar Pradesh has also achieved notable success in the field of environmental conservation and has established a strong identity among the leading states of the country". Through increasing green cover and large scale plantation drives, environmental balance has been strengthened, due to which Uttar Pradesh has become one of the states with the highest plantation in the country. March 19 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his address, launched a strong attack on opposition parties, stating that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was struggling with an identity crisis, but today the same state has emerged as a new model of development, good governance and trust. Targeting previous governments, he said their policies left youth, farmers and common people with nothing but disappointment. There was a lack of transparency in recruitments and corruption was at its peak. Taking a dig, he remarked, "As soon as a job vacancy was announced, all 'Mahabharata-like relations' would come out for extortion, which left talented youth frustrated, forcing them either to migrate or blame themselves. In contrast, current government has provided employment to lakhs of youth through a transparent system". CM accused opposition of dividing society, stating that previous governments promoted caste-based and appeasement politics, which hindered overall development of the state. He said, "Current government considers 25 crore people as one family and has ensured that welfare schemes reach Dalits, deprived, extremely backward communities the poor". On the issue of religious faith, CM also cornered the opposition, saying that those who once dismissed Shri Ram and Indian traditions as 'superstition' are now witnessing the development of Ayodhya and Kashi. He emphasized that respect for faith is integral to Uttar Pradeshs identity and government has worked to restore it. Chief Minister stated that government has not only identified problems but also resolved them, moving the state from a 'Bottleneck' situation toward a 'Breakthrough'. He expressed confidence that with such collective efforts, Uttar Pradesh will continue to strengthen its position as a leading economy in country in the coming years. Geneva, March 19 : A leading human rights organisation highlighted serious human rights violations in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out by the Pakistani authorities during the United Nations Human Rights Council 61st Session in Geneva. Addressing the session, Jamal Baloch, media coordinator of Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, stated that the abuses are intensifying amid the projects linked to the Chinaa"Pakistan Economic Corridor. "I stand before this council to speak about the systematic human rights violations in Balochistan carried out by Pakistan and sustained through the strategic and economic involvement of China. In Balochistan, enforced disappearances are a state policy. Pakistan's military operates above the law, abducting students, teachers, journalists and political activists," he stated. Highlighting the atrocities on civilians in Balochistan, Jamal said that in 2025, alone, over 1300 people were forcibly disappeared, and more than 200 were extrajudicially killed by Pakistani forces. Asserting that "peaceful dissent is treated as terrorism", he said that women-led civil rights movements like Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) are crushed and all districts in Balochistan are placed under internet blackouts to conceal military operations and silence victims. "These crimes have escalated alongside projects tied to the China-Pakistan economic corridor to secure strategic interests and resource extraction. Pakistan's military has intensified repression and militarised civilian lives," Jamal added. Condemning the rising abuses, the activist further said, "Enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity. Extrajudicial killing is murder under international law. Development cannot be built on mass graves, and sovereignty cannot be used as a license to brutalise an entire people." Jamal called for an independent international fact-finding mission, accountability for Pakistan's military leadership, and an end to international partnerships that enable repression. Meanwhile, speaking at the council as part of Baloch National Movement's (BNM) month-long campaign highlighting ongoing human rights abuses in Balochistan, activist Saleem Ellahi Baloch called for immediate global action to pressurise Pakistan to stop its "inhumane" actions in Balochistan. He recounted the enforced disappearance of his elder brother, Zahid Baloch, former Chairman of the Baloch Students Organisation (Azad), who was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces on March 18, 2014, and has not been produced before any civil court since then. Saleem also recalled the extrajudicial killing of his brother, Shah Jahan, in 2025, and raised grave concerns over the continued "illegal" detention of BYC chief organiser Mahrang Baloch and other leaders. "Families of the forcibly disappeared are being displaced, their homes being destroyed, and their assets seized and controlled by the military. These tactics are designed solely to silence those who raise their voices for their loved ones. Human rights violations in Balochistan are escalating at an alarming pace. Political and human rights activists are being silenced in brutal and inhumane ways. Mahrang Baloch, a human rights activist, is still imprisoned along with other BYC activists on fabricated charges," he stated. March 19 : Lucknow: On the occasion of the completion of nine years of development and prosperity in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath released the book Nav Nirman Ke 9 Varsh at an event organized at Lok Bhavan. On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Finance and BJP State President Pankaj Chaudhary said that the people of Uttar Pradesh have commendably transformed the state from one district, one mafia to One District One Product. He praised the development works carried out in the state over the past nine years under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath. He said, The development achieved under Yogi jis leadership is the reason why the public gave BJP victory again in 2022 after 2017, and the party is set to achieve a hat-trick in 2027. He added that when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, he worked towards uplifting everyone - from the global stage to the last person in society. The BJP state president said that Navratri is beginning, and in Sanatan culture, the number nine is considered highly auspicious. Nine years ago, the people of Uttar Pradesh chose those who serve over those who seek personal gain. They rejected dynastic politics and supported the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. They rejected those associated with riots and blessed those associated with development. The people of Uttar Pradesh will not allow the return of goonda raj and mafia raj. He alleged that the Samajwadi Party is trying to spread confusion and misinformation in hopes of returning to power, but the public will not allow the return of mafia rule. He further stated that Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a growth engine of the country. Industrial development is crucial for the progress of any state, and Yogi ji has strengthened law and order while focusing on infrastructure and investment. Today, 55% of the countrys expressways are in Uttar Pradesh. The government is providing 1820 hours of electricity even in villages, and more than 3 lakh crore has been paid to sugarcane farmers. On this occasion, he extended congratulations and best wishes to all residents of the state on the completion of nine years of Yogi government. Villages are transforming under CM Yogis vision; the state is becoming self-reliant through the Livelihood Mission. Image Source: Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa/IANS March 19 : Lucknow: In Uttar Pradesh, women empowerment is no longer just a slogan, it is steadily becoming a ground reality. Under the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the picture of villages is changing. Today, village daughters are emerging as symbols of Navdurga-Navshakti and becoming the strength of the rural economy. Durgesh Tiwari from Bahuara village in Ballia district has become a symbol of this transformation, embodying the spirit of Nari Tu Narayani. She represents a new reality where a village daughter is not only supporting her family but also contributing to a developed India and a developed Uttar Pradesh. Within just two years, she earned 34.61 lakh through dairy farming, achieving the distinction of becoming a Kashi ki Lakhpati Didi. Her success is not just a personal achievement but also a living example of the socio-economic transformation driven by the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission. Durgesh Tiwari, a resident of Bahuara village in Ballia, comes from a modest background. After marriage, her life revolved around her husband, two daughters, and mother-in-law. The family primarily depended on farming and 3-4 cattle for income. However, they did not receive fair prices for milk, and payments were often delayed. Selling milk at throwaway prices of 20-25 per liter and uncertainty in payments had almost stalled her dreams. Durgesh recalls, At that time, worries about household expenses and my daughters education kept me awake at night. During this time, she learned about Kashi Milk Producer Company Limited in Varanasi. The system of fair, quality-based pricing and assured year-round payments directly into bank accounts changed the course of her life. She became a member and started supplying milk. Where earlier her milk was sold at low prices, she now began receiving fair value. This boosted her confidence, and she expanded her dairy business to more than 20 cattle. With consistent hard work and the right platform, Durgesh earned 34.61 lakh in just two years. This achievement earned her the title of Kashi ki Lakhpati Didi. This income brought not only financial stability but also social change. She conducted her elder daughters marriage with dignity and now aspires to make her younger daughter a police officer. Today, Durgesh Tiwari is the president of the Panchdevi Self-Help Group. Under her leadership, other women in the village are also joining dairy farming and becoming self-reliant. Her next goal is to establish a modern dairy farm and create additional income sources by producing organic manure from cow dung. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, significant efforts have been made to economically empower women through the Livelihood Mission in Uttar Pradesh. Through self-help groups and employment opportunities like dairy farming, women are now emerging as a major force in the rural economy. ANTANANARIVO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 migrants have died in a boat incident off the Comoros, the country's Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Assoumani said on Thursday. "Of the 51 migrants brought here by the boat, only 30 are alive today," he said, adding that eight bodies were recovered Wednesday night, followed by nine more on Thursday morning, while four people remain missing. The minister said that the survivors have been taken to the hospital, and the coast guard continues search operations. The survivors are believed to be from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, though their identities are still being verified, and they were reportedly planning to travel to Mayotte. The minister added that this is the first time the country has faced such a high death toll, with two babies among the victims. Amaravati, March 19 : Andhra Pradesh Governor, S. Abdul Nazeer, and Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, have greeted people on the occasion of Telugu New Year Ugadi. Leaders of various political parties have also greeted people on the occasion. The Governor said in his message that on the happy and auspicious occasion of 'Sri Parabhava nama Samvatsara Ugadi' festival, the Telugu New Year Day, he extend heartiest greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh, and the Telugu people living all over the world. "Ugadi is a festival of joy, and I hope and the New Year brings prosperity and a bright future for all. 'Ugadi pachhadi' that consists of the tastes of life, is a symbolic reminder to be prepared to experience all types of flavours that life has to offer throughout the year," he said. "I am confident that 'Sri Parabhava nama Samvatsara Ugadi' festival will usher in peace, prosperity, harmony and happiness to all sections of people of the State," the Governor added. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu extended heartfelt greetings to all Telugu people on the occasion of Ugadi. He wished that this new year brings a fresh light into the life of all, they be blessed with long life and good health and all their hopes and aspirations are fulfilled. "With the P4 initiative we've embarked upon to build a poverty-free and equitable society, may everyone actively participate in and advance various welfare and development programs. May the 'Swarna Andhra Vision 2047' progress successfully," he added. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan extended Ugadi greetings to the people. He wished that this Ugadi brings joy into the life of everyone. YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President Y.S. Sharmila also greeted people on the occasion of Ugadi. Mumbai, March 19 : The National Commission for Women has issued summons to actors Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt along with others in connection with the controversy surrounding the song "Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke". Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) The National Commission for Women has issued summons to actors Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt along with others in connection with the controversy surrounding the song "Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke". Acting under its powers granted by the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, the Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging obscenity and vulgarity in the song. According to the Commission, the content prima facie appears to be sexually suggestive, objectionable and potentially violative of provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Apart from Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt, summons have also been issued to lyricist Raqueeb Alam, producer Venkat K Narayana of KVN Group, and director Kiran Kumar. They have been directed to appear before the Commission on March 24, 2026 at 12:30 PM along with relevant documents. The Commission stated that failure to appear before it may invite appropriate action as per law. Earlier on the 17th of March, The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had also issued a notice over the alleged use of objectionable and double-meaning lyrics in the song from the film KD The Devil. On Wednesday, Nora had taken to her social media account to present her justification in the matter. She also stated that she had distances herself from the project when she learnt of the dire consequences the song could lead to especially because of the lyrics. She mentioned that initially she did not the meaning of the song, and when she learnt of it, she decided to step back from any further involvement of the song, including its promotions. IANS rd/ Kochi, March 19 : Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V.D. Satheesan on Thursday said issues within the CPI(M) are going from bad to worse, and if it took 33 years for its decline in West Bengal, the party in Kerala appears to be heading down a similar path much faster. "After a decade in power, the situation has reached a stage where internal cracks are becoming increasingly visible and difficult to contain," said Satheesan. With the Kerala Legislative Assembly Election 2026 scheduled for April 9 to elect 140 legislators, the political landscape is rapidly evolving. While the Left faces mounting criticism, both the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have so far released only their first lists of candidates. The opposition in the state has sharpened its attack, pointing to what it calls growing unrest within the ruling front. Satheesan said the current scenario vindicates concerns raised earlier about the CPI(M)'s internal health. Speaking to reporters at Cochin International Airport after returning from Delhi, he remarked that even senior leaders within the party are now speaking out in unusually harsh terms. Adding to the concern for the Left is the apparent disillusionment among its traditional supporters and fellow travellers. Satheesan argued that this erosion of confidence stems from the manner in which the government has been running over the past decade, suggesting that dissatisfaction is no longer confined to political opponents. He also hinted at more political surprises in the days ahead, noting that earlier warnings about upheavals were largely dismissed. On the opposition front, Satheesan said the UDF has resolved most issues related to candidate selection, with a second list of around 40 candidates expected shortly. As Kerala heads into a crucial electoral battle, the focus is as much on governance as it is on the internal stability of the ruling front. Kolkata, March 19 : Amid the crucial two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal next month, huge amounts of cash have been recovered by the state police in two locations in the state during the last 12 hours, said the police on Thursday. One of the two locations is Baruipur in the South 24 Parganas district in South Bengal, and the other is the tribal-dominated Alipurduar district. Sensing use of illegal cash in the forthcoming polls to allure voters, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had already appointed 294 general observers for the state, thus making West Bengal the only among five poll-bound states and Union Territories to have one general observer for each of the 294 Assembly constituencies in the state. Apart from that, the ECI had also appointed 188 police observers, the highest among these five poll-bound states and Union Territories, and 100 expenditure observers, the second-highest on this count. In Baruipur, a motorcyclist was apprehended by the police during a routine checkpoint inspection in the Joytala area. Approximately nine lakh rupees were recovered from his possession. The arrested individual has been identified as Samad Ali Sardar. According to sources at the Baruipur Police Station, the accused hails from the Tilpi locality within the jurisdiction of the Joynagar Police Station. According to the police, a routine search operation was underway in the Joytala area. During this operation, a motorcyclist aroused suspicion. Upon being stopped and having his bike searched, a sum of nine lakh rupees was recovered from a bag. The police claimed that the motorcyclist was traveling from Tilpi towards Kurali. The police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the source of the recovered funds. The arrested individual is currently being interrogated. Meanwhile, in north Bengal's Alipurduar, officers of Alipurduar Police Station received information that a couple was staying at a hotel in the area adjacent to the town's Chowpati crossing. They were reportedly in possession of a substantial amount of cash. It was learned that the couple, hailing from Chirang in Assam, had checked into the hotel on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they left the hotel in their private vehicle. Acting on this tip-off, officers from the police's Anti-Corruption Branch intercepted the vehicle shortly thereafter. According to police sources, a search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of Rs 275,000 in cash. The vehicle from which the money was recovered bears an Assam registration number plate. The owner of the vehicle claimed to be a businessman from Assam. During police interrogation, the couple stated that they had travelled from Chirang to Alipurduar on Tuesday for a leisure trip. However, investigators are treating the recovery of the cash with particular seriousness, given the prevailing election atmosphere. They noted that they have not yet received a satisfactory explanation from the couple regarding the source of the funds. The police have stated that efforts are underway to ascertain the source of the funds. If the money was brought in with the intention of being used in the election, appropriate action will be taken. Ayodhya, March 19 : President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday installed the 'Shri Ram Yantra' at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya and offered prayers amid Vedic chants, marking a significant milestone in the temple's construction. The 'Shri Ram Yantra' has been placed on the second floor of the temple, which is also its final level, symbolising completeness. With this installation, the construction of the temple is considered complete. The religious ceremonies were performed by Vedic scholars from southern India, Kashi and Ayodhya under the guidance of priest Ganeshwar Shastri. Upon her arrival in Ayodhya, the President was received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. As part of her visit, the President is also scheduled to felicitate nearly 400 workers who contributed to the construction of the temple. She will also hoist a flag at one of the shrines located in the outer precinct of the complex, known as the parkota. Extensive arrangements have been made across the city in view of the President's visit. Roads leading to the temple have been decorated with saffron flags and banners, creating a festive and devotional atmosphere. The streets have been adorned with saffron flags and decorative pennants, enhancing the religious ambience across Ayodhya. Authorities have also put in place elaborate arrangements related to security, sanitation and traffic management to ensure the smooth conduct of the visit. Speaking about the preparations, Ayodhya District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde told IANS that "VIP darshan will remain closed throughout the day," while adding that general devotees will be allowed entry except during the period of the President's presence at the temple. Senior Superintendent of Police, Ayodhya, Gaurav Grover, said that comprehensive security planning has been undertaken to manage the visit and ensure safety at all levels. New Delhi, March 19 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said that HDFC Bank is a Domestic Systemically Important Bank (D-SIB) with sound financials, professionally run board and competent management team, after the resignation of part-time chairman Atanu Chakraborty over alleged "ethical differences" in one of the biggest private lenders. New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said that HDFC Bank is a Domestic Systemically Important Bank (D-SIB) with sound financials, professionally run board and competent management team, after the resignation of part-time chairman Atanu Chakraborty over alleged "ethical differences" in one of the biggest private lenders. The Central Bank said in a statement that it has taken note of the recent developments in HDFC Bank. "A transition arrangement as requested by the Bank has been approved by Reserve Bank as regards the position of Part Time Chairman of the Bank," said the RBI. It added that basis its periodical assessment, "there are no material concerns on record as regards its conduct or governance". "The bank remains well-capitalised and the financial position of the bank remains satisfactory with sufficient liquidity. Reserve Bank will continue to engage with the Board and management on the way forward," said the Central Bank in a statement. Chakraborty had resigned citing differences with the lender over "values and ethics". The RBI approved the appointment of long-time group insider Keki Mistry as an interim part-time chairman for three months, effective March 19, the bank said in its exchange filing. Mistry sought to reassure investors and analysts that there are "no major issues" at the bank following the sudden resignation of Chakraborty, even as the bank shares came under pressure. Speaking on a conference call, Mistry said he would not have accepted the interim role if it did not align with his values and principles. "I would not have taken this responsibility at the age of 71 if it is not aligning to my values and principles," Mistry said. There was no power struggle in the bank as you put it, he said, adding that "there was nothing substantive". He further stated that the fact that RBI are comfortable with what is going on in the bank is reflected in the fact that, "within a short period of time, they approved my appointment for three months". New Delhi, March 19 : The Congress on Thursday extended greetings to people across the country on the occasion of multiple spring festivals, including Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Sajibu Cheiraoba, Chetti Chand, and Navreh. The party conveyed its wishes for happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings on these auspicious occasions. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took to social media platform X to greet citizens. He said, "Wishing a very happy Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Sajibu Cheiraoba, Chetti Chand, and Navreh to all. May these joyous occasions fill your life with happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings." Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared his message on X, highlighting the spirit of unity in diversity. He said, "As we celebrate the spirit of Chaitra Sukladi, Gudi Padwa, Chetti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba across our diverse nation, we extend our warmest greetings to all those who are celebrating these joyous festivities. May these spring festivals bring new beginnings, deepen the bonds of amity and fill every home with happiness and hope." Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also greeted citizens and emphasised the cultural richness reflected in these celebrations. She wrote on X, "Various festivals are being celebrated across the country today. Heartiest greetings on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the new year of Vikram Samvat 2083, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Navroz (Navreh), and Cheti Chand. These festivals, celebrated to welcome spring and the New Year, symbolise India's rich culture and diversity. On this occasion, I wish happiness, peace, and prosperity to all my countrymen." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted people on the beginning of Navratri and the traditional Indian New Year, which is observed through different festivals across the country. Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the lunisolar New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus and is widely celebrated in Maharashtra, Goa, and Daman at the onset of the Chaitra month. Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day spring festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms, known as Navadurga. Celebrated during March or April, it involves fasting, prayers, and rituals, culminating in Ram Navami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Ram. Ugadi, the New Year festival for Telugu and Kannada communities, is observed on the first day of Chaitra and signifies prosperity and renewal. It is mainly celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka with traditional customs, including special dishes like Ugadi Pachadi. Sajibu Cheiraoba, also known as the Meitei New Year, is celebrated predominantly in Manipur by the Meitei community following Sanamahism. Navreh, the Kashmiri Hindu New Year, is observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community and marks the arrival of spring with traditional rituals and symbolic practices. New Delhi, March 19 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, announcing nominees for 88 constituencies across the state. The list was finalised at a meeting of the partyas Central Election Committee, chaired by the top leadership of the party. The list features several prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who will contest from Jalukbari, a seat he currently represents and is considered a BJP stronghold. Senior Minister Chandramohan Patowary has been fielded from Tihu, while state Finance Minister Ajanta Neog will contest from her earlier seat, Golaghat. In key urban constituencies, the BJP has nominated Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur, Diplu Ranjan Sarmah from New Guwahati, and Vijay Kumar Gupta from Guwahati Central, signalling a strong focus on retaining its hold over its bastion. Notably, Bordoloi joined the BJP, snapping long ties with the Congress party on Wednesday in the national capital, and has also resigned from the post of Nagaon Lok Sabha seat. Among other important seats, the party has fielded candidates in Upper Assam strongholds such as Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Digboi, Doom Dooma and Margherita. Bhaskar Sharma has been nominated from Margherita, while Prasanta Phukan will contest from Dibrugarh and Suren Phukan from Digboi. The BJP has also announced candidates for several constituencies in Central and Lower Assam, including Rangia, Nalbari, Barhampur, Samaguri and Nagaon. In Barhampur, the party has fielded Jitu Goswami, while Rupak Sarmah will contest from Nagaon-Batadraba. In tribal and reserved constituencies, the party has nominated candidates in seats such as Boko-Chaygaon (ST), Tamulpur (ST), Dhemaji (ST), Majuli (ST), Bokajan (ST) and Diphu (ST), indicating its continued outreach to indigenous communities. The first list reflects a mix of experienced leaders and new faces, with the party aiming to consolidate its electoral base across regions. The BJP is expected to announce additional candidates in the coming days as it finalises its strategy for the high-stakes Assembly polls. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, March 19 : All is not well within the Pakistan establishment and there is likely to be a major reshuffle in the ISI. This comes in the wake of multiple Intelligence failures that have led to major casualties among the army in Pakistan. This has led to harsh words directed at the ISI by Field Marshal Asim Munir. Officials tracking developments in Pakistan said that the army and the ISI are not on the same page as of now. The two wings of the Pakistan establishment, which have always worked in tandem, are moving in different directions since the last couple of months, the official said. The security forces have been caught like sitting ducks in multiple situations. The most embarrassing situations that the security forces have faced are at home and this has angered the army the most. The rift between the two began post India's 'Operation Sindoor'. The Intelligence agencies in Pakistan completely failed to provide any information. They did not have an idea about 'Operation Sindoor', an Intelligence Bureau official said. Post the operation, Pakistan has been battling the Balochi forces and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The casualties have been very high for the Pakistani forces. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the TTP runs a parallel government. After taking on the Pakistani forces, the TTP has set up checkpoints to ensure that no member of the Pakistan Army or ISI are able to enter. What is worse is that in many parts of Balochistan or KP, the security forces are refusing to go all out. They have been complaining that the Intelligence is either too weak or not there at all. This makes them an easy target and hence the reluctance has been growing. Field Marshal Asim Munir earlier this week called for a meeting of top officials of the army and ISI. He had some harsh words directed at the ISI. His message aperform or perisha has not gone down too well with the top brass of the ISI. The ISI is also upset that Munir is looking to carry out a major shuffle within the ISI. This means many in the top brass are likely to be moved out of the agency. Munir feels that the ISI has completely failed in providing Intelligence relating to issues that are taking place within Pakistan. Around three months ago, the Pakistan army chief had instructed the ISI to get Grade A and actionable Intelligence on top leaders of the Balochistan National Army (BLA) and TTP. The army chief had particularly mentioned TTP chief, Noor Wali Mehsud and said that he needs to be eliminated at any cost. Another official said that it is not just the ISI, but the army chief is also cut up with his Military Intelligence Wing. The Military Intelligence wing, too, has failed to provide proper information about the top Taliban leadership. Field Marshal Munir had said that unless and until the top Taliban leadership is not wiped out, the war in Afghanistan cannot be won. The Pakistan military has managed to hit several targets in Afghanistan, most through air strikes. However they seem to be hitting more civilians rather than the top leaders. This has led to the war being prolonged and the army chief is unhappy about it. The Pakistan armed forces had estimated that they could complete the war in Afghanistan in less than a week. However, constant Intelligence failures have only led to the war prolonging and the Afghan Taliban getting more time to regroup and fight back. Another official said that within the Pakistani Intelligence circles, they feel that the army chief is biting off more than what he can chew. Post the setback that Field Marshal Munir got following 'Operation Sindoor', most had expected that they could take sometime to regroup and then focus on other operations. However, Munir decided to go on a battle on multiple fronts. Pakistan is in a conflict with the people of Balochistan, the TTP and now a war in Afghanistan. Gathering Intelligence on multiple fronts at the same time has stressed the Intelligence community. This explains the constant failure and the heavy loss of lives among the security forces in Pakistan. The failure to gather Intelligence and also being given an ultimatum by the Pakistan army chief is likely to demoralise the agency further and this could result in more losses for Islamabad, the official also explained. New Delhi, March 19 : The Congress on Thursday launched an attack on the Centre over a "shockingly high" number of vacancies in the country's top higher education regulatory bodies, while simultaneously rejecting the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025. Citing the latest report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh, in a statement, warned that the administrative paralysis in the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is being used as a pretext for an "excessively centralised" legislative overhaul. Ramesh outlined several concerns with the Bill in its present form. He said the ministry had not consulted state governments during its drafting, despite education being in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and the Bill having a direct bearing on State universities. Referring to the constitutional framework, the Congress leader said the Bill has been introduced under Entry 66 of the Union List. "However, Entry 66 of the Union List gives limited and specific legislative powers to Parliament, that is, only for 'co-ordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions," he said. The Rajya Sabha MP argued that the proposed legislation goes beyond this scope and encroaches upon the powers of State governments. Citing constitutional provisions, he added that Entry 44 of the Union List restricts Parliament from legislating on the incorporation, regulation, and winding up of universities, while Entry 32 of the State List vests such powers with State legislatures. "The Bill is therefore violative of the federal structure of the Constitution," he said. Ramesh also pointed to a divergence from the framework envisaged under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He said the policy had proposed a Higher Education Council of India with four verticals, including a separate body for grant allocation. "Effectively, grant-giving powers will be returned from autonomous bodies (the UGC and AICTE) governed by academics to the Ministry that is run by politicians. This centralisation of power is a departure from current practice and a violation of the NEP," he said. On governance, the Congress leader criticised what he described as increasing bureaucratisation. "The new Bill envisages that the executive running of the Commission and the three Councils be done by the member secretaries (i.e., bureaucrats) appointed to them. The administration of education should be done by academics (as is currently the practice) rather than by bureaucrats," he said. Ramesh further expressed concern over provisions relating to Institutes of National Importance (INIs), including IITs, IIMs, NITs, IIITs, and IISERs, which have traditionally enjoyed academic autonomy. Referring to Clause 49 of the draft Bill, he said it grants overriding effect over existing laws. "Although it says that the autonomy of INIs cannot be compromised, it is not clear on the details. Therefore, with this Bill, IITs and other INIs may also be expected to fall under the Commission's regulatory powers. This has never been the case before and may compromise their academic and institutional autonomy," he said. Ramesh also contrasted the proposed framework with existing laws governing regulatory bodies. Under the current UGC Act, he said, the Commission is mandated to determine and maintain standards, frame regulations, and conduct inspections in consultation with universities. "However, the proposed Bill, in contrast, gives sole discretionary powers to the Councils to determine standards, conduct inspection, and exercise or perform other unlimited and unspecified powers and functions. The regulator is now statutorily siloed off from the institutions," he said. On technical education, he noted that universities are presently not required to seek approval from AICTE to start new departments or programmes. Under the proposed Bill, however, they would need approval from a newly constituted council to establish campuses. "It must be remembered that the National Education Policy 2020 calls for greater autonomy to institutes of higher education, not tighter control," he added. UNITED NATIONS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process to resolve the Syria issue, and encourages all parties to engage in inclusive dialogue and advance political reconciliation, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said Wednesday. In remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on Syria, Fu said the past month saw positive developments in Syria and the country's northeast, adding that outstanding issues in Syria must ultimately be resolved through political means. Fu underscored the importance of combating terrorism and maintaining security, given terrorism's grave threat to regional peace and security. He called on the Syrian transitional government to fulfill its obligations and take effective measures to combat international terrorist organizations identified by the Security Council. "China firmly opposes terrorism in all its forms and rejects any double standards in counter-terrorism efforts," he said. On Syria's humanitarian situation, the ambassador called on traditional donors to scale up their humanitarian assistance to Syria, where 16.5 million people are in urgent need of aid and 7.1 million face food insecurity. Fu also called on relevant countries to take further measures to mitigate the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on Syria to ensure its economy recovers. Fu said discussion of the situation in Syria cannot be detached from the broader regional context, and any further protraction of hostilities in the region will only inflict even more suffering upon the local population and impinge heavily on the regional and global economies. The entire Middle East is being plunged into a dangerous precipice, and China calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent the conflict from spreading further, he said. "China stays committed to playing a constructive role in the pursuit of peace," Fu added. New Delhi, March 19 : Devotees gathered in large numbers on Thursday at prominent temples across the country to celebrate the first day of the Chaitra Navratri festival which is dedicated to the worship of 'Maa Shailputri'. The nine-day festival is significant for the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga and marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar year. The festival will conclude with Ram Navami. In Varanasi's Durgakund, devotees thronged the temples to worship 'Mata Shailputri' and 'Mata Kushmanda'. Reflecting on the devotion of people to celebrate the festival, a devotee at a temple in Varanasi, said, "At the temple, there is a huge crowd. Lines start forming as early as 3 AM". Another devotee added, "We had to wait in the queue for an hour but it didn't feel like that. Once inside, thereas a completely different vibe that one experiences." Maharashtra's Virar witnessed a rush of devotees at the famous Jivdani Devi Temple. Heavy security arrangements were made to manage the rush at the temple. Speaking to IANS, Chief Priest of Jivdani Devi Temple, Pramod Rasal, said, "These nine days are celebrated from 'Gudi Padwa' till 'Ram Navami', attracting millions of devotees from across the world who come to fulfill their vows. The temple authorities make sure to take care of devotees, providing them with tea, water. If somebody falls ill, say after climbing stairs, or has other health issues, we also take care of them. The police personnel take care of the security." In Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, people marked the auspicious occasion of 'Chaitra Shukla Pratipada' and 'Gudi Padwa' by visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple to offer prayers and seek blessings. A priest at a temple in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, told IANS, "Devotees are visiting the Mata temple. Today, on the first day of Navratri, 'Mata Shailputri' will be seen in her divine form. Every year, a large number of people come to Devas during Navratri. Devotees come with deep faith and devotion." In Agar Malwa district of the state, devotees visited the famous Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda town to seek blessings on the first day of the festival. A devotee said, "We arrived at the temple last night. We come here every year, and we visit this place and perform 'havan' as it gives us peace of mind." At Datia in Madhya Pradesh, devotees gathered to seek blessings at a renowed Tantric Shakti Peeth, 'Shri Pitambara Peeth'. A priest at a temple in Maihar district of Madhya Pradesh, said, "During this Navratri festival, people perform rituals and prayers, seeking blessings from the Goddess for the fulfillment of their wishes." A devotee added, "The temple is truly magnificent. 'Maa Sharda' looks extremely beautiful, especially during Navratri when she is adorned with elaborate decorations. After having her darshan, one feels a deep sense of pride and spiritual satisfaction." Enthusiasm among devotees to celebrate the Chaitra Navratri festival was also seen in Punjab. In Patiala, devotees waited in queues at various temples to offer prayers on the first day of the nine-day long festival. A priest of Durgiana Temple in Punjab's Amritsar, told IANS, "Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the spring season and also heralds the Hindu New Year in our ancient 'Sanatan' culture. According to mythology, Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this day, which is why we celebrate the New Year and commence the nine-day worship of Mata today." Devotees also gathered at temples in other parts of the country like Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh and Patna in Bihar to offer prayers to Mata Shailputri. New Delhi, March 19 : Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari, both Members of Parliament from the Congress party, have publicly defended India's foreign policy amid the conflict in West Asia involving Iran, Israel, and the US. The two veterans have expressed support for India's skilful management of the situation, emphasising the importance of safeguarding its own interests in the region. Shashi Tharoor, in an op-ed, justified India's 'silence' as a responsible statecraft and not moral surrender as claimed by many, while Manish Tewari said it was "not India's war" and justified India's stand on watching the developments unfold from a distance. Tharoor, who also heads the Standing Committee on External Affairs, referred to Jawaharlal Nehru's policy of non-alignment to deflate the claims (made by Cong-led opposition) that India was taking sides by tilting towards the powerful US-Israel axis. "India's diplomacy has always been about balancing principle with pragmatism. Jawaharlal Nehru's policy of non-alignment was not a refusal to take moral positions, but a recognition that India's sovereignty and survival depended on avoiding entanglement in Cold War hostilities," Tharoor wrote in the article. Stating out the realities of an increasingly multipolar world in today's era, he wrote, "India practises 'multi-alignment' -- engaging with diverse powers, sometimes in tension with one another, while keeping our national interest paramount." He admitted that the war on Iran is unjustifiable under international law but opined that India's 'silence' is not an endorsement of that war, but it's rather a recognition that our national interest requires prudence, not posturing. "For a government to recognise geopolitical realities and weigh consequences for India's economy and strategic position before taking a public stand is not 'moral surrender'. It is responsible statecraft," he further said. Manish Tewari, speaking at an event recently, also backed the Central government on maintaining a safe distance from the hostilities, given the fact that India has always remained a marginal player in the region. "It's important to understand that there is not one war which is happening in West Asia. There are multiple wars which are taking place. What really is happening between Israel-United States and Iran, taking a side, is not about just the Middle East dynamics on its own," Tewari said. "Well, it's not our war. We've always been rather marginal players in the greater Middle East" he added. Further speaking about India's strategic autonomy, he said, "If we are circumspect, I think probably we are doing the right thing, because that is really what strategic autonomy is about, the ability to protect your interests and navigate." The Modi government's alleged silence on the West Asia crisis and delay in condoling the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei have invited widespread criticism from various quarters, particularly the opposition. Congress Parliament party (CPP) chairman Sonia Gandhi also penned an open letter lamenting the government's dilly-dallying in handling the situation in West Asia. Now, the endorsement of India's stance on the Gulf crisis by two veteran Congressmen calls into question and 'punctures' the apprehensions and concerns raised by the grand old party. Notably, the two Congressmen had also defended the Modi government's diplomatic outreach after the Operation Sindoor, a move that put them at odds with their own party's leadership. Islamabad, March 19 : An assistant sub-inspector of the Elite Force was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Mano Banda area of Gandigar in Upper Dir district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local media reported on Thursday, citing police. Bacha Yousaf Khan was targetted by assailants outside his residence. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. According to police sources, Khan was heading to mosque to offer prayers when he was targeted, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported. After the incident, a heavy contingent of police reached the site, cordoned off the area and started a search operation to find the attackers. The Gandigar police lodged a case against unknown assailants and began a probe. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Last week, at least six police personnel were killed and one injured in a blast near a police vehicle in the Bettani tribal of Lakki Marwat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to a spokesperson of the local police, the explosion took place near a police mobile, causing death of six police personnel and injuries to one policeman, Pakistan's leading media outlet Geo News reported. On March 8, a senior officer of the Counter Terrorism DeparAtment (CTD) was killed after unidentified assailants opened fire at him in the Killi Ismail area of Pakistan's Quetta, local media reported. Police said Inspector Metha Khan, who recently joined CTD, was shot by armed men when he was passing through the Killi Ismail area on March 8, Dawn reported. A senior police that the CTD officer died on the spot after the armed men on motorcycles opened fire at him. The official further said that the gunmen escaped from the spot following the incident. Meanwhile, a report released by an Islamabad-based think tank revealed that combat-related deaths in Pakistan increased by 30 per cent in February, caused due to a rise in suicide attacks across the country. A report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that 470 deaths and 333 injuries were documented in February. The victims include 96 civilians, 80 security forces personnel and 294 militants. The number of injured included 259 civilians, 50 security forces personnel and 24 militants, Dawn reported. The figure showcase a 74 per cent rise in the deaths of security forces personnel, a 32 per cent increase in civilian deaths and 21 per cent surge in militant deaths in comparison to January. As many as 53 security forces personnel and six civilians were killed while 35 security personnel and 48 civilians were injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in February. Three suicide bombing incidents took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which claimed 17 lives, including that of 14 security forces personnel and injured 20 people. As many as 34 people were killed and 165 others were injured in a suicide bombing incident in Islamabad. Furthermore, two police personnel were killed and four others were injured in a suicide bombing in the Bhakkar district of Punjab province, Dawn reported. The eight suicide attacks reported in January and February in this year are nearly half the total for all of 2025, when 17 such incidents were reported. According to the data released by PICSS, the first two months of 2026 witnessed 831 combat-related deaths, including 536 militants, 169 civilians and 126 security forces personnel. Los Angeles, March 19 : Actor Sharad Kelkar, who plays the role of Arya in the television show 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak', has shared that he likes to hold on to his roots and traditions as they remind him of his beginnings, and how far he has come. The actor is celebrating Gudi Padwa, and is fond of celebrating the festivals. Despite his demanding schedule, the actor tries to squeeze time for celebrations. He told IANS, "For me, Gudi Padwa has always been more than just a festival; it represents the idea of starting fresh with hope and determination". "Even today, amidst hectic schedules, I try to hold on to those traditions because they remind me where I come from. Festivals like these bring a sense of grounding and togetherness, and I believe it's important to pass these values on to the next generation as well", he added. Earlier, Sharad spoke on his legacy of 20 years and being called the "TRP King" in the television industry. The actor recently attended the Zee Kutumb Nomination Party when host Jay Soni invited him on stage and hailed him as the "TRP King". acknowledging his incredible journey and consistent success over the years. Reflecting on Sharad's remarkable journey, host Jay Soni said, "There are very few artists who rule the TRP charts. You were a TRP king 20 years back, and you are still ruling the TRP chart today. In every sense, you are a TRP king". Sharad said, "It's all because of Zee TV. Twenty years back, they gave me a chance to be a part of their show 'Saat Phere Saloni Ka Safar', and today they have once again trusted me with a beautiful show like 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak'. Talking about being referred to as a TRP King, all I want to say is that as an artist, I just work hard, stay true to my art, and remain dedicated. The rest is destiny's call". Sharad was a part of the iconic show 'Saat Phere Saloni Ka Safar', which went on to become one of the top-rated shows in terms of TRP at the time. Two decades later, history has repeated itself as Sharad currently headlines Zee TV's 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak', which is once again ruling the charts and stands as one of the leading shows. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, March 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's release of over Rs 18,640 crore as the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme this month has enabled over 9.32 crore farmers to receive financial assistance, out of whom 2.15 crore are women farmers. The total money disbursed since the launch of the scheme has now shot past Rs 4.27 lakh crore, making PM-KISAN one of the worldas largest direct benefit transfer initiatives, according to an official factsheet released on Thursday. The scheme is implemented through Aadhaar-based authentication and digitised land records, ensuring transparent and efficient direct benefit transfer (DBT) to verified beneficiaries. The scheme is widely regarded as a significant initiative towards ensuring aAnnadata Sammana. Reflecting the governmentas continued commitment to strengthening farmersa income security, the Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated Rs 60,000 crore for the PM-KISAN scheme. Impact evaluations by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and NITI Aayog show farmers reporting increased agricultural income and reduced reliance on informal credit. Across diverse regions of the country, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) has helped farmers invest in their fields and strengthen agricultural productivity. Bhamini, a farmer from Edakkara, Kerala, is among the women beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). After receiving the 21st instalment, she observed that timely financial assistance encourages her to strengthen farming practices and work towards improving productivity. The seamless transfer of benefits through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system ensures that support reaches farmers without delay, enabling them to continue their agricultural activities with greater confidence. For Anil Haldar, a farmer from Durgapur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the annual assistance of Rs 6,000 has been timely support for agricultural activities. After receiving an instalment in August 2025, he initiated watermelon cultivation, using the funds to purchase essential inputs. The financial assistance enabled him to diversify his crop and expand his farming operations. Similarly, Deepak Singh Negi, a farmer from Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, uses the schemeas assistance to procure key agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. These investments have improved both the quality and yield of his crops, illustrating how direct income support can help farmers strengthen productivity and sustain their livelihoods. The PM-KISAN is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2019 to provide assured income support to landholding farmer families with cultivable land nationwide. Under the scheme, each eligible farmer family receives annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000, disbursed in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Riyadh, March 19 : Several Arab nations have reaffirmed their condemnation of Iranian attacks on residential areas, civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic premises and stressed the right of states to defend themselves in accordance with Article-51 of the United Nations Charter. The Foreign Ministers of Qatar, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, during a consultative ministerial meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday, reaffirmed support for Lebanon's security, stability and territorial integrity, activating the sovereignty of the Lebanese state over all its territories, and supporting the Lebanese government's decision to limit weapons to the state. They condemned Israel's offensive against Lebanon and its expansionist policy in the region. A joint statement issued after the Consultative Ministerial Meeting read, "The Ministers discussed the Iranian attacks on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, The Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Turkey, and they affirmed their condemnation and denunciation of these Iranian deliberate attacks with ballistic missiles and drones which targeted residential areas, civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic premises. The Ministers further affirmed that such attacks could not be justified under any pretext or in any manner whatsoever." The ministers urged Iran to immediately stop its attacks and respect international law, humanitarian law and principles of good neighbourliness. They urged Iran to refrain from any measures or threats aimed at closing or obstructing international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministers called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and affirmed the necessity of respecting international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of good neighbourliness, as a first step toward ending the escalation, achieving security and stability in the region, and promoting diplomacy as a means to resolve the crisis. The Ministers further emphasised that the future of relations with Iran depends on respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, as well as "refraining from violating their sovereignty or their territories in any manner whatsoever", and not using or developing its military capabilities to "threaten countries" in the region. "The Ministers stressed the need for Iran to abide by implementing the Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which called for an immediate halt to all attacks, and unconditional cessation of any provocative acts or threats against neighboring states, and the cessation of support, financing and arming its affiliated militias in Arab countries, which Iran is doing to serve its goals and against the interests of these countries. Furthermore, to refrain from any measures or threats aimed at closing or obstructing international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in Bab al-Mandab," it added. The statement comes in the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which erupted following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials. In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting the US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals and allied forces in West Asia. The joint statement said, "The Ministers reaffirm their commitment to continuing intensive consultation and coordination in this regard, to monitor developments and assess emerging issues in a way that ensures the formulation of common positions and the adoption of necessary legitimate measures and procedures to protect their security, stability, and sovereignty, and to halt the Iranian heinous attacks on their territories." Jaipur, March 19 : On the occasion of Rajasthan Day, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday flagged off 207 new buses of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) from the Ajmer Road bus terminal. The induction of these buses is expected to further strengthen the state's public transport system and provide improved, accessible commuting facilities to the general public. Extending his greetings to the people of the state on Rajasthan Day and the Hindu New Year, the Chief Minister said that 'Iron Man of India' Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel established Greater Rajasthan (Brihad Rajasthan) on March 30, 1949, on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada under the auspicious Revati Nakshatra and Indra Yoga. He noted that this is why the state government has chosen to celebrate Rajasthan Day on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. This year, the occasion is being celebrated across the state on March 19 with great enthusiasm, alongside several state-level programmes organised over the past few days. CM Sharma said Rajasthan is progressing rapidly towards realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a "Developed India, Developed Rajasthan". He added that over the past two and a quarter years, new benchmarks of development have been set across various sectors in the state. On the occasion, he also prayed for the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of the people. He said that relief has been extended to every section of society over the last two and a quarter years. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister flagged off the buses with traditional rituals (puja). The newly inducted fleet includes 100 Blue Line Express buses, 79 Star Line buses, and 28 air-conditioned buses. These additions take the total increase in the Rajasthan Roadways fleet to 207 buses. All vehicles are equipped with modern safety features to ensure safe, organised, and comfortable travel for passengers. Marking the occasion, the Chief Minister also distributed helmets to 700 women, recognising them as "Road Safety Pioneers", and encouraged them to follow traffic rules. The event saw enthusiastic participation from the public, who welcomed and felicitated the Chief Minister. Deputy Chief Minister Dr Premchand Bairwa, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, MP Manju Sharma, along with other public representatives, officials, and citizens, were present on the occasion. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bhubaneswar, March 19 : Odisha Vigilance on Thursday arrested the prime accused and his wife in a a5.56 crore government fund embezzlement case. Bhubaneswar, March 19 (IANS) Odisha Vigilance on Thursday arrested the prime accused and his wife in a 5.56 crore government fund embezzlement case. "Main accused in Rs 5.56 Crore misappropriation, Pradip Kr Mohanty, Retd Headmaster, re-engaged at BEO Office post retirement, along with his wife Gitarani Mohanty, who were absconding and on the run, changing locations in Odisha and West Bengal, were nabbed by a team of Odisha Vigilance early morning today," a senior vigilance official informed on Thursday. On suspicion of the accused couple hiding in Kolkata, a team of Odisha Vigilance rushed there and carried out raids at suspected hideouts. Anticipating possible police action, the duo left Kolkata on Wednesday night and went into hiding at a Hotel in Charampa of Bhadrak district in Odisha from where they were nabbed early morning on Thursday. "They are currently being interrogated in the case. The misappropriated funds were transfered to the personal accounts of Pradip Mohanty, his wife, son Matruprasad Mohanty (arrested yesterday) and others. Investigation continuing further," said Odisha Vigilance sources. The accused Matruprasad Mohanty, was the Branch Head of Jana Small Finance Bank in Bhadrak. The fraud was carried out at the office of the Block Education Officer (BEO), Korei, in Jajpur district, resulting in a total loss of Rs 5,56,11,495. "The investigation by Odisha Vigilance revealed a sophisticated collaboration between the accused Matruprasad and his father, Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a retired headmaster re-engaged at the BEO office," said a senior Vigilance official. The prime accused, Pradip Kumar, during his re-engagement at the BEO office, allegedly gained unauthorised access to the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) and targeted the IDs of 13 retired teachers who are pensioners. By falsifying official records to show these retirees as still "active" in service, he generated and processed monthly pension bills in their names. Using this fraudulent method over an extended period, he siphoned off funds and routed the money through a series of transactions. The funds were ultimately diverted into bank accounts held by him and his family members across various branches of the State Bank of India, concealing the trail. The fraud spanned nearly six years, from November 2018 to September 2024. Vigilance sources said that after the fraud came to light, the Education Department referred the matter to Odisha Vigilance. Subsequently, Odisha Vigilance initiated an investigation and arrested Matruprasad on Wednesday. Quetta, March 19 : The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Thursday strongly condemned what it described as the "baseless, politically motivated allegations" against the organisation and its central leader, Sabiha Baloch, asserting it has always been a peaceful movement, consistently advocating for human rights in Balochistan. Quetta, March 19 (IANS) The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Thursday strongly condemned what it described as the "baseless, politically motivated allegations" against the organisation and its central leader, Sabiha Baloch, asserting it has always been a peaceful movement, consistently advocating for human rights in Balochistan. The BYC said that Balochistan's Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and the Inspector General of Police, during a press conference on Wednesday, presented Farzana Zehri -- forcibly disappeared from Khuzdar district in December 2025 -- who, after more than three and a half months incommunicado, was made to speak against BYC and Sabiha, linking them to militant groups and alleged suicide attack training. Raising serious concerns, the rights body alleged that the Pakistani establishment is "using propaganda and staged press conferences to silence human rights defenders." "This raises grave constitutional and legal questions: where was Farzana Zehri during this period, why was she not presented before a court, and why was she held incommunicado instead of in a lawful detention facility? Her coerced statement cannot be considered credible," the BYC stated. "This propaganda appears deliberately aimed at justifying the illegal detention of BYC leaders and a state crackdown on the organisation, while discrediting a peaceful movement advocating for justice. There is no evidence linking Sabiha Baloch or BYC to these allegations," it added. The rights body demanded that Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and authorities provide concrete proof or publicly apologise for defamation, asserting that the BYC remains "committed to peaceful struggle and will continue raising its voice against injustice, despite intimidation tactics". Sharing a video of a press conference on his social media platform X, the Baloch National Movement (BNM) Chairman Naseem Baloch said that Farzana was coerced into labelling Sabiha as a "handler of suicide bombers", terming it "highly condemnable" and "part of a systematic campaign" to silence Baloch activists. "The woman seen in the video was herself reportedly abducted and held incommunicado for months. Subjecting a disappeared individual to prolonged detention and torture, only to extract a forced statement, is a grave violation of human rights and a clear example of coercion," Naseem stated. "This act reflects a broader pattern in Balochistan, where enforced disappearances are not only used to silence individuals but also to weaponise victims against other activists. Such tactics aim to spread fear, create mistrust, and dismantle peaceful movements advocating for justice," he added. Colombo, March 19 : Sri Lanka records between 8,500 and 9,500 tuberculosis (TB) cases each year, a senior official at the National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases (NPTCCD) said on Thursday. The country detected 8,726 TB patients in 2025. About 75 per cent of the patients had pulmonary TB, while around 5,500 carried infectious bacteria that could transmit the disease to others, Mizaya Cader, consultant community physician at the NPTCCD, told journalists. She said nearly 45 per cent of the country's TB cases are reported from the Western Province. TB cases are concentrated in several densely populated areas in the Colombo district, including Modara, Mattakkuliya, Borella, Wanathamulla and Grandpass. Cader added that health authorities expect a slight decline of about 500 cases next year, Xinhua news agency reported. TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze or spit. Tuberculosis is preventable and curable. About a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria. In general, people with TB infection donat feel sick and are not contagious. About 5a"10 per cent of people infected with TB will eventually get symptoms and develop TB disease. Babies and children are at higher risk of developing the disease if they are infected. TB disease is usually treated with antibiotics and can be fatal without treatment. In certain countries, the Bacille Calmette-GuArin (BCG) vaccine is given to babies or small children to prevent TB. The vaccine prevents deaths from TB and protects children from serious forms of TB. In general, people with TB infection donat feel sick and are not contagious. Only a small proportion of people who get infected with TB will get TB disease and develop symptoms. Babies and children are at higher risk of developing the disease if they are infected. ABU DHABI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has warned that attacks on energy infrastructure amid escalating regional tensions could have far-reaching global consequences, calling for de-escalation and the protection of critical facilities, local media reported Thursday. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said energy infrastructure should never be targeted, as such facilities are vital to economies and daily life, according to the media. "This is not a military exchange. This is an attack on a peaceful nation," Al Jaber said, stressing that attacks on critical energy infrastructure constitute a threat to global stability. He noted that energy sites across the region, including those of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, have come under attack, adding that the consequences are felt not only locally but also by economies and households worldwide, the media said. "The reality is simple: energy security is global economic stability," he said, calling for efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safe flow of energy supplies. The UAE has repeatedly urged an end to attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, emphasizing the need to safeguard global energy markets and regional security. Earlier in the day, the UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defense systems intercepted seven ballistic missiles and 15 drones launched toward the country. Since the start of what it described as Iranian attacks, UAE air defenses have dealt with a total of 334 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,714 drones, according to the ministry. Also on Thursday, the UAE authorities said that operations at the Habshan gas facilities have been temporarily suspended due to falling debris from interceptions of missiles. New Delhi, March 19 : The controversy that erupted following BJP MP, Kangana Ranaut's remark on Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, refused to die down as various Opposition leaders on Thursday accused the actress of trying to seek attention and said it was better to ignore "people like Kangana". The political row followed after Ranaut, on Wednesday, launched a sharp attack on LoP Gandhi, alleging that his behaviour in Parliament makes women uncomfortable and compared it with that of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who she said was "graceful". The BJP MP had claimed that Gandhi behaves in a "tapori-like" manner in the Parliament complex and said he should learn etiquettes from his sister. Congress MP, Sukhdeo Bhagat, accused Ranaut of trying to take the place of former BJP MP Smriti Irani. "She is trying to gain media attention and also the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that of the BJP," he said. He told IANS, "Regarding the reaction to Kangana Ranaut's (remark), I feel that it is disrespectful for anyone who will give reaction on this. She says just anything, it doesn't makes sense." Bhagat added, "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others." Purnia MP, Pappu Yadav, also said, "Just ignore people like Kangana." NCP(SP) MP, Fauzia Khan, said, "I find it amusing that a woman like Kangana Ranaut, who works in the film industry, is making such comments about a respected leader. One cannot even respond to this, just laugh it off." Samajwadi Party MP, Rajeev Rai, feels no one takes the BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, seriously. He told IANS, "I feel that due to her manner of speaking, both the media and the House (Parliament) feel uncomfortable, which is why we do not take her seriously. I know that you people (the media) also do not take her seriously. One who says that the country got its independence in 2014, it's her intellectual fault." Meanwhile, the BJP in turn accused LoP Gandhi of not being serious with his position. Speaking to IANS, Bihar BJP President, Sanjay Saraogi, said, "Rahul Gandhi's statements, whether his behaviour inside or outside the Lok Sabha, lack seriousness. The Congress is the main Opposition party in the country, and Rahul Gandhi is its leader. His behaviour is not like what is expected from the Leader of Opposition." He said, "Currently, a war is going on. During such a time too, his statements do not align with the national interest. In his attempt to oppose the BJP, he ends up opposing the country." Saraogi claimed that it is a stampede-like situation in the Congress. He claimed, "Senior leaders of the Congress are joining the BJP, the party's MLAs were involved in cross-voting in the recently-held Rajya Sabha elections and several of them remained absent. All these are happening because of Rahul Gandhi's behaviour." -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Patna, March 19 : The Patna High Court on Thursday granted bail to Mokama MLA Anant Singh in connection with the Dularchand Yadav murder case. The bail was granted by Justice R.P. Mishra after hearing arguments from all concerned parties. With the courtas approval, Anant Singh is expected to be released from Beur Jail in Patna within the next couple of days. Notably, just days earlier, he had expressed confidence about his imminent release. Anant Singh had been lodged in jail following his arrest in a murder case dating back to October 2025, during the Bihar Assembly elections. The deceased, Dularchand Yadav, a supporter of the Jan Suraaj Party and a former RJD leader, was murdered on October 30, 2025, in Basawanchak village under the Ghoswari police station area of Mokama while campaigning. Police investigation revealed that an SUV allegedly mowed him down, leading to his death on the spot. However, his family members alleged that he was first shot and then a vehicle ran him. Police had identified Anant Singh as the prime accused and arrested him on the night of November 1, 2025. The Patna Police also arrested two of his accomplices in this case. He was subsequently produced before a court on November 2, 2025 and sent to judicial custody. Earlier, his bail pleas were rejected by the MP-MLA court. After spending around four and a half months in custody, the High Court has now granted him relief. Despite being in jail, Anant Singh contested the Mokama Assembly seat and won the election. On March 16, he was taken to the Assembly to cast his vote in the Rajya Sabha elections, where he reiterated that he would soon be out of jail. In a significant political development, Anant Singh has also announced that he will not contest future elections. He indicated that his eldest son will represent the Mokama constituency for his party, the JD(U), in the future. The development comes amid ongoing political shifts in Bihar, following recent electoral outcomes and leadership discussions involving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Agartala/Kohima, March 19 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday announced its candidates for the April 9 by-elections to two Assembly constituencies in the Northeastern states of Tripura and Nagaland. According to a notification issued by election authorities in both states, the filing of nominations began on March 16, while the last date for submission is March 23. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 24, and the final date for withdrawal of candidatures is March 26. Results will be declared on May 4. As per a press statement issued by BJP General Secretary Arun Singh, Jahar Chakraborti will contest from the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district, while Daochier I. Imchen will make his electoral debut from the Koridang Assembly constituency in Mokokchung district of Nagaland. Singh stated that the BJPas Central Election Committee, in a meeting chaired by party President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday, finalised candidates for by-elections in four states -- Tripura, Nagaland, Goa and Karnataka. The meeting, held at the party headquarters in New Delhi, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other members of the election committee. In Tripura, 59-year-old Jahar Chakraborti, the BJPas North Tripura district Vice President, will contest from Dharmanagar Assembly constituency for the second time. In 2013, Chakraborti, known as a staunch Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist, contested from the same seat but lost to then Congress candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen. Chakrabortias wife, Barnali Goswami, previously served as Chairperson of the Tripura State Commission for Women. He will now face CPI (M)-led Left Front candidate and former MLA Amitabha Datta. The bypoll in Dharmanagar Assembly constituency became necessary following the death of Biswa Bandhu Sen, who was serving as Speaker of the Tripura Assembly. Sen, 72, passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on December 26, 2025, after prolonged medical treatment. He was elected to the Assembly four times -- twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and later in 2018 and 2023 as a BJP nominee from the same constituency. A total of 46,143 voters, including 23,763 women, are eligible to cast their votes in the Dharmanagar Assembly bypoll. In Nagaland, Daochier I. Imchen will contest from the Koridang Assembly constituency, a seat long represented by his father, veteran Naga leader Imkong L. Imchen, for over 25 years. The by-election in Koridang was necessitated by the death of Imkong L. Imchen, who passed away at a private hospital in Guwahati on November 11, 2024, after a brief illness. He was 75. Imchen was elected to the Nagaland Assembly five times from the Koridang constituency -- first as an Independent in 2003, then on Naga People's Front tickets in 2008, 2013 and 2018, before winning on a BJP ticket in 2023. A total of 22,390 voters, including 11,013 women, are eligible to vote in the Koridang Assembly constituency. Patna, March 19 : A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday morning in Bharwara village under the Singhwara police station area, where a husband and wife drowned in a pond, leaving the local community in shock. According to police, Hasrat Parveen (40) allegedly jumped into the Panpihi pond to commit suicide, following which her husband, Sanaullah (45), rushed to rescue her. However, both drowned in the deep water. Locals informed authorities and sought help in the rescue of the couple as neither of them knew how to swim. Later, with the help of divers, Singwada police recovered both the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examination. The deceased couple were residents of Ward No. 6 in Bharwara village. Officials revealed that Hasrat Parveen had attempted a similar act about ten days ago, but was then stopped by villagers and the Dial 112 police team, who counseled her and sent her back home. On Thursday, she again went to the pond and suddenly jumped in. In a desperate attempt to save her, Sanaullah followed her into the water but could not manage to rescue her and lost his life as well. The couple is survived by their son, Hasmatullah alias Ikhlaq, while their daughter, Nazia Parveen, is married. Station House Officer Basant Kumar said that an investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident. Police are also recording statements of family members. They will bring some light to the reasons for this incident. The statement of Hasmatullah alias Ikhlaq seems to be important as he always stayed with them. Preliminary inputs suggest that Hasrat Parveen may have been distressed over certain personal issues. Sources have said that the relationship between Hasrat Parveen and Sanaullah was not healthy. They often indulged in verbal arguments, and this could be the reason that triggered Hasrat Parveen to commit suicide. The incident has left the entire area in deep grief and disbelief. Kolkata, March 19 : A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Thursday, rejected the bail plea of Sheikh Shahjahan, the suspended Trinamool Congress leader from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal and the principal accused in the case of the assault on the Enforcement Department (ED) officials in January 2024. The ED officials and their escorting Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel were attacked and severely assaulted by Shahjahanas supporters when they went to conduct a raid and search operations at his residence in connection with the multi-crore PDS distribution case in the state. Later, other charges relating to illegal land grabbing at Sandeshkhali, illegal conversion of farmland into pisciculture farms by flowing in saline water, and most importantly, sexual assault of the women of Sandeshkhali were slapped against him. He was arrested initially by the West Bengal Police and was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which was probing the matter. On Thursday, after Shahjahan moved the bail petition at the Calcutta High Courtas single-judge bench of Justice Suvra Ghosh, the CBI counsel opposed the bail petition, contending that, if released on bail, he would definitely try to influence the witnesses in the case registered against him and also tamper with the evidence. The CBI counsel also argued that even from behind bars, he had earlier tried to threaten and even murder the son of the key witnesses through his underworld associates, who are yet to be behind bars. Justice Ghosh finally accepted the argument and rejected the bail plea of Shahjahan. However, the single-judge bench observed that Shahjahan will have the right to move a fresh bail plea in the future, depending on the progress of the investigation and new facts revealed. In the matter of the assault on the ED officials, initially, the Trinamool Congress leadership, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, tried to defend him. However, following prolonged movement by the women of Sandeshkhali during a major part of 2024, finally the ruling party leadership suspended Shahjahan from the party. Since then, Shahjahan has filed bail petitions in various courts several times. But his bail pleas have been rejected. New Delhi, March 19 : The government on Thursday launched a new scheme called Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) to help Indian exporters deal with disruptions caused by the ongoing crisis in West Asia, aiming to ensure smooth trade and protect the country's market share. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced the RELIEF scheme, saying it is part of the government's broader Export Promotion Mission. He described it as a carefully designed support package to stabilise export flows during the current crisis. "The scheme will provide targeted support to exporters, especially small and medium enterprises, who are facing operational challenges due to disruptions in shipping and logistics," Agrawal said. "The focus will be on 17-18 destinations that have been particularly affected by the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region," he stated. He added that the main aim of the initiative is to ensure that exports continue as smoothly as possible despite the challenges. "The scheme is expected to reduce the burden of high freight costs and rising insurance premiums, which have increased sharply due to the conflict," Agrawal mentioned. RELIEF will cover both insured exporters and non-ECGC insured MSME exporters for one month, along with support for future shipments for up to three months. The expenditure for the scheme will be met from the existing allocation under the Export Promotion Mission. The government is also working through an inter-ministerial group to address the issues being faced by exporters. Agrawal noted that shipments are getting delayed and, in some cases, are not reaching their destinations due to disruptions in key routes. The current situation follows last month's joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, which has impacted major shipping and air corridors in the region. This has pushed up oil prices and increased logistics costs, affecting global trade. The government hopes that the RELIEF scheme will help exporters navigate these challenges and maintain the flow of goods during what it called "extraordinary times." Meanwhile, Lav Agarwal, the Director General of Foreign Trade, announced the outlay of nearly Rs 500 crore for RELIEF scheme that will provide focused and time-bound intervention. The government-owned Export Credit Guarantee Corp will be the implementing agency. Kolkata, March 19 : Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Thursday, accused the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in the state of indulging in 'atrocities'. He made the accusation upon his arrival in the state's Bhabanipur constituency to campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections. West Bengal will vote in two phases in the Assembly elections scheduled to be held on April 23 and April 29. The results will be announced on May 4. Adhikari will contest the election from the Bhabanipur constituency. While speaking to reporters, the BJP leader said, "After I came here, hawkers, taxi drivers, small shopkeepers, all of them are saying that they are fed up with Mamata Banerjee's atrocities. They have asked me to save them. I have given them my mobile number. I have come here to save them." The Bengal Leader of Opposition claimed that the Trinamool Congress had kept 20 of its workers in the area since morning, before his arrival. "To obstruct me, to show black flags and do such things," he said. He added, "They fled before I came here. It is a good signal." He said, "The beginning has been made; Mamata (Banerjee) should go. What we are witnessing today is the wave of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a tide of change. This voting trend will soon turn into a tsunami." Of the 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal that will go to the polls next month, the spotlight is on the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee locks horns with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, in what is expected to be a high-stakes battle. Adhikari said, "The party workers wanted, and PM Modi gave me (this opportunity). Predicting his victory, he said, "You can assume that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will lose by 25,000 to 30,000 votes." Meanwhile, Adhikari is also contesting simultaneously from the Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district, where he has been a two-time legislator -- first for the Trinamool Congress from 2016 to 2021 and then for the BJP from 2021 onwards. One of the key factors that makes this contest particularly significant is the community-wise voter distribution in Bhabanipur, a post-delimitation constituency formed in 2011 by merging the erstwhile Alipore Assembly constituency with parts of the Chowrangee Assembly constituency in south Kolkata. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi, March 19 : Indian households are sitting on an enormous reserve of gold, and that wealth is now quietly reshaping the country's lending market, a report has said. New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Indian households are sitting on an enormous reserve of gold, and that wealth is now quietly reshaping the countryas lending market, a report has said. According to a report by Morgan Stanley, Indian households collectively own more than 34,000 tonnes of gold. Kotak Mahindra Bank estimates this stockpile to be worth nearly $5 trillion. While most of this gold -- around 90 per cent -- still lies idle, it is increasingly being used as collateral to raise quick loans. Gold-backed lending has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments in Indiaas retail credit space. This comes at a time when other forms of consumer loans, especially unsecured personal loans, have slowed due to tighter regulations. The Reserve Bank of India had tightened rules around unsecured lending in late 2023, limiting easy access to such credit for many borrowers. As a result, more people are turning to gold loans. These loans are easier to access, often require minimal paperwork, and can be disbursed quickly. At the same time, a sharp rise in global gold prices has made this option even more attractive. Since 2024, gold prices have surged significantly, increasing the value borrowers can unlock against their jewellery. Data from the RBI shows that gold loans more than doubled in just one year, reaching Rs 4 trillion in January from Rs 1.75 trillion a year earlier. This makes gold loans the fastest-growing retail credit category in India, after home and vehicle loans. However, the actual size of the gold loan market is believed to be much larger. Experts estimate it to be around Rs 14 trillion, as RBI data does not fully capture lending by non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). These NBFCs account for nearly half of the gold loan market. The rapid growth of gold loans is also drawing global attention. Private equity firm Bain Capital is planning to acquire up to a 41.7 per cent stake in Manappuram Finance, a deal recently approved by the RBI. Meanwhile, Japanas financial giant Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group has acquired a 20 per cent stake in Shriram Finance, which is also expanding its gold loan business. Panaji, March 19 : In a major breakthrough against digital crimes, the Goa Crime Branch has busted an inter-state prostitution racket, arresting three persons responsible for creating and managing websites used to disseminate sexually explicit and objectionable content, the police said on Thursday. The crackdown, led by the Crime Branch in coordination with the Social Media Monitoring Cell, resulted in the blocking of 22 illegal escort websites. After a period of intense surveillance, an FIR was registered on March 9 under Section 67 of the IT Act and Section 6 of the Indecent Representation of Womenas Act. According to Superintendent of Police (Crime/Cyber Crime) Rahul Gupta, technical investigations identified a suspect, Narayan Rao, a native of Shivamogga, Karnataka, as the primary operator. Subsequent raids conducted in Nerul and Bardez in Goa led to the arrest of three accused on the morning of March 14. The arrested accused have been identified as the alleged mastermind, V. Narayan Rao (40), Shahbaz Khan (33) from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and Manjunath Shahshetty (36) from Bidar, Karnataka. During the operation, the police recovered a laptop and five mobile phones, including a device directly linked to the website. An investigation into the suspects' bank accounts revealed a trail of payments made via Google Pay and UPI by victims. "It was established that the accused were sustaining themselves on earnings from prostitution," SP Gupta said. Consequently, Section 4 of the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA) was added to the charges. Interrogation of the suspects has revealed that Raoas network extended far beyond Goa, with active operations in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, and Delhi. Authorities concerned have already frozen a bank account belonging to the main accused containing Rs 2.34 lakh. The investigation, led by SP Jivba Dalvi and under the overall supervision of SP Gupta, is ongoing as police work to identify further victims and trace the full extent of the syndicate's financial transactions. The accused were remanded in three-day police custody to facilitate deeper custodial interrogation for more details about the gang and its operations. Kolkata, March 19 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday lambasted the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the latter's decision to transfer bureaucrats and police officers in the state and also sending many of them on deputation as general and police observers in other poll-bound states almost daily since the model code of conduct came into force after the announcement of the polling dates for four states and one union territory The Chief Minister also accused the ECI of singling out West Bengal, and said this trend, even before issuing the formal notification of elections, is highly alarming. "The manner in which the Election Commission has singled out and targeted Bengal is not just unprecedented -- It is deeply alarming. Even before the formal notification of elections, more than 50 senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, ADGs, IGs, DIGs, District Magistrates, and Superintendents of Police, have been summarily and arbitrarily removed. This is not an administrative action; this is political interference of the highest order," the Chief Minister said in a statement on her official social media handle X in the afternoon. According to her, what is happening currently is "nothing but a systematic politicisation of institutions meant to remain impartial, which is a direct assault on the Indian Constitution". "At a time when a deeply flawed SIR process is underway and over 200 lives have already been lost, the conduct of the Commission reflects a clear bias and an uncomfortable submission to political interests, continuing to put the people of Bengal at risk," the Chief Minister said. According to her, such large-scale transfers and deputation of bureaucrats and police officers were not incidental but pointed towards a deliberate design to seize control of West Bengal through coercion and institutional manipulation. "What we are witnessing is nothing short of an undeclared emergency and a promulgated form of president's rule driven by political vendetta, not democratic principles. Having failed to win the trust of Bengal's people, the BJP is now attempting to capture the state through coercion, intimidation, manipulation, and the misuse of institutions," the Chief Minister added. In her statement, the Chief Minister has also expressed full solidarity towards all the bureaucrats and police officers who have been transferred or sent on deputation to other states, and said these officers were being "targeted" as they served the state with honesty and commitment. "Bengal has never bowed to intimidation, and it never will. Bengal will fight, Bengal will resist, and Bengal will decisively defeat every attempt to impose a divisive and destructive agenda on its soil," the Chief Minister added. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text ADDIS ABABA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent suicide bombings in northeastern Nigeria that left multiple casualties. At least 23 people have been confirmed dead and 108 others injured in three explosions on Monday evening that rocked the northeastern city of Maiduguri in Nigeria. A local official said suspected suicide bombers allegedly detonated improvised explosive devices across three different public facilities. In a statement, Youssouf said the incident was a "heinous terrorist attack," and extended the AU's condolences to the Nigerian government and people. He reiterated the AU's unequivocal rejection and firm condemnation of all forms of violence perpetrated by terrorist elements and violent extremist groups against civilian populations and security officials. "Such acts constitute a grave violation of human rights and undermine peace, security, stability within communities," the chairperson said. Commending Nigeria's sustained and collective efforts in countering terrorism and improving security conditions in Maiduguri and its environs in recent years, Youssouf stressed that the tragic incident underscores the persistent threat posed by terrorism and the need for continued vigilance and resilience. He further called on the international community to scale up its support to Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad Basin region toward addressing the root causes of violent extremism. Youssouf reaffirmed the AU's full solidarity and its unwavering support to Nigeria in promoting sustainable peace and stability. Kolkata, March 19 : Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a comprehensive list of criminal cases pending against him. Adhikari, who is contesting from the Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies this time, has sought the courtas intervention ahead of filing his nomination papers. He has already begun campaigning in Bhabanipur, while also taking legal steps to secure clarity on his disclosures. In his petition, the BJP leader claimed that the police have failed to furnish precise information on the total number of cases registered against him. As per the rules of the Election Commission of India, candidates are required to submit an affidavit in Form 26 at the time of filing the nomination papers. This affidavit mandates the disclosure of detailed information regarding all pending criminal cases, along with personal details. With no definitive information available, Adhikari has sought directions from the court. The matter is expected to come up for hearing later this week. The development comes in the context of multiple cases filed against the leader in recent years. In December 2022, Justice Rajasekhar Mantha of the Calcutta High Court had directed that no new FIRs be registered against him without prior permission of the court. However, on October 24, 2025, Justice Jay Sengupta vacated this protection, observing that such interim relief could not continue indefinitely. At the same time, the court granted partial relief by quashing 15 cases against Adhikari, terming them baseless or politically motivated. Subsequently, a fresh case was registered in connection with an alleged attack on his convoy in Chandrakona in West Midnapore district. In that matter, the High Court granted him interim protection until February 19, 2026. In view of these developments, Adhikari has once again moved the court, seeking comprehensive and updated details of all pending cases against him before filing his nomination papers. Kolkata, March 19 : The Election Commission of India has partially rolled back its decision to shift a group of IPS officers out of West Bengal, deciding to retain two officers in the state for the time being, ahead of the assembly elections in the state. According to officials in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, two IPS officers, namely Murali Dhar and Syed Waquar Raza, will not be deputed to other states as observers for now and will continue to serve in West Bengal until further directions are issued. The remaining 13 officers, however, will be sent on deputation to poll-bound states, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where they are expected to serve as observers during the assembly polls. The development comes a day after the poll panel, in a late-night order on Wednesday, cancelled the alternative postings of 15 IPS officers in West Bengal. These officers had earlier been reassigned by the state government after being removed by the Election Commission from their posts and barred from election-related duties in view of the upcoming Assembly elections. In its earlier directive, the Commission had decided to shift all 15 officers out of West Bengal by appointing them as police observers in other states going to the polls. The list included Akash Magharia, Alok Rajoria, Amandeep, Abhijit Banerjee, Bhaskar Mukherjee, C. Sudhakar, Dhritimaan Sarkar, Indira Mukherjee, Murali Dhar, Mukesh, Praveen Kumar Tripathi, Priyabrata Roy, Sandeep Karra, Rashid Munir Khan, and Syed Waquar Raza. Among them, Murali Dhar was serving as Police Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, while Syed Waquar Raza was Police Commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police. However, in a revised decision on Thursday, the Commission allowed these two officers to remain in the state, without immediately assigning them observer roles elsewhere. The move follows sustained demands from Opposition parties in West Bengal, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party, which had argued that officers barred from election duties should be moved out of the state entirely to prevent any potential influence on the electoral process. Kollam, March 19 : In the controversial Sabarimala gold theft case, two more accused Pankaj Bhandari and Govardhan were granted bail by the trial court at Kollam on Thursday. They were granted statutory bail after the prosecution failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated time. The Kollam Vigilance Court allowed their release, noting that the mandatory 90 day remand period had expired without progress in filing the final report. With this, the total number of accused who have secured bail in the case has risen to ten. Notably, eight among them have walked free on statutory grounds, highlighting procedural lapses that have slowed the prosecutionas case in what is widely seen as a high profile investigation involving alleged diversion of temple gold. Govardhan, a jewellery trader from Bellary in Karnataka, had earlier approached the Supreme Court of India after his bail plea was rejected by the Kerala High Court. The apex court, however, declined to intervene at the time. In his petition, Govardhan maintained that he was an ardent devotee of Lord Ayyappa and had no involvement in the alleged theft. He was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on charges of purchasing stolen gold. In his statement to investigators, Govardhan admitted to having paid Rs 1.5 crore in multiple installments to the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti. He claimed the payments were made believing they were for purposes related to Sabarimala and that he had no knowledge of any fraudulent intent. He also submitted documents to substantiate the financial transactions and maintained that the gold purchase was made in good faith, stemming from personal acquaintance. However, the SIT has taken a contrary view, asserting that Govardhan was fully aware that the gold belonged to the Sabarimala temple and constituted Devaswom property. Investigators allege that he knowingly facilitated the diversion, thereby abetting the fraud. Bhandari is the Chief Executive Officer of Chennai-based Smart Creations, who has been accused of misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple. The delay in filing the chargesheet now raises broader concerns over the pace and efficacy of the probe. New Delhi, March 19 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu on Thursday sprang into action to tackle the froth generated in the Yamuna River and visited the Kalindi Kunj bank with experts to chart the way forward. In a message on social media, the L-G wrote, "Visited the Kalindi Kunj Ghat along the Yamuna river, along with senior officials of concerned departments, to take a first-hand assessment of the current situation." Sandhu said the visit involved discussions with local and international experts from leading scientific institutions and organisations to help identify practical and sustainable measures going forward. A day earlier, a political row erupted after the Delhi government floated a tender worth Rs 6.2 crore for two "VIP inspection boats" meant for monitoring and survey operations on the Yamuna River, even as high levels of froth were seen floating on the river near Kalindi Kunj, raising environmental concerns. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department issued the tender on March 12 to procure two vessels, with each boat estimated to cost around Rs 3.1 crore. According to the tender document, the boats will be used for river monitoring, surveys and inspection visits by senior officials. However, the move drew sharp criticism from Congress National Secretary Abhishek Dutt, who alleged that the government was focusing on expensive boats instead of tackling the worsening pollution in the Yamuna. "Today, pink foam is visible in the Yamuna. Pink foam is a combination of sewage waste, industrial waste and dry waste. The pollution levels are thousands of times higher than what the Yamuna's cleanliness levels should be. Yet, this government has no shame; they are buying boats worth Rs six crore today," he told IANS. Responding to the criticism, Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, a BJP legislator, said pollution in the Yamuna was the result of long-term negligence by previous governments in the city. "It is true that all of us are responsible to some extent for the Yamuna's water turning pink. Drains used to flow directly into the Yamuna. The Congress ruled for 15 years and the Arvind Kejriwal government for 11 years, but there was negligence in installing effluent treatment plants (ETPs)," he said. He said, "If the ETPs had been installed, the water would never have turned pink, it would not have been polluted, and fish would not have died. But our government has come to power only a year ago; we have already started the work of cleaning the Yamuna." Indore, March 19 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on Thursday, visited the families of the victims of the fire incident that occurred in Indore and killed eight people, including two children, government officials said. Taking to his official X account, Chief Minister Yadav said: "The incident that occurred in the Pugalia family in the colony located at the Bengali Square in Indore is heart-wrenching. I met with the family members today. We all share the pain of the mountain of sorrow that has befallen the Pugalia family. I pray to the Almighty to grant place at his sacred feet to all the departed souls and bestow upon the family the strength to recover from this profound grief. An investigation into this incident is underway. To prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future, discussions will be held with experts, and necessary steps will be taken." During the visit, the Chief Minister met Saurabh, the eldest son of the deceased, Manoj Pugalia (one of the victims) and offered his condolences and words of comfort to the bereaved family. Saurabh told Chief Minister Yadav that the fire in their home was not caused by the vehicle charging process itself, but by a short circuit at an electric pole. The car caught fire first, followed by the motorcycle parked inside the house. Saurabh also alleged that the fire department failed to arrive on time. He remarked that if the fire-fighting vehicles arrived on time, some human lives could have been saved. He also said that water tankers were empty, and one tanker driver even mistakenly entered a different lane. Speaking to the media after meeting with the bereaved family, the Chief Minister described the incident as "extremely tragic" and said that the state government has already ordered an inquiry into the matter. Chief Minister Yadav noted that the state government is actively working on measures to enhance the safety of EV charging systems and residential electric locking mechanisms, ensuring that people remain safe in the event of a malfunction. Officials have also conducted an inspection of the accident site. "I have also viewed the video footage of the incident. To prevent the recurrence of such accidents in the future, we will hold consultations with institutions such as the IIT, among others," the Chief Minister said. Eight people, including two minors, were killed in Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Wednesday after a massive fire engulfed a three-storey residential building following an explosion in an electric car that was being charged outside the premises. According to the police, the deceased were identified as Tanmay (7), Rashi Sethia (12), Simran Pugalia (30), Tinu (35), Suman Sethia (60), Vijay Sethia (65), Chhotu Sethia (22) and house owner Manoj Pugalia (65). Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, an MLA from Indore, had also visited the spot on Wednesday and termed the incident alarming, given that the society is heading towards the use of electric vehicles. Vijayvargiya had said that Indore district administration has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation by a committee of experts to prevent a recurrence of this incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia for the victims' families of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF to the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured victims. Indore, March 19 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on Thursday, visited the families of the victims of the fire incident that occurred in Indore where eight people, including two children, had died, government officials said. Taking to his official X account, Chief Minister Yadav said: "The incident that occurred in the Pugalia family in the colony located at the Bengali Square in Indore is heart-wrenching. I met with the family members today. We all share the pain of the mountain of sorrow that has befallen the Pugalia family. I pray to the Almighty to grant place at his sacred feet to all the departed souls and bestow upon the family the strength to recover from this profound grief. An investigation into this incident is underway. To prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future, discussions will be held with experts, and necessary steps will be taken." During the visit, the Chief Minister met Saurabh, the eldest son of the deceased, Manoj Pugalia (one of the victims) and offered his condolences and words of comfort to the bereaved family. Saurabh told Chief Minister Yadav that the fire in their home was not caused by the vehicle charging process itself, but by a short circuit at an electric pole. The car caught fire first, followed by the motorcycle parked inside the house. Saurabh also alleged that the fire department failed to arrive on time. He remarked that if the fire-fighting vehicles arrived on time, some human lives could have been saved. He also said that water tankers were empty, and one tanker driver even mistakenly entered a different lane. Speaking to the media after meeting with the bereaved family, the Chief Minister described the incident as "extremely tragic" and said that the state government has already ordered an inquiry into the matter. Chief Minister Yadav noted that the state government is actively working on measures to enhance the safety of EV charging systems and residential electric locking mechanisms, ensuring that people remain safe in the event of a malfunction. Officials have also conducted an inspection of the accident site. "I have also viewed the video footage of the incident. To prevent the recurrence of such accidents in the future, we will hold consultations with institutions such as the IIT, among others," the Chief Minister said. Eight people, including two minors, were killed in Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Wednesday after a massive fire engulfed a three-storey residential building following an explosion in an electric car that was being charged outside the premises. According to the police, the deceased were identified as Tanmay (7), Rashi Sethia (12), Simran Pugalia (30), Tinu (35), Suman Sethia (60), Vijay Sethia (65), Chhotu Sethia (22) and house owner Manoj Pugalia (65). Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, an MLA from Indore, had also visited the spot on Wednesday and termed the incident alarming, given that the society is heading towards the use of electric vehicles. Vijayvargiya had said that Indore district administration has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation by a committee of experts to prevent a recurrence of this incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia for the victims' families of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF to the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured victims. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Patna, March 19 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Thursday, expressed deep condolences over the death of six people from Kishanganj district, who lost their lives in a devastating fire incident in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. In his condolence message, the Bihar Chief Minister prayed for strength and courage to the bereaved families during this difficult time. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased. Additionally, directions have been issued to the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi to ensure the dignified transportation of the mortal remains to their native villages in Bihar. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday between 3 and 4 a.m. at Brijeshwari Enclave under the jurisdiction of Tilak Nagar police station in Indore. A massive fire engulfed a three-storey building, claiming eight people, including six members of a family from Bihar. According to preliminary reports, the fire is suspected to have originated from an electric car that was parked outside the house and connected for charging. A short circuit allegedly caused the vehicle to catch fire, and the flames quickly spread to the entire building. The intensity of the blaze was further aggravated by explosions in LPG cylinders inside the house, leaving little time for occupants to escape. The deceased from Bihar have been identified as Vijay Sethia (65), Suman (60), Manoj (65), Simran (30), Chhotu Sethia (22), and Rashi Sethia (12), all residents of the Town Police Station area in Kishanganj. Another individual also lost their life in the incident, while three others sustained serious burn injuries and are currently undergoing treatment. According to local eyewitnesses, Vijay Sethia, a cosmetics businessman, had been residing in Kishanganj for nearly two decades. He was suffering from oral cancer and had recently travelled to Indore with his family for treatment. He had undergone surgery at the Kokilaben Hospital and was staying at the residence of relatives in Brijeshwari Enclave at the time of the incident. Indore Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said that authorities received information about the fire around 4 a.m. on Wednesday. Preliminary findings suggest that a family gathering was underway when the fire broke out, leading to a catastrophic situation. "The fire spread rapidly through the building and triggered LPG cylinder explosion. Six bodies were recovered from one floor, while another casualty was confirmed later. In total, seven people have died, and three individuals were rescued," the Indore Police Commissioner added. The incident has plunged the entire Kishanganj locality into grief, as an entire family was killed in the tragedy. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Raipur, March 19 : The Chhattisgarh government has moved to tighten laws against religious conversions carried out through coercion or inducement, introducing the Chhattisgarh Swatantraya Vidheyak 2026 (Freedom of Religion Bill 2026) in the Assembly. State Home Minister Vijay Sharma tabled the legislation, which builds upon the stateas existing Freedom of Religion Act of 1968, originally adopted from Madhya Pradesh after Chhattisgarhas formation in 2000. The new Bill lays down clearer definitions of inducement, coercion, misrepresentation, mass conversion, and even conversion through digital platforms such as social media, while prescribing stringent penal provisions to curb forceful practices. The introduction of Chhattisgarhas Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 sparked uproar in the Assembly, with the Opposition staging a walkout after their objections were dismissed. Leader of the Opposition Charandas Mahant argued that similar matters are already before the Supreme Court in 11 states and pressed for the Bill to be sent to a Select Committee. He warned against legislating while the apex court is still hearing cases, invoking the words of Ambedkar, Vajpayee and Buddha to stress unity, tolerance and social justice. The proposed law seeks to ban conversions by force, inducement, coercion or fraud, requiring voluntary converts to notify the District Magistrate in advance, with details made public for objections. It defines inducement, coercion, misrepresentation, mass conversion and even digital proselytisation, while clarifying that a return to ancestral faith will not count as conversion. Healing prayers also fall under its ambit. Punishments are severe; unlawful conversion could mean seven to ten years in jail and fines starting at Rs 5 lakh, rising to 20 years and Rs 10 lakh if the victim is a minor, woman, or from SC, ST or OBC communities. Mass conversions could attract life imprisonment and fines of Rs 25 lakh, with all offences cognisable, non-bailable and tried in Special Courts. BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar defended the Billas legality, while Home Minister Vijay Sharma insisted there is no Supreme Court bar on states enacting such laws. He urged consensus, but after the Chair rejected Opposition demands, members walked out. Sharma condemned the protest, accusing the Opposition of avoiding serious debate and neglecting tribal concerns. A related amendment passed by the Chhattisgarh assembly in 2006 was returned by the President in December last year, Mahant noted, urging the government to proceed carefully. March 19 : Ayodhya/Lucknow: Droupadi Murmu consecrated the Shri Ram Yantra at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir on Thursday, the first day of Chaitra Navratri. On this occasion, in the presence of the President, Gorakshapeethadhishwar and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also shared his views. He began by extending greetings to the people of the state on the Indian New Year. Chief Minister said, the sacred waters of the Saryu River purify Ayodhya Dham and the entire region. Referring to the experience of Ram Rajya, he said that while wars are ongoing across the world, we are participating in the consecration of the Shri Ram Yantra. He praised the present generation, stating that it no longer chooses tourist destinations where activities oppose Sanatan values, but instead visits temples with family on the New Year. CM Yogi Adityanath also said, "Under the leadership and guidance of the Prime Minister, the Bhoomi Pujan for the construction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, the Pran-Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla, the installation of the sacred idols of Ram Darbar, the hoisting of the flag, and now the consecration of the Shri Ram Yantra fill every follower of Sanatan Dharma and every true Indian with immense joy. He emphasized that this reflects the deep-rooted faith of India. Chief Minister also targeted opposition parties, stating that faith had been insulted by being termed as blind belief. He added, the same people who insulted this faith avoided visiting Noida to protect their power, yet did not consider that an act of blind belief. However, speaking about the Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath Dham, and Krishna-Kanhaiya of Mathura-Vrindavan was labeled as superstition. He added, the faith which remained steadfast for 500 years, endured struggles, and neither stopped, nor bent, nor broke, ultimately prevailed, and today Ayodhya stands before the world in its present form. CM Yogi also added, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir has become a symbol of the nations temple and the foundation of Ram Rajya. While the world faces wars, disorder, economic instability, fear, and terror, thousands gathered in Ayodhya Dham are experiencing fearlessness and participating in the consecration ceremony, witnessing a sense of Ram Rajya. He said, "India remains India because of the penance of sages, the hard work of farmers, the enterprise of artisans, and the enduring faith that has upheld the spirit of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat." The completion ceremony of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has brought joy not only to the people of the state but also to followers of Sanatan Dharma across the country and the world". CM Yogi stated, in 2025, 156 crore devotees and tourists visited religious and spiritual sites across Uttar Pradesh. The number of visitors to Ayodhya, Kashi, Prayagraj Mahakumbh, and Mathura-Vrindavan exceeds the population of many countries. He said this reflects a new and changing India, where the present generation is no longer misguided but moving in the right direction, choosing to visit temples with family during the New Year instead of destinations opposed to Sanatan values. Chief Minister expressed gratitude to saints, Ram devotees, artisans, and workers who contributed to the Ram Mandir construction. He paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the movement, as well as saints and late VHP leader Ashok Singhal. CM Yogi Adityanath presented a memento to President Droupadi Murmu. The event was conducted by the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai. Governor Anandiben Patel, Mata Amritanandamayi, RSS functionary Bhaiya Ji, Treasurer Govind Dev Giri, Trustee Anil Mishra, family members of artisans involved in temple construction, and thousands of Ram devotees were present on the occasion. Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : Kerala BJP President, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, on Thursday, remarked, "You have to be a sycophant if you have to be successful in the Congress." Speaking to reporters, he said, "You can't have it. Being in the Congress and having self-respect are two contradictions." Chandrasekhar will contest from the Nemom constituency in the Kerala Assembly election, scheduled to be held on April 9 to elect a new 140-member Assembly. The results will be announced on May 4. He further added, "A regular Malayali politician is a man or a woman of incredible self respect." The Kerala BJP President, said, "I'm sorry to say this like this, but when you are a party that is built around, or is now built around only the sycophancy around one family, and you have no ideology, no uniting vision for the country or for the state, then obviously people from the Congress will get frustrated." He claimed that senior leaders are quitting the Congress because the party only wants to see how far one is "sycophantic to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi." He professed, "Because the only qualification that the leadership of the Congress wants is how close you are to Rahul Gandhi or how sycophantic you are to Rahul Gandhi. That is why so many senior leaders are joining the BJP-NDA because, look, at the end of the day, people have self-respect." The BJP leader added, "They also want a life, a political life where they can protect their self-respect and do their work without having to carry somebody's bag or listen to nonsense being spouted by a leader and just say it's great because he is Rahul Gandhi." About reports of Congress fielding former MLA, K.S. Sabarinathan against him, Chandrasekhar said, "Everybody has a right to contest wherever they want. I look forward to a strong contest. I look forward to a mature contest, whoever the Opposition party candidates are." He shared that he does not consider these elections anything less than a contest of ideas and development. He said, "If any MLA has great ideas for the development of his or her constituency, I am happy to compete with them. I don't see any A, B or C name. It is competition between the NDA (and others)." "We will see, doesn't matter. Everybody is welcome and everybody should contest," the state party President said. Notably, the party currently has no representation in the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly, having lost its lone seat Nemom in Thiruvananthapuram district after its historic 2016 victory. BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China has put forward three proposals regarding high-quality universal energy access, artificial intelligence (AI) plus energy and coordinated energy governance to promote energy cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The proposals were raised at the 71st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working Group meeting, held from Wednesday to Thursday in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province. The proposals call for inclusive development to extend energy benefits to all through regional collaboration and diversified technologies. They advocate for accelerated innovation to integrate AI and energy through aligned strategies and standards. Additionally, they emphasize strengthened coordination to enhance the effectiveness, transparency and resilience of energy governance through policy dialogue and information sharing. He Yang, deputy head of the National Energy Administration, emphasized the Asia-Pacific's pivotal dual role as a global energy consumption hub and the engine of global energy production and transformation. China is committed to promoting the building of a safe, resilient and affordable energy system in the Asia-Pacific region, and contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to the energy security, stability and sustainable development in the region and the world, He said. Kabul, March 19 : Pakistani military forces fired over 70 artillery shells in Afghanistan's Kunar province, local media reported on Thursday, citing officials. The incident coincided with Eid al-Fitr, during which Afghanistan and Pakistan had announced a temporary pause in hostilities. Zia-ur-Rahman Spin Ghar, head of information at Kunar's Department of Information and Culture, said 35 shells were fired in several areas, including Barikot, Dokalam and Tsongalai in Narai district, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported. Furthermore, 37 shells were reported in parts of Manogai district. So far, no casualties have been reported, according to local authorities. However, Zia-ur-Rahman Spin Ghar said that shelling in Narai was ongoing, with some rounds reportedly landing near people returning to their homes. The authorities have urged residents to remain alert and seek shelter in safer areas as officials continue to monitor the situation. The incident has been reported amid a series of exchanges between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have escalated security concerns in regions along the Durand Line. Afghan authorities have repeatedly accused Pakistan of targeting civilians while Islamabad has claimed that its military operations were aimed at militant groups operating on Afghan soil. On Wednesday, Afghanistan said it would pause its 'Rad al-Zulm' defensive operations for Eid at the request of mediating nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye. In a statement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the halt showcased goodwill towards mediation efforts. He emphasised that Afghan forces would "respond bravely" to any aggression threatening national security, territorial integrity, or civilian lives. Pakistan also announced temporary pause in military operations for Eid, with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar saying that the decision was taken at the request of the regional mediators. On Tuesday, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi condemned Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul, terming it a serious violation of humanitarian and Islamic principles. He said that more than 408 people were killed and over 260 others were injured in Pakistani strike, majority of them patients at a drug rehabilitation centre, Ariana News reported. He accused Pakistan of deliberately targeting civilian facilities. Speaking to diplomats and representatives from various organisations in Kabul, Muttaqi said that the Pakistani airstrike targeted one of the most vulnerable groups in society people who were receiving treatment for drug addiction. He said that repeated attacks since February, including strikes on civilian areas in various parts of Afghanistan, have diminished trust in diplomatic solutions. He warned that Afghan forces will continue "proportionate and legitimate" defensive responses if attacks continue, emphasising that Afghanistan does not want war but will protect its sovereignty and territory. Bhubaneswar, March 19 : The Odisha Assembly continued to witness massive protests by opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress for the third consecutive day, demanding the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling over the tragic fire accident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on March 16. a Bhubaneswar, March 19 (IANS) The Odisha Assembly continued to witness massive protests by opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress for the third consecutive day, demanding the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling over the tragic fire accident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on March 16. Opposition MLAs holding placards and banners raised anti-government slogans near the Speaker's podium when the house proceedings commenced on Thursday. After just a few minutes of Question Hour proceedings, the Speaker was forced to adjourn the House till 11:30 a.m. due to the huge pandemonium. BJD and Congress members intensified their protests during the Zero Hour and continued disrupting the House's proceedings. Speaker Padhy later also convened an all-party meeting to solve the impasse and to ensure the smooth functioning of the house. However, the all-party also failed to yield any positive outcomes. Defending the continued disruptions in the Odisha Assembly, BJD MLA Sarada Prasanna Jena on Thursday said the opposition will continue its protest until accountability is fixed for the SCB Medical College and Hospital fire tragedy. Jena alleged that the Assembly has remained non-functional for the past three days as the opposition continues to press for action, accusing the government of failing to respond adequately to the incident that claimed 13 lives and left several others injured. Demanding moral accountability, the BJD leader said the Health Minister should resign and take responsibility for the tragedy. He also called for a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for each bereaved family, alleging that the state government has refused to accept this demand. "Given the magnitude of the incident, there must be accountability on moral and administrative grounds. The Health Minister should step down, and adequate compensation must be provided to the victims' families," Jena said. Meanwhile, BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik attacked the state government, saying that following a similar fire incident at a private hospital during the previous BJD government under former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the then Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak resigned on moral grounds, and the hospital's owner was also arrested. She alleged, however, despite the death of so many patients in the fire accident at the premier government-run hospital on March 16, the health minister is not stepping down. She alleged the BJP-led state government lacks any sense of ethical standards and morality. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara on Thursday rejected the demand for the Health Minister's resignation, urging the opposition to engage in constructive debate within the House. He said the government is actively addressing the situation and has already taken action against four officials in connection with the recent incident. He further assured that the administration is implementing step-by-step measures to plug gaps and improve the system. Targeting the previous government, Samantray attributed the current shortcomings to years of neglect. "Had the healthcare system been properly strengthened during the 25 years of the previous regime, such issues would not have arisen today," he said. Calling for a more constructive approach, Samantray appealed to opposition members to raise their concerns on the Assembly floor. Islamabad, March 19 : Pakistan's response to the ongoing conflict in West Asia has sparked concerns about the strength and credibility of the Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Military Defence Agreement. Recent events involving Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have revealed cracks in ties long projected as strategic and reliable. Islamabad, March 19 (IANS) Pakistan's response to the ongoing conflict in West Asia has sparked concerns about the strength and credibility of the Saudia"Pakistan Strategic Military Defence Agreement. Recent events involving Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have revealed cracks in ties long projected as strategic and reliable. "The agreement, first signed with much fanfare, was framed as a partnership in which both nations would support each other in the event of external threats. Analysts at the time likened it to a NATO-style alliance, with the principle that aggression against one would be considered aggression against both. The pact was presented as a symbol of brotherhood and strategic alignment between a wealthy Gulf state and its South Asian partner, with Islamabad positioning itself as a reliable provider of security support," a report in South Africa's 'The Star' stated. "Fast forward to 28 February 2026, when coordinated strikes attributed to United States and Israel targeted Iranian military and political infrastructure. Tehran responded with retaliatory strikes targetting Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia. In theory, this should have been a moment when Pakistanas commitment under the defence pact was tested. Yet, Pakistan has not made any visible military contribution, prompting observers to question its role as a dependable partner," it added. Pakistan, instead of projecting force in support of Saudi Arabia, has remained focused on its conflict with Afghanistan. The recent escalation of tensions has allowed Pakistan to effectively sidestep the more immediate obligations that the agreement with Saudi Arabia might suggest. Analysts have contended that Pakistan's calculated restraint demonstrates domestic constraints and a broader reassessment of what it is willing to commit in international military partnerships. The current situation showcases a difference between rhetoric and action. For years, Pakistan has projected itself as a strategic anchor for Saudi Arabia's security, however, at the time of demand, the alliance seems less robust than previously suggested. For Saudi Arabia, this gap between expectation and action is likely disconcerting, the report highlighted. "The kingdom invested significant diplomatic and strategic capital in framing the SMDA as a serious and binding commitment. For years, Saudi officials have cited the pact as evidence of Islamabadas reliability and as a hedge against regional threats. The present crisis, however, suggests that when tested under real conditions, Pakistanas support may be more symbolic than operational. The implications of Pakistanas cautious posture are complex. "Firstly, it could affect Saudi Arabia's calculations in the West Asia, particularly regarding defence partnerships and dependence on regional allies. Saudi Arabia may now consider alternative arrangements or to deepen cooperation with other partners, including Western states, to compensate for gaps observed in Pakistan's commitment. Secondly, credibility of Pakistan in regional diplomacy could be tested. Other nations observing the agreement's implementation may question on whether they should trust Pakistan for future crisis, impacting its strategic leverage and its standing as a regional actor," The Star report stated. Hyderabad/Amaravati, March 19 : Telugu New Year 'Ugadi' was celebrated with traditional fervour on Thursday across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.a A festive atmosphere prevailed across both Telugu states as thousands thronged temples, praying for prosperity. Special prayers were held at Tirumala, Srisailam, Vijayawada and Bhadrachalam temples.a People offered special prayers, decorated the entrances of their houses and shops with strings of mango leaves, savoured traditional food, and listened to the 'panchangnam' (almanack) to usher in the New Year.a Named as aSri Parabhava Namaa this year, Ugadi was celebrated with gaiety and traditional enthusiasm in both the Telugu states.a People attended special functions where pundits read out the religious almanack of the coming year. Literary discussions, poetry recitations, recognition of authors through awards and cultural programmes marked the day.a Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was the chief guest at the main official function held at Ravindra Bharathi in Hyderabad.a Organised by the Telangana Departments of Language and Culture and Endowments, the event featured the reading of an almanack by a Vedic scholar.a Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Konda Surekha, and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud, MP Vem Narender Reddy, MLAs, MLCs, Corporation Chairpersons, and officials attended the event.a Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu participated in the main official celebrations held in Vijayawada.a Ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy and Kandula Durgesh, MLAs Bonda Umamaheswara Rao and Gadde Rammohan, and MLC Panchumarthi Anuradha, along with several Corporation Chairpersons and officials, participated in the event.a At both the main official events, the chief ministers, ministers, and other leaders tasted the traditional 'Ugadi Pacchadi', a mixture of neem buds, raw mango, tamarind juice, pepper, jaggery, and salt, which is a staple of celebratory dishes. The mixture symbolises various hues of life.a Both the Chief Ministers greeted people and wished that the new year brings prosperity and well-being for everyone.a Chief Minister Naidu said that aUgadi Pacchadia reflects our lives. Just as the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs of life, are intertwined and inseparable, all these diverse flavours are intertwined and inseparable, he added.a Cultural programmes marked the main official celebrations. The state governments also presented awards to some individuals for their services in different walks of life.a The awards were presented in the fields of literature, music, arts, and social service. Chief Minister Naidu presented the Kalaratna awards to 38 individuals and the Ugadi awards to 122 individuals.a Ugadi celebrations were also held at the offices of the political parties.a The celebrations were held in a traditional manner at the TDP central office. Key party leaders and activists participated in the celebrations and exchanged Ugadi greetings.a TDPas Andhra Pradesh unit president Palla Srinivasa Rao; former MLC and TDP central office Secretary Parchuri Ashok Babu; TDP Politburo member Varla Ramaiah, and other leaders were present.a Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his wife, Y.S. Bharathi, participated in the celebrations at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli.a Jagan participated in the festivities in traditional attire, symbolising cultural reverence and Telugu heritage.a The rituals were conducted in a traditional manner, followed by Panchanga Sravanam delivered by renowned scholar Pidaparthi Bhaskara Subrahmanya Sastry. After the ceremony, Vedic scholars offered blessings and presented teertha prasadam to the couple.a At Congress party headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, along with other leaders, participated in Ugadi celebrations.a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders K. T. Rama Rao and Harish Rao participated in the celebrations at Telangana Bhavan.a a Prayagraj/New Delhi, March 19 : The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to an accused in a vehicle theft case while directing the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation for his prolonged incarceration caused by incorrect criminal history submitted by the police. Allowing the bail application filed by Furkan, who was booked in a case registered at Quarsi police station in Aligarh district under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a single-judge Bench of Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal noted that the applicant had remained in jail for an additional 15 days due to an error on the part of the investigating officer, who had incorrectly reported that the accused faced 12 criminal cases instead of five. "It is not in dispute that the applicant has remained in jail for additional 15 days for the reason that incorrect criminal history of 12 cases has been sent by the concerned I.O., though the applicant has already explained the criminal history of five cases," Justice Deshwal recorded. The Allahabad High Court, therefore, directed that "compensation of Rs 50,000 shall be paid by the state to the applicant within a period of one month from today". At the same time, Justice Deshwal clarified that there was no mala fide intent on the part of the Investigating Officer and attributed the error to negligence. "From the perusal of record, it is also clear that there was no malafide on the part of the I.O. but there was a mistake because of his negligence that may be due to the workload on him," the order observed. The bail application had earlier been heard on February 23, when an objection was raised by the prosecution that the applicant had disclosed only five cases, while the case diary reflected 12 FIRs. This prompted the Allahabad High Court to seek assistance from the Additional Director General, Technical Services, who later clarified that the discrepancy arose due to an error in data entry. Taking note of the submissions and the overall facts, Justice Deshwal held that, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the applicant was entitled to bail. "Considering the entire facts and circumstances, submissions of learned counsel for the parties and keeping in view the nature of offence, evidence, complicity of accused and taking into account overcrowded jails and heavy pendency of criminal cases before the trial courta and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, I am of the opinion that the applicant is entitled to be enlarged on bail," the judge said. Apart from granting relief to the applicant, the Allahabad High Court issued a series of administrative directions to streamline criminal justice processes. It directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure accuracy in criminal history reporting and asked the Director of Prosecution to provide adequate staffing so that digital systems like the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) can be effectively utilised. --IANS pds/vd Ranchi, March 19 : The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday slammed state police over the handling of a case involving a missing 18-year-old girl from Bokaro, raising concerns over delays and lack of progress in the investigation. Hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by the womanas mother, a Division Bench led by Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad questioned the Bokaro Superintendent of Police (SP) on why the case should not be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Court observed that negligence in such sensitive cases cannot be tolerated and expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and direction of the probe. It noted the absence of tangible progress despite several months have already passed. Counsel for the petitioner, Vincent Rohit Marqui, informed the Bench that the girl has been missing since July 31, 2025. An FIR (Case No. 147/2025) was registered at Pindrajora Police Station in Bokaro in connection with the disappearance. During the investigation, the family reportedly received a phone call on December 11, 2025, indicating that the girl was in Pune. Police subsequently detained the caller, who claimed during interrogation that the girl was staying with an acquaintance in the city. However, in a serious lapse, the detained man managed to escape while being escorted by police to Pune by train, derailing a key lead in the case. Appearing virtually, the Bokaro SP told the court that multiple raids have been conducted in Pune and nearby areas to trace the missing girl. Police have also detained another suspect and are preparing to conduct a narco-analysis test in an attempt to gather further leads. The Bench, however, remained unconvinced. Recalling a 2020 case from Bokaro where a missing woman was later found to have been murdered, the court stressed the need for greater urgency, accountability and sensitivity in such investigations. The matter remains under consideration, with the court indicating it may take a call on transferring the probe to the CBI if progress remains unsatisfactory. New Delhi, March 19 : The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Thursday, issued directions to facilitate the elderly, persons with disabilities (PwD), service voters, and voters on election duty, to vote using postal ballots in the upcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, an official said. "The Commission, as per Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has notified that electors above the age of 85 years and persons with disabilities (PwDs) flagged in electoral rolls may cast their vote through postal ballot," the official said in a statement. The postal ballots cast should reach the concerned Returning Officers (ROs) by 8 a.m. on the date of counting of votes on May 4, 2026, the statement said. The ECI said that such voters can avail this facility using Form-12 D and submitting to the RO through their booth level officer within five days of notification of elections. "Polling teams will collect their votes at their homes, as per schedule to be prepared by the respective Returning Officers and shared with the candidates as well," the statement added. Voters on essential services on the date of polling can apply for the postal ballot facility through the designated nodal officer of their respective department, the ECI said. "Essential services such as fire services, health, electricity, traffic, ambulance services, aviation and long-distance Government Road Transport Corporations are covered under this facility," the poll body added. Mediapersons authorised by the Election Commission for poll day coverage have also been included in the category of absentee voters on essential services and are entitled to postal ballot facility, the statement said. A voter on election duty would receive his postal ballot, record his vote thereon, and return it at the facilitation centre. The ECI has issued directions in this regard to ensure that voting takes place with complete secrecy for the voter at the facilitation centre, the statement added. Service voters will be sent their postal ballots electronically by the RO through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System, immediately on finalisation of list of contesting candidates. Service voters are not required to bear the cost of postal services, the statement said. ECI Deputy Director, P. Pawan, said in a statement that the Returning Officer (RO)/District Election Officer (DEO) have also been directed to brief the political parties/contesting candidates regarding the above provisions. While announcing the Assembly election schedule on Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said, "Assam and Keralam will vote in a single phase on April 9. The Union Territory of Puducherry will go to the polls on April 9. In Tamil Nadu, all 234 Assembly seats will go to polls in a single phase on April 23." "For the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, the polling will be held in two phases. As many as 152 Assembly seats will see elections on April 23, while the second phase will be held for the remaining 142 seats on April 29," Paswan added. The results in all states and the lone Union Territory will be announced on May 4. Jaipur, March 19 : The health of Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde deteriorated suddenly on Thursday in Jodhpur, marking the second such episode in the past 10 days. He is currently resting at the Circuit House, where a team of doctors is monitoring his condition. According to officials, the Governor had travelled to Jodhpur to attend the convocation ceremony at MBM Engineering University. Shortly after returning to the Circuit House from the event, he complained of uneasiness, prompting the immediate arrival of a medical team. Reports indicate that the Governor experienced vomiting and discomfort soon after the ceremony. Officials at the Circuit House alerted the Health Department, following which doctors conducted an on-site medical examination and advised complete rest. He is currently under close observation and receiving preliminary treatment. The Jodhpur health administration has been placed on high alert in view of his condition. Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur has been kept on standby, with a specialised team of doctors ready in case hospitalisation becomes necessary. His condition is being continuously monitored. Earlier in the day, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani paid a courtesy visit to the Governor. During the meeting, Bagde appeared healthy and in good spirits. He also released a book related to Devnani's tenure and extended his congratulations. The Governor has been facing health issues over the past few days. On March 10, he was admitted to the ICU at Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur due to a urinary tract infection, mild kidney problems, and fever. He was later discharged after showing improvement. Doctors had advised rest at the time, but the recurrence of symptoms has raised fresh concerns. The administration is currently awaiting an official health bulletin. Bagde, aged 80, is currently serving as the 45th Governor of Rajasthan since 2024. A native of Maharashtra, he was the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2014. Bagde, who has been a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist and member since his childhood, is considered to have played a significant role in boosting the BJP's presence in the Marathwada region. Ahmedabad, March 19 : A year-long expansion of preventive screening in Gujarat has led to the identification of more than 3,000 pre-cancerous oral conditions, with health officials linking the rise to earlier detection and wider outreach rather than an increase in disease incidence. Data released ahead of World Oral Health Day on March 20 shows that Government Dental College and Hospital identified 3,023 cases of pre-malignant diseases (PMDs) in 2025, compared with 2,617 cases in 2024. The cases were detected through 12,915 screenings conducted during a statewide campaign held between March 20 and April 20 last year under the National Oral Health Programme (NOHP). Officials said the programme, carried out in a "mission mode" across 33 districts by 282 dentists, focussed on early-stage detection of oral cancer, enabling timely intervention. "As a result of the state government's preventive healthcare policy, significant success is being achieved in identifying cancer at its earliest stage. This effort is not only saving lives but also reducing the burden on the healthcare system," an official statement said. The campaign also included 265 health awareness sessions, two walkathons and tobacco cessation pledges administered at 94 locations. ASHA workers were provided specialised training to strengthen monitoring and early identification of oral health conditions at the grassroots level. The institution, operating under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, reported that more than 2,24,130 patients accessed dental outpatient department (OPD) services between January and December 2025. The upward trend has continued in 2026, with 17,788 patients treated in January and 17,564 in February. Officials said the figures indicate increasing public awareness and timely utilisation of oral healthcare services. Alongside hospital-based care, outreach efforts were extended to underserved and vulnerable populations. Through mobile dental units and 45 special outreach camps, oral health check-ups were conducted for more than 4,980 beneficiaries, including prison inmates, pregnant women, elderly persons and children with disabilities. Officials said the outreach initiative ensured that sensitive groups received targeted screening and treatment, while school-based camps prioritised care for children, particularly those with disabilities. Preventive treatments such as pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnish were administered within school premises to reduce the risk of dental disease and related complications. "The efforts and achievements of GDCH Ahmedabad demonstrate that the institution is rapidly emerging as a role model in the field of oral healthcare in the country," the statement added. Bhopal, March 19 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a strong warning for Madhya Pradesh, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds across large parts of the state over the next three days. The Meteorological Centre in Bhopal has cautioned that the unstable weather system, driven by multiple cyclonic circulations and a western disturbance, will intensify through March 21 before gradually easing. According to the IMDas Bhopal office, districts in central and western Madhya Pradesh, including Bhopal, Indore, Raisen, Sehore, Vidisha, Narmadapuram, Khandwa, Burhanpur and Khargone, are likely to face severe thunderstorms accompanied by hail and winds reaching 40a"50 km per hour. Similar conditions are expected in Datia, Bhind and Betul. On March 20, the focus of the storm activity will shift eastwards, affecting Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Sagar, Sidhi, Singrauli, Rewa, Satna, Shahdol, Umaria, Katni, Panna and Damoh. By March 21, the intensity may reduce slightly, but districts such as Rewa, Shahdol, Singrauli and Anuppur will continue to experience thunderstorms with gusty winds. The IMD has already reported hail activity in parts of Khandwa and Anuppur, and warned that crops, fruits and vegetables are at risk of damage. Farmers have been advised to harvest ripe wheat, mustard and pulses quickly, store produce safely, and avoid irrigation or pesticide use during this period. Livestock should be sheltered indoors, while residents are urged to remain inside during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees, and keep away from electrical poles and water bodies. Vehicles should be parked under covered areas to prevent hail damage. Temperature readings show maximums between 34 and 39 degrees Celsius, with anomalies of up to 3.5 degrees Celsius in Khajuraho and Raisen. Minimum temperatures remain mild, ranging from 15 to 22 degrees Celsius, with Shahdol recording a positive anomaly of 4.2 degrees Celsius. Officials have warned that the combination of hail, lightning and strong winds could disrupt electricity supply and communication lines, and damage weak structures. The IMD has urged residents to stay alert, follow official advisories and take precautionary measures to minimise risks. With widespread warnings in place, Madhya Pradesh is bracing for three days of turbulent weather that could test both rural and urban resilience. NANNING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun hosted the 10th China-Vietnam border defense friendship exchange with his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang from Wednesday to Thursday. Dong said during a meeting with Giang that the two militaries should maintain close strategic communication and conduct in-depth and practical cooperation, contributing to the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Vietnam stands ready to work with China to enhance the quality and efficiency of cooperation across various fields and push for deeper and more substantive military ties, said Giang. During the event, Dong and Giang visited border defense troops, planted trees of friendship, attended the launch ceremony of joint naval patrols and training exercises, and laid flower baskets at a monument paying tribute to the revolutionary martyrs of both countries. Amritsar, March 19 : Punjab Police on Thursday intensified its ongoing anti-drug and anti-gangster crackdown under the 'Gangster Te War' campaign, conducting large-scale Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) in several districts including Barnala, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur. Senior police officials said the coordinated operations were aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and tracking down criminals linked to organised crime. In the Amritsar district, a CASO was carried out in Pandori Warraich village. Special DGP, Traffic, Amardeep Singh Rai, said police teams recovered a weapon and other items during the operation. "This is Pandori Warraich village, which falls under our Amritsar Rural Police district. During the operation, we recovered a gun, cartridges, and a GPS device from a house. The house belongs to a proclaimed offender. He is a wanted individual with six cases registered against him," he said. Officials said the search operation also led to the recovery of ammunition, a magazine, and a GPS device during raids in the village. In Hoshiarpur, a CASO was conducted in Bahadurpur Colony with heavy deployment of police personnel. ADGP, Internal Security, Shive Kumar Verma, said the operation was carried out simultaneously at multiple locations to target drug smugglers. "Today we are conducting a CASO here in Hoshiarpur. We are currently in Bahadurpur Colony. The operation is being carried out at around 18 locations across the district, with approximately 500 personnel deployed," Verma said. He added that police teams first identify areas where drug traffickers are active and then conduct searches at their residences to gather evidence and take legal action. Police officials said such coordinated operations will continue across the state as part of the Punjab Police's ongoing 'Gangster Te War' campaign to curb drug trafficking and organised crime. Meanwhile, in Barnala district, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Sarfaraz Alam said the police have registered a large number of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act as part of the campaign. "Barnala Police, under the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, has registered around 541 cases under the NDPS Act so far and has arrested 1,028 drug traffickers. A large quantity of drugs has also been recovered," Alam said. He added that the police have also taken action against illegal assets linked to drug traffickers. "In addition, the police have demolished 12 illegal properties and frozen illegal assets worth nearly Rs 5 crore, along with making significant seizures," he said. The Barnala police carried out the special anti-drug campaign on the directions of the Punjab Director General of Police, deploying a large force to conduct raids and checks in areas identified as drug trafficking hotspots. Vijayawada, March 19 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday that the objective of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government is to provide financial, social, and health security to every single individual in the state. Addressing Ugadi celebrations here, the Chief Minister added that the state government over the last 21 months launched several schemes to achieve the objective. Listing out the welfare schemes, Chief Minister Naidu said that through the 'Talli ki Vandanam' scheme, the state government is providing financial assistance to mothers, regardless of the number of children they have. Under 'Annadata Sukhibhava,' the state government is providing annual financial assistance of Rs 20,000 each to farmers. Through 'Stree Shakti', the Andhra Pradesh government introduced free regional transport corporation bus travel for women. As of now, women have undertaken 56 crore journeys. Under 'Divyang Shakti' initiative, the state government is providing free bus travel facility for persons with disabilities. "We are paying a monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000 to temple priests (Archakas), and we are also providing honorariums to Imams and Muezzins. We are working with the objective of ensuring that everyone in society lives happily." The Chief Minister also spoke about the 'P4' programme, saying it is aimed at elevating the living standards of the poor. "We launched this programme to enable the wealthiest 10 per cent of society to support and uplift the bottom 20 per cent," he said. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the state government will launch various initiatives under comprehensive Population Management Policy to boost population growth. He also added that the state government is contemplating measures to revive the system of joint families. The Chief Minister said that to ensure comprehensive development, the state government is developing regional economic corridors at Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Amaravati. He noted that the state government plans to develop the state through short, medium, and long-term plans. The state government will develop a robust logistics ecosystem by integrating ports, airports, roadways, and railway lines. The Chief Minister reiterated that the Polavaram project will be completed and dedicated to the nation before the commencement of the Godavari Pushkarams. Consequently, water will flow via gravity to the Krishna Delta and Visakhapatnam, rendering the entire state fertile and prosperous. While thanking the Central government for providing funds for Polavaram, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that an additional Rs 5,000 crore is still required. State Ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy and Kandula Durgesh; MLAs Bonda Umamaheswara Rao and Gadde Rammohan; MLC Panchumarthi Anuradha; along with several Corporation Chairpersons and officials, participated in the event. The Chief Minister, Ministers, and TDP leaders tasted the traditional 'Ugadi Pachadi'. Madugula Nagaphani Sarma read the 'Panchanga Sravanam' (almanac). Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that 'Ugadi Pachadi' reflect our lives as it comprises a blend of various tastes -- sour, sweet, astringent, bitter, and spicy. "Just like the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs of life, all these diverse flavors are intertwined and inseparable," he added. New Delhi, March 19 : World Health Organisation regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhy said the organisation is preparing for the possibility of a nuclear incident in the Middle East as the USaIsraelaIran conflict intensifies adding that it is reviewing protocols to deal with radiation exposure. New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) World Health Organisation regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhy said the organisation is preparing for the possibility of a nuclear incident in the Middle East as the USIsraelIran conflict intensifies adding that it is reviewing protocols to deal with radiation exposure. The report from Politico cited the top official warning that such a "nuclear incident" is the "worst-case scenario-something that worries us the most". Health officials are also reviewing protocols to deal with radiation exposure, mass casualties, and long-term environmental damage, drawing on lessons from past nuclear disasters, according to the report. Balkhy warned that the effects of a nuclear incident would extend far beyond the immediate conflict zone and could persist for decades. "As much as we prepare, there's nothing that can prevent the harm that will come the region's way and globally if this eventually happens and the consequences are going to last for decades," she said. WHO's warning holds relevance amid escalating strikes in the region, including attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure and energy facilities, which international agencies warned could cause "a radiological incident" even if nuclear weapons are not used. Meanwhile in US, Robert Kadlec, assistant secretary of defence for nuclear deterrence and chemical and biological defence, said US strategy had reached "a critical inflexion point". The United States faces an "unprecedented challenge" of deterring two nuclear peers at the same time, senior defence officials told lawmakers, as military leaders warned of growing threats from China and Russia across nuclear, missile, and space domains. Kadlec also pressed for theatre-range nuclear options. "SLCM-N is one example," he said. "It is essential and a vital tool for managing escalation in a conflict with a peer competitor." He called for acceleration of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, the Columbia-class submarine, the B-21 bomber, and the Long Range Stand Off cruise missile. IANS aar/pk New Delhi, March 19 : Global semiconductor major Infineon Technologies AG on Thursday partnered with Indian power-electronics firm Zenergize to support the country's clean energy and electric mobility push. New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Global semiconductor major Infineon Technologies AG on Thursday partnered with Indian power-electronics firm Zenergize to support the countryas clean energy and electric mobility push. The collaboration was announced at the Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) 2026 held at Yashobhoomi in the national capital. The partnership focuses on technology integration and product development, and does not involve setting up a joint venture. Under the agreement, Infineon will provide advanced power semiconductor solutions, including silicon carbide (SiC) technology, along with engineering support. These technologies are expected to improve the performance of systems used in solar energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and energy storage. Infineon said its wide-bandgap semiconductor technology can deliver higher efficiency, lower power losses, and better power density compared to traditional silicon-based systems. This could help improve solar inverters, make EV chargers faster and more reliable, and enhance the efficiency of energy storage solutions, especially in Indiaas challenging conditions. The partnership also highlights Infineonas long-term focus on India. The company has been present in the country for nearly 30 years and employs over 2,500 people across multiple locations. Company executives said the tie-up will combine Infineonas global technology expertise with Zenergizeas understanding of local requirements. This is expected to help develop products tailored for Indian conditions, with the potential to scale globally in the future. The collaboration comes at a time when India is investing heavily in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and distributed power systems. Government initiatives and rising demand for clean energy solutions are creating strong opportunities for companies working in the power-electronics space. Infineon said partnerships like this will help strengthen Indiaas domestic technology ecosystem and support its broader goal of becoming self-reliant in critical sectors while maintaining global standards. New Delhi, March 19 : Aiming to promote Ayush-based preventive healthcare, wellness, yoga and stress management among its personnel, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Ayush, an official said on Thursday. The collaboration seeks to deepen cooperation between the two organisations to extend Ayush-based preventive, promotive, and wellness services to CISF personnel, the official said in a statement. The MoU aims to promote Ayush-based preventive healthcare, wellness, yoga, stress management, and overall well-being among CISF personnel and their families, it said. The agreement was signed by Dr. A. Raghu, Adviser (Ayu.), Ministry of Ayush, and Pratibha Agarwal, Inspector General (Administration), CISF Headquarters, New Delhi. The MoU will remain in force for a period of five years from the date of signing. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of senior officials, including Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Praveer Ranjan, IPS, Director General, CISF. Key focus areas include awareness generation, sensitisation programmes, wellness interventions, yoga practices, lifestyle management, and holistic healthcare through Ayush systems. The initiative will also explore the provision of Ayush OPD-level services at CISF establishments, wherever feasible. Under the terms of the MoU, the Ministry of Ayush will extend technical support, develop wellness modules, and provide expert guidance through its institutions and research councils. CISF, on the other hand, will facilitate the implementation of these initiatives across its units and establishments. The partnership marks an important step towards integrating traditional systems of medicine into the daily lives of security personnel, thereby improving health, resilience, and overall quality of life. Last year, the Ministry of Ayush signed a MoU and Donor Agreement with WHO for developing a dedicated Traditional Medicine module within the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI), the international global standard for classifying healthcare interventions. India is facilitating both the financial and technical frameworks necessary to bring Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems into the global healthcare mainstream. Kolkata, March 19 : The new West Bengal Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala and state Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh visited the Raj Bhavan on Thursday to meet the new Governor R.N. Ravi. According to an insider at the State Secretariat Nabanna, they remained there for nearly 30 minutes. This marks the first instance since assuming office that Governor Ravi has met with any administrative official of the state government, besides meeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others during the oath-taking ceremony on March 12. The Governor made detailed inquiries regarding the current situation in the state, especially in the view of the upcoming Assembly polls. Reports indicate that a meeting took place. On March 15, the day the Model Code of Conduct came into effect in the state following the issuance of Assembly polls notification, the Election Commission effected a reshuffle in the posts of Chief Secretary and Home Secretary for which Dushyant Nariala and Sanghamitra Ghosh were appointed respectively. Governor Ravi has now held discussions with them. According to the insider, the Governor's office has not yet been fully set up. Governor Ravi has requested the appointment of a state Secretary. Reports suggest that once a Secretary is appointed, the Governor plans to commence his work in a more organised manner. However, it was learnt that Governor Ravi has already become active even before his office has been fully arranged. He has begun making inquiries regarding the state's situation against the backdrop of the ongoing Assembly elections. It may be noted that once the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, the Election Commission is vested with special powers. It is empowered to issue directives regarding the transfer of state government bureaucrats, officials, and police chiefs. Meanwhile, prior to the announcement of the state elections, C.V. Ananda Bose resigned from the office of the West Bengal Governor. R.N. Ravi was appointed as the permanent Governor to succeed Ananda Bose. Following these administrative reshuffles, Governor Ravi, on Thursday, held discussions with the new Chief Secretary Nariala and Home Secretary Ghosh for the first time. New Delhi, March 19 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday deferred a hearing on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking expunging of certain adverse observations made against it by a trial court while discharging all accused, including AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, in the excise policy case. A single-judge Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma allowed the request made by the counsel for AAP leaders and other respondents, who sought additional time to place their replies on record. Appearing for the federal anti-money laundering agency, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, along with special counsel Zoheb Hossain, opposed the request and submitted that there was no requirement to seek replies from the respondents since they had already been served with copies of the petition. Raju contended that the respondents were attempting to delay the proceedings and argued that no prejudice would be caused to them if the Delhi High Court were to pass an order in favour of the ED without waiting for their responses. However, Justice Sharma said that since an order had already been passed calling for replies, the respondents should be given an opportunity to present their case. "Since I passed an order, if they want to say something, let them say. Let it be listed for April 2. I will hear and then pass a final order. They (ED) can start. Maybe you (respondents) won't even start on that date. Only reply is being called for April 2. Nothing is happening on that day," the judge observed. The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 2. The development comes in a plea filed by the ED seeking deletion of certain portions of the February 27 order passed by the Rouse Avenue Court, which had discharged all 23 accused in the corruption case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy introduced by the then AAP-led Delhi government. The ED has contended that the trial court made sweeping and extraneous observations against it despite the proceedings relating only to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case, and argued that such remarks were recorded without granting the federal anti-money laundering agency an opportunity of being heard. Earlier, on March 10, the Delhi High Court had issued notice on the ED's plea and indicated that it would be heard along with the CBI's criminal revision petition challenging the discharge order. Justice Sharma had observed that the entire trial court judgment was already under challenge and said it would examine whether such general observations could have been made against the ED in the absence of proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Separately, the Delhi High Court is also seized of the CBI's revision plea assailing the discharge of Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 others, in which it has already issued notice and stayed the trial court's direction ordering departmental action against a CBI officer, along with the remarks made against the investigating agency. The CBI has argued that the trial court's order was legally flawed and amounted to an acquittal without trial, alleging that the excise policy was manipulated to benefit select liquor traders in exchange for bribes. Meanwhile, Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court challenging the refusal of the Delhi High Court Chief Justice to transfer the CBI's plea from the Bench of Justice Sharma, contending that the decision raises a reasonable apprehension regarding impartiality. He has also filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the apex court challenging the stay ordered by the Delhi High Court during the hearing of the CBI's revision plea. New Delhi, March 19 : The Defence Ministry's Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) will organise a mega job fair for ex-servicemen at Aravali Auditorium, Near Shankar Vihar Metro Station, Delhi Cantonment, on Friday, a Defence Ministry official said.a The job fair will begin at the auditorium at 7 a.m., and the ex-servicemen will be required to carry their I-Card and five copies of their biodata, it added.a The DGR said the fair will offer several benefits to industry employers, including free online registration, free job postings, free stall allotment, and free access to resumes of ex-servicemen. aEarlier, a similar job fair was held by the Defence Ministry in Chandigarh on March 17. These job fairs serve as a dedicated platform to connect Ex-Servicemen of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force with leading employers from the Corporate and Industry sectors, including security, IT, administration, logistics, healthcare, and engineering, said an official statement.a Sharing information on the job fair in Delhi, a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said this initiative reflects the continued commitment of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (MoD) towards resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen, ensuring they are recognised for their discipline, leadership and technical expertise a" skills that are highly valued in the civilian job market.a The DGR is conducting 18 job fairs for ex-servicemen at various locations pan India during FY 2025-26, out of which 17 job fairs have been conducted in Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kolkata, Secunderabad, Jammu, Bhopal, Kochi, Guwahati, Dehradun, Bengaluru, Pune and Chandigarh till now.a Ex-Servicemen will have the opportunity to showcase their talents to recruiters who understand and appreciate the unique value that ex-servicemen bring to the workforce. Employers will gain free access to the resumes of a pool of dedicated, skilled and mission-ready professionals on registration. Employers can plan interviews and select shortlisted candidates prior to the job fair.a Employers and ex-servicemen can register online at www.esmhire.com, an AI-powered job platform. The registration link is also available on the DGR website at www.dgrindia.gov.in under the job fair button.a a New Delhi, March 19 : A Delhi court has dismissed applications filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and other accused seeking supply of unrelied documents in the alleged Railways land-for-jobs corruption case. Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts rejected three separate pleas moved by Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, former officer R.K. Mahajan, and Maheep Kapoor under Section 91 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), observing that the demand for unrelied documents was "untenable" and contrary to the scheme of criminal trial. The court held that unrelied documents cannot be claimed as a matter of right by the accused and may be sought only at an appropriate stage of trial, ordinarily when the defence evidence is led. "The provision of unrelied documents is not an unfinished business of Section 207 CrPC. It is rather a sparing discretion to be exercised by the court at the appropriate stage and with reference to the document sought," the court said. While the accused are entitled to a list of unrelied documents, the court added that they cannot seek all such documents at the outset of prosecution evidence without demonstrating necessity and relevance. Rejecting the plea of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi seeking all 1,675 unrelied documents, the court observed that such a request would disrupt the trial and invert the statutory scheme. "The prayer appears designed to condemn the trial to a maze at the very outset," the court remarked, adding that allowing such requests would shift focus from relied documents to unrelied material and could lead to "unending cross-examination". It further noted that the accused had already been provided with the list of unrelied documents and given an opportunity to inspect them. Dismissing all three applications, the court held that no exceptional circumstances were made out to justify deviation from the settled position of law. The case pertains to allegations that during his tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, Lalu Prasad Yadav abused his official position to facilitate appointments in the Railways in exchange for land parcels transferred to his family members or associated entities. According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), candidates or their relatives allegedly transferred land at below-market rates, often through cash transactions, as quid pro quo for jobs in different railway zones. Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members have denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty, stating they will contest the case on merits. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court earlier this month issued notice to the CBI on a plea filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav challenging the trial court's order directing framing of charges in the case. In January, the trial court had framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and several of his family members, observing that they appeared to be operating as part of a "criminal enterprise" allegedly using public employment as a means to acquire immovable properties. Bhopal, March 19 : In a bid to seek investment and industrial establishment in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will participate in a business event to be held at ITC Rajputana at Jaipur in Rajasthan on March 21, government officials said on Thursday. The Chief Minister will interact with the industrialists and he will highlight investment opportunities, new industrial policies and robust infrastructures in the state, according to an official statement from the state government. The Jaipur session will witness participation from industrialists and representatives of industry bodies across key sectors, including agriculture, food processing, dairy, textiles and garments, automobiles, electric vehicles, renewable energy, mining and minerals and tourism. The session will feature direct interaction with Chief Minister Yadav and one-on-one meetings with selected investors, focusing on sector-specific opportunities, project-level collaboration, and time-bound investment implementation. "The primary objective of the event is to provide industrialists and investors from Jaipur and nearby regions of Rajasthan with firsthand and factual information about the industrial opportunities, advanced infrastructure, progressive policies and attractive incentive schemes available in Madhya Pradesh, thereby encouraging them to invest in the state," the state government said. It added that the year 2026 has been designated as the 'Year of Agriculture', with a renewed focus on integrating agriculture, agri-business, food processing and the rural economy with industrial development, ensuring balanced and inclusive growth. Earlier, on February 26, Chief Minister Yadav invited investments in the country's first PM MITRA Park in Dhar district during a successful interactive session on the textile sector held in Rajasthan's Bhilwara. "Continuing that momentum, the Jaipur event marks the second major engagement to showcase Madhya Pradesh's industrial strength and investment potential. The implementation of 18 new industrial policies in a short span, along with the introduction of two 'Jan Vishwas Acts' to simplify, enhance transparency and make processes industry-friendly, reflects the state's reform-driven and investment-oriented approach," it added. The state government aims to showcase Madhya Pradesh's industrial potential, attract domestic and global investors, encourage the establishment of industries, and create new opportunities for employment, skill development and regional prosperity. During the session, a detailed presentation will also be made by the Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, highlighting the state's industrial readiness, infrastructure expansion, expressway and industrial corridor connectivity, and logistics efficiency. A trail is seen from northern Israel near the border with Lebanon as Israeli air defense systems launch interceptor missiles against rockets fired from Lebanon, on March 18, 2026. Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel on March 2, the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov. 27, 2024, prompting Israel to intensify military operations targeting multiple areas across Lebanon. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Israeli troops are seen at a staging area in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, March 18, 2026. Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel on March 2, the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov. 27, 2024, prompting Israel to intensify military operations targeting multiple areas across Lebanon. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) New Delhi, March 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jordan's King Abdullah II held a telephonic conversation on Thursday, their second this month, expressing concern over the evolving situation in West Asia. The two leaders highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region. PM Modi conveyed advance Eid greetings to King Abdullah II and appreciated Jordan's efforts in facilitating the safe return of Indians stranded in the region. "Conveyed advance Eid wishes to my brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II, the King of Jordan, over phone. We expressed concern at the evolving situation in West Asia and highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region," PM Modi posted on X. "Attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia are condemnable and can lead to avoidable escalation. India and Jordan stand in support of unhindered transit of goods and energy. Deeply appreciated Jordan's efforts in facilitating the safe return of Indians stranded in the region," he added. The conversation between two leaders took place amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia that erupted after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 which killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials. In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting the US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals and allied forces in West Asia. Both leaders had already spoken on March 2. Over the past few days, PM Modi has also spoken with the leaders of Malaysia, Oman, France, Kuwait, UAE, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar as India remains in touch with the governments of the region as well as other key partners over the ongoing conflict in Iran and the Gulf region. Earlier in the day, PM Modi spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the situation in West Asia and the urgent need for de-escalation and return to dialogue and diplomacy. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Spoke with my dear friend, President Emmanuel Macron, on the situation in West Asia and the urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We look forward to continuing our close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond." PM Modi also held a telephonic conversation with Oman Sultan Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and reiterated India's condemnation of the recent violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two leaders agreed on the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability. "Had a productive conversation with my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and conveyed advance Eid greetings to the people of Oman. We agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability," PM Modi posted on X after the call. "Reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated Oman's efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals. India and Oman stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," he added. PM Modi also spoke to his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday and discussed the concerning situation in West Asia. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Spoke with my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, and conveyed warm greetings to him and the people of Malaysia on the occasion of the upcoming festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. We also discussed the deeply concerning situation in West Asia and reaffirmed our shared commitment to de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy." Hyderabad, March 19 : Telangana Jagruthi president K. Kavitha said on Thursday that an exercise is currently underway to set the agenda of her proposed party.a Hyderabad, March 19 (IANS) Telangana Jagruthi president K. Kavitha said on Thursday that an exercise is currently underway to set the agenda of her proposed party. She reiterated that she is waiting for a good 'mahuratam' (auspicious time) to launch the political party. In an informal chat with the media, she said her fight will be against Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), led by her father and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), and against the BJP and Congress. "My fight will be against Daddy, Modi and Chinna Modi," she remarked. Kavitha, who quit BRS last year after she was suspended by KCR for anti-party activities, said the party's agenda and goals would be unveiled at the time of its announcement. She believes that the party will have an impact on all the districts. The party will provide more opportunities to youth, women, and those who participated in the Telangana movement. She said with the mission of 'Samajika Telangana', they would work towards 'Sarvodaya Telangana', adding that they were thoroughly studying the Sarvodaya philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. Asserting that her party would practice new politics, she said that there is a need for coalition and 'rainbow' politics. She said that she is contemplating meeting national leaders before announcing the new party. Kavitha also stated that she is looking for a suitable location to set up the party office. Telangana Praja Jagruthi is likely to be the name of Kavitha's proposed party with the symbol of "Dharmaghanta" (Bell of Justice). She has already submitted an application to the Election Commission of India in this regard. On Kavitha's petition, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission to expedite the registration of the new party and the allotment of a new symbol. Meanwhile, after participating in Ugadi celebrations with her husband and Telangana Jagruthi leaders, she released the 'Telangana People's Budget'. A day ahead of the presentation of the State Budget in the Assembly, she proposed a 'People's Budget' of Rs 2.15 lakh crores. Based on suggestions from the public, she made allocations for public welfare and development. She announced that her party would unveil the 'People's Budget' every year on the occasion of Ugadi. Washington, March 19 : The United States has struck more than 7,000 targets inside Iran and is intensifying operations, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asserting that Tehran's military capabilities have been significantly degraded even as the conflict enters a more aggressive phase.a Washington, March 19 (IANS) The United States has struck more than 7,000 targets inside Iran and is intensifying operations, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asserting that Tehran's military capabilities have been significantly degraded even as the conflict enters a more aggressive phase. "We're winning decisively and on our terms," Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon news conference as he pushed back against concerns of a prolonged war. He stressed that the campaign remains "laser focused" and "decisive," aimed at dismantling Iran's missile systems, defence industry, and naval power while preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Hegseth said ballistic missile attacks on US forces are "down 90 per cent since the start of the conflict," adding that similar reductions were seen in drone attacks. "Now the Iranians will still shoot. We know that, but they would shoot a lot more if they could. But they can't," he said. The Pentagon described a broad and sustained military effort across Iranian territory. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine said US forces are "on plan" and continuing to strike deeper targets, including underground facilities. "Yesterday the U.S. military dropped 5,000-pound penetrator weapons into underground storage facilities," Caine said, adding that operations are expanding "further to the east now and penetrating deeper into Iranian airspace." The US has also targeted Iran's naval capabilities. Hegseth said more than 120 vessels have been damaged or sunk and claimed Iran's submarine fleet has been effectively neutralised. "Their surface fleet is no longer a factor," he said. Caine detailed the operational tempo, saying US forces are "unrelenting in our pursuit of Iranian missile capabilities" and continue to "hunt and kill mine storage facilities and naval ammunition depots." The Pentagon also highlighted expanded use of airpower. A-10 aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters are now operating across the southern flank, including in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting fast attack craft and drone positions. Bomber aircraft, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, are conducting long-range strike missions supported by extensive aerial refuelling. Despite the intensity of operations, US officials declined to offer a timeline for ending the campaign. "We're very much on plan," Hegseth said, adding that the decision on when to conclude operations would rest with President Donald Trump. The Defence Secretary framed the conflict as a direct response to Iran's long-standing actions. "They have been at war with us, whether we acknowledge it or not, for 47 years," he said, citing attacks on US personnel and support for militant groups across multiple theatres. Iran retains some offensive capability, the general said. "They came into this fight with a lot of weapons," Caine said, noting continued missile launches and the need for layered defence systems across the region. Hegseth also confirmed strong support from regional allies. "The Gulf states have stepped up incredibly," he said, naming countries including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia as key partners alongside Israel. The Pentagon said it is also countering Iran's information efforts amid internet blackouts inside the country. Hegseth accused the Iranian regime of spreading "fake AI-generated images" to shape perceptions of the conflict. Jaipur, March 19 : On the occasion of Rajasthan Day, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma formally launched the 'Chief Minister's Developed Village-Ward Campaign', a major initiative aimed at transforming development into a mass movement. Jaipur, March 19 (IANS) On the occasion of Rajasthan Day, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma formally launched the aChief Ministeras Developed Villagea"Ward Campaigna, a major initiative aimed at transforming development into a mass movement. Speaking during the launch, while unveiling the campaignas website and video, the Chief Minister said the initiative marks the beginning of a comprehensive movement towards building a Developed Rajasthan. Under the campaign, a development roadmap aligned with local aspirations will be prepared for all Gram Panchayats and urban wards across the state. He called for active public participation to ensure inclusive and holistic development, improving the quality of life for every citizen. CM Sharma emphasised that the master plan should incorporate not only infrastructure development but also local resources, traditional skills, and employment potential. This, he noted, would help maintain demographic balance in villages and reduce migration to urban areas. He directed officials to identify and document each villageas agricultural practices, flora, mineral resources, traditional arts, and industries. In agriculture-focused regions, special emphasis will be placed on establishing processing units, mandis, and value-addition facilities to enhance income and generate local employment. Highlighting recent achievements, the Chief Minister stated that over 1.25 lakh youths have been provided government jobs, around 16 lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis, and financial support to farmers has been increased. As a result, Rajasthanas per capita income has crossed Rs 2 lakh for the first time. The Chief Minister directed that comprehensive socio-economic profiles be prepared for each village, covering key sectors such as education, healthcare, roads, electricity, water supply, and employment. District Collectors have been instructed to engage directly with farmers, youth, and women to gather suggestions. He also encouraged the formation of local groups on the lines of Rajeevika and cooperative societies, along with youth teams to support Panchayat-level planning and development activities. Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister noted that Rajasthan has already released its Vision Document for Viksit Rajasthan 2047. This campaign builds upon earlier budget announcements regarding master plans for rural and urban development, aiming to create a structured roadmap reflecting local needs and aspirations. The Chief Minister recalled that aBrihad Rajasthana was established on March 30, 1949, by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The state government has since resolved to celebrate Rajasthan Day annually on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, marking the Hindu New Year. Extending greetings on Rajasthan Day, Chaitra Navratri, and the New Year, he expressed satisfaction at the widespread celebrations across the state. Chief Secretary V. Srinivas described the campaign as a significant step towards achieving the vision of Developed Rajasthan 2047. He stated that rural implementation will be led by the Panchayati Raj Department, urban implementation will be handled by the Local Self-Government Department, and master plans will include short-term (2030), medium-term (2035), and long-term (2047) goals. Under the campaign, the first Gram Sabhas and Ward Sabhas will be held on March 20 across all Panchayats and urban wards. These meetings will introduce the campaignas objectives to the public. Subsequent consultations will be conducted in phases, with local teams gathering data and stakeholder inputs. Final proposals for master plans will then be presented in these assemblies for discussion and refinement. New Delhi, March 19 : India's mineral sector has achieved a significant milestone in the financial year 2025-26 with the successful auction of 200 mineral blocks, the highest ever in a single year, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Mines on Thursday. New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) India's mineral sector has achieved a significant milestone in the financial year 2025a"26 with the successful auction of 200 mineral blocks, the highest ever in a single year, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Mines on Thursday. The auctions covered a wide range of minerals. Limestone accounted for 76 blocks, making it the most auctioned mineral, followed by iron ore with 40 blocks. Bauxite accounted for 30 blocks, underscoring their importance for key industrial sectors. A key highlight of the year is the successful auction of 22 critical mineral blocks, reflecting the increasing focus on minerals of strategic importance for long-term resource security. "Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, and Maharashtra played a major role in offering these blocks, contributing five, four, four, three, and two blocks, respectively," the statement said. "Of the 200 auctioned blocks, 123 are Mining Lease (ML) blocks and 77 are Composite Licence (CL) blocks, indicating a balanced mix of operational and exploration-focused opportunities. In addition, Notices Inviting Tenders for 70 mineral blocks (38 ML and 32 CL) are currently underway, which is expected to further enhance the total number of successful auctions during the financial year," the statement added. The record achievement reflects the strong cooperative efforts between the Union and state governments and highlights the growing maturity of India's auction-based mineral allocation framework, the statement said. The Ministry of Mines acknowledges the significant role played by states in this achievement. Gujarat led with 32 blocks, followed by Rajasthan with 30 blocks, and Tamil Nadu with 22 blocks, emerging as the top contributors. Their efforts in timely block preparation, data management, and procedural efficiency have strengthened the national auction ecosystem. "Tamil Nadu has successfully conducted mineral block auctions for the first time, marking an important milestone. Uttarakhand has also entered the mineral auction framework with the successful auction of its first magnesite block," the statement added. The Ministry of Mines said that the state governments played a key role with their proactive efforts, policy support, and administrative efficiency that enabled this record outcome. This milestone reinforces India's commitment to building a transparent, efficient, and future-ready mineral allocation system to support sustained economic growth. New Delhi, March 19 : Instances of cyber fraud related to LPG bookings have been reported from some states as fraudsters are attempting to exploit the situation by sending malicious files such as "GAS BILL UPDATE APK" via messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to mislead consumers, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Instances of cyber fraud related to LPG bookings have been reported from some states as fraudsters are attempting to exploit the situation by sending malicious files such as "GAS BILL UPDATE APK" via messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to mislead consumers, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. Users are advised not to download or install any suspicious files or applications received through messages, as these may enable unauthorised access to personal data and bank accounts. Citizens are urged to rely only on official platforms for LPG bookings, the statement said. Meanwhile, the Centre has advised States and Union Territories to further strengthen administrative and logistical arrangements to ensure uninterrupted LPG distribution. Authorities are ensuring close monitoring of LPG supply at the district level and facilitating smooth movement of LPG tankers and cylinders without disruption. States and UTs have been advised to issue and widely disseminate public advisories to prevent panic buying, promote judicious use of LPG and ensure dissemination of accurate information. Instructions of the Centre are being communicated to all concerned authorities for immediate implementation. Citizens are advised to rely on official sources and avoid rumours. Consumers are requested to avoid panic bookings, use digital booking platforms, and avoid visiting LPG distributors, as home delivery continues. The government continues to prioritise uninterrupted LPG supply and PNG expansion, particularly for households and priority sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions. The measures include enhanced refinery production, revised booking intervals of 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas, and prioritised allocation. Alternative fuel options like kerosene and coal have been offered to ease pressure on LPG demand. The Ministry of Environment has already advised the State Pollution Control Board to permit the use of kerosene and coal as alternative fuel. The Ministry of Coal has already issued an order to Coal India and Singareni Coalieries to allot higher quantities to states for distributing coal to small, medium, and other consumers. States have been advised to facilitate the new PNG connections for both domestic and commercial consumers. A proposal for a 10 per cent additional allocation of commercial LPG has been made to the states, facilitating and expediting the process, the statement added. Bengaluru, March 19 : Stating that legal counsels have confirmed there were no legal hurdles to increasing the height of the Alamatti Dam, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said he would convene an allaparty meeting in the state and take a decision to go ahead. Bengaluru, March 19 (IANS) Stating that legal counsels have confirmed there were no legal hurdles to increasing the height of the Alamatti Dam, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said he would convene an allparty meeting in the state and take a decision to go ahead. Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have objected to the project. It can be noted that the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) Phase 3 is a major irrigation scheme in North Karnataka aiming to raise the Almatti Dam height from 519.6 m to 524.256 m, increasing storage by 100 tmc ft to irrigate 5.94 lakh hectares. The project requires acquiring 1.33 lakh acres, affecting more than 20 villages, with an estimated cost of Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 87,000 crore. The major irrigation project is facing delays due to objections from Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Maharashtra. AP has written to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry opposing the project's land acquisition, prompting the Centre to seek clarifications, which Karnataka is challenging. Speaking to reporters at his Bengaluru residence, the Deputy CM, who also holds the Irrigation portfolio, said, "I stayed in Delhi for two days and held a meeting with the state's MPs. As many as 24 MPs, including BJP, Congress, nominated and independent MPs, attended the meeting while JDS MPs did not. I briefed them on the status of many of the state's irrigation projects." He added that former CMs and BJP MPs Jagadish Shettar, Basavaraj Bommai, former minister Govind Karjol, and P.C. Mohan gave suggestions. Union Minister of State V. Somanna and Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Prahlad Joshi informed him they could not attend and would come another day. "It has been decided to take an allparty delegation to meet the Prime Minister and the Jal Shakti Minister, and a consensus has been reached on this," he said. "On this matter, our legal advisors Mohan Kataraki, retired Justice Nagamohan Das, and the Advocate General have shared a couple of important points. We will arrive at a decision on this shortly," he informed. Shivakumar also stated, "I met the Civil Aviation Minister and brought to his notice the disparity between Bengaluru and other cities regarding Premium FAR and building height regulations. I also need to meet the Defence Minister soon for discussions. We have conveyed the problems of our state, and everyone has responded positively." When asked about the second airport, he said, "Minister M.B. Patil has submitted a proposal and has shared his opinion on it. It needs to be presented to the Cabinet, and the pros and cons must be discussed. Land acquisition, finances and other matters need to be deliberated. He has also conducted a study and submitted a report. The central aviation authority has also reported on the types of building height regulations in global cities. This will help us understand the standards followed elsewhere in the world. We will get that report and then make a decision." Washington, March 19 : US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday sharply attacked sections of the American media, accusing them of trying to undercut the country's war effort and downplay military gains in the conflict with Iran. Speaking at a Pentagon news conference alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, Hegseth said the press was more interested in damaging President Donald Trump than in reporting battlefield developments fairly. "I stand here today speaking to you, the American people. Not through filters, not through reporters, not through cable news," Hegseth said. He added that "a dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing" to "downplay progress, amplify every cost, and call into question. Every step." Hegseth said much of the media wanted Americans to believe that the conflict was "somehow spinning toward an endless abyss or a Forever war or a quagmire." He rejected that description and argued that the current operation was fundamentally different from the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Nothing could be further from the truth, hear it from me," he said. "This is not those wars. President Trump knows better, Epic Fury is different. It's laser-focused. It's decisive." The Defence Secretary said the administration's military goals had not changed since the start of the campaign. He said the objectives were to "destroy missiles, launchers and Iran's defence industrial base," "destroy their navy," and ensure "Iran never gets a nuclear weapon." He also took direct aim at the press corps in the briefing room, saying reporters were not the main audience for his remarks. "Yes, there are reporters in front of me, but they are not our audience today. It's you the good decent patriotic American people," he said. Hegseth accused some outlets of distorting the reality of the war even as the Pentagon claimed major gains. "To the patriotic members of the press, nobody can deliver perfection in wartime," he said. "But report the reality, we're winning decisively and on our terms." He framed the criticism as part of a wider frustration with how parts of the political and media establishment respond to Trump-era military action. "They want President Trump to fail, but you -- the American people know better," he said. The remarks were among the most pointed public attacks by Hegseth on the media since the conflict began. They came in a briefing that otherwise focused on operational updates, including US claims that more than 7,000 targets had been struck across Iran and that Tehran's missile and drone capabilities had been sharply reduced. Hegseth's criticism extended beyond coverage of military progress. He also accused Iran of circulating "fake AI-generated images" and suggested that some in the press had fallen for them. He said the Iranian regime was trying to manipulate perceptions while restricting information through blackouts and internal controls. Even as he blasted the media, Hegseth cast the message as one meant for the public, not for them. He said Americans should understand that the administration saw the campaign as limited, goal-driven and tied to national security, not nation-building. The confrontation reflects a broader pattern in Trump-era politics, where media coverage of military and national security issues is often folded into a wider political fight over credibility, patriotism and public trust. Senior administration officials have frequently argued that hostile coverage weakens support for their policies. US administrations have often clashed with the press during wartime, especially when casualties rise or military claims face scrutiny. But Hegseth's language stood out for its directness, making the media itself part of the political battlefield as the Pentagon seeks to defend public backing for the campaign. Agartala, March 19 : A multi-corner political contest is likely in the April 9 by-election to the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in Tripura's North Tripura district, with major political parties stepping up preparations. After the CPI-M-led Left Front, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, on Thursday, announced their candidates for the crucial bypoll, independent aspirants and a few smaller local parties are also expected to enter the fray, further intensifying the contest in the Dharmanagar Assembly seat. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said in a statement that party President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the candidature of Chayan Bhattacharjee as the party's nominee for the ensuing by-election. In the 2023 state Assembly elections, the Left Front and the Congress had entered into a seat-sharing arrangement to jointly challenge the BJP in Tripura. Congress leader Chayan Bhattacharjee had then contested from the Dharmanagar seat as the party nominee but lost to BJP candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen by a narrow margin of 956 votes. However, for the upcoming bypoll, both the Left Front and the Congress have decided to contest separately. The CPI-M-led Left Front has fielded former MLA Amitabha Datta, who submitted his nomination on Thursday after holding a massive rally in Dharmanagar, Tripura's second most important commercial town after Agartala. Meanwhile, the BJP also announced its candidate on Thursday. According to a press statement issued by BJP General Secretary Arun Singh, Jahar Chakraborti will contest from the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency. Singh said that the BJP's Central Election Committee, in a meeting chaired by party President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday, finalised candidates for by-elections in four states -- Tripura, Nagaland, Goa and Karnataka. The meeting was held at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday and was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior party members of the committee. Jahar Chakraborti, 59, who is currently the BJP's North Tripura district Vice-President, will be contesting from Dharmanagar for the second time. In 2013, Chakraborti, known to be a staunch Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist, had contested from the same Assembly seat but lost to the then Congress candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen. Chakraborti's wife, Barnali Goswami, had earlier served as the Chairperson of the Tripura State Commission for Women. Soon after his nomination was announced, BJP workers led by Chakraborti organised a rally in Dharmanagar. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and State BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee congratulated Jahar Chakraborti on his candidature for the by-election. The bypoll in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA and Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen. Sen, 72, passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on December 26, 2025, after prolonged illness. He had been elected to the Tripura Assembly four times -- twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and later in 2018 and 2023 as a BJP nominee from the same constituency. A total of 46,143 voters, including 23,763 women, are eligible to cast their votes in the Dharmanagar Assembly by-election. According to the notification issued by election authorities, the filing of nominations began on March 16, while the last date for submission is March 23. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 24, and the final date for withdrawal of candidatures is March 26. The counting of votes will be held on May 4. Bengaluru, March 19 : Amid the ongoing leadership tussle, Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar said on Thursday that time will decide whether there will be a Cabinet reshuffle or a power-sharing arrangement in the state. It may be noted that Shivakumar is a strong contender for the Chief Minister's post and has previously spoken about a power-sharing pact between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the presence of the party high command. Speaking to reporters at his Bengaluru residence, the Deputy Chief Minister, when asked whether it would be a Cabinet reshuffle or a power-sharing arrangement, said: "Time will decide." When questioned about reports of a separate meeting with Priyanka Gandhi, he said: "I am not going to discuss that. I will not say what I discussed with whom. Time will decide." When asked about AICC General Secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal's statement that the Chief Minister's post is not vacant, he said: "Yes, he has said the post is not vacant. But he has also said the party and the MLAs will decide." When asked who the Congress candidates for the by-elections to two Assembly segments would be, he said: "Over the past two months, I have collected reports from all levels, right from the booth level. Our leaders' team has visited and given me their opinions. I have spoken with a few people myself. In two or three days, AICC secretaries will be arriving. "The Chief Minister and I have discussed what needs to be done in the two constituencies. I cannot say this publicly. The party must win, and keeping the party's interest in mind, the Chief Minister and I will put forward our views. The 'B' form will be distributed as per the high command's decision." When asked if a ticket would be given to a family member in both the seats, he said: "Family does not matter here, the party must win. The party is what matters here. We must act as the party says. Because both constituencies are seats of prominent leaders. "Late Shamanur Shivashankarappa's Davanagere South constituency is the seat of the Veerashaiva Mahasabha president. Minorities are also important there. They have been extending support for a long time. Their proposal is also on the table. We need to sit with everyone and sort this out. Leaders who did not get a ticket in the last election have been given positions." When asked if there was clarity on who should get the ticket and who would win, he said: "Here, what the party and the workers say is more important than my personal opinion or survey reports." When asked about Union Minister late Ananth Kumar's daughter Aishwarya's criticism that "Karnataka is being made a cash cow" for the Assam elections, he said: "I do not know who she is. We also have cows at home has she seen them? We domesticate cows that have been gifted to us in our cowshed." "Discussions were held with leaders regarding the Assam elections. A Zoom meeting will be held today as well. A campaign schedule will also be prepared," he said. When asked about demands for a Cabinet reshuffle and consideration of new faces, he said: "What is wrong in aspiring to become a minister? The Chief Minister has said there will be a Cabinet reshuffle, hasn't he? Knowing that there is a vacancy after he said so, they are trying their luck." BAGHDAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said Thursday that two of its members were killed and several others wounded in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. In a statement, the PMF said an Israeli-U.S. airstrike targeted the 4th Regiment of the 30th Brigade in the northern Nineveh province in the morning, killing one member and injuring two others. This follows an earlier Israeli-U.S. strike on the 31st Brigade in Iraq's central Salahuddin province, which killed one and caused several injuries, according to a separate statement. The PMF noted "great difficulties" in evacuating the wounded due to the continued presence of "enemy aircraft," which have deliberately targeted ambulance crews on multiple occasions. The group also confirmed that the headquarters of its 6th Brigade in the Baiji district of Salahuddin also came under a U.S.-Israeli strike at dawn, in which three people were wounded. It added that the units were performing their role in protecting the region and maintaining the country's sovereignty at the time of the attacks. The group reported that dozens of its members have been killed in similar attacks in recent days, which it attributes to U.S.-Israeli operations. Jaipur, March 19 : Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur are developing nextageneration flexible semiconductor devices designed for continuous health monitoring, early disease detection and physiological assessment in demanding environments. Jaipur, March 19 (IANS) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur are developing nexta'generation flexible semiconductor devices designed for continuous health monitoring, early disease detection and physiological assessment in demanding environments. The work is being carried out at the HESTECH (Hybrid Electronic Sensor Technologies) Lab, led by Dr Akshay Moudgil, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. The research focuses on soft, flexible and intelligent semiconductor devices capable of monitoring key physiological and biochemical signals from the human body in real time. These wearable sensors are designed to track parameters such as heart rate, muscle activity, body temperature and skin pressure, while remaining comfortable for prolonged use. According to Dr Moudgil, the motivation for this work is to address a critical gap in accessible, continuous health monitoring. He said that many health conditions in India and globally are detected too late because continuous monitoring remains limited outside specialised settings. The goal is to develop semiconductor devices that can continuously monitor body signals comfortably, enabling early detection and timely intervention. A key component of this research is the Organic Electrochemical Transistor (OECT), a class of semiconductor devices suited for interfacing with biological signals and fluids. Unlike conventional rigid electronics, OECTa'based platforms enable both electrical and biochemical sensing in flexible formats. The HESTECH Lab is developing lowa'power wearable sensors using biocompatible hybrid semiconductor materials that can be fabricated on thin, flexible substrates. This makes them ideal for skina'conformal devices that enable continuous, nona'invasive monitoring. Dr Moudgil explained that the team is exploring whether a single semiconductor platform can capture both the electrical activity of the body and biochemical signatures linked to disease. Using OECT technology, they are building compact, flexible devices to monitor heart activity, muscle response and diseasea'related biomarkers. One major application area is early disease screening. The team is developing biochemical sensors capable of detecting clinically relevant biomarkers in biofluids such as saliva, serum and blood. In the future, such portable systems could support pointa'ofa'care diagnostics in dental clinics, rural health camps and mobile healthcare units. In parallel, the lab is working on wearable sensors for physical health monitoring, including soft ECG patches for cardiac assessment, EMG sensors for muscle activity tracking and pressure and temperature sensors to detect early signs of pressure ulcers in ata'risk patients. The technology also holds significant promise for defence and extremea'environment applications. Flexible semiconductor sensors could be integrated into uniforms or wearable patches to monitor physiological stress indicators, such as cardiac load, dehydration, fatigue, heat stress, and muscle strain, during training or field operations. Dr Moudgil noted that in defence environments, such devices could enable reala'time physiological monitoring of personnel, supporting better decisiona'making, reducing stressa'related injuries and enhancing mission readiness. He added that IIT Jodhpur aims to ensure that innovation translates into reala'world impact, and semiconductora'based wearable technologies could create a future where health monitoring is continuous, comfortable and intelligent. With continued research and translational development, this technology has the potential to significantly improve access to diagnostics, enable preventive healthcare and deliver advanced monitoring solutions for both civilian and defence applications. New Delhi, March 19 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with UAE's Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy on Thursday, discussing latest developments related to the conflict in West Asia. During the meeting, EAM Jaishankar also thanked UAE Government for taking care of the Indian community. "Pleased to meet UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy this afternoon. Thanked the UAE Government for taking care of the Indian community. Discussed the latest developments pertaining to the conflict in West Asia," EAM Jaishankar posted on X. The conflict in West Asia erupted following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials. In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks targetting the US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals and allied forces in West Asia. On Tuesday, PM Modi spoke to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed the current situation in West Asia. PM Modi reiterated India's strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE that have claimed lives of people and caused damage to civilian infrastructure PM Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had also agreed on the importance of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "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." "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," he added. The two leaders had earlier spoken on March 1 with PM Modi condemning attacks on UAE and expressing India's solidarity during what he had described as a difficult time. "Spoke with President of the UAE, my brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Strongly condemned the attacks on the UAE and condoled the loss of lives in these attacks. India stands in solidarity with the UAE in these difficult times," PM Modi had posted on X then. "Thanked him for taking care of the Indian community living in the UAE. We support de-escalation, regional peace, security and stability," he had added. Ayodhya, March 19 : Prominent Hindu seers and temple priests in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, on Thursday, hailed the installation of the 'Shri Ram Yantra' at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple as a historic and spiritually significant moment, saying the ceremony reflected the deep faith and centuries-old devotion of Ram devotees. President Droupadi Murmu visited the temple earlier on Thursday and installed a 150-kg gold-plated 'Shri Ram Yantra' during a special religious ceremony. She also offered prayers and performed the aarti at the Ram temple. Reacting to the development, Jagatguru Karpatri Maharaj said the ceremony marked a major spiritual milestone and praised the speeches delivered during the programme. "It felt very good. The President's speech was excellent, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also spoke well. Now it feels like the establishment of 'Ram Rajya' has begun," he told IANS. He added that witnessing the sacred Yantra was a matter of great fortune for devotees. "On this occasion, we had the good fortune of seeing that very Ram Yantra," Jagatguru Karpatri Maharaj said. Hanuman Garhi temple priest Mahant Raju Das said the installation symbolised the culmination of centuries of devotion and sacrifice by Ram devotees. "Today the Shri Ram Yantra was installed. After 500 years of sacrifice and penance, and after millions of Ram devotees gave their lives, the grand temple has now been constructed," he added. Saryu Maha Aarti President Shashikant Das Maharaj described the programme as extraordinary and emotionally moving. "Today it felt as if the eyes had no tongue and the tongue had no eyes -- such a beautiful and unique programme was held," he said. Calling the ceremony unprecedented, he added: "It was a unique programme, one that has never happened before and will never happen again." Hindu seers and religious leaders said the installation of the Shri Ram Yantra would further strengthen the spiritual significance of the Ram temple and reinforce the ideals associated with Ram Rajya. Jaipur, March 19 : Amid rising demand and fears of an LPG cylinder shortage in Rajasthan, cyber fraudsters have intensified efforts to dupe residents, prompting the Rajasthan Police to issue a statewide advisory. The Cyber Crime Branch has cautioned citizens against a surge in online scams linked to gas bookings and subsidy services, acting on the directions of Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma. Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Cyber Crime, Shantanu Kumar Singh, said that fraudsters are exploiting panic among consumers using a mix of social engineering and technical deception. According to police, scammers are using multiple tactics to target victims. These include creating fake LPG booking websites that mimic official portals to steal banking credentials, and making calls posing as gas agency officials to threaten disconnection of services or suspension of subsidies unless KYC details are updated. Authorities also flagged fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages claiming subsidy issues, which redirect users to phishing links. In several cases, victims have been persuaded to download remote access applications such as AnyDesk and TeamViewer, enabling criminals to gain control of their devices. Another common method involves QR code scams, where users are tricked into scanning codes under the pretext of receiving payments. Police reiterated that scanning a QR code or entering a PIN is never required to receive money. The Cyber Crime Branch has urged citizens to use only official platforms for LPG-related services and avoid sharing sensitive information such as OTPs, bank details, or Aadhaar numbers. It also advised the public to remain cautious of unsolicited calls and messages creating urgency. Users making digital payments through apps like Google Pay and PhonePe have been asked to verify recipient details carefully before completing transactions. In case of fraud, citizens have been advised to immediately report incidents by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930, contacting the Cyber Helpdesk, or filing complaints on the official portal. Police officials emphasised that timely reporting can improve the chances of recovering lost money and help prevent further cybercrimes. Jabalpur, March 19 : Specially-abled students from Army Women's Welfare Association School, Jabalpur, enjoyed close encounters with trained military horses, gaining confidence and building emotional resilience during a special interaction and therapy session, a Defence Ministry official said on Thursday.a Jabalpur, March 19 (IANS) Specially-abled students from Army Women's Welfare Association School, Jabalpur, enjoyed close encounters with trained military horses, gaining confidence and building emotional resilience during a special interaction and therapy session, a Defence Ministry official said on Thursday. Under the theme 'Healingthroughconnection, Strengththroughcompassion', a special equine interaction and therapy session was conducted for children of AWWA School at 1 MP Remount & Veterinary Sqn NCC, with a focused emphasis on the well-being and emotional development of specially abled students, said the official from the Indian Army's Central Command in a statement. The children fed vegetables to Army horses in the stable and witnessed the various drills undertaken by their caretakers during an outing focused on inclusivity. "Through guided interaction with trained horses, the session fostered confidence, sensory engagement and emotional resilience, highlighting the therapeutic value of animal-assisted interventions. Such initiatives reflect a progressive approach towards inclusivity, where organisations extend beyond conventional roles to support holistic development and mental well-being," said the official. The Remount and Veterinary Corps and NCC units, in collaboration with partner agencies, continue to contribute meaningfully towards building an inclusive and compassionate society aligned with the spirit of One Health, said an official statement. In another development, a high-level delegation of 31 officers from the Kenyan Joint Command and Staff College, led by Major General E.M. Kinuthia, visited the elite Shatrujeet Brigade. The delegation was extensively briefed on Airborne Operations, highlighting rigorous training methodologies, precision planning and the operational philosophy that enables rapid deployment in dynamic combat scenarios, said an official on social media. Engagements included insightful discussions on the evolving character of warfare, with emphasis on emerging technologies, future battlefields and adaptive operational strategies. The visit reaffirmed strong military-to-military ties, fostering professional exchanges, mutual learning, and a shared commitment to excellence in modern warfare. Earlier, the headquarters of Central Command organised a dynamic seminar on IndoNepal Relations: "Historical Evolution, Strategic Imperatives & Future Trajectories," which was held in Lucknow, an official said on social media. The event, organised under the aegis of HQ Central Command in collaboration with, brought together eminent strategists, former diplomats and academic leaders from both nations. The seminar fostered insightful discussions on historical ties, evolving geopolitical dynamics and future pathways for deeper cooperation. The exchange underscored the enduring bonds of friendship and highlighted the importance of sustained strategic dialogue in shaping a stable, secure, and prosperous regional future, the statement said. New Delhi, March 19 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, on Thursday, visited the family affected by the devastating fire in Delhi's Palam area and alleged that lapses by the fire department may have contributed to the loss of lives, while also accusing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers of creating disturbances at the site. The blaze, which broke out in a multi-storey building in Ram Market in the Palam area on Wednesday morning, claimed at least nine lives and left several others injured. Kejriwal, who reached the site directly from the airport after returning from Goa, termed the incident "extremely tragic" and claimed that the tragedy could have been averted if the response had been timely. "I had gone to Goa and returned today. I came here directly from the airport. The incident that happened was very tragic, and I found out that it was due to the fire brigade's mistake -- if the fire brigade had acted on time, lives could have been saved," the AAP Convenor said. He also alleged that BJP workers created disturbances when he came to meet the bereaved family. "A family that has lost nine members -- instead of showing sympathy, these (BJP) people have created hooliganism. It pains me deeply that BJP leaders can stoop to such a low level that when someone comes to meet the family to offer condolences, they are not being allowed to do so," Kejriwal said. The AAP Convenor also demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. "I would also like to demand that the entire incident be investigated. How did the fire start? Why was the fire brigade's machine not working properly?" he asked. Kejriwal reached the Palam locality amid a large gathering of AAP supporters and raised slogans welcoming him. Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bharadwaj also blamed the fire department for the deaths and alleged attempts to deflect responsibility. "The loss of life occurred due to the fire department's mistake. Yesterday, they told the media that all the equipment was working and that no one was at fault. They claimed the road was narrow," Bharadwaj said. He further accused political rivals of exploiting the tragedy. "These people are just playing politics here. What are they mourning for? When you cannot acknowledge the shortcomings of your own department, what are you even going to point out? You are hiding everything. So why have you come here to express sorrow?" he said. Bhardwaj also alleged misconduct by the local police. "The police are committing complete hooliganism. The local police want to completely destroy the area. The local Station House Officer is involved," he claimed. Meanwhile, tensions flared in the locality as a clash broke out between BJP and AAP leaders in Palam during the visit, involving Bharadwaj and supporters from both sides. Responding to the allegations, BJP MLA Kuldeep Solanki said the party stood with the affected family but accused AAP leaders of politicising the tragedy. He also added that he would lodge a police complaint against Bhardwaj. "We (BJP) stand with the affected family and will provide all possible help, but even on such issues, he (Saurabh Bhardwaj) is indulging in politics," Solanki said, adding that he would file an FIR against Bharadwaj and another unidentified person over the clash. According to officials, the fire erupted in a four-storey building where the basement, ground floor and first floor housed a cloth and cosmetic showroom, while the owner's family resided on the upper floors. Police and fire department teams rushed to the spot after receiving information about the blaze at around 7.04 a.m. Rescue teams evacuated several people from the building and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. The BJP-led Delhi government has ordered a magisterial probe to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to the casualties. Moradabad : , March 19 (IANS) Samajwadi Party leader S.T. Hasan on Thursday criticised the film "Dhurandhar 2" for portraying late SP MP Atiq Ahmed as having direct links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), calling it a publicity stunt aimed at attracting viewers. Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), March 19 (IANS) Samajwadi Party leader S.T. Hasan on Thursday criticised the film "Dhurandhar 2" for portraying late SP MP Atiq Ahmed as having direct links with Pakistanas Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), calling it a publicity stunt aimed at attracting viewers. Speaking to IANS, Hasan said that intelligence agencies and police have not made any such revelations so far about the alleged links. "Who they were connected to and who they were not, our police know this very well. Whether it was the ISI, CIA, or KGB, our intelligence agencies and police have yet to make a revelation," Hasan said. He further added that the narrative in films should not be treated as established facts. "Our intelligence or police have not made any such revelation so far, but no one knows what these film people might reveal about anyone," he remarked. The Samajwadi Party leader also alleged that controversy around such themes is often used as a tactic to generate publicity and ensure the commercial success of films. "As these topics get highlighted by the media, the public becomes curious to see what is in them. The film becomes successful. This is also a tactic. I think film companies also take money from political parties to spread hatred," Hasan claimed. He further criticised filmmakers for allegedly prioritising commercial success over reputational concerns. "It does not make any difference to them. They can insult anyone. They just want to make the film successful," he said. Meanwhile, AIMIM leader Waris Pathan also criticised the film, alleging that attempts were being made to create divisions through cinema. "Efforts are being made to spread hatred in the country. Even earlier, several propaganda films had been made," Pathan said. The controversy erupted after the release of "Dhurandhar 2", which has drawn criticism from several political leaders over its depiction of criminal and political figures and alleged links with foreign intelligence agencies. New Delhi, March 19 : In a bid to shape the Budget 2026-27 around the needs and expectations of all sections of society, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday held a series of consultations at the Delhi Secretariat with gig workers, farmers, rural representatives and labour groups.a New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) In a bid to shape the Budget 2026-27 around the needs and expectations of all sections of society, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday held a series of consultations at the Delhi Secretariat with gig workers, farmers, rural representatives and labour groups. "Public participation is the biggest strength of a developed Delhi," said the Chief Minister as she held separate meetings with each group, where participants shared experiences and put forward their concerns, suggestions and expectations, said an official statement. The Chief Minister engaged directly with attendees, listening closely and assuring them that their inputs would be given due priority in the upcoming budget. She said the government's objective is to present a Budget that reflects the aspirations of every section. Labour Minister Kapil Mishra and Delhi Gram Vikas Board Chairman Rajkumar Chauhan were also present. During the discussions, gig workers and drivers stressed the need for concrete policies to improve working conditions and ensure social security. A key demand was the creation of adequate and safe parking facilities for drivers. They also urged the government to expand EV infrastructure and to offer subsidies for women to purchase electric vehicles, the statement said. On social security, participants called for linking gig workers with provident fund systems and integrating health schemes. Several representatives pushed for recognising gig workers as 'employees' rather than 'partners.' They also proposed establishing a dedicated task force to address their concerns and safeguard their interests, the statement said. Other demands included establishing rest facilities for drivers and workers, increasing the number of public toilets, and introducing practical reforms in traffic regulations. Participants further highlighted discrepancies between central and state labour laws, urging harmonisation to ensure that benefits reach workers effectively, the statements said. Farmers and rural representatives presented a wide range of demands to strengthen agricultural infrastructure. These included improving irrigation facilities, developing rural roads, and reforming mandi systems. They also emphasised the need to upgrade basic village amenities, such as drainage, sanitation, drinking water, and electricity, the statement said. Farmers demanded formal recognition of their status in Delhi and called for agricultural subsidies and incentive schemes. Issues related to land pooling policies and consolidation (chakbandi) were also raised, with suggestions to make these frameworks more farmer-friendly and effective. They further sought a survey to revise the circle rates for agricultural land, establish fair compensation mechanisms, and develop better land development policies. Additional demands included electricity subsidies, improved drinking water supply, and revival of agricultural mandis to ensure fair prices for produce. To strengthen their financial position, farmers called for wider access to Kisan Credit Cards, easier access to bank loans for tractors and farm equipment, and the removal of hurdles to loan disbursement. They also stressed the proper implementation of crop insurance schemes and the need for training programmes to introduce modern agricultural techniques and improve productivity, the statement said. --IANS rch/dan Patna, March 19 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday filed his nomination for the post of National President of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U). The nomination papers were submitted at the party's New Delhi office by JD(U) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha on behalf of Nitish Kumar. Following the filing, Jha shared photographs and a message highlighting the significance of the moment. "Today, at the party office in New Delhi, the nomination for the post of National President was submitted on behalf of Nitish Kumar. Under his leadership, the party has consistently provided a new direction to the politics of public service, good governance, and development. For me, this is a matter of pride and inspiration," Jha said. Several senior party leaders were present during the nomination process, including Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, Bihar Minister Shravan Kumar, Lok Sabha MPs Dileshwar Kamat, Ramprit Mandal, Alok Kumar Suman, Sunil Kumar, and Vijaylakshmi Kushwaha, along with Rajya Sabha MP Khiru Mahto. Other leaders present included MLC Sanjay Kumar Singh, Khalid Anwar, Harshvardhan Singh, National Secretary Md. Nisar, and Ram Kumar Sharma. Sanjay Kumar Jha acted as the proposer for the nomination, while other senior leaders served as co-proposers. Nitish Kumar is currently serving as the JD-U National President, and his tenure is nearing completion. His decision to file for nomination again signals his intent to continue leading the party and further consolidate his position within the organisation. Nitish Kumar has been at the helm of Bihar's politics for over two decades and was recently elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Bihar. With his elevation to the Upper House, Kumar is expected to step down from the Chief Minister's post and embark on a new political journey at the national level. Over the course of his long political career, Nitish Kumar has held positions across multiple legislative bodies, making him one of the few leaders in the country to have served in the Lok Sabha, the Bihar Legislative Assembly, and the Bihar Legislative Council. With his entry into the Rajya Sabha, he is set to add yet another chapter to his extensive parliamentary experience. New Delhi, March 19 : Six critically endangered whitearumped vultures were released as a pilot by the Assam State Forest Department at the Vulture Reintroduction Aviary in Rani Range, near Kamrup district, on Thursday. All the birds have been tagged with GPS/satellite transmitters for intensive monitoring. New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Six critically endangered whiterumped vultures were released as a pilot by the Assam State Forest Department at the Vulture Reintroduction Aviary in Rani Range, near Kamrup district, on Thursday. All the birds have been tagged with GPS/satellite transmitters for intensive monitoring. Four more wild vultures successfully rehabilitated by the BNHS vulture team have also been fitted with transmitters and released along with the captivebred birds, bringing the total number of released vultures to 10. The release marks an important step towards the recovery of vulture populations, which have been decimated across Asia due to toxic veterinary drugs. A recent publication showed that Assam has low levels of toxic veterinary drugs, although the availability of nimesulide had been increasing. However, nimesulide, along with aceclofenac and ketoprofen, has recently been banned by the Indian government. It is hoped that the environment will be fully safe once these bans take full effect. It is well established that toxic veterinary painkillers used in cattle can rapidly wipe out vulture populations. The Assam Forest Department project, managed by BNHS, has been collecting cattle carcass samples to confirm that no toxic drugs remain in use. Studies have shown that fewer than one per cent of cattle carcasses containing lethal levels of diclofenac were enough to cause the catastrophic vulture declines seen in India from the mid1990s to early 2000s. A target of 800 samples has been set to statistically confirm the absence of diclofenac in vulture food. So far, 150 samples have been analysed and found to be free of toxic NSAIDs, with 650 more to be collected within a 100km radius of the release site. The six captivebred vultures released had all fledged from the nearby Rani Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, managed by BNHS with support from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Assam Forest Department. BNHS centre manager Dr Sachin Ranade said the team would constantly monitor the birds' movements and intervene if needed. Chief Wildlife Warden Vinay Gupta said Assam had made important progress in removing dangerous veterinary drugs and was closer to ensuring a safe environment for vultures. SAVE Chair Jemima ParryJones said that with reduced veterinary use of toxic painkillers and strong support from RSPB, the region was moving closer to declaring a true "Vulture Safe Zone". BNHS Director Kishor Rithe said more awareness was needed among veterinarians and farmers about safe alternatives such as meloxicam and tolfenamic acid, but significant progress had been made. Elated over the release, Chris Bowden, representing the RSPB, said it had been a long journey to address drugrelated threats and accidental poisoning, and that maintaining captive populations had been vital for future releases. MOSCOW, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Countries that join the U.S.-proposed coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz would, under international law, become parties to the conflict and accomplices in U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday. "Russia's position on this issue remains unchanged. We proceed from the fact that a solution to restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be sought at the negotiating table," Zakharova said at a press briefing. She also reiterated Moscow's view that the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran is unfounded and unprovoked, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a shift to political and diplomatic channels. U.S. President Donald Trump has called on allies to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil flows. Most U.S. allies have rejected the request. On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets across the Middle East. Iranian ambassador to South Africa Mansour Shakib Mehr said on Wednesday that Tehran will continue its military response in exercise of "its legitimate right to self-defense" as long as it perceives an ongoing threat. New Delhi, March 19 : The number of train accidents on Indian Railways has seen a sharp decline over the years, with consequential accidents dropping by nearly 90 per cent, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Parliament. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the minister said safety remains the highest priority for Indian Railways, and sustained measures have significantly improved operational safety. The number of consequential train accidents has reduced from 135 in 2014-15 to just 14 in 2025-26 (up to February 28), he said. Data shared by the minister showed that during 2004-05 to 2013-14, there were 1,711 consequential train accidents, resulting in 904 deaths and 3,155 injuries. This declined to 678 accidents between 2014-15 and 2023-24, with 748 deaths and 2,087 injuries. In 2024-25, 31 such accidents were reported, leading to 18 deaths and 92 injuries, while in 2025-26 (up to February), 14 accidents resulted in 16 deaths and 28 injuries, according to him. Vaishnaw also highlighted that the decline in accidents is the result of multiple safety initiatives, including improved track maintenance, modern signalling systems and technological upgrades. Expenditure on safety-related activities has also increased substantially, rising from Rs 39,200 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,17,693 crore in 2025-26, with a further allocation of Rs 1,20,389 crore for 2026-27. To minimise human error, electronic interlocking systems have been installed at 6,665 stations, while interlocking has been provided at over 10,153 level crossing gates. Complete track circuiting, which helps verify track occupancy through electrical means, has been implemented at 6,669 stations. The minister also stated that the rollout of aKavacha, an indigenously developed automatic train protection (ATP) system, was adopted as a national system in 2020. The latest version of Kavach has been deployed across 1,452 route kilometres, covering key high-density corridors such as Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes. Vaishnaw said continuous investments in technology and infrastructure are helping Indian Railways enhance safety and reduce accidents. Mumbai, March 19 : As Maharashtra celebrates Gudi Padwa, marking the beginning of the Marathi New Year, Jay Pawar, son of former Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president late Ajit Pawar, shared a poignant reflection on the profound void left by the absence of his mentor and leader, affectionately known as "Dada".a Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) As Maharashtra celebrates Gudi Padwa, marking the beginning of the Marathi New Year, Jay Pawar, son of former Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president late Ajit Pawar, shared a poignant reflection on the profound void left by the absence of his mentor and leader, affectionately known as "Dada". In a social media post balancing grief with inspiration, Jay Pawar described how the festival, once a celebration of togetherness, has now become a testament to a lasting legacy. He noted that while Gudi Padwa signifies new dreams and resolutions, certain festivals become extraordinary not just because of tradition but because of the company of special individuals. "For me, every Gudi Padwa meant moments spent with Dada," he wrote. He said that whether in Katewadi, Baramati, Pune or at the Devagiri bungalow in Mumbai, the true warmth of the festival was wherever Dada was. The tribute highlighted Dada's unique ability to connect with people, recalling the enthusiasm on his face as he hoisted the Gudi and the affection in his eyes when meeting the public. According to him, Dada was not just a leader who celebrated festivals; he was a visionary who built trust through action. The post listed several key contributions that defined Dada's career, including Baramati development, empowering farmers, and work in infrastructure and education. "Pivotal decisions that transformed Baramati and the adjoining region. Various schemes were implemented to support the agriculture sector. Significant work was done in irrigation, cooperative sectors, education and industry," Jay Pawar said. He added that Dada was the pillar of support for thousands of lives, emphasising his disciplined work style and commitment to solving the problems of the common man. The tone turned sombre as Jay Pawar addressed the reality of celebrating the New Year without his mentor. He expressed deep restlessness, stating that while the Gudi will be hoisted, the "guiding voice" and "supportive presence" will be missing. "The thought of Gudi Padwa without Dada is painful," he admitted. He said that the festival remains illuminated by Dada's memories and inspiration, adding that recalling Gudi Padwa celebrations from childhood to the present had stirred a storm of warm memories. He described an "unfilled void" in the heart, within which Dada's memories become even more vivid. Despite the emotional weight, Jay Pawar concluded with a call to action based on Dada's teachings: "Keep working, keep connecting people, and keep giving back to society." He urged followers to never break the bond with development and progress, asserting that even though Dada is no longer physically present, his thoughts, achievements and inspiration will continue to provide strength. Kolkata, March 19 : Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the recent reshuffle of senior police officers in West Bengal, alleging that the poll body is acting "very whimsically" and that such functioning had never been witnessed before. Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the recent reshuffle of senior police officers in West Bengal, alleging that the poll body is acting avery whimsically" and that such functioning had never been witnessed before. His comments come after the ECI transferred more than one and a half dozen IPS officers in the state as part of a fresh administrative reshuffle ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The move, according to the Commission, is aimed at ensuring fair and impartial policing during the electoral process. Reacting to the development, Banerjee told IANS: "The Election Commission is acting very whimsically. Never before has such an Election Commission been seen. The problem is this: on one hand, they are saying that these 15 people should not be assigned election duties, while on the other hand, they are sending them to conduct elections in other states." He further questioned the rationale behind the reshuffle: "This is so whimsical. Not only police who are directly involved on the front line, but also other police officers are required." Alleging political motives, the Trinamool leader said: "Their main agenda is to bring the outside IPS, IAS officers as per the agenda of the BJP and to hold the election. In a country like ours, the point has come... which needs to be considered that there cannot be free and fair elections until the appointment of the Election Commissioners is made transparent and in a fully legal manner." Continuing his criticism, Banerjee added, aThese appointments are on the whims of the Prime Ministers and the Central government. If the Election Commissioners are appointed out of a hat, because of the choice of Prime Ministers, Home Ministers, and other ministers, they belong to a particular party..." "So, they will naturally try to fulfil the desire of the Prime Minister. So, there cannot be held free and fair polls in the country. And the Opposition cannot have a free and fair election as soon as the Election Commissioners are appointed with free and transparent procedures." Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also lambasted the ECI over the latter's decision to transfer bureaucrats and police officers in the state and also sending many of them on deputation as general and police observers in other poll-bound states almost daily since the model code of conduct came into force after the announcement of the polling dates. Meanwhile, the ECI has partially rolled back its decision to shift a group of IPS officers out of West Bengal, deciding to retain two officers in the state for the time being. According to officials in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, two IPS officers, namely Murali Dhar and Syed Waquar Raza, will not be deputed to other states as observers for now and will continue to serve in West Bengal until further directions are issued. The remaining 13 officers, however, will be sent on deputation to poll-bound states, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where they are expected to serve as observers during the Assembly polls. The development comes a day after the poll panel, in a late-night order on Wednesday, cancelled the alternative postings of 15 IPS officers in West Bengal. These officers had earlier been reassigned by the state government after being removed by the Election Commission from their posts and barred from election-related duties in view of the upcoming Assembly elections. In its earlier directive, the Commission had decided to shift all 15 officers out of West Bengal by appointing them as police observers in other states going to the polls. The list included Akash Magharia, Alok Rajoria, Amandeep, Abhijit Banerjee, Bhaskar Mukherjee, C. Sudhakar, Dhritimaan Sarkar, Indira Mukherjee, Murali Dhar, Mukesh, Praveen Kumar Tripathi, Priyabrata Roy, Sandeep Karra, Rashid Munir Khan, and Raza. Among them, Murali Dhar was serving as Police Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, while Raza was Police Commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police. Patna, March 19 : A major gang involved in robbing train passengers has been busted in Bhagalpur following a joint operation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP), an official said.a Patna, March 19 (IANS) A major gang involved in robbing train passengers has been busted in Bhagalpur following a joint operation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP), an official said. During the operation, gold and silver jewellery worth approximately Rs 1 crore, including 500 grams of gold and 1.5 kilograms of silver, was recovered from a rented house in Maheshpur under the Babarganj police station area. Two prime accused, Sanjay Yadav and Paltu Sahni, have been arrested. Railway SRP Vidyasagar, on Thursday, said that GRP Inspector Naseem Ahmed received inputs about suspicious movement around 4:45 am, following which a joint operation was launched with RPF Inspector A. K. Giri. While initial searches yielded no results, the accused was suspected during a check aboard the Jamalpur-Howrah Express. During interrogation, Sanjay Yadav revealed crucial information that led police to the Maheshpur hideout. A raid on the rented premises led to the recovery of a large cache of jewellery hidden inside a secret compartment in one of the rooms. The seized items include gold bangles, chains, pendant chains, pearl necklaces, bracelets, maang tikas, silver anklets, and other ornaments. Foreign currency from the United States, Malaysia, and Australia was also recovered. SP Vidyasagar said Sanjay Yadav, a resident of Bariarpur in Munger district, is suspected to have links with an international criminal network, while Paltu Sahani is from Parbatta Raghupur. During questioning, the accused also named two local jewellers, who are now under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that the gang operated through pickpocketing and theft aboard trains, using razor blades to discreetly cut bags. A blade was also recovered from the accused. "The gang consists of around 15 members, and raids are underway to arrest others involved," he said. Authorities have urged passengers to remain vigilant, assuring that surveillance by GRP and RPF teams has been intensified across trains and railway stations. Officials said the crackdown is expected to deter criminal activity and enhance passenger safety on railways. New Delhi, March 19 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned Reliance Group Chairperson Anil Ambani on Thursday for 8 hours at a stretch in a complaint filed by the SBI related to an alleged Rs 2,929 crore fraud by Reliance Communications (RCom). Ambani has been asked to appear for further interrogation at the CBI office on Friday. The CBI registered a complaint after the SBI claimed a loss of Rs 2,929 crore resulting from alleged misappropriation by RCom and Anil Ambani by entering into transactions that violated the terms of loans extended by it. The public sector bank classified the accounts as fraud in June last year. This led to CBI searches at RCom's offices and Ambani's residence. Along with Ambani, Amit Dangi, the whole-time Director at Authum Investment & Infrastructure Ltd., was also summoned and interrogated for 7 hours. Authum Investment has taken over the assets of Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd. and Reliance Home Finance Ltd., both of which are under investigation. Ambani moved the Supreme Court in December after the Bombay High Court upheld the SBI's decision to file a case. The Reliance chief claimed certain documents, based on which the classification orders were passed, were not provided to him initially and were furnished only after six months. Reliance Communications, once a major telecom operator, has been undergoing insolvency proceedings after it ran into losses while accumulating a mountain of debt. Last week, Anil Ambani's son Jai Anmol Ambani was investigated by the CBI in connection with the Rs 228 crore fraud case involving Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL). He was examined by the premier investigative agency for two days. The agency questioned him in connection with an alleged bank fraud case in which he has been booked along with Reliance Home Finance Ltdas former CEO and ex-whole-time director, Ravindra Sudhalkar, and others. The CBI had registered the case on December 6, 2025, in connection with the alleged bank fraud involving Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL), Jai Anmol Anil Ambani, Ravindra Sudhalkar, unknown persons and unknown public servants. The criminal case was registered against RHFL -- a company of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group -- its promoters or directors, and unknown bank officials on the basis of a complaint by Union Bank of India. The complaint alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct, causing a wrongful loss of Rs 228.06 crore to Union Bank of India (ex-Andhra Bank). Chandigarh, March 19 : In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police's Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with the Special Task Force of Haryana, on Thursday, arrested two shooters involved in the murder of a property dealer in Chandigarh's Sector-9 after a brief exchange of firing and recovered three sophisticated weapons from their possession, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said here. Those arrested have been identified as Rajan alias Piyush Pehalwan, a resident of Ferozepur, and Pritam Shah, a resident of Nawashahr, both located in Punjab. The recovered weapons include .30 bore PX-5 pistol, .30 caliber Chinese pistol and .32 caliber pistol along with ammunition. As per the information, victim Charanpreet Singh alias Chinni, was shot dead by two assailants in Sector-9 on Wednesday. DGP Yadav said the accused are the key aides of fugitive gangster Lucky Patial of the Bambiha gang. "Preliminary investigation has also said that Rajan alias Piyush Pehalwan was also wanted in the high-profile murder of Yadwinder Singh, driver of Jiwanjot Singh alias Jugnu," the DGP added. He said that AGTF Punjab has unmasked the entire module and arrested the accused in less than 30 hours. Further investigations are ongoing, he added. Sharing operational details, Punjab Additional Director General of Police (AGTF), Promod Ban, said that following the incident, AGTF promptly launched a special operation "OPs Silent Trigger" under the supervision of AGTF Deputy Inspector General of Police Gurmit Singh Chauhan to unmask and arrest the accused persons involved in this case. He added that during the operation, the accused opened fire on police teams led by Punjab Superintendent of Police (AGTF) Bikramjit Singh Brar. In the retaliatory exchange, both accused sustained injuries and were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment, the AGTF SP said. The Punjab Additional Director General of Police said that initial questioning has also revealed that the accused Piyush came from Malaysia via Nepal to execute the killing on the directions of his foreign-based handler. Washington, March 19 : China is seeking to overtake the US as the world's top artificial intelligence power by 2030 while rapidly modernising its military to ensure it can seize Taiwan by force if needed, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers on Thursday even as she said Beijing still appears to prefer "an eventual peaceful reunification with Taiwan short of conflict."a Washington, March 19 (IANS) China is seeking to overtake the US as the world's top artificial intelligence power by 2030 while rapidly modernising its military to ensure it can seize Taiwan by force if needed, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers on Thursday even as she said Beijing still appears to prefer "an eventual peaceful reunification with Taiwan short of conflict." Presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment before the House Intelligence Committee, Gabbard said Beijing "aims to displace the US as the global AI leader by 2030" and continues to expand its technological and military capabilities to strengthen its global position. She said the intelligence community assesses that China is "the most capable competitor" in artificial intelligence, a technology she described as rapidly reshaping the global threat landscape. The adoption of AI at scale, she warned, "poses serious risks," including its potential use in weapons design, battlefield targeting, and decision-making systems. "AI has the potential to aid in weapons and systems design and has been used in recent conflicts to influence targeting and streamline decision making," Gabbard said, underscoring how emerging technologies are becoming central to future warfare. On the military front, she said China continues to "rapidly modernise its military forces across all domains" to achieve "world-class status by mid-century." This includes building capabilities designed to deter U.S. and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region. The intelligence assessment also pointed to Beijing's strategic objective of developing the capability to take Taiwan by force if necessary. At the same time, Gabbard said China likely prefers to shape conditions for "an eventual peaceful reunification with Taiwan short of conflict." Beyond military developments, China's ambitions extend to economic and geopolitical influence. Gabbard said Beijing is working "to elevate its own political, economic, military and technological power" to expand global influence and counter perceived threats to its interests. In the cyber domain, she warned that China remains one of the most persistent threats to U.S. networks and critical infrastructure. The intelligence community assesses that China, along with Russia, continues to invest heavily in cyber capabilities to collect intelligence and create options for future disruption. Gabbard also highlighted China's growing presence in regions such as Latin America and the Arctic. In the Western Hemisphere, she said China's demand for raw materials is likely to drive continued economic outreach, while in the Arctic, it is pursuing "more limited efforts" to advance strategic and economic interests. China and Russia are developing advanced missile delivery systems designed to "penetrate or bypass US missile defences," reflecting a broader trend of rising strategic competition among major powers. The assessment further noted that emerging technologies such as quantum computing could give early adopters a decisive advantage by enabling them to process sensitive national security data and break existing encryption systems. Gabbard said the intelligence community continues to prioritise threats to the U.S. homeland and global risks, with China, Russia, North Korea and Iran seen as key state actors shaping the evolving security environment. New Delhi, March 19 : Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said India's power sector is now focused on innovation, affordability and global collaboration. Speaking at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 here, he highlighted India's rapid transformation in the energy space. "The country has already achieved its target of 50 per cent cumulative non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity well ahead of schedule," he said. He also pointed to major government initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and the SHANTI Act 2025, which have helped accelerate the clean energy transition. "India has moved from being a power-deficit nation to a power-surplus one, with strong growth in renewable energy," the minister noted. "Solar capacity has increased sharply from 2.8 GW to over 143 GW in recent years," he said. He added that the country is preparing to meet rising electricity demand, including peak demand of 270 GW and beyond, after successfully handling 250 GW in 2024-25. Khattar also underlined that India's power sector is set to attract massive investments of around Rs 200 lakh crore over the next two decades. "The country is working on expanding transmission infrastructure, cross-border energy connectivity and even undersea transmission networks, with a long-term vision of becoming a global exporter of affordable energy," he stated. The four-day global conference-cum-exhibition, being held at Yashobhoomi, has brought together policymakers, industry leaders and experts from across the world to discuss the future of the power sector. Calling the summit a "Conference of Light", the minister said it reflects India's commitment to leading the global energy transition. He stressed that energy will play a key role in India's journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also addressed the gathering and said that while thermal power will continue to remain important, renewable energy is the only sustainable path for the future. He emphasised the need for a balanced transition supported by scale, speed and skill. Kolkata, March 19 : As West Bengal heads for crucial two-phase Assembly elections next month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in a total of 14 programmes in the state over the next month. The programmes will include public meetings to be addressed by the Prime Minister as well as roadshows, a state committee member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal confirmed. Next in line in terms of campaign engagements is Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is slated to take part in a total of eight programmes, including both roadshows and public meetings. While the BJP's current national president Nitin Nabin will address seven public meetings during that campaign, his predecessor and Union Health Minister, J.P. Nadda, will address six public meetings, confirmed the party's state committee member. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will participate in eight programmes in the state, including both roadshows and public meetings. Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty will take part in 10 campaign programmes in the state, including roadshows and public meetings. The last time the Prime Minister addressed a rally in the state was at Brigade Parade Ground in central Kolkata, where he said that a change in government in West Bengal is now inevitable and already reflected in public sentiment. "The inevitable regime change has been written on the walls and in the minds of the people of West Bengal. Everyone is calling for bringing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the state. Everyone wants the 'jungle raj' in Bengal to end now," the Prime Minister said while addressing a mega rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, which marked the culmination of the 'Parivartan Yatra' ahead of the Assembly elections. The first phase of Assembly elections for 152 constituencies will be held on April 23, while the second phase, covering the remaining 142 constituencies, will take place on April 29. The results will be announced on May 4. Washington, March 19 : India's water governance reforms, particularly in Maharashtra, could play a pivotal role in shaping how the world feeds 10 billion people sustainably, the World Bank said on Thursday, highlighting the state's regulatory model as a global example. In a new report, the World Bank added that smarter management of water in agriculture is essential to meeting future food demand while generating millions of jobs, and that India's policy innovations offer lessons for water-stressed regions. "The way we manage water for food will have profound implications for jobs, livelihoods, and economic growth," Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank, said. "By making smarter choices about where crops are grown, how water is allocated, and how trade supports food security, we can strengthen resilience, expand opportunity, and safeguard the resources which we all rely on." The report, Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 Billion People on a Livable Planet, flags growing imbalances in global water use, with regions like South Asia facing overextraction even as other parts of the world underutilise available resources. The World Bank applauded Maharashtra's efforts in this regard. "India's Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority is one of the few regulators that sets bulk water tariffs for irrigation in addition to domestic and industrial water tariffs," it said. The report says such regulatory frameworks are critical to improving efficiency, ensuring cost recovery, and attracting investment into irrigation systems. "Current water use in agriculture can sustainably feed less than half the world's population. Demand will rise sharply by 2050." The World Bank says expanding irrigation within sustainable limits could create about 245 million long-term jobs, adding that most of these jobs will be in developing countries. "When investments in infrastructure and natural resources, business-enabling policies, and private capital mobilisation come together, the impact can be greater than the sum of its parts," said Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Planet at the World Bank Group. "By linking global evidence with country realities, this framework can help policymakers navigate trade-offs and adapt food production to today's water and climate realities -- delivering food, jobs, and resilience together." The report proposes a framework linking water, food production, and trade. It helps countries decide whether to expand irrigation, use water more efficiently, or rely on imports. For India, the stakes are high. Parts of South Asia are already overusing water. This threatens future farm output and food security. The report calls for stronger institutions, better pricing of water, and greater private sector participation to improve efficiency. It notes that farmers are willing to invest when supported by access to finance, technology, and markets. Expanding and modernising irrigation systems globally will require an additional $24 billion to $70 billion annually through 2050, the report said. Much of this could come from repurposing existing subsidies, as governments already spend about $490 billion a year on agriculture. The World Bank plans to double its agribusiness financing to $9 billion annually by 2030 and mobilise another $5 billion per year to support small farmers. Globally, current systems can sustainably feed only about 3.4 billion people, underscoring the urgency of reform. By 2050, feeding nearly 10 billion people will require not just more production, but smarter use of water -- an area where India's Maharashtra model could offer a template for the world. People wait for jeepneys and buses on their way to work as other commuters and public utility drivers and operators hold a transport strike to express their discontent on the continuing oil price hikes at a road in Quezon City, the Philippines, on March 19, 2026. Transport groups on Thursday launched a nationwide transport strike in the Philippines to protest against soaring oil price hikes. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) MANILA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Transport groups on Thursday launched a nationwide transport strike in the Philippines to protest against soaring oil price hikes. Local media reported that the strike covered 15 to 20 protest centers across Metro Manila, with similar actions staged in several major provinces. Among the protesters' demands are the immediate rollback of oil prices, the removal of excise and value-added taxes on petroleum products, the expansion of subsidies to affected sectors, and the implementation of a living wage for workers. The Philippines, which relies heavily on imported crude oil, has been grappling with sharp price increases linked to the growing tensions in the Middle East. On the eve of the strike, the Philippine National Police placed Metro Manila on high alert, deploying nearly 10,000 personnel to ensure public safety and manage traffic. Bhopal, March 19 : The Enforcement Directorate's Bhopal Zonal Office, on Thursday, filed a charge sheet against Jagdish Prasad Sarwate, former Deputy Director of Madhya Pradesh's Adim Jati Kalyan Vibhag (Tribal Welfare Department), under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The charge sheet was filed before the Special PMLA Court in Jabalpur on March 18. On being called, Sarwate appeared before the court and received a copy of the charge sheet and relied upon documents. The ED initiated the investigation on the basis of an FIR in 2025 registered by Jabalpur's Economic Offences Wing under Sections 13(1)(b) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended. The FIR pertains to allegations that Sarwate while serving as a public servant acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during the check period from January 1, 2015 to June 20, 2025. During the course of investigation under PMLA, it was revealed that the accused had generated proceeds of crime through corrupt practices and subsequently laundered the proceeds of crime by introducing illicit cash into the banking system and investing it in acquisition of multiple properties and commercial establishments located in Bhopal, Mandla, Umaria and Seoni districts. The ED has identified total proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 11.81 crore nearly representing the value of assets in which the illicit funds were invested and integrated. Accordingly, immovable properties of equivalent value were provisionally attached in February 2026. The ED investigation has established that Jagdish Prasad Sarwate knowingly acquired concealed assets and used these as proceeds of crime and projected them as untainted property, thereby committing the offence of money laundering under Section 3 of PMLA punishable under Section 4 of the Act. The case is particularly notable because it involves a former official from the Tribal Welfare Department, which is meant to serve the interests of the state's tribal population. Corruption in such departments not only drains public resources but also hampers development initiatives for the most vulnerable communities. Further investigation is underway. New Delhi, March 19 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee again questioned the Election Commission's neutrality in a social media post on Thursday, accusing it of "summarily and arbitrarily" removing "more than 50 senior officials" ahead of the endaApril Assembly poll.a New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee again questioned the Election Commission's neutrality in a social media post on Thursday, accusing it of "summarily and arbitrarily" removing "more than 50 senior officials" ahead of the endApril Assembly poll. She wrote on her 'X' handle that the manner in which the Election Commission had singled out and targeted Bengal was unprecedented and deeply alarming. She said that even before the formal notification of elections, more than 50 senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, ADGs, IGs, DIGs, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police, had been removed, calling it political interference rather than administrative action. She added that the systematic politicisation of institutions meant to remain impartial was a direct assault on the Constitution. She said that, at a time when a flawed SIR process was underway and over 200 lives had already been lost, the Commission's conduct reflected bias and submission to political interests, putting the people of Bengal at risk. Despite the nineparagraph accusation, the state's lawandorder situation, especially during elections, has long been contentious. West Bengal has reportedly faced sharper challenges during polls compared to adjoining states such as Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. While neighbouring states also see crime spikes during elections, Bengal's intense political rivalry and borderrelated issues have made its electoral environment particularly volatile. One of the worst incidents in recent times occurred during the July 8, 2023, panchayat polls, when at least a dozen people were reported killed. Among them were seven supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress, two each from the BJP and CPI(M), and one from the Congress. Similar sporadic violence was reported during the 2021 Assembly election and the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. The rape and murder of an intern at Kolkata's R G Kar Hospital in August 2024 also triggered widespread protests, with medical interns and doctors leading demonstrations across India. Meanwhile, investigations and legal proceedings against ministers and senior Trinamool leaders in various scams, including education, cattle and coal smuggling, have drawn significant attention. Political skirmishes, often escalating into street fights and bloodshed, have been widely reported, many stemming from internal conflicts among local Trinamool leaders. Available data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and media reports indicate that crime trends are closely tied to political events. NCRB data up to 2023 shows Bihar leading the region in IPCregistered crimes between 2021 and 2023, followed by West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Jharkhand. West Bengal, which shares international borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, has also been at the centre of debates over illegal immigration. NCRB's 2023 data recorded the highest number of crimes involving foreign nationals in the state, 1,021 cases, mostly under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939. Earlier, elections in Bengal were held in multiple phases, sometimes as many as eight, to facilitate the movement of central forces and poll officials. This has now been reduced to two phases, with significant attention to law and order. In a major decision to strengthen security arrangements ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, an initial plan has reportedly been prepared to deploy about 2,500 companies of central forces in each phase. Route marches by central forces, quick response teams and static duties will also be implemented to ensure a transparent and peaceful voting process, poll officials have said. Bhopal, March 19 : The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) Bhopal Zonal Office has carried out search and seizure operations at three premises linked to M/s Rajul Group and its partner Priyank Mehta in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Thursday. The action, conducted under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, comes in connection with alleged misuse of the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for acquiring immovable properties abroad. The investigation was initiated following inputs from the Income Tax Department. During a search at Rajul Group in September 2023, tax officials reportedly found evidence suggesting possession of foreign assets by Mehta. Subsequent inquiries revealed that he had purchased a residential flat in Portugal's state capital Lisbon for a5,10,000 and was earning rental income from the property. Authorities noted that these foreign investments and income were not disclosed in the Foreign Assets Schedule of his income tax returns, an ED press statement said on Thursday. The ED's latest operation resulted in the seizure of unaccounted cash worth Rs 31 lakh from Mehta's premises. Investigators also traced fund transfers amounting to $5,48,000 to the US under the LRS scheme, which were later routed to Portugal. In addition, 4,20,998 Euro (equivalent to Rs 3.65 crore) were transferred to Portugal and used to purchase the flat in Lisbon. Officials said a remaining balance of about Rs 2.1 crore is still lying in Mehta's bank account in Portugal, the central agency said. The central agency suspects that these transactions were structured to bypass disclosure norms and conceal foreign assets. The case highlights growing concerns over the misuse of the LRS framework, which allows resident individuals to remit up to $250,000 per financial year for permissible current or capital account transactions, including overseas property purchases. While the ED has not yet disclosed whether further arrests are imminent, officials confirmed that detailed investigation is underway to establish the full extent of violations and identify possible money laundering angles. The seizure of cash and documentation marks a significant step in the probe, which could have wider implications for compliance with FEMA and the Income Tax Act. Mumbai, March 19 : HDFC Bank CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan on Thursday said former Chairman Atanu Chakraborty was asked by the board to reconsider his resignation and explain the ethics-related concerns he raised, but he chose not to do so. Speaking to reporters after the development, Jagdishan said that every board member had tried to persuade Chakraborty to either withdraw his resignation or provide more details about the issues mentioned in his letter. "The board also requested him to reconsider some of the language used in the resignation note, but these efforts were not successful," he added. Chakraborty stepped down earlier this week, citing concerns over certain practices within the bank that, according to him, did not align with his personal values and ethics. However, the management and board members said they were unable to understand the exact nature of these concerns, as no specific instances were shared. Jagdishan said the matter was discussed at a meeting of the nomination and remuneration committee, following which some board members reached out to the Reserve Bank of India to brief the regulator about the situation. "The regulator responded promptly by appointing Keki Mistry as the interim Chairman for a period of three months," he noted. Despite the sudden resignation, the bankas leadership maintained that there are no major issues within the organisation. They expressed confidence that the bankas reputation will recover over time and that its governance standards remain strong. Other board members also supported this view. Independent director M.D. Ranganath said Chakraborty was repeatedly asked to point out specific concerns, but he did not provide any details. Director Renu Sud Karnad also said the board was surprised by the development, as the claims made in the resignation letter were not clearly explained. Interim Chairman Mistry, while addressing speculation around the exit, hinted at a possible personal issue but did not elaborate further. The bank has sought to reassure stakeholders that its operations and governance remain stable despite the leadership change. Agartala, March 19 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday expressed confidence that the BJP will win the Dharmanagar by-election scheduled for April 9, citing the party's development agenda and candidate selection. CM Saha said the party has fielded Jahar Chakraborti, a long-time BJP member, following a decision by the central leadership. "He has been associated with the BJP for a very long time and is a gentleman. People of Dharmanagar know him well, which is an advantage for us," the Chief Minister told the media, expressing optimism about the party's prospects. Recalling his association with Chakraborti, the Chief Minister added that during his earlier visits to Dharmanagar for party work, he often travelled with him, highlighting the candidate's deep-rooted connection with the party and the region. The Chief Minister stressed that the BJP treats every election seriously and is preparing for both the by-election and the upcoming district council polls. "We have been working for development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With these development works, we will go to the people," he said. Referring to the opposition parties, CM Saha noted that the CPI-M has announced its candidate, while the Congress had contested earlier. He claimed that the opposition is currently facing challenges but asserted that it would not affect the BJP's chances. "We have fielded a strong candidate and are confident of winning the seat," he said. On the issue of Village Committee (VC) elections within the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), the Chief Minister said the government had preferred to conduct the polls separately from the TTAADC elections to avoid logistical difficulties. He added that the timing of the elections has been a matter of discussion, considering the monsoon season, and that the issue is currently under review by the Supreme Court. The Village Committees (VCs) within the TTAADC areas are equivalent to Gram Panchayats outside the jurisdiction of the tribal autonomous body. The politically important elections to the 30-member TTAADC will be held on April 12. Tripura State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar had earlier said that the last date for filing nominations is March 25, with scrutiny scheduled for the following day. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is March 28, and counting of votes will take place on April 17. Washington, March 19 : The United States has announced support of up to $10 billion for a major iron ore project that will deepen strategic ties with India, as part of a broader $30 billion Indo-Pacific financing push aimed at strengthening supply chains and industrial capacity.a Washington, March 19 (IANS) The United States has announced support of up to $10 billion for a major iron ore project that will deepen strategic ties with India, as part of a broader $30 billion Indo-Pacific financing push aimed at strengthening supply chains and industrial capacity. The funding, backed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM), was announced during the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum in Tokyo. EXIM said its loans are unlocking nearly $30 billion in strategic deals designed to strengthen America's supply chain security alongside Indo-Pacific allies. EXIM President and Chairman John Jovanovic joined senior officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, at the forum. Officials said the discussions focused on strengthening critical supply chains and expanding U.S. energy and industrial reach globally. A key component of the announcement is support of up to $10 billion for a mining and processing facility by Mesabi Metallics on Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range. The project will produce about 7 million tons of high-grade direct-reduction iron ore pellets annually. These are critical inputs for modern steelmaking and next-generation industrial processes. EXIM said the investment will create hundreds of American jobs and expand U.S. industrial capacity. It added that the project will deepen strategic economic ties with India and strengthen cooperation on energy, minerals, and industrial supply chains. The Minnesota project forms part of a broader set of initiatives unveiled at the forum. EXIM highlighted a $14 billion liquefied natural gas project by Delfin Midstream Inc., which aims to establish the first offshore LNG export facility in the United States with partners from Japan and South Korea. The bank also issued Letters of Interest for up to $4.2 billion in potential financing for nuclear fuel sales by General Matter to operators in Japan and South Korea. This financing would support the purchase of American enriched uranium for existing and advanced nuclear reactors, helping reduce reliance on adversarial suppliers. In Australia, EXIM is backing a critical minerals project led by RZ Resources with up to $550 million in financing. The project is expected to produce titanium feedstocks, zircon, and other strategic minerals. EXIM said these initiatives demonstrate growing coordination among like-minded economies to secure critical mineral supply chains and industrial inputs. The bank added that its efforts are aligned with the U.S. "Energy Dominance" agenda, aimed at strengthening domestic industry while expanding partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific has become central to U.S. economic strategy, especially in securing energy and critical minerals supply chains. Washington has been seeking to reduce dependence on rival nations for key industrial inputs. India has emerged as a key partner in this effort. Cooperation in energy, manufacturing, and critical minerals has expanded in recent years as both countries focus on building resilient supply chains and boosting industrial capacity. Amaravati, March 19 : As Ugadi gift to Andhra Pradesh youth, the state government, on Thursday, released the job calendar to fill more than 10,060 vacancies in various departments through State Public Service Commission. As per the job calendar, four notifications to fill the vacancies will be issued between May 15 and October 15, 2026. A total of 1,500 vacancies will be filled in the higher education department through a notification to be issued on May 15. Another notification will be issued on August 15 to provide 91 Group-I jobs, 2,778 appointments in Home department and 928 appointments in other departments. On September 15, a notification will be issued for 750 Group-II jobs, 503 posts in engineering department and 506 in other departments. Through fourth notification to be issued on October 15, a total of 3,004 vacancies will be filled in school education/intermediate education. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged the job aspirants to seize these opportunities with diligence and merit. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that "Jobs First" is the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led state government's policy. He claimed that in the 21 months since the TDP-led coalition government came to power in the state, more than 600,000 jobs and employment opportunities have been provided in government and private sectors. "With investments and the establishment of industries, large-scale job creation is set to take place in the private sector this year," the Chief Minister said. Earlier, addressing Ugadi celebrations in Vijayawada, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu added that the state government provided jobs to 15,940 teachers through the Mega District Selection Committee and recruited 5,757 Police Constables. "We (state government) have provided government jobs to 30,607 individuals, while 6.28 lakh people have secured employment in the private sector," he said. He noted that the state government is committed to fulfil its promise to create 20 lakh jobs in five years. State Human Resources Development and Information Technology Minister, Nara Lokesh, said that he was delighted that the "People's government" has fulfilled the promise he made during the Yuvagalam Padyatra to release the job calendar. He said from now on, every year on Ugadi, there will be a festival of job announcements. "I have stood by my word. The People's Government has released the Job Calendar. Now, prepare for the competitive exams. Wishing all job aspirants a Happy Ugadi," Minister Lokesh said. Agartala, March 19 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday said that purified drinking water is now being supplied to all 51 wards under the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), supported by an extensive network of treatment and ironaremoval plants.a Agartala, March 19 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday said that purified drinking water is now being supplied to all 51 wards under the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), supported by an extensive network of treatment and ironremoval plants. Speaking on the fifth day of the Tripura Legislative Assembly Budget Session, Saha said the urban watersupply system has been significantly strengthened, with 31 ironremoval plants ensuring safe drinking water across municipal areas. He highlighted that since 2018, new treatment facilities, including a 5.50 MLD plant at Master Para and a 3 MLD plant at College Tilla, have been completed to augment supply. Addressing concerns about occasional muddy water, the Chief Minister explained that such issues arise during infrastructure works, such as road restoration, cable or gas pipeline laying, and drain construction, which may accidentally damage pipelines. "These are promptly repaired to restore normal supply," he said. He also stated that such disruptions are temporary and are addressed immediately by the concerned departments. Saha informed the House that the AMC has launched a "Clean Your Tank" campaign to promote hygiene and safe waterstorage practices among residents. Water supply in AMC areas is managed by the Tripura Jal Board through the DWS Division, Agartala, and four subdivisions. At present, 13 surfacewater treatment plants, 31 modified ironremoval plants, and six packaged ironremoval units supply water daily. Providing details on water sources, the Chief Minister said that around 25 per cent of the supply comes from surface water, mainly the Howrah River, while 75 per cent is sourced from groundwater containing iron. Citing data from the Central Ground Water Board, Saha noted that up to 60.60 per cent of groundwater resources can be safely extracted, but currently only about 10.06 per cent is being utilised. He added that groundwater remains the primary source of drinking water in the state. With the AMC population estimated at around 5.79 lakh, the total daily water requirement stands at approximately 78.22 million litres, based on AMRUT guidelines of 135 litres per person per day. The Chief Minister further said that many households supplement their supply through deep tube wells and pumps. To ensure safety, waterquality monitoring has been strengthened, with members of selfhelp groups under the "Amrit Mitra" initiative conducting doortodoor testing across wards. They also raise residents' awareness of the importance of cleaning waterstorage tanks every six months. Kolkata, March 19 : The CPI(M)-led Left Front on Thursday announced its second list of candidates for the forthcoming West Bengal Assembly polls, comprising 32 names. In the first list released on March 14, the names of candidates for 192 constituencies were announced. So, the names of 224 candidates out of the total 294 seats have been announced so far. Of the 32 candidates whose names were announced in the second list, one was from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), three from the CPI, and the remaining 28 were from the CPI-M. The CPI-M has, this time, decided not to field its own candidate from the high-profile Nandigram assembly constituency in East Midnapore district, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate is sitting MLA and the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, and a CPI candidate will be contesting from there. Adhikari is also contesting simultaneously this time from the Bhabanipur assembly constituency in South Kolkata against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Like the first list, also, the names of the CPI-M's state Secretary and politburo member, Md Salim, and the CPI-M Central Committee member and the former Left Front legislative party leader, Dr Sujan Chakraborty, were not in the second list as well. The name of the popular youth and media face of the party, Satarup Ghosh, was not in either of the two lists. It had been decided that instead of contesting themselves, these three leaders would move around the state campaigning for the Left Front candidates this time. The Left Front had already announced that they will leave 10 seats for the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist, which is the biggest Left force in neighbouring Bihar. The CPI-ML had already announced the names of their candidates for those 10 assembly constituencies allotted to it. Meanwhile, seat-sharing arrangement dialogues between the Left Front and the All India Secular Front (AISF) are still continuing, with junior Left Front ally, All India Forward Bloc, being the only force opposing that arrangement with the AISF. --IANS src/vd Patna, March 19 : Amid a series of Iftar gatherings across Bihar, a prominent event was hosted on Thursday at the residence of Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Chief Jitan Ram Manjhi in Patna. The Iftar was attended by several NDA leaders, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his son Nishant Kumar, and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. Following the gathering, Manjhi made a notable political remark, suggesting that Samrat Choudhary could be a potential candidate for the Chief Minister's post. "I feel that Samrat Choudhary is the person Nitish Kumar wants for the position of Chief Minister. It is possible that he may be given this responsibility," the Union Minister said. Describing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's leadership style, Union Minister Manjhi noted that the Chief Minister is transparent but often does not openly express his intentions. "If he (Nitish Kumar) is giving indications, then it should be understood that he stands by his decisions," he added. Commenting on Nitish Kumar's son and JD-U leader Nishant Kumar's growing public presence, Manjhi said he has recently entered politics but possesses qualities essential for leadership. "He is patient and respectful. Today, I saw him greeting everyone warmly -- this is a good sign for someone entering public life," he added. On the tradition of hosting Iftar gatherings, Union Minister Manjhi emphasised that such events have been organised at his residence for nearly a decade. "People from all political backgrounds come together to pray for peace, prosperity, and harmony in the state and the country," he said. He added that this year's Iftar event was held to ensure continuity of the tradition, especially toward the end of the observance period of Ramzan. Responding to queries about the absence of an Iftar gathering at the residence of former Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, Manjhi said it was a personal matter. "I cannot comment on why others did not organise such events. It is a religious observance, and everyone has their own way of fulfilling it," he added. The event comes amid heightened political activity in Bihar, where Iftar gatherings have also been hosted recently at Haj Bhawan and the Chief Minister's residence, often serving as platforms for both social outreach and political messaging. MELBOURNE, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of crimes recorded in the Australian state of Victoria grew by 4.2 percent in 2025 as youth offenders drove an increase in carjackings and robberies, with the crime rate hitting a nine-year high. According to official data released on Thursday by the state's Crime Statistics Agency (CSA), Victoria Police recorded 630,592 criminal offenses in the calendar year 2025, up 4.2 percent from 605,342 in 2024. The crime rate, which accounts for population growth, increased by 2.4 percent from 8,674.1 offenses per 100,000 people in 2024 to 8,885.5 offenses per 100,000 people in 2025, the highest figure since 2016. Victoria Police said in a statement that overall crime is starting to stabilize after the state's crime rate spiked by 19 percent between 2022 and 2024. However, it noted that the number of reported car thefts hit the highest level since 2001 in 2025, and has increased by 96.9 percent over the last three years, and retail theft offenses increased by 6.1 percent in 2025. Victoria Police said that child offenders committed 57.6 percent of carjackings, 52.6 percent of home invasions, 62.4 percent of robberies and 47.8 percent of aggravated burglaries in the state in 2025. It said that youth gang members were most commonly responsible for those crimes and that 1,223 children were arrested by officers a combined 6,997 times in 2025. Under laws passed by the state parliament in December, children as young as 14 who are charged with violent offenses, including carjacking, home invasion and armed robbery, can face adult courts and adult sentences, including life imprisonment. The state government also, in 2025, classified machetes as prohibited weapons, making it illegal to own, use, transport or sell them except for legitimate purposes such as agriculture. Victoria Police said on Thursday that it seized a record 17,400 knives and machetes in 2025. Mumbai, March 19 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that the state government is actively building a robust ecosystem to support gaming, the creator economy, education, and digital infrastructure. Speaking at an interactive session with content creators, he addressed various industry concerns and outlined his vision for a digital-first state. In a major announcement for the creative community, the Chief Minister revealed plans to develop a state-of-the-art complex across 50 acres near the Navi Mumbai International Airport. This dedicated hub will serve as a one-stop destination for e-sports arenas, content creation studios, and plug-and-play digital infrastructure. CM Fadnavis also highlighted that 12 AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) hubs are being developed across Maharashtra to foster a world-class ecosystem for game development. He further elaborated on plans to build a comprehensive facility for content creators on 50 acres near the Navi Mumbai airport, which will house e-sports infrastructure, content creation tools, and related amenities under one roof. When asked if he would support his own daughter pursuing a career in gaming, the Chief Minister said: "If my daughter decides to make a career in gaming, she will have 100 per cent permission and my full support. No matter which field one chooses, hard work remains the only key to success." Addressing the challenges creators face in monetising content, Fadnavis noted that the state government is working to bridge the gap between creators and brands. He mentioned a recent discussion with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan regarding the creation of a stronger ecosystem for creators, further supported by the state's AVGC policy. To provide students with clear career pathways in gaming and animation, the government has established the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT). Operating on a 'hub-and-spoke' model, the institute will offer professional training and infrastructure to aspiring creators, he said. Fadnavis also shared updates on the state's digital reach. "Fibre network has already reached 70 per cent of the 40,000 villages in Maharashtra. The government aims to provide high-speed, 'lag-free' internet to every single village within the next two to three years," he said. Responding to a suggestion about 24x7 live streaming of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), he said the government would strive to use live platforms to showcase major projects and critical decision-making processes to the public. Mumbai, March 19 : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday questioned the Central government's lack of support for Iran. a Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday questioned the Central government's lack of support for Iran. He said Iran has been a longstanding ally of India, particularly on the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir issue, and warned that failing to stand by a trusted partner would lead to serious diplomatic and economic consequences for India. He said much of India's oil comes from Iran and that the country had supplied it in Rupees. "When Iran was attacked, our Prime Minister did not issue a single statement of support. Even after the passing of Khamenei, there was no official message of condolence or protest," he remarked during his Gudi Padwa speech at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park. Marking the 20th anniversary of the MNS, Thackeray described the milestone as a "divine omen" and expressed confidence that his party would eventually come to power to restore Maharashtra's "lost glory". In a wideranging address, he spoke about the state's rising debt, deteriorating urban infrastructure, and sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy on the IranIsrael conflict. It was his first speech after the MNS' rout in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, despite joining hands with his cousin and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on issues of Marathi pride and safeguarding the interests of the Marathi Manoos. Turning to domestic matters, Thackeray attacked the state government over Maharashtra's financial condition. He pointed out that state debt was around Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014 under Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, and has now risen to Rs 11 lakh crore. "The Chief Minister talks about a 3trilliondollar economy and development, but the state is sinking in debt," he said. He criticised largescale infrastructure projects such as the Coastal Road, claiming they were not designed for ordinary citizens but to enable "outsiders" and major industrialists like Adani to take over land in Maharashtra. Thackeray described Maharashtra's urban centres as "collapsed" and "formless", saying permissions for skyscrapers were being granted indiscriminately while basic issues such as traffic congestion remained unaddressed. He also urged the youth to disconnect from digital distractions. "Come out of Instagram reels. The government wants you distracted by IPL, films, and social media so that you don't take to the streets to question them. You are rotting while expressing anger only on mobile screens," he told the crowd. Reflecting on his early years, Thackeray recalled a lesson from his uncle and mentor, the late Balasaheb Thackeray. He said Balasaheb once told him that the delivery of a speech mattered less than giving people something meaningful to think about. He added that those words remained "etched in his mind like a tightened screw". Despite electoral setbacks, Thackeray insisted that the MNS was the only party truly standing for Maharashtra. He declared with conviction that the party would one day come to power to reclaim the state's prestige. New Delhi, March 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the trustees of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in the national capital on Thursday and discussed ways to further popularise India's culture and support artists and scholars in preserving and promoting the country's rich heritage. "Met Trustees of IGNCA and discussed various aspects relating to further popularising Indiaas diverse culture. We also explored ways to bring more people into this journey, strengthen outreach through digital and grassroots initiatives, and support artists and scholars in preserving and promoting our rich heritage," the Prime Minister wrote on social media platform X after the meeting. "A proud milestone in Indiaas cultural reassertion. Culture is no longer elite. It is everyoneas. Honable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi today met trustees of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, appreciating its journey as a model of cultural democratisation and civilisational outreach across Bharat," the IGNCA posted on the same platform. The IGNCA was established in 1987 as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, serving as a centre for research, academic pursuit, and dissemination in the field of the arts. The field of arts, according to the Centre, encompasses a wide range of subjects -- from archaeology and anthropology to the visual and performing arts -- bringing them together in a complementary and non-demarcated framework. Its board of trustees comprises 18 members, with veteran journalist Ram Bahadur Rai serving as its President and also Chairman of the Executive Committee, drawn from among the trustees. Other members of the Executive Committee include Sonal Mansingh, Bharat Gupt, and Member Secretary Sachchidanand Joshi. The Member Secretary is the executive head of both academic and administrative divisions. The IGNCA has six functional units -- Kala Nidhi, a multi-form library; Kala Kosa, devoted mainly to the study and publication of fundamental texts in Indian languages; Janapada Sampada, engaged in lifestyle studies; Kaladarsana, the executive unit that transforms research and studies into visible forms through exhibitions; Cultural Informatics, which applies technology tools for cultural preservation and propagation; and Sutradhara, the administrative section that supports and coordinates all activities. Washington, March 19 : Military action has badly damaged Iran's nuclear programme, but it cannot wipe out the knowledge, materials, and industrial capacity that could allow Tehran to rebuild, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said in an interview on Thursday.a Washington, March 19 (IANS) Military action has badly damaged Iran's nuclear programme, but it cannot wipe out the knowledge, materials, and industrial capacity that could allow Tehran to rebuild, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said in an interview on Thursday. Grossi said the attacks had rolled back the programme "considerably," but warned that key problems would remain once the fighting stops. "One cannot deny that this has really rolled back the program considerably," he said. But he added that "once the military effort comes to an end, we will still inherit several major issues." Chief among them, he said, is Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent. That level is close to weapons-grade. "That is going to still be where it is," Grossi said, adding that in some cases it could be "under the rubble, and in some cases no rubble." He also said some infrastructure and equipment may have survived the attacks, even if damaged. The full picture, he said, will only be clear when IAEA inspectors return to the sites. Grossi drew a sharp line between physical destruction and scientific capability. "You can't unlearn what you've learned," he said, noting that Iran now has "the most sophisticated, fast and efficient machine that exists" and knows how to make it. He said the centrifuge programme could be rebuilt because it depends on industrial and metallurgical skills that are hard to erase. "This capability exists," he said. Grossi also cautioned against claims that war alone could end Iran's nuclear ambitions. "I would say any war," he said, before adding that only a catastrophic nuclear war could destroy such a programme "in an unfathomable way, which we hope, of course, will never be the case." He said Iran's nuclear file still requires an agreed international framework and renewed inspections. "We still need to find a framework, an agreed framework, that is going to provide us with the necessary visibility and sense of a clear idea of where they are, where they want to go," he said. Grossi said the IAEA had not observed major Iranian efforts to resume enrichment activity during the current military campaign. "We don't see major activity, which is logical," he said. But he stressed that the absence of visible activity does not mean the threat is gone. "A lot still has survived," he said. "They have the capabilities, they have the knowledge, they have the industrial ability to do that." He also said recovering or removing enriched material would be highly difficult. The material is stored in cylinders containing uranium hexafluoride gas enriched to 60 per cent. "It is very difficult to handle," he said, calling any such operation "very challenging." Grossi said he has been in contact with officials in Washington and with Iran, and hopes inspectors can return once conditions allow. Iran, he noted, remains bound by treaty obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He said diplomacy remains essential despite the war. "For a durable, long-standing solution, we will have to see each other again around the table," he said. Iran's nuclear programme has long been at the centre of tensions with the United States, Israel and European powers. The 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, had placed limits on Iran's enrichment activities, but that framework steadily weakened after the U.S. withdrawal and subsequent escalation between Tehran and the West. The IAEA has for years raised concerns over unanswered questions, restricted access and undeclared nuclear material. Grossi has repeatedly argued that inspections, verification and diplomacy remain the only sustainable tools for establishing what Iran has, what it can rebuild and where its programme is headed. Washington, March 19 : Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told President Donald Trump on Thursday that she believed he alone could deliver peace in a world facing a severe security crisis, as the two leaders met at the White House against the backdrop of tensions in the Middle East and growing fears over the global economy.a Washington, March 19 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told President Donald Trump on Thursday that she believed he alone could deliver peace in a world facing a severe security crisis, as the two leaders met at the White House against the backdrop of tensions in the Middle East and growing fears over the global economy. "Right now, situations in the Middle East and also the entire world, we are actually experiencing a very severe security environment," Takaichi said, warning that "the global economy is now about to experience a huge hit because of these developments." "I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world," she added, pledging to work with partners across the international community to stabilise the situation. Trump, welcoming Takaichi, praised her leadership and electoral victory, saying she had "won a tremendous election in a record-setting fashion." He added, "We have a very popular, powerful woman and she's a great woman," and said the two countries shared "a very fine relationship." The leaders said they would discuss trade, security and broader cooperation. On Iran, Trump ruled out sending U.S. troops. "No, I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you, but I'm not putting troops," he said. At the same time, he expressed confidence about the course of the conflict. "It's going to be over with pretty soon. We've obliterated. We've obliterated their just about everything obliterated, including leadership," he said. Trump also said allies should contribute more, though he downplayed U.S. dependence on them. "We don't need much. We don't need anything, honestly, from Japan or anyone else. But I think it's appropriate that people step up," he said, adding that Japan was "really stepping up to the plate unlike NATO." He signalled readiness to act on Iran's energy infrastructure if needed. "We can take out the island anytime we want. I call it the little oil island that sits there, totally unprotected," he said. On oil markets, Trump said the administration would intervene to stabilise prices. "We will do whatever is necessary to keep the price as low," he said, noting that markets had held steady, adding, "the Dow just hit 50,000 I thought it would be worse." Takaichi underscored Japan's concerns about Iran's actions and their impact on regional stability. She condemned attacks on neighbouring regions and stressed that nuclear weapons in Iran "must never be allowed." She also highlighted the impact on global energy flows and said she had proposals to "calm the global energy market." The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route, remains a central concern for Japan, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil. Reaffirming ties, she told Trump that he had shown "deep trust in Japan and unwavering commitment to the Japan-US alliance," and said she looked forward to strengthening economic cooperation. On China, Takaichi said Japan had been "consistently open to dialogue with China" and was engaging "in a calm manner." The meeting marked her first visit to the White House since taking office in October 2025 and came as Washington has been urging allies to play a larger role in securing key energy routes. Japan has been weighing its options within the limits of its pacifist constitution, even as it coordinates closely with the United States on diplomacy and economic security. The U.S.-Japan alliance remains central to Indo-Pacific stability, with both countries expanding cooperation in defence, technology and supply chains amid rising global uncertainty. Gwalior, March 19 : Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's wife Priyadarshini Raje Scindia, on Thursday, visited the large-scale free health camp, including for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines, to girls for prevention of cervical cancer, organised in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district. During the visit, Priyadarshini Raje Scindia inspected the registration process at the reception and urged the organisers and medical staff to ensure that every patient receives timely medical attention without any inconvenience. She interacted with medical staff and patients, especially women, to know their response and information regarding the various medical services available at the camp. Shivpuri is the family bastion of the Scindia family and the part of Guna Lok Sabha constituency, which is currently being represented by Jyotiraditya Scindia. Meanwhile, Priyadarshini Raje Scindia also honoured the doctors for their services at the camp and expressed her appreciation for their dedication. Addressing the gathering, she remarked that such camps not only extend healthcare services to the common people but also reinforce the spirit of service and empathy within society. She also inspected other facilities available at the camp, specifically checking the quality of the food being served to the doctors, staff, patients, and their attendants. She personally tasted the food to ensure its quality. Union Minister Scindia also distributed food to the patients and urged the concerned officials to ensure that there were no shortcomings whatsoever in the services provided. Priyadarshini Raje Scindia also requested the volunteers to maintain cleanliness and hygiene within the camp to ensure that patients face no difficulties. She had inaugurated the HPV vaccination facility at Gwalior district hospital on Wednesday and interacted with patients to understand their concerns and encouraged young girls to get vaccinated, thereby ensuring that this initiative moves forward effectively in the dual directions of both health security and awareness. The Madhya Pradesh government claimed that the state has stood first in the country in administering the highest number of HPV vaccines to girls for prevention of cervical cancer. The vaccination for more than one lakh 14-year-old girls was done after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide campaign from Rajasthan's Ajmer on February 28. Mangaluru : , March 19 (IANS) Karnataka police have launched a hunt for activists in a moral policing case in which a 17-year-old boy from a minority community was allegedly assaulted and abducted by a group during a temple fair in Ujire in Mangaluru district, police said on Thursday. Mangaluru Superintendent of Police K. Arun said that strict action would be taken against those who take the law into their own hands. A special team has been formed to trace the accused, and CCTV footage from the area is being examined as part of the investigation. According to police, the incident was reported on the evening of March 18 amid the festivities of the Sri Janardhana Swamy temple fair in Beltangady taluk. The boy had reportedly come to the fair with his friends when a group of youths confronted him. According to the complaint, the group questioned him, asking, "Are you taking girls to a lodge?" and allegedly abused him using derogatory language before physically assaulting him. The accused are also said to have forcibly taken the boy away and made him record a video on a mobile phone. More details are yet to emerge regarding the incident. Based on the complaint filed by the victim, the Beltangady police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Police have invoked charges of wrongful restraint, assault, kidnapping, intentional insult, and criminal intimidation. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused are linked to a right-wing outfit, Bajrang Dal. The incident has raised concerns over safety and law and order during public events in the region. Chikkamagaluru police took three people into custody on February 19 on charges of moral policing. The accused allegedly stopped a boy and a girl belonging to different communities while they were returning from school on a bike and questioned them. After receiving information about the incident, police registered a case based on a complaint filed by the boy's family and arrested the accused Nayaz, Tabrez, and Haneef. On July 9, 2025, Vitla police in Mangaluru district took a man into custody in connection with an alleged incident of moral policing. The accused was identified as Padmaraj, a resident of Manjeshwar. The incident took place when the complainant's minor brother was speaking to his schoolmate at the Vitla private bus stand. On January 22, 2026, in another incident of moral policing, a group of Muslim youths allegedly attacked some Hindu youths who were with a Muslim girl in Bangarpet during an Urs procession. Police had arrested 10 people in connection with the incident. The complaint was filed by Chandini, who alleged that the accused attacked her and her Hindu friends Rahul, Purushottam, Lavanya, and Sanjay who were with her and her brother Rafi. Dahod, March 19 : Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma on Thursday accused the Congress of delivering "zero" on development, tribal welfare and education, as he addressed a booth workers' conference in Dahod and urged party cadres to intensify outreach ahead of local body elections.a Dahod, March 19 (IANS) Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma on Thursday accused the Congress of delivering "zero" on development, tribal welfare and education, as he addressed a booth workers' conference in Dahod and urged party cadres to intensify outreach ahead of local body elections. Speaking at the gathering, Vishwakarma said, "Congress means zero in the name of development, zero in the name of giving to tribals, zero in the name of education," adding that the party stood for "false promises and lies". He further alleged that Congress had never wanted people from villages and tribal communities to become educated and progress. "Congress appears only during elections. People of the country have rejected Congress three times, and the people of Gujarat have been rejecting it for 30 years," he said. The event, organised for workers of the Dahod Assembly constituency, was attended by several party leaders and functionaries. Vishwakarma said the BJP's organisational strength rested on workers committed to service rather than power, and called on them to take the party's "nationalist ideology" and government initiatives to every household while preparing for the upcoming local self-government elections. Referring to the tribal population, he said, "The tribal community is the true guardian of water, land and forests and the protector of nature," and highlighted their historical contributions, including sacrifices in defence of the country and participation in the independence movement. He also mentioned the legacy of tribal leaders and said their role would not be forgotten. Vishwakarma credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with shifting national politics away from vote-bank, caste-based and regional considerations towards development. "Within 17 days of assuming office, the Prime Minister had taken key decisions swiftly, including approval related to the Narmada dam, and added that development visible across Gujarat's cities and villages reflected such leadership," he said. He said both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel remained focused on the development of tribal regions stretching from Ambaji to Umargam. Highlighting changes in Dahod, he said that where residents once migrated for labour, efforts were now being made to generate local employment. Among development initiatives, Vishwakarma cited plans to develop Dahod municipality into a smart city with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore, and to establish a railway engine manufacturing unit with a capacity of 9,000 metric tonnes, which he said would create employment in the district and surrounding areas. He added that engines produced in Dahod were operating across the country. He also referred to expansion in education infrastructure, including medical colleges, Eklavya Model Schools and tribal universities in Gujarat, and said the government was working to enable students from tribal communities to become doctors and engineers. "The state had increased the income eligibility limit for post-matric scholarships for Scheduled community students from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs six lakh," he said. Contrasting governance approaches, Vishwakarma said that while earlier only a portion of funds reached beneficiaries, under the current system, financial assistance was transferred directly into bank accounts. "Several schemes aimed at tribal welfare were being implemented with an emphasis on transparency and improving living standards," he said. In his address, he reiterated his criticism of the Congress, citing past corruption scandals. "Congress stands for false promises and lies, along with various scams, including the Commonwealth Games scam, 2G spectrum scam, coal block allocation scam and Adarsh housing scam. India is in safe hands under Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he claimed. Vishwakarma also urged party workers to strengthen grassroots engagement and ensure that beneficiaries benefit from government schemes, while working towards electoral success in the forthcoming local polls. Earlier in the day, he also held a meeting with district office-bearers at the BJP office in Dahod, where he interacted with workers and reviewed organisational preparedness. --IANS mys/dan New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : With just three days left for filing nominations for the April 9 Assembly polls, the Congress on Thursday night unveiled its final list of candidates, covering 37 constituencies and bringing to a close four days of intense negotiations, debates, and high-voltage drama. In the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the party will contest 92 seats, while extending support in three constituencies to rebel leaders who have broken ranks with the CPI-M. The delayed announcement reflected the tightrope walk the leadership had to perform to balance factions, accommodate veterans, and infuse new faces. The most dramatic moments came after senior leader and Kannur Lok Sabha MP K. Sudhakaran openly expressed displeasure and even threatened to walk out of the party. The crisis, however, was defused following last-minute intervention by veteran leader A.K. Antony, whose persuasive outreach ensured that tempers cooled. In a conciliatory note before leaving Delhi, Sudhakaran reaffirmed his loyalty, stating that he remained a "small person before the giant Congress" and would be at the forefront of the campaign. The final list carries a mix of experience and fresh entrants. Senior leaders and former legislators such as N. Sakthan, T. Sarathchandra Prasad, Varkala Kahar, and V. Sivakumar have been fielded, signalling reliance on seasoned hands. At the same time, long-time loyal party workers including Eby Kuriakose, Roy K. Paulose, and Pazhakulam Madhu have been given their maiden opportunity to contest Assembly elections. However, the exclusion of two-time sitting MLA Eldos Kunnappally has triggered discontent. Expressing disappointment, he said he was unaware of the reasons behind his omission but assured that he would speak with his supporters to decide his future course of action. Another notable inclusion is Sandeep Warrier, who joined the Congress in November 2024 and is set to contest from the CPI-M stronghold of Thrikaripur, setting up a keen contest. In a strategic move, the Congress has also decided to back three CPI-M dissidents, including former Minister G. Sudhakaran, P.K. Sasi, and T.K. Govindan, who had publicly criticised their party leadership. With the list now out, attention shifts to whether those denied tickets will fall in line or spark fresh unrest -- a familiar challenge for the Congress as it heads into a crucial electoral battle. Hyderabad, March 19 : Hyderabad Police have established food adulteration surveillance team to strengthen food safety enforcement and regulatory action. The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) under the leadership of Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, will work in close coordination with Food Safety officers. The unit was inaugurated by Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Task Force, on Thursday, marking the launch of a dedicated, intelligence-driven mechanism to combat food adulteration. H-FAST comprises 28 personnel, including Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, and supporting staff, focusing on surveillance, detection, and prosecution of offences related to unsafe food. According to a press note from the Police Commissioneras office, the team will conduct raids in close coordination with Food Safety officers, ensuring effective enforcement through strong cooperation and seamless coordination. A dedicated toll-free number 8712661212 has been established for the public to report instances of food adulteration and unsafe food practices. Citizens can also reach out through the official social media platforms of H-FAST to share information and complaints, enabling quicker response and wider public participation. Officials emphasized that food adulteration is a serious offence posing a threat to public health. A zero-tolerance approach will be followed, and stringent legal action will be taken against offenders. Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and actively report any suspicious food-related activities. The unit has been established a day after two incidents in which police busted adulterated pickle manufacturing unit and raided six stores for selling adulterated paneer and dairy products. The sleuths of Commissioneras Task Force, Khairtabad Zone Team in coordination with Food Security officer, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, raided six wholesale and retail stores near Ganj Bazar, Secunderabad and arrested six accused. According to police, these establishment were allegedly engaged in the procuring and selling of adulterated/in-hygienic paneer and other dairy products in bulk quantity from the unknown source and selling to Food Catering services, hotels and needy customers. In another case, Kulsumpura Police, busted an illegal and unhygienic pickle manufacturing unit in Jiyaguda. Two individuals were apprehended for preparing and selling adulterated pickles without a valid license. YAOUNDE, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen people were killed after a Sudanese drone strike hit the Chadian border town of Tine Djagaraba, Chad's Minister of Communication and Government Spokesman Gassim Cherif Mahamat said in a statement early Thursday. Several others were also wounded in the attack that took place on Wednesday, the spokesman said. "Despite firm warnings addressed to the various belligerents in the Sudanese conflict and the closure of the border between the two countries, the locality of Tine Djagaraba on Chadian territory was, once again, the target of a drone attack," he said. The government has reinforced the posture of its defense and security forces, which stand ready to exercise the right of pursuit on Sudanese territory, in strict compliance with the rules of international law, Mahamat said. Local media reported that most of those who died were mourners at a funeral. On Wednesday night, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno convened an emergency security meeting following the deadly drone attack and ordered the "complete closure" of the border, according to a statement issued by the Chadian presidency. The president ordered the National Army to retaliate against any attack originating from Sudan. Chad shares a 1,300-km porous border with Sudan, which has been engulfed in conflict since 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Tehran, March 19 : Iran warned on Thursday that it would carry out more severe retaliatory strikes if the US and Israel attack its energy facilities again. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement published by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Sepah News that Tehran had not sought to expand the conflict to oil infrastructure or harm the economies of friendly neighbouring states. "Following the enemies' aggression against Iranian energy infrastructure, we have practically entered a new stage of war," he added. Zolfaghari said Iran's response was ongoing and warned that further attacks would be met with more intense strikes targeting energy infrastructure linked to the US, Israel and their allies, Xinhua news agency reported. On Wednesday, Israel struck Iran's South Pars offshore natural gas field in the Gulf, which it shares with Qatar. Qatar later reported fires and extensive damage at liquefied natural gas facilities following Iranian strikes. The escalation comes amid heightened tensions after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran began February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran and its regional allies against Israeli and US interests across the Middle East. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all denounced the Iranian attacks, with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, saying assaults on it meant "what little trust there was before has completely been shattered". In morning trading, Brent crude oil, the international standard, was above $110 US a barrel, up more than 50 per cent since Israel and the US started the war on February 28 with strikes on Iran. The wave of Iranian attacks came after Israel hit South Pars, the world's largest gas field located offshore in the Persian Gulf and owned jointly by Iran and Qatar. With some 80 per cent of all power generated in Iran coming from natural gas, according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency, the attack directly threatens the country's electricity supplies. Natural gas is also used to supply household heating and cooking across the country. Iran condemned the strike on South Pars, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of "uncontrollable consequences" that "could engulf the entire world". Qatar Energy said on X that a missile hit on its massive Ras Laffan LNG facility caused the blaze early Thursday. A ship was also hit off the country's coast, according to the UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre. It was not clear whether it was deliberately targeted or was struck by falling debris as Qatar fired off missile interceptors at incoming Iranian barrages. Saudi Arabia also reported downing Iranian drones targeting its natural gas facilities overnight, and authorities in Abu Dhabi shut down the Habshan gas facility and Bab field after interceptions over the sites. Another ship was set ablaze early Thursday off the UAE coast. It was also unclear whether it was targeted or hit with debris, the UKMTO said. It added that the vessel was just off the coast of Khor Fakkan, near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is normally shipped. More than 20 vessels have been attacked during the Iran war so far as Tehran has kept a tight grip on shipping traffic through the waterway, which leads from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Iran insists the waterway is open, just not to the US or its allies, and while some vessels have sailed through, it has only been a trickle. Iran announced the execution of three men detained in January's nationwide protests, the first such sentences known to have been carried out, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported. The men were accused of stabbing two police officers to death in Qom, nearly 130 km south of the capital, Tehran, during the protests. Iran cracked down the demonstrations with intense violence that killed thousands of people and saw tens of thousands others detained, and activists have warned that authorities might carry out mass executions of those detained. Iran long has been accused by rights campaigners of extracting coerced confessions from detainees and not allowing them to fully defend themselves in court. More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed during the war. Israeli strikes have displaced more than one million Lebanese -- nearly 20 per cent of the population -- according to the Lebanese government, which says 968 people have been killed. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire, including a Thai agricultural worker who died overnight after getting hit with shrapnel. Three people were also killed in the occupied West Bank overnight by an Iranian missile strike, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. At least 13 US military members have been killed. New Delhi, March 19 : The Indian National Congress today strongly condemned the Central government for what it described as a systematic crackdown on social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram and similar other micro-blogging sites. a New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The Indian National Congress today strongly condemned the Central government for what it described as a systematic crackdown on social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram and similar other micro-blogging sites. Party spokesperson and Chairperson of social media and digital platforms, Supriya Shrinate, accused the administration of suppressing dissent, undermining freedom of expression, and threatening democratic principles by blocking or restricting accounts that are critical of government policies and decisions. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Shrinate highlighted that multiple accounts, ranging from independent content creators and YouTube channels to Instagram profiles, had been blocked, suspended, or had their content removed under official directives. She pointed to actions taken under "Section 69A" of the Information Technology Act, executed through ministries, where "bureaucrats reportedly decide what content Indians can access." "This is not just about controlling narratives; it's a serious attack on freedom of expression," Shrinate said. "After influencing mainstream media, the government is now extending its grip to social media. First, they remove content, then they block accounts entirely. Even independent voices highlighting public issues like gas shortages in Noida, where a YouTuber faced police detention, have been targeted," she said. Shrinate emphasised that the affected accounts were not exclusively linked to the Congress party; some belonged to individuals who had also critiqued opposition policies. "We defend their right to speak, regardless," she asserted, adding that such measures would fail to silence genuine public questions on governance. "Blocking accounts won't stop scrutiny," Shrinate declared. The Congress party, she said, vowed to continue raising these issues, framing the social media actions as part of a broader pattern of evading accountability amid mounting public and economic challenges in the country. The government has not yet responded to the allegations made by Congress. The Congress leader broadened her critique to include foreign policy and economic failures as well. --IANS sktr/dan New Delhi, March 19 : In a strong display of diplomatic support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Thursday to convey warm Eid greetings and firmly reiterate India's condemnation of the recent attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. a New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) In a strong display of diplomatic support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Thursday to convey warm Eid greetings and firmly reiterate India's condemnation of the recent attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. The phone call comes amid escalating tensions that have threatened global energy supplies and maritime security. PM Modi, in an X post, reiterated that India stands in solidarity with Qatar and strongly condemned the attacks on the region's energy infrastructure. This unequivocal backing follows a blatant Iranian aggression against Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country's premier liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India's LNG imports. PM Modi specifically condemned the strikes on the facility, expressing India's solidarity with Doha in addressing the aggression. The conversation between the two leaders also touched upon the welfare of the approximately 800,000-strong Indian community residing in Qatar. PM Modi expressed gratitude to the Qatari leadership for the care and support provided to the Indian community, a gesture warmly acknowledged by the Amir, who praised the robust bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. The diplomatic outreach is set against a backdrop of extreme volatility in West Asia, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and Oman, has effectively become a high-risk zone. Recent escalations have seen Iran follow through on longstanding threats to disrupt the passage, with traffic through the strait plummeting by as much as 97 per cent. This is critical as the Strait normally sees the transit of around 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products daily, roughly one-fifth of global consumption, along with the majority of Qatar's LNG exports. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has leveraged its geographic position, deploying fast attack boats, anti-ship missiles, and naval mines, making the narrow shipping lanes, just 3 km wide in either direction, extremely dangerous. Recent days have seen attacks on at least 16 commercial vessels, including oil tankers, leading to casualties and forcing many operators to abandon the route. PM Modi emphasised India's stance on this issue, stating that "We stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz." PM Modi's phone call to the Qatari Amir also aligns with a growing regional consensus against the recent spate of Iranian attacks. On Thursday, foreign ministers from a dozen Arab and Islamic nations convened in Riyadh for a Saudi-hosted consultative meeting. The gathering included top diplomats from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, and Pakistan. In a strongly worded joint statement issued after the meeting, the ministers condemned what they described as deliberate Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure. This includes strikes on oil facilities, desalination plants, and airports. The ministers stressed that such attacks cannot be justified under any circumstances and affirmed the right of states to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter. They further called on Iran to halt its attacks and to refrain from actions that threaten international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, urging Tehran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The statement from the Arab and Islamic foreign ministers also made it clear that the future of relations with Iran hinges on Tehran's respect for the sovereignty of nations and the principles of good neighbourliness. This unified stance from the region, coupled with India's vocal condemnation, underscores the international isolation of these attacks and the collective demand for de-escalation to ensure global energy security and stability. --IANS scor/dan Bhubaneswar, March 19 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Police has arrested a businessman for his alleged involvement in a multi-crore fraud case related to the embezzlement of District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds in Mayurbhanj district, a senior EOW official said on Thursday. The accused, Brajesh Mishra, proprietor of Mishra Enterprises and Mahakal Construction, was apprehended on Tuesday (March 17) from Chhattisgarh in connection with EOW Police Station Case No. 5/24. Following his arrest, the businessman was produced before a local court in Chhattisgarh and later brought to Bhubaneswar on transit remand. Mishra is scheduled to be produced before the designated OPID court in Balasore on March 20. The EOW took over the case registered at the Bhanjapur Police Station in Mayurbhanj district on April 19, 2024, based on a complaint filed by Sujata Kanungo, Chief Manager of Bank of India, Baripada. The complainant alleged fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 9.56 crore from the DMFT account of the Zilla Parishad, Mayurbhanj, using four forged cheques on April 10 and 18, 2024. Investigations revealed that the fraudsters used cloned cheques to siphon off funds into accounts of PT Constructions & Supplier and S.K. Enterprises held in different banks. The siphoned money was subsequently diverted to multiple accounts through layered transactions to conceal the trail. "During investigation, it was found that the savings account of the Zilla Parishad, Mayurbhanj, is maintained with Bank of India, Baripada branch in the name of District Mineral Foundation Trust. The fraudsters, by producing forged or cloned cheques, managed to transfer Rs 9,56,76,600 in total into two different accounts in the name of PT Constructions & Supplier, maintained with Bank of Maharashtra, and S.K. Enterprises, maintained with Punjab & Sindh Bank," EOW sources said. So far, EOW sleuths have managed to block Rs 5.04 crore, while Rs 13.56 lakh in 33 accounts has been frozen. Probe findings indicate that Rs 98.30 lakh and Rs 49.19 lakh were transferred to accounts linked to Mishra's firms. Of this, Rs 14.19 lakh was routed to his personal account, with the remaining funds diverted further. During the investigation, the defrauded amounts were found to have been further diverted to several other accounts from those of PT Constructions & Supplier and S.K. Enterprises. EOW officials said Mishra is part of a well-organised interstate fraud network operating across Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha for the past four years. The gang allegedly employed cheque cloning, multi-layered transactions, and multiple bank accounts to execute the scam. Earlier, police arrested three accused Pomesh Tembhare, Ghanshyam Ahuja, and Ajmir Mondal in connection with the case. Business Simple Cremation USA Introduces Sympathy Boxes as Part of Memorial Store Service Expansion Chatham, NJ March 05, 2026 Simple Cremation USA, a leading provider of affordable and dignified Direct Cremation Services, is pleased to announce the expansion of its online Memorial Store with the introduction of thoughtfully designed Sympathy Boxes. This new offering reflects the companys ongoing commitment to supporting families through compassionate, meaningful, and personalized memorial solutions. As families increasingly seek heartfelt ways to express condolences and preserve memories, Sympathy Boxes provide a comforting and tangible way to honour loved ones while offering emotional support to grieving families. Each sympathy box is carefully curated to include keepsakes, remembrance items, and personalized elements that encourage reflection, healing, and remembrance. Our goal has always been to simplify difficult moments while offering families compassionate choices, said Valarie Raid, [Owner] of Simple Cremation USA. With the introduction of Sympathy Boxes, we aim to provide a thoughtful way for families and friends to express care, support, and remembrance during times of loss. These boxes serve as a meaningful tribute that helps preserve memories and foster healing. The expanded Memorial Store now features: Sympathy Boxes: Carefully curated collections designed to offer comfort, remembrance, and emotional support. Carefully curated collections designed to offer comfort, remembrance, and emotional support. Personalised Memorial Jewellery: Elegant pendants, bracelets, and rings crafted to hold ashes or fingerprints. Elegant pendants, bracelets, and rings crafted to hold ashes or fingerprints. Keepsake Urns: Small urns are ideal for sharing remains among family members. Small urns are ideal for sharing remains among family members. Artisan Urns: Beautifully crafted urns in marble, ceramic, wood, and biodegradable materials. Beautifully crafted urns in marble, ceramic, wood, and biodegradable materials. Memorial Keepsakes: Thoughtful remembrance items designed to celebrate and honour life. This expansion further strengthens Simple Cremation USAs commitment to providing comprehensive after-care services. By offering memorial products directly through its online platform, families can easily Arrange Cremation Services and meaningful memorialization in one seamless and stress-free experience. About Simple Cremation USA Simple Cremation USA is a premier provider of direct cremation services, offering transparent pricing, compassionate care, and seamless online arrangements across multiple states. Dedicated to simplifying the process during difficult times, the company combines technology with personal support to ensure families receive dignified, respectful, and affordable cremation services. Media Contact: Valerie Reid Address: Head of Simple Cremation USA Chatham, NJ Phone No:+1 866-333-5130 Email ID: info@simplecremationusa.com Website: https://www.simplecremationusa.com/ Internet SocialRez Highlights LinkedIn Growth Services for Professionals and Brands SocialRez, a social media services provider, is promoting its LinkedIn-focused solutions designed to help professionals, businesses, and agencies improve visibility and strengthen their online presence. The company offers a range of LinkedIn services, including LinkedIn followers, endorsements, recommendations, connections, post likes, reposts, comments, shares, and group members. These services are intended to support users who want to build stronger social proof, increase profile engagement, and expand brand reach on LinkedIn. SocialRez says its platform is built for easy ordering, affordable pricing, and fast delivery. In addition to LinkedIn services, the company also provides social media growth solutions for other major platforms. A spokesperson for SocialRez said, LinkedIn is more important than ever for professionals and businesses. Our services are designed to help clients improve credibility, increase engagement, and grow their professional visibility with confidence. SocialRez continues to position itself as a convenient solution for customers seeking multi-platform social media support from one provider. About SocialRez SocialRez is a social media services company offering growth and engagement solutions for LinkedIn and other major social platforms. Its services are designed for professionals, creators, businesses, and brands looking to enhance online visibility and engagement. Media Contact SocialRez Website: https://www.socialrez.com/product/buy-linkedin-followers/ Email: info@socialrez.com Laserax has launched the PrecisionFLEX, a high-precision UV laser workstation designed for medical device manufacturing. The system enables ultra-fine marking and micro-processing on delicate materials while minimizing heat impact. Equipped with automated part handling and a Class 1 enclosure, it ensures consistent, safe, and production-ready operation. PrecisionFLEX helps manufacturers meet strict requirements for traceability, quality, and process reliability in medical applications. QUEBEC CITY, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Laserax, a leading manufacturer of industrial laser solutions, announces the launch of the PrecisionFLEX laser workstation, a high-precision UV laser system designed to meet the strict requirements of medical device manufacturing. Built to process delicate components with exceptional accuracy, PrecisionFLEX enables manufacturers to perform marking, texturing, ablation, and selective cleaning operations on sensitive materials used in medical applications. Medical device manufacturers face increasing demands for traceability, precision, and regulatory compliance. PrecisionFLEX addresses these challenges with advanced UV laser technology capable of producing high-resolution, permanent markings and micro-processing results while minimizing heat impact on delicate materials. The system is ideal for marking plastics, coatings, ceramics, and metals commonly found in medical instruments and components. High-Precision UV Laser Processing for Delicate Components At the core of PrecisionFLEX is a UV laser paired with high-resolution scanning optics, allowing the system to produce extremely fine features and clean markings. With a 355 nm wavelength and ultrafine spot sizes down to 7 m, the system delivers exceptional accuracy on small or heat-sensitive medical parts such as plastic connectors, coated components, or glass elements. The short UV wavelength enables "cold marking," reducing the thermal impact typically associated with conventional laser processes. This makes PrecisionFLEX particularly suitable for medical device components where maintaining the integrity of delicate materials is essential. Automated Precision and Repeatability PrecisionFLEX integrates a precision robotic part handler as a standard feature, ensuring consistent positioning and repeatable results across production runs. The robot can present parts from multiple angles and efficiently handle trays or batches, reducing operator variability and improving production efficiency. Production-Ready Design for Regulated Environments The workstation is delivered as a Class 1 enclosed laser system, allowing safe operation within manufacturing facilities while protecting operators from laser exposure. PrecisionFLEX is built for seamless integration into medical device production environments, supporting both standalone operation and automated workflows. A Complete Turnkey Solution Like other Laserax systems, PrecisionFLEX is delivered as a fully integrated solution from a single supplier, including the laser source, optics, fume extraction, workstation, automation components, robot and control software. This approach simplifies integration, reduces project complexity, and ensures consistent performance throughout the system's lifecycle. In addition to 5 offices and 12 partners worldwide, secure remote support capabilities also allow Laserax experts to diagnose and resolve issues quickly, minimizing downtime and ensuring uninterrupted production. Advancing Laser Processing for the Medical Industry Precision, cleanliness, and reliability are critical in medical manufacturing. Laser technology enables non-contact processing that delivers consistent results without consumables, making it ideal for applications that require permanent identification or precise surface modifications. With PrecisionFLEX, Laserax expands its portfolio of advanced laser solutions for industries requiring the highest levels of accuracy and process control. Media Contact Eric Bourbeau, Laserax, 1 (418) 478-1029, [email protected], https://www.laserax.com SOURCE Laserax Bookseller and champion of diverse books Jewell Stoddard, who co-founded one of the first childrens-only independent bookstores in the U.S., died March 10 at her home in Virginia. She was 92. Stoddard grew up as both a nature lover and a book lover in South Carolina. After high school, she was determined to attend a racially integrated college, and she headed to Washington, D.C., where she earned a B.A. in English Literature from American University. By 1968, Stoddard was living in suburban D.C. and took a position teaching third and fourth grade at the independent, progressive Green Acres School in North Bethesda, Md. When she and three of her colleaguesCharlotte Berman, Helen Greenie Neuberg, and Pamela Sacksdecided to leave the school in the mid 1970s, they sought a new way to channel their experiences by working with children and books. In September 1977, they opened Cheshire Cat Childrens Books on Connecticut Avenue just south of Chevy Chase Circle in Washington, D.C. First Daughter Amy Carter was among the opening-day customers. We insisted on staying together and providing an educational service, Stoddard told the Washington Post in a 1981 article about how the store was an instant success. She operated Cheshire Cat until 1999 when she closed the store and moved, with her staff, to become the childrens buyer at indie bookstore Politics & Prose, located just down the street. Stoddard retired from the store in 2013, at 80. Valerie Lewis, former co-owner of esteemed childrens bookstore Hicklebees in San Jose, Calif., knew Stoddard as someone who brought great passion to industry committee work over the years. She said, I had a great deal of respect for Jewell as she raised the bar in what we should expect of books published for children and for the need for diversity in childrens publishing. Recently, lauded illustrators came together for an event, longtime collaborators accepted a special gift, married co-creators prepared for a release, Bostons kid-lit community gathered, an author made a TV appearance, and a young reader dressed up as a book character. Learning from the Best On March 14, Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall (l.) and Caldecott Honor artist Elisha Cooper teamed up for a storytime event at Spiral Books in New York City. Each read one of their pet-centric picture books, with Blackall reading If We Were Dogs (Little, Brown) and Cooper reading The Rare Bird (Roaring Brook). The pair also gave a drawing demonstration for the young attendees. Back to the Future Longtime collaborators Mac Barnett (l.) and Shawn Harris made an appearance at Grande Reserve Elementary School in Yorkville, Ill., as part of their tour for The Future Book (Knopf). The picture book offers readers a glimpse into all the changes one might expect in the future. On March 4, the duo received custom Charlie Shawn Cheese Face and Charlie Mac Cheese Face busts, created by local librarian Mary Luschas, as a welcome gift. Making Friends Married couple and collaborators Melissa de la Cruz (r.) and Mike Johnston dropped by New York Citys indie bookstore Words on Warren on March 5 to pre-sign copies of their new graphic novel Sloomoo: Making Friends (Encantos). The story follows Daisy, a science-obsessed tween who seeks friendship in the form of a sentient slime sidekick Sloomoo. The book was developed in partnership with the team behind Sloomoo Institute, a real-world, interactive experience centered on slime. Boston Loves Kid Lit On March 11, Barefoot Books, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge Publishing, NorthSouth, Nosy Crow, Pushkin Press, and Steerforth Press came together to host the second Boston Kid Lit Night. Librarians, educators, booksellers, publishers, and creators were invited for an evening of celebrating childrens literature at Night Shift Brewery in Boston. Here, Nina Serafini of Candlewick and Lindsey Macarthur of Abrams pose with giveaway books at the bustling second iteration of the meet-up. Were Live! Author Ruth Spiro recently made a TV appearance on Fox32 Chicagos local mid-morning talk show ChicagoNOW to discuss the 10th anniversary of her board book series, Baby Loves Science (Charlesbridge). The series introduces the youngest readers to STEM concepts. Here, Spiro (r.) speaks with ChicagoNOW hosts Anthony Ponce (l.), and Gabriella Premus (c.). The Games Afoot Ashley Belote recently headed off on tour to present Squirrel Lock Holmes #1: The Pet Rock Mystery (Random House Graphic). The graphic novel series starter follows the titular detective on his first investigation into a missing rock. On March 3, Belote dropped by Bristol Grade School in Bristol, Ill., to give a presentation, q&a, and book signing for students. Here, a student dresses up as the squirrel sleuth. LHASA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The total import and export value of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region reached nearly 1.83 billion yuan (264.7 million U.S. dollars) in the first two months of 2026, up 15.4 percent year on year, according to Lhasa Customs on Thursday. Exports reached nearly 1.25 billion yuan, while imports stood at 578 million yuan, official data showed. At the production base of an agricultural company in Xigaze City, workers were diligently loading boxes of pea vermicelli, a local specialty, onto trucks destined for Nepal. The 1,350-kg shipment highlights the region's thriving agricultural exports. This bustling scene reflected the broader vitality of Xizang's foreign trade. Private enterprises led growth, accounting for 58.2 percent of total trade with 1.06 billion yuan in transactions. Foreign-invested firms contributed 40 percent, reaching 730 million yuan in trade volume. Trade with South Asian countries surged 43 percent to 828 million yuan. Trade with Nepal jumped 44.9 percent to 796 million yuan, representing 43.6 percent of the region's total. BAGHDAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraq strongly condemned the "dangerous escalation" targeting Iran's energy facilities, read a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Thursday. The strike constitutes a direct threat to the security and stability of the region and a "clear violation of the fundamental principles and rules of international law," it said. It said targeting vital infrastructure, particularly energy facilities, is an "unjustified escalation" that will exacerbate regional tensions and expose economic interests and the safety of civilians to grave risks, negatively impacting the stability of global energy markets. The ministry reiterated Iraq's firm stance calling for avoiding further escalation that could lead to "serious repercussions." Iraq's statement followed reports that Israel launched an attack on Wednesday targeting Iran's offshore South Pars gas field. President Trumps goal in Ukraine is straightforward: stop the killing and secure a peace that lasts. The trilateral talks show that this approach is taking shape. The United States and its allies have moved towards formalized security guarantees for Ukraine. These commitments must be clearly structured and durable, designed to deter future Russian attacks and ensure that Ukraine is not left exposed once this fighting subsides. The security guarantees represent an important shift from temporary aid toward long-term arrangements that raise the cost of renewed aggression. Peace without deterrence is not peace; it is an invitation for the next war. To ensure maximum long-term credibility and cement President Trumps legacy, these guarantees should be formalized via a treaty ratified by the Senate. At the same time, the Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Moscow by targeting the revenue streams that sustain Russias war machine. Enforcement actions against sanctions evasion networks, including those involving Venezuelan oil shipments routed toward Russia, underscore how seriously the United States is constraining the countrys ability to finance continued aggression. President Trump recently green-lighted Senator Grahams sanctions bill, which imposes 500% tariffs on countries that continue to buy Russian oil. Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee overwhelmingly passed a bill led introduced by Chairman Risch targeting the Russian shadow fleet and energy sector. Its economy is already weakening, with GDP growth expected to fall to 0.6% this year. Russias resilience depends not only on its military capacity, but on its access to global energy markets and hard currency. President Trump understands that cutting off these lifelines alters Moscows calculations faster and more effectively than diplomatic appeals alone. Negotiations inevitably require compromise. Neither side will achieve everything it wants. But recent history shows that agreements with Russia only have the chance to endure when backed by credible enforcement mechanisms. President Trumps diplomacy reflects that reality. His efforts are not rooted in confidence about Vladimir Putins intentions, but in an understanding of how Moscow assesses risk and leverage. With Putin, peace does not come from goodwill gestures or rhetorical concessions. It comes when continued violence leaves him strategically worse off. Russias own behavior confirms this. Even as diplomatic discussions advance, Moscow continues targeting civilians - including children - striking energy infrastructure in winter, and threatening any international mechanisms designed to secure a ceasefire. These are not the actions of a confident leader seeking reconciliation. They are the actions of a regime probing for cracks in Western resolve. President Trumps advantage lies in his willingness to apply sustained pressure while insisting that Americas allies carry their fair share of the burden. That balance strengthens NATO rather than weakening it. A unified NATO, with Europe investing more seriously in its own defense, creates the conditions for a peace that Russia cannot easily violate. Security guarantees only work when they are backed by collective commitment and the political will to enforce them. The moral stakes of this war remain stark. Russia has systematically targeted Ukrainian civilians, including churches and clergy, in an effort to break the countrys spiritual and cultural backbone. Faith sustains the Ukrainian people, and Moscow understands that. It is precisely why it seeks to crush it. Having spoken with Ukrainian families, I have seen firsthand how central their faith is to their resilience, even under constant threat. Equally disturbing is Russias mass abduction of Ukrainian children, a cruel tactic, which I wrote about after traveling to Ukraine in 2024. Tens of thousands have been stolen from their families and placed into militarized reeducation programs designed to erase their language, identity, and beliefs. This is not collateral damage. It is a deliberate strategy aimed at destroying Ukraines future. First Lady Melania Trumps advocacy has elevated this crime on the world stage, and the United States must continue pressing relentlessly for the return of these children to their families. American leadership matters now more than ever. A just peace in Ukraine will not emerge from wishful thinking or symbolic agreements. It will come from sustained deterrence, credible security guarantees, economic pressure, and unity within the free world. Heather Nauert served as spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State from 2017 to 2019 and as acting under secretary for public diplomacy and public affairs from 2018 to 2019. When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, the formalities of diplomacy will conceal a far more consequential negotiation. At stake is not simply bilateral cooperation, but Japans ability to operate within an increasingly transactional alliance frameworkone in which economic access is implicitly tied to military contribution. For Tokyo, whose export-driven economy depends heavily on the U.S. market, meeting this security-for-trade expectation has become an urgent strategic necessity. The Iran situation will of course be front and center in the talks. Military operations, now in their third week, have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows. For Japan, which imports more than 90 percent of its crude oil from the region, the disruption represents a severe and immediate vulnerability. Yet the situation also presents a strategic paradox. While the short-term impact is destabilizing, the ongoing military operations are achieving core objectives. By degrading hostile infrastructure and weakening proxy networks, the U.S. and Israel are eliminating the structural sources of instability that have long threatened global energy transit. From this perspective, current disruptions are the cost of producing a more secure and predictable energy environment in the futurean outcome that would disproportionately benefit energy-importing economies such as Japan. Moreover, Japans extensive strategic petroleum reserve, built in response to the oil shocks of the 1970s, offer some, albeit temporary, relief. Against this backdrop, the United States has intensified calls for allied burden-sharing. Countries reliant on Middle Eastern energy are being urged to contribute directly to securing maritime routes. Although public pressure has focused heavily on European allies, Japan faces the same expectations. Washington has explicitly called on partners to deploy naval assets to the region, framing participation as a test of alliance credibility. Japans response, however, is constrained by domestic legal and political realities. The deployment of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) into an active conflict zone remains highly sensitive under Japans pacifist constitutional framework. Recent diplomacy suggests a carefully calibrated approach. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has engaged with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while also conducting parallel outreach to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to stabilize energy flows. These efforts point toward a limited but symbolically significant options, including intelligence sharing and the promise of post-conflict mine clearing operations. At the same time, Tokyo is reinforcing its strategic value in other theaters. Recent U.S.Japan agreements to expand joint missile production and intensify military exercisesparticularly in Japans southwestern islandssignal a deepening of alliance integration in the Indo-Pacific. These initiatives demonstrate that Japan is already contributing meaningfully to shared security objectives, particularly in balancing China, which remains Washingtons primary long-term strategic concern. This broader defense cooperation provides Tokyo with an important bargaining tool. By combining limited participation in Middle Eastern maritime security with expanded contributions in the Indo-Pacific, Japan can present a more comprehensive model of burden-sharingone that extends beyond a single crisis. Economic statecraft forms the final pillar of this strategy. Japans commitments to contribute hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and loans in the United States provide a powerful complement to its security contributions. By emphasizing the domestic economic benefits of these investmentsespecially job creationPrime Minister Takaichi can align Japans approach with the political priorities of the Trump administration. Ultimately, however, the outcome of this high-stakes meeting may depend as much on personal diplomacy as on policy substance. Prime Minister Takaichi has already invested heavily in cultivating a strong working relationship with President Trump, emphasizing rapport, symbolic gestures, and alignment with his strategic worldview. Early interactions between the two leaders have been notably positive, with Trump publicly describing their exchanges as productive and characterizing Takaichi as a strong and capable partner, while Takaichi herself has underscored the centrality of the U.S. alliance to her foreign policy. This personal dynamic is not incidental, but central to Japans negotiating strategy. Trump has consistently demonstrated a preference for leaders he perceives as decisive, pragmatic, and willing to engage on his terms. Takaichi, a political protege of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, appears to understand this calculus well, positioning herself as a reliable and strategically aligned counterpart. In this context, her objective in Washington extends beyond avoiding tariffs or managing a single crisis. It is to frame Japans actionswhether a limited future naval deployment, expanded defense cooperation in Asia, or large-scale investment in the U.S. economynot as reluctant concessions, but as the proactive choices of a committed ally benefiting from U.S. leadership. By doing so, she can align Japans contributions with the administrations broader narrative: that American power is actively reshaping global conditions in ways that ultimately enhance allied security. If successfully executed, this strategy offers multiple payoffs. It could secure relief from threatened trade measures, reinforce Japans role as a preferred U.S. partner, and help insulate its economy from the cascading effects of energy market disruption. More fundamentally, it would position Japan as a model participant in an evolving alliance systemone defined less by fixed commitments than by continuous negotiation, strategic substitution, and the ability to translate national constraints into credible contributions. In an era of transactional diplomacy, that may be the most valuable currency of all. Paul Sracic is a nonresident senior fellow at Hudson Institute KUWAIT CITY, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait's state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) confirmed on Thursday that drone attacks targeted operational units at two of the country's major oil refineries, sparking fires that were quickly brought under control, with no casualties reported. In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), KPC said that a unit at the Mina Abdullah Refinery, operated by Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), was hit by a drone, causing a fire at the site. Emergency response teams swiftly initiated containment efforts, following the highest safety protocols to secure the site and ensure the safety of personnel, said KPC. KPC also reported a separate drone strike on an operational unit at the Mina Al Ahmadi Refinery, which caused a limited fire. The blaze was quickly contained with no injuries recorded. Earlier in the day, Kuwait's military said its air defense systems were actively intercepting hostile aerial threats. In a statement carried by KUNA, the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army said that air defenses were engaging "hostile missile and drone attacks" targeting the country. "Air defense units are confronting incoming threats," the statement said, adding that explosions were heard in some areas due to interception operations. Authorities in Kuwait did not immediately provide further details on the origin of the attacks. 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 Red & Black serves the Athens and University of Georgia communities with reliable, independent news, while training the future of the free press. Your donation keeps our newsroom strong and supports the work behind every story. Support Our Newsroom The Georgia Museum of Natural History (GMNH) is temporarily closed for renovations as it prepares for a major expansion. Located on the University of Georgia campus at the corner of East Campus Drive and Cedar Street, the museums renovations include upgraded collections spaces and redesigned gallery areas that will hold new exhibits featuring corals, insects, plants and marine invertebrates. The main room of the museum will feature both paleontology and animal migration exhibits. HDFC Bank faces scrutiny after its chairman resigned citing ethical concerns, prompting the board to address the situation and reassure stakeholders about the bank's commitment to governance and transparency. IMAGE: HDFC Bank Managing Director Sashidhar Jagdishan. Key Points HDFC Bank's former chairman resigned citing ethical concerns, leading to attempts by the board to address and understand his issues. The HDFC Bank board expressed surprise at the resignation, stating the former chairman did not provide specific details regarding his ethical concerns. Keki Mistry has been appointed as the interim chairman for three months following the resignation. HDFC Bank executives deny that an investigation into its Dubai operations was the cause of the chairman's resignation. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) will meet to discuss the reappointment of Sashidhar Jagdishan and select a permanent chairman. HDFC Bank's chief executive and managing director Sashidhar Jagdishan on Thursday said its former chairman Atanu Chakraborty was asked to reconsider his decision to quit, elaborate on concerns involving ethics, and also "take back some of the language" in the resignation letter. Addressing reporters after the surprise move, a majority of the board members of the largest private sector lender said they are "baffled" by Chakraborty's move because he did not offer any specific concerns that he is alluding to in the resignation letter. Stressing that there are no issues at the bank, its management exuded confidence that it will be able to recoup the hit to its reputation in due course. In a surprise move, Chakraborty, a retired bureaucrat who had been on the board of the bank for five years, quit the bank on Wednesday citing concerns on ethics. "Certain happenings and practices within the bank, that I have observed over the last two years, are not in congruence with my personal values and ethics," he said in the resignation letter. 'Chakraborty did not relent' Jagdishan said, "Every board member" tried to persuade Chakraborty to take back his resignation or elaborate on the concerns so that the same can be readdressed but he did not relent. The resignation dated March 17 (Tuesday) came up for discussion during a meeting of the nomination and remuneration committee of the board on Wednesday and at about 7 pm, four board members including two wholetime members and two independent members, initiated a dialogue with the RBI about the happenings, Jagdishan said. There were also attempts to "take back some of the language" in the letter, Jagdishan said, suggesting that lack of success on it led to a briefing to the RBI and the regulator was kind in appointing Keki Mistry as the interim chairman for three months. Personal relationship issue behind resignation? Amid widespread speculation on the differences between the management and Chakraborty, Mistry alluded to a "personal relationship issue" but asked reporters not to get into the same. Speaking on the same call, independent director M D Ranganath said board members "repeatedly" asked Chakraborty to cite specific instances, but none were pointed out, while Renu Sud Karnad said the board was "baffled" because he was not forthcoming about any of the claims made in the resignation letter. HDFC Bank's governance is top class, and the lender cherishes values of transparency, trust and integrity, the 71-year-old Mistry, who was the executive vice chairman of the bank's parent mortgage lender HDFC, said, adding that he would not have taken up the assignment if he had any doubt on the issues. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) will meet in a month to discuss Jagdishan's reappointment,A his term is ending in another seven months,A and also select a chairman, Mistry said. Dubai Operations Investigation In response to a question on whether an investigation into its Dubai operations, where it has been barred from onboarding any new clients from the IFSC centre branch, led to the resignation, Jagdishan said there are several such matters that occur, but asserted that it is not the reason. Ranganath chipped in to say that the investigation, accountability fixing and disciplinary actions in the Dubai matter is over, and the issue is now closed. Small issues keep coming on a routine basis in an institution's journey but there is nothing substantive which would lead to a resignation, Mistry said, adding that there is nothing that the RBI has flagged for action to the lender. HDFC Bank Merger Benefits To a query on concerns surrounding HDFC Bank's merger with parent HDFC, its deputy managing director Kaizad Bharucha said the merger has accrued benefits by way of increased saving account relationships of home loan borrowers, and added that the average balances in such accounts are 2.5 times of the bank average. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, who heads the NRC, clarified that although the letter is dated Tuesday, the board learned of the matter only on Wednesday during an NRC meeting. Expecting no surprises in the future, given the rigour in execution and ethos of the lender, Mistry said his focus during the stint will be to stabilise things. HDFC Bank shares closed 5.13 per cent down at Rs 799.70 apiece on the BSE, as against a 3.26 per cent correction on the benchmark. Following the HDFC Bank chairman's resignation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a statement reassuring the public about the bank's financial stability, governance, and overall sound position in the Indian banking sector. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points RBI states HDFC Bank has sound financials, a professionally run board, and a competent management team despite the chairman's resignation. Atanu Chakraborty resigned as HDFC Bank chairman citing ethical concerns related to internal practices. RBI has approved the appointment of Keki Mistry as interim part-time chairman of HDFC Bank for three months. HDFC Bank remains well-capitalised with sufficient liquidity, according to the RBI's assessment. Chakraborty's resignation comes after observing practices within the bank that conflicted with his personal values and ethics. Hours after resignation of HDFC Bank Chairman Atanu Chakraborty citing ethical concerns, Reserve Bank on Thursday said there were no material concerns on record as regards the bank's conduct or governance. "HDFC Bank is a Domestic Systemically Important Bank (D-SIB) with sound financials, professionally run board and competent management team. Basis our periodical assessment, there are no material concerns on record as regards its conduct or governance," the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in a statement. The statement emphasised that the bank remains well-capitalised and its financial position remains satisfactory with sufficient liquidity. The statement comes following the sudden exit of Atanu Chakraborty as chairman of HDFC Bank -- the country's second-biggest lender -- effective March 18, 2026, citing ethical concerns. This is the first time that a part-time chairman of HDFC Bank has left mid-way, raising concerns over its functioning. The RBI has approved a transition arrangement, as requested by the bank, as regards the position of its part-time chairman. According to the HDFC Bank's regulatory filing, the RBI on Wednesday granted its approval for the appointment of Keki Mistry as an interim part-time chairman with effect from March 19, 2026, for a period of three months. The RBI will continue to engage with the board and management on the way forward, it added. Chakraborty's exit has come ahead of the closure of the ongoing financial year 2025-26. Details of Chakraborty's Resignation "Certain happenings and practices within the bank, that I have observed over the last two years, are not in congruence with my personal values and ethics. This is the basis of my aforementioned decision," Chakraborty said in his resignation letter dated March 17. In the letter addressed to Chairman of Governance, Nomination, Remuneration Committee H K Bhanwala, Chakraborty said, "There are no other material reasons for my resignation other than those stated above." Chakraborty was appointed part-time chairman effective May 5, 2021 almost a year after retirement as Economic Affairs Secretary. His term was extended for another three years in 2024 till May 4, 2027. Chakraborty, a 1985 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, retired as Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs in April 2020. Prior to that, he was Secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). Both departments come under the Finance Ministry. Chakraborty became chairman during the reverse merger process of the bank with the parent entity HDFC Ltd, a leading mortgage firm in the country. The merger of HDFC Ltd with HDFC Bank became effective on July 1, 2023, creating a financial behemoth with a combined balance sheet of over Rs 18 lakh crore. Stock markets plummet over 3% due to soaring crude oil prices and weak global cues. Sensex and Nifty see biggest drop since June 2024. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Key Points Sensex and Nifty both plummeted over 3% due to surging crude oil prices and escalating tensions in West Asia. The BSE Sensex experienced its biggest single-day plunge since June 2024, dropping 2,496.89 points. Global oil benchmark Brent crude soared by 6.75% following attacks on energy infrastructure in Qatar and Kuwait. HDFC Bank shares declined after its chairman resigned, citing ethical concerns, contributing to the market downturn. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities, further contributing to the market's negative performance. Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty plummeted by over 3 per cent on Thursday as a sharp jump in crude oil prices and weak global trends, amid escalating strikes on energy infrastructure in West Asia, unnerved investors. The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 2,496.89 points or 3.26 per cent - its biggest single-day plunge since June 2024 -- to settle at 74,207.24. During the day, it dived 2,753.18 points or 3.58 per cent to 73,950.95. The 50-share NSE Nifty tumbled 775.65 points or 3.26 per cent to end at 23,002.15. From the 30-Sensex firms, Eternal, Bajaj Finance, Mahindra & Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Larsen & Toubro and Bajaj Finserv were among the major laggards. Factors Contributing to the Market Decline HDFC Bank dropped 5.13 per cent after its chairman, Atanu Chakraborty, resigned, citing ethical concerns. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, soared 6.75 per cent to $114.8 per barrel after Iran attacked a key natural gas facility in Qatar as well as two oil refineries in Kuwait. Iran intensified its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbours' energy sites on Thursday, hitting a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea and setting Qatari LNG facilities and two Kuwaiti oil refineries ablaze as it struck back following an Israeli attack on its main natural gas field. Global Market Performance In Asian markets, South Korea's benchmark Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended significantly lower. Markets in Europe were trading with deep losses. The US market ended sharply lower on Wednesday. Investment Trends Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 2,714.35 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, bought stocks worth Rs 3,253.03 crore. O'Romeo is an ordinary plot about a man's obsession, but Vishal Bhardwaj lays it out like a lavish spread, with stylish and very violent action set pieces, effectively used music, and a romance that has moments that are tender as well as bitter, observes Deepa Gahlot. Key Points O'Romeo tells the story of real life gangster, Hussain Ustara . . The film has gratuitous violence, that actually takes away from the enjoyment of the action scenes. Shahid Kapoor is styled like a cowboy and combines a swaggering body language with intensity and sometimes an almost child-like obstinacy. O'Romeo goes into carnage mode without wasting much time. A man enters a movie theatre, 'Kaun hai tu?' someone asks. 'Hero,' he replies, as the song Dhak Dhak Karne Laga plays on screen. The 'hero' kills a lot of men, dances while he is at it, imitating the song's heaving and thrusting moves. The scene that follows justifies the bloodshed. Who is Romeo? The 'hero' of Vishal Bhardwajs Tarantinoesque film O'Romeo is Hussain Ustara (Shahid Kapoor), who is known to pull out the soul from the body he has slashed with a barber's razor (ustra). But he is working for an Intelligence Bureau officer, Ismail Khan (Nana Patekar), who wants to destroy the drug gang of the Spain-based gangster, Jalal (Avinash Tiwary). The heavily tattooed Ustara lives by the Mumbai seafront like the satrap of a small estate -- minions serving him hand and foot; the most loyal one (Hussain Dalal) reads him the newspaper, sources his 'bed warming' hookers, and keeps the gang sharp. Ustara spends a lot of time grooving and romancing dancer Julie (Disha Patani), his heart being in his groin, not his chest, as a character says. Ustra's plans to skip the country are derailed by the appearance of a distressed-looking woman, Afshan (Triptii Dimri), approaching him to take on a contract to kill four men, who were responsible for killing her husband. They include a classical music-singing cop, Pathare (Rahul Deshpande), and the bull-fighting matador Jalal. Ustara already has history with Jalal -- he had killed the gangster's brother -- and the hate is so strong that Jalal says, if Ustara dies, he will somehow feel it. The carefree Ustra falls madly in love with Afshan, and decides to put his own life on hold to help with her revenge, and becomes the Romeo of the title (as in the street slang for a lovelorn bozo, not Shakespeare's tragic hero). Vishal Bhardwaj's treat of O'Romeo It's an ordinary plot about a man's obsession, but Vishal Bhardwaj lays it out like a lavish spread, with stylish and very violent action set pieces, effectively used music (Bhardwaj composes Gulzar's delectable lyrics), and a romance that has moments that are tender as well as bitter. There is excess and there are sudden insights (like Ustara observing that after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, even crime got communalised). The film is set in the 1990s, in the Muslim quarter of south Mumbai, when there was a rise in organised crime in the city. The film based on an S Hussain Zaidi story, scripted by Bhardwaj and Rohan Narula, shot with an epic sweep (Ben Bernhard, Saurabh Goswami) in vibrant colours, speaks of an uncontrollable, yet chaste passion, that is like old-style aashiqi, that is devoted to the beloved. If there is poetry in the emotions, unfortunately, there is also gratuitous violence, that actually takes away from the enjoyment of the action scenes. A swaggering Shahid Kapoor Shahid Kapoor is styled like a cowboy and combines a swaggering body language with intensity and sometimes an almost child-like obstinacy. Having worked with the director in the past, there is that collaborative trust that results in a character, who is not likeable, but still demands sympathy. Triptii Dimri is not the shrinking violet love interest of the past. She is fearless and resolute. Avinash Tiwary, with his striking appearance, does not have many scenes, but when he is on screen, he dominates it. O'Romeo Review Rediff Rating: The modern war is about quality over quantity, points out Mihir S Sharma. IMAGE: Smoke rises over the capital Manama, following a reported Iranian drone strike on the fuel storage facility at Bahrain international airport in Muharraq, Manama, Bahrain, March 12, 2026. Photograph: Reuters Key Points Conflicts act as an 'audit' of nations, exposing strengths and weaknesses in their military capability, economic capacity, and institutional resilience. The long-held belief that modern wars are decided mainly by superior technology is increasingly being challenged. Cheap, mass-produced drones are overwhelming costly missile defence systems, forcing militaries to rethink defence economics. Over the past few years, the world has seen a rash of conflicts break out. Some were old but took on new vigour, such as Israel's bombing of Gaza or Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Others exploded out of nowhere, such as the current conflagration in Iran. Wars, as the historian Correlli Barnett once argued, are the ultimate audit. They reveal the strengths and weaknesses of states, economies, and institutions. They also have a tendency to reveal that certain commonly held assumptions were erroneous. If there is one such generally held view that seems to have been called into question by the events of the past few years, it is this: That modern war is about quality over quantity. Years of precision-bombing exercises and the use of cruise missiles and Predator drones by the United States against far worse-equipped enemies had led to the comfortable belief that a technological edge was the crucial differentiator. This may not be true in the least -- particularly in larger wars, fought over expansive fronts, and that last longer than a few strikes. The Russia-Ukraine war has been something of a shock to the West, in particular. The Russian Federation has a gross domestic product (GDP) of only $2.5 trillion -- and yet it has been able to somehow outproduce Ukraine's suppliers in Europe and North America, with a combined GDP of $50 trillion. Early on, Kyiv would complain that there were too many restrictions on what it was permitted to receive; but, over time, the real constraint has shifted to the use rate of munitions and interceptors being unsustainable, especially as compared to what Russia was able to deploy. This can happen because of sharply asymmetric costs. One long-range Patriot interceptor, made in the US or Japan, costs over $3 million. One round from the Norwegian-American NASAMS air defence system costs over $1 million. Meanwhile, Iran's Shahed drones, widely licensed by the Russians and used extensively in Ukraine, cost just about $35,000 each to manufacture, and have a 2,500-kilometre range. Lockheed Martin makes about 600 Patriots a year; Russia makes 400 a day, and intends to eventually raise that to 1,000, according to the Ukrainian high command. How Low-Cost Drones Are Challenging Western Military Superiority The broad notion that the West's strategic advantage came from the fact that it had clusters of advanced, high-tech production that could easily deal with countries that merely had wide swathes of low-value manufacturing seems to have gone up in smoke. This is becoming evident even in the enormously mismatched contest playing out in the Gulf right now. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has argued, to the extent that his statements can be said to contain an argument of some sort, that the world's 'two most powerful air forces' have complete air superiority over Iran -- but added, almost in the same breath, that they "can't stop everything" that Tehran fires. The Iranians have perhaps 10,000 Shaheds in storage, according to Israel; they have caused chaos in their entire neighbourhood by just firing off a couple of thousand at best. The tempo of their launches has decreased, but that may be in response to attacks on launch infrastructure -- which can be improvised elsewhere, if the Ukraine-Russia conflict is any guide. Most importantly, Tehran could continue to threaten shipping in the Gulf and through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as fossil-fuel extraction infrastructure in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, for months if it chose. For US allies in West Asia, the imbalance is a severe problem: The United Arab Emirates has shot down, according to the Stimson Centre, 92 per cent of what Iran has fired at it, including 165 ballistic missiles and 541 Shaheds. But Abu Dhabi's requests for replenishment of its depleting supplies of the US munitions it is using have been stonewalled. And as East Asian nations consider the possibility of another, and far worse, conflict breaking out in the Taiwan Strait, they will be even more worried. In Japan, Mitsubishi makes Patriots, having gained a licence to do so from Lockheed Martin. They make only about 30 a year. It's hard to increase production, as some crucial inputs come from the US, and appear to be drying up. We are not so distant, it appears, from a world in which wars are won by countries that can absorb initial damage from a higher-tech enemy while preserving enough of a low-tech military-industrial base. The way the Soviet Union beat Nazi Germany in the Second World War remains the benchmark. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China's recently unveiled development blueprint places building a modern industrial system and consolidating the foundation of the real economy at the top of national strategic tasks to be pursued over the next five years. This grand endeavor, guided by the principles of intelligent, green and integrated development, has been encapsulated in the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, which was approved last week by China's national lawmakers. Aiming for a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as its backbone, the plan has detailed a range of sub-tasks, with optimizing and upgrading traditional industries, and cultivating and strengthening emerging and future industries, high on the agenda. Led by the Digital China initiative, this development blueprint also envisions that by 2030, the added value of the core industries of the digital economy will account for 12.5 percent of GDP. China is harnessing efforts to modernize its industrial system at a time when a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation gathers steam, with analysts expecting this process to boost the real economy with innovation-driven growth and create global cooperation opportunities. EXPLORING NEW GROWTH DRIVERS Experts and company executives believe that for China, a major global manufacturing hub and the world's second-largest economy, building a modern industrial system stems from the practical need to open up new space for innovation-driven growth and consolidate the real economy. "Manufacturing is the foundation of the country and the bedrock of a strong nation. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires consolidating the material foundation and strengthening the hard power of Chinese manufacturing," said Yuan Yuyu, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, and chairman of Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies Co., Ltd., a company based in Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong Province. Miao Wei, a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body, said that in the AI age, China must accelerate an intelligent upgrade by building on its strengths of a complete industrial system and robust supply chains, noting that promoting broader and deeper intelligent transformation will effectively drive the transformation of the development model and open up new space for economic growth. Miao, also deputy director of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee, said in a signed article published recently by the People's Daily newspaper that the correct development path for next-generation intelligent manufacturing is for production systems to be capable of autonomous perception, learning and decision-making. Therefore, efforts should be made to promote AI-driven production process optimization, so as to enable the manufacturing sector to make the most of the integration of AI technologies and industrial innovation. Liu Qingfeng, an NPC deputy and chairman of iFLYTEK, a Chinese AI firm, said that it is imperative to fully leverage policy dividends to consolidate strengths and address weaknesses in the face of intense international competition. It is crucial for a company to collaborate with universities and research institutions to tackle cutting-edge technological challenges such as intelligent speech and language processing, and brain science. This partnership is key to transforming technological breakthroughs into tangible forces that drive industrial upgrading and improve people's livelihoods, Liu said. FOSTERING GLOBAL COOPERATION OPPORTUNITIES China's commitment to opening up and win-win cooperation, and its supersized domestic market, mean its industrial system modernization journey will generate shared business opportunities with cooperating partners from around the world. U.S.-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, banking on China's big market demand for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, announced in March that it planned to invest 3 billion U.S. dollars in China over the coming decade to expand supply-chain production capacity. This investment marked another significant move by the company to deepen its roots in China and support the development of the local healthcare industry. During German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to China in February, enterprises from both countries inked over 10 business agreements spanning industries such as automobiles, machinery, energy, logistics and finance. After taking a test ride in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Beijing, Merz commended the close cooperation between German manufacturers and Chinese technology firms. He experienced the intelligent assisted driving system, a product of the collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese tech company Momenta. At a press conference held recently, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said the 15th Five-Year Plan period will see a number of high-growth industries gathering momentum. He revealed that the combined output value of six major emerging pillar industries, including intelligent robots, is expected to exceed more than 10 trillion yuan (about 1.45 trillion U.S. dollars) by 2030. On Wednesday, the NDRC unveiled 13 major foreign-funded projects with a planned investment of 13.4 billion U.S. dollars. It further pledged to step up support for foreign-invested enterprises and improve follow-up services for these projects, which are mainly in the manufacturing sector, including electronics, chemicals, automobiles and electrical machinery. "Many foreign-funded enterprises now view the Chinese market as a gym and a testing ground," China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said at the same press conference held on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th NPC. He explained that this is because of China's supersized market and diverse application scenarios, which serve as a testing and application venue for foreign companies' innovation and R&D. Wang said that by sharpening focus on the new investment areas that foreign-funded enterprises are currently interested in, in particular the future industries, the government will work to enhance the accuracy of industrial connections and the precision of investment for foreign-funded enterprises. He added that China will continue to organize investment fairs effectively and enhance the capacity of opening up platforms such as pilot free trade zones and national economic and technological development zones, with a view to welcoming more foreign enterprises to invest in the country. 'I could have accepted the humiliation if I wanted to remain as an MP. But I decided to leave.' IMAGE: Nagaon's Lok Sabha MP and then senior Congress leader, Pradyut Bordoloi, right addresses a press conference at Guwahati's Rajiv Bhawan, January 13, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Pradyut Bordoloi claims he was sidelined after supporting Shashi Tharoor within the party. He strongly opposed the Congress decision to renominate Lahorighat MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar. Bordoloi says exit was not about electoral prospects or ticket denial. In a significant political shift ahead of the Assam assembly elections, senior leader and two-term MP Pradyut Bordoloi has ended his five-decade-long association with the Congress, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party after what he describes as a prolonged period of 'humiliation' and internal neglect. Speaking soon after his move, Bordoloi makes it clear that his resignation was not triggered by a single incident, but by a series of developments that, over time, made his position within the party untenable. "For the last two years, I have been facing humiliation and feeling isolated within the Congress," he tells Rediff Contributor Sabir Nishat, pointing to a growing sense of alienation within the organisation. 'After I supported Tharoor, I was shunted out' The unease, he explains, began after he supported Shashi Tharoor within the party. "I have been feeling humiliated. It all started when I supported Dr Shashi Tharoor, then I was shunted out from every forum inside the party," he says, suggesting that his exclusion from key platforms was systematic rather than incidental. 'I warned the leadership on Nazar' But it was the party's decisions in Assam, particularly in the run-up to the assembly elections, that appear to have pushed him to the precipice. Bordoloi indicates that his resignation was precipitated by the Congress leadership's decision to renominate Lahorighat MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar. He says he had clearly conveyed his position to the leadership. In his communication to AICC General Secretary in-charge of Assam Jitendra Singh, he spoke of 'pain and anguish' over what he saw as the party's failure to act on serious allegations linked to Nazar. 'This was not just politics, it became personal' At the centre of the controversy is Emdadul Islam, whom Bordoloi describes as a close associate of Nazar. Islam was arrested and chargesheeted by the Assam police in connection with a violent attack on Bordoloi and his associate Sibamoni Bora in April 2025. The episode, Bordoloi suggests, should have prompted a firm response from the party. Instead, what followed deepened his sense of grievance. He alleges that after securing bail, Islam was given a "hero's welcome", allegedly organised by Nazar. More troubling for him was Islam's continued presence at party events. He claims that Islam was seen attending programmes alongside senior Congress leaders, including events where Gaurav Gogoi was present, which, according to him, reflected the leadership's indifference to serious concerns. 'My concerns were termed fabricated' Bordoloi also recalls an earlier episode during a Congress Central Election Committee meeting. "My points were termed 'fabricated'," he says, referring to his objections about a candidate's alleged criminal links. "The APCC president present there remained silent. This hurt me a lot," he adds. Despite his stature -- as a former Assam cabinet minister, four-time MLA, and now a second-term MP -- Bordoloi insists his decision was not about electoral prospects. "For me, getting a ticket was not a question of life and death. There were multiple issues," he says. 'I could have stayed, but not with humiliation' At its core, he emphasises, the decision was about self-respect. "What was important for me was to hold my head high," he says. Even with three years remaining in his Lok Sabha term, he chose to walk away. "I could have accepted the humiliation if I wanted to remain as an MP. But I decided to leave and work," he says. His resignation letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge marked the formal end of a long journey that harks back to 1975. "The Congress party has given me a lot," he acknowledges, even as he makes clear that continuing under the prevailing circumstances was no longer an option. IMAGE: BJP MP Pradyut Bordoloi with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Piyush Goyal ahead of the Assam election, March 18, 2026. Photograph: @himantabiswa X/ANI Photo 'I want to work with my head held high' Now into the BJP fold, Bordoloi frames his move as a step towards continuing public service with dignity. "Being an Assamese, I will work towards strengthening the hands of Himanta Biswa Sarma for realising his vision of making Assam a leading state of the country," he says. On the personal front, he draws a clear line between his choices and his family's political path. His son Prateek has been fielded by the Congress from the Margherita constituency, a seat Bordoloi himself represented four times. "It is up to him to decide his own political career," Bordoloi says. For a leader who spent half a century in the Congress, the departure is both political and deeply personal -- driven, as he reiterates, by a desire to continue public life "with my head held high". Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff In a major victory for law enforcement, eleven Naxalites, including key leaders, have surrendered in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, signalling a significant decline in Left Wing Extremism in the region. Photograph: Kind courtesy GADCHIROLI POLICE Key Points Eleven Naxalites, including five senior operatives, surrendered in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, significantly weakening the Left Wing Extremist movement. The surrendered Naxalites carried a total bounty of Rs 68 lakh, highlighting their importance within the extremist organisation. Since 2005, 123 armed Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli, indicating a trend of declining Naxalite influence. Left Wing Extremism in Gadchiroli is now largely confined to the border areas of the Bhamragad sub-division, a significant reduction from its previous widespread presence. Eleven Naxalites, including five senior operatives, with a total bounty of Rs 68 lakh on their heads surrendered before the police and CRPF in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Thursday, an official said. The eleven include a divisional commander (DVCM), an area committee secretary, one people's party committee member (PPCM), one commander and an area committee member, a release from the office of the Gadchiroli superintendent of police said. Decline of Naxalite Influence "The Maharashtra government had announced a cumulative reward of Rs 68 lakh on them. Since 2025, a total of 123 armed Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli. Left Wing Extremism in the district has almost come to an end. Once active in all 10 sub divisions of Gadchiroli, it is now confined to border areas of Bhamragad sub-division," the release added. Till date, a total of 794 Naxalites have surrendered in Gadchiroli, it said. The arrest of seven foreign nationals in India, including a US security analyst, has uncovered a potential conspiracy involving illegal entry from Myanmar and alleged training of insurgent groups, raising serious security concerns along the India-Myanmar border. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Seven foreign nationals, including a US security analyst and six Ukrainians, were arrested in India for illegal entry from Myanmar. The individuals are suspected of training the People's Defence Force (PDF), a pro-democracy group in Myanmar, and potentially aiding Indian insurgent groups. The arrests have exposed security vulnerabilities along the India-Myanmar border and prompted a National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation. The case has triggered diplomatic tensions, with Ukraine demanding the release of its citizens. Investigations are underway regarding the alleged illegal import of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India. An alert sounded by security agencies based on a tip off on attempts by certain "persons of interest" to flee India after gaining illegal entry from Myanmar via the porous Mizoram border, led to arrest of seven foreigners, including an US security analyst, officials said on Thursday. They said the arrest has exposed "deep security vulnerabilities" along India's northeast frontier. Officials said the group, comprising six Ukrainians and an US citizen, had successfully infiltrated into India from Myanmar via the Mizoram border before being intercepted at various domestic airports in the country. Security agencies, acting on specific tip off last week, detained these persons while they were attempting to move through major Indian transit hubs. Matthew Aaron VanDyke, the US citizen and international security analyst, was detained at Kolkata airport. He is the founder of "Sons of Liberty International (SOLI)" and a self-described veteran of the "Libyan Revolution". Six Ukrainian nationals, identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor, were detained from Delhi and Lucknow airports. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested all seven foreigners and registered a case following suspicions that they were operating as mercenaries and may have been training the People's Defence Force (PDF), a pro-democracy group declared terrorists by the Myanmar military junta, officials said. The arrests have triggered diplomatic friction, with Kyiv lodging a formal protest. Ambassador of Ukraine to India Oleksandr Polishchuk demanded immediate release of its citizens and claimed there are "no established facts" proving unlawful activity, also criticising the lack of official notification from Indian authorities. The US Embassy also acknowledged the detention but declined to comment citing privacy concerns for VanDyke. Investigation into Insurgency Links Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused are part of a high stakes conspiracy aimed at training ethnic armed groups (EAGs) in Myanmar, officials said. These EAGs are also said to be supporting Indian insurgent groups by supplying arms, ammunition and in "war training", they said. It is suspected that the accused, through their associates, also illegally imported large consignments of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India, they added. Indian security agencies are probing the alleged import of drones to the EAGs in the neighbouring country. VanDyke's organisation SOLI provides free security consulting, training, supplies, and other services to vulnerable populations to enable them to defend themselves against terrorists and insurgents. It is said to have facilitated "missions" in Ukraine, Venezuela, Philippines and Iraq. Through "Operation Nineveh Rising", SOLI aided deployment of teams of US military veterans to train hundreds of Assyrians (ethnic community) to defeat terror outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on the battlefield, according to its website. The arrested persons were produced before a court here on March 14, which sent them to NIA custody till March 27. All constitutional and statutory requirements were observed while arresting the accused and the grounds of their arrest were communicated to them in English as well as in their native language in writing and acknowledgement was also received, officials said. Mizoram's Role as a Transit Route Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, in March last year, said nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Mizoram between June and December 2024, and many of them did not come as tourists and left the state unnoticed. He said Mizoram was being secretly used as a transit route by foreigners travelling to Myanmar, which has become a grave concern for the Centre Lalduhoma had alleged that some foreigners even crossed the Indo-Myanmar border and entered Chin Hills in the neighbouring country to give military training to insurgent groups there. Mizoram being used by foreigners as a transit route has become a grave concern for the Centre, prompting reimposition of the Protected Area Permit (to regulate movement across India-Myanmar border) in the state, he had told the assembly. Mizoram shares an around 510-km-long border with Myanmar. The Centre has already decided to fence the entire 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border, running through Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. Confirming the arrest, the NIA said the case is in initial stages of investigation and it won't be able to share details at this stage. "The same will be shared at an appropriate time," an NIA spokesperson said. An Ugandan national has been arrested in Ambala, Haryana, for possession of over 300 grams of heroin, prompting a police investigation into potential drug trafficking connections. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points An Ugandan national, Halima Nabosa, was arrested in Ambala Cantt with 306 grams of heroin. The arrest was made by the Ambala Crime Investigation Agency-1 team following a tip-off. Nabosa had travelled from Delhi to Ambala with the intention of supplying the heroin. Police are investigating Nabosa's potential links to larger drug trafficking networks. The police are working to identify the individual in Ambala who was intended to receive the drugs. An African national was arrested in Haryana's Ambala along with over 300 grams of heroin, police said on Thursday. The Ambala Crime Investigation Agency-1 team of Ambala police apprehended Halima Nabosa, a native of Africa's Uganda, at Ambala Cantt and seized 306 grams of heroin from her possession. After her arrest, CIA-1 team produced the foreign national before a local court and obtained five-day police remand for further investigation. Investigation Details The police said that preliminary investigation revealed that Halima Nabosa currently resides in Delhi. She had travelled from Delhi to Ambala with the intention of supplying the contraband to someone here. Harjinder, the in-charge of CIA-1, stated that on the night of March 17, they received information that a foreign national was arriving with a consignment of narcotics. On March 18 night, the police cordoned off the Ambala Cantonment area and apprehended the suspect. The woman had concealed the heroin within her clothing and the drugs were recovered during a subsequent search conducted by the police. Ongoing Enquiries The police are currently investigating whether she has links to any major drug trafficking syndicates. They are also attempting to identify the specific individual in Ambala to whom she intended to supply the heroin. Punjab Police dismantle a cross-border arms smuggling ring, arresting six individuals and uncovering a network that used drones to import illegal weapons from Pakistan, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat crime and maintain security. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Punjab Police arrested six individuals involved in cross-border arms smuggling. The smuggling operation involved a foreign-based handler in Portugal and drones from Pakistan. Seven pistols were recovered from the arrested individuals. The accused supplied illegal arms to criminal elements within Punjab. Police are investigating further to dismantle the entire smuggling network. Punjab Police said on Thursday that six people, including a juvenile, have been apprehended in connection with a cross-border arms smuggling module. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the Amritsar commissionerate police arrested Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi (27), Manish Kumar alias Jerry (24), Saroop Singh alias Roop (27), Chamkaur Singh (20) and Vansh Sharma (23). Seven pistols were recovered from them. Investigation revealed that the accused were in contact with a foreign-based handler operating from Portugal, facilitating the smuggling of illegal arms from Pakistan via drones, Yadav said. The accused used to retrieve these consignments and further supply them to criminal elements, he said. Further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to dismantle the entire network, the officer said. Operation Details and Arrests Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, said that acting on secret information, police teams conducted an operation and apprehended Gurpreet alias Gopi and one juvenile. Two 9MM Glock pistols were recovered from their possession. During further interrogation, more disclosures led to the arrest of their accomplices Manish alias Jerry, Saroop alias Roop and Chamkaur Singh and three more 9MM Glock pistols were recovered from their possession, he said. Subsequently, on the disclosure of accused Chamkaur, Vansh Sharma was also arrested along with two .30 bore pistols, Bhullar said. Accused Criminal History Manish alias Jerry was earlier involved in firing at police officials in Batala last year and was absconding in that case, the officer said. Saroop alias Roop also has a criminal history. He was involved in multiple cases of theft and those registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Bhullar said. Indian rapper Badshah is facing legal scrutiny and an ongoing investigation regarding the alleged use of objectionable lyrics and visuals in his latest music video, 'Tateeree', sparking debate and legal action. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Rapper Badshah is being investigated for alleged objectionable lyrics and visuals in his music video 'Tateeree'. The Punjab and Haryana High Court was informed that Badshah has joined the investigation in Panchkula. A Look Out Circular issued against Badshah has been withdrawn. The Haryana State Commission for Women had previously ordered Badshah's arrest for failing to appear regarding the lyrics. An FIR has been registered against Badshah under the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act and BNS Section 296. Rapper-musician Badshah joined the investigation at Panchkula in connection with an FIR over alleged use of objectionable lyrics and visuals in his recently released music video "Tateeree", the Punjab and Haryana High Court was informed here on Thursday. The court was also informed that the Look Out Circular issued against Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, popularly known as Badshah, stands withdrawn. Further, before the high court the state counsel recorded that the police authorities are not going to take any action on the basis of impugned order dated March 13 passed by Haryana State Commission for Women. On March 13, Haryana State Commission for Women had issued orders to arrest Badshah after he failed to appear before the deadline in connection with the alleged objectionable lyrics and visuals in his recently released Haryanvi music video, "Tateeree". The Commission's chairperson Renu Bhatia had said strict action would be taken if Badshah did not appear by 3 pm on March 13 after a notice to the rapper on March 6 was sent asking him to appear before it in Panipat regarding the alleged objectionable lyrics in the song. Badshah had recently uploaded a video on his official Instagram handle, apologising if anyone's sentiments were hurt by his latest song. On Thursday, Punjab and Haryana High Court was hearing a writ petition filed by Badshah. Justice Jagmohan Bansal's bench was hearing the petition. The rapper had challenged the state women commission's order dated March 13. The petitioner, Badshah, had sought "setting aside of impugned notice/order dated March 13 whereby Haryana State Commission for Women has directed Superintendent of Police, Panipat to register an FIR and arrest him in connection with summons dated March 6". In Panchkula, an FIR on March 6 had been registered against Badshah at Police Station Cyber Crime, alleging commission of offense punishable under Sections 3 and 4 of Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 and Section 296 of BNS, 2023. The FIR had been registered on account of his song circulated on online platforms including YouTube. He was issued summons dated March 6 by Haryana State Commission for Women to appear before it. The rapper's legal representative appeared before Commission last week and requested reasonable time for appearance. The State counsel, on instructions from SHO, Cyber Cell, Panchkula, submitted before the high court that Look Out Circular issued against the petitioner stands withdrawn. He, on instructions from Panipat Superintendent of Police, further submitted that the police authorities are not going to take any action on the basis of impugned order dated March 13 passed by Haryana State Commission for Women. The petitioner has already joined investigation at Panchkula, the HC was further informed. Faced with this, the counsel for the petitioner chose not to press the matter further. Recording this, the court on Thursday ordered: "Disposed of as not pressed." Last week, the state women commission chairperson Renu Bhatia had told reporters here that Badshah had been asked to appear before on March 13 for the song "in which Haryana daughters have been insulted with inappropriate words and language". After an FIR was registered in Panchkula, the police had later said they had initiated the process to issue a look-out circular against Badshah to prevent him from leaving the country. Panchkula police had also issued a formal notice directing Badshah to appear before them immediately. The Panchkula police on March 6 registered an FIR under various provisions of law based on a complaint lodged by a Panchkula resident, alleging the use of objectionable lyrics and visuals in Badshah's recently released music video. Sections 3 and 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, and BNS Section 296 (obscene acts and songs) had been slapped against the rapper. Rahul Gandhi's comments on the Uttam Nagar clash, where a 26-year-old man was killed, have ignited a political firestorm, with the BJP accusing him of hypocrisy and playing 'vote bank politics'. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points The BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of 'hypocrisy and selective outrage' regarding the death of Tarun Khatik in Uttam Nagar. BJP leaders claim Gandhi's statement attempts to 'whitewash' the incident and protect those responsible for the killing. The Uttam Nagar clash occurred on Holi after a dispute involving a water balloon, leading to communal tension in the area. Delhi Police have increased security measures in Uttam Nagar ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr to prevent further unrest. The Delhi High Court has directed authorities to ensure a peaceful environment for Eid and Ram Navami in Uttam Nagar. The BJP on Thursday slammed Rahul Gandhi for "hypocrisy and selective outrage" over the killing of a 26-year-old man in a clash in Delhi's Uttam Nagar, alleging that the Congress leader has broken his silence over a fortnight after the incident for vote bank politics. Several BJP leaders including party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also accused Gandhi of attempting to "whitewash" the incident and protect those involved in killing the man. "Tarun Khatik was killed on March 4. Rahul Gandhi has broken his silence now only to whitewash and protect the killers," Poonawalla said in a video message on X. "Rahul Gandhi's tweet (post on X) on the Uttam Nagar tragedy is peak hypocrisy and selective outrage," the BJP national spokesperson added. Tarun was killed in a clash between his family and their neighbours in the JJ Colony area in Uttam Nagar on Holi on March 4. The clash broke out after water from a balloon thrown by a girl from Tarun's family splashed on a woman from his neighbour's family, according to police. Increased Security Measures in Uttam Nagar More than 100 picket points, rooftop surveillance and increased barricading are among a slew of security measures taken ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr by the Delhi Police in Dwarka district, including Uttam Nagar, where communal tension has been simmering since the killing of the 26-year-old man in the clash. The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the city police and administration to ensure a conducive atmosphere for a peaceful and dignified observance of Eid in Uttam Nagar where the 26-year-old man was killed in a clash on Holi. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the police bandobast in the area should be such that it instils a sense of safety and security in all. The bench directed the authorities to ensure that no one plays any mischief that has the potential to create any "untoward situation". It clarified that the police arrangements in the area shall continue till the upcoming festival of Ram Navami. Rahul Gandhi's Response and Further BJP Criticism In a post on X, Gandhi said on Friday, "The people of Uttam Nagar have paid a heavy price for the violence -- on one side, a young man, Tarun, lost his life, and on the other, an entire family is facing persecution. They don't want any more bloodshed." "Bloodshed is what only the BJP and its ecosystem desire, which seizes every opportunity to bake the bread of violence on the griddle of hate," the Congress leader said as he appealed to people of Delhi not to fall for any provocation, saying the strength of the country lies in "our unity, brotherhood, and love". Gandhi alleged that the BJP and its ecosystem want the country to remain entangled in "Hindu-Muslim strife" so that people cannot ask "why the prime minister is being forced to hand over the country's defense, energy security, food security, and strategic sovereignty to America". "That's why, in broad daylight, riot-like conditions are once again being created in the nation's capital," he added. Hitting back, Poonawalla wrote on X, "While a 26-year-old Dalit youth, Tarun Khatik, was brutally beaten to death with rods, stones and slabs over a Holi water balloon mishap, Rahul equates the victim's family with the accused murderers' family, calling the latter persecuted and victims of harassment." "Tarun lost his life. But Dalit life matters (for the Congress) only if it fits the narrative. Not when the accused is from a votebank!" the BJP spokesperson added, demanding justice for Tarun, not "twisted sympathy and whitewashing for killers". Hitting out at Gandhi, another BJP spokesperson Prem Shukla said the Congress leader did not utter even a word when Tarun was killed on a "trivial" matter. "You did not even deem it appropriate to express your condolences to his family. And today, you have started speaking up just for the sake of votes," Shukla said on X, reacting to Gandhi's remarks. "No one supports violence. However, a Hindu, too, is the light of his family's home. Why do you consider a Hindu's life to be so cheap, Sir?" the BJP spokesperson added. Chhattisgarh's government introduced a new anti-conversion bill to combat religious conversions through coercion, sparking debate and a walkout from the opposition in the state assembly. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Chhattisgarh government introduces the Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026, to prevent religious conversions through force, inducement, fraud, or misrepresentation. Opposition Congress party objects to the bill, requesting it be reviewed by a 'Select Committee' and boycotts assembly proceedings after their objection is rejected. The bill expands upon the existing 1968 Freedom of Religion Act by incorporating newer dimensions of inducement, including digital and economic means. Deputy CM Vijay Sharma defends the bill, citing Article 25 of the Constitution, which empowers state governments to legislate on matters of public order. Several other states in India, including Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, have already enacted similar anti-conversion legislation. The Chhattisgarh government on Thursday tabled a bill in the state assembly aimed at preventing religious conversions carried out through force, inducement, fraud or misrepresentation. The Opposition Congress, however, raised objections, seeking to hand over the bill to a 'Select Committee' (generally appointed to examine a specific bill or subject) for review, and boycotted the day's proceedings after the Chair rejected their objection. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio, tabled the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026 (Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026), in the House. Earlier, when Sharma sought permission from the Chair to present the bill, Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant objected. Mahant said similar laws from 11 states are currently under consideration before the Supreme Court, and, therefore, it should not be taken up in the House hastily. He suggested that the bill be referred to a Select Committee for wider consultations, including inputs from retired judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court and legislators from both parties (BJP and Congress). Mahant cautioned against any move that could deepen social divisions, invoking the principles of constitutional values and tolerance. The LoP referred to the views of Dr B R Ambedkar, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the teachings of Lord Buddha, who pushed for social justice and uniformity. "..Atal ji had stated that our greatest strength lies in diversity and tolerance. Therefore, nothing should be done that causes deep divisions within society. Buddha has said that hatred is not dispelled by hatred; hatred is dispelled only by love," he said. A related amendment passed by the Chhattisgarh assembly in 2006 was returned by the President in December last year, Mahant noted, urging the government to proceed carefully. Government's Defence of the Anti-Conversion Bill Responding to the objections, BJP member Ajay Chandrakar said the Opposition appeared confused and asked why it was necessary to refer the bill to a Select Committee. A similar legislation had been enacted in Madhya Pradesh during Congress rule, he argued, and asked how Mahant could say the bill was divisive. The Bhawani Shankar Niyogi Commission was constituted during the tenure of Ravi Shankar Shukla (in Madhya Pradesh), who was CM from the Congress party, Chandrakar pointed out. Deputy CM Sharma maintained there was no stay by the Supreme Court preventing states from enacting such laws. He cited Article 25 of the Constitution, saying state governments are empowered to legislate on matters of public order. The bill was prepared after consultations, he added. Dharamlal Kaushik, who was presiding over the Chair, rejected the objections and permitted the introduction of the bill. Following this, Mahant announced that Congress legislators would boycott House proceedings for the day and staged a walkout. In response, Sharma remarked that it was not a walkout, but an "escape". Key Provisions of the Proposed Legislation The proposed legislation, which seeks to effectively curb conversion from one faith to another through force, allurement, undue influence or false representation, was approved in the state cabinet last week. After the cabinet clearance, Sharma had said the bill expands upon provisions that have existed since 1968 by incorporating newer dimensions of inducement. He said allurement could take various forms, including digital and economic means, while threats could also be physical or indirect. A structured legal framework has been designed to ensure that citizens' constitutional freedom is not affected, while preventing situations that could lead to social discord, the deputy CM had said. Currently, the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Adhiniyam (Freedom of Religion Act), 1968, is in force in the state. It was adopted from Madhya Pradesh after Chhattisgarh was carved out of it and came into existence in 2000. Notably, the Maharashtra legislature recently passed the Freedom of Religion Bill to check conversions through coercion and fraud. Various states, including Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu, have already enacted similar legislation prohibiting such coercive and unlawful conversions, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar said on Wednesday. Following the tragic deaths of three sanitation workers, Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister has ordered a crackdown on forced manual scavenging, promising strict action and support for the victims' families. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Chhattisgarh CM orders strict action against forced manual scavenging after three sanitation workers died in a Raipur hospital. The state government will issue guidelines for sewer cleaning, mandating municipal bodies or registered agencies to conduct such work with strict safety protocols. Families of the deceased workers will receive compensation of Rs 30 lakh each, plus monthly education support and lifetime healthcare from the hospital. A case has been registered against the sanitation contractor in connection with the workers' deaths. Chhattisgarh has conducted a re-survey of manual scavengers and declared all districts as 'Manual Scavenger-Free'. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has ordered stringent action against those forcing people into manual scavenging, after three sanitation workers died cleaning a septic tank at a leading hospital in Raipur. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday evening at Ramkrishna Care Hospital, one of the biggest private healthcare facilities in the state, where three workers lost their lives after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a septic tank. Sai chaired a meeting of the state monitoring committee on the implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, on Wednesday. He stressed that strict action must be taken against individuals or agencies engaging workers in manual scavenging under coercion, an official statement said. At the meeting held in the assembly premises in Nava Raipur, the CM instructed officials to issue clear guidelines for sewer cleaning, stating such work should only be carried out through municipal bodies or registered agencies, with strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidents, it said. Expressing deep condolences over the workers' death, he directed authorities to ensure all possible assistance to the victims' families and to take firm legal action against those responsible for the tragedy so that such incidents do not recur. Legal Framework and Enforcement Principal Secretary (Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Development Department) Sonmoni Borah informed that the law provides for penalties and jail against those employing manual scavengers, including up to one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs 50,000. Awareness campaigns are being conducted in urban areas to eliminate the practice, said the senior bureaucrat. This was the first meeting of the state-level monitoring committee after its reconstitution. Borah said in compliance with Supreme Court directives and in accordance with established guidelines, a re-survey of manual scavengers was conducted across all districts of the state. Following this exercise, all collectors have issued certificates declaring their respective districts as "Manual Scavenger-Free", the IAS officer stated. The practice of manual scavenging is against human and constitutional values. Every individual possesses the right to live with full dignity and respect, he emphasised. The bureaucrat lauded the coordinated efforts of the Departments of Panchayat and Rural Development, Urban Administration and Development, and other collaborating departments and institutions for their commendable work towards the eradication of the practice of manual scavenging. Hospital Response and Compensation Police Commissioner of Raipur, Sanjeev Shukla, said a case has been registered against the sanitation contractor in connection with the death of the three workers in Ramkrishna Care Hospital premises. Hospital director Dr Sandeep Dave has announced a compensation of Rs 30 lakh each for the families of the deceased workers. The hospital will also provide Rs 20,000 per month for their children's education and lifetime free healthcare to the affected families, he added. A deadly shooting in Delhi has left a young boy dead and his father injured, with police investigating a possible connection to gang violence. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A boy was fatally shot and his father injured in a home invasion in Delhi's Bawana area. Police suspect the shooting is linked to gang rivalry. Multiple police teams are investigating the incident and searching for the attackers. Senior police officers are at the scene to oversee the investigation into the deadly shooting in Delhi. A boy was shot dead and his father injured by a group of armed attackers who barged into their house in outernorth Delhi's Bawana on Thursday and opened fire, police said suspecting a gang rivalry behind the attack. According to preliminary information, the incident took place when a group of armed men barged the house and fired multiple rounds, which hit the boy and his father. Police sources said the boy succumbed to injuries, while his father is undergoing treatment. Investigation into Possible Gang Links The nature of the attack suggests it could be linked to a gang rivalry. However, further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact motive. Soon after the incident, multiple police teams rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. Senior officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outernorth) Hareshwar Swami, also reached the scene to take stock of the situation. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the accused, officials said. Further details are awaited. Maintenance workers on a key transmission line in east China's Anhui province eat lunch more than 300 meters above the ground to save time. Balancing high in the sky, their precision, courage, and dedication help keep the lights on. #China #Engineering #PowerGrid #Infrastructure #BehindTheScenes A Delhi court acquitted a man accused of attempted murder after key witnesses turned hostile, highlighting the challenges in proving criminal cases when evidence is unreliable and witness testimonies falter. Key Points A Delhi court acquitted Javed alias Jabir in an attempted murder case due to the prosecution's failure to prove his identity as the assailant. Key witnesses, including the complainant, failed to identify the accused in court, weakening the prosecution's case. The court found the alleged weapon recovery unreliable and forensic evidence inconclusive, further undermining the prosecution's claims. The medical opinion described the complainant's injuries as simple, contradicting the attempted murder charge. The court granted the accused the benefit of the doubt, acquitting him of all charges due to the lack of reliable corroborative evidence. A Delhi court has acquitted a man accused of attempting to murder a shop owner, saying that the prosecution failed to establish his identity as the assailant after key witnesses turned hostile and did not support the case. Additional Sessions Judge Kumar Rajat was hearing a case against Javed alias Jabir, who was accused in a case registered at the Nand Nagri police station under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention). In an order dated March 16, the court said, "In the totality of the circumstances brought on record by way of evidence, it is observed that the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt against the accused Javed alias Jabir alias Raja qua offence punishable under Section 307, 506, 34 IPC." Javed was arrested following a complaint filed by Mohammad Faizan, who alleged that he was attacked outside his shop in northeast Delhi's Sunder Nagri by the accused and two juveniles on May 29, 2024, using a pointed object and a belt following a dispute over payment for food. However, during the trial, the complainant and an eyewitness failed to identify the accused in court and did not support the prosecution's version. The court noted that the injured witness stated he could not see the faces of the assailants due to the darkness and also failed to identify the alleged weapon. Similarly, the eyewitness testified that he did not see who had assaulted the victim, further weakening the prosecution's case. Both witnesses were declared hostile and they denied key portions of their earlier statements to the police, the court observed. "The prosecution case is weak after the testimonies of prosecution witness 1 (PW1) and prosecution witness 2 (PW2) and foundational facts have not been laid, so the defence of the accused is not material particularly when none of the public witnesses has identified accused during their testimony as the person involved in the crime," the judge said. Lack of Corroborating Evidence The court also found that the alleged recovery of the weapon was unreliable as it was made from an open place accessible to all and was not supported by any independent public witness. Further, the forensic evidence did not aid the prosecution as the DNA profile could not be generated from the blood samples due to degradation. The court also noted that the medical opinion described the injuries suffered by the complainant as simple in nature. "In the absence of identification of the accused and reliable corroborative evidence, the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt," the court said. Granting the benefit of doubt, the court acquitted the accused of all charges, including attempt to murder and criminal intimidation. Delhi Police have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with a gang-related shooting in Jahangir Puri that resulted in the death of one man, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A 22-year-old man, Firdaus, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Rehmatullah in Jahangir Puri, Delhi. The shooting is believed to be the result of ongoing gang rivalry in the Jahangir Puri area. Firdaus, who was absconding since the March 4th murder, confessed to his involvement during interrogation. The accused has a prior history of criminal activity, including a theft case, and comes from a family with a criminal background. A 22-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly being involved in the gunning down of a man in northwest Delhi's Jahangir Puri earlier this month in a group rivalry, police said on Thursday. Firdaus alias Chumma, a local, had been absconding since the murder on March 4. According to the police, Firdaus, accompanied by an associate, allegedly opened fire at a rival group, killing a man, who was identified as Rehmatullah alias Bhola. On Wednesday evening, police laid a trap near Bhalaswa Lake and apprehended Firdaus around 6 pm. Confession and Motive During interrogation, Firdaus allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, stating that he, along with an associate, had carried out the firing to settle scores with the rival group. Accused's Background According to the police, Firdaus has a previous involvement in a theft case and comes from a family with a criminal background. He had been changing locations to evade arrest since the incident. A man was killed and three others injured in a Delhi shooting, with police investigating a possible gang rivalry as the motive behind the violent attack in Bawana. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A man identified as Ravi was shot dead in his house in Bawana, Delhi. Three other people, including the victim's father, sustained gunshot injuries during the attack. Police suspect the shooting is linked to a gang rivalry in the outer north Delhi area. Multiple police teams are investigating the incident and searching for the accused. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact motive behind the deadly shooting in Bawana. A man was shot dead and three others, including his father, were injured when a group of armed attackers barged into his house in outer north Delhi's Bawana on Thursday and opened fire, police said suspecting a gang rivalry behind the attack. According to preliminary information, the incident took place when a group of armed men barged into house and fired multiple rounds, hitting the man, identified as Ravi, and others present at the spot. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Hareshwar Swami said Ravi died in the firing incident, while three others sustained gunshot injuries. "Multiple rounds were fired... an investigation is ongoing. We're investigating all angles right now. Four people were shot. Three members of one family and a person, who was sitting there, were shot," the officer said. The nature of the attack suggests it could be linked to a gang rivalry, though the exact motive is yet to be established, the police said. Soon after the incident, multiple police teams rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. Senior officers, including Swami, visited the scene and supervised the investigation. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the accused, the officials said, adding that further details are awaited. A 30-year-old man was killed and three others injured in a brazen shooting at a shop in Delhi's Bawana, prompting a police investigation into suspected gang rivalry. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A 30-year-old man was shot dead in Bawana, Delhi, with three others injured, including a child. Police suspect gang rivalry as the primary motive behind the deadly shop shooting. The assailants, believed to be young adults, fired multiple rounds before fleeing towards Haryana. A special team is analysing CCTV footage to trace the accused and determine the exact motive. A 30-year-old man was shot dead and three others, including his father and an eight-year-old boy, were injured when three assailants opened fire inside a shop attached to their house in outer north Delhi's Bawana on Thursday evening, police said. Officials said they suspected gang rivalry behind the attack. Police said they received two PCR calls around 5.26 pm informing them about the firing incident in Harewali village. The callers said three men who arrived on a bike had shot at their family member Ravi Bhardwaj, and they were rushing him to a hospital in Pooth Khurd. A police team, along with senior officers, rushed to the spot as well as the hospital. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outernorth) Hareshwar Swami, during preliminary enquiry, police were told that three men arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire, specifically targeting Ravi. Ravi was taken to MV Hospital in Pooth Khurd, where he was declared dead. His body has been preserved at the BSA Hospital mortuary. DCP Swami said empty cartridges were recovered from the scene. He said three more people were injured in the firing -- Ravi's father Anil Bhardwaj (55), neighbour Raj Kumar (46), and an eight-year-old boy who is a relative of the deceased. Raj Kumar had come to the shop below the victim's residence at the time of the incident, police said. A case has been registered at the Bawana police station under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (criminal act by several persons with a common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Arms Act. Specialised teams have been formed to analyse CCTV footage and trace the movement of the accused, who are suspected to have fled towards the Haryana side, officials said. According to relatives, the attackers appeared to be aged between 18 and 20 years; they fled immediately after the shooting. "They came to the shop posing as customers. As soon as they reached the counter, they pulled out revolvers and fired about 15 to 20 rounds in a quick succession," said Hariom, a relative, adding that Ravi was sitting at the counter when he was shot at. Another relative said the family had no known enmity with anyone in the village. "Ravi was well-behaved and ran a small shop, besides earning through farming and selling milk. He had no disputes with anyone," the relative said. Gang Rivalry Suspected Police said the nature of the attack suggests a possible gang rivalry, though the exact motive is yet to be established. Following communal tensions in Uttam Nagar, the Delhi police implemented comprehensive security measures in Dwarka to ensure peaceful Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, as directed by the Delhi high court. IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard during the "Virat Aakrosh Sabha" called by the United Hindu Front over the death of Tarun (25), due to an alleged fight during Holi at Uttam Nagar, in New Delhi, March 15, 2026. Photograph: ANI Key Points The Delhi police implemented increased security measures in Dwarka, including Uttam Nagar, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr due to communal tensions. The Delhi HC has directed the Delhi Police to ensure a conducive atmosphere for peaceful Eid celebrations in Uttam Nagar, extending security measures until Ram Navami. Social media platforms are being closely monitored for inflammatory content, with several posts already removed to prevent further escalation of tensions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has appealed for unity and brotherhood, urging residents of Delhi not to fall for any provocation amidst the heightened tensions. Civil society groups have written to the Union Home Minister, urging strict action against those issuing open threats to the Muslim community in Uttam Nagar. Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, a slew of security measures have been put in place in Delhi's Dwarka district, including Uttam Nagar, where a man was killed on Holi even as the Delhi high court on Thursday directed the city police to ensure that the situation in Uttam Nagar does not take "any ugly turn". Communal tension has gripped Uttam Nagar area since the killing of 26-year-old Tarun on March 4. The violence broke out after water from a balloon thrown by a girl from Tarun's family splashed on a woman from his neighbour's family. The Delhi police have drawn up a comprehensive plan to ensure peaceful celebrations. Besides rooftop surveillance, more than 100 picket points have been set up in Dwarka district. "Adequate arrangements have been made and sufficient deployment will be in place to maintain law and order. We are fully prepared to deal with any situation," a senior officer said. The police said deployment in and around sensitive pockets, particularly Hastsal village, where the killing took place, has been reinforced and will remain in place throughout the festive period. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the people of Uttam Nagar do not want any bloodshed as they have already paid a heavy price for violence and urged the people of Delhi not to fall for any provocation. According to the police, special focus is on mosques, Eidgahs and other religious sites, where a large number of people are expected to gather. Regular foot and vehicle patrols are being conducted as part of area domination measures. Social media platforms are being closely monitored for provocative or inflammatory content, with several such posts already identified and removed, the police said, adding mixed-population areas have been identified as sensitive zones and are under enhanced watch. As part of confidence-building measures, flag marches have been conducted in sensitive localities and will be repeated multiple times during Eid to reassure residents, they said. However, some residents are still apprehensive. Pradeep Shukla, president of the Uttam Nagar RWA, said security has been beefed up in the area. "Now it feels like the calm before the storm. We are afraid, but we are trying to ensure that everything remains normal," he said. Delhi HC intervention The Delhi high court on Thursday directed the city police and administration to ensure a conducive atmosphere for peaceful and dignified observance of Eid in Uttam Nagar. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the police bandobast in the area should be such that it instils a sense of safety and security in all. It clarified that the police arrangements in the area shall continue till the upcoming festival of Ram Navami. The order was passed on a PIL filed by a civil rights group, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, which approached the high court to prevent "imminent communal violence" on Eid in Uttam Nagar. After hearing the parties, the court said Eid is a festival to rejoice and it is the duty of all authorities to ensure that on such a "pious occasion", public life is not disrupted by any untoward incident of vandalism or hooliganism by any individual or any section of society. "We thus direct the police and civil administration of the area to take all required action, permissible under law, to ensure that the situation does not take any ugly turn and an atmosphere is created conducive to peaceful and dignified observance of the festival of Eid, which is likely to be tomorrow," the court ordered. The court added that if, upon assessment of the situation, a need is felt to strengthen the arrangements, such measures shall be forthwith taken by the authorities. The court issued notice on the PIL and listed it for hearing on April 6. Advocate Sanjay Lao, standing counsel for Delhi Police, assured that adequate police personnel from Dwarka district, additional force from Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to ensure Eid passes without incident. He further said that 50 inflammatory posts were taken down from social media platforms following monitoring of online platforms and requests have been made to take down about 170 such posts to date. Extensive verification has also been undertaken of over 8,000 persons in the area, "aman committees" have been formed at every police station and 30 meetings have been held with the heads of religious places in the last two weeks, the police counsel said. "Please tell the authorities not to be lax. Whatever happens in Delhi has its ripple," the bench told the Delhi Police counsel. Political and civil society response Senior advocate Nitya Ramkrishnan, who appeared for the petitioner, submitted that on March 15, certain people openly called for violence against the members of the Muslim community in Uttam Nagar but no action was taken for hate speech by the police. In a post in Hindi on X, Congress leader Gandhi alleged that the BJP and its ecosystem want bloodshed to continue and seize every opportunity of fanning violence and spreading hatred in society. "An appeal to the residents of Delhi: Do not fall for any provocation - the strength of the country lies in our unity, brotherhood, and love. Jodo, jodo, Bharat Jodo..." he said. Meanwhile, a civil society group comprising eminent Muslims wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday over "open threats" to the Muslim community in Uttam Nagar, and urged him to pass special instructions to the police to take strict action. The letter by Citizens for Fraternity (CFF) was signed by former Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung, ex-AMU vice chancellor Zamir Uddin Shah, former MP Shahid Siddiqui, industrialist Saeed Shervani, and former customs commissioner Syed Mahmood Akhter. "It is unfortunate that the reprehensible death of young Tarun on Holi, which we strongly condemn, has been allowed to simmer and escalate into communal trouble. Despite prompt police action and arrest of the perpetrators, there are numerous groups, individuals and organisations which have visited Uttam Nagar to disturb the peace of the area," they said in their letter to Shah. "It is our earnest request that special instructions be passed on to the police to be vigilant and take strict action against those issuing open threats. We are certain that your directions will have the necessary salutary effect," the letter said. The Supreme Court has quashed the FIR against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in the controversial snake venom case, leading to his acquittal and raising questions about accountability for the alleged harassment he and his family endured. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points The Supreme Court quashed the FIR against Elvish Yadav related to the alleged use of snake venom at a rave party. The court cited issues with the applicability of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the validity of proceedings under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Elvish Yadav expressed relief and gratitude to the judicial system, highlighting the harassment his family faced due to the case. The court granted liberty to the competent authority to initiate appropriate proceedings in accordance with law by filing a proper complaint under Section 55 of the Wildlife Protection Act. Yadav questions who will compensate for the harassment and stigma he and his family endured during the legal proceedings. The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed an FIR against Elvish Yadav who was arrested for allegedly using snake venom at a rave party in Noida, prompting the YouTuber to say he always had faith in the judicial system. However, he asked who would compensate for the harassment he and his family faced. Yadav was booked in November 2023 and arrested on March 17, 2024 by the Noida Police in connection with a probe into the suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug at a rave party in Noida. He was among six people named in an FIR lodged at Sector 49 police station on November 3, 2023. The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the FIR and subsequent proceedings against Yadav and said the case cannot be sustained in law. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said it was confining its consideration to two specific questions -- the applicability of Section 2(23) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the validity of proceedings under Section 55 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The top court, however, granted liberty to the competent authority to initiate appropriate proceedings in accordance with law by filing a proper complaint under Section 55 of the Wildlife Protection Act. The case against Yadav was registered on November 22, 2023, and he was arrested on March 17, 2024. The apex court said offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) invoked in the FIR against Yadav were based on an earlier FIR registered in Gurugram, in which a closure report has been filed. The bench noted that no recovery had been made from Yadav himself, with the chargesheet only alleging that he placed orders for snake venom for recreational purposes through his friends, who are co-accused in the case. It said provisions of the NDPS Act cannot be invoked as the liquid substance recovered from the co-accused was not a prescribed substance under the schedule. On the invocation of the Wildlife Protection Act, the top court said Section 55 mandates that prosecution can be initiated only through a complaint filed by a duly authorised officer. In the case in hand, it noted, the complainant was a former employee of the Wildlife Board of India and therefore not an authorised person under the Act to lodge a complaint. The bench referred to the earlier decisions of the court and said the case against Yadav cannot be sustained in law. It quashed the FIR and subsequent proceedings, including the filing of the chargesheet and cognisance order of the trial court. Elvish Yadav's Reaction to the Verdict In a video posted on X, Yadav said he was "very happy from within" after the apex court dismissed the case. "I am very happy today. The Supreme Court has quashed the snake-related case against me. I always had faith in our judicial system that justice would prevail. Those who have done wrong will be punished, and those who are innocent will be saved," he said. Thanking the Supreme Court and the judiciary, Yadav said he was relieved after the case was quashed and described himself as "free". Recalling his arrest, he said, "Exactly two years ago, on March 17, 2024, I was arrested in this false case. Since November 2023, when the case was registered, I have been saying that I had done nothing wrong." Concerns About Harassment and Media Coverage He alleged that media coverage had caused distress to him and his family. "The media ran continuous reports claiming I was guilty. My family faced immense harassment. For over two-and-a-half years, there was a stigma attached to my name and my family suffered greatly," he said. Calling the verdict a major moment in his life, Yadav said, "Today is a big day for me. Everything is fine now as the case has been won. Satyamev Jayate (truth prevails)." However, he raised questions over the impact of the alleged harassment. "I have just one question -- who will compensate for the harassment that my family and I faced? Will anyone apologise for the false narratives and the turmoil created?" he said. He added that he was not seeking an apology but wondered how the time and suffering endured by his family could be compensated. Yadav said he now wants to focus on staying happy and expressed gratitude to his supporters. "I hope no one has to go through such a tough time. My comeback was strong because I had the support of my family and well-wishers. Thank you to everyone who stood by me and trusted me. The Supreme Court has proved it today," he said. Ahmedabad police dismantled a sophisticated fake currency operation, seizing 2.38 crore and arresting seven individuals, revealing the alarming use of AI and e-commerce to produce and distribute counterfeit Indian currency. IMAGE: Photograph: PTI Photo Key Points Ahmedabad police seized 2.38 crore in high-quality counterfeit Indian currency and arrested seven people. A Surat-based yoga teacher is among those apprehended for involvement in the fake currency racket. The accused used photo-editing software and AI platforms like ChatGPT to refine the design of the counterfeit notes. Security thread paper resembling RBI markings was procured from Chinese sources through e-commerce platforms. The counterfeit currency operation had been active for four months, with the accused testing the notes in small transactions before scaling up. City police has seized high-quality counterfeit Indian currency with a face value of Rs 2.38 crore and apprehended seven persons, officials said on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, the crime branch apprehended the accused, including a Surat-based spiritual and yoga teacher, when they arrived here on Wednesday, and seized 42,000 fake notes Rs 500 denomination. Mukesh Thummar, Ashok Mavani, Ramesh Bhalar, Divyesh Rana, Pradip Jotangiya, Bharat Kakadiya and a woman allegedly brought the high-quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) in an SUV which was intercepted near Amraiwadi area, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajit Rajian. Pradip Jotangiya is a 'spiritual and yoga teacher' at Shree Satyam Yog Foundation in Surat. The SUV had a "VVVIP" sticker and a plate reading "Shri Satyam Yog Foundation Recognized by Ayush Mantralay, Govt. of India". Currency bundles were recovered from a black bag and concealed packaging inside the vehicle, the official said, adding that the process to arrest the accused was underway. A crime branch team was immediately sent to Surat, and in coordination with the Surat crime branch, another Rs 28 lakh in fake currency was seized from a house where notes were being printed. Some equipment was also seized, DCP Rajian added. Mukesh Thummar was allegedly the kingpin of the racket and arranged equipment and raw material including printers and paper cutting machines, as per an official release. Counterfeit currency was being printed at the place for the last four months, it added. AI and E-Commerce in Counterfeit Currency Production The accused had procured security thread paper resembling RBI markings from Chinese sources through e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba, it said. Probe also revealed that photo-editing software and AI-based platforms such as ChatGPT were used to refine the design, layout, and visual features of counterfeit notes. One of the accused had expertise in graphic editing and printing processes. The accused initially tested the counterfeit notes by using them in a few transactions. After gaining confidence that the fake currency was not being detected, they engaged agents to produce additional notes, Rajian said. The accused will be produced before a court later on Thursday and police will seek their custody, he said. Faridabad police have apprehended two individuals, including a student, following a shootout related to the alleged firing at a BJP leader's office and a 5 million extortion demand, highlighting the ongoing challenges of crime and security in the region. Key Points Faridabad Police arrested two men for allegedly shooting at a BJP leader's office and demanding 5 million in extortion. The accused fired shots at a liquor shop and the BJP leader's office, leaving extortion notes at both locations. One of the accused, Anil alias Khan Gurjar, has a prior criminal record with 12 charges including robbery and attempted murder. The police recovered a pistol and a motorcycle from the scene, and one suspect was shot in the leg during the encounter. The other suspect, Manish, is a 12th-grade student who is currently being questioned by the police. Faridabad Police nabbed two men, including a class 12 student, after a brief encounter for allegedly firing shots at a BJP leader's office and demanding an extortion of Rs 50 lakh, officials said on Thursday. The police recovered a pistol and a motorcycle from the spot, they said, adding that one of the accused was admitted to the hospital after being shot in the leg during the encounter. According to the police, the accused Anil alias Khan Gurjar, a resident of Machhgar village, and Manish, a resident of Chandawali village in Faridabad district, were nabbed from Sotai village in the IMT area. The incident occurred on March 14 when the accused fired shots at two different locations, first at a liquor shop near the Chandawali village red light, and then, about half an hour later, at the office of BJP leader and property dealer Vinod Bhati in Machhgar village. The accused fled after throwing extortion notes at both locations, they added. After the firing, they threatened the salesman present at the liquor shop, saying that to continue the shop, they would have to give them a 10 per cent share, police said. They also threw a note demanding extortion of Rs 50 lakh after firing at a BJP leader's office, police said. Arrest and Aftermath On Wednesday night, after receiving inputs regarding the two criminals, who were about to arrive near Sotai village in the IMT area with weapons, the police reached the spot and cornered the criminals. Following this, the accused allegedly opened fire at them. In retaliation, the police fired a shot, hitting Gurjar, they said. Subsequently, both the criminals were nabbed, and Gurjar was admitted to a hospital for treatment, police said. "Gurjar has a prior criminal record, facing 12 charges including robbery, dacoity, attempted murder, and the Arms Act," the spokesperson of Faridabad police said. He was arrested and jailed in July last year in connection with an attempt to murder case, and was released about two months ago. Another accused, Manish, is a 12th-grade student who is being questioned by the police, the spokesperson said. The religious body, the Muslim Personal Darul Ifta in Aligarh, issued the fatwa against Nora after the song began receiving backlash online for its lyrics. IMAGE: Text. Photograph: / Rediff.com A fatwa has been issued against actor-performer Nora Fatehi over the controversial song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke. The track, which also features Sanjay Dutt, is part of the upcoming Kannada film KD: The Devil. Key Points The religious body, the Muslim Personal Darul Ifta in Aligarh, issued the fatwa against Nora after the song began receiving backlash online for its lyrics. The Union government, on Wednesday, confirmed that the song has been banned following widespread criticism over its lyrics and visuals. The song has been facing backlash since its release earlier this week. The religious body, the Muslim Personal Darul Ifta in Aligarh, issued the fatwa against Nora after the song began receiving backlash online for its lyrics. According to the religious body, the track contains content that they consider objectionable and against Islamic teachings. Meanwhile, the Union government, on Wednesday, confirmed that the song has been banned following widespread criticism over its lyrics and visuals. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision in the Lok Sabha while responding to a question raised by Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadouria. The song has been facing backlash since its release earlier this week. Some organisations also demanded action against the people involved with the track. Critics alleged that the track contained "vulgar" lyrics and visuals that objectified women. The backlash quickly escalated, with several individuals and organisations calling for action against the creators of the song. Complaints were filed demanding an FIR and the removal of the track from circulation, intensifying public debate just days before the matter was raised in Parliament. On Wednesday, Nora in a detailed video that she shared on Instagram, claimed that she had no role in the Hindi version of the song. "When I shot this song three years ago, I said yes to it because it was a part of a big film, it was with a big icon, Sanjay Dutt, who would say no to working with him? He's such an icon. And it was a remake, at least that's what I thought, of 'Nayak Nahi Khalnayak Hoon Main', which is also a very iconic song," Nora said. She further claimed that when the makers explained the translation of the song to her at the time, nothing seemed "inappropriate" or "vulgar." However, she clarified that she does not understand Kannada and had relied entirely on what the team told her. Produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions and presented by the same banner, 'KD: The Devil' is a period action entertainer inspired by real events from 1970s Bangalore. The movie features Dhruva Sarja in the titular role alongside Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, and V Ravichandran. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 30 this year. Indian authorities are investigating a group of foreigners, including a US mercenary, suspected of plotting to exploit Indian ethnic groups and undermine national security, prompting a deep dive into their digital communications and potential links to anti-India insurgent groups. Key Points Indian security agencies are investigating seven arrested foreigners, including a US mercenary, for allegedly conspiring to use Indian ethnic groups to destabilise national security. The investigation involves extracting data from the suspects' mobile phones and analysing their social media accounts to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and identify all accomplices. The accused are alleged to have illegally entered Myanmar to train ethnic armed groups known to support terrorist organisations operating in India, posing a threat to national security. Ukraine's embassy has expressed concern over the case, suggesting it may be politically motivated and prompted by information from Russia, while reaffirming its support for India. Mizoram's Chief Minister previously raised concerns about foreigners using the state as a transit route to Myanmar, highlighting the need for stricter border controls. Security agencies have sent mobile phones of seven arrested foreigners, including a self-styled US mercenary, for data extraction to unearth a larger conspiracy of using Indian ethnic groups to hamper national security, officials said on Thursday. Besides, social media accounts of the accused, six of them Ukrainian nationals, are also being scanned to find out source of funding, mastermind of the conspiracy and their unknown accomplices, they said. Acting on a specific tip-off last week, the Bureau of Immigration detained these seven persons while they were attempting to move through major Indian transit hubs. They were later arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to an FIR field by the NIA, 14 Ukrainians had entered India on tourist visa on separate dates and flew to Guwahati (Assam) and then to Mizoram without requisite Restricted Area Permit (RAP)/Protected Area Permit (PAP). The group then entered Myanmar "illegally" to conduct a pre-scheduled training for Myanmar-based Ethnics Armed Groups (EAGs), known to support terrorist organisations operating in India in the domain of drone warfare and jamming technology, it said. "These EAGs are also known to be supporting some proscribed Indian insurgent groups by way of supplying weapons and other terrorist hardware and training them, thus affecting national security and interest of India," the FIR stated. The seven arrested include Matthew Aaron VanDyke, a US citizen and international security analyst, who was detained at Kolkata airport. He is the founder of 'Sons of Liberty International (SOLI)' and a self-described veteran of the 'Libyan Revolution'. Six Ukrainian nationals, identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor, were first detained from Delhi and Lucknow airports. All of them have been charged for engaging in unlawful activities for allegedly helping armed militia in Myanmar, which work closely with anti-India insurgent groups, the officials said. VanDyke's organisation SOLI provides free security consulting, training, supplies, and other services to vulnerable populations to enable them to defend themselves against terrorists and insurgents. It is said to have facilitated "missions" in Ukraine, Venezuela, the Philippines and Iraq. Through 'Operation Nineveh Rising', SOLI aided deployment of teams of US military veterans to train hundreds of Assyrians (ethnic community) to defeat terror outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on the battlefield, according to its website. Security agencies have now sent seized mobile phones of these seven accused persons to Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), a specialised cyber security agency, for data extraction and its analysis, the officials said quoting the FIR. "It is very important to analyse the data of their mobile phones to unearth the conspiracy which was being hatched by accused persons to use local ethnic groups of India to hamper national security of India," the FIR said. Furthering its probe, the security agencies are questioning the accused about the route opted by them and to apprehend close unknown associates, who are still at large. The agencies are also looking at the accused's social media activities to identify their unknown accomplices, the officials said. The accused are also alleged to have imported huge consignments of drones from Europe to Myanmar through India for use of the EAGs, they said, adding that the source of their funding and "mastermind" were also being ascertained. Meanwhile, the arrested persons were produced before a court here on March 16, which sent them to 11-day NIA custody. The court has also ordered their medical examination after every 48 hours and allowed them to meet their respective counsels/relatives for 20 minutes on every alternate day. All constitutional and statutory requirements were observed while arresting the accused and the grounds of their arrest were communicated to them in English as well as in their native language in writing and acknowledgement was also received, the officials said. Ukraine's Response and Concerns Meanwhile, the embassy of Ukraine here on Thursday took strong note of media reports indicating that the initiation of action in the case was "prompted" by information provided by the Russian side. In a statement, the mission expressed its "serious concern" over what it claimed as the "presence of circumstances that point to a possible orchestrated and politically motivated nature of this case, as evidenced, in particular, by the facts known at this stage". "Ukraine firmly rejects any insinuations regarding the possible involvement of the Ukrainian state in supporting terrorist activities," it said. On the contrary, Ukraine consistently advocates for strengthening security, trust, and cooperation with India as an influential and friendly state, it added. "Instead, it is Russia, as an aggressor state, that seeks under every circumstance to drive a wedge between friendly countries -- Ukraine and India," the embassy alleged. Mizoram's Concerns Over Border Security The issue of foreigners visiting Mizoram and then leaving the state unnoticed was also raised by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma. He had in March last year said that nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Mizoram between June and December 2024, and many of them did not come as tourists. Lalduhoma said Mizoram was being secretly used as a transit route by foreigners travelling to Myanmar, which has become a grave concern for the Centre. He had alleged that some foreigners even crossed the Indo-Myanmar border and entered Chin Hills in the neighbouring country to give military training to insurgent groups there. Mizoram shares around 510-km-long border with Myanmar. The Centre has already decided to fence the entire 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border, running through Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. Meanwhile, the NIA maintains that the case is in the initial stages of investigation and it won't be able to share details at this stage. "The same will be shared at an appropriate time," an NIA spokesperson said. The News in Brief Thursday, March 19, 2026 Former Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili said on March 17 that he has been summoned by the State Security Service of Georgia over his communication with an expert involved in the OSCE Moscow Mechanism.The summons comes days after the publication of a report under the mechanism that pointed to "marked democratic backsliding" in Georgia."Last night, an investigator from the SSSG called me and summoned me over my communication with an expert of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism," Nanuashvili said. "Is communication with an OSCE expert now forbidden for human rights defenders?"He said his name had been mentioned on television by activist Davit Katsarava, after a short clip from a TV Pirveli interview was aired by the pro-government POSTV channel.The report, authored by Patrycja Grzebyk and published on March 12, called for the release of people held for political reasons and the repeal of restrictive laws.Officials from the ruling Georgian Dream party, including have rejected the report, calling it biased and politically motivated.The U.S. Department of State has added Georgia to a list of countries whose citizens may be required to pay a visa bond of up to $15,000 for certain short-term visas.The decision, announced on March 18, also includes 11 other countries such as Cambodia, Ethiopia, Mongolia, and Tunisia.The requirement applies to B1 and B2 visas, which cover business and tourism travel. The bond amount will range from $5,000 to $10,000, and in some cases up to $15,000, depending on the outcome of a consular interview.Officials said paying the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be approved.According to the State Department, the measure is aimed at reducing the number of people who overstay their visas in the United States.With this change, the number of countries considered high risk under the program has grown to about 50.The new rule is set to take effect on April 2. Ambulances carrying Palestinian patients run towards the Rafah border crossing, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on March 19, 2026. A total of 25 Palestinians left the Gaza Strip for Egypt on Thursday through the Rafah border crossing after it reopened earlier in the day. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 25 Palestinians left the Gaza Strip for Egypt on Thursday through the Rafah border crossing after it reopened earlier in the day. Palestinian sources told Xinhua that eight patients and 17 of their companions left Gaza for Egypt through the crossing. The sources added that the patients and their companions were transported from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society headquarters in Khan Younis to the crossing. This is the first group of Palestinians to leave Gaza following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran that began on Feb. 28, which prompted the closure of the crossing again that had seen a partial opening since Feb. 2. Israel announced on Sunday that the crossing, linking the Gaza Strip with Egypt, would be temporarily opened on Wednesday to transfer individuals. Earlier on Thursday, an official security source told Xinhua the crossing reopened "in both directions." Ambulances carrying Palestinian patients run towards the Rafah border crossing, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on March 19, 2026. A total of 25 Palestinians left the Gaza Strip for Egypt on Thursday through the Rafah border crossing after it reopened earlier in the day. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Party cadres noted that the second iteration was significantly more organised than the Chennai debut, a shift partially attributed to the choice of venue and the ample parking space. IMAGE: TVK president and actor Vijay waves to the crowd during the administrators' meeting of the party in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, February 23, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo A buzzing Iftaar organised by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and busloads of cadres flipped the script for the sleepy coastal town of Poonjeeri near Mahabalipuram on the evening of March 18. Key Points The inaugural event had turned into a logistical nightmare for the police. Aadhav Arjuna, general secretary of TVK's election campaign management, had also spent a considerable time schooling those seated for Iftaar on how they should behave. Things were not that different in the separate enclosure that seated women and children. It is obvious that TVK, still reeling from the near-mythical chaos of its inaugural Iftaar held at the YMCA grounds in Royapettah, bang in the middle of Chennai, hoped that this nondescript town in the middle of nowhere would absorb the frenzy of the fans-turned-cadres. The inaugural event had turned into a logistical nightmare for the police. Party cadres noted that the second iteration was significantly more organised than the Chennai debut, a shift partially attributed to the choice of venue and the ample parking space. Not willing to take a chance, Aadhav Arjuna, general secretary of TVK's election campaign management, had also spent a considerable time schooling those seated for Iftaar on how they should behave:"Don't get up from your seats; pay respect to the occasion; if you have a phone on you -- they were expected to leave the phones outside -- don't take it out to make selfies or reels." All that worked to an extent. As long as Vijay prayed, the crowd prayed too. But as the actor was about to leave, a frenzy gripped the crowd and people started pushing each other to get close to him. Things were not that different in the separate enclosure that seated women and children. The women could barely contain themselves and all wanted to take a spot near the opening of the enclosure. Saira, a fan-turned-cadre from Villupuram, who attended both the events, recalled that during the previous year's gathering, the enthusiasm to see "Thalapathy" was so intense that women tore down the barricades separating them from the men's section. This year, organisers attempted to "manage" by promising women that Vijay would visit them after the prayers, provided they remained orderly. While this strategy maintained decorum for much of the evening, just like in the main hall, the arrangement collapsed toward the end of the event; once it became evident the actor would not be entering the enclosure, women rushed out towards the star. Some realised that there was no way they were going to get through the crowd, men were already at the forefront trying to push their way closer to the star. So, they did the next best thing: whipped out the phone that they kept hidden until now and rushed to the giant screen relaying the event and started to film that, zooming tightly on the actor to make it look like they were shooting live. The pressure of the swelling crowd was felt early on at the entrance, prompting TVK general secretary Bussy Anand to announce that the event was restricted to the Muslim community in an eleventh-hour attempt to contain the jostling masses. This announcement stood in contrast to the party's earlier outreach, as invitations had been widely distributed to the public regardless of religious affiliation. Despite the tighter management, the evening ultimately demonstrated the persistent challenge the fledgling party faces in balancing its political outreach with the sheer scale of its leader's stardom. This perhaps was best seen in the case of Yasmin Naina Mohammed, a lawyer from Neyveli, and state joint secretary of the party. One of the organisers, Yasmin, was strict with the women initially, not even letting them get up from their places. As people waited for the star to come, she regaled the gathered women with stories about how she has seen the Thalapathy up close "more than 10 times", her tone so flippant that one would think if not for work, she wouldn't take a selfie with the star. And yet, when Vijay walked into the venue, she drifted towards the very edge of the enclosure that she kept others from, craning her head for a better view of him, as if she couldn't help herself. A mother of two that was pestering her just a while ago, who was told in no uncertain terms that she should not leave her seat no matter what, inched her way next to her. The two stood there for better part of the evening, giggling like co-conspirators. Delhi Police have successfully apprehended a shooter involved in an extortion case connected to a Punjab-based gangster, bringing closure to a threatening incident in Jagatpuri. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A 26-year-old man has been arrested for his involvement in a Delhi firing incident linked to an extortion attempt. The accused, Jaswinder Singh, allegedly acted on behalf of Punjab-based gangster Gurjant Singh. The extortion attempt involved threatening calls and a demand for Rs 4 crore from a Jagatpuri resident. Police used CCTV footage and technical surveillance to identify and track the shooter. The accused confessed to being in contact with the gangster's associates and carrying out the firing after a recce. A 26-year-old man wanted in connection with a firing incident in east Delhi's Jagatpuri last year, in an alleged extortion bid at the behest of a Punjab-based gangster, has been arrested following a raid in Punjab, officials said on Thursday. The accused shooter, identified as Jaswinder Singh alias Jassi, a resident of Haryana's Ambala, had been absconding for nearly a year -- allegedly laying low at a religious site in Amritsar -- after being named in a case registered in April 2025 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. "The extortion and subsequent firing were allegedly carried out at the behest of Punjab-based gangster Gurjant Singh alias Janta," a senior police officer said. According to police, the alleged extortion began March last year when a Jagatpuri resident received multiple threatening calls and messages from an international number demanding Rs 4 crore. When the victim refused to pay, shots were fired at his house on the intervening night of April 1 and 2, leading to registration of an FIR in this connection. "The caller had identified himself as gangster Gurjant Janta. The firing incident was executed to threaten the victim after he refused to pay the extortion amount," the officer said. Investigation and Identification of the Shooter During the probe, CCTV footage and technical surveillance helped identify Jaswinder as the alleged shooter. He had travelled from Ambala to Delhi by bus, stolen a motorcycle from Krishna Nagar area, and used it to reach the victim's house where he fired two rounds before fleeing, officials said. He later abandoned the motorcycle, returned to ISBT Kashmiri Gate and fled to Haryana by bus, they added. Arrest and Interrogation Police tracked the accused for several months before receiving a tip-off about his presence in Punjab. Acting on the information, the team conducted a raid in Kharar and apprehended him from his hideout on March 16. During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that he had come in contact with associates of the Janta gang following a personal dispute in Ambala and was tasked to carry out the firing in Delhi. He had also conducted a recce of the area prior to the incident and was provided the weapon and target location by the gang, police said. While evading capture, he stayed at a religious site in Amritsar for several months, they added. A woman was arrested in Beed, Maharashtra, after police discovered and seized nearly 22 kilograms of ganja being grown on her farm, prompting an investigation into potential connections to a wider drug trafficking operation. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Maharashtra police seized approximately 22 kg of ganja from a farm in the Beed district. A 43-year-old woman, Ashabai Shingare, was arrested for allegedly cultivating cannabis for commercial purposes. The ganja seized is estimated to be worth Rs 5.49 lakh. The arrest was made under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities are investigating potential links to a larger drug network. Police have seized nearly 22 kilograms of ganja from a farm in Beed district of Maharashtra and arrested a woman in this connection, officials said on Thursday. The operation was carried out in Lonwal village in Wadwani tehsil on Wednesday based on a tip-off, they said. A police team conducted the raid at the farm and found cannabis plants being grown for commercial purposes. The police uprooted the plants and seized 21.960 kilos of green ganja, valued at Rs 5.49 lakh was seized, an official said. Arrest and Investigation Accused woman Ashabai Shingare (43), who owns the land, was arrested, he said. A case was registered against her under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused had links to a larger drug network. The mother of the RG Kar Medical College victim is entering West Bengal politics as a BJP candidate to fight against the TMC government and seek justice for her daughter's case in the upcoming Assembly election. IMAGE: People protest outside the CBI office over the R G Kar Medical College rape-murder case in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points The mother of the RG Kar victim will contest the West Bengal Assembly election as a BJP candidate. She aims to challenge the TMC government, alleging obstruction of justice in her daughter's case. She is likely to be fielded from the Panihati constituency in North 24 Parganas. The RG Kar case, involving the rape-murder of a doctor, triggered widespread protests and became a political issue. The mother of RG Kar victim on Thursday said she wants to contest the West Bengal Assembly election as a BJP candidate, asserting that she aims to take the political route to remove the TMC government. Speaking to reporters, the deceased doctor's mother said she is likely to be fielded from Panihati constituency in North 24 Parganas, and her name may feature in the second list of candidates that the BJP is expected to release soon. The victim's mother said she had earlier received an offer from the BJP but was not mentally prepared at that time. "I had received an offer from the BJP long back, but I was not mentally ready then. Yesterday, I decided to accept it and contest because I want to end the rule of the home minister," she said, referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the home portfolio. Entering Politics To Ensure Justice For Daughter She alleged that the state government had tried to obstruct the investigation and justice process in her daughter's case. "I am entering politics to ensure justice for my daughter and to remove this government from power," she said. BJP leader Arjun Singh had recently met the parents of the deceased doctor. The victim's parents alleged that the Communist Party of India-Marxist was tacitly helping the TMC government to retain power. The RG Kar Case The rape-murder of the 31-year-old doctor inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024 had triggered nationwide outrage and prolonged protests by doctors and civil society groups across the state. The case became a major political flashpoint in the state, with the BJP accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of shielding those responsible, while the TMC rejected the allegations and said the law would take its course. A Delhi momo stall became the scene of vandalism and gunfire, sparking a police investigation into a suspected feud between rival groups. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A momo stall in Delhi's Sultanpuri was vandalised, and gunshots were fired. The incident is believed to be the result of an ongoing feud between two groups. Police have registered a case and are investigating the vandalism and gunfire. An empty cartridge was recovered from the scene, confirming the use of a firearm. The complainant and accused are known to each other, with disputes escalating on social media. A group of people allegedly fired gunshots in the air after vandalising a momo stall in outer Delhi's Sultanpuri area, in what is suspected to be due to an ongoing feud between two groups, an official said on Thursday. A PCR call regarding firing was received at Sultanpuri police station at around 10.44 pm on Wednesday. A police team rushed to the spot where they found the man who runs the momo stall. Irfan (29), a resident of Sultanpuri, told police that he was at his stall when a few people suddenly arrived, began throwing his food items, including momos, and created a disturbance. "One of them then fired a shot in the air and then all of them fled from the spot," a senior police officer said. During inspection, police recovered one empty cartridge, confirming that a firearm had been used in the incident. Investigation into the Momo Stall Incident Preliminary inquiry has revealed that the firing may have stemmed from a long-standing personal enmity between two groups, which had recently escalated through exchanges on social media, police said. "The complainant and the accused are known to each other and have had disputes for a long time. Their identities have been established," the officer said. An FIR was registered on March 19 under relevant sections of the BNS, including provisions related to endangering life and criminal acts at Sultanpuri police station. Police teams have been formed to apprehend the accused, who are currently absconding, officials said. A Haryana man has been sentenced to life in prison for the shocking murder of his wife, whom he strangled after she refused to make him tea, highlighting the tragic consequences of domestic disputes. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A Faridabad man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for strangling his wife with an immersion heater wire. The murder occurred after the wife refused to make tea for her husband, leading to a heated argument. The victim's father filed a complaint detailing years of alleged abuse and harassment by the husband. The court heard testimony from 25 witnesses and reviewed 15 pieces of documentary evidence before convicting the man. The accused confessed to strangling his wife in a fit of rage after she told him to make his own tea. A court in Faridabad has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for killing his wife, police said on Thursday. Additional Sessions Judge Surendra Kumar has also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the convict, they added. The convict killed his wife in April 2022 by strangulating her with the wire of an immersion heater as he was irked by the latter's refusal to make tea for him, police said. According to Deputy District Attorney Mahesh Chhabari, the case was registered at the Khedi Pul police station on April 3, 2022, based on a complaint from Indrapal Singh, a resident of Bharat Colony. Singh had got his daughter Sunita married to Surendra, a resident of Shriram Residency, Sector 86, 17 years ago. Things went well for a few days after the marriage, but then Surendra allegedly started beating up and harassing Sunita under the influence of alcohol. Singh and his family tried to reason with Surendra but the situation remained unchanged, according to the complainant. Sunita had returned to her parents' house a month before the tragic incident. On April 1, 2022, Surendra apologised to her and took her back with him. The very next day, the woman's family could not contact her over the phone. Subsequently, Singh went to the couple's Shriram Residency house and found his daughter dead in a rooftop bathroom. There were marks on her neck and Surendra was not present at the spot, the complaint had said. Based on Singh's complaint, police registered a murder case against Surendra. He was arrested on April 4, 2022. During interrogation, he revealed that he had an argument with Sunita over making tea. He had asked her to make tea, but she went to the bathroom to take a bath, telling him to make it himself. This had enraged the convict, who followed her into the bathroom, where he first slapped Sunita and then strangled her to death with the wire of a water heater and fled, police said. Legal Proceedings and Outcome According to Senior Legal Aid Counsel Ravinder Gupta, a total of 25 witnesses appeared in the trial and 15 pieces of documentary evidence were presented before the court, which finally convicted the man and sentenced him to life imprisonment on Wednesday. IIT Delhi is revolutionising materials engineering education with a unique comic book featuring Professor Padarth, designed to make complex concepts engaging and accessible for students and non-technical audiences alike. Key Points IIT Delhi introduces a comic book to make materials engineering more engaging and accessible. Professor Padarth, a witty mascot, guides readers through the world of materials science in a jungle-safari-themed adventure. The comic aims to demystify complex scientific concepts and highlight real-world applications of materials engineering. IIT Delhi plans to release a series of comic books to showcase the department's research and teaching work. The initiative aims to make materials science feel natural and logical to students, fostering a deeper understanding. The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi has come up with first-of-its-kind comic-style brochure to bring the complex world of materials engineering alive through humour, storytelling and vibrant art, officials said on Thursday. At the heart of the comic titled 'Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE)-- Delivering a Material Safari Experience' is Professor Padarth, the newly introduced mascot. Presented as a witty guide, Professor Padarth accompanies a curious student on a jungle-safari-themed journey through the diverse terrains of materials science, from metals and ceramics to polymers, data science and emerging smart materials. According to the officials, through this playful narrative style, the brochure aims to demystify complex scientific concepts and highlight real-world connections that make materials engineering both impactful and relatable. Making STEM Fun "This comic book was conceived to herald an era of bringing the fun aspects of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to the fore. Materials engineering is a deeply creative and inspiring field, and we wanted a medium that could engage students and non-technical audiences alike. "Through Professor Padarth's adventures, we hope to spark curiosity and showcase the excitement that lies in understanding the materials that shape our world," said Jayant Jain, Head, Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Future of the Comic Series The first edition of the DMSE comic book will be followed by a series of comic books that will be released over time to capture the essence of the department, its research projects, and teaching work through the medium of art. "The idea is to let students look at materials as something they live with and experience every day so that the work they do does not feel highly technical but completely natural and logical. Professor Padarth's journey through the realm of materials will be the new fantasy world through which we wish to reach out to our younger generation of materials scientists," said R Lakshmi Narayan, Associate Professor, IIT-Delhi. The Allahabad High Court has mandated the Uttar Pradesh government to compensate a man after a false police report regarding his criminal history caused an unjust delay in his release, highlighting critical issues within the state's criminal justice system. Key Points Allahabad High Court orders Uttar Pradesh government to pay 50,000 compensation for providing incorrect criminal history information. The false information led to a 15-day delay in the release of a man arrested for car theft, despite the court granting him bail. The court acknowledged the mistake was due to negligence by the investigation officer, possibly due to workload. The Additional Director General of Police admitted the mistake and highlighted the ease of tracing criminal history through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS). The court directed the director of prosecution to ensure sufficient staff to utilise the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) to prevent future delays. The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay an amount of Rs 50,000 to a man after police submitted incorrect information about his criminal antecedents to oppose his bail plea, resulting in a delay of 15 days in his release. Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal was hearing the bail plea of Furkan, who was arrested in November last year in a case related to the theft of a car. The court granted him bail by an order dated March 10. However, Furkan's counsel also sought an order against the police department, stating that his client could have been released on bail on February 23 but he remained in jail for 15 more days as police had claimed that he had a criminal history of 12 cases, instead of five. Court's Observations and Rulings The court noted that the incorrect information was supplied by the investigation officer (IO), adding that the accused has already explained the criminal history of five cases. "Therefore, a compensation of Rs 50,000 shall be paid by the state to the applicant within a period of one month from today. From the perusal of the record, it is also clear that there was no mala fide on the part of the IO but there was a mistake because of his negligence that may be due to the workload on him," the court said on March 10. ADG's Admission and System Improvements After the accused contested the claim about his criminal history, the court summoned the additional director general of police (technical services) of Lucknow. Appearing in the court via video-conferencing on March 10, ADG Naveen Arora admitted the IO's mistake. He also submitted that it is very easy to trace the criminal history of an accused through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS). Arora further said that access to fetch the case diary through the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) was given to the joint director of prosecution at the high court but the officer refused to avail the facility due to a shortage of staff in his office. The court then directed the director of prosecution to ensure sufficient staff in the joint director's office to enable him to avail the facility of fetching the case diary through the ICJS to prevent the delay in obtaining instructions. Amidst the escalating West Asia conflict, India is focused on safeguarding its energy security, ensuring the safety of its diaspora, and advocating for a peaceful resolution through sustained diplomatic engagement. Photograph: Avi Ohayon/Reuters Key Points India emphasises the need for an early end to the West Asia conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, amidst escalating tensions and global concerns. India is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to ensure its energy security needs are met, particularly concerning LNG supplies from Qatar. The Indian government is prioritising the safety and well-being of the Indian diaspora in the region, facilitating the return of passengers and monitoring the situation of Indian seafarers. India is closely monitoring the impact of the conflict on global energy markets, particularly concerning attacks on gas infrastructure. India assures adequate fertiliser stocks for kharif 2026, with global tenders already in place to secure supplies. As the conflict in West Asia widened with global ramifications, India on Thursday said the situation has been a "testing time", not just for the country, but the entire global community. At an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said, "We continue to remain in touch with concerned countries to ensure our energy security needs are met." The raging conflict in the region entered its 20th day on Thursday. The West Asia conflict began on February 28 when the US-Israel combine launched military strikes on Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has targeted Gulf countries hosting US military bases. "Yes, it has been a testing time, not just for us, but the entire global community. Our leaders have been in touch with their counterparts, as I just spoke about the conversation between our prime minister and the Crown Prince of Kuwait. Similarly, we have been in touch with several other leaders," Jaiswal said. The two leaders exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and expressed concern over recent developments. The prime minister reiterated India's condemnation of attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said. The prime minister also underlined the importance of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Both leaders agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for ensuring regional peace and stability. He was asked if the West Asia conflict situation has proven to be a test of New Delhi's diplomatic approach in challenging global scenarios. "Couple of days back you saw that because of our engagement, we were able to... and with talks and diplomacy with several of the stakeholders, we were able to get two of our LPG ships through the Strait of Hormuz," he added. The MEA spokesperson said India "continues to remain in touch with several stakeholders in this matter, so that we can ensure our energy security needs, as also at the same time, ensure well-being and safety of our Indian nationals, diaspora, present in large number in this region". "So, our diplomatic efforts continue, and we are committed to taking care of our interests," he asserted. Later, at his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said India has been saying that there has to be an "early end to this conflict" through the path of dialogue and diplomacy. Impact on Energy Infrastructure and Supplies The West Asia conflict has stretched into three weeks, with an Israeli attack on Iran's strategic gas fields of South Pars resulting in an intense Iranian retaliation on key energy infrastructure in several Gulf nations, including Qatar's LNG (liquefied natural gas) hub of Ras Laffan, triggering global concerns. Qatar accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India's LNG requirement. The MEA in a statement said the strikes are "unacceptable and need to cease" even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to top leaders of Oman, France and Malaysia, emphasising the urgency to restore peace in the volatile region. New Delhi described the attacks on the gas infrastructure as "deeply disturbing" and said that assaults will only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy market globally. Prioritising the Safety of Indian Nationals Additional Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem R Mahajan, said the MEA continues to "closely monitor" the developments in the Gulf and wider West Asia region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community remaining the highest priority. Since February 28, around 2.8 lakh passengers have returned from the region to India. In the UAE, limited non-scheduled flights continue to operate, with around 75 flights on March 18, and about 90 flights expected later on Thursday from various airports to India, Mahajan said. Flights continue to operate from Oman and Saudi Arabia to India. Qatar airspace remains partially open, with Qatar Airways operating non-scheduled flights, including nine flights to India on Thursday, he added. Kuwait airspace has remained closed since February 28; special non-scheduled flights by Jazeera Airways are being operated from Al-Qaisumah Airport in Saudi Arabia, with the first flight to Cochin scheduled on Friday. Bahrain airspace remains closed, with Gulf Air operating special flights from Dammam in Saudi Arabia and additional services expected. For Indian nationals in Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq, where airspace remains restricted, transit through Saudi Arabia continues to be facilitated, particularly for emergency cases, the MEA official said. On the 15 Indian crew members of MT Safesea Vishnu who were rescued, he said they have departed from Iraq and are "expected to return to India shortly". The Mission remains in contact with the crew and Iraqi authorities to facilitate their return and to expedite repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased Indian national, he said. The government told reporters that all Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no shipping incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours. At present, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region, with DG Shipping continuing close monitoring in coordination with ship owners and Indian Missions. Fertiliser Supply Assurance Jaiswal, on a query regarding fertilisers supply, said, "Our fertiliser situation at this point in time, especially for kharif 2026, we have adequate stock, so we are comfortable. The Department of Fertilisers has also put out global tenders well in advance in anticipation of the current situation, and these have received a very good response. We expect the bulk of the quantities ordered from a variety of sources to arrive by the end of March." A new US intelligence report warns that India and Pakistan's relations remain at risk for nuclear conflict, fueled by terrorism and escalating tensions in the region. Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points US Intelligence report indicates India and Pakistan relations remain at risk for nuclear conflict due to ongoing tensions and potential terrorist attacks. Terrorist activities, such as the attack near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, could spark conflict between India and Pakistan. Pakistan is developing sophisticated missile technology, including ICBMs, capable of striking targets beyond South Asia, potentially threatening the US. Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban are rising due to anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan. Recent clashes between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani military positions highlight the instability in the region. India and Pakistan relations remain at risk for nuclear conflict, according to the Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community presented to the US Senate on Wednesday. According to the 34-page report, though India and Pakistan do not seek to open conflict, conditions exist for terrorist actors to continue to create catalysts for crises. "India-Pakistan relations remain a risk for nuclear conflict given past conflicts where these two nuclear states squared off, creating the danger of escalation. The terrorist attack last year near Pahalgam, in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrated the dangers of terrorist attacks sparking conflict," the document said. "President Trump's intervention de-escalated the most recent nuclear tensions, and we assess that neither country seeks to return to open conflict, but that conditions exist for terrorist actors to continue to create catalysts for crises," it said. ISIS-K and Taliban Activity in South Asia On South Asia, the document said that ISIS-K (Islamic State - Khorasan Province) maintains a foothold in the region and aspires to conduct external attacks, but the Taliban is improving its security services and has taken aggressive action against it. "The Taliban has conducted extensive raids against ISIS-K targets, probably thwarted some attacks, and driven some ISIS-K leaders to relocate to neighbouring countries," it said. Pakistan's Missile Development and Tensions with the Taliban Pakistan continues to develop increasingly sophisticated missile technology that provides its military the means to develop missile systems with the capability to strike targets beyond South Asia, and if these trends continue, ICBMs that would threaten the US. "Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban have been tense, with intermittent cross-border clashes, as Islamabad has become increasingly frustrated with anti-Pakistan terrorist groups' presence in Afghanistan while Islamabad faces growing terrorist violence," it said. The document said on February 26, the Afghan Taliban launched strikes against Pakistani military positions along their shared border, claiming retaliation for prior Pakistani airstrikes. Pakistan responded within hours by bombing Afghan border provinces and the capital Kabula the first time Pakistan has struck Afghanistan's urban centres, it said. "The fighting has continued since it erupted. Pakistan's army chief warned this month that lasting peace requires the Taliban to sever ties with militants targeting Pakistan. The Taliban's public posture has been to call for dialogue, but it has denied harbouring anti-Pakistani militants," the document said. PHNOM PENH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- One Cambodian villager was killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday in a cluster bomb explosion in northwest Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province, said a mine clearance chief. Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Center, said the blast occurred in Boeung Snor village of Svay Chek district when one of the victims accidentally touched the bomb. "This accident resulted in the death of a 42-year-old man and caused a serious injury to a 47-year-old man," he said in a post on social media. Based on shrapnel evidence found at the scene, the cluster munitions that exploded were an M46 submunition from an NR269 155-mm artillery projectile, he added. These remnants of war continue to threaten peace, physical and mental safety, and social and economic development of Cambodia, Ratana said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calls for India to prioritise building a self-reliant drone manufacturing ecosystem to bolster defence capabilities and achieve strategic autonomy in light of evolving global conflicts. Photograph: Ishant Chauhan/ANI Photo Key Points Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlights the critical role of drones and counter-drone technologies in modern warfare, citing the Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel conflicts. India aims to become self-reliant in drone manufacturing, from design to components, to achieve strategic autonomy and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The government is actively supporting private sector involvement and innovation through initiatives like the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC-14) and ADITI challenges. Focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, and simulation technologies is crucial for advancing India's defence manufacturing capabilities. India is launching innovation challenges to encourage design-led innovation by MSMEs and start-ups in the defence sector. India must develop a robust ecosystem for drone manufacturing to enhance its defence preparedness, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, highlighting lessons from the Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel conflicts. In an address at an event, Singh asserted that the two conflicts prove that drones and counter-drone technologies will play a "pivotal role" in future warfare. The defence minister said India must work in mission mode to emerge as a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing in the next few years to ensure strategic autonomy and boost military prowess. "As the entire world watches the ongoing conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, along with Iran-Israel, we can clearly see the extremely significant role of drones and counter-drone technologies in future warfare," he said. "Today, there is a need to build such a drone manufacturing ecosystem in India, in which we are completely self-reliant," he said. Singh was speaking at the National Defence Industries conclave, which was attended by top executives of leading domestic defence manufacturing firms as well as officials of defence public sector undertakings. "For India's defence preparedness and strategic autonomy, it is essential that India becomes fully self-reliant in drone manufacturing," he said. "From the drone's moulds to its software, engines, batteries and everything must be manufactured in India. This is no easy task," he said. "In most countries where drones are manufactured, a significant number of critical components are currently imported from China," he added. Focus on Innovation and Technology The defence minister also touched upon growing significance of artificial intelligence, robotics and other new and critical technologies. "In today's era, innovations such as automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics are transforming manufacturing across the world. Alongside these, simulation technology is also opening up new possibilities," he said. Singh also called upon the industry leaders to focus on improving quality of their products. "This self-reliance is necessary not only at the product level but also at the component level. That is, from the drone's mould to the software, engine, and batteries -- all should be made in India," he said. Singh argued that while the creation of any nation's defence industrial ecosystem relies on the contributions of industries, MSMEs and start-ups, it is equally driven by a clear policy push tailored to meet specific defence requirements. The defence minister called for active contribution of the private sector and extended the Modi-led government's full support to transform India into a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing. Defence India Start-up Challenge Singh also launched the 14th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC-14) and the fourth edition of ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) challenges. A total of 107 problem statements, including 82 under DISC-14 and 25 under ADITI Challenges 4.0, from the defence forces, Indian Coast Guard and Defence Space Agency were launched to promote breakthrough innovations in various domains. A new initiative featuring 101 "innovation challenges" from defence public sector undertakings was also launched by Singh to encourage design-led innovation by MSMEs and start-ups. Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, threatening massive retaliation if it attacks Qatar again, following reports of an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field and an attack on Qatar's LNG facilities. IMAGE: QatarEnergy's LNG production facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar. Photograph: Reuters Key Points Donald Trump warns Iran against attacking Qatar after an alleged Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field. Trump states the US was unaware of the Israeli action and Qatar was not involved. Trump threatens 'massive' retaliation against Iran if Qatar's LNG facilities are attacked again. Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, housing a major LNG export facility, was reportedly struck by missiles, causing extensive damage. QatarEnergy confirms the attack on Ras Laffan, stating emergency teams controlled the fires and no casualties were reported. United States President Donald Trump has said Israel will not attack Iran's South Pars gas field unless Tehran "unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar". Trump's remarks came after Iran targeted Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, which houses the world's largest liquefied natural gas export facility. Was the US unaware of Israels strike on Iranian sites? Trump said that Israel acted "out of anger" over the war and acted out "violently" and that the "United States knew nothing about" the Israeli action against the Iranian Gas Field. "Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar's LNG Gas facility. NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar - In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before," Trump added. Trump's Warning To Iran Trump also warned Iran if it continues to attack Qatar. "I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar's LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so," the US President said. Iran Targets World's Largest LNG Plant In Qatar Key energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf came under attack on Wednesday night (local time), with fires reported at a major facility in Qatar and aerial threats intercepted over Saudi Arabia, following warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Qatar's Interior Ministry said Civil Defence teams were responding to a blaze at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, which houses the world's largest liquefied natural gas export facility, "following an Iranian targeting," according to a post on X on Wednesday. QatarEnergy confirmed that Ras Laffan had been struck by missiles, causing "extensive damage". The company added that emergency teams were immediately deployed to control the fires and that all personnel were safe, with no casualties reported. "QatarEnergy confirms that Ras Laffan Industrial City this evening has been the subject of missile attacks. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires, as extensive damage has been caused. All personnel have been accounted for and no casualties have been reported at this time," QatarEnergy wrote on X. With inputs from ANI Uttar Pradesh's Anti-Terrorism Squad has apprehended a man in connection with a widespread Aadhaar card forgery operation, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat identity fraud and protect national security. Key Points Uttar Pradesh ATS arrests Vinod Kumar Vishwakarma for alleged involvement in manufacturing forged Aadhaar cards. The arrest is connected to a larger investigation into a fake Aadhaar card racket uncovered by the Lucknow ATS. Vishwakarma allegedly provided technical assistance to the Aadhaar card forgery syndicate. A laptop, mobile phone, and incriminating documents were recovered from Vishwakarma's shop during the raid. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested a man here for his alleged involvement in a gang manufacturing forged Aadhaar cards, officials said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Vinod Kumar Vishwakarma, a resident of Naurangiya village, was apprehended late Wednesday evening from a shop in the Sabzi Mandi locality under the Khalilabad Kotwali police station area. The arrest follows a wider investigation into a fake Aadhaar card racket unearthed by the Lucknow ATS in August 2025. Several arrests had been made at that time across various districts, including Gorakhpur. Investigation and Arrest Details During the ongoing probe, Vishwakarma's name surfaced for allegedly providing technical assistance to the syndicate. An ATS team led by Inspector Kuldeep Singh, with the assistance of local Kotwali police, conducted a raid at his shop and took him into custody. The ATS recovered a laptop, a mobile phone, and several incriminating documents from the spot. Station House Officer of Khalilabad police station, Jai Prakash Dubey, said the ATS team conducted a preliminary inquiry at the local police station before leaving for Lucknow with the accused for further interrogation. A man in Thane has been arrested for celebrating a friend's jail release with firecrackers and allegedly assaulting a constable, prompting a police search for his accomplices. Key Points A man was arrested in Thane for bursting firecrackers outside Adharwadi jail to celebrate a friend's release on bail. The accused and his accomplices allegedly assaulted a constable who attempted to stop them. Police have registered a case against the trio under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act. The prime accused, Rohit Ganesh Jagdale, has been arrested, and police are searching for the other two suspects. Police have arrested a man and are trying to trace his two associates for allegedly bursting firecrackers outside a district jail in Maharashtra's Thane, and assaulting an on-duty constable there after he tried to stop them, an official said. The incident took place outside the district jail at Adharwadi in Kalyan during the intervening night of March 14 and 15, he said, adding that the accused burst the crackers to celebrate the release of one of them from the prison on bail. A case in this connection was filed based on a statement by Abhijit Sudam Koli (40), a senior officer at the district jail. The prime accused in the case, Rohit Ganesh Jagdale and two other men aged between 25 and 30, gathered outside the main gate of the jail and burst firecrackers that flew into the air. They indulged in the act despite a 440-voltage current flowing through the wired fence above the gate for security reasons, the official said. They burst the crackers to celebrate the release of Jagdale on bail, he said. Constable Assaulted During Firecracker Incident When constable Amol Desale, who was on duty at the prison gate at that time, tried to stop them, the trio turned violent. "The accused abused the constable, knocked him down and obstructed him from performing his duty," the police official said. Police Investigation and Charges After the incident, the police arrested Jagdale, while a search operation is underway to trace his two accomplices, he added. A case registered against the trio at Khadakpada police station under sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 326 (g) (uttering words with intent to insult modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant sections of the Maharashtra Police Act. Police in Ghaziabad are investigating the death of a 42-year-old man who allegedly jumped from a building, after his elderly mother was found dead in their apartment. Key Points A Ghaziabad man, Rajveer, allegedly committed suicide by jumping from a building. Rajveer's elderly mother, Satnam Kaur, was found dead in their flat, with her death possibly preceding his. Police are investigating whether the man killed his mother before taking his own life. Rajveer, an astrologer, had experienced personal losses and financial strain prior to his death. The cause of the mother's death is pending a post-mortem report. A 42-year-old man allegedly ended his life by jumping from the 13th floor of a building here on Thursday, while his elderly mother was found dead inside their flat in the same building, police said. The incident occurred at the Vinayak Tower of Mahagun Society in the Kavinagar area in the afternoon, an official stated. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Suryabali Maurya, the deceased have been identified as Rajveer and his mother Satnam Kaur (70). The ACP stated that Rajveer, an astrologer, resided with his mother in a flat, while his estranged wife and son lived in a different housing society at Crossings Republik. He said Rajveer had faced significant personal loss in recent years: both his father and brother had passed away some years ago, and his brother's widow had remarried. A police team that arrived at the spot after being informed about Rajveer's fall, also found his elderly mother dead in her bed in the flat. No suicide note was recovered from the site, the ACP said. The mother's body appeared to be two to three days old, he said. "While the mother's body showed no visible injury marks, the exact cause of her death will be determined after the post-mortem report," he said. The wife of the deceased informed police that Rajveer had not provided any financial support for household expenses in the last four months. Locals said Rajveer did not interact much with neighbours. Police Investigation Underway Kavinagar Police are currently investigating if Rajveer killed his mother before taking his own life, or if he committed suicide after her natural death, the ACP said. A social media argument spiralled into deadly violence in Haryana's Nuh district, resulting in the alleged murder of a 55-year-old man and prompting a police investigation. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A 55-year-old man was allegedly murdered in Kherla village, Nuh, Haryana, due to a dispute stemming from a social media comment. The incident began with a minor altercation between children and escalated to involve adults, leading to a heated argument and violence. Police have registered a murder case against the accused, Javed and Farid, and are conducting raids to apprehend them. Authorities have deployed a heavy police force in Kherla village to maintain peace and are monitoring the situation closely. The dispute reportedly originated from the alleged misuse of a Facebook ID, highlighting the potential for social media to incite real-world conflict. Following the incident, the administration has deployed a heavy police force in the village. Officials are continuously monitoring the situation and appealing to the villagers to maintain peace. According to police, the deceased was identified as Khurshid, a resident of Kherla, located within the Sadar Punhana police station limits. The body has been kept in the mortuary of the Al Afia Hospital. Police have registered a case and started an investigation. A senior police officer said several teams are conducting raids to nab the accused. Escalation of the Dispute According to police, the dispute started with a minor altercation between children over a comment made on social media. It gradually escalated and adults got involved. Khurshid (55) protested against the comment and a heated argument ensued between him and Javed and Farid of the same village. The dispute started over the alleged misuse of a Facebook ID, police said. According to eyewitnesses, the altercation quickly escalated into a violent fight. The accused allegedly opened fire with an illegal weapon and Khurshid, who was hit by bullets, died at the spot, they added. "A murder case has been registered against Javed, Farid and others at the Sadar Punhana police station. Police teams are conducting raids to nab the accused, who will be arrested soon. The situation in the village is under control now," a spokesperson of the Nuh police said. A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Delhi for a stabbing incident that occurred after the victim intervened in a fight, highlighting the dangers of escalating conflicts. Key Points A 22-year-old man was arrested for stabbing a 32-year-old in Jahangir Puri, Delhi. The stabbing occurred after the victim intervened in a fight between the accused and the victim's brother. The accused, Sumit alias Pucchi, stabbed Gautam with a knife and was later arrested with the weapon. Gautam is currently receiving treatment at Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital. Sumit confessed to the crime, citing resentment as his motive, and has a prior theft case against him. A 22-year-old man was arrested for stabbing a man in northwest Delhi's Jahangir Puri for intervening in a fight with his younger brother, police said on Thursday. The accused, Sumit alias Pucchi, allegedly stabbed 32-year-old Gautam with a knife on Wednesday. He was later arrested with the weapon in his possession. According to the police, the knifing happened during a fight between Sumit and Gautam's younger brother Gaurav. Gautam intervened to defuse the situation and warned the accused to stay away. "Holding a grudge, the accused left the spot but returned shortly with a knife and stabbed Gautam in the abdomen area," the police said in a statement. Gautam was taken to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, where he stays under treatment. During interrogation, Sumit confessed that he acted out of resentment, the police said. They said Sumit is a habitual criminal with a prior theft case registered against him. Meghalaya's Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma updated the Governor on the Garo Hills situation, detailing improved security measures after election-related violence and the government's response to restore order. Photograph: PTI Photo Key Points Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma briefed the Governor on the improved law and order situation in Garo Hills after recent election-related violence. The Meghalaya government has lifted the internet suspension in Garo Hills but remains vigilant to ensure a return to normalcy. Protests erupted in Garo Hills over the participation of non-tribals in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, leading to violence and postponement of the elections. The government postponed the April 10 GHADC elections and removed the council chief in response to the unrest. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday briefed Governor CH Vijayashankar on the prevailing law and order situation in violence-hit Garo Hills region. Sangma was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister (in-charge of home) Prestone Tynsong and senior officials. The CM told the governor that the situation in the region has improved considerably, with only sporadic incidents reported, a senior Lok Bhavan official said. "The situation has eased, people are now moving forward with their daily lives. After reviewing the situation, we have also lifted the internet suspension. However, we are closely monitoring the developments and remain alert to ensure that the situation returns to normal," the CM told PTI. He said a detailed account of developments in Garo Hills, where protests over participation of non-tribals in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections had escalated into violence in recent weeks, was provided to the governor. During the meeting, Sangma told the governor that he had camped in Tura for almost two weeks. "During this period, we have been in constant touch with the governor over the phone, but I felt it was important to brief him in person on the current situation and the sequence of events that led to the disturbance of law and order," Sangma said. On arrests made in connection with the violence, Sangma said it was the responsibility of the police to take action based on evidence. Garo Hills Election Violence and Aftermath Law and order situation in Garo Hills suffered a major blow after protests erupted following a notification by the GHADC barring non-tribals from participating in the tribal council elections slated for April 10. A non-tribal candidate, Estamur Mominin, who is also a former MLA, was injured when he was attacked while attempting to file his nomination papers. Two persons died in the clash that erupted after this, even as property were damaged in arson attacks and violence spread to other parts, including Williamnagar in East Garo Hills district, forcing the government to impose curfew and withdraw mobile internet services. The government also postponed the April 10 elections and removed the council chief before extending the GHADC term by six months. Two individuals with alleged ties to a Pakistan-based gangster network have been apprehended in Hapur for purportedly transmitting images and location data of religious landmarks, sparking fears of a potential terror plot. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Two men, Azeem Rana and Azad Rajput, were arrested in Hapur for allegedly sharing sensitive information about religious sites with a Pakistan-based gangster network. The suspects were reportedly in contact with an ISI-backed network linked to Shahzad Bhatti via social media since December 2025. The shared information included photos, videos, and location details of temples and metro stations in Delhi and Greater Noida. Authorities suspect the information was intended for planning a potential terror attack targeting religious places. Multiple agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau and Anti-Terrorism Squad, are investigating the case to identify other network members. Two alleged operatives linked to a Pakistan-based gangster network were arrested from the Dhaulana area of Hapur district for allegedly sending photos, videos and location details of religious sites and key locations to their handlers across the border, police said on Thursday. The accused have been identified as Azeem Rana, a resident of Peeplehda in Dhaulana, and Azad Rajput from Jai village in Meerut district. Dhaulana police arrested both men, and two mobile phones were recovered from their possession, officials said. Preliminary investigation revealed that Rana ran a dry fruits stall at a mall in Delhi, while Rajput worked as a contractor at a pipe factory in Gurugram. Investigation Details According to Superintendent of Police Kunwar Gyananjay Singh, the duo was in contact with an ISI-backed network linked to Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti through social media platforms since December 2025. During interrogation, the accused admitted to sharing photographs, videos and location details of a metro station area in west Delhi, a nearby temple and adjoining residential colonies with their handlers. They also allegedly sent similar inputs related to a temple in the Bisrakh area of Greater Noida, police said. The suspects were in regular touch with their handler via social media and messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, and had also conducted reconnaissance of a prominent temple in Delhi, officials added. Police said the inputs were being shared on instructions from the Pakistan-based handler, raising suspicions of a possible larger conspiracy targeting religious places. Authorities suspect that the information could have been intended for planning a major terror attack, similar to past incidents. Ongoing Investigation The arrests were made following inputs from central intelligence agencies. Afterwards, multiple agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), joined the probe and began questioning the accused. Officials said efforts are underway to identify other members of the network and trace the links of the accused. Police are also verifying local contacts of the duo in the Dhaulana area. A Khargone trader is under police protection after an extortion attempt and threats, with investigators probing potential links to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A trader in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, faced a firing incident at his residence followed by a Rs 10 crore extortion demand. The trader and his family received threats via WhatsApp calls and voice notes from unknown individuals. A social media post claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Police are investigating the extortion attempt and verifying the claimed links to the Lawrence Bishnoi crime syndicate. The trader's family is currently scared, and security has been deployed at their residence. Shots were fired at a trader's house in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone district, and the attackers later demanded Rs 10 crore, while a social media post claimed they had links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, an official said on Thursday. The incident took place on Monday at Bhilgaon under Kasrawad police station limits, about 50 km from the district headquarters. Security has been deployed at the residence of the trader, Dilip Rathore, he said. The family was in Indore at the time, the official said. District Superintendent of Police (SP) Ravindra Verma said a case was registered based on a complaint by Dilip's son Satyendra on Wednesday. He confirmed that a firing incident took place and said police are investigating all angles. In his complaint, Satyendra said that he and his father subsequently received threats through WhatsApp calls and voice notes from unknown persons. The accused allegedly sent a video of the firing and demanded Rs 10 crore, threatening to blow up the house. A voice call received on Tuesday threatened to kill the entire family and claimed that the firing was carried out on Monday night. Satyendra told the police that multiple calls were received from foreign numbers on Wednesday, but the trader's family ignored those, Verma added. After receiving the video, the trader's family checked CCTV footage, which showed three masked men on a motorcycle opening fire at the house, the official said. Social Media Claims and Police Investigation Meanwhile, a social media post by persons identifying themselves as "Harry Boxer" and "Arju Bishnoi" claimed responsibility for the firing and said the attackers had links with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's crime syndicate. The post issued further threats to the trader and his family. Police said they were verifying the claims made in the social media post and probing possible links to a similar threat reported recently in the Ashok Nagar district. Dilip Rathore said he is currently out of station, adding that his family members are scared. He declined to comment further. YANGON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- As temperatures soar across Myanmar, the Ministry of Health has issued preventive and safety guidelines for the public, the state-owned daily The Mirror, citing the health ministry, reported on Thursday. The health ministry said in a statement that the public is urged to take precautions, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic health conditions. These groups are advised to rest in cool, shaded, and well-ventilated areas and avoid strenuous activity under hot temperatures, the report said. According to the country's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, temperatures in many cities and towns across the country reached approximately 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with Chauk recording 40.4 degrees Celsius, Magway 39.9 degrees Celsius, and Minbu 39 degrees Celsius. Four passengers have been arrested at Mumbai Airport for attempting to smuggle a massive consignment of hydroponic ganja from Bangkok, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Four individuals were arrested at Mumbai Airport for smuggling over 64 kg of hydroponic ganja. The smuggled hydroponic ganja, worth over Rs 64 crore, originated from Bangkok. Customs launched a special surveillance operation at Mumbai Airport to combat the rise in hydroponic ganja smuggling. The arrested individuals were instructed to deliver the consignment to associates in Mumbai. The accused are being investigated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) has arrested four passengers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport here for allegedly smuggling 64.394 kilograms of hydroponic ganja worth more than Rs 64 crore, an official said on Thursday. The consignment had reportedly been brought in from Bangkok, the AIU official added. Customs Surveillance Operation "There has been a significant rise in cases of hydroponic ganja smuggling from Bangkok over the past few months. In response, Customs had launched a special surveillance operation at the international airport to crack down on such activities. It involves subjecting all suspicious passengers arriving from Bangkok to detailed scrutiny and checks," the official said. During the operation on Wednesday, four suspects, comprising three Indians and one foreign citizen, were intercepted and taken in for questioning, and a thorough search of their luggage led to the recovery of 64.394 kg of hydroponic ganja, with an estimated international market value of Rs 64.39 crore, he said. Investigation and Arrests "During interrogation, the accused revealed the consignment had been handed over to them by an individual in Bangkok, with instructions to deliver it to associates in Mumbai. The four have been arrested under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further probe into the smuggling network is underway," the official informed. Understanding Hydroponic Farming Hydroponic farming is a soil-less cultivation technique in which plants are grown in nutrient-rich water. A Delhi court has granted the NIA custody of foreign nationals accused of training Myanmar-based insurgent groups, raising concerns about national security and potential links to Indian insurgents. 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, March 19, 2026. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Key Points The accused allegedly infiltrated India from Myanmar via Mizoram and were intercepted at various airports. NIA seeks to interrogate the accused to uncover a larger conspiracy, trace funding sources, and identify associates. The court noted the accused's alleged links to ethnic armed groups supporting proscribed Indian insurgent groups. Accusations involve national security concerns, including conspiracy and illegal import of drones for insurgent groups. Security agencies have sent mobile phones of seven arrested foreigners, including a self-styled US mercenary, for data extraction to unearth a larger conspiracy of using Indian ethnic groups to hamper national security, officials said on Thursday. Besides, social media accounts of the accused, six of them Ukrainian nationals, are also being scanned to find out the source of funding, mastermind of the conspiracy and their unknown accomplices, they said. Acting on a specific tip-off last week, the Bureau of Immigration detained these seven persons while they were attempting to move through major Indian transit hubs. They were later arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to an FIR filed by the NIA, 14 Ukrainians had entered India on tourist visa on separate dates and flew to Guwahati (Assam) and then to Mizoram without requisite Restricted Area Permit (RAP)/Protected Area Permit (PAP). The group then entered Myanmar "illegally" to conduct a pre-scheduled training for Myanmar-based Ethnics Armed Groups (EAGs), known to support terrorist organisations operating in India in the domain of drone warfare and jamming technology, it said. "These EAGs are also known to be supporting some proscribed Indian insurgent groups by way of supplying weapons and other terrorist hardware and training them, thus affecting national security and interest of India," the FIR stated. The seven arrested include Matthew Aaron VanDyke, a US citizen and international security analyst, who was detained at Kolkata airport. He is the founder of 'Sons of Liberty International (SOLI)' and a self-described veteran of the 'Libyan Revolution'. Six Ukrainian nationals, identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor, were first detained from Delhi and Lucknow airports. All of them have been charged for engaging in unlawful activities for allegedly helping armed militia in Myanmar, which work closely with anti-India insurgent groups, the officials said. VanDyke's organisation SOLI provides free security consulting, training, supplies, and other services to vulnerable populations to enable them to defend themselves against terrorists and insurgents. It is said to have facilitated "missions" in Ukraine, Venezuela, the Philippines and Iraq. Through 'Operation Nineveh Rising', SOLI aided deployment of teams of US military veterans to train hundreds of Assyrians (ethnic community) to defeat terror outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on the battlefield, according to its website. Security agencies have now sent seized mobile phones of these seven accused persons to Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), a specialised cyber security agency, for data extraction and its analysis, the officials said quoting the FIR. "It is very important to analyse the data of their mobile phones to unearth the conspiracy which was being hatched by accused persons to use local ethnic groups of India to hamper national security of India," the FIR said. Furthering its probe, the security agencies are questioning the accused about the route opted by them and to apprehend close unknown associates, who are still at large. The agencies are also looking at the accused's social media activities to identify their unknown accomplices, the officials said. The accused are also alleged to have imported huge consignments of drones from Europe to Myanmar through India for use of the EAGs, they said, adding that the source of their funding and "mastermind" were also being ascertained. Meanwhile, the arrested persons were produced before a court here on March 16, which sent them to 11-day NIA custody. The court has also ordered their medical examination after every 48 hours and allowed them to meet their respective counsels/relatives for 20 minutes on every alternate day. All constitutional and statutory requirements were observed while arresting the accused and the grounds of their arrest were communicated to them in English as well as in their native language in writing and acknowledgement was also received, the officials said. Meanwhile, the embassy of Ukraine here on Thursday took strong note of media reports indicating that the initiation of action in the case was "prompted" by information provided by the Russian side. In a statement, the mission expressed its "serious concern" over what it claimed as the "presence of circumstances that point to a possible orchestrated and politically motivated nature of this case, as evidenced, in particular, by the facts known at this stage". "Ukraine firmly rejects any insinuations regarding the possible involvement of the Ukrainian state in supporting terrorist activities," it said. On the contrary, Ukraine consistently advocates for strengthening security, trust, and cooperation with India as an influential and friendly state, it added. "Instead, it is Russia, as an aggressor state, that seeks under every circumstance to drive a wedge between friendly countries -- Ukraine and India," the embassy alleged. The issue of foreigners visiting Mizoram and then leaving the state unnoticed was also raised by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma. He had in March last year said that nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Mizoram between June and December 2024, and many of them did not come as tourists. Lalduhoma said Mizoram was being secretly used as a transit route by foreigners travelling to Myanmar, which has become a grave concern for the Centre. He had alleged that some foreigners even crossed the Indo-Myanmar border and entered Chin Hills in the neighbouring country to give military training to insurgent groups there. Mizoram shares around 510-km-long border with Myanmar. The Centre has already decided to fence the entire 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border, running through Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. Meanwhile, the NIA maintains that the case is in the initial stages of investigation and it won't be able to share details at this stage. "The same will be shared at an appropriate time," an NIA spokesperson said. Amidst escalating tensions in West Asia, India strongly condemns the recent attacks on energy infrastructure, warning of further destabilisation to the already uncertain global energy market. IMAGE: Smoke and fire rise near the South Pars gas field following an attack in Bushehr Province, Iran, March 18, 2026. Photograph: Reuters Key Points India condemns the recent attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia, calling them unacceptable. The attacks, including those targeting Qatar's LNG hub, are seen as destabilising the global energy scenario. India had previously called for avoiding targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted India's concern over the escalating tensions and their impact on energy security. As fresh attacks on West Asian gas hubs triggered global concerns, India on Thursday said the strikes are "unacceptable and need to cease" even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to top leaders of Oman, France and Malaysia, emphasising the urgency to restore peace in the volatile region. New Delhi described the attacks on the gas infrastructure as "deeply disturbing" and that assaults will only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy market globally. An Israeli attack on Iran's strategic gas fields of South Pars resulted in an intense Iranian retaliation on key energy infrastructure in several Gulf nations including Qatar's LNG (liquefied natural gas) hub of Ras Laffan. Qatar accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India's LNG requirement. "India had previously called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. "The recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across this region are therefore deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world," he said. "Such attacks are unacceptable and need to cease," Jaiswal said without naming any country. The fresh attacks resulted in a further spike in global energy prices, with crude oil prices hitting $115 a barrel. As concerns mounted over the escalating situation in West Asia, PM Modi spoke to Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, French President Emmanuel Macron and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In his conversation with the Omani Sultan, Modi also spoke about the need for free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically key shipping lane. "We agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability," the prime minister said on social media. Modi also reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated the Gulf nation's efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals. "India and Oman stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," Modi said. Oman is among the Gulf nations bearing the brunt of Iranian retaliation following strikes by Israel and the US on Iranian targets. Following his phone conversation with Macron on the situation in West Asia, Modi said there is an "urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy". "We look forward to continuing our close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond," he said. After speaking to Ibrahim, Modi said: "We also discussed the deeply concerning situation in West Asia and reaffirmed our shared commitment to de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. Odisha officials have arrested a family, including a banker's parents, for their alleged involvement in a Rs 5.56 crore embezzlement scheme involving government funds and fraudulent manipulation of teacher payrolls. Key Points Odisha vigilance officers arrested three individuals, including the parents of a banker, for alleged embezzlement of Rs 5.56 crore in government funds. The accused allegedly misappropriated funds over six years by fraudulently showing retired teachers as still employed. The embezzled funds were diverted into personal and family bank accounts through illegal access to the Human Resource Management System (HRMS). Authorities tracked the couple across multiple locations in Odisha and West Bengal before apprehending them. An investigation is underway to trace the money trail and identify other individuals involved in the Odisha government funds fraud. A day after arresting a banker, Odisha vigilance officers on Thursday arrested his father and mother along with another man for allegedly embezzling government funds to the tune of Rs 5.56 crore in Jajpur district, officials said. The accused have been identified by the vigilance officers as Pradip Kumar Mohanty, his wife Gitarani Mohanty and Bishnu Prasad Dash, former senior clerk at the office of BEO, Korei. Pradip's son, Matruprasad Mohanty, the branch head of a small finance bank in Bhadrak, was arrested by the Vigilance team on Wednesday. The vigilance team managed to catch the couple after tracking them across multiple locations in Odisha and West Bengal as they were on the run to evade arrest. Pradip, a headmaster in a government high school under the Korei block education office (BEO), was re-engaged in the Korei BEO office after his retirement seven years back. The couple had allegedly been absconding since the misappropriation case came to light, and they had been frequently changing their locations to save them from the police net, a vigilance officer said. Acting on an intelligence tip-off, a team of the anti-corruption department carried out raids at their suspected hideouts in Kolkata, where the duo was believed to be hiding a couple of days back. However, sensing trouble, they reportedly fled Kolkata on Wednesday night. The couple later took shelter at a hotel in the Charampa area in Bhadrak district late Wednesday night, where they were finally apprehended by the Vigilance team on Thursday morning, he said. The officials said the accused are currently being interrogated in connection with the case. Investigation Details Preliminary investigation revealed that the misappropriated government funds were transferred to multiple personal accounts, including those of the main accused, Pradip Mohanty, his wife Gitarani, their son Matruprasad, and other members of their family. Officials said Pradip, in connivance with his banker son Matruprasad, fraudulently showed 13 retired teachers as still in service and prepared monthly salary bills to the tune of Rs 5.56 crore in their names. The duration of the fraud spanned nearly six years, from November 2018 to September 2024, they said. The funds were then diverted into personal and family bank accounts through illegal access to the Human Resource Management System (HRMS). Further investigation is underway to trace the money trail and identify other individuals involved in the fraud, the officials said. Amidst the escalating West Asia conflict, India has successfully evacuated nearly 880 of its citizens from Iran, utilising routes through Armenia and Azerbaijan, ensuring their safe return home. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Key Points The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is actively monitoring the West Asia situation, prioritising the safety and security of Indian citizens in the region. Approximately 280 pilgrims out of 284 who travelled to Iran have returned to India through Armenia, with the remaining expected to arrive soon. The MEA's Control Room, established on March 4, remains operational, providing support to Indian nationals affected by the conflict. Since February 28, around 280,000 passengers have returned to India from the West Asia region, highlighting the scale of the evacuation efforts. Nearly 880 Indian nationals, including students who had been stranded in Iran due to the conflict in West Asia, have started to return to India through Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. At the weekly media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said, of the 284 pilgrims who had gone to Iran, about 280 have returned via Armenia, and three-four of them are expected to arrive in a couple of days. "Some people do not register with the Indian Embassy. So, our estimate was that about 9,000 people were there (in Iran). Many of the students had returned before the strikes began. And recently, nearly 882 Indian nationals, including students, people from the business community, and pilgrims, had gone from India," he said. Jaiswal was asked for an update on Indian nationals in Iran who wish to return to the country. "These 882 Indian nationals, via Armenia and Azerbaijan, are expected to return, some have returned. A total of 772 are returning via Armenia, and through Azerbaijan, 110, out of whom, some have returned, while others are coming back," he said. He also said that the MEA's Control Room set up on March 4 here remains fully functional, supporting the needs of the Indian nationals. Jaiswal said the number of calls or emails has reduced significantly. The issues of people getting stranded have been largely addressed, and calls and emails have gone down significantly, and helplines in the Indian embassies in various countries in the region are working 24x7, he added. The MEA spokesperson further said, "We have a large number of students, including girl students from Kashmir who are getting medical education in Iran. We had issued an advisory, we had told everybody to get in touch with the Embassy before crossing the Azerbaijan border, so they could help them in crossing the Iran-Azerbaijan border." India's response to the West Asia conflict As the conflict in West Asia widened with global ramifications, India on Thursday said the situation has been a "testing time", not just for the country, but the entire global community. The West Asia conflict began on February 28 when the US-Israel combine launched military strikes on Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has targeted Gulf countries hosting US military bases. The West Asia conflict has stretched into three weeks, with an Israeli attack on Iran's strategic gas fields of South Pars resulting in an intense Iranian retaliation on key energy infrastructure in several Gulf nations, including Qatar's LNG (liquefied natural gas) hub of Ras Laffan, triggering global concerns. Qatar accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India's LNG requirement. "Yes, it has been a testing time, not just for us, but the entire global community. Our leaders have been in touch with their counterparts, as I just spoke about the conversation between our prime minister and the Crown Prince of Kuwait. Similarly, we have been in touch with several other leaders," Jaiswal said at an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, earlier in the day. Additional Secretary (Gulf), MEA, Aseem R Mahajan, told reporters at the inter-ministerial briefing that the MEA continues to "closely monitor" the developments in the Gulf and the wider West Asia region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community remaining the highest priority. Since February 28, around 2.8 lakh passengers have returned from the region to India, he said. Devastating rainstorms in Karachi, Pakistan, have claimed at least 19 lives, prompting warnings for continued severe weather and highlighting the urgent need for safety precautions. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com Key Points At least 19 people have died in Karachi, Pakistan, due to rain-related incidents including building collapses and electrocution. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rainy weather and strong winds, urging residents to stay home. Most incidents occurred in low-lying and lower-income areas of Karachi, highlighting vulnerability to severe weather. Rescue teams are still clearing rubble from collapsed structures, with the potential for more casualties. Power outages are widespread due to tripped feeders, compounding the challenges faced by Karachi residents. At least 19 people have been killed in various rain-related incidents in Pakistan's Karachi which was hit by heavy showers, thunderstorms and heavy winds. The casualties on Wednesday night were the result of roofs and walls collapsing, electrocution, trees and signboards falling due to the heavy rain and gusty winds. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rainy weather and strong winds for Thursday. SSP Korangi Sanghar Malik said that 12 people were killed when a roof and wall of a telephone exchange collapsed on them while they were sitting underneath it having tea. "The heavy winds, thunderstorms and rains caused the collapse in Mochko Goth in Saeedabad area," he said. He said rescue teams were still clearing the rubble and there could be more survivors or bodies underneath. Most of the rain-related incidents occurred in the low-lying and lower income areas of the metropolitan city. Impact of the Storms The Deputy Inspector General of Police South, Asad Raza, told the media on Thursday morning that other casualties were reported in Korangi where a couple died when the roof of their house collapsed while in Malir two persons were struck by lightning. He said casualties were also reported from Majeed Colony in Landhi area while in the Clifton area, the body of a woman was recovered from under a fallen tree trunk. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab in a public service message advised people to remain home and avoid unnecessary travel on Thursday. Geo TV also reported that dozens of feeders had also tripped because of the heavy rain leaving many areas of the city without power. Weather Forecast and Warnings The Met Office has also predicted showers in other parts of Sindh for the next two days. "Rain and thunderstorms with strong winds and isolated hailstorm with few moderate to isolated heavy falls was forecast in Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad and Dadu districts," it said in a statement. The Supreme Court has quashed the FIR against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in the controversial snake venom case, citing legal flaws in the application of the NDPS Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points The Supreme Court quashed the FIR against Elvish Yadav due to legal issues with the application of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The court found that the Wildlife Protection Act proceedings were invalid because the complaint was not filed by a duly authorised officer. No snake venom or other illegal substances were recovered directly from Elvish Yadav, weakening the prosecution's case. The offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were based on a previous FIR in Gurugram where a closure report had been filed. The Supreme Court granted liberty to the competent authority to initiate appropriate proceedings in accordance with law by filing a proper complaint under Section 55 of the Wildlife Protection Act. The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed an FIR and subsequent proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav who was arrested for allegedly using snake venom at a rave party in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in 2023, and said the case cannot be sustained in law. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said it was confining its consideration to two specific questions -- the applicability of Section 2(23) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the validity of proceedings under Section 55 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The top court, however, granted liberty to the competent authority to initiate appropriate proceedings in accordance with law by filing a proper complaint under Section 55 of the Wildlife Protection Act. The case against Yadav was registered on November 22, 2023, and he was arrested on March 17, 2024. The apex court said offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) invoked in the FIR against Yadav were based on an earlier FIR registered in Gurugram, in which a closure report has been filed. The bench noted that no recovery had been made from Yadav himself, with the chargesheet only alleging that he placed orders for snake venom for recreational purposes through his friends, who are co-accused in the case. It said provisions of the NDPS Act cannot be invoked as the liquid substance recovered from the co-accused was not a prescribed substance under the schedule. Legal Basis for Dismissal On the invocation of the Wildlife Protection Act, the top court said Section 55 mandates that prosecution can be initiated only through a complaint filed by a duly authorised officer. In the case in hand, it noted, the complainant was a former employee of Wildlife Board of India and therefore not an authorised person under the Act to lodge a complaint. The bench referred to the earlier decisions of the court and said the case against Yadav cannot be sustained in law. It quashed the FIR and subsequent proceedings, including filing of the chargesheet and cognisance order of the trial court. The controversial YouTuber had challenged an Allahabad High Court order refusing to quash the chargesheet and the cognisance order of the trial court terming it a serious offence. Earlier Court Observations On February 18, the top court indicated that it would examine a complaint against Yadav under the Wildlife (Protection) Act in the snake venom case and observed that if popular persons are allowed to use "voiceless victims" like snakes, it could send a "very bad message" to society. On August 6 last year, the apex court stayed proceedings in the trial court against Yadav in the case. The chargesheet alleged the consumption of snake venom as a recreational drug at "rave" parties by people, including foreigners. Yadav's counsel argued in the high court that no snakes, narcotic or psychotropic substances were recovered from him. Besides, no causal link was established between the applicant and the co-accused. Calling Yadav a "well-known influencer" and someone who appears in multiple reality shows on television, the counsel said his involvement in the FIR garnered "much media attention". Following a deadly shooting, Punjab Police have apprehended two shooters linked to the Bambiha gang in connection with the Chandigarh property dealer murder case, showcasing a swift and coordinated law enforcement response. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Two shooters, Rajan alias Piyush Pehalwan and Pritam Shah, were arrested in connection with the murder of a property dealer in Chandigarh. The shooters are allegedly associated with fugitive gangster Lucky Patial of the Bambiha gang. The arrest followed a joint operation by Punjab and Haryana Police, involving an exchange of fire in Kaithal, Haryana. Police recovered multiple weapons from the accused, including pistols and ammunition. The shooters were traced and apprehended within 30 hours of the murder, highlighting the swift response of the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF). In a joint operation of the Punjab Police and the Special Task Force of Haryana Police, two shooters allegedly involved in the murder of a property dealer here were nabbed following an exchange of fire in Haryana's Kaithal on Thursday, officials said. The property dealer, Charanpreet Singh (31), a resident of the Mullanpur area in Mohali district, was shot dead in Sector 9 in Chandigarh on Wednesday. The shooters, who arrived on a motorcycle, fled after the crime. The two accused -- Rajan alias Piyush Pehalwan of Ferozepur and Pritam Shah from Nawanshahr-- are the key associates of fugitive gangster Lucky Patial of the Bambiha gang, the officials said. Based on human and technical intelligence, the team of Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) traced the accused to Kaithal, said a Punjab Police official. Piyush came from Malaysia via Nepal to execute the killing on the directions of his foreign-based handler, said Additional Director General of Police, AGTF, Promod Ban. When the team tried to nab the accused, they opened fire at the police personnel led by AGTF Superintendent of Police Bikramjit Singh Brar. The AGTF team retaliated and the two accused sustained bullet injuries. They were taken to the hospital, the official said. The police recovered three weapons -- a .30 bore PX-5 pistol, a .30 caliber Chinese pistol and a .32 caliber pistol -- along with ammunition and a motorcycle from the accused. Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the accused are the key associates of fugitive gangster Lucky Patial of the Bambiha gang. Preliminary investigation also revealed that Rajan alias Piyush Pehalwan was also wanted in the high-profile murder of Yadwinder Singh, driver of Jiwanjot Singh alias Jugnu, he said. The DGP said that AGTF Punjab unmasked the entire module and arrested the accused in less than 30 hours. Further investigations are ongoing, he added. Sharing operational details, ADGP, AGTF Ban said following the Chandigarh murder incident, they promptly launched a special operation 'Silent Trigger' under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General, AGTF, Gurmit Singh Chauhan to arrest the accused persons involved in this case. Details of the Shooting Charanpreet Singh was shot dead in an upscale market of Chandigarh when he had gone to a gym. When Singh was exiting the parking area in his SUV, one of the assailants opened fire at him. After being shot, he tried to escape by opening the door of his SUV, but the assailant came to his side and fired at him again from close range, according to the police. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. Later, an unverified post appeared on social media in which gangster Lucky Patial claimed responsibility for the murder and accused Singh of passing information about the gang to its rivals. Earlier in the day, Singh's family refused to cremate him until the shooters were apprehended. A Delhi father is blaming systemic negligence after a devastating fire in Palam claimed nine lives, highlighting concerns about emergency response and building safety regulations. IMAGE: A massive fire broke out at a residential building in the Palam area, in New Delhi on March 18, 2026. Photograph: Sumi/ANI Photo Key Points Nine family members died in a devastating fire in southwest Delhi's Palam area. The bereaved father alleges systemic negligence and delayed emergency response contributed to the fatalities. Eyewitnesses claim the initial hydraulic crane malfunctioned, causing critical delays in rescue operations. Residents suspect a short circuit as a possible cause of the fire, but the exact cause is under investigation. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the fire and potential lapses in the emergency response. Rajender Kashyap, who lost nine members of his family in the blaze, entered the gutted structure near Ram Chowk Market along with police and forensic science laboratory teams as part of the ongoing investigation. Overcome with grief after stepping out, he broke down and blamed the authorities. "This is the system's failure. Had there been a timely response, my family would have been alive," Kashyap claimed. The four-storey building, located in a congested lane near Palam Metro Station, housed a cloth and cosmetics business in the basement, ground and first floors, while the family lived on the upper levels. The fire broke out around 6.15 am on Wednesday, spreading rapidly through the structure and killing nine people, including a 70-year-old woman and three young girls, one of whom was just three years old. Three others were injured while attempting to escape. Eyewitnesses had earlier alleged delays in rescue operations, claiming that the first hydraulic crane deployed at the spot malfunctioned and that a second crane took nearly an hour to arrive, costing crucial time. Community Response and Concerns On Thursday, neighbours gathered outside the building for a condolence meeting, as questions arose regarding the cause of the fire and the effectiveness of the emergency services. Some residents suspected a short circuit, pointing to an electrical board near the staircase on the ground floor as a possible origin of the blaze, though the exact cause is yet to be ascertained. "The response was very late. If help had arrived on time, things could have been different," a neighbour said, standing beside the bereaved father. Another local alleged that at least four to five lives could have been saved with quicker intervention. "The first fire tender's hydraulic system did not work. That delay proved fatal," he claimed. The building now stands blackened and hollowed out, with its interiors completely gutted, as the neighbourhood struggles to come to terms with the scale of the tragedy. Investigation Underway A case has been registered and a magisterial inquiry ordered into the incident, while further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and any lapses in response. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is urging the Indian government to take a more proactive role in mediating the escalating conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran, emphasising the impact on India's energy security and regional stability. IMAGE: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor believes India should be at the forefront of a group of countries mediating between the conflicting parties. Photograph: @ShashiTharoor/X Key Points Shashi Tharoor urges India to publicly call for an end to the conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran. Tharoor suggests India should have offered public condolences to Iran following the death of its former supreme leader. India's energy security and the well-being of its citizens in the Gulf are at stake due to the ongoing conflict. The Congress party has criticised the Indian government's silence on the US-Israel strike and its foreign policy approach. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said he understands the Indian government's desire to take a cautious stand on the conflict between US-Israel and Iran, and hoped that it could make a public call to both sides to end the war quickly. In an interview with PTI, the former minister of state for external affairs also stated that the government should have immediately offered public condolences to Iran over the death of its former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and acted on similar lines as it had done in the aftermath of the demise of then Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in 2024. Tharoor asserted that in the current circumstances, a good group of countries not party to the conflict on either side could go to both sides and ask them to call off the conflict, and India should be at the forefront of this. Asked about assertions from various quarters that India should have condemned the assassination of Khamenei in a US-Israel strike, Tharoor said, "I don't know about condemning it, but we should certainly have condoled it. After all (he was) the spiritual leader of a country with which he have friendly relations. It would have been appropriate, the day it happened, for us to express public condolences and share the grief of his loved ones and of his nation just as two years ago when president Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, we immediately issued a condolence as well as announced national mourning." Tharoor noted that the moment the Iranian embassy opened the condolence book, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri went and signed the book, which was a "good thing", he said. "But I guess we could have been a bit more... it is simply the courteous thing to do for any country. For example, the president of some faraway country, with which we do not even have such a close relation, were to be such a victim, it would be odd for us not to offer condolences," Tharoor said. "But apart from that, I think I understand the government's desire to take, for the lack of a better word, a cautious stand," he said. India's Stakes in the Middle East Conflict Tharoor said India has enormous stakes in what is going on and its energy security is dependent on the situation in the Gulf, including its LPG and LNG imports. "We have 9 million of our citizens living there, which are an important source of remittances, and their safety and well-being is naturally a priority, there are investments coming to us from countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and we have very important overall trade relations as well as political interest and security cooperation, all of that. "You don't want to see that jeopardised. So for us, peace and stability in the Middle East-West Asia is extremely important," the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram said. On top of that, he said, the conflict has already affected people in India. "There are dhabas closing down because of shortages of gas cylinders, there are situations where my friends in Hyderabad are saying no one can cook 'haleem' anymore because it is slow-cooking dish, there are challenges now in the coming election campaigns, where are we going to stop for chai when 'chaiwalas' don't have LPG cylinders? I am not joking, these are genuine concerns affecting the Indian kitchen and the average Indian household," Tharoor said. At the moment, there is no panic at the petrol pumps, but if this war carries on for another four-six weeks, "we don't know how much further the consequences could reach in our daily lives", Tharoor said, noting that India wants the conflict to end. "I would really hope that the Indian government could stand up and make a public call to both sides to end this war quickly. I still feel that sooner or later they are both (US-Israel and Iran) going to want a ladder to climb down the perches they are on. "(US President) Mr (Donald) Trump has already said he is running out of targets to hit. The Iranians are clearly losing one layer after another of their government," he said. In these circumstances, surely if a good group of countries, who are not party to the conflict on either side of it, could go to both sides and say, "for the sake of this world, please call this off", India should be at the forefront of it, Tharoor asserted. Congress Party's Criticism of Government's Stance The Congress has attacked the Modi government for its "silence" on the assassination of Khamenei and said "a compromised prime minister no doubt wants to avoid antagonising his American and Israeli friend". The opposition party had condemned the assassination. It had said India rightly condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf states but was "completely quiet" on the US-Israeli assault on Iran in the first place. Earlier this month, the Congress had staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha and protested in the Lok Sabha to express its dissatisfaction with the statement of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the West Asia situation in both Houses of Parliament. The party had termed Jaishankar's statement "vapid" and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy "(mis)adventurism", coupled with the government's "undermining" of the Indian Foreign Service, is pushing India into "vassalage". The US and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran on February 28, killing Khamenei. Making a suo motu statement in Parliament, Jaishankar had said New Delhi stood for maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region. He defended allowing the Iranian ship to dock at an Indian port as the right decision taken on humanitarian grounds. Photo taken in the early hours of March 19, 2026 shows the site of the consultative ministerial meeting on the regional development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Foreign ministers of 12 Arab and Islamic states held a consultative ministerial meeting here on Wednesday on the regional development, during which they urged Iran to halt its attacks, and condemned Israel's "expansionist policy" in the region. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) RIYADH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers of 12 Arab and Islamic states held a consultative ministerial meeting here on Wednesday on the regional development, during which they urged Iran to halt its attacks, and condemned Israel's "expansionist policy" in the region. In a joint statement released on Thursday, the officials of Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, among other countries, called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and affirmed the necessity of respecting international law and the principles of good neighborliness, the Saudi Press Agency reported. They affirmed that the halt in the attacks is the first step toward ending the escalation, achieving security and stability in the region, and promoting diplomacy to resolve the crisis. They also urged Iran to refrain from any measures or threats that would close or obstruct international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The ministers emphasized that the future of relations with Iran depends on respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, refraining from violating their sovereignty or territories and from using or developing its military capabilities to threaten regional countries. The ministers reaffirmed support for the security, stability and territorial integrity of Lebanon, affirmed the sovereignty of the Lebanese state over all its territories, and supported the Lebanese government's decision to limit weapons to the state. They also condemned Israel's aggression against Lebanon and its "expansionist policy" in the region. The ministers voiced their commitment to continuing intensive consultation and coordination in this regard, monitoring developments and assessing emerging issues, and ensuring the formulation of common positions and the adoption of necessary, legitimate measures and procedures to protect their security, stability and sovereignty. The meeting came amid heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on Feb. 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East. Photo taken in the early hours of March 19, 2026 shows the site of the consultative ministerial meeting on the regional development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Foreign ministers of 12 Arab and Islamic states held a consultative ministerial meeting here on Wednesday on the regional development, during which they urged Iran to halt its attacks, and condemned Israel's "expansionist policy" in the region. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (C) participates in the consultative ministerial meeting on the regional development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of March 19, 2026. Foreign ministers of 12 Arab and Islamic states held a consultative ministerial meeting here on Wednesday on the regional development, during which they urged Iran to halt its attacks, and condemned Israel's "expansionist policy" in the region. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) Amidst regional tensions, a US Special Envoy met with the Sri Lankan President to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and addressing Sri Lanka's position on the ongoing Middle East crisis. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters Key Points US Special Representative Sergio Gor met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. Discussions included Sri Lanka's position on the Middle East conflict and its associated challenges. The US envoy's visit is part of broader efforts to safeguard sea lanes and promote trade in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit occurs amidst heightened tensions in the region, including incidents involving Iranian vessels. The US Special envoy will also travel to Maldives after Sri Lanka for high-level engagements focused on advancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The US Special Representative for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor and Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday discussed strengthening of bilateral relations and the island nation's position on the West Asia crisis. The US Special envoys' visit to Sri Lanka comes at a time when Sri Lanka came to be embroiled in the joint US-Israeli war against Iran since February 28. Gor met with Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat as part of "US efforts to safeguard vital sea lanes and secure ports, reinforce mutually beneficial trade and commercial ties, and advance a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific for the benefit of both our peoples," a release from the US Pacific Command said. Gor and Dissanayake's "discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and Sri Lanka's position on the Middle East conflict and its challenges," the President's Media Division (PMD) said in a post on X. The US Special envoy will also travel to Maldives after Sri Lanka in the 5-day visit for high-level engagements focused on advancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Tensions Involving Iranian Vessels On March 4, the US torpedoed the Iranian frigate Iris Dena killing 84 sailors while 32 escaped. Two days later, a second Iranian vessel, Iris Bushehr, sought entry to Colombo port with 219 sailors. Sri Lanka asked the vessel to be diverted to the eastern port of Trincomalee from its anchor outside the port here. A total of 204 of the sailors are now accommodated at the Naval facility near Colombo. In a daring move, Uttarakhand GST officials created fake companies and went undercover to expose a massive Rs 150 crore tax evasion scheme, highlighting the state's commitment to cracking down on financial fraud. Key Points Uttarakhand GST officials launched an undercover operation involving the creation of multiple firms to investigate a company suspected of tax evasion. The operation targeted a Sitarganj-based company involved in supplying transformers and allied services, suspected of suppressing sales to evade tax. GST officials posed as employees and potential customers to establish business links and gather evidence of tax evasion. The investigation led to the recovery of approximately Rs 20 crore in GST revenue and the blocking of ledgers for further analysis. The Uttarakhand State Tax Department is using AI tools and forensic technology to identify the network involved in the tax evasion scheme. In a one-of-its-kind search operation, the officials from the Uttarakhand GST investigation department floated multiple firms to establish business links with a dubious company to unearth tax evasion worth over Rs 150 crore. The GST officials said that it took months to operationalise the whole exercise and win the confidence of the erring company to start business transactions. "A few months ago, we received information about tax evasion against a Sitarganj-based company, engaged in the business of supplying transformers and allied services. "Our sources informed us that this company was carrying on sale-purchase in the name of another company, which it shut down long back and was suppressing sales to evade tax," Roshan Lal, Joint Commissioner, Special Investigation Bureau, State Goods & Services Tax, Kumaun Region, said. The department said that a search and seizure raid was launched at the factory premises of the supplier on March 18, 2026, and after about an 8-hour-long exercise, many documents related to the sales, purchase, goods stock, movement of goods, and financial transactions were seized. Undercover Tactics Unveiled "We deployed our two officials and asked them to register firms and establish business links with this erring company. Some of our officials acted as employees and expressed interest in purchasing their products. While doing so, we realise that this Sitarganj-based firm is misusing the name of its closed firms to suppress tax," another senior official, part of the probe team, added. It stated that the GST revenue worth Rs 19.83 crore has been deposited by the supplier through different modes of tax payments, cash/credit at the spot late in the night. "The GST revenue worth approx Rs 20 crore has been recovered and deposited to the GST exchequer during the raid. The GST and other ledgers have been blocked till further analysis and investigation," the official said. "Since the probe is still on and we are suspecting more players to be part of this racket, we do not want to disclose more about our ongoing operations. We have deployed AI tools and forensic technology to identify its network," he added. Government's Stance on Tax Evasion Regarding this operation, Sonika, the Commissioner of Taxes for Uttarakhand, stated that, in line with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's zero-tolerance policy towards tax evasion, the State Tax Department is consistently taking firm action against businesses involved in GST evasion. Commending the efforts of the investigation team, she remarked that this initiative has intensified the crackdown on tax evasion, and she expressed full confidence that this would have a positive impact on GST revenue collection. Around three years ago, the Uttarakhand GST department had conducted a probe operation in Jaspur (Udham Singh Nagar) using high-tech measures against a big timber racket and unearthed a network of hundreds of fake firms which generated fake invoices to pass on fraudulent Input Tax Credit worth crores. Seasoned diplomat Vikram Doraiswami has been appointed as India's new ambassador to China, tasked with improving strained relations following a prolonged border standoff. IMAGE: Vikram Doraiswam is currently serving as Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Photograph: @HCI_London/X Key Points Vikram Doraiswami, a seasoned diplomat, has been appointed as India's new ambassador to China. Doraiswami's appointment signals India's intent to rebuild strained bilateral relations with China after a border standoff. The new ambassador is a 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, bringing significant experience to the role. Doraiswami succeeds Pradeep Kumar Rawat as India's ambassador to China. Seasoned diplomat Vikram Doraiswami was on Thursday appointed as India's new ambassador to China, a move that comes amid efforts by the two sides to rebuild ties that came under severe strain following the over four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Doraiswami, a 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, is currently serving as Indian high commissioner to the United Kingdom. He will succeed Pradeep Kumar Rawat. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Doraiswami is expected to take up the new assignment shortly. In the last few months, India and China have stepped up efforts to stabilise their relations, seeking a reset after the 2020 military standoff in the Galwan Valley plunged ties to the lowest point in decades. The military stand-off effectively ended in October 2024. Who Is Vikram Doraiswami? An alumnus of Delhi University with a master's degree in history, Doraiswami worked as a journalist for a year before joining the IFS. Following his in-service training in New Delhi (1992-1993), Doraiswami was posted to Hong Kong in May 1994 as Third Secretary. There, he earned an elective diploma in Chinese from the New Asia Yale-in-Asia Language School before moving to Beijing in September 1996 for a four-year tenure. In 2000, Doraiswami was appointed as Deputy Chief of Protocol (ceremonials) at the MEA. After a two-year stint, he was attached to the Prime Minister's Office. He later served as private secretary to the prime minister of India. Doraiswami also served at the Indian Permanent UN Mission in New York and at the Consulate General in Johannesburg. In July 2011, he returned to the MEA in New Delhi, where he helmed the division for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). From October 2012 to October 2014, Doraiswami was joint secretary of the Americas Division of the MEA. He became Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan in October 2014, before being assigned as India's envoy to the Republic of Korea in April 2015. On completion of this assignment, he returned to the MEA headquarters in July 2018, serving as head of the Bangladesh and Myanmar division. In December, he became the additional secretary responsible for International Organisations and Summits. Before assuming the charge as the envoy to the UK, Doraiswami served as the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh from October 2020 to 18 September 2022. He assumed charge as the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom on 23 September 2022. Doraiswami speaks Mandarin, French and some Korean. A newly married woman's suspicious death in Gurugram has triggered a police investigation into her husband, who is accused of poisoning her, leading to a dowry murder case. IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Key Points A 23-year-old woman in Gurugram died under suspicious circumstances, leading to accusations against her husband. The family alleges the husband injected the woman with a toxin, and a syringe was found at the scene. Police have registered a dowry murder case and are investigating the husband. The cause of death is pending a viscera report from a lab examination. The couple had a short courtship and the husband quit his job soon after the marriage. A 23-year-old newly married woman died under suspicious circumstances in a village here, with her parents accusing her husband of injecting her with a toxin, police said. They said a syringe has been recovered from the washroom in their house. Based on a complaint filed by the family, a dowry murder case has been registered at the Sector 10 police station, they added. The deceased has been identified as Kajal, a resident of Garhi Harsaru village. According to police, Kajal married Arun Sharma, a Ghaziabad resident, just four months ago after a courtship. Kajal was employed as a nurse with a private hospital, while Arun was an X-ray technician. After marriage, they lived in the Basai area until Holi. Soon after their wedding, Arun quit his job. Earlier this month, the couple had a fight, following which Kajal left for her parents' home. Arun soon moved into her house, police said. Events Leading to the Death On Wednesday evening, Kajal was with her sister and sister-in-law when Arun called her downstairs. A short while later, when her sister-in-law returned, she found Kajal bleeding from her nose, and her condition was worsening. She was rushed to the civil hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The family members said they found a syringe in the washroom, and they suspected that Arun had injected her with some poison. On receiving the information, police reached the hospital and sent the body to the mortuary. On Thursday, Kajal's body was handed over to her family after a post-mortem. Investigation Underway The doctor who conducted the post-mortem said the viscera will be sent to a lab for examination, and the cause of death will be determined after the viscera report. "An FIR has been registered. The matter is being investigated. The exact cause of death will be known only after we receive the reports," said ASI Jagdish Chand, the investigating officer. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies with periods of rain late. Low 43F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. The Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) holds a plenary session and passes the bill for the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao SAR, in Macao, south China, on March 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) MACAO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) held a plenary session on Thursday, during which it passed the bill for the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao SAR. According to the legislative body, the bill, in the form of law, clearly stipulates the committee's functions, composition and operational framework, providing it with a more solid legal foundation. The Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) holds a plenary session and passes the bill for the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao SAR, in Macao, south China, on March 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) The Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) holds a plenary session and passes the bill for the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao SAR, in Macao, south China, on March 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Despite OpenAIs multiple re-affirmations that its relationship with Microsoft is strong and central, in view of recent developments, Redmond doesnt seem to be convinced. According to reports, the tech giant is considering legal action against OpenAI and Amazon over the $50 billion cloud deal the two recently struck to make Amazon Web Services (AWS) the exclusive third-party cloud distribution provider for OpenAI Frontier. This third-party exclusivity agreement could conflict with OpenAIs existing Azure partnership. Unnamed Microsoft execs purportedly consider the AWS arrangement unworkable, and say it breaches, if not explicitly, but in principle, their agreement with the AI darling. The three companies are said to be in discussions to resolve the issue before Frontier goes live following a limited preview, without having to resort to litigation. This is a tricky issue, and prospective early adopters of the OpenAI-AWS Frontier capabilities will need to proceed with caution, said Scott Bickley, advisory fellow at Info-Tech Research Group. The OpenAI-Microsoft agreement is quite convoluted, and contains several provisions that lack absolute clarity in terms of where boundaries reside for IP use and IP sharing, likely by design. Is OpenAI double-dipping with Microsoft and AWS? In late February, AWS and OpenAI announced their intentions to co-create a stateful runtime environment, powered by OpenAI models, that would be made available on Amazon Bedrock for AWS customers. Stateful AI is meant to overcome the challenges of so-called stateless AI, where models offer one-off answers without factoring in context from previous sessions. According to the agreement, AWS would not only invest another $50 billion in OpenAI, but would be the exclusive third-party cloud provider for Frontier, which is currently in limited preview with a small group of AI-native companies including Abridge, Ambience, Clay, Decagon, Harvey, and Sierra. OpenAI says it will soon expand the program to other AI builders. AWS has also agreed to give OpenAI 2GW of Trainium capacity to support demand for the stateful environment, Frontier, and other advanced workloads. Further, the two companies would develop models specifically for Amazon applications, and expand their existing $38 billion multi-year agreement to $100 billion over eight years. Afghans attended a mass funeral on March 18 for victims of an air strike that destroyed a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. Volunteers from the Afghan Red Crescent Society assisted with the burial of victims whose bodies were not claimed by relatives. Afghan leaders say Pakistan attacked the hospital, but Pakistani leaders reject the charge, saying they only targeted a military installation as part of a campaign against terrorists in Afghanistan. Russian President Vladimir Putin is getting harder to find. In November, Systema, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit, revealed that the Kremlin was obscuring Putin's location and keeping much of his travel under wraps by using three nearly identical offices in different parts of Russia for meetings. Since then, and for more than 160 days stretching back to October, the Kremlin posted no footage or photos from any of those three offices: one just outside Moscow, one in Sochi on the Black Sea, and one in a wooded compound at Valdai, northwest of the capital. On March 18, the Kremlin released footage showing Putin holding a government meeting by video link from what appeared to be one of them, marking 12 years since Russia seized control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. It was unclear which location Putin used for the meeting -- the original office, at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence in a leafy Moscow suburb, or one of its replicas. Systema was unable to determine the location based on available visual markers. President or prime minister since 1999, Putin has always sought to keep his private life secret. The Systema investigation showed that for a decade or more, the Kremlin has also taken elaborate steps to hide his location in his capacity as head of state. For years, the office at Novo-Ogaryovo functioned as a controlled visual anchor for the Kremlin's messaging as the setting for meetings, video calls, and Security Council sessions presented as taking place in the Moscow region. In reality, he was often far away. In its investigation in 2025, Systema found that in recent years a large number of meetings that ostensibly took place at Novo-Ogaryovo were actually filmed at the Valdai compound or the Bocharov Ruchei residence in Sochi, about 1,500 kilometers south of Moscow. Systema made its findings by scrutinizing hundreds of hours of footage, countless photos, and reams of travel records, among other evidence. Some of the clearest indications that Putin was using three nearly identical offices were subtle discrepancies: the placement of a door handle, the grain of a wooden tray, the pattern on his necktie. Until March 18, all three offices had disappeared entirely from official Kremlin footage since October 7, 2025, a review by Systema found. On that date, his 73rd birthday, Putin held a Security Council meeting by video link. Although the Kremlin said Putin was at Novo-Ogaryovo, visual details suggest it was filmed in the Sochi replica. The Kremlin has never acknowledged the existence of the replica rooms and has not responded to requests for comment on the matter from Systema. The long hiatus does not mean Putin has vanished from the public eye. His administration has continued to publish footage of meetings -- some in the Kremlin, where he also has offices -- as well as trips and other events. Some of that footage has clearly been recorded and released the same day. But Systema has detected a growing reliance on pre-recorded material, or "canned" footage, used to maintain the appearance of continuity. In February, for example, Putin did not appear on camera for more than 10 days while the Kremlin published older videos it presented as being current. Subtle visual cues -- including changes in a plant in the Kremlin office -- helped identify the mismatch. Systema found evidence that in 2025 alone, pre-recorded footage was used at least 18 times. The use of replica offices expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued after Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, enabling him to remain in more secure locations while projecting normality. The lack of footage since October leaves it unclear how much time Putin has been spending at any of the three residences, and suggests he may be trying to further obscure his location at any given time. Systema's investigation in 2025 found that Putin has favored Valdai during the all-out war on Ukraine, now in its fifth year. The Valdai residence is more secluded than Novo-Ogaryovo and Bocharov Ruchei, and RFE/RL's Russian Service reported in August that 12 air-defense installations had been set up in the area around it, most of them Pantsir-S1 missile systems. In December, Russia claimed Ukraine used dozens of drones in an attempt to attack the Valdai residence. Ukraine denied it, and US President Donald Trump at first suggested he believed the residence was targeted but later, citing assessments by US officials, said he did not. Another piece of the backdrop to the Kremlin's secrecy about Putin's location is the killing or capture of authoritarian leaders from Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Muammar Qaddafi of Libya to, in the past three months, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Adapted from the original Russianlanguage story by Ulviyya Asadzade and Steve Gutterman In the months before and after Aleksei Navalny's January 2021 return to Russia, a bombastic pro-Kremlin lawyer named Ilya Remeslo led the public charge against the gadfly opposition activist and his Anti-Corruption Foundation. Navalny, who had been treated in Germany for a near-fatal poisoning linked to Russian security services, was arrested immediately upon arriving in Moscow. Six months later, in June 2021, after a Moscow court declared the foundation an "extremist organization," Remeslo crowed triumphantly. "Swatted like a fly," he said in a post to X. Remeslo's latest broadside appeared this week, a message as dizzying as it was straightforward: The Russian president must be jailed. "Vladimir Putin is not a legitimate president," he wrote in a post to Telegram on March 17. "He must resign and be brought to justice as a war criminal and thief." Lacerating criticism of the Kremlin is a rarity these days; hundreds of Russians have been jailed for "discrediting the armed forces" under a law passed days after the state of the February 2022 invasion. But for a Kremlin cheerleader like Remeslo to say what he said caused whiplash among supporters of the late Navalny, Russia's far-flung and fractured opposition, and Kremlin watchers alike. The mystery deepened further on March 19 with reports that Remeslo had been admitted to a St. Petersburg psychiatric hospital. There was no confirmation of the reporting by Fontanka, a well-known St. Petersburg news outlet, and it was unclear whether Remeslo had been admitted voluntarily or otherwise. Sergei Markov, a political analyst once close to the Kremlin but who has since been blacklisted, said Remeslo checked himself into the hospital on March 18 and speculated it might have been a way to avoid a possible criminal investigation. Remeslo could not be reached for comment. Veteran journalist Aleksandr Plyushev, who interviewed Remeslo after the release of his critical Telegram post, said Remeslo was not answering phone calls or WhatsApp messages as of March 19. In an interview with the Russian-language news organization Agentstvo published on March 18, Remeslo repeated some of his criticism of Putin and said he did not plan to leave the country. "They can't really jail everyone for criticizing Putin," he was quoted as saying . "That's nonsense." 'Long Live Freedom, Dammit!' Prior to his March 17 Telegram post, Remeslo was widely known as an outspoken supporter of the Kremlin and Putin, as well as Russia's war on Ukraine. He used his legal background to attack opposition figures and file complaints to try and prompt criminal investigations. His legal broadsides were seen by observers as a barometer of official sentiment toward Navalny, who ended up dying in 2024 in a maximum-security Arctic prison. Five European countries concluded that he was poisoned by an exotic frog toxin and all but accused the Russian government of murdering him. According to the Insider, another exiled Russian media organization, Remeslo's campaigns were coordinated with Presidential Administration, a powerful policymaking body within the office of the Russian presidency. He confirmed that in his interview with Agentstvo. In his March 17 post, titled Five Reasons Why I Stopped Supporting Vladimir Putin, Remeslo criticized the Ukraine war and accused Putin of impoverishing Russians, crushing Internet freedom and independent media, and destroying the political opposition. "What started as a 'police operation' has now claimed 1-2 million casualties," he said, referring to the all-out war on Ukraine, now in its fifth year. "The war is being waged solely to satisfy Putin's insecurities; we, ordinary citizens, gain nothing from it, we only lose." "He's afraid of debates and fair elections, because the emperor has no clothes," Remeslo wrote of Putin. "Long live freedom, dammit!" Among Russia's scattered and divided opposition, reactions ranged from skeptical to incredulous. Leonid Volkov, who headed Navalny's 2018 presidential campaign and now lives in exile, described Remeslo's manifesto as "the most amazing mid-air flip I've ever seen." "I find it hard to imagine any arrangement in which someone in the presidential administration would greenlight Remeslo going after Putin personally," he said in a post to X. "That opens a far too dangerous Pandora's box. It crosses every red line." "Something doesn't add up," he wrote. "In my opinion, this could be either a nervous breakdown or some kind of personal grudge," said Andrei Pivovarov, an opposition activist now living outside of Russia. "He's overestimating his abilities and thinking he'll just explain his situation to everyone and everything will change." He also suggested a parallel with past examples of public figures who have harshly criticized Kremlin politics; for example, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group mercenary chief who mercilessly lambasted the top Russian military officials until he died in a mysterious plane crash -- two months after leading a short-lived mutiny against Moscow. "Many people who achieve a certain level of power develop a sense of stardom," Pivovarov told RFE/RL's Russian Service. "They think that if they say something seditious about the government, no one will mess with them." A staff member helps a customer load plants into a truck in Tuggeranong, Canberra, Australia, on March 20, 2026. Australia's unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in February, according to official data, defying economists' expectations that it would remain steady. (Photo by Zhang Na/Xinhua) CANBERRA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Australia's unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in February, according to official data, defying economists' expectations that it would remain steady. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said on Thursday that the official unemployment rate hit 4.3 percent in February, up from 4.1 percent in January. According to the ABS, the number of employed Australians rose by 48,900 between January and February, which was offset by the number of unemployed Australians increasing by 35,000, or 5.6 percent, in the same period. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Australian Associated Press reported earlier on Thursday that economists were expecting the unemployment rate to remain at 4.1 percent in February. The increase in employment was driven by part-time employment, which grew by 79,400, while the number of people employed full-time decreased by 30,500. As a result, the total number of hours worked by Australians was 0.2 percent lower in February than in January. The participation rate, which measures the proportion of the working-age population who are either employed or actively looking for work, rose from 66.7 percent to 66.9 percent. A staff member loads a wooden board at the Bunnings store in Tuggeranong, Canberra, Australia, on March 20, 2026. Australia's unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in February, according to official data, defying economists' expectations that it would remain steady. (Photo by Zhang Na/Xinhua) The United States has lifted sanctions on several Belarusian entities and the country's Finance Ministry as Minsk announced the release of scores of prisoners -- including political detainees Kim Samusenka and journalist Katsyaryna Andreyeva. US Special Envoy John Coale announced the sanctions relief for Belinvestbank and the Development Bank of Belarus, along with the removal of all remaining sanctions on potash companies Belaruskali, Belarusian Potash Company, and Agrorozkvit after a meeting on March 19 with Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk. In the deal, Coale said 250 prisoners held in Belarus were being released in what he called "a significant humanitarian milestone and a testament to the President's [Donald Trump] commitment to direct, hard-nosed diplomacy." Of those, 15 were sent to neighboring Lithuania, while the remainder were released domestically. "Kim Samusenka is free!!! Details later. Many thanks to everyone who supported our family! Many thanks to all democratic political and public forces who made the release possible!" his wife, Alesya Zhitkova, wrote on Facebook. Andreyeva, a journalist for Belsat who was held for more than five years for live streaming a brutal police crackdown on a peaceful rally for Roman Bandarenka, who was killed by security forces, was now in Lithuania, her family told RFE/RL's Belarus service. "At first they allowed me to report, but then they jailed me for it," Andreyeva told reporters in Vilnius after her release. "Then they added to the sentence, and two years turned into eight. I'm very happy that it ended earlier, because I was supposed to get out in 2028." Asked when she heard she would be freed, she told Current Time, "I found out today -- it was a big surprise." EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the release of 250 political prisoners in Belarus a "welcome and tangible step forward," adding that all those "unjustly detained" in the country must be freed. "We can't overlook that these individuals should never have been imprisoned in the first place," Kallas wrote in a post on X. "All those still unjustly detained in Belarus must be freed, and repression must end." The release is the latest sign of a thawing in relations between Washington and Minsk since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. In December, 123 prisoners were freed in a deal that included 2020 protest leader Maryya Kalesnikava and Nobel laureate Ales Byalyatski, as well as citizens of several other countries. Belarus has been subject to crippling Western sanctions imposed following the country's cooperation with Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and a deadly crackdown on civil society after the authoritarian Lukashenko claimed victory in a 2020 election that the opposition and many Western nations called "rigged." Even though it has conducted a series of prisoner releases, hundreds of people -- many classified as political prisoners -- remain in custody, according to the Vyasna human rights group. Current Time contributed to this report Despite powerful resistance and lengthy delays, a monument projected to become the worlds largest Jesus statue is taking shape near Yerevan with a newly scheduled completion date. Recent photos provided to RFE/RL show construction is under way on a mountaintop pedestal after years of delays. A spokesperson for the project told RFE/RL on March 19 that the tentative deadline for completion of the monument is now 2027. Plans for the statue to be built atop Mount Hatis, a 2,500 meter peak around 30 kilometers northeast of Yerevan, were first announced in January 2022 by controversial Armenian businessman Gagik Tsarukian. The massive Christ, Tsarukian said, would "show the path to revival and light to the Armenian people," following a devastating conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The aluminium Jesus was originally slated for completion by 2025 but has faced hurdles that nearly scuppered the project. Soon after its announcement, the Armenian Apostolic Church publicly opposed the project for contradicting Armenian religious traditions. A statement declared that church authorities do not consider the installation of a statue of Our Lord Jesus Christ acceptable. Jesus statues are rejected as idols in Armenian religious tradition. Public monuments to Christianity in the Caucasian country are instead commonly made with carved Khachkar cross stones. Rare statues of Christ that do exist in the country, where some 97 percent of the population are Christian and crime is low, have been vandalized. Armenias government voiced support for the privately funded Jesus project as a potential tourist draw in 2022, but before planning consents were finalised, a groundbreaking ceremony on the summit of Mount Hatis in July 2022 reportedly irreversibly damaged sections of an ancient fortress. After the groundbreaking controversy the project was put on ice and in January 2025, Armenias culture chief Zhanna Andreasian announced the project could not continue on the summit location where the fortress was located. The pedestal site was then moved several hundred meters away from its original position to a lower peak of Mount Hatis and permits for the project were issued soon afterwards. Work resumed on the pedestal's foundation in September 2025. In the village of Zovuni, where the Jesus statue sits in three parts awaiting an eventual helicopter airlift onto its long-delayed mountaintop pedestal, Yerevan-based guide Suren Aghabekian told RFE/RL that the statue is "already attracting foreign visitors. Aghabekian says he recently added a stop at the open-air workshop to his tour itineraries. The Christ statue and its pedestal are planned to rise a total of 101 meters. By comparison, Brazils iconic Christ The Redeemer statue stands 38 meters high and New Yorks Statue of Liberty rises 93 meters. The Jesus project has been widely celebrated outside Armenia, including in a viral social media post in January by Irish MMA star Conor McGregor, who described the statue's design as "magnificent." Inside Armenia, however, Richard Giragosian, the director of the Yerevan-based Regional Studies Center, says public attitudes to the monument are largely negative. "Both the original idea and the driving force behind the project are rooted in the personal ego of [Tsarukian], one of the more egregious corrupt Armenian oligarchs," he told RFE/RL. The think tank head says many Christians in the country feel the money for the project should have been donated to the church. SYDNEY, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Police in Sydney have charged eight people after seizing large quantities of prohibited drugs, including cocaine and cannabis, from properties across the city. The police force in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said in a statement on Thursday that officers attached to a strike force investigating the supply of prohibited drugs in Sydney on Wednesday executed search warrants at eight properties. During the searches, police allegedly located and seized over 25 kg of ketamine, 17 kg of cannabis, 2.5 kg of cocaine, 3.5 kg of MDMA, 5.6 kg of the pharmaceutical drug diazepam, as well as smaller quantities of methamphetamine and psilocybin and over 18,000 tablets believed to contain LSD. The NSW Police Force said that the seized drugs had a value of more than 5.5 million Australian dollars (3.9 million U.S. dollars). In addition to the drugs, strike force officers seized 298,000 AUD (210,064 USD) in cash, firearm parts and equipment used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs. Eight people were arrested during the searches. Two men, aged 33 and 45, and a 28-year-old woman were charged with 28 counts of supplying prohibited drugs in large commercial quantities, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The remaining five people, two women and three men, ranging in age from 37 to 61, were charged with lesser offenses relating to the possession and supply of drugs and participating in a criminal group. Police said that investigations under the strike force are ongoing. JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Thursday that its air force, under intelligence guidance, struck Iranian navy infrastructures in the Caspian Sea. The strikes, carried out on Wednesday, included targets at the Iranian Navy port and base facilities where dozens of military vessels, including missile ships and guard boats, were stationed, it said. Navy vessels were targeted, including missile ships, support vessels, boats, and guard ships, it said. Also struck were a port command center, from which Iranian Navy forces controlled naval operations in the Caspian Sea, and a central infrastructure facility used for vessel repair and maintenance, it said. "The Iranian Navy used the port to advance ongoing operational activity that was impaired by striking the port and the adjacent vessels," it said, claiming that the strikes have further degraded the Iranian capabilities and impaired the Iranian Navy's control of the Caspian Sea. The development came amid heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on Feb. 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East. Ryan Dunne The Court of Appeal has rejected the extraordinary claim put forward by a Guyanese sex offender, who had only been in Ireland for two weeks before he imprisoned and raped an 18-year-old, that his trial was unfair because he was forced to withdraw his false claims of being of previous good character. In dismissing the appeal by Randi Gladstone (42), Judge Brian OMoore on Thursday pointed out that the appellants own legal team had agreed to withdraw Gladstones evidence that his mother had described him as being too friendly and kind. Judge OMoore said that this was done as a tactical move to prevent Gladstones previous convictions for rape, kidnapping and false imprisonment being revealed to the jury. Gladstone, who is originally from Guyana, was convicted in January last year of rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment in a holiday complex in Co Dublin, on August 25th, 2023. He was previously deported and barred from entering the UK. He had pleaded not guilty, but the jury rejected his claim that the activity was consensual, and Judge Patrick McGrath sentenced him to ten years in prison. The court heard that Gladstone lured the young woman into his room, where he raped and falsely imprisoned her. The jury were told that the young woman did not fight back due to fear. When Gladstone was finished, he told her to come back later for more. Last June, he was jailed for a further six months for failing to notify gardai he was a sex offender within seven days of arriving in Ireland, as is required by law. The court heard that Gladstone flew from Suriname to Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands and arrived into Ireland on August 11th, 2023. Two weeks later, he raped the 18-year-old woman in shared accommodation. In launching an appeal against his conviction earlier this year, barristers for Gladstone argued that making a section 22 statement withdrawing the appellants earlier evidence of good character made the jury at his trial conclude that he was in fact of bad character. This occurred when Gladstone was giving evidence to explain WhatsApp messages, with the appellant saying that his mother had criticised him for being too friendly and kind. Barristers for the State, however, said that Gladstone dropped his protection or shield by portraying himself of good character, when in fact he had spent a substantial amount of time in custody for very serious offences. Dominic McGinn, on behalf of Gladstone, also submitted that when the trial judge clarified the concept of false imprisonment in response to a question from the jury, he correctly recited the legal provision before giving a very brief summary of the prosecution case. However, counsel submitted the judge did so without reminding the jury of the defences claim that Gladstone's hotel room door could not be locked from the inside. McGinn went on to say that the judge should have reminded the jury of Gladstones assertion that the victim had given him her phone number before she entered the room. He said there was also evidence that her phone was used during the time when she said she was falsely imprisoned and being sexually assaulted. On behalf of the State, Patrick Gageby said that Gladstone is a person who has spent a substantial amount of time in custody for very serious offences. In relation to the question from the jury about false imprisonment, Gageby said that it was answered by the judge, who had delivered his charge to the jury, laying out all matters of the case about an hour before the question was asked. Concerning the defences argument that the judge should have reminded the jury of Gladstones assertion that the victim had given him her phone number before she entered the room, the State submitted that a judge does not have to go into every detail of the case in their charge to a jury. In delivering the Court of Appeals judgment today, Judge OMoore noted that no complaint was made about the legal definition of false imprisonment given to the jury, but instead a lack of balance was argued by Gladstones legal team. However, Judge OMoore said the trial judge simply explained the precise allegation against Gladstone and also emphasised the need for the prosecution case to be established beyond reasonable doubt. None of this required the trial judge to repeat what he had already said to the jury in his charge about the evidence supporting the defence, said Judge OMoore. He went on to note that, during the trial, Gladstones legal team had said that the defence evidence was very basic and simple and the jury know it. Noting this correctly recorded the fact that the jury were fully aware of the basic account put forward by the appellant, Judge OMoore ruled that there was no unfairness or lack of balance caused by the trial judges answer to the jurys question. Concerning the ground of appeal relating to the complainant giving Gladstone her telephone number and the timing of certain WhatsApp messages sent during the assault, Judge OMoore said that the phone evidence was very straightforward and did not require an elaborate exposition to the jury by the trial judge. The third ground of appeal is an extraordinary one, said Judge OMoore, adding that the appellants own counsel had agreed to the section 22 admission, which withdrew any evidence of good character. He said that this was done as a tactical move to avoid a ruling that the appellants previous convictions could be heard by the jury. Judge OMoore said the court noted the State's position that there was no actual decision to appeal against, as the good character evidence was withdrawn before the trial judge made any ruling on whether Gladstone's previous convictions could be introduced. He said the ground failed as Gladstones appeal team were not considering how the trial actually proceeded but how they thought it was likely to progress. In summary, the court rejected the appeal. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112. Molly O'Reilly There is no evidence of an increase in invasive meningococcal disease activity - linked to meningitis - in Ireland, despite the serious outbreak in the UK, according to the HSE's National Director for Public Health. Dr John Cuddihy said there was no rise in the disease's activity beyond expected seasonal and background levels. "There is also currently no indication of links between any cases in Ireland and the outbreak reported in Kent." Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections. In the UK, a serious meningococcal disease outbreak is currently being tackled by health authorities in Kent, where two young people have died. To date, 15 laboratory cases in the UK have been confirmed, and 12 notifications remain under investigation. All confirmed cases linked to the outbreak so far are young adults. The UK Health Security Agency has advised that the situation is evolving and further cases are possible. The HSE said its national Public Health team remains in regular contact with the UK Health Security Agency to inspect the issue further. Routine surveillance in Ireland continues to show that meningococcal disease remains a rare but serious infection, with sporadic cases occurring each year, said Dr Cuddihy. He said symptoms include fever, severe headache, vomiting, rapid breathing, cold hands and feet, drowsiness, or a rash that doesnt fade under pressure. "Do not wait for a rash. If someone is ill and getting worse, get medical help immediately," he advised. The bacteria have several serotypes with different vaccines available against types A, B, C, W, and Y. Vaccines for the disease are provided for babies and first years in secondary school. Dr Lucy Jessop, director of the HSEs National Immunisation Office, said the MenB vaccine has been part of the free national childhood immunisation schedule for babies born from 1 October 2016 onwards. It is given over three doses at 2, 4 and 12 months. "Meningococcal type B disease is most common in babies under the age of one year old and the scheduling of the administration of the vaccine under the immunisation programme takes account of this. There is currently no catch-up Men B vaccine programme for older children. Men C vaccine is also offered to babies as part of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme," she said. The MenACWY vaccine is offered in the first year of secondary school and protects against other meningococcal strains (A, C, W and Y). The HSE school immunisation teams are currently giving this vaccine in schools across the country. Parents are advised to look out for the consent form in their childrens school bag and make sure it is returned so that their children can be protected. The bison reserve in Vama Buzaului Vama Buzaului is the home of a nature reserve dedicated to the rescue and conservation of bison. Source: Valea Zimbrilor Vama Buzaului / Facebook Daniel Onea, 19.03.2026, 14:00 Located at the foot of the Ciucas Massif, in the southeast of Brasov County, the village of Vama Buzaului is a destination that captivates at first sight with its wild landscapes and the tranquillity characteristic of rural Romania. The main attraction here is the nature reserve dedicated to the rescue and conservation of the largest land mammal in Europe, the bison, called the Valea Zimbrilor reserve. The project was designed to offer these imposing mammals a generous living environment, as close as possible to the conditions they would enjoy in the wild, but also to allow the public to interact with nature in an organised way. Fabian Roth, the administrator of the reserve, talks to us about the logistical details of a visit, as well as about the other surprises that add to the tourist experience. The reserve opened in 2008. A ticket to visit costs 20 lei (approximately 4 euros) for children and 30 lei (approximately 6 euros) for adults. The daily schedule is from 09:00 to 17:00, and during the summer, the schedule is extended until 20:00. No prior appointment is needed to visit us. The space is generous enough to accommodate even ten bus loads full of visitors. In addition to bison, which are truly special animals, visitors can admire reindeer, which can only be found here. The reserve is also home to mouflons, Carpathian and fallow deer, peacocks and geese. We have also set up a mini-farm with domestic animals, such as lambs, chickens and ducks, especially popular among children. Tourists also have the opportunity to buy a bag of carrots, priced at 10 lei (about 2 euros) and to feed the animals through the fence, an activity they enjoy very much. After a day spent outdoors, tourists need a welcoming place to rest and a warm meal. The mountain village has quickly adapted to its status as an ecotourism destination, developing a hospitality network focused on supporting local producers. Fabian Roth explains how this works: In terms of accommodation, tourists can choose from the many guesthouses in the area, but there are also resorts that meet higher standards. Therefore, accommodation should not be a problem. For dining, we, the locals, proudly recommend the local gastronomic points. They offer traditional dishes, prepared exclusively from products obtained on the farm, at a fixed price and with a pre-established menu. There are over 20 such points in the area. Tourists can call in advance to find out the menu of the day and can choose the location that seems most appetizing to them. Due to its excellent geographical location, the village also works perfectly as a base camp for those who want a longer stay full of exploration. The road infrastructure facilitates quick travel to other historical, cultural or natural attractions in the region. The administrator of the Valea Zimbrilor reserve, Fabian Roth, tells us what else can be visited nearby: Vama Buzaului benefits from an excellent position, close to the city of Brasov, which offers generous tourist opportunities. Very close to us are the fortified churches of Prejmer and Harman. Also, in the area of Intorsura Buzaului, visitors can discover some unique monasteries, such as those of Sita Buzaului and Barcani, in an area with many guesthouses, ideal for a short stay. Approximately 100 kilometers away are the Muddy Volcanoes. With Brasov as our main landmark, we are very well located to explore the attractions in the surroundings. The life of the community is punctuated by many cultural events. There is a constant concern for diversifying the offer and attracting new categories of travel enthusiasts. Moreover, in the near future, the tourist infrastructure in the area will see a major expansion. As the weather is getting warm, we are hosting an already well-known folk music festival, entitled Vama de la Munte. Also, between May 28 and June 1, the village of Acris will host the caravan festival. Now in its fourth edition, the event is now being organised here for the first time. In terms of tourism development, in a maximum of one or two years, an important project carried out in partnership with the local authority and a Dutch investor will take shape. This involves building a resort with over 100 bungalows, and work is currently underway on the necessary infrastructure to welcome guests. To end, the administrator of the Valea Zimbrilor reserve, Fabian Roth, sent a message to all mountain lovers. We urge tourists to come to Vama Buzaului with plenty of time to spare. Here they will not find hustle and bustle or noise, but rather the peace necessary to disconnect and recharge their batteries. I recommend that those who arrive at the reservation reserve time to watch the bison, animals that I have been lovingly taking care of for 18 years, together with my colleagues. Last but not least, here is an Easter offer at a guesthouse with a local gastronomic point. You will pay 1750 lei (354 euros) per person for three nights of accommodation, with full board. The offer includes a horse-drawn carriage ride, an outdoor hike, a festive Easter meal and a demonstration of the traditions that are still alive in the village. So, whether you choose to admire the bison, set off on mountain trails or simply enjoy the hospitality of the locals, this destination promises an unforgettable experience. March 19, 2026 A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 19.03.2026, 13:55 Budget The leaders of the governing coalition in Bucharest have met today in Parliament in an attempt to resolve the political conflict that arose during the debate on the 2026 budget. Tensions escalated during the debates in the joint budget committees of Parliament, after the Social Democratic Party (PSD) failed to impose the amendment related to the solidarity package that it promoted at Wednesdays meeting of the Budget-Finance committee. The meeting was suspended in the absence of an agreement, in the context in which the budget should have passed the committees by Wednesday evening, and the Parliament plenum should have adopted it today. A formula was found through which the Social Democrats proposal would be supported by the coalition, Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said after the coalition meeting. Other amendments will not be accepted he specified. The PM has also said that today, the meeting of the parliamentary budget committees will resume, and on Friday, the reunited Parliament plenum will vote on the state budget law. Meeting Romania plays a strategic role in the North Atlantic Alliance on the eastern flank, including in the Black Sea region, vital for our common security, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, after his meeting in Brussels with Romanian President Nicusor Dan. Rutte noted that since the announcement of the Eastern Sentry program, the number of NATO troops in the region has increased. We are vigilant and ready to defend every centimeter of allied territory, Rutte said. He also appreciated the fact that Romania has reached the allocation of 2.5% of GDP for Defense and recalled that Romania has been a strong supporter of Ukraine. Mark Rutte also reiterated the allied support We count on Romania, Romania can always count on NATO, he emphasized. In turn, President Nicusor Dan said during a joint press conference that the discussions with Mark Rutte focused on the security of Romania and NATO, and also on new capabilities for the countries on the Eastern Flank, hybrid challenges and the situation in Ukraine. Romania has clearly positioned itself regarding the importance of the transatlantic relationship by hosting American defensive equipment, said President Nicusor Dan, who has also announced that the NATO Secretary General will come to Romania in May for the B9 Summit. After the meeting at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nicusor Dan will participate in the summit of European leaders, where, in addition to the topic of Ukraine, the economic effects of the war in the Middle East will be discussed amid the alarming increase in the price of natural gas and oil. Diplomacy The Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu has announced that there are no direct threats from Iran, and Romanians can still feel safe. On Monday, Irans diplomacy, through its spokesperson, claimed that Romania could respond politically and legally, following the decision of the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) and the Parliaments vote to allow the temporary deployment of American military equipment and forces in Romania in the context of the war in the Middle East. Romania, which is not a party to the conflict, prioritizes the diplomatic effort for de-escalation the Romanian Foreign Ministry responded. Iran Qatar denounced new Iranian attacks on part of its energy infrastructure early Thursday after the Ras Laffan refinery, the countrys main liquefied natural gas facility, was hit on Wednesday. QatarEnergy published a message confirming that the wave of missiles caused considerable fires and extensive damage. The attacks come after Israel on Wednesday attacked the South Pars gas facilities that are part of the worlds largest gas field, shared between Iran and Qatar, and after the Iranian military promised that these aggressions would not go unpunished. Tehran has also launched attacks on the energy infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy the massive South Pars field if Iran attacks Qatars gas production facilities again. Book fair Romania is participating, from Thursday to Sunday, in the Leipzig Book Fair, one of the most important European events dedicated to literature and the publishing industry. The theme of this years edition brings to the fore the cultural space of the Danube and the dialogue between the literary identities of the ten riparian countries, including Romania. The countrys stand, which, again this year, is the largest in the Central and Eastern European area, will host over 20 events, such as book launches, public readings, debates and professional meetings. Visitors will also be able to discover over 100 recent titles, including 13 new translations into German, available through the bookstore organized by Diasporaciteste.eu. The Leipzig Book Fair brings together over 2,000 exhibitors from dozens of countries and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Protests Around 300 miners protested again on Wednesday in Targu Jiu (southwest) concerned about job security. They blocked several streets and marched from the Oltenia Energy Complex headquarters to the city center. The protests began a week and a half ago, when several dozen miners went to Bucharest, where they went on a hunger strike in front of the Energy Ministry. People are unhappy that around 1,500 employees, whose employment contracts were concluded for a fixed period, will be without jobs from the beginning of April. The Complexs management has recently announced that it will conduct a personnel analysis at the level of each subunit where activity is being curtailed. Fuel Hydrocarbon prices on the international market continued to rise, amid the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. A barrel of Brent oil, extracted from the North Sea, rose to almost 112 dollars, and the American one to approximately 99 dollars. Consequently, in Romania, the maximum price of standard gasoline came even closer to the threshold of 9 lei, and premium diesel exceeded 10 lei. The Romanian Finance Ministry has developed several options for action in the context of price increases, but the final decision will be made by the government, announced the relevant Minister Alexandru Nazare. He said that, in a first stage, economic operators in the field of fuel trade are being monitored, in parallel with control actions undertaken by the Competition Council, the National Authority for Consumer Protection and the Tax Authority. Nazare specified, however, that any proposals regarding state intervention in limiting price increases must take into account the effects on the budget. (LS) Romania aids Moldova in Dniester River ecological emergency Romania reacted promply after the neighboring Moldova was affected by a major environmental incident. Sprijinul acordat de Romania autoritatilor din Republica Moldova pentru gestionarea situatiei generate de poluarea fluviului Nistru (Sursa foto: DSU) Bogdan Matei, 19.03.2026, 13:50 In the last four years, both military and political analysts have stated that, of all of Ukraines neighbors, the Republic of Moldova is the most affected by the consequences of the Russian invasion, launched on February 24, 2022. Waves of refugees, Russian drones violating Moldovas airspace, economic difficulties, energy crises, disinformation campaigns and Moscows interference in election processes nothing seems to be missing from the range of problems that the pro-Western authorities in Chisinau have had to manage all this time. This month, a major ecological incident also appeared on the menu. Dniester River, a natural border between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, has been severely polluted with petroleum products and other toxic substances, after an attack attributed to the Russian invasion army on the Ukrainian Hydropower Complex Novodnestrovsk. The Dniester is the main source of water for approximately 80% of Moldovas population and for 98% of the Chisinau residents. Such actions, with a major cross-border impact, endanger the environment, the security of water supply and the health of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and cannot be accepted, representatives of the Chisinau diplomacy told the Russian ambassador, Oleg Ozerov. We have declared an environmental alert and are acting to protect our people. Russia bears full responsibility, the head of state, Maia Sandu, said. The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, stated in turn that such an incident reminds us that Russias war does not stop at the borders of Ukraine and reiterated the European Unions solidarity with the Republic of Moldova. Among the members of the community bloc, Romania was the first to react. The National Administration of Romanian Waters provided specialized equipment and materials and set up a specialized intervention team that travelled to the Republic of Moldova to support actions to limit and collect pollutants from the water surface. The General Inspectorate for Emergencies also provided personnel to coordinate the mission, as well as the transport of equipment and materials needed for the intervention. These are tons of various absorbent materials, used to limit the spread of pollution and to protect the water supply infrastructure in the localities along Dniester River. A humanitarian convoy of tankers with drinking water for the approximately one hundred thousand inhabitants, sent by the municipality of Iasi (eastern Romania), arrived in Balti, Moldovas second largest city. In these difficult days for Balti, marked by the exceptional situation regarding water supply, our city is not alone, mayor Alexandr Petkov, a man with a political roots in the communist party, a vocal Moscow supporter and a virulent anti-Romanian, had to admit. (EE) RRI 2025-2026 Winter Broadcast Frequencies and ALTERNATIVE Frequencies Dear friends, given the frequent malfunctions reported at the Radiocom transmitters that broadcast RRI programmes, please note that, when such malfunctions occur, Radiocom switches RRI programmes as quickly as possible to a backup transmitter, which operates on alternative frequencies. Please, find these alternative frequencies listed below the traditional ones. When you cannot listen to RRIs English language broadcasts on the usual frequency, please switch to the alternative frequency. Thank you for your understanding! SW antennas Radio Romania International, 19.03.2026, 18:19 RRI on shortwaves Dear friends, given the frequent malfunctions reported at the Radiocom transmitters that broadcast RRI programmes, please note that, when such malfunctions occur, Radiocom switches RRI programmes as quickly as possible to a backup transmitter, which operates on alternative frequencies. Please, find these alternative frequencies listed below the traditional ones. When you cannot listen to RRIs English language broadcasts on the usual frequency, please switch to the alternative frequency. Thank you for your understanding! RECEPTION AREAS UTC kHz WESTERN EUROPE 06.30 07.00 9,620 12.00 13.00 15,460 18.00 19.00 9,570 (DRM ) 21.30 22.00 7,375 23.00 00.00 7,220 AFRICA 12.00 13.00 21,470 NORTH AMERICA (East Coast) 21.30 22.00 7,250 01.00 02.00 7,325 NORTH AMERICA (West Coast) 04.00 05.00 7,220 JAPAN 23.00 00.00 9,620 INDIA (New Delhi) 06.30 07.00 21,470 (DRM) INDIA (Mumbai) 04.00 05.00 15,250 (DRM) RRI on shortwaves (ALTERNATIVE FREQUENCIES): RECEPTION AREAS UTC kHz WESTERN EUROPE 06.30 07.00 9,870 12.00 13.00 17,700 18.00 19.00 9,770 21.30 22.00 6,030 23.00 00.00 6,030 AFRICA 12.00 13.00 17,800 NORTH AMERICA (East Coast) 21.30 22.00 7,310 01.00 02.00 9,510 NORTH AMERICA (West Coast) 04.00 05.00 7,410 JAPAN 23.00 00.00 7,325 INDIA (New Delhi) 06.30 07.00 17,780 INDIA (Mumbai) 04.00 05.00 17,790 SAF-Holland SE (SFQ.DE), a supplier of trailer and truck components, on Thursday reported results for the full year. EBIT fell to 128.92 million euros from 161.45 million euros last year. Adjusted EBIT for the year was 164 million euros from 190.5 million euros. EBITDA decreased to 221.67 million euros from 252.41 million euros, while adjusted EBITDA was 231.11 million euros, down from 257.99 million euros. Net income attributable to shareholders dropped to 50.95 million euros from 77.35 million euros, while earnings per share declined to 1.12 euros from 1.70 euros a year ago. Sales for the year decreased to 7.6% to 1.734 billion euros from 1.877 billion euros last year. On an organic basis, sales decreased by 6.5%. SAF-Holland plans to propose a dividend of 0.65 euros per share. For fiscal 2026, the company expects sales for the year to range from 1.70 billion euros to 1.85 billion euros. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The killing of Iranian leaders and attacks on civilian targets are by no means acceptable, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said here on Thursday in response to a related query. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing, adding China is always against the use of force in international relations. Earlier on, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, had been reportedly killed in an Israeli attack. President Donald Trump has threatened to blow up the world's largest natural gas field, located in the Persian Gulf, if Iran doesn't stop its attacks on Qatar. "Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran," Trump said in a detailed statement posted on Truth Social, referring to Iran's attacks on Qatar's energy infrastructure Wednesday in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the sprawling South Pars natural gas field. Subscribe to continue reading the article. This article is part of our premium content offering.Subscribe with a RTTNews subscription. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News This undated file photo shows a woman dressed in qipao, posing for photos at the ancient town of Yongquan Town, Linhai City, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua) HANGZHOU, March 19 (Xinhua) -- On the eastern coast of China, a small town has long been famous for one thing: honey tangerines. But today, Yongquan Township, with fewer than 50,000 permanent residents, tells a different story of economic transformation. Under the administration of the county-level city of Linhai of Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, Yongquan now produces over 40 percent of China's cheongsams (also known as qipao), with an annual output of 16 million pieces and an industrial output value exceeding 1.5 billion yuan (217.5 million U.S. dollars). Yongquan's move into textiles marks a revival of a deep-rooted tradition, rather than a shift to a new industry. Embroidery has flourished here since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with many women skilled in needlework. In the 1980s, the town was home to over a dozen embroidery garment factories, making it a pillar of the local economy. In the early 1990s, local artisans began using brocade and satin to make cheongsams. The modern chapter of the town began around 2012 with the rise of the "Guochao trend" (which means traditional Chinese trend), prompting local workshops and factories to pivot toward cheongsam production. The explosive growth of China's e-commerce sector in 2013 then served as a powerful catalyst. Today, the town boasts over 80 cheongsam enterprises and more than 800 upstream and downstream supporting businesses. Wang Tao, born in 1963, was among the first wave of Yongquan natives to venture out and sell cheongsams. At 30, he resigned from his job as a math teacher, borrowed 8,000 yuan, and established a silk garment factory in his hometown. At that time, Wang rode his bicycle to promote cheongsams from store to store in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. "Our cheongsams were shipped from Yongquan to Hangzhou, where they were sold across the country," he recalled. "That was the typical business model for countless Yongquan people in those days." However, for a long time, Yongquan's cheongsams were not well known. Feng Yanjun, president of the Linhai Cheongsam Association, explained that the largest cheongsam wholesale market in China is in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. And in Suzhou's cheongsam market, over 60 percent of the shop owners are from Yongquan Township. In fact, people from Yongquan control about 50 percent of the national cheongsam wholesale channels. The irony was stark: consumers knew Suzhou, but the true birthplace of the qipao, Yongquan, remained invisible, according to Feng. "Our roots are here," said a master qipao producer with 30 years' experience. "Why shouldn't the world know that great cheongsams come from Yongquan?" The turning point came in 2024 when the Linhai Cheongsam Association was established, uniting 60 core enterprises. In 2025, Yongquan's embroidered cheongsam craftsmanship was officially inscribed on Taizhou City's list of intangible cultural heritage. Then, a cheongsam-themed mall opened in January of this year. The 18,000-square-meter complex integrates production, sales, live-streaming e-commerce and storage into a single, seamless operation. For the cheongsam merchants now based in their hometown, the days of shuttling between Suzhou and Yongquan are over. "Now we negotiate business right at our doorstep. The moment goods are ready, they can be shipped outside," said Yin Yuying, a merchant at the mall. "With lower logistics costs, our clients' purchasing prices can drop by 5 to 10 percent. It's a win-win." In Yongquan Township, the past and future are being sewn together. Yin Xiaobo, a post-1980s generation craftsman, represents the fourth generation of his family in the cheongsam trade. His mother, Feng Yifeng, is a renowned local artisan who started in the qipao industry at 16 and is a master of traditional embroidery and cheongsam tailoring. The mother and son now embody two sides of one coin: one preserving tradition and the other driving innovation. Feng Yifeng patiently teaches young embroiderers age-old techniques. Her son, meanwhile, adapts these core elements for modern tastes. He lowers the mandarin collar, replaces elaborate rows of knots with hidden zippers, swaps heavy satin brocade for cotton-linen, chiffon and lace, and shortens the length of the traditional qipao. "The new Chinese style today is about removing complexity, making it simple and elegant, and easy to wear," Yin Xiaobo said. "We've adapted it into everyday fashion, something closer to casual wear." He has even embroidered motifs of the local landscapes and Yongquan's famous tangerines onto his cheongsams. These modern iterations have attracted many teenagers and young women, becoming the primary consumers rather than middle-aged. The industry has become a significant source of local prosperity. Roughly half of the town's residents are now engaged in cheongsam-related business. Women in rural villages earn thousands of yuan a month, making exquisite knot buttons or sewing in their home workshops. Former tangerine farmers have transformed into factory workers and e-commerce livestreamers. The e-commerce and logistics systems give cheongsam shipments a cost advantage of one to two yuan per item compared to Suzhou or Hangzhou. Local initiatives are nurturing e-commerce livestreaming teams, while the new cheongsam shopping mall is building cross-border e-commerce links to help the cheongsam go global. The youngest generation is already coming into its own. Weng Huifeng, born after the year 2000, has moved his livestreaming studio directly into the factory plant, bringing Yongquan cheongsams to young consumers across China via their smartphones. With a new cheongsam industrial park under construction, Yongquan has set its sights on an ambitious goal: becoming the premier sourcing market for cheongsams and leading the industry's nationwide development. This undated file photo shows a senior artisan (C) guiding young people in learning qipao embroidery in Yongquan Town, Linhai City, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua) This undated file photo shows a senior artisan making qipao accessories in Yongquan Town, Linhai City, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua) The News in Brief Friday, March 20, 2026 Freedom House says Georgia recorded the largest drop in freedom scores in the Eurasian region in 2025, falling by four points.According to the report, the decline comes amid ongoing protests that began in 2024 and continued into 2025, with demonstrators facing what it described as disproportionate force and ill-treatment by police.It also points to pressure on opposition groups, saying critics of the ruling Georgian Dream party faced attacks, harassment, and new legal restrictions limiting their participation in public life.The report highlights developments in the education sector, where some professors critical of the government were dismissed, and notes the creation of a parliamentary commission targeting opposition figures. It says some individuals who refused to cooperate were arrested and later sentenced."These measures contributed to Georgia's 4-point drop in ranking during the year, the largest in the Eurasian region," the report said.Globally, only a few countries saw a steeper decline in political rights and civil liberties in 2025, including Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, and Madagascar.Imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili has asked to be allowed to attend the funeral of Ilia II, who died at the age of 93."I asked my lawyer to file an application and ask that I be taken to the funeral of the Patriarch, as his friend, the third president of Georgia," Saakashvili wrote on social media.A day of mourning has been declared in Georgia following the Patriarch's death. He is set to be buried on March 22 at the Sioni Cathedral.The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia said it had received the request from Saakashvili's lawyer but rejected it."On behalf of the third President of Georgia, the lawyer applied to the agency, however, their request does not comply with the norms provided for by the Code," the agency said.Saakashvili remains in custody and will not be allowed to attend the funeral under current regulations. URUMQI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- On the edge of the Taklimakan Desert, China's largest desert, a technological breakthrough in water management is transforming once-barren saline-alkali land into a productive hub for high-value agriculture. In Payzawat County, located in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs is leveraging desalination technology and salt-tolerant crop varieties to bring "desert tomatoes" and premium prunes to the market nationwide. Payzawat has long struggled with extreme environmental constraints. With annual precipitation under 200 millimeters and evaporation exceeding 3,000 millimeters, the region's soil was historically heavily salinized. However, the systematic application of saline water desalination and optimized planting techniques has allowed local farmers to cultivate crops in environments previously considered "unproductive." Chen Zhen, a law graduate from Xinjiang University who turned to agricultural entrepreneurship six years ago, is now a key promoter of these desert products. Using digital marketing and livestreaming, Chen has helped the "Kashgar Red" desert tomato brand gain traction across Chinese e-commerce platforms. "These tomatoes are grown using desalinated saline water, benefiting from the region's intense sunlight and high temperature fluctuations," Chen said, noting that the high sugar content and firm texture have led to a near 100-percent repurchase rate among online consumers. A 5,000-mu (about 333-hectare) production base is currently under construction in Payzawat to meet the growing demand. The success of the tomato industry follows the established footprint of Payzawat's prune industry. The county has become the largest base for prune production in China, with a planting area of 570,000 mu. According to local data, the county accounts for 50 percent of the national planting area and 70 percent of total output. In a recent industry report, the brand value of Payzawat prunes was estimated at 2.94 billion yuan (about 426.6 million U.S. dollars), ranking 52nd on the national list of regional public fruit brands. The fruit has also earned national geographical indication protection. The industrialization of desert agriculture is delivering tangible economic benefits to local residents. In the "Kashgar Red" greenhouses, workers like Abdurahman earn a steady monthly salary of 2,700 yuan. "The work is steady and close to home, allowing us to increase our income without leaving our families," he said. The rapid growth of Payzawat's specialty agriculture is part of a broader strategy to revitalize rural economies in arid regions through science and technology. "For young people looking to achieve something, this place offers the right policies, technology and products. With such a motivated team, persistence is the only choice," said Chen. BAGHDAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Shiite militia Kata'ib Hezbollah announced on early Thursday a five-day suspension of operations targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, contingent upon several conditions. In a statement, the group said its leader ordered the halt in line with demands that Israel cease its displacement and bombing of the southern suburbs of Beirut. The statement further required a commitment to "not bombing residential areas in Baghdad and other provinces" as well as the withdrawal of U.S. Central Intelligence Agency personnel from their stations to the embassy. The group warned that any non-compliance would trigger a "direct and concentrated" response and an escalation of attacks after the five days. Since the large-scale military operation launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone has been frequently attacked by drones and rockets. On Tuesday, embassy facilities caught fire following an attack. How oviraptors, bird-like but flightless dinosaurs, hatched their eggs has long been unclear. Did they depend on heat from their surroundings like crocodiles, or did they warm their eggs directly like birds? A new study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution explores this question by examining oviraptor nesting behavior and hatching patterns. Researchers in Taiwan combined heat transfer simulations with physical experiments to better understand how these dinosaurs incubated their eggs. They also compared their findings with modern bird incubation. To do this, they built a life size model of an oviraptor and a realistic nest to test how heat moved through the eggs. "We show the difference in oviraptor hatching patterns was induced by the relative position of the incubating adult to the eggs," said senior author Dr. Tzu-Ruei Yang, an associate curator of vertebrate paleontology at Taiwan's National Museum of Natural Science. "Moreover, we obtained an estimate of the incubation efficiency of oviraptors, which is much lower than that of modern birds," added first author Chun-Yu Su, who attended Washington High School in Taichung when the research was conducted. Reconstructing an Oviraptor Nest The model was based on Heyuannia huangi, an oviraptor species that lived between 70 and 66 million years ago in what is now China. This dinosaur was about 1.5 meters long and weighed around 20kg. It built semi-open nests arranged in multiple rings of eggs. To recreate the animal, researchers constructed the torso using polystyrene foam and a wooden frame, then added cotton, bubble paper, and fabric to mimic soft tissues. The eggs were made from casting resin. In the experiments, two clutches were arranged in double rings to match fossil evidence. "Part of the difficulty lies in reconstructing oviraptor incubation realistically," said Su. "For example, their eggs are unlike those of any living species, so we invented the resin eggs to approximate real oviraptor eggs as best as we could." Heat, Nest Design, and Hatching Patterns The team tested how both adult presence and environmental conditions affected egg temperatures and hatching outcomes. In colder conditions, when a brooding adult was present, temperatures in the outer ring of eggs varied by as much as 6C. Such differences could lead to asynchronous hatching, where eggs in the same nest hatch at different times. In warmer environments, that variation dropped to about 0.6C. This suggests that in warmer climates, sunlight may have helped even out temperatures and influenced hatching patterns. "It's unlikely that large dinosaurs sat atop their clutches. Supposedly, they used the heat of the sun or soil to hatch their eggs, like turtles. Since oviraptor clutches are open to the air, heat from the sun likely mattered much more than heat from the soil," Yang explained. Dinosaur vs Bird Incubation Efficiency The researchers also compared oviraptor incubation to that of modern birds. Most birds rely on thermoregulatory contact incubation (TCI), where adults sit directly on their eggs and provide heat. For TCI to work, the adult must touch all the eggs, act as the main heat source, and keep temperatures consistent. Oviraptors likely could not meet these conditions. Their ring shaped egg arrangement meant the adult could not maintain contact with every egg at once. "Oviraptors may not have been able to conduct TCI as modern birds do," said Su. Instead, these dinosaurs and environmental heat likely worked together, making them co-incubators. While this method was less efficient than that of modern birds, it may have been well suited to their nesting style, which appears to have shifted from buried nests to semi-open ones. "Modern birds aren't 'better' at hatching eggs. Instead, birds living today and oviraptors have a very different way of incubation or, more specifically, brooding," Yang pointed out. "Nothing is better or worse. It just depends on the environment." What This Means for Dinosaur Parenting The researchers caution that their results are based on a reconstructed nest and modern environmental conditions, which differ from those of the Late Cretaceous. These differences could influence the findings. They also note that oviraptors likely had longer incubation periods than modern birds. Even with these limitations, the study provides new insight into how oviraptors may have cared for their eggs. By combining physical models with simulations, the work opens new possibilities for studying dinosaur reproduction. "It also truly is an encouragement for all students, especially in Taiwan," concluded Yang. "There are no dinosaur fossils in Taiwan, but that does not mean that we cannot do dinosaur studies." COLOMBO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will receive five fuel shipments in April, a senior Ceylon Petroleum Corporation official told reporters on Thursday. Mayura Neththikumarage, managing director of the corporation, said suppliers confirmed the orders on Wednesday. Sri Lanka introduced a fuel quota system last Sunday to avoid shortages amid disruptions to fuel supplies from the Middle East. JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Thursday that its air force struck and dismantled an Iranian Mi-17 military helicopter at Sanandaj Airport in Hamadan, western Iran, overnight. It added that the strike was based on accurate real-time intelligence and attached a video to its statement, allegedly showing the strike. Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli army said that over the past day, its troops killed more than 20 Hezbollah militants and struck dozens of the organization's military structures in southern Lebanon. It added that troops also confiscated several weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank rockets, ammunition, a hunting rifle, and other military equipment. ABU DHABI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates on early Thursday denied reports claiming that it has imposed restrictions on capital movement or prevented foreign investors from transferring or disposing of their funds. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism said that such reports circulating on certain platforms are inaccurate. The ministry reaffirmed the country's firm commitment to economic openness and the free movement of capital, in line with international best practices. It added that the UAE continues to promote a stable and attractive investment environment for both domestic and international investors. Friday will mark a much quieter end to the week after a raft of central bank policy announcements, with interim results due from JD Wetherspoon and diversified engineer Smiths Group . As far as pub group Wetherspoons is concerned, Derren Nathan, head of equity analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said it started the year with encouraging like-for-like sales growth, which picked up pace towards the end of the first half. "However, with costs higher than anticipated, management now expects profit to come in below the levels seen at the same point last year, with consensus forecasts looking for an 8% decline in operating profit to 60m," he said. "Full-year profits are also expected to fall slightly if sales momentum remains unchanged, so investors will be looking for a steer on trading in the second half so far. Recent data suggests pub sales in the wider market have continued to grow, led by higher prices rather than footfall. But rising fuel and energy prices in the wake of the war with Iran could cause a further squeeze on the groups margins and its customers spending power, so some caution is to be expected." On the macro front, UK public sector net borrowing figures for February are due at 0700 GMT, while CBI industrial trends orders for March are out at 1100 GMT. Overnight, China will release its loan prime rates, which are expected to remain unchanged. BP on Thursday said it had sold its Gelsenkirchen refinery and related businesses to independent European refiner Klesch Group for an undisclosed sum and raised its 2027 cost reduction target by around $1bn. The energy giant is now targeting $6.5bn to $7.5 billion of structural cost reductions by 2027, equating to around 30% of its 2023 cost baseline. Gelsenkirchen processes about 12 million tonnes of crude oil per year producing petrol, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil and more than 50 other products, primarily for the chemical industry. It also supplies essential feedstocks to the petrochemical industry in Germany and across Europe. Debt-laden BP is offloading assets as part of a major cost-cutting plan. It has already struck a deal to sell a 65% stake in its Castrol lubricants business to Stonepeak for $8bn. The company has announced or completed more than $11bn of its $20bn divestment target by 2027. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Grafton said on Thursday that it has agreed to buy Mercaluz, a Spanish distributor of domestic and commercial air conditioning equipment to professional SME installers, for up to 175m. The deal is subject to approval from the Spanish National Commission for Markets and Competition. Mercaluz is a family-owned business founded in 1986 and headquartered in Alicante. It had around 10,500 customers in 2025 and almost three quarters of sales that year were from own brands, primarily the fast-growing Johnson brand, over which Mercaluz owns the European rights. Grafton said that approximately 70% of sales are aimed at the professional installer market, either direct or through resellers, with the remainder from appliances and white goods which are almost exclusively sold to wholesalers, resellers and developers. In 2025, Mercaluz reported unaudited revenue of 150.4m and unaudited adjusted operating profit of 22.2m. Grafton said that while the total maximum consideration is 175m, the price paid is expected to be about 165m on a cash and debt free basis. This will be determined following completion of the statutory audited results, currently in progress. Chief executive Eric Born said: "We are very pleased at the prospect of welcoming this scalable family business and its quality management team into Grafton's growing presence in Iberia. Mercaluz has all the characteristics we are seeking in an acquisition; from the growth segment and markets it serves to its scalability and reputation in the trade. "Subject to regulatory approval, it will further cement our position in the fast-growing Iberian HVAC market with combined annualised sales of some 400m and is a further step in our ambition to build a significant business distributing construction related products and solutions in Iberia." See latest RNS on Investegate ASHGABAT, March 19 (Xinhua) -- "We're home! Finally home!" Even before he could speak, tears of excitement swelled up in the eyes of Shu Hongmin, a citizen from China's Jiangsu province. On Tuesday afternoon, another group of 22 Chinese citizens evacuated from Iran stepped onto the road back to their homeland at the Sarakhs checkpoint in Turkmenistan. Around 14:00 local time (0900 GMT), the evacuees began arriving at the border. Staff from the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan, who had been waiting in the hall, immediately stepped forward to assist with entry registration and luggage clearance, guiding everyone onto pre-arranged transfer buses. Despite fatigue from the long journey and the initial unease of a new environment, the smiles among the evacuees signaled relief. Shu could not hold back his tears. "My family has been waiting for me. Now we can come home and live in peace." Ma Yuxiu, an entrepreneur running an LED lighting business in Iran, recalled the evacuation. "I had just submitted my passport to the Iranian authorities for processing when the Chinese Embassy in Iran stepped in the very next day to help retrieve it," she said. "Before my departure, the embassy contacted me every day to check on my safety. My friends from other countries were quite envious -- they kept saying, 'Your country really looks after you.'" Many evacuees said they had felt anxious at first. But upon arriving in Sarakhs and seeing embassy staff waiting for them, they were immediately reassured. "It felt like seeing family," Ma said. Zhang Xu, an employee of a Chinese-invested coal mining company in Iran, had seen his workplace shut down for more than half a month as the situation deteriorated. Under the coordination of the Chinese embassy, Zhang and his colleagues were able to evacuate safely to Turkmenistan. "Along the way, everyone helped one another," Zhang recalled. "Some of the older people didn't speak the language, so the younger ones helped to translate and communicate. We supported each other and made it through together." According to the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan, since the United States and Israel launched military actions against Iran, more than 100 Chinese citizens in Iran have been evacuated through Turkmenistan. "The moment we entered Turkmenistan, I suddenly felt safe," Zhang said. "It was like a huge weight had finally been lifted off my shoulders." Zhang's colleague, Leng Jiadong, was equally jubilant. "The situation in Iran was indeed tense, but both the Chinese Embassies in Iran and Turkmenistan stayed in constant contact with us, monitoring every detail of the journey. From border crossings to route arrangements, the embassies had everything planned. We are truly grateful to our strong motherland." Mr Kipling and Bisto owner Premier Foods is reportedly considering a 200m swoop on Crosta Mollica. According to Sky News, Premier Foods - which has a market capitalisation of about 1.6bn - is among the parties exploring offers for the privately-owned food business which sells Italian style pizzas, breadsticks, and desserts, among other things. If it proceeds with a bid, Sky said, it would further underline Premier Foods' revival under chief executive Alex Whitehouse, following a debt-laden decade in which it struggled to stay afloat. The company exited the frozen pizza category in 2024 when it decided to discontinue its operations producing pizza bases for own-label products, in order to strengthen its focus on branded products. Last year, Premier Foods agreed to buy Merchant Gourmet for 48m. It has also acquired brands including The Spice Tailor. In its half-year results last November, the company, which also owns Batchelors, Homepride and Paxo, said it continues to pursue branded assets which would benefit from the application of its "proven branded growth model". Crosta Mollica is owned by private investment firm Perwyn, which recently hired bankers from Harris Williams to field interest from potential buyers. Sources told Sky that a deal with Premier Foods was far from certain to proceed, but confirmed it was among the parties engaged with Crosta Mollica's advisers. Premier Foods declined to comment on the article. Shannon Ramsey and Nat Herold, longtime co-owners of Amherst Books at 8 Main St. in Amherst, Mass., have put their store up for sale. The Daily Hampshire Gazette reported that the owners "are seeking to sell the inventory and the Amherst Books name, bringing the latest era in bookselling to a close." "We're hoping to sell to someone who envisions being able to continue the foundation that has been laid," Ramsey said. "We feel pretty passionately that there should be a bookstore in business in Amherst." A post on the shop's Instagram page noted: "Hi friends! You may have heard that the store is for sale. We want you to know we're still here and have no plans on closing! As Nat & Shannon move onto retirement and a new career path, respectively, the best case scenario is that we find a great buyer who will keep our store running as is. We'll keep you updated, but we're not going anywhere at the moment." While there has been a major shift in the commercial district, the increase in apartments in Amherst center and more people living downtown has benefited the business, Ramsey said. "We're seeing an increase in customers, folks who are excited to see we still exist. To be a retail shop in downtown Amherst now is a rare thing." Herold has sold books in town since 1981, running Goliard Books on North Pleasant Street from 1983 to 1990. He has been at the 8 Main St. location since 1998, first managing the Atticus Bookshop and then, in 2003, along with about a dozen investors, taking over the store with co-founder Mark Wootten and renaming it Amherst Books. Ramsey was hired to work in Amherst Books' textbook section in 2008 and was a part-time bookseller, leaving for a few years and then returning to work and apprenticing with Wootten until he retired to Maine in 2017. "I've enjoyed it so much and there are always new challenges to rise to," she said. Business Improvement District executive director John Page noted that Amherst Books holds a special place downtown: "We are deeply grateful to Nat and Mark, and later Shannon, for more than two decades of devoted stewardship at Amherst Books. Operating an independent bookstore is both joyful and demanding work, and they have carried that responsibility with passion.... We are confident that new ownership will find both a loyal customer base and a community that understands how essential a local bookstore is to the vitality of our economic ecosystem." In a notice on the New England Independent Booksellers Association's website, the owners called Amherst Books "a profitable business with significant areas for growth, including introducing online sales, building a more robust internet presence, and continuing to build up the non-book inventory. Our small but mighty team of four is a key asset and we would strongly suggest you retain them. Nat is also willing to stay on during an ownership transition. We rent our location. "We are hoping to sell in 2026--serious inquiries only, please! Starting price is $400,000 for inventory and business; we're ready to negotiate. Reach out by email to shannon@amherstbooks.com." Google partners with DTE Energy to develop a Michigan data center powered by ~2.7 GW of new clean energy Initiative supports rising power demand from AI and cloud services while adding fresh renewable capacity to the grid Collaboration strengthens Michigans clean energy transition and reflects a broader trend of techutility partnerships for sustainable infrastructure Google has partnered with DTE Energy to support the development of a new data center in Michigan with a massive supply of clean energy, marking a significant move in aligning its expanding digital infrastructure with sustainable power. The agreement will enable the addition of approximately 2.7 gigawatts of new clean energy capacity to the grid, which will directly support the operations of the upcoming facility while also strengthening the regions renewable energy footprint. Google is pushing forward with this initiative as part of its broader effort to meet the rapidly increasing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing services. Data centers require continuous and large-scale energy supply, and Google is ensuring that this demand is met through new renewable energy generation instead of relying on existing fossil fuel-based resources. By tying its infrastructure expansion to fresh clean energy projects, the company is actively contributing to the transition toward a low-carbon energy system. The collaboration will lead to the development of multiple renewable energy projects across Michigan, significantly boosting the states clean energy capacity. The scale of 2.7 gigawatts highlights the growing pressure that hyperscale data centers place on electricity systems. Utilities are witnessing a surge in demand from large technology companies, which is driving the need for rapid expansion of energy infrastructure and accelerated deployment of renewable sources. DTE Energy is playing a crucial role in this transformation by planning substantial investments in generation capacity and grid modernization. The company is preparing to handle large industrial loads such as data centers while maintaining grid stability and reliability. This partnership aligns with its long-term strategy to expand renewable energy resources and upgrade infrastructure to meet evolving energy needs. Also Read: Rajasthan Becomes First State to Ink MoU for JJM 2.0 Water Scheme The agreement also reflects a broader trend in which major technology companies are forming partnerships with utilities to secure reliable and sustainable energy. As digital services continue to expand, companies like Google are increasingly committing to long-term clean energy solutions that not only meet their operational needs but also support local energy ecosystems. Such collaborations are becoming essential in driving new renewable energy projects and reducing dependence on carbon-intensive power sources. The agreement also reflects a broader trend in which major technology companies are forming partnerships with utilities to secure reliable and sustainable energy. As digital services continue to expand, companies like Google are increasingly committing to long-term clean energy solutions that not only meet their operational needs but also support local energy ecosystems. Such collaborations are becoming essential in driving newand reducing dependence on At the same time, the initiative highlights the challenges associated with rising electricity consumption from data centers. Utilities must carefully balance the need to supply large new loads while ensuring affordability and reliability for existing customers. In Michigan, stakeholders are paying close attention to how these large-scale energy agreements impact the grid and consumers, aiming to ensure that the benefits of new investments do not come at the expense of residential users. Overall, the partnership between Google and DTE Energy represents a major step in integrating clean energy with next-generation digital infrastructure. The project not only supports Googles growing operational demands but also contributes significantly to Michigans clean energy transition by bringing substantial new renewable capacity online. As demand for data processing continues to grow, such collaborations will play a key role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient energy future. BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the temporary ceasefire agreement reached by Pakistan and Afghanistan, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday. Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing after the two countries announced the suspension of military operations during the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Lin said China hopes that both countries will remain calm and restrained, resume peace talks promptly, achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible, resolve differences through dialogue, and jointly maintain peace and stability between the two countries and in the region. China appreciates the efforts made by relevant Islamic countries, and has been mediating the conflict via its own channels, said Lin, while adding that China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in this regard. Advertisement Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Infini locks in key contractors for Canadian uranium push Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Craig Nolan March 19, 2026 2:02pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Infini Resources has locked-in key contracting firms for the companys maiden drilling program at its promising Reynolds Lake and Reitenbach Lake uranium projects in Canadas globally-renowned Athabasca Basin. The company is targeting a minimum 2500-metre diamond drilling campaign at its twin sites and will scale up the program if the drilling results warrant further interrogation with the drill bit. Infini Resources has locked-in key contracting firms to kick off a highly anticipated drilling program at two of the companys uranium projects in Canadas globally renowned Athabasca Basin. Plans are for the drilling to test unconformity, basement-hosted uranium targets identified from the companys airborne geophysical surveys and field programs conducted last year. Leading Canadian drilling firm, Rodren Drilling, brings 47 years of exploration and drilling experience to the table, with a strong track record of delivering its services in the Athabasca Basin and remote geological environments. Advertisement Rodren will complete the diamond drilling program, designed to test priority targets associated with conductive horizons, structural corridors and geochemical anomalism unearthed across its project ground. The scale of the EM conductors highlight the prospectivity of the system. Infini Resources chief executive officer Rohan Bone Infini has also given the nod of approval to long-time Canadian geological services firm Archer Cathro & Associates to provide in-field geological expertise. The firm will supervise the drilling program, conduct geological logging, sampling and coordinate field program activities. It also brings tremendous experience to the upcoming campaign, having worked in mineral exploration across northern Canada for more than 60 years. Management says mobilisation of the two contracting firms will begin in mid-April and will start hammering into the highly anticipated drill campaign shortly thereafter. Advertisement Recent airborne electromagnetic (EM) interpretation completed by the company revealed conductive horizons, initially identified at the original Reitenbach Lake landholdings, extend some 20 kilometres into the companys newly staked ground, outlining a 20km by 5km prospective uranium corridor. Combined with existing conductors across the two project sites, the company has now mapped out 80 kilometres of total EM strike length across the broader area. Management believes the conductors consist of graphitic schists and structurally controlled features, often considered prime ground for basement-hosted uranium mineralisation and typical of the Athabasca Basins unconformity-style systems. Infini Resources chief executive officer Rohan Bone said: The scale of the EM conductors, strong uranium geochemical anomalism and the high-grade Titus Showing together highlight the prospectivity of the system and provide compelling targets for drilling. Infinis exploration manager, Nick Mitchell, said the targets have been defined through careful review of surface work and analysis of geophysical surveys completed last year, providing a strong technical foundation for the drill program. Advertisement The company will target its high-grade Titus Showing prospect, where a uraninite-bearing rock sample kicked up an impressive assay result of 1.9 per cent uranium oxide, along a prospective EM conductor hosted in an interpreted metapelitic unit, adjacent to a broad structural flexure. Structural flexures refer to the geological phenomenon of rock bending, such as folds and crests that can create ore-trapping structures. The Reynolds Lake and Reitenbach Lake projects together stretch across 766 square kilometres of contiguous ground on the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan, a region known for unconformity-style uranium deposits. Combined with its Boulding Lake project, also in the Athabasca region, the company controls a significant 1021 sq km of ground in the worlds leading uranium region, responsible for producing roughly 20 per cent of the global supply. Along with the companys promising Portland Creek project in Canada, where assays confirmed uranium mineralisation from recent drilling, Infinis two Athabascan projects might just put the company on the path to becoming a highly successful uranium explorer. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears Sharemarket Shares Uranium WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran retains "some capability" to attack assets of the United States and its allies in the Middle East, including oil facilities, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said on Thursday. "They came into this fight with a lot of weapons," he said at the Pentagon's press conference. "That's why we continue to be as aggressive and assertive" in striking Iranian missile and drone launch sites. Caine further said the U.S. military has deployed a range of weapons in the war with Iran, including A-10 Warthog aircraft to attack Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, AH-64 Apache helicopters in Iraq to strike alleged Iran-aligned militia groups and help shoot down Iranian drones, and 5,000-pound bunker-buster munitions against underground storage facilities. When asked about Iran's ability to strike the assets of the United States and its allies with missiles, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also acknowledged: "They came into this fight with a lot of weapons." Hegseth said that all 11 Iranian submarines had been destroyed and that the country's naval ports were "crippled." Hegseth also said that Iranian missile strikes are down 90 percent and drone attacks 95 percent since the launch of the massive U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. These figures have not changed in more than a week. Hegseth said that the United States is "obviously taking countermeasures" over the Internet blackout in Iran, but he could not discuss them publicly. When asked about when or how the war will end, Hegseth said that Washington remains "on plan," but refused to provide a definitive timeline. The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is escalating after an Israeli strike Wednesday on Iran's South Pars gas field. Iran retaliated with attacks on Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. As a consequence, global market oil and gas prices surged again on Thursday. Advertisement CultureMoviesHorror Our experiences are horror: Why Aussie women make killer psychological horror movies Nell Geraets March 19, 2026 11:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Kate Separovich never liked horror. As a self-proclaimed scaredy-cat, the Australian producer chose to steer clear of the genre for most of her career. That is, until she suddenly found herself smack-bang in the middle of producing one. She had been pitched the idea for Proclivitas, a female-centred psychological horror, by her friend, writer-director Miley Tunnecliffe (Calling; 100% Wolf). Instead of running for the hills, Separovich decided to see what the genre was all about. Kate Separovich (left) and Miley Tunnecliffe follow a long line of Aussie women working in psychological horror. Tony McDonough Before making the film I didnt really understand what horror was what a broad genre definition it has and all its subgenres, says Separovich, who was an associate producer on 2019s Dirt Music. Theres a stigma around horror, a lot of which comes from the slashers and torture porn. So I forced myself to learn about it in a very compressed period of time. I quickly realised how much I love psychological horror. She isnt the only Australian woman to become enamoured by the unsettling subgenre. In fact, theres something of a trend of female filmmakers Down Under killing it in this space. This spans all the way back to the 1980s and Ann Turners Celia, a deeply disturbing film about a young girl in the 1950s navigating the paranoia of the Red Scare. Advertisement Female Australian filmmakers have excelled in the psychological horror space. Just look at Jennifer Kents The Babadook. Causeway Films Then, of course, came Jennifer Kents The Babadook (2014), a movie exploring the horrors of motherhood and grief, and Natalie Erika James Relic (2020), a petrifying examination of dementia and ageing. Elsewhere there have been Daina Reids Run Rabbit Run, Kitty Greens The Royal Hotel and Tracey Moffatts Bedevil anthology. Aussie women have time and again found themselves at the forefront of terrifyingly effective psychological horror. This is especially impressive considering how male-dominated the broader horror industry is, and the small number of local productions that receive funding in Australia (investment in local feature films and TV dramas dropped nearly 30 per cent in the 2023-24 financial year). So what is it about female filmmakers, particularly Australian ones, that makes them perfect for these types of movies? A lot of our actual experiences are psychological horror, Tunnecliffe says. We live in a patriarchal society where our true natures are denied a lot of the time. The term gaslighting has become so popular now but that was a common state for many women, especially of our parents generation. To be able to bring those experiences through the medium of film just feels really cathartic A lot of female horror gets through the gates and tends to be deeply, deeply personal. Advertisement Related Article Cinema Studios should be scared: Could this YouTube stars box office hit change cinema forever? Granted, horrors created by men have also been profoundly personal Zach Cregger recently spoke about how Weapons felt almost autobiographical for him. But Separovich says there does still seem to be a marked difference between the energies on screen. Masculine energy is generally your experience on top of the other persons experience, whereas the matriarchal energy and feminine energy is I hear you, I see you, I share that experience with you, and heres my version of that experience Those stories stay with you. Proclivitas follows Clare, a recovering addict who returns to her rural home town following her mothers death. A reunion with her teenage sweetheart triggers the resurfacing of all sorts of traumatic memories, as well as a demonic presence that lures her back towards old vices. This required a deeply vulnerable performance from its leading star Rose Riley, a performance that Separovich says was made possible by the female-dominated work environment of the film. Advertisement A matriarchal film environment, rather than patriarchal, really helps create a space where people feel vulnerable and can be safe, and generally makes everyones work better, she says, noting both she and Tunnecliffe know how it can feel to be the only woman in the room. Tunnecliffe says a significant reason why theyre able to wade confidently into the psychological horror space now is because of the legacy of Australian women, including Kent and James, excelling in the subgenre. They painstakingly carved out pathways for fellow female creatives to follow. In fact, Tunnecliffe says its now arguably easier to pitch a horror in Australia than any other genre film, particularly comedy (in which she has a background). Rose Riley as Clare in Proclivitas. David Dare Parker Advertisement The funding to make a professional film is so limited in this country, Separovich adds. Horror films are always more commercial than a straight drama, so that makes them slightly easier to make. But its whether we can keep doing it. I hope we can Ive got a drama Im trying to get made but it looks like the next horror film Im working on is going to happen faster than the drama. This isnt just happening in Australia. Were currently experiencing a global golden age in horror, a period in which movies like Sinners were in the running for best picture at the Academy Awards. Tunnecliffe says this is largely because of how universal horror themes are, the experimental freedom horror filmmakers are more often afforded, and the real-life horrors many of us are currently witnessing around the world. I dont want to watch something that doesnt acknowledge my anxiety and stress of what the world is right now. I want something that acknowledges it, that makes me feel seen and a little bit better because Im not imagining things, she says. The worlds in really terrible shape. Thats why horror is my comfort zone. Proclivitas is in cinemas. Must-see movies, interviews and all the latest from the world of film delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Screening Room newsletter. Advertisement NationalGood Weekend Andrew lived apart from his mum for most of his childhood. When he left school, he found out why Jane Cadzow March 19, 2026 11:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A This story is part of the March 21 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories . Elizabeth Mamchak, 82, missed most of the childhood of her son, Andrew Ferguson, now 58. When she decided to write a memoir explaining what had thrown her life off course, he came to her aid. I recognised in him a lot of the trauma symptoms that Id experienced, says Elizabeth Mamchak of her son, Andrew Ferguson. That made me incredibly sad. David Rowland Elizabeth: When I was a child, I was sexually abused by my father. I was always scared of him. Fear has dominated my adulthood, too, but it took a long while to connect the dots. When I studied social work in the 1960s, we didnt talk at all about sexual abuse: it just wasnt acknowledged then. When I finally confronted my father about it, there was a long silence. Then he said, very slowly, A figment of your imagination, my dear. After my first marriage ended in the early 1970s, I had a breakdown. I asked my ex-husband to look after our children, Kate and Andrew, until I was well enough to have them back. He moved to New Zealand, taking the children with him, without consulting me. I fell apart badly, and started to drink very heavily. I abused pills as well as alcohol. It all hurt so much, and I didnt know how to face any of it. Advertisement The children came to stay with me in Canberra on access visits. Id have two or three weeks with them and that time was so precious, but also so fraught. The anxiety before they came, then the awfulness when they left, knowing that it would be a long time before I saw them again. Andrew was very loveable and eager to please. He was always trying to make things all right. Later, when I had another daughter, Emma, he was lovely with her; he would pick her up and carry her around the house. Liz with baby Andrew. I wrote my memoir first and foremost for my children, because I feel that I let them down terribly. I dont dwell on the regret, but its always there; its still a terrible well of grief. I didnt want to excuse myself, but I wanted them to have some understanding of my emotional struggles. What my father did to me had a lasting effect, and it affected my ability to care for my children. Its not a direct link it never is, with psychological damage but I have no doubt at all that the link is there. Advertisement I believe in intergenerational trauma. I felt very responsible, indirectly, for Andrews gambling. He told me about it when he was in his 20s. I knew gambling could be a way of seeking oblivion, and I recognised in him a lot of the trauma symptoms that Id experienced. That made me incredibly sad. However, as a result of working through these things, Andrew has a lot of insight into himself and other people. He has empathy in spades. Ive always felt close to him. Hes tremendously supportive when something emotionally difficult is happening, and hes just good company. We have similar views about the world. We love going to see films, then having big, deep discussions about what they mean. Mind you, weve had blow-ups, too. Related Article Good Weekend Shes played a big role in shaping who I am: How a 15-year age gap impacts a sibling relationship By 2022, Id written the first draft of the book, but the structure wasnt right. Andrew came from Auckland and stayed with me for weeks while we worked on it together. He was a true partner in the restructuring and never-ending editing. We had fun. I mean, the subject matter wasnt fun, but that didnt matter any more. We laughed a lot. Andrew: I was four when my father took my sister and me to New Zealand. He and my stepmother loved us and cared for us, but I didnt form a deep, emotional bond with either of them. Over time, I turned inward and became very unhappy. I dont remember consciously missing Mum, but I do remember the absolute excitement and warmth and love when I was back with her on access visits. Advertisement Mum would be great for a few days, but then things would start to crumble because she was dreading the end of the visit. Shed be in her room with the curtains pulled, smoking cigarettes. Thered be glasses of wine and shed be crying. Obviously, it made me sad when she was sad, but the memory is still one of warmth because I was with her. I accepted her for who she was. The smell of cigarette smoke was comforting to me because it represented my mum. After my final year of school in 1985, I went to Canberra to spend some time with her. That summer was a massive turning point in our relationship. I could talk to her as an adult, and we could just hang out. It wasnt just a short holiday: I was living with her. And because of that, Mum didnt have any meltdowns. Also, shed stopped drinking the previous year. She had a newfound stability, given that shed kicked the booze. She was methodically working through all the steps she needed to take in order to reclaim her life. Editor's pick Good Weekend From share houses to dinner parties: The 2kg book that became a Gen X rite of passage Im pretty sure it was that summer that I learnt about the abuse shed been through when she was young. Obviously, it changed how I saw my grandfather. From that point on, he disgusted me. But mainly, I just felt compassion for Mum. I was glad I knew. It provided some insights that I didnt have before. Id never blamed her for the fact that she wasnt able to look after us, but knowing what she had endured gave me a better understanding of her anxiety and depression. In my mid-20s, I was working for Westpac at the corporate head office in Sydney. I had a good job, but my life was falling apart in private. I developed a very self-destructive gambling habit. It started with horse racing, then moved to pokie machines. I eventually turned a corner after a conversation with Mum. She used her gift for connecting with people who are in a bad way emotionally, or in a fragile state. Even though she hasnt worked as a social worker or a counsellor for many years, thats still an intrinsic part of who she is. Advertisement Mum has come through a lot of adversity. Shes had breast cancer and leukaemia. With the leukaemia, we were told she had, at most, six months to live. Now shes more than 10 years clear of it. When she told me she was writing her memoir, I was really supportive. I felt that telling her story would be a cathartic thing for her, and that it would also be a way she could help other people. One day, when we were working on the book, she said, I think Ive found the title: A Figment of Your Imagination, My Dear. I thought, Yes, thats perfect. A Figment of Your Imagination, My Dear (Ginninderra Press, $35) is out on Monday. twoofus@goodweekend.com.au Get the best of Good Weekend delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Sign up for our newsletter. Advertisement Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A As oil imports dry up and fuel prices rise, Coalition and One Nation politicians will pump up their supply of misinformation to cause confusion and division (Trumps war is wreaking more havoc than you think, March 19). They will directly or indirectly blame Labor for only two domestic oil refineries remaining when we had eight in 2000 supplying about 90 per cent of our needs. The right-wing media propaganda machine will ably assist them, but here are the facts of refinery closures and serving prime ministers: 2003 Port Stanvac (John Howard); 2012 Clyde (Julia Gillard); 2014 Kurnell and Bulwer Island (Tony Abbott); 2021 Kwinana and Altona (Scott Morrison). Five of the six closed under the Coalitions watch, and Barnaby Joyce was a National Party member from 2005 to 2026. In 2020, Angus Taylor, as energy and emissions minister, signed up for 90 days of Australias oil reserves to be held by the US government in Texas and Louisiana. Be careful who you blame and how you vote or you may well import the type of hatred, vitriol and chaos plaguing the US. Howard Charles, Glebe The 70-year-old Geelong oil refinery was the first of a wave of postwar refineries to come on stream in Australia. Today it is one of just two that remain. Nic Walker For a country that is a net energy exporter, Australia seems to be missing out on the natural hedge that should be helping balance the books. While the oil price rises, it should follow that Australia should be reaping a windfall on liquefied natural gas exports, which could be used in part to offset higher fuel prices at home, or at least dampen price spikes. The answer likely lies in our woeful resource tax system, which allows most energy exporters to pay very little tax for gas exports and engage in practices that exhibit all the hallmarks of transfer pricing to lower tax regimes. For too long, successive Australian governments have skirted their responsibility to get a fair return for the nations natural resources. For that, we all pay. Chris Andrew, Turramurra Politicians now blaming the government for our dependence on foreign oil should acquaint themselves with the history of this issue. Some of us are old enough to remember the COR petrol brand. That fuel was refined and marketed here by Commonwealth Oil Refineries Ltd, a joint venture established in 1920 between the Australian government and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, partly in response to the nations energy vulnerability during World War I. COR built and operated Australias first crude oil refinery, but in 1952 the Menzies government sold the public interest in the company to guess who? the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Eventually, it ended up in the hands of BP. Privatisation doesnt always work out well. David Salter, Hunters Hill Poised for pain Australians in major cities will very soon start to feel the effects of the Middle East crisis (Treasurer warns of 5 per cent inflation if Iran war drags on, March 19). The lifestyle they enjoy begins in rural and regional areas, and the shortage of oil products will become a harsh reality very soon. Supermarket prices and empty shelves will be a reflection of the logistical problems caused by fuel shortages, as well as a lack of fertilisers. Only then will there be a clearer understanding that urban living standards, in fact, begin in regional areas, not in how much your piece of real estate is worth. This lack of understanding is clearly reflected in the closure of the Great Western Highway, the artery into Sydney from a major food bowl, and is yet another example of the state governments misguided spending priorities. Bruce Clydsdale, Bathurst Advertisement Cheaper to drive With a petrol shortage looming, I made the decision to use public transport to reduce my petrol consumption and urged my children to do the same. On Thursday, I travelled 16 kilometres on public transport in off-peak hours, using buses and trains. The cost of my return journey was $16. The same trip would have cost $4 in our hybrid car, including wear and tear and insurance costs (less than a litre of petrol would have been used). So in effect I paid $12 more and the journey took longer, particularly as there were delays. Does the government have no interest in encouraging people to use public transport, especially in this time of war and supply disruption? Sue Childs, Mortdale Public transport sometimes takes longer and costs more than using a car. Edwina Pickles Nature upside-down This week my wife said to me, Look outside, I thought there were chicken feathers stuck in the apple tree but no, its a blossom! That was on Wednesday, March 18 autumn, not spring. Didnt Tony Abbott say climate change wasnt real? And Donald Trump? These are the people we have trusted with world peace, and what a mess they have made. Everything is upside-down. The climate is changing and our planet is suffering, but we continue to wage war regardless. As the tankers and refineries burn, I fear that soon my homeland of Persia will be no more. Ardeshir Gholipour, Michelago Epic fail Thank you, Melanie LaBrooy, for explaining the complexities of Donald Trumps disastrous Operation Epic Fury in comprehensible terms (Trumps Epic Fury is grandiose, as he wanted. But its more of an epic fail, March 19). It was clear from the onset that this unhinged megalomaniac and his enablers were inexcusably ignorant of the potential for Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, to say nothing of the consequences for innocent people the world over. Trump has become increasingly infantile as any chance of resolving the war in his favour fades into the distance. Its more than disturbing to watch a man with immeasurable power behave like a losing contestant in a tacky reality television show who has taken on the wrong opponent, unaware that his real opponents watch, plot and plan on the sidelines. I despair for our future. Donna Wiemann, Balmain Advertisement The quotation If you tell a big lie enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually believe it is generally attributed to Nazi propaganda head Joseph Goebbels, although some historians believe it came from his boss, Adolf Hitler. Either way, anyone paying attention today would surely have worked out that if you tell lies often enough, people will start to think everything you say is probably a lie. This certainly applies to Donald Trump. Your editorial (Australian troops have died for a US lie before. An unhinged Trump wants us to go again, March 19) should be compulsory reading for all our politicians, especially those who still, despite all his lies, support Trump, no matter how disastrous the consequences. Nick Franklin, Katoomba Photo: Cathy Wilcox Your editorial statement that Trump is making it up as he goes is utterly chilling, yet becoming more obvious the more one reads about his illegal war. Sending two negotiators in former property developer Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner to Geneva to deliver Trump and Benjamin Netanyahus agenda for peace was patently absurd. Witkoff has admitted that his knowledge of Irans nuclear program was sketchy, and Kushners previous work in the Middle East resulted only in a report promoting the property development potential of Gaza with its waterfront views. There was no agenda item dealing with the political situation and no nuclear experts were taken along. It appears the negotiators were set up to fail by Netanyahu and Trump, enabling Netanyahu to continue destroying southern Lebanon under the cover of distraction created by the war in Iran. The full story is yet to be told, if it ever is. Bill Johnstone, Blackheath Geraldine Brooks article is a must-read (Shame has sailed but not our ships, March 18). It points out the depravity of Trump and Israels monstrous war on Iran. She clearly summarises their wars stupidity and its economic damage, but even more importantly she writes about the deaths it is causing. Christian America and Jewish Israel both share the sixth commandment thou shalt not kill. Anne Horn, Wangi Wangi Every morning when I wake up I reach for my phone to read the latest news, especially what Trump has uttered or done. Every morning close friends of the family grab their mobiles to see if their relatives in Lebanon are still alive. One of them just found out that her sisters neighbourhood was bombed and her friends young son was killed. Makes my worries seem insignificant. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury Nick Adams with US President Donald Trump. Instagram Should Australian alpha male Nick Adams be congratulated for his appointment by dysfunctional president Trump as ambassador promoting American values (Revealed: Trumps new job for Australian alpha male Nick Adams, March 19)? Mr Adams, heres a warning: If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove North Advertisement Innocence of youth Dear Mr Trump, I would like to raise something for your attention. I know you probably wont even read this letter but its worth a try. I occasionally sit in our family living room while the news is on, so I have always known who you are. Your name rings a bell, and recently the bell its ringing is the wrong one. Out of all courtesy, I feel this war is foolish. For a 12-year-old to realise this while a 79-year-old does not is crazy. Being the compassionate person I am, it hurts to hear that hundreds of people are dying, never knowing what moment is their last. I understand I cannot change the world even though I would love to, but you can. This war is wrong, and deep down you know it. Anyway, Ill get to the point before you get bored. This war has affected my own family because my Nanny and Granddad from England were supposed to come and be with us next month, but their flight has been cancelled and they may not even get their money back. I have not seen them since year 5 of school and now I am in year 7. I have been so excited to finally see them again, to cuddle and kiss them and spend quality time together. The worst bit is my grandparents mean so much to me and I never know when their last day will come. Not being able to see them has left my whole family heartbroken. I hope this letter will stop the war. I know there is only a very small chance of this happening, but I believe it is worth a shot. Tilly (12) Jump to the right I must confess that Im confused by the rush to get on board with One Nation in light of its recent history (Cannibalising Labors vote: One Nations insurgence into NSW, March 19). I would have thought that one of the most important roles of a leader was to keep the team together and on track with the partys policies. Pauline Hanson has constantly failed to herd her cats. Once they see the chaos inside the party room, the vast majority desert the dysfunctional party within a matter of months. Her own state of Queensland gives a perfect case study. In recent years, 16 One Nation candidates have been elected to the state parliament and yet 12 of them resigned from the party in their first term. In NSW, its not much different. Of four elected to parliament, one was expelled from the party and the other three resigned. Theres a theme here that voters should be warned about. The good ship One Nation seems to have had an over-abundance of mutinies. The truth is that when you vote for a One Nation candidate, you end up with an independent who lasts one term. Not my idea of stable government. Charles Hargrave, Elizabeth Bay One Nations support in NSW is said to be rising, which is an unusual result for a party whose sitting members have already left. Most voters would file that under relevant context. A protest vote is one thing; a party unable to retain its own MPs is another. Lynne Strong, Jamberoo Support for Pauline Hansons One Nation is rising in NSW. Nathan Perri Ive had a gutful of voters turning to One Nation because theyve had a gutful. Id like to point out to those who proclaim Pauline says what she thinks that that is nothing special when your thoughts are pure bile and bigotry. For those considering One Nation because the other parties are taking you for granted, wait until you vote for a party that has no coherent policy on anything and whose leader might only turn up for work half the time. And as for being a voice for the Aussie battler, just remember whose private jet Hanson flies around in, and which party has been caught on camera, twice, offering to undermine Australian voting and gun laws in return for US dollars. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn Advertisement Advertisement NationalNSWNSW State Parliament Eighty NSW petrol stations without diesel as price passes $3 a litre Max Maddison March 19, 2026 6:44pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Premier Chris Minns says the effects of limited fuel supplies are being felt across NSW, and about 80 petrol stations were without diesel on Thursday as the cost passed $3 a litre in parts of the state. The average price of petrol rose 5 a litre in 24 hours to $2.38 in Sydney. Minns said independent retailers were especially afflicted by issues accessing regular supply. In Broken Hill, diesel reached 305.9 a litre on Thursday afternoon, while Tibooburra in the far north-west recorded 315.9. Chris Minns has warned against panic buying petrol. Sam Mooy Undeniably, were seeing shortfalls and limited supply in some markets, he said. With no sign of the war in Iran concluding, concerns are growing about a potential fuel supply shortage and a broader hit to the economy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced a new taskforce designed to co-ordinate fuel supply and security between federal, state and territory governments. Advertisement Fuel prices continue to rise after Australia posted its most expensive average weekly petrol price on record (219.5 on Sunday). Related Article Petrol prices The charts that show how the oil shock is worsening and hitting motorists Minns attributed the problems to distribution challenges, as he urged consumers not to purchase more than necessary. This is a disruption. Theres no doubt about it. Its clear there are uncertain times for businesses and families, he said, noting there were about 80 petrol stations without diesel on Thursday and about 40 unable to access petrol. There are about 3000 petrol stations across NSW. As other countries enact policies to conserve fuel supplies, such as Sri Lanka mandating a four-day workweek because of concerns about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, Minns said, as it stands today, Im not proposing radical measures. Advertisement NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said shortages were being driven by demand, rather than supply, as consumers panic-bought. As the ACCC announced an investigation into allegations of anticompetitive behaviour by major fuel suppliers, Khoury urged the federal government to protect independent retailers. Blue Mountains carpenter Jonathan Watson drives 110 kilometres every day and says the fuel price rises are hurting his businesss bottom line. Wolter Peeters It is absolutely critical at this point the federal government does everything possible to protect independents. If we lose independents through this crisis Australia will be worse off in the long term because they are the ones who compete on price, he said. Jonathan Watson, a Blue Mountains carpenter, paid $170 last time he filled up his diesel ute. I dont know what it will be next time, said the 28-year-old, who drives 110 kilometres every day. Bowser prices have placed stress on his bottom line, and he faced hard decisions about his business. On Thursday, he noticed two stations that were out of either petrol or diesel. Advertisement Ricegrowers Association of Australia executive director Graeme Kruger warned diesel shortages would translate into higher prices for consumers. Another perspective Analysis Political leadership The PM is under the pump. This could be as big a political test as COVID Farmers bear the most risks up the whole value chain. The longer this continues, it will lead to an increased cost on supermarket shelves, he said. Are there issues with supply? Yes and no. Farmers began to prepare and plan when we realised this was going to be a problem. There will be a problem in the next three weeks if this continues. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalQueenslandEuthanasia Study finds significant barriers for GPs offering voluntary assisted dying Courtney Kruk March 20, 2026 6:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Queensland doctors need more education and financial incentives to offer voluntary assisted dying, a new study has found, with researchers highlighting significant barriers preventing GPs from taking up the scheme. Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology interviewed 12 GPs from across the state a year after voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws came into effect in 2023. While GPs were generally found to provide compassionate and holistic care to VAD patients, the study revealed many were challenged by the laws application process and training requirements, and were worried about making mistakes. Researchers have published a study exploring general practitioners experiences of voluntary assisted dying in Queensland. (Left to right: Dr Laura Ley Greaves, Dr Rachel Feeney, Emeritus Professor Lindy Willmott and Professor Ben White). Queensland University of Technology Others said they were confused about eligibility requirements, and found the paperwork complex and time-intensive. Advertisement One doctor said they were probably working about double what Im employed in, with time spent on VAD pushing into substantive rural generalist, hospital and personal time. Another doctor said requirements to become an authorised VAD practitioner, such as mandatory training, made it less appealing for GPs who were already managing busy caseloads. It just doesnt reach the threshold of jumping into it unfortunately even if you believe in it, they said. Other GPs pointed to a lack of understanding and education among doctors, particularly junior professionals, about VAD, and called for greater financial incentives to encourage more to become authorised providers. It needs to be funded to ensure the longevity, you cant [keep hoping] that private practices will provide the service when theres no Medicare billing numbers for it, one participant said. Advertisement Related Article Euthanasia The question at the heart of an illegal euthanasia scheme is one Queensland cant answer Lead author and QUT PhD researcher Dr Laura Ley Greaves said Queenslands VAD model was distinct from other states, with about 90 per cent of cases delivered through the public health system. While this ensured statewide access, she said it limited opportunities for community-based GPs to participate. She agreed the absence of clear remuneration and a specific Medicare rebate for VAD participation influenced non-participation in the scheme. The structural barriers havent yet changed, Greaves said. So between the lack of remuneration outside the public system and the time requirements, there is not enough yet to incentivise those that are not already involved to become involved. Advertisement VAD laws have been in effect in Queensland since 2023. The latest annual report for the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board found the demand had grown considerably, with more than 2000 assessed for eligibility between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Of those assessed, 1072 died following the administration of a VAD substance, representing a 35 per cent increase compared to the 12 months prior. Number of authorised practitioners in Queensland between July 2024 and June 2025 Medical practitioners: 226 Nurse practitioners: 26 Registered nurses: 218 The boards chair, Associate Professor Helen Irving, noted the increased demand is being managed by a smaller number of authorised practitioners, with less than 500 in total across all of Queensland including medical practitioners and nurses. Advertisement Irving recommended the government and Queensland Health engage with authorised practitioners and health service leaders to understand barriers to participation, and strategies to support services and enable equitable access. Queenslands VAD legislation, including its eligibility criteria, is due to be reviewed this year. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. A woman found unconscious in a burning home is in a critical condition in hospital after two teenagers were forced to smash a window to flee the blaze in Melbournes north. Emergency services were called to a home on Correll Way in Roxburgh Park about 7.30am on Thursday after reports of a house fire. Teenagers smashed through a window to escape a burning home. Nine News Fire Rescue Victoria said a smoke alarm alerted the two teenagers to the blaze in their single-storey home, and they managed to break a window and flee the smoke-filled building. They also made the call to Triple Zero indicating that one other occupant was still in the home, FRV said. PHILIPSBURG:--- The NAPB Police Union reiterates its urgent call to the Government of Sint Maarten, particularly the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Finance, to immediately reinstate full Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage for all officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force. The serious incident that occurred on March 19, 2026, in which three officers were gravely injured while responding to a robbery in progress, is a painful reminder of the dangers officers face every day in the line of duty. These men and women put their lives on the line without hesitation to protect the community. Police officers require comprehensive AD&D insurance coverage that provides immediate and adequate financial protection to them and their families in the event of death or life-altering injuries sustained in the line of duty. Relying solely on smartengeld (compensation after the fact) is insufficient and fails to provide the level of security and assurance that officers deserve. Smartengeld is often subject to lengthy procedures, legal uncertainties, and discretionary determinations. It does not replace the certainty and structured protection that a full insurance policy guarantees. Officers should not have to rely on post-incident compensation mechanisms when proactive, properly structured insurance coverage is in place. NAPB Sint Maarten, therefore, calls on the Government to: * Reinstate full Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance coverage without delay; * Ensure that coverage reflects the high-risk nature of police work; and * Engage in meaningful dialogue with the Union to secure long-term protections for all officers. Our officers continue to serve with courage and dedication. It is the Governments responsibility to ensure that when the worst happens, those who protect the community and their families are fully protected in return. MOSCOW, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia expects the Russia-U.S.-Ukraine negotiations over the Ukraine issue to resume once the United States is able to devote more attention to the matter, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media on Thursday. Peskov said that the work of the Russia-U.S.-Ukraine trilateral working group on security issues is currently suspended. "This is a temporary pause for understandable reasons," he said when asked how long the trilateral talks might be put on hold. "Therefore, as soon as the opportunity arises, and the schedules of all three sides are aligned, above all those of our U.S. mediators, once they are able to devote more attention to the Ukraine issue, we hope that this pause will be lifted and that we can resume the next round of trilateral negotiations," Peskov said. Pro-Iran Iraqi armed group says will stop US embassy attacks, under conditions Baghdad, March 18 (AFP) Mar 18, 2026 An influential pro-Iranian armed group in Iraq pledged early Thursday to stop attacking the US embassy for five days, subject to several conditions including that Israel stop strikes on parts of Beirut. AFP reported no drone or rocket attacks so far on the US embassy in Iraq's capital Baghdad between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The country has been unwillingly drawn into the regional conflict triggered by the US-Israel attack on its neighbour Iran on February 28. Strikes have targeted Iran-backed groups, which in turn have claimed near daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region. Kataeb Hezbollah said the group's secretary-general had "issued orders to suspend operations targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for a period of five days". In a statement the Iran-backed group -- designated by Washington as a "terrorist organisation" -- stipulated several conditions, including Israel "ceasing its bombardment" of southern Beirut suburbs, and "a commitment to refrain from bombing residential areas in Baghdad and other provinces". Whenever "the enemy violates" the truce "the response will be immediate", it said, warning of an "escalation of strikes" after the five-day period. The US embassy has been targeted by drone and rocket attacks several times in recent days, with air defences intercepting most of the projectiles. A US diplomatic and logistics centre at Baghdad International Airport, which houses military personnel, has also been regularly targeted. AFP journalists reported Wednesday morning at least four explosions in the city of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region. It was unclear what the target was and the projectiles were intercepted over the city, home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses US-led coalition troops. And a strike near Iraq's western border with Syria on Wednesday killed three fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, the alliance said. The fighters from the alliance -- also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), now part of Iraq's regular armed forces -- were hit in a US or Israeli strike that targeted their main command centre in Anbar province. Pro-Iran factions also have brigades that operate within the alliance, but have a reputation for acting on their own. - Gas stoppage - The war has also battered Iraq's already fragile economy. The country's gas imports from Iran were halted on Wednesday, authorities said, the cutoff coming as Baghdad barely had time to celebrate a deal to export a fraction of its oil production through Turkey after disruptions to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The electricity ministry's spokesperson Ahmed Moussa told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "due to regional developments, Iranian gas supplies to Iraq completely halted an hour ago," cutting about 3,100 megawatts of power, which will "certainly affect the grid". He sought, however, to calm fears of more frequent blackouts, saying the ministry will instead use "alternative fuels and domestic gas reserves". News of the gas stoppage came after Tehran denounced a US-Israeli strike on Iranian facilities exploiting the vast South Pars/North Dome gas field. Despite its abundant oil and gas reserves, Iraq's power plants are highly dependent on gas imported from Iran, which supplies about a third of the country's needs. Electricity shortages are already a frequent complaint in Iraq, which suffers from endemic corruption and dilapidated public infrastructure. Most households rely on private generators to compensate for daily power cuts. Early Wednesday, Iraq said it resumed oil exports from its fields in the northern province of Kirkuk in agreement with the autonomous Kurdistan Region, through which the pipeline to Turkey's port of Ceyhan runs. But it will export 250,000 barrels per day, only a fraction of the 3.5 million before the war. However, Iraq, whose crude sales make up 90 percent of its foreign revenue, had few options after Iran effectively shuttered the Strait of Hormuz, through which Iraq previously shipped most of its oil from the southern Basra fields. Abu Dhabi closes gas facility due to falling missile debris Dubai, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Abu Dhabi has shut down operations at a gas facility due to falling debris from missile interceptions, the Emirati capital's media office said on Thursday. "Abu Dhabi authorities are responding to incidents at the Habshan gas facilities and at the Bab (oil) field caused by falling debris from the successful interception of missiles," Abu Dhabi's media office posted on X. "The gas facilities have been shut down," it said, adding no injuries had been reported. The United Arab Emirates' foreign ministry expressed "strong condemnation" of the attack, which it blamed on Iran. "These attacks constitute a serious escalation and a violation of the principles of international law," the ministry said in a statement posted on X. Iran warned on Wednesday that it would destroy Gulf nations' oil and gas industries, which it considers American interests, if its own energy sector is harmed again following a strike on its South Pars field, the world's largest gas reserve. Qatar says Iran missile attack on main gas hub causes damage Doha, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 An Iranian missile attack caused damage at Qatar's main gas facility on its north coast, the defence ministry said on Thursday. The "State of Qatar was attacked (by) ballistic missiles, from Iran, which targeted Ras Laffan Industrial City and caused damages", the Qatari defence ministry posted on X. Qatar had said overnight that attacks on the gas facility were a "direct threat" to its national security. Saudi Arabia reserves 'right to take military actions' over Iran attacks: FM Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Saudi Arabia has not ruled out military action in response to repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters following a meeting in Riyadh of foreign ministers from the region, Prince Faisal said that Iran "tries to pressure its neighbours" with attacks. "The kingdom is not going to succumb to pressure, and on the contrary, this pressure will backfire... and certainly, as we have stated quite clearly, we have reserved the right to take military actions if deemed necessary," he said. Saudi Arabia reported more Iranian attacks on Wednesday, as the foreign minister hosted his counterparts from about a dozen Arab and Islamic countries for talks on the fallout from the Middle East war. Several strong blasts were heard in the Saudi capital on Wednesday, according to AFP journalists, while the defence ministry said it had intercepted ballistic missiles. "The targeting of Riyadh while a number of diplomats are meeting... I think that's the clearest signal of how Iran feels about diplomacy," Prince Faisal said. "It doesn't believe in talking to its neighbours." The Saudi foreign minister condemned the repeated "targeting of civilian sites" across the Gulf, dismissing Iran's justification that it was targeting US interests in the region as "weak". "Neither Saudi Arabia nor the Gulf states would accept... blackmail, and escalation will be met with escalation," he said. A joint statement from the foreign ministers' meeting in Riyadh condemned "the deliberate use of ballistic missiles and drones targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential facilities and diplomatic missions". The ministers "affirmed that such attacks cannot be justified under any circumstances and reiterated the right of states to defend themselves", the statement added, calling on Iran to "immediately cease its attacks" and de-escalate tensions. Iranian strikes cause extensive damage at major Qatar gas hub Doha, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Two waves of Iranian strikes caused "extensive damage" at Qatar's main gas hub, the country's state-run energy firm said on Thursday, with President Donald Trump warning Iran against further attacks on the facility. Iran had vowed to target energy infrastructure across the Gulf after a strike that Trump said was carried out by Israel on Iranian facilities at South Pars field, Iran's part of the world's largest known gas reserve. Missile strikes on the Ras Laffan Industrial City on Qatar's north coast on Wednesday caused damage to a gas-to-liquids facility and early on Thursday sparked "sizeable fires and extensive further damage" to several liquified natural gas facilities, QatarEnergy said in a statement. Qatar's interior ministry said crews brought all fires under control at the Ras Laffan site, without reporting any injuries. The country's defence ministry said Qatar was attacked by ballistic missiles from Iran, targeting the energy hub. While the UK maritime agency reported on Thursday that a projectile hit a vessel near Ras Laffan and that all crew were safe. Qatar is one of the world's top liquefied natural gas producers, alongside the United States, Australia and Russia. Trump on his Truth Social platform threatened to "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field" if any further attacks took place at Ras Laffan. He said Israel was responsible for the strike on South Pars. Israel's government has not commented. The Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's reprisals for the US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war in late February, with Tehran targeting US assets as well as striking energy facilities. The feared energy shock caused by the war has shaken international markets and pushed up prices globally. Oil prices surged more than 5 percent on Thursday on supply concerns and stocks sank as news of the attacks on Gulf energy facilities spooked investors. Qatari authorities said there were no reports of injuries from the Ras Laffan attacks, which caused a vast fire that illuminated the night sky and could be seen from roughly 30 kilometres aware, an AFP journalist reported. In a statement after the first wave of strikes, Qatar's foreign ministry condemned what it called a "brutal Iranian attack targeting Ras Laffan" saying the targeting represented a "direct threat to its national security". Later, the ministry said Iran's military and security attaches and their staff had been ordered to leave the country within 24 hours. - 'Will not stop' - The latest wave of threats to crucial Gulf energy infrastructure was sparked by the strike on Iranian facilities in the South Pars, an extension of the gas field that it shares with Qatar. Israeli authorities have not commented since Trump posted on social media that Israel had carried it out the strike, which take place on Wednesday. Iran warned in response it would destroy Gulf energy infrastructure if further strikes hit its own energy sector, state media reported. "We warn you once again that you made a big mistake in attacking the energy infrastructure of the Islamic republic," the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by Iranian media. Iran launched fresh salvos of drones and missiles towards the Gulf states on Wednesday evening with several strong blasts heard in the Saudi capital Riyadh, according to AFP journalists, and a missile threat intercepted in the UAE, according to authorities. Four people were injured when shrapnel from a ballistic missile interception fell on a residential area of the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, the civil defence said. Riyadh's defence ministry said it intercepted four ballistic missiles on Wednesday with a fragment falling near a refinery south of the Saudi capital. Multiple drones were also intercepted and destroyed as they headed towards Saudi gas facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province. Earlier, Qatar had condemned the attacks on Iran's gas facilities calling them "dangerous and irresponsible". Foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari warned that: "Targeting energy infrastructure constitutes a threat to global energy security, to the peoples of the region, and to its environment." In a rare rebuke, the UAE also criticised the targeting of the Iranian facilities as a "dangerous escalation". "Targeting energy infrastructure poses a direct threat to global energy security," Abu Dhabi's foreign ministry said in a statement. csp/dc/ceg/jm Iran hangs three convicted of killing police in recent unrest: judiciary Tehran, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Iran executed three people on Thursday convicted of killing police officers and carrying out operations in favour of the United States and Israel during unrest earlier this year, the judiciary said. These would be the first officially announced executions related to the protests which broke out in Iran late December against the rising cost of living before morphing into nationwide anti-government demonstrations that peaked on January 8 and 9. "Three individuals convicted in the Dey (January) unrest, on charges of murder and operational actions in favour of the Zionist regime and the United States, were hanged this morning," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said. The individuals were involved in the killing of two law enforcement personnel, Mizan said, adding that their execution was carried out after they were found guilty of the capital offence of "moharebeh", or "waging war against God". Iranian authorities said the protests began in late December as peaceful demonstrations before turning into "foreign-instigated riots" involving killings and vandalism. Tehran has acknowledged that more than 3,000 people died during the unrest, including members of the security forces and innocent bystanders, and attributed the violence to "terrorist acts". The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), however, has recorded more than 7,000 killings, with the vast majority protesters, while warning the toll could be far higher. Trump threatens to destroy Iran's largest gas field Doha, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 US President Donald Trump threatened to "massively blow up" a vast Iranian gas field unless Tehran stops striking Qatari energy facilities, which sustained extensive damage Thursday. Crude oil prices surged five percent as the latest strikes fed fears that the nearly three-week-old Middle East war could inflict lasting damage on global energy supplies. Tehran has carried out a series of attacks on Gulf energy sites, including on Qatar's huge Ras Laffan LNG facility, in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field -- part of the world's largest natural gas reservoir. Trump called in a social media post for strikes on both Iranian and Qatari energy sites to halt. Washington "knew nothing" of Israel's earlier attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, he said, vowing that "NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL" on the site if Tehran stops attacking Qatar. But if Iran did not comply, the United States would "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field", Trump warned. - 'Extensive damage' - Energy prices have already spiralled since tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a fifth of the world's oil, was brought to a near standstill by the threat of Iranian attacks. Since launching the war on Iran on February 28, US and Israeli forces have depleted the Islamic republic's leadership in a string of strikes, the latest killing intelligence chief Esmail Khatib. Thousands of people have been reported killed in Iran by the US-Israeli strikes, but Tehran is still unleashing missile and drone attacks across the Middle East while throttling oil supplies. Qatar's state energy company said firefighters managed to contain several blazes caused by Iranian missile attacks on its Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility. Saudi Arabia said it reserved the "right to take military actions" after intercepting drones targeting energy infrastructure in the east, while debris from a ballistic missile landed near a refinery south of Riyadh. - 'Blood comes at a price' - An Iranian missile barrage killed a Thai foreign worker in central Israel, Israeli medics and Thailand's foreign ministry said, bringing the death toll in the country to 15. Missile debris also killed three Palestinian women in the occupied West Bank, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said. French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken to Trump and the Emir of Qatar, and called for a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure. The killing of Iran's intelligence chief, Khatib, followed the assassination of security chief Ali Larijani, as Israel pressed a campaign to eliminate senior Iranian officials. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Khatib's killing as a "cowardly assassination", while the country's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed retaliation. "Every drop of spilled blood comes at a price," he said in a written message. Khamenei has not appeared in public since taking power after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in the opening strikes of the war. - 'Largely degraded' - In Washington, US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard told Congress the Iranian government remained "intact but largely degraded", while also acknowledging Tehran had not resumed nuclear enrichment. Lebanon has been drawn into the conflict since the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel over Ali Khamenei's death. Israeli strikes hit central Beirut multiple times on Wednesday, with casualties reported, as fighting with Hezbollah intensified. A line of cars stretched as far as the eye could see along the country's southern coast as residents of affected areas fled to the ancient city of Sidon in search of safety. One man, Nidal Ahmad Chokr, said he initially intended to stay put but finally decided on Tuesday to leave his village of Jibchit, as the air strikes intensified. - Died making bread- "Bakers died while making bread" in the village square and "municipal workers were martyred while using bulldozers", the 55-year-old said. France's foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot is to travel to Lebanon on Thursday, in a visit that the ministry said "underlines France's support and solidarity with the Lebanese people, dragged into a war they didn't choose". In Iraq, the pro-Iranian armed group Kataeb Hezbollah said it would halt attacks on the US embassy for five days, setting conditions including an end to Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and a halt to attacks on residential areas in Iraq. AFP reported no drone or rocket fire targeting the US embassy in Baghdad from Wednesday night through Thursday morning. bur-djw/hmn Iran missile fire kills 3 Palestinians in West Bank, foreign worker in Israel Jerusalem, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Iranian missile attacks have killed three Palestinian women in the occupied West Bank and a foreign worker in central Israel, medics said Thursday. Falling shrapnel struck a hair salon in the West Bank town of Beit Awa near Hebron late Wednesday, killing the three women, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, marking the first Palestinian deaths from Iranian attacks in the ongoing Middle East war. The victims include 17-year-old Mays Ghazi Masalmeh, according to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa. The Red Crescent said at least eight others were wounded, including one woman in critical condition. Wafa reported that the salon had been set up in a metal caravan next to a house. AFP images showed civil defence workers inside the caravan, whose roof appeared to be punctured by the falling munition. A rug and bed sheets were covered in blood. The news agency said missile fragments landed in multiple locations across the West Bank, including within the city of Hebron, after Israel's military reported another round of Iranian missile launches. A short while later, Israeli medics said Iranian missile fire had killed a man in central Israel, bringing the death toll in Israel from attacks during the ongoing war to 15. Israel's Magen David Adom medical emergency service described the victim as a "foreign worker", with Israeli media reports saying he was a Thai national working in agriculture. Thailand's foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday the death of a Thai agricultural worker, citing information from Israeli officials. He was killed in Moshav Adanim, a town about 20 kilometres (12 miles) northeast of Tel Aviv and less then eight kilometres from the West Bank, according to the Israeli medical service. A statement from Magen David Adom quoted its medic Idan Shina as saying "metal shrapnel was scattered across the scene", where the man was found dead with "severe shrapnel injuries". The Israeli military earlier said it had identified a round of missile fire from Iran, which it was "operating to intercept". Since that attack, the military reported several more waves of Iranian attacks, triggering air raid alerts across parts of central and northern Israel as well as in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had launched missiles and drones at targets across Israel, according to a statement carried by Iranian news agencies Fars and ISNA. Israeli media said some of the overnight barrages saw the use of cluster munitions, which explode mid-air and scatter bomblets across a wide area. Iran and Israel have previously accused each other of using cluster bombs. Palestinian vice president Hussein al-Sheikh received a phone call from the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to condemn the deadly Iranian missile attack, according to UAE state media. The UAE itself has suffered numerous Iranian attacks since the war began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a massive wave of strikes on Iran. Iran causes 'extensive' damage to Qatar gas hub, sparks Trump warning Doha, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Qatar reported "extensive" damage on Thursday to the site of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility following Iranian strikes, sparking fears for global energy supplies and fresh threats from Donald Trump against Iran. Tehran carried out attacks on Qatar's huge Ras Laffan LNG facility in retaliation for an Israeli strike Wednesday on Iran's South Pars gas field, part of the world's largest natural gas reservoir. Oil prices soared five percent and European gas jumped by 35 percent on Thursday on fresh concerns about the impact on energy supplies of the nearly three-week-old Middle East war. US President Donald Trump warned Iran to stop attacks on Qatar, threatening to "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field". In a post on social media, he said Washington "knew nothing" about the Israeli attack on South Pars, saying it had "violently lashed out" in "anger". He said that "no more attacks will be made by Israel" on South Pars unless Iran continues to attack Qatar, in which case the United States "will massively blow up the entirety" of the gas field. - Significant escalation - Qatar is one of the world's top liquefied natural gas producers, alongside the United States, Australia and Russia, and its Ras Laffan facility is the world's largest LNG hub. It has been repeatedly targeted by Iran since the war began, and state-run QatarEnergy said Thursday that two waves of Iranian strikes had caused "sizeable fires and extensive further damage" to several LNG facilities. Energy prices have already spiralled since tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a fifth of the world's oil and LNG, was brought to a near standstill by the threat of Iranian attacks. But analysts said the targeting of energy production facilities, not just storage depots and transport, is on a different scale. The attack on Qatar's hub "marks a significant escalation in the Middle East war," Theresa Fallon, director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies, wrote on X. "The economic effect will likely be felt for years." The United States and Israel began the war on February 28 by attacking Iran and killing its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with strikes against Israel and US allies and interests across the Gulf and Iraq, drawing the whole region into war. Gulf nations had strongly criticised the attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, which supplies around 70 percent of the country's domestic natural gas. It is also part of the South Pars/North Dome megafield, the largest known gas reserve in the world that is shared with Qatar. Qatar called the attack "dangerous and irresponsible", while the United Arab Emirates offered a rare rebuke, calling it a "dangerous escalation". "Targeting energy infrastructure poses a direct threat to global energy security," the UAE foreign ministry said. After Iran's attack on its Ras Laffan hub, Qatar ordered Iran's military and security attaches along with their staff to leave the country. Elsewhere, Kuwait on Thursday reported drone attacks on two oil refineries, while Saudi Arabia said it reserved the "right to take military actions" after intercepting drones targeting energy infrastructure in the east. - 'Blood comes at a price' - After killing Iran's supreme leader, Israel this week claimed the lives of several other members of the Islamic republic's leadership, including national security chief Ali Larijani and intelligence chief Esmail Khatib. China on Thursday condemned Larijani's death, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying "killing Iranian state leaders and attacking civilian targets" was "unacceptable". New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since he was appointed to succeed his slain father, vowed retaliation. "Every drop of spilled blood comes at a price, and the criminal murderers of these martyrs will soon have to pay it," read a message posted late Wednesday on Mojtaba Khamenei's official Telegram channel. A US-based rights group has reported more than 3,000 people killed in Iran by the US-Israeli strikes, a figure that could not be independently verified, but Tehran is still unleashing missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. An Iranian missile barrage killed a Thai foreign worker in central Israel, Israeli medics and Thailand's foreign ministry said, bringing the death toll in the country to 15. Missile debris also killed three Palestinian women in the occupied West Bank, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said. - 'Largely degraded' - In Washington, US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard told Congress the Iranian government remained "intact but largely degraded", while also acknowledging Tehran had not resumed nuclear enrichment. The death toll rose meanwhile in Lebanon, which has been drawn into the conflict since the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel over Ali Khamenei's death. Israeli strikes hit central Beirut multiple times on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people according to Lebanese authorities, as fighting with Hezbollah intensified. A line of cars stretched as far as the eye could see along the country's southern coast as residents of affected areas fled to the ancient city of Sidon in search of safety. One man, Nidal Ahmad Chokr, said he initially intended to stay put but finally decided on Tuesday to leave his village of Jibchit, as the air strikes intensified. "Bakers died while making bread" in the village square and "municipal workers were martyred while using bulldozers", the 55-year-old said. burs-ar/ser BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China calls on the Japanese side to reflect on and correct its mistakes, change its course, and refrain from going further down the wrong path, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Thursday. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing, in response to a query about a report issued by U.S. intelligence agencies. According to the report, Japan has shown a significant shift from its previous rhetoric on Taiwan. However, the Japanese government said its position on how it determines an existential threat has not changed. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs, revealed Japan's ambition of attempting armed intervention in the Taiwan question, and threatened the use of force against China, Lin said, adding that China has repeatedly stated its solemn position in this regard. The report indicates that the international community is increasingly aware of the malicious nature and impact of Takaichi's remarks, and remains vigilant in light of the dangerous moves revealing Japan's active provocation, said the spokesperson. He noted that it is hard for Japan to justify itself, and win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community, by merely claiming that its position has not changed. "China urges the Japanese side to reflect on and correct its mistakes, change its course, take concrete actions to implement the four political documents between China and Japan, stick to its own commitments, abide by the pacifist provisions in the Japanese Constitution, and not to go further down the wrong path," Lin said. China calls killing of Iran's Larijani, leaders 'unacceptable' Beijing, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 China condemned on Thursday the killing of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani by an Israeli air strike, calling it "unacceptable". Beijing is a partner of Iran but has also criticised Tehran's strikes against Gulf states housing US military bases. Larijani was the highest-profile Iranian killed since supreme leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures died during a wave of US and Israeli strikes when the war started on February 28. "We have always opposed the use of force in international relations. The acts of killing Iranian state leaders and attacking civilian targets are even more unacceptable," China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news conference when asked about Larijani's death. "China urges the parties concerned to immediately cease military operations and prevent the regional situation from spiralling out of control", Lin said. Beijing has sought to mediate in the war, with its special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, travelling across the region this month to meet top officials. His trip included stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt. Zhai emphasised during his visits that "non-military targets should not be attacked, and the safety of shipping lanes should not be disturbed", according to spokesman Lin. The envoy's trips were "one part of China's intensive diplomatic efforts" in the Middle East, Lin said, adding that Beijing's "diplomatic mediation efforts will not cease as long as the conflict continues". China's foreign ministry said this week that Beijing would provide humanitarian assistance to Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Iran hits Saudi, Kuwaiti oil refineries in latest attacks Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Drones struck a Saudi oil refinery on the Red Sea and caused fires at two others in Kuwait as Iran stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure on Thursday. Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said a drone crashed into the Samref refinery in the industrial zone of the Red Sea port of Yanbu, adding that damage assessment was underway. Yanbu is the destination of Petroline, the overland oil pipeline that gives Saudi exports an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz -- currently choked off by Iran. Thursday's attacks follow major damage at the world's biggest gas hub, Qatar's Ras Laffan, on Wednesday as Iran retaliated for Israeli strikes on its South Pars gas field. In Kuwait, drone attacks sparked blazes at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries, which have a combined capacity of 800,000 barrels per day. The state Kuwait National Petroleum Company later said the fires were contained. Saudi Arabia's Samref refinery can process about 400,000 barrels of crude per day. Oil prices have surged during the nearly three-week Middle East war, with the benchmark Brent crude topping $115 on Thursday. burs/saa/th/amj Iran MPs propose tolls on shipping through Strait of Hormuz: media Tehran, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Iranian lawmakers have proposed a plan to impose tolls and taxes on ships passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, local media reported on Thursday. Officials have said shipping conditions through the waterway will not return to those from before the Middle East war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. "We in parliament are pursuing a plan under which countries will pay tolls and taxes to the Islamic republic if the Strait of Hormuz is used as a secure route for transit, energy and food security," Tehran lawmaker Somayeh Rafiei was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency. "The security of the strait will be established with strength, authority and grandeur by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and countries must pay a tax in return," she said. Traffic through the vital strait has been brought to a near-standstill since the start of the war. Iranian forces have attacked multiple vessels, saying they failed to heed "warnings" against transiting the waterway. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday that maritime traffic would "not return to its pre-war status". In recent days, Iran has allowed some vessels from countries it considers friendly to pass, while warning it would block ships from countries it says have joined the "aggression" against it. Maritime intelligence firm Windward said in an analysis on Tuesday that at least five ships exited the strait via Iranian waters on March 15 and 16. A message from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei also said "the lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely be used". The strategic locations along Iran's southern coast Paris, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Iran's southern coast, stretching from Pakistan to Iraq, enables Tehran to project its power from the Indian Ocean across the entire Gulf, notably thanks to a series of fortified islets. Iranian military sites have been targeted since the start of the US-Israeli war with a view to degrading the Islamic republic's forces, including its navy. On Tuesday, the United States announced that it had "successfully" bombed Iranian anti-ship missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz after previously targeting warships and mine-laying vessels. Here is an overview of the key points along Iran's coast: - Major ports - Bandar Abbas is the main city in southern Iran, with nearly 700,000 inhabitants. Thanks to its location on the Strait of Hormuz, the capital of Hormozgan province is the nerve centre for trade between Iran and Gulf countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Smuggling using fast boats has developed there since Iran came under international sanctions. As the main base of the Iranian navy, Bandar Abbas has been heavily targeted since the start of the war. A significant uranium mine, Gachin, is located around 15 kilometres (10 miles) away. Among the other important ports is Chabahar, near the Pakistani border, which is crucial for trade with Asia, particularly India. Jask, on the Gulf of Oman, is a hydrocarbons and gas hub that allows Iran to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. A naval and air base is located nearby. In the northern Gulf lies Bandar Khomeini, next to which "there are probably air and anti-ship missile installations extending to the Iraqi border", according to Pierre Razoux, research director at the Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies (FMES) think-tank. - Energy centres - The coastal city of Bushehr, in the northern Gulf, hosts Iran's only civilian nuclear power plant, with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday that the plant had been hit on Tuesday evening by a "projectile" that caused no damage to the infrastructure and no injuries. With naval and air bases, Bushehr ensures Iran's security in the northern Gulf. Further south, the port of Bandar Kangan services the vast South Pars gas field, part of a reservoir Iran shares with Qatar. In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran signed a contract with Russia in 2025 to build in Sirik a complex of four power plants with a combined capacity of 5,000 megawatts, according to the official news agency IRNA. - Islands - The largest island in the Gulf, Qeshm, stretches for about 100 kilometres in the Strait of Hormuz. It is a popular tourist destination for Iranians thanks to its UNESCO-listed geological heritage, beaches, mangroves and relaxed atmosphere, but is also believed to be a major military outpost. Iran accused the United States of attacking a desalination plant there on March 7 in what it called a "blatant and desperate crime". The port of Qeshm is one of the entry points for goods coming from the United Arab Emirates. Nearby are the small islands of Hormuz and Larak, largely militarised. Further north, the island of Kish is popular with Iranian holidaymakers for its beaches, luxury hotels and shopping centres. Some islands are crucial for Iranian oil flows, such as Lavan and especially Kharg, which is heavily fortified and through which most of Iran's oil passes. The United States says it has bombed military installations there. - Disputed islets - Iran occupies three islets -- Lesser Tunb, Greater Tunb and Abu Musa -- in the middle of the Gulf, which are also claimed by the United Arab Emirates. Along with another islet, Siri, "these islands are bunkerised, turned into mini-fortresses with anti-ship missiles". said Razoux. Tehran has stationed contingents there from the Revolutionary Guards' naval forces, which in 2025 deployed new missile systems capable of targeting nearby "enemy bases, ships and equipment", Iranian media reported. If these islets were "controlled by the United States, it would prevent the Iranians from using them for offensive purposes against maritime traffic", Razoux added. FBI probing counterterrorism official who quit over Iran war: reports Washington, United States, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 The FBI was investigating allegations of leaking classified information against an ex-senior US counterterrorism official who quit in protest of the Iran war, US media reported Wednesday. The probe predated Joseph Kent's shock departure on Tuesday as director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), reported outlets including the New York Times and CBS, both citing unnamed sources. In his resignation letter to US President Donald Trump, Kent wrote that "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." A source told news website Semafor that the investigation was "months-long". The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an interview with right-wing broadcaster Tucker Carlson posted late Wednesday, 45-year-old Kent doubled down on his view that Iran was not an imminent threat to the United States. "There was no intelligence that said, 'Hey, on whatever day it was... the Iranians are going to launch this big sneak attack. They're going to do some kind of a 9/11 Pearl Harbor,'" said Kent, a ex-special forces soldier. He said Israel "drove the decision" to go to war, with the United States knowing that the Iranians would retaliate. "I think that it's fine that we offer defense to Israel. But when we're providing the means for their defense, we get to dictate the terms of when they go on the offensive," he added. Kent was appointed by Trump to head the NCTC, where he worked under Tulsi Gabbard to analyze and coordinate the US response to terrorist threats and served as the principal counterterrorism adviser to the president. On Tuesday, the Republican president accused Kent of being "very weak on security" and said it's a "good thing that he's out." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against what she called "false claims" in Kent's resignation letter, calling "insulting and laughable" the suggestion that the decision to go to war was made "based on the influence of others." "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. War in the Middle East: latest developments Paris, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war: - Oil prices soar - Oil prices surged 10 percent after Qatar reported "extensive" damage to the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility following Iranian strikes, sparking fears for global energy supplies. The price of European gas also jumped 35 percent after Tehran carried out attacks on Qatar's huge Ras Laffan LNG facility. - Iran warning, Hormuz toll - Iran again threatened to destroy region's energy infrastructure if its own facilities are attacked, and Iranian lawmakers proposed a plan to impose tolls and taxes on ships passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Traffic through the vital strait has been brought to a near-standstill since the start of the war. - Saudi, Kuwait refineries hit - Drones struck a Saudi oil refinery on the Red Sea and caused fires at two others in Kuwait as Iran stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said a drone crashed into the Samref refinery in the industrial zone of the Red Sea port of Yanbu, adding that damage assessment was underway. Yanbu is the destination of Petroline, the overland oil pipeline that gives Saudi exports an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz -- currently choked off by Iran. In Kuwait, drone attacks sparked blazes at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries, which have a combined capacity of 800,000 barrels per day. The state Kuwait National Petroleum Company later said the fires were contained. - China slams Israel - China condemned as "unacceptable" the killing of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani by an Israeli air strike. "We have always opposed the use of force in international relations. The acts of killing Iranian state leaders and attacking civilian targets are even more unacceptable," China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian. - Two deaths in Iraq - The former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi in northern Iraq said two of its fighters were killed in the Nineveh region, where Mosul is located, and an airport in Salah al-Din province targeted in two strikes. The Popular Mobilisation Forces blamed the attack on Israel and the United States. - Iran executions - Iran executed three people convicted of killing police officers and carrying out operations in favour of the United States and Israel during unrest earlier this year, the judiciary said. - Qatar contains gas hub fires - Qatari civil defence teams have contained fires that erupted at a major gas facility following an Iranian attack, the interior ministry said. "Civil Defence has fully brought all fires under control in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area without any reported injuries. Cooling and sites-securing operations are still ongoing," it said. Qatar's state-run energy firm said the strikes hit several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities and caused "extensive" damage. - 'Not going to succumb' - Saudi Arabia has not ruled out military action in response to repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said. "The kingdom is not going to succumb to pressure, and on the contrary, this pressure will backfire... and certainly, as we have stated quite clearly, we have reserved the right to take military actions if deemed necessary," he said. - Cathay suspends Dubai, Riyadh flights - Hong Kong aviation giant Cathay Pacific has suspended flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until the end of April over the Middle East war. burs-ach/ CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS Energy prices soar, Iran and US trade threats after Qatar gas hit Doha, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Oil and gas prices soared Thursday after Iran hit the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar and threatened to destroy the region's energy infrastructure, and Donald Trump warned of a furious US response if such attacks continued. International benchmark Brent surged 10 percent before falling back while European gas rose 35 percent after Iran attacked Qatar's huge Ras Laffan LNG facility in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field. Trump, whose country started the war alongside Israel with their attack on Iran on February 28, said Washington did not know about the strike on South Pars. But he warned the United States would itself "blow up" the Iranian gas field if Tehran did not stop attacking Qatar. Iran's military responded Thursday with defiance, saying it had been a "major mistake" to hit South Pars, which supplies around 70 percent of the country's domestic natural gas. "If it is repeated, subsequent attacks against your energy infrastructure and that of your allies will not stop until their complete destruction, and our response will be far more severe," operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya said in a statement carried by Fars news agency. - 'Lasting impact' - Qatar is one of the world's top liquefied natural gas producers, alongside the United States, Australia and Russia, and its Ras Laffan facility is the world's largest LNG hub. It has been repeatedly targeted by Iran since the war began, and state-run QatarEnergy said Thursday that two waves of Iranian strikes had caused "sizeable fires and extensive further damage" to several LNG facilities. Energy prices had already spiralled since tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a fifth of the world's oil and LNG, was brought to a near standstill by the threat of Iranian attacks. But analysts said the targeting of energy production facilities, not just storage depots and transport, is on a different scale. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Thursday the "reckless escalation", warning that if Middle Eastern energy "production capacities themselves are destroyed, this war will have a much more lasting impact". He called for "direct talks between the Americans and Iranians on this matter". Theresa Fallon, director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies, said the economic effect of the gas hub attacks "will likely be felt for years". Gulf nations had strongly criticised the attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, which is part of the South Pars/North Dome megafield, the largest known gas reserve in the world that is shared with Qatar. In a rare rebuke of the US and Israel, the United Arab Emirates said that targeting energy infrastructure poses a "direct threat to global energy security". They also hit out at Iran's retaliation in a war that has spilled out across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia said Thursday it reserved the "right to take military actions" if necessary after repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran. The defence ministry said a drone crashed into the Samref refinery in the industrial zone of the Red Sea port of Yanbu, adding that damage assessment was underway. Qatar meanwhile ordered Iran's military and security attaches along with their staff to leave the country. Strikes were also reported Thursday on energy infrastructure in Kuwait, where two oil refineries were hit by drones. - 'War of attrition' - Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei earlier vowed retaliation for Israel's attack on its gas facilities. "Every drop of spilled blood comes at a price, and the criminal murderers of these martyrs will soon have to pay it," read a message posted late Wednesday on Mojtaba Khamenei's official Telegram channel. He has not been seen in public since he was appointed to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by the US and Israeli at the start of the war. Israel this week also killed national security chief Ali Larijani and intelligence chief Esmail Khatib as part of a long-standing strategy to take out their enemies' leaders. Yet Tehran is still unleashing attacks across the Middle East. US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard told Congress the Iranian government remained "intact but largely degraded". "The conflict is drifting into a war of attrition -- with no clear signs of regime collapse in Iran," said Danny Citrinowicz, a senior fellow at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, on X. - Thousands killed - A US-based rights group has reported more than 3,000 people killed in Iran by the US-Israeli strikes, a figure that could not be independently verified. In the Iranian capital on Thursday, there was little to suggest a country mired in war. On the eve of Nowruz, the Persian New Year typically marked with celebrations, the city centre filled as usual with traffic jams and street vendors haggling over the price of clothing and fruit. However, the security presence was even greater than usual, with heavily armed security forces visible on certain thoroughfares as well as an increased number of armoured vehicles. In a post on social media, Trump late Wednesday said Israel had "violently lashed out" in "anger" in attacking the Iran gas hub. He said that "no more attacks will be made by Israel" on South Pars unless Iran continues to attack Qatar, in which case the US "will massively blow up the entirety" of the field. Citrinowicz said the attacks underscored gaps between Israel and Washington on how to proceed as the war drags on. And they "underscored just how unstructured this campaign has become -- lacking strategic clarity, long-term planning, and a defined end state". burs-ar/ser Oman foreign minister slams US war on Iran, blames Israel Paris, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 A negotiated deal between the United States and Iran to avert war "appeared really possible", Oman's foreign minister who mediated talks between the two sides said in an article published on Thursday, while blaming Israel for the ongoing conflict. Writing in The Economist, Badr Albusaidi abandoned the usual reserve of diplomatic language to call the war a "catastrophe" and said US President Donald Trump's administration had "lost control of its own foreign policy". Albusaidi claimed the US and Iran had been "on the verge of a real deal" on Iran's nuclear programme twice over the last nine months, including in June last year when the process ended with Israeli-US attacks on the Islamic republic. He mediated a second round of indirect negotiations that resumed in Oman on February 6, with the final round held in Geneva on February 26. "It was a shock but not a surprise when on February 28th -- just a few hours after the latest and most substantive talks -- Israel and America again launched an unlawful military strike against the peace that had briefly appeared really possible," Albusaidi wrote. The details of what was on the table in Geneva is of major significance, experts say, because Trump justified the war by saying Iran posed an "imminent" threat with its nuclear programme. Albusaidi blamed "Israel's leadership" for persuading Trump that "an unconditional surrender would swiftly follow the initial assault and the assassination of the supreme leader" Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening salvo of the war. "The American administration's greatest miscalculation, of course, was allowing itself to be drawn into this war in the first place." "America's friends have a responsibility to tell the truth," he continued, adding that one of the messages "involves indicating the extent to which America has lost control of its own foreign policy". The Guardian newspaper revealed this week that Britain's national security adviser Jonathan Powell attended the final round of US-Iran talks in Geneva and viewed Iran's proposals as "significant enough to prevent a rush to war". "The UK team were surprised by what the Iranians put on the table," an anonymous former official who was briefed on the talks told the newspaper. The US negotiating team comprised Trump's special envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who did not bring a technical team to advise on complex nuclear issues, reports say. Hezbollah says battling Israeli troops' advance in south Lebanon Beirut, Lebanon, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Hezbollah said on Thursday its fighters were battling Israeli forces in south Lebanon, as a military source on the ground said Israeli troops were slowly advancing while "systematically destroying" border towns. Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel to avenge the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with intense strikes on Lebanon that have killed at least 968 people and displaced over a million more, according to local authorities, and by launching ground operations in the south. In a statement, Hezbollah said its fighters had ambushed Israeli troops entering the border town of Taybeh and destroyed a tank. "The enemy then attempted to continue its advance" from a nearby area, but fighters "again targeted them with guided missiles, scoring direct hits and destroying five Merkava tanks", Hezbollah added. "Enemy soldiers were seen fleeing the area of engagement." The Israeli army announced on Monday that it had launched "limited" ground operations in Lebanon. A military source in south Lebanon told AFP that the Israeli army was advancing slowly and "systematically destroying" the border villages it enters. - 'Violent night' - Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported a "violent night" in Khiam and Taybeh, saying the towns were "targeted by several airstrikes and subjected to heavy artillery shelling that continued until dawn". On Wednesday, Hezbollah said it had repelled an attempt by "Israeli enemy soldiers to advance" in Khiam. In recent days, the group has reported targeting Israeli forces on the border with Lebanon and inside Lebanese towns such as Khiam. The town overlooks part of southern Lebanon and northern Israel and was the first point into which Israeli forces advanced after the start of the war. It was also the site of intense clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah during their last war in 2024. The military source on the ground, who requested anonymity, said that Israeli soldiers "have almost captured the town". "They advance one or two kilometres a day and take the time to systematically destroy the towns they enter, such as Kfar Kila or Aitaroun," he added. "They bulldoze what is not destroyed by airstrikes or artillery" while "they are engaged in ground fighting against Hezbollah, whose men are fighting in small groups". Israel has issued warnings to all residents south of the Zahrani River, more than 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the border, to evacuate, and has said it wants to create a buffer zone in Lebanon to protect residents of north Israel. On Wednesday, the UN peacekeeping force said it was deeply concerned by a "violent escalation" in Lebanon, citing "intensified air and ground activity, and increased presence of Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory". UK PM strongly condemns Iran strikes on Qatar gas hub London, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Thursday condemned "in the strongest terms" Iranian strikes on Qatar's main gas hub, the world's largest liquefied natural gas facility. "We are working towards a swift resolution to the situation in the Middle East, in the best interests of the British people," Starmer added in a post on X. He discussed the "egregious" strikes with NATO chief Mark Rutte and French President Emmanuel Macron in a call Thursday, Starmer's office said in statement. "Attacks on critical infrastructure risked pushing the region further into crisis, the leaders agreed", said Downing Street's readout of the call. "Turning to the Strait of Hormuz, the leaders reiterated the importance of securing the key maritime route and supporting freedom of navigation for shipping. "It was vital partners worked together on a viable plan, the Prime Minister added", according to the statement. jkb-pdh/pdw BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that there are no winners in the prolonged wars, and a ceasefire and an end to the hostilities are the will of the people. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The two sides mainly exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East. Cooper expounded on Britain's view on the current situation in the Middle East, stating that in the face of an increasingly turbulent world, the British side hopes to maintain close communication with China, push for an early end to the war, resume diplomatic negotiations, and seek long-term solutions. Wang elaborated on China's position, saying that the current conflict in the Middle East is escalating, and the war is expanding, which not only impacts regional peace and stability, but also directly affects international energy, finance, trade and shipping, undermining the common interests of all countries. China urges all parties to immediately cease military operations, resolve differences through equal dialogue, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, Wang said. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Britain shoulder the responsibility of upholding international peace and security, he noted. Both sides should enhance communication, remain committed to actions conducive to peace, and jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, so as to prevent the international order from being further undermined and the foundations of world peace from being eroded, said the foreign minister. The two sides also exchanged views on China-Britain relations and agreed that they should actively implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance exchanges, and continuously promote the long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Britain, thereby providing stability and certainty for a world fraught with changes and turmoil. US intelligence chiefs face fresh scrutiny over Iran war Washington, United States, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Top officials from US President Donald Trump's administration returned to Capitol Hill on Thursday for a second day of testimony on worldwide threats, with intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard facing renewed questions over the rationale for the Iran war. Gabbard, Trump's director of national intelligence, was joined by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and FBI Director Kash Patel in front of the House Intelligence Committee for a hearing that was expected to revisit sharp exchanges from the Senate a day earlier. Wednesday's session was dominated by disputes over the veracity of Trump's claim that Iran posed an "imminent" nuclear threat before the United States and Israel launched their campaign. Pressed repeatedly by lawmakers, Gabbard declined to directly endorse that characterization, instead arguing that determining what constitutes an imminent threat is ultimately the responsibility of the president. Her response drew pushback from Democrats, who argued that assessing threats is central to the intelligence community's role. The issue was compounded by an unusual moment during her opening statement, when Gabbard skipped over a section of prepared remarks stating that Iran's nuclear program had been "obliterated" in US strikes last June and had not been rebuilt since. She later confirmed under questioning that the omitted passage still reflected the intelligence community's assessment. Gabbard also told lawmakers Iran's government remains "intact but largely degraded" after sustained strikes, underscoring a more measured assessment than some of the administration's public rhetoric. The testimony comes amid growing scrutiny of the intelligence underpinning the conflict, particularly following the resignation this week of Joe Kent, a senior counterterrorism official and close ally of Gabbard, who stepped down in protest of the war. In a letter to Trump, Kent argued that Iran did not pose an imminent threat prior to the strikes -- a claim that has further fueled questions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Republicans have largely rallied behind Trump's handling of the conflict, though the resignation has raised concerns about potential fractures within the president's political coalition. Vice President JD Vance has sought to downplay those tensions, saying the administration was determined to avoid a prolonged conflict, even as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Thursday there was no "definitive time frame" for ending the war. Thursday's House hearing was expected to probe many of the same fault lines, with lawmakers likely to press intelligence officials on the gap between their assessments and the White House's public justification for the war. The session will also widen to cover broader global threats, but the conflict with Iran -- now entering its third week -- was set to dominate proceedings once again. Israeli minister says war against Iran a 'blessing' Jerusalem, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 An Israeli minister said on Thursday that the US-Israeli strikes against Iran were "an immense blessing" for Israel, nearly three weeks into the Middle East war. "The debate should not be about when (the war) will end, but about how we are going to prolong and deepen the damage caused," said Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party. "Every day of the campaign is an immense blessing for the State of Israel," Elkin said, speaking on army radio. Elkin is also a member of the security cabinet that is charged with approving large-scale military operations. Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a war that has since engulfed the Middle East. On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there was no "time frame" for ending the war against Iran. "It will be at the president's choosing, ultimately, where we say, 'Hey, we've achieved what we need to,'" he told reporters. Treasury chief says US may 'unsanction' Iran oil already being shipped Washington, United States, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that Washington might "unsanction" Iranian oil that is already being shipped, as energy prices soar due to the war in the Middle East. Bessent's comments to Fox Business came as oil and gas prices made a renewed surge after Iran hit the world's biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar and threatened to destroy the region's energy infrastructure. Bessent added in the interview that the US government could also release more oil from its strategic reserves. US President Donald Trump's administration has been scrambling to rein in rocketing energy costs after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Tehran's retaliation brought commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual halt, snarling energy supply chains. Around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the critical waterway during peacetime. Already, international benchmark Brent surged 10 percent earlier before easing to a 5.0 percent increase at $112.76 per barrel. Recently, the United States also temporarily allowed the sale of sanctioned Russian oil that is at sea. On Wednesday, Trump temporarily waived a century-old maritime shipping law in an attempt to help ease energy prices. Pro-Iran Iraqi group says to pause US embassy attacks, with conditions Baghdad, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 A pro-Iran group in Iraq vowed Thursday to stop attacking the US embassy in Baghdad for five days, but only under certain conditions, with strikes targeting other locations in the country. After a wave of strikes on the US embassy in Iraq's capital Baghdad in recent days, AFP journalists reported no drone or rocket attacks on Wednesday night. But on Thursday an explosion was heard near Erbil's international airport in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region, said AFP journalists who also saw smoke rising near the fence. A witness said two similar explosions were heard in the morning. Erbil is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses US-led coalition diplomatic advisors. Two drones also earlier targeted the US logistics centre at Baghdad International Airport, which houses military personnel and has been regularly targeted, according to a security official. One crashed within the centre's compound and the other fell into a civil aviation academy, the source said, adding that neither caused any damage. The US embassy and logistics centre has been targeted by drone and rocket attacks several times in recent days, with air defences intercepting most of the projectiles. Iraq has been drawn into the Middle East war triggered by the US-Israel attack on its neighbour Iran on February 28. Strikes have targeted Iran-backed groups, which in turn have claimed near daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region. These latest attacks come just hours after Kataeb Hezbollah said the group's secretary-general had "issued orders to suspend operations targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for a period of five days". The Iran-backed group, designated by Washington as a "terrorist organisation", listed several conditions, including Israel ceasing its bombardment of the southern suburbs of Beirut. That area is a bastion of Lebanon's Hezbollah, which is also Iran-backed and is at war with Israel. Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah also demanded "a commitment to refrain from bombing residential areas in Baghdad and other provinces". Whenever "the enemy violates" the truce "the response will be immediate", it said, warning of more strikes after the five-day period. Two Hashed al-Shaabi fighters were killed early Thursday in strikes in northern Iraq, according to the group, which said positions in the Nineveh region in Salah al-Din province were targeted. The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), part of Iraq's regular armed forces, blamed the strikes on the US and Israel. Pro-Iran factions also have brigades that operate within the alliance, but have a reputation for acting on their own. Gulf energy attacks 'unacceptable', India says as supply fears mount New Delhi, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 India condemned strikes on energy facilities in the Gulf as "unacceptable" on Thursday, warning they risk worsening global energy flows. Iran hit the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar on Thursday in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its South Pars gas field. The assault on Qatar's Ras Laffan facility has stoked fears of wider disruptions to fuel supplies, including for India, which relies on Qatar for over 40 percent of its LNG needs -- crucial for power generation, industry, fertiliser production and household cooking. The latest strikes were "unacceptable and need to cease", India's foreign ministry said, reiterating New Delhi's call to avoid targeting energy infrastructure. "Recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across this region are... deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world," it said in a statement. With gas shipments already reduced, New Delhi fears a fresh supply crunch, rising costs and deeper economic strain across sectors dependent on steady imports. Qatar is one of the world's top LNG producers, alongside the United States, Australia and Russia. Energy prices have already spiralled globally since tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries around a fifth of the world's oil and LNG, was brought to a near-standstill by the threat of Iranian attacks. As many as 22 Indian ships with over 600 crew are stuck in the Gulf as the key energy corridor remains disrupted. Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said the country's energy supplies had already been impacted by the closure of the strait. "Now with the latest attacks our LNG supply is going to be impacted," he told reporters during a news briefing in New Delhi on Thursday. "We are in touch with all the stakeholders there to see how best we can secure our energy needs and there can be unimpeded transit for our cargo." Russia says strike that wounded TV crew in Lebanon not 'accidental' Moscow, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Russia on Thursday condemned an airstrike that wounded a TV crew from state-run RT in Lebanon as not "accidental", amid ongoing Israeli strikes and ground operations in the south of the country. Video agency Ruptly -- a subsidiary of RT -- posted footage showing an explosion and plumes of smoke rising through the air metres behind RT's reporter, who was wearing a bulletproof vest with a sign "Press" on it as he delivered an on-air report. The reporter and a cameraman "were injured in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, while they were reporting," Ruptly said on Telegram, adding both were "conscious and receiving medical attention". "Given the killing of 200 journalists in Gaza, today's events cannot be called accidental," the Russian foreign ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram, without naming Israel. "The rocket hit not a 'critical strategic military facility,' but rather the location of a report," Zakharova added. The Russian embassy in Lebanon said that "attacks on media workers on editorial assignments are unacceptable" and called for an "appropriate investigation" into the incident. The Israeli military said it had in recent days "targeted Litani River crossings that Hezbollah used for both terrorist movement and to transfer thousands of weapons, including rockets and rocket launchers". "In footage released in the past few hours, a journalist is seen at the 'Qasmiya' crossing. An explicit warning had been issued regarding this area," the IDF said in a statement. "The crossing was struck after sufficient time had passed since warnings," the IDF added. A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists said last month, blaming Israel for two-thirds of the deaths. The Israeli military regularly says it "has never and will never deliberately target journalists". Hezbollah repeats denial of having 'cells' in Kuwait after arrest of alleged affiliates Beirut, Lebanon, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Hezbollah again on Thursday denied having any cells in Kuwait, a day after the Kuwaiti interior ministry announced the arrest of 10 alleged Hezbollah members on charges of planning a "terrorist" operation against the country. This was the second Hezbollah-affiliated cell to be arrested in Kuwait this week, as the Gulf faced daily Iranian attacks during the Middle East war, which has seen Tehran-backed groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon join the conflict. On Monday, Kuwait's interior ministry said it arrested 16 people -- 14 Kuwaitis and two Lebanese nationals -- affiliated with Hezbollah who had planned a "sabotage plot". "Hezbollah affirms its categorical and absolute denial of all the false claims and accusations made by the Kuwaiti interior ministry regarding the existence of any cells, networks, or alleged plots within the State of Kuwait," the Iran-backed group said in a statement. Kuwait's interior ministry had announced on Wednesday that "the State Security Agency has successfully thwarted a plot for a terrorist operation targeting vital installations". "Ten citizens, members of a terrorist group affiliated with the banned Hezbollah terrorist organisation were apprehended," it added. In previous years, Lebanon has experienced tensions with Gulf states, including Kuwait, which have expressed concern about Hezbollah having influence in the country. Israeli media reports oil refinery in Haifa hit after Iran missiles launched Jerusalem, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Israeli media reported that an oil refinery in the northern port city of Haifa was hit on Thursday, after the military warned of incoming missiles launched from Iran. Israel's Kan 11 public broadcaster aired images on television showing a thick plume of dark smoke rising from the area of the refinery. In a post on X, Kan reported that there were no concerns that hazardous materials had leaked. The spokesperson for the environmental protection ministry said its director general and emergency response units from the Haifa district were on their way to a scene "following a report regarding the fall of interceptor debris in the Haifa region and a suspected incident involving hazardous materials". Iran: US intel chief sidesteps Trump 'imminent threat' claim Washington, United States, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 The head of US intelligence declined again Thursday to endorse President Donald Trump's claim that Iran posed an "imminent" threat before the United States and Israel launched military strikes. Testifying on the war in the Middle East before the House Intelligence Committee, Tulsi Gabbard doubled down on her claim from a day earlier that this determination is "the responsibility of the president" -- a position that had already drawn sharp pushback from Democrats. As with her appearance before senators on Wednesday, the hearing underscored persistent questions on Capitol Hill over the administration's justification for the war -- and the extent to which it aligns with the intelligence community's own conclusions. "If the president can determine (to) ignore what you're doing, why do you guys even have a job?" California Democrat Jimmy Gomez asked after Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Trump ultimately decides on the urgency of a threat. The exchange capped a hearing dominated by efforts to pin down whether any intelligence supported Trump's justification for the conflict, now entering its third week. "Not one of your agencies has produced a single report saying that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States," Jim Himes, the panel's top Democrat, told Gabbard. Gabbard, who coordinates the global security information brought to Trump as his director of national intelligence, was previously an outspoken opponent of war with Iran as a Democratic congresswoman. She sidestepped repeated questions from Democrats on her own view of the immediacy of the danger posed by Iran, allowing only that she had delivered the intelligence community's "objective analysis" to the president. - Iran's intentions - At other points, she appeared to signal increased uncertainty about the direction Iran's depleted leadership would take following the war's opening strikes. She said the country's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had been "very severely" injured in an Israeli attack, adding that decision-making in Tehran was now less clear than it had been two months ago. "That's an accurate assessment," she confirmed when asked if US officials were now less certain about Iran's intentions. The hearing also highlighted tensions between Washington and Israel over the conduct of the war. Gabbard acknowledged that the two allies have differing objectives, with Israel focused on dismantling Iran's leadership while the United States is targeting its missile and naval capabilities. Pressed on Israel's decision to strike Iranian energy infrastructure despite Trump urging restraint, she said: "I don't have an answer for that." The testimony comes amid growing scrutiny of the intelligence underpinning the war, particularly after the resignation of Joe Kent, a senior counterterrorism official who argued in a letter to Trump that Iran did not pose an imminent threat. Gabbard distanced herself from Kent's claims, saying only that "he said a lot of things in that letter" and emphasizing that the president makes decisions based on intelligence assessments provided to him. Trump has repeatedly said he ordered the attack on Iran alongside Israel on February 28 because of an "imminent threat." Trump previously said that a June 2025 US bombing raid on Iran had completely destroyed the country's nuclear sites, but since his latest war he has maintained that Tehran was nonetheless weeks away from a nuclear bomb and that he had to act. The UN nuclear watchdog and most observers have not supported the finding of an imminent nuclear bomb by Iran, which was negotiating with Trump's envoys on a deal in the days before the attack. Oil spill 'highly likely' after warship sank Paris, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 The torpedoing of an Iranian frigate by a US submarine off Sri Lanka on March 4 is "highly likely" to have caused an oil spill, a British NGO has said. The Conflict and Environment Observatory, an NGO that specialises in monitoring the environmental impact of conflict, identified a 20-kilometre-long oil slick on a satellite image taken by the European Copernicus program the day after the IRIS Dena was sunk, killing at least 84 sailors. "We assess it to be highly likely that the spill originated from the vessel, based on the timeline of events and its correlation with reporting from the area," Leon Moreland, a researcher at CEOBS, told AFP on Wednesday. The slick appeared to have drifted eastward, reaching protected marine and coastal areas two days after the attack, according to CEOBS and satellite imagery seen by AFP on Thursday. The Sri Lanka Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) launched cleanup operations on March 7 to remove hydrocarbon residues that had washed up on beaches on the southwest of the island. Investigations conducted by MEPA found that the source of the oil slick was likely barrels of lubricant dumped at sea. "This oil type has been identified as a piston-operated loose oil, not classified as a dangerous oil type," a MEPA spokesperson said at a press conference on March 8. The oil slick was cleared by March 13, MEPA's chairman Samantha Gunasekara told AFP on Thursday. MEPA has not reported any damage to marine fauna thus far. Sri Lanka's coastal waters are home to rich biodiversity, including ecosystems -- such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves -- that are particularly sensitive to hydrocarbon contamination. "Local communities that rely on coastal fisheries may be indirectly affected through disruption to marine food chains and fish stocks," Moreland said. The researcher said that regions affected by conflict face an elevated risk of oil spills. The US and Israeli bombing of ports, oil depots, and vessels, along with retaliatory Iranian strikes on energy infrastructure in the Gulf and vessels near the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the Middle East war have increased the likelihood of "significant environmental incidents," Moreland added. PHNOM PENH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodia-China tourism debit card initiative has been launched to enhance cross-border QR code payments, boost tourism growth and provide more convenience to travelers, said a news release from Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism on Thursday. Introduced by the Bank of China Phnom Penh Branch, the initiative was designed to provide a modern and innovative tourism product that enables international visitors to make seamless payments while traveling in Cambodia, the news release said. Speaking at the launching ceremony on Wednesday in Phnom Penh, Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak said the initiative would provide more convenience to international tourists to make cross-border payments using QR code systems while travelling in Cambodia. "This service represents another new achievement and a source of pride for the governments of Cambodia and China in advancing digital transformation in tourism, finance and cross-border QR code payment systems under the 'Diamond Cooperation' framework, based on win-win principles and mutual respect," he said. The minister believed that the initiative would encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Cambodia, injecting fresh momentum into the "Cambodia-China Tourism Year" campaign. "The initiative will not only promote more efficient cashless payments, but also contribute to modernizing and improving the quality of digital tourism services and making them more diverse to meet the needs of Chinese and international tourists," Hak said. UN shipping body urges 'safe maritime corridor' in Gulf London, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 The UN's maritime body called Thursday for the creation of a safe shipping "corridor" in the Gulf to evacuate stranded vessels and seafarers, after an emergency meeting that also condemned Iran. Following two days of urgent talks in London convened due to the Middle East war, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said the "safe maritime corridor" should be established as "a provisional and urgent measure". IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the "humanitarian corridor" would "evacuate ships in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz". The UN agency -- responsible for regulating international shipping safety -- noted the focus should be on "those currently confined within the Gulf region through peaceful means and on a voluntary basis". The IMO's 40-member council included the demand among several "decisions" that accompanied a 17-point declaration addressing various aspects of the situation in the Middle East. However, such calls are non-binding. It came as around 20,000 seafarers remained stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UN body. Iranian attacks on ships in the region have created an effective blockade of the crucial chokepoint, through which a fifth of global crude and liquified natural gas normally transits. Alongside other strikes in the conflict, that has dramatically spiked oil prices and spooked markets. - 'Condemned' - In its declaration the IMO council said members "strongly condemned the threats and attacks against vessels and purported closure of the Strait... by Iran, adversely affecting merchant and commercial vessels". They demanded Tehran "immediately refrain" from its actions and -- alongside the call for a safe corridor -- requested a "coordinated international approach to the safety of navigation" in the region. Iran, which is an IMO member but does not sit on its ruling council, hit out at the declaration, branding it "one-sided, unfair, inaccurate and legally deficient". "It condemns the victim state while disregarding the unlawful aggression that is the root cause of the present situation," its delegate to the UN body said, accusing it of "politicisation". Bahrain, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Singapore and the UAE had tabled the plan for "a framework to allow the safe evacuation of seafarers and ships stranded in the Gulf". It won the support of the US among others. - 'Collaborate' - The IMO's declaration said it "aims to protect the lives of seafarers and ensure the mobilisation and commercial navigation of vessels intending to use this framework by avoiding military attacks and protecting and securing the maritime domain". It asked Dominguez to "collaborate with the relevant parties and take necessary immediate actions to initiate the establishment of the framework". The IMO head said he "shall be taking this instruction very seriously", calling the measure "of particular operational importance" which showed "we value seafarers". Earlier Thursday, six major international powers -- including Britain, France, Germany and Japan -- said they were ready "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz". The grouping added they welcomed "the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning" but provided no further details. At the IMO, the Cook Islands' delegate pressed Iran to confirm reported evidence that "there is a nascent ships registration system being set up for approved vessels to make safe passage through the Straits". "It's important relevant information. If there is safe passage, what are the terms and the conditions for such safe passage?" he asked. "I don't see how we can leave the Council now without getting some clarity on this." Iran's IMO representative declined the opportunity to respond. Iran attacks on gas and oil refineries heighten fears over war fallout Doha, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Iranian attacks on the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait sent shock waves through energy markets Thursday as the US said there was no time frame to end the Middle East war. Amid growing fears over the economic damage from the war, Trump said Iran's key South Pars gas field would not be attacked again, after Israel struck it on Wednesday, but warned of a furious American response if Tehran did not end its attacks on Qatari energy sites. Tehran responded that it would have "zero restraint" if its own energy infrastructure was hit again. Oil markets have already been shaken by Iran's blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, but prices surged again amid fears of further attacks on energy sites. The international benchmark Brent surged 10 percent to $119 a barrel before falling back to $112, while European gas prices rose 35 percent, after Iranian missiles hit Qatar's huge Ras Laffan liquified natural gas complex in retaliation for the Israeli strike on South Pars. The nighttime attack left Ras Laffan, a repeated target since the start of the war on February 28, at a complete standstill. Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said meanwhile that a drone crashed into the Samref refinery in the Red Sea port of Yanbu. And in Kuwait, drone attacks sparked fires at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries, which have a combined capacity of 800,000 barrels per day. Saudi Arabia said it reserved the "right to take military actions" over repeated attacks on its facilities. The United Arab Emirates said the strikes pose a "direct threat to global energy security". Later on Thursday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that Iran's attack on Ras Laffan was "clear proof" against Tehran's claims to have only targeted US interests in the Gulf. He said the attacks "bring no direct benefit to any country, rather, they harm and directly impact populations". - 'Zero restraint' - Trump indicated he did not know about Israel's raid on Iran's gas field, which supplies about 70 percent of the Islamic republic's domestic needs. But the United States and Iran have fired off threats and counter-threats since. Trump warned the United States would "blow up" the South Pars gas field if Tehran did not stop attacking Qatar. Iran responded with defiance. The military's Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command vowed the "complete destruction" of Gulf energy infrastructure if the Israeli attack was repeated, according to a statement carried by Fars news agency. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media there would be "zero restraint" if the country's infrastructure was hit again. There is growing concern among the world's major economies over fallout from the conflict. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands said they would "contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz" but gave few details. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "reckless escalation" in attacks and called for "direct talks between the Americans and Iranians on this matter". UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office warned that "attacks on critical infrastructure risked pushing the region further into crisis", after talks with Macron and NATO chief Mark Rutte. India and China also expressed new concern about supplies which depend on the shipping route. Fuel shortages have sparked long queues at petrol stations across Asia, where many economies are heavily dependent on oil. - No time frame for war's end - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there is no time frame for ending the war, but said that "we're very much on track" and Trump would choose when to end. "It will be at the president's choosing, ultimately, where we say, 'Hey, we've achieved what we need to,'" he told a Washington news conference. On Thursday, Trump said "I'm not putting troops" on the ground in Iran, amid ongoing speculation that a Marine expeditionary force being sent to the region could be used for ground operations. Commentators said the energy attacks showed gaps between the United States and Israel over war tactics. "The conflict is drifting into a war of attrition -- with no clear signs of regime collapse in Iran," said Danny Citrinowicz, a senior fellow at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, on X. The attacks "underscored just how unstructured this campaign has become -- lacking strategic clarity, long-term planning, and a defined end state". US media said the administration could seek more than $200 billion in additional war funding from Congress. "I think that number could move. Obviously it takes money to kill bad guys," Hegseth commented on the figure. - Tehran queues - Iran is gearing up for the key holiday of Nowruz, the Persian new year. A US-based rights group has reported more than 3,000 people killed in Iran by the US-Israeli strikes, a figure that could not be independently verified. In Tehran, however, there was little to suggest that the country was mired in war or that it had lost its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other key officials in US-Israeli strikes. Tehran's city centre was filled with traffic jams and street vendors haggling over the price of clothes and fruit on Thursday. Security was greater than usual, with heavily armed security forces visible on certain streets as well as an increased number of armoured vehicles. burs-tw/dcp War in the Middle East: latest developments Paris, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war: - No US ground troops - US President Donald Trump said he was not sending ground troops to Iran. "If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. But I'm not putting troops," Trump told reporters as he met Japan's prime minister in Washington. - $16 bn arms sales - The US announced that it has approved $16bn in arms sales to United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, which have been hit hard as a result of the war. - 'Safe' Hormuz passage - The UN maritime body called for a safe shipping "corridor" in the Gulf to evacuate stranded vessels and seafarers, at the end of a two-day emergency session on the war. Some 20,000 seafarers are stuck on approximately 3,200 vessels, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). - Israel refinery hit - Israeli media reported that an oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa was hit, after the military warned of incoming missiles from Iran. Israel's Kan 11 public broadcaster aired images on television showing a thick plume of dark smoke rising from the area of the refinery. In a post on X, Kan reported that there were no concerns that hazardous materials had leaked. - Gas hub attack - Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned that Iran's attack on the country's main gas hub risked "significant repercussions for global energy supplies" and was "clear proof" that Iran wasn't only targeting US interests in the war. - Caspian Sea strikes - The Israeli military said that its fighter jets had struck several Iranian naval vessels in the Caspian Sea the previous day, including vessels equipped with anti-submarine missiles. "We have for the first time carried out strikes in northern Iran in the Caspian Sea," a military spokesman said. "This is the first time we have done that in our history." - Bahrain blasts - At least two loud explosions rocked Bahrain's capital of Manama after warning sirens sounded, according to an AFP correspondent. - Lebanon toll hits 1,000 - Lebanon's health ministry said that Israeli attacks have killed 1,001 people in the country since war erupted, including 79 women, 118 children and 40 health workers and with 2,584 other people wounded. - Food security, trade - The World Trade Organization warned that the war posed a dire threat to global food security and could weigh heavily on already slowing global trade. "Sustained increases in energy prices could increase risks for global trade, with potential spillovers for food security and cost pressures on consumers and businesses," WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement. - Iran vows 'zero restraint' - Iran vowed to hit hard if its energy facilities were attacked again. "ZERO restraint if our infrastructures are struck again," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. - Hormuz 'safe passage' - Six international powers -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands -- said in a joint statement they were ready "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz". - 'High time' to end war UN chief Antonio Guterres called on all parties to end the war. "To the United States and to Israel: it's high time to end this war that is risking to get completely out of control," he told reporters at an EU summit in Brussels. "To Iran, stop attacking your neighbours. They were never parties to the conflict." - US has no 'time frame' - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US "wouldn't want to set a definitive time frame" to end the war. "It will be at the president's choosing, ultimately, where we say, 'Hey, we've achieved what we need to.'" - 'Unsanction' Iran oil - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that Washington might "unsanction" Iranian oil that is already being shipped, to temper soaring energy prices. The US could also release more oil from its strategic reserves, he said. - Oil prices soar - Oil prices surged 10 percent after Qatar reported "extensive" damage to the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility following Iranian strikes, sparking fears for global energy supplies. The price of European gas also jumped by more than a third after Tehran carried out attacks on Qatar's huge Ras Laffan LNG facility. burs/yad/pdw Middle East war weighs on global trade outlook: WTO Geneva, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 The Middle East war could weigh heavily on already slowing global trade, potentially threatening global food security, the World Trade Organization warned Thursday. If energy prices remain high, the WTO forecasts that merchandise trade volumes could grow just 1.4 percent this year, compared to 4.6 percent in 2025. The WTO's annual global trade outlook was released nearly three weeks into an escalating war in the Middle East that is already causing soaring energy prices and reviving fears that a major economic crisis is looming. "Sustained increases in energy prices could increase risks for global trade, with potential spillovers for food security and cost pressures on consumers and businesses," warned WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. She told reporters in Geneva that among other things the war "threatens global food security", appealing for supply chains to remain open. Since US-Israeli forces launched the war against Iran on February 28, Tehran has responded with attacks throughout the Middle East and threats that have nearly halted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil supplies normally pass. And the conflict appears to be escalating, with massive attacks targeting oil and gas production, storage and transportation infrastructure across the region. Since the start of the war, WTO economists have been working to revise their annual forecasts. Given the high degree of uncertainty around the impact of the war and its duration, the organisation on Thursday presented two possible scenarios for how global trade will evolve this year. - Trade normalisation - In the first scenario, which excludes possible energy price shocks, growth in global merchandise trade volumes is expected to slow this year to 1.9 percent from 4.6 percent last year. That scenario assumes a slight dip in global gross domestic product (GDP) growth, from 2.9 percent in 2025 to 2.8 percent this year and in 2027. According to the WTO, that scenario would see merchandise trade "normalise" this year, regardless of the war in the Middle East, after stronger-than-expected growth in 2025 driven especially by a surge in artificial intelligence-related products. Trade last year was also boosted by among other things "the front-loading of imports in North America ahead of the expected imposition of 'reciprocal' tariffs by the United States", the WTO said in its report. In the first scenario, global merchandise trade volumes are projected to grow by 2.6 percent in 2027. The volume of trade in services would meanwhile swell by 4.8 percent this year and 5.1 percent next year, WTO economists projected. "The outlook reflects the resilience of global trade, buoyed by trade in high technology products and digitally delivered services, adaptations in supply chains and the avoidance of tit-for-tat retaliation on tariffs," Okonjo-Iweala said. - 'Economic burden' - However, she cautioned, "this baseline forecast is under pressure from the conflict in the Middle East". Among other things, the conflict "threatens critical global transport corridors, with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz collapsing from 138 commercial vessels per day to almost zero", the WTO said. It cautioned that if crude oil and liquefied natural gas prices were to remain high throughout the year, that "would shave 0.3 percentage points off the GDP forecast for 2026". That, in turn, would reduce the trade forecast for this year by 0.5 percentage points, it said. WTO chief economist Robert Staiger told reporters that the second scenario was based on an average annual oil price of "around $90 a barrel". That is well below the current price, with Brent North Sea crude trading at over $112 per barrel on Thursday afternoon. In the second scenario, "merchandise trade volumes would grow by just 1.4 percent", the WTO said, adding that services trade would also grow at a slower rate of 4.1 percent this year. Net fuel-importing regions like Asia and Europe would experience the sharpest declines in merchandise import growth in the second scenario, the trade body said. Okonjo-Iweala stressed that countries "can help cushion the impact and ease the economic burden on people worldwide by maintaining predictable trade policies and strengthening supply chain resilience". US approves over $16 bn in arms sales to Gulf states hit by Iran war Washington, United States, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 The United States on Thursday announced the approval of $16.46 billion in military sales to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, two Gulf states that have been hit hard by fallout from the Iran war. Iran responded to the massive US-Israeli air campaign launched late last month with barrages of missiles and drones that have caused deaths and damage in various Gulf countries, which have been forced to expend significant military resources to counter attacks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has "determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale" of the military equipment, thereby waiving the requirement that Congress give its approval. The biggest single sale is of lower-tier air and missile defense sensor radars -- which are designed to track high-speed targets and give data to a missile defense network -- to Kuwait for $8 billion, according to a statement from the State Department. The next largest was to the United Arab Emirates for a long-range discrimination radar -- which tracks ballistic missile threats -- and related equipment at a cost of $4.5 billion, the State Department said. The UAE also received approval to buy systems designed to defeat small, unmanned aircraft for $2.1 billion, advanced air-to-air missiles for $1.22 billion, and F-16 warplane munitions and upgrades for $644 million. Japan PM placates Trump on Iran, but faces Pearl Harbor surprise Washington, United States, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sailed smoothly past a potential clash with Donald Trump on Iran Thursday -- although the US president whipped up a bit of a storm about Pearl Harbor. Days after lashing out at US allies including Japan for failing to heed his calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump praised Tokyo's efforts related to the Middle East war in vague terms. "I believe that, based on statements (which) were given to us yesterday, the day before yesterday, having to do with Japan, they are really stepping up to the plate," Trump told reporters as he hosted Takaichi in the Oval Office. After a long pause Trump then added "unlike NATO," repeating his criticisms of the US-led military alliance with mainly European countries. Trump gave few details about what help Japan might provide in securing the crucial waterway, through which one-fifth of the world's oil normally passes. But his tone towards Takaichi was far more friendly than the tongue-lashings he has given to allies, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on the issue in recent days. "I'm very proud of you. We've become friends," Trump said of Japan's first female premier, whom he backed ahead of a landslide election victory in February. The 64-year-old conservative was meanwhile seen giving Trump, 79, a big hug as she arrived earlier at the White House, according to footage released by one of Trump's aides. Sending its Self-Defense Forces abroad is politically sensitive in officially pacifist Japan, as many voters support the US-imposed, war-renouncing 1947 constitution. But just over an hour before the Trump meeting, Japan and five other allies including Britain and France said they were ready "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz." Trump said it would be "appropriate" for Japan and other allies to contribute -- and noted that Japan gets around 90 percent of its oil through the strait. - World War II - But diplomacy is rarely simple with Trump. And he proved so again when he was asked by a Japanese reporter why allies weren't included in talks about the Iran strikes before they happened. "Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?" Takaichi sat back a little in her chair and her eyes widened as Trump mentioned Tokyo's December 7, 1941 attack on the US Pacific fleet in Hawaii, which prompted the United States to enter World War II. The Japanese premier meanwhile appeared to be keen to make the most of her time with the US president, which will also include a dinner. She was twice seen ostentatiously looking at her watch as the press conference in the Oval Office neared its end. But the meeting appeared to highlight once again Takaichi's ability to charm Trump, following a similarly friendly meeting in Tokyo in October during which she said she would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Another reason Tokyo can ill afford to annoy Trump is that the United States has for decades -- with 60,000 troops on Japanese soil -- been the guarantor of Japan's security. The US security umbrella is particularly relevant in the face of an increasingly assertive China. Polls published last week however suggest that Takaichi's honeymoon following her election win is souring at home as pricier oil and gas from the Iran war risk making life more expensive for firms and families alike. Iran demands 'clarity' from Germany on US airbase Ramstein: envoy to AFP Berlin, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Iran has asked Berlin to clarify the role of the Ramstein airbase in the US-Israeli war on Iran, Tehran's ambassador to Germany Majid Nili told AFP on Thursday. "We have asked them to clarify or explain regarding the role of Ramstein," Nili said, charging that "the role of Ramstein is not officially clear for us". "Till now, we don't have any answer." Nili said Iran believes Washington's use of the airbase in western Germany may violate UN resolution 3314. The resolution says that territory placed at the disposal of another state cannot be used by that state for perpetrating an "act of aggression" against a third state. "We don't know yet whether Ramstein is in that line or not," he said. Germany hosts thousands of US military personnel at the Ramstein airbase, which serves as a US Air Force headquarters for Europe and Africa. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday said he saw "no reason at present to doubt the legality of the use of Ramstein" in the war against Iran. German officials in recent weeks have responded to questions about Ramstein's possible involvement in the war by saying that the US military's use of the base is governed by treaties. Nili urged Germany and Europe to call on the "aggressors to stop". An ongoing war "has certain consequences for Europe as well," he said, citing "economic consequences, refugee crisis, terrorism, disintegration of the region". "We need a long-lasting ceasefire," he said, adding that "compensation is another question" regarding alleged attacks on civilian targets. Nili said the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel effectively blocked by Iran since the start of the war, was still "open right now" for states that were "not aggressors or supporting aggressors". Iran warns of 'zero restraint' amid heightened gas and oil attacks Doha, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Iranian attacks on the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait sent shock waves through energy markets Thursday as the United States said there was no deadline to end the Middle East war. Amid growing fears over the economic damage from the war, US President Donald Trump said there would be no repeat of Israel's attack on Iran's key South Pars gas field, but he warned of a furious US response if Tehran did not halt strikes on Qatar. Iran responded that it would have "zero restraint" if its energy infrastructure was hit again. Oil markets have already been shaken by Iran's blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. But the international benchmark Brent surged 10 percent to $119 a barrel before falling back to $112, while European gas prices rose 35 percent, after Iranian missiles hit Qatar's huge Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas complex in retaliation for the Israeli strike on South Pars on Wednesday. The nighttime attack on Ras Laffan, a repeated target since the start of the war on February 28, caused "extensive damage", QatarEngery said. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the attack was "clear proof" that Iran was going past its vow to only target US interests in the Gulf. And attacks blamed on Iran spread. A drone crashed into the Samref refinery in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu, the Saudi defence ministry said. The government reserved the "right to take military actions" in response. In Kuwait, drone attacks sparked fires at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries, which have a combined capacity of 800,000 barrels per day. Even in Israel, media said an oil refinery in the port of Haifa was hit on Thursday, after the military warned of missiles launched by Iran. - 'Zero restraint' - Trump indicated he did not know in advance about Israel's raid on South Pars, which supplies about 70 percent of Iran's domestic needs. But he said he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to hit more gas fields in Iran. "We get along great. It's coordinated, but on occasion, he'll do something" that the United States opposes, Trump said. Trump warned earlier that the United States would "blow up" South Pars if Tehran did not stop attacking Qatar. But he said Thursday there was no current plan to send troops into Iran. Iran responded to the threats with defiance. The military's Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command vowed the "complete destruction" of Gulf energy infrastructure if the Israeli attack was repeated, according to a statement carried by Fars news agency. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media there would be "ZERO restraint" if Iran's infrastructure was hit again. - 'Safe passage' sought - There is growing concern among the world's major economies over fallout from the conflict. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands said they would "contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz" but gave few details. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "reckless escalation" in attacks and called for "direct talks between the Americans and Iranians on this matter". UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office warned that "attacks on critical infrastructure risked pushing the region further into crisis", after talks with Macron and NATO chief Mark Rutte. India and China also expressed new concern about their supplies which flow through the Hormuz strait. Fuel shortages have sparked long queues at petrol stations across Asia and increased costs around the world. - No time frame for war's end - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there is no time frame for ending the war, but that "we're very much on track" and Trump would choose when to end fighting. "It will be at the president's choosing, ultimately, where we say, 'Hey, we've achieved what we need to,'" he told a Washington news conference. Commentators said the energy attacks showed gaps between the United States and Israel over war tactics. "The conflict is drifting into a war of attrition -- with no clear signs of regime collapse in Iran," said Danny Citrinowicz, a senior fellow at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, on X. The attacks "underscored just how unstructured this campaign has become -- lacking strategic clarity, long-term planning, and a defined end state". US media said the administration could seek more than $200 billion in additional war funding from Congress. "I think that number could move. Obviously it takes money to kill bad guys," Hegseth commented. - Tehran queues - Iran is meanwhile gearing up for the key holiday of Nowruz, the Persian new year, on Friday. A US-based rights group has reported more than 3,000 people killed in Iran by the US-Israeli strikes, a figure that could not be independently verified. In Tehran, however, there was little to suggest that the country was mired in war or that it had lost its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other key officials in US-Israeli strikes. Though security was more intense than usual Thursday, Tehran's city centre was filled with traffic jams and street vendors haggling over the price of clothes and fruit. burs-tw/dcp Tying Lebanon to regional crises gives Israel pretext for aggression: Lebanese PM Beirut, Lebanon, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Thursday that tying Lebanon to regional calculations would give Israel a "pretext to expand its aggression" against the country, where Israel has been fighting Hezbollah for more than two weeks. Lebanon was brought into the regional war on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets toward Israel in response to the killing of its ally Iran's supreme leader in Israeli-US attacks. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes across various regions and ground incursions, which combined have left more than a thousand people dead. In a speech in Beirut Salam said that "linking Lebanon to regional calculations larger than it is does not protect it. Rather, it doubles the cost for it and gives Israel a pretext to expand its aggression". "We must read regional changes through the lens of protecting Lebanon, and we must put the national interest ahead of any other consideration." He said "Lebanon's priority today is to stop the war, stop the destruction, stop the displacement, protect civilians, ensure their return and launch reconstruction". Ongoing Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon and on Beirut's southern suburbs have caused the displacement of more than one million people, according to authorities. Salam said that "restoring the authority of the state is not against anyone, nor is it a targeting of anyone. Rather, it is a protection for everyone. Lebanon has no future if it remains half a state and half a battleground". At the beginning of March, Lebanon banned Hezbollah's military activities after having decided in August of last year to disarm the group, following the previous war it waged with Israel that lasted for more than a year and ended with a ceasefire in November 2024. Ghalibaf: Iran's new strongman running war effort Paris, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and a veteran of the Revolutionary Guards, has emerged as the highest-profile political figure in the Islamic republic after the killing of its leaders. A pillar of the Iranian establishment for some three decades and one of the Islamic republic's most prominent non-clerical figures, Ghalibaf, 64, now appears to be playing a key role spearheading the war effort. Whereas the son and successor of slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared in public and has issued just three written statements, Ghalibaf has been unleashing regular posts on X and giving multiple interviews. "We are in an unequal war, with an asymmetrical set-up, we must do something and use equipment with our own culture, design and creativity," he told Iranian television on Wednesday. In a post on X, he added that after attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, "an eye-for-an-eye sum is in effect, and a new level of confrontation has begun". However, possibly aware of the threat to his own security, he did not, unlike the late Larijani, appear in public at pro-government rallies last week in support of the Palestinian cause. Larijani was killed in an Israeli air strike on Monday, which followed the killing of Khamenei at the start of the war on February 28. Ghalibaf's varied experience, which spans military and civilian life, has seen him work as commander of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace corps, Tehran police chief, Tehran mayor and now speaker of parliament. Known to be fiercely ambitious, he has stood for the Iranian presidency on multiple occasions but has never been successful, most notably in 2005 when the ultra-conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, little-known at the time, took the presidency. A qualified pilot, Ghalibaf is known for boasting that he is able to captain jumbo jets. Farzan Sabet, a managing researcher at the Geneva Graduate Institute, said that after Larijani's killing Ghalibaf was the "person likely overseeing the war effort and strategy". "He's the speaker of parliament, a former senior IRGC commander and has strong cross-factional and institutional ties, positioning him well to move into this role," he told AFP. - 'Very favourable position' - Ghalibaf fought in the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War and rose rapidly through the ranks. He reached the upper echelons of the military establishment in the late 1990s when he became commander of the Guards' fledgling aerospace forces. He was then named national police commander in 1999, against the backdrop of unprecedented student protests. He has long coveted the presidency, running in 2005, 2013 and 2024, and briefly entering the 2017 race before withdrawing in favour of another conservative candidate. His strongest showing came in 2013, when he finished second. After the 2005 presidential election loss, he was elected mayor of Tehran. During his 12 years as mayor, supporters praised his technocratic approach and focus on urban management, while critics pointed to allegations of financial corruption. Human rights groups have accused Ghalibaf, in his various functions, of playing a key role in suppressing protests, from the 1999 student demonstrations through to the 2009 Green movement that erupted after a disputed election right up to the nationwide protests that peaked in January 2026. Ghalibaf was elected speaker of parliament in 2020, at times advocating economic reforms and stronger parliamentary oversight while remaining aligned with the Islamic republic's core institutions. "Iran's strongest man is now probably Ghalibaf," said Arash Azizi, lecturer at Yale University, describing him as "a rare figure whose portfolio crosses between military, security and political functions of the regime". "He is known to be running the war effort now," Azizi said, adding that Ghalibaf appeared to be an ally of Mojtaba Khamenei. "He seems to be in a very favourable position now." Ghalibaf has predicted the war would reshape the Middle East, but not on Washington's terms. "The order here will change, but it will not be an order in which the will of the United States prevails," he said in a recorded video interview carried by Tasnim news agency and other media. bur-sjw/sw/dcp MELBOURNE, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Australia have developed a cell-inspired sensor that can rapidly track tiny molecular changes in blood, paving the way to real-time, personalized medicine. A team led by Australia's La Trobe University created a light-based biosensor that overcomes one of the biggest barriers in blood testing: that blood quickly clogs most sensors, making accurate instant readings almost impossible over long periods of time, a university statement said Thursday. The device combines a natural protective coating called lubricin, fast-responding receptors and a detection technique known as Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) to mimic the way real cell surfaces protect themselves and sense molecules. In a trial, the sensor tracked the antibiotic vancomycin in unprocessed blood samples without any loss in sensitivity over more than 10 hours of continuous exposure, according to the study published in the journal ACS Sensors. Other sensors had detected Vancomycin but this was 100 million times more sensitive, making it the first practical, real-time SERS sensor capable of working inside a fluid like blood, said research co-leader Han Mingyu from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia's national science agency. La Trobe University Associate Professor and research lead Wren Greene said the technology could lead to real-time health-monitoring systems that could automatically adjust drug delivery or alert clinicians to early signs of illness, critical for early disease detection and monitoring the body's response to treatments. Russia accuses Israel of 'deliberate and targeted' strike on TV crew in Lebanon Moscow, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Russia on Thursday blamed Israel for what it called a "targeted" airstrike that wounded a TV crew from state-run RT in Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli strikes and ground operations in the country's south. The Ruptly video agency, a subsidiary of RT, posted footage showing an explosion and plumes of smoke rising through the air metres behind RT's reporter, who was wearing a bulletproof vest with a "Press" sign on it as he delivered an on-air report. The reporter and a cameraman "were injured in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, while they were reporting", Ruptly said on Telegram, adding both were "conscious and receiving medical attention". "Given the killing of 200 journalists in Gaza, today's events cannot be called accidental," the Russian foreign ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram. In a statement on Thursday, she added that "the missile was fired by Israeli forces". "The crew's clothing clearly read 'press' and they were carrying only cameras and microphones. The attack struck a site clear of military installations," she said. "All these circumstances indicate that the attack on the journalists was deliberate and targeted," she said, accusing Israel of a "a gross violation of international law". Russia's foreign ministry would soon summon Israel's ambassador to Moscow over the incident, Zakharova added. The Russian embassy in Lebanon said that "attacks on media workers on editorial assignments are unacceptable" and called for an "appropriate investigation" into the incident. The Israeli military said it had in recent days "targeted Litani River crossings that Hezbollah used for both terrorist movement and to transfer thousands of weapons, including rockets and rocket launchers". "In footage released in the past few hours, a journalist is seen at the 'Qasmiya' crossing. An explicit warning had been issued regarding this area," the IDF said in a statement. "The crossing was struck after sufficient time had passed since warnings," the IDF added. A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists said last month, blaming Israel for two-thirds of the deaths. The Israeli military regularly says it "has never and will never deliberately target journalists". Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes killed four Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Gaza's civil defence agency reported that Israeli airstrikes killed four people on Thursday, while the Israeli military said it had eliminated four militants who had posed a threat to its troops. The bloodshed was the latest to rock the war-shattered Palestinian territory despite a ceasefire in place since October 10. It came as Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened for a limited number of people, for the first time since Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran at the end of February. The civil defence agency, which operates as a rescue force under Hamas authority, said strikes in two neighbourhoods of Gaza City killed a total of four people. Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City said it received two bodies following an Israeli strike on the Tuffah neighbourhood east of Gaza City. Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital said it had also received two bodies following an Israeli drone strike on the Zeitoun neighbourhood in Gaza City. The military said troops identified "four armed terrorists" in the area of the so-called Yellow Line -- the de facto boundary behind which Israeli forces have been stationed since the ceasefire took effect. "Following the identification, the troops struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat," it said, adding that the four were killed in two separate incidents. Media restrictions and limited access in Gaza have prevented AFP from independently verifying casualty figures or freely covering the fighting. In a separate statement earlier on Thursday, the Israeli military said it had struck and killed Muhammad Abu Shaleh, the military intelligence commander of Hamas's Khan Yunis Brigade. It said Shaleh had "operated in violation of the ceasefire agreement to rehabilitate the organisation's capabilities in the Gaza Strip and planned to carry out terror attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel." Violence has persisted in Gaza despite a ceasefire which came into effect on October 10, with both Israel and Hamas regularly accusing each other of violations. On Sunday, Gaza's Hamas-run interior ministry said an Israeli airstrike on a police vehicle killed nine officers, with the civil defence reporting another four people killed in an earlier strike. Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, says at least 677 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the truce. The Israeli military says at least five of its soldiers have been killed in the same period since October 10. War in the Middle East: latest developments Paris, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war: - Lebanon truce - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun renewed his call for a truce and the opening of negotiations with Israel to stop the war between it and Hezbollah, as he received France's foreign minister. Earlier, Lebanon's health ministry said that Israeli attacks have killed 1,001 people in the country since the war erupted, including 79 women, 118 children and 40 health workers, with 2,584 other people wounded. - US airbase in Germany - Iran said it had asked Germany to clarify the role of the Ramstein airbase in the war. "We have asked them to clarify or explain regarding the role of Ramstein," Tehran's ambassador to Germany Majid Nili told AFP, charging that "the role of Ramstein is not officially clear for us". - Israel told not to attack - US President Donald Trump said he had told his ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to carry out any more strikes on gas fields in Iran, which retaliated to an earlier attack by hitting Qatari energy sites. "I told him, don't do that, and he won't do that," Trump told reporters as he met Japan's prime minister. "We get along great. It's coordinated, but on occasion, he'll do something" that the United States opposes. - Migrant warning - The prime ministers of Denmark and Italy have called for tougher border controls, warning that the war in the Middle East could trigger an influx of migrants and refugees into the European Union. Mette Frederiksen and Giorgia Meloni wrote in a joint letter that Europe "cannot risk a repeat" of 2015-2016, when hundreds of thousands of people arrived -- many fleeing the civil war in Syria. - No US ground troops - US President Donald Trump said he was not sending ground troops to Iran. "If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. But I'm not putting troops," Trump told reporters as he met Japan's prime minister in Washington. - $16 bn arms sales - The US announced that it has approved $16 billion in arms sales to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, which have been hit hard as a result of the war. - 'Safe' Hormuz passage - The UN maritime body called for a safe shipping "corridor" in the Gulf to evacuate stranded vessels and seafarers, at the end of a two-day emergency session on the war. Some 20,000 seafarers are stuck on approximately 3,200 vessels, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). - Israel refinery hit - Israeli media reported that an oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa was hit, after the military warned of incoming missiles from Iran. Israel's Kan 11 public broadcaster aired images on television showing a thick plume of dark smoke rising from the area of the refinery. In a post on X, Kan reported that there were no concerns that hazardous materials had leaked. - Gas hub attack - Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned that Iran's attack on the country's main gas hub risked "significant repercussions for global energy supplies" and was "clear proof" that Iran wasn't only targeting US interests in the war. - Caspian Sea strikes - The Israeli military said that its fighter jets had struck several Iranian naval vessels in the Caspian Sea the previous day, including vessels equipped with anti-submarine missiles. "We have for the first time carried out strikes in northern Iran in the Caspian Sea," a military spokesman said. "This is the first time we have done that in our history." - Bahrain blasts - At least two loud explosions rocked Bahrain's capital of Manama after warning sirens sounded, according to an AFP correspondent. - Food security, trade - The World Trade Organization warned that the war posed a dire threat to global food security and could weigh heavily on already slowing global trade. "Sustained increases in energy prices could increase risks for global trade, with potential spillovers for food security and cost pressures on consumers and businesses," WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement. - Iran vows 'zero restraint' - Iran vowed to hit hard if its energy facilities were attacked again. "ZERO restraint if our infrastructures are struck again," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. burs/yad/sbk 'Hope and fear': Iranians celebrate new year under shadow of war Paris, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Sarvanaz remembers celebrating Iranian new year as a girl under the bombs of the Iran-Iraq war. As Tehran is again shaken by explosions, she said marking the Nowruz festival has again taken on new meaning. "For me, it's an obligation of being Iranian, it's our root, it's not just celebrating springtime and rebirth of the earth," the 45-year-old told AFP from Paris, where she lives now. "For me it's resistance." The ancient holiday is celebrated in Iran and neighbouring countries on the equinox in March, typically marked by weeks of anticipation as families prepare Haft-Seen tables -- a symbolic arrangement of foods and objects, including apples, sprouted greens, painted eggs and poetry. This year Sarvanaz, who asked to only use her first name for security, decorated her egg with a blue sky and a sun. "For me it's peace, it's a sky with no bombs and always shining." Iranians inside the country and around the world are marking the Nowruz holiday on Friday under the shadow of the US-Israeli war with Iran that has sent shockwaves around the world. But while the conflict has made marking the normally joyful festival of spring and the new year painful for some, many told AFP it felt even more important to celebrate under the circumstances. Sarvanaz's parents in Iran will also celebrate, she said, though she may not be able to be in touch with them as usual due to the near-total communications blackout since the war started. In Tehran in the days before the holiday, there was a sense of normalcy with shops open and streets again full of traffic, but there was little of the usual celebratory atmosphere, AFP reporters there said. While many may forgo the usual travel or gatherings this year, others in Iran said they would still celebrate. Hoda, who lives in Saveh, south of Tehran, said she would "definitely gather with family" and even travel to the capital, which has seen some of the worst of the war's strikes. "We assume and hope that there will be no attacks on the first day of the new year," she told an AFP reporter based outside Iran. But others left the country seeking reprieve. A Kurdish resident of Mahabad in Iran's West Azerbaijan province, said her family travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan to celebrate, making part of the roughly 170-kilometre (100-mile) journey to Erbil on foot through the mountains because the borders have been closed. "We were determined to come here because, in Iran, I felt that the Nowruz atmosphere just wasn't what it should be," she said. "The Kurds of Iraq are much more accustomed than we, the Kurds of Iran, to war and to the idea of celebrating even during times of conflict." - 'Hard to be far away' - For Kiarash in Germany, the holiday has been darkened by the war and the death of thousands in anti-government protests in Iran during which he saw people killed. "Last year was with hope, this year is with hope and fear," he said. "I invited many friends of mine to come here, because during these traumas, we have to sit together and talk, and prepare ourselves for something better." In a corner of north London known as "Little Tehran", Shahabi, a baker, said the war shouldn't steal the Nowruz spirit. "We've got to celebrate. I mean, this is the culture. We've been doing it for thousands of years. So we have to look for a brighter future," Shahabi told AFP. Butcher Ali Nasiri, 48, said most Iranians around the world "don't feel like celebrating". "But just to keep this tradition alive, we're celebrating. We're all celebrating, but we're all thinking of the people lost," he said. Sasha Khoshabeh, a 44-year-old physical therapist living in Los Angeles where there is a large Iranian community, said he would usually call his friends and family in Iran on Nowruz to wish them good health. But this year, "we don't even know if they're safe... what I wish for them is just to stay alive, to stay away from crowded places and to watch out for each other. And hopefully we can all celebrate a free Iran soon," he said. Like Khoshabeh, Mahnaz Panjehpour in Paris, is feeling the distance from Iran starkly this year. She said at home people say that what you're doing at the exact moment the calendar turns -- a time that shifts each year -- sets the tone for the year. "That's why we try to celebrate with family, with dignity, to be calm, with Hafez" the renowned 14th-century poet, she said. "This year, everything is messed up." Ahead of Nowruz, she returned to a line of poetry for hope for the year to come: "These bitter days will pass -- more bitter than poison; Once again a day will come when life is sweet as sugar." burs-sw/adp/rh/dcp Trump says told Netanyahu not to attack Iran gas fields Washington, United States, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to strike any more Iranian gas fields, seeking to distance himself from an attack by a key ally that has shaken world energy markets. Trump insisted on social media overnight that he "knew nothing" about Wednesday's strike by Israel on the South Pars gas field in Iran, which retaliated to the attack by hitting Qatari energy sites. Asked in the Oval Office whether he had talked to Netanyahu about attacking Iranian gas fields, Trump replied: "I did. I told him, don't do that, and he won't do that. "You know, we're independent. We get along great. It's coordinated, but on occasion, he'll do something, and if I don't like it...and so we're not doing that anymore." Trump's comments come despite the fact that US sources said on Wednesday that Washington was aware of the attack, although it had not participated in it. Trump has previously said the United States is holding off from launching attacks on Iran's energy facilities, as the nearly three-week-old war has already sent global oil prices spiking. At the same time, he also warned on his Truth Social network late Wednesday that the United States would "massively blow up" the South Pars field if Tehran did not stop attacking Qatar. Iran has responded with defiance, saying it would have "zero restraint" if its energy infrastructure was hit again. Republican Trump has insisted that energy prices will drop swiftly when the conflict is over, amid growing fears they will hit the US economy ahead of crucial midterm elections in November. But markets remain jittery, with Trump offering little clarity about how long the joint US-Israeli operation launched on February 28 will go on for, or whether the two allies share the same goals. Trump says the war is aimed at ensuring Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and destroying its missiles and navy, but has given little detail about what kind of Iran he wants after the war. Netanayahu has been far clearer in his calls for Iranians to overthrow the Islamic republic's clerical rulers. An Israeli strike at the very start of the war killed Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Lebanese electrical station knocked out by Israeli strike: utility Beirut, Lebanon, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Lebanon's state electricity company said on Thursday that an Israeli attack knocked out power to a region of southern Lebanon. There were no casualties in the attack, Electricite du Liban said, but it knocked out a "main transfer station" servicing the southern town of Bint Jbeil, its nearby villages and areas of the neighbouring Tyre district. The locations are all in the south of the country, where clashes are ongoing between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops who have attempted to push deeper into Lebanon. The cash-strapped utility company, which has for decades been unable to provide 24-hour electricity to residents, said the damage to the plant imposed "high financial costs" as well as logistical and security challenges in bringing the plant back online. Israel's defence minister vowed last Friday that Lebanon would "pay an increasing price in damage to Lebanese national infrastructure" as the war between Israel and Hezbollah continued. Israel has struck multiple bridges over the Litani River, which divides the south in two, this week. Rome, Berlin rule out military aid without truce after allies say ready to help in Hormuz London, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Six major international powers said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to" ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though two stressed that any initiative would take place post-ceasefire. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz". The grouping said they "welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning", as they condemned "in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf". But Italy and Germany both made clear later Thursday that they were not talking about any immediate military help, but rather a potential multilateral initiative after a ceasefire. The declaration came as an effective Iranian blockade of the strait has paralysed commercial shipping through the crucial maritime chokepoint, which in peacetime sees a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas pass through it. The war, which erupted on February 28 when the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, has led Tehran to retaliate with strikes across the Gulf region. Twenty-three commercial vessels, including 10 tankers, have reported incidents or having been attacked. The situation has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the strait, according to the International Maritime Organization. "We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict," the allies' joint statement said. "We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping," it added. "Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. "The effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable." - Not a 'war mission' - US President Donald Trump has urged other world powers, and NATO, to help reopen the Hormuz Strait to commercial shipping. But they have rebuffed his call in the short term while insisting they were open to discussions and planning. Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the statement by the six countries should not be seen as a "war mission". "No entry into Hormuz without a truce and a comprehensive multilateral initiative", for which "it is right and appropriate for the United Nations to provide the legal framework", he said in a statement. And in Berlin, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that any German military involvement "would depend on the situation after a ceasefire... and whether we could participate within the framework of an international mandate". Military involvement would also require approval by the German parliament, he added. A UK defence official told reporters at a briefing Wednesday that "the level of threat is such that I don't see many nations being willing to put warships into the middle of that threat right now". The defence official noted London has sent a "small number" of additional military "planners" to US Central Command to "help with the planning and option development for... whatever comes next in the Strait of Hormuz might look like". US mulls lifting sanctions on Iranian oil at sea despite war on Tehran Washington, United States, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that Washington might lift sanctions on Iranian oil that is already being shipped, as energy prices soar due to the war in the Middle East. The deliberation comes as Washington scrambles to ease high energy costs that have been filtering down to US consumers, although a Trump administration official added that "oil and gas export restrictions are not under consideration." Analysts warn that easing sanctions risks benefiting Tehran -- the target of US-Israeli attacks -- but some see the move as a way to bring partners into a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. A source familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly told AFP that if the easing on Iran took place, it could look similar to the Treasury's temporary authorization of Russian oil purchases recently, which was confined to a narrow timeframe. Bessent's comments to Fox Business on Thursday came as oil and gas prices made a renewed surge after Iran hit the world's biggest liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar and threatened to destroy the region's energy infrastructure. He added that the US government could also release more oil from its strategic reserves to help ease price pressure. Energy prices have spiked since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 triggered Tehran's retaliation that brought commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual halt. This snarled energy supply chains and is squeezing US consumers. Around a fifth of global crude oil and LNG passes through the critical waterway during peacetime. On Thursday, international benchmark brent gained 1.2 percent to $108.65. US gasoline prices have also jumped since the war started. Bessent estimated Thursday that there are around 140 million barrels of Iranian oil on the water, or about two weeks of supply that would have gone to China. The aim is to use the Iranian barrels against Tehran as Washington seeks to contain price hikes, he said. The optics of easing Iranian sanctions appears contradictory at face value, said Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates. "It would appear that we're allowing Iran to sell their oil at the same time that we're at war with them," he added. - 'Negotiating tactic' - With global daily oil demand exceeding 100 million barrels, the easing would also free up just 1.5 days' worth of supply internationally, said Philip Luck of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). "If they're thinking about changing prices here in the United States, that's just not going to happen," he told AFP. But he added that the move could bring minor relief to US allies and partners in Asia. Rather than lowering costs directly, ING economist James Knightley believes the lifting of sanctions could instead be an indication that Washington wants to work with partners to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has previously sought to appeal to France, Japan, China, Britain and South Korea to join in such an effort, he noted. It "looks like a bit of a negotiating tactic to try and get the Chinese on their side, to bolster this idea behind a naval coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," Knightley told AFP. Even if the sanctions lifting could "seem counterproductive," Washington might find it "worth the cost" if it helped get China to exert some pressure on Iran, he said. But for now, German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche told newspaper Bild that money spent on Iranian oil aids a government that stands against shared values. Washington has taken steps in recent weeks to curb energy price hikes, including temporarily allowing the sale of sanctioned Russian oil that is at sea, with some exceptions. On Wednesday, Trump waived a century-old maritime shipping law for 60 days, in an attempt to help ease energy prices. Lebanese president calls for truce while receiving French foreign minister Beirut, Lebanon, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday renewed his call for a truce and the opening of negotiations with Israel to stop the war between it and Hezbollah, during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Lebanon was brought into the regional war on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets toward Israel in response to the killing of its ally Iran's supreme leader in Israeli-US attacks. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes across various regions and ground incursions, which combined have left more than a thousand people dead. Aoun stressed "the necessity of a ceasefire, and to provide the necessary guarantees for its success by the parties concerned," according to a statement issued by the presidency. The president said "the negotiating initiative he announced is still on the table, but the continued military escalation is hindering its launch", the statement added. It said that Aoun emphasised "what is important is to stop the escalation" between Hezbollah and Israel. On March 9, Aoun proposed a four-point initiative that included "establishing a full truce" with Israel, providing logistical support to the army in order to "disarm Hezbollah and dismantle its depots and warehouses," and that Lebanon and Israel "begin direct negotiations under international auspices". Barrot is on a short visit to Lebanon that "reflects France's support and solidarity with the Lebanese people, who have been dragged into a war they did not choose", the French Foreign Ministry said. In addition to Aoun, Barrot met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and speaker of parliament Nabih Berri. Barrot also visited a school near Beirut that had been turned into a shelter for people displaced by the war. According to a French Foreign Ministry statement, Barrot was scheduled to consult with the three leaders "on the situation in Lebanon and ways to de-escalate". French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to the Lebanese president, prime minister and parliament speaker last Friday, and the next day called on Israel to agree to direct talks with the Lebanese government. Macron expressed France's readiness to facilitate the talks by hosting them in Paris. The foreign ministry added later that Barrot would visit Israel on Friday, his first trip since 2024 and the first since France recognised the State of Palestine last year. Barrot "will hold talks with the Israeli authorities to discuss the security situation, humanitarian issues, and prospects for de-escalation", according to the ministry. burs/jxb/sbk Netanyahu says Iran decimated as Tehran warns of 'zero restraint' in energy attacks Jerusalem, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel's military attacks had "decimated" Iran and that the Middle East war could finish sooner than expected, even as the Islamic republic kept up attacks on Gulf oil and gas targets that have jolted global markets. Nearly four weeks into the Middle East war launched by Israel and the United States, Netanyahu said he was no longer sure who runs Iran and that it was now unable to enrich uranium or build ballistic missiles. "We are winning and Iran is being decimated," Netanyahu told a press conference at which he hailed his cooperation with US President Donald Trump. "I also see this war ending a lot faster than people think," he added. "We're seeing cracks, and we're trying to propagate them as fast as we can, not only in the top command, we're seeing cracks in the field," he said. "We are taking action to destroy the industries that make it possible to build missiles. Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium and manufacture ballistic missiles," Netanyahu added. His comments came after the United States said there was no deadline to end the war that the two countries launched on February 28. While Israel and the US expressed confidence in their war efforts, energy markets were left reeling by Iranian attacks on the world's largest liquefied natural gas plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Oil markets have already been shaken by Iran's chokehold on the strategic Strait of Hormuz. But the benchmark Brent surged six percent to $119 a barrel before falling back to $110, while European gas prices rose nearly a third, after Iranian missiles hit Qatar's huge Ras Laffan natural gas complex in retaliation for Israel's air raid on the South Pars gas field on Wednesday. The latest attack on Ras Laffan caused "extensive damage", that QatarEngery said could cost it $20 billion a year in lost revenue and take five years to repair. Iran also struck elsewhere in the region, with a drone crashing into the Samref refinery in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu, the Saudi defence ministry said. The Saudi government said it reserved the "right to take military actions" in response. In Kuwait, drone attacks sparked fires at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries, which have a combined capacity of 800,000 barrels per day. And in Israel an oil refinery in the port of Haifa was hit on Thursday. Media showed images of black smoke rising from the complex. - 'Zero restraint' - Trump indicated he did not know in advance about Israel's raid on South Pars, which supplies about 70 percent of Iran's domestic needs. But he said he had told Netanyahu not to hit Iranian gas fields again. "We get along great. It's coordinated, but on occasion, he'll do something" that the United States opposes, Trump said. Netanyahu insisted Israel "acted alone" with the strike, while saying no "two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He's the leader." Trump warned earlier that the United States would "blow up" South Pars if Tehran did not stop attacking Qatar. But he said Thursday there was no current plan to send troops into Iran. Iran responded to the threats with defiance. The military's Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command vowed the "complete destruction" of Gulf energy infrastructure if the Israeli attack was repeated, according to a statement carried by Fars news agency. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media there would be "ZERO restraint" if Iran's infrastructure was hit again. - 'Safe passage' sought - Amid growing concern over the economic fallout from the conflict, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands said they would "contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz". But they gave few details. Rome and Berlin later insisted any action would only happen if there was a ceasefire in the war. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "reckless escalation" in attacks and called for "direct talks between the Americans and Iranians on this matter". UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office warned that "attacks on critical infrastructure risked pushing the region further into crisis", after talks with Macron and NATO chief Mark Rutte. India and China also expressed new concern about their supplies which flow through the Hormuz strait. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there is no time frame for ending the war, but that "we're very much on track" and Trump would choose when to end fighting. "It will be at the president's choosing, ultimately, where we say, 'Hey, we've achieved what we need to,'" he told a Washington news conference. Commentators said the energy attacks showed gaps between the United States and Israel over war tactics. "The conflict is drifting into a war of attrition -- with no clear signs of regime collapse in Iran," said Danny Citrinowicz, a senior fellow at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, on X. The attacks "underscored just how unstructured this campaign has become -- lacking strategic clarity, long-term planning, and a defined end state". US media said the administration could seek more than $200 billion in additional war funding from Congress. "I think that number could move. Obviously it takes money to kill bad guys," Hegseth commented. burs-tw/dcp BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A new study by Chinese scientists reveals that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau did not experience a steady, continuous rise, but underwent two distinct cycles of dramatic uplift and fall. Published recently in the journal Geology, the research was led by scientists from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. By linking deep-underground activities to changes on the plateau's surface, the findings offer new insights into how massive mountain plateaus form. The team focused on two intermountain basins within the Gangdise Mountains in the southern part of the plateau, known as the "roof of the world." The sedimentary layers in these basins function like geological "diaries," preserving detailed records of landform changes over tens of millions of years. Using uranium-lead isotope dating technology and mineral analyses of the basin sediments, the team discovered that the two basins, formed tens of millions of years apart, share striking similarities in their hydrological systems. Their water systems both shifted from open to closed and then back to open. The scientists explained that before a rapid uplift, the basins were relatively open, receiving input from complex, external river systems. As the terrain rose swiftly to form towering mountain barriers, they cut off rivers and isolated the basins. Later, when the land sank again, the rivers reconnected. Based on this pattern, the study infers that the Gangdise Mountains underwent two periods of rapid uplift: the first between approximately 54 million and 51 million years ago, and the second between 15 million and 8 million years ago. Each uplift pushed the land up by about one kilometer. Critically, each uplift was followed by a period of subsidence. The study also finds that both uplifts were accompanied by thinning of the Earth's crust, suggesting that they were driven by similar deep processes. According to the scientists, the first uplift was likely triggered by the break-off of the sinking Neo-Tethys oceanic plate. The second was caused by the delamination of a portion of the underthrust Indian continental plate. In both cases, the loss of part of the heavy, sinking plate allowed the land above to rebound upward, like removing a heavy weight. However, after the initial rebound, the continent's continued push pulled the surface back down, leading to subsidence. "The growth of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau wasn't a simple story of 'getting taller,'" said Xue Erkun, a postdoctoral researcher at the Guangzhou institute. "It was the result of multiple, alternating phases of uplift and subsidence. Furthermore, similar surface changes were driven by similar deep-seated movement mechanisms." Israel PM says 'we are winning and Iran is being decimated' Jerusalem, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel and the United States were "winning" the war against Iran, with the Islamic republic "decimated" and unable to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles. In an English?language press conference, Netanyahu insisted Israel had "acted alone" in striking Iran's massive South Pars gas field, while confirming that US President Donald Trump had asked Israeli forces to "hold off" on such attacks moving forward. The Israeli premier also rejected the notion that he had dragged Trump into the conflict, implying that he was the junior partner in the joint assault on Iran. "Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?" Netanyahu told reporters. "He didn't need any convincing," he added. "I don't think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He's the leader. I'm, you know, his ally." The veteran Israeli politician sought to paint a broad portrait of success for the nearly three?week conflict that has engulfed the Middle East. "We are taking action to destroy the industries that make it possible to build missiles. Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium and manufacture ballistic missiles," Netanyahu said. "We are winning and Iran is being decimated." The offensive is also forging cracks among the surviving leaders of the Islamic republic, divisions Israel is working to deepen, Netanyahu said. "I'm not sure who's running Iran right now. Mojtaba, the replacement ayatollah, has not shown his face," he said, referring to Iran's newly appointed supreme leader, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the first day of the war. "What we see is that there is a lot of tension inside the people who are edging for the top," Netanyahu further said. "We're seeing cracks, and we're trying to propagate them as fast as we can. Not only in the top command -- we're seeing cracks in the field." - 'Hold off' - The strike on the Iranian gas field has shaken already jittery world energy markets, and Trump on Thursday indicated displeasure with the attack. "We're not doing that anymore," the president said in the Oval Office. Netanyahu made clear the message had been received. "President Trump asked us to hold off on future attacks and we're holding off." Netanyahu also called Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has sent energy prices soaring, "blackmail" that "won't work." The Israeli premier further indicated his campaign against Iran would continue, saying: "There's still more work to do, and we're gonna do it." But he added: "I also see this war ending a lot faster than people think." CORRECTED: Netanyahu says Iran war could end 'faster than people think' Jerusalem, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he believed the war in Iran could finish sooner than "people think". "I also see this war ending a lot faster than people think," Netanyahu said at a press conference. The pound was quoted at 1.3367 dollars at the time of the London equities close on Thursday, higher compared to 1.3334 dollars on Wednesday. Against the euro, sterling rose to 1.1597 euros from 1.1577 euros a day prior. The euro stood at 1.1527 dollars, higher against 1.1517 dollars. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar was trading lower at 158.09 yen compared to 159.45 yen. The latest increases in the gas price could have profound implications for domestic energy bills and the UK economy. It comes ahead of a meeting of the Bank of Englands Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) today at which interest rates are expected to be kept at 3.75%. Now it turns out the Government, viz, the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, may be listening to this nitwit, and watering down her proposals. This is presumably on the basis that Andy Burnham, the Manchester mayor who might actually have posed a leadership risk to the PM, says that we should always listen to Angela. Look, this is a man who is sounding out potential allies for his own putative bid; dont pay attention to him. Yet the Government has let it be known, in characteristically contradictory briefings, that it may do an about-turn on lengthening the period of residence in the UK prior to a citizenship application. So, it may not apply to people already here. Yet it is the 1.7 million people already here who are next in line to apply under the old rules who (whatever their individual merits) are precisely the problem. Ange could take a bow for increasing the population of the country by more than the size of Birmingham. Its relentless, Sue says, spotlighting the misinformation on social media as a particular sore point. I saw one [comment under a news story] that said it came off the boats from Dover. There are people saying its got to do with having vaccinations, that it's experimentation by the university, that [the students who died] had taken drugs. Just horrible. The families probably wont be looking [at social media] at the moment, but you do look at what was said about your child afterwards, and all those things are just little extra knives that really get to you. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue If it included six giant tankers, and warships at the front and back, a convoy could be 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) long given the distance apart which they would be required to keep, explained Prof Clarke, so it would be a very large, slow-moving target for Iranian drones, missiles and fast attack boats. Mr Healey told PA: We can see the impact here on the cost of living, the price of fuel, so its important that we do everything we can with a lot of other countries that need to be involved in trying to reopen those straits. BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao will lead a delegation to attend the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which will be held in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon, from March 26 to 29, a ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. The conference will take place amid severe challenges to the global economic and trade order, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise and uncertainties surrounding global economic development increasing, spokesperson He Yongqian said. The spokesperson added that the WTO Ministerial Conference will return to Africa after a decade, bringing together more than 160 members to discuss key issues including WTO reform, trade and development, agriculture and food security. As a responsible major developing country and a staunch supporter and active contributor to the multilateral trading system, China announced in September 2025 that it would not seek any new special and differential treatment in the current and future WTO negotiations. China has also submitted a position paper to the WTO, outlining its stance on WTO reform under the current circumstances. Regarding the upcoming conference, China will actively facilitate consultations, advance consensus-building and promote outcomes, according to the spokesperson. During the conference, China will also host a high-level meeting focused on Africa's industrialization and Chinese investment, as well as participate in other events aimed at helping all parties -- especially developing members -- better integrate into the multilateral trading system and benefit more from multilateral, mutually beneficial cooperation, the spokesperson said. Why Arsenal may be the big winners from PSG vs Bayern thriller Why Arsenal are the big winners from PSG vs Bayern thriller But I do believe, as I know you believe, Mr president, that history is not merely a record of what was done to us it is a lesson in how we go forward together to continue building a future rooted in hope and growth for all, and worthy of those who bore the pains of the past. Gails used to be concentrated in leafy west London neighbourhoods, where it earned its reputation as a bakery for posh people. When top brass are scouting out new locations, farmers markets and schools are green flags they look for. But really, anywhere will do nowadays even Gatwick airport. Beyond the prices, there is a sense that Gails is designed to cater for a certain stratum of the English bourgeoisie. According to Milla, a former barista at Gails East Sheen, her branch was a hotbed for yoga mummies, who would come in to drop their children on the floor together and have a coffee. Perhaps that image is why the residents of Walthamstow (once named the coolest neighbourhood in the UK) objected so strongly to the arrival of a Gails in 2024. A petition against the bakery opening received over 1,800 signatures from locals, who felt it would take away from the character of their high street. Earlier that summer, the Liberal Democrats had used the chain as part of its election strategy. When looking for seats they might win from the Tories, one of the questions they asked was Does it have a Gails? Asked if he thought the strike was deliberately targeted, he said: Almost certainly. One hundred per cent it was on purpose. They knew that we were on the bridge, they can see, they know everything that happens here in the south [of Lebanon]. They monitor every movement. They knew we were there. In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. Photo taken on March 18, 2026 shows an explosion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi air defences intercepted 8 ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday evening, the country's Ministry of Defence announced. (Xinhua) RIYADH, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Saudi air defences intercepted 8 ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday evening, the country's Ministry of Defence announced. The ministry said on social media platform X that four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed, and "part of one ballistic missile fell near a refinery south of Riyadh." Earlier on Wednesday, it said four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed, with debris falling in various areas of the capital. Meanwhile, Saudi Civil Defense said four residents were injured and limited material damage was caused after debris from the interception of a ballistic missile fell on a residential site in Riyadh. Several explosions were heard across the city, and mobile phone alerts were triggered for the first time for residents in the Saudi capital's urban area since the current regional conflict began. The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions following weeks of escalating exchanges between Iran and the U.S.-Israeli alliance. Photo taken on March 18, 2026 shows an explosion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi air defences intercepted 8 ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday evening, the country's Ministry of Defence announced. (Xinhua) JavaScript is disabled in your browser. Please enable JavaScript to proceed. A required part of this site couldnt load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser. GAZA/JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Palestinian sources said. Palestinian medical sources told Xinhua that two Palestinians were killed when an Israeli drone targeted a gathering of civilians in the Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City. In a similar attack, two others were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Zeitoun area, southeast of Gaza City. The Israeli army has not commented on either incident. Separately, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Thursday that the IDF and the domestic security agency Shin Bet on Wednesday "struck and eliminated Muhammad Abu Shaleh, the Military Intelligence Commander of Hamas' Khan Yunis Brigade." "Shaleh operated in violation of the ceasefire agreement to rehabilitate the organization's capabilities in the Gaza Strip and planned to carry out terror attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel," it said. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said that Israel is "dangerously escalating its aggression against the Gaza Strip after deliberately killing four young men in an airstrike, in a deliberate violation of the ceasefire agreement." Gaza's health authorities said Wednesday that the death toll since Oct. 7, 2023, had risen to 72,253, with 171,912 wounded. The authorities added that the death toll since a ceasefire came into effect in October 2025 had reached 677, with 1,813 injuries. By Zhao Xiaona, Larry Neild LONDON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- London Mayor Sadiq Khan's proposal to introduce a levy on large SUVs has sparked a heated debate, focusing on the balance between urban governance, environmental goals and social fairness. A spokesperson for Mayor Khan confirmed that Transport for London is evaluating the safety risks associated with large SUVs, citing evidence that such vehicles are 77 percent more likely to kill a child in a collision compared to smaller cars. Environmental groups have expressed support for the proposal, highlighting the rapid rise in SUV numbers in London. Over the past two decades, the number of SUVs has surged from around 80,000 in 2002 to 800,000 in 2023. The tenfold increase, they argue, not only takes up more road space but also endangers pedestrians, particularly children. The groups believe that imposing higher charges on larger vehicles would help mitigate these risks and improve energy efficiency. Several European cities have already adopted similar measures. However, the proposal has met strong resistance from the automotive industry. Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said SUVs meet stringent British safety standards. He argued that focusing on vehicle size would unfairly penalize people who rely on larger vehicles for essential mobility, such as tradespeople or families with specific needs. The debate also raises broader concerns about London's infrastructure. The city's roads were not designed to accommodate the growing size of vehicles, and issues like congestion and air quality remain ongoing challenges. David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham, said that even electric SUVs, while cleaner, still contribute to road congestion, tire pollution, and increased accident risks, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians. At the same time, the demand for larger vehicles is driven by more than just consumer preference, he argued. For some, larger cars are necessary for accessibility, safety, or space. The key challenge, experts say, is how to implement a policy that addresses environmental and safety concerns without unfairly impacting essential users, particularly in outer London, where public transport options are less abundant. Ultimately, the debate has become a broader discussion about balancing environmental responsibility with personal mobility. If handled carefully, a levy on larger vehicles could be a step forward in making London safer and less congested. But if it disproportionately affects certain groups, it could exacerbate existing divisions. 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The attack on Wednesday caused "several Chadian casualties," according to the statement. Local media reported that 16 people were killed. The president instructed Prime Minister Allamaye Halina to dispatch a government delegation to the site to assess both human and material damage, the statement said. He also ordered the National Army to retaliate against any attack originating from Sudan, it added. Chad shares a long and porous border with Sudan, which has been engulfed in conflict since 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. is the militarys highest court of appeals. The court recently upheld a lower appeal courts dismissal in the case of an airman found guilty of indecent conduct for engaging in sexual acts with a 4-foot-tall silicone doll resembling a child. (Alexander Banerjee/Stars and Stripes) The militarys highest court has upheld the dismissal of a case involving an airman who said he performed sexual acts with a childlike silicone doll in the privacy of his dorm room. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces on Monday affirmed the judgment of the Air Force criminal appeals court, which ruled that Airman Zachary Rochas conduct was constitutionally protected. In the courts majority opinion, justices wrote they lacked the authority to make their own findings of fact and reviewed an appeals court decision for the application of correct legal principles. The high court wrote that it was not sure another review by the Air Force appeals court was justified, stating justices answered the most important question when they stated Rocha had a constitutionally protected liberty interest to privately engage in sexual activities with his doll, according to court papers. But in a scathing dissent from the majority, the courts top judge warned the decision lowers the legal threshold for deviant behavior among personnel and sends a message that the U.S. militarys justice system accepts the unabashed sexualization of children. And so, wrote Chief Judge Keith Ohlson, hundreds of thousands of servicemembers who serve in the Air Force and Space Force are now authorized to penetrate child sex dolls while on base and at their leisure. This result is indefensible, he said, writing alongside Judge John Sparks, who joined in dissent. The 3-2 decision concludes a case that took five years for the U.S. militarys legal system to resolve. In March 2021, Rocha was convicted in a general court-martial at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, of one count of indecent conduct for engaging in sexual acts with a sex doll with the physical characteristics of a female child, according to court documents. A panel of officers, the equivalent to a jury in civilian court, found his behavior discredited the armed forces and sentenced him to a bad conduct discharge and 90 days in jail. Rocha admitted to purchasing a silicone sex doll, described in court filings as being about 4 feet tall with female prepubescent features. It was discovered in his room about three weeks after he bought the doll during an on-base dormitory inspection. Those who saw the clothed doll on Rochas bed said they were startled by its lifelike appearance, according to court documents. An Air Force investigator testified in 2021 that he saw a doll that scared (him) because it kind of looked like a child, according to court filings. Rocha told investigators he benefited emotionally from the doll, whom he named Adele. He also said he engaged in sexual acts with the doll but denied having sexual interest in children, court papers state. Rocha said he stopped his sexual activity when realizing the doll looked childlike, according to court documents. In December 2022, the Air Force appeals court overturned Rochas dismissal on due process grounds. The justices found Rocha did not have fair notice that performing sexual acts with an inanimate object, alone and in a private setting, was criminal under military law. The armed forces court of appeals, however, reversed the decision. Rocha did have fair notice, the court said, given that service members of ordinary intelligence should recognize conduct with parallels to child sexual abuse material is criminal under military law. But the court sent the case back to the Air Force appeals court a second time, to address another of Rochas claim, that private sex acts with a doll are constitutionally protected conduct. The Air Force appeals court agreed. In January 2025, justices found Rocha had a constitutionally protected liberty interest to privately engage in sexual activities with his doll, according to court papers. Even considering potential discredit to the service, we have found that (Rochas) conductmasturbation, in solitude, in secret, and in privateshould warrant the constitutional protection afforded by the Supreme Courts decision in Lawrence v. Texas. That landmark decision struck down a Texas law criminalizing sodomy between consenting adults. Ohlson, in his dissent, emphasized his support for the legal precedents that uphold for both civilian and military members of the armed forces the expansive and robust right to privacy when it comes to sexual activity among consenting adults. But, he said, no federal court has ever held that Lawrence creates a constitutional right for a person to penetrate a child sex doll. The doll, he noted, did not have the appearance of some blow-up gag gift from a novelty shop, he wrote in his opinion. It was made of silicone, mimicking skin, and was obtained from a website which specializes in anatomically correct dolls. Rocha told investigators that he talked to this doll, showered with it, put baby powder on it, brushed its hair, slept with it, and gave it the name of a real girl he knew in middle school, Ohlson stated. A soldier fires an M7 rifle during a weapon qualification test at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, on Jan. 30, 2026. The Army expects to begin testing a smaller and lighter carbine version of the weapon as early as October, according to service representatives. (Duke Edwards/U.S. Army) The Armys ongoing push to upgrade its handheld firepower isnt slowing down, as it prepares to introduce yet another new rifle later this year, the service confirmed this week. The XM8 carbine is the latest weapon expected to be field-tested by soldiers as early as October, an Army spokesperson told Task & Purpose. The Armys Program Executive Office did not immediately respond to questions Thursday about the rifle. The service only standardized the M7 as its primary rifle last year, but the XM8 is not intended to replace it. Instead, it is being developed as a companion weapon. Since awarding a 10-year Next Generation Squad Weapon contract to Sig Sauer in early 2022, soldiers have tested the M7 formerly the XM5 and the M250 automatic rifle, intended to replace the M4 and M249, respectively. The X designation indicates the weapons were in the experimental phase before standardization. The program aimed to move away from decades-old 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition in favor of weapons that chamber 6.8mm, which the Armys contract release in 2022 said would increase accuracy and (be) more lethal against emerging threats. The Army began fielding the M7 in 2023, but it was not until May 2025 that the service officially designated it as the standard-issue rifle to replace the M4, according to an Army release. Still in early development, the XM8 is being designed as a carbine which is typically lighter and shorter version of the M7, making it easier for soldiers to move in tight spaces while using the Armys new 6.8mm ammunition. The XM8 is about 5 inches shorter and roughly one pound lighter than the M7 and features a fixed buttstock, a Sig Sauer spokesperson confirmed to Task & Purpose. Images of the experimental rifle gained traction online Monday after the link to a military weapons website, SoldierSystems.net, circulated on the popular Army Reddit forum. The websites article shared side-by-side photos of the M7 and XM8, highlighting the carbines more compact design. The site reported that details of the XM8 first surfaced last month, when the Army issued a new national stock number often an early indicator that an item is entering the services supply chain. As of 2024, the Army planned to purchase more than 100,000 M7 rifles and 13,000 M250s by early 2030. It remains unclear what the timeline would be for adopting the XM8, if it moves beyond testing. In contrast to the Armys shift toward larger-caliber weapons systems, the Marine Corps plans to retain its 5.56mm rifles, with officials telling Stars and Stripes last month it will continue fielding the M27. An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Kestrels of Strike Fighter Squadron 137, launches off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on March 15, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Va. (Julian Jaime/U.S. Navy) Squadrons of attack aircraft have been sent to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as it heads south for exercises in the Pacific Ocean south of San Diego, the Navy said late Wednesday. I can confirm that our air wing joined us after getting underway from San Diego, Lt. Cmdr. Peter Pagano, spokesman for the Nimitz, said in an email from aboard the ship. Pagano said the exact makeup of the squadrons would be released Friday in a statement from U.S. 4th Fleet, the command responsible for U.S. naval forces operating in Caribbean, Central and South American regions. The Nimitz left its homeport, Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash., on March 7. The nearly 51-year-old carrier was headed to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., where it was to arrive in mid-April for its planned decommissioning. After departing Bremerton, the Navy announced the Nimitz would participate in the Southern Seas 2026 exercises. The Nimitz made a brief stop at North Island Naval Air Station, in San Diego, before departing on the morning of March 14. An E/A-18G Growler, attached to the Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron 139, prepares to land on the flight deck of USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on March 14, 2026. (Jaron Wills/U.S. Navy) A C-2A Greyhound, attached to the Rawhides of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, lands on the flight deck of USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on March 14, 2026. (Tanner Orth/U.S. Navy) Sailors man the rail of the USS Nimitz as it passes the Nimitz-class carrier USS Carl Vinson during its departure Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on March 14, 2026. (Tanner Orth/U.S. Navy) An E/A-18G Growler, attached to the Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron 139, launches from the flight deck of USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on March 16, 2026. (Edward Jacome/U.S. Navy) Navy photos released Tuesday show aircraft the service says were operating on the carrier on March 14 and 15, including F/A-18 Hornet fighter-attack jets and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets. The Navy said the carrier was operating at the time in the 3rd Fleet area of operations. The 3rd Fleet is responsible for naval operations in the eastern and northern Pacific Ocean. The Navy has not said what, if any, escort vessels are accompanying the Nimitz. Destroyers or cruisers are usually dispatched when the carrier is operating as a strike group. The service announced last week that the Nimitzs service life would be extended into 2027, allowing the Navy to maintain the congressionally mandated minimum of 11 aircraft carriers. The USS John F. Kennedy, the Navys second Ford-class aircraft carrier, is scheduled to be delivered and commissioned in March 2027. The largely intact wreck of Devastator torpedo bomber BuNo 1515, ditched by its crew on Feb. 1, 1942, lies on the floor of a Marshall Islands lagoon in this undated photograph. (Air/Sea Heritage Foundation) The Devastator torpedo bombers role in World War II was short-lived but historic. U.S. Navy pilots flew the TBD-1 Devastator against the Japanese in the 1942 Battles of Coral Sea and Midway. Developed by Douglas Aircraft Co. in 1937, the Devastator was the Navys first carrier-based plane with an enclosed cockpit. The 129 Devastators produced by Douglas, however, were already outdated and quickly replaced by the speedier, nimbler Grumman TBF Avenger. The Devastator became a footnote in history, and no vestige of the bomber is found in any museum or collection anywhere in the world. Now, the Devastator Rising Project is intent on changing that by retrieving a nearly intact wreck resting in a shallow Pacific lagoon for future display in Washington, D.C. A consortium formally launched the project in January. It is composed of the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, the Naval History and Heritage Command, Texas A&M Universitys Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation and the Marshall Islands Cultural and Historic Preservation Office. But reclaiming a Devastator from the sea has been a decades-long avocation for Russ Matthews, director of the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation based in Boise, Idaho, he said in a Feb. 17 phone interview. A TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber flies above Wake Island in late February 1942. (Air/Sea Heritage Foundation) Matthews described himself as a lifelong aviation junkie, with a particular interest in the Battle of Midway in June 1942. The story of the Devastators grabbed him, he said. In 2003, he became involved in a project by the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery that set out to document a pair of Devastators resting 120 feet below the surface of Jaluit Lagoon in the Marshall Islands. Divers had discovered the largely intact planes six years earlier. Based on seven expeditions to the wrecks over about 20 years during which the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation was established in 2017 data indicated that the plane identified by Bureau Number 1515 would be the best candidate for recovery, Matthews said. BuNo 1515 had been part of a group that flew from the Yorktown on Feb. 1, 1942, for a shore bombardment of the Marshall Islands. But the plane, along with BuNo 0298, encountered bad weather and drifted off course. Realizing they did not have enough fuel for the return trip, the crews jettisoned their bombs and ditched the planes in the lagoon. Japanese troops captured the crews on a nearby island the next day, and they spent almost four years as POWs. All returned home after the war. Naval History and Heritage Command first and foremost wants to recover BuNo 1515 because it would at long last bring an example of the aircraft to a museum, Samuel Cuellar, an underwater archeologist leading the effort on behalf of the command, said by phone Wednesday. The plane may be retrieved in the summer of 2028 at the earliest, he said. Plans call for putting it on permanent display at the new National Museum of the United States Navy, which is expected to open in 2030. Beyond that, Cuellar said, the artifact will highlight the tales of the men operating the Devastators. Despite flying obsolete, outgunned aircraft, they still went forth, he said. These were some of the first encounters that American pilots had with the Japanese in some of these engagements, Cuellar said. That is also something thats really important, to be able to tell the story, not only of the planes, but more importantly, the pilots that flew them and the crews that manned them. It wouldnt be a German weinstube if schnitzel wasnt on the menu. At Weinstube Frohlich in Stuttgart, homemade maultaschen, roast beef and more is also served up in a cozy setting. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes) Axl Rose was an urchin on the street when he paid a visit to a cozy eatery in Stuttgarts seedy red-light district. The legendary Guns N Roses frontman made local headlines in August when he pulled up to Weinstube Frohlich in a chauffeured Mercedes Maybach. Were a family of Gunner fans, and of Rose in particular, so it was on our to-do list to walk in his footsteps after learning of his Stuttgart visit. Weinstube Frohlich is one of the older eateries in the Leonhardsviertel district and is something of a city institution. It serves Swabian classics in an intimate setting with wood-panel walls and a warm interior that contrasts with the lowbrow street scene outside. Id been to the restaurant a couple of times in the distant past, but seeing Roses visit reminded me that it was a really enjoyable spot. When we were seated during a recent visit, a family affair of six people, the first question I asked the waitress was what Axl ordered. Veal liver in a dark sauce was on the menu at Weinstube Frohlich, an eatery in downtown Stuttgart. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes) She said he had the roast beef and also ordered an additional dish of spaetzle to go. I was a little disappointed he didnt go for the veal liver, which would have made us simpatico. While many people turn their nose up at the thought of liver, the dish was a real standout at Weinstube Frohlich. The bites of meat were tender and mild by liver standards, with just a tiny hint of that signature metallic aftertaste. The dark brown syrupy sauce it was served in also delivered the flavor. I had a side of roasted potatoes, and before that ate the beef tartare for an appetizer, which was silky and delicious. The menu features the usual southern German standards, like homemade maultaschen, or large meat-filled dumplings, and the regional style of potato salad. While the offerings arent extensive, everything is well-made, which probably explains the crowd. Reservations are recommended, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. One of my dining companions ordered Axls roast beef and gave it high marks. Others ordered schnitzel and maultaschen, both of which were met with approval. The wine cart also has lots to choose from, with a heavy emphasis on varieties from the region. Nightrain, a flavored fortified wine and Axls old favorite back when he was feeling like a space brain, didnt make the menu, though. For us, the visit felt like a warm welcome into a cozy Stuttgart tradition, with the jungle right outside. Weinstube Frohlich, a restaurant in Stuttgarts red light district, is a popular place for traditional southern Germany food. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes) Weinstube Frohlich Address: Leonhardstrasse 5, Stuttgart, Germany Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Prices: Between $25 and $40 for entrees. Information: + 49 711 242471 weinstube-froehlich.de Inside the Fantaseum shopping center in Suwon, South Korea, Battle Combat Arena offers a large indoor laser tag field capable of hosting up to 20 players at once. (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes) A static voice crackles through an intercom: Battle ready. Flashes of neon reflect off a maze of ramps and corridors as players cautiously step forward, scanning glowing barriers for their opponents. Inside the Fantaseum shopping center in Suwon, South Korea, Battle Combat Arena offers a large indoor laser tag field capable of hosting up to 20 players at once. The arena unfolds across a two-level maze for fast-paced, competitive play. At Battle Combat Arena, a laser tag venue in Suwon, South Korea, a multilevel layout encourages a tactical approach. (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes) The battlefield is defined by faint neon lighting. Blue marks the blue teams territory, red marks the opposing side, and green illuminates the central zone where both teams can engage. The multilevel layout encourages a tactical approach. Ramps and overhead walkways provide vantage points across the battle space, while narrow corridors offer cover from opponents moving through the maze below. Racks hold Battle Combat Arena laser tag gear at Fantaseum in Suwon, South Korea, Feb. 21, 2026. (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes) As a seven-minute round unfolds, the once-confusing maze begins to feel familiar. Players start to recognize shortcuts, ambush points and defensive positions that turn the arena into a tactical playground. After several matches, the experience becomes surprisingly physical. Players sprint between cover, crouch behind barriers and move quickly along ramps while attempting to tag opponents before being eliminated. A Battle Combat employee prepares a player for the laser tag arena at Fantaseum in Suwon, South Korea, Feb. 21, 2026. (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes) For service members, the appeal lies in the blend of strategy and competition, where communication and positioning even elements of military training can influence the outcome. Price depends on the number of rounds purchased. Two battles cost 14,000 won, or about $9.46; three battles cost 18,000 won; and four battles cost 22,000 won per player. Players are advised to arrive with a group. Matches are strictly team-based free-for-all play is not available so participants should be prepared to join others or assemble their own team. Inside the Fantaseum shopping center in Suwon, South Korea, Battle Combat Arena offers a large indoor laser tag field capable of hosting up to 20 players at once. (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes) On the QT Directions: About 35 minutes by car from Osan Air Base or a seven-minute walk from Mangpo Train Station. Fantaseum shopping center, 3rd floor, Gyeonggi-do, Suwon-si, Yeongtong-gu. Times: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Costs: 14,000 won for two battles. Food: Fantaseum boasts a number of restaurants and snack cafes, including an Ashely Queens Buffet. Information: Online: fantaseum.co.kr Chinese coast guard vessel 1307, seen here in August 2025, entered Japan's territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands twice this week. (Japan coast guard) Chinese coast guard vessels entered waters Japan claims around the disputed Senkaku Islands while chasing a Japanese fishing boat this week amid heightened tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Two vessels came within 12 miles southwest of Minamikojima at around 5:30 a.m. Monday while pursuing the fishing boat, according to a Japan coast guard news release that day. They departed at 7:20 p.m. the next day, according to a separate release Tuesday. The Senkakus are administered by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan. The area reportedly holds a wealth of natural resources, including fish, oil and natural gas. Twelve miles marks a countrys territorial limit at sea. Two other Chinese ships were seen in Japans contiguous zone, which extends 24 miles from the territorial baseline, according to the coast guard. On Wednesday, four Chinese coast guard vessels including the pair that entered the territorial limit on Monday made another incursion shortly after 4 p.m., according to a Japan coast guard release that day. The Chinese vessels departed after about two hours. In both instances, the Chinese vessels were met by a larger contingent of Japanese vessels that used electronic message boards to warn them to leave the area, a coast guard spokeswoman said by phone Thursday. The purpose of Wednesdays incursion is unclear, she added. There were no fishing boats operating around the Senkakus on Wednesday, and we do not clearly know why they intruded, she said. Some Japanese government officials must speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. Some members of the Yaeyama Fisheries Cooperative Association, which represents fishermen on Ishigaki island, have reported informal coast guard requests to stay away from the Senkakus, the associations managing director, Kokichi Irabu, told Stars and Stripes last month. Ishigaki is about 95 miles southeast of Uotsuri Island, the largest of the Senkakus. Japan and China square off frequently over the five small, uninhabited islands and three reefs off Taiwans northeastern tip. Tokyo frequently accuses Beijing of harassing Japanese fishing boats there and sends its coast guard to intercede. The activities of Chinese coast guard vessels, such as navigating in Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands while making their own claims, are a violation of international law, said Tuesdays release. The incidents marked the fourth and fifth incursions this year, according to the coast guard. In 2025, Chinese coast guard vessels entered Japanese territorial waters around the islands 27 times, the agency said. They also sailed in the contiguous zone around the Senkakus a record 357 times that year. Tensions between Japan and China have risen in recent months. During a November parliamentary session, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tokyo could use military force if Beijing attacks Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to unify the democratic island with the mainland, by force if necessary. Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commander of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to U.S. and South Korean marines during Freedom Shield drills in Pohang, South Korea, March 16, 2026. (Daniel Wetzel/U.S. Marine Corps) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea The United States and South Korea have wrapped up a major joint exercise focused on preparing Seoul to assume wartime operational control of allied forces. The 10-day Freedom Shield exercise, which ended Thursday, emphasized readiness for a potential transition in which South Korea would take the lead in defending the peninsula during a conflict, according to a joint news release from U.S. Forces Korea and South Koreas Ministry of National Defense. The training also incorporated lessons from recent conflicts and aimed to improve the allies ability to respond quickly and effectively to complex security challenges, the release said. As we prepare for the [operational control] transfer, this years [Freedom Shield] reaffirmed the common value of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula shared between [South Korea] and the U.S., Gen. Jin Yong-sung, chairman of South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in the release. U.S. and South Korean soldiers operate a convoy support center during Freedom Shield drills in Yeongju, South Korea, March 12, 2026. (Deziree Keay/U.S. Army) Under a long-standing agreement first reached in 2006, the U.S. plans to transfer wartime operational control to South Korea, though the timeline has been repeatedly delayed. The effort advanced in October when a bilateral committee approved a permanent Combined Ground Component Command. In January, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby met in Seoul with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back to discuss further steps toward the transition. Although the main Freedom Shield exercise has concluded, four additional training events are scheduled to continue into next week, South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Col. Jang Do-young said Thursday at a briefing in Seoul. U.S. Army Gen. Xavier Brunson head of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea said Freedom Shield demonstrated the alliances ability to operate as a unified force. No other alliance trains as we do from competition, to crisis, to conflict all with an eye to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, he said in the release. There is no substitute for training, there is no excuse for not being ready. U.S. Army Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, speaks with South Korean marine Maj. Gen. Park Sung Soon during Freedom Shield drills at Camp Mujuk, South Korea, March 10, 2026. (Aaron Patterson/U.S. Marine Corps) Freedom Shield began March 9 amid a broader series of overlapping exercises involving U.S. and allied forces in South Korea and Japan. About 18,000 troops participated, according to South Korean media reports. A companion exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield, is held annually in the summer. Other recent drills included the Korean Marine Exchange Program, which is ongoing, and the Air Forces Beverly Midnight exercise linking Japan-based wings. A large-scale field training component, Warrior Shield, also took place across South Korea. What [Freedom Shield] showed me is a combined, joint force prepared to fight and win, Command Sgt. Maj. Robin Bolmer said in the release. I have every confidence in these service members. They are ready. Flooded houses are seen in Hasakah, Syria, on March 17, 2026. Heavy rainfall caused the overflow of Khabur River, affecting several neighborhoods in Hasakah. (Str/Xinhua) A collapsed bridge over the Khabur River is seen in Hasakah, Syria, on March 17, 2026. Heavy rainfall caused the overflow of Khabur River, affecting several neighborhoods in Hasakah. (Str/Xinhua) Residents gather near flooded houses in Hasakah, Syria, on March 17, 2026. Heavy rainfall caused the overflow of Khabur River, affecting several neighborhoods in Hasakah. (Str/Xinhua) A collapsed bridge over the Khabur River is seen in Hasakah, Syria, on March 17, 2026. Heavy rainfall caused the overflow of Khabur River, affecting several neighborhoods in Hasakah. (Str/Xinhua) Flooded houses are seen in Hasakah, Syria, on March 17, 2026. Heavy rainfall caused the overflow of Khabur River, affecting several neighborhoods in Hasakah. (Str/Xinhua) Members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team take positions while training on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, March 6, 2026. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) Sending a Marine expeditionary unit from Okinawa to stand by in the Middle East leaves a gap in U.S. power in the Indo-Pacific while increasing the defense burden on its Asian allies, according to analysts. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and roughly 2,500 members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have been en route to the Middle East since March 13, according to multiple news reports. The Tripoli and its amphibious ready group the amphibious transport docks USS San Diego and USS New Orleans are homeported at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan. The III Marine Expeditionary Force and 7th Fleet referred questions about the deployment to the Pentagon, which declined to comment Monday, citing operational security. Members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team train on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, March 6, 2026. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) The 31ST MEU unit has unique capabilities that would not be easily replaced without moving another expeditionary unit into the region, said retired Marine colonel Grant Newsham, a senior researcher with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo. Unfortunately, the U.S. Navy doesnt have enough amphibious ships in working order to keep enough MEUs fully operational and deployable these days, he said by email Wednesday. The 31st is one of seven Marine expeditionary units and the only one permanently deployed in the Pacific. It features a combination of air, ground and support elements designed to quickly respond to combat and noncombat situations, including humanitarian assistance and evacuations. Even if additional forces from the I MEF in California were moved into the region, the lack of amphibious ships is a constraint, Newsham said. The 855-foot Tripoli can carry MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors, F-35 fighter jets and a variety of helicopters, such as the MH-60S Seahawk. Sending the unit out of the Pacific certainly sends a negative message to U.S. allies and partners about U.S. commitment and focus on the region, said retired Navy lieutenant Luke Collin, former director for Japan and Australia at the U.S. National Security Council and principal at the Asia Group advisory firm in Washington, D.C. But pulling U.S. combat ships, aircraft, long-range munitions or integrated air and missile defense systems out of the Pacific could have more significant impacts on U.S. deterrence, he said by email Wednesday. Although I dont expect China, Russia, or North Korea to push aggression further in the near-term, they will certainly seek to exploit this situation to press the narrative that the U.S. is a declining and unreliable power in Asia, Collin wrote. The outcome of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific may not hinge entirely on the Marines absence, said Benjamin Blandin, a research fellow with the Yokosuka Council on Asia Pacific Studies. In case of a direct Chinese attack on Japan or Taiwan, both should be able to hold up for at least a few weeks, granting enough time for the [Marine Corps] to come to the rescue, he said by email Thursday. Newsham said regional allies in the interim must rely on their own defense capabilities. Its just the reality of the world today and the size of the U.S. military, he wrote. Stars and Stripes reporter Alex Wilson contributed to this report. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte gives remarks in this undated photo. Rutte this week said allies are discussing how to address the closure of a key oil chokepoint in the Middle East as energy costs rise. (NATO) NATOs top official on Thursday downplayed signs of a widening rift inside the alliance even as a dispute between the United States and key European allies over how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has revealed divisions within the 32-nation military bloc. Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking from NATOs Brussels headquarters, said allies are intensely discussing how to contend with the closure of the key Middle East oil chokepoint as energy costs continue to climb. The talks center on finding the best way forward to tackle this huge security issue. And let me add that Im confident that allies, as always, will do everything in support of our shared interests, Rutte said. So we will find a way forward. While Rutte has previously stated there isnt a direct role for the alliance in the ongoing joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, he said Thursday that the overarching aim of the effort is in Europes security interests. This is important for European security, for the Middle East. It is vital for Israel itself. A nuclear Iran would potentially have been a direct threat to the future of Israel, but again, to the whole Middle East and to Europe, Rutte said. Ruttes comments come after President Donald Trump earlier this week lashed out at NATO. Trump has warned of potential consequences related to a lack of support when it comes to dealing with the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the worlds oil travels. Trump on Tuesday, when asked by a reporter whether the situation was cause for rethinking American involvement in NATO, reiterated past complaints that the United States shoulders most of the security burden in Europe. Its one of the reasons we have deficits and we help other countries, and then they dont help us, Trump said. I mean, its certainly something that we should think about. Trump said that if he were to decide to leave NATO, an alliance formed in the aftermath of World War II to counter the Soviet Union, he has the authority to do so on his own. I dont need Congress for that decision, Trump said, before adding, I have nothing currently in mind, but I will say that Im not exactly thrilled. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a longtime backer of NATO who in 2023 backed legislation aimed at making it more difficult for a president to unilaterally quit the alliance, said Tuesday on X that Europes refusal to provide military assets for an effort to open Hormuz could put the future of NATO at risk. The repercussions of providing little assistance to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning are going to be wide and deep for Europe and America, Graham said. I consider myself very forward-leaning on supporting alliances, however, at a time of real testing like this, it makes me second guess the value of these alliances. Just spoke to @POTUS 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 what's at stake. The arrogance of our Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 17, 2026 Reactions in Europe have been mixed since the start of Operation Epic Fury, which launched Feb. 28. Early on, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he and Trump were on the same page. But in the past week, German officials have distanced themselves from the campaign and said they would not participate in any military operation to open the Strait of Hormuz. Other countries in Europe also have not signaled any interest is assisting the U.S. in such an effort. However, both the United Kingdom and Romania have allowed the U.S. to use bases on their soil to launch attacks on Iran, and Ramstein Air Base in Germany has seen an uptick in U.S. military air traffic. Spains prime minister said he would block U.S. access to Spanish bases for Iran missions. And while NATO isnt playing an active role in the conflict, it has stepped up its air defenses over the past week in response to Iranian missiles being directed at Turkey. NATO now has three Patriot air defense units deployed to Turkey, home to Incirlik Air Base and a radar manned by U.S. troops that plays a key role in the alliances integrated air defense network. A U.S. Air Force F-35 takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. (U.S. Air Force) A U.S. F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at a U.S. air base in the Middle East after flying a combat mission over Iran. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. The incident is under investigation, Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, said in a statement Thursday. CNN reported the aircraft was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire. Early into Operation Epic Fury, Kuwait air defenses mistakenly shot down three F-15s during combat with Iran. All six crew members ejected safely. Last week, an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq. The refueler went down in friendly airspace at approximately 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday. The circumstances of the crash are still under investigation, but CENTCOM said it was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. All six crew members aboard the KC-135 were killed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth opened a Pentagon news briefing on Thursday by saying the families of the six airmen killed in the crash of their Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker had a simple message for him. We grieved with their families, and we listened. What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve was the same from family after family. They said, Finish this, honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done, Hegseth said. Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were among top U.S. officials who attended the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, in Delaware, Wednesday as the airmen were returned to their families. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conducts a press briefing on Operation Epic Fury at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 13, 2026. (Milton Hamilton/U.S. Air Force) WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the families of six U.S. airmen who died after their Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq last week had a simple message for him. We grieved with their families, and we listened. What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve was the same from family after family. They said, Finish this, honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done, Hegseth said at a news conference Thursday at the Pentagon. Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were among top U.S. officials who on Wednesday attended the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, as the airmen were returned to their families. Three of the airmen were part of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron: Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky. The squadron is stationed in Birmingham, Ala., but functions administratively under the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force base in Florida. Also killed were Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, who were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio. The refueling aircraft went down in friendly airspace on March 12. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, though U.S. Central Command said it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Another plane involved landed safely. Thirteen service members have been killed and nearly 200 have been wounded during Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran that began Feb. 28. and is now in its third week. Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speak at a news conference on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. (Benjamin D. Applebaum/Defense Department) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the Pentagon has asked the White House for additional funds for the war in Iran but declined to set a figure, which has been reported at $200 billion. It takes money to kill bad guys, Hegseth said during a media briefing at the Pentagon. So were going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that were properly funded for whats been done, for what we may have to do in the future. The Washington Post first reported the request, citing an unnamed senior Trump administration official. Hegseth did not directly confirm the $200 billion figure when asked about it by a reporter, saying the number could move. President Donald Trump defended the multibillion dollar request later Thursday as he spoke to reporters at the White House, saying the money would fund more than the current operations in Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal. Were asking for a lot of reasons, beyond even what were talking about in Iran, Trump said when asked about the Pentagons request. Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed the media Thursday morning. In addition to the reported funding request, they spoke about the volume of attacks launched at Iran and Wednesdays dignified transfer of six U.S. airmen who died last week in western Iraq. Hegseth opened the briefing by saying the families of the six airmen killed in the crash of their Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker had a simple message for him. We grieved with their families, and we listened. What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve was the same from family after family. They said, Finish this, honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done, Hegseth said. Hegseth and Caine were among top U.S. officials who attended the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, in Delaware, as the airmen were returned to their families. Three of the airmen were part of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron: Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky. The squadron is stationed in Birmingham, Ala., but functions administratively under the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Also killed were Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, who were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio. The refueling aircraft went down in friendly airspace on March 12. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, Caine said Thursday, although U.S. Central Command has said it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Another plane involved landed safely. Hegseth said his 13-year-old son popped into his office last night as he was editing his remarks to ask about the war and the families his dad met at Dover. I looked at him and I said, They died for you, son, so that your generation doesnt have to deal with a nuclear Iran, he said. Its the truth and they did. So to the families who said, finish this, we will. Thirteen service members have been killed and nearly 200 have been wounded during Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command has confirmed. The vast majority of the wounded had minor injuries, and more than 180 of them have returned to duty, CENTCOM said. Hegseth said the U.S. has struck more than 7,000 targets and Thursday is the largest strike package yet, a line the Pentagon has repeated often during the campaign. The last job anyone in the world wants right now, senior leader for the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], the secretary said. Temp jobs, all of them. U.S. forces on Tuesday employed multiple 5,000-pound bunker buster bombs on Iranian missile sites along Irans coastline near the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command posted on X at the time. Caine said Thursday the U.S. has destroyed 120 Iranian Naval vessels and 44 mine layers. Were flying further to the east now and penetrating deeper into Iranian airspace to hunt and kill one way attack garrisons, destroying Irans ability to project power outside of its borders, the chairman added. Air Force A-10 Warthogs are being used in the southern flank against vessels along the Strait of Hormuz, Caine said. Also in the southern flank are AH-64 Apache helicopters. The chairman also acknowledged the U.S. remains aggressive against Irans ballistic missiles because they still retain some capability. Hegseth was quick to say the U.S. remains on plan to achieve President Donald Trumps objectives. Trump, along with other top officials, have said objectives are to destroy Irans missile capabilities, destroy Irans Navy and ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. The Pentagon did not take questions about whether the Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East, as Reuters has reported. More than 2,000 Marines and at least one warship are headed from the Pacific to the Middle East, multiple news outlets reported Friday. One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that roughly 2,500 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli have been ordered to deploy. The Tripoli would join the worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, as well as the USS Abraham Lincoln as part of an armada of American warships, stealth fighters and air defense systems in the region. About 50,000 troops have been deployed. The Ford, along with nearly 4,500 personnel, is operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury. USNI News reported on Tuesday that the Ford would soon leave the Red Sea to undergo repairs at U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, citing an unnamed senior U.S. official. Military officials contacted by Stars and Stripes would not say whether Ford would depart the Middle East, citing operational security. A woman wearing a Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors shirt holds flowers at a cemetery. TAPS has begun working with families affected by Operation Epic Fury, offering immediate emotional support and connecting them with resources as they begin processing their loss. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) After the deaths of service members during Operation Epic Fury were announced, military families across the country began the difficult process of grieving their loved ones. In those first 24 to 72 hours, families are often in shock, said Bonnie Carroll, president and founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Nothing about that moment feels real. They are suddenly faced with overwhelming decisions, questions and a profound sense that the world has shifted beneath them. Thirteen service members have been killed as part of the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran that began Feb. 28. The operation is in its third week. TAPS, one of the nations leading organizations supporting families of fallen service members, quickly stepped in to assist families in navigating their loss. It has been coordinating with casualty officers, chaplains and survivor assistance teams while providing emotional support and connecting families with resources. The families affected by the recent casualties have expressed gratitude for the support system available to them, Carroll said. They know they can call us 24/7. The families are getting everything they need, she said. Carroll added that TAPS has also reached out directly to the units that suffered losses, letting them know the organization can provide additional resources, comfort and support. TAPS has MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) and protocols with each branch of the military, and works side by side with them whenever a death occurs, Carroll said. Peer mentors and staff from TAPS also often attend funerals, standing alongside families to offer comfort and support as they honor their loved ones. My mentor had the courage to reach out to me and help me begin to make sense of the grieving world ... to reach his hand out to me and pull me over an abyss, said Timothy Jabin, a surviving father. His son, Tyrone, was an airman apprentice in the Navy who died by suicide in 2020. Carroll said that TAPS is that family that comes right alongside, just quietly, with that presence to fill in gaps, letting families know they are not alone and to provide a lifetime of support and care. Six Army reservists assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) were killed in a drone attack in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. Another soldier died from injuries sustained during a March 1 attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. In addition, six crew members died after their Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq last week. For many families, Carroll said the most important priorities are safety and stability knowing they will be cared for, that benefits are in place, and that their loved ones life and service are properly honored. We really get to understand exactly what their needs are, who they are, how we can best wrap them in all of this comfort and care, and connect them with others in this community of support so they know that they are not alone, Carroll said. The organization, led by experts in grief and trauma care, offers 24/7 help lines, casework assistance, and grief programs for children, and also helps families navigate everyday challenges, such as transferring a vehicle title or correcting a headstone inscription. In addition, TAPS helps surviving family members with military benefits, state benefits, social security, VA programs and private sector assistance. Carroll said that 85% of TAPS staff are survivors. Over time, thousands of trained peer mentors connect grieving families with others who have experienced similar losses. This helps create a safe space for raw and authentic conversations about the most difficult experiences with those who truly understand. Grief is one of the most misunderstood experiences, Carroll said. People think its something we get over or we have closure ... and it just doesnt work like that. We redefine our relationship with those we love, and that love lives on. Elnur Enveroglu In the rolling landscapes of Garabagh and East Zangazur, reconstruction is no longer an abstract promise. Now, we can proudly say that it is a lived reality. Across once-devastated districts, from Aghdam to Fuzuli, from Zangilan to Khojavend, new roads cut through valleys that were, until recently, scarred by war. Thanks to almighty Allah and the bravery of the martyred soldiers, and due to the visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, rows of newly built houses now stand where ruins once defined the horizon. Electricity, gas, and fibre-optic networks have been restored or laid anew, while schools, medical points, and public facilities are gradually returning to service. This is the architecture of Azerbaijans Great Return, which is a state-led project that blends infrastructure, demography, and political messaging into a single national narrative. The numbers alone are striking: tens of thousands have already resettled, with entire communities re-emerging after decades of displacement. However, beyond the statistics, what is unfolding is something more symbolic: the deliberate reconstruction of belonging. Nowhere is this more visible than in Khanoba village in the Khojavend district. Once reduced to a fragment of its former self, the village is now undergoing a careful, phased revival. Of its 153 homes, dozens have already been restored, with more nearing completion. The return of the first 25 families that are expected soon to be followed by over a hundred more signals not merely habitation but continuity. Infrastructure has been prioritised with a precision that reflects both urgency and intent. Transformer substations have been restored, electricity and gas lines reconnected, and new fibre-optic systems installed, ensuring that returning residents are not stepping back into the past but into a modernised rural environment. Water systems, too, have been rehabilitated, underscoring the emphasis on sustainability and habitability. It was against this backdrop that President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited Khanoba on March 18. Their presence was not merely ceremonial. In post-conflict regions, leadership visibility serves as both reassurance and assertion. To be more precise, reassurance to returning citizens and assertion of sovereignty to a broader audience. Their meeting with residents coincided with the approach of Novruz, the ancient festival marking renewal and rebirth. The symbolism was unmistakable. Standing alongside villagers, the President lit the traditional Novruz bonfire, which was a gesture that fused cultural ritual with political meaning. All conditions have been created in the villagefor living and working. Most importantly, you have returned to your native Garabagh land, he told the gathered residents. Such moments are carefully choreographed but not devoid of genuine resonance. For families returning after years, often decades, of displacement, the act of celebrating Novruz at home carries emotional weight that transcends politics. As President Aliyev put it, After a long break, you will now celebrate these holidays in your homeland. Yet the Presidents remarks also reveal the broader narrative framing the reconstruction effort. We have restored our national pride, ensured justice and territorial integrity, and driven the enemy out of our lands, he declared, linking physical reconstruction with political vindication. The ruins left behind - entire villages, settlements, and cities were destroyed - are invoked not only as evidence of past devastation but as justification for the scale and speed of current rebuilding. There is, undeniably, a duality at play. On the one hand, the reconstruction of Garabagh is a humanitarian and developmental necessity. On the other hand, it is a powerful instrument of statecraft. By rapidly rebuilding infrastructure and facilitating returns, Azerbaijan is consolidating control, reshaping demographics, and reinforcing its post-2020 and 2023 victories in tangible terms. The Azerbaijani President himself underscored the pace and ambition of the effort: In just five to six years, more than 80,000 people are already living, working, and studying in Garabagh and East Zangezur. The message is clear. This is not a tentative recovery but a determined transformation. Still, questions linger beneath the surface of progress. Can such rapid reconstruction sustain long-term economic viability? Will these newly revived settlements evolve into self-sufficient communities, or remain dependent on state support? And how will this ambitious project be perceived beyond Azerbaijans borders, where narratives of the conflict remain deeply contested? For now, however, the emphasis is firmly on momentum. The time has come to build and create, the President told residents, framing the present as a turning point from conflict to construction. His closing words - Now we will live forever on this native Garabagh land. We had to return - and we have returned as a victorious people - encapsulate both the triumphal tone and the enduring political significance of the project. In Khanoba, as in much of Garabagh, the bonfire lit for Novruz burns with layered meaning. It is a symbol of renewal, certainly and also of resolve. Whether this reconstruction becomes a lasting model of post-conflict recovery or remains a deeply national project shaped by geopolitics will depend on what follows the flames: sustained development, inclusive growth, and, perhaps one day, a broader regional reconciliation. For now, the message from Garabagh is unmistakable: the return has begun, and it is being built brick by brick, road by road, and story by story. MOSCOW, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Japan should draw lessons from history and adhere to the pacifist provisions of its constitution if it does not want to repeat past mistakes, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Wednesday. At a regular briefing, Zakharova said that Japan has been consistently undertaking steps toward remilitarization, including the procurement of strike weapons such as cruise missiles, which cannot be classified as defensive weapons. She said Russia has repeatedly warned Japan about the destructive consequences of sharply increasing military spending, particularly when it involves acquiring weapons that could pose potential threats to the national security of neighboring countries, including Russia. According to Zakharova, Japan's policies have an extremely negative impact on both regional and global stability, exacerbating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and potentially triggering a new round of arms race. She noted that if new missile threats to Russian territory emerge, Russia will respond and take necessary measures to ensure its defense capability. KAMPALA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Uganda is positioning itself to fully leverage China's zero-tariff treatment, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija said on Thursday. According to a statement posted by the ministry on social platform X, Kasaija made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the Export-Import Bank of China led by the bank's Vice President Yang Dongning. He said Uganda is shifting away from raw material exports toward processing, manufacturing and higher-value products to better access Chinese and global markets. In February, China announced that it would grant zero-tariff treatment from May 1 to products from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. Praising China's longstanding technical and financial support to Uganda across sectors, including transport, energy and health, Kasaija added that Uganda's next growth phase will focus on agro-industrialization, export expansion and value addition in key sectors such as coffee, cotton, tea, minerals, tourism, and science, technology and innovation. Yang pledged support for boosting investment flows to Uganda and connecting Ugandan enterprises with Chinese manufacturers and financiers. The Export-Import Bank of China reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Uganda's development through diversified financing tools, including trade finance, blended finance combining loans and equity, equity investments, strategic partnerships, syndicated financing and tailored financial products, according to the statement. Cristina Ramos Granada 19/03/2026 a las 12:01h. Granada province does not only look at the Sierra Nevada mountains; it also looks out over the Mediterranean Sea. Now the provincial authority, the Diputacion de Granada has put the spotlight on 15 castles in the province, six of which are dotted along the coast. Long before the Costa Tropical was synonymous with beach bars and parasols, it was a frontier. Each castle (castillo), tower and wall of these six coastal enclaves had a clear mission: to warn, to resist, to protect. The aim of the Diputacion's new list is for residents and visitors alike to learn about their history. Castillo de Banos Built in the 18th century at the mouth of the river, this castle protected the Granada coastline from Moorish and Mediterranean pirate raids, guarding the access route to the Alpujarra. The defensive tower was built to house two cannons that never arrived and ultimately served as a watchpost linked to the watchtowers at Cambriles and Cautor. Having served as a headquarters for the Guardia Civil since 1839, it is now a chapel. Castillo de los Ulloa Ulloa castle stands on a small hill to the east of Velez de Benaudalla, at an altitude of 215 metres and was built by Don Juan de Ulloa following the Castilian conquest in the late 15th century. The second floor features brick vaults, staircases built into the wall and the 10.5-metre tower was restored in the 20th century using cement and concrete, altering the interior with metal staircases, but without archaeological studies to reveal any possible cisterns or earlier structures. Castillo de San Miguel Remains from the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Christians all coexist at Almunecar's San Miguel castle. You can see everything from ancient concrete dating back to the Caliphate period to later stone walls. Although it began as an Arab fortress, King Charles V transformed it almost entirely in the 16th century. Unlike other square castles, this one is triangular in shape to fit perfectly on the mountaintop. It has 11 towers and walls that stretched down to the sea to protect the entire town. It has an interesting history: when it ceased to be of military use, it served as Almunecars municipal cemetery for over 100 years (from 1851 to 1977), until it was restored for tourism. Castillo de Salobrena Strategically situated on a limestone crag, the medieval town grew up at its feet. Its irregular shape follows the contours of the land, creating a fortress designed to control both maritime navigation and land defences. The castle is not merely a single building, but a complex system of three walled enclosures that protect one another. At the highest point stands the citadel defended by four main towers: the Keep, the New Tower, the Old Tower and the entrance gate. Here, too, lie the silos and dungeons from its past as a prison and military stronghold. Its walls are an open book of architecture: they combine masonry, Arab rammed earth and brick from different periods, making it difficult to distinguish where the Muslim work ends and the Christian work begins. Castillo de La Herradura Built in 1771 on the orders of Charles III, La Herradura's castle's purpose was to keep watch over the bay and protect the mouth of the River Jate from attacks by privateers and pirates who prowled the coast. It is designed for combat. It features a semicircular area for the cannons, a walled front to defend against land attacks and a central courtyard connecting the chapel, the living quarters and the dungeon. Following a restoration that brought its moat and drawbridge back to life, it is now a cultural centre and houses an exhibition on the great shipwreck of the Spanish Armada in 1562, which occurred off its coast. Fuerte de Carchuna Carchuna fort stands facing the sea right on Motril beach, built in the 18th century to defend the Granada coast from raids by Barbary pirates. In 1938, the fort, which had been converted into a prison during the Civil War, was the scene of a spectacular operation: four Asturian prisoners escaped and alerted the Republican side. Around thirty soldiers, led by Lieutenant William Alto, rescued more than 300 prisoners. Today, Carchuna fort houses the towns visitor centre, where you can view images and artefacts that tell the story of this coastal area and its transformation over the centuries. The towns mayor, Javier Ortega, takes a walk around the Penon de Salobrena. MJ Arrebola Granada 19/03/2026 a las 13:09h. The Penon de Salobrena, one of the most popular parts of the Costa Tropical town, is preparing for a transformation that will allow visitors to walk around it and get to know its history and natural wealth. During a visit to the new coastal park, mayor of Salobrena Javier Ortega, explained that the main objective of the project is to enhance the value of a place which is "very important and attractive from a tourist point of view". However, in his view locals and visitors have not been able to fully enjoy it. The Penon isn't easily accessible to the public and at night it is not lit. The project includes the installation of a perimeter fence to ensure the safety of visitors to the site and the installation of small rest areas and soft lighting to allow the rock to be seen even at night without disturbing the environment. According to Ortega, the project will take advantage of the natural platforms that already exist and instead of building new infrastructures, the nature trails will be upgraded so that they can be used more safely. In addition, old buildings and construction huts that are now in the area will be removed "to return the space to a more natural state" and "the aim is to make the Penon passable, safe and enjoyable without losing its essence," the mayor said. Historical value Another of the most important aspects of this project will be the dissemination of the historical value of the enclave. The Penon has been a strategic point and an inhabited place since ancient times. More than two thousand years ago, in the second century BC, it was an islet surrounded by the sea and even housed a temple. With the passage of time and the accumulation of sediment from the Guadalfeo delta, the islet eventually joined the coast to form part of the mainland. To make this history known, the project will include information panels and QR codes distributed at different points along the route. In this way, visitors will be able to access information on the evolution of the Penon, its geology and the history of the town from their mobile phones. The rock is also home to unique plant species, some of which are very rare in the Mediterranean. For this reason, the project envisages the creation of small protected areas to conserve these plants and encourage their regeneration. In addition, invasive species that affect the area will be eliminated. European funds The town hall also wants the Penon to form part of the route of the future path that will connect the Costa Tropical's towns. The idea is that this enclave will become a natural stop along the path, where visitors and locals can stop, rest and get to know the area better. The project is 100 per cent financed with European funds through the Tourism Sustainability Plan, within the Next Generation programme of the European Union. The budget is around 400,000 euros. The town hall has put out to tender the draft project and the execution of the work in order to speed up the deadlines. The technical drafting is currently being finalised and official reports are being processed. The work will take three months and the town hall hopes that the project will be finished before 30 June, which is the deadline established within the tourism sustainability plan. The mayor stresses that another objective of this project is to stop people from "jumping from the rock into the sea", a dangerous practice that takes place in the area in summer every year. Although the fence will not prevent anyone from doing so, it will serve as a "dissuasive measure" and as a "clear sign" that this is a prohibited activity. At the entrance there is already an information panel which warns of fines of 3,000 euros or more for doing so. (E. Cabezas / SUR) Eugenio Cabezas 19/03/2026 a las 11:28h. The family of Dana Leonte, the 30-year-old Romanian woman who was murdered in the village of Arenas in Malaga province's Axarquia in June 2019, will finally be able to lay her to rest almost seven years after she was killed. On Friday 20 March, her relatives will receive the skeletal remains that have been found since September 2019 at various locations around the village. They have announced that a wake will be held on Friday and a burial on Saturday 21 March at the cemetery in Velez-Malaga. The family says it will be an intimate and highly symbolic ceremony to bring closure to "such a painful chapter" in their lives. In a message posted on social media, Dana's brother, Florin Leonte, has announced that the family will finally be able to say goodbye to Dana as she deserves and has expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support received since her disappearance and subsequent death became known. Speaking to SUR on Wednesday 18 March, Florin explained that after almost seven years the family feel they can close this chapter, although they insist that true justice will only be served when the jury trial takes place at the court of appeal in Malaga, for which no date has yet been set, but which they are confident will be scheduled this year. Details of the wake and burial. Florin Leonte is also acting as a private prosecutor and has custody of the couples daughter, who is now seven years old and who was placed in his care by court order in September 2020 after a court in Malaga ruled that she should be placed in foster care, deeming it inappropriate for her to remain with her fathers family. I have tried to ensure she grows up in a safe environment, far from the family of my sisters alleged murderer, he told SUR at the time. Dana Leontes remains have been kept in the custody of the Malaga Institute of Legal Medicine (ILM) in Malaga city since they were found. The case is now entering the decisive phase of the trial. Malaga's Public Prosecutors Office, in a submission signed by the senior prosecutor for violence against women, Flor de Torres, is seeking a 17-year prison sentence for Dana's ex-boyfriend and father to their daughter, Sergio Ruiz, who it accuses of murder and an offence against moral integrity. The Public Prosecutors Office maintains that the accused struck Dana on the head with a wooden stick at the property in Arenas, dismembered her and scattered her remains across various locations in the Axarquia village, making it difficult to find her and exacerbating the emotional distress suffered by the family. The private prosecution representing the family is seeking a 20-year prison sentence, arguing that this constitutes a case of premeditated murder with the aggravating factors of family and gender. In her account, lawyer Antonia Barba maintains that Sergio Ruiz struck Dana, wrapped her in a duvet, dragged her down the stairs and disposed of the body in the countryside, subsequently using the victims phone to pretend she was still alive and make out that Dana's disappearance was voluntary. Investigation The Guardia Civil's investigation and forensic reports support this theory: in September 2019, a dog located a femur with an fracture which would have been caused before her death and soft tissue remains in an area of Arenas; in the weeks that followed, other bones a tibia, ribs, vertebrae, pelvis and the other femur were found scattered across various locations within Arenas. Furthermore, officers found a wooden stick with a strand of Danas hair embedded in it, reddish stains in the suspects home and on his car, as well as genetic traces on key fabrics and surfaces. A forensic linguistics report, prepared by the expert Sheila Queralt, concluded that the messages sent from Danas mobile phone after the time of the crime were not written by her, but by Sergio, due to the type of language, the spelling mistakes and the abbreviations used, which reinforces the hypothesis that conversations were simulated to construct an alibi. Added to this is the geolocation analysis of the phones, which places them together on the route between Arenas and Velez-Malaga and links the defendants mobile to the area where the skeletal remains were found on as many as 14 occasions in the weeks that followed. The defence team for Sergio Ruiz, who has been on bail since June 2020 after paying 8,000-euro bail, on several occasions requested that the preliminary investigation be closed, citing undue delays and arguing that the proceedings have far exceeded a reasonable timeframe. However, the judge had already agreed in 2022 to proceed with the case against him for manslaughter or murder and for an offence against moral integrity, having found sufficient evidence that he had struck Dana with a stick and concealed her remains. While awaiting a date for the trial, Dana's family is now focusing its efforts on the wake and funeral. It is very hard to know that we only have part of her body, but at least we will be able to lay her to rest, Florin told SUR. The brother wants the little girl to grow up knowing, when the time comes, that her mother didnt leave, that she was taken from her, and he is confident that the court will impose an exemplary sentence on the man they continue to hold responsible for a crime that shocked the Axarquia and the entire province. Archive image of tourists watching a procession before departing on a trip. Pilar Martinez Malaga 19/03/2026 Actualizado 20/03/2026 - 13:45h. Costa del Sol hotels are pulling all the stops to curb the impact of the 26 per cent drop in bookings due to the lack of high-speed trains in the province. Business owners and employers confirm a general adjustment in prices, which aims to attract tourists with discounts of up to 40 per cent. The outrage and concern following the announcement that there won't be AVE trains runnning between Malaga and Madrid until at least the end of April have motivated hoteliers to adapt to the new scenario ahead of Easter Week. Some accommodations have already had cancellations, which has prompted them to reduce prices like never before during this time of year, which usually enjoys high occupancy rates and full bookings. One look at Booking.com confirms the adjustment of offers. A five-star hotel in the city centre of Malaga, for example, is offering a 40 per cent discount, which makes a four-night stay from 1 to 5 April go from 3,021 to 1,681 euros. Hotel managers agree that there has been a minimal drop in prices of between ten and 20 per cent at a time when the few rooms left free for the big days of the festivities would normally be raising their rates. "The situation is very worrying and sad. The Spanish tourist is key at this time of year and the alternatives to the train, such as the private car or the plane, are also discouraging because of the rise in fuel prices which makes travel considerably more expensive," hotel managers say. The Aehcos association of Costa del Sol hoteliers offered some booking data this week: a general drop of 26 per cent in Easter bookings by national tourists in the Costa del Sol; a 30 per cent decrease in Malaga city; and an 18 per cent drop in other coastal municipalities. President of Aehcos Jose Luque says that "it is normal for the market to react with price adjustments" when faced with "such a fall in bookings at such an important time". He is calling for urgent measures and solutions. Head of tourism within the CEA confederation of Andalusian business owners Jose Carlos Escribano has stated that what tourists value in Malaga and the Costa del Sol is the travel convenience. If the airport or the AVE line fail, however, there is a "slowdown in job creation" and bookings. Agreeing with Luque, Escribano is urging the responsible authorities to "restore the high-speed train as soon as possible" by dedicating all available resources. "We are extremely worried after four missed deadlines," he said. Founder of MS Hotels Miguel Sanchez complained of unusually low bookings of between 50 and 55 per cent, just ten days before the start of Easter Week. The Cehat Spanish hotel and tourist accommodation confederation warns that the rise in fuel prices makes the lack of trains more alarming, because many people cannot afford the alternative of travelling by car. "This significantly reduces the competitiveness of our destinations," President of Cehat Jorge Marichal says. Marichal says that "Spain cannot allow its main tourist transport system to operate with these uncertainties". According to him, the network requires "improvement, modernations and extension" on top of "urgent measures to help contain rising fuel prices". Pilar R. Quiros Malaga 19/03/2026 Actualizado a las 12:22h. The sanitation contract workers of public companies Emasa, FCC and Aqualia have been on strike in front of Malaga city council for 48 days, but they are heading in a new direction on Thursday: a hunger strike that denounces precarious working conditions and the dismissal of workers. The labour negotiations that have recently been advancing came to a standstill on Wednesday. Although there was an informal agreement on a wage increase of ten, two and then again ten per cent over the next three years, there is a new issue. According to CGT union representative Miguel Montenegro, the company has recently dismissed seven people and there are eight open cases and two voluntary redundancies of 29 employees who started the strike. The workers have stated that they do not want to continue negotiating amid so many dismissals, "especially when they have the constitutional right to strike. The employees who are starting a hunger strike on Thursday have loudly stated that they are being exploited. Despite a month and a half of demonstrations, Emasa still seems not to have sanctioned the concessionary company of part of the sanitation in the city, despite the fact that the councillor for the environment has stated that they have opened an infringement file. The employees have been urging the city council to mediate negotiations. According to them, if there were motivations, the city council would just need to "withdraw the disciplinary proceedings and the repressive and discretionary dismissals". The employees want to work under dignifying conditions that recognise their daily work in the city's sewers. Union delegate Diego Rico says that a labourer earns 1,160 euros net, below the minimum wage in Spain. In addition, the recent dismissals make negotiations difficult. Over the past few days, the protestors have found public support and some agreements in their favour in the local governing team's meetings. Esta funcionalidad es exclusiva para registrados. Jose Antonio Sau 19/03/2026 a las 11:58h. Following the publication of a study that denounces average waiting times of 8.7 days for an appointment with Malaga province's primary healthcare, a woman has told SUR about another issue: the notorious waiting lists for outpatient consultations in some hospitals. Carmen J. G. (not her real name) said that in mid-February this year she received a call from Hospital Materno Infantil regarding a gynaecological revision she was supposed to have almost three years ago. The origin of this story dates back to the end of 2021, when Carmen had an aggressive bacterial infection, accompanied by "fever and pain in her lower abdomen". "My GP told me to go to Hospital Materno's emergency department, which I did. They gave me antibiotics, I went home but I had to go back because the fever wouldn't go down," she said. Once she was on the new antibiotics, she overcame the infection. Six months later, in June 2022, she went for her first check-up at a gynaecology unit at the same hospital. Although she didn't have symptoms anymore, the doctor told her that they would call her to go for a revision one year later. Around June 2023, Carmen went to the hospital to check whether her contact details were correct, to make sure she wouldn't miss the call. "They told me that they were correct and that they would call me back," she said. They called her last month, almost three years after that visit and almost four years after her first appointment. "They asked me if I was well and if I needed that check-up," Carmen said. Although she was fine, she still wanted to get checked up, as the doctor had prescribed. Her appointment is at the beginning of April. In June 2025, the waiting list for a first gynaecology consultation at Hospital Materno was 90 days, with a total of 3,906 patients waiting for their appointment. Of these, there were 2,468 people with an average delay of more than 60 days. SUR has tried to contact Hospital Regional, part of which is the Materno, for a comment, but has not received a response. Chus Heredia 19/03/2026 a las 19:21h. On 30 November 2025 the Low Emission Zone (ZBE) in Malaga entered its second year of life and therefore began its sanctioning phase. Now, only the most polluting vehicles (cars and motorbikes), those without an environmental label, which, in addition, do not pay road tax in the city of Malaga, are prohibited access to the enclosed perimeter. No vehicle registered in the city is penalised. Despite the initial laxity of the regulation, the number plate reader cameras have caught 5,000 drivers during the first month: December. That's a lot considering the small number of vehicles that can be fined. SUR has requested, without success, this information from Malaga town hall. And so has the co-spokesperson of the Con Malaga group, Toni Morillas, through written questions. In one of them, a reply was received from Gestrisam, the municipal tax body: "During the month of January 2026, a total of 4,894 complaints corresponding to the month of December 2025 have been received by this Autonomous Body and the processing of these has begun. At the moment, the complaints received for the month of January 2026 are pending processing". 200 euros is the penalty for improper access to the EPZ. It is reduced to 100 if there is prompt payment The amount of the fines is set by the Direccion General de Trafico (DGT). They amount to 200 euros, with a 50% reduction if prompt payment is made. The restrictions on access to the ZBE will remain unchanged until 30 November this year. At that time, vehicles with environmental label B from outside the city of Malaga will also be banned from circulating. The physically visible sticker is not compulsory, as the system includes the reading of number plates by camera and their automatic matching with the DGT database. It should be clarified, as it generates some confusion, that the ZBE is not the same as the traffic-restricted zones derived from the semi-pedestrianisation processes in the Historic Centre, Soho and the Alamos-Carreteria axis. These zones can only be accessed by specifically authorised vehicles. This is not merely an environmental issue. 4,894 The tax management body, Gestrisam, has been responsible for the first of the penalties in the EPZ for the month of December. The philosophy that Malaga town hall has opted for is, in short, that those who pay road tax in the capital can use up the useful life of their vehicle without having to pay for a more environmentally friendly one. However, those with a B label or lower cannot be transferred because the buyer would lose the right to do so. The cases are somewhat broader but it can be summarised that petrol vehicles registered before 1 January 2000 and diesel vehicles registered before January 2006 do not have a label. In any case, it is very easy to find out the label of a vehicle. All you have to do is go to the website of the Direccion General de Trafico and type in the registration number. It is automatic and free of charge. Perimeter The delimitation of the ZBE in Malaga is formed by the following streets: Paseo Maritimo Antonio Machado, Avenida Ingeniero Jose Maria Garnica, Calle Explanada de la Estacion, Plaza de la Solidaridad, Avenida de las Americas, Avenida de la Aurora, Jardines de Picasso, Avenida de Andalucia, Calle Compositor Lehmberg Ruiz, Calle Hilera, Calle Santa Elena, Calle Honduras, Calle Arango, Calle Martinez Maldonado, Avenida de Barcelona, Plaza del Hospital Civil, Avenida Doctor Galvez Ginachero, Calle Mazarredo, Avenida del Arroyo de los Angeles, Paseo de Martiricos, Calle Huerto de los Claveles, Calle Marques de Cadiz, Calle Juan del Encina, Calle Empecinado, Plaza Capuchinos, Alameda de Capuchinos, Plaza Olletas, Calle Toquero, Calle Obispo Gonzalez Garcia, Calle Amargura, Calle Ferrandiz, Paseo Salvador Rueda, Calle Rafael Perez Estrada and Paseo Maritimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso. All the information on the operation of the ZBE is available on the website of the Mobility Department of Malaga town hall. Restrictions are increasing year by year. From November 2026, for example, the restriction will be extended to cars and motorbikes with label B that are not registered in the capital. Free access However, collective passenger transport services, taxis and VTC, vehicles classified as historic in accordance with Royal Decree 1247/1995 and lorries have free access through the ZBE. The same applies, subject to prior notification and verification, to health services, the State Security Forces and Corps, municipal services and private services of special need (private security, removal services, funeral parlours, cash-in-transit services...). Isabel Mendez Malaga 19/03/2026 a las 12:01h. Wind and rough seas are the defining feature of today's weather in Malaga and the next 24 hours. So much so that the state meteorological agency (Aemet) in Spain has issued weather warnings for strong gusts of wind and coastal phenomena across much of the Costa del Sol province. A yellow weather warning for coastal phenomena will be in effect for the Sol area (including Malaga city) and the Guadalhorce and Axarquia areas from 6:00pm to midnight. During this time, easterly winds are expected with gusts of 50 to 60 km/h (force 7.0) and waves of three to four metres high. Ronda also has a yellow warning for wind, as Aemet forecasts gusts of up to 70 km/h and southeasterly winds throughout the day, from noon to midnight. On Friday the situation will hardly change according to Aemet's initial forecasts, with yellow warnings remaining in place for Sol, Guadalhorce and Axarquia until 2:00pm for an easterly wind of 50 to 60 km/h (force 7.0) and waves of three to four meters high. In total, four provinces of Andalucia will be under weather warnings this 19 March. An orange warning for coastal phenomena will be in effect for Almeria and Granada and Cadiz has a yellow warning for the same. Additionally, a yellow warning for wind will be in place for Almeria and Cadiz. The orange level for rough seas will be in effect from 6:00pm until midnight along the Granada coast, to the west (Poniente area) and Almeria city, according to Europa Press. East and northeast winds of 60 to 70 kilometres per hour (force 8.0) and waves of three to four metres high are expected in both areas. Thursday will also be marked by a yellow alert for coastal phenomena in Almeria, specifically in the provincial capital and the Poniente and Levante (western and eastern) coastal areas. The warnings are in effect from 4:00am, ending at 6:00pm in the western areas and the capital and right at the end of the day in the eatern part of Almeria. East and northeast winds of 50 to 60 km/h (force 7.0) and waves of three to four metres high are expected in these locations. Meanwhile, in Cadiz, a yellow alert for rough seas will be in effect along both the Cadiz coastline and the Strait of Gibraltar from 3:00pm until midnight, where easterly winds will reach 50 to 61 km/h. Continuing with the province of Granada, Aemet will maintain a yellow warning for coastal phenomena from 4:00am until 6:00pm along the Granada coastline, with east and northeast winds of 50 to 60 km/h and waves that could reach three to four metres in height. Up to 80-kilometre gusts As for the winds, yellow warnings will be in effect in the Poniente area and Almeria capital from 4:00am until midnight on Friday, where winds will reach maximum gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour from the east. Staying with the winds, Cadiz province will also remain under a yellow alert in the Strait of Gibraltar, inland areas and the Cadiz coast from 3:00pm to midnight, with maximum wind gusts of up to 80 km/h. Image of the project for the modernisation of the Plaza del Mercado Central included in the tender as a guide. Jose Carlos Garcia Marbella 19/03/2026 a las 19:23h. Marbella's Plaza del Mercado Central is to be converted into a space for people to sit in, with shade, seating and vegetation. These are the lines that define the modernisation project that the town hall has devised for this part of the Old Town, which is currently underused, and which has already been put out to tender. But if the new space designed is marked by anything, it is the network of pergolas that will be installed. It will be a modular structure four metres high, made up of 14 grid sections with minimum dimensions of four by four metres. It will be supported by tubular profile pillars and topped by wooden slats measuring 100 x 50 millimetres, but the structures will not be anchored to the ground, but prefabricated elements will be used as ballast. They will be benches and planters, which can even have a multipurpose use, so that the same element can be both at the same time and also serve as a foundation for the pillars of this shaded area. The superficial framework of pergolas, which will extend towards the entrance of the Mercado Central, not only constitutes "a light and reversible architectural intervention," explains the town hall, but "is proposed as a strategy for the activation of public space" that promotes "dynamics of meeting, comfort and permanence for the community". It is the way to confront the current scenario, in which the square presents "a condition of urban emptiness that limits its appropriation, use and social vitality". Revitalisation The project is part of the strategy to revitalise the commercial and tourist urban fabric, which aims to contribute to revitalising the area around the municipal market, "an location of special relevance in the economic, social and tourist activity of the historic centre of Marbella", says the town hall. The project has a budget of 177,000 euros, will take four months to complete and is already out to tender The planned intervention pursues "the objectives of recovering a currently unused space that lacks shade or seating to transform it into an area for the enjoyment of both market users and passers-by", summarises the town hall, emphasising that the proposed reform will make it possible to "carry out activities outside", whether they are market activities or "one-off events throughout the year". The initiative has a budget of 176,998.65 euros and an execution period of four months, and is part of the Planes de Sostenibilidad Turistica en Destinos de Andalucia 2021 (Tourism Sustainability Plans in Andalucia Destinations 2021), within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan of the Spanish Government and financed by the European Union (NextGenerationEu funds). Anutin Charnvirakul, a candidate from the Bhumjaithai Party, speaks at a meeting of the House of Representatives at the parliament building in Bangkok, Thailand, March 19, 2026. Anutin Charnvirakul, a candidate from the Bhumjaithai Party, was re-elected Thailand's prime minister after securing a simple majority in a vote cast by the House of Representatives on Thursday. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak) BANGKOK, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Anutin Charnvirakul, a candidate from the Bhumjaithai Party, was re-elected Thailand's prime minister after securing a simple majority in a vote cast by the House of Representatives on Thursday. Anutin, whose party holds the most seats in the freshly elected House of Representatives, was nominated for the prime minister's post against Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, which finished second in the February polls. In a roll call vote, Anutin secured 293 votes in favor, surpassing the simple majority of 499 members in the lower house required for approval, House Speaker Sophon Zaram announced. Natthaphong received 119 votes, Sophon added. Jose Carlos Garcia Marbella 19/03/2026 a las 12:02h. This week has witnessed the inauguration of two new health facilities in Marbella. The first was the opening of the new emergency building in Las Albarizas on Monday. On Tuesday, it was the turn of the new health centre in Nueva Andalucia, a district that in recent years has doubled its population to more than 14,000 people. The new centre, which replaces the old clinic, was officially opened by the regional health minister, Antonio Sanz, and the Mayor of Marbella, Angeles Munoz. The renovation of the clinic involved going from eight to 19 consultation rooms, incorporating family medicine, nursing and paediatrics services. In terms of resources, a key highlight is the arrival of an electrocardiograph and a cutting-edge ultrasound scanner, advanced enough to even enable the use of artificial intelligence in diagnostic processes. In terms of human resources, the centre will have six family doctors, two paediatricians, six nurses and an auxiliary nursing care technician (TCAE), an administrative assistant and an orderly. "We have made an unprecedented commitment that includes new centres, hospital extensions and better resources, with the aim of offering a quality public health system that is up to Marbella's standards" Munoz said that this is all "part of the transformation of the health map of Marbella" implemented through the collaboration between the town hall and the regional government. "We are talking about an unprecedented commitment that includes new centres, hospital extensions and better resources, with the aim of offering a quality public health service that is up to the standards of Marbella", said the mayor. She explained that the new 7.4-million-euro centre in Nueva Andalucia, the last new infrastructure programmed as part of the health map plan, responds to a longstanding demand of the residents. Antonio Sanz thanked the mayor and her council for their work "based on collaboration and institutional loyalty, always putting the needs of the residents of Marbella first, to improve healthcare and, in short, the lives of the people of Marbella". Commitment to primary care The health minister said that these new infrastructures show the commitment of the regional government to transform primary care, "the gateway to the health system", and to do so "by listening to and working closely with professionals". This commitment, he explained, involves "improving the working conditions of our healthcare professionals, expanding resources and guaranteeing more stability and greater security in their daily work". Thus, in October, the governing council approved a "historic" increase in the Andalusian health service workforce with 3,893 new professionals, of whom, 972 have joined the province of Malaga. This will specifically strengthen primary care (371 in new facilities, 196 in primary care, 138 in screening programmes, and 48 in advanced therapies), thereby taking an important step towards correcting the deficit caused by decades of injustice towards the province. According to Sanz, more than 362 million euros have been invested in Malaga in health infrastructures since 2019, and in 2026, another 91 million euros are budgeted. Maria Jose Diaz Alcala 19/03/2026 a las 12:00h. The National Police in Ronda, located in the interior of Malaga province, are investigating a shooting that took place on the evening of 16 March. The emergency services received alerts reporting the shooting on Calle Zahara de la Sierra at around 8.30pm on Monday. Several patrols arrived at the scene. Although the police found no injured persons, they reported bullet marks and material damage to a parked car. The police are currently working on identifying suspects and clarifying the cause of the incident. The police in Malaga city are also investigating a shooting that happened in the El Ejido area at the end of February. They have made no arrests for the moment. Also earlier this year, the National Police arrested a 27-year-old man, who had fled after firing several shots during a traffic dispute in the Campanillas district in January. The young man was hiding in the house of a family member. During the search, the police seized a machete, two bulletproof vests, several pieces of hashish, containers with marijuana buds, a cannabis grinder, three canisters of laughing gas and mobile phones. (J. A.) The Echanted Forest route in the Serrania de Ronda remains indefinitely closed to the public. Javier Almellones Malaga 19/03/2026 a las 11:57h. The village of Parauta in Malaga province's Serrania de Ronda district is applying for public aid to recover access to its main source of income: the Enchanted Forest. The storms in February significantly damaged the entrance road to the point that the site is not accessible. The town hall expects that the repair work will cost more than 200,000 euros. Few trails have had as rapid an impact on tourism in the Serrania de Ronda as the Enchanted Forest of Parauta. In just a few yers, this short route for families with children turned the small municipality in the Alto Genal Valley into one of the most visited destinations in autumn and spring, with hundreds of visitors every weekend. Its closure is a serious blow to local economy. The town hall has already started to apply for aid, but there is uncertainty as to how long it will take until approval. "If the Enchanted Forest is closed, nobody here can make a living," Mayor Katia Gonzalez says. The closure of this trail highlights the fragility of this type of initiative in small municipalities, where rural tourism is much more than a complementary activity: it is a source of income. The Enchanted Forest is a light trail of just 1.5 kilometres that runs through chestnut groves. Along the way, visitors can see goblins, magical doors carved in trees or other small fantasy creatures, all the result of the work of sculptor Diego Guerrero. After a few months in which the chestnut trees had no leaves, they are now beginning to bloom, which makes spring the perfect time to visit the forest. For this reason, the mayor hopes that they can reopen as soon as possible, "for the good of the village". The forest transforms in autumn and welcomes visitors who prefer more colourful seasons. The trail is the start of a wider route that continues to Cartajima, with Los Riscos and the Genal Valley along the way. Despite the indefinite closure of the Enchanted Forest, the Alto Genal Valley offers other activities, such as the Senda Pedrida (Lost Path) - another easy route of about two kilometres (one way) that also includes wooden sculptures by Diego Guerrero: eagles, mountain goats, foxes or deer. Article March 19, 2026 Will EU Inc be the missing piece in strengthening European competitiveness? The European Commission has presented its proposal for an optional European company form, a 28th regime or EU Inc. The initiative forms part of a comprehensive set of actions to enhance the competitiveness of the European economy. The ambition is to enable innovative companies to scale up, benefiting from a single, harmonized set of EU-wide rules. Experts Maria Althin and Elias Skog. Photo : Stefan Larsson / Stefan Tell The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise has followed this initiative closely and is now analyzing the proposal in detail. Our objective is to contribute constructively to the process, focusing on how the new regime can fulfil its aims of simplifying applicable rules and helping businesses to scale and attract investment within and into the EU. The European Commissions focus on simplification and better regulation is welcome, as are the efforts to improve the framework conditions for scaling up businesses in Europe. For a 28th regime to contribute meaningfully to these objectives, it must be well designed, focus on concrete solutions to clearly identified problems, and be able to operate alongside well-functioning national frameworks. Although the analysis is still ongoing, several potentially positive features can already be identified. The proposed 28th regime is presented as an optional EU company form, established through a regulation, which should help ensure more uniform application across the EU and minimize fragmentation. The proposal also seems to provide a degree of flexibility for companies and investors, with a focus on simplified procedures, digital tools and processes, and the application of the once-only principle. These features may enhance the attractiveness of the new company form. At the same time, several areas will require further and careful analysis, such as for example the extensive company law framework, proposed insolvency rules applicable to certain EU Inc companies defined as innovative startups, the proposed EU employee stock option plans, and rules on financing and capital structures. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise stands ready to contribute constructively in the process ahead, focusing on addressing the real challenges businesses face today. While a 28th regime may be a useful tool, expectations must remain realistic. It cannot solve all the current problems and barriers arising from a fragmented single market. Continued efforts by both the EU and the Member States remain essential to improve the conditions for doing business in the EU and to pursue reforms that will genuinely help boost European competitiveness. Important initiatives include the EU:s continued work with better regulation and simplification and the acceleration of the individual Member States efforts in these areas. DAR ES SALAAM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania has conducted a two-day free clinic in the country's western Rukwa Region, providing medical services to 700 local residents and reinforcing bilateral health cooperation. The outreach, held on Tuesday under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania and at the invitation of regional authorities, focused on underserved communities and remote populations with limited access to healthcare. Medical specialists in cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, respiratory medicine, general surgery, and orthopedics offered comprehensive services, including consultations, physical examinations, diagnoses, medication guidance, and rehabilitation advice. The clinic also covered treatment of common illnesses, chronic disease management, and health education. Addressing the event, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian highlighted the enduring China-Tanzania friendship and commended the medical team's contributions. Chen said that the team has served more than 10,000 Tanzanians over the past two years, reaffirming China's commitment to supporting Tanzania's healthcare development and expanding bilateral cooperation. Rukwa Regional Commissioner Makongoro Nyerere expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying it helped address urgent healthcare needs, improved local service capacity, and strengthened ties between the two countries. Zhang Kai, head of the Chinese medical team, said the outreach reflects ongoing efforts to implement China-Tanzania health cooperation agreements, pledging continued dedication to providing high-quality medical services and promoting the well-being of local communities. MADRID, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Spanish social organizations and political groups on Thursday unveiled a civil initiative aimed at sending humanitarian aid to Cuba, highlighting the island's energy shortages and broader humanitarian needs. The project, named "Madrid Rumbo a Cuba (Madrid to Cuba)," plans to send photovoltaic equipment intended for healthcare institutions in Cuba, organizers said at a presentation outside the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. The initiative is backed by several Spanish social organizations, including Ecologists in Action and Open Arms, as well as political groups such as the Communist Party of Spain and other left-wing parties. The organizers said the maritime journey is intended to raise awareness of Cuba's current situation. They emphasized the importance of ensuring access to energy and healthcare, and called for greater international attention to humanitarian challenges facing the Cuban population. The flotilla carrying the aid is scheduled to depart in May, subject to weather and logistical conditions, the organizers added. Mystery fish deaths in Papua New Guinea prompt health warning Sydney, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Villagers on a remote island in Papua New Guinea have been warned not to eat fish until scientists can identify the cause of thousands of deaths of marine creatures and hundreds of cases of illness. The plight of around 1,500 villagers, left without a protein source and livelihoods by the suspected water poisoning, was brought to the attention of the Pacific nation's leaders by ocean campaigners, who have urged a faster government response. John Aini, who runs a local ocean protection group, Ailan Awareness, started hearing reports of fish dying across New Ireland province in December. Visiting five villages there, he observed a red tide lurching in from the ocean. "I was there when fish were gasping for air," he told AFP. Over five days, the group recorded 3,451 dead marine creatures, including fish with discoloured and bulging eyes and green flesh, and a sulphuric smell near reefs. At least 750 people reported illness such as chest pains, skin ailments and coughing after eating fish and wading in the sea. Papua New Guinea's fisheries minister Jelta Wong said that New Ireland residents should stop eating fish as investigators test for contaminants, including chemicals used in industrial activity along the coast. "We don't know which chemical is in the fish," he told parliament on Wednesday. The investigation would take "a week or two" to identify a health response, he said. "Our people are kept in suspense about what is affecting the fish," Aini said on Thursday. "They have gone back out to sea to go fishing because where else will they get food from? They are taking risks," he said. The fishers had mistakenly hoped that new schools of fish arriving to the coast would avoid the same fate, he said. Bodhi Patil, the founder of Innerlight Foundation, which helps indigenous communities protect the ocean, also visited the villages. He said he spoke to a boy unable to afford school fees because his family had lost its primary income source from fishing. There is also concern that children are not eating enough protein. "It creates a big problem telling people not to eat fish when they don't have any other food sources besides local greens and fruits," he told AFP. "These villages are extremely poor." The ocean groups are raising money online, and plan to take water tanks and medical supplies to communities next week. Rain, strong winds kill 18 in Pakistan's Karachi Karachi, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 Heavy rain and strong winds left at least 18 people dead in Pakistan's financial capital Karachi, city authorities and rescue services said on Thursday. Thirteen people died when a wall collapsed on Wednesday, while five people, including two women, were killed elsewhere in the city. Abdul Wahid, a local resident, described the scene where the 13 died as "complete chaos" when the storm hit. "It rained heavily, there were strong winds, so these people were taking shelter by the walls to save themselves and then the wall collapsed on them," he told AFP. Another local resident, Muhammad Sufiyan, gave a similar account. "They were waiting for the wind to calm down so they could cross... and go back to their homes," he said. "The wall fell on top of them and there was a lot of damage... Some animals were also killed." Light to moderate rain fell across Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, but was heavier in some areas, meteorologists said. Rain in March is common in Punjab province in east-central Pakistan but unusual in Sindh, which is in the southeast. "This kind of extreme weather event hasn't happened for a long time," Pakistan Meteorological Department's senior official Ameer Hyder Laghari told AFP. Pakistan, where 45 percent of people live below the poverty line, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with limited resources dedicated to adaptation. While South Asia's seasonal monsoon brings rainfall that farmers depend on, climate change is making the phenomenon more erratic. Last year, monsoon rains in Pakistan killed more than 1,000 people. Sweden's climate policies 'insufficient': report Stockholm, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2026 An agency responsible for evaluating Sweden's climate policy on Thursday accused the government of taking decisions detrimental to the climate and that distanced the country from its climate goals. The Scandinavian country was further from meeting its climate targets for 2030 and 2040 than ever before, the Climate Policy Council said in its annual report. The independent agency has harshly criticised the right-wing government, which is backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats, every year since it came to power in 2022. "The council notes that the government's climate policy during the electoral term has been insufficient and has worsened the prospects of reaching the climate targets," it said. The council urged the government to swiftly introduce measures to reduce emissions in the transport sector, one of Sweden's top three emitting sectors. The government's climate measures, or lack thereof, have "contributed to slower electrification, increased traffic and greater use of fossil fuels," the council said. Its vice-chair, Olof Johansson Stenman, told AFP that two governmental decisions had been particularly detrimental: cutting petrol taxes, and reducing the requirement for petrol suppliers to blend a certain percentage of biofuels or other low-carbon alternatives into their products. Those moves have impacted consumer incentive to switch to electric vehicles. The share of electric cars among Sweden's new car registrations is 36.5 percent, according to Mobility Sweden, compared to 96 percent in neighbouring Norway. Reducing Sweden's dependence on fossil fuels was also a question of energy independence, Johansson Stenman recalled. "We can be glad that we're not dependent on Russian gas, unlike the central European countries that largely were, and for whom this has led to high costs," he noted. Wars raging around the world and an unstable global security situation should not be a reason to slow down efforts, he said. "On the contrary, it's one more argument in favour of the absolute need to free ourselves from fossil fuels." Interim Climate Minister Johan Britz rejected the council's criticism. "The government's policies and its historic commitment to nuclear energy and fossil-free energy, (the simplification of) permit procedures, and the EU's ambitious climate policies together provide a decisive basis for achieving the long-term climate goals," he told Swedish news agency TT. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice On a sunny March morning in Bunhill Fields, a burial ground in central London, broadcaster Zakia Sewell is musing over whether folk traditions can really be an antidote to far-right nationalism. The 32-year-old writer and BBC Radio 6 DJ has been mulling that question over for some time as she journeyed around the British Isles exploring the nations folk resurgence for her debut book. Finding Albion: Myth, Folklore and the Quest for a Hidden Britain builds on Sewells hit audio series for BBC Radio 4, which saw her seek out a different, more inclusive idea of Britishness beyond the usual national myths and symbols. The book has been longlisted for this years Womens Prize for non-fiction. Britain is in a folk frenzy, according to Sewell, gesturing to a post-pandemic resurgence in folk culture evidenced by a new slate of pagan festivals as well as the growing popularity of folk music, dancing, films and magazines like Weird Walk, which takes its name from a movement that invites people to explore sites rich in myth and ritual through walking. People are becoming more interested in folk today because theyre searching for alternative visions of Britishness that are more eccentric and fun, Sewell says. Today, she stands footsteps away from the gravestone of poet and mystic William Blake. Born in 1757, Blake was a fellow seeker of Albion, the oldest known name for the island of Great Britain. open image in gallery Finding Albion: Myth, Folklore and the Quest for a Hidden Britain by Zakia Sewell (Hodder & Stoughton) ( The Independent ) Finding Albion follows the Pagan calendar, also known as the Wheel of the Year which delineates the changing seasons with eight annual festivals around the UK, all of which Sewell attended. She marked the spring equinox with a druid ritual on Glastonbury Tor, celebrated May Day with Morris dancers in Oxford, and observed Samhaim, known as Gaelic Halloween, amid the ghosts of York. During Montol, a midwinter festival in Penzance, Cornwall, Sewell dressed up as a wolf before rounding off her year at Stonehenge for another spring equinox. Alongside this resurgence in folk culture, however, another sort of frenzy has taken hold. Last year, flag fever emerged as a result of Operation Raise the Colours and the Unite the Kingdom marches two movements with connections to well-known far-right campaigners such as Tommy Robinson. Street by street, flags proliferated as their meaning was debated ferociously in newspapers and on social media: a symbol of patriotism or racist nationalism? open image in gallery Protesters wave Union Jack and St George's England flags during the "Unite The Kingdom" rally on Westminster Bridge by the Houses of Parliament on September 13, 2025 in London, England. ( Getty Images ) Finding Albion looks to history to help undermine attempts by far-right groups to co-opt traditional symbols and stories to fuel division. Many of our national symbols in England arent rooted in English soil at all, Sewell says, noting how Englands patron saint, St George, never set foot in England and had Palestinian roots. And St Georges cross, the national flag, originated as the flag of the Italian Republic of Genoa. The English even paid Genoa a tax for many centuries for the privilege of using the flag, she says. Sewell is not the only one hoping to grapple with divisive visions of the past. The LGBTQ+ female Morris dancing troupe, Boss Morris, breathes new life into the English folk dance dating back to the 15th century. Based in Gloucestershire, its dancers perform at festivals and fetes. In 2023, they appeared alongside Wet Leg at the Brit awards. Boss Morris hopes to redefine Englishness into something more inclusive and with broader appeal by reimagining a modern vision of folk culture away from the darker aspects of folk traditions including the practice of blackface. open image in gallery Priston Jubilee Morrismen dance at dawn at One Tree Hill on May 1 2008 in Farmborough, Somerset, England. ( Getty Images ) As someone of British and Caribbean heritage, Sewells relationship to her own Britishness has always felt complicated. Along with her love for sunshine and syncopated rhythms, she also inherited stories from her Caribbean family of her ancestors who were transported from West Africa in tightly packed ships and worked as slaves on sugar plantations under British rule. Much of Britains inequality Sewell attributes to the spectre of its colonial history and the racism that was used to justify it. But through her research she has discovered that, Britain of the past is not as white as we think, she says. Take the Cheddar man the 10,000-year-old Mesolithic skeleton dubbed the first Brit was revealed in 2018 to have had dark skin. Even the ruler of Great Britain in Roman times, Septimius Severus, was a North African. Finding Albion is rich with knowledge and insights that help to pave the way for a more inclusive vision of Britain. The books cover is an illustration of something that looks a lot like the illusive Holy Grail; the book is an incredible find. Finding Albion: Myth, Folklore and the Quest for a Hidden Britain by Zakia Sewell published on March 19th by Hodder & Stoughton. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Marianne Faithfull is watching an old interview, in which Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham is asked about discovering her. Is it literally possible that you can go to a party and pick up someone with no evident talent and make a star of her? Oldham chortles. Er, yes. Maybe it was good for me, Faithfull says of her reaction upon first seeing that interview. Because maybe I thought Ill show you, you c***. Faithfull, who died in January 2025 at the age of 78, certainly did show Oldham, and the rest of the world. Her extraordinary life, much of which was lived out under the relentless glare of the media, was one of rebellion and resilience. Now, its the subject of a milestone docudrama, Broken English, that sets out to recalibrate a legacy that has, too often, been overshadowed by Faithfulls association with the Stones and Mick Jagger, her ex-boyfriend, as well as a crude and inaccurate story involving Faithfull, a chocolate bar, and a police raid of Keith Richardss home in 1967. Directed by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, the Bafta-nominated duo behind 2014s acclaimed Nick Cave docudrama, 20,000 Days on Earth, Broken English veers far from the formulaic music documentary tropes: the rags-to-riches story, the fame, the fortune, the drugs spiral, the phoenix rise from the ashes Tilda Swinton appears amid whirling tape machines and clicking typewriters as the head of a mysterious institution called The Ministry of Not Forgetting. Faithfull has been carefully chosen as its first subject her life and work archived through an extensive cache of interviews, archive footage, performances and conversation. Among its starry contributors are friends and collaborators, including Cave, Warren Ellis, Courtney Love and Jehnny Beth, while actors George MacKay, Zawe Ashton and Calvin Demba act as employees at the ministry, diligently working towards their end goal. open image in gallery Tilda Swinton as the head of the Ministry of Not Forgetting, in Broken English ( Amelia Troubridge ) When wed started the project, Marianne had recently arrived at Denville Hall [a retirement care home for the performing and creative industries], so this was an exciting opportunity for her to be creative again, to make art and perform and sing, producer Beth Earl tells me. I feel like that really gave her a new lease of life, and we got to have her on board, being the one to tell her story. They had to work quickly, knowing Faithfulls health was not good she was on oxygen, struggling to breathe after contracting Covid in 2020. During filming, though, something changed in her: Once those triggers were pushed, the muscles began to work again, and she could remember lots of detail about [recording albums], or teaching songwriting with Allen Ginsberg it all came back, Forsyth says. This wasnt exactly a surprise to the team working on Broken English. A lot of her life has been about showing people who underestimated her what shes actually capable of, Pollard points out. She was a force, Earl agrees. She was smart and funny and talented and quick and so dynamic. I feel like all of us really had to be on our feet every time we saw her, and like a few steps ahead. She definitely didnt slow down. open image in gallery Marianne Faithfull with George McKay in 'Broken English' ( Joseph Lynn ) They were keen not to sugarcoat anything, not least when Faithfull was feeling less cooperative. We wanted to let her be snappy, to expose that at some point, because if it was a male artist, wed perceive that behaviour differently, Pollard says. We would see it as a strength of character and a byproduct of genius. MacKay, known for roles in the war epic 1917 and the critically praised 2023 thriller Femme, plays an earnest researcher who shows Faithfull artefacts from her career. Her reactions vary. Sometimes she lights up, beaming, at the sight of an old friend (Ginsberg, or Bob Dylan). Others she bristles at, such as when MacKay pulls out a copy of The Evening News, with the front page screaming: Naked girl at Stones party. The odious legend goes that, at the notorious police raid on Richardss Redlands estate in February 1967, Faithfull was discovered wearing nothing but a fur rug and performing a sex act with a Mars Bar. The fur rug detail was true. The Mars bar was not. Oh gawd, Faithfull says at the sight of the front page. I dont care for it. No, Im not going there. You can put it away. Here is where a roundtable of women is introduced, including the presenter Edith Bowman, who agree that this moment was the start of Faithfull being perceived in the public eye as someone scandalous. open image in gallery Scandalous sisters: Faithfull with her friend, actor Anita Pallenberg, at Heathrow airport in 1967 ( Getty Images ) She was very clear at the beginning, says Earl. One thing she did say was that she never felt she was a victim. She never wanted that kind of label on her at all. And I think the way we move through the ministry allowed her not to be that and to have her voice, and if we felt like anything needed a little bit more careful consideration, thats where we brought in the [group]. It wasnt something that she really wanted to dwell in. I think she felt that shed gone through it and shed come out of it on top. She never felt she was a victim. She never wanted that kind of label on her at all Producer Beth Earl This doesnt mean that the film skirts around the genuine traumas that Faithfull went through. In the space of two years, she developed a drug addiction while playing Ophelia at the Roundhouse in 1969 and suffered a miscarriage while seven months pregnant with her and Jaggers child; their relationship ended (she was back on stage with the Stones two weeks later). Stones guitarist Brian Jones died, aged 27, and she lost custody of her son, Nicolas. She also had the song Sister Morphine taken off the shelves because it was deemed too controversial for a woman to have written such lyrics. It was quite a long time before I could sit down and write another song, which is a shame, she says. Hurts. It really hurts She tells MacKay that shes sorry when he asks about the song being taken away. Dont apologise, he replies, stricken. Well, I am, she says. Im sorry that I didnt [protest]. open image in gallery Faithfull in her Kensington flat, August 1965 ( Getty ) Theres a reclaiming of Faithfulls work throughout Broken English, both in her own recollections of her life and through interpretations of her songs by other artists. We witness a striking cover of 1983s Times Square by Courtney Love, and another from French rock musician Jehnny Beth, formerly of the band Savages, who dances to her take on Faithfulls caustic Broken English closer, Why Dya Do It?. Its themes of infidelity, jealousy and rage suit Beth perfectly: I was so flattered [to be asked to take part], Beth tells me. The film is incredible its very much a movie about Marianne in the present, in that moment, and its a movie about death. In Faithfull, she sees a kindred spirit when it comes to her songwriting. The way we approach love and relationships is not as evolved as we pretend it is, she says. Were still coding these possessive attitudes towards sexuality; jealousy is a condition of love, even a proof of love for some people. Faithfull, she points out, was fearless in her exploration of the human condition. open image in gallery Its a movie about Marianne in the present, in that moment: Jehnny Beth on Broken English ( Johnny Hostile ) Pollard and Forsyth wanted to end the documentary with one final performance. Faithfulls doctor advised her against it. But she returned a year after filming had concluded with her friend, the jeweller David Courts, whod convinced Earl and the team that she was ready. When we brought her in, we were prepared for every scenario, like if she doesnt want to sing, if she just wants to read poetry, Earl recalls. It is undoubtedly the most moving scene of the film, as Faithfull is accompanied by Nick Cave, who sings and plays the piano, and Warren Ellis on the violin. It was a beautiful thing, because in that time we knew Marianne, it was the most alive I ever experienced her, Earl says. It was like we were meeting a lifetimes worth of Marianne in that moment. Broken English is in UK cinemas from 20 March Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Carmit Bachar, an original member of The Pussycat Dolls, has broken her silence about being left out of the girl groups comeback. Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts announced last week that they were relaunching the troupe as a trio, complete with new music and a global tour, after a previously planned reunion fell apart. However, the trio did not include former members Bachar, Melody Thornton and Jessica Sutta. Bachar, 51, said in an Instagram post Tuesday that she had not been told about the decision to reboot the group. Representatives for The Pussycat Dolls did not return The Independents request for comment. I was not contacted regarding the groups decision to move forward, and I learned of these plans at the same time as the public, the performer wrote. Given my history with the brand, having been part of its foundation long before its commercial debut and instrumental in the connections that led to the record dealI would have appreciated direct communication. The Pussycat Dolls began as a burlesque troupe founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995, with Bachar among its original members. The group became a global hit upon the release of their debut album, PCD, in 2005. open image in gallery Original Pussycat Dolls member Carmit Bachar says she has been snubbed from the group's forthcoming reunion tour ( Getty ) open image in gallery The Pussycat Dolls are reuniting as a trio for a world tour ( Rankin ) Bachar left to pursue a solo career in 2008 due to internal conflict in the group, ending her status at the time as its longest-serving member. The Dolls went on hiatus after their 2009 world tour and officially broke up in 2010. As an original member of The Pussycat Dolls, that chapter of my life will always hold profound meaning, Bachar wrote in her statement. I carry with me deep gratitude for the music we created, the experiences we shared, and most importantly, the incredible fans around the world who supported us. open image in gallery The Pussycat Dolls original members included Jessica Sutta, Kimberly Wyatt, Melody Thorton, Nicole Scherzinger and Carmit Bachar ( Getty Images ) She continued, While this is disappointing on a personal level, I remain proud of the role I played in helping shape what The Pussycat Dolls became. I believe the legacy of any group is built not only by those seen on stage, but also by the collective contributions and shared vision that brought it to life. The Dolls new comeback marks the groups first major activity since their planned reunion tour was scrapped in 2022 due to the Covid pandemic, leading to a legal dispute between Antin and Scherzinger. The trio kicked off their new era with a single titled Club Song, which they will play on their 53-date global PCD Forever Tour launching in June. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice American actor Rachel Zegler has lauded her balcony performance in the musical Evita as "amazing" and "innovative". The 24-year-old made her West End debut in Sir Tim Rice and Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webbers production in 2025, captivating large outdoor audiences as she sang the shows most popular number, Dont Cry For Me, Argentina, from an external balcony. "I thought it was the most amazing, innovative thing thats ever happened. There were more people at closing night outside, than there were sat inside it went all the way down to the Ikea," Zegler said on BBC Ones The Claudia Winkleman Show. The performance took place at the London Palladium, located a short distance from the furniture retailers Oxford Street branch. In the production, Zegler starred as Argentine politician Eva Peron, charting her ascent from actor to First Lady and her transformation into a powerful, influential figure. Her portrayal earned her prizes at both the WhatsOnStage awards and the Stage Debut Awards. open image in gallery Rachel Zegler during filming for the Claudia Winkleman Show ( Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments ) The Independent gave the show five stars, saying that Zegler was enthralling. The star also claimed that her run in Evita set a new record for the longest-standing ovation in the West End. During her appearance on Winklemans talk show, Zegler, who wore a sleek, black strapless zip-up dress accessorised with a gold choker, was joined by comedian Joanne McNally. McNally quipped: "I too played the London Palladium and broke a record it was for wine sold. "Maybe they wanted to stand for me too Rachel, but they couldnt because they were too pissed." open image in gallery Niall Horan, Rachel Zegler, Guz Khan and Joanne McNally with host Claudia Winkleman ( Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments ) Zegler first rose to prominence as Maria in the 2021 remake of West Side Story. She later took on the role of Snow White in Disneys live-action adaptation of the 1930s animated classic. However, her casting as a character described as having a complexion "as white as snow" sparked a social media backlash, given Zeglers Colombian background. She has since appeared in several films, including The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, a prequel to The Hunger Games franchise, alongside multiple stage roles. The Claudia Winkleman Show is scheduled to air on 20 March at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer. MOSCOW, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Moscow calls for an immediate end to the hostilities resulting from the "unprovoked aggression" by the United States and Israel against Iran, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday in a statement regarding the unfolding situation in the Persian Gulf region. The ministry said that Moscow consistently advocates "the need to create conditions for peaceful, secure, and neighborly coexistence between friendly Arab countries and Iran." "We emphasize that the first step on this path must be the immediate renunciation by the United States and Israel of their military adventure," the statement said. The ministry reaffirmed Russia's readiness to facilitate resolving the conflict and finding solutions to existing disputes through political and diplomatic means, in order to achieve long-term sustainable stability in the region, while taking into account the interests of all states located there. "We are prepared to continue to provide constructive assistance in resolving the conflict and resolving existing contradictions in the Middle East through political and diplomatic means," it added, including creating conditions for joint efforts to find a sustainable settlement based on balancing the legitimate interests of all countries in the region. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The View guest co-host Sara Eisen defended Donald Trumps decision to take the U.S. into war with Iran, prompting laughter from the audience and pushback from the panel. CNBC news anchor Eisen, 41, is standing in this week for regular co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is currently on maternity leave. During Wednesdays segment of the talk show, Eisen addressed the director of the National Counterterrorism Centers recent decision to step down from his post. Joe Kent announced his resignation 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. Reacting to Kents message, Eisen said: I think its disrespectful and wrong to assume that the United States and the president especially this president, whatever you think of him does not act on his own agency and on behalf of the United States of America. Fellow co-hosts Sara Haines and Whoopi Goldberg jumped in, laughing and arguing that most of Trumps decisions are driven by self-interest. I think we have to call this what it is, Eisen continued before co-host Sunny Hostin interrupted to ask: This corrupt president, you dont think he acts on his own benefit? open image in gallery Joe Kent resigned as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center over Americas involvement in the Iran war ( The Tucker Carlson Show ) open image in gallery 'The View' guest co-host Sara Eisen (left) defended President Trump against claims he 'acts on his own benefit' ( ABC/Getty ) Im saying he acts he does not get coerced by other nations like Israel, Eisen replied, as the studio audience broke into laughter. Really?! Hostin said in disbelief. If that helps you sleep at night, thats great, she added with a sly grin. Eisen further insisted that Kents messaging perpetuated the old school, antisemitic trope to blame the Jews and to blame Israel. Its as old as time, she continued. When youve got problems in the world, blame the media, blame the bankers, blame the Jews. And it is flat-out antisemitic, absolutely. I think we should call it what it is. Clarifying that it was Kents statement and withdrawal that she felt were antisemitic, she noted: He does not blame the president. He blames Israel. The Independent has contacted Kents representative for comment. Eisen is best known for co-anchoring CNBCs Squawk on the Street and Money Movers. She is serving as a replacement guest this week for Farah Griffin, who has been on maternity leave since giving birth to her first child in February. A series of conservative guest hosts, including Savannah Chrisley and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, have been filling in for Farah Griffin, one of the talk shows main Republican voices. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A row has broken out in Champagne. Not the fun kind that ends with popping corks, sabres and bad dancing, but a rather tone-deaf dispute between the rich, and the even richer, about money, class and who gets to drink what. This week, the chief executive of Lanson Bruno Paillard (worth 100m) accused Bernaud Arnault (worth 150bn), founder of LVMH the luxury goods group behind Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon of driving up grape prices to such an extent that ordinary families are being priced out of champagne altogether. Shipments from the region have already fallen sharply by 99 million bottles in four years and producers are increasingly anxious about who, exactly, their wine is now for. It is a question which, in Britain champagnes second-largest export market comes about a decade too late. We have been drinking more prosecco than champagne since 2014. Last year, an English blanc de blancs became the first non-champagne to win best sparkling wine at a major international competition. And a 15 Aldi bottle was recently named the best champagne in the world. In other words, the whole argument feels slightly beside the point. Champagne hasnt just become too expensive for ordinary families. Ordinary families dont even think its cool any more. There was a time when turning up to a party with a bottle of Moet or Dom Perignon signalled something. Taste, perhaps. Generosity, certainly. A vague sense that you understand how things were done. Champagne was not just a gold-topped shorthand for effort; it was the safe bet. Now? Its like bringing a box of stale chocolates from the petrol station because you couldnt think of anything better. The shift has been gradual, but it is now measurable. Global champagne shipments fell 2 per cent in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of decline and bringing volumes to their lowest level in two decades outside of the pandemic. Even in France, still champagnes largest market, demand is slipping, with domestic sales falling by 4.2 million bottles. Compared with the post-pandemic high of 2022, the industry is now shipping roughly 60 million fewer bottles a year. open image in gallery A 15 Aldi bottle was crowned the worlds best champagne, challenging the old guard ( Aldi ) Sales in the UK are also under pressure to recover. After a bruising 2024, when shipments of champagne from France to the UK fell by around 13 per cent to their lowest level this century, volumes have ticked back up slightly. But the value of those sales fell and the average price per bottle dropped by nearly 10 per cent. In other words, champagne isnt so much rebounding as recalibrating, but it is cheaper, often supermarket-led and increasingly divorced from the luxury image the region has spent decades building. In its place, other bottles have quietly taken over. Prosecco remains the dominant force, accounting for around half of the UKs sparkling wine market by value, a position it has held for years. For a country that tends to drink casually rather than ceremonially, its hard to beat: affordable, widely available and reliably pleasant. But the more interesting shift is happening slightly higher up the ladder. English sparkling wine, once a novelty, is now a serious contender. Top producer Chapel Down said sales rose by 19 per cent last year, with over 1 million bottles sold in a 12-month period for the first time. In 2025, Nyetimbers Blanc de Blancs 2016 became the first non-champagne wine to win the Champion Sparkling Wine Trophy at the International Wine Challenge, as well as Sparkling Winemaker of the Year for a second time (the first was in 2018). Its a milestone that would have seemed unlikely not long ago. The message is clear: excellence is no longer confined to northeastern France. At the same time, cremant produced with the same traditional method as champagne across regions such as Alsace and the Loire has emerged from the shadows. Sales in the UK have increased from 9 per cent to over 50 per cent at major retailers like Waitrose and M&S. Often softer, creamier and less aggressively acidic, and usually at a significantly lower price, it is no longer framed as a compromise. For many drinkers, it is simply a better choice. open image in gallery Nyetimbers Cherie Spriggs after making history with a first non-champagne win at the International Wine Challenge last year ( Nyetimber ) But the real threat to champagnes claim of inherent superiority may not come from rival houses or burgeoning wine regions, but from the UKs cheapest supermarket an awkward development for a class war being fought at the very top. Aldis Veuve Monsigny champagne brut, typically priced around 15, was named the worlds best champagne at the World Champagne Awards last year. In fact, Lanson, Moet and Dom Perignon didnt even place in the top three. It is difficult to overstate how disruptive that is. Not because one award changes everything there are, after all, countless competitions, each with its own politics and pecking orders but because it crystallises a broader shift. If a 15 bottle can be judged the best in the world, what exactly are you paying for when you spend 50? Aldi has not just democratised champagne. Its exposed it. open image in gallery Rising grape prices in the Champagne region have fuelled tensions among its biggest houses ( Getty/iStock ) In an era of rising costs and greater awareness of where our money is actually going, conspicuous spending has lost its appeal. Being seen to spend wisely to find value, to make a smart choice carries its own kind of status. Champagne, with its heavy reliance on branding and heritage, has been struggling to adapt for years. Under the influence of groups such as LVMH, the category has leaned further into luxury, emphasising prestige cuvees and high-end positioning. That strategy has worked at the very top, where demand for ultra-premium bottles remains strong. But it has left a gap in the middle one that savvy operators like Aldi have been quick to fill. There are, of course, structural challenges. Climate change is beginning to reshape the geography of sparkling wine, with warmer temperatures affecting both harvests in Champagne and making southern England increasingly viable. The conditions that once defined champagne are no longer exclusive to it. All of which makes the current talk of a class war within champagne feel, well, kind of pointless. The suggestion that ordinary drinkers are being priced out implies that they wanted to drink it in the first place. In the UK, at least, that doesnt seem to be the case. Theyve found something else they like to drink just as much, if not more. So while we wait for the millionaires and billionaires of Champagne to catch up with what the rest of us realised a decade ago, it may be worth considering what you bring to your next dinner party. You could turn up with a safe Moet. Or you could make the more interesting move the cooler one, if such things matter and bring something else: a cremant from Alsace, an award-winning English sparkling wine or the best champagne in the world, which just happens to come from Aldi. And, if all else fails, theres always a box of chocolates from the petrol station. Housemates from hell often make good dinner party fodder. The spectrum of disgusting habits and highly unusual behaviour witnessed in housesharing always gets a few laughs. But for every funny anecdote, theres a darker story to be told. Housesharing is on the rise in the UK and as were doing it for longer flat-sharers aged 45+ now make up 16 per cent of the flatshare market, up from 10 per cent in 2015 the conversation around housemate abuse is gaining traction. Refuge, the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK, confirm that they receive calls from housemates needing advice on abuse. And while 73 per cent of the survivors Womens Aid work with say the cost of living crisis has made it even more challenging for them to leave abusive homes, housesharers feeling threatened by their housemates face similar challenges: trapped in dangerous shared living setups due to legally binding contracts, a cost of living crisis and prohibitively high rents. Psychotherapist Alex Iga Golabek, whose practice is called Ego Therapy, sees a large proportion of clients who are housesharing. I often hear about relational issues through the prism of housesharing, she says. We rarely have the freedom to select who will live in a houseshare with us. What may follow is a feeling of powerlessness, further exacerbated by the impossibility of withdrawing our consent and ending the arrangement when we feel the relationship we find ourselves in is unsafe. Thats what happened to Savanna McDermott, 29, when things turned sour with a man she was living with in her four-person houseshare in London. The first few months went smoothly, and all four of them got on well after meeting via Spare Room. Things were great at the beginning. Wed watch TV series together, hang out and cook for each other. A few months after moving into the house share, the housemate began making inappropriate comments to Savanna, usually when he was drunk, or shed returned home tipsy. Her other housemates found him a little odd, but reassured Savanna they thought he was harmless. Hed tell me that I was only just born when he lost his virginity and ask me intimate questions about when Id lost mine. After he tried on two separate occasions to kiss her, she made a pact not to be alone in the house with him. On days when she was working from home, shed call a friend and ask them to stay on the phone with her, just in case he approached her. Id stopped talking to him and requested a lock on my door. When the landlord asked me why and I explained I was finding this housemate intimidating, he told me that hed had complaints about this man before, but because he was the lead tenant and sort of managed the house for him, he didnt want to evict him. Then, one evening, the other housemates all went out together to a concert. He was originally invited to come, but I didnt want to go anywhere with him at this stage, so we went without him. When I got up for work the next morning, I grabbed my car keys but I couldnt find my car anywhere. I walked around the whole estate but could not find my car. I thought I was going crazy and had to report it stolen. Months later, they found it three streets away, and it had been started with a key. He was the only person who could have accessed my keys that night. But the police wouldnt do fingerprinting or anything because it hadnt been used in a crime. I moved out 10 days after that. Months later, Savanna was contacted by the police after the woman who moved in after her reported that same housemate for rape. He was never convicted because there wasnt enough evidence, but the police confirmed there were multiple statements on file from other housemates reporting inappropriate incidents. open image in gallery Savanna McDermott is talking to MPs about recognising housemate abuse ( Savanna McDermott ) Theres a huge underreporting of abuse in houseshares, says Savanna, who is campaigning for a law like Clares Law to be available for housesharers so you would be able to request information about whether someone has had any history of violent or sexual crimes before living with them. Theres nothing more intimate than living with someone, even when youre not sexually involved. The laws in place dont reflect that. We need to make roommate abuse legally recognised. Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie, CEO of Domestic Abuse Experts, has worked supporting those affected by domestic abuse for 50 years and has a masters degree in Criminal Justice. Housemate abuse is something Im very aware of and theres a very real need for us to better understand the risks involved and the signs of abuse in this setting, and to get agencies to understand, she says. Ive come across it quite regularly. Having a way to check the risks of the living situation youre entering is definitely a good thing and I do think having legislation in this country that could support that needs looking into. One victim set up a website roommateabuse.org back in 2022 to facilitate support groups and offer specific advice and information for anyone living with abusive housemates. Since then, its consistently had more than 5,000 unique visitors a year. It was a lifeline for 25-year-old Jillian. Housemate abuse is so real, and it needs to be talked about, says Jillian, who has been housesharing for six years. She had been living in the four-person house share shes in currently when a close college friend of hers broke up with a partner and moved in. In the beginning, it was great, but things started going downhill very, very quickly. When I look back, I think it was all a facade until we signed the next lease, so she knew we couldnt get rid of her easily. A few weeks after we signed, we noticed significant changes in her behaviour. Almost immediately, Jillian felt the intensity of their friendship dial up. She treated me like a stand-in partner. She required a lot of attention and if she didnt get it, shed get upset. Then, the lying began. The partner that shed broken up from was a violent man who she had a restraining order against, but she would bring him into our home and lie about it. She was putting us all at risk. She had another partner by then who was paying for her rent, and she was cheating on him. Then, she told our mutual friends that I was the one who was cheating on my partner and sneaking my violent ex into the house, and that I owed her $800 when it was her who owed me $800 for the rent. When Jillian confronted her about the late payment and the lies, things took a turn for the worse. It was very hostile in the house. She barely spoke to me and if she did, she was really dismissive. On one occasion, Jillians sure that she let their indoor cat out deliberately to intimidate her. My mental state was the worst its ever been. I was going to a lot of therapy and talking about my housemate was taking up all my time there. It was affecting everything in my life. Jillian started taking petsitting jobs so that shed be away from the house, and thats when things started to go missing. She put a lock on her door so we never knew when she was there, she stole my underwear and my clothes, and then told me it was an act of revenge for trying to evict her. I filed a police report, but it never went anywhere. For a year or so I carried a lot of guilt that the woman who took my room in the house share was raped and felt I should have shouted louder Savanna McDermott Eventually, the housemate agreed to leave but Jillian was left picking up the pieces. To this day, its shaped me. I was so open and trusting with her, but I didnt realise how calculated she was. Jillian sought help from roommateabuse.org, attending facilitated Zoom meetings with about seven or eight others experiencing housemate issues that were tipping into abuse. I was relieved to know I wasnt alone, she says. She describes the feelings of entrapment the group often discussed: Theres no way out because youve signed a lease. And often, housemates will threaten to withhold rent or do something that might impact your credit rating. They use the lease to manipulate you. If a partner was behaving like that towards you, it would be abuse. When it comes to defining housemate abuse, psychotherapist Alex Iga Golabek highlights the need to make a clear distinction between someone we just dont get on with and a person distributing abuse. Both housemates and romantic partners can show elements of control, which deserve consideration, she explains. In the most simplistic way, I would like to introduce a category of intent. When a deliberate attempt is made to ignore, overpower, or attack the other, we can consider the idea of toxicity. Often, housemates will behave in ways which show a lack of consideration, but this doesnt necessarily mean that they intend to harm. But if the housemate begins to control the heating, damage your things, or steal your food despite numerous conversations, it may be time to consider moving out and ending the relationship. If ending a tenancy agreement isnt a viable option, you may choose to establish how you can distance yourself and protect your own space in the shared environment. It took a long time for Savanna to process what shed been through. After leaving that house, I was really reluctant to sign another tenancy agreement in another houseshare, for fear of the same situation occurring. I was feeling burnt out and emotionally drained, and convinced myself it was because of my job. Then, when I moved out, it was clear to me that so much of that exhaustion was caused by feeling unsafe in my home. Id done what lots of victims of abuse do and minimised what was happening, told myself it was all in my head and tried to just get on with it. For a year or so, I carried a lot of guilt that the woman who took my room in the houseshare was raped and felt I should have shouted louder. But I did shout loud. I told the landlord, I told the police. It was them who didnt take it seriously. The only way I know how to process that was to start campaigning and Im still talking to MPs now to get them talking about this. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An influencer has died following complications from a tummy tuck procedure, her husband has revealed. Rachel Tussey, who went by the username @midlifeunmuted on TikTok, where she had 80,000 followers, shared regular updates in the lead-up to her surgery, adding the hashtag to her videos #mommymakeover. A few days after the February 25 surgery, Rachels husband, Jeremy, posted a lengthy video on his wifes page to explain that she had suffered serious complications following the procedure and her condition was declining. He recalled Rachels doctor telling him the operation went well before he left for the day. He said he was talking to his wife after the surgery in the recovery room when it became clear something was wrong. Next thing you know, I look down, and her face is off color, Jeremy said. I assumed it was from the surgery, you know, from a lack of blood. open image in gallery Rachel Tusseys husband, Jeremy, recalled being told she was without oxygen for six minutes before his wife was placed on life support ( Facebook ) Rachel became unresponsive, he said, and the hospital staff began performing CPR. His wife was later transported to TriHealth Bethesda North Hospital, where she was placed on life support. I was told last night that she's brain dead, Jeremy said, explaining that the doctors told him she went six minutes without oxygen. In a statement shared with People, Rachels surgeon reiterated that the surgery was successful and completed without any complications. Because Rachel was scheduled to remain overnight, her post-operative monitoring was overseen by staff contracted by the independent facility, not by my practice. I was later notified that her condition had unexpectedly changed and immediately returned to assist with her care and transfer to Bethesda North Hospital, where I remained with the family and continued to offer support, the surgeons statement read. I have discontinued all procedures at that surgery center. Out of respect for Rachel and her family, and due to patient privacy laws, I will not comment further. According to the familys GoFundMe page, Jeremy decided to remove Rachel from life support on March 5. Two weeks later, on March 17, Rachel died. It is with deep regret and sadness that we share the news of Rachel's passing, the familys lawyer, Bernie Layne, said in a statement shared with The Cincinnati Enquirer. We would like to thank everyone, around the world, who faithfully prayed for Rachel and our entire family throughout this extraordinarily difficult time in our family's life. The GoFundMe page which has earned $37,565 out of its $40,000 goal as of Thursday morning was created to help the family cover the additional medical expenses that arose as a result of the procedure. Rachel was truly full of life. She loved adventure, cherished her family deeply, and lived as an example of what community and compassion should look like, the pages description read. She dedicated countless hours helping others, including organizing donation efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, collecting supplies and personally delivering essential items to those in need. When someone needed help, Rachel was always the first person to step forward. The late influencer is survived by her husband and their three children, Tristan, Alec and Livi. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man told staff at a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta to serve me or get ready to die on Tuesday night. The man stole $200 during the incident, which unfolded at 9.40 pm, according to the Atlanta Police Department. The APD also shared footage of the robbery, which showed the suspect leaning through one of the restaurants drive-through windows. open image in gallery A man told workers in a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta to serve him or 'die about some chicken' before robbing the store ( Atlanta Police Department ) Dressed in a black hoodie, the man waves his hands several times and continually taps a shelf directly in front of him. In the video, the Chick-fil-A employees are seen racing away from the window, and the APD confirms they fled in response to a threat from the suspect. "You are going to serve me or get ready to die about some chicken, the man said, according to the APD. In the footage, the man suddenly whips out his hand and opens a drawer containing money. Shortly after snatching some of the cash notes from the drawer, he bolts out of sight. open image in gallery The suspect wore a black hoodie during the robbery and appeared to be leaning through one of the restaurant's windows ( Atlanta Police Department ) Towards the end of the video, the unidentified suspect can be seen driving away in a silver SUV. Now, investigators with the APDs Larceny Unit are appealing for more information about the suspect who robbed the Chick-fil-A at 875 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. In a statement, Chick-fil-A Vine City owner-operator Quincy Springs IV told The Independent that the franchise is working with authorities in their investigation. "The safety and wellbeing of our Team Members and Guests is our highest priority, he said. We are grateful that everyone is safe. We are actively working with law enforcement as they continue their investigation." open image in gallery The unidentified suspect fled in a silver SUV which was also caught on camera ( Atlanta Police Department ) This latest incident comes just months after a report conducted by investment bank and financial services company William Blair found that just 72 percent of Chick-fil-A workers would recommend their jobs to a friend. The study, which has been running for 11 years, examined employee satisfaction scores on Glassdoor for nearly 90 restaurant chains. Nearly 530,000 reviews were considered in the survey. Chick-fil-A still managed to beat Chipotle, Starbucks, Wendys and Panera Bread, though. All of those chains reported an employee satisfaction rate of 53 percent or less. For the tenth year in a row, In-N-Out topped the ranking, with 91 percent of employees saying they would recommend their job to friends. The Independent has contacted Chick-fil-A for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police in Spain say they have found the body of University of Alabama student James Jimmy Gracey, who went missing earlier this week while visiting his friends in Barcelona for a spring break trip. The body of the 20-year-old was found around 6 p.m. Thursday in the water off Barcelonas Somorrostro beach, near where he was last seen outside a nightclub early Tuesday morning, according to Catalan police. Graceys last known location was 3 a.m. on March 17 outside Shoko Barcelona, a popular nightclub in the citys Olympic Village near Barceloneta Beach, his family said in a Facebook statement. Earlier Thursday police said they suspected foul play in his disappearance after surveillance footage they viewed from that night showed Gracey outside Shoko, leaving the club. In a statement to Al.com, Graceys family said: We are so grateful for the kindness and concern that has been shown for our family during this incredibly difficult time. They added that they would not be giving interviews at this time to focus on being together and caring for one another. open image in gallery Gracey was last seen around 3 a.m. on March 17 outside Shoko Barcelona, a popular nightclub in the citys Olympic Village near Barceloneta Beach, his family said in a Facebook statement ( Family handout ) Gracey, who was wearing a white shirt and dark pants and a chain with a gold rhinestone cross, never returned to the room he was renting with friends, according to family members who live in the suburb of Elmhurst, about 19 miles west of Chicago. Police recovered his phone soon after he went missing. Police also said his wallet was found floating in the water near Somorrostro Beach, prompting an intensified search of the surrounding coastline, according to ABC7 Chicago. Beth Marren OReilly, who is Graceys aunt, told The Associated Press that he and his friends arrived in Barcelona Monday morning to visit a group of University of Alabama friends studying abroad. Local authorities notified Graceys parents that they had his phone. Originally, the family thought Gracey may have lost his phone or been pickpocketed, but when they reached out to his friends, they learned that Gracey wasnt with them as of early Tuesday morning. You keep thinking that ... youre going to wake up from this and its a terrible nightmare, OReilly said. You know, you see people say this all the time. You never thought it could be our family. And here we are. open image in gallery Beth Marren OReilly, who is Graceys aunt said that he and his friends arrived in Barcelona Monday morning to visit a group of University of Alabama friends studying abroad ( Family handout ) OReilly described him as a good Catholic boy from the Midwest and an amazing older brother to his four younger siblings. Along with his fraternity commitments, he is in the honors program at Alabama, she said. Hes such an all-around good kid, OReilly said. And thats why were so worried. Its just, its not like him to not be in contact. Gracey, an accounting major set to graduate next year, was also a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. Fraternity officials said he served as both chaplain and a philanthropy chairman. Catalan police say that their investigation continues into the cause of death. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man who went to the effort of robbing six New York banks in five days made off with a grand total of just $605. Gustavo DeJesus Torres, 33, began his disappointing crime spree late last week, when he walked into a branch of Chase and handed the teller a note stating that people would get hurt if they did not hand over money. The note did not suggest that Torres was armed. Just an hour later, he tried the same stunt again at another New York City Chase branch, and the following day, he used the same technique twice more, again at Chase branches. After having two days off, he targeted two more of the financial giants locations. During two of his attempts, Torres' technique was mildly fruitful, leaving the premises with $320 from a branch in Jackson Heights, Queens, and $265 from a branch on Nostrand Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn, over the weekend. During his robbery of a bank on West 125th Street in Harlem on Tuesday, he emerged from the premises with $20, the police said. open image in gallery ( NYPD ) Meanwhile, in three of his other heist attempts, his audacious method failed to yield any results. According to the NYPD, the individual did not obtain any money and fled on foot to parts unknown, The New York Times reports. Police are now on the hunt for Torres, and have released several security-camera photographs of him. One of the images shows him on the subway platform holding a cup of coffee, with his headphones dangling round his neck, with an expression of low-key despair common among commuters yet the image was taken during the 57-minute interval between an unsuccessful robbery of one bank, and before the relative triumph of taking $265 from the Nostrand Avenue branch of Chase. open image in gallery Torres, seen between two of his bank heists ( NYPD ) Records also suggest he may have honed his low-key bank robbery techniques in the past, as a 2021 news report reveals a man with the same name, then aged 29, was arrested by police at his Newark, New Jersey, home after he had robbed a branch of Chase bank, reportedly handing the teller a note which read: Im heavily armed dont make a scene." During this incident, the suspect walked off with $6,000, which was never recovered, but Torres was charged with first-degree robbery. It is unclear what happened following this charge. He is also believed to have robbed a bank to the tune of $600 last year, according to the Times. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A drone delivered a package containing knives, a cellphone, bandannas, hair clippers and a green leafy substance to an upstate New York prison after midnight, officials confirmed Wednesday. The drop occurred between two dormitories at the Marcy Correctional Facility. Prison staff quickly recovered the package after the drone was detected flying above the facility at 1 a.m. Saturday. Investigators are now working to determine who was responsible, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision stated. The package contained two 8-inch (20-centimeter) double-edged knives and over a pound (about 530 grams) of the unidentified green leafy substance, wrapped in clear plastic and balloons. Also found were five papers "saturated in intoxicating chemicals" and chargers and accessories for the two hair clippers, the department said. open image in gallery Also found were five papers "saturated in intoxicating chemicals" and chargers and accessories for the two hair clippers ( New York State DOCCS via AP ) The drone was recovered outside the prison, which is about 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New York City, Using drones to smuggle contraband into prisons is not unheard of. Department Commissioner Daniel Martuscello called it an evolving but imminent threat to the state correctional system, which has experienced about a dozen other drone incidents. The commissioner used the incident to lobby for state legislation designed to address illegal drone use. The package recovered at Marcy had wires protruding from it, prompting a response from a bomb squad to make sure it did not pose an immediate threat. Officials from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) said the investigation underscores the need for legal reforms to combat the escalating threat of contraband delivered by air. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Joseph Duggar, who starred in the reality show 19 Kids and Counting, has been arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for alleged sexual activity with a 9-year-old girl in Florida. The Bay County Sheriffs Office announced on Wednesday that Duggar, 31, had been arrested after a police detective in Tonitown, Arkansas, contacted them about a report of sexual abuse. The 14-year-old victim participated in a forensic interview, where she disclosed several incidents involving Duggar that occurred during a family vacation in Panama City Beach when she was 9-years-old, the sheriffs office said. The victim reported that, in 2020, Duggar repeatedly requested that she sit on his lap and next to him on a couch, according to police. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victims underwear and grazed her genitals, officials said. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs. open image in gallery Joseph Duggar, a former reality TV star, was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for alleged sexual activity with a 9-year-old girl in Florida ( @littleduggarfamily, Instagram ) The girls father confronted the former television star on Tuesday, after which Duggar confessed his actions to detectives in Tontitown, the sheriffs office said. He was subsequently arrested out of state on a molestation charge and is now awaiting extradition to Bay County. The arrest comes five years after Duggars older brother, Josh Duggar, was convicted in federal court of receiving and possessing child sex abuse materials, resulting in a 12-year prison sentence. His conviction was upheld by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2023. The Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal in May 2025. open image in gallery Joseph Duggars older brother, Josh, was convicted in federal court of receiving and possessing child sex abuse materials, resulting in a 12-year prison sentence ( Washington County Sheriffas Offi ) The younger brothers case has brought fresh scrutiny to the Duggar family Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and their 19 children who were the focus of a TLC television show. The show, 19 Kids and Counting, which attracted millions of viewers, documented the Arkansas familys close-knit Christian lifestyle. It was canceled in 2015, after a police report showed that Josh Duggar had been investigated for molesting underage girls, including his sisters. After the allegations surfaced in 2015, Duggars parents said he had privately apologized for his behavior. The elder brother then publicly apologized for unspecified actions and resigned from his position at the Family Research Council, an Evangelical non-profit. A representative for the Duggar family did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Authorities in Spain now believe the disappearance of a University of Alabama student to be a case of foul play after new details from surveillance footage raised concerns. James Jimmy Gracey, 20, was last seen around 3 a.m. on March 17 outside Shoko Barcelona, a popular nightclub in the citys Olympic Village near Barceloneta Beach, his family said in a Facebook statement. The Mossos dEsquadra, the local police force, reviewed surveillance footage from that night which has not been publicly released that shows Gracey outside Shoko, leaving the club with another person, leading authorities to suspect foul play, Gisela Macedo, a reporter for El Periodico in Barcelona, said in an interview with CBS 42. Police also said his wallet was found floating in the water near Somorrostro Beach, prompting an intensified search of the surrounding coastline, according to ABC7 Chicago. Investigators are now working to retrace his movements after he left the nightclub. No persons of interest have been publicly identified. open image in gallery Jimmy Gracey, a University of Alabama student from Chicago, has been reported missing after a night out with friends in Barcelona, Spain. Police now suspect foul play in the case ( Supplied ) Gracey had been visiting friends who are studying abroad in Barcelona for spring break when he vanished earlier this week, according to his mother, Therese Gracey, who posted a plea for help Tuesday on the Students in Barcelona 2026 Facebook page. Our family is deeply concerned about James Jimmy Gracey, who has been missing in Barcelona since the early morning hours of March 17. She wrote that he went out with his friends Monday night but never returned. Police are also in possession of his phone, which was reportedly recovered during the arrest of another person, family spokesperson Noreen Heron told Fox News Digital. The Gracey family sent out a Wednesday statement that provided a description of Jimmy as they pleaded with the public for help. Jimmy is a 20-year-old University of Alabama student visiting friends abroad during spring break. He was last seen around 3:00 AM CET at the Shoko nightclub in the Port Olimpic area. He was wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants (likely joggers), and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross. He is approximately 61 and 175 pounds. We are asking anyone who may have seen Jimmy or has any information - no matter how small - to please contact 224.505.3886. Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends. We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely. open image in gallery He was last seen by his friend at Shoko, a nightclub, around 3 a.m. ( Supplied ) open image in gallery Police say surveillance footage revealed Gracey was seen leaving with another person. The missing student's wallet was also found in the sea ( Supplied ) The University of Alabama confirmed Gracey was a student and staff are in contact with his family to offer support. James Paul Gracey is a UA student on a personal trip. UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible. Gracey, an accounting major set to graduate next year, is also a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. Fraternity officials said he serves as both chaplain and a philanthropy chairman. We extend our full support to Jimmys family and loved ones, and we stand ready to help them in any way, said Theta Chi CEO Mike Mayer. The prayers of the brotherhood of Theta Chi are with Jimmy and all who love him. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Graceys disappearance to come forward. OSLO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Denmark prepared contingency measures in January for a possible U.S. military move against Greenland, including sending blood supplies and explosives to the Arctic island, Danish broadcaster DR reported on Thursday, citing anonymous sources in Denmark and elsewhere in Europe. According to the report, Danish troops stationed in Greenland carried explosives intended to destroy runways in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq to prevent U.S. military aircraft from landing. Danish blood banks were also mobilized in case of possible fighting. DR said its report was based on interviews conducted over the past year with 12 sources from the Danish government, military and intelligence services, as well as senior officials in France and Germany. The broadcaster added that Copenhagen had sought political backing from European allies after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed pressure to take control of Greenland. A previously planned troop deployment was accelerated after the U.S. attack on Venezuela on Jan. 3, which heightened fears in Denmark that Washington could resort to force elsewhere. Danish and Greenlandic authorities declined to comment on the reported contingency planning, DR said. Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policies. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland, a move that has sparked backlash across Europe. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Images released by Temple Israel, the Michigan synagogue attacked in early March, show hallways left almost entirely in black, an abandoned daycare area with glass shattered across its floor and group photos where faces have all been melted away. The heartbreaking scenes show the danger presented by what federal officials called the targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. The photos, captured by photographer Emily Elconin, were released by synagogue officials March 19 in an effort to shift the focus from the violence of the recent attack to the sanctity of the space being rebuilt within the West Bloomfield, Michigan, building. No one was hurt in the attack when a Dearborn, Michigan, man ran his car into the school. Investigators said it was loaded with commercial-grade fireworks and flammable liquid. Suspect Ayman Mohamad Ghazali was shot dead by security at the school. The attack came after President Donald Trump, along with Israel, launched an attack on Iran. The Israeli military said that Ghazali was the brother of a Hezbollah fighter killed in a strike. Synagogue officials stated the decision to share these photos was a deliberate move to "take back control of our narrative" following the circulation of unauthorized media that they believe caused harm to survivors. "We share these images because our community deserves to see our building through eyes of love, not through the lens of spectacle," the synagogue shared in a social media post Thursday. "This is our sacred space, and we will be the ones to tell its story." open image in gallery Temple Israel, a Michigan synagogue, was attacked March 12 by 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali. No children or staff members sustained physical harm. The Temple has now released pictures of the damage ( Emily Elconin ) In the singular photo where the buildings interior doesnt appear torched, a scene is stuck in time: Half-eaten bags of pretzels, applesauce and chocolate chip cookies dot a toddler-sized wooden table during what seems to have been a disrupted snack time. I love that this room is untouched by the fire and smoke, one person commented on the photo, included in Temple Israels Facebook post. It was a safe room for our children and in the midst of all the devastation it was a miracle. Another commenter, an early childhood educator, wrote that the photo of the abandoned table shattered her heart, but that she was thankful all occupants of the synagogue were able to flee safely. The children were all evacuated after the attack and reunited with their parents and loved ones. open image in gallery Images released by Temple Israel Thursday show scorched hallways and discolored photos after a March 12 attack ( Emily Elconin ) open image in gallery One image released by Temple Israel shows the scene of what seems to have been a disrupted snack time for children ( Emily Elconin ) The damage stems from a violent incident on March 12, when a man, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, rammed a truck laden with gasoline and fireworks into the synagogue. The vehicle ignited, sending flames through the structure while more than 100 toddlers were inside the buildings early childcare center. After a standoff with security, Ghazali, 41, was shot and killed. While a security guard was injured and several officers were treated for smoke inhalation, no children or staff members sustained physical harm. Roughly a dozen parents sprinted to retrieve their children after authorities cleared the building. Others were reunited at a nearby Jewish Community Center. Since the U.S. and Israel launched their first missile strikes against Iran last month, synagogues worldwide have been on edge and ramping up security. One of the security guards from the Michigan facility was injured in defending the center from the attack. open image in gallery Images released by Temple Israel Thursday show group photos where faces have all been melted away ( Emily Elconin ) open image in gallery Roughly 140 children and staff members were safely evacuated from Temple Israel in Michigan after a March 12 attack ( Emily Elconin ) open image in gallery Images released by Temple Israel Thursday show an early childhood center abandoned during a March 12 attack ( Emily Elconin ) A neighbor of Ghazali told The Detroit Free Press he lived in Dearborn Heights, just west of Detroit, and recently lost family members in an Israeli strike on his homeland as part of Operation Epic Fury. In a subsequent statement, Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun said that the suspect lost several members of his own family, including his niece and nephew, in an Israeli attack on their home in Lebanon earlier this month. Ghazali was born in Lebanon in January 1985. He entered the U.S. in May 2010 on an IR1 immigrant visa after marrying an American citizen, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In 2015, he applied for naturalization, and on February 5, 2016, he was granted citizenship. In the aftermath of the attack, the synagogue launched a dedicated donation website to fund the repairs needed to restore the scorched interior. It is unclear how much has been raised. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Secret manuscripts penned by James Whitey Bulger have been made public by lawyers who argue that the infamous mobsters writings could prove their clients innocence and overturn a wrongful murder conviction. Lawyers for former FBI agent John Connolly say that the crime bosss handwritten statements show that he was framed, and claim that prosecutors have failed to disclose the evidence for years. "The purpose of this book is first to expose these people who have lied about me to get a 'get out of prison pass, Bulger, who ran Bostons Winter Hill Gang, wrote in 2007. I never thought the day would come that Id be writing a story about my criminal activity, part of the memoir states, but adds that the mobster had felt a volcanic rage building inside of me after reading other books written about him by former criminal associates. The purpose of his writing his own book was to clear up the lies, he said. open image in gallery Secret manuscripts penned by James Whitey Bulger have been made public by lawyers who argue that the infamous mobsters writings could prove their clients innocence and overturn a wrongful murder conviction In a motion filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Monday, Connolly's lawyers argued that Bulger said the former agent had not leaked information to him that resulted in the 1982 killing of businessman John Callahan in Miami. Connolly, now 85, was convicted in Florida of second-degree murder and racketeering in 2008 over the killing. Instead, Bulger identified Connollys supervisor at the FBI, John Morris, as his mole, and described Connolly as a sacrificial lamb, according to the filing. Connolly was a special agent with the FBI in Boston in July 1982 when mob hitman John Martorano shot Callahan in the back of the head and left his body in the trunk of a car at Miami International Airport. Connolly was indicted on a first-degree murder charge 21 years later. At the time, prosecutors claimed Bulger and fellow mobster Stephen Flemmi ordered Callahan's killing after Connolly told them the FBI was investigating Callahan's ties to Bulger and his gang in another murder in 1981. open image in gallery Lawyers for former FBI agent John Connolly (pictured) say that the crime boss handwritten statements show that he was framed, and claim that prosecutors have failed to disclose the evidence for years ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) I am sure everyone close to me thought all the information I had came from [Connolly], Bulger wrote. I didnt discourage that thought sadly for Connolly, he took the heat for warning me to take off and other things that had come from [Morris]. He also accused Morris of becoming a star witness against Connolly to save himself from prosecution. The new evidence emerged after a prosecutor involved in the Connolly case resigned from the Miami-Dade state attorney's office following reports of misconduct. Connolly's lawyers received a letter from Miami-Dade Chief Assistant State Attorney in 2024 informing them that a sealed envelope labeled confidential contained the Bulger manuscript and his statements to the FBI. open image in gallery Bulger was beaten to death in prison in 2018 after being convicted of 11 killings and other crimes. While leading his gang Bulger also served as an FBI informant against the Mafia a claim he denied and inspired Jack Nicholsons character in the 2006 Martin Scorsese movie The Departed ( AP ) In their filing, Connolly's lawyers accuse prosecutors of a general pattern of misconduct, arguing that they withheld evidence favorable to the defense. The new material creates reasonable doubt about Connollys guilt, they claim. Connolly, who had been serving a 40-year sentence, was granted compassionate release in 2021 after a judge cited his terminal illness and the risks of Covid-19. Bulger was beaten to death in prison in 2018 after being convicted of 11 killings and other crimes. He had been serving a life sentence. While leading his gang, Bulger also served as an FBI informant against the Mafia a claim he denied and inspired Jack Nicholsons character in the 2006 Martin Scorsese movie The Departed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. DOHA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi said Thursday that attacks on Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country's main site for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, disrupted about 17 percent of Qatar's LNG export capacity, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA). Two of the country's 14 LNG processing units, along with one of two gas-to-liquids plants, were damaged in the attacks, QNA reported, citing Al Kaabi, also the managing director and CEO of QatarEnergy, a Qatari energy operator. He said the damage could result in losses estimated at around 20 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue and pose risks to supplies to Europe and Asia. According to Al Kaabi, repair works could halt production of approximately 12.8 million tonnes of LNG annually for three to five years. Al Kaabi also noted that U.S. energy firm ExxonMobil holds stakes in the affected facilities, including 34 percent in the S4 LNG train (a production unit) and 30 percent in the S6 unit. The cost of constructing the damaged units is estimated at around 26 billion dollars, he added. On Wednesday, QatarEnergy confirmed that Ras Laffan Industrial City had been targeted by Iranian missile attacks, with emergency response teams deployed to contain fires. Attorney General Liz Murrill called out opposing attorneys last week for errors and false citations found in a brief the two filed in federal You are the owner of this article. Advertisement Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Dateline buys second rig for US gold-rare earths drilling blitz Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Rowena Duckworth March 19, 2026 12:31pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A In a savvy move, Dateline Resources has snapped up another diamond drill rig for its Colosseum project, signalling confidence in the scale ahead and backing itself with owner-operated drilling. The acquisition also hands the company greater control over its own timeline. With the purchase complete, the equipment has now been mobilised to its flagship gold and rare earths project in Californias Walker Lane Trend - one of the most gold-productive geological corridors in the American West. Dateline Resources new track-mounted diamond rig in operation at its Colosseum project in California. The new track-mounted diamond rig, capable of drilling to depths of 1,200 metres, has already passed its final safety inspections and the rods are already spinning at Colosseum, bringing the total number of active rigs on site to three. Datelines recent reverse circulation (RC) drilling reached up to 300 metres deep, close to the practical limit of the rig. Notably, even at those depths, the drill bit never punched out of the felsite breccia pipe, the primary host rock, strongly hinting that the system remains open at depth and that more mineralisation could be lurking beneath. Advertisement The acquisition of the drill rig makes strong commercial sense given the expected scale of drilling over the coming years. Dateline Resources managing director Stephen Baghdadi In any exploration program, when shallow RC drilling assays warrant a closer look, diamond drilling is the tool that delivers answers at depth. For now, the immediate priority for Dateline is completing the 12 diamond-hole rare earth element (REE) program, with the two company-owned rigs working in tandem alongside the existing contracted rig. Once that program is wrapped up, the new diamond drill will be redeployed to test a suite of additional gold and REE targets within the broader project area and potentially beyond it. Dateline has flagged that the rig may also be mobilised to its priority Music Valley heavy rare earth project or the Argos strontium project, depending on timing and results. A third company-owned rig is also being deployed at Colosseum, focused on testing the depth potential of the projects North Pipe gold mineralisation. If the drill bit hits paydirt, it could pave the way for a brand new underground resource below the existing open pit plan. Advertisement The current drilling forms part of an ongoing program designed to refine Datelines bankable feasibility study and progressively upgrade its gold resource into higher-confidence categories. The project already hosts 27.1 million tonnes grading 1.26g/t gold for 1.1 million ounces, with more than 67 per cent classified in the measured and indicated categories - and the mineralisation remains open at depth. For punters keeping score, the arrival of a second owned rig signals a meaningful step-change in exploration intensity. More rigs mean more holes, more holes mean more results, and more results mean a more consistent flow of news for the market to digest. Dateline has said as much directly, flagging that shareholders can expect a meaningful increase in both REE and gold-related news flow over the coming period. Dateline Resources managing director Stephen Baghdadi said: Securing another owner-operated, track-mounted rig provides greater flexibility to drill a wider range of targets, particularly in areas where conventional truck-mounted rigs cannot access. The commercial logic of owning rather than contracting the rig is also worth noting. Drill rig availability in active mining jurisdictions can be tight, and daily rates for contracted rigs have risen sharply in recent years. Advertisement Additionally, an owner-operated, track-mounted rig offers a practical advantage in rugged terrain like Californias Mojave Desert, providing access to targets that conventional truck-mounted rigs simply cant reach. Datelines Colosseum project sits within the prolific Walker Lane Trend in the mountainous eastern San Bernardino County, California, within spitting distance of the famed Mountain Pass rare earths mine. The district has a rich mining pedigree dating back to the Californian gold rush of 1848 and hosts multiple multi-million-ounce gold deposits, along with scattered fluorite, antimony and tungsten prospects. Dateline has forecast total production of 635,000 ounces of gold over an initial 8.3-year mine life, with average annual output of 71,000 ounces grading 1.3g/t gold and a recovery rate of 92 per cent. With a bankable feasibility study due for completion by the end of this month, three rigs on the ground and a growing portfolio of California critical minerals assets, Dateline is clearly building momentum heading into what promises to be a very busy year. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears Shares Sharemarket Advertisement BusinessWorkplaceWork therapy Opinion A recruiter verbally abused me. Is it safe for me to make a complaint? Jonathan Rivett Careers contributor March 20, 2026 5:01am March 20, 2026 5:01am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A A recruiter from a well-established recruitment agency told me not to discuss how much remuneration I was expecting, even if their client asked me during an upcoming interview. In my nervousness, I forgot his advice and answered the question when it was put to me by the recruiters client. I knew the job market was dead at the time, so I quoted a range that was at the lower end to make myself more marketable. The next day the recruiter called me enraged and yelled at me for ignoring their advice and for making myself look so cheap which in turn made his agency look like a bunch of money grabbers. Is there an industry or regulatory body that I can report him to and if so, would I be blacklisted by his agency? A good recruiter would have put their consternation aside and sought to understand why you seemingly ignored their advice. John Shakespeare I can see how you would have felt nervous and become flustered during this interview and let the advice of the recruiter slip from your mind. The job market is extremely competitive, and because the interview was held during a period of the year when job opportunities are fewer, your trepidation would only have been greater. Although I wouldnt advise that jobseekers deflate their salary expectation as a way of making them a more compelling candidate, I understand why, in the heat of the moment, you employed this tactic. Advertisement At the same time, I can see how the recruiter might have been somewhat frustrated upon finding out what had happened. I can also imagine they themselves might have been pressured for any number of reasons and more on edge than usual. Neither of these things excuses their explosive phone call to you. A central part of any recruiters job is to talk to people. They do it every day. You would think then that they, more than most, would have a strong understanding of the many variables and vagaries of human communication, especially when one party has much more power than the other. Whatever option you take, I hope the episode hasnt dented your confidence too much. But, no the words of this recruiter were not informed by years of experience dealing with people of different backgrounds, strengths, weaknesses, dispositions and ways of interacting. Instead, they were shaped by pure selfishness you didnt do right by me! A good recruiter would have put their consternation aside and sought to understand why you seemingly ignored their advice. A good recruiter would also understand that pressure gets to all of us at some time. They would, if they listened, come to see that what you did was not willful defiance, but a small mistake made under challenging circumstances. Advertisement Yes, their reputation is important, but any vaguely reasonable client would understand that a stressed candidate making a minor slip is not a reflection of a recruiters opportunism. Editor's pick Opinion Workplace Why its time we stopped talking about hard and soft skills Tim Duggan Work columnist Surely, a companys reputation is influenced more by its representatives ranting and raving at individuals than it is by three seconds in an interview they werent even a part of. You asked whether you might be blacklisted if you complain. I wonder whether it should be you doing the blacklisting. And I only say that partly jokingly. Im conscious of how idealistic it might sound to put a line through a large recruitment agency in a job market that seems to get more difficult by the week. But if its in any way practical, my advice would be to report this person under the assumption youll never use their services again. Advertisement Who should you file your complaint with? Well, thats not entirely straightforward. The Recruitment, Consulting & Staffing Association (RCSA) is the peak body for the recruitment industry in Australia and New Zealand. They have a code for professional conduct that binds all members, and a professional conduct grievance intervention guidelines process for complaints. But all members is the key word here. If the company employing the person who screamed at you isnt a member, the RCSA has no jurisdiction. If you find that theyre not a member of the RCSA, another option is to contact the HR team of the recruitment agency itself. They, too, should have a code of conduct, and should be well aware of their obligations relating to maintaining an environment free from abuse and harassment. Its worth keeping in mind that if this person yelled at you, they may well have yelled at others, and if the HR team can see a pattern of behaviour, they may be more likely to act. Advertisement Whatever option you take, I hope the episode hasnt dented your confidence too much and that you find a job you enjoy very soon. Send your questions through to Work Therapy by emailing jonathan@theinkbureau.com.au Get workplace news, advice and perspectives to help make your job work for you. Sign up for our weekly Thank God its Monday newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Work therapy Opinion Jonathan Rivett is a writer based in Melbourne. He's written about workplace culture and careers for more than a decade. VIENNA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran's envoy in Vienna has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn the Israeli attack at Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), calling the attack "a very grave and serious situation." In an interview published on Thursday, Reza Najafi, ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, told Press TV that Iran's Atomic Energy Organization chief Mohammad Eslami had sent a letter to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, urging him to condemn the Israeli attack at Bushehr NPP. However, this letter and previous ones from the Iranian side remained unanswered. Najafi called the Israeli attack "intentional," which occurred 200 meters from the nuclear reactor on Tuesday evening. He said this was the third strike in proximity to Iranian nuclear facilities after Natanz and Isfahan were attacked at the beginning of the current U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran. "We have not seen any positive reaction from the IAEA, just asking for restraint," Najafi said, urging the IAEA to condemn these attacks. In a social media post on Wednesday, the IAEA said it has been informed about the attack on the premises of the Bushehr nuclear power plant and called for maximum restraint to prevent the risk of a nuclear accident. Meanwhile, Russia strongly condemned the missile strike, saying the attack was a few short metres away from an operational power unit, which created threats to the lives of Russian personnel at the site. Advertisement BusinessWorkplaceWorkplace Opinion Why its time we stopped talking about hard and soft skills Tim Duggan Work columnist March 19, 2026 3:45pm March 19, 2026 3:45pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Get workplace news, advice and perspectives to help make your job work for you. Sign up for our weekly Thank God its Monday newsletter. The way we discuss skills at work is stuck in the past. For decades, weve used the simplistic binary of hard and soft skills to describe different aspects of our job, but if were going to survive in the workplaces of the future, we need better language. Lets begin with what we mean by hard and soft skills, a categorisation first used by the US Army in the 1960s. They coined the terms in training manuals to distinguish between capabilities required to operate heavy military machines and those needed when dealing with people and paper. Our workplaces are already demanding new skills - and new language to talk about them with. The definition has since broadened to hard skills covering anything that requires specialised knowledge or high technical ability, like bookkeeping, data analysis, logistics, IT, coding research and hundreds of other categories with a traditionally steep learning curve. Advertisement Soft skills, on the other hand, include communication, teamwork, creativity, leadership, critical thinking and others. The list of occupations this covers includes teachers, salespeople, HR, customer service and dozens more. As a descriptive term, its woefully inadequate. For the last few years Ive been researching a book on conflict in the workplace. To better understand it, I studied at the University of Western Australias Mediation Clinic to become a nationally accredited mediator. To give ourselves the best chance of succeeding, well need all the skills weve got. The course teachers, Professor Jill Howieson and Dr Darren Moroney, often express their frustration that people believe practising active listening, compassion and mediating is easy. In every course we teach, someone says its like singing Kumbaya, says Howieson, referring to the feel-good song thats usually associated with ignoring real conflict or problems. Theyll say its a soft skill. Advertisement Moroney shakes his head at this suggestion. The only people that call mediation a soft skill are the ones that cant do it. The new AI era we are entering is changing how we think about the skills were going to need. Hard skills are becoming easier and soft skills are getting harder. Editor's pick Opinion Jobs This Gen Z-inspired concept could help us fall in love with work again Tim Duggan Work columnist AI allows previously difficult and technical work to be completed in seconds, but its incapable of solving our human problems, which are just getting more complicated. We need a better way of talking about how to future-proof our jobs. This thought has been circulating in my head since I wrote about the top five skills were going to need this year, which were judgment, storytelling, collaborative intelligence, conflict management and unlearning. Advertisement What they all have in common is that the future versions of these will involve humans and machines learning how to work together effectively. So instead of the traditional binary of hard and soft skills, we need a third category, complex skills, that encompasses this. Complex skills are the tricky ones that live in the messy middle between people, technology and organisations, and require a unique combination of abilities. To keep up with, and excel, in tomorrows workplace youll need to mix AI proficiency with making empathetic calls, and use just as much emotional intelligence as you do artificial. Managing AI agents and humans at the same time will require a new and complex set of skills, which is why it needs its own category. The language we use at work matters. When we call something soft, we imply its optional or light-hearted. Anything hard refers to something only a small percentage of people can master if they have enough time. Both of these terms were created in the old world of work, and were on the precipice of a new one filled with more unknowns than ever. To give ourselves the best chance of succeeding, well need all the skills weve got soft, hard and complex to navigate our way through it. Tim Duggan is author of Work Backwards: The Revolutionary Method to Work Smarter and Live Better. He writes a regular newsletter at timduggan.substack.com Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Workplace Opinion Tim Duggan is the author of Work Backwards, Cult Status and Killer Thinking. He co-founded Junkee Media and writes a monthly newsletter called OUTLET. John Perceval: All That We Are at Heide Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A When you take a moment and look into one of John Percevals paintings, theres a chance that the artist himself is the one staring back at you. A young, cherubic face with a pudding bowl haircut appears again and again a face, which it turns out, is the artists own. A similar visage is also apparent in some of his most beloved works, the ceramic angels. Opening at Heide Museum of Modern Art this week is John Perceval: All That We Are, an extraordinary coming together of 25 of the angels, arguably some of the West Australian-born artists most significant creations, as well as several previously unseen masterpieces. Remarkably, this is the first major survey of Percevals work in more than 30 years; the last was Of Dark and Light at the National Gallery of Victoria in 1992. Curator Kendrah Morgan with works by John Perceval. Eddie Jim Drawn from significant public and private collections, the show includes several rarely seen works and covers the artists first three decades. The saying goes where angels fear to tread but at this exclusive walk through, its me concerned about my every step in the room housing these precious and fragile otherworldly offerings. Advertisement Putting together the show required months of intensive tracking. A lot of these works have been in private collections for many, many years; people love living with them, they treasure them, says Kendrah Morgan, Heides head curator. Once people own a Perceval, they tend to hold on to it, she explains. Morgan has been keen to put this show together for many years. [Perceval] is one of the artists I admire the most in the Heide collection because of the psychological depth of the work, and because for me the work is profoundly humanist and its about all the facets of the human condition. One work Angel Trumpeting (c.1960) was found at a school after following a trail of leads. Keen to find some angels that werent known to the public, Morgan contacted Joe Pascoe, an authority on Australian ceramics and a former director of Shepparton Art Museum. Pascoe pointed her to Preshil, in Kew, who then facilitated a viewing. Percevals children attended Preshil when the family were living in Canterbury from 1954 to 1963, and he gave the school the angel for its art collection, presumably as a gesture of thanks and goodwill. Alice Perceval with her father John, photographed in 1963. Wales-based Alice Perceval, youngest child of Perceval and Mary Boyd, is visiting Heide to see the show as it is installed: she is at once overjoyed and slightly overwhelmed. I am struck by what an extraordinary artist my father was, she says, adding that while shes always known that, seeing the works so beautifully restored, all together and in real life, is very moving. An artist in her own right, Alice fondly recalls drawing and painting alongside her dad. He was very playful, not precious at all, and he loved children, she says. Advertisement We used to draw this playful thing he called the Triantiwontigongolope [based on the CJ Dennis poem]. We would take it in turns to draw the wings. It was a sort of an insect with an angel-like face. Despite Perceval having a lonely and sad youth, according to Alice his parents having divorced when he was very young he was very playful as an adult. I think thats why he and Mirka Mora were such good friends because they really saw the inner child in each other. There was lots of mischief when those two were together. Alice Perceval at Heides John Perceval: All That We Are Eddie Jim Two early self-portraits at the entrance to the show, created when Perceval was 14 and 15, are remarkably self-assured. Other pieces through to his early 20s reveal that while at times anxious and troubled, he was incredibly talented. Theres something about my father that was just quite extraordinary, there was something that came from somewhere else, he was just like that from the beginning, Alice says. She imagines that when he was 18, meeting Arthur Boyd and then through him his sister, Mary, who would become Alices mother, there was that nurturing, creative environment, like a feeling of homecoming in a way. As for Perceval inserting himself into his works, Alice says: Hes superimposing himself as a child, and still there, like the witness and the commentator. This is the largest survey of works by John Perceval in over 30 years. Eddie Jim Advertisement An impressive 25 of Percevals much-loved ceramic angels have been brought together for the exhibition, marking the first time theyve been shown together at this scale. Morgan sees them as symbols of the worlds survival even though theyre angels, and, of course, meant to be divine creatures, theyre very secular and they show every type of personality. Youve got innocence and knowing, mischief and an idealistic, beautifully behaved one, she says. Created in the late 1950s, in part a response to the threat of nuclear war, the angels are regarded as one of Percevals most important contributions to Australian art. A photograph of the Perceval family camping in the south of France in 1964, by Mary Boyd. National Library of Australia, courtesy of the Mary Nolan Estate One is called Angel Winkie Alices older sister, Celias nickname - and the mischievous face on another reminds her of a cheeky cousin. As well as reflecting the full array of human behaviour, the angels are beautifully crafted, often with incredibly realistic childlike gestures, says Morgan pointing to one. You know how babies do put their toes in their mouths ... and this one [Figure of an Angel 1958] I think shes sucking her thumb. Two rooms are dedicated to Percevals landscapes and seascapes. The latter features several from his renowned Williamstown series, capturing the docks, shipyards and waters of the seaside town. Advertisement Advertisement Exclusive Eating outComing soon Team behind Bar Copains to open French wine bar at landmark Potts Point site The Challis Avenue venue from restaurateurs Nathan and Sali Sasi and business partner Morgan McGlone will join a wave of new and upcoming Gallic venues opening across the city. Scott Bolles March 20, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A The former Challis Avenue home of Potts Point institution La Buvette will be born again as a Gallic venue, with the team behind hatted restaurants Bar Copains, Bessies and Vin-Cenzos opening a French wine bar at the site. Restaurateurs Nathan and Sali Sasi and business partner Morgan McGlone have been on a golden run since kick-starting The Goodies Hospitality Group in 2022 with the opening of Bar Copains in Surry Hills. Morgan McGlone (left) and Nathan Sasi at the former Chefs' Warehouse site in Surry Hills. When the one-time site of La Buvette became available, Sasi said it ticked a major box for the trio as a Sydney location with historic hospitality pedigree: in 2025 they opened Bessies in the former Surry Hills home of kitchen supply institution Chefs Warehouse, and transformed Darlinghursts Bar Vincent into Vin-Cenzos. La Buvette was a 25-year staple at Challis Avenue when it closed in 2019, with the site used in subsequent years as extra space for a neighbouring Spanish eatery. Were 99 per cent sure were going to call it La Buvette, Sasi said of the upcoming project. Advertisement And theyre all-in on French food, joining an uptick in new and upcoming Sydney venues from the airport to Double Bay pushing the cuisine. Where Bar Copains is more [broadly] European, this will be more fixed French, Sasi said. Put it this way, you wont see pasta. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up What you will see is flounder meuniere, crumbed veal brains with Swiss chard, and oysters with house-made merguez sausage. Chefs Sasi and McGlone recently returned from a work trip to France, and are already in the kitchen testing goose rillettes and barbajuan with Swiss chard and goats curd for the July opening. The original La Buvette site in 1998. Adam Pretty The closure in November 2024 of the hatted Bistrot 916 at Challis Avenue created a gap on the strip for French. And the redevelopment of the building where Bistrot 916 traded will include a boutique hotel, which added to the appeal of the location, Sasi said. Its also an established Potts Point eat street, with Fratelli Paradiso and La Buvettes next-door neighbour, Fei Jai, both long thriving stalwarts of the strip. The choice of the pint-sized La Buvette site might seem a curious move for the rapidly expanding hospitality group, but Sasi said it suited the concept. While the diminutive space will only have 10 seats inside, therell be plenty of outdoors seating. We discovered at Bar Copains, people like sitting outside, Sasi said. When it opens mid-year, the hope is itll add to the Potts Points Parisian street vibe as a venue for a quick drink and bite, with a menu that doesnt tread on the toes of other French venues in the postcode. Advertisement One of those venues is Le Frerot, which opened last year on Challis Avenue in place of Catalan restaurant Parlar. Owner Andrew Becher said its all-day French menu has proved popular with locals. Becher points to changing demographics in Potts Point, with a more mature clientele in the area wanting more daytime options, something Le Frerot delivers with freshly baked boulangerie items and baguettes filled with ham and gruyere. Later in the day, it does good trade with dishes such as steak frites. Becher, who also owns Armorica Grande Brasserie in Surry Hills, has been at the centre of the revival of French restaurants in Sydney. After the turn-of-the-20th-century golden era of Banc, Balzac and Becasse, when duck confit reigned on Sydneys eat streets, a long dry spell followed where even major food developments opened without a French restaurant. Lucette is a bistro-brasserie in true Parisian style. Max Mason-Hubers Sydney has certainly shaken off any slowdown. This month, Loulou opens at domestic terminal T3, adding to the launch in February of sibling venue Cafe Loulou in North Sydney. In May, French restaurant Ananas will reopen at The Rocks. And Lucette, a bistro-brasserie in true Parisian style with a French former head chef at Monopole, has sprung up as the hottest new opening in the Southern Highlands. As for French dining, I dont think it ever really left, said Johan Giausseran, co-owner of LEntrecote Group, which started on Sydneys north shore before opening a restaurant at Circular Quay. The next stop for the group is Double Bay, where a new concept, Monsieur Paul, will fix its gaze on Lyonnaise gastronomy, French jazz and occasional cabaret nights. Advertisement Very often, when people come to dine with us, it brings back memories of travels theyve had in France, or it allows them to experience a little piece of it here without needing the flight ticket, Giausseran said. Sasi might be pitching the upcoming La Buvette as a Potts Point pit-stop venue for a drink and a bite, but it sounds appetisingly like somewhere you might want to tuck your legs under the table and hang around. Were going to do a crepe cake, Sasi said of the sweet tail-end of the menu. And miniature creme brulee in egg cups. Related Article 14 / 20 Review Bowral restaurants do well with the twice-a-year crowd. This bistro impresses everyone Advertisement Tips & adviceChip Month How to make In-N-Out Burgers famous off-menu loaded fries Plus four other genius recipes to upgrade frozen crinkle cuts, including leftover bolognese fries and nduja, hot honey and feta chips. Katrina Meynink March 20, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A This story appears in the Good Food Guide to chips Victoria collection. See all stories . Around 6pm on most weeknights across our great nation, there is a specific kind of doing our best energy. You open the freezer, stare into the icy abyss and realise that best actually means frozen chips. Were not pretending these are hand-cut thrice-fried pommes frites from a tiny bistro in Paris. This is a glow-up of frozen fries, pure and simple. We are elevating. We are accessorising. We are doing the absolute most with a $4.50 staple, so naturally, there are some ground rules. First: the fries. You can use any kind you like, but I do draw the line at wedges. We need them golden and audibly crisp; if they dont crunch, we cannot build. Once weve chosen the foundation, lets talk about accessorising. The secret to a successful chip glow-up is knowing where to hold back and where to go overboard. Advertisement You need a crisp base. A generous topping. Acid somewhere (pickles, vinegar, hot sauce). Something creamy. Something crunchy. Then, we get technical. Spread em. Give them space the anti-social kind. High heat, no overcrowding, ever. Chips deserve airflow and ambition. If you have an air fryer, this is her moment. We need them golden and audibly crisp; if they dont crunch, we cannot build. Now, lets load them up and hail the chip fry for dinner-time glory. The best recipes from Australia's leading chefs straight to your inbox. Sign up Animal fries, featuring burger sauce, caramelised onions and zero shame. Katrina Meynink Those animal fries If youve ever fallen down a late-night internet rabbit hole, youve seen the copycat versions of the off-menu loaded fries from Californias In-N-Out Burger. And yes, I am making them at home, in Brisbane, with frozen chips and zero shame. Advertisement Cook the fries according to the packet instructions until theyre aggressively golden. Meanwhile, cook 2 finely diced onions low and slow in a heft of butter and oil with a generous pinch of salt. You are not saute-ing. You are committing. In a bowl, whisk together Kewpie mayo, a few tablespoons of tomato sauce, a pinch of sugar and at least 2 tablespoons of finely chopped pickles. When the chips hit peak tan, scatter over some grated burger cheese. If you cant find any, a mix of cheddar and red Leicester gives you much the same look and flavour. Let it melt indecently for the final minute or two of cooking. Transfer to a tray and top with the jammy onions and generous dollops of the burger sauce. For the true burger effect, scatter over a few slices of pickle. Serve with forks, consume with appetite. Leftover bolognese fries This is the kind of after-school hero mum moment I live for. Advertisement Cook the fries until golden and crisp. Meanwhile, heat your leftover bolognese and spoon it generously over the hot chips. Top with a blanket of mozzarella and return to a hot oven until bubbling and melted. Finish with fresh basil or oregano and season at will. Its a lasagne-adjacent joy, minus the time commitment or the roux-related stress of a bechamel. Nduja hot honey and feta chips tick all the spicy, sweet, salty and crispy boxes. Katrina Meynink Nduja, hot honey and feta chips Spicy, sweet, salty, crispy: the holy grail of weeknight satisfaction. Whack your fries in the oven and bake until golden. Cook some nduja in a frying pan until its crisp and has released its vibrant oils. Advertisement While thats sizzling, heat cup honey in a small saucepan until warmed through. Remove the chips from the oven and pile them on a large serving plate. Top the chips with the nduja and drizzle the hot honey over the top. Scatter with cup crumbled Persian-style feta, plus a few oregano leaves, if you have them, for a touch of fance. Serve piping hot. Furikake fries with curry sauce The key here is to embrace the supermarket Japanese curry hit. Those packet curry roux blocks like the classic S&B Golden Curry are perfection and, frankly, taste even better with chips. Get your fries in the oven and secure yourself some superb furikake, the Japanese seasoning that typically features seaweed, sesame seeds and dried fish. Related Article EASY Julia Busuttil Nishimuras furikake seasoning < 30 mins Advertisement While the chips crisp up, finely dice and sweat an onion in a saucepan with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Add the curry roux and a splash of water, or low-salt chicken stock, simmering and stirring regularly until thick and glossy. Once the chips are done, toss them with the furikake until theyre well coated. Serve with the curry sauce for dipping heaven. If curry sauce isnt your thing, a quick spicy mayo will do the trick. Whisk together gochujang paste, miso, soy sauce, honey, hot sauce, rice vinegar and Kewpie mayonnaise. You can also swap out regular chips for sweet potato if you want to keep the spicy vibes going. Steak frites, in a baguette, with a short-cut bearnaise butter, is the definition of French fance. Katrina Meynink Steak frites n bearnaise butter baguette Advertisement I had a version of this in Paris at Christmas and it made me believe in Santa a surprise gift I still think about. Youre going to need an epic baguette. This is a butter-based take on bearnaise sauce because, lets be honest, if were in bag-of-chips territory, we are definitely not in emulsion territory. Bring 150g of butter to room temperature. In a bowl, combine one very finely diced French shallot (eschalot), a grated garlic clove, and two tablespoons each of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, chervil and tarragon. Add the butter and 1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar, stirring thoroughly to incorporate (or just whiz the lot in a blender for a few seconds). Set aside. Get your fries on a tray and into the oven, cooking until golden. Meanwhile, cook your steak to your liking, rest it, then carve it into slices. Layer the steak along the baguette, pile high with fries, and top with generous slices of the herb butter. Return the baguette to the oven ever so briefly just until the butter melts and pools over the chips. Eat immediately, right when the fries hit that perfect precipice between crunch and softening into the glorious, herby butter. Advertisement Advertisement LifestyleHealth & wellnessPregnancy Opinion After a traumatic birth, this rarely discussed caesarean option was healing Sassica Francis-Bruce March 19, 2026 7:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A For the birth of my first child, I had whats called an elective caesarean. Ironically, I wasnt given a choice. My baby was breech, and efforts to turn him were unsuccessful. It was not at all how I wanted to give birth, but regardless there I lay, paralysed on the operating table in a cold and brightly lit theatre, surrounded by a dozen very busy strangers. It was the most momentous day of my life, but I felt powerless, uninvolved and, quite frankly, a little irrelevant. Surely, my role in the birth of my child was more than just lying down and listening to the obstetricians playlist? Forty-one per cent of Australian mothers now give birth by caesarean section. Michael Howard / Getty Immediately after birth, the midwife thought my firstborn baby who is now a vibrant, almost four-year-old was unwell and whisked him away for 20 minutes to assess him. No one told me what was happening, and I became so sick from the anesthetic I spent the next 12 hours mostly unconscious while my partner held our son. Advertisement Fast forward two years, and Im in the same operating room for my second childs birth, having another caesarean. This time I feel empowered and involved, having just played an integral part in the most deeply moving experience of my life. My babys warm body lies on my bare chest as he nuzzles closer into my neck. Hes breastfeeding even before I am wheeled out of surgery. Related Article Parenting Raising boys isnt as scary as you think. These experts are here to help The difference? I had a maternal assisted caesarean. A what? I had asked months earlier when my new obstetrician, Sydney-based Georgina Davis, suggested it. A maternal assisted caesarean (MAC), she explained, is a modification to a traditional caesarean. It allows a mother to actively participate in her own caesarean by surgically scrubbing in and lifting her baby from her womb to her chest for immediate skin-to-skin. Advertisement The benefits of MAC are maternal satisfaction and walking away from birth feeling completely empowered and in control, says Davis. For women who have had a previous traumatic birth, MAC can be a healing experience. So, why had I never heard of this before? Despite 41 per cent of Australian mothers giving birth by caesarean, MAC is not a standard offering when it comes to caesareans, with not all obstetricians offering them and not all hospitals allowing them (MACs skew heavily towards being offered in the private sector). The clinical requirements for a MAC, according to Davis, are a singleton baby in a cephalic presentation (head down), with no other obstetric or pregnancy risk factors that would make a caesarean section more complicated. Sassica Francis-Bruce gave birth to her now-two-year-old son through maternal assisted caesarean. Advertisement So why isnt it standard practice to offer MACs to women who meet these requirements? Ballarat-based obstetrician Lachlan Brennan believes a big part of the hesitancy is an unfamiliarity with MACs. Once you get key people on board, theyre actually really open to change, he says. We do a lot of work in the background with the anaesthetic and paediatrician teams and theatre staff making sure people are educated, that they know the steps, and that it all flows smoothly. Another barrier is a lack of universal understanding of the importance of the birthing journey. Obstetricians and midwives are increasingly aware of how important the birth experience and theatre environment is for women, but other staff are not as conscious of that, Brennan says. Davis thinks another major barrier, from a hospital perspective, is concern around sterility. Advertisement The main thing that we hear is, surely theres going to be more risk of infection for both the mother and the baby, she says. Despite the concerns, Davis has not seen evidence of this. Related Article Pregnancy Tidal wave of pressure: Has the Ozempic boom made it harder for new mums? What she does see are the benefits of MAC, but recognises they mean less when it comes to hospital risk assessments. Maternal satisfaction and wellbeing is not a KPI, while a surgical site infection and admission to the special care nursery is, says Davis. And thats really the crux of it. Maternal satisfaction should be at the forefront of the birth experience, not relegated to a nice to have. The birth experience is a really understudied area but one thats clearly very important, says Brennan. Advertisement In a country where a third of births are described as traumatic by mothers, we need to do better to help women have a positive birth experience. MAC could be a key to that within the caesarean birth sector, but the procedure needs more research, education, awareness and discussion. Maternal assisted caesarean should be a standard offering for any woman who meets the medical requirements, regardless of the obstetrician or hospital chosen. Im one of the lucky ones. My MAC gave me the opportunity to do over my first experience of birth. It transformed a passive and impersonal surgical procedure into a profoundly magical, healing and active birth experience. All mothers and babies should be given that chance. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Pregnancy Opinion Legionnaires' disease outbreak reported in Melbourne's north Six cases of Legionnaires' disease have been recorded in Craigieburn and surrounding northern suburbs since early March, sparking an urgent warning from health officials. Advertisement NationalNSWCourts Alan Jones seeks complainants email address in sex abuse case Perry Duffin March 19, 2026 11:42am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Lawyers for accused sex offender Alan Jones have asked a court to hand over the email address of one of the young men who accused the former broadcaster of indecency during an Opera House performance. Jones, 84, was arrested in late 2024 and now faces 27 charges against nine complainants for alleged indecent assault and sexual touching offences at other public locations, including a lower north shore restaurant, as well as his homes and former workplaces. Alan Jones, pictured in December, will fight his charges at a local court hearing later this year. Sam Mooy The former 2GB and Sky News broadcaster was not at the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday as his lawyers and prosecutors traded packets of documents Jones had requested under subpoena. Jones lawyer Bryan Wrench was particularly interested in one email, printed and held by the court in a yellow legal envelope, sent by a man known only as Complainant G to the court. Advertisement Related Article Courts Oodles of material to be disclosed as Alan Jones legal team flags stay of proceedings This is a subpoena to Complainant G ... [that] Mr Jones issued to disclose all contact with police, including messages, emails, communication The issue is that its now March 2026 and he has, for completely unknown reasons, chosen not to comply with this subpoena, Wrench said. We understand he may be having contact with the [director of public prosecutions] but refuses to have contact with Mr Jones lawyer. Wrench told the court the email sent by Complainant G in mid-December had the senders address blacked out. Jones wants it unredacted, so his lawyers can email his accuser directly. Advertisement We seek the email address so we can tell him he must comply, or we will need to take further steps, Wrench said. We dont want to go to a warrant, we want him to comply. Alan Jones legal team, headed by Bryan Wrench (centre), arrives at the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. Ben Symons Complainant G told police he was with Jones at the Opera House in 2014 when Jones touched his crotch. Police documents claim Jones did assault Complainant G and at the time of the assault committed an act of indecency on Complainant G, to wit, rubbed the complainants leg up towards his crotch during the performance at Sydney Opera House. Advertisement Advertisement A 2023 investigation by this masthead revealed Jones had used his position of power, first as a teacher and later as the countrys top-rating radio broadcaster, to allegedly prey on a number of young men. Documents previously seen by this masthead showed the allegations include fondling penises, stroking thighs and squeezing bottoms. Jones is also accused of pulling a mans scrotum and masturbating during one alleged indecent assault. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalQueenslandExtreme weather Tracking Cyclone Narelle: Everything you need to know Updated March 20, 2026 11:25am ,first published March 19, 2026 4:20pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Follow our live coverage of Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Cyclone Narelle made landfall on Friday morning in Far North Queensland, bringing with it gale-force winds and heavy rainfall. In the lead-up, the storm was anticipated to be the biggest cyclone to hit the region in years. Narelle formed in the Coral Sea between Queenslands east coast and Vanuatu, and was upgraded to tropical cyclone status on Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Path of Narelle The cyclone made landfall near Coen just before 8am about on Friday morning as a category 4 cyclone. The storm was forecast to hit as a category 5 system, but was downgraded to a category 4 on Friday morning. A category 4 cyclone contains sustained winds near the centre of 195km/h with wind gusts to 270km/h. According to the latest track map, the weather bureau predicts the cyclone will cross the Cape York Peninsula on Friday, weakening to a category 3 as it reaches the centre. By 7pm, it is expected to be a category 2 south of Aurukun, before moving out to the Gulf of Carpentaria by 9pm. The bureau warns gales are expected to develop in coastal areas of the Northern Territory between Port McArthur and Nhulunbuy from Saturday afternoon, before strengthening to very destructive winds by nightfall. Advertisement Advertisement The Bureau of Meteorology forecast heavy rain across the region, with a flood watch for dozens of river catchments, including: Jacky Jacky Creek Barron River Johnstone River Murray River Herbert River Staaten River Coleman and Edward Rivers Holroyd and Kendall Rivers Olive and Pascoe Rivers Archer and Coen Rivers Watson River Embley and Mission Rivers Wenlock River Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers Jardine River Lockhart River Stewart River Normanby River Jeannie River Endeavour River Mossman River Mitchell River Daintree River (Including the Bloomfield River) Mulgrave and Russell Rivers Tully River Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Extreme weather Cyclones Advertisement Travel newsTourism The countries where tourism is booming and where its declining Nuria Cremer-Vazquez March 20, 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 Global tourist numbers reached an all-time high in 2025. This fact may well be bemoaned in destinations where rows over overtourism have raged, but it nevertheless marks a significant milestone: the travel industrys first year of growth above pre-pandemic levels. According to UN Tourisms latest World Tourism Barometer, 1.52 billion international overnight trips were made last year, an increase of 4 per cent year-on-year from 2024. While Europes perennial favourites stood firm, emerging destinations surged and some holiday heavyweights slipped down the scale. Below, we assess the big winners and losers. An extra 11,000 flights to Brazil in 2025 compared with 2024 are opening up destinations beyond Rio de Janeiro. iStock Brazils standout year South Americas largest country has long lured holidaymakers, but a 37 per cent year-on-year rise in visitors was unprecedented even for Brazil. It came after the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur) launched an initiative known as the International Tourism Acceleration Program (PATI) the previous year. Its goal was simple: to improve the countrys international air connectivity. Advertisement There is no point in the growing international interest in getting to know Brazil if there are no direct flights or short connections at a competitive price, Embraturs president Marcelo Freixo said in a statement at the time. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. The programme has been a clear success. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, 2025 saw 11,000 more flights to Brazil than in 2024. There were signs too that visitors are turning their gaze away from Rio de Janeiro, with new routes from Europe to cities such as Manaus and Recife. Flights will also begin this year between Lisbon and Sao Luis, the gateway to the swirling dunes of Lencois Maranhenses National Park, recently made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Australians may have been excited to see a non-stop Qantas flight from Sao Paulo to Sydney, but thats understood to have been a one-off chartered flight for musician Bad Bunnys tour. There are no direct Brazil flights on the horizon from Australia as yet). Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, says: Brazil is no longer a market that global airlines are cautiously re-entering, they are expanding into it with real conviction. With 1.3 million overseas tourists visiting in 2025, compared to 974,000 in 2024, Israel saw a 37 per cent year-on-year increase in arrivals. But this figure is still a long way down on its 2019 peak of 4.55 million, and the latest outbreak of war in the region looks certain to hamper its recovery. Advertisement Hot for Iceland Reykjavik in Iceland saw a 29 per cent jump in visitors in 2025. iStock Europe continued to lead the world in terms of overall tourist traffic, with France, Spain, Turkey, Italy, the UK and Germany all among the 10 most visited countries in the world. However, Europes fastest-growing destination last year was Iceland, which saw a 29 per cent jump in visitors the biggest in the region despite the land of fire and ice being regularly named one of the worlds costliest destinations. Travellers flocked to its volcanic shores and lagoons, driven also by the coolcation trend that benefitted other Nordic nations like Finland (up 17 per cent) and Norway ( up 13 per cent). Advertisement Into Africa Although Europe kept its crown in terms of raw numbers, Africa was the continent that experienced the fastest growth. Its visitor numbers leapt 8 per cent (Europes, by comparison, rose only 4 per cent), with huge increases in Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia and Morocco. Egypts 20 per cent rise was coupled with a similarly notable increase in tourist spending and coincided with the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. Off the beaten track Visitors to Vanuatu were up 75 per cent last year. iStock Advertisement Perhaps most surprising among the success stories of last year were Vanuatu (up 75 per cent) and Bhutan (up 44 per cent). Their respective rises are relative to the tiny numbers of tourists who typically venture there (Vanuatu only received 59,000 visitors in 2024). Nevertheless, tour operators are noticing a shift. Hazel McGuire, chief marketing officer at Intrepid Travel, says: We are seeing our customers desire to travel to emerging, under-the-radar destinations is growing. People are more conscious than ever of overtourism and this is factoring into their holiday decision-making. Bhutan is increasingly popular for its sustainable, high value, low volume ethos. iStock Bhutan has always had a sustainable, regenerative approach to tourism that focuses on high value, low volume, and in recent years its been carrying out campaigns and initiatives to attract more tourists from around the world while still aligning with those values. Advertisement Vanuatu likely absorbed some would-be tourism from neighbouring New Caledonia which saw traveller numbers drop following civil unrest but McGuire also notes that its world-class beaches, lush jungles and excellent snorkelling and diving spots have positioned it as a worthy alternative to Fiji and other more crowded Pacific islands. Falling from favour The Trump slump accounts for a 5 per cent dip in arrivals to America. (Pictured: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah). iStock Several major destinations witnessed a big fall in visitors last year. Thailand chalked up significantly fewer international arrivals (down 7 per cent), a fact probably not unrelated to its border skirmishes with Cambodia, which, too, fell down the rankings. Also striking has been Americas Trump slump. Arrivals to the country dipped 5 per cent, with experts attributing the decline to more restrictive visa rules, ESTA (visa waiver) price hikes and increasingly invasive security checks. Advertisement US policies are also damaging tourism in Cuba, which saw visitor numbers drop steeply last year, partly due to US sanctions imposed on the already crisis-stricken nation. A fresh oil blockade last month was declared a tragedy for one of the worlds most beloved getaways, by travel writer Ruaridh Nicoll. The bigger, post-pandemic picture If we take a longer view of the data, a slightly different picture emerges. Global tourist numbers may have finally bounced back from the COVID-era travel blackout, but that has not been the case for every country. Many in Central and Eastern Europe, for example, are still struggling (the region received 12 per cent fewer visitors last year than in 2019), while Cubas drop in tourists is even more pronounced. Advertisement Australias arrivals are still lagging well behind the numbers seen pre-COVID. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, the number of short-term visitors to Australia in 2025 was 8.9 million, 6 per cent below the 9.46 million who arrived in 2019, though up 8 per cent on 2024 figures. Uzbekistan was visited by five million more travellers in 2025 than in 2019. iStock Other destinations have not only bounced back they have succeeded in completely transforming their fortunes. One of the most impressive cases is that of Uzbekistan, which was not only visited by five million more travellers in 2025 than in 2019, but has also managed to more than triple its income from tourism. Related Article Tourism Where we went in 2025: The most popular destinations for Australians A longer lens also knocks Africa off the podium for the region with most rapid growth. Bahrain (up 91 per cent), Qatar (up 138 per cent), Saudi Arabia (up 67 per cent) and Jordan (up 30 per cent) soared ahead of their 2019 tourism levels, revealing tourists evolving perception of the Middle East as a destination in its own right rather than a stopover. Advertisement That was in 2025, however. The recent outbreak of war in the region means the figures for this year will be far less rosy. The Telegraph, London Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Tourism For subscribers Advertisement Singapore/Jakarta: Four Indonesian military officers have been arrested in connection with an alleged chemical attack on a young Indonesian activist who had long been critical of the countrys security forces and had investigated their conduct during last years deadly nationwide protests. Shocking CCTV footage and sound of the attack, verified by Indonesian police, shows Andrie Yunus, 27, screaming in agony and ripping off his clothes on a busy Central Jakarta street on the night of March 12 as confused bystanders rush to his aid. Loading Moments earlier, he had been riding his motorbike home after recording a podcast about the Indonesian militarys ballooning role in civilian affairs, when two riders travelling in the opposite direction passed within centimetres and allegedly flung liquid at him. Andrie, an activist with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), remains in a high care unit in hospital with eye damage and burns to more than 20 per cent of his body. Advertisement Indonesian activist Andrie Yunus. Instagram On Thursday, Indonesian authorities had arrested six people four of them from the militarys intelligence unit. It was unclear whether the other two were the alleged assailants on the motorbike. The attack has sent a chill through Indonesian human rights groups, who say it is part of a pattern of intimidation by the nations most powerful. Close to 700 organisations and individuals from around the world, including 26 from Australia, signed a letter to the Indonesian government condemning the attack. Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto. Photographer: Samsul Said/Bloomb Advertisement If a human rights defender can be brutally assaulted in a public space in the nations capital, this demonstrates how fragile state protection is for citizens who fight for justice and how narrow the safe space for human rights advocacy has become in Indonesia, the letter said. Related Article Foreign relations Australia to turn WWII site on valuable Indonesian island into training base Many Indonesians are concerned that President Prabowo Subianto is emulating his former father-in-law, the autocrat Suharto, who ruled for 32 years, by giving the military an expanded role in public life and allowing active-duty officers to fill government jobs. Almost a year to the day before he was attacked, Andrie and others interrupted a closed-door meeting of politicians in Jakarta who were discussing such laws, the letter said. In addition, the rights groups said Andrie was a member of a fact-finding commission into the actions of security forces during mass protests in August last year. Advertisement The commissions report, compiled after a five-month investigation, found the forces had used force disproportionately, conducted mass arrests, [and] committed alleged torture and large-scale criminalisation against activists and civilians, the letter said. The Indonesian government this week praised the military and police for the quick arrest of people suspected of involvement in the attack. The government reiterates that any act of violence is unacceptable under any circumstances. Legal proceedings will be carried out firmly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, it said. 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. CAIRO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Gulf region is home to a wide range of energy facilities, including refineries and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production plants, which are critical to global energy supply and market stability. However, following Israeli targeting of facilities linked to Iran's South Pars gas field on Wednesday, several energy facilities in the region have been affected by missiles or falling debris, with some operations temporarily suspended. The strikes on energy infrastructure in the region have raised concerns over supply disruptions, sending oil prices higher. The following outlines how key energy facilities in the region are being affected by the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. QATAR Ras Laffan Industrial City, operated by the state-owned petroleum company QatarEnergy, serves as the hub for Qatar's LNG production. Covering an area of 295 square km, the industrial city has facilities including the Ras Laffan Port, which is the world's largest LNG export facility and capable of handling the largest LNG and other liquid product vessels, according to QatarEnergy's official website. On Wednesday, Qatar's Interior Ministry said that the civil defense team is responding to a fire in the Ras Laffan area following an Iranian targeting. QatarEnergy confirmed in a statement that Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by missile attacks, causing extensive damage and igniting fires. "Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires," the statement said, adding that "All personnel have been accounted for, and no casualties have been reported at this time." THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government, is an energy group with a network of fully integrated businesses operating across the energy value chain. As the attacks increasingly target energy facilities, ADNOC has not been spared. On Thursday, the UAE authorities said that operations at the Habshan gas facilities, one of the world's largest gas processing facilities operated by ADNOC, have been temporarily suspended due to falling debris from intercepted missiles. The Bab oil field, the largest onshore oil field in the UAE, operated by ADNOC, was also affected by the attack. SAUDI ARABIA Saudi Aramco, the national oil company of Saudi Arabia and one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, was also hit by the attacks. Media reported that Saudi Aramco's SAMREF refinery in the Red Sea port of Yanbu was targeted in an aerial attack on Thursday, citing an industry source. Yanbu has also been one of the export outlets for crude oil from Gulf countries since the transportation through the Strait of Hormuz was effectively halted after the outbreak of war late last month. BAHRAIN Bapco Energies, Bahrain's integrated energy company, is one of the first oil companies in the Gulf to export oil. Earlier this month, the company announced a force majeure on its operations due to the ongoing regional conflict and attack on its refinery. Bahrain's Ministry of Health confirmed that the Iranian drone attack in the Sitra area resulted in 32 civilian injuries, including four in serious condition. KUWAIT Kuwait's state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is one of the world's top refiners. On Thursday, the company confirmed that drone attacks targeted operational units at two of the country's major oil refineries, sparking fires that were quickly brought under control, with no casualties reported. In a statement, KPC said that a unit at the Mina Abdullah Refinery, operated by Kuwait National Petroleum Company, was hit by a drone, causing a fire at the site. KPC also reported a separate drone strike on an operational unit at the Mina Al Ahmadi Refinery, which caused a limited fire. The blaze was quickly contained with no injuries recorded. OMAN Oman is one of the region's major oil-producing countries. Its energy facilities have also come under attack. Last week, British maritime security firm Ambrey said oil storage facilities were struck in the Omani port. Oman News Agency also reported that Multiple unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted and brought down in Oman, while several drones struck fuel storage tanks at the Port of Salalah,the largest port in Oman. Journalist reporting in Lebanon almost hit by missile Dramatic footage has emerged of the moment a journalist, working for Russian state broadcaster RT, was wounded in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon. Advertisement Updated WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Trumps claim of not knowing about the Iran gas field attack comes under question Michael Koziol March 19, 2026 4:00pm 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 distanced himself from an Israeli attack on a key Iranian gas field, while also issuing fresh threats, as tit-for-tat strikes on energy infrastructure escalate the Middle East conflict and propel oil prices even higher. Irans South Pars offshore gas field the Iranian sector of the worlds largest natural gas reserve came under attack on Wednesday, prompting the regime in Tehran to retaliate by firing missiles at Qatari liquified natural gas sites and Israel. President Donald Trump distanced the US from an Israeli strike on Irans crucial natural gas field at South Pars. AP As countries worldwide, including Australia, grapple with rising oil prices, the attacks sent the price of Brent crude above $US111 ($157) a barrel for the first time during the nearly three-week-old war. Iran issued a list of retaliatory targets after the Israeli strike, and hit Qatars core LNG processing operation at Ras Laffan, while also firing missiles at the United Arab Emirates Habshan gas facilities and Bab oil field. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles headed for Riyadh and drones attempting to attack a gas facility. Advertisement Trump, who has made a point of largely sparing Irans energy infrastructure from US bombing, said the US knew nothing about Israels attack at South Pars. Qatar was also not involved and had no idea it was going to happen, Trump added. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, he said on social media on Wednesday night (Washington time). Trump promised that NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL on that particular facility, unless Iran took further retaliatory action against Qatar. A refinery in Irans South Pars gasfield after it was struck by a drone on Saturday. Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting/AP Advertisement In that case, he said, the US would blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before with or without Israels help or consent. I do not want to authorise this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, Trump said. Related Article Analysis Middle East at war Irans de facto ruler Larijani is dead. It may not be a win for the US and Israel However, several US media outlets reported the US did know about Israels plan to attack South Pars, and even approved it. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Trump knew about and supported the attack because it would send a message to Tehran about blocking the Strait of Hormuz. The Associated Press also reported that the US was informed of the plans to strike the massive gas field, citing a person familiar with the matter who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Advertisement Qatar said on Thursday afternoon (AEDT) that Iranian missiles had targeted more of its liquefied natural gas sites, causing sizable fires and extensive further damage. Iran has targeted the USs Gulf allies throughout the war, though the vast majority of the missiles and drones it fired have been intercepted and destroyed. Qatar Energys operating facilities in Mesaieed Industrial City, south of Doha, Qatar. Getty Images Trump has repeatedly said he is sparing Irans energy infrastructure in the campaign, and Israels decision to target the worlds largest natural gas deposit could represent a fracture over strategy between the two allies. The US president said in his social media post that Israel had lashed out violently by attacking the South Pars facility, though he argued it was out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East. Advertisement Israel is also eliminating senior Iranian leaders. Recent strikes have killed top security official Ali Larijani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Basij force and Irans intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib. View post on X Qatar strongly denounced Irans retaliatory strikes, calling them a dangerous escalation and flagrant violation of Qatari sovereignty. Qatar notes that the Iranian side persists in targeting it and neighbouring countries, the Foreign Ministry said, despite Qatar distancing itself from the war from the outset. Earlier, Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatars Foreign Ministry, also condemned Israel for targeting the gas field which Iran shares with Qatar calling it a dangerous and irresponsible step. Targeting energy infrastructure constitutes a threat to global energy security, to the peoples of the region, and to its environment, he said. Advertisement Smoke rises after an explosion in the industrial zone in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The Gulf states have denounced Irans attacks as heinous. Getty Images Gulf Arab countries on Thursday renewed their call for Iran to halt attacks on its neighbours. A statement by the nations at a regional summit denounced these deliberate Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones, which targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic missions. The nations represented at the summit were Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. On Thursday evening, Kuwait said a drone attack had sparked a fire at an oil refinery in the small, oil-rich nation. Advertisement The state-run KUNA news agency said, citing the Kuwait Petroleum Corp, that a drone attack had sparked a fire at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery but caused no injuries. The refinery is one of the biggest in the Middle East, with a petroleum production capacity of 730,000 barrels a day. Photo: Matt Golding Shortly after, a drone attack set ablaze the nearby Mina Abdullah refinery, authorities said. The escalating attacks on energy infrastructure come as surging prices pose a growing problem for governments around the world including the US, despite its reduced reliance on imports. Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a rally in the rust belt state of Michigan, acknowledged petrol prices were a problem but promised Americans the effects would be temporary. Advertisement Gas prices are up, and we know theyre up, and we know people are hurting because of it, he said. Its not going to last forever But in the meantime, we got a problem, we know that we have a problem, were doing everything we can to address it. We got a rough road ahead of us for the next few weeks, but its temporary. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has refused to say whether the USs intelligence apparatus believed that Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat to the US before the war. AP In Washington, officials faced scrutiny at a congressional hearing on the war including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who refused to say whether the USs vast intelligence apparatus believed that Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat to the US before the war. It is not the intelligence communitys responsibility to determine what is and isnt an imminent threat that is up to the president, Gabbard told Democratic senator Jon Ossoff. Advertisement False, Ossoff replied. It is precisely your responsibility to determine what constitutes a threat to the United States. With Reuters, AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaMiddle East at war European leaders, Japan offer to help Trump unblock Strait of Hormuz Michael Koziol March 20, 2026 5:40am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Washington: European leaders and Japan say they are ready to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz following a week of hectoring by US President Donald Trump and escalating attacks on Middle East energy infrastructure that have worsened spiking oil prices. A joint statement by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan on Thursday (Washington time) condemned Iran for its attacks on commercial shipping vessels and civilian energy facilities, as well as its de facto closure of the crucial maritime passage. Iran retaliated to an Israeli strike by hitting the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar. @barcode0007 via X We call for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, the leaders said. We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning. Advertisement The leaders did not provide details about what those efforts would entail. Trump had urged NATO allies and others to send warships to escort oil tankers through the strait pleas that have so far been rebuffed. The statement came as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Trump at the White House the first leader of a major US ally to meet the president since he began demanding allied assistance to reopen the strait amid the US-Israeli war against Iran. US President Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, who has joined a list of leaders willing to help out in the Strait of Hormuz. Bloomberg Takaichi began with a blunt assessment of the very severe security environment in the Middle East and the huge hit it was causing to the global economy. But even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world, she said. Advertisement Positioning herself as a conduit between the US and other allies, Takaichi said Japan stood ready to co-ordinate efforts to achieve mutual objectives in the region. Japans foreign minister had directly urged his Iranian counterpart to stop the regimes malign actions in the strait, she added. While the details of any Japanese assistance were still to be discussed during the bilateral meeting, Trump said Japan was really stepping up to the plate unlike NATO. Loading Asked by a Japanese reporter why he did not inform allies about the war in advance, Trump said he did not want to give away his plans. We didnt tell anybody about it because we wanted [it to be a] surprise, Trump said. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didnt you tell me about Pearl Harbour? Right? Advertisement Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war news updates: Journalist, cameraman wounded in Israeli strike; Pentagon wants $200b for war; PM establishes fuel supply taskforce The US president was not asked during the news conference about the latest statement from European leaders, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth again disparaged US allies as ungrateful as he gave an update on the war effort. The world, the Middle East, our ungrateful allies in Europe, even segments of our own press, should be saying one thing to President Trump: thank you, Hegseth said. Thank you for the courage to stop this terrorist state from holding the world hostage with missiles while building or attempting to build a nuclear bomb. Thank you for doing the work of the free world. Advertisement In retaliation for an Israeli strike on its massive South Pars natural gas field, the Iranian regime fired missiles and drones at energy facilities in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, hitting a major Qatari liquefied natural gas facility. Qatars state energy company said its Ras Laffan facility was severely damaged in the attack. The countrys energy minister, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, told Reuters that the Iranian attacks had eliminated 17 per cent of Qatars LNG export capacity, causing an estimated $US20 billion ($28 billion) in lost value. Israel attacked Irans South Pars gas field on the northern coast of the Persian Gulf. AP Kuwaits state oil firm KPC said on Friday its Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was hit by multiple drone attacks, causing a fire in some units. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan warned patience with Tehran was running out. This pressure from Iran will backfire politically and morally and certainly we reserve the right to take military actions if deemed necessary, Londons Telegraph reported him as saying. Advertisement The attacks have caused widespread concern, including in Australia, about the escalating conflict and its impact on world markets and consumer prices. The price of Brent crude, a global oil standard, briefly rose above $US119 a barrel on Thursday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whom Trump has harshly criticised for his reluctance to participate in the war, said he condemned the Iranian strikes in the strongest possible terms. Britains Keir Starmer, who has been attacked by Trump for not participating in the war, says the UK now stands ready to help in the strait alongside allies. Bloomberg We are working towards a swift resolution to the situation in the Middle East, in the best interests of the British people because there is no question that ending the war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living, Starmer said on X. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed those sentiments on Thursday. We do not want to see the conflict escalate further, he said. Advertisement Earlier, Trump distanced himself from the Israeli attack on Irans South Pars natural gas reserve the worlds largest and promised Israel would not do it again unless Iran continued to retaliate. Related Article Petrol prices The charts that show how the oil shock is worsening and hitting motorists However, those claims were questioned by US media reports that said Washington was aware of the Israeli attack in advance and even supported it. On Thursday, Trump said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the attacks on oil and gas infrastructure. I told him, Dont do that, and he wont do that. Were independent, we get along great, its co-ordinated but on occasion, hell do something, and if I dont like it so were not doing that any more. Advertisement Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, vowed that Iran would retaliate with ZERO restraint if its infrastructure was struck again. Posting on X, Seyed Abbas Araghchi also said that any end to the war must address damage to our civilian sites. 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. Trump jokes about Pearl Harbour with Japanese PM to explain surprise Iran attack Asked by a Japanese reporter why he did not inform allies about the war in advance, Trump said he did not want to give away his plans. Nikol Pashinyan once again showcased his political imagination, noting that Armenia only lacked a small piece of the Moon four hundred thousand scientists, comparable to the Americans. The logic is striking: apparently, the barrier to the stars is not a lack of funds or the absence of a local Baikonur, but simply a shortage of brilliant minds. With such an army of engineers, the Armenia-1 spacecraft might have already reached the Moon. If one allows themselves to entertain this idea for a moment and imagine Armenians landing on the lunar surface, the scenario unfolds rapidly. As soon as the first khachkar touches the moon dust with its characteristic clang, the international community would gain many surprising insights. Within minutes, evidence would emerge suggesting that Armenians had been present there thousands of years ago. The most intriguing part would begin with political reactions. Mass gatherings might form in Yerevan, calling for recognition of the Moon as historically Armenian territory, and legal debates could arise over past lunar missions. For now, the world can breathe a little easier: until four hundred thousand Armenian scientists appear out of nowhere, the Moon remains relatively untouched. HAVANA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has said that Cuba rejects Costa Rica's unilateral decision to downgrade bilateral relations to the consular level without any argument or justification. "This is an unfriendly act, clearly a response to pressure from the U.S. government, as part of its renewed offensive to try to bring other countries into its failed policy against Cuba. But they will be thwarted by the strength of the historic and deep-rooted relations between our two peoples," Diaz-Canel said Wednesday on X. According to a statement from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Costa Rican government notified Havana via a diplomatic note on Tuesday of its unilateral decision to close its embassy in Cuba and limit relations with Cuba to the consular level. Invoking so-called "reciprocity," Costa Rica requested Cuba to withdraw the diplomatic personnel from its embassy in San Jose and maintain only the consular and administrative staff. The diplomatic note stated that Costa Rica will maintain only consular-level relations with Cuba starting April 1. 8 killed in Indoreas EV car explodes during charging By Bhavana AparaijtaShukla BHOPAL, Govt orders probe, framing of SOP for EV chargin g IN A tragic incident, a massive fire broke out inside a house in Indore while charging electric car that has claimed eight lives and leaving four injured in Brijeshwari Annexe Colony on Wednesday around 4 am. The blaze rapidly engulfed the three-storied house even as district administration began the rescue operation promptly and fire tenders reached the spot. Alarmed by the incident, the Madhya Pradesh Government announced a detailed investigation into it by a committee of experts and the framing of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for EV charging. Elaborating more on this incident exclusively to The Hitavada, Manish Lodha, SHO of Tilak Nagar Police Station, told that all the eight deceased were identified. There were twelve members in the house. Six were from the same family while another six were their guests. Eight people lost their lives as electric car caught fire and exploded during charging that led to explosion in domestic cylinders. Due to swift action by the administration three people were rescued safely while one is injured. In the near-by areas chaos and panic prevailed. Eyewitnesses said that they noticed black smoke billowing from the apartment and gradually turns in to intense flames that spread across multiple floors. The deceased have been identified, which include Vijay Sethia (65), his son Chhotu Sethia (22), Vijays wife Suman (60), Manoj (65), Simran (35), Rashi Sethia (12), Teenu (35) and Tanmay (6). Indore District Magistrate (DM) Shivam Verma directed officials to contain the inferno and search for survivors. It is learnt that due to charging short circuit occurred in the house that has led to serial blast of LPG cylinders and doors were locked due to power outage. Talking to The Hitavada over phone, police said that as per initial findings, an electric vehicle was being charged outside the house, and the charging point exploded. After that, the fire then spread to the house from the car. We found that there were electronic locks in the building, so it seems that after the explosion, power cuts may have occurred and doors would have been locked. It was a three-storey building, and more than 10 gas cylinders were also stored inside the house, some of which exploded. We also witnessed cylinder explosions between 4 and 4:30 am. Extent of devastation can be understood with the fact that identities of deceased could not be fully revealed as their kith and kins were awaiting for several hours to get confirmation. Dean of MGM Medical College Dr Arvind Ghanghoriya said that a total of eight bodies were brought for post-mortem, which was being conducted by a team of forensic experts and doctors. Meanwhile, State Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who visited the scene, said, This tragic incident is alarming because the house caught fire while an EV was being charged. We have asked the police and administration to conduct a detailed investigation by a committee of experts to prevent a recurrence of this incident. Along with the investigation into the incident, an SOP for EV charging will also be prepared, the Minister said. In light of the rising crude oil prices due to current geopolitical developments, there is a growing interest in electric vehicles. In such a situation, the fire that occurred during the charging of an EV serves as a caution for us, he said. Indian-flagged Jag Laadki arrives at Mundra Port with 80,886 MT crude BHUJ : THE Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, Jag Laadki, has safely arrived at Adani Ports Mundra terminal in Gujarat, carrying approximately 80,886 metric tonnes of crude oil sourced from the United Arab Emirates. The vessel was loaded at Fujairah Port and berthed here on Wednesday, port officials confirmed. Jag Laadki measures 274.19 metres in length overall with a beam of 50.04 metres, a deadweight tonnage of around 1,64,716 tonnes and a gross tonnage of about 84,735 tonnes. A spokesperson for Adani Ports said, the berth was provided following necessary maritime coordination to ensure secure docking. Adani Ports Mundra continues to support Indias energy infrastructure by facilitating the safe berthing and handling of vital energy imports, the statement added. The port provided the safe berthing of the vessel. Most c0ndemnable PAKISTANS precision-airstrike on a Kabul hospital claiming as many as 400 lives needs to be condemned in most unequivocal terms. It was an insane act of vendetta by Pakistani Air Force. Though Islamabad claimed that the airstrikes were conducted to demolish terrorists and their support infrastructure, making a hospital the target of attack is clear act of insane cruelty. It is obvious that the Pakistani authorities have become extremely jittery over their own repeated failure to contain the Afghani attacks in the past few months. An undeclared war is going on between the Afghani and the Pakistani forces in the past few months and the Afghan forces have often dominated the scene. All attempts by the Pakistani Forces to quell the Afghani action have failed. The attack on a Kabul Hospital shows the Pakistani frustration of not being able to defeat what a Pakistani General was quoted to have described as a Force without force. In the past few months, the Afghani Talibani forces have shown Pakistan the mirror of its own military inefficiency. Every attempt by Pakistan to crush the Afghani forces was met by a terrible hit-back. Pakistan had never expected the Afghans to be so strong and strong-willed. The initial idea the Pakistanis harboured about Afghan forces was that of a weak entity that could be crushed soon. All that boastful ideation now stands demolished by the Afghans capacity to be very tough as warriors and relentless in the pursuit of their goals. The precision-strike on the Kabul hospital killing as many as 400 innocent people demonstrates that Pakistan is losing its own confidence to conduct a systematic military action against Afghani forces. The Pakistanis possibly expected that the Afghans would lose their morale once a terrible attack on a hospital was conducted. This calculation of the Pakistanis is quite likely to be met with an equal and opposite force from Afghanistan. For, in the past few months, the Afghans have hit back the hardest if the Pakistanis tried to be extra-smart. The Pakistanis realised that they had made terrible mistakes of undercalculating the Afghan power on almost all occasions. The Pakistanis have also not understood the Afghani sentiment against the Durand Line that is described to be the international border with Pakistan. They have all along remained under the impression that their military power is superior to that of the Afghans and they would crush any attempt by Kabul to act smart. In the past few months, all those calculations have been proved wrong -- on two counts. One, the Pakistanis really do not know how to handle their own military prowess even against a so-called weaker force; and two, their arrogance stops them from taking realistic view of things. The world will not take lightly the Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul hospital. Pakistan will have to face widespread criticism for its cruel approach to establishments such as hospitals. Apart from official conventions about war, there is a general understanding among all countries that institutions delivering humanitarian services need to be spared from military strikes. Pakistan had not bothered to keep this most basic convention in mind as it attacked the hospital killing at least 400 lives -- in a way demonstrating that it is losing its patience and balance, which is a national characteristic of Pakistan -- proved over decades of its incompetence. Pakistan has often tried to describe the hostilities with Afghanistan as a fight against terror. This is nothing but a blatant lie. The world knows that Pakistan has been sponsoring terrorism as part of its state policy. When such a country raises alarm against terrorism, the world knows that it is only indulging in falsehood. The hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan have exposed Islamabads vulnerabilities to both, internal as well as external forces. The airstrike on the Kabul hospital shows that it is losing its patience and power to counter the Afghani forces effectively. THE HAGUE, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A 36-year-old man of Iranian descent was injured in a shooting on Thursday in Schoonhoven, a city of South Holland province, the Netherlands, Dutch police have announced. Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel said in a post on the social media platform X that, given the Iranian background of the victim, the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security, the Public Prosecution Service, the police and the local authorities are on alert and are taking the necessary safety measures. According to the police, emergency services provided immediate medical assistance at the scene before transporting the man to a hospital. The police have launched an investigation and are appealing to the public for witnesses and more information about the incident. Organic waste disposal threatening Futala Lakes ecological balance By Reema Mewar : Cow dung dumped into the lake creates an environment ideal for soil formation which causes growth of plants, algae leading to drop in natural oxygen levels in the water. This ultimately results in a slow death of the water body Once one of Nagpurs most prominent public spaces, Futala Lake is in a state of ecological stress. Environmental concerns surrounding the lake have been growing as pollution, waste dumping and inadequate maintenance continue to affect the water body. Waste-dumping and organic pollution disturb ecology One of the major issues affecting Futala Lake is the dumping of organic and household waste from nearby settlements. Cow dung is frequently disposed of near or directly into the lake. Dr Manoj Patil, Professor, Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nagpur Veterinary College, explained that Organic waste such as cow dung significantly alters the lakes ecological balance. Cow dung is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, which promote soil formation. The accumulation of such material encourages the growth of plants, algae, and other vegetation within the lake. Kaustav Chatterjee, founder, Green Vigil Foundation, elaborated, While vegetation growth may appear harmless initially, it leads to a reduction in oxygen levels in the water. As oxygen levels decline, aquatic organisms such as fish and other life forms struggle to survive. Cow dung can contain several pathogens that contaminate the water and increase the risk of disease among aquatic species, gradually weakening the lakes ecosystem. Sewage inflow and stagnant water worsen conditions Experts say the problem is compounded by sewage inflow and the stagnant nature of the lake. Futala is a still water body, meaning there is little natural movement or circulation of water except during the monsoon season when rainfall temporarily replenishes it. This lack of water exchange means that pollutants remain trapped in the lake for long periods. Waste material settles and decomposes within the water, releasing foul odour and further degrading water quality. During the summer months, the problem becomes more noticeable as water levels fall due to evaporation and the concentration of pollutants increases. A local shopkeeper commented, I pass the lake every day and often notice a strong, rancid smell from the water during summer because of sewage and accumulated waste. Prachi Mahurkar, an ecologist, said It would be inaccurate to blame any single group for the lakes deterioration. Multiple human activities contribute to the problem, including sewage dumping, pesticide residue, and other anthropological activities. As Futala Lake continues to face mounting environmental pressure, residents and experts alike stress that coordinated efforts, stricter monitoring and long-term management strategies are essential if the lake is to be preserved for future generations. NAIROBI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- At least two workers were killed and several others injured after buildings under construction collapsed in separate incidents in Nairobi and in Kericho County, authorities said Thursday. Nairobi County Police Commander Issa Mohamud said the latest incident occurred on Wednesday night in the Westlands area of Nairobi, where the upper section of a 22-storey building partially caved in, leaving one worker dead. "Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the collapse. We have accounted for all workers at the scene," Mohamud said. He noted that local authorities were also trying to determine why construction was ongoing at night. Out of four workers involved, two managed to escape unhurt, one was rescued with injuries, and another succumbed to injuries sustained in the collapse, he added. Emergency teams, including personnel from the Kenya Red Cross, worked overnight to secure the site and carry out rescue operations, managing to reach those believed to be trapped under the debris. The incident came hours after a separate tragedy in Kericho County, where another building under construction collapsed, leaving one person dead and several others injured. Kericho County Commissioner Jeremiah Gicheru confirmed that four workers were rescued and rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital for treatment. Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, Benin's minister of industry and trade, speaks at the official launch ceremony for exports of Benin's Sugarloaf pineapples to the Chinese market, in Allada, Benin, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) ALLADA, Benin, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Benin will make full use of China's zero-tariff policy to expand exports and promote a new pattern of balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade, Benin's minister of industry and trade said on Wednesday. Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, the minister, made the remarks at the official launch ceremony for exports of Benin's Sugarloaf pineapples to the Chinese market, held in Allada, the country's economic capital. The event was attended by Zhang Wei, Chinese ambassador to Benin, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Investment and Export Promotion Agency of Benin. Assouman said the successful export of pineapples to China marked a historic moment for implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state. Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, minister of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, said that the initiative represents an important opportunity to boost the modernization of Benin's agricultural sector, promote employment and improve people's livelihoods. The Beninese side hopes to leverage China's vast market to export more high-quality agricultural products and turn bilateral agricultural cooperation into a driver of national development, he said. For his part, Zhang said that the pineapple trade is a landmark achievement in deepening practical cooperation between the two countries, opening a new channel for Benin's high-quality agricultural products to enter the Chinese market and vividly demonstrating a strategic partnership featuring mutual benefit and close people-to-people ties. The Sugarloaf pineapple is the first Beninese product to obtain a geographical indication recognized by the African Intellectual Property Organization. Unlike the more common round or oval pineapples, Benin's variety is elongated in shape and typically green in color. Unique to the country, it is known as Sugarloaf and is one of Benin's major agricultural export products. In September 2023, China and Benin signed a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh pineapples to China, allowing the product's official access to the Chinese market. A worker handles Sugarloaf pineapples exported to China at a fruits packing center in Allada, Benin, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) Workers handle Sugarloaf pineapples exported to China at a fruits packing center in Allada, Benin, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) LUSAKA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government said Thursday that it is stepping up efforts to secure alternative sources of petroleum products as part of measures to diversify supply chains amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, where the country sources much of its fuel. Ephraim Munshifwa, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy, said the move is intended to cushion the country against possible shortages of petroleum products if geopolitical tensions in the Middle East persist. "The Ministry of Energy will continue to closely monitor global developments and implement appropriate interventions to safeguard Zambia's energy security and protect consumers," he said in a statement. According to him, the government has also started rehabilitating three strategic petroleum storage depots in three provinces, with a combined capacity of 20 million liters, in addition to the existing two storage facilities. He said the government has introduced targeted measures to safeguard national energy security and shield consumers from adverse price shocks. Munshifwa, however, said that Zambia's fuel supply remains stable, with adequate stocks to meet national demand. According to government figures, as of March 19, total available diesel stocks, including inland reserves and stocks in transit, stood at 285 million liters, representing 56 days of cover, while petrol stocks stood at 40 million liters, equivalent to 23 days of national cover. KHARTOUM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's two warring factions traded blame Thursday over a drone strike that killed 17 civilians on the Chadian side of the border town of Al-Tina, as Chad vowed to pursue those responsible. The Chadian government confirmed the attack occurred Wednesday and said the drone was launched from within Sudanese territory. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) condemned what it called a drone attack on Al-Tina and blamed the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), calling it "a violation of Chad's sovereignty and a dangerous escalation." The SAF denied involvement and said in a statement Thursday that an RSF drone had struck a gathering of civilians inside Chad, calling it part of a "repeated pattern" of cross-border attacks. Chad's information minister and government spokesperson, Qassem Sharif, said the government had raised its military and security forces to a higher state of alert following the strike. He said Chad reserves the right to pursue those responsible inside Sudan under international law. The strike comes as fighting between the SAF and RSF has intensified along the Sudanese-Chadian border, particularly in the Darfur region, where both sides have clashed over supply routes and border crossings. The crossings between Sudan and Chad, including the Adre crossing, are vital commercial and humanitarian corridors for Darfur's population. Chad closed its border with Sudan on Feb. 23 after armed groups crossed into its territory, allowing exceptions only for humanitarian purposes with prior authorization. The SAF and RSF have been at war since April 2023. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions inside Sudan and across the region. ANTANANARIVO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Eighteen illegal migrants drowned in a maritime incident on Wednesday off the coast of the Mitsamiouli region in the northern part of Grande Comore island in the Comoros, the country's foreign ministry said Thursday. The ministry said that the victims included 15 nationals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and three from Burundi. The vessel, carrying 48 illegal migrants, was abandoned at sea by smugglers near the Comorian coast, the ministry said. Local media reported that the migrants had been attempting to reach Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, but were misled by smugglers into believing they had already arrived, when in fact they remained in Comorian waters. SYDNEY, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Scientists in Australia have found that mosquitoes can act like tiny "flying wildlife surveyors," helping track elusive and endangered animals, offering a powerful non-invasive tool for conservation. Researchers used DNA found in mosquito blood meals to identify around 70 species of birds and mammals living in Kakadu National Park in Australia's Northern Territory, including several animals that are rarely seen or difficult to monitor, said a statement from Australia's Macquarie University on Thursday. The technique involves analyzing the DNA of animals from female mosquitoes that have recently fed on. When mosquitoes are trapped, scientists can extract traces of that DNA to determine which species are present in the area, said researchers from the university and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The study, published in the journal Environmental DNA, found that the mosquito method detected around twice as many mammal species as traditional camera traps, despite only two nights of sampling compared with six weeks of camera monitoring. The method identified threatened species, including the ghost bat, spectacled hare-wallaby, and white-throated grasswren, a bird recorded only once in Kakadu surveys over two decades. Mosquitoes effectively act as natural biological sampling devices, said Anthony Chariton, founder of Macquarie University's Environmental eDNA and Biomonitoring Lab, describing them as "thousands of tiny drones flying around every night collecting samples." Mosquitoes digest blood quickly and stay near prey, giving precise DNA signals of local animals, the researchers said, adding the approach allows biodiversity monitoring without disturbing wildlife. People take a train to head to their hometowns for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr in Karachi, Pakistan on March 18, 2026. (Str/Xinhua) People take a train to head to their hometowns for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr in Karachi, Pakistan on March 18, 2026. (Str/Xinhua) People take a train to head to their hometowns for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr in Karachi, Pakistan on March 18, 2026. (Str/Xinhua) People take a train to head to their hometowns for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr in Karachi, Pakistan on March 18, 2026. (Str/Xinhua) People take a train to head to their hometowns for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr in Karachi, Pakistan on March 18, 2026. (Str/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Brazil on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, said a Cambodian foreign ministry's news release. The commitment was made during a meeting between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Susan Kleebank, secretary for Asia and the Pacific at Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The second bilateral consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of Cambodia and Brazil were held on Wednesday in Phnom Penh, the news release said. Sokhonn said the consultations had produced fruitful and encouraging outcomes aimed at further strengthening and expanding cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations, including trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, agro-processing, demining, education, environment, and parliamentary-to-parliamentary relations. For her part, Kleebank reaffirmed Brazil's commitment to deepening cooperation further, especially in areas of mutual interest to both countries. They also discussed regional and international issues of common concern to both countries, the news release added. Concerns have been raised about the voters register as the election approaches, while officials maintain that safeguards are in place. How confident are you in the integrity of the register? Share your view in our poll. You voted: Akbar Novruz Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reiterated on Thursday his stance that Budapest will hold a lock on the European Union's assistance to Ukraine until that country ends its blockade on the transfer of Russian oil through its territory, AzerNEWS reports. Speaking to the press before a European Council meeting, Orban accused Brussels of siding with Ukraine rather than with Hungary, its member. He noted that, thus, "we have to break this oil blockade on our own." "Today's meeting is about the threat of a global economic crisis, which could affect Europe the most, and we need to show how to prevent it. Hungary has its own national tools, but we also need a European solution," he underscored. Previously, Hungary halted diesel deliveries to Ukraine and blocked the EU's 90 billion loan to the conflict-hit country in response to the pause in oil transfer through the Druzhba pipeline. This photo taken on March 19, 2026 shows a performance by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra at Auckland Town Hall in Auckland, New Zealand. The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra performed in Auckland on Thursday evening after a hiatus of over half a century, resonating with audiences in the largest city in New Zealand.(Shanghai Symphony Orchestra/Handout via Xinhua) AUCKLAND, New Zealand, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra performed in Auckland on Thursday evening after a hiatus of over half a century, resonating with audiences in the largest city in New Zealand. As part of the 2026 Auckland Arts Festival and its Asia-Pacific tour, the orchestra performed works from "Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavors" to Tchaikovsky's "Variations on a Rococo Theme" and "Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor," showcasing a perfect blend of Eastern and Western music. "Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavors" was specially commissioned by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra for its 145th anniversary. Each movement of the work corresponds to a Chinese dish, using a unique symphonic language to interpret Chinese culinary culture and the life interests of the Chinese people. The orchestra last visited Auckland in 1975, and it is scheduled to perform again on Friday evening, with tickets for both performances sold out. Paul Goldsmith, New Zealand's minister for arts, culture and heritage, welcomed the orchestra's visit and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to hear the "culture and music language" from guests from afar. Robbie Macrae, chief executive of the Auckland Arts Festival, said the orchestra's visit, which was finally realized after years of coordination, marked the first major international symphony orchestra to perform in Auckland in more than 25 years, bringing an exciting performance to the festival audience. Auckland couple Jenny Smith and Andrew Smith, both art enthusiasts, considered the performance to be one of the highlights of the 2026 Auckland Arts Festival. They were particularly impressed by "Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavors," which they said is "quite different from the traditional European music that we are used to hearing at the Auckland Philharmonia." The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is Asia's oldest symphony orchestra, and its current Asia-Pacific tour has covered Melbourne and Sydney in Australia and will also take it to Singapore. This photo taken on March 19, 2026 shows a performance by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra at Auckland Town Hall in Auckland, New Zealand. The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra performed in Auckland on Thursday evening after a hiatus of over half a century, resonating with audiences in the largest city in New Zealand.(Shanghai Symphony Orchestra/Handout via Xinhua) The audience applauds after a performance by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra at Auckland Town Hall in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 19, 2026. The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra performed in Auckland on Thursday evening after a hiatus of over half a century, resonating with audiences in the largest city in New Zealand.(Shanghai Symphony Orchestra/Handout via Xinhua) KABUL/ISLAMABAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan and Pakistan have announced the suspension of military operations during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, officials from both countries said on Wednesday. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a post on social media platform X on Wednesday evening that the Afghan government has suspended its military operations against Pakistan during the Eid al-Fitr holiday. He added that safeguarding Afghanistan's national security, sovereignty and the lives of its citizens remains both a national and religious obligation, and that the Afghan government will respond firmly to any aggression if threats arise. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar also said on X that Pakistan would halt its attacks on Afghanistan during Eid al-Fitr. According to Tarar, the suspension of operation has started from midnight Wednesday. Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated rapidly after clashes broke out along the border areas between the two countries from late Feb. 26 to early Feb. 27. VIENTIANE, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Public Security has announced the nationwide phase-out of traditional household registration books, marking a significant step toward a fully digital population management system. Under the new policy, authorities have officially ceased issuing hard-copy Family Books, which will be replaced by a Certificate of Household Information generated through an electronic registration system, Lao News Agency reported on Thursday. Previously issued Family Books will remain valid until an official cancellation notice is released. The ministry added that citizens with Digital ID Cards can use them as official identification for legal transactions and government services. The ministry has urged all government bodies and relevant sectors to support the transition by simplifying procedures and ensuring smooth implementation. This reform is part of Laos' broader push toward digital governance, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and public access to services. KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Ongoing energy disruptions resulting from the continuing conflict in the Middle East have resulted in spillover effects on the Southeast Asian region, particularly affecting the energy price, trade logistics and food security. Malaysia, which is deeply integrated into global trade networks, is bracing for impact. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir told a recent forum that while higher oil prices may lift dividends for Malaysia's state-owned energy firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), the gains would likely be offset by increased costs of imported refined petroleum products. Akmal Nasrullah said the current situation underscores the need to diversify its energy sources, strengthen domestic generation capacity, and accelerate renewable and transition technologies to manage such risks. "These developments show that energy security is inseparable from economic resilience. It's about preparing a system that can maintain reliable, affordable and stable energy supplies even amid global volatility and high oil price scenarios," he said. Fuel prices have already seen a sharp spike in Malaysia with RON97, a premium-grade petrol, rising from 3.85 ringgit (about 0.97 U.S. dollars) to 4.55 ringgit per liter, while diesel in Peninsular Malaysia has surged from 3.92 ringgit to 4.72 ringgit per liter. The government is maintaining its subsidy program for the commonly used RON95 fuel at 1.99 ringgit per liter, while those who do not qualify for the subsidy will pay 3.27 ringgit per liter. The Finance Ministry said in a statement that its strategy is aimed at gradually aligning market prices while maintaining the social safety net for those who qualify for targeted subsidies, with the aim of preventing a drastic spike in the cost of living for low- and middle-income households. Beyond energy prices, the conflict is directly disrupting the operations of Malaysian businesses. A survey by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation revealed that over 60 percent of Malaysian exporters expect to be impacted, with businesses reporting expected drops in sales, order cancellations and rising raw material costs. Around 39 percent of respondents export to the Middle East, mainly the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and many are considering diversifying to other markets, particularly those involving palm oil, manufacturing, agriculture and aviation. The agency also advised exporters to re-route shipments through safer regional ports as tensions disrupt key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. While Malaysia's direct food imports from the Middle East are limited, the indirect effects of the conflict pose a significant threat to food security. The rise in global oil prices leads to higher costs for fertilizers, packaging and freight -- all critical components of the food supply chain. Rice is a key staple not only in Malaysia but across the region. Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said Malaysia has about 1.09 million metric tonnes of rice as of Feb. 3, comprising 200,000 metric tonnes of buffer stock and 889,285 metric tonnes of trade stocks, which is estimated to last up to six months. He added that the ministry is working with the finance ministry and economy ministry to formulate a specific strategy to address the impact of rising global oil prices on the country's food sector, adding that current supplies of basic foods such as rice, chicken and vegetables are at a sufficient level at least until May and advising the public not to engage in panic buying. The deal log for the evolving printing, packaging, paper and related graphic communications industries Published by Graphic Arts Advisors, M&A advisors & consultants United States intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard warned that China and Pakistan are developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that could potentially target the US. Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, made the remarks while presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment report before the US Senate Intelligence Committee. She stated that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan are all researching and developing a range of advanced and conventional missile delivery systemscapable of carrying both nuclear and conventional payloadsthat could place the US homeland within range. Gabbard noted that North Koreas intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are already capable of reaching US territory, and that Pyongyang remains committed to expanding its nuclear arsenal. She also highlighted North Koreas deepening ties with Russia and China, saying this evolving alignment carries serious implications for global security. On Pakistan, she said Islamabads ongoing missile development efforts could potentially include ICBMs capable of striking the United States. She further assessed that China and Russia are working on advanced delivery systems designed to penetrate or evade US missile defence systems. "The IC assesses that threats to the Homeland will expand collectively to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035, from the current assessed figure of more than 3,000 missiles," Gabbard said. The assessment report also noted that even if major powers avoid direct conflict, many regional and smaller states are increasingly willing to use force to advance their interests. Countries such as Egypt, Israel, Pakistan, Turkey, and the UAE are using a mix of lethal aid, proxy forces, or their own military assets to provoke or undermine their rivals or to tilt nearby conflicts in their favour, the report said. Did Iran pose a threat? In a significant remark, Gabbard said that US strikes on Iran last year had obliterated its nuclear programme, adding that there has been no effort by Tehran since then to rebuild that capability. Her statement appeared to contradict repeated claims by President Donald Trump, who argued that military action against Iran was necessary to counter what he described as an imminent threat from the Islamic Republic. Responding to a question on whether the intelligence community had assessed Irans nuclear programme as posing an immediate risk to the United States, Gabbard said, It is not the intelligence communitys responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat. Her remarks drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, with Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff pushing back, saying, It is precisely your responsibility to determine what constitutes a threat to the United States. One of the most technically demanding, but routine operations in military aviation is aerial refuelling, as it involves two aircraft flying extremely close together at high speed while fuel is transferred mid-air. The challenges involve maintaining precise position, speed, and altitude even as pilots deal with turbulence from the tanker, limited visibility, and the tough task of connecting a fuel boom or probe with near-perfect accuracy, making it a task that requires significant skill and expertise. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India Amid reports that the US lost six crew members of a KC-135 Air Force refuelling aircraft, which has been in service for more than 60 years and has been involved in several fatal accidents, in another incident while supporting operations against Iran, China has announced that it has streamlined aerial refuelling operations with an AI system to ensure safety and enhance efficiency. PLA Daily recently reported that the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force has developed an aerial refuelling area management system that tracks real-time airspace conditions and uses integrated algorithms to automatically compute the fuel status of all aircraft operating in a particular area. ALSO READ: China and Pakistan developing missiles capable of hitting US? The system comes up with highly scientific, optimised tankerfighter pairing plans and offers recommendations to pilots based on the fuel status, airspace capacity, and flight duration of each aircraft, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. PLA Daily quoted Yu He, an Air Force officer involved in the system, as saying that while pairing was a blind choice earlier, the smart task assignment programme recommends scientifically sound and highly efficient solutions, enabling the maximisation of aerial refuelling effectiveness. According to a PLA Daily report, the earlier random refuelling model, where tankers loitered passively while fighters chose the nearest available aircraft, had emerged as a weakness, limiting combat effectiveness and proving inadequate for future battlefields. The move to turn aerial refuelling into a data-driven, networked operation signals Chinas continued move towards a system-of-systems warfare, leading to increased combat endurance and a faster tempo of operations. Coming at a time when the US KC-135 was in the news for a fatal accident, the move by China also signals its intent to make aerial refuelling less risky. This would also mean the PLA Air Force jets can stay longer in the air without incidents near India, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. Iran's decision to allow Indian-flagged vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz means the Indian Navy will have to escort these ships through the conflict zone safely. Consequently, the number of Indian naval vessels in the region is set to increase, a new report has said. In order to ensure the safe passage of its fuel carriers, India is deploying more warships to the Gulf of Oman, a daily claimed, quoting top officials in the force. This additional deployment will increase the number of Indian warships in the region east of the Strait of Hormuz to six or seven, the report said. Three Indian warships are currently deployed in the Gulf of Oman and are keeping vigil over fuel carriers headed to Indian ports from the region, the Hindustan Times said in a report. Earlier this week, the Navy escorted an Indian-flagged oil tanker that set sail from Fujairah port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) out of the Gulf of Oman towards the countrys west coast, the report added. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India Since 2019, the Navy has been deployed to the Gulf of Oman to ensure that Indian-flagged vessels are not troubled by pirates or any other maritime challenges. ALSO READ | Did Iran ask India to return 3 tankers seized by ICG in February amid Hormuz Strait talks? Report offers details Meanwhile, Gujarat minister Jitu Vaghani said on Monday that the Shivalik, an Indian vessel carrying LPG, safely reached Mundra port from the Strait of Hormuz amidst the West Asia crisis, thanks to the strong diplomatic relations maintained by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with world leaders. The Agriculture Minister, who also serves as the state government spokesperson, told the assembly that the ship passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz despite global unrest and tensions involving Iran, Israel, and other countries. "Due to the successful diplomatic efforts of PM Narendra Modi, India's Shivalik vessel safely reached Mundra port in Gujarat carrying LPG," Vaghani said in the House. ALSO READ | Move to secure Strait of Hormuz? US hits Iranian coastal missile sites with 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs Another ship, the Nandadevi, had similarly passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to reach Vadinar port in Gujarat on Tuesday, Vaghani added. Mundra port officials confirmed that the Shivalik arrived with 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG ordered by IOCL. While 20,000 MT will be unloaded at Mundra port, 26,000 MT will be unloaded at Mangaluru, according to a statement from the port. ZAGREB, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Croatian Chamber of Agriculture warned on Thursday that a shortage of blue diesel fuel is threatening the spring planting season and urged relevant departments to take urgent measures. According to local media reports, the Chamber said that the current supply situation is extremely worrying, with farmers across the country facing serious problems because blue diesel fuel is simply unavailable at gas stations. In Croatia, blue diesel fuel is specifically used in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, and is priced lower than standard diesel. Following the U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran, international oil prices surged, and the Croatian government implemented a two-week price control measure on standard gasoline, standard diesel, and blue diesel fuel starting March 10. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has recently stated that the government will decide whether to extend the temporary price control measure based on the situation. The Chamber of Agriculture said that under the current severe weather conditions and extremely tight planting deadlines, the shortage of this critical fuel prevents farmers from carrying out necessary fieldwork, thereby jeopardizing this year's harvest and the stability of overall agricultural production and food supply. We often see people watching pirated versions of recently released movies on their smartphones. It is no longer a surprise to find people travelling alongside you on public transport or at gatherings accessing movies that are still running in theatres on their gadgets. Due to movie piracy, thousands are capable of watching movies illegallyeven before many of them have reached OTT streaming platforms. The makers of Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the most anticipated Bollywood movie of the year, seem to be aware of this threat. While there is little that the makers can do once a pirated version is out, Aditya Dhar and co. seem to have done what they possibly can to safeguard their magnum opus. ALSO READ | Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge Day 1 Box Office Collection: Ranveer Singhs superhit spy action thriller crosses 50 crore by morning The Madras High Court passed an interim order against the unauthorised broadcast and streaming of the film. While the paid previews of the spy thriller were underway on Wednesday, the High Court ruled that internet service providers and cable TV operators cannot broadcast or stream it until 15 April 2026. Thus, even if an illegal copy of the movie is available, operators are now legally forbidden from using it. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy passed the order after a petition was filed by Reliance Industries Limited and Jio Studios, news reports said. They submitted before the High Court that piracy at an early stage would lead to the film facing significant losses. ALSO READ | 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' X reviews: Brutal movie set to polarise viewers, think netizens as Aditya Dhar's genius hailed Considering the urgency of the plea in light of the movie's release, the High Court stated that a failure to act could result in "irreversible injury" to the rights holders. Additionally, it observed that the business interests of certain intermediaries could be impacted, news reports said. Dhurandhar: The Revenge has raked in a little over 55 crore in net domestic collections, according to early estimates by Sacnilk. According to market analysts, Dhurandhar 2 is touted to collect 100 crore in net domestic collections by the end of the day. It opened to an impressive start, premiering with close to 9,000 shows on Thursday morning. Early reviews from the preview shows of Dhurandhar: The Revenge on Wednesday hint at a runaway success. The audience bursts into laughtersudden, unexpectedas Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) appears on screen, a box of pastries in hand. The mother is doing well, he announces to the group. It is a startling moment. Absurd, in fact. The mother is the wife of Eghbal (Ebrahim Azizi), or Peg Legthe groups former torturer in an Iranian prisonnow tied up in the back of their van as they try determining if it is indeed him. Blindfolded when imprisoned for acts such as protesting for workers rights, they cant be sure. And yet, even as they debate his fate, including killing him, they set out to help his pregnant wife. The mood shifts. Theres silence in the room as the film builds to its climax. Vahid finally confronts his torturer, who speaks of what the state means to him, before breaking down, and says: Im just like you. Theres this interplay between tragedy and absurdist comedy, the pain of state tyranny that unfolds alongside everyday reality, that lies at the heart of It Was Just an Accident, the latest by Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for two Oscars and four Golden Globes this year. The film was recently screened in New Delhi at the Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF). A horror-farce The film opens with Eghbal driving through the dark with his pregnant wife and young daughter when something suddenly hits the cara dog. It was just an accident, his wife shrugs. The accident, however, leaves the car damaged, forcing Eghbal to stop at a garage. The garage belongs to Vahid, who recognises the clomping of Eghbals prosthetic legthe only thing he could identify his torturer by, having been blindfolded during his imprisonment. What follows is a surge of rage and a chain of events. Vahid kidnaps Eghbal and drives him out to the desert, attempting to bury him alive, until Eghbal insists he has the wrong man. Vahid hesitates. Blindfolded during his torture, he cannot be certain. He puts Eghbal back in a coffin-like box in the back of his van and sets off to find others who might identify himpeople who, like him, suffered at the hands of the state. Among them are Shiva (Mariam Afshari), a wedding photographer; Goli (Hadis Pakbaten) and her groom Ali (Majid Panahi), whose pictures she is taking; and the hot-headed Hamid (Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr). What unfolds is a shockingly funny revenge thriller, one that takes the group to various places and propels them through a series of absurd encounters. At one point, Vahid is forced to bribe policemen who casually produce a card reader when he says he isnt carrying cash. Its a pointed gag on the everyday corruption that thrives in a society squeezed between international sanctions and state repression. Such moments puncture the films darkness. The laughter they provoke never trivialises the violence, but further sharpens the critique. At its core, the film turns the tables between the oppressed and the oppressor, imagining what remains when power slips from the latters hands. In doing so, it becomes a quiet but unmistakable indictment of authoritarian regimes. And Panahi, himself imprisoned twice, including at Tehrans notorious Evin Prison known to hold political prisoners, is unhinged in his frankness in depicting life under state control. Its as if hes rage-baiting the regime itself. The result is a masterclass in contemporary cinemabrazen, fearless, and made at a cost its maker knows all too well. A filmmaker dissents While abroad and busy in awards circuit, Panahi was handed another prison sentence late last year on charges of propaganda against the system. The dissident filmmaker has said he will return to Iran after the Oscars, despite the risk of arrest, which would mark his third prison term. Panahi began his career in the late 1990s with films such as The Mirror (1997) and The Circle (2000), the latteron the lives of women under social restrictionswinning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. In 2010, he was arrested on charges of making anti-government propaganda, and was barred from leaving Iran or making films. He defied the latter with remarkable ingenuity, continuing to shoot in secret, including on his phone. His 2011 documentary This Is Not a Film was famously shot partly on an iPhone and smuggled to the Cannes Film Festival on a USB drive hidden inside a cake. In Taxi (2015), he turned a car into a moving set. He was arrested again in 2022 for protesting the detention of fellow filmmakers Mohammad Rasoulof and Mostafa Aleahmad, and was lodged in Evin Prison. He was released after seven months following a hunger strike. His latest, It Was Just an Accident, was also shot in secrecy, not because of an explicit ban, but out of his refusal to submit to state censorship. His gestures, almost mischief against the Iranian regime, reveal something bigger about the larger Iranian cinema. Acclaimed worldwide, it has been shaped by the political upheavals, state repression but also its brilliant makers, who have turned to out-of-the-box innovation creating cinematic brilliance while not being bogged down in front of power. Cinema reinvents Cinema under the Shah in Iran was largely dominated by melodrama and commercial thrillers, drawing heavily from Bollywood and Hollywood. Much of it, however, failed to portray, authentically, the lived reality of Iranian society. That began to shift in the 1960s with films like The Cow (1969) by Dariush Mehrjui, which offered an unflinching look at rural life. Around the same time, Sohrab Shahid-Salesss Still Life (1974) captured the quiet loneliness of ordinary existence. A new cinematic language, hence, took shape, one marked by long takes, emotional restraint and minimal dialogues. The Iranian Revolution transformed the country, ushering in an era of state control and moral policing. Yet, rather than submit, many filmmakers responded with subtle defiance, using cinema to navigate, as the artform itself continued to take shape. This era saw the emergence of the likes of Abbas Kiarostami, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Asghar Farhadi, and Jafar Panahi, who have made a mark internationally. At a time when Iran is often seen through the global headlines of war and conflict, its cinema offers a counterpoint, an art form that refused to be silenced and evolved into an inventive and quietly radical traditions in global filmmaking. After participating in a carefully crafted indoor Iftar gathering at Mamallapuram on the outskirts of Chennai, actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay, on Wednesday, chose to categorically put an end to weeks of speculation over TVKs alliance plans. He said his party will be anchored on the ideals of social justice and secularism, ruling out any tie-up with the BJP-led NDA. Vijays statement came in the backdrop of intense speculations, including TVKs negotiations with the NDA. The partys election strategy general secretary had earlier said that the NDA had offered 90 constituencies and the post of chief minister to Vijay, but the actor-turned-politician declined the offer. And now, with the decision to go solo, party sources indicate that the senior leadership team in TVK is exploring all options to contest from constituencies in Chennai. Vijay is expected to make his electoral debut from the Perambur constituency in Chennai. Earlier, it was said that Vijay was exploring the option of contesting from Trichy East, which again is a semi-urban constituency with a considerable number of minority votes. His team had also been exploring opportunities in the Velachery constituency in Chennai, which has the maximum number of educated and young voters. A key assembly constituency in Chennai, Perambur in North Chennai, was won by R.D. Shekar from the DMK in 2021 with 1,05,267 votes. Considered to be a semi-urban constituency with residential and industrial areas, Perambur is predominantly a working-class area. One of the biggest assembly constituencies in Chennai, Perambur has more than 2.20 lakh voters. Known to be the DMKs fiefdom, Perambur has been won by the Marxist Communists and also by the AIADMK in past elections. As per sources, Perambur has emerged as the first choice for Vijay to contest after an internal survey by TVKs strategy team found a favourable outcome for the party. With Perambur being the choice for Vijay, the partys second-rung leaders, including TVK general secretary N. Anand, also known as Bussy Anand, are expected to contest from constituencies in Chennai, particularly those where the DMK is considered to be strong. Sources indicate that Anand will contest from the T. Nagar constituency in South Chennai, and Aadhav Arjuna is likely to enter the fray from Villivakkam. Former AIADMK MLA J.C.D. Prabhakar, who joined TVK, is likely to be fielded from Thousand Lights. TVKs party treasurer P. Venkataraman is likely to contest from Mylapore. Former MLA V.S. Babu, who joined TVK recently, is likely to be fielded against Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the Kolathur constituency. Apart from the top leaders, other known faces in the party like Maria Wilson, a businessman associated with the JPR Group of educational institutions, might contest from R.K. Nagar, and TVK deputy general secretaries M. Arul Prakasam and A. Rajmohan are expected to be fielded from Saidapet and Egmore. The idea of fielding known faces in Chennai is to attract more media attention on one side and also to tap into the youth and women voters. TVK considers youth and women voters as its core support base. In 2021, the DMK and its allies had won all 16 assembly segments in Chennai, making it the DMKs fiefdom. And in the west, former minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, who defected from the AIADMK, is expected to contest from his home turf, Gobichettipalayam. TVKs policy and propaganda general secretary and former IRS officer R. Arunraaj is expected to be fielded from Tiruchengode, while its joint general secretary C.T.R. Nirmalkumar, who defected from the BJP after a brief stint with the AIADMK, is expected to enter the fray from Tirupparankundram. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday announced its second list of 39 candidates for the Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April 19. Former BJP state president and former Mizoram governor, Kummanam Rajasekharan, will contest from the Aranmula constituency, while Nattika MLA C.C. Mukundan, who recently joined the saffron party, has been fielded from the same seat. Mukundan had been expelled from the Communist Party of India (CPI) after declaring his intention to run as an independent candidate from the seat. The candidates were finalised at a meeting of the BJP Central Election Committee on Wednesday, attended by party president Nitin Nabin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah. Notable names in the list include Bigg Boss star Robin Radhakrishnan, who will contest from Kundara, and senior party leader B. Gopalakrishnan from Guruvayoor. Renu Suresh has been fielded from Kongad, Deepa Puzhakkal from Tanur, Aswinini ML from Kasaragod, and Ashwathy Guptha Kumar and Pathmasree M. from Malappuram and Manjeri, respectively. BJP releases its second list of candidates for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Keralam pic.twitter.com/8ygW95ScGW IANS (@ians_india) March 19, 2026 BJP had earlier released a list of 47 candidates, including party state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom and former Union minister V. Muraleedharan from Kazhakoottam. The BJP is aiming to strengthen its presence in Kerala, a state ruled alternately by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the CPI(M) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The saffron party made its first breakthrough in the state assembly in 2016 by winning the Nemom seat but lost it to the CPI(M) in the 2021 elections. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday praised Indias position on the ongoing West Asia conflict, describing it as an example of responsible statecraft rather than a moral surrender. Tharoor said India should have promptly issued condolences on the death of Irans Supreme Leader, as it had done earlier when the countrys president died in a helicopter crash. But I will not condemn the government for choosing silence over confrontation, he said in an article written for the Indian Express. Tharoors remarks diverge from those of several colleagues in the Congress party, who have questioned Indias muted response to the conflict, which began after joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Days earlier, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in an article published in the same newspaper, had said that the Indian government's stand on the killing of Iran's leader was not neutral, but an "abdication" of responsibility. Tharoor, a former top diplomat at the United Nations, however, argued that Indias foreign policy has historically balanced principle with pragmatism. Today, in an increasingly multipolar world, India practises 'multi-alignment' engaging with diverse powers, sometimes in tension with one another, while keeping our national interest paramount, he wrote. He pointed out that India has, in the past, chosen silence when principles clashed with national interest, citing New Delhis reluctance to condemn Soviet interventions in Hungary (1956), Czechoslovakia (1968), and Afghanistan (1979). Such restraint, he said, did not signal endorsement but reflected a pragmatic assessment of geopolitical costs. Tharoor emphasised that India has significant stakes in both the United States and the Gulf region. Publicly condemning the US-Israeli military action against Iran, he argued, could risk these key relationships. It would jeopardise remittances that sustain millions of Indian households, energy supplies that fuel our economy, and trade ties that underpin our growth. Silence, in this context, is not cowardice. It is a sober recognition of the interconnectedness of our national interests with the realities of the region, he wrote. He also underlined the need to acknowledge the nature of Donald Trmp administration, arguing that while the war may violate principles India stands for, undermining broader strategic ties with the United States would be unwise. Reiterating Indias long-standing support for global justice at multilateral forums, Tharoor said the country has also known when to hold its tongue. That balance is the essence of responsible statecraft, he added. Taking a swipe at critics demanding a stronger condemnation, Tharoor said some mistake moral absolutism for moral courage and overlook the realities of foreign policy. Indias silence is not an endorsement of that war. It is a recognition that our national interest requires prudence, not posturing, he wrote. Tharoors remarks diverge from those of several colleagues in the Congress party, who have questioned Indias muted response to the conflict, which began after joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Direct confrontation and threats of resignation have often been key weapons in veteran leader K. Sudhakarans political armour throughout his career. He has frequently positioned himself as the only Congress leader capable of matching the CPI(M)s muscle power in Malabar. He has also taken on rivals within the Congress, using resignation threats on several occasions. One notable instance dates back to 2011, when Sudhakarans loyalists blocked then Kannur DCC president P. Ramakrishnan. Sudhakaran was an MP at the time. After Ramakrishnan accused him of irregularities in collecting funds for the family of a party martyr, Sudhakaran played his trump card: If the KPCC decides to allow Ramakrishnan to continue as DCC president, that means his demand for my resignation is right, and I am wrong. In that case, I am prepared to step down as MP, he had said. During his tenure as KPCC president, too, there were multiple occasions when Sudhakaran used the resignation card as leverage. Most notably, after he was arrested by the Crime Branch in a cheating case in which conman Monson Mavunkal was the prime accused, Sudhakaran offered to resign. However, the Congress rallied behind him. Now, once again, Sudhakarancurrently the Kannur MPhas deployed the same tactic, using the threat of resignation to pressure the Congress high command over the Kannur Assembly seat in the crucial elections. The Congress high command made the decision that Sudhakaranor any other MPwould not be given assembly seats. Notably, he was not the only MP to stake a claim. However, it was only Sudhakarans camp that took the issue into the public domain, amplifying his displeasure and emotional outbursts. The Kannur veteran camped in Delhi for three days, staying away from the cameras, even as his team periodically floated talk of multiple explosive press meets. Meanwhile, the KS brigade made performative protests in Kannur to add to this. This, in turn, diverted public and media attention from internal fissures within the CPI(M), while also generating negative publicity for the Congress and reinforcing an impression of disunity within the party ahead of a crucial election with limited campaign time. Notably, the visual media also fed narratives that Sudhakaran would leave the party, fight as an independent, and even join the NDA. Narratives have also emerged suggesting that the high command yielded to Sudhakarans pressure tactics, though the Congress leadership has not confirmed any such development. Meanwhile, the party deployed leaders from multiple levels to pacify Sudhakaran. The party even deployed retired leader A.K. Antony to pacify the Kannur leader when rumours went on air that Sudhakaran would leave the party. However, after much drama, Sudhakaran finally left his room and Delhi, making a statement that he would remain in the party and that his cadres would work for the party. For many in the Congress, the sentiment is unmistakabledelivered in weary, sarcastic murmurs: he and his cadres have already done more than enough! The controversy involving the illegal entry of six Ukrainians and one US national into Mizoram to carry out subversive activities has brought to light various aspects of the eligibility and legality of foreign nationals entering India and travelling within the country. ALSO READ | US 'spy', journalist Matthew VanDyke led Ukrainian veterans into Myanmar terror conspiracy targeting India, NIA probe says There have been similar cases in the past when foreigners entered the country illegally using land borders, sea routes, or airsuch as the Purulia arms drop caseto commit crimes, collect intelligence, or carry out, facilitate, and support terror acts. While the process of legally entering the country is laid down in the Visa Manual issued by the Foreigners Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the restrictions on foreigners travelling within the country are spelt out in the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, pertaining to protected areas adjoining international land borders, and the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, dealing with sensitive areas and installations even in interior regions. In the present case, as per court documents, there are no allegations of illegal entry into India without obtaining a visa, but rather entry by wilfully availing of the wrong category of visa. According to the FIR, a total of 14 Ukrainians entered the country on tourist visas, allegedly to aid terror groups, which has attracted the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, making it a non-bailable offence. Another violation is the unauthorised entry into a Protected Area without obtaining the requisite permit from the Foreign Regional Registration Office under the Bureau of Immigration. The National Investigation Agency has alleged that the accused foreign nationals were not only aiding Myanmars Ethnic Armed Groups operating against the Myanmar army but were also building up the capacity of Indian insurgent groups active in the North East. Interestingly, out of the total of 14 Ukrainians alleged to have entered India, only six have been apprehended. The rulebook for granting visas is being examined to understand how these individuals obtained their visas. For foreigners wanting to enter the country, there are two ways of applying for visas: the e-visa and the regular paper visa. An e-visa is an online process where the application, along with a photograph, is completed online with the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Supporting documents are uploadedas in the case of business and conference visasand fees are paid digitally. Once the application is complete, the Bureau of Immigration processes the application and emails the visa to the applicant. There are currently 14 types of e-visas, including tourist, business, and student visas. All e-visas are vetted by the Bureau of Immigration, which is functionally under the Intelligence Bureau but administratively under the Ministry of Home Affairs. When required, the Bureau of Immigration calls for additional details or documents from the applicants via email or phone. If the Bureau of Immigration feels it is not in a position to clarify certain details properly, instead of simply rejecting the application, it informs the applicant to approach an embassy or consulate for a paper visa. Usually, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration is a senior Intelligence Bureau officer, and all officers and permanent staff of the Bureau are from the Intelligence Bureau. Presently, as the ease of applying digitally has increased with simplified procedures, e-visas have largely replaced traditional paper visas that are affixed to passports. Sources said that over 90% of Indian visas issued to US nationals are e-visas. In this case, according to security officials, the US national Matthew VanDyke had travelled on an e-tourist visa, as had the six Ukrainians. Visas at embassies or consulates are processed through the IVFRT portal (Immigration, Visa, and Foreigners Registration & Tracking), which became operational in 2012. Government officials explained that regular paper visas, if required, are issued by embassies and consulates. In the US, besides the Indian Embassy in Washington, there are eight consulates spread across the country that issue visas. The regular paper visa process involves filling in an online application, uploading a photo and supporting documents, and taking printouts. The printed visa application is then physically submitted to the authorised agency of the embassy or consulate, which checks the documentation, collects the fees, and forwards it to the embassy or consulate for processing. It is here that visa officials scrutinise the application and issue paper visas, which are physically pasted into the applicants passport. Applicants can also be called for an in-person interview if required. For individuals who are blacklisted by agencies, a "Blacklist" chart is maintained on the IVFRT system, which flags individuals if their application is processed. However, for those not on the blacklist in the IVFRT, visa officials decide based on information available in the application, further scrutiny, or specific manual alerts from the Ministry of Home Affairs and security agencies. In suspicious cases, visa officials can mark them for further enquiry with the Ministry of Home Affairs, which refers the matter to security agencies. In cases where applicants are of Pakistani origin, visa applications are only cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs after obtaining clearance from security agencies. Interestingly, in a statement, the Ukrainian Embassy in Delhi clarified that, according to preliminary information, the charges concern unauthorised presence in the state of Mizoramaccess to which requires a special permitas well as the alleged illegal crossing of the state border between India and Myanmar. In both cases, it may be viewed as a simple violation by Ukrainians unaware of the requirements for a Protected Area Permit. However, Indian security officials are viewing the case as more than mere ignorance of rules, raising questions about what the six Ukrainians, alleged to be linked to the military, were doing in the North-eastern state. While awaiting the forensic examination of seized phones, investigators are not ruling out the role of foreign intelligence agencies in organising efforts to train and equip Myanmar rebels with drones to fight the Junta. What also cannot be ruled out at this juncture, according to officials, is possible indirect links to Western intelligence agencies and their proxies, who are careful to operate with deniability. India on Thursday responded to Ukraine's call for an investigation into the detention of six of its nationals in Mizoram, for which Kyiv has blamed Russia. This comes after US citizen Matthew VanDyke was arrested on March 13 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)in addition to six other Ukrainian nationalsat the Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata airports. The seven have been accused of illegally entering India using tourist visas and working with anti-India groups, as well as allegedly entering Myanmar (via Mizoram) to contact ethnic war groups. "There are certain areas which are restricted in India and certain protected areas. You need permission to travel there, and whether they were in possession of this particular permission or not is now being examined in court," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a briefing on Thursday. However, he did not offer further technical details on the case. Jaiswal had been responding to a question about whether the accused had obtained protected area permits before travelling to Mizoram. The seven accused have been remanded to NIA custody until March 27 as the agency continues to probe their alleged links to anti-India groups operating in the region. The three Ukrainians arrested from Lucknow were said to be war veterans: Petro Hurba, Tara Slyviak and Ivan Sukmanovski. Three more were arrested in Delhi recently: Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor. Ukraine's request for an independent, impartial investigation into the six individuals detained was also accompanied by a request for consular access, which Ukraines ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk discussed in a recent meeting with Sibi George, Secretary (West), MEA. The US, however, has not said much on VanDyke's detention, apart from an acknowledgement. "Ukraine firmly rejects any insinuations regarding the possible involvement of the Ukrainian State in supporting terrorist activities," the Ukrainian Embassy in India said in a statement, instead blaming Russia for trying to "drive a wedge" between Kyiv and New Delhi. "We also emphasise that Ukraine has no interest in any activity that could pose a threat to the security of India," the statement added. A missile strike on Ras Laffan, home to the world's largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production facility in Qatar, is poised to disrupt Indias energy sector, according to the Centre. Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical site for Qatars LNG and gas-to-liquids (GTL) production, came under attack by Iranian ballistic missiles on March 18 and 19. Though four of the missiles were intercepted, significant damage was reported after failing to thwart one missile. QatarEnergy, the countrys largest energy company and the worlds second-largest LNG exporter, confirmed that one of the missile strikes caused "sizeable fires and extensive further damage" at the Pearl GTL facility and other infrastructure. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, which caused extensive damage to the Pearl GTL facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, 19 March 2026, several LNG facilities were also targeted," QatarEnergy stated in a post on X. India, which sources around 20 per cent of its natural gas from Qatar, faces potential supply disruptions, which could compel the government to adjust its consumption. Given Indias heavy reliance on natural gas, the attack may affect key sectors such as industries and power generation, experts warn. Indias current natural gas consumption stands at 189 Million Metric Standard Cubic Meters per Day (MMSCMD), with 97.5 MMSCMD being supplied domestically. Major Indian companies have long-term agreement with Qatar. Petronet LNG imports roughly 7.5 million tonnes of LNG annually from Qatar, while Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) sources around 1 million tonne annually. GAIL also imports smaller volumes from the Gulf nation. With Qatars LNG production in jeopardy, India is facing two major concerns: reduced supply and rising costs. In response, Indian refiners have already begun seeking alternative LNG sources, including the US and Australia. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, emphasised that the disruption of Qatars LNG supply would have significant repercussions for the country. "If the facility is affected, it will impact us. The solution lies in diversifying our sources," Sharma noted, adding that the government has been exploring alternative supply options as part of its broader energy strategy. Iranian lawmakers have proposed levying taxes on ships passing through the Hormuz Strait as the war between Iran and US-Israel forces nears three weeks. We in Parliament are pursuing a plan under which countries will pay tolls and taxes to the Islamic Republic if the Strait of Hormuz is used as a secure route for transit, energy and food security, Iranian lawmaker Somayeh Rafiei said, as per a report from semi-official news agency ISNA. She added that the proposed plan would exchange Iranian guarantees of security for vessels passing through the Hormuz Strait in return for toll payment to Tehran, as a part of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's alleged plans to continue using the embattled strait as leverage. This comes after Iran imposed "special conditions" on the embattled strait, which prevents the US (and its allies) from crossing it. This has led to a sharp dip in maritime traffic through the strait, which, before the war, was seeing about 20 per cent of the world's energy exports transit through. According to maritime tracker Lloyd's List Intelligence, only 90 tankers have managed to pass through the Hormuz Strait since March 1most of which are vessels from friendly nations that have received Iranian permission to pass through without harm. The Indian-flagged vessel Jag Laadki, which reached India on Wednesday, is one of the latest examples of a friendly nation's ships being given permission-based access to cross the Hormuz Strait safely. After its exit from the strait, it was escorted by Indian Navy vessels to India. The petroleum ministry reiterated that two other Indian-flagged LPG tankersthe 'Shivalik' and the 'Nanda Devi'were en route to Indian ports. (maritime news india iran us israel war, hormuz strait fujairah port attack jag laadki)https://t.co/1hbQq6Nmh6 THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) March 15, 2026 Notably, the scope of the proposal is yet to be known, as it has not specified which countries' vessels it plans to impose taxes on, and whether friendly nations' vessels would come under the radar. WATCH: India-flagged vessel JAG LAADKI reaches Gujarat port with UAE crude oil despite rising Middle East tensionshttps://t.co/knMG10Eht5 THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) March 18, 2026 Iran going ahead with Hormuz Strait passage taxes on friendly nations would mean a greater financial burden on India at a time when global energy exportsparticularly crude oil and natural gasare under serious threats due to attacks on energy infrastructure by both sides of the war between Iran and US-Israel forces. The taxes would also be adding on to maritime coverage prices that have increased in the three weeks since the war began. The projectile attack on the Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree as it crossed the Hormuz Strait last week is also predicted to have a significant impact on increasing risk premiums going forward. India's Ministry of External Affairs has also condemned an earlier attack on the Thai-flagged bulk carrier 'Mayuree Naree', as well as attacks on commercial ships in general. (maritime news hormuz strait, safesea vishnu attack iraq, iran war us israel)https://t.co/udkKLX6c4x THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) March 12, 2026 Another Lloyd's List Intelligence report has pointed out that seven-day insurance premiums for the Gulf have increased tenfold. "That said, there is a wide spectrum of pricing and safer vessels seem to be getting away with 1 per cent of hull value or less, which is still a decent margin by normal standards," the report added. MOSCOW, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces have taken control of two settlements in the Donetsk region over the past 24 hours during a special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Defense said Thursday. Russian forces seized the settlement of Fyodorovka Vtoraya and Pavlovka in the Donetsk region through decisive operations, the ministry said in a statement. According to the ministry, units of the Russian Armed Forces carried out strikes on 148 areas, targeting energy and transport infrastructure facilities used to support the Ukrainian army's operations, sites for the preparation and launch of long-range drones, as well as temporary deployment areas for Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries. Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 356 Ukrainian drones and six guided aerial bombs during the period, it added. Hinting at rifts within the top layer of Iranian leadership, a report has emerged in Israeli media stating that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian admitted in a closed conversation that he was being completely excluded from military and strategic decisions. This comes days after allegations that the President was considering resigning after the dramatic assassinations of the de facto leader and National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani and Basij paramilitary force leaders. The President admitted in private that he was not part of the strategic discussions. I am not involved in any military matter or what they are planning, according to a report that appeared in Hebrew media Channel 14. "I am cut off from the leader, and they don't let me do anything," he described his disgust with the given situation: "I feel useless. I have nothing to do here. Earlier, there were reports that Pezeshkian is considering resigning because he feels that the entire system is crumbling following the Israeli assassinations. The Channel 14 report quoted sources who described the president's unusual anger at the Revolutionary Guards. Pezeshkian see the IRGCs conduct as reckless and claimed they did nothing to protect Larijani. According to the same sources, Larijani was seen as the main threat to Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, and therefore removing him from the scene served their interests. This comes amid reports that since the assassination of Khamenei Sr., the Iranian system has been divided into two clear camps. On the one hand, the camp of Mojtaba Khamenei, and on the other hand, those who backed Larijani. Pezeshkians televised apology to Gulf states for recent missile strikes had also triggered fierce criticism from hardliners. The Revolutionary Guards commanders and clerics had called the remarks weak, unprofessional, and publicly unacceptable. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Thursday said the day will see the "largest strike package yet" in the Iran war after Tehran targeted Gulf neighbours, adding that it "takes money to kill bad guys." Hegseth said the US has struck over 7,000 targets in Iran, adding that it has destroyed all 11 of Iranian submarines and sunk or damaged more than 120 war ships. More than 40 mine-laying vessels were also hit. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East "Our objectives, given directly from our America-first president, remain exactly what they were on day one," Hegseth added. He revealed that Iran's air defence capabilities have been neutralised while sites storing drones and missiles have been heavily targeted. He added that Iran's missile launchers and defence industrial base will continue to be targeted while also ensuring that Tehran never gets a nuclear weapon. Speaking about the need for additional funds to continue the war, he said, "So were going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that were properly funded for whats been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition everythings refilled, and not just refilled, but above and beyond." The war secretary said Israel's strike on South Pars gas field on Wednesday was just a "warning". "Iran has weaponised energy for decades. Israel clearly sent a warning, and [Trump] has made it clear, very clear. Iran knows when you hit Kharg Island, and you hit military capabilities on the island - which is the only thing we hit - we can hold anything at issue," he said. Warning Tehran against attacks on Gulf nations, Hegseth said the US military controls the fate of Iran and the regime should make the right choices. "It should not, going forward, target Arab allies, Arab countries, trying to create pain," he added. Hinting that U.S boots on the ground in Iran could be just days away, satellite images have captured USS Tripoli, the America-class amphibious assault ship, speeding through Singapore with 2000 marines. This comes as the US explores a possible invasion of Irans oil hub, the Kharg Island. USS Tripoli was seen cruising through the Malacca Strait towards the Middle East on Wednesday. The ship departed Okinawa in Japan on the 11th and was confirmed via the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to have passed through the Malacca Strait near Singapore on March 17. At this navigation speed, it is estimated that the vessel will arrive near the Strait of Hormuz between March 23 and 27. It is expected that over 2,200 U.S. Marines would seize the islands scattered around the Strait of Hormuz. The Kharg Island is located approximately 450 kilometres north of the Strait of Hormuz, and about 90% of Irans crude oil exports pass through this island. USS Tripoli, an LHA-7 amphibious assault ship, spotted near Singapore, heading to the Middle East with thousands of Marines onboard. U.S boots on the ground in Iran could be just days away. pic.twitter.com/9BvEcIKFGQ WAR (@warsurv) March 18, 2026 It is expected that the island-seizing operation could be conducted via a maritime assault, deploying landing craft loaded with marines and equipment. They can either insert these forces directly on the coast or conduct an airborne assault using F-35B fighter jets and helicopters designed to land without runways. These aircraft could launch from ships or nearby Gulf countries, as several countries, including the UAE, have allowed the U.S. military to fire surface-to-surface missiles from their bases. The U.S. Marines could also occupy other islands in the Persian Gulf to block Irans speedboat activities and secure strategic positions to intercept and shoot down missiles targeting ships passing through the Strait. For the US, occupying these islands, where Iran has built oil hubs and missile launchers, could be a bargaining chip in negotiations to ensure the safe passage of oil tankers and cargo ships. Frank McKenzie, former commander of U.S. Central Command, told The Wall Street Journal: There are two options: either destroy the oil infrastructure, causing irreversible damage to Irans and the global economy, or occupy it and use it as a negotiating lever. The latter would not permanently damage the global economy. Besides Kharg Island, the US Marines could also occupy other islands in the region so as to block speedboats and secure strategic positions to intercept and shoot down missiles. However, geopolitical experts question how taking over Kharg Island would stop the Iranians from attacking ships and critical infrastructure to keep control over the energy exports in the region. Then there are fears that such a move could almost certainly lead to more casualties in the war and not bring Iran to the negotiating table. Experts feel that Iran may be able to outlast the crisis even without the control of the island. However, the US military is yet to clearly state what the mission of the marines sent to the Middle East would be. Speculations are that rather than seizing Kharg Island, they could also be ordered into a different mission to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, which their ships would need to transit before getting to the island. US President Donald Trump has warned this morning that he will not allow another Israeli strike on Irans critical energy infrastructure after the unprecedented attack on the South Pars gas field, the worlds largest natural gas reserve. The warning came even as conflicting reports emerged about whether Washington had prior knowledge of the strike, highlighting the growing tensions surrounding the widening war. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Israel had violently lashed out at the South Pars facility out of anger, though he insisted that only a small section of the site was hit. He emphasised that the United States had no advance knowledge of the specific operation and rejected suggestions that Qatar had played any role. According to Trump, Iran had misread the situation and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatars LNG gas facility in retaliation. Trump went further, declaring that no more attacks will be made by Israel on the South Pars field. Yet his warning to Tehran was equally stark. If Iran strikes Qatar again, he said, the United States would act decisively, even without Israeli approval. In one of his strongest statements since the conflict escalated, Trump warned that Washington could massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars gas field if Iranian attacks on Gulf infrastructure continue. He acknowledged the long-term consequences such a move would have for Iran but insisted he would not hesitate if Qatari facilities were targeted again. Qatars Ministry of Interior confirms it is still dealing with a fire in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area. Its the worlds largest hub for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and export. https://t.co/1BxMJhZyQ5 pic.twitter.com/TTwYsdYpqA Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) March 19, 2026 The remarks came as reports suggested the Trump administration is now attempting to prevent further attacks on Irans energy sector. However, officials quoted by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Trump had in fact been informed in advance about the Israeli strike and had supported it as a direct message to Tehran over its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, the president now believes Iran has got the message and is seeking to halt further escalation against energy targets. Despite this apparent shift, Washington has not ruled out future strikes if Iran continues to restrict tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that carries roughly 20 million barrels of oil a day and close to a fifth of the worlds LNG trade. The administrations current reluctance to target energy facilities reflects earlier disagreements with Israel, particularly over proposed strikes on oil depots in Tehran and pipelines linked to Kharg Island. Trump later said he deliberately avoided targeting such infrastructure because rebuilding it would take years and could trigger a prolonged global energy crisis. The Israeli strike on South Pars marked a dramatic escalation in the conflict. Shared between Iran and Qatar, the vast field accounts for about 70 per cent of Irans total gas production and is the backbone of the countrys domestic energy supply. The attack reportedly targeted storage tanks near Asaluyeh, forcing the shutdown of two refineries that together process around 100 million cubic metres of gas daily. Irans retaliation was swift and unusually broad. Declaring regional oil and gas installations to be direct and legitimate targets, Tehran launched missile strikes against several Gulf states. In Qatar, ballistic missiles caused extensive damage and large fires at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, which houses the worlds largest liquefied natural gas processing facilities. In response, Doha ordered Iranian military and security attaches to leave the country, signalling a sharp deterioration in relations. The escalation also spread to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The UAE said it intercepted missiles aimed at key energy infrastructure but was forced to suspend operations at the Habshan gas facility and the Bab oil field as a precaution. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, reported that two refineries near Riyadh had been hit and declared that the little trust that remained in Iran has been completely shattered, while reserving the right to respond militarily. The targeting of upstream energy facilities represents a dangerous new phase in the conflict. Experts warn that serious damage to LNG infrastructure, in particular could take years to repair, and the economic consequences are already becoming visible. Global oil prices have surged to nearly $110 a barrel, while fuel prices in the United States have risen sharply, with diesel breaching $5 a gallon. The United Arab Emirates, which continues to bear the brunt of Irans retaliatory actions, halted operations at two gas facilities in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday after debris from intercepted missiles fell on the sites. The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed that authorities are responding to incidents at the Habshan and Bab oilfield and gas facilities. "The public is urged to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information," it said in a post on X. Abu Dhabi authorities are responding to incidents at the Habshan gas facilities and at the Bab field caused by falling debris from the successful interception of missiles. The gas facilities have been shut down and no injuries have been reported. The public is urged to obtain (@ADMediaOffice) March 18, 2026 Earlier, Iran struck a major natural gas facility in Qatar, continuing its attacks on Persian Gulf energy infrastructure in retaliation for Israels assault on its offshore gas field and the killing of its intelligence minister. Iran has also targeted Saudi Arabias Eastern Provincehome to many of its oil fieldsas well as Kuwait and Bahrain. QatarEnergy stated on X that a missile hit the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility, sparking a fire that caused extensive damage before being brought under control. Qatars Interior Ministry added that Civil Defence teams were responding to the blaze at Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical gas processing hub and a cornerstone of the countrys economy. Meanwhile, Tehran has continued to exert pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the worlds oil supply passes. Oil prices surged by another 5 percent, climbing above $108 per barrel on international markets, raising the cost of gasoline and other goods globally. According to Press TV, Iranian forces have launched 63 waves of missile and drone attacks since the operation began, employing advanced weaponry to strike Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories, as well as US bases and assets across the West Asia region. Saudi condemns attacks Meanwhile, Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Thursday strongly condemned Iran's overnight attacks on his country, stating, What little trust there was before has completely been shattered. The attacks on my country and on neighboring countries that are not involved in this conflict are my main concern, Prince Faisal continued. We will use every lever at our disposalpolitical, economic, diplomatic, and otherwiseto bring these attacks to a halt. The attack on Riyadh came during a meeting of foreign ministers from Gulf Arab states and other nations discussing the ongoing Iranian strikes. I cannot see this as a coincidence, Prince Faisal said. Its the clearest indication of how Iran views diplomacy. It seeks to pressure its neighbors, but that will not succeed. The war between Iran and US-Israel forces took a dramatic turn on Thursday when Washington's Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Thursday that its objectives in the conflict differed from that of Israel. Speaking to the House intelligence committee's annual hearing on worldwide threats to the US, Gabbard noted that Washington's objective was to destroy Iran's ballistic missile program and navy, while Tel Aviv was focusing on disabling Iran's leadership. "We can see through the operations that the Israeli government has been focused on disabling the Iranian leadership. The president has stated that his objectives are to destroy Iran's ballistic missiles launching capability, their ballistic missile production capability, and their navy," she said. This directly contrasts the US and Israel's earlier statements highlighting their joint collaboration in the Iran operation, which began nearly three weeks ago. In fact, a BBC report has noted that Israeli officials have often stated that its attacks on Iran were being conducted in close coordination with the US. "We are very much aligned on most or all of our goals regarding the Islamic regime in Iran ... We want the same thing," Alex Gandler, spokesman for the Israeli embassy in London, told the BBC on Thursday. Even Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken of the "unprecedented partnership between Israel and the US" at a March 12 press conference. Was the South Pars attack a turning point? Israel's attack on Iran's South Parsa part of the world's largest natural gas reserveand Tehran's retaliatory strike on energy facilities in the Ras Laffan Industrial City sparked a reaction from Trump, widely seen as a major turning point in the war. "NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field," he said in a Truth Social post on Thursday, claiming that the US "knew nothing" about the South Pars attack and that Qatar was not involved. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday strongly condemned the Iranian airstrikes on energy facilities owned by Qatar Energythe countrys largest energy companyin the Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is home to some of the worlds biggest LNG facilities and a Pearl Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) plant. Trump has also warned that the US would "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before", if Iran were to attack "innocent" Qatar again. Israeli media, however, claim the opposite, with centrist paper Yedioth Ahronoth stating that the South Pars attack was "agreed upon between Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu and US President Trump", as per the report. The report also cites right-wing paper Israel Hayom, which claimed "President Trump discussed the upcoming Israeli strike in [Iran's coastal city of] Asaluyeh with leaders of three Persian Gulf states over the weekend". About 90 ships including oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the outset of the war with Iran and it is still exporting millions of barrels of oil at a time when the waterway has been effectively closed, according to maritime and trade data platforms. Many of the vessels that passed through the strait were so-called dark transits evading Western government sanctions and oversight that likely have ties to Iran, maritime data firm Lloyds List Intelligence said. More recently, vessels with ties to India and Pakistan have also successfully crossed the strait as governments stepped up negotiations. As crude prices spiked above $100 a barrel, U.S. President Donald Trump pressured allies and trade partners to send warships and reopen the strait, hoping to bring oil prices lower. Most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway for global oil and gas transport that supplies roughly one-fifth of the worlds crude oil, has been halted since early March, after the war started. About 20 vessels have been attacked in the area. However, Iran has still managed to export well above 16 million barrels of oil since the beginning of March, trade data and analytics platform Kpler estimated. Due to Western sanctions and associated risks, China has been the biggest buyer of Iranian oil. There has been continued resilience in Irans oil export volumes, said Kpler trade risk analyst Ana Subasic. Iran has managed to profit from oil sales and also preserve its own export artery by using control over the chokepoint, said Kun Cao, client director at consulting firm Reddal. Irans oil export data estimates are largely aligned with maritime traffic data. At least 89 ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz between March 1 and 15 including 16 oil tankers, according to Lloyds List Intelligence, down from roughly 100 to 135 vessel passages per day before the war. More than one-fifth of the 89 vessels were believed to be Iran-affiliated, while Chinese and Greece affiliated ships are among the rest, it said. Other vessels also have been getting through. The Pakistan-flagged crude oil tanker Karachi, controlled by the Pakistan National Shipping Corp., passed through the strait on Sunday, Lloyds List Intelligence said. Shariq Amin, a spokesman at the Pakistan Port Trust, refused to confirm or deny which route the MT Karachi had used but he said the ship would soon safely reach Pakistan. The India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, both owned by state-owned Shipping Corp. of India, also traveled through the strait around March 13 or 14, according to Lloyds List Intelligence. LPG is used as a primary cooking fuel by millions of Indian households. Indias foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, told the Financial Times the two vessels were able to pass following talks with Iran. Iraq was also in talks with Iran to allow Iraqi oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, its state-run news agency reported. Vessels may be transiting with at least some level of diplomatic intervention, said Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of Lloyds List. So, Iran may have effectively created a safe corridor with some ships passing close to the Iranian coast. Some vessels near or in the strait were found to have declared themselves as China-linked or with all Chinese crew to reduce risks of being attacked, based on an earlier analysis on ship tracking platform MarineTraffic. Analysts believe they were taking advantage of Chinas closer ties with Iran. Oil prices have jumped more than 40% to above $100 per barrel since the Iran war began, and Iran has threatened it wont allow even a single liter of oil destined for the U.S., and Israel and their allies to pass through. To try to stabilize oil prices, the U.S. said it was allowing Iranian oil tankers to cross the strait. The Iranian ships have been getting out already, and weve let that happen to supply the rest of the world, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with CNBC on Monday. The U.S. bombed military sites on Kharg Island off the Iranian coast, which is key for Irans oil network and exports, but President Donald Trump said he had left its oil infrastructure alone for now. The latest passages through the Strait of Hormuz show the strait was not simply closed, Cao said. It is better understood as closed selectively against some traffic, while still functioning for Iranian exports and a narrow set of tolerated non-Iranian movements, he said. However, if Irans plan is to inflict pain through higher energy prices, the number of tankers it allows through the Strait of Hormuz may be very limited, Dutch bank INGs strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a research note. (AP) The United States dropped multiple 5,000-pound deep-penetrator bombs on hardened missile sites along Irans coastline near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. CENTCOM said the strikes targeted Iranian anti-ship cruise missile positions that posed a direct threat to international shipping in the narrow waterway, through which roughly 20% of the worlds oil supply passes. The powerful munitions, known as GBU-72 Advanced Penetrators, are specifically designed to destroy deeply buried and fortified targets, signaling a shift toward more aggressive efforts to neutralize Irans coastal defenses. The strikes come amid spiking gas prices due to Iran disrupting traffic in the strait. Iranian forces have already attacked vessels in the region, while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned the critical passage could remain closed in response to ongoing U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. Global markets have felt the impact, with oil and gas prices climbing sharply. Meanwhile, tensions are rising among Western allies. Senator Lindsey Graham criticized European nations for hesitating to help secure the strait, warning of serious consequences for alliances. President Donald Trump added further pressure, suggesting the U.S. could step back entirely and force other nations to take responsibility for protecting the Strait of Hormuz. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) MOSCOW/ALMATY, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The livestock animals affected by the outbreak of animal diseases of pasteurellosis and rabies in Russia's Novosibirsk region will be culled, according to a regional government official on Thursday. "It is now clear that about 170 households are set to have their livestock seized," said Sergei Neshumov, head of the information department of the regional government, adding that related compensations for the affected households are being issued. A state of emergency has been imposed regionwide to accelerate the containment of the spread of the cited animal diseases, with quarantine work starting at the beginning of this year in the five districts identified with the outbreaks, according to the region's agriculture ministry. The seizure of livestock animals was underway in the affected areas, according to the ministry on Monday. Kazakhstan, which borders Russia's Novosibirsk region, has strengthened veterinary controls and introduced temporary restrictions on the import and transit of livestock and animal products from Russia, the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency reported on Thursday. The Kazakh agriculture ministry said veterinary control posts along the border are operating under heightened measures, including strict cargo inspections and vehicle disinfection. The measures will remain in place until the situation in Russia improves. Russia's TASS news agency has reported that a state of emergency was declared on Feb. 16 in the Novosibirsk region, where authorities have reported 42 infection hotspots. Markwayne Mullin, the White House pick for homeland security secretary, made a case to fellow senators Wednesday that he would be a steady hand for a department roiled by controversy under Kristi Noem, but signaled he would follow President Donald Trumps hard-line immigration priorities and pushed back on concerns over his temperament for the Cabinet post. The Oklahoma Republican faced questions from members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee about his vision for a department tasked with carrying out the Republican administrations push for mass deportations. Democrats have halted routine funds for the Department of Homeland Security in a weekslong standoff as they demand restraints on immigration officers after the death of at least three American citizens at the hands of federal agents. Throughout his confirmation hearing, Mullin struck a soft tone on some of the administrations most contentious policies, and he retracted his description of a Minneapolis man killed by federal officers as deranged. But his combative style, seen in a heated exchange with the committee chair, and loyalty to the president meant questions remained over how he might revamp a troubled department that is central to Trumps deportation agenda. I can have different opinions with everybody in this room, but as secretary of homeland Ill be protecting everybody, Mullin said. My goal in six months is that were not in the lead story every single day. Mullin became emotional at some moments during the hearing and fought back at others, as he spoke of his familys relationship with Trump and his own commitment to the presidents agenda. The hearing was Mullins first opportunity since being nominated to present his plans in public for the governments third-largest department. Noem was fired this month following mounting criticism of her leadership. Mullin sheds light on his immigration views Trumps immigration agenda and how Mullin intends to implement it are key issues for Democrats. Trumps policy of mass deportations is at a crossroads, and Mullin will be under pressure to achieve Trumps goals when the public mood has soured over aggressive immigration enforcement operations. On whether DHS should meet a 3,000 a day quota for the number of immigration arrests it makes, Mullin said none had been set for him. He retracted comments he made about Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis man shot by federal immigration officers and whom Mullin had called deranged. I shouldnt have said that and as secretary, I wouldnt, he said. Mullin said officers would only use a warrant signed by a judge to forcibly enter homes to make arrests, except in limited circumstances. Federal officers have used administrative warrants to do so, raising concerns that constitutional protections are being skirted. In his opening remarks and in answers to senators questions, Mullin called for the routine DHS funding to be restored. We have to get DHS funded, Mullin told senators. We have to realize that were putting our homeland and the peace of mind at risk for the American people. Committee chair says Mullin applauds violence The first part of the hearing was marked by a fiery opening statement by Republican committee chair Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Paul challenged Mullins fitness for the role, pointing to comments Mullin made after a funding fight, when he called Paul a freaking snake and said he understood why a neighbor had tackled Paul in a lawn care dispute. That incident happened several years ago, and Paul suffered multiple broken ribs and later underwent surgeries he linked to the attack. I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force? Paul said. Mullin refused to back down to Paul, in a display that Trump is likely to expect and appreciate. For you to say Im a liar, sir, thats not accurate, Mullin said. Separately, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters scrutinized past remarks he attributed to Mullin that suggested hed been involved in special security forces or combat operations overseas. Mullin said he was involved in an official trip but he couldnt discuss details. Its classified, sir, Mullin replied, saying he had never revealed details about the dates, location and mission. Peters said the FBI, which conducts background checks on executive nominees, said it has no record of his trip. Ultimately, Mullin agreed to discuss the matter after the hearing in a private classified setting. Mullin, the Trump ally Mullin is a former mixed martial arts fighter who ran a plumbing business in Oklahoma before running for Congress. If confirmed, he is expected to be a faithful ally for Trumps agenda. Whether it be protecting the homeland from bad actors, stopping dangerous drugs from flowing into American communities, or removing the worst-of-the-worst criminal illegal aliens, Senator Mullin will work tirelessly to implement the Presidents agenda, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in an emailed statement. Peters said Democrats were asking for straightforward changes at DHS in line with rules and that police departments follow. Peters underlined the challenges that Homeland Security is facing, from threats from Iran to criminal hackers, and said the department needed someone with a steady hand. But Peters said he had reservations about whether Mullin was ready for the job. As the latest partial government shutdown drags on, there have been long security lines at a growing number of U.S airports as security screeners go into another month without pay. Republicans have charged that Democrats are risking the nations security by blocking funding to the department. DHS endured turmoil under Noem Under Noem, intense enforcement operations were launched in places including Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, where immigrants were rounded up in arrest sweeps and protesters clashed with federal officers. Activists and politicians accused DHS officers of smashing car windows, roughing up bystanders who tried to record their activities and detaining immigrants in squalid conditions. The shooting deaths contributed to the growing criticism of Trumps immigration agenda. DHS has said that its officers are responding with force only when necessary and it has blamed activists and politicians, who they say are dialing up the rhetoric against federal officers. Mullin also faced questions about the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, which is in the middle of tumultuous changes after Trump said he wanted to overhaul the agency, if not eliminate it. Mullin said he would look to restructure FEMA and not abolish it. Under Noems leadership, all contracts above $100,000 had to wait for her approval. That led to long delays for states desperate for reimbursements for money they had spent on things such as storm debris removal. Asked about that policy, Mullin said he would revoke it. (AP) European Union leaders on Thursday lashed out at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, accusing him of hijacking critical aid for Ukraine and undermining EU decision-making in an effort to win an election at home. In a rare public tirade against a member of their ranks, leaders insisted that Orban must respect the 27-nation blocs decision in December to fund Ukraines armed forces and war-ravaged economy for the next two years. Orban himself had previously approved what is seen as a critical lifeline for war-ravaged Ukraine. Hes using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaigning, and its not good. We had a deal, and I think that he betrayed us, Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters as the leaders gathered for a summit in Brussels. Ukraines economy is in tatters. EU officials believe it must get at least a sizeable part of the 90-billion-euro ($103-billion) loan by the start of May. For that to happen, work must move forward on the EU agreement within two to three weeks. Orban who is seen as Russian President Vladimir Putins closest ally in Europe and is a strident nationalist admired by U.S. President Donald Trump is trailing in opinion polls ahead of elections on April 12. Part of his election campaign has been to portray Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as an existential threat to Hungary. He has alleged that the Ukrainian leader, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, wants to drag Hungary into Russias war, now in its fifth year. He has claimed that his reelection is the only guarantee of peace and security. Taking Hungarys leader to task Fellow EU leaders are now taking Orban to task, pulling the rug from under his claims that EU institutions in Brussels are against him. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted that all 27 EU member countries must respect the decision they made together in December. The guiding principle of the European Union is one of loyalty and reliability, he said. On the eve of the summit Merz had accused Orban of setting up this blockade in Europe now for domestic political reasons and because of an election campaign that is being conducted there. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said its unacceptable to decide with the leaders and then after say but Im not ready to execute what I decided. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said that if Orban is using the election as a pretext, then this is not a valid argument given the situation in Ukraine, the plight of the people in Ukraine, and what we ourselves have decided. The standoff has highlighted important weaknesses in EU decision-making procedures, which often require unanimous agreement among the 27 member countries. Hungary has a population of almost 10 million, a fraction of the blocs 450 million people. Energy feud Ukraine and Hungary have been locked in an escalating feud since deliveries of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia were halted in January due to damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian officials blame the damage on Russian drone attacks, but Orban accuses Zelenskyy of deliberately holding up oil supplies. Hungary has not only vetoed the loan package, its also blocking a new round of EU sanctions against Russia. In an effort to break the deadlock, von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa offered this week to pay for repairs to the pipeline. An EU technical team is in Kyiv awaiting security clearance to inspect the site. But Orban vowed to continue to block the loan as long as oil shipments to Hungary are halted. What we are talking about is not politics, it is existential for Hungary. To get the oil is existential for the Hungarians, said Orban, who has been Hungarys prime minister since 2010 and is seeking his fifth term. Its not a joke, its not a political game. Zelenskyy should understand it. Ahead of the meeting, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico withdrew support for a planned summit statement on Ukraine because it did not include the pipeline oil delivery issue, as he requested. This is being rejected for incomprehensible reasons. I will not vote for the conclusions on Ukraine, he told Slovak lawmakers. A dependency on Russian energy The EU mostly weaned itself off Russian oil and natural gas after 2022 as Putin used the blocs dependence on it as leverage to undermine European support for Ukraine. However, Hungary and Slovakia were given exemptions to keep using Russian oil. Their leaders say they are landlocked and have no easy access to other suppliers, although they are currently receiving oil via an alternative route through Croatia. However, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic noted that Hungary and Slovakia pay about 30% less for Russian oil. Zelenskyy, who addressed the leaders via video link, is vehemently opposed to allowing Russian energy to transit through Ukraine. Energy revenue has fueled Putins war, and Russian forces have relentlessly targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure throughout the conflict. (AP) Heavy social media use contributes to a stark decline in well-being among young people, with the effects particularly worrying in teenage girls in English-speaking countries and Western Europe, according to the World Happiness Report 2026 published Thursday. The annual report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, also found that Finland is the happiest land in the world for the ninth year in a row, with other Nordic countries such as Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway ranking among the top 10 countries. It highlighted how life evaluations among under 25-year-olds in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have dropped significantly over the past decade, and suggested that long hours spent scrolling through social media is a key factor in that trend. Costa Rica jumps to 4th place; Nordic countries stay on top A new entry to the top five on the list is Costa Rica, which climbed to fourth place this year after rising through the ranks from 23rd place in 2023. The report attributes that to well-being boosts from family bonds and other social connections. We think its because of the quality of their social lives and the stability that they currently enjoy, said Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, an Oxford economics professor who directs the Wellbeing Research Centre and co-edits the World Happiness Report. Latin America more generally has strong family ties, strong social ties, a great level of social capital, as a sociologist would call it, more so than in other places, he added. The report said Finland and the other Northern European countries steady ranking on top is related to a combination of wealth, its equal distribution, having a welfare state that protects people from the risks of recessions, and a healthy life expectancy. Finnish President Alexander Stubb reacted Thursday to his country being on first place again, saying that I do not think there is a magic potion, but it helps to have a society which strives towards freedom, equality and justice. Semi Salmi, a pensioner, who was out for a swim at a pool with cold sea water in Helsinki, echoed that sentiment, saying that that Finns are very content, confident, have faith in their system, their country, their government. He also stressed the advantage of having access to good health care, saying that my father is now in a long-term care and hes extremely well taken care of by the system. As in previous years, nations in or near zones of major conflict remain at the foot of the rankings. Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest country again, followed by Sierra Leone and Malawi in Africa. Country rankings were based on answers given by around 100,000 people in 140 countries and territories who were asked to rate their own lives. The study was done in partnership with the analytics firm Gallup and the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network. In most countries, approximately 1,000 people are contacted by telephone or face-to-face each year. Teenage girls especially vulnerable Respondents were asked to evaluate their lives on a scale from 0 to 10. Among under-25s in English-speaking and Western European countries, that score dropped by almost one point over the past decade. The report said the negative correlation between well-being and extensive social media use is particularly concerning among teenage girls. For example, it said that 15-year-old girls who use social media for five hours or more reported a drop in life satisfaction, compared to others who use it less. Young people who use social media for less than one hour per day report the highest levels of well-being, researchers said, higher than those who do not use social media at all. But adolescents are spending an estimated average of 2.5 hours a day on social media. It is clear that we should look as much as possible to put the social back into social media, De Neve said. Algorithmic feeds and influencers seen as culprits Researchers noted that in some parts of the world, such as the Middle East and South America, the links between social media use and well-being are more positive and youth well-being has not fallen despite heavy social media use. The report said this is due to many factors that differ between continents, but concluded that heavy social media use in some countries is an important contributing factor to the decline in youth well-being. It said the most problematic platforms are those with algorithmic feeds, feature influencers and where the main material is visual, because they encourage social comparisons. Those who use platforms that mainly facilitate communication do better. The 2026 rankings mark the second year in a row that none of the English-speaking countries appear in the top 10. The United States is at 23rd place, Canada is at 25th and Britain at 29th. The report, with its focus on social media, comes at a time when more and more countries have banned or are considering bans of social media for minors. (AP) President Donald Trump is facing perhaps the most daunting question of the war with Iran, one that could define his time in office: Will he put U.S. troops on the ground in Iran to secure some 970 pounds of enriched uranium that Tehran could potentially use to build nuclear weapons? Trump has offered shifting reasons for launching the war, but he has been consistent in articulating that a primary objective in joining Israel in the military action is ensuring that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. The president has been more circumspect about how far hes willing to go to follow through on his pledge to destroy Irans weapons program once and for all, including seizing or destroying the near-bomb-grade nuclear material that Iran possesses. Much of it is believed to be buried under the rubble of a mountain facility pummeled in U.S. bombings Trump ordered last June that he had claimed obliterated Tehrans nuclear program. Its a risky, complicated project that many nuclear experts say cannot be done without a sizable deployment of U.S. troops into Iran, a dangerous and politically fraught operation for the Republican president, who has vowed not to entangle the U.S. in the sort of extended and bloody Middle East conflicts that still loom large on Americas psyche. At the same time, lawmakers and experts remain concerned that if Iran hard-liners emerge from the fighting, theyll be more motivated than ever to build nuclear weapons as they look to deter the U.S. and Israel from future military action, a dynamic that makes taking control of Irans enriched uranium even more critical. That stockpile could allow Iran to build as many as 10 nuclear bombs, should it decide to weaponize its program. Some lawmakers, like Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., say they remain deeply fearful that the president has put the nation on a path that will require putting troops inside Iran for what he called Trumps confused and chaotic objectives. Some of the objectives that he continues to espouse simply cannot be achieved without a physical presence there securing the uranium cannot be done without a physical presence, said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Meanwhile, Republican allies of Trump stress that there are plans in place to deal with the enriched uranium. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman James Risch, R-Idaho, on Wednesday cited a number of plans that have been put on the table. He declined to elaborate. Others acknowledged the complications of deploying troops into Iran. No one has given me a briefing on how you would do it without boots on the ground, said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. It doesnt mean you cant. But no ones ever briefed me about it. Scott added its not tenable to allow the stockpile to remain: I think it would be helpful to get rid of it. Trump and his advisers are rigidly obtuse Nearly three weeks into a conflict thats left hundreds of people dead, tested longtime alliances and brought pain to the global economy, Trump and his top advisers have been rigidly obtuse about their deliberations over Irans uranium stockpile. Im not going to talk about that, Trump said last week when asked about the enriched uranium. But we have hit them harder than virtually any country in history has been hit, and were not finished yet. Later that day, during an appearance in Kentucky, Trump appeared to claim the strikes had already neutralized the threat. They dont have nuclear potential, he said. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters earlier this week that the administration sees no point in telegraphing what were willing to do or how far were willing to go while asserting we have options, for sure. Experts say its doable but wont be easy Richard Goldberg, who served as director for countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction for the National Security Council during Trumps first term, said that seizing or destroying the enriched uranium is certainly doable, if the president decides to go that route. The U.S. and Israeli forces have been making strides toward creating the conditions namely, establishing total air superiority that would allow for special operations forces operators, who are trained in blowing up centrifuges and dealing with nuclear material, to conduct such an operation if the president decides to go that route. To be certain, a troops-on-the-ground effort is expected to be far more complicated than other recent high-profile, lightning-strike insertion operations, such as the January capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro or the May 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden, Goldberg said. And the likely need to remove rubble to get to the canisters of enriched uranium adds another layer of complexity, because it would require heavy construction equipment. But if you actually own the airspace and you can have close air support and drones and everything else up in the sky for pretty wide perimeter, presumably you could do a lot, said Goldberg, who is now a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi told reporters in Washington this week that the assumption is much of the enriched uranium remains in the trio of Iranian nuclear sites bombarded last year by the U.S. The impression we have is that it hasnt been moved, said Grossi, adding that a bulk of the material is beneath the rubble at Irans Isfahan facility while lesser amounts are at the Natanz and Fordow facilities that were destroyed in last years American strikes. Testifying before a Senate committee on Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in her prepared remarks said that the U.S. attacks on Iran had obliterated Irans nuclear enrichment program and buried underground facilities. Gabbard said the U.S. has been monitoring whether Irans leaders will try to restart its nuclear program but said that they have not tried to rebuild their nuclear enrichment capability. She added that the clerical authority overseeing Iranian government has been degraded in Israels strikes on its leadership but remains intact. Brandan Buck, a senior foreign policy fellow at the Cato Institute, said that an effort to extract or dilute the enriched material would likely take more than 1,000 troops at each Iranian site and would take time to complete. On the other hand, not acting to secure the enriched uranium also comes with risk. Should Irans hard-liners remain in power, and with enriched material, they will now have greater motivation to build a nuclear weapon. Trump has put himself between a rock and a hard place, Buck said. Throughout this, he has had maximalist aims, but hes wanted to maintain minimal effort in order to keep the costs low. (AP) A mix of uncertainty, anger and hope simmered in Cuba on Wednesday following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump this week saying that Washington could take imminent action against the islands government. Trump, whose government has come at its Caribbean adversary more aggressively than any U.S. government in recent history, has effectively cut Cuba off from key oil shipments in an effort to force regime change. The blockade has had devastating effects on the civilians Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio say they want to help, leaving many desperate. Island-wide blackouts have roiled Cubans already grappling with years of crisis, and lack of gasoline and basic resources has crippled hospital and slashed public transport. Matilde Visoso, a single mother caring for a sick daughter, said shes been left reeling by the islands spiraling crisis, and wants change in the Caribbean nation. Cuba is waiting for Trump and Marco Rubio, because we cant wait any longer. Its too much there is a lot of repression, there is a lot of hunger, the 64-year-old homemaker said. Cuba is in tears. Political tensions soar between US and Cuba Trump has said he can do whatever he wants with Cuba. The administration is looking for President Miguel Diaz-Canel to leave as the U.S. continues negotiating with the Cuban government, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge of talks between Washington and Havana. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss sensitive talks. No details have been offered about who the administration might like to see in power. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said the Cuban governments socialist economic model needs to change dramatically. While the Cuban government places heavy restrictions on the countrys private sector, decades of U.S. sanctions have crippled Cubas economy. The administrations pressure on Cuba came more than two months after his administrations military raid that captured then Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, and a few weeks after the launch of joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Diaz-Canel lashed back at Trumps comments late Tuesday night, writing on a post on X that the Trump administration publicly threatens Cubas government almost daily with overthrowing it, and any act of aggression will clash with an impregnable resistance. The Cuban government also sharply criticized Costa Ricas decision to close its embassy in Cuba on Wednesday, saying in a statement it was an arbitrary decision made under pressure by the U.S. in an effort to isolate the island. No one knows what is going to happen Others like 62-year-old doctor Jesus Garcia cast doubt that the Trump administration would remove Diaz-Canel from power or intervene in Cuba, rolling his eyes at Trump comments. Americans can say whatever they want. The ones who decide what is done here in Cuba are the Cuban people, Garcia said. What seemed to connect pretty much everyone in Cuba was a deep sense of uncertainty in the face of seismic shifts. Cubans have grown accustomed to endemic crisis on the island, and drawing up new ways to adapt to ever-shifting challenges. But many say things have reached a breaking point and are demanding answers from a government increasingly backed into a corner. One small relief has been aid shipments from activist groups and allied governments like Mexico. Over night, five tons of medical equipment, solar panels and other aid arrived to the island. according to Cuban state television. But such shipments are only a fraction of what is needed and dont solve the countrys wider struggle to keep the lights on. Maria del Carmen Companioni, 51, said in the face of a political back and forth between the two government, regular Cubans like her are left struggling with the soaring prices and no clear pathway forward. Really, all of this has people very alarmed and in a bad state. No one knows what is going to happen, she said. (AP) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday condemned special interest money that poured into the state ahead of this weeks primary, including from a pro-Israel political group that the billionaire and potential 2028 presidential contender once supported. Pritzker, a Jewish Democrat who also spent money to influence races Tuesday, was a donor to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee before he walked away more than a decade ago. He told The Associated Press on Wednesday that AIPAC, which lobbies for U.S. support for Israel and is a top donor to political campaigns, lost its way as a bipartisan group focused on Middle East peace. It became an organization that was supporting Donald Trump and people who follow Donald Trump, Pritzker said. AIPAC really is not an organization that I think today I would want any part of. Outside groups, including AIPAC, funneled roughly $70 million into six open U.S. House and Senate races in Illinois on Tuesday. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, called it interference. A message left Wednesday for an AIPAC spokesperson wasnt immediately returned. Outside groups influence campaign issues The open contests in Illinois largely due to retirements were a proving ground for some of the biggest issues before Democrats in 2026, from support for Israel to the cryptocurrency and AI industries, as super PACs poured millions into the races. Questions about U.S. involvement in the Israel-Hamas war, and in recent days the Iran war, permeated several contests. AIPACs involvement sparked some of the primarys harshest attacks, but the groups success was mixed. In a 10-candidate primary for a U.S. House district that includes parts of Chicagos South Side, AIPAC backed Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who won the Democratic nod Tuesday. The groups preferred Democratic candidate in a heavily Jewish district north of Chicago, however, lost to Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. While unopposed in his own primary, Pritzker was a strong presence in several campaigns, contributing millions to support his lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, in her successful bid for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. The move, and Pritzkers possible 2028 presidential bid, put a fresh spotlight on his global policy views amid growing unrest over the Democratic Partys relationship to Israel. A supporter of Israel, Pritzker has also rejected the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has called for two-state solution with safe havens needed both for Jews in Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. I do not know why the United States has walked away from that, except, of course, that Donald Trump doesnt seem to understand how to create Middle East peace and instead wants to go to war, as he has now done in Iran, simply following Netanyahu into that war, Pritzker said. Are we going to now take military adventures across the world to take out leaders, who we think are bad for their countries? he said. If so, were going to be involved in a whole lot of wars going forward. Millions into races from Pritzker, outside groups Pritzker himself put at least $5 million into helping Stratton get elected. She won the Democratic Senate nomination over U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who dominated in fundraising. Outside groups also spent more than $16 million to support Strattons campaign, while also spending $11 million in opposition. Pritzker said Stratton won because she was strong on issues, not because of his influence. She stood on her own two feet, and people saw that shes real and shes going to be a fighter for us in Washington, Pritzker said. Some voters disagreed. Matthew Crain, 54, who is from downstate Chatham, said Pritzkers endorsement influenced him to change his vote from Krishnamoorthi to Stratton. Crain, a state worker, said that given the potential of Pritzker running for president, I thought having one of his allies in would be a good thing. Brooke Morgan, 39, from Springfield, said she became familiar with Strattons politics over her last seven years as lieutenant governor. The governor is doing a pretty good job in Illinois, and I think that his backing, his support of her certainly gave me some confidence as well, said Morgan, a museum curator. Eyes on November In November, Pritzker faces Republican Darren Bailey, a former state lawmaker who backs Trumps agenda. It will be a rematch after Pritzker handily defeated Bailey in 2022. In a campaign speech to supporters Tuesday, Bailey, who received Trumps endorsement four years ago, said he doesnt agree with the president on everything and vowed to include Democrats who feel left out. Meanwhile in a campaign ad posted Wednesday, Pritzkers team characterized Bailey as still too extreme for Illinois. When asked about his own ambitions for higher office, Pritzker said he is not planning anything beyond his 2026 bid for a third term. That is not something Im thinking, he said. (AP) Weve long had your back, now its our turn. That is how the famously transactional U.S. President Donald Trump is framing his demands that allies help him with the Iran war. He wants to call in IOUs for decades of U.S. security guarantees. The string of refusals indicates his stock of European goodwill is low. He has put allies through the wringer since returning to the White House, bullying them over tariffs, Greenland and other issues, and disparaging the sacrifices their soldiers made alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Now hes demanding not just requesting that they send warships to help the U.S. unblock the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds traded oil passes essentially mop up behind the conflagration that he and Israel ignited in the Middle East. The reply has been a global raspberry. Thats how a veteran French defense analyst, Francois Heisbourg, described allied responses. No close ally has come forward with immediate help. Britain is flat-out refusing to be drawn into the war. France says the fighting would have to die down first. Others are non-committal. China, which is not an ally but was also asked to help, is ignoring Trumps call. This is not Europes war. We didnt start the war. We were not consulted, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday. Trumps frustration with the Rolls-Royce of allies Trump has singled out the refusal from the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer cultivated ties with Trump and reached an early trade deal with the administration, but is now among allies who refuse to join a regional war with no clear endgame. The U.K. was sort of considered the Rolls-Royce of allies, Trump said Monday, adding that hed asked for British minesweeping ships. I was not happy with the U.K, Trump said. They should be involved enthusiastically. Weve been protecting these countries for years. Starmer said Britain will not be drawn into the wider war and that British troops require the backing of international law and a proper thought-through plan suggesting those were not in place. He initially refused to let U.S. bombers attack Iran from British bases before accepting their use for strikes on Irans ballistic missile program. Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe, said allies are looking at the United States in a way that they never have before. And this is bad for the United States. Having previously appeased Trump, some European leaders are starting to realize that theres no benefit or value in using flattery, he said. European leaders say its not their war Going to war without consulting allies was in keeping with Trumps America-first outlook. My attitude is: We dont need anybody. Were the strongest nation in the world, he said Monday. But failing to get an international mandate, as the U.S. did before intervening in the 1990 Gulf War, is boomeranging. It is not our war; we did not start it, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. We want diplomatic solutions and a swift end to the conflict. Sending more warships to the region will certainly not contribute to that. French President Emmanuel Macron envisions possible naval escorts in the Strait of Hormuz but only once fighting has died down. France didnt choose this war. Were not taking part, he said. After bruising tariff battles with Trump last year, the first months of 2026 have further strained alliances. Trumps renewed pressure for U.S. control of Greenland, including a tariff threat against eight European nations, and his false assertion that allied troops avoided front-line fighting in the Afghanistan War, upset partners in the NATO military alliance. Allies, or at least the Europeans, arent willing to be at the beck and call of a demand from Donald Trump, said Sylvie Bermann, a French former ambassador to China, the U.K. and Russia. And even in asking for a helping hand, he is doing so in a brutal manner, saying: Youre useless, were the strongest, we dont need you, but come, she said. A dangerous mission Retired naval officers say that unblocking the Strait of Hormuz with military escorts while the war rages and without Irans consent would be dangerous. France, which has rushed its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, is working with other countries to prepare such a mission once the air war has subsided. French military spokesman Col. Guillaume Vernet said any escorting would be conditional on talks with Iran, and Macron has publicized two calls in eight days with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. That has won points with Trump. On a scale of zero to 10, Id say hes been an eight, Trump said Monday. Not perfect, but its France. We dont expect perfect. But hes fuming at other allies. We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need, Trump said Tuesday. Trump has leverage, including in Ukraine Allies in Europe and Asia need oil, gas and other products from the Middle East to flow again. That gives Trump some leverage. Allies also know from experience that resisting Trump carries risks of retaliation. It really could be anything. Are the Europeans prepared for that? asked Ed Arnold, a former British army officer and now a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank. European allies need Trumps continued blessing for U.S. weaponry, intelligence, and other support for Ukraine, as well as financial pressure on Russia. The U.S. has started to chip away at some sanctions on Moscow by temporarily allowing shipments of Russian oil to ease shortages stemming from the Iran war. Allies also want him to reengage in talks to end the war. That was what kept European leaders quiet for a lot of last year in the face of the rhetoric and actions, said Amanda Sloat, a former U.S. national security adviser who now teaches at Spains IE University. It is also the thing that is making them a little bit nervous now. (AP) There was a shooting Tuesday at a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in a small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains in Georgia, and the gunman was shot and killed, police said. A Veterans Affairs employee was taken by helicopter to a hospital after the gunfire Tuesday afternoon, VA spokesman Peter Kasperowicz said. Jasper police responded to the scene around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the city said in a statement. Outside the VA clinic, the officers confronted the gunman, who was shot and killed, authorities said. The gunman was from the Jasper area, Jasper Police Chief Matt Dawkins told reporters at the scene. But details about him were not immediately released. We dont know what led up to it, Dawkins said. Jimmy Mooney was shopping at a nearby Goodwill store when he heard gunfire. We heard the gunshots going off, he said. There was probably 17 of us inside the Goodwill that was shopping, and, they had come and told us to get in the back of the store and during that time we could see the officers running down the hill. Gunshots started going off. The Jasper police chief said the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be investigating the shooting 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. The clinic will remain closed for the rest of the week, Kasperowicz said. VA is rescheduling appointments as necessary and ensuring Veterans and staff have access to counseling and chaplain services in the wake of this tragic event, he said in an email. The VAs Office of Inspector General will assist local authorities in the investigation, he added. 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. (AP) Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives. Members of the Edinburgh-based legislature voted 69 to 57 against a bill that would have let people in Scotland with six months or less to live seek help to end their life. There was one abstention. It came after an emotional debate that lasted around three hours and saw lawmakers tear up and applaud as they took turns to express their views on the issue. They had been given a free vote on the assisted dying bill, which meant they could decide according to their consciences, rather than along party lines. Scotland is part of the U.K. alongside England, Wales and Northern Ireland and has a semi-autonomous government that has authority over many areas of policy, including health. Liberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur, who drew up the Scottish bill, had urged colleagues to back it. If you believe that dying people should not have to suffer against their will and you have heard, like I have, of the many instances where they have been simply failed by the lack of compassion and safety in our current law, you now have to back this bill, he said. It is time to look terminally ill Scots in the eye and make this change. But opponents of assisted dying argued that vulnerable, elderly, ill and depressed people could be pressured to end their lives so theyre not a burden on others. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes of the governing Scottish National Party said she would vote against the bill. Some medical organizations, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, are also opposed. Doctors, psychiatrists, pharmacists and palliative care specialists the people who would be tasked with implementing this are asking us not to do it, Forbes said. They think this bill is unsafe. Some also expressed concerns over how such legislation could impact disabled people, putting them at further risk. Lawmaker Pam Duncan-Glancy insisted that disabled people dont have real choices in life, adding that it was inconceivable to suggest the introduction of assisted dying is about choice. The defeat is a setback for efforts by supporters of assisted dying to change Britains laws. A similar bill that would legalize assisted dying in England and Wales is currently bogged down in the British Parliament in London. The House of Commons approved The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in June, but it has been held up by more than 1,000 amendments in the House of Lords. Supporters of the bill say that is a stalling tactic by opponents. Some members of the chamber, however, say they are providing necessary scrutiny to strengthen the legislation. It looks likely that the bill will not be passed by both houses of Parliament before the end of the current parliamentary session, expected in May. If that happens the bill will die and any new attempt to legalize assisted dying would have to start from scratch. The islands of Jersey and the Isle of Man, which are British Crown possessions but not part of the U.K., have passed similar laws that are waiting for the formality of approval by King Charles III. Both small islands are self-governing but reliant on the U.K. for defense and some foreign affairs. Assisted suicide where patients take a lethal drink prescribed by a doctor is legal in countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and parts of the U.S., with regulations on qualifying criteria varying by jurisdiction. (AP) The FBI and IRS have joined forces in a coordinated effort to investigate nonprofit organizations for potential ties to domestic extremism. According to sources briefed on the matter, the operation will center around a newly established mission control command center housed within the FBI. Agents from IRS Criminal Investigation are expected to rotate through the unit on temporary one-year assignments, bringing specialized financial expertise to what officials describe as a national security-driven effort. The initiative follows a December directive from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who ordered federal law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to intensify investigations into individuals and groups associated with extremist movements, including those linked to antifa. In a memo that outlined the administrations posture, Bondi characterized such actors as domestic terrorists who use violence or the threat of violence to advance political and ideological agendas. She instructed agencies not only to pursue traditional criminal avenues, but also to examine potential tax violationsspecifically whether such groups may be defrauding the IRS. Federal officials say the collaboration reflects a broader strategy to disrupt networks that may be funding or facilitating political violence. IRS Criminal Investigation is collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to investigate individuals and entities that may be funding domestic terrorism or political violence, an IRS spokesperson said, emphasizing the agencys role in tracing financial activity tied to potential threats. The Justice Department, meanwhile, framed the initiative as part of a larger commitment to public safety and constitutional order. A spokesperson said the department is focused on protecting law enforcement from coordinated attacks while ensuring Americans can freely participate in civic life without fear of violence. Yet key details remain unclearmost notably which organizations may ultimately fall under scrutiny. Bondis directive instructed federal agencies to comb through existing intelligence related to antifa-linked activity and forward relevant information to the FBI, which has been tasked with compiling a list of groups whose actions could meet the federal definition of domestic terrorism. Under U.S. law, that definition includes acts dangerous to human life intended to intimidate civilians or influence government policy. Still, domestic terrorism itself is not a standalone criminal charge. Prosecutors typically rely on other statutessuch as weapons violations or conspiracy chargeswhile seeking sentencing enhancements tied to terrorism. The push comes in the wake of a September executive order by President Trump targeting domestic terrorism, issued after a string of high-profile incidentsincluding the 2025 assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirkheightened national attention on politically motivated violence. In parallel with the FBI-IRS initiative, officials have begun assembling a separate task force focused specifically on tracking financial pipelines linked to extremist activity. U.S. attorney offices across the country have also been directed to designate domestic terrorism coordinators, signaling a more institutionalized approach to the issue. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- If Iran attacks Qatar again, the U.S. military "will massively blow up the entirety" of the South Pars gas field in Iran, President Donald Trump warned in a post on his Truth Social on Wednesday. Trump's remarks followed reports that Iran hit Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, after Israel launched an attack on Wednesday against Iran's South Pars offshore natural gas field in the Persian Gulf it shares with Doha. Qatar reported fires and extensive damage at its LNG facilities targeted by Iran, adding that emergency response teams had been deployed to contain the situation. "The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen," Trump said. "NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack" Qatar again, he added. If Iran attacks Qatar again, "the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before," he warned. Meanwhile, Oman's Foreign Ministry condemned the targeting of energy facilities in Iran's South Pars gas field, describing it as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and global energy supplies. The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy. Unidentified drones flying over a sensitive U.S. Army installation in Washington, D.C.where two of the nations top national security officials residehave sparked concern inside the highest levels of government, according to a new report. U.S. officials recently detected the drones hovering above Fort McNair, a strategically significant base that serves as the residence for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The sightings, first reported by the Washington Post, have raised urgent questions about surveillance, vulnerability, and the potential for foreign or hostile probing. What makes the incidents particularly unsettling: officials still do not know where the drones came from. According to individuals briefed on the matter, the unexplained activity prompted internal discussions about whether to relocate Rubio and Hegseth out of an abundance of caution. Ultimately, no such move was made, with a senior administration official indicating both men remain at the base. Still, the episode underscores the heightened state of alert gripping U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, especially amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Military officials are said to be monitoring potential threats more aggressively, wary of unconventional tactics that could test the nations defenses close to home. Fort McNair, located just blocks from the heart of Washington, is no ordinary installation. It plays a critical role in national security infrastructure, and the idea that unidentified aerial systems could operate overhead undetected, even briefly, is likely to intensify concerns about airspace security in the capital region. So far, the Pentagon and State Department have offered no public explanation. Both agencies declined to comment on the reported drone activity, and officials have been tight-lipped about any response measures taken. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell pushed back on inquiries into the matter, warning against public discussion of sensitive security details. The department cannot comment on the secretarys movements for security reasons, Parnell said, adding that reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought to reaffirm her alliance with President Donald Trump on Thursday after the president this week seemed to complain that Japan was among the nations that did not join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz. Takaichi, who met with Trump at the White House, told the Republican president that Japan has opposed Irans development of its nuclear program and appealed to his desire to be seen as a peacemaker, despite launching a war of choice with Iran, by telling him through an interpreter: Even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world. The two leaders had warm words for each other, including Trump calling the prime minister a popular powerful woman, but there appeared to be some tension as they faced repeated questions from reporters about Japans support for the Iran war. As Trump took questions from reporters during the roughly 30-minute public appearance with the prime minister before their closed-door meeting, Taikaichi could be seen checking her watch. And then Trump made a particularly uncomfortable remark invoking Japans 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor when he was asked why the U.S. didnt notify allies like Japan ahead of the strikes in Iran. We didnt tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didnt you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK? Trump joked. As Trump said that, Takaichis slight smile appeared to drop, and she raised her eyebrows. Trump told reporters that he and Takaichi would be discussing in their meeting Japans level of support for the U.S. in the Iran war, saying, They are really stepping up to the plate. He did not offer details. He later said that much of the oil Japan relies on passes through the Strait of Hormuz and said, so thats a big reason to step up. He also mentioned U.S. spending in Japan and the number of troops it has stationed there. I expect Japan to step up you know, because we have that kind of relationship, Trump said. A nuclear reactor deal announcement is expected Taikaichis meeting at the White House, followed by a dinner Thursday night, was supposed to give Japans new prime minister a prime opportunity to have Trumps ear before he embarked on a trip to China. But now, the war in Iran and Trumps unsuccessful call for Japan and other nations to help protect the vital Strait of Hormuz means the China trip has been delayed. Trump had repeatedly complained on camera and online that U.S. allies, including Japan, rejected his request to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport. The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expected her meeting with Trump will be very difficult. Beyond facing questions about Iran, Takaichi and Trump on Thursday are expected to announce a $40 billion nuclear reactor deal, according to a White House official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details before the announcement. Under the deal, U.S.-based GE Vernova Inc. and Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. will build advanced small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, the official said. The deal aims to help stabilize electricity prices and expand power generation in the U.S. Takaichi and her ministers have denied that Washington officially requested Japanese warships for the U.S.-Israeli operation. Japan, a key U.S. ally in Asia, is one of the countries that Trump namechecked on Tuesday as he railed against the lack of help with the Strait of Hormuz before declaring the help wasnt needed. The meeting carries high stakes Trump is expected to put enormous pressure on Takaichi, said Kurt Campbell, the former U.S. deputy secretary of state in the Biden administration who is now chair of The Asia Group. Campbell said hes never seen a meeting between U.S. and Japanese leaders carrying such high stakes. To press for Japans interests, he said, Takaichi will want to find a way to suggest that Japan is a part of the U.S. plan in the Middle East. Shes going to want to come out of that as a partner in this case and realize that if she can do that, that she can translate that potentially into the president listening more to Japanese concerns about Taiwan or other issues, Campbell said. The constraints on Japans involvement in Iran include a provision in its post-World War II constitution that bans the use of force except to defend its territory. The countrys military is called the Self-Defense Force. Christopher Johnstone, a partner and chair of the defense and national security practice at The Asia Group, said Japan could help with mine-sweeping and has had a small naval presence in the region as part of an anti-piracy mission for at least a decade. But to join the U.S. mission would require Takaichi to clear an exceptionally high bar politically to invoke collective self-defense that has never been done before. Takaichi wanted to focus on trade and security in the Indo-Pacific region Takaichi, who had her first meeting with Trump in October in Tokyo, is Japans first female prime minister and a protege of former leader Shinzo Abe, who developed a close relationship with Trump. She is also a hard-line conservative and longtime supporter of Taiwan whose comments about Japans willingness to provide military support to the island have heightened tensions with China. Ahead of her meeting with Trump, Takaichi had sought to focus on trade, strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship and security concerns. Japanese officials said the two sides would work to deepen cooperation in regional security, critical minerals, energy and dealing with China. China views self-governed Taiwan, which the U.S. relies on for its production of computer chips, as its sovereign territory and has said it would take it by force if needed. But beyond questions about helping with the Strait of Hormuz, the global implications of the Iran war have also put the Japanese leader in a tougher spot with Trump as she seeks to ensure U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. Japan considers China a growing security threat and has pushed a military buildup on southwestern islands near the East China Sea. But the U.S. has shifted some troops stationed in Japan to the Middle East, removing a check against Chinas power. Takaichi is expected to raise concerns about troop shifts with Trump because they are coming at the same time China is launching a large number of exercises around Taiwan. This raises the prospect that once again the United States will be distracted and bogged down in the Middle East at a time when the deterrence problem in East Asia has never been greater, Johnstone said. (AP) Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday ordered the release of 250 political prisoners as part of a deal with Washington that lifted some U.S. sanctions, the latest step in the isolated leaders effort to improve ties with the West. Lukashenko pardoned the prisoners after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trumps special envoy for Belarus, John Coale, in the Belarus capital of Minsk. Coale hailed the release as a significant humanitarian milestone and a testament to Trumps commitment to direct, hard-nosed diplomacy. It marked the largest one-time release of political prisoners in the country. Coale told reporters that the U.S. will lift sanctions from two Belarusian state banks and the countrys Finance Ministry, and that the top Belarusian potash producers have been removed from a sanctions list. Belarus opposition leader-in-exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, hailed the prisoners release as a moment of great relief and hope. After years of isolation, people are now free and can finally embrace their loved ones, Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press. There is nothing more powerful than seeing someone who endured unjust imprisonment reunited with their family. She thanked Trump and his officials for their tireless efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, adding that these humanitarian efforts are saving lives. The last time U.S. officials met with Lukashenko, in December, Washington announced the easing of sanctions on Belarus potash sector, and 123 prisoners were released and sent to Ukraine and Lithuania. A close ally of Russia, Minsk has faced isolation for years. Lukashenko has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist for more than three decades, and the country has been sanctioned repeatedly by Western countries both for its crackdown on human rights and for allowing Moscow to use its territory in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lukashenkos rule was challenged after a 2020 presidential election, when tens of thousands poured into the streets to protest a vote they viewed as rigged. They were the largest demonstrations since Belarus became independent following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. In an ensuing crackdown, tens of thousands were detained, with many beaten by police. Prominent opposition figures either fled the country or were imprisoned. Five years after the mass demonstrations, Lukashenko won a seventh term last year in an election that the opposition called a farce. More recently, Belarus has freed some political prisoners to try to win favor with the West. Since Trump returned to the White House last year, Lukashenko has released dozens of prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and key dissident figures Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kolesnikova. Trump spoke to Lukashenko by phone in August 2025 after one such release and even suggested a face-to-face meeting in what would be a big victory for the Belarusian leader, who has been dubbed Europes Last Dictator. Just before the latest announcement of releases, the prominent Belarus human rights group Viasna had estimated that there were more than 1,100 political prisoners in the country. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that many people are still behind bars and our goal remains unchanged to free them all and to put a final end to repression, so that every Belarusian can live freely in their own country. (AP) U.S. Central Command on Monday released before-and-after photos showing the destruction of several Iranian military sites struck by U.S. forces as part of Operation Epic Fury. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper presented the images during a video briefing, saying the photos reveal whats left of facilities that Iran used to manufacture military weapons. The images included a naval drone storage facility near the Strait of Hormuz struck on March 1, an attack-drone production factory in Tehran targeted on March 5, and the Yazd Military Depot hit last month. After displaying the original images of the facilities, Cooper showed follow-up photos revealing the sites heavily damaged or completely destroyed following the U.S. strikes. Your browser does not support the video tag. According to Cooper, eight buildings destroyed at the Yazd Military Depot were part of the IRGCs missile command infrastructure and were used to produce both light and heavy torpedoes. U.S. and partner strikes are doing exactly what they are intended to do, deliver on very clear military objectives to eliminate Irans ability to project power against Americans and against its neighbors, Cooper said. Cooper also said the U.S. is focused on dismantling Irans ability to threaten global commerce in the Strait of Hormuz. Through a combination of air, land, and maritime capabilities, we have successfully destroyed over 100 Iranian naval vessels, and we arent done, he said. We will continue to rapidly deplete Irans ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that President Donald Trump is pushing U.S. allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as Irans actions threaten one of the worlds most critical shipping routes. Speaking on FOX & Friends, Leavitt said Trump has been speaking with European allies and partners in the Gulf and Arab world in recent days. 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, she said. And our NATO allies especially need to step up. Your browser does not support the video tag. Leavitt later told reporters outside the White House that many countries in Europe and the Gulf are benefiting from U.S. military action against Iran. If you think about Europe, their 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, she said. Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the worlds oil passes has been severely disrupted by Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. Your browser does not support the video tag. Leavitt said Irans actions highlight why international cooperation is needed. I think the president is absolutely right to call on these countries to do more to help the United States reopen the Strait of Hormuz so that we can stop this terrorist regime from restricting the free flow of energy, she said. She added that Trump has also urged allies to increase their involvement in protecting the route. He said that he wished the U.K. had stepped up sooner and quicker, Leavitt said. But he continues to speak with our allies in Europe and is calling on them to do more. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israel assassinated Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib in an airstrike in Tehran overnight Tuesday and targeted the commander of a Hezbollah-linked terror group in Beirut. Khatibs death was confirmed by Defense Minister Yisrael Katz early Wednesday afternoon, who said that Khatib oversaw the regimes internal suppression operations and advanced terror threats worldwide. Shortly later, the IDF also confirmed the assassination, saying that under Khatib, Irans Intelligence Ministry carried out covert terror operations worldwide, particularly against Israel and Iranian citizens. The statement added: Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests in Iran, including the arrests and killing of protesters, as well as acted against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests in 2022-2023. In addition to his activities targeting Israel, Khatib led the Ministry of Intelligences terrorist activities against Israeli and American targets around the world, as well as activities directed against targets within Israel during Operation Roaring Lion. Khatib previously held several key roles within the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), primarily holding intelligence positions, where he served as a significant source of knowledge. Khatib was appointed as intelligence minister in 2021 and, according to Iran International, was considered one of the closest figures to Irans new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. On September 9, 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him for involvement in cyber activities targeting the United States and its allies. Israel also reportedly eliminated the commander of the Hezbollah-tied Imam Hussein militia in Beirut, who had assumed the position only days earlier after his predecessor, Ali Tabaja, was killed last week. The Iranian-backed Imam Hussein militia includes terrorists of various nationalities from across the Middle East. It was established in 2016 under Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad in 2020. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) A couple in their 70s was killed late Tuesday night after Iran launched two missiles with cluster warheads at Israel. One missile was intercepted, but the other missile hit central Israel, leading to multiple impact sites, including a building in Ramat Gan that was heavily damaged. The couple was identified on Wednesday as Yaron and Ilana Moshe, Hyd, both about 70. Their apartment on the fourth floor of the building suffered massive damage, but their safe room remained intact. Tragically, they didnt make it to the safe room in time, as Yaron, Hyd, used a walker and was unable to walk quickly. However, a neighbor, Chen Amir, told Ynet that the missile hit only a minute after the siren sounded. He and his wife had just entered their safe room when they heard a powerful explosion. When I opened the door two minutes after that, thick smoke and the smell of burning filled the air, and I could barely see, Amir said. My home was damaged, but the couples apartment was hit much harder, with a hole ripped through the middle of the living room. They had a safe room, but didnt make it there in time. We were in the safe room, and thats what saved us. The missile tore a hole in the ceiling of the house and destroyed the living room. Heartrending videos of the scene show Yarons walker lying on the floor, near the area of impact. MDA paramedics Inbar Green and Naftali Halberstadt, who arrived at the scene in Ramat Gan, said: We saw smoke rising from a building with extensive destruction and shattered glass. Among the rubble, we found two victims unconscious, without a pulse, and not breathing, with severe injuries. They showed no signs of life, and we had no choice but to pronounce them dead at the scene. Four people were lightly wounded at other impact sites, including one in Bnei Brak and three in Kafr Qassem. Impact sites were also reported in Petach Tikvah, where a fire broke out in a building, Rosh HaAyin, and Tel Aviv, where the Savidor Central railway station was heavily damaged by missile shrapnel. Train service was suspended due to damage to the stations platforms. The Bnei Brak municipality reported that several missile fragments fell in multiple locations across the city. One fragment fell in the city center, injuring one person; two others fell in the business districtone at a construction site and another causing minor damage to a building. An additional fragment fell in a parking area, causing damage to vehicles but no injuries. At one of the impact sites, several buildings lost electricity as a result of the strike. One person was evacuated in light condition to the hospital. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Defense Minister Yisrael Katz held a situational assessment with senior security officials at the Kiryah in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. During the assessment, Katz confirmed the assassination of Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib in an overnight strike in Tehran, saying that Khatib oversaw the regimes internal suppression operations and advanced external threats. The intensity of the strikes in Iran is increasing, Katz added. Were in a decisive phase. Following the powerful eliminations of senior regime figures including Irans de facto leader and the head of the Basij forces, Larijani and Soleimaniwe also eliminated Irans Intelligence Minister, Khatib, who was responsible for the regimes internal repression apparatus and for advancing external threats. Israels policy is unequivocal: no one in Iran has immunity everyone is a target. The prime minister and I have authorized the IDF to eliminate any Iranian official once an intelligence and operational closing of the circle is achieved, without the need for additional approval. We will continue to pursue and eliminate them all. He then dramatically added: Significant surprises are expected today across all arenas, which will escalate the war were waging against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) The IDF on Tuesday afternoon identified Hezbollahs preparations to launch a massive rocket barrage at Israel. Based on lessons learned from previous incidents, the military updated the public and carried out strikes to eliminate terrorists before they could reach the launch sites. The efforts paid off, and Hezbollah ultimately launched only about half of the number of rockets it intended to fireinstead of 100 rockets, it launched only about 40 short-range rockets at northern and central Israel, along with drones and mortars. The IDFs preemptive strikes destroyed nearly half of the launchers before and during the attack, significantly reducing the scale of fire. The IDF has noted a shift in Hezbollahs tactics. The terror groups new strategy is to launch massive rocket barrages every few days, aiming to sow panic on Israels home front. At the same time, Hezbollah has dismantled its mobile launchers into smaller, more mobile units and is dispersing their components across wider areas, including truck-mounted launchers. This dispersal makes it harder for the IDF to identify the launchers and destroy them, but it also complicates Hezbollahs ability to coordinate heavy barrages. Launchers that previously held dozens of barrels have been dismantled and replaced with smaller arrays hidden within populated areas in Shiite villages, in a deliberate attempt to use the civilian population as human shields. Despite the significant damage inflicted by the IDF, Hezbollah is still believed to possess thousands of shortrange rockets north of the Litani River and is attempting to fire an average of 150 rockets per day. However, roughly 60% of these launches have fallen short over the past two weeks, falling inside Lebanon rather than crossing the border. Hezbollah is now attempting to move launchers farther south to increase their effective range into Israel, a move that exposes them to IDF strikes. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) IDF forces continue to advance into southern Lebanon, working to eliminate immediate threats to northern Israeli communities, including antitank squads, infiltration units, and shortrange fire. At the same time, airstrikes are ongoing in Beiruts Dahiya district and across southern Lebanon. So far, over 500 Hezbollah terrorists have been killed, and the IDF is preparing for a prolonged conflict. According to the military, Hezbollah terrorists are avoiding direct combat; instead, dispersing at positions in second and thirdline villages, conducting defensive operations, and retreating as IDF forces advance. The IDF raised concerns about the renewed Hezbollah entrenchment in these villages following Operation Northern Arrows. Troops have discovered bags containing improvised explosive devices that had not yet been deployed, which the IDF says highlights the Lebanese armys failed efforts to disarm Hezbollah. As a result, the IDF is establishing a deeper defensive buffer along the border, based on lessons from the war in Gaza. Forces are advancing cautiously, using robotic systems to scan areas before entry, alongside coordinated air and artillery strikes. The IDF estimates that, despite the absence so far of close combat, hundreds of Hezbollahs elite Radwan Force terrorists are positioned south of the Litani River, deployed in small cells over a wide area spanning about 200 villages. The IDF has eliminated about 200 of these terrorists. Kan News reported that the IDF has emphasized that the war is far from over: We are preparing for prolonged fighting for as long as necessary, an IDF source said. In the coming weeks, the focus will be on deepening operational achievements, pushing the enemy northward, and removing the threat to northern communities. The IDF also reported that the Northern Command carried out dozens of strikes overnight on Hezbollahs logistics network in the Tyre area, targeting dozens of gas stations. The IDF reported that the gas stations, operated by Hezbollah, serve as a major source of revenue for the organization. and are also used to fuel vehicles, heavy equipment, and launcher trucks. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of State on Thursday approved potential arms sales worth billions of U.S. dollars in total to three of its allies in the Middle East as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is escalating. The department said in a number of statements that to the United Arab Emirates, Washington would sell Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System and related equipment for an estimated total cost of 2.1 billion dollars, Long-Range Discrimination Radar with Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Integration and related equipment for an estimated cost of 4.5 billion dollars, F-16 munitions and upgrades worth 644 million dollars, and Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of 1.22 billion dollars. In notices sent to Congress, the State Department said the United States would also sell Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor Radars for an estimated cost of 8 billion dollars to Kuwait, as well as aircraft and munitions support and related equipment for an estimated cost of 70.5 million dollars to Jordan. In early March, the State Department made an emergency determination to bypass the U.S. Congress and immediately sell 12,000 bombs to Israel. The United States and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy. The war against Iran has brought about an extraordinary level of military cooperation between Israel and the United States, with the two militaries operating almost as a single force. As Washington continues to expand its military footprint in the Middle East, roughly 2,000 U.S. Marines have already been deployed to the region. In parallel, Israel is preparing to broaden its target bank in Iran. According to estimates, about 10,000 Iranian targets have been eliminated since the start of the war, with thousands more targets still awaiting action and the pace of operations is expected to rise. This week, Channel 14 revealed just how far the partnership has evolved: Israels Ministry of Defense is constructing dedicated military compounds for U.S. troops inside IDF bases, including within Israeli Air Force installations. These new facilities will include housing quarters, military operational buildings, and even designated parking areas for American vehicles. We want them to feel at home, Israeli officials said. U.S. forces will have full operational freedom from these bases, including the ability to remain for extended, sustained missions if required This is a significant strategic development, and the message is unmistakable: the US military presence in Israel is here to stay. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Senior officials in Jerusalem are sharply criticizing European governments, accusing them of relying almost entirely on diplomacy while failing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz or defend Gulf states under Iranian threat. According to Israeli sources, Britain and France seem more concerned about rising energy prices than about confronting Iran. Senior Israeli officials expressed sharp criticism of European countries for their unwillingness to contribute to the US-Israeli war against Iran. The officials emphasized that Europes long-standing approach toward Iran is now backfiring across the regionyet European leaders show no sign of reassessing their strategy. Europe is not stepping up to help keep shipping lanes open in the Strait of Hormuz, nor is it contributing meaningfully to the defense of Gulf states. Not only is Europe failing to help its doing almost nothing behind the scenes. This is Europes ugliest hour, one official told Ynet. The same official said Europe remains fixated on the RussiaUkraine war, channeling most of its resources there and avoiding deeper involvement in the Middle East. He also noted European frustration over reports that U.S. President Donald Trump may ease sanctions on Russia to stabilize oil pricesa move Europeans view as undermining Ukraine and edging closer to Moscow. Israeli officials say Europe understands the danger posed by Iran but refuses to take meaningful action beyond issuing diplomatic statements. Talk without a credible military option deters no one. Europe understands the dangerbut there is no willingness to act, one senior official said. Even quiet cooperation, they say, is minimal. Very little is happening behind the scenes. There is some intelligence sharingfor example, Britains MI6 assisting the Mossad and the CIA but beyond that, there is almost no real involvement, the official added. Another Israeli official noted that Europe previously helped advance the Iran nuclear deal, which focused narrowly on the nuclear issue while ignoring Irans ballistic missiles and regional terror networks. In his view, that policy enabled Iran to advance on multiple fronts simultaneously. France and Britain are acting like doormats when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz as well, the official said. There is no real European mobilization to protect this critical shipping route. Instead of seeing this as a historic opportunity to curb Irans influence, theyre mainly worried about energy prices. Europes actions on the ground have been minimal. France sent an aircraft carrier to the Strait of Hormuz, and Britain sent a minesweeper and thats basically it. Its a very weak response, one source said. Officials also pointed out that when Iran attacked Cyprus an EU member state Europe offered no significant reaction. Meanwhile, the EU is providing humanitarian aid to Lebanese civilians fleeing Beiruts Dahiya district, but not to Israel. However, the same sources say concern is growing within Europe about potential spillover. Europeans are very worried about possible attacks by sleeper cells acting on Tehrans orders, one official said. He added that Germany is the only European country to have taken notable steps so far. The Germans have significantly increased security around Israeli embassies and Jewish institutions. Their response has been clear and swift. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) An approximately 30-year-old Chareidi man was tragically killed in a car accident in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Sources tell YWN that a group of Chareidim traveling via Egypt on their way to Uman were involved in the crash. Several others were injured, including two who were transported to a local hospital. Their conditions are not yet fully known. The group had been heading to the airport in Sharm el-Sheikh following the closure of Ben Gurion Airport when the accident occurred. ZAKAs International Division confirmed the fatality and said teams are working on the ground to handle the situation. Baruch Nidam, Director of ZAKAs International Division, stated: Immediately upon receiving the report, I traveled to the scene in order to handle the incident as quickly as possible. We are now working together with the Foreign Ministry to transfer the Niftar and the injured to the State of Israel. Israeli officials, along with ZAKA, are coordinating with Egyptian authorities to ensure proper handling of the niftar and to arrange for the transfer to Israel for kevurah as soon as possible. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A leaked phone call between an Israeli intelligence operative and a senior Iranian police commander is offering a rareand strikingglimpse into growing cracks in Irans security apparatus as the U.S.-Israel campaign continues. In the call, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, a Mossad agent warns the commander that he is on our blacklist and urges him to stand aside in the event of a popular uprising against the regime. We know everything about you, the agent says in Farsi. If you will not stand with your people, your destiny will be as your leader. The response is startling. Brother, I swear on the Koran, Im not your enemy, the commander replies. Im a dead man already. Just please come help us. The exchange is part of a broader Israeli effort to pressure Iranian security officialsthreatening both them and their familieswhile encouraging defections as strikes continue to degrade the regimes military and internal control systems. Since the war began on Feb. 28, Israeli and U.S. forces have launched thousands of strikes across Iran. Israel has focused heavily on targeting leadership and internal security networks, including the Revolutionary Guard and Basij militia, while the U.S. has concentrated on military infrastructure. The strategy appears designed not just to weaken Irans capabilities, but to trigger internal collapse. Recent reporting suggests the campaign may be having an effect. Iranian security forces, increasingly exposed and under pressure, are reportedly abandoning traditional bases, sleeping in cars or mosques, and operating under constant fear of targeted strikes. At the same time, Israel has escalated psychological operations. In recent days, Mossad-linked messaging has warned civilians to avoid Basij positionscalling them potential targetsand signaled that a broader confrontation could be imminent. Your final battle will begin soon, one message read. We are with you. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A new congressional report accuses American universities of allowing antisemitism to flourishparticularly among facultywhile leadership looks the other way. The report, released by Republicans on the House Education and Workforce Committee, argues that colleges became hotbeds of antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. According to lawmakers, some student and faculty groups openly celebrated the attacks, while universities failed to intervene even as incidents escalated into harassment and possible civil rights violations. Antisemitism continues to spread like wildfire at schools across the nation, said Committee Chairman Rep. Tim Walberg, who accused administrators of surrender[ing] to the radical demands of terror-supporting mobs. The report cites multiple examples, including professors who praised the attacks or used inflammatory language toward Jewish students, and claims administrators often defended or downplayed such behavior. It also points to broader concerns that faculty-driven activism is shaping campus culture, making it harder for universities to respond. Lawmakers are now calling for stronger oversight, clearer definitions of antisemitism, and greater accountability for schools that fail to protect Jewish students. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The IDF announced Wednesday that it eliminated yet another senior Hezbollah commandermarking the third leader of the same division killed in recent weeks. Hassan Ali Marwan, head of the Iranian-backed Imam Hussein Division, was killed in Beirut just one week after he was promoted to it following his predecessors elimination. Israeli officials said Marwan oversaw missile, drone, and rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians and troops. The back-to-back eliminations highlight what appears to be a deliberate strategy: dismantling the divisions leadership as fast as it can be rebuilt. At the same time, Israeli forces struck key infrastructure in southern Lebanon, destroying two bridges over the Litani River that were allegedly used by Hezbollah to transport weapons. Israel will not allow Hezbollah to use Lebanese state infrastructure, Defense Minister Israel Katz said, calling the strikes a clear message. Ahead of the strikes, the IDF issued evacuation warnings to civilians, urging them to move north. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Israeli Air Force struck Irans critical natural gas infrastructure on Wednesday, opening a new front in the war against the Islamic regime. The strike targeted the massive South Pars gas field in southern Iran, one of the worlds largest natural gas reserves, in what U.S. officials confirmed was a coordinated operation with Washington. It was a signal to the Iranians about what might come next, an Israeli official said, suggesting the attack was meant to pressure Tehran as it continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The impact was immediate. Oil prices surged, gas exports to Iraq were halted, and regional tensions spiked. Iran quickly threatened retaliation, warning it could strike energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Gulf nations reacted angrily, with Qatar calling the move dangerous and irresponsible and warning it could threaten global energy security. Experts say the strike may mark a turning point. A new level of confrontation has begun, Irans parliament speaker warnedraising fears that the conflict is entering a far more volatile stage. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) President Donald Trump said Wednesday the U.S. knew nothing about Israels strike on a major Iranian gas field, but warned the U.S. would blow up the entirety of the site if Iran struck Qatars LNG gas facility again. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Israel had violently lashed out against the South Pars gas field in Iran. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen, Trump said. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatars LNG Gas facility. Trump said that Israel would not launch any more attacks at the gas field unless Iran struck Qatar again. In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before, Trump said. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatars LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so, he added. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Israeli Air Force on Wednesday carried out its first strike in the Caspian Sea, hitting several Iranian navy vessels in a significant geographical expansion of its war against Iran. According to Axios, over five vessels were attacked. The strike is a severe blow to Irans navy, which has already suffered heavy losses, and according to President Trump, has been effectively destroyed. The IDF announced that it carried out strikes in northern Iran. Israeli Air Force, acting on navy and IDF intelligence, began striking targets in northern Iran for the first time during Operation Roaring Lion, the statement said. The Caspian Sea is bordered by Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Four Palestinian women and a foreign worker were killed overnight Wednesday in one of six barrages of cluster missiles that Iran fired at Israel. One of the missiles scored a direct hit on the moshav of Adanim in central Israel, killing a 30-year-old foreign worker. Another missile hit a beauty salon in a Palestinian village near Chevron, killing four women and wounding 13, two critically. There were multiple hits in other cities throughout Israel, causing damage, but bChasdei Hashem, no serious injuries. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Nett hier sticker tagged on a pole at the top of the Zugspitze, Germany. (Kat Nickola) Way back in the day, like in the 90s, the German Land (state) of Baden-Wurttemberg was looking for a way to improve its image. You see, the place had a bit of a reputation for being a little too hard-working, a little too stingy and strict, and a little too hard to understand, what with their distinctive local dialects and regional pride. So, instead of settling for notoriety as a boring work-a-day place full of the bumbling middle class, the land did something any truly commercially minded organization would do and hired a marketing company. In 1999, the Scholz & Friends advertising agency presented the state with their idea: a tongue-in-cheek slogan that gained a cult following for the funny, almost sarcastic way it allows Baden-Wurttembergers to make fun of themselves while drawing tourist attention. Nett heir. Aber waren Sie schon mal in Baden-Wurttemberg? Originally the slogan was used as an advertising campaign on busses and trains to draw German holiday-makers to the Land of Baden-Wurttemberg. However, after 2004, the state began printing and selling stickers for locals to take out into the world. The palm-sized, oval stickers are primarily yellow with a tidy basic print and the state seal. Nett hier sticker in the Lofoten islands of Norway (Kat Nickola) Nett heir literally means [Its] nice here, but English versions of the stickers used the phrase Not bad instead, giving more nuance to the message. It concludes by recommending a visit to the land. Not bad. But have you ever been to Baden-Wurttemberg? They sold millions. At first they were used to tag sites in Europe, but over the last 20 years they have been found across the globe: From the pyramids of Egypt to Mount Everests base camp, the Grand Canyon to Machu Picchu, the locals of Baden-Wurttemberg have spread their slogan all over the world. In your travels, keep your eyes peeled for the sticker on light poles, signs, notice boards, electrical boxes, airport baggage carousels, toilet stalls, railings, boats, busses, trains and everything in between. Nett hier sticker tagged on a Donauradweg sign along the Danube River cycling trail. (Kat Nickola) While the Nett heir campaign was officially replaced in 2021, buying and tagging with the stickers still remains popular and there are many copycat products out there. The new slogan still uses the iconic yellow coloring with basic black fonts and the words THE LAND. It is a nod to the regional word Landle, a cutesy term that means something like little country. Baden-Wurttemberg was formed in 1952 when three different states were cobbled together into one. The state takes up the entire southwestern part of Germany and is, apparently, full of residents who can laugh at themselves and take pride in their region. With cities like Stuttgart and Heidelberg, natural regions like the Black Forest and the Bodensee (Lake Constance), and plenty of wineries and festivals, Baden-Wurttemberg seems like a decent place to be. Irans new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is described by Israeli national security sources as an empty entity who is not truly leading the regime amid ongoing instability. Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in an Israeli strike on February 28, is said to be presiding over what officials call a misfunctioning leadership structure. The new leader is an empty entity, defense analyst Kobi Michael said. Mojtaba Khamenei does not appear in public he does not control or lead the regime The current Iranian leadership is broken, confused and is almost misfunctioning. According to reports, Mojtaba narrowly avoided death during the strike that killed his father, leaving the compound shortly beforehand. Leaked audio from a March 12 meeting allegedly indicates he sustained a minor leg injury. Since assuming leadership, Mojtaba has not appeared publicly, with only a written message broadcast on state television warning of continued conflict and calling on Gulf nations to shut down U.S. bases. Conflicting reports have circulated regarding his condition, with some claiming he is critically injured, while Iranian officials insist he remains in good health. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes have continued targeting senior Iranian figures, including top official Ali Larijani and Basij militia leader Gholamreza Soleimani, as part of what analysts describe as a sustained effort to weaken the regimes leadership structure. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The FBI is investigating former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent over allegations that he leaked classified information, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The probe reportedly began before Kents departure from government service. Kent resigned Tuesday from his position as the nations top counterterrorism official, citing his opposition to the U.S. war against Iran. In a public statement, Kent said he cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war, arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat and that the conflict represents a shift away from previous efforts to avoid prolonged wars in the Middle East. He also claimed that Trump was influenced by Israel to go to ar. A senior administration official previously told Fox News Digital that Kent was a known leaker and had been excluded from intelligence briefings months prior to his resignation. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Military analyst Kobi Finkler presented an optimistic yet measured assessment of the wars progress during a Kol Chai radio broadcast on Thursday. According to Finkler, the IDF has shifted from a shock-and-awe approach to a sustained war of attrition, reminiscent of the sustained strategic momentum seen after the Six-Day War. But the war in Iran has also reached a new peak. Back then, we struck a hundred targets; today were talking about over 2,500 highvalue targets, he said. He added that from the hundreds of launchers the Iranians regime possessed, only a few dozen remain. The strikes have spanned the entire countryfrom gas facilities in the south to targets in the northincluding severe damage to 17 out of 20 strategic transport aircraft. On the Lebanese front, Finkler reported a significant drop in rocket fire due to intensive ground operations by three IDF divisions. Residents of Metula and Nahariya slept quietly last night, he noted, explaining that Israel is targeting Hezbollahs economic soft underbellyits gas stations. The destruction of these stations both prevents Hezbollah from fueling its launcher trucks and heavy equipment and cuts off a key revenue stream used to finance its terror activities. Meanwhile, Israels air-defense network is performing strongly against cluster munitions, with high interception success rates. A senior officer in the Air Defense Command confirmed to Finkler: Iron Domes capabilities today are four times greater than they were in the past. Finkler also addressed air raid sirens and civilian preparedness, expressing reservations about political promises that future laser systems will eliminate the need for alerts. Thats populismthere will always be threats, he said, emphasizing the need for continued public vigilance despite the stress and trauma caused by sirens. He added that the recent targeted assassinations including Irans intelligence minister and Ali Larijani, the most evil man, show that Israel is maintaining the initiative across all fronts. He concluded with a message in the ruach of Chodesh Nissan and Geulah: When dawn approaches, slowly, slowlyat the very last moment, the darkness is greatest. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any U.S. allies assisting efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be considered complicit in war crimes. Speaking during a call with Japans foreign minister, Araghchi claimed the current situation in the strategic waterway was caused by the United States and Israel, according to Irans Foreign Ministry. He cautioned that any country participating in attempts to break the Iranian blockade would be seen as taking part in the aggression and the heinous crimes committed by the aggressors. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Standing before the press on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a sweeping assessment of the ongoing war with Iran, declaring that the Islamic Republic has been pushed to the brink. Iran can no longer enrich uranium, he said, adding that the regime is also no longer capable of manufacturing ballistic missiles. Iran, he asserted, is now weaker than ever, while Israel has emerged as a dominant forcea regional power, and some would say a world power. The campaign, he made clear, is far from over. It will continue for as long as is necessary, Netanyahu said. Moments later, switching to English and addressing foreign media, Netanyahu opened with a pointed jab at recent speculation about his health. First of all, I just want to say, Im alive, he quipped, before pivoting quickly back to the war effort. We are winning, and Iran is being decimated, he declared, citing extensive damage to Irans military infrastructure, particularly its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Your browser does not support the video tag. Irans missile and drone arsenals, he said, are being massively degraded, and vowed they will be destroyed entirely. Israel and the United States are protecting the entire Middle Eastand I venture to say, the entire world, he said. The prime minister repeatedly emphasized tight coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump, praising Washingtons leadership and alignment with Israels objectives. We are achieving goals in lightning speed, Netanyahu said, adding that the two leaders see eye to eye on the threat posed by Iran. Pushing back on criticism that Israel had drawn the United States into the conflict, Netanyahu dismissed the notion outright. Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do? Come on, he said. President Trump always makes his decisions on what he thinks is good for America. And may I add, I think what is also good for future generations in this casethose interests are absolutely clear, he continued. The world owes a debt of deep indebtedness to President Trump for leading this effort to safeguard our future, Netanyahu added, noting that other world leaders privately share that view. Trump, like Israel, has pointed to Irans nuclear ambitions and long record of state-sponsored terrorism as justification for the joint military campaign. Theres always a danger in acting, Netanyahu said. But in conditions of existential threats, theres a much greater danger in not acting. The world owes a debt of deep indebtedness to President Trump for leading this effort to safeguard our future, he continued, noting that other world leaders privately share that view. At the same time, Netanyahu suggested growing instability within Iran itself, hinting at fractures at the highest levels of power. Im not sure who is running Iran right now, he said. Mojtaba [Khamenei] has not shown his face. There is a lot of tension, he added, pointing to what he described as cracks not only in Irans political leadership, but also within its military ranks. When asked about the possibility of regime change, Netanyahu was cautious, signaling that Israel would not support replacing one hardline leadership with another. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) How to Make the Most of Your 3 Trip Days This years calendar crunch means youve got exactly three days to work with. Heres how to plan them without losing your mind. Lets talk about the elephant in the room. Pesach 2026 starts Wednesday night, April 1. The first two days of Yom Tov (Thursday and Friday) roll straight into Shabbos thats a three-day Yom Tov right out of the gate. Dont forget your eruv tavshilin. By the time you come up for air on Motzei Shabbos, youve got three usable Chol Hamoed days: Sunday April 5, Monday April 6, and Tuesday April 7. Thats it. Then its back into the last days of Yom Tov. Three days. Possibly six kids. Definitely one minivan. You need a plan. The Annual Scramble We all know how this goes. Its the first morning of Chol Hamoed and the kids have already flipped through every magazine in the house looking for trip ideas. You open Google, search Chol Hamoed activities near me, and get a Facebook post from 2017 recommending Bear Mountain. Totty is not driving to Bear Mountain. Meanwhile, youre fielding WhatsApp messages from three different groups half the links are broken, half the info is from last Sukkos, and someone just sent a voice note thats four minutes long. There has to be a better way. One Site. Everything Organized. Mekomos.com ( places) is a searchable directory built specifically for frum families. Their Chol Hamoed section has dozens of vetted activities and venues organized by category amusement parks, zoos, museums, family fun centers, concerts, parks, and indoor activities all filterable by distance from your location. No more guessing. No more scrolling. What makes it actually useful (and not just another list) is that every listing includes the stuff frum families actually need to know: kosher food availability at the venue, Shabbos-aware scheduling notes (so youre not showing up somewhere that closes too early on Friday), pricing breakdowns, directions, and real photos. Its the information youd normally have to piece together from five different sources, all in one place. Whats Out There This Pesach For the thrill-seekers: The big amusement parks are the classic Chol Hamoed move for a reason. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ is always a top pick check Mekomos amusement park listings for confirmed Pesach 2026 dates and pricing as theyre announced. Hershey Park is another popular option, though plan your food in advance since on-site kosher options are limited. For the animal lovers: Bronx Zoo, Turtle Back Zoo, Adventure Aquarium in Camden, and several smaller petting zoos like Jersey Shore Alpacas and Allaire Community Farm are all listed with hours, pricing, and practical tips on the Mekomos activity directory. For the indoor crowd: If the weather doesnt cooperate (its early April, so plan for anything), there are plenty of options Crayola Experience, trampoline parks, VR experiences, escape rooms, and bowling. Mekomos lists them all with age-appropriate tags and stroller accessibility info so you can filter for what actually works for your family. For the culture crowd: Museums are an underrated Chol Hamoed move, especially with younger kids. The National Museum of the American Indian (free admission), Liberty Science Center, and several smaller museums across the Tri-State are all on Mekomos. For the budget-conscious: Parks, nature trails, and free-admission spots are all listed too. Central Park, Wave Hill, Bryant Park sometimes the best Chol Hamoed trip is the simplest one. Its Not Just Trips Mekomos isnt only a Chol Hamoed resource. The platform also has a comprehensive kosher restaurant directory (with hechsherim, pricing, and food categories), Passover program listings for families going away for Yom Tov, local services, apartment rentals across Jewish communities like Lakewood, Brooklyn, Monsey, and the Five Towns, and even a frum dating spot guide with 300+ venue ideas. Its basically a one-stop directory for everything the frum community needs, updated regularly and designed to actually be easy to use. Start planning your Pesach Chol Hamoed now at Mekomos.com/chol-hamoed. Browse activities, filter by distance, and stop scrambling. Have a trip or venue that should be listed? Submit your listing and help the community find it. East Star Resources shares rise after copper joint venture agreement signed Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock The Kazakhstan-focused explorer has struck a deal with a Chinese mining contractor to fund and build its Verkhuba copper deposit at no cost to the company Shares in East Star Resources, the LSE-listed Kazakhstan-focused gold and copper explorer, rose 12.5% to 3.6p on Thursday after the company formalised a joint venture agreement with Hong Kong Xinhai Mining Services, a global mining engineering and construction contractor, to develop its Verkhuba copper deposit. Under the deal, Xinhai will fund an estimated $65 million of costs covering resource drilling, a feasibility study, engineering design and plant construction, earning a 70% stake in the joint venture company upon commissioning. East Star will be carried through to production at no cost, retaining a 30% interest in a mine with a current inferred resource of 20.3 million tonnes grading 1.16% copper, 1.54% zinc and 0.27% lead. The joint venture company is to be incorporated in Kazakhstan within 30 days, with resource definition drilling targeted to begin by June 2026. Chief executive Alex Walker said Xinhai's track record of more than 2,500 completed projects globally, including a processing plant currently under construction in Kazakhstan with a development timeline of less than 12 months, significantly reduced the execution risk typically faced by junior miners transitioning to production. "At no further cost to East Star, upon commencement of production, our company will hold a 30% interest in a producing mine with an anticipated production profile of more than 10,000 tonnes per annum of copper equivalent metal," Walker said. Copper was trading at around $12,677 per tonne. Crypto.com Cuts 12% Of Staff As It Adopts A.I. Technologies Cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com is eliminating 12% of its workforce, or about 180 employees, as it adopts artificial intelligence (A.I). technologies. The privately held Singapore-based company said A.I. is leading to efficiencies and that it is increasingly automating tasks that had been performed by humans. On social media platform X, Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek said that companies that do not integrate A.I. will ultimately fail. More From Cryptoprowl: "Companies that move slowly will be left behind," he wrote on social media. In February of this year, Crypto.com spent $70 million U.S. to buy ai.com, signaling the company's push into artificial intelligence. The Asian cryptocurrency exchange had 1,500 employees at the end of 2025. This is not the first round of job cuts at Crypto.com. The company has eliminated staff several times in recent years, including a 20% workforce reduction in 2023. Crypto.com reported having 100 million registered accounts and $750 billion U.S. in trading volumes during 2025. The exchange just received approval to establish a national trust bank within the U.S., setting the stage for it to expand its custody services to the American marketplace. Crypto.com is a private company and its stock does not trade on a public exchange. Britains company register, Companies House, has moved to dissolve Zedxion Exchange Ltd., a cryptocurrency platform accused of processing funds for Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to a notice published on its website. The action follows U.S. sanctions imposed in January by the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which designated Zedxion and a related entity, Zedcex, for their alleged role in enabling Iran to evade sanctions and for links to sanctioned financier Babak Zanjani. Companies House said the shutdown was related to information or a statement in an application for incorporation that is misleading, false or deceptive. Investigators for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project previously found that Zedxions listed director and person with significant control, Elizabeth Newmandescribed in filings as a Dominican nationalwas likely a fictitious identity. The company was also reported to have used a stock image to represent Newman in promotional materials. Blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs found that Zedxion and its sister platform Zedcex processed roughly $1 billion in funds linked to the IRGC, accounting for about 56% of their total transaction volume. That share rose as high as 87% in 2024, when IRGC-linked flows reached approximately $619.1 million, before declining to about 48% in 2025 as other activity increased. Zedxion Exchange Ltd. was incorporated in May 2021. In October that year, an individual named Babak Morteza was listed as both director and person with significant control. Companies House records show that the identifying details associated with that name match those of Babak Zanjani, an Iranian businessman long accused of sanctions evasion. Companies House filings indicate that Babak Morteza ceased to be listed as a person with significant control in August 2022. Newman was then appointed as a director the same month. Zanjani was previously sanctioned by the U.S. and European Union in 2013 for laundering billions of dollars in oil revenue on behalf of Iranian state entities, including the IRGC. He was later convicted in Iran in 2016 for embezzlement of state oil funds and sentenced to death, though that sentence was commuted in 2024 after he repaid funds. By 2025, Zanjani had re-emerged publicly with links to regime-aligned economic projects. He also runs DotOne Holding Group, a conglomerate spanning cryptocurrency, foreign exchange, logistics, aviation and telecommunications, all sectors that mirror infrastructure used in sanctions evasion networks. DotOnes website claims to want to redefine the future and offer the future of banking to users. Quick Read YieldMax DDDD ETF (DDDD), launched March 11, 2026, holds Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and writes covered call spreads to target roughly double SCHDs 3.39% yield; major underlying holdings include Verizon (VZ) at 4.49% of SCHD with $19.8B free cash flow in FY2024 and a 20+ year dividend growth streak, and Altria (MO) at 4.14% of SCHD yielding 6.16% with 60 dividend increases in 56 years despite declining volume. DDDDs doubled income comes from selling upside through options overlays, capping appreciation and creating tax inefficiency from short-term gains while the brand-new $2.3M fund carries NAV erosion risk if distributions exceed earnings. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. YieldMax DDDD ETF (NYSEARCA:DDDD), launched on March 11, 2026, owns SCHD and writes options on its holdings to double the yield. If you already hold Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:SCHD), which currently yields 3.39%, DDDD targets roughly double that yield through an actively managed options overlay, putting the distribution target near double that yield annually. But before chasing that income, understand what is actually generating it. What DDDD Actually Owns DDDD's largest equity holding is SCHD itself at 19.04% of net assets, giving it direct exposure to SCHD's top dividend payers. Two of the most meaningful underlying positions are Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) at 4.49% of SCHD and Altria Group (NYSE:MO) at 4.14%. Both represent some of the highest-yielding positions in the portfolio. Verizon: Steady Cash, Heavy Debt Verizon has raised its dividend for over 20 consecutive years. Free cash flow came in at $19.8 billion in FY2024, against operating cash flow of $36.9 billion which provides strong dividend coverage. The annualized dividend of $2.735 annualized dividend compares to TTM EPS of $4.06. 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. The risk is the balance sheet. Total debt stands at approximately $144 billion, with shareholders equity of $100.575 billion. This is a telecom reality, not an anomaly, but it limits flexibility. Verizon's 2025 guidance calls for free cash flow of $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion, still comfortably above the dividend obligation. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are changing some rules related to insurance that could cut costs for condo owners. However, there's a catch. The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced updates to home insurance rules on Wednesday. FHFA Director William Pulte said they'd simplify the scheme for condominium owners and associations. "Lower insurance costs and mortgage rates shrink the monthly payment of a new mortgage, giving new homebuyers confidence that they can afford the American dream," Pulte said. Experts say the changes could make it easier for hundreds of condominium buildings, and possibly tens of thousands of units, to obtain insurance. But it also carries certain requirements they should be wary of. Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner says the laws take aim at ancillary condominium costs that have risen in recent years. "If these provisions help cut monthly insurance costs and/or expand insurance coverage to more condos, it should be a boost to demand in a segment of the market that badly needs it," Berner adds. What the rule changes mean FHFA says the new rules could reduce insurance and other costs for condominium owners. By allowing them to use cheaper coverage on an actual cash value basis, and simplifying rules around deductibles, it hopes more will qualify for mortgages. Actual cash value (ACV) basis considers what the roof is worth today, after depreciation. That differs from the replacement cost value (RCV) protection, which covers the cost of replacing the roof with a new one. RCV coverage is "ridiculously expensive and hard to find," FHFA said. FHFA is also paring back some of the documentation and legal requirements of a 2024 rule involving property insurance requirements. FHFA says the rules come from industry feedback. Condo projects complain of rising premiums and limited availability of insurance in some areas. But FHFA also says it must protect against property loss, which could be exacerbated by underfunded complexes. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, praised the move. "Lower costs mean lower monthly payments and more families able to achieve homeownership, especially in rural and condo markets," the Republican said in a post on X. Mortgage Bankers Association CEO Bob Broeksmit says change is due for the "overly rigid requirements." He estimates tens of thousands of units could be eligible for lower-cost GSE financing. "Expanding the number of properties that can access conventional financing is a direct benefit to prospective buyers and an important step in the ongoing effort to improve housing affordability," Broeksmit says. Ferrero has moved to expand its presence in Brazil with a deal for protein-bar firm Bold Snacks. Daniel Martinez Carretero, the Luxembourg-headquartered giants CFO, described the deal as the Nutella makers first foray into the better-for-you segment in South America. Bold Snacks, set up in 2018, has also recently started selling whey powders. The company has an office and factory in Divinopolis in eastern Brazil. Around 300 employees are expected to join Ferrero, the Kinder Bueno brand owner said. Financial details were not disclosed. Becoming part of Ferrero is an amazing opportunity for our business and our people, Bold Snacks founder and CEO Gabriel Ferreira said. Ferrero would not disclose Bold Snacks sales but a spokesperson said its new asset had seen strong growth from the start. Asked why Ferrero had struck the deal, the spokesperson added: This planned acquisition is fully aligned with our long-term strategy to diversify our portfolio and strengthen our presence in fast-growing product categories that respond to evolving consumer preferences, thus reflecting our ongoing commitment to offering a broader range of products across different segments. In 2022, the company snapped up Fulfil Nutrition, the Ireland-based protein-bar maker. Ferrero already has a plant and office in Brazil. Affiliated US company Ferrara has four factories and two offices in the country after 2023s acquisition of Brazilian sweets maker Dori Alimentos. Chicago-based Ferrara is the company behind brands such as Brachs, Nerds and and Trolli. Family-owned Ferrero describes Ferrara as a Ferrero-related company. Both have the same shareholder but Ferrara is not consolidated into the Ferrero group. "Ferrero adds to Brazil assets with Bold Snacks buy" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. Many who venture to Africa typically look to get the full-on safari experience. For those who opt to explore Botswana, chances are, your safari-seeking will bring you to the Okavango Delta. Also known as the Okavango Grasslands, it is an alluvial fan that is home to many of the world's endangered animals. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here's what you should know about this magical place. When's the Best Time to Visit? If you're planning to visit the Okavango Delta, make sure to time your trip during the dry season, which is typically from June to October. Unsurprisingly, this is also the delta's peak season, with peak months typically starting from July to October. If you want to travel during the low season, schedule your trip somewhere from December to March. But do take note that these months tend to bring a colder temperature and a whole lot of heavy downpour. Camps and Safari Tours Whether you're a solo traveler or traveling with your family, there is something for you when you visit the Okavango Delta. From budget-friendly to luxury lodges, there is a number of accommodations you can choose from to make your stay at the Okavango Delta even more memorable. Some examples of the camps you can choose from are as follows: Dinaka Kanana Kiri Jao Mokolwane Okuti Pelo Pom Pom Seba Setari Tubu Tree Among the safari experiences available are walking safaris and even hot air ballon safaris. There are also riding safaris and as well as photographic safaris you can go on. You can also opt to add to the usual itinerary by visiting Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Wildlife Present at the Delta The wildlife in the Okavango Delta is diverse, so better be ready to spot some animals and take some photos: Here are examples: African Bush Elephant Brown Hyena Cheetah Leopard Plains Zebra White Rhinoceros If you end up spotting the African Wild Dog, know that you're seeing an endangered family right before your eyes. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. On March 18, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar during a working visit to Saudi Arabia, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The ministers exchanged views on recent regional developments, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation, respect for international law, and joint efforts to maintain peace and stability. They reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, highlighting mutual trust, solidarity, and continued support on issues of core national interest. The discussions also covered prospects for expanding cooperation in political, economic, and connectivity areas, with both sides stressing the value of close coordination within regional and international platforms. KHOJAVAND, Azerbaijan, March 19. The next relocation of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Khojavand city has been completed, and the families have returned to their homeland in accordance with the "First State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan", Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. Today, 46 families (177 people) returned to Khojavand. Necessary conditions have been created for the settlement of residents in the city. Roads have been improved, houses and infrastructure have been restored. 13:07 The village of Khanabad in the Khojaly district has welcomed the next group of former internally displaced persons back to their native lands, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. According to the information, the group includes 89 people from 19 families. The families were welcomed by officials from the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi cty, Aghdara and Khojaly districts, the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, and staff from the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in Khankendi cty, Aghdara and Khojaly districts. This latest arrival brings the total number of families permanently returning to Khanabad to 78, encompassing 346 people. 06:35 The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) sent within the framework of the program of Great Return to the liberated territories by the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has reached the Khojavand city and the Khanabad village of the Khojaly district, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. The families had been temporarily accommodated across the country in hostels, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings. At this stage, 46 families, totaling 177 people, have been resettled in Khojavand, while 19 families, comprising 89 individuals, have returned to Khanabad. Residents who returned to their ancestral lands expressed deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support they received. They also honored the Azerbaijani Army and heroic soldiers who liberated these territories, and offered prayers for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Title changed Details added: first version posted on 06:35 KHOJAVAND, Azerbaijan, March 19. The next groups of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) relocated to Khojavand city and Khanabad village in the Khojaly district were presented with the keys to their apartments, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. At this stage, the keys were presented to 46 families (177 people) in Khojavand and 19 families (89 people) in Khanabad. Employees of the Special Representations of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankendi city, Aghdara, Khojaly, Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, and the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs attended the presentation ceremonies. 13:53 The next relocation of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Khojavand city has been completed, and the families have returned to their homeland in accordance with the "First State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan," Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. Today, 46 families (177 people) returned to Khojavand. Necessary conditions have been created for the settlement of residents in the city. Roads have been improved; houses and infrastructure have been restored. 13:07 The village of Khanabad in the Khojaly district has welcomed the next group of former internally displaced persons back to their native lands, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. According to the information, the group includes 89 people from 19 families. The families were welcomed by officials from the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi city, Aghdara and Khojaly districts, the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, and staff from the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in Khankendi city, Aghdara and Khojaly districts. This latest arrival brings the total number of families permanently returning to Khanabad to 78, encompassing 346 people. 06:35 The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) sent within the framework of the program of Great Return to the liberated territories by the instructions of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has reached the Khojavand city and the Khanabad village of the Khojaly district, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. The families had been temporarily accommodated across the country in hostels, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings. At this stage, 46 families, totaling 177 people, have been resettled in Khojavand, while 19 families, comprising 89 individuals, have returned to Khanabad. Residents who returned to their ancestral lands expressed deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support they received. They also honored the Azerbaijani Army and heroic soldiers who liberated these territories and offered prayers for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Premium content Get full access to in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and weekly briefings. Welcome offer $10 $1 first month Then $10 / month Already have an account? Login Bank Respublika and EIB Global conclude a new loan agreement to support entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan Baku, 19 March 2026 Bank Respublika and EIB Global, the arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) financing projects outside the European Union, have signed a new credit agreement aimed at supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Azerbaijan. Through Bank Respublikas extensive regional network, the funds will help improve access to financing for entrepreneurs operating across the country. A key feature of the agreement is that the currency risk will be managed through a hedging mechanism provided by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer, who oversees the Banks operations in the Eastern Partnership region, said: Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are at the heart of Azerbaijans economy. Through the successful partnership with Bank Respublika, the EIB is helping local businesses access the funding they need to grow, create jobs and innovate. Providing financing in local currency is especially important, as it supports the resilience of businesses and strengthens the countrys private sector. EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Marijana Kujundzic said: Developing deeper and more resilient financial markets is key to supporting Azerbaijans economic transformation. The Central Banks new local currency hedging mechanism is an important innovation that can help banks better manage exchange rate risks and expand lending in local currency. Initiatives like this, combined with partnerships with institutions such as the EIB, contribute to a stronger environment for private sector growth. Chairman of the Management Board of Bank Respublika, Tariyel Ismayilov, noted: We highly value the trust of EIB Global, which considers Bank Respublika one of its key partners in Azerbaijan. I would also like to highlight the Central Banks modern, flexible and proactive approach to market needs. The introduction of the currency risk hedging mechanism expands opportunities for international financing and strengthens lending to businesses in local currency. For more information: Website: www.bankrespublika.az Social media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Telegram Call Center: 144 BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) sent within the framework of the program of Great Return to the liberated territories by the instructions of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has reached the Khojavend city, as well as the Khanabad village of the Khojaly district, Trend reports. At this stage, 19 families, 89 people, have been resettled to the village of Khanabad in the Khojaly district, and 46 families, 177 people, to the Khojavend city. The former IDPs returning to the native village 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. Currently, more than 50,000 people live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Among them are former internally displaced persons who have returned to these areas, as well as employees involved in the implementation of restoration and construction projects, employees of local departments of various government agencies, and specialists employed in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy institutions that have resumed their activities. You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Sara Naison-Tarajano, a 27-year veteran of Goldman Sachs, is the new head of Ayco, the $26 billion AUM division which provides corporate-sponsored workplace financial planning. She replaces David Fox, who will retire after 27 years with Goldman. Fox took on the role about a year ago, following Larry Restieri's departure. Restieri now serves as CEO of Hightower. Naison-Tarajano most recently served as global head of private wealth management capital markets and global head of Goldman Sachs Apex, which services family offices. Shell continue in the role as global head of the Goldman partner office. She joined Goldman as an analyst in the investment banking division in 1999 and worked her way up through the organization. She became a managing director in 2012 and a partner in 2020. Ayco was founded in 1971, and the business was acquired by Goldman in 2003, when it had about $6 billion under management. When Goldman Sachs acquired United Capital, the RIA platform built by Joe Duran, in 2019, it sought to integrate United Capital with Ayco to benefit from client referrals. Goldman brought the two together under a single corporate umbrella, the Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management Group, co-headed by Duran and Restieri. In 2023, Goldman sold the former United Capital business to Creative Planning, with Ayco remaining with the firm. At the time, Goldman CEO David Solomon said the firm would focus its efforts on serving ultra-high-net-worth investors through its Private Wealth Management and Ayco businesses. Ayco recently launched a referral program with Creative Planning, Mercer Advisors and Wealth Enhancement, according to the RIAs, which are among the largest in the United States. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. On March 18, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a working visit to Saudi Arabia, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, the ministers exchanged views on the current security situation in the region and recent developments. They emphasized the importance of maintaining regional stability, preventing the escalation of tensions, and upholding international law, including the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The officials highlighted the significant role of the Azerbaijani-Turkish alliance in ensuring peace and security in the region and stressed the need for joint, coordinated efforts to address existing challenges. They also discussed other issues of mutual interest. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The next grain shipment from Russia to Armenia has been carried out via transit through Azerbaijan, Trend reports. A total of 7 railcars carrying 488 tons of wheat was sent from Bilajari station to Boyuk Kasik station on March 19. So far, more than 23,000 tons of grain, as well as more than 700 tons of fertilizer, have been sent from Russia to Armenia via transit through Azerbaijan. 09:18 Another shipment of wheat is set to be transported to Armenia via the Azerbaijani territory as part of ongoing transit operations, Trend reports. A total of 7 railcars carrying 488 tons of wheat are being dispatched through Azerbaijan to Armenia. On October 21, 2025, in a joint press statement with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan had lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that had been in place since the occupation, with the first shipment consisting of Kazakh grain. Subsequent deliveries included both fuel and agricultural cargo. On December 18, SOCAR shipped 1,220 tons of RON-95 motor fuel to Armenia. On January 9, 2026, a total of 2,698 tons of cargo (48 railcars) were dispatched, including 1,742 tons of RON-95 gasoline and 956 tons of diesel fuel. Further shipments followed in quick succession. On January 11, an 18-railcar train carrying 979 tons of RON-92 gasoline was delivered. On February 25, 4,500 tons of diesel fuel were transported, followed on March 5 by 31 railcars with 1,984 tons of diesel and two railcars carrying 135 tons of Russian fertilizer. Additional consignments included a seven-railcar train of Russian grain on March 9 and, on March 11, 11 railcars loaded with 1,023 tons of grain (net weight: 770 tons). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel What really stands out to me is how the initiative is moving forward bit by bit, and at every turn, the participants appear to be a bit taken aback by the progress that's happening, he said. Navasardian pointed out that when it comes to expanding the format, without getting the public involved, even the most meaningful official efforts could end up stalling or getting caught up in changing political situations. It was important for us that the format not be confined to small groups, because without wider public involvement, even the most breakthrough initiatives at the official level can be prolonged and influenced by the political environment, he noted. Navasardian added that if Baku and Yerevan stick to the path they've been following lately, there's not much that can hold back further progress. Concluding the discussion, he voiced his belief that the dialogue was set in stone and highlighted the importance of protecting the peace agenda from outside interference. The full video recording of the program is presented below. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov addressed a recent drone attack on the countrys Nakhchivan exclave during a ministerial consultative meeting in Riyadh, highlighting broader regional security risks, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the ministry, Bayramov took part in discussions focused on strengthening security and stability in the Middle East, warning that ongoing escalation extends beyond individual countries and poses wider regional and global threats, endangering civilians and critical infrastructure. The minister informed participants about a drone attack carried out from the territory of Iran against the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on March 5. The attack injured four civilians and caused significant damage to key infrastructure, including Nakhchivan International Airport. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan responded promptly and decisively, demonstrating its commitment to protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens through all legitimate means. Bayramov expressed hope that assurances from the Iranian side regarding a comprehensive investigation into the incident would be fulfilled and that necessary steps would be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future. He also briefed participants on Azerbaijans actions following the escalation, including the provision of humanitarian assistance to Iran. The latest aid shipment was sent on March 18 ahead of the Novruz and Ramadan holidays, while Azerbaijan also facilitated the delivery of aid by third countries and the evacuation of civilians through its territory. The minister stressed that any expansion of the conflicts geography is dangerous and must be halted immediately, noting that continued targeting of regional states deepens divisions and undermines long-term stability. He underscored the importance of responsibility and ownership among regional countries in ensuring peace and security. In conclusion, Bayramov emphasized that strict adherence to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-use of force, and non-interference in internal affairs, remains the only path toward lasting peace and stability in the region. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. On March 19, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation, Trend reports. Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated President Ilham Aliyev and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the upcoming holy Ramadan and Novruz holidays, conveying his warmest wishes to the Azerbaijani people. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the congratulations and, in turn, congratulated Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the brotherly Uzbek people on the holidays, wishing Uzbekistan continued prosperity and well-being. During the phone conversation, the leaders also discussed the strategic allied relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, praising the successful development of ties across all areas. The Presidents expressed concern over the current situation in the Middle East and emphasized the importance of resolving tensions through political and diplomatic means. The heads of state also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and future contacts. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory message to the Azerbaijani people on the occasion of Ramadan, Trend reports. The congratulatory message reads: ''Dear compatriots, I congratulate you on the occasion of the blessed Ramadan Holiday and extend my greetings and best wishes to all of you. Ramadan, the sultan of the eleven months, embodying spiritual and moral perfection and noble intentions, and purifying peoples souls and thoughts, has now come to an end. It is during this blessed month, in which our holy book, the Quran, was revealed, that Muslims gain the opportunity to fulfill their conscientious duties and obligations before Almighty Allah with dignity, experiencing the joy of good deeds such as helping one another, as well as showing compassion and mercy. For centuries, Azerbaijan has been one of the few places where different faiths and beliefs have coexisted peacefully in a harmonious environment. Islam, which always calls humanity to peace, humanism, and brotherhood, has historically played an exceptional role in preserving ethnic and cultural diversity in our society, fostering an atmosphere of tolerance based on mutual respect and trust, as well as national and spiritual solidarity. Dear sisters and brothers, Each year, the month of Ramadan further strengthens unity and equality among our people, becoming a celebration of kindness and good deeds. On these blessed days, I join your prayers for the peace, prosperity, and progress of our state. I also respectfully pay tribute to our heroic martyrs who gave their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Once again, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and all our compatriots living in different parts of the world. I wish your families happiness, abundant sustenance, and blessings on your tables. May Allah accept your fasting and prayers. Happy Ramadan!'' BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. In Azerbaijani criminal procedures, electronic data will henceforth be admitted as evidence, Trend reports. This is codified in the Law On Amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, approved by President Ilham Aliyev. Under the amendments, electronic data that helps establish circumstances relevant to criminal prosecution, including subscriber information, traffic data, or content data, may be recognized as evidence in electronic form by the authority conducting the criminal proceedings, in accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Code. Electronic data obtained in compliance with criminal procedure legislation may be admitted as evidence. Such evidence, along with the media on which it is stored (except when transferred for protection under the Criminal Procedure Code), will be incorporated into the case files and preserved throughout the storage period. Electronic evidence and its storage media must be safeguarded to ensure integrity and security. When the legal owner requests access for accounting, reporting, or other lawful purposes, they may temporarily use the evidence or create copies. After one year from the finalization of a court verdict, or following a decision to terminate criminal prosecution, electronic evidence or its storage media may be returned to the legal owner. Investigators, prosecutors, or courts must copy, verify, and retain the authenticity of the returned evidence in the case files. To prevent loss or alteration, electronic data critical to criminal prosecution stored in information and communication technology systems, including service provider records, may be protected using encryption or other technical measures aligned with international security standards, based on the decision of the prosecuting authority. This decision will specify the scope, content, duration, conditions, responsible parties, and other relevant details. The measures may be implemented by the data holders or other designated persons. In cases where technical safeguards are not sufficient to prevent data loss or alteration, the relevant authority may direct data holders (whether individuals, entities, or officials) to take reasonable precautions to preserve the data's security for a maximum of 90 days, or until the criminal prosecution is concluded. The decision will detail the data to be protected, duration, conditions, responsible parties, and other essential aspects. Individuals responsible for the protection of digital evidence are required to uphold rigorous confidentiality standards. The head of state has signed a decree to implement the provisions of this law. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijans Prime Minister, Ali Asadov, visited the Georgian Embassy in Baku on March 19, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. Meanwhile, it is reported that Prime Minister Asadov expressed his condolences and wrote a heartfelt message in the book of condolences following the passing of Catholicos-Patriarch II Ilia of All Georgia, an outstanding religious leader. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijan has approved amendments to the treaty of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on the interstate search of persons, Trend reports. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed the relevant decree in this regard. The Decree stipulates that the Protocol on Amendments to the Treaty of the States-Participants of the Commonwealth of Independent States on the Interstate Search for Persons dated December 10, 2010, conditionally signed by the Republic of Azerbaijan in Moscow on October 8, 2024, is to be formally approved. Once the Protocol referenced in Part 1 of the Decree comes into force, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service of Azerbaijan are tasked with ensuring the full implementation of its provisions. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is required to notify the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States that all domestic procedures necessary for the Protocols entry into force have been completed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The number of deputies of the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population in Azerbaijan has been increased, Trend reports. This is reflected in the amendment to the "Regulations on the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan", approved by the relevant decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. According to the decree, the number of deputies of the minister appointed and dismissed by the President of Azerbaijan has been increased to five. Previously, there were four deputies of the minister. General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) is one of Jim Cramers latest stock calls as he shared how to navigate Wednesdays tough tape. Cramer mentioned the stock during the episode and said: I thought that General Mills might bottom on a good quarter, big yield. Sadly, the quarter wasnt good enough. Management tried to turn minuses into pluses, but the crowd wasnt buying it, even with that 6.5% yield. A stock market graph. Photo by energepic.com General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) provides branded foods, including cereals, snacks, meals, baking products, frozen items, ice cream, and pet food. Cramer evaluated the stock during the March 12 episode, as he remarked: This is not the only example. When General Mills spoke at CAGNY, a key industry conference, they told a slightly better story. When Mills reports next week, I bet pet food will shine. But theres heavy discounting in cereal, and management doesnt seem to recognize that the stocks turned into a very suboptimal situation. Their review, they say, is resulting in significantly improved competitiveness. They do have eight leading brands, each generates a billion dollars in sales. But in the end, General Mills, a justifiably proud company, had to cut its earnings forecast, and it was the talk of the whole conference. Why? Weak consumer sentiment, heightened uncertainty, and significant volatility have weighed on category growth and impacted consumer purchase patterns, resulting in a slower pace and higher cost of volume recovery than initially expected. That doesnt sound all that positive. While we acknowledge the potential of GIS 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The powers of the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance (SAMHI) in the field of compulsory medical insurance of the population have been transferred to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population (MLSPP), Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree. Pursuant to the decree, the State Agency for Medical and Social Assessment and Rehabilitation, which reported to the SAMHI and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, was reorganized through the merger of public legal entities, resulting in the establishment of the State Agency for Health Insurance and Assessment as a public legal entity under the ministry. Yelo Bank is keeping its customers' needs in focus during the long Novruz holiday break. To ensure that banking tasks can be easily handled even on days off, Baku and regional branches will operate on a special holiday schedule. On March 24, 25, 26, 27, and 30, from 10:00 to 16:00, the following branches will be open for individual customer services: Khalglar, MXD (Customer Service Department), Narimanov, Merkez, Elmlar, Mardakan, Sumgayit, Barda, and Lankaran. Additionally, on March 30, from 10:00 to 16:00, the branches in Ganja, Sadarak, Zabrat, Agjabedi, Salyan, Tovuz, Masalli, Gabala, Shamakhi, Zagatala, and Khachmaz will also be available for customers. The Sahil, Ahmedli, and Inshaatchilar branches will be at the customers' disposal from 10:00 to 16:00 throughout all non-working days, including the public holidays. If extra funds are needed to bring holiday plans to life, Yelo has special offers available. A consumer loan of up to 50,000 AZN can be obtained with rates starting from only 8.9% per annum. For those without a formal workplace or with concerns about their credit history, a gold-backed loan is the perfect match. Simply by bringing gold, customers can receive up to 50,000 AZN in cash with monthly rates starting from just 1%! May this spring be bright and successful for you! Find the addresses of Yelo Bank branches here: http://ylb.az/filiallar. Need more information about our banking services? Then call 981 or visit our Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, or yelo.az accounts. Yelo Bank Brighter Banking! NEQSOL Holding, in partnership with the Education Development Fund (TIF), has officially welcomed the third cohort of the PARLA Female Students Scholarship and Development Program, continuing its commitment to supporting womens education, leadership, and professional growth in Azerbaijan. The third cohort brings together 50 outstanding female university students, selected through a highly competitive process based on academic achievement and socio-economic criteria. With the addition of this group, the PARLA community continues to expand as a growing network of talented young women equipped with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to succeed in todays global environment. Participants of the third cohort will receive monthly financial support until graduation, alongside access to a comprehensive development program that includes English language and IELTS preparation, soft-skills and leadership training, mentorship, internships across NEQSOL Holding subsidiaries, and digital learning resources through NEQSOL Academy. The program also emphasizes real-world experience and long-term career readiness, helping participants transition confidently from education to professional life. Since its launch, the PARLA program has supported 100 female students across its first and second cohorts. To date, 41 program participants have successfully completed the development track, with most of them securing internships or full-time employment. In addition, some graduates are continuing their studies abroad after completing the program. These results highlight PARLAs effectiveness in bridging academic learning with practical career opportunities and supporting young womens successful transition into the labor market. The success of the program demonstrates how important it is to create supportive ecosystems where young women can develop their skills, expand their professional networks, and gain confidence in their abilities. Through PARLA, we provide talented female students with training, mentorship, internship and other practical opportunities that will help them shape their future careers and successfully transition from education to the professional environment, said Imran Ahmadzada, Head of NEQSOL Holding Azerbaijan. PARLA plays an important role in expanding young womens access to higher education and helping them realize their potential. In addition to financial support, the program creates opportunities for participants personal development, enabling them to gain new knowledge and skills and integrate into professional networks. Such initiatives contribute to strengthening the countrys human capital in the long term, said Rasul Hashimov, Head of the Project Management Department at the Education Development Fund. Launched in 2024, the PARLA program has rapidly grown into a recognized platform for female empowerment and leadership development. In 2025, the initiative received international recognition at the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, earning gold and silver awards for its impact, inclusive design, and long-term vision. NEQSOL Holding is a diversified international group of companies operating in 11 countries across the energy, telecommunications, hi-tech, construction, and mining sectors. KHOJAVAND, Azerbaijan, March 19. The next groups of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) relocated to Khojavand city and Khanabad village in the Khojaly district were presented with the keys to their apartments, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. At this stage, the keys were presented to 46 families (177 people) in Khojavand and 19 families (89 people) in Khanabad. Employees of the Special Representations of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankendi city, Aghdara, Khojaly, Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, and the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs attended the presentation ceremonies. 13:53 The next relocation of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Khojavand city has been completed, and the families have returned to their homeland in accordance with the "First State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan," Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. Today, 46 families (177 people) returned to Khojavand. Necessary conditions have been created for the settlement of residents in the city. Roads have been improved; houses and infrastructure have been restored. 13:07 The village of Khanabad in the Khojaly district has welcomed the next group of former internally displaced persons back to their native lands, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. According to the information, the group includes 89 people from 19 families. The families were welcomed by officials from the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi city, Aghdara and Khojaly districts, the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, and staff from the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in Khankendi city, Aghdara and Khojaly districts. This latest arrival brings the total number of families permanently returning to Khanabad to 78, encompassing 346 people. 06:35 The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) sent within the framework of the program of Great Return to the liberated territories by the instructions of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has reached the Khojavand city and the Khanabad village of the Khojaly district, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. The families had been temporarily accommodated across the country in hostels, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings. At this stage, 46 families, totaling 177 people, have been resettled in Khojavand, while 19 families, comprising 89 individuals, have returned to Khanabad. Residents who returned to their ancestral lands expressed deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support they received. They also honored the Azerbaijani Army and heroic soldiers who liberated these territories and offered prayers for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. In accordance with the program for the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, a group of representatives of the Military Police Department of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense visited Sofia, Bulgaria, a source in the ministry told Trend. As part of the visit, the delegation led by Deputy Chief of the Main Department of Internal Security and InvestigationsChief of the Military Police Department, Major General Elgun Aliyevvisited the administrative buildings of the Military Police Department and the Regional Military Police Unit of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and became familiar with the framework of military police units, operational protocols, and the nuances of their routine service tasks. Presentations on the duties of the Bulgarian Military Police in both peacetime and wartime, as well as on the activities they carry out within the framework of NATO, were also delivered. During the meeting, the current state and development prospects of cooperation in the field of military police were discussed, and an extensive exchange of views on other issues was held. The mutual exchange of experience, enhancement of professional training, and expansion of opportunities for joint activities were highlighted. The visit holds considerable significance for enhancing collaboration between the military police of both nations and advancing ties in the security domain. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The embassies of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Kazakhstan in Mexico, along with the Yunus Emre Institutes Turkish Cultural Center in Mexico City, jointly organized and with the support of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation (Baku) held a festive concert program in Mexico City to celebrate Novruz Holiday, which symbolizes the arrival of spring, the awakening of nature, and the beginning of the new year, Trend reports. The event was attended by members of Mexicos Chamber of Deputies and Senate, officials from various departments of the ministries of foreign affairs and culture, ambassadors accredited in Mexico, and other representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as members of the local media. The concert, which was open to the public, featured performances by an ensemble led by compatriot Nana Babayeva, who resides in Mexico, as well as the Turkic World Dance and Music Ensemble. Well-known musical works by composers from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, and Mexico were performed. During the opening of the concert program, Azerbaijans Ambassador to Mexico, Seymur Fataliyev, emphasized the special importance of the concert being jointly organized by the embassies of Azerbaijan, brotherly Turkiye, and Kazakhstan. He noted that such an initiative reflects the spirit of Novruz, based on the values of sharing, solidarity, and a shared cultural memory. The diplomat highlighted that Novruz is one of the most powerful cultural values uniting the Turkic world. In his speech, the ambassador also pointed out the international recognition of Novruzs unifying power, recalling that in 2010 the UN General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz, and that Azerbaijan was among the countries that initiated and supported this decision. He stressed that this resolution demonstrates recognition of Novruz as an international cultural phenomenon embodying universal values. He also noted that in 2009, Novruz was inscribed on UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as the first multinational nomination uniting various countries. In their speeches, Turkiyes Ambassador to Mexico, Murat Selim Esenli, and Yerlan Kubashev, advisor to the Embassy of Kazakhstan, also emphasized that Novruz is one of the values uniting the Turkic world and highlighted the importance of jointly organizing this event in Mexico. Besides, as part of the opening, video messages from Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, and Abdurrahman Ali, head of the Yunus Emre Institute Turkish Cultural Center, were also presented. The messages emphasized that Novruz is an important holiday celebrated across a wide geographical area, especially among Turkic peoples such as Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Kazakhstan, reflecting shared cultural values and historical ties. The concert was a sell-out and was received with great enthusiasm by the audience. Attendees were shown videos showcasing the culture of the Turkic world and were treated to Azerbaijani and Turkish cuisine. Trend News Agency provided informational support for the event. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. A concert titled "West Meets East" was held at the University of Hartford in the U.S. state of Connecticut, Trend reports. The concert was organized by Kamilla Mammadova, an Azerbaijani musician living in Connecticut and professor at the University of Hartford, with the support of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan. that the event was attended by representatives of the Azerbaijani community, foreign guests, the university's teachers and students, as well as an employee of the said committee. First, a video clip about Azerbaijan and its rich cultural heritage was shown. In her opening speech, Mammadova briefed on the history of the country's rich musical culture, national traditions, and the values that this heritage gives to the world treasury. She emphasized that such events are of great importance in terms of promoting and developing Azerbaijani culture on an international scale. The committee employee noted that such cultural events play an important role in promoting Azerbaijani music and culture at the international level. He said that such initiatives strengthen the dialogue between different peoples and build cultural bridges between the East and the West. U.S. musician, kamancha player, Chairman of Mugham Society of America, Jeffrey Werbock, spoke about the rich traditions and centuries-old history of Azerbaijani mugham art. He noted that this musical heritage reflects human values and is distinguished by its improvisational features. The concert featured works by prominent Azerbaijani composers Uzeyir Hajibayli, Fikrat Amirov, Gara Garayev, and Tofig Guliyev, as well as examples of folk songs. Werbock performed the "Segah" and "Karabakh Shikastesi" mughams accompanied by violinist Azer Damirov, a doctoral student at Temple University. The "Gaytaghi" dance presented by U.S. pianist Colin Christie, as well as the songs "Azerbaijan" and "Garanfil" sung by U.S. performer Sofia Zay, aroused the interest of the audience. At the same time, Uzeyir Hajibayli's "Sevgili canan" and the famous folk song "Kucelere su sepmisem" performed by Azer Damirov on the kamancha and accompanied by Kamilla Mammadova on the piano were met with continuous applause from the audience. At the end, the performers were given gifts, and a commemorative photo was taken. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Premium Turkmen branch of CNPC bids tender for calibration services of dew point flow analyzers CNPC International Turkmenistan invites companies to participate in a pre-qualification process for calibration and periodic verification services of dew point flow analyzers. Both local and international firms can apply with a full set of documents in English and Russian. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Turkmenistan has unveiled its strategic concept for chairing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2026, outlining an extensive agenda for cooperation that encompasses transport connectivity, trade enhancement, energy collaboration, and environmental initiatives. This document delineates Ashgabat's approach to maximizing its role within the regional organization over the coming year. The concept was initially presented on January 22 during a meeting of the Economic Issues Commission under the CIS Economic Council in Moscow, and was later discussed on January 29 at a session of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives. The presentation was delivered by Turkmenistans Ambassador, Esen Aydogdyev. The concept identifies five key areas of focus for the chairmanship: strengthening peace and security based on the principles of neutrality and diplomacy of trust; promoting economic cooperation and transport connectivity; enhancing humanitarian and cultural interaction; ensuring environmental sustainability; and advancing digitalization and innovation. A central pillar of the concept is the development of transport infrastructure and logistics. Turkmenistan intends to facilitate closer integration of the transport systems of CIS countries and the development of international transport corridors, in particular, the North-South and East-West routes. Special attention is given to the potential of the Caspian Sea as a key transit hub connecting Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Black Sea region. Regional trade continues to expand steadily alongside the development of transport corridors and production chains within Central Asia. In 2025, Turkmenistans trade turnover with countries involved in the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), comprising Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, surpassed $2.2 billion, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year. As a result, the share of these countries in Turkmenistans foreign trade grew to approximately 11%. Turkmen officials have consistently underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation within the CIS framework. During the CIS summit in Dushanbe in October 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the Commonwealth plays a critical role in fostering global stability and security. During our chairmanship, our goal is to comprehensively promote cooperation and partnership among member states to fully realize the potential of the CIS, ensure effective development of the Commonwealth countries, and enhance the welfare and quality of life of their populations, he said. Turkmen diplomats also highlight the importance of developing infrastructure cooperation. According to Ambassador Aydogdyev, Turkmenistan intends to focus particularly on expanding transport, logistics, and energy cooperation, as well as more actively leveraging the potential of the Caspian region as a link between Eurasia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Strengthening cooperation in these areas could help address several challenges faced by CIS countries. Many regional states still rely on a limited number of external transit routes, which increases logistics costs and makes trade vulnerable to geopolitical factors. Developing new transport corridors could diversify routes and enhance the resilience of regional trade. Energy cooperation remains another important priority. The region continues to face a need to modernize energy infrastructure and develop joint projects, including in the field of renewable energy. Environmental issues are also highly relevant, especially in the Caspian basin, where declining water levels, pollution, and the impacts of climate change pose threats to ecosystems and economic activities. Existing regional projects could provide an additional impetus for integration processes. Among them are the Middle Corridor, linking Central Asia with Europe via the Caspian, and the International North-South Transport Corridor, which connects Eurasia with countries in the Middle East and South Asia. The legal framework for many projects in the Caspian region is provided by the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, which establishes conditions for cooperation in transport, energy, and environmental sectors among the littoral states. In this regard, Turkmenistans chairmanship of the CIS presents an opportunity to promote infrastructure and transport initiatives that extend beyond the confines of intra-CIS cooperation. By focusing on the expansion of transport corridors, enhancing Caspian logistics, and deepening energy collaboration, Turkmenistan seeks to strengthen the regions role as a vital transit hub linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. For Ashgabat, this period of chairmanship also offers a chance to solidify its position within the broader regional cooperation framework. Through advancing projects in transport, energy, and environmental sectors, Turkmenistan aspires to establish itself as a central node in Eurasian connectivity. The success of this agenda within the CIS will largely depend on the member states' collective commitment to harmonizing infrastructure and trade policies, especially in the context of the evolving geoeconomic landscape. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Over the past decade, Germanys Monforts has delivered multiple complete finishing ranges to Turkmen textile enterprises, Thomas Paffgen, Area Sales Manager at Monforts, told Trend. According to him, these projects have included MONTEX stenter lines, MONFORTEX sanforising systems and THERMEX continuous dyeing technologies installed within large-scale textile complexes. Most recently, we have supplied a number of MONTEXCOAT machines. Thomas Paffgen indicated that the importance of these deliveries lies not only in the quantity of machinery supplied but also in their role within Turkmenistans vertically integrated textile production chain, covering all stages from cotton preparation to final finishing. "The significance of these deliveries lies not simply in the number of machines supplied, but in the role they play within the production chain. Turkmenistans textile sector is structured around vertical integration - from cotton preparation and spinning through weaving or knitting to final finishing. Finishing technology determines dimensional stability, shrinkage control and colour consistency, all of which are essential for export markets, particularly in home textiles such as bed linen and towelling," Paffgen said. The Manager noted that in recent years, the focus in the sector has shifted from increasing capacity to consolidating quality, with attention to process optimisation, energy efficiency and product consistency. "Many of the installations supplied earlier are now operating at a mature stage, and the focus is on process optimisation, energy efficiency and product consistency rather than purely adding new throughput," he added. Monforts is a German company specializing in the design and manufacturing of high-tech equipment for the textile industry. Founded in 1884, it is one of the leading suppliers of finishing systems for textile mills worldwide. The company offers solutions for fabric finishing, such as stenter machines, sanforizing systems, and continuous dyeing, aimed at improving product quality and enhancing production efficiency. Monforts is also actively involved in developing sustainable technologies, such as energy-efficient and resource-conserving fabric processing methods, and has strong connections with major global textile manufacturers. Origin Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:OBK) is one of Jim Cramers latest stock calls as oil drops and the U.S. market rises. When a caller inquired about the stock during the lightning round, Cramer said, Its okay. Not great. Not bad. Thats not enough for me to own it. Photo by Artem Podrez on Pexels Origin Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:OBK) is a bank holding company that provides financial services, including deposit accounts, insurance products, and some commercial and residential lending solutions. It is worth noting that Cramer was bullish on the company during the January 15 episode as a club member inquired about the stock. He remarked: That thing is a rocket ship. You are a winner, club member. Youre in a winner, and I think that you should stay in it, and if it pulls back, I would buy more. While we acknowledge the potential of OBK 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. Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 19. Uzbekistan and Japans Itochu Corporation discussed the implementation of a project to build a wastewater treatment system in the Tashkent region, as well as measures to accelerate its execution, Trend reports via the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan. The issue was reviewed during a meeting between Deputy Minister Ilzat Kasimov and Itochu Corporation representatives, including Shinobu Natsukawa and Yamoto Ryuji, Director of the companys representative office in Uzbekistan. During the talks, the parties focused on optimizing the project parameters and ensuring a balance between water quality requirements and the cost-effectiveness of the services provided. The sides agreed to speed up the implementation of the project and continue cooperation in the field of water infrastructure development. Itochu Corporation, founded in 1858, is a Japanese trading and investment company operating in various industrial and infrastructure sectors. The company is featured in the Fortune Global 500 ranking, maintains approximately 90 offices in 61 countries, and is actively implementing projects in Uzbekistan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 19. Uzbekistan and Finland discussed cooperation on geological data management within the framework of the DATA4CRM project for 2026-2029, financed by the European Union, Trend reports via Uzbekistans Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology. The issue was reviewed during a meeting between officials of the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology, the University of Geological Sciences, and the State Institution Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology and representatives of the Geological Survey of Finland. The project includes joint work in areas such as digitalization of geodata, geophysical research, groundwater modeling, commercialization of scientific developments, and personnel training. DATA4CRM is a flagship Team Europe initiative with a total budget of 7.5 million euros, aimed at modernizing geodata systems, improving access to geological information, and unlocking investment opportunities in the critical raw materials sector. The initiative is backed by the European Union with funding of 5 million euros and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland contributing 2.5 million euros. Its primary objective is to tackle a significant hurdle encountered by investors: the absence of dependable and current geological data. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press Service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 19. Kyrgyzstan and the Boston Consulting Group discussed further promising areas of cooperation, Trend reports via the press service of the nation's Cabinet of Ministers. The topic was discussed during a meeting between Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, and representatives of Boston Consulting Group. During the meeting, the parties explored promising areas for further cooperation and new opportunities for joint work in the interests of the sustainable development of Kyrgyzstans economy. They noted that over the past two years, a substantive and trust-based format of cooperation has been established. With the support of the company, key strategic documents of the Kyrgyz Republic have been developed. Furthermore, the Kyrgyz side emphasized the importance of continuing this work, consistently advancing international cooperation and attracting globally recognized investors. "The Kyrgyz Republic is open to constructive partnership, and we are ready to create favorable conditions for the implementation of mutually beneficial projects. Our doors are always open to responsible investors interested in the long-term and sustainable development of various sectors of the economy," Kasymaliev said. Representatives of Boston Consulting Group, in turn, expressed their readiness to continue effective cooperation with Kyrgyzstan. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is one of the "Big Three" (MBB) strategy consulting firms, along with McKinsey and Bain. A Boston-based consulting firm founded in 1963, BCG helps commercial, governmental, and nonprofit executives solve complex issues and seize growth opportunities. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. International Bank of Azerbaijan OJSC is buying an interest from a foreign bank, Trend reports via the "Taxes" newspaper of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy. The bank has appealed to its shareholders. Guided by Article 24.5 of the law of Azerbaijan "On banks", the Board of Directors of International Bank of Azerbaijan informed that the next general meeting of shareholders of the bank will be held on 07.05.2026. At the same time, in accordance with Article 8.10 of the bank's charter, voting is planned to be carried out in absentia, through a personal account created by the National Depository Center of Azerbaijan on the investor portal (invp.e-mdm.gov.az). The general meeting agenda has included the following issues: 1. Approval of the financial statements and management report of the OJSC for 2025, checked by an external auditor; 2. Payment of dividends to the shareholders of the OJSC based on the financial results of 2025; 3. Establishment of an asset management subsidiary of the OJSC; 4. Acquisition of a participating interest (controlling stake) in a foreign bank; 5. Amendments to the composition of the Supervisory Board of the OJSC. The notification of the general meeting will be posted from March 19, 2026, and the relevant materials and voting bulletin on the issues included in the agenda will be posted from April 15, 2026, for each shareholder in its personal cabinet created by the National Depository Center of Azerbaijan on the investor portal (invp.e-mdm.gov.az). "You can participate in absentee voting by expressing your position on the issues on the agenda electronically through your personal account from April 15, 2026, through May 6, 2026. The counting of votes cast electronically in the above manner will be carried out on the day of the general meeting," the appeal said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 19. Turkmenistan and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) discussed the strategic importance of the Serhetabat-Herat section, often referred to as "Arkadag's White Path," which is a key part of the transnational Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The issue was reviewed during a meeting held in China between National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the Board of Directors of CNPC Dai Houliang, as part of Berdimuhamedovs visit to the Peoples Republic of China. It was also noted that Turkmen-Chinese cooperation covers a wide range of areas, including political and diplomatic ties, trade and economic relations, fuel and energy, transport and communications, logistics, industry, technology, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation. In this context, collaboration in the fuel and energy sector was highlighted as one of the key priorities of bilateral relations, with CNPC described as a reliable partner of Turkmenistan in the oil and gas industry. Berdimuhamedov also noted that 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of cooperation between Turkmenistan and CNPC, proposing to hold an international scientific and practical conference to commemorate the milestone. The meeting included an exchange of views on further expanding bilateral cooperation, with both sides expressing confidence in the continued development of a mutually beneficial partnership for the prosperity of the two nations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The subscription to ABB Bank bonds has been successfully completed. During the subscription period, held from March 4 to March 17, strong demand was observed from both individual and corporate investors. The volume of orders exceeded the offered amount by approximately five times, once again demonstrating the high level of trust in ABB Banks bonds. In order to create new investment and income opportunities for citizens, as well as to support the development of the countrys securities market, priority was given to individual investors their applications were satisfied first. In total, 503 individual investors purchased ABB Bank bonds. Notably, 97% of investors submitted their applications through the ABB mobile application. The bonds were issued in two tranches of 5 million AZN each. The nominal value of each bond was 100 AZN, with each tranche consisting of 50,000 registered, interest-bearing, unsecured, and dematerialized bonds. The yield was set at 10% per annum for a 1-year term and 11% per annum for a 2-year term. Interest payments are made quarterly and are exempt from taxation for individual investors. The placement of the bonds through a public offering was completed on March 19. Investors will also have the opportunity to trade the bonds on the secondary market. The bonds will be listed on the Baku Stock Exchange. ABB Bank bonds will become a permanent product of the Bank and will continue to be offered regularly in smaller volumes. The next tranche is planned to be announced in the second quarter of 2026. In addition to providing stable returns for investors, ABB Bank bonds also contribute to the development of the capital market in the country. For more detailed information about ABB Banks modern, beneficial, and versatile products and services, please visit the Banks branches and service centers, the official website https://abb-bank.az/, contact the Information Center at 937, or follow the Banks official social media pages. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) were discussed in Azerbaijan, Taleh Kazimov, Chairman of the country's Central Bank (CBA), wrote on his X page, Trend reports. "We held another extensive meeting of the Cooperation Council with Entrepreneurs under the management board of the CBA. Together with the heads of the institutions represented in the council, we held extensive discussions on financing the real sector, further facilitating access to credit resources, mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and the application of innovative financial instruments. The issues and proposals raised by entrepreneurs play an important guiding role for us. The meeting focused on supporting small and medium-sized businesses, improving credit conditions, optimizing collateral mechanisms, and expanding digital financial services. Ongoing communication between the financial and banking sectors and the business community will enhance mutual confidence," he noted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Korean Republic ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 19. Turkmenistan and Singapore discussed expanding cooperation in trade and economic ties, transport and logistics, Trend reports via the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Korea. The talks were held during a meeting between Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Korea Begench Durdyyev and Director-General at Singapores Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jeevan Singh. Particular attention was paid to cooperation in smart city development. The Turkmen side presented the Arkadag smart city project and expressed interest in working with Singapore on digital and technological solutions. The sides confirmed mutual interest in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding practical cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Premium Georgia doubles down investment in Azerbaijan's economy Georgia's foreign direct investment in Azerbaijan surged by 2.6 times in 2025, while Azerbaijan's investment in Georgia also saw an 8.8% increase, reflecting strong bilateral economic ties despite a slight overall decline in Azerbaijan's total foreign direct investment. Micron Crushed Earnings. Wall Street Shrugged. - Moby BREAKING NEWS In perhaps a sign of the times, Micron blew past Wall Streets expectations when it reported second-quarter earnings after the bell on Wednesday. But the market wasnt impressed, and the stock dropped precipitously Thursday morning. Micron posted about $24 billion in revenue, above expectations of $20 billion, and $12.20 of earnings-per-share above expectations of $9.31. The stock is down about 5% as of mid-day Thursday. It's a story of insatiable data center demand. It's also a story of investors getting jittery about the picks-and-shovels stocks powering the AI trade, of which Micron is a key part. Though the company nearly tripled its revenue over the same quarter last year, and demand for its chips is through the roof, its that very demand that made investors cautious. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra told CNBC on Thursday that theyre unable to supply all of their customers, as theres a crunch of memory chips. Our analysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here. We are only able to supply, for our key customers in the mid-term, about 50% to two-thirds of their requirements, Mehrotra said. Still, Micron has been on a tear as of late. The stock is up nearly 350% over the last year and 45% since January 1. The company has benefited in a big way thanks to soaring demand for Nvidias chips. But investors have already priced in the good news, and even a blowout quarter cant keep the momentum going. For now, investors are looking to the next quarter. Micron projects $33.5 billion in revenue for the next quarter, and EPS of $18.90. Its a huge jump. And despite the markets reaction, major banks still updated their price targets: Wells Fargo to $550 per share from $470, and Barclays to $670 from $450. One stock. Nvidia-level potential. 30M+ investors trust Moby to find it first. Get the pick. Tap here. Premium Turkmenistan to join IRENA's forum in Baku in June - Country Engagement Director (Exclusive) Photo: IRENA Active involvement from Turkmenistan in the APRECA Investment Forum in Baku this June will help advance renewable energy projects, strengthen regional cooperation, and contribute to the Central Asian energy transition, Gurbuz Gonul, Director of Country Engagement and Partnerships at IRENA. Premium EBRD unveils new investment plans for Uzbekistan's growing retail market Photo: EBRD The EBRD is preparing new financing for Uzbekistans private sector, with retail modernization emerging as one of the latest areas attracting international funding. Premium Oil transit via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline decreases in 2M2026 In the first two months of 2026, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline saw a decrease in the volume of transit oil. A drop in transportation from prior years was the main factor in the decrease. Azerbaijan was the primary oil producer, with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan contributing less. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing 146 million to Kronospan, a leading European producer of wood-based panels, to help cut emissions and strengthen energy independence across its Central and Eastern European operations, Trend reports via the EIB. The financing will support the installation of solar photovoltaic systemsboth rooftop and ground-mountedat Kronospan sites in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. It also includes battery storage solutions and the transition from fossil-fuelled forklifts and trucks to electric vehicles. The project aligns with the EUs REPowerEU initiative and the EIBs climate action objectives, enabling a key industrial player to reduce emissions and improve energy resilience. It also contributes to Europes housing agenda by securing a sustainable supply of building materials, with most investments targeting cohesion regions to promote regional development. Kronospan plays a crucial role in Europes housing and construction ecosystem, said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. This investment will help the company cut emissions, lower energy costs, remain globally competitive, and support jobs and innovation across Europe. The EIB Group is the EUs financing arm, owned by its 27 Member States, and ranks among the worlds largest multilateral development banks. In 2025, it approved 100 billion in financing and advisory services for over 870 high-impact projects across eight priority areas, including climate action, digital innovation, security, territorial cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, global partnerships, and investment promotion. The European Investment Fund (EIF), a subsidiary of the EIB Group, focuses on improving access to finance for European SMEs and startups through guarantees and equity investments. Acting as an anchor investor, the EIF mobilizes private capital, supports venture capital funds, and nurtures Europes entrepreneurial ecosystem. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. For Central Asian countries with abundant wind and solar resources, green hydrogen has the potential to become an export commodity, Trend reports via the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). The bank noted that Kazakhstan is already implementing the Svevind project to produce green hydrogen and ammonia for export to Europe. Analysts also point out that hydrogen can be used domestically within the region, for instance, to decarbonize metallurgy or fertilizer production. However, this requires government support, including standards, safety regulations, incentive measures, and integration into international supply chains. Hydrogen links the power sector with transport and industry and could become a global commodity, similar to oil and gas today. A balanced energy transition should include hydrogen in Central Asias long-term strategy, turning this resource into a future export product while maintaining its role in global energy markets, the bank said. The EDB emphasized that energy storage systems, pumped-storage hydro stations, and hydrogen are critical for low-carbon energy. Each technology has its advantages and limitations, but their proper combination can create a resilient energy system capable of safely integrating high shares of renewables and managing fluctuating demand. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 19. A new international air route linking Vietnam and the Czech Republic via Kazakhstan is set to be launched, Trend reports via the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan. Starting from July 11, Vietnams low-cost carrier VietJet Air plans to operate flights on the Hanoi Almaty Prague route, utilizing fifth freedom traffic rights. The flights will be operated twice a week using Airbus A330 aircraft. According to the ministry, the new service will be launched under Kazakhstans open skies regime, which is aimed at expanding international air connectivity and attracting foreign airlines to the country. The introduction of the route is expected to contribute to the development of tourism, business, and humanitarian ties, as well as strengthen cooperation between Kazakhstan, Vietnam, and the Czech Republic. The ministry noted that the new air link will further reinforce Kazakhstans role as a transit hub between Asia and Europe and support the continued expansion of its international route network. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 19. A letter from U.S. President Donald Trump has been received in the name of Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh president. In his message, the U.S. leader expressed appreciation for the meeting with Tokayev held during the inaugural session of the Board of Peace in February in Washington. Trump noted that he looks forward to welcoming the Kazakh president again at the next meeting of the Board of Peace, as well as at the upcoming G20 summit scheduled to take place in Miami later this year. The Board of Peace was launched at the initiative of President Trump. Kazakhstan joined the body as a founding member in January this year during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 19. Kazakhstan and Georgia have discussed projects on the development of logistics infrastructure along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakshatn. The discussions took place during a meeting between Chairman of the Investment Committee of Kazakhstans Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gabidulla Ospankulov and Georgias Ambassador Levan Diasamidze. The sides also reviewed prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in the agro-industrial sector, logistics, and tourism. Particular attention was paid to strengthening trade, economic, and investment ties, including opportunities to deepen cooperation through mutual participation in projects. In addition the parties discussed prospects for advancing agro-industrial cooperation. The Middle Corridor is a transport and trade route passing through a number of countries in the region and connecting Asia with Europe. It serves as an alternative to the traditional Northern and Southern Corridors The route begins in China and passes through the countries of Central Asia. It then crosses the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor is a land route that bypasses the longer sea routes, connecting the eastern regions of Asia, including China, with Europe. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 19. Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) Talgat Aldybergenov and a representative from Chengdu Sefon Software discussed the potential creation of a situational center for KTZ using intelligent operational control (IOC) solutions, Trend reports via KTZ. The discussions came to the conclusion that such a solution can improve the efficiency of infrastructure management and the movement of passenger and freight trains. During the trip to Chengdu, a key transport nexus in Southwest China, Aldybergenov also toured the dispatch center of China State Railway Group Chengdu Bureau, where he engaged with the dispatching systems and automated control technologies that underpin the safety and continuity of transportation operations. The program further included a visit to Southwest Jiaotong University, one of Chinas oldest transport and logistics institutions, where issues related to personnel training and scientific cooperation in railway transport were discussed. The visit is aimed at strengthening partnership and introducing advanced digital solutions into KTZs operations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 19. Kazakhstans Ministry of Energy is accelerating efforts to move 10 problematic combined heat and power (CHP) plants out of the critical red zone ahead of the next heating season, Trend reports via the ministry. The issue was discussed during a special meeting chaired by Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, with the participation of deputy akims, heads of energy enterprises, and regional representatives. During the meeting, the minister noted that the current heating season is proceeding in a stable mode. Thanks to the Tariff in exchange for investment program, the overall wear rate of CHP plants in the country decreased from 61% to 59% in 2025. Three plants were moved to the green zone, while nine were taken out of the red zone. However, further measures are required. Of the 37 CHP plants in Kazakhstan, 10 are currently in the green zone, 17 in the yellow zone, and 10 remain in the critical red zone. Meanwhile, the list of problematic facilities includes CHP plants in Semey, Temirtau GRES-1, Petropavlovsk, Aktau CHP-2, Pavlodar CHP-2, Stepnogorsk, Uralsk, Kyzylorda, Arkalyk, and Taraz. Minister Akkenzhenov confirmed that comprehensive repair plans have been approved for these plants. In total, major overhauls are planned for nine power units, 55 boilers, and 51 turbines. Repairs are already underway for two power units, five boilers, and two turbines, while one turbine overhaul has been completed. At the same time, he stressed that repairs alone are insufficient, pointing to limited funding and persistent risks of accidents even after upgrades. Akkenzhenov called for a shift from short-term planning to a more systematic approach, as well as stricter oversight of contractors. Find winning stocks in any market cycle. Join 7 million investors using Simply Wall St's investing ideas for FREE. Raymond James Financial (NYSE:RJF) has named Peter Moores as the next CEO of Raymond James Ltd., its Canadian business. The appointment is subject to regulatory approval and represents an internal promotion for Moores. The change affects leadership for the firms Canadian wealth management and capital markets operations. Raymond James Financial, through Raymond James Ltd., operates a broad Canadian platform that includes wealth management, investment banking, and related capital markets services. Leadership changes at this level can influence how the firm positions its advisors, allocates resources across products, and responds to client demand across Canada. For investors watching NYSE:RJF, the pending appointment of Peter Moores primarily concerns how Canadian operations are led and prioritized. As the transition progresses, readers may monitor any stated changes in focus, product mix, or advisor support that could affect the Canadian contribution within the broader firm. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Raymond James Financial by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Raymond James Financial. NYSE:RJF 1-Year Stock Price Chart Does the team leading Raymond James Financial have what it takes? See our full breakdown of the management team's track record and compensation. Quick Assessment Price vs Analyst Target : At US$142.34, Raymond James Financial trades about 29.9% below the US$184.83 analyst price target. Simply Wall St Valuation : Shares are described as trading 41.6% below an estimated fair value, which suggests a sizeable valuation gap in this model. Recent Momentum: The 30 day return of about a 10.3% decline shows weak short term momentum despite the leadership news. There is only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold Raymond James Financial: detailed, up to date analysis. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest assessment of Raymond James Financial's fair value. Key Considerations Photo: Press Service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 19. Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan discussed prospects for expanding bilateral relations in various areas, Trend reports via the press service of the nation's Cabinet of Ministers. The issue was discussed during a meeting between First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Daniyar Amangeldiev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan Altamash Wazir Khan on the occasion of the start of his diplomatic mission in the country. During the meeting, the parties reviewed the current state and prospects for expanding Kyrgyz-Pakistani cooperation in the trade, economic, investment, and transport and logistics sectors. Amangeldiev congratulated the ambassador on the beginning of his honorable mission and noted that a new stage in bilateral relations had been laid during the state visit of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in December last year. The discussion also highlighted the need to increase bilateral trade volumes, as well as to intensify investment and energy cooperation between the two countries. In turn, Ambassador Altamash Wazir Khan expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and reaffirmed Islamabads strong interest in deepening partnership with Bishkek. Concluding the meeting, Amangeldiev thanked Wazir Khan for the substantive discussion and expressed confidence that his diplomatic experience would contribute to elevating bilateral ties to a new level. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly struck 80 Israeli military positions, including key support facilities, Trend reports, citing the IRGC. The strike, carried out during the 63rd phase of the "True Promise 4" operation, targeted military installations across multiple Israeli cities using multi-warhead missiles and kamikaze drones. 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 19. Iranian authorities have neutralized two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and one cruise missile during overnight operations, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated, Trend reports. According to the IRGC, one "Orbiter" UAV was intercepted over Tehran, a "Heron" UAV was neutralized over Karaj, and a cruise missile was disabled near Kuhin. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Since February 28, military airstrikes by the United States and Israel have claimed the lives of 121 people in Irans East Azerbaijan Province in the northwest of the country, Majid Farshi, Director General of the Emergency Situations Department of East Azerbaijan, told reporters, Trend reports. According to him, the attacks also left 1,134 people injured. Farshi added that additional airstrikes targeted several areas of the province just the day before, further escalating the humanitarian impact. 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 19. The Iranian army fired drones at the building of the Israeli Ministry of Internal Security, the building of the Channel 13 television station, and the facilities of the Ground Forces, the army's statement says, Trend reports. According to the statement, a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles were used in the attack. 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. 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 19. A consultative meeting was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the participation of foreign ministers and representatives from 12 countries, including Azerbaijan, Trend reports, citing the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry. The meeting brought together officials from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. According to the report, participants discussed and strongly condemned Irans attacks on countries in the region. They emphasized that ceasing attacks, pursuing de-escalation, ensuring regional security and stability, and intensifying diplomatic efforts to resolve ongoing crises are essential steps. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The Czech Republic began providing military assistance to Ukraine even before Russias full-scale invasion and has done everything it could to support the country. Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces Karel Rehka said this in an interview with Ukrinform. Actually, the first deliveries from the Czech Republic were shortly before February 24. We started supplying whatever equipment we could even before the invasion started, and since the first minutes we were supporting Ukraine, the general said, noting that the political decision to back Ukraine was the right one. According to him, Czech military officials conducted an inventory of mobilization stocks and supplies and identified equipment that could be sent to Ukraine without weakening the countrys own defense. We managed to identify a lot of equipment that was later sent to Ukraine based on governmental decisions, because we had a government that supported it. There was a lot of equipment: tanks, BMPs, air defense systems, a lot of ammunition, medical supplies basically everything you can think of If I consider equipment support, we basically gave almost everything we could give in those first years, Rehka said. However, he emphasized that the militarys contribution was only part of the support, and a much larger portion of equipment came through the defense industry. The general particularly highlighted assistance provided by industry, the private sector, society, and ordinary people, many of whom continue to donate money to support Ukraine. Rehka himself contributes to an initiative raising funds for drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He expressed hope that Czech support would continue under the new government. In particular, government has already decided to continue the Czech ammunition initiative. As previously reported, current Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis had promised before the elections to stop Czech participation in the ammunition initiative, but at the beginning of this year, he announced that it would continue, though now the Czech Republic will play only a coordinating role. Operationally, he noted customer contracts were down by 17,000, including a decline of 110,000 broadband accesses. Dommermuth attributed weaker mobile momentum partly to customer migrations in the prior year. Revenue in consumer access grew 0.8%, with service revenue about the same and other revenuesuch as handset and tablet salesup 3.7%. Consumer access EBITDA fell 11.7% year over year, with Dommermuth pointing to segment-level dynamics including the national roaming partner change and slower-than-expected growth in the Vodafone network during 2025. He also cited an accounting change related to Telefonica no longer activating a portion of costs. In the access business, Dommermuth cited figures previously shared at a 1&1 conference: 3.8 million broadband connections and 12.5 million mobile contracts. He said the companys Open RAN, fully virtualized network reached 27% of households by the end of 2025, overfulfilling regulatory requirements, and pointed to first-place customer satisfaction rankings in Connects tests for both internet access and mobile. CEO Ralph Dommermuth described United Internet as operating across internet access and applications for both consumer and business customers, supported by more than 10,000 employees, an 86,000-kilometer fiber network, a 5G mobile network, and roughly 100,000 servers. Key brands mentioned included 1&1 in consumer access, 1&1 and Versatel in business access, GMX/Web.de/mail.com in consumer applications, and IONOS (and its subsidiaries) in business applications. United Internet (ETR:UTDI) executives used the companys analysts and investors conference in Frankfurt to review fiscal 2025 performance, outline expectations for 2026, and address investor questions ranging from cloud growth and taxation to the potential impact of AI across its portfolio. Segment performance split: IONOS/business applications drove results with EBITDA up 19.8% to EUR 464.1 million (35.2% margin) and consumer applications added 310,000 paid accounts with revenue +8.1%, while consumer access EBITDA fell 11.7% amid customer declines and roaming partner changes. Cash flow and balance sheet: Free cash flow after lease jumped to EUR 320.6 million in 2025 (from EUR 47 million in 2024) and management gave a rough free-cash-flow target of about EUR 600 million for 2026; net debt was EUR 3.2 billion with a leverage ratio of 2.48. 2026 guidance: Management targets revenue of EUR 6.25 billion and EBITDA of EUR 1.45 billion , with cash capex guided to EUR 600650 million , and will reorganize reporting into Consumer and Small Business and a new Enterprise and Networks segment from January 2026. Story Continues Business access and applications performance Members of Congress Bought These 5 StocksShould You? For business access, Dommermuth highlighted 1&1 Versatels footprint, describing a network covering 350 large German cities and growth in directly connected customers. He said turnover increased 2.1% and EBITDA improved by 2.1% to EUR 177 million, despite the starting costs. Consumer applications (GMX/Web.de) posted stronger growth. Dommermuth said the business added more than 60,000 new accounts and reached 360,000 paid customers, emphasizing a model that starts with free accounts and converts users to paid offerings. He reported 310,000 additional paid accounts and noted that free accounts declined as conversions increased. Revenue rose 8.1% to EUR 322.6 million, driven by monetization, paid accounts, and advertising. EBT increased 8.7% to EUR 223.1 million. Dommermuth also referenced incorporating AI features as add-ons and within services. Expedia Stock Turns Volatile After Rally. Where Does It Go Next? In business applications, Dommermuth described IONOS as a digitization partner for small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe and North America, offering domains, websites, e-commerce, online marketing tools, office productivity products, storage, and cloud infrastructure with a focus on security standards and data protection compliance. He said customer contracts increased to 5.25 million, driven mainly by international growth, with domestic contracts at 4.8 million. Dommermuth said IONOS was able to offset the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar, and he reported EBITDA up 19.8% to EUR 464.1 million, implying a 35.2% EBITDA margin. Group figures, cash flow, and balance sheet CFO Carsten Theurer reiterated that the group added 0.7 million customers, mostly from consumer business, citing contributions from IONOS business applications (460,000) and consumer applications. He also emphasized the 310,000 paid-account additions in consumer applications from conversions. Theurer said group revenue increased 1.9%. He clarified a mix-up in earlier commentary, noting that 19.8% referred to business applications EBITDA growth, while group EBITDA increased 2.4%. He also referenced IFRS 5 treatment of Sedo as a discontinued unit in the P&L (while remaining included in the balance sheet and cash flow). On profitability, Theurer pointed to higher depreciation and said EBIT decreased 1.9% compared to 2024. He reported cash flow improved by EUR 70 million, attributing the change partly to the cash-flow impact of contingent paymentssaying the company paid about EUR 200 million in advance, which will be used over time and no longer represents cash payments in coming years. He said investing cash outflows reflected network expansion and reported capex of EUR 730 million, a little bit less than last year. Theurer also cited financing and capital allocation items, including a catch-up dividend, acquisition of 1&1 shares of over EUR 200 million in 2025, and share buyback programs involving both United Internet and IONOS. Theurer reported that free cash flow after lease increased to EUR 320.6 million in 2025 from EUR 47 million in 2024. In the cash flow bridge, he highlighted taxes as the largest year-over-year swing, which he attributed to the timing of advance tax payments and the tax-group structure around Versatel and 1&1. On the balance sheet, Theurer said fixed assets rose by EUR 350 million, largely due to fiber network investments and activation of contingent payments over time. He reported net debt of EUR 3.2 billion at the end of 2025 and a leverage ratio of 2.48. Equity decreased slightly, but he said the equity ratio remained solid at 43.6%. 2026 outlook and upcoming segment reporting changes Dommermuth outlined 2026 targets, calling for revenue of EUR 6.25 billion and EBITDA of EUR 1.45 billion, which he described as EUR 170 million higher than the prior year. He guided cash capex to EUR 600 million to EUR 650 million, saying investments in decentralized and regional data centers would slow down a bit after roughly 350 sites were already up and running. He also said the company will change its segment reporting beginning in January 2026. Dommermuth described plans to rename and reorganize segments so that the consumer access segment becomes Consumer and Small Business. A new segment, Enterprise and Networks, will combine the 1&1 mobile network with business access, positioning it as a wholesale/network-oriented view alongside Versatels large-customer focus. Q&A: IONOS cloud, taxes, AI strategy, and free cash flow IONOS data center / EU gigafactory: Asked about a planned data center, Dommermuth said the topic likely referred to a potential EU gigafactory and that the company was still waiting for tender documents, which had been repeatedly delayed. He said the last he heard was end of March, and that IONOS management would decide whether to participate once details are available. IONOS cloud revenue trajectory: Executives said they had limited detail to share, but Theurer said the company had a quite good start in the first quarter and was optimistic about double-digit growth, particularly in the public sector. Tax charge outlook: Responding to a question about a notable step-down in taxes in 2025 versus 2024, Theurer distinguished between cash taxes and P&L taxes. He said the key special effect was cash back from advance payments made in 2024, and indicated taxes would normalize in 2027, with 2026 still impacted in the P&L by the Versatel/1&1 tax-group structure and Versatel losses. AI viewed as opportunity, not threat: Dommermuth said he was quite relaxed about AIs impact on IONOS and argued AI should ultimately be beneficial, pointing to opportunities to sell AI solutions to SMEs and to embed AI into products for efficiency. He also addressed investor concerns that AI-assisted vibe coding could disrupt website creation, saying United Internet expects to offer similar capabilities and that infrastructure needsdomains, hosting, and customer relationshipsremain essential. Consumer applications and AI-driven search changes: Dommermuth said he was even more relaxed about AIs effect on consumer applications, arguing the business relies primarily on logged-in users rather than search traffic. He described AI features being rolled out in email products, such as translation, smart search, and drafting assistance, and discussed the possibility of distributing third-party AI agents through the companys reach. Consumer applications EBITDA and sale speculation: Theurer said consumer applications were growing and that EBITDA was benefiting both from organic growth and from bringing server operations in-house after a shared-service arrangement with IONOS was wound down. He said expectations were more than EUR 140 million EBITDA and that a sale was not on the agenda, though he added the company would listen if an attractive offer emerged. Free cash flow expectation: Theurer gave a very rough estimate of free cash flow around about EUR 600 million, citing an expected EBITDA improvement at 1&1 and comparing against the prior year level just under EUR 500. The conference concluded with management reiterating a focus on participating in AI-driven change while pursuing efficiency gains across operations, alongside continued investment in network and infrastructure. About United Internet (ETR:UTDI) United Internet AG, through its subsidiaries, operates as an Internet service provider worldwide. The company operates through Consumer Access, Business Access, Consumer Applications, and Business Applications segments. It offers landline-based broadband and mobile internet products, including home networks, online storage, telephony, and IPTV for private users; and telecommunication products ranging from fiber-optic direct connections to tailored ICT solutions, which include voice, data, and network solutions, as well as infrastructure services to national and international carriers and ISPs. The article "United Internet Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Karel Rehka, believes that in the event of peace between Ukraine and Russia, it must not be forgotten who the aggressor is and who the victim is. He said this in an interview with Ukrinform. According to Rehka, the international community must apply sufficient pressure to push Russia toward ending the war, as it is currently showing no willingness to do so. Of course, it should not be peace at all costs the worst thing that could happen would be to end the war at any cost and then simply return to business as usual. We should not forget who the aggressor is, who committed war crimes, who the victim is, and who is defending their country. Any outcome of this war must take this into account, Rehka stressed. According to him, currently, this is the war of attrition, which is extremely costly for both sides. But if you compare the number of citizens and the size of the population the pool for manpower there is clearly an asymmetry, and it is not favourable for Ukraine if this continues indefinitely, the Czech chief of the General Staff noted. Asked why Western partners hesitated to provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons and supplied them in limited quantities, the Czech military leader listed several reasons. In particular, he recalled that initially everyone was in shock, despite warnings that Russia might attack. At the same time, Ukraine was not part of NATO structures, so there was no pre-established mechanism for such a situation. However, the main reason for hesitation, in Rehkas view, was politicians fear of entering an escalation spiral that could theoretically lead to the use of nuclear weapons which would be a catastrophic tragedy for everyone, including Ukraine. In addition, many decisions were influenced more by public sentiment than by strategic analysis. As reported by Ukrinform, Rehka also said that Russias full-scale aggression against Ukraine served as a wake-up call that ultimately prompted the West and NATO to rapidly adjust their strategy, taking into account the lessons of this war. The logo for Goldman Sachs is seen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters US federal regulators are trying to soften bank requirements, loosening the amount of capital US banks must have, in what would be some of the biggest changes to bank restrictions since the 2008 financial crisis and a huge win for financial institutions. On Thursday, US Federal Reserve officials are expected to vote to lower capital requirements the funds they need to cover risky assets for the biggest banks by 4.8%, which could free up capital for banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Larger regional banks like PNC would see their requirements drop by 5.2%, while requirements banks with less than $100bn in assets would fall by 7.7%. Capital requirements were increased after Wall Streets risky bets triggered 2008 financial crisis. Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator and ranking member of the Senate banking committee, who helped create regulations after the 2008 financial crisis, said in a statement that the banking industry has been on a multi-year lobbying assault to gut modest safeguards on Wall Street risk-taking. Related: Fed holds interest rates steady as Iran war drives up oil prices and inflation fears Big banks can now declare mission accomplished. Todays proposal grants their every wish, Warren said. Itll mean bigger payouts for megabank shareholders and executives, less lending to small businesses and families, and a banking system even more prone to devastating crashes and taxpayer bailouts. The initiative has been spearheaded by Michelle Bowman, a Fed governor and the central banks vice-chair for supervision, who Donald Trump appointed last year. In a speech at the Cato Institute last week, Bowman said the changes would provide more efficient regulation and banks that are better positioned to support economic growth. Following the 2008 financial crisis, regulators implemented reforms that substantially increased bank capital and strengthened financial system resilience, Bowman said. While these initial reforms were necessary, experience shows requirements that overly calibrate low-risk activities produce unintended consequences. The changes will be a major revision to Basel III, global banking regulations that were set up in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. After the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in 2023, US regulators were looking to tighten Basel III and make large banks hold more capital. But the major banks pushed back aggressively, arguing in 2024 that they helped stabilize the economy after SVBs fall and that stronger regulations could lead more businesses to riskier lines of credit. Prestige-96 sandwich biscuits. LONDON, March 19, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Valeo Foods Group, one of Europes leading producers of sweets, treats and snacks, today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of Prestige-96 AD ("Prestige"), a market-leading Bulgarian manufacturer of sweet baked goods. Founded in 1996, Prestige is one of Bulgarias most established and trusted producers of biscuits, wafers and sweet snack products. Its portfolio features some of the countrys most recognisable local brands including - Naya (), Hyper (), Mirage () and Roden Kray ( ). Prestige employs approximately 450 people across its operations. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Valeo Foods Groups long-term growth strategy, focused on acquiring market-leading, iconic local brands as part of its continued European expansion. As Valeo Foods Groups eighth acquisition since 2022, Prestige reinforces the companys ambition to strengthen its position as Europes leading sweet treats champion. Integrating Prestige into the Group is expected to unlock significant strategic value. The combined business will accelerate growth in Bulgaria by enhancing cross-selling opportunities and capitalising on Prestiges strong retailer relationships. The acquisition also creates new pathways to expand into adjacent snacking categories and broadens Valeo Food Groups international footprint by leveraging the export strengths of both organisations to grow in existing and new markets. In addition, Prestige brings a modern, wellinvested production and warehousing facility, enhancing the Groups capacity, operational flexibility and overall efficiency. Prestiges experienced local management team shares Valeo Foods commitment to quality, operational excellence and longterm business resilience. Their expertise and strong cultural alignment will play a key role in advancing the Groups ambition to become Europes undisputed sweet treats champion. Ronald Kers, CEO of Valeo Foods Group, commented: "Prestige is an exceptional business with outstanding brands, a strong market position, and a highly capable team. By combining Prestiges category expertise with the scale of the Valeo Foods network, we see significant opportunities to accelerate growth, expand into new markets, and bring even more loved products to consumers across Europe. This acquisition is a clear investment in longterm, sustainable growth, adding capabilities that naturally enhance our core business. We look forward to welcoming the Prestige team as we grow together." You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Surging Oil ETFs Get Extra Boost From Backwardation Those gains are ahead of the roughly 66% and 64% increases in front-month WTI and Brent crude oil futures, respectively. And if the supply situation remains tenuous, the ETFs could continue to outperform futures. Thats because returns for these funds depend not only on the direction of oil prices, but also on the shape of the futures curve. (ETF.com) Wells Fargo Revamps SMA Manager List The wirehouse added approximately 93 new third-party SMA strategies and removed 20 from its UMA since April 2024, according to a comparison of its most recent manager list published last month. Of the new strategies, about 69 landed on Wells Fargo's recommended product list for advisors. (FundFire) A Multi-Asset Playbook for Geopolitical Shocks and Oil Supply Disruption We examined five events: the Second Lebanon War (2006), NATO intervention in Libya (2011), the start of the Russia-Ukraine war (2022), the conflict in Gaza (2023) and the recent strikes on Iran (2026-). At the one-day and five-day horizons, the pattern across Middle East events is consistent. Equities sell off, particularly in emerging markets (EM) and developed markets (DM) outside the U.S. (World ex-USA), while the U.S. holds its ground. By one month, most of the damage dissipates. (MSCI) Why Advisors Are Doubling Down on Munis, High-Quality Bonds Right Now Going out further on muni-bond yield curve makes sense as a steepening curve allows advisors to lock in yields and benefit from roll-down, he adds. That yield story is a really powerful one, and that yield-curve steepness story is really important, he said. (The Daily Upside*) 2 Cautionary Tales From Private Equity and Private Credit Markets SpaceX has the telltale signs of a unicorn. It has bright fundamental prospects and looks like its growing by various estimates. However, Ptak says, investors need to be careful what they wish for and sweat the details. (Morningstar) Private Credit Funds Face Rising Redemption Requests as Cliffwater Caps Withdrawals The $1.8 trillion private credit market is facing growing pressure on liquidity structures as withdrawal requests increase across the alternative investment industry. In the latest sign of mounting investor pressure, Cliffwater LLC has capped redemptions for its flagship private credit fund after facing one of the largest withdrawal attempts in the sectors history. (AltsWire) Ares Convenes Town Hall to Reassure Staff amid Private Credit Market Concerns Earlier this month, Arougheti said concerns over defaults in the $1.8 private credit market were overblown. On Wednesday, he rebuked what he called a narrative of outflows in wealth which by the way, on an aggregated basis, we're not seeing. (FundFire) Blue Owl Capital Corp II Board Rejects Below-NAV Tender Offer From Saba Capital, Cox Capital The board of directors of Blue Owl Capital Corporation II has formally recommended that shareholders reject an unsolicited tender offer from Saba Capital Management and Cox Capital Partners, calling the bid inadequate and arguing it would deprive investors of a near-term capital distribution and future portfolio returns. OBDC II is a non-traded business development company focused on lending to U.S. middle-market companies. (AltsWire) Target-Date Funds Continue Their Rapid Rise Target-date collective investment trusts surpassed mutual funds as the dominant vehicle in 2024, and the trend continued in 2025. By year-end, CITs held 54% of total target-date assets, up from 52% the prior year, fueled by lower costs and greater flexibility in large retirement plans. (Morningstar) Franklin Templeton Taps Private Credit, Real Estate for Retirement Portfolios Franklin Templeton is expanding its target-date franchise with a new Retirement Advantage Plus lineup that, for the first time, integrates private market investments directly into workplace retirement plans (ConnectMoney) The disappearance of American student James 'Jimmy' Gracey in Barcelona is taking a more troubling turn, with investigators now looking at the possibility of foul play. Even so, no persons of interest or suspects have been identified. Gracey, a University of Alabama student visiting friends abroad, vanished after a night out at a nightclub. His last known movements are drawing increasing attention, particularly after reports suggested he was seen leaving with someone who has not yet been identified. His family say the silence since that night has been unbearable. Each new detail seems to raise more questions than answers. His mobile phone has only added to the uncertainty. Relatives do not know whether it was lost or stolen, which has deepened fears that something may have gone wrong after he left the venue. A Night That Ended Without Answers Gracey had travelled to Barcelona to visit friends studying overseas. What should have been a routine night out has since turned into an international search effort. As reported by Fox News, he was last seen leaving Shoko nightclub on Barceloneta beach in Barcelona. His disappearance came just hours after he had flown into the Spanish city from Amsterdam. Concern grew when the 20 year old failed to return to his Airbnb rental on Ronda de Sant Pere, about two miles from the nightclub he had visited. Witnesses suggest he was not alone. That detail has become vital for investigators trying to understand his final hours. Since then, there have been no confirmed sightings, which has only heightened concern. Authorities have yet to identify the person he was reportedly with. Family Fears Grow as Clues Remain Scarce Gracey's family have spoken openly about their worry, describing the uncertainty surrounding his sudden disappearance in Spain as devastating. According to the New York Post, they are struggling to understand how he could vanish so completely in a busy city. Questions around his phone have been particularly distressing. If it was taken, it could suggest something more serious than just a simple accident. His relatives have urged anyone with information to come forward. They are holding onto hope, while also facing the possibility that the situation may be far more complicated. Friends and Authorities Search for Leads Friends who were with Gracey during the trip have also been working closely with the authorities to retrace his steps. The Alabama student was last seen at around 3am on Tuesday. He had been visiting friends studying abroad, and there were no early signs of distress before he disappeared, NBC Chicago reported. That has made the sudden break in contact even harder to explain. Local police in Barcelona are continuing their investigation, though details remain limited. Officials have not ruled out any scenario, including foul play. A Case That Raises Uneasy Questions The mention of an unidentified person in Gracey's final sighting has stirred concern online and among those following the case. Although it is not unusual for travellers to meet new people, the absence of any trace since that moment has shifted the tone of the investigation. The possibility that he left willingly but encountered danger later is one line of inquiry. Authorities have not confirmed whether surveillance footage could shed light on what happened next. However, insiders said the nightclub was willing to turn over any video from Monday and Tuesday night to assist investigators. A Family Waiting for Answers For now, Jimmy Gracey's loved ones remain in limbo. Each day without news adds to the fear that his disappearance may not have been voluntary. The case has drawn attention across the United States and beyond, with many questioning how someone can vanish so quickly in a major European city. Investigators continue to appeal to the public for information, as his family hold on to hope that answers will come and the truth will finally emerge. Originally published on IBTimes UK Leaders of the nation's 19 historically Black land-grant universities are celebrating a formal agreement signed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this month describing it as both a practical victory and an emotional reassurance that their institutions remain valued partners of the federal government, even as the broader higher education sector navigates one of its most turbulent periods of federal funding uncertainty in decades. The Memorandum of Understanding signed March 5 between the USDA and the Council of 1890 University Presidents sustains and expands the federal partnership with these institutions commonly known as the 1890 universities after the Second Morrill Act of 1890 that established them. The agreement serves as a primary vehicle to implement the policy objectives of Executive Order 14283, the White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at HBCUs, signed by President Trump last spring. Why the Agreement Matters and Why It Was Needed The USDA has signed similar memoranda with the 1890 institutions since the Reagan administration, typically at the start of each new administration. But this renewal carried particular weight given the turbulence of the past year. Harry Williams, CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which represents public HBCUs, said the new MOU reassures university leaders that the Trump administration will continue to support and work with their institutions. That reassurance was not without recent context. In early 2025, the USDA temporarily suspended the 1890 Scholars Program which provides full tuition, fees, books, room and board for up to four years to students at 1890 institutions pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields. The suspension triggered fierce backlash from lawmakers and higher education leaders. Within days the program was reinstated and applications were reopened. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins subsequently praised the program in a January 2026 call for applications, calling it a priority of the Trump administration. Felecia M. Nave, president and CEO of the 1890 Universities Foundation, said the MOU "builds on prior efforts while placing a stronger emphasis on ensuring that our work is not just symbolic, but truly actionable" reaffirming the "critical role we play in advancing this administration's America First agenda, particularly through its recognition of the importance of agriculture to our nation's economic strength, food security, and long-term sustainability." What the Agreement Commits To The MOU ensures that 1890 institutions obtain equal opportunities for participation in federal programs. By aligning with the 2025 Executive Order, the partnership focuses on addressing barriers to accessing federal funding and strengthening these institutions through enhanced planning and development. The agreement ensures that 1890 universities are integrated into the USDA strategy to build a globally competitive agriculture production ecosystem. Concretely, the agreement commits the USDA to three areas of action. First, it will explore opportunities for historically Black land-grant faculty and administrators to work within and contribute their expertise to the department. Second, it will continue its network of USDA liaisons on campuses providing regional support and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and foresters across the 1890 land-grant system. Third, and perhaps most significantly, it re-establishes a task force of department officials and historically Black land-grant university presidents who will meet at least twice a year to discuss ways to strengthen the institutions and their historic missions. Ericke S. Cage, president of West Virginia State University and chair of the Council of 1890 University Presidents, said the main advantage of the agreement is that it provides a "formalized platform" to "engage directly with the USDA" a forum to "raise up issues that are of significance, of importance, to our 1890 institutions and to find alignment and opportunities within the priorities and funding resources that USDA currently has available." "So, I think that's the big win," Cage said. The $13 Billion Underfunding Problem The celebration over the MOU takes place against a backdrop of decades of structural inequity that the agreement alone cannot fix. In 2023, the secretaries of education and agriculture under President Biden concluded that 16 historically Black land-grant institutions had been underfunded by their states by a total of $13 billion over three decades states being legally required to match federal grants for food and agriculture research to land-grant institutions dollar for dollar, but consistently failing to do so for their 1890 institutions. The MOU announcement comes on the heels of a national observance of the 135th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act of 1890 the landmark legislation that expanded America's land-grant system and secured the place of 19 HBCUs within a national network dedicated to teaching, research, and service for the public good. Trump's executive order also committed to "encouraging states to provide the required state matching funds for 1890 Land-Grant Institutions." Williams said closing remaining funding gaps will be a "top" priority going forward, and hopes the newly re-established task force can help advocate for the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act legislation that would create a competitive grant process to fund upgrades to HBCU campus facilities and equipment, which lawmakers plan to revive after it failed to pass in 2022. Infrastructure, AI, and the Future of Black Land-Grant Research Cage said institutions like West Virginia State need more funds to devote to campus infrastructure at a time when they struggle with deferred maintenance backlogs but want to invest in new technology and research to support American agriculture. He specifically cited interest in research on how AI and cybersecurity measures could protect farmers' online operations framing 1890 universities not as institutions playing catch-up but as institutions on the leading edge of the challenges facing American agriculture in the 21st century. "We believe that our institutions are well positioned to help tackle the problem of global food insecurity," Cage said. More infrastructure funding would help "ensure that our researchers and our students are able to certainly work in best-in-class facilities, which will help us to drive innovations that we can deploy out in the field and help our farmers and our ranchers do the important work that they do." The Broader Context: A Cautious Optimism The MOU arrives at a moment when many HBCUs and minority-serving institutions are navigating significant federal funding disruptions. Several institutions have seen grants temporarily suspended over purported ties to DEI programs, and the Trump administration's sweeping executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion have created compliance uncertainty across the higher education landscape. Cage acknowledged "some initial challenges" under the Trump administration including some temporary disruptions to his institution's federal funds but said the USDA has since proved a "supportive partner." "What I can say is that the department and the administration have been responsive to our concerns," he said, noting that new federal money flowed to HBCUs in the fall and his previously suspended funds were restored after conversations with department officials and lawmakers. "Are there areas where we want to see some more support? Sure. But I think, in general, it's been a pretty positive relationship." That measured optimism celebrating real progress while acknowledging real gaps captures where the 1890 universities find themselves in March 2026. The MOU is a formal affirmation that these institutions, born from the injustice of segregation and charged with bringing agricultural education to Black Americans who were excluded from existing land-grant universities, remain central to the federal government's vision for American agriculture. Whether the task force and its twice-yearly meetings translate into the infrastructure investment, expanded scholarship opportunities, and restored state matching funds these institutions need will be the measure of whether that affirmation is more than symbolic. Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. That distribution is critical. The 846 large manufacturers the Procter & Gambles, the General Motors plants, the Amazon fulfillment centers have procurement teams, preferred carrier lists, and routing guides. They have logistics managers who took four years of supply chain coursework. They are not going to award business to a five-truck operation based on a cold call. That is not your market. Start with manufacturing. According to U.S. manufacturing statistics, there are approximately 292,825 manufacturing establishments in the United States. These are plants, factories, mills, and industrial operations businesses that produce physical goods that have to move somewhere. Of those 292,825 factories, the overwhelming majority are small operations: approximately 268,000 have 99 or fewer employees. There are only 846 manufacturing establishments in the entire country with 1,000 or more employees. The U.S. Census Bureaus 2022 Economic Census counted just over 8 million employer business establishments across the entire U.S. economy. That is every business with at least one paid employee every factory, every warehouse, every distributor, every retailer with a storeroom. Not all of those businesses ship meaningful quantities of freight. But a significant portion of them do. Before talking about how to find shippers, it helps to understand the scale of what you are looking for, because most small carriers dramatically underestimate how many potential direct customers exist within a reasonable operating radius. This article is about addressing that problem specifically, who the shippers are, how many of them exist, what their freight looks like, and how a small carrier can identify and approach them using a method that costs nothing and works regardless of where you operate. Here is the thing most small carriers do not fully understand: the shippers generating that freight have a direct relationship with someone. If it is not with you, it is with a broker who is taking their cut of a rate that you could be earning in full. The broker exists because the shipper does not know which carriers to call, and the carrier does not know which shippers to approach. That is an information problem. And information problems are solvable. Most small carriers operate their entire business through a load board. The freight comes through a broker, the rate gets negotiated down, the carrier moves the load, gets paid on net-30 or net-45 (or quick pay/factoring), and then goes back to the board looking for the next one. That cycle is familiar. It is also the most competitive, lowest-margin, least differentiated way to run a trucking operation that exists. You are competing against every other carrier on the platform for the same load, at the same rate, with no relationship, no loyalty, and no reason for the shipper who never even knows your name to choose you twice. Story Continues The 268,000 small and mid-sized manufacturers are a completely different situation. Many of them are being served by exactly whoever showed up and asked for the freight, or by a regional broker who happened to call at the right time, or by a carrier they have used for twenty years out of habit. Their logistics operation is often the plant manager, a shipping coordinator who also does accounts receivable, or the owner themselves. They are not running freight optimization software. They need trucks. They need reliability. They need someone who picks up the phone. Then add wholesale trade. The 2022 Economic Census found that the wholesale trade sector alone had 14,320 establishments with sales of $100 million or more but that is just the largest tier. The total wholesale trade sector spans hundreds of thousands of distributors, many of whom operate as the middle layer between manufacturers and retail receiving product by the truckload and shipping it out in smaller quantities across regional and local networks. These operations have docks. They have outbound freight. They need carriers. Add distribution centers, food and beverage operations, building materials suppliers, agricultural processors, industrial equipment dealers, and regional retail distribution operations, and you are looking at a universe of potential direct shipping customers that numbers in the hundreds of thousands nationwide. Across any given metropolitan area, that likely translates to several hundred, possibly thousands, of businesses that have dock doors and need trucks most of whom you have never contacted. The Math on the Carrier Side Before getting into how to find these shippers, it is worth being honest about who is trying to reach them. According to ATAs 2025 American Trucking Trends report, 91.5% of all carriers in the United States including private fleets operate 10 or fewer trucks. Among for-hire carriers specifically, the number is even more concentrated: 97% of for-hire carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks, and 70% of all for-hire companies are single-truck operations. There are approximately 580,000 active U.S. motor carriers registered with FMCSA as of mid-2025. The freight brokerage market, which exists primarily to bridge the gap between shippers and the fragmented carrier base, was valued at $17.5 billion in 2024. That is $17.5 billion per year that flows through intermediaries money that in many cases is extracting margin from both sides of a transaction that could, in a direct relationship, benefit the carrier and the shipper simultaneously without an intermediary taking a cut. The reason brokers dominate is not because they provide irreplaceable value in every transaction. In many cases, they dominate because small carriers do not have a systematic approach to finding and approaching shippers directly, and shippers do not know which small carriers operate in their area. Brokers solve both sides of that problem for a fee. The question every small carrier should be asking is: what would it take to solve that problem myself? Counting Dock Doors: The Method Most Carriers Ignore Here is the most actionable approach to finding direct shippers that almost no small carrier is using consistently, and it requires no paid subscription, no database, no marketing budget, and no technology beyond what is already on your phone. Drive your hometown industrial areas and count the dock doors. Every commercial and industrial district in your operating area contains businesses with loading docks. A loading dock is a physical declaration that a business ships freight. If a building has dock doors, it either receives inbound trucks, ships outbound freight, or both. The businesses behind those docks are your potential customers. You can identify them by driving the industrial parks, distribution corridors, and commercial zones along your regular routes. The systematic version looks like this: Pick any industrial park, warehouse district, or commercial corridor within your operating region. Drive through it slowly. Note every building with dock-height doors. For each one, write down or photograph the business name on the sign. When you get back, look up each business. Find out what they make, what they sell, where they ship. Most of this information is available through a basic Google search, a look at their website, or a quick check on LinkedIn. Within an hour of research, you can understand the freight profile of a dozen potential customers you never knew existed. This is not sophisticated business development strategy. It is observation. You are in a truck. You drive past these facilities every day. The only difference between treating them as background scenery and treating them as a prospect list is a few minutes of deliberate attention and follow-up. What you are looking for specifically: businesses that ship within your service radius, have freight that matches your equipment (dry van, flatbed, reefer, whatever you run), and appear to be operating without an obvious dedicated carrier relationship. Signs of the last point include: multiple carriers on the dock on any given day, loads leaving via broker trucks with mixed branding, or most telling a shipping manager who answers the phone and sounds genuinely uncertain about their carrier situation when you call. Matching Your Services to the Shippers Reality This is where small carriers consistently fail to communicate their actual value. The pitch I am a trucking company and I can move your freight is not differentiated from any other carrier in the market. The pitch that works is specific to what you can actually do that a large carrier cannot. Small carriers have structural advantages over large carriers in certain freight situations, and those advantages are real and sellable: Flexibility on pickup and delivery windows. A large carrier running dedicated lanes on a contract may not be able to reroute a truck on two hours notice because a customer needs an emergency pickup. A three-truck operation whose dispatcher is the owner can absolutely do that. For a mid-sized manufacturer whose production schedule fluctuates or whose retail customers place irregular orders, that flexibility is worth paying for. Direct communication with the driver and decision-maker. When a shipment is running late, or when a delivery issue needs to be resolved before the customer calls the shipper, a small carrier can have the owner on the phone with the shippers logistics manager in five minutes. A large carrier routes the call through a 1-800 number, a dispatch queue, and a driver manager who may or may not have a relationship with anyone at the account. The difference in service experience is significant. Consistency of equipment and driver. Large carriers rotate drivers across accounts. A small carrier running a dedicated lane for a regional shipper can put the same driver on the same route week after week. The driver learns the facility the loading preferences, the lumper situation, the receiving hours quirks, the dock foremans name. That consistency reduces claims, reduces delays, and builds the kind of operational relationship that makes shippers reluctant to switch. Rates that reflect actual cost, not overhead allocation. A large carriers cost structure includes national sales staff, corporate headquarters, compliance departments, and the overhead of running thousands of trucks. A small carriers cost structure does not. On lanes that are within a small carriers operational comfort zone, the rate a small carrier needs to be profitable is often competitive with or better than what a large carrier needs to charge without the broker margin on top. The pitch to a direct shipper is not I am cheaper. It is I will be more reliable, more responsive, and more invested in this relationship than any carrier you have worked with who sees your freight as one load among ten thousand. That is a claim you can actually back up but only if you make the call. How to Make the Approach Cold calling works in trucking. It works because the person who handles shipping at a mid-sized manufacturer is not getting five calls a day from carriers trying to earn their business. They are getting close to zero. The bar for standing out is remarkably low. The call script does not need to be elaborate. Identify yourself, your company, and your operating region. State specifically what type of freight you haul and what lanes you cover. Ask if they have any outbound freight that fits that profile and who manages their carrier relationships. Ask if you can be put on their list of approved carriers for when their current capacity is stretched or when they need a backup. That last point matters. You are not asking to replace their entire carrier portfolio in the first call. You are asking for the opportunity to move one load, or to be the carrier they call when their primary carrier cannot cover something. Once you have moved a load for a shipper and performed well, the conversation about volume opens naturally. Follow up. Follow up consistently. The shipper who says we are good right now in January may have a capacity problem in March. The carrier who called back every six weeks is the one who gets the call when that happens. The carrier who called once and never followed up does not exist in that shippers memory. What to Do With This Information The direct shipper approach is not a replacement for the spot market during a freight recession. When freight is soft and rates are compressed, brokers and load boards are part of the operating reality for most small carriers. But the carriers who come out of a down market in the strongest position are the ones who used the slow period to build direct relationships that do not depend on spot market conditions to generate freight. Start with what is in front of you. Pick the industrial corridor you drive through most frequently. Spend two hours one afternoon identifying every business with a dock door along that route. Research each one. Make five calls next week. Not to sell to introduce yourself and understand what their freight situation looks like. Do that consistently for twelve months, and you will have a portfolio of direct shipper contacts that no rate compression on any load board can take away from you. Those relationships generate freight because the shipper trusts you, not because you were the lowest number on a digital auction. That is a fundamentally different business than running the board and it is the one that compounds over time. The shippers are there. There are hundreds of thousands of them. Most of them are small enough to care about the service quality a small carrier delivers, and most of them are underserved by carriers who know their name, know their freight, and show up when they say they will. The only question is whether you are going to go find them. Commonly Asked Questions Q: I am a single truck owner-operator. Is this realistic for me, or is direct shipper development only for fleets? A: It is more realistic for a single truck than for a fleet in some ways, because you are the decision-maker, the sales person, and the driver. You can make a commitment to a shipper and personally deliver on it which is exactly what a small shipper wants. The challenge for a single truck is capacity: if a shipper needs two or three loads per week and you have one truck, you cannot service the full volume. The solution is to focus on shippers whose freight profile matches your actual capacity businesses that need one or two loads per week on lanes you already run, not businesses that need a full dedicated program you cannot staff. There are far more of the former than the latter. But it all boils down to your mindset and your ability to sell the service business that you started. Q: How do I find out if a shipper already has a carrier under contract? A: Ask them. Some shippers who have a dedicated contract carrier will tell you plainly. What you want to know is not whether they have a carrier they almost all do but whether they have capacity gaps, backup needs, or seasonal surges that their current carrier cannot cover. Even a shipper with a strong primary carrier relationship typically needs a qualified backup. Getting on that backup list is the foot in the door. Q: What if I approach a shipper and they say they only work through brokers? A: Some do. Usually this is because they have a logistics manager or 3PL that handles all carrier procurement, or because they have not had a positive experience working with carriers directly. Respect that and move on there are hundreds of thousands of other businesses with dock doors. Do not spend time trying to convert a shipper whose operational structure genuinely requires broker intermediation when the next industrial park over has ten businesses that would happily work with a carrier who shows up prepared and professional. The load board is not going anywhere. Brokers are not going anywhere. But a small carrier that builds even a handful of direct shipper relationships five, ten, fifteen accounts that call you first when they have freight operates from a fundamentally different position than one that starts every week on page one of the spot market. The difference between those two carriers, five years from now, will be significant. Both hauled freight. One built a business. The method is sitting right there along the roads you already drive. The post There Are 292,000 Shippers in America and 9 out of 10 Carriers Have 10 Trucks or Less The Match Has Been Right in Front of You the Whole Time appeared first on FreightWaves. The late American film star Val Kilmer could soon be "acting" on the big screen again after allowing a director to use AI tools to produce his likeness for an upcoming film, media reports said Wednesday. Coerte Voorhees had tapped Kilmer, who died of pneumonia last year after years of battling throat cancer, for "As Deep as the Grave," about the pioneering archaeologist Ann Morris, a co-discoverer of the Anasazi civilization. Kilmer was to play a Catholic priest named Fintan. "He was the actor I wanted to play this role," Voorhees told industry magazine Variety. "It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest." He said Kilmer signed on to the project but later became too ill to begin filming. "I was looking at a call sheet the other day, and we had him ready to shoot," Voorhees said. "He was just going through a really, really tough time medically, and he couldn't do it." He said Kilmer's family had provided video images of Kilmer, who was known for keeping a vast archive of footage from various moments of his life, that would be used to build the AI actor. The project will likely get a wary welcome from many in Hollywood, where actors, writers and others are worried that AI could replace an array of jobs. AI was already used with Kilmer so he could again play one of his most iconic roles, the cocky pilot Iceman, in the 2022 sequel to the era-defining 1980s hit "Top Gun." Kilmer, who played in big-budget successes and indie films throughout his career, was one of the late actors praised during the In Memoriam segment of the Oscars ceremony on Sunday. pr/js/md Nvidias (NVDA) GTC 2026 showcased a wave of new partnerships across AI, robotics, and advanced computing. These collaborations are set to drive growth for several companies in Nvidias ecosystem. Here are three tech stocks, CrowdStrike (CRWD), Amazon (AMZN), and Adobe (ADBE), that could benefit from these strategic partnerships. For context, GTC (GPU Technology Conference) is Nvidias annual event showcasing the latest in AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing. This years four-day conference is taking place from March 1619 in San Jose, California. 1. CrowdStrike (CRWD) CrowdStrike and Nvidia announced a new security setup that combines CrowdStrikes Falcon platform with NVIDIA OpenShell to protect autonomous AI agents, whether running on DGX Spark or in the cloud. Called the Secure-by-Design AI Blueprint, the system builds security directly into the AI agent stack. It gives organizations visibility, control, and governance over autonomous systems from development to runtime. This partnership positions CrowdStrike as a key player in securing the rapidly growing AI and autonomous agent market. By integrating its Falcon platform with Nvidias AI stack, CrowdStrike can expand into next-generation AI security, attracting enterprise clients that need trusted protection for on-device and cloud-based AI systems. For investors, this highlights potential revenue growth from a high-demand market and strengthens CrowdStrikes reputation as a leader in cybersecurity. 2. Amazon (AMZN) Amazons cloud unit AWS and NVIDIA announced an expanded partnership with new technology integrations to meet rising AI compute demand. Starting in 2026, Amazon will deploy over 1 million Nvidia GPUs across its cloud regions, including support for the new RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell Server Editionmaking AWS the first major cloud provider to offer it. Amazon says running Apache Spark on its cloud using the new G7e instances with NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 GPUs will be three times faster, making big data and AI tasks much quicker and more efficient. For investors, this indicates that AWS is doubling down on AI infrastructure, which could drive stronger adoption of cloud AI services and potentially boost long-term revenue growth for Amazon. Amazon and Nvidia also announced a partnership to bring a multimodal Alexa Custom Assistant to cars using Nvidia DRIVE AGX, with demonstrations planned for automakers in early 2027. PAXTON, Ill. (WAND) - A former teacher with the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District faces felony sexual assault charges. In a letter to families, the PBL Superintendent said that driver's ed teacher Paul Meuser was put on administrative leave on March 8, pending a Ford County investigation into "inappropriate communications with a minor." The letter added that Meuser resigned during a March 11 Board of Education meeting. Ford County court records show that Meuser was arrested on March 15 on two counts of attempted criminal sexual assault and one charge involving a victim under 18. Court records go on to say the charges stem from an incident on December 24, 2025. They said Meuser gave the minor snacks and money, discussed things of a sexual nature, exchanged emails with the minor using a personal email account, and invited the minor to his home when no one else was present for the purpose of sexual conduct. Meuser is being held on a flight in Oklahoma to avoid a prosecution charge. According to the PBL Education Foundation, Meuser was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2024. Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) Legislation moving in Springfield could require insurance companies to cover preventative heart scans. Sponsors told reporters in Springfield Wednesday that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Illinois, and many people find out they're at risk when it is too late to act. This proposal requires private individual and group insurance providers to cover heart scans for adults 40 and older when recommended by healthcare providers. Rep. Yolanda Morris (D-Chicago) said this change can help reduce long-term healthcare costs and save lives. "My aunt passed away at 49 after being told that she might not live to see 50," Morris said. "Tragically, she did not live to see 50. Too many families experience this kind of loss without warning." The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services initially opposed the plan due to the potential cost for state employee health insurance coverage. However, Morris filed an amendment to focus solely on other insurance providers. The Pritzker administration moved to neutral on the bill after reviewing the new bill language. New! The latest from WAND in your inbox Sign up for our newsletters to receive breaking news and daily headlines. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Still, opponents are frustrated that the state told the sponsor she could move forward with the legislation if she exempted state employee insurance from the mandate. "If the cost was significant enough that the state cannot absorb it within its own health plan, it raises important affordability concerns for those in the marketplace as well," said Kate Morthland from the Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council. The legislation passed unanimously out of the House Insurance Committee Thursday night and heads to the House floor for further consideration. Although Republicans stressed negotiations should continue to ensure more Illinoisans are covered. Morris told WAND News she hopes to file a separate plan during a less intense budget year to help state employees receive the same coverage. Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. Italy to mark Dario Fo centenary with events and new postage stamp. Italy's culture ministry will mark the centenary of the birth of Dario Fo, the internationally celebrated Nobel prize-winning playwright, actor and director, with a special event in Rome on 24 March. The Teatro Sistina will host the event, which is described as a celebration rather than a commemoration, in honour of Fo who died in Milan on 13 October 2016 aged 90. The programme includes a series of noted speakers from the Italian cultural scene who will pay tribute to Fo on the stage in their own distinct way. The diverse line-up includes Paola Cortellesi, Ambra Angiolini, Moni Ovadia, Anna Foglietta, Marco Travaglio, Gad Lerner and Ascanio Celestini, as well as Fo's son, the writer-actor Jacopo Fo, who will be joined by his daughters Mattea and Jaele. Unique legacy The initiative aims to highlight Fo's unique contribution to culture not just as a historical figure, but as a living influence whose satirical and subversive approach to the stage continues to resonate today. The Teatro Sistina event, coordinated by the Dario Fo and Franca Rame Foundation, is part of a programme of centenary celebrations involving various cultural institutions around Italy. There will be a wide range of performances, exhibitions and educational workshops that seek to introduce younger generations to Fo's iconic works, according to Italian state broadcaster RAI, which will also pay tribute to Fo on television. A brief biography of Dario Fo Born on 24 March 1926 in Sangiano, in the northern province of Varese, Fo became interested in theatre from a very young age, particularly Commedia dell'Arte. He attended the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, and in 1952 began his prolific career as an author and writer of satirical plays. Fo worked in film and television, painted and wrote about art; in addition to his plays, he authored several novels and essays. In 1954, he achieved critical and popular success with the radio play Poer nano, an original version of the story of Cain and Abel. In 1959, he founded a theatre company with his wife Franca Rame, the Italian theatre actress, playwright and leftwing political activist who died in 2013. Fo is best known for his biting political satire in plays such as Accidental Death of an Anarchist; Can't Pay? Won't Pay! and Mistero buffo. In 1997 Fo received the Nobel Prize in Literature whose jury said he "emulates the jesters of the Middle Ages in scourging authority and upholding the dignity of the downtrodden. Fines Begin as Rome Activates Speed Controls Across the ZTL Rome's new 30 km/h zone in the ZTL historic centre has been active since January, but fines are now imminent. Speed cameras, mobile detectors and traffic calming devices are being deployed across some of the capital's most iconic streets. Rome has officially entered a new chapter in its relationship with the car. From Monday 16 March 2026, the 30 km/h speed limit across the ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) of the historic centre moved from signposted rule to actively enforced reality, and fines for drivers caught exceeding the limit are now just days away. Speed cameras, mobile detectors, traffic calming devices and intensified police patrols are being deployed across a swathe of the city's most recognisable streets, from Corso Vittorio Emanuele to Via Nazionale. For Romans who drive in the centre, and for the millions of tourists who rent cars or take taxis through it,this is a significant shift. The Eternal City is joining a growing list of European capitals that have committed to lower urban speed limits in the name of road safety and liveability. But the rollout has been gradual, and some confusion remains about exactly where enforcement will take place and what penalties apply. Here is everything you need to know. A Limit That Has Been in Place Since January The 30 km/h limit in the ZTL historic centre is not new in legal terms. It came into force on 15 January 2026, covering the entire restricted traffic zone of central Rome. What was new on 16 March was the switch from a grace period to active enforcement: after two days of monitoring without sanctions, the city's traffic authority confirmed that fines would begin to be issued within the following days. The delay between the introduction of the limit and the start of enforcement was intentional, a period designed to allow drivers to familiarise themselves with the new rules before facing financial penalties. That window has now closed. Drivers in the ZTL centro storico who exceed 30 km/h can expect to be fined. Where the Speed Cameras Will Be According to Rome's municipal traffic department, mobile speed detectors and velocity indicator displays will be installed at a series of locations within the ZTL centro storico. The streets confirmed for camera deployment are among the most heavily trafficked in the historic centre: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II the main artery cutting through the centro storico toward the Vatican Via Nazionale the broad boulevard connecting Termini station to Piazza Venezia Via del Teatro Marcello skirting the ancient Theatre of Marcellus near the Capitoline Hill Via Milano in the area between Termini and the Quirinal Hill Via del Quirinale running past the Presidential Palace Via Zanardelli near Piazza Navona The presence of speed cameras will be signposted in advance, as required by Italian law, which mandates that fixed and mobile speed detection devices must be flagged with warning signs a set distance before the device. Drivers will not be caught unawares, but they will be expected to comply. "The 30 km/h limit is there to save lives: if a pedestrian is hit at 50 km/h there is a 50% chance they will die. At 70 km/h, that probability rises to 90%." Eugenio Patane, Rome Transport Councillor Police Patrols and Traffic Calming Devices Speed cameras are not the only enforcement mechanism. Rome's municipal police (Polizia Locale di Roma Capitale) will intensify on-street patrols throughout the ZTL, with officers empowered to issue fines for speeding and other traffic code violations. The patrols are not a new measure, officers already conduct daily checks throughout the city, but their focus within the ZTL will be sharpened. Physical traffic calming measures, dissuasori, or speed bumps and chicanes, have also been introduced at select points within the zone, providing a passive enforcement layer that slows traffic regardless of whether a camera or officer is present. These devices are particularly concentrated near pedestrian crossings and school zones within the historic centre. A technical meeting at the Campidoglio on 17 March, attended by Director General Albino Ruberti, mobility department officials and the commander of the municipal police Mario De Sclavis, confirmed the coordination framework between the various enforcement bodies and finalised the deployment schedule for the coming days. Why Rome Is Doing This The case for lower urban speed limits is well established in road safety research, and Rome's Transport Councillor Eugenio Patane has been its most vocal local advocate. The statistic he cites most frequently is stark: a pedestrian struck by a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h faces a 50% chance of death; at 70 km/h, that probability rises to 90%. At 30 km/h, the likelihood of a fatal outcome drops dramatically, and the severity of injuries is significantly reduced even in cases where impact occurs. Rome's historic centre is one of the most intensely pedestrianised urban environments in Europe, a place where tourists on foot, residents going about daily life, cyclists, delivery workers and motor vehicles all compete for the same narrow streets and ancient piazzas. The ZTL system already restricts which vehicles may enter the area and at what times. The 30 km/h limit is the next logical layer: not limiting who can enter, but how fast they can move once inside. The broader context is Italy's commitment to reducing road fatalities. Italy has historically had one of the higher rates of road deaths among western European nations, and urban speed reduction is one of the tools endorsed by the European Commission's road safety framework. Several Italian cities, Bologna most prominently, have already extended 30 km/h zones across much of their urban areas, a move that generated significant political controversy but which Bologna's local government has defended on safety grounds. What This Means for Drivers For anyone driving in central Rome, the practical implications are straightforward: the speed limit in the ZTL centro storico is 30 km/h, it is now enforced, and fines will be issued to those who exceed it. The fine for exceeding a speed limit by up to 10 km/h in Italy is currently between 42 and 173 euros; higher penalties apply for greater exceedances, and points are deducted from the driving licence for violations above 10 km/h over the limit. For tourists driving hire cars, the fines will typically be forwarded by the rental company to the registered address a process that can take weeks or months but which is legally binding. International drivers are not exempt. It is worth noting that the 30 km/h zone applies specifically to the ZTL centro storico. Other parts of Rome, including many major arterial roads, retain the standard urban limit of 50 km/h. Drivers entering and exiting the ZTL should pay close attention to the signage that marks the boundary of the zone. The Broader Picture: Rome and the 30 km/h Debate Rome's adoption of a 30 km/h zone in its historic centre sits within a national and European debate about the future of urban mobility. Proponents argue that slower speeds make cities safer, quieter and more liveable, reducing not only fatalities but also noise pollution and the intimidation effect that fast-moving traffic has on pedestrians and cyclists. Critics, often representing motorists' associations and right-of-centre political parties, argue that lower limits impede the flow of traffic, increase journey times and represent an overreach of municipal authority into everyday life. In Rome, as in other cities, the debate has been politically charged. But the Campidoglio under Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has pressed ahead, framing the measure not as anti-car ideology but as a targeted safety intervention in a specific, high-footfall area of the city. The restriction applies to the ZTL, a zone that private vehicles can only enter with a permit in any case, rather than to Rome as a whole. Whether the cameras and patrols will achieve the desired effect remains to be seen. What is certain is that, for drivers in the centro storico of Rome, the margin for complacency has narrowed considerably. The ancient streets of the capital now have a new rule, and it is being watched. At a Glance Speed limit: 30 km/h throughout the ZTL centro storico In force since: 15 January 2026 Fines begin: from mid-to-late March 2026 Camera locations: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Nazionale, Via del Teatro Marcello, Via Milano, Via del Quirinale, Via Zanardelli Enforcement: mobile speed cameras (signposted), traffic calming devices, municipal police patrols Fine for exceeding limit by up to 10 km/h: 42173 Ph: rivistabc.com The Legacy of Umberto Bossi and the Rise of the Lega The man who made northern Italy's grievances a political force, coined the battle cry of 'Roma ladrona' and built a movement that transformed the country's post-war political landscape has died in the hospital of the city he always called home. Umberto Bossi, the firebrand founder of Lega Nord whose grassroots separatist movement shook the foundations of the Italian Republic and whose legacy continues to shape Italian politics decades after his political prime, died on the evening of 19 March 2026 at the Ospedale di Circolo in Varese. He was 84. The news was confirmed by parliamentary sources and reported by the AGI news agency. With him passes one of the most singular and divisive figures of the Italian Second Republic a man who came from nowhere, with no university degree and no family connections, and who built from scratch a political force that at its peak drew millions of votes and shook Rome to its foundations. The Making of the Senatur Bossi was born on 19 September 1941 in Cassano Magnago, a small manufacturing town in the province of Varese in Lombardy, the industrial heartland of northern Italy. His father was a textile worker; his mother a concierge. It was a background that shaped everything: his instinctive suspicion of elites, his identification with the hard-working, taxpaying small business owners and factory workers of the Po Valley, and his lifelong contempt for the political class in Rome, which he saw as parasitic, corrupt and indifferent to the North's needs. His early political journey was characteristically unconventional. He enrolled to study medicine at the University of Pavia but never completed his degree. He made a brief, almost forgotten passage through the communist left, in Samarate, near Malpensa, he was briefly connected to PCI circles and the Partito di Unita Proletaria before being drawn, in the late 1970s, toward the autonomist and federalist movements of the North. A chance encounter with Bruno Salvadori, the charismatic leader of the Union Valdotaine, pointed him toward a different kind of politics: not class struggle, but territorial identity. The decisive friendship of his life was forged in 1979, when he met a young Roberto Maroni. Together, the two men would become the twin engines of the leghista project for the next three decades. They founded a small newspaper, Nord Ovest, and began the slow, patient work of building a movement from the ground up, from meetings in village halls and factory canteens across Varese province. The Birth of a Movement On 12 April 1984, in a notary's office in Varese, Bossi put his signature to the founding document of the Lega Autonomista Lombarda. The party that would become Lega Nord, and eventually simply La Lega, was born. Its symbols were carefully chosen: the warrior Alberto da Giussano as its emblem, Verdi's Va' Pensiero as its anthem, the Sole delle Alpi as the flag of an imagined Padania. Its enemies were equally carefully defined: the centralised Italian state, the wasteful south, and above all 'Roma ladrona', thieving Rome, the slogan that would resonate with millions of northern Italians who felt their taxes were being siphoned away to fund a corrupt and inefficient system. By 1987, Bossi had been elected to the Senate, hence the affectionate Lombard nickname il Senatur that would follow him for the rest of his life. By 1989, he had united the various autonomist movements of the North, the Liga Veneta, the Piemont Autonomista, the Union Ligure and others, into a single federation: the Lega Nord. The timing was perfect. The old political order was visibly crumbling; Tangentopoli, the seismic corruption scandal that would destroy the Christian Democrats, the Socialists and much of the First Republic's political establishment, was about to break. The Lega was perfectly positioned to surf the wave. "Roma ladrona!" The battle cry that defined a movement and an era. The 1992 elections were a watershed. Lega Nord won 8.2 per cent of the national vote, sending 80 parliamentarians to Rome, an astonishing leap from the two seats it had won five years earlier. Bossi himself won 239,798 preference votes in his constituency, one of the highest totals in Italy. He had achieved something that most Italian political observers had considered impossible: he had built a mass movement in the world's most fragmented and cynical political landscape, and he had done it by speaking plainly, rudely, and with apparent sincerity about things that millions of people felt but that the established parties preferred not to discuss. Power, Ambivalence and Berlusconi Bossi's relationship with Silvio Berlusconi was one of the defining dramas of 1990s Italian politics. In 1994, the Lega joined Berlusconi's newly formed Forza Italia in the centre-right coalition that swept to power in the post-Tangentopoli elections. Bossi became Minister for Institutional Reform, the first time a Lega leader had held government office. But the alliance was always uneasy, and it lasted only months. By the end of 1994, Bossi had pulled the Lega out of the coalition, effectively bringing down the government. His calculation, that it was better to be a powerful opposition force than a junior partner in someone else's government, proved strategically sound, if tactically brutal. The mid-to-late 1990s saw Bossi push his most radical agenda. In 1996, running alone and on an explicitly secessionist platform, he staged one of the most theatrical moments in modern Italian political history: the 'declaration of independence' of Padania, complete with an ampule of water drawn from the source of the River Po on Monte Viso, transported in procession down the length of the river and ceremonially emptied into the Venetian lagoon. It was equal parts political theatre and genuine provocation, and it captured 10 per cent of the vote. The Padanian republic remained a fantasy, but the message to Rome was real enough. By 2000, Bossi had returned to the Berlusconi fold. He served as Minister for Institutional Reforms and Devolution in the second and fourth Berlusconi governments, shepherding through a devolution reform that was passed by parliament in 2005 but rejected in a subsequent referendum. It was as close as he ever came to his federalist dream. The Stroke and the Slow Decline On 11 March 2004, everything changed. Bossi suffered a severe stroke that left him with partial paralysis and impaired speech. 'Before, I was a beast, an engine that was always running,' he would later say. 'I could go a week without sleep. I can't do those things anymore.' He was hospitalised for months and spent years in rehabilitation. He returned to public life, but he was never again the force he had been. The final chapter of his political career was marked by scandal, diminishment and a painful falling-out with the party he had created. In April 2012, amid revelations about the alleged misuse of party funds to benefit his family, Bossi resigned as Lega Nord secretary, the position he had held since the party's foundation. He was replaced by a triumvirate that included Maroni and Roberto Calderoli. A subsequent legal process over the funds affair ended, for Bossi personally, without conviction, but the damage to his reputation was lasting. In 2013, he attempted a comeback, challenging the rising Matteo Salvini for the party leadership. He was defeated by 82 votes to 18. From that moment, the relationship between the founder and his successor was one of chronic tension. Bossi watched with undisguised unease as Salvini transformed the Lega from a northern regionalist party into a national populist movement, dismantling, in his view, everything he had built. "The Lega was born for the freedom of the North. It will not become something else by collecting the votes of a few fascists." Umberto Bossi The Rebel at the End In his final years, Bossi remained defiantly active despite declining health. He was re-elected to parliament in the 2022 elections, his ninth legislature, and founded the Comitato del Nord, a grouping of Lega dissidents and original-era supporters who opposed Salvini's national direction and sought to return the movement to its autonomist roots. It was a lonely insurgency, without much prospect of success. But it was entirely in character. At the 2024 European elections, Bossi publicly announced that he had voted for his old friend Marco Reguzzoni, who was standing for Forza Italia, a pointed rebuke to the party that still bore the name he had given it. He had been hospitalised in late 2022 for a gastric ulcer, and his health was known to be fragile. He died this evening in the Varese hospital where he had spent so much of his final years. A Legacy Written in Contradiction Umberto Bossi leaves behind a legacy that resists easy summary. He was the man who put federalism and the north-south fiscal question at the centre of Italian political debate for a generation, questions that remain live and unresolved today. He was also a politician whose rhetoric on immigration, southern Italians and national institutions was frequently coarse, provocative and damaging to civic discourse. He was convicted of defaming the Italian flag and insulting the President of the Republic. He was also, by any measure, one of the most remarkable political organisers in modern Italian history, a man who built a mass movement from nothing, in a country that many believed was immune to new political forces. The Lega that Matteo Salvini leads today is in many respects unrecognisable from the party Bossi founded. It appeals to voters in Sicily and Calabria; it wraps itself in the tricolore; it has abandoned Padanian separatism as a practical goal. Bossi considered this a betrayal. His supporters in the Comitato del Nord considered it a betrayal. Whether it is a betrayal or simply a party adapting to survive is a question that Italian politics will continue to debate. What is beyond debate is that Bossi changed Italy. He broke the First Republic's political monopoly; he forced a renegotiation of the relationship between north and south, centre and periphery, citizens and the state. He did it in Lombard dialect, with a green tie and a raised fist, from a province that Rome had always ignored. That is not a small thing. Key dates 19 September 1941 Born in Cassano Magnago, Varese, Lombardy 12 April 1984 Founds the Lega Autonomista Lombarda (later Lega Nord) 1987 First elected to the Senate; earns the nickname il Senatur 1992 Lega Nord wins 8.2% nationally; Bossi becomes a national figure 1994 Enters government as Minister for Institutional Reform under Berlusconi; withdraws months later 1996 Declares Padanian independence; Lega wins 10% 20012006, 20082011 Minister for Reforms in Berlusconi governments II and IV 11 March 2004 Suffers a major stroke 5 April 2012 Resigns as Lega Nord secretary amid funds scandal 2013 Defeated by Matteo Salvini in Lega leadership election 2022 Re-elected to parliament for a ninth legislature; founds Comitato del Nord 19 March 2026 Dies at Ospedale di Circolo, Varese, aged 84 Ph: Eugenio Marongiu / Shutterstock.com Free concerts to be held in churches in suburbs around Rome from 19-28 March. The city of Rome, in collaboration with the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, is to host a series of eight free sacred music concerts to celebrate the 2026 Easter season. This initiative aims to bring high-calibre musical performances to suburbs around Rome, moving beyond the traditional setting of the opera house to engage local communities in their own parish churches. The project follows the same model as the successful series of concerts organised in churches around the capital before Christmas. The programme features two distinct musical ensembles in the lead-up to Easter. The Teatro dell'Opera Chorus, under the direction of Ciro Visco, will perform Gabriel Faures Requiem over four evenings between 20 and 27 March. The church venues are: Santi Fabiano e Venanzio in the Tuscolano district (20 March at 19.00); San Giovanni Battista de Rossi in the Appio-Latino district (21 March at 19.30); Santa Maria Regina Pacis at Lido di Ostia (25 March at 19.00); and SS. Aquila and Priscilla in the Portuense neighbourhood (27 March at 16.00). Simultaneously, the Choral Singing School, led by Alberto de Sanctis and Isabella Giorcelli, will present a repertoire of sacred music spanning four centuries, featuring works by renowned composers such as Palestrina, Pergolesi and Rossini at the following locations: Santa Maria Madre della Misericordia in the Prenestino-Labicano district (19 March at 19.00); SantAmbrogio in Aurelio (22 March at 19.30); San Romano Martire in Pietralata (26 March at 19.30) and San Giovanni della Croce in Colle Salario (28 March at 19.30). Entry to all concerts is free of charge and operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Image: Coro del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Photo credit: Fabrizio Sansoni. Millions of Americans may have decided to forgo health insurance this year after extra COVID-era federal subsidies expired, but those who live in certain places may be paying penalties for that choice. Though the federal government stopped penalizing Americans who don't have health insurance in 2019, four states and the District of Columbia still do. The penalties, usually paid when state tax returns are filed, are designed to encourage healthy people to buy insurance to help keep costs down for everyone. These fines sometimes are called a shared responsibility payment on the idea that its everyones responsibility to make health coverage available, affordable and accessible even if you cant find affordable health care for yourself. The only ways to avoid the fines are to get an exemption or buy health insurance. The penalties can be pretty steep, said Kiersten DeFluri, Medicare specialist at Daniel A. White & Associates. Where are there individual shared responsibility payments? Americans in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington, DC, still face penalties for not having health insurance. How much are the penalties? The fines vary by jurisdiction, but they are generally either a flat fee per person or a percentage of income, whichever is higher, but capped at what the lowest level health plan would cost. By Claudia Savage, Press Association A family has denied trying to freeze Noah Donohoes social media accounts, after their shared email address was linked to the request to do so. The inquest into the death of the schoolboy at Belfast Coroners Court, heard that Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe, was effectively locked out of her sons Instagram account by the action. Noah, a pupil at St Malachys College, was 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning. On Thursday, the jury inquest heard evidence from three witnesses who are to remain anonymous and were concealed from the press and public gallery, but were in view of the jury and Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe. Fiona Donohoe, the mother of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe, outside Belfast Coroners Court (Liam McBurney/PA) M1 refers to a witness who was a pupil at St Malachys at the time of Noahs disappearance, M2 is his sister and M3 is their mother. Over their three statements it was established that a request had been put to tech company Meta that owns Instagram to memorialise Noahs Instagram account, which effectively freezes it and retains the information in it at that time. Peter Coll KC, counsel for the coroner, showed the form that was submitted to Meta on June 28th 2020, the day after Noahs body was found, with M1s name and a shared family email address. Where a proof of death is required, a link was inserted to a news article from the time saying that Noah had died. M1 said he was a student at St Malachys college in June 2020 but he did not know Noah at the time, telling the inquest: I only realised who he was when I seen his face on a poster. In his statement he said I would not have known how to memorialise an Instagram account or shut it down and I have no knowledge of the cancellation of Noahs Instagram account. He said the shared family address was linked to accounts he used for online gaming. Under questioning from Kate Hanley, counsel for Fiona Donohoe, he reiterated that he did not seek to memorialise Noahs account and said I do wish I did when asked if he knew who attempted to. Asked if he could help any further he said: If I could I would, I promise I would say it. M2 said she also did not know Noah and only became aware of him after his disappearance in June 2020. Fiona Donohoe (left) outside Belfast Coroners Court (Liam McBurney/PA) She had used the shared family email address for a Pinterest account but had her own email address for an Instagram account. On June 23rd 2020 M2 requested to follow Noahs personal Instagram account. Around the time when Noah went missing we would have been around the same age, she said. We like to share the things that needed to be shared to help find him so I followed his account just to keep updated with that. Brenda Campbell, representing Donohoe, said that as a result of the memorialisation, the day after she learned that her child had died she had no access to any of his private social media, and Donohoe was locked out. Campbell said Donohoe was concerned someone had done this to deliberately deprive her and us of that access to Noahs accounts. M2 confirmed she understood what Campbell described as that significant and serious point. M2 said of course she would say if she had further information, but that she did not seek to memorialise Noahs account and did not know who did. Her statement also referenced accounts being hacked and she told jurors, back in 2020 and years like that there was an epidemic of Instagram accounts being hacked it was always just scam websites, things like that. She added: I know my brother was hacked a few times and my account was hacked as well. M3 said that to her knowledge her children M1 and M2 had not sought to memorialise Noahs social media accounts and she has no explanation as to how their shared family email address came to be on that form. She said she became aware of Noah only when he went missing and remembers Fiona coming in and giving us stickers to help raise awareness. Her statement said: I never had any dealings with Noahs Instagram account, I have never attempted to close it down and no one has ever mentioned to me about closing it down. The three family statements were dated mid-February 2026, and M3 said that prior to being contacted by the inquest around this time they had no knowledge that M1s name or the family email address were linked to Noahs case in any way. The inquest will resume next week. By Katie Dickinson, Press Association The death of a British Army officer from Co Roscommon, killed in a live firing training exercise, is being investigated by police and health and safety inspectors, an inquest opening has heard. The officer, who grew up in Co Roscommon, served as a fire support commander within 129 (Dragon) Battery of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery. Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died on January 25 following an incident at Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland, one of the UKs largest army training ranges. Opening an inquest into his death at Northumberland Coroners Court on Thursday, senior coroner Andrew Hetherington said Capt Muldowney, known as Gilbert, was undertaking a training exercise at the range in Otterburn Camp. An incident occurred which resulted in Gilbert suffering a gunshot wound, which is believed to have entered through his back and exited through his left shoulder, Mr Hetherington said. The coroner said CPR was conducted by military medics and ambulance crews attended, but Capt Muldowney was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Hetherington said the incident was being investigated by Northumbria Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the Defence Safety Authority, who are conducting a service inquiry. He told the hearing: In the circumstances, I formally open this inquest and adjourn to May 19 2027. However, this is very much a provisional date, and we will look at an alternative listing. Capt Muldowneys parents attended the hearing on a videolink. He grew up in Ballinameen, near Boyle after his family moved there from Dublin when he was a child. His father, David, is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Elphin. At his funeral in February at St Attractas Church, Ballinameen Bishop Kevin Doran told those gathered Capt Muldowney brought "joy and hope" to those around him. His colleagues and friends from the army who Bishop Doran said "were closest to him at the time of his death" were at the service. Reverend Captain Henry Afful was in attendance alongside Colonel Sean Grant, defence attache to the British embassy, Colonel Harry Waller, commanding officer in the Fourth Regiment Royal Artillery and Colonel William Tulloch, First Battalion Scots Guards Commander. Mr Muldowneys coffin was carried into the chapel by uniformed officers. There were also representatives from the Irish Defence Forces and Mr Muldowneys local GAA club. Bishop Doran who carried out the service said the community were sharing stories about Captain Muldowney as they mourned his loss. He said: "Many stories have been told about Gilbert over cups of tea and coffee, and many more will be told before the day is out, stories of his escapades and of his commitment, his interest in archery and brewing, to mention but a few." Capt Muldowney joined the British Army on January 5 2020, commissioning into the Royal Artillery on 11 December 2020 after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He graduated from Elphin Community College in 2019 and the schools principal Anne Gilleran said Captain Muldowney "is spoken of with enormous respect and affection by staff who knew him well". "In a small school, those memories endure, and Gilberts contribution to Elphin Community College is remembered with great pride," she said. "Elphin Community College has a long-standing tradition of displaying photographs of its head students. "Gilberts photograph hangs above the main entrance to the school, where it stands as a quiet reminder of the standards, character and generosity of spirit he brought to our community." After his death, the Ministry of Defence said Capt Muldowney was an immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him. Capt Muldowney joined the army on January 5 2020, commissioning into the Royal Artillery on December 11 2020 after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The bug hotel in Piltown is back. The former structure was destroyed in a fire last September. But this week, Keep Piltown Tidy, the group behind the bug hotel, announced on social media that the new structure is in place. Congratulations! The bug hotel is back up!!!, the group wrote on social media. The new Ink Bottle Bug Hotel in Piltown in March 2026. Picture Credit: Keep Piltown Tidy on Facebook. The Ink Bottle Bug Hotel Bug hotels are structures that gives insects a place to shelter while breeding or hibernating and are a way of protecting wildlife, in particular pollinators, from predators and the elements. The Ink Bottle Bug Hotel was constructed by Keep Piltown Tidy and sponsored by Centra Hicksons and John OShea Trust in 2025. A redevelopment of the old gate lodge at Belline House, the bug hotel had five layers and included a section for nesting birds and bats. After the fire, Keep Piltown Tidy said on social media that they are disappointed and hurt by the incident. The Ink Bottle Bug Hotel damaged in Piltown in September 2025 Credit: Keep Piltown Tidy on Facebook. An idonate page was set up to fund the redevelopment of the bug hotel. That page raised over 5,000. Construction started in early March and it was announced finished on March 16, just in time for St Patricks Day. Well-known television and radio presenter Mairead Ronan has had documents submitted on her behalf to An Coimisiun Pleanala, which outline reasons why a planned extension to her home in Waterford should proceed, despite calls from locals to have it rejected. The extension to the residence at Curraghmore Terrace, Dunmore East, is designed by celebrity architect Dermot Bannon. It has been planned by Mairead and her husband Louis since 2021, and was previously derailed following a string of appeals from locals. Updated plans were finally approved by Waterford Council in January. However, four submissions of appeal were made by concerned locals and the development has been paused pending An Coimisiun Pleanala review. The residents took particular issue with the excessive scale of the development, describing it as big and distorting. In a response to the appeals, David Mulcahy Planning Consultants, on behalf of Louis and Mairead Ronan, said in their submission that the scale of the extension is respectful of the surrounding area. We submit to the Commission that the key issue raised by the appellants' is that of scale and design. "We are of the firm view that the proposed development represents exceptional architecture and will make a significant contribution to the area. "The architects were fully aware of the prominent nature of the site in devising the design and we consider that they have produced a contemporary design which in itself is striking and aesthetically pleasing whilst at the same time being respectful of the scale of existing development in the area." The submission made on behalf of the Ronans asked the commission to uphold Waterford Council's decision to approve the development. The commission are due to decide on the matter by May 20. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has tonight turned down a meeting with the former workers of Waterford Crystal. 450 of the workers assert that they were misinformed about their pension options at the time of their redundancy in the early nineties. They say they were never given option forms (leaving service forms) containing their three pension options. The Department of Social Protection, following advice from the Attorney General, have previously stated that the State accept no liability over the matter. The workers have been urging the Department to reconsider. Raising the matter in the Dail this evening was Deputy David Cullinane and Deputy Conor McGuinness, who both called on Minister Dara Calleary to arrange a meeting with the workers. In response, Minister Calleary said the following: "In September 2024, then Taoiseach turned Tanaiste Simon Harris requested the Attorney General to review the claims being made, including the allegations around the failure to provide leaving service options. The Attorney General advised that there is no basis on which the state could be obliged to compensate the members concerned or otherwise intervene. "I very much appreciate that the members of Waterford Crystal Pension Action Group (WCPAG) feel an injustice has been done to them. Unfortunately, its not something the State was a party to or can now resolve. "I have already communicated that to the group and to Deputy Cullinane and nothing has changed from my Departments perspective and there is no basis for me to intervene considering that the Attorney General has reviewed this issue comprehensively. "I genuinely feel on this occasion that a meeting would be unfair because it may create an expectation that I cannot meet. "The Attorney General's advice is very clear; there is nothing further that can be done as of now in this case." Our full report on this story is available HERE Now in its seventeenth year, few foodies in Waterford and indeed Ireland can remember a time before the Waterford Festival of Food (previously the West Waterford Food Festival). This years programme is especially exciting with 150 market stalls and 140 events. Between strolling around the Dungarvan market, going for afternoon tea or taking a class from a world-renowned chef, there is something for everyone. Pictured at the launch of the 2026 Waterford Festival of Food at 360 Cookhouse in Dungarvan on March 12 were (LR) Eunice Power, WFOF, Karen Sandford and Damien Tobin, of Local Link. Photo: John Foley However, with so much to choose from and only one weekend (April 24-26) of events, it's easy to be overwhelmed. Here are my must-dos at this year's festival: For health and nature There are plenty of fitness classes, wellness talks and appreciation for the earth at this festival with a strong focus on sustainability. An Enchanting Foraging escape is happening on the Friday and Saturday of the festival from 10am to 12pm. You will meet Claire OSullivan at the Mahon Bridge Car Park and take a walk through Crough Woods, exploring seasonal edible plants. There is also an optional dip underneath a waterfall! Tickets are 45. Also on the Friday is a Sound, Sauna and Supper event. For 40 you will be treated to a sound bath, a 30-minute sauna and a meal from Lana all enjoyed on the beautiful Clonea beach. For drink lovers Waterford has some of the best sommeliers, craft brewers and apple orchards for cider in all of Ireland. The programme is packed with a mix of educational events where you can learn how your favourite drink is made and also plenty of opportunities to enjoy a drink or two among friends. The popular Tramore restaurant Mezze is joining forces with Dungarvan Brewing Company for a Beers and Bites' event on the Friday night. Attendees will be treated to a live cooking demonstration followed by a tour of the brewery. All this will be topped off with some food and of course some beer. The event will run from 6-9pm in Dungarvan Brewing Company and tickets are 75. If beer and mezze isnt your thing, maybe chocolate and wine is? A night of bold pairings hosted by Micheal Sheehan and Judit McNally in The Wine Buff in Dungarvan promises to inspire attendees who can sample unexpected pairings. The event is on the Friday night at 7.30pm and tickets are 35. For proper foodies Although many of the events are free, some people may be willing to fork out that little bit extra for some truly unique dining experiences. For one night only, owners of the Tannery in Dungarvan, Paul and Maire, are hosting their favourite restaurant down in Dungarvan. A Spanish restaurant located in the heart of Dublin, Uno Mas, is considered one of the best in the country. For 90 per person it's not cheap but is guaranteed to be an unforgettable dining experience. Although a lot of the festival is based in Dungarvan, it has expanded to Waterford City. There are three Tapas trails based in Dungarvan and one in Waterford. They will last for three hours and include three stops in some of the best restaurants in the county, including Everetts, The Moorings and an Aisling Larkin pop-up. It's on the Friday night only and tickets are 70. This is by no means a comprehensive list, there are also loads of free and family-friendly events happening, including a teddy bears' picnic, a duck race and lots of interesting talks and demonstrations. The full programme can be accessed on Waterford Festival of Foods website. Hurry though because tickets for the festival will go on sale tomorrow (Friday) at 10am. A 33-year-old woman was sentenced in court last week for stabbing her husband in the family home. Doctors allegedly told the victim that he was lucky to survive the incident. 33-year-old Shauna Foley, of 24 Bothar Mochuda, Lismore, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and production of an article. In May 2024, Ms. Foley was staying at a psychiatric hospital. However, she unexpectedly returned to her and her husband's home on May 10, 2024, and found that her clothes had been placed in black bags outside the house. She also found newly bought locks in the house, which she deduced were to be installed on the front door of the family home to prevent her future entry. An argument ensued between the pair, and Ms. Foley grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her husband in the rear side of his body. She was arrested and made full admissions. In his impact statement, the victim said that the knife penetrated his colon. He said doctors told him that the stabbing barely missed his spine, and he was lucky to be alive. I feel a shell of the man I was, he said Ms. Foley has no previous convictions and has a history of mental illness. Her defence counsel said that there is no evidence she planned the attack and that it was spontaneous. Her defence also said that the crime was committed by an unwell person in the heat of the moment". For the assault, the judge sentenced the woman to three years, suspended in full. For production of a knife, Ms. Foley was sentenced to three years, also suspended in full. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Advertisement BusinessCompaniesGaming & wagering Australians use banned bookie as war wagers spark journalist death threats Elias Visontay March 19, 2026 3:16pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Australians are flocking to a controversial site offering odds on events in Middle Eastern conflict zones, including whether shrapnel from a single missile hit land, prompting death threats to journalists reporting on the conflict to change their reporting. Polymarket, a New York-based prediction market banned from Australia due to a lack of local regulatory license, allows users to place bets with cryptocurrency on a vast array of outcomes ranging from weather events to political outcomes to more traditional sporting bets. Women weep after Iranian state media confirmed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Getty That regulatory hurdle has not stopped Australians using virtual private networks (VPNs) to trick the website into thinking they are based overseas so they can access the platform and place bets on military action such as Ayatollah Khamenei leaving office and US forces enter Iran. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has warned about the risks of using such unregulated prediction sites, and wrote to Polymarkets parent company last year issuing a formal warning for contravening the law. Advertisement The authoritys warning included in-house research finding there were 1.88 million visits to Polymarkets website from Australia in the six months to last June. Experts believe Australian customer numbers have continued grow, with the platforms popularity skyrocketing globally since. In response to questions, the authority said that while it was illegal for companies such as Polymarket to be offering gambling services here, it is not prohibited for Australians to access the site. Australians sharing advice on how to access Polymarket is common across online forums seen by this masthead, including Reddit. The banned platform is so popular that posts exist on the Australian Taxation Offices online forum querying how winnings will be taxed. Huge amounts of money are pouring into prediction markets. Bloomberg Unlike traditional wagering outlets such as TAB and Sportbet which also offer odds on political outcomes but not war where the bookmaker determines odds, Polymarkets are entirely set by user activity. Advertisement The platform counts Donald Trump Jr as an investor and adviser. The US government reversed a ban on Polymarket operating in that country in December. Polymarket, which was contacted for comment, has justified its war markets as harnessing the wisdom of the crowd to create accurate, unbiased forecasts...in gut-wrenching times like today. It said it had discussed its service with people directly affected and argued its markets could give them answers that traditional media and social sites could not. The vast array of predictions that Polymarket offers odds on have prompted fears the platform encourages insider trading, with recent suspicious betting behaviour fuelling such concerns. Analysis conducted by the New York Times found that on February 27 the day before the US and Israel began strikes on Iran more than 150 accounts, mostly newly created, placed more than $US850,000 betting there would be a strike by the 28th. Earlier in the year, one Polymarket user placed $US32,000 in bets that Venezuelas president Nicolas Maduro would be removed from office days before US forces entered that country and captured him. The users payout exceeded $US436,000. Advertisement Polymarkets betting mechanism relies on a binary yes/no outcome, and looks to a variety of sources for confirmation, including government announcements and news reports. Karoline Thomsen, who is completing her PhD on international law and social media at UNSW Canberra, said the potential for insider trading on the platform is extremely high. Its designed to be anonymous you dont even need to verify your identity when creating an account, she said. Rescue forces operate at a building hit by an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv. Bloomberg Several markets related to the US-Israel-Iran war have stated a resolution source will be a consensus of credible reporting. Advertisement It has meant news reporting plays a crucial role in determining how Polymarket resolves granular matters of truth. On March 10, Times of Israel reporter Emanuel Fabian covered an Iranian ballistic missile which had fallen in an open area outside Jerusalem. Later that day, a reader emailed him claiming authorities had since clarified that what fell was a fragment from an interceptor launched at the missile, not the missile itself. They asked Fabian to update his article. After further requests to change the article, Fabian realised a connection to Polymarket. Iran strikes Israel on March 10 was the name of the market, with more than $US14,000,000 wagered. It was one of four Iranian missiles launched at Israel that day, but the only one not intercepted. If the story were re-written to state it was an interceptor fragment that fell, the market would change from yes to no as Polymarket stated interceptions do not count as a strike. Advertisement Within hours, fake screenshots circulated purporting to show Fabian acknowledging an error. Another person offered him a portion of their winnings if he changed his report. Five days after his blog post, Fabian began receiving death threats, he wrote in a later article. After you make us lose $900,000 we will invest no less than that to finish you, one threat said, according to Fabian. Related Article Opinion Online gambling Unusual bets on Trumps war have rung alarm bells Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist Polymarket has since condemned the harassment. 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, its spokesperson said. Its not the first time a source of truth in war has come under scrutiny, said Thomsen, noting such situations pose serious moral questions. Advertisement In January, an unofficial Ukrainian online map considered an authority about incoming Russian attacks suffered a glitch. The administrator was flooded with complaints, not about the safety implications for Ukrainians, but from punters who had placed bets. Its not impossible that whoever is responsible for resolving those maps had a bet on the outcome, Thomsen said. Responsible Wagering Australia, the lobby group representing betting companies, said its members do not offer markets on war outcomes. Its CEO Kai Cantwell was critical of how Australias Polymarket ban is policed. Australians can still access ...(Polymarket) through offshore sites where there are no consumer protections, no integrity oversight, and no taxes or fees paid to support governments, sport or racing, Cantwell said. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Key players in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure have reached an important point in their growth story. To meet the immense demand in the AI market, they must invest. Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms together pledged nearly $700 billion this year in capital expenditures to support their AI infrastructure buildouts. This puts the industry on track to meet an Nvidia prediction. Last year, the chip giant said AI spending on infrastructure may reach $4 trillion by the end of the decade. Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) is the latest to speak about its AI efforts, and the software and cloud giant isn't shy about its ambitions. The company already is generating spectacular growth thanks to AI demand -- and aims to keep this AI growth going. To do so, the company announced a $50 billion AI bet that could either be the company's masterstroke -- or its biggest mistake. Let's find out more. 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. Oracle's role in AI You might know Oracle best for its database management dominance, but in recent years, the company has built out its cloud presence and has become a significant player here. This has led to AI growth, as customers seek capacity. The recent quarter is an excellent example of the momentum we've seen over the past few years. Oracle reported remaining performance obligations surged more than 300% to $553 billion -- these are contracts for which Oracle hasn't yet completed the services or booked revenue. And the company's multi-cloud database revenue soared more than 500%, while AI infrastructure revenue advanced more than 200%. Demand surpassed supply in both of these categories. Against this backdrop, Oracle plans to raise $50 billion to support the growth of its AI infrastructure -- so that it may serve the needs of AI customers. Is this a masterstroke or could this be Oracle's biggest mistake? Investors have worried about the idea of companies overspending on AI, and the risk that demand could falter. So far, though, the message from all major AI players has been the same: Demand continues to soar. Raising $30 billion Meanwhile, Oracle raised $30 billion through investment-grade bonds and mandatory convertible preferred stock within days of its announcement. And during its earnings call, the company emphasized its focus on maintaining its investment-grade rating and respecting its financing envelope. Advertisement BusinessCompaniesCommercial real estate Filipinos Flinders Street plan: Melbournes largest hotel with 766 rooms Nicole Lindsay March 20, 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 Capital Gain Philippines-based hotel developer Hotel101 has quietly snapped up a Flinders Street development site where it has big plans to build a 766-room hotel, Melbournes largest. If the hotel goes ahead, the number of rooms will dwarf Melbournes next largest, Crown Metropol, which has 658 rooms. The Crown Entertainment complex in Southbank has 1600 rooms, but they are spread over three towers. Crown Metropol, with 658 rooms, is currently Melbournes largest. The developer, a subsidiary of Philippine-listed Double Dragon Corp, is understood to have paid well over the $25 million asking price for 540 Flinders Street. Advertisement The double-storey car park, also known as 539-545 Flinders Lane, last changed hands in 2016 for $19.91 million and was bought by Malaysian-based Tune Hotels. Related Article Commercial real estate VicRoads surplus land sale to boost state coffers by $50m Tune Hotels obtained a permit for a twin-tower project with 457 rooms and 80 serviced apartments. The development involved a 24-storey tower on Flinders Street and a larger 30-floor building on Flinders Lane. Theres no sign yet of a revised permit application on City of Melbournes planning register even though Hotel101 is planning to have the hotel operating by 2029. The companys business model involves strata-titling individual rooms to investors, a structure not seen in Australia for some time. Advertisement Its been a big year for Melbourne hotels. Developer Sterling Global has announced plans for a $590 million 42-storey tower on the corner of Spencer and Collins streets, paying pub boss Bruce Mathieson $55 million for the site in 2023. Last August, Thai hospitality group KS Hotels paid more than $200 million for the Park Hyatt on the city fringe; and on the Peninsula, Cushman & Wakefield is marketing the $150 million Continental Hotel in Sorrento. Up for sale. The Continental Sorrento. Eamon Gallagher Still languishing is the $500 million Shangri La hotel facing the Carlton Gardens. The 500-room hotel has never even been fitted out and a much-mooted 50 per cent transaction, leaked in 2024, never eventuated. The Flinders Street deal was done by CBREs David Minty, Trent Hobart and Nathan Mufale who declined to comment. Advertisement Puckle up An associate of various Chemist Warehouse founders and directors bought half a Chemist Warehouse outlet in Moonee Ponds this week for $3.22 million, reflecting a yield of 4 per cent. Four prospective buyers participated in the sunny lunchtime auction, in front of about 70 spectators, but National Retail Groups Michael Spektor won the day. The auction at 1/88-92 Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds. The Chemist Warehouse outlet at 88-92 Puckle Street is covered by two titles one of them already owned by associates of the pharmacy behemoth. Advertisement Records show the 190 square metre shop at 1/88-92 last changed hands in 1988 for $1.35 million. The adjoining shop, 2/88-92, sold in 2002 for $2 million. Related Article Commercial real estate Spotlight and Anacondas billionaires just sold this patch of dirt in Chapel Street for $65m Chemist Warehouse, which listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2025 in a $30 billion plus merger with Sigma Healthcare, does not own the real estate where its pharmacies trade. However, syndicates composed of various founders, directors and other associates are frequent buyers of the freehold properties. Teska Carson agents Stephen Speck and Michael Taylor handled the auction which was conducted by Matthew Feld. Advertisement Bustling Puckle Street has a tight 2.4 per cent vacancy rate, according to Fitzroys most recent Walk the Strip report. The next property for sale on the strip is the Dudley Building at 30 Puckle Street. The heritage-listed double-storey building is leased to Farro Pizzeria which pays $108,160 a year in rent. 30 Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds. Farro has spent around $600,000 on the fitout of the 300-square-metre building. The vendor paid $1.7 million for the building in 2017 and spent about $1 million on a renovation. The Real Estate Business Tony Delinaoum has the listing and is expecting between $3.4 and $3.6 million. Advertisement Another recent sale, at the rear of Puckle Street, is a vacant 73-square-metre strata shop at 5/38 Hall Street which sold before auction for $603,800. Stonebridge agents Nic Hage, Rorey James, Ian Lam and Madison Page handled the sale on behalf of KordaMentha. Block of flats Six individual owners in Toorak have combined to sell their block of flats to a Chinese developer for $8 million. The flats at 51 Bruce Street, a few streets north of the Toorak Village shops, are on a 1008-square-metre parcel of land, which reflects a solid $8000 a square metre and potentially around $1.3 million per owner. Advertisement A Chinese developer has paid $8 million for 51 Bruce Street, Toorak. Cushman & Wakefield agents George Davies and Leon Ma did the deal. What were seeing in Toorak is a deep pool of both local and interstate capital chasing opportunities that are extremely limited in supply, Davies said. Truck stop A regional BP Truck Stop in Wodonga, on the NSW border, sold for a bumper $21.27 million in January. It was the biggest servo deal in three years and well-timed, coming before conflict in the Middle East threw a spanner in the fuel sector. Advertisement A private investor, with an interest in petrol stations, snapped up the servo, which includes a Hungry Jacks, at 1730 Murray Valley Highway in Barnawartha North. The property is on a 2.3-hectare site, about a kilometre from Hume Highway. The BP and Hungry Jacks have a 6.1-year average lease term and return $1,267,000 a year in rent. The vendor was Fawkner Property and the deal was done by Stonebridges Rorey James, Justin Dowers, Michael Collins and Kevin Tong on a 5.96 per cent yield. Another servo worth watching is the long-running 7-Eleven at 86 Church Street near Victoria Street, in Richmond. The 7-Eleven has operated on the site since 1999 and has a lease out to 2029 with a further five-year option. Advertisement The servo pays $179,400 rent, which could translate into a price of around $3.5 million based on a 5 per cent yield. However, that price could be a bargain given the underlying land value in Richmond. The property is on an 807-square-metre parcel which could be redeveloped down the track. The petrol station goes to auction as part of the CBRE Portfolio Auction (formerly Burgess Rawson) on April 1. CBRE agents David Napoleone and Jamie Perlinger are handling enquiries for the vendor Point Property Group. Back street A local owner-occupier has snapped up an office in the backstreets of Cremorne for $10.5 million. Advertisement The 1500-square-metre three-storey office at 11 Newton Street faces the Tesla and BYD showrooms at 658 Church Street. In a sign of the times, records show the vendor bought the office in 2023 for $11.59 million and didnt quite make their money back. Colliers agent Alex Browne, who did the deal with Ben Baines and Eddie Foulkes, said the transaction highlights the ongoing appetite from owner occupiers, who continue to dominate the office market. In 2025, owner occupiers accounted for approximately 25 per cent of all transactions, the largest share by buyer type, and that momentum has carried strongly into this year, Browne said. The buyer is understood to be the owner of bed and mattress manufacturer and retailer Ecosa. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Advertisement NationalCBD Bob Carr draws Labor luminaries to Macquarie Street book launch John Buckley March 19, 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 After bundling up onto the stage of the Theatrette in NSW Parliament House on Wednesday, former NSW premier and foreign minister Bob Carr was quick to offer momentary relief before getting to what he calls this business of grief. My pockets contain the latest measure of my unsuccess in cooking for myself. I got them from the pharmacy across the road after seeing a doctor around the corner. One is Lofenoxal, three tablets a day. And the other one is Norfloxacin tablets, Carr said, offering a brief pause. It was the worst, the worst indigestion. I followed what I thought were all the junctures about kitchen hygiene. And obviously, there was a fatal miscalculation over how long the chicken had been there. Former NSW premier Bob Carr pictured at the Sydney Summit at the International Convention Centre this year. Sam Mooy Carr was setting up the room of current and former Labor heavyweights for a half hour of heartache to mark the launch of his book, Bring Back Yesterday. Its a tribute to his love and late wife, Helena Carr, and his profound grief following her sudden death. Advertisement Among those in attendance was Premier Chris Minns, who offered the room a speech of his own before handing over to the events emcee, NSW Labor MP Clayton Barr, who introduced Carr to the stage. Related Article Lunch with Bob Carr on marriage, grief and finally learning how to do a load of laundry Also in the room was former Keating, Rudd and Gillard cabinet minister John Faulkner, and Linda Burney, the former Albanese government minister for Indigenous Australians. Former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon was also spotted, as was former NSW premier Barrie Unsworth. In his address, Minns compared Carr to international man of mystery Peter Paul Rubens, known for his dual careers as a court painter and a European diplomat. Friends, we might be forgiven for thinking that for all of Bobs political successes, the 10 years in office, the smashing of opposition parties in multiple elections, the balanced budgets, the new national parks, the greatest Olympic Games ever, all of it was an excuse to write these wonderful books, these wry, self-deprecating, uncommonly honest books, Minns told the room, to Carrs approval. Advertisement And Bob, can I say, in a very hot field with stiff competition, I think this is the best book that youve written. Spotted: Gillon McLachlan and Matthew Grounds The bromance between former AFL boss turned Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan and Barrenjoey co-executive chairman Matthew Grounds is well-documented. So we werent surprised to hear the pair fit a quick catch-up into the diary during McLachlans whip through Sydney this week. Former BHP chairman Ken Mackenzie (green blazer front row), Tabcorp CEO Gillon McLachlan, Laura McLachlan, and Transurban chairman Craig Drummond. (Second row) BHP CEO Mike Henry (left), Barrenjoey chairman Matthew Grounds, and REA CEO Cameron McIntyre at the Australian Open Mens final. Louis Trerise The pair were spotted at Governor Phillip Tower on Wednesday while McLachlan was in town for some meetings with his Sydney colleagues and to meet the companys media partners. The Tabcorp boss has been in Sydney since Monday, CBD hears, and tries to fit Grounds into his schedule whenever hes in town. Advertisement Of course, its not the first time the old friends have been seen out and about this year. McLachlan and Grounds were seen at the Australian Open last month, where they were photographed mixing it up with recently departed BHP chief executive Mike Henry and REA Group boss Cameron McIntyre. Labors SBS U-turn rankles Is that a broken election promise we smell? There are MPs in the Labor caucus known to be a little sensitive to accusations the government is going back on its word. Perhaps none more so than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has been known to get defensive over even the faintest whiff of the charge. But how else to interpret the Albanese governments decision to dispense with its promise made before the 2025 election to expand SBS to western Sydney? The initial plan considering a relocation of SBS headquarters to western Sydney was watered down to a revised western Sydney expansion, following a feasibility study that ruled out the initial plan over costs. Then Labor promised a new production hub for the multicultural broadcaster to a region where roughly half of the population speaks a language other than English. Advertisement Now that plan, which CBD hears was set to cost $181 million and earmarked Blacktown as the preferred location, has evaporated altogether. In an email to staff on Tuesday, SBS acting managing director Jane Palfreyman said it is disappointing the move was spiked, saying the government indicated its decision was made in the context of the current fiscal environment. Related Article CBD Kellie Sloane goes After Dark with Rowan Dean The timing was cute. On the day of a Reserve Bank cash rate call, and when the Middle East conflict was otherwise dominating headlines, Communications Minister Anika Wells thought time was ripe to take out the trash quietly, before Palfreymans staff memo was obtained by this masthead. The reaction from some of her western Sydney colleagues hasnt been great. The offices of some MPs, CBD hears, wouldve liked a bit more notice of the decision. Others say they saw the move coming from way off, and are more concerned about perceptions of broken promises. Advertisement The initial commitment to look at relocating SBS from Artarmon to western Sydney was first pared back under Attorney-General Michelle Rowland during her time in the Communications portfolio. But the pin was pulled under Wells, her successor, as the government scratches around to find savings ahead of the May federal budget. Regardless of whos responsible, local stakeholders are apoplectic after being strung along for years. And Rowland is just one of the western Sydney MPs who will be left to face them. Others with seats in the region include Education Minister Jason Clare, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and backbencher Ed Husic. The government will not be providing additional funding for the expansion proposed by SBS at this time. We thank SBS for its work in this process, a spokesman for Wells said in a statement. We will continue to support the important work of the SBS now and into the future. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Updated NationalWADomestic violence Damning WA report reveals just 2.5 per cent of serious DV cases get intervention Holly Thompson Updated March 19, 2026 2:29pm ,first published 10:17am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A More than 60 per cent of family and domestic violence incidents reviewed by the West Australian Ombudsman posed a high risk of serious harm, yet only 2.5 per cent of those were escalated for coordinated multi-agency intervention, according to a damning new report. The Ombudsman tabled the Review of Family and Domestic Violence in WA in parliament on Thursday morning, containing nine recommendations. Principal Assistant Ombudsman Alison Cameron, Ombudsman Western Australia Bevan Warner, and Review Director Justine Vassilios. Holly Thompson It contained information on 388 families interactions with the WA Police Force and the Department of Communities, and drew on 237 fatality review investigations conducted since 2012. The report examined how government agencies responded after police attend family and domestic violence incidents, and found that processes to identify high-risk cases and respond appropriately were not always followed. Advertisement WA Ombudsman Bevan Warner said the system was not working to support victims as it should. The investigation determined that the risk assessment process was not working as intended, and people considered the most serious risk were not receiving the assistance that they were entitled to, he said. The consequences of this for victims who are eligible because of the threat that they faced, is that they did not receive referrals to support agencies, they did not receive individualised advice on how to leave, where to go, what arrangements to make for their children, nor did they benefit from changed locks, security cameras, a phone the perpetrator couldnt monitor, or a duress alarm that would connect them directly to police. Warner said going forward, the Department of Communities and WA Police must be united and working from the same script when assessing risk. The reports review of fatalities also found that many of the warning signs were known before a death occurs. Advertisement Each death represents a devastating loss for families and communities. The responsibility of government agencies is to learn everything possible from those tragedies, so they are less likely to occur again, Warner said. Ombudsman review director Justine Vassilios said a key finding was that there was limited accountability for perpetrators beyond a justice response. Key findings include: 24 per cent of required risk questions were recorded as unstated or unknown, by police. 61 per cent of cases reviewed met the threshold for high risk of serious harm, but only 2.5 per cent were escalated for extra support and coordinated multi-agency case management. Children were present in 40 per cent of incidents but many received no individualised support. Perpetrator accountability is still lacking with one perpetrator involved in 81 incidents. Our investigation identified 421 perpetrators in the sample group, yet the family and domestic violence response teams made 49 referrals to perpetrator intervention responses, she said. This is despite the fact that nearly 85 per cent of these perpetrators had previously interacted with the family and domestic violence response teams. Advertisement In one case, the report found that a single perpetrator had interacted with the response teams on 81 occasions. A system that allows a perpetrator to cycle through 81 times does not promote victim survivor safety, Vassilios said. It shows that perpetrators can repeatedly move through the system without meaningful intervention to address or change their behaviour. Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski said the Ombudsmans report was based on data that was collected over a four-week period in November 2024 and that it does not capture the level of investment that we are currently seeing. It is a backwards looking report covering a point in time from some 16 months ago we have moved on a long way since then, she said. Advertisement What it doesnt cover is the $60 million investment that we have made into this service since 2024 to enhance the [Family and Domestic Violence Response Team]. But the oppositions prevention of family and domestic violence spokeswoman Libby Mettam said the findings pointed to a catastrophic breakdown in the system. Critical safeguards are clearly not working, and women and children are being left exposed, she said. The findings come after new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed nearly 12,000 offenders were proceeded against for a family and domestic violence-related offence in WA in 2024-25 an increase of 20 per cent from the previous year. That was the biggest increase out of any state or territory a rate of 448 offenders per 100,000 people. Advertisement More than half were charged with acts intended to cause injury and nearly 80 per cent of all offenders were men. Just this week, there have been several high-profile cases of domestic violence in WA courts. Cameron Pearson was jailed for life on Tuesday over the brutal murder of his partner, Perth lawyer Alice McShera, in a Crown Towers hotel room in 2023. On Wednesday, Tobias Nuttall an occult and conspiracy theory podcaster pleaded guilty to murdering his girlfriend at her home in the riverside Perth suburb of Bassendean last year. And last week, this masthead revealed that a Perth mother was forced to flee the country after her abuser was granted bail. Advertisement Greens MP Jess Beckerling said it was absolutely devastating to see such a significant rise. I dont want to hear any excuses from this government, any efforts to avoid or minimise whats happening here, she said. Yes, theres been an increase in reporting. Yes, theres been an increase in women feeling safe to come forward, but also theres been an increase in the amount of violence that women and children are suffering in this state. WA Police Minister Reece Whitby said that behind every number was a woman with an often a horrendous story, and that we should be encouraging women to come forward. Related Article Exclusive Courts Breathtakingly bad: Serial DV offender charged with breach of bail, only to be released again Advertisement This is not something you can keep behind closed doors. This is not something which is acceptable. This is not the 1970s, we need to put the spotlight on this issue, he said. Beckerling also said while she wasnt convinced jailing people was the answer, if there are any people who should be remanded on bail, its the ones that we know are likely to go out and potentially murder or rape women. Stojkovski said changes in legislation had resulted in more perpetrators behind bars. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalWAPerth business How could Perth become a 24-hour city? Indigo Lemay-Conway March 20, 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 Could Perth become a 24-hour city? Its a big dream, but one that Perth Design Week co-founder Sandy Anghie thinks is a possibility if the right moves are made starting with more amenities and accommodation in the CBD. Perth CBD could be on the way to becoming a 24-hour city. Jessica Wyld While a 24-hour city might spark thoughts of New York, Anghie likens them closer to Vienna in Austria. A city that I think of as a 24-hour city with lots of activity is Vienna and it constantly comes up as one of the most liveable cities in the world, she said. Advertisement Their shops arent open on a Sunday, but if you walk through the city, its packed with people. Theyre just milling about window shopping, [going to] cafes, restaurants and theres a huge amount of museums. So for a city to be full of life, it doesnt have to mean that everythings open all the time, it means that its just a great place to hang out regardless. According to Anghie, there are many things that could be done to transform Perth into a living, breathing place. Theres a lot of great projects underway and a lot of projects that have happened like the new [Edith Cowan University] student accommodation. So more people living in the city is really number one, she said. But its sort of a catch-22, isnt it? To get people to want to live in the city, you need the facilities in the city to make them want to live here. We need the amenities in the city and the designed infrastructure to attract people to want to live here and then more accommodation to live in. Advertisement More students could soon be living in the city as a result of ECUs new inner-city campus, with 6500 student accommodation beds in the pipeline to be built across the CBD. Another project announced last year looking to boost the CBD life is Fiveights $400 million plan to transform Perths derelict Carillon City. Anghie believes filling a number of vacant buildings and spaces could improve the desire to spend time in the city. At the moment theres just so much empty space to activate. Particularly on the Hay Street Mall, on the actual ground floor plane, the mall level, theres a high level of vacancy which is not enticing to visitors, to tourists or to residents, she said. So how do we turn that around? I just think theres so many different pieces of the puzzle and its everything from large-scale projects to little things like activating laneways, street design, making it more approachable and engaging. Advertisement Hassell managing director and design week panelist Natalie Busch said the move was not a quick switch. Related Article University Inside the biggest of its kind university campus in the heart of a major CBD I think its not just a switch that we go, were nine-to-five, and now were 24 hours. I think its a careful stretching of what weve already got, she said. For instance it might be just stretching [out] the morning a little bit. We know that theres a lot of people that get up really early to take advantage of that amazing weather. So maybe its just about stretching the economic activities that can happen more in the morning. Or it might be stretching things a little bit further beyond 5 oclock in the afternoon, so there are more opportunities for people to do things after hours. Advertisement But ultimately, Busch agrees that the addition of amenities people use in their day-to-day lives will help bridge the gap between the Perth that exists now and the Perth of the future. The City needs to consider what amenities it can provide for people if they were to live here, she said. Changes are starting to happen, like new schools, recreation facilities supermarket shopping and things like that. So were starting to see those uses come into the city, but its those everyday uses and amenities that I think we have in the suburbs, but not necessarily right in the city. Apartment styles to cater to a broader range of lifestyles could also help increase residential numbers in the CBD. I think the type of housing that has previously been provided for in the city is pretty one-dimensional. Its kind of the one [style] apartment that perhaps isnt as attractive for families or perhaps affordable for students or people with different budgets, Busch said. Advertisement Busch said a really clear and aligned plan between all levels of government was needed so people know where to invest. That has come up a lot in discussion with private developers and leasing agents. People want security to know where they should really invest in the city, thats in line with a longer-term vision and plan, she said. The Perth Design Week panel on turning Perth into a 24-hour city will be held on Friday, 6pm at the Liberty Theatre. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalWARoad safety More Perth drivers come forward to challenge AI camera fines Jenny Schon March 19, 2026 6:24pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A The state government is encouraging Western Australians caught by AI-driven traffic cameras to appeal to the already under-pressure Department of Transport, as more motorists come forward with concerns over the fines handed out. More than 40,000 fines have been issued in the past six months, with motorists who have copped fines after being snapped by the AI traffic cameras taking their fight to court. More than 40,000 fines have been issued in the past six months. Nine News Perth Sean Sheriffs wife was snapped by an AI camera easing her belt off her sore waist on Christmas Day last year. Her husband received a $550 fine and the loss of eight demerit points over the transgression. Advertisement The 80-year-old woman has since passed away from cancer. Related Article Road safety Perth drivers take their fight against AI camera fines to court Sheriff has appealed to the Department of Transport and is yet to receive a reply. She was in such agony it was absolutely unbelievable, he said. Its unreal, its absolutely tragic. In my opinion, If I had been stopped by a police car or police motorcycle, or whatever, we would have explained the situation and said on your bike. Advertisement Another motorist, who asked to remain anonymous, lives with a rare bone cancer and has a medical exemption that clears him of needing to wear a seatbelt. To date, the man has racked up nearly 200 demerit points and $20,000 in fines since October. On an impact, if my chest was going to take that, it would just crumble and go into my organs and there wouldnt be much left of me, the man said. It has occupied a lot of time, and it has been very frustrating. While most of the mans fines have been withdrawn by the Department of Transport, he believes it is still an expensive and time-consuming task. Advertisement They actually have to have someone sitting there physically watching, which to me as a taxpayer is also a hell of a waste of money, he said. Premier Roger Cook said it was important people had an opportunity to appeal any transgressions caught by the cameras. The important thing we have is make sure that people have the opportunity to appeal and hear about individual circumstances, he said. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said her department was looking into the issue. Theres been a lot of fines and a lot of appeals, again Ill seek further advice in relation to resourcing, she said. Advertisement The Road Safety Commission is currently reviewing the penalties and is expected to hand down a verdict next year. However, former chair of the WA branch of the Chartered Institute of Transport Ross Taylor believes that will be too late for those impacted. To say it will be looked at next year which means theyll pick up another $100 million in fines in the interim is totally objectionable, he said. Its obscene and a despicable act of poor government. 9News Perth Advertisement Exclusive NationalWAPetrol prices Perth woman lodges complaint after petrol price jumps 30 cents in 20 minutes Hannah Murphy March 19, 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 A Perth woman has reported a local petrol station after they allegedly upped their price by thirty cents in the space of 20 minutes, as the consumer watchdog reveals it is fielding dozens of allegations about retailers ripping off customers over the skyrocketing fuel price. Krystallea Taniora said she and her partner decided to fuel up both their cars about 5am on Monday to get ahead of the escalating price, which averaged out at $2.16 a litre at the end of last week. A Perth woman has referred a local petrol station to the ACCC after she claims they increased the price of their fuel by 30 in 20 minutes. Krystallea Taniora She drove her car to the local station north of Perth and filled up for $2.39, and then drove home to collect her partners car and took it back to the station. By the time she returned, the price has gone up to $2.69. Advertisement She said the price advertised on FuelWatch remained the same. I was pretty upset, she said. WAs 24-hour rule means fuel retailers must notify FuelWatch of their prices by 2pm each day and then keep those prices fixed for 24 hours from 6am the following day. Once submitted, these prices cannot be changed during that 24-hour period. At the counter, Taniora said she was offered five cents off on the litre by the attendant when she tried to bring the discrepancy to her attention. Advertisement I told her it wasnt her fault, it was the company I was upset with, she said. The attendant eventually agreed to honour the FuelWatch price, but Taniora said she was left with a bad taste in her mouth. She said in her work with vulnerable people across mental health spaces and in aged care, she had seen firsthand how the escalating cost of living had impacted people in her life. It might not seem like much but $20 is a lot of money for some people, Taniora said. It could be the difference between them being able to get bread and milk that day or not. Advertisement Related Article Petrol prices WA Police brace for fuel theft boom as Cook takes ACCC to task Taniora reported her experience to Consumer Protection and the ACCC, and said both agencies had been helpful when it came to lodging her complaints. It just isnt right, these companies profiteering off this, she said. The retailer was contacted for comment. Tanioras complaint is just one of nearly a dozen Consumer Protection said it had already received, with a spokesperson confirming they had received 11 enquiries and 11 complaints about alleged discrepancies between retail fuel prices and the prices reported to FuelWatch or displayed on price boards since February 28. Advertisement The figures represent the last three weeks since the United States and Israel launched its offensive on Iran, torpedoing fuel prices as important trade routes shut down. A Consumer Protection spokeswoman confirmed it had fined three retailers for breaches of the FuelWatch rules since February 28, and said some investigations were still ongoing into some other alleged breaches. More infringements could be issued, she said. Due to privacy and confidentiality obligations, Consumer Protection is unable to reveal further details about these traders. A Geraldton trader last week was one of the first to publicly be fined by the agency for breaching FuelWatch standards. Advertisement The spokeswoman also said it had bolstered its workforce across WA to make sure retailers were doing the right thing. Since the start of the Middle East conflict, Consumer Protections compliance officers have significantly increased the number and frequency of their inspections of fuel outlets across the state to identify any pricing discrepancies, she said. The regulations are in place to protect motorists from retailers raising prices once they have been lodged. The ACCC declined to comment. It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a new taskforce on Thursday designed to coordinate fuel supply and security between federal, state and territory governments. Advertisement The Cook government followed suit by appointing Wheatbelt Development Commission chief executive Rob Cossart as fuel security state controller and establishing a state management team. Our new Fuel Security State Controller and State Management Team will ensure our public sector is laser focused on addressing fuel security challenges and working closely with the Commonwealth Government in the interests of WA, Cook said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Two students from Northam Senior High School have been arrested over discharging two chemical devices that resulted in another student being taken to hospital. Around 9.15am police received reports of the incident and attended the school, alongside firefighters and crew from St John Ambulance. Two teenage boys were arrested, while a third student was taken to Northam Hospital as a precautionary measure. Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to make a report to Crime Stoppers. There is no ongoing risk to the public. The school sent out a text message to parents assuring them all students were safe. There was an incident at the school today that required a partial evacuation of the quad area for precautionary reasons, it read. The school day returned to normal at 11.30am. We thank our community for their support and appreciate the inconvenience and worry these issues cause. One person posted to a local Facebook group saying their children had been told they were not allowed to leave their classrooms this morning as the incident unfolded. Another person, believed to be a student at the school, said students who felt sick or saw what happened were checked on in the office, while others who were around during the incident were taken onto the oval. Advertisement Australians have been told to prepare for the worst from late April as Labor comes under pressure to use energy exports to Asia as leverage to ensure ongoing fuel supply, and a top economist recommends work-from-home directives to reduce demand for oil. Business chiefs are raising worries about a supply shock if the war in the Middle East drags on, fuelling a call from Coalition industry spokesman Andrew Hastie to insist that Asian nations reliant on Australian coal and gas keep exporting oil to Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Alex Ellinghausen Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed hope on Thursday that United States President Donald Trump would bank a win and end the war soon, having degraded Irans nuclear and military capacity, underscoring Australias anxiety about the economic downside of a war that Labor backed at its outset. Im hopeful that you can see an end point, Albanese said in Tasmania after chairing a national cabinet meeting to appoint a national fuel coordinator on Thursday. Advertisement The objectives of denying Iran the opportunity to have a development of a nuclear weapon have been secured. So that was objective No. 1. Related Article Middle East at war War could push inflation past 5 per cent, hurt nation for years: Chalmers Energy Minister Chris Bowen will meet with state counterparts on Friday to discuss local consequences of the war in the Middle East. On Thursday, he cautioned Australians to prepare for the worst from about mid-April if worst-case scenarios were realised. All the contracted ships are expected to arrive all through March and into April. Beyond that, we do face an international circumstance which is changing daily. Weve been frank with Australians about that from the beginning. Thats why we continue to do this work, to prepare for the worst in an uncertain environment, Bowen said in Brisbane. Bowen is expected to discuss fresh concerns about gas that were exacerbated by an explosion at a key LNG facility in Qatar, marking another troubling escalation in the war and leading to Trump threatening to attack Iranian gas fields. Advertisement The ministers are also expected to canvass bailouts for badly affected sectors and emergency powers at state and federal levels to take greater control of fuel supply, although governments are not keen to take this step yet. Hastie, who favours domestic production and has criticised the hollowing out of Australian industry, said Albanese had a very strong hand to play in emphasising to Asian nations their reliance on Australias hydrocarbons. Its a source of our prosperity and its also an important source of leverage in a crisis, he told this masthead. Were dependent on countries like Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea for the importation of our liquid fuel. So theres a relationship of reciprocity there. And I think its worth noting that we supply a lot of critical minerals to other countries, and the expectation is that they guarantee supply to us. Advertisement We can work together to solve this crisis, but if everyone starts acting in their own interests and that potentially compromises our fuel security, well, then weve got a pretty big hand to play in return as well. Hastie said the crisis represented a reckoning for Australias economic model, which he said had hollowed out Australias sovereign capability. If you look at the US, they have more than 125 oil refineries when we now have two The US under President Trump is very unpredictable and the only thing we can control is our security and resilience, he said. Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: Trump distances US from Israeli attack on Iranian gas field; Iran retaliates; Albanese announces fuel supply taskforce The federal government is not talking publicly about its modelling on the types of fuel-conserving measures it might consider if the Middle East war drags on and fuel does not flow into Australia at normal levels. Former Australian Energy Regulator boss Anthea Harris was chosen on Thursday to lead a taskforce that will co-ordinate fuel security and supply chain resilience across the country, as well as provide updates on supply and distribution. Advertisement AMP Capitals chief economist Shane Oliver said Australian governments should open up a public conversation about working from home where possible, travelling to the shops once a week, buying more e10 fuel, using public transport more often, and reconsidering road trips. Theyre a form of rationing, but not formal rationing, he said. The pandemic showed you can get fuel consumption down quite dramatically. Its not about panicking; its about making sure we can keep the economy functioning for as long as possible. In the UK, a government planning document reported by The Telegraph recommends capping speed limits at 80km/h. Developed nations have not moved to harsh work-from-home directives, instead relying on opening up fuel reserves much like Australia. Asian nations including Sri Lanka have moved to four-day work weeks. Albanese said: I reiterate today my message to Australians is, please do not take more fuel than you need. That is how you can help. It is the Australian way to think of others, to think of their neighbours, their community and also to think of the national interest. Earlier, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission revealed it was investigating Ampol, Mobil, BP and Viva Energy over diesel availability to independent wholesalers and distributors servicing regional and rural Australia. Advertisement The ACCC is closely scrutinising all fuel markets during this period, and we have received reports of alleged anti-competitive behaviour. We are therefore investigating these matters urgently, the watchdogs chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, said. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Corporate America is making one of the biggest capital bets in decades on artificial intelligence while simultaneously cooling the labor market needed to make that investment pay off. This is not fiscal prudence. It is operational paralysis. According to a recent survey of more than 350 public-company CEOs and investors managing $19 trillion in assets, 66% of CEOs plan to freeze or cut hiring through the rest of 2026. More from Yahoo Scout Why shouldn't companies eliminate middle management roles? What is agentic AI and how differs from generative AI? What is a Chief Workforce Architect role? Why are CEOs freezing hiring despite AI investments? As a gender economist, I see a deeper structural failure: CEOs are buying powerful computational engines while cutting the middle-management and HR functions required to implement, govern, and scale them. The explanation given is a wait-and-see approach to AI ROI. But waiting is not a neutral act. Why 66% of CEOs Hit Pause The freeze is the aftershock of 2025. Corporate America eliminated more than 1.17 million jobs under the logic that excess labor had to be cut to fund the future of AI. Early enthusiasm has now met operational reality and the disconnect is measurable. Investors want near-term returns, with 53% expecting AI payback within six months. CEOs are more realistic: 84% acknowledge that meaningful ROI is a multiyear project. That tension has produced operational paralysis. The labor market softened enough to shrink headcount without the stigma of mass layoffs and by February 2026, that retrenchment had hardened into a freeze. In the process, many leaders cut the very HR and middle-management roles that help define future jobs, redesign workflows, and create organizational clarity. The Shift CEOs Are Underestimating Too many leaders are still managing for 2024. They are operating in 2026. Generative AI helped workers produce more content. Agentic AI goes further: it can initiate tasks, coordinate multistep workflows, and act across enterprise systems with less human input. This is no longer a content story. It is a control story. CEOs are hesitating because agentic systems introduce nonlinear scale. A single digital agent can coordinate thousands of actions. But without the human agent mesh, that scale quickly turns into operational risk. By late 2026, 20% of companies are expected to use AI to flatten their hierarchies, eliminating more than half of mid-tier roles. That protects margins in the short term. It strips out a critical supervisory layer in the long term. The Layer Companies Are Cutting and Shouldnt AI is flattening the corporate pyramid. The data shows how fast. Labor market data shows a 30% drop in entry-level job listings and a 42% drop in middle management postings since 2022. The operating logic is that if AI can summarize and coordinate, the middle layer is redundant. MILAN High-end Italian design furniture firm Natuzzis industrial plan for 2026 and 2028 and the fate of more than 400 jobs remain in limbo. On Monday, the nations Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy said the third round of talks held by the ministry between trade unions and the Bari-based high-end furniture firm ended without a resolution. More from WWD Although there is no scheduled date for a new meeting, both the company and the unions, with differing words and nuances, hope for the resumption of dialogue, the ministry said in a note published on its website on Monday. Natuzzi Group, which produces sofas and other furniture at its facilities in Puglia, Basilicata and Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, as well as Romania, said the industrial plan is crucial amid a challenging macro and geopolitical environment. The 2026-2028 industrial plan proposed to institutions and social partners remains, for the company, the strategic response to the need to address the current significant geopolitical and economic instability and to adapt its business model in response to a global scenario undergoing profound transformation, Natuzzi said. Natuzzi, which has most recently worked with designers like Karim Rashid and Fabio Novembre, currently employs about 1,800 people and said the industrial plan would affect the future of more than 400 employees, which the ministry said were close to retirement. The company, emphasizing the difficult economic and financial situation of the group, reaffirmed the conditions for an agreement: the closure of the Jesce 2 site and the sale of the Ginosa plantthe voluntary exit of around 400 workers close to retirement, and the reassignment of at least 300 additional people to companies in the area, the note said. The Apulia unit of the Fillea Cgil trade union stated layoffs would total 479 and would damage the integrity of Italian production. We hope that the next steps by the company will move in the direction of responsibility, Italys Fillea Cgil said on its Instagram. Natuzzis industrial plan involves a 50 million euro-investment for the 2026 to 2028 period. Natuzzi Expansion Amid Turmoil Natuzzi distributed its collections worldwide through a global retail network of about 565 stores and 687 wholesale partners at the end of 2025. According to the industrial plan, 72 openings with business partners were slated for 2026. A fresh acquisition from payments giant Mastercard is turning heads in crypto not just for its size, but for one simple question making rounds online. Anyone else never hear of BVNK? Dan Held asked, capturing the surprise across parts of the industry. Dan Held is a crypto investor and general partner at Asymmetric, focused on Bitcoin and DeFi. He previously served as head of marketing at Kraken and has founded multiple crypto startups with successful exits. Related: Famous credit card company buys pizza using crypto BVNK stablecoin monthly transfer volumes Clearly, the data represents the better picture about BVNK. According to data from Dune Analytics, BVNK has quietly processed significant volumes despite flying under the radar. Monthly transfer volumes surged from just $181.9 million in October 2024 to $1 billion by November, marking a rapid early expansion. After a brief cooldown in early 2025, volumes stabilized in the $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion range through mid-2025 before accelerating again in the second half of the year. The platform hit a record $2.1 billion in monthly volume in December 2025, with activity remaining strong into 2026. Based on recent averages of around $1.5 billion per month, BVNK is operating at an annualized run rate exceeding $18 billion. Popular on TheStreet Roundtable: Mastercard announces new deal On March 17, Mastercard announced a definitive agreement to acquire stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK for up to $1.8 billion, including $300 million in contingent payments. The deal marks one of the latest moves by a traditional financial heavyweight to deepen its exposure to blockchain-based payments, particularly stablecoins. According to Mastercard, BVNKs infrastructure will help bridge the gap between traditional fiat systems and onchain payments. BVNKs digital asset infrastructure complements and extends Mastercards trusted global payments network, creating interoperability between fiat and stablecoins, the company said in its announcement. Stablecoins move closer to mainstream Stablecoins are increasingly being seen as a key layer in the future of global payments. Mastercard noted that digital currency payment use cases are already scaling, reaching at least $350 billion in volume in 2025. BVNK, founded in 2021, has built infrastructure that allows businesses to send and receive payments across major blockchain networks in more than 130 countries. Applied Optoelectronics' 400G and 800G transceivers are purpose-built for exactly this kind of hyperscale deployment. The Blackwell architecture driving NVIDIA's current buildout cycle requires high-density optical interconnects at every layer of the data center fabric. Applied Optoelectronics is one of a small number of companies positioned to supply them at volume. NVIDIA's data center revenue hit $62.31 billion last quarter, up 75% year over year, with networking revenue alone surging 263%. That's the demand pipeline feeding directly into Applied Optoelectronics' order book. A primary catalyst involves a famous chip designer. NVIDIA ( NASDAQ:NVDA ) is building out AI infrastructure at a scale that requires enormous volumes of high-speed optical interconnects, and Applied Optoelectronics makes the lasers and transceivers that go inside those data centers. 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. This rebound follows a rough week. AAOI stock shed 28.35% over the past five trading days, largely driven by an equity dilution scare after the company doubled its at-the-market offering program. Yet, the underlying demand story hasn't changed, and today's buyers appear to be making exactly that argument. Applied Optoelectronics ( NASDAQ:AAOI ) stock is up 7% in Wednesday's session, with shares trading at $92 and change after closing at $86.33 on Tuesday. The move comes as the company's position at the center of AI data center infrastructure continues to draw investor attention. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here . AAOI stock is rebounding after a brutal week of selling tied to equity dilution fears, but the underlying thesis remains intact: NVIDIAs hyperscale data center buildout for AI infrastructure depends on the companys high-speed optical transceivers at record volumes. NVIDIA (NVDA) data center revenue hit $62.31B last quarter (up 75% year over year) with networking revenue surging 263%, creating massive demand for the optical interconnects that Applied Optoelectronics manufactures. Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) posted Q4 2025 revenue of $134.27M (up 34% year over year) with data center revenue jumping to $74.88M, and the company secured a $200M order for 1.6T transceivers with delivery in late 2026. Story Continues A $200 Million Order and a Record Quarter What's keeping this story alive is a $200 million order for 1.6T data center transceivers announced in mid-March, with delivery expected in Q3 and Q4 of 2026. That single order restores a hyperscaler customer to more than 10% of Applied Optoelectronics' revenue base, a meaningful concentration shift that signals growing platform dependency rather than opportunistic buying. The Q4 2025 earnings report, filed in late February, gave investors a lot to work with. Applied Optoelectronics' revenue came in at $134.27 million, up 33.9% year over year and a record quarter for the company. Furthermore, the company's data center revenue specifically jumped to $74.88 million, up from $44.24 million a year earlier. EPS came in at -$0.01 against an estimate of -$0.1084, a significant positive surprise. For the full year, Applied Optoelectronics posted $455.72 million in revenue, up 82.75% year over year. Management guided Q1 2026 revenue to a range of $150 million to $165 million and projected full-year 2026 revenue could exceed $1 billion. For more on what that trajectory implies, the deeper breakdown is worth reading: AAOI's 10x Moment: $456M in 2025, $378M Per Month by Next Year. New Products and a New Factory Applied Optoelectronics is also showcasing a 25dBm ultra-high power ELSFP module at OFC 2026 this week, described as among the highest output power in its class and positioned as a foundation for next-generation AI infrastructure. Moreover, the company is demonstrating 6.4T on-board optics technology at the same event, with Applied Optoelectronics CFO Stefan Murry hosting an investor session. On the manufacturing side, Applied Optoelectronics is building a 210,000-square-foot facility near Sugar Land, Texas to scale production of AI-focused transceivers. That kind of capital commitment signals the company is betting heavily on sustained hyperscaler demand, not a one-quarter spike. The Context: Recovery From a Volatile Week Today's 7% share-price gain needs to be understood against the backdrop of a brutal stretch. Applied Optoelectronics stock hit a 52-week high of $128.96 before the ATM program announcement sent it tumbling. Over the past month, though, shares are still up 94.17%, and year to date the gain sits at 147.65%. Institutional positioning is mixed but leaning constructive. Cinctive Capital acquired 30,845 AAOI shares as recently as March 17, and Portolan Capital increased its stake by 20% to 546,219 shares. The composite sentiment score for Applied Optoelectronics stock sits at 63.72, tilting bullish with medium confidence. Applied Optoelectronics CEO Thompson Lin set the tone after Q4, asserting, "We have considerable momentum entering 2026, and we believe we are well positioned to accelerate our growth this year." With a $200 million order in hand, a new Texas facility coming online, and NVIDIA's data center buildout showing no signs of slowing, that confidence has a foundation. Applied Optoelectronics' next earnings report is expected on May 6. It will be the first real test of whether the company's $1 billion revenue projection is tracking. 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. James Cox Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Martin pushes back, gently, against Trump Taoiseach Micheal Martin emerged unscathed from his St Patrick's Day meeting with US president Donald Trump, and even pushed back on certain issues. He has earned praise for defending UK prime minister Keir Starmer, the European Union, migration, and Ukraine, after Trump hit many of his familiar soundbites. Still angry at the UK's decision not the join his war on Iran, Trump used the Oval Office meeting to criticise Starmer who he said is "no Winston Churchill". Martin told Trump Churchill had not been a friend to Ireland, before defending Starmer. He said Starmer is a "very earnest, sound person and he believes Trump has a capacity to get on with him. I just met with Keir Starmer last week, the British-Irish relationship is a very important one. Churchill was a great wartime leader, although in Ireland it was kind of a different perspective in terms of our own war of independence and so on, he created his own bit of difficulties for us. But that said, he was a great wartime hero. 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 is a very earnest, sound person that I think you have a capacity to get on with. And youve got on with him before, and youve got on with other European leaders as well and I think you have that capacity again." Martin also defended immigration in the European Union after Trump launched a familiar attack on migration policies. The US media gave Martin favourable reports for his performance. The New York Times report that Martin "pushed back, gently" against Trump. The report notes it was a "delicate balance" for the Taoiseach, due to the importance of the Ireland-US relationship. Comparing the meeting to a recent one between Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz, The Times noted Martin's Oval Office outing contained "some awkward silence as well". However, it praised Martin for calling for peace in the Middle East and defending European allies. "Mr Martin walked a fine line. He denounced Iranian aggression, saying 'you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon,' and underlining that 'all European countries' have recognised Iran as a sponsor of terrorism. He also defended European responses." USA Today focused more so on the musings of Trump, however, the report notes his misgendering of President Catherine Connolly. "While meeting with the Irish prime minister at the White House, Trump was asked by a reporter to respond to Irelands president saying the Iran war is illegal. Look, hes lucky I exist, Trump said. "The president of Ireland is Catherine Connolly, who, like the acting Venezuelan president, is not a man." The Huffington Post also focused on Martin's defence of Starmer in an "awkward" Oval Office meeting. The report also praises Martin for defending Ukraine. "The taoiseach also tried to appeal to Trump over Ukraine, as the president consistently and falsely blames Kyiv for starting the war. "'The Russians did invade Ukraine, attack civilian infrastructure. The people of Ukraine just want peace and an opportunity to live,' Martin said. 'We want a peaceful resolution of conflict.' "His remarks show how the tide is turning against Trump across Europe at a time when Nato is desperately trying to stay out of the USs conflict in the Middle East." Trump indicated he was hoping to visit Ireland while the Irish Open takes place at his resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, in September. However, The Washington Post report focuses on the tone of the meeting, claiming it dashes any hopes of a visit. The headline reads 'Trump attacks on European allies dash hopes for Irish visit'. It reads: "Trump proceeded to bash Ireland and the European Union for tariffs and tax policies that he blamed for hurting the United States an on-camera dressing-down that gave Martin little opportunity for a confidential appeal, nor much chance to get a word in edgewise." The Post focused on Trump's criticism of US companies based in Ireland, while also noting Martin's defence of Starmer and the European Union. The Rest Is Politics podcast co-hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart have both complimented Taoiseach Micheal Martin for how he conducted himself in the meeting with US president Donald Trump. Martin was forced to sit in silence for long periods, as all world leaders normally have to with Trump, but when he got a chance he was not afraid to push back. In notable moments he defended UK prime minister Keir Starmer, Europe and Ukraine. Campbell is a former journalist who worked as a strategist and adviser for former UK prime minister Tony Blair. He is often linked with the UK's involvement with the Iraq war, and Starmer is currently facing the ire of Trump for refusing to let Britain become involved in the Iran war. Campbell wrote: "Well done @MichealMartinTD - speaking up for European allies. Speaking up for @Keir_Starmer Speaking up for Ukraine. And doing it in a way that kept the Orange Man Boy for several minutes. Happy St Patricks Day." Stewart is an academic and former diplomat and politician. He wrote: "A master mass here from Micheal Martin on how to speak fluently and diplomatically - while also standing up for values, peace and European allies." Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with US president Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC. Jim O'Callaghan gets Leaders' Questions practice Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has been widely tipped as the successor to Martin. With the Taoiseach not yet home from the US, O'Callaghan got a chance to practice at Leaders' Questions. He was forced to defend Martin's visit to the Oval Office amid criticism from the Opposition. The Government will act on rising energy costs, the Minister for Justice said, but could not indicate when that will happen. Sinn Feins leader Mary Lou McDonald said home heating oil had reached 900 for a half fill and people cant wait as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael twiddle your thumbs. Energy costs The Government will finalise an appropriate intervention to rising fuel and energy prices next week, the Tanaiste has said. Simon Harris said measures would be signed off at the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Speaking in the Dail, Harris said: This Government understands the pressures families and businesses are under. They are feeling it at the pumps where the cost of filling a car has risen considerably in the space of just over a fortnight and they are seeing it in the cost of a fill of oil. A Claremorris councillor has called on Mayo's two government ministers - Dara Calleary TD and Alan Dillon TD - to secure a replacement employer for the South Mayo town in the wake of the closure of a local factory. Some 50 jobs were lost after Cosmetic Creations Ltd, which had been based in the local IDA Industrial Park, ceased operations. Independent Cllr Richard Finn raised the issue at last week's meeting of Mayo County Council, noting that there would have been "a great hullaballoo" if 50 jobs were lost in Dublin or Galway. "The smaller areas seem to be forgotten. This is a wake-up call. You can see what is coming down the line in relation to employment and factories - there is going to be a slight downturn at least. This closure impacts on 50 people and 50 families, many with mortgages to pay, and maybe another 300 people in the community. "We have two ministers in Mayo, and I call on both to approach the IDA and find alternative employment for these people, preferably in the same factory, and that they get immediate supports. The private sector and employers are taxed to oblivion, and the public sector seems to grow like a weed, so I request a replacement for this factory from our ministers and government. Cllr Patsy OBrien said if it were a case of 50 jobs being announced tomorrow there would be great fanfare but we dont hear anything about this. He called for a taskforce to be set up by the Minister for Enterprise. Fears of a recession were also voiced at the meeting due to the unfolding of world events, with councillors expressing concerns about the war in the Middle East and its potentially devastating economic fallout. During a discussion around oil prices and farming as a livelihood, Cllr Peter Flynn said: We are heading into a major recession and we need to find ways to deal with it." Cllr Paul McNamara added: The last recession lasted for ten years during which we lost a generation of young people. It was the farming community that carried us through those dark years and got us back on our feet, but farming is in very unchartered waters now, with changes to CAP and entitlements imminent, which could result in payments so minimal that farmers will be wiped out. On top of that the proposal is to stop payments altogether at the age of 66. Cllr Brendan Mulroy added: We seem to have forgotten about Covid because we want to move on from it but if we did not have the farming community, we could be talking about a famine across this country and Europe. Farming standards did not drop, farmers kept on working hard, as did the shopkeepers where the products were sold, they are the people that deserve all the credit. As a country or government, I dont think we even thanked them; they did not have the privilege of sitting inside watching television or taking time out but had to ensure the farming business was kept going. The 4* Abbey Hotel Roscommon is celebrating after receiving an impressive 10 nominations ahead of this years Irish Restaurant Awards Connacht Regional Finals, which will take place at Knockranny House Hotel in Westport on Tuesday, March 31st. There was a very celebratory atmosphere at the hotel earlier this week when the team learned of the impressive number of nominations received across several categories ahead of the prestigious awards. The Irish Restaurant Awards (Food Oscars) recognise excellence in hospitality and dining across the country, and the Connacht Regional Finals will bring together some of the best restaurants, chefs, hospitality and marketing support teams in the region. Speaking following the announcement, Geraldine Grealy, Director of Marketing and Public Relations / Social Media at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon, paid tribute to the dedication and passion of the team at the Abbey. Ms. Grealy also thanked the many supporters who took the time to vote. The team at the Abbey Hotel are now looking forward with great excitement to the upcoming awards night. The Irish Restaurant Awards are among the most respected accolades in the Irish hospitality industry, celebrating the very best in hotels, restaurants, chefs, service and culinary excellence. First things first. Our President Catherine Connolly put it very well when she joined those who expressed sadness at the death of Ronnie Delany. She described Irelands Olympic gold medal track hero as a legendary figure whose 1,500m win in the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956 was one of the pinnacles of Irish sporting achievement. Delanys gold medal run was the stuff of dreams. While he was an accomplished athlete with a sub four-minute mile behind him and a huge reputation on the indoor circuit in America, he was at the back of the field as the race went into the last lap. The 1,500m was the most sought after of the Olympic track events at the time and all of the top athletes in the world were in the field in Melbourne. The fact that he came from last to first made Delany an icon in the minds of all young potential athletes in the country. He went on his knees to thank his God. He set the imagination on fire and inspired future generations of Irish track athletes. He enjoyed many other wonderful wins during his career but perhaps the most lasting of his achievements was the humility and dignity he displayed throughout his life. He contributed greatly to Irish life by his support and encouragement of young athletes. His engaging and modest manner was his greatest hallmark. Over the past couple of years, I have been piqued by RTEs obsession with the passing of mediocre stars, influencers, artists (so-called) and media people who have been lionised on our TV screens because of their passing from our lives. Second-rate movie people, many of whom I had never heard of, were somehow thought by RTE to be worthy of inclusion in our national news and highlighted for their magnificent achievements, very often in what might be termed 'B' movies. Now, I see nothing wrong with people who have made a significant contribution to the film industry or the arts being recognised for that contribution but just because a person acted in a film or produced a play or had a role in some television soap or played a role in media or had a reputation as a minor celebrity or social media star does not necessarily make them worthy of inclusion on the Nine OClock news or indeed worthy of a mention by Uachtaran na hEireann. Our recently retired President and conscience of the nation, Michael D, was very much inclined to overegg his contributions to artists who had departed this mortal coil. But Michael D can be excused, after all, he is a poet and poets and artists have to be indulged. The problem with exalting these people, as RTE tend to do, is that when a truly great person such as Ronnie Delany dies he becomes just another person to be remembered in the same way as those B-rated movie stars or rock band artists or unrecognisable ancient drummers from the 1960s. And that is an insult to Ronnie Delany. Now, of more immediate concern is our Presidents remarks about the war in Iran. Speaking on behalf of the people of Ireland Ms Connolly was, in my view, overly cautious, in expressing her grave concern at the US and Israel action in attacking Iran. She also expressed concern at Irans retaliatory strikes in the region. Quite frankly, I can understand Iran striking back after being attacked. It seems to me to be a natural reaction. There is the view of turning the other cheek but that does not align all that well with the Irish psyche. Our President was refreshingly forthright in condemning the attacks on Iran as an assault on international law. Ms Connolly was not the only one to express such a view. Fair play, our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee was pretty clear in her interpretation of what went on. While making clear the governments dim view of the Iranian regime (naturally!) she did not exactly criticise the US and Israel for launching the war but did express concern that Israel or the US had not sought the go-ahead from the United Nations. Now, that suggests a naivety on the part of our minister. Why would they display their hand as they set out to assassinate the Ayatollah, his entire family and government who had innocently assembled to consider what response they might make to the US offer on the curtailment of their nuclear programme? It was as close as the Government came to offering any hint of criticism of the mighty US or Israel. Our revered Taoiseach has not offered any opinion on the matter. He has to visit with Mr Trump in the White House today (Tuesday) and of course, being a polite man, he would not insult his host. And of course he could not mention Israel for fear of being branded, yet again, an anti-Semite. Now that we are two weeks into the war, things have moved on. The question of who might have been the aggressor and whether it was the US/Israel or Iran had struck the first blow or whether it was the US or Iran who bombed the school in the village of Minab with the loss of 120/150 schoolgirls is of no great consequence. What harm if 120 schoolgirls were killed. Sure the evil Iranian regime would probably have killed them anyway for not wearing their hijabs. Today, it is all about the cost of home heating oil or the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps. Nobody is concerned to ask who started the conflagration that gave rise to the turmoil in the worlds oil markets. Mr Trump is quite happy because, as he says himself, when the price of oil goes up it is good for the US which is self-sufficient in oil (thanks to Venezuela), even if it is not so good for the average American driver facing the prospect of $5.50 for a gallon of 'gas'. Pity the poor Irish driver looking at 7.60 a gallon... and rising. Our revered Taoiseach has not had to pay for a gallon of diesel in the past twenty years so he is not too concerned and he has left it in the hands of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to sort out. The CCPC are the right men to sort out the price gougers and the road hauliers whose reaction to the price increase is to close down the country, Bejaysus they are worse than the IFA. And that brings us to Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary. This blonde bombshell and pocket rocket (pardon the sexism!) is a constant at the side of her president and is a constant thorn in the side of the media. She is an unflappable reporter of the facts and supporter of the truth as enunciated by Mr Trump. In fact she quite often outTrumps Trump. She is a Catholic gal. Her vocabulary knows no bounds, her rapid fire delivery is mindful of the fastest-firing machine gun known to man, or woman. She does not concern herself with the facts. She is the master of the facts and she does not gladly tolerate fools as Niall Stanage, a member of the White House Press Corp, discovered when he had the temerity to ask about the shooting by ICE of a Minneapolis lady a few months ago. The bold Mr Stanage was quickly branded a left-wing hack, a fake journalist and was left to stew in his own juice as our blonde bombshell moved on to the next question. There was a time when such an attack on a journalist would lead to a walk-out from the press briefing, but obviously there are few journalists with the gumption to take such an initiative in todays America. I fully take on board the view that the Fourth Estate is in the White House to hold the president and his press secretary to account. But how do you hold to account slippery garrulous people whose facts are whatever they themselves decide are the facts. You would have to wonder would the world be a better place if the media decided to boycott the White House and deprive Mr Trump and Ms Leavitt of the oxygen of publicity on which they both seem to thrive. Thought for the Day My facts are sacred. Your facts are opinions - LatL Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes speaks during a forum in Phoenix, Arizona, Sept. 15, 2022. Photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from Original. (The Center Square) A federally-regulated prediction markets platform called criminal charges filed against the company in Arizona "seriously flawed." Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed criminal charges against the companies behind the Kalshi prediction markets platform, alleging Kalshi operated an illegal gambling business in Arizona without a license and engaged in election wagering. "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," Mayes said. "No company gets to decide for itself which laws to follow." New York-based Kalshi said the criminal charges in Arizona were intended to bypass the company's federal lawsuit against the state. "Four days after Kalshi filed suit in federal court, these charges were filed to circumvent federal court and short-circuit the normal judicial process," the company told The Center Square. "They attempt to prevent federal courts from evaluating the case based on the merits whether Kalshi is subject to exclusive federal jurisdiction." The 20-count criminal information alleges that Kalshi accepted bets from Arizona residents in violation of state law. The events included professional and college sporting contests, proposition bets on player performance, and wagers on whether the SAVE Act would become law. Among the charges are four counts of election wagering: Bets on the 2028 presidential race, the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial race, the 2026 Arizona Republican gubernatorial primary, and the 2026 Arizona Secretary of State race. Arizona law prohibits operating an unlicensed wagering business,4 and separately bans betting on elections outright. Last week, Kalshi sued the state over a ban on its business. "Kalshi is making a habit of suing states rather than following their laws. In the last three weeks alone, the company has filed lawsuits against Iowa and Utah, and now Arizona," Mayes said. "Rather than work within the legal frameworks that states like Arizona have established, Kalshi is running to federal court to try to avoid accountability." Federal courts recently rejected Kalshi's attempts to prevent bans on its business in Ohio and Nevada. Kalshi has appealed the decisions. "These charges are meritless, and we look forward to fighting them in court," the company said. Reading, PA (19601) 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 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. Akshay Naheta: Build secure infrastructure and products that make money work in real life globally. It is the precise description of the problem we are solving. Money is too slow, too expensive, and too opaque for most people and most transactions worldwide. Bakkt Holdings, Inc. is building the infrastructure layer that changes that for institutions, customers, and companies. Our vision is to build the next-gen financial ecosystem, one that sits at the intersection of programmable money, regulated infrastructure, and AI-driven agentic finance. The analogy I use is that what AWS did for softwareit let companies build without owning serversBakkt Holdings, Inc. does for finance. We provide the licensed, regulated, scalable rails so that partners do not have to build them. The regulatory path is clear. We are rewriting the definition of category-defining deals. Today is our opportunity to show you exactly what we have built, the immense velocity at which we are moving, and why Bakkt Holdings, Inc. is positioned to lead in this category. A quick overview of the agenda for today. We will cover five areas: a quick overview of our strategy and the key drivers behind it, the market opportunity and how Bakkt Holdings, Inc. is positioned to capitalize on it, and finally a product deep dive across our three engines, and a quick review of the year 2025, which was operationally and financially a bit volatile. Akshay Naheta: I want to give you a view into what we have worked on over the last year, what we have systemically rebuilt, and where we are taking the company from here. We are entering the next phase of Bakkt Holdings, Inc.'s growth with massive momentum behind us, both from a regulatory perspective as well as the economic and financial tailwinds that lie within the sector of payments and financial services. It is a very precise, engineered strategy that we have put together, that we really look forward to disclosing as we go along throughout the year. We have rebuilt our governance, capital structure, and technology. We have a great line of sight. Our pipeline is primed. Story Continues We have done all the work for them. The world is moving towards programmable money. Stablecoins now settle more than $30 trillion annually, and Bitcoin is becoming a treasury asset for a lot of corporates and sovereigns around the world. In the middle of all of this, you have the tokenization opportunity of real-world assets, which is moving from pilot to production in real time. Bakkt Holdings, Inc. is positioned exactly where all this is breaking out, and we are well on our way to take advantage of these opportunities. We have organized Bakkt Holdings, Inc. around three engines. These are engines because each one generates its own revenues while powering the others. Bakkt Markets is our institutional-grade infrastructure for digital assets. It gets institutions to markets fast and more safely. Bakkt Agent is our programmable money and AI-powered agentic finance infrastructure. It is frictionless, intelligent, and fully auditable. Finally, Bakkt Global is our international expansion and strategic value creation engine. We are applying our intellectual capital, technology, and products to the world's highest-growth markets through a disciplined, capital-light investment model. Critically, these three engines are complementary. Markets provides the regulated rails. Agents use those rails to move money globally. That benefits both consumers and businesses. Finally, Global leverages our understanding in these different areas to take it into new jurisdictions to generate tremendous value for shareholders, and early results are already showing that. For Bakkt Holdings, Inc. shareholders, the quick accelerants: we have laid the groundwork over 2025, and we have immense momentum on all kinds of partnerships that are currently underway. I have showcased a few of these partnerships here, but we are deep in discussions with several partners across the ecosystem, and we have got immense momentum on that front. For Agent, we have signed up tier-one telco partnerships across the U.S. and Europe, which will embed connectivity into our fintech product. The distribution partnerships involve category-defining deals, which will improve our immediate reach and will tap into a network of our partners, lowering customer acquisition costs, and we really look forward to announcing significant partnerships along this line over the very near term. With Better and Zoth, we embed our APIs into their product flows, generating volume from day one. For the Markets segment with Nexo, Ascendex, and Ubit, we help expand their liquidity and our global client base. These are all commercial agreements with real volume and real economics, and I am extremely confident in each of these partnerships and what they are going to deliver for Bakkt Holdings, Inc. shareholders. There are three core KPIs for shareholders to follow going forward. For Bakkt Markets, it is going to be total transacting volume between what we have, which is a legacy brokerage-in-a-box business that Bakkt Holdings, Inc. shareholders are aware of. With DTR coming into the fold, we have significantly added to our stablecoin on-ramp/off-ramp capabilities, so I expect the total transaction volume within Bakkt Markets to expand substantially, and Nick will talk about it during his presentation. For Bakkt Agent, the metric is monthly active users. It is a volume business. Users transacting is what drives the revenue, and MAUs are the right measure for platform adoption and distribution reach. Finally, for Bakkt Global, we look at strategic asset valuethe investment and equity value our global strategy generates. In Japan, we have already made 3x our money. In India, we have made 5x our money. The methodology is internally defined and incorporates mark-to-market valuations, cash proceeds, and any unrealized gains. These are independently governed businesses in different high-growth markets, and they will also generate revenues for Bakkt Holdings, Inc., which will then contribute directly to Bakkt Holdings, Inc.'s financial statements. These three KPIs will be reported as each product and platform becomes operational. The timing is tied to launch milestones and not a fixed calendar date at this time, and full disclosure on definitions, methodology, and reporting timelines is in the appendix. Let me quickly touch upon the Bakkt and DTR transaction. This is foundational to everything you are going to hear today. It is, in our view, a category-defining transaction for digital finance infrastructure. DTR brings us two things: products and people. On the product side, we have a composable API platform that powers Bakkt Agentcross-border payments capabilityand expands Bakkt Markets into stablecoin payment settlements. These are not roadmap items. They are live and ready to be deployed. DTR also brings a complementary regulatory framework in Europe. They hold the VASP license, which then sits alongside Bakkt Holdings, Inc.'s existing pan-U.S. MTL coverage and the New York BitLicense. Together, we have the regulated footprint to grow the business across both sides of the Atlantic. On the people front, the DTR team is primarily 90% engineering, and it includes our CTO, Remy, who you will hear from later today, which brings in world-class engineering talent and a proven track record of building scalable, global fintech businesses. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and shareholder approval. DTR really unlocks cross-border volume for Bakkt Holdings, Inc. on stablecoin payments. This is where stablecoin technology is transformative. The TAM here is enormous. Cross-border payment flows are $44 trillion today and growing quite rapidly to about $67 trillion by 2033, according to FXC Intelligence. DTR gives Bakkt Holdings, Inc. three specific revenue hooks into that volume: stablecoin on-ramp/off-ramp fees on every fiat-to-crypto conversion; embedded financial services revenue on every flow; and a scalable compliance stack that accelerates partner onboarding and therefore volume. Note the TAM figures represent the full global market, and our serviceable and obtainable market will be disclosed as we formalize specific corridor strategies. Coming to the regulatory front, we have got immense tailwinds from clarity within the U.S. regulatory environment. The Stablecoin Act was signed last summer, the Clarity Act on digital asset markets is currently moving through Congress as we speak. As the rest of the industry plays catch-up with these newly passed laws, Bakkt Holdings, Inc.'s infrastructure is already built for it with our licenses and regulatory stack. We built this infrastructure before it was required, and that gives us a durable competitive advantage. The four-part cycle on this slide is not aspirational. It describes our current positioning. Regulatory alignment along with infrastructure readiness then helps accelerated adoption, thereby enabling scalable growth. We are in that loop today. I will now turn the call over to Nick Bays to walk you through Bakkt Markets. Nick Bays: Thank you, Akshay. I am Nick Bays, CEO at Bakkt. I am going to walk you through Bakkt Markets, our institutional digital asset trading business and how we are expanding it through our partner ecosystem and the DTR transaction. The DTR transaction does not just build out Bakkt Agent; it materially expands Bakkt Markets. Three specific capability additions: over-the-counter trading infrastructure that enables higher-margin execution and larger institutional transactions; stablecoin on- and off-ramps that add payment and settlement fees alongside cross-border transaction volume; and a scalable compliance stack that accelerates client onboarding and drives revenue growth. Pre-DTR, Bakkt Markets was a spot trading and custody business. Post-DTR, it is a full-spectrum institutional digital finance platform: spot, OTC, stablecoin settlement, and cross-border payments. The revenue model expands accordinglyexecution spreads on OTC, settlement fees on stablecoin flows, and onboarding-driven volume from the compliance stack. Now let us talk through the institutional digital asset trading layer. The Bakkt Markets platform has three core components that work together as a single institutional execution layer. Best bid/offer engine: we aggregate real-time pricing across multiple venues to provide clients the tightest spreads on every trade. That is institutional-grade price discovery. Order management and risk: every order is prevalidated for minimum size, holding sufficiency, and marketability before execution. Non-marketable orders are held rather than rejected. Exceptions surface in real time. Flexible funding rails: we offer three fiat funding models. You can use Bakkt Holdings, Inc.'s banking relationships and infrastructure; you can bring your own banking infrastructure; or you can integrate with our partner, Apex Fintech Solutions, to offer a consolidated funding model across TradFi and digital assets. This allows each client to use the funding and brokerage infrastructure that fits their platform. All of this is done on credentialed infrastructure that is SOC 1 and SOC 2 certified. Let us now talk about differentiation in the market. We offer four competitive advantages that are difficult to replicate. Flexibility: we do not force partners into a single structure. They choose the fund rails, the business model, and the integration depth that works for them. Tech stack: institutional-grade execution engine with real-time risk controls, built on modular APIs. The same architectural principle as the Agent platformcomposable, scalable, and auditable. Offerings: from spot trade to fiat on/off ramps to cross-border stablecoin payments via DTR. Breadth of product across one regulatory relationship is unique in the market. Compliance and governance: we offer MTL coverage across all 50 states plus a New York BitLicense. When a partner works with Bakkt Holdings, Inc., they go live without navigating their own licensing. Our regulatory infrastructure becomes theirs. For fintech companies, payment providers, exchanges, and brokers who want U.S. market access, that is an enormous time-to-market advantage. Now let us talk a little bit more about our partnerships and integration. Four strategic partners, each expanding a different dimension of the Bakkt Markets platform. Nexo: we enable U.S.-regulated trading infrastructure and expand our institutional partner network and drive transaction-based revenue growth. Nexo is a tier-one digital asset lender with global institutional relationships. Network is our network. Ascendex: expands our global customer base and demonstrates platform demand and scalability. Recurring revenue through activityAscendex proves the B2B2C model works at international scale. Ubit: a consumer app that lets users spend digital assets via a Ubit-issued debit card. It powers the buy, sell, deposit, and withdraw flows. Our stablecoin and onboard APIs enable bank transfer on- and off-ramps across 30+ EU and Asia countries. Lastly, but not least, DTR: adds cross-border payments and stablecoin settlements, expands the product suite well beyond trading, and supports ongoing platform upgrades. DTR is the infrastructure layer that allows Bakkt Markets to evolve from a trading platform into a complete digital finance infrastructure. Pull the three things togetherregulatory infrastructure, onboarding new customers, and growing current offerings. Let us talk regulatory infrastructure. Again, partners do not need to run their own licensing processes. They use ours as a plug-and-play solution. This is how we gain access to the U.S. customer base quickly. Onboarding new customers: third-party custodians and liquidity providers expand our offering set. Durable banking relationships provide the fiat rails. These are the relationships that let us say yes to institutional clients on day one. Growing our current offering: stablecoin settlement and on- and off-ramps are the new revenue layer enabled by DTR. That turns Bakkt Markets from a trading business into a payments infrastructure business. Cross-selling trading, custody, and payments from a single institutional relationship. The bottom line for Bakkt Markets: this is a high-margin, recurring revenue business that gets better as volume grows. Each partner adds liquidity into the ecosystem. I will now turn it over to Remy and Ankit to review Bakkt Agent. Cody Fletcher: Next slide, Remy. Remy: Together with Ankit, we will talk through Bakkt Agent, our AI programmable finance platform. Bakkt Agent is really built on four pillars. The technology pillar is a modular tech stack built for scale, our efficiency layer lowers our cost to serve while volume grows with our headcount. Programmability: Bakkt Agent is built for the world of programmable financeautomated, logic-based money movements. Finally, distribution: we plug directly into existing networks of hundreds of millions of users. I will start with tech. This is the tech stack that makes it all work underneath our APIs and direct-to-consumer products. The tech stack is split into four main areas. We have our consumer apps at the top. We have our APIs underneath that we serve to our partners. We have our microservices layer, which is a logic engine all tied together with a messaging bus, allowing them to work asynchronously and independently from each other. Finally, at the bottom, we have a data lake that ties it all together. All the data that is generated internally and externally all falls into one place, laying the groundwork for an AI workforce to work with us. Our second pillar is efficiency. Legacy financial institutions scale headcount as they scale revenue. Our core operating model is built for automation. We have three agents that currently work at Bakkt: Clara, which is our knowledge agent. You can ask anything to Clara about our customers, about our business model, about the transactions that go through the platform. She speeds up time to answer by 98%, allowing the team to focus on growth rather than getting context. We have Lucy, who watches every transaction that goes through the platform. She helps our detection time by 83%. This helps us maintain our 99.9% platform availability. Finally, we have 74% of merged code changes making sure that we speed up our delivery by over 50% without adding headcount to our engineering team. These are not aspirational metrics. These are operational numbers today, and they are a direct reflection of the groundwork that we have laid to make the right architecture decisions from the start. For our consumers, this means faster, simpler, more modular, and more reliable money movements. Next, I will talk about programmability and what this means for us and why it matters now. Bakkt Holdings, Inc. is building products for a world where money is programmable. We have three composable APIs that can be used together or separately. The first one is the Zyra API, a chat-native cross-border payment API that supports voice, text, and image inputs. It is a single API endpoint that our partners can integrate with. It gives them access to our full regulated financial infrastructure. We have our Accounts API, allowing us to issue debit, credit, savings accounts, or virtual IBANs and named accounts in U.S. dollars, euros, and GBP sterling. It has access to instant payment rails in all three native currencies and embeds eSIM issuance. Finally, our Stablecoin API allows payout into 57+ countries across 15 different currencies on 10 public blockchains with same-day settlement, 24/7. As I said earlier, these three APIs can be used independently or composed together. Akshay mentioned Zoth. Zoth uses our Stablecoin API and our Accounts API together. Betters integration is with our Accounts API. Talking about the two of them, Better embeds the Accounts API within their mortgage journey, allowing their mortgage applicants to deposit funds with Better from day one, helping them waive some of the mortgage application fees. Zoth uses our stablecoin financial infrastructure to enable users to more easily pay in and pay out of the Zoth app. I will dive a bit into Zyra. Zyra is the most technically sophisticated part of our stack. At the center, we have a primary agent. It is a large language model that is based on Google Gemini and then fine-tuned in-house. It helps orchestrate user intent between 15 different sub-agents. Those 15 sub-agents include KYC, settlement, FX, compliance, and treasury. Each specializes in its own domain and operates autonomously within its scope. At the bottom, we have a self-testing layer. This is what makes Zyra an intelligent swarm of agents. It helps analyze input and output of user intent and what the swarm comes out with, and learns over time, improving itself. Zyra is not just a chatbot. It is production grade, self-evaluating, and designed for institutional-quality reliability in global payments. Now, to talk about our direct-to-consumer offering, I will hand it over to Ankit. Ankit Kemka: Hello, everyone. I am Ankit Kemka. I am the Chief Product Officer at Bakkt Holdings, Inc. Let us talk about our direct-to-consumer products. First is the Zyra app, the chat-native remittance app with voice, text, and image input. It covers global money movement from the U.S. to 57 countries. It includes built-in KYC, AML, FX, and local settlements. No separate app or separate onboarding is needed. When you are using the Zyra app, it is all inbuilt. Second is our Everyday Money app. It is a full-service mobile banking app for daily use that is currently being built. It offers debit and savings accounts, debit cards, credit cards, peer-to-peer payments, simplified onboarding, and a retention-focused UX. It is a digital banking product that users come back to every day. Finally, our AI-powered loan underwriting product, which is AI-assisted underwriting and decisioning for consumer credit, provides faster approvals with consistent policy controls and dramatically lowers cost to serve through automation versus traditional credit underwriting. Let me deep-dive on the Everyday Money app. The product covers the full life cycle of a user's financial life: earn, spend, save, send, and control your finances. Customers will have access to products such as a checking account, debit cards, a credit card with a rewards program, a savings product, cross-border transfers, and, more importantly, data-driven insights across their financial life. Let me focus on the last pillar, which is distribution. The single biggest cost in consumer fintech is customer acquisition. Traditional partners spend hundreds of dollars to acquire a customer. We have solved that problem structurally by partnering with organizations that have already earned massive consumer trust. Instead of spending millions of dollars in paid marketing, which I have done before, we plug into existing networks where we can leverage owned reach. Organic reach and brand trust drive customer acquisition. Then on top of that, there are network effects that help with virality. We are extremely confident about our pipeline and are in advanced conversations with a few partners, especially for the consumer fintech platform. At Bakkt Holdings, Inc., we believe connectivity and everyday finance are intertwined. Someone with a bank account and an internet connection can go about their daily business fairly easily. Telecom markets are naturally concentrated. Typically, two or three partners serve the majority of a countrys population. We partner with the leading operator in each geography we want to operate in, and that gives us immediate reach through their existing distribution. With that partnership, we have embedded eSIM technology directly into our consumer fintech product. This creates a deeper relationship with our customers and higher retention due to higher switching costs. More importantly, for the consumer fintech app, owning the primary banking relationship across the customer base is the holy grail. Partnerships like this are the foundation of driving the primary banking relationship. Our launch focus is in the U.S. and Europe, and we have massive momentum from these telecom partners. In parallel, we are also extending our eSIM capabilities to partners via APIs. With our distribution strategy, Bakkt Holdings, Inc. is accelerating its time to scale and revenue growth. The engine, which is Bakkt Markets, provides the regulated rails. Partners do not need to build compliance or licensing infrastructure. We provide all that. The catalyst is our owned reach that drives organic acquisition at scale through our distribution partnerships. This means customer acquisition that is structurally below any other competitor relying on paid channels. More importantly, the integration provides a deeper relationship with our customers, which improves retention and lifetime value. This combination is a flywheel: we get low CAC, high retention, and an expanding user base. I will hand it over now to Akshay for Bakkt Global. Akshay Naheta: Thank you. I want to now touch on our third growth engine, which is Bakkt Global. At its core, it is really a capital-disciplined model of expanding our intellectual capital and technology into the world's highest-growth opportunities and markets. To be clear, this is not an experiment. This is well thought out, methodical capital allocation, and it is already delivering great results for Bakkt Holdings, Inc. shareholders. Furthermore, we are extremely confident in the trajectory ahead for this business. Effectively, what we are doing is building independently governed businesses in some of the world's highest-growth fintech opportunities. We deploy capital, we take an ownership stake, and then help guide the strategic direction, products, and services into independently governed businesses. The independent governance is deliberate. It is a design choice because we do not want these to be characterized as subsidiaries. They have their own boards and management teams, and they devise their own business plans guided by us. It creates accountability and credibility with all stakeholders: the shareholders, the local regulators, and the customers of these businesses. In return, Bakkt Holdings, Inc. shareholders derive compounding strategic shareholder value and the requisite growth as those businesses scale. We invest the money, not the infrastructure. Our products, if required, travel with us and can be leveraged by these businesses as and where applicable. It is a scalable and repeatable business model. The flywheel here is driven by the unique business strategy, which then feeds into the unique product strategy. It is supported by independent governance and management teams. Bakkt Holdings, Inc. sits right at the center of it all, deploying the capital and receiving recurring value back. What makes this really scalable is the product set is already built. The playbook for standing up these independently governed entities is proven, and we apply it market by market, geography by geography. These are publicly traded companies in some of the world's most attractive, liquid stock markets. We have done it twice so far: Japan, which we consummated over the summer last year, and our announcement in India sometime in late November last year. This is the roadmap that has set both our internal expectations and how we expect these to play out going forward. I am happy to report that both of these opportunities are tracking well ahead of our internal benchmarks when we set out to make these investments. I am also looking forward to the public disclosures from these businesses in the near term, which will then shine further light on how limitless the potential scale of each underlying opportunity is. A quick update on the Japan business. It is called Bitcoin Japan Corporation. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker 8105. We invested about $11.5 million in August, and as of mid-March, we generated almost $37 million of returns. That is a pretty good outcome, but I think this is going to dwarf what is really to come off this going forward. Philip Lord, who is the CEO of the company, is in the crowd here today, and I am extremely confident in the leadership and the business plan that he and his team are putting together. I serve as the chairman of the board, so I have good insight into what Philip is doing and making sure shareholder money is being deployed in the right manner. Bitcoin Japan's broader strategy, as outlined on their website, is powering the AI and Bitcoin economy in Japan, and at their upcoming AGM, I think Philip will be able to shed further light on exactly where he is going with this. Japan, mind you, was the second largest market capitalization globally after the U.S., and I really look forward to disclosing some of the great work that the team has undertaken in the business. Coming to India, we committed $10 million late last year. As of March, it is a 5x+ return on the deployed and yet-to-be-deployed capital. We are pending regulatory approval, which I expect in the very, very near term, hopefully before the end of the quarter. The strategy that has been discussed thus far in India includes a broker-dealer M&A rollout, which then leverages Bakkt Holdings, Inc.'s tokenization capabilities to offer real-world assets in a tokenized format to the existing broker-dealer customer base. We are extremely excited about the opportunity in India given the size of the market. It is the second-largest derivatives market in the world, and it is also one of the most exciting consumer fintech opportunities anywhere on the planet given the size and scale of the population. We believe this investment will ultimately represent incredible value for Bakkt Holdings, Inc. shareholders, which in my personal opinion will be multiples of what you are seeing over here in the very near term. So with that, what is in store for 2026? On the Global side, while we continue to evaluate market opportunities where we can expand, our criteria are very, very high to go into any new jurisdiction. We want to have a clear, high-growth strategic fintech opportunity. We need the right regulatory and legal environment that we can navigate. Finally, we also need to bring in the right management team and have the right local partners to be able to execute on that business plan. We are going to be very selective in how we grow this, but the current line of sight that we have with the existing investments that we made is incredible, and we really look forward to sharing more updates with you as companies make their plans public. It is good to take a few minutes to go back to what happened over 2025. I took over as CEO about four days from now to the day, a year ago, and it really matters to understand where we are going forward. We have laid the groundwork to set Bakkt Holdings, Inc. up as a platform for exponential growth, especially with all of the advanced discussions and partnership opportunities that we have lined up, and I expect to announce here in the very near term. When I joined as CEO following the cooperation agreement with DTR in March, it was clear to me that we had to request patience from our existing shareholders because we needed to transform the business from the ground up, bring in the right people, upgrade the technology, and put in the right governance framework to really set Bakkt Holdings, Inc. up for success in the future. On the leadership side, we brought in Ankit Kemka as the Chief Product Officer. He was the head of growth at Revolut and primarily focuses on Bakkt Agent. Philip Lord, who joined us as President of Bakkt International, is here in the crowd as well. Unfortunately, when he saw the opportunity in Japan and realized how large and scalable it is, he requested that he become sole CEO of the Japan business and is now running that business for us. Thank you, Philip, for all that you did in the few months that you were at Bakkt Holdings, Inc. Finally, we are joined by the existing management team at Bakkt Holdings, Inc. that was there before I joined: Karen Alexander as the CFO; Mark DiNunzio as the General Counsel; and Nick Bays as the COO, who primarily oversees Bakkt Markets. We believe that we have now positioned the companyand the engineering team in particularwith the right domain expertise, execution track record, and alignment with where Bakkt Holdings, Inc. is really going forward. Finally, we revamped the board significantly. We added Lynn Alden, Mike Alfred, and Richard Galvin to the board. All three of them join us as independent directors, and we have Lynn and Mike in the crowd today here with us. They all did their independent diligence, challenged our assumptions, and joined because they really believed in the strategy. We have now also aligned the governance framework at Bakkt Holdings, Inc. in line with where we are going and the opportunity that lies ahead of us, which is, I think, one of the most important things we have done. At the end of the day, it is really about people, and I think both at the board level and the management team level now, I feel like we are on the right path. With all of these governance and leadership changes that we brought in, we have the right industry expertise and the oversight to ensure that we can deliver for our shareholders going forward. A quick reflection on the past twelve months. We did the leadership reset. We regained the focus as a digital asset infrastructure platform. We divested all non-core assets, completed the sale of Loyalty, and then brought in the talent across teams to be able to deploy the technology that we need to succeed going forward. We significantly simplified the capital structure, got rid of the Up-C structure, eliminated significant costs across the organization, recapitalized the balance sheet, and made it all debt-free. Finally, we also brought in a whole new institutional shareholder base as a consequence of the turnaround and the transformation story that was underway at Bakkt Holdings, Inc. We have done a full platform re-architect positioning Bakkt Holdings, Inc. for scale through the DTR cooperation agreement, the launch of Global and Agent, and, hopefully, if shareholders approve, the DTR acquisition. I will now turn the call over to Karen Alexander to give us a quick overview of the financials. Karen Alexander: Hello, everybody. Good morning. I am Karen Alexander. I am the Chief Financial Officer at Bakkt Holdings, Inc. I am going to walk you through our fiscal 2025 financials and what they tell us about the business going forward. Just to set the context, as you have already heard from Akshay, fiscal year 2025 was a year of deliberate transformation. The financial statements that you are going to see reflect that. There was noise from divestitures, restructuring charges, and some of the one-time items that we have cited. I want to make sure we separate clearly from the underlying operating performance of the business going forward. Turning to this next slide, I wanted to focus on four data points in terms of our continuing operations in 2025. The first is total revenue. That was down 32% year over year, from $3.4 billion to $2.3 billion. Now, thinking about what this number is: substantially all of this is gross transaction services revenue. It is the flow-through number that largely offsets the crypto costs that you see in operating expenses. The gross revenue decline had two drivers. One is, as we disclosed earlier, we amended a commercial agreement with Webull in Q1 that reduced transaction volume. The other thing that we saw was lower crypto trading volume overall and asset prices through most of 2025. If you compare that to the strong market that we had in Q4 2024 post-election, that is really what is going on with this revenue component. The second metric I wanted to point out is operating expenses, which again include the cost of crypto that is an offset to the crypto revenues. You see that going down from $3.5 billion to $2.5 billion, so that tracks revenue. Drilling into this trend, if you look at OpEx excluding crypto costs, that came in at $156 million. That is up by $96 million, but it is important to note that the increase is almost entirely driven by approximately $65 million of stock-based compensation, and that related to management equity grants during this reorganization that we have been talking about. That is a non-cash expense that we expect to recalibrate moving forward. The loss from continuing operations is roughly flat year over year: a $98 million loss versus a $94 million loss. But when you strip out the nonrecurring stock-based compensation I previously mentioned, the underlying improvement is real. You are going to see that in the adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA improved from a loss of $57 million to a loss of $33 million. That is a $24 million improvement year over year, and I think that is the most important trend on this slide. Adjusted EBITDA improvement is driven by approximately an $18 million increase in other income, and that primarily relates to the derivative asset and equity method investment gains associated with Japan. There was also a $12 million reduction in SG&A. What this validates is that the cost structure is working and that the Global strategy is already contributing to the income statement. So, thinking about that as our continuing results, let us think through some of the legacy impact that we had in our 2025 financial statements that will go to zero or near zero in 2026. First off is the Loyalty divestiture. We recognized a $34.6 million net loss from discontinued operations, which is Loyalty. This is fully behind us. It does not repeat in 2026. We will have a clean continuing-operations P&L going forward. The Up-C collapse, as Akshay mentioned, was important to collapse a structure that was creating ongoing drag. We incurred $26.9 million of TRA settlement costs. Most of that was paid in equity, but it was a combination of cash and equity. That will not reoccur in 2026. Restructuring expenses included $5.3 million of severance and platform transition costs. This is also nonrecurring. All in, what you see for the one-time legacy impact for 2025 was $66.8 million. Every dollar of this is either nonrecurring or already behind us. The headline is this: we start fiscal year 2026 with a dramatically cleaner P&L. The noise goes away, and what remains is the core operating business. So that was the cost. Let us think about what that bought us. As I mentioned, the $66.8 million that I mentioned on the last screen was deliberate. Every dollar was spent to clear a legacy drag that would have constrained the business going forward, and it does not repeat. On the three eliminated items, that discontinued-ops $34.6 million drag in fiscal year 2025 goes to zero. Loyalty and Custody are fully wound down with no recurring P&L impact. As Akshay mentioned, full-term long-term debt is fully extinguished. We have no debt service obligations or covenants constraining the strategy. Noncontrolling interest has been zeroed out with the Up-C collapse in November. Now we have one class of equity, one cap table, full shareholder alignment. As a current snapshot into the business, we have about $88 million of cash and restricted cash as of February. We ended 2025 with approximately $27 million of cash, and as we noted, we raised $48.1 million from the February registered direct offering, plus restricted cash. In closing, we have sufficient liquidity to execute across all three growth engines we talked about today. The transformation cost was real, and it is fully behind us. We will now open for questions. I will turn it over to Akshay and Cody to start Q&A. Cody Fletcher: Testing. Testing. Thanks, everybody. Alright. Any questions from the audience? Mika is roaming around with a microphone. If you have any, please raise your hand, and then we will send her your way. Please introduce yourself and ask your question. Akshay Naheta: Any questions? Alright. Cody Fletcher: There we go. Dylan Husslin from Roth. Did not see any come through for the inbox. Akshay Naheta: Thank you. Morning. Audience Member (Dylan Husslin, Roth MKM): Could you talk about distribution partners and what does the pipeline look like? How do you get embedded in there? And then how many, I guess, end customers do they have? How do you go about going from where you are now to a much bigger base of people you are feeding your platform into? Akshay Naheta: I think we talked about the telco partnerships, and obviously our focus is the U.S. and Europe. As Ankit mentioned, there are two to three large-scale telco players in each market, and we are partnering with one of the top two or three telco players in each of those markets, which then really gives us a very good customer acquisition engine going forward. On the additional distribution partnerships, from a Bakkt Agent perspective, we are looking at very large networks where you have hundreds of millions of users either on the platform or already having touch points with these networks. The way our technology works is plug and play. We have done all the work. We built the infrastructure. For you to be able to launch something yourself is literallyyou skin the app and launch it. Or, if you have an existing platform, you embed our chatbot within it, and you can basically run on our regulated rails with all of the infrastructure and piping at the back to launch a fully fledged fintech platform. We are in very advanced discussions on some category-defining deals, and in the very near term, I really look forward to updating you once we are ready to do so in accordance with SEC regulations and so on. I hope that answers your question. Cody Fletcher: Thank you, Dylan. Any other questions from the audience? No? And Marni from Macquarie as well. Audience Member (Marni Lysart, Macquarie): Good morning. This is Marni Lysart from Macquarie. I guess it would just be good, when we think about the pipeline, to hear a bit more color on how you navigate the regulatory landscape. You have called out trying to not have the operating structure encompassing subsidiaries, and just the way you approach that as you evolve. Akshay Naheta: The regulatory landscape is a two-part vector. One is Bakkt Global, which is independent companies that are in their own jurisdictions, and they follow the regulations and laws in those local jurisdictions. Bakkt Holdings, Inc. does not have anything to do with what is happening in India or Japan. Those companies themselves focus on the local regulatory environment. That is straightforward and clear. In terms of Bakkt Agent and Markets, we have the pan-U.S. licensing coverage, and similar to our brokerage-in-a-box business, which we have been doing now for over five years, even before my time, we have leveraged that business model, which has been approved by regulators, and transferred it over to the Agent side, which is almost the same thing. You on-ramp/off-ramp. The only capabilities that you are adding on top are cross-border payments. Ankit talked about our capabilities to be able to do almost near-instantaneous settlements in over 57 countries, which I expect will get to over 90 countries by the end of the year. There, we work with local regulated financial institutionsbanks, payment service providers, etc.who then have local requirements. They go through all the KYC/AML requirements from their perspective. We ensure that we cover those on our side, and so far, we have successfully done it for almost 57 countries. I do not see any problems with us getting to 90 by the end of the year. Does that answer your question? Yeah. That is clear. Thanks for answering my question. Cody Fletcher: We have one more here. Thank you. Audience Member (Jared Watson, Retail): Good morning. Jared Watson from Retail. Thanks for taking my question. Akshay, you have talked previously about wanting Bakkt Holdings, Inc. to compete in the public markets. Has that and the capital you raised and the balance sheet been a competitive advantage in partnerships, discussions, and things like that, especially when some of your competitors are private? Thank you very much. Akshay Naheta: I think it has made a big difference because when I joined Bakkt Holdings, Inc.I have a couple colleagues from the sales team here in the crowdthe big issue was that people were scared about having their own deposits or customer deposits sitting at Bakkt Holdings, Inc. Even though it is all segregated and lying within our trust, we cannot commingle funds or use them. I think recapitalizing the balance sheet has helped materially with these customers and partners. Also from an ongoing business perspective, no one wants to do all of the integrations with a company and then have uncertainty around financial stability of the business going forward. That has been a big driver of instilling confidence and helping us drive an active pipeline on the B2B side. As we go into stablecoin on-ramp/off-ramp payments, you will see it all unfolding pretty exponentially as we go through this year, because the volumes on pure stablecoin on-ramp/off-ramp cross-border payments are in the billions. If you do not have a strong balance sheet, even though you do not take any financial risk or hold customer funds because it is all instantaneous, people want to make sure that you have a strong balance sheet to have the confidence of working with you as a counterparty. So yeah, I think it has helped tremendously. Thanks. Cody Fletcher: I have got one more from Darren at home. Thank you, Darren. For Akshay, given you founded DTR, can you speak to why it was necessary to fold it into Bakkt Holdings, Inc.? And then also, to double-click on all the benefits that DTR brings to Bakkt Agent, maybe near term and long term. Audience Member (Darren, Remote): For Akshay, given you founded DTR, can you speak to why it was necessary to fold it into Bakkt Holdings, Inc.? And then also, to double-click on all the benefits that DTR brings to Bakkt Agent, maybe near term and long term. Akshay Naheta: I am going to have Ankit and Nick answer in a little bit more detail so you hear it from the people who are executing and are touching the technology on a day-to-day basis. Just to rewind, it was always the intention for DTR to be folded into Bakkt Holdings, Inc., subject to shareholder approvals and the like. The transaction was put together in March. And when I joined as CEO, I was not sure, given all of the clouds around Bakkt Holdings, Inc. with the Loyalty businessI did not have any experience running a Loyalty business or a call center business. Until that business was hived off, I did not know ifbecause my focus is fintech and the changing financial landscape going forward. I think it made sense for both companies to get into a cooperation agreement-type partnership. Now that the Loyalty business is behind us and given all of the opportunities with the distribution pipeline that we have that are in very, very late and advanced stages, I think the boardand the board can speak for itself, the independent committee and the boardthought that it would make economic sense for these companies to come together to be able to provide those services in a seamless manner to the end customers. Nick, do you want to add color to the Markets side, and then Ankit on the Agent side? Nick Bays: Yeah. My pleasure. Now that we are done with the prepared remarks, I can just tell you how exciting it really is to have DTR in the fold. Working in the space of our Markets business, we are primarily focused on spot trading, and that business is durable, resilient, and still valuable. But what we are seeing in the space, talking to prospects over the last couple of years, are questions around stablecoins and payments and cross-border. They saw our regulatory footprint and said, well, they can come to us with opportunities to power them. We were trying to figure out how our existing technology could power them, and there were a lot of rough edges. It was very difficult to actually convince prospects to come in and partner with us on that capability. With the DTR transaction, we have been in a commercial arrangement with them for nine months. We have already done integrations to help power these things. We are ready to go and already ready in the U.S. to offer that capability. Now when those prospects come to us, we do not turn them away, which is really exciting. We also can collapse a lot of overlapping technology onto a more modern technology stack. That has been really transformative for us, and we are really looking forward to taking that out to market in the next couple of months. Ankit, do you want to talk about Agent? Ankit Kemka: Hi. The Bakkt Agent product is built on the tech stack from DTR. It is built from the ground up. I will give you two examples. The Zyra app that we have, which is a global money movement solution, is using everything that DTR has built and then adding agents on top of it. It is fully integrated. The second example is the Everyday Money app that we have built. If you remember the modular tech stack that Remy showed, that is exactly how we have built the Everyday Money app. We have taken different product features. Each of them is built independently, so they are modular, and then they all connect together for the fintech consumer platform that we are building. It has been instrumental, and it is really cool in the sense that the way we have built this is very scalable. It can work across geographies. It can work across platforms. This is pretty cool stuff. Cody Fletcher: We have time for one more, from Paul Golding, also at Macquarie. He was asking how you are viewing the competitive landscape around stablecoin enablement and relative positioning. Akshay Naheta: There are two segments: Bakkt Markets and Bakkt Agent. On the Bakkt Markets side, my view is that the architecture of payment systems is going to change dramatically over the next few years. You are already seeing some very large M&A transactions happen. We are very well aware of what our competitors are doing in the space. The scale of the opportunity is so large in payments that doing a few tens of billions of dollars of volume is a drop in the ocean given the scale of $44 trillion of cross-border payments we have today. Once we have all of the capability that Nick talked about within the Bakkt Markets platform, you will start seeing us sign up larger and larger clients. We are already seeing very good results with Nexo. I think Zoth is something that will also go live over the course of the next month or so, and the volume will scale pretty rapidly now that we have fully integrated the DTR tech stack on the Bakkt Markets side. On the Agent side, from a competitor standpoint, it all boils down to distribution. Being able to provide the productsthere was a flywheel that was shownbeing able to provide the products in a cost-efficient manner. We have done that through our tech stack, because we have very little human intervention throughout the tech stack, from onboarding to accounting to compliance to money movements to treasury management, and so on. And you go to any neobank or fintech that is out therewhether it is, to give you a few examples, Chime or Revolut or companies like thatand with Ankit being at Revolut for so many years, we have a lot of insights into that space. It is really about distribution partnerships. We have taken a very thoughtful approach where we do not have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars like these companies did and be loss-making for years. We will be able to scale rapidly to a large number of monthly active users without spending that kind of money. When we launch that in the very near term with the right distribution partners, one of the metrics that should be followed closely is MAUs. Cody Fletcher: Thank you. I wanted to hand the mic over to a member of the board, Mike Alfred. If you want to speakdo you want to say anything? Oh, okay. I am sorry. I thought you had something you wanted to say. That is all the questions, then. I will pass it back to Akshay for closing remarks. Thank you. Akshay Naheta: In closing, 2025 has been a year where we have laid the groundwork. There was a lot of heavy lifting. It was not all easy along the way, especially with divesting the Loyalty business. We have stripped away the noise. We have rebuilt the foundation. I believe that Bakkt Holdings, Inc. is now very well positioned as a company to compound long-term shareholder value. Ninety percent of the structural work is behind us at this stage. We are also at a very interesting time in the world. Periods in which the architecture of money changes are very rare, and I believe we are in one of those periods today. I thought we were in that period three years ago when I left SoftBank to start DTR. There were two structural forces that were shaping my thoughts around where financial infrastructure was moving. One was, we had many years of peace in the world, and with the UkraineRussia war starting in early 2022, that changed that landscape dramatically. I would say over the last few weeks, it has changed dramatically yet again. The second thing is global debt levels. Even back in 2022, the fiscal debt level was at all-time highs. I do not think you have seen that level of global debt at the macro level in peacetime since the beginning of time. Given the global debt levels across all major economies around the world and the geopolitical backdrop, I believe that this is going to reshape the architecture of money going forward. These new digital systemsstablecoins, primarilyare going to redefine how value is stored, transferred, and programmed. The growth that we are seeing in artificial intelligence is also going to be a dramatic driver in how the software stack is structured in all financial institutions going forward. We have positioned ourselves at Bakkt Holdings, Inc. right in the center of it all, and we do not have any legacy technology debt to tackle this because we built everything from the ground up. Bakkt Holdings, Inc. sits at the intersection of these incredible changes that are happening around the world, and I believe that we will be able to take significant advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead of us. Looking ahead into 2026, we have built significant momentum. We have announced, or are very close to announcing, some very large partnerships. The discussions are progressing. We are in advanced conversations, and we expect aggressive growth at Bakkt Agent through the adoption of monthly active users on the platform. We have a very clear line of sight on that. What lies ahead is a period of disciplined execution. We have the right team that we have put in place to do that, and this will translate into long-term value for shareholders, I believe. And I really thank our existing shareholders before I joined the company for their patience, and hopefully, if they stay on with us, I believe they will be rewarded along with us for the journey ahead. Thank you so much for your time today, and we appreciate you joining us in person today. Thank you. Should you buy stock in Bakkt right now? Before you buy stock in Bakkt, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Bakkt wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $513,407!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,123,237!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 938% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 188% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of March 17, 2026. This article is a transcript of this conference call produced for The Motley Fool. While we strive for our Foolish Best, there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this transcript. As with all our articles, The Motley Fool does not assume any responsibility for your use of this content, and we strongly encourage you to do your own research, including listening to the call yourself and reading the company's SEC filings. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details, including our Obligatory Capitalized Disclaimers of Liability. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Bakkt (BKKT) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript was originally published by The Motley Fool Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) is one of the 10 Must-Buy Real Estate Stocks to Invest In. On March 13, 2026, Barclays lowered the price target on Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) to $355 from $360 and maintained an Equal Weight rating, citing weaker investor sentiment across the commercial real estate services group. On March 12, 2026, JLL hosted its Investor Briefing, where CEO Christian Ulbrich and CFO Kelly Howe introduced the companys multi-year strategy, Accelerate 2030, aimed at strengthening its competitive position and driving long-term value creation. The plan includes targets of 8% annual revenue growth, 12% adjusted EBITDA growth, and 16% adjusted EPS growth on average through the cycle. JLL also expanded its share repurchase authorization to $3B, the largest in company history, and plans to launch a $200M accelerated share repurchase. Ulbrich said Accelerate 2030 builds on JLLs strengths in actionable intelligence, trusted advice and seamless execution, while the company continues investing in its platform, data, and people. Howe added that the long-term targets reflect confidence in JLLs ability to drive growth, improve margins, and generate cash while maintaining flexibility to invest and return capital to shareholders. Barclays Lowers its Price Target on Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) to $355 from $360 and Maintains an Equal Weight Rating Last month, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $8.71 versus the $7.36 consensus estimate. Revenue totaled $7.6B compared with the $7.44B consensus estimate. Ulbrich said the company delivered strong results with new highs across key financial metrics and free cash flow, reflecting the execution of its multi-year strategy and favorable business trends. Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) provides commercial real estate and investment management services across office, industrial, hotel, multifamily, retail, and data center properties worldwide. While we acknowledge the potential of JLL 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. Quick Read Bright Horizons (BFAM) beat Q4 earnings with adjusted EPS of $1.15 and revenue of $733.7M, but GAAP net income collapsed 25% due to $45.1M in impairment and lease termination costs, triggering a 19% single-day sell-off after management announced plans to close 45 to 50 centers in 2026 rather than the originally guided 25 to 30. The company is closing underperforming centers with low occupancy and unworkable lease economics while scaling its back-up care segment, which generated $725M in 2025 revenue with a 37% operating margin, signaling a strategic shift away from struggling center-based care. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM) is a leading provider of early education and childcare, and just beat fourth-quarter earnings estimates, but the market's reaction told a different story. The stock dropped roughly 19% in a single day after management revealed plans to close 45 to 50 centers in 2026, nearly double the original estimate of 25 to 30. Shares have since recovered slightly but remain down 24.6% year-to-date and 39.67% over the past year. The Beat That Didn't Matter Looking deeper into the numbers, the company announced its adjusted EPS came in at $1.15, above the $1.12 estimate, while revenue of $733.7 million beat expectations of $728.77 million. But GAAP net income collapsed 25% year-over-year to $21.74 million, weighed down by $45.1 million in impairment and lease termination costs tied to the full-service center segment. Adjusted EBITDA rose 12% to $123.45 million, but investors focused on what the closures signal about the underlying business. 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. Why So Many Centers Are Closing As for why so many centers are closing, CFO Elizabeth Boland described the closures as a mix of lease expirations, chronic underperformance, and unworkable economics. "The decision to close centers has been influenced by several factors, including some centers being within one to three years of the end of their lease, underperformance, falling enrollment, and the overall economics of operations that do not justify the fixed costs," In some cases, conditions were severe enough to exit even with years remaining on a lease: "There are also situations where the underperformance is so significant that we chose to cease operations, even if the lease has several more years to run." Human Rights Day Debate The debate explores the complex relationship between justice and human rights in South Africa Wits University invites staff, students and the public to participate in a powerful Human Rights Day Debate and Discussion exploring the complex relationship between justice and human rights in South Africa. Taking place on 21 March 2026 at the Apartheid Museum, the event commemorates Human Rights Day and reflects on the legacy of the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, a defining moment in South Africas struggle for freedom and equality. The debate will centre on the thought-provoking question: When justice and human rights collide, what matters most? The programme will feature a live schools debate on the motion: The pursuit of truth often undermines justice. The debate will be followed by reflections and responses from leading constitutional and academic voices, encouraging a rich and engaging intergenerational dialogue on justice, accountability and historical memory. Featured Speakers Justice Steven Majiedt , Justice of the Constitutional Court Adv Dinkie Portia Dube , Deputy Public Protector of South Africa Dr Tshepo Moloi, Head of Historical Studies, University of Johannesburg The event is hosted in partnership with the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and the Lighting The Future Foundation, bringing together educators, scholars, learners and the public to engage with the ongoing meaning of human rights in democratic South Africa. Through debate, discussion and reflection, participants will explore how history continues to shape contemporary understandings of justice, truth and reconciliation. Chemical chaos and deathly data silence Menopause may be making itself heard in mainstream media but women across low- and middle-income countries need to shout louder. The menopause has become popular. Its a celebrity bandwagon, a podcast confession, a late-night show discussion. Yet research into the impact on womens health is still gasping in its race to catch up, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As Nigel Crowther, Wits Research Professor in Chemical Pathology says, Theres no data on the impact of menopause in women in Africa, which is a disgrace. Invisible women data dearth Crowther and Dr Nicole Jaff, Honorary Lecturer in Chemical Pathology at Wits and a board member on both the International Menopause Society and the South African Menopause Society, recently wrote an editorial for the journal Climacteric commenting on the untold story of menopause and how, despite research into specific health risks that emerge during the menopause transition in western countries, there is a scarcity of menopause-related research in LMICs. Jaff was appalled that there wasnt visibility into how 80% of the women in the region aged reproductively, which inspired her work. In a study conducted in Soweto on 702 black, urban South African women, published in 2015, she explains: We did strong quantitative research and staged menopause correctly by bleeding patterns, verifying them via blood assays and conducting a wide range of tests to determine cardiometabolic risk factors, menopause symptoms and cognitive changes across menopause stages. She explains that the women were delighted to be part of the study and to learn about menopause since it is not easy for women in the resource stressed public healthcare system to see a gynaecologist. Most study participants had never had an annual checkup or even a lipogram, a blood test to screen for heart disease which is especially relevant to menopause because hormonal changes affect a womans lipid profile and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Crowther, Jaff and colleagues based at Wits are among the few groups looking into the health impact of the menopause transition, particularly around cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases in African women. Heart health and menopause It has been surprising, says Crowther. We didnt see any relationship between menopause and cardiometabolic or cardiovascular diseases in urban populations in South Africa or Kenya, but in rural communities in Ghana and Burkina Faso in West Africa, we did. While our hypothesis isnt yet proven, we believe that this may be linked to the high prevalence of obesity in the urban populations but we still need to test this theory. SA mum on menopause Why is research on menopause absent in Africa? While studies on menopause are well funded and the topic is highly visible in other parts of the world, in Africa the medical community is battling health on multiple fronts. Theres HIV, tuberculosis and limited access to funding and infrastructure. Menopause slips down the priority list in the face of infectious diseases and nominal healthcare. Weve got a resource stressed public healthcare system alongside different cultural and ethnic attitudes and this is seen as a private issue. It isnt the norm to talk menopause for many black, sub-Saharan African women, says Jaff. They dont often discuss it with their mothers and there isnt handed-down information. Our study was one of the first examining the menopause transition and reproductive ageing in black South African women. There is also silence around menopause but in Africa its the kind of silence that comes from limited understanding and knowledge. This is not a conversation banned by society; its one that isnt being had properly. Hot topic There isnt silence on the topic menopause has become the hottest topic on the planet in the past decade, says Jaff. However, in the public health sector in South Africa you have a resource stressed system with nurses and medical practitioners who have limited knowledge on menopause it is undertaught and is not a topic that is widely discussed, though our study showed that women were aware of menopause. Now think of the impact of the symptoms on women who dont know whats happening to them or why they are suddenly experiencing night sweats, brain fog, hair loss and dry skin. They dont know that fluctuating hormone changes and declines in oestrogen and progesterone may be putting them at risk of cardiovascular disease or osteoporosis. Studies have shown that vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats) are not necessarily harmless and may increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease and impact on the quality of life of women. More research is needed to generate effective information on modifiable risk factors that may help alleviate these symptoms and improve midlife health in women in South Africa and beyond. Education is critical, as is increased funding because without adequate funding, menopause will keep losing ground to other healthcare claims. Over the last few weeks, technology companies reported their results for calendar 2025 and issued financial guidance for this year. Meanwhile, on Wall Street, the main theme that investors have been obsessing over is how much money big tech will be spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure this year. 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 big five hyperscalers guided for 2026 capital expenditure (capex) budgets as follows: Meta Platforms : $115 billion to $135 billion Amazon : $200 billion Microsoft : $150 billion (run rate) Alphabet : $175 billion to $185 billion Oracle: $50 billion At the high end of those guidance ranges, the hyperscalers are expected to spend a whopping $720 billion on AI capex this year. With that in mind, one could expect the biggest beneficiaries to be AI chip designers such as Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, and Broadcom. However, the company I see benefiting the most from rising AI infrastructure spend is a quieter leader: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM). Image source: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Taiwan Semiconductor's growth is astronomical, and it's not slowing down anytime soon Taiwan Semiconductor is the largest chip manufacturer in the world by revenue. With an estimated 71% share of the third-party chip foundry market, TSMC has become the foundry partner of choice for designers of GPUs, AI accelerators, and custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The company's competitive edge rests on its unmatched ability to manufacture the most cutting-edge, powerful, and transistor-dense chips without flaws and at scale. So as the hyperscalers keep doubling down on their AI data center buildouts, TSMC is a key manufacturer of the processor chips those facilities need. In essence, this means that when companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom publish strong results and issue encouraging guidance, Taiwan Semi is in the background, profiting from all of their successes. To get a sense of how instrumental Taiwan Semi's role is to the chip narrative, take a look at the company's financial profile over the last few years. Throughout the AI revolution, the company's revenue, gross profit, and earnings have surged significantly. Not only are TSMC's services in demand, but the company also commands meaningful pricing power. Big tech is gearing up for another year of monster spending, and given that Taiwan Semi exists as something of a tollbooth along the AI chip value chain, it will book incrementally higher sales and profits along the way. The April 2021 crash was one of the steepest. BTC fell from $64,500 to around $29,000 over three months, roughly a 55% drop driven by China's mining ban and Elon Musk pulling Tesla's Bitcoin payments. Six months later, BTC hit a new ATH of $69,000 in November 2021. The COVID crash in March 2020 followed a similar scriptBTC dropped 50% in days, from around $10,000 to $5,000, then recovered to $64,500 by April 2021 in about 13 months. The 2017 bull run is the clearest example of how these mid-cycle drops work. On the way from $1,000 to nearly $20,000, Bitcoin had six corrections of 30% to 40%, each one looking like the top was in at the time. BTC dropped from $3,000 to $1,800 in July 2017, a 40% pullback that shook out leveraged traders, only to rally back and hit $5,000 by September. The same thing played out again between September and November before the final leg to $19,800 in December 2017. Since 2014, Bitcoin has dropped between 40% and 50% from a cycle peak nine separate times, and every single one of those corrections ended with BTC recovering to a new all-time high. 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. With Bitcoin currently down 43% from its ATH, will the pattern hold out again this time? Despite the bearish conditions, there's a bullish pattern holding up on the BTC chart. Every time Bitcoin has dropped 40% to 50% from a cycle peak since 2014, it has recovered to a new all-time high. It happened nine times, and the average recovery took 9 to 14 months. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is trading around $73,000, after steadily dropping every month since it hit $126,000 in October 2025. Since the crypto market selloff started, BTC has plunged by 43%, ETFs have recorded roughly $9 billion in net outflows from their $63 billion peak, and the current Iran conflict has added more selling pressure, diminishing hopes of any rally. Whales have added 56,000 BTC since December 2025 and theres no systemic collapse behind this crash, but geopolitcal wars and tarrifs are keeping rate cuts off the table. Every 40% to 50% Bitcoin price correction since 2014 has recovered to a new all-time high within 9 to 14 months, with an average rally of 3.4x from the low. Story Continues So far, the pattern has played out every single time since 2014. The average recovery time across all nine 40-50% corrections is about 9 to 14 months, and the average rally from the low to the next cycle peak has been roughly 3.4 times the bottom price. If that multiple holds from $73,000, the BTC price would eventually reach around $245,000 at the next peak. What Makes This Bitcoin Price Crash Different From Previous Ones FellowNeko / Shutterstock.com FellowNeko / Shutterstock.com The biggest difference between this crash and the ones before it is who's buying. Whale wallets holding 1,000 BTC or more have added roughly 56,000 BTC to their balances since December 2025, even as the price dropped 44% from the ATH. Strategy, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, now sits on 713,502 BTC and added 41,002 in January 2026 alone. The company has a $2.25 billion cash buffer specifically built to avoid forced selling during downturns, and CEO Phong Le said BTC would need to fall to $8,000 and stay there for five years before its debt becomes a real problem. There's also no systemic collapse behind this crashno Luna, no FTX, no major exchange blowup pulling the market down from the inside. The selling has been driven by macro fear and leverage getting flushed out, not by a structural failure in the crypto industry itself. On the ETF side, cumulative net inflows dropped from a $63 billion peak to around $54 billion by late February as the sell-off accelerated. But the bleeding has slowed. March brought the first five-day inflow streak of 2026, totaling $767 million, and the two largest fundsBlackRock's IBIT and Fidelity's FBTCstill hold over 759,000 and 186,000 BTC respectively. The early-year exodus looks more like a temporary pause in buying than a permanent exit. What's working against BTC right now is the macro backdrop. Oil has pushed toward $100 a barrel after the Iran strikes, Trump's 15% tariffs went into effect on February 24, and core PCE is expected to come in at 3.1%all of which make rate cuts less likely in the near term. On top of that, Bitcoin's 30-day correlation with the S&P 500 hit 0.74 in early March, its highest level of 2026, so when stocks sell off, BTC tends to fall harder. The mid-cycle corrections in 2017 and 2021 happened during risk-on environments where the Fed was either neutral or cutting rates. This one is playing out while the Fed is stuck on hold, energy prices are climbing, and global risk appetite is at its lowest point since 2022. Bitcoin Price Prediction: Bull, Base, and Bear Cases for 2026 Inspiration GP / Shutterstock.com Inspiration GP / Shutterstock.com Three things will decide where Bitcoin goes from $73,000: when rate cuts arrive, whether the CLARITY Act passes, and whether ETF inflows pick back up. Bull Case: $120,000 to $150,000 Rate cuts arriving in H2 2026, the CLARITY Act passing, and ETF inflows reaccelerating toward the $3 to $5 billion per month pace from earlier in the cycle would all need to come together for this scenario. Bernstein and Citigroup both have year-end targets in this range, with Bernstein at $150,000 and Citi at $143,000. JPMorgan's gold-based valuation model puts fair value at $170,000, though that assumes all of the above actually happens. Should the Fed cut twice or more and the post-halving supply squeeze play out the way it has in prior cycles, BTC could reclaim $100,000 by late summer and push toward $120,000 to $150,000 by December. Base Case: $85,000 to $100,000 Should the Fed deliver just one cut late in the year and the CLARITY Act stay stuck in the Senate, BTC would likely spend most of 2026 grinding between $75,000 and $95,000 before making a late push toward six figures. ETF flows could level off without any real surge, enough to keep BTC from sliding further but not enough to drive a breakout. Standard Chartered cut its year-end target from $150,000 to $100,000 in February, pointing to slowing corporate treasury demand and a tough macro backdrop. Polymarket currently gives BTC roughly a 51% chance of reclaiming $100,000 by year-end, so the market isn't exactly confident about a full recovery either. Bear Case: $50,000 to $60,000 If the Fed holds rates all year, the Iran conflict keeps oil near $100 a barrel, and ETF outflows pick up again, BTC could drop well below current levels. Standard Chartered warned Bitcoin could fall to $50,000 before any recovery takes hold, and Polymarket traders are pricing roughly a 61% chance that BTC touches $55,000 at some point this year. A slide to that range would put BTC's total drawdown from the ATH at 55% to 60%. That's still milder than the 77% drop in 2022 or the 84% crash in 2018, but anyone who bought above $90,000 would be sitting on steep losses with no clear catalyst to bail them out. Is the Bitcoin Price a Buy at $72,000? The historical pattern points to a recovery, but two catalysts will decide how fast it happens. The CLARITY Act needs to clear the Senate Banking Committee by end of April or midterm politics will likely bury it for the rest of 2026. JPMorgan has called it the single most important trigger for getting institutional money back into the market. Then there's the Fed chair transition. Powell's term ends in May, and Trump wants whoever replaces him to start cutting rates immediately. Kevin Warsh is the leading candidate, and if he delivers, the second half of 2026 could open up the kind of liquidity environment BTC hasn't had since early 2025. Between those two deadlines, the next 90 days will go a long way toward deciding which scenario plays out. 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. US-Israel forces carpet bomb Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2026. Canadas social-democratic New Democratic Party (NDP) and the partys sponsors in the trade union bureaucracy have condemned American imperialisms criminal war of extermination against Iran. Their opposition is aimed, however, at preventing, not mobilizing working class opposition to imperialist war and Canadian rearmament. It articulates the interests of Canadian imperialism, which is seeking to advance its own independent predatory interests amid the ever more violent imperialist struggle to redivide the world; and is aimed at politically neutering the widespread hostility to the war within the working class. A poll conducted by Ipsos in early March revealed that 61 percent of Canadians oppose the US/Israeli war on Iran and 66 percent worry about Canada being dragged into the conflict. Only 23 percent of respondents said they approved of the war. Protests against the war have taken place in major cities, including a demonstration of several thousand in Toronto last Saturday to mark Al-Quds Daya protest held in the face of a failed attempt by the provincial Tory government to ban it. Within hours of the beginning of the air bombardment February 28, the NDPs foreign affairs critic, Alexandre Boulerice, declared in a statement, The NDP strongly condemns the American and Israeli bombings of Iran. This is a dangerous escalation that risks dragging the entire region into a major conflict. The oppressive and bloody regime of the Ayatollahs is reprehensible, but its nuclear program must be managed through the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)... The NDP deplores the Carney governments decision to blindly support this dangerous venture by Israel and Donald Trumps administration. We want Canada to be a voice for diplomacy, peace, and international law. The NDP must take workers for fools. The statement made no reference to the fact that the Trump administration and Israels far-right Netanyahu government used diplomacy as a cover to prepare their criminal assault on Iran. Bombs began raining down on Tehran less than 48 hours after US and Iranian negotiators met in Geneva for a third round of talks. One could just as well call on the mafia to negotiate with a target on their hit list. The NDP obviously thinks that workers have no memory when it claims that Canada can be a voice for peace, diplomacy, and international law. For more than three decades, Ottawa has participated in a series of US-led wars of aggression around the worldall of which the NDP has backedbecause they have served Ottawas own predatory imperialist interests. Canadian imperialism is a major player in the ongoing NATO war on Russia in Ukraine, which aims to inflict a military defeat on Russia and subordinate the huge country to a semi-colonial status. The NDP, it should be added, has supported the tens of billions of dollars in military and financial support that successive Liberal governments have funneled to the far-right regime in Kiev, which ruthlessly suppresses the Ukrainian population through the enforcement of martial law. Bogdan Syrotiuk, a socialist opponent of the war who advocates the unity of Russian and Ukrainian workers against all the belligerents, has been confined to a Ukrainian prison cell for close to two years without any member of the Canadian establishment breathing a word of protest. So much for Canadas special credentials to have a voice for diplomacy, peace and international law! During a non-voting take-note parliamentary debate on hostilities in Iran and the Middle East March 9, NDP interim leader Don Davies condemned the US-Israel assault as a patently unlawful act of aggression and warned that it had already triggered a rapidly escalating conflict with massive damage and the loss of innocent lives. Davies denounced the United States and Israel for prosecuting the war with appalling brutality and disregard for international humanitarian law. He noted the attacks had deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, including a girls elementary school, hospitals, desalination plants, oil refineries and historic cultural sites. Such actions, he declared bluntly, are war crimes. This is all true enough, but it only begs the question as to when the NDP suddenly discovered its concern for international law and the slaughtering of civilians? Over the past two-and-a-half years, it has propped up the Liberal government, first under Justin Trudeau and now Prime Minister Mark Carney, as it gave full-throated support to Israels imperialist-backed genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza, during which the Zionist regime has laid waste to the enclave and massacred well over 75,000 people. The NDP has participated in the witch-hunting of anti-genocide protesters as antisemites and expelled Sara Jama from its Ontario caucus for condemning the assault on Gaza and expressing support for the national rights of the Palestinian people. In fact, the NDP has endorsed every major war in which Canadian imperialism has participated over the past thirty years. The social democrats have been propping up the warmongering Liberals since 2019. During these past seven years, Liberal governments under Trudeau and now Carney have imposed the biggest rearmament program in Canada since World War II and fueled the US/NATO war on Russia with billions of dollars and weapons shipments. The war has turned into a meat-grinder, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of young Ukrainians. Yet the NDP supports Canadas participation in the Coalition of the willing, put together by the European imperialist powers to ensure the war continues and that Trump and Putin dont reach a peace agreement at the expense of the other NATO powers. NDP foreign affairs critic and federal party leadership candidate Heather McPherson has been an avid supporter of the NATO-instigated war with Russia over Ukraine. This has included participating in pro-war campaigns mounted by the far-right Ukrainian Canadian Congress. [Photo: Heather McPherson/Facebook] This record makes clear that the NDPs opposition to the war against Iran has nothing to do with a principled rejection of the destruction of an historically oppressed country by an imperialist power, and everything to do with the interests of Canadian imperialism. The partys posture comes less than two months after it wholeheartedly endorsed Carneys speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the Prime Minister proposed a coalition of middle powers to advance Canadian imperialist interests. Underscoring the predatory character of such an alliance, Carney declared that it was necessary for Ottawa to be at the table of imperialist geopolitics in order not to end up on the menu. His speech went hand in hand with his plan to spend 5 percent of Canadas GDP on the military by 2035 and efforts to join the European imperialists massive rearmament program. Adopting Trumps war propaganda, Carney declared within hours of the US and Israel launching their illegal, unprovoked attack on Iran that Canada supports efforts to prevent Tehran gaining nuclear weapons and to compel it to halt support for its allies in the region. However, he went on to express concern about the abrogation of international law and disregard of multilateral institutions, which Canada as a second-rank imperialist power has traditionally relied upon to pursue its global interests. More specifically, Carney and the ruling class confront Trumps threat to annex the country as the 51st state of the US, which would deprive the Canadian ruling class of first rights to appropriate the profits squeezed out of their own workers. The Carney governments response to the war on Iran follows the same reactionary pattern it adopted toward the US assault on Venezuela in January, which expressed Trumps determination to impose unfettered American imperialist dominance over the entire Western Hemisphere. As the World Socialist Web Site explained at the time, Ottawa welcomed the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro. It voiced concern only over Washingtons unilateralism and Trumps assertion that the regime change-operation was only a first step in enforcing his Donroe Doctrine. This demands that US imperialism should have the right to seize assets and territories across the Americas to ensure US hegemony and exclude China and other great-power rivals. Carney pointedly reaffirmed Canadas longstanding support for regime change in Caracas, then pleaded for crises to be resolved through multilateral engagementthat is, through arrangements in which Canadian imperialism has a seat at the table. The significance of this precedent for Iran is clear. If sections of the Canadian ruling class are troubled by the war on Iran, it is not imperialist war as such that concerns themOttawa has repeatedly backed such wars against Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Libya, and Russia. Rather, they worry that unrestrained US aggression will cut across Canadas own strategic and economic interests and ambitions. Even so, the longer the war continues, the more likely it becomes that Canada and the European imperialists will join it. Sections of the ruling elite are already demanding a more aggressive response from Carney, with the National Post issuing an editorial under the title Iran is no longer a foreign war and the Globe and Mail criticizing Carney for posturing as a champion of international law, when it stipulates that the war of launched by the US and Israel on Iran is a criminal war of aggression. The NDPs criticism of the war reflects the views of powerful sections of the ruling class about the threat American imperialist unilateralism represents to their interests. In so far as it is a response to the overwhelming working class opposition to the war, it is aimed at politically stifling it. Just as it promotes Team Canada nationalism to subordinate workers to the interests of corporate Canada in the ongoing trade war with Trump, the NDP defends the interests of Canadian capital in the Iran war and the developing global war of which it is part. Davies main focus in his parliamentary speech was to politely address a series of proposals to Carney. Between the issuing of Boulerices initial statement on February 28 and Davies March 9 House of Commons address, Carney had hypocritically sought to cover up his initial full-throated statement endorsing the US-Israeli bombardment by making several vaguely worded appeals for de-escalation and all parties to respect international law. This was apparently enough for the social democrats to tone down their criticism of the Prime Minister, whom Davies was no longer deploring as Boulerice had done, but merely accusing of pursuing a contradictory policy on the war. He suggested that Carney and the Liberal government condemn the war and explicitly recognize that it violates the UN Charter, categorically rule out any Canadian military participation, and call for an immediate ceasefire and a return to multilateral diplomacy. In a subsequent exchange with Green Party MP Elizabeth May, who provided grist to the mill of pro-war propaganda by denouncing the brutal regime in Tehran, Davies reiterated that opposition to the war must remain within the framework of diplomacy and international institutions. Declaring that Canada should stand by the people of Iran, he insisted that support should come in a peaceful waywith diplomacy, with economic sanctions, with help and with nuclear proliferation processes that actually work. Contrary to Davies touting of economic sanctions as peaceful, they are in fact tantamount to an act of war. A recent report published by The Lancet found that the pre-2015 UN-backed sanctions regime disrupted the import of life-saving medicines, causing the cost of some medications to skyrocket by up to 300 percent, and cut life expectancy in the country by more than one year as Iranians were unable to access lifesaving treatments. In 2018, when Trump unilaterally abrogated the UN-backed nuclear accord with Tehran, Washington imposed still more punishing globally enforced sanctions on Iran to crash its economy and provoke regime change. Photo of trade union bureaucrats who attended Trudeaus February 7, 2025 "Team Canada" national trade-war economic summit. In front row, third from left, CLC President Bea Bruske; on her left, Unifor President Lana Payne. [Photo: X/Bea Bruske] The statement put out by the Canadian Labour Congress on the war against Iran covered much of the same ground as the NDP but was perhaps even more effusive in its embrace of Carney. Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske declared, We welcome Prime Minister Carneys clarification of his position regarding the US and Israels aggression against Iran and support his call for a rapid de-escalation of hostilities in the region. The fact of the matter is that Carneys phrases about de-escalation followed much clearer statements that fully endorsed the war of extermination that Washington and Tel Aviv launched illegally and without provocation. During his visit to Australia, Carney even refused to rule out deploying Canadian troops to join the war. The CLC left no doubt about its support for Carneys pro-war stance, since its statement drew an equal sign between the American imperialist onslaught and Irans acts of self-defence. The CLC is deeply concerned by and strongly condemns the escalating cycle of violence launched by the United States and Israel against Iran and by Irans retaliatory strikes, Bruske declared. Neither the NDP nor the major trade union bureaucracies have lifted a finger to mobilize working class opposition to the war. This reflects their fear, which is no less pronounced throughout the ruling class as a whole, that the economic consequences of the war and its brutality will radicalize millions of workers and put at risk the stability of capitalist rule. Already within the first three weeks, energy and fuel prices have soared under conditions in which workers wages have stagnated and declined for decades, jobs have become precarious and governments are slashing social programs to the bone. Workers opposed to the war in Iran cannot take a single step forward in the struggle against it in alliance with the NDP and its trade union sponsors, or any faction of the Canadian imperialist bourgeoisie. Their first task must be to politically recognize the fraudulent character of the social democrats anti-war posturing, so that workers in Canada can advance their own principled opposition to imperialist war in alliance with their class brothers and sisters in the US and internationally. Workers in Canada, the United States, Iran and throughout the Middle East share common class interests that stand in direct opposition to the war aims of their respective ruling elites. Stopping the war requires the conscious political mobilization of workers against their own governments and against the capitalist system that drives the imperialist redivision of the world. In breaking politically with the NDP and the union bureaucracy, workers must develop new rank-and-file organizations of struggle based on the independent mobilization of the working class and build the Socialist Equality Party as the political instrument to lead the working class in taking political power and putting an end to capitalism. Only through the linking of opposition to war with the struggle against the social and economic onslaught on workers living conditions on the basis of a revolutionary socialist program can the escalating cycle of militarism and war be brought to an end. A top US intelligence official, Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center and principal deputy to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, publicly resigned his position Tuesday with a blast at the Trump administrations justifications of the war against Iran. In a letter sent to Trump Tuesday, Kent wrote that he could not in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. He continued, 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 first part of that statement is absolutely damning, confirming that the US war on Iran is illegal under both US and international law. The second part is a gross distortion, reversing the actual relationship between American imperialism and its Israeli attack dog, and catering to far-right anti-semitic conspiracy theories. Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, speaks during the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] The supposed Iranian threat to the United States is the fiction employed by the White House and Pentagon to justify Trumps decision to attack Iran. Trump has gone so far as to claim, on several occasions, that Iran was on the brink of launching missile strikes with nuclear warheads against the US mainland, even though Iran has neither ICBMs nor warheads. Trump ordered the military onslaught under conditions where there was no possibility of Iran attacking the United States, and while Iran was actually engaged in negotiations with the US over its nuclear program and US economic sanctions. The US-Israeli sneak attack murdered much of the Iranian leadership, and has since escalated into a saturation bombing campaign targeting the entire infrastructure of the country, including oilfields, desalination plants and major cities. Kents declaration that Iran posed no imminent threat adds to the evidence that the US war with Iran is illegal. Those who are directing itTrump, Vance, Hegseth, Rubioare guilty of war crimes, particularly crimes against peace, i.e., launching wars of aggression, for which the top Nazi leaders were tried, convicted and hanged at Nuremberg. At the same time, his claim that Israel directs American foreign policy is a blatant lie, whose purpose is to cover up the leading role of American imperialism in fomenting violence all over the world, not just in the Middle East. Washington works its will through local collaborators, including Israel in the Middle East, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia and the Philippines in the Far East, the various NATO powers in Europe, and an assortment of ultra-right regimes in Latin America. While these collaborators are not mere instrumentsthe Israeli attack dog may bite back on occasionit is the American ruling elite that is the decisive and directing force. If Trump goes to war against Iran, it is in the interests of Wall Street. If the Israeli regime joins in and even spearheads this attack, it must be pointed out that the Israeli military machine could not operate for even a week without the bombs, missiles, warplanes and other aid provided by Washington. Kents denunciation of the war sent shock waves through the US capital, signaling that a sizeable faction of Trumps fascist base was in disagreement with his foreign policy. Kent has been a ferocious advocate for domestic repression, once suggesting that all the leading figures of Black Lives Matter should be arrested as terrorists. While spending much of his career as an Army Ranger and CIA operative in the Middle East, Kent entered right-wing politics openly in 2022. He ran in the Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District of Washington state, opposing incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler, one of ten Republican House members who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Kent defeated Beutler, a result over which Trump gloated at the time, but went on to lose the general election narrowly to right-wing Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. In 2024 he ran against Perez again, losing by a wider margin. The Trump administration went into damage control immediately after Kents resignation. Trump himself called Kent a nice guy, but said, I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security. This remark hardly squares with Trumps decision last year to appoint him to one of the top national security jobs in the administration. Vitriol then followed, with Kent labeled a loser and an egomaniacpresumably because he had publicly disagreed with the egomaniac-in-chief. DNI Tulsi Gabbard issued a carefully worded statement that her office 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. 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 went on say, The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president. Gabbard repeated this formulation in an appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday, where she was flanked by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and FBI Director Kash Patel. Gabbard deviated from her prepared remarks, which said that Iran had made no efforts since last Junes US bombing of nuclear facilities to try to rebuild their enrichment capability. This flatly contradicts the current line of the White House, so Gabbard said that Iran was trying to recover from the impact of the bombing. The Washington Post subsequently reported that Vice President JD Vance met with Kent the day before his resignation, with Kent presenting his letter of resignation. The VP encouraged him to speak to White House chief of staff and POTUS [Trump] before making any final decisions, a White House official told the Post. The leading left apologist for the Democratic Party, Senator Bernie Sanders, posted online his agreement with Kents evaluation of the war against Iran. The post reads: Joseph Kent, a top counterterrorism official under Trump, just resigned. Kent and I dont agree on much, but he is right: 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. With this statement, Sanders makes common cause with the fascist right, while covering up for the primary responsibility of American imperialism for the war. Joining him in this stance are such figures as commentator Glenn Greenwald, who have advocated a red-brown alliance of the left and sections of the ultra-right, on the basis of supposed common opposition to war. A section of the picket line at University of California Santa Cruz, May 20, 2024 Friday evening, United Autoworkers (UAW) Local 4811, which represents more than 40,000 academic workers in the University of California system, announced a tentative agreement aimed at blocking strike action. Workers were kept on the job for nearly three weeks without a contract, and the tentative agreement is a complete violation of the strike mandate. This TA is intended to cut off the growing movement of the working class and remove tens of thousands of University of California workers from the struggle. After 93.3 percent of academic student employeesincluding teaching assistants, graduate student researchers, postdocs, and professional academic staffvoted to strike, the UAW leadership refused to set a strike date, even after the contract expired. After two weeks, the UAW called a last chance picket, which did nothing but allow the union bureaucracy to posture as though it were fighting, in an effort to boost its credibility and prepare the sellout. The tentative agreement cooked up with the UC was clearly ready well before the last chance practice pickets, since it was announced the next day. The tentative agreement highlights boasts: Strategic contract expiration on December 31st, 2029: bargaining for our next contract will not be under the Trump administration and ending the precedent of Summer expirations in the last three contracts. What a contemptible fraud. The time for a broad strike movement of the working class against Trumps criminal government is now. This is not strategic timing that will help student workers. Rather, it will benefit Trump. A strike by 48,000 academic workers in California would be a critical part of a broader movement of the working class against austerity, war and Trumps efforts to destroy public health, education and democratic rights. The tentative agreement is being voted on amid a rising wave of working-class militancy, including CSU workerswho are also UAW membersworking on expired contracts, as well as nurses, educators, public-sector staff, logistics and transport workers, and meatpacking workers. Faculty at New York University are poised to strike later this month. This struggle is not merely for better stipends or housing. The US ruling classs decision to launch and expand a criminal war against Iran has already driven up energy costs and diverted massive public resources to the war machine, intensifying attacks on living standards and democratic rights. Wars abroad and austerity at home are two sides of the same class offensive. Voting on the tentative agreement had already begun, but workers had access to the full text of the 185-page agreement for only four days before voting started. This is a clear attempt to ram the contract through before academic workers have had a chance to study and discuss the full terms. Workers must reject this blatantly undemocratic process with a decisive No vote. The process has excluded the rank-and-file from the start. The tentative agreement also preserves no-strike clauses from previous contracts. It contains no provisions for cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)a core demand of the 20192020 and 2022 UC strikes. The raises on offer vary widely and are structured to obscure how little most workers will actually receive. Salaried academic student employees, which are the majority of those covered, will see annual increases of roughly 3 to 6 percent depending on job category and experience level. For workers at the bottom of the pay scale, the cumulative raise over four years amounts to as little as 10 percent. Meanwhile, the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego, where the bulk of UC workers are concentrated, rank among the most expensive metropolitan areas in the United States. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single adult in San Francisco County requires over $75,000 annually to meet basic living costs. Graduate student stipends at many UC campuses remain well below that threshold even after these raises are applied. The UAW leadership is presenting a contract that locks workers into four years of poverty wages and calls it a victory. If ratified, the tentative agreement will resolve nothing in the crisis facing higher education or society more broadly. It accepts as true the claim that there is no money to fund research and pay student workers adequately, while the US government spends billions of dollars every day to carry out the illegal war against Iran. The tentative agreements provisions on international workers are being touted as the strongest in the country, yet they fall far short of what workers actually need and demanded. The agreement creates a $400,000 legal consulting fund, to be shared among tens of thousands of international workers across ten campuses, and provides up to three weeks of paid leave to attend immigration hearings. Workers whose visas are temporarily revoked and then restored would retain the right to be rehired. There is also a non-collaboration with ICE clause. But crucially, the agreement contains no binding commitment by the University of California to resist federal pressure to hand over student and worker data to Homeland Security. A union steward at UC Berkeley noted publicly that all the protections of any significance were dropped in this tentative agreement. The preservation of the no-strike clause is perhaps the most consequential element of the tentative agreement and the least discussed. Under this clause, once the contract is ratified, UC academic workers will be legally barred from striking for four yearsuntil December 31, 2029. This means that regardless of what the Trump administration does to higher education, regardless of further attacks on international students, regardless of funding cuts, mass layoffs or the expansion of war, these workers will have formally surrendered their most powerful weapon. This is precisely what the UC administration required. The UAW apparatus has shown that it cannot be trusted. It has worked to undermine academic workers interests despite overwhelming strike mandates. Over the past year, the UAW has delayed or shut down powerful actions among academic workers and other sections of the working class across the country. It has kept members working on expired contracts while negotiations proceed on managements timetable. The result of these delays is the exhaustion of workers leverage and the presentation of concessions as unavoidable. Academic workers at Columbia University also voted by more than 90 percent to strike and are being blocked and intimidated by the UAW. The bureaucracy is maneuvering to suppress Columbias strike by subordinating the campus local to regional and national officials who demanded that the membership narrow and water down its demands. It threatened to seize control of the local by placing it under receivership if it did not comply. Region 9A officials pressured Student Workers of Columbia to drop political protections, such as removing police and ending surveillance, and warned that the International Executive Board would block a strike unless proposals were altered. Workers in the California State University (CSU) system, who are also members of the UAW, have seen their struggles sabotaged. Their contract was undemocratically and unilaterally extended to keep 10,000 academic workers on the job until September, when they could have struck at the same time as UC academic workers. The first concrete step academic workers in the University of California system must take is to organize an urgent No vote, rejecting both the tentative agreement and the undemocratic character of this voting process. Student workers should publicly demand that all negotiations take place openly, without closed-door sessions. Any future tentative agreement must be presented with an extended review window to give all members, including international students, time to review and debate the contract carefully and vote on its terms. To achieve these demands, student workers should build campus rank-and-file committees, independent of the union bureaucracy, with recallable mandates. These committees should establish a UC-wide, democratically controlled strike strategy; ensure transparency and democratic control; circulate all tentative agreement language immediately to the membership for discussion; require a binding membership vote before any suspension of strike action; and coordinate actions that can defend the strike from injunctions and isolation. Academic workers must consciously link their fight to the broader working class internationally. The building of independent rank-and-file committees, as part of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), would be a critical first step in constructing a network capable of coordinating workers struggles internationally and across industries. In an outright attack on basic democratic rights, police in the Australian state of Queensland last week arrested two participants in a Students for Palestine rally for saying or displaying the anti-genocide slogan from the river to the sea. The arrests were deliberately made just hours after the right-wing Liberal National Party (LNP) state government passed legislation banning the phrase, together with another, globalise the intifada, becoming the first in Australia to explicitly do so. One of those arrested, Liam Parry, was seized by police after addressing the rally at Speakers Corner outside the state parliament house to oppose the legislation. He was eventually released on bail but faces court on April 8 on charges that carry punishment of up to two years imprisonment. After a march, a young demonstrator was later arrested in the citys King George Square for wearing a singlet carrying the slogan. She was held by police for hours before being charged, but was then released with a police caution never to display the phrase again. These arrests must be condemned and defeated. They set a wider precedent, including for the activation of parallel hate speech and hate group laws that have been introduced by Anthony Albaneses federal Labor government and state Labor governments, falsely accusing opponents of the ongoing US-Israeli genocide in Palestine of antisemitism. The Queensland legislation makes explicit the content of these laws, which are designed to intimidate and suppress the widespread hostility to the genocide, shown in large demonstrations, with broader implications for anti-war and other political opposition. Showing its underlying agreement, Queenslands state Labor Party opposition had backed the LNP legislation. But it voted against the bill at the last minute, citing a lack of consultation over an abrupt switch to ban the two phrases, rather than give the state attorney-general a sweeping power to selectively prohibit political expressions. This is not just a Queensland or LNP question. Behind endless claims of combatting hate speech and ensuring social cohesion, the federal and state Labor governments have been conducting a police-state crackdown on dissent. That was graphically displayed in the New South Wales Labor governments banning of marches in Sydney and the unleashing of police violence on protests against last months visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the invitation of the Albanese government. Under the Queensland legislation, anyone who publicly recites, distributes, publishes or displays either of the prohibited expressionswhich both oppose Israeli oppression in Palestinecan be jailed for up to two years. The legislation also grants police extraordinary powers to stop, detain and search people and vehicles without a warrant if an officer reasonably suspects that a person possesses material conveying prescribed expressions or has committed or is committing any related offence. The Albanese governments recent hate group laws go further. They allow a minister to prohibit political groups or parties, simply on the basis of being satisfied that they support vaguely-defined hate crimes or even may do so in the future. This means organisations can be banned solely for what ideas or political views they are alleged to uphold. That amounts to a thought crime. Once a party or group is outlawed, anyone convicted of being a member or supporter faces up to 15 years imprisonment. This is an historic attack on free speech and political association, not attempted since the 1951 referendum defeat of the Menzies governments legislation to outlaw communism. By conflating anti-genocide statements with antisemitic hatred, all such legislation seeks to criminalise opposition to the ongoing mass killing of Palestinians by the US-backed Israeli regime and the Labor governments complicity in these crimes. This now extends to Labors involvement in the criminal US-Israeli war on Iran and Lebanon. The Albanese governments participation in this war, including by sending missiles, a war command plane and military personnel to the Persian Gulf, will lead to more measures to suppress opposition. Pseudo-left groups have responded to the Brisbane arrests by attributing the threat to free speech solely to the LNP state government, thus covering up the role of the Labor governments. Socialist Alliance, via its publication Green Left Weekly, depicted the arrests as total overreach by the police. Likewise, Red Flag, the newspaper of Socialist Alternative, said the arrests mark the beginning of a new, dark period in Queensland politics that showed how committed this LNP government is to undermining freedom of expression. After a brief reference to the war on Iran, the article concluded: If the LNP and Queensland police think that they can stop us from protesting against such crimes, they are wrong. Not only does this framing cover up the assault on freedom of speech, assembly and political association by the Labor governments, it continues the line that these groups have peddled throughout the genocide: that opposition must be confined to protests aimed at trying to pressure governments to change course. The anti-protest and hate speech measures are not just responses to demonstrations. They are part of a drive by the ruling class, spearheaded by Labor, to stifle opposition and prepare the population for war. The Albanese government is already directly participating in the criminal aggression against Iransupplying military support, as well as targeting intelligence via the US satellite and submarine communication bases at Pine Gap and North West Cape. The demand must be raised for the charges against Parry to be dropped, and for the overturning of the Queensland bans and all the hate speech laws imposed in different states and federally. Parrys arrest is a test case: if governments can imprison those who voice slogans against genocide, they will move to criminalise anti-war dissent more broadly. The bipartisan character of the assault on fundamental democratic rights underscores the political reality: The fight against the genocide and US militarism requires the mobilisation of the strength of the working class against all the capitalist parties. This struggle must be based on a socialist perspective directed against the source of the descent into barbarism, dictatorial forms of rule and warthe capitalist system itself. The World Socialist Web Site is publishing here the video of the public meeting held on March 14 in London, marking the 40th anniversary of the historic struggle against the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP) leadership, which led to its expulsion from the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). The meeting was addressed by a panel of speakers, including David North, chairperson of the World Socialist Web Site and of the Socialist Equality Party of the United States. As the leader of the US Workers League, forerunner of the US SEP, North played the leading role in the struggle against the political degeneration of the WRP leadership. At stake was the survival of Trotskyism, of revolutionary Marxism as an organised political tendency. For several decades, the British Trotskyist movement, led by Gerry Healy, Cliff Slaughter and Mike Banda, had enjoyed great political authority because of their defence of Trotskyism from the tendency known as Pabloism, which had sought to liquidate the sections of the Fourth International into the Stalinist, reformist and bourgeois nationalist tendencies that dominated the working class. By the 1980s, however, after a protracted period of political backsliding of an opportunist and nationalist character, they had abandoned and then betrayed the key theoretical conquests and principles of Marxism and Trotskyism. The ICFI majoritys struggle against the WRP, led by the Workers League, prepared the way for a renaissance of Marxist thought, including an unparalleled analysis of globalisation, the dissolution of the Soviet Union and restoration of capitalism, and the wave of anti-socialist renunciationism which swept across the social democratic parties and trade unions. It laid the foundations for the founding of the Socialist Equality Parties and the production of the World Socialist Web Site. In his presentation, Chris Marsden, National Secretary of the SEP (UK), explained the protracted degeneration of the Healy, Slaughter and Banda leadership and the emergence of a Trotskyist opposition within the International Committee with the critique elaborated by David North between 1982-84, and how this won the support of a proletarian tendency within the then British section, led by Dave Hyland. Peter Schwarz, the Secretary of the ICFI, described the intervention against the WRPs degeneration led by North, and how this clarified the essential political issues at stake in the conflict at a time when the WRP was whipping up hysteria among middle-class layers within the membership. The victory of the ICFI, he explained, anticipated the political collapse of all the political forces that kept the working class and the oppressed masses under control in the post-war period, to which the WRP had capitulated: Stalinism, social reformism, petty-bourgeois nationalism and pseudo-left tendencies such as Syriza, Podemos, Die Linke and the Corbynite left in Britain. In his closing remarks, David North explained that the defence of the perspective of world socialist revolution against the WRPs capitulation to Stalinism, social democracy, the trade union bureaucracy and bourgeois nationalism is the only basis on which the working class, especially the younger generation, can wage a struggle against imperialisms present descent into barbarism. Mass repression in the United States and the launching of the criminal war against Iran had the same aim: to abolish the revolutionary social and political gains of the 20th century. He told the meeting, We are living now in a historical period in which either the working class comes to power and puts an end to capitalism, or capitalism will put an end to the world We are in a revolutionary period. We are in a counter-revolutionary period. Which of these two tendencies in the world will predominate? As Trotsky said so well in 1932-33, against the shadow of approaching fascism, struggle will decide. The largest meatpackers strike in the United States since the 1950s entered its third day on Wednesday. As with the previous two days, thousands of workers, a majority of whom are immigrants, picketed for hours outside the JBS meat processing facility in Greeley, Colorado. Meatpackers on strike in Greeley, Colorado, March 17, 2026. JBS, a Brazil-based multinational, is the largest meatpacking corporation in the world. Workers at the Greeley plant have been laboring without a contract for over eight months after the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) ratified a national agreement covering roughly 26,000 workers at 14 facilitiesexcluding Greeley. On Tuesday afternoon, reporters for the World Socialist Web Site visited the afternoon picket, which was even larger than the morning picket. Some 2,000 workers picketed in front of and near the factory. Workers from Haiti, who face threats of deportation after the Trump administration moved to revoke Temporary Protected Status from them, defiantly chanted nou kare! Creole for we are holding firm/steady. In an extended interview, Jaden, a C-shift (third shift) sanitation worker, detailed not only the horrendous working conditions at the plant but also spoke on broader political issues facing workers, including attacks from immigration agents and the ongoing war in Iran. Jaden In an attempt to prevent workers from exercising their First Amendment rights, during the interview, a UFCW bureaucrat attempted to block WSWS reporters, demanding they first consult the unions media representative. Jaden, who has worked at the plant for two years, confirmed that management sought to collect updated contact information from workers prior to the strike in order to undermine it. They are trying to stop people from participating in the strike and stop fighting for what we are asking for, he said, adding, I think its really important for the sanitation crew to go on strike because we get less hours than production. Rejecting both the companys 60-cent offer and the UFCW Local 7 proposal of a $2 raise for sanitation workers, Jaden called for a $3-an-hour increase as a bare minimum. Ive worked many other jobs that pay more, are safer and give us more hours, he added. Sanitation workers, he explained, are routinely forced to clock in at 10:30 p.m. only to be sent on break immediately, then made to work for hours without breaks or lunches, often receiving just six paid hours per shift. Its not enough hours for us to be making a living off of it. And on top of that, they are proposing a 60 cent raise, which is not going to do much. Jaden said he gets paid $23.75 an hour. We cant pay bills with that. In this job, they give us the bare minimum hours. They are also very strict on attendance. If you miss a day, you are suspended. Sick time doesnt cover anything, they take away half a point, but then will give you a point. And then you get written up for it either way. Despite reaping millions in profits, JBS refuses to provide better benefits, better paychecks, Jaden said, adding that the company is running short-staffed on suppliesThere are barely any supplies in there. The Greeley facility processes roughly 8 percent of US beef production. To keep it profitable, sanitation workers are required to work with and inhale dangerous chemicals on a daily basis. You can get injured by the chemicals, which can just splash onto your face, even if you are wearing your goggles. There is a girl that had a chemical burn from that. Jaden said sanitation workers use chlorine-based sanitizer and sodium hydroxide. They are very strong chemicals, and they get a lot stronger if you put hot water into them. Chlorine-based disinfectants, acidic cleaners and caustic agents, such as sodium hydroxide, pose well-known, life-threatening risks. When improperly handled or insufficiently rinsed between applications, these chemicals can react to release toxic gases, including chlorine, which can cause severe respiratory distress, chemical burns to the lungs and, in high concentrations, death. Even without acute mixing incidents, exposure to aerosolized sprays and fumes in enclosed areas can trigger vomiting, dizziness and long-term respiratory damage. Jaden explained that in the last week or so, One of the supervisors that doesnt really do chemicals like that, he mixed the chemicals wrong and it was very strong. It got to the point where I began vomiting on the floor. Management did not tell me to go home or anything. I just had to wait it out, stand outside. A co-worker and myself were outside, and we watched a training video which said if you smell chemicals that are overly strong, that could cause you sickness, leave the area, which I did. And then the green hat came out and demanded to know why I wasnt working. I told him the chemicals are too strong. You could smell it, the whole locker room, which is upstairs, and all the way downstairs. Thats how strong it was. Workers are nominally provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but Jaden said it is inadequate and often deducted from their pay. We wear our PPE, but they dont give us the correct or proper pair of shoes and they overcharge us for when we end up missing something. Somebody will steal our PPE or we lose it, and then we end up paying for it. That comes out of our paycheck, when it is something they should be providing. Like many workers at the plant, Jaden has scars from his time working at JBS. When I first came here, I got injured on a conveyor belt. The PPE they gave us, we have to wear these sleeves and it made it very hard to take my arm out of it. I tried removing it and my glove got caught in the conveyor belt and it wrapped around my hand it tore into my skin. Jaden's hand after it was caught in a conveyor built due to ill-fitting personal protective equipment. My skin was ripped and I was stuck in there for at least 10 minutes trying to get someones attention. The PPE they gave us and forced us to wear, I wasnt able to get myself out of it, or take my gloves off fast enough. That sleeve just kept pinching onto my gloves and pinching onto my coat. So there was no way for me to get out of it. Jaden said that despite the serious nature of the injury and the fact it was caused by ill-fitting PPE, the company only paid for his medical bills, no workers comp or big paycheck. Instead, the company punished him for almost losing his own hand. They put me on a cardinal rule, Jaden explained. If I were to get hurt or mess up for a year after, I would be terminated. He detailed a litany of abuses at the plant. Supervisors and managers can be very abusive and very sexual with co-workers. You can see a lot of the blue hats and supervisors will flirt with the ladies and touch them. There was even a green hat who punched one of the workers because he refused to work for a while. The green hat took him to the back and punched him in the face. He didnt get suspended or anything for punching the worker. Jaden said he did not recall any union official coming to the defense of the worker who was assaulted. The union is barely called up ... they might be short staffed? I dont know, I barely see any union workers (representatives). Turning to broader political issues, Jaden, like a majority of workers in the US and around the world, opposes the illegal war in Iran. I already knew Trump was going to mess up, he wants to stay in office so bringing war to us is obviously his objective and his main goal. He also rejected the Trump administrations mass deportation operation, I hate how Trump attacks immigrants. I have cousins that are immigrants. My whole family are immigrants. Im a citizen, but its still outrageous. They are going after children, they are going after people that just look like they are not from here. Nobody is actually from here, I mean this land was stolen from the Natives. Jaden agreed that the Trump administrations attacks on immigrants were an attempt to divide workers against each other based on nationality. I think its an attempt to bring back how it was before. I heard people talking about segregation coming back. He said that before the strike, JBS began diverting cattle to other plants. Asked by WSWS reporters if meatpackers at the JBS plant in Cactus, Texas, who are also UFCW members, should join them on strike instead of handling the scab cattle, Jaden agreed. I would support them going on strike with us. It would help, it would benefit. There is a lot more going on than just the pay cut. Theres the supervisors and the management. Jaden concluded that workers need to continue striking until JBS bows down to what we need, because if they dont, it will continue to be sh*t. People have died working this job, and its not safe. We have had workers die on the job, and they continue production. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, right, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, attend a press conference at the end of an intergovernmental summit at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, to discuss political and economic cooperation [AP Photo/AP] Italys confirmatory constitutional referendum, scheduled for March 2223, 2026, represents the most significant challenge to the Italian Republics architecture since the adoption of the 1948 Constitution. Presented by the government as a technical judicial fixthe Nordio Reform, named after Justice Minister Carlo Nordiothe proposal is, in reality, a far-reaching assault on the balance of power. At its core, the reform seeks to separate the career paths of judges and prosecutors, split the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM) into two distinct governing bodies and establish a new High Disciplinary Court composed through sortition (random selection). These measures would dismantle the unified judicial order established by the postwar constitution, fundamentally altering the relationship between the judiciary, the executive, and the legislature. This reform must be viewed alongside the governments broader Premierato project, which proposes the direct election of the prime minister and a guaranteed parliamentary majority for the winning party. Together, these initiatives represent a systematic attempt to centralize power in the executive and weaken the states internal checks and balances. The referendum constitutes a serious attack on democratic rights by the government of the fascist Giorgia Meloni, who is attempting to capitalize on the justified frustrations toward a justice system that disproportionately penalizes workers. It arrives amid growing social opposition to war, state repression, and the genocide in Gaza, as well as a surge in strikes since last summer. The ruling class is visibly strengthening its instruments of authority in anticipation of mounting social conflict. The 1948 Constitution was drafted in the shadows of Mussolinis collapse. It was heavily influenced by decades of class struggle, including the global impact of the Russian Revolution 30 years prior, even if that influence was often channeled through the distorted lens of reformist socialist and Stalinist parties. A central mission was to prevent the reemergence of dictatorship through a system of institutional balances, ensuring no single authority could dominate. Within this framework, the judiciary was conceived as a unified body. Because judges and prosecutors belonged to the same professional corps and were governed by a single CSM, the structure guaranteed that criminal prosecution could not be subordinated to political whims. Italian constitutional theory describes this as the pouvoir neutre, a neutral balancing authority. Historically, this equilibrium rested on the independence of the magistracy, the mediating role of Parliament and the discretionary powers of the president of the Republic. For decades, this architecture stabilized a country marked by intense class conflict and political fragmentation. However, this stability rested on specific historical conditions: postwar reconstruction, the presence of mass workers parties and the Cold War geopolitical framework. Over the past 40 years, the structural crisis of capitalism has eroded this equilibrium. The dismantling of the welfare state, driven by finance capital and EU-mandated austerity, has produced chronic instability. Since the 1990s, successive governments have sought to modernize the system to suit globalized capital. Electoral laws were modified to produce artificial majorities, expanding executive authority through emergency decrees and reducing Parliaments deliberative role. The separation of judicial careers is not a new invention of the current right-wing coalition. It has been a long-standing project of various political and professional circles. The Radical Party was an early advocate, arguing that an adversarial criminal system requires a strict wall between judges and prosecutors. In 2000, they organized a referendum on the issue, supported by the Socialists and Republicans, which failed due to a lack of quorum. Similar efforts surfaced in 2022 via the Lega and the Radicals; though they failed, they helped manufacture a political consensus around restructuring. Professional organizations like the Union of Italian Penal Chambers (UCPI) have also lobbied for this change, arguing that osmosis between prosecutors and judges undermines neutrality. Liberal think tanks, such as the Luigi Einaudi Foundation, have framed the unified the judiciary as an outdated model incompatible with modern legal standards. These arguments have now been embraced by the Fratelli dItalia, Lega and Forza Italia coalition, among others. The Democratic Party (PD) and the Five Star Movement (M5S) now cast themselves as the defenders of the Constitution against the Nordio reform. Their opposition, however, is marked by deep historical hypocrisy. For decades, leading PD figures like Massimo DAlema, Luciano Violante, and Franco Bassanini signed legislative proposals advocating for the separation of judicial careers. In 2007, the Prodi government even passed a bill incorporating elements of this separation. As recently as 2019, a PD congress motion described the reform as unavoidable. Furthermore, PD governments frequently sought to strengthen the executive; Matteo ReItalicum electoral law provided a majority bonus similar to what the current Premierato proposes. The Five Star Movement followed a similar trajectory. Born from Vaffa-Day protests against the party-ocracy, it quickly integrated into the institutional framework it once condemned. Their primary constitutional achievement, the 2020 reduction of parliamentarians by one-third, has actually contributed to the weakening of the very Parliament they now claim to protect. One of the most radical aspects of the Nordio reform is the High Disciplinary Court composed via sortition. Supporters claim random selection will eliminate correntismo (factionalism) and restore public confidence. In reality, the measure risks hollowing out the magistracys professional accountability while opening disciplinary procedures to external political pressure. Splitting the CSM into two bodies destroys the unified structure that has historically protected the autonomy of criminal prosecution. Prosecutors would effectively lose independence and become a separate category, potentially subject to executive subordination, a trend seen in other legal systems that have moved toward authoritarianism. The combined weight of the Premierato and the Nordio reform would effectively collapse the two pillars of postwar stability: parliamentary mediation and judicial autonomy. This is not an isolated Italian phenomenon; comparable developments in Poland and Hungary have shown how restructuring the judiciary serves to consolidate executive power and erode democratic safeguards. What distinguishes the current moment from the rise of 20th-century fascism is the absence of a mass fascist movement. Giorgia Melonis government does not possess overwhelming political legitimacy. Many who feel inclined to support the referendum do so out of frustration with a judicial system perceived as punishing workers while ignoring the corruption of the elite. Yet, this disillusionment is a symptom of a deeper crisis. Italy is experiencing mounting opposition fueled by economic stagnation and the militarization associated with NATOs posture toward Russia and the expanding wars in the Middle East, especially in Iran. Despite widespread opposition among workers and youth, European governments have aligned themselves strictly with US and Israeli interests. In Italy, this dissent has manifested in strikes, protests against repression and anti-war demonstrations. The March 2026 referendum is part of a broader restructuring of the state in anticipation of future social upheavals. By weakening judicial independence and concentrating power in the executive, the reform clears the path for more aggressive authoritarian measures. It is a deliberate step in dismantling the safeguards established after the defeat of Mussolini. Ultimately, the defense of democratic rights cannot be entrusted to the political partiesright or nominal center-leftthat paved the way for this erosion over the last 30 years. The struggle against authoritarianism is inseparable from the struggle of the working class against war, austerity and the capitalist system. Only through independent political mobilization and a fight for genuine socialism can the working class defend democratic rights and oppose the drive toward authoritarian rule. Workers and their families at a rally outside BP Whiting in northwest Indiana, February 14, 2026 After workers overwhelmingly rejected the offer negotiated by BP (British Petroleum) and the United Steelworkers, the company announced it was locking out nearly 900 Whiting, Indiana refinery workers as of 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 19. BP confirmed it intends to continue to operate the largest refinery in the Midwest without the highly skilled United Steelworkers employees. Last Thursday, workers voted against BPs last offer by 98.3 percent. Turnout was over 94 percent. The workers, members of USW Local 7-1, expressed their determination to fight relentless attacks on wages, living standards, working conditions and job security. The agreement would have led to 100 fewer union workers and broader use of contract workers, $8-$10 hourly wage cuts, the closure of the environmental department, attacks on seniority and implementation of AI with no job protections. Worse still, the six-year agreement would have removed the facility from the national pattern bargaining timeline, creating a precedent for the oil companies to divide and conquer workers one refinery at a time. Negotiations between USW Local 7-1 and BP are reportedly ongoing. The company said the lockout could be avoided if the union accepts its counteroffer from earlier this week of the same agreement but with a signing bonus of $2,500, reduced from $7,500a kick in the teeth. Local 7-1 President Eric Schultz stated, BP is obviously not serious about reaching a deal that doesnt include cutting jobs, reducing wages and eliminating bargaining rights. Lockout at Whiting is a political struggle Every refinery worker has a direct stake in defeating BPs demands at Whiting. The proposed agreement contains attacks on a scale without precedent in recent years. Whiting is also the largest refinery in the Midwest, producing 440,000 barrels daily, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. The WSWS has characterized the agreement BP is trying to impose as a war contract: securing labor peace at just the point when the oil and gas giants stand to make historic profits from the rising oil prices caused by the illegal war against Iran. Intelligence firm Rystad Energy predicts that US oil makers could make an extra $63.4 billion if the price of oil averages above $100 a barrel this year. Whiting workers are putting their struggle into directly political terms. One Whiting worker told the WSWS, I certainly dont expect this to be quick unless these fascists in charge decide to intervene and force us back to work [with an injunction], which is a real possibility. I can say with certainty that Congress is filled with cowards. Workers are angry over the USWs refusal to call a strike much sooner, as the last agreement expired at the end of January. Allowing the refinery to remain up and running on a rolling 24-hour contract renewal undermined the negotiations and gave BP additional leverage. Whiting workers speaking with the WSWS expect there to be serious problems early on that will prevent the refinery from operating at capacity. The dangers of operating the refinery with temporary and contract labor are enormous. Such a high volume refinery, surrounded by residential neighborhoods and sitting on the shore of the largest body of fresh water within the US risks serious injury, major equipment failure and environmental damage. As the American ruling class embraces total criminality, plunging into a war against Iran while trying to impose a dictatorship at home and looting what remains of public resources, a powerful, progressive counter-movement is emerging within the working class. It can be seen in the strike of almost 4,000 JBS meatpackers in Greeley, Colorado, in the determination of Whiting workers to defeat BPs attempts to reduce every worker to the level of contract workers, in the popular calls for a general strike against the Trump administration which emerged in the course of the mass demonstrations against ICE terror. Independent rank-and-file action to unite across industry! The central task facing Whiting workers is to break the isolation of their struggle and shift the balance of power towards the refinery workers, who have enormous power in this situation as a politically united force. This is why the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) calls for this fight to be transformed into a common struggle of refinery workers everywhere, drawing in support from workers in other industries. The USW apparatus will do everything it can to block and undermine this, and it must be taken up the rank and file independently. First, a rank-and-file committee should establish lines of communication with refinery workers across the country, as well as with the steelworkers throughout northwest Indiana and workers across the broader Chicago region. The outcome of the refinery workers struggle also sets a precedent for steelworkers, whose contracts expire later this year. Whiting workers can establish a rank-and-file committee to organize the struggle, independent of the USW apparatus. This committee should reach out directly to refinery workers at other plants, share information about the contract fight and prepare coordinated action to defend wages, safety and jobs throughout the industry, up to and including nationwide strike action. Boring is beautiful. That adage is especially true during turbulent times. If you haven't noticed, the current market and world conditions are quite tumultuous. In a highly volatile market, boring dividend stocks can be the ultimate defensive play. Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) is such a stock. It has delivered a double-digit year-to-date gain while the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has fallen. I'd happily hold Bristol Myers Squibb through any crash. 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 What about Bristol Myers Squibb's patent cliff? Let's address what's probably the biggest objection about Bristol Myers Squibb -- its patent cliff. The company's two top-selling drugs, blood thinner Eliquis and cancer immunotherapy Opdivo, both lose patent exclusivity in 2028. Blood cancer drug Revlimid already faces generic competition. However, Bristol Myers Squibb hasn't backed away from its challenges. The company's revenue continues to shift to its growth portfolio, which consists primarily of newer drugs. In 2025, this growth portfolio accounted for roughly 55% of total revenue, up from around 47% the previous year. Bristol Myers Squibb also boasts a promising pipeline. The drugmaker expects to report results from pivotal clinical studies for 28 programs by the end of 2028. Half of these programs are new therapies, while the other half are potential new indications for already approved drugs. The company has also completed several key acquisitions to bolster its growth prospects. For example, Bristol Myers Squibb purchased Orbital Therapeutics last year to gain access to its next-generation CAR-T therapy, OTX-201. In 2024, BMS acquired Karuna Therapeutics, adding the potential blockbuster neuroscience drug KarXT to its pipeline. Image source: Getty Images. A stock that income investors should love Bristol Myers Squibb's dividend is one of its biggest pluses. The company's forward dividend yield tops 4.2%. Bristol has paid a dividend for 94 consecutive years and has increased its dividend for 17 straight years. If the stock market crashes, it will most likely be due to a geopolitical crisis (such as the current one involving Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz), a perceived artificial intelligence (AI) bubble, or a sharp economic decline. Bristol Myers Squibb's business should hold up well in any of these scenarios. Physicians will continue prescribing the company's therapies, and patients will continue taking them regardless of what happens. Gregory Knopf [Photo: Facebook] Gregory Knopf, a 64-year-old worker at Ford Motor Companys Sharonville Transmission Plant in Ohio, was killed on Monday, March 16, after a press machine activated while undergoing routine maintenance and pinned him against equipment. First responders freed Knopf and transported him to Bethesda North Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is survived by his wife, three children and eight grandchildren. In comments to the local media, Knopfs son Corey described his father as the best man he knew. His daughter Miranda Boutwell remembered him as selfless. My dad was always willing to help anybody in need, she said. I wish he would be around to see the rest of my life, but I know that he will be proud, and I know that he is proud. An obituary posted online states: A lifelong resident of the greater Cincinnati area, Greg built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work. He was a skilled plumber and pipe fitter who took pride in his craft and the work of his hands. According to the Sharonville Police Department, officers responded to the plant at approximately 9:45 a.m. The press machine, during routine service, turned on. Police said there were multiple witnesses. The Hamilton County Coroners Office, OSHA, and Fords administrative staff have all opened investigations into the incident. Ford issued a perfunctory statement claiming that safety is our highest priority. The circumstances of Knopfs death bear a grim resemblance to a pattern of workplace fatalities across the auto industry. Just over 11 months ago, 63-year-old Ronald Adams Sr. was killed at the Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant in Monroe County, Michigan, when an overhead gantry crushed him while he serviced equipment. An independent investigation conducted by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees found evidence of routine bypassing of lockout/tagout procedures and accelerated production schedules. The US Department of Labor reported that 5,070 workers were killed on the job in 2024, a figure that vastly understates the true toll because it excludes most deaths from workplace-related illness. The AFL-CIO estimates that occupational disease claimed 135,000 lives in 2023 alone. Will Lehman, a Mack Trucks worker running for UAW president in 2026, issued a statement on Knopfs death connecting it directly to the death of Ronald Adams Sr. and the broader failure of the UAW apparatus to defend workers lives. These deaths are the predictable, preventable product of a system that treats workers as expendable inputs to production, Lehman wrote in the statement posted on his website. Lehman indicted the union leaderships conduct following Adams death as a template for what workers should expect now. In the eleven months since Ronald Adams Sr. was killed, Shawn Fains apparatus has issued no statement demanding accountability from Stellantis, made no public demands of MIOSHA, and moved as quickly as possible to restore production at Dundee Engine, he wrote. The UAW bureaucracys silence over the death of Ronald Adams Sr. tells workers everything they need to know about what to expect following the death of Gregory Knopf. Lehmans statement called for rank-and-file workers to wrest control of workplace safety from both management and the union bureaucracy. We cannot defend our lives while we are bound hand and foot by a union apparatus that stands against us at every turn, he wrote, calling for the establishment of democratically controlled rank-and-file safety committees with real authority to halt unsafe operations, enforce lockout/tagout procedures and conduct independent investigations. Lehman also made a direct appeal to workers with knowledge of the conditions at Sharonville. If you work at the Sharonville Transmission Plant or anywhere in the Ford network and have information about the conditions that led to Gregory Knopfs death, I urge you to contact my campaign, he wrote. Workers cannot forgive and forget what is being done to our brothers and sisters. We will not let these deaths be forgotten. The Sharonville plant, which produces transmissions, is one of Fords major Ohio manufacturing facilities. As of publication, neither Ford nor the UAW had announced any further steps beyond the investigations already underway. Members of Columbia University's student workers union and their supporters protest the detention of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and recent actions taken by the Trump administration against the university, Friday, March 14, 2025, in New York. [AP Photo/Jason DeCrow] Will Lehman, a Mack Trucks worker from Macungie, Pennsylvania and candidate for president of the United Auto Workers, has issued a statement denouncing the UAW bureaucracys intervention against graduate and undergraduate student workers at Columbia University, calling the apparatus complicit in political repression at the campus and urging that rank-and-file workers take control of their own struggle. The statement comes after student workers at Columbia, organized under the Student Workers of Columbia (SWC), voted by 91.5 percent1,129 to 105to authorize a strike in pursuit of their second contract with the university. Their first contract expired in July 2025. The overwhelming vote authorized a number of demands. In addition to a living wage with a cost-of-living escalator, stronger protections for non-citizen workers, and expanded healthcare and childcare benefits, the workers raised demands tied to democratic rights on campus, including an end to police collaboration and surveillance, and the right to protest without fear of arrest or deportation. Rather than honoring that mandate, the UAW apparatus moved quickly to block it. According to SWC communications published on X, Region 9A Servicing Representative Courtney Bitherwho earned $133,000 in 2024told the local that a strike authorization was unlikely unless demands related to democratic rights were substantially narrowed. UAW Region 9Awhich is lead by Director Brandon Mancilla, a prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of Americathreatened to place the SWC under receivership if members refused to water down their proposals. SWC President Grant Miner subsequently emailed members confirming that the regional leadership had made clear: change the demands or there will be no strike. Under that pressure, the SWC dropped several demands, including those calling for an end to all campus surveillance and the removal of police from campus. The UAW apparatus has again exposed whose side it is onand it is not ours, Lehman wrote in a statement published on his website. He described the bureaucracys move to block the strike as the machinery of the union acting as managements enforcer, and argued that the demands being suppressed are anything but extravagant. These are minimal requirements for decent work and basic rights, he wrote. The UAW officialdom decided they were too political, insisting that the SWC strip out any mention of police repression, academic freedom, or solidarity with international students. Lehman was direct about what he sees as the bureaucracys material interest in suppressing the strike. The UAW apparatus sees Columbias graduate workers not as workers in struggle but as a lucrative dues stream, he wrote, noting that tens of thousands of academic workers have been folded into the union in recent years, generating millions in monthly dues for what he called a bureaucratic caste whose interests are the opposite of the memberships. The Columbia situation, Lehman argued, is an expression of a structural conflict running throughout the UAW. This confrontation at Columbia expresses the same fundamental conflict between the rank and file and the UAW bureaucracy that has played out across the auto industry, at the Big Three, and at every campus where student workers have organized, he stated. The UAW bureaucracy is complicit, Lehman wrote, adding, The bureaucracy cannot be pressured into defending you; it must be opposed and replaced by the organized power of the rank and file. Lehman announced his 2026 UAW presidential campaign in February on a platform calling not for reform of the union's leadership but abolition of its bureaucratic hierarchy and full transfer of decision-making authority to rank-and-file workers. His platform includes full wage recovery, a zero-layoff policy, employer-paid healthcare, and a 30-hour workweek with no loss of pay. In 2022, running in the UAWs first direct presidential election in over 70 years, Lehman won nearly 5,000 votes despite systematic voter suppression in an election in which just 9 percent of eligible members cast ballots. In the Columbia statement, Lehman called on autoworkers across the country to actively defend the graduate local, warning that a successful bureaucratic rollback there sets a precedent. If the apparatus succeeds at Columbia, it will use the same methods against you, he wrote. He called on graduate and undergraduate workers to form independent rank-and-file committees and connect with workers across sectors. Your 91.5 percent strike vote speaks to enormous courage and clarity of purpose, Lehman wrote. The challenge is to ensure it is not buried by the apparatus but carried forward by the workers themselves. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a special briefing for selected media at the Presidential Secretariat on March 17 to speak on the impact on Sri Lanka of the continuing US-Israeli war on Iran. He warned of economic fallout but said the government would do everything to manage the situation. He urged people not to panic and called on journalists to help maintain calm. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing media during a special briefing at the Presidential Secretariat on March 17, 2026 [Photo: Facebook/Anura Kumara Dissanayake] Dissanayakes comments, however, have once again exposed his governments phony facade of neutrality in relation to the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran. [T]he nature of this war is such that all parties involved have carefully chosen their own limits and targets [including] disrupting, he said. By talking about all parties involved, by refusing to name names, Dissanayake is covering up for the fascistic Trump administration by putting the aggressorsthe US and Israelon the same plane as the victim, Iran. His government has refused to even condemn US imperialism for waging a barbaric war of aggression that is in flagrant breach of international law. In the next breath, the president made absolutely clear whose side his government is on. He declared that actions such as blocking the Strait of Hormuz, attacking oil storage facilities, targeting oil transport vessels and striking ports have led to a crisis of international-scale in the energy market. Who is he accusing? Iran, of course, for its retaliatory actions against the relentless US and Israeli attacks, and those countries throughout the region that accommodate the US bases from which its warplanes are launched and warships resupplied. With the war in its third week, the economic shock waves are spreading with Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz with oil prices shooting up above $100 a barrel. In Sri Lanka, petrol prices have risen by about 8 percent, imposing greater burdens on working people who are already suffering the impact of IMF-enforced austerity measures. The Sri Lankan government is already resorting to measures including petrol rationing that revive memories of 2022 when Sri Lanka defaulted on foreign debt, causing huge price rises and shortages, including of fuel. The resulting social crisis led to a mass uprising and the collapse of the government, with President Gotabhaya Rajapakse fleeing the country. Queues outside fuel stations have re-emerged with police deployed to maintain control. As took place in 2022, the government has reintroduced a QR-code based fuel rationing system. Colombo has shifted LPG imports to the United States. The government has also announced a public holiday every Wednesday until further notice for certain public services and schools to curb energy use, exempting essential services. Work-from-home options are also under consideration, the president indicated. The Sri Lankan governments position closely mirrors Indias stance. Colombos official statements follow a similar patternexpressing deep concern over threats to regional stability while urging maximum restraint and de-escalationformulations that only cover up the criminality of US imperialism and Israel. The Sri Lankan navy did come to the aid of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena that was sunk by a torpedo fired by a US submarine off its southern coast, killing at least 108 sailors. The navy rescued 32 survivors. Colombo later allowed a second Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Bushehr, carrying 208 crew members, to dock after initially denying entry. The government did not condemn the US sinking of the unarmed IRIS Dena in international waters. Moreover, while authorities and pro-government media portrayed the rescue as a humanitarian act, a report by Reuters, citing a US State Department cable, indicated that the Sri Lankan government had acceded to Washingtons demands not to allow the crew members to return to Iran. At the same time, the government continues its hypocritical posturing of neutrality. On March 11, it declined to join some 130 UN members that co-sponsored a UN Security Council resolution condemning Irans egregious attacks on its regional neighbours. It only did so because the resolution was too blatantly pro-US in character. India and the US were among the co-sponsors of the Bahrain-led resolution, which condemned in the strongest terms Irans attacks against Gulf states that house US military bases while failing to even mention the continuing barrages of bombs and missiles initiated by the US and Israel against Iran. During the Monday media briefing, a journalist from state-owned ITN TV fed Dissanayake what was obviously a question prepared in advance: Can the government maintain its non-aligned policy in the present situation? Delighted with the question, Dissanayake said: I think that is the stand we have to maintain whatever difficult situation [A]s a country we maintain this neutrality. Such political duplicity is of course not uncommon in the Colombo political establishmentdouble-talk about neutrality to cover up support for an illegal war of aggression. But it should be recalled, that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led government was treated as leftist and even Marxist in the international press when it came to power for the first time in 2024. The JVP, of which Dissanayake is a leading member, has a long political pedigree of socialistic and anti-imperialist phrase-mongering going back to its founding on the basis of an eclectic admixture of Maoism, Castroism and the armed struggle. All of that has been progressively junked over the decades as the JVP has strived for office. Particularly since the 2022 mass uprising, the JVP leaders cultivated close relations with imperialist powers, especially with the US. After meeting with Dissanayake in May 2022 in the midst of the political upheaval, the US ambassador in Colombo, Julie Chung, spoke publicly in positive terms about the JVP as a party that was resonating with the people. In power, the Dissanayake government has been faithfully implementing the stringent IMF austerity policies in full and deepening military ties with US imperialism as it wages naked acts of aggression in the Middle East and Latin America in preparation for war against China. It is urgent that the working class in Sri Lanka and internationally consolidate a unified anti-war movement based on socialist principles against the war drive led by US imperialism that is plunging the world towards a global conflagration. In Sri Lanka that includes a political struggle at home against the bogus neutral posturing of the Dissanayake government that tacitly lines up with US imperialism and is imposing new burdens resulting from the Iran war on workers and the rural masses. The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Europe Belgian workers in national strike against attacks on living standards and workers rights On March 12, tens of thousands of workers across Belgium held a 24-hour national strike in protest at the federal governments austerity policies. There were demonstrations in central Brussels and other cities with transport, public sector, health and industrial workers participating. Strikers and protesters are members of all the main union federations. The strike and demonstrations are in opposition to measures such as pension reforms, changes in laws on secure employment, attacks on indexed pay levels and deterioration in working conditions. In parliament, Prime Minister Bart De Wever, the leader of the New Flemish Alliance, told deputies the government would continue its offensive, stating he was aware that the austerity would leave a bitter aftertaste for some. However, striking will not change reality and above all, our government must stay on course. Thousands of Greek health workers strike for improved pay and conditions Services in Greek hospitals were disrupted nationwide Wednesday and Thursday when doctors and nurses held 24-hour strikes and demonstrated outside the Ministry of Health in Athens. The members of the Federation of Hospital Doctors Unions and the Panhellenic Federation of Employees in Public Hospitals demand salary increases, more permanent staff recruitment and improvements in terms and conditions. They warn of increased pressure on the health service after years of austerity, real-terms pay cuts, the loss of bonus salaries and chronic understaffing following the departure of thousands of healthcare workers. Doctors in Spain hold week-long national strike for statutory improvements to pay and conditions Thousands of doctors throughout Spain held a second five-day stoppage this week, part of a series of monthly strikes continuing until June. They demand a separate statutory framework for their pay and terms and conditions of employment. In Madrid, 400 medics marched to the Ministry of Health to protest their working conditions and for greater official acknowledgement of their responsibilities within the health system. The doctors, members of six different medical unions, demand statutory recognition of their profession through improved salaries, a 35-hour working week and better pensions and holiday payments. They also want consideration of the extra years of training and specialisation not required of other health workers. Thousands of workers in northern Spain strike for higher minimum wage Thousands of workers in the Basque and Navarra regions of Spain went on strike Tuesday, demonstrating in Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona and other cities. They are demanding a minimum wage of 1,500 euros, after central government set a level of 1,221 euros. The protesters, represented by many different unions, also want improvements in working conditions. Striking health visitors at Welsh health board to extend stoppage over pay grading A strike of around 100 health visitors working for the Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) University Health Board in Wales, due to end Friday, has now been extended until May 15. It began at the end of February. The Unite union members, who are currently paid on band six, argue that their skill levels mean they should be paid at the higher band seven. Unite said, The CTM University Health Board has refused to acknowledge their own job descriptions and pay health visitors accordingly. The downgrading leaves the health visitors around 8,0009,000 a year worse off. They held a march to the Welsh Parliament last week in support of their campaign to be re-banded. Academic staff at several UK universities involved in stoppages over redundancies and conditions Four Scottish universities are involved in strike action this week, along with workers at seven universities across England. University and College Union (UCU) members at Aberdeen University were on strike Tuesday and Wednesday, following two days of stoppages last week. They voted by over 80 percent for the action over the threat of compulsory redundancies. Forty posts have already been eliminated through voluntary redundancies. The same days also saw action by UCU members at Dundee, Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde universities against threats of compulsory redundancies. At Strathclyde, they were joined by Unite union members working in estate management, security and other roles such as lab technicians. They walked out for the whole week over the universitys plans to cut around 75 jobs to bridge a 35 million funding gap. UCU members at Northumbria University near Newcastle were on strike Monday and Tuesday, following previous action over plans by the university to downgrade their pension provision. The university proposes to move staff from their current Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) to an inferior Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). They are also due to walk out March 2527. UCU members at Essex University were on strike Monday through Thursday, following 12 days of previous action. They are protesting plans to cut 200 academic and 200 support staff roles in efforts to save around 20 million. According to the UCU, the university has already been able to make 10 million in savings by staff agreeing to cut hours and accept voluntary redundancies. UCU members at Essex also voted to take further action in April alongside support staff represented by Unite and Unison if their ballots approve industrial action. Academic staff at four colleges of the Windsor Forest Colleges Group across Berkshire and Surrey walked out Tuesday and Wednesday. The UCU members have rejected an initial 1.5 percent pay offer and an additional 500 a year. Even with the additional amount, the offer is still below the employers body the Association of Colleges recommendation of 4 percent. UCU members at the University of Sheffield International College (USIC) are continuing their series of stoppages over pay and conditions. This week, strikes took place Monday and Wednesday, with another planned for Friday. Two-day stoppages are also planned for each of the next two weeks. USIC prepares international students for university courses. Despite the universal attack on higher education jobs, pay and conditions, the UCU is leaving affected workers isolated and fighting alone in disparate local disputes. Africa Miners begin stoppage at Afrimat in South Africas Matlosana Municipality over attacks on pay and conditions Miners at Afrimat in South Africas Matlosana Municipality began a protected indefinite strike on Wednesday over pay and conditions. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members accuse the company of eroding pay and conditions that existed under the ownership of the previous company, Lafarge. Negotiations between the NUM and company over attempts to downgrade the current medical aid scheme have been dragging on for a year. Currently the employer pays 65 percent and the worker 35 percent. Afrimat is seeking to replace this with a flat monthly contribution of R1,265 (55), which the NUM says would leave workers vulnerable and under-insured. Workers have also rejected a pay offer of 5 percent and are demanding 7 percent. Workers at 10 healthcare clinics in Eastern Cape, South Africa walk out over staff shortages, pay and conditions Community Health Workers and Outreach Team Leaders at 10 healthcare facilities in the Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape, South Africa began unofficial strike action Monday. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) members are demanding permanent contracts, more staff, owed safety allowances and higher wages. They describe pay at R3,500 per month as slave wages. The Eastern Cape Department of Health said services were disrupted at clinics including NU12, Beacon Bay, Gonubie and Nontyatyambo Community Health Centre. It took legal action against the NEHAWU, and police were called to remove pickets from entrances. Bus drivers at the Algoa Bus Company in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa walk out over conditions Dozens of bus drivers at the Algoa Bus Company in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa held a stoppage and picket on Tuesday. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union members are protesting against being disciplined if they fail to check that all passengers pay their fare. Drivers are also demanding provision of toilet facilities and water while on duty. Company spokesperson Fezekisiwe Keke said, We are open to any talks with unions. The costs as a result of the strike are very high. We ferry 70,000 passengers a day. On Wednesday, the unions suspended the action pending negotiations. Hail-and-ride drivers strike over rising costs in Lagos and Ogun States, Nigeria Nigerian hail-and-ride workers in Lagos State and Ogun State employed by Uber, Bolt and inDrive began a three-day strike on March 18. They are calling for improved conditions and a reduction in the commissions charged by the companies. In a video announcing the strike, a driver who called himself Bashir said the protest was aimed at creating a system that would allow them to operate sustainably given rising costs. He said the protest is not aimed at commuters but at the companies who run the platforms. Drivers want you to understand that they are not your enemy... They are requesting a balanced partnership between the app and the drivers. The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, thought to have coordinated the strike, said the action followed months of complaints by drivers about high commissions, low fares and rising fuel and maintenance costs. Social media users expressed sympathy with the drivers demands for better pay and a fairer deal. Namibian mill workers told to return to work after 59 days on strike Around a thousand workers employed by Namib Mills in Namibia were told to return to work by the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) on March 1159 days after they began their strike. A deal was struck by Naretu leaders with Namib Mills managers at meetings attended by the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Wise Immanuel. Announcing that the strike was being called off, Naretu commander-in-chief Petersen Kambinda thanked Immanuel for his efforts in bringing it to an end. He said the deal means workers receive part of last years benefits and called for high discipline during the return to work. Some of the workers had been employed at the mills since 1989 without receiving any significant salary increase, while others had been kept on poverty-level wages. A large majority of the workforce had voted to strike as a result. President Donald Trump meets with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, February 13, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] Indias far-right, Hindu supremacist BJP government and the Indian ruling class as a whole are fully complicit in the criminal war of aggression that US imperialism and its Israeli attack-dog are waging on Iran since February 28. New Delhi has managed to muster not a single word of protest, as the US and Israel have piled war crime upon war crimekilling Iranian political leaders and some 2,000 ordinary civilians; bombing schools, hospitals, desalination plants and other public infrastructure; and sinking the defenceless IRNS Dena in the Indian Ocean shortly after it concluded its participation in an Indian-led naval exercise. The only solidarity New Delhi has voiced is with the monarchical-absolutist Gulf States that host US military bases that are being used to surveil and attack Iran. The only country New Delhi has condemned is Iran, for daring to defend itself. India co-sponsored last weeks pro-US, pro-war UN Security Council resolution. Resolution 2817 blithely ignored the illegal, unprovoked mass bombardment that the US and Israel have unleashed against Iran and the decapitation strikes mounted against its leaders, so as to paint Tehran as the aggressor and lend a veneer of international legitimacy to what has become a war of annihilation against the Iranian state and its 93 million people. Citing Tehrans retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Washingtons Gulf State allies, the Indian-sponsored resolution indicted the victim, Iran, for breaching international law and threatening international peace and security. Indias callous abandonment of its ostensible Iranian ally is, to say the least, unsurprising. It similarly refused to condemn the attack the US and Israel mounted on Iran last Junewhich, like the current one, was launched under the cover of diplomatic negotiations. For the past quarter-century, New Delhi, under BJP and Congress Party-led governments alike, has made its alliance with US imperialism, codified under the Indo-US Global Strategic Partnership, the cornerstone of its foreign policy and geopolitical strategy. By serving as a counterweight and increasingly a frontline state for Washington in its military-strategic offensive against China, the Indian bourgeoisie has sought to advance its own predatory great-power ambitions. In keeping with this reactionary alignment, India, especially under the would-be Hindu strongman Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also developed increasingly close economic and military-security ties with Israel. Indeed, Modi chose to strengthen Indias strategic partnership with Israel and demonstrate his governments affinity with the Zionist regime, as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were preparing their war on Iran in plain sight for all the world to see. Modi visited Israel on February 25-26, leaving less than 48 hours before missiles and bombs began raining on Iran. Nevertheless, there is some value in documenting the Indian government and bourgeoisies complicity in the war on Iran. First, because the Modi government is anxious to cover up its own role and the barbarities it and the Indian ruling class are ready to countenance and participate in as a junior partner of American imperialism. They are aware that there is latent mass anti-imperialist sentiment among the Indian people, who suffered two centuries of British colonial rule, especially the working class. They also fear the wars impact on the Indian and world economy, under conditions where Trumps global tariff war has already sharply decelerated Indias growth rate, and there is mounting social anger over mass joblessness and endemic poverty and hunger. India is massively dependent on imports of oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf region. The Modi government has invoked emergency powers to redirect supplies of LPG from industrial and commercial users to households, who use it for cooking. Many of the commercial establishments are small mom-and-pop operations that have had to either curtail their hours of operation or close their establishment, at least partially. A prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and disruption of the regions economies will lead not only to a huge spike in energy costs in India that will impact the price of food and other essentials. It will also drive up the price of urea, a key Gulf State import and agricultural input, and likely result in a sharp drop in the $50 billion in remittances that the millions of Indian workers employed in the Gulf send home annually. To deflect popular anger, the government, aided and abetted by a pliant corporate media, is promoting the lie that India is a neutral, third party, working for peace and to uphold the principles of international law, including state sovereignty. Exposing Indias criminal role as an imperialist ally is also important in shattering the malevolent political influence of Indias Stalinist left, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM, and the Communist Party of India (CPI). Doing so is pivotal to the development of a genuine anti-war movement based on the working class and a socialist-internationalist program to put an end to imperialism and the crisis-ridden capitalist system. The Stalinists claim that the Indian bourgeoisie and its state can play a progressive role in world politics, if not under Modi, then under an alternative right-wing, Congress Party-led capitalist government. Their immediate response to the war was to call on the Modi government to condemn it as a breach of international lawas if it would, given its role in vastly expanding Indias military-security ties with both the US and Israeland even if it did, that this would be anything but a hollow gesture. A more substantive statement of the CPM Politburo, arguing from the standpoint of the Indian bourgeoisie, subsequently warned that the Modi governments alignment with US imperialism is damaging Indias pursuit of its own national interests. At the wars outbreak, the BJP government was all but totally silent. Its sole comment was a cynical three-sentence statement that omitted any mention of the United States or Israel, let alone condemned their naked aggression against Iran. It urged all sides to exercise restraint and avoid escalationin effect, calling on Tehran to passively endure the US-Israeli assault. Neither then, nor in the days that followed, did New Delhi ever condemn the decapitation strike that killed Ayatollah Khamenei, who in addition to being Irans head of state was a spiritual leader revered by tens of millions of Shia Muslims worldwide. Nor has it ever condemned the US strike that killed 175 schoolgirls and their teachers at an elementary school in Minab. It took five days before the BJP government dispatched a bureaucrat, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, to the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to sign a condolence book for Khamenei. As it was only after this that Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi, it is likely New Delhi inferred or was told that without this minimal token gesture, high-level contact would be impossible. All this stands in striking contrast to the BJP governments reaction to Irans retaliatory strikes targeting US bases in the Gulf States. On Sunday, March 1, Modi issued a statement condemning an attack on the United Arab Emirates that same day that reportedly killed four people, after calling the UAE president to personally extend condolences. Spoke with President of the UAE, my brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wrote Modi on X. Strongly condemned the attacks on the UAE and condoled the loss of lives in these attacks. India stands in solidarity with the UAE in these difficult times. Thanked him for taking care of the Indian community living in the UAE. We support de-escalation, regional peace, security and stability. Similarly, New Delhi has never condemned the sneak US attack-submarine torpedoing of the IRIS Dena, which killed 150 Iranian sailors, who morally if not legally should have enjoyed the Indian governments protection, given that they had just attended an Indian-military naval exercise along with sailors from around the world. In Indian military and national-security circles there is dismay at the US action. But only from the standpoint that Washington chose to act as a law unto itself off Indias shores, rather than consulting with the Indian navy, which the Pentagon likes to flatter by claiming it is its trusted partner in providing security in the Indian Ocean. Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, remains committed to net zero policies - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Getty Britain faces a years-long energy shock even if the war in Iran comes to a swift resolution, experts have warned. Consultants at LCP Delta predict that electricity prices will rise both this year and next because of a global squeeze on supplies of gas, which is used to generate power and set the UK electricity price. A scramble to refill gas storage is likely to keep price elevated well into next year even if supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) start to flow out of the Gulf again. The forecast will worry the Government, which has relied on LCP Delta to draw up reports on the UK power market. It comes as pressure mounts on Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, to draw up a package of support for homes and businesses that face surging energy bills. Energy UK, an industry trade body, has warned that household bills could jump by 250 a year from July as a result of the Iran war. It has urged the Government to immediately step up efforts to prepare support for those who would struggle most when energy costs rise. LCP Delta said it expects wholesale electricity costs to rise by around 40pc this year and 18pc next year. Chris Matson, a partner at LCP, said the forecast was based on analysis of market prices for delivery of gas across 2026 and 2027. Mr Matson said: Consumers are protected in the short term due to the price cap but eventually these rises will filter through into consumer bills. 1803 Power prices estimated to increase LCP Delta estimates that gas prices will rise by an average of 70pc compared to pre-conflict forecasts this year. Prices will be 36pc through 2027. The prediction is made just on events so far in the Middle East. The impact on bills will be softened by the UKs subsea interconnector links to Norway and France, which supply electricity. Norway relies mainly on hydroelectricity and Frances power is largely nuclear generated, meaning both are less exposed to spikes in gas. However, the scale of increases forecast for electricity prices will still have a significant impact on households and businesses. Qatar is a major supplier of LNG and earlier this month shutdown production at the worlds largest production facility following Iranian attacks. Resumption of production is likely to take weeks once the fighting stops. Elsewhere, a major gas field in the UAE was shutdown after an attack on Monday. Low reserves keep prices elevated Prices are likely to remain high even when gas starts flowing again as countries scramble to fill up gas storage facilities. Europes gas storage levels are around 10pc lower than last year following a cold spell in January, according to consultants at Wood Mackenzie. Reserves are likely to be drawn down further if war in the Middle East and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz continues. Gossamer Bio is headquartered on San Diego's Merryfield Row. The company's recent Phase 3 study on a blood pressure condition didn't achieve its desired results. (Courtesy of Google Streetview) When Gossamer Bio announced poor results from its flagship blood pressure study in February, the San Diego company's stock dropped by 78% in value. Now, it's slashing its staff. The biotech lab began a 77-worker layoff on Monday, cutting its workforce by 48%. Bryan Giraudo, Gossamer's chief financial officer, told SFGATE that the layoffs will help the company's "conservation of cash" as it meets with the Food and Drug Administration to consider its next steps forward after the research miss. Most of the cuts will hit U.S. workers on Gossamer's clinical development and commercial teams, primarily affecting San Diego and the Bay Area, Giraudo said. He said the workers will receive severance packages. Gossamer's recent study was aimed at pulmonary arterial hypertension, a blood pressure condition in the lungs. Patients inhaled Gossamer's drug, seralutinib, for months and participated in six-minute walking tests, where researchers measured changes in the distance traveled. The study group beat the placebo group, but the results missed the target that Gossamer had been aiming for. CEO Faheem Hasnain, in the February news release, wrote: "While we are disappointed to have narrowly missed the stringent prespecified statistical threshold for our primary endpoint, the result still clears the traditional 0.05 p-value, and we believe these data clearly demonstrate seralutinib is an active drug in patients with PAH." Still, investors fled Gossamer's stock on the news - the company's value fell from around $490 million to around $105 million in late February. In the tumultuous world of biotech, such valuation dives are all too common; in fact, Gossamer once traded above a $1 billion valuation before poor seralutinib study results in late 2022 sent its stock plummeting. Hasnain, in a Tuesday news release, said Gossamer is still analyzing the recent study's dataset, and the company plans to request a meeting with the FDA about the data and the drug's regulatory future. In the meantime, it has paused enrollment in another study. The company closed 2025 with around $137 million in its coffers, which it says is enough to fund operations into the beginning of next year. Work at a Bay Area tech company and want to talk? Contact tech reporter Stephen Council on Signal at 628-204-5452. More News - Journalist and historian found dead at Bay Area park - Calif. 'pageant queen' admits to running massive Ponzi scheme - Why Bay Area Goodwills are sending truckloads of clothes to Arizona - Tahoe ski resort calls off season after being open less than 3 months Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) is one of Billionaire Ken Fishers 15 Most Notable Moves for 2026. Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) has reappeared in the 13F portfolio of Fisher Asset Management after an absence of nearly seven years, barring a minor position opened and closed in 2021. Canadian National Railway was a consistent holding of the fund from late 2012 to the middle of 2018. Back then, the stake had 2.15 million shares at its peak purchased at an average price of around $63. The latest filings show that the fund holds close to 2.3 million shares in the railway firm. After opening a new position in the company in the second quarter of 2025, the fund has increased this stake by 13% and 11% in the subsequent two quarters. Compared to peers in the transport industry, Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) is a dividend champion. It has an unblemished record of payouts stretching back 29 years. The payouts have also registered consistent growth during this time. In late January, the company declared a CAD 0.915/share quarterly dividend, a 3.1% increase from prior dividend of CAD 0.887. Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and related transportation businesses in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, customs brokerage, transloading and warehousing, business development, dimensional loads, and private railcar storage. While we acknowledge the potential of CNI 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. Joseph Duggar, one of the stars of the TLC reality show "19 Kids and Counting," has been arrested for alleged sex crimes involving a child. The Bay County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) in Florida said Duggar, 31, was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for alleged sexual activity with a child. BCSO said that on March 18, investigators with the sheriff's office were contacted by a detective in Tontitown, Arkansas. The detective said a 14-year-old victim had come forward with allegations stemming from an encounter with Duggar during a vacation in Panama City Beach. Advertisement Advertisement The family vacation occurred in 2020, when the alleged victim was 9 years old, according to a release from BCSO. The victim claimed Duggar "repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap" and inappropriately touched her. "The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology," BCSO said. "The victim's father confronted Duggar about these incidents on March 17th." Duggar reportedly then admitted the incidents to the victim's father and Tontitown detectives," BCSO added. Duggar was arrested in Tontitown and will be extradited to Bay County. Advertisement Advertisement "The Tontitown Police Department is aware of a reported incident that may cause concern within our community," Tontitown police said. "This incident did not occur in Tontitown. Our officers assisted the victim, the family, and the agency with jurisdiction over the case." Stay with 5NEWS as we bring you the latest. 19 Kids and Counting's Joseph Duggar has been arrested. According to Florida news outlet WJHG 7, the former reality star, 31, has been arrested and charged for Lewd and Lascivious Behavior, involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The outlet notes that the Joseph Duggar arrested is the same one who appeared on the TLC show from 2008 to 2015 alongside other members of his family. Related: Joseph Duggars Mugshot Released After Arrest for Child MolestationSee the Photo Details and Timeline of the Allegations According to the Bay County Sheriff's Office Facebook, investigators were contacted on Wednesday, Mar. 18, by a police detective in Tontitown, Arkansaswhere the Duggar family livesabout a report of past sexual abuse. Advertisement Advertisement During a forensic interview, the 14-year-old victim disclosed incidents involving Duggar during a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, when she was 9. According to the sheriff's office, the victim reported that Duggar "repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap, sit beside him on a couch, and cover them with a blanket." Duggar then allegedly made inappropriate contact with the victim and rubbed his hands on her thighs. The victim said that Duggar eventually apologized, and that the alleged misconduct stopped after the apology. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox. Did Joseph Duggar Admit To His Actions? Investigators discovered the victims father confronted Duggar about these incidents on Mar. 17, 2026, with Duggar admitting his actions to the victims father and to Tontitown Detectives. Duggar was arrested out of state and faces charges of Lewd and Lascivious Behavior, including Molestation of a victim under 12 and conduct by a person 18 or older. He is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County. Advertisement Advertisement Duggar has been married to Kendra Caldwell since 2017, and the pair share four young children. This is not the first arrest for the Duggar family, either. Duggar's older brother, Josh Duggar, was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material in 2021 and sentenced to over 12 years in prison. The Duggar Family did not immediately respond to Parade's request for comment. 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. Related: Who Is Joseph Duggars Wife? What To Know About Kendra Caldwell and Their 4 Kids After His Arrest This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Its taken a while for the former prince Andrew to come close to even facing some consequences for his actions, but these days, hes anything but the powerful royal he was a decade ago. His titles have been stripped, he had to vacate his home at Royal Lodge, and hes reportedly been lying low at Wood Farm, on the Sandringham estate. But what is his next move amid the investigation into his connections with Epstein? First, it looks like Andrew is moving to what will now be his permanent home at Sandringham. The U.S. Sun reported that transportation vans were seen outside Marsh Farm, which confirms Andrews move. According to The Mirror, three vehicles from Gander & White, a company that offers a full range of services, including art storage, art installs, transportation, packing, and more, were believed to be involved in the move. More from StyleCaster Advertisement Advertisement Related: Heres what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth Large wooden gates were recently installed in front of Marsh Farm, and The US. Sun also reported that the place has undergone a full renovation, with new carpets and flooring as well as a new coat of paint. Andrew was always meant to relocate to Marsh Farm and had only been staying at Wood Farm until the renovations were completed. He was arrested while staying at Wood Farm, and reports indicate his previous home at Royal Lodge was among the places law enforcement raided amid the investigation into Andrew. Previous reports had indicated the former prince was planning a move abroad. Rob Shuter, however, reported that the recent landscape in the Middle East had thrown a wrench in his plans. Andrew has spent years building influence in the UAE, one insider said. Between business connections and access to private homes, its always been seen as the place he could run to if things in Britain became too difficult. Advertisement Advertisement King Charles released a statement right after his brothers arrest that said, I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. He added, In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Andrew is not the only one who seems to be looking for somewhere to hide amid the reports of the investigation into his ties to Epstein. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has been secretly living with Priscilla Presley in the United States, according to RadarOnline. Away from the public eye, Sarah is secretly living under Priscilla Presleys roof, using it as a temporary refuge while she navigates her current, and pretty sad, sofa-surfing existence, a source said. Its not a permanent solution by any means more a stopgap while she tries to figure out her next move. Like with Andrew, its a big change for Fergie. The contrast of this set-up with Fergies previous life couldnt be more striking. She was once surrounded by the structure and visibility that came with royal status, living in grand residences and operating in the public spotlight. Advertisement Advertisement Now, theyre both trying to lay low. Now, shes in hiding like some kind of fugitive, moving discreetly between locations and trying to keep a low profile. Best of StyleCaster Sign up for Stylecaster's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEED TO KNOW Chelsea Handler shared details about her recent travels to Jamaica, Finland, and Turkey with her new man during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live The couple first met at a blackjack table in Las Vegas where Handler borrowed money from him and later paid him back, she said Handler previously revealed their relationship flourished after he joined her on a trip to Antarctica and they've been "going strong" since Chelsea Handler is reflecting on the whirlwind getaway she recently took with her new lover. The comedian, 51, recalled her travels around the world with her new man during her March 17 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. During the episode, she first tells Kimmel, 58, that she recently traveled to Jamaica, Finland and Turkey, which prompts the talk show host to ask her who joined her on the extended vacation. Advertisement Advertisement I went with a lover, Handler responds. This current lover, we were together for all three legs of the trip. Jamaica, Finland and Istanbul. So, hes my current lover. When Kimmel asks how she met this lover, Handler says, I met him in Antarctica actually. So were just really seeing the whole world. Thats how I like it. Chelsea Handler on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Credit: Jimmy Kimmel Live/YouTube Clearly shocked to hear the couple first met in Antarctica, Kimmel then asked his guest to provide more details and elaborate on the encounter. Well, I met him in Vegas, Handler clarifies, before continuing the tale. I was gambling and I ran out of money. He had a lot of money with him and I said Hey, can I borrow a couple thousand dollars? Ill start winning right now and Ill pay you back. And I did. I started winning and I paid him back, and I won my money back. Advertisement Advertisement She then says they continued talking after their gambling outing, which led him to invite himself on her Antarctica trip she had coming up at the time. He was texting me the next day going, Youre a vibe. Id like to hang out with you again. And I was like, Well, my next trip is Antarctica. And hes like, Ill see you there,'" she explains. Earlier this month, Handler seemingly hard launched their relationship and shared a glimpse into their travels in a series of photos posted to her Instagram and TikTok on Monday, March 9. One shot showed them getting cozy at what appeared to be a historic site, while another image showed them smiling for a selfie together as they clinked glasses of Aperol spritz cocktails. Chelsea Handler with her new man during their travels Credit: Chelsea Handler/Instagram While Handler did not share the identity of her partner in the posts, she did elaborate on their Vegas meeting in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal published earlier in March. 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. She explained that their first encounter was at a blackjack table at The Cosmopolitan in November 2025 and that their relationship has been flourishing since then. Im still going strong with this guy. Its hot, and a woman like me needs a big move like that, she told the outlet. Read the original article on People Joby Aviation (JOBY) continues to show measured technical progress even as capital requirements remain front and center. The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) developer recently priced a roughly $1.2 billion mix of common stock and convertible notes to fund certification efforts and scale production. However, the weakness has not gone unnoticed. ARK Invest (ARKK), led by Cathie Wood, adjusted positions across its exchange-traded funds last week and added over 27,000 shares of Joby Aviation. More News from Barchart Wood has long backed the broader theme of flying cars and advanced air mobility, consistently allocating capital toward disruptive transportation technologies such as electric aviation, autonomous systems, and urban air mobility platforms. The timing also aligns with improving regulatory visibility. Recently, Joby secured a place in a White House-backed pilot program designed to fast-track electric air taxi operations across 10 states. The Department of Transportations initiative could allow early commercial flights ahead of full Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, opening initial pathways across urban transport and emergency medical services. With fresh capital in place, institutional support holding steady, and regulatory pathways beginning to open, the broader narrative is starting to come together. About Joby Aviation Stock Headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, Joby Aviation is at the intersection of aviation and clean technology. The company develops eVTOL aircraft aimed at reshaping urban mobility. With a market cap of about $9 billion, it focuses on designing, manufacturing, and eventually operating quiet, zero-emission air taxis through integrated ride-sharing ecosystems and strategic partnerships. The stock tells a two-sided story. Jobys shares have declined 26.3% over the past three months, reflecting dilution concerns and capital intensity. Yet, zooming out, it has gained 51.24% over the past year, suggesting that long-term investors still see the runway ahead. www.barchart.com Valuation remains a sticking point. JOBY stock is trading at 85.16 times sales, a figure sitting far above the industry benchmark, signaling a premium. After stand-up comedian and comedy club owner Matthew Becker was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he traveled thousands of miles from Arizona to Alaska to try and kill his ex-wife. The incident ended up with the wifes father being murdered, while Becker also died himself. Becker, 61, was charged with first-degree murder and third-degree assault after he attacked his ex-wife and his former father-in-law, Romaine Clark, during a shooting spree in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 14. The Anchorage Police Department said that Becker was found dead one day later "in the woods" of Eagle River, according to a police press release. Advertisement Advertisement It is not currently clear how Becker died. His brother said that he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, according to Arizona's Family. However, its not clear how long before the shooting he learned of his diagnosis. What Did Nick Reiner Say to Bill Hader? Inside Their Awkward Christmas Party Exchange Becker's attempted killing of his ex-wife was detailed in a criminal complaint obtained by KTUU. The complaint stated that the woman called Anchorage Police and claimed that Becker "had just tried to shoot her. By the time officers reported to the scene, Becker had already fled. Advertisement Advertisement The ex-wife told police she arrived at her salon and parked her car in front of the business, while Becker was in a vehicle parked directly next to her. "[The woman] advised she began walking toward the entrance of the building to unlock the door," the complaint stated. "As she passed the Silver Altima she observed the driver, Becker, seated in the driver's seat. [The woman] advised she was unaware her ex-husband was in state as he moved to Arizona after their divorce." The woman tried to unlock the salons door, "but believed it had been tampered with as her key would not go into the lock. The complaint then stated that Becker got out of his vehicle and started walking toward her. "As Becker advanced toward her, she backed away," the complaint said. "Becker utilized a pistol and began firing multiple shots at her as she ran from him in fear of losing her life." Advertisement Advertisement The woman ran away and hid until Becker left. Once he was gone, she called the police to report what happened. She told police she was worried about her father and believed he might be targeted, as well. Cops then went to check on Clark, who was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Police believe that Becker went directly to his ex-wifes house after he confronted her at the salon, which is when he likely shot Clark through a plate-glass window from outside of the home. Everything to Know About Rob Reiner and Wife Micheles Deaths: Son Nicks Plea and More Becker's brother said that he moved to Arizona after the couple divorced in 2020, per KTUU. He owned a comedy club called Chuckleheads in Bisbee, while he also appeared to perform stand-up at the club. The Anchorage Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weeklys request for comment. Prince Harry appeared to be pressing ahead with a high-stakes Australia trip even as the Royal Family dealt with fresh turbulence at home. The Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle were said to be using the visit to test their next chapter. The journey also came as questions grew around their brand, Netflix ties, and long-term direction. In that context, one expert said Harry should not let the wider family crisis freeze his own plans. Prince Harry shouldnt let Royal Familys Ex-Prince Andrew turmoil stop him, says expert As per Mirror, PR expert Dermot McNamara said the Sussexes had plenty riding on their Australia visit. He said they were probably hoping to reignite their global brand in Australia. He also said the trip was a last chance for them to establish where they fit and where they want to go. Meanwhile, Prince Harry was said to feel a pull back toward public life, especially in a country that had welcomed him warmly before. Earlier, Harry and Markle toured Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in 2018 as newlyweds. That 16-day visit also began with their pregnancy announcement. Because of that history, Dermot said the new tour could cash in on the nostalgia from their earlier success. He added, Harry, in particular, probably feels he should get back out there. However, he also said the journey carried a lot of possibilities but also a lot of risk. Markles Sydney retreat appearance added another layer, with premium access reportedly priced at 1,700. Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the Royal Family was dealing with ongoing pressure tied to former Prince Andrew. Dermot acknowledged that reality directly. The royal family is in turmoil, and as a member of that family, so too is Harry, he said. Still, he pushed back on the idea that Prince Harry should pause everything. Although Dermot admitted the Sussexes Australia trip is ill-timed, while also adding, but just because his other family members are embroiled in a scandal, why should Harry put his life on hold? In turn, the trip also landed as Markles As Ever brand stood on its own after ending its Netflix partnership. Harrys own path looked less settled after his Sentebale exit. So, the visit seemed designed to show movement, purpose, and a future beyond the family storm. The post Expert Warns Prince Harry Not To Let Ex-Prince Andrew Scandal Stop Him appeared first on Reality Tea. Stefanie Pieper a social media influencer who was found dead in November may have been buried alive in a suitcase, according to new details that have emerged from the case. Pieper was a beauty, fashion and cosmetics influencer, as well as a makeup artist with more than 48,000 followers on Instagram. She was reported missing by a colleague on November 23 after she failed to show up for a scheduled photoshoot, according to People. Her 31-year-old ex-boyfriend was taken into custody the following day. Days later, he confessed to the crime and directed the police to a wooded area where Piepers body was found inside a suitcase buried in the forest. The woods reportedly had significance to the ex-boyfriends family. A spokesperson for the Graz Public Prosecutors Office in Austria, where the crime took place, told the outlet BILD that although the autopsy could determine that she experienced violence and was strangled, it could not determine when she died. As a result, the statement noted its entirely possible that she was alive when she was placed in the suitcase. Advertisement Advertisement The statement also stated, however, that its also equally possible she died by strangulation before being placed in the suitcase. However, it seems theres no way for experts to know for sure. Her ex-boyfriend is reportedly still in pretrial detention in Austria, awaiting a trial thats scheduled for later this year. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in prison for the crime. Read More From Globe This story Influencer May Have Been Alive When She Was Placed in Suitcase Before Death, New Report Says first appeared on Globe. Add Globe as a Preferred Source by clicking here. NEED TO KNOW Authorities in Washington County, Arkansas have released Joseph Duggar's mugshot following his arrest on child molestation charges Duggar is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl while vacationing with her family in Panama City Beach, Fla. in 2020 The 19 Kids and Counting star is awaiting extradition to Bay County, Fla., where he will face the charges Arkansas authorities have released Joseph Duggar's mugshot following his March 18 arrest on charges of child molestation. Duggar's mugshot was made public by Washington County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday evening, hours after he was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old, and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older. Advertisement Advertisement Duggar, 31, is listed as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 206 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair, according to jail records viewed by PEOPLE. He was booked into the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Ark. at 3:59 p.m. local time, as previously confirmed by PEOPLE. The arresting agency was the Tonitown Police Department, per the records. Duggar was arrested in connection with an incident that allegedly took place in 2020, in which he is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl while vacationing with her family in Panama City Beach, Fla. Authorities allege that Joseph asked the victim to sit on his lap before sexually abusing her. "As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victims underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs," Bay County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) said. Advertisement Advertisement "The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology," the BCSO's statement continued. Duggar is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County, where he will face the charges. His arrest comes after the victim participated in a forensic interview following a report of past sexual abuse. The victim's father confronted Duggar about the incidents and Joseph "allegedly admitted his actions to the father and Tontitown detectives," police said. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Joseph Duggar Credit: TLC/YouTube PEOPLE confirms that Duggar is in police custody, but an official extradition timeline has not been released. Advertisement Advertisement Duggar's arrest comes nearly four years after his older brother, Josh Duggar, 38, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison on charges of possession of child pornography in 2022. Josh was also accused of sexually abusing five girls, including his sisters, Jill (Duggar) Dillard and Jessa (Duggar) Seewald. PEOPLE reached out to the Bay County Sheriff's Office and a representative for the Duggar family for comment. Duggar is scheduled to appear in court on March 20, per jail records viewed by PEOPLE. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Read the original article on People NEED TO KNOW Joseph Duggar wed his wife Kendra in 2017 The 19 Kids and Counting star and Kendra share four children On March 18, Joseph Duggar was arrested and accused of child molestation following a 2020 incident involving a 9-year-old girl in Florida Joseph Duggar is facing child molestation charges following a 2020 incident in Florida involving a 9-year-old girl. Joseph, who rose to fame on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting, was on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Fla., when the alleged incident occurred. The real estate broker has been married to his wife Kendra since 2017 and is the father of multiple children. He shares sons Garrett, 7, and daughters Addison, 6, and Brooklyn, 4, with Kendra, whom he met through church. The couple also share a fourth child, according to jail records obtained by PEOPLE in which Joseph is listed as a father of four. The pair have only publicly confirmed the birth of their first three children. Advertisement Advertisement The Counting On alum was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, and allegedly admitted to his actions after being confronted by the victim's father and local detectives. He was arrested in Arkansas, where he and his family reside. Joseph is not the first Duggar sibling to be accused of child molestation. As a teenager, Josh Duggar was accused of molesting five girls, including two of his sisters. Josh is currently serving a more than 12-year prison sentence after being found guilty of two charges of knowingly receiving and possessing child pornography in 2021. Here's everything to know about Joseph Duggar's wife Kendra and their children. Joseph met Kendra through their church Joseph and Kendra Duggar Credit: Little Duggar Family/Instagram Joseph and Kendra (nee Caldwell) met each other through church. After courting her for a few months, Joseph proposed to Kendra at his sister Joy-Anna's wedding in May 2017. Joseph and Kendra got married in September 2017 Just a few months after getting engaged, Joseph and Kendra wed on Sept. 8, 2017. The ceremony was held at the First Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, Ark., and they were married by the bride's father, who is a pastor. At the time, Joseph was 23, and Kendra was 19. Advertisement Advertisement Their nuptials later aired on an episode of TLC's Counting On. They have welcomed multiple children together Joseph and Kendra Duggar with their children Credit: Joseph and Kendra Duggar/Instagram The couple's first child, son Garrett David, was born in 2018. Their second child and first daughter, Addison Renee, arrived the next year, followed by daughter Brooklyn Praise in 2021. According to jail records obtained by PEOPLE, Joseph and Kendra have welcomed a fourth child, though the couple have not publicly spoken about the birth. Joseph and Kendra used to frequently share images of their growing family on Instagram, though their joint account hasn't posted since November 2021. They are raising their family in Arkansas Joseph and Kendra are raising their family in his home state of Arkansas. According to the Duggar family's website, the couple enjoy being active outdoors and building homes to sell. Joseph was arrested for allegedly molesting a minor Joseph Duggar Credit: TLC/YouTube On March 18, Joseph was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, the Bay County Sheriff's Office announced. Advertisement Advertisement The arrest, which occurred in Arkansas, happened after the victim, now 14, participated in a forensic interview regarding a report of past sexual abuse. During a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Fla., in 2020, Joseph allegedly asked the then-9-year-old victim to sit on his lap several times. "As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victims underwear and grazed her genitals, Bay County Sheriff's Office said. According to the victim, Joseph apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped. On March 17, after the forensic interview, the victim's father confronted Joseph about the incidents and Joseph "allegedly admitted his actions to the father and Tontitown detectives." PEOPLE reached out to the Bay County Sheriff's Office and a representative for the Duggar family. Read the original article on People As questions continue around Meghan Markles business plans and public image, a PR expert warns that her upcoming retreat to Australia could deepen the crisis and make Prince Harry appear out of touch by association. Mayah Riaz, the expert, weighed in on the Duchess of Sussexs scheduled appearance at a luxurious girls weekend retreat in Sydney. Her Best Life podcast founder Gemma ONeill will host the event, and it will go on from April 17 to April 19, where organisers say Markle and ONeill will discuss life, parenting, relationships, building a global business and navigating a public persona. How Meghan Markles Australia retreat risks Prince Harry looking out of touch, says expert In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, PR expert Mayah Riaz discussed how Meghan Markles Australia retreat can exacerbate the crisis for Prince Harry. The price point has already raised eyebrows. Tickets start at around $2,699 per person, with an upgraded option of $3,199 that costs more for added perks. So, for critics who already question how the Sussexes connect with regular supporters, Riaz explained that the optics create a larger risk. Advertisement Advertisement Riaz warned, Well, this is where perception becomes a problem. Moreover, she emphasized, At a time when theyre facing criticism around relatability and authenticity, attaching her name to a high-ticket, exclusive event feels totally tone deaf. It plays into the narrative that they are out of touch. She further explained, It risks undermining any message about wanting to connect with everyday people. Additionally, Riaz flagged, It sends the message that access to Meghan is a luxury product, which really doesnt sit comfortably with the brand theyve been trying to build. She told The Mirror, Overall, Id say this isnt a collapse, but it is a turning point. Riaz added, They either reset and become more focused and credible, or they risk drifting into celebrity noise without substance. As Markle prepares to take the stage in Sydney, the retreat now looks like more than a wellness weekend for the Duke of Sussex. Originally reported by Ishika Mishra on Reality Tea. The post Meghan Markles Tone-Deaf Retreat Puts Prince Harry at Risk Expert appeared first on Mandatory. If ever there was a good excuse to invest in a new outfit, a state banquet is up there with the best of them. However for Princess Anne, for whom such occasions are as familiar as supermarket trips are for the rest of us, its simply an opportunity to delve into her clothing archive. She did just that on Wednesday evening at the state banquet marking the Nigeria state visit, wearing a formal white coat which she was first photographed in 57 years ago when she was 18 years old to attend the Run Wild, Run Free premiere in London. Its an impressive move on two counts. Firstly that, at 75, she can still fit into an item created when she was a teenager. And secondly that she has kept the coat for such a long time. Princess Anne wore the original coat at the Run Wild, Run Free premiere in London, 1969 - Keystone-France Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence at the state banquet - Aaron Chown The white design appeared to have been slightly tweaked since its first outing. The geometric circular detailing which can be seen in 1969 remains intact on the sleeves, however the collar has been replaced with a more simple version. The distinctive trim and textured material is also the same. Advertisement Advertisement With her practical style mindset, the Princess Royal likely tasked a dressmaker with updating the old piece rather than wasting material on an entirely new commission. Its a familiar move from Anne who is always more likely to wear something old than new, no matter what the occasion. She has previously worn a 36-year-old coat on Christmas Day and a 27-year-old dress to a wedding. For the Princess of Wales, who will one day become Queen, clothing choices speak volumes in an entirely different way and she has chosen to deploy the diplomatic flattery which fashion can convey. She did this powerfully on Wednesday, flexing two takes on the approach. The Prince and Princess of Wales during the state banquet for Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and first lady Remi Tinubu - Aaron Chown/PA If her grey coatdress by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker earlier in the day was a clever talking-point decision, rather than an obvious nod to Nigeria (you needed to know the backstory), then Wednesday evenings state banquet gown an Andrew Gn design in a deep shade of green to match the Nigerian flag was the in-your-face diplomatic moment. Knowing that images of her first tiara outing of 2026 would beam around the world in an instant, the Princess saved her famous flag dressing move one she has deployed many times before for the pinnacle of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and first lady Remi Tinubus UK visit. The Prince and Princess of Wales as the evenings formal celebrations get under way - Henry NICHOLLS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images The Princess selected the Queen Mary Lovers Knot tiara for the fourteenth time, making it by far her most-worn tiara. Designed by Garrard in 1913, the spectacular diamond and pearl creation was worn by Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana before Catherine began wearing it in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement The Lovers Knot Tiara helpfully places Catherine in an immediate royal history context, given its roots with Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth II, says Lauren Kiehna, the royal jewellery expert behind The Court Jeweller website. The fact that it was worn for so many years by her mother-in-law, Diana, is also surely an important touchpoint for both Catherine and William, who posted that sentimental picture to celebrate Mothers Day on Sunday. The Princess of Wales and Princess Diana wearing the Queen Mary Lovers Knot tiara - (Aaron Chown/PA) (Anwar Hussein/Getty Images) Beyond the diplomatic gesture of wearing green for the Nigeria visit, Gns flowy chiffon gown seemed to encapsulate the Princesss nature era, which has been the cornerstone of her public messaging since her return to work following cancer treatment. Often, Catherine chooses strictly tailored silhouettes for these engagements, but Wednesday evenings had a more laid-back and ethereal feel which was enhanced by her hair being worn in long, loose waves. The Princess previously wore an emerald coatdress by Gn for King Charless first Trooping the Colour parade in 2023. At the time, it was thought he had been selected as a nod to the forthcoming Earthshot Prize ceremony in Singapore, where he was born and brought up. Catherine finished her look with a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings, heirloom royal pieces which she has been wearing since 2015. The sapphire and diamond earrings are gorgeous pieces from the Queen Mothers jewellery box, and they co-ordinate beautifully with the deep blue colour of Catherines Royal Victorian Order sash, notes Kiehna. Advertisement Advertisement The Queen was elegant in an embroidered gown by her most-trusted dress designer Fiona Clare. She wore Queen Elizabeth IIs sapphire and diamond tiara with her own serpent necklace. I suspect that Queen Camilla loves the Belgian Sapphire Tiara because it was made for a modern wearer, says Kiehna. The nineteenth-century necklace was converted to a tiara for Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960s, and it sits beautifully on contemporary hairstyles. The Queen wore an embroidered gown by Fiona Clare seen here arriving alongside King Charles, Nigerian president Bola Tinubu and first lady Remi Tinubu - Aaron Chown/via REUTERS The Queen wore Elizabeth IIs sapphire and diamond tiara with her own serpent necklace - Aaron Chown/PA Earlier on Wednesday, Catherine greeted president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and first lady Remi Tinubu in a grey tailored coat with white buttons and piping by Tolu Coker, a British-Nigerian designer. Coker is the designer who opened London Fashion Week in February with the King sitting front row notably on the same day that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by police. This look, by the 29-year-old Central St Martins graduate, is more than a diplomatic choice. She comes with some serious design cred, having worked at Celine and JW Anderson before founding her own label. Shes won a slew of new talent awards and in January 2024 appeared on the cover of British Vogue. The Princess and Prince of Wales greeted the Nigerian president and first lady on their Windsor state visit earlier in the day - Yui Mok/PA Wire King Charles sits on the front row of Cokers show during London Fashion Week in February 2026 - Richard Pohle/WPA Pool/Getty Advertisement Advertisement Coker is a thoughtful choice because her work is layered with meaning. Like many young designers, she sees fashion partly as a cultural essay, but never gets bogged down in subtext and theory, The Telegraphs head of fashion, Lisa Armstrong, wrote last month. These are clothes that celebrate dressing up in the two countries that shaped her. The Princess completed the outfit with a bespoke cocktail hat by Jane Taylor one of her go-to milliners and Collingwood pearl drop earrings, which she wore for her 40th birthday portraits and which once belonged to Princess Diana. Catherine wore Collingwood pearl drop earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana - Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Queen Camilla was also on hand to welcome the visiting dignitaries, looking very spring-ready in a cherry blossom pink wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and a beret-style hat by Philip Treacy. She also reached for the heirloom jewellery, pinning a pair of diamond Cartier flower clips that had previously belonged to the late Queen to her lapels. First lady Tinubu, who is also a politician, represented Nigeria in a deep green dress, embroidered with floral details. The shade was a nod, most likely, to the countrys flag. On her head, she wore a mustard-hued gele, with a matching wrap across her shoulders. Queen Camilla wore Cartier flower clips previously belonging to Queen Elizabeth II on her lapels - Hannah McKay/WPA Pool/Getty Mrs Tinubu would likely appreciate the message and propriety in the Princesss outfit. In 2024, she sparked controversy when her remarks about modest dressing were misinterpreted as a criticism of the Duchess of Sussexs wardrobe on her visit to Nigeria that year. Advertisement Advertisement We have to salvage our children, she said at the time. You know we see the way they dress, they keep forgetting that Nigeria, we are beautiful. The moment you can see what they showcase on the stage, I said, we are fashionable! We see what is going on. We are not having the Met Gala We dont accept nakedness in our culture. That is not beautiful. 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 jury ruled in favor of rapper Afroman on all counts after Adams County deputies sued him over a music video he made using security footage from a 2022 raid on his home, court records show. The jury ruled in favor of the musician in all 13 counts, which included both defamation and false light claims from the deputies involved, according to documents filed in the Adams County Common Pleas Court. In August 2022, Adams County deputies raided the home of Afroman, the stage name of Joseph Foreman, with a search warrant tied to an investigation into possible drugs and kidnapping victims. No charges were filed after the raid. Afroman attends the 2019 Daytime Beauty Awards at The Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 2019. Deputies seized thousands of dollars in cash, which was later returned, but Afroman said about $400 was never recovered. Advertisement Advertisement Afroman said the raid left damage throughout his home, and that the Adams County Sheriffs Office told him it was not responsible for paying for repairs. The guy started laughing and waddling his head, and said were not required to do that. They were unapologetic, Afroman said. Afroman said he turned the experience into music, using his own security footage from the raid in a music video to help pay for the repairs. Deputies seized thousands of dollars in cash, which was later returned, but Afroman said about $400 was never recovered. Afroman said the raid left damage throughout his home, and that the Adams County Sheriffs Office told him it was not responsible for paying for repairs. Advertisement Advertisement The guy started laughing and waddling his head, and said were not required to do that. They were unapologetic, Afroman said. Hip-hop artist Joseph Foreman, better known by his stage name Afroman, speaks to the News-Leader at a Springfield, Missouri, recording studio on Dec. 13, 2022. Afroman said he turned the experience into music, using his own security footage from the raid in a music video to help pay for the repairs. Afroman filed a countersuit for the damages to his home. Judge Jonathan P. Hein dismissed those claims in February. I dont like that they dismissed all of my claims with a click of a button in some little office somewhere without a hearing, Afroman said. Afroman said the lawsuit against him was not just about money, but he believes it is a violation of his freedom of speech. Advertisement Advertisement I should have freedom of speech. I should be allowed to speak out about my life, and police officers that violate my home and steal my money should not be allowed to sue me, he said. Afroman performs July 18 at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds as part of the Rock the Country touring music festival. Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Afroman wins lawsuit over 'Lemon Pound Cake' video of Ohio raid At SXSW 2026, the red carpet buzzed with excitement as fans, filmmakers, and artists gathered in Austin, Texas, for the world premiere of Noah Kahan: Out of Body. Amid the flashing cameras and festival energy, Studio 512s Blake Haynes caught up with Noah Kahan for an honest and heartfelt conversation that went far beyond the spotlighttouching on his Vermont upbringing, mental health journey, creative evolution, dream collaborators, and his undeniable love for Austins Mexican food scene. The result was a rare glimpse into the artist behind the anthemsthoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly open. Growing Up in Vermont: The Roots of Noah Kahans Sound For Noah Kahan, Vermont isnt just homeits the foundation of his worldview and music. On the red carpet, Kahan reflected on how growing up in a quiet, rural environment shaped his introspective songwriting style and emotional honesty. Advertisement Advertisement Theres something about isolation that forces you to sit with your feelings, Kahan shared. That solitude, paired with the stark beauty of New England landscapes, has deeply influenced the poetic imagery and raw storytelling that fans hear throughout his music. From small-town isolation to global acclaim, Kahans Vermont roots remain central to how he sees the worldgrounded, reflective, and deeply human. Inside The Great Divide: A New Chapter in His Music Kahan also opened up about his new album, The Great Divide, which continues his evolution as both a musician and storyteller. The project explores themes of distanceemotional, personal, and societalwhile expanding his sonic palette. When asked to describe the album Kahan said, its very long and theres lot of music. Advertisement Advertisement The Great Divide offers fans a more expansive sound while staying true to the vulnerability that has defined his work. The record delves into healing, identity, and growth, resonating with listeners navigating their own crossroads. Dream Duets: Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Dean, and More When asked about dream collaborations, Kahan didnt hesitate to name artists who inspire himincluding Phoebe Bridgers, known for her emotionally piercing songwriting, and Olivia Dean, whose soulful presence has been gaining global attention. These potential collaborations speak to his admiration for musicians who prioritize emotional authenticity, reinforcing his place in a generation redefining vulnerability in modern music. Vulnerability on Display in Noah Kahan: Out of Body The SXSW premiere also marked an important moment for Kahan personally. Noah Kahan: Out of Body offers an unfiltered look at his career, personal struggles, and ongoing commitment to mental health transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the documentary, Kahan speaks candidly about anxiety, depression, and the pressure that comes with successtopics he has long addressed within his music but now explores visually and narratively. The documentary reinforces Kahans reputation as an artist who leads with empathy, encouraging honest conversations around mental health in an industry still learning how to support its creatives. Why Noah Kahan Loves Austin (Hint: Its the Tacos) Of course, no SXSW conversation would be complete without talking about Austin itself. Between interviews and screenings, Kahan made it clear that Austins Mexican foodespecially tacoshas fully won him over. From food trucks to hole-in-the-wall spots, Austins culinary culture added another layer of joy to his SXSW experience. For Kahan, its the perfect balance: meaningful conversations by day, unforgettable meals by night. SXSW, Storytelling, and the Power of Connection As the festival continues to celebrate innovation across music, film, and culture, Noah Kahans presence at SXSW felt especially meaningful. Noah Kahan: Out of Body isnt just a documentaryits an invitation to understand the person behind the songs and the healing power of storytelling. Advertisement Advertisement Through his music, openness, and genuine connection with fans, Kahan continues to prove that vulnerability isnt a weaknessits a bridge. And sometimes, that bridge leads straight to tacos in Austin. All facts from this article were gathered by Studio 512 employees. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by Studio 512 staff. 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 KXAN Austin. Warning: The article below contains discussions of sexual assault and child abuse. Five years after his brother and 19 Kids and Counting costar Josh Duggar was sentenced to prison for possessing child sexual abuse materials, Joseph Duggar is now facing charges of lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor after allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl while vacationing in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020. According to People, the former reality star was booked into the Washington County, Arkansas, jail on March 18 and is now awaiting extradition to Bay County, Florida, where he will face the charges. Advertisement Advertisement A social media post made by the Bay County Sheriffs Office stated: The Bay County Sheriffs Office has arrested and charged 31-year-old Joseph Garrett Duggar for Lewd and Lascivious Behavior, involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor. On March 18, 2026, Bay County investigators were contacted by a detective with the Tonitown Police Department regarding a report of past sexual abuse. The 14-year-old victim participated in a forensic interview, where she disclosed several incidents involving Duggar that occurred during a family vacation in Panama City Beach when she was 9-years old. In a statement taken by the Bay County Sheriffs Office that was shared in the post, Duggar was said to have asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket, after which he allegedly manipulated the victims underwear and grazed her genitals. According to the post, the exact charges for which Joseph Duggar was arrested were Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Molestation of a Victim Less Than 12-years-old and Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Conducted By A Person 18 Years or Older. Advertisement Advertisement The arrest comes more than a decade after his brother Joshs own legal issues first became public. On May 21, 2015, In Touch Weekly revealed a 2006 police report detailing sexual molestation allegations against Josh. Then, in April 2021, six years after the Duggar familys reality show was canceled, Josh was arrested for sharing child porn files as well as images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including toddlers. Duggar was also accused of molesting four of his sisters and a babysitter, accusations which were investigated in 2006 but not pursued due to the statute of limitations. If you or someone you know is the victim of child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453). If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Networks National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider. Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. The Battery Gap Widens With little to no surprise, most electric vehicle batteries produced last year came from China. According to Nikkei Asia, Chinese EV battery makers accounted for around 70 percent of the global market in 2025 a sharp increase from less than 50 percent in 2021. China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) which has supplied batteries for Ford EVs like the Mustang Mach-E remained the industry leader and reported a record net profit of 72.2 billion yuan (about $10.4 billion at current exchange rates) in 2025, up 42 percent from the previous year. Chinese firms also dominated the rankings, accounting for six of the worlds top 10 battery manufacturers by installed capacity last year. Notably, Chinese battery makers have been less exposed to the EV slowdown in the U.S., largely due to their limited presence in that market, while South Korean firms like LG Energy Solution and SK On have been more significantly impacted. Jacob Oliva/Autoblog Jacob Oliva/Autoblog The Slowdown Ripple Effect The slowdown has been tied to shifting policy support, forcing South Korean battery makers to adjust. SK On a key supplier for Hyundai Motor Group EVs like the Ioniq 5 has cut 958 jobs at its Georgia plant. LG Energy Solution, meanwhile, is also restructuring, with its Ohio joint venture with Honda Motor selling a factory building and related assets to Hondas U.S. subsidiary. On the other hand, Chinese battery makers continue to expand outside the U.S., including in Europe, where BYD is building out its manufacturing footprint in Hungary and Turkey. BYD, which ranked second to CATL in global share last year, continues to produce batteries in-house for its own vehicles while also increasing supply to other automakers, including Stellantis and Xiaomi. Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua via Getty Images Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua via Getty Images Survival of the Fittest While Chinese companies posted strong results in 2025, the outlook this year appears more mixed. The report notes that new sales of electrified vehicles fell 28 percent year-on-year in the JanuaryFebruary 2026 period following adjustments to government subsidies. The shift could push out weaker players and favor more competitive, profitable companies, though it may also pose risks for Chinese suppliers. If China keeps widening its lead, it could effectively set the global price floor for EV batteries. Unless American and allied automakers can scale up fast enough, they risk facing higher battery costs, which would make affordable EVs harder to build. That matters in the U.S., where budget-friendly choices are already scarce, with the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf still among the few mainstream models hovering around the $30,000 range. A former Miss Minnesota has been chosen to host a new Netflix reality competition show set in a shopping mall. Producers announced this week that Haley Baylee now a social media influencer and model based in New York will be the face of "Win the Mall," which Netflix describes as part shopping spree, part social strategy. Of course, Baylee quickly shared the good news with her 9.8 million Instagram followers alongside trending audio, Hillary Duff's "What Dreams Are Made Of" from the 2003 "Lizzie McGuire Movie." Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for our BREAKING NEWS newsletters Born Haley O'Brien in Excelsior, Baylee was crowned Miss Minnesota in 2014 and was married to retired Minnesota Vikings tackle Matt Kalil from 2015 to 2022. She also graduated from St. Cloud State University. Haley Kalil | Facebook (Haley Kalil | Facebook) Netflix's "Win the Mall" involves 10 teams of shoppers who "face off against each other as they attempt to gain control of storefronts, increase their spending power, and outmaneuver their rivals," according to a recent post on the streaming platform's companion site Tudum. It's produced by Fremantle, a London-based TV company that's also behind NBC's "American Idol" and Netflix's "Too Hot To Handle." Advertisement Advertisement The eight-episode series is set to premiere in the fall. This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Lifestyle section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The View guest co-host Sara Eisen defended Donald Trumps decision to take the U.S. into war with Iran, prompting laughter from the audience and pushback from the panel. CNBC news anchor Eisen, 41, is standing in this week for regular co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is currently on maternity leave. During Wednesdays segment of the talk show, Eisen addressed the director of the National Counterterrorism Centers recent decision to step down from his post. Joe Kent announced his resignation 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. Advertisement Advertisement Reacting to Kents message, Eisen said: I think its disrespectful and wrong to assume that the United States and the president especially this president, whatever you think of him does not act on his own agency and on behalf of the United States of America. Fellow co-hosts Sara Haines and Whoopi Goldberg jumped in, laughing and arguing that most of Trumps decisions are driven by self-interest. I think we have to call this what it is, Eisen continued before co-host Sunny Hostin interrupted to ask: This corrupt president, you dont think he acts on his own benefit? Joe Kent resigned as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center over Americas involvement in the Iran war (The Tucker Carlson Show) 'The View' guest co-host Sara Eisen (left) defended President Trump against claims he 'acts on his own benefit' (ABC/Getty) Im saying he acts he does not get coerced by other nations like Israel, Eisen replied, as the studio audience broke into laughter. Really?! Hostin said in disbelief. If that helps you sleep at night, thats great, she added with a sly grin. Advertisement Advertisement Eisen further insisted that Kents messaging perpetuated the old school, antisemitic trope to blame the Jews and to blame Israel. Its as old as time, she continued. When youve got problems in the world, blame the media, blame the bankers, blame the Jews. And it is flat-out antisemitic, absolutely. I think we should call it what it is. Clarifying that it was Kents statement and withdrawal that she felt were antisemitic, she noted: He does not blame the president. He blames Israel. The Independent has contacted Kents representative for comment. Eisen is best known for co-anchoring CNBCs Squawk on the Street and Money Movers. She is serving as a replacement guest this week for Farah Griffin, who has been on maternity leave since giving birth to her first child in February. A series of conservative guest hosts, including Savannah Chrisley and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, have been filling in for Farah Griffin, one of the talk shows main Republican voices. For Christel Walter, the decision to protect 135 acres along the Green River in Mill Spring goes back to her roots, growing up in a village near Stuttgart close to the Black Forest. We come from Germany, she says. Forests are something we feel spiritually connected to and deeply appreciate. Owning a woodlot, like owning a home, instills a sense of pride and responsibility. After moving to the U.S. at nineteen, Christel still felt that way about forests. Eventually, she and her husband Manfred were able to buy beautiful forest land on both sides of the Green Riverand they acted on their ethic of stewardship by working with Conserving Carolina to protect it. Advertisement Advertisement This spring, coming back from the catastrophe of Helene and a great personal loss, those woods are a place of new life. Christel Walter is working to protect and restore 135 acres of land along the Green River which was hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024. Sustained by the Forest In Germany, Christels family relied on their woods to sustain lifeproviding food, energy, and traditions. She says, Our parents were the first generation that moved off the farm. My father inherited a sliver of woodland when his brother took over the family farm. This is where he spent time coaxing pine seedlings into growing trees. This is where we went to pick wild raspberries and blackberries in the spring and this is where we cut our Christmas tree each year. It is a tradition we still maintain. When our family comes to North Carolina for Christmas, we go to the woods for a cedar tree. She says, There was great scarcity after the war, when I was a child. One of my most vivid memories was that one year we collected beechnuts that were then pressed into oil. I have never seen such an abundance of beechnuts again. During that time, everyone went into the woods to get whatever firewood there was to supplement expensive coal. We were lucky to have a woodlot and relatives that shared. On Saturdays the hot water boiler was fired up, using wood, and everyone took a bath." Advertisement Advertisement Christel moved to the States in 1961 and then Manfred did. The two had been neighbors in Germany; now in America, they became a couple. They went on to have three children. Christel says it was by sheer luck that she and Manfred found themselves living on this mountainside overlooking the Green River. Manfred fell in love with this area as he traveled for work and they bought their land in 1971. Before moving here in 2002, the Walters had been living in Wisconsinwhich was also good luck, Christel says, because their neighborhood bordered a nature preserve that gave them access to Lake Michigan. It was in Wisconsin that they started learning how to be habitat healers by removing invasive species, restoring a prairie, and collecting and sowing native seeds. So, when they came to the mountains of North Carolina, Christel says, we were primed. They managed their land for nature, encouraging native plants and thriving wildlife habitat. Debris from Tropical Storm Helene, including a couch, on Christel Walter's property along the Green River. Land Was What Mattered Coming from Germany, where most land holdings were tiny, it was unbelievable that their family could own a large expanse of woods. Christel says their relatives didnt believe it until they came and saw for themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Christel says that they thought, We dont need any big house. We dont have to pretend to be rich. They could have traveled the world like some people do in retirement, but it was land that mattered to them. Their daughter also came to live on the property, in a historic log cabin. In 2014, Christel and Manfred donated a conservation easement to Conserving Carolinaprotecting 66 acres of beautiful mountainside land forever. Then, along with their two sons, they bought another parcel on the other side of the river, where the family protected another 69 acres this December. Now, the Walter family has conserved a total of 135 acres of private landproviding a legacy for their family while preserving the benefits of nature for the wider community. Coming Back After Disaster Its almost the time of year that Christel starts to look for spring beauty, showy orchis and trilliums to pop up from the forest floor. Soon, flame azaleas will glow in the spring woods. The white-blooming trees will start floweringsilverbells, serviceberry, and dogwoods. Advertisement Advertisement Its a time of beauty in the woodsand its also the first spring coming back after a very hard year. In January last year, Manfred, Christels husband of 62 years passed away unexpectedly. That came only four months after Helenewhen the water rose a staggering 32 feet and left their riverbanks covered in fallen trees and wreckage. The ruins of someones cabin washed up on their land and a blue-and-white couch perched on a tangle of logs. Then, the land suffered another blow. Last spring, contractors hauled off the flood debris, but they also drove heavy machinery and cleared wide swaths along the riverbanks that Christel and Manfred had tended so carefully. Banks where trees used to shade and cool the water, where wildflowers had bloomed, were now bare mud bleeding into the river. Christel says, When I first went down there, I was crying, I was devastated. Advertisement Advertisement Still, she is a doer. With help from her family, she took up the big task of repairing the damage. Hans Lohmeyer, Conserving Carolinas Stewardship Manager also came out to help. Last spring, he was there sowing seed to stabilize the bared riverbanks. While Conserving Carolina isnt usually able to offer this kind of hands-on support, the team does what they can to help conservation landowners with their stewardship goals. And after Helene, everyone wanted to help where they could. Christel Walter is working to protect and restore 135 acres of land along the Green River which was hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024. How to Restore Streambanks After Helene Hans also saw Christels property as a demonstration project that could be used to illustrate how to restore streambanks after the flood. First, sow annual seed so native grasses and wildflowers can quickly start holding the soil in place. Next, replant treesand the simplest way to do that is through live staking. Advertisement Advertisement With live staking, you take live branches cut from trees like silky dogwood, black willow, and elderberry, and drive them into the moist soil along waterways. These living branches take root and sprout, without the expense of buying nursery trees or the back-breaking work of digging holes. This March, Hans plans to come back to Christels place for live staking. He says, Although its definitely a disturbance and its a shame to see the land changed in this way, its also provided a canvas for restorationa restart, because the landowner can choose what species that they want to see growing there. Already, the land is showing its resilience, with some trees that were snapped or crushed now growing back. A lot of silverbells are coming up along the river, Christel says. Its going to be gorgeous. Im really looking forward to that. Christel Walter is working to protect and restore 135 acres of land along the Green River which was hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024. Looking Out from the Bench Manfred Made Christel says, When I sit by the Green River on the Aldo Leopold bench that Manfred made and that miraculously survived Helene, I am in awe and incredibly grateful that we are able to protect and steward this land. Advertisement Advertisement She says that land conservation can feel like having her cake and eating it too. The easements help fulfill her goal of lasting stewardship for this land. They ensure that these mountains will continue to be a place for wildflowers and wild animals. They will continue to offer beautiful scenery for paddlers on the Green River. They will also provide clean water, with over two miles of streams and half a mile of river frontage. But the Walter family still owns the property, so her children and grandchildren can have land to call their own. They set aside a portion of the land where their children or grandchildren can build homes, as Christel hopes they will do. Her grandkids can still take a canoe out on the river, like they did this Christmas. She can still go for walks, hunt chanterelles, and teach her grandchildren how to identify trees. And she can do what she loves most out in the woodsI just breathe. More: 'Devastating': Henderson County fruit growers brace for harsh freeze Advertisement Advertisement More: From timber to tinder: NC forestry officials worry about growing fire dangers, fewer workers George Fabe Russell is the Henderson County Reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News. Tips, questions, comments? Email him at GFRussell@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: From the Black Forest to the Green River Key Takeaways Butter beans are making a comeback thanks to their creamy texture, mild flavor, and versatility in cooking. Also known as lima beans, butter beans are rich, meaty legumes with a subtle sweetness and nutty taste. Cooked butter beans are perfect for soups, stews, or purees and pair well with garlic, herbs, and smoked meats. Name a food that was once considered something only grandmas served, but which is having a renaissance and for good reason. Did you guess butter beans? TikTok food creators got wise to butter beans, which has kick-started a new and necessary appreciation for this often misunderstood bean. We spoke to bean experts to clear up the confusion and misconceptions, and to learn how to cook and enjoy the buttery-tasting legume. Meet the Expert Vince Hayward , CEO and fourth-generation owner of Camellia Brand beans, the oldest dried bean company in the U.S. Sarela Herrada , co-founder and CEO at SIMPLi, a global food company that partners with smallholder farmers who use regenerative organic agricultural practices Richard LaMarita, chef instructor of health-centered culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York Advertisement Advertisement Related: Are Chickpeas Healthier Than Other Beans? Experts Explain What Are Butter Beans? The large, creamy white legumes known as butter beans are Phaseolus lunatus, otherwise known as Lima beans, explains Vince Hayward, fourth-generation owner of Camellia Beans, the oldest dried bean company in the U.S. "The varieties we enjoy in the U.S. all originated in Peru and made their way to North America over the centuries. The varieties we eat are not quite as large as the Peruvian versions but pretty close," he says. "'Butter bean' is a regional culinary name, most often used in the South for the larger, fully mature beans because they cook up so creamy that they earn the butter nickname," says Sarela Herrada, co-founder and CEO at SIMPLi, a global food company that partners with smallholder farmers who use regenerative practices to produce dried beans and other foods. Outside of the South, she says you may hear "lima bean" used for the same bean, especially when referring to smaller or green varieties. Flavor and Texture Butter beans are a substantial, meaty bean, says Richard LaMarita, chef instructor of health-centered culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York. They have a mild yet rich flavor and a dense, soft texture. Hayward notes that many people say butter beans have a slight nutty taste and a subtle sweetness, and he laughs that mashed potatoes are a good descriptor for their texture. Butter Beans vs Lima Beans vs Gigante Beans Beans often have different names depending on geography, stage of harvest, and culinary tradition. A single species can have multiple common names based on how it's grown, prepared, or marketed in different regions, says Herrada. Lima beans take their name from the capital of Peru, a nod to the bean's geographical origin, while butter bean, as noted above, is the southern name for mature white lima beans. They're also called butter beans in Great Britain. And then there are gigante beans, popular in Greece, which are often confused with butter beans. Herrada explains that Greek gigantes are usually a large white runner bean, Phaseolus coccineus, similar to butter beans but not the same. Buying Butter Beans Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images Dried: Our experts are fans of dried butter beans, and that is the form most widely available. From a culinary perspective, dried beans offer the most control over texture and flavor development. When soaked and cooked gently, they develop a deeper flavor and creamier interior, says Herrada. When purchasing dried butter beans, buy them from a store with high inventory turnover to ensure they haven't been sitting on the shelf for months. Advertisement Advertisement Fresh: If you can find fresh butter beans, they are a great choice, says LaMarita. A late summer crop, they are available in the pod or shelled. Usually, the beans are green, but they can also be white, purple, or speckled. Check there are no black spots on the pods or the beans and no signs of yellowing. Store them in a paper bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator and use them within five days of purchase. Canned or Frozen: "Canned are often the butter bean, and frozen are often the smaller lima bean, but not exclusively. Check the label for a clear description of exactly which type of bean you are buying," LaMarita recommends, adding that canned and frozen beans are great options for convenience and still provide excellent nutrition. How to Cook Butter Beans Cooking Dried Butter Beans Like other dried beans, butter beans can be soaked long (eight hours) or quick (one hour after bringing the water to the boil and turning off the heat) before cooking. They can also be cooked in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot without any soaking. Once soaked, drained, and placed in a heavy pot with about 2 inches of water to cover the beans, they will cook in about two hours. Exact cooking time depends on the age and size of the beans; older or larger beans will take longer to cook. With a pressure cooker or instant pot, they will be ready in 20 to 30 minutes of cooking, plus 10 to 15 minutes for pressure release. Advertisement Advertisement Butter beans can also be cooked in a slow cooker, Hayward's favorite method. Butter beans hold their texture well; however, like all beans, they will break down if they are overcooked, says LaMarita. All our experts recommend simmering slowly rather than trying to rush cooking the butter beans on high heat and a rapid boil. Herrada notes that gentle cooking helps the butter beans turn velvety and rich, like butter (even before you add any fat). Cooking Fresh Butter Beans The fresh beans cook quickly, typically in 30 minutes, says LaMarita. Use them like other fresh shelling beans. Using Canned Butter Beans Canned butter beans should be rinsed, and then they are ready to eat or add to recipes. Flavor Pairings LaMarita suggests pairing the beans with garlic, herbs, smoked meats, olive oil, and tomatoes. Howard agrees, singling out smoked ham as a traditional and delicious pairing for butter beans. Best Ways to Use Butter Beans Credit: Raymond Hom Cooked butter beans are extremely versatile and can be used like any other larger bean. Advertisement Advertisement Soups and stews where a creamy texture is desired are perfect for butter beans, according to LaMarita. Brothy beans simmered with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, finished with lemon and sea salt, is Herrada's go-to preparation. A spiced version with turmeric, cumin, and black pepper is one of LaMarita's favorites. Braised with greens or smoked sausage is another well-known butter bean dish. Baked in tomato sauce Pureed for a creamy bean spread or dip with olive oil and fresh herbs. The one use LaMarita does not recommend is a bean salad, where the beans should be al dente. Storing Butter BeansDried or Cooked Storing dried beans: Dried butter beans are shelf-stable and have a minimum shelf life of 1 year, according to the U.S. Dry Bean Council. They say when stored correctly, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, dried beans last indefinitely. Refrigerating cooked butter beans: Always allow cooked beans to cool completely before refrigerating. Store them in an airtight container and use within 3-4 days. Advertisement Advertisement Freezing cooked butter beans: Make sure the beans have cooled completely before flash freezing them on a rimmed baking sheet. When frozen, transfer to freezer-safe bags. Cooked beans last a long time but are best used within 6 months to ensure optimal flavor and texture. Read the original article on Martha Stewart Todays firearm market is awash with pistols designed and marketed for concealed carry. However, when semi-automatic (known then as automatic), self-loading pistols first came on the scene at the turn of the 20th century, one carry pistol stood out and remained an issued Army sidearm until the 1970s. Of course, John Moses Browning designed it. Related: You could be the next owner of Darth Vaders revolver Known for such legendary firearms as the 1911 handgun and the M2 .50-cal machine gun, Browning did not design the first commercial semi-automatic pistol. That honor went to Hugo Borchardts C93 of 1893. However, Brownings simple blowback operating system and reciprocating slide design are still in use today. These pioneering features were first seen on the FN 1900 pistol, which exploded in popularity across Europe and around the world. In fact, the name Browning became synonymous in Europe with any semi-automatic pistol with a slide for a time. John Moses Browning is considered the most famous and influential firearms designer in history. (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force) Seeing FNs success, Colt wanted to get into the market and asked Browning to design a semi-auto carry pistol for them. At the time, an agreement existed allowing Colt to sell Browning designs in North America, Great Britain, and Ireland while FN could sell them in most of the rest of Europe; other regions were fair game. Aimed at the civilian concealed carry market, Browning created the Colt Model M 1903 Pocket Hammerless. Advertisement Advertisement Playing both sides and coming out on top, Browning simultaneously designed a 1903 pistol for FN that was basically a scaled-up version of the Colt for the European military market. At the same time, Browning was also developing a military pistol for Colt called the 1903 Pocket Hammer; a compact version of the Colt 1902 and derived from the Colt 1900, the 1903 Pocket Hammer is completely separate from the 1903 Pocket Hammerless and would go on to evolve into the famed Colt 1911. So easy, a caveman can carry it. (Public domain) Despite its name, the 1903 Pocket Hammerless actually uses a shrouded, internal hammer to aid in its pocketability. To indicate if the hammer is cocked, the thumb-actuated safety lever can only be engaged if the hammer is back. Additionally, the grip safety only protrudes when the hammer is cocked. Despite its connection with 1911, the phrase cocked and locked first appeared in the 1903s patent. The design of a heel magazine release over a side-mounted button also lended to the pistols pocketability in an era when genuine pocket carry was common. The release of the 1903 was a huge success for Colt. With a 4-inch barrel and 8 rounds of .32 ACP onboard, the Type I 1903 was a gamechanger for the concealed carry market. To paraphrase the iconic Eli Duckworth, the Colt 1903 was the SIG Sauer P365 of its time. In an America dominated by revolvers large and small, Colts semi-auto pocket pistol was the only gun of its type. Moreover, .32 ACP was as commonplace as 9mm is today. In 1908, Colt cut down the barrel of the 1903 by a quarter-inch with the 1903 Type II and also introduced a .380 ACP version in the Model M 1908, which had its own serial number range. Just two years later, the bushing barrel was changed to a bushingless design with the Type III. This version ran until 1926 and is the most common of the 1903s. While the pistol saw limited adoption by the U.S. Navy and the Belgian military during World War I, it was extensively used during the interwar period. Bonnie Parker had one taped to her thigh when she broke Clyde Barrow out of prison. Al Capone reportedly carried a 1903 in his coat pocket as his personal weapon. When John Dillinger was shot and killed by federal agents in Chicago, he was reportedly reaching for a Colt Model M, supposedly a 1908 in .380 ACP, in his trouser pocket. On the other side of the law, the 1908 was famously issued by the Shanghai Municipal Police under the command of William Fairbairn, the father of modern SWAT who went on to train allied commandos during World War II. Gen. George Patton with his issued Model M on his hip. Note his stars on the pistols grip. (Public domain) In 1926, Colt introduced a magazine safety with the Type IV variant and military sights with the Type V. The 1903 changed from a blued to a parkerized finish in 1941 and was purchased by the War Department for issuance to intelligence officers and also sent to Britain. From there, 1903s were supplied to resistance fighters and carried by SOE and OSS commandos behind enemy lines. The popularity of .32 ACP made it easy to keep the pistols topped up in occupied Europe. Notably, a 1903 was carried by SOE-trained Czech agents during their assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, a key architect of the Holocaust, in Prague. Advertisement Advertisement In 1944, the military began issuing Colt 1903s and 1908s with a belt and holster to general officers. This marked the beginning of the General Officers Pistol program that carries on today. Upon their retirement, generals had the opportunity to purchase their General Officers Pistols. As a result, Colt Model Ms with U.S. Property marks and serial numbers connected with famous generals have made their way onto the civilian market. Colt Model Ms continued to be issued as General Officers Pistols until supply ran out and the model was replaced with the M15, a modified 1911, in 1972. Colt produced about 570,000 1903s and 138,000 1908s. As a result, these historically significant, but often overlooked, pistols can be found secondhand with relative ease. Of course, examples in better condition fetch higher prices. New production Model Ms were manufactured by U.S. Armament under license from Colt, and replacement parts are readily available for Type III and newer variants. While .32 ACP and even .380 ACP are considered underpowered by todays standards, theres something special about carrying a Colt 1903 over something like a P365 or other polymer pistol. After all, Humphrey Bogart carried a 1903 in classic films like Casablanca and Key Largo. You think youre cooler than Bogie or any of the other legends that carried a Colt Model M? Dont Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty Featured Sinking decommissioned ship Navy A US submarine sunk an enemy ship with a torpedo for the first time since WWII By Miguel Ortiz This is what makes the Mark 48 one of the deadliest torpedoes ever built Navy This is what makes the Mark 48 one of the deadliest torpedoes ever built By Ian D'Costa Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer descends into the midships elevator shaft of USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the Beyond the Blue: Papahanaumokuakea ROV and Mapping expedition to image the mural A Chart of the Cruises of USS Yorktown. Image courtesy of NOAA History A sailor painted a 42-foot mural inside an aircraft carrier. The colors are still vivid 3 miles underwater, 80 years later. By Daniel Tobias Flint john brown tragic prelude civil war Advertisement Advertisement Civil War How John Browns raid on the arsenal at Harpers Ferry made the Civil War inevitable By Daniel Tobias Flint Military working dog water confidence Military Life What you should know about the program that trains US military dogs By Stephen Ruiz A record fish has been caught in a states deepest lake. According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Kyle Hatrock of Coeur dAlene reeled in a 27-inch Westslope cutthroat trout on Lake Pend Oreille in February and it has since been certified as a catch-and-release state record. Wed just got all the lines out when not 10 minutes later, one pole starts singing out the line, Hatrock said. The first run took out 450 feet-plus for about 15-20 minutes, and as soon as it hit the net, my friend started freaking out, saying Thats the biggest freaking cutty Ive ever seen! Advertisement Advertisement The trout edged out the previous record by about two inches. Lake Pend Oreille, with a maximum depth of 1,158 feet and 43 miles from tip to glacially carved tip, is known for being home to some massive fish. Idahos record book shows it has produced at least four record-sized trout over the years in addition to numerous other records. A state-record bull trout caught in 1947 still holds the world record for the species at 32 pounds. Officials said the lake no doubt possesses some aquatic beasts of mythical proportion because theres a lot of deep blue space for a monster fish to hide. The new record fish caught from the lake and not one of its tributaries is an exceptionally large specimen for a Westslope cutthroat trout, which rarely surpasses 20 inches, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement This continues to reinforce Lake Pend Oreilles reputation as Idahos top trophy trout fishery, the post concluded. In addition to being a world-class fishery, the lake was once used as a U.S. Navy training site during World War II. The Navy continues to conduct underwater submarine research there. Read the original article on mlive.com. Add mlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. BENTON HARBOR Discover the lore and legacy of one of the region's most cherished traditions. Lake Michigan College will host a free program exploring the history of the Blossomtime Festival. The event, "Deep Roots & Beautiful Blooms: The History and Heritage of Blossomtime," will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, in Room L-311 of the Main Building on the Benton Harbor campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave., according to a press release. Historian to lead discussion Historian and Michigan State University doctoral candidate Jayson Otto will lead a discussion on the history of the festival, drawing on his expertise in cultural environmental history and Southwest Michigan's fruit-farming heritage. Advertisement Advertisement Otto will be joined by Olivia Beebe and Neave Carroll of the Israelite House of David Archives & Collections, who will discuss the role of archives in preserving local history and showcase artifacts from the Israelite House of David's holdings. Blossomtime Festival is rooted in region's history The Blossomtime Festival has been a cherished tradition in Southwest Michigan since the turn of the 20th century, known for its Grand Floral Parade and Community Queens. The program aims to provide a deep dive into the festival's lore and legacy. Parade float from 1940 Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade. "This is a wonderful opportunity for community members to connect with a piece of Southwest Michigan's cultural identity," Lia McCoskey, Lake Michigan College English faculty, said in the release. "We're excited to bring together these talented historians and archivists to shed light on an event that has meant so much to this region for generations." About the speakers Otto is a cultural environmental historian and PhD candidate at Michigan State University. He holds degrees in anthropology from Grand Valley State University and ecological food and farming from MSU. His scholarship on West Michigan history has appeared in the Michigan Historical Review, and he recently served as a keynote speaker at the Michigan Centennial Farm Association. Beebe is a Michigan native who earned her master's in art history and curation from the University of Birmingham, England, in 2020. In nearly three years with the Israelite House of David Archives & Collections, she has focused on increasing the accessibility of the institution's holdings. Carroll recently earned her master's in history from Louisiana State University, where she also served as an archives specialist at the Louisiana State Archives. Advertisement Advertisement The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: LMC hosts free event on Blossomtime Festival heritage The end to 2026's Ramadan has been confirmed by Saudi Arabia. This comes as quiet relief to those who were wondering when to ask their boss for the day off for Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday that commemorates the end of Ramadan, which began on Feb. 18. On the Islamic Calendar, a lunar calendar, the sighting of a crescent moon signals the beginning of the next month. With the expected sighting of the waxing crescent moon toward the end of March, nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide and less than 1% of New Hampshire residents who are Muslim, according to the Pew Research Center, will celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. Advertisement Advertisement When is the end of Ramadan? When is Eid al-Fitr? Here is the date of this very important day, as confirmed by Saudi Arabia, as well as what to know about the holiday that marks the end of the holy month. Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca at the start of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, early on March 30, 2025. When is Eid al-Fitr 2026? 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. Saudi Arabian moon spotters have officially confirmed Eid al-Fitr 2026's date to be on Friday, March 20, via a post on X, after the Shawwal moon was not sighted. BREAKING NEWS: Eid Al Fitr is on Friday, 20 March 2026 The Crescent of month of Shawwal 1447 was NOT SIGHTED anywhere in the Kingdom today, subsequently the month of Ramadan will complete 30 days tomorrow and Eid Al Fitr will be on Friday pic.twitter.com/2OF7cv500a The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) March 18, 2026 What is Eid al-Fitr? Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Fitr is the first of two celebratory days in the Islamic calendar, both observed every year. Though the holiday is marked on one day, some Muslims celebrate this festival for as long as three days. Advertisement Advertisement Eid is not on the same date every year. Like Ramadan, it follows the Islamic Hijri calendar, a lunar cycle. Each year, the start 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. Eid in Arabic means "festival" or "feast," and Fitr means "breaking the fast." So, Eid al-Fitr literally means festival of breaking the fast. How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated? Muslims will wake up early in the morning, preparing food and getting ready to attend Eid prayers at local masjids. Eating during daylight hours after a month of fasting may feel strange for Muslims, but it is actually forbidden for Muslims to fast on Eid al-Fitr. On Eid, just like every day, Muslims will follow the way of Prophet Muhammad, also known as Sunnah in Islam. Specific Sunnahs on Eid include: Advertisement Advertisement 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 route home from attending Eid prayer Muslims will hug their friends and family and greet them with Eid Mubarak, meaning blessed festival in Arabic. Eid traditions vary from country to country. But friends and families will 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. Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan at Quirino Grandstand, in Manila, Philippines, on March 31, 2025. What is Zakat al-Fitr? Between sunset on the last day of fasting and before Eid prayer the next morning, Muslims with an income are obligated to give a charitable donation Zakat al-Fitr. This donation is meant to cover the cost of ones meal. Advertisement Advertisement Charity to those who are poor is an important value in Islam. The donations are given to the needy so they can also celebrate Eid. Muslims can donate to nonprofits. Mosques holding Eid prayer will also collect these donations, directly giving them to those in need. When is Eid al-Adha, the second Eid in the Islamic calendar? The second Eid, Eid al-Adha, 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, 2026, and end on the night of May 27. 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. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What to know about the Eid al-Fitr 2026 date confirmed by Saudi Arabia The Cardiff Giant remains one of the most sensational frauds ever perpetrated on the American public. Since being discovered on an Upstate New York farm in 1869, thousands have visited the 10-foot stone figure that now calls Cooperstown home. Long before the internet and 24-hour news cycles, the claim that a giant had been unearthed at a rural farm in Central New York captivated newspaper readers from coast to coast in 1869. Advertisement Advertisement When ultimate showman P.T. Barnum got involved, the sensational story of the mysterious giant spread even further. It all started at the Stub Newell farm on Oct. 16, 1869. The Cardiff farm in Onondaga County was unspectacular in every way, but Newell and his son-in-law, George Hull, were a couple of pranksters, and they devised what they thought would be the ultimate joke. Cardiff Giant They would create a 10-foot-tall man made out of white gypsum, make him as life-like as possible, bury him on a hill on the farm, and then later discover this mystery man, unearth him, and proclaim that you have found the remains of a giant who once walked among men. A Chicago stonecutter carved the behemoth from gypsum, including detailed facial features and using needle spikes to create hundreds of tiny human pores across the body. Cardiff Giant When the creature was finished, they hauled the 3,000-pound petrified giant to the top of a hill on the farm. At a predetermined time, Hull announced to friends he was heading up the hill to find a suitable spot for a water well. What did he find when he first started digging? A giant stone man, of course. Cardiff Giant The word went out about the findings over at the old Newell place, and crowds soon came to see this miracle man. Visitors poked, prodded, gawked and were awed by the giant. Advertisement Advertisement With crowds growing uncontrollable, the figure now dubbed the Cardiff Giant or Onondaga Giant was moved to Syracuse, where it went on public display Nov. 8, 1869, at the Bastable Arcade. Thousands paid 50 cents each to view the giant. Of course, such a preposterous claim of the giants finding couldnt withstand the research and examinations of the professionals who inspected him, and the prank was revealed to the public. Cardiff Giant Still, the Cardiff Giant had fans, including entrepreneur Barnum, perhaps the most famous showman of his day, who saw dollar signs. He commissioned a replica of the Cardiff Giant and toured it to large, paying crowds, including New York City. Cardiff Giant So where is the petrified man today? Well, as generations of school children around Central New York know, this sad-looking man of stone rests eternally at the wonderful Farmers Museum in Cooperstown. Advertisement Advertisement It is a rite of passage for school kids of a certain age to take a field trip to see the greatest hoax ever perpetuated upon man at the museum in Otsego County. Cardiff Giant This writer went in the 1960s, my kids went in the 1990s, and my grandchildren are going this summer. The story never ends. Explore more Upstate NY attractions Read the original article on syracuse.com. Add syracuse.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The post This Ice Age Animal Is Still Alive Today Thanks to Its Bizarre Inflatable Nose appeared first on A-Z Animals. Quick Take The unusual proboscis of the Saiga antelope helps filter dust, regulate air temperature, and protect its lungs in harsh steppe environments. This Ice Age survivor once lived alongside species like the woolly mammoth and saber-toothed tiger , yet still survives today. Conservation efforts have helped the species rebound dramatically, with global populations rising to around two million animals after earlier declines. Growing up, I was obsessed with the 2002 movie Ice Age. I watched it day in and day out, captivated by the adventures of Diego the saber-toothed tiger, Sid the sloth, and Manny the woolly mammoth. To me, it was astounding that creatures like saber-toothed tigers and woolly mammoths once roamed our planet 18,000 years ago, but I would never get the chance to see them. Advertisement Advertisement However, when I learned about saiga antelopes (Saiga tatarica), I realized that some Ice Age animals have survived into the modern world. Saiga antelopes, also known as saigas, lived alongside mammoths and saber-toothed tigers throughout the Pleistocene Epoch. More specifically, they roamed along the Mammoth Steppe, an extremely biodiverse grassland that stretched across the northern hemisphere. The saigas longevity begs an interesting question. What adaptations have helped this species survive for tens of thousands of years? The answer lies somewhere you might not expect: the nose. Saigas large, floppy noses may look odd, but these multifunctional noses have helped saigas thrive. Heres why. What Are Saiga Antelopes? The saiga antelope is a small antelope species. Historically, saigas were found in the Eurasian steppe zone, as well as around North Americas Bering Sea Land Bridge. These migratory antelopes, which are around two and a half feet tall and weigh between 66 and 110 pounds when fully grown, are primarily found today in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. According to the IUCN Red List, which assesses extinction risk for species worldwide, Kazakhstan hosts the largest population of saiga antelopes, although significant populations also exist in the other listed countries. In terms of appearance, saigas have short, chestnut-brown hair and pale legs in the summer. In winter, saigas develop large, fluffy, and pale winter coats. The species displays sexual dimorphism, meaning physical differences exist between males and females. This is most evident in the horns, which only males develop. Saigas are herbivores, meaning their diet consists of diverse grasses, lichens, herbs, and shrubs. iStock.com/VictorTyakht (iStock.com/VictorTyakht) A single male saiga antelope usually controls a harem of anywhere from 20 to 50 female saigas. After mating, the gestation period lasts about 150 days. Uniquely, saigas usually give birth to twins. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia notes that this has, historically, helped protect saiga antelopes against population loss due to hunting. Saiga Conservation Unfortunately, this has not always been the case. Due to poaching, the illegal horn trade (where horns are sold for traditional medicine), competition with livestock, and disease, the saiga population fell drastically. As of 2005, only an estimated 30,000-40,000 saiga antelope still existed in the wild. Although the population rebounded for a time, in 2015, approximately 200,000 saigas died in Kazakhstan over a three-week period due to a bacterial infection called hemorrhagic septicemia. Throughout this period, saigas were considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Advertisement Advertisement However, many people view saigas as an example of how beneficial conservation efforts can be. The population has grown significantly, thanks in part to organizations, initiatives, and research such as the Saiga Conservation Alliance, the Wildlife Conservation Alliance, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Species Conservation Catalyst Fund, and the Royal Veterinary Colleges research into respiratory diseases, among others. Government interventions, law enforcement efforts, and anti-poaching measures have also contributed to the recovery. Today, the population has risen to an estimated two million saiga antelopes. Saigas are considered Near Threatened by the IUCN. The Nose Knows Saiga antelopes have a bulbous nose with many features that help these animals live in more challenging environments. Victor Tyakht/Shutterstock.com (Victor Tyakht/Shutterstock.com) If youve ever seen a photograph of a saiga antelope, the first thing you probably notice is its unusual nose, called a proboscis. Over the years, scientists have debated exactly why the saiga antelopes nose is so bulbous and inflated. Potential reasons have included: Enhanced smelling to locate and escape from predators Temperature regulation Dust filtration A 2004 study examined the anatomical structure of the saiga antelopes proboscis to better understand its function. The study found that the specialized structures in the nose significantly contributed to filtration. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the proboscis is one of the reasons why the saiga antelope has survived from the Ice Age until now. Improved Survival in Tough Environments As you might expect, our worlds climate changed during and after the Ice Age. The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre explains, Their large, bulbous nose with downward pointing nostrils contains a series of chambers with mucus glands to warm and moisten cold, dry air. These nostrils were also effective at filtering the dusty air that was kicked up when large herds moved across the dry landscape. Research shows that saiga antelopes can extend their nasal cavities by up to 20%. Yakov Oskanov/Shutterstock.com (Yakov Oskanov/Shutterstock.com) To break that down further, saigas have a main nasal vestibule full of mucus-producing glands. They can compress this vestibule with their muscles. When dust gets into their noses, vascular tissue within the vestibule swells. Dust or other debris then gets caught in the sticky mucus. Saigas can then sneeze or otherwise expel dust from their nostrils. This interesting filtration system helps saigas minimize lung damage in the arid environments where they live. Advertisement Advertisement In addition, their noses can humidify frozen air in the winter as another form of respiratory protection. Over the summer, the dense network of blood vessels in the proboscis also cools incoming air, preventing saigas from overheating. Because of these capabilities, saigas have remained remarkably resilient and adaptable. Their noses are suited to different environments, allowing saiga antelopes to adapt to new locations and habitats as their geographical range has shifted. Dust filtration is believed to be the primary reason for the saiga antelopes nasal structure, with temperature regulation as another important function. But thats not all the proboscis is designed to do. A Keen Sense of Smell As mentioned earlier, scientists have long believed the saigas proboscis improves their sense of smell. Wolves, feral dogs, foxes, and raptors all prey on saiga antelopes. While most of these predators attack vulnerable calves, wolves are known to hunt and kill both adult and juvenile saigas. The saigas specialized nose means they can smell predators from a great distance. If predators get close, the saigas best defense is to run. Fun fact: they can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour! Nasal Communication and Mating Similar to moose, elk, and deer, the saiga antelopes mating season is known as rutting, or the rut. During the rut, male saigas fiercely compete for their chance to win over female saigas. Remember the harem mentioned earlier? If males are successful during the rut, they can collect up to 50 female saigas to mate with. Advertisement Advertisement Their noses play an important role in the rut. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Anatomy explains that male saigas can produce nasal roars by curving their nose, extending their nasal vocal passages by up to 20%. This deepens their roar. According to the studys authors, the nasal roar serves two purposes: Nasal roaring in saiga may equally serve to deter rival males and to attract females. Deepening the roar, for example, may signal to other males that a saiga is bigger, tougher, or more prepared to fight. Female saigas also want a strong partner, so these roars can help attract females to their mates. After the rut, nasal vocalizations can also be used for communication, especially between mothers and their newborn calves. Both a 2014 study and a 2017 study in Bioacoustics explored how this communication worked. The first study found that mothers and calves both produce oral and nasal vocalizations. Oral calls were more heavily related to high emotions, such as distress when a calf was separated from its mother. The second study also discovered that calves and mothers can identify specific oral and nasal calls. This suggests to the study authors that nasal contact calls can help mothers avoid losing their calves or accidentally raising another females calf. The post This Ice Age Animal Is Still Alive Today Thanks to Its Bizarre Inflatable Nose appeared first on A-Z Animals. By Karen Freifeld, Max A. Cherney and Liam Mo NEW YORK, March 17 (Reuters) - Nvidia has won Beijing's approval to sell its second-most powerful artificial intelligence chips to China and is also preparing a version of the Groq AI chip that can be sold to the Chinese market, sources familiar with the matter said. More from Yahoo Scout What regulatory hurdles did Nvidia face recently? How did Beijing's approval impact Nvidia's China operations? What are the H200 chips and their significance? How is Nvidia adapting Groq chips for China? The long-awaited regulatory approval paves the way for the U.S. chipmaker to resume sales of the H200 chips, which have emerged as a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, in a market that once generated 13% of Nvidia's total revenue. Despite strong demand from Chinese firms and U.S. approval for exports, Beijing's hesitation to allow imports has been the main barrier to shipments of the H200 chips to China. Earlier on Tuesday, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that it had been licensed for "many customers in China" for the H200 and had received purchase orders from "many" companies, allowing it to resume production of the chip. "Our supply chain is getting fired up, Huang said at a press conference. The company had halted production last year of the chip because of increasing regulatory hurdles in the U.S. and China, according to a report at the time. Nvidia had been waiting for licenses from both the U.S. and China for months. It has received some U.S. approvals, and a source familiar with the matter said the company had now also received licenses for many customers in China from Beijing. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said they were "not aware of the specifics," and directed questions to "the competent authorities." CNBC also reported on Tuesday that Huang told them the company now has clearance from both the U.S. and China. A Chinese company source said that they did not know if the Chinese government had given final approval, but that Nvidia had told them that they could now place purchase orders. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission late last month, Nvidia said that the U.S. had granted a license in February that would allow "small amounts of H200 products to specific China-based customers." In January, Reuters reported that China granted preliminary approval to three of its largest tech companies - ByteDance, Tencent and Alibaba - along with AI startup DeepSeek to import the chips, although the regulatory conditions for China's approvals were still being finalized. The Chinese companies did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. Huang's bullish comment on AI agent OpenClaw, which has experienced rapid adoption in China, helped propel some Chinese AI stocks to record highs on Wednesday. Commerce Township Owners of a brewery in a suburban strip mall have found the secret sauce not only to last 10 years in the craft beer business, but also to expand to a second Oakland County location. Kickstand Brewing Co. in Commerce Township marked a decade earlier this year, and by the summer the three owners hope to have similar success with a new location about 15 miles west in New Hudson. The second Kickstand Brewing Co. will take over the former Draught Horse Brewery & Spirits, which closed in September. Kickstand's owners Brendan Rogers and Scott Emerick, along with general manager Andris Zukovs say their success in Commerce Township has been partially about brewing and distributing good beer, but also because they've been able to provide their customers with what they want: a place to hang with good food and drink. Scott Emerick, left, Andris Zukovs and Brendan Rogers of Kickstand Brewing Co. "I think there's a lot of breweries that open without enough service and products. You have to provide the environment for people to stay and enjoy, and then they'll come back," said Emerick, who started brewing beer in his house with Rogers. "We're basically a restaurant with a brewery attached." Advertisement Advertisement The bar serves its most popular beers like the Birch Bark Porter and Pontoon Pale Ale, as well as more niche suds like a Peanut Butter Porter and the high-octane Long Strange Trip Belgian Tripe. Beers are made on-site by head brewmaster Adam Beratta. Executed by chef Kyle Walters, the food menu is vast, and draws customers in daily during lunch and dinner to sit at the bar, communal high top tables or in cozy booths around the recently renovated dining area. Kickstand Brewing Co. beers are distributed all over Michigan. The menu has the must-haves for a brewpub, like beer cheese dip and IPA-brined chicken wings. Among the most popular dishes are the hand-battered chicken tenders, the mahi mahi tacos, a roasted garlic pizza and the house burger with bacon, Boursin cheese, lettuce, tomato and an onion ring. "When we opened we said, OK we're going to be a brewery that sells food, but our clientele has dictated that we're a restaurant that brews its own beer," adds Zukovs. "A lot of these places just have a food truck or a few snacks and that's not what keeps people out. We are packed because families want to come out." The current draft list at Kickstand Brewing Co. in Commerce Township. Another way Kickstand is able to keep and attract customers is that they do offer more than beer. Their license allows them to sell wine and Michigan-made spirits, which are supplied by Detroit City Distillery. Advertisement Advertisement Rogers and Emerick met in school and teamed up with Zukovs after the three of them worked together at a Bar Louie in Novi. "They had this idea, they talked to me about it and it sounded like something I'd be interested in," said Zukovs. "We talked philosophies, business plans, stuff like that. We saw eye-to-eye on a lot of that, but I was like how's the beer? We sat down and we tried some of the beers and I said, OK I'm in." The mahi mahi tacos are one of the most popular things coming out of the kitchen at Kickstand Brewing Co. More than a decade later, they've got a successful, 175-seat restaurant and brewery in Commerce and have their beers in more than 900 locations around the state. They say the second location in New Hudson, which will be called Kickstand Brewing Co. & Kitchen, should be ready to go in a few months. Advertisement Advertisement "It's definitely a market similar to Commerce where it's not fully utilized yet," said Emerick of the new venture. Kickstand Brewing Co., 3050 Union Lake in Commerce Township, is open at noon daily. Call (248) 301-5941 or visit kickstandbrewingco.com. mbaetens@detroitnews.com This story has been updated to correct Andris Zukovs' job title. This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Kickstand Brewing Co. celebrates 10 years with big plans Apartment Therapy and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Credit: Shannon West/Shutterstock Lets face it: You probably have stuff in your life that you dont really need. Whether its 15 mugs, clothing in your wardrobe with the price tag still on, or a pile of broken goods you swore youd fix one day, its almost an inevitability to accumulate clutter. Its definitely something that affects me even despite my best efforts to keep track of what goes in and out of my home. For instance, a neighbor might give me an unexpected gift, a family member might make me something heartfelt, or I might stock up on a couple of extra household items because of a sale. Every one of these items takes up space and energy, but the use of energy here in relation to clutter is actually two-fold. The stuff you own requires maintenance and management, and when you pass, this management becomes shifted along to someone else (whoever is responsible for sorting through your Earthly possessions). Advertisement Advertisement I was deeply thinking about this recently how when you pass, your stuff is left behind and the people left to manage it likely wont understand which possessions were of importance to you. Thats when I came across Norwegian Life-Cleaning explained in a blog by author and speaker Maggie Wallen Rowe, and it encouraged me to view clutter and the act of decluttering from an entirely different, grounding perspective. What Is Norwegian Life-Cleaning? According to Rowe, Norwegian Life-Cleaning is a counterpart to Swedish Death Cleaning, where families assist an ill or elderly loved one to prepare their home by systematically going through all of their possessions, helping them to decide what to keep, sell, and donate. With Norwegian Life-Cleaning, though, this practice isnt something people wait so long to do: Its incorporated into day-to-day living as a philosophy. As I have visited Norwegian homes, Ive noticed that residents prefer not to wait until their senior years to declutter and minimize, but rather to keep things spare and tidy as they are living their lives at present, says Rowe. Theres more of a focus in Norway on cultivating a home that feels safe, cozy, and surrounded by what a person loves rather than on quantity. Theres also a large emphasis on community. For these reasons, people typically dont own a lot and instead favor creating things themselves, exploring nature, and taking time to wind down in the evening with slower-paced hobbies such as reading, baking, and knitting. Norwegians espouse creating a cozy atmosphere at home they call Koselig, which is similar to the Danish concept of Hygge, says Rowe. But life-cleaning in Norway stems further than this. Local community associations encourage residents to come together for a designated day each spring to clean up common areas, and its expected that everyone will participate for the good of the group. Cleansing is highly integrated into the culture. Advertisement Advertisement So in short, Norwegian Life-Cleaning is about continuously striving to cleanse ones life down to a serene simplicity: A life containing what you love, use, and need without unnecessary surplus to disturb your present-day peace or bring a sizable decluttering task onto those you love in the future. How to Follow Norwegian Life-Cleaning As a woman who is now in my 70s, I am sorting through paperwork, memorabilia, and household objects of all sorts to spare my children having to make most of those decisions, shares Rowe, who recommends that you decide, donate, and delete your clutter and pare back possessions in a mindful way. Heres how you can follow Norwegian Life-Cleaning in your home. Related: How to Clean an Air Fryer Basket Decide Take time to let go of clutter and still keep what matters to you. Gather some large cardboard boxes or use a room with floor space available to make clear piles while you sort. Ask yourself the following questions to help guide your decision-making: Advertisement Advertisement Why does this item matter to me? Does this item make me happy or add other value to my life right now? When Im gone, is this an item I wish to pass down and be remembered by? Rowe recommends setting a box aside for items youre unsure about to place into storage. Then, once some time has passed, they can be readdressed. Donate As you choose items to let go, try to focus on the good they will do elsewhere once donated: They can help charity, become a much-loved gift for someone else, or bring function to another home. Adopting this mindset often makes it easier for people to remain focused on their goals while decluttering through Norwegian Life-Cleaning, aiming to achieve a life of gratitude and enjoying what you love to have. Delete The delete aspect of this process refers to throwing items in the trash that you might not have given yourself permission to do before. Those baking pans blackened with age? The 51 plastic containers that fight for space in your pantry? That vintage chair that needs a good caning? If you wouldnt buy them at your neighbors garage sale, dont put them in your home, says Rowe. Advertisement Advertisement From here its about doing all you can to uphold the philosophy and remain mindful about how many new items you accept into your space. However you wish to go about this, whether its by doing weekly home resets, a seasonal declutter, or becoming stricter on purchases, whats most important is finding a method that aligns with you and remembering the key reason behind Norwegian Life-Cleaning: to live a more fulfilling present-day life without having to worry about what it is youll be leaving behind. Go forward with thankfulness for all you own, and your life will soon feel lighter. Further Reading The Best Portable Air Conditioners for Your Apartment 10 Under-$500 Couches That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are This Entomologist Has a Travel Warning: Always Put Your Suitcase in the Hotel Bathroom Sign up for Apartment Therapy's Daily email newsletter to receive our favorite posts, tours, products, and shopping guides in your inbox. After traveling across the world with the Navy and the Coast Guard, Robert Stevens and his wife, Teresa, decided to make Warrenton, Oregon their home. Stevens is currently vice president at the Port of Astoria Commission. Stevens credits fellow commissioner Jim Campbell as to why he joined the Port of Astoria Commission. The pair had met early after Stevens move back to the Astoria area, the two bonded over their shared experiences in the Navy and on the water. At the time, the port was mired in controversy between multi-million-dollar lawsuits and a director who would later resign amid accusations of incompetence. Advertisement Advertisement After the resignation of Robert Mushen due to health issues, Campbell came to Stevens asking him to join to serve out the rest of Mushens term. He talked me into it, and I said Im only going to serve a few years and then Im going to let somebody else take over, he said. Years on, he cant see himself doing anything else. Sometimes you feel useful, and it stuck with me. From Indiana to Oregon Stevens grew up in Connersville, Indiana and left home for the Navy after high school, during the height of the Vietnam War. I always had a respect for the Navy, he said. He served aboard the Tripoli, an assault ship that split its time between San Diego and Da Nang, Vietnam. Advertisement Advertisement After five years with the Navy, Stevens returned to Indiana but felt something was missing. I started going to school at night and working in grocery stores which is what I did (before), he said. I looked around and said, this isnt right, Im not getting anywhere. After six months, he volunteered for the U. S. Coast Guard. I missed (the military life), and I like the adventure of being out to sea, he said. While enlisted, Stevens worked on his college degree at any community college he could. It took him almost eight years. And once he had his degree, he went to Officer Candidate School. Advertisement Advertisement After being commissioned as an officer, Stevens met his wife, Teresa, while on leave in Alameda, California. in 1989, he was sent to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island to get his masters degree. In only 10 months, he came out with a degree in force management. He said he was challenged by the number of books on the reading list. I would read these history books like they were novels, he said. In order to get through the volumes, you had to learn how to skim and extract what you think youre going to be asked. When Stevens was selected for a command, he was given the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, which was based in Astoria. Later, he would go on to command the USCG Cutter Jarvis, based in Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement The vessels he commanded cutters are hundreds of feet long and displace hundreds of tons. Coming into command of these vessels was initially a daunting experience, Stevens said. I never worried when I was an enlisted man. I seldom worried when I was an officer. Once I became a captain, I worried a lot, he said. Stevens said he could feel every vibration on the ship. As captain, he also had the opportunity to help the people under him. Ive had people come aboard that dont know how to balance a checkbook, Stevens said. The structured way of life offered a way to help. You can help them and make their lives better (just) by being in the armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement The Coast Guard took Stevens from South America to the frigid seas of the North Atlantic, circumnavigating the globe, with an exception. Stevens said he never made it to the Indian Ocean. When Stevens was stationed in Astoria for a second time, he and his wife bought a home in Warrenton. When the Coast Guard relocated them to other places, they rented it out. After 32 years of service, Stevens made a decision to retire. The transition was difficult, he said. For over a year, I dreamed about it every night. Originally, Stevens and his wife retired to Seattle, but after a few years they felt a pull that he described as magnetic. The pull was coming from Warrenton. Advertisement Advertisement I like the area, he said. Its fun living in a small town. I like the scenery, I like the environment. He also takes time to volunteer with groups such as the the Military Officers Association of America. Stevens also took up boating, though his 32-foot pleasure craft is a far cry from the cutters formerly under his command. He said that previously, if he heard a noise while aboard, all he had to do was pick up the captains phone and tell the engineer to find out what it was. Now, if (something) happens on the boat Im the guy to talk to about it. In a Nutshell Pickled chile vinegar isn't just leftover liquidit's a ready-made condiment with acid, salt, and heat built in. Instead of pouring it down the drain, use it to quickly season, brighten, and balance dishes. Here's how. When I was growing up, my family kept a rectangular pickle container in the fridge filled with home-pickled jalapenos and carrots. It had a built-in mechanism for lifting the ingredients out of the vinegar, like a mini elevator. Out of curiosity, I once snuck a sip of the pickling liquid. As a kid, I hated itit was more sour than I expected, and the heat triggered a coughing fit. (Now I can enjoy a good pickle martini or margarita.) These days, Im more likely to reach for a can or jar of store-bought pickled chiles, such as jalapenos, than to have homemade ones on handbut the liquid inside is just as flavorful and intense. I still think about that experience when I open a can of pickled chiles for a recipe. That sharp, flavorful liquid is almost always discarded without a second thought. It shouldnt be. Advertisement Advertisement Pickled chile vinegar is already a balanced mixture of acid, salt, and heatthe same elements you'd normally build step by step with lime juice or vinegar and seasoning in recipes. Using it means you're not only adding instant complexity to a dish but also saving time and making use of something that would otherwise go to waste. It's one of the easiest ways to get more flavor out of ingredients you've already paid for. How Pickled Chiles With Vinegar Are Used Around the World Vinegars infused with chiles are a popular condiment in many parts of the world. In Thai cuisine, there's prik nam somThai chiles smashed in a mortar and pestle and steeped in white vinegar. In the Philippines, fermented sugarcane vinegar is often infused with chiles, with brands like Datu Puti widely available. In the American South, you'll find hot pepper vinegar on tables for dousing collards and other greens. These condiments deliver a sharp hit of acidity and heat and are often used to balance rich, fatty foods or to wake up otherwise simple dishes. In Mexico, the pickling liquid from chiles isn't typically served on its own. Instead, it's occasionally blended into preparations like salsa escabeche, where pickled chiles and vegetables are processed together. But the logic is the samethe liquid carries flavor, and it's meant to be used. Advertisement Advertisement Whether it's served at the table or folded into a dish, this kind of vinegar is a delicious condiment all on its own. Here's where it fits into everyday cooking. How to Use Pickled Chile Vinegar in Your Cooking There are a few ways I use pickled chile vinegar most often in home cooking: 1. As a finishing acid. The simplest way to use pickled chile vinegar is as a finishing acid. Spoon it over grilled seafood, roasted meats, vegetables, and sandwichesanywhere you might normally reach for lemon juice, lime, or a splash of vinegar. Because it already contains salt and heat, it works as a shortcut seasoning. A small amount can brighten a dish that tastes flat without requiring additional ingredients. 2. In marinades. It also works well in marinades. The acidity lowers pH and denatures proteins, helping tenderize meat while adding flavor. I use this approach in my Mexican fried chicken wings recipe, where the pickling liquid adds both heat and a subtle tang. That said, acidic marinades can make browning more difficult, since the Maillard reaction occurs more efficiently in less acidic environments. If you're after a deeply browned crust, it helps to pat the surface dry before cooking. The Takeaway Pickled chile vinegar might seem like something to toss after it's done its job of pickling peppers, but it's closer to a fully formed condimentone that delivers acid, salt, and heat in a single spoonful. Instead of pouring it down the drain, treat it like any other seasoning. It's faster than squeezing citrus, cheaper than opening a new bottle of vinegar, and a simple way to get more out of ingredients you already have. Read the original article on Serious Eats If you're a liquor connoisseur and you've never tried cachaca, there's no time like the present to discover what master mixologist Justin Lavenue owner and operator of the Eleanor, and co-owner of the Roosevelt Room as well as the Roadhaus Mobile Cocktails catering company described to Tasting Table as "one of the most fascinating sugarcane spirits in the world." Once you have, you may understand why the national drink of Brazil is so beloved. When comparing rum vs cachaca, Lavenue explained that cachaca "is typically made from molasses" and "distilled directly from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, which gives it a much brighter, more vegetal, and aromatic flavor profile." In order to be sold as cachaca, Brazilian law requires strict regulations. Even so, there is an astonishing diversity of cachaca available because producers use regional varieties of sugar cane, along with unique local woods, for the aging process As a result, Lavenue emphasized that the spirit can range "from vibrant and grassy when unaged to deeply complex when aged in wood." When aged, cachaca interacts with the wood of the barrel a process Lavenue compared to that of aged whiskies to release "compounds like vanillin, tannins, and natural sugars" and introduce notes of "cinnamon, clove, caramel, and toasted wood, while rounding out the more assertive grassy qualities of fresh cachaca." Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The 30 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked The history of cachaca reflects the history of Brazil Bottles of different brands of cachaca lined up in a row - Lisa Wiltse/Getty Images It is no surprise that cachaca became Brazil's national drink, as its origins are deeply entwined with the country's own historical struggles with colonialism and slavery. Sugar cane has been grown in Brazil since 1532, when the country first came under the control of Portugal. Originally, the drink was used by Brazilian slaves working in sugar cane mills to ease the ravages of their labors. Despite growing in popularity among the Brazilian upper class, Portugal banned cachaca-drinking on June 12, 1744. However, this only served to turn the spirit into a symbol of anti-colonial resistance, and June 12 is now celebrated as International Cachaca Day. Though, as proof of how much Brazilians love it, they also celebrate National Cachaca Day on September 13. As of 2022 the bicentennial anniversary of Brazilian independence cachaca was the third most popular spirit in the world. If you're new to the spirit, Lavenue recommended Brazil's national drink, the caipirinha, as your introduction. He described it as "a beautifully simple cocktail made with cachaca, fresh lime, and sugar, and it perfectly showcases the spirit's vibrant character while remaining refreshing and approachable." Advertisement Advertisement Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Tasting Table. BECKLEY As St. Patricks Day arrived, Beckleys Irish Celtic Festival rolled into its final stretch after several days of community events. According to organizers, the festival was designed as a citywide celebration rather than a single gathering. Special Irish celebrations were spread across restaurants, parks, the Historic Black Knight, the Raleigh Playhouse and Theatre, Beckleys Downtown Market, the library and local vendors. Beckley Events Director Trish Morgan said the festival also serves a practical purpose for a city ready to trade winter hibernation for a little public life. Advertisement Advertisement Its the first big festival of the year, Morgan said. It lets people get out and enjoy something, you know, where weve been cooped up in the house all winter. She said one of the weekends strongest moments came at New River Park, where Irish road bowling drew a solid crowd and left organizers thinking about growth. We actually, on Saturday, did Irish road bowling and had a pretty good turnout, Morgan said. It was at New River Park and it was really a lot of fun. Looking ahead, Morgan said she would like to see the festival continue to grow. So, a parade would be nice, with more events in there and some more things to do, Morgan said. Were hoping to grow everything that weve done in the past and were hoping to make things that are kid-friendly so that everyone can partake and have things that everyone can come out and enjoy. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the festival turns fully toward St. Patricks Day itself, with organizers pointing to Irish-themed specials throughout the city. Beckleys Historic Black Knight was scheduled to serve traditional Irish shepherds pie from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., while Fosters Main Street Tavern was set to open at 11 a.m. and offer Irish food throughout the day, including slow-cooked corned beef. There is also Sarahs St. Patricks Day painting class at the Raleigh County Library at 4 p.m. During Sundays concert at the Raleigh Playhouse and Theatre, traditional Celtic music artist Patrick OFlaherty gave the festival one of its most direct ties to Ireland itself. OFlaherty, who is from the west of Ireland, said Gaelic was the language of his upbringing and that he did not regularly speak conversational English until he was about 17, when he moved to England. Advertisement Advertisement He said his set draws from a broad Celtic mix rooted mostly in Irish and Scottish music. I do a cross section of Celtic, mostly Irish and Scottish, OFlaherty said. I play with two different groups the Poor Players, which is more traditional, and I play with my brother in The Celtic Folk, which was more folky. He said St. Patricks season in the United States carries a meaning of its own. Its great to be Irish, OFlaherty said. Everybodys Irish on St. Patricks Day. OFlaherty added that Beckley has become a familiar stop over the years. Ive played there five years, OFlaherty said. At the Raleigh Playhouse and Theatre, theater manager Shane Pierce said Sundays concert has become one of the festivals most dependable notes, and this year saw the talents of internationally recognized Celtic arts musician Patrick OFlaherty and the Lincoln County Cloggers. Advertisement Advertisement I always look forward to having the Irish/Celtic Concert every March at The Raleigh, Pierce said. Patrick OFlaherty is such a wonderful musician, multi-instrumentalist, and storyteller and the Lincoln County Cloggers brought their biggest group of dancers yet this year. Pierce said the pairing gives the program a familiar ease while still delivering strong performances. Having those two acts on a lineup together is like enjoying a comfort food of sorts, Pierce said. Its a show that makes you feel good. He added that the events free admission helps keep it accessible for families and repeat attendees. Advertisement Advertisement This concert is usually offered free of charge, also, so its a great family event that wont break the bank, Pierce said. We have several people who come back every year for it. For Beckley, the holiday closes this years festival. It may also leave behind a useful hint of what comes next: a spring tradition with room to grow, a willing audience and, if organizers get their way, even more reason to wear green in public next year. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Portland is known for its food carts and one local spot recently celebrated a decade of being in business. White Elephant Asian Fusion, owned by Jen Soutavong and her son Justin, serving mighty flavors with Lao cuisine as the most prominent. Laos food, I describe as a kind of a fusion between Vietnamese and Thai food, with the freshness of Vietnamese and the spices of Thai. Thats Laos food, and with the extra flavor, Jen said. Food is our love languageBecause what we serve from our food cart is what we serve at home. And so its like were giving a piece of our kitchen to the community. Advertisement Advertisement The Soutavong family has been sharing their culture through this business for 10 years now. Weve been through so much. Literally and figuratively weathered storms. I think resilience is the best word I can describe, Jen said. The thousands of people who follow Jen and White Elephant on Instagram have seen the resilience. People prefer authenticity and when people see our life story. We are literally a mom and pop business, Jen said. When Jens husband Chris fell ill in 2020 during the pandemic, he was in the ICU for a month. Jen posted about his situation online. He had cardiac arrest through COVID. He had bilateral pneumonia, that was right before vaccines and everything. His situation, it was almost fatal. Were very lucky to have him today, but it really did a number on him, Jen said. Advertisement Advertisement Chris is a big reason this food cart started. Even though he can no longer work, his family is making sure the food cart continues. Hes still very involved in the business, Jen said. When we had a family meeting, all the kids were like, well figure it out. This is Dads dream. Lets continue it.' The couples 14-year-old twin daughters help when they can, while their 25-year-old son Justin is at the helm with his mom, running White Elephant full time. I remember my dad hosting parties back then, and seeing the smiles he put on peoples faces just with his food, Justin said. Now, Justin is cooking the way his dad used to. Advertisement Advertisement We have the folks who know the history of what happened with my father a couple of years back, that still come in and check continuously, and it warms my heart, Justin said. We appreciate everybody that continues to show us love. 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. If you grew up eating at Italian restaurants in the United States, then of course you'd think that the combination of spaghetti and meatballs is one of the most quintessential Italian pairings there is. In reality, however, this is an "Italian" dish that isn't actually Italian. Italians do eat meatballs (which they call polpette), but they serve a totally different function in the meal. In Italy, meals have a very specific structure in which pasta and meat are served separately, not together. Sure, some pasta dishes may contain small amounts of cured or finely chopped meat within the sauce, such as in carbonara or amatriciana, but what you will never see in Italy is a large portion of meat sitting on top of pasta. Not like in American spaghetti and meatballs or chicken alfredo. Instead, it is always served as a primo (first course) and then meat is served as the secondo (second course). Italians have a very clear meal system, and those curious can read our cheat sheet guide to Italian food courses for an overview of how it works. In Italy, polpette are served on their own as a small secondo or as an appetizer (antipasto), sometimes with sauce or vegetables, but never with pasta. And they are usually smaller than the American versions too in some regions of Italy, they are the size of marbles. They are also not strictly made from beef depending on where you are and who is cooking, you may find polpette made with pork, veal, chicken, or even vegetables. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Absolute Best Italian Restaurant In Every US State, Hands Down Immigration helped create the spaghetti and meatballs we know today Italian meatballs with sauce on a white plate. - Dietmar Rauscher/Getty Images The way Americans today know meatballs is more of a love story between cultures than a lesson in the history of Italian food. When Italians arrived in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they suddenly found themselves able to access much more meat than they could at home, so traditional dishes were adopted for new circumstances. Beef was more of a scarcity in Italy. In America, it could be integrated into much heartier meals, and so the meatballs themselves got bigger. Serving those large meatballs on top of pasta would have been much more appealing to American eaters who weren't used to Italy's multi-course meal system. Slowly, meatballs became synonymous with spaghetti in Italian-American cuisine, even though they're not prepared this way in Italy. We often see this dynamic in other familiar menu items. For example, garlic bread may taste amazing in an Italian restaurant in America, but you won't find it in Italy, either. Italians do rub garlic onto bread whilst making bruschetta, but the buttered baguette that is served alongside a plate of pasta has no roots there. Similarly, people are sometimes surprised to learn that beloved "classics" like beef meatballs are creations of Italian-American restaurant culture and are not traditionally Italian at all. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Chowhound. Air Force A-10 Thundebolt II attack aircraft, commonly called Warthogs, are now chasing Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz. US forces are attempting to reopen the strait as Iran disrupts crude oil shipping through the critical waterway. The Air Force has been pushing the retirement of the Warthog, deeming the aircraft obsolete for a war with China. US Air Force A-10 Warthogs are now chasing down Iranian fast-attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz, the top US general said Thursday. At a Thursday press briefing, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed operational updates as the conflict stretches into its third week, revealing that A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft are "now in the fight." Advertisement Advertisement He said that these aircraft are "hunting and killing fast-attack boats in the Straits of Hormuz." Caine added that US forces are flying further into eastern Iranian airspace, targeting Iran's one-way attack drone hubs. Tehran has disrupted the flow of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow strip of water connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and offering access to the Arabian Sea and beyond. The strait is one of the world's busiest oil shipping lanes. The severe disruption has resulted in a serious spike in crude oil prices. US officials have said Iran is using vessels like its fast attack boats to deploy naval mines in the strait, threatening vessels traveling through the waterway. The Air Force has sought the retirement of its final A-10 Thunderbolt II jets. US Air Force photo The A-10 Warthog's role in the war comes amid its planned retirement, which the Air Force expedited from later this decade to fiscal year 2026. For now, though, over 160 Warthogs remain in service. Advertisement Advertisement The A-10, more commonly known as the Warthog, is a close-air support aircraft that was introduced in the 1970s; it was intended as a tank-killer able to blunt a Soviet armored assault. Though it carries rockets, missiles, and bombs, the aircraft is best known for its 30mm GAU-8 Avenger seven-barrel Gatling-style autocannon. Air Force leadership has previously said the A-10's retirement is necessary because "the aircraft does not deter or survive against our pacing challenge," a reference to China. The service has been looking to F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters to fulfill A-10 missions. During the Pentagon's Operation Epic Fury update, Caine also said AH-64 Apache attack helicopters "have joined the fight on the southern flank" as well, including helicopters flown by US allies, "to handle one-way attack drones." Apache helicopters have also been striking Iranian-aligned militia groups in Iraq, he added, to suppress threats in the country against the US. Advertisement Advertisement Similar to the Warthogs, US military leaders have suggested the Apache is losing its edge. Last year, the Army's deputy chief of staff for operations, plans, and training said that the Delta variant is no longer "a war-winning capability that we can fight with and win today." Even the more advanced Echos, he said, are "on the cusp of being capabilities where we don't necessarily see them contributing to the fight the way they have done perhaps in the past." The Army has been largely reconsidering the role of crewed helicopters and looking into reducing the number of crewed assets and replacing them with a greater number of uncrewed combat platforms. Read the original article on Business Insider Cincinnati Financial Corporation (CINF) is an insurance holding company that primarily provides property and casualty insurance, along with life insurance and investment services, through a network of independent agents. Headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio, the company is recognized for its conservative underwriting practices and significant investment portfolio, which plays a key role in driving earnings. Cincinnati Financial has a market cap of around $25.5 billion, placing it firmly in the large-cap category within the sector. Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as large-cap stocks, and CINF fits that description, with a market cap exceeding that threshold, underscoring its size, influence, and dominance in the property and casualty insurance industry. More News from Barchart CINF is currently down 6.2% from its 52-week high of $174.27, achieved on Feb. 6. Over the past three months, CINF stock has declined 2.7%, outperforming the Invesco KBW Property & Casualty Insurance ETFs (KBWP) 4.8% slump during the same time frame. www.barchart.com Shares of the company rose marginally on a year-to-date (YTD) basis and 12.1% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming KBWPs YTD decline of 4.5% and slight plunge over the past year. CINF has consistently traded above the 200-day moving average since May 2025. Also, it has been trading above the 50-day moving average over the same time frame but with some fluctuations. www.barchart.com Over the past year, shares of Cincinnati Financial Corporation have risen primarily due to exceptional underwriting performance and significant growth in investment income, which rose 14% for the full year 2025. Despite facing the worst catastrophe loss in its history, the company achieved a net income of $2.4 billion for the year, supported by disciplined premium pricing and a strong property casualty combined ratio of 94.9%. Investors were also encouraged by a record-high book value per share of $102.35 and the boards decision in early 2026 to increase the quarterly dividend consistently. However, CINFs rival, The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) shares outpaced the stock, with a 5% uptick this year and a 16.9% returns over the past 52 weeks. A single fossilized bone has unlocked a surprising chapter in Taiwans ancient past one in which a giant python stretching more than 13 feet long slithered across an island that today has no pythons at all. Scientists identified the massive snake from a vertebra discovered in sediments near the city of Tainan in southwestern Taiwan. The find paints a picture of an ecosystem vastly different from the one that exists on the island today. A bone that tells a big story Cheng-Hsiu Tsai of National Taiwan University and colleagues analyzed the specimen, identifying it as belonging to a python based on its structural features. The research team recovered the fossil from the Chiting Formation, a geological deposit formed roughly 800,000 to 400,000 years ago during the Pleistocene epoch. Advertisement Advertisement Using the vertebra, researchers modeled the snakes size, estimating it at approximately 13 feet in length. They compared the vertebras shape and structure to known python fossils, ruling out other large snake species. Scientists Are Discovering New Species Faster Than Ever This fossil represents the largest and most unexpected fossil snake from Taiwan, wrote Tsai. The study was published in Historical Biology in January 2026. How did a giant python end up on Taiwan? The answer lies in dramatic geographic shifts that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago. During the Pleistocene, fluctuating sea levels sometimes reduced the distance between Taiwan and mainland Asia, allowing large animals to migrate to the island. These natural land bridges or at least narrower water gaps provided a pathway for creatures that could not have crossed the open ocean on their own. Advertisement Advertisement No python species live on Taiwan today. An ancient ecosystem of apex predators The giant python was far from the only formidable creature roaming prehistoric Taiwan. Fossils recovered from the same region near Tainan reveal that the island once supported a dramatically different web of wildlife. Among the most remarkable finds: the remains of a 23-foot crocodile, identified as Toyotamaphimeia taiwanicus. Evidence of a saber-toothed cat likely belonging to the genus Homotherium has also been found in the area. Mammoth remains round out the regional fossil record. Together, these discoveries suggest that hundreds of thousands of years ago, Taiwans ecosystem included apex predators at the top of the food chain a far cry from the islands current wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Scientists Discovered Multiple New Species in 6 Days5 Disguise as Poop! A missing link in todays ecosystem Modern Taiwan is home to more than 50 snake species, but none approach the size of the prehistoric python. Crocodiles are no longer present on the island either. Researchers suggest this absence reflects the loss of apex predators that once occupied the top of the food chain during the Pleistocene. Tsai and colleagues believe the disappearance of these large predators left a lasting gap in the islands ecology. We propose that the niche of top predators in the modern ecosystem may have been vacant since the Pleistocene extinction, wrote Tsai. Advertisement Advertisement That raises questions about the structure of Taiwans current wildlife populations and what the absence of such dominant species means for the balance of the islands ecosystems. The fossils journey to formal scientific study took an unusual path. Before being analyzed, the vertebra was held by local collector Li-Ren Hou, who later donated it to National Taiwan University, where it was formally analyzed and preserved. Without Hous donation, the fossil may never have been studied. One Frog Species Turned Out to Be Six or Seven. Scientists Say Billions More May Be Hiding. Scientists Uncover 500-Million-Year-Old Species Hiding In Plain Sight In South Korea Two Marsupials Thought Extinct for 7,000 Years Found Alive in New Guinea WEST DES MOINES, Iowa While investigators shared few details on Wednesday about the murder of Ashley Okland, an arrest made this week in the once-cold case provided a renewed sense of hope for justice. The young realtor was hosting an open house for a West Des Moines townhome on a Friday afternoon in 2011 when her life was cut short. Okland was found dead inside the home with gunshot wounds. For over a decade, investigators tracked thousands of leads, but no one had been charged with her murder until this week. West Des Moines Police announced the arrest of 53-year-old Kristin Ramsey of Woodward on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Ramsey was charged with first-degree murder in Oklands death. The charge was filed after a Dallas County grand jury voted to indict Ramsey. The defendant made her first court appearance on Wednesday morning. At the same time, law enforcement held a press conference about her arrest. Members of the West Des Moines Police Department, Dallas County Attorneys Office and Iowa Attorney Generals Office shared statements with reporters. Investigators didnt take questions, saying they didnt want to jeopardize the suspects prosecution. However, they did say that no additional arrests are expected at this time. Finally being able to announce an arrest in this case is a moment that investigators, like Assistant Chief of Police Jody Hayes of the West Des Moines Police Department, have thought about for years. Ashleys story has kept many of us awake at night, revisiting the details over and over in our minds, searching for that missing piece, said Hayes in the press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Hayes spent half of his 30-year career with the department investigating this case. He believes Oklands broad daylight murder changed the real estate industry forever. Ashleys story has haunted a very haunted community of professional realtors, who have forever changed how they hold open houses and conduct business, he said. Oklands siblings were also at the press conference and they shared powerful statements. We had lost our hope in finding answers and having any justice for Ashley, said Brittany Bruce, Ashleys sister, at the start of her statement. She later said, Their [investigators] dedication, commitment to Ashley, their drive, and work ethic is a true gift from God that we feel fortunate to be touched by. Advertisement Advertisement Today is the day my family has thought about very often over the last fourteen years, said Josh Okland, Ashleys brother. Brittany and Josh thanked investigators for never giving up on their older sisters case, and they credited the arrest to Attorney General Brenna Birds Cold Case Investigative Unit. The unit was launched in 2024 to investigate over 400 cold cases across the state. Josh stood alongside Bird the day the unit was launched. No one should ever get away with murder, said Bird. Families deserve answers. This case is now pending criminal prosecution. The Dallas County Attorney General will prosecute the case in conjunction with the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) An elderly man and woman killed in a house fire early Thursday morning in Baton Rouge have been identified. The East Baton Rouge Coroners Office identified the victims as Brenda Jordan, 68, and Marcia Kahn, 74. According to the Baton Rouge Fire Department (BRFD), crews were called to 14232 Bywood Avenue around 3:38 a.m. on March 19. Firefighters arrived seven minutes later and found fire coming through the roof and the back of the home. Advertisement Advertisement BRFD said Jordan and Kahn were found dead inside the home, and two injured men were located outside the home. The men were taken to the hospital for their injuries. The coroners office stated that the cause and manner of death for both individuals are pending final autopsy results. Responding personnel went to work putting the fire out with the help of 14 total units, four pumpers, and one ladder. The fire was put under control 42 minutes after the first fire truck arrived at the scene. The Baton Rouge Police Department, EMS, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner were called to the scene, along with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal. Advertisement Advertisement BRFD said no firefighters were injured. The home sustained $220,000 in damage and is a total loss. Investigators are working to determine what started the fire. Woman charged after child dies after being run over, Baton Rouge police say 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. If Minnesota doesnt lift its 32-year-old ban on new nuclear power reactors soon, it could blow through a self-imposed 2040 deadline to clean up its electric grid. That was one of the messages hammered home by a bipartisan group of legislators and company officials in the Capitol rotunda this week. They appeared at the behest of the Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance, a coalition of 60-odd utilities, electric cooperatives, labor unions, local governments and others pushing to repeal the United States only remaining nuclear construction moratorium. Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, spoke Tuesday as a supporter of the 2023 law mandating 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. I was explicit (at the time) that we had to have nuclear as part of the energy mix, he said. Advertisement Advertisement We will lift this moratorium because we have to, he added. But, Hauschild and others noted, its still unlikely without buy-in from the people harmed most by Minnesotas initial push into nuclear power. Xcel Energys predecessor company began construction on the nuclear plant near Red Wing in the 1960s without consulting the Prairie Island Indian Community, then later added what has effectively become a permanent nuclear waste storage depot to the site over the communitys explicit objections, according to a pro-nuclear white paper published in October by Northstar Policy Action, a progressive research shop. Xcels regional president, Bria Shea, told Northstar that the company has come to understand the impact of the plant and believes any discussion about lifting the states moratorium on new nuclear plants must include the Prairie Island Indian Community as a key stakeholder. At an October forum sponsored by the Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance, Blake Johnson, the tribes senior government relations specialist, said the waste issue was ultimately a failure of the federal government, which unsurprisingly has been unable to find a community willing to host a permanent nuclear waste repository. Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, it has been very tough for us to move past that, Johnson said. Younger generations dont even want to live in the community because of (these) concerns. With energy-hungry data centers eying the Upper Midwest and aging coal-fired power plants set to retire, however, proponents said its just a matter of time before new nuclear power stations appear in the region, if not here then elsewhere. If Minnesota doesnt ease its ban, said Sen. Andrew Mathews, R-Princeton, neighboring states will claim the high-wage jobs and tax revenues that follow. Each year, we get closer and closer, said Mathews, whose district includes a retiring coal plant. But its almost going to be too late, if we dont lift the moratorium soonto plan for the future. Mathews, who did not support the 2040 carbon-free law, introduced a bill early last year to strike the moratorium from Minnesota statutes governing the electric grid and continues to push it this year. He said it was a matter of energy sanity to support a carbon-free energy source that the U.S. Department of Energy calls more reliable than any other. Advertisement Advertisement Nuclear power plants are more economical to run consistently than the gas- and oil-fired power plants known as peakers; have fewer mechanical problems than coal plants; and arent weather-dependent like wind, solar and hydropower. Downsides include the radioactive waste storage issue and accidents, though proponents credibly portray these risks as remote. Nuclear plants are also costly and take years to develop and build. The most recent additions to the U.S. nuclear fleet were a pair of reactors in Georgia that took nearly 15 years and $35 billion double the original budget to build. The companies developing a new generation of smaller, more standardized reactors say they wont be nearly as costly or time-consuming to build, but only a handful of those have begun construction anywhere in the world and experts dont expect them to hit the grid en masse until next decade. Hence the urgency of some Minnesota legislators on display this week. Advertisement Advertisement Once nuclear reactors are up and running, they typically run for decades and generate lots of power. Even after 20 years of steady wind power deployment in the Midwest and a more recent wave of solar panel installations, Xcel Energys nuclear power plants near Monticello and Red Wing provide 21% of Minnesotas total electricity and more than a third of its carbon-free power, according to the Northstar white paper. Both date to the early 1970s; Xcel plans to operate them into the 2050s. At the Capitol this week, Mike Brasel, a Minnesota native and chief operating officer for a startup that wants to bury constellations of small nuclear reactors a mile underground, ticked off a list of states that recently overturned nuclear bans or passed other pro-nuclear legislation: Kentucky, Connecticut, both Virginias. He did not mention that New York state legislators may soon consider a two-year moratorium on new nuclear energy amid a push by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to build more reactors upstate and a more recent Trump administration proposal to restart a nuclear plant closer to New York City that, in a previous life, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fought to close. The rally attendees appeared more concerned with their own backyard. Wisconsin, whose power grid is closely tied to Minnesotas, repealed a 33-year-old ban on nuclear construction in 2016 and appears poised to enact generous tax breaks for nuclear power plant developers this year despite strange-bedfellows opposition from environmental groups and Americans for Prosperity, the anti-tax political action group founded by the arch-conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch. Brasel said his company, Deep Fission, had recently started construction on its first project in Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement I hope one day I can build one here in Minnesota, he said. No representative for the Prairie Island community spoke at this weeks event. But Rep. Spencer Igo, an Iron Range Republican and lead House sponsor of the moratorium repeal, did take the mic Tuesday. Igo said he and fellow pro-nuclear legislators were coordinating with members of the tribe on a separate, forthcoming bill to study the implications of lifting the moratorium part of a broader effort, he said, to include groups skeptical of nuclear power in the conversation. (We want to) give them a seat at the table so we can do this the right way, Igo said. Johnson, the Prairie Island government relations specialist, said last year the tribe was openminded to being included in the conversation (but) for the time beingstill (wants) to live up to the 1994 agreement and find a solution to the waste. The 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, which includes the parishes of Ascension, Assumption and St. James, reported guilty pleas during the week of March 9-13. The information has been obtained through the office of 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin. Ascension Parish 1. Charles Gaspard, 7121 Ithaca St. Metairie, LA, age 57, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Dangerous Substance, and DWI 2nd Offense. The defendant was sentenced to 30 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. Advertisement Advertisement 2. Matthew Corkern III, 8252 Brittany Rd. Sorrento, LA, age 36, pled guilty to Simple Burglary and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The defendant was sentenced to 25 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. The defendant will be required to register and notify as a sex offender or child predator. 3. Tarese Garrett, 113 Emy Ln. Patterson, LA, age 19, pled guilty to Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 18 months supervised probation. 4. Joseph Izevblzva JR., 844 N 14th St. Port Allen, LA, age 19, pled guilty to Armed Robbery and was sentenced to 10 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 5. Robin Queen, 6610 Hwy 74 Geismar, LA, age 46, pled guilty to Attempted Theft Valued Over $1,000 and was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 6 months unsupervised probation. Advertisement Advertisement 6. Jadavlan Serf, 744 N 11th St. Baton Rouge, LA, age 30, pled guilty to Illegal Possession of Stolen Things Valued at $5,000 or More, but Less than $25,000 and was sentenced to 3 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 3 years supervised probation. 7. Timothy Efird, Ascension Parish, age 62, pled guilty to Attempted Simple Kidnapping and was sentenced to 30 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 8. Joseph Jones, 929 Elizabeth St. Donaldsonville, LA, age 40, pled guilty to Sexual Battery and was sentenced to 7 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. The defendant will be required to register and notify as a sex offender or child predator. The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Blake Sheets and Christopher Carter. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Cody Martin. The Ascension Parish Courthouse is located in the historic district of Donaldsonville, the parish seat. Assumption Parish 1. Branden Guthridge, 250 S Bay Rd. Pierre Part, LA, age 54, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The defendant was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 1-year supervised probation. Advertisement Advertisement 2. Drake Domingue, 1619 Mayon St. Morgan City, LA, age 35, pled guilty to Simple Criminal Damage to Property Valued at $1,000 or More, but Less than $50,000 and was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 3. Alicia Powell, 168 Georgette St. Labadieville, LA, age 47, pled guilty to Public Intimidation of a School Bus Operator and was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 2 years supervised probation. The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lana Chaney, and presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge John Smith. St. James Parish 1. On November 10, 2025, Jordan Lebouef of 1500 Dunn St. Houma, LA, age 38, pled guilty to Simple Burglary. Sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. On March 9, 2026, the defendant was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 2 years supervised probation. Advertisement Advertisement The above case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Koenig, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Steven Tureau. Submitted by Public Information Officer Tyler Cavalier for 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky L. Babin. This article originally appeared on Gonzales Weekly Citizen: Court news for Ascension, Assumption and St. James parishes Finland just keeps going. The 2026 World Happiness Report is out, and for the ninth year in a row, the Nordic country has been named the happiest country in the world. The report, released annually around the United Nations International Day of Happiness, ranks more than 140 countries based on how people evaluate their own lives to determine the happiest countries in the world. The data comes primarily from the Gallup World Poll, with researchers also analyzing factors like social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption. Spending time outdoors, whether walking, skiing or simply being in nature, is a core part of daily life in Finland and a key factor in the countrys high levels of wellbeing. getty The Happiest Country In The World Once again, Finland sits at No. 1. Finns reported an average life evaluation score of 7.764 out of 10, well ahead of most other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Frank Martelaan associate professor at Aalto University, as well as a philosopher and researcher who studies the science of happinesssays the countrys approach is intentional. Happiness is taken seriously in Finland, where well-being is a core focus of policy and everyday life, Martela said in a statement. That mindset shows up in daily habits as much as national systems, from the tradition of sauna to a cultural emphasis on balance and resilience. Miika Makitalo, CEO of HappyOrNotthe company behind the smiley-faced feedback buttons seen in airports and retail spacessays that Finlands happiness formula continues to thrive. Sisu, that mix of resilience, determination and inner strength, helps us navigate lifes challenges, from long, dark winters to economic downturns, Makitalo said in a statement. It comes from knowing that support is there when needed, whether through our strong social policies like generous shared parental leave and tuition-free university education or every persons right to roam forests and recharge in nature. That emphasis on slowing down and reconnecting with nature has even become part of Finlands tourism messaging: This summer, the country is inviting a small number of travelers to experience its lakeside lifestyle firsthand through the Chill Like a Finn challenge. Participants get the chance to win a free seven-day summer trip to Finnish Lakeland for a digital detox experience. Advertisement Advertisement Finland is followed by a familiar group of Nordic countries: Iceland (No. 2) and Denmark (No. 3). Sweden (No. 5) and Norway (No. 6) also continue their strong showing. The continued dominance of Nordic countries isnt new: This years top 10 list is similar to previous rankings that Ive covered in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019. But the 2026 report suggests their success goes beyond the usual explanations of wealth or welfare systems. Social trust, strong institutions and a sense of community all play a role in how people evaluate their lives. When it comes to happiness, building what is good in life is more important than finding and fixing what is bad, John F. Helliwell, a founding editor of the report, said in a statement. Both need doing, now more than ever. A visitor explores Costa Ricas tropical rainforest, one of the worlds happiest countries in 2026. getty Other Happy Countries Costa Rica is one of the standout performers this year, rising to No. 4its highest-ever ranking and a notable moment for Latin America. The country has been on a steady climb. It was No. 23 in 2022, No. 12 in 2024 and No. 6 in 2025. Meanwhile, Switzerland re-enters the top 10 at No. 10 after dropping out last year. Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, continued gains from countries such as Kosovo (No. 16), Slovenia (No. 18) and Czechia (No. 20) point to a broader convergence in happiness levels between Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe. At the same time, the rankings highlight a notable absence: For the second year in a row, none of the English-speaking countries appear in the top 10, with only half placing in the top 20. New Zealand comes in at No. 11, followed by Ireland (No. 13), Australia (No. 15), the United States (No. 23), Canada (No. 25) and the United Kingdom (No. 29). For 2026, Afghanistan is once again the unhappiest country in the world, ranking last (No. 147). Sierra Leone is the second unhappiest country at No. 146. Malawi (No. 145), Zimbabwe (No. 144) and Botswana (No. 143) round out the list of five unhappiest countries. A visitor at the Statue of Liberty in New York City. This year, the U.S. ranks No. 23 among the worlds happiest countries. getty Happiness In The United States Not every country is moving in the right direction. The United States ranks 23rd this year, up one spot from last year, but its still part of a longer-term decline that has been underway for more than a decade. Advertisement Advertisement A key driver behind the decline: younger Americans. According to the report, life satisfaction among people under 25 in the U.S.along with Canada, Australia and New Zealandhas dropped significantly over the past decade. Whats striking is that this trend is not global. In most other parts of the world, young people are actually reporting higher levels of wellbeing than in the past. Most of the worlds young people are happier today than they were 20 years ago, and thats a trend that deserves attention, Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, said in a statement. That divergence between English-speaking countries and the rest of the world is one of the most important findings in this years report. The 2026 World Happiness Report examines the effect of social media on teens. getty Trends In Happiness A major focus of the 2026 report is the role of social media in shaping wellbeing, particularly among young people. Advertisement Advertisement The findings are nuanced. Moderate use of social media (less than an hour a day) is associated with higher levels of wellbeing than no use at all. But heavy use is linked to lower life satisfaction, especially among adolescents. And not all platforms are created equal. Platforms that emphasize social connection tend to have a positive association with happiness. In contrast, those driven by algorithmic feeds and influencer content are more often linked to negative outcomes, including increased stress and social comparison. The global evidence makes clear that the links between social media use and our wellbeing heavily depend on what platforms were using, whos using them and how, as well as for how long, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, an editor of the report, said in a statement. Heavy usage is associated with much lower wellbeing, but those deliberately off social media also appear to be missing out on some positive effects. The impact also varies by region. In English-speaking countries and Western Europe, heavy social media use is more strongly associated with declines in wellbeing. In other parts of the world, including Latin America, the relationship is often more positive. Social connection and a sense of belonging play a major role in overall wellbeing, according to the 2026 World Happiness Report. getty What Shapes Happiness Today If theres one takeaway from this years report, its that theres no single explanation for happiness or for its decline. Advertisement Advertisement Even when social media plays a role, its only part of a much larger picture. Factors like social connection and a sense of belonging appear to have an even stronger influence on how people feel about their lives. In fact, the report suggests that improving those real-world connections may matter far more than simply reducing screen time. At the same time, researchers caution against oversimplifying the data. The relationship between technology and wellbeing depends on how its used, whos using it and the broader social context. Read on to see the list of top 25 happiest countries in the world. You can also see the full list of 147 countries here. A visitor explores a glacier landscape in Iceland, one of the worlds happiest regions. getty Ranked: The Happiest Countries In the World Finland Iceland Denmark Costa Rica Sweden Norway Netherlands Israel Luxembourg Switzerland New Zealand Mexico Ireland Belgium Australia Kosovo Germany Slovenia Austria Czechia United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia United States Poland Canada MORE FROM FORBES: MORE FROM FORBESThe 50 Best Cities In The World To Visit In 2026According To Time Out By Laura Begley Bloom MORE FROM FORBESThe 11 Easiest Countries To Get Citizenship In 2026, According To An International Living Report By Laura Begley Bloom MORE FROM FORBESThe 30 Most Welcoming Places On Earth In 2026, According To Visitor Reviews By Laura Begley Bloom Think of the Space Coast's version of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop. On 3/21, American Space Museum officials hope a Titusville festival crowd chants a " ... 3, 2, 1" launch countdown leading up to 3:21 p.m. The museum will host its third-annual 321 Day festivities on Saturday, March 21, near the river at Space View Park in Titusville. The event celebrates Brevard County's space history and unique 321 "countdown" area code. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring food trucks, music and exhibitors. "This event will continue to grow and build out the entire Space View Park and Veterans Park," said Jennifer Rothblatt, a museum volunteer who heads the event planning committee. August 2023 story: Space buff Ozzie Osband, the 'father' of Brevard's countdown 321 area code, passes away Advertisement Advertisement This year's 321 Day comes as NASA crews continue preparing the mighty Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft ahead of the Artemis II moon mission, which could launch as early as April 1 from Kennedy Space Center. NASA has yet to announce a target launch date. At 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, the massive Crawler-Transporter 2 is expected to slowly roll the rocket and mobile launch tower from the Vehicle Assembly Building out to pad 39B. March 21 named Space Coast Day in Brevard The Brevard County Commission in January adopted a resolution that designates March 21 as Space Coast Day. The resolution honored Brevard's "central and historic role in the advancement of space exploration and scientific innovation." "As we celebrate in the United States 250 years of daring, exploring and pioneering spirit from which the nation was born, Artemis is going to serve as that big, beautiful candle that illuminates the strength, innovation and perseverance for which America is best known," Janet Petro, director of NASAs Kennedy Space Center, told commissioners from the public-comment podium. Advertisement Advertisement "And as Florida celebrates the establishment of 321 Day in recognition of the Space Coast's beautiful history, I invite you all to join me in the anticipation, excitement and the celebration of the new chapter of space exploration we're writing together as we go back to the moon and beyond," Petro said. The Space Coast Day resolution was championed by Cocoa resident Todd Anderson. Within the next five to 10 years, he envisions March 21 becoming a colorful regional holiday like Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Fest. "They do pirates. And they do pirate ships. But we're going to do space-themed, because Star Trek said that 'space is our final frontier.' So we're going to have parades but not with pirates. We're going to have spacemen and Martians and all kinds of space-themed projects," Anderson told commissioners. The 'father' of Brevard's 321 countdown area code Ozzie Osband stands at a whiteboard displaying Brevard County's 321 area code during a Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The American Space Museum's 321 Day festivities and the county's Space Coast Day resolution recognize the late Robert "Ozzie" Osband, who led the charge to create Brevard's rocket-launch-countdown 321 area code nearly 30 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Osband a Titusville resident who volunteered for the museum for two decades proposed the 321 area code during a September 1998 Florida Public Service Commission meeting in Orlando. Brevard's distinctive area code debuted in November 1999, splitting away from Orlando's 407 area code. Along Brevard's borders, the 321 area code extends into portions of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties. Osband died in August 2023 at age 72. He was known for narrating launches to crowds of spectators at Space View Park, and he led group tours at Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum. For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly 321 Launch space newsletter. Advertisement Advertisement Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY, where he has covered news since 2004. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida's Space Coast to mark space history with 3:21 countdown on 3/21 Four people were injured including one who was flown to a Rockford hospital as a result of a two-vehicle collision late Wednesday morning in Lee County. Deputies from the Lee County Sheriffs Office responded to a crash about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Palmyra Road and Carriage Hill Drive in rural Sterling, which is located in Lee County, according to a news release. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2015 Dodge Journey driven by a 52-year-old Sterling woman was traveling north on Carriage Hill Drive and attempting to turn onto Palmyra Road at the same time that a 2012 Hyundai sedan, driven by a 16-year-old from Mount Morris, was traveling east on Palmyra Road. Advertisement Advertisement The two vehicles collided within the intersection, according to the release. The woman and two passengers in the Hyundai a 19-year-old Tampico man and a Morrison 17-year-old were taken to CGH Medical Center for treatment. The driver of the Hyundai was flown to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. The crash remains under investigation by a Lee County Sheriffs Office traffic crash reconstructionist. The Lee County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by the Sterling Fire Department, Rock Falls Fire Department, Dixon Rural Fire Department, Dixon City Fire Department, Whiteside County Sheriffs Office, Illinois State Police, OSF Life Flight and the Illinois Department of Transportation. A new study reveals that an unconventional ecological intervention tactic is still providing benefits 43 years later. After the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens devastated the local environment, scientists set a few gophers loose on some patches of ground, hoping they would kick up bacteria and fungi. That uncovered fungi, especially a type known as mycorrhizal fungi, created a microbial community that allowed plant life to better obtain and retain nutrients. It would probably be pretty alarming to learn that, in the early 1980s, scientists decided to drop off a bunch of gophers at the site of a volcanic eruption. But dont worry, its not as bad as it sounds. In fact, according to a reportfrom the University of California, this particular gopher-volcano encounter proved to be such a net positive that its effects are still being felt 43 years later. Advertisement Advertisement It starts with the eruption of Mount St. Helens in May of 1980. It was the most destructive volcanic event in American history, claiming 57 lives and causing staggering ecological damage. Faced with a devastation that would take the local environment a substantial amount of time to recover from, scientists were open to unorthodox ideas that might speed the process along. So they did what any reasonable person would decide to do and tossed a couple of gophers at the issue. Seriously. Specifically, as laid out in the University of Californias report, the thinking was by digging up beneficial bacteria and fungi, gophers might be able to help regenerate lost plant and animal life on the mountain. So, in May 1983, three years after the devastating Mount St. Helens eruption, thats exactly what scientists did. They gathered up some gophers, brought them to the eruption site, and let them do their gopher thing. Theyre often considered pests, notes UC Riverside microbiologist Michael Allen, but we thought they would take old soil, move it to the surface, and that would be where recovery would occur. Before the gopher drop-off, only about a dozen plants were reported to have emerged from the pumice slabs that Mount St. Helens eruption had turned the land into. But six years after the gophers were placed on two specific plots of pumice for a single day there were 40,000 plants thriving. Meanwhile, the area around those plots, which had not been gopher-ed, was still barren. Advertisement Advertisement To see these changes six years on was impressive, but nobody could have imagined that the benefits of this single day of gopher intervention could still be seen decades later. But thats precisely what an article published in the journal Frontiers earlier this month indicates. Four decades later, the article noted, the microbial community fostered within those plots, specifically mycorrhizal fungi, are still allowing plant life to thrive in the area. These trees have their own mycorrhizal fungi that picked up nutrients from the dropped needles and helped fuel rapid tree regrowth, the papers co-author Emma Aronson said of the fungis importance, The trees came back almost immediately in some places. It didnt all die like everyone thought. Naturally, one takeaway from this paper is, as University of Connecticut mycologist Mia Maltz summarizes, that we cannot ignore the interdependence of all things in nature, especially the things we cannot see like microbes and fungi. But also, when the situation seems grim, just toss a couple of gophers at the problem and see if that does anything. It might just work! You Might Also Like One of my favorite times of year is when winter turns to spring. Its not Januarybut mid-Marchthat usually feels like the real New Year to me, as the sun seemingly shines brighter, and the days get longer. But Ill never forget the transition from winter to spring of 2020, and how it was unlike any other I, and many others, had felt in our lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic was swiftly sweeping the nation. Streets, in many neighborhoods around the country, were quiet after shutdown mandates were issued city by city. Some neighborhoods were not quiet, though. On March 13, 2020, 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by a group of police officers whod conducted forced entry into her Louisville, Kentucky apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Her death wouldnt receive national attention for weeks due to the severity of the pandemic and the national shutdown that followed. But in late May, George Floyds murder in Minneapolis, paired with reports of the release of a 911 phone call Taylors boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, made crying for help on the night of her murder, evoked protests across the country. Silence six years after Breonna Taylors death For a moment, Taylors name was everywhere. Six years later, her anniversary came and went with little acknowledgment. A handful of influential voices, including Rep. Cori Bush and writer Jamil Smith, acknowledged the anniversary. But the widespread attention that once followed Taylors name was largely missing. Rest in power Breonna Taylor. Today, we mourn six years without her, and six years without justice or accountability. On this day in 2020, Breonna Taylor was killed by Louisville Metro Police Department officers after they forcibly entered her home. Although one of the officers pic.twitter.com/8uG6g78eke Cori Bush (@CoriBush) March 13, 2026 According to the Equal Justice Initiative, a 2023 Department of Justice investigation into the Louisville Metro Police Department found serious misconduct and widespread discrimination against Black residents, including unlawful stops, excessive force and harassment. One officer told investigators that Taylor was a symptom of problems that we have had for years. She was not an exception; she was evidence. Furthermore, those problems have not gone away; there is simply less attention on them. Advertisement Advertisement Part of that shift reflects the current political climate. We are living under an administration that campaigned on eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, many of which were widely adopted in 2020. The language of racial justice that once dominated public discourse is now openly contested. At the same time, some of the policy changes that followed her murder have quietly been rolled back. As The Root recently reported, efforts to limit practices like no-knock warrants in the wake of Taylors killing have been weakened or reversed, restoring broader discretion to law enforcement with little public attention. The country did not only move on, it slid backward. But the silence is dangerous, and it will continue to cost the lives of Black women across the country. A crisis that never disappeared Black women continue to be killed at disproportionately high rates in the United States. Research shows that Black women face the highest homicide rates of any group of women in the country, a disparity that has persisted for years and remains deeply underexamined. A report from the University of New Mexicos Health Sciences Center describes the killing of Black women as a public health crisis, pointing not only to the scale of the violence, but to how little sustained attention it receives. Advertisement Advertisement And these deaths are often not random. Many Black women are killed by people they know, including intimate partners. Others, like Taylor, are killed during encounters with law enforcement. Together, these cases reflect a broader pattern of vulnerability shaped by systemic inequality. At the same time, the full scope of this crisis is difficult to measure. There is no comprehensive system that fully tracks the violent deaths of Black women, making the crisis difficult to quantify and easy to overlook. Media coverage is inconsistent, and many cases receive little sustained attention. Even in moments of heightened awareness, Black women are often left at the margins of the conversation. Advertisement Advertisement In the years since 2020, even that limited attention has shifted. Public engagement with issues of race, policing, and the Black Lives Matter movement has declined, according to Pew Research Center surveys. As that attention has declined, so has the urgency surrounding violence against Black women. What happens when attention fades? The conditions that made Taylor vulnerable have not disappeared. What has faded is the willingness to confront it. Silence shapes what the public sees as a crisis and what it learns to accept as normal. When the deaths of Black women fail to generate sustained outrage, it sends a message about whose lives are worthy of protection, and whose stories are worth telling. Remembering Taylor should not be limited to anniversaries, sure. And it should not depend on whether her name is trending. But it should demand a deeper reckoning with why Black women remain so vulnerable to violence and why that reality continues to go unnoticed. Because silence does not just reflect neglect. It helps sustain it. The post 6 Years After Breonna Taylor, The Silence Around Black Womens Deaths Is Dangerous appeared first on Blavity. ConocoPhillips Australia has issued a buyout notice to 3D Energi relating to the latters 20% interest in offshore exploration permit VIC/P79 in Victorias Otway Basin, following earlier notifications concerning alleged defaults. 3D Energi, formerly known as 3D Oil, said it is assessing the validity of both the default and buyout notices. The notice initiates a process under the joint operating agreement that can allow ConocoPhillips, as the operator of VIC/P79, to acquire 3D Energis interest at a fair market value, to be determined. Once that value is established, ConocoPhillips has 30 days to elect whether to proceed with the purchase. If ConocoPhillips does not exercise the buyout right, the agreement provides for other remedies. These include potential dilution of 3D Energis stake, with provisions available to both ConocoPhillips and Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC). ConocoPhillips currently has a 51% stake, while KNOC owns a 29% stake in the block. VIC/P79 covers approximately 2,575km in the shallow waters of the Otway Basin, with water depths ranging from roughly 40m in the north to around 100200m in the south. The permit is near discovered gas fields including La Bella and producing developments along the Pecten High trend, which are linked by pipeline to the Athena gas plant operated by Cooper Energy. 3D Energi obtained the permit through the 2020 Gazettal round and later farmed down its position to ConocoPhillips. The transaction was completed in March 2023 after the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Authority approved the transfer of title documentation, leaving ConocoPhillips with an 80% participating interest and operatorship. Under the farmout terms, 3D Energi received $3m (A$4.22m) and ConocoPhillips agreed to fund up to $35m towards drilling costs for an exploration well. ConocoPhillips offloaded 29% of its stake to KNOC in May 2025. The initial work programme for the VIC/P79 permit included reprocessing 630km of 3D seismic data and drilling one exploration well by February 2025. On the exploration front, in November 2025, ConocoPhillips reported that the Essington-1 well encountered gas indications in two target reservoirs, Waarre A and Waarre C. Early interpretation of logging and wireline data indicated that the main Waarre A interval contains an estimated 62.6m of gross hydrocarbon-bearing section, while the Waarre C interval adds a further best-estimate gross column of around 33.2m. The find lies roughly 53km off the coast near Port Campbell, Victoria, and around 12km from established producing gas wells. Cesar Chavez's life and career are memorialized in larger-than-life murals, monuments, intersections and schools in cities and small farm towns across the country. Now every piece of that is in question. Lionized as leader of the Latino labor movement, Chavez's legacy is now crippled by allegations of sexual assault. The allegations have sparked calls to rename streets, schools and other facilities that bear his name. Advertisement Advertisement A New York Times investigation details the testimonies of two women now in their 60s who accuse Chavez of years-long sexual abuse beginning in the 1970s when they were 12 and 13. They say Chavez was in his 40s. Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta, 95, has also come forward. Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chavez, said he forced her into unwanted sex that led to two pregnancies. "The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn't feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss and the leader of the movement I had already devoted years of my life to," Huerta said. "The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped." The United Farm Workers union has distanced itself from Chavez. Advertisement Advertisement The allegations could also lead to a renaming of the annual Cesar Chavez holiday, which is approaching on March 31. Eyewitness News asked Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass if Chavez's name should be removed from the state holiday. "Well, this is what we're looking at," Bass said. "We are, at least, going to change the name for the holiday that's coming up." L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis said she will introduce a motion "to explore renaming the county holiday." She said the process will include labor and community organizations and will be "grounded in the same collective bargaining process that established the holiday." Advertisement Advertisement Solis did not offer a possible new name, but county Supervisor Janice Hahn suggested in a statement Wednesday morning that the county consider "Farmworker Day." Solis said her motion will also call on the county to explore "renaming parks, streets, county facilities, real property, monuments, and other County programs that bear the name of Cesar Chavez, including the removal of related imagery in civic artworks, with decisions guided by community engagement." Also on Wednesday, the advocacy group California Rising called for the official renaming of Cesar Chavez Avenue, which runs about six miles through downtown L.A., Monterey Park and East L.A. The group proposed renaming the street to Dolores Huerta Avenue. A spokesperson for the group said public spaces must reflect values that honor and protect communities, adding that the proposed renaming is positioned as a "course correction" that "acknowledges harm, challenges long accepted narratives, and centers a legacy that better represents dignity and equity for current and future generations." City News Service contributed to this report. When asked about the role of religion in his life, a Latino high school student said that Sunday school (and) trips with our church groups ... always helped me keep on a straight path. A new report from scholars at Harvard and Brigham Young University examines the role of religious faith as a resource to improve learning opportunities for children and youth of all backgrounds. Limits to educational equalizing Nearly two centuries ago, American education reformer Horace Mann said that public schooling in the United States would become a great equalizer of the conditions of men. Mann, who served as Massachusetts first secretary of education between 1837 and 1848, expanded tax-supported, universal schooling through professionally trained teachers, standardized curricula and state oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Now seen as the architect of the U.S. education system, Mann believed that public schooling, above any other effort, would help children rise above poverty by developing basic literacy, numeracy and a moral education. Yet by the turn of the 20th century, only 1 in 3 children of Black and other races were enrolled in school, compared with 4 in 5 white children. Serious efforts to desegregate schools by race did not begin until the mid-1960s. Reforms, policies and other interventions since then have made limited progress. Large gaps in learning opportunities persist today by student race/ethnicity, which have stagnated for over a generation, and opportunity gaps by gender and family income are widening. What can help close these gaps, realize Manns vision and better serve our rising generation? According to our recent findings, religion is a key resource. Faith as an educational catalyst In Faith in Educational Renewal, a recent report published by the BYU Wheatley Institute and the Leadership Initiative for Faith and Education (LIFE) at Harvard, we find that the religious faith of students, their families and teachers is an untapped resource that can help to close learning opportunity gaps. Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, we find that: In short, faith can play a significant role in reaching the goals that we aspire to in public education, for both students and teachers. Separation of church and state at school? But what about the separation of church and state reflected in the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? Our recommendations below are, as was Manns vision itself, strictly nonsectarian. Advertisement Advertisement We do not endorse religious practices or doctrine in public schools, nor do we support using public funds for private religious education. We embrace the 1971 Supreme Court decision in Lemon v. Kurtzman and its standing legal precedent, which asserts that partnerships between religious organizations and government must: Have a secular, civic purpose Have a primary effect that neither advances nor inhibits religion Not foster excessive entanglement between government and religion Positive steps that can be taken To that end, there are specific actions that can help young learners and their teachers meet their full potential in public school classrooms. Consider these evidence-based recommendations that could bring positive benefits to more children and youth, regardless of their faith tradition or belief system: Establishing regular communication about needs and resources between faith communities and public school systems Schools and religious institutions distributing information about existing partnerships between public schools and faith organizations Developing deliberate educational programming within churches, Sikh gurdwaras, mosques, spiritual communities, synagogues, temples and other places of worship based on the student learning needs within their communities Creating deep and coordinated partnership activities between faith organizations and public schools to understand and meet the learning needs of students Providing public school educators with meaningful opportunities to explore how their work and their expressions of religious faith intersect Advertisement Advertisement A growing body of research is demonstrating the critical role that lived religion plays in supporting human flourishing. Success in public education is no different. More than just a private good It is easy for most of us to accept the idea that religious faith provides an important private good for those who choose to adhere to a specific faith tradition. But we must also recognize the powerful public good that lived religion and religious institutions can play in society, and specifically, in PK-12 public education. Religious faith, in other words, is both a private good (for individual students, families and teachers) and a public good (for schools and communities) when it comes to transforming learning opportunities for children and youth of any religious or belief background, and especially for historically underserved children and youth in public schools. Benjamin Franklin said that to pour forth benefits for the common good is divine. James in the New Testament wrote that pure religion is to bless and serve the disadvantaged. Dharma from Hinduism teaches that helping others and acting justly is a persons highest duty. Tikkun olam in Hebrew means repairing the world and refers to the Jewish teaching to care for those who are poor, improve society and alleviate suffering. And Jesus Christ taught, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Just like the young Latino high school student we referenced above, there are countless numbers of students, regardless of their belief tradition, who can benefit from faith. Religion can help provide the community, human, material and moral resources that these public school students need to succeed today. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Heres what youll learn when you read this story: Archaeologists discovered a Byzantine-era ascetics remains wrapped in chains near Jerusalem, dating back to 350650 A.D. Using dental enamel protein analysis, researchers identified the likely biological sex of the ascetic as female, challenging assumptions about early Christian practices. This find reveals that women, not just men, engaged in extreme asceticism, reshaping our understanding of early Christian devotional traditions. Advertisement Advertisement This story is a collaboration with Biography.com. Bodies voluntarily chained to rocks. Acts of self-flagellation. Living beings reduced only to skin and bones through consenting abstinence from food consumption. Asceticism in Christianity as practiced for centuries can comprise an array of devotional practices from fasting to meditation. But its this more extreme form of asceticism, first documented in the second century, that has held a lurid fascination with the public, both within and outside of the Christian faith. Though these acts of extreme deprivation and self-harm were condemned by Church figures like Saint Barsanuphius and John the Prophet, radical acts like Simeon Stylites 36 years atop a pillar have been immortalized in works as far ranging as a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson and a 1965 film by the Mexican director Luis Bunuel. Advertisement Advertisement In the 21st century, this fascination with extreme asceticism re-emerged in the public consciousness through the character of Silas, the self-flagellating monk in the thriller novel The Da Vinci Code. But while these pop culture depictions of ecstatic suffering vary in style and genre, one thing remains consistent: the practitioners depicted are always male. Only men performed self-punishment in the Byzantine period, a recent Haaretz article notes of the general assumption made by historians. Ecstatic suffering was the fief of the exalted male. Now, that assumption has been drastically shaken, after an article published in the Journal of Archaeological Science provides the first solid evidence that women in early Christendom also engaged in self-punishment. The evidence in question was found within a Byzantine monastery near the Old City of Jerusalem, which likely existed from 350 to 650 A.D. Within the two crypts therein, archaeologists were able to categorize many of the bodies as men, women, and children. But one had been so damaged by tree roots and other degradation that the so-called diagnostic bones, primarily the pelvis, were indecipherable. What was evident about it, however, was that these remains had belonged to a practitioner of a particularly extreme form of asceticism, as the bones had been wrapped in chains. Advertisement Advertisement With only only three vertebrae and a tooth available to them, and roughly 1,600 years elapsing since the initial burial, the idea of extracting and analyzing DNA in order to identify the biological sex of the figure formerly wrapped in chains was off the table. But, remarkably, a different kind of analysis had previously been pioneered by Dr. Paula Kotli and their team for the purposes of studying ancient animal domestication. In animaldom, Kotli and others developed a methodology to sex ancient remains based on a protein in dental enamel, amelogenin, which differs slightly between males and females, Haaretz summarizes. It was the first time the sex of ancient cattle remains had been elucidated, enabling researchers to explore the domestication pathway through changes in herd management. This analysis hinges on the fact that, as Dr. Kotli explained, we humans have two copies of the amelogenin gene: one on the X chromosome and one on the Y. Those with two X-chromosomes would only have the X-linked amelogenin. But the presence of a Y-linked amelogenin means the tooth in question was in the mouth of a biological male. When the tooth of this chain-bound ascetic was subjected to analysis, there was no Y-linked amelogenin present, which highly suggests the tooths owner had been female. Advertisement Advertisement We say highly suggests because there is some wiggle room here. The absence of an AmelY unique spectra enabled us to classify the remains as very probably those of a female, is what the paper concludes. Since men have both the X- and Y-chromosomes, its possible this tooth at one time had a Y-linked amelogenin, which simply didnt survive as well and wasnt discovered in the analysis. But without expressing absolute certainty, the team appears fairly confident that the likely owner was a female. This discovery offers a new insight into ancient devotional practices, and broadens our understanding of the spectrum of early Christian worship, not just in terms of what was practiced, but who was permitted to practice it. You Might Also Like When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Astronaut James B. Irwin standing on the lunar surface during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971. . | Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images NASA's Artemis II mission will soon send astronauts on a trip around the moon, if the current plans hold. But why is the U.S. so eager to revisit the moon for the first time in more than 50 years? NASA has promised that returning to the moon will lead to new scientific discoveries, bring economic benefits, and inspire a new generation of explorers. It's also no secret that China threatens to overtake the U.S. as the leader in space exploration, and the U.S. doesn't want to fall behind. Advertisement Advertisement From a scientific perspective, humanity still has much to learn about the moon. Earth's natural satellite has a long history preserved in its rocks, and it could help researchers better understand our own planet, the solar system and the universe at large. The moon and Earth are like twins that have been dancing around each other since the beginning of the solar system around 4.5 billion years ago, said Sara Russell , a planetary scientist at the Natural History Museum in London. This means they have a shared history of impacts from asteroids, comets and other objects, "It just has this 4-and-a-half-billion-year record of what has happened on its surface," Russell told Live Science. "We can see how affected it has been by impacts, which have also happened to the Earth, but we don't see evidence for that on the Earth so easily." Biological processes and weather-fueled erosion obscure Earth's impact history. The moon , on the other hand, has a thin atmosphere, no weather and no life, so its impact craters can be preserved almost indefinitely. These conditions also provide other research opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement "It's kind of a great laboratory about what happens to geology if there isn't any water or air," Russell said. "We can understand these very fundamental [geological] processes much more easily in many cases by looking at them on the moon." The Orion spacecraft points at the moon from its perch atop the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket as it was rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building on February 25, 2026. | Credit: Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images Artemis Artemis II is the second of five initial missions in the Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term U.S. presence on the moon for the first time. The inaugural Artemis mission, Artemis I, was an uncrewed 26-day flight around the moon in 2022. Artemis II is the first crewed spaceflight in the program and is scheduled to send four astronauts on a 10-day flight around the moon and back to Earth as soon as April 1. Each Artemis mission is meant to build on its predecessor. Artemis I laid the groundwork for Artemis II, and Artemis II is about testing systems ahead of Artemis III, Artemis IV and Artemis V. The latter two missions aim to put astronauts on the lunar surface in 2028 , with Artemis V laying the foundation for what NASA claims will be a permanent lunar base. NASA famously took 12 astronauts to the lunar surface as part of the Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972. Russell noted that lunar samples collected during the Apollo missions have kept scientists busy for more than 50 years, but the Apollo astronauts explored only some of the lunar surface on the near side of the moon, and only its equatorial region. Advertisement Advertisement "It's sort of like having several expeditions to the Sahara Desert and saying, OK, now we understand the Earth," Russell said. "That's why it's important to go back to the moon and, particularly, go to different areas. This is where Artemis is really exciting. The future Artemis mission will go to the lunar south pole, which is an area that really hasn't been explored before." Astronaut David R. Scott filming on the lunar surface as part of the Apollo 15 mission in 1971. | Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The moon's south pole is a prime location for water ice, which is thought to be concentrated in the polar regions of the lunar surface. Studying this water ice provides scientists with an opportunity to learn more about Earth's history with water. "We want to know how the moon got that water, and the reason we want to know that is because how the moon got its water is probably how the Earth got its water," Russell said. Traveling to the moon with a crew will also enable mission scientists to pursue another, perhaps more disturbing, goal of the Artemis program investigating the effects of space travel on human physiology. The Artemis II flight is an opportunity for new studies of astronaut health, including how space travel influences the body, mind and behavior, and how those impacts could affect future missions, according to NASA . This is one of many ways the lunar missions are potential stepping stones to deeper space exploration. Advertisement Advertisement That's because the Artemis program is meant to advance technologies and develop infrastructure that will be necessary for sending astronauts to Mars. Space exploration is difficult, dangerous and expensive, so NASA needs to test its systems and its astronauts on the moon before sending them to farther destinations. Establishing a lunar base could be key to traveling to Mars. An inside look at one idea the European Space Agency is exploring in its formulation of a "moon village" that incorporates 3D printing. | Credit: ESA/ Foster + Partners The moon has resources that should make space more accessible. For example, NASA has claimed that if it can harvest the moon's water, the space agency can use it to help make drinking water, oxygen and rocket fuel although this remains unproven. Shooting for the moon fulfills a broader strategy to find and use resources off Earth, which could make space exploration cheaper because not everything is made on Earth and transported elsewhere. Speaking of money, there's a potential lunar economy to consider. NASA has said that its moon strategy stimulates the commercial space industry and creates business opportunities in ways that could foster a lunar economy. The lunar economy currently stems from NASA working with private companies that provide commercial deliveries to support the space agency's mission. Essentially, NASA pays companies to take stuff to the moon. The space agency currently has 15 of these commercial lunar delivery contracts scheduled to be completed by 2028, according to NASA . However, once humans start colonizsing the moon, it could also open up valuable mining opportunities. Moon mining has the potential to become a billion-dollar industry . The moon harbors resources like rare earth elements, which are mined for electronics on Earth, as well as a potential gold mine in its stocks of helium-3 , which could eventually be used in nuclear fusion reactors to make near-limitless clean energy. The new space race While the initial space race was between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in the mid-20th century, nations are once again racing for control of the final frontier. Advertisement Advertisement RELATED STORIES NASA fixes Artemis II rocket for April launch to take astronauts around moon Chinese astronauts describe moment a crack was discovered on Shenzhou-20 spacecraft Bungled Boeing Starliner mission was the highest order of mishap that put stranded astronauts at risk, report says Although the U.S., China and Russia are the main competitors in the "new space race," more than 80 countries now have a presence in space, according to Royal Museums Greenwich in the U.K. Beyond commercial interests, access to space plays an increasingly important role in a nation's security and so could the moon. Advertisement Advertisement Robert Braun , head of the space exploration sector at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory, recently described the moon as the "ultimate high ground." In a video released by the university , Braun said many nations are heading to the moon because there's a "nexus of security, exploration and economic objectives." Officers from Malaysia's Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) moved in on a residential property in Kluang, Johor, during an early-morning operation and found 60 cages stuffed with murai batu songbirds, with three birds crammed into each one, Malay Mail reported. The home allegedly had been functioning as a secret staging site for months, funneling the protected birds along smuggling routes into Indonesia. Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, the agency's director general, said authorities shut down the operation after acting on intelligence about the property. "A local man was arrested after failing to provide valid ownership documents for all the birds. All the murai batu birds are a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act," Abdul Kadir said. Advertisement Advertisement The man, thought to be around 50 years old, was released after posting 30,000 Malaysian ringgits' bail ($7,702). Wildlife trafficking affects more than the animals involved. Human communities feel the effects when species protected by law are seized from their homes and pushed through trade pipelines. Those impacts include more pests, poor pollination, and long-term damage to the food systems people depend on. Cross-border smuggling can move animals into places where they don't belong, threatening species already living there and making it harder for communities to build healthier, more stable futures. "Perhilitan believes the suspect was part of illegal wildlife trading networks, including cross-border operations. All seized birds were taken to the Kluang Perhilitan office for further inspection and follow-up action," Abdul Kadir added. "... Perhilitan also urges the public to report any information regarding illegal hunting, storage, or trade of wildlife to help preserve the nation's natural heritage from extinction." Advertisement Advertisement If you spot anything suspicious related to animal trafficking in your area, reaching out to local wildlife authorities is one of the simplest ways to make a difference. 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. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has described Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field as "incomprehensible." "This matter has totally destroyed the markets, the gas price has exploded," the 71-year-old criticized while in Brussels for an EU summit on Thursday, according to the CTK news agency. The leader said he had previously still harboured hope that fuel and energy prices in his country had already reached their peak. He said the situation had now changed completely. Advertisement Advertisement The sharp criticism is unusual as the Czech Republic is regarded as one of Israel's closest allies in the European Union. The billionaire Babis has governed since December with his right-wing populist party ANO in a coalition with two parties on the far right. During the election campaign, he had blamed the previous liberal and conservative government for price increases, including for food and medicines. While Utah lawmakers were busy passing bills during the final week of their legislative session earlier this month, a small group gathered in a conference room at the Utah Capitol for a private meeting with Gov. Spencer Cox. They were there to celebrate a housing project for homeless veterans that took multiple state, local and private partners to make a reality but came together remarkably quickly. In that meeting, which the governors office invited Utah News Dispatch to attend, Washington City Mayor Kress Staheli told a brief history of Washington City in Southern Utah. Today, the city is home to about 40,000 residents. But back in the 1940s, when World War II was breaking out, we were no more than a dot on a map with maybe 400 or 500 residents, he said. Advertisement Advertisement At the time, 104 of our brave young men and young enlisted and served in the war, Staheli said making up roughly a quarter of the entire towns population. Of those, he said 102 returned. From that point on, Washington City has been the place to celebrate and honor veterans in Washington County for decades, Staheli said. According to the latest census numbers, Washington City is now home to more than 1,400 veterans. From left, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox meets with Washington City Mayor Kress Staheli, and Michael and Kathleen Fortune with USA Project Valor at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 3, 2026. (Photo Courtesy of the Governors Office) Today, on the corner of Main Street and Telegraph Street in the city, is a community gathering place known as Veterans Park where those who served in the military continue to be remembered and honored. Now, a few blocks north of the park, at least four homes are being built to house homeless veterans. There are also plans to build more on another parcel across the street, perhaps to bring the total up to eight or 10. Advertisement Advertisement Housing is human dignity. And who deserves more dignity than our veterans? Staheli said. To make the project possible, it took work and donations of various kinds from state officials, city leaders, a nonprofit and a prefabricated housing company. But surprisingly, it came together in a matter of days after talks started the week before, in late February. Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation, said he found out about the proposal for the quarter-acre parcel of UDOT-owned land in Washington City a remnant from a past construction project on a Friday afternoon. Steve Waldrip, the governors senior housing adviser did push me a little bit, Braceras said, prompting laughs from around the table. Advertisement Advertisement And by Friday evening, Waldrip said, we had the land secured. From right, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox meets with his housing adviser Steve Waldrip, Gary Harter, executive director of Utahs Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, and Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation, at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 3, 2026. (Photo Courtesy of the Governors Office) The deal For the first four units in Washington City, state officials agreed to lease the property appraised at about $190,000 for just $1 a year to USA Project Valor, a growing nonprofit based in Providence that so far has housed 25 veterans in Cache, Salt Lake and Iron counties. Soon, that list will also include Washington County. The nonprofits board chairman and acting president, Michael Fortune, and his wife Kathleen who he said was the brains of the operation attended the meeting with the governor. There, Fortune spoke about their efforts to help great men and women who served their country but struggle after life throws them a curveball. One of the greatest statements weve had from a homeless veteran, is he said, I finally have a home again, Fortune told the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Fortune thanked Cox and his administration for making the project in Washington City possible, telling the governor, you made this happen. But Cox shook his head, saying he doesnt get any credit for anything. My job is just to get out of the way and let really good people do their thing. It takes an amazing couple to pull something like this off, Cox said. Michael Fortune hands out USA Project Valor t-shirts during a meeting with Gov. Spencer Cox at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 3, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Governors Office) Fortune, in an interview with Utah News Dispatch, also credited the project to a prefabricated housing company, BOXABL. Martin Costas, the companys CFO, also attended the meeting with the governor. BOXABLs founder, Galiano Tiramani, donated $1 million in the companys stock to USA Project Valor, Fortune said, to help generate money for the nonprofit. Advertisement Advertisement Fortune said Project Valor will be using donations to fund the veteran housing project in Washington City, which will be built using BOXABL homes and donated material from a variety of other construction partners to help prepare the propertys foundation. The land lease deal with UDOT was tremendous to make the project a reality, Fortune said, noting that oftentimes land costs are a huge financial hurdle to overcome. BOXABL homes have also been installed in The Other Side Village, a tiny home community for the homeless in Salt Lake City, and in the states microshelter community, which also sits on land owned by UDOT. While exploring ways to expand USA Project Valor to other corners of the state, including Southern Utah, Fortune said former state homeless coordinator Wayne Niederhauser who retired in December recommended that he get in touch with Waldrip to see if there would be any opportunities on state-owned land. Advertisement Advertisement After Waldrip suggested Fortune scope out some properties in Washington City, Fortune said he drove down the next day. When he reported back on his preferred parcel, he said Waldrip quickly got to work hashing out the deal. Now, Fortune hopes the homes will be built in a matter of months, after permitting and foundation work is sorted out. But for the most part after Washington City leaders also green lit the project he said the endeavor is mostly in the clear. Fortune said USA Project Valor, through its network of veteran assistance organizations, will vet who will live in those homes, but they aim to house veterans in need who are currently living in Southern Utah. Photos of veterans helped by the nonprofit USA Project Valor sit on display at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 3, 2026. (Katie McKellar/Utah News Dispatch) A veterans story Alton Smith, 78, is one Army veteran whom USA Project Valor has helped into housing. Advertisement Advertisement Originally from Michigan, Smith said he served as a field wireman in Vietnam in the 60s. While he wasnt engaged in direct combat, he said he still got a taste of the war at the camp. It was a very violent experience. Mortar attacks. Attempted invasions to the camp, he said in an interview with Utah News Dispatch last week. Every once in a while, wed be in convoys going from one place to another and youd see a five-ton truck, only three or four trucks ahead of me, go like 20 feet in the air. Smith said he got used to the continual noise of the war. But when he came back home, he said the silence was deafening. That was one of the hardest adjustments, to adjust to the quiet, he said. Advertisement Advertisement In the years after, Smith said he struggled to find his way. Life wasnt working out, he said, and he eventually came to Utah to start over. Eventually he connected with USA Project Valor, which he said helped him navigate a complicated spiderweb of bureaucracy to get housing assistance. Now, he said he pays about $250 a month based on his income from Social Security and veteran pension to live in a home supported by USA Project Valor in Nibley. Without Project Valor, Id still be in my truck, he said. Ive never had this kind of good help, ever. This is the greatest thing Ive ever experienced. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox talks with Michael and Kathleen Fortune with USA Project Valor during a meeting at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 3, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Governors Office) Youve unlocked something Cox applauded everyone involved for making the Washington City project a reality, saying he was as excited as Ive been about just about anything were doing right now. Advertisement Advertisement We care deeply about our veterans and want to make sure that they have our support, they know how much we love and appreciate them and the lives of service theyve given us, the governor said. He added that his administration also cares deeply about housing challenges, and weve found to move the needle on any of this, you really need innovative partnerships on state and local levels, but also with the private sector. Usually, when you put all of those things together, its great, but it also means it takes a couple of years, Cox said. So to move very quickly (on this) is incredible. But what the governor said hes most excited about is not just the four units, which is incredible. But youve unlocked something, where we took a piece of land that has no other value, really, theres just not much we can do with it. We have those pieces of land all over the state, he said. And so now this becomes a template to help so many more people and to do it really quickly. Cox said he hopes other cities across the state see what Washington City did and get motivated to do something similar. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is holding a meeting on Thursday with a US delegation led by John Coale, the US Special Envoy to Belarus. Source: Belarusian state news agency BelTA, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to BelTA, Lukashenko asked the US president's representative to discuss not only regional issues and Ukraine, but also the war in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement "I think my view on global problems, especially on the situation in the Middle East, will be important for you, since you are at war with our friends. And I am ready to speak frankly on this topic," Lukashenko said. For his part, John Coale asked whether this referred to the war with Iran. "Yes, I would very much like you to convey my view to Donald Trump. I still remain a supporter of your president, despite certain mistakes, as I believe, by the United States," Lukashenko said. This is the latest round of communications between Belarus and the US. Lukashenko has met with John Coale several times. The previous meeting took place in mid-December 2025. Background: Earlier, Belarusian opposition activist and former political prisoner Siarhei Tsikhanouski said that a decision on the release of a group of political prisoners is expected as a result of the visit by the US delegation to Minsk. Since summer 2025, after contact between the Trump administration and Lukashenko and the easing of US sanctions, more than one hundred Belarusian political prisoners have been released from prison. At the end of February, the well-known political prisoner Mikola Statkevich was released from a penal colony after being imprisoned in September 2025 following his refusal to leave Belarus. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Later this month, protesters will gather across the U.S. for the third "No Kings" rally since President Donald Trump returned to office, and the Minnesota Capitol is set to host the largest rally. The national flagship rally at the Capitol in St. Paul is among more than 3,000 events planned on Saturday, March 28 as part of the national "No Kings" movement protesting Trump and his administration. Celebrity activists including Jane Fonda, Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers are slated to join Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison and other Minnesota officials for the big event. Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of other "No Kings" rallies are planned throughout the state. A full list can be found here. "Minnesotans take care of each other. When Donald Trump sent thousands of ICE agents into our communities to try to divide us, he underestimated who we are," Flanagan says in a statement. "We showed up for our neighbors. We stood shoulder to shoulder. And we made it clear that if you come for one of us, you come for all of us. Minnesota is showing the country what were made of - were not powerless. We dont back down to wannabe kings." Thousands of people gathered at the Minnesota Capitol for the first "No Kings" rally on June 14, 2025.Indivisible Twin Cities | Facebook (Indivisible Twin Cities | Facebook) For the big event on March 28, three marches are set to kick off at 12 p.m. from St. Paul College, Harriet Island and Western Sculpture Park, and reach the Capitol by 2 p.m., when the rally officially starts. The national flagship rally in St. Paul will be livestreamed nationwide, like the previous events in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement The first "No Kings" events were held on June 14 to coincide with Trump's birthday. Thousands of people showed up to the Minnesota Capitol for the local rally despite warnings to avoid large gatherings, as police continued to search for the gunman who killed House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and injured Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette hours earlier. A second round of events happened on Oct. 18, with at least 69 cities across Minnesota hosting "No Kings" events, including the most-attended rally in downtown Minneapolis. Organizers anticipate the upcoming protests will draw the largest crowds yet. In Minnesota, weve seen the federal government at its worst -- and showed the world how to fight back. Now, I'm honored that the flagship No Kings protest will be held here in the Twin Cities. Together, we'll show Donald Trump that we don't do kings. pic.twitter.com/MCclvoy8FR Peggy Flanagan (@peggyflanagan) March 18, 2026 This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. By Lucy Papachristou March 19 (Reuters) - A pro-Kremlin figure who unexpectedly denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine in a social media post this week that went viral has been placed in a psychiatric facility, the hospital said on Thursday. Ilya Remeslo made a career denouncing Putin's critics until he became one himself, posting a manifesto late on Tuesday to his 90,000 followers on Telegram entitled: "Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin." Advertisement Advertisement He said Putin had prosecuted a "failing war" in Ukraine that had killed millions and torpedoed Russia's economy to the detriment of its citizens' well-being. "Vladimir Putin is not a legitimate president. Vladimir Putin must resign and be brought to trial as a war criminal and a thief," Remeslo wrote in his post. His about-face this week surprised Russia's pro-war blogger community and the exiled anti-Kremlin opposition alike. On Thursday, St Petersburg's Fontanka newspaper reported Remeslo had been hospitalised in the city's Psychiatric Hospital No. 3. Reuters was unable to reach Remeslo himself or determine how he came to be hospitalised. Advertisement Advertisement A woman who answered the hospital's telephone number confirmed to Reuters that a man with the name, patronymic and surname matching Remeslo's had been admitted to the facility. The hospital worker, who did not give her name, said she did not have details about when Remeslo had been admitted and on what grounds. Remeslo, a 42-year-old lawyer and former member of a Kremlin-controlled advisory body, had in the past heavily criticised the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny, Putin's most prominent critic who died in an Arctic penal colony in February 2024. (Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Gareth Jones, Alexandra Hudson) This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Costcos first standalone gas station in the U.S. is expected to open to the public by the end of June, a spokesperson from Mission Viejo, California, the sites location, confirmed to C-Store Dive. The city revealed plans for the 17,000-square-foot gas station last June, noting at the time that construction would begin in the fall and finalize in spring 2026. Costco has now verbally confirmed an opening timeframe to the city, according to the spokesperson. Costco is also developing a standalone gas station in Hawaii. If it finds success with this strategy, the popular big box wholesaler could become a more widespread threat to convenience retailers. Dive Insight: Theres no telling if Costco plans to launch a full-scale rollout of its standalone gas stations, but an expansion of these sites could pressure convenience retailers, who are unable to match the wholesalers competitive fuel pricing and popular membership program. The site in Mission Viejo will undoubtedly be a testing ground for Costco, which is increasingly prioritizing fuel. The company operated 747 gas stations globally at the end of fiscal 2025 up from 719 in 2024 which contributed 10% of its total net sales for the year, according to its annual report. According to city planning documents viewed by C-Store Dive last summer, the Mission Viejo gas station will feature a 17,185-square-foot canopy with 40 fueling positions and will only be accessible to Costco Warehouse members, who will need their membership info to access the pumps. It will operate from 5 a.m to 10 p.m. Sunday through Saturday and be supervised by Costco employees. Once built, the station will compete directly with Circle K, Chevron and BP, all of which have fueling sites down the street. In Hawaii, Costco is building a standalone gas station in Honolulu, in a community called Kapalama Kai. Construction on the development began last October and the full development is expected to be complete in 2027. This location is expected to have 240 gas pumps, and is about a mile from a traditional Costco Wholesale store that includes a Costco gas station. Representatives from Costco did not respond by press time when asked to comment. Recommended Reading BARCELONA, Spain (WGN) A body has been found in the water in the Somorrostro beach area, not far from the nightclub where a University of Alabama student from the Chicago area went missing, Catalan police have confirmed. Police in Spain confirm the body is in fact that of James Jimmy Gracey. Loved ones released a statement early Thursday evening, also confirming the body found is Gracey: Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmys body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss. We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world so many helped to share Jimmys story and bring his life to light so that others may know him. We also sincerely appreciate the continued support and coordination of the local authorities and the U.S. Consulate as we work to better understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. As we navigate this painful time, we kindly ask for privacy so that we may grieve together and begin to process his loss as a family. According to El Periodico in Barcelona, the body was located on Thursday by police amid the search for 20-year-old James, a college junior from Elmhurst, who was last seen around 3 a.m. Tuesday, leaving the nightclub Shoko. College student from Chicago suburbs missing in Barcelona during spring break trip Advertisement Advertisement El Periodico reports that local police launched a sea search for Gracey on Thursday, deploying the Aquatic and Underwater Units and the Drone Unit. El Periodico says that sources claim a witness had alerted police that on the night of his disappearance, they saw Gracey walking toward the water, ruling out the possibility of foul play. The University of Alabama, where Gracey was a third-year college student, released the following statement regarding the missing student: We are keeping Jimmy and his family at the forefront of our thoughts, and our staff are in direct communication with the family to offer every support and assistance possible. Anyone with information that may help is encouraged to contact local authorities. The safety and well-being of all our students, here and abroad, are always the Universitys top priority. Graceys parents also pleaded with the public to help find their son, whose disappearance has gained both national and international attention. Family members have also traveled to Spain to help with the search. Advertisement Advertisement Gracey traveled to Spain during Spring Break to visit fraternity brothers who were studying abroad. Theta Chi fraternity president Cavin McLay released a statement concerning Gracey, saying, Were all leaning on each other. Its a scary time, but were all working with each other and were grateful for all the local authorities and every else involved thats helping us through the situation. Former FBI special agent Jennifer Coffindaffer spoke with Nexstars NewsNation on Thursday about an arrest made in the case and what led authorities to the water. Indeed, an arrest was made of the individual with his phone for extortion. Basically, they stole the phone and were reportedly extorting the family to try and get money back, Coffindaffer said. Gracey is a St. Ignatius grad, a third-generation graduate. Loved ones said he was known for his strong character, loyalty, and for showing up for his teammates and friends. Advertisement Advertisement Graceys aunt, Beth OReilly, was a guest on NewsNation Wednesday night. Hes a great student, an honor student, a Chaplain in his fraternity. Hes a wonderful, loving son, a big brother to a sister and three little brothers, and a great cousin on all sides of the family, OReilly said. Now that officials have identified the body pulled from the water, work begins on determining the cause of death. An autopsy is pending. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. MADISON, Wis. (AP) U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is allowing an ousted interim federal prosecutor to continue overseeing cases in Wisconsin with a new title in what's becoming a familiar move in federal judicial districts across the nation as Democrats in the U.S. Senate delay confirmation votes on President Donald Trump's appointees. Bondi appointed Brad Schimel in November to a 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, headquartered in Milwaukee. His term was set to expire Tuesday, according to a news release on the district's website. The district's federal judges could have allowed him to remain in the interim post, but they announced March 10 that they decided not to extend him. The U.S. Attorney's office in Milwaukee announced Wednesday that Bondi has named Schimel first assistant U.S. attorney in Milwaukee and that he'll continue overseeing operations under that title. Advertisement Advertisement I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Schimel said in a statement. I will continue to work tirelessly to make the entire district safer and stronger. Interim, acting or first assistant U.S. attorneys are running most of the nation's 94 federal judicial districts as Senate Democrats hold up confirmation votes on presidential appointees. According to a list on the U.S. Department of Justice's website, only 30 districts are currently led by a presidentially nominated and Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney. First assistants like Schimel are currently running U.S. attorney's offices in a dozen states, including California, New Mexico, Kentucky, Nevada, New York, Virginia, Vermont and Washington state, according to the list. Schimel, a Republican, holds a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He served as the Waukesha County district attorney before winning election as Wisconsin attorney general in 2014. He lost a bid for a second term to Democrat Josh Kaul in 2018. He landed on his feet after that defeat, though, with outgoing Republican Gov. Scott Walker appointing him as a judge in Waukesha County. Advertisement Advertisement He ran for the state Supreme Court last spring with the courts ideological balance at stake. But despite Trumps endorsement and millions in spending from billionaire Elon Musk, Schimel lost the race to liberal Susan Crawford. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, said earlier this month that she opposed allowing Schimel to continue to serve as interim U.S. attorney, calling Schimel a partisan actor and saying getting the right person who will uphold the rule of law rather than pledge loyalty to the President, is more important than ever. Republican Ron Johnson, Wisconsin's other U.S. senator, has called the decision by Eastern District judges not to extend Schimel's tenure as interim U.S. attorney bizarre." He had urged Bondi to keep Schimel in charge of the Milwaukee office. The founder and executive director of a Boston private school is facing a lawsuit and fraud allegations after the schools board says he hid millions of dollars of debt for years. Croft School founder Scott Given was suspended from his position on March 7 after he told school administrators he had been keeping two sets of books to conceal around $13 million in debt, the board told families this week. The truth came to light after the landlord of a South End building where Croft had planned an expansion attempted to cash a letter of credit Given had provided and determined that it was a forgery, according to a lawsuit the landlord filed against Given and the school on Tuesday. School expansion plans gone wrong On Jan. 29, Croft announced that it would be taking over the space currently occupied by Foodies Markets at 1421 Washington St., a neighborhood grocery store that is set to close in June, to expand its existing South End location. Though the store closure was unrelated to the schools move-in, the announcement was immediately met by a community outcry from residents who did not want to lose one of the few grocery stores in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Croft first opened in 2017 in Providence, Rhode Island, according to its website. Its two other locations are in Jamaica Plain, which opened in 2020, and the South End, which opened in 2022. Just days later, on Feb. 6, the school reversed course, saying it would no longer be expanding into the property because of the feedback received from neighbors. However, the landlord of the property, 1421 Washington Associates LLC, said in their lawsuit this week that Croft had already signed a lease in December and backing out of the plans was a violation of the lease. Washington Associates claimed in their complaint, filed in Suffolk County Superior Court, that Given reached out to them in July 2025 to inquire about the building. They signed a lease in December agreeing to a starting annual rent of $1.25 million and a contract of 10 years, with an option to extend the agreement an additional 10 years after that. Advertisement Advertisement Though the school would need to seek a conditional use permit from the city to use the building for education, as the zoning code did not allow it by-right in that location, Croft administrators assured Washington Associates that they were committed to the property and did not believe the permit would be an issue, according to the lawsuit. Washington Associates had recommended against announcing the schools expansion plans immediately after Foodies announced its impending closure, to give the community time to come to terms with it, according to the lawsuit. But Given said he wanted to announce it as soon as possible to secure enrollment for the next year. Despite the community outrage, as late as Feb. 5, Croft leaders and Given assured Washington Associates that they had been expecting some level of pushback and would not be deterred from the plans, according to the lawsuit. But the next day, the Washington Associates team received an email out of the blue at about 1:15 p.m. requesting a Zoom call 30 minutes later. In that meeting, Given, Chief Operating Officer Kate Mahoney and Chief Program Officer Erin Walsh-Hagan said they would no longer be going ahead with the school expansion at that location, according to Washington Associates manager Ted Lubitz, the only member of the landlord team who was available for the last-minute call. Advertisement Advertisement Given said during the meeting that the previous night, Croft had held a community meeting with South End neighbors, according to Lubitz. During that meeting, Given learned that one community member intended to report the school to the city for operating at its South End location without the proper permits. You then informed me that the properties that Croft currently occupies are not properly zoned and that you could not risk them being closed, Lubitz wrote in a Feb. 24 letter to Given and the school. You viewed this threat as a legitimate threat to Crofts existing businesses and, it was in Crofts long term business interest, to walk away. Lubitz wrote that he asked the Croft team to hold off on announcing their decision and reconsider. He attempted to call multiple Croft leaders after the meeting and at about 3:15 p.m. received a call back from Mahoney, who told him the school had already sent a statement out to families of Croft students. The school also released a public statement on Facebook that day, which noted that the administration was actively exploring alternative options for its expansion. Advertisement Advertisement From that time, according to the lawsuit, Washington Associates did not receive any written or verbal communication from Given or anyone else at Croft for weeks. On Feb. 24, Washington Associates sent a letter to Given saying that the school had defaulted on its lease by backing out of the agreement and not remaining in communication. We cannot express how profound our disappointment is with your and Crofts actions, Lubitz wrote in the letter. Given sent an official lease termination letter back on March 2, saying the public announcement was not a termination and until then, Croft had still had the right to seek a sublease or other use of the property. He wrote that Croft had been told by city officials it had virtually no chance of receiving the Conditional Use Permit due to the community response. Advertisement Advertisement I received death threats ... Pushback so extreme that it necessitates the involvement of law enforcement is not typical of the Boston zoning process, Given wrote. Croft was prepared for some negativity; we were not, however, prepared to shoulder threats to our physical safety particularly where we are entrusted with the care and teaching of children." The landlord responded the same day, saying that Croft did not have the authority to terminate the lease and it was therefore still in effect. The truth comes out As part of the agreement, Given had signed a personal guaranty form and provided what he said was a $500,000 letter of credit from Crofts bank, Leader Bank, as a security deposit. Because Washington Associates considered Croft in default, manager Leo Corcoran brought this letter to a Leader Bank branch in the Seaport on March 6, intending to cash it. However, when he met with a bank representative, he was told that the letter did not match any in the banks records and in fact, Washington Associates was not the beneficiary of any letter of credit at Leader Bank, according to the lawsuit. The bank employee told Corcoran that they would have to call the employee whose signature was on the letter and asked him to wait in the lobby while he did so. Advertisement Advertisement A few minutes later, officers from the Boston Police Department arrived and began to question Corcoran about the letter, which the bank believed was fraudulent. He explained the situation and was allowed to leave. That day, attorneys for the landlord sent a letter to Crofts attorneys seeking answers. We take this matter seriously and DEMAND a WRITTEN explanation, attorney Andrew Goloboy wrote. Following the incident at Leader Bank, Given contacted the schools board of directors to inform them that he had mismanaged and misrepresented the schools finances over the past several years, keeping a false set of financial records where revenue was overstated, expenses were understated, and the full debt taken on by Mr. Given far exceeded what was disclosed, according to a letter sent to families on Tuesday. He also confirmed that he had fabricated the letter of credit. Advertisement Advertisement The board of directors wrote in the letter that after suspending Given, they took steps to secure the schools finances. After paying employees with what little cash was left in Crofts accounts and securing a $400,000 capital contribution from an undisclosed source, the school was left with about $448,000, according to the letter. Given had concealed about $13 million in debt borrowed primarily from Croft families, investors, friends, and business acquaintances, and had himself borrowed about $2 million in short-term loans. The board wrote that Croft needs at least $5 million to cover payroll and necessary operating expenses for the remainder of the school year. While the next payroll cycle is covered, the board is currently in talks with several potential funding sources. We also want to be clear that school is open, they wrote. Your childrens teachers and programs are in place, and the Board, alongside school management, are working diligently to ensure the day-to-day experience your child is accustomed to will not change. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit from Washington Associates, which names both Given and Croft as defendants, claims that the situation has resulted in a significant loss for the company. Due to the community outcry, the city is considering re-zoning the property so that it can only be used as a grocery store, limiting potential uses for future tenants and tanking its market value. Washington Associates manager Mark Epker wrote in an affidavit that according to his estimates, without the grocery limitation, the retail market value for the space would be $7.7 million. If it was re-zoned, he estimated that that number could drop by $4.3 million. He added that the company will likely need to spend millions on improvements to the property to market it to new tenants, which would have otherwise been covered by Croft under the lease agreement, bringing the total estimated loss to more than $10 million. Neither Given or his attorney responded to requests for comment and they had not filed any response to the lawsuit as of Thursday morning. His attorney told the Boston Globe he was cooperating with the schools investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Scott has never used any school funds for his own personal benefit. At all times, he has used school funds solely for appropriate school-related purposes, the attorney told the newspaper. The well-being of the Croft School community has been and will remain one of Scotts top priorities in life. In response to an inquiry from MassLive, Mahoney of the Croft School sent a copy of the letter sent to families on Tuesday but did not provide further comment on the situation. More boston Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Wednesday afternoon, a sign outside W&E Oysters in Dulac read, no oysters due to oil spill. Down the street, Willie Daisy, the owner, was one of about a hundred people gathered outside Holy Family Catholic Church to discuss the problem. This oil spill is going to be real tragic to our livelihood here in this area, Daisy told WWL Louisiana. On Feb. 26, crude oil was released from the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port due to what the company called a mechanical failure. As of Tuesday, LOOP said about 31,500 gallons of oil were released, but 87% has been recovered. Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Port Fourchon oil spill largely cleaned up; oyster harvesting closed in the area Photos and videos taken since the spill show masses of thick, tar-like crude floating in the Gulf and sticking to oysters and equipment. This week, the Louisiana Department of Health announced oyster beds would be closed along part of the coast, including parts of Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes, due to the spill. At this time, I'm out of business until further notice, and god knows when that's going to be, said Daisy, whose oyster leases are in the middle of the affected area. Other fishermen worry their catches could be affected next. Advertisement Advertisement BP wasn't even this bad. We didn't see this much oil coming into our shores and on our banks, commercial shrimper Kerry Trosclair said at Wednesdays meeting. The meeting was organized by a group of law firms in the area who call themselves the "Louisiana Coastal Claims Coalition." They handed out contracts for legal representation regarding the spill to attendees. I think it's going to affect not only fishermen today, but it's going to affect the consumer on the back end. So restaurants are going to be affected. Tourism gets affected, said David Ardoin, an attorney with AMO trial lawyers. He advised fishermen affected by the spill to keep documentation of any losses. Advertisement Advertisement Some do not want to take the chance. White shrimp season starts Tuesday, but Trosclair said he is not sure he wants to send his boats out. If I go out there and catch shrimp, and they come back in and they're contaminated, or getting that crude oil on my boat thats a lot of money, he said. UPDATE: The Rialto Apartments in Orlando were evacuated Thursday morning after residents reported hearing loud popping sounds and finding their front doors jammed. Approximately 358 individuals were displaced from the complex located at 7343 W. Sand Lake Road starting around 5 a.m. Orange County officials ordered the evacuation due to immediate concerns regarding the structural instability of the building. The displacement affected nearly all of the 200 units within the complex, which were 93% occupied at the time of the emergency calls. Advertisement Advertisement Multiple agencies responded to the 911 calls, including Orange County Fire Rescue, the Orange County Sheriffs Office and the Orange County Building Safety Division. First responders spent the morning ensuring all residents were safely removed from the 200-unit complex. The Orange County Division of Building Safety has instructed the property management team to hire a Florida licensed engineer or architect. This professional is required to perform a complete structural evaluation of the building. The study will determine the cause of the damage, identify any necessary repairs and establish if the structure is safe for future occupancy. Advertisement Advertisement Orange County officials stated that the local government was not aware of any structural issues at the 7343 W. Sand Lake Road property before the reports on Thursday morning. The building was 93% occupied at the time the popping sounds were reported. The Orange County Office of Emergency Management, Visit Orlando and the American Red Cross are currently coordinating to secure hotel rooms for those displaced. During the initial response, Lynx provided buses to serve as temporary on-site shelter to protect residents from cold temperatures. Several area hotels are offering discounted rates to residents who identify themselves as part of the Rialto evacuation. Participating locations include Rosen Inn, Rosen Plaza, Rosen Centre and Rosen Shingle Creek. Other participating hotels include the Doubletree Theme Park Resort and the Courtyard by Marriott located across from Universal Orlando. Advertisement Advertisement Displaced residents seeking assistance with hotel accommodations or additional information can contact Rialto Property Management at 407-630-8718. PREVIOUS STORY: Some residents at an Orange County apartment building are being told to evacuate Thursday morning due to possible structural concerns. Its happening along West Sand Lake Road near Turkey Lake Road at The Rialto. Orange County Fire Rescue first responded to the scene shortly before 5 a.m. after receiving a report from a resident who said they were unable to exit their unit. Orange County officials say they are looking into possible structural issues at The Rialto on West Sand Lake Road. Channel 9 has been on scene since that time monitoring activity. Residents have been gathering personal belongings from apartments over the last few hours. Orange County Fire Rescue responded Thursday morning after a resident reported possible structural issues at The Rialto building. Orange County Fire Rescue responded Thursday morning after a resident reported possible structural issues at The Rialto building. Advertisement Advertisement Orange County Fire Rescue responded Thursday morning after a resident reported possible structural issues at The Rialto building. Orange County Fire Rescue responded Thursday morning after a resident reported possible structural issues at The Rialto building. Orange County officials say they are looking into possible structural issues at The Rialto on West Sand Lake Road. Some ground floor businesses are also impacted by the evacuations. Orange County Fire Rescue officials held a media briefing around 10:15 a.m. Thursday about the situation thats unfolding. Click video below to watch Thursday mornings full news conference: Channel 9 will have a full update on this breaking story beginning on Eyewitness News at noon. Orange County officials say they are looking into possible structural issues at The Rialto on West Sand Lake Road. Advertisement Advertisement Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The front of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The front of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The front of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. El Pasoans point toward a building after part of it collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The front of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. El Paso police remove tape to let a fire truck pass after part of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. El Paso police remove tape to let a fire truck pass after part of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Police and emergency crews gather near the scene after part of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. El Paso police and emergency crews block off the street after part of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The front of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Part of building collapses in Downtown El Paso 1 of 10 The front of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The front of a building collapsed, raining bricks onto a sidewalk in Downtown El Paso, but causing no reported injuries, a police spokesman said. More: El Paso news: Citizen Police Academy, tree planting, park upgrades Emergency crews responded to the collapse about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, in the 800 block of South El Paso Street, which is lined with stores catering to cross-border shoppers, El Paso Police Department spokesman Officer Adrian Cisneros said in a media message. The front of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. A vehicle did not crash into the building, contrary to some inaccurate news reports, Cisneros added, explaining that a vehicle at the scene was struck by the debris. Advertisement Advertisement The red-brick building appeared to be two stories with large ornate windows lining the second floor. The street was blocked off by police as a precaution. The front of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. El Paso Fire Department spokesman Hector Gonzalez said in an email that the building was vacant at the time and there were no reported injuries. The building's address is 805 S. El Paso St. "At this time, we do not have the details about how the collapse occurred. We are currently investigating," Gonzalez said. Police and emergency crews gather near the scene after part of a building collapsed in the 800 block of South El Paso Street in Downtown El Paso on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. There were no reported injuries. Authorities asked the public to stay away from the area. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Downtown El Paso building collapses, no injuries reported BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) The Bristol Tennessee Municipal Regional Planning Commission is considering a 153-acre rezone for future development near the 1800 block of King College Rd. The owner of the property has applied to rezone the property from R-1A Single Family Residential and R-2 Single Family and Duplex Residential to PRD Planned Residential Development. On March 2, letters were sent to residents within 200 feet of the bordered property by the City of Bristol, Tennessee to inform residents of the proposed rezoning of the 153 acres for higher occupancy. Advertisement Advertisement Citizen Barbara Fancher told News Channel 11 that she was among those residents to receive a letter where she disagrees with the rezone plan. Fancher added she would like to see impacts of the increased occupancy studied before any rezoning takes place. I think its the citys responsibility to do the impact study and make sure that the community on that side of town is going to be able to handle this type of development, Young said. Is fire, police, the school and traffic going to be able to handle this type of development right now? City of Bristol Tennessee Director of Community Development and Planning, Cherith Young, told News Channel 11 that a rezoning application would need to be approved first by the city council to begin an impact study. Following that, Young said the developer would then present and apply for a subdivision plat to divide and develop the property. Young said more details would come later in the process. Advertisement Advertisement We dont have the actual layout that shows exactly where access points are planned, Young said. And thats what would be really helpful in terms of totally developing that assessment of the traffic impact in particular. The Bristol Tennessee Municipal Regional Planning Commission will need to make a recommendation either for or against the request and will need to be approved by the city council. We continue to work with them after the rezoning, but at what point in time they would have, plans to the state of submitting them for review, and identification of next steps; that would be on their [developers] timeline, Young said. Fancher explained with how the city handles the process, the developer will already have ownership of the land to develop by the time an impact study could be done. Advertisement Advertisement Its sort of cart before the horse, Fancher said. The developers not going to be involved until the rezoning has gone through, because then hes going to purchase the property and develop it, so how can you rezone something without knowing how its going to impact your community? The Bristol Tennessee Municipal Regional Planning Commission will meet Monday, March 23 at 5:00 p.m. to either vote for or against recommending the proposal. If approved, the city council will host a preliminary vote for first reading of the ordinance on Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. and a final vote for second reading of the ordinance on Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. If the proposal passes on second reading, the rezoning becomes effective 17 days following approval of the ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Be prepared to say goodbye to the E-ZPass transponder that has likely been on your windshield for years. Massachusetts Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver announced at a recent meeting of the MassDOT Board of Directors that the Bay State will soon switch to stickers rather than transponders when it comes to the E-ZPass program. "Easier to manufacture, easier to put on," Gulliver said in a report from Wicked Local media partner WCVB Channel 5. "For customers who want something that's a little bit different look on their car, it's less noticeable." Advertisement Advertisement If you're currently using a transponder, you can keep using it for the time being. The new stickers will now start being rolled out for new E-ZPass applicants, and for those who need replacements for their current transponders. Why is the state switching? For one thing, the state says they are much cheaper to produce, about 65 cents each compared to $10. But also because they don't have a battery they will last longer. Batteries in the transponders typically last 10 years. How much will it cost to get one of the new stickers? The Massachusetts E-ZPass website doesn't give a price for the stickers, but to get the current transponder there's no sign-up fee and requests for addition transponders also don't have a charge. Driver's won't be able to use their detachable E-ZPass transponders in multiple vehicles anymore With the onset of the stickers, the habit of using one transponder with different household vehicles will be gone. Advertisement Advertisement Once a sticker is on a given vehicle's windshield, it cannot be removed. Drivers around the country, including the Bay State, will soon be replacing their E-ZPass transponders with E-ZPass stickers. Officials say it is a cost-cutting measure, and is rolling out in Massachusetts this month. How can people attain an E-ZPass in Massachusetts? Interested applicants can log onto www.mass.gov/ezdrivema and click on the button that says, "Open an E-ZPass MA account." Where can current E-ZPass members go to ask quesitons? They can check out mass.gov/ezdrivema or www.ma-ezpass.com. People can also call (877) 627-7745, or email customer.service@ezdrivema.com to speak with a representative of the EZDriveMA Customer Service Center. This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: E-ZPass changes are coming to Massachusetts. Here's what to know. Upcoming celebrations and holidays honoring the late farmworker labor leader Cesar Chavez are facing significant disruption, with many being renamed, postponed or outright canceled. This comes amid allegations of sexual abuse against Chavez, reportedly involving women and girls during his leadership of the United Farm Workers Union. Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta recently disclosed she was among those who claim to have been abused by Chavez, who passed away more than three decades ago. Advertisement Advertisement The accusations have triggered immediate repercussions, including a declaration from the United Farm Workers that it will no longer participate in any events bearing the name of its former leader. Several states recognize a day on or near Chavez's March 31 birthday as an annual holiday (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Canceled holidays Several states recognize a day on or near Chavez's March 31 birthday as an annual holiday, including California, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Utah and Washington. In 2014, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation designating March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. The day isn't a paid holiday for federal workers, however it's a commemorative observance. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that his state would not observe the holiday this year, and that he was directing all state agency heads to comply with the change. Abbott also said he would work with legislators to remove the holiday from state law. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has declined to recognize March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day as she has in the two prior years, said Liliana Soto, a spokesperson for Hobbs. While it is not a state holiday, some Arizona municipalities recognize it, closing schools or government offices. Advertisement Advertisement California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday said he was still processing the news and wouldnt commit to making any changes to the state holiday. Canceled events The city of Lansing, Michigan, canceled its Legacy of Cesar Chavez Dinner on March 25. The featured speaker was scheduled to be granddaughter Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who was campaign manager for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. We remain committed to honoring the Latino community, and the service, dignity, and rights of farmworkers. We will be working on further events and celebrations in the future, the city said. The city of Milwaukee also canceled its annual celebration. Advertisement Advertisement The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council in Arizona postponed an annual Cesar E. Chavez Community Breakfast, with plans to reschedule it to focus on the contributions and achievements of Hispanic residents in the county. San Jose, the largest city in Northern California, is canceling its Cesar Chavez celebration, the mayor announced Wednesday morning. Matt Mahan said the city would identify ways to honor the legacy of the farmworker movement without celebrating individuals who caused such profound harm to the community. The Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin, Texas, announced that an annual march honoring Chavez set for March 28 would no longer take place. Several Austin city leaders also announced that they support the renaming of Cesar Chavez Street. The Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver canceled a celebration set for April 11. Advertisement Advertisement Officials at the AFL-CIO said the allegations came as a shock and that the federation of unions would not participate or endorse any activities for Cesar Chavez Day. Our thoughts are first and foremost with any victims of assault and abuse who have described experiencing what no one especially children should ever have to survive, AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler and secretary-treasurer Fred Redmond said in a statement. No legacy can excuse it. The organization continues to support farmworkers and said the rights they have won cannot be erased by the horrific actions of one person. Calls for name changes Dozens of schools, streets and other locations across the United States are named for Chavez, including the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Keene, California. Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Arguelles, the director of the National Parks Conservation Association in Southern California, said renaming the national monument would require an act of Congress. He said the national park site should continue to honor the farmworker movement and leaders who fought for dignity, better working conditions and fair wages. The Lubbock Democratic Party in Texas on Wednesday called on city leaders to rename Cesar Chavez Drive to honor Dolores Huerta. In Wisconsin, Milwaukee City Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa said discussions will begin soon on what to do about a street named after Chavez. Portland, Oregon, city councilor Candace Avalos said she would start a petition to rename a city boulevard after Huerta. City rules require 2,500 signatures to start a renaming effort, Avalos wrote on social media, urging her constituents to stay tuned for ways to help with the effort. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat, issued a statement Wednesday saying abuse of any kind, especially against children, is indefensible and a betrayal of the values that Latino leaders have championed for generations. His name should be removed from landmarks, institutions and honors, Lujan said of Chavez. We cannot celebrate someone who carried out such disturbing harm. Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors. This issuer is seeing whether it pays to be altruistic. With Autism Appreciation Month only two weeks away, Defiance ETFs is set to launch a fund that invests in companies providing products, services or research in the autism ecosystem, according to SEC filings. The holdings will include medical research and pharmaceutical firms, companies developing AI tools that monitor and assess autism and businesses that build education systems for neurodivergent learners. However, the goal of the fund appears to be more than capitalizing on the biotech and medical industries. For its first two years, Defiance will donate all net advisory profits from the fund to autism-focused nonprofits. After that, the minimum donation will remain at 50% of advisory profits, an unusual move in an industry where ETFs typically operate on thin margins. Its not the first fund to donate profits, said James Seyffart, senior research analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. Its for a good cause and I hope theyre successful, but its going to come down to whether they can raise assets, he told ETF Upside. At the end of the day, its still a fund, its still a business and theyre still going to have to raise capital. Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium analysis on all your favorite stocks. READ ALSO: Behind the Tanker Shipping ETF Returning 450% YTD and Why the $100M AUM Survival Limit May No Longer Matter For a Good Cause Expense ratios for passive ETFs are often low, ranging from no fee at all for broad market funds like the BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC) to 0.25% for more industry-specific products. The funds live and die by how much they scale, so to part ways with any profits is quite a choice. Though a short list, the Defiance ETF is the latest example of a fund with a philanthropic element at its core: The Simplify Health Care ETF (PINK) is 100% pro bono, donating all of its profits to breast cancer research each year. Its returns have gone up roughly 14% in the past 12 months, outpacing the Dow. The Green Century Balance Fund (GCBLX) is a mutual fund that invests in companies with a focus on environmental, social and governance issues. The fund is owned by several nonprofits, so all the earnings from the GCBLX go back into their missions. The philanthropy is both a marketing and altruistic strategy, Seyffart said. [Defiance] doesnt have to donate the money, but they are. See, its not always about the money. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive exclusive news and analysis of the rapidly evolving ETF landscape, built for advisors and capital allocators, subscribe to our free ETF Upside newsletter. SACRAMENTO, California California Latino legislative leaders are pushing to strip Cesar Chavezs name from the official state holiday honoring his birthday following the sexual abuse allegations leveled against him , the highest-profile in a rush of efforts to remove his name from parks, public buildings and commemorations across the state. Latino Legislative Caucus chair Lena Gonzalez on Wednesday told reporters that lawmakers will pursue a name change, though she did not suggest an alternative or lay out a timeline, saying theres going to be a short- and a long-term process. California annually celebrates Chavez, the United Farm Workers labor union co-founder and Latino civil rights organizer. It was unclear if a name change could be enacted in time for this years March 31 holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Latino Caucus members huddled in the state Capitol following the publication of a New York Times report in which two women alleged Chavez sexually abused them as girls. Chavezs labor movement partner, Dolores Huerta, also accused him of twice raping her, resulting in two children she sent to be raised by other families. The caucus which includes Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limon will shift the focus of celebrations away from Chavez and toward the success of the farmworker movement instead, Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez told POLITICO. Rivas and Limon, who were both present for the caucus meeting, declined to comment after the gathering. We will be thinking about a process that's mindful, that acknowledges the atrocities, keeps people accountable, but more importantly, makes sure that we're honoring and uplifting farmworkers, labor, justice, immigrant rights, Lena Gonzalez said. That is key to the values of our caucus. DUBOIS COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) Its on to the next cold case for one of Indiana State Polices newest divisions. The Indiana State Police Cold Case unit linked a deceased Ferdinand man to the 2000 bank robbery of the Holland National Bank in Dubois County. The solving of this case marks yet another case closed for the unit. The cold case unit says this is all thanks to continual growth in the field of genetic genealogy DNA testing, helping them solve cases like this Dubois County case, that in the past, had very little leads. Advertisement Advertisement We put it through the fig unit, and we get those closest matches, and then our genealogist does the family tree, that is the new technology we can fall back on, says ISP Cold Case Unit Detective Toni Walden. Walden says new breakthroughs in genetic genealogy and DNA testing has helped them solve long standing cold cases. The units most recent discovery comes after linking the Holland National Bank Robbery in 2000 to a Ferdinand man. That case went unsolved for 25 years. 25-year cold case solved: Dubois County bank robber identified That is the new technology we can fall back on and say okay now we have a genealogist saying, this is the family tree for that person, and this is the closest descendant of that person, says Walden. Advertisement Advertisement Walden says that case was solved thanks to a blood sample the suspect left behind on a mother and child taken hostage when the now deceased Ferdinand man stole the mothers car before robbing the bank. Once ISP received matches on that sample, the unit genealogist was able to give them three brothers through family tree analysis. We knew we had one of the deceased brothers as the suspect, but due to lifestyle difference and where they lived, I knew where the one deceased brother lived and it was within walking distance of the car, says Walden. The end of the cold case marks yet another breakthrough for the unit which has solved multiple in the past year. Earlier this month in Dubois County, the unit connected Alexandra Gewant, to her newborn child found dead in Ferdinand in 1987. Advertisement Advertisement That case was also solved through genetic testing. Woman pleads guilty to manslaughter of newborn at Ferdinand monastery in 1987 Solving some of these does take a while, we also have all picked up cases that dont have DNA, so those will always be harder to solve, and we are having to go back and start from scratch, says Walden. Walden says some cases are easier to solve than others, as the two previous cases didnt have direct match DNA. That was the case last July, as the unit helped the Evansville Police Department charge Timothy Farber with the murder of Norman Ellerbrook. A murder that took place in 1993. Advertisement Advertisement The scene had a lot of DNA in it, so I tried to select those pieces that would be so distinct between the victim and the suspect, that I felt we would have a good return for suspect DNA, says Walden. The cold case unit is made of five detectives, all working multiple cases, which detective Walden says there are plenty of. I can say it is in a spread sheet and a binder, so it is pretty heavy and that is just the case with our department, not all the other departments, says Walden. Evansville man sentenced after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter Walden says some of these cases have been solved by new tips, which is why she urges those who might know something to say something. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Organizers have canceled this years Cesar Chavez parade and celebration, citing growing concerns following newly disclosed allegations involving the late labor leader. The annual Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Marcha de Justicia and Celebration, which was scheduled for March 28 at Terrazas Branch Library, will no longer move forward, event organizers told the American-Statesman on Wednesday. The decision comes as community leaders across Austin grapple with allegations that Chavez engaged in inappropriate sexual relationships with women and minors. John Cobb listens to the rally at City Hall after the 14th Annual Cesar E. Chavez "Si Se Puede!" March on Saturday March 28, 2015. JAY JANNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN (Austin American-Statesman) The accusations, recently published in the New York Times and acknowledged in statements by the Cesar Chavez Foundation and the United Farm Workers, have triggered a broader reckoning nationwide. Several cities have already canceled Chavez-related events, and the United Farm Workers said it will not participate in any activities tied to Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, his birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Chavez had a lasting impact on labor rights and Latino civil rights in Austin, which he frequently visited from the 1960s through the 1980s. Local organizations involved in planning Austin's annual march including the Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA), the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources (PODER) had been weighing whether to proceed with the event. The nine-person board of HABLA, the celebration's main organizer, unanimously voted Tuesday night to cancel the event. Out of respect for the potential victims and just the national attention around these allegations being made, we dont want to cause additional harm, said Peter Baez, the chairman of HABLA. We just thought, out of respect for all parties involved, it was best for us to cancel the event. HABLA has no plans to rename or replace the event, Baez said. Allegations spark calls for Chavez's name to be removed from public sites In light of the accusations, Austin District 3 Council Member Jose Velasquez told the Statesman that the city will consider renaming Cesar Chavez Street, a prominent east-west thoroughfare that runs through downtown and the historically Mexican American part of East Austin. Formerly known as First Street, the corridor was named for Chavez in 1993, shortly after his death. Advertisement Advertisement It will be a community-centric discussion," Velasquez said. Velasquez and the city's two other Hispanic City Council members, Jose "Chito" Vela and Vanessa Fuentes, issued a statement on Wednesday morning explicitly calling for the renaming of the street. In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he will push the Republican-controlled state Legislature to remove Cesar Chavez Day as an official holiday, saying the allegations "rightfully dismantle the myth of this progressive hero and undermine the narrative that elevated Chavez as a figure worthy of official state celebration." The Times report has shifted the opinions of some who initially expressed skepticism about the allegations. Susana Almanza, an environmental activist who has long participated in the annual Austin march, suggested Tuesday that the claims were political efforts to discredit Chavez, similar to what she believes were efforts to undermine Martin Luther King Jr. Advertisement Advertisement But after reading the Times investigation, Almanza said Wednesday she was devastated to read that the allegations reached as far as Dolores Huerta, Chavezs collaborator and another founder of the United Farm Workers union. In a statement Wednesday, Huerta accused Chavez of raping her on one occasion and manipulating and pressuring her to have sex with him on another. "I have never identified myself as a victim, but I now understand that I am a survivor of violence, of sexual abuse, of domineering men who saw me, and other women, as property, or things to control," Huerta said. Almanza said she spent Wednesday morning grieving after learning more about the allegations. Her organization, PODER, will strip Chavez's name from its annual social justice awards ceremony, which is held each year on Cesar Chavez Day. But she said it's too early to tell whether community members will decide to remove his name from a city street and a statue honoring him on the University of Texas campus. Its going to take more discussion, Almanza said. Everyone is in this surreal kind of moment. Its an unbelievable moment for all of us. This story was updated with new information. By Laurie Chen BEIJING, March 19 (Reuters) - China will likely develop national standards for post-quantum cryptography in the next three years as it pours funds into research, according to a leading expert in the field. Governments around the world are rushing to develop post-quantum cryptography algorithms designed to be secure against future quantum computers which would be so powerful that current encryption methods would be rendered useless. Advertisement Advertisement China's new five-year plan released last week elevated quantum technology to a core future strategic industry alongside sectors such as embodied AI, nuclear fusion and brain-computer interfaces, and outlined its goal to develop a scalable quantum computer. The U.S. finalised its first set of post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024 and is aiming to achieve full industry migration by 2035. China last year, however, issued a global call to solicit new standards. Finance and energy would be the priority sectors for migration to post-quantum cryptography given the sensitivity of the data, said Wang Xiaoyun, professor at Tsinghua University's Institute for Advanced Study. "I personally think that the next three-to-five-year period is potentially one of explosive growth for post-quantum cryptography industry migration (in China)," she said on the sidelines of the National People's Congress parliamentary meetings in Beijing that concluded last week. Advertisement Advertisement Unlike most international researchers in the U.S. and elsewhere, Chinese post-quantum cryptographers have focused on developing "structureless lattice" algorithms like S-Cloud+. International standards based on algebraic lattices "have some degree of security degradation," Wang said. "But structureless cryptographic algorithms basically do not have this problem." In a first, China made a homegrown operating system for quantum computers that is open source available for online download last month, state media reported. Google and other tech industry leaders have urged governments to accelerate adoption of post-quantum cryptography. The Trump administration's cyber strategy, released last week, pledges to sustain U.S. dominance in post-quantum cryptography and artificial intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement South Korea plans to implement post-quantum cryptography across a broad range of industries by 2035, with a pilot 2025-2028 transition plan targeting critical sectors like energy and healthcare. (Reporting by Laurie Chen; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) By Liz Lee and Joe Cash BEIJING, March 19 (Reuters) - China called for an end to conflict in the Gulf and said the safety of waterways should not be disturbed on Thursday, adding that it was ready to work with Southeast Asia to address energy shortages as oil markets reel from supply shocks. While the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has allowed China to cast itself as the more reliable superpower, analysts say it is wary of global energy market uncertainty, not least because it needs the resources it has been stockpiling since the late 2000s to power the manufacturing sector underpinning its economy. Advertisement Advertisement Assisting Southeast Asia's 700 million people would be welcome relief to the region's oil importers, after an order by Beijing earlier this month to ban Chinese exports of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel. China is also curbing exports of fertilisers, which rely on oil and gas refining byproducts, to protect its domestic market. "The situation in the Middle East has disrupted global energy security," Lin Jian, spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry, told a regular news conference when asked if Southeast Asian nations had reached out to China for help. "The countries involved should immediately cease military operations to prevent regional instability from having a greater impact on global economic development," Lin said, adding that the safety of waterways should not be "disturbed", without naming the Strait of Hormuz. "China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to jointly address energy security issues," Lin added. Advertisement Advertisement In a phone call with his British counterpart later on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said "as permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and the United Kingdom bear the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security." The "still widening" war in the Middle East has had "direct impact on international energy, finance, trade and shipping, and harms the common interests of all countries," he said. OPPORTUNITY FOR CHINESE RELATIONS The crisis could create new openings in countries where China had struggled to gain a foothold, said Wang Jin, senior fellow at the Beijing Club for International Dialogue, a think tank under the purview of China's foreign ministry. Advertisement Advertisement The Strait of Hormuz's closure also highlights the relative reliability of renewable energy, compared with reliance on Gulf fossil fuels, including nuclear power and other green energy sectors in which Beijing is a world leader, Wang said. "China hopes to develop very positive, healthy, and very consistent relations - particularly energy relations - with everybody," Wang added. Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin met with the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday to discuss cooperation in energy, a departure from the two countries' arguing over maritime rights in the South China Sea. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Joe Cash; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Alexander Smith and Nia Williams) Connecticuts chief legal officer has joined a group of top officials from a dozen states taking more action against the administration of President Donald Trump. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced Wednesday that he is part of a coalition of 12 attorneys general demanding that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency remove a new policy. In a letter delivered to EPA Commissioner Lee Zeldin, the coalition expressed that this policy has potential to weaken federal environmental enforcement and delay legal action against polluters. Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys general warn that the EPAs Compliance First memorandum from last December will be detrimental if it is implemented. They say it would slow enforcement of environmental laws, create bureaucratic obstacles that stop polluters from being held accountable and increase pollution in vulnerable communities across the country. In a release from his office, Tong noted that the group counters the EPAs recent Enforcement and Compliance Annual Results Report. From their perspective, the EPA analysis distorts the agencys poor enforcement record and takes credit for accomplishments that stemmed from the administration of President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Per usual, Tong didnt mince words when describing how he feels about the Presidents vision. Trumps plan for environmental enforcement is a sham, Tong said. It is a free pass to bad actors who pollute our environment and harm our communities. He added that toxic air and contaminated water do not respect state boundaries. Real federal enforcement is essential, and I join with states across the country urging the EPA to do its job, Tong said. Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines The coalition used the letter to express that strong federal enforcement is necessary because pollution often crosses state lines. Advertisement Advertisement Even states that already have strong enforcement measures in place rely on federal support to ensure that companies follow the law, according to Tong. The attorneys general are also nervous that delays in enforcement would disproportionately harm communities that are already overburdened by pollution. These include people of color, low-income residents and those in rural areas. Furthermore, increased emissions and discharges caused by delayed enforcement could be detrimental to public health and environmental conditions in affected communities. The coalition urges the EPA to immediately rescind the memorandum and bring back traditional enforcement practices that focus on ensuring compliance and accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Joining Connecticut in the coalition are the attorneys general from New York, Massachusetts, Washington, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. RELATED: Connecticut challenges Trumps demand for colleges and universities to hand over more data RELATED: Connecticut resecures $400 million in federal education assistance ---- Dalton Zbierski is a story desk editor and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com. ---- Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com. ---- HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS Download the FOX61 News APP Advertisement Advertisement iTunes: Click here to download Google Play: Click here to download Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61. Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search FOX61 and click Get to download. FOLLOW US ON X, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM Coral Care, a platform connecting parents with pediatric developmental therapists, is providing in-home care to address provider shortages and long wait times for clinic spots. The service matches families with specialized clinicians to help children develop essential skills in their own environments. Jen Wirt, CEO of Coral Care, said the platform aims to close the gap in pediatric care by offering direct access to speech, occupational, and physical therapists. The program operates with more than 200 clinicians in Massachusetts who deliver therapy directly to patients at home. The difficulty in securing clinic appointments has led some children to skip pre-K or kindergarten. Wirt said the current system is under significant pressure, often leaving parents uncertain about whether their childs developmental progress requires professional attention. Advertisement Advertisement There are just major gaps in care, Wirt said. It takes a really long time to get in, in spite of being told as early as possible. Wirt emphasized that families should trust their instincts when they notice potential issues. Oftentimes families just dont know if something is going on, or if it warrants a closer look and they should follow their gut, Wirt said. Many children missed opportunities to develop skills like transitioning between activities or waiting during the COVID-19 pandemic when they were away from classroom environments. Speech delays are among the common issues addressed by clinicians. Wirt explained that children need to learn how to communicate their needs and interact with peers. Advertisement Advertisement Having the right language to advocate for yourself, like I need help. I need certain things. Knowing how to take turns, Wirt said, regarding the skills therapists help children develop. The program is designed to meet children in their own surroundings. We look to the home as the environment to deliver care and best support you in the environment that you actually live in, Wirt said. The platform currently has more than 200 clinicians providing these services across Massachusetts. The in-home program accepts insurance to help families manage costs. Wirt noted that parent education is a key component of the platforms approach to pediatric care. Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Britannica and Merriam-Webster have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the AI giant has built its $730 billion company on the back of their researched content. In a filing submitted to the Southern District of New York, the companies accuse OpenAI of cannibalizing the traffic and ad revenue that publishers depend on to survive. ChatGPT starves web publishers, like [the] Plaintiffs, of revenue, the complaint reads. Where a traditional search engine sends users to a publishers website, Britannica and Merriam-Webster allege ChatGPT instead absorbs the content and delivers a polished answer. It also alleges the AI company fed its LLM with researched and fact-checked work of the companies hundreds of human writers and editors. The case is the latest in a series accusing AI firms of data theft, raising questions about what counts as public knowledge and what information online should be off-limits for AI use. A group of anonymous individuals sued OpenAI in 2023, alleging that the AI giant stole vast amounts of personal information to train its AI models. And in 2024, two writers sued the company, representing writers whose copyrighted work they allege had been pilfered by OpenAI and partner Microsoft. But these lawsuits arent solely confined to the ChatGPT maker. Anthropic, Perplexity, and nearly every other major AI company have all faced lawsuits alleging some form of copyright infringement. The lawsuit argues that OpenAIs use of their content could produce a positive feedback loop in which declining advertising and subscription revenue leads to lower-quality content, which in turn further reduces revenue. Less content of poorer quality will further result in reduced revenue, and thus less spending on content creation, the complaint alleges, spawning even less content of even poorer quality and even less revenue, and so on in a downward spiral for content creators like Plaintiffs. The lawsuit comes after the plaintiffs reached out to OpenAI in November 2024 to discuss a potential licensing agreement, that OpenAI rebuffed, according to the complaint. The plaintiffs seek to hold OpenAI accountable for the substantial harm and illicit profits it is generating from allegedly infringing on their copyrighted material. The lawsuit alleges OpenAI is also in violation of the Lanham Act (which covers trademark registration) when ChatGPT makes up content or hallucinates content and falsely attributing information to the plaintiffs. Theyre asking the court for a permanent injunction to stop OpenAI from continuing to use their material. IN A VIDEO SPOT PUT OUT LAST WEEK by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, James Talarico is shown reading aloud some of his old tweets. The tweets are displayed on screen, obscuring the Texas Democrats mouth as he reads them. A deep, hollow reverb voice repeats specific words from the tweetslike white men and pronouns. The video culminates with the viral FAHH meme-scream edited in after Talarico reads an old tweet reminiscing about participating in a Planned Parenthoodsponsored march in 2004, when he was just a teenager. Except its not actually Talarico in the video: Its a high-quality deepfake. Republicans arent just running attack ads anymore. Theyre running AI-based psyopspsychological operationsdesigned to get inside peoples heads and quietly shape how they see a candidate. Advertisement Advertisement The point of the Talarico video isnt to debate his ideas. Its to make him feel subtly offto take a guy who reads as a normal, grounded teacher and public servant and give his words just enough visual and audio strangeness that they code as not normal. Covering his mouth with his own tweets makes him harder to read, and hammering white men and pronouns with the echoes tries to mark him as culturally suspect. The good news: Talaricos Senate race offers an early playbook for how Democrats can dismantle AI attack ads before they stick. With original reporting, sharp analysis, and honest commentary, The Bulwark helps you see around corners. Join today. WEVE SEEN THIS AI PSYOP STRATEGY play out before. During last falls government shutdown, NRSC operatives released an AI deepfake of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer grinning and saying every day gets better for us. The deepfake lifted part of a real Schumer statement quoted by a reporter and turned it into a taunt designed to put blame for the shutdown on Democrats. At the time, the NRSC bragged to reporters that this AI stunt showed how smart operatives could use the technology to crank out effective content faster and cheaper. Advertisement Advertisement And in Georgia, Rep. Mike Collinss Senate campaign has used AI to deepfake Sen. Jon Ossoffin one case altering a rally photo to make Ossoffs supporters look like gang members. (Collins is the Georgia candidate whose launch video famously misspelled the name of the state hes running to represent, so it would be fair to say that his dedication to accuracy has been questionable from the start.) Political psychology helps explain why these tricks keep showing up. As Drew Westen notes in The Political Brain (2007), voters respond first to emotional tone and nonverbal cues: Music, voice, and framing all make impressions long before policy arguments start to work on the conscious mind. Westen points to the Willie Horton spot in support of George H.W. Bush in 1988 and the RATS ad put out by the Republican National Committee in support of George W. Bush in 2000 as prototypes of this movecoded or even subliminal cues that aim to rewire how voters feel about a candidate without ever saying the attack out loud. The viral FAHH sound at the end of the anti-Talarico ad isnt random eitherits a 2025 TikTok trend used to emphasize painful hits and epic fails. The NRSC basically connected a Gen Z fail sound to a teenage boys memory of marching for womens rights, hoping to turn conviction into cringe. The problem for Republicans is that this is a very online phenomenon. Following the Schumer deepfake, an NBC News poll conducted a week later found that 52 percent of voters blamed Trump and congressional Republicans for the shutdown, compared to 42 percent that blamed Democrats. The deepfake may have grabbed views on X, but that doesnt mean it was effective in changing voters minds in real life. Advertisement Advertisement Because it turns out that voters care about authenticity and solving problems. I saw this up close in 2018 when I worked on a statewide race in Florida for Nikki Fried, a first-time Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner. She focused on three issues most Floridians cared about: protecting natural lands and waterways, fixing a broken concealed-firearm background check process, and standing up for medical marijuana patients and hemp growers trying to navigate a system that wasnt built for them. In a year when every other Democrat lost statewide, Fried was the only Democrat who won statewidea victory that didnt come from online stunts, but from showing up as who she was and focusing on problems people actually felt. Share REPUBLICANS THINK AI CAN HELP THEM FLIP that script by misrepresenting their opponents. This can only work effectively when voters dont ever get to see the true candidate in action. Advertisement Advertisement It helps that Talarico has a robust social media team of his own. That allows him to show his true selfan antithesis to the AI-slop version churned out by Republican oppo teams. The deepfake is undercut when theres video of the real Talarico during a town hall taking questions from Texans and talking about the same real-world problems his supporters say theyre living with. Thats where the psyop misreads its target. Talarico doesnt present as a niche online figurehe comes off like the former teacher who quotes scripture in hearings and walks straight into hostile rooms. Hes gone on Fox News and, after backing the host into a corner on gerrymandering, watched as the segment was wrapped early. Hes sparred with Texas Republicans in committee, and in one clip from a hearing that went viral, he quotes scripture to dismantle a bill forcing the Ten Commandments into every classroom. At his rallies and town halls, former and current Republicans, including Trump voters, describe him as a truth-teller and a leader who stands up for everybody. Thats the kind of authenticity that attack ads like the NRSCs just cant touch. If anything, by staging a dramatic reading of his tweets, Republicans have essentially cut a trailer for Talaricos core valuescalling out radical violence, insisting trans people deserve to be safe, and grounding his politics in a faith that sees God as bigger than bigotry. The Talarico deepfake also breaks a basic rule of political persuasion: never help your opponent tell a strong moral story in their own words. The NRSC has created an opportunity for Talarico to seize the moment and respond by owning his wordsdoubling down on his conviction and authenticity. Westens advice to Democrats facing emotional attacks is to skip fact-checks and counterpunch with character. Talarico is already doing it. When Senate Republicans blasted out a clip of him saying Christ is the immigrant deported without due process and comparing Christ to people harmed by Trumps regime, he simply quote-tweeted it with I approve this message. A classic of political judo. His post outperformed theirs sixfold. Advertisement Advertisement If Republicans keep leaning into AI psyops, theyll only widen the gap between their feeds and the rest of the countryand hand candidates like James Talarico an opening to remind people what normal actually sounds like. Share Max Flugrath is the senior director of creative, communications, and digital for Fair Fight Action and a political strategist who has worked on campaigns in Georgia and Florida, including a successful statewide race. Update: 3.23.2026 Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behennas office says charges have been filed against Nathan Lee Portier, 36, who is charged with one count of Child Sexual Abuse of a minor. Erica Palmer is charged with one count of Enabling Child Sexual Abuse and two other counts. The DAs office says the pair left Oklahoma during the investigation but was found in Reno, Nevada, where U.S. Marshals took them into custody on March 17. They are awaiting extradition back to Oklahoma. Original Story: OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) New details in a disturbing case that Oklahoma City police spent months investigating. A woman and her boyfriend are now facing charges for allegedly using a 14-year-old as a surrogate. Advertisement Advertisement The 14-year-old is pregnant with twins. 36-year-old Erica Ramirez and 36-year-old Nathan Potier are accused of abusing the teen and forcing the girl to get pregnant. RELATED: Investigation underway after 14-year-old is allegedly used as a surrogate Couple wanted for allegedly using 14-year-old as a surrogate. (KFOR) Potier is allegedly the father of the twins. According to court documents, this began last December when a referral from Child Protective Services (CPS) indicated the teen was pregnant with twins. Pamirez told police she wanted children with her current boyfriend. However, she couldnt because her tubes were tied. Police obtained a search warrant for Potiers DNA to determine paternity at the teens next doctors visit. Advertisement Advertisement Before that could happen, both Ramirez and Potier left the state. Its believed Ramirez is in California. Her last address traces back to Lassen County, near the Nevada border. News 4 called the Lassen County Jail to see if they possibly had either of them in custody. However, they did not. Both have active warrants for their arrest. Potier faces sexual abuse of a child. Ramirez faces enabling child abuse and two counts of desertion of a child under 15. Court documents also revealed that prior reports were made in California that Potier sexually abused the same teen. Additionally, Ramirez was reportedly aware of the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement The teen is now in foster care. 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. Ask any child care provider about the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and youre likely to hear a variation of one answer: I cant believe its been six years. On March 13, 2020, when former Gov. Chris Sununu declared a state of emergency in New Hampshire because of a new, rapidly spreading disease, early educators did not have the opportunity to wonder what it might mean for their industry. They were declared essential workers and began providing child care to hospital workers and other essential personnel only a week after the lockdown began. Looking back, many people remember the pandemic as a period of anxiety, forced time at home, social distancing, and separation from loved ones. For New Hampshires child care providers, COVID-19 ushered in a period of pivotal change for the industry, for better and for worse. Advertisement Advertisement Years later, the effects are still being felt. The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing issues in the industry, such as staffing and pay, while also drawing increased attention from lawmakers, businesses, and parents on the pivotal role of child care providers in their communities. Different time, same problems The early education workforce has been declining since the mid-2010s, when the state began cutting high school and college-level programs, narrowing the workforce pipeline. But when the pandemic hit, many licensed child care providers decided to retire or leave the industry altogether, creating more workforce strains. According to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, child care workers in 2023 earned a median hourly wage of $15.62, the lowest among all occupations in the state except for fast-food workers, while the states overall median wage was $24.03. Because of the high costs associated with operating a program, directors are often unable to raise salaries, even when they want to. As a result, maintaining staff is difficult. As executive director of Keene Day Care Center for over two decades, Suelaine Pooling has seen staff come and go. However, during the pandemic, she lost 25% of her teachers to higher-paying jobs, and has been unable to have the center at full enrollment since. Advertisement Advertisement We went from a program that was a very stable, low turnover kind of program, and then COVID hit, Pooling said. They just got sort of burned out. State records show that there has been an 8.9% decrease in the number of licensed child care providers between 2020 and 2025. Despite a long waitlist, the center, which is licensed to care for 90 children, has been able to care for only 70 to maintain legal staff-to-child ratios. The center nearly closed in 2023 due to staffing issues, but was able to readjust enrollment to keep the program open. Usually, Pooling would take children off the waitlist when 5-year-olds age out of the program and go to kindergarten. Instead, she didnt, reducing the programs earnings to remain compliant. Advertisement Advertisement It was challenging. Weve adjusted, she said. We always made sure that the kids we had were cared for. We were able to adjust so no one lost care. Pooling has been trying to find a way to address this in her own center. Last December, the federal government awarded Keene Day Care Center a grant to fund new teacher positions without requiring it to enroll more children to cover the costs. The hope is that new teachers will be able to get classroom experience under less pressure and without the center needing to enroll more children to retain them. Child care employers are also dealing with the ramifications of the rollback of COVID-era support. Elizabeth Witmer and Kristie George run the largest child care program in New Hampshire and the largest single-site YMCA child care program in the country. They have been struggling to help their staff bounce back from what they were subjected to during the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement The Merrimack Y Early Education Center was closed for only about a week after Sununus state of emergency declaration. St. Josephs Hospital in Nashua, and later Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, asked whether the YMCA could provide child care for their medical workers, and Witmer and George were happy to oblige to keep their doors open. Teachers who continued to work at the center were more supported than ever. Due to an influx of cash from the government and grants, George said that they were able to increase hourly wages by $5 and offer employees more benefits. As the executive and deputy directors, respectively, Witmer and George also did things to boost morale, like catered lunch on Fridays. As COVID-era appropriations are being rolled back, the directors noticed their staff feel entitled because they were given so much during the time. They were so used to just being handed everything and it just changed the work ethic of a lot of people, George said. Advertisement Advertisement Like Pooling, Witmer and George also dealt with high staff turnover during the pandemic. Along with health-related uncertainty, they had trouble getting teachers to return to work because they could earn more through unemployment, while others left for better salaries in other fields. There just were a lot of jobs that were paying a lot more than child care that people went to instead of staying in the field, George said. It had faded over time as staff had turned over, but since people were so used to getting paid more, George and Witmer had to increase their pay scale drastically. Children and families need more help The pandemic changed the way infants and toddlers develop, socialize, and learn. Child care providers have noticed how the pandemic has impacted the development of young children, and these effects continue to play out in the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement When the mask mandate was in place, Witmer and George were worried that infants and toddlers would be unable to see their mouths, as this is crucial for the development of speech skills. At the time, it seemed like a small hump in the larger scale of the pandemic, but years later, it is clear their worries were warranted. They have noticed an uptick in the number of children at the center with sensory, speech, and language needs. However, Witmer said the most significant change is that children are having a harder time developing social-emotional skills. Social development is essential, Witmer said. Its as important, if not more important, than being able to learn to speak and to do math and so forth. Because life is a lot harder, no matter how bright you are, if you cant be resilient. If you cant learn to cope, it impacts those things. In a 2025 National Institutes of Health study on the impact of COVID-19 disruptions to early childhood education, evidence showed that for children ages 0 to 5, the pandemic has resulted in poorer early language and literacy skills and increased social-emotional problems. Advertisement Advertisement The increase in development and behavioral issues in young children whose early moments were affected is showing up in different ways. George said children get overstimulated more easily, bite more, and have weaker coping skills when it comes to unwinding and de-escalating from a situation. Its the intensity of social emotional skills and how pervasive that is on a childs ability to learn and to be in a group of children is something were still trying to deal with, Witmer said. As a result, George and Witmer said families have become needier. As professionals, they are often the first to notice when a child needs extra help or support, and parents, many of whom became moms and dads for the first time during the pandemic, have relied on them even more. I dont ever remember before COVID having as many meetings [with parents] as we do now, they said. Advertisement Advertisement George said first-time parents also turned to social media during the pandemic to seek help with parenting struggles. She said that it has made her job harder, because some parents take the word of strangers online over professionals. Because of the shortage of child care providers across the state, parents are also having a hard time finding and affording care. While the total capacity to care for children has rebounded and increased since February 2020, the number of child care providers has not. Families have continued to struggle finding care, as programs have lengthy waitlists that they cannot fill without employees. According to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, the average cost of center-based child care programs in 2023 was $17,250. For families with both an infant and a 4-year-old, the average cost was $31,868. Advertisement Advertisement Families are just spread so thin, said Shannon Tremblay, director of the NH Child Care Advisory Committee. Theres so much responsibility and so much unknown. If they do have child care, how are they going to afford other things on top of child care? Pooling has noticed a change in the needs of the families her center serves as well. Prior to 2020, the center had a community table where families could drop off and pick up books, toys, and childrens clothing as needed. Over the past couple of years, employees added a small community food bank for families after noticing an increased need for food. We just are really focused on our kids being successful and having a good early childhood experience. More political eyes on child care, for better or worse The pandemic showed state politicians and business owners how early care and education supports the economy. Advocates call the industry the workforce behind the workforce because if child care providers do not show up for work, parents cant either. To Witmer, child care went from, Oh, thats nice that they want to work with children to No, we cant have employees without it. After a $2.7 million renovation to the Merrimack YMCA center last year that brought Gov. Kelly Ayotte and U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan to her doorstep, Witmer feels like child care is in the spotlight. Its now considered essential, she said. New Hampshire politicians and child care advocates have taken small steps to improve the industry in the wake of the pandemic. Changes to state licensing, quality recognition, and immunization reporting were made to streamline the administrative burden on directors, although they have resulted in some issues for providers. Last year, Ayotte raised the maximum income eligibility threshold for the Child Care Scholarship Program, a state-federal program that supplements a familys child care tuition based on their household income. Pooling and other child care programs said the change has helped them avoid increasing tuition costs for families. This year, Ayotte endorsed creating a tax credit for businesses that increase child care offerings. The bill is wavering in the Legislature, as are two bills that would give $15 million in funding to child care employers to help with recruitment and retention efforts. Tremblay, a former provider and chair of the legislatively enacted New Hampshire Child Care Advisory Committee, said child care has received more attention since the pandemic, but things have regressed. Providers were put on a pedestal but all of a sudden, now were back to square one, Tremblay said. We were essential when we were needed, and now were back to theyre a child care provider, we dont need them. She also noted that while it is nice that the government and businesses put child care in the limelight, without adequate government funding, programs will continue to shut their doors. Update: All southbound lanes were reopened shortly before 10 p.m. KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) A crash is causing delays on Interstate 81 South in Sullivan County. The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported the crash as an overturned vehicle near mile marker 55.8, near Tri-Cities Crossing, at 7:16 p.m. Bill that would end health department oversight of Ballad in 2028 clears committee (TDOT) One lane of I-81 South remains closed and traffic has backed up to the I-81/I-26 interchange. Advertisement Advertisement News Channel 11 has reached out to the Tennessee Highway Patrol for more information on the crash. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. An Ascension Parish man was sentenced to 25 years after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, the district attorney announced. According to a news release from 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin, 36-year-old Matthew Corkern III of Sorrento entered the plea as the result of an agreement with prosecutors in connection with two arrests. The Louisiana State Police Special Victim's Unit received an online tip December 2024 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reporting suspected child sexual abuse material, per the release. Advertisement Advertisement Detectives obtained search warrants for Corkern's residence, along with social media accounts and electronic devices, which resulted in a multitude of images and videos containing child sexual abuse material, according to the release. During the same time, Corkern reportedly was arrested and charged with simple burglary in connection with a separate criminal investigation. Per the release, Corkern was sentenced to 25 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served on the charge of possession of child sexual abuse material. In relation to the burglary charge, Corkern was sentenced to five years with credit for time served, the district attorney reported. Advertisement Advertisement The sentences are to run concurrent with one another, and Corkern will be required to register and notify as a sex offender or child predator, according to the release. Assistant District Attorney Blake Sheets prosecuted the case and Judge Cody Martin presided over the matter. This article originally appeared on Gonzales Weekly Citizen: Ascension Parish man sentenced to 25 years for possession of child sexual abuse material The Dallas County Republican Party (DCRP) is rolling back a change to its voting setup that led to voter confusion and disruptions during Texas primary elections earlier this month. Dallas Countys GOP used a precinct-based system in the March 3 primaries, meaning Democrats and Republicans had to cast ballots at specific neighborhood locations on Election Day, instead of countywide polling places. A Texas judge ordered the county polls to extend their hours to account for confusion as voters reported being turned away at certain locations. The Texas Supreme Court then halted the ruling, ordering that votes cast after the original poll close time be separated. Advertisement Advertisement Now, the party is switching back to countywide voting ahead of the May 26 primary runoff, though they didnt rule out re-instituting the changes in future elections. There comes a time to know when to claim success and not go a bridge too far, DCRP chairman Col. Allen West said in a statement on Tuesday, calling this months primaries a success but saying the party would assess the lessons learned and improve upon the process and procedures for future cycles. I have made the decision that seeking to do precinct based operations for the runoff Election Day exposes the DCRP to increased risk and voter confusion, West said. This week I will sign an amended contract for the DCRP to execute [a] non-joint countywide runoff election. Those that disagree with this decision are free to seek to replace me as Chairman. Several key Texas races advanced to May primary runoffs, including the marquee contest for Senate, where incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and state Attorney General Ken Paxton are squaring off for the GOP nod. Advertisement Advertisement Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder said in a statement that the Dallas County move signals Republicans are now scrambling to undo the damage they created. For months, Democrats warned that forcing a return to a precinct-only system during Election Day would confuse voters, create long lines, and turn people away from the polls, and thats exactly what happened, Scudder 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. More than 1,000 people have been killed in intensified Israeli attacks across Lebanon this month, according to local authorities, as the United Nations and other rights groups say Israels bombardment of the country may amount to war crimes. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said on Thursday that Israeli attacks have killed 1,001 people in Lebanon since March 2, including 79 women, 118 children and 40 healthcare workers. More than 2,584 people have been wounded. Israeli attacks on Lebanon intensified in early March after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli bombardment has forced more than one million people out of their homes across the countrys south and several parts of the capital, Beirut. Israels military has bombed residential buildings and other infrastructure, and launched a widening ground operation in southern Lebanon, in a campaign that it says is targeting Hezbollah. The Lebanese group has responded by firing barrages of rockets into northern Israel and engaging Israeli forces on the ground in the south. Earlier this week, a spokesperson for UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the Israeli attacks may amount to war crimes. Advertisement Advertisement International humanitarian law demands distinction between military targets and civilians and civilian objects and insists on feasible precautions being taken to protect civilians. Deliberately attacking civilians or civilian objects amounts to a war crime, the spokesperson said. That message was echoed on Thursday by Amnesty International, which urged Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanese healthcare workers and facilities. Healthcare workers are risking their lives to save others, and hospitals, other medical facilities and ambulances are specifically protected under international humanitarian law, said Kristine Beckerle, the rights groups deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. Beckerle also noted that Israels claim, without evidence, that Hezbollah has been using ambulances for military purposes does not justify treating hospitals, medical facilities or medical transport as battlefields or treating doctors and paramedics as targets. Advertisement Advertisement Deliberately striking medics performing their humanitarian functions is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and could constitute a war crime, she said in a statement. Fighting rages in southern Lebanon Israel carried out more attacks on towns in southern Lebanon on Friday, causing multiple injuries, state media reported. Israeli enemy fighter jets struck at dawn, targeting the towns of Bafliyeh and Hanine in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts, the official National News Agency (NNA) said. Israeli warplanes also carried out air attacks in the Nabatieh governorate, including on the Qalaa neighbourhood between the towns of Abba and Qasiba, the al-Bayad area in Haboush, as well as the towns of Wadi Abba and Kafr Sir, NNA reported. Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, said southern Lebanon was very much a combat zone as Israeli forces try to advance from more than one sector along the border with Lebanon. Israel is trying to make the whole area in the south of the country uninhabitable, forcing residents to leave and now targeting infrastructure, she said. They have struck bridges, claiming Hezbollah uses them as supply routes, and hit power stations, leaving areas without electricity. Theyre targeting ambulances and health workers. This appears to be a strategy to make this whole area uninhabitable. Push for de-escalation Meanwhile, several countries have raised concerns about the escalating violence in Lebanon and called for de-escalation to prevent further casualties and displacement. Advertisement Advertisement In a joint statement on Monday, the leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France condemned attacks directed at civilians, civilian infrastructure, health workers and infrastructure. These actions are unacceptable, and we call on all parties to act in accordance with international humanitarian law, they said, adding that an expanded Israeli ground offensive could lead to a protracted conflict and should be averted. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also held talks with Lebanons president on Thursday in a push to end the conflict. Lebanese President Joseph Aouns office said in a statement that Barrot expressed Frances readiness to work towards putting an end to the military escalation. Advertisement Advertisement In solidarity with the Lebanese people, dragged into a war they didnt choose, we are doubling our humanitarian assistance to Lebanon to 17 million euros [$20m], Barrot wrote in a social media post after meeting with displaced families in Beirut. The French foreign minister is also expected to travel to Israel on Friday, the Reuters news agency and Israeli media outlets reported. (Correction: This story has been updated to attribute a quote made by Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro, not Dr. Jim Gill.) One Delaware bill aiming to make waves in primary health care claimed close to three hours of discussion in its first committee hearing on March 18. Dozens of representatives from Delawares largest health care networks, from ChristianaCare, Beebe and Bayhealth, packed inside and outside the Senate chamber. Many stood dressed in their lab coats, scrubs and hospital uniforms as the Health & Human Services Committee got to work. Advertisement Advertisement Other onlookers including some members from the House also packed the upper pews to listen as witnesses discussed their support, or lack thereof, for the draft legislation looking to make significant changes in the health care ecosystem. Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, the bill proposes a slew of reform to primary health care insurance in Delaware. These changes include: Requiring the Health Care Commission and the Primary Care Reform Collaborative to monitor primary care providers compliance with "valuebased" care models. Those are basically models that incentivize providers to keep patients healthy, according to Townsend. Clarifying the Office of Value-Based Health Care Deliverys authority to implement regulations aimed at reducing health care costs and expanding access to affordable insurance. Requiring health insurers to report primary care spending as a share of total medical costs, with that share increasing annually until it reaches 11.5%. Advertisement Advertisement The bill looks to expand the number of patients covered by state investment in primary care, including state employees and those under Medicaid, according to Townsend. And the bill would expand the state Department of Insurances role in ensuring such valuebased care models. To the crowded chamber, Townsend called such investment crucial. ICYMI: Primary care insurance, Title IX on mid-session agenda: The Press Room Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend listens to a speaker during the last day of legislative session on June 30, 2025. This system is not working, the chamber leader said. We have to steer it in a direction of wellness and more reasonable prices. Some witnesses agreed this strategy would reduce long-term expenses and lead to better outcomes for the health care system. Strong primary care systems, as one witness noted, are linked to lower hospitalization rates and overall patient satisfaction. Advertisement Advertisement Your choice today isnt about whether to vote this bill out of committee, said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro during witness testimony. This is a choice that can impact our states health for decades to come. The state's Insurance Department also argued the change would benefit patients and providers, while saving about $282 million over five years. But many others, like the Delaware Healthcare Association, disagreed. Related: Delaware braces for big SNAP, Medicaid changes under new federal law We still have more work to do Association President and CEO Brian Frazee has said the state just came out of a bruising, yearslong effort surrounding the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board. That was given clearance to move forward after revival legislation in January, after about two years of legal battle. Advertisement Advertisement He said this bill will bring back many provisions under the same controversial bill or House Bill 350, which created the cost review board in the first place that undermine that progress. We still have more work to do, and we need the time to actually do the work, Frazee previously told Delaware Online/The News Journal. But [this bill] really puts a halt to that progress. Frazee reiterated this during his testimony. Approaching the dais, he said that while health care officials want to improve primary care access in the First State, there are still concerns with certain provisions, including controls over hospital rates. The bill specifies that costs per service for health benefit plans cannot surpass 250% of Medicare reimbursement for comparable services starting in 2028 filings. Delaware's Legislative Hall as seen on March 10, 2026. This could mean hospitals across all three Delaware counties could face a roughly $413 million cut, according to Frazee. Advertisement Advertisement This figure also appears in another provision. Under this bill, health insurance coverage for public employees and officers shall be provided by carriers whose cost per service again does not exceed that same threshold, beginning fiscal year 2029. And with many hospitals already facing significant cuts related to Medicaid, this could prove even more devastating, the association wrote in an opposition letter to Townsend dated March 5. Dr. David Tam of Beebe Healthcare was one of many who pointed to these figures as a cause for concern. In other news: Delaware educators fear budget cuts may shortchange English learners Advertisement Advertisement Tam explained that hospitals get paid for the care they provide. Medicare underpays for the care residents receive, at about 80 cents for every dollar. Lets say youre supposed to buy milk for a classroom with 30 kids, Tam said. If seven-tenths of the kids cant pay for the cost of milk, then the other three-tenths end up having to pay more... so that you can make sure that the entire class gets milk. Beebe Healthcare is one of the few hospital systems in Sussex County, and Tam said it is very Medicare specific. This means that a majority of their budget is priced at Medicare charges. That Medicare underpayment is huge, and the impact of [this bill] is considerable, Tam told committee members. Advertisement Advertisement Several public commentators voiced their opposition to the bill, contending this bill would put hundreds of health care jobs at risk, reduce access to care and lead costs to balloon. Many also encouraged collaboration between health care, state and other key leaders to meet these needs. Townsend told Delaware Online/The News Journal prior to the hearing that not only does this bill prioritize primary health care jobs, but that time is of the essence because the states primary health care system is on the brink of collapse. From an economic perspective, a Delawarean familys pocketbook perspective, a health perspective, a moral perspective, we cannot afford to continue to do business as usual, the lawmaker said. We need to have a system that costs less money to keep people well in the front end. Advertisement Advertisement The bill has since been signed out of committee. It should head to the Senate floor for further consideration. Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware primary care insurance reform bill advances to Senate House Democrats say Attorney General Pam Bondi is attempting to evade a congressional subpoena to testify about the Justice Departments handling of the Jeffery Epstein case. Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Wednesday evening walked out of a closed door briefing with Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, saying the nation's lead prosecutor declined to commit to cooperating with a subpoena issued by the panels Republican chair earlier this week. The top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, told reporters his members had only been informed about the planned Oversight briefing with Bondi and Blanche the day before. He accused the Trump administration officials of trying to stage some kind of fake hearing to avoid Bondi testifying under oath. Advertisement Advertisement This has been completely set up in a way that's been irresponsible. And quite frankly, we believe a way for the Attorney General to get out of her answering questions under oath and to the public, Garcia said. It marks the latest escalation in the House Oversights partisan splintering around its Epstein investigation. Though five Republicans joined Democrats on the House Oversight Committee earlier this year to subpoena Bondi, the two parties continue to differ in their approaches to the probe and their treatment of prospective witnesses. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bondi said she will follow the law when asked if she would commit to cooperating with the subpoena. She also extolled the work done under the Trump administration to promote transparency in the Epstein case. We were there to answer questions, she said. It's the evening. We came at their convenience. We gave them as really, as much time as they wanted. Advertisement Advertisement A House Oversight GOP spokesperson said this week the Justice Department requested the opportunity to speak to lawmakers while details of Bondis deposition are sorted out, which could take time. Wednesdays closed-door briefing with Bondi was far less formal than a deposition, with neither Bondi nor Blanche speaking under oath or having their comments recorded to be made public down the road. But in the event Bondi does not comply, it's not clear how Republicans on the committee would respond. Earlier this year, the panel approved measures to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt for failing to appear for their scheduled subpoenas, which eventually forced the former first couple to testify. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Penn.) said she asked House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) during the Wednesday briefing whether he would compel Bondi to appear for her deposition through pursuit of contempt proceedings as he had for the Clintons. Instead of answering as an adult, he said that I was bitching which is, again, something that would not be allowed if we were operating under the rules of this committee, because engaging in personalities is actually something that we are not able to do, Lee said of Comer. If C-SPAN and the public were there, I'd imagine that he would not act that way. Advertisement Advertisement Comer later confirmed that Lees account of the exchange was accurate. He said he did not personally see a purpose for Bondis sworn deposition and that the saga was a plot by Democrats intended to embarrass her. This was clearly the Democrats plan all along: to walk out of the briefing the DOJ offered to provide, said the GOP spokesperson for the Oversight panel in a statement. Both Attorney General Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Blanche were answering substantive questions, and Attorney General Bondi stated she would follow the law regarding her subpoena. Its clear Democrats dont want answers or justice for survivors; they just want theatrics for their latest partisan stunt. A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment. Lawmakers of both parties have been highly critical of Bondi and her departments handling of the release of materials in the Epstein case, arguing that it had bungled the redactions in what files were made public and slow-walked their release. Democrats have gone so far as to accuse the administration of a cover-up in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Bondi and the Justice Department have brushed aside lawmakers concerns around their handling of the Epstein matter, arguing that DOJ has complied with the law Congress passed last year compelling the full release of the files related to the late convicted sex offender. I wish we'd had a briefing sooner, Comer told reporters Wednesday. I think a breakdown of communications been a part of the problem too. Democrats on the House oversight committee walked out of a closed-door briefing from attorney general Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein files on Wednesday, leaving what California congressman Robert Garcia called an outrageous fake hearing after Bondi refused to commit to honoring a subpoena to testify under oath. The committee voted to subpoena Bondi earlier this month, with five Republicans joining Democrats to demand that the attorney general answer questions about the justice departments failure to properly release files from the federal investigations into Epstein. Bondi and Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, went to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to try to quell bipartisan frustration over the justice departments handling of millions of files related to Epsteins sex trafficking investigation. But less than an hour into the briefing, Democrats walked out in protest of the arrangement. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking outside the hearing room, Maxwell Alejandro Frost, the Florida congressman, said: We asked her multiple times, are you going to come and speak with us under oath? She would not say yes. Filibuster, filibuster, filibuster, would not say yes. Our Republican colleagues say: Is this not enough? Why dont you want to speak to her now? We want her under oath because we do not trust her. Why dont we trust her? Because shes a liar, Frost added. Look at how that judiciary committee went. She was spying on members of Congress when they were in the DoJ looking at the documents unredacted Look at what shes done, as far as not putting documents related to Donald Trump on the website. Summer Lee, a Pennsylvania congresswoman, said that when she asked how the committee would respond if Bondi refused to testify, the Republican chair of the committee, James Comer, insulted her by accusing her of bitching. Comer later confirmed the interaction in a social media post: I said Democrats were bitching and wasting everyones time because Democrats were bitching and wasting everyones time. Advertisement Advertisement Related: Pam Bondi subpoenaed over Epstein files release by House committee Justice department leaders had hoped the release of documents tied to the disgraced financier would put an end to a political saga that has dogged the presidents second term, but the agency remains consumed by questions and criticism over Epsteins case and its management of the files. Bondi has defended the departments handling of the files and has accused Democrats of using the furor over the documents to distract from the US presidents political successes, even though some of the most vocal criticism has come from members of Trumps own party. The department has also sought to assure lawmakers and the public that there has been no effort to shield Trump, who says he cut ties with Epstein years ago after an earlier friendship, or any other high-profile figures close to Epstein from potential embarrassment. The documents were disclosed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted after months of public and political pressure that requires the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidant and girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Criminal investigations into the financier have long animated online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and others who have suspected government cover-ups and clamored for a full accounting. MidOcean Energy, an EIG-backed liquefied natural gas (LNG) company, has secured more than $1.2bn in equity financing, surpassing its initial cover target of $1bn. The funding round features a $500m commitment from Idemitsu Kosan, a Japanese energy company with operations across the sector, alongside $790m from a mix of new and existing investors. MidOcean Energy aims to continue its capital-raising efforts with the intention of reaching a cumulative target of up to $2bn in funding from new investors. The company has reported ongoing momentum, with further investments under documentation, and noted that it is attracting interest from parties looking for long-term involvement in the LNG sector. Factors cited include sustained demand fundamentals, limited supply growth, and LNGs role in supporting both energy security and the wider energy transition. MidOcean Energy has participated in LNG projects in regions such as South America, Canada and Australia, pursuing a business model that balances cost considerations with emissions reduction. The company has stakes in the LNG Canada, Pluto LNG, Gorgon LNG, QCLNG and Peru LNG projects. MidOcean Energy CEO De la Rey Venter said: We are delighted to welcome Idemitsu Kosan as a strategic investor in MidOcean. The success of this equity raise is a strong validation of MidOceans strategy, asset base and transaction pipeline. The level of participation from both new investors and our existing shareholder base signals confidence in our strategy and our company. We look forward to welcoming more investors into the company as we progress toward final close. Idemitsu Kosan engages in natural gas development activities in Vietnam and provides supply to power plants linked to data centres in North America. The company regards this investment as an opportunity to enter the global LNG market through collaboration with MidOcean Energy and recognises the partnership as strategic due to the latters sector expertise. Idemitsu Kosan noted that completion of the investment is contingent on receiving all necessary regulatory approvals under applicable competition laws. The company said that LNG produces fewer carbon emissions than oil or coal when burned, which has contributed to its growing use as an energy source during the shift toward lower-carbon options. Furthermore, Idemitsu Kosan identified LNGs geographically diverse supply regions as factors that enhance energy security and reduce procurement risks. MidOcean Energy recently signed definitive agreements with JERA to acquire an additional 0.417% interest in the Gorgon LNG project offshore Western Australia. Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost. The audio signals of two crosswalks in Denver were hacked to send anti-Donald Trump messages, reported multiplemediaoutlets. The walk signal is on, **** Trump, the robotic voice could be heard saying in videos that went viral online over the weekend. The voice also accused Trump of causing the deaths of children, a likely reference to possible U.S. responsibility for a strike on a school in the early days of Trumps Iran war. Advertisement Advertisement I was surprised, I had to gather myself and think, Did I really hear that? local resident Damian Meldgaard told CBS Colorado. And then I was enamored. I loved it, it made my day, it was absolutely what I wanted to hear. I kinda wanted my own recording just for my own personal sense of self-satisfaction. Politics: Ex-NHL Star And Current Sarah Palin Beau Blames Team's Loss On Pride Night The push-buttons on the crosswalk were new, still bagged and with their factory settings that included a default password that we now have learned is easy to find online, said Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Communications Director Nancy Kuhn, per The Denver Post. The password has now been changed and officials dont expect a repeat situation at these locations, Kuhn added. Advertisement Advertisement Denver Police is investigating the incident. Pennsylvanias Harrisburg International Airports public address system was similarly hacked to play anti-Trump messages in October. Related... Read the original on HuffPost A deaf 6-year-old boy snatched by immigration agents from Northern California and deported to Colombia this month needs to be returned to the U.S. immediately or he could die, a lawyer representing the child said Wednesday. Attorney Nikolas De Bremaeker said the boy, Joseph Lodano Rodriguez, was at risk every day that he is not getting his treatments. The child has a cochlear implant that requires the same routine maintenance and cleaning he was receiving stateside but may not get in Colombia. Joseph is at immense risk for his life if he does not continue the treatment that he was receiving in the United States, De Bremaeker said at a virtual news conference hosted by California Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Advertisement Advertisement He is at risk of infection, he is at risk of meningitis, he is at risk of death if he is not given the proper care for his surgical implants. Joseph, his 28-year-old mother, Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez, and another son, 5, were detained by federal agents on March 3 while attending an immigration meeting and deported shortly after. Rodriguez Gutierrez traveled to the United States in 2022 seeking asylum from domestic violence and lived in Hayward. She was told in the run up to the March 3 meeting that she needed to bring her two children for a routine check-in to update the photos Immigration and Customs Enforcement had of them. Shortly after arriving, ICE agents tried to force her to sign a document without explanation, and then pushed the family into a vehicle to be put on a flight to a faraway detention facility, De Bremaeker told The Times earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Deaf boy deported without hearing aids as mom sought asylum for domestic violence, lawyer says The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to questions sent Wednesday after office hours but has consistently said that Rodriguez Gutierrez was an illegal alien from Colombia who illegally entered the United States in 2022. She was issued a removal order on Nov. 25, 2024, according to DHS. Thurmond, the superintendent, called on the public to lobby Congress and the Trump administration to return Joseph so he can continue his studies. Thurmond showed a 40-second clip of Joseph and his family at a Colombian facility for the deaf. Advertisement Advertisement The child appeared to struggle communicating with his sibling and mother, while his brother repeatedly tried to give directions to him in Spanish with little avail. Josephs only language is American Sign Language, Thurmond said. Joseph was studying at the state-funded Fremonts California School for the Deaf. Joseph is struggling, Thurmond said. He does not have the ability to communicate with anyone and in many ways, he can barely communicate with his mom. Like Josephs mom, Lesly was just beginning to learn American Sign Language. Read more: Deaf 6-year-old boy is deported to Colombia without his medical devices, attorney says Advertisement Advertisement Both California senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff along with state Democratic congressional members Eric Swalwell, Nanette Barragan, Zoe Lofgren, Kevin Mullin and Lateefah Simon called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to investigate the deportation. The group is also calling on both government agencies to return the family to the U.S. through the process of humanitarian parole. That move would allow Joseph to re-enroll in school and receive specialized care. Celena Ponce, founder of Hands United, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding deaf immigrant children and families, said her group was trying to connect the family with the deaf community and services, like interpreters, in Colombia. She said, however, that Joseph and his family face several challenges. The first hurdle if he ends up staying in Colombia, is that he and his mother will have to learn Colombian sign language, which differs from American sign language. Advertisement Advertisement Ponce added that Joseph also suffered language deprivation, meaning he is delayed in comparison to other 6-year-olds who are hearing. Because Colombia does not have residential schools similar to what California has, the ability to be fully immersed in language is not present, she said. Whatever gains he made at the California School for the Deaf would likely end, she said. Times staff writers Clara Harter and Christopher Buchanan contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The last time 29-year-old Wendy Hernandez Reyes spoke to her son, Orlin, the 3-year-old was blowing her kisses over the phone. The next phone call she got was when his uncle and temporary caregiver, 28-year-old Samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo, messaged her that Orlin was headed to the hospital. The boy got really sick on me, Maldonado Erazo said matter-of-factly in a voicemail to his sister-in-law. I had to call the ambulance to take him to the hospital because the boy got really sick on me. I'm going to call when I get to the hospital because the ambulance took Orlin and the 'Cherries' are questioning me about what happened. Advertisement Advertisement The Cherries is Spanish slang for police. 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. Investigators later arrested Maldonado Erazo for felony murder after the boy died from brutal injuries the medical examiner said he sustained over the past month including burns, broken bones and repeated blows to the head. Helpless and a thousand miles away in Honduras, Hernandez Reyes collapsed at the news that her only child was dead. My mother had to take me to a clinic because I got sick, Hernandez Reyes said in a phone interview from Honduras. Last time I saw my son, he was well, and people would tell me how happy and smart he is. Pensacola-area mother deported without warning The young mother spoke with the News Journal through an interpreter, Hispanic community advocate and editor of the bilingual newspaper La Costa Latina, Grace Resendez McCaffery. Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez Reyes said she was forced to leave Orlin in Maldonado Erazos care when she and her sister, Maldonado Erazos wife, say they were unexpectedly arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Jan. 8. She said they were headed to work on a concrete job with four other people when the car they were riding in was stopped by police for speeding in Mobile, Alabama. The workers say they were not speeding but everyone in the car was arrested when officers found the driver did not have a drivers license. That's very common, McCaffery said. We get racially profiled by police hoping that the driver, who is probably Hispanic, doesn't have a driver's license. I've actually been stopped myself, as well as my boyfriend, so this is very common. Advertisement Advertisement The mothers were given a moment to call home and check on their children and let Maldonado Erazo know what was happening. Hernandez Reyes said for eight days following her arrest, she had no telephone access until she was transferred to a detention center in Louisiana. I was able to talk to him one more time while I was in the detention center, Hernandez Reyes said. He just cried the whole time. It made me very ill listening to him cry. He's only 3 years old and he could only say Mama, and he just cried and cried. It was devastating. Hernandez Reyes said the decision was made to deport her because although she had begun the asylum process, she missed her asylum hearing because the case had been assigned to a court in Ohio, and she couldnt afford to make the trip. Advertisement Advertisement She said her attempts to communicate that to the court and request a hearing in Florida were lost in translation. Because she didnt appear, her case was dismissed and she was deported back to Honduras on Jan. 26 without her son. I was communicating to an immigration agent through a tablet and asked if I could please have my son go with me since I am being deported, and I was denied, Hernandez Reyes said. I was not told why they couldn't help me. They only facilitated for me to be able to sign a power-of-attorney to my brother-in-law so that he could possibly get a passport for Orlin to return to me. She said her sister is still in detention and hasn't been deported because her asylum hearing is scheduled for May. Her children have been placed with the Florida Department of Children and Families, according to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Florida sheriffs discuss commonsense deportation The week of March 16, some Florida sheriffs and members of the State Immigration Enforcement Council discussed writing a letter to President Donald Trump, the U.S. House speaker and the Senate majority leader urging better clarity on which undocumented immigrants should be targeted for deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is chair of the council. He said while Florida law enforcement wholeheartedly supports and endorses ICE, immigrants without criminal records should not be a priority for removal because many are law-abiding members of their community. Judd said hed like to see a commonsense path forward for those folks, with conditions. Were going to give you five years, and youve got to learn to speak English, he said. Youve got to pay a fine for coming into the country illegally, a civil fine. And youve got to not be on the taxpayer dollar, and you've got to work, and youve got to put your kids in school, and we already know those people who are doing that. Advertisement Advertisement Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, whose department investigated and arrested Maldonado Erazo for killing his nephew, had this to say about the discussion. "Our federal partners will never have to wonder if we will support them, because we will, Simmons said. You will not see some of the things you see in other states here in Escambia County. That being the case, we are not going around doing raids every day. Our priority has always been those who have committed crimes." ICE said in a press release Maldonado Erazo had no prior criminal history in the U.S. prior to his arrest for murdering his nephew and is in the U.S. illegally. The agency lodged an immigration detainer against him. Advertisement Advertisement ICE Director Todd M. Lyons also said in the release Orlins mother abandoned him. I encourage parents to self-deport with their children, Lyons said, 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. Hernandez Reyes says that is not true, stressing that she asked repeatedly to take her son with her and was denied. She said she was working with her brother-in-law on getting a passport for Orlin when he was killed, and she had no idea anything was wrong until he died. Bringing Orlin back to his mom Orlin is a U.S. citizen who was born in Pensacola a year after Hernandez Reyes arrived in the U.S. by bus in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement She came to Pensacola for a better life and because her father lived here and she cared for him until he passed away in late 2025. I loved living in Pensacola, and it was a joy to raise my son there, Hernandez Reyes said tearfully. She is now living with her mother in Lempira, Honduras, one of the poorest places in the country where jobs are scarce and life is extremely difficult. She desperately hopes to return to the U.S. with a work visa one day so she can help support herself as well as her mother who is ill. But right now, she is focused on burying her baby. A GoFundMe McCaffery started to help cover the $12,000 transportation costs to repatriate the boys body to Honduras once the medical examiner releases him has already exceeded that goal. Advertisement Advertisement I just want to hold him, Hernandez Reyes said, very grateful for the help. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Deported Pensacola mother say ICE wouldn't let her take son Orlin By Rami Ayyub and Humeyra Pamuk JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON, March 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to repeat the kind of attack Israel carried out on a major Iranian gas field, while saying the two countries coordinate their actions. In a social media post on Wednesday night, Trump said Washington "knew nothing about this particular attack," even as three Israeli officials told Reuters the strike was coordinated with the United States. Advertisement Advertisement The attack on Iran's South Pars gas field prompted an Iranian aerial assault on energy infrastructure in Qatar and across the Middle East, marking the biggest escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump did not say whether he had prior knowledge of the strike or approved it in advance, nor did he make clear when he had spoken to Netanyahu. "I told him, don't do that and he won't do that," Trump said. "We didn't discuss, you know, we do independent, but get along great. It's coordinated," Trump said. "But on occasion he'll do something. And if I don't like it. And so we're not doing that anymore." Advertisement Advertisement The three Israeli officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations, said on Thursday that Israel was not surprised by Trump's comments on social media. They described the dynamic as similar to one that played out after Israel struck fuel depots in Iran several weeks ago. After those attacks, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth said that in "that particular case those weren't our strikes." The White House declined to comment further beyond Trump's post when asked about the information from the three Israeli officials' remarks. Netanyahu's office did not respond to a request for comment. GULF COUNTRIES SEEK EXPLANATIONS FROM WHITE HOUSE Advertisement Advertisement Since the Israeli attack on South Pars, Iranian attacks have caused extensive damage to the world's largest gas plant in Qatar, targeted a refinery in Saudi Arabia and forced the United Arab Emirates to shut gas facilities. After Iran's attacks, Gulf Arab countries sought explanations from the Trump administration, with one country contacting U.S. Central Command, a regional source familiar with the matter said. The Pentagon's Middle East command told that country that it was not informed in advance of the Israeli strike, the source said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity and declined to name the country involved. That country then contacted Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, who said that while the strike was not a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, Washington was informed about it ahead of time, the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the strike. The U.S. and Israel have repeatedly sought to highlight their close coordination in their joint air assault on Iran, but officials on both sides have acknowledged that their objectives were not the same. On Thursday, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told a House Intelligence Committee hearing that while Israel has been focused on "disabling the Iranian leadership," the U.S. has focused on destroying Iran's ballistic missile programme and its navy. (Reporting by Jerusalem bureau and Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Editing by Alison Williams, Colleen Jenkins, Timothy Heritage and Diane Craft) More than a year ago, The GEO Group founder George Zoley asked for a meeting with Corey Lewandowski, a close ally of President Donald Trump who had just started a powerful position as a top adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. As a titan of the private prison industry, GEO Group stood to benefit from Trumps mass deportation agenda, which would require the federal government to spend tens of billions of dollars to transport, detain, monitor and deport undocumented immigrants. The companys federal contracts in those areas already totaled more than $1 billion per year. But Zoley and his advisers were worried that the road to securing new government contracts now ran through Lewandowski. The two had history: Lewandowski and Zoley had butted heads during the transition between Trumps November 2024 election and his January 2025 inauguration, before Lewandowski officially worked for the government, according to two industry sources and one senior DHS official familiar with the matter. Advertisement Advertisement During the transition, Lewandowski told Zoley that he wanted to be paid in exchange for protecting and growing GEO Groups DHS contracts, according to a senior DHS official and three people familiar with their discussion. Zoley, concerned about the propriety of the ask, told Lewandowski he would have no part of it, the sources said, describing the confrontation as tense. Lewandowski took a role as an unpaid special government employee at DHS once the new administration was sworn in, where he advised and acted as a de facto chief of staff to Noem and, sources said, influenced contract awards. Zoley scrambled to find a way to assuage tensions from the meeting during the transition, two industry sources familiar with the matter said. He secured a follow-up with Lewandowski in late February or early March 2025. That second meeting did not go much better. Zoley offered to put Lewandowski on retainer a recurring consulting fee with GEO Group, according to two industry sources familiar with the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Lewandowski balked, saying he wanted to be compensated based on the companys new or renewed contracts with DHS, the two sources said. He wanted payments what some people would call a success fee, said a person with knowledge of the meeting. Zoley declined, the two sources said. In the months that followed, the length of two of GEO Groups federal contracts shrank, and currently several of its facilities that could house migrants sit idle, even as Congress and Trump have poured money into DHS to execute the mass deportation campaign. GEO Group officials believe that is tied to their not agreeing to Lewandowskis solicitations, said a source familiar with the GEO Group officials thinking. A senior DHS official told NBC News that within weeks of Lewandowskis second meeting with Zoley, Lewandowski told him not to award more contracts to GEO Group. Lewandowski, through a spokesperson, denied that. Months later, in December 2025, GEO Group did receive a new contract for $121 million for services that help locate immigrants DHS is trying to find. Advertisement Advertisement Lewandowskis spokesperson denied this account of his interactions with GEO Group. This is absolutely false and did not happen Mr. Lewandowski never demanded any payment or compensation from the Geo Group, at any time, his representative said. Asked whether he has ever received any money from any of the contracts he has signed off on, Lewandowski previously told NBC News in an interview, zero, not one penny. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski at a meeting in San Jose, Costa Rica, on June 25, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker) Now, lawmakers are asking about Lewandowski. Noem testified at a congressional hearing earlier this month in which lawmakers asked about her and Lewandowskis role in government contracts. Trump called them both after and asked Lewandowski questions about his role in DHS contracting decisions, a source with knowledge of the call told NBC News. The president fired Noem after the hearings, saying she would depart as secretary on March 31. Lewandowski told NBC News he has not decided whether he will leave DHS with her. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Trumps nominee to replace Noem, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., was asked during a congressional hearing if he would cooperate with a probe by Democratic senators into three businesses that received a $220 million advertising contract featuring Noem. The probe is looking into whether she or Lewandowski financially benefited from the agreements. Mullin said he would cooperate with any DHS inspector general investigation. Trump has also recently asked aides whether Lewandowski profited personally from the advertising campaign, NBC News has reported, at one point allegedly remarking to advisers, Corey made out on that one. Lewandowskis request to GEO Group during the transition was made known to some incoming ICE officials, according to two senior DHS officials involved in conversations about the matter. And GEO Group and several other companies in government contracting have complained to officials in Trumps inner circle that Lewandowski, as a special government employee, has directly or indirectly stood to personally profit from the DHS contracting process, according to four senior White House officials, a former White House official and a person familiar with the conversations. Advertisement Advertisement One senior White House official raised the issue with Trump during an unrelated meeting in October, two current administration officials said, before the conversation was cut short by superseding business. And another senior White House official told NBC News they had received a dozen complaints from at least four companies about Lewandowskis involvement in the contracting process during the second Trump administration. Such complaints are rare in the defense contracting industry, in which relationships are often carefully built over years and across political parties. The reports of requests to pay Lewandowski, a government contracting expert told NBC News, raise red flags. This account is based on seven months of reporting, including interviews with nearly two dozen people who expressed concern about Lewandowskis role in the contracting process including current administration officials, current DHS officials, industry sources who have done business with DHS and lobbyists. These sources were interviewed on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media or because they wanted to protect their relationships with an agency critical to their business. It is not clear whether Lewandowski received any money from businesses contracting with the government; he has denied it. The DHS General Counsels Office told NBC News that Lewandowski is in compliance with all required ethics financial disclosure reporting and training requirements and that he filed a confidential financial disclosure report that is not subject to media disclosure, given his special government employee status. Advertisement Advertisement The White House declined to comment. DHS and GEO Group did not return requests for comment. White House officials have not taken any action against Lewandowski, in part out of fear that Trump will come to his defense, according to three sources familiar with the thinking inside the West Wing. That does not mean they have not taken stock of the situation. We are aware of the allegations of pay to play, a senior White House official said, acknowledging that the complaints touched off discussions among White House aides. Some of the presidents aides, the senior White House official said, are troubled by the reports they have heard about Lewandowski. Lewandowski, who has been referred to as chief inside DHS headquarters, has had broad authority over the contract process, three current DHS officials said. In an internal policy change last year, Noem decided that she should review and sign off on any deal worth more than $100,000. DHS officials and private industry sources say Noem had largely delegated that review to Lewandowski. His spokesperson denied that, saying Noem has delegated no authorities to Mr. Lewandowski. Advertisement Advertisement Previously, $25 million was the trigger for the DHS secretarys approval, a former ICE official in the Biden administration said. Jessica Tillipman, the associate dean for government procurement law studies at George Washington University, told NBC News that in general, if a special government employee had control over which companies got contracts and sought payment from companies in exchange for winning contracts, that would raise bright red flags of illegality. Federal law describes a special government employee Lewandowskis designation at DHS as an officer or employee of the executive or legislative branch of government whose role is temporary. Federal law states it is illegal for any public official, or person who has been selected to be a public official, to corruptly demand, seek, receive, accept or agree to receive or accept anything of value personally or for any other person or entity in return for being influenced in the performance of any official act. Advertisement Advertisement If I was a special government employee and I turned to a company and I said, I want to consult, and Im also then going to be directly involved in personally and substantially overseeing the award of that contract, I would say that that would be a blazing red flag of procurement integrity concern, she added. Tillipman said federal contracting regulations are designed to prevent those scenarios. We want to make sure that awards are made based on the merit of a company and their product or service, not because the company bidding on the contract is paying off the person in charge of awarding it, she said. One marketing firm abandoned plans to pursue two lucrative DHS contracts after it received requests to indirectly pay Lewandowski, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The marketing firm official recounted the experience to an official in the Trump administration about two months later. That Trump administration official later confirmed the discussion with NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement The firm, which had no previous federal contracting experience, was contacted by Salus Worldwide Solutions, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Salus is run by William Walters, who The Washington Post reported is a donor to the America First Policy Institute, a nonprofit that promotes causes aligned with the Trump administration. Salus in May 2025 won a fast-tracked DHS deal to help carry out deportations a contract ultimately worth nearly $1 billion, the Post reported. A person representing Salus asked the owner of the marketing firm whether he was interested in pursuing a $20 million contract to create materials for an agency that falls under DHS, according to the person familiar with the discussions. Getting in as a government subcontractor, which could lead to future deals, seemed to the marketing firm owner like a potentially lucrative opportunity, the person said. Salus representatives laid out most of the details on a September conference call with the marketing firm, according to the person familiar with the discussions. But there was one final detail. A representative from Salus called the marketing firm owner after the conference call, according to the person familiar with the discussions. Youre going to have to bring in a consultant to manage it, the representative told the marketing firm owner, according to the person familiar with the discussions. Manage what exactly? the firms owner replied. Manage the relationship, the representative said. The marketing firm owner said he still did not understand. He blamed it on his lack of experience in federal contracting and asked the representative to explain it to him. We are guaranteed this contract, but we need to make sure we are properly thanking the person who gave it to us, the Salus representative said, naming Lewandowski as the one who had secured the contract and deserved gratitude, according to the person familiar with the discussions. The marketing firm owner was told that he could hire one of several consulting firms tied to Lewandowski, the person familiar with the discussions said. That tripped an alarm bell, and the marketing firm owner ended the call. He phoned two friends who work in federal contracting and asked whether such an arrangement was normal, according to the person familiar with the discussions. One of them called it a giant red flag, and the other raised legal concerns, according to the person familiar with the discussions. The Salus representative told the marketing firm owner that because he refused to hire a consultant, the marketing firm did not get the deal, according to the person familiar with the discussions. The contract was not ultimately awarded to Salus. A short time later, according to the person familiar with the discussions, Salus reached back out to see whether the marketing firm owner would be interested in working on a DHS outreach campaign. The representative in a follow-up call told the marketing firm owner that this contract would be worth $40 million to $50 million, but that the marketing company would get only $20 million, according to the person familiar with the discussions. The representative would direct the rest to a consulting company tied to Lewandowski, the person said. We will make sure the consultant is handled, the representative said, according to the person familiar with the discussions. In both cases, the Salus representative made it clear to the marketing firm owner that hiring a Lewandowski-linked consultant was a condition of winning the contract, according to the person familiar with the discussions. A spokesperson for Lewandowski called the allegations patently false. Mr. Lewandowski had no conversations with anyone regarding a marketing contract. The spokesperson added, Any insinuation that someone was speaking on behalf of Mr. Lewandowski was completely unauthorized and if undertaken, it was done so without his knowledge. A lawyer for Salus denied the accounts of both meetings as entirely false and said, Salus would never entertain this type of arrangement. Salus was never funded to perform work involving a subcontract to a marketing firm, the lawyer added. In both cases, had a prospective subcontractor made us aware of such an alleged communication, Salus would have taken every step to identify whomever had misrepresented themselves as an agent of the company and turned that individual over to law enforcement, the lawyer said. Salus did not authorize anyone to hire or promise to hire any consultant in connection with any Salus subcontract, let alone as a condition of issuing such a subcontract. Salus, the lawyer said, contacted "every 'marketing company' with whom it had any contact, for any purpose, in September, 2025. While we cannot disclose the names of the companies, each of them confirmed to Salus that no one from Salus had any discussion of the sort." The marketing firm turned down the second offer, too, the person familiar with the discussions said, worried again that it might run afoul of the law. UPDATE (April 7, 2026, 9:18 a.m. ET): This article was updated to add a statement from Salus about its contact with marketing companies regarding the allegations reported by NBC News. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com More than 30 years after his death, new allegations of sexual abuse against labor leader Cesar Chavez are triggering fallout across California, including the cancellation of planned celebrations in his honor. Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers and led national boycotts and labor campaigns, remains a central figure in Latino civil rights history. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, and his birthday was declared a U.S. federal commemorative holiday in 2014. Dolores Huerta, Chavez's longtime ally and a co-founder of the United Farm Workers, disclosed in a new report from the New York Times that Chavez sexually assaulted her in 1966, an allegation she said she had never previously disclosed publicly. "Unfortunately, he used some of his great leadership to abuse women and children - it's really awful," Huerta told the outlet. Erik Olvera, a spokesperson for Dolores Huerta, confirmed the Times' reporting about Huerta's story. Advertisement Advertisement "This is a very heavy day, and we are all shocked and all surprised," he told SFGATE. "Dolores, she legitimately had no idea and thought she was the only one." In a separate statement to her blog, Huerta said she had kept her encounters with Chavez a secret for the past 60 years. "I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for," Huerta said. She detailed the first encounter with Chavez as being "manipulated and pressured," while she noted that, in a later encounter with him, she'd been forced against her will and "felt trapped." Huerta said both encounters led to pregnancies. Advertisement Advertisement "I chose to keep my pregnancies secret and, after the children were born, I arranged for them to be raised by other families that could give them stable lives," she said. "Over the years, I have been fortunate to develop a deep relationship with these children, who are now close to my other children, their siblings. But even then, no one knew the full truth about how they were conceived until just a few weeks ago." Dolores Huerta, far right, poses for a group portrait with the National Executive Board of the United Farm Workers in California, circa 1975. Standing from left to right: Marshall Ganz, Philip Vera Cruz, Richard Chavez and Pete Velasco. Sitting from left to right: Mack Lyons, Cesar Chavez, Gilbert Padilla, Eliseo Medina and Dolores Huerta. (Cathy Murphy/Getty Images) Dolores Huerta, an American labor activist and the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, speaks on stage during a UFW rally in California, circa 1975 or 1976. (Cathy Murphy/Getty Images) In addition to Huerta, two women, Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas, told the New York Times that Chavez abused them repeatedly as minors in the 1970s. At the time, he was in his 40s and leading the farmworkers movement. Murguia said she was 13 when Chavez first summoned her to his office, where he locked the door, assaulted her and warned her not to tell anyone. She said the encounters continued for years. Advertisement Advertisement Rojas said in the report that Chavez first groped her when she was 12 and later had sexual intercourse with her when she was 15 in a motel during a union march. Under California law, the conduct would constitute rape due to her age. Both women said they had not previously shared their accounts publicly. The allegations were part of a broader investigation by the Times, which reported interviews with more than 60 people and a review of union records, emails, photographs and audio recordings. The reporting found what it described as a pattern of misconduct, including claims that Chavez used women within the movement "for his own sexual gratification." Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press conference that he was still "absorbing" the news, noting the allegations hit close to home, given his longtime friendship with Huerta. "We're just gonna have to ... reflect on a farm workers movement and a labor movement that was much bigger than one man and celebrate that, and that will be our focus as we process what the next steps are," he said. "... We're for justice. We're for the truth. We're for transparency. We want to have the backs of our victims." Advertisement Advertisement San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie called the accounts "deeply disturbing and unacceptable." "It takes immense bravery to come forward," Lurie said. "... My heart goes out to all of the survivors." U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla described the accounts as "heartbreaking, horrific," adding: "There must be zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, and the silencing of victims, no matter who is involved." Advocacy group Mi Familia Vota also expressed support for those coming forward, stating that it stands "emphatically" with the survivors and calling the allegations "against everything we stand and fight for every day." Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Tuesday before the New York Times report was released, the United Farm Workers said it would not participate in events marking Chavez's birthday on March 31, citing "deeply troubling allegations" and reports that are "incompatible with our organization's values." The union said it had "not received any direct reports" and had no "firsthand knowledge" of the claims but called the allegations involving "very young women or girls" "crushing." Cesar Chavez leads a supermarket protest. (Corbis via Getty Images) Cesar Chavez, the organizer and leader of the National Farm Workers Association, appears at a union rally. Chavez successfully called for a nationwide boycott of non-union picked grapes. (Ted Streshinsky Photographic Arc/Corbis/Getty Images) The organization said it plans to create an "external, confidential, independent channel" for people to share experiences and seek support, adding that the accusations were "profoundly shocking." Advertisement Advertisement The Cesar Chavez Foundation also released a statement on Tuesday saying it was "shocked and saddened" by the allegations. The foundations said it plans to "support the people who may have been harmed by his actions, and ensure we are united and guided by our commitment to justice and community empowerment." This story has been updated. More News - Journalist and historian found dead at Bay Area park - Calif. 'pageant queen' admits to running massive Ponzi scheme - Why Bay Area Goodwills are sending truckloads of clothes to Arizona - Tahoe ski resort calls off season after being open less than 3 months Sign up for daily SFGATE breaking news alerts here. This article originally published at Dolores Huerta breaks silence, alleges Cesar Chavez forced sexual encounters. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police confirm a driver was found dead after crashing into an Oklahoma City home on Wednesday night. Officials confirm this was located around NE 15th Street. No one in the home was injured, and the scene is under further investigation at this time. This is a developing story. 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. Karen Bowen of Rochester, whose mother and aunt died in separate crashes caused by repeat drunken drivers 22 years apart, said its time New Hampshire stiffens the license suspension penalty for someone who refuses to take a blood alcohol test. Today we look upon vehicles as a pleasure; they are not. They are a necessity and most of all they are lethal weapons, no different from a gun, Bowen told the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Bowens aunt, Alzeda, 34, was killed on Feb. 1, 1964. Her mother, Georgiana, 59, died after a Route 101 crash in Hampton on Sept. 20, 1986. Advertisement Advertisement I pray to God that you or your family are not touched by the loss of a loved one to a drunk/drug-impaired driver. I can tell you it changes you forever. Legislative and law enforcement supporters of the bill (SB 620) decided at the hearing to prominently feature victims in hopes it helped make a convincing closing argument for one of Gov. Kelly Ayottes top priorities for the 2026 session. The Republican-led House of Representatives has in the past twice failed by lopsided margins to pass similar measures. What I didnt have before was a human side and thats what we wanted to bring to you today, said state Sen. Bill Gannon, R-Sandown, the bills prime sponsor. Advertisement Advertisement Alisha Miles of Enosburg, Vermont, choked back tears recalling the May 27, 2023, accident in Sheldon, Vermont, when her daughter, Olivia, 6, was in the back seat and later died from her injuries. The other motorist, Nicholas Tanner, 40, also perished in the crash after his car struck head-on the car driven by Olivias father, Chad. Both parents suffered severe injuries. I share Olivias story not to invoke sympathy but to invite change, Alisha Miles said. Olivia is the reason I support this bill. Under current law, anyone who refuses to take a test upon arrest for suspected drunken or drugged driving loses their license administratively for six months. Thats the same length of time for someone who takes the test and fails it. Advertisement Advertisement For a subsequent arrest, the license suspension period for someone not taking the test one year under current law would increase to three years under the bill. Following an impaired-driving conviction at trial, a judge can add a longer suspension term and impose other conditions. Gannon noted the bill would allow a judge to accept a plea deal before trial to significantly lower the additional revocation of license period if that motorist took the test and failed it, but then agreed to complete a substance abuse treatment program. Ayotte: Refusal rate has risen in 2026 Last year, New Hampshires 68% refusal rate was the second highest in the nation behind only Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Ayotte announced Wednesday the refusal rate had risen to 75% for the period from Jan. 1 through March 17. Our refusal rate is outrageous, Ayotte said in a statement. We must close the loophole that makes our roads less safe and hold impaired drivers accountable for putting people at risk. Together, we can save more lives on our roads. Rep. Debra DeSimone, R-Atkinson, said about a year ago she and her husband came home to find a drunken driver had careened onto their property, taking out a mailbox, part of a tree and a fence post. The police officer said, I need to tell you part of your fence is now missing because the drunk driver was pretty much operating like a pinball machine, DeSimone recalled. Advertisement Advertisement No one testified against the bill, which the Senate unanimously approved last month. Gannon said he knows hell have to change a lot of minds to get the bill onto Ayottes desk later this year. Im going to be thrilled if we win without a single vote to spare, Gannon said Whats next: The bill will come to the full House later this spring. Outlook: Ayotte has turned up the pressure, though Gannon admitted to prevail before the House he most has to improve on the 2025 showing among House Democrats who had opposed a similar bill, 121-27. klandrigan@unionleader.com European leaders must not give in to blackmail by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and his blocking of a 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine is unacceptable, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has said. Source: Jetten before the start of a European Council meeting on Thursday 19 March, as reported by European Pravda's correspondent in Brussels Details: The Netherlands described Orban's veto of the loan for Ukraine as unacceptable and urged the EU not to bow to the pressure. Advertisement Advertisement "Hungary's veto is unacceptable, and more support for Ukraine needs to come as soon as possible," Jetten said. He stressed that Ukraine "needs our full support to win this war against the Russian aggression". "The loan is crucial to make sure that Ukraine can prepare for next winter. There has been decision-making here on the European level, so I expect everyone to respect that," he said. Jetten underlined that the EU does not need a plan B, "because then we'd fall for Orban's blackmail, and that's the last thing we need to do". "I'm also very happy that the European Commission was able to find a technical way forward so that we can fix this pipeline issue so that this loan can get into effect as soon as possible," he noted. Advertisement Advertisement Background: As European Pravda has reported, Orban said on the sidelines of a European Council meeting in Brussels that Hungary would not unblock any decisions favourable to Ukraine until the Druzhba pipeline resumes transporting Russian oil. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed hope that Orban will adhere to EU principles and agree to the 90 billion loan for Ukraine. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Orban has betrayed the EU and is using Ukraine as a political tool in his election campaign. Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden has expressed the view that the EU can still move forward with its decisions even if one country continues to block them. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! When President Donald Trump announced in September, with the approval of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, that he would install agents from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security, and Customs and Border Protection, among others, in Memphis, he said the purpose was to crack down on crime. Anecdotally, it soon became apparent that finding the so-called worst of the worst criminals was not the mission of the Memphis Safe Task Force. Lookout reporter Cassandra Stephenson and photojournalist John Partipilo observed in Memphis one night a driver getting pulled over and detained by a multi-agency group of officers for over 45 minutes. The issue? A loose fender on the mans car. Advertisement Advertisement The same night, they saw a similar clutch of agents surround and detain an elderly Black couple in a car sporting a damaged door, duct-taped window and a placard issued by the state for people who are disabled. This didnt sound like the worst of the worst, but information about how the task force decides who to detain and on what offenses has been hard to come by. The Tennessee Highway Patrol, also part of the state-federal partnership, didnt respond to requests for information from Stephenson about the total number of traffic stops performed or resulting in arrests. Thats a problem for Tennesseans. Our mission at the Tennessee Lookout is to hold state government accountable. If we cant get information, we cant provide it to you and without government transparency, none of us can be sure the government is behaving responsibly or legally. Advertisement Advertisement After President Richard Nixon resigned from office in disgrace following the revelations of the Watergate investigation in 1973, the public was hungry to know more about what their governments federal, state and local were up to. Closed door meetings were out, and transparency was in. Congress enacted the federal Government in the Sunshine Act in 1976, nine years after Florida became the first state to pass such a measure. The federal version specifies that for any meeting involving a quorum of board or commission members, the agency must announce the event at least seven days in advance. In Tennessee, we have the Open Meetings Act and Tennessee Public Records Act, or TRPA. The former specifies that government boards and bodies must provide adequate notice of meetings and post agendas no later than 48 hours in advance of meeting. TRPA, which was created in 1957 to, in show, allows Tennessee citizens to inspect government records. Not that the state makes it easy to inspect or obtain records. As Woodson Maher wrote in 2024 for the Institute for Public Service Reporting Memphis, accessing records is often out of reach for ordinary Tennesseans. Maher reported he has waited months, and in one case, two years, for a response to records requests. Some agencies never responded. Sometimes, cost is a factor. The Public Records Act specifies that citizens of Tennessee can view records for free, but often, the records are kept in Nashville, and a trip from upper East Tennessee or Memphis could be onerous. In those cases, the state can charge to produce the documents. Maher writes he was once charged $380 for a batch of documents, a cost out of reach for many. Advertisement Advertisement In the last two years, the legislature has passed or is considering measures to make what should be public information more difficult to access. In 2025, lawmakers created a new, centralized immigration office inside Tennessees Department of Homeland Security, with a confidentiality clause allowing the office to be exempt from TPRA. This year, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a Franklin Republican, is pushing a bill that would keep secret the identities of all law enforcement agents involved in immigration enforcement, unlike municipal police officers who wear their names on their uniforms. Deborah Fisher, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Records said the move is problematic. Advertisement Advertisement Secrecy can protect bad actors, Fisher said in January. The bill prioritizes safety of officers by redacting their names from records, but it sacrifices transparency. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis wrote in 1913 that Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants, referring to how reporting openly on government helps shut down corruption. This is Sunshine Week, the annual mid-March period that spotlights the need for government transparency and offers tools for journalists, lawmakers and average Joes to access public records and hold their governments accountable. Since the launch of the Tennessee Lookout nearly six years ago, our mission has been to shine a light into the dark corners of state government. We are a watchdog for the people of Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement This Sunshine Week and the other 51 weeks of the year, we will continue to hold our lawmakers accountable, piercing efforts to hide from Tennesseans with the light of journalism. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors. Poof. Where did the tax go? For their next trick, issuers are turning to a strategy to help seed new products: the 351 exchange, which allows stock portfolios with years of appreciation to be transferred to ETFs without triggering capital gains taxes. But its not just the likes of Alpha Architect, Cambria and other shops that have made a point of focusing on 351s. Asset managers are increasingly incorporating the 351 exchange into new ETFs that arent specifically marketed for the capability. Advisors should expect to see this much more frequently. Its not something theyre marketing or advertising as a business, Morningstar associate director Daniel Sotiroff said. Its an option they have if they want to launch a new strategy and get it off the ground. Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium analysis on all your favorite stocks. READ ALSO: Behind the Tanker Shipping ETF Returning 450% YTD and Why the $100M AUM Survival Limit May No Longer Matter The Big Money Wins Over the past couple of years, a handful of asset managers have rolled out 351 exchange ETFs that have had initial investment minimums of $1 million or more. But recently, Alpha Architect added a fund that went as low as $150,000, only for accounts held at Charles Schwab (Fidelity accounts, by contrast, had a $5 million minimum for that fund). In any case, its likely that the firms specializing in 351s are moving downmarket, and the tax strategy could be available for smaller accounts. However, the asset managers that have added 351 exchange provisions in several yet-to-be-launched ETFs do not specify the investment minimums for seed money. Some of the firms prepping funds with 351 provisions: Ritzholtz Wealth, whose forthcoming Goaltender ETF (GTND) will be its first exchange-traded fund. Polen Capital, which has filed for a US SMID Cap Growth ETF and 5Perspectives Growth Opportunities ETF, each of which appears similar to existing non-ETF strategies the firm manages. Cloverpoint Capital, which filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for four funds: the Core Alpha US, International, Global and Energy Transition ETFs. Perhaps the most notable firm to launch an ETF seeded in part via 351 exchanges is American Centurys Avantis Investors, Sotiroff noted. That firms Total Equity Markets ETF (AVTM) started trading in late January. Tread Lightly on This One-Time Event: The rise in 351 exchanges hasnt escaped attention from Congress, which could restrict them in the coming years. The US Treasury is also considering issuing guidance on such exchanges, according to a report by Bloomberg. The exchanges, which make use of a century-old tax rule, can also be flagged by the IRS, as illustrated by a recent paper on the subject. Further, investors should be fully aware of how the ETFs strategy may be significantly different from the concentrated stock investments they are transferring, as well as confident that the seeded ETF will gather enough assets to be viable, Sotiroff said. The National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes touched down in Kentucky during recent severe weather. Tornado damage was found in Butler, Grayson, Hardin, Logan and Meade counties. The NWS said one tornado traveled 43.75 miles through Grayson, Hardin and Meade counties, while two separate EF-0 tornadoes touched down in Butler and Logan counties. Additional storm surveys have already taken place in Bullitt and Nelson counties, and officials found straight-line wind damage in Bullitt County, according to the NWS. Officials havent determined if a tornado touched down in Nelson County. Advertisement Advertisement The severe storms happened overnight March 15 into March 16. They left thousands without power, but no one was injured, according to Gov. Andy Beshear. The NWS said more surveys are planned for Clinton and Warren counties. The survey team will continue to survey in Warren County today. There have been 2 EF0 tornados, 1 EF1 tornado, and 1 Straight-line Wind Path determined so far. pic.twitter.com/OdUL5qirn1 NWS Louisville (@NWSLouisville) March 18, 2026 All of Western Kentucky and parts of Central Kentucky were under a tornado watch as the storm passed through the region overnight. There were several tornado warnings issued, too. Grayson-Hardin-Meade tornado An EF-1 tornado touched down in Grayson County around 11:03 p.m. Sunday. The NWS said several farm outbuildings in Caneyville had their roofs peeled off. The tornado also damaged a barn across Clifty Church Drive and killed three cows, resulting in about $7,000 in damages, according to the NWS. Advertisement Advertisement Significant tree damage was found in Lilac, where several farm outbuildings on a hill top were completely destroyed. The NWS said this is where the tornado reached maximum wind speeds of 110 mph. Grayson County Emergency Management said the tornado caused widespread damage to trees, power lines and structures. Wind speeds from the tornado reached 110 mph again on Berrytown Road in Hardin County, where several areas had significant tree and farm outbuilding damage. The NWS said the tornado also ripped portion of a roof off a home near Pierce Mill Road. An EF-1 tornado caused a tree to fall on a building in Eastview, Ky. on March 15, 2026. An EF-1 tornado damaged a building in Rineyville, Ky. on March 15, 2026. Flaherty and Vine Grove were the areas most affected by the tornado in Meade County, according to Meade County Emergency Management. Advertisement Advertisement The tornado also damaged trees in Fort Knox, according to the NWS. The tornado traveled an estimated 43.75 miles and had a maximum width of 100 yards, according to the NWS. Butler County tornado The EF-0 tornado that touched down in Butler County traveled 4.64 miles and reached maximum wind speeds of 80 mph, according to the NWS. It touched down at 10:59 p.m. and lifted about four minutes later. Officials estimated the tornado touched down along Flat Rock Road south of Dimple. The NWS said surveyors found a storage outbuilding there that had its roof lifted off and lofted into nearby trees. The tornado continued across Kentucky Highway 79 where tree damage was twisted in the opposite direction of the storms path, suggesting a tornado was present. It then traveled across Dimple Road and damaged multiple mobile homes. Advertisement Advertisement One mobile home was shifted on the foundation, and another had its roof peeled off and tossed in a field about one-tenth of a mile away, according to the NWS. The tornado crossed Little Muddy Creek toward Richland Church Road, where several large tree branches were snapped and fell onto the road. The NWS said this is where its estimated that the tornado lifted, as there was no more damage observed. The tornado had an estimated maximum width of 50 yards, according to the NWS. Logan County tornado The EF-0 tornado that touched down in Logan County is estimated to have touched down along Forgy Road and stayed on the ground for one minute. The NWS said some large softwood trees were either uprooted or snapped. Advertisement Advertisement The tornado reached maximum wind speeds of 85 mph, according to the NWS. The tornado reached its peak wind speeds at a home near Deer Lick Road, west of Lewisburg, officials estimated, where a roof was ripped off a storage outbuilding. Wood planks were impaled in a couple of directions at the residence, including in the opposite direction of the storm, according to the NWS. The tornado traveled roughly 0.78 miles and had a maximum width of 40 yards, according to the NWS. Bullitt County damage Straight-line wind damage was observed in multiple locations in Bullitt County. The NWS estimates that wind speeds reached 75 mph in the county. Advertisement Advertisement A large, old softwood tree fell onto a pickup truck at a home along Kentucky Highway 61, according to the NWS. More tree damage was spotted about 1 1/2 miles southeast of Lebanon Junction along South Sanders Lane. Metal roofing was stripped off multiple barns and garages along Armstrong Lane. The NWS said some of the roofing panels were blown into trees and twisted onto power lines. After a month of fasting, prayer and reflection, Muslims in Metro Detroit and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. This year in Michigan, Eid al-Fitr often called the festival of breaking the fast is expected to fall on the evening of Thursday, March 19, though the exact date depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon. The holiday signals the start of Shawwal, the next month in the Islamic lunar calendar, and brings Ramadans daily dawn-to-sunset fasting to a close. A celebration after a month of discipline During Ramadan, which began on the evening on Feb. 17 in Michigan, observant Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours while focusing on prayer, charity and spiritual growth. Eid al-Fitr marks a shift from that discipline to celebration a time of gratitude, generosity and community. Advertisement Advertisement More: Slotkin addresses Iran strikes at Ramadan event as Jewish groups weigh in The day typically begins with special morning prayers held at mosques or large gathering spaces. Afterward, families and friends come together for meals, often featuring traditional dishes and sweets, and exchange greetings of Eid Mubarak, meaning blessed festival. Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca at the start of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, early on March 30, 2025. Fasting is not permitted on Eid, emphasizing the days celebratory nature. Charity and community at the forefront A key component of Eid al-Fitr is zakat al-fitr, a form of charitable giving required before the holiday prayers. The donation is intended to ensure that everyone, including those in need, can take part in the celebration. Advertisement Advertisement In Metro Detroit, home to one of the largest concentrations of Muslims in the U.S., particularly in communities like Dearborn, mosques and organizations often host communal prayers, meals and outreach efforts tied to the holiday. A moment of joy and reflection Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major holidays in Islam (the other being Eid al-Adha, celebrated this year at the end of May) and is widely seen as both a spiritual and social milestone. It celebrates not only the completion of Ramadan, but also the values emphasized during the month: patience, compassion and generosity. While festivities often include new clothes, family visits and gift-giving especially for children many also take time to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and carry them forward into the year ahead. mreinhart@detroitnews.com This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: When is Eid al-Fitr in 2026? When does Ramadan end? What to know The Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller remained too close to call Wednesday as state Rep. Margaret Croke maintained a slim lead over state Sen. Karina Villa. With an estimated 92% of votes counted, Croke led Villa 34.6% to 32.2%, according to unofficial results from The Associated Press. Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, who had secured an endorsement from outgoing Democratic comptroller Susana Mendoza, appears to have finished third with 24% of the estimated votes counted, followed by 9% for state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit. While a few downstate counties had not reported complete election results as of Wednesday, the biggest chunk of outstanding ballots appeared to come from Chicago. The Chicago Board of Elections was still waiting on reported vote totals from 28 city precincts and expected to have those figures added to unofficial results by Wednesday evening, said agency spokesperson Max Bever. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, nearly 88,000 city mail-in ballots had been outstanding as of Election Day, though Bever said the board did not expect all of those ballots would be returned. This election is not over, Villa said in a statement Tuesday night. There are still too many outstanding ballots in the mail and in drop boxes before a candidate is declared a winner. We will wait until more votes from the people of Illinois are counted. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd Tuesday night at the Plumbers Union Local, Croke, joined by her husband and their three children, said she was confident based on the numbers that she was on track to become the Democratic nominee. As your next comptroller, I will work every day to make sure Illinois pays its bills on time, manages taxpayer dollars responsibly and brings transparency to the way we spend our money, she said. You work hard for every single dollar. The state should show you how these dollars are spent. Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic nominee will face Republican candidate Bryan Drew, an attorney from downstate Benton, in a November election that will also see contested races for secretary of state and attorney general. Democratic incumbent Alexi Giannoulias, unchallenged in Tuesdays primary, is expected to square off against Joliet resident Diane M. Harris for secretary of state. The precinct committeewoman and retired Commonwealth Edison employee bested Chicagoan Walter Adamczyk, 53% to 47%, in Tuesdays GOP primary, unofficial AP results showed. Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul will face a November election challenge from former Chicago Ald. Bob Fioretti. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, a Democrat, will seek a fourth term but has no official opposition, including by any Republicans, marking the first time in at least 90 years that a major political party did not have any candidate file to run in a primary election for statewide office, according to Frerichs campaign. Advertisement Advertisement With Gov. JB Pritzker set for another matchup against Darren Bailey, who won Tuesdays GOP primary for governor, that leaves the comptrollers contest as the only unresolved statewide race heading into the November election. Unlike the Illinois treasurer, who handles the states investments and oversees a college savings program, the comptroller pays the states bills, monitors fiscal compliance, records transactions and contracts, and issues reports that guide the governor and legislature on budget decisions. In one of its more obscure functions, the office also licenses certain private cemeteries. Should Croke prevail, it would mark another victory for Pritzker, who backed her and Lt. Gov. Juliana Strattons successful bid for the Democratic nomination to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Croke secured Pritzkers endorsement last month, having worked for him in his campaign and governmental capacities. Earlier Tuesday, Croke appeared with Pritzker during lunch at Mannys Cafeteria & Delicatessen. The governor wore a Croke button on his lapel. Advertisement Advertisement Croke has served in the Illinois House since 2021, representing a district that covers parts of Chicagos North and Near North sides. She entered 2026 with a commanding financial advantage over her primary opponents, ending last year with more than $833,000 in her campaign fund more than her three Democratic rivals combined. Despite Pritzkers financial support of her campaign, Croke has said she has no issue as it pertains to being independent from the governors office if she is elected comptroller. Croke has said she would want to improve the comptrollers predictive financial modeling tools, revamp the vendor payment program to help businesses and nonprofits weather potential federal funding cuts from the administration of Republican President Donald Trump and make it easier for small municipalities often short on staff and expertise to submit the audits required by law. Villa served in the Illinois House in 2019 and 2020 before being elected to the state Senate, where shes served since 2021. Advertisement Advertisement A former school social worker, she arguably has less financial experience than her three Democratic opponents, but has framed the comptrollers role in broader terms, saying: These political decisions of where were putting our dollars (are) connected, and that how we choose to allocate them, what order were paying the bills in and where were finding more money to bring in to be able to fund the services that are getting slashed by the federal government, its all connected. Her platform emphasized revenue: pushing corporations and the wealthy to pay more in taxes and using the comptrollers leverage to protect safety-net hospitals that serve low-income communities. In conceding defeat Tuesday, Kim said her opponents poured multimillions into never-ending ads, while I spent my resources meeting and talking to voters face-to-face about how to make their lives easier, how to make this office work for them and how to put people back at the center of our politics again. No matter the outcome, I will give my full support to the Democratic nominee in November. _____ Irans Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was reportedly killed on Wednesday in an overnight Israeli airstrike in Tehran the third assassination of a high-ranking Iranian official in two days. A senior U.S. official described Khatib as a key player in plots targeting Americas leaders, telling Fox News, This man had American blood on his hands. His network specifically targeted current and former U.S. officials, including President Donald TrumpToday, he met the fate of his combatant comrades. Khatib had served as Irans intelligence minister since 2021 and was seen as a close ally of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He also previously held senior roles, including various positions within Irans Intelligence Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. officials had recently placed a bounty on Khatib for up to $10 million, along with any information that could be provided on nine other top Iranian officials. Khatib had previously survived a series of strikes on Irans senior leadership at the Defense Council compound in Tehran during the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury, where more than 40 Iranian leaders were killed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Khatib was responsible for the regimes internal repression and assassination apparatus, as well as for advancing external threats, adding that Israels policy is clear and unequivocal: no one in Iran has immunity everyone is a target, per NBC News. The Israel Defense Forces said Khatib played a big role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest and killing of protesters, and plotted against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests of 2022 and 2023. ELIMINATED: Esmaeil Khatib, the Iranian terrorist regime Minister of Intelligence, in a targeted strike in Tehran. Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against pic.twitter.com/654lpYCZ1c Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 18, 2026 The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned him in 2022 for overseeing cyberattacks against American government systems and those of allied countries. Advertisement Advertisement Khatib had been the intelligence minister for nearly 5 years, taking over the position when former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi was elected. When Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, and Masoud Pezeshkian succeeded him, he kept Khatib in his role an unusual move given that new presidents tend to replace top ministers with their own close associates throughout Irans recent history. Khatibs death is only the latest in a hectic week of high-profile assassinations and eliminations. On Tuesday, Israel announced that Irans top security official, Ali Larijani, and the commander of Irans Basij forces, Gholamreza Soleimani, had both been killed, as previously covered by The Dallas Express. Larijani had been one of Irans most powerful political operators, having led the countrys nuclear negotiations with the West and served as speaker of the parliament. Soleimani also commanded the feared Basij paramilitary a group that may be considered one of the biggest instruments of repression and terror inside Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Defense Minister Katz also announced that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given the Israeli military standing authorization to eliminate other senior Iranian officials in their sights without any case-by-case approval, per Al Jazeera. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed Khatibs death on Wednesday, calling it a cowardly assassination and saying the killings of Khatib, Larijani, and others had left the nation in deep mourning. Irans leaders, or what is remaining of them, have since vowed revenge, and the regime has already launched retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli cities. Estonias defense minister is open to helping the United States in its war with Iran. In an interview Tuesday evening, minister Hanno Pevkur said he was meeting with U.S. officials, including deputy national security adviser Andy Baker and defense leaders, and had a message: We are ready to talk. Although he said there had not been an official U.S. request to Tallinn for help, he pointed to Trumps broader call for NATO allies to provide assistance. When the president is saying something like that, then we need to be open, at least, to the discussion to understand what we can do together to solve that situation, Pevkur added. Advertisement Advertisement Pevkur said Estonia could offer help with its expertise on demining, which could prove useful given reports Iran is laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. However, he noted when we talk about, for instance, demining, there has to be a ceasefire. The White House is urging allies to help secure the strait after Iran attacked tankers moving through the channel. The disruptions to the vital shipping waterway have roiled financial markets. Trump on Tuesday fumed at what he referred to as allies who will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. Germany, France, Spain, Canada and Australia have ruled out military assistance to secure the strait. Other allies have given tepid responses, with Japans leader vigorously examining whether escorting ships would comply with its laws. Allies have hesitated to join the fight against Iran, in part because the Trump administration did not consult with the European Union or NATO or consolidate a coalition ahead of its strikes in late February. Advertisement Advertisement Pevkur said its not worth much to discuss how the situation unfolded. The reality is that it happened, it is ongoing, and we need to find a solution. Finlands President Alexander Stubb said Tuesday he could see a potential deal in offering Trump European military support to secure the waterway, in exchange for the U.S. supporting Ukraine to reach an acceptable peace deal with Russia. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called it a unilateral war that will undermine the international order. Pevkur declined to wade into a debate over allies responses. It is important to keep the unity, because when we lose that unity, this is exactly what Russia has been trying to achieve for the last decades, he said. A version of this story previously appeared in Politico's National Security Daily newsletter. The European Union and Sweden on Wednesday condemned the execution of a Swedish citizen in Iran. "The execution of a Swedish citizen by the Iranian regime is a brutal act of senseless violence and we condemn it," EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said in a statement. Kallas said that the Swedish citizen had been held in captivity since June 2025. "The European Union continues to call on Iran to halt all executions and to abolish capital punishment," Kallas said. "The appalling human rights situation in Iran and the alarming increase in executions are intolerable and show the regime's true colours." Advertisement Advertisement Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard confirmed that a Swedish citizen was executed in Iran earlier on Wednesday, joining the EU in condemning the execution. "It is clear to us that the legal proceedings that resulted in the Swedish citizen being executed have not been legally certain," Stenergard continued. "Responsibility for this lies wholly with Iran." Neither Kallas nor Stenergard named the individual, though the Swedish minister said they had "relatives in Sweden and in Iran." The Oslo-based human rights organization Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) cited state media as saying that the individual was a dual national accused of "intelligence cooperation and espionage in favour of the Israeli government." Advertisement Advertisement The individual was reportedly arrested in northern Iran during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June. Tehran has detained numerous people suspected of spying for Israel since the war in June. According to IHRNGO, the Swedish national is the third person to be hanged on espionage charges so far this year. Human rights groups have long criticized Iran for its heavy use of the death penalty, saying it is often employed to suppress dissent. According to the United Nations, more than 1,000 people were executed in the country last year. BRUSSELS, March 19 (Reuters) - There are alternatives to overcome Hungary's veto on a 90 billion euro ($103 billion) loan to Ukraine but they will need political courage from European leaders, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday. "There are alternatives, but let's see how this goes. It will also need some political character from all of us," Kallas told reporters ahead of a European Council summit in Brussels. Hungary is under pressure from fellow EU countries to lift its veto, which Prime Minister Viktor Orban has defended amid a dispute with Kyiv over a war-damaged oil pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Kallas said that oil supplies from Croatia could be a solution for Hungary, while she added that Hungary was not acting "in good faith" with its resistance to the already agreed loan. ($1 = 0.8734 euros) (Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro; Editing by Bart Meijer) Several European nations and Japan are calling on Iran to end its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran should immediately cease its attempts to block the vital strait through threatening gestures, the laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other measures, according to a joint statement by German, French, British, Italian, Dutch and Japanese leaders. Their statement condemns Iran's actions "in the strongest terms." Advertisement Advertisement They also signalled their readiness to take action to protect merchant shipping in the region. We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait, the statement continued. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot made it clear that whilst France and its allies wish to participate in securing the strait, they will not contribute to any offensive military operation to open the sea route. "What is certain is that we will not participate in a military operation that would force the opening of the Strait, and that this will not be an extension of Aspides," Barrot told Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. Aspides is an EU mission decided in 2024 to secure shipping in the Red Sea. Advertisement Advertisement The US and Israel, which launched the conflict in the Gulf by attacking Iran, were not mentioned in the statement, though it called for an "immediate, comprehensive moratorium" on all attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities. "We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security," the statement continued. It welcomed the decision by the International Energy Agency to authorise a coordinated release of strategic oil reserves. It also said further measures were to be taken to stabilize energy markets, including by "working with certain producer countries to increase output." CHICAGO Following his win in the crowded Democratic primary to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss took victory laps around the big-money interests that sought to sink him and acknowledged he still had loose ends in his day job leading the city. As Ive come to learn, this is a big district that stretches from Wrigleyville to McHenry County, and I plan to continue being available and accessible and listening, and building out coalitions across the district, not only to be successful in November but to govern effectively thereafter, Biss said as he greeted people at the Davis L stop in Evanston on Wednesday afternoon. With 95% of the estimated vote tallied, Biss had 29.5%; progressive commentator Kat Abughazaleh received 26% with her insurgent, unconventional campaign; and state Sen. Laura Fine, who benefited from millions of dollars in spending from groups that appeared to be tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, had 20.3%, according to results from The Associated Press. No other candidate out of the diverse field cracked 10% of the estimated vote, according to the AP. Advertisement Advertisement AIPAC found out the hard way, Biss said, referring to the pro-Israel lobbying group in his speech late Tuesday declaring victory. The 9th District is not for sale. Biss is expected to face Republican John Elleson, who brands himself as a compassionate conservative with common sense, in Novembers general election. Still, in the deep-blue district, the March 17 primary was all but certain to determine its next member of Congress. Im still the mayor of Evanston, a job that I take very seriously, Biss said Wednesday. We have unfinished business, especially around housing and zoning, work that Im focused on making sure we see through. Advertisement Advertisement Schakowsky, a stalwart progressive who endorsed Biss, became a national voice on abortion rights, consumer protection and opposition to the Iraq War. The longtime congresswoman was among Biss supporters at his election night party on Tuesday. Im ready for this, she said at the party. You know, Ive been in Congress for a long time, and I think it is time for me to turn it over to someone as ready for this job as Daniel. Im a happy person. Narrowly, the race between the three leaders was a fight over who had the most solid grounding among a pair of established local officials in core suburban parts of the district and a young, newly established Chicagoan looking to push the conversation to the left. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps agenda, including his aggressive immigration enforcement in the Chicago region, has loomed over the race. While candidates visions for how to best resist Immigration and Customs Enforcement differ, the leading candidates have said the agency cant continue in its current form. But throughout the race, the most heated exchanges centered not on policy differences but on money most prominently, the role of donors aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, and PACs that appear to be aligned with the group, both of which had primarily benefited Fines campaign. It was an especially prominent question in a district that has had Jewish representation for nearly the past eight decades. While Fine led the field in terms of outside spending in her favor, Biss received the backing of groups aligned with pro-science candidates and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old newcomer to the district who has become arguably the strongest fundraiser this cycle in the entire Chicago region, was hit with ads against her by a group that she has also accused of having ties to AIPAC. Advertisement Advertisement Electing Abughazaleh would have represented not only a progressive vote in Congress but a dramatic change in the district. This is the start and not the end, she said to supporters late Tuesday. We will continue to come back and every single loss like this one just makes the path easier for the next person who takes the same chance. We are not done and I am not going anywhere. Having never held public office, she has embraced an unconventional political approach as she sought to channel the energy of younger voters impatient with incrementalism. Abughazaleh was also dealing with a different kind of political challenge: Trumps Department of Justice indicted her, accusing her of conspiring to impede immigration agents during protest activity at the federal immigration processing center in west suburban Broadview. A jury trial in the case is scheduled to start in late May. She has cast the charges as political retaliation and an attack on free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Biss made the case in interviews and across the campaign trail that hes a progressive who can work both inside and outside government. Hes a former assistant math professor at the University of Chicago and previously ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018 against JB Pritzker. When this campaign started, I didnt know what tear gas smelled like. When this campaign started, I had never seen my neighbors abducted, dissenters beaten up on the street. Never seen kids scared of their own federal government. Never seen a whole community paralyzed because they heard their government was going to be in town that day with their masks and their guns and their helicopters and their SUVs and their thuggery, Biss said in his speech Tuesday. But weve all lived through that trauma now, and I think its changed all of us. I know its changed me. The response to Trumps immigration enforcement efforts, he said, paints a picture for what kind of movement we need to build on every issue going forward. Biss held his election night watch party at Double Clutch Brewing in Evanston, where St. Patricks Day revelers gathered on one side on Tuesday night and Biss supporters and campaign workers gathered in a private event space. Advertisement Advertisement Its about a mile away from Lorraine H. Morton City Hall, where Biss is in his second term. Fine in a social media post late Tuesday thanked supporters and said she had every confidence that Daniel will be a champion for our community. I know this is not easy for any of us, but we are going to have to come together, she said. Pressed about the outside spending in her favor throughout the campaign, Fine called for overturning the Supreme Courts Citizens United decision and on a debate stage described herself as a punching bag for rivals unable to assail her legislative work. Abughazalehs campaign HQ on Tuesday was at a crowded LGBTQ+ arcade bar in Andersonville where neon lights flickered over vintage game cabinets. Supporters refreshed their vote totals between rounds of Ms. Pac-Man as Doja Cat blasted from the overhead speakers. Clusters of them flashed silver campaign stickers and embraced while screens of results flashed before them. Advertisement Advertisement Addressing a packed room of supporters who continued to cheer we love you, Kat, Abughazaleh said: The work isnt over. There are progressives all over the country who are taking a chance just like we did, and we have to help them win, she said. No matter how hard it is. ____ (Chicago Tribunes Andrew Carter and Claire Murphy contributed reporting. Olander and Carter reported from Evanston.) ____ With a market cap of $19.1 billion, Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD) is a global logistics company that provides airfreight, ocean freight, customs brokerage, and supply chain solutions across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and other regions. It offers a wide range of services, including transportation, warehousing, cargo tracking, insurance, and trade compliance consulting, to support international shipping needs. Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally considered "large-cap" stocks, and Expeditors fits this criterion perfectly. The company also handles documentation, consolidation, and specialized logistics services for efficient global trade. More News from Barchart EXPD stock has dropped 14.4% from its 52-week high of $167.19. Shares of the Bellevue, Washington-based company have fallen 4.8% over the past three months, underperforming the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLI) 8.1% rise over the same time frame. www.barchart.com EXPD stock is down 3.8% on a YTD basis, lagging behind XLIs 7.7% gain. In the longer term, shares of the company have increased 22.4% over the past 52 weeks, compared to XLIs 26.7% return over the same time frame. Yet, the stock has been trading above its 200-day average since August 2025. However, it has fallen below its 50-day moving average since early February this year. www.barchart.com Shares of Expeditors fell 7.2% on Feb. 24 after the company reported Q4 2025 results, with EPS declining 11% to $1.49, net earnings down 15% to $201 million, and operating income falling 17% to $251 million. Revenue also slipped 3% to $2.9 billion, while ocean freight performance was particularly weak, with container volume down 6% and revenue per container plunging 41% year-over-year due to falling rates. Additionally, margin pressure in airfreight and expectations of continued soft ocean rates in 2026 further dampened investor sentiment. In comparison, EXPD stock has underperformed compared to its rival, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT). Shares of J.B. Hunt have gained 35% over the past 52 weeks and 2.2% on a YTD basis. Due to the stocks weak performance, analysts remain cautious about its prospects. EXPD stock has a consensus rating of Hold from the 16 analysts covering it, and as of writing, the stock is trading above the mean price target of $140.77. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal 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 Air traffic controllers will now use radar, not just visual checks, to track helicopters flying near planes at takeoff and landing, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday. Until now, the FAA says air traffic controllers relied too heavily on pilot see and avoid operations. Officials say the change could cause some delays for helicopters. This comes after an army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided in midair last year near Washington D.C., killing 67 people, including a Charlotte-based flight crew. Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE >> NTSB: Systemic failures led to deadly DC midair crash The new requirement applies to over 150 of the nations busiest airports. Channel 9 has reached out to Charlotte Douglas International Airport to ask if their operations will be affected. VIDEO: Family of pilot killed in DC collision seeks to reshape aviation rules Claim: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and detained a disabled U.S. Army veteran named Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry. Rating: Rating: True Online posts claimed that in 2025 U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a disabled U.S. Army veteran named Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, originally from Pakistan, who had been living in the United States since at least 2001. Court documents confirmed he is a veteran who was discharged for service-connected disability. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE cited Chaudhry's nonviolent criminal history outside of the U.S., as well as "a disturbing pattern of deceit for immigration-related purposes," as reasons for his arrest and detainment. Chaudhry's family and supporters suggested his ongoing immigration struggles were retaliatory because he refused an assignment during his service that he felt "violated both his conscience and his oath." DHS blamed an "activist Biden judge" for Chaudhry's court-ordered release in December 2025 and told Snopes the facts of the case had not changed. An ICE representative said via email, "U.S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status, or exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws." Snopes has reached out to Chaudhry and will update this article if we hear back. Advertisement Advertisement Rumors that a disabled U.S. Army veteran named Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry was arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement circulated online in March 2026. Users on social media sites such as Facebook (archived) shared the story, claiming that a "wheelchair-bound" veteran was "thrown in jail" for months until a judge declared him wrongfully detained and ordered him released. In short, the claim was true. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE pointed to Chaudhry's legal history as a reason for his arrest and detainment. Court documents confirmed he is a veteran who was discharged for service-connected disability. Chaudhry, originally from Pakistan, has a long history of legal troubles and immigration struggles that appeared to culminate in his detainment once the administration of President Donald Trump ramped up its deportation efforts in January 2025. Advertisement Advertisement ICE arrested Chaudhry on Aug. 21, 2025, when he reported for an immigration services interview as part of his citizenship process, The Seattle Times reported. Stated reasons for the arrest DHS pointed to Chaudhry's alleged nonviolent criminal history outside of the United States as the reason for his attempted removal, including "financial deception, possession of stolen goods, and falsifying passports." A court document from 2010 showed Chaudhry was convicted on fraud charges in Australia during the 1990s for attempting to use stolen passports and credit cards, allegedly obtained while working as a taxi driver. The same document outlined other accusations against Chaudhry, including that his Record of Military Processing included false or misleading information about his past, and that he was never deployed to Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement The document specified that "prior to any deployment overseas to Iraq, Chaudhry claimed that he sustained a back injury during training exercises in the United States. Chaudhry never served in the Army in Iraq or elsewhere overseas." Chaudhry's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty supported this claim, saying he was "ordered to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom" but specified his place of duty as Seattle and "did not serve in an imminent danger pay area." DHS further alleged that Chaudhry "collected $449,459.82 in taxpayer dollars" from the Veteran's Benefits Administration and "owes the United States government a negotiated payment of $81,080 for a mortgage reduction grant from the VBA." When reached for comment, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis repeated DHS' claims against Chaudhry in nearly identical language to that in the agency's statement and said that "the facts have not changed." Advertisement Advertisement Bis blamed an "activist Biden judge" for Chaudhry's eventual release in December 2025. A spokesperson for ICE sent Snopes the same DHS webpage and wrote via email, "DHS and ICE value the contributions of all those who have served in the U.S. military. U.S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status, or exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws." Chaudhry's defenders Chaudhry's August 2025 arrest received widespread attention in Seattle's local media at the time, sparking protests, and also made its way to "The Rachel Maddow Show" and Newsweek. A website dedicated to Chaudhry and his immigration struggles, managed by his wife Congressional candidate Melissa Chaudhry described Chaudhry as an "honorable, decorated, disabled U.S. Army veteran whose earned citizenship has been unlawfully delayed for more than 20 years. Injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he has devoted his life to public service, peace advocacy, and nonprofit leadership." Advertisement Advertisement As shown above, the claim he was "injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom" could be misinterpreted to mean he was deployed to Iraq, but official documentation showed that was not true. The site further claimed that Chaudhry's struggles with immigration is deliberate retaliation by way of "decades of legal persecution: repeated threats of deportation, prolonged delays, and crushing legal expenses." The site explained: During his military service, Zahid was sought out by intelligence agencies in connection with his mental-health specializationwork that can intersect with counterintelligence screening and assessment. He was offered significant compensation and benefits in exchange for cooperation that would have required him, in his view, to falsely implicate others. He refused, believing such actions violated both his conscience and his oath. The Chaudhrys had not responded to our inquiries as of this writing but we will update this article if we hear back. Chaudhry's medical history showed repeated visits to medical professionals for "chronic back pain" and confirmed his use of a wheelchair as a result. Advertisement Advertisement A court document, embedded below, included "firsthand accounts and direct attestations of service, integrity, family, and community standing" as well as as well a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and a letter from the VA that confirmed Chaudhry's disability was "service-connected." https://media.snopes.com/2026/03/chaudhryhabeas.pdf In the document, Chaudhry stated, "I am an honorable, decorated, disabled veteran of the U.S. Army. My military service left me permanently disabled, wheelchair-bound, and suffering from traumatic brain injury, chronic migraines, and vision loss." Chaudhry was ultimately released from the ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, on Dec. 22, 2025, by order of U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo, as reported by The Seattle Times. After the arrest Following Chaudhry's arrest on Aug. 21, 2025, the Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations posted a statement urging authorities to release Chaudhry, calling him a "prominent community member" and citing his membership of the Olympia, Washington, chapter of Veterans for Peace. Advertisement Advertisement Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell publicly advocated for Chaudhry's release. On Aug. 28, Harrell issued a statement that said, "I stand with those calling for his release and for an immigration system that honors dignity, service, and fairness." DHS posted an news release with the headline "DHS Sets the Record Straight about Pakistani Criminal Illegal Alien with Extensive History of Fraud Across the Globe" as a direct response to Harrell's statement, calling it a "sob story." The DHS article confirmed Chaudhry's arrest on Aug. 21, when he showed up for an appointment with Immigration Services "and was apprehended after law enforcement determined he was in violation of federal immigration law and had a final order of removal by an immigration judge." Past reports of legal and immigration struggles The DHS webpage also listed multiple court rulings involving Chaudhry that cited his "history of deception," including the aforementioned document from 2010, in which U.S. District Judge Lonny R. Suko wrote, "this Court finds that a disturbing pattern of deceit for immigration-related purposes permeates this case." Advertisement Advertisement The Seattle Times reported on Chaudhry's fight against deportation in 2010, shortly before Suko filed his opinion. Local NBC affiliate KING-TV also reported on Chaudhry's story in January 2011. In 2018, the Party for Socialism and Liberation posted an article about Chaudhry and a movement of solidarity against his deportation, reporting "the judge's decision was to grant lawful residence status to Zahid Chaudhry." The DHS news release about Chaudhry said the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a new order of removal in February 2020, citing that "to permit him to remain permanently in the United States despite his habitual abuse of our legal institutions would not be in the best interests of the United States overall." Although Snopes couldn't find official documentation of that decision on the Board of Immigration Appeals website, the same decision was referenced in Chaudhry's petition for a writ of habeas corpus, an official order that forces law enforcement to justify further incarceration for inmates "who say their state prosecutions violated federally protected rights in some way" that was filed on Dec. 22, 2025, the day of his release. Advertisement Advertisement The opening of the petition read: Petitioner seeks a writ of habeas corpus ordering the Respondents to release him from detention. Petitioner is civilly detained at the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Center ("NWIPC") based on a February 27, 2020 order of removal issued by the Board of Immigration Appeals ("BIA"). The 2020 removal order is the subject of a pending appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. On May 19, 2020, the Ninth Circuit entered an order staying removal until the issuance of a mandate or further order of the Ninth Circuit. Upon the Ninth Circuit's affirmative order staying removal, Respondents lacked authority to enforce the 2020 order or removal, see 8 U.S.C. 1231(a), and therefore lacked authority to detain Petitioner without due process. Accordingly, Petitioner's detention was and is unlawful, and Respondents are ordered to release Petitioner. The document, signed by Estudillo, stated in conclusion that "Chaudhry was to be released within 24 hours" and "not be re-detained until after he is provided written notice of the basis for revoking his release along with an appropriate opportunity to respond to notice." In sum, while Chaudhry's immigration and legal history and DHS' assertions against him are complicated, the core of the claim that a disabled U.S. veteran was arrested and detained by ICE was true. Sources: - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU0HAmgwrz0&t=556s. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026. "All Med Files 2024-20250912.Pdf." Google Docs, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VlZs0OHojd3DRhwG575-tpWUQscB0NNg/view?usp=embed_facebook. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026. Braxton, Karissa. "Mayor Harrell Statement on the Detainment of Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry." Office of the Mayor, 28 Aug. 2025, https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/08/28/mayor-harrell-statement-on-the-detainment-of-muhammad-zahid-chaudhry/. "Chaudhry v. Bondi." DOJ, https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2025cv02339/355485/48/. DHS Sets the Record Straight about Pakistani Criminal Illegal Alien with Extensive History of Fraud Across the Globe | Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/09/04/dhs-sets-record-straight-about-pakistani-criminal-illegal-alien-extensive-history. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026. Dowling, Jennifer. "Hundreds Rally for Disabled Veteran Outside Tacoma, WA ICE Detention Center." Text.Article. FOX 13 Seattle, 25 Aug. 2025, https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/rally-outside-tacoma-ice-detention-center. "Federal Judge Releases Disabled U.S. Army Veteran from Tacoma ICE Facility." The Seattle Times, 22 Dec. 2025, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/federal-judge-releases-disabled-wa-veteran-from-ice-custody/. "Former Army Specialist Fighting Deportation." King5.Com, 12 Jan. 2011, https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/former-army-specialist-fighting-deportation/281-331937155. GovInfo. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCOURTS-waed-2_09-cv-03097/USCOURTS-waed-2_09-cv-03097-0/summary. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026. Habeas Corpus | United States Courts. https://www.uscourts.gov/glossary-legal-terms/habeas-corpus. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026. "ICE Detains U.S. Army Veteran in His Citizenship Interview in Tukwila." The Seattle Times, 21 Aug. 2025, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ice-detains-u-s-army-veteran-in-his-citizenship-interview/. Mandy Taheri. "ICE Detains Disabled Veteran With Green Card at Citizenship Interview." Newsweek, Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/ice-detains-disabled-veteran-green-card-citizenship-interview-2118029. Melissa Chaudhry for US House of Representatives. https://www.votemelissa4congress.com. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026. Turnbull, Lornet. "Local Asian Americans Join Immigration Fray." The Seattle Times, 14 Oct. 2010, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/local-asian-americans-join-immigration-fray/. 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 first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated 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 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. 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, 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. 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 Counterterrorism Center The post Fall Armyworm Moths Use Earths Magnetic Field Like a GPS, New Study Suggests appeared first on A-Z Animals. Quick Take Migrating fall armyworms use both visual and geomagnetic cues to synchronize their seasonal migrations, researchers found. These findings could guide further research for migration of other species. Fall armyworms are some of the most damaging agricultural pests. Researchers hope the findings will help future studies identify ways to influence migratory patterns for crop control and prevention. Researchers in China believe some nocturnally migrating insects, including highly destructive and invasive moths, use both visual cues and the Earths geomagnetic field to complete their long-distance migrations. Advertisement Advertisement Their findings, revealed in a study published in eLife on March 3, 2026, could help other researchers studying animal migration and navigation patterns. The Focus of the Study The researchers focused on large nocturnal moth species that complete long-distance, multigenerational migrations in the spring and fall across North America and Eurasia. In the springtime, these noctuid moths head north on a one-way trip to their summer breeding grounds. In the fall, their offspring head back south to warmer winter climates. Researchers already suspected the Earths magnetic field played a role in the moths seasonal migrations, but they wanted to know how and why. Yi-Bo Ma, a master student at the State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Nanjing Agricultural University, China and co-first author of the study, stated in a press release about the study, Although many of these species are thought to use Earths magnetic field, particularly at nighttime when navigation is more challenging, the sensory basis of this navigation has yet to be investigated. The bogong moth is known to rely on geomagnetic cues during their short migrations in Australia. Andrew Allen Photography/Shutterstock.com (Andrew Allen Photography/Shutterstock.com) The researchers noted that there is already scientific knowledge that confirms at least one moth species relies on geomagnetic cues during migration. The one exception to this lack of knowledge is the Bogong moth of Australia, which uses a magnetic compass integrated with a stellar compass and visual cues to guide its migration, said co-first author Gui-Jun Wan, Associate Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Nanjing Agricultural University in the same press release. Advertisement Advertisement However, the Bogong moth is unique because its migratory pattern is limited to a much smaller geographic location in southeast Australia. Moths that travel greater distances could rely on very different cues. To find out how visual and geomagnetic cues interact for moths that migrate across multiple latitudinal lines, the team focused on one of the most invasive crop pests: the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. Why Did Researchers Choose the Fall Armyworm? Researchers chose the fall armyworm not only because it travels great distances during migration, but also because of its invasive nature. These noctuid moths, in their larval form, are some of the most destructive agricultural pests in the world. The fall armyworm, the larval form of the armyworm moth, is the most common armyworm found chewing plants in yards or pastures. kale kkm/Shutterstock.com (kale kkm/Shutterstock.com) Large populations can move across a field in sync and devour nearly all vegetation in their path. Theyre not particular, either. While they prefer corn, theyll eat almost anything. This puts a wide range of agricultural crops in danger. Advertisement Advertisement Determining what these moths rely on during migration could help mitigate crop damage. The Research Explained The researchers conducted the study in four stages, using a group of tethered moths in a controlled environment. The team tested how the moths reacted to two kinds of compassesgeomagnetic cues and visual cues. Stage 1 Setting the Baseline The researchers first aligned both the visual and geomagnetic cues to mimic the moths natural environment at the start of the migration. The moths had no problem flying as a group in the correct direction in this normal setting. Stage 2 Mixing Things Up Next, the team rotated the magnetic field by 180 degrees while keeping the visual cues in the same spot. The moths began their journey in unison, following the visual cues. But something about the magnetic field being off quickly caused confusion among the group, and they quickly lost their orientation. Stage 3 Realigning In a New Direction Then, the researchers realigned both the magnetic and visual cues, with both being rotated 180 degrees. With the two signals aligned, even in a totally different direction than the baseline, the moths were again able to regroup and fly together toward the new direction. Stage 4 Resetting to Normal Finally, the team put both the visual and magnetic cues back to their original settings to see how the moths would react. The group reoriented itself and moved together toward the original heading. The team also tested this with lab-raised moths to ensure it wasnt a learned trait in the wild. Both groups produced the same results, demonstrating that this navigational skill is a biological trait. The Research Summarized The testing also showed that the moths rely most often on visual cues, but that the Earths magnetic field also played a role in guiding them. The Earths geomagnetic field is used by noctuid moths to navigate during seasonal migrations. Piotr Krzeslak/Shutterstock.com (Piotr Krzeslak/Shutterstock.com) When the two cues were aligned, the moths could navigate like normal. When the two cues conflicted with each other, the moths became confused and lost their direction. The studys findings suggest that noctuid moths need both visual and geomagnetic help to complete a successful migration. The Studys Impact This research was just the first step towards understanding the factors that influence the long-distance migration of noctuid moths. Researchers hope their findings will propel other researchers to study other species to see if they share the fall armyworms reliance on both visual and geomagnetic cues to migrate. Advertisement Advertisement There is another reason this studys findings are important. Gao Hu, Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity, Nanjing Agricultural University, and the studys senior author, states in the press release, Gaining a better understanding of their migratory behaviors and the sensory basis for them could help inform future strategies for controlling some of these invasive pest species. The post Fall Armyworm Moths Use Earths Magnetic Field Like a GPS, New Study Suggests appeared first on A-Z Animals. The man accused of shooting and killing a Carroll County teenager back in 2021 took a plea deal in court on Wednesday. Candace Chrzan, 17, died when she was shot in the head while her friends were shooting targets in a yard. When the gun jammed, another teen, Jeremy Gray, allegedly tried to clear it, and it accidentally discharged, killing her. Nearly five years later, Gray has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and gun possession charges. He was sentenced to 15 years with the first 10 to serve in prison. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2s Cory James spoke with Chrzans grandfather, who says the family is not satisfied with this outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Nunz told Channel 2 Action News that he and his family do not believe his granddaughters death was an accident. Why Jeremy Gray shot her I dont know, he said. You point a gun at somebody and pull the trigger, your only intention is to possibly kill them. She was shot in the head. Grays attorney, Cawanna Brown, spoke with James on Grays behalf, saying he was very upset about Chrzans death. I wish people could see what I see in Jeremy: the hurt, the confusion, the guilt, and we didnt have a trial to not put the family and citizens of Carroll County through the trauma he has experienced, Brown said. Nunz told James that he will not stop fighting because he does not believe that Grays sentence matches how his life was changed forever. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] What was supposed to be a regular Tuesday turned into a nightmare for Benjamin Edwards. Her sister gave me a call, Edwards said. I was angry and sad at the same time. Edwards heard that his fiance, 25-year-old Kaitlyn Elizabeth Slusher had died while in custody at the Camden County jail. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The Camden County inmate log shows that Slusher was booked in January on drug charges. Now, it says that the case is closed as of yesterday. Advertisement Advertisement The log also says there was an emergency release, or furlough, which usually means someone has temporarily been released from the prison system. The Camden County Coroner told us the inmate who died was a 25-year-old woman, but he did not give us a name. However, Slushers grandma told Action News Jaxs Madison Foglio the coroner called her yesterday and told her that her granddaughter is dead. She declined to be interviewed. 25-year-old Elizabeth Slusher (L) died while in custody at the Camden County jail on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. She pictured here with her fiancee Benjamin Edwards. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Edwards says that his Fiance told him she was pregnant with his child back in January. I dont think Ill ever fall in love again, Edwards said. Advertisement Advertisement We asked Edwards if he could say anything to Slusher and their unborn child right now, what it would be. I hope you all made it upstairs, Edwards said. I really hope you all got to see heaven and everything. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Camden County Sheriffs Office are investigating this case. We are still waiting on the cause of death. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has "betrayed" the European Union by backing away from a prior agreement on granting Ukraine a 90 billion EU loan and is using the situation around Ukraine in his election campaign, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has said. Source: Orpo ahead of a European Council meeting on Thursday 19 March, as reported by European Pravda's correspondent in Brussels Details: The Finnish prime minister believes Orban's blocking of the Ukrainian loan is a betrayal of other EU leaders. Advertisement Advertisement "We had a deal, and I think that he betrayed us. And we need to find a solution on how to go forward," he said, commenting on Hungary's blocking of the 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine. "He's using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaign. And it's not good," Orpo added. Orpo urged Ukraine and the European Commission to find a solution regarding the Druzhba pipeline. "And the most important issue is how we take care of the financing and funding of Ukraine," he stressed. Background: As previously reported by European Pravda, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on the sidelines of a European Council meeting in Brussels that Hungary would not unblock any decisions favourable to Ukraine until the Druzhba pipeline resumes transporting Russian oil. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised in a letter to EU leaders that oil flows via the Druzhba oil pipeline will resume in about a month and a half. On 18 March, a group of EU experts wanted to visit the site where the Druzhba oil pipeline was struck in Ukraine in order to assess the damage and the extent of the work needed to restore its operation. However, so far Ukraine has not allowed European experts access to Druzhba because of security issues. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A popular fried chicken chain has landed in Bucks County, marking its Pennsylvania debut. Zaxbys is set to open its new location March 23 along Route 13 in Levittown, taking the place of Zaika Kabab & Curry, which closed last summer. The new fast-casual restaurant is to offer dine-in, drive-thru service and online ordering for curbside pickup. Delivery is to be available through Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub. Zaxbys is set to open its first Pennsylvania location along Route 13 in Levittown on Monday, March 23. Owned and operated by George Abdelmessiehm, a retired engineer with more than 30 years of franchise experience through his multiple Dunkin locations across South Jersey and Philadelphia, the new Levittown location is part of a larger rollout by Abdelmessiehm to bring 10 Zaxbys to the Philadelphia region within the next few years, according to a press release issued by the company in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement "The chance to bring Zaxbys to Philadelphia is both exciting and meaningful," Abdelmessiehm said in the earlier release. "I recognize that Zaxbys is a strong brand with an excellent product. These values align with the principles I've relied on to build my other franchise businesses. Bringing Zaxbys to Philly is something I'm building not only for my community, but also for my family, creating a legacy I hope will benefit my children and grandchildren." Iffy's is coming to Bucks County: Popular late-night chicken spot set to open in Bristol Township The Zaxbys menu features items such as Chicken Fingerz, Chicken Bacon Ranch Loaded Fries and Fried White Cheddar Bites. What is Zaxbys? Zaxbys is a fast-casual restaurant, best known for its Chicken Fingerz and signature sauces. Advertisement Advertisement Founded in 1990 in Statesboro, Georgia, the company aims to deliver Southern hospitality and a modern twist through its approach to food and service. Zaxbys has more than 950 locations across 17 states. Whats on the menu at Zaxbys in Levittown? In addition to its Chicken Fingerz and signature sauces, the menu features traditional wings, boneless wings, chicken sandwiches, Zalads, quesadillas, fried shrimp, loaded fries, veggie egg rolls, cheddar bites and fried pickles. Sweet treats include milkshakes, cookies and fried cheesecake bites. When is the Levittown Zaxbys opening? Zaxbys is to welcome its first customers through its doors in Levittown on Monday, March 23. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with prizes and giveaways is being planned for April, but an official date hasn't been announced yet. Advertisement Advertisement Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, food and drink, economic revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Zaxbys to open in Levittown, a first in PA for the fried chicken chain Few people know the Middle East as well as Joseph Votel. From March 2016 to March 2019, the retired Army general served as the commander of U.S. Central Command, overseeing American military operations in the region. A big part of that job was planning for contingencies like what would become Operation Epic Fury, and especially how they would affect the massively strategic waterway that joins the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman the tumultuous Strait of Hormuz. This waterway, in which about 20% of the worlds oil passes, is currently shutdown by Iran. In the first part of our wide-ranging exclusive interview with Votel, we focus on what is happening in the Strait. The author transited the Strait with Votel, now a Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute, in 2016 and got a first-hand look as Iranian ships shadowed the USS New Orleans. The outgoing commander of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, is seen at his retirement ceremony, Tampa, Florida, March 28, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando) Chief Petty Officer Lisa Ferdinando Some of the questions and answers have been lightly edited for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Q: How surprised were you that the Iranians closed the Strait of Hormuz, attacked shipping and Arab nations? A: Im not particularly surprised. I expected that they would attack some of the Gulf partners, but I did not think they would go after civilian targets. I thought they would go after military installations, particularly our military installations in most countries, but going after things like hotels and civilian airports, things like that, I think was, was not expected. I was a little surprised that they would do that. I think we certainly expected them to respond to it and of course, trying to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, I think was very expected. Q: Did you expect that? A: Oh yeah. Advertisement Advertisement Q: Why? A: Because its their principal advantage. They control that terrain. They have the advantage over the Strait of Hormuz. They know its a critical choke point. They know its a pain point for many, and they knew it would cause the discussion that its causing right now. Strait of Hormuz (Google Earth) Q: How much pain do you think the Arab allies can sustain during this fight? A: Well, I think theyre actually proving pretty resilient right now and theyre doing a good job defending themselves. Some of [the missiles and drones] are getting through, but it hasnt been catastrophic in terms of that. Obviously, some damage Thats not good. But theyre doing a pretty good job of defending themselves. Advertisement Advertisement And I think as you have seen from some of the open source reporting today, some of the Arab countries are beginning to run out of patience here, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, of course, and we may see them lash back out. But they are also watching very carefully what the United States is doing, along with the Israelis, and they see that we are striking back very, very hard at the Iranians. So I think that that helps them to be a little bit more patient. We havent stepped away from this. Were still very, very engaged, and I think that allows them to be a little bit more patient as we work through this. Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026. Smoke could be seen rising from the direction of a major UAE energy installation on March 14, in what appeared to be the latest strike targeting the Gulfs petroleum facilities hours after the US struck Irans Kharg Island. (Photo by AFP) Q: How feasible or not is a mission to escort ships in the Strait and de-mine it? What are the challenges and dangers of that? A: Well, first of all, its very feasible. The United States Navy has a history of doing this kind of stuff, and they have, for the most part, all the resources that are required for this. I think the most important thing to appreciate before we really kind of get into the Strait of Hormuz here, is to appreciate whats preparatory to doing all that. We really have to kind of finish this campaign thats already been started. That is focused on reducing the Iranian capabilities to a very significant degree. And thats whats happening right now. Advertisement Advertisement I think we need to appreciate that CENTCOM is executing a war plan here thats going to take some weeks to destroy the military capability, and then they will be in a position theyll set the condition, so to speak so they can actually go and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and then direct and escort tankers through there. Then Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, addressing sailors aboard the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans transiting the Strait of Hormuz in 2016. (Howard Altman photo) For the most part, we have all the resources that we need for that. As I mentioned, it might be helpful to get some additional resources from our international partners. And Im not sure thats going to happen based on some of the politics around all that and how we engaged and not engaged them in the lead up to this. But the United States Navy and Marine Corps and other joint services are, I think, are fully prepared to do that. Q: Have the engagements weve had with foreign nations been helpful or hurtful or the ability to draw in assistance for any escort effort? A: Well, weve had a pretty adversarial discussion going on, particularly with our European allies for at least the last 12 to 14 months with them. We havent really sent a positive signal. And the whole thing about Greenland and getting everybody fired up over that, and pushing that kind of thing, I think really gave some pause to them. Advertisement Advertisement And of course, you know, theres continuous rhetoric coming from across the administration towards this, and in the lead up to this, we apparently didnt do any kind of consultation with any of our partners that we expected would be impacted by this, or whose resources we thought we would need. WATCH: German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius: We did not start this war. What does the world expect, what does Donald Trump expect from a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to achieve there in the Strait of Hormuz, which the powerful American Navy cannot manage https://t.co/lO4WR2zly3 pic.twitter.com/MWwu3U4xyS Clash Report (@clashreport) March 16, 2026 Now, coming back after things have been joined and they havent been consulted, I think makes it really, really hard for us to get them involved. And I think it makes it hard for those international partners to sign on with this readily, very, very readily, without a lot of debate and understanding what theyre getting into. So we really didnt set the conditions very well for if we thought we needed international support on this. And we usually do. I mean, thats a normal thing that we do. We generally always try to fight as a coalition, because it gives us credibility. It gives us additional resources. And it kind of helps share the burden a little bit, and it makes everybody feel like theyre part of the solution to this. But in this case with the exception of Israel we pretty much chose to go it alone. . #_ pic.twitter.com/9iySktQvpR U.S. Central Command Arabic (@CENTCOMArabic) March 19, 2026 Q: We talked about the importance of keeping the Strait open while we were transiting it when you commanded CENTCOM. Whats your worst case scenario for the Strait now, given the current situation? Advertisement Advertisement A: I think the worst case now would be if weve found positive evidence of the Strait being mined That would really extend out the time [for opening the Strait]. We probably have to assume that there are mines in there right now. But a serious mining effort by Iran could really complicate and slow things down. Mine clearing is very deliberate. Its very slow. Its very frustrating. Its that way if youre doing it on land, and its that certainly if youre doing it at sea. So to me, I think that kind of represents the most challenging thing that we would have to deal with. I mean, we can get [combat air patrols] Air CAPs up over this. We seem to be doing a good job going after missiles and drones and shore-based systems. Weve destroyed a lot of the Iranian Navy and the IRGC Navy, and we can continue to ping on [Fast Attack Craft] FACs and [Fast Inshore Attack Craft ] FIACS things like that that they might send in there. U.S. Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon pilots with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 conduct deck landing qualifications on the flight deck of the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in the Arabian Gulf, May 11, 2019. The Lewis B. Puller is an afloat forward staging-base variant of the mobile landing platform and is designed to provide dedicated support for air-mine countermeasures and special warfare missions around the globe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Desiree King/Released) But the mines, I think, are a really, really hard issue. And when we think about one of these big tankers, so they are just really vulnerable, theyre thin-hulled, getting into this very narrow traffic scheme thats there two miles wide, right in the middle of the Strait and then hitting a mine and being disabled on the spot. Not only will we have a mine problem, we have a disabled ship problem and an ecological disaster, and a whole bunch of other things there. So in my view, I think the worst case situation kind of looks like a deliberate mining effort by the Iranians. Q: Can the Gulf allies protect the Strait on their own? Some have expressed fear that the U.S. could end Epic Fury before the Strait is secured. Advertisement Advertisement A: I dont know. I dont think so. They are a little dated in some of their capabilities. There hasnt been a huge investment in the resources that would be necessary for keeping the Strait open in an armed conflict scenario. You need destroyers. You need a bunch of them. You need to be able to maintain several air CAPS up over it. You need to have extensive ISR. You need to have boarding parties. You need to have all the other stuff, like mine sweepers. A stock picture of the Independence class LCS USS Tulsa, which is configured for minesweeping duties, sailing in the Strait of Malacca in 2021. USN And I dont know that they have that. They may have all the pieces and parts of it across some of the Gulf countries, although I doubt they have the number of frigates that would be needed. But then bringing that together, they dont necessarily have a great history of coming together for these kinds of things and combining these capabilities under a unified command other than the United States. I think it would be a challenge for the Gulf partners to be able to do that. In our next segment, Votel talks about the highly strategic Kharg Island and how recovering uranium in Iran would be a more massive effort than most people think, among other topics. You can read the second part of this interview here. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Family Dollar is permanently closing its distribution center in Matthews and laying off 373 employees, according to a regulatory notice filed on Monday. The closure affects the companys site located at 10401 Monroe Road. The job losses were detailed in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed this week. The move comes about one year after Family Dollar was sold by Dollar Tree to private equity firms Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management. ALSO READ: Dollar Tree to sell Family Dollar for $1B Channel 9s Jonathan Lowe spoke with one of those employees, who said while some of his coworkers had backup plans, others had worked for the company for decades. Yeah, theyve been here a long time, the employee explained. A lot of them dont know what to do, really. A lot of them have been here so long that they dont really know anything else, so theyre just kinda lost a little bit. The employee described the atmosphere inside the warehouse as dead, saying morale collapsed after learning the news on Monday. Many say the closure came without warning and left them stunned. It was just a shock, kind of really mind-blowing, because it came out of nowhere; no one knew, the employee said. The company says it will offer severance packages, unemployment assistance, and a job fair before the closure. Still, workers say thats not enough. Its not really about the unemployment we just really want the job, one employee said. Family Dollar and Dollar Tree maintain distinct retail strategies. Family Dollar typically operates in urban areas and focuses on selling groceries, cleaning products, and other household goods at various price points. By contrast, Dollar Tree primarily sells party supplies, crafts, and knick-knacks in suburban locations. The layoffs were disclosed through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN notice. This document is a legally required warning that employers must provide to staff before a large layoff or plant closure. The first wave of workers will have their last day on May 18. The remaining employees are scheduled to be let go on Aug. 12. VIDEO: Fight over NASCAR shirt turns to gun threat inside Family Dollar, witnesses say President Trumps former counterterrorism chief claims that he was blocked from investigating the assassination of influencer Charlie Kirk. Joe Kent publicly announced his resignation as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center on March 17, stating that he cannot in good conscience support the U.S.s war with Iran. Kirk was shot dead during a public appearance in Utah on September 10, 2025. A day after his resignation, Kent appeared on The Tucker Carlson Show, where he claimed that his investigation into the killing was blocked. Advertisement Advertisement But the investigation that I was a part of, the National Counterterrorism Center was a part of, we were stopped from continuing to investigate," he said Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, says that he was blocked from investigating Charlie Kirk's death (The Tucker Carlson Show) Kent told Carlson that unanswered questions remain after the shooting, including claims that Kirk was under a lot of pressure from a lot of pro-Israel donors. According to Kent, the FBI wanted to turn everything over to the Utah state authorities. In his letter announcing his exit from the Trump administration, he went on to allege that the Islamic Republic presented no imminent threat to our nation. Kent also said that Kirk, a key MAGA figure, advocated heavily against a war with Iran. Advertisement Advertisement During the interview, Kent also lifted the lid on his final conversation with Kirk. According to him, their last encounter was in the White Houses West Wing. Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September 2025, allegedly urged President Trump not to go to war with Iran (Getty Images) And he said, Joe, stop us from getting into a war with Iran very loudly, Kent claimed. And he walked off and he went, I believe, into the Oval. So when one of President Trumps closest advisors, who is vocally advocating for us to not go to war with Iran and for us to rethink, at least, our relationship with the Israelis, and then hes suddenly publicly assassinated and were not allowed to ask any questions about that, he continued. Its a data point. Kents resignation sent shockwaves through Trumps MAGA coalition, which has become divided on the war with Iran. Joe Kent said that he could not in good conscience support the USs war with Iran (Getty) Trumps team was informed of Kents intention to resign ahead of his public declaration, a source told The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement However, White House aides did not anticipate that he would publish his resignation on government letterhead, a senior administration official told The Wall Street Journal. According to the official, Trumps advisers scrambled to craft a message that downplayed Kents importance in the administration. An investigation into Kent has reportedly been opened by the FBI, four sources told Semafor on Wednesday. The probe pertains to allegations that the former counterterrorism chief mishandled classified information. The sources claimed that the investigation began before he left the administration. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment. A former San Diego State University police sergeant and father of three has pleaded guilty to possessing more than 600 files of child pornography, with some videos showing adults having sex with girls believed to be as young as 6 to 8 years old, authorities said. Homeland Security Investigations discovered the digital stash during a March 2025 raid on the Riverside County home of Paul Aurelio McClain, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Titles of the pornographic video files found on McClain's digital devices included phrases such as "pedo lolita preteen," "14yo Russian Prostitute" and "molested rape," among more graphic sexual terms, according to an affidavit filed with the complaint. The videos, some of which are more than an hour long, show minors engaged in oral, digital, vaginal and anal sex, and include at least one victim who appears to have intellectual disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement McClain, 46, was arrested following the raid and initially pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. On Wednesday, he changed his plea to guilty and admitted to downloading child sexual abuse material depicting real teenagers and prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and is scheduled to be sentenced June 24, prosecutors said. Once released, he will be required to register as a sex offender. McClain came across Homeland Security's radar in 2024 as part of an ongoing investigation into users utilizing peer-to-peer networks to download and distribute child sexual abuse material, according to the affidavit. A peer-to-peer network is a system where computers connect directly to share data without a central server, which can enable users to exchange illegal material in a decentralized way that's harder to monitor. In July 2024, an undercover agent was able to connect directly to a remote host computer and download several files containing child pornography, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement The agent determined that the host computer had software with the username astro99999" and an IP address linked to McClain's home address in Menifee. In February 2025, the agent once again identified the remote host computer with the same username and IP address sharing files of child pornography. Investigators then executed a search warrant at McClain's home on March 13, 2025, seized multiple digital devices and arrested him. In addition to the hundreds of files of child sexual abuse material, they found a recording from what appears to be a hidden camera inside a bathroom in the home showing an adult woman showering and then exiting the shower nude, according to the affidavit. Investigators interviewed McClain's wife, who said he was employed as a police officer and had a degree in computer programming and that they lived together at the home with their three children, ages 9, 13 and 16, according to the affidavit. They found a police vehicle in his garage and a police jacket in his bedroom, as well as other clothes with law enforcement insignia. Advertisement Advertisement On the day of the raid, McClain's supervisor with the San Diego State University Police Department confirmed that he was employed as a sergeant at the department and was not assigned to investigate crimes related to child exploitation, according to the affidavit. SDSU then released a statement acknowledging that an officer was arrested off-campus and charged with possession of child pornography. The university said that, upon learning of the allegations, they removed the officer from duty, initiated the termination process and launched an investigation of their own. McClain has been in federal custody since his March 2025 arrest. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A former New York City high school physics teacher from Hartsdale has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for getting two girls to send him sexually explicit images of themselves. Kostas Fekkas, 36, was sentenced Wednesday, March 18, by U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel in White Plains federal court. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement that while "teachers are entrusted with the safety, mentorship, and care of our children the sentence reflected Fekkas' betrayal of that and "the profound harm caused to these victims." Advertisement Advertisement Fekkas's lawyer Joy Chen had requested the minimum prison term of 10 years, citing his lack of a criminal record, bullying and isolation Fekkas suffered growing up, the dissolution of his marriage, the loss of his license to teach and his being assaulted while detained in the criminal case. She called his conduct "extremely serious" and "abhorrent" but argued that as non-contact crimes they deserved far less than the 30-year guideline sentence Seibel had to consider. "He unquestionably caused real harm to children," Chen wrote in a sentencing memo. "But he did not meet the minors in person, physically assault them, threaten or extort them or distribute their images to others." Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Ly conceded Fekkas should get some break but asked that it be more in line with probations recommendation of nearly 26 years. Advertisement Advertisement He cited six other minor girls that Fekkas tried unsuccessfully to send him naked images and suggested that his not crossing the line into physical contact "was not for want of trying." "Fekkas was undeterred by minors who repeatedly refused to engage with himand in one case expressed their distaste for himas he continued to hit on or send photographs of his genitals to these minors despite their refusal," he wrote in his sentencing memo. According to Ly, Fekkas was forced to resign his job as a teacher in 2019 after the mother of a teenage girl reported that he had reached out to the girl - calling her "super cute" and asking if she was "into older guys" - after seeing her while proctoring a Regents exam. Homeland Security opened an investigation of Fekkas in December 2022 after he communicated online with an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. Fekkas repeatedly implored the teen to send him naked images of herself and detailed the explicit sex acts he wanted to engage in with her. Advertisement Advertisement When his phone was seized in May 2023, investigators identified two girls, a 12-year-old from the Bronx, and a 16-year-old from Georgia, who had sent naked images of themselves to Fekkas during online relationships with him. When investigators arrived at his home to arrest Fekkas that September, he put his cell phone into a microwave oven in what Ly called "a flagrant attempt to destroy further evidence of his crimes." Crime: Guilty plea to sex charges for New Rochelle man who moved teen's body Fekkas pleaded guilty two years later to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. In a hand-written letter, Fekkas told Seibel he would no longer be a person who harms others for his own benefit. Advertisement Advertisement "I am ready to accept whatever punishment comes my way," he wrote. "I deserve it. I have worked hard at becoming a more empathetic person and after reflecting on my actions I am frankly disgusted with myself." This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Former teacher from Hartsdale NY sentenced for sexual enticement of girls WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) Parents in a Winston-Salem neighborhood are expressing anger and frustration after a convicted sex offender is now facing more charges for crimes against children in Forsyth County. Winston-Salem police arrested 46-year-old Justin Drake for indecent liberties with a child. Reports say the incident happened in February at Drakes home in Winston-Salem. Man accused of exploiting minor charged in Forsyth County, Invictus Task Force says Advertisement Advertisement Records show Drake is a convicted sex offender from a case in Florida involving a 6-year-old. He is still serving probation, where he is not allowed to interact with children or frequent parks. I am outraged, and I am angry, and I want something done, Winston-Salem parent Benjamin Marsh said. Justin Drake (WSPD) Marsh and other parents in the Buena Vista area said they noticed the man around their neighborhood in the past year, and when they heard of the arrest, their hearts dropped. On the news this week is the same face that I saw when looking through the sex offender registry and the same face of the man who gave my child a $20 bill with his phone number on it, Marsh said. Advertisement Advertisement Reports say neighbors reported Drake to police in 2025, accusing him of giving a $20 bill with his phone number on it to a child. Parents say they realized he was a sex offender and also reported seeing him in Whitaker Park. We do look out for each other Everyones child matters, and we look out for each other, and I think thats an amazing thing, Marsh said. Warrants say in Aug. 2025, Drake was charged with a felony for his presence at the park, which breaks his sex offender probation. He was released on bond. Records show that in Sept. 2025, Lee County, Florida, issued warrants that ask Drake not to be given bond and be returned to Florida, as the North Carolina accusations violate his probation. Advertisement Advertisement He still managed to hurt someone. Why are you giving this guy more chances? Thats what I want to ask. I dont know how the system is supposed to work, but I know that its not, Marsh said. Drake is being held in the Forsyth County jail on a $500,000 bond. Parents worry he could again be released on bond into the community. And the profound, guttural response that created in me makes me understand that theres something wrong the system, Marsh said. FOX8 reached out to the Forsyth County District Attorneys office as well as Lee County, Florida, to ask if Drake should be held without bond and where he will first face charges now that he faces warrants in two states. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Britain should rejoin the European Union, Sir Sadiq Khan has said. The London Mayor put himself at the helm of calls for the UK to ditch Brexit and fully rebuild ties with the European bloc. He tore into the humongous damage wreaked on Britain from splintering away from the EU. Londons economy is 30 billion smaller than if the UK had stayed in the EU, employment in the capital is down 230,000 jobs and the average family is about 3,500 worse off, he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Slamming the lies told by Brexiteers, Sir Sadiq told Italian daily la Repubblica: I see on a daily basis the damage Brexit has done to not just London, but Londoners, the damage economically, socially and culturally. Brexit has cost 230,000 jobs in London, says Sadiq Khan (James Manning/PA Wire) Im quite clear in terms of what needs to happen, which is, we should join the European Union. The Conservatives swiftly seized on Sir Sadiqs comments,. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: What Labour want to do is take us backwards. They want to re-fight the Brexit wars. The London Mayor proposed a five-step return to the European bloc, with a reset of relations with Brussels already achieved by Sir Keir Starmers government, then closer alignment, followed by rejoining the Customs Union, then the Single Market, both in this Parliament, Advertisement Advertisement Then we should, as a Labour Party, fight the next general election with a clear manifesto commitment, a vote for Labour means we would rejoin the European Union, he added. He stressed that the economic damage from Brexit was humongous as he highlighted new research by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research, and Goldman Sachs, which he said confirmed that the UK economy would have grown by an additional 10 per cent but for Brexit. The London Mayor argued that rejoining the EU would deliver the single biggest boost to tackling the cost-of-living crisis in the UK. He added that the number of EU citizens in London had fallen from more than 840,000 in 2019 to around 700,000, Advertisement Advertisement That means 140,000 Londoners have left London, and the two biggest sectors theyve left... construction and hospitality, he emphasised. He also criticised Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoods immigration crackdown, stressing that the system should be based on control, compassion and contribution and backing former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner for raising concerns about it. The construction sector in London has been hit by Brexit (PA Media) Earlier, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the European Union would welcome Britain with open arms if it decided to return to the Single Market. His invitation to the UK, made at an event in Berlin alongside Germanys Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, came as Sir Keirs government was going on the offensive over the economic damage inflicted on Britain by Brexit. Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves are now seeking to build closer ties with the EU, a move welcomed by many businesses who have lost trade, been hit with more red tape or both. Previously, Labour shied away from talking about Brexit amid fears of alienating voters in the former Red Wall in the North and Midlands. But with polls showing the country increasing seeing it as a mistake, the Government is making the UKs departure from the EU an election issue, seeking to put Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, one of the key architects of Brexit, on the back foot. Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron (PA Wire) France was expected to be among the countrys most resistant to the UK rejoining the Single Market, having played hard ball during the Brexit negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement However, Mr Barrot said: Look at our British friends, the UK, who have been talking about reset, who are now talking about alignment, and some of whom mention the term customs unions. So let us say to our British friends that if they stand ready to come back to the Single Market, with all associated privileges and duties, they will be met with open arms. Sir Keirs government has become increasingly vocal about the economic costs of Brexit, with trade disrupted including between Northern Ireland and Britain, as well as with the wider European bloc. The severing of the close trade ties between the UK and EU has led to a multi-billion pound blow to the British economy, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. Let us say to our British friends that if they stand ready to come back to the single market, with all associated privileges and duties, they will be met with open arms, says @jnbarrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Full declaration below pic.twitter.com/HMCaMObH1a French Embassy UK (@FranceintheUK) March 18, 2026 Labour has ruled out rejoining the Single Market or the Customs Union. Advertisement Advertisement However, a growing number of Labour MPs, including in London, are pushing for the UK to form a new customs union with the EU. Setting out closer EU ties as a pillar of her plans to boost ailing economic growth in the UK, Ms Reeves said Britain would align with the blocs rules where it served the national interest. While regulatory autonomy may be needed in some areas, that should be the exception, not the norm, she said in a speech at the Bayes Business School in London. When the economic gains exceed the cost, the trade-off is worth making, the Chancellor added. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is increasingly warning of the economic damage inflicted on Britain by Brexit (PA Wire) Brexit damaged trade between Northern Ireland and Britain (PA Archive) She stressed that Brexit had done deep damage, citing an estimate that it could make Britains economy as much as 8 per cent smaller than if the country had stayed in the EU. Advertisement Advertisement Let me say this directly to our friends and allies in Europe. This government believes that a deeper relationship is in the interests of the whole of Europe, she said. The Institute of Directors welcomed the attempts to remove Brexit barriers but sounded a note of caution about signing up to a wide range of EU rules over the long term in return for quick economic gains. (MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo.) Old Colorado City said Mountain Metropolitan Transit is piloting a new free bus route connecting Colorado Springs to Manitou Springs. According to Old Colorado City, starting on March 29, a new fare-free bus route called Route 3 will connect Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, and Manitou Springs. The route will be a loop running through the west side of Colorado Springs and will travel directly through Old Colorado City, making it easier for the community and visitors to explore the area without worrying about parking or transportation costs. Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs The free service is being supported by the Cities of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs and will run for a year as a pilot program, with the potential to continue if successful. Advertisement Advertisement More information on the route, stops, and times can be found on the City of Colorado Springs website. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. The fate of two oil tankers believed to be carrying desperately needed fuel to Cuba is emerging as a key test of Washingtons escalating pressure campaign and of Havanas ability to withstand it. At the center of the uncertainty is the Sea Horse, a Hong Kong-flagged tanker whose unusual movements have raised questions about whether it already delivered fuel to the island in secret or is still attempting to do so under growing scrutiny. The vessel, carrying an estimated 190,000 to 200,000 barrels of Russian diesel, spent nearly three weeks broadcasting that it was not under command while drifting in the Sargasso Sea, about 1,300 nautical miles from Cuba. Maritime tracking data, however, suggests the behavior may have been deceptive. Advertisement Advertisement Analysts say the tanker likely engaged in spoofing manipulating its tracking signal and may have sailed to Cuba undetected earlier this month before reappearing far out at sea. It had previously switched off its transponder during a ship-to-ship transfer of Russian fuel near Cyprus, a tactic commonly linked to sanctions evasion. The Sea Horse is no longer drifting and is now moving under its own power at about 9.9 knots, said Jorge Pinon, an energy expert at the University of Texas at Austin. Our calculations show it could reach Cubas north coast in about five days. A second tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, which is under U.S. sanctions, is believed to be carrying about 700,000 barrels of Russian crude and is also heading toward the Caribbean. Whether either vessel ultimately reaches Cuba remains unclear. Advertisement Advertisement At least two U.S. Coast Guard cutters are positioned off Cubas northeastern coast, between Moa and Puerto Padre, according to Pinon, placing them in position to intercept ships if ordered. Their presence underscores what has effectively become a U.S. maritime blockade on fuel shipments to the island. The United States has issued a directive to prevent oil from entering Cuba, Pinon said. And those assets are there in case they need to act. But some analysts question whether the Sea Horse is even attempting to reach Cuba. The idea that a tanker could sneak into Cuba right now just doesnt make sense, said Evan Ellis, a professor at the U.S. Army War College. Thats probably the most monitored patch of the Caribbean. Advertisement Advertisement Ellis pointed to the large scale of U.S. military deployment in the region including surveillance aircraft, destroyers and Marine units tasked with intercepting sanctions-violating vessels even after the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and its accompanying warships, which had been sent to the Caribbean late last year, are now in the Middle East. You just cant sneak a tanker into Cuba without somebody noticing, he said. Instead, Ellis said the vessels conduct may point to other explanations, including mechanical failure. Many ships involved in sanctions evasion are part of the so-called shadow fleet, and are often aging tankers operating with limited oversight. Theyre usually way past their service life and only marginally seaworthy, he said. Its entirely possible this is some kind of real emergency. Advertisement Advertisement The ships current position still hundreds of miles from Cuba further clouds assumptions about its destination. It doesnt even necessarily suggest theyre heading for Cuba, Ellis said. It just sounds like something unusual is going on. The uncertainty is compounded by confusion over U.S. sanctions policy. Pinon said the Trump administration recently eased certain restrictions on Russian oil shipments to countries such as India, China, Japan and South Korea amid disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. But it remains unclear whether that flexibility extends to Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement We havent seen the directive whether its an executive order or something else that clarifies whether Cuba is included, he said. Thats the question we all have. At the same time, Ellis noted that U.S. officials have discussed allowing limited oil shipments from Venezuela under tightly controlled conditions with cargoes delivered to private companies rather than the Cuban government in an effort to ease humanitarian pressures without benefiting governments in Caracas or Havana. The stakes for the island are high. Diesel has become the most critical fuel in Cubas economy, powering transportation, electricity generation, agriculture and water systems. Advertisement Advertisement Diesel is essential, Pinon said. It moves food, runs generators, pumps water. Right now, there is aid sitting in ports that cant be distributed because theres no diesel for trucks. If the Sea Horses cargo arrives, it could be used almost immediately. Crude from the Anatoly Kolodkin, however, would take weeks to refine and Cubas aging facilities produce limited amounts of diesel. The developments come as Cuba faces one of its worst energy crises in decades. A nationwide blackout on March 16 underscored the severity of the situation after fuel imports largely dried up. Venezuela long the islands main supplier halted shipments following the Jan. 3 capture of Nicolas Maduro and the subsequent U.S. control over the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA. Mexicos last delivery of oil to Cuba was also in early January. Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, Cubans have taken to the streets for 11 consecutive nights, banging pots and pans in protests during blackouts. Against that backdrop, the question of whether the tankers will reach Cuban shores remains unresolved and increasingly complex. For Washington, the decision carries significant risks. Blocking the shipments could escalate tensions with both Cuba and Russia. But allowing them through could weaken a strategy aimed at cutting off fuel supplies to force political change. For ordinary Cubans, the stakes are more immediate: Whether the ships dock or turn away could determine how long the lights stay on. A man who is wanted in Colombia and Ecuador for the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in Quito in 2023 was arrested in Mexico and transferred to Colombia, authorities said Wednesday. Angel Esteban Aguilar Morales, an Ecuadorian national, arrived in Bogota on Wednesday, where he was intercepted at El Dorado Airport by Colombia's migration authorities. No details were immediately provided about his immigration status or whether he was formally extradited. Aguilar, known as "Lobo Menor," is one of the alleged ringleaders of the Ecuadorian criminal gang "Los Lobos" (The Wolves) and one of the country's most-wanted fugitives, subject to an Interpol Red Notice - a global alert used to locate fugitives worldwide. In September, Los Lobos was designated a terrorist organization by the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Mexican officials said that Aguilar was detected by authorities the moment he entered the country, so he was placed under real-time surveillance. Subsequently, using intelligence provided by Colombia, authorities said they obtained information that allowed them to pinpoint his location in Mexico City. Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch posted an image of Aguilar on X after the arrest. Colombian police officers escort a man identified as Angel Esteban Aguilar, a leader of Ecuador's Los Lobos crime group, after his arrest, who is wanted in connection with the 2023 assassination of Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, at the international airport El Dorado in Bogota, Colombia, March 18, 2026. / Credit: Colombian Migration/Handout via REUTERS (Colombian Migration/Handout via REUTERS) The arrest in Mexico - which authorities said was carried out without the "use of violence" - resulted in Aguilar being placed in the custody of the National Migration Institute to determine his legal status within the country, security officials said, without specifying if he had been deported. "The individual was attempting to evade immigration controls by using a false identity as a Colombian citizen," the Colombian migration agency said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement In April 2024, Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with Ecuador following a military raid on the Mexican Embassy in Quito. The operation targeted former Vice President Jorge Glas, a corruption suspect who had been seeking asylum there since late 2023. Representatives for Colombia's foreign ministry and Colombia's migration agency didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. According to the Colombian police, Aguilar had reportedly entered Mexico from Medellin, Colombia, using a forged passport with the "express purpose of strengthening criminal networks in the region." On X, Colombian President Gustavo Petro highlighted the police cooperation between Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, hailing it as "a significant blow against transnational organized crime." Advertisement Advertisement In February, the Ecuadorian Attorney General's Office presented new evidence seeking to formally link three individuals - including Aguilar - to the Villavicencio case. These individuals allegedly played a logistical and operational role in the killing on Aug. 9, 2023, when the then presidential candidate was leaving a political rally in the northern sector of the capital. Fernando Villavicencio speaks to journalists upon his arrival at the Attorney General's Office in Quito on August 8, 2023. / Credit: RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images In addition to the Villavicencio case, the police indicated that "Lobo Menor" allegedly has ties to Mexican cartels and to Nestor Gregorio Vera, known as Ivan Mordisco - the leader of a dissident faction of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrilla group, whose members didn't adhere to a peace agreement signed with Colombia's government in 2016. Last year, another leader of Los Lobos was arrested at his home in the coastal city of Portoviejo. Carlos D, widely known by his alias "El Chino," was the second-in-command of Los Lobos and "considered a high-value target," the armed forces said in a statement. In 2024, the United States declared Los Lobos to be the largest drug trafficking organization in Ecuador. While announcing sanctions against Los Lobos, U.S. officials said the gang "contributes significantly to the violence gripping the country" and its network includes thousands of members backed by Mexico's Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion New Generation and Sinaloa Cartel, which makes the gang particularly dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Criminal gang violence continues unabated in Ecuador following the recapture in June 2025 of the country's biggest drug lord, Adolfo Macias, who leads the Los Choneros gang, after his escape from a maximum-security prison in 2024. In July 2025, the Ecuadoran government extradited Macias to the United States, where he faces multiple drug trafficking and firearms charges. Demi Lovato reveals how she found joy in cooking after recovering from eating disorders How did 89 hospices end up linked to a 3-story LA building? We went to investigate. Impact of rising fuel costs on Fed's interest rate decision German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche on Thursday warned of the consequences of attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Iran war, as the price of Brent crude shot up to $114 during European morning trading. Speaking at a conference of her conservative Christian Democratic Union party's economic council in Berlin, she said attacks on oil processing facilities and gas fields in the region concerned her just as much as the potential total closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "This could genuinely lead to serious disruptions," Reiche said. She called on the warring parties to refrain from massively destroying facilities whose restart or repair would take not just a few weeks, but months. Advertisement Advertisement Qatar's liquefied natural gas facilities, which are of major importance to the global market, have severely damaged in an Iranian missile strikes. US President Donald Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, threatened to bomb Iran's major South Pars gas field. He said the US military would carry out such an attack if Iran continued to strike Qatar's gas industry. In that event, he threatened a strike with "an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before." COLOGNE, Germany The German navy is slated to get four MEKO frigates from local shipyard TKMS as a backup submarine-hunting capability, as the envisioned program of record for F126 specialty ships faces delays. Defense officials in Berlin portrayed a preliminary contract with the German shipbuilder, approved by lawmakers on Wednesday, as part of bridge solution that would ensure the sea service gets urgently needed anti-submarine ships beginning in late 2029, in time to meet NATO commitments. The plan comes amid mounting questions about a batch of six F126 frigates previously called MKS-180 that Germany initially ordered from Dutch shipbuilder Damen in 2020 for a price tag potentially approaching $10 billion. Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the contract award sparked a debate in Germanys naval-industry circles, with critics arguing the capability was too important to outsource even to a company in the neighboring Netherlands, a close ally. Damen said it would build the ships in Germany, aiming to have 70% of the contract value go through German vendors. Construction of the first unit in the class of 10,550-ton frigates started in December 2023, with first steel cutting at the Peene shipyard in Wolgast, Germany, followed by a keel-laying ceremony attended by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in June 2024. According to the German defense ministry, the plan to order four MEKO A-200 DEU ships does not mean the F126 program is altogether sunk. Advertisement Advertisement Officials have been negotiating with NVL, or Naval Vessels Lurssen, as a new main contractor for the program, according to an agency statement. The firm, newly acquired by defense giant Rheinmetall, describes itself on its website as an independent, privately owned group of renowned Northern German shipyards and related companies. Damen has signaled it would go along with a German lead, though the Dutch company wants to remain an essential partner, it said in its annual earnings statement in October 2025. Rudy Ruitenberg in Paris contributed to this article. SAS is the largest carrier so far to cancel flights because of the jet fuel crisis - Omar Havana/Getty Images Scandinavias largest airline has become the first major carrier in Europe to scrap flights because of surging fuel prices triggered by the US-Iran war. Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), the flag carrier for Denmark, Norway and Sweden, said on Tuesday that it will scale back flights in response to the sharp and sudden increase in jet fuel costs. The Stockholm-based company said that the cancellations amount to hundreds of flights this week, although most of the services scrapped are on short routes within Scandinavia where alternative connections are available. Given the ongoing situation in the Middle East, including the sharp and sudden increase in global fuel prices, we are taking measures to strengthen our resilience, said a spokesman. One such measure is a limited number of short-term flight cancellations. The move is significant because SAS is the largest carrier so far to cancel flights because of the jet fuel crisis. SAS ferries around 25 million travellers around the world every year. Last week, Air New Zealand, which carries 16 million passengers a year, also cut flights because of the fuel surge. SASs decision to strike flights from its timetable will stoke concerns that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a wider crisis among European airlines as the price of kerosene the industrys single biggest cost makes flying unprofitable. About half of European jet fuel imports normally pass through the Strait, with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia among major suppliers. However, SAS has been an outlier among European operators in recent years, hedging less of its fuel requirements to save money. SAS said in February last year that it was hedged on none of its fuel needs for the following 12 months after dropping rules that had required coverage on at least 40pc of consumption. It is not clear where the carriers hedging stands for the current year. Fuel-hedging protections Without the hedges, which guarantee access to fuel at a specified price, airlines are fully exposed to fluctuations in crude oil prices, which surged to a four-year high following the start of the US and Israeli war on Iran. International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways (BA), said last week it was largely safeguarded from oil price fluctuations for now, with 80pc of its fuel needs hedged for the rest of March and 70pc for the second quarter. Low-cost carriers have some of the most comprehensive fuel-hedging policies in place. Ryanair revealed in January that it was 84pc hedged at $77 a barrel for the current quarter and 80pc hedged at $67 for the whole of the fiscal year beginning in April. Germany should consistently expand its ties with countries that adhere to the principles of a values-based international order, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Wednesday. Amid global crises and conflicts, there is a growing sense that the established world order is increasingly giving way to disorder, Steinmeier said during a visit to Guatemala. While this cannot be changed in the short term, he said Germany must adapt to the shifting environment. Steinmeier stressed that as reliability and predictability decline even in long-standing partnerships, Germany must seek out and strengthen relations with countries that share its values and with which ties have so far been insufficient. Advertisement Advertisement In this context, visits to Latin America are particularly worthwhile, the president said. On the second day of his visit, Steinmeier visited the famous Maya ruins in Guatemala's Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. He expressed respect for Guatemala's efforts to preserve the remains of this ancient civilization, saying the site is essential to understanding the country. Earlier on Wednesday, Steinmeier was greeted with enthusiastic applause by students at the German School Guatemala. The school is marking its 125th anniversary this year. Nearly 1,200 students attend the school, all of whom learn German. Germany has turned back around 30,000 people at its borders since the conservative-led government took office in May 2025, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said. The figure was significant, Dobrindt told public broadcaster ARD late on Wednesday, adding that border checks remained necessary as the number of rejections continued to be high. Police unions, however, have called for the checks to be scaled back. Advertisement Advertisement Dobrindt defended the measures at Germany's borders, which were extended in February by a further six months until mid-September. He described the stricter approach as a signal that migration policy in Germany had changed, adding that it increased the risk of detection for people smugglers. At the same time, the minister expressed confidence in new EU asylum rules due to come into force later this year. Germany's parliament approved the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) in February. If the system functions as intended, including stronger protection of the EU's external borders, temporary border checks within the EU could be phased out again, Dobrindt said. Northland residents can expect almost continuous construction around downtown for the next six years, with plans to replace three bridges around the Bond bridge after reconstructing parts of northbound U.S. 169. The Missouri Department of Transportation shared plans for the construction on Interstates 29 and 35 to the north and south of the Missouri River in North Kansas City and near downtown Kansas City. Two lanes in each direction would remain open as crews rebuild bridges over Guinotte Avenue and Bedford Avenue. In addition, the bridge over East Front Street will gain a fourth southbound lane. Built in 1953, engineers say the structures are old enough that repairs would soon become constant. A slideshow from a February public meeting states, While (the bridges) remain safe to travel on today, the structures are deteriorating and require frequent maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Construction on the three bridges is scheduled to begin in 2028 and take four years. Residents can share their thoughts through an online form until Friday, March 27. MODOT expects to close some exits throughout construction. MODOT shared plans for exit closures from 2028 to 2032 as the agency replaces three bridges near the Kit Bond Bridge. (Screenshot) The new bridges will leave space for a new trail at Levee Road, on the north banks of the Missouri. MODOT has to coordinate with railroad companies as two of the bridges cross railroad tracks. Approximately 117,000 vehicles take these bridges each day, according to MODOT data. The viaducts carry traffic between Liberty, the Northland and North Kansas City to downtown, Columbus Park and Berkley Riverfront Park areas, and between the KC Currents CPKC Stadium and Ballys Casino. Advertisement Advertisement Drivers going between north and south of the river have been delayed due to construction in recent years. From 2021 to 2024, drivers navigated construction on I-35, I-70 and U.S. 169 while MODOT replaced the Buck ONeil Bridge. Only a year later, engineers found structural issues with a viaduct on northbound U.S. 169 near the downtown airport and closed it immediately. Construction on the northbound 169 viaduct is scheduled to begin in August 2026 and end two years later, just in time to start construction around the Bond bridge. With U.S. 169 construction, MODOT suggested drivers use other Missouri River crossings, including the Fairfax, Heart of America, and Chouteau bridges. The Stars Robert Cronkleton contributed to this report. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Doggerland, which now sits beneath the North Sea, once had temperate forests with animals such as boars and deer, a new study suggests. | Credit: Harald Lange/ullstein bild via Getty Images A sunken landmass that connected Britain to mainland Europe until a few thousand years ago may have been an excellent refuge for plants and animals, including humans, during the last ice age , a new study finds. Parts of Doggerland, which is now submerged under the North Sea, hosted temperate forests as early as 16,000 years ago long before such forests recolonized Britain and northwestern Europe following the final retreat of glaciers about 11,700 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Doggerland is named after a large sandbank in the North Sea called Dogger Bank, which references a type of medieval Dutch fishing boat called a dogger. Oaks (Quercus), elms (Ulmus) and hazel trees (Corylus) thrived for millennia in southern Doggerland, where the new study was conducted, before the landmass disappeared. Previous estimates suggest Doggerland was fully inundated by 7,000 years ago, but the new results indicate this may have happened closer to 6,000 years ago. Researchers reconstructed the region's long-lost terrestrial ecosystem using DNA that was preserved in dirt under the sea for thousands of years, known as ancient sedimentary DNA. "We got evidence of boars, deer, bears, aurochs," study lead author Robin Allaby , an evolutionary geneticist and professor of genomics at the University of Warwick in the U.K., told Live Science. "To my knowledge, it's the largest sedimentary DNA study that's been done." Allaby and his colleagues analyzed 252 samples from 41 cores that they drilled up from beneath the North Sea off the coast of England. Specifically, the researchers took the cores along the prehistoric, 20-mile-long (30 kilometers) Southern River, situated in what was once southern Doggerland. Advertisement Advertisement Researchers have long known that Doggerland was forested before it was inundated by the North Sea. But the ages of those forests were unclear, so scientists assumed that they appeared around the same time as forests in Britain. The consensus prior to this new research was that 16,000 years ago, southern Doggerland was tundra (a dry, treeless plain), not forest, Allaby said. At that time, ice sheets reached down to what is now the border between Scotland and England, he added. The researchers analyzed sediments in the cores and separated them into two categories: secure and insecure. Secure sediments were fine silts and clays that contained ancient DNA from species that lived in the area where the core was taken. Insecure sediments were coarser sand and gravel that contained ancient DNA that was shed far from where the core was extracted, meaning this DNA was not useful to reconstruct the local ecosystem. "That just makes perfect sense," Allaby said, as "DNA doesn't survive long in water." Sediments are usually transported and deposited in fluid, with slow-moving waters picking up only fine sediments and fast-moving, higher-energy waters shifting coarser sediments. Slow-moving waters can transport sediments carrying DNA only short distances before the DNA quickly degrades. Fast-moving waters, on the other hand, can transport sediments with DNA much farther before it disintegrates. This means that when the researchers found fine sediments with ancient DNA in the cores, that DNA was likely to have been shed locally. DNA in coarse sediments was probably from upstream ecosystems. Therefore, "we could pick out the samples which we would not trust to be telling us about the local environment," Allaby said. A map of Doggerland 18,000 years ago, 10,000 years ago and 8,000 years ago. The landmass was fully inundated around 6,000 years ago, according to the new study. | Credit: University of Bradford Submerged Landscape Research Centre & Nigel Dodds Ancient DNA in secure sediments showed that temperate trees and forest animals lived around the Southern River starting about 16,000 years ago, when much of Northwest Europe and Britain was still covered in tundra. Remarkably, the researchers identified DNA from a walnut relative (Pterocarya) that was thought to have gone extinct from the region 400,000 years ago. The team also found traces of warmth-loving lime trees (Tilia), suggesting that southern Doggerland was milder than the surrounding regions during the last ice age. Advertisement Advertisement "Our knowledge is very imprecise, as it turns out," Allaby said. "This is not pure tundra there is enough of an environment here to sustain something that looks like a forest." The results, published March 10 in the journal PNAS , indicate that Stone Age people would have had "plenty to live on" in southern Doggerland after ice sheets retreated from the area about 21,000 years ago, Allaby said. "We can predict where good places for settlement would be, and typically at the mouths of rivers is the place to go, because you're close to resources." RELATED STORIES Ancient humans waited out last ice age in frigid Central Europe, surprising study finds Advertisement Advertisement 18,000 years ago, ice age humans built dwellings out of mammoth bones in Ukraine 'Ultimate adventure story': Submerged stone circles reveal perilous migration of prehistoric people to far northern Scotland 11,000 years ago The findings could also help resolve Reid's paradox, which describes the mismatch between seed dispersal rates and how quickly trees like oaks recolonized northern regions from farther south after the last ice age, the researchers said. Southern Doggerland or another nearby region, such as northern France, may have been a glacial "microrefuge" for temperate trees, enabling species to spread north much faster than they could have done if they had survived only on the Iberian Peninsula, for example. Finally, the study indicated that the North Sea fully submerged southern Doggerland around 6,000 years ago, which is at least 1,000 years earlier than previous estimates of when the landmass was inundated. "It's another highlight of the imprecision of what our knowledge is of this landscape," Allaby said. "It really is a frontier." I got a gun: CMU student pointed gun at victim after talking about making mustard gas, affidavit alleges GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) The 19-year-old Colorado Mesa University student who is accused of pointing a firearm at another student was laughing uncontrollably and joking about making mustard gas, his arrest affidavit read. The incident took place on Friday morning at the 1100 block of Elm Walk in a shared dorm bathroom, where the suspect, Charles Labbo, entered the room, reportedly laughing uncontrollably and possibly intoxicated, and spoke to the victim. According to the victim, Labbo had admitted to drinking alcohol the night before. Labbo remarked to the student about trying to mix substances to create mustard gas with a friend before leaving. Advertisement Advertisement Labbo returned shortly after holding a black semi-automatic handgun, pointing it to the ceiling. The affidavit alleges that Labbo said, I got a gun before he pointed the handgun at the victims face. After the student pushed the barrel away, questioning why Labbo pointed a gun at him, Labbo said that the safety was on. After the victim retreated to his room, Labbo later walked up to the victim and allegedly gave him two small flowers or buds of marijuana, stating it was for his troubles. Grand Junction officers found that the handgun belonged to a friend of Labbos. He was asked by the friend to watch over his truck parked on campus, which had a safe with a handgun inside, according to the affidavit. The friend, when contacted, stated that he did not authorize Labbo to bring the gun or safe onto the main campus, but did authorize him to watch over his property. While searching Labbos room on a warrant, police reportedly found the firearm as well as metallic knuckles, THC pens and empty alcohol cans. Advertisement Advertisement Although he initially declined to talk to officers, Labbo later admitted pointing the gun at the victim. He said that it was loaded with a magazine, but he could not confirm if there was a bullet in the chamber. He denied being intoxicated during the incident. When asked if he felt like he did something wrong, Labbo admitted that he did feel that way, according to the affidavit. Labbo was arrested on multiple charges, including weapon possession at a school. He has a return filing of charges hearing on March 25. 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. Democratic incumbent Governor JB Pritzker is facing off against Republican challenger Darren Bailey once again in the 2026 Illinois governor race in the November general election. Bailey won the Republican nomination for Illinois governor for the second straight time Tuesday night. When Governor JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey squared off four years ago, Pritzker won by more than a dozen points. Bailey is hoping for a different result this time, saying things have changed and so has he. Pritzker taking nothing for granted. Advertisement Advertisement Governor Pritzker and his Lt. governor Running mate Christian Mitchell are ready for November, when they will take on Bailey and his new running mate Aaron Del Mar. Bailey says this time he will campaign differently, hot-button issues sidelined. "We're focusing on what people do agree on, 80/20 that's affordability, getting our property taxes, getting our utility bills, getting cost of living under control, that safety, protecting our people, and that is revamping education," Bailey said. Pritzker claims Bailey hasn't changed,, and he's already rolled out a new political ad labeling Bailey as too extreme for Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement "So you can change your messaging all you like, but this is the guy who wants to invite Donald Trump into our state, roll out the red carpet," Pritzker said. "That's what he said. He's still the guy that believes that Donald Trump's tariffs are good for Illinois." Pritzker, meanwhile, is also enjoying a victory lap with Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton after her big senate campaign victory Tuesday night. "You know, I was a little bit surprised," Pritzker said. "I mean, I thought she would win, but I thought it would be closer than it was, and instead, what I think I saw, and if you look at the map of the state of Illinois, here's what you see, she won everywhere." Pritzker endorsed Stratton shortly after she announced that she was running. He also contributed millions to her campaign, directly or through his super PAC. Pritzker was asked if she won on his coattails. Advertisement Advertisement "Oh no... if you follow Juliana Stratton around the state, you would see that she has been everywhere, she's talked to everybody," Pritzker said. "She worked her tail off for this." As for the governor's race Bailey and Pritzker ready for the showdown. Last time, Pritzker won by nearly 13 points. Pritzker was asked if his goal this time around is to win by an even bigger margin, to send a message to voters and maybe Republicans in particular. "Look, I'm always running a campaign as if we're behind, and winning means getting at least one more vote than the other guy," Pritzker said. Republican Darren Bailey kicked off his Illinois governor general election campaign on Wednesday in Naperville. Advertisement Advertisement Darren Bailey's primary victory celebration was short-lived. He says it's time to get to work, and though he's a down-state farmer, he says voters in the Chicago area can get used to seeing a lot of him for the next eight months. "My goal is to earn the trust of the people of Cook County and the surrounding suburbs and let them know that everyone's hurting financially," Bailey said. "This isn't rocket science, and we know that JB Pritzker has created this disaster." After a gathering of Republican candidates and leaders in Naperville on Wednesday, Bailey wasted no time taking aim at a familiar opponent, Governor JB Pritzker, who soundly beat Bailey four years ago. The governor says Bailey is the same extremist, failed candidate, but Bailey maintains this is a new race. Advertisement Advertisement "I'm different. Illinois is different. Chicago's different," Bailey said. "I believe that Chicago is ready. I know I'm ready." The campaign punches were flying outside the Republican breakfast as well, with Governor Pritzker sending a mobile billboard displaying an old quote from Bailey's running mate and candidate for lieutenant governor, Aaron Del Mar. The billboard read, "'I just don't think Darren Bailey's a viable candidate.' - Aaron Del Marr." "If they have time to be doing silly antics like that, instead of worrying about how we can lower property taxes, lower energy prices, educate our kids and keep all people safe and they're distracted, we'll be happy to take that mantle and continue to move it forward," Del Mar said. And as Bailey and his running mate distance themselves from past remarks about each other, Bailey is taking the same approach when asked if he plans to hitch his wagon to President Donald Trump or pave a new path. Advertisement Advertisement "I am my own person. There will be no outside influence dictating anything that we do here in Illinois," Bailey said. "It will be myself, it will be the General Assembly, and it will be the voter of Illinois that we'll be working with." Bailey says he learned his lesson from four years ago, now focusing on issues that most Americans agree on in an attempt to appeal to more voters in the Chicago area. Both candidates are now shifting into general election campaign mode with less than eight months until voters once again head to the polls. Pritzker will be a big favorite to win a third term. He dismissed talk that this campaign will serve as a launching pad for a presidential run in 2028. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Just hours after votes confirmed the Illinois governor candidates, the 2022 rematch has already started trading blows with political ads. Gov. JB Pritzker and former Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey won their respective primaries Tuesday night convincingly. Pritzker is seeking his third term, while its Baileys second shot for Illinois top job. In the morning on Wednesday, Bailey started his offensive, attacking the incumbent Democrat Governor in a political ad. It claimed Pritzker is corrupt, lies, and raises taxes on working-class Illinoisans. Advertisement Advertisement Its time for a change and that only happens when we fire JB Pritzker, said Bailey in the one-minute-long video. Shortly after, Pritzker had his own ad released to the public. It criticized Baileys past and current positions on abortion, the minimum wage and his connection to Donald Trump. Bailey wants to be the Donald Trump of Illinois, Pritzker said at a speech on Tuesday. Thats who the Republican Party wants you to elect governor. But thats not who we are in Illinois, is it? Bailey is a Southern Illinois farmer who was a state Senator prior to his run for Governor in 2022. In his match with Pritzker, he lost by roughly 12 points but was heavily outspent by the Democrat billionaire. In 2024, he campaigned against U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in the primary but lost by less than three points. Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker, whose family owns the Hyatt Hotels, has spent eight years as Illinois governor. He flexed his billionaire war chest on Tuesday, as his Senate-backed candidate, Juliana Stratton, who received millions from the governor, won the Democratic nomination. The fight between the two candidates has also gone past the television screens. When Republicans gathered together in Naperville to show unity for their candidates, the Democratic Party of Illinois sent large televisions to sow division. Those TVs showed quotes said by Republican candidates for governor prior to Baileys re-election. Comments that showed a lack of trust in Baileys chances in beating Pritzker. However, Bailey did not waste any time posting a video of himself on social media, making fun of the big TVs. Advertisement Advertisement As a matter of fact, Ive already had a conversation with the driver. Hes pretty fed up with the things the way things are here in Illinois. And Im pretty sure I got his vote, he said. The gubernatorial election is slated for Nov. 3. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. VIDEO: Turning Point USAs Erika Kirk joins Arkansas Governor Sanders to support the expansion of Club America in schools LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she was asked to leave a Little Rock restaurant after her office claims that the restaurants owner said employees felt threatened and uncomfortable. According to a Wednesday night statement from the governors office, Sanders, while accompanied by an Arkansas State Police protection detail, was having lunch on Friday at the Little Rock restaurant called The Croissanterie. Advertisement Advertisement After the group had been seated at two separate tables for about an hour and fifteen minutes and had paid and tipped the restaurant staff, The Croissanteries owner approached a member of the Governors Executive Protection Detail and asked the Governor to leave because her presence was making employees threatened and uncomfortable because of her political views, the governors spokesperson said. The governors spokesperson stated that Sanders group began to leave the restaurant when a man standing with members of the staff, yelled its time to go and made a crude hand gesture in the Governors direction. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs proclamation to support Turning Point USA clubs in Arkansas high schools The governor also shared a statement: Advertisement Advertisement Last week I was having lunch with two other moms at a restaurant when the owner approached a member of the State Police Executive Protection Detail and said my presence made their employees feel threatened and told us to leave. Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant certainly doesnt meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down with discrimination and hate. KARK 4 News has reached out to The Croissanterie for comment, but has not yet heard back. 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 KARK. By Jody Godoy PHILADELPHIA, March 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is on the lookout for anticompetitive practices in the pharmaceutical industry with a number of blockbuster drugs near the end of their patents, the FTC's head of antitrust enforcement said on Tuesday, as the agency looks to protect consumers from unfair prices. Monitoring the shift in the market brought about by patent expirations is part of the FTC's "laser focus" on healthcare, Dan Guarnera, director of the FTC's bureau of competition, said at Reuters Events' Pharma USA conference in Philadelphia. "We are always happy to hear concerns from market participants, including generics and patient groups to make sure that the entry of generics can happen as it's designed to under the patent laws," he said. Many of the top-selling U.S. drugs are set to lose their patent exclusivity by the end of the decade, including Merck's cancer drug Keytruda, Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer's blood thinner Eliquis and J&J's cancer drug Darzalex. Healthcare is an intentional focus area for the FTC, which has moved to block multiple deals in the sector, including a $356 million medical equipment merger that was abandoned on Monday. "It's an area that we care a lot about, not only because of obviously the huge effect it has on the economy, but also because it has such a direct effect on Americans' pocketbooks and well-being," Guarnera said. He added that he was speaking for himself, and that his comments may not reflect the FTC's views. On Monday, Switzerland-based Alcon said it had abandoned its bid to acquire Lensar after the FTC indicated it intended to sue to block the deal. The acquisition would have reduced competition between the two companies, which both make laser systems used in a specific type of cataract surgery, the FTC said. The agency was concerned the deal would not only raise the cost of the systems but also would slow innovation, Guarnera said on Tuesday. The FTC is also attuned to how pharmaceutical mergers can affect incentives to innovate, even in deals where the drugs at issue are still in the pipeline stage, he said. "We really do care about and want to see the effects of a merger on the firm's incentives to innovate, to continue their research and development programs and continue their pipeline drug production," Guarnera said. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in Philadelphia; Editing by Matthew Lewis) There are no wind turbines on the Great Lakes and it isnt for lack of wind. This titanic network of interconnected freshwater lakes with a surface area larger than New England, New York, and New Jersey combined is theoretically ideal for wind farms. Winds sweeping across the lakes are stronger, more consistent, and less turbulent than those over land. The National Laboratory of the Rockies has estimated that the Great Lakes states have enough offshore wind potential to generate more than three times their combined annual electricity consumption. Plus, unlike proposed wind farms along the East Coast, where the federal government controls the seabed, Great Lakes states have jurisdiction over their lakebeds. While projects would still face federal oversight, some proponents see wind development in the Great Lakes as a potential workaround to President Trumps attacks on the industry. Advertisement Advertisement If its done correctly and were able to harness even a fraction of that, we could offset a lot of electricity demand, said Melissa Scanlan, director of the Center for Water Policy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Still, the vast inland lakes remain untapped largely due to a lack of streamlined permitting processes at the state level and economic hurdles. Offshore wind is expensive, and unlike the East Coast, where a mature wind industry has built specialized ships and ports to build turbines in the sea, the Great Lakes states lack the infrastructure. Ultimately, renewable energy experts say the region doesnt have the legal framework or technical capacity to support such massive projects. So far, offshore wind power which involves installing turbines in large bodies of water, typically the ocean in the United States, has been concentrated along the Eastern seaboard. Projects are still very rare: just three are currently operating, with several more under construction, all along the East Coast. More than a decade ago, President Barack Obamas push for renewable energy buoyed a short-lived boom in offshore wind projects particularly in the Great Lakes. The New York Power Authority and cities such as Toronto explored boosting their energy supply with wind power from Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. However, the initial boost only propelled one project forward: Ohios Icebreaker Wind in Lake Erie. After clashing with Ohio regulators over whether turbines could run through the night and battling a court case filed by local residents over impacts to bats and migratory birds, the developers eventually ran out of money and called the project off in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Building renewable energy offshore in federal waters has now become harder than ever. On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum shutting down all offshore wind permitting, effectively suspending five large-scale East Coast projects. Although courts later overturned those cancellations, the uncertainty around offshore wind development under the Trump administration has persisted. And since any project on the Great Lakes would still need federal permits and reviews under the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act, among others, wind developers have largely backed off their plans. That told us that this was not the time to reintroduce floating offshore wind in Illinois, said Jim Lanard, co-founder of Magellan Wind, an offshore wind developer focused on the Great Lakes. Rather, we needed to face the existential threat to the industry. Lanard said the regulatory uncertainty means its a bad time for business. His company, which in the past has submitted comments to the Illinois power regulators related to the deployment of offshore wind on Lake Michigan, has temporarily paused pursuing work on the Great Lakes. Governors and legislatures are so focused on trying to figure out how to run their governments with the reduced support coming from Washington, D.C., Lanard said. Its not time for them to add additional burdens onto their staff, who dont know how theyre going to balance their budgets. Advertisement Advertisement Though Illinois jurisdiction over part of Lake Michigan presents some opportunities to work around Trump, Lanard said developers are not going to come to Illinois until there is a federal policy to protect the industry from whiplash elections. Moreover, Illinois and the other Great Lakes states have yet to establish a substantial legal framework to make local offshore wind farms a reality. Given these challenges, he estimated it will be some time before there are any wind farms on the Great Lakes. Im looking at five to seven years from 2029, Lanard said. For years, state Representative Marcus Evans Jr. has championed a plan to make Illinois shores home to the first offshore wind farm in the Great Lakes. The legislation, known as the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Pilot Program Act, was designed to direct state planners to solicit proposals for a new utility-scale offshore wind farm and begin purchasing offshore wind power. First introduced by Evans in 2022, the measure has long failed to pick up enough momentum to break out of the statehouse. In 2025, Illinois Senator Robert Peters refiled the bill, but it didnt receive a committee assignment. Evans said he decided against refiling the bill this year. I didnt have the support, said Evans, a South Side Chicago Democrat. I used my energy this year to focus on some other items, but its still something that I think is important, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Since the bill would require a localized industry to build, transport, and upkeep the turbines, Evans saw the push as a huge boon for the regions clean energy workforce one that the state of Illinois has long been trying to prop up. Illinois passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, which committed the state to investing $80 million annually to build out workforce training hubs focused on clean energy-related jobs. The same bill also put the state on track to transition its energy sector to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. Evans had hoped his initiative could help achieve both goals at once. He is still optimistic that Lake Michigan will be next. I will file [a bill] in the future, he said. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline The Great Lakes are ideal for wind energy. So where is it? on Mar 19, 2026. By Renee Maltezou and Yannis Souliotis ATHENS, March 18 (Reuters) - Greek shipowners and other companies are scanning their computer systems for evidence of cyberattacks after advice from the National Cybersecurity Authority, two sources said on Wednesday following incidents that have been linked to the Iran war. The authority last week sent an advisory, seen by Reuters, to security officers of shipping companies, banks and firms in the transport, telecommunications, health and energy sectors, a source at the authority said, adding that the move was pre-emptive. Advertisement Advertisement An Iranian-linked hacking group claimed responsibility on March 11 for a cyberattack on U.S.-based medical device and services provider Stryker, according to messages posted to the group's Telegram channel. Albania has also confirmed a cyberattack on the digital infrastructure of its parliament last week that local media said was by the Iran-linked, self-styled "Homeland Justice" group. Albanian authorities told Reuters that any attempt to compromise the country's critical infrastructure has been successfully repelled. GREEK ADVISORY URGES SCANS The Greek advisory, marked "high-priority", urged firms to perform the scans and inform security officers of a confirmed incident that affected a "large international organisation" abroad. It did not name it. Advertisement Advertisement It listed indicators of possible compromise, including IP addresses, tools and malware, such as the VShell Remote Access Trojan. Anyone finding evidence of attack should immediately review their systems and block those IPs, it said. Two separate sources said at least two shipping companies have received the warning. Electronic interference with commercial ship navigation systems has surged in recent days around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf. All the sources asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak to the media. The first two said Greece had yet to find evidence of a significant attack, although one of them said "some sort of activity" had been tracked. Advertisement Advertisement The Greek advisory said an investigation into the confirmed incident had pointed to an unidentified, sophisticated threat actor using two layers of infrastructure to scan activity, attempt unauthorised access, host malware or run command-and-control mechanisms and avoid being traced. The second source said that some of the IP addresses listed in the Greek advisory originated from Iran. In 2022, Albania cut diplomatic relations with Iran after a cyberattack against state institutions that it blamed on the Islamic Republic. On Tuesday, the Albanian parliament adopted a resolution declaring Iran a "sponsor of terrorism" and condemning cyberattacks carried out against Albanian institutions. Asked to comment on the latest attack, government spokesperson Manjola Hasa told Reuters the country has built one of the most advanced cyber defence systems in Europe and will keep strengthening its defences. (Additional reporting by Fatos Bytyci in Pristina; Editing by Barbara Lewis) A new 10-year plan aimed at guiding Greensboros future growth started at Tuesday nights City Council meeting, where leaders unanimously approved what theyre calling Vision 36. City leaders say the framework will shape how decisions are made on housing, jobs and long-term development. Vision 36 is not a new standalone initiative. Instead, it connects several major plans already in place, including the GSO 2040 comprehensive plan, the earlier GSO 2035 vision, the Road to 10,000 housing initiative and downtown development efforts. Advertisement Advertisement In simple terms, the plan acts as an umbrella, helping the city prioritize projects, direct investments and better coordinate work across departments. It allows us to bring together work already underway our 2040 plan our Road to 10,000 all under a single strategic direction, City Manager Nathaniel Trey Davis said. Leaders say that coordination matters because many of those efforts have focused on similar issues but operated separately. Vision 36 is meant to bring them into alignment so housing, economic development and infrastructure decisions support the same goals. Housing is a central part of that strategy. Davis said the city is identifying needs through efforts like the Road to 10,000, including expanding affordable, workforce and student housing. Advertisement Advertisement Another key focus is retaining college students after they graduate. Greensboro is home to seven colleges and universities, with tens of thousands of students in the area at any given time. We want to make sure that were maximizing the job opportunities in our market and making sure that were retaining the talent thats coming from our colleges and universities, Davis said. He said that effort is tied to the citys growth potential, noting that North Carolina A&T and UNC Greensboro are approaching R1 status, a top research designation that could bring more jobs and opportunities to the area. City leaders say keeping those graduates in Greensboro depends on more than job opportunities. It also requires the right mix of housing, business support and economic opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement The framework has been in development for about a year and grew out of a two-day City Council retreat, along with input from community members, business leaders and higher education partners. Davis said the City Council sets the vision while the city managers office and departments are responsible for carrying it out. While Vision 36 outlines priorities, it does not include specific projects or timelines right now. Instead, it is meant to guide how decisions are made moving forward, including where housing is built, how investments are made and how growth is managed. Davis said one of the first things people may notice is more intentional decision-making, from how the city plans to where housing is built and how investments are made. Looking ahead, Davis said he hopes Greensboro will stand out by 2036 for job growth, stronger transportation systems and more opportunities that keep people in the city. The rape trial of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son Marius Borg Hiby is expected to end on schedule on Thursday with the defence's closing statement. The trial, which began in early February, has shocked Norway and drawn global media attention. Hiby has been charged with four counts of rape. The 29-year-old filmed the alleged offences, and photos and video recordings on his mobile phones have played an important role in the trial. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the public prosecutor's office demanded seven years and seven months in prison for the defendant. Prosecutor Sturla Henriksb called for Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son to be convicted on 39 of the 40 charges. Hiby should be acquitted of one charge of contravening a no-contact order, he said. In this case, Hiby apparently inadvertently called his ex-girlfriend despite a ban. The accused is said to have had consensual sex with three of the women for a longer period of time before the alleged offences, which the public prosecutor said should have a mitigating effect on the sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Hiby has denied the sexual offence charges but admitted some of the other allegations he faces. His defence lawyer will make a final statement to the court on Thursday. The judgment is expected at a later date. Hiby is Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship and the step-son of Crown Prince Haakon, who is heir to the throne. While part of the extended royal family, Hiby holds no title and is not an official member of the Norwegian royal household. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Heres what youll learn when you read this story: By studying population trends and forecasting models, researchers have come to believe that nearly 15,000 U.S. cities will face noticeable depopulation by 2100. Populated areas of the cities in question could experience a decline of up to 44 percent. Projections call for the biggest drops in city populations to occur in the Northeast and Midwest. Advertisement Advertisement No city in the Northeast or Midwest is safe from a trend toward depopulation. And just because states such as Texas and Utah experience growth now, doesnt mean it will last. At least, not according to research. Major depopulation is coming for the United Statesand its coming fast. A study published in Nature Cities forecasts the behavior of U.S. populations by investigating a variety of trends, data, and models. The results paint a rough picture of the future for cities across the country. We found that, by 2100, close to half of the nearly 30,000 cities in the United States will face some sort of population decline, representing 12-23 percent of the population of these 30,000 cities and 27-44 percent of the populated area, the authors wrote. The implications of this massive decline in population will bring unprecedented challenges. The project started as an analysis commissioned by the Illinois Department of Transportation to analyze coming transportation challenges within the state due to population changes, but the data led the studys authors to expand the research across the country. Looking at more than just the nations largest cities creates a robust picture of the scale of change ushered in by depopulation. Advertisement Advertisement By extracting data from both the U.S. Census for the past 20 years and the annual American Community Survey, and pairing it with a mixture of climate forecasts known as Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, the researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago show that 2100 could look plenty different for U.S. cities. The depopulation wont be everywhere, however. And it may be tricky to predict. The study estimates that the largest losses will come from the Northeast and Midwest as people move to the South and West. That doesnt mean there wont be some growth, though, in the areas anticipating depopulation, or that every city in the growth zones will prosper. Cities such as Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburghand even currently growing cities like Louisville, Syracuse, and New Havenmay all experience population collapse. Vermont and West Virginia are most at risk, with the potential for 80 percent of cities in those states to shrink. Illinois, Mississippi, Kansas, New Hampshire, and Michigan arent far behind, with up to 75 percent of cities in jeopardy of dropping population. The losses may not always be inter-state. The papers authors believe that California, for example, will see population loss along the southern coast as people flock to the northern coast. They also expect that the population growth currently being enjoyed by Texas and Utah will reverse. Advertisement Advertisement The projections suggest that, by 2100, all states will have cities facing some type of depopulation, except the District of Columbia and Hawaii, the authors wrote. When nearly a quarter of an entire city vacates, leaving behind swaths of unused area, it can disrupt basic serviceseverything from the power grid to water pressure to transit services. Resource distribution challenges will persist unless a paradigm shift happens away from growth-based planning alone, the authors wrote. And pairing depopulation with aging infrastructure creates an entirely new set of social, economic, and policy challenges. Having an estimation of future population trends can assist authorities in better planning and designing cities and their infrastructure systems for depopulation, the authors wrote. This isnt just about the major metropolitan areas, which have been the sole focus of past studies. Instead, this survey looked at population centers irrespective of their size. And the news for smaller cities isnt pretty. In fact, depopulation may pose even more challenges in these areas, which have more limited financial, human, and natural resource wells from which to draw. Advertisement Advertisement Typically, depopulation occurs as working-age residents move elsewhere to take new jobs, leaving the cities they vacated with an older population. That can exacerbate economic and city service challenges. Depopulation could also have other ramifications, such as the closing of stores in certain areas that can lead to food deserts. Transportation systems may have to adapt to help vulnerable residents reach needed services. It is imperative to consider how depopulation will impact all infrastructure systems, the authors wrote. Moreover, with infrastructure deserts already existing, the challenges to mee the basic needs of residents will be amplified. The study authors hope decision makers adapt now. What is certain is that an important cultural shift in planning and engineering communities is needed, they wrote, away from conventional growth-based planning to accommodate a dramatic demographic shift. You Might Also Like WASHINGTON If you want to understand what might happen nationwide if President Donald Trump's SAVE America Act goes into effect, ask lawyer Lauren Bonds, who fought and defeated a similar statewide law in Kansas nearly a decade ago. Bonds was part of a legal team that sued Kansas and its secretary of state, Kris Kobach, after they implemented a voter registration law that required proof of citizenship to register to vote, as Trump's proposal would. A federal judge ruled that the state law was unconstitutional and violated federal election laws designed to protect people from being disenfranchised, or unfairly denied the ability to vote. Advertisement Advertisement By then, though, the damage had been done. At least 31,000 people were barred from registering to vote, according to the judges findings, including in a key statewide election in 2014 in which incumbent Republican Gov. Sam Brownback narrowly defeated Democrat Paul Davis. Trumps second term saw aggressive immigration and trade moves, federal downsizing, and assertive foreign interventions in Venezuela and Iran. President Donald Trump has doubled down on an aggressive immigration agenda, emphasizing record-low levels of illegal border crossings and a sweeping expansion of enforcement. In his February 2026 State of the Union address, Trump highlighted a ninemonth period in which, he claimed, zero illegal aliens were admitted into the U.S.a statement that fact-checkers noted conflated admission with release on parole, though data does show no parole releases during that period. The administration has also promoted major enforcement gains: significant declines in illegal crossings, a dramatic reduction in interior releases, expanded deportation operations, and tightened border controls, according to a February 2026 White House summary of its immigration actions. More broadly, the administration continues implementing executive actions that restrict entry at the southern border and increase immigration enforcement nationwide, including policies tied to TrumpOs 2025 proclamation invoking federal authority to suspend certain entries. [whitehouse.gov] President Donald Trump has intensified his tariffdriven economic strategy in his second term, expanding duties across global partners while positioning tariffs as a central tool to bolster U.S. industry. Despite broad tariff hikes, the U.S. trade deficit surged in late 2025, reaching a record goods shortfall even as the administration sought to curb imports and revive domestic manufacturinga goal undercut by a decline in factory employment during the same period. President Donald Trump has undertaken an unprecedented downsizing and restructuring of the federal government during his second term, marked by aggressive workforce reductions, major agency overhauls, and expanded executive authority over civil service rules. Federal workforce cuts accelerated sharply in 2025, with estimates showing reductions ranging from 220,000 to more than 300,000 employees through voluntary departure incentives, pressure campaigns, buyouts, and targeted firingsNresulting in the smallest federal workforce share recorded since the 1930s. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created at the start of President Trumps second term to drive sweeping federal workforce reductions. DOGE spearheaded mass buyouts, layoffs, and restructuring across agencies, including the rollout of the Deferred Resignation Program and guidance encouraging the firing of probationary employees. Its initiatives contributed to a net loss of more than 150,000 federal workers early in Trumps second term, with broader governmentwide workforce reductions continuing into 2026. Elon Musk was appointed to lead DOGE and initially served as the public face of Trumps governmentshrinkage agenda. However, his influence declined significantly after he stepped away from the department and entered a public feud with President Trump. Many DOGE staffers left government during this period, and DOGE became associated with controversial actions including the dismantling of USAID and alleged improper access to agency data. Musk originally claimed DOGE would identify $2 trillion in government savings, but the departments website later estimated only $215 billion, a figure analysts say was overstated. President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, signed July 4, 2025, reshaped federal tax law by extending lower individual tax rates from the 2017 TCJA, increasing standard deductions, and adding new temporary deductions for tips and overtime. The law also phases out cleanenergy incentives and cuts programs like Medicaid and SNAP, with the Congressional Budget Office projecting a $4.1 trillion increase in deficits over 10 years due to the package. President Trump has aligned many social policies with the goals of Project 2025, targeting reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, DEI programs, and genderaffirming care. His administration has signed executive orders eliminating transgender protections, removing DEI offices across federal agencies, and directing schools to deny funding if they allow transgender girls to compete in girls sports. He has also pursued efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and restrict reproductivehealth accessthough not all proposed measures have succeeded. Trump has moved aggressively to remake federal cultural institutions, ordering the removal of what he calls antiAmerican ideology from museums, national parks, and research centers. Actions include restoring Confederate statues, removing slaveryrelated exhibits and NativeAmerican history signage from national parks, and pressuring institutions like the Smithsonian and Kennedy Center while installing political allies onto boards. Civilrights groups warn these moves risk erasing critical historical truths and reversing decades of social progress During his second term, President Donald Trump has systematically dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government. Executive orders have eliminated DEI offices and policies, with agencies placing all DEIrelated staff on administrative leave and shutting down DEI programs entirely. His administration also removed DEI departments at major cultural institutions such as the Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art in early 2025. Trump has framed DEI initiatives as antiAmerican ideology, directing agencies and cultural institutions to strip references to DEI, sexual orientation and gender identity from rules, grants, and regulations. These moves reflect a broader cultural agenda aimed at reversing equityfocused policies across education, federal agencies, and the arts sector. On January 3, 2026, President Donald Trump ordered a largescale U.S. military operation in VenezuelaOperation Absolute Resolveresulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. U.S. forces conducted coordinated strikes across northern Venezuela to suppress air defenses before extracting the pair, who were flown to New York to face narcoterrorismrelated charges. The Trump administration framed the action as a lawenforcement mission with military support, asserting inherent presidential authority, while Venezuela and several regional governments condemned it as a violation of sovereignty. In late February and early March 2026, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had begun major combat operations in Iran, launching strikes alongside Israel targeting Iranian leadership, military infrastructure, and missile capabilities. The joint assault targeted highlevel officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, and was framed by Trump as necessary to eliminate imminent threats and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump second term marked by turbulent moves. See photos 1 of 14 Trumps second term saw aggressive immigration and trade moves, federal downsizing, and assertive foreign interventions in Venezuela and Iran. President Donald Trump has doubled down on an aggressive immigration agenda, emphasizing record-low levels of illegal border crossings and a sweeping expansion of enforcement. In his February 2026 State of the Union address, Trump highlighted a ninemonth period in which, he claimed, zero illegal aliens were admitted into the U.S.a statement that fact-checkers noted conflated admission with release on parole, though data does show no parole releases during that period. Trump said his bill the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act is so essential to election security that he will stop signing bills until the Senate follows the House's lead and passes it. The GOP's push to do so this week has faced stiff opposition from Democrats. And while Republicans, who hold a majority in both houses of Congress, generally support the measure, many are unwilling to eliminate the Senate's filibuster and its de facto supermajority requirement to pass it, as Trump demands. Bonds and other voting rights advocates said that if Republicans manage to pass the SAVE America Act, or SAVE Act for short, it could disenfranchise vast numbers of eligible voters. Advertisement Advertisement "It was tens of thousands of people in Kansas," Bonds, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas at the time, told USA TODAY. "Obviously, if you multiply that nationally, it could really deprive a bunch of people who are undoubtedly lawfully authorized to vote from being able to cast their ballot." What to know: You'll need these documents to vote if the SAVE Act passes Max Flugrath, spokesman for Fair Fight Action, a voting rights advocacy organization, said 12% of people who tried to register in Kansas were prevented from doing so before the law was struck down in 2018. "Kansas already showed us what proof of citizenship laws do block eligible voters, not noncitizens," Flugrath told USA TODAY. "The SAVE Act could scale that nationally, meaning 21 million Americans without easy access to the newly required documents and 37 million who registered through systems it would dismantle could be blocked from voting." Advertisement Advertisement Heres what happened in Kansas, and what it means for the current fight over the SAVE Act. 'The roof is failing' Kobach, a Republican, introduced the Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) Act at a news conference in January 2011, claiming it was needed to prevent fraud, especially to stop noncitizens from registering and voting. When deliberating, Kansas lawmakers cited unfounded rumors of undocumented immigrants at meatpacking factories in the southwest part of the state trying to vote, Bonds said. As presented, the law seemed fair and logical in focusing on preventing noncitizens from voting. As such, Bonds said, it enjoyed bipartisan support, including from some key Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement The Kansas Legislature passed the bill in March 2011, requiring photo ID requirements for in-person voting and new security measures for advance mail-in ballots. The next month, then-Gov. Sam Brownback signed it into law. On Jan. 1, 2013, the laws proof of citizenship requirement for voter registration took effect, with voters needing to produce a passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers. It made Kansas the only state in the nation, besides Arizona, with such a strict requirement, Bonds said. Six months later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Arizona could not require proof of citizenship for people who registered using the national mail voter registration form, created by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. That ruling, with national implications, conflicted with some aspects of the Kansas law. In February 2016, the American Civil Liberties Union sued Kobach and the state on behalf of plaintiffs and the Kansas League of Women Voters. In doing so, the state and national ACLU took pains not to make the issue political and decided not to focus on whether it intended to help Republicans gain an edge over Democrats. Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff See 19 potential Democratic presidential candidates for the 2028 election 1 of 2 Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Instead, Bonds said, they argued that "it was a bad law. And that it was a bad law that was implemented badly" by state officials who created chaos and confusion for people trying to register. Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY reached out to Kobach, now the state's attorney general, and the Kansas Secretary of State's office for comment but did not receive an immediate response. In his opening statement at trial in March 2018, Kobach said that before the SAFE Act, the state had no way of knowing how many noncitizens were voting because the old method required people only to check boxes stating they were U.S. citizens and Kansas residents. "Just having someone sign something is nothing," Kobach said, according to a Courthouse News report from the trial. "Its inadequate." Kobach used the metaphor of a leaky roof on a house to argue that the voter registration system was broken if even a relatively small number of noncitizens were able to register. Advertisement Advertisement "If hundreds of drops are coming through," Kobach said, "we would say the roof is failing." 'Weren't able to get the documents they needed' Two sets of plaintiffs ultimately sued, including Steven Wayne Fish and others who said they tried to register to vote when applying for a driver's license but were denied for failing to submit proof of citizenship by state officials who said the new state law required it. Another case, led by plaintiff Parker Bednasek, challenged the Kansas law on broader constitutional grounds. As a lead lawyer from the state ACLU, Bonds helped coordinate the legal battle in tandem with attorneys from the national and state ACLU and other voting rights groups. The two lawsuits were consolidated and ultimately claimed that more than 31,000 voter registrations were blocked or suspended for failure to provide proof of citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Many of those would-be voters tried to register through routine channels, like when getting their drivers licenses. They were placed into a suspended status when they didnt submit additional documents. An unknown number of people were given bad information by state employees, especially at Division of Motor Vehicles offices. Others simply gave up on the process, the lawsuit claimed, because they couldnt get the required documents in time. "One of the problems of this case was that the law was implemented shortly before an election," Bonds said. "So a lot of people, even if they were on top of things, were in a position where they weren't able to get the documents they needed to fix their ballots" once they discovered they had not met the new registration requirements. Elections 2026: Stratton survives battle. New faces emerge. Illinois primary takeaways A lost birth certificate, a policy disagreement Fish, who worked the overnight shift at an American Eagle distributor, applied to register to vote in August 2014 while renewing his Kansas drivers license. Advertisement Advertisement According to his lawsuit, the drivers license examiner didn't inform Fish that he needed a citizenship document to register to vote. Fish left the office believing he had registered. When he later discovered he wasn't eligible, Fish tried to obtain a replacement birth certificate "but could not determine how to do so he was born on a decommissioned Air Force base in Illinois," the suit said. So Fish scrambled to find his original birth certificate. The process took two years and deprived him of the chance to vote in the 2014 general election, he said. In May 2016, Fish's sister located a copy of his birth certificate that his mother had placed in a family safe before she died in 2013, the suit said. He registered and voted in the 2016 election. Advertisement Advertisement Others included in Fish's lawsuit cited similar experiences, including Kansas Department of Corrections employee Donna Bucci and English professor Thomas Boynton. Hotel manager Tad Stricker, one of the plaintiffs in an ACLU suit against Kansas' voter ID law, talks about his problems registering to vote in the state. Bednasek, the lead plaintiff in the other lawsuit, moved from Texas to Kansas in August 2014 to attend the University of Kansas and became a volunteer with the Kansas Democratic Party. After discussing the new law with party colleagues, Bednasek canceled his Texas voter registration and tried to register in Douglas County, his suit said. When told he needed proof of citizenship, he said he didnt have it and that he did not agree with the law requiring it. His voter registration application was canceled on March 4, 2016, and Bednasek filed suit in response. More disenfranchisement caused than fraud prevented During the legal battle, the plaintiffs presented evidence of disenfranchisement. Kobach personally defended the case at trial, arguing that the SAFE law did not have a material impact on voter registration. One witness called by the state was Steven Camarota, who was at the time the director of Research at the Center for Immigration Studies. Camarota, described as an expert "in the fields of demography, census data, voter registration statistics, and voter participation statistics," testified that there was actually an increase in registration and turnout from October 2010 to October 2014 and that therefore the law "did not unduly burden Kansans ability to register and vote," according to court documents from the case. The plaintiffs responded that his testimony had no bearing on the fact that tens of thousands of Kansans were unfairly disenfranchised. Despite Kobach's claims of widespread fraud, Kansas presented evidence of only 39 noncitizens who had registered to vote over two decades. In 2016, federal courts blocked the state from enforcing the proof of citizenship requirement for voters registering at motor vehicle offices. On June 18, 2018, U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson issued a 118-page ruling holding that the Kansas law imposed an undue burden on eligible voters and violated the National Voter Registration Act. It also violated the Constitution, Robinson ruled, by infringing on the right to vote under the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. In her ruling, Robinson said the law championed by Kobach disenfranchised "tens of thousands of eligible citizens" by preventing them from registering to vote before she issued a preliminary injunction. And she held that the registration process was especially "burdensome" for "first-time voters, the elderly, and individuals with limited resources and time." Dale Ho, director of the ACLUs Voting Rights Project, called it a "stinging rebuke" of Kobach and his "show-me-your-papers law." "That law was based on a xenophobic lie that noncitizens are engaged in rampant election fraud," Ho, who is now a federal judge, said in a statement. "The court found that there is 'no credible evidence' for that falsehood, and correctly ruled that Kobachs documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement violates federal law and the U.S. Constitution." Kansas fought the ruling, but a federal appeals court upheld it. In 2020, the Supreme Court declined to hear its appeal. Robinson had held Kobach in contempt of court for skirting court orders related to the law and failing to send postcards confirming registration for thousands of voters. In striking down the law, she ordered him to take six additional hours of continuing legal education. Finally, on Sept. 10, 2021, the state agreed to pay $1.9 million in plaintiff legal fees. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is pictured delivering remarks during a March for Life event on Jan. 28, 2026. Kobach still alleged voter fraud through noncitizen voting Since the legal battle began, Kobach unsuccessfully ran for Kansas governor and U.S. senator. He has become one of Trumps most vocal supporters in fighting for voting laws aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting. In November 2016, Kobach met with Trump soon after his victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton and backed up Trump's baseless claims that he would have won the popular vote instead of losing by nearly 3 million votes if illegal votes were discounted. "I think the president-elect is absolutely correct when he says the number of illegal votes cast exceeds the popular vote margin between him and Hillary Clinton at this point," Kobach said, citing the same widely disputed study he used to defend the Kansas SAFE Act in court. In May 2017, Trump via an executive order appointed Kobach as vice chair of a controversial voter fraud commission charged with studying "the registration and voting processes used in federal elections" and identifying "vulnerabilities in voting systems" that could lead to voter fraud. 'He's risking losing Texas': Will President Trump avoid 'MAGA dud' problem with 2026 primary picks? "We've had substantial numbers of noncitizens getting on our voter rolls," Kobach told The New York Times that month. "If other states are experiencing the same problem, then I think it would be appropriate for them to consider what Kansas has done." Trump established the commission, formally known as the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, amid his repeated assertions that millions of people voted illegally in the 2016 election. On Jan. 3, 2018, Trump issued another executive order dissolving the commission before it could issue a final report, reportedly because it found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kansas tried a version of Trump's SAVE Act. Chaos and lawsuits ensued (Refiles to replace the word "the" with "some" in paragraph 11) By Anne Kauranen HELSINKI, March 19 (Reuters) - Heavy social media usage appears to contribute to a drop in wellbeing among young people, especially girls, in some English-speaking countries, the World Happiness Report published on Thursday found. Already, a number of countries across the world are working on plans to curb children's social media access after Australia in December became the world's first country to ban social media for children under 16. Advertisement Advertisement The latest research published in the annual World Happiness Report is based on data from U.S. market research company Gallup and other studies, analysed by a global team led by the University of Oxford in England. REAL SOCIAL CONNECTIONS MATTER The report did not establish a direct link. However, researchers for this year's version of the report, combined the Gallup data with that from the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment and other studies, leading them to conclude heavy social media use appeared to reduce happiness. "The message coming through loud and clear is that we should try to put the social back into social media," Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford Jan-Emmanuel de Neve, one of the editors of the World Happiness Report, told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement De Neve added that algorithmically-pushed, passively-consumed and mostly influencer-type content had a more negative impact on users than a platform that connects people socially. With the caveat that the impact of social media on wellbeing was complex, he said the combined data showed that 15-year-old girls, who used social media platforms for more than five hours a day, reported lower life satisfaction compared to girls of their age who use social media less. Gallup's world-wide poll data showed life evaluations, or how people assess their life satisfaction, among under 25-year-olds in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have dropped "dramatically", by almost one point on a 0-10 scale, over the last decade. By contrast, it found the self-reported life satisfaction of the young in the rest of the world increased on average over the same period. Advertisement Advertisement Gallup's managing editor Julie Ray said the difference in life satisfaction between the young in some English-speaking countries and the rest of the world was likely related to broader social conditions. "Social support is one of the strongest predictors of wellbeing, and previous research shows that in some countries younger people report feeling less supported, which may help explain the pattern," she told Reuters by email. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki and Ilze Filks in Stockholm; editing by Barbara Lewis) Shigeaki Mori, an atomic bomb survivor who spent decades researching the forgotten American prisoners of war killed in the Hiroshima attack, has died at age 88. The historian died on March 14 at a Hiroshima hospital, according to Japanese media reports. Mori was just eight years old when the B-29 carrying the earth shattering Little Boy bomb dropped on the city. Less than a mile and a half from the center of the blast, Mori was thrown into a nearby stream that protected him from the firestorm that followed. Advertisement Advertisement I found myself inside the mushroom cloud, Mori would later write. It was so dark that when I held my hands up about 10 centimeters in front of my face, I couldnt see them. In the ensuing days, Mori scavenged for food and water but only found piles of charred bodies instead. When he did find water, it was poisoned with radiation. Unknowingly, Mori drank it anyway. As a young man, Mori worked at a brokerage house and, later, at a piano manufacturer. But Id always wanted to be a historian, he told The New York Times in 2016. And so the budding historian began spending his weekends researching the aftermath of the Aug. 6, 1945, bombing. Mori conducted his own interviews with survivors, double-checking official histories with contemporary newspaper reports. Advertisement Advertisement There were so many mistakes in the histories, he told the Times. One interview with a local university professor, however, set Mori on a decades-long quest. The professor had found a list of names in a government archive and, not sure what to do with them, handed them off to Mori. The list contained the names of 12 American airmen who had been shot down over the area on July 28, 1945. They had been killed alongside the Japanese when their fellow Americans had dropped the bomb. Their deaths had gone unrecognized, with both governments keeping quiet about their presence in the city. When I first learned of the American victims, I realized that none of them had been officially recognized as a victim of the atomic bomb. It was shocking to me, Mori told Stars and Stripes in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement It took him three years before he found anyone connected to the Americans. Eventually, in the 1970s, declassified American documents backed up his findings. His subsequent book, A Secret History of U.S. Servicemembers Who Died in Atomic Bomb, detailed the fate of the airmen. Mori worked tirelessly to bring the death of the Americans to light building a memorial for them at his own expense and advocating for their inclusion at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The name of the first airman was added to the peace memorial in 2004; the additional 11 were added in 2009. In 2016, Mori was recognized by former President Barack Obama, who was the first sitting president to visit Hiroshima. The pairs subsequent embrace at the memorial grounds gained international attention. My ultimate hope is to send out a message that war deprives people of everything, Mori told Stars and Stripes in 2008. We should never repeat the mistake. A home was severely damaged in a blaze in Upper Tulpehocken Township Wednesday evening. Active flames were reported at the single-story home in the 400 block of Bloody Spring Road at 4:54 p.m. Crews arriving at the scene reported that the home was engulfed in fire. Videos posted to social media show firefighters battling large flames while heavy smoke poured from the interior of the structure. Crews opened up parts of the building and used fans to ventilate the structure. The fire was reported knocked down about 5:53 p.m., with crews dealing with a few remaining hot spots. German exporters believe they can benefit from rising demand for white wine amid challenges in key export markets. In 2025, export volumes increased 1% year-on-year to 1.2 million hectolitres but revenue fell 2% to 377m ($434.1m), according to figures from the German Wine Institute (DWI). In a statement, the DWI said Germany's wine exports were substantially impacted by a significant drop in shipments to the United States, traditionally the country's top export market. Exports to the US fell 11% last year to 118,000 hectolitres, which the DWI linked to the country's "punitive tariffs". German exporters lowered selling prices, with the average ex-cellar price down 0.41 to 4.43 per litre. As a result, export value to the US dropped 19% to 51m. Nevertheless, German Wine Institute marketing director Steffen Schindler sought to emphasise an opportunity for the country's exporters. We are currently benefiting from the global trend toward increased consumption of white and lighter wines. With two-thirds of vineyard area planted with white varieties, German producers are well positioned," he said. Producers are also increasingly active in export markets to compensate for declining sales in the domestic market. With the US market more volatile, German wine exporters are looking to build their presence in other markets. Scandinavia, Poland and China in particular "developed positively" in 2025, according to the DWI. The combined shipments to Norway, Sweden and Finland totalled 211,000 hectolitres and were valued at 71m, placing the Scandinavian markets well ahead of the US in both volume and value. Shipments to Norway, Germanys second-largest export market, rose 4% volume with value sales "stable". Sweden also showed gains despite a 4% decline in national wine consumption, the DWI said. Germany's exports to Sweden rose 32% in volume and 44% in value. In China, imports of German wine rose to a record 50,000 hectolitres, bucking broader consumption declines, the institute added. US tariffs also dented Italy's wine exports, according to figures released last week. Italy's wine export sales reached 7.78bn last year, down 3.7% from 2024, according to findings from the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) Observatory, using data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT). Volumes slipped 1.9% to 21 million hectolitres. Italian wine exports to the US shrank 9.2% in value terms to 1.76bn, losing 178m and driving nearly 60% of the overall deficit, according to the UIVs analysis. In his opening statement to the House Oversight Committee, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime attorney Darren Indyke claimed that he had "no knowledge whatsoever" of the late financier's crimes and categorically denied facilitating the sex trafficking of women. "I'm left trying to explain what many people who knew Jeffrey Epstein have noted after his death: he led two entirely separate lives, his professional one and the other, a private, personal one that caused many others to suffer," Indyke said on Thursday, according to his prepared remarks obtained by ABC News. "That I did not know what my client did in his private life may be difficult for some to believe, but it is true." Indyke addressed some of the allegations levied against him in civil lawsuits filed after Epsteins death, including that he withdrew hundreds of thousands in cash for Epstein and coordinated sham marriages to keep victims in the United States. Jose Luis Magana/AP - PHOTO: Darren K. Indyke, Jeffrey Epstein's former lawyer, arrives for his deposition before the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill, March 19, 2026, in Washington. According to Indyke, he never tried to "structure" cash withdrawals to avoid triggering an alert to the Treasury Department. He seemingly acknowledged that he did withdraw thousands for Epstein, arguing that the sex offender required large amounts of cash because he had trouble obtaining credit cards from major banks. Advertisement Advertisement "For a person in Mr. Epstein's financial position with five multimillion-dollar residences staffed by dozens of employees and with an extensive travel itinerary it did not strike me as unusual that Mr. Epstein's business, household and personal needs required large amounts of cash on a regular basis," he said. "I never believed that cash that I withdrew for Mr. Epstein and his staff was used by Mr. Epstein or his staff for any improper purposes." Indyke also said he never did "arrange, assist or facilitate any marriages between acquaintances of Mr. Epstein." Multiple now-settled lawsuits alleged that he assisted with at least three marriages to keep Epstein's victims in the United States. "I did not consider it appropriate to interrogate anyone as to the reasons for their decisions to marry or the bona fides of their relationships," Indyke said in his remarks. Indyke claimed that he would have quit working for Epstein had he known about his abuse and trafficking of women and girls. According to Indyke, Epstein vowed to never commit another crime after his 2008 guilty plea. Advertisement Advertisement "After he pled guilty in 2008 to procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution, Mr. Epstein appeared to me to be devastated and extremely contrite," Indyke said. "He was adamant that he had no idea anyone involved was underage, and personally assured me he would never again let himself be in that position. I believed him, and I made the mistake of believing Mr. Epstein that he would not again commit a crime. I deeply regret doing so. Most importantly, I feel horrible for those women whom Mr. Epstein abused." Epstein's longtime accountant testifies on his wealth and business ties Indyke served as Epstein's longtime attorney since the mid-1990s. As Epstein for years attempted to avoid scrutiny while orchestrating a notorious sex trafficking operation, Indyke -- together with accountant Richard Kahn -- allegedly helped him navigate legal issues and formed part of the financier's inner circle. Indyke allegedly helped facilitate at least three sham marriages between Epstein's victims and withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash for Epstein, according to one lawsuit, and attested to Epstein's character when he faced legal scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement "Knowing that they would earn millions of dollars in exchange for facilitating Epstein's sex abuse and trafficking, Indyke and Kahn chose money and power over following the law," alleged one lawsuit that Indyke and Kahn agreed to settle with no admission of wrongdoing. U.S. Justice Department - PHOTO: Jeffrey Epstein is seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, December 19, 2025 Neither man has been charged with any crimes. They both deny any wrongdoing and say they were unaware of Epstein's crimes while working for him. The deposition Thursday comes as the House Oversight Committee attempts to zero in on members of Epstein's inner circle to better understand how the disgraced financier was able to commit decades of crime with seeming impunity. Victims to settle case against Epstein's longtime attorney, accountant: Documents Advertisement Advertisement Following higher profile depositions of people like billionaire Leslie Wexner as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton, the questioning of both Indyke and Kahn arguably presents the committee with their strongest opportunity to learn more about Epstein's life and crimes. "I was not aware of the nature or extent of Epstein's abuse of so many women until after Epstein's death," Kahn told lawmakers last week, according to his prepared remarks. "However, it pains me to think, and I deeply regret, that I may have unknowingly assisted Epstein in any way." Executor of Epstein's Trust In a will signed two days before he was found dead in a Manhattan jail cell, Epstein named Kahn and Indyke as the co-executors of his estate and bequeathed them $25 million and $50 million, respectively. At the time of his death, Epstein's estate was valued as much as $650 million. It was last valued at approximately $127 million, according to an October 2025 court filing, after paying out multiple settlements to Epstein's victims. As co-executors of Epstein's estate, Indyke and Kahn recently agreed to settle a proposed class-action lawsuit brought by Epstein's victims that accused them of "facilitation, participation, and concealment of Epstein's illegal conduct" for their own financial gain. Jose Luis Magana/AP - PHOTO: Richard Kahn Head of Londons Metropolitan Police pushes for unredacted Epstein files Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, both men helped "structure Epstein's bank accounts and cash withdrawals to give Epstein and his associates access to large amounts of cash in furtherance of sex trafficking." "The Epstein Enterprise would not have existed for the duration it did and at its scope and scale, without the collaboration and support of others. No one, except perhaps Ghislaine Maxwell, was as essential and central to Epstein's operation as these Defendants," the lawsuit alleged. The settlement did not include an admission of wrongdoing and still needs to be approved by a judge. Though the lawsuit was brought against them personally, the $25-35 million settlement would be paid by Epstein's estate, according to the settlement terms. "Neither Mr. Indyke nor Mr. Kahn socialized with Mr. Epstein, and both men reject as categorically false any suggestion that they knowingly facilitated or assisted Mr. Epstein in his sexual abuse or trafficking of women, or that they were aware of his actions while they provided professional services to him," an attorney for the men told ABC News in December. Advertisement Advertisement House Oversight Committee votes to subpoena Bondi over handling of Epstein investigation Allegedly arranged sham marriages In a lawsuit filed by government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Indyke and Kahn were alleged to have helped facilitate at least three sham marriages created to secure immigration status for some of Epstein's victims, further securing control of the women and ensuring they could remain in the United States. "The victims were coerced into participating in these arranged marriages, and understood that there would be consequences, including serious reputational and bodily harm, if they refused to enter a marriage or attempted to end it," the complaint alleged. According to a civil lawsuit filed in 2019 by an anonymous accuser, one woman alleged that Epstein's longtime attorney -- not explicitly named as Indyke in the lawsuit -- helped prepare the legal paperwork for the marriage, going as far as arranging photographs "to give the appearance that the marriage was legitimate." Advertisement Advertisement "When the victim inquired about getting divorced ... Indyke tried to talk her out of a divorce and threatened that she would lose Epstein's protection," a 2024 lawsuit alleged. House Oversight committee seeks interview with prison guard on duty when Epstein died Files released earlier this year by the Department of Justice appeared to reference some of the marriages allegedly arranged by Indyke and Kahn. "Good morning Jeffrey! We are going now to get marriage license," an unidentified individual wrote Epstein in 2013. "She is asking if it's possible to meet with you? Because she has some questions." Withdrawing thousands in cash Court filings as well as documents released by the Department of Justice suggested that both Indyke and Kahn played integral roles in managing Epstein's wealth and overseeing his regular expenses, including alleged payments to women. Advertisement Advertisement According to the Virgin Islands lawsuit -- which was settled by the Epstein estate with no admission of wrongdoing -- Indyke and Kahn allegedly arranged payments from Epstein's personal, corporate and nonprofits bank accounts to victims. That lawsuit alleged that Epstein -- together with Kahn and Indyke -- managed more than 140 different bank accounts. According to documents released by the DOJ, Indyke served as an officer for many of the holding and shell companies related to Epstein's real estate and financial holdings. A 2020 settlement between Deutsche Bank and the New York state financial regulator also suggested that an attorney for Epstein -- who sources told ABC News is Indyke -- methodically withdrew cash for Epstein in a manner they said intentionally avoided scrutiny. Hacker accessed FBI server that included Epstein files in 2023, files suggest Advertisement Advertisement Limiting the withdrawals to $7,500 in cash -- the maximum amount permitted and below the threshold to trigger concerns -- Indyke allegedly withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars for Epstein over four years. While the transactions were below the $10,000 limit to trigger an alert to the Treasury Department, a report by New York States Department of Financial Services faulted Deutsche Bank for ignoring red flags about Epsteins bank accounts. Jail visits and a character reference After securing a plea deal in Florida, Jeffrey Epstein was visited in jail frequently by Indyke, according to visitor logs maintained by the Palm Beach Sheriff. Indyke also helped secure a lenient work-release program for Epstein by vouching for his employment, allowing Epstein to leave the jail for up to 16 hours a day, ABC News reported in 2021. Prior to Epstein's plea deal, Indyke also attested to Epstein's character. According to a letter sent from defense lawyers to prosecutors in Florida, Indyke vouched for Epstein's character and claimed that Epstein provided financial and emotional support to his family. "Although Jeffrey was adamant that we owed him nothing, Jeffery honored us by agreeing to be the godfather of our children," the letter quoted Indyke. Houston's annual Cesar Chavez march was canceled as allegations of sexual abuse by a labor activist surfaced on Wednesday. In a statement to Eyewitness News, Art Eureste, co-coordinator of the 2026 Houston Cesar Chavez March, confirmed that the event was canceled. A New York Times article published on Wednesday reported that the late farmworker organizer, who became a national civil rights icon, allegedly abused women and minors. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to ABC News, Dolores Huerta, the labor activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chavez, said she was "manipulated and pressured into having sex" with him. SEE ALSO: 'I can no longer stay silent': Dolores Huerta alleges sexual assault by Cesar Chavez "I can no longer stay silent and must share my own experiences," Huerta said. The labor activist said she's now breaking her silence because the Times' reporting "indicated that I was not the only one; there were others." In a statement to ABC News, Chavez's family commented on the allegations: Advertisement Advertisement "Our family is devastated by today's New York Times article about our father Cesar Chavez. This is deeply painful for our family. We wish peace and healing to the survivors and commend their courage to come forward. As a family steeped in the values of equity and justice, we honor the voices of those who feel unheard and who report sexual abuse. We carry our own memories of the person we knew. Someone whose life included work and contributions that matter deeply to many people. We remain committed to farmworkers and the causes he and countless others championed and continue to champion. We ask for understanding and privacy as we continue to process this difficult information." Other parades across Texas, including San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi, have been canceled. Human remains found in Concrete this month have been identified as those of a woman who has been missing since February. On March 13, the Skagit County coroner confirmed that the remains belong to 37-year-old Krista Hunt. Hunt was reported missing on Feb. 1. In a GoFundMe from when she was reported missing, her mother wrote: Two weeks before she disappeared, the Skagit County Sheriffs Office brought Krista from Concrete to the Mount Vernon train station, where I picked her up. The next day, I took her to the hospitalshe was covered in bruises, both new and old, had been strangled, had two black eyes, and a broken leg. Doctors warned that if she was strangled again, she might not survive. KIRO 7 has reached out to the sheriffs office for more information on her mothers claims. Her cause and manner of death are under investigation. Nevada needs to get serious about AIs use in education. That might have been the main takeaway of a legislative Interim Education Committee meeting this week on the spread of artificial intelligence in Nevada schools. Lawmakers were encouraged to consider policies for the next legislative session that better protect youths data and privacy information, require AI training for educators and students alike, and ensure tools aid, but dont replace, human interaction. Advertisement Advertisement The recommendations presented were geared toward we are all for sure going to use this rather than examining the ethical concerns around if it should be used altogether, said Democratic Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch. AI has prompted countless concerns, from copyright infringement and plagiarism as the models scrape and paste from the internet to the environmental impacts of data center water and power usage. And policymakers must acknowledge and confront how AI can harm students learning process, La Rue Hatch said. Theres real concern about the cognitive decline that weve seen in students becoming overly reliant on AI, said La Rue Hatch, who is also a teacher. Where is the option of teachers saying I dont think this is appropriate to use in this case, or I dont feel ethically right using it? Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers on Tuesday heard from members of the Nevada Department of Education and the Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan think tank that released a report on AI in education in November. Our students will graduate into a workforce where AI is already common, Victor Wakefield, the state Superintendent for the Nevada Department of Education, told lawmakers Tuesday. Teachers are experimenting with AI. The question is not how AI will appear in classrooms but how we guide its responsible use. Moving too slowly could leave students unprepared for a rapidly changing workforce and world, while moving too fast could expose them to unintended harm, said Todd Butterworth, a senior research analyst with the Guinn Center. A recurring theme in our research was the tension between urgency and caution, the need to act swiftly, but without sacrificing deliberation and transparency and collaboration. The thought that kept occurring to me was, hurry up, but dont rush. Advertisement Advertisement A majority of states have sought to implement some guidance for the use of AI in education. The Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution released a report in January that indicated the potential risks to students overshadow the benefits, adding that it is not too late to set up guidelines for the use of AI in the classroom to ensure it is used as a tool to enrich learning. The Guinn Centers analysis found that while the use of AI in the classroom has tremendous potential, given how rapidly AI is spreading through work, education, and society, there is no reliable, long-term data about its effectiveness or a fundamental understanding of possible unintended consequences. The research showed educators in Nevada are using chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini to aid in administrative work, lesson plans and tutoring, Butterworth told lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement It can make instructors more effective, yet we dont know what its effect will be on the vital human interaction and relationships in the classroom, he said. It can make administrative functions much more efficient, but it may also eliminate jobs. La Rue Hatch questioned the prospect of teachers using AI to generate mandatory reports to school administrators, who turn around to use AI to summarize those reports. We just have computers reporting to computers, when we could just eliminate the report entirely, La Rue Hatch said. Last year, the Nevada Department of Education released guidelines called STELLAR, which aim to promote ethical and responsible use of AI tools in the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Potential guardrails discussed during the interim committee meeting include requiring contracted vendors to adhere to privacy and security provisions in contracts, and implementing better data collection on classroom AI use. AI investments are an opportunity to pursue equity, Butterworth said. If possible, make your AI and technology investments first in lower performing and under-resourced schools. Even as more schools use AI, Butterworth said there is an opportunity for teachers to educate students about fact-checking the content produced and developing media literacy around these tools. There is a lot of stuff thats on the internet thats created by AI that may be not completely true or may be completely false, Butterworth said. Hopefully we can learn to identify slop, and we can teach our kids to identify it. The Idaho House of Representatives on Wednesday took action to provide legislative oversight on a nearly $200 million federal grant meant to improve rural health care access. The money, part of the Rural Health Transformation program, came from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act approved by Congress in July, but the state hasnt had the ability to spend any of it because the Legislature hasnt provided the authority to do so yet. Rural hospital leaders have become increasingly concerned the money wont be awarded as subgrants in time, and the state would have to return the money, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. House Bill 916 would create a legislative committee to provide oversight on how to spend the $186 million awarded for the first year. Idaho is expected to receive a total of around $930 million over five years. Advertisement Advertisement Bill sponsor Rep. Jordan Redman, a Coeur dAlene Republican, told House members on the floor that it was the Legislatures job to decide how to spend the money, not the governors or agencies. If we dont have this committee, the executive branch will simply do our job for us, he said. State Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur dAlene, receives printed materials from an Idaho House of Representatives page on the House floor on March 16, 2026, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The bill received pushback from a handful of legislators who opposed the acceptance of federal money because of its contribution to the federal budget deficit. This was not something that the Idaho Legislature asked for, Twin Falls Republican Rep. David Leavitt said. It wasnt anything that any of us really debated on or even voiced in. Advertisement Advertisement He said the Legislature should be asking itself how to return the money, rather than how to spend it. Sandpoint Republican Rep. Mark Sauter spoke in favor of the bill, saying North Idaho has multiple rural hospitals that were struggling financially. He said people in his district already have to drive hours for health care. House members voted 52-15, with three people absent, to send the bill to the Senate. The Senate already has a bill, Senate Bill 1264, that would also create a legislative task force to oversee the grant. The bill has been retained on the Senate reading calendar, which postpones a debate and vote, since Feb. 23. Advertisement Advertisement The Senate bill has a requirement that a portion of the committee represent a rural district, but the House bill does not. The Legislature is nearing the expected end of the legislative session, targeted to be March 27 but it may run longer. The first years worth of grant funds must be awarded by Oct. 30, or Idaho may have to return the money to the federal government. The state budget writers on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee must also vote to provide the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare the authority to spend the federal money. The committee has not yet scheduled when that will happen, but co-Chair Rep. Josh Tanner, an Eagle Republican, previously told the Sun the budget writers were waiting to see what happened with the bills to create oversight before taking that action. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Idaho House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected a proposed budget increase to pay for the Idaho Secretary of States Office to produce an informational voters pamphlet, as required by law. Following a short debate, members of the Idaho House rejected House Bill 909 on a 27-43 vote. House Bill 909 is a fiscal year 2027 budget enhancement for the Idaho Secretary of States Office. The bill included $350,000 in one-time funding to pay for the voter pamphlet and a $20,000 transfer to pay for overtime for the post-election audit team in the Idaho Secretary of States Office, according to the fiscal note attached to the bill. State Rep. James Petzke, R-Meridian, speaks from the floor of the Idaho House of Representatives on March 16, 2026, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Idaho law requires the Idaho Secretary of State to print and mail an informational voters pamphlet to every household in the state in years when a constitutional amendment, ballot initiative or referendum is going to be voted on during a general election, such as the 2026 general election. Advertisement Advertisement They do not have any money in their budget to put out that voter pamphlet currently, even though they are required by law to do so, Rep. James Petzke, R-Meridian, said. If we did not fund this, they would potentially be in conflict with the law, because they are required for the law to put that out, Petzke added. Idaho secretary of state didnt participate in budget cuts for 2026, 2027, legislator says In 2023 and 2024, the Idaho House did not act on bills proposed by Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane that would have expanded on and replaced the existing voters pamphlet. The Idaho Senate passed the bills in both years, but neither bill advanced in the Idaho House. The voters pamphlet may have only been part of the issue this time. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Josh Tanner, a Republican from Eagle who serves as co-chair of the Idaho Legislatures Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, argued against approving the funding for the voters pamphlet Wednesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Tanner told legislators that McGrane was the only statewide elected constitutional officer who did not participate in the budget holdbacks in fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027. The problem I have is that (McGrane) was the one constitutional officer that did not take a cut, Tanner said. State Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, (left) speaks from the floor of the Idaho House of Representatives on March 16, 2026, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Petzke said the Idaho House did vote to reduce funding for the Idaho Secretary of States Office in a separate budget bill. Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 1331, the 2026 Idaho Rescissions Act, reduced funding for the Idaho Secretary of States Office by $850,000, which is the equivalent of 15% of the Idaho Secretary of States Offices base budget. In an email McGrane sent to legislators Wednesday, McGrane said the Idaho Secretary of States Office worked with the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to make changes to IT hosting contracts to achieve the savings. Tanner said the savings is coming through contract renegotiations, which Tanner said state agencies should be doing anyway. In a Jan. 30 letter to Tanner, McGrane wrote that his office did not participate in Gov. Brad Littles original 3% holdbacks because he determined the cuts would directly impair his offices core responsibilities for business filings and administering state elections. In 2026, all statewide elected officials and all 105 seats in the Idaho Legislature are up for election. Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately clear Wednesday what the rejection of funding means for the voters pamphlet. Legislators may attempt to pass a new proposal to secure the funding before the 2026 legislative session adjourns for the year. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Sen. Markwayne Mullins (R-Okla.) response to a question regarding previous statements he made about Renee Good during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday is alarming experts in American studies and civil rights. Mullin, President Donald Trumps pick to take over the Department of Homeland Security, was pressed by lawmakers for publicly smearing Good and Alex Pretti two Minneapolis residents who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in the immediate aftermath of their deaths in January. Life: 'Morally Bad': U.S. Answers About Fellow Americans Says Everything About Where We Are As A Nation When Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) asked Mullin whether he regretted calling Pretti a deranged individual that came in to cause max damage, Mullin conceded that he shouldnt have said that and that he made a mistake responding immediately without the facts. Advertisement Advertisement He declined, however, to offer an apology to Prettis family, saying that an investigation was ongoing. As it related to previous statements hes made about Good, Mullin declined to retract his past remarks about the 37-year-old mother altogether. When Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) asked him if he regretted saying he believed the shooting was absolutely justified days after Good was killed, Mullin repeated talking points similar to those hes used in the past, stating that he believed it was very clear that an officer had to make a split decision, in that case, where a car was running towards him and did strike him. Life: 'Whining Complaint': Experts Weigh In On Trump's Latest Late-Night Rant About The Supreme Court At that point, the car becomes a lethal weapon, Mullin continued. Advertisement Advertisement Youre saying you do not regret that statement? Blumenthal pressed further moments later. Im saying the investigation is going on, Mullin responded. There is no investigation, senator. In fact, my next question to you: Dont you think there should be an investigation? Blumenthal questioned. Politics: Trump Fires Scandal-Plagued Kristi Noem As Homeland Security Secretary My understanding is that there is, I will find out, if Im able to get confirmed, Mullin said. Blumenthal then referenced the fact that state and local officials in Minnesota have said that they have been prevented from taking part in investigations into Goods and Prettis deaths. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at the Department of Justice had said in a statement in January that there was currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation into Goods fatal shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Mullin said during the hearing on Wednesday that he believes the FBI is currently looking into Goods case. Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost. U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) photographed during his confirmation hearing on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images The Oklahoma Republican, Trump, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and others in the administration quickly disparaged Good shortly after she was killed by Jonathan Ross, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Mullin had defended Noem for saying in the immediate aftermath of Goods death that the Minneapolis resident had appeared to commit an act of domestic terrorism at the time she was killed. He had also said that Good used her vehicle in a lethal manner against the ICE agent days after the incident. Trump similarly said that Good violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE officer. But these descriptions of events have beendisputed by video footage of the incident. Life: The Funniest Posts From Women This Week (March 14-20) Noem had similarly refused to retract or apologize for publicly ridiculing Good and Pretti when she was grilled by lawmakers at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and a House Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this month. Trump fired her shortly after and selected Mullin as her hopeful replacement. Advertisement Advertisement Civil rights attorney Alexa Van Brunt, a clinical professor of law and director of the MacArthur Justice Center Clinic at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, said that she found Mullins refusal to retract his statements about Good concerning. I think that Senator Mullin, like many people in the Trump administration, made statements [about Good] that didnt accord with the evidence, and also made clear that they had no intention of participating in, or hearing the results of an objective investigation into the shooting, Van Brunt told HuffPost. Thats clearly where he still stands, and thats whats so concerning hes going to be in charge of an agency that has had such violent attacks. And hes had the chance to disavow his prior statements .... and he didnt. Kari J. Winter, a professor of American studies at the University at Buffalo whose expertise includes gender, feminism, race and class, emphasized that genuine leaders in law enforcement are judicious, impartial, deliberative, and capable of analyzing complex situations calmly all characteristics that Mullin does not have. Life: Vertical Morality Might Describe Why MAGA Christians Seem So Unchristian In contrast, Mullin is impulsive, fanatically partisan, and ideologically vaccinated against evidence, she told HuffPost. In January, seeing no need to investigate, he immediately declared Renee Good and Alex Pretti deserving of death. Mullins leadership of DHS would likely be more of the same and thats concerning, experts say. Van Brunt said that it was troubling to hear Mullin, again, trying to vindicate the officer who killed Good when Blumenthal asked whether hed retract his previous statements about the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement He made a comment about the officer who shot Renee Good being hit by a car and the car being used as a lethal weapon. Well, all the footage that has come out of that shooting does not show him being hit by a car, theres very clear evidence that there was space between the car and that officer, she said. And that line is just factually wrong. Van Brunt said that by Mullin repeating those talking points, he undermined any optimism that he would engage in a more objective inquiry into this shooting. I really worry its going to be more of the same, she said about Mullins leadership of DHS if confirmed. He gave some conciliatory remarks about having a more open relationship with Congress, but when the rubber hits the road, his beliefs about the propriety of ICE officer tactics seem no different than Kristi Noems, she said, noting that several of his responses to questions about how hed lead ICE operations during Wednesdays hearing were incredibly worrisome. Advertisement Advertisement As an advocate for immigrant rights and as someone who does advocacy against excessive force by law enforcement, Van Brunt said advocates are looking for somebody to be in charge who is going to cut a completely new path, one based on de-escalation, one based on respect for human life and dignity and [Mullin] hasnt shown any desire to engage in that conversation. Winter questioned why Mullin backed away from his pronouncement that Pretti was a deranged individual while maintaining his precipitous verdict that Good, a beloved 37-year-old mother, deserved to be shot? We might consider Mullins long history of misogyny, homophobia and transphobia, she said. He supports banning abortion under all circumstances, including incest, rape, and danger to the mothers life. He voted against reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). He supports banning trans athletes from womens and girls sports. And speaking about his behavior at Wednesdays hearing, Winter said that Mullin has a troubled relationship with the truth. Does he really not know that DOJ blocked investigations into Renee Goods shooting? she questioned. We are faced with a routine Trump quandary: is he lying, uninformed, or incompetent? The answer is usually all three. Advertisement Advertisement Winter pointed to some of Mullins anger issues that Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called out during the hearing, saying that when officials violate professional ethics, they help prepare the ground for tyrants and fascists. Sen. Markwayne Mullin appears to have no training in or understanding of what it means to uphold professional standards in the fields of law and law enforcement, she said. The first rule of law enforcement is to build trust and legitimacy within the community. Under Sec. Kristi Noem, ICE shattered all remnants of trust and legitimacy. Its hard to imagine Sen. Mullin as someone capable of rebuilding trust and legitimacy, she continued. Winter said that Mullin suggested during his testimony that under his leadership ICE agents would violate our constitutional rights less often than they did under Noem. Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt seem to have occurred to him that some of us believe the federal government should be upholding our rights, not trampling them, she said. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Indianas largest public postsecondary institution is getting a statutory overhaul thanks to a new law signed this month updating the mission and governance structure of Ivy Tech Community College. Lawmakers and Ivy Tech leadership said the changes are meant to ensure the statewide community college system continues preparing Hoosiers with the skills needed for in-demand careers while keeping the institution closely aligned with Indianas broader education and workforce priorities. The updates also come as state officials continue to scrutinize college degree offerings and push for learners to earn high-value credentials, as early as high school. Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, speaks in the Senate on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.(Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 254, passed both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously during the 2026 session and was signed into law March 5 by Gov. Mike Braun. The measure takes effect July 1. Advertisement Advertisement Authored by Sen. Greg Goode, a Republican from Terre Haute, the law rewrites portions of the Indiana Code governing Ivy Techs mission, governance structure and campus oversight while formally cementing the colleges role as the states workforce engine. This legislation is the intersection where we can craft public policy in a bipartisan way, Goode said. As an organization evolves, we want to make sure that our state statute that supports (Ivy Techs) mission continues to evolve, as well. State leaders have increasingly pushed schools and colleges to demonstrate how programs lead to real job opportunities for graduates. In recent years, Hoosier education officials have ramped up efforts to better connect high school coursework, college credentials and workforce training with the needs of employers across the state. Higher education has taken a lot of hits over the last several years, Mary Jane Michalak, senior vice president of legal and public affairs for Ivy Tech, told lawmakers earlier this year. Ivy Tech wants you to know that we are listening to you and that we are being responsive to the needs of the state of Indiana both employers, as well as our students. Changes to Ivy Techs mission, governance Senate Enrolled Act 254 updates Ivy Techs statutory mission to explicitly center workforce alignment and employer demand. Advertisement Advertisement Under the new law, the college is directed to serve as the workforce engine for the state of Indiana by aligning postsecondary academic curriculum with employer needs and ensuring that all academic degree offerings provide a pathway to direct entry into the workforce. The statute also formally recognizes Ivy Tech as an open-access institution serving high school students, adult learners and graduates, and adds dual credit and dual enrollment programs to the colleges mission. Goode said the changes reflect a broader shift in how the state views postsecondary education. Were tweaking some language that calls out general liberal arts and occupational and technical education and training and replacing it with language that emphasizes alignment with workforce and employer demand no matter what an individual is studying, he said during a January committee hearing. Mary Jane Michalak, senior vice president of legal and public affairs for Ivy Tech (Photo courtesy Ivy Tech) Even so, the law preserves the colleges role in preparing students to transfer to four-year universities by ensuring programs maintain four-year college transferability, Goode added. Advertisement Advertisement The measure also modernizes the structure of Ivy Techs governing boards. Under state law, the college is overseen by a statewide board of trustees with members representing regions across Indiana. The new legislation expands the expertise lawmakers want represented on that board specifically calling for members with knowledge or experience in logistics, information technology and life sciences, in addition to existing areas like manufacturing, agriculture, commerce and labor. At the campus level, the law also updates requirements for local advisory boards. Those boards must include representatives with experience in the same industry sectors and can now include individuals who work for employers operating within the campus service area, even if they do not live there. The legislation further requires campus boards to conduct detailed analyses of regional workforce needs and recommend academic programs and training pathways designed to meet employer demand. Those boards must also review campus budgets and offer recommendations to campus chancellors about operational efficiencies and program alignment with local economic needs. Advertisement Advertisement Campus boards will additionally have a role in nominating candidates when board vacancies arise. Nominations are made in collaboration with campus chancellors and submitted to the statewide board of trustees, which ultimately fills the position. Supporters, including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, maintain those provisions are intended to strengthen connections between Ivy Tech campuses and the employers they serve. Michalak noted that Ivy Techs statute hasnt been touched since 2016. Before that, the last update was in 2007. Ivy Tech has been in existence for over 60 years, and we just want to make sure that our statutory responsibilities are streamlined, Michalak said. This is emphasizing the importance of workforce alignment and employer alignment in the state of Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Ivy Tech remains one of the most affordable options for Hoosiers seeking higher education, she continued. This is one case where low-cost also equals high-quality. Part of a broader education-to-workforce push State officials and business groups have applauded Ivy Tech for playing a central role in the states workforce pipeline. Ivy Tech is Indianas largest public postsecondary institution and the nations largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Last year alone, Goode noted, the college served more than 204,000 Hoosiers across every county. Half of all the post-secondary credentials in Indiana spanning certificates to associate degrees are because our community college, the senator said, adding, too, that 87% of graduates complete programs with no debt. That is profound. Advertisement Advertisement Michalak said the demand for the types of credentials the college offers is only expected to grow. Ivy Tech remains one of the most affordable options for Hoosiers seeking higher education. This is one case where low-cost also equals high-quality. Mary Jane Michalak, senior vice president of legal and public affairs for Ivy Tech To meet future needs, Indiana must up-skill or re-skill more than 82,000 Hoosiers each year through credentials and training aligned with employer demand work that Ivy Tech is poised to do and help deliver statewide, she said. Michalak pointed to a 2025 workforce report co-authored by Ivy Tech and partners that found that 69% of job openings in key industry sectors including health care, advanced manufacturing, logistics and technology will require education or training beyond high school. Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 254 aims to strengthen Indianas education and workforce system and allows our state to continue to invest in institutions that serve a broad cross-section of learners, Michalak said. We play a central role in this ecosystem. The law further directs the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, IEDC, to develop an education to employment research program by Dec. 1. The program will create a framework for analyzing and sharing workforce and education data to inform economic development strategy and labor market planning. Aligning education with workforce demand The Ivy Tech changes are part of a broader effort by Indiana leaders to more tightly connect education policy with workforce outcomes. That included Senate Enrolled Act 199 signed by Braun earlier this month which requires state higher education officials to scrutinize and potentially eliminate college degree programs whose graduates consistently earn low wages after graduation. The measure builds on ongoing program reviews already conducted by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and could ultimately lead to the elimination of degrees that fail to produce strong economic outcomes for students. Advertisement Advertisement At the K-12 level, Indiana education officials separately approved sweeping changes to the states high school diploma requirements. The Indiana State Board of Education voted in late 2024 to adopt new graduation pathways designed to place greater emphasis on career readiness, hands-on learning and industry credentials alongside traditional academic coursework. Schools could opt in and start offering the new diplomas as early as the current 2025-26 academic year. The new diplomas will take effect for all Hoosier students beginning with the Class of 2029. A new school accountability framework approved by the board earlier this month will help track how K-12 schools are following through. Ivy Tech leaders said the community college system is already deeply involved in those efforts, particularly through its dual credit partnerships with more than 400 high schools statewide. Advertisement Advertisement This is all so important because Indiana is undergirding Americas national and economic security, and we are engaged in a global competition, Goode said. I love to say this everywhere I go: The free world needs the United States of America, and the United States of America needs the state of Indiana because we are leading in strategic and very important aspects where this competition is occurring. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Educators can receive financial help for field trips to Indiana state parks during the 2026-27 school year, according to a community announcement. The Discover the Outdoors field trip grant program, offered by the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, is open to all K-12 educators. The grants can help cover transportation costs, program fees and other material expenses. 'This grant helps teach students about Indianas natural heritage' Advertisement Advertisement Since the program began in 2013, 355 grants have been awarded, allowing more than 30,800 students to visit state parks at a reduced cost. Gov. Mike Braun encourages schools to apply. 'Spending time in our state parks is a favorite pastime and something that every student in Indiana should experience,' Braun said. 'This grant helps teach students about Indianas natural heritage through our forests, lakes, and other unique natural areas, and I encourage schools to apply.' 24 state parks are eligible for field trip funding Indiana has 24 state parks, eight state-managed lakes, two state recreation areas and two off-road state recreation areas eligible for field trip funding. These sites offer students the opportunity to learn about Indiana's fish, forests, wildlife, natural habitats, conservation and outdoor recreation. Advertisement Advertisement Jody Kress, executive director of the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, said the grant gives children an adventure that showcases some of Indianas natural and cultural treasures. 'The Foundations mission is to celebrate and preserve Indianas natural legacy,' Kress said. 'This grant gives children an adventure that showcases some of Indianas natural and cultural treasures and teaches the importance of protecting and preserving them for everyone to enjoy.' The maximum grant award is $500 per application. Applications are being accepted until April 30 and must be postmarked or emailed by that date. Applicants will be notified by May 15 regarding potential grant awards. The Indiana Natural Resources Foundation is accepting donations to the fund from individuals, businesses and anyone else who supports the idea of getting kids outdoors. The fund was established in memory of Tom Huck, a longtime Department of Natural Resources employee who advocated for outdoor experiences for children. How to apply The grant application is available at on.IN.gov/state-park-group-programs. Advertisement Advertisement For more information, email discoveroutdoorsgrants@dnr.IN.gov. 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 Evansville Courier & Press: State park grant applications now open for Indiana K12 schools BERLIN, March 19 (Reuters) - The German government has set a mid-April deadline for reaching an agreement with France on the crisis-hit FCAS fighter programme, a government official said on Thursday. "Germany and France have agreed on a final attempt at mediation between the industries, to be carried out by experts," the official said. "Due to the upcoming decisions on the federal budget, a result must be reached by mid-April," the official added. The news comes after French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met late Wednesday ahead of a March 19-20 EU leaders' summit. 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. Speaking in Brussels ahead of an EU leaders' summit, Macron referred to the project as "strategically sound" and said his government would push the industries to reach an agreement. "We have jointly decided to launch a rapprochement mission between Airbus and Dassault in the coming weeks, which must be conducted in a calm and respectful manner in order to find the right paths toward convergence," he said. 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. 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. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke and Gianluca Lo Nostro, writing by Friederike Heine, editing by Madeline Chambers, Alexandra Hudson) (This story has been updated with new voting information.) A $4 billion data center proposed for the southwest side won approval from the Metropolitan Development Commission on March 18, making it likely to become the first hyperscale facility in Indianapolis. Sabey Data Center Properties LLC, a subsidiary of Washington-based Sabey Corporation, sought approval to build a 250MW "data center technology park" on 130 acres of land at the northeast corner of Camby Road and Kentucky Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement More than 50 people, wearing red and holding up signs that read "NO DATA CENTER," showed up at the Wednesday hearing to oppose the data center. The commission approved the variance by a 6-2 written vote following a two-hour hearing. Commissioners John J. Dillon, Megan Garver, Brian Murphy, Brandon Herget, Brigid Robinson and Gregg West voted to approve, while Commissioners Bruce Schumacher and Brent Lyle voted against. Commissioner Daniel Moriarty was not present. The petition passed through with the support of city staff and Indy Economic Development Inc. At the hearing Councilor Josh Bain, who represents the area, supported the commitments made by developers and listed potential benefits of the data center. Bain said he would not support a project if he believed it hurt the community. After the meeting, however, Bain asserted he did not directly support the project. People against the Sabey Data Center going into Decatur Township gather outside the City-County Building before the Metropolitan Development Commission gathered to discuss and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build the data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. People against the Sabey Data Center going into Decatur Township gather outside the City-County Building before the Metropolitan Development Commission gathered to discuss and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build the data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. People promoting the Sabey Data Center going into Decatur Township put up visuals before the Metropolitan Development Commission votes on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Lorraine White, attorney for the Decatur Township residents opposing the Sabey Data Center coming into their neighborhood, comes in with notebooks of information before the Metropolitan Development Commission meets to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build the data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. A Zero Tolerance notice is posted to keep emotions at bay in the commission meeting room as the Metropolitan Development Commission comes together to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in the Decatur Township neighborhood at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Signs are hoisted expressing sentiment against the Sabey Data Center as the Metropolitan Development Commission meets to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. People against the Sabey Data Center wore red and sat on one side of the room and people for the center wore orange on the right side of the room, as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathered to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. The Metropolitan Development Commission gathers to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People against the Sabey Data Center hoping to build in Decatur Township sit and listen to testimony as the Metropolitan Development Commission meets to discuss and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build the data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People supporting the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the meeting where the Metropolitan Development Commission gathered to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Signs are hoisted expressing sentiment against the Sabey Data Center as the Metropolitan Development Commission meets to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. People supporting the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township gather before the start of the meeting where the Metropolitan Development Commission gathered to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People supporting the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township stand showing their hopes to speak, and get sworn in to speak, at the start of the meeting where the Metropolitan Development Commission gathered to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. John Hooker, President of the Central Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, listens and prepares to speak for the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township during the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue, at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Mindy Westrick Brown, attorney for Sabey Data Center Properties, speaks during the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. As people hold signs against the Sabey Data Center for Decatur Township, Mindy Westrick Brown, attorney for Sabey Data Center Properties, speaks during the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People for the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township hold signs as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathers to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People for the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township listen and take notes as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathers to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People for the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township show support as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathers to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Mindy Westrick Brown, attorney for Sabey Data Center Properties, speaks during the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People for the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township hold signs as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathers to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. As people hold signs against the proposed Sabey Data Center in Decatur Township, Mindy Westrick Brown, attorney for Sabey Data Center Properties, speaks during the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Lorraine White, attorney for the Decatur Township residents opposing the proposed Sabey Data Center, speaks as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathers for final testimony and to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Metropolitan Development Commission commissioner Brent Lyle asks a question as people provide testimony during the meeting to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Pat Andrews, the Decatur Township Civic League committee chair on land use, speaks opposing the proposed Sabey Data Center as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathers for final testimony and to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Metropolitan Development Commission commissioner Brian Murphy asks a question as people provide testimony during the meeting to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Metropolitan Development Commission President John Dillon leads the meeting to hear final testimony on the proposed Sabey Data Center in Decatur Township Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People stand to show they are against the building of the Sabey Data Center in Decatur Township, as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathers to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Nancy Whitaker, center, goes over votes with Chris Steinmetz, right, as the Metropolitan Development Commission votes on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Nancy Whitaker counts votes as the Metropolitan Development Commission votes on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People wait, including Jeffrey York, right, for the outcome as the Metropolitan Development Commission votes on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. People against the Sabey Data Center to be built in Decatur Township show disappointment as the Metropolitan Development Commission voted approval for Sabey to build, during a meeting Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at the Indiana City-County Building in Indianapolis. Mindy Westrick Brown, center, attorney for Sabey Data Center Properties, and others are surrounded by police as they get ready to leave after the Metropolitan Development Commission voted approval for Sabey to build a center in Decatur Township, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. People for and against Sabey Data Center in Decatur Township hear vote 1 of 33 People against the Sabey Data Center going into Decatur Township gather outside the City-County Building before the Metropolitan Development Commission gathered to discuss and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build the data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Avenue. Data centers are large buildings that house computers needed to power artificial intelligence and the digital world. Sabey plans to rent to clients who need server space. The data center will be one of the largest investments in the history of the city of Indianapolis, said Sabey's attorney Mindy Westrick Brown, during the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Currently, the city's zoning code says little about data centers, an omission that has led to different approaches by different developers trying to get data centers approved in the city's limits. Laureen White, a lawyer from Anderson who represents the Decatur Township residents impacted by the proposal, said the data center would negatively affect her clients if built. She said the center could lower the property values of neighboring homes a few hundred feet away. Residents' other concerns include the center's impact on health, large energy usage and high water consumption. The comprehensive plan for the area does not lay out the possibility of a data center in the area, White argued, adding such a facility does not fit with the surrounding development of mixed-use development and housing. More than 1,300 people signed a petition opposing the project. "The additional steps the petitioner has undergone to simply bring this variance are proof that the data center is not appropriate in the light industrial zone and that it will have a detrimental effect on the health and safety," White said. Vote follows months of debate, tense meetings The Metropolitan Development Commission gathers to hear final testimony and vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center in Decatur Township at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Road at the City-County Building in Indianapolis. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Debates over the data center have been ongoing since November, when Sabey hosted its first community meeting at Decatur Central High School. Bain says misinformation has run rampant in the months since, including people on social media stating that electric bills would go up and water wells would run dry if the center is built. Bain promised the Commission that neither would occur. Advertisement Advertisement "I would never do anything that would cause harm to my children," Bain said, growing emotional. The Decatur Township Civic League overwhelmingly voted 95-2 in early February to oppose the center, said Pat Andrews, the Decatur Township Civic League committee chair on land use. The data center project was simply incompatible with the surrounding area, Andrews told commissioners Wednesday. "This just is not going to fit," she said. In 2020 the land was zoned for light industrial use for a Decatur Technology Park that never came to fruition. Under that plan, the technology park would have employed more than 250 people. The data center will create no more than 75 jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Sabey needed a special variance to use the site for a large-scale data center. Because the proposal did not need a full rezoning, the Indianapolis City-County Council does not need to vote on the petition, making the March 18 vote one of the last hurdles the project had to clear for construction to begin. Emotions have run high in the area since Sabey first announced its intentions. Bain said he received a pipe bomb threat and others involved in the proposal have faced death threats. On Wednesday several police officers stood near the back of the standing-room-only hearing room and more officers flanked the Sabey representatives before and after the hearing. Mindy Westrick Brown, center, attorney for Sabey Data Center Properties, and others are surrounded by police as they get ready to leave after the Metropolitan Development Commission voted approval for Sabey to build a center in Decatur Township, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. IEDI extends incentive package At least one potential hurdle does remain as Sabey has yet to secure a finalized incentives package. Advertisement Advertisement Indy Economic Development Inc., the city's nonprofit arm charged with attracting business, offered an initial incentive package to Sabey Data Centers that will now move forward and be refined, according to a letter written by the organization. Neither the letter nor the IEDI's attorney Doug Brown specified the amount of the incentives. In response to a question about incentives, Sabey director of real estate Clete Casper said his company was committed to the project even if Sabey does not receive a city tax abatement. Though Mayor Joe Hogsett chairs the Indy Economic Development, he said via a spokesperson that he is not involved in crafting or offering the letters of support for applicants. "As board chair, the mayor does not oversee the day-to-day operations of IEDI including the creation of letters of support for development projects," Hogsett spokesperson Aliya Wishner said in an email. "Following precedent set by prior administrations, this administration does not take a position on zoning cases." Advertisement Advertisement Data centers in Indiana: Data center boom is pitting Indiana residents against big tech Developer addresses energy, noise concerns As data centers pop up around Indiana and the Midwest, the question of where they will get energy from and whether it will impact residential bills is top of mind. AES, the energy provider for most of Marion County that was recently acquired by Blackrock, wrote a letter of support and commitment to supply electricity for the project. Sabey will commit to paying for data center infrastructure, transmission and distribution for energy needed for the 250MW data center, Brown said. Pat Andrews, the Decatur Township Civic League committee chair on land use, speaks opposing the proposed Sabey Data Center as the Metropolitan Development Commission gathers for final testimony and to vote on a petition Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that would allow Sabey to build a data center at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and Camby Road. Sabey eventually won approval to build the center. Under state regulations, large-load operators must pay for at least 80% of the energy upgrades needed to supply their sites. Brown said because the developer could pay to build out the grid, the project will be nothing but beneficial for the city and its residents. "Killing this project does not kill the demand for energy, it just kills the economic development for the city of Indianapolis," Brown said. Advertisement Advertisement In hearings and at protests, several neighbors have also raised concerns about noise levels, given the numerous generators the site will need. Casper said he did not know the exact noise level but estimated the noise would be around 50 decibels most of the time, quieter than traffic on nearby busy Kentucky Avenue, he said. Alysa Guffey writes business and development stories for IndyStar. Contact her at alysa.guffey@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Data center in Decatur Township Indianapolis gets key vote to build The level of espionage, sabotage and dangerous activities directed against Germany has increased significantly, and at this point assassinations cannot be ruled out, Germany's domestic intelligence services (BfV) said on Thursday. Russia is the country's main adversary - but not the only one, Sinan Selen, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, as the intelligence agency is known, said at a joint meeting with the German Association for Security in Industry and Commerce (VSW). The attackers are displaying "greater risk appetite" and varied methods," he said, adding that "assassination operations" cannot be ruled out either. Advertisement Advertisement Germany is perceived by Russia as an adversary, and at times as enemy number one, Selen said. Foreign operations are focusing in particular on the logistics industry as well as the defence and technology sectors. Lessons from Estonia Estonia's ambassador to Germany, Marika Linntam, told conference participants about an arson attack on a Ukrainian restaurant in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. It was later determined that this had been an influence operation by the Russian secret service." It is typical that videos of such operations are disseminated via social media afterwards in order to unsettle the population. Selen reported that the launch of a Joint Hybrid Defence Centre was imminent. The business sector would also be closely involved in this planned cooperation platform, which is intended to facilitate the exchange of information between his office, the police and the Federal Public Prosecutor. Advertisement Advertisement VSW President Johannes Strumpfel said that many companies were now investing in their cyber defences, drawing up contingency plans and otherwise making significant efforts to enhance their resilience. Now the German parliament must lay out the legal parameters for the exchange of information between the business sector and the authorities, he said. Hybrid warfare is considered a combination of military, economic, intelligence and propaganda measures, which can also be used to influence public opinion. State-sponsored cyberattacks are an example of this. The level of espionage, sabotage and dangerous activities directed against Germany has increased significantly, and at this point assassinations cannot be ruled out, Germany's domestic intelligence services (BfV) said on Thursday. Russia is the country's main adversary - but not the only one, Sinan Selen, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, as the intelligence agency is known, said at a joint meeting with the German Association for Security in Industry and Commerce (VSW). The attackers are displaying "greater risk appetite" and varied methods," he said, adding that "assassination operations" cannot be ruled out either. Advertisement Advertisement Germany is perceived by Russia as an adversary, and at times as enemy number one, Selen said. Foreign operations are focusing in particular on the logistics industry as well as the defence and technology sectors. Lessons from Estonia Estonia's ambassador to Germany, Marika Linntam, told conference participants about an arson attack on a Ukrainian restaurant in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. It was later determined that this had been an influence operation by the Russian secret service." It is typical that videos of such operations are disseminated via social media afterwards in order to unsettle the population. Selen reported that the launch of a Joint Hybrid Defence Centre was imminent. The business sector would also be closely involved in this planned cooperation platform, which is intended to facilitate the exchange of information between his office, the police and the Federal Public Prosecutor. Soaring prices, fuel shortages and possibly even blackouts: Irans latest attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure suggest the impacts of the conflict will be with us for many months to come. Missiles launched from Iran rained down on the Ras Laffan plant in Qatar overnight, a facility so large that it produces around a fifth of the global supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Many see the attack as a turning point in the war, signalling it will no longer be over in weeks, as Donald Trump promised, but will instead take many months. Advertisement Advertisement It also marks a significant escalation in the conduct of the conflict: until now, Iran has avoided attacking energy infrastructure directly. Qatar was the biggest supplier of LNG to the UK until 2022, accounting for 40pc of all imports at its peak in 2011. LNG is a key fuel for the UK, which still relies on gas for 35pc of its energy. Imports have declined dramatically in recent years as the UK has turned to alternative supply from the US, with Qatari LNG now only accounting for around 2pc of imports. Yet that does not mean Britain will be insulated from the crisis. Gas is a commodity traded globally and a shock in one geography affects the whole market. Advertisement Advertisement European gas prices soared from 55 per megawatt-hour (MWh) to 72/MWh when that market opened on Thursday, a huge jump even before the scale of the damage was known. Oil has surged too up around 8pc to $116 a barrel. Just a few weeks ago it was trading at $65. Crisis looms Qatar Energy, the owner of the Ras Laffan site, said the plant has suffered extensive damage, suggesting it could be disabled for months. Analysts say the impact could be disastrous. Natasha Fielding, who leads on gas and LNG for Argus Media, a commodities specialist, says long-term damage could see prices hit 2022 energy crisis levels. If there is long-term damage to the LNG facility which we still do not know then it would not be surprising to see prices at the European [benchmark] push significantly higher, she says. Advertisement Advertisement They could get closer to the eye-watering heights in the 2022 energy crisis. Seb Kennedy, founder of Energy Flux, a gas and LNG analytics platform, takes an even more pessimistic view. Rapid escalatory attacks and destruction of critical energy infrastructure are on a scale that defies historical comparison, he says. This spiralling conflict is sowing the seeds of an energy crisis that will dwarf the events of 2021-22. What would that mean for the UK? In 2022, the typical annual household energy bill soared from 1,277 to 3,549 in just a few months. Households never paid that price because the government stepped in to cap average bills at 2,500, but the cost of that was paid through taxes an impact that has helped undermine the UKs economy ever since. Advertisement Advertisement We could be heading that way again. In fact, the current crisis means we could see shortages and even blackouts, according to Ashley Kelty of Panmure Liberum investment bank. There is a huge risk of shortages north-west Europe could run out of gas as storage is very limited and competition from Asia means LNG cargoes will be diverted at the least. Load-shedding [where heavy industry is asked to shut down] and even blackouts in the summer no longer look fanciful. All forms of energy are set to rise sharply in price power, gas, petrol, diesel and jet fuel and the effect on the UK is set to be profound. Greg Newman, founder and chief executive of Onyx Capital, a major London-based trader in oil and energy derivatives, predicts forecourt prices will hit 2 a litre for diesel as early as next month. Advertisement Advertisement What is concerning for the UK is that European oil prices, which were lagging behind the Middle East and Asia, are now aggressively catching up and there is a long way to go for prices just to align with the rest of the world, he says. The price of diesel has already risen by more than 20p a litre in the UK to 162.66p since the conflict began, according to the RAC, while petrol has risen by almost 10p a litre to 142.62p. We are very confident the diesel price will surpass 2 a litre in the next month, says Mr Newman. Iran triggers chaos What is Irans strategy? And why is it attacking facilities owned by neighbours who have taken no part in the US-Israeli strikes? Advertisement Advertisement Its worth remembering that Iran did not start this war and nor did it start the attacks on energy infrastructure. In the first week of Operation Epic Fury, the US and Israel focused on air defences, missile silos and leadership. Energy infrastructure was largely spared to avoid a global energy crisis, a clear risk right from the start. All that changed on March 7 when the Israeli Air Force struck multiple fuel storage facilities and oil depots in Tehrans suburbs. This week Israel shifted its attacks to target facilities that produce oil and gas, rather than just storing it. That included South Pars, the worlds largest natural gas field, and the Assaluyeh refinery complex and gas processing plants. That knocked out 20pc of Irans gas processing capacity and caused widespread blackouts across Tehran and central Iran. Some 90pc of Irans electricity comes from gas-powered plants. Advertisement Advertisement With Israel and the US well protected against retaliation, Irans best and perhaps only hope of putting pressure on its enemies lies in disrupting global energy supplies. It is targeting facilities across the region but there are five key sites it really wants to damage, according to Aditya Saraswat, senior vice-president at global energy analysts Rystad Energy. Qatars Ras Laffan LNG plant is top of the list given its importance in supplying gas globally. Irans strike has knocked out the LNG trains, or processing lines, supplying Europe, Japan, South Korea and China under long-term contracts. Similarly, Saudi Arabias advanced Samref refinery has faced a series of attacks, the latest on Thursday, so far with little apparent damage. It processes 402,000 barrels of oil a day into petrol, diesel, jet fuel and many more products. Advertisement Advertisement This is truly the worst case scenario for energy and fuel markets the world over. As usual, the poorest in society stand first in line to bear the brunt of the economic impacts, says Mr Kennedy. Export controls and rationing are already under way in numerous Asian economies. But the scale of supply loss exceeds the ability of governments to manage demand destruction in an orderly fashion. The Middle East produces far more than just gas and oil, however. Iran is also targeting Saudi Arabias Al Jubail isocyanate production facility, which makes polyurethanes needed for a wide range of plastics used in industries ranging from construction to automotive. Also under fire is Qatars Mesaieed Petrochemical Complex, 25 miles south of Doha, which turns gas and oil into vital chemicals such as polyethylene, the basis for thousands of other plastic products. Advertisement Advertisement And Al Hosn sulphur plant in the United Arab Emirates is a target too. The plant lies above the Shah gas field whose sour gas is a key source of sulphur used in the global production of fertilisers and sulphuric acid perhaps the worlds most widely used chemical. Mr Saraswat says: The breadth of what is at risk here in fuels, chemicals, LNG and fertiliser inputs is what makes this moment qualitatively different from previous episodes of Gulf tension. Mr Kennedy says: Even if military warfare ends immediately, the energy situation is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. The mounting pressure on energy is increasing pressure on the UK Government to step in and help struggling households and businesses. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has said nothing is off the table. But with public finances still bearing the scars of the last round of support in 2022, there is a practical limit to just how far ministers can go. Whatever happens, the cost of energy is set to be a key issue in the upcoming local and regional elections, including the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections, seen as vital in deciding whether Sir Keir Starmer still has a future as PM. Our energy security has been shattered. And while it is not his fault, it may be Sir Keir who pays the price. 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. Iran executed three men on Thursday who were accused of killing police officers during protests in January, with activists warning of the risk of a new surge in hangings as war rages with Israel and the United States. They were the first hangings Iran has carried out related to the nationwide demonstrations that were met with a brutal crackdown by the authorities. Two sources confirmed to CBS News that Saleh Mohammadi, a young member of Iran's national wrestling team, was among the three men executed in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Rights groups said the trio were executed without a fair trial and had given confessions under torture. Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi were hanged in the city of Qom, south of Tehran, after being convicted of the capital crime of waging war against God, known as moharebeh under Iran's sharia, the judiciary's Mizan news agency said. They had been found guilty of involvement in the killing of two police officers and carrying out "operational actions" in favor of Israel and the United States. "This is the Iranian terrorist regime," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said in a statement provided to CBS News Thursday night. "President Trump will never allow these murderous, evil terrorists to obtain a nuclear weapon to threaten the American people, and this horrific tragedy is a stark reminder why Operation Epic Fury is righteous, and necessary." Advertisement Advertisement There had been particular concern over the fate of Mohammadi, a teenage wrestling champion who had taken part in international competitions, who, according to Amnesty International, was denied "adequate defense and forced to make 'confessions'... in fast-tracked proceedings that bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial". Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said after the executions the three "had been sentenced to death following an unfair trial, based on confessions obtained under torture." It said Mohammadi had only turned 19 last week. Iranian legal affairs monitor Dadban added that they were "deprived of effective access to independent counsel and the right to defense" and under such circumstances, the use of the death penalty resembles an "extrajudicial killing." Advertisement Advertisement "Risk of mass executions" Iranian authorities a day earlier executed Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national, on charges of spying for Israel, in a hanging strongly condemned by Stockholm and the European Union. That was the first public announcement of such an execution since Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering the war that has spread across the Middle East. "We are deeply concerned about the risk of mass executions of protesters and political prisoners in the shadow of war," said Iran Human Rights. State media reported the executions of protesters Saleh Mohammadi, Saeed Davodi and Mehdi Ghasemi who were accused of participating in the murders of two policemen during protests in Qom on 8 January 2026. The executions were carried out in the presence of a group of people in pic.twitter.com/nL9LmLaclp Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) (@IHRights) March 19, 2026 "These executions are carried out to spread fear in the society, as the Islamic Republic knows that the main threat to its survival comes from the Iranian people demanding fundamental change," it added. Advertisement Advertisement Protests broke out in Iran in late December against the rising cost of living before morphing into nationwide anti-government demonstrations that peaked on January 8 and 9. Rights groups accuse security forces of killing thousands in their crackdown on the protests, which authorities blamed on the U.S. and Israel. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has recorded more than 7,000 killings, with the vast majority being protesters, while warning the toll could be far higher. Tehran has acknowledged that more than 3,000 people died during the unrest, including members of the security forces and innocent bystanders, and attributed the violence to "terrorist acts." Advertisement Advertisement Iran's hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei has warned there will be "no leniency" against those convicted of violent acts during the protests. Iran Human Rights has said hundreds of people are facing charges linked to the protests that could see them sentenced to death. President Donald Trump initially warned the U.S. would attack Iran if it executed protesters but subsequently focused on its nuclear program. Iran is the world's most prolific executioner after China, according to rights groups. Last year it hanged at least 1,500 people, according to figures from Iran Human Rights. The Islamic Republic executed 13 people on charges related to the 2025 June war with Israel and 12 people on charges related to 2022-2023 nationwide protests, according to rights groups. Advertisement Advertisement Body found in Barcelona identified as missing American student James Gracey Joseph Duggar arrested, facing child sex abuse charges A lot of Iran's nuclear capabilities "still has survived," UN watchdog chief says March 19 (UPI) -- Iran on Thursday attacked major energy facilities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates after vowing to retaliate for Israel striking its gas field a day earlier, escalating a war that is driving up energy prices and rattling global markets. Qatar said Iranian ballistic missiles struck its Ras Laffan Industrial City, the centerpiece of the nation's LNG production and export, while the United Arab Emirates said its Habshan gas facilities and Bab field had come under attack. Several liquefied natural gas facilities at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is responsible for about one-fifth of global LNG supplies, were struck early Thursday, igniting what state-owned QatarEnergy said in a statement were "sizeable fires." Extensive damage was reported. Advertisement Advertisement Two of three fires that ignited from the attack were contained as of 5 a.m. local time Thursday, according to a statement from Qatar's Ministry of the Interior. Iran attacked the complex's Pearl gas-to-liquids facility late Wednesday, which was dealt "extensive damage" and prompted emergency teams to be deployed to the site. Rockets launched at the UAE facilities were successfully intercepted, but falling debris prompted Abu Dhabi authorities to respond to unspecified incidents at the Habshan gas facilities and the Bab gas field, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a statement. The facilities have been shut down in response, it said, adding that no casualties were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Iran also targeted gas facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia, but all projectiles and drones were intercepted, its Ministry of Defense said in a statement. The attacks mark an escalation in the war, and come after Israel attacked Iran's South Pars gas field, one of the world's largest resources of natural gas. Israel's attack was condemned by several countries, including Qatar. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said it was "a dangerous & irresponsible step amid the current military escalation in the region." "Targeting energy infrastructure constitutes a threat to global energy security, as well as to the peoples of the region & its environment," he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Following Iran's attack on Wednesday night, Qatar gave Tehran's embassy officials 24 hours to leave the country. The targeting of Persian Gulf energy facilities is expected to further drive surging energy costs. On Thursday, Brent crude reached nearly $110 a barrel, up sharply from $71 before the war began in late February. Iran had vowed to attack the region's energy facilities after Israel attacked its South Pars gas field. Oil facilities "associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force," Alireza Tangsiri, chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy, said on X. Advertisement Advertisement "You have heard a lot about #hell; we will paint its picture for you," the IRGC said Thursday in a social media statement. "Stay away from energy facilities..." Following the attacks, U.S. President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform that there would be no more Israeli attacks on the South Pars field. Trump claimed the United States "knew nothing" about Israel's plan to attack the gas site and that Qatar was also neither involved. He said Iran was unaware of that, but warned that if it again attacks Qatar, the United States will join Israel and "massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars gas field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before." European Union leaders convene in Brussels on Thursday with the fallout from the war in Iran on top of the agenda, as well as the bloc's faltering support for Ukraine and ailing competitiveness. Fuel prices in the EU have been on the rise since the US and Israel started airstrikes against Iran almost three weeks ago. Member states have been at odds over how to ease the burden of soaring energy bills on consumers and business. Ahead of the summit, a group of five EU countries pleaded for doubling down on renewable energy as a response to the price surges. Others have called for reforms of the EU's carbon pricing scheme. Advertisement Advertisement High energy prices and their impact on the EU's competitiveness have been an issue for the bloc long before the war in Iran started, prompting calls for cutting red tape and large-scale investments. EU leaders will also discuss the war in Ukraine and spillover effects from the fighting in the Middle East when they are joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by video call. The EU's support for Kiev suffered a setback last month when the 27 member countries failed to unanimously agree on new aid measures in time for the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. A 20th sanctions package on Russia and a loan worth 90 billion ($103 billion) remain caught up in a dispute between Kiev and Budapest over the halt of oil deliveries from Russia through the Druzhba pipeline. Hoping to resolve the issue, the EU has recently offered financial and technical assistance to repair the pipeline. DUBAI, March 19 (Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister called for vigilance and regional coordination in separate calls with counterparts in Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan as the military warned of a tougher response to any further attacks on its energy infrastructure, state media reported on Thursday. After its energy facilities in South Pars gas field and Asaluyeh were targeted on Wednesday, Iran retaliated against what it said were U.S.-linked energy sites in Gulf countries, including Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, the worlds largest LNG complex. "In the calls to foreign counterparts, Araqchi assessed the U.S. and Zionist regime's (Israel) attack on Iranian infrastructure as an act aimed at escalating tensions and destabilising the region, and urged for vigilance and coordination among regional countries in response to these threats," state media reported on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for the unified command of Iran's armed forces said recent strikes on the country's energy infrastructure led to "a new stage in the war" in which Iran targeted energy facilities linked to the U.S. and American investors in the region. "If strikes (on Iran's energy infrastructure) happen again, further attacks on your energy infrastructure and that of your allies will not stop until it is completely destroyed, and our response will be much more severe," Ebrahim Zolfaqari said according to state media. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Alison Williams, Alexandra Hudson) Key Takeaways Helen Liu will step down as Bybit co-CEO on April 30, after five years. She is leaving to start her own business and follow her entrepreneurial dream. Bybit is now moving ahead with its big plan to become a new financial platform. In a notable leadership transition at one of the crypto industrys powerhouses, Bybit has announced that co-CEO Helen Liu will step down effective April 30, 2026. The news, released on March 7 via an official press statement, marks the end of Lius five-year journey with the Dubai-based exchange, which has grown into the worlds second-largest cryptocurrency platform by trading volume. Helen Liu Steps Down Bybit confirmed Helen Lius departure in a formal release on March 7, 2026. Liu, who joined the company in 2020, will officially step down from her co-CEO role at the end of April 2026. No immediate successor has been named, with co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou set to continue steering the company under its existing leadership structure. The announcement comes as Bybit pushes aggressively into its 2026 vision of becoming The New Financial Platform, expanding far beyond traditional crypto trading. Liu started as Vice President of Human Resources, shaping the global team during Bybits explosive early growth. She later took on roles as Vice President of Marketing, Chief of Staff, and Chief Operating Officer in 2022, before ascending to co-CEO in 2025. The crypto exchange stated that Liu is departing to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions. In her own words from the announcement: Bybit has been an incredible platform for growth, and Im deeply grateful for the trust, opportunities, and experiences Ive had here. [] Im excited to begin a new entrepreneurial journey and take the next step in my professional growth. Ben Zhou echoed the sentiment, praising Lius contributions: Over the past five years, Helen has been an extraordinary partner in building Bybit into the global platform it is today. [] While we will miss her greatly, we are also excited to see her pursue her entrepreneurial vision. Helens impact on Bybit will continue to be felt for years to come. While the official narrative focuses on personal growth, some industry observers have speculated on a broader context. Bybit Eyes Major Stake in 2026 This leadership shift occurs amid transformative momentum for Bybit. In 2025, the exchange surged from 50 million to over 80 million registered users across 181 countries, solidifying its position as the second-largest crypto platform by trading volume. The surge came despite market volatility and a high-profile February 2025 hack involving approximately 401,000 ETH, roughly $1.5 billion at the time. More than two weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, no end is in sight. But all wars do; this one will eventually end. So, how did we get to this point, and how will the conflict be stopped? As NATO Supreme Allied commander in Europe in 1999, I led a sophisticated air campaign against Serbia to halt ethnic cleansing and faced continuing questions of how long it would last and how it might end. With that experience, I have thoughts about where this is heading. In this campaign against Iran, American and Israeli airpower has been dazzlingly efficient. Having largely eliminated Irans air defenses in June, U.S. and Israeli aircraft now have free rein in the skies over most of Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Irans ballistic and drone strikes have been greatly reduced, and U.S. and Israeli air strikes are working up the supply chain to destroy storage sites, factories and workshops. Israel is targeting the regime itself by attacking police stations and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps positions. The ultimate outcome is hardly in doubt. Unknown to the public, U.S. and Israeli special forces may already be deep inside Iran searching for highly enriched uranium. President Donald Trump has said that he could stop at any time, but could the United States now stop the campaign against Iran at a moment of its choosing? The answer, of course, is yes, but this would not guarantee the end of the conflict, because Iran has the means to continue asymmetric warfare against America and our friends and allies in the region. A missile strike or a few drones into Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates or other regional states will delay economic recovery. Occasional destruction of ships in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz will perpetuate a mounting economic crisis centered on oil and fertilizer exports. Advertisement Advertisement And until Irans highly enriched uranium is accounted for and thousands of centrifuges destroyed, Iran will remain a nuclear risk to the region. A unilateral halt would leave the United States as the loser, unable to accomplish its objectives. That would undercut U.S. deterrence in Asia and Europe. Another view: 'Imminent' or not, Iran has been at war with US for decades | Opinion Three scenarios for how the Iran war might end President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on March 7, 2026, salute the dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members who were killed amid the war with Iran. This conflict will more likely end in one of three ways: First, through outside negotiation, in which high-level mediators craft a proposal both sides can accept, along with a ceasefire and opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Advertisement Advertisement Second, through indefinite continuation of the air campaign, until the United States and Israel simply run out of high-value targets, and the Iranian regime, beset by civil disorder and loss of communications, turns its whole efforts to regime survival and loses its ability to threaten the region. Third, through U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz and the north coast of the Persian Gulf, which, combined with air supremacy over most of Iran, will reopen shipping and lead to the eventual destruction of the regime. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Mediation would provide the quickest ending, beginning with a ceasefire and opening of the strait, but leading into a phase two that would no doubt entail terms such as surrender of Irans nuclear materials and aspirations, an end to its quest for larger and more effective missiles, and its support for its axis of resistance in exchange for some guarantee of Palestinian rights in Gaza and the West Bank, and regional arms limitations. Advertisement Advertisement However, it would probably leave the remnants of the regime in power. In my experience in the NATO air campaign against Serbia in 1999, it took 78 days of continually escalating air attacks, total isolation of Serbia from reinforcements and the threat of a ground invasion to persuade Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic that he must accept NATOs terms. Another view: Iran strikes unleashed a war the US cannot control | Opinion So, which ending seems most likely? Iranians rally in Tehran on March 9, 2026, to support Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, alongside his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed amid the U.S.-Israeli war that began on the last day of February. One or both sides must see that the consequences of halting the war are less onerous than the prospect of eventual defeat. Thus far, neither the United States, because it believes it is winning, nor Iran, because its leadership has been shattered and its survivors are hardened zealots, seems willing to halt. If America and Israel simply continue their air attacks, and especially the air attacks against the regimes police and security forces, there is some chance that elements of the Iranian population will rise up and take over large portions of Iran. Advertisement Advertisement For now, though, all demonstrators against the regime are simply branded as traitors and shot. Tens of thousands of those most courageous and determined to resist have already been killed. The opponents of the regime are not united in their efforts, and the total destruction of the regime by air could take additional weeks to succeed, if in fact it does. A man and a child stand on the waterfront as vessels sit at anchor, amid the the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, off Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman, March 17, 2026. Unless shipping can be resumed through the Strait of Hormuz and all Iranian strikes against the Emirates and other Gulf states are halted, the clock is ticking against continuing the U.S. air effort indefinitely. Hopefully, threatening or even occupying Kharg Island will cause Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. Advertisement Advertisement If not, this takes us to the third option: an American air, sea and land assault to clear the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian shore of the Persian Gulf. While all the media focus on how narrow the strait is, the gulf itself is more than 500 miles long and more than 200 miles wide. Attacking to clear the strait itself means seizing or controlling several heavily fortified islands Qeshm, Hormuz, Larak, Abu Musa, the Tunbs as well as the shoreline with its hidden caves and the mountains dominating the northern shore of the gulf. Then moving deeper into the gulf to take out all defenses along the north shore, a distance of more than 600 miles. Iran has prepared its defenses for decades. It would be a mistake to believe that the threat of a U.S. seizure of the strait would cause the Iranian defenses to collapse, so decisive force must be planned and prepared. Former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe Wesley Clark speaks during a summit in New York City on Sept. 24, 2025. Over the years, this option has been examined many times and found difficult and costly. Preparations will take several weeks, and requirements certainly exceed the strength of a single U.S. Marine expeditionary unit, and would perhaps require a Marine Corps-level headquarters with as many as 100,000 troops. Advertisement Advertisement With the dispatch of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from the Pacific, the United States seems to be preparing for Scenario 3, hoping to succeed with Scenario 2, and may be simultaneously moving toward Scenario 1 mediation, providing the nuclear materials have been seized and the Iranian regime can be talked into surrender. Wesley Clark is a retired U.S. Army general and former NATO Supreme Allied commander in Europe. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: America's endgame in Iran isn't up to Trump and US | Opinion At least three Palestinians have been killed in Israeli drone strikes in war-battered Gaza, nearly two and a half years into Israels genocidal war on the enclave, as severely limited medical evacuations restarted through the Rafah border crossing. Doctors at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said two people were killed in a drone strike in the Zeitoun neighbourhood, in the eastern part of Gaza City. In a separate attack, one person was killed and another wounded when a drone struck a group of people in another area of eastern Gaza City, outside the so-called Yellow Line. An unspecified number of Palestinians were wounded in Thursdays attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Israels war on Gaza has killed more than 72,000 people, among them tens of thousands of children and women. Some independent researchers believe the true number of those killed is significantly higher. The strikes came as a first, limited group of wounded Palestinians was evacuated from Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt, after a 19-day closure by Israel, since it started bombing Iran. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said only eight Palestinians who were injured in Israeli attacks during the Gaza war and 17 of their family members would be allowed into Egypt for medical treatment after the crossing, seen as a lifeline for Palestinians, reopened on Thursday. Several ambulances were seen waiting to evacuate patients from the territory. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has restricted medical evacuations and prevented Palestinians from returning home since it reopened the crossing in early February as part of a October 2025 ceasefire agreement which it has violated almost daily since. Israeli air raids have killed at least four people in southern Lebanon as dozens were reported killed across the war-battered country over the past two days, on this punishing front of the wider conflict launched by the United States and Israel against Iran that has embroiled the Middle East. Two people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a house on the outskirts of Adloun on Thursday, about 17km (11 miles) south of Sidon, Lebanons National News Agency (NNA) reported. Another two were killed and eight were wounded in a separate Israeli attack on the Tyre district, NNA said. Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere in southern Lebanon, Israel shelled the entrances to the towns of Chihine and Marwahin, near the border with Israel. Israeli warplanes also launched two air raids overnight near homes in al-Sarira in the Jezzine district, causing cracks in houses and shattered windows, NNA said, while Al Jazeera reported strikes on areas near the town of Khiam, the city of Bint Jbeil and Mayfadoun. Meanwhile, Sheikh Ragheb Harb University Hospital in Toul, on the outskirts of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, issued a statement that an Israeli attack on an adjacent building had caused significant damage to a number of the hospitals facilities, including the intensive care unit. The hospitals management said the attack was a flagrant violation of international law and posed a direct threat to the safety of patients and staff, the agency reported. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has decimated medical facilities and killed hundreds of medics during its genocidal war on Gaza. At least 45 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon over the past two days, and more than 100 injured, including children, Lebanons Ministry of Public Health said on Thursday. Aftermath of Israeli attacks is seen in the Islamic Health Society, in Burj Qalawiya, Lebanon, on March 15, 2026 [Adri Salido/Getty Images] The Israeli assaults took place across the country, including the capital, Beirut, Baalbek in the east, and Sidon in the south. Israeli strikes hit central Beirut multiple times on Wednesday as fighting with Hezbollah intensified. The Lebanese-armed group announced that its troops destroyed six Israeli Merkava tanks in southern Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement The attack took place during an attempt by Israeli forces to advance into the town of Taybeh towards the Deir Siryan area, Hezbollah said. At least 968 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities. The World Health Organization said more than 100 of those killed were children. The United Nations warned on Wednesday that more than one million people have been displaced in Lebanon as Israeli attacks escalated across the country, with children being nearly one-third of those uprooted. Top French diplomat to visit Lebanon Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will arrive in Lebanon on Thursday to show Frances support and solidarity with the Lebanese people, according to his office. Advertisement Advertisement Barrot will meet with Lebanons President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, NNA reported, citing a statement from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It cited the ministry as saying that the people of Lebanon have been dragged into a war they didnt choose. Barrot spoke by phone with his Israeli and US counterparts earlier on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the European Union has called on Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanon. The EU is deeply concerned about the ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon, which already has devastating humanitarian consequences and risks triggering a prolonged conflict, a spokesperson said in a statement, adding that Israel should cease its operations in Lebanon. Italy and Denmark are calling on the European Union to prepare for an uptick in migration in light of the escalating situation in the Middle East. "We cannot risk a repeat of the refugee and migratory flows to the EU which we saw unfold in 2015-2016," write Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a letter. The letter, dated Wednesday - the day before a summit of EU leaders in Brussels - is addressed to the heads of the European Commission and European Council, and the leaders of EU countries. Advertisement Advertisement In it, Frederiksen and Meloni call on the European Commission to examine mechanisms that could act as an "emergency brake" in the event of large-scale migration movements. Speaking on Danish television, Frederiksen cited a rule allowing asylum seekers to be turned away at the border as an example of a possible measure. In the mid-2010s, millions of people fled to Europe, particularly from Syria which was in the throes of a civil war. International organizations and the European Commission have said they currently see no signs of major refugee movements from the Middle East towards Europe. However, the ongoing conflict has displaced millions of people in the region, whose humanitarian situation is deteriorating. Advertisement Advertisement Frederiksen and Meloni advocate providing more aid on the ground to prevent mass migration movements towards Europe, stating in their letter: "We can help more people better and more efficiently by providing support directly to their regions of origin." Meloni is known for her tough stance against migration, while Frederiksen is in the midst of an election campaign ahead of polls next week. Denmark's political parties have long tried to outdo one another with calls for an increasingly strict migration policy. TOKYO, March 19 (Reuters) - Japan rejected a U.S. assessment that its stance on how it might react to a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan marked a "significant shift" on Thursday, an issue that could cloud an imminent leaders' summit between Tokyo and Washington. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments late last year that a hypothetical attack on Taiwan could bring about a military response from Tokyo drew a furious response from Beijing, which views the island as its own territory. While Takaichi has maintained her remarks were in line with Japan's longstanding policies, an annual report by U.S. intelligence agencies on Wednesday said they sharply departed from the rhetoric of previous Japanese leaders. Advertisement Advertisement "The assessment that there has been a major shift is not accurate," Japan's top government spokesperson Minoru Kihara told a press briefing on Thursday. Tokyo's position of judging a so-called "existential crisis situation" - which Takaichi was being quizzed on in parliament when she made her November remarks on Taiwan - is consistent with the past, he added. The differing views could cast a pall over Takaichi's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, already complicated by his demands for Japan and other allies to send escort ships to the Strait of Hormuz, largely closed by the Iran war. Relations between China and Japan have plunged to their lowest in over a decade since Takaichi's remarks, with Beijing urging its people not to travel to Japan and choking off some key exports. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. assessment said that China was likely to intensify such coercive actions through 2026, aimed at punishing Japan and deterring other countries from making similar statements about their potential involvement in a Taiwan crisis. The report concluded that China does not currently plan to invade Taiwan in 2027 and seeks to control the island without the use of force. The Pentagon late last year said the U.S. military believed China was preparing to be able to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027, the centenary of the founding of its People's Liberation Army, and was refining options to take Taiwan by "brute force" if needed. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim and John Geddie; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Jacqueline Wong) Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. A redacted correspondent, who sounds to be on the younger side of things, emails Jeffrey Epstein to thank him for their fun talk. Then the correspondent remarks: I seldom have the chance to talk to a genetic suprematist. I found this message while spending a week with what our Justice Department has dubbedoddly, for this reader at leastthe Epstein Library. Otherwise known as the Epstein files, this library is laden with crudity, eye-piercing typos, and rants about genetics. And redactions: Whoever exactly, in the above quote, had had fun talking to Epstein appears only as a black bar. Advertisement Advertisement But the phrase genetic supremacist is very apt. A strange part of the strange life of Jeffrey Epstein was his obsession with the genome. And with ways to improve that genomeincluding by adding more of his own genes to humanitys gene pool. Epstein, culpable for so much, was also a believer in eugenics, the manipulation of reproduction and of genes to create better humans. His focus on genes, as reflected in his correspondence, is remarkable. The files show that Epstein constantly asks if various random traits might be genetic, spends thousands on high-end DNA sequencing for himself, and has his assistants hand out 23andMe test kits the way most people hand out business cards. He even had a kit sent to the Chomskys, who youd think could manage one on their own. The term transhumanism has become popular in the 21st century and gets used in connection with Epstein. It refers to ginning up the gene pool through tools like gene editing and A.I. enhancement, the argument being that manipulating genes can make us better, faster, smarter. It amounts to the same thing as eugenics. Epsteins goals included making better humans from some peoples genetic material, addressing traits from intelligence to sex drive, and suppressing that of othersin fact, he writes, maybe climate change is a good way of dealing with overpopulation. If economics can be called the dismal science, Id argue that eugenics might be called the narcissistic one. Journalist Virginia Heffernan, who attended events sponsored by Epstein and his crew of like-minded scientists and the rich, recently described their psychology as alpha-male minds, and together, over decades, they all converged on a master philosophy: they were apex predators ordained by nature to exploit and subjugate others. Though, like many things Epstein, the mans genetic interests were twisted, often revolting, and shockingly uninformed. He felt about genes the way grade-school kids might feel about Santagenes are wondrous things, capable of delivering just about anything petitioners may desire. Epstein, in his musings in the files, credits genes with controlling things that range from the rear ends of people of Irish descent to honor killings, financial skill, and, weirdly, Asian family structure. Advertisement Advertisement Like so many eugenicists, Epstein believed that factors like race and gender make some humans inherently unequal to othershence the need for genetic manipulation: More importantly why do women confuse knowing facts with knowledge they are good at trivila pursuit but not theory or laws, Epstein complains to a correspondent. He laments what he sees as gaps in Black cognition and test scores and discusses with cognitive scientist Joscha Bach how gene editing could make Black people more intelligent. Elsewhere, he wonders whether gene editing can enhance womens sex drives. Epstein is hardly the first rich American to pursue the literal eugenic, or beautiful gene. Its a term coined by Charles Darwins cousin Francis Galton in 1883, though understanding the structure of the human genome came much later. Galton was largely self-educated, an odd man who studied fingerprints and claimed to have proved through testing that praying doesnt help matters. In Galtons day, the impact of heredity on who we are as people had become recognized, then greatly exaggerateda trend that continued through the next century and remains alive and well today. I explore eugenicsand millionairesin my book The Devils Castle: Nazi Eugenics, Euthanasia, and How Psychiatrys Troubled History Reverberates Today. To name just a handful of eugenicist millionaires: The Rockefeller family helped fund the German lab where Josef Mengele began his twin research, searching for the key to inherited traits with the aim of controlling them. The Harriman family supported the Eugenics Record Office in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. And John Harvey Kellogg, of the cereal family, founded his own Race Betterment Foundation, intending to use the tools of animal breeding to create human thoroughbreds. The United States began legalizing coercive sterilization in 1907, for conditions like feeble-mindednessseveral decades before Germany enacted the same. The U.S. considered the idea of putting undesirable populations, like neurodivergent citizens, to death. Nazi Germany would do this, killing hundreds of thousands. Advertisement Advertisement Epstein resembled other eugenics thinkers in believing that the best improvement to the gene pool might be putting more of himself into it: The New York Times in 2019 reported a story on Epsteins plan, which doesnt so far seem to have materialized, to breed his own babies at his Santa Fe ranch. He described these ambitions to multiple scientists, envisioning using insemination to impregnate as many as 20 women at a time. Epstein also intended to have parts of himself cryogenically frozen and had connections to a DNA-banking operation. But genes dont behave as Epstein imagined they do, like codes punched into a computertheyre neither blueprints nor instructions, though pop culture often presents them that way. The ease with which genes pass on mechanical, protein-coded traits like eye color has misled even scientists into thinking that they pass on other traits straightforwardly as well. But qualities like family structure, math skills, and trivia come far more from life and environment than from protein structures (which are very good at giving you brown eyes). Genes can be expressed or activated, or notmore often theyre not; they mutate and can alter their own function and be altered by environmental forces. Few have any fixed function. As Philip Ball, who wrote How Life Works, puts it, looking to genes to explain who you are is like staring at the dictionary hoping to understand literature. And imagining you can simply add genes to people and create a specific type of person is like shaking up a box of all the letters used in Hamlet and expecting to create another play just as good. For that matter, Shakespeare had three brothers, who shared much of his DNA. One worked in haberdashery, one acted, and ones path was uncertainbut none wrote. What we could call the Epsteinian dark and mechanistic view of genes does offer a theory of human value in which some of us are just born with the right codesthe genetic apex predators. Those of us who get the right coding to only be good at trivia? Hardly worth worrying about. Epidemiologist Abby Lippman dubbed such exaggeration of what genes do geneticization, and Ball calls geneticization a hairs breadth away from eugenics. In Epsteins case, even the hair was lost. He harmed those around him, especially the trivial females around him, and ended up filled with self-pity at what his own acts had done to his reputation. Its not possible to tie even math skills firmly to genes, much less anyones family structure. Epstein fell into a historical trap, one in which making things better for humanity quickly slides into better for me. And terrible for those around you. Its a trap baited ultimately with contempt for other humans. I hope the Epstein case draws attention to this dark genetic path. We have seen whats down that path, and the new genetic supremacists dont promise any better. Illinois held primary elections on Tuesday, including the resolution of a heated Democratic race for an open seat in the U.S. Senate. The primary win by the states lieutenant governor makes it likely she will be elected as the next Black woman to serve in the Senate, where she is poised to be a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump. Strattons win sets up potential milestones for Senate Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won Tuesdays Democratic Senate primary, defeating Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Stratton thanked her family, friends, staff and supporters, and declared that as chaos continues to ravage our country and the world has seldom felt more divided, Illinois chose a path of hope, strength, and giving the people what they want. Thank you. To my family, friends, staff, volunteers, voters, and everyone else who worked so hard over the last 11 months, thank you. Illinois has sent a clear message: we are ready for bold ideas, big dreams, and real courage in Washington. And we wont wait a second longer. pic.twitter.com/QiG5OdceCl Juliana Stratton (@JulianaStratton) March 18, 2026 The race created an unusual dispute between supporters of Stratton and Kelly, both Black women. Gov. JB Pritzker heavily supported Stratton, which drew criticism from the Congressional Black Caucus, which supported Kelly. Governor Pritzkers effort to tip the scales in Illinois U.S. Senate race is beyond frustrating for the Congressional Black Caucus, New York Rep. Yvette Clarke, the chair of the CBC, said. A sitting governor shouldnt be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race wont soon be forgotten by any of us. The dispute picked up from an earlier conflict in which Pritzker helped to push out Kelly as chairwoman of the states Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Now that Stratton has won the primary, she is the heavy favorite to win the Senate race in the Democratic state. That would make her one of a handful of Black women to ever serve in the U.S. Senate, and would lead to three Black women serving in the Senate together for the first time. If she is elected, Stratton would join Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, marking the first time that two women of color represented a state at the same time in the Senate. Stratton is seeking to follow in the footsteps of Carol Moseley Braun, who represented Illinois as the first Black woman in the Senate. The New York Times reported that Braun said she was over the moon at Strattons primary win. The possibilities in our democracy are there for everybody; it doesnt matter whether youre Black or white or male or female, Braun said, noting that things have changed greatly since her 1992 Senate election. Good news for Pritzker, challenge to Trump Strattons win is a victory and a demonstration of influence for Pritzker, a billionaire who contributed $5 million toward Strattons race. During a Wednesday morning appearance in Chicago, Stratton thanked Pritzker for being one of my biggest cheerleaders and added, I think hed make a great president. Pritzker, who has been one of the most vocal opponents of Trump among Democratic governors and who is in his second term as governor, is considered a Democratic frontrunner for the 2028 presidential race. For now at least, he is running for a third term as governor, winning Tuesdays primary unopposed. He is set to face Republican Darren Bailey, a former state senator and an ally of Trump, in Novembers general election; Pritzker won decisively against Bailey in 2022. Strattons win, with Pritzkers backing, is a repudiation of Trump. The president has often targeted Pritzker for personal attacks, and he even called for the governor and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to be arrested after both Democratic officials refused to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Stratton, meanwhile, made opposition to Trump a key part of her platform, and she pledged Wednesday to stand up for working families and to stand up to Donald Trump as a senator. Stratton has been vocal about her opposition to the president, running a f**k Trump, vote Juliana ad. They said it. Were all thinking it. pic.twitter.com/AOARPLHGCB Juliana Stratton (@JulianaStratton) February 19, 2026 Stratton will likely take that same energy through the general election. If she wins, as many expect her to, she will add to the diversity of the Senate as one of the few Black women to serve in that body, and she will do so as a vocal opponent to Trump and his agenda. The post Heres What Juliana Strattons Illinois Senate Primary Win Means For Gov. Pritzker And Trump appeared first on Blavity. Doctor ordered modified bed rest, work from home A jury in Ohio said a firm must pay $22.5 million after an employee who was having complications with her pregnancy was not allowed to work from home despite her doctors' orders and gave birth prematurely to a baby who died. The Cincinnati-area Hamilton County jury of five women and three men found that Total Quality Logistics was negligent for the 2021 death of Magnolia Walsh. She was delivered after 20 weeks and died after only a few hours of life. Total Quality Logistics' headquarters in Union Township. The jurys verdict was announced March 18 after a seven-day trial before Common Pleas Judge Chris Wagner. Advertisement Advertisement Magnolias mother, Chelsea Walsh, had a pregnancy complication that led her doctor to perform an emergency procedure intended to maintain the pregnancy. Walshs doctor instructed her to be on modified bed rest, work from home and limit her activity, to protect the pregnancy. Four days after the procedure, which took place on Feb. 11, 2021, Walsh went to TQLs offices and asked to work from home, so she could follow her doctors instructions. But Walsh's request to work remotely was not granted. Instead, she was required to return to the office and, at one point, was placed on unpaid leave against her wishes. Advertisement Advertisement During closing arguments, one of her attorneys, Brian Butler, said two doctors submitted letters on Walsh's behalf. The second doctor said that working from home was necessary "in order to prevent further complications with her high risk pregnancy, due to increased activity at the workplace." Despite that, TQL denied Walsh's request to work from home. 'This was a heartbreaking case for a young family' Walsh's husband, Jacob, then talked to an official at his employer's human resources office about TQL's decision. That person contacted a TQL vice president, according to the lawsuit, saying TQL had made a substantial error by denying Walsh's request. On the morning of Feb. 24, 2021, TQL informed Walsh it would allow her to work from home, only because of a request by a third party. But it was too late, her attorneys said. Later that day, she experienced complications and was admitted to a local hospital, where she gave birth to Magnolia. Advertisement Advertisement "This was a heartbreaking case for a young family," attorney Matthew Metzger, who also represented the Walsh family, said in a statement. "The evidence showed that Chelsea Walsh was following her doctors' instructions for a high-risk pregnancy and simply asked to work from home. The jury found that TQL's denial of that reasonable request led to the death of her daughter." A TQL spokeswoman, Julia Daugherty, said in a statement: "We extend our condolences to the Walsh family. We disagree with the verdict and the way the facts were characterized at trial. We are evaluating legal options and remain committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees." What is Total Quality Logistics? TQL, based in Union Township outside Cincinnati, is one of the country's largest freight-brokerage firms. It arranges shipments of goods for food producers, manufacturers and other clients. Additionally, TQL Stadium, the home field of MLS side FC Cincinnati, is named after the company. It is the largest private company in Greater Cincinnati with 9,000 employees and more than $6 billion in revenue, according to the 2025 Deloitte Cincinnati 100 list of the area's top private companies. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio jury awards $22.5M in baby death case KANSAS CITY, Kan. Cuba has been dealing with an island-wide blackout this week due to an ongoing energy crisis, which Cubas government blames on a U.S. blockade and tariffs. It comes as President Trump has raised the possibility of a friendly takeover of Cuba. Karell Martinez opened Cortadito Cuban Cafe in Kansas City, Kansas with his wife 15 years after coming to America from Cuba as a political refugee, but hes still in close contact with people on the island. Advertisement Advertisement Former Bonner Springs police detective arrested, charged following investigation Cuba has been struggling for so many years, but in the past three years, everything has just been going downhill. The government is not even capable of collecting the trash. So people are just making piles of trash on the streets, Martinez said. While at the cafe, he chatted with the pastor of a Cuban church and translated his answers about current conditions on the island. Were tired of the life that we are living right now, Carlos Montoya said. Last month, the cafe started asking customers to help them collect medicine and medical supplies to send to Cuba. One of those shipments is still on its way to Montoyas church. Advertisement Advertisement Obtaining a donation like the one we are sending can make the difference between death and life, Montoya said. Lenexa Animal Control warns of distemper in local raccoons Martinez and his wife say sending aid can be difficult, but its important that it goes directly to people who have sent thank you videos and doesnt end up in government hands. People outside of Cuba didnt realize what was happening, but now its kind of like blown up and people are knowing whats going on, how the regime is oppressing their people, Nubia Gomez said. The cafes owners say theyd very much support a regime change, but for now, they also want to support the Cuban people in need. The cafe is collecting donations at 400 North 18th Street, Kansas City, Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. By Maha El Dahan, Andrew Mills and Yousef Saba March 19 (Reuters) - Natural gas prices in Europe surged as much as 35% on Thursday as Iranian and Israeli strikes targeted some of the Middle East's most important gas infrastructure, doing damage that will likely take years to repair. The strikes on energy facilities since the onset of the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran have brought to life some of the energy industry's worst fears - that a conflict in the region will leave long-term damage and shortages in global energy supplies. "We are now well on the road to the doomsday gas-crisis scenario," said Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst at MST Financial. "Even once the war ends, the disruption to LNG supply could last for months or even years." Iran on Thursday struck the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar, the worlds largest LNG complex, a day after Israel attacked Iran's huge South Pars gas facilities. The hit on Ras Laffan destroyed two LNG trains that could cause a reduction of around 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas exports for between three and five years. "I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would be - Qatar and the region - in such an attack, especially from a brotherly Muslim country in the month of Ramadan, attacking us in this way," QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi told Reuters. He said the state-owned gas company may have to declare force majeure on long-term contracts to Belgium, China, Italy and South Korea. Gas prices in Europe rose by as much as 35% on Thursday and oil jumped as much as 10%, before paring gains. SHARP ESCALATION IN THE CONFLICT Analysts say Israel's attack on South Pars and the retaliatory strike on the Ras Laffan plant represent a sharp escalation in the conflict. Aerial attacks by Iran have already targeted a refinery in Saudi Arabia, forced the United Arab Emirates to shut gas facilities, and started fires at two Kuwaiti refineries. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened retaliation if they persisted. "This latest escalation feels like a turning point for markets because the conflict is no longer just about military headlines or Strait of Hormuz closure," said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo in Singapore, referring to the closure of a key waterway bordering Iran's coast through which a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally flows. "It is now hitting the plumbing of the global energy system. What is unsettling markets now is the growing stagflation risk," she added. A 23-year-old Kansas City man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in the fatal shooting at a gas station in 2022, according to court documents. Jerpree Williams pleaded guilty last week in Jackson County Circuit Court to one count of voluntary manslaughter and one count of armed criminal action in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Andreone Hall on May 17, 2022, at a gas station at 3319 Linwood Boulevard, according to court documents. Judge John G. Gromowsky sentenced Williams to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and 5 years on the armed criminal action charge. Gromowsky ordered the sentences to run consecutively, for a total prison term of 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Williams previously had been charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. According to court documents, officers were in the area of Linwood and Indiana Avenue when they heard the sound of shots being fired around 7:10 p.m. on May 17, 2022. They responded to the gas station, where they found Hall on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Surveillance video allegedly showed Williams and another man arrive at the gas station and go inside. Hall then arrived and walked up to a window outside the gas station. Williams then exited and allegedly pointed a firearm at Hall, who started to run. Prosecutors said Williams then started to shoot, pulled another gun from the car he arrived in and shot in Halls direction again. Prosecutors said Hall was unarmed. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. When President Donald Trump asked Voice of Americas White House bureau chief, Patsy Widakuswara, Who are you with? last March, her heart sank. The question could mean trouble, and for a VOA journalist, the stakes felt especially high. The Heritage Foundation devoted a chapter of Project 2025 - the conservative think tanks road map for the second Trump administration - to dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA. Widakuswara had just cautioned her team of reporters against asking questions that would draw attention to their outlet. Advertisement Advertisement And yet Widakuswara ran afoul of her own warning, asking whether Trump and the Irish prime minister would discuss a possible expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. A brief yet heated exchange ensued: Nobody is expelling any Palestinians. I dont know - Who are you with? Im with Voice of America, sir. Oh, no wonder. The president answered her question, but his response worried her. It made me feel, Oh s---, Widakuswara recalled in an interview Wednesday, just more than a year since that exchange. You know, am I just attracting unwanted attention? Two days after the dustup, Trump signed an executive order aimed at winding down the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which funds global broadcasting nonprofits and oversees Voice of America. Kari Lake, a former television news anchor, whom Trump had charged with leading the agency, put more than 1,000 employees on administrative leave and fired hundreds of contractors. Advertisement Advertisement The outcome felt preordained, Widakuswara said: We already had a target on us. A spokesman for USAGM did not comment for this story, but instead sent a statement from White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly. President Trump was elected to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across the administration, including at the Voice of America - and efforts to improve efficiency at USAGM have been a tremendous success, Kelly said. This will not be the final say on the matter. For more than a year, the outlet has been at a standstill, the vast majority of its employees on leave while the Trump administration battled in the courts to shrink the agency to its statutory minimum. A Tuesday ruling finding the wind-down of USAGM unlawful ends a year-long saga that had essentially shuttered Voice of America, a tool of diplomatic soft power founded during World War II to deliver news to counter Nazi propaganda. VOAs website still says it broadcasts in 49 languages to a weekly audience of more than 361 million people. However, under Trump and Lake, only a few broadcasts - including Persian, Dari, Pashto and Mandarin - have been active. Advertisement Advertisement But restoring broadcasts is only the first step. Rebuilding trust after a lost year may take far longer, staffers say. Although the ruling may restart VOA, it does not erase a year of disruption - or answer how quickly it can regain its footing abroad. Americas adversaries - not its citizens The executive order landed late at night on a Friday, and the chaos was immediate. Lake, who worked closely with staffers from the U.S. DOGE Service, signed termination notifications for hundreds of contractors. Journalists who showed up to work to broadcast their programs were locked out of the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building. About 1,000 employees were placed on indefinite administrative leave - still collecting government paychecks, but barred from doing their jobs. Lake quickly terminated grant agreements with a roster of nonprofit organizations funded by USAGM: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and the Open Technology Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Trump - who has sparred with, insulted and sued private news organizations throughout his political career - had long spoken about VOA with suspicion. VOA too often speaks for Americas adversaries - not its citizens, read a White House statement during Trumps first term. In 2020, Trump installed Michael Pack, a documentary filmmaker, to reshape the broadcasters coverage. Critics alleged he was aiming to turn the outlet, which prides itself on editorial independence from the government, into a tool of propaganda. A federal judge intervened to halt Packs involvement in news coverage. Lake, a former Arizona television anchor turned die-hard MAGA politician, initially appeared supportive of VOAs mission. VOA has been telling Americas story to the world for 83 years, Lake said in a February 2025 speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Now, sometimes the coverage has been incredible, and sometimes its been pitiful. We are fighting an information war, and there is no better weapon than the truth, and I believe VOA can be that weapon. She pledged that VOA would not become Trump TV on her watch. But after Trumps executive order in March, which Lake later testified she learned about the day it was signed, she changed her tune. This agency and its outlets are largely incompetent, corrupt, biased and a threat to Americas national security and standing in the world, she told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in June. Advertisement Advertisement Hours after the executive order came through, Widakuswara and her colleagues were setting up Signal groups - their work emails had been cut off. Less than a week later, Widakuswara became a plaintiff in one of two lawsuits against the Trump administration; the other was filed by Michael Abramowitz, VOAs director. Both lawsuits prevailed Tuesday in federal court when U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, a fiery 82-year-old Ronald Reagan appointee who has repeatedly clashed with Lake, found that the plan to shrink the agency was illegal because it violated federal administrative law. Earlier this month, Lamberth ruled that Lake had run USAGM illegally and voided months of her decisions, including a mass layoff plan. The new ruling ordered VOA to resume broadcasting and directed the agency to bring back more than 1,000 employees, including Widakuswara, by March 23. He also lambasted Lakes lack of cooperation during the court proceedings as a Hallmark production in bad faith. The government has not yet indicated that it will appeal the latest ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Mark Schoeff Jr., president of the National Press Club, celebrated Lamberths ruling. Silencing journalists weakens democracy at home and abroad, he said. The court has made clear that you dont get to turn off a free press when coverage becomes inconvenient. In coming days, the government will need to bring back employees at Voice of America and its parent agency, and figure out how to resume broadcasting after a largely inactive year. For Widakuswara and her fellow plaintiffs, who include Jessica Jerreat, VOAs press freedom editor, and Kate Neeper, USAGMs director of strategy and performance assessment, the past year has been anything but idle. Rather than doing their usual jobs, they have focused on the lawsuit: explaining their work to lawyers, explaining the litigation to co-workers, running a public social media campaign to Save VOA, and helping colleagues through a tumultuous year. I think the three of us were probably busier this year than we were in our normal jobs, Widakuswara said. I start working usually at seven, and I dont finish. Advertisement Advertisement Neeper spent much of the year focused on a quieter crisis: colleagues who lost their immigration status when their contracts were terminated. Because many VOA journalists had come to the United States specifically to work for the agency - often from countries where they could not safely return - the end of their contracts triggered visa countdowns. Later in the year, USAGM ended its own visa program entirely, affecting full-time employees, too. Weve been working with a number of them to figure out immigration situations, figure out places that they can live that will be safe, Neeper said. The contractors remain in a particularly precarious situation - and are not covered by Lamberths ruling. Theyre critical, Neeper said. Theres no language service at VOA that could function without contractors. Widakuswara and Neeper say theyre still waiting for the government to bring them back. And its unclear what theyll return to. Restoring the infrastructure - from badges to get in, to equipment, to satellite, to wire subscriptions - its going to take a lot of money and some time, Widakuswara said. Advertisement Advertisement After Lamberth said Lake could no longer run USAGM, Trump nominated a State Department official, Sarah B. Rogers, as chief executive of the agency, a position requiring Senate confirmation. Lake has said she will remain as deputy CEO. Rogers said that, if confirmed, she would not give up her State Department job as under secretary for public diplomacy and would do both jobs concurrently. The hardest thing to rebuild may be the trust of VOAs global audience, said Kelu Chao, who served as USAGMs deputy CEO until January 2025. The agencys credibility - built over eight decades - has taken a serious hit. We probably lost forever the opportunity to explain America and world affairs during this year, she said. She said she worries that state propaganda from Russia and China have filled the voids left by VOA. What I think will be really challenging is overcoming the trauma that the journalists and the staff have gone through, Widakuswara said, and making sure that all of us can continue to work and not be worried about the administration over our shoulder. CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly said that Patsy Widakuswara became a plaintiff weeks after the executive order. It happened less than a week later. Related Content FBI Director Kash Patel doesnt want to take responsibility for his decision to fire an entire team of Iran experts days before the Trump administration attacked the country. On Thursday, Patel was called to testify about national security before the House Select Committee on Intelligence, and Democratic Representative Steve Cohen confronted Patel and asked him when he knew about the administrations plans to attack Iran. Initially, Patel said that hed answer that question in a classified setting, but when Cohen pressed him further, he admitted he knew more than a month before. Cohen then got to the heart of the problem. Advertisement Advertisement With that knowledge, why did you fire at least a dozen agents in Counterintelligence Unit 12 that specializes in Iran counterintelligence, which makes us much less secure and safe with this war going on from Iranian attacks potentially against our country? the Tennessee congressman asked. I dont work on timelines when these terminations occur, Patel replied, saying the firings were the result of unethical or inappropriate behavior. Cohen pressed Patel on whether the people fired were Iran experts, to which Patel said he didnt believe so. COHEN: The people you fired were experts on Iran, were they not? PATEL: I don't believe so COHEN: They worked in counterintelligence, did they not? PATEL: I'm taking you at your word COHEN: You're the director. I'm not. You should know the answer pic.twitter.com/FLZ1lcVBBL Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 19, 2026 They worked in counterintelligence, did they not? Cohen replied, his voice rising. Patel replied, Im taking you at your word sir, Im not familiar with Youre the director, Im not, Cohen interrupted. You should know the answer. You fired the people. Where did they work? Advertisement Advertisement Patel said that the employees were fired for ethical violations, to which Cohen asked if those ethical violations concerned classified documents found in Donald Trumps bathroom at Mar-a-Lago. Patel said he wouldnt comment on pending litigation. Its hard to believe Patel was intimately familiar with the employees ethics violations but had no information about what their jobs even were. Throughout his tenure at the FBI, Patel has done little but promote himself, party on the taxpayers dime, and give Trump whatever he wants, including revenge for the bureaus criminal investigations into the president. Evidently, protecting the American public from threats is a lesser priority. Members of the Hashd al-Shaabi gather in Basra, southern Iraq, to hold a memorial ceremony for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, carrying Khamenei posters and Hashd al-Shaabi and Kataib Hezbollah flags while chanting slogans in support of Iran on March 08, 2026. (photo credit: Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu via Getty Images) Kataib Hezbollah said it might pause attacks on US targets in Iraq, but its strict and unlikely conditions suggest strikes could resume soon. On March 18, the powerful Iranian-backed militiasKataib Hezbollah said it might cease its attacks in Iraq if certain conditions are met. It has asked Israel to stop operations in Beirut and created other conditions that make it seem unlikely it will comply with its own pause in attacks. This appears to be the first time that an Iranian-backed militia has said it might cease attacks, which began on February 28 alongside the US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran has used the militias in Iraq to carry out dozens of attacks on US facilities in Iraq, such as the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil. Advertisement Advertisement In addition, they have carried out hundreds of attacks on the Kurdistan Region. The US consulate in Erbil is in the Kurdistan Region. Kataib Hezbollah is considered the most senior of the militias in Iraq and the one closest to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran. Kataib Hezbollah is viewed as a terrorist group by the US. It is part of the Popular Mobilization Force in Iraq, a paramilitary group backed by the government. Several dozen brigades inside the PMF are also Iranian-backed militias. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq form a central pillar of Tehrans regional influence. Most have been designated as terrorist organizations or sanctioned by the US Department of State and the US Department of the Treasury. Groups such as Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba have been linked to attacks on US forces and coalition facilities over the last few years. Members of the Hashd al-Shaabi gather in Basra, southern Iraq, to hold a memorial ceremony for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, carrying Khamenei posters and Hashd al-Shaabi and Kataib Hezbollah flags while chanting slogans in support of Iran on March 08, 2026. (credit: Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu via Getty Images) Asaib Ahl al-Haq, another prominent faction, has also been sanctioned for its role in violence and its ties to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Additional groups, including Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Ashab al-Kahf, are part of the terrorist network of militias as well. Airstrikes hit Jurf Sakhr militia HQ, attacks spread in Iraq When the US and Israel began attacks on Iran, there were also airstrikes on the militia headquarters at Jurf Sakhr near Baghdad. No country took responsibility for the strike. The militias then began attacks across Iraq. This has escalated. There have been numerous strikes on the militias, and they appear to have lost dozens of fighters. Advertisement Advertisement Now, in a new twist, Kataib Hezbollah has announced that it could begin a 5-day pause in attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad. Abu Majeed Assaf, a senior figure in the terrorist militias, said the decision was ordered by its leader, Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi. The leader of Kataib Hezbollah is also known as Abu Fadak. The group has conditions to end its thought. It wants Israel to stop operations targeting Hezbollah in Beirut. It also wants an end to airstrikes on the militias in Iraq. It also says it wants the CIA to remain at the Embassy. This condition was described in Rudaw as the group also called for US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) personnel to remain inside the embassy compound, noting that this condition does not apply to the Kurdistan Region. Kataib Hezbollah said that if the enemy fails to comply, the response will be direct, with an escalation of strikes. This means the group created impossible conditions that wont be met, so it can justify more attacks. Meanwhile, the low-level war continues in Iraq. Iran has sought to spread the war to Iraq. Rudaw media in Erbil noted that a fighter from Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) was killed and several others wounded in an attack targeting their position in Salahaddin province early Thursday, the group said, as attacks continue on pro-Iran groups in Iraq amid escalating regional tensions. Advertisement Advertisement It also said that Kazim al-Fartousi, spokesperson for Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, said in an interview with Rudaw that the group considers US forces stationed in Iraq as legitimate targets, accusing them of launching attacks from bases in northern Iraq. Attacks have continued in Iraq. Explosions from drone attacks were heard in the Kurdistan Region on Wednesday. The Kurdistan Regions Peshmerga Ministry said Wednesday that three Peshmerga fighters were wounded in drone attacks in Erbil and Sulaimaniyah. Meanwhile, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani spoke with Turkish Consul General in Erbil Erman Topcu on Wednesday. Rudaw noted that Barzani stressed the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent the expansion of the ongoing regional war and keep Iraq and the Kurdistan Region out of the conflict. After years of planning, a mainstay McDonalds near a busy Kansas City corner is getting a full-works renovation: complete demolition, a new restaurant building with a modern facade, improved landscaping and a double drive-thru design, with two lanes that merge, to more efficiently move cars. But the revamped restaurant didnt come without a fight. In its aim to rebuild and improve its outdated restaurant, the fast food giants real estate arm took the city to court and won to help bypass regulations along what is now the streetcar line that aim to make the Main Street corridor more walkable. Advertisement Advertisement Plans to rebuild the McDonalds, 3255 Main St., go back to at least 2017. The old building, which has been demolished and is now a construction site for the new structure, dated back to the 1980s and was in need of an upgrade. Located in midtown, the McDonalds opened during an era of development in Kansas City that was more friendly to suburban-style retail in the urban core: big box stores like Costco and Home Depot with big parking lots near fast food restaurants with drive-thrus. But as plans for the streetcar extension began to take shape, the city passed a new set of standards and rules called the Main Corridor Overlay District that limit what can be built in the area to encourage more walkable, pedestrian-friendly development along the route. The McDonalds is within blocks of what is now the Union Hill streetcar stop. Advertisement Advertisement In the years since, more dense development has sprouted up along the streetcar extension, which opened in Oct. 2025, or is expected to come online soon, including dozens of new colonnade-style apartments and new lofts in a rehabbed historic building, both near the McDonalds site. The aging 1980s McDonalds, with its drive-thru, was allowed to remain as it was under the citys old standards. But the multi-million dollar plans to knock the restaurant down and build a new one meant McDonalds would be subject to the new development rules for the area. Most notably: No new restaurant drive-thrus allowed. The McDonalds development team first reached out to the city in 2017; a first set of plans to rebuild the restaurant stalled in light of the new Main Street standards and a city staff error, according to an email McDonalds presented at a hearing years later. Advertisement Advertisement They then asked the city to narrowly change its new rules so their drive-thru plans could proceed. The Plan Commission signed off on that revision in June 2022, ahead of a final City Council vote, which would have allowed the plan to move forward. But that vote never happened, and the request expired. The standstill spurred a years-long dispute over what future development along Main Street should look like. The McDonald's restaurant at 3306 Main St. is seen under construction along Main Street on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. (Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com) Drive-thru at odds with city rules Taking a new tack, McDonalds came back to the city in 2023 requesting a special approval, called a special use permit, to allow the drive-thru on a property where it normally would not be allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Two city bodies needed to approve that request before it could go to the City Council: the citys Plan Commission and its Board of Zoning Adjustment. The proposal remained at odds with the standards for walkable, dense development along Main Street. Other elements of the design conflicted with city standards and would need approved exceptions, too. The proposed Special Use Permit conflicts with state and local laws, as well as local policies, a city staff report said in 2023. During city hearings, midtown residents who supported the citys aim to make the area where they lived more friendly for pedestrians, cyclists and public transit called for officials to uphold the standards for Main Street. They wanted the restaurant to add more outdoor seating, less parking and a walk-up window instead of the drive-thru. Advertisement Advertisement If we allow businesses to have exceptions to the overlay, then we will lose the whole intent of the overlay, one area resident wrote at the time. One example critics have brought up was a McDonalds in Minneapolis: What was once a suburban-style McDonalds near the University of Minnesota campus was demolished, rebuilt and ultimately preserved as part of a dense, mixed-use development that added housing units to the neighborhood just without a drive-thru. But McDonalds officials said their customers preferred the drive-thru and that the business needed it to be sustainable. Mark Bryant, lawyer for McDonalds, said in a hearing that the old building already had a right to exist in that form while being totally non-compliant with the Main Street standards, while a new building would be closer to the Main Street vision with better landscaping and architecture while better serving customers. Advertisement Advertisement This is more about a need to rebuild a restaurant that is outdated, outmoded and frankly ugly than it is about adding a drive-thru, because a drive-thru exists at this location right now, he said. The Plan Commission agreed, voting to recommend McDonalds proposal in 2023. If we deny their ability to renovate, its still going to exist, and were going to have a longer project, a sadder-looking location thats probably not operating at the highest efficiency, not serving customers as well, not treating their employees as well, and whos winning? plan commission member Tyler Enders said at the time. I dont think the city wins in that situation, that we really showed McDonalds, You better stick to these standards of this overlay. The McDonald's restaurant at 3306 Main St. is seen under construction along Main Street on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. (Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com) State law gives city pause But the other city body that needed to approve the permit, the Board of Zoning Adjustment, ran into a legal question. City staffers feared that board didnt have the legal authority to OK such a change under state law. Advertisement Advertisement The kind of permit McDonalds was seeking a special use permit is what developers might request, for example, to build more units than usual on a residential lot, an exception to the rules, or to build a data center in certain types of business district where a permit is required under city code. But making way for a drive-thru when the rules specifically prohibit one would be a more uncertain use of that permitting tool. City staff suggested that granting the permit could go against state law. Missouri law dictates that Kansas Citys zoning board can approve changes or make exceptions regarding construction or alteration of buildings, but it cant approve changes or exceptions for a propertys use of land. Kansas City is the only city in Missouri with that prohibition under the law. Advertisement Advertisement And the citys own code also says that the zoning board cannot make an exception for the principal use of a property. Its technical, but the legal question revolved around whether permitting the drive-thru on Main Street changed the propertys use. Would it be considered an exception to the zoning rules for the propertys use, which the zoning board cannot legally grant or would it be more like granting an exception to rules around the height, size or density of a building, which are not considered changing the use, and which the board can do? The McDonalds team argued that the city board would have the authority to approve an exception to the Main Street rules as the use would be a restaurant with the drive-thru as an accessory to the restaurant. But city staff argued that the drive-thru restaurant would be a use and emphasized that the placement and design of the building is to accommodate a drive-thru and that a majority of sales come from the drive-thru. Advertisement Advertisement The zoning board decided in September 2023 that it could not legally hear the case requesting a drive-thru permit. The McDonald's restaurant logo is seen along Main Street on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Kansas City. (Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com) McDonalds sues KC and wins The zoning boards decision stalled the project and prompted McDonalds to file a lawsuit in October 2023 asking a judge to weigh in. McDonalds argued that the drive-thru is simply an access point to services provided by a restaurant. The city argued that the zoning boards decision was correct and that McDonalds failed to cite any Missouri statute or case law that supported its position. Ultimately, a judge sided with McDonalds in April 2024, reversing the boards decision and sending the case back for another hearing, which happened in November 2024, less than a year before the streetcar extension opened. City staff again opposed a permit to build the McDonalds with a drive-thru for reasons beyond state law and said it could negatively impact the neighborhoods character. They argued that the drive-thru permit still wouldnt comply with city code or meet various rules for approval and could set a bad precedent for Main Street. We know creative options are possible, city planner Ahnna Nanoski told the zoning board, pointing to the mixed-use McDonalds in Minneapolis. The development team again argued that a new building would be an improvement over the 1985 restaurant and be more in line with the Main Street standards, while exceptions were necessary to make it happen. Theyre not asking you to do anything thats really out of the ordinary. Theyre not even really asking you to add a second drive-thru, Bryant said. At the end of the day, that building is going to be served by one pay window and one food delivery window, just like the current restaurant is. McDonalds then received a final verdict from the zoning board after more than half a decade in November 2024: The Main Street restaurant could be rebuilt, drive-thru and all. Main Street is changing with streetcar extension But Laura Burkhalter, an interior designer on the Midtown KC Now board who has been involved with the Southmoreland neighborhood association, opposed the McDonalds plan for years in public testimony. In a 2024 hearing, she described the situation as a lack of imagination by McDonalds to come up with a solution that is a better use for this site, pointing out the significant investment in adding transit to the area. With construction underway, she told The Star she stands behind her view at the time. Burkhalter said Main Street should have a grander vision and questioned why a big company should be excused from the citys requirements. The streetcar now runs nearly six miles, from River Market and down past the Plaza, and the Main Street McDonalds construction site is visible as it zooms through midtown. It will have a drive-thru, plans show. Plans also show bike parking, outdoor seating and new signage with an updated building design. The streetcar also passes by more construction sites for buildings that, when complete, will add hundreds of new residents in the middle of Kansas City, including the new construction ArriveKC apartments and Driven Developments workforce housing alongside the ABC building rehab, which are becoming mixed-use lofts. Some scars are visible, too, like the hole in the ground where the 137-year-old Jeserich Building stood on the corner of 31st and Main before it was demolished with a proposal for a future mixed-use building or the historic Southwell Building near 39th Street, which faces a dangerous building case. Meanwhile, the streetcar is seeing its highest ridership yet. Another extension, to the Berkley Riverfront, is on the way, and city officials have floated a new line to the 18th and Vine district. Its doing the work that we intended it to do, Burkhalter said of the Main Street extension. Its bolstering a lot of other people that might have been a little shy about it or kind of unsure in other communities, and were excited about seeing opportunities for expansion in other areas of the city. FRANKFORT The GOP-controlled Kentucky Senate unanimously passed its version of the two-year state budget Wednesday providing less money than the House for public schools but substantially more for Medicaid, while cutting a number of state agency budgets. State senators also passed budget bills funding the states legislative and judicial branches, along with a bill that would spend $810 million from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund on one-time appropriations that were not specified. The so-called rainy day fund currently holds billions of dollars in revenue surpluses from recent years. Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee Chair Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, told lawmakers on the Senate floor that the legislature has had to write budgets at times that were exceptionally tight during a global pandemic and when times have gotten better. I could not be more proud of our current and past members because we did things with discipline. We made tough decisions when we had to. We crafted our budgets for the future, not just for today, McDaniel said. Advertisement Advertisement The minority of Democrats joined the GOP supermajority in advancing the budget bills, as they did during the last state budget process in 2024. Senate Minority Floor Leader Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, thanked McDaniel for meeting with Democrats earlier in the day to answer questions about the budget bills. Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, defers to Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, as budget bills are voted on the Senate floor. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer) I think thats where the process should go. We look forward to continuing this process, Neal said. The Senate quickly moved the budget spanning 228 pages and substantially changed from what the House approved through a legislative committee and voted for it on the Senate floor in one day. The budget approved by the Senate became publicly available on the legislatures website just hours before the vote. The League of Women Voters of Kentucky has criticized moving a bill through a legislative committee and to a final vote in one day as an anti-transparency maneuver, depriving the public of time to weigh in. Advertisement Advertisement McDaniel said the budget bills had to be moved swiftly because developing them is a long, difficult process and time is limited to finish the legislatures work. Lawmakers have 10 legislative workdays remaining in the 60-day session to pass the budget. Even when youre negotiating with people of the same party, it will take us a while to get through it. And simply, with the amount of time thats left, weve got to move this thing along quickly, McDaniel said. The Kentucky House of Representatives passed its budget bill last month and would have to concur with the Senates changes to send the bill to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear for his consideration. State budgets typically reach their final form in House-Senate conference committees that negotiate behind closed doors. The Senate version of the budget The Senate version of House Bill 500 would slightly decrease the amount of funding that goes to Kentuckys school districts compared to what the House proposed and provide significantly less than what the Democratic governor wants. Advertisement Advertisement The Senate plan provides $4,626 per student in fiscal year 2026-2027 and $4,774 per student per student in fiscal year 2027-2028 through the Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) formula, which provides monies to school districts, slightly less than what the House proposed. In contrast, Beshears budget proposal called for $4,701 per student in fiscal year 2026-2027 and $4,818 per student in fiscal year 2027-2028. The Senates budget keeps transportation funding for school districts flat, similar to the House budget. The Senate also reversed cuts to higher education that the House made. Sen. Chris McDaniel, chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee, introduces the Senates version of the states budget bills during a legislative committee. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer) McDaniel said a number of state agencies would see cuts to their allocations of at least 4%, though lawmakers gave several exemptions from the cuts including for Kentucky State Police, juvenile justice and prison funding, prosecutors and public defenders and teachers pensions. Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the Senate budget allocates $31,011,874,600 in General Fund revenues. The House budget allocates $30,977,333,400 in revenues, about $34 million less. McDaniel said the Senate also provided a 13th check for state retirees by using a portion of $350 million the budget pulls from the Kentucky Insurance Regulatory Trust, a state fund financed by fees on insurers. Kentucky Government Retirees, an advocacy group representing 20,000 Kentucky Retirement Systems retirees and active employees, said in a statement it was gratified to see the 13th check in the budget. Jason Bailey, the executive director of the progressive think tank Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, in a statement said the Senate budget makes modest improvements but doesnt go far enough, arguing that K-12 education remains woefully underfunded. Advertisement Advertisement The Senate voted to fund Medicaid benefits at approximately the same level as the governors proposal, the think tank found in its analysis, in contrast to deep cuts to Medicaid in the House budget. The federal-state program pays for 1-3 Kentuckians health care. Bailey said the underfunding of education and deep cuts to the bases of many agencies prove years of tax cuts have already resulted in revenue that is too low to meet the needs of Kentuckians, referencing the income tax rate cuts lawmakers have approved in recent years. Thankfully, the Senate budget does not substantially underspend relative to revenue in an attempt to trigger more tax cuts in the future. But as the underfunding of education and deep cuts to the bases of many agencies prove, years of tax cuts have already resulted in revenue that is too low to meet the needs of Kentuckians. As the House and Senate reconcile their budgets in the coming weeks, they should work toward a version that uses a responsible portion of the massive Budget Reserve Trust Fund to make greater targeted investments in the services needed to make Kentucky healthier and safer and our communities stronger. Advertisement Advertisement McDaniel told reporters approximately $3.9 billion would remain in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund under the Senates proposal. A pretty fast process The speed with which the budget moved through the Senate left little time for senators to review the actual text, though several emphasized the budget crafting is ongoing. Sen. Jared Carpenter, R-Berea, told the Lantern Wednesday morning he hadnt had a chance to review the budget bill, mentioning its a pretty fast process once we get it in our hands. Our folks have been working on this thing for several weeks, way up in the night, to try to get it to a process now to where we can look at it and vote on it, have an understanding of it, said Carpenter, whos been in the legislature since 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Neal, the Senate Minority Floor Leader, had said on the Senate floor in 2024 when Republicans in a similar fashion passed a changed version of the budget through the chamber in one day that the maneuver was not the most transparent process. Senate Minority Floor Leader Gerald Neal thanked Sen. Chris McDaniel for allowing time to answer questions about the budget bill. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer) He told the Lantern on Wednesday that senators expect everything to be put on the table with the budget. We are confident of that, but we got to scrutinize the budget more carefully, Neal said. Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, who served in the legislature in the 1990s, predicted the budget would likely go to a conference committee where leadership would ultimately decide whats in the budget. Advertisement Advertisement There can be huge swings between what we saw today. Not that there could be there will be, Williams said, referencing the negotiations between the Senate and House. Even to senators and reps its a little bit of an opaque experience. You put everything in, but its those guys that are in the leadership theyre behind closed doors at the time, and they both come out and blame it on the other leadership, Williams said. Thats the way its worked. Thats the way its always worked. Given the volume of legislation still awaiting action in both chambers, Williams said it would be better if we did all this stuff earlier and had a longer process. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) will officially both be on the ballot for the May 26 GOP runoff, as Tuesdays deadline came and went without an endorsement in the race by President Trump. Trump, who said days after the two advanced to a runoff that he would endorse a candidate and ask the other to drop out, is still yet to back either. He told NBC News on Saturday he would make an endorsement in the next week or so but added, I like both candidates very much. Cornyn, a four-term incumbent, beat Paxton by roughly 1.2 points in the March 3 primary but failed to garner majority support necessitating a runoff between them. The victor will square off against state Rep. James Talarico (D), who is attempting to become the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the Lone Star State since former Sen. Lloyd Bentsen won his final race in 1988. Advertisement Advertisement A Texas Public Opinion Research survey conducted March 7-8 found that 49 percent of 781 likely Republican runoff voters backed Paxton, while 41 percent backed Cornyn and 11 percent were undecided. If the president endorsed the incumbent, Paxtons lead would decrease to a mere 1 point. The poll had a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points. Trump wrote on Truth Social the day after the primary that the GOP infighting cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer. He added, I will be making my Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I dont Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE! Is that fair? We must win in November!!! Cornyn, a longtime defender of Senate traditions, has since backed changing the filibuster rules to pass the Safeguard Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. The House-passed bill, which Trump has said is his top priority above all other pieces of legislation, proposes requiring proof of citizenship for those registering to vote in federal elections. Advertisement Advertisement Paxton said after the primary that he would consider dropping out of the race if the Senate passes the SAVE America Act. Floor debate on the measure began in the upper chamber on Tuesday. 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 union representing ride-hail workers has filed a complaint against Waymo with state regulators, alleging the robotaxi company willfully violated the conditions of its permit by providing service to unaccompanied minors. The complaint filed Tuesday by the Service Employees International Union - which represents drivers for Uber and Lyft, among other on-demand workers cites accounts from various news outlets, including the Chronicle, about how parents are increasingly relying on autonomous vehicles for pick-up and drop-off. Those interviewed by the Chronicle said Waymo had given their children more independence while freeing up time for the adults. Many considered robotaxis a safe alternative to other transportation modes. Advertisement Advertisement Now, gig workers are asking the California Public Utilities Commission to suspend Waymo's permit to operate, and possibly impose fines, until the company proves it can fully comply with state rules. The commission is midway through a process to make new rules and policies for autonomous vehicles, and transport of unaccompanied children is one of the items up for discussion. In California, the Department of Motor Vehicles issues permits for testing and operation of autonomous vehicles, while the CPUC oversees all commercial ride-hails, self-driving or not. A spokesperson for the DMV was not immediately available to comment on the gig workers' complaint, though a CPUC representative reiterated that autonomous vehicles are "explicitly disallowed" to carry children without an adult chaperone. "Right now, you have a situation in which (human ride-hail) drivers can be suspended or disciplined for violating CPUC rules if they transport unaccompanied minors," said attorney Scott Kronland, who represents the gig workers. "And yet Waymo is doing it and there's no action. It's a double standard." Spokespeople for Waymo were not immediately available to comment. The company responded to interest from parents and children in another market, Phoenix, by introducing teen accounts for riders ages 14 to 17 - with the stipulation that each be linked to a responsible adult. Whether Waymo could ever replicate that product in California is unclear. Advertisement Advertisement During an administrative proceeding before the CPUC in January, an attorney representing Waymo acknowledged reports that parents were allowing teens to borrow their accounts to book rides on the platform. "Generally, there are instances that we are aware of, as some of them are publicly reported, where parents have used Waymo for transportation of minors," said the attorney, Jack Stoddard. But Stoddard noted that it's against Waymo's terms of service for children to ride without an adult, and that anyone who breaches those terms is at risk of an account suspension. Despite publicly addressing the issue, Waymo's legal team has argued that CPUC rulemaking proceedings are not the right forum for regulators to raise questions about the company's handling of unaccompanied minors. So gig workers said they had no choice but to submit a formal complaint. This article originally published at Kids are riding in Waymos without an adult. Ride-hail drivers want California to crack down. The aid is aimed at communities located within 02 kilometers of the border fence, including Shlomi, Metula, and Kiryat Shmona, as well as several regional councils along the confrontation line. The Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) board of directors has approved a NIS 6 million emergency assistance package for residents living along Israels northern border, the organization announced. The aid is aimed at communities located within 02 kilometers of the border fence, including Shlomi, Metula, and Kiryat Shmona, as well as several regional councils along the confrontation line. Advertisement Advertisement According to the plan, NIS 4.5m. will be allocated to fund organized respite stays in hotels across the country for approximately 5,000 residents and families. The initiative is set to begin in the days leading up to Passover and continue throughout the holiday period. The program will include accommodation, transportation, and educational activities, offering participants temporary relief from the ongoing security situation in the north. An additional NIS 1.5m has been earmarked for urgent and special cases among residents who are unable to remain in their homes for extended periods. This includes individuals lacking access to protected spaces, as well as elderly residents, those with physical limitations, or people facing complex socioeconomic challenges. KKL-JNF Board of Directors approve 6 million NIS of aid for Israelis in northern border communities ahead of Passover. (credit: KKL-JNF) The funds will be transferred directly to local authorities to enable rapid response to immediate needs, KKL-JNF said. Advertisement Advertisement KKL-JNF chairman Eyal Ostrinsky said the decision marks a broader effort to support communities facing sustained security threats. On the eve of Passover, it is our national and moral duty to ensure that residents of the northern confrontation line are granted a moment of calm and security, he said. Assisting vulnerable residents He added that particular emphasis had been placed on assisting vulnerable populations who are unable to evacuate independently, describing the current situation for some residents as a matter of life and death. The organization said the initiative will be implemented in several stages and managed directly by KKL-JNF, in coordination with local authorities. The aid package comes as northern communities continue to face ongoing security challenges along the Lebanon border, with residents enduring prolonged periods of uncertainty and disruption. - Getty Images/iStock The One Big Beautiful Bill Act that passed Congress last year has arrived and its bringing more swag than any tax law in recent memory. For high-income earners, especially those nearing or already in retirement, this is your cue to update the tax playbook. When the rules of the game change, playing the same strategy isnt discipline, its denial. Heres what has changed, and what to do about it. Most Read from MarketWatch 1. Revisit your payroll elections for 2026: Lets start with the low-hanging fruit, how to reduce taxable income. Many individuals may consider reviewing their paycheck withholding in light of the 2026 tax updates. The IRS even has a quick paycheck checkup tool to help you dial in your withholding (www.irs.gov/paycheck-checkup). Translation: Is the IRS borrowing your money interest-free longer than necessary? And while youre at it, fine-tune your deductions as well: That means a narrow window where workers aged 6063 can contribute up to $35,750 to a 401(k). Enjoy it while you can because once the clock strikes 64, youre back to the regular limits. High earners should also note that catch-up contributions must be Roth starting in 2026. No deduction now, but tax-free later can be an attractive trade-off for some taxpayers, depending on future income and tax circumstances. A 10-minute review of your withholding and planning assumptions could have the potential to save you thousands of dollars later through better tax-savings strategies. Inertia is expensive. 2. SALT is back on the Menu (sort of): Since 2018, the $10,000 state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap has been a recurring nightmare for taxpayers in New York, California, New Jersey, Connecticut and Illinois, to name a few states. The OBBBA raised that cap to $40,000 for 2026 through 2029 $20,000 if married filing separately (MFS). For many upper middle-class households, this is real relief and a meaningful tax reduction strategy. If youve been bumping into the old cap for years, you may finally deduct more of what you actually pay. But read the fine print before you pop the champagne. If your modified adjusted gross income exceeds $500,000 ($250,000 MFS), the extra SALT deduction above $10,000 begins to phase out at a 30% rate. At around $600,000 of income, youre effectively back to the old $10,000 cap. This wasnt designed for billionaires or middle America. Its for the professional class stuck in the middle of both. Nearly three weeks into the Middle East war, Iran is ramping up attacks on critical energy infrastructure in Arab Gulf states, threatening the worlds energy security and causing global oil prices to surge even higher. US President Donald Trump tried to distance his administration from Israels attacks on Irans gas fields but warned that if Iran continued to attack Qatar, the US would completely blow up the South Pars field. Heres what to know on Day 20. What are the main headlines? The Qatari Armed Forces launch interceptor missiles into the sky over Doha to intercept incoming Iranian missiles on March 18, 2026. - Stringer/picture alliance/Getty Images Attacks on Gulf energy: Oil prices surged on Wednesday to $110 per barrel, after attacks on energy infrastructure in Persian Gulf countries. Iran hit Qatars Ras Laffan natural gas processing facility, a major energy hub, twice within 12 hours, causing extensive damage. And in Abu Dhabi, gas operations at crucial energy sites were temporarily suspended after missile debris fell on the facilities. Saudi threat: Saudi Arabia also intercepted drones, including one that had been heading for a gas facility warning on Thursday that Riyadh reserved the right to take military actions against Iran if necessary. Its meeting of 12 Arab and Islamic foreign ministers produced a joint statement calling for Iran to immediately halt its attacks. Trumps comments: Trump said late Wednesday that Israel had violently lashed out at Irans South Pars natural gas field, the worlds largest. He claimed he knew nothing about Israels plans, and vowed that Israel would not attack the site again unless provoked. Diplomatic moves: Qatar expelled Irans military and security attaches following the Ras Laffan strike, ordering them to leave the country within 24 hours. Intel assessment: A day after his resignation, former Trump administration counterterrorism chief Joe Kent said there was no intelligence suggesting Iran was going to launch a big sneak attack akin to 9/11 or Pearl Harbor. He said Iran was not on the verge of getting a nuclear weapon, and that he felt Israel had pulled the US into the conflict. Meanwhile, administration officials in a public hearing Wednesday repeatedly contradicted Trumps claims about the threat posed by Iran, or failed to back them up. Another official killed: Iran confirmed the death of yet another top official intelligence minister Esmail Khatib, who was killed in the latest attack by Israel on the countrys senior leadership. Senate vote: Republicans again rejected a resolution aimed at reining in Trumps war powers. This is the second time that Democrats have forced an unsuccessful vote since the current conflict with Iran started. Whats happening on the ground? A damaged flat at the impact site in a residential building, following an Iranian missile strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 19, 2026. - Itai Ron/Reuters Continuing strikes: Israel, Iran and Hezbollah continue trading strikes. Israel said it had struck 200 targets across western and central Iran on Wednesday, including military infrastructure. Israel also said early Thursday it was intercepting missiles launched from Iran, with one foreign national killed by shrapnel in the southern Sharon region. And in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, at least three women were killed after rocket fragments struck a hair salon, which the Israeli military said was caused by Iranian cluster munitions. Caspian Sea attack: Israel carried out strikes against Iranian naval targets in the Caspian Sea, in the first such strikes after nearly three weeks of war. Until now, the US strikes on Iranian naval assets have been in the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The landlocked Caspian Sea is bordered by several other countries, including Russia. Two ships hit: Unknown projectiles hit two vessels in separate incidents in and around the Persian Gulf early Thursday, according to the UKs maritime agency. More than 20 oil tankers, cargo ships and other vessels have reported incidents in and around the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman since the war began, according to the agency. Rising toll: The death toll across the region is rising, with Lebanon now reporting nearly 1,000 people killed since the conflict began. The highest toll so far comes from Iran, with scores more killed in Gulf nations and Israel. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The price of energy is soaring after Israel in a major escalation struck production infrastructure linked to Irans South Pars natural gas field, part of the largest gas reserves in the world, prompting Iran to target energy facilities in neighboring Persian Gulf states and Israel. Although President Donald Trump has tried to distance his administration from Israels strike, saying the United States knew nothing about it, sources are disputing his claim. Heres what to know on Day 20. What are the main headlines? Energy prices spike: Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, hit $115 a barrel Thursday morning after Israels attack on the South Pars gas field spurred Tehran to fire back at energy infrastructure across the Middle East. An Iranian missile struck an Israeli oil refinery complex at Haifa on Thursday. Saudi Arabia said two refineries were struck in its capital, Riyadh, while Qatar reported extensive damage at Ras Laffan, its main energy hub. After the strike, Qatar ordered Irans military and security attaches to leave the country within 24 hours. Trump distances US: Israels attack on South Pars represented a major escalation: It had previously attacked Iranian fuel depots but had until Wednesday refrained from striking energy production facilities. Trump distanced his administration from Israels attack on Irans part of the gas field, which it shares with Qatar. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, he wrote on Truth Social. He did, however, warn that the US will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field if Iran keeps attacking Qatar. Netanyahu: Trump also said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him to stop attacks on Iranian oil and gas facilities. I told him, dont do that, Trump said. And he wont do that. Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel would comply with Trumps demand. Sources contradict Trump: Sources familiar with Israels South Pars strike have contradicted Trumps claim that the US knew nothing about it. An Israeli source told CNN that Israel carried out the attack in coordination with the United States, while an American source said the US had been aware of the strike. Export ban ruled out: The White House has ruled out imposing a ban on US crude oil and gas exports, as it seeks ways to ease surging energy prices, an administration official told CNN. Trump administration officials had initially weighed a ban as one of a range of ideas aimed at alleviating the spike in prices. Saudi threat: As its energy facilities came under attack, Saudi Arabia warned Thursday that it reserved the right to take military actions against Iran if necessary. In a joint statement following a meeting of 12 Arab and Islamic foreign ministers, Saudi Arabia called for Iran to immediately halt its attacks. US troops: Trump said hes not deploying US troops when asked about Reuters reporting that his administration is considering deploying thousands of them to the Middle East. No, Im not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldnt tell you, but Im not putting troops, Trump said Thursday. In an opinion piece in The Economist, Omans foreign minister urged American allies to step in and help end what he called an unlawful war. Intel assessment: A day after his resignation, former Trump administration counterterrorism chief Joe Kent said there was no intelligence suggesting Iran was going to launch a big sneak attack akin to 9/11 or Pearl Harbor. He said Iran was not on the verge of getting a nuclear weapon and that he felt Israel had pulled the US into the conflict. In a public hearing Wednesday, administration officials repeatedly contradicted Trumps claims about the threat posed by Iran, or failed to back them up. Senate vote: Republicans again rejected a resolution aimed at reining in Trumps war powers. This is the second time that Democrats have forced an unsuccessful vote since the current conflict with Iran started. No clear timeline: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US remains on plan to achieve its objectives, but he did not indicate when the war might end. We wouldnt want to set a definitive time frame on the wars end, Hegseth said at a Pentagon press briefing Thursday. Trump administration expedites weapons sale: The Trump administration bypassed Congress to expedite the sale of billions of dollars of weapons to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait as Gulf allies shoulder Irans retaliation for US and Israeli military action. The administration also expedited the multimillion-dollar sale of aircraft and munitions support to Jordan. Whats happening on the ground? A damaged apartment at the impact site in a residential building, following an Iranian missile strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 19, 2026. - Itai Ron/Reuters Continuing strikes: Israel, Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon have continued trading strikes. Israel said it struck 200 targets across western and central Iran on Wednesday, including military infrastructure. Israel also said early Thursday it was intercepting missiles launched from Iran, with one foreign national killed by shrapnel in the southern Sharon region. And in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, at least three women were killed after rocket fragments struck a hair salon, which the Israeli military said was caused by Iranian cluster munitions. Caspian Sea attack: Israel carried out strikes against Iranian naval targets in the Caspian Sea, in the first such strikes after nearly three weeks of war. Until now, US strikes on Iranian naval assets have been in the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The landlocked Caspian Sea is bordered by several other countries, including Russia. Two ships hit: Unknown projectiles hit two vessels in separate incidents in and around the Persian Gulf early Thursday, according to the United Kingdoms maritime agency. More than 20 oil tankers, cargo ships and other vessels have reported incidents in and around the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman since the war began, according to the agency. Rising toll: The death toll across the region is rising, with Lebanon now reporting more than 1,000 fatalities since the conflict began. The highest toll so far comes from Iran, with scores more killed in Persian Gulf Arab nations and Israel. The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society has said more than 18,000 civilians have been injured and tens of thousands of civilian structures damaged in ongoing US-Israeli strikes across the country, according to Iranian state media. Public hangings in Iran: Iran has executed three men in connection with nationwide protests that took place in January, including a 19-year-old wrestler whose conviction had drawn criticism from the US. A news agency affiliated with Irans judiciary said the hangings were carried out in the city of Qom, after what it described as the completion of legal procedures that included the presence of defense lawyers and approval by Irans Supreme Court. Rights groups have described their trials as a sham that drew on forced confessions and torture. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas Metro police re-arrested a 35-time offender on Wednesday, weeks after a judge ordered his release to electronic monitoring despite the sheriffs refusal, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. >>Download the 8 News Now Vegas streaming app On Thursday, March 12, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported on the clash between police and the Las Vegas Justice Court over the authority to declare a defendant too dangerous. Attorneys for Metro filed their petition Monday, March 9, after Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman ordered 36-year-old Joshua Sanchez-Lopez released to Metros electronic-monitoring program. Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez-Lopez is a convicted felon who most recently served prison time on drug and involuntary manslaughter charges, according to records. In court paperwork filed with the Nevada Supreme Court, Metro said his record includes 35 arrests. On Wednesday, Metro arrested Sanchez-Lopez for the 36th time, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported. According to the department, officers found him with a shaved mail key, fraudulent ID and credit cards, and methamphetamine. Officers arrested Sanchez-Lopez during a traffic stop on Boulder Highway near Desert Inn Road after a complaint of a man going through mailboxes at an apartment complex. Through the course of the investigation, detectives were able to locate various pieces of mail, which did not belong to Sanchez-Lopez, the department said. Detectives also found what appeared to be a fraud lab and narcotics within his residence. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, who runs the police department, spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about Sanchez-Lopez and the Nevada Supreme Court petition. Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how else to bring this to the publics attention and the judges attention that I cannot effectively supervise these people when they ask me to put them out on electronic monitoring, McMahill said. According to court records, Sanchez-Lopez faces 27 new felony charges, including obtaining or possessing a credit or debit card without a cardholders consent, mail theft and child abuse. Metro arrested Sanchez-Lopez on a warrant in January on a charge of grand larceny of a motor vehicle. The department provided this prior booking photo from a 2020 arrest. (LVMPD) Metro arrested Sanchez-Lopez on a warrant in January on a charge of grand larceny of a motor vehicle. During a bench warrant return hearing, Goodman set bail at $25,000, ordering Sanchez-Lopez to Metros electronic monitoring program should he post bond. The program allows defendants to leave jail and wear an ankle bracelet. Various levels of the program require different levels of confinement. Goodman ordered Sanchez-Lopez to high-level electronic monitoring, which the department described as house arrest. About 450 defendants are in the program at a time. Advertisement Advertisement LVMPD concluded that Sanchez-Lopezs prior participation in LVMPDs [electronic-monitoring program] included him repeatedly and flagrantly violating the programs rules in escalating fashion, the department said in a statement. Sanchez-Lopez has been involved in high-speed vehicle pursuits in which he fled from law enforcement and an incident in North Las Vegas where he pointed a handgun at an unsuspecting officer investigating a traffic accident. On Jan. 29, Metro informed Goodman it declined to release Sanchez-Lopez to the program, citing prior bench warrants, failures to appear in court and violations of the departments program. Judge Eric Goodman appears in Las Vegas Justice Court in 2025. (KLAS) In their letter, Metro points to a 2020 arrest where they said Sanchez-Lopez ran from officers armed with a gun. He later posted on Snapchat, showing his ankle monitor, and said he got chased again, according to documents. On Feb. 5, Goodman ordered Metro to release Sanchez-Lopez to the program, adding the department could be sanctioned for contempt should it fail to comply. Goodman later released Sanchez-Lopez to the courts pre-trial release program, which includes another form of GPS monitoring. Advertisement Advertisement A 2020 Nevada Supreme Court decision requires judges to set the least restrictive bail amount for defendants to ensure they return to court. Again, here we are back in custody, multiple charges, same individual again, McMahill said, adding officers found Sanchez-Lopez and a woman Wednesday morning with eight children. This is not effective management for someone awaiting trial on a number of cases that they have before these magistrates. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill speaks with 8 News Now Investigator David Charns on March 18, 2026. (KLAS) Former Clark County District Attorney David Roger said Nevada law allows sheriffs to administer their electronic-monitoring programs as the custodian of [the] jail. I believe that the law is very clear and that Metro made the right decision from a legal standpoint, Roger, who works as an attorney for the union representing Metro police officers, said Wednesday. If the courts feel like they should have discretion to tell a sheriff to supervise someone on house arrest, then go to the Legislature and have lawmakers change the law. There are other options. Advertisement Advertisement Goodman was scheduled to hear further arguments from Metro and Sanchez-Lopezs public defenders regarding his case and custody status last week, but postponed the hearing due to illness. It was scheduled to continue on Thursday, when Sanchez-Lopez was also expected to appear in court on the 27 new charges. Yes, everyones entitled to a bail, but not a bail thats so low that they can get out on every charge that they make, McMahill said. People have to be held to account, and Im tired of it. On Feb. 5, Goodman ordered Metro to release Sanchez-Lopez to the program, adding the department could be sanctioned for contempt should it fail to comply. (KLAS) Metros argument is flat wrong, Sanchez-Lopezs public defender, P. David Westbrook said in a statement last week. It is the job of the elected judge to decide whether someone charged with a crime should be released and under what conditions. The idea that a Metro employee can overrule a judges release order and keep someone locked up should worry anyone who believes in the Constitution and the rule of law. Westbrook did not have a comment on Sanchez-Lopezs most recent arrest when the 8 News Now Investigators first inquired on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement The Las Vegas Justice Court, Goodman and the Clark County District Attorneys Office did not return requests for comment after the 8 News Now Investigators asked last week. No one immediately responded to comment on Wednesday about his latest arrest. In an unrelated case, a Clark County District Court judge sided with Metro after the department refused to release a different defendant on an ankle monitor. In her order dated Friday, March 13, Clark County District Court Judge Erika Mendoza sided with the police department on its refusal to place a defendant on its medium-electronic monitoring program. The case Mendoza ruled on involves Matthew Cordero-Davila, who in January pleaded guilty to a charge of coercion constituting domestic violence with physical force or immediate threat of physical force, documents said. Two weeks later, amid other pending criminal proceedings, Metro, which also runs the Clark County Detention Center, informed the court it would not release Cordero-Davila with an ankle bracelet due to an unreasonable risk to public safety, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Mendoza later ordered Cordero-Davila released on house arrest. In her ruling, she determined Metro and the sheriff can decide whether or not a defendant can be part of Metros program. It was not immediately clear when the Nevada Supreme Court would hear Metros petition in Sanchez-Lopezs case. 8 News Now Investigator David Charns can be reached at dcharns@8newsnow.com. 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. Iran intensified its attacks on oil and gas facilities around the Gulf on Thursday in retaliation for an Israeli attack on a key Iranian gas field, dramatically raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy. President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would massively blow up the entirety of Irans gas field if it continues attacking its neighbors. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared later Thursday that Iran no longer can enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles. As he spoke, Israel's military sent another alert about incoming Iranian missiles, and sirens sounded from Haifa to the Sea of Galilee. The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, spiked more than 60% since Israel and the U.S. started the war with Iran. The death toll from Israeli strikes in Lebanon topped 1,000 people on Thursday during renewed fighting with the militant group Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Here is the latest: Shrapnel sparks fire in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia destroys drones Bahrains Interior Ministry reported a fire erupted Friday morning after shrapnel fell on a warehouse in the island kingdom. Firefighters worked to control the blaze, it said. Saudi Arabia reported shooting down multiple Iranian drones Friday morning targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province. Explosions shake Dubai Heavy explosions shook Dubai in the United Arab Emirates early Friday as air defenses intercepted incoming fire over the city. A missile alert sounded prior to the strike, with authorities saying there were activating air defenses to counter an Iranian barrage. The Dubai Media Office, the sheikhdoms government communications arm, said, Authorities in Dubai confirm the success of all air interception operations, with no injuries reported. Advertisement Advertisement It came as the UAE marked Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and as mosques made the days first call to prayers. Kuwait also said Friday morning it had worked to intercept incoming Iranian fire. Iranians mark Nowruz under early morning airstrikes Iranians marked Nowruz, or the Persian New Year, early Friday morning as airstrikes began. Israels military said very early Friday it had begun to strike Tehran. Activists reported hearing strikes around Tehran after Israels announcement of a new wave of attacks. The announcement came after an intense day of Iranian missile strikes targeting Israel, with more than a dozen launches on Thursday alone, according to Israels military. UAE says it disrupts terrorist network of Hezbollah and Iran The United Arab Emirates announced Friday it disrupted what it called a terrorist network funded and operated by Lebanons Hezbollah and Iran, arresting its operatives. Advertisement Advertisement The UAE accused the men of operating within the country under a fictitious commercial cover and sought to infiltrate the national economy and carry out external schemes threatening the countrys financial stability. It described the men as allegedly laundering money. It published images of five prisoners on its state-run WAM news agency, without identifying the men. It wasnt immediately clear if they had lawyers. The Strait of Hormuz has a long history of disruption The war has thrust the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the globes oceans, once again into the crosshairs of a geopolitical conflict. Nearly all traffic has ground to a halt in the waterway, shutting down a critical path for the worlds flow of oil. Attacks on commercial ships and threats of further strikes have stopped nearly all tankers from carrying oil, gas and other goods. That has also led to cuts from some of the worlds largest producers, because their crude has nowhere to go. Advertisement Advertisement This is hardly the first time the Strait of Hormuz has been weaponized. Ship seizures and past fighting in the region have raised alarm for commercial ships, at times severely disrupting their ability to sail through. Iran has also repeatedly threatened to close the strait in response to sanctions and other tensions over the years, but stopped short of cutting off traffic entirely. Read more Japanese PM does not say whether Trump asked her country to send warships to Strait of Hormuz Sanae Takaichi, asked by a reporter at a briefing after her summit with the U.S. president in Washington, said the conversation was of a sensitive nature and there are certain actions we can and cannot take within the scope of Japanese law, and I provided a detailed and thorough explanations of this matter. The consensus between the two leaders was that ensuring the safety of the Strait of Hormuz is of the utmost importance, Takaichi said. Iran womens soccer team greeted in Tehran Members of Irans national womens soccer team were greeted with a welcome ceremony upon their return to the Islamic Republic after several of the players had sought asylum in Australia. Advertisement Advertisement First of all we are so happy to be in Iran, because Iran is our homeland, midfielder Fatemeh Shaban said. People in the crowd waved flags, while some players held bouquets of flowers and signed what appeared to be miniature soccer balls. Iranian media had reported that the team returned Wednesday. I wasnt expecting this many people to come to welcome us, and I am happy to be the daughter of Iran, Shaban said in translated comments. Two players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, chose to remain in Australia and have been training with the Brisbane Roar club. Others who initially sought asylum after the team was knocked out of the Womens Asian Cup later changed their minds and said they would return. Advertisement Advertisement Read more How the Iran war and surging oil prices are affecting consumers at the gas pump and beyond As the war in Iran ratchets up, the price of crude oil has been swinging sharply. Consumers are already feeling the effects of the war and its destabilizing effect on worldwide energy production. Gasoline prices are climbing, and many people will find some of the most immediate economic pain at the pump. But not only drivers are affected. Food and nearly everything else thats bought and sold must travel from where its produced. Those costs will climb with higher gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices. Brent crude oil, the international standard, is now trading above $110 a barrel. That will likely be a big factor for inflation. As the war continues, some experts say the price of everything could be affected which could eat into wider spending down the road. Advertisement Advertisement Read more War and displacement mar the run-up to Eid al-Fitr holiday for many in Lebanon Back home, Lilian Jamaan would have been shopping for clothes for her daughter and buying meat and sweets in preparation for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. But now theres no joy for Eid or for Ramadan or for anything, she said by phone from a school-turned-shelter in the Lebanese city of Sidon. As Muslims worldwide prepare for the typically joyous holiday, Lebanon has crossed a grim milestone. The renewal of the war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has displaced more than 1 million people in the country. Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,000 people, Lebanese health officials say. Advertisement Advertisement The Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the wider Iran war this month by firing rockets at Israel. That prompted heavy Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon and Beiruts southern suburbs, driving many from their homes. Read more Trump and Netanyahu split on gas field attack, raise questions about whether theyre in sync on war President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s diverging language on Israels decision to attack a critical Iranian gas field marks the most notable difference of opinion between the two leaders since the start of the 20-day war against Iran. The attack by Israel on the South Pars gas field prompted Iran to retaliate against energy infrastructure in other Middle East countries. The Iranian strikes led to already elevated global energy prices further surging and spurred Gulf allies to call for Trump to rein in Netanyahu. Advertisement Advertisement The aftermath of the strike left Trump and Netanyahu facing questions on whether theyre entirely in sync in prosecuting the war that began as a closely coordinated joint attack on the longtime regional foe. The emergence of daylight or at least the appearance of it between the two leaders could shape the balance of the conflict and any eventual endgame. Read more Israels emergency service reports no casualties from latest missile launches from Iran But a person critically injured earlier in the day in an attack in the area of Kiryat Shmona was medically evacuated, the Magen David Adom emergency medical service said. A direct hit damaged a building in the northern Israeli city, which is near Lebanon. It has been targeted repeatedly by both Iran and Hezbollah. EU leaders call for free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, safety for energy and water sites Leaders of the blocs 27 nations called for a moratorium on strikes on energy and water infrastructure in the Middle East and for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during a summit in Brussels. They also asked for Iran to stop striking neighbors across the Persian Gulf, sought international cooperation to prevent any large-scale refugee crisis in the Middle East and said some EU nations are exploring ways to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. European leaders have deflected entreaties from U.S. President Donald Trump to join the fight, but they have also fiercely criticized the Iranian government. UN Security Council holds urgent closed meeting on energy attacks in Iran war Bahrains U.N. Ambassador Jamal Alrowaiei, the Arab representative on the U.N.s most powerful body, said his country requested the meeting because of the continuing cowardly attacks by Iran on Gulf countries, Jordan and other nations. He said afterward that Bahrain and many of the 15 council members stressed a need for Iran to implement a March 11 resolution demanding an immediate halt to attacks against Gulf countries and the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure including energy installations. He said the resolution, adopted by a vote of 13-0 with Russia and China abstaining, also calls for Iran to stop all actions and threats aimed at closing, obstructing or interfering with navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for shipment of 20% of the worlds oil. Alrowaiei dodged a question about reports that Bahrain is seeking a resolution on freedom of navigation, including through the strait. Qatar Energy says damage from Iranian missile attack can take up to 5 years to fix Qatar, a key source of natural gas for world markets, gave more details late Thursday of the extensive damage caused by missiles hitting the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility. Qatar Energy said on the social platform X that the attacks reduced LNG exports by about 17% and will cost about $20 billion per year in lost revenue. The damage will take up to five years to repair, even though production at the facility had already been halted after earlier attacks. Israels military says Iran launched another missile attack just before midnight Sirens sounded in a large swath of central Israel, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Dead Sea. Loud explosions were heard in Jerusalem. It was the 13th such alert in a day, making it one of the most active for missile launches from Iran toward Israel in the war. The targeting of key Gulf energy infrastructure raises the risk of long-term disruption Escalating attacks on key oil and gas facilities in the Persian Gulf have increased the risk of an extended bout of higher prices for everything from gasoline and electricity to computer chips and food. Even if the Strait of Hormuz becomes safe for tankers to transit soon, it will be some time before oil and gas begin flowing again due to the complexity of restarting refineries and other facilities. If energy infrastructure has been damaged by the ongoing attacks, it will take even longer. Its not just oil and gas: Key raw materials like helium used in making computer chips and sulfur, a raw material in fertilizer have been obstructed and could soon be in short supply, raising prices of goods all the way along the supply chain. Read more France will double humanitarian aid for Lebanon to 17 million euros During a visit to Beirut, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X that his country would increase its humanitarian aid to Lebanon to nearly $20 million. Israeli strikes against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon have displaced more than 1 million people roughly 20% of the population and killed more than 1,000 people, according to the Lebanese government. Many families are sleeping in cars, on the streets or in overcrowded schools turned into shelters. Attempts by Lebanese officials to enter into direct negotiations with Israel to halt the fighting have been unsuccessful. Neither Hezbollah nor Israel appears to have any immediate desire to stop the war. Energy expert says lifting Iranian oil sanctions would benefit Iran And lifting those sanctions wouldnt benefit many other players, said Daniel Sternoff, senior fellow at the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy. Earlier Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. may un-sanction about 140 million barrels of Iranian oil thats already currently at sea. Normally, the only buyers of Iranian oil are private refiners in China, who purchase it at a steep discount, Sternoff said. Youre going to have others who are now not able to get other Middle Eastern grades scramble to buy them, Sternoff said. It will reduce the Iranian discount, or raise the prices of Iranian crude, to the benefit of Iran. That the U.S. is considering lifting sanctions on Iranian oil shows how serious the supply situation has become, said Kevin Book, managing director at Clearview Energy Partners. Brent crude briefly tops $119 per barrel before receding, shaking markets worldwide A roller-coaster day for oil prices has showed how theyre dictating where financial markets and maybe even the global economy are heading. Stocks tumbled in Europe and Asia when oil prices shot higher early Thursday, but U.S. stocks pared sharp losses as the day progressed and oil prices fell back. The price jump followed intensified attacks by Iran on Gulf oil and gas facilities in response to an Israeli attack on an important Iranian natural gas field. That worsened fears of a long-term knockout for oil and gas production in the Middle East, which could lock in high prices and push inflation higher around the world. Trump and countries around the world have made moves to stem the impact on consumers, but theyre mostly short-term fixes. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite finished Thursdays trading with minor dips, recovering from early losses. Read more Israels military says its working to intercept a missile launch from Iran The late-evening attack was the 12th salvo Iran fired at Israel on Thursday, making this one of most active days for launches since the war started. Sirens sounded in Jerusalem and nearby areas, including in the occupied West Bank. FIFA wants Iran to keep its US World Cup schedule and wont act on Palestinian complaint about Israel FIFA president Gianni Infantino said after the bodys ruling council met Thursday that it will not grant Iranian requests to move the teams three World Cup group games in June from the United States to Mexico. We have a schedule, Infantino said. We want the FIFA World Cup to go ahead as scheduled. Iranian officials say they dont want to boycott the World Cup, but insist its not possible for the national team to play in the United States after America and Israel launched a war on their country. Soccers governing body meanwhile took no action on its Palestinian member federations complaints that Israel violates FIFA statutes by letting teams from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank play in its national league. FIFA did, however, fine the Israel Football Association 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,000) on disciplinary charges relating to discrimination and racist abuse, plus offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play. State Department cut staff with deep expertise in Middle East The widening war in Iran is exposing big gaps at the State Department, especially in the bureau that handles the Middle East. Former officials say Trump administration staff cuts have left key leadership jobs vacant, so the bureau now relies on a small circle of aides along with task forces and volunteers. The former officials describe an understaffed and demoralized workforce in turmoil, which they link to mixed public messaging, weak planning and trouble helping Americans trapped in conflict zones. The State Department is vigorously disputing this Associated Press report. Read more Netanyahu says he didnt deceive Trump about war with Iran I misled no one, Israels prime minister said in a news conference Thursday. And I didnt have to convince President Trump about the need to prevent Iran from developing its nuclear program, he continued, putting it underground and being able to launch nuclear-tipped missiles at the United States. He understood that. Regarding the wars toll on U.S. troops, he sent his condolences on behalf of Israel, saying, The cost to bereaved families is enormous. Netanyahu also waved off rising fuel prices as a spike that will come down and said he expects the U.S. will reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu says Israel will hold off on any further attacks on Irans giant natural gas field at Trumps request In a televised address, Netanyahu also said that Irans air defenses have been rendered useless, their navy is lying at the bottom of the sea ... their air force is nearly destroyed. The Israeli leader said he hopes the Iranian people will rise up against the Islamic Republic that has ruled for nearly half a century, but he conceded its too early to say whether that will happen. Theres been no sign of such an uprising since the war began in Iran, where authorities crushed mass protests in January. Iraqi security tracks dozens of attacks on US facility next to Baghdad airport A former U.S. base adjacent to Baghdads airport that still provides logistical support to American operations has been attacked at least 65 times since the beginning of the war, according to an Iraqi security report obtained by The Associated Press. The vast majority of the attacks between March 2 and 18 involved drones sometimes several fired at once a total of 73. The report said between 17 and 22 shells and missiles were fired at the facility. Iran-backed Iraqi militias have claimed some of the attacks. Most of the launches have been intercepted, but on Wednesday, a rocket attack wounded four airport security personnel and staff. Multiple attacks have also targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. consulate in the northern city of Irbil. A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, said the Iraqi report figure is in the ballpark of what the U.S. has been tracking in terms of rocket, drone or other attack attempts on the airport. Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Matthew Lee Netanyahu denies that Israel pressured the United States into going to war The Israeli leader dedicated a substantial chunk of his news conference to denying that his government pushed the United States into war. This canard that we dragged the United States into this is not just a canard, its ridiculous, he said, reciting a checklist of Iranian attacks and threats against America over the decades. He said Trump had told him more than a year ago: Bibi, weve got to make sure that Iran doesnt have nuclear weapons. The world owes a debt of deep indebtedness, deep indebtedness to President Trump for leading this effort to safeguard our future, he said. Netanyahu says Iran no longer can enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles Since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28, Irans top leaders have been killed in airstrikes and the countrys military capabilities have been severely degraded. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Thursday that Iran no longer has the ability to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles. Still, Iran now led by the son of the supreme leader killed in the wars opening salvo remains capable of missile and drone attacks rattling its Gulf Arab neighbors and a global economy dependent on the energy they produce. Israel says Hezbollah has fired roughly 700 rockets, missiles and drones Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani accused Lebanons government of failing to clear the militant group from the countrys south as required by a 2024 ceasefire. Hezbollah began firing toward Israel in the opening days of the current war, renewing fighting that had been muffled since the ceasefire. Shoshani said Israel had no choice but to operate against the threat Hezbollah poses to our civilians. The Iran-backed groups strikes have not caused any fatalities but have wounded Israelis and damaged buildings in the countrys north. Israel has responded with airstrikes and expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon, displacing more than 1 million people and killing more than 1,300, according to Lebanese authorities. Will Trump deploy US troops to seize Irans uranium? The U.S. president is facing perhaps the most daunting question of the war with Iran, one that could define his time in office: Will he send U.S. troops to secure some 970 pounds of enriched uranium that Tehran could potentially use to build nuclear weapons? Trump has offered shifting reasons for joining Israel in launching the war, but hes consistently said Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. Much of Irans near-bomb-grade nuclear material is believed to be buried under the rubble of a mountain facility pummeled in U.S. bombings Trump ordered last June. Seizing or destroying it would be risky and complicated, and many nuclear experts say it cant be done without a sizable, dangerous and politically fraught troop deployment by the Republican leader who has vowed not to entangle the U.S. in another extended and bloody Middle East conflict. Read more Iran war puts risks of Trumps oil focus on display When Trump returned to office last year, he launched a crusade in pursuit of what he calls American energy dominance. Now, as crude oil prices rise above $100 a barrel and gasoline prices surge toward $4 a gallon, experts say Trumps strategy of blocking clean energy such as wind and solar power has made the U.S. more vulnerable to supply shocks caused by the war. The Strait of Hormuz, a key access point for the global oil market, is effectively blocked. Trump said Thursday he knew oil prices would go up and the economy will go down a little bit as a result of the war. I thought it would be worse much worse, actually, he said. Read more F-35 jet is forced to make an emergency landing, US military says One of Americas most advanced fighter jets made an emergency landing after flying a combat mission over Iran, U.S. Central Command says. The jet landed safely and the pilot was in stable condition, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for the command that oversees the Middle East. CNN first reported on the incident and said the jet was believed to be hit by Iranian fire. Irans state TV, quoting a Revolutionary Guard statement, said its air defense system badly damaged an F-35. Hawkins wouldnt comment on the report and said the incident was under investigation. The stubby-nosed aircraft with stealth coatings costs up to $77 million a piece in 2023, according to the Congressional Research Service. Mar. 18Latinos en Spokane headquarters had a ceiling leak Tuesday before being broken into and "ransacked" overnight. Spokane police responded to a call from Latinos en Spokane employees around 8 a.m. Wednesday saying that their Monroe Street building had been burglarized, Spokane Police Department spokeswoman Tricia Leming said. At the time, staff estimated around $5,000 in electronics were stolen. There are no suspects or leads as to who broke at this time, Leming said, though there is an ongoing investigation. The incident does not appear to be connected to other break-ins, she said. Advertisement Advertisement The day before the reported burglary, Latinos en Spokane was closed, posting a video to their Facebook page showing water pouring down from the building's ceiling. Latinos en Spokane leadership did not reply to requests for comment on Wednesday. GRADY COUNTY, Okla. (KFDX/KJTL) A Lawton police officer was taken into custody over the weekend after an alleged domestic dispute turned violent at his home in Grady County, Oklahoma. Derrick Reed Kuhlman, 34, of Ninnekah, Oklahoma, was arrested and booked into the Grady County Jail and charged with domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor, a misdemeanor offense. Kuhlman, an officer with the Lawton Police Department, was released from custody after posting a $5,000 bond, according to records. Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL CRIME: OSBI investigation into child abuse allegations lead to arrest Court documents showed that officers with the Ninnekah Police Department were dispatched to Kuhlmans residence in Ninnekah, about 47 miles outside of Lawton, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, regarding a domestic disturbance in progress. Officers said they observed a man and woman, along with two children, on the front lawn when they arrived at the scene. They said they spoke with Kuhlman, who identified himself as an officer with the Lawton PD. Police said when Kuhlman went inside to grab his drivers license, officers observed multiple knives and firearms to be laying out in the open and not secured. Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, Kuhlman told police that he and the woman got in an argument over a Polaris RZR that hed sold but hadnt received the money for yet. They said Kuhlman told them hed withdrawn money from his checking account. Officers said Kuhlman claimed that after he told the woman about the withdrawal, she went inside and grabbed his archery bows off the wall and began throwing them in the front yard, then grabbed a lighter in order to set them on fire. Police said Kuhlman told them he grabbed the woman by her wrist to stop her from doing so. According to the affidavit, Kuhlman told police that the woman fell to the ground and told one of the juveniles to call the police. Officers said they asked Kuhlman if hed consumed any alcohol that day. They said Kuhlman admitted to drinking, noting that they observed slow, slurred speech, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL CRIME: Man found guilty of 2025 fatal shooting in Mountain Park Court documents show that police then spoke with the woman, who alleged that she and Kuhlman had gotten into an argument and decided to end their relationship. She claimed that she and Kuhlman decided to sit down and tell their children. Police said that the woman alleged that during this conversation, Kuhlman began to say things the kids did not need to hear. She said she left with the children, and when she returned, Kuhlman accused her of taking the key to the Polaris RZR. According to the affidavit, the victim told police that Kuhlman began following the woman around the house, asking for the key. She alleged that he followed her from room to room, and the children asked the two to stop fighting. Advertisement Advertisement The woman allegedly told police that Kuhlman followed her into the bathroom and began to push her and block her from leaving the room while her son was present. She told police that she and Kuhlman continued to argue about the RZR and the fact that hed emptied the account, admitting to throwing his archery bows into the front yard. Court documents said that the victim told police that Kuhlman then followed her outside, grabbed her by the arms, and pushed her into an SUV. She alleged that Kuhlman then pushed her onto the ground, grabbed her by her hair, and dragged her toward the house. Officers said the woman claimed that her two children were watching as the altercation happened, asking Kuhlman to stop. She said she eventually asked the children to call the police. Officers said that statements given by the children coincided with the womans allegations. LOCAL CRIME: Special District Attorney appointed for investigation into WFPD officers Advertisement Advertisement Responding officers said that the victim appeared to be very distraught. They noted multiple apparent injuries on the woman, including a small cut, several bruises forming, a broken fingernail, red marks on her shoulder blades, and what appeared to be handprints on her arms. Officers at the scene said they also observed grass and dirt on the victims clothing consistent with her earlier statements. The affidavit said that after Kuhlman was placed under arrest, he commented that his career was over, telling the officers that they ruined his career. Officers at the scene said the victim was crying and asked if Kuhlman was going to lose his job. When the officer told her that hed be placed on administrative leave at a minimum, they said she tossed her head back, started to cry, her voice cracked, and she stated, He is going to [expletive] kill me. Advertisement Advertisement Grady County court records showed that a judge granted an emergency protective order for the victim. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. You can now stream KFDX and Texomas FOX live 24/7 on your smart TV with KFDX+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. 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 Texomashomepage.com. The Legislature is considering a bill to overhaul the states school funding formula on the grounds that its outdated, and that proposed changes would make distribution of the massive amounts of state aid to local districts $1.5 billion this fiscal year more fair and equitable. So far, so good. The problems with LD 2226 begin almost immediately, however, based on a common misperception of why we have a formula and what it can be expected to do. Its frequently contended property valuations dont fully capture a town or regional districts ability to pay for schools. In many areas, second homes and shorefront property result in high valuations but residents incomes are relatively low, supposedly limiting their ability to pay property taxes. Critics say revising the formula to reflect those income disparities is the solution. Advertisement Advertisement But this approach fundamentally misperceives why we have such robust state funding 55% of approved expenditures and what its purpose is. Very few states make such large transfers of state money, raised chiefly through income and sales taxes, and send it directly to local budgets. The rationale is clear: allow every public school in Maine to offer an adequate education without unduly burdening property taxpayers. Contrast, for instance, neighboring New Hampshire, which contributes very low levels of state assistance. Property taxpayers in New Hampshire are largely on the own. Property-rich communities can usually afford good schools while keeping taxes relatively low. Towns with scant property valuation often have poor schools combined with sky-high property taxes. Those fundamental inequities, which persist despite several court orders mandating reform, is exactly what Maines funding system avoids. The 55% funding the state provides is an average; the actual percentage of local budgets so funded can vary from less than 10% to more than 90%. Simply put, many towns couldnt afford a local school without state aid. Advertisement Advertisement So while its tempting to think including local incomes would make distribution fairer, this is trying to accomplish something the formula isnt designed to do. State aid essentially replaces local dollars, and does so with objective valuations for every municipality. And we dont have to speculate about what would happen if incomes were factored into the distribution formula. Weve already tried it. Real estate bubbles, overvaluing of commercial property in particular, have occurred repeatedly before major recessions, most recently the Great Recession of 2008. Hot markets drove up municipal valuations and reduced state aid temporarily. Portland lawmakers convinced the Legislature to factor incomes into the distribution formula and the results were disastrous. Revised aid totals were all over the map, difficult to explain to legislators, let alone their constituents. A University of Maine researcher later explained what happened. Income varies by only a factor of 2-1, meaning Maines poorest community has about half the income of the richest. Property values vary far more widely, at the time by 17-1. Advertisement Advertisement Introducing income into a formula designed to rectify low valuations distorted it in ways no one could have predicted. The following year, lawmakers scrapped the new formula and went back to the old one. While the rationale behind the new proposal is different, based on family poverty levels, the results would likely be similar. What sounds fair in theory runs afoul of how the formula works in practice. There are parts of the new bill that attempt other adjustments, for transportation costs and special education. They may be justified but should be approached with caution. What no one says aloud when the state is doling out $1.5 billion to some 277 individual school districts is that this is literally a zero-sum game. If rules are changed to pay one district more, another district will get less. Its seems fair if your schools gets more, but unfair if aid declines a potent factor amid reported discontent over property taxes. Advertisement Advertisement If Maine were to consider a reform to truly increase taxpayer confidence in the system, it could be on the revenue side of the ledger, namely the uniform state property tax briefly in effect from 1973-77, before being repealed by referendum. Under its terms, each town and city paid exactly the same property tax rate for schools, then $11.53 per thousand. Districts could raise more money on their own for improved or expanded programs, but the required tax burden was the same statewide. There were technical problems in implementation that contributed to the uniform taxs unpopularity, but for a state so dependent on state funding for local services, it made sense, and still does. As the Hippocratic oath puts it, First, do no harm. Before lawmakers get into formula-shifting business again, they should take heed. Douglas Rooks Douglas Rooks has been a Maine editor, columnist and reporter for 40 years. The author of four books, his new study of the Ken Curtis administration is due in the spring. He welcomes comment at drooks@tds.net This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Why changing Maines school funding formula risks harm: Rooks Law enforcement authorities have announced that the leader of the Ecuadorean crime group Los Lobos was arrested at the international airport in Mexico City, where he attempted to enter the country under a false identity. The effort on Wednesday to apprehend Angel Esteban Aguilar, known as Lobo Menor, was described as a collaborative effort from Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador. This result represents a significant blow against transnational organised crime and confirms the effectiveness of trilateral cooperation, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Petro described Aguilar as one of the worlds most notorious assassins and confirmed that he had been extradited to Colombia to face charges. Ecuadorean Interior Minister John Reimberg also hailed Aguilars arrest as a success. On social media, he explained that Ecuadors national intelligence branch and its national police participated in the arrest alongside their counterparts in Mexico and Colombia. His message offered a warning to cartel leaders. No matter where they hide, we will find them, and we will catch them, Reimberg wrote. Ecuadorean authorities had sought Aguilar in connection with the 2023 assassination of anticorruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was running for president at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Aguilar has been described as the mastermind behind Villavicencios fatal shooting, which took place as the candidate left a campaign rally near the Ecuadorian capital Quito. In Colombia, Aguilar has also faced accusations of collaborating with the alleged drug-trafficker Ivan Mordisco, the leader of the rebel group Estado Mayor Central (EMC). He had been the subject of an ongoing manhunt in the country. The announcement comes amid pressure from United States President Donald Trump, who has demanded that leaders across Latin America take a more aggressive approach towards crime and drug trafficking. The US president has threatened military strikes on Colombia and Mexico, accusing their left-wing governments of allowing cartels to operate unimpeded. Advertisement Advertisement Colombia and Mexico, however, have rejected such allegations and have instead highlighted their records of drug seizures and arrests. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, for instance, has touted a drug bust last November that resulted in the confiscation of $388m worth of cocaine, a historic amount. Meanwhile, in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken action against high-profile criminal figures. Last month, her government launched a military operation against the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, resulting in his death. In announcing Wednesdays arrest, Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch accused Aguilar of being linked to drug trafficking, extortion and homicide activities Advertisement Advertisement This action reflects our nations shared commitment to combating transnational organized crime, Harfuch said in a statement. The collaborative effort contrasts with recent disputes between Petros government and Ecuadors right-wing President Daniel Noboa. Starting on March 1, Noboa placed heavy tariffs on Colombian goods as penalty for what he said was a lax approach to drug enforcement. Earlier this week, Petro accused Ecuador of carrying out strikes around Colombian territory, with 27 charred bodies found near the countries shared border. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has publicly weighed launching its own military strikes on Colombia and Mexico, earning rebukes from local politicians who view such threats as a violation of their national sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump and Noboa recently agreed to participate in joint military operations in Ecuador. Critics, however, have warned that their hardline approach to crime may not be effective and could increase the likelihood of security forces committing abuses. Lebanons City Council has voted to advance a one-year trial program for the police department to test several drones which could be used to aid in responding to incidents and tactical insertion into buildings. The program involves an agreement with Motorola Solutions for a free one-year period for the Lebanon Police department to train with and utilize. Four drones are included in this trial year, two Responder drones which can be used to give advance information about a scene LPD is en route to, and two Lemur 2 drones that are smaller and can be used in dangerous situations to go into structures, giving officers information on what may be inside. Advertisement Advertisement LPD already has some drone operators, but according to LPD Public Information Officer Zach Patton, they would need to be called in anytime the existing drones are needed, so LPD is looking to expand the capability to utilize the technology. A drone program [was] something weve been looking into quite a bit, Patton said. When we started hearing about the responder drone technology, we met with a couple different providers, and this specific drone provider integrates the best into the current system we have. Brinc is the actual drone provider, but they have a partnership with Motorola, which provides our software for our computer and dispatch system, Patton added. Motorolas drones can be automatically launched from a roof within the city and fly to a programmed location autonomously and then controlled from the Communications Center. However, an LPD official must hit a start button to activate the drone. Patton said one Responder drone will likely be placed on a building on the east side of Lebanon with the other placed on the west side. Advertisement Advertisement They will launch from the roof and take the quickest, most efficient route to wherever that scene may be at, Patton said. Once it gets on-scene, it can be controlled by a dispatcher in the Communications Center. Were going to likely equip our supervisors with pilot remotes. So, if for some reason the supervisor on-scene wants to take over the controls of the drone, theyll be able to do that. Information provided by Motorola details some of the functions of the drones. The Responder drones have a microphone and speaker system to allow communication and emergency announcements in an area, a thermal camera and an Emergency Payload Dropper which can deploy AEDs, Narcan, EpiPens or other lifesaving tools and relay information on how to use them to anyone who may be on the scene. The Lemur 2 drones likewise have the integrated communications system and thermal sensors. In addition, they can utilize a glass breaker tool to make an entryway through windows and LiDAR sensors to produce data of interior layouts as the drone flies through a building, giving first responders a map to plan around. We can use [Lemur 2 drones] for a lot of smaller operations, like search warrants. We can have that drone enter the house, Patton said. It can enter a house on a search warrant and give us a look inside that house. If the drone does find someone hiding inside, we can start communication with someone inside the house. Advertisement Advertisement Patton said officers will knock on the door of a building a search warrant is being executed on and attempt to make contact in-person before the Lemur 2 will be utilized in the instance of a subject not responding to officers or entryways being barricaded preventing officers from using forced entry themselves. Sending the drone through a window can potentially damage it, so it will only be used if needed, according to Patton. Its not just the Police Department that will use these drones. Patton said the Lebanon Fire Department will also have access to them to gain information ahead of their arrival and use the drones sensors to find anyone who may need to be rescued. The trial year is free, not costing taxpayers anything. If the program is not canceled during that one-year trial, the contract will renew for an additional five years, requiring annual payments of $159,998. Patton said the costs would be introduced into the LPD budget. Over the course of the six years, the total cost would be just below $800,000. Patton said a website page will be made available for the public to access in order to see where the Responder drones have been deployed to, including the flight paths, citing privacy concerns. Advertisement Advertisement We [want to] be transparent with the public where this drone has been to and why, he added. This technology is not to replace any officers, its for us to leverage to our benefit, to our communitys benefit. If the program passes on second reading, LPD expects to have the drones operational by the summer. BEIRUT (AP) With airstrikes rocking Beirut and Israeli troops advancing against Hezbollah, Lebanon's government has broken a taboo by proposing the first direct talks with Israel in decades. But Lebanese officials say they want the fighting to end first and it might be too late for that. Hezbollahs decision to enter the wider Iran war by firing rockets at Israel has led to the heavy Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon and Beiruts southern suburbs, killing some 880 Lebanese and driving over a million people from their homes. The Iran-backed Hezbollah views the latest war as an existential struggle, and Israel is threatening a wider ground invasion, the seizure of territory and the destruction of Lebanons civilian infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement The United States, which has mediated during past flare-ups, has so far shown no interest in doing so this time around. Last week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun offered to hold direct negotiations with Israel for the first time since the 1982 Israeli invasion during Lebanon's civil war. Aoun also asked for a boost in funding for Lebanese troops and reaffirmed his commitment to disarm Hezbollah, a longstanding Israeli and U.S. demand. But Lebanon wants the fighting to end before any talks with Israel, according to three Lebanese diplomatic and government officials familiar with the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the press. Israeli officials did not respond to requests for comment about the offer of talks. But Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, during a visit to an Israeli town hit by an Iranian missile, denied any talks were planned. A new approach to a weakened Hezbollah The agreement that ended Lebanons 1975-1990 civil war called for the disarmament of all armed groups, but Hezbollah alone kept its weapons, saying they were needed to protect Lebanon from Israel, which occupied the country's south until 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Successive Lebanese governments, even those dominated by Hezbollahs political rivals, refused to directly confront the group, which was widely seen as more powerful than Lebanons armed forces. There were fears that any attempt to disarm Hezbollah by force could rekindle the civil war. That calculus started to change in 2024, when Israel killed most of Hezbollahs top leaders and pummeled its armed wing, potentially opening the door for Lebanese authorities to exert greater control. Aoun, a former army commander, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who both took office in early 2025, pledged to disarm Hezbollah, a position with wide support among Lebanons war-weary population. In the months leading up to the war, the government deployed troops across large parts of southern Lebanon and said it dismantled over 500 Hezbollah warehouses and military positions. But it did not confront the group directly. Advertisement Advertisement When Hezbollah launched a volley of missiles at Israel days after the surprise U.S.-Israeli bombing of Iran, the Lebanese government condemned the militant group, outlawed its activities, and arrested several militants it accused of illegal possession of weapons. But by then the country had been plunged into yet another war. Hezbollah remains defiant Hezbollah, which has launched waves of missiles and drones into northern Israel since that initial attack, still portrays itself as Lebanons only viable defense. It accuses Israel of violating a 2024 U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement because it continued to launch regular airstrikes, which often killed civilians, and refused to withdraw from five strategic points along the border. Hezbollah also likely feels obligated to support Iran, its main sponsor, at a moment of peril. Advertisement Advertisement Israel says Hezbollah is in violation of past agreements requiring it to disarm and that the airstrikes were aimed at preventing attacks. It has long accused Lebanese authorities of failing to disarm the group and warned that it would do so itself, at potentially great cost to Lebanon. Last week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Lebanese government will pay an increasing price in infrastructure damage and territorial loss until the commitment to disarm Hezbollah is fulfilled. Hezbollah officials have denounced the offer of direct talks with Israel and blame the government for failing to end the Israeli strikes or the occupation of the border areas. Mahmoud Qamati, a senior official in Hezbollah's political bureau, said the offer of talks with Israel was a concession and a big mistake, in light of the ongoing occupation and aggression. Advertisement Advertisement This move would be stabbing the resistance in the back. The state cannot make any promises without the resistances approval, he told the Al Jazeera network. Entreaties fall upon deaf ears in Washington During past blow-ups, Lebanon would often turn to the United States, which has leverage over Israel and is a major donor to the Lebanese military. But Washington appears to be preoccupied with the wider war and its impact on the global economy. There is no senior official in the White House focusing on Lebanon, said Randa Slim, director of the Middle East Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center. Thomas Barrack, who serves as the White House envoy to Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, dismissed Lebanon as a failed state last year. Slim said the offer of talks was unlikely to gain traction or head off an Israeli invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Israel and the U.S had expected more decisive action from Lebanons army after the last war, despite its limited capabilities and financial struggles, and the risks of confronting Hezbollah directly. They may not be inclined to give it another chance. They had been very clear with the Lebanese on how important it was to control Hezbollah from doing anything offensively, said Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a nonprofit that aims to build stronger U.S.-Lebanon ties. Hezbollahs actions have now set back for the time being any resolution of this war and created a lack of confidence by U.S. officials that the (Lebanese armed forces) can control and disarm Hezbollah, he said. Israeli troops are meanwhile advancing deeper into southern Lebanon ahead of an expected wider ground invasion. The Israeli military has struck and destroyed bridges and key roads, and issued evacuation warnings for an area stretching dozens of miles (kilometers) north of the border. Advertisement Advertisement The Lebanese government, in the grip of a severe, yearslong financial crisis, is scrambling to provide shelter and aid for almost one million people displaced. It is also calling on the international community to press Israel to spare key infrastructure, like Beirut's airport and seaport, according to one of the Lebanese officials. Aoun, once confident he could disarm Hezbollah with minimal confrontation, continues with his flurry of diplomatic calls from the hilltop presidential palace. Drones circle overhead, airstrikes echo in the distance, and plumes of smoke rise to the south. ___ Associated Press writer Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed to this report. This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Long-time Whirlpool finance chief Jim Peters will take on the CFO role for spirit-maker firm Brown-Forman in a move effective Mar. 31, the Jack Daniels parent said in a Monday press release and securities filing. Peters will succeed Leanne D. Cunningham, who announced her intent to retire as the Louisville, Kentucky-based companys EVP and CFO in August after four years in the seat. Cunningham will depart the business effective May 1, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Peters expertise in navigating margin pressures and volatile consumer demand across North America, Europe and Asia will be invaluable as we navigate todays macroeconomic headwinds, Brown-Forman CEO and President Lawson Whiting said in a statement included in the press release. Beyond his technical depth, Jim is a values-based leader with a strong commitment to developing the next generation of talent. Dive Insight: Peters is joining the beverage company after more than two decades at Whirlpool, which included a decade as its CFO beginning in 2016, according to a company biography page. He was appointed to the role of executive vice president of enterprise transformation for the appliance company on Jan. 1, and held numerous roles for Whirlpool since joining the business in 2004 including regional CFO stints for its North American and Europe, Middle East and Africa segments. As CFO for Brown-Forman, Peters will receive an annual base salary of $825,000, as well as a holiday bonus of $17,160, according to the SEC filing. He will be eligible for a short-term incentive opportunity of $825,000, as well as a long-term incentive opportunity of $2.4 million. Peters will also receive a one-time new hire equity grant of restricted stock units valued at $900,000, a fiscal year 2026 stock-settled stock appreciate right award valued at $66,000, and a fiscal 2026 RSU award of $134,000, according to the filing. The spirits maker will rely on Peters financial and technical expertise as it continues to navigate the economic impacts of shifting tariff and trade policies as well as changes in consumer spending and consumption habits. During its most recent earnings report for its third quarter of fiscal 2026, Brown-Forman provided an update on year-to-date financials for the nine months ended Jan. 31 which included a net sales decline of 2% to $3 billion. Operating income for the period, meanwhile, remained flat at $905 million, according to its earnings report released Mar. 4. MILLERSVILLE, Pa. (WHTM) A local university is receiving a state grant to help fight food insecurity and hunger on campus. Millersville University was awarded a $40,000 grant as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Educations Hunger-Free Campus initiative. Grants were awarded to help schools address food insecurity on campus and expand access to food options, create awareness initiatives, and upgrade facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, hunger is an invisible affliction an isolating barrier to growth and learning that can, unfortunately, go undetected by peers, educators and mentors, said Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. When college campuses offer assistance to students at risk of hunger, theyre helping vulnerable learners feel seen, valued and supported. The grant funds have expanded our ability to reach individuals in need and provide resources and support to them, including free meals, food and materials to help lower the cost of groceries, Dr. Mary Beth Williams, vice president of student affairs, said. The designation also allows for further work at the SNAP Station, which is a grab-and-go type food pantry in the Student Memorial Center that provides students access to free food, water/milk and menstrual hygiene products. In addition, it serves as an information hub on SNAP benefits and other ways to reduce hunger among the campus community. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV devices, and newer Samsung Smart TVs. Millersville, school officials say, has earned the PA Hunger-Free Campus+ designation, helping concentrate work on campus into a cohesive team effort. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Amid a global economy where fuel prices continue to stretch patience and wallets, one alleged thief in Lodi appears to have taken that pressure to an extreme, engineering a scheme that feels equal parts ingenuity and audacity. According to reporting from CBS13 Sacramento, what unfolded at a local fuel yard was not just a routine theft attempt but a calculated operation that nearly siphoned thousands of dollars in gasoline. The setting was Clute Oil and Propane, a modest but vital supplier in San Joaquin County. At first glance, nothing seemed out of place. Then came the lingering detail that triggered suspicion. A bystander noticed a truck that had been parked at the pump for far too long. Image Credit: CBS News Sacramento/YouTube. In a world where fueling is measured in minutes, not extended stays, that small irregularity became the thread that unraveled the entire plot. A Mobile Reservoir on Wheels What authorities would soon uncover was striking. The suspect had reportedly modified the truck into a kind of mobile reservoir. The bed was hollowed out and repurposed to hold fuel, with a capacity estimated at over 1,000 gallons. Advertisement Advertisement This was not a spur-of-the-moment crime. It was premeditated, engineered, and executed with a level of planning that suggests familiarity with both fuel systems and the vulnerabilities of commercial pumps. Image Credit: CBS News Sacramento/YouTube. Police say the suspect managed to hotwire the pump into what is described as an unauthorized mode. In practical terms, this meant the fuel could flow continuously without the usual safeguards or automatic shutoffs. It is a method that bypasses standard transaction controls, turning a regulated system into an open tap. By the time officers arrived, the scene had already tipped into chaos. The suspect was attempting to disengage the nozzle while fuel was still actively spraying, a dangerous moment captured on camera and witnessed firsthand. Despite the elaborate setup, the operation fell short of its apparent goal. Authorities estimate that less than half of the trucks capacity was filled before the suspect was detained. Even so, the potential scale of the theft is what stands out. Advertisement Advertisement At full capacity, that modded truck could have carried fuel worth tens of thousands of dollars depending on market prices. A Growing Problem Unfortunately, this isnt a first for Clute Oil. The owner revealed that a similar theft occurred the previous year, when approximately 4,500 gallons of fuel disappeared over a weekend. Image Credit: CBS News Sacramento/YouTube. At the time, the loss translated to around $30,000 in resale value. That earlier incident prompted the installation of additional security measures, yet this latest attempt suggests that determined actors are evolving their methods just as quickly. There is also a broader implication here that extends beyond a single facility. Fuel theft, particularly at scale, is becoming more sophisticated. It is no longer limited to siphoning from parked vehicles or small opportunistic grabs. Advertisement Advertisement Instead, cases like this point to organized approaches that exploit infrastructure weaknesses, raising concerns for operators across the supply chain. Image Credit: CBS News Sacramento/YouTube. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the identity of the suspect or whether additional individuals were involved. There has also been no confirmation of formal charges beyond the initial arrest, nor any indication yet of wider networks connected to the scheme. Investigators are likely examining whether this incident ties back to the earlier large-scale theft or represents a separate attempt inspired by similar tactics. A Watchful Bystander For now, the takeaway is as much about vigilance as it is about ingenuity. A single observant bystander disrupted what could have been a major loss. Advertisement Advertisement In a story defined by technical improvisation and bold risk-taking, it was ultimately human instinct that brought the operation to a halt. And perhaps that is the real twist. In a high-stakes game of fuel and fast thinking, the simplest detail made all the difference. Read More A major new transmission project aimed at meeting Virginias growing energy demands is moving forward, as regional grid operator PJM has approved plans for a 115-mile high-voltage power line stretching from Lynchburg to Culpeper County. PJM, which manages energy for 13 states, has given the go-ahead for Dominion Energy, in partnership with Transource and FirstEnergy called Valley Link to build the 765 kV transmission line. The line would be able to carry as much as 6,600 megawatts of power. The companies say the project is crucial to maintaining grid reliability. The proposed line would extend existing infrastructure in Appalachian Power territory and would cross up to nine counties before terminating at a new substation planned for the southwestern corner of Culpeper County. There, the voltage would be stepped down and distributed further. The project remains in the early stages of planning and permitting, but the companies anticipate a 2029 completion date for the estimated $1 billion project. Advertisement Advertisement While a preferred route has not yet been selected and it will likely be months before the State Corporation Commission reviews the case and selects a final route residents across Campbell, Appomattox, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Louisa, Orange, Goochland, Spotsylvania, and Culpeper counties have been turning out in large numbers for public hearings and informational meetings. The project would become the largest transmission line in Dominions territory, helping move more power from the Ohio Valley to the eastern portion of PJM particularly Northern Virginia, where the data center industry and other energy demands have surged in recent years. PJM identified where there is unmet load demand and this project was identified through that process, said Craig Carper, a spokesman for Valley Link Transmission. On Monday, the Louisa County Board of Supervisors passed an official resolution opposing the projects route through the mostly rural county. Two of the potential routes run directly through Louisa. The resolution read in part that the 160-foot metal structures for the line would cause significant and irreparable harm to Louisa Countys rural character, agricultural heritage, and forestlands. Advertisement Advertisement Board Chairman Duane Adams said the county was not consulted on the proposed routes for the transmission lines. While the county does have three data centers currently in development, Adams said that those decisions were planned and approved locally by the board. I dont see any benefit to Louisa County to have these 765 kV lines coming through the county, Adams said. Its also interesting to me that while Northern Virginia counties get the economic impact, it seems to be the expectation that central and south side Virginia will be the ones to provide the power. Adams said he sent a letter to all the leaders in all affected counties inviting them to Louisa for a summit in April aimed at unifying their messaging around community concerns and other issues they want to raise with the utilities. It is my belief that by working together as a group, we can have a greater impact on the outcome of this project and potentially impact the routing and installation which could minimize the impact on our counties and our citizens, Adams wrote in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Valley Link officials said that the transmission line will be built with flexibility allowing distribution lines and power generation facilities to connect to it in the future. If you had a new load demand, say a data center campus that popped up in Buckingham County, right?, said Adam Maguire with Valley Link. Buckingham County has a couple 230 kV lines running through it. But you would need a large amount of reinforcement if you were going to supply a data center load in Buckingham. Valley Link is holding a series of informational meetings across the affected region to gather feedback on potential route changes and other concerns. The group plans to return in June, with updates based on that input and expects to select a preferred route in September to present to the SCC. The review process is expected to take about a year before regulators make a final decision on the project. Dominion customers will be responsible for a portion of the projects cost, with PJM determining how expenses are allocated among participating utilities. How much customer bills will increase remains unclear and will ultimately be decided by the SCC, which will determine how costs are distributed across different rate classes. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton will win the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois, the Associated Press projects, a victory for the progressive-leaning candidate who campaigned on a strongly-anti Trump message. Stratton's victory puts her on track to become the sixth Black woman to ever serve in the U.S. Senate. It also marks validation for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a rumored 2028 presidential hopeful who ran uncontested in the Democratic primary for governor. Pritzker had endorsed Stratton and donated millions to an outside group supporting her bid. The Senate race was among a slate of elections in Illinois marking generational change for the Land of Lincoln's congressional delegation. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is retiring, and he did not endorse any candidates in the primary. Sophia Tareen/AP - PHOTO: Juliana Stratton,JB Pritzker In Illinois' Democratic primaries, generational change and heavy spending take center stage Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to a triumphant crowd of supporters in Chicago on Tuesday night, Stratton said she would stay focused on her progressive campaign promises -- such as abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and pushing for "Medicare for All" -- while continuing to challenge President Donald Trump. "Together, we've confronted one of the most frightening moments of our lifetimes," Stratton said. "But despite the fear, we never lost sight of what was most important: courage. Courage inspired me to run. Courage powered this campaign. And courage will bring this fight straight to Donald Trump's door." Stratton's campaign made some waves with a campaign television ad where voters and Illinois' Sen. Tammy Duckworth curse out Trump, while Stratton says, "They said it, not me." During the Democratic primary campaign, immigration was also a major issue given the Operation Midway Blitz enforcement operation in 2025, and Stratton called for abolishing ICE. Advertisement Advertisement "To me, it's not about an overhaul of this agency, because I don't see this agency as being reformed," she said during one of the race's many televised debates. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images - PHOTO: House Oversight and Government Reform Committee member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi talks to reporters after meeting with some of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers at the Capitol, Sept. 2, 2025. Stratton triumphed over a slate of other candidates, including U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi -- who led in fundraising -- and Rep. Robin Kelly. Some members of the Congressional Black Caucus had criticized Pritzker's support of Stratton, who is Illinois' first Black female lieutenant governor, and felt her presence in the race risked splitting the Black vote in the primary between her and Kelly to benefit Krishnamoorthi. Kelly, however, told ABC Chicago station WLS-TV late Tuesday night after she conceded the race, "The Congressional Black Caucus is very loving, and she will become a member." Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Robin Kelly speaks at a news conference on articles of impeachment against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at the Capitol, Jan. 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. In an interview with ABC News on Saturday, Stratton said: "I am the only candidate in this race that has represented the whole state, and I've done so for the past seven years ... I think that there is something that's sort of a common theme that I'm hearing, no matter which corner of the state of Illinois that you live in, and that is that people are fed up with what's happening in DC. They're tired of the status quo." Advertisement Advertisement Stratton's campaign also faced some late-breaking controversy after she rolled out a major endorsement from the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died one month ago. But some of Jackson's sons now say they either were not aware of the endorsement or that Jackson's draft endorsements for primaries were not meant to be made public after his death, although one of Jackson's sons later clarified his family did not "withdraw or retract" any endorsements. In November, Stratton will face former Illinois Republican Party chair Don Tracy, who was projected as the winner of the Republican Senate primary by the Associated Press earlier in the evening. The Cook Political Report rates the Senate seat as solidly Democratic. "Chicago has a lot of issues, and Illinois has a lot of issues," Tracy said at a Republican Senate debate in February. "At some point, [the] people of Illinois, and I hope it's this cycle, are going to recognize that it's time to make Illinois a two party state again. And winning this seat would start down to making Illinois a two party state." ABC News' Gaby Vinick contributed to this report. ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) Anyone applying to become a minister in Madagascar's new government will be subjected to lie detector tests to root out those who are corrupt, the country's military leader said Thursday. President Michael Randrianirina, who took power in a coup in the Indian Ocean island in October, said Madagascar had acquired a polygraph machine and a specialist to operate it to vet new government ministers. "We will know who is corrupt and who can help us," Randrianirina said. We are not looking for someone who is 100% clean, but someone who is more than 60% clean. Advertisement Advertisement Randrianirina, a colonel in an elite army unit, ousted President Andry Rajoelina after a weekslong uprising last year by mainly young Madagascans frustrated with the lack of government services and opportunities in a nation of around 32 million that is beset by poverty. Randrianirina fired his entire Cabinet and dissolved the government last week. He appointed a new prime minister on Sunday. After taking the polygraph test, candidates who fail will not proceed to an interview, Randrianirina told reporters. "Those who pass the polygraph test will have an interview with me and the prime minister. Randrianirina has promised to hold new elections within two years of him taking power. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa NEW HAVEN - An Ecuadorian citizen once convicted of sexually assaulting a minor and illegally reentering the United States twice has been accused of entering the country a third time, officials say. In a release, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan said Jose Raul Maita, 55, was charged by federal criminal complaint with unlawful reentry of a removed alien. Maita was granted status as a legal permanent resident in the U.S. in June 1996 following approval of an application based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen, according to Sullivan. Two years later, he said, Maita was convicted in Westchester County Court in New York of first-degree sexual abuse involving sexual contact by forcible compulsion. Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan said the victim of the offense in that case was 9 years old. He said Maita was sentenced to five years of probation and was required to register as a sex offender. In November of 2000, Sullivan said Maita was convicted in New York of failure to register as a sex offender. He was convicted of driving while intoxicated and for violating his probation stemming from his sexual abuse conviction in August of 2001. Sullivan said Maita's probation was revoked and he was sentenced to one year of incarceration, adding he was deported to Ecuador in October of 2003. Maita then illegally reentered the U.S., Sullivan said. In November of 2006, he said, he was convicted in Westchester County Court of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was then convicted in New York of failure to register as a sex offender the following year. Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Maita in 2008 and was convicted the same year of unlawful reentry. He said he was removed to Ecuador again in August of 2009. On Sept. 20, 2025, Sullivan said Maita, identified himself as "Jose P. Maita" and provided a false date of birth and was arrested in Southbury. He said he was charged there with illegal operation of a motor vehicle without a license and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Maita was subsequently released on bond, Sullivan said, adding the U.S. District Court in New Haven issued a criminal complaint charging him with unlawful reentry on Nov. 4. He said he was arrested in Waterbury Wednesday morning, appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge in New Haven and was ordered detained. Sullivan said Maita faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years if found guilty. This article originally published at Man accused of illegally reentering the U.S. 2 times arrested in CT, feds say. RUSK COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The man accused in the killing of a Rusk County woman has waived extradition in Arkansas and is expected to be returned to Texas soon to face charges, according to the Rusk County Sheriffs Office.d Mabank man handed 3 life sentences for child sexual abuse case Picture of Amanda Thompson, courtesy of Annette Lanae Gardner Authorities confirmed that the case is rooted in domestic violence, with family members confirming several instances of violence. While investigators are not releasing specific details about what led up to the murder, Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said a concerned family member contacted law enforcement after becoming worried about the victims safety. Advertisement Advertisement Deputies were dispatched to conduct a welfare check at a home off County Road 3122 on Wednesday afternoon. When deputies arrived, they knocked repeatedly but received no answer. They then forced entry into the home and discovered the victim, identified as Amanda Thompson, deceased inside. Mabank man handed 3 life sentences for child sexual abuse case Mugshot of Scott Raymond Thompson, courtesy of the Pope County Sheriffs Office. Investigators quickly identified a suspect who had left the residence shortly before deputies arrived. Surveillance footage helped authorities determine the vehicle he was driving, and they were able to obtain his phone number. Tracking data indicated he was traveling toward Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement The Rusk County Sheriffs Office then coordinated with the U.S. Marshals Service and Arkansas State Police. At around 9 p.m. Wednesday, the suspect, identified as Scott Raymond Thompson, was located and arrested in Russellville, Ark. He has been charged with murder and is being held in the Pope County Jail. Officials confirmed Friday that Thompson has waived extradition and will be transported back to Rusk County in the near future to face charges. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. An investigation was launched after a man was shot and killed in the South Natomas area, according to the Sacramento Police Department. Police received reports around 2 a.m. on March 15 about a man down with a gunshot wound in the 1500 block of Waterwheel Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man with at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators took over the scene, collected evidence and interviewed witnesses, police said. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Police said there's no suspect information at this time. The identify of the victim will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner's Office after next-of-kin is notified. Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact the dispatch center at 916-808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4358. WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | Sacramento County deputies investigate deadly shooting near Watt Avenue apartment complex (NewsNation) A man who was fatally shot and killed after a standoff with Dallas Police last week served as a member of U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crocketts security team during her U.S. Senate campaign and was living under a false identity, the Texas Democrat confirmed Monday. Diamon Maziarre Robinson, 39, had been living under the name Mike King for years, authorities said at a news conference on Monday. Robinson was shot and killed by police earlier this month in an hours-long standoff with police in a Dallas parking garage on March 11. Dash camera footage released Tuesday by police showed Robinson holding what police say was a handgun after officers demanded he step out of the car and not reach for a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Police said that Robinson operated fraudulent businesses through which he connected with real police officers. In a statement released on social media, Crockett said that Robinson never endangered members of her team and that her office had followed U.S. House of Representatives protocol to contract out security and had been approved to use his services. New dates emerge in search for Nancy Guthrie Crockett said that they were unaware that Robinson had been living under an alias but had never given anyone reason to suspect that he was not using his real identity. Robinson had also worked closely with law enforcement agencies, including the Capitol Police. Police said that they did not learn of Robinsons true identity until after Crocketts campaign had ended. Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin), left, shakes hands with Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) prior a debate during the Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Convention, Jan. 24, 2026, in Georgetown, Texas. (Bob Daemmrich, Texas Tribune via Associated Press pool) Crockett lost the Democratic primary to State Rep. James Talarico earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement 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 in a news release. This is incredibly alarming, especially for those members who receive high volumes of credible and sophisticated death threats. Diamon Maziarre Robinson very good at concealing true ID, police say Dallas Police Deputy Chief William Kenneth said Monday that investigators did not discover Robinsons true identity until after Crocketts campaign for a seat in the U.S. Senate ended. Police said at the news conference that Robinson is very good at hiding his true identity and that he had been living under the name Mike King for several years. Diamon Maziarre Robinson was shot and killed by Dallas Police after a standoff on March 11. (Photo courtesy of the Dallas Police Department) Robinson had posed as a federal officer under the Specialty Dignitary Police, a nonexistent agency he created identification cards for, officials said. However, the agency that Robinson indicated he worked for did not exist, police said. What were now learning about his past doesnt fit the person we came to know as Mike King, Crockett said in her statement. His death evokes a range of emotions. Our hearts grieve the loss of someone we knew and the lost good that could have come from his redemption. Advertisement Advertisement Crockett wrote on social media that as a former public defender, she always believed people are more than the worst thing theyve ever done. I believe in redemption. Crockett, whose office said it would not comment further on the matter, wrote that the man we knew showed up with respect, care and commitment to protecting others. She added that she and her office are still learning the full story and said that they wished the tragic ending that occurred last week could have been avoided. Law enforcement warns of possible lone wolf attacks as Iran war continues Dallas Police attempted to pull over a vehicle being driven by Robinson. However, he was able to elude police before the vehicle was located more than once in a hospital parking garage. Officers surrounded the vehicle, in which Robinson and a woman were seated. The woman immediately got out of the vehicle and was detained, but Maziarre Robinson refused to get out of the car for more than two hours, police said. Advertisement Advertisement When he did get out of the car, officers deployed less lethal chemical agents and flashbangs before they pulled out rifles when they saw Robinson reach for a gun, according to police. Officials said Monday that the fatal shooting was the fifth officer-involved shooting in Dallas this year. The police investigation into Robinson dates back to mid-February, when Irving, Texas, police issued a bulletin about a GMC Yukon displaying federal license plates. Dallas Police investigators then identified Robinson, who they found had been using the false identity and uniforms to represent himself as a federal agent named Mike King. Police said Robinson was using multiple vehicles during the investigation, two of which were stolen, police said. The investigation did not reach a point where they sought to arrest Robinson until last week. Eleven weapons have been recovered that are now connected to the investigation. That included the gun that was in Robinsons hand when he was shot by police. The Dallas County District Attorney is conducting a separate investigation, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is one of Jim Cramers latest stock calls as he discussed the bullish AI investment thesis amid the Iran conflict. While Pfizer was not relevant for the AI theme, when a caller inquired about the stock, Cramer said: Okay Pfizer is not an espresso. Pfizer is more like Nescafe, but thats okay. Its at $26. It yields 6.4%. Its got a lot of stuff in the pipeline. Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) develops and sells medicines and vaccines for several health conditions, including heart disease, infections, COVID-19, and rare diseases. Cramer talked about the stock during the Squawk on the Street episode aired on January 12, as he commented: Pfizer, you know, principal vaccine company in the country. I think we have to accept Carl that the vaccine business is under fire. I dont think that Dr. Bourla is ready for a fight with RFK Jr. I think RFK Jr. wins on this. Lets see what Pfizer has to say, cause they actually have a lot of important vaccines that maybe should be called into question. While we acknowledge the potential of PFE 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A Maryville man has pleaded guilty in federal court after he was accused of trying to entice children in Knoxville last year, prosecutors announced on Wednesday. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, 41-year-old Ryan Patrick Garrett of Maryville was sentenced to 120 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted enticement. Once he is released, Garrett will be required to register with state sex offender registries and will be on supervised release for 30 years. Man pleads guilty to setting fire at historic Highlander Center with sparkler bomb Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said on March 13, 2025, detectives with the Knoxville Police Department and agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations arrested Garrett on a federal complains of enticement of a minor for the purposes of an illegal sexual act. The arrest came after investigators with the Tennessee Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force found that Garrett was making plans to meet in Knoxville to engage in sexual activities with a nine-year-old and a 12-year-old. He arrived to meet the children, but was taken into custody by the detectives and agents instead. TN Department of Health warning of new opioid as number of deadly overdoses grows The case was brought as part of the Department of Justices nationwide Project Safe Childhood Initiative. Project Safe Childhood was launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. To learn more, visit justice.gov/psc Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. BOSTON (WWLP) On Wednesday, in the ninth month of fiscal year 2026, the House worked on a $1.8 billion spending bill, which replenishes spent state accounts and makes some changes to tax policy. Bay Staters rally on Immigrants Day, push for safety measures These spending bills are commonplace in the State Houselawmakers often need to dole out funding not covered in the original budget later in the fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement This bill is funded primarily by the millionaires tax. The surplus surtax will send $885 million towards the T and other transportation projects. $50 million of that money will go towards snow and ice clean-up costs following recent blizzards. Education accounts will receive $417 million, including funding for special education and early education costs and $20 million for UMass and state higher education institutions. The supplemental budget touches on tax policy by delaying implementation of some federal tax code changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Without these delays, the Healey administration, which proposed the policy, says Massachusetts would come up $442 million short in revenue this year, and another $250 million short in FY27 and FY28. Massachusetts may permanently decouple from the federal tax code, however. The House is backing a proposal that could decouple state and federal tax code if voters decide to lower the state income tax rate from 5% to 4% via November ballot question. Next up for the supplemental budget is passage by the Senate, before it can become law. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. The Shasta County Office of Education announced the winners of the 2026 Shasta County Teachers of the Year awards. Recognition goes to three educators, one each from the elementary, middle and high school levels, the office of education said in the announcement. Lori Woodward, a teacher at Millville Elementary School in the Millville Elementary School District won the Elementary Teacher of the Year award. Jordan Litts from Boulder Creek School in the Enterprise Elementary School District won the Middle School Teacher of the Year award. Bob Price from Foothill High School in the Shasta Union High School District won the High School Teacher of the Year award. Advertisement Advertisement Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. The California Teachers of the Year program celebrates the efforts of educators by honoring their accomplishments, dedication and professional growth, SCOE said. The program aims to recognize exemplary teachers who meet the challenge and complexity of evolving educational needs. SCOE assists the program with the county teachers of the year selections. The winners are guests of honor at the annual Shasta County Office of Education Educator Appreciation Dinner this spring. It is an event designed to recognize and celebrate the contributions of educators, SCOE officials said. Advertisement Advertisement This story was created by Jessica Skropanic, jessica.skropanic@redding.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 Redding Record Searchlight: Shasta County announces 2026 Teachers of the Year CELINA Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman extended an invitation to county residents to become associate members of the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association. The invitation comes in response to a growing number of people who expressed an interest in assisting law enforcement to build a strong partnership against crime, Timmerman said in a prepared statement. Individuals choosing to join the voluntary program can do so for as little as a $25 contribution. The contributions help provide important resources, training and legislative support on key criminal justice issues for sheriffs across Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement As government funding gets tighter, support from our community means more to us than ever, Timmerman said. Every membership truly makes a difference. For more information, contact the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association at 614-431-5500 or visit www.buckeyesheriffs.org. Residents can also become members of the program by contacting the Mercer County Sheriffs Office at 419-586-7724. Several U.S. states across the West and Southwest are set to experience an unprecedented spring heat wave this week, with temperatures soaring to record levels. Scorching, summer-like heat is expected to raise health risks over the coming days. "Otherworldly?" posted Jeff Berardelli, chief meteorologist and climate specialist for WFLA-TV, on social media. "Sounds over the top, but from the perspective of a meteorologist, that's how out of whack this looks. It's like nothing we've seen before in March." Forecasting pressure in the mid-levels of the atmosphere helps meteorologists estimate what temperatures will look like at the surface. Standard sea-level pressure is 1013.25 millibars, but higher up, forecasters often look at the 500 mb level. The height above sea level where pressure drops to 500 mb is a key indicator of the air mass in place. The higher the level, the warmer the air column below it. Advertisement Advertisement When 500 mb heights rise over a region, it signals a strengthening ridge of high pressure and typically hotter temperatures at the surface. Meteorologists with the Phoenix National Weather Service were taken aback by the forecast heights, a signal of the strength of the Southwest ridge that will be building there this week. "That would put this ridge as one of the strongest ever seen in recorded history for the region, not only for March, but for April as well," the NWS forecasters noted. More than 45 million people in California, Arizona, and Nevada were under heat advisories on March 17. "An Extreme Heat Warning means that a period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, will occur," meteorologists with the Phoenix NWS office explained. "Actions should be taken to lessen the impact of the extreme heat." Advertisement Advertisement Phoenix is getting set to rewrite its record books for the middle of March. The city has only hit 100 degrees once in March. Highs are set to soar above 100 degrees from March 18 through March 22. That means Phoenix may not only break records for days in a row but also shatter them by 7 to 10 degrees. The NWS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborate to issue HeatRisk forecasts. Think of it like a heat "threat level" the higher the category, the greater the risk of heat-related illness if you're outside too long. Around 25 million people in the West faced a moderate HeatRisk on March 17 Level 2 out of 4. More than a million people faced a major HeatRisk Level 3 out of 4. Millions more are set to face those risk categories by the end of the week. By March 20, nearly 37 million people could experience moderate HeatRisk, while almost 3 million will endure major HeatRisk. It's important to note that power outages can also occur under these conditions. And if the grid goes down, the number of people without access to air conditioning will go up. Meanwhile, "For those without air conditioning, living spaces can become deadly during the afternoon and evening," according to the NWS explanation of HeatRisk categories. "Health systems likely to see increased demand with significant increases in [emergency room] visits." Advertisement Advertisement The period from March to August meteorological spring and summer was the third-warmest on record for the contiguous U.S. last year. And the historic heat wave this week means spring is off to a sweltering start for several states. Heat has been the leading weather-related cause of death over the past 30 years in the U.S., killing more people on average annually than floods, lightning, and hurricanes combined. The overheating of the planet is supercharging heat waves, making them more intense and widespread. 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 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will make their respective decisions on new drugs at the same time as part of an overhaul to medicine regulation in the country. An aligned pathway is being established that will see NICE bring forward its decision for NHS recommendations alongside the MHRAs licensing verdict. The hope is that the new framework, which launches on 1 April, will bring medicines to patients three to six months sooner and provide companies with a better platform for commercial planning. Currently, there's a 90-day gap between MHRA issuing a marketing authorisation and NICE publishing its guidance on cost-effectiveness. Single Technology Appraisals (STA), NICEs process for evaluating a new treatment, generally takes around 38 weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence Tallon, MHRAs CEO, said: This development with our partners at NICE is about health and prosperity. A streamlined regulatory system is better for patients as it means earlier access to innovative medicines by up to six months. In October 2025, the two health agencies initiated a pilot of the new scheme, inviting pharmaceutical companies to register as early adopters. A total of 27 companies signed up, and the first treatments are currently going through the aligned pathway. The first guidance is expected in June 2026. Alongside the pathway, NICE and the MHRA are also launching an improved Integrated Scientific Advice service, in which evidence requirements for market authorisation and health technology assessment are relayed through a single channel. This can help pharma companies with early planning of clinical development, such as the use of specific endpoints. Commenting on the new provisions, Professor Jonathan Benger, chief executive of NICE, said: "They will give companies predictable timelines to support effective planning, tell them what evidence is required earlier in the process and help to remove unnecessary delays. Advertisement Advertisement A 2025 report from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) revealed that England lay sixth when ranked for the availability of new medicines licensed in 2020-2023. The UK Government has recognised that the countrys life sciences sector is not reaching its full potential. In its Life Sciences sector plan, ministers outlined plans for streamlining regulation and enhancing market access, one of six priority strategies. The alignment between the MHRA and NICE is one of the first major steps taken as part of the revamp. The six-point action plan is to ensure the UK life sciences sector reaches its forecasted value increase of 41bn, representing a growth of 165% by 2035. The government is aiming to make the UK the leading life sciences economy in Europe, and the third largest in the world behind only America and China. Dr Zubir Ahmed, minister for health and safety innovation, said: Were cutting red tape so safe and effective new medicines can reach NHS patients sooner. Not only that, but this will also give companies clearer, quicker decisions helping make the UK an even more attractive place to invest in life sciences and bring innovations to market, boosting the economy in the process. Advertisement Advertisement "MHRA and NICE launch aligned pathway for faster medicine regulation" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. A Saginaw County man is behind bars after allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend's dogs, then sending her a photo of the dead pets. The suspect, 40-year-old Joseph Himmelein, texted his ex's sister last Sunday night, telling her to have her call him, said Buena Vista Township police detective Russ Pahssen. Himmelein allegedly threatened that if his ex didn't call within the next 10 minutes, he would kill the woman's two 7-year-old pit bulls: Porkchop, a white female, and Bruiser, a white-and-gray male. "Ten minutes later he sent her pictures of the dogs shot in the head," Pahssen said. Advertisement Advertisement Police described the pair as having been in a longtime relationship and had broken up in the past several months. They previously lived together and shared the dogs, which remained at Himmelein's house after she moved out. The woman contacted police, who responded to Himmelein's home on Mack Street in Buena Vista Township, located just east of the city of Saginaw. There, officers saw the suspect through a window, holding a long gun in one hand and a pistol in the other, police said. "We didn't have the manpower so they backed off," Pahssen said, adding that Himmelein has a lengthy criminal history. "We know he can be dangerous and suicidal." Police returned to the home Monday morning armed with a search warrant and backup from Michigan State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Before they made entry into the home, police received a call from the suspect's brother, who told officers that Himmelein was with him and they would soon be traveling to the home in his vehicle. Minutes later, police conducted a traffic stop and arrested Himmelein, they said, for violating a probation order barring him from possessing weapons. He was then booked into the Saginaw County Jail. Inside his home, Pahssen said he found a trail of blood leading to the backyard, where he found Porkchop and Bruiser's bodies under a tarp. "Animal control came and took custody of the dogs," he said. "Both had a bullet in the head." Pahssen said he turned over findings from the investigation to the Saginaw County Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday and expects animal cruelty-related charges to be filed on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Himmelein and his ex-girlfriend had been in what Pahssen called a "very toxic" relationship that began around two decades ago. She had a restraining order against him. Online records for Saginaw's 70th District Court indicate that Himmelein was charged with trespassing and stalking earlier this month, as well as malicious destruction of property and another count of trespassing in January. He was out of jail after posting a $300 bond. mreinhart@detroitnews.com This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan man fatally shot ex's dogs, sent her photo, police say Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost. Millions of Americans have lost health insurance after lawmakers let enhanced federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans expire following last years government shutdown battle, a study released Thursday found. About 1 in 10 Americans who were enrolled in an ACA plan last year now have no health coverage, according to surveys by the health care research nonprofit KFF. That amounts to around 2 million people. Politics: Everything Is On The Table: Officials Prepare For Trump To Try To Steal The 2026 Election The prices are simply too high, a 34-year-old Texas man who dropped coverage told researchers, saying his premiums would have been $800 a month for himself and his partner. I dont think we could afford our mortgage if I had to pay for health insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Among those who reenrolled in the ACA marketplace, 80% said their premiums, deductibles or co-pays have increased from last year. About half of enrollees characterize their costs as a lot higher. A majority of returning enrollees say they already have or will soon be cutting back on food and basic household supplies to afford their ACA plans this year. That finding coincides with other research released last week that more than 80 million Americans about one-third of the country make daily trade-offs to afford health care, including by including rationing prescriptions, borrowing money, skipping meals, driving less and cutting back on utilities. Politics: 'Morning Joe' Host Puts Head In Her Hands Over Trump's Pearl Harbor Comments In late 2024, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the end of the subsidies and the resulting massive increase in federal marketplace premiums would result in more than 2 million people becoming uninsured this year a figure in line with the KFF research released Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats first expanded the subsidies in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan, legislation that fused coronavirus pandemic response policies with Democrats vision of an expanded social safety net. The law eliminated an income phaseout threshold from the Affordable Care Act that restricted premium tax credits to people with incomes below 400% of the federal poverty line. The bigger subsidies dramatically expanded Obamacare marketplace enrollment, which went from less than 10 million people in 2021 to around 22 million last year. But it was only temporary. As the expiration of the expanded subsidies loomed last fall, Democrats refused to vote for government funding legislation unless Republicans agreed to another extension of the subsidies resulting in a six-week government shutdown. Politics: Joe Rogan Says Certain U.S. Military Commanders Are 'Just As Scary As Suicide Bombers' Republicans, led by President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), refused to negotiate an extension. A group of moderate Senate Democrats eventually caved in exchange for the Senate holding a doomed vote to extend the extra subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement A handful of moderate and populist Republicans broke with the party, saying it would hurt them politically to let the health insurance subsidies expire. Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has since left Congress, complained that when the tax credits expire this year my own adult childrens insurance premiums for 2026 are going to DOUBLE, along with all the wonderful families and hard-working people in my district. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Happy Hour shouldnt have an age limit. At least thats according to Anita LeBrun, a resident of the Champlin-based Amira Choice assisted living facility. LeBrun recently testified before legislators at the Minnesota State Capitol in support of the so-called Grandparents Happy Hour bill, which would let nursing homes and assisted living facilities serve alcohol to residents and their guests during activities and events. State law currently prohibits it. Just because were older and live in assisted living doesnt mean that we should have fewer freedoms than anyone else, said LeBrun in her testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for our BREAKING NEWS newsletters The issue came to light after Amira Choice went looking to host a reception for a recently completed renovation, according to Minnesota House Session Daily. Leadership learned they werent able to serve alcohol without a permit. Amira Choice executive director Abby Dahl also testified before legislators, saying they have safeguards in place to "monitor medication interactions, document resident choices and supervise residents with impaired judgment." The bill was ultimately added as an amendment to the omnibus liquor policy bill, which has now been sent to the House Floor. Advertisement Advertisement If approved, nursing homes and assisted living facilities would still have to abide by local and state liquor laws. Seniors would only be allowed to consume alcohol at activities or events that are resident-focused. This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Lifestyle section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A month out from James Broadnax's execution date, another man has admitted to pulling the trigger during the deadly 2008 robbery that landed Broadnax on death row, according to court documents - and a written confession - obtained Wednesday by The Dallas Morning News. Broadnax, 37, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection April 30 in Huntsville. He was condemned by a Dallas County jury in 2009 for the deaths of Stephen Swan, 26, and Matthew Butler, 28, outside their Garland music studio. Advertisement Advertisement Broadnax, formerly of Texarkana, was 19 at the time of the murders. According to previous reporting from The News, Broadnax and his cousin, Demarius Cummings, had set out to rob Swan and Butler, but left with only $2 in cash and a 1995 Ford. Cummings and Broadnax were both convicted of capital murder in separate trials. Broadnax, who was tried as the triggerman, was sentenced to death, while Cummings was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. "This new evidence fundamentally undermines the State's case for Mr. Broadnax's conviction and death sentence," Broadnax's lawyers wrote in a petition sent Wednesday to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. "Neither Mr. Broadnax's conviction for capital murder nor his death sentence would have occurred had the jury known that Mr. Cummings, and not Mr. Broadnax, shot the two victims." In a statement, Claire Crouch, a spokeswoman for the Dallas County district attorney's office, told The News the office will "do its due diligence and respond to the motion." Advertisement Advertisement Related: Travis Scott among artists fighting use of rap lyrics in Dallas County death penalty case In a written declaration signed March 11, Cummings said it was his idea to rob Swan and Butler on June 19, 2008, and that he obtained the pistol that was used during the shooting. "Following the crime, James and I spoke about the story we would tell," Cummings, 37, wrote. "I persuaded James to take the blame for shooting the two victims." Cummings explained that part of his reasoning was that he had already been convicted of other crimes, including burglaries, while Broadnax had no criminal record other than a charge pertaining to marijuana possession. Advertisement Advertisement Cummings said he has maintained that narrative for more than 15 years, until a meeting late last month with Broadnax's lawyer, Steven Herzog, in which Cummings was informed that his cousin's execution date had been set. "The fact that James received a death sentence for these crimes, while I was the one who shot the victims, has been weighing on my conscience, particularly as I have become more spiritual during my years in prison," Cummings wrote. Cummings said the fact only his DNA was found on the murder weapon - not Broadnax's - is proof he's telling the truth. According to court documents, Broadnax's DNA was never found on the gun or the victims, while Cummings' DNA was found on both. Advertisement Advertisement "I want to clear my conscience and do not want James to be executed for shooting two people when I was the one who committed those acts," he said, adding: "It was my decision to come clean." Broadnax, a Black man, has long argued his trial infringed on his constitutional rights, namely the 14th Amendment's guarantees of equal protection and due process. Before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Broadnax has claimed prosecutors used race as a basis to strike prospective jurors, leaving him with a nearly all-white jury. He has also contested the use of rap lyrics as evidence of his danger to the public. In Texas, jurors in capital murder cases determine whether the defendant will be sentenced to death or life without the possibility of parole. To do so, they must decide whether there is a probability the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society. Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors. Despite jet fuel prices jumping more than 50% this month, Delta is cruising. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel war with Iran may be crunching oil supply, but the airline raised its revenue forecast on Tuesday to high-single-digit growth through March from the previously predicted 5-7% growth. American Airlines also boosted its guidance, saying that it now expects record year-over-year quarterly revenue growth of more than 10% in its first quarter, up from the previous forecast of closer to 8.5%. Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines have customers who can afford to fly even when prices increase, unlike many of their budget-carrier peers. But the heightened demand also suggests that travelers are looking to lock in prices before they rise further. When prices did spike, we saw a spike in demand, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said recently. I think people got this initial, Wow, if this thing is going to go crazy, I better book my fare now before fares go up. Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium analysis on all your favorite stocks. READ ALSO: Lawsuit Losing Streak Adds Existential Angst to Metas Pivot and Need Collateral to Get a Mortgage? Check Your Crypto Wallet Pursuing Premium Passengers Delta is reporting strength across all segments, but its focus on customers on the upper diagonal of the K-shaped economy is buoying performance. Our consumers really healthy. We live at the top end of that K that people talk about, the premium end of the K, Delta CEO Ed Bastian recently told CNBC. That group of folks wants to travel. Theyre investing in themselves; theyre investing in the experience economy. The company has certainly invested in attracting those higher-income flyers: During Deltas fourth-quarter earnings call in January, then-President Glen Hauenstein, who retired at the end of February, said that all new-seat growth would be concentrated in premium cabins. Bastian said during the earnings call that the company is expanding its premium lounge network. Budget Blues: While airlines that cater to the top of the K-shaped economy arent sweating costlier jet fuel, airlines carrying less affluent passengers are struggling. Airlines with the thinnest margins and least flexible supply chains are going to hurt the most, the Association of Flight Attendants wrote in a recent statement on the impact of the war with Iran on the airline industry. The statement highlighted budget carriers including Frontier and Spirit, the latter of which filed for bankruptcy in August for the second time in less than a year (though it has plans to emerge in the spring or summer). This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter. While most apiarists start beekeeping as a hobby, the practice could offer some family farms a diversified stream of revenue. Jars of sticky, sweet local honey are the obvious way to profit from honeybees, but State Apiarist Andrew Joseph said beekeepers can also profit by selling bees, or by moving their bees during the winter season to agricultural areas that need the pollinating work of the bees. With some years of experience and a little finger crossing it doesnt take much to take that hobby and at least turn it into something thats got some wind behind its sails, that pays for itself, and in a good year, might help out with some of your other bills, Joseph said. Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Joseph spoke to a group of farmers Thursday in a webinar hosted by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation about diversifying the family farm. Zach Brummer, the farmer education program manager with the Farm Bureau, said beekeeping has manageable start-up costs and only requires a small amount of land, which makes it an attractive option for farmers and landowners looking to diversify their operations. Given the current challenges in the ag economy, farmers have shown a growing interest in practical, value-added agriculture opportunities to diversify income, and beekeeping provides a very intriguing opportunity to explore, Brummer said in a news release about the webinar. Advertisement Advertisement Joseph, in addition to leading the apiary program at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, keeps about 300 hives around the Des Moines area. This he said is above the hobby level, but is nowhere near commercial beekeeping level where beekeepers will have several thousand hives. At this scale, Joseph gets the rewarding tasks of harvesting honey in the late summer, but is also able to migrate his hives to local orchards and as far west as California to help pollinate various food crops. Iowa does not require a registration of all of the hives and beekeepers in the state, but Joseph said his best guess is that there are around 4,500 beekeepers in the state. Of those, Joseph said maybe two dozen are commercial beekeepers that have a thousand or more colonies. Joseph said its very common for larger and midsized beekeepers like himself, to keep their bees in Iowa during honey season and then truck them to places like California during the cold season to facilitate the pollination that is necessary to grow many food crops. Advertisement Advertisement The more we change the environment, the bigger scale we operate our specifically agriculture on, the more reliant we become on honeybees as pollinators, Joseph said. He said an almond tree farm in California, for example, blooms around Valentines Day and has a pollination window across the whole farm during mid-February. If we were going to rely on wild pollinators to get that job done, it simply wouldnt, he said. Those trees are nearly 100% dependent on a beekeeper to bring in about two hives per acre, drop those down there in the middle of winter, hit that pollination window, do what bees do, and then get them back out of there before they have to come in with their sprays and treatments, fungicides, insecticides, things like that, to protect their crop. Almonds are just one example of crops that are pollinated by visiting honeybee hives. Even local orchards can benefit from a load of honeybees during their flowering season. Advertisement Advertisement Honeybee regulations are very minimal in Iowa, Joseph said. Most rules have to deal with protecting bee health. Notably, Iowa implemented the bee law in 1979 to help protect honeybees from pesticides that are toxic to the insects. This law has been updated several times since, but in essence, allows beekeepers of any size to register their hives in an online platform that then informs commercial pesticide applicators of nearby hives. Commercial applicators in those areas then have to apply pesticides that are labeled as toxic to honeybees during certain times of days when honeybees are typically in their hives rather than flitting about collecting pollen. This isnt perfect, you know, you can shoot holes in this bee rule, but its existed for a long time, and Im one, certainly, that feels like it helps, Joseph said. It helps bridge that gap of communication between the beekeeper thats trying to protect their bees and their neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Small batch honey, sold directly to consumers in one pound jars, will profit beekeepers between $8-$9 per pound of honey, according to Joseph. On average, he said Iowa beekeepers get about 60 pounds of surplus, or removable, honey per hive in a season. But honey is not the only product from the hive. Producers can also sell the beeswax for a small profit, or can split up their hives and sell them to other beekeepers. Joseph said a nuc or nucleus colony that has an established colony and accepted queen, can sell for around $200 apiece. Once you get good at wintering your bees, its not difficult to make up for any losses that youve had, and then still have excess bees to either increase your numbers or sell, Joseph said. Advertisement Advertisement And, beekeepers can also get paid at varying rates per hive, for bringing their hives to areas that need pollinating. Getting started The biggest cost to beekeeping is buying the multilayer hives, which Joseph said typically cost between $400 and $500. Its better to double that cost as most beekeepers, Joseph included, will recommend newbies start with two hives. He said beekeeping is all about learning the way that things should look and having two hives allows beekeepers to compare and contrast what looks right and whats wrong in a hive. Plus, he said elements from one hive can be taken over to the other hive to help repair certain issues. New beekeepers will then need to find some bees to put in their hive, including the all important queen bee that is vital for a functioning hive. Several bills have been introduced in the Iowa Legislature to remove the sales tax on honeybees which would bring them in line with other livestock in the state but the measures have not made it to the governors desk. Advertisement Advertisement Then, beekeepers will want to make sure they have certain tools, like a smoker, hive tool and some protective gear to avoid getting stung by the buzzing pollinators. While this might be some peoples biggest concern with getting into beekeeping, Joseph said that protective gear becomes more minimal as beekeepers learn to move in tandem with their bees. Beekeeping is, I think, a more pleasant experience as you learn how to work those bees calmly, with well intended, fluid movements that arent setting them off, Joseph said. You know what you can and cant do, and you can work with them instead of hiding from them. Joseph also recommended joining the Iowa Honey Producers Association, or other local beekeeping groups because much of beekeeping, he said, is tied to the local area. Oftentimes, it is not just you on an island, its you surrounded by beekeepers wherever you are here in Iowa, Joseph said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Further, the Mossad urged the public to continue sending it footage of the regimes operations within Iran. Irans regime has turned mosques into weapons depots and command headquarters, according to the Mossad, amid reports of Israel's security agency directly threatening Iranian commanders. In a Thursday morning post to the organizations Farsi X/Twitter account, the Mossad slammed the regime's appropriation of mosques for military purposes as shameful and being in conflict with Islam and with every other religion. Advertisement Advertisement The desecration of holy places has always been and will always be the work of evil battling against good, and darkness against light, it said. Addressing the Iranian people, the Mossad called on them to aid in showing the world the true face of the regimes actions and their evil. Further, the Mossad urged the public to continue sending it footage of the regimes operations within Iran. Together, we will defeat them and build a new future for Iran! the Mossad said. The spirit of the real Iran is stronger than any era and any government. Included in the post is a video showing text from the Quran and a repeated call for the Iranian public to send in documentation of the regime against the background of what seems to show regime soldiers in a mosque. Mossad threatens regime security force commanders Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Mossad officials have begun directly calling individual commanders, threatening them and their families should they refuse to "stand aside" in the event of an uprising. Advertisement Advertisement Can you hear me? a Mossad agent says in one of the recordings, speaking Farsi, per the WSJ. We know everything about you. You are on our blacklist, and we have all the information about you. The agent went on, explaining they had called to warn the commander that if they do not stand with the Iranian people, the commanders destiny will be as your leader. According to the WSJ, the commander did not argue with the Mossad agent, but rather pleaded: Brother, I swear on the Quran, Im not your enemy. Im a dead man already, he said. Just please come help us. A criminal damage investigation was opened by Tempe police after the destruction of a crescent moon display illuminating the top of 'A' Mountain during the holy month of Ramadan. The 15-foot-tall installation was pushed several feet after being cut loose from cable ties and wiring with the strip lights torn off, according to the structure's chief designer, engineer Wid Alsabah. Tempe police said the incident was reported the morning of March 17 and that by late in the evening the investigation into who knocked over the $20,000 fixture was ongoing. "It is an intentional act of hate," Alsabah said, adding the targeting of a display representing the crescent moon, the most prominent symbol of Islam, "was very, very scary." Advertisement Advertisement Alsabah shared photos with The Arizona Republic that showed the tampering that undid the installation she said was built to withstand wind. Sandbags used to weigh down the structure remained in place while the broken display laid feet away, the photos showed. A plaque with information on the display was stolen from the site, according to Alsabah. The display overlooks the Arizona State University campus and surrounding areas during the Ramadan period observed by the faithful through fast and prayer. An earlier version made of wood debuted in 2023, while the current green-painted stainless-steel installation has been used since 2024, Alsabah said. The crescent moon display on 'A' Mountain in Tempe is seen illuminated at night in this undated photo. Hate crime: Tempe's Ramadan crescent display destroyed The crescent moon display on 'A' Mountain in Tempe is seen illuminated at night in this undated photo. The crescent moon display is seen destroyed March 17, 2026, on 'A' Mountain in Tempe. The crescent moon display is seen destroyed March 17, 2026, on 'A' Mountain in Tempe. The crescent moon display is seen destroyed March 17, 2026, on 'A' Mountain in Tempe. Ramadan display on 'A' Mountain in Tempe destroyed 1 of 5 The crescent moon display on 'A' Mountain in Tempe is seen illuminated at night in this undated photo. Hate crime: Tempe's Ramadan crescent display destroyed Condemned act followed similar incidents The crescent moon installation was erected by volunteers around Feb. 17 at the start of Ramadan. A couple of weeks ago, the installation's lights were disconnected, according to Alsabah. This happened multiple times in 2025, Alsabah said. An accompanying plaque had been stolen last year as in this incident, she added. Advertisement Advertisement "There is no place in our community for this kind of hate. People of all faiths are welcome in Tempe and they have every right to feel safe and be safe," read a statement the City of Tempe released the evening of March 17 on social media. The nonprofit Arizona Muslim Alliance (AMA), which was instrumental in the installation's initial appearance, shared a statement with The Republic describing the incident as "deeply painful," adding that "what this crescent represents cannot be destroyed." The organization was determined to continue the tradition of the display, the statement said. "Some hateful people couldn't stand seeing the Muslim community enjoying something," said Mohamed El-Sharkawy, founder and director of the Arizona Muslim Police Advisory Board. "What a shame to know that those kind of people still living among us." This case comes a little more than a week after a March 7 paintball attack at the Islamic Center of North Phoenix. Prosecutors charged Michael Abel Dominguez, 30, in suspicion of multiple felonies, including aggravated assault, in that case. Advertisement Advertisement At the time, El-Sharkawy expressed concerns that rhetoric by U.S. politicians amid the ongoing military conflict with Iran could contribute to violence. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has documented incidents of Islamophobia spurred by conflicts in the Middle East. Community helped representation shine The display has become a holiday hallmark for many in Tempe, including children, Alsabah shared. "They're excited that they see the crescent and they feel represented," Alsabah said. While president of ASU's Muslim Students' Association, Alsabah, 24, envisioned a crescent moon display on Tempe's tallest peak. A similar display had been seen a couple of years in the early 2000s on 'A' Mountain. Part of the Hayden Butte Preserve Park, the peak has also featured displays for Christmas and Hanukkah. Advertisement Advertisement Alsabah created a prototype through the help of some of her professors at ASU. The now-damaged installation used for the past three years was made by sculptor Spencer Edgerton. Bringing the crescent display to 'A' Mountain was made possible through donations, people with different skillsets and through interfaith help, Alsabah pointed out. "This is an effort done by the entire community," she said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Act of hate' destroys Ramadan moon display in Tempe NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A new bill would make it optional for students and other teachers to use an educators preferred honorific in school, an extension of a law passed last year that did the same for preferred names and pronouns. The bills House sponsor, Rep. Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville), said the bill was inspired by a teacher in his district in Clarksville who is transgender. He told lawmakers he believes the educational system should teach objective truths, and biological sex falls within that category. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com To confuse a child in the classroom or an authority to ask a child to call them something theyre not is problematic to me, Maberry said. Its also problematic to parents in our district. Advertisement Advertisement The bill would directly impact Maxwell Jasper Bearden, or Max, a Clarksville educator who uses they/them pronouns. For the past five years, theyve worked with some of the most vulnerable children in Clarksville: those with profound disabilities and psychiatric and behavioral conditions. Rather than an honorific like Mr. or Mrs., Beardens students call them Teacher B. My students have never had a problem with that, Bearden said. I have a whole folder of art made by my students that all refer to me as Teacher B. Its got my little crutches or my little cane in it, and it says Teacher B or Techer B, whatever their spelling. None of my students have ever had a problem with it. Its only ever been the adults. Bearden told News 2 theyd rather see lawmakers focus on other kinds of legislation to help Tennessee children who are neglected, abused or cant afford lunch. They call Maberrys bill targeted, and adding another level of disrespect to what it means to serve in this field. Advertisement Advertisement Im disabled; Im transgender, Bearden said. Ive already got all these things going with me, and Im still going in and teaching our most vulnerable children every single day. Instead of worrying about the services they need or the progress theyre making, Im having to sit here and argue with a person who could never walk a mile in my shoes to begin with about my right to exist as a person. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Regardless of whether the bill passes, Bearden doesnt plan to change a thing. I love my students. I love my job, and I love working in this field, and its so frustrating to me that a single person and this single bit of legislation can turn that all on its head, Bearden said. I just want to be with my students and watch them succeed as me. Advertisement Advertisement The bill has already passed the Senate. Its still working its way through the committee process in the House. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The family of a domestic violence advocate allegedly murdered by her husband in North Carolina had her body flown back to New Jersey for her funeral earlier this month. Monica Muna Kazan-Schecks relatives raised nearly $15,000 through a GoFundMe campaign in order to pay for the costs. She was flown back to New Jersey on March 6. A prayer service was held the next day at Circassian Benevolent Association Mosque in Wayne followed by a burial at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, an update on the GoFundMe page said. Advertisement Advertisement Kazan-Scheck, 62, of Fairfield Harbour, North Carolina, was found stabbed to death in the home she lived in with her husband on the night of Feb. 24, the Craven County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Officers responded to the home about 10:30 p.m. to investigate the reported stabbing. A short time later, her husband, 60-year-old Nizam Mohammed Hajjeh, was identified as the suspect. Hajjeh was taken into custody that same night and charged with murder, the Craven County Sheriffs Office said. Kazan-Scheck lived in North Carolina with her husband for many years, but was originally from Paterson, according to multiple local news reports. Advertisement Advertisement She previously spent 12 years as the executive director of Promise Place, a national non-profit that supports victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, according to the GoFundMe page, which was set up by her nephew. Under Monicas unwavering leadership, the organization strengthened its advocacy programs, supported survivors through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and became a vital resource within the Craven County court systems and community, her nephew, Ezekiel Somma, wrote in the GoFundMe description. She later worked at a food insecurity non-profit called Mount Carmel Helps as well as Religious Community Services, an organization that provides food, clothing and shelter to those experiencing hardships. We choose to remember her not for the way she left this world, but for the powerful and positive impact she made while she was here, the GoFundMe description said. Advertisement Advertisement By Wednesday evening, the campaign had raised nearly $15,000. Its fundraising goal is $25,000. In addition to funeral expenses, the money raised will also go towards legal costs and any other unexpected expenses. Her husband remains in custody at Craven County Confinement Facility with no bail. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. By Will Dunham WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - Using ground-penetrating radar, NASA's Perseverance rover has detected underground remains of an ancient river delta on Mars in some of the oldest evidence yet obtained showing how water once flowed on the surface of Earth's planetary neighbor. Researchers said the six-wheeled rover revealed geological features up to 115 feet (35 meters) underground while traversing 3.8 miles (6.1 km) of terrain inside Jezero Crater, an area in the Martian northern hemisphere believed to have been flooded with water and home to an ancient lake basin long ago. Advertisement Advertisement Perseverance identified layered sediments and eroded surfaces indicative of a delta environment, a large-scale fan-shaped deposit of sediment formed at the location where a river enters a larger body of water like a lake. They estimated that the now-buried delta dates to about 3.7 to 4.2 billion years ago. Mars, like Earth, formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago, meaning this delta existed relatively early in its history. The researchers said this delta predated a similar nearby surface feature called the Western Delta that dates to about 3.5 to 3.7 billion years ago. The rover's RIMFAX instrument sends radar pulses downward and records pulses bouncing back off underground features, allowing a three-dimensional mapping of the subsurface. The new findings were based on RIMFAX's deepest data collected to date, obtained from September 2023 to February 2024 over a span of 250 Martian days. Because water is considered crucial to the possibility of past life on Mars, the mounting evidence of its wet past is of particular interest. Mars, now cold and desolate, long ago possessed a thicker atmosphere and warmer climate, allowing for liquid water on its surface. Advertisement Advertisement "From the features mapped by RIMFAX, we believe that Jezero Crater hosted an ancient water-rich environment, capable of biosignature preservation that existed prior to the formation of Jezero's Western Delta," said UCLA planetary scientist Emily Cardarelli, a member of the Perseverance science team and lead author of the research published on Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. A biosignature refers to chemical or physical evidence indicating past or present life. On Earth, river deltas are places that concentrate sediments and create niches favorable to microbial life. Scientists last year announced that a sample of rock obtained by Perseverance in Jezero Crater contained a potential biosignature suggestive of ancient microbial life, though the minerals in the sample also can form through nonbiological processes. The rock dated to roughly 3.2 to 3.8 billion years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Perseverance since 2021 has been exploring Jezero Crater. Scientists believe river channels spilled over the crater wall and created a lake. "It's very exciting that RIMFAX was able to provide such a detailed view of these deposits, and thus help solve the puzzle of their origin," UCLA planetary scientist and study co-author David Paige, also a member of the Perseverance rover science team, said of the new findings. "This further cements the notion that ground-penetrating radar is indeed an extremely valuable new tool for studying planetary geology." Chinese scientists last year said ground-penetrating radar employed by China's Zhurong rover detected subsurface evidence of what look like sandy beaches from the shoreline of an ocean that may have existed on the northern plains of Mars. "Over time, we've seen more and more evidence for liquid water on the Martian surface at various rover landing sites, areas we've traversed to, as well as from orbital imagery. We have seen channels where water may have flowed, crater lakes where water once ponded, and deltaic sediments deposited as rock outcrops and now as buried remnants, with this (research) paper," Cardarelli said. Advertisement Advertisement "Mars is diverse, and each rover mission reveals another piece of its puzzling past and the early development of our rocky neighbor," Cardarelli said. (Reporting by Will Dunham, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) For more than a century, the Willamette River a constant through Oregons history has been largely shrouded by industry. However, on Wednesday, a new current began to flow at The Redd in Southeast Portland, where more than 300 people gathered for the inaugural Reimagine the River event a day-long convening aimed at reconnecting communities to the waterway through restoration, redevelopment and cultural renewal. Over 150 years of industrialization have really limited public access to this national treasure, and were really excited about restoring the landscape, recreating community gathering places and renewing Indigenous connections to this sacred site, said former Oregon Governor and President of the Willamette Falls Trust Kate Brown. Advertisement Advertisement We are all hungry No, we are starving for something that brings us together, and this is it, she added. Leaders, tribal representatives, nonprofits and developers all came together to chart a course for public access, environmental stewardship and economic opportunity along the river. Organizers called the gathering a watershed moment, bringing together several projects that have often flowed in separate channels. A lot of people want to see different things, but I think at the end of the day, what people are looking for is a restoration of community to the river, said Ronda Rutledge, executive director of Ecotrust and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. These conversations have been going on for a really long time, but we were hoping that this particular gathering could be a catalyst for having folks, who maybe arent talking with each other, advance collectively. Advertisement Advertisement Projects highlighted at the event span the rivers edge from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industrys proposed Center for Tribal Nations Waterfront Education Park to the Albina Riverside and the Low End redevelopment. Leaders say investments will flow not just into buildings, but back into historically displaced communities. Building affordable housing, creating mixed-use retail on site will enable more folks to live close to the river and create really amazing community gathering places, Brown said. Upstream, demolition at the former Blue Heron Paper Mill signaled the start of Tumwata Village, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Rondes (CTGR) cultural restoration project in Oregon City. Advertisement Advertisement Across the river, in West Linn, the Willamette Falls Trust is backing its own inter-tribal access project, working with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Siletz, Umatilla, and Yakama Nation all with deep historical ties to the sacred site. The collaboration is the first time tribes working on both sides of the river who have previously been at odds have come together in this way. Both projects are now part of the same conversation for the first time since longstanding tensions led CTGR to withdraw from the trust in 2019. Brown underscored the importance of Indigenous leadership in guiding the rivers future. Advertisement Advertisement These are Oregons and the nations first peoples, she said. They have and continue to have a strong connection to the land, and honestly, we have a lot to learn from them. For thousands of years, Willamette Falls has been a gathering place, trading hub and source of first foods for Pacific Northwest tribes. The river has long been more than water. For thousands of years, it was a gathering place for river tribes, a trading hub, and a source of first foods, including Pacific lamprey an ancient species harvested here for generations. We have an opportunity to create a dynamic cultural, historical, and economic zone all along the entire lower Willamette River, Brown said. And we absolutely believe that by having more voices at the table, we can produce something much better for the community. Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said the Reimagine the River event was designed to build momentum, connecting communities, stakeholders and projects moving in the same current. Reimagining the River is about stewardship and shared prosperity through restoration and regeneration, said Rukaiyah Adams, CEO of the 1803 Fund. When we think together about whats next for the Willamette, the question is not simply what we are designing, but how we care for the peoples, lands, and waterways of home long into the future. 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. A Virginia man is recounting the terrifying moments he survived a missile strike on a hotel in Bahrain, saying the blast has left lasting physical and emotional effects weeks after the attack. Derek Davis, a Hampton resident and U.S. Navy veteran, was in Bahrain for contract work with the U.S. military when missiles struck his hotel March 1. You could feel the vibrations in the air. You could feel the shock wave come through, Davis said. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain confirmed that the Crowne Plaza Hotel was among the sites hit in the attack, which resulted in injuries. Davis said he was inside the hotel when the first missile struck. As a second missile hit, he fled through an exit, navigating smoke and debris. Taste in the air like youre chewing on black powder your eyes burn, your throat hurts, he said. You want to be scared and panic, but you have to stay focused on what you need to do to get out of a harmful situation. Once outside, Davis said the situation felt like a war zone. Although he had previously traveled to Bahrain and felt safe, he said the uncertainty during the attack made him wary. Advertisement Advertisement It becomes an emotional and mental warfare, not just physical warfare, he said. You dont know who to trust. Davis said his military background helped him remain focused as he sought safety. He also thought about his 10-year-old daughter back home in Virginia, who has already lost her mom. How cruel would it be for her to lose both of her parents? he said. He eventually reached a safe location and later returned to the United States with assistance from the military, which has been helping evacuate American civilians from the region amid tensions involving Iran. Even after leaving the region, Davis said he remained anxious while traveling through nearby airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Now back home, he said the experience continues to affect him. He reports ringing in his ears from the blast and ongoing sleep issues. I dont sleep more than four hours, if Im lucky, he said. Despite the lingering trauma, Davis said he is grateful to have survived. Take a moment to just be like, Im here, he said. Theres a level of disbelief that comes along with that. By Maayan Lubell and Steven Scheer JERUSALEM, March 19 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he believes pipelines should be built to transport Middle East oil and gas across the Arabian Peninsula and up to Israeli ports to avoid threats by Iran in the Hormuz Strait and other Gulf waters. A day after Israel attacked Iran's main gas field in a sharp escalation of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Netanyahu told a press conference that Tehran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium, a claim that has been contested by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog. Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu sought during the 45-minute event to defend his country's military operations even as its attacks on Iran's South Pars field inspired tit-for-tat strikes on energy plants across the Gulf, sending energy prices spiralling. NETANYAHU SAYS TRUMP ASKED HIM TO HALT FUTURE GAS ATTACKS Asked by a reporter about the South Pars attack, Netanyahu said that Israel had acted alone. "President Trump asked us to hold off on future attacks," he said. Trump, politically vulnerable to rising fuel prices among his core voters, has lashed out at allies who have responded cautiously to his demands that they help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for around a fifth of the world's oil. Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu said that he believed alternative routes to Hormuz would need to be found, appearing to point to a potential benefit for Israel from a prolonged closure of the choke point. "Just have oil pipelines, gas pipelines, going west through the Arabian Peninsula, right up to Israel, right up to our Mediterranean ports and you've just done away with the choke points forever," Netanyahu said. "I see that as a real change that will follow this war." IRAN NO LONGER CAN ENRICH URANIUM, NETANYAHU SAYS The U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28, following months of talks primarily over Tehran's nuclear program that failed to yield an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu told the press conference that after 20 days of war, "Iran today does not have the ability to enrich uranium and no possibility to produce missiles." He did not provide evidence for either claim. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, told CBS News on Thursday that "a lot has survived" of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity. "They have the capabilities, they have the knowledge, they have the industrial ability to do that," Grossi said. Netanyahu did not comment on Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, believed to be buried under Iran's nuclear site in Isfahan following U.S. strikes in June. Advertisement Advertisement Israel and Gulf countries have come under heavy Iranian missile and drone attacks since the start of the war. "We are not only acting to destroy the remaining ballistic missiles and what is left of the nuclear programme - very little remains - but also to destroy the industries that enable the production of these programmes," Netanyahu said. 'GROUND COMPONENT' POSSIBLE IN IRAN FIGHTING Despite the nearly three-week war, it was still too soon to tell whether Iranians would take to the streets to try to overthrow their government, Netanyahu said. "It's up to the Iranian people to show that, to choose the moment and to rise to the moment," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu said that overthrowing the government would not be possible with air strikes alone, and suggested there might be potential action on the ground. "There has to be a ground component as well. There are many possibilities for this ground component, and I take the liberty of not sharing with you all those possibilities," Netanyahu said. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Steven Scheer; Editing by Rami Ayyub and Diane Craft) Mastercard Acquires BVNK Source: CoinGape In what appeared to be a closely contested bidding race, Mastercard has finally announced its acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK. The company had been at the center of a acquisition battle between Mastercard and Coinbase last year before the latter backed off in later 2025. However, according to a Bloomberg report, the deal has now been finalized, with Mastercard agreeing to acquire BVNK for up to $1.8 billion. BVNK CEO on the Acquisition Mastercard Acquires BVNK For $1.8 Billion Founded in 2021, BVNK provides the infrastructure that allows businesses to send, receive, and manage payments using stablecoins. Its platform supports cross-border transfers, real-time (24/7) settlement and payments across multiple blockchain networks BVNK currently operates in over 130 countries, helping companies integrate crypto payments into real-world use cases like payouts, remittances, and business transactions. Now by acquiring BVNK, Mastercard aims to make payments faster and more efficient by adding stablecoin-based transactions to its existing network. Also Read: Metaplanet Sets up 2 Subsidiaries In its official statement, Mastercard emphasized that card payments still offer unmatched global reach and protection. But stablecoins unlock new use cases like cross-border remittances, P2P and B2B payments which it aims to explore with BVNK. BVNK would provide Mastercard the infrastructure need to connect crypto payments with traditional financial systems. It will help Mastercard stay competitive as payments increasingly move on-chain. Mastercard on the BVNK Acquisition The company emphasized that stablecoins and tokenized assets are rapidly growing. This deal will help bring their benefits like speed and programmability into real-world payments. As Chief Product Officer Jorn Lambert noted, adding on-chain rails will support virtually every type of transaction. Also Read: Bitmines Expansion Plan for its $12B Eth Treasury Crypto Card Issuers Latest Crypto Move The acquisition from the leading crypto cards issuer adds up to its recent crypto initiatives. Just last week, the payments giant Mastercard launched its Crypto Partner Program. With the program, it is bringing together over 85 crypto-native firms, financial institutions, and infrastructure providers to integrate blockchain-based payments into its global network. The initiative focuses on real-world use cases such as cross-border remittances, B2B transfers, and on-chain settlement, areas where stablecoins and tokenized money are gaining traction. And now by acquiring BVNK, Mastercard is effectively adding the missing infrastructure layer to this strategy, Governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he is open to reconsidering the name of Cesar Chavez Day in California, as political fallout grows over abuse allegations tied to the late labor icon. The comments mark one of the clearest signals yet that the state could reconsider how it commemorates Chavez - a figure long central to California's labor and Latino history - just two weeks before the March 31 holiday bearing his name. Speaking at an unrelated San Lorenzo press conference, Newsom said he is in early talks with California lawmakers about changing the holiday's namesake. Advertisement Advertisement "Look, yeah I'm open. Obviously these are brand new conversations," he told ABC7 when asked whether the state should shift the focus of the holiday away from Chavez himself. "We're just going to have to reflect on all of that. And, you know, reflect on a farm workers movement and a labor movement that was much bigger than one man and celebrate that. And that will be our focus as we process what the next steps are." MORE: Bay Area farmworker advocates 'betrayed' after Cesar Chavez abuse allegations, support accusers Newsom also acknowledged the complexity of reevaluating a figure many Californians grew up learning about in schools - with 37 campuses across the state bearing Chavez's name. The press conference - focused on expanding financial literacy resources for students - quickly shifted as reporters asked Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom on the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Siebel Newsom, who was a key accuser in Harvey Weinstein's 2022 sexual assault trial, became emotional as she spoke about the impact on survivors and on labor leaders close to the administration. The governor noted he and his wife are "very close" with United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta, who revealed Wednesday that she was "manipulated and pressured into having sex" with Chavez in the 1960s. "It's a lot," Siebel Newsom said. "This war on women isn't new. It goes way, way back, centuries. Enough is enough. So it's got to end." Report details abuse allegations According to a New York Times investigation, multiple women allege Chavez abused his position of power within the farmworker movement to exploit young girls and women. Advertisement Advertisement One survivor told the Times she was 12 when Chavez first touched her inappropriately and 15 when he raped her in California. Another said she was repeatedly summoned for sexual encounters over a four-year period beginning when she was 13. The investigation alleges Chavez used his influence over workers and volunteers for his own sexual gratification. "The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn't feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss and the leader of the movement I had already devoted years of my life to," Huerta said. "The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped." LIST: Bay Area locations named after Cesar Chavez as abuse allegations put legacy in spotlight Huerta, now 95, said both encounters resulted in pregnancies that she kept secret for decades. Advertisement Advertisement The reporting has prompted broader calls to reassess Chavez's legacy in public spaces. Advocacy group California Rising is urging the renaming of Cesar Chavez Avenue to Dolores Huerta Avenue, calling it a "course correction" that centers dignity and equity. Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chavez in 1962, helping secure the first farmworker union contracts in U.S. history. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Chavez died in 1993 at the age of 66. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live The New Jersey Lottery offers multiple draw games for people looking to strike it rich. Here's a look at March 18, 2026, results for each game: Pick-3 Midday: 1-9-7, Fireball: 9 Evening: 9-2-7, Fireball: 2 Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here. Pick-4 Midday: 7-8-0-4, Fireball: 9 Evening: 7-5-9-1, Fireball: 2 Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here. Jersey Cash 5 01-29-37-41-42, Xtra: 37 Check Jersey Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Millionaire for Life 04-16-21-33-35, Bonus: 01 Advertisement Advertisement Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here. Quick Draw Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here. Cash Pop Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results When are the New Jersey Lottery drawings held? Cash4Life: 9:00 p.m. daily. Pick-3: 12:59 p.m. and 10:57 p.m. daily. Pick-4: 12:59 p.m. and 10:57 p.m. daily. Jersey Cash 5: 10:57 p.m. daily. Pick-6: 10:57 p.m. Monday and Thursday. 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 New Jersey Sr Breaking News Editor. You can send feedback using this form. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Lottery Pick-3, Pick-4, Cash 5, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for Wednesday, March 18 The many delights of the European continent will be easier than ever to reach for American travelers in the coming months, thanks to new non-stop routes being launched by major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, American and Alaska. The new routes put travelers directly through to world-class beaches, breathtaking architecture and historical sites dating back thousands of years. Here are 10 of the best destinations travelers will be able to reach directly from Seattle, Boston, New York and Philadelphia. 1. Boston to Madrid, Spain Delta Delta is launching a new service to Madrid in May using Airbus A330neos. Pictured is Cibeles Fountain (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Launching: May 6, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Frequency: Daily. Aircraft type: Airbus A330-900neo This new direct service puts the Spanish capitals imperious buildings and epic public squares within easier reach. Must-visits include Plaza Oriente, Plaza de la Villa and the Museo del Prado, which houses over 9,000 paintings and sculptures by artists including Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian, Rubens and Hieronymus Bosch. 2. Boston to Nice, France Delta The palm-lined 19th-century Promenade des Anglais curves along Nice's seafront (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Launching: May 16, 2026 Frequency: Three times a week. Aircraft type: Airbus A330-900neo Experience the striking Cote dAzur light via this new service from Boston. Highlights within Nice include Vieux Nice, the citys maze-like old town, and the palm-lined 19th-century Promenade des Anglais, which curves along the citys seafront in front of the glittering Med. 3. Seattle to Rome, Italy Delta and Alaska Airlines The Rome service marks the first time in Alaska Airlines history that it will operate transatlantic flights of any kind. Pictured are the Spanish Steps (Alberto Giron - stock.adobe.com) Launching: April 28 (Alaska Airlines), May 6, 2026 (Delta) Advertisement Advertisement Frequency: Daily (Alaska), four times per week (Delta). Aircraft type: Dreamliner (Alaska), A330-900neo (Delta) The Rome service marks the first time in Alaska Airlines history that it will operate transatlantic flights of any kind. It will be operated by a widebody 787 Dreamliner aircraft in green liveries inspired by the Northern Lights. They go head-to-head with Deltas Airbus A330neos. Top sights include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon, an ancient Roman temple with just one source of light, a hole in the center of the dome called the oculus. 4. Seattle to Barcelona, Spain Delta The Sagrada Familia part cathedral, part work of art is one of Barcelona's top sights (Getty Images) Launching: May 7, 2026 Frequency: Three times per week. Aircraft type: Airbus A330-900neo Advertisement Advertisement Deltas state-of-the-art A330neos will bring West Coast travelers directly to one of Europes most intoxicating cities, where they can stroll the golden sands of Barceloneta Beach, gaze in awe at the Sagrada Familia part cathedral, part work of art and immerse themselves in tapas culture. 5. New York JFK to Sardinia, Italy Delta Sardinia is one of the Meds most alluring islands, with cute coves and electric-blue water (Getty Images) Launching: May 20, 2026 Frequency: Four times per week. Aircraft type: Boeing 767-300ER Jump aboard one of Deltas 767s and experience one of the Meds most alluring islands, home to a showstopping coastline think cute coves and electric-blue water. 6. New York JFK to Porto, Portugal Delta The new Delta service will be the first daily direct flight to Porto, set by the Douro River, from JFK by any airline (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Launching: May 21, 2026 Frequency: Daily. Aircraft type: Boeing 767-300ER Advertisement Advertisement The new Delta service will be the first daily direct flight to Porto from JFK by any airline. Explore its photogenic historic center, a maze of winding cobblestone streets, visit the blue-tiled Sao Bento train station and peruse the shelves of the fairytale-like Livraria Lello bookstore. And earmark a stroll across the Dom Luis I Bridge, which spans the Douro River, to Vila Nova de Gaia for a port wine cellar tour and tasting. 7. New York JFK to Malta Delta The Maltese archipelago comprising the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino has sensational shorelines with world-class dive sites. Pictured is the Blue Lagoon on Comino (Getty Images) Launching: June 7 Frequency: Three times per week. Aircraft type: Boeing 767-300ER The Maltese archipelago comprising the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino has sensational shorelines with world-class dive sites, stunning hotels and three Unesco World Heritage sites: the city of Valletta, the al Saflieni Hypogeum prehistoric underground burial site and the Megalithic Temples of Malta, seven temple complexes where youll find some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world. 8. Philadelphia to Budapest, Hungary American Airlines Budapest, set by the Danube river, is a world of beautiful architecture and thermal baths (Getty Images) Launching: May 21, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Frequency: Daily. Aircraft type: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, ruin bars set in abandoned buildings and the immense Buda Castle, which stands above the Danube River. 9. Newark/New York to Split, Croatia United United will be the only airline to fly from the U.S. to Split, pictured (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Launching: April 30, 2026 Frequency: Three times a week. Aircraft type: Boeing 767-300ER Split offers travelers the chance to explore historic sites like the ancient Roman Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of Saint Dominus one of the oldest in the world and enjoy an inviting promenade and harbor. United will be the only airline to fly from the U.S. to Split. 10. Newark/New York to Bari, Italy United Bari is the gateway to the Puglia region, which is peppered with beautiful hilltop towns (Getty Images) Launching: May 1 Frequency: Four times per week. Aircraft type: 767-300ER The new flight will serve as a gateway to the Puglia region from Newark/New York, offering travelers the chance to explore the area's beautiful hilltop towns, the turquoise beaches of the Adriatic Sea, historic Old Town and the iconic Trulli buildings. North Carolina's Latino population has continued to grow rapidly, and from larger cities like Raleigh and Durham, to farm worker groups in eastern North Carolina, many organizers looked up to Cesar Chavez's legacy. And they say this has been difficult to come to terms with allegations of sexual abuse levied at the late, legendary labor leader, but it doesn't change the work they're doing and the change they hope to make. "It was definitely gutwrenching and slightly betraying, and there was a lot of grieving process," said Sandra Pardo. Advertisement Advertisement "It's been really difficult to hold both truths at the same time that Cesar Chavez was a leader for our community, for the laborers' labor rights movement. And like many leaders, his legacy is at one dimensional. But that does not erase harm," said Flor Herrera-Picasso from Casa Azul de Wilson. At Casa Azul de Wilson, the nonprofit providing educational resources, posting Wednesday on Instagram to shine a light on Dolores Huerta for sharing her story, and saying the weight she had to carry for decades is something that struck a nerve. Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App "Casa Azul was founded by Latina women and we recognize the world we live in still very much patriarchal and its been difficult to be Latina women leaders in this space and in eastern North Carolina and makes Dolores Huerta's story that much more important for us at this time because many times underwriters in social justice and not as recognized as leaders that are men," Herrera-Picasso said. Advertisement Advertisement Pardo is the daughter of Mexican immigrants who now works to provide resources for farmers in eastern North Carolina, such as workplace safety and legal rights. On Thursday, the Farmworker Institute is meeting in Sanford to mark two decades of work in the community. "And the theme this year, how serendipitous, is raices fuertes, or strong roots," Pardo said. Roots that stemmed from a complicated history, which the group hopes can continue to grow into a better future. "We must tell history and its full truths and reckon with the harm and look at it honestly. And that I feel like that's the only way that we're going to really build stronger and more just communities is to hold space for the entirety of it all," Herrera-Picasso said. In the meantime, some of the leaders from NC Field, another local farm worker organization, and other groups were set to be honored in a few weeks in Charlotte with a breakfast honoring Latino leadership named for Cesar Chavez. Those local honors will still happen, but Chavez's name has been removed. Acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl says the agency is concerned about the growing number of sick calls among TSA officers, which is leading to long security lines at airports across the country. "If the call rate does climb, there could be scenarios where we may have to shut down airports," he told CBS News. "This is a serious situation." Stahl said the situation will get worse the longer the agency and the Department of Homeland Security don't receive funding. "This will not get better," he said, as Congress shows no sign of reaching the impasse. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Markwayne Mullin, the nominee for Homeland Security secretary, said at his confirmation hearing Wednesday that "we have to get DHS funded." "We're putting our homeland and the peace of mind at risk for the American people," the Oklahoma Republican said, urging his colleagues to set partisanship aside. Hundreds of TSA officers have quit, while the 50,000 who are going to work are living without pay. Some workers have started waiting in their own line for groceries. A pop-up food bank in South Florida fed nearly 200 TSA workers and their families as they go without a paycheck, Feeding South Florida president Paco Velez told CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement "Our people are hurting," Stahl said. "We have individuals sleeping in their cars, drawing blood to afford to pay for gas to get to work." Airport closures, however, did not seem imminent as of early Wednesday a scenario that is more plausible at small airports. TSA wait times top 2 hours as sick calls surge TSA sick calls have been surging since officers missed a paycheck Friday due to the month-long partial government shutdown. Monday saw the most yet, with 10.22% of officers nationwide calling out five times more than a typical day. On Tuesday, the sick calls dropped off slightly to 9.88%, according to TSA. Advertisement Advertisement The top five days of sick calls this year, not including Feb. 23 when there was a blizzard on the East Coast, have all come since officers missed a paycheck. The William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, struggled the most with staffing on Tuesday, with nearly 41% of TSA officers calling out, according to TSA. New Orleans hit nearly 36%. In Atlanta, over 37% of TSA officers called out sick on Monday, according to the agency, closing one of the checkpoints at the world's busiest airport. The number of sick calls also dropped slightly Tuesday, but wait times to get through security still topped two hours. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, wait times were at least 103 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement As staffing drops, more TSA screening lanes will close, and from there, entire checkpoints making lines and wait times at airports even longer. Three of the six checkpoints at the Philadelphia airport will be closed on Wednesday. TSA wait times at major U.S. airports (Table) Dogue, parody fashion magazine for dogs, sued by Vogue owner Conde Nast Tax filers face refund delays as IRS pushes to phase out paper checks Family of Afghan man who served with U.S. forces seeks answers about his death in ICE custody Its disconcerting to look at our rising electricity bills in New Hampshire not just because they are up 8.4% over the last year, but because leaders in Washington and Concord are taking us in a direction that will only increase those bills. Added to that, war and possible tariffs have the potential to make costs dramatically higher in the coming months. Fortunately, theres some electricity news to feel good about: The future of New Englands power supply affordable, home-grown, reliable and clean is proving itself right now in the waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The turbines of South Fork Wind and Vineyard Wind powered hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses during the record-breaking cold snaps and storms of the last three months, helping the Northeast save millions of dollars that otherwise would have gone to high-priced polluting gas and more emergency use of dirty, polluting oil plants. Advertisement Advertisement The importance of this outstanding performance cannot be overstated. South Fork and Vineyard Wind are Americas first two utility-scale offshore wind projects. They reliably kept power flowing at steady, low cost under long-term contracts when it was needed most in extraordinarily challenging conditions. Unlike gas, the cost of the North Atlantic wind didnt go up 60 percent when it got cold. Unlike gas, wind performs best in the winter. And unlike propane, oil, and gasoline, which are soaring in the face of a new Mideast war, wind is free and the jobs are American. Over the past year, wind and solar power have come under relentless attacks that are often misleading - or outright false - from front groups for the petroleum industry and its enablers in the Trump administration. In order to keep profiting from oil, gas, and coal, these groups have poured hundreds of millions into lobbying, campaign contributions and public relations. Fossil fuel interests have launched disinformation campaigns to try to stop or delay offshore wind. But South Fork Wind, built in large part in Connecticut and located less than 20 miles from Block Island, has proven itself for more than a year, powering 70,000 homes and businesses on Long Island with a dozen turbines. Over the course of 2025, South Fork provided electricity on 99 percent of all days and across 92 percent of all hours. Vineyard Wind, which just completed construction and is already providing power to more than 300,000 homes and businesses, produced electricity seamlessly through this winters heavy snows and winds at a fraction of the cost the power grid was forced to pay for fossil fuels during peak hours. Advertisement Advertisement Construction of Vineyard Winds 62 turbines in the waters off Massachusetts is now complete. In the coming weeks, the 804MW project will power 400,000 homes and businesses. The project has created more than 3,700 jobs in New England and helped redevelop the Port of New Bedford. On March 13, Revolution Wind off Point Judith, Rhode Island, delivered its first power to the grid and will eventually power 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Revolution Wind has created more than 2,000 jobs and revitalized the Port of New London, Connecticut. South Fork, Vineyard Wind and Revolution are not only going to provide reliable homegrown energy and jobs to New England and New York, they will eliminate each year the production of more than 3 million tons of carbon fouling our air and damaging our climate by replacing fossil fuels. Thats the equivalent of taking more than 650,000 cars off the road. Each of these wind projects is expected to affordably produce electricity from wind for the next 30 to 35 years with no supply problems in winter, no soaring costs for fuel thanks to war or trade feuds, no leaky pipelines, and no pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Despite the fossil fuel industrys attempts to strangle clean energy, wind and solar are moving forward. Nationally, solar, wind, and batteries dominate in the race to add new sources of electricity to affordably meet soaring demand. Solar is the cheapest and fastest growing source of energy in the U.S. and globally. Wind helped keep our lights on this winter. And during the heat wave that hit the region last summer, rooftop solar and batteries saved us from losing power and saved consumers almost $20 million in fuel costs. Not surprisingly, Trump and petroleum-funded lobbyists doubled-down on support for fossil fuels and opposition to wind projects over the last year. Unfortunately, closer to home, theyve been joined by Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who has embraced an enormously expensive gas pipeline, vocally opposed offshore wind, and signed into law legislation taking New Hampshire out of the race to create our own electricity from offshore wind without even knowing what offshore wind would cost the state. That law removed the words offshore wind from the title of the states Office of Offshore Wind Industry Development and Energy Innovation and ended that offices mandate to pursue offshore wind opportunities. It also killed two programs training workers for high paying offshore wind jobs and blocks any efforts to redevelop our ports to work on wind the kinds of redevelopment that is creating thousands of high paying jobs in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. New Hampshire should be turning its back on volatile, polluting fossil fuels, like gas fuels that are exacerbating an affordability crisis for New Hampshire families and businesses. It should not be turning its back on jobs, on homegrown energy, on clean air the affordable energy solutions of the future. Its time for New Hampshire to get on the right track. Tom Irwin Tom Irwin is Conservation Law Foundations Vice President for New Hampshire. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Offshore wind delivered when New England needed it most: Irwin Mar. 18The creation of an Ohio data center study commission moved one step closer to fruition on Wednesday after a unanimous 93-0 vote in the Ohio House. The proposal, House Bill 646, now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. If it becomes law, H.B. 646's study commission would be tasked with holding at least four public meetings, producing a report of best practices and considerations for data centers, and making legislative recommendations for the Ohio General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement The mandatory topics of investigation include data centers' impact on the environment, the electrical grid, consumer utility rates, farmland, the local economy, along with noise and light pollution. DAYTON DAILY NEWS INVESTIGATES The cost of data centers Massive data centers are proposed to be built across southwest Ohio. Our investigation looks at the cost and consequences of these power-hungry, water-thirsty, tax-supported facilities. Reporting by London Bishop and Bryn Dippold. 'Life-changing decision': Data center growth fuels fears in local communities Data centers driving up regional electric costs, study says Impact of data centers on regional water supply 'an emerging issue' Data centers get big tax breaks. Do they create jobs? Ohio lawmakers show bipartisan support for data center legislation Video: Passions run high as local town grapples with data center fears Advertisement Advertisement H.B. 646 also requires the commission to look into data centers' "value to national security and the development of artificial intelligence" and into reports of "foreign propaganda intended to create opposition to data centers." Three commission members would be appointed by the governor, five by the Ohio House speaker, and five the Ohio Senate president three positions held by Republicans. The commission would have to include two lawmakers from each party. Bill joint-sponsor Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, told his colleagues Wednesday that the appointees, collectively, will bring a broad range of expertise. The bill calls for subject matter experts in data center operations, agriculture, electric cooperatives, water and environmental impacts of data centers, public utilities, and economic development and tax incentives, along with experts in local government. Advertisement Advertisement "I believe this is going to put us in a great position to move forward and to say what is best for Ohio when it comes to these data centers," Click said. Rep. Ismail Mohamed, D-Columbus, said Democrats generally support the initiative, but that it's imperative that the commission also include subject matter experts from labor unions and construction trades. However, Democrats' proposed amendment to require those voices on the commission was voted down by the House's Republican supermajority by a vote of 53-41. Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania, argued against the amendment based on a lack of discussion and said he felt the more appropriate time to make such a change is during Senate review. Advertisement Advertisement Area Rep. Tom Young, R-Washington Twp., expressed his support for the overall bill on Wednesday in a statement to this news outlet. "This is about getting in front of this issue. Not chasing it later. This commission is extremely important," Young said. "We need to understand the total economic and environmental impact on everyone affected." Before the vote, House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said the commission would offer a more public platform to discuss the elimination of a tax exemption Ohio offers data centers to avoid paying sales tax on building materials. "I don't think these entities should have special treatment, given today's climate," Huffman said. "Maybe it made sense 15 years ago to try to attract them, but there are many other benefits to coming to Ohio besides this particular exemption." Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers tried to get rid of this exemption in Ohio's most recent operating budget, but the exemption was spared with a veto from Gov. Mike DeWine on the grounds that data centers have brought "billions" in construction work to the state and that the exemption is still an important lure. Huffman has said he disagrees with the Republican governor's decision but he has not yet called a vote to override it, which would require 60 votes on the House floor. DeWine's line of reasoning has been echoed by House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, but the Cincinnati Democrat has ultimately shied away from telling reporters how he and his minority caucus would vote if the override were brought to the floor. ------ Advertisement Advertisement For more stories like this, sign up for our Ohio Politics newsletter. It's free, curated, and delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday evening. Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below. Loading... LEXINGTON, Okla. (KFOR) A correctional officer at the Lexington Correctional Center has been arrested after allegations of sexual assault involving an inmate. Daniel Ackah was taken into custody by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General. He faces charges of rape by instrumentation and sexual battery. According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC), the charges stem from an incident reported on March 13 that involved the alleged sexual assault of an inmate at the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Following his arrest, Ackah was terminated from his position and booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center. Couple wanted for allegedly using 14-year-old as a surrogate Actions like these not only harm the victim, but also make it more difficult for the vast majority of our officers to do their jobs effectively, said Oklahoma Department of Corrections Chief of Operations Jason Sparks. Incidents like this erode trust and damage the reputation of our profession as a whole. Its important to remember this behavior represents a very small fraction of our officers, who serve with integrity every day. ODOC director Justin Farris said that the agency acted firmly once the alleged incident was reported. Advertisement Advertisement Our staff is held to a high standard, and the overwhelming majority live up to that expectation every day, said Farris. When individuals fail to uphold our values, we act decisively. We will not tolerate misconduct, and we will hold those responsible fully accountable under the law, as we did in this case. I remain proud of the dedicated men and women who work every day to keep our facilities safe and secure. 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. Four people were killed overnight on Wednesday, and over 13 were wounded. Meanwhile, four people were injured in Kiryat Shmona during a barrage on Thursday evening. The Bazan oil refinery in Haifa was damaged by fallen shrapnel after several consecutive missile barrages from Iran triggered sirens across Israel on Thursday afternoon. Magen David Adom units were sent to the site. No injuries were reported, and an Environmental Protection Ministry spokesperson confirmed there had been no leakage of hazardous substances. Advertisement Advertisement "The damage to the electricity grid in the north is localized and not significant." Energy Minister Eli Cohen said. "The Israel Electric Corporation teams are already working on the ground and have restored electricity to most of the disconnected areas. Electricity will be restored to the remaining disconnected areas within a short period of time. In addition, the barrage to the north did not cause any significant damage to infrastructure sites in the state of Israel." The Environmental Protection Ministry stated that, due to fear of hazardous substances, they would be sending Director General Rami Rozen to the refinery, along with emergency teams, in order to accompany security forces. Magen David Adom reported that it was treating several people who were wounded following a direct hit to a residential building in Kiryat Shmona. A RESIDENTIAL building damaged by an Iranian missile strike, March 19, 2026. (credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM) Four wounded people were reported, including a man in his 60s who had been heavily injured, a 68-year-old woman in moderate condition, and two people in their 20s who had been lightly injured. Advertisement Advertisement The heavily injured man was flown to the Rambam Medical Center in an IDF helicopter, where he is expected to undergo emergency surgery. Israeli media reported that Iran had launched six barrages towards northern Israel since Thursday morning, in addition to the attacks on the rest of the country. MAGEN DAVID ADOM arrives at the site of a direct hit from an Iranian missile, March 19, 2026. (credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM) Earlier, police and medical personnel had investigated several shrapnel impact sites following a barrage targeting central Israel. No injuries were reported, but a northern Israeli village lost power and a fire started in an open area. Iran fired three back-to-back waves of ballistic missile attacks towards central and northern Israel on Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Before that, Israel's northern region received three sets of rocket sirens within the span of one hour before 6 a.m. on Thursday morning, following a series of barrages from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Emergency services did not report any injuries or major property damage as a result of these launches. Several killed in Wednesday night missile attacks On Wednesday night, a foreign worker in his 20s was killed in Israel's Sharon region after sustaining a head wound from missile shrapnel during a wave of Iranian missiles, according to Magen David Adom. An apartment building in Tel Aviv was also damaged by shrapnel impact in the same missile barrage; no injuries were reported, according to MDA. A member of Palestinian civil defense checks damage at the scene where Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack near Hebron in the West Bank March 18, 2026. (credit: YOSRI ALJAMAL/REUTERS) Shortly before that event, three Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack near Hebron, according to the Red Crescent. Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian media also reported that thirteen additional people were wounded, one seriously. The Israeli military said it understood the strike was caused by a cluster munition, a warhead that splits into tiny bomblets that scatter into a disparate area. Additional shrapnel fell in central Israel, causing damage to a nearby vehicle. Elderly couple killed in Ramat Gan Earlier on Wednesday, Yaron and Ilana Moshe, a couple in their 70s, were killed after being hit by shrapnel from Iranian missile interceptions in Ramat Gan. Five others were lightly wounded during the attack, according to Israel Police. Reuters and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report. Mastercard To Buy Stablecoin Firm BVNK For $1.8 Billion Credit card giant Mastercard (NYSE: $MA) has agreed to buy BVNK, a British stablecoin infrastructure company, for $1.8 billion U.S. The deal to acquire privately held BVNK includes $300 million U.S. in contingency payments, said the two companies in a news release. The deal represents Mastercards latest push into the cryptocurrency and stablecoin space. More From Cryptoprowl: Earlier in March of this year, Mastercard launched a new Crypto Partner Program that brings together more than 85 companies from across the digital asset and payments space. BVNK will provide Mastercard with end-to-end support for digital assets and value movement across currencies, rails and regions. London-based BVNK is a stablecoin-powered financial stack for enterprises, which moves money in seconds across more than 130 countries. The stablecoin infrastructure provided by BVNK is currently used by companies such as Worldpay, Deel and Flywire, among others. BVNK claims to process billions of dollars in transactions annually, though an exact dollar figure has not been disclosed publicly. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies whose value is pegged to an underlying asset, typically the U.S. dollar or price of gold. They are growing rapidly within the payments space. MA stock has declined 4% over the last 12 months to trade at $508.50 U.S. per share. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ruled out lifting his government's veto on a 90 billion ($103 billion) loan for Kiev and new sanctions on Moscow until Russian oil deliveries through Ukraine resume. "I will never support any kind of decision here which is in favour of Ukraine," Orban said, as he arrived at a meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday. "The Hungarian position is very simple. We are ready to support Ukraine when we get our oil, which is blocked by them," Orban said. Advertisement Advertisement The Druzhba pipeline delivered Russian oil through Ukraine to Central Europe until, according to Kiev, it was damaged by a Russian strike in January. The halt of fuel deliveries further heightened tensions between Budapest and Kiev. Hungary has demanded that Kiev repair the pipeline quickly and resume transit. According to Ukraine, a quick repair has not been possible. Challenging Kiev's claims, Budapest has vetoed a new package of sanctions on Russia and blocked the disbursement of the loan to Ukraine. According to EU officials, Ukraine has recently accepted technical and financial assistance from the EU to repair the pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Orban stressed that he will only change course once Russian oil arrives again in Budapest. "We need it because it's existential," Orban said. Much to the anger of many fellow EU leaders, the Hungarian prime minister had approved the loan at a previous summit in December before his government changed course days ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine in February. Orban's government is facing a tough parliamentary election in April, fuelling speculation that the veto of the new aid measures are part of his re-election bid. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ruled out lifting his government's veto on a 90 billion ($103 billion) loan for Kiev and new sanctions on Moscow until Russian oil deliveries through Ukraine resume. "I will never support any kind of decision here which is in favour of Ukraine," Orban said, as he arrived at a meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday. "The Hungarian position is very simple. We are ready to support Ukraine when we get our oil, which is blocked by them," Orban said. Advertisement Advertisement The Druzhba pipeline delivered Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia until, according to Kiev, it was damaged by a Russian strike in January. The halt of fuel deliveries further heightened tensions between Budapest and Kiev. Hungary has demanded that Kiev repair the pipeline quickly and resume transit. According to Ukraine, a quick repair has not been possible. Challenging Kiev's claims, Budapest has vetoed a new package of sanctions on Russia and blocked the disbursement of the loan to Ukraine. According to EU officials, Ukraine has recently accepted technical and financial assistance from the EU to repair the pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Orban stressed that he will only change course once Russian oil arrives again in Budapest. "We need it because it's existential," Orban said. Orban's U-turn angers EU leaders Much to the anger of many fellow EU leaders, the Hungarian prime minister had approved the loan at a previous summit in December before his government changed course days ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine in February. Orban's government is facing a tough parliamentary election in April, fuelling speculation that the veto of the new aid measures are part of his re-election bid. Advertisement Advertisement "The principle of work in the European Union is the principle of loyalty and reliability," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, alluding to Orban's U-turn. "I assume that all member states in the European Union adhere to this," he said. "I hope that we can make progress on supporting Ukraine, which needs it and which has the right to our word on the 90 billion loan," said French President Emmanuel Macron. Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas said she was not very optimistic that Orban would lift his veto ahead of the Hungarian elections. European Council President Antonio Costa previously said the Hungarian position is unacceptable. Alternative shipment route through Croatia Croatian Prime Minsiter Andrej Plenkovic offered to replace the halted Russian oil with deliveries through the Adria pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Plenkovic said that Hungary and Slovakia have already received fuel through the Adria pipeline since the Druzbha pipeline came to a halt and that the Adria pipeline has sufficient capacity to fully cover Hungary's and Slovakia's needs. "We are here for them, for their citizens, for their economy, to provide them [with] the oil they need," the Croatian prime minister said. Plenkovic said that oil that has be transferred first by ship to the terminal on the Adriatic island of Krk and then by pipeline is more expensive than oil that can be provided straight from Russia by pipeline to Central Europe. Orban also said on Thursday that he was not ready to accept any other solutions. "Without getting that oil, all the households and Hungarian companies will go [into] bankruptcy," he said. "It's not a joke. It's not a political game." PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A group thats been challenging an Oregon transportation funding bill that will increase gas taxes, is now filing a federal civil rights lawsuit, accusing the state of limiting access to the voters pamphlet. On Tuesday, the Right to Vote on the Gas Tax PAC filed the lawsuit in a U.S. District Court in Portland. The political action committee is led by state representative, and gubernatorial candidate, Ed Diehl (R-Stayton), Senate Leader Bruce Starr (R-Dundee) and Jason Williams, executive director and founder of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon. The group filed the lawsuit against Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, accusing the secretary of unlawfully denying citizens their right to participate in the official voters pamphlet specifically limiting their right to submit arguments for Measure 120, their gas tax referendum that will allow voters to choose whether to approve the gas tax hike. Advertisement Advertisement Portland leaders consider renaming Cesar E Chavez Boulevard amid sex abuse allegations The lawsuit alleges that the states handling of the voters pamphlet process created a pay-to-play system after the gas tax referendum was moved onto the May primary ballot. The referendum was moved to the May ballot under Senate Bill 1599 in an effort by Democrats in the Oregon legislature. With SB 1599 putting the tax increase on the May ballot instead of November, tax dollars could start flowing to the state sooner if approved. However, it also means the tax proposal wont be on the ballot alongside the governors race in the general election. Advertisement Advertisement Washington property manager reaches settlement over luxury senior apartments Democrats argued that voting earlier would give clarity to divisions within the Oregon Department of Transportation that are currently waiting on that money, but Republicans claimed Democrats are rushing the vote because fewer people vote in primary elections. Republicans challenged the ballot move in a lawsuit filed in Marion County; however, a judge ruled the referendum can stay on the May ballot for the time being. Oregonians were told they have a voice, then the state put a $1,200 price tag on it, Rep. Diehl said in a statement shared Wednesday through his gubernatorial campaign. Thats not democracy. Thats a pay-to-play system designed to shut out ordinary citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics Diehl said normally, citizens have about 50 days to submit arguments to the Oregon Secretary of States office to be included in the voters pamphlet. However, because the legislature moved up the vote, Oregonians were given less than 10 days to submit an argument for the pamphlet. The lawsuit argues this made it virtually impossible for grassroots organizations to alternatively gather the required 500 signatures instead of paying a $1,200 filing fee to submit arguments to the voters pamphlet. The lawsuit further alleges that Oregon Secretary of State Read failed to provide timely and clear instructions to the public and claims that critical information was delivered after deadlines already passed. Advertisement Advertisement After shuttering, this acclaimed Portland restaurant will indefinitely return with daytime service The suit claims that at least 52 Oregonians tried to join the pamphlet but were excluded and says political committees and well-funded groups held an advantage to join the pamphlet with access to resources and tax credits. The plaintiffs argue that the Oregon voters pamphlet constitutes a limited public forum and that the state imposed burdens on their right to free speech in the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The lawsuit builds off of a similar ruling, in which a judge granted relief to an individual plaintiff facing similar barriers to the voters pamphlet because of compressed timelines and disability considerations. Advertisement Advertisement Pearl District apartment complex sues City of Portland over homeless shelter This case is about more than a pamphlet, Diehl added. Its about whether everyday Oregonians still have a meaningful voice in their own government, or whether that voice now belongs only to insiders and special interests. With this lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to obtain equal access to the pamphlet. The plaintiffs are also requesting an expedited hearing as the May primary approaches. The lawsuit comes after Secretary of State Read previously shared a memo with Democratic and Republican leaders in the state legislature in late January, explaining the process to add a ballot measure to the May primary. Advertisement Advertisement Portland Arts Tax isnt delivering on promises to voters, audit finds About one month later, Secretary Read sent a follow-up, reminding the lawmakers of the process as the bill made its way through the legislature. In the February 25 letter, Read warned lawmakers that day was the recommended deadline for SB 1599 to pass and be signed into law in order for Oregonians to have a fair chance to participate in the voters pamphlet. Yes, you can still reschedule the referendum to May after today; however, every day that passes makes it more challenging for my office to provide Oregonians with a free alternative to paying a $1,200 fee to file statements about the referendum in the voters pamphlet, Read cautioned to lawmakers. This could impact Oregonians ability to make an informed decision about the referendum and for proponents or opponents to make their voices heard. This signature gathering alternative makes sure money is not a barrier between Oregonians and their democracy. Thats an Oregon value I know you all agree with, Read continued. Advertisement Advertisement More connection socially: Gov. Kotek follows up with students on cell phone ban Senate Bill 1599 later passed the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek on March 2. In response to the lawsuit, Oregon Secretary of State Read told KOIN 6 News, We will continue to follow the law as it is set out by the Constitution, the legislature, and the courts. We hope this issue will be resolved quickly because there are rapidly approaching deadlines for elections officials to produce the voters pamphlet in a timely manner. The Oregon Secretary of States Office points out that the process to add a statement to the voters pamphlet is laid out in Oregon law (ORS 251.255). Advertisement Advertisement Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks to Portland high school students The transportation funding bill that the gas taxes fell under, was championed by Governor Kotek as a way to help the Oregon Department of Transportation fill a funding gap and avoid massive layoffs at the state agency. Under the bill, the statewide payroll tax would increase from 0.1% to 0.2% and would raise the gas tax to 46 cents per gallon. Additionally, passenger vehicle registration will jump from $43 per year to $85, and up to $86 for motorcycles. Title fees for passenger cars jump nearly 182% from $77 to $216. Amid the referendum against the transportation bill, Gov. Kotek asked lawmakers to repeal some of the funding under her bill and redirect funds in order to fund core transportation services. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A month before her murder, Kaley Snow issued a dire warning. If anything happened, she wrote to a friend, look to the sketchy new roommate a man who was a month late on rent and trying to hide their affair from his jealous girlfriend. I think this dude staying here might try to kill me, she texted the friend on Feb. 19, 2024. Im not afraid to die, just afraid of nobody knowing who it was. Then she vanished. It was Sunday, March 17, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement A Clackamas County jury on Tuesday needed less than four hours of deliberation to find the roommate 33-year-old Bobby Lee Grady Alsup III guilty of killing Snow and desecrating her body, setting it on fire in an attempt to escape culpability. They handed down the verdict two years to the day after Snow died. Despite his best efforts to hide his crime, to scrub away the DNA and burn away the evidence, he also left a thread, senior prosecutor Stacey Borgman told the jury during closing arguments. And little by little, that thread unraveled Bobby Alsup. During a weeklong trial, Borgman and two other prosecutors untangled the web of connections between Alsup and Snow, who had a brief romantic relationship while he was renting a room in her home. The state declined to specify an exact motive, though witnesses testimony and digital evidence showed Alsup had plundered a few items after the killing and sold them online. Advertisement Advertisement Snows body went undiscovered for three days, while Alsups girlfriend grew suspicious and turned him over to the cops. He was briefly held behind bars but once out of custody sneaked back to the house and tried to conceal his crime by setting a fire. Every step of the way, Alsups iPhone collected the evidence the state needed. Frankly, Bobby Alsups undoing was his cellphone, another senior prosecutor, Bill Golden, told the jury. Kaley Snow Kaley Snow shone bright, family says For most of her life, there was little indication that the straight-A student with a vivacious personality would ever stray from the bright path ahead of her. But a struggle with substance abuse derailed Kaley Snow, her mother acknowledged as she watched details of her daughters final days laid out in court. Advertisement Advertisement Snow, 31, grew up in the house on Southeast Flavel Street where she was murdered. Her life was defined by adventure from an early age, her mother said. She went out deep-sea fishing for the first time at four weeks old and learned to snowboard at 7. She wanted to get out there, Tracey Snow explained in an interview outside the courtroom. Beautiful. Smart. Funny. Very outgoing. She had tons of friends. Kaley Snow graduated from David Douglas High School and went on to earn a bachelors of science from Portland State University, with plans to follow her mom into the medical field. But her fathers death from alcoholism in 2020 knocked her off course, her mother said,, and an attempt to work as a home flipper ended unsuccessfully. Advertisement Advertisement Snow met Alsup through his girlfriend, Brianna Ware, who had previously rented from Snow. Alsup took over Wares room for a few weeks and moved in his things as his own relationship turned tumultuous, prosecutors said, but was rarely around and never paid the rent. Youve been gone awhile, so I gotta ask whats up with the room, Snow texted Alsup on March 12, according to testimony by Clackamas County Sheriffs Det. H. Alex Monarch. Do you even still want it? Lawyers say that Snow and Alsup were sleeping together. On March 17, Alsup made plans to bring over some marijuana. Phone data showed he stayed for 4 hours. Prosecutors said he killed Snow with two hammer blows to the head, carried her body into an outbuilding and tried to cover his tracks by dumping cleaning fluid on her body and the murder weapon, which he dropped in a toilet bowl. Advertisement Advertisement He took photos of some shoes and other sundries, then headed back to Wares place at the Alexis Apartments in Southeast Portland, where he posted the items for sale. Despite the tale told by the timestamped location data on his phone, prosecutors said Alsup tried to establish a digital alibi and texted Snow sorry I coulldnt make it. Over the next three days, friends and family members grew increasingly concerned with Snows radio silence. A local sheriffs deputy banged on the door on March 19, heard the barks from her two miniature Dachshunds, Lilly and Romeo, and left. Bobby Alsup Alsup panicked as detectives circled In the meantime, Ware grew suspicious of her on-and-off lover. She called police on March 20 and reported him for allegedly strangling her. Advertisement Advertisement She turned over Alsups phones to police and gave officers a grim tip: something was afoot on Flavel Street. Pacing a Washington County Jail cell, Alsup realized that police had seized the sweatpants and shoes hed worn on the day of the killing. He placed a frantic call to his friend. Hey! Listen! I got bigger matters than this, he told the friend, according to jail records of the call. I have to pick up those clothes you dont understand, its important! Forensic technicians would later find specks of Snows blood on the slip-on sandals and pants. Monarch, the detective, sat down with Alsup in the jail and asked about Snows disappearance. Alsup said he hadnt seen her in weeks and denied knowing anything further. He was released from jail on the strangling allegations a few hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance videos and phone data showed Alsup then returned to the home where Snow died and set fire to the outbuilding where her body was hidden just after midnight on March 21. Alsup fled into the night. First responders who put out the fire found Snows ashen remains. A medical examiner testified that Snow had died days earlier by blunt force trauma powerful enough to crack her skull. Forensic technicians found Alsups DNA inside her body. Alsup shoved her behind a water tank and left her to rot, prosecutor Bill Golden said, grasping the murder weapon. He ended her promising life, although she struggled, with this hammer. Advertisement Advertisement Alsups defense attorney Charles D. Sarkiss suggested that Alsup discovered Snows body in the living room, then panicked, moved her body to the pump house and days later set her on fire. Sarkiss hypothesized that several other friends, including a 68-year-old man, who had also been romantically linked to Snow, could have killed her. Why did we narrow in on Bobby Alsup from the beginning, and put on horse blinders, and ignore everyone else? Sarkiss asked. The defense attorney suggested the jury convict Alsup only of first-degree arson and abuse of a corpse. The jury ultimately agreed that Alsup was guilty of those crimes after he had killed Snow. They also convicted him of second-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement He faces a mandatory minimum of life with the possibility of parole in 25 years during a sentencing hearing set for March 25 before Clackamas County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Jones. It wont be his first criminal sentencing. Alsup was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison for using a wrench to beat two young women who were living on the streets of Portland in 2014, the Oregonian/OregonLive previously reported. He was convicted of arson for setting five cars on fire in Northeast Portland in 2011. And hes currently serving a nearly six-year sentence for assaulting another inmate in the Washington County jail in December 2024. Tracey Snow plans to speak before the judge doles out Alsups sentence next week. The grieving mother has sat down to write her statement 20 times already, but cannot find the words. She thinks about the last time she saw her daughter; the crime scene still charred and smokey as the gurney wheeled out a body. Investigators reassured her they had not yet identified the remains. But even through a body bag, a mother knows. Kaley Snow Portland area homicides Read the original article on oregonlive.com. Add oregonlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. March 19 (UPI) -- Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to temporarily suspend fighting during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, both countries announced days after dozens were killed at a Kabul drug rehabilitation hospital. The pause in fighting will be enforced from midnight Thursday through midnight Tuesday, Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan's minister for Information and Broadcasting, said in a statement. The neighboring nations have been fighting since late last month, following months of escalating tensions with Pakistan repeatedly accusing Afghanistan of harboring secessionists that Islamabad holds responsible for a series of bloody terrorist attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Tarar framed the agreement in a statement as a Pakistani gesture made "in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms," while warning the offer could be revoked at any time. "In case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan, Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq shall immediately resume with renewed intensity," he said. Both nations said the agreement was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid expressed Afghanistan's appreciation for the "goodwill and constructive efforts" of the three Islamic nations. "In the event of any threat, the Islamic Emirate will respond decisively," he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Turkey said it welcomed the positive response from Pakistan and Afghanistan to the calls for a ceasefire. "Based on this decision, we hope that the cease-fire will be observed and pave the way to a process whereby lasting peace and prosperity will be provided to the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan," Ankara's Foreign Ministry said. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, a militant Islamist group seeking to overthrow the Islamabad government, since it returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The Taliban have repeatedly rejected the accusations. Late last month, Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border positions -- an assault that Islamabad responded to with airstrikes, igniting the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, an airstrike on the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul attracted strong international concern and condemnation. The Taliban, blaming Pakistan, said at least 400 people were killed. The United Nations Human Rights Office has since reduced the figure, saying a total of 289 Afghan civilians, including 104 children and 59 women, have so far been killed since the fighting began. Pakistan has denied responsibility for the strike, which prompted calls for investigations and accountability and an end to hostilities. It's official: Lincoln Elementary School will close at the end of this school year and will be renovated to reopen in 2028 as the new home of Inlet Grove High. Lincoln's closure will be only the second time in more than 30 years that the Palm Beach County School District has shuttered a district-operated school. Palm Beach County School Board members formally approved Lincoln's closure and a series of sweeping attendance zone changes on March 11. Those changes were based on a recommendation from Superintendent Mike Burke, who had accepted the recommendations of the district's Advisory Boundary Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Lincoln's closure is part of a multi-pronged plan to consolidate the school attendance zones of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and West Riviera elementary schools, move some Bethune students to Washington Elementary, demolish the building that houses Inlet Grove High and build a new high school on that site. In the near term, the plan means big changes for students at Lincoln, Bethune, West Riviera and Washington elementary schools. Starting this fall, all of Lincoln's roughly 380 students will be dispersed to West Riviera or Bethune, depending on their grade level. West Riviera will serve pre-kindergarten through second grade. Bethune will serve grades three through five. Advertisement Advertisement Bethune students who live north of Blue Heron Boulevard will shift to Washington Elementary. There are some exceptions to those new attendance zones. Current fourth-grade students zoned for Bethune would have the option of remaining at Bethune. Also, siblings of those fourth-graders would have the option of moving to Washington, attending West Riviera or remaining at Bethune, depending on their grade level. Incoming school year 2026-27 kindergarten siblings of these current fourth-grade students will have the option of attending West Riviera/Bethune for the remainder of their elementary school years. Advertisement Advertisement The district notes that current fourth-graders who opt to remain "are not automatically entitled to district transportation." "For other students in the change area who are provided the option to attend West Riviera Elementary (PK-2)/ Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary (3-5), transportation is not provided," the district states. "Based on past history, transportation is not typically provided for any students who opt to remain." Lincoln's closure means relocation for its students, educators and staff. One school for pre-K through 2nd grade, another for grades 3-5 Changes are coming for elementary students in Riviera Beach as the district prepares to close Lincoln Elementary and build a new high school. Lincoln Principal Alicia Taylor said consolidating West Riviera and Bethune attendance zones and splitting the schools up into to pre-K through second grade and third grade through fifth grade will allow for a "more focused and effective learning environment to support the developmental needs of our children." Advertisement Advertisement Taylor added: "This exciting model allows our schools to tailor their instruction and resources to specific age groups, allowing students to receive campus-wide support for early literacy before moving to the next level. We appreciate the support of our parents and the community as we work to provide a stronger elementary foundation and prepare our children for the future." Lincoln, located at 1160 Avenue N in Riviera Beach, opened in 1955 and was rebuilt in 2000. Its students have struggled academically, with the school grading out as either an 'F,' 'D,' or 'C' school from 2009 to last year, when the school improved to a 'B' rating. With roughly 380 students, Lincoln is operating at only 38% capacity, district enrollment figures show. Only K.E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary, at 36% capacity, was filling a lower percentage of its seats. Lincoln's low enrollment was a factor in the district's decision to close it, but other factors were at play, too. Making way for a new high school in Riviera Beach "The school board evaluated four different options regarding a new Riviera Beach high school during a workshop on March 6, 2024," a district spokesman said. "The board ultimately favored the plan to move Inlet Grove High School to the Lincoln Elementary campus due to several factors, including Riviera Beach currently maintaining more than enough elementary school capacity. This option also prevents multiple high school populations from having to share a single campus and provides the Inlet Grove High School students with direct access to recreational space at the Dan Calloway-Tate Recreation Complex." Lincoln Elementary School in Riviera Beach faces closure as part of a plan to bring a new high school to the city. The Lincoln site on Avenue N would then become the new home of Inlet Grove High School. A new high school in Riviera Beach would cost an estimated $150 million and fulfill a long-held wish by residents of the city for a high school of their own after decades of having their high school students scattered to a trio of other schools. That has been a point of frustration for many years in Riviera Beach, the county's largest majority-Black municipality and the only one with more than 35,000 residents that does not have its own high school. Advertisement Advertisement The one district-operated high school within the city limits is Suncoast High, one of the most highly regarded in the district, but also one where the seats are filled by lottery from a countywide pool of applicants who must first pass a high academic bar. Wayne Washington is a journalist covering education and Riviera Beach development for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: School district to close Lincoln Elementary in Riviera Beach There are a lot of empty desks in the Justice Departments offices compared to this time two years ago. Attorney General Pam Bondi has been struggling to restock the much-depleted ranks of federal attorneys after last years flood of firings, resignations and buyouts. Now, in the interest of quickly getting bodies in courtrooms, the DOJ has reportedly shifted its policies to allow U.S. attorneys offices to hire lawyers straight out of law school. According to Bloomberg Law, a memo from DOJ headquarters last week said the typical one-year minimum experience requirement can be waived when posting job openings. Bloomberg Law quotes the memo as saying, This suspension is in effect until February 28, 2027, and was implemented due to an exigent hiring need for attorneys across the Department. (The memo and its contents have not been reviewed or independently confirmed by MS NOW.) The exigent need for fresh hires that the Justice Department cites is a relatively recent development. The exigent need for fresh hires that the Justice Department cites is a relatively recent development. Burgeoning lawyers used to leap at the chance to add a DOJ credential to their resumes. But that credential has lost some of its appeal since the start of President Donald Trumps second term. Bondis day-one demand that federal lawyers zealously advance, protect, and defend their clients interests with almost no room for dissent hasnt made it easy to replace the thousands of staffers who have left the department since last January. Advertisement Advertisement Many of the staffers the department has been able to retain are being worked to the bone under the crush of lawsuits filed in response to Trumps most controversial policies. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Minnesota is one office where the newly relaxed hiring policy is already in place, Bloomberg Law reported. The offices civil division has been buried under an avalanche of habeas corpus petitions from immigrant detainees since a surge of federal enforcement began last year. Shuffling lawyers from other parts of the administration to help the caseload hasnt exactly worked perfectly. Then-Department of Homeland Security lawyer Julie Le made headlines when she complained to a federal judge about the workload piled on her since shed been detailed to the DOJ in Minnesota. (She was removed from that post the next day and is now running for Congress in Minnesota.) Theres no indication of how this new initiative fits with the Trump administrations ongoing war on elite universities. The Ivy Leagues law schools used to be a pipeline for the Justice Departments ranks, albeit not as immediately as the current policy allows. But last year, the Trump administration revoked offers to students from top schools under the previous exception to the rule, the Attorney Generals Honors Program, which allowed for entry-level hires. The spigot has dried up since then, as The Washington Post noted last year, with many graduates turning to state government work instead. Theres a world where this shift toward hiring newly graduated lawyers could be a good thing. If this project were truly about meritocracy, seeing more slots available for lawyers who didnt all go to the same handful of schools could be admirable. But the administrations screenings for ideological purity and loyalty to the MAGA agenda would undercut any claim that the department is truly trying to hire the best attorneys possible. Advertisement Advertisement Instead, as my MS NOW colleague Steve Benen noted on Tuesday, it is another example of the administration lowering its hiring standards as weve seen as it has struggled to recruit at the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. For those opposed to the administrations policies, its somewhat encouraging that there are so few qualified lawyers who are willing to defend the administrations abuses in court that Bondi has reached this level of desperation. But for Bondi, it seems the hope is that a green attorney fresh from passing the bar will be too inexperienced to stand up against the orders of their higher-ups, no matter how much it might defy the Constitution. The post Pam Bondi will take whomever she can get in courtrooms appeared first on MS NOW. This article was originally published on ms.now PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) A Panama City man has pleaded guilty in court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Florida, authorities found 5 ounces of methamphetamine during the execution of a search warrant at the home of Kendrick Parham, 47. The U.S. Attorneys Office reported that while in jail, Parham, a four-time convicted felon, made incriminating statements during a monitored phone call about a firearm at his home that was not found by authorities during the search. Advertisement Advertisement It was reported that based on Parhams statements during the call, authorities obtained a new search warrant for his home and found the firearm. Parham is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29 and faces up to 15 years in prison. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. In October 1948, a thick haze rolled into Donora, Pennsylvania, a steel town in the Monongahela Valley, south of Pittsburgh. For five days, toxic fumes from a zinc smelter a plant that turns zinc ore into pure zinc metal poured out of the factorys stacks, became trapped in the valley and thus blanketed Donora. The air was filled with sulfur oxides, heavy metal dust and airborne particulates. Firefighters carried 60-pound oxygen tanks door to door to relieve elderly and asthmatic victims. Nurses attended to mill workers in the infirmary, laying patients on the floor as hospital beds filled to capacity. Funeral homes ran out of space. The disaster eventually claimed 20 lives and caused chronic lung disease in many more. In 1948, 40 patients were hospitalized in Donora, Pa., due to a smoke and fog disaster that led to the death of 20 residents. Bettmann/Bettman Collection via Getty Images This was one of the first clear demonstrations in the U.S. that air pollution could kill. Today, new global health research quantifying the risks of pollution exposure helps explain why disasters like Donora were so deadly, and why similar health threats persist. Advertisement Advertisement As a public health researcher and a public health physician, we recently published a study in the journal Annals of Global Health on the health impacts of air pollution in southwestern Pennsylvania that shows the Pittsburgh area as a hot spot for pollution. A turning point Research triggered by the Donora disaster uncovered that air pollution causes serious health issues, including chronic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and diabetes in adults, and can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, asthma and impaired lung development in children. Emerging evidence indicates that air pollution is also associated with dementia in adults and with IQ loss, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children. Before the Donora disaster, the federal government did not regulate air quality. Pollution was legally viewed as a local nuisance the unavoidable price of progress. Advertisement Advertisement But the tragedy in Donora forced policymakers, scientists and the public to recognize that air pollution is a serious threat to health. Donora thus laid the groundwork for the Clean Air Act, the federal air pollution law initially enacted in 1963, then strengthened in 1970 and again in 1990. It also catalyzed the nations first air pollution research programs. Pollution persists Despite this progress, air pollution is still responsible for an estimated 200,000 deaths across the U.S. each year. These deaths are not evenly distributed. Instead, they are concentrated in pollution hot spots. Because of its heavy industry and lack of local enforcement of the Clean Air Act, Pittsburgh is still one of the most polluted regions of the country. Drew Angerer/Getty Images News via Getty Images Our research shows southwestern Pennsylvania, the region around Donora and including Pittsburgh, is one of these hot spots. Because of its steel mills, coke ovens which burn coal to produce fuel for steel production steep valleys that trap pollution and a history of inadequate local enforcement of the Clean Air Act, the Pittsburgh metropolitan area continues to rank among the nations most polluted regions. Breaking down the new data Fine particle air pollution, known as PM2.5, doesnt just dirty the air in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. It can kill people and harm children before they are even born. Advertisement Advertisement To understand the full toll, we conducted an epidemiological study. Using NASA satellite images to measure pollution levels in each census tract, we linked that data to death and birth records from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The findings were stark. In 2019, between 3,085 and 3,467 deaths in southwestern Pennsylvania roughly 11% to 12.5% of all adult deaths that year were likely attributable to PM2.5 pollution. The damage extended to newborns as well: We estimated pollution caused 229 premature births, 177 infants with low birth weight and 12 stillbirths. Using existing scientific data showing that every small increase in air pollution is linked to a measurable drop in childrens IQ, we applied that formula to Pittsburghs pollution levels across all 24,604 children born there in 2019. That calculation produced an estimated collective loss of more than 60,000 IQ points across the group. Thats an average of approximately 2.5 IQ points per child. Fine particulate air pollution was responsible for the loss of 2.5 IQ points per child born in Pittsburgh in 2019. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images News via Getty Images Importantly, many of the harms we saw in Pittsburgh occurred at PM2.5 levels below EPAs air quality standard of 9 micrograms per cubic meter. This indicates that even low-level PM2.5 exposures carry significant risks to health. Advertisement Advertisement Our findings arrive at a pivotal moment for U.S. air policy. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced his intention to raise the allowable limit for PM2.5, relax enforcement of the Clean Air Act and repeal the greenhouse gas endangerment finding, which allows the EPA to regulate the emissions that drive climate change. The EPA has also eliminated its long-standing practice of counting the economic benefits of pollution control. According to new calculations, the EPA will count only the costs of pollution control while stripping out the economic value of lives saved a metric known as the value of a statistical life that agencies have long used to justify health regulations. What happens next? During the first Trump administration, environmental rollbacks and a lack of pollution prevention efforts led to an estimated 20,000 deaths per year, according to the Environmental Protection Network, a nonprofit organization consisting of EPA alumni who volunteer their expertise to protect environmental integrity and public health. The deaths were clustered mostly in Southern and Midwestern states with heavy industry and lax pollution rules. States that had already put strong pollution controls in place were able to cushion the blow of the federal cutbacks. Public health researchers point to local enforcement of the Clean Air Act as a way to limit health impacts of federal agency rollbacks. Allegheny County has legal authority under the Clean Air Act to set and enforce pollution standards stricter than federal minimums, but has not consistently used that authority. Advertisement Advertisement Community and advocacy groups, including the Clean Air Council and PennEnvironment, have pushed the county health department to adopt stricter standards and increase permit enforcement. The Allegheny County Health Department holds regular public meetings where air quality rules and enforcement priorities are subject to review. As the regulatory landscape shifts, the data from communities like southwestern Pennsylvania will be critical to understanding and documenting what is lost due to air pollution. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Philip Landrigan, Boston College and Ella Whitman, University of Vermont Read more: Advertisement Advertisement The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors. Mastercard is going all out to avoid becoming a casualty of disruptive tech. On Tuesday, the credit card giant announced an agreement to acquire the stablecoin payments infrastructure firm BVNK, in a deal worth up to $1.8 billion. Its a move that could help secure Mastercards place in not just the crypto world of tomorrow, but the AI-driven one too. Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium analysis on all your favorite stocks. READ ALSO: Lawsuit Losing Streak Adds Existential Angst to Metas Pivot and Need Collateral to Get a Mortgage? Check Your Crypto Wallet Change Agents While stablecoins (a.k.a., cryptocurrencies with a value pegged 1:1 with a fiat currency, such as the good ol US greenback) have rocketed into the mainstream financial ecosystem in the past couple of years, theres a chance we havent seen anything close to peak stablecoin yet. At least, so says the infamous Citrini artificial intelligence doomsday report, which explores a near-future in which everyone the world over employs autonomous, coldly efficient AI shopping agents that quickly identify stablecoins as a backdoor solution to pesky credit card interchange fees. Shares of Mastercard fell some 6% the Monday following Citrinis crystal ball reading roughly three weeks ago, and have clawed back only about 2% since (in the meantime, a new war over access is breaking out between e-commerce platforms and third-party shopping agents). Via its BVNK acquisition, Mastercard is attempting to secure its place in the blockchain-driven future of financial plumbing before its too late: Founded in 2021, BVNK has focused on building payment infrastructure to facilitate global stablecoin transactions and allow customers to seamlessly move money from fiat currencies into stablecoins and back again. BVNK says its infrastructure supports payments across all major blockchain platforms and is accessible in over 130 countries. In January of last year, the startup scored a $50 million funding round at a $750 million valuation, though by October it told CNBC that its valuation had since increased above that level. The company was also in talks with major crypto platform Coinbase last year before moving forward with Mastercard. The Future Is Now: This is a very highly technical, sophisticated technology, Mastercard chief product officer Jorn Lambert told Bloomberg on Tuesday. Time to market does matter, and so we felt like for us to build, it would take us a little while. Taking a little while is an opportunity cost that Mastercard could likely ill afford. Total stablecoin transaction volumes jumped 72% to an eye-watering $33 trillion in 2025, according to data compiled by Artemis Analytics Inc. And that was almost entirely before an army of Claude-powered AI agents began their shopping sprees. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter. ZANESVILLE The partial collapse of a building's wall along South Seventh Street on March 13 brought with it several bright orange demolition notices for 634 Main St. But with them is a plan to salvage and strengthen the wall. Building owner Nate Embrey worked Feick Design Group in early March on a plan for masonry repairs, notably near the building's southeast corner, after the wall's outermost layer crumbled onto the sidewalk. A demolition order was posted to 634 Main St. March 13 after a partial collapse of the exterior walls' bricks near the southeast corner. It matches a condemnation notice that was reposted Feb. 23 when the wall was bowing out toward the sidewalk. Embrey told the Times Recorder three contractors had been contacted so far. He's looking for the organization that can best actualize the project quickly and correctly, he said. Advertisement Advertisement He is hoping work can start later this month, with repairs being completed shortly thereafter. The plans have been submitted and approved by Mid-East Ohio Building Department. In them, the designer offered two things: a hypothesis for the deterioration and the recommended plan of action. Improper downspout drainage is believed to be a contributor to the deterioration of a brick wall at 634 Main St. A design professional has prepared a plan to repair the wall, which involves installing long steel beams, removing old bricks, and replacing them with stronger ones. What caused part of the wall to crumble? First, a roof drain around the second story and its improper downspout drainage were factors in the more rapid wear of the brick wall's mortar joints, causing water to wash down the side of the building more regularly, the report stated. Embrey called it an interesting situation because the downspout handles water from at least one neighboring building, as well, so the issue is shared, he explained. There are no plans yet to remediate the downspout problem, but it'll likely take collaboration with other building owners. Advertisement Advertisement The bricks' composition was another issue. The wall was built with sand-mold bricks, making them softer and more susceptible to weather damage and erosion compared to other types, such as kiln-dried. Extreme winter weather in January and February 2026 and over the years have exacerbated the wall's condition, Embrey previously told the Times Recorder. The building itself has also been victim of approximately seven to eight car crashes at the intersection of Seventh and Main Street. The exterior brick wall is comprised of three layers called wythes. Only the outermost layer pulled away and collapsed. The two more inner layers are plumb, the report said, but the middle wythe showed some indication of bowing and will need considered for repair as well. It is not in imminent danger of collapse, the report said. In fact, the strength of the inner wall's corner has been enough to keep the building from collapsing, the report read. The inner faces of the second- and third-floor walls are also plumb, the report added. How can the problem be solved? Next, the recommendations. Advertisement Advertisement One part was simple. More securely tightening the downspout could mitigate streams of water from pouring down the building's wall. Then, a more complex construction plan was detailed for the wall itself. A nearby door and its opening will first be shimmed with wooden columns and two openings created through the brick wall. Two long steel beams will be installed into the holes and supported as bricks are removed from beneath them, going at least two feet below grade. Stronger, kiln-dried brick will be laid back into that opening and using a running bond pattern, or staggered vertical stacks, for the exterior face. Headers to the two interior wythes and Dur-O-Wal reinforced meshing will also be added. Advertisement Advertisement The beams will then be removed and those holes filled with brick as well. The recent history A short-term fix using a raker-shore system was initially planned by Embrey when he last spoke with the Times Recorder on Feb. 27, but it was not installed before the collapse. Enlisting the help of a design professional was already in his plan in late February. In recent years, Embrey replaced the roof and added a new support pole to the building. The sidewalk and one southbound lane were cordoned off on March 13 and remain closed. Shawn Digity is a reporter for the Zanesville Times Recorder. He can be emailed at sdigity@gannett.com or found on X at @ShawnDigityZTR. This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Design group outlines repair plan for wall that gave way at 634 Main St. I am a retired colonel, having served 31 years in the United States Army and Air Force, and what I am seeing in the Middle East is wrong. Over the past several months, I have traveled across Kansas 4th District speaking with people in our communities. From small towns to neighborhoods in Wichita, high school students to 95-year-old ranchers, I keep hearing the same concern: Kansans support a strong national defense, but they do not want the United States drifting into another open-ended conflict without a clear plan, wasting valuable resources that are desperately needed at home. Advertisement Advertisement And these concerns are growing as the conflict with Iran escalates. My military career included planning operations and preparing troops for combat environments. For four years, I was directly involved at U.S. Central Command strategically planning for potential conflict with Iran, and the current situation bears no resemblance to that. In the military, you start with the end in mind. You define the objective and the conditions for success before the mission begins. And, right now, the endgame for Iran is not clear. It is not clear to Congress, it is not clear to the American people, and it doesnt seem to be clear to the administration since every official has been quoted with a different version of both the reason and the objective. Advertisement Advertisement The administration is using the Authorization for Use of Military Force Act to justify its strikes on Iran, to avoid the need for Congressional approval. Under this resolution, military action must be tied to a specific and imminent threat to the United States. This requirement has not been met and the American people deserve to know what objective now justifies continued strikes and additional risk to American troops. I fail to see this specific and imminent threat since the June 2025 attack when the White House claimed that Irans nuclear program was obliterated. So which is it? Did we totally obliterate the program or is the nuclear program still viable enough to warrant this operation? Advertisement Advertisement It cant be both and the fact that they say that it is both means that something is not right. U.S. counterterrorism director Joe Kent resigned Tuesday, because as he says, 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. Instead of asking the necessary questions, Congress continues to shirk its crucial duty of oversight. As usual, all of our Kansas representatives, except for Democrat Sharice Davids, have unquestioningly given their full support. Kansans deserve representation that asks hard questions before supporting decisions that could send Americans into combat. Advertisement Advertisement I also speak as the father of an Army infantry officer whose service I am immensely proud of when I say this: When Washington orders military action, it sends someones son or daughter into danger. Over a dozen American service members have already been killed, and the administration says more casualties are likely. Never in my 31-year career in the military have I witnessed an administration publicly refer to potential loss of life with such callousness and flippancy. These losses are not abstract. They are real to the families, friends and colleagues of those service members. And they all deserve honesty about the mission their loved ones were sent to carry out. Advertisement Advertisement In addition, what about the families of those 300,000 stranded American citizens? How is it that our government has declared war without making a real plan to evacuate its citizens from harms way? Conflict overseas doesnt just stay overseas, it also reaches our communities at home. Global markets are reacting and oil prices are rising, pushing gasoline prices higher for all Kansans. When fuel prices rise, the cost of nearly everything rises with it. Families already stretching every paycheck will feel that impact immediately. Our government is failing its people. The American Dream which I was lucky to have benefited from is out of reach for most now. That is also not right. Advertisement Advertisement Ive spoken with local farmers in district 4. The conflict in the Middle East disrupts supply chains, and when key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz are affected, it drives prices up for crucial resources like fertilizer here at home. Those higher costs are creating a domino effect that is putting real pressure on family farms. A midterm election is the test by which the American people can voice their dissatisfaction with White House policies. If your representative is not serving you, then they must be replaced. I encourage every Kansan to register to vote and practice the right and privilege given to us by our Constitution to have our say over our governments actions. Only through this participation can America become a place where freedom, justice and opportunity is available to all. Chris Carmichael is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and a Democratic candidate for Kansas 4th Congressional District. BARCELONA, Spain (AP) The body of James Jimmy Gracey, a college student from Illinois who went missing while in Spain on spring break, was found Thursday in the water off a Barcelona beach, police said. Gracey's body was found by police divers and positively identified, the press office for Catalonias regional police in Barcelona told The Associated Press. The University of Alabama student's body was found near where he was last seen outside a nightclub with his friends early Tuesday. He was visiting friends in Barcelona for spring break. Catalan police say that their investigation continues into the cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Gracey, 20, was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub in Barcelona but separated from friends around 3 a.m. on Tuesday. Gracey never returned to the room he was renting with friends, according to family members who live in the suburb of Elmhurst, about 19 miles (31 kilometers) west of Chicago. They realized something was wrong when police contacted them, saying they had recovered his phone. In a statement released late Thursday, the Gracey family asked for prayers and privacy. Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmys body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss," the statement said. "We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world. ... As we navigate this painful time, we kindly ask for privacy so that we may grieve together and begin to process this loss as a family. Advertisement Advertisement In an interview conducted before police confirmation of his death, Gracey's aunt told The Associated Press that he was "just a great kid, a good Catholic boy from the Midwest. Very good student, honors program at University of Alabama, chaplain in his fraternity, you know, just an amazing older brother and role model to his cousins, Beth Marren O'Reilly said. O'Reilly said her nephew left Alabama on Thursday and spent the weekend in Amsterdam before arriving Monday in Barcelona. Gracey's family did not immediately know how police came into possession of his phone. Gracey's father, Taras, is in Barcelona and has been working with police, O'Reilly said. Barcelona is a popular tourist destination that brings in millions of foreign visitors each year. It is generally safe, especially compared with major U.S. cities, where tourists biggest worry are normally pickpockets. Advertisement Advertisement Barcelonas beaches, located in walking distance of its center, are a main draw especially for young visitors. The area where Gracey went out is a stretch of beach with several restaurants and nightclubs that are frequented by locals and foreigners. The University of Alabama said in a statement that the school community is heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey. Jimmys loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time. Gracey was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity at the school, and the international organization said that in addition to serving as chaplain for the school's chapter, he was a philanthropy chairperson. ___ OConnor reported from Springfield, Illinois, and Raza reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Associated Press videojournalist Laura Bargfeld in Chicago and writer Suman Naishadham in Madrid contributed. Police are investigating a fatal shooting reported Wednesday in Sumpter Township. Officers were called to a location on Edgewood Drive within the Rawsonville Woods Mobile Home Community at about 4:10 p.m. for a report of a shooting, according to authorities. The community is near the intersection of Rawsonville and Talladay roads. Police arrived and found a woman who was about 20 years old lying in the street with a gunshot wound to her upper torso, according to a statement. Advertisement Advertisement First responders rendered aid, but the woman was pronounced dead, officials said. Investigators said they arrested a man suspected of shooting the victim and detained two other people for questioning. Detectives said the suspect and the detainees all knew each other, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. Officials for the mobile home community's owner, Yes! Communities, were not immediately available for comment on Thursday. The incident was reported days after a man and a woman were found fatally shot in a Clinton Township home. Last week, a man was found shot to death in the 14600 block of Plymouth Road near Hubbell Avenue on Detroit's west side. Advertisement Advertisement Last month, two people died and two others were wounded in a shooting during a repast on Detroit's east side. cramirez@detroitnews.com @CharlesERamirez This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Police probe fatal shooting in Sumpter Twp. mobile home community Investigators are searching for two suspects after police say Molotov cocktails were thrown at a home on Staten Island, narrowly avoiding a potentially dangerous fire. The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Monday at a house on Roma Avenue in New Dorp, according to the NYPD. Investigators say two men got out of a dark-colored vehicle and threw three Molotov cocktails through a window of the home before driving away. The devices failed to ignite, preventing injuries and damage beyond shattered glass, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Officers from the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit canvassed the neighborhood overnight, looking for evidence and possible surveillance footage. Police and firefighters also responded to ensure the incendiary devices posed no further danger. No one was inside the home at the time of the attack, and no injuries were reported. So far, investigators had not released a possible motive and said the case remains under active investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). ---------- * More Staten Island news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. A person is dead after an officer-involved shooting in a park on the South Shore of Massachusetts. The Norfolk District Attorneys Office said that a Weymouth police officer responded to Webb Memorial Park on River Street in Weymouth for a service call around 4 p.m. and encountered a man holding a knife and in distress. Massachusetts State Police said that around 4:15 p.m., Weymouth police reported an officer-involved shooting in the same location. Advertisement Advertisement The officer immediately administered first aid to the victim prior to transporting him to an area hospital in critical condition, the Norfolk District Attorneys Office wrote in a statement. State police said that the person suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to South Shore Hospital, where he later died. People like Diana Laenen and her fiance were out Wednesday night for a sunset run when the park closure turned them around. Although they were still without much information at that time, they started learning details that someone may have been shot. Its really scary. Like, honestly, we were just running and talking about it, and we were saying, like, itll change how were even if were ever running there again. Like, its hard to go back to normal after something so scary like that. So, geez, I didnt know that. Ill be curious to hear more about the details, but its really sad for a community like this, said Laenen. Advertisement Advertisement Weymouth police said that there is no ongoing threat to the public. State police are investigating the shooting. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW ROME (AP) Pope Leo XIV on Thursday summoned Catholic bishops to Rome for a special meeting on ministering to families that takes as its starting point Leos strong endorsement of one of Pope Francis most controversial policies on marriage and divorce. Leo penned a special message marking the 10th anniversary of Francis 2016 document The Joy of Love. He called the text a luminous message of hope that is even more relevant and urgent today than it was a decade ago. When it was released, The Joy of Love immediately sparked controversy because it opened the door to letting civilly remarried Catholics receive Communion. Advertisement Advertisement Church teaching holds that unless these Catholics obtain an annulment a church decree that their first marriage was invalid they cannot receive the sacraments, since they are seen as living in sin and committing adultery. Francis didnt create a church-wide pass for these Catholics, but suggested in vague terms and a strategically placed footnote that bishops and priests could do so on a case-by-case basis after accompanying them on a spiritual journey of discernment. Subsequent comments and writings made clear Francis intended such wiggle room, part of his belief that Gods mercy extends in particular to sinners and that the Eucharist isnt a prize for the perfect but nourishment for the weak. The document became one of the most divisive of Francis pontificate and in many ways became the focal point of conservative opposition to his pontificate. It prompted a wave of criticism from mostly conservative Catholics, who said it had sown confusion among the faithful about the churchs teaching on the indissolubility of marriage. Leo strongly endorses Francis' message But in his message Thursday marking the anniversary, Leo strongly endorsed Francis' text. He cited the Chapter VIII, which contained Francis opening on the divorce question, though he didnt explicitly refer to access to the sacraments or Francis footnote No. 351. Advertisement Advertisement In the text, Francis had told priests that they cannot merely apply moral laws to people in irregular situations. Rather, he said the church should help people who are in a technical state of sin, especially when there are mitigating factors at play. In the related footnote No. 351, Francis elaborated that in certain cases, this can include the help of the sacraments. He told priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber, but rather an encounter with the Lords mercy and that the Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak. On this tenth anniversary, we give thanks to the Lord for the stimulus that has encouraged reflection and pastoral conversion in the Church, and ask God for the courage to persevere on this path, Leo wrote. He summoned the presidents of bishops conferences to Rome for a meeting in October to decide next steps to minister to families today in light of The Joy of Love and taking into account what is currently being done in the local churches. A document that leads to claims of heresy Francis document sharply divided the church. Advertisement Advertisement Within the first year of publication, four conservative cardinals formally asked Francis to clarify certain questions, or dubia, raised by the text. They argued church doctrine held that Catholics who remarried without a church annulment were living in sin and couldnt receive the sacraments. He never replied. For a variety of reasons, such annulments often cannot be obtained though Francis issued a separate reform to simplify, facilitate and accelerate the process. The following year, a petition of conservative Catholic theologians accused Francis of heresy. But others embraced the text. Bishops from Francis native Buenos Aires issued a set of criteria to apply Chapter VIII that clearly allowed for civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion, especially if the person in question isnt responsible for the failed first marriage, while stressing it was not a free-for-all as if any situation were to sufficiently justify it. Advertisement Advertisement Francis ordered the Argentine criteria published as an official act of the Vatican and wrote a letter to the bishops declaring their interpretation authoritative. The document is excellent and clearly sets out the meaning of Chapter VIII, he wrote. There are no other interpretations. The Maltese church, for its part, issued its own set of guidelines that were published in the Vatican newspaper LOsservatore Romano, in another indication of Holy See approval. The Maltese guidelines say that if a Catholic in a new civil union believes, after a path of spiritual discernment searching for Gods will, that he or she can be at peace with God, he or she cannot be precluded from participating in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. PERRY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) When Don Halke rattles the feed bucket on his Perry County farm, the sheep come running. But lately, he senses a wolf with a voracious appetite for power. Two electrical towers stand just over the hill in front of his property. Theyre out of sight, out of mind. But then he got a letter from PPL Electric Utilities saying its adding a 500,000-volt line that he estimates will come down the hill. Close Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania This will be terrible, Halke said. In a statement, PPL said its expecting its peak electric demand to double over the next five to six years growth that took over a century to reach. A PPL employee who emailed Halke said our primary goal is to reach a voluntary agreement through transparency and fair compensation. But Halke said he cant put a price on his health. Hes asking questions, like how will living near a high-power transmission line affect his double pacemaker? He said hes been told itll generally be OK. If you go down that rabbit hole on the World Wide Web, generally means a lot of different things, he said. All of them not good. Advertisement Advertisement Halk said hes not getting a straight answer on when construction will begin for the line. Hes heard a year and a half. Hes heard a couple of years. Pennsylvania man turns down $15 million to turn farm into data center Public officials have not been helpful, he said. His lawyer turned down the case, sensing he couldnt beat a utility that has all the power. Though theres not much he can do about it, that doesnt stop him from talking about it. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Did anyone win Wednesday night's Powerball drawing for the jackpot of $103 million? The cash option for the March 18 jackpot was $46.8 million. Here's what we know about the drawing on Wednesday, March 18: Powerball winning numbers for March 18 The winning numbers for the March 18 drawing were 4-18-19-21-69. The red Powerball was 1, and the Power Play was 3X. Did anyone win Powerball? No one won the jackpot in the March 18 drawing. There were one $1 million Match 5 winners in New York. There was no Match 5 plus Power Play $2 million prize winner. When is next Powerball drawing? The next drawing is on Saturday, March 21. What is the Powerball jackpot up to? The jackpot for the next drawing is an estimated $120 million with a cash value of $54.6 million. What time is the Powerball drawing? Powerball drawings take place at 11 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. What are the odds of winning Powerball? The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. Where to buy Powerball tickets Powerball is played in 45 states, including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, and in Washington, DC and the Virgin Islands. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident to play Powerball. Advertisement Advertisement You can purchase tickets at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Sales cut-off times vary by one to two hours before the drawing, depending on the selling jurisdiction. Can you buy Powerball tickets online? In Kentucky, you can purchase tickets online through the Kentucky Lottery website, kylottery.com. In Ohio and Indiana, people can order Powerball tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Lottery tickets are sold to residents online through their lottery's official site in the following jurisdictions: Kentucky Connecticut Georgia Illinois Kansas Michigan New Hampshire North Carolina North Dakota Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia Washington, DC How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today? A single Powerball ticket costs $2. Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. In Kentucky, Indiana and some other states, players can also add the Double Play for an additional $1 to have a second chance at winning $10 million. How to play Powerball To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. Advertisement Advertisement You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers. How to win Powerball Match all 5 white balls + Powerball: Jackpot (odds 1 in 292.2 million) Match all 5 white balls: $1 million (odds 1 in 11.7 million) Match 4 white balls + Powerball: $50,000 (odds 1 in ~913,000) Match 4 white balls: $100 (odds 1 in ~36,000) Match 3 white balls + Powerball: $100 (odds 1 in ~14,500) Match 3 white balls: $7 (odds 1 in ~580) Match 2 white balls + Powerball: $7 (odds 1 in ~700) Match 1 white ball + Powerball: $4 (odds 1 in ~92) Match Powerball only: $4 (odds 1 in ~38) This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Any Powerball winner last night? Powerball winning numbers March 18 Key insights : Mastercard agreed to acquire stablecoin tech firm BVNK for $1.8 billion. What's at stake : Banks and payment companies are building strategies for stablecoins, providing potential services revenue for Mastercard. Forward look: Mastercard and BVNK will team to build new payment functions for digital assets. Mastercard is relying on partnerships to build a stablecoin network, a strategy that it is accelerating by a planned acquisition of stablecoin technology developer BVNK. The card network on Tuesday said it has agreed to acquire BVNK for as much as $1.8 billion, including $300 million in contingent payments. The deal is expected to close before the end of the year, and is subject to regulatory approval. Stablecoins are still a very small part of the overall payments market, but they've become big business for payment companies as banks and merchants figure out how to tap the emerging digital asset. Fifty-four percent of national banks and 47% of all banks expect to issue a publicly available stablecoin in the next ten years, according to research from American Banker. "As stablecoins start to become real infrastructure, the challenge for legacy players, especially those like Mastercard that have supported the technology early, is shifting from proving demand to supporting it at scale," James Wester, director of cryptocurrency at Javelin Strategy & Research, told American Banker. BVNK's appeal BVNK has emerged as a major provider of scale for digital assets. BVNK, which was founded in 2021, specializes in technology that enables connections between traditional currency and digital currencies. Its technology covers blockchain networks in more than 130 countries. In a post on BVNK's site , CEO and co-founder Jesse Hemson Struthers said, "This partnership matters far beyond BVNK and Mastercard. It signals a fundamental shift: stablecoins are no longer an experiment, they're becoming the base layer for how the world moves money." BVNK said it processes more than $30 billion annually and has experience in stablecoin technology and regulatory licensing, with a client roster that includes fintechs, enterprises and payment service providers. Once the deal closes, BVNK will support stablecoin capabilities across Mastercard's network, enabling stablecoin settlement for processors and acquirers; and adding stablecoin checkout to Mastercard's payment gateway. "For decades, financial infrastructure has been fragmented," Struthers said. "Cross-border payments take days. Settlement is expensive. Financial inclusion remains out of reach for billions. Stablecoins powered by trusted operators solve these problems at scale." DES MOINES, Iowa The Iowa Blue Star Mothers have planned a procession for two Army Reserve soldiers from Iowa returning to Des Moines on Thursday. Funerals for the soldiers will take place on Saturday. On March 7, six U.S. soldiers killed in the war in the Middle East landed at Dover Air Force Base. All six served in the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines. Two were identified as Iowans, Maj. Jeffrey OBrien and Sgt. Declan Coady, while another was later acknowledged as a long-time Iowan who moved to California, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan. The others have been identified as Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska. Advertisement Advertisement After two weeks, the Iowa soldiers are returning home and will be laid to rest this weekend. The Blue Star Mothers of America Iowa Chapter is asking members of the community to line the streets of Des Moines on Thursday as Major OBrien and Sgt. Coady travel from the airport to their respective funeral homes. Blue Star Mothers say the procession will begin at the Des Moines International Airport shortly after 1:30 p.m. and proceed to Park Avenue and then Highway 28. Near 63rd Street, the procession will split. Sgt Coadys procession will continue north along 63rd Street till Highway 6. Major OBriens procession will turn at 63rd Street onto Ashworth Road till 22nd Street. This route is subject to change according to law enforcement direction. We MUST show these loved families that Iowa supports them and we MUST HONOR these warriors for their sacrifice, a portion of their post read. Advertisement Advertisement The Final Salute also encouraged attendance, saying in a post, Lets come together as a community to honor their service and sacrifice by lining the roads and showing our deep gratitude for these American heroes. Visitations and funeral services have also been announced for both soldiers. Major OBriens visitation is being held on Friday, March 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Valley Church in West Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 21st, also at Valley Church. Major OBrien will be buried at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Sgt. Coadys visitation is being held on Friday, March 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Bridge in Johnston. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, also at The Bridge. A burial service for family and close friends will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Sgt. Coadys service will be livestreamed at this link. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Dozens of people gathered outside the former Pulse nightclub the morning of Wednesday, March 18 as crews demolished the building where a mass shooting took place nearly a decade ago. It took roughly two hours for the structure to come down, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Crews will continue working over the next several weeks to clear the area and make way for a memorial scheduled to be completed in 2027. On June 12, 2016 a gunman opened fire inside the Orlando nightclub, killing 49 people and injuring dozens more. Advertisement Advertisement We think this is a big milestone, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told the Sentinel this week. We hope when we complete it we know it wont bring complete closure but we hope it will give some peace of mind and give us a place where we can come and think about and remember the victims. Details about the Pulse nightclub memorial During a meeting this month, the memorials designers, Gomez Construction and Borrelli and Partners, unveiled partial images of the project. Its said to be about 30% complete. According to Orlando TV station WESH, 60% of the design will be submitted in May, and construction is scheduled to begin in September. According to Fox 35, the designers said the space is intended to provide "a place for reflection, remembrance and healing for survivors, families and the community." The city of Orlando took over the project in 2024 after the onePULSE Foundation, which formed in the aftermath of the shooting, dissolved in November 2023. Rainbow crosswalk removed at Pulse in 2025 Pulse made headlines in summer 2025 when its rainbow-colored crosswalk near the site was removed amid the Trump administration's directive to crack down on "politically-charged street art." Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the Florida Department of Transportation said in a statement to USA TODAY that it restored the crosswalk to its "proper form" as part of the state's effort to remove street art with "social, political or ideological interests." In a post on X, Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to criticism of the move by saying, "We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes." Local activists and community members voiced their outrage over the removal. Orlando Mayor Dyer said in a statement that he was "devastated" to learn the crosswalk had been removed. He said the crosswalk was part of the larger memorial and was made colorful with permission from the state's transportation department. Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the networks Rapid Response reporter, she covers Floridas breaking news. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Site of Florida mass shooting, Pulse nightclub is demolished OTTAWA Putnam County election officials want the public to be prepared for the May election. Theyve shared information about voter registration, early voting, voter identification needed and polling sites. April 6 registration deadline Putnam County election board Director Karen Warnecke reminded voters that the deadline to complete voter registrations to be eligible to vote in the May 5 primary election is April 6. That date is also the deadline for name and/or address changes. Advertisement Advertisement To register to vote in Ohio, applicants must be a citizen of the United States and be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next general election. Voters must be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election in which they plan to vote; cannot be incarcerated for a felony conviction; must not have been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court; and have not been permanently disenfranchised for violating the election laws. Voter registration forms may be filled out at any county board of election, online at www.VoteOhio.gov, at Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices, and at Department of Job and Family Services, Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Developmental Disabilities and Women, Infants and Children offices. Forms are also available at the county treasurers office, any public high school or vocational school or any public library. The Putnam County Board of Elections is open to assist applicants Monday through Thursday through April 2 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p .m. April 6. Early voting hours planned Advertisement Advertisement Warnecke announced in-person early voting hours for the May 5 primary election. Votes may be cast at the board of elections office, 575 Ottawa-Glandorf Road, Suite 2, Ottawa. Ballots may be cast on the following dates: Tuesday, April 7 through Friday, April 10: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 13 through Friday, April 17: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 24: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 27: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 through Friday, May 1: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3: 1 to 5 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Accepted forms of identification Warnecke issued a list of voter identification methods that will be accepted during the May 5 primary election. Valid photo identification cards include an Ohio drivers license, State of Ohio ID card, interim ID form issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, military ID card, military dependent card, Ohio National Guard ID card or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card. All photo IDs must have an expiration date that has not passed, a photograph of the voter, the voters name (which must substantially conform to the name that appears on the poll list or poll book maintained by the county). A voter who moves within the precinct (and completes a voter registration form) or provides proof of legal name change (and completes Form 10-L) may vote a regular ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Polling locations Polling locations have been announced in Putnam County for the May 5 primary election. Ballots in each county precinct may be cast at the following locations: Blanchard Township: Fogle Center, 815 Mathias St., Leipsic. Greensburg Township: Kalida Fish and Game, 164 state Route 694, Ottawa. Jackson Township: St. Barbaras Parish Hall, Main Street, Cloverdale. Jennings Township: Fort Jennings old high school gym, 644 N. Water St., Fort Jennings. Liberty Township: St. Nicholas Parish Center, 208 E. Main St., Miller City. Leipsic: Fogle Center, 815 Mathias St., Leipsic. Van Buren Township: Fogle Center, 815 Mathias St., Leipsic. Advertisement Advertisement Monroe Township/Continental: Fire station, 102 E. Elm St., Continental. Sugar Creek Township: American Legion, 412 Plum St., Columbus Grove. Ottoville: Municipal building, 150 Park Drive, Ottoville. Monterey Township: Municipal building, 150 Park Drive, Ottoville. Glandorf: Town hall, 203 N. Main St., Glandorf. Ottawa: Putnam County Event Center, 1490 E. Second St., Ottawa. Pandora: Community center, 301 N. Jefferson St., Pandora. Riley Township: Community center, 301 N. Jefferson St., Pandora. Columbus Grove: American Legion, 412 Plum St., Columbus Grove. Pleasant Township: American Legion, 412 Plum St., Columbus Grove. Ottawa Township: Putnam County Event Center, 1490 E. Second St., Ottawa. Qatar says its relations with Iran have been severely damaged after weeks of attacks in the Gulf. "Following this hostile act, it is necessary to rebuild lost trust," said Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. "The Iranian people and us are linked by geography, proximity and history." He again called on Iran to cease the attacks immediately so that the region is not drawn into a "dangerous vortex." Irans actions are jeopardizing security "for all countries in the region," Al Thani said. Qatar has maintained diplomatic relations with Iran for decades, expanding its diplomatic influence by expanding contacts with Tehran and mediating in the conflict with the US. Qatar and Iran also share access to the worlds largest gas field in the Gulf and have cooperated for economic reasons. The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, which had been closed since the start of the Iran war, is open again for limited traffic, Israeli authorities said on Thursday. The responsible Israeli COGAT authority confirmed the opening in both directions upon request. It had previously announced the reopening of the crossing for the middle of the week. The state-affiliated Egyptian TV channel al-Qahera News also reported the limited reopening on Thursday morning. How many people would enter and exit throughout the day was not immediately clear. Advertisement Advertisement Israel had closed all crossings into the coastal strip with the start of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, describing this as a "necessary security measure." Aid goods enter via Kerem Shalom crossing The Rafah crossing had only been reopened at the beginning of February after about a year for the entry and exit of a limited number of Gaza residents. Entry and exit are strictly controlled. Aid goods are still not being delivered into the Gaza Strip via this border crossing for the time being. During its offensive in the Gaza Strip in May 2024, the Israeli army took control of the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side. Since then, it has been almost continuously closed. The Kerem Shalom crossing, which is particularly important for supplying the approximately 2 million inhabitants of the largely destroyed Gaza Strip with aid deliveries, was reopened for goods traffic as early as March 3. This crossing connects the Gaza Strip with Israel. The rape trial of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son Marius Borg Hiby was set to end on schedule on Thursday following the defence's closing statement. The trial, which began in early February, has shocked Norway and drawn global media attention. On the final day of proceedings, Hibys lawyer described the intense media scrutiny as a major burden for his client. Belonging to the royal family had not made the situation easier, defence lawyer Petar Sekulic said in court, according to newspaper Verdens Gang, adding that Hiby was deeply affected by the impact of the case on his family. Advertisement Advertisement The defences closing arguments were expected to take up most of the day. Hiby has been charged with four counts of rape. The 29-year-old filmed the alleged offences, and photos and video recordings on his mobile phones have played an important role in the trial. On Wednesday, the public prosecutor's office demanded seven years and seven months in prison for the defendant. Prosecutor Sturla Henriksb called for him to be convicted on 39 of the 40 charges. Hiby should be acquitted of one charge of contravening a no-contact order, he said. In this case, Hiby apparently inadvertently called his ex-girlfriend despite a ban. Advertisement Advertisement The accused is said to have had consensual sex with three of the women for a longer period of time before the alleged sexual offences, which the public prosecutor said should have a mitigating effect on the sentence. Hiby has denied the sexual offence charges but admitted some of the other allegations he faces. His defence lawyer will make a final statement to the court on Thursday. The judgement is expected at a later date. Hiby is Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship and the step-son of Crown Prince Haakon, who is heir to the throne. While part of the extended royal family, Hiby holds no title and is not an official member of the Norwegian royal household. Atlanta police are asking for help identifying some people who threatened Chick-fil-A workers and then stole from the business. Police say they were called to the restaurant located at 875 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on Tuesday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Someone in the drive-thru was accused of stealing more than $200 from the restaurant. But while he was there, he shouted threats at the employees. Advertisement Advertisement You are going to serve me or get ready to die about some chicken," the suspect said. TRENDING STORIES: Employees ran away from the window, and the suspect eventually drove off in a silver SUV. Surveillance video shows the man standing outside of the car and leaning into the window. Anyone who knows who he is should call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] DES MOINES, Iowa Following Ashley Oklands death in 2011, the Real Estate industry enhanced safety protocols for realtors hosting open houses and meeting with potential buyers. The Des Moines Area Association of Realtors introduced a safety pledge for brokers and real estate companies. That policy included a contract between a realtor and a seller not to show a home to someone who hasnt been previously identified. Marcia Munger, a realtor of more than 25 years, said after Oklands death, a sense of fear spread throughout the industry, and these safety practices were implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Everybody panicked, kind of in a typical way that everyone does when something drastic like that happens [Now] we have made it very clear that if someone calls you on a sign call, you have them come to the office first, and meet with them there, said Munger. Siblings of Ashley Okland make statements after arrest of suspect in her 2011 murder Munger says she also has the ability to use phone numbers and names to search any public criminal history of potential buyers. But safety stretches beyond the initial meeting, as realtors are forced to keep their guard up while out in the community. Some even set healthy boundaries to ensure safety for themselves and their clients when showing homes or hosting open houses. Advertisement Advertisement I personally will not host an open house alone. I always have a partner, whether its my spouse or somebody else from my team. Honestly, this case, it goes through my mind on a weekly basis, and so being so local to it, were constantly reminded of the ugliness out there in the world, said Elli Jennings Shindealer, a realtor with Jennings Real Estate Team. After 15 years, investigators renew hope for justice following arrest in cold murder case Both women say they also follow safety tips like parking on the street, having clients walk in front of them, and either locking or keeping exterior doors open during private showings or open houses. They also stress that setting these boundaries are impotant for people in their field to ensure they feel secure while doing their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about Realtor Safety in Iowa, click here. Iowa 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 who13.com. Meta Platforms (META) suffered a setback late last week when it reported delays in the launch of its new foundational AI model, Avocado. According to reports, the companys AI model underperforms leading competitors like Alphabets (GOOGL) Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic across multiple benchmarks, including writing, coding, and reasoning. Despite showing great improvements over its previous versions, Meta believes the model is not worthy of a launch right now. Meta Platforms said that it will need at least until May to launch Avocado. This is disappointing for META stock shareholders, as Meta was projected to spend $135 billion on AI investments in 2026, almost twice what it spent in 2025. The company also has a history of big failures, with its metaverse project registering more than $70 billion in operating losses. Having said that, this is a price worth paying when a company has the ambition of leading todays open source AI developments. More News from Barchart In the coming days, analysts will react to the impact of Meta's AI investments, and the company will need to compensate for the delays somewhere, bringing more clarity for shareholders. About Meta Platforms Stock Meta Platforms is the owner of popular social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company offers highly targeted advertising capabilities to businesses, based mainly on data collected from the billions of users that use its apps every day. Meta Platforms is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. META stock had a volatile 2025, and it has only returned 3% over the last 12 months. The stock has suffered mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding its AI investments, despite the fact that it was one of the few companies that had a measurable return on investment (ROI) on its AI investments in the early part of the AI revolution. The Avocado debacle shows why investors may be hesitant to back Metas AI bets, even when the company is in a strong financial position to do so. barchart.com Wall Street has often criticized Meta for its huge investments in new ventures. When these ventures lose money, the company takes the blame. However, few point out that the reason it can afford to make these mistakes is its dominance in the social media arena. The firm owns WhatsApp, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. Earlier in the year, it reported that more than 3.5 billion people use at least one of its platforms. With such a vast user base, the company can tap into multiple avenues to make up for money lost in any of its new ventures. During the Los Angeles writers strike in 2023, Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell wanted to reach out to his donors in Hollywood and ask what he could do to help them. But he didn't have an easy way to find the screenwriters who backed his many campaigns. So Swalwell and his congressional chief of staff launched an AI technology company that sifts and analyzes campaign fundraising data. The company has since been used by dozens of political campaigns, including by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles). Even Swalwell's current campaign for California governor hired the artificial intelligence company, called Findraiser. Advertisement Advertisement But some details of Swalwell's private venture remain unclear, including the company's investors. Craig Holman, a governmental ethics expert with the nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen, said it's common and legal for candidates to use their own businesses to promote their campaigns or the campaigns of others, as long as all business interactions are charged at market value. He said Swalwell can talk about his business privately but cannot do so in relation to his role in Congress, to avoid running afoul of ethics rules barring using one's position for personal monetary gain. Holman called it "odd and politically unwise" that Swalwell's business will not publicly disclose all of its investors. Advertisement Advertisement Swalwell, who has represented Northern California in Congress since 2013, is among the top Democrats in the governor's race, according to a recent poll, but thus far none of the candidates has a breakaway lead. Findraiser is close to profitability, his onetime chief of staff, current campaign manager and Findraiser CEO Yardena Wolf said in a podcast interview that aired in October. The company received more than $67,400 from congressional campaigns in the 2025-26 cycle, according to filings with the federal government. Members of Congress are not barred from owning outside companies or accepting a small outside salary, with exceptions. Swalwell makes no income from the company, according to filings he has made with the state of California, though he could benefit if the company was ever sold. Advertisement Advertisement "Findraiser is a platform like hundreds of other tools in the market that helps Democratic campaigns communicate more efficiently," a Swalwell spokesperson said. "Congressman Swalwell and the Findraiser team consulted the House Committee on Ethics on the conception and implementation of the tool every step of the way." Still, it highlights how mixing public service and private business can raise ethics questions. Wolf told The Times that none of Findraiser's investors have business before Congress, but she declined to reveal the names of the backers. The fair market value of Findraiser is between $100,001 and $1 million, according to campaign finance documents filed with the state this month. Advertisement Advertisement Swalwell stated on the documents that he is a part owner. Besides the Congress member and Wolf, the other member of the company listed with the state is Paul Mandell, who runs an event business. The company's website boasts that it provides a "straightforward AI-powered chatbot that supercharges your fundraising database searches. This first-of-its-kind tool sits on top of your political fundraising database, allowing you to ask simple, intuitive questions and receive the results you need instantly." The website also contains testimonials, including from former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, who says Findraiser provides the AI technology that makes it "easier than ever for campaigns to connect with the right donors and raise what they need to win." The amount of money campaigns are paying to use Findraiser is nominal, federal campaign finance records show. During the 2025-26 cycle, Swalwell's campaign for Congress reported paying Findraiser $6,630. His campaign for governor paid the company $975. Advertisement Advertisement Wolf, in an interview with The Times, declined to provide details about the company's staff or how much it charges customers. In her interview with the political podcast "The Great Battlefield," she recounted that the writers' strike was the impetus for Findraiser and said Swalwell came up with the name. She conceded that it is pretty unusual for a member of Congress to start a company with his chief of staff. She also said there was "a lot of ethics back and forth of lawyers and all of that, to make sure that we were aboveboard and that everything is kosher. Among other things, Findraiser has helped Swalwell's campaigns pull in more money, she said. For example, the campaign could identify donors who gave small amounts to Swalwell but larger checks to other politicians, Wolf said. Advertisement Advertisement "We've been able to set up meetings with people like that, and they've increased their contributions." Aside from Wolf, one other staff member who works for both Swalwell's campaign and his government office is also being paid via a contract to do digital work for Findraiser, Wolf confirmed. Michael Beckel, director of money in politics reform at Issue One, a bipartisan advocacy group, said that although there is no prohibition on a member of Congress hiring his own company, voters may perceive an issue. "Voters may see self-dealing as evidence that a candidate is prioritizing personal enrichment over public service, which damages confidence in elections and governmental institutions," he said. Advertisement Advertisement "If donors give money knowing it will personally benefit the candidate, that undermines the integrity of the political system." Swalwells campaign declined to respond to Beckels statements. Wolf in her podcast interview last year said the business was "going really well." We have PACs that use it. We have first-time candidates, as well as 20-year incumbents who are using it. We have congressional races and Senate races, Wolf said. Around 2024, the company began offering beta testing, she said. "Obviously, both Eric's and my network are people who are in the political space and just in our day to day, as we were talking to people, we had people say, 'Well, I want to use it,'" Wolf said. "And so we had a group of people who ended up beta testing." Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Swalwell's campaign said that "Findraiser spread through word of mouth among campaigns across the country. Any decision by a campaign or candidate to utilize the tool is based on their choice and their organization's strategic prioritization." The Times contacted 16 congressional campaigns that reported using Findraiser in recent federal filings. None would tell The Times how they came to hire the company. Both Schiff and Gomez have endorsed Swalwell in his campaign for governor. Schiff's paid about $2,000 for two months of Findraiser services last year. However, Wolf, in her podcast interview, said Findraiser works with Schiff "a lot." Advertisement Advertisement Ian Mariani, a spokesperson for Schiff's campaign, said the company "is one of many campaign vendors used by our team, and it helped us engage with several people." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. March 19 (UPI) -- The FBI is investigating Joe Kent, who resigned this week as the counterterrorism director in protest over the war with Iran, over allegations that he leaked classified information, according to reports, while Trump administration officials attack his credibility. Kent resigned Tuesday as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, a position to which the MAGA supporter and far-right conspiracy theorist with ties to White nationalist groups was nominated in early 2025 by President Donald Trump, stating that "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation." "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran," he said. Advertisement Advertisement The FBI investigation into Kent predates his resignation, unidentified sources told Semafor, the first to report on the development. The New York Times, NewsNation and others have since corroborated that story. Kent is the first senior Trump administration official to resign over the war that has divided Republicans and supporters of the president, who campaigned on ending conflicts while warning Americans that if the Democrats were to return to the White House, the United States would be lured into a war with Iran. Little information about the allegations against Kent was known. The revelations of the investigation come as the White House was attempting to undermine and dismiss the man Trump had repeatedly called "a Great American Hero" for his service as a soldier, Green Beret and CIA officer. In his resignation letter, Kent argued that Trump was pulled into the war by Israel, claiming the Middle Eastern country had deployed a disinformation campaign to convince Americans that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he thought of Kent as a "nice guy" who was "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 that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refuted the allegation as "insulting and laughable." Speaking to reporters Wednesday, she attempted to distance Trump from Kent, saying he has not been involved with the president's intelligence briefings for several months and has not been seen at the White House "for quite some time." "The president feels it is deeply disappointing that after the president gave him an opportunity in this administration to serve the American people that he would resign with a letter filled with falsehoods -- accusing the president of the United States of being controlled by a foreign country." Advertisement Advertisement The war began late last month after the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the U.S. attack on Iran was preemptive. He said they knew Israel was going to attack Iran, which would result in Iran attacking U.S. bases and allies in the region. The U.S. attack was intended to preempt an Iranian response, he said. Bobby Charles, 65, one of the eight Republicans who have now qualified for the Maine gubernatorial primary ballot in June, is a lawyer with a long career of public servicebut none in Augusta, which he considers a plus. "I think when you bring a new guy in who has managed both private sector entities and also managed billions of dollars on the public sector side, fired bureaucrats, but also elevated those who are doing a good job, you really are talking about putting a guy in the driver's seat that knows how to fix the problems, Charles said in a candidate profile interview with NEWS CENTER Maine. This state needs accountability," Charles continued. "It needs affordability. It needs safety or public safety, and it needs our school system back. Advertisement Advertisement While he has not served in the Maine State Legislature, like two of his rivals for the Republican nomination, Charles' resume is loaded with Washington experience, including on Capitol Hill, the White House under Ronald Reagan, the State Department under George W. Bush, and as a naval intelligence officer a decade after 9/11. During the Bush administration, Charles led the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs under Secretary of State Colin Powell. "Working as an assistant secretary of state, managing billions of dollars, dramatically making the State Department more efficient in operations, Charles said. Training the Iraqi police, training the Afghan police, managing the air wing. Looking at the State House, Charles is among the Republicans hoping to break up the Democratic trifectacontrolling the governors office, the state House of Representatives, and the state Senateand shrink the budget. Advertisement Advertisement "I want to cut spending dramatically, Charles said. How could we have doubled the amount that's being spent in this state in just 10 years? And the answer is a lot of it's going to this free housing for 8,000 illegal aliens, EBT cards, wraparound MaineCare. A lot of it is fraud." EBT, or Electronic Benefit Cards, allow recipients to buy food through Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits. Charles cited estimates of fraud in MaineCare, the states version of the federal Medicaid program that's overseen by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, running as high as hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2025, the Maine Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud Control Unit recovered $348,515 in civil and criminal fraud cases. In 2024, the unit recovered $255,434, according to data reported to the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. So far, in 2026, the unit has already recovered over $1 million, said Danna Hayes, Director of Public Affairs for the Maine attorney general. Pressed for a source on his estimated number of illegal immigrants in Maine, Charles said that he'd have to go back and look. But you can find it online. It's not a mystery. Advertisement Advertisement Like other Republican gubernatorial candidates, Charles wants to repeal the new law that prohibits Maine law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration investigations and operations. "A sanctuary state is a sanctuary for criminal aliens," he said. Charles proposes phasing out the state income tax over four years and leaving more money in people's pockets. "The average we're shooting for is about $5,000. That's the median that someone pays in personal income tax in this state," he said. Charles agenda is also focused on reducing crime, drug trafficking, and addiction. Advertisement Advertisement "We should be dramatically increasing the law enforcement presencelocal and state and federalin all 16 counties, Charles said. We need residential treatment. We have 315 beds, I think, by the last count, in a state of 1.4 million people. We have 30,000 addicted and 10% over the age of 12. That is absurd." On reproductive rights, Charles objects to public funding for abortion via MaineCare and the 2023 law signed by Gov. Janet Mills that permits abortion, if deemed medically necessary, after fetal viability at 24 weeks. "In my personal view, abortion is abhorrent, and I think that the idea of a late-term abortion, which in this reading of that law means also at birth, to me is absolutely abhorrent," Charles said. In the interview, Charles did not advocate specific rollbacks to abortion access expanded during the Mills administration, but he expressed support for the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision ("Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization") that ended the Constitutional right to abortion and empowered states to enact their own restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Dobbs, I think, was a good decision, Charles said. I would look at what the legislature gives me. For more local stories, continue with us on our NEWS CENTER Maine+ streaming app. For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app. Despite a long, entrenched Democratic reign over California politics, a new poll shows two Republicans leading by slim margins in the state's 2026 race for governor as the June primary election fast approaches. The confounding results appear to be mostly due to the state's left-leaning electorate feeling uninspired by any single candidate in the crowded field of eight top Democrats. Because of California's top-two primary rule, that lethargy could lead to Democrats being shut out of a November election that will determine the next leader of the largest state in the union, though that is still considered unlikely. Conservative commentator Steve Hilton had the support of 17% of likely voters and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco had the backing of 16%, according to a poll released Wednesday by UC Berkeleys Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Following closely behind were Democrats Rep. Eric Swalwell of Northern California and former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, both of whom had support from 13% of the likely voters surveyed. Aside from billionaire hedge fund founder and environmental activist Tom Steyer, who registered at 10% support after plowing tens of millions of dollars into his campaign, no other Democrat had won support from more than 5% of likely voters, the poll showed. Mark DiCamillo, director of the poll, said he was stunned by how fractured voters are and how little knowledge they have about the candidates less than 60 days before ballots start arriving in Californians' mailboxes. This is historic for me, and especially given that none of the candidates have really a positive image rating with voters, also startling. I mean, perhaps one of the reasons why voters are disengaged, they're just not enthusiastic about any of the candidates, he said. They're kind of sleepwalking to this election. Swalwell and Porter both hew toward the progressive wing of the party and rose to national prominence as frequent guests on cable news shows and as combative, at times theatrical, committee members during congressional oversight hearings. That notoriety prompted attacks from Republicans and the far right and increased their popularity among the Democratic base both pivotal for voters seeking a strong candidate to challenge President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Porter slightly rebounded after a dip in polling in the fall after videos emerged of her berating an aide and a reporter. She also has the highest favorable rating of any candidate in the field at 34%. According to the survey, Steyer's support from likely voters increased to 10% from just 1% in Berkeleys October poll. The momentum comes after Steyer spent about $50 million airing television ads since December, according to an analysis by data expert Paul Mitchell for Capitol Weekly. Among the other top Democrats in the race: former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra was backed by 5% of likely voters; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan by 4%, and former state Controller Betty Yee and state Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond by 1%. The poll found that 16% of likely voters were either undecided or backed other, lesser-known candidates. Advertisement Advertisement The splintered support for the Democrats hoping to become the state's next governor has surfaced in other ways as well. On Monday, the powerful California Federation of Labor voted to endorse four gubernatorial candidates half the Democratic field. DiCamillo said he believes the poll's inclusion of the candidates' titles that voters will see on their ballots is crucial in a low-information contest. "That really matters in a race where voters don't have much information, or they say they don't know much about the candidates," he said, adding that it could particularly help Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff. "His job title is kind of impressive, and that voters think, well, that's credible, so let me consider him." The fear of two Republicans winning the top two spots in the June 2 primary prompted California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks to urge low-polling candidates to consider their viability and drop out if they didn't see a path forward earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Some candidates bristled, arguing that party leaders were in effect telling every candidate of color to leave the race. Aside from one candidate, all of the top Democrats in the race responded by quickly filing their campaign documents with the secretary of state's office, meaning that their names will appear on the ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary are the only ones who advance to the November general election regardless of their political party. The odds that a Republican will become California's next governor appear slim. No Republican has won a statewide election in California since 2006, the year Hollywood movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to a second term as governor. Democratic registered voters in the state outnumber Republicans by nearly 2 to 1. Compared with prior gubernatorial races that had well-known Democratic front-runners, none of the candidates of either party are particularly well known by voters. Large numbers of voters have no opinion about any of the candidates including roughly two-thirds of those asked about Mahan, Yee and Thurmond. Advertisement Advertisement Voters were far more tuned in to the issues that they believe are most important for the state's next governor to tackle. Affordability was dominant among all voters, regardless of political ideology, the poll found. Four out of 10 voters said reducing the cost of living in California is among the top issues the next governor should prioritize, and smaller numbers also highlighted building affordable housing and lowering gas prices and utility rates. Affordability "is the top issue for voters, both here in California and across the country. There's no question," DiCamillo said. "Perhaps it's even of greater urgency here in California, just given our cost of living is higher than in most other places." Building new housing, paring back regulations to allow such construction quickly and to reduce the cost of buy a home, disincentivizing private firms from buying homes and reducing gas prices are among topics candidates frequently speak about on the campaign trail and in debates. Advertisement Advertisement A notable split was evident among voters when asked about cutting waste, fraud and political corruption in state government, the poll found. Nearly 50% of Republicans said this was a top priority, compared with 10% of Democrats and a little over a quarter of voters who do not state a party preference. DiCamillo said this sentiment aligns with President Trump's messaging and what his administration has been pursuing in the federal government. Trump has repeatedly painted California as teeming with waste, fraud and abuse. On Monday, when he launched a task force to fight fraud that will be led by Vice President JD Vance, California was among the states he singled out as having insufficient oversight of federal funds. GOP voters in California share similar sentiments, DiCamillo said. In Washington, D.C., "they're cutting back, trying to make government smaller, and ... just cut the waste as well," he said. California "Republicans, given the fact that Democrats have been controlling things for so long, they think ... more of that is needed now here in California as well." Advertisement Advertisement The Berkeley IGS/Times poll surveyed 5,019 California registered voters online in English and Spanish from March 9 to 14. The results are estimated to have a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points in either direction in the overall sample, and larger numbers for subgroups. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Detroit A retired Detroit Police sergeant is accused of having lived a double life during his time on the police force posing as a decorated cop while secretly being a serial rapist who sexually assaulted five women at gunpoint, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Thursday. The alleged assaults by Benjamin Wagner happened between 1999 and 2003, Worthy said during a press conference. The victims were between the ages of 15 and 23, Worthy said. The 2003 alleged assault came after a Wayne County jury found Wagner not guilty of five counts of first-degree sexual assault in August 2002. Wagner's stepdaughter had accused him of sexually abusing her over a period of years. Following the verdict, Wagner's suspension ended, and he continued as a police officer until his 2017 retirement. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announces multiple counts of kidnapping and first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct charges against retired Detroit Police Sgt. Benjamin Wagner at a Detroit press conference on March 19, 2026. Wagner, who moved to Greenville, South Carolina, after retiring, was arrested there Tuesday and waived extradition, Worthy said. The defendant was charged with multiple counts of kidnapping and first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping charges carry penalties of up to life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement "We are alleging that Wagner sexually assaulted his young victims, and the common elements were they were walking to school, home from work, or simply going to a friends house," Worthy said. "These happened in the early morning hours, mostly, all on Detroits northwest side. He utilized isolation and force. He was armed with a handgun in each and every case. He threatened their lives if they reported, and he did not use a condom in the assaults." Worthy provided the Detroit Police Sex Crimes Unit's phone number, (313) 596-1950, asking anyone who thinks they were assaulted by Wagner to call. Wayne County Prosecutor Kim Worthy holds a press conference to announce charges against former Detroit Police Officer Benjamin Wagner on five counts of rape at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Detroit, Mich. How law enforcement cracked cases of sexual assault In 2010, Michigan State Police linked an unknown male's DNA to Detroit assaults that happened between 1999 and 2003. "The male suspect was unknown to the victims, and the suspects DNA was not contained in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)," prosecutors said in a release. "In August 2023, the FBI Detroit Field Office received a report identifying an investigative lead to a potential suspect linked to these five sexual assault kits. Advertisement Advertisement The FBI continued to work on the investigative lead, prosecutors said. In March, agents linked Wagner to the five assaults, Worthy said. At the time of the assaults, Wagner lived on Bentler Street in Detroit, Worthy said. All the assaults happened within about five-and-a-half miles from his home, the prosecutor said. Former Detroit Police Sgt. Benjamin Wagner is being charged with multiple sexual assault crimes, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Detroit, Wagner did not have a lawyer listed on the Wayne County Circuit Court website. His arraignment is scheduled for March 26 in Detroit's 36th District Court, according to Worthy, who said he is expected back in Michigan on March 24. The work done in this case by our officers shows the true example of what I mean when I say the men and women of the Detroit Police Department are truly dedicated to the work that they do," Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said. "Cold cases are oftentimes some of the most difficult cases to solve because they require years of persistence, careful reviews of evidence and, most importantly, an unwavering commitment to justice. The work done by this team reflects this dedication." Wayne County prosecutor provides timeline of alleged assaults Worthy provided a timeline for Wagner's alleged crimes: Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 10, 1999, after getting off work, the 17-year-old victim took a bus to a stop near a friend's home. As the woman walked in the 18500 block of Wyoming, "it is alleged that the defendant approached her, pointed a gun at her, ordered her from the scene, and sexually assaulted her," prosecutors said. A 23-year-old woman on Jan. 31, 2000, left her Detroit home to go to the store. As she walked in the 19800 block of Florence Street, Wagner allegedly pointed a gun at her head, ordered her to go with him and sexually assaulted her. On Sept. 28, 2000, the 15-year-old victim was on her way to school. As she was walking toward a bus stop in the 19800 Block of Florence Street, Wagner allegedly "grabbed her arm and put a gun in her face," prosecutors said. "It is then alleged that he ordered her to move from the scene and sexually assaulted her." Wagner on Nov. 19, 2000, allegedly attacked a 20-year-old woman from behind as she was walking from her friends home in the 8500 block of W. McNichols. Wagner allegedly put a gun to her back, forced her to an isolated spot and sexually assaulted her. As a 16-year-old girl was walking to a bus stop on her way to school on April 15, 2003, Wagner allegedly came out of an alley and forced the victim at gunpoint to walk with him to another spot, where he sexually assaulted her. Although Worthy said a handgun was used in all the assaults, she said the six-year statute of limitations has expired, preventing prosecutors from charging Wagner with felony firearm. The Wayne County Sexual Assault Kit Task Force was formed after more than 11,000 untested sexual assault kits were found in 2009 in a Detroit Police storage facility. The kits, which were collected between 1984 and 2009, were never submitted for DNA testing. Worthy said the investigation was headed by Task Force Detective Patrick Moug, with help from the Greenville Police Department, FBI Detroit Field Office and the FBI Charlotte Field Office. ghunter@detroitnews.com (313) 222-2134 @GeorgeHunter_DN This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Worthy accuses retired Detroit cop of leading double life as a serial rapist By Timour Azhari March 18 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia reserves the right to act militarily against Iran and any trust with Tehran has been shattered, the Saudi foreign minister said early on Thursday, after Riyadh was targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles. In the harshest comments to come out of the Gulf kingdom since the war started, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan accused Iran of premeditated hostile actions against its neighbours, both directly and via an array of regional proxies which he urged Tehran to rein in. Advertisement Advertisement There are scant signs of de-escalation in the now three-week-old U.S-Israeli war on Iran. The conflict's spread has caused unprecedented disruption to global energy supplies. In the latest escalation, Iran accused Israel of striking its facilities in the huge South Pars gas field on Wednesday. It retaliated by firing missiles at Qatar and Saudi Arabia as it vowed attacks on oil and gas targets throughout the Gulf, sending already elevated oil prices shooting higher. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that bin Farhan's remarks were "unfair" and one-sided. "This pressure from Iran will backfire politically and morally and certainly we reserve the right to take military actions if deemed necessary," bin Farhan told a news conference after a meeting of top regional diplomats in Riyadh. Advertisement Advertisement Interceptors were seen fired from near the Riyadh hotel where the conference was held, where foreign ministers from roughly a dozen countries including Turkey, the UAE, Jordan, Qatar and Syria gathered for a meeting on the Iran war. Qatari, Emirati and Saudi oil and gas facilities were attacked on Wednesday, authorities in those countries said, after Iran said it would retaliate for what it said was an Israeli strike on a key gas field. Saudi Arabia has come under attack by hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones since the start of the conflict, the vast majority of which have been intercepted, authorities said. Wednesday's attacks marked the first time many in the city had heard blasts or received warning messages via text. Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia's defense ministry said it had downed four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh, and some debris fell near a refinery south of the city. Saudi Arabia and Iran reestablished diplomatic ties in 2023 as part of an effort to calm tensions after years of enmity that saw them back opposing political and military factions in the region. Bin Farhan said Saudi Arabia still preferred the path of diplomacy, but "if Iran doesn't stop immediately I think there will be almost nothing that can re-establish trust." (Reporting by Timour Azhari. Editing by Jane Merriman, Gareth Jones and Michael Perry) It was May 7, 1873, and President Ulysses S. Grant had a big job opening that he needed to fill and soon. Salmon P. Chase, the great antislavery lawyer who had been appointed chief justice of the United States by President Abraham Lincoln, had just died at his home in Washington, D.C., after suffering what was probably a stroke. That left a vacancy atop the highest court in the land. Who would Grant pick to fill it? Roscoe Conkling was a U.S. senator from New York and the undisputed boss of the Empire State's notorious Republican political operation. To say that Conkling knew a thing or two about dispensing political favors via patronage and graft would be a staggering understatement. "We are told the Republican party is a machine," Conkling declared. "Yes. A government is a machinea political party is a machine." According to the journalist George Smalley of the New-York Tribune, Conkling once "talked long on, or rather against, civil service reform and in favor of the practice summed up in the maxim that to the victors belong the spoils." Conkling was also a steadfast political ally of Grant's, and the president thus offered him the job of chief justice as a sort of thank you for services rendered to the Grand Old Party. This was not such an unusual move at the time, as plum judicial appointments often went to politicians in those days rather than to purely legal figures. But the Conkling pick was still an eyebrow-raiser given the senator's scurrilous renown as a master of the spoils system. Advertisement Advertisement In the end, Conkling lived up to his low reputation by turning the job down. "I could not take the place," he explained about declining to serve as chief justice, "for I would be forever gnawing my chains." Conkling was quite content to remain exactly where he was, shaping national affairs and operating the levers of power from his prized perch in the Senate. Remarkably, that offering from Grant was not even the last time that Conkling was gifted a Supreme Court appointment. In 1882, President Chester A. Arthur, a former crony of Conkling's who had once helped to rake in the spoils as collector of customs at the Port of New York, nominated Conkling to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. And the Senate then dutifully confirmed Conkling by a vote of 39 to 12. If he had wanted it, the SCOTUS job would have been Conkling's for life. But old Roscoe apparently still preferred a life of wheeling and dealing to the "chains" of a Supreme Court seat. Five days after the Senate confirmed him, he officially rejected it. It's hard to imagine a saga like that unfolding today. Not the part about a corrupt politician exploiting the system (that's not hard to imagine at all), but the part about a canny political tactician recognizing that he could wield far more power from the Senate than he ever could from the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement In our own time, after all, Congress is effectively AWOL while virtually every political fight that matters on the federal level is being fought between the executive and the judiciary. I wonder if an ambitious rogue of Conkling's caliber would even bother to stick around in today's poor excuse for a Congress, given the fact that the legislative branch is now barely worth mentioning except as an object of pity or scorn. Congress was once a powerful player in American life. But as the Conkling story shows, that era now feels like something out of ancient history. The post Roscoe Conkling, the Political Boss Who Twice Declined a Supreme Court Appointment appeared first on Reason.com. Britains national security adviser was not in the room during the final meeting between US and Iranian officials before Donald Trump gave the go-ahead for war, despite reports to the contrary, The Telegraph can reveal. Claims emerged on Tuesday that Jonathan Powell had attended the talks in Geneva, and deemed the offer made by Tehran on its nuclear programme to be sufficient to avoid a rush to war. The report provoked a swift rebuke from US officials, and not long after a denial from Downing Street that Mr Powell was present. Advertisement Advertisement Sources in London and Washington also categorically denied a report that Sir Keir Starmers special adviser viewed Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the US presidents envoys, as Israeli assets hell-bent on dragging America into the conflict. Jared Kushner, left, and Steve Witkoff held what would be the last round of negotiations with Iran before the US-Israeli military campaign - Alexander Kazakov/Reuters But the row over Mr Powells presence belies a more pressing issue that emerged in the report. The fury in the White House at the claims comes at a time of heightened tensions between Mr Trump and European allies over their criticism of his military campaign against Iran. And the denials from officials on both sides of the Atlantic fail to cover the fact that the US and Europeans did come to vastly different conclusions over whether a deal could be reached with Iran after the talks in Switzerland. Advertisement Advertisement The Telegraph has spoken to multiple diplomats, officials and intelligence sources about the differing opinions at the heart of the latest transatlantic friction. Those in Europe painted a picture of their governments being kept in the dark by the Trump administration about the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign in Iran. They also questioned whether Tehran was really capable of producing nuclear weapons within weeks. Last month, Mr Trump dispatched Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner to Geneva to hold what would be the last round of negotiations with Iran before he ultimately decided to launch his military campaign on Feb 28. Advertisement Advertisement Their aims were simple: Iran could not have a nuclear weapon, its Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites must be closed, its terrorist proxies shut down, and ballistic missile production curbed. Omans ambassadorial residence in Cologny, Geneva, played host to the showdown talks. An anonymous source, cited by the Guardian, claimed that Mr Powell was also in attendance with a small group of officials. Diplomatic sources told The Telegraph that this wasnt the case, blaming Oman, which was upset that the talks had broken down without a deal, for the leaks. Omans frustrations were laid bare on Wednesday, when Badr Albusaidi, the countrys foreign minister, wrote an article for The Economist, in which he described the war as a miscalculation by the US that was having huge effects on the Gulf economies. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, a spokesman for Sir Keir said: No team of British officials participated in the negotiations. The UK supported the approach Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner took and their efforts in pursuit of a negotiated solution. While Mr Powell was not at the talks, it didnt mean he didnt know what was said in them. The New Labour veteran is understood to have struck up a friendship with Mr Witkoff, who considers him a trusted adviser on issues including Iran and Ukraine. The Telegraph saw the two men having breakfast together at Genevas InterContinental hotel on the morning of the talks. Mr Powell, alongside his team of advisers, remained at the hotel throughout that day. The US team was mediating talks between Ukraine and Russia in the same building. Jonathan Powell, 3rd left, and his team in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel in Geneva during the US-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks Reports suggesting that the British security chief believed a deal to avert war was possible were accurate, according to multiple sources briefed on the discussions. Advertisement Advertisement But Mr Powell did have reservations over whether any possible agreement would be palatable to Washington, one source said. The negotiations broke down when Tehran handed over a seven-page agreement, described by US officials as Swiss cheese because of how many holes were in it to Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner on the last day of talks. In the deal, which Tehran called a needs-based agreement, the regime pledged to enrich only enough uranium to run a civilian nuclear power station over the next 10 years. Tehran research reactor, which has been running for 59 years, was first thought to be a civil reactor used to build radio isotopes and create medicines for the nation. But in a Perry Mason moment, US negotiators are understood to have realised it was being used to enrich uranium to 20 per cent. Advertisement Advertisement This prompted fears in American intelligence that Iran could enrich uranium from 20 per cent to 90 per cent, considered weapons-grade, in as little as a month. They were approaching this negotiation, not really in the spirit of compromise, but in the spirit of defiance, a senior administration official said. In the hopes that Tehran was serious about building a civil nuclear programme, the US offered Iran free nuclear fuel for life, but it declined. A second senior Trump administration official said: We joked that even though we were in Switzerland, the proposal was like Swiss cheese. But this assessment was not shared by the Europeans or even some in the American intelligence community. Advertisement Advertisement One of the main points of contention is the timeline touted by the US for Iran to build a nuclear weapon. European assessments suggested Tehran was nowhere close to building a bomb and an intelligence source suggested that the American intelligence community didnt believe the threat was imminent. On Wednesday, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, said Irans nuclear enrichment programme was obliterated by the June 2025 attacks, in a written statement to the Senate intelligence committee. There has been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement One of her senior aides, Joe Kent, resigned in protest on Tuesday as director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, arguing that Tehran posed no imminent threat and that Israel had manipulated Mr Trump into joining the war. Joe Kent, Mr Trumps counterterrorism chief, resigned, arguing that Israel had manipulated the president into joining the war - Jenny Kane/AP In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Yvette Cooper signalled the UKs belief that talks should have continued. The UK did provide support for negotiations and diplomatic processes around the nuclear discussions, the Foreign Secretary said. We did think that was an important track and we did want it to continue. That is one of the reasons for the position we took on the initial US strikes that took place. Advertisement Advertisement Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, told the Bundestag on Wednesday that he would have advised against the war if he had been consulted on Mr Trumps plans. The lack of communication between Washington and its European allies appears to be at the heart of their refusal to answer White House calls for help to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane. Washingtons European allies have refused Mr Trumps pleas for help to unblock the Strait of Hormuz - Benoit Tessier/Reuters If you have not been involved in the take-off, can you be involved in the landing? a senior European diplomat told The Telegraph when asked whether the lack of communication had led to Nato countries holding back military support. At a meeting of EU foreign ministers earlier this week, envoys decided they had no appetite to send warships to join a US-led armada. A message being conveyed through backchannels between Brussels and Washington is that the bloc would get involved as soon as diplomatic processes resumed with Iran. At the moment, there is no process, and thats a big dilemma, a diplomat said. But I think the moment there is a process, we will be engaged. Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat, suggested on Tuesday that she had been spearheading efforts to find a way for Mr Trump to end the war and save face in discussions with Gulf states. But the concern in Brussels is that it is not yet clear who inside Irans regime has the authority to broker a deal that the Americans will accept. 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. As Cuba adopts a more belligerent tone following President Donald Trumps talk of taking the country, two tankers carrying Russian oil and gas are headed to the island, in defiance of de facto oil embargo the U.S. has imposed on the communist-run nation. Cuban leader Miguel Diaz Canel replied to repeated comments from Trumps about taking the island with a defiant message of his own, telling the United States that any aggression will be met with impregnable resistance. The U.S. publicly threatens Cuba almost daily with the forceful overthrow of its constitutional order, he said in a publication on X on Tuesday night, the first time he has specifically addressed the U.S. presidents comments about Cuba. Faced with the worst-case scenario, Cuba has one certainty: Any external aggressor will encounter an impregnable resistance. Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear if the change in tone by Diaz-Canel and other officials reflects not just Cubas leadership red lines about political changes but the chance that help might be on the way. Citing maritime tracking data, Jorge Pinon, an expert at the University of Texas at Austin who tracks oil shipments to Cuba, said that two tankers carrying Russian oil appear to be heading to Cuba. The Sea Horse is reported to be carrying approximately 200,000 barrels of Russian diesel fuel. Bloomberg reported that the Anatoly Kolodkin, under U.S sanctions, is carrying 700,000 barrels of Russian Urals crude oil. The Sea Horse is no longer drifting and it is moving at its own power at 9.9 knots, Pinon said. Our calculation shows that it would take her approximately five 5 days to reach Cubas north coast. Advertisement Advertisement At least two American warships are currently patrolling Cubas north coast, tracking sites show. If the tankers approach closer to the island, the Trump administration would need to decide whether to let the Russians provide Cuba with its first oil shipments in three months. The Trump administration cut off oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico to the country in an effort to bring Cuban leaders to the negotiating table. The oil shortages have worsened a severe economic crisis that has brought the country to the verge of collapse. Cubans have been protesting for 11 nights in a row, banging pots and pans during the night blackouts, including in the capital, Havana. After suggesting a friendly takeover of Cuba, President Trump said earlier this week that he might have the honor of taking Cuba, calling it a weakened nation. I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth, Trump told reporters at an event in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Cuba is now in a very bad shape. We will be doing something with Cuba very soon, Trump said at the White House on Tuesday at the top of a meeting with Irelands prime minister. Also in the room was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is leading U.S. talks with Cuba and gave the clearest sign that the administration wants to see Diaz-Canel stepping down from his formal position as president of the country. Speaking of the countrys economic problems, Rubio said Cuba doesnt get subsidies anymore, so they are in a lot of trouble, and the people there dont know how to fix it, so they have to get new people in charge. He also said measures announced Monday by a top Cuban official to allow Cubans abroad to own private enterprises and invest on the island are not dramatic enough to fix the ailing nations problems. That might have been the last straw for Diaz-Canel, who had been restrained in his anti-American rhetoric after admitting Friday for the first time that the two countries were having talks to find solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences between our two nations and move away from confrontation. On Wednesday evening, he blasted the United States for weakening the countrys economy through sanctions and using the countrys crisis as as an outrageous pretext in plans to seize the country, its resources, its properties, and even the very economy they seek to strangle into submission. Advertisement Advertisement Only in this way can we explain the fierce economic war being waged as collective punishment against the entire population, he said. The countrys foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, also weighed in on Wednesday evening. The US. threatens destroying the constitutional order and taking control of the country, he said in a publication on X in English. The collective punishment applied to us, Cubans, will not dent the full exercise of our sovereignty or our creativity in the face of the blockade and energy siege. He added: Every aggression of the empire will clash against the irreducible will of the Cuban people in the defense of the independence of the homeland. Cuba is set to receive its first energy shipments in months as vessels carrying Russian oil and gas are expected to arrive at its port early next week, the Financial Times (FT) reported on March 18. According to FT, citing maritime intelligence reports, the shipment, which are set to be delivered by the Hong Kong-flagged vessel Sea Horse, are expected to deliver 27,000 tonnes of Russian fuel in direct defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump's energy embargo on island nation. In January, Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency over the alleged "extraordinary threat" that Havana poses to the "to the national security and foreign policy of the United States." Advertisement Advertisement The de facto blockade ordered by Trump has exacerbated an energy crisis as the country contends with nationwide blackouts and fuel shortages. Initial Russian oil shipments are expected to arrive as early as March 23, FT reported, with an additional Russian-flagged vessel carrying 100,000 metric tons of crude oil expected to make landfall on April 4. The Russian shipments come as Trump has ramped up pressure against Havana in recent days, making veiled threat to seize control of the island. "I do believe Ill have the honor of taking Cuba," Trump said on March 16. The comments from the U.S. president drew stark criticism from Moscow, with Kremlin spokesperson Dimitry Peskov telling reporters on March 17 that Russia was "ready to provide all possible assistance" to Cuba, the Moscow Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has warned that countries supplying oil to Cuba could face U.S. tariffs, but with trade between Washington and Moscow severely limited since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it remains unclear what economic measures, if any, the U.S. could deploy to curb the shipments. The State Department did not respond to the Kyiv Independent's request for comment. In an effort to avoid international sanctions, Fox News reported that the vessels are using deceptive shipping tactics, including turning off the Automatic Identification System, to conceal and spoof its location. The tactics are consistent with methods used by vessels in Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers consisting of aging, underinsured tankers used to evade international sanctions on the Russian oil trade. Advertisement Advertisement Cuba and Russia have maintained close ties since the Cold War. Media reports suggest that upwards of 5,000 Cuban fighters are actively participating in fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Most recently, Cuba joined the Russian-led BRICS group as a partner country in October 2024. Read also: Iran seeking intelligence from Russia in war against US, CIA director says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Micropolis AI Robotics (NYSEAMERICAN:MCRP) is one of the best hot stocks to buy according to analysts. On March 3, Micropolis Robotics entered into a $9.3 million commercial agreement with AfricAI Limited to develop and distribute autonomous vehicle solutions across Africa. The 18-month development program focuses on creating three custom unmanned ground vehicle/UGV models specifically engineered for African climates and terrains. These platforms will be tailored for applications in police and public safety, agriculture, and border control missions. The partnership includes a multi-year distribution agreement granting AfricAI exclusive rights within the Economic Community of West African States/ECOWAS, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. AfricAI will market both the newly developed custom models and Micropoliss existing M-Patrol units. The rollout strategy includes real-environment pilot testing at selected sites to validate the technology before full-scale commercialization. This collaboration aims to accelerate the deployment of AI-driven robotics in high-growth regions where demand for intelligent automation is rising. Micropolis AI Robotics (NYSEAMERICAN:MCRP) leadership noted that the agreement is a strategic step toward international expansion, allowing the company to deliver localized support while strengthening its commercial footprint. The initiative also supports AfricAIs mission to scale sovereign, context-adapted AI capabilities throughout the continent. Micropolis AI Robotics (MCRP) Enters $9.3M Commercial Agreement with AfricAI Photo by carlos aranda on Unsplash Micropolis AI Robotics (NYSEAMERICAN:MCRP), together with its subsidiary, Micropolis Digital Development FZ-LLC, develops autonomous mobile robots/AMR in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. While we acknowledge the potential of MCRP 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. An Arkansas restaurant defended its decision to ask Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave its eatery, even after she accused the owner of forcing her out because employees felt threatened. Owners of the Little Rock-based restaurant, The Croissanterie, said they were placed in a difficult position when Sanders made a surprise visit on March 13 with two other women and the Arkansas Police Executive Protection Detail. Allowing her to stay risked being perceived as a lack of support for the community that makes up the majority of our team, as well as their families and friends. Conversely, asking her to leave could be viewed as denying service based on differing beliefs, The Croissanterie owners said in a statement, obtained by THV11. Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the restaurant owners allowed Sanders to finish her meal before passing a message to a member of her security detail to encourage the governor to conclude her visit. They said they passed another message 30 minutes later to remind her. But Sanders said in a Thursday statement that the restaurant owners said her presence made their employees feel threatened. She later recalled to The Daily Wire that a group in the restaurant shouted at her Its time to leave and gave her the middle finger. Owners of the Little Rock restaurant said they waited until the governor had finished her meal before asking her to leave (Getty Images) Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant didnt meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down, wrote Sanders, the daughter of Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and the current U.S. Ambassador to Israel. The Croissanterie admitted an individual made an inappropriate hand gesture, but said it was a customer, not an employee and they addressed the matter. They also denied suggestions that patrons applauded or disrupted Sanders. Advertisement Advertisement Owners said in the statement obtained by THV11 that they didnt recall any statement indicating that anyone felt threatened. The Independent has asked Sanders office and The Croissanterie for comment. Sanders office told Fox News Digital that she had been seated at the restaurant for roughly an hour and 15 minutes and had already paid when she was asked to leave. The Croissanterie owners said they chose to encourage Sanders to leave because they made the decision to support our employees and guests who expressed they were uncomfortable. We regret being placed in this position and having to make a difficult decision. However, we stand by our choice to support our employees and guests, the owners said. March 18 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will host a consultative meeting of foreign ministers from a number of Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh on Wednesday to discuss ways to support regional security and stability given the Iran war, the kingdom's foreign ministry said. A Turkish diplomatic source said separately that representatives from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates would attend the meeting. There are scant signs of de-escalation nearly three weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that has engulfed the region and caused unprecedented disruption to global energy supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who intends to visit other countries after Riyadh, will underline the need for a negotiated and peaceful end to the war, which if continued risks lasting damage to ties between regional countries, the diplomatic source said. NATO-member Turkey, which neighbours Iran, had sought to mediate between Iran and the United States before the war began. It has condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran as a violation of international law, and also criticised Iran's attacks on Gulf states as unacceptable. (Reporting by Enas Alashray, Ahmed Tolba and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Tom Hogue and Barbara Lewis) Gulf patience is not unlimited. This was the main takeaway from an overnight press briefing by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, after he hosted his counterparts from the Gulf and the wider region in Riyadh. The kingdom was under fire as they met, with the loud booms of intercepts heard near the hotel where they were meeting. While the Gulfs defense-first policy stands, the minister condemned Irans attacks on energy facilities, ports, airports, and cities, accusing Tehran of intentionally striking civilians. Irans targeting is something that was premeditated, preplanned, preorganised and well thought out, Prince Faisal said. He warned Tehran to recalculate quickly, but added he was doubtful they have that wisdom. The kingdom and its partners have very significant capabilities, he said, without elaborating on what measures Saudi could take. Riyadh is aiming for de-escalation through diplomatic pressure. With what little trust that was built with Tehran over the past few years shattered, Prince Faisal had a dour assessment of what the relationship will look like after the war. If Iran doesnt stop immediately, he said, there will be almost nothing that can reestablish that trust. Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has warned Iran that tolerance of its attacks on his country and those of neighbouring Gulf states is limited, calling on Tehran to immediately recalculate its strategy. Warning that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have very significant capacities and capabilities that could be drawn on should they choose to do so, the foreign minister told a news conference early on Thursday that Iran had carefully planned its strategy for striking regional neighbours, despite denials from Tehrans diplomats. The level of accuracy in some of this targeting you can see it in our neighbours as well as the kingdom indicates that this is something that was premeditated, preplanned, preorganised and well thought out, Prince Faisal said. Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to lay out what would and would not precipitate a defensive action by the Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] because I think that is not a wise approach to signal to the Iranians, the foreign minister continued. But I think its important for the Iranians to understand that the kingdom, but also its partners who have been attacked and beyond, have very significant capacities and capabilities that they could bring to bear should they choose to do so, he said. The patience that is being exhibited is not unlimited. Do they [the Iranians] have a day, two, a week? Im not going to telegraph that, he added. I would hope they understand the message of the meeting today and recalculate quickly and stop attacking their neighbours. But I am doubtful they have that wisdom. Advertisement Advertisement Prince Faisals warning followed a meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries in the Saudi capital earlier in the day to discuss the expanding war in the region, which on Wednesday saw Iranian attacks on Gulf energy sites, including Qatars Ras Laffan gas facility, where significant damage was reported, and the United Arab Emirates Habshan gas facility. Qatars Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Iranian attack targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City, located 80km (50 miles) northeast of the Qatari capital Doha, which is the worlds largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility, producing some 20 percent of the worlds LNG supply. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had warned earlier that oil and gas facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE would face retaliation for an Israeli strike on Irans South Pars gasfield. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian state media reported that facilities linked to the countrys huge offshore South Pars field located off the coast of southern Irans Bushehr province had come under attack. Saudi Arabias Ministry of Defence also said on Wednesday that its air defences had intercepted four Iranian ballistic missiles that targeted Riyadh and two launched towards the countrys eastern region. Air defences in the UAE dealt with 13 ballistic missiles and 27 drones, according to the countrys Defence Ministry, while operations were suspended at the Habshan gas facility as authorities responded to incidents caused by fallen debris after the successful interception of a missile. The Saudi foreign minister also told the news conference on Thursday that while the war will end one day, it will take much longer to restore relations with Iran as trust has completely been shattered due to Tehrans tactics of targeting its neighbours. Advertisement Advertisement We know for a fact that Iran has been building this strategy over the last decade and beyond, Prince Faisal said. This is not something that is a reaction to an evolving circumstance where Iran is improvising. This has been built into their war planning: targeting their neighbours and using that to try and put pressure on the international community, he said. So when this war eventually ends, in order for there to be any rebuilding of trust, it will take a long time. And I have to tell you, if Iran doesnt stop immediately, I think there will be almost nothing that can re-establish that trust, he added. "It's kind of been a roller coaster of emotions," said Planada Elem. School District, Superintendent Jose L. Gonzalez. In light of Tuesday's bombshell sexual abuse allegations against farm labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, communities across Central California are grappling with what to do next. In Planada, the Elementary School District includes the Cesar E. Chavez Middle School, a site home to 300 students. Advertisement Advertisement Superintendent Gonzalez says all options are being considered, including rescheduling its March 31 Cesar E. Chavez Day of Celebration. "We have images and likenesses adorned all throughout campus," said Superintendent Gonzalez. Gonzalez says he wants the district to avoid being over-reactionary, including the removal of any of those images. Other institutions are taking a more immediate approach. RELATED: Live continuing coverage of allegations against Cesar Chavez On Wednesday, hours after the New York Times investigation was published with detailed accounts from survivors who allege the late UFW co-founder abused "young women or minors," the Cesar Chavez statue at Fresno State was covered by a black cloth. Advertisement Advertisement The decision was made by the President of the university. "It's a surreal moment," said Branden Sandoval, a Fresno State senior. The City of Fresno responded as Chavez's name and likeness appears on more than 200 street signs as well as local parks, libraries, and schools. Council member Miguel Arias supports the removal of all street signs, replacing each with previous signage. "Fortunately, we still have the signs. Some of them will have to be replaced and there will be a cost, but we are willing to endure that cost," said City of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. The allegations involving the leader of the UFW hit close to home for those in the community of Planada, where many farm laborers continue to see the benefits today as a result of the decades-old movement. Advertisement Advertisement "The movement has been larger than any one individual. We see the signs of the impact of the good as drive through our fields on the way to Planada," said Superintendent Gonzalez. For news updates, follow Christina Lopez on Facebook, X and Instagram. Mar. 18SCOTLAND, S.D. After several years of uncertainty and turnover, Family and Consumer Sciences classes are not only back at Scotland School District they're evolving. In just two years, teacher Tia Smith has rebuilt the FCS program, expanding course offerings, introducing hands-on projects and placing a strong emphasis on career exploration for students. "The very core of what we teach is career education," Smith said. "Hopefully they see that there are more careers out there than just simply the cookie-cutter ones we think of." Advertisement Advertisement The program had previously been closed for a period of time and struggled with consistency before Smith's arrival. Since then, she has added four new classes Interior Design, Fashion Design, Intro to Hospitality and Food Concepts while continuing to teach traditional skills like cooking, knife safety and child development. The expansion gives students in the small district exposure to a wider range of practical life skills and potential career paths. "I think they need that break from core," Smith said. "We're still learning, we're still researching things, discussing things, but to have that break from a core class and then it also might lead them into a path where they go into marketing or something else they haven't thought about." Smith brings a different perspective to the classroom. She previously taught in a much larger middle school in Lincoln, Nebraska, and said the smaller setting has allowed her to make lessons more personal and interactive. Advertisement Advertisement She emphasizes connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications, encouraging students to think about how skills learned in class could translate into careers like running a boutique, marketing products or starting an online business an approach that comes to life through hands-on projects. In her Fashion Design class, students explore how clothing can communicate messages. Using examples from events like the Olympics, presidential inaugurations and red carpets, Smith encourages discussions about professionalism, body positivity and how people are often judged based on what they wear. "Even when we're not intending it to, sometimes what we're wearing does send a message," Smith said. "Are you judging someone based off what they're wearing? What image are you trying to convey?" Those conversations led directly into one of the class's most popular projects designing and creating their own T-shirts. Advertisement Advertisement Students were first asked to sketch a design with a clear message. Without initially knowing they would create the shirts, they focused on meaning and intent before moving into production. Once the designs were finalized, they used Cricut Design Space software to refine their ideas, experimenting with fonts, layouts and sizing before cutting the designs into vinyl and applying them to shirts. "When they started playing around in Design Space, they were having so much fun," Smith said. "When it was done and they peeled the plastic off and they held it up, they were like, 'Oh my gosh.'" Smith said she was surprised by the direction students took with their designs. Advertisement Advertisement "I was very surprised they all chose a very positive, upbeat message," she said. "I was kind of expecting something trendy or cheesy, but when they all did something motivational and positive thinking, I really liked that." Senior Savanah Meng created a shirt that read "Anything is possible," a message she said helps keep her motivated. The design reflects a mindset she tries to carry into her daily life and future goals, encouraging persistence and confidence. "I hope that they think about it deep down and achieve the goals they have dreamed of," Meng said. Sophomore Dorothy Flynn and Sierra Vis each approached their designs with more personal reflection, drawing from their own experiences and perspectives. Flynn focused on the idea of overthinking, while Vis used humor to communicate a message about resilience. Advertisement Advertisement Flynn's shirt reads "Overthinking solves nothing," a phrase she connected to her own habits and growth over time. Vis, meanwhile, designed a shirt that reads, "It's okay to fall apart, tacos fall apart, and we still love them," using a lighthearted comparison to address a serious message. The design, she said, was meant to remind others that struggles are normal. "I hope they take from it that it's okay to not be okay all the time," Vis said. "The important thing is to pick yourself back up." Beyond the finished products, the project pushed students to think more deeply about what their clothing communicates something many hadn't previously considered. Advertisement Advertisement Flynn said she began to recognize how often people form opinions based on appearance. "A lot of the time, you can gauge the mood or the opinions a high schooler has based on what they wear," she said. "This project definitely made me think more about the message I am putting off." Beyond fashion, Smith is also introducing students to industries they may not have considered before. In her Intro to Hospitality class, students were challenged to come up with a list of 50 things to do in South Dakota a task students initially thought was impossible. The class ultimately built the list together, discovering far more options than they expected. The project, Smith said, helped students better understand the importance of tourism in South Dakota and opened their eyes to opportunities close to home. Advertisement Advertisement Across all classes, Smith said her goal is to create an environment where students can learn practical skills while also enjoying the process. "At the end of the day, I hope that they're able to have fun in the class while getting something for their future," she said. As the program continues to grow, she is also working to build interest among younger students through a middle school exploratory course, helping introduce those opportunities earlier. MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Governor Phil Scott and Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison say they are standing by the actions state and local police took one week ago when ICE agents raided a home in South Burlington, detaining three people in the end. At a State House news conference Wednesday afternoon, Scott and Morrison argued police were there to protect protesters and ICE agents from each other and to uphold the rule of law, and their actions prevented tensions from getting much worse. The news conference became heated during a few moments, where the governor and commissioner took issue with some questions being asked by reporters. (ICE) had a warrant from a federal judge to enter the building, do you agree? Governor Scott asked one reporter who was questioning him about state polices role in removing protesters who were in ICEs way. And do you agree that we cant impede a federal action? What choice did we have? Advertisement Advertisement ICE detainee will remain in custody after Tuesday hearing The pair stood firm in their answers, saying when Vermont State Police walked up to the front door of the house, pushing and pulling protesters out of the way, they were doing it to protect everyone who was there, both protesters and ICE agents alike. They said it was a difficult but important role to play, knowing other ICE raids and anti-ICE riots around the country have turned deadly. We chose to protect the ICE agents from the protesters and the protesters from the ICE agents, because we knew, as I just said to you, that they were going in, come hell or high water, and we have seen in other parts of the country that if we withdrew, ICE would have used other tactics to break through the crowd, Morrison said. South Burlington Police Chief on ICE operation: not how we would do things Advertisement Advertisement Knowing there likely will be more ICE operations and protests in Vermont in the near future, Scott and Morrison said their teams are investigating and reviewing everything that happened, and will hold local and state police officers who acted out of line accountable. They also said theyll be in touch with federal officials about what transpired, and hope to get warning ahead of future operations, although ICE did not show them that kind of courtesy one week ago. We want to make sure in the future, because theres going to be, probably, future events, we want to make sure that we keep protesters, who want to be there peacefully, safe, Scott said. Much more on the situation and ensuing investigations will be unpacked at the State House Thursday, as Morrison and leaders of all involved state and local police agencies will be going in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions and discuss what theyve learned in their investigations so far. ABC22 & FOX44 will have full coverage of the hearing Thursday night. 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. A restaurant in Boston is closing weeks after its employees voted to unionize. Seamark Seafood & Cocktails, which opened in the hotel lobby of Encore Boston Harbor less than two years ago, will shut its doors at the end of March and lay off 56 workers, according to Unite Here Local 26. The "pier-to-plate" restaurant offers seafood dishes such as tuna tartare, grilled swordfish, double clam chowder and raw local oysters, according to its menu. A hidden speakeasy, dubbed Old Wives' Tale, is located inside. Advertisement Advertisement Carver Road Hospitality, which operates Seamark, did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Thursday, March 12. Encore directed any inquiries to Carver Road but provided a brief statement, pointing toward financial issues as the reason for the closure. "In order for any business to look after their employees, their revenue needs to exceed their expenses. Consequently, we respect the right of Seamark to make a decision that it believes is in the best interest of its business," Encore Boston Harbor said. Exterior river view of Encore Boston Harbor. Photo by Barbara Kraft. In February, Seamark employees voted 38-7 to join Local 26, which represents about 14,000 hospitality workers in the Boston region. They had not yet begun bargaining for their first contract when they were notified of the closure, said Carlos Aramayo, the union's president. Seamark workers who voted to unionize sought affordable health care and pay comparable to what Encore's unionized employees earn, Local 26 said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement In case you missed it: What is workplace culture? What it means and why it matters for you In a phone interview, Aramayo said Carver Road "ran a very aggressive anti-union campaign," which included a website called SeamarkElectionInfo.com. The website outlined the voting process and encouraged staff members to "do your own research and ask tough questions of both sides." "Union organizers are permitted by law to make broad claims about what they might be able to accomplish on your behalf. They are not required to support these claims with evidence or facts," the website said. "Conversely, Seamark managers are not permitted to make any promises about what we might or might not do if you vote YES or NO for UNITE HERE." "While we are limited in what we are allowed to say, we can assure you that transitioning from a non-union to a union environment has a significant impact on any organization. This would be especially true at Seamark," the website continued. Advertisement Advertisement Staff members ultimately voted for the union, and 10 days after the votes were certified, the restaurant announced its upcoming closure, Local 26 said. Kim Vasquez, a server at Seamark, said she has "no idea" how she will continue making money for herself and her family when the restaurant closes. "Less than a month ago, I was with my co-workers listening to them sing me 'Happy Birthday' as we celebrated our vote to unionize. I could see a better future for my co-workers, my family, and my dad, who I am the primary caregiver for," Vasquez said in a statement. "I can't believe Carver Road and Seamark didn't allow us to come to the table and partner in ways to make this restaurant the best it can be for all of us." Union wants Encore to 'step in' to 'uphold basic labor standards' Aramayo said Sinatra, the restaurant that previously occupied the space, was unionized, and that Encore has the capacity to "step in" and take over operations at Seamark. Advertisement Advertisement "There's an opportunity here for Encore Boston Harbor to do the right thing," Aramayo said in an interview. "It's a space that they've operated before, and they could operate it again starting tomorrow." In a statement, Aramayo said the union trusted the casino when it said it wanted to bring thousands of jobs to the area. Now, he "can't help but notice they've not gotten there, and the jobs continue to be cut when the workers unionize." "If Carver Road and its partners cannot, or will not, uphold basic labor standards for its tenants, we believe they are failing in their responsibility to the community," he continued. The state's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has not received a WARN notice, but said its staff has been in contact with the company to support impacted workers. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Boston hotel restaurant closes after union election, cutting 56 jobs OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) KFOR spoke with Sen. James Lankford on Wednesday morning, discussing the SAVE Act, which includes restrictions on voting and voter registration, and the importance of protecting the ability of married women to vote, as well as the security of Oklahomas elections. We want all Americans to vote, Lankford said. We asked him specifically about the SAVE Act. Its a federal push for more restrictions on voting and voter registration. This includes proving you are a U.S. citizen and doing away with some mail-in ballots. Advertisement Advertisement There are also worries that the act would keep some, specifically women, from being able to vote because they have taken their husbands last names. So yes, we want to make sure that married women that have had a name change on that to be able to do that same process. Its part of the amendment process that were working through now to be able to protect the ability to be able to have mail-in ballots that are verified and also voter ID, Lankford said. Sen. Lankford joins News 4 for interview ahead of Mullin confirmation hearing At one point, he commented on people telling judges they couldnt serve on juries since they werent U.S. citizens, but that same person was still listed on the voter rolls. Advertisement Advertisement In Oklahoma, not long ago, we purged the voter rolls and separated out people that went to jury duty and, at jury duty, went to the judge and, under oath, said, Hey, I cant serve on a jury because Im not a citizen of the United States, so they were excused from jury duty. But then, when they were checked, that same name against the voter rolls, they were registered to vote. If someone gives an under oath, theyre not a citizen, but theyre also registered to vote, we take their name away. This is happening. Its not something thats fake, Lankford said when talking about the SAVE Act on Wednesday morning. It should be noted that there is an Oklahoma statute that requires this voter list maintenance, among other procedures. Dating back to when that law went into effect in October 2023, state records show 40 names were removed after jury duty dismissal. Mind you, thats out of over 2 million registered voters statewide. By the way, our elections in Oklahoma are very secure, Lankford said. Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of the State Election Board Paul Ziriax sent News 4 a statement that can be read in full below. It is a serious crime for an unqualified applicant to lie under oath to register to vote in Oklahoma. Even though the number of violations is small, we have successfully utilized the laws enacted by the State Legislature to catch these individuals and refer them to federal and state prosecutors. The process you are asking about is in addition to the other robust voter list maintenance procedures that are regularly conducted by election officials. Paul Ziriax, State Election Board Secretary Nationally, the Deptartment of Justice has requested access to election records across the country. They have sued states that wont hand it over, including Oklahoma. According to the publication Democracy Docket, of the states that have handed over voter registration and roll information, the DOJ found dozens of instances of non-citizen voting, but thats out of nearly 700 million votes that were cast in the last 5 national elections. It should also be noted that jurors can be selected by voter lists, but they can also be selected by drivers licenses and state I-D lists as well. The Brennan Center for Justice did some research on non-citizen voting as well, which can be found here. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. MADISON - The Senate failed to take up legislation addressing the state's land conservation program, likely spelling the end of the popular Knowles-Nelson program after nearly four decades. In its final meeting on March 17, the Senate did not vote on any of the proposals put forward to reauthorize the program, which is scheduled to end in June. For years, Knowles-Nelson has enjoyed bipartisan support, but has become more politicized in recent years thanks to high-profile land buys, a controversial state Supreme Court ruling, and disagreements between politicians over how much land the state should be able to purchase and conserve. Advertisement Advertisement "It was definitely surprising and disappointing," said Charles Carlin, director of strategic initiatives for the conservation advocacy group Gathering Waters. "(That) was certainly our best opportunity to go ahead and just get something done and get a compromise across the finish line." In an attempt to force a vote on the program, Sen. Jodi Haybush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, attempted to attach a one-year extension to a bill outlining guidance for the Department of Natural Resources for selling land near egg farms to prevent the spread of the avian flu. Republicans promptly shut down the attempt. Habush Sinykin said that by blocking Knowles-Nelson, Senate Republicans were not heeding their constituents. "As a new legislator, I had this expectation that legislators would be responsive to their constituents not only in their own district, but around the state and respond when they are being called upon to take actions that are top of mind for our citizenry," she said in an interview. "And Knowles-Nelson is definitely one of those issues." Advertisement Advertisement There is potential that both the Assembly and the Senate comes back again for floor sessions to vote on a tax bill, and Habush Sinykin hopes that issues like Knowles-Nelson will also be added to the agenda. A spokesperson for Gov. Tony Evers said he remains optimistic that a deal can be reached to save the program. Democrats see Senate inaction as an election issue Democrats say if they claim the majority of the chamber in the November elections they would work to revive the program next year. Republicans currently have an 18-15 majority in the Senate. Democrats would need to pick up two seats to take the majority. "Knowles-Nelson is definitely a priority of the Democratic caucus, and it will be top of mind," she said. "Constituents are counting on us to get this done for them and their communities." Advertisement Advertisement The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program named for conservation-minded Wisconsin governors Warren Knowles, a Republican, and Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat began in 1989 and has been renewed each decade. It uses borrowing to pay for purchases to conserve land, easements to protect land against development and projects such as ramps, trails and bridges that help the public access public lands. The program has led to the conservation of projects such as the Pelican River Forest near Rhinelander, which consists of 50,000 acres, and the Wild Rivers Legacy Forest involving more than 64,000 acres in Florence, Forest and Marinette counties. Republicans say Knowles-Nelson lacks checks and balances But in recent years, the program has become politicized, particularly following a 2024 state Supreme Court ruling that blocked the use of secretive anonymous objections by lawmakers on the legislature's powerful Joint Finance Committee. Since then, Republicans have expressed frustration over the decision and said that reauthorizing the program would require stronger checks and balances to give legislators more ability to weigh in on large land purchases or investments. Advertisement Advertisement The program has been hotly debated in both houses since last summer, when Evers included a 10-year reauthorization in his budget. The Republican-led Joint Finance Committee removed that proposal and declined to include the stewardship program in the budget at all, setting a timer on the program. The Assembly passed a bill in January that would strip out funding for land purchases and put heavy requirements on conservation nonprofits. In mid-February, the Senate sent the bill back to committee, indicating disagreement over how to keep the program alive. Since then, bill author Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, was working to get a version of the legislation to advance. Testin did not respond to a request for comment on the Senate's lack of a vote on March 18. Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X @SchulteLaura. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's Knowles-Nelson stewardship program likely ending Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) is one of the Cheap Stocks to Buy for High Returns in 2026. On March 5, Morgan Stanley reiterated an Overweight rating on the stock with a $93 price target. Analysts at Morgan Stanley noted that the CEO of the company has emphasized on the role of AI in simplifying operations, speeding up product development, and boosting internal efficiency. The firm noted that this aligns with their view that AI improvements combined with faster growth and larger total addressable market lead to upside in earnings per share. Moreover, the firm also noted that Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) has worked on expanding its Cash App offerings since early 2025. In Q4 2025 alone, the consumer lending originations improved 69% year-over-year, along with 223% year-over-year increase in Cash App Borrow. Morgan Stanley noted that the company is well positioned to handle any disruptions despite reducing its organization by 40%. Moreover, the revamped products and development processes are already contributing to revenue acceleration and profitability gains. Block Inc (NYSE:XYZ) is an American technology company that provides an array of financial services to merchants and consumers. Through its Square unit, it offers devices and software for checkout counters. It also offers loans and mines Bitcoin. While we acknowledge the potential of XYZ 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. The Senate defeated legislation aimed at halting the U.S. military campaign against Iran, the second unsuccessful attempt to rein in President Donald Trump as the conflict nears the three-week mark. The 47-53 vote Wednesday on the Democratic-led bid to require congressional approval to continue the military campaign is identical to a vote that failed earlier this month. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has tangled with the administration on Iran and other foreign interventions, was the lone Republican to side with Democrats while Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) opposed the effort. Republican unity in the face of another politically fraught vote shows Trump still commands ample support from his party to wage the war, at least for now. Most GOP lawmakers have been willing to grant Trump latitude despite questions about the administrations shifting rationale for the intervention and fallout that has seen Iran close off the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic chokepoint for oil shipments in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats have signaled theyll force more votes, potentially tying up Republicans agenda in the Senate, unless top Trump administration officials come to publicly make the case for the war to lawmakers. "We are going to keep forcing them again and again and again, as much as they hate it, to have to vote on this until we finally get, in public, the answers ... Americans deserve, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), one of leaders of the effort, during a forum with liberal advocacy group VoteVets ahead of the vote. Democrats contend that Trump is waging an illegal war and that the administration hasnt adequately made the case to Congress or the public. Theyve demanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio testify at public hearings to explain the rationale for striking Iran, the end goals for the conflict and details on its cost. A cadre of Democrats led by Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Kaine filed six separate measures to end U.S. military involvement in Iran. Those measures are privileged, meaning the sponsors can force expedited votes that bypass the Senates typical 60-vote threshold to advance bills. Advertisement Advertisement Those senators contend that the consequences of the war including 13 U.S. troops killed, a multi-billion-dollar cost for military operations and rising gas prices will force some Republicans to reconsider their support if the conflict, which is already unpopular according to polling, drags on. "Maybe they won't change their votes, Murphy said before the vote. But this war doesn't get more popular as the days go on. Their explanations don't get easier to understand as the days go on. Less people don't get killed. More people get killed." But if Republicans are feeling the political heat over the conflict, most didnt vote as such. Senate Intelligence Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and other top Republicans assailed the measure, arguing that it would prevent Trump from finishing the task of degrading Irans military capabilities and would abandon Israel, which is striking Iran alongside the U.S. "Iran is not Afghanistan and Iran is not Iraq, Cotton said on the Senate floor. No one has a crystal to predict how long military operations might last, President Trump has an exceptional track record of using target and discriminant military force to achieve concrete and defined missions." Democrats havent signaled how soon theyll force another Iran vote. But Wednesdays push had the effect of sidetracking, albeit briefly, the Senates work on the GOP-backed SAVE America Act, a bill that would implement federal requirements for photo ID to vote and limit mail-in and early ballots that is a top priority for Trump. Four of Democrats remaining five Iran resolutions are now eligible for votes under war powers procedures, which allow votes 10 days after they are introduced. March 19 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans have blocked a Democrat-led effort to curb President Donald Trump's powers to wage war against Iran, as the nearly three-week-old conflict escalates and rattles global energy markets. The Senate voted 53-47 mostly along party lines Wednesday night to reject a resolution that would withdraw U.S. armed forces from conflict with Iran absent congressional approval. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to join his Democratic colleagues and vote in favor of the motion, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only member of his caucus to vote against it. Advertisement Advertisement "We do not have a king. We are a democratic republic with a constitution and no one is above the law," Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.Y., said Wednesday from the Senate floor before the vote. "This president cannot take us to war without coming through this body. He is not able to do that unless this body supplicates itself before that man and surrenders its responsibilities." Senate Democrats forced the vote on the resolution that Booker sponsored as the conflict escalated on Wednesday, with Iran attacking Persian Gulf energy facilities in retaliation for Israel striking its South Pars gas field. Thirteen American service members have been killed, and another 200 have been wounded so far in the conflict, which is threatening to become a regional war as Iran has retaliated by attacking U.S. bases and its allies in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats of both chambers of Congress have been attempting to rein in Trump's war powers through resolutions since the war with Iran began late last month. They argue the United States' ongoing war with Iran violates the Constitution, which mandates that only Congress has the power to declare war. The conflict has also seen the cost of oil surge. On Thursday, Brent crude reached nearly $110 a barrel, up from an average $71 before the war began on Feb. 28. Wednesday's vote is the third time -- and the second by the Senate -- that the majority Republicans have blocked war powers motions. From the floor, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "Enough is enough." Advertisement Advertisement "To my Republican colleagues: The American people are watching. They oppose this war. They expect us to do our jobs," he said. "No more senseless wars in the Middle East. No more gas prices shooting through the roof. No more U.S. service members fighting and dying for in endless wars." Though the war has exposed fissures in the Republican Party, its members still mostly stand behind the president, who campaigned on ending conflicts and warning Americans that the Democrats would wage war with Iran if they won the White House. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally, argued on the Senate floor that the war is intended to prevent Iran from securing a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement He said during the prior negotiations the United States offered Iran what he called "a lifetime fuel supply for free" if the Islamic regime agreed to hand over its cache of highly enriched uranium. It is believed that Iran had enriched uranium to 60%, according to a recent International Atomic Energy Agency report, which is below weapons grade enrichment at 90%. Graham compared the Islamic regime of Iran to Nazi Germany. "If you do not see this as an imminent threat, then you're blind from your hatred of Trump," he said. "There are people on the left and people in my own party that are more afraid of Trump being successful than the Ayatollah having a nuclear weapon. That's sick." CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Around 100 residents at the Oaks at Charleston senior living facility are scrambling to find a new place to live after just learning their center is closing on April 10, 2026. The move is forcing residents, many of whom rely on daily professional care, to find a new and comfortable home. However, residents say more could have been done to ease the transition. Dorothea Ravencamp recently moved into the Oaks at Charleston, a place she says she quickly became comfortable and settled. Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be hard, Ravencamp said. For some people, its a lot harder than for me. And Ive settled in, but some of these people, its more their life than it has been mine. I thought mine would end here. Others, like Abby Firestine, say shes been working quickly to find a new assisted living facility for her father. I wasnt able to find anything for my dad in West Ashley, Firestine said. So we have to go over to Mount Pleasant, which isnt convenient, but thankfully well find somewhere to go. According to South Carolina state regulation 60-84, community residential care facilities must provide formal written notice at least 30 days out. The Oaks at Charleston is defending against the claim, saying they provided all of their residents and family members with a 30-day notice. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the Oaks at Charleston executive director Detra Summers said: Our team has initiated written notifications, direct outreach, and in-person meetings with residents and families. We are continuing to collaborate closely with all parties to ensure communication is clear, timely, and aligned with applicable requirements, while focusing on supporting residents through a safe transition. Advocates for these residents say a transition as sudden and demanding as this can be difficult. Giving them no time to find somewhere else to go, elder abuse attorney at Hughey Law Firm Nathan Hughey said. Our state law does provide extensive protections for these types of situations. And as a condition of getting their license, the Oaks is responsible for the well-being and safety of the residents here. Other advocates, like Joshua Long, who founded Senior Resource Specialists with his wife four years ago, are speaking up. They focus on helping seniors transition to these retirement communities. He says cost can also be a major burden for these residents in this situation. Advertisement Advertisement There are dozens of senior living communities in the Charleston area, and the price points range all over the place, Long said. So, somebody who is paying a certain rate here isnt going to benefit from going to a community that costs twice as much, when theyre already panicking, and theyre against the clock. Despite the short timeline, Summers continued in her statement to say theyre continuing to support residents: Our immediate priority is ensuring that every resident is supported through a safe, thoughtful, and well-coordinated transition. The communities continue to operate, and residents are continuing to receive the care and services they depend on. The facility will remain open until April 10 to provide this essential care. Residents tell News 2 that several local senior living centers have spoken with residents and staff at Oaks of Charleston about possibly bringing them into their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Watervilles George J. Mitchell Elementary School has become the center of a community debate over its name, as officials move to remove the former U.S. senators name following renewed scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The Waterville School Board voted this month to drop Mitchells name from the school after newly released Epstein-related court documents showed his name more than 300 times. It was a gut punch. I think that's the best way to describe it, said parent Larkin Silverman, who has a kindergartener at the school. Advertisement Advertisement Silverman and other parents and residents raised concerns about continuing to use Mitchells name. Mitchell has denied any knowledge of Epsteins criminal activity and has never been charged with or linked to child sex abuse. What message are we telling our children if theyre walking into a building named for someone who is okay to overlook their own victimization and exploitation? Silverman said. Superintendent Peter Hallen said the boards decision is not about making a legal judgment, but about reflecting community values. Even though this was a complicated and emotional issue, everyone involved shared their thoughts respectfully and really listened to each other, Hallen said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement The school will return to its original name, Brookside Elementary School. It was renamed for Mitchell in 1995. The conversation is also going beyond Waterville. At the University of Maine, officials are reviewing programs and centers that bear Mitchells name, including a peace scholarship that supports students studying U.S.-Ireland relations and a sustainability research center. University of Maine System spokesperson Samantha Warren said the system has initiated a task force inclusive of faculty, staff and student members to review and make recommendations regarding institutional naming and honors associated with Mitchell. Advertisement Advertisement In Islesboro, officials with the Maine Department of Transportation said they are re-evaluating plans to name a new ferry after Mitchell. The process that resulted in the naming of the vessel now known as the M/V George J. Mitchell took place in 2023 and 2024, but the vessel is still in the planning and design phase and has not been formally christened, said Andrew Gobeil, director of communications for MaineDOT. The developments reflect a broader conversation across Maine about how Mitchells name is used in public spaces. I really hope it sends the message that their safety matters, and that were capable of having hard conversations, Silverman said. Advertisement Advertisement Hallen hopes the name change to Brookside Elementary will take effect by the start of the next school year. For more local stories, continue with us on our NEWS CENTER Maine+ streaming app. For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app. A man arrested in 2024 for allegedly raping and brutally murdering a woman in 1984 has been charged for a second, similar cold case that happened four years prior. On March 13, 68-year-old Mitchell Gaff was charged with the 1980 rape and murder of then-21-year-old Susan Vesey. Gaff was 22 when he allegedly committed the crime. According to court documents, Vesey was found by her husband, tied up and beaten, on the morning after her 21st birthday in her home off Casino Way in Everett. Vesey was a mom of two children under the age of two, with her youngest being only three months old. Advertisement Advertisement Her children were not hurt in her attack, court docs said. Veseys case went cold and remained unsolved until recently. Gaff was already incarcerated in 2024 for the rape and murder of 42-year-old Judy Weaver. Between June 1 and June 2, 1984, someone entered Weavers home and attacked her. She was found bound, beaten, and strangled. She had also been raped, court docs said. Court documents say her attacker took batteries out of her smoke alarm and tried to set fire to her apartment in an apparent effort to destroy evidence. In both cases, DNA samples had been taken from both victims, even though the technology was not as high-tech as it is today for testing, court docs said. The samples were stored to be tested at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement In November 2023, a detective investigating Weavers case sent the DNA sample out and finally got a match: Gaff, court docs say. According to court documents, his DNA was in the system at that time following a 1984 conviction for the rape and torture of two teen sisters inside their home. He was arrested and charged in May of 2024 for Weavers death. The detective working her case also noticed similarities with where and how both Weaver and Vesey were found, and tested Gaffs DNA against the sample found at Veseys home, court documents say. According to court documents, that, too, was a match. Court docs say that to date, there is no evidence that Gaff knew either Weaver or Vesey, and that there wouldnt be any innocent reason as to why his DNA was at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Gaff remains in Snohomish County Jail and has additionally been charged with aggravated first-degree murder and first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in Veseys death. Those same charges have been filed against him for Weavers death. According to court documents, one doctor who evaluated Gaff deemed him a sexual sadist, and he was given a designation of sexually violent predator by the state of Washington in 1994 and 2000. He is currently being held on no bail. The families of service members killed in the Middle East sought privacy during the dignified transfer of their remains in the aftermath of one of President Donald Trumps grim cash grabs. Trump, 79, traveled to the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday to honor the six military members who died last week after a refueling tanker crashed in western Iraq, raising the death toll of American troops in the Iran war to at least 13. Fox News John Roberts said during the days broadcast of America Reports that the troops kin asked for the transfer to remain private, banning cameras from capturing Trump welcoming the fallen service members back home. REUTERS The six service members killed on March 12 have been identified by the Pentagon as Maj. John Klinner, 33; Capt. Ariana Savino, 31; Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34; Capt. Seth Koval, 38; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28. They were from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington state. Advertisement Advertisement It marked the second time that Trump attended the solemn military ritual since waging war on Iran last month. The second dignified transfer notably had more muted coverage. Though the White House did share photos of the solemn ceremony on X. The White House posted a photo from the dignified transfer after the families of the fallen soldiers requested no media. / Screenshot/The White House/X In the post, the president was named first. The accompanying image showed Trump saluting and soldiers carrying a coffin. The request from families followed Trumps controversial appearance during the dignified transfer of six other service members last week, when he wore a white hat embroidered with USA in gold as coffins covered in American flags were solemnly carried from an aircraft to a waiting vehicle in Dover. President Donald Trump, in a gold-embroidered baseball hat from his own merch collection, attends the dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command. / Nathan Howard / REUTERS Trump stands without bowing his head. Vice President JD Vance follows his bosss lead. / Nathan Howard / REUTERS Trump doubled down on the shocking display of disrespect by later using images of himself from that dignified transfer to beg for cash from supporters. Advertisement Advertisement A MAGA PAC named Never Surrender Inc. used a shot of Trump saluting one of the coffins to promote a private newsletter group receiving national security briefings. This is President Donald J. Trump, the email read. For the very first time ever, Im opening up spots on the National Security Briefing Membership. Very few spots remaining! Commentators noted the poor design choice of the The email linked to a website by Never Surrender Inc. that seeks contributions of as much as $1,000 and beyond to support the MAGA agenda. Trump proceeded to triple down on the controversy by snapping at a reporter who confronted him about it on Sunday. Your PAC put out a fundraising email a couple of days ago, and its being criticized for using official White House photos of you at the dignified transfer, a female reporter began, before being cut off by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Well, I was at the dignified transfer, unlike a lot of people, he said. Do you think its an appropriate email to send? the reporter pressed. Yeah, I do, Trump replied. I didnt see it. I mean, somebody puts it up. We have a lot of people working for us. After learning that the reporter was with ABC News, the president fumed at the outlet as one of the worst, most fake, most corrupt organizations. I think theyre terrible. I dont want any more from ABC, he said as he moved on to take questions from another reporter. Later in the same press gaggle, another reporter asked Trump for comment on the six service members who were killed. Advertisement Advertisement The president ignored the question and said, Who else? to the other journalists. Trump did not attend a dignified transfer for one service member killed in an Iranian attack on an air base in Saudi Arabia. His schedule and press pool reports showed that he was traveling back to Washington, D.C. from Florida at the time. By Daria Sito-Sucic LJUBLJANA, March 19 (Reuters) - Slovenia holds a parliamentary election on Sunday in which liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob will face off against pro-Donald Trump populist Janez Jansa after a combative campaign marred by accusations of foreign meddling and government graft. Opinion polls vary but analysts predict a tight race between Jansa's Slovene Democratic Party (SDS) and Golob's Freedom Movement (GS), with neither looking likely to win a majority in the 90-seat parliament. The outcome may be determined by smaller coalition partners. Advertisement Advertisement At stake is the domestic and foreign agenda of the European Union and NATO member state of 2 million people, which gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Under Golob, Slovenia was one of the few European countries to recognise an independent Palestinian state and last year imposed an arms embargo on Israel amid its Gaza bombing campaign. That policy would likely change under pro-Israel former prime minister Jansa, who is an ally of Hungary's veteran nationalist leader Viktor Orban. Jansa has promised to overhaul Golob's domestic agenda by introducing tax breaks for businesses and cutting funding for civil society, welfare and media. "These are ... perhaps the most important elections ever in Slovenia because they will decide if Slovenia remains a democratic welfare state or it aligns with illiberal democracies," said Robert Botteri, a long-time editor at the Mladina weekly. Advertisement Advertisement CAMPAIGN SOURS AMID CONCERNS OF FOREIGN MEDDLING Slovenia, with a developed industrial base, emerged stronger from the fall of Yugoslavia than other states such as Serbia or Bosnia, which have been held back by war, economic sanctions and political infighting. Problems remain, however. Golob's GS secured a landslide victory in 2022 but has lost popularity in part for what some voters see as a failure to fulfil promises to improve public services like healthcare. The election campaign became heated this month when covert videos were published on an anonymous website purportedly exposing government corruption, which Golob denies. Advertisement Advertisement Then a report emerged this week alleging that Jansa met with officials from Israeli private spy firm Black Cube, raising fears of foreign election meddling. Jansa says he met with a Black Cube adviser but denies wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Golob said he had discussed the issue with other European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on Thursday he was aware of what he described as "clear and documented interference, disinformation and meddling from third countries" ahead of Slovenia's election. "Europeans must absolutely mobilise to protect our democracies from this kind of interference," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Golob's party and activists have also complained during the campaign about dead animals being hung from their election posters across Slovenia. Reuters was unable to confirm who was responsible. "This has certainly been a dirty campaign," said Tereza Novak, a GS lawmaker campaigning on the main square in the capital Ljubljana. Miha Kovac, a university lecturer, worries that the swirling rumours may demotivate voters. "At the end of the day nobody will believe anybody. There will be a huge erosion of trust in society," he said. (Reporting by Daria Sito-SucicEditing by Edward McAllister and Gareth Jones) NEED TO KNOW A small plane carrying seven people crashed into crocodile-infested waters in Western Australia on Thursday, March 19 One man in his 40s was transported to the hospital, per local media outlet The Australian Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, urging witnesses with video footage to contact officials One person has been left injured after a small plane crashed into crocodile-infested waters in Western Australia. On Thursday, March, 19 an aircraft crashed off the coast of the town Broome in Roebuck Bay at around 11:25 a.m, according to local media outlets The Australian, news.com.au and perthnow. Advertisement Advertisement The area is infested with saltwater crocodiles, per The Australian. Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including police, ambulance service St John WA, marine rescue and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the outlet reported. Roebuck Bay in Broome, Western Australia Credit: Alamy One person reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries, a police spokesman told The Australian. A spokesperson from St John WA also told the outlet that a man in his 40s was transported to the hospital, with six others being assessed at the scene. Stock image of a crocodile in Western Australia Credit: Getty 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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Police officials told perthnow that the aircraft had two pilots and five passengers, adding that one person had minor injuries to their head. Advertisement Advertisement No other injuries have been reported at this time," officials added to the outlet. A person was seen being lifted to safety from the wreckage via a helicopter, according to footage shared by local media outlet the Broome Advertiser. Marine rescue vessels also reportedly went into the water towards the plane, which crashed in shallow waters, per perthnow. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation into the accident involving a Cessna 441 Conquest twin turboprop aircraft near Broome Airport, in northern WA, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators will also interview flight crew, passengers, and any witnesses, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data and CCTV footage, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information, they added. Members of the public with video footage are urged to contact ATSB on their website. According to the The Australian, a witness told ABC Kimberley that they saw the plane flying low just before disappearing. I saw it flying and then dipping quite low, and then I just assumed it had passed over the horizon, Alex MacNamara said. It looked like it was doing a sort of turn on an angle and then it was just dipping quite low. Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into the incident is ongoing. PEOPLE has reached out to St John WA, Western Australia Police and the Department of Fire and Emergency Service for comment. Read the original article on People In an effort to reverse a downward trend in visitation, Sooner Mall is asking the City of Norman for a tax rebate to renovate the property. Management of the mall, with 500,000 square feet of retail space and three anchor tenant spaces, one of which is currently empty, seeks a rebate on new, non-dedicated city sales tax revenue of 2.3% generated by the center. The established baseline is a three-year average of sales tax revenue in excess of the average annual portion collected from 2022-2024, up to a maximum of $300,000 per year, according to a term sheet. The potential rebate based on 2025 sales at the mall would be $60,736, a city presentation shows. Advertisement Advertisement It would take an increase of more than $13 million in annual sales for the mall to reach the $300,000 max, City Attorney Kathryn Walker said. That would still put us shy of where we were pre-pandemic, said City Manager Darryl Pyle. More: New Crest store proposed near Scheels retail development in NW OKC To qualify, the mall must submit documented property costs that the rebate would cover. These could be capital investment costs for property improvement to lure new tenants to it, as well as lighting upgrades, restroom remodels, tenant allowance, common area amenities, play area upgrades, door replacements, exterior building refreshment, signage, landscaping and paving mill and overlay, but it excludes routine maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement The initial term of the deal would be for five years, and could be renewed for a maximum of two, 3-year terms based on progress and approval by city council. Effort to revitalize Sooner Mall Sooner Mall opened in 1976 as a regional mall. It underwent a major expansion in the late 1980s that included the construction of a large space for Dillards, which allowed the mall to reconfigure, with JCPenney moving into the space Dillards previously occupied. It was purchased by General Growth Properties in 1996, which still owns it today, rebranding it from Sooner Fashion Mall to Sooner Mall three years later, coinciding with a multi-million dollar renovation to update it. As part of a footprint reduction, Sears, one of the previous department anchors, announced its intention to close the store in Norman in 2018. From that year to 2024, the mall has seen a downward trend in visitation, although a report from Placer.ai shows there was a notable increase of foot traffic of roughly 200,000 from 2020 to 2021, a data point logged similarly by many malls during the COVID-19 pandemic. More: As oil giants exit, these OKC companies say they're staying. Here's why Entertainer Ed McMahon talks to an audience Thursday at Crossroads mall including about 300 hopefuls auditioning for "Ed McMahon's Great American 'Star Search' Talent Hunt." DATE: Aug. 5, 1993. Photo by David Faytinger/The Oklahoman File In December 1977, Ireana B. Watson assists Charles Springer, of Oklahoma City, as he registers to vote. In an effort to increase voter registration in Oklahoma, booths were set up at various locations, including Crossroads Mall and Shepherd Mall. Lew Weeden, 17, Washington, Okla., and Dave Henderson, 17, Lindsay, polish their pinball skills at a tournament at LeMans Speedway in Crossroads Mall, Nov. 26, 1977. Joe Bointy, Kiowa, dances at a powwow as a part of the Oklahoma City Schools Title IV arts and crafts show at Crossroads Mall in South Oklahoma City on May 2, 1981. Chick Rubio of Oklahoma City carries a sign Saturday at Crossroads Mall to discourage shoppers from buying pet store animals on Nov. 30, 1991. K.D. Lewis, left, and John Cleator of the Mid-American Vo-Tech in Wayne display 29-inch "Midas Touch" at Crossroads Mall. DATE: March 2, 1984 Oatman's, a year-round retail and wholesale Christmas store, shown on the lower level at Crossroads Mall, on Oct. 4, 1989. More than 50 new cars, vans and trucks are on display at Crossroad Mall in a car show on Oct. 15, 1981. Three-year-old Amy Hernupont, daughter of Terri Hernupont of Oklahoma City, runs down her list of Christmas wishes for the Crossroads Mall Santa Claus on Nov. 28, 1982. New tenants shown at Crossroads Mall on Feb. 9, 1988. Vargas Circus at Crossroads Mall. DATE: Aug. 14, 1976 Landmarks Around Us story. Crossroads Mall. Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Plaza Mayor, formally Crossroads Mall in Oklahoma City, as seen in 2015. Crossroads Mall, shown Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Landmarks Around Us story. Crossroads Mall. Wednesday, November 9, 2022. From our archives: See what Oklahoma City's Crossroads Mall looked like through the years 1 of 15 Entertainer Ed McMahon talks to an audience Thursday at Crossroads mall including about 300 hopefuls auditioning for "Ed McMahon's Great American 'Star Search' Talent Hunt." DATE: Aug. 5, 1993. Photo by David Faytinger/The Oklahoman File Sooner Mall Manager Derick Colwell told the city Tuesday the mall, which today has about nine vacancies, is currently in discussions with a potential tenant for the anchor space previously occupied by Sears, but hesitated to disclose further details due to a non-disclosure agreement, other than it being a potential multi-million dollar investment. He also said securing a third anchor tenant in the space would mean 200 additional jobs at the mall with an average pay of at least $15 an hour. Advertisement Advertisement The company looking to locate at the mall is a new market concept with only one current location in Oklahoma right now, Colwell said. We are in pre-sale agreement with them, papers havent been signed yet, but preliminary talks have been around a $25-$28 million investment into development of the property, Colwell said. Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman said the rebate would serve as a boost to one of the largest economic drivers in the city, adding that theres potential for infill development in the malls parking lot. Malls are a piece of American history, the mall culture, and all of that, Holman said. I think being able to preserve something like this thats still doing pretty well and might have the opportunity to get back to the levels it was at before if not exceed those, I think its worth considering by us, for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Ward 6 councilmember Josh Hinkle agreed. Id say give them the highest percentage we can so they can make the improvements that they need to keep our mall from being Bartlesville, Muskogee or Shawnee, Hinkle said. We have an opportunity to give it some new blood, and I say we do it. After no objection during Tuesdays study session, the city intends to get the term sheet on next weeks council agenda for discussion. Upon approval of the term sheet, staff will begin working with the malls legal counsel to finalize an agreement for City Council consideration. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Sooner Mall in Norman OK seeks tax rebate for renovation Ed Milibands shutdown of the North Sea will cost the Government 10bn in lost tax revenue between now and 2030 - Christopher Furlong//Getty Images Britains largest oil field could be producing thousands of barrels a day by the autumn if Ed Miliband approves the North Sea project, its co-owner has said. Ithaca Energy, which owns the Rosebank site off Shetland, on Wednesday said it was poised to get oil flowing within months but the Energy Secretary first needed to sign off on the plan. Rosebank, 60 miles west of Shetland, is the North Seas largest undeveloped site, which could generate up to 500 million barrels of oil and gas. However, Mr Miliband has been a fierce critic of the plan, branding it climate vandalism. He now faces an energy crisis and growing political calls to approve such schemes, piling pressure on him to approve Rosebank. Donald Trump, the US president, again lashed out at Britain on Tuesday for not taking more advantage of the North Sea, having previously urged the UK Government to restart drilling. Donald Trump has urged Sir Keir Starmer to immediately restart North Sea drilling to combat soaring energy prices - Kent Nishimura/Reuters Ithaca and Rosebanks other co-owner Adura have invested more than 3bn in the project with a giant production vessel, the Petrojarl Rosebank, now rounding Africa and due to reach Scottish waters next month. Ithaca described Rosebank as entering the final stages of development towards first production in 2026-27 in its latest financial results on Wednesday. It also announced plans to start producing oil and gas from Cambo, another controversial oil and gas field almost as large as Rosebank, and from Tornado, a mainly gas field. They too will need Mr Milibands consent. Yaniv Friedman, Ithacas executive chairman, said: In the West of Shetland, we saw material project activity, including at Rosebank where we are progressing in line with our development timeline towards first production in 2026-27. We also saw significant progress on the maturation of the Cambo and Tornado projects, with all activities supporting a potential final investment decision within 12 months. Oil from Rosebank would be exported because the UK now lacks the refinery capacity to process it. But it would generate UK jobs and billions in taxes as well as boosting north European energy supplies. Rosebanks gas output would enter UK pipelines, amounting to around 1pc of national needs. The Cambo and Tornado fields lie nearby and their gas output would also enter UK pipes. Mr Miliband would be likely to face a backlash from Labour backbenchers and climate campaigners should he approve them. All already have licences, granted by the previous government, but lack final development consents. The decision is meant to be made on technical rather than political grounds Adura and Ithaca must show the field meets new criteria on overall emissions from producing and using the oil and gas. MADRID, March 18 (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday that the crisis in the Middle East would not distract from his country's support for Ukraine in its battle against Russia, as the two countries signed co-production agreements for battle material including drones, radar and missiles. "We cannot deny that the crisis in the Middle East is monopolising conversation and precisely for that reason, I want to say to the government of Ukraine that nothing and no one will make us forget what is happening in Ukraine," Sanchez said. "We will keep our support for the Ukrainian people with the same intensity." Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago, while the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is now in its third week, with no end in sight. Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a post on social media channel X that as well as seeing Sanchez, he had met with Spanish engineering and technology group Sener Aerospace & Defence to sign agreements to cooperate on missiles and air defence manufacturing as well as discussing a potential joint project on long-range drones. "We discussed production capabilities and bolstering Ukraines air defence," he said. "Strengthening air defence and protecting lives are our top priorities. Ukraine has new developments and is ready to scale them up." In a statement, Sener confirmed the agreements were with Ukrainian missile and autonomous system manufacturers Fire Point, Luch and Radionix. Zelenskiy said that despite Hungary's opposition, he hoped European leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday would stand behind an agreement to loan 90 billion euros to Kyiv for military aid and general budget support. Advertisement Advertisement "I know most European countries understand this is not a fair blockage," he said. "There is no alternative to the 90 billion." (Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, writing by Emma Pinedo and Aislinn Laing; Editing by Nia Williams) Three Springfield police officers have been promoted. The promotions were announced March 17 at the Springfield City Council Chambers, according to a community announcement. Detectives Cody Musson and Tamara Russell were promoted to sergeant. Sergeant Lloyd Lawson was promoted to lieutenant. Musson has served with the Springfield Police Department for 12 years. He has been a member of the Mobile Field Force Team and the Honor Guard, and he has served as a Field Training Officer and Neighborhood Police Officer. Most recently, he worked as a detective in Crime Scene Services. Musson has received the Porter Williams Award and a Chief's Citation Award. Before joining the Springfield Police Department, he served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. Three Springfield police officers have been promoted. Detectives Cody Musson and Tamara Russell were promoted to sergeant. Sergeant Lloyd Lawson was promoted to lieutenant. Russell has been with the Springfield Police Department for 20 years. She has served as a Neighborhood Police Officer, Field Training Officer and member of the Boat Patrol. She also is a First Responder Yoga instructor and a member of the Crisis Intervention Team. Russell currently serves as president of Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit 5. Most recently, she worked as a detective in Crime Scene Services. She is a past recipient of the Abraham Lincoln Award and the Silver Suarez Award. Advertisement Advertisement Lawson has served with the Springfield Police Department for 29 years. During his career, he has been assigned to the Pro-Active Crime Unit and the Criminal Investigations Division, and has served as both a Field Training Officer and Field Training Sergeant. 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. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield promotes three police officers with decades of service Stephen Miller drew mockery and anger with his latest boasts about Donald Trump and his defense of the Iran war. The White House deputy chief of staff for policy waxed lyrical about the presidents handling of the conflict amid growing criticism over the lack of a clear endgame, rising oil prices and the White Houses shifting justifications during an appearance Wednesday on Laura Ingrahams Fox News show. Politics: Ex-NHL Star And Current Sarah Palin Beau Blames Team's Loss On Pride Night The United States has achieved its objectives even faster than anybody thought possible, claimed Miller, who frequently heaps fawning praise on the president. Advertisement Advertisement President Trump was aware of and has calculated through every permutation and every degree of strategy, he added, calling it by far the most overwhelming victory based on the objectives. Stephen Miller: President Trump was aware of and has calculated through every permutation and every degree of strategy pic.twitter.com/pER6ZQAkw0 Acyn (@Acyn) March 18, 2026 Critics on social media, however, noted how Trump himself has actually admitted to being stunned that Iran hit back by attacking other Middle Eastern countries, and how the president has struggled to secure the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway off the coast of Iran that is vital to the shipping of oil. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) noted Trumps own surprise at Irans retaliation by attacking neighboring countries, and said: Trump officials routinely disrespect and look down on Fox viewers and Fox hosts. Trump officials routinely and blatantly lie to Fox viewers and Fox hosts. trump officials routinely disrespect and look down on Fox viewers and Fox hosts. trump officials routinely and blatantly lie to Fox viewers and Fox hosts. Look at the video below. Then look at what trump recently said. https://t.co/hej6VtFvYSpic.twitter.com/5NnkNxlx1W Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) March 19, 2026 Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a vocal Trump opponent, sarcastically wrote, Hes a genius of course. Hes a genius of course Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) (@AdamKinzinger) March 19, 2026 Others echoed the sentiments: Advertisement Advertisement Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost. On the Strait of Hormuz we've gone from: 1. Don't need help 2. We need help 3. Why aren't folks helping? 4. Helps on the way 5. Not telling you who is helping 6. Helps not actually on the way but we don't need it anyway 7. We may just abandon it and leave it to everyone else Rodger Williams (@kiddwikked) March 18, 2026 President Trump was aware of and has calculated through every permutation and every degree of strategyin building his golden ballroom. Artie Vandelay (@ArtieVandelay1) March 18, 2026 Translation: He fell asleep during the briefing. Major Retailer Green (@MajorRetailer) March 18, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Even MAGA diehards dont believe that https://t.co/ORFaeLkbpU Amy Roark (@Todays_Pretty) March 18, 2026 Anyone who has ever heard Trump speak knows this is an absolute lie. https://t.co/7P2GxQLU5U Melanie D'Arrigo (@DarrigoMelanie) March 19, 2026 Of course he has. Well-known for detailed planning and scenario-thinking, him. Kai (@kopite_kai) March 18, 2026 He has calculated through every strategy? Just yesterday he said he had no idea the gulf countries would get bombed by iran or that the strait of hormuz would be closed. He certainly didnt plan with our allies ahead of time so now they want no part of it. Dee (@d_oceansun) March 18, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Related... Read the original on HuffPost March 19 (Reuters) - The Monte Verde archaeological site in Chile, discovered in the 1970s, revolutionized the thinking about when humans entered the Americas, with scientists calculating decades ago that this former abode for ancient hunter-gatherers was about 14,500 years old. But a new study suggests it is much more recent than that. Researchers said a fresh analysis of this Ice Age creek valley site found it dates to between 4,200 and 8,200 years ago. Such a date would make Monte Verde irrelevant to the longstanding scientific debate about when the initial peopling of the Western Hemisphere occurred. "This finding suggests a later date of human arrival to the Americas than is widely believed," said University of Wyoming archaeologist Todd Surovell, lead author of the research published on Thursday in the journal Science. Advertisement Advertisement The researchers used three scientific dating methods on material from in and around Monte Verde, located in southern Chile about 36 miles (58 km) from the Pacific coast. "We sampled in the site area. We also sampled the same landforms upstream and downstream of the site," Surovell said. "These landforms are continuous throughout the valley, and our dating of them was consistent in all locations. We placed these into stratigraphic (soil and rock layers) context, and the dating errors of the previous investigators were immediately apparent," Surovell said. Testing in 1997 concluded the site was 14,500 years old. That would make it more than 1,500 years older than the previous earliest-known human occupation sites south of the continental ice sheets that covered parts of North America at the time. Those sites were associated with North America's Clovis culture, known for distinctive stone tools and named for a locale in New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Because Monte Verde was considered older and was thousands of miles south of the Clovis locations, scientists saw it as evidence that people must have been in the Americas much earlier than the Clovis sites had indicated. Humans are thought to have crossed from Siberia into Alaska over an Ice Age land bridge, then later journeyed south. The new research dated pieces of wood, sand deposited by the creek and a layer of ancient volcanic ash. "The dating of the volcanic ash was especially important," Surovell said. The ash was determined to have been deposited about 11,000 years ago. It was in a layer that was below the evidence of occupation, showing that the human presence must have come after that date, Surovell said. Advertisement Advertisement Within the age range indicated by the new testing, Surovell said the Monte Verde human occupation most likely dates to 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. Surovell said the site's older age was calculated using a technique called radiocarbon dating on wood recovered there. Surovell said while the wood indeed was 14,500 years old, it greatly predated the human occupation and was simply mixed among older material trapped in the banks of the creek. "Imagine the stream undercutting the bank as it meanders in the valley. Materials in the bank then get transported and redeposited by the stream," Surovell said. 'INVENTIONS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS' Advertisement Advertisement Vanderbilt University anthropologist Tom Dillehay, who has studied Monte Verde extensively since the 1970s, cited "many methodological and empirical errors" in the new study. Its interpretation of the wood, Dillehay said, "disregards a vast body of well-dated cultural evidence associated with Monte Verde, including stone tools, wooden and bone artifacts, edible plant remains including seaweed and potatoes, hearths, human footprints, and animal meat and hide remains." "These and other elements constitute a complex cultural context that has been extensively documented over five decades of interdisciplinary archaeological research," Dillehay said. "In turning to their data, it is a mixture of inventions and misunderstandings. They saw what they wanted to see, and came to the site with predetermined conclusions." The timing of the peopling of the Americas remains contentious. Advertisement Advertisement "Monte Verde is internationally recognized as one of the most significant archaeological sites on the American continent, having played a decisive role in replacing the longstanding 'Clovis First' paradigm," Dillehay said, a theory positing that the first inhabitants of the Americas arrived approximately 12,800 years ago. Surovell said the new findings show Monte Verde postdates the Clovis sites. "The Monte Verde site is still important for understanding the Holocene (geological epoch, beginning 11,700 years ago) human occupation of its region, but it no longer has much significance for understanding the initial peopling of the Americas," Surovell said. (Reporting by Will Dunham in Washington, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Sue Wagner, who was the first woman elected as lieutenant governor in Nevada, has died at the age of 86, according to the Desert Research Institute. We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Sue Wagnerformer DRI employee, a trailblazer in Nevada, a dedicated advocate for womens rights, and the first woman elected as Lieutenant Governor of our state, the institute wrote on social media, where it announced her passing. >>Download the 8 News Now Vegas streaming app Advertisement Advertisement Wagner served on the Nevada Assembly from 1975 to 1980. Later in 1980, she was elected to the Nevada Senate, where she served from 1981 to 1989, following the passing of her husband, Peter Wagner, a physicist who worked as a scientist and associate research professor at DRI. Wagner was a driving force in the creation of the Nevada Commission on Ethics and a champion of abortion rights within the state. In 1990, Wagner became Nevadas 30th Lieutenant Governor, becoming the first woman elected to the position. She served in that position from 1991 to 1995. In 1990, she survived a plane crash that left her with severe injuries. On Wednesday, March 18, Governor Joe Lombardo ordered that United States and State of Nevada flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset to honor Wagners life and service. Advertisement Advertisement Sue Wagner was a trailblazer in Nevada history and a dedicated public servant whose impact on our state will be felt for many years, Lombardo said in a statement. Throughout her career in the Legislature, as Lieutenant Governor, and later on the Nevada Gaming Commission, Sue was committed to serving the people of Nevada. Donna and I extend our condolences to Sues loved ones and join Nevadans across the state in honoring her life and legacy. With Sue Wagners passing, Nevada has lost a public servant of exemplary integrity, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said in a statement. Lt. Governor Wagner played a key role in securing our right to abortion access, passed more legislation than anyone in state history, and served through severe injuries. She will be sorely missed. Sue Wagner was a trailblazer whose dedication to public service left a lasting mark on our state, Senator Jacky Rosen said. The first woman to be elected Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, she was a steadfast champion for womens rights, and her advocacy was instrumental in codifying the right to reproductive freedom in Nevada law. Im honored to have learned from her, and to have called her a friend. Our hearts are with her children Kirk and Kristina, friends, and all those whose lives she touched, the Desert Research Institute wrote. Advertisement Advertisement In honor of her husband, Wagner created two awards at DRI: the Wagner Award for Women in Atmospheric Science, which uplifts women in the field and creates opportunities for them, and the Peter B. Wagner Medal of Excellence, which is for DRI scholars in the early stages of their career development. 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. This article was published in partnership with The Marshall Project Cleveland, a nonprofit news team covering Ohios criminal justice systems. Sign up for their Cleveland newsletter and Facebook Group, and follow The Marshall Project on Instagram, Reddit and YouTube. Sunshine Week began March 15, 2026 and goes through Saturday, March 21. The nationwide, non-partisan initiative promotes the importance of open government and the publics right to access public records. Deputies chased fleeing cars unchecked before killing innocent bystanders. Staff members failed to provide medical care to people in need inside the Cuyahoga County jail. Families finally learned the truth about how their loved ones died in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Without public records, none of those stories could be told. That is the heart of Ohios Public Records Act without it, the public is left with a narrative told by the institutions under scrutiny. Lets face it: Would anyone really trust a story told by the very officials who created the problem? But, as we mark Sunshine Week and shine light on the importance of government transparency, Ohios public records remain under constant threat. For more than a year, our team reviewed documents, data and videos, and interviewed hundreds of people to accurately portray what happens or doesnt happen when people interact with or die at the hands of law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement The Marshall Projects goal is to create and sustain a sense of urgency around the criminal justice system. We strive to ensure that underrepresented communities have their stories told. Public records make that possible. In several instances, government leaders took actions while we investigated and before we published a story. After the evidence from the public records became irrefutable, Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley stopped issuing improper parking tickets that had led to hundreds of license suspensions. The Cuyahoga County sheriff now releases body-camera images from serious encounters within seven days. Other examples: A longtime judge pleaded guilty to a felony because our reports on public records exposed her crime. The Mohican Young Star Academy paused admissions to its state youth treatment facility following our expose. And we uncovered failures inside Ohio state psychiatric facilities that have led to fewer people receiving care. Still, some government agencies often argue that withholding records protects investigations, privacy or security. Sometimes those concerns are legitimate. Too often, though, we have seen that exemption stretched beyond recognition. Advertisement Advertisement During our reporting, many records requests were often ignored or delayed for months. We pushed back. Records matter. They force elected officials to act. Public record laws are often called Sunshine Laws. They were coined by a quote from the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis in 1913: Sunlight is said to be the best disinfectant. If the broad light of day could be let in upon mens actions, it would purify them as the sun disinfects. That access, though, is not guaranteed. The Ohio Coalition for Open Government, a nonprofit established by the Ohio News Media Foundation, fights for open government issues and access to public records. Advertisement Advertisement Open government isnt a Republican issue or a Democratic issue and affects all aspects of the lives of Ohioans, the organization says. Ohios Public Records Act became law in 1963. Over the decades, it has been amended many times some changes strengthening accountability, others carving out new exemptions. One notable decision eroded the publics right-to-know in June. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that when public officials use private email accounts for official communication, those messages may not become public under the law. But six months later, the same court reinforced a ruling that officials may not improperly blackout large portions of public records. Advertisement Advertisement The courts can still help to unlock improperly withheld public records. Anyone denied access to a record can file suit against the agency and ask a judge to decide what is public. So here is the challenge. To residents: We fight for your right to know when filing for records. Pay attention to proposed law changes. Support transparency efforts. Ask questions of your local officials. To journalists: Fight for the records. Push back on improper exemptions. Push back when officials dont want you in meetings or court. Appeal when necessary. The delays are frustrating, the process can be slow, but the work is essential. Advertisement Advertisement To government leaders: Public records are not weapons. They are tools of accountability in a democracy. Transparency may be uncomfortable, but secrecy erodes trust far faster than disclosure ever could. The stories contained in public records belong to the people of the Buckeye State. The law should continue to reflect that. Mark Puente is an investigative reporter for The Marshall Project Cleveland and has twice been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He has held reporting roles at publications in Cleveland, Florida, Baltimore and Los Angeles. His career has focused on holding government leaders accountable. Before becoming a journalist, he drove a tractor-trailer for 15 years. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The ability to see what the government is up to in the United States has plummeted. For National Sunshine Week in 2025, I wrote about secrecy creep, the adoption of federal secrecy protections implemented by state and local authorities. In Florida and throughout the U.S., this threatens the public's right to be informed about its government. A year later, this creep toward secrecy has become an all-out slide. Advertisement Advertisement As director of the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida, I track the state of government transparency in the U.S. What has changed since January 2025 is unprecedented. Outlook cloudy in the Sunshine State Florida is a good example of this slide. Once viewed as a leader in transparency, the Sunshine State now charges exorbitant copy fees that discourage average people from requesting public records. According to the nonprofit MuckRock, 24% of public records requests in Florida come with a copy fee, averaging $1,623. Only Oregon charges fees more often, at 28% of the time. Fees are intended to help agencies cover the cost of large requests, but they tend to be arbitrary and are often used as a way to get pesky people to go away. And thats assuming you even get the information you want. One of my own studies from 2019 indicated that, on average, if you requested a public record in Florida, you would receive it about 39% of the time, placing the state 31st in the nation. In 2025, MuckRock put the percentage dipping lower, at 35%. In March 2026, it was at 34%. Advertisement Advertisement In Florida, more and more government agencies are thwarting the publics right to know, including attempts to hide the details behind Alligator Alcatraz, the temporary immigrant detention center built in the Florida Everglades. The states Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has pushed cities and counties to be more transparent while withholding its own records. Some members of the Florida Legislature are attempting to strengthen the public records law, but Id argue those changes don't go far enough. States like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, have implemented stronger laws, including independent enforcement to ensure compliance. Florida used to be a leader in open records law. It's reputation, along with procedures to obtain public information has gotten dramatically worse, a trend reflected in other states and in the federal government. Better transparency should start at the top President Donald Trumps administration heralds itself as the most transparent in history, pointing to the presidents willingness to talk informally to the press or directly to the public through social media. While that may be one definition of transparency, the federal governments willingness to provide documents that show what the government is doing has been eviscerated under the second Trump administration. The examples are numerous. Once again, the president has refused to provide his tax returns. He's suing the IRS for $10 billion after some his returns were leaked. His administration has also removed public information from government websites and databases. He's also fired the national archivist and the director of the Office of Information Policy, the agency within the U.S. Department of Justice that oversees compliance with requests under the Federal of Information Act, or FOIA. Advertisement Advertisement As part of the DOGE purges, his administration has fired or forced out experienced staffers assigned to handle FOIA requests, axed the new Open Government Federal Advisory Committee, which was launched to find ways of improving FOIA, and pulled out of the Open Government Partnership, which the U.S. helped found in 2011 to foster transparency around the globe. Typically the Department of Justice releases annual statistics on FOIA requests every March. When I examined initial reports posted in January, when just 11 agencies had provided their reports, backlogs that is, requests that remain unresolved after a year had increased 67% from the previous fiscal year. The time to process simple requests nearly doubled. Future looks stormy before 'sunshine' returns To understand how secrecy in the United States now compares to historical precedent, I reached out to people who have researched freedom of information for decades. I asked them a simple question: How does the current state of affairs in freedom of information compare historically? Jane Kirtley, a longtime FOIA scholar from the University of Minnesota told me: Abysmal. It was abundantly clear from the moment Elon Musk and his musketeers invaded and pillaged government electronic records that we have entered a new era of deletion, obfuscation, fabrication and utter contempt for the concept of data integrity and the publics right to know. Thomas Susman, who helped craft the 1974 FOIA amendments and currently assists the American Bar Association, wrote "If democracy dies in darkness, Americas democracy is threatened with becoming dead meat. Weve survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, Vietnam, Watergate and more. If we fight back hard enough, this too shall pass, though not quickly, and likely with lasting scars. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps advances can be made to reverse the secrecy trend and carry out the intentions of the Freedom of Information Act, as expressed by Lyndon B. Johnson upon its adoption nearly 60 years ago: I signed this measure with a deep sense of pride that the United States is an open society in which the peoples right to know is cherished and guarded. David Cuillier David Cuillier is the director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Projectat the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. He wrote this piece for The Conversation, an independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of experts for the public good. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida marks Sunshine Week but open records laws need help | Opinion KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) is asking for information regarding a suspicious fire Wednesday at Wyandotte County Lake. KCKPD reports a witness reported hearing a loud boom just after 5 p.m. and saw a person running from the area. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri The person running was described as a white male, standing around 61 with blond hair, wearing a long-sleeve black shirt with St. Patricks-themed decorations and blue jeans. Advertisement Advertisement KCKPD said shortly after, a brush fire ignited. KCKPD officers, Wyandotte County Sheriffs deputies, and KCK Fire Department personnel responded to the scene. The fire was quickly extinguished and a small incendiary device was located at the scene, according to KCKPD. Former Bonner Springs police detective arrested, charged following investigation No injuries were reported. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Rep. Eric Swalwells (D-Calif.) campaign to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is gaining traction as the threat of a Republican upset grows in the crowded contest with no clear front-runner less than three months out from the primary. New polling shows Swalwells support has ticked up in the Golden States nonpartisan primary, from which the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election, regardless of party. Buoyed by his national profile and notable endorsements, Swalwell appears in a position to edge past top party rivals, including former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and billionaire Tom Steyer. But the race is still wide-open, with a plurality of voters still undecided as more than a half-dozen Democrats split their bases support. The state party has called for candidates to consider dropping out to consolidate support, as strategists and experts raise alarms that two Republicans could advance in the deep blue stronghold. Advertisement Advertisement The polls are really good for Swalwell, not only obviously because they show hes ahead of other Democrats, but also because theyll help with fundraising, said Jack Pitney, a politics professor at Claremont McKenna College. A lot of Democratic contributors out there are looking for a horse to bet on, and the morning line seems to favor Swalwell. Swalwell scored an endorsement last week from SEIU California, a major union in the state. And he won a plurality of delegates at the state partys convention last month, 10 points ahead of Steyer, though no candidate notched enough support for an official endorsement. California Democratic strategist Garry South, a veteran of four California gubernatorial campaigns, said Swalwell has done surprisingly well in the race, largely by virtue of the high name ID he earned as a manager in Trumps second impeachment, as well as through social media and cable TV dominance. Swalwell notably announced his campaign on Jimmy Kimmel Live in November. It would take millions and millions of dollars to buy that kind of name recognition starting from scratch, South said. Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the Swalwell campaign has just been smartly run from the very beginning and I think that shows in his sort of bubbling up to the top of the Democratic field, he added. Swalwell has taken heat this month from Steyers campaign over whether the congressman meets the states residency requirement, but experts suggested those attacks either wont stick or could elevate the lawmakers profile. An Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey released last week found Swalwells support at 17 percent, up from 12 percent in December and 4 points ahead of his next-closest competitor, Republican former Fox News host Steve Hilton. If the election were held today, this would be between Swalwell and Steve Hilton, South said. Advertisement Advertisement Steyer and Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco were tied for third place in the Emerson poll at 11 percent support. Porter, who was neck and neck with Swalwell in a December survey, dropped to 8 percent. A quarter of voters were undecided. But another March poll, from the University of California, Berkeley, Jack Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research and Politico, found Hilton leading with 19 percent support, followed by Steyer at 13 percent. Swalwell, Bianco and Porter were tied at 11 percent, and another 17 percent of respondents were undecided. This is not only the most crowded primary field in California political history, its the most unclear primary that weve seen here in several decades. In most years, by this point, a very strong front-runner has emerged, said Dan Schnur, a former Republican strategist and a political communications professor at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Berkeley. Swalwell has begun to emerge with a small lead in some of the polls, he continued. But under more normal circumstances, a few points wouldnt be enough to consider a candidate to be a strong front-runner. Advertisement Advertisement South noted one endorsement that would likely tip the races scale: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Pelosi endorsing Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) in the open Senate race to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) really made him lap the rest of the field, South said. Shes the grande dame of California politics still, even though shes not Speaker anymore, he told The Hill. Other groups are still divided over the field. The California Federation of Labor Unions this week endorsed four gubernatorial candidates Swalwell, Porter, Steyer and Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa calling the field a spoil of riches. Advertisement Advertisement Coupled with Californias unique top-two primary system, the crowded field has created a rare opening for Republicans in the deep blue stronghold. In a model developed by California Democratic data expert Paul Mitchell, using polling and betting market information to assess thousands of potential primary outcomes, the most likely outcome was a Democrat-versus-Republican race. But two Republicans emerged as the top vote-getters in roughly 20 percent of hypothetical outcomes, raising red flags for Democrats. California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks issued an open letter to gubernatorial candidates ahead of the March 6 filing deadline, urging candidates that if you do not have a viable path to make it to the General Election, do not file to place your name on the ballot for the Primary Election. Candidates who may drop out now, though, still will appear on the June ballot and could siphon votes. Advertisement Advertisement That ends up being a tax on Democrats hopes to get one of their candidates over 20 percent so that theyre safe, Mitchell said. Jim Brulte, a former state senator who served as chair of the California GOP, suggested the scenario of two Republicans in the general is still a possibility, but he didnt see it as probable. It depends upon how Matt Mahan does and who he goes after, he said, referring to the Democratic San Jose mayor, who could serve as a spoiler and alter which two candidates advance to the November election after his late entry in the contest. Democrats could also get some reprieve if one of the Republicans surges ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Ironically, if the margin between the two Republicans stays close, they could both make the runoff, but if Hilton begins to open up a lead, then it becomes much more likely that he ends up in the general election against the leading Democrat, said Schnur. In other words, the Democrats do face a potential problem right now, but the person who could solve it for them is Hilton. California Republican strategist Rob Stutzman said the biggest challenge for candidates across both parties is rallying voter attention on the race. Voters, they dont know any of these people, and theyre looking for information. Theyre looking for awareness that theres even an election, Stutzman said. We will never see anyone pull away in this field. I think that would be very surprising, given the dynamics. 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. Quick Read Nvidia (NVDA) restarted H200 AI accelerator production for China after securing U.S. export licenses and Chinese government approvals, with the company already receiving purchase orders that could add hundreds of millions in quarterly data-center sales. Renewed access to the Chinese market, which once contributed up to 20% of Nvidias revenue, provides a near-term revenue bridge while the company develops next-generation Vera Rubin chips, though past catalysts have failed to sustain the stocks momentum beyond sideways trading. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares have been stuck in neutral for months, trading in a tight range despite a flood of upbeat news. Concerns over stretched valuations, fading AI hype cycles, and doubts about long-term momentum have kept investors on the sidelines. The company has posted blowout earnings quarter after quarter, expanded its data-center footprint aggressively, and even spotlighted a potential $1 trillion revenue opportunity in agentic AI systems that could power autonomous agents and next-generation applications. Yet the stock barely budged. Now, after earlier signals that Nvidia was quietly walking away from China, the high-stakes bet is suddenly back on the table. With fresh U.S. and Chinese approvals in hand, will renewed H200 sales finally deliver the catalyst investors crave? 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. An H200 Chip Production Reversal Just weeks ago, reports indicated Nvidia had quietly halted production of its H200 AI accelerators -- the Hopper-based chips tailored for the Chinese market. Capacity at contract manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) was being redirected toward the next-generation Vera Rubin platform, fueling speculation that the company had thrown in the towel on China amid persistent regulatory uncertainty. On-again, off-again U.S. export controls and Beijings own licensing hurdles had created months of paralysis, prompting the production shift as a pragmatic hedge. That calculus changed dramatically this week. At Nvidias GTC conference, CEO Jensen Huang confirmed the company is restarting H200 manufacturing after securing both U.S. export licenses and Chinese government approvals. Beijing has licensed many customers to purchase the chips, and Nvidia has already received purchase orders. The about-face is real: production lines are firing back up, potentially unlocking shipments that were stalled for nearly a year. For the third state Supreme Court election in a row, the conservative supported candidate is running a campaign based largely on accusations that the liberal candidate will be a partisan actor on the bench. But this year, the target of that accusation, who is running to secure a 5-2 liberal majority on the Court, served as a Democrat in the Wisconsin Assembly for nine years and previously worked as the state policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. I dont come with a political agenda to the bench, says Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, who, after serving in the Assembly, was appointed to the Dane County Circuit Court by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and then elected to the District IV Court of Appeals. My agenda is to make sure every person has justice under the law, to make sure that everyones held accountable when they violate the law, regardless of how powerful or privileged they are and to be independent. And I saw in the Legislature how important it was to have an independent court. You dont want a court to be a rubber stamp for any party or the Legislature or the federal government. Taylors opponent, Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar, has spent more time as a judge and throughout the campaign has accused Taylor of being a partisan actor. Advertisement Advertisement Lazars initial race for the Court of Appeals and her race this year have involved the support of some of the states most prominent election deniers. Taylor said that support and Lazars ruling in favor of the Wisconsin Voter Alliance are important signals for a race whose winner will likely be involved in deciding election law challenges in the 2028 presidential race. I certainly dont have confidence that she would act to protect our elections if it didnt go the way that the right wing wants it to go, she told the Examiner. So yes, I would be very worried about that, and people should with her record, and they should have no such worry with me, because I will make sure that unmeritorious attacks on our elections are struck down or are rejected. After the 2023 and 2025 campaigns for the Court set national records for judicial campaign fundraising, the 2026 race between Taylor and Lazar is comparatively sleepy. Taylor said at a forum hosted by Marquette Law School Wednesday that its probably a good thing that the temperature has been brought down a bit on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. But with less money involved and the ideological lean of the Court not at stake less attention has been paid to the race. A Marquette Law poll released last month found that Taylor had a slight lead in the race, but that most people had not yet started paying attention or learned who either candidate was. Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said she believes her campaigns work over the past month has changed that, and that Wisconsin voters are overwhelmed by the state of the country. The people [of Wisconsin] are so engaged in government. They are hungry for a government that works for them. They are hungry for a court that stands up for them and protects their rights, Taylor said at the Marquette event. Now I will say I think people are overwhelmed. I really do. I think theyre overwhelmed because its hard right now. I think working families are struggling with high costs, gas prices have gone up so much. You know, theres a lot going on in the world. Sometimes it feels very overwhelming. Its very hard to see sometimes where you can make a difference and what you should be doing. But I tell people, this is a way to make a difference, is show up and vote. She said that if elected, she wants the Court to be better at engaging with regular Wisconsinites, pointing to oral arguments the Court held recently in Richland County rather than its Madison chambers as an example of something that should happen more. She also said that the Court needs to take more cases a regular critique of the liberal-majority Court is that its caseload has dropped significantly. I have a duty to be independent, but I do not want to be isolated from the public, she said. Im part of the community, and I want to be out in the community, doing what I can to do my part to make sure people know what we do in the judiciary, we have confidence in what we do. I think the more we can talk about it and invite people in, the more confidence people will have in our process. Advertisement Advertisement Both candidates in this years race for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court have served as circuit and appeals court judges. But Taylor says the difference between them is that shes never been reversed by a higher court. But Taylor points to the instances in which Lazars decisions have been overturned as evidence that the former Waukesha County judge is more likely to tilt her rulings toward one side. The only person, though, who has brought politics to the bench is my opponent, Taylor told the Wisconsin Examiner. And you look at the cases she has decided and thankfully been reversed on and you can see it. Last year, the Supreme Court overturned Lazars decision in a lawsuit filed by the Wisconsin Voter Alliance, a group that has been heavily involved in the effort to discredit Wisconsins election administration system since the 2020 election. The group had sued to force the release of voter registration files for people who had been declared incompetent to vote by a judge. Advertisement Advertisement A previous appeals court decision had ruled the records werent able to be released, yet in a second lawsuit Lazar ruled otherwise even though Wisconsins appeals courts dont have the authority to overturn precedent. I have never seen that be done on the Court of Appeals. My colleagues, whove been there, some of them, over a decade, have never seen such a blatant disregard of precedent, Taylor said. Maria Lazar put her thumb on the scale. She didnt like the result. She has brought politics to this bench. Taylor told the Examiner that in an era in which people across Wisconsin are worried about the Trump administrations effects on their livelihoods and safety, the exact ideological swing of the Court is less important than having a Court that isnt afraid to stand up on behalf of the Wisconsin people. People dont care about what the ideology is on the court, they want justices who are going to protect their rights, who are going to stand up for our democracy and our elections, stand up to the federal government and make sure people get justice, she said. Thats what they want. Thats what my opponent does not understand. People want justices that are going to be fair and are going to protect them and have their back. My opponent has not ever done that in her life. That is not her priority like it is for me, its not ever been her priority. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Wake County teachers walked out Thursday morning to protest potential cuts to special education funding as district leaders warn of difficult budget decisions ahead. Educators gathered outside Enloe High School in Raleigh, urging the district to increase investment in special education rather than reduce it. The demonstration comes as Wake County Public Schools works to finalize its upcoming budget. Superintendent Robert Taylor previewed his proposal Tuesday, warning that the absence of a state spending plan has put the district in a challenging financial position. Taylor said cuts to special education remain a possibility as the district looks for ways to close funding gaps. Advertisement Advertisement The North Carolina Association of Educators has been calling for additional special education funding, arguing that reductions would severely harm students and staff. The group says the current budget outline would cut $18 million and eliminate about 130 special education teaching positions. District officials are expected to release specific details of the proposed cuts on April 7. Thursday's walk-in protest at Enloe was expected to begin shortly after sunrise, with another demonstration planned in Fuquay Varina at 8:30 a.m. Welcome back to World Brief, where were looking at an attack on Irans South Pars gas field, Pakistan and Afghanistan pausing strikes, and Ukraines efforts to secure Hungarys support. Sign up to receive World Brief in your inbox every weekday. Targeting Energy Infrastructure Iran vowed on Wednesday to strike oil and gas facilities throughout the Persian Gulf in retaliation for an attack on the countrys South Pars gas field earlier that day. The operation marks one of the first reported strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began last month, and it risks exacerbating an already unprecedented disruption to global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Advertisement Advertisement South Pars is part of the worlds largest natural gas reserve, which is jointly owned by Iran and Qatar. (The latter calls its portion of the reserve North Dome.) Both nations blamed Israel for the attack; the Israeli military has not yet commented on the accusations. Tehrans oil ministry reported on Wednesday that numerous Iranian facilities at South Pars were damaged, though the extent of the destruction remains unclear. Qatars facilities did not appear to have been targeted. Wednesdays attack was a dangerous & irresponsible step amid the current military escalation in the region, Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari wrote on X. Until now, Israel and the United States have largely refrained from targeting Irans energy production facilities, in part due to fear of Tehran retaliating with strikes on Gulf countries oil and gas industries. It appears that their concerns were warranted. In response to the South Pars attack, Iran characterized several prominent regional energy sites as direct and legitimate targets and warned them to be evacuated immediately ahead of looming strikes. The facilities listed were Saudi Arabias Samref Refinery and Jubail Petrochemical Complex; the United Arab Emirates al-Hosn gas field; and Qatars Mesaieed Petrochemical Complex and Ras Laffan Refinery. Advertisement Advertisement Later on Wednesday, QatarEnergy said in a statement that Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is operated by QatarEnergy and is where the refinery as well as other natural gas facilities and infrastructure are located, had been the subject of missile attacks that caused extensive damage that evening. Oil prices shot up on Wednesday in light of the South Pars attack and ensuing Iranian threat, with Brent crude costs hitting more than $109 per barrel. However, experts suspect that the South Pars attack will have a limited effect on the global supply of gas, since Iran uses most of its reserves domestically; South Pars makes up as much as 75 percent of the countrys natural gas production. Meanwhile, Israeli forces killed Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight strike on Wednesday. The operation follows Israels assassination on Tuesday of Ali Larijani, the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Irans Basij militia, an all-volunteer paramilitary force used to repress protests inside Iran. Tehran has confirmed all three of their deaths. Israels policy is clear and unequivocal: No one in Iran has immunity, and everyone is a target, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday. The prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and I have authorized the Israel Defense Forces to target any senior Iranian official for whom an intelligence and operational opportunity arises, without the need for additional approval. Todays Most Read The Israel Lobbys Responsibility for the Iran War by Stephen M. Walt BRICS Meets Reality in the Middle East War by C. Raja Mohan Irans Escalation Strategy Wont Work by Raphael S. Cohen What Were Following A short reprieve. Pakistan announced an immediate pause in strikes against Afghanistan on Wednesday, to remain in place until midnight on Monday. Islamabad said the decision was made ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr and was at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan offers this gesture in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X. However, in case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan, military operations will resume immediately and with renewed intensity. Afghanistan also agreed to the pause for Eid al-Fitr but stopped short of providing its own time frame. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on X that, similar to Islamabad, Kabul would respond courageously to any aggression in the event of a threat. The pause comes just two days after the Taliban accused Pakistani forces of targeting a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, killing more than 400 people in the single deadliest incident since fighting between the two countries erupted last month. (On Wednesday, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan provided a lower figure, saying it had recorded 143 deaths in the strike.) Islamabad has denied Kabuls claims, arguing that the targets were military and terrorist infrastructure, not a civilian site. Restoring the Druzhba pipeline. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed on Tuesday to repair an oil pipeline that transports Russian crude through Ukraine into Hungary. The decision comes after European Union officials offered to pay Kyiv to restore operations at the Druzhba pipeline in an effort to persuade Budapest to lift its veto on a massive aid package. Advertisement Advertisement In December, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban backed a nearly $104 billion EU loan to fund Ukraines war effort. However, Orban appears to have reneged on that promise, accusing Kyiv of deliberately blocking oil flows into Hungary to tip the scales in favor of Peter Magyar, Orbans main opponent in elections next month. If theres no oil, theres no money, Orban said on Tuesday. If President Zelensky wants to get his money from Brussels, he needs to open the Druzhba oil pipeline. Orbans populist government has repeatedly aligned itself with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a shift away from its European peers. Zelensky, however, has denied Hungarys claims. Allegations that Ukraine is deliberately obstructing oil transportation through the Druzhba pipeline are unfounded, he wrote in a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday. The disruption results from recent [R]ussian terrorist attacks on the pipeline and surrounding infrastructure. Moscow has routinely targeted critical energy facilities in Ukraine, including the countrys power grid. Mercosurs last holdout. Paraguay became the final South American nation on Tuesday to ratify the landmark EU-Mercosur trade deal. The agreement creates one of the largest free trade zones in the world, with an integrated market of some 780 million consumers accounting for roughly 25 percent of global GDP. This is a historic agreement for Paraguay, for the region, and for the world, National Deputy Rodrigo Gamarra said. The deal now heads to Paraguayan President Santiago Pena for his approval. Advertisement Advertisement Although all four voting Mercosur members have now signed off on the framework, the European side remains fragmented. Pushback from European farmerswho fear that the deal will flood the EU with cheap food importshave forced some European Parliament members to object to the trade deals implementation. In January, lawmakers sent the agreement to the European Court of Justice for review, effectively freezing its ratification for up to two years. However, such resistance has not stopped the European Commission from moving forward. Von der Leyen announced last month that the EU would provisionally implement the agreement until final ratification was given. This means that the removal of tariffs could begin as soon as May. Odds and Ends Its the season of love for one Chinese university. The Sichuan Southwest Vocational College of Civil Aviation urged students this week to enjoy the flowers, fall in love during their upcoming midterm break. The notice comes as Beijing continues to promote policies that Chinese authorities hope will encourage the countrys citizens to have more children; Chinas birth rate fell for a fourth consecutive year in 2025, hitting a record low. All you need is love? Before his execution this week, a Texas man apologized through tears to the relatives of the young mother and 8-year-old boy he stabbed to death back in 2013. Cedric Ricks was put to death on Tuesday, March 17, for the capital murders of Roxann Sanchez, 30, and her son, Anthony Figueroa. Ricks, 51, received a lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. Jurors found him guilty of the May 2013 killings inside the apartment they shared in Bedford. Sanchez and Ricks were in a relationship. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the murders, Ricks stabbed Sanchez's 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, 25 times. The boy survived acting like he was dead. There Are No Winners: Texas Killer Shares Final Words With Victims Families Before Execution Seven bereaved relatives, including Marcus, watched Ricks die. Strapped to a gurney, he started to cry when asked for his last words. "I want to say that Im sorry for taking Roxann and Anthony from y'all," Ricks said, reported KHOU. "I'm glad to be able to speak to tell y'all that face to face." Marcus, who still has scarring to the back of his neck from the attack, was unmoved, according to reported accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Ricks also said he hoped one day that his victims' relatives would be able to forgive him for his abhorrent actions. He also addressed Marcus directly and said he was sorry for taking his mother and brother away. "I always thought about you and I'm sorry that I took your mom and your brother away," Ricks said. "I hate that you had to experience that, I just can't imagine, but I'm truly sorry for what I've done, and I wish y'all peace and joy as much as you can but I'm sorry, that's all I can say." He even said he was hoping to be reunited with Sanchez and her son in heaven, so he could "tell them I'm sorry face to face." "I hope y'all go in peace. I really do. I'm sorry." Advertisement Advertisement Rob and Michele Reiner Befriended Former Death Row Inmate Imprisoned for Murder at 17: He Became Like Family The shot was administered, and not even 30 minutes later, Ricks was dead. Ricks did appeal his sentence to no avail. Earlier in the week, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied his request for a commutation or 90-day reprieve. Ricks became the second person put to death in Texas in 2026. Recently, Charles Sonny Burton, a 75-year-old Alabama inmate, had been set for execution. But Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commuted his death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Burton had been condemned for a deadly shooting that unfolded during a 1991 robbery at an auto parts store, despite not being the shooter. A routine traffic stop in North Texas has sparked community concern and a formal complaint after a woman accused a Hurst police officer of using excessive force during an arrest captured on video. According to the Hurst Police Dept., the incident happened Jan. 16, 2026, when Hurst officers conducted a traffic stop involving Taneisha Thompson, who was accused of speeding through a school zone. Footage captured by Thompson's phone shows the moments the encounter escalated after Thompson refused to accept a citation. Advertisement Advertisement The video shows an officer telling Thompson to take the ticket, when she declined and repeatedly asked for a supervisor, the situation intensified. The incident escalated when an officer handed her the citation, and she tossed it out of her window. Thats your citation, thats littering step out of the car, the officer is heard saying in Thompson's footage. After the publication of this story, Hurst police released the body camera footage of the traffic stop, which shows the vantage point of the arresting officer and two other officers who assisted in detaining Thompson. "We are sharing body camera footage to provide additional context to a traffic stop that occurred on January 16, 2026. This is an effort to clear up misconceptions and be fully transparent with our community members," the caption on the video says. Advertisement Advertisement The body camera video shows the moments before Thompson started recording on her phone. You can see her phone propped on the dashboard in the officer's body camera. Here is the video released by Hurst police: As shown in both videos, Thompson refused to exit the vehicle, telling the officer not to touch her and continuing to request a supervisor. At one point, she can be heard saying, Call your supervisor, to which the officer responded, I am the supervisor. Her 15-year-old son, who was in the car during the incident, is heard in the video pleading with the officer to stop as the situation escalated. Footage shows the officer grabbing Thompson by the neck and attempting to pull her from the vehicle. Moments later, she is taken to the ground as additional officers arrive and arrest her. She was arrested for littering and charged with resisting arrest, Hurst PD said. Advertisement Advertisement Thompsons attorney, Lee Merritt, described the encounter as an unimaginable escalation and said his client suffered injuries, including a black eye and a torn lip that required stitches. A formal lawsuit has not been filed. Merritt also said Thompson believed she was being racially profiled and argued the stop and arrest were unlawful. We believe that there was an illegal stop and an unlawful arrest, Merritt said. A formal complaint alleging excessive use of force was filed, prompting an Internal Affairs investigation by the Hurst Police Department. The department said the investigation found no wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement On January 16, 2026, Hurst officers conducted a traffic stop that resulted in an arrest. A formal complaint was filed on January 20, 2026, claiming excessive use of force and an Internal Affairs Investigation was opened. A thorough investigation was conducted, the claims submitted were determined to be unfounded, and the Internal Affairs Investigation was closed. We are aware of the community concern about this situation, and we are committed to remaining transparent. The Tarrant County District Attorneys Office is continuing to investigate the charges stemming from the original traffic stop. Because of this, we are unable to release additional information at this time. The Hurst Police Department is dedicated to protecting our community and enforcing local, state, and federal laws. Public support and well-established lines of communication are of utmost importance to our Department. The department also stated the officer involved was not disciplined "because his actions did not violate policy." Advertisement Advertisement However, law enforcement expert Dr. Alex Del Carmen, who reviewed Thompson's cell phone video in an interview with WFAA, said the officers actions appear to show unnecessary escalation. Theres clearly an escalation, Del Carmen said, adding that the officer had other options, such as issuing another citation, stepping away, or calling for another officer to intervene. At that point, he loses his cool, and you cannot afford to do that as a police officer, he said. Del Carmen said that in his 28 years of experience training officers across the nation, similar incidents in other departments would likely result in disciplinary action. Advertisement Advertisement The Tarrant County District Attorneys Office is continuing to review the case. Meanwhile, Thompsons attorney said a federal lawsuit is being considered. At the end of the Hurst police video, the Hurst police chief said the DA has accepted charges of resisting arrest after reviewing all evidence submitted by Hurst police. By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK, March 19 (Reuters) - Anutin Charnvirakul was reelected Thailand's prime minister on Thursday after sailing through a parliamentary vote, winning a fresh mandate that could usher in a rare period of stability for a country long plagued by political drama and turmoil. The Bhumjaithai Party's Anutin led from the start in what turned out to be a rout of his biggest rival, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the progressive People's Party, the surprise runner-up last month in an election it had been widely expected to win. Advertisement Advertisement Anutin becomes the first Thai premier to be voted back to office in two decades, underlining the upheaval that has dogged Southeast Asia's second-largest economy. In a stunning turnaround in fortunes for a party that had struggled to make its mark in Thai politics, Bhumjaithai scored a decisive election victory over its reformist rival after capitalising on a wave of nationalism arising out of military conflicts with Cambodia last year. OPPORTUNITY SEIZED Much of Anutin's success comes from his opportunism last year in seizing on the decline of the once dominant Pheu Thai party, first by abandoning its coalition government then manoeuvring swiftly to form his own after a court sacked a second prime minister in the space of just over a year. Advertisement Advertisement Bhumjaithai's coalition pact with the politically bruised Pheu Thai and a motley crew of small parties stood firm in Thursday's vote, with Anutin comfortably reaching the 251 votes needed to win reelection. His alliance is expected to control 292 of the current 499 seats in parliament. In the leadup to the vote, Anutin, 59, pledged to get to work immediately on forming a cabinet and solving Thailand's problems. "Your voices are equally heard," he told rival lawmakers. "I'm ready to accept suggestions so I can carry out my duty as head of government. We all have the same goals - the wellbeing of the people." Advertisement Advertisement Anutin, a staunch royalist, has been a mainstay in Thai politics, weathering two decades of upheaval by positioning Bhumjaithai strategically between warring elites entangled in an intractable power struggle, which guaranteed its place in a succession of coalition governments. PROSPECT OF STABILITY Anutin's election victory and approval by parliament gives him his first clear mandate to lead in a country with a long-stuttering economy shackled by massive household debt and facing headwinds from trade uncertainty and the fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Anutin's survival instincts and ability to straddle political divides could prove his biggest asset, some analysts say, with Bhumjaithai having been spared the wrath of Thailand's powerful military and judiciary, the engineers of the downfall of multiple governments and parties. Advertisement Advertisement Napon Jatusripitak, a political scientist at Singapore's ISEASYusof Ishak Institute, said that with Bhumjaithai set to hold sway over the upper and lower houses and Thailand's axes of institutional power appearing to be behind Anutin, the prospects for medium-term stability were good. "People have strong reasons to believe that this government can last, particularly because it's the first time in a long while that the referee and the players are on the same side," Napon said. "There's control," he said. "And we have a highly fragmented opposition." (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Devjyot Ghoshal; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) RIGHT-WING MISOGYNY, often taking the form of antifeminist extremism, has created an extremely toxic climate among MAGA and New Right typesand some women have had enough. A long New York magazine feature article last week on women defectors from the right sparked a controversy about the extent of the misogyny problemand, as often happens in such debates, the rebuttals dismissing the issue as made up tended to prove the case. The most viral response to Sam Adler-Bells article came from the rights regnant female misogynist, Helen Andrews, whose Great Feminization theory of Western decline posits that womens large-scale entry into public life and institutions is a potential threat to civilization. Not surprisingly, Andrews thinks Adler-Bells piece confirms her point, because one of its principal sourcesa onetime antifeminist blogger who finally got alarmed by the increasingly overt misogyny in her political environment and began to drift awayis anonymized and identified only by the pseudonym Anna. The publicly trashing your old side clause is a convenient way to sidestep the ubiquity of anonymous discourse on the right. Advertisement Advertisement I myself had mixed feelings about Annas anonymity, since the piece reveals that she spent several years a celebrated pundit of the New Right and that, after distancing herself from the movements belligerent misogyny, she has occasionally critiqued it under her real name. Granting anonymity to a source is one thing; allowing an acknowledged public figure to speak out anonymously is another. But it also needs to be noted that Anna, who has several children, wanted anonymity because she fears retaliation. Given the far rights level of vitriol and history of harassment toward perceived opponents, thats not so unreasonable. A number of people on Xsuch as far-right pundit and self-proclaimed proud misogynist Aimee Teresehave hypothesized that Adler-Bells piece is entirely fictitious. In reality, the other girls are mentioned by name, and one, writer and former podcaster Alex Kaschuta, is also extensively interviewed. But even that aside, most of what the article saysthat increasingly militant misogyny has become a social currency on the far right in recent years and its less extreme forms are also being legitimized in more mainstream right-wing quartersis readily discoverable by looking at social media and at right-wing punditry. Nick Fuentes, who declared in a notorious recent video clip that women exist for sex and for breedingand who routinely attacks women as innately selfish, greedy, mindless, and basically subhumanis not quite a respectable member of the right today but no longer a pariah, either. Aimee Terese, who thinks that Fuentes-style overt woman-hating is infantile and socially inept, pitches benign misogyny as the alternative. Is it really a revelation that women who move in far-right circles must prove their based bona fides by going along with performative woman-bashingor even by voicing Repeal the Nineteenth slogans as an Im-not-like-other-girls badge? (These interactions were depicted in a post from nearly a year ago by the controversial pundit and reformed far rightist Richard Hanania titled The Based Ritual.) And is it really a shock that, as Anna and Kaschuta report, these attitudes often enable abusive behavior by right-wing menwhether its openly sexist invective toward women who dare to disagree with them or exploitation of their own wives as domestic servants? Advertisement Advertisement As more evidence of the mainstreaming of misogyny, Adler-Bell points to the controversy over the Heritage Foundations recent hiring of Boise State political scientist Scott Yenor to head its Center for American Studiesand the backlash against a critique of Yenor penned for the Atlantic by analyst Henry Olsen, himself on the right and a Donald Trump supporter. In fairness, Adler-Bell almost certainly overstates the case when he refers to Yenors push for coverture 2.0. (Coverture, largely dismantled in the nineteenth century, was a doctrine that deprived married women of virtually all legal autonomy.) Nothing in Yenors writing suggests that he is seeking such a push, even if his 2025 Claremont Institute paper Not Enough Good Men refers to womens suffrage and equal property rights in an unmistakably snarky tone as a feat of social engineering. What he does advocate is undoing civil rights laws that keep businesses and other institutions from supporting traditional sex roles through preferential treatment for male breadwinners. Yenors praise for tradwives, including women who work but prioritize home and motherhood, seems light years away from the poisonous invective of a Fuentes or an Andrew Tate. But this benevolence quickly drops away when it comes to overly feminist or careerist women: Medicated, meddlesome and quarrelsome is how Yenor described them (twice!) in a notoriously vitriolic speech at the 2021 National Conservatism Conference. In the same speech, he also stressed that women should not be encouraged to enter science and engineering programs, law, or medicine, that societal efforts should instead be focused on promoting male achievement, and that if every Nobel Prize winner is a man . . . its kind of a cause for celebration. Yet, when Olsen reasonably asked whether Heritage wants to be associated with such views of women, anti-woke activist Christopher Rufo accused him of trying to purge Yenor for not upholding the principles of human-resources feminismand insisted that it was absolutely fine to argue for legalized discrimination in favor of married men with families. (So much for meritocracy!) At the time, Yenors supporters also included Claremont Institute fellow Inez Stepman, who explicitly took the view that opposing civil rights protections against sex discrimination was a fully defensible conservative position. Now, Stepman not only dismisses the New York article on women and the far right as a smear job but, like Andrews, sees in it a validation of misogynistic stereotypes: See, women just cant help taking everything personally and getting censorious! Conservatives have rightly pointed out that progressive rhetoric about toxic masculinity and white male privilege alienated some men from the Democratic party. But apparently, if youre a woman who objects to far more vile language about women and bristles at calls for taking away your voting rights, youre just proving that women are a thin-skinned and humorless lot. THE NEW YORK ARTICLE notes that Anna was initially drawn to antifeminism as a rebellion against the overweening, haughty moralism of Peak Woke which she encountered in college in 2010sand which Adler-Bell, himself a progressive, acknowledges was a real problem. Her contrarian streak, he writes, drew her to right-wing outlets. Advertisement Advertisement I can relate to that story: During the same era, I was a strong critic of social justice politics and of the prevailing brand of feminist discourse, whose toxicity was acknowledged even by some left-of-center feminists. For a while in the mid-2010s, I was sympathetic to right-coded rebellions against speech-policing and identity politicsthough I did caution early on that such anti-political correctness revolts were likely to be magnets for actual misogynists and racists. At times I was, as I admitted in a later mea culpa, too willing to let slide sexist provocations of the just kiddingor maybe not Schrodingers troll variety. My wakeup call came in the spring of 2016 when some prominent anti-PC warriors jumped on the bandwagon of the openly and shockingly racist, antisemitic, misogynistic alternative right. Around the same time, I participated in a joint event on free speech with Canadian influencer and provocateur Lauren Southern at the University of Michigan at the invitation of a campus conservative group. My alarm bells went off when I heard Southern tout not only race science but male superiority among facts forbidden by the PC police: Proper methodology, she claimed, shows a male advantage in general intelligence, supposedly related to brain size and at least partly responsible for universal male dominance in society. At the post-event dinner, everyone at the tableSouthern and the four or five students from the group that had hosted us, one of them a womandropped gleeful hints about their involvement with the alt-right. I had seen enough.1 We can debate how harshly one should judge young people whose annoyance with toxic speech and behavior on the left drove them to embrace the even more toxic right and who took a long time to cut themselves loose from it. Cults are insidious, especially when one becomes financially and socially dependent on them, as Anna was for several years. The more important point is that today, toxic misogyny on the rightpaired with glorification of a macho caricature of masculinityis rampant and far more mainstream than it was in mid-2010s. While Adler-Bells article has some minor inaccuracies,2 it certainly doesnt exaggerate the problem. If anything, Adler-Bell is sometimes too kindas when he credits Tucker Carlson with tak[ing] pains to distinguish himself from Fuentess hatred during their two-hour lovefest in October and depicts Carlsons recent anti-feminist sniping as a new development. In fact, these tirades go pretty far back: In a 2019 segment, Carlson asserted that feminism is at war with nature and has changed our society more for the worse than anything else. In 2021, he even managed to blame the U.S. failure in Afghanistan on alleged attempts to impose neoliberal feminism (meaning initiatives promoting education, jobs, and health care for women and girls). In the conversation with Fuentes, Carlson fully agreed that equality and careers for women are woke absurdities; he just thought that Fuentess anti-woman rants were letting men off the hook for their failures of masculine leadership. If you believe in the patriarchy, as I fervently do, Carlson said, then you think that men should lead. . . . Maybe the job is to make a girl happy and all this nonsense ends. Advertisement Advertisement These days, even far-right discourse on issues that have nothing to do with feminism or sex roles is often inflected, if not saturated, with hostility and contempt toward women. Its become a right-wing axiom, for instance, that opposition to anti-immigration policies and heavy-handed deportation tactics is driven by womens suicidal empathyeven though the actual gender gap in opinions on illegal immigration and immigration enforcement is quite small. Its hard to say exactly what Elon Musk meant when he seconded a viral X post about having to do things that make women sad in order to save this countrybanning abortion? conducting mass deportations with sufficient inhumanity?but the level of normalized misogyny is shocking. And, while some conservative womenand men, like Henry Olsenare pushing back on this rhetoric without leaving the right, the hardcore MAGA camp resists any correctives.3 HOW MUCH DOES RIGHT-WING MISOGYNY endanger womens rights on a practical level? Stepman shrugs off Repeal the Nineteenth talk as jokes and bar chatter because there are no actual initiatives to repeal womens suffragewhich, luckily, is a protection mechanism against its own abolition. Yenors fantasies of making it legal to discriminate against women in the workplace in order to promote a male-provider ethos also have little chance of being enacted: Even the recent Heritage report on saving the family, which takes some jabs at feminism for its critiques of womens domestic roles, doesnt propose any actual measures that would discourage womens careers or privilege male breadwinners. One could even point out that, despite Donald Trumps well-known penchant for sexualized misogyny, his administration is not churning out antifeminist rhetoric the way it churns out racialized nativist propaganda against third world immigration. (Maybe Republicans know they cant afford to squander the female vote the way they have apparently squandered Hispanic and Asian-American votes during the past year.) Yet, without invoking Handmaids Tale-style dystopias, far-right misogyny does have real-life effects under the second Trump administrationespecially in the Department of Defense, where Pete Hegseth has selectively purged high-level female leaders and axed an advisory committee on women in the military created in the very woke era of 1951. (He also recently had pastor Doug Wilson, a pro-patriarchy, anti-womens suffrage Christian nationalist, lead a prayer service and deliver a brief sermon at the Pentagon.) The push to root out DEI resulted, as recent depositions of DOGE staffers showed, in the cancellation of grants for research that focused on voices of femalessuch as female Jewish survivors of Nazi forced labor camps. And while laws against sex discrimination may not be in danger of repeal, they are not likely to be vigorously enforced when the Trump Department of Justice and the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights are focused primarily on reverse discrimination against whites and gender identity policies seen as injurious to women and girls. Advertisement Advertisement And even more worrying are the long-term cultural effects of a movement that we know has a sizable following among young Republican activists, including congressional staffers. In a 2024 poll of young adults from the Institute of Politics at Harvards Kennedy School, a third of Republicans agreed that womens emotions make it more challenging to lead effectively, while nearly half felt that women are too promiscuous these days. A more recent survey confirms that Generation Z and millennial Trump voters, men and women alike, are far more likely to be hostile to sexual equality than all Americans and even than older Trump supporters. More than a quarter of younger Trump voters agreed that in a relationship, the man should lead, and the woman should follow; their older counterparts were in line with Americans in general on this question, with about one in ten agreeing. The poll survey also reflect the new rights obsession with masculinity framed in explicit opposition to soft and feminized culture: 49 percent of younger Trump voters, compared to 39 percent of older ones, felt that American culture today is too feminine [and] needs more masculinity. (Interestingly, female Trump voters are notably less enthusiastic on this point: 59 percent of young pro-Trump men but only 35 percent of the women endorsed the statement.) Assuming that American democracy survives this moment, the new misogyny will be one of the forms of cultural damage to undo. We can only hope that the pushback will not be another cycle of collective blame and toxic polarization, but a rediscovery of our common humanity. Leave a comment 1 Advertisement Advertisement Lauren Southern eventually had enough herself, and she became the most prominent female defector from the far right. She is not mentioned in Adler-Bells article, but she chronicled her experiencesincluding an alleged rape by Andrew Tatein a memoir published last year. 2 For instance, it mentions blogger Hannah Cox as one of the New Right defectors when Cox has always been an anti-MAGA, anti-alt-right classical liberal. 3 A case in point: First Things, the conservative magazine on religion and public life, recently ran blogger Helen Roys critical review of a new book that excoriates attempts to fuse Christianity and feminism, treats all feminism as demonic, and defends patriarchy as a natural hierarchy. Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway responded with a snide dismissal, praising the rejection of feminism and noting that it enrages some who still cling to the sad ideology and its false promiseseven though Roys critique couldnt have been more thoughtful or less enrage[d]. BALTI, Moldova (AP) Tens of thousands of Moldovans have been left without water after a Russian strike on a hydroelectric plant in neighboring Ukraine resulted in oil polluting a major river that flows through both countries. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has blamed Russia for the pollution on the Dniester River following an attack on Ukraines Novodnistrovsk hydropower plant on March 7, saying its threatening Moldovas water supply in the European Union candidate country. The Ukrainian plant is situated about 15 kilometers (9 miles) upstream from Moldovas northern border with Ukraine and supplies water to about 80% of Moldovas population of about 2.5 million. Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, such as dams and river ports, since it fully invaded the country in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Russia bears full responsibility, Sandu said on Sunday in a post on X. Moldova declares environmental alert Moldovas environment ministry on Sunday declared an environmental state of alert for 15 days, giving the authorities a legal mechanism to boost technical interventions and impose temporary restrictions on water supplies. We are taking this decision to make sure we prevent any risk to the populations health," it said. Because of the continuous wave of pollution with oil products, the risk of the pollution spreading, and the exceedance of contaminant levels in the northern area of the Dniester River. While oil pollutants have been confirmed in the river following the strike, the exact source of the pollutant is not yet clear. Advertisement Advertisement The situation has forced the authorities to cut the water supply to several districts, including Moldovas second-largest city of Balti, which has a population of about 90,000 people. As well as humanitarian aid from neighboring Romania, Moldovas military stepped in this week to distribute drinking water in the northern city from a 10-tonne tanker. Water shortage impacts residents Its very hard, very hard, said 84-year-old Balti resident Liuba Istrati, who has been carrying buckets of water up to her apartment. We live on the fifth floor, its just the two of us, old people, my husband is sick in bed. The water shortage has also forced some schools to close and move learning online. Its a complicated situation, I have to come every day to get water, said Irina Mutluc, a teacher living in Balti. Even for one person you need quite an amount of water to consume, for the bathroom and so on, so its really complicated. Advertisement Advertisement The authorities are now racing to clean up pollution and analyze and monitor the river water. Neighboring Romania, which has close relations with Moldova, has dispatched teams and equipment, such as absorbent materials for dams, to aid cleanup efforts. Tests show improvement in water The latest samples taken show an improvement in the water indicators, which confirms the effectiveness of the filters and barriers for the capture and disposal of pollutants, the Ministry of Environment said on Wednesday. The ministry added that the authorities are working at an accelerated pace to resume water supplies, but this decision will be made exclusively on the basis of at least two consecutive sets of analyses, taken on two different days ... Protecting the health of citizens remains the absolute priority. Moldovas environment minister Gheorghe Hajder said Wednesday at a press briefing that for the first time since the crisis began, three critical monitoring points on the river reached the admissible limit of oil pollution. Advertisement Advertisement He added that if the analyses show the same results or improve in the next 48 hours, authorities will consider reopening a pumping station on the northeastern border with Ukraine, which supplies several districts and Balti. It is clear evidence that upstream oil diversions have been greatly mitigated, and the absorbing dams have had their effect, he said. The Dniester River originates in southwestern Ukraine and spans more than 1,300 kilometers (846 miles), continuing downstream through Moldova, back through southern Ukraine and empties into the Black Sea. Although at some points values may temporarily return within acceptable limits, matter continues to come in waves, making it difficult to accurately anticipate evolution, the environment ministry said. Moldova plans criminal case Moldovas General Prosecutors Office said Tuesday that it will open a criminal case to investigate the matter, while Moldovas foreign ministry summoned Russias ambassador to Chisinau, Oleg Ozerov, who was presented with a bottle of brownish water. Advertisement Advertisement In an online statement on Wednesday, the Russian embassy in Moldova argued that the Moldovan authorities have not presented any evidence of Russias complicity, aside from a container with an unknown murky liquid, with no markings regarding where and when it was obtained," and that by definition cannot be proof of anything. The statement claimed that Moldovan authorities publicly claim a lack of precise information about the nature of the incident, the type, and the amount of pollutants, putting forward conflicting theories. Ilya Trombitsky, a biologist at Eco-TIRAS, an umbrella of nongovernmental organizations in Moldova and Ukraine, says that while its difficult yet to determine the short or long-term consequences of the pollution, the fact that several cities are without water is an evident social damage. It depends on the nature of the pollutant we still do not know either the source or the substance of pollution, he told The Associated Press. It is evident that it is not healthy for birds, wetland birds. It is evident that some invertebrates were killed, especially upstream crustaceans, but small ones, (which) can be food for fish. Moldova does not have experience in such spills," he added. ___ McGrath reported from Leamington Spa, England. A Pennsylvania woman who voted for Donald Trump in three consecutive elections publicly turned on the president during a televised interview on March 18, blaming him for rising gas prices tied to the ongoing war with Iran. Pennsylvania voter rages over Donald Trump in live TV interview The expletive-filled exchange aired on NBCs Meet the Press NOW, which showed a raw moment of voter frustration in a region that helped deliver Pennsylvania to Trump in 2024. With fuel costs climbing as Operation Epic Fury continues, some former supporters are questioning their choices. The outlets reporter was speaking with voters in Millersburg, about 25 miles north of Harrisburg. The area sits inside Pennsylvanias 10th Congressional District, which Trump carried 52% to 47% in the last election. When Allen asked Amanda Robbins what message she would send to Donald Trump directly, she responded: You are a worthless pile of s***. Advertisement Advertisement The reporter reminded Robbins that she had voted for Trump three times. Her reply was immediate: That was my bad. Apparently, Im an idiot. Additionally, Robbins went on to criticize both the rising cost of living and the broader rationale for U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts. In many words, it describes the economic strain some voters now associate with the administrations foreign policy decisions. AAA data from the time of the interviews showed Pennsylvanias average regular gas price at $3.758 per gallon. That is an increase from $3.664 the previous week and a big jump from $3.108 just one month earlier. These increases are directly linked to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which Donald Trumps administration has named Operation Epic Fury (via Newsweek). For voters already concerned about household budgets, the price at the pump has become a daily reminder of distant military engagements. However, several other Pennsylvanians interviewed during the same segment expressed continued support for Donald Trumps approach. The post Three-Time Donald Trump Voter Turns Critical Over Iran Conflict: Im an Idiot appeared first on Mandatory. Analysts have said Nvidia could be a key beneficiary of the self-driving car boom Credit: David Paul Morris / Bloomberg / Getty Images Key Takeaways Uber and Lyft shares climbed after Nvidia announced expanded partnerships with the firms and others, as part of its push into the market for self-driving cars. Nvidia and Uber plan to launch robotaxis in 28 cities by the end of 2028, the companies said. AI chip leader Nvidia is getting more involved in the self-driving car race. That's lifting shares of its partners' stocks. Uber (UBER) shares surged over 5% and Lyft (LYFT) climbed about 3% in recent trading, after Nvidia announced expanded partnerships with the firms and others at its GPU Technology Conference keynote Monday, as part of its growing push into the market for self-driving cars. Nvidia and Uber said they plan to launch autonomous vehicles running on Nvidia software in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the first half of 2027, and another few dozen cities through 2028. Nvidia also announced new and expanded partnerships with Hyundai, BYD, Geely, Isuzu, and Nissan, which rose on their home exchanges as well. Why This Matters to Investors Nvidia's latest partnerships in the autonomous vehicles space could underscore the company's growing lines of business and influence across industries. Earlier this year, Nvidia announced that its autonomous driving software would power a Mercedes Benz car later this year. The chipmaker's latest moves could help Nvidia's case as a likely beneficiary of the self-driving car industry's expected growth. Nvidia shares were down about 0.4% in recent trading, after gaining 1.6% Monday as CEO Jensen Huang hosted the company's GTC keynote. Read the original article on Investopedia Tim Cook has some advice for you: Get off your phone and go outside. In a recent interview, the Apple CEO said he doesnt want people using smartphones too much. I dont want people looking at the smartphone more than theyre looking in someones eyes; as if theyre scrolling endlessly, he told Good Morning America. This is not how you want to spend your day. Go out and spend it in nature. On its face, its reasonable advice. Its also a strange thing to hear from someone who has spent decades building the system hes now gently scolding people for participating in. Advertisement Advertisement Im old enough to remember life before any of this. I didnt get a smartphone until my early 20s. I was born in 1981, part of what might be the last generation that had a fully analog childhood. We were outside. Constantly. Hours would pass without anyone knowing where you were, and that was normal. That was the point. I grew up in the Four Corners region of northwest New Mexico, one of the most beautiful places in the country. Remote enough that even now, when I go back and hike, my phone just stops working. No signal. No notifications. Just open, rugged space. And now I go home and see people standing in that same landscape with their faces lit by a screen, in one of the most extraordinary places on earth and somewhere else entirely. Its not their fault. Were all addicted. Thats what makes this moment feel so strange. Advertisement Advertisement Apple didnt accidentally create this. It was built, refined, scaled. The constant pull the feeling that the device is always there and always necessary. That didnt just magically happen. And Cook isnt separate from that. He helped build it. When he tells people to log off, it lands in a strange place. It sounds like a dealer telling you to be more responsible with the product. Use less. Take breaks. Go outside. Reconnect. But definitely don't stop buying the product. Buy it, just dont use it too much. Cook has spent years insisting hes not political he told GMA he focused on policy, not politics," when asked about his ties to the Trump administration, including his recent attendance at the Melania screening. But he's made efforts to stay close enough to power to benefit from it. Praising leadership. Showing up when it matters for business. Staying quiet when it might cost something. Its a pattern you see across the tech world right now, including from the industry's gay leaders, as The Advocate reviewed in its new cover story. Advertisement Advertisement People call this neutrality, but it isnt. Its a choice, and it has consequences. Because while people like Cook manage relationships and protect their position, everyone else is left to deal with what that silence allows. Its not CEOs putting themselves on the line to defend transgender people right now. Its workers, organizers, people without insulation. He could have taken those risks. He chose not to. And thats what makes this kind of advice feel hollow. Telling people to go outside assumes they have the time, the access, the space to do it. It ignores how much of modern life has been shaped by the very systems that made people dependent on these devices in the first place. It also ignores something simpler: You dont get to build the machine and then step outside of it. Which is why this doesnt land as concern. It lands as detachment. As if the problem belongs to the people using the thing, not the thing itself. Advertisement Advertisement If the people who built this system wanted something different, they wouldnt offer advice. They would redesign the incentives that keep people hooked. Until then, this isnt insight. Its hollow public relations. If Mr. Cook ever wants to talk about it on a hike, hes welcome to join me in New Mexico. Josh Ackley is a political strategist and the frontman of the queerpunk band The Dead Betties. @momdarkness @thedeadbetties Opinion is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ + community and its allies. Visit out.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of Out or our parent company, equalpride. Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Advocate: Tim Cook wants you to touch grass. That's rich RELATED At the Jersey Shore, summer means one thing a bumpertobumper caravan of cars lining every curb. Residents like Gregory Boris of Diamond Beach watch their quiet streets fill with beachgoers racing to the sand. Meanwhile, unlucky drivers loop the block again and again, searching for a space tight enough to squeeze into. To curb summer traffic in Diamond Beach, the small section of Lower Township bordering Wildwood Crest, officials are rolling out seasonal parking meters. Advertisement Advertisement I dont think that people in Diamond Beach are really going to care too much about it, except that it might even somewhat benefit them by having less traffic, said Boris, who settled in the roughly six-block community from Chester County, Pennsylvania. The Lower Township Committee unanimously passed an ordinance Monday to require cashless, paid parking in Diamond Beach. Beginning this year, beachgoers will see new meters in areas of East Rochester, Atlantic, Seaview, South Station and East Raleigh avenues. Parking rates are expected to be set at a later meeting through a resolution, according to a copy of the ordinance reviewed by NJ.com. Meters will be operational from May 15 to Oct. 15, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Introducing paid parking will encourage vehicle turnover, helping open spots open more frequently, the ordinance says. As with other towns, meters will help stabilize taxes, according to Township Administrator Michael Laffey. Advertisement Advertisement The new meters will be a first for Lower Township, Laffey said. Township officials plan to use about 160 metered parking spots to generate between $150,000 and $175,000 yearly. The meters will also help stop residents from clashing with beachgoers, Laffey said. Some people that live (in Diamond Beach) took it upon themselves to say, Hey, you cant park in front of my house, and took steps to do that by putting up their own signs, which...is a zoning violation, Laffey said. Diamond Beach on Five Mile Island is among the Jersey Shores smallest areas, with only about 200 full-time residents, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Along with Shawcrest, its one of the townships only two sections that sit off the mainland at the southern tip of Cape May County. Diamond Beach is possibly best known for bordering Wildwood Crest, one of the four towns that make up The Wildwoods, which draw thousands of tourists each summer. While meters will cut down on parking times in Diamond Beach, some Crest residents fear the policy will shift the parking burden onto them. Kathy Poppers home on East Jefferson Street sits right on the line between Wildwood Crest and Diamond Beach. And like many Shore residents, she says the warm weather brings the annual parking battle between locals and visitors. We cant have friends over because we have no parking, said Popper, 75. Advertisement Advertisement Poppers neighbor two doors down, Nancy Hollingsworth, has lived in town for 50 years. Hollingsworth says she has been in the town long enough to see how Diamond Beach transformed from a quaint neighborhood to a place with high-rises and gated communities. Among its best-known properties is The Grand at Diamond Beach, a massive high-rise that opened in 2009. Ive had cars parked across the street and next door to me that dont move for a week, said Hollingsworth, 65. Many new condos, Hollingsworth said, have only one parking spot per unit when families bring two vehicles to the shore for vacation. The new meters will likely cause more vehicles to circle the area to find free parking, possibly on Jefferson Street, Hollingsworth said. Advertisement Advertisement I feel Diamond Beach is overbuilt, way overbuilt, Hollingsworth said. They dont have adequate parking for their own units. Theyre a different town; we get no benefit, Hollingsworth added. We dont get anything from them, except we get their rentals overflow of cars and congestion. Asked about meters causing parking wars in Wildwood Crest, Laffey said, I cant determine that. At the same meeting, the Township Committee approved a five-year contract with ParkMobile, the mobile application growing in popularity for cashless parking payments. Municipal documents do not state the cost for the township adopting its service. Advertisement Advertisement The apps effectiveness in monitoring parking times is evident in Stone Harbor, a Cape May County borough north of Diamond Beach, which tallied $49,000 in violations within one month. The cashless cell phone application has been widely adopted at the Jersey Shore. Of the 26 municipalities using the app-based payment system, half are Jersey Shore towns. Local officials say theyve embraced the technology for its convenience, moving away from the old coinbased meters that dominated the Shore for decades. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. LIMA A Toledo man was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Wednesday morning for gross sexual imposition in connection to getting a 12-year-old pregnant. Isaiah Werts-Ybarra, 18, tried to explain the situation before he was sentenced, saying he met the girl online and hed been invited to come live with them under the assumption he was 16. Judge Terri Kohlrieser questioned why he was even talking to a 12-year-old in the first place. She also questioned the parents of the victim, who were present, asking them why they would allow an 18-year-old who was interested in their daughter to live with them. Advertisement Advertisement The Lima News doesnt identify victims of sexual crimes unless theyve specifically requested to be named. Public defender Stephen Chamberlain made his case before the sentencing, saying Werts-Ybarra had a relatively clean record, and he believed Werts-Ybarra did not intend to harm the victim through his actions. He added that Werts-Ybarra is sincere and will commit to helping with the baby. According to court documents, on Dec. 9, 2025, the Lima Police Department was called to Mercy Health-St. Ritas Medical Center for a report of a 12-year-old female who was pregnant. Once officers arrived at the hospital, they spoke to the staff, who confirmed the pregnancy. Allen County Children Services reported the boyfriend was possibly 18 years old and living with the family, which led officers to the address to locate the suspect, whom they identified as Werts-Ybarra. An officer found out Werts-Ybarra left on foot and later located him behind a Dollar General. Officers told Werts-Ybarra they were investigating a possible rape where a 12-year-old was possibly pregnant, which led to him making an unsolicited comment that it was consensual. Officers then arrested Werts-Ybarra and took him to the police station for questioning. During the interview, he confirmed he had had sexual contact at least 10 times with the victim in the past month. (Fixes typo in paragraph 1.) BEIJING, March 19 (Reuters) - Several countries will send representatives to attend the Boao Forum, an international summit sometimes referred to as Asia's answer to the World Economic Forum's meetings in Davos, Switzerland, the organisers said on Thursday. The summit is usually also addressed by a top Chinese government official. Last year, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang used his speech to pledge stronger policy support for the world's second-largest economy. Advertisement Advertisement KEY DETAILS: * The Boao Forum will run from March 24 to March 27 inChina's southern Hainan province. Attendees will include: * Kim Min-seok, prime minister of South Korea * Lawrence Wong, prime minister of Singapore * Sahiba Gafarova, speaker of the National Assembly ofAzerbaijan * Jagath Wickramaratne, speaker of Sri Lanka's parliament * Roman Skylar, first deputy prime minister of Kazakhstan (Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus) Not since the heydays of doo-wop and Elvis had the Sierra Nevada red fox been spotted in the Lake Tahoe Basin. That is, until now. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife released trail footage on its Facebook page of the distinctive red and bushy tailed animal from Nov. 13. The video shows a lone fox wandering around the Blackwood Canyon area and surveying branches on the ground for around 30 seconds before scurrying off. Advertisement Advertisement CDFW described the Sierra Nevada red fox as "one of the rarest carnivores on the planet" and noted the sighting was the first in the region since the mid-1950s. With fewer than 50 of these foxes left between California and Oregon, the Sierra Nevada red fox is considered critically at risk, as The Palm Springs Desert Sun noted. Experts believe its population has been decreasing because of factors such as hunting, trapping, extreme weather, and interbreeding with other species. The animal's reclusive ways and habitat high up in the mountains make it especially difficult to track down. "Cautious behavior, remote habitat, and low-density populations make them extremely difficult to find and capture," wildlife officials told The Desert Sun. Still, there have been encouraging signs of late, including a recently collared Sierra Nevada red fox in the southern Sierra. Advertisement Advertisement These and other sightings of the animal farther north have led scientists to "believe the extremely limited population may be growing and expanding," per the CDFW Facebook post. Since 2021, Sierra Nevada red foxes have been listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Trail cameras and wildlife collars are important tools to give researchers increased visibility into the health of species as well as their movements and habitats. Commenters applauded the sighting of the elusive Sierra Nevada red fox. One gushed: "Incredibly exciting news!!! Yay for the SNRFs!!!" "This is one of our most favorite detections," the research organization Pathways for Wildlife wrote. 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. United States President Donald Trump has tried to distance the US from Israels attack on Irans South Pars gasfield, describing his Israeli allies as having violently lashed out at the facility and promising that it would not reoccur if Tehran refrains from attacking Qatar. Trump said the US had nothing to do with the strike on the offshore gasfield facilities in Irans Bushehr province on Wednesday, which was followed by Iran pledging to strike energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Qatars liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City later sustained significant damage in an Iranian missile strike, while the UAE suspended operations of the Habshan gas facility and the Bab oilfield amid missile attacks. Advertisement Advertisement NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field, Trump said on his TruthSocial platform late on Wednesday. Unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar in which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before, he said. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen, Trump said. Earlier on Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had approved of Israels plan to attack South Pars, which is the Iranian sector of the worlds largest natural gas deposit, and which Iran shares with Qatar. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who knew about the Israeli strike on South Pars in advance, supported it as a message to Tehran over its block of the Strait of Hormuz, the Journal said, citing US officials. The president believes Iran got the message and is now against attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, it said. Al Jazeeras Rosiland Jordan, reporting from Washington, DC, said the strike on the gasfield one of Irans key economic engines raises serious questions. This raises some questions about whether the Israelis did tell the US that they were planning to attack South Pars before the attack on Wednesday, Jordan said. Advertisement Advertisement The strike on South Pars marked the first time in the current conflict that a site directly linked to fossil fuel production had been targeted, rather than broader oil and gas infrastructure. Analysts had suggested such facilities had been spared attack up to now to limit the risk of retaliatory strikes on such facilities across the region. The latest escalation has fuelled concerns that the conflict is expanding into the energy sector, with potentially far-reaching economic consequences globally. President Donald Trump introduced a new mantra for his energy policy on Monday, pivoting from his long-standing drill, baby, drill slogan to a new three-word catchphrase. Trumps new slogan emerged as he addressed escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway thats halted oil exports due to the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran, as seen in a video shared to X. The president remarked in the video that the U.S. did not require energy imports from China before we started dig we must. Trump added, Uh, dig we must, thats the Trump policy of lots of oil. Advertisement Advertisement The geopolitical crisis has significantly impacted global energy markets. Cost for a barrel of Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for oil, has risen above $100, and has stayed there for several days, according to the New York Times. Analysts warned that continued closure of the strait, which the New York Times reports handles roughly 20% of the worlds oil supply, could drive prices to $120 per barrel and trigger a global recession, CNBC reported. The site further reported that nearly 400 tankers are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf as ship owners remain concerned about physical security. Regarding the military status of the conflict, Trump stated that U.S. forces totally obliterated Irans oil export hub on Kharg Island, but he stopped short of declaring a formal end to the war. Theres no reason to, Trump told The Hill while aboard Air Force One on Sunday. I just say theyre decimated. I think that weve done damage to them, the president said. If we left right now, it would take them 10 years and more to rebuild, but Im still not declaring it. Advertisement Advertisement The administration is now pressuring international allies to send warships to secure the corridor, Trump said in the video posted on X. He particularly called out China, which he said buys most of Irans oil. A fact sheet on the Iran-China relationship from the U.S. government states that Chinese purchases account for about 90% of Irans exported oil. Trump suggested the U.S. would remember which countries refused to provide military aid, telling The Financial Times that a lack of response would be very bad for the future of NATO. Despite these threats, NATO allies including Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom have remained reluctant to join the maritime mission, with a German official stating We did not start this war. More on Politics This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by MassLive.com staff. Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A pair of executive orders recently signed by President Donald Trump that are intended to make home buying more affordable may take some time to have an impact in Utah. The orders, signed last Friday, direct federal agencies to ease government regulations seen as adding to the nations housing shortage by increasing building costs, as well as those deemed to limit mortgage options. Provo realtor Steven Bond, the past president of the Utah Association of Realtors, said it is too soon to tell how the orders will affect housing in the state. Still, he said, the attention the affordability issue is getting in Washington, D.C. is positive. Advertisement Advertisement Anytime that more people are talking about how to solve it, and hopefully willing to do things to create efficiency and a streamlining of the process while still protecting the integrity of construction, is a win for us, Bond said. We think thats incredibly important, to help solve for this issue, he said. Because the affordability issue is really a supply issue. That is the best way to solve for this, is creating the supply. Making mortgages more available is also key to resolving what has long been called a housing crisis in Utah, Bond said. Some loosening up, where people still have the appropriate incomes and can get into home ownership, we support that. Trumps Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction order targets a long list of government regulations including those related to wetlands, historical preservation, energy efficiency, residential building codes and tax incentives for developers. Advertisement Advertisement It also calls for federal officials to come up with a series of regulatory best practices for state and local governments within 60 days that streamline the permitting process, curtail green mandates that increase costs, reexamine modular housing restrictions and remove growth limits. A fact sheet from the White House blames (l)ayers of red tape, slow permitting processes, and costly environmental mandates imposed by progressive policymakers at the state, local, and federal level for pricing many Americans out of the housing market. The Promoting Access to Mortgage Credit order focuses on reducing regulations on mortgages and construction loans made by community and smaller banks to encourage competition among lenders. The White House fact sheet on that order states it is restoring mortgage competition to lower rates and that over the past decade, regulatory actions have dramatically increased the cost and complexity of accessing a mortgage. Advertisement Advertisement Bond said its not clear what all the mortgage access order will do, and its effect on reducing rates is hypothetical at this point. Mortgage rates, which recently had fallen below 6%, have climbed since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran at the end of February. The biggest potential impact on Utah from easing federal regulations may be on wetland development, he said, possibly reducing whats normally a 12- to 18-month permitting process in those places by a couple of months. Bond said the federal government is addressing the overstep in both regulations and costs. For what the federal government is doing, we say, Thank you for having a focus on it, he said. Stay tuned and well see if it means something. Advertisement Advertisement Steve Waldrip, the senior advisor to Gov. Spencer Cox on housing strategy and innovation, suggested the orders could help with the administrations goal of getting 35,000 starter homes built in the state by 2028. Thats a key priority for the governor, Waldrip said. We welcome common sense solutions to help Utahns achieve the American dream of homeownership, including reducing unnecessary regulation and increasing loan options. In an unprecedented use of federal authority, President Donald Trumps administration has invoked emergency powers to force a series of retiring coal plants to stay open. Utilities, states and grid operators have said the aging plants are expensive, in bad repair and no longer needed to meet regional energy needs. But Trumps efforts to save the dwindling coal industry have forced plant operators to continue investing in the facilities a move that some consumer advocates fear could mean billions of dollars in added costs for customers in dozens of states. Trump has long positioned himself as a champion of coal, making it a centerpiece of his energy dominance agenda. The emergency orders issued by his administration claim that the grid is at risk of energy shortfalls, and the coal plants are needed to ensure a reliable power supply. Advertisement Advertisement But state officials in many places affected by the orders say thats not true. Rather than allowing the realities on the ground, the regulators and the utilities to make rational decisions about how to meet energy needs, we have the Trump administration trying to do Soviet-style central planning to push an ideological agenda that will drive costs to customers, said Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office. Under Trump, the U.S. Department of Energy has issued emergency orders to block the retirements of coal plants in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan and Washington state. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has claimed that the power demands in various regions require the plants to stay operational. Observers expect similar orders to be issued for most, if not all, of the dozens of coal-fired units slated for retirement during the remainder of Trumps term. Utilities subject to the orders have said they will increase costs for ratepayers, and argue those costs should be borne by the multistate region to which they provide power, rather than just their local customers. Advertisement Advertisement Despite their costs, three of the five plants being blocked from retirement havent produced electricity since the emergency orders went into effect, either because they need extensive repairs or because power demands have been met without them. Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act gives the secretary broad authority to take temporary control of the U.S. electricity system during emergency situations. Until now, that authority had only been invoked during wartime or natural disasters. All of the Trump administrations orders were issued before the war with Iran. Consumer advocates say Trumps use of the act to overturn long-planned facility retirements is unprecedented, and likely illegal. State officials, utilities and environmental groups have challenged all of the orders. While such emergency orders can be issued only for 90-day periods, Wright has repeatedly renewed the orders before they expire. Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Energy did not respond to a Stateline interview request. Keeping coal online Last May, Wright issued the first emergency order to prevent the shutdown of the J.H. Campbell Generating Plant in Michigan, just days before it was scheduled to retire. The plant has remained open since then, accruing $135 million in net costs through December. Consumers Energy, the utility operating the plant, is seeking to charge ratepayers in 11 states to recoup those costs. Michigan Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel has appealed the order, while a coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn it, arguing that the feds have failed to demonstrate a true emergency. That case is currently in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals awaiting oral arguments, which may take place in May. State leaders in Colorado have appealed an order to keep a plant there open, while Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown, a Democrat, has sued the federal agency. Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the order in Indiana. Energy analysts say the Michigan case will likely be resolved first, and is expected to have major implications for the emergency orders elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Douglas Jester, a former state energy official in Michigan, noted that Consumers Energy has had to pay extra to bring back staff, establish new delivery contracts for coal and catch up on maintenance. Jester now serves as managing partner at 5 Lakes Energy, a clean energy consulting group. In his emergency order, Wright said the plant was needed to ensure energy reliability and reduce the risk of blackouts. His agency, in a statement issued last month, said the coal plants kept open by the emergency orders helped keep the power system online during Winter Storm Fern. Coal industry leaders have made a similar argument, saying that growing energy demands require more baseload power, as opposed to intermittent renewables such as wind and solar. The emergency orders are very much needed, said Emily Arthun, CEO of the American Coal Council, an industry trade group, so that we can continue to have the energy just for our day-to-day lives, said Emily Arthun, CEO of the American Coal Council, an industry trade group. Coal plants, baseload plants, are critical to the well-being of our grid. Coal is needed at critical moments for energy. Advertisement Advertisement Some labor unions have also praised the orders as beneficial to their workforce. But state leaders and consumer advocates argue that utilities and regulators have already completed detailed plans to replace the power the aging coal plants provided, through a mix of renewables, natural gas plants and battery storage. It costs a lot of money to make sure that an old, decrepit coal plant is available to operate. Michael Lenoff, senior attorney at Earthjustice If you were to believe the Department of Energy, you would believe that more than half the country is experiencing an emergency around the clock, said Michael Lenoff, senior attorney at Earthjustice, an environmental group that is suing the Trump administration to overturn the orders. It costs a lot of money to make sure that an old, decrepit coal plant is available to operate. Advertisement Advertisement Lenoff and other environmental advocates have said the coal plants ran during the winter storm because the government forced them to, not because the grid needed them to meet power demands. Even as his administration has declared an energy shortage emergency, Trump has tried to block new renewable projects from being built, including several offshore wind farms that East Coast states are relying on to meet their power demands. Meanwhile, the administration has also authorized power generators to export electricity to Mexico and Canada, which may happen only when regulators have determined the U.S. has sufficient energy supply to meet its own needs. How can you authorize the export of energy to Canada from a Western market that you just declared is in an emergency status with shortages? said Tyson Slocum, energy program director at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. Its complete incoherence. Aging plants Three of the five plants being blocked from retirement have yet to even produce electricity since the emergency orders went into effect. Advertisement Advertisement The plant in Colorado suffered a failure in a steam valve that was not repaired because it was on the verge of retiring. The federal order has forced the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association to invest in repairing the plant, and the costs to keep the plant operational could reach $80 million a year even if it never produces power, said Toor, with the Colorado Energy Office. Its very unlikely to actually operate even with this order, he said. Tri-State and the other utilities that own the plant have requested a rehearing of the emergency order, saying that keeping the plant open will be costly for their ratepayers. In Indiana, one of the two plants targeted by the feds has suffered mechanical failures that would require extensive repairs. Advertisement Advertisement (The order) doesnt even make sense because its not even really open, said Ben Inskeep, program director at the Citizens Action Coalition, an Indiana-based consumer advocacy group. You dont want to throw good money after a plant youre about to retire. Unlike the Democratic-led states subject to the other orders, Indianas leaders have welcomed the federal intervention. Republican Gov. Mike Braun issued his own executive order soon after the Department of Energy announcement directing state officials to evaluate ways to extend the life of the states remaining coal plants. Meanwhile, the TransAlta Centralia coal plant in Washington state, while remaining in operational mode, has not supplied power to the grid since January, as the states energy needs have been met by more affordable sources elsewhere. Democratic state Sen. Marko Liias sponsored a bill, signed into law earlier this month, that rolls back tax and regulatory exemptions that were granted to TransAlta under a 2011 agreement to gradually phase out the plant. The compliance burden will make it economically infeasible for the plant to operate again, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Its crystal clear to the market that were not going backwards, were slamming the door and nailing it shut, Liias said. Consumer costs While some states have pushed to close coal plants due to climate goals and pollution concerns, market forces have largely driven the coal industrys decline. According to a 2025 analysis by the financial advisory firm Lazard, electricity from coal-fired power plants costs an average of $122 per megawatt-hour. That same amount of power can be produced for $78 from natural gas plants, $61 from onshore wind and $58 from utility-scale solar. Some energy analysts say Trumps efforts to keep fossil fuel-powered plants open could become very costly to ratepayers. A report published by Grid Strategies LLC, a consulting firm, found that as many as 90 aging plants could be subject to similar emergency orders during the remainder of Trumps term. The analysis found that keeping those plants open could cost ratepayers anywhere from $3 billion to $6 billion a year. What the Department of Energy is doing is picking losers, the uneconomical plants that the utilities, the regulators, everybody involved agreed need to retire and be replaced with something cheaper and more efficient, said Michael Goggin, who authored the report, which was commissioned on behalf of Earthjustice and other environmental groups. Meanwhile, some consumer advocates say the orders have created chaos for utilities and energy planners. The operators of plants scheduled for retirement in the coming years no longer know if its safe to cancel their coal contracts, transition their workforce or defer maintenance on their facilities. And financiers may be wary of investing in new, cheaper energy projects that could be sidelined by orders to keep coal online. The administration has made clear that theyre not going to allow a coal-fired power plant to retire, regardless of whether or not its absurdly expensive to operate, whether its contaminating soil, air and water in that community, they literally dont care, said Slocum, of Public Citizen. Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE President Donald Trump paid his respects Wednesday to six U.S. service members killed in a plane crash as their remains were returned to their families at a Delaware military base. It was the second time since launching the war with Iran on Feb. 28 that the president attended a solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer, which he once described as the toughest thing he has had to do as commander in chief. Accompanying Trump were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and lawmakers including Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, both Alabama Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement All six crew members of a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft were killed last week in a plane crash over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. They were from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Washington state. Trump has attended two of the three dignified transfers since the start of his war against Iran (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Every person on that aircraft carried a weight most Americans will never see, and they carried it with professionalism, courage, and a level of quiet excellence that deserves to be recognized, retired Lt. Col Ernesto Nisperos, a friend of one of those killed, said in a text message Wednesday. The crash brought the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members. About 200 U.S. service members have been injured, including 10 severely, the Pentagon has said. Wednesday's dignified transfer was closed to news media coverage at the request of the families in accordance with military policy. Advertisement Advertisement Trump spent just under two hours on the ground and didn't speak to reporters leaving Air Force One or returning to it. Trump last traveled to Dover Air Force Base on March 7 for the dignified transfer of six U.S. service members who were killed by a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait. Trump spent just under two hours on the ground and didn't speak to reporters leaving Air Force One or returning to it (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) He saluted as flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of the fallen service members were carried from military aircraft to vehicles waiting to take them to the base's mortuary facility to prepare them for their final resting place. It's the bad part of war, he told reporters afterward. Asked then if he worried about having to make multiple trips to the base for additional dignified transfers as the war continued, he said, I'm sure. I hate to do it, but it's a part of war, isn't it? Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said that the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in friendly airspace over Iraq but that the loss of the aircraft during a combat mission was not due to hostile or friendly fire. The circumstances were under investigation. The other plane landed safely. Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt (AP) Capt. Ariana G. Savino (AP) Capt. Curtis J. Angst (AP) The crash killed three people assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida: Maj. John A. Alex Klinner, 33, who served in Birmingham, Alabama; Capt. Ariana Linse Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky. Klinner, who left behind a wife, a 2-year-old son and 7-month-old twins, was known for his steady command and goofy nature, as well as a willingness to help others. Pruitts husband described her as a radiant woman who lit up the room. Savino was a friend, mentee and source of positive energy who was proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and inspired young Latinas, said Nisperos, who is serving as spokesman for her family. She had had this warmth that made you feel seen, a strength that showed up in everything she touched, and a spark that spice that made her unforgettable, Nisperos said. If you knew her, even for a moment, you knew you were in the presence of someone who was going to change the world. Advertisement Advertisement The three others were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio: Capt. Seth Koval, 38, a resident of Stoutsville, Ohio, who was from Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, who lived in Columbus; and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus. Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons (AP) Capt. Seth R. Koval (AP) Maj. Alex Klinner on Jan. 10, 2026 (AP) Koval grew up dreaming of becoming a pilot, according to his wife, who described him as a loving, generous fixer of all things. Angsts family said his life was defined by service, generosity and a genuine love for people. Simmons loved confiding in his 85-year-old grandmother and working out with her, Sen. Jon Husted said Tuesday, when he and Sen. Bernie Moreno honored the Ohio airmen on the Senate floor. To the mom and dad of these three young soldiers, I cant even process what youre going through. I cant even imagine the emotions that youre feeling, Moreno said. Just know that America is grateful beyond words for the sacrifice that your heroic young sons made. Chipmaking giant Nvidias (NVDA) closely followed four-day GPU Technology Conference (GTC) 2026 is set to commence later today with a keynote address from CEO Jensen Huang. Analysts and investors alike are looking for updates on several key areas from the annual developer conference. This includes a possible announcement on an inference chip with Groq, a roadmap for the Vera Rubin successor Feynman, a strategy to rival Intel (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) in the central processing unit (CPU) market, and a playbook for the race to develop photonic, or light-based, chips. Inference chip with Groq: Although analysts are divided on whether Nvidia will pull back the curtains on an inference-focused language processing unit chip designed in partnership with startup Groq whose assets Nvidia bought last year in a $17 billion deal Huang will be expected to outline Nvidias strategy in this regard. Inference refers to the processing of deploying AI models for tasks such as responding to user queries. This is seen as the next frontier market as AI efforts move beyond model training an area Nvidia has dominated to practical application, especially autonomous tasks done by AI agents. Vera Rubin and successor Feynman: Although Nvidia has stated plans to start shipping the next-generation Vera Rubin AI system during the second half of this year, industry watchers will likely anticipate more updates on the move. And more importantly, all eyes will be on Nvidias roadmap for the successor system, the Feynman which is named after notable American theoretical physicist Richard Feynman. CPU Game Plan: The shift towards inference also means renewed focus on CPUs, which are increasingly being favored for this task. Having mentioned this in its recent earnings call, investors will seek more updates on this, especially regarding market rivalry with market leaders Intel and AMD. Photonics Strategy: As tech companies race to go beyond copper wire technology to develop photonics chips that use light to vastly accelerate data transfer between chips at data centers, focus will be on what Nvidia is doing here. This is particularly important as Nvidia recently committed $2 billion each to photonics makers Coherent (COHR) and Lumentum (LITE). CUDA: Nvidias Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA), its chip programming software, lies at the heart of the application of its GPUs for tasks such as AI training, scientific simulation, and physical AI (robots, autonomous systems, and real-world AI agents). With physical AI seeing a massive boom, investors will watch out for Nvidias plans to tap into this. President Donald Trump on Thursday cryptically denied any intention of ordering American ground troops onto Iranian soil as the nearly three-week-old conflict continues to wreak havoc on the global economy with multiple attacks on oil and gas infrastructure from both sides. The president was speaking during a question-and-answer session with reporters alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi when he was asked if he intends to deploy more American forces specifically ground troops to the Middle East region. He replied: No, I'm not putting troops anywhere, but then added: If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. Advertisement Advertisement He then repeated his assertion that he was not sending ground forces into Iran despite reports the U.S. is weighing a deployment and pledged to do whatever is necessary to keep oil and gas prices down in response to a second question on whether he intends to relax longstanding American sanctions against Iranian petroleum amid skyrocketing oil prices as a result of the war. I thought that it would go up more than it did, but we're doing this excursion, and when it's completed, we're going to have a much safer world, he said. Trump in the past week has taken to referring to his war in Iran as an excursion in a seeming bid to downplay it. Prime Minister of JapanASanae Takaichi meets with US president Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House (Getty) The president also admitted to having spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an Israeli strike on Iranian gas infrastructure that has triggered retaliatory attacks on similar facilities across the Middle East. I told him dont do that, and he wont do it, Trump insisted. Advertisement Advertisement His comments about his conversation with Netanyahu came just hours after he accused Israel of having violently lashed out by attacking Irans South Pars natural gas field the countrys largest such facility and claimed the United States knew nothing while also denying Qatari involvement and foreknowledge of the strike in no way, shape or form after Tehran retaliated by attacking one of Qatars gas facilities. Writing on Truth Social late Wednesday, he said there would be NO MORE ATTACKS on the Iranian facility so long as Tehran refrained from any further strikes on Qatari facilities in turn. But in the same post he also threatened to have U.S. forces join Israel in a strike that would massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before if Iran did not heed his demand for no further attacks on LNG facilities. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatars LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so, he added. Israeli officials are casting doubt on Trumps claim that the U.S. had no foreknowledge of plans to attack Irans South Pars gas facility (Social media) Yet Trumps denial of any American foreknowledge of the attack has been quickly called into question by Israeli officials, three of whom said the attack was in fact coordinated with the United States. Advertisement Advertisement The three Israeli officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Israel was not surprised by Trump's comments. They described the dynamic as similar to one that played out following Israel strikes on Iranian fuel depots in the early days of the war. After those attacks, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth distanced himself from the strikes by noting how in "that particular case those weren't our strikes. Since Israels strike on South Pars, Iranian retaliation has caused significant damage to Qatars largest gas facility the biggest in the world while also striking a Saudi oil refinery and forcing the United Arab Emirates to shutter its own gas facilities. The retaliatory strikes have caused Brent Crude Oil prices to spike by more than 13 percent in the week since the Israeli attack on South Pars. Advertisement Advertisement Trumps late night social media post caused oil prices to further rise to $114 per barrel on Thursday morning the highest since June 2022 when oil prices peaked at $119 during the Ukraine war. Iran has now issued calls for evacuations at Saudi Arabias Samref Refinery and Jubail Petrochemical Complex, the United Arab Emirates Al Hosn Gas Field, and Qatars Mesaieed Petrochemical Complex, Mesaieed Holding Company and the Ras Laffan Refinery. The warning, issued on Iranian state media, declared: These centres have become direct and legitimate targets and will be targeted in the coming hours. Therefore, all citizens, residents and employees are requested to immediately leave these areas and move to a safe distance without any delay. President Donald Trump has slammed his war partner Israel for an attack on a vital energy facility in Iran, claiming he had no prior knowledge of the strike. On Wednesday, an Iranian facility linked to South Pars, the largest natural gas field in the world, was bombed. The gas field is Irans largest domestic energy source and is shared with Qatar. Israeli media reported the strike was carried out by Israel with U.S consent, with The Wall Street Journal saying the attack was planned to sever an economic pipeline for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Donald Trump posts about Israel's strike in Iran. / screen grab Trump claimed differently in a furious Truth Social post on Wednesday evening, saying he had no advance warning about Israels plans. Advertisement Advertisement Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran, Trump wrote. U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he walks to board Air Force One on March 18. / Kylie Cooper / REUTERS The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen, the president added. However, reports indicate that the U.S. was informed about Israels plans. The Associated Press quoted a source who said the U.S. knew about the plan, but did not take part in the bombing. The source declined to say if the Trump administration agreed with Israels attack. The South Pars Gas field, shown here last November, came under Israeli attack. / Reuters Photographer / Reuters New reporting by Semaphor also backed the claim that the Trump administration knew, while Axios reported senior Israeli and U.S. officials were aware of the strike in advance and even approved it to put pressure on Iran. Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment. Trump changed course after Irans retaliatory strikes, according to Axios. QatarEnergy also confirmed several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks on Thursday morning, causing extensive further damage but no reported casualties. Semaphor question Trump's post that he Trump claimed Iran had unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatars LNG Gas facility. He added, NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar. Axios claim Trump had prior knowledge of Israel's attacks on Iran. / screen grab Trump then warned Iran that if it attacked Qatar, America with or without the help or consent of Israel would wipe out the entire South Pars operation. Advertisement Advertisement I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, Trump said, but if Qatars LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so. The latest attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East saw oil prices surge even higher. Brent crude prices, the international benchmark, rose by over 7 percent to $111.23 a barrel after the strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump. / Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS After the attack, Qatars Foreign Ministry declared the Iranian embassys military and their staff persona non grata, demanding they leave Qatar within 24 hours. Qatar considers this assault a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of its sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security, it said. The Iranian side continues its escalatory policies that are pushing the region toward the brink and drawing countries not party to this crisis into the conflict zone. A member of President Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission said she was fired for her statements about Israel and for not sufficiently backing the president, allegations that prompted a Republican House member to request a congressional investigation. Controversy surrounding Carrie Prejean Boller has been swirling for months, including after a February commission hearing on antisemitism. But her removal came back into the spotlight in recent days after she posted an open letter to Trump on social media. Prejean Bollers March 12 X thread included a screenshot of an email from the White House saying her position on the commission, which began in May 2025, is terminated effective immediately. Advertisement Advertisement The thread included the open letter to Trump that outlined what she described as a monthslong witch hunt against her for speaking out against Palestinian suffering while serving on the commission. Formed at the start of Trump's second term, the commission aims to safeguard and promote Americas founding principle of religious freedom," according to the White House. In her interview with USA TODAY, Prejean Boller said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the commissions chairman, told her at one point, Your job on this commission is to protect the president. She accused Patrick of telling her to refrain from social media, where she had made posts about the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In the same conversation, she said Pastor Paula White, who serves as both a commissioner and senior advisor of the White House Faith Office, asked her to run social media statements by her before posting them. Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY reached out to the White House, the Department of Justice, which houses the Religious Liberty Commission, and Patrick and Whites respective offices for comment. Prejean Boller, who is Catholic, described the alleged actions against her as an ironic violation of her own religious liberty and said she was weighing her legal options. Then-Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump (2nd R) embraces former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean (C) after a rally with supporters in San Diego, California, U.S. May 27, 2016. Also pictured is Prejean's husband, former NFL quarterback Kyle Boller (L). REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst This all started because as a Christian, I could not deny what I was witnessing in Gaza, she said. U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, sent a letter to the House Judiciary and Oversight committees on March 13 requesting that they review the circumstances of Prejean Bollers dismissal. The letter outlined Prejean Bollers allegations and asked that the committees determine whether the commissions actions comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a law that requires such groups to have viewpoint balance. Advertisement Advertisement If the above accounts are accurate and Mrs. Bollers removal was motivated by her refusal to refrain from expressing religious views or asking questions reflecting those views, such action raises concerns that a federal advisory body charged with defending religious liberty engaged in viewpoint discrimination and retaliation against protected speech, Massie wrote. Neither committee responded to USA TODAY's inquiries as to whether they had made a decision on or were considering the request. A group of organizations representing various religious traditions sued the Trump administration in February, alleging that the Religious Liberty Commission violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act by having a lack of religious and ideological diversity. The commission includes Protestant, Catholic and Jewish members, but no Muslims or members of other minority religious groups. There were three Muslims on the commissions advisory board of lay leaders until Sameerah Munshi, who advocated for a group of Maryland parents that successfully sought a right to opt their children out of reading books with LGBTQ characters in public schools, resigned on March 12 in part because of Prejean Bollers ouster. U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the White House Religious Liberty Commission in September. Clashes with commissioners over Israel Both Prejean Boller and Munshi told USA TODAY the commissions perceived lack of diversity was concerning to them. But Prejean Boller said she was committed to advocating for people of faith regardless of their religious tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Munshi described her decision to participate in the commission as a choice between some inclusion and none. Prejean Boller said Mary Sprowls of the White Houses Presidential Personnel Office asked for her resignation in August because of Patrick and Whites concerns about her criticism of Israel. She said she was really shocked by the request and declined to step down. It was around one week later that she said she had the conversation with Patrick and White, in which she was allegedly told to protect Trump and that her public statements about Israel had run afoul of the administrations positions. Advertisement Advertisement And he (Patrick) said, So from between now and the end of your term, Carrie, you need to stay off of social media, Prejean Boller told USA TODAY in the interview. She said she pushed back against that directive and told them she uses her social media accounts to discuss issues that matter to her as a person of faith. White responded by asking her to please just run everything by me for approval" before posting on social media, Prejean Boller said. The situation came to a head at the commissions Feb. 9 hearing on antisemitism, during which Prejean Boller rejected notions that anti-Zionism equates to antisemitism. An audience member was removed at one point for outbursts during her remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Patrick announced on Feb. 11 that Prejean Boller was no longer on the commission, saying no member has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue. He said the commission has "done outstanding work" in its hearings thus far, which have touched on topics including religious liberty in public education and the Trump administration's belief that former President Joe Biden's administration weaponized the law against religious Americans. "The President respects all faiths," Patrick said. "He believes that all Americans have a right to receive the great inheritance given to them by our founding fathers in the First Amendment." He also said her removal was his decision, though Prejean Boller responded with an X post of her own saying he lacked the authority to take such action. Advertisement Advertisement As the name states, this is President Trumps Religious Liberty Commission, not yours, she wrote. Prejean Boller rejected notions that she hijacked the hearing in her interview with USA TODAY, stating her belief that it is the other commissioners who have a political agenda. Those who bless (Israeli Prime Minister) Bibi Netanyahu will be blessed, thats their doctrine ... that they live by, she said. President Donald Trump attends an event to deliver remarks to the White House Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible, in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 8, 2025. 'I don't even recognize you,' Prejean Boller tells Trump Prejean Boller said she is disappointed in Trump, both for not communicating with her directly about her removal from the commission and for the fact that she was removed in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Their relationship goes back nearly 20 years, she said. Trump defended her in 2009 when she stirred controversy by saying marriage should be between a man and a woman during the Miss USA 2009 competition. She described her avid support for Trump throughout his political career, saying she has proudly donned MAGA gear and attended both of his inaugurations. Now, I dont even recognize you, she wrote in her open letter to the president, which also criticized him for increasing the United States military presence in the Middle East despite his proclamations of being a President of peace. Hes betraying himself, and hes betraying MAGA, and hes betraying me, and hes betraying the millions of people who voted for him, Prejean Boller told USA TODAY. I dont know how he sleeps at night. A lack of confidence in commission's future work Prejean Boller said she is grateful for Massies effort to have a congressional review of her removal from the commission and hopes it comes to fruition. Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, she announced on March 16 that she would be directing and producing a documentary, Mandated by Faith, about nurses who were fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds. As for the report on the state of religious liberty that the commission is tasked with producing in the months ahead, neither Prejean Boller nor Munshi expressed confidence in its eventual findings. I just dont think that this commission was legitimate, Prejean Boller said. I think it was very one-sided, very biased. She called for what she described as the "fake commission to be shut down in a March 17 X post. Munshi similarly said the remaining commissioners are interested in protecting the image of this administration more than protecting religious liberty for all. Prejean Boller is set to receive a Catholic Champion Award from the social welfare organization Catholics for Catholics in Washington, D.C., on March 19. The organization is among those participating in Trumps America Prays initiative. The Council on American-Islamic Relations commended both Prejean Boller and Munshi for what it described as their courage in the face of perceived political pressure by the Religious Liberty Commission. The Trump administration has repeatedly paid lip service to free speech and religious freedom while obsessively trying to smear and silence Americans who dare to criticize a foreign government, especially American Muslims and even American Catholics like Carrie Prejean Boller, the council's March 13 statement read. The commission is now clearly meant to protect Israel from criticism, not to protect religious freedom for the American people. The Religious Liberty Commission is scheduled to hold a capstone hearing to discuss the past, present and future of religious liberty in America in Washington, D.C., on April 13. BrieAnna Frank is a First Amendment Reporting Fellow 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: Trump religious liberty commissioner says Israel views got her fired By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Wednesday the attack on Iran's South Pars gas field was carried out by Israel, and the U.S. and Qatar were not involved in it. Trump also said Israel would not make any more attacks on Iranian facilities in South Pars unless Iran attacked Qatar, warning that the U.S. would attack those facilities if Iran acted against Doha. Advertisement Advertisement "The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for the South Pars attack. According to the Wall Street Journal and Axios, Trump knew of Israel's plan to attack the Iranian part of the world's largest natural gas deposit in advance and supported it. Iran shares the South Pars field with Qatar, a close U.S. ally. Iran had said earlier that Israel struck its facilities in South Pars on Wednesday in a major escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran that sent oil prices shooting higher. Tehran retaliated by promising attacks on oil and gas targets throughout the Gulf, firing missiles at Saudi Arabia and also hitting Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, an energy-industry hub. Advertisement Advertisement Doha rebuked Israel for a "dangerous and irresponsible" attack on Iran's South Pars facilities, and condemned Iran for what it called "a flagrant breach" of international law, expelling two senior Iranian diplomats. Trump wrote on social media that Iran "unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar's LNG Gas facility." "NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar - In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field." The U.S. and Israel launched the war on Iran on February 28. The attacks have killed thousands in Iran, including its supreme leader and security chief. Advertisement Advertisement Tehran has responded with its own attacks against Israel and Gulf countries that host U.S. military bases. The war has shaken markets and caused unprecedented disruption to oil supplies fuelling a surge in prices. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Kate Mayberry) Iran broadened its strikes on major energy facilities in the Middle East, eliciting strong warnings on Thursday from Gulf Arab states that called it a dangerous escalation that threatened to draw them into direct combat with Tehran. On Wednesday, in response to an attack on its South Pars gas field, Tehran launched retaliatory strikes on neighbouring Qatars largest gas field, Ras Laffan, causing according to Doha significant damage, and causing a diplomatic rift between the two countries. Qatar declared the Iranian embassys military and security attaches as persona non grata after the attack, and in early reactions, said the damage was still being assessed. FILE - This April 4, 2009, file photo, shows a gas production facility at Ras Laffan, Qatar - Maneesh Bakshi/AP2009 The strikes come after Israel killed Irans intelligence minister and attacked the worlds largest natural gas field in Iran as the war heightened pressure on the regions economic backbone, energy. Advertisement Advertisement Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all denounced the Iranian attacks targeting their natural gas fields, with Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud saying assaults on the kingdom meant what little trust there was before has completely been shattered. It remains unclear what steps the Gulf Arab states might take militarily as theyve sought not to enter combat alongside the United States and Israel in the war, now in its third week. While Israel did not claim the South Pars gas field attack, Defence Minister Israel Katz promised more surprises after announcing the killing of Irans intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, in an earlier airstrike as it works to decapitate the leadership in Tehran. FILE - Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib attends the inauguration ceremony of the 6th term of the Assembly of Experts in Tehran, Iran, May 21, 2024 - Vahid Salemi/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved Iran condemned the strike on South Pars, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of uncontrollable consequences" that "could engulf the entire world. Advertisement Advertisement US President Donald Trump, in an apparent confirmation, indicated that Israel was indeed behind the attack, which he says stemmed from anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, struck a relatively small section of the field. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, quickly denied any involvement or prior knowledge of the attack on the US part. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen, wrote the US president. Trump noted that Iran had no knowledge of the facts pertaining to the attack prior to its retaliatory strikes on Qatar, a US ally in the region. Hes also condemned the strikes on Dohas energy infrastructure, calling them unjustifiable and unfair. Screen grab of latest post by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social, Thursday, 19 March, 2026 - @realDonalTrump/TruthSocial Hes also vowed that NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field. Advertisement Advertisement His diplomatic tone didnt linger too long, as the US president threatened Iran to halt its attacks on regional energy facilities or face the wrath of the US military, in what he promised would cause damage with long term implications. The United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before, Trump wrote. I do not want to authorise this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatars LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so. Trump attends the casualty return of six crew members of an Air Force refueling aircraft who died in a crash in western Iraq, Dover Air Force Base, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved. The attacks further exacerbate an unfolding global oil price crisis as energy exports continue to be blocked with Tehran keeping the invaluable Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 per cent of the worlds energy flows, effectively closed. Advertisement Advertisement Leading up to the attack, the price of Brent crude hovered around the $100 per barrel mark, which is already a 40 per cent increase in comparison to pre-war figures. Following the attacks on Iran and Qatars energy fields, the price shot up to $108 a barrel. The fighting situation remains as dire as previous days, as the United States and Israel continue to pummel Tehran with heavy strikes on a daily basis, prompting Iranian retaliation against Israel and the wider region, namely Gulf Arab states. A rescue worker carries a child at the scene of an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - Hassan Ammar/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved Israeli attacks are also intensifying in neighbouring Lebanon where the IDF carries out daily strikes against what it says are targets affiliated with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The death tolls have risen in all areas engulfed in heavy combat, with Iranian authorities indicating that close to 1,450 people were killed so far, with over 18,500 others injured. Advertisement Advertisement In Israel, 17 people were killed since the war erupted on 28 February and almost 4,000 people were injured. Lebanons health ministry in its latest figures announced that Israeli strikes have killed 912 people and attacks on the Gulf states have led to a combined death toll of 21. The US death toll has remained the same, currently sitting at 13, all of whom were service members. By Andrew Mills and Trevor Hunnicutt DOHA/WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM, March 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had told Israel not to repeat its attacks on Iranian natural gas infrastructure as tit-for-tat strikes on energy plants sent energy prices spiralling, sharply escalating the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Trump's comment came as energy prices jumped on Thursday after Iran responded to an Israeli attack on a major gas field by hitting Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, which processes around a fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas, causing damage that will take years to repair. Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia's main port on the Red Sea, where it has been able to divert some exports to avoid Iran's closure of the Gulf's exit point, the Strait of Hormuz, was also attacked. The strikes underscored Iran's continued ability to exact a heavy price for the U.S.-Israeli campaign, and the limits of air defences in protecting the Gulf's most valuable and strategic energy assets. Trump, politically vulnerable to rising fuel prices among his core voters, has lashed out at allies who have responded cautiously to his demands that they help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for around a fifth of the world's oil. But he said he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to repeat the attack on energy infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement "I told him, 'Don't do that', and he won't do that," he told reporters in the Oval Office, where he met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. A U.S. official and three other people familiar with the planning told Reuters that Trump was considering sending thousands more U.S. troops to the Middle East. But at his meeting with Takaichi, Trump said he had no plans to deploy ground forces. "I'm not putting troops anywhere," he said. Netanyahu, in a press conference later on Thursday, said that Israel acted alone in the bombing of Iran's South Pars gas field and confirmed that Trump asked Israel to hold off on such attacks. Iran is being "decimated" and no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles after 20 days of U.S.-Israeli air attacks, but a revolution in the country would not come from the air and would require a "ground component," he said, without elaborating. Advertisement Advertisement As the Israeli leader spoke, Iran launched a new wave of missiles toward his country, according to Israel's military and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said. ENERGY CRISIS ESCALATES With no end in sight almost three weeks into the war, and the threat of a global "oil shock" growing by the day, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement expressing "our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait". They also promised "other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output". Advertisement Advertisement The statement offered no details and there was little indication of any immediate move, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterating that any contribution to securing the strait would come only after hostilities ended. The resistance by major U.S. allies to becoming involved in the war reflects scepticism over a conflict European leaders have said has unclear objectives that they did not seek and over which they have little control. In particular, Israel's bombing of Iran's South Pars gas field, which Trump said the U.S. had not known about, suggested gaps in coordination of strategy and war aims between the main protagonists. Adding to the confusion around the attack, three Israeli officials said the operation had taken place in consultation with the United States, but was unlikely to be repeated. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a briefing that U.S. objectives in the war, which has so far killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, were "unchanged, on target and on plan". But Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told the House intelligence committee that U.S. and Israeli goals differed: "...the Israeli government has been focused on disabling the Iranian leadership. The president has stated that his objectives are to destroy Iran's ballistic missiles launching capability, their ballistic missile production capability, and their navy." The Trump administration is requesting $200 billion of additional funding for the war, a U.S. official confirmed on Thursday, but faces stiff opposition in the U.S. Congress that must approve the funds. 'A NEW STAGE IN THE WAR' Advertisement Advertisement Iran's military said strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure had led to "a new stage in the war" in which it had attacked energy facilities linked to the United States. "If strikes (on Iran's energy facilities) happen again, further attacks on your energy infrastructure and that of your allies will not stop until it is completely destroyed," Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari said, according to state media. QatarEnergy's CEO told Reuters the Iranian attacks had knocked out a sixth of Qatar's LNG export capacity, worth $20 billion a year, and that repairs would take three to five years. Israeli media reported that an Iranian strike hit oil facilities in Israel's port of Haifa, causing damage but no casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Since Wednesday, Iranian attacks have also forced the UAE to shut its Habshan gas facility and set off fires at two Kuwaiti oil refineries. Brent crude oil futures were up nearly 3% at $110.35 at 1700 GMT, having surged up to 10% before the joint statement. European near-term gas prices were up more than 15%, and have leapt by over 60% since the war began. [O/R] Japanese and South Korean stocks fell around 3% while the pan-European index was down 2.3%, around its lowest in more than three months. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down about 1%. [.N] [MKTS/GLOB] Fears of lasting inflation pressures encouraged both the European Central Bank and Bank of England to hold rates steady, and investors who once expected cuts were pricing in hikes by year-end. The ECB now sees 2026 inflation at 2.6%, above the 1.9% predicted in December. Advertisement Advertisement At a summit in Brussels, European Union leaders sought ways to offset higher energy costs for industries and consumers already struggling with the rising cost of living. (Reporting by Andrew Mills in Doha and Timour Azhari in Riyadh; Additional reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Kevin Liffey, James Mackenzie and Simon Lewis; Editing by Jon Boyle, Ros Russell, Aidan Lewis and Diane Craft) Mar. 18Texas Southmost College announced plans to develop a TSC South Padre Island Workforce Training Center to meet the growing labor demands of Cameron County and the greater Rio Grande Valley. TSC board Chairwoman Adela Garza, Trustee Edward Camarillo and the college President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez recently returned from a conference in Washington, D.C. where U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Brownsville, encouraged TSC to submit a $1 million grant proposal to transform an Island facility into an operational Texas Workforce Training Center. The proposed site is adjacent to the U.S Coast Guard Station on the South Padre Island. Advertisement Advertisement Its transformation into the second TSC Workforce Training Center in Cameron County emerged during discussions with Cornyn and Gonzalez at the Association of Community College Trustees in the nation's capital. "Being an active member of the ACCT and the Hispanic Caucus Committee allows us to bring a voice to the educational and training needs in our community. This is a significant step toward creating a path for additional careers in the Rio Grande Valley," Garza stated in a news release about the proposal. Rodriguez and Camarillo said the envisioned expansion would come at a critical time. Rapid industry growth across Cameron County is creating workforce shortages in high-demand fields, they said in the release. "In recent years, with the rapid expansion of industries in Cameron County, there has been a need for more workforce training," Rodriguez said. "Right now, jobs such as pipefitting, welding and a variety of jobs in the healthcare industry are in great demand, and we are in a good position to bring in students, train them quickly, and help them with a job upon completion of their training." Advertisement Advertisement The Association of Community College Trustees hosts one of the most significant professional development events for community college leaders nationwide. The conference provides legislative updates, strategic sessions addressing workforce development, student success initiatives, economic mobility, and regional industry partnerships. "If approved, the TSC South Padre Island Workforce Training Center would expand access to industry-aligned training programs while strengthening TSC's role as a workforce engine for the Rio Grande Valley," Camarillo said. Featured Local Savings Tulare County Board of Supervisors is fighting to enable the Hmong soldiers who fought for the U.S. during the Vietnam War, and later became American citizens, to receive Veterans Administration benefits. During the Vietnam War, these soldiers kept an estimated 70,000 North Vietnamese from fighting directly against the U.S. and its South Vietnamese allies. Hmong SGU fighters during the Vietnam War years included many children. Tulare County Supervisor Larry Micari said that he has heard that the Hmong-American population includes about 4,000 former SGU fighters. However, unlike immigrants from other countries who fought for the U.S., Hmong fighters and their families do not have access to the numerous benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to other ethnic groups. Advertisement Advertisement The one that comes to mind right away are the Filipinos, Micari said, referring to their World War II effort. The difference is that they were recruited under the Army, so they were under a military branch. These Hmong fighters, the Special Guerrilla Unit fighters, were recruited under the CIA and that's the hang-up of why they're not eligible for VA benefits. The International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos, 1962 established that Laos was a neutral country and not an official combatant in the Vietnam War. Instead, Laos was in the middle of the Laotian Civil War, its own fight against communism. Although the North Vietnamese violated the 1962 neutrality agreement by sending troops and supplies into Laos, the U.S. was not willing to directly violate the agreement. Instead, a secret partnership of the CIA and the Hmong established the Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU), a paramilitary force of Hmong guerilla fighters to contain communist forces in Laos. They provided intelligence, Larry Micari said. They worked the Ho Chi Minh Trail. They fought for us and they sacrificed a lot. They lost about 40,000 of their people fighting for us. A lot of them were children. Advertisement Advertisement In the late 1970s, many Hmong started immigrating to the U.S. and became citizens, including many of the SGU fighters. By 2023, there were an estimated 360,000 people identifying as Hmong in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 35,000 of them live in Central Valley, according to the Pew Research Center. There is at least one benefit former SGU fighters have been able to receive. They've been able to get burial, Micari said. If they can prove their service, they're allowed to be buried in a national cemetery. They're getting closer, but they can't even apply for veterans benefits, he said. The goal is we want them to be able to apply if they can prove that they served our country and they meet the criteria. They were brought here. They've been naturalized. Advertisement Advertisement There's been a lot of things done because of their service for us, he added. Congress has had a lot of different actions taken, but we just can't get them the VA benefits. Representatives of the Hmong community participated in the Dec. 16, 2025, meeting of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. Following comments from Hmong community representatives at its Dec. 16, 2025, meeting, Tulare County Supervisors voted to submit a resolution to the National Association of Counties as an Interim Policy Resolution for 2026. The resolution, for NACo to include on its list of resolutions to present to lawmakers, would extend eligibility for VA benefits to SGU veterans. The National Association of Counties has agreed to take on our resolution and put it on our national platform so we can get nationwide, Micari said. Getting a NACo resolution, to me, is very helpful. I was told that this is the first resolution that the Tulare County Board of Supervisors have been able to get on a NACo platform. Micari presented it during the time that they did resolutions, and it was unanimously voted in to be added to the national platform, said Jennifer Fawkes, county board representative and public information officer. Because the resolution came in midstream through the process, it is good for six months. Advertisement Advertisement It comes up again in July, Micari said. I'll be there, and we'll get it on our platform again in July. This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County Supervisors fight for Hmong veterans VA benefits SPRINGFIELD U.S. Customs and Border Protection will release imported subway car shells that have been impounded for months, leading to furloughs at a Springfield factory. That company, CRRC MA, furloughed 142 employees Monday because work on subway cars for the MBTA and for Los Angeles couldnt continue without a supply of uncompleted car shells from China. The furloughs left 280 still employed at the plant in East Springfield. With a new promise that the shells will be released by customs, CRRC will gradually resume operations with the goal of recalling affected employees from furlough, said CRRC spokeswoman Lydia Rivera. Advertisement Advertisement The promised release of the shell cars followed an in-person request by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal to President Donald Trumps chief of staff. Neal said in an interview Wednesday that he made the case to Susie Wiles at a Washington St. Patricks Day lunch that she attended along with Trump and Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin. So it worked, Neal said. I was able to appeal to the presidents chief of staff to intervene. He said, though, the issue could have been settled months ago. In probably two minutes I was able to explain the challenge, Neal said. There was no reason for these cars to still be sitting there. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents blocked the shipment of car shells and assorted parts at the Port of Philadelphia in May 2025 over concerns that CRRC might be using parts and materials created by child laborers or by the forced labor of members of the Uyghur ethnic minority. Rivera said CRRC was able to provide documentation that it was meeting labor requirements. Neal said he gave Wiles a small card containing a rundown of the issue, complete with job impacts in Springfield. Neal said his staff did a great job preparing the case. Neal, speaking Wednesday by phone from Washington, said he urged Wiles to talk with Massachusetts Gov. Maura T. Healey about the rail car shells issue. Advertisement Advertisement The lawmaker praised Healey for her efforts on behalf of the Springfield factory. Shes been right on it, Neal said. He also singled out Phillip Eng, the states interim transportation secretary and general manager at the T, for his efforts. I think we need a steady line of communication and a steady line of production, he said. Its great news that the Red Line car shells that had been seized are being released. These parts are essential for delivering the safe and reliable service that Red Line riders deserve, while also supporting hundreds of good jobs in Springfield, Healeys office said in a statement last night. Advertisement Advertisement She said she was grateful for the strong partnership of Congressman Neal and Interim Secretary and General Manager Eng throughout this process. Neal said he learned Wednesday afternoon that the rolling stock would become unstuck. The goal now, he said, is to prevent any future disruptions in the shipment of materials to Springfield. I think we need a steady line of communication and a steady line of production, he said. The plant, on the old Westinghouse site, is in the House district represented by state Rep. Orlando Ramos, D-Springfield. Its something we fought hard to bring to the city of Springfield, Ramos said of the plant. They are not just jobs. They are good-paying careers. Advertisement Advertisement CRRC thanked its unions, Sheet Metal Workers Local 63, and Electrical Workers Local 7, for their help and advocacy in getting the shell cars released. The timetable of their arrival in Springfield is uncertain. CRRC delivered the last pair of Orange Line cars to the MBTA Dec. 18, completing a 152-car order. CRRC continues to make Red Line subway cars, with 58 of the ordered 252 cars delivered to the MBTA. Workers at the plant are also making 64 cars for the Los Angeles Metro ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Neal said that at the St. Patricks event Tuesday, he wished Wiles well with her health challenge. Wiles, 68, announced this week that shes entering treatment for breast cancer. Stories by Jim Kinney Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. SEOUL, March 19 (UPI) -- The United States and South Korea on Thursday concluded their annual Freedom Shield joint military exercise, reaffirming their combined defense posture after days of heightened tensions marked by North Korean missile launches and threats. The 11-day exercise, which ran from March 9 to 19, was designed to strengthen the allies' readiness against "complex security threats" and enhance operations across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains, the two militaries said in a joint statement. "Freedom Shield 26 demonstrates the strength of our alliance and our ability to train, build readiness, and operate seamlessly as one force," Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said. Advertisement Advertisement North Korea fired about 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Saturday during the exercise, South Korean military officials said, while also issuing sharp warnings condemning the drills. Pyongyang later said the launches were part of a firepower strike drill involving 600mm multiple rocket launchers overseen by leader Kim Jong Un. Kim also observed the test-firing of strategic cruise missiles from a naval destroyer last week. North Korea has long denounced the allies' joint exercises as rehearsals for invasion. Earlier this month, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North's leader, warned of "unimaginably terrible consequences" in response to the drills. This year's exercise incorporated lessons from recent conflicts and placed particular emphasis on assessing conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul -- a long-sought goal that the administration of President Lee Jae Myung aims to complete before the end of his five-year term in 2030. Advertisement Advertisement "The FS exercise served as an occasion to strengthen our military's capabilities for the transition of wartime command," Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Capt. Jang Do-young said at a regular briefing. A total of 17 of 22 planned field training exercises were completed during the Freedom Shield period, with the remainder scheduled to conclude next week, Jang said. The drills unfolded as the Lee administration has sought to ease tensions and pursue dialogue with Pyongyang, including by reducing or redistributing field training exercises throughout the year. The number of such exercises was cut from 51 in last year's iteration under the previous administration. Despite the outreach, North Korea has continued weapons testing while expanding its military cooperation with Russia. The allies emphasized that Freedom Shield remains a defensive exercise conducted under the bilateral mutual defense treaty and in accordance with the Korean War armistice, adding that participation by United Nations Command member states underscored international support for stability in the region. By Sam Li and Siyi Liu BEIJING/SINGAPORE, March 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices eased on Wednesday to pare back some of Tuesday's sharp gains after the Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities reached a deal to resume oil exports via Turkey's Ceyhan port, providing modest relief to concerns about Middle East supplies. But with no signs of a de-escalation of the Iran conflict, which has left oil exports from the Middle East largely halted, Brent futures prices have settled above $100 per barrel for the prior four consecutive sessions. After rising more than 3% on Tuesday, Brent futures edged back 67 cents, or 0.65%, to $102.75 a barrel by 0209 GMT on Wednesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $1.18, or 1.23%, to $95.03. Iraqi's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani said oil flows from Ceyhan were expected to start at 0700 GMT on Wednesday, according to state media. Two oil officials said last week that Iraq was seeking to pump at least 100,000 barrels per day of crude through the port. "While it all helps and buys some time, the 100,000 bpd is not a huge game changer as Iraq has still lost about two million barrels per day," said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore. Oil production from Iraq's main southern oilfields, where most of its crude is produced and exported, has plunged 70% to just 1.3 million bpd, sources said on March 8, as the Iran conflict effectively shut the vital Strait of Hormuz through which some 20% of global oil passes. Iran confirmed on Tuesday that its security chief Ali Larijani had been killed in an Israeli attack. He is the most senior figure targeted since the U.S.-Israeli war's first day. A senior Iranian official said Iran's new supreme leader had rejected de-escalation offers conveyed by intermediary countries. The United States military said Tuesday it had targeted sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz because Iranian anti-ship missiles posed a risk to international shipping there. Larijani's death and the U.S. military's strikes on Iranian coastal positions near the Strait of Hormuz raised some hopes that the conflict could end sooner, said Mingyu Gao, chief researcher for energy and chemicals at China Futures. U.S. crude stocks rose by 6.56 million barrels in the week ended March 13, market sources said, citing API figures on Tuesday. A Reuters poll showed that U.S. crude oil stockpiles were expected to have risen by about 380,000 barrels in the week to March 13. (Reporting by Sam Li in Beijing and Siyi Liu in Singapore; Editing by Stephen Coates and Neil Fullick) LEHI, Utah (ABC4) The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has begun construction on a $600 million project that will build out a new freeway connection between I-15 and Mountain View Corridor in Lehi. The project will reportedly result in the construction of a new, nearly three-mile-long freeway connection at 2100 North in Lehi. The connection will create a faster route for people traveling across northwest Utah County, according to UDOT. Construction crews will also build 14 new bridges, UDOT said, along with two pedestrian bridges and around two miles of shared-use paths. Crews will also be realigning and reconstructing two miles of existing trails to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists. Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Department of Transportation has begun construction on a $600 million project that will build out a new freeway connection between I-15 and Mountain View Corridor in Lehi. (Courtesy: UDOT) As for the new road, engineers believe the new route will save east-west commuters around 12 minutes in each direction during peak travel times. This project strengthens how communities connect to the rest of Utah, UDOT Project Director Andrew Jordan said. By linking Mountain View Corridor directly to I-15, were making it easier for residents to travel across the region. Whether thats commuting to work, visiting family or heading out to enjoy everything the beautiful state of Utah has to offer. This project is a part of a $1.4 billion investment into several projects aimed to improve transportation in Utah County. Courtesy: UDOT Advertisement Advertisement One of those projects, which completed in December 2025, opened a four-mile segment of Mountain View Corridor between 2100 North and Porter Rockwell Boulevard. The new four-lane road reportedly has five pedestrian bridges and a 12-foot-wide, multi-use path. The new connection at 2100 North, aside from creating a streamlined freeway transfer, is expected to lessen pressure on nearby routes like Redwood Road one of the most congested corridors in Utah County, according to UDOT. Additionally, the Pioneer Crossing Flex Lanes project is underway, which will improve east-west travel along State Route 145. This project is expected to be completed in 2026. The 2100 North connection reportedly cost $621 million and is expected to last through late 2028. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Ukraine is to resume pumping Russian oil to Hungary in order to unblock a 90bn (78bn) loan from the European Union. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, has agreed to the move after approving repairs to the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through his country to central Europe. The pipeline, which has been offline since January after some of its infrastructure in western Ukraine was damaged in a Russian strike, supplies both Hungary and Slovakia. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has also previously struck other sections of the pipeline in separate attacks. However, Budapest and Bratislava had refused to sign off on a 90bn EU loan to Ukraine until it restored the flow of oil. 1202 Druzhba pipeline Mr Zelensky has agreed, and hopes his olive branch will enable Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, and Robert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, to give their blessing to the loan when EU leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday. A senior EU diplomat said leaders would use the summit to demand that Mr Orban drop his veto, honouring a deal he agreed to last year. Orban should deliver on his promise he made in December, the diplomat told The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement The source added: But Hungary is currently still blocking the legislative proposal. We think that should stop, and that the money should flow as quickly as possible, because Ukraine needs it to stay in the fight. Mr Orban, who is fighting for re-election in a parliamentary vote next month, has repeatedly accused Kyiv of refusing to repair the pipeline for political reasons. Neither the Hungarian prime minister nor Mr Zelensky has tried to hide his disdain for his counterpart in recent weeks, after the dispersal of the first loan payments was held up by the row. Viktor Orban has repeatedly criticised Ukraines handling of the situation - Marton Monus/REUTERS In an attempt to defuse tensions, EU officials have been urging the Ukrainian president to accept their help in restoring oil flows. Advertisement Advertisement A Hungarian delegation was dispatched to inspect the damaged pipeline, but was blocked from visiting by Kyiv. However, on the eve of the summit, it appeared that Mr Zelensky had finally relented to the offers of assistance. Allegations that Ukraine is deliberately obstructing oil transportation through the Druzhba pipeline are unfounded. The disruption results from recent Russian terrorist attacks on the pipeline and surrounding infrastructure, he wrote in a letter to EU chiefs. He added: We are undertaking all possible efforts to repair the damage and restore operations, considering the impact on the pipeline itself, the surrounding infrastructure and environment as well. Advertisement Advertisement In response, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, said: The EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding. The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately. Ukraine and the EU are the main rhetorical targets of Mr Orbans re-election bid and Peter Szijjarto, Hungarys foreign minister, described the letter as political theatre co-ordinated between Kyiv and Brussels. The oil blockade against Hungary must be lifted immediately, Mr Szijjarto said. 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. By Guy Faulconbridge and Dmitry Antonov MOSCOW, March 19 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that talks between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv on ending the war in Ukraine were on "situational pause" following the start of the Iran war, but Ukraine's president said new discussions were expected this weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to end the Ukraine war on his return to the White House but has said efforts to resolve the conflict have been one of his biggest disappointments. Advertisement Advertisement The Izvestia newspaper said in a front-page story that the Kremlin had confirmed a pause in talks on Ukraine and that war in the Middle East could push Kyiv towards compromise. "This is a situational pause, for obvious reasons," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the Izvestia report. Peskov said that as soon as "our American partners" could pay more attention to Ukrainian affairs, Moscow hoped that the pause could end and that a new round of talks could take place. In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it was time to end the pause and Washington had sent signals it was ready to continue negotiations. A Ukrainian negotiating team was already on its way to the U.S. for weekend talks. Advertisement Advertisement "There has been a pause in the talks. It is time to end that, and we will do everything so that the talks can be truly meaningful," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. "The Ukrainian team ... is already on the way and we expect a meeting on Saturday in the United States." It was not immediately clear what form the new talks would take and who would be taking part. Izvestia said that talks on economic and investment cooperation with the United States, led by presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, would continue. Ukraine and Russia, which invaded its neighbour in 2022, held talks in Turkey last year and have conducted sessions with U.S. mediation in Abu Dhabi and Geneva this year. They remain far apart on Russia's demand for Ukraine to cede control of the whole of its Donetsk region. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. INTELLIGENCE CHIEF SAYS RUSSIA HAS UPPER HAND Ukrainian and European leaders say Russia cannot be allowed to achieve its aims after what they cast as an imperial-style land grab and that Moscow could next attack a NATO member state if it wins. Moscow denies this. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Wednesday that Russia had "maintained the upper hand in its war against Ukraine." "U.S.-led negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv are ongoing. Until such an agreement is met, Moscow is likely to continue fighting a war of attrition with the aim of degrading Kyivs ability and will to resist," Gabbard said. Advertisement Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is open to discussing peace. He portrays the war as a watershed moment in relations with the West, which he says humiliated Russia after the Soviet Union fell in 1991 by enlarging NATO and encroaching on what he considers Moscow's sphere of influence. In 2024, Putin said Russia's terms for ending the war were that Kyiv officially abandon its ambition of joining NATO and withdraw entirely from four regions Russia claims as its own. Kyiv has questioned Putin's commitment to ending the war and says it will not cede land that Russia has failed to capture. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski and Hugh Lawson) With 10 days to spare, organizers of a March 28 No Kings protest and march in downtown Appleton secured a special-event permit that's needed to close city streets near Houdini Plaza. The Appleton Common Council voted unanimously March 18 to overturn an earlier denial of the permit by staff. The permit automatically had been denied because the permit application was submitted 37 days in advance of the event, short of the 45 days that the city requires. Council member Sheri Hartzheim emphasized that the council's vote to overturn the denial shouldn't be interpreted as "a statement about the particular event." Advertisement Advertisement No Kings demonstrations are part of a nationwide resistance to President Donald Trump, who organizers say is acting like a monarch with unchecked powers. According to the permit application, organizers expect the No Kings event to attract 4,000 people. It will start at 3 p.m. with a rally at Houdini Plaza and an include a march before ending at 5 p.m. The march will proceed east on College Avenue, north on Durkee Street, west of Washington Street, south on Morrison Street and west on College, returning to Houdini Plaza. Protesters gather at Houdini Plaza and along College Avenue during the Oct. 18 No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance in downtown Appleton. Katie Olson, lead organizer of the event and executive director of ESTHER, apologized for missing the application deadline, noting her team was coordinating with a larger organization that picked the March 28 date. A previous No Kings protest in Appleton didn't include a march in the streets, so no permit was required. In late February, the city's Safety and Licensing Committee recommended overturning the denial of the permit, contingent upon the approval of a traffic-control plan. When the matter reached the council on March 4, it was referred back to committee to allow more time to finalize the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Olson said the original march route, which would have proceeded from Houdini Plaza to the parking lot of the Outagamie County Justice Center, raised safety concerns, so organizers, in cooperation with city staff, developed the revised route using College, Durkee, Washington and Morrison. "This route allows the march to remain moving, rather than concentrating people in one congregated area," Olson said. Police Chief Polly Olson said that to maintain safety, the event will require overtime pay for eight officers, which is consistent with how the department handles other similarly sized special events. The permit holder will be assessed 25% of the cost of city services provided for the event, in accordance with policy. The balance of the cost is borne by the city. Advertisement Advertisement Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X at @DukeBehnke. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Upon appeal, Appleton grants permit for March 28 No Kings march A U.S. fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing in the Middle East after it was reportedly struck by Iranian fire. "We are aware of reports that a U.S. F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing at a regional U.S airbase after flying a combat mission over Iran, Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, told The Independent. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition, Hawkins added. This incident is under investigation." Advertisement Advertisement The jet is believed to have been hit by Iranian fire, two unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter told CNN. The attack would mark the first time Iranian forces have struck an American aircraft since the war broke out late last month. U.S. and Israeli forces are both flying F-35 jets which cost more than $100 million in the region. A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing in the Middle East after it was reportedly struck by Iranian fire. Pictured here is a US Air Force F-35A fighter jet flying over Puerto Rico in December (AFP via Getty Images) The emergency landing comes one week after a U.S. refueling tanker crashed while flying in friendly airspace over Iraq, killing all six crew members. Two aircraft were involved in the incident, which may have entailed a midair collision, according to The New York Times. It remains under investigation. Trump administration officials have repeatedly claimed that the U.S. is winning the war, launched jointly by Israel and the U.S. on February 28, and that Iran is virtually powerless to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Iran has no air defenses, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters last week. Iran has no air force. Iran has no Navy. Their missiles, their missile launchers and drones being destroyed or shot out of the sky. The war, now in its third week, has engulfed the broader region, with strikes reported in Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other nearby nations. On Thursday, Hegseth said that the U.S. had struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran. At least 1,200 Iranians have been killed and more than 10,000 have been wounded, according to Iranian officials. Thirteen U.S. service members have died, and over 140 have been injured, the Pentagon has said. The conflict has also sparked fears of global economic turmoil, as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz a vital artery of international trade has ground to a halt. As a result, oil prices have shot up, surpassing the $100-a-barrel milestone on multiple occasions in recent weeks. And the average cost of a gallon of diesel surged past $5 this week. The US has struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran, Hegseth said on Thursday. Pictured here, smoke and flames are seen rising over Tehran after airstrikes rocked the city (Getty) The war shows no signs of abating, as U.S. airstrikes intensify and additional Marines and warships are deployed to the Middle East. Last week, Trump told Fox News that the conflict will end when I feel it in my bones. Advertisement Advertisement Capitol Hill is largely divided over the conflict. Democrats have described it as illegal, reckless and a blatant violation of Trumps campaign promise to be the candidate of peace. Republicans have largely backed the president, though some have privately expressed reservations. Polls show that most Americans are opposed to the war. Fifty-three percent of voters are against military action against Iran, according to a Quinnipiac survey released on March 9. And just one in four Americans said they support strikes against Iran, according to an earlier Ipsos poll. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy's most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is departing the Red Sea for Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete after a fire broke out in its aft laundry facility on March 12. The fire disabled berthing for over 600 sailors and prompted a significant damage control effort amid ongoing combat operations against Iran. Fire below deck The fire, which was confirmed as non-combat-related, started on March 12 and spread through ventilation into adjacent sleeping quarters, destroying over 100 beds and displacing sailors shipwide that same day. Advertisement Advertisement Two sailors were initially treated for non-life-threatening injuries, with one medically evacuated ashore. More than 200 others received treatment for smoke inhalation before returning to duty. By March 13, the Navy had airlifted 1,000 replacement mattresses from the USS John F. Kennedy in Norfolk, Virginia, along with spare clothing, since the carrier's laundry facilities remained largely out of service. Clarifying initial reports, a U.S. official stated that although damage control lasted over a day, the fire itself did not burn for 30 hours. Instead, the 30-hour period included firefighting, water-damage cleanup, and flare-up prevention. However, the U.S. Navy is formally investigating whether sailors aboard the Ford deliberately started the fire. A depleted ship in an active war The Ford departed Norfolk, Virginia, on June 24, 2025. Over the following nine months, it operated across the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea. On March 5, it transited the Suez Canal, then carried out sustained strike sorties under Operation Epic Fury. Advertisement Advertisement Following the fire, the crew kept up combat sorties until the withdrawal decision. If the carrier remains deployed through mid-April, it will break the post-Vietnam War record of 294 days set by USS Abraham Lincoln in 2020. The Ford's deployment is notable not only for its length but also its pace, with operations in two hemispheres, combat in the Middle East, and maintenance challenges, including recurring plumbing failures that drew public attention. Adding to these challenges, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has formally designated the Ford carrier strike group a military target. This designation introduces an additional layer of operational pressure to what is already an unusually strained deployment. What happens next The Ford will spend over a week at Souda Bay for pierside repairs. This stop will assess what can be fixed immediately and what requires attention at its home port in Norfolk. The rest of the Ford strike groupUSS Mahan, USS Bainbridge, and USS Winston S. Churchillwill remain in the Red Sea and not follow the carrier to Crete. Advertisement Advertisement The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is already in the region to maintain combat operations. The USS George H.W. Bush has finished workup at Norfolk and is expected to deploy as relief for the Ford. Gen.Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, addressed the crew's situation directly at a Pentagon briefing: "We're thinking about the crew there who were injured in the fire. We believe and hope that everyone will be OK, and we're grateful for that." WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration will require citizens from 50 countries to post bonds of $15,000 to apply for U.S. entry, a State Department official said on Wednesday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 12 countries are being added to a list that already includes 38 other nations, largely in Africa. The expanded visa bond program, which requires those foreign nationals to pay $15,000 for a B1 or B2 visa for business and tourism, goes into effect on April 2. The aim is to prevent visitors from overstaying their visas, the official said. Advertisement Advertisement The new nations included in the visa bond program are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia. The official said bonds will be returned to visa recipients who return home in compliance with the terms of the visa and the bond, or do not travel in the first place. Since taking office last January, Trump, a Republican, has pursued a hard-line immigration policy, including an aggressive deportation drive, revocations of visas and green cards, and screens of social media posts and past speeches of immigrants. Human rights groups have condemned Trump's immigration and travel-related policies, saying they curb due process guarantees and free speech. Trump and his allies say the policies seek to improve domestic security. Advertisement Advertisement Last June, he issued a travel ban that fully or partially blocked citizens of 19 nations from entering the U.S. on national security grounds. The State Department official said the visa bond program has reduced the number of people who overstay their visas. The 38 nations previously included are Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote dIvoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. (Reporting By Steve Holland) By Nate Raymond March 17 (Reuters) - A conservative legal activist won U.S. Senate approval Tuesday to become a federal judge in Louisiana, despite objections by Democrats and a former Fox News host over testimony she gave five years ago opposing a ban on mandatory arbitration for workplace sexual assault or harassment claims. The Republican-led U.S. Senate voted 51-45 to confirm Anna St. John, the president and general counsel of the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, to a seat on the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Republican President Donald Trump announced St. John's nomination in a January social media post that touted her "strong record of tirelessly fighting to protect Free Speech, champion Religious Liberty, and keep men out of womens sports." The New Orleans-based lawyer has worked since 2015 at legal activist Ted Frank's Center for Class Action Fairness, now part of the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, helping advance its campaign against class action settlements it says benefits lawyers while delivering little to no relief to consumers. "She knows our Constitution like the back of her hand and has the smarts and experience to be a great, fair judge," Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement on Tuesday. Her nomination was opposed by Democrats including Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, who during a hearing earlier this month said her "record reflects a partisan ideology and raises serious questions about her ability to impartially administer justice." Advertisement Advertisement He pointed to opposition to her nomination from former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, who a decade ago filed a high-profile lawsuit accusing Roger Ailes, Fox News' former chief executive, of sexual harassment. Ailes, who died in 2017, denied the claims. Carlson in an opinion piece she co-wrote that was published online January 29 by the progressive group Alliance for Justice Action claimed that St. John while testifying before Congress had sought to "gaslight" women seeking to eradicate forced arbitration following the onset of the #MeToo movement. The bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act was passed by Congress in 2022 and bans companies from forcing employees who allege sexual assault or harassment to settle their claims with an arbitrator without the option of filing a lawsuit. St. John testified in November 2021 before the U.S. House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee against the bill, saying in a written submission that arbitration can be a faster, less expensive way to resolve disputes, "even when serious harms such as sexual harassment and assault are at issue." Advertisement Advertisement Asked during a February 4 hearing about her testimony, St. John again defended arbitration, saying it "can be beneficial and that it can result, and often does result, in much higher recoveries for plaintiffs and sexual assault survivors." Read more: Ex-Fox News anchor, Democrats oppose Trump judicial nominee over arbitration support Trump kicks off 2026 with 4 new judicial nominees (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston) As Utahs senior U.S. senator helps lead a Republican charge to make sweeping changes to voting, the states top election official this week has raised numerous red flags about the bill, saying it could violate constitutional secret ballot rights and federally preempt states rights. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, a Republican, shared a series of posts on multiple social media platforms on Wednesday expressing frustration with Sen. Mike Lee and his push for the legislation, called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE America Act. I can count on zero fingers the number of times Sen. Lee has reached out to ask how his bill will affect our state, Henderson wrote in a post on Threads. Advertisement Advertisement In another Threads post, Henderson referred to a 2022 op-ed Lee and Henderson jointly wrote for the Deseret News at the time, and said: POV: That one time your senior senator wrote a joint op-ed with you touting the trustworthiness of your states election system and lauding the virtues of federalism before running a bill demanding we throw it all out the window three years later. Utah law already requires both voter ID and American citizenship to vote, Henderson wrote in a post on Facebook. The SAVE America Act would hurt Utah voters and preempt state laws in ways that dont make sense. Hendersons post also blasted the effort to pass the voting bill quickly, ahead of the November midterm elections. President Donald Trump has called the bill his top legislative priority, and he has said it will be crucial for Republicans to keep control of Congress after the midterms. If we want a federal law mandating voter ID or Documentary Proof of Citizenship, and its really not about disenfranchising a bunch of voters, then states and voters need an onramp with time to prepare get the documents, obtain the right ID, set up the system, Henderson wrote. Thats not whats happening with the SAVE America Act. This bill would be effective immediately in the middle of an election year. Advertisement Advertisement The bill, Henderson said, would be impossible to implement, on top of all its other problems. Henderson lists problems with SAVE Act Henderson listed several facts about Utahs voting landscape. Its long been a vote-by-mail state, where the Utah Constitution guarantees the right to a secret ballot for both federal and state elections. The SAVE voting bill, Henderson noted, would require voters to include photocopies of their IDs in the return envelope of a by-mail ballot, violating our Constitutional right to a secret ballot. Utah already uses signature verification on by-mail ballots and in 2029, Utah voters will be required to write the last four digits of their driver license or Social Security number along with their signature to verify their identity in a way that preserves ballot secrecy, Henderson said. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson speaks during a press conference at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on the final night of the legislative session, Friday, March 6, 2026. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The SAVE America Act, she wrote, would preempt that. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Henderson said that if Congress passes the bill, county clerks would need to change how they currently verify voters citizenship, which they currently do through the states Driver License Division and the states REAL ID system. Remember when you had to dig up all your documents and show them to the DLD when we switched to REAL ID? Henderson wrote. For the SAA, youll have to do that all over again to register to vote. She said only five states Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, New York and Vermont currently offer the enhanced REAL ID system required in the SAVE voting bill. Sen. Mike Lee responds Lee, in response to Hendersons posts, wrote on X that Utah has never been the problem, but rather other states are. Advertisement Advertisement Federal law is needed to protect federal elections, he said. However, in another post, Lee added: Utah itself has plenty of its own problems. What I meant to say is that it was the federal government, not Utah, that created the particular set of problems making the SAVE America Act necessary. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted to begin a long debate on the bill that has the potential to span days or weeks. This week, Lee and other Republican senators have held multiple press conferences expressing their support for the legislation, including one Thursday afternoon. Lee, during Thursdays news conference, told reporters he was open to changes to the bill which the House passed in order to help us get it passed easier in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement We have an obligation to do everything we can to get this passed, Lee said. He added that a drawn out debate could help muster support, similar to the 60 days it took to eventually pass the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee speaks during a U.S. Capitol press conference on a nationwide voter identification bill on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Also pictured, from left, are Republican Sens. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Ashley Moody of Florida and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) Lee and other Republican senators argued that voter ID requirements are popular with the American public, and it shouldnt be something Democrats oppose. Democrats have ardently argued the bill would add unnecessary obstacles to voting, especially for those who dont have access to their birth certificates or passports to prove their citizenship when they register to vote. Utah Gov. Cox says he supports the concept, but the bill has implementation problems Hendersons boss, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, told reporters during a press conference broadcast by PBS Utah on Thursday that he and Henderson are supportive of the concept behind the SAVE Act to ensure only U.S. Citizens are voting but they have some concerns about its implementation. Advertisement Advertisement I think were all supportive, including the lieutenant governor, of the goals of the SAVE Act, Cox said. Its just on how its practically implemented. So we can do it and keep people safe and make sure were not preventing American citizens from voting. Cox said that Henderson was understandably frustrated by the SAVE Act, while also pointing out Lees posts in response, which Cox characterized as Lee defending Utah. Cox said the state is constantly improving elections. Henderson is entitled to be frustrated, Cox said, since Lee hasnt communicated with her about the SAVE Act. Look, running elections is very hard. The lieutenant governor has the hardest job in the state, he said. And so she is entitled to be frustrated when there is a lack of communication. We should have more communication with our federal delegation. Sometimes thats on us Sometimes thats on them, they should be reaching out to us just to talk through some of the issues. Advertisement Advertisement The governor pointed out that Utah started voting by mail more than 10 years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic and he said other states havent spent the same amount of time or effort as Utah leaders have improving security around voting by mail. Cox also noted that Utah lawmakers this year passed a law that would require voters to prove they are U.S. citizens for local elections if election officers lack confirmation and get in touch seeking documentation. That law bifurcated federal elections from local elections, since the state has the authority to make the requirement for local elections, but not federal ones. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Utah Legislature this year also weighed a bill to further unravel Utahs automatic vote-by-mail system and require in-person ID for voting with a by-mail ballot, but it hit a dead end. Instead, they passed a bill to commission a Utah Valley University study on the security of in-person voting versus voting by mail and best practices for ID requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Pressed on Hendersons concerns about the federal government infringing on states rights to administer elections, Cox said the federal government has always had some election restrictions, but it can only go so far to tell states what they can or cant do. Federalism matters, but again, immigration is in the purview of the federal government, he said. So the federal government does have a role (to) make sure that noncitizens are not voting. In January, Hendersons office reported that an ongoing review of Utahs voter rolls hasnt found any cases of noncitizens voting in a Utah election. That most recent review resulted in one noncitizen registered voter being removed, in addition to four that were found last year. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Oil prices flipped lower on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference that his country would help the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has fallen to a near-standstill. The comments came after a wave of new escalatory attacks by Iran and Israel targeted key energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf, with price action only slightly slowed by comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting the US may remove sanctions on Iranian crude. Futures on Brent crude (BZ=F), the international benchmark, soared through Wednesday night and Thursday morning to briefly cross $119 per barrel for the second time since the war began. Futures on US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude (CL=F) moved up to hold around $97 per barrel. As Netanyahu spoke, Brent and WTI gave up those gains to trade above $104 and near $93 per barrel, respectively. Over the past 24 hours, Middle Eastern energy infrastructure has come increasingly under fire, crossing what was previously seen as a red line in the conflict and marking a new height of escalation in the war in Iran. Read more: You can trade oil futures. What to know before you start. The newest wave of action began on Wednesday with strikes by Israel on Iran's South Pars gas field the Iranian section of the largest natural gas reserve in the world, which the regime shares with Qatar. Axios has reported that the US was aware of Israel's intent to target the field, though President Trump denied having knowledge of the attack in a Truth Social post. Following the strikes on South Pars, Iran published a target list of energy infrastructure in the region and ordered evacuations from the sites. In the hours since, the regime has targeted Saudi Arabia's SAMREF refinery, which is co-owned by Saudi Aramco (2223.SR) and Exxon Mobil (XOM); taken two gas facilities in the UAE offline; and struck two refineries in Kuwait. The most prominent of those targets, Qatar's Las Raffan LNG export terminal the largest in the world was reported to have sustained "extensive damage" by QatarEnergy early Thursday morning, adding to damage earlier in the conflict that pushed QatarEnergy to declare force majeure on shipments from the export complex. Read more: How oil price shocks ripple through your wallet, from gas to groceries In commentary on Thursday, Rystad Energy said that if Iran's full list of potential targets throughout the Gulf were to come to fruition, oil prices would be very likely to hit $120 per barrel which Brent crude came within less than $1 overnight. Get ready for liftoff, California! The second SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket of the week is due to launch from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. And depending on conditions, the spacecraft should be widely visible after getting off the ground during an afternoon launch window. As for the mission, the two-stage rocket is due to once again deploy a batch of SpaceX's Starlink internet broadband satellites to orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Just keep in mind that postponements due to weather or issues with rockets are common with spaceflight. Check back with the VC Star for any updates on the impending launch. In the meantime, here's what to know about the upcoming SpaceX rocket launch from Vandenberg in Santa Barbara County, as well as where to watch it. Vandenberg Space Force Base: California ends 2025 with record number of rocket launches. What's next? Is there a rocket launch today? Next mission from Vandenberg in California SpaceX is working toward a Friday, March 20, launch from Southern California, with a four-hour launch window opening at 2:48 p.m. PT, according to a launch alert. A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed. Where is the next launch from California? What to know about trajectory The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 4-East (SLC-4E) at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. Advertisement Advertisement As has become typical in 2026, the rocket will fly at a southern trajectory. What is launching from Vandenberg? SpaceX to deploy Starlink satellites SpaceX will launch its famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, to deliver 25 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, an altitude nearer Earth's atmosphere where they're able to circle the planet quickly. Where to watch California rocket launches in Santa Barbara County Because Vandenberg is an active military base, the launch complex does not host public viewings of launches. But if conditions are clear, rocket launches from the Vandenberg Space Force Base can be viewed from several locations as far as Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Space Launch Schedule, a website dedicated to tracking upcoming rocket launches, provided a list of places in Santa Barbara County in California to catch the launch in person: Advertisement Advertisement 13th Street and Arguello Boulevard , a public site with the closest views of SpaceX launches Floradale Avenue and West Ocean Avenue , officially designated as the viewing site for SLC-6 (space launch complex-6) Renwick Avenue and West Ocean Avenue , another intersection close to the base where spectators can park Santa Lucia Canyon Road and Victory Road, provides a partial view of Complex 4. The city of Lompoc in Santa Barbara County is filled with places to catch a rocket launch. The city's tourism bureau, Explore Lompoc, maintains this list with additional viewing locations: Ocean Park , 6851 Ocean Park Road, Lompoc, which, while it doesn't have a view of the launch pad itself, is located only four miles from the launch site and provides a good vantage to see rockets get off the ground. Parking is limited, and law enforcement will close the road to the beach once parking is full. Allan Hancock College , 1 Hancock Drive, Lompoc, a community college located nine miles from the launch site where the launch pad and rocket's tip can be seen before liftoff. Riverbend Park , N A Street and McLaughlin Road, Lompoc, located within 10 miles of the launch site, is filled with large fields for activities or for spectators to set up chairs. Surf Beach on Ocean Avenue, one of the closest and most popular places to watch rocket launches near Lompoc, as long as it's open and accessible. But a word of caution: There is an active train track, the Amtrak Surf Station, that visitors must cross. While trains don't run during launch windows, the vehicles could start up again with little warning if a liftoff is scrubbed. Where to watch California rocket launches in Ventura County Visit Ventura, the tourism bureau in Ventura County, provided a list to the USA TODAY Network of suggested locations to see a rocket launch from the county: Advertisement Advertisement Ventura Pier , 750 E. Harbor Blvd, is known as the oldest pier in all of California. Emma Wood State Beach , located on the Santa Barbara Channel south of U.S. 101. Serra Cross Park at Grant Park , located just above San Buenaventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Ventura, offers a panoramic seascape view. San Buenaventura State Beach , 901 San Pedro St., Ventura, located adjacent to the Ventura Pier. Cemetery Memorial Park, Main Street and South Crimea Street, Ventura Where to watch California rocket launches in San Luis Obispo County SLO CAL, a countywide destination marketing and management organization, maintains a list of its recommended best locations to watch a rocket launch in San Luis Obispo County to the north of the launch site: Avila Beach , located off U.S. 101, has a variety of restaurants and shops for those looking to make a day of their rocket-viewing plans. Pismo Beach , a city with a vibrant downtown stretch located just 38 miles away from Vandenberg Shell Beach , a neighborhood in Pismo Beach that is home to several parks, including Eldwayen Ocean Park and Margo Dodd Park, both on Ocean Boulevard; and Dinosaur Caves Park (2701 Price St.) that are mostly dog-friendly and open to the public Oceano Dunes , the closest place to view launches from the county with open spaces along the ocean allowing full visibility of the sky Morro Strand State Beach, a three-mile stretch between the coastal city Morro Bay and the town of Cayucos. Cayucos' south-facing beaches should have great views of Vandenberg. Other cities in California where rockets may be visible Other cities in California where you might glimpse the Falcon 9 rocket soaring overhead particularly after sunset and before sunrise as it climbs into the sky on a southern trajectory include: Advertisement Advertisement Long Beach , a city popular with tourists known for its waterfront attractions, located about 180 south of the launch site along the southern coast of California Lake Forest , located about 200 miles south of the launch site along the southern coast of California San Diego , located about 280 miles south of the launch site along the southern coast of California Merced, located more than 200 miles north of Vandenberg in the San Joaquin Valley Will there be sonic booms? Residents of Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County often stand to be the most likely to hear sonic booms, SpaceX said. The sonic booms brief, thunder-like noises that are often heard from the ground when a spacecraft or aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound could last for up to 10 minutes after liftoff, Vandenberg has added. "Areas local to Vandenberg Space Force Base will hear the initial low rumble of take-off," Vandenberg has also said. What to know about booster re-entry Following the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket's booster will aim to land on a SpaceX drone ship, nicknamed "Of Course I Still Love You," in the Pacific Ocean. This allows for SpaceX personnel to recover the booster so it can be reused in future spaceflights. Does Elon Musk own SpaceX? What to know about rocket company SpaceX is the commercial spaceflight company that billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, founded in 2002 and leads as the CEO. Advertisement Advertisement SpaceX is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city. As a major government contractor, SpaceX serves as the launch service provider for a variety of government missions both civil and military. For the Department of Defense, SpaceX's Falcon 9 helps launch classified satellites and other payloads into space. And for NASA, Falcon 9 most often helps propel astronauts to the International Space Station on SpaceX's Dragon crew capsule the only U.S vehicle capable of carrying NASA astronauts to orbit. What is Starlink? Starlink is SpaceX's internet satellite business. Advertisement Advertisement With more than 10,000 satellites in its growing orbital constellation, Starlink has become a lucrative part of Musk's business empire, serving millions of customers around the world. SpaceX, which bills itself as the only satellite internet provider with its own reusable rocket capable of deploying the technology, has spent years delivering the satellites to orbit with a regular cadence of rocket launches from Florida and California. Starlink satellites operate from low-Earth orbit, about 341 miles up, which is much closer to Earth's atmosphere than other satellites. That not only allows Starlink satellites to offer high connection speeds than satellites further out in space, but to reach rural areas and regions where internet service is not readily accessible. Starlink missions: Why does SpaceX launch Starlink satellites from California? What is the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California? The Vandenberg Space Force Base is a rocket launch site in Santa Barbara County in Southern California. Advertisement Advertisement Established in 1941, the site was previously known as the Vandenberg Air Force Base. Though it's a military base, the site also hosts both civil and commercial space launches for entities like NASA and SpaceX. Space Launch Delta 30, a unit of Space Force, is responsible for managing the launch operations at Vandenberg, as well as the missile tests that take place at the base. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Is there a rocket launch today? Where to see liftoff from Vandenberg Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday said she had dismissed influential Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez after more than a decade in office. Rodriguez thanked Padrino Lopez for his loyalty in a post on social media platform X. Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez was due to replace him. "It has been the highest honour of my life to serve the homeland as a soldier, and to protect national peace and unity during all these years at the helm of the Ministry of Defence," Padrino Lopez said in response to Rodriguez's post, also thanking the acting president and wishing his successor good luck. Advertisement Advertisement Padrino Lopez had held the post since October 2014, making him the longest-serving defence minister in the South American country's history, according to the newspaper El Nacional. He was considered a close confidant of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro, who was overthrown by the United States at the start of the year, and one of the central figures of the military leadership that supported the Maduro government for years. In addition to the defence portfolio, Rodriguez also made new appointments to the housing and energy ministries. She did not initially comment on the reasons for the changes. The changes are taking place against the backdrop of far-reaching political changes in Venezuela. Following Maduro's ouster by the US, Rodriguez took over the reins of government. She is regarded as Washington's central point of contact within the Venezuelan government, particularly in matters of oil policy. (ABC22/FOX44) Last month, a group of state attorneys general sued the Trump Administration over the tariffs that he imposed under the International Economic Powers Act. On Wednesday, the coalition sending a message to Congress, demanding that the over $160 billion collected from the tariffs be refunded, and given back to the people. New York and Vermont are two of the 17 states who signed onto the letter sent to Congress. The coalition is calling for the Trump Administration to reimburse importers with interest, and encouraging local businesses who raised their costs, to pass the savings on to customers. For background, in April of 2025, President Trump started taxing nations around the world. On February 20th of 2026, the coalition won its lawsuit, and the Supreme Court struck down the global tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement New Yorks Attorney General Letitia James says in her state alone, businesses and consumers were charged over $13 billion because of Trumps tariffs. The letter sent to congress, condemns any businesses that raised its prices; saying their customers ultimately bore the greatest financial burden, and they should be refunded. One locally owned pub in Middlebury says theyve seen costs go-up 25%. Vermonts Attorney General, Charity Clark, says, the administration has yet to explain how it intends to make things right, so we are asking Congress to step in and refund these unlawful taxes. As of now, there isnt a concrete plan detailing how people could get their money back. But according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the money could only be available through a new type of direct deposit. In their letter to Congress, the attorneys general are also calling for a new, more streamlined refund system. Well to continue to provide updates as this story develops. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Ohio Republican governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he wants to consolidate Ohio colleges and universities. In a recent video posted on Ramaswamys Threads account, he is seen being asked if its possible to eliminate state income tax. The reason its possible is that you look at certain areas of excess spending where we can not just cut cost but improve effectiveness, Ramaswamy said in the less than a minute video clip. Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Look at the number of universities in our state. I love universities in Ohio. I want us to have the best universities. We have too many of them. They need to be consolidated. And when you consolidate them, they can actually be centers of excellence who are actually the best in their respective domains, instead of trying to create replicas and clones of one another throughout the state. More than 313,000 undergraduate students were enrolled at Ohios public universities during the most recent fall semester, according to preliminary data from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Ohio has 36 public two-year and four-year colleges and universities, 74 independent institutions, and 49 technical colleges, according to the department. Advertisement Advertisement Vivek is obviously not going to eliminate Ohios great universities, but he will cut the bureaucracy that burdens them, Ramaswamy campaign spokesperson Evan Machan said in an email. College tuition costs are more unaffordable than ever, and Vivek wont apologize for delivering solutions to fix that problem for Ohio families. Ramaswamy, who is from the Cincinnati area, graduated from Harvard University and Yale Law School. Ohio Democratic governor candidate Amy Acton was quick to respond to Ramaswamys comments in a couple of posts on X. In Ohio, were proud of our world class colleges and universities that are centers of community, our economy, create jobs, and produce world class athletes, Acton said in one of her posts. Its March Madness, and Im rooting for our Ohio colleges while my opponent wants to eliminate the teams on your bracket. Advertisement Advertisement Acton has degrees from Youngstown State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, and Ohio State University. I paid my way through Youngstown State and went on to teach at OSU, Acton said in her other post. Ohio has the best colleges in the country, and Vivek Ramaswamy plans to get rid of them. Vivek Ramaswamys plan to eliminate an untold number of Ohio colleges and universities will devastate local communities across our state who depend on them for jobs, healthcare and quality of life, said Actons campaign spokeswoman Addie Bullock. Former Ohio Republican Gov. Jim Rhodes said while he was running for office he wanted a public college or university within 30 miles of every Ohioan. Advertisement Advertisement Rhodes became governor in 1963 and Cleveland State University opened in 1964, Wright State University opened in 1967, Northeast Ohio Medical University opened in 1972, and Shawnee State University opened in 1986. Several associate colleges, regional university branches and technical colleges were also founded after Rhodes took office. Colleges and universities, however, are feeling the ramifications of declining birth rates, rising tuition costs, and student loan debt. The national birth rate fell nearly 23% from 2007 to 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meaning the traditional college-age population started dwindling last year through 2037, according to data from the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education. Advertisement Advertisement Both Ohio university main and regional campuses and community colleges saw a 12% decrease in enrollment from Fall 2012 to Fall 2022, according to the Ohio Department of Higher Education. During that time, Ohio public institutions of higher education overall saw a 12% decline from 527,190 to 462,949. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Volunteers are invited to help plant trees in Pellston on April 24. ReLeaf Michigan, a nonprofit tree organization, is partnering with the village of Pellston and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Urban and Community Forestry program to plant 20 trees at the village hall and along the driveway to Pioneer Park, according to a community announcement. ReLeaf Michigan is partnering with the village of Pellston and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Urban and Community Forestry program to plant 20 trees in Pellston on April 24, 2026. What to know Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing. They should bring a shovel, hard rake and work gloves if they have them. Advertisement Advertisement The group will meet at Pellston Village Hall, 125 Milton St., at 8:45 a.m. for sign-in, refreshments and a planting demonstration with ReLeaf Michigan's tree experts. Families are welcome to participate. The event will take place rain or shine, and no planting experience is necessary. The trees will serve as a cooling corridor for visitors to the park and village hall, according to the announcement. Funding for this project is provided by the USDA Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program in partnership with the Michigan DNR's Urban and Community Forestry Program. The event is free, but RSVPs are appreciated. Those interested can RSVP at releafmichigan.org/RSVP. Questions can be emailed to jackie.pilette@macd.org. Advertisement Advertisement 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 https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Volunteers needed for Pellston tree planting day April 2026 IDF sources say Iran's military power has been 'set back years' in every area Despite that, military sources unsure if strikes will be enough to get Iranian protesters to topple regime There are concerns in Israel that the war with Iran could end with an Islamic regime far more radical and nuclear-weapons seeking than that which preceded it, IDF sources said on Thursday. This, despite all of the substantial progress made so far in the war. Advertisement Advertisement The comment was not a prediction of a likely outcome, but merely a straightforward assessment of the range of potential outcomes at this sensitive stage of the battle. On the one hand, IDF sources said that much of Irans military power in virtually every area has been set back by years. But on the other hand, the army said, no one knows whether the Israeli strikes 10,000 and counting and the American strikes at least 8,000 will be sufficient to coax enough Iranian protesters out into the streets to topple the regime. An Israeli F-16 taking off at an undisclosed location, published on March 11, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) IDF investing 'extraordinary efforts' to help Iranian protesters The IDF did say that it has invested extraordinary efforts in helping set the conditions by which anti-regime Iranian protesters could potentially topple Tehrans leadership. Advertisement Advertisement After the Israel Air Forces initial attacks focused on top Iranian leaders, air defenses, and ballistic missiles, the attacks quickly shifted to destroying the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Basij, Interior Ministry, and Intelligence Ministry command centers and forces. These bodies are the backbone of the regimes apparatus for suppressing opposition. A satellite image shows an overview of the Pickaxe Mountain tunnel complex in Natanz, Iran, March 7, 2026. (credit: VANTOR/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) Over the last week, there have even been an increasing number of videos released showing the air force bomb specific, smaller-level checkpoints, which could have been used to keep protesters off a given street. Yet, after all of these achievements, neither the IDF nor the US has announced any operations to destroy or dilute Irans 60% enriched uranium under the rubble at Isfahan or the Pickaxe Mountain (Natanz) facility, which even mega bunker busters cannot penetrate, many fear. Combined, many are concerned that these two nuclear issues could result in a small-scale, rushed-out nuclear bomb, which, however small, could have devastating effects. Advertisement Advertisement The IDF has declined to provide confidence that these two nuclear threats will be dealt with before the end of the war. Israeli efforts to weaken regime may have taken on greater urgency Mojtaba Khamenei, the son and successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Irans supreme leader, is viewed as potentially more extreme and radical in his hatred of the West and Israel and readiness to try to use any weapon, including nuclear, to gain leverage or take revenge. Considering the two above components of Irans nuclear program, which are still viable, and Mojtaba as the new leader, there is a nightmare scenario where Iran could have been weakened by years in most areas, including in many areas of its nuclear program, while still managing to wield and use an ace-in-the-hole small-scale nuclear weapon. In that sense, the IDFs and the USs efforts to continue to weaken the regime with the hope that it will be toppled may have taken on a greater urgency. A portion of a Washington County road may be renamed "Charlie J. Kirk Way" in honor of the late conservative activist, if the county board approves. Amid a packed room, the five-member Washington County Executive Committee voted unanimously March 18 to recommend renaming a part of the county road and paying for signs promoting the name. Now, the 21-member county board will discuss and possibly vote on the resolutions at its April 21 meeting. In order for the resolutions to pass, 16 county board members need to agree, chairperson Jeffrey Schleif said. Advertisement Advertisement While a resolution said the cost of the signs is estimated at $50,000, County Executive Josh Schoemann agreed with concerns that the county taxpayers should not foot the bill. Instead, he is advocating it be paid with private donations. Schoemann said he received calls of people offering to make a donation. I think taxpayer money should not be used for that, he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He said he is confident the county supervisors would support that financial aspect moving forward. At the committee meeting, County Supervisor John Schodron agreed, "If we take donations only, that changes things a lot." Advertisement Advertisement Supervisor Denis Kelling added he felt that everyone needs to weigh in. "This is paramount to how we get things done," he said. A packed room but no public forum No public comments were allowed at the meeting, but many people in attendance held signs in protest of the resolutions. Chairperson Jeffrey Schleif said he received about 250 responses through phone calls and emails against renaming the highway while Schoemann said he received hundreds of messages with mixed responses. "I want to say thank you to all of those people. I want to thank those who took the time to be here," Schoemann said. What was the reasoning for the proposal to rename? Schoemann said the idea to recognize Kirk came up among supervisors after the 31-year-old was fatally shot Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking to a large crowd at Utah Valley University as part of Turning Point USA's "American Comeback" speaking tour. Advertisement Advertisement Kirk became well-known for hosting public debates. In 2012, at 18 years old, he co-founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that encourages youth on high school and college campuses to organize on conservative issues. He became closely aligned with President Donald Trump and campaigned for his 2024 reelection. Schoemann said he is a big fan of what Kirk represents and how he tried for engaging conversations. Schoemann dropped out of the Wisconsin governor's race in January, but said while he was campaigning, he would go to Democratic booths at county fairs to talk to Democrats. He was really good at talking to people one at a time. He was never cussing, yelling. He made his point; they would make theirs," Schoemann said. It is exactly what American needs." What portion of the county road will be named 'Charlie J. Kirk Way'? According to a draft of the resolution, County K would become "Charlie J. Kirk Way" from County R to State 144. The segment runs through the towns of Addison, Hartford, Polk and West Bend. Schoemann said the signs would be visible from Interstate 41. Advertisement Advertisement Schoemann told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the signs are big, but he said he did not know the exact size. What is next? Schleif said 16 people of the 21-member board need to approve the resolution for the highway to be renamed. Schoemann told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel if it occurs at the April 21 meeting, he anticipates the signs will be installed during the summer. Schoemann also confirmed if the Highway K segment becomes "Charlie J. Kirk Way," it will be an honorary name as people's addresses will not change. Schleif urged people to email or call their county board representatives. To find out how to contact the Washington County Board, visit washcowisco.gov/departments/county_board. Advertisement Advertisement More: Nona Nutrition expands to Germantown with other locations planned More: Claire Sardina, whose life inspired 'Song Sung Blue,' has upcoming shows Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy. Kelli Arseneau contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Washington County board to consider renaming road for Charlie Kirk Mar. 18OLYMPIA What does it mean to vote in an election? While it may seem like a simple question, Washington lawmakers have clarified state law after a man who voted in Oregon and Washington in November 2022 successfully appealed his conviction. The man argued that while he returned ballots in both states, that did not qualify as voting twice since the candidates did not overlap. In summer 2022, the man moved from Oregon to Washington, and upon receiving a driver's license, was automatically registered to vote at his new address in Lewis County. Ahead of the November election, the man received a ballot at his new address, as well as an Oregon ballot to his Post Office box in Clackamas County. Advertisement Advertisement After returning both ballots, the man was charged and convicted of a felony for voting in both elections. However, an appeals court overturned the conviction in January, after his attorneys successfully argued that he had voted in two separate elections, as the candidates he voted for did not overlap. While he acknowledged he returned both ballots, he argued in court that it was "totally different issues, totally different representatives." In their ruling, the appeals court found that the state's and the defendant's interpretation of a statute forbidding anyone from voting in "both this state and another state at any election" were reasonable and that existing law was ambiguous. "An election can be understood as referring to a specific slate of candidates and issues on a particular ballot in one location. It seems questionable that an election in Washington regarding Washington local positions and issues should be treated as the same election as an election in some other state regarding that state's local positions and issues," the court wrote in a 2-1 ruling. "On the other hand, an election can be understood as referring more generally to the process by which people vote on candidates and issues." Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed legislation that clarifies that anyone who attempts to vote in two elections in Washington, or in an election in Washington and in another state in the same election cycle, is guilty of a felony. Those convicted of the crime could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. The legislation was requested by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. It passed the state House unanimously and the state Senate 43-1. It took effect immediately. "Voting more than once in an election is an affront to everyone who participates in our democracy," Ferguson said in a statement. "This bill makes it clear that double voting is illegal. Those who try it will be held accountable." A West Side man is accused of sexually abusing his children's 12-year-old neighborhood friend over the course of about three years, reportedly attempting to lure the child with money. Mohammad Ullah Noor Mohammad, 43, was arrested Monday on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. He posted a $100,000 bond Tuesday and is awaiting release from the Bexar County jail. Advertisement Advertisement The child, now 15, told San Antonio police that he met Mohammad in 2022, when he was 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit. The boy was friends with Mohammad's children and lived near his apartment in the 1700 block of S. Hamilton Ave., near S. Zarzamora Street and U.S. 90. The victim said that after meeting Mohammad in 2022, the man approached him multiple times and offered him free money. Mohammad later "offered to give the victim more money in exchange for sex," according to the affidavit. Mohammad began sexually abusing the boy weekly until he was about 15 years old, the document states. It ended in December 2025, when the boy told him that he did not want to continue engaging in sexual acts. The victim showed police a nude video of Mohammad taken on a cell phone and multiple photos that showed them together in his truck. Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Mohammad faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $100,000 fine. He posted a $100,000 bond Tuesday and is awaiting release from the Bexar County jail. This article originally published at West Side man arrested, accused of paying his children's 12-year-old friend for sex. Wichita Falls ISD Superintendent Donny Lee said Monday there is little new information about the level of involvement the Texas Education Agency will have in district affairs. Lee addressed the prospects regarding a TEA conservator when he gave a superintendent's report during a WFISD School Board meeting Monday. WFISD and the TEA reached an agreement announced March 5 that the district would remain independent but would be under the watch of a conservator. The agreement came after low academic performance triggered the prospect of state intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Lee noted Monday the state will appoint a conservator to monitor the district's progress although he said there is no information yet on who that will be or when they will begin monitoring. He added that the better the district performs, the less involved the conservator will likely be. From what I understand, the more they know and the better we do, the less theyre here," Lee said. "Theyre gonna start out just like anything and get their hands pretty dirty, be involved in things, see how systems work, see if systems are set up, make sure that systems are set up for success on each campus. And if they are, you wont see them." Lee cited conversations he said he has had with others who have worked under a conservator before. Wichita Falls ISD Superintendent Donny Lee, School Board President Mark Lukert and at-large Trustee Katherine McGregor listen to a presentation during Monday's meeting on March 16, 2026. Poor academic performance at Kirby Middle School, which was decommissioned in May 2024, led to the TEA putting the district on notice that the district could be taken over by the state. Kirby students began attending Hirschi in fall 2024 after it became a new middle school. Advertisement Advertisement More: UPDATED WFISD remains independent, state will appoint conservator More: WFISD school board declines to require prayer, cites existing opportunities Updates on Franklin and Rider schools During Monday's meeting, the principals of Franklin Elementary School and Rider Middle School gave updates during the meeting. Both campuses received a C rating in State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness testing last year. Lee said School Board members are keen to know how individual campus leaders plan to improve their outcomes. The board had a lot of questions, and they should. So instead of just hearing, 'Things are going good,' and, 'Were making progress,' the principals have to come up there and specifically tell, how are we progressing and how do you know? Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement He added, And so you heard a lot of good questions tonight on, 'How do you know that?' and 'What are you progressing, what are you forecasting?' And if were not aiming for a B or better, theres gonna be some problems. Lee acknowledged that Rider Middle School has a unique set of circumstances as essentially a brand-new school that incorporates former McNiel students plus around 400 other students. Mike Morath, the Texas Education Agency commissioner, observes and interacts with fifth grade students during a visit to Booker T. Washington Elementary School on Sep. 3 in Wichita Falls, However, he said results must improve at both Rider and Franklin regardless. We have to make academic progress," Lee said. "So language like, 'We hope we get there. We wish we get there,' has got to turn into, 'Were gonna get there, and heres why were gonna get there.' And so were cautiously optimistic." Advertisement Advertisement Lees result-oriented focus has been echoed by board members across the past few principals' reports during Mondays meeting and prior meetings. Board members have asked the school administrators why results have improved, declined or stayed stagnant, questioned what resources will be necessary to bolster results and stressed that measurable results on STAAR testing are the benchmark for campus success. Ever since weve really been here talking about the direction were going from an academic standpoint, the board understands more now than ever because theyve gone through all of this school improvement and the deal with the TEA that their job as a board really centers around governance and ensuring academic improvement, Lee said. And one way you can ensure it is ask tough questions, hold people accountable and have the people that are most accountable on the campus, which is the campus principal, come and report to them," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Rider interim Principal Jackie McCartney told the School Board that amid the shift from McNiel to Rider and other factors, he expects his school to score about the same as last year on STAAR testing. The new Hirschi Middle School Cheer Squad performs at the beginning of the Kirby Middle School closing ceremony on May 22, 2024. Lee said board members pushed back on that assessment. One of the comments tonight from Rider Middle School was, 'Well we just dont want to go backwards,' and then two of our board members said, 'Well that isnt the goal that we have. We want to be moving forward.' And so youre going to hear that constantly, Lee said. Lee and the School Board have led a sweep of closures, openings, repurposing and renovation of district campuses over the past three years. Advertisement Advertisement Lee said keeping up results-oriented expectations amid the broad changes comes down to remembering the districts main goal. Our goal is every student improves academically every year, he said, He later added, Its our job to make sure every student is moving the needle academically. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: WFISD Superintendent Donny Lee discusses TEA conservator's role MONTICELLO, IN White County sheriff's deputies Nick Martinez and Danniel McVady shoved a man off his bike and into grass early Aug. 1, before dragging him back onto Indiana 16, where he was struck and killed by a passing motorist, according to a lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court. Martinez and McVady were in the area in response to a domestic battery call about 4 a.m. Aug. 1, according to the lawsuit. Martinez stopped Kyle Budimir as he rode westbound on the state highway near Church Road, according to the lawsuit. Martinez allegedly questioned Budimir about the domestic incident and then released him. Advertisement Advertisement Martinez and McVady re-engaged Budimir, and McVady shoved Budimir off his bike into the grass, according to the lawsuit. The two deputies then dragged Budimir onto the state highway, pinned him to the road and handcuffed him, the document says. "Prior to forcefully removing Budimir from his bicycle, neither Deputy Martinez nor Deputy McVady made any effort to stop or control traffic with their police vehicles," according to the lawsuit brought by representatives of Budimir's estate. Meanwhile, Gerardo Cabrera Rodas drove past the scene, which the lawsuit describes as dark and foggy. McVady and Martinez jumped out of the road, leaving Budimir in the highway, where Rodas hit him, causing the injuries that killed him, according to the lawsuit. The Journal & Courier telephoned and emailed Hailey Limbrick and Alastar McGrath, attorneys for White County, its board of commissioners, Sheriff Bill Brooks and Martinez and McVady. They have not yet responded. Advertisement Advertisement The case initially was filed in state court, but it was removed from state court earlier this month and filed in U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Indiana. The lawsuit alleges that Martinez and McVady violated Budimir's Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable searches and used unreasonable and excessive force against him, "exposing ... Budimir to a dangerous and defenseless position in the roadway." The lawsuit also alleges the deputies denied Budimir's 14th Amendment rights to due process. The lawsuit also alleges Rodas is guilty of causing wrongful death for failure to move over or slow down in response to a stationary emergency vehicle, failure to keep a proper lookout, failure to operate a motor vehicle with reasonable care and failure to obey Indiana's rules of the road. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit asks for damages against Rodas. It also asks for damages from Martinez, McVady, Brooks, the sheriff's department, and county commissioners, according to the lawsuit, which is pending. Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: White Co. deputies left man in the road to be hit, killed, lawsuit says NEED TO KNOW Two white rhinos were reintroduced to Uganda's Kidepo Valley National Park after being extinct there for decades The rhinos were bred at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and are part of a plan to rebuild the park's rhino population This marks the first time that rhinos have existed in the park since the final white rhino was killed by poachers in 1983 More than 40 years after the last white rhino in Uganda's Kidepo Valley National Park was killed by poachers, the rare animal is returning. On Tuesday, March 17, two of the rhinos were reintroduced to Kidepo Valley National Park, part of a plan to eventually release eight rhinos into the protected area, according to a press release from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Advertisement Advertisement The new additions to the park were bred and raised at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The effort is "the beginning of a new rhino story" for the area, where the last white rhino was killed by poachers in 1983, according to the agency's executive director, Dr. James Musinguzi. The Uganda Wildlife Authority prepares to release white rhino Credit: Uganda Wildlife Authority/Facebook "The translocation of these rhinos is the first step in restoring a species that once formed part of the park's natural heritage," he said, adding, "Over time, additional rhinos will be introduced to gradually rebuild a viable and thriving rhino population in Kidepo." Musinguzi noted that the agency conducted a study that "assessed suitable habitats, ecological requirements, and security conditions for restoring rhinos to protected areas in Uganda," noting that the park was deemed "one of the most suitable locations" for the reintroduction to begin. The rhinos were introduced to a "secure" sanctuary, which is "supported by perimeter fencing, access roads, firebreaks, ranger facilities, water infrastructure and monitoring systems to ensure effective protection and management of the 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. While rhinos once populated the national park, the population was decimated by poachers through the '70s and '80s. However, new hopes for the population were born again in 2005 with the establishment of a breeding program at Ziwe Rhino Sanctuary. Advertisement Advertisement On Facebook, the Uganda Wildlife Authority stated that the remaining six rhinos will be added to the park in "carefully managed phases." They did not provide a timeline. Read the original article on People A Wichita Falls woman has sued the Sams Club here over injuries she contends she suffered from a fall in the store, court records show. The lawsuit was filed in 78th District Court on Wednesday. The lawsuit said Susan Awtry was shopping in the store at 3801 Kell East Boulevard on Dec. 26, 2024, and went to the bathroom. There was a change in level from the concrete floor of the store to the tile flooring of the bathroom entrance, causing Plaintiff to fall at the elevation change, resulting in injury to the Plaintiff, the lawsuit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement A photograph included in the suit shows a measured distance of approximately one-half inch between the concrete floor and the tile floor. The restroom entrance was not up to Texas accessibility standards, and Awtry suffered due to negligence on the part of the store, the lawsuit alleges. A Wichita Falls woman is suing the local Sam's Club after she suffered a fall. More: With restaurant closed, what's next for this Wichita Falls space? More: Burkburnett boy dies in off-road vehicle accident Awtry suffered injuries to a hand, shoulder, arm, elbows, head, wrist, leg and foot that may be permanent in nature," the lawsuit contends. Plaintiff would further show that Plaintiff endured physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and physical impairment since the time of the fall, which in all reasonable probability will continue in the future, the lawsuit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Awtry is seeking up to $1 million in damages. She is represented by attorney David M. Nix. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls woman files Sam's Club lawsuit On March 5, 2025, Brittney Bird's teenage son took his own life after being sextorted all night. A little more than two years later, a suite of bills has passed the Wisconsin Legislature to better protect kids online and more aggressively go after those responsible for sextortion. Not long after her son's death, Bird, who lives outside of Wausau in the town of Kronenwetter with her husband and daughter, swung into action. She worked with Rep. Patrick Snyder, R-Weston, to pass stricter laws that recognized sextortion as a felony crime, one that would charge offenders with first-degree homicide in cases that ended in suicide. That bill, fast-tracked by Snyder and Rep. Brent Jacobson, R-Mosinee, was signed into law on Dec. 8. It's called Bradyn's Law, after Bradyn Bohn, Bird's son. Bradyn Bohn, a 15-year-old teenager living in Kronenwetter, Wis., took his own life March 5, 2025, after being tormented for hours by scammers who threatened to ruin his life. The crime, financial sextortion, is now the fasting growing cybercrime targeting children, and especially teenage boys, in North America. Now, three new bills will expand Bird's mission to help children and families across Wisconsin stay safe and get educated on the alarming rise in sextortion cases and other internet crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Tony Evers signed all three into law on March 17. The three bills will inject $400,000 into the Department of Justice over the course of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to investigate internet crimes against children, hire four additional full-time experts to join the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and conduct administrative subpoenas on social media companies, servers, and hotels if it is relevant to an ongoing investigation of internet crimes against children. Prior to the bills passing, sextortion wasn't included among the statutes that could trigger an administrative subpoena. That speaks to the rapid shifts in technology and those who use it to harm people. In a press release on Tuesday evening, Attorney General Josh Kaul praised the passage, describing the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force as critical work to protecting children and supporting victims. He also praised state Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp) and Reps. Lindee Rae Brill (R-Sheboygan Falls) and Barbara Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) for their legislation supporting the task force's efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Jesse Crowe, a special agent at the Wisconsin Department of Justice, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the bills will enhance the work already being done by the task force. Last year, the task force received more than 19,000 cyber tips but had only three full-time and one part-time criminal analysts. "Every one of those tips could be a child at risk," Crowe said. "By adding criminal analysts, its going to supplement our staff and lessen the number each of us has to work through every day." One of the bills that passed includes hiring two additional full-time criminal analysts, one full-time digital evidence examiner and an outreach specialist. The outreach specialist will work across different agencies and communities to spread awareness of what sextortion is and how to address it. The digital evidence examiner, meanwhile, will work with the digital forensic labs across five Wisconsin offices. Advertisement Advertisement The additional positions will hasten prosecutions, spread awareness and, importantly for Crowe, help minimize the burnout and mental health conditions often associated with staff who work within the internet crimes field. "The fear that these tips are or could put a child at risk, it takes a big mental toll on them," Crowe said. Sextortion is a form of sexual exploitation that involves threatening or blackmailing people typically teens or children often after tricking them into sending them nude or sexual images. The scammers threaten to go public with their photos if they don't comply with their demands, which sometimes involve money, sexual activities or sending additional sexual content. Since 2023, the first year the state started tracking this specific crime, Wisconsin has seen a startling spike in sextortion tips, with each year exponentially worse than the last. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the passing of these bills, the state's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has a robust list of resources focused on education, links to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber tip line, victim services, and a set of online safety courses called interact!, created by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Department of Public Instruction, and available in English and Spanish. Crowe heralded Bird's contributions that pushed lawmakers into recognizing the need for these new laws. "Bradyn's family had a significant impact especially with the legislators that didnt know what Internet Crimes Against Children was," Crowe said. "It's really immeasurable what his family has done, especially with what the family has gone through." Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin adds to effort sextortion, internet crimes against kids (PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo.) Pueblo County High School helped raise thousands of dollars to help make a local childs dream of going on a Disney cruise come true. Kash was the guest of a special Make-A-Wish Week assembly on Wednesday, March 18. Kash has acute leukemia, and students and staff at the school have been fundraising to help his family focus on a great vacation, instead of worrying about the costs. So far, they have raised more than $5,000, but donations keep coming in. One of Kashs nurses at Childrens Hospital Colorado said its great to see how far he has come. Courtesy: FOX21 News chief photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News chief photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News chief photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News chief photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News chief photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News chief photojournalist Dez Rowe Literally my heart is like melting right now, said Abbey Raper, Kashs former nurse. Because in the hospital, they cant get up and run around. Hes connected to a pump; he doesnt feel good from the chemo, nausea, he wouldnt eat or anything. But seeing him run around, wave, yell, it was it was tough holding back tears. Advertisement Advertisement You can still donate to Kashs Make-A-Wish goal. Click here to find out how you can help. Since the 2017-18 school year, Pueblo County High School has come together annually to rally for Make-A-Wish children. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Gregory Bovino, who became a face of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics in large cities, confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that he plans to retire from the Border Patrol in the coming weeks. Bovino, 55, joined the Border Patrol in 1996 and steadily rose through the ranks. But he wasn't well-known outside the agency until last June, when he became commander of the administration's crackdown in Los Angeles, which resulted in thousands of arrests, most notably near Home Depots and at car washes. Agents smashed car windows, blew open a door to a house and patrolled the fabled MacArthur Park. on horseback. Bovino, who often appeared in tactical gear, took his act to Chicago, patrolling down the Chicago River, in the Michigan Avenue tourist district and in neighborhoods across the city and suburbs. He led a helicopter raid at a large apartment building and used chemical agents to face demonstrators. Advertisement Advertisement After short stops in Charlotte, North Carolina, and New Orleans, Bovino was a near-daily presence as Minnesota's Twin Cities turned into a battleground between demonstrators and immigration authorities that led to the deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Bovino left Minnesota shortly after Pretti was killed on Jan. 24 and was replaced by White House border czar Tom Homan. Bovino retires as chief of the Border Patrol's El Centro, California, sector, a position he held since 2020. Bovino takes a key role in Trump's mass deportation campaign Were not going to hit one location. Were going to hit as many as we can. All over all over the Los Angeles region, were going to turn and burn to that next target and the next and the next and the next, and were not going to stop. Were not going to stop until theres not a problem here. Bovino in an Aug. 25 interview with the AP describing his turn and burn approach to racking up immigration arrests. Advertisement Advertisement ___ What happens at the border, even 100 years ago, didnt stay at the border, and it still doesnt. Thats why were here in Los Angeles. Bovino, in AP interview, explaining the Border Patrol's increasing presence away from the border. Bovino raises his profile as commander of Chicago operation We use the least amount of force necessary to effect the arrest, we do that. If I had more CS gas, I would have deployed it. Bovino, in a Nov. 3 interview with the AP, on throwing a canister of gas at a crowd in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. The Department of Homeland Security said Bovino was hit with a rock. Bystanders rejected that claim and said agents deployed gas without warning. A federal judge later said Bovino lied about the encounter. Advertisement Advertisement ___ My role is not to tell you that you can or cannot enforce validly passed laws by Congress. My role is simply to see that in the enforcement of those laws, the agents are acting in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis ordering Bovino on Oct. 28 to provide daily briefings on how his agents are enforcing the law in Chicago. Bovino is reassigned from Minnesota This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement. Bovino at a Jan. 24 news conference on the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by federal authorities. His version of events was immediately called into question by eyewitness videos. Advertisement Advertisement - I don't think it's a pullback, it's a little bit of a change. Everybody in this room that has a business, you know you make little changes. You know Bovino's very good, but he's a pretty out there kind of a guy, and in some cases, that's good, maybe it wasn't good here. President Donald Trump, on Bovino's reassignment from Minnesota in a Jan. 27 interview with Fox News Channel. __ She is the best Secretary I ever worked for, period. The others werent even close. Noem is the ultimate patriot. Bovino commenting March 5 on Trump firing Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security. Authorities in Spain say that James "Jimmy" Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student who disappeared this week while on a trip to Barcelona, has been found dead. Gracey, a native of Elmhurst, Ill., went missing overnight on Tuesday and was last seen at Shoko, a beachside nightclub that he had visited with friends who are studying abroad in the city. Graceys body was found on Thursday by a team of divers in the water off the beach, according to the Associated Press. Barcelonas Catalan Police force wrote on social media that they had located a body near the nightclub and confirmed it was Graceys hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities did not provide information on the cause of his death. But a police spokesperson told CNN on Friday that everything points to it being an accident and not a criminal act. In a statement, Graceys family said they were heartbroken. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss, the statement said. We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world so many helped to share Jimmys story and bring his life to light so that others may know him. According to his relatives, Gracey left Alabama on Thursday, spent the weekend in Amsterdam, and arrived in Barcelona on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Gracey became separated from his friends at the nightclub and was last seen alive around 3 a.m. Tuesday. Police officers recover the body of a person found in the waters off a beach in Barcelona, Spain, on March 19. (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Gracey was first reported missing by his mother, Therese Marren Gracey, who reached out to members of a Facebook group for American expats living in Barcelona, asking for their help locating him. The police have his phone but he never made it back to his air bnb, she wrote. The family had also released a statement to the news media, providing a description of what he was wearing and urging anyone with information to come forward. Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother, they wrote. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends. Advertisement Advertisement Spanish newspapers reported on Thursday that local police had found Graceys wallet floating in the sea. That discovery led authorities to partially focus their search on the ocean. Divers were spotted off the coast in the area near the nightclub, though the underwater search had been hampered by extremely poor visibility, according to Fox News. Police reportedly recovered Graceys phone while arresting an unknown individual, but it is unclear whether that person is considered a suspect in the case. We dont know whether it was lost, stolen, whatever, Beth OReilly, Graceys aunt, told NewsNation on Wednesday. During a separate interview with NBC News, OReilly discussed how the family was doing everything they can to find him. "Its one of those things you think isnt going to happen to your family, she said. Support Local News Reporting in the Yakima Valley 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. The Washington State Standard is an affiliate of the nonprofit States Newsroom. ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) and Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) are positioned to generate substantially higher free cash flow through year-end 2026. Analysts tracking the Hormuz disruption are forecasting WTI to remain at elevated levels through the year. Barclays sees $85 a barrel, Goldman bumped theirs to $71, and Macquarie Group has even called for $150. Given that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has vowed no oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handles approximately 20% of global oil supply, it seems completely possible that $90+ oil is here to stay through 2026. 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 As of today, oil sits at $99 a barrel, with no sign the IRGC is going to let up regarding Hormuz. It is their greatest global leverage, and likely one of the areas they will fight to control the most. If this 'higher for longer' scenario occurs, both ExxonMobil and Devon Energy are going to do very well for investors, and that's exactly what looks to be playing out. Image source: Getty Images Not as temporary as we'd hope This is not a spike that reverses in two weeks. Three structural forces keep oil elevated. First, a Hormuz closure is not a pipeline outage that gets patched in days. Commercial shipping and insurance markets are withdrawing from the region, which means even partial reopening takes months to normalize tanker routing and premiums. Second, Strategic Petroleum Reserve capacity is limited, constraining the policy response that blunted prior spikes. Third, the price was already recovering sharply before the Hormuz escalation: Brent had climbed from $62.18 on Jan. 2 to $85.28 by March 6, a $23.10 move in nine weeks driven by tightening fundamentals, not headlines. ExxonMobil: The higher-oil leveraged machine Exxon is trading at $156.12, already up 30% year-to-date. The earnings engine behind that move is real. Full-year 2025 free cash flow came in at $23.6 billion at an average crude price well below $90. The company produced a record 4.7 million oil-equivalent barrels per day in 2025, with advantaged assets, Permian, Guyana, and LNG, representing 59% of output. Golden Pass LNG first cargoes are expected in Q1 2026, adding a new high-margin revenue stream at exactly the right moment. The dividend stands at $1.03 per share quarterly, the 43rd consecutive year of growth. At the current price, the yield is 2.64%. With a market cap of $21.9 billion, Regions Financial Corporation (RF) is a prominent regional bank holding company that provides a broad range of retail and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage services. Headquartered in Birmingham, Regions operates primarily across the Southern and Midwestern United States, serving individuals, small businesses, and large corporate clients. Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as large-cap stocks, and RF perfectly fits that description. Regions Financial is a regionally dominant commercial bank leveraging strong deposits and lending relationships to generate steady, interest-driven earnings. More News from Barchart RF shares slipped 19.3% from their 52-week high of $31.53, achieved on Feb. 12. Over the past three months, RF stock has declined 7.7%, compared to the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLF) 9.3% drop during the same stretch. www.barchart.com In the longer term, shares of RF plunged 5.5% over the past six months and climbed 18.2% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming XLF, which gained marginally over 52 weeks and dipped 8.4% over the past six months. To confirm the bearish trend, RF has recently slipped below its 200-day moving average and has been trading under its 50-day moving average since the end of February. www.barchart.com Shares of Regions Financial fell more than 5% on Feb. 27, alongside a broad selloff in banking and credit-related stocks, as the collapse of a UK private lender heightened investor concerns about rising loan defaults. In the competitive arena of regional banks, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) has trailed behind RF, with 17.2% gains over the past 52 weeks. Wall Street analysts are skeptical of RFs prospects. The stock has a consensus Hold rating from the 25 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $30.89 suggests a potential upside of 21.4% from current price levels. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah 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 By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] MADISON, Wis. - Candace Krall began serving as Iron County's new register of deeds on March 2. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers made the appointment following the resignation of Brancy Rowe, effective Jan. 23. Rowe had served in the role after Daniel Soine retired from the job approximately one year ago. "It's going well," said Krall during a Tuesday phone call with The Globe. "I'm definitely learning a lot." She added that the job poses an added challenge due to the additional departure of Danette Dashner, who retired as the deputy register of deeds afte... By BRIANNE COOK [email protected] HURLEY The Hurley City Council learned on March 10 that demolition of the old Giovanonis building on Silver Street may start by the end of March. Scott Santini, director of the citys Department of Public Works, said that the buildings investors were close to an agreement. In other news, Councilman Jamey Francis said that the Silver Street Motel has been closed by order of the Health Department. He added that other city businesses had been issued citations for failing to appropriately clear snow from their premises. At the time of the meeting, a new... By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] BESSEMER On Jan. 19, the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners sent to a state forestry official a letter expressing concern regarding possible infractions of the states Commercial Forest Program. In response, they received a Feb. 11 letter addressed to Daniel Siirila, chairman of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners. Jennifer Eyde, of the Commercial Forest Program of the Forest Resources Division on the states Department of Natural Resources, wrote the letter in which she first explained the role of forest staff and then addressed county conc... By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] GOGEBIC RANGE A multi-day snow system hit the Northwoods this past weekend, with area schools closing their doors on Monday because of the poor weather. Schools also had closed on the previous Friday for a separate weather system. We do see these types of snow storms in March, but this particular storm rivaled and surpassed storms of its kind, said Chris Burling, a meteorologist with the Marquette National Weather Service, on Tuesday. On average, the Ironwood area saw 11 to 14 inches of snow, which struck locals as impressive enough over a two-day pe... Rubrik logo on digital data streams and code backdrop. Key Points Cybersecurity stock Rubrik is down big in 2026, similar to names across the software industry. The company's latest earnings were much better than expected, and it looks poised to turn a profitability corner in 2026. While AI disruption fears fill the market, Rubrik's importance to its clients fortifies its position. Interested in Rubrik, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Rubrik (NYSE: RBRK) is a different kind of cybersecurity company, generating impressive growth as customers recognize the value of its differentiated approach. Most cybersecurity companies focus on preventing threats by building firewalls or managing who can access information. Rubrik is fundamentally different. Instead of trying to prevent cyberattacks, the companys solutions provide value after they occur. Its Preemptive Recovery Engine generates a rich understanding of its clients' data over time. That way, after an attack, clients can recover data and resume operations as quickly as possible. Ultimately, the goal is to move recovery time from weeks to days, helping clients minimize the revenue loss that a cyber attack creates. Data Storage to Data Intelligence: Everpure's Big AI Era Rebrand In this sense, Rubriks solutions are sort of cybersecurity insurance." You dont want to need to use it, but if something goes wrong, youll be happy you have it. In its latest earnings report, Rubrik had another impressive quarter. Yet, the tech stock is down more than 30% in 2026, setting up a potential opportunity for investors in a unique cybersecurity name. Dollar Tree Planted the Seeds for Triple-Digit Gains in Q4 RBRK Smashes Forecasts on Sales and EPS In its Q4 fiscal year 2026 (FY2026), Rubrik posted revenue of $378 million, or growth of 46%. Note that the companys fiscal reporting period is several quarters ahead of the calendar period. The firms top-line growth greatly exceeded expectations of around 33%. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at 4 cents, much better than the 18-cent loss the firm took in the same period last year. Analysts expected the figure to improve to an 11-cent loss, but certainly didnt see this swing into positive territory coming. For the full year, adjusted loss per share was 1 cent. Joby Aviations Golden Gate Flight Signals a New Era for eVTOL The company remains unprofitable on an unadjusted basis, but its quarterly GAAP loss per share improved from 61 cents to 43 cents. For the full year, the figure improved massively from a loss of $7.48 to a loss of just $1.78. SEOUL, March 18 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their strategic partnership on memory chip supplies for artificial intelligence infrastructure, the companies said on Wednesday. The agreement will focus on supplying Samsung's next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) for AMD's upcoming Instinct MI455X AI accelerators, as well as optimised DDR5 memory for AMD's sixth-generation EPYC processors, they said in a statement. The companies will also discuss opportunities for a foundry partnership, under which Samsung could provide contract chip manufacturing services for next-generation AMD products. Under the agreement, Samsung will position itself as a key HBM4 supplier for AMD's next-generation AI GPUs. The South Korean firm has already been a primary HBM supplier for AMD, supplying HBM3E chips used in AMD's MI350X and MI355X accelerators. The agreement comes during the week of Nvidia's annual developer conference GTC, where CEO Jensen Huang on Monday announced a foundry partnership with the Korean firm and praised its HBM4 chips. The tie-up highlights a broader race among global chipmakers to lock in long-term supply partnerships for advanced memory, as AI-driven demand reshapes the semiconductor industry and tightens supply of HBM chips. Samsung Electronics HBM4, a sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory solution for AI and HPC applications. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji REUTERS / Reuters Last month, AMD said it had agreed to sell up to $60 billion worth of AI chips to Meta Platforms over five years, a deal that allows the Facebook owner to purchase as much as 10% of the chips. AMD signed a similar deal with OpenAI last year. Samsung, the world's largest memory chipmaker, has been seeking to narrow the gap with rivals in the fast-growing HBM segment. It holds about a 22% share of the global HBM market, compared with market leader SK Hynix's 57%, according to Counterpoint. (Reporting by Heekyong YangEditing by Ed Davies) Soybeans are showing a bounce on Tuesday, with turnaround action of 6 to 15 cents higher. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is up 6 1/2 cents at $10.86 1/4. Soymeal futures are $0.80 to $1.00 lower in the front, with Soy Oil futures up 195 to 206 at midday. After statements on Monday that the US/China meeting could be delayed, President Trump stated this morning that they are resetting the meeting with China. The meeting between the two countries is expected to be in mid/late April. More News from Barchart EU soybean imports from July 1 to March 15 were tallied at 8.74 MMT according to the European Commission, down from 9.81 MMT last year. May 26 Soybeans are at $11.61 1/2, up 6 1/4 cents, Nearby Cash is at $10.86 1/4, up 6 1/2 cents, Jul 26 Soybeans are at $11.76, up 8 1/2 cents, Aug 26 Soybeans are at $11.67, up 14 3/4 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com SPAR Norway has introduced a quick-commerce service that aims to deliver groceries within 20-45 minutes. The SPAR QuickCommerce service was initially rolled out across 16 stores and expanded to more than 60 locations by the first quarter of this year. Customers can place orders at in-store prices and receive them at home. The platform was developed through collaboration between SPAR Norways internal teams, including IT and procurement, alongside delivery partner Foodora. It relies on API [application programming interface] integration to enable automated data exchange between stores and delivery platforms. In its statement, the company said: The solution strengthens SPAR Norways position by meeting growing customer expectations for rapid delivery and supports the retail organisations broader strategy of putting the customer first through innovation, digitalisation, and profitable omnichannel growth. Orders are picked and processed by in-store staff using a Foodora terminal while couriers manage last-mile delivery. According to the companys statement, the model does not require capital investment from independent retailers, allowing broader adoption across the network. The company said the rollout began in September 2025 and reported an average order value of Nkr460 ($47.96) and an average basket size of 12.5 items. SPAR Norway indicated that further development could extend across NorgesGruppens portfolio. It includes potential integration with the Trumf loyalty programme, campaign interfaces, real-time inventory visibility within delivery applications, and enhanced reporting tools. The initiative forms part of the companys wider omnichannel approach, aimed at meeting demand for faster delivery while maintaining operational simplicity for retailers. Separately, SPAR International recently extended its preferred supplier agreement with South Korean retail technology provider SOLUM, reaffirming its role as a global supplier of electronic shelf labels and digital signage to SPAR-licensed organisations. "SPAR Norway launches QuickCommerce grocery delivery" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. May NY world sugar #11 (SBK26) today is up +0.28 (+1.97%), and May London ICE white sugar #5 (SWK26) is up +11.40 (+2.76%). Sugar prices are climbing today, with London sugar posting a 1-week high as higher crude oil prices encourage the world's sugar mills to boost ethanol production at the expense of sugar. WTI crude (CLJ26) is up by more than +2% today, boosting ethanol prices and potentially prompting the world's sugar mills to divert more cane crushing toward sugar production rather than ethanol, thereby boosting sugar supplies. More News from Barchart Earlier this month, sugar prices plunged to 5.25-year nearest-futures lows on concern that a global sugar surplus will persist. On February 11, analysts from sugar trader Czarnikow said they expect a global sugar surplus of 3.4 MMT in the 2026/27 crop year, following an 8.3 MMT surplus in 2025/26. Also, Green Pool Commodity Specialists said on January 29 that they expect a 2.74 MMT global sugar surplus for 2025/26 and a 156,000 MT surplus for 2026/27. Meanwhile, StoneX said February 13 that it expects a global sugar surplus of 2.9 MMT in 2025/26. The International Sugar Organization (ISO) on February 27 forecasted a +1.22 MMT (million metric ton) sugar surplus in 2025-26, following a -3.46 MMT deficit in 2024-25. ISO said the surplus is being driven by increased sugar production in India, Thailand, and Pakistan. ISO is forecasting a +3.0% y/y rise in global sugar production to 181.3 million MMT in 2025-26. Signs of lower sugar output in Brazil are supportive of sugar prices, after Unica on February 18 reported that sugar production in Brazil's Center-South in the second half of January fell by -36% y/y to only 5,000 MT. However, cumulative 2025-26 Center-South sugar output through January rose +0.9% y/y to 40.24 MMT. The Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) reported today that India's 2025-26 sugar output from Oct 1-Mar 15 was up +10.5% y/y to 26.2 MMT. Last Wednesday, the ISMA projected India's 2025/26 sugar production at 29.3 MMT, up 12% y/y, below an earlier projection of 30.95 MMT. The ISMA also cut its estimate for sugar used for ethanol production in India to 3.4 MMT from a July forecast of 5 MMT, which may allow India to boost its sugar exports. India is the world's second-largest sugar producer. TOKYO, March 18 (Reuters) - Many major companies are set to offer big pay hikes as they wrap up their annual wage talks with unions on Wednesday, reflecting strong pay momentum for a fourth consecutive year, although uncertainty from the Middle East conflict clouds the outlook. The ongoing wage talks have been largely insulated from the impact of higher U.S. tariffs, as companies are eager to reward workers with generous pay increases to retain them amid persistent labour shortages. Attention is now shifting to whether Japan can sustain strong wage growth beyond this year, as surging oil prices triggered by the Middle East conflict could slow the economy and erode corporate profits. Annual wage talks between management and labour unions typically conclude around mid-March at major firms, with many, including Toyota Motor and Hitachi, finalising their negotiations on Wednesday. Some companies, such as Mazda Motor and Mitsubishi Motors, have already wrapped up their wage talks well ahead of schedule after quickly agreeing to meet union demands in full. Mitsubishi Motors agreed to an average 5.1% pay hike on February 25, concluding its annual labour talks at the earliest point since its founding in 1970. Rengo, Japan's largest labour union umbrella group with about 7 million members, will release a first-round tally of agreed terms on March 23. Its unions are seeking an average hike of 5.94%, slightly below last year's demand of 6.09%, which resulted in an average pay raise of 5.25%, the largest increase in 34 years. (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Sam Holmes) Quick Read Eagle Point Credit (ECC) cut its monthly distribution 57% from $0.14 to $0.06 starting April 2026 and shares have fallen 43% over the past year, signaling that its 40% headline yield reflects a collapsed share price not sustainable income from its CLO equity investments. Gabelli Multimedia Trust (GGT) shifted from quarterly to monthly distributions in mid-2025 while maintaining roughly equivalent annual payouts, and shares are up 7% over twelve months, suggesting its 20% yield rests on more stable footing than ECCs distressed structure. Eagle Point Credit faces accelerating losses because its CLO equity positions absorb defaults first when credit conditions deteriorate, while Gabelli Multimedia Trusts leveraged media and telecom holdings have weathered recent market stress without triggering the same distribution compression. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. A 40% yield sounds like a gift. A 20% yield sounds almost as good. But with Eagle Point Credit (NYSE:ECC) and Gabelli Multimedia Trust (NYSE:GGT), the first question any income investor should ask is: where is that money actually coming from? ECC: When the Yield Is the Warning Sign Eagle Point Credit invests in the equity tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs. These are the riskiest slices of a structure that pools leveraged corporate loans. When the loans perform, CLO equity holders collect excess cash flow. When credit conditions deteriorate, they absorb losses first. The fund's distribution history tells the real story. Monthly payments held at $0.14 throughout 2025, then dropped to $0.06 starting April 2026, a 57% cut declared on February 17, 2026. That follows a prior step-down from $0.16 per month in 2023 and 2024 to $0.14 in 2025. The direction is unmistakable. 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. Price performance confirms the stress. ECC shares have fallen 43% over the past year, dropping from $6.29 to $3.57. Year-to-date, the fund is down 32%. That kind of price erosion means investors collecting a high yield are simultaneously watching their principal shrink. The net result is a loss, not income. The macro environment adds pressure. Elevated market stress historically widens credit spreads and pushes loan default rates higher. For CLO equity holders like ECC investors, that dynamic is particularly damaging because the equity tranche absorbs losses first, meaning a stressed credit environment can accelerate NAV erosion even before distributions are formally cut. By Devika Madhusudhanan Nair and Akanksha Khushi March 17 (Reuters) - UBS Group's global technology systems have been nearly restored on Tuesday after a brief incident that impacted some of its trading business, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. The bank has identified the cause and deployed a fix, the person said. UBS has not issued a statement on the incident, which was first reported by Bloomberg. The incident comes as markets grapple with increased volatility due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and growing concerns regarding private credit. Several other financial institutions have also recently faced incidents impacting their services, leading to a wider scrutiny of robustness of banks' digital channels. Lloyds Banking Group faced a glitch last week that allowed customers to see each other's transactions online, the latest in a series of technical problems as banks around the world embrace digital services. The London Metal Exchange the world's oldest and largest market for industrial metals encountered an issue in its primary electronic matching engine on Monday causing electronic trading to enter a technical halt. (Reporting by Akanksha Khushi and Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) Key Takeaways Vietnam is drafting a ban on foreign crypto exchanges like Binance and OKX. New rules prioritize licensed domestic platforms with strict capital requirements. A $200 billion market may shift onshore, bringing regulation but near-term disruption. Vietnam is preparing to redraw the map of its $200 billion crypto market and foreign exchanges could be the biggest losers. According to a recent Reuters report, authorities are drafting rules that would bar Vietnamese traders from using offshore platforms like Binance, OKX, and Bybit, signaling one of Southeast Asias most aggressive crypto regulatory overhauls to date. Vietnam Following Indias Crypto Playbook? Vietnam could become the second major Asian economy after India to impose a blanket restriction on unregistered foreign crypto exchanges. However, theres a key distinction: while India eventually allowed foreign platforms to register locally, Vietnams current direction suggests a more tightly controlled, domestically anchored system. Once finalized, the new rules would block Vietnamese users from accessing offshore platforms altogether. Authorities are expected to introduce a six-month transition period after issuing the first local licenses. After that, all trading activity must move to approved domestic exchanges. A March 12 Finance Ministry document shows five major players have already passed initial screening: Affiliates of Techcombank, VPBank, and LPBank. VIX Securities. Conglomerate Sun Group. Sun Group and VPBank have publicly confirmed their applications, signaling that well-capitalized institutions are positioning early to dominate the licensed market. At the same time, regulators are accelerating a pilot program for Vietnams first official crypto exchanges, with initial approvals potentially arriving as early as this month. These platforms will initially operate in designated financial hubs such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang and will settle trades in Vietnamese dong. From Legal Gray Zone to Structured Market For years, Vietnams crypto sector existed in a legal gray area. Since 2017, the State Bank of Vietnam has banned cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, but individuals have continued to hold and trade digital assets without a formal regulatory framework. That began to change in 2025. The National Assembly passed the Law on Digital Technology Industry, which came into force on Jan. 1, 2026, formally recognizing digital assets as legal property under civil law. This shift laid the groundwork for taxation, oversight, and licensing. In September 2025, the government launched a five-year pilot program for a regulated crypto market, followed by the opening of license applications in early 2026 under Decision 96/Q-BTC. Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO) is one of the 10 Must-Buy Real Estate Stocks to Invest In. On March 11, 2026, Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO) and LeFrak announced an agreement with Le Colonial to open a new restaurant at 50 West 57th Street, marking the French Vietnamese concepts return to Manhattan. The restaurant is expected to open in summer 2027 under a 15-year lease and will occupy 9,600 square feet between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Midtown Manhattan. The location will feature 215 seats with indoor and outdoor dining, along with a full bar, lounge, and private dining areas. Le Colonial also signed a companion office lease for the buildings entire seventh floor to house its New York City offices. On March 2, 2026, Scotiabank lowered the price target on Vornado to $32 from $36 and maintained a Sector Perform rating as part of a broader update to price targets across U.S. real estate and REIT stocks following Q4 results. Scotiabank said REITs may need to raise development yield targets to prioritize near-term funds from operations per share and added that acquisitions could offer a better thematic story for external growth. Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) and LeFrak Announce Le Colonial Restaurant Lease at 50 West 57th Street in Manhattan Stuart Monk / shutterstock.com Last month, Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO) reported Q4 adjusted FFO per share of 55c versus the 57c consensus estimate. Revenue totaled $453.7M compared with the $440.23M consensus estimate. Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO) is a real estate investment trust with a portfolio of approximately 26 million square feet of New York City office, retail, and multifamily properties and is the developer of the PENN DISTRICT. While we acknowledge the potential of VNO 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. Quick Read Eli Lilly (LLY) faces a downgrade to Reduce from HSBC analyst Rajesh Kumar, who cut his price target from $1,070 to $850, citing overestimated obesity drug market size ($80B-$120B by 2032 versus current expectations of $150B+) and accelerating price competition, with Mounjaro and Zepbound generating 60% of Q4 2025 revenue ($11.67B of $19.29B total). HSBC believes GLP-1 pricing pressure will intensify as volume carries revenue growth, with U.S. prices already down high single digits in Q3 2025 despite 62% volume growth, while oral candidate orforglipron launch expectations may be inflated. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) shares have pulled back sharply, falling 9% over the past month, and 13% year-to-date. Most Wall Street analysts remain constructive, with a consensus price target of $1,216.93 and 24 buy-equivalent ratings versus just 1 strong sell. Now, HSBC analyst Rajesh Kumar is stepping against that tide, downgrading LLY to Reduce with a price target of $850, a significant discount to where shares currently trade. But can LLY realistically reach $850 by end of 2026? HSBC's $850 LLY Prediction Kumar cut his target from $1,070 to $850, arguing that the obesity drug market's total addressable market is being overstated by investors. HSBC believes the obesity market will reach $80 billion to $120 billion by 2032, well below the $150 billion-plus figure embedded in current expectations. The firm also warns that price competition in the GLP-1 space is likely to be significant, and that Lilly's 2026 obesity price cuts represent a meaningful headwind even as management's guidance implies continued high-volume growth. 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. Key Drivers Behind the Downgrade Woodside Energy has confirmed the appointment of Elizabeth Liz Westcott as CEO and Managing Director, formalizing her leadership after serving in an acting capacity since December 2025. The move follows the departure of former CEO Meg ONeill and concludes a competitive internal and external search process. Westcott brings more than three decades of experience across the global energy sector and has been with Woodside since 2023. She previously led the companys Australian operations, including oversight of the flagship Scarborough Energy Project and the Bass Strait operator transition. The appointment underscores Woodsides preference for internal succession at a time when execution risk remains elevated across its project portfolio. Scarborough, one of Australias most significant LNG developments, is central to Woodsides medium-term growth strategy and requires disciplined capital deployment and operational oversightareas where Westcott has direct experience. Her elevation also reflects a broader industry trend of prioritizing operational expertise and project delivery credentials in top leadership roles, particularly as LNG markets tighten and long-cycle investments face increasing scrutiny from investors. Before joining Woodside, Westcott served as Chief Operating Officer at EnergyAustralia, overseeing generation assets, and spent 25 years at ExxonMobil in roles spanning Australia, Europe, and LNG leadership. This background positions her with both upstream and integrated energy experiencean increasingly valuable profile as companies balance hydrocarbons with energy transition pressures. Westcott has signaled a continued focus on sustainable value creation, emphasizing operational excellence and disciplined execution of growth projects. This aligns with Woodsides ongoing strategy to maintain strong cash flow from LNG while navigating decarbonization expectations and evolving global energy demand. Chair Richard Goyder highlighted her strategic leadership and disciplined delivery as decisive factors in the boards decision, pointing to the companys long-term ambition to strengthen its position as a leading global energy supplier. Westcotts fixed annual remuneration is set at A$2.3 million, with substantial performance-linked incentives. Her short-term incentive can reach up to 270% of base compensation, while long-term incentives are tied to performance rights over a multi-year horizonstructures designed to align executive pay with shareholder returns and project delivery outcomes. With severe weather and ongoing TSA staffing shortages, air travelers nationwide are experiencing major disruptions and delays. President Trump said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be deployed to some U.S. airports on Monday to assist with operations amid the partial government shutdown. TSA absences have spiked in airports across the U.S. recently, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning last week that travel chaos will look like childs play if the shutdown isnt resolved soon. With standard flight delays and cancellations, you can typically receive reimbursement or have your flight rebooked by the airline. However, unless you have travel insurance, there may be no recourse available if you miss your flight because you dont make it through long airport security lines fast enough. In addition, airlines wont cover other prepaid and nonrefundable bookings youve made and missed because of a flight delay or cancellation. This is where trip cancellation insurance and cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance can come in handy. Learn more: Travel insurance: What it covers, costs, and how to choose the right policy Quick answer What is trip cancellation insurance? Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable travel costs if you must cancel for a covered reason such as illness, severe weather, or certain emergencies. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) is an optional upgrade that can reimburse a portion of your costs even if the reason isnt normally covered. What trip cancellation insurance typically covers Trip cancellation insurance usually applies if your trip is canceled or rescheduled for a covered reason listed on your policy. Keep in mind that covered reasons may vary by insurance provider and plan, so its best to compare policies to ensure youre covered for the reasons you want. Common covered reasons Serious illness or injury: An illness, injury, or other medical condition must be disabling enough to warrant a trip cancellation. You may also need advice from a doctor who recommends that you cancel your trip. Death of a family member: You can often cancel your trip for this reason if the death occurs during your policy coverage period. Severe weather disrupting travel: You may be able to cancel your trip if your travel carrier cant get you to your original itinerary destination within a reasonable time of your originally scheduled arrival time. For example, you may be able to cancel if you cant arrive within 24 hours of your original arrival time. Jury duty or legal obligations: You may be able to cancel if you have legal proceedings scheduled during your trip that arent part of your daily job responsibilities. Certain work-related emergencies: You may be able to cancel if you lose your job, have a work-related emergency, or youre directly involved in a merger or acquisition. What is usually not covered Changing your mind: Trip cancellation insurance wont cover you if you simply decide you dont want to travel. Minor illnesses: Only significant illnesses and injuries are typically covered by trip cancellation insurance. Known events: Known or foreseeable events, such as a hurricane you knew about before traveling, arent often covered by travel insurance. Fear of travel: Being afraid to travel isnt a covered reason under standard travel insurance policies. Learn more: What does travel insurance cover, and do I need it? What costs can trip cancellation insurance reimburse? It depends on your travel insurance policy, but here are some common reimbursable expenses. Flights If you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, you should have any prepaid and nonrefundable flights reimbursed by your policy, up to the policy limit. If your flights are refundable, you can just cancel them yourself to receive your reimbursement. Hotels Similar to nonrefundable flights, you should be reimbursed, up to your policy limit, for prepaid and no-refundable hotel bookings if you cancel your trip for a covered reason. Tours and cruises Many tours and cruises are nonrefundable, so it makes sense to consider trip cancellation insurance if you plan to book one of these nonrefundable options. Event tickets In general, if you include them in your overall trip expenses on your travel insurance policy, event tickets should be covered if theyre nonrefundable. Prepaid excursions Prepaid excursions should be reimbursable under your trip cancellation coverage if the costs were included in your policy and the excursions are nonrefundable. Tips on how trip cancellation insurance works Here are four tips to keep in mind as you navigate the trip cancellation insurance process. 1. Timing Travel insurance, including trip cancellation insurance, typically only applies if youve purchased it before a qualifying event occurs. For example, you need to have purchased your policy before you get sick and have to cancel your trip. In addition, getting the timing right is essential throughout the claims process. In many cases, you have to contact your insurance provider within a certain period of time after a qualifying event occurs, then you have to submit documentation along with your claim in a reasonable amount of time. 2. Documentation When it comes to travel insurance, its best to keep all your receipts in case you need to submit a claim. For trip cancellation insurance, this could include keeping receipts for flights, hotel bookings, cruises, and other expenses. If you have to submit a claim, your insurance provider is going to request these documents, so it makes sense to be prepared. 3. Claim review period Once youve submitted your claim, including the required documentation, your insurance provider will review it. Be ready to respond to any emails or phone calls and to provide more documentation if needed. Theres no set time period for how long the review will take, but it may take days or weeks. You can typically check the status of your claim through the insurance providers website. 4. Reimbursement You can usually choose how you would like to receive your claim reimbursement from a variety of payment options. Common payment methods include direct deposit and mailed checks. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage explained CFAR coverage isnt typically included in standard travel insurance policies. You would have to pay for this upgrade if offered. What CFAR adds The primary reason to add CFAR coverage is to cancel your trip for any reason, including reasons not normally covered by trip cancellation insurance. For instance, you may be able to cancel simply by deciding you no longer want to travel. That sounds like a great add-on, but the downside is that you typically receive only 50% to 75% of your trip costs in reimbursement. So, you will still lose some of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, but not all. You also cant add CFAR coverage whenever you want. Depending on the travel insurance provider, you may have to buy this coverage within a few weeks of your initial trip deposit. Otherwise, you may not be able to buy it at all. CFAR limitations The biggest CFAR limitations include: Must cancel within the required time frame: Depending on the policy, you may have to use this coverage at least 48 to 72 hours before your trips scheduled departure. Percentage of reimbursement: You will typically receive only 50% to 75% of your total covered trip costs. Extra cost: You have to pay extra to add this coverage to your policy. When CFAR might make sense Uncertain plans: Safety concerns or potential family or work obligations could throw a wrench into your plans, but CFAR coverage could help you recoup a portion of your trip costs. Complex international trips: Trips with multiple flights, cruises, and/or hotel bookings may have itinerary changes that dont align with your preferences, so having CFAR coverage gives you more flexibility. Personal risk tolerance: If you simply want some coverage for any type of scenario so that your trip costs arent completely wasted, CFAR coverage may make sense for you. Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it? Trip cancellation vs. trip interruption Trip cancellation insurance is not the same as trip interruption insurance. Heres the easiest way to differentiate between the two: Trip cancellation applies before you depart on your trip. Trip interruption applies after your trip has started. Learn more: How to compare travel insurance to choose the right policy How much does trip cancellation insurance cost? Trip cancellation insurance is typically purchased as part of a travel insurance policy, which also includes other coverage, such as trip interruption insurance. In general, travel insurance costs between 4% and 10% of your total trip price. That means if your trip costs $10,000, a travel insurance policy may cost between $400 and $1,000. However, the actual cost of your policy can vary depending on various factors, including the type of coverage you purchase, the travel insurance provider, total trip cost, traveler age, and coverage limits. Adding upgrades, such as CFAR coverage, will raise your insurance premium. Note: Many of the best travel credit cards provide trip cancellation insurance as part of their built-in benefits. If yours does, you may not need to purchase a separate travel policy. However, not all credit card travel insurance is as robust as a standalone policy. Learn more: How credit card travel insurance works Common misconceptions about trip cancellation insurance and CFAR coverage Any cancellation is covered Trip cancellation insurance does not cover any cancellation. It only reimburses you for covered reasons, as listed in your policy. CFAR coverage lets you cancel your trip for any reason. CFAR gives a full refund You will not receive a full refund from CFAR coverage. Instead, the standard reimbursement amount is between 50% to 75%. Airline cancellations are the same thing Airline cancellations are not the same thing as using trip cancellation insurance. Depending on the situation, you may not be able to receive reimbursement from your insurance if you accept a travel voucher from your travel carrier for a flight cancellation. Who trip cancellation insurance is best for Trip cancellation insurance makes sense if: You have high nonrefundable trip costs: If you cant cancel most of your travel bookings for full refunds, its worth considering a travel insurance policy to reimburse you if you need to cancel for a covered reason. You have complex itineraries with cruises and tours: Cruises and tours may have strict cancellation policies, so it may make sense to purchase trip cancellation insurance. Your trips are booked far in advance: Booking trips far in advance increases the risk of unforeseen events. An adequate travel insurance policy can protect you during the time you initially booked until your departure date. You have international itineraries: International travel is often more expensive than traveling domestically, which increases your financial risk if something were to happen. Key takeaways on trip cancellation and CFAR coverage In general, trip cancellation insurance will cover you for severe illnesses or injuries that prevent you from traveling, as well as other covered reasons as stated in your policy documents. This could include a family birth or death, severe weather, natural disasters, and more. CFAR coverage is an optional upgrade that may be useful if you value flexibility with your travel insurance. Since you can cancel for any reason with this add-on, you dont have to worry about only canceling for a covered reason. However, your reimbursement with CFAR coverage is typically only 50% to 75% of the total. Trip cancellation insurance is an essential part of any travel insurance plan, but you must carefully read the exclusions of any policy you choose. Standard policies wont cover you if you change your mind on traveling, have already started your travel, are afraid of traveling, or for many other excluded reasons. Tim Manni edited this article. Labourers work at a refinery in Jingmen, in central China's Hubei province in 2006. - stringer/Reuters Asian refiners are moving earlier than usual to secure crude oil from Russias Far East, as hopes for a swift resolution to Middle Eastern supply disruptions fade and the expiration of a U.S. temporary waiver on Russian oil looms. Cargoes of Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean blended crude oila light, sweet Russian grade exported from the Kozmino terminal in the Far East to Asia-Pacific marketsare normally traded one month before loading. But with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, trading has kicked off early as refiners rush to plug supply gaps, according to Kpler. Most Read from The Wall Street Journal The unusually early start to Russian crude trading underscores the urgency among Asian refiners to secure supplies as hopes for a swift restoration of Middle Eastern flows fade, said Muyu Xu, senior crude analyst at the data provider. Earlier this month, the U.S. said it would temporarily allow countries to purchase Russian oil already at sea in an effort to boost supply and ease pressure on crude prices. The waiver runs through April 11. After receiving the U.S. green light, Indian refiners quickly purchased significant volumes of Russian Urals crude and some Russian Far East barrels for March and April arrivals, according to Kpler data. Other Asian buyers, including Chinese state-owned refiner Sinopec, have moved early to lock in shipments for May. Prompt Russian crude availability is tightening, with floating storage dropping sharply and most May cargoes likely already committed, said Xu. Kpler estimates Russias exports at around 3.9 million barrels a day so far in March, compared with 3.2 million barrels a day in February. Strong Asian demand led by India and China is also driving a sharp rebound in Far East crude premiums, though the grade remains competitively priced versus other supplies. Prices for May shipments are now estimated at around $10 per barrel above Brent crude, Kpler said, though exact pricing remains unconfirmed. Write to Giulia Petroni at giulia.petroni@wsj.com Most Read from The Wall Street Journal The Iran war has seemingly escalated since late Wednesday, with major oil and gas facilities being targeted by both sides. Iranian attacks on the Ras Laffan gas field, Qatar's largest energy site, have sent prices soaring, with crude oil costs briefly reaching the highs seen at the start of the conflict. A drone hit a Saudi refinery on Thursday, which reportedly resumed crude oil loadings shortly after. On Wednesday, Israel struck the South Pars gas field, the largest plant in Iran, and the Asaluyeh oil facility. Following the strikes, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC) warned that Gulf energy sites were once again "legitimate targets". At the time of writing, Brent crude oil has edged down a little from $119, resuming levels closer to $114, while the US benchmark WTI is trading at $96 a barrel. Moreover, on Thursday morning, European natural gas futures soared by more than 30% and traded as high as 74 per MWh, a price level not seen since the end of 2022. This exchange of attacks has signalled to the markets that the conflict is likely to be prolonged and escalate further, with both sides ostensibly having no restraint in striking energy infrastructure across the region. US President Donald Trump has warned that any further Iranian attacks on Qatars liquefied natural gas facilities will prompt the US military to destroy the South Pars gas field with "an amount of strength and power that Iran has never witnessed before." President Trumps intervention seeks to protect Qatar while reserving the option of overwhelming force. Whether it succeeds in deterring Iran or risks widening the war remains uncertain. For now, the global economy is absorbing the cost of a rapidly intensifying conflict with no immediate end in sight. Related Iran intensifies attacks on Gulf energy facilities Despite President Trump's threats, Iran continues to attack its Gulf Arab neighbours' energy infrastructure on Thursday. A Qatari liquefied natural gas facility was set on fire, and two Kuwaiti oil refineries were struck, signalling a major escalation in the conflict. Qatar stated that firefighters put out a blaze at a major LNG facility after it was hit by Iranian missile attacks. Production had already been halted there after earlier attacks but it said the latest wave of missiles caused sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Damage to the facility could delay Qatar in getting its supplies to the market even after the Iran war ends. Maybe the war in the Middle East will end soon. But it's become very costly and getting costlier by the day at home and (obviously) in the combat zone. Crude oil prices were higher in early trading on March 19. So were prices at the gas pump, both in the United States and elsewhere. Prices of gasoline futures were up. And all these moves are weighing on stocks going into the day's trading. They're weighing on bonds. They're weighing on mortgage rates. Oil bills are growing Gasoline prices have risen steadily since the end of February. The gain is now a bit more than 30%, according to AAA data, which showed the U.S. average at $3.884 a gallon. The gain for the year is nearly 37%. Crude oil prices were higher early on Thursday, March 19. Light sweet crude, the benchmark U.S. oil, gained about 1% to reach $97.26 a barrel. Brent, the global benchmark, jumped 9.5% to a staggering $117.54 a barrel. (Yes, you read that right.) The odds are Brent will hit $120 a barrel, the highest level since the summer of 2022. The price of light sweet crude is up 69% this year. Brent is up 93%. Pay attention to Iran's South Pars gas field The catalyst for these latest price increases was Israel's attack this week on Iran's South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf and Iran's response: to attack Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial area, causing fires and extensive damage. Here I offer a quick explainer. Qatar is involved because it owns the North Dome natural gas field in the Persian Gulf. That field adjoins Iran's South Pars field. The two fields combined represent the largest natural gas field in the world, according to the International Energy Agency. Smoke from a missile attack in Doha, United Arab EmiratesMahmud Hams/Getty Images Mahmud Hams/Getty Images And Qatar is the world's largest exporter of liquified natural gas, which is processed in the Ras Laffan industrial area. Except that it can't ship any of the gas because the Strait of Hormuz, at the eastern end of the Persian Gulf, is effectively shut. The result? Wholesale LNG prices in Europe were up as much as 25% on March 19, the BBC reported. China and India are deeply concerned, since they were the biggest buyers of Qatar's gas in 2025. In other words, the stakes are now getting high. For everyone. So high that President Donald Trump declared late Wednesday, March 18, that Israel wouldn't attack South Pars again. Still, he promised to blow up the entirety of South Pars if Qatari gas is attacked again. So high that Iran published a list of energy sites in the Persian Gulf it might target, and Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company, began evacuating several facilities. The global markets are rattled Japan's Nikkei 225 Index fell nearly 1,900 points, or 3.4%, to 53,373. Germany's Dax Index is down 2.3%. at 22,962. Britain's FTSE 100 Index is off 2% at 10,114. India's Sensex Index is off 3.3% at 74,207. Trucking is estimated to move around 70% of U.S. freight each year. Unlike air cargo, rail and ocean shipping, which have dedicated places like airports, docks and railheads, trucking lacks scalable unified infrastructure. Outpost is betting $1 billion that it can change that. The Austin- and Seattle-based truck terminal owner announced Thursday the addition of five new properties in Newark, Miami and across California. The expansion adds more than 30 acres to its nationwide portfolio. It also marks the companys entry into the Northeasts most critical freight corridor. Air cargo has airports, intermodal has rail yards, and ocean freight has ports, but trucking, which moves over 70% of U.S. freight every year, has no unified infrastructure to power the flow of goods across the country, said Trent Cameron, Outpost co-founder and CEO. Outpost is changing that by building the first nationwide network of shared-use truck terminals. East Coast Expansion Opens New Markets The Newark property at 90 Kingsland Ave. in Clifton, New Jersey, is Outposts first terminal in the Northeast. The 7.1-acre site sits just eight miles from the Lincoln Tunnel and 13 miles from Port Newark Container Terminal. Its our entry into the Newark submarket. Its a last-mile logistics facility a Class A facility that one of our customers is already utilizing, Cameron said. Well continue to invest heavily in that market given the transportation infrastructure required there. The Miami property at 3200 NW 67th Ave. is a 17-acre flagship asset within Foreign Trade Zone 281. It sits immediately off the runways of Miami International Airport and less than nine miles from PortMiami. When youre landing, youre going to fly directly over Outposts latest acquisition, which is 17 acres right adjacent to Miami International Airport, Cameron said. Miami is obviously a very densely populated market with a ton of freight moving through there. California Sites Drive EV Partnership The expansion includes a strategic investment in EV Realty, a leading developer of commercial fleet charging hubs. Three EV Realty properties in California will join the Outpost network in Stockton, Livermore and Torrance. The sites will serve fleets today while undergoing permitting for future electrification. The 4.1-acre Stockton site sits north of Stockton Airport, within two miles of I-5 and SR-99. The 2.75-acre Livermore property along I-580 links the Port of Oakland with San Joaquin Valley distribution centers. The 2.2-acre Torrance site sits near I-405 and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For years, water scarcity and associated infrastructure sat comfortably in the future problem drawer, filed somewhere between melting ice caps and long-term pension liabilities. That fiction has expired. Today, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. Another 1.7 billion rely on supplies that are not reliably protected from contamination. Even countries that consider themselves water rich, the UK included, are discovering that abundance on paper does not survive contact with ageing pipes, polluted rivers and institutional drift. For construction, the implication is straightforward but uncomfortable. The task is no longer to find more water. It is to rebuild the systems that treat it, move it and prevent it from being lost. And lost it is. In England and Wales, billions of litres leak each day. The contradiction is obvious: concern about scarcity sits alongside infrastructure that quietly wastes what it already has. A pipeline that looks credible Infrastructure pipelines often resemble wish lists. This one carries more weight. GlobalData tracks around $666bn of water and sewage projects globally. Nearly three quarters of that value is already in pre-execution or execution. This is not capital waiting for a trigger. It is capital moving towards delivery. The timing is not coincidental. Global water demand could exceed supply by 40% by 2030. Urban populations exposed to scarcity are expected to rise sharply by mid-century. The pressure is structural rather than cyclical. Global Water and Sewage Construction Project, Projected Spending Value by Stage ($M) Note: based on assumption that all projects proceed as planned and that spending is evenly distributed during the construction phase. Source: GlobalData For contractors, that suggests a sustained market. It also raises the bar. These assets must operate under higher temperatures, more variable rainfall and tighter political scrutiny, all while remaining affordable. Water infrastructure has entered a phase where performance matters as much as delivery. Delivery meets friction If the long-term case is clear, the short-term reality is more difficult. Water projects are exposed to supply chain constraints in a way few other asset classes are. They depend on specialist equipment such as membranes, pumps, control systems and power connections. Delays in any of these components quickly translate into programme risk and, in turn, higher financing costs. Geopolitical tension and trade friction add another layer. Tariffs, shipping disruption and energy price volatility all feed directly into project economics. Yet this same uncertainty is pushing governments to reclassify water as strategic infrastructure. In Europe, proposals for large-scale resilience funding point to a shift in thinking. Water is being treated less as a municipal service and more as a system that underpins economic stability. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the companys control, including the risks described from time to time in its SEC filings. The companys results may differ materially from those projections. These statements involve material risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these statements. I encourage you to review the companys filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, which identifies specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. For example, the company is using forward-looking statements when it is discussing statements regarding the expected timing and contribution of agreements signed in 2025 to revenue in 2026 and 2027, anticipated revenue growth trends and the timing of acceleration during 2026, the size, composition, and potential conversion of the companys commercial pipeline, expected onboarding, enrollment, ramp, and expansion of employer, health plan, and channel partner relationships, the anticipated benefits of the companys multi-condition platform AI capabilities, DarioIQ, expectations regarding future operating efficiencies, margins, and operating expense reduction, the companys expectation that it may reduce the operating loss by 30% in 2026, reach cash flow breakeven by mid-2027, and future strategic opportunities, including a sale, merger, strategic business combination, or continued execution of the companys stand-alone strategy. I would like to remind you that on this call, we will make forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Erez Raphael, Chief Executive Officer of DarioHealth Corp. He will be joined by our President and Chief Commercial Officer, Steven C. Nelson, and Chen Franco-Yehuda, our Chief Financial Officer. An audio recording and webcast replay for todays call will also be available online as detailed in the press release invite for this call. For the benefit of those who may be listening to the replay or archived webcast, this call is being held on Thursday, 03/19/2026. This morning, we issued a press release announcing our financial results for the fourth quarter and year-end 2025. A copy of the release can be found on the Investor Relations page of DarioHealth Corp.s website. Story Continues With that, I will now turn the call over to Erez Raphael, Chief Executive Officer of DarioHealth Corp. Erez Raphael: Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. 2025 was our strongest year on record for new business wins. We signed 85 new agreements against a target of four, more than doubling our goals, with average contract sizes running two to 10 times larger than our historical average. Annual revenue declined due to a single legacy client from the pre-acquisition period that decided not to renew the contract, a one-time situation unrelated to product performance or our value proposition. But the business underneath told a different story. Eighty-five new agreements signed, including wins with Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare, and Premera Blue Cross, made 2025 our strongest year on record for new business. 2025 returned to sequential revenue growth, the trend we expected. On a year-over-year basis, our core B2B2C business delivered organic revenue growth excluding the revenue headwind related to the single industry client. While we do not provide formal guidance, I want to share how we think about the years ahead. Our existing contracts provide a stable foundation, booking agreements with built-in member growth and expansion opportunities. On top of that are the new clients we signed in 2025, many of which are still ramping enrollment and engagement. That new cohort becomes the growth driver for 2026. The 2025 season, DarioHealth Corp.s strongest on record, generated $12.9 million in contracted and late-stage ARR, set to contribute revenue in 2026 and 2027. Beyond that, our pipeline of commercial opportunities has expanded to $122 million, establishing both new revenue visibility and a strong foundation for sustained growth. We expect revenue growth to continue in 2026 and build throughout 2026, with the second half of the year expected to show the strongest acceleration. A few years ago, when we defined our growth strategy in an evolving digital health market, we articulated a thesis built on two compounding layers that we believe would become a structural advantage for scale, and we were right. The first layer operates at the client level. Channel partnerships like Solara Health give us access to millions of covered lives through a single commercial relationship, eliminating the account-by-account selling that structurally limits our growth potential and reduces our cost of acquisition. The second layer operates at the member level. Our multi-condition platform means a far greater share of each accounts population qualifies for our solutions. A single-condition solution is relevant only to members with that one condition. Covering five conditions means a materially larger proportion of any accounts population is reachable. More members involved, more revenue generated. Together, one layer multiplies how many accounts we access; the other multiplies how many members we serve within each. That is the compounding. The market is validating this in real time. Employers have moved beyond the point-solution era. They are consolidating vendors and asking for integrated platforms that address multiple conditions with measurable outcomes. Nearly 80% of our pipeline of commercial opportunities now involves multi-condition deployments, and the most common request we receive is to manage diabetes, hypertension, and mental health through a single platform. This is one reason customers increasingly come to us rather than the other way around. The foundation that makes both vectors work is DarioHealth Corp.s fully vertically integrated platform. In an era of generative and agentic AI, the vertical ownership from the device that generates the data to the AI that acts on it is itself a compounding advantage. The value of AI is driven entirely by the quality of the data it runs on, and DarioHealth Corp. owns this data from the ground up. Our data is generated, continuous, and proprietary. We own the underlying data infrastructure. We do not license it, rent it, or depend on third-party inputs. We believe that this strengthens our competitive position as AI becomes more powerful. DarioIQ, our AI-driven intelligence engine, trained on more than 13 billion real data points, is the product expression of that advantage, purpose-built on data that no competitor can replicate. Our advantage rests on three pillars: proprietary clinical data generated at the point of care, clinical credibility backed by 100-plus peer-reviewed studies, and deep integration with employers and the healthcare ecosystem. Together, they create a position that has the potential to compound with scale. This is precisely the model we built. The digital health market is consolidating around platforms that deliver measurable clinical and financial value. With our integrated technology, expanding distribution network, and rapidly growing client base, we believe that we are well positioned to lead the transition. With that, I will turn the call over to Steven. Steven C. Nelson: Thank you, Erez, and good morning, everyone. Erez described two compounding layers at the heart of our growth strategy. What I want to show you this morning is this thesis in action in the distribution partnerships we are scaling and the multi-condition demand we are seeing from employers and health plans. These are not separate dynamics. They are compounding each other, playing out simultaneously across our commercial book. Before walking through the commercial progress we are seeing across the business, I want to briefly step back and highlight what we believe is an important shift occurring across the digital health market. Employers, health plans, and pharmaceutical companies are all facing the same structural challenge: rising healthcare costs driven by chronic disease, combined with increasing complexity in how care is delivered and managed. As a result, buyers are increasingly moving away from fragmented point solutions and toward integrated digital platforms that can address multiple conditions while delivering measurable clinical and financial outcomes. We believe this transition is defining a new category within digital health: vertically integrated, multi-condition digital care platforms, where providers that can combine clinical engagement, behavioral support, and data-driven outcomes across multiple chronic conditions will increasingly become the preferred partners for employers and health plans. This is exactly what DarioHealth Corp. offers. With that context in mind, there are three areas I would like to cover this morning. First, the structural shift we are seeing in our go-to-market model as distribution increasingly moves toward large payer ecosystems and curated digital health networks. Second, the continued expansion of several of our most important channel partnerships and payer deployments. And third, there are several emerging opportunities we are evaluating that could open additional pathways for growth over time, and I will specifically cover one of these significant opportunities today. Taken together, these developments reinforce what we believe is an important inflection point for the company. Let me start by revisiting the theme we introduced during our last few earnings calls: the growing role of one-to-many distribution channels in our business. Historically, much of the digital health market operated through direct employer sales and individual point-solution deployments. What we are seeing now is a shift towards payer ecosystems and curated digital health networks that allow health plans and large employers to deploy integrated platforms across much larger member populations. The commercial model we are building allows DarioHealth Corp. to move from selling individual programs one employer at a time to becoming embedded within payer ecosystems that distribute digital health solutions across entire populations. During our last call, we discussed several examples of this strategy beginning to take hold, including our launch on UnitedHealthcares digital marketplace, our deployments through Solara Health supporting plans such as Premera Blue Cross, and our growing partnerships with Amwell supporting payer-sponsored digital health programs. Through these partnerships, DarioHealth Corp. now has access to more than 160 million covered lives through our distribution ecosystem. As these distribution ecosystems expand, each new payer or partner deployment has the potential to bring DarioHealth Corp.s platform to significantly larger populations without requiring proportional increases in commercial infrastructure. These relationships dramatically expand our reach. A single distribution partner can unlock access to millions of covered lives and significantly accelerate our ability to scale. Importantly, we are also seeing continued commitment from our existing health plan partners. We are currently finalizing a three-year contract extension with Aetna and a four-year contract extension with Centene, reinforcing the long-term value these organizations see in the outcomes delivered through DarioHealth Corp.s fully vertically integrated platform. What we are seeing now is the next phase of this strategy, where these distribution ecosystems begin to activate across additional health plans. For example, through our partnership with Amwell, Florida Blue selected DarioHealth Corp. as a part of its digital health ecosystem. The program is currently in migration and implementation phases, and we expect revenue from the partnership to begin contributing in 2026 as enrollment ramps, with broader expansion anticipated into the 2027 plan year. Florida Blue represents one of the largest and most influential Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations in the United States, and their selection reinforces the growing demand among major payers for a fully vertically integrated platform that can deliver measurable clinical and financial outcomes. In addition, our channel partner, Solara Health, recently announced that HCSC, the second-largest Blue Cross Blue Shield organization in the United States with approximately 25 million members, will be launching new digital health capabilities through its network beginning in January 2027. DarioHealth Corp. has been selected as a preferred in-network partner within Solaras curated digital ecosystem supporting that rollout. We are also pleased to share that Amwell is preparing to launch another Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan relationship in July 2026, and DarioHealth Corp. has already been selected to be the preferred partner. We will share additional details as the program moves closer to launch. Finally, we are currently in the final stages of contracting with another distribution partner that we expect will become an important addition to our channel ecosystem. Through that relationship, we anticipate launching what would represent the largest fully insured client in DarioHealth Corp.s history. Another area where we are seeing encouraging traction is within government-sponsored healthcare programs, particularly through the federal rural health transformation initiatives, a $50 billion program rolling out $10 billion in spending over five years. This program represents a major effort designed to improve healthcare access and outcomes in underserved rural communities across the United States. Today, DarioHealth Corp. is engaged in direct discussions with approximately 10 state offices that are evaluating digital health infrastructure as a part of rural health transformation planning. In parallel, we are working closely with one specific channel partner to ensure DarioHealth Corp.s platform has exposure within broader proposals supporting these initiatives across the remaining 40 states. Turning now to our employer pipeline of commercial opportunities, demand for integrated digital health solutions continues to strengthen as employers seek measurable outcomes and simplified vendor ecosystems. In 2025, we added 85 new employer accounts, many of which have been onboarding and ramping throughout the first half of this year, providing an expanded base of recurring revenue entering the second half. For the 2026 benefit cycle, we are currently tracking 44 employer opportunities representing roughly $35 million in pipeline value. Looking further ahead to the 2027 cycle, we are already engaged in 58 additional employer opportunities representing approximately $19 million in pipeline value. Taken together, our total employer pipeline represents 102 opportunities totaling approximately $54 million in value. Importantly, the average size of these opportunities entering our employer pipeline today is materially larger than the accounts we have historically pursuedtwo to 10 times larger. In addition to employer demand, we are also seeing strong momentum across our health plan pipeline of commercial opportunities. Today, our health plan pipeline includes approximately 70 active opportunities representing roughly $33 million in pipeline value across national and regional payer organizations. Looking ahead to the 2027 planning cycle, we are also engaged in 11 additional early-stage health plan opportunities representing approximately $27 million in potential value. Taken together, our health plan pipeline now represents 81 opportunities totaling approximately $60 million in value. As we expand our presence within payer ecosystems, we believe that the scale of these health plan opportunities has the potential to continue to grow. Another area we are beginning to explore is within our pharma services segment. Historically, pharmaceutical companies have focused primarily on direct-to-consumer engagement or provider-based education models. What we are starting to see now is early interest from select pharmaceutical companies in exploring employer-based engagement strategies. Digital health platforms may help support patient identification, therapy adherence, and outcomes measurement. Today, we are in discussions with three pharmaceutical organizations evaluating whether employer-based engagement supported by digital health infrastructure could represent a viable commercial approach. At this stage, we view pharma as an emerging opportunity that we are actively evaluating rather than a core revenue driver today. Stepping back, what we believe is important for investors to understand is that DarioHealth Corp.s commercial expansion today is being primarily driven by two core growth engines. Layer one, client scale, through channel partnerships that give us ecosystem-level access to millions of covered lives without proportional increases in our commercial infrastructure and related expenses. Layer two, member scale, through our multi-condition platform, which means a far greater share of each accounts population qualifies for DarioHealth Corp., generating more revenue from the same client base without acquiring a single new contract. These two layers compound together exactly as Erez described. One multiplies how many accounts we reach; the other multiplies how many members we serve within each. That compounding is already visible in our fourth-quarter numbers, and it will become increasingly visible as 2026 progresses. As these payer ecosystems activate and employer demand continues to expand, we believe the commercial foundation we have built positions DarioHealth Corp. to scale across significantly larger populations in the years ahead. I will now turn the call over to Chen. Chen Franco-Yehuda: Thank you, Steven, and good morning, everyone. In 2025, we delivered sequential revenue growth to $5.2 million in Q4 and posted our lowest operating expense run rate on both GAAP and non-GAAP bases since the Twill acquisition. That combinationgrowing revenue and declining costis the inflection we have been building towards. Revenue for the twelve months ended 12/31/2025 was $22.4 million, compared to $27.0 million in 2024. As Erez explained, this was driven entirely by a single legacy client non-renewal from the Twill acquisition, partially offset by organic growth. GAAP gross margin expanded from 49% in 2024 to 57% in 2025, primarily reflecting the reduction in technology amortization expenses. Our core B2B2C ARR business has sustained approximately 80% non-GAAP gross margin for two years, which we believe is the most representative measure of the underlying unit economics of our platform. On operating expenses, the improvement is significant and accelerating. For full-year 2025, total operating expenses declined by 31% to $49.3 million compared to 2024, and full-year non-GAAP operating expenses declined by $13.6 million, or 26% year over year, from $52.2 million to $38.6 million. In Q4 alone, GAAP operating expenses declined 28% to $11.4 million, and non-GAAP operating expenses also fell 28% year over year from $12.4 million to $9.0 million. Full-year operating loss improved by $21.0 million, or 37%, on a GAAP basis, and by $9.6 million, or 29%, on a non-GAAP basis. On cash, we ended 2025 with $26.0 million in cash and short-term deposits. Net cash used in operating activities declined from $38.6 million in 2024 to $25.9 million, a 33% reduction driven by the compounding effect of margin expansion, AI utilization, and cost discipline. Based on our contracted and late-stage ARR, growing pipeline of commercial opportunities, and continued OpEx reduction, we expect to narrow our non-GAAP operating loss by approximately 30% in 2026, targeting cash flow breakeven by mid-2027. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures has been provided in the financial statements table included in our earnings press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading Non-GAAP Financial Measures. With that, I will turn the call over to Erez for closing remarks. Erez Raphael: Thank you all for joining us today. 2025 demonstrated something important. The work we did to build a differentiated platform is now reflected in the demand we see, commercially and strategically. We entered 2026 with our strongest commercial pipeline ever, a record new business year behind us, and a fully vertically integrated platform whose competitive position deepens with each new member we add and each data point we generate. As a reminder, in September 2025, in response to multiple unsolicited inbound expressions of interest, DarioHealth Corp. engaged Lazard and established a special committee of our Board of Directors to consider a full range of strategic opportunities, including a sale, merger, strategic business combination, or continued execution of our stand-alone strategy. The process remains active, and we will provide updates when there is a material development to share. What is becoming increasingly clear is that DarioHealth Corp. is positioned to succeed in any scenario it chooses to pursue. We believe that the demand we see from the marketfrom payers, employers, and strategic partnersreflects what we have built: a platform that owns its data, compounds with scale, and delivers outcomes that no point solution can replicate. Before I hand it over to the Operator, I want to take a moment to thank the people who make this possible. To our employees, your dedication to our members and to each other is what drives everything we do. To our partners and channel ecosystem, your trust and collaboration are central to how we scale. And to our shareholders, thank you for your continued support and confidence in our platform and our mission. We look forward to sharing more progress with you on our next call. I will now turn it over to the Operator for the Q&A session. Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now open the call for questions. You will hear a prompt that your hand has been raised. Should you wish to withdraw from the polling process, please press star followed by the number two. If you are using a speakerphone, please lift the handset before pressing any keys. One moment, please, for your first question. Your first question comes from Charles Rhyee with TD Cowen. Your line is now open. Charles Rhyee: Yes, thanks for taking the questions, and congrats on the end of the year here. Obviously, pretty exciting in terms of the pipeline opportunities, obviously some big contracts starting to ramp up as you move through the course of the year. I think you had one big one, I think you just mentioned, starting here in January. Can you give us a little sense on how that is progressing, and maybe in broad strokes, how should we think about revenue growth in 2026? You have a sort of consensus number signaling significant growth here and just kind of get a sense of your comfort with that, and how should we think about the cadence of revenue growth as we go through the year? Erez Raphael: Thanks, Charles, for the question. Yes, so as we mentioned on the quarter, we had 85 wins, and we had $12.9 million in contracted and very late-stage opportunities. Obviously, not everything is going to be recognized for the full year. It will take time to implement. What we have already seen in Q1 is that we see growth between Q4 to Q1. Some of the implementation already started, so we are expecting growth. The growth is going to accelerate in the second half of the year. And when I am looking into the consensus of all the analysts that we have today, we feel comfortable with these forecasts that we see out there. We are not providing guidance, but we do think that what exists at the moment is something that the company feels comfortable with. And the way that we are operating is planning, obviously, to at least achieve a little bit above the consensus of the analysts that we have at the moment. Charles Rhyee: Appreciate that. In terms of the target of breakeven, it seems like that has been slowly getting pushed out a little bit. Can you give us a sense for what is kind of driving that? Is that just trying to take advantage of current pipeline opportunities and trying to stay on top of growth overall? Or anything that you can share regarding that? Erez Raphael: Yes, absolutely. It is going to be like 80% of the picture is the growth and 20% is to keep optimizing the OpEx. We did a lot of cost reduction in the last two years, as everyone knows. We think that with the implementation of AI and agentic AI that we are implementing, we will be able to push the cost down by another few percentage points year over year. But the bigger part of why we believe we can get to cash-flow positive is our ability to grow the top line. It is going to be the major part, and with what we have signed so far and what you see in the pipeline, we think that is something that will get us to the cash-flow positive point. The overall top line that we see that will take us there is somewhere in the range of $38 million to $42 million in revenues. That is the point where we think the business is going to be cash-flow positive. Steven, do you want to add something? Steven C. Nelson: Yes. Hi, Charles. Steven here. I just want to add one thing, which is as we have evolved these channel partnerships and brought them on, one-to-many, and as these health plans you know, they are health plans, so we are dealing with large organizationshow do we weave our way in, and then the platform partners, whether it is Solara, Amwell, or others that we will announce. We have to structurallyand I talked about that in the callget ourselves organized for that. So there are things that we have to do and preparenormal ramp-up things, not large expenses, but work. And we need to get focused on what that work is, how we do it in a fluid way, because it needs to be repeatable, and it needs to continue with these channel partners as we move forward. So they have some changes that have altered our business in a good way, definitely noticeable in the contracts that we have won and, therefore, how we implement in an effective manner. But that takes a little bit of a pivot on how we have done it before. Now we are going more one-to-many, and so we are working on that work, being very mindful of OpEx, as the company has historically and as we have shown recently in the results. But we also need to make sure we are making the right investments in that business so those two-, three-, four-year agreementswhich is what they come withare sticky and longitudinal. It is very important that we reflect that as we think about our investment. Charles Rhyee: Great. And maybe one last question for me. As you know, being a preferred partner, and we think about HCSC, for exampleobviously, that by itself is a big opportunity. What is the selection process there? Is it each member within HCSC can make a decision, or is it within even each of the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans within HCSC where their employer customers make a decision? Maybe talk us a little bit through how to take advantage of that opportunity. Is it more RFPs within that as well, or is it people can just select off a menu as they are selecting options? And then what is your assumption in terms of what you will be able to capture? Steven C. Nelson: Yes, so I will try to unpack that. I will probably go beginning to the end in terms of the capture rate. But I will start at the beginning first, which is: with our Solara partneras you can go to Solara and see in their architecture and their websitewe are a preferred partner. Just like using a doctor in a normal health network, there is in-network and there is out-of-network partners, and with Solara and what they bring on board, we are preferred. We are, quote-unquote, as I said in the script, in-network. It is a good way to look at it. Now, if I go to HCSC, the account, HCSC will have decisions that they make with Solaranot with us, but with Solarawhen they look at how they want to move their books of business. And then, obviously, ASO or self-insured books of business, they get to make that call. So I am going to take a step up for a second before I round out that thought, which is this: just like any of the digital marketplaces that are coming forward, all the self-insured markets get to make a call. There is no more RFP. There is no more business to win, but they have to decide, do they want to go with something in-network, do they want to go with something out-of-network? Obviously, self-insured employers have to make that call on all their benefit design, just like normal health benefits. In terms of the fully insured book, or what HCSC or other Blues plans control, that is up to them. And so as they form those partnerships, we do get to work with them in that regardhow they want to construct the network, how we can work with them in general. So there are some variations there, Charles, that work across the board on all these. But within Solaras partnerships, as they come up with recommendations with their partners, we, again, are preferred and in-network, which is important for us because that makes the decision very easy, easy to do business, start it up, run it in-network, and launch it. So we are working with them on that execution. They are a very large plan, both fully insured and self-insured. We think that there is plenty of business to be had there, for sure, and we are hopeful that through our preferred status, we will be able to shore that up and what it looks like for 2027. In terms of a capture rate, I do not say this flippantly, but obviously with that many millions of lives, with that size of share, us being in-network for any portion of that book is meaningful to a company our size, for sure. That also said, anything that they do in their fully insured bookIllinois, Texas, some of their larger stateswould also be meaningful in that regard. So we are working across the board. I would close by saying capture rate on self-insured: we do normal predictive modeling accordingly. Nothing really changes in that regard. But keep in mind, with fully insured, we are often built into the product, and as I noted today, we are launchingnot HCSC, I might addbut we will be launching our largest fully insured client January 2027 as well. Largest by far. Today, we have three accounts that are fully insured, smaller in nature, but we are moving forward with the fully insured piece of business in January. Charles Rhyee: Great. I really appreciate the comments. Thanks, guys. Operator: Your next question comes from Theodore Rudd ONeill with Litchfield Hills Research. Your line is now open. Theodore Rudd ONeill: Thank you, and congratulations on the good quarter. I have two questions this morning. The first is on operating expenses, which are down year over year substantially. How should we think about how that changes in 2026? And my second question is, the commercial pipeline here at $122 millionI looked back at last quarters press release, and it was $69 millionso there is a big uptick in the commercial pipeline value. I was wondering, is it changing definitions, or is that adding 2027 onto 2026? I am just wondering what the difference is there. Erez Raphael: Could you repeat that first one? Chen Franco-Yehuda: Yes. Good morning, Theodore. Thank you for your question. With regards to operating expenses, indeed, we reduced dramatically the OpEx during this year compared to last year, and we continue to reduce the OpEx. We mentioned several efficienciespost-merger integrations, AI, etc.which we expect to continue and see reduction in the OpEx through 2026. We also see that we can project that we can narrow the non-GAAP operating loss by 30% during 2026 compared to the full year of 2025. So that is for your first question. On the second question, I will let Steven respond. Steven C. Nelson: Yes, that is correct, Theodore. We did outlineyou covered it at the very end there. What we have done is we are now including the 2027 year, so we are showing the combination of 2026 and 2027 in that regard. Last quarter, we talked about what was just in year 2026; now we are also doing a combined pipeline view. That is why I broke out in detail a little bit of the pipeline as well. Theodore Rudd ONeill: Yes, I thought you covered it. I just wanted to ask it explicitly. So thanks very much. Erez Raphael: Thank you. Theodore Rudd ONeill: You bet. Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes your conference call for today. We thank you for participating and ask that you please disconnect your lines. Should you buy stock in DarioHealth right now? Before you buy stock in DarioHealth, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and DarioHealth wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. 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As with all our articles, The Motley Fool does not assume any responsibility for your use of this content, and we strongly encourage you to do your own research, including listening to the call yourself and reading the company's SEC filings. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details, including our Obligatory Capitalized Disclaimers of Liability. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. DarioHealth (DRIO) Q4 2025 Earnings Transcript was originally published by The Motley Fool Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St. Novo Nordisks investigational obesity drug UBT251 has reported positive Phase 2 results over a 24 week trial. Patients in the study experienced meaningful weight loss, with the drug acting as a triple agonist targeting multiple hormone receptors. The update adds a new element to Novo Nordisks GLP 1 obesity pipeline, which could matter for investors tracking the CPSE:NOVO B story. Novo Nordisk, traded as CPSE:NOVO B, is currently priced at DKK241.5, with a 1 year return of a 54.5% decline and a 5 year return of 24.7%. The new UBT251 data arrives after a period of weaker recent performance, with the stock showing a 26.9% decline year to date and a 21.5% decline over the past month. For investors, UBT251 adds another potential asset to watch within Novo Nordisks obesity portfolio, alongside existing GLP 1 treatments. As the company progresses toward potential later stage trials, the key questions will center on durability of weight loss, safety profile, and how this triple agonist could compare to other obesity treatments in development. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Novo Nordisk by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Novo Nordisk. CPSE:NOVO B Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Mar 2026 Beyond the headline: 5 risks and 4 things going right for Novo Nordisk that every investor should see. Quick Assessment Price vs Analyst Target : At DKK241.5, the share price sits about 22% below the DKK309.6 analyst target. Simply Wall St Valuation : Shares are described as trading 64.6% below estimated fair value, which signals a large valuation gap. Recent Momentum: The 30 day return of about 21.5% decline shows weak short term sentiment despite the UBT251 news. There is only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold Novo Nordisk. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest analysis of Novo Nordisk's Fair Value. Key Considerations UBT251s positive Phase 2 result adds another obesity asset that could influence expectations for Novo Nordisks longer term obesity franchise. Watch progress into Phase 3, any updates on safety and tolerability, and how UBT251 might sit alongside existing GLP 1 treatments. The stock carries 5 flagged risks, including share price volatility and quality of earnings, which can matter even when a pipeline update is encouraging. Dig Deeper For the full picture including more risks and rewards, check out the complete Novo Nordisk analysis. Alternatively, you can check out the community page for Novo Nordisk to see how other investors believe this latest news will impact the company's narrative. March 18 (Reuters) - A cyberattack against medical device maker Stryker last week has delayed surgeries for some patients, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. The system disruption had temporarily impacted the company's ability to deliver personalized inventory, "as a result, some patient-specific cases have been rescheduled", the report said, citing a Stryker spokesperson. Stryker did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. Handala, an Iranian-linked hacking group, last week claimed responsibility for a destructive cyberattack on Stryker that caused widespread disruption to its business, including its ability to process orders, make products and ship them to customers. Stryker said on Tuesday that it had contained the attack and that no patient-related services or connected medical products were affected, though it did not provide details on the financial impact. (Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber) The checks are getting larger, sure. But the money is getting restless. Its now landing on rival theories, exotic structures, adjacent industries, and any corporate costume that gets more electricity, more land, more leverage, or more optionality into the system. The AI spending spree isnt tidy anymore. It has lost the neat corporate silhouette it had a year ago and is now behaving like an industry with too much money, too many bottlenecks and an increasingly improvised sense of what exactly now counts as AI infrastructure. For a while, AI capex was easy to picture. More GPUs. Bigger clusters. Another desert or cornfield marked for a data center thats the size of a small municipality. Sure, that picture still exists. Last week, Mira Muratis Thinking Machines locked up at least one gigawatt of Nvidias next-generation Vera Rubin systems enough computing power that industry executives pegged its value at around $50 billion. Fei-Fei Lis World Labs raised another $1 billion for spatial intelligence. Safe Superintelligence (SSI), Ilya Sutskevers still-murky venture, raised $2 billion at a reported $32 billion valuation despite having no public product. Even the dissent has a burn rate. The heretics have capital stacks. AI capital is still buying the familiar hardware. But its also wandering into stranger territory with the swagger of a rich industry thats getting even richer and has stopped asking whether something belongs in the AI story and started asking whether it can be bent to the AI story fast enough to secure more power or more time. Silicon Valley isnt choosing between scale harder and the LLM paradigm is intellectually busted. The same ecosystem is writing checks to the lab buying gigawatt-scale compute and to the lab arguing next-token prediction will not get you to broadly capable agents. AI is everywhere. So Silicon Valley set out to buy more chips and build more server farms. But now, it has started redrawing whole sections of the economy around AIs appetite. The tech has reached an aisle with gas turbines, sovereign wealth funds, jet engines, and billion-dollar arguments over whether the reigning model-building gospel has been headed down the wrong runway all along. Story Continues Mature spending sprees do this. They spread. They improvise. They scavenge. They colonize the nearby economy. AI has now gotten to that part of its story. Weirder ways to spend Silicon Valley used to spend on AI the old-fashioned way: buy the chips, build the cluster, pour the concrete, tell Wall Street that the future needed a bigger server hall. Todays spending spree looks like it has slipped its leash. Everyone knows the numbers are cartoonish. But the money is arriving in formats that would have sounded more than a little ridiculous a year ago. Muratis Thinking Machines has lined up industrial-scale compute before the outside world has much public evidence of what product will justify the footprint. LeCuns AMI is chasing world models and saying the LLM-heavy route to human-level intelligence is complete nonsense, raising a billion dollars to fund a theoretical alternative to the already existing (and already very real) dominant architecture. World Labs is building around spatial intelligence and 3D world models. SSI has turned founder premium into a capital event on a scale that wouldve looked surreal for an ordinary startup and then gone right back to saying almost nothing in public. These alternatives arent arriving as a lean, skeptical correction to excess. They have billionaire-scale appetites of their own. AMIs two main cost centers are compute and talent. World Labs investor list includes AMD and Nvidia. Same boom, same ocean of money, very different guesses about what the money should buy. One side of that says the AI race needs industrial-scale compute. The other says that the race may need a different map entirely. Investors, naturally, have decided to fund both. An already-rich industry is funding increasingly strange ways to stay close to whatever intelligence actually turns out to be. When the checks start landing on every plausible route giant clusters, world models, spatial intelligence, founder-premium moonshots the spree starts sounding anxious as much as ambitious. Bank of Americas Savita Subramanian has said investors are buying the dream. S&P Global caught the recursive side of all of this, writing that circular infrastructure deals reign. The cloud giants and chip suppliers put money into startups, the startups spend that money back on cloud and compute, and the whole system starts looking like a very expensive feedback loop with better branding. AI companies are becoming asset-heavy, S&P wrote, behaving more like infrastructure operators than classic software firms. Thats a species change. Weirder ways to build If the bets have gotten stranger, the physical and financial machinery under them has gotten stranger still. Moodys flagged recently that Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Oracle have accumulated $662 billion of future data-center lease commitments that havent yet hit the balance sheet. The industry has started treating footnotes as staging grounds for the next few years of expansion. The server hall is doubling as a capital-structure problem. Sightline Climate says it is tracking 190 gigawatts across 777 large data centers and AI factories announced since 2024. Of the 16 gigawatts slated to come online in 2026, only about five gigawatts are actually under construction; around 11 gigawatts remain in the announced stage with no visible construction progress. As much as half of the worlds data-center projects due this year could face delays. Development still surges. So does schedule fiction. The pipeline has started carrying a decent amount of wishful thinking. Metas Hyperion campus shows how odd the buildout can look when it fully matures. The company formed a $27 billion financing arrangement (a bond sale tied to the venture; the largest private-debt offering ever) with Blue Owl Capital for the Louisiana site. Meta kept a 20% stake, Blue Owl took 80%, and the structure pushed the project off Metas balance sheet even as the company secured the campus it wanted. Thats private credit, joint-venture architecture, and infrastructure finance dressed in a hoodie and trying to pass as a platform story. AI companies keep drifting upstream, because waiting politely for the utility has become an intolerably slow way to run an arms race. Alphabet agreed to buy Intersect for $4.75 billion in cash plus debt, pulling an energy-and-data-center developer into Googles orbit. OpenAI and SoftBank each invested $500 million into SB Energy; OpenAI originally signed a 1.2-gigawatt lease for the first Stargate buildout, which has since been canceled. A normal tech budget ends at secure capacity. This budget one thats far from normal keeps marching until it reaches the people who can secure land, generation, power, and campuses in the first place. The site plans have started sounding strange, too. Data Center Frontier reported that on-site generation is being treated as primary infrastructure in parts of the market. Crusoes longer-range vision includes smaller inference-focused data centers around the country, some operating entirely on their own power grid with solar and batteries. Grid connection, once a utility problem, keeps reappearing as product design. AI capacity now comes with side quests in whatever form of electricity can show up on time. A lot of this buildout now lives in giant leases, structured equipment deals, private-credit arrangements, and capital stacks that wouldve sounded much more at home around airports, pipelines, and merchant power plants than around model training. The spreadsheet and the substation have started sharing a desk. AI doesnt just need hardware anymore. It needs financing clever enough to keep feeding hardware into a market with too much demand and too many choke points. Weirder things to become Then, the surrounding economy starts changing species. Boom Supersonics identity was built around romance, speed (and lots and lots of it), and a fantasy of making air travel glamorous again. Crusoe ordered 29 of its turbines as part of a 1.21-gigawatt on-site power strategy for AI campuses. Baker Hughes signed on to provide matching generators. AI spending has grown large enough to hand aircraft companies a second act as utility substitutes. The market has a brutal sense of humor. EV-battery manufacturers are retooling factories to make storage modules for AI data centers as their core market cools. Bitcoin miners are converting server fleets to act as AI data centers, leaning on power access and facilities left over from cryptos hangover. Williams, the pipeline company, has explored buying gas-producing assets so it can offer hyperscalers a fuller package of fuel, transport, and power; the company already has a 440-megawatt Ohio project tied to Meta and two more Ohio projects that are costing around $3.1 billion. AI keeps drafting new suppliers faster than the old ones can build. AIs capital binge hasnt just expanded. Expansion is the boring part. Money is now arriving as giant bets on rival theories, as leases and bonds and residual guarantees, as energy-developer acquisitions, as supersonic turbines, as repurposed jet engines, as pipeline logic, as private-power improvisation. A spending spree this large is taking over the neighboring businesses, the neighboring balance sheets, the neighboring politics, the neighboring supply chains. By the time a boom is recruiting aerospace engineers, battery factories, nuclear pragmatists, world-model evangelists, and sovereign wealth funds into the same sentence, the shape of the thing has become hard to miss. AI capex still buys chips, concrete, and cooling towers. It also keeps turning up in stranger places and stranger forms because the basic appetite has outgrown the neat version of itself. A spree with enough money and enough impatience starts bending the nearby economy until somebody, somewhere, decides its now in the AI business. The chips were just the opening bid. Now, AIs shopping list is weird. The build is weird. And the company it keeps has gotten weird, too. Artificial intelligence is becoming embedded in everyday life from education to the workplace. Yet while many people use generative AI tools, far fewer apply them professionally. In 2025, 15% of people aged 16 to 74 used AI for work, according to Eurostat. But that headline figure masks stark differences between countries. Across 33 European nations, workplace AI use ranges from just 1.3% in Hungary to 35.4% in Norway, with Switzerland close behind at 34.4%. Norways higher share is entirely consistent with a strong digital public sector, high public trust, strong skills, and mature employer practices, Prof Aleksandra Przegalinska from Kozminski University told Euronews Business. Other high adopters include Malta (29.6%), Denmark (27.2%), the Netherlands (26.6%), Estonia (25.1%) and Finland (25.1%). At the other end of the scale, fewer than one in ten people use AI at work in countries including Romania, Turkey, Serbia and Italy. The key point is that adoption is not just about enthusiasm: it follows investment in skills and workflows, plus trust-building governance that turns experimentation into legitimate, routine practice, Przegalinska said. A clear regional divide The data reveals a strong geographic pattern. Northern and Western European countries lead in adoption, while Southern Europe shows a mixed picture. Eastern and Southeastern Europe generally lags behind. Among the EUs largest economies, France records the highest workplace use at 18.4%, followed by Spain (17.9%). Germany is slightly above the EU average at 15.8%, while Italy is significantly lower at 8%. Several smaller economies including Luxembourg, Cyprus, Austria, Sweden and Belgium also report relatively high usage, with rates between 20% and 25%. Importantly, the figures reflect individuals using AI at work, not the share of companies adopting the technology. A gap between personal and professional use Looking at AI use overall and for work, there is a significant gap. Overall AI use in the EU stands at 32.7%, while use for work is 15.1%. This means that fewer than half of AI users, around 46%, apply it for work. The gap varies significantly by country. In Switzerland, Malta, Norway and the Netherlands, most AI users also use it at work. In contrast, countries such as Hungary, Romania and Serbia have much lower rates of workplace use among AI users. Przegalinska said these differences come down to a mix of capability and permission. Skills, structure and workplace culture Capability includes digital skills, the share of knowledge-based jobs, and digital infrastructure such as broadband and cloud access. China's NEV industry ascends global value chain 14:51, March 16, 2026 By Wang Zheng ( People's Daily New energy vehicles are assembled in a workshop of a smart factory of Chinese carmaker Leapmotor in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province. (Photo/Hu Xiaofei) China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industry is accelerating its shift from rapid expansion to higher-quality growth, driven by breakthroughs in key technologies such as intelligent driving systems and advanced batteries. In early March, Chinese companies unveiled a new round of innovations in the core technologies underpinning smart, connected NEVs. On March 4, Chinese technology giant Huawei launched the world's first dual-optical-path imaging-grade 896-line LiDAR system under its Qiankun intelligent driving solution. Compared with conventional 192-line LiDAR, the new system offers four times the resolution and addresses a long-standing industry challenge -- wide-angle sensors that capture the full scene but miss details, and telephoto sensors that capture details but sacrifice field of view. This breakthrough enables vehicles traveling at 120 km/h to reliably identify small obstacles, such as 14 cm-high stones, from 120 meters away. The following day (March 5th), BYD, China's leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, unveiled the second generation of its Blade Battery. The upgraded battery delivers what the company calls a breakthrough flash-charging experience: under normal temperatures, it can charge from 10 percent to 70 percent in just five minutes and from 10 percent to 97 percent in nine minutes. New energy vehicles are parked in a port in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu province, ready to be shipped overseas. (Photo/Fang Dongxu) Even at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, the charging process takes only about three minutes longer than under normal conditions. The new battery also increases energy density by five percent and supports a driving range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. From LiDAR systems for intelligent driving to next-generation power batteries, Chinese companies have achieved fresh breakthroughs in key technologies for smart NEVs in the first quarter of 2026. How can China's NEV industry further accelerate its transformation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030)? China's 2026 government work report emphasizes building a modernized industrial system and creating new forms of smart economy. Automotive experts noted that China's auto industry is entering a critical stage, shifting from scale expansion toward higher quality and efficiency. Leveraging its industrial chain strengths and economies of scale, the sector is expected to optimize product structures, refine industrial layouts and strengthen brand value. According to Wang Jianqing, chief master technician at the vehicle assembly plant of Dongfeng Trucks, a subsidiary of Chinese automobile group Dongfeng Motor Corporation, the industry is moving toward greater intelligence, greener technologies and deeper industrial integration. He stressed the importance of strengthening fundamental research, investing in cutting-edge technologies, and enhancing industry resilience to support this shift. A man experiences a new energy vehicle in a shopping mall in Tengzhou, east China's Shandong province. (Photo/Zhao Qirui) Vehicles equipped with Geely's Qianli Haohan intelligent assisted-driving system have delivered notable performance results. Recent data shows that the system has accumulated over 110 million kilometers of assisted-driving mileage, equivalent to circling the Earth about 2,750 times, while its active collision-avoidance function has prevented 225,000 potential accidents. "Safety is the core of any intelligent driving system," said Li Chuanhai, president of the Geely Automobile Research Institute. He said that in 2026, Geely plans to introduce Level-3 high-speed autonomous driving and Level-4 low-speed autonomous functions where regulations permit, while steadily advancing the deployment of Robotaxi vehicles. China's push toward higher levels of autonomous driving gained regulatory momentum in late 2025. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology granted China's first Level-3 autonomous driving vehicle permits, marking a transition from technological testing to the early stages of large-scale commercial application. Feng Xingya, chairman of GAC Group, a major Chinese automaker, has urged the establishment of a nationally unified standards and evaluation system for autonomous driving. He proposed opening key testing scenarios such as highways and urban expressways to support testing and commercialization of Level-3 autonomous driving for consumer vehicles, while expanding pilot applications of Level-4 autonomous driving in logistics and mobility services. Yin Tongyue, chairman of Chery Holding Group, another major Chinese automobile manufacturer, has emphasized the importance of data security in intelligent driving systems. He suggested establishing standardized procedures for data collection, transmission and use, ensuring privacy protection while enabling large-scale Level-3 deployment. Inside a vehicle assembly plant of mobility technology company Magna International in Graz, Austria, engineering teams from China and Europe are conducting intensive adjustments around production rhythms, process validation and quality inspection. The preparations are aimed at the mid-March rollout of the Aion UT, produced by GAC Aion, an NEV brand of GAC Group. Following the earlier production of the Aion V, the Aion UT will become the second GAC model to be manufactured locally at the plant. According to Ma Haiyang, an executive of GAC Group, cooperation with Magna International allows the company to integrate more efficiently with Europe's mature engineering systems and local supply chains, accelerating the implementation of localized production. "GAC is steadily advancing local research and development, procurement and manufacturing," Ma said. "By developing products according to European standards, we aim to better understand and meet the needs of the European market and provide high-quality products and services for local consumers." China exported over 7 million units of automobiles in 2025, with NEV exports reaching 2.615 million units, more than doubling year on year and highlighting the industry's growing international competitiveness. Despite progress, challenges remain. Limited overseas operational capacity and risks related to global industrial and supply chains continue to test Chinese automakers as they expand abroad. For Chery Holding Group, globalization means integrating more deeply into local markets. "Our global strategy is to be rooted where we operate and contribute to local development," said Yin. He noted that Chery's project in Spain has not only enabled localized vehicle production but also created more than 1,500 local jobs. "During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we hope to replicate this model in more parts of the world," Yin said. "Our goal is to ensure that our products and pricing are acceptable to local consumers, our business models are welcomed by local governments and societies, and our development approach remains environmentally sustainable." (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) BAIC Group recently signed a contract with Hesai Technology to integrate its upgraded ATX system into its upcoming 2026 models. The partnership not only signals confidence in Hesais technical maturity but also underscores how regulatory approval of Level 3 autonomy in China is accelerating LiDARs role as a competitive differentiator. While the LiDAR field once centered on proof-of-concepts and robotics, the BAIC-Hesai agreement signals that the technology is seeing accelerating adoption in the country, says GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform. The LiDAR market is consolidating sharply around a handful of Chinese suppliersHesai, Huawei, and RoboSense, reflecting a broader surge in L2+ and L3 adoption within the country, while non-Chinese vendors are losing ground or pivot to other segments. Madhuchhanda Palit, Senior Automotive Analyst at GlobalData, said: For BAIC, partnering with Hesai offers a route to meeting emerging regulatory demands tied to L3 autonomy. Approval by Chinas MIIT for BAIC to conduct Level 3 autonomous pilot driving tests puts pressure on OEMs to adopt high-precision sensing platforms: Hesais ATX delivers capabilities that align with such requirements. Moreover, securing the latest ATX for multiple models provides BAIC with technological parity with competitors like BYD, Li Auto, and Nio, which are already adopting similar systems, thus helping to maintain its positioning in the premium smart-EV segment. Operationally, integrating a compact sensor simplifies design trade-offs across different vehicle types, potentially reducing costs while improving ADAS/AEB and NOA-style features that increasingly influence consumer and regulatory evaluations. For Hesai, the agreement with BAIC cements its role as a core supplier to Chinas established OEM sector, broadening its installed base and advancing mass production of its new ATX platform, which, according to corporate disclosures, already has over four million orders from various global automakers. The scaleBAICs inclusion in its top clientsaugments Hesais revenue visibility and strengthens its manufacturing economies; it also underscores the maturity of Hesais SoC and environmental filtering features in real on-road use cases. In a market where cost per unit and integration complexity are becoming primary battlegrounds, Hesai leverages its early production capacity, R&D, and supply agreements to stay ahead of rising competitors, domestically and overseas. Palit concludes: Chinas regulatory shifts toward Level 3 autonomy and concentrated LiDAR supply landscape signal that large-volume adoption is now underway. The BAIC-Hesai agreement reflects a strategic alignment of regulation, OEM demand, and supplier capability. For the sector, the deal highlights that success will go to suppliers capable of delivering validated, integrated solutions at volume; for Hesai and BAIC alike, the agreement represents not merely product adoption but a stake in shaping Chinas autonomous mobility trajectory. Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika. Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automaker Geely are reportedly holding early talks about expanding their relationship. According to Bloomberg, the discussions focus on possible cooperation for models that would arrive after Mercedes current generation of electric vehicles. Bloomberg described the talks as preliminary and noted that there is no guarantee they will lead to a formal agreement. Reuters later reported the same broad outline of the story. A closer working relationship with Geely could help Mercedes shorten development cycles and lower engineering costs in China, which remains the companys single largest market. That matters more than ever because Chinese brands continue to pressure established foreign automakers through faster product development and aggressive pricing. Mercedes has said it is constantly looking for ways to improve research and development efficiency, but Bloomberg also reported that the company insists there are currently no discussions with Geely about platform sharing. The Two Companies Already Have A Working Model Photo Courtesy: Geely. This would not be the first major link between the two sides. Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group formally created the global smart joint venture in 2019, and that partnership has since become one of the clearest examples of how the two companies can divide responsibilities. Smart says the brand has been reinvented as a premium electric marque under that joint venture structure. That existing relationship helps explain why broader cooperation is being taken seriously. In the current smart setup, Mercedes contributes much of the design direction while Geely provides much of the engineering and industrial backbone behind the modern lineup. Even without a new formal agreement, the two companies already have a proven template for working together on future electric products. China Is Forcing European Brands To Move Faster Photo Courtesy: emirhankaramuk / Shutterstock. These reported talks also fit a wider pattern across the European auto industry. Carmakers that once leaned on China mainly for sales are now increasingly looking to Chinese partners for software, battery expertise, and lower-cost development. For Mercedes, that pressure is especially important because the company has repeatedly acknowledged the strategic weight of the Chinese market and its local innovation cycle. Reuters reported last year that Mercedes planned to keep investing in Chinese partnerships as competition from local brands intensified. That is why a deeper relationship with Geely would make strategic sense even if it never turns into a full-scale joint platform project. Geely brings scale, local speed, and deep experience in electric vehicle architecture, while Mercedes still offers brand strength, premium positioning, and a major global distribution footprint. In a market where product timing and cost control now matter almost as much as badge prestige, that combination could be valuable for both sides. According to Flashpoint, the Handala Hack Team claimed responsibility for breaching a Mossad secret treasury, allegedly leaking 50,000 confidential emails. In a chilling escalation, the group also claimed to have identified the precise geographic coordinates of a target through cyber reconnaissanceand that a kinetic missile strike followed. Cyber and physical warfare, in other words, are no longer separate domains. The more chilling template, analysts warn, isnt the conventional data breachits a coordinated campaign designed to destroy institutional trust from the inside out. Irans state-backed hacking groups, including Void Manticore aka Handala , have already deployed ransomware-style attacks, distributed denial-of-service operations, and wiper attacks engineered to permanently erase data from corporate servers. These arent smash-and-grab operations. They are psychological warfare at enterprise scale. According to threat intelligence firm Flashpoint, the Iranian-aligned hackers executed a sophisticated no-malware attack on Strykernot through traditional malicious code, but by weaponizing Microsoft Intune, a legitimate cloud-based endpoint management service, to remotely wipe devices across the companys network. The attack has sent a chill through every corporate IT department in America: the tools used to manage your own infrastructure can now be turned against you. Irans cyber playbook has already claimed its first major corporate victim. Iranian-aligned hackers disrupted operations at U.S. medical technology giant Stryker , as first reported by the Wall Street Journal and confirmed by the companya sobering signal that the private sector is squarely in the crosshairs. For Fortune 500 CEOs, the message couldnt be cleareror more unsettling. The Iran war has blown open a Pandoras box of AI-powered cyber warfare, and no firewall, no matter how expensive, was built for whats coming next. Within hours, cybersecurity agencies in the UK and Canada both warned about heightened threat levels, followed by similar warnings from Europol and the Department of Homeland Security . When U.S. and Israeli forces launched a sweeping air and sea campaign against Irans military infrastructure in late Feb. 2026, the missiles werent the only weapons that flew. Within hours, more than 60 Iranian-aligned cyber groups mobilized, according to Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 , armed with AI-assisted reconnaissance tools and a mandate to strike back where it hurts most: Americas corporate nervous system. Story Continues Aggressive and creative resistance is baked into the ethos of the Iranian security apparatus, Brian Carbaugh, co-founder and CEO of AI-based security firm Andesite and a former director of the CIAs elite Special Activities Center, previously told Fortune. For business leaders and those protecting businesses and making decisions at a very high level, they need to be prepared for this to continue on for some time and for the conflict to take a number of different courses of direction and swerve around the road. AI as the great equalizerand the great threat multiplier What separates this conflict from previous cyber flashpoints is the role of artificial intelligence (AI) on both sides of the battlefield. U.S. and Israeli forces have used AI platforms from Palantir and the Pentagons Maven Smart System to execute more than 15,000 strikes since the war beganover 1,000 per daywith remarkable precision, according to security columnist Shimon Sherman of the Jewish News Syndicate. AI has compressed the military kill chain from days to minutes, he added. (Iran, for its part, has used its firepower to target data centers in the UAE). But cybersecurity firm CloudSek argued in a blog post that the same compression is now available to Irans proxiesand to any hacker group with a laptop and access to an AI reconnaissance pipeline. AI tools have sharply lowered the barrier to identifying and exploiting exposed industrial control systems, default credentials, and internet-facing corporate infrastructure across America. Threat groups with no prior industrial control systems background are now, effectively, sophisticated actors overnight. Flashpoint said the 313 Team, an Iranian-aligned Cyber Islamic Resistance group, claimed a complete shutdown of the official British Army websitea clear signal that state-adjacent institutions and critical government infrastructure are primary targets. The defender is already behind What makes the current threat environment uniquely dangerous for corporate America is the simultaneous convergence of physical and cyber disruption. On March 17 alone, a drone strike on the Fujairah oil hub in the UAE halted refining operations; a Kuwaiti-flagged LNG tanker was damaged by drone debris near the Strait of Hormuz; and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad suffered its heaviest attack since the war began. These are not abstract geopolitical eventsthey are direct shocks to the energy supply chains that power global commerce. The conflict has entered a stage where the economic and operational impacts are becoming much more visible, said Josh Lefkowitz, CEO of Flashpoint, in a statement issued Wednesday. Were seeing disruption at major transportation hubs, pressure on global shipping routes, and cyber activity targeting private companies already creating ripple effects across supply chains, travel, and day-to-day commercial operations. For organizations connected to the region, the risk environment now includes simultaneous physical disruption and cyber activity. The timing couldnt be worse for corporate America. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)the federal governments primary cyber defense bodyis hobbled by furloughs, a leadership reshuffle, and the lingering effects of a partial government shutdown. The cavalry, in other words, is understaffed and reorganizing. Meanwhile, Irans own command structure has been decimated by allied strikesincluding the elimination of Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary unitwhich, paradoxically, makes the threat more dangerous, not less. The Iranian leadership vacuum is likely going to lead to more unpredictable, decentralized proxy attacks, Kathryn Raines, a former NSA expert who is now a threat intel team lead at Flashpoint, told Fortunes Amanda Gerut. Decentralized means harder to anticipate, harder to attribute, and harder to stop. President Trump has also accused Iran of weaponizing AI for disinformation, allegedly collaborating with media outlets to shape narratives around the conflict. Corporate reputationsnot just networksare now targets. The boardroom imperative Every Fortune 500 CEO sitting in a board meeting this week faces the same stark reality: the Iran war has permanently altered the cyber threat landscape. AI hasnt just made attacks fasterit has made them cheaper, stealthier, and accessible to a sprawling ecosystem of state proxies and opportunistic hacktivists who share the same AI-assisted toolkit. The Pandoras box is open. The question isnt whether the next major attack on a U.S. corporation is comingits whether the C-suite will be ready when it does. Additional reporting contributed by Amanda Gerut. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com By Laila Kearney NEW YORK, March 19 (Reuters) - Google has signed agreements with five U.S. electric utilities in states from Arkansas to Minnesota to curtail its electricity use during periods of peak demand, the company said on Thursday, in its latest effort to secure power for fastgrowing data centers amid slow additions of new supply. Immediate access to large amounts of electricity has become one of the biggest obstacles in Big Techs race to expand artificial intelligence technologies, which are developed in energyintensive server warehouses known as data centers. With power supplies running short in some regions of the country, and new infrastructure often taking years to build, technology companies have recently taken unusual steps that have included constructing new power plants or bringing shuttered nuclear units back online. Under the demand response agreements, Google will reduce electricity consumption at some data centers when demand on the grid is exceptionally high. This is a really important tool for meeting future demand, said Michael Terrell, Googles head of advanced energy. Power demand typically spikes on very hot or cold days, when homes and businesses ramp up cooling or heating, increasing the risk of rolling blackouts. Utilities and grid operators maintain extra reserves and have long contracted with large energy users including manufacturers and cryptocurrency miners to scale back consumption during peak periods. Google has now signed contracts with Entergy Arkansas, Minnesota Power and DTE Energy, adding to initial agreements announced last year with Indiana Michigan Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Under the contracts, Google is making up to 1 gigawatt of its datacenter electricity demand available for curtailment during peakuse periods, when blackout risks are highest. One gigawatt can power about 750,000 homes. (Reporting by Laila Kearney in New York; Editing by Mark Porter) By Elvira Pollina and Gianluca Lo Nostro MILAN/PARIS, March 19 (Reuters) - Scaleway, a cloud service provider owned by France's Iliad, will open a new cloud region in Milan and is planning a further European expansion, as it seeks to compete with U.S. technology giants dominating the European market, it said on Thursday. Europe lacks large homegrown cloud computing companies, known as hyperscalers, and rising tensions ranging from foreign policy to regulations have fuelled calls within the European Union to reduce reliance on U.S. hyperscalers. Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud control around 70% of the EU cloud market, according to a study published by the European Parliament in December. Scaleway, which already operates cloud regions in France, Poland and the Netherlands, hopes to win over clients seeking a Europe-based alternative that fully complies with local regulations. It also plans to add soon two more cloud regions, in Sweden and Germany, with the locations yet to be chosen. "Europe cannot rely entirely on foreign hyperscalers to power its digital economy," CEO Damien Lucas said in a statement. Cloud regions are locations where providers house the infrastructure that supports applications and stores customer data. Milan, with its abundant infrastructure and role as a hub for global corporations, has become a preferred location for power-hungry artificial intelligence data centres in Europe. While Scaleway's product catalogue broadly matches what larger competitors offer, its scale remains smaller, and achieving the expansion needed to close that gap requires heavy capital spending. Iliad disclosed plans last year to invest 3 billion euros ($3.45 billion) in artificial intelligence infrastructure. ($1 = 0.8688 euros) (Reporting by Elvira Pollina, Gianluca Lo Nostro; Additional reporting by Leo Marchandon; Editing by Andrei Khalip) March 18 (Reuters) - Billionaire Elon Musk said late on Wednesday that his companies SpaceX AI and Tesla expect to continue ordering Nvidia chips at scale. * Tesla is designing its fifth-generation AI chip to powerits autonomous ambitions. The chips power Tesla's autonomousdriving systems, including the Full Self-Driving software. * In a separate post on X, Musk said that the AI5 chip canbe used for training in data centers but is primarily optimizedfor AI edge compute in humanoid robot Optimus and Robotaxi. * The Tesla CEO also said that the company expects a widerelease of an update to its Full Self-Driving (Supervised)software in a few weeks. * Musk said last Saturday that Tesla's Terafab project tomake artificial intelligence chips will launch in seven days. * Last month, SpaceX acquired xAI in an all-stock deal ahead of a potentialblockbuster initial public offering for SpaceX later this year.This is Musk's first post referring to the combined entity asSpaceX AI. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Sonia Cheema) SEOUL, March 19 (Reuters) - Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk said on Thursday that the automaker may be able to "tape out", a stage when a chip design is finalised and sent to a factory for production, its next-generation AI6 chips in December. Musk said last year that Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) would make the AI6 chips, likely to be used in self-driving cars and humanoid robots at Tesla' new factory in Taylor, Texas, after the Korean company clinched a $16.5 billion deal to supply artificial intelligence chips to the electric car maker. "With some luck and acceleration using AI, we might be able to tape out AI6 in December," Musk said on his social media platform X, when asked when the chip would reach final design. A Samsung executive said on Wednesday that it plans to produce Tesla chips, based on Samsung's advanced 2-nanomete process, in the second half of 2027. Sign up for the Yahoo Finance Morning Brief By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Subscribe (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Alexander Smith) SEOUL, March 19 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics said on Thursday that it plans to invest more than 110 trillion won ($73.24 billion) this year in order to lead the semiconductor industry in artificial intelligence. The company said in a corporate filing that it was also seeking meaningful mergers and acquisitions for robots, medical technology, auto electronics and air-conditioning solutions. ($1 = 1,501.8100 won) (Reporting by Heejin Kim and Hyunjoo Jin) For many decades, students have been steered toward a singular path: go to college, or risk falling behind. Its a message that took hold in the 1970s and 80s, when school districts removed shop classesonce designed to introduce students to trades like carpentry, welding, and electrical work. To the detriment of young people today, learning a trade was downgraded as the fallback option, a vocational consolation prize, according to Mike Rowe, best known for his stint hosting Dirty Jobs, a show that highlighted the dirtiestand most essentialjobs in America. That shift ultimately scared parents to death, Rowe said last week alongside BlackRock CEO Larry Fink at the companys 2026 Infrastructure Summit. Even with the financial burden of following the college path exploding. And now Gen Z are paying the price. Nothing in the history of western civilization has gotten more expensive more quickly than a four-year degree, Rowe said. Its not to say its not valuable, but I mean nothingnot real estate, not healthcare, not energy. At least in recent decades, the data backs him up. Between 1983 and 2025, the cost of college tuition has significantly outpaced every other household expense, according to analysis by J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Its collectively left young people facing a perfect storm: soaring student loan debt, degrees that dont translate into stable careers, and an AI-obsessed job market thats only growing more uncertain. Millions of Gen Z are ending up as NEETnot in employment, education, or trainingand stuck in a limbo that college was supposed to prevent. Simply put, the kids are not alright, Rowe said. If I had an alarm bell, I would ring it. Data center electricians are making upwards of $280,000 a year, according to Mike Rowe That mismatch has created a stark labor imbalance: too many young people chasing degrees, and not enough trained workers to fill critical, in-demand jobs. Nowhere is that clearer than in parts of the economy tied to the AI boom, where skilled labor is commanding salaries that rivalor exceedtraditional white-collar roles. During a recent visit to a data center in Plano, Texas, Rowe said he met three electriciansall under 30 years oldearning between $240,000 and $280,000 a yearwith no college debt. Even more striking: all three had been poached three times in the previous 18 months. Electricians, in particular, have emerged as some of the most in-demandand AI-resistantprofessions as companies race to build the infrastructure powering AI. An estimated 300,000 new electricians will be needed over the next decade, on top of replacing roughly 200,000 upcoming retirees. By Abhirup Roy and Akash Sriram SAN FRANCISCO, March 19 (Reuters) - Uber will invest up to $1.25 billion in electric vehicle maker Rivian as part of a deal in which the ride-hailing firm will start deploying 10,000 fully autonomous R2 SUVs as robotaxis from 2028, the companies said on Thursday. San Francisco-based Uber will make an initial investment of $300 million, and will fund the remaining amount through 2031, subject to Rivian meeting certain autonomous milestones, the companies said. Uber's investment is seen as crucial for Rivian, providing both much-needed capital and a high-volume commercial partner. Rivian said it no longer expects to achieve adjusted core profit in 2027 as it ramps up research and development spending to accelerate its autonomous driving roadmap. "We believe this was widely expected," said BNP Paribas analyst James Picariello. "We do still expect Rivian to achieve breakeven EBITDA in 2028, with positive free cash flow in 2030. We believe Uber's initial investment will cover the additional R&D spend." Rivian's shares pared gains after gaining nearly 12%. The stock was last up about 1% in afternoon trading. Interest in driverless taxis has surged in recent months after years of missed promises, with artificial intelligence and tech partnerships offering hopes of solving complex traffic scenarios faster and mitigating high costs. While Rivian, known for its high-end R1S SUVs and R1T pickup trucks, has not launched a robotaxi yet, it unveiled its first custom computer chip for self-driving in December. The company is also gearing up to roll out its smaller, more affordable R2 SUVs this quarter. Meanwhile, Alphabet's Waymo, which runs about 2,500 robotaxis in several U.S. cities, has accelerated its rollouts, while Tesla has launched a small robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, with CEO Elon Musk promising rapid expansion this year. R2 robotaxis will be available exclusively on Uber's platform, starting with San Francisco and Miami, the companies said, adding that Uber has the option to buy up to 40,000 more beginning in 2030. "Should all milestones be achieved, the companies will have deployed thousands of unsupervised Rivian R2 robotaxis across 25 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe by the end of 2031," they said. Uber is positioning itself as a marketplace for multiple robotaxi operators, and has partnered across much of the autonomous vehicle industry, including with Waymo, Baidu and Lucid. It is also working with Nvidia on autonomous driving, leveraging the chip designer's AI and simulation platforms to support the development and scaling of robotaxi systems. (Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo and Alan Barona) "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Your digestive system is responsible for taking all the food that you eat and breaking it down into the macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients that your body needs to thrive. Its a vital system that deserves care and nourishment of its own, which is why we asked gastroenterologists for their number-one food for better digestion. Meet the experts: Trisha Pasricha, M.D., a gastroenterologist, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and author of Youve Been Pooping All Wrong;Supriya Rao, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants in Lowell, MA. Advertisement Advertisement First off, experts say that focusing on one nutrient in particular may be even more important than the specific foods you choose. The single most important thing most people can do for their digestion is eat more fiber. Over 95% of Americans arent getting enough, says gastroenterologist Trisha Pasricha, M.D., an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and author of Youve Been Pooping All Wrong. The digestive system doesnt actually break down fiber the way it does protein or fatinstead, the fiber becomes food for the beneficial bacteria living in your gut, explains Supriya Rao, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants in Lowell, MA. When those break down fiber, they produce short chain fatty acids that help support the lining of your intestines and reduce inflammation, she adds. There are plenty of fiber-rich plant foods to choose from, including beans, legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, but one Dr. Pasricha recommends is kiwifruit. Clinical trials show that eating two kiwis a day can improve bowel movements and help relieve constipation, she says. According to a study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, the fiber in kiwifruit has a large capacity for absorbing and retaining water, which can soften stool and increase frequency of bowel movements in people with constipation. Plus, kiwi is sweet and delicious, easily enjoyed at any time of day as part of a meal, snack, or treat. While eating more kiwis may be beneficial for your gut health, Dr. Rao stresses the importance of eating the rainbow when it comes to these fiber-rich foods. Your gut microbiome will function best when you eat a wide range of plant foods, she says. If your dishes look colorful, you are doing it correctly! You Might Also Like A respiratory virus is spiking in multiple states right now. Youve likely never heard of it 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Claroty, the cyber-physical systems (CPS) protection company, today announced new research on CPS becoming a preferred target of opportunistic threat actors, who are often inspired politically and socially by geopolitical events. The new report from Clarotys Team82, Analysing CPS Attack Trends, analyses more than 200 attacks carried out by more than 20 threat-actor groups against CPS in numerous industries over a 12-month period. The research shows that 82% of attacks against CPS involve using virtual network computing (VNC) protocol clients to remotely access exposed, internet-facing assets, with 66% of incidents including the compromise of human machine interfaces (HMI) or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems that control industrial processes. Both device classes oversee industrial processes in real time, and any illicit access or manipulation could have extremely serious consequences for organisations and the populations they serve, including but not limited to service disruption, physical damage to assets, or endangering the personal safety of workers or the general public. Many of these attacks are also decidedly low-tech and do not require vulnerabilities or extensive knowledge of devices or protocols being leveraged. The data revealed that attacks from these groups targeting CPS were largely driven by political or social goals that align with known nation-state attacker motivations. Given the long-running geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the four-year-old war between Russia and Ukraine, Team82 attributed many of the incidents to Russia- and Iran-affiliated threat actors. Key findings include: 81% of incidents carried out by Iran-affiliated groups targeted organizations in the U.S. and Israel 71% of incidents carried out by Russia-affiliated groups targeted organizations in the European Union (EU) countries The top Russian-targeted EU countries were Italy (18%), France (11%), and Spain (9%) Our research reveals a major escalation in how malicious actors are infiltrating the operational systems that underpin societys daily operations, said Amir Preminger, CTO and head of Team82 at Claroty. Attackers are using relatively low-tech means to target critical sectors, from manufacturing, to water and waste, to power generation, to healthcare, industries whose disruption would lead to dire, if not dangerous consequences. Based on whats uncovered in the research, theres a clear need to bolster security efforts for CPS, and organisations can no longer tolerate lax cybersecurity practices around these devices. Organisations responsible for CPS environments can take a number of steps to strengthen their defences: Secure internet-facing devices: Check the configurations of operational technology (OT), connected smart devices, and internet of medical things (IoMT) devices, and ensure that there are proper precautions taken to prevent enumeration of these devices, as they are increasingly connected to the internet. Check the configurations of operational technology (OT), connected smart devices, and internet of medical things (IoMT) devices, and ensure that there are proper precautions taken to prevent enumeration of these devices, as they are increasingly connected to the internet. Remedy insecure by design/default: Defenders must be vigilant about default, or known, weak credentials, and proactively change them as devices are deployed online. They should evaluate and understand other insecure configurations, and any security issues must be addressed before devices are connected online. Defenders must be vigilant about default, or known, weak credentials, and proactively change them as devices are deployed online. They should evaluate and understand other insecure configurations, and any security issues must be addressed before devices are connected online. Upgrade insecure protocols: Since many of the attacks researched by Team82 featured the use of insecure-by-design protocols such as VNC and Modbus that lack basic security capabilities such as authentication and encryption, defenders should inventory their most sensitive connected assets and move to more secure communication protocols. Since many of the attacks researched by Team82 featured the use of insecure-by-design protocols such as VNC and Modbus that lack basic security capabilities such as authentication and encryption, defenders should inventory their most sensitive connected assets and move to more secure communication protocols. Know the adversary: It is important to understand the motivations and tactics of hacker groups, particularly hacktivists in the case of this research, in order to determine likely next targets within a given industry, or whether particular CPS assets are similarly exposed as other organisations that have been compromised. To access Team82s complete set of findings, in-depth analysis, and recommended security measures, download the Analysing CPS Attack Trends report. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. China is helping Cuba race to capture renewable solar energy as the United States imposes an effective oil blockade on the Caribbean island, creating its worst energy crisis in decades. As the Trump administration steps back from U.S. climate commitments and reinvests in fossil fuels, China is flexing its dominance in renewable energy, using offers of equipment, expertise and financing as geopolitical levers. Beijing has ramped up energy assistance to Havana in recent years amid a deepening security relationship, which allegedly includes spy stations in Cuba that can gather intelligence on the United States and neighbors. This support is now drawing greater interest as President Donald Trump ratchets up pressure on the Cuban government to enter into negotiations by cutting off oil supplies and threatening to seize the country. "I do believe I'll [have] the honor of taking Cuba," Trump said on Monday. Asked whether this meant diplomacy or military action, he said: "Taking Cuba in some form whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it if you want to know the truth. They're a very weakened nation right now." Following the U.S. military's capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump's threats hardly seem like empty rhetoric. The United Nations has warned that Cuba, a nation of 11 million is already on the verge of humanitarian "collapse." and the country has faced a major energy crisis with intermittent blackouts disrupting critical operations. On Monday, Cuba's energy ministry afternoon reported a "total disconnection" of the national electric system. A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said in February that energy cooperation with Cuba has achieved "fruitful results" and will continue. "We oppose unwarranted interference by external forces and reject any actions that deprive the Cuban people of their right to subsistence and development," spokesman Liu Pengyu said in a statement to The Washington Post. China's foreign minister spoke to his Cuban counterpart last week, days after Trump said the island was in "deep trouble." China's decades-long push into clean energy technology is now helping to protect it from the soaring oil and gas crisis spurred by Trump's war against Iran. But even before oil and gas prices skyrocketed this month, China was flexing its dominance and in few places has this been more evident than Cuba. Chinese exports of solar equipment to Cuba skyrocketed from about $5 million in 2023 to $117 million in 2025 and show no sign of stopping, according to the British energy think tank Ember. Beijing pledged last year to help Cuba build more than 92 solar parks by 2028, and more than half of these projects have come online, authorities say. Satellite imagery from 2025 shows clusters of solar panels springing up over a matter of weeks. This month, the Cuban government announced that the island had generated more than 900 megawatts of photovoltaic energy in one midday segment for the first time. Because Cuba's energy demands are comparatively low, even a small amount of additional input has made a marked contribution. Solar could now be responsible for as much as 10 percent of Cuba's electricity generation, according to Ember analyst Dave Jones, up from almost nothing a year ago. That would be among the fastest expansions of solar energy anywhere, Jones said, and place Cuba ahead of most countries - including the U.S. - in the share of electricity generated by sun power. "Cuba," he said, "is perhaps in the middle of one of the most rapid solar revolutions." Chinese authorities have made clear that they intend to replicate what they're doing in Cuba elsewhere. The recent volatility in fossil fuel supplies will aid their cause, say analysts. "Fossil fuel dependency is ripping away national security and sovereignty and replacing it with subservience and rising costs," Simon Stiell, the United Nations climate chief told European leaders in Brussels on Monday. "Sunlight doesn't depend on vulnerable shipping straits." 'Making it happen' One reason Cuba has ramped up so swiftly is that Chinese companies aren't just producing and exporting solar equipment - they have also been facilitating installation, with Chinese companies working directly in Cuba to build solar farms. That's different from other countries that have adopted Chinese clean energy technology en masse, such as Pakistan, where customers have largely been individual households and businesses that buy and install panels on their own rooftops. "China is not going and installing loads of small sites of solar across the world," Jones said, "so what we're seeing is quite unique to Cuba." Elsewhere, he said, government permissions and contracts for such projects can take months or years. In Cuba, Chinese companies are "just making it happen." Still, solar power isn't close to fulfilling Cuba's energy needs. Fossil fuels provided up to 95 percent of Cuba's energy mix as recently as early 2024, according to official figures. Trump has said he is willing to go to extreme lengths to drive the Cuban communist government led by President Miguel Diaz-Canel to make a deal that would include various concessions to the U.S. China's support is "not going to make enough of a difference" against that pressure campaign, said Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. In a speech broadcast publicly last week, Diaz-Canel acknowledged that the dramatic increases in solar capacity has not been enough to solve the energy crisis. "Even with everything we're putting together, we still need oil," he said. While Chinese officials have repeatedly condemned the Trump administration's actions against Cuba, they are also wary of overstepping "in the backyard of the U.S.," said Yanran Xu, an associate professor of international relations at the Renmin University of China in Beijing. Publicly, China has framed its support of Cuba's renewable energy sector primarily in economic and humanitarian terms. "But sometimes," Xu said, "the economic argument goes with strategic goals. They overlap." Pan Deng, a prominent Chinese scholar on Latin America, said last month that China's economic strengths, including in "new energy technologies," make it an essential partner for the region. "Even if some Latin American countries show political deference to the United States," he wrote in the state-owned Global Times, "their deep economic integration with China means they cannot sever pragmatic cooperation with Beijing." 'Below the radar screen' In 2023, U.S. officials said China had established an eavesdropping station in Cuba that allowed it to harvest electronic communications in the American Southeast. In 2024, at least four China-linked sites in Cuba appeared capable of collecting intelligence on the U.S., the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies reported. Beijing has an interest in "the survival of a friendly regime close to the U.S.," Ellis said, but it probably does not want to be seen as intervening so directly that it elicits backlash from Washington. Shipping solar panels is one option that so far has flown "below the radar screen," he said. Given Cuba's tropical climate and existing energy infrastructure, researchers say, there's still significant room for solar to grow. The Cuban government this month lifted tariffs on solar imports and introduced new incentives for individuals to adopt solar energy. "There's an easy route for Cuba to continue," Jones said. What Cuba needs next is battery systems, which are essential for storing photovoltaic energy for use overnight, when deficits are most acute. Large-scale battery storage is expensive and can be difficult to install. But China is racing to improve the technology, Jones said, and progress in recent months has been "incredible." "According to Ember's data, Chinese battery exports last year hit a record high. (COMMENT, BELOW) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. We rejoice when Republicans and Democrats in our Congress today publicize bipartisan efforts to get legislation passed. Mind you, this should be the norm and not the exception, but that's not the world we live in anymore. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has teamed up with fellow Republicans as well as Democrats for the worthiest of causes: banning the use of non-disclosure agreements to silence victims of sexual abuse. The movement to protect sexual abuse victims from NDAs has roots in Dallas thanks to the advocacy of Elizabeth Carlock Phillips. She lost her 28-year-old brother, Trey Carlock, to suicide in 2019 after he settled a civil lawsuit against a Missouri children's camp over the abuse he suffered as a child. The settlement entailed an NDA. Phillips wrote on our pages that this NDA weighed on her brother, to the point where he worried about even telling his story in therapy for fear that Kanakuk Kamps, the Missouri-based summer camp that is somehow still popular here, would come after him. NDAs are designed to muzzle victims while protecting the people who groom and take advantage of children and other vulnerable people. The ability to hide their crimes makes it easier for the abusers to find new victims, as multiple church scandals have made abundantly clear. Carlock Phillips teamed up with a bipartisan group in the Texas Legislature in 2025 and helped pass Trey's Law, which voids the use of NDAs in civil cases involving sexual abuse and trafficking. The law applies to all such agreements, regardless of the age of the victim when the abuse occurred. Missouri, California and Tennessee have similar laws. Cruz announced this month that he is working with Republican Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama and Eric Schmitt of Missouri as well as Democratic Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Peter Welch of Vermont to pass a federal Trey's Law. The bill introduced by Cruz would outlaw NDAs in child sexual abuse cases. According to Cruz's office, the protection would apply regardless of whether the NDA was signed before or in the course of civil litigation. We appreciate Cruz's leadership in promoting laws to shield sexual exploitation victims from further harm. Our junior senator was instrumental in passing the federal Take It Down Act to prosecute people who post or threaten to post nonconsensual intimate images, even "deepfake porn generated with artificial intelligence. That law, too, was inspired by a young Texan. Aledo High School student Elliston Berry was 14 when a classmate used an AI platform to create realistic nude images of her that were then shared around the school. As AI platforms proliferate, it is that much more important for members of Congress to crack down on tech companies. Plenty of evidence has surfaced over the years that these companies have turned a blind eye to predators because the bottom line is to grow an ever-younger audience addicted to their products, even when those products put them at risk. We urge Cruz to continue championing children's safety by working across the aisle. This should be his legacy. (COMMENT, BELOW) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. At 207 minutes into Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony, host Conan O'Brien began stage-whispering to the attendees in the first row awaiting the night's biggest trophies. "We're almost there," he encouraged the theater full of famous people - but also, the people watching from home. "We're almost there!" But then it was still 15 more minutes before "One Battle After Another" took home best picture, with Paul Thomas Anderson making his third trip to the podium that evening, after also winning best director and best adapted screenplay - each time finding ever more people he'd previously forgotten to thank. The Oscars are a celebration of a magical art form that promises to sweep us into another reality, packaged in a telecast that perpetually leaves us with numb butts. For years, the Academy Awards have resolvedly, optimistically chased a sub-three-hour running time. Would Sunday be the night? Oh, honey, of course not. You can't blame a man like Anderson for reveling in the kind of professional nirvana that only, say, Michael Phelps could possibly identify with. And yet the ceremony was, again, an illustration of the Oscars' enduring tug-of-war between self-consciousness and self-aggrandizement. There's always a host (an O'Brien, a Kimmel, a DeGeneres) who tries to make it plain that we all agree that this crowd in the Dolby Theatre is too rich, too beautiful, too thin and too blessed, and that the ceremony has been too long for far too long. ("Our next presenter heroically saved last year's Oscars from running short," O'Brien quipped as he brought out long-winded 2025 best actor winner Adrien Brody.) But at the same time, the show is unwilling to cut anything that would cut minutes, and the Oscars would also like us to know that it is doing essential, perhaps even holy work in recognizing all those sound techs, set designers and, for the first time last night, casting directors. Honoring "something of beauty," as we heard presenters and honorees intone through the night. The "rarest quality," a thing that "connects us as humans across borders." "I don't know where any of us would be without our storytellers," academy president Lynette Howell Taylor announced, and the answer is that we'd be in bed two hours ago. I do take her point. I believe her point. But sometimes, just for fun, I like to imagine literally any other industry holding such a public display of congratulations for its own work. I like to imagine turning on the television to watch fast-food employees clasping their salted hands in a giant auditorium as the cameras zero in on five individuals - casting by Wendy's, Burger King, McDonald's, Five Guys and Chick-fil-A - and a voice-over announces, "And the winner for best fry cook " One issue with asserting that movies connect all of humanity is that, according to a Pew study conducted in summer 2025, only about half of Americans had even seen a movie in the theater in the previous year. The rest of us presumably waited until "Marty Supreme" was available on demand and then spent a week watching it in increments of 30 minutes until we nightly passed out on our sofas. Either that, or we decided that it was just going to be more of a "Mormon Housewives" kind of year. We are who we are. Starting in 2029, the Oscars won't even be on broadcast television anymore. They're moving to YouTube, which O'Brien reminded us of in some of the night's best bits. In one, he previewed what a streaming version of the ceremony might look like, interrupted at random intervals by parody low-rent ads starring Jane Lynch dementedly hawking "the flashlight that killed bin Laden." In another, he promised to speak in a language that would attract a younger audience, launching into a monologue about hostmaxxing and brainrotting, before landing on "six-seven." What are the Oscars going to do? What are any of us going to do? Old models are failing, revenue streams are depleting, AI is coming for us all. If the Oscars were going to be better, they'd be better by now; they've had 98 years of practice, after all. But while producers have occasionally tweaked the ceremony - two hosts, no hosts, veteran hosts, newbies - nothing has been revolutionized. I spent more than a decade covering the ceremony on deadline - sometimes on-site in Los Angeles, sometimes from The Washington Post's newsroom - but when that tour of duty ended, I took a break for a while. Sunday was the first time in 16 years I'd watched like a regular person in my living room, and what surprised me was how little had changed. Opening monologue, musical number, closeup on Leonardo DiCaprio, gentle joke. "Have they done In Memoriam yet?" my visiting mother asked, settling down on the couch midway through. As if on cue, Billy Crystal appeared on screen to honor his beloved friend Rob Reiner. "Wait is it STILL on?" a friend messaged, and like clockwork, the cast of "Bridesmaids," who had reunited for the 15th anniversary of their 2011 film, were up onstage pretending to read a note written by the child actor from "Hamnet": "I'm tired and I want to go home. This show is very long, and there's no pizza." On Sunday, the answer to What are the Oscars going to do? was mostly: Enjoy it while it lasts. Celebrate what is important to you. Find ways to delight, such as bringing in Misty Copeland to show all these subtle screen actors what true stage presence looks like. Find ways to stir emotion, such as when Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win an Academy Award for cinematography and invited every woman in the room to stand up. But mostly, enjoy it while it lasts. Go nostalgic, by reuniting Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman from "Moulin Rouge!," by having Barbra Streisand sing a few bars to an image of Robert Redford. Go over budget. Go over time. Sooner or later you'll be replaced by artificial intelligence, so who cares if you blow past three hours, 3.5 hours, closer to four hours? What are they going to do? Banish you to YouTube? Since that's happening anyway, enjoy it while it lasts. Make them play you off the screen. (COMMENT, BELOW) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani claims that the city budget has a $5.4 billion shortfall, and one of the ways he proposes to close that gap is by changing the state's estate tax laws. At present, New York imposes a death tax of 16% on estates worth more than $7 million. Mamdani wants to lower that threshold to estates worth only $750,000, he's proposing increasing the tax to 50%, and the tax would be imposed not only on the assets in excess of $750,000 but on the entirety of the estate. That may sound like a lot of money to some, but to put things in perspective, the average price of a single-family home in Staten Island or Queens is more than $700,000. In Westchester County, it's more than $800,000. In other words, a married couple who bought a home 30 or 40 years ago, paid off their mortgage, and saw the value of that asset appreciate over the years will not be able to leave that property to their children or anyone else when they die. It will have to be sold, and half the proceeds given to the government. For most homeowners, their home is their single most valuable asset, and its appreciation in value is the greatest source of any increase in personal wealth. Mamdani's estate tax proposal would absolutely gut that. But it would not just be homes that are affected. The average value of a farm in New York state is around $700,000. A small gas station could be valued at anywhere from $300,000 to $600,000. A nail salon in New York City averages between $300,000 and $1 million. Unsurprisingly, Mamdani's proposal is drawing sharp criticism; Mamdani said he was going to go after "the rich"; someone whose primary asset is a modest single-family home, a family farm or a small business is hardly "rich." But no one should be surprised. Mamdani is a "democratic socialist," which is just another name for a supporter of authoritarian collectivism and defender of demonstrably destructive economic policies. The initial hook for socialism is typically some version of "we're just going to get the rich to pay their fair share." But that has always been nonsense. First, "the rich" already pay the vast majority of taxes. The wealthiest 1% of Americans pay 40% of all income taxes. The wealthiest 10% pay 72% of all income taxes. Second, there aren't enough extremely wealthy people to pay for all the government programs that socialists want to create. No, the group that socialists are really after is the middle class, particularly entrepreneurs and small business owners. They are the real targets, because they are the bulwark against communism and socialism in this country. According to U.S. Census data, in 2023, there were more than 36 million firms in this country. More than 80% have no salaried employees, which the Census calls "non-employer firms." Of the remaining 6 million firms that do have employees, the vast majority have fewer than 20. And yet those small businesses are responsible for more than 50% of the net new jobs created in this country every year. If one uses the U.S. Small Business Administration's definition of "small business" any firm having 499 employees or fewer they represent 99.9% of all businesses in America, generate 43.5% of U.S. gross domestic product and employ almost 46% of the U.S workforce. America's culture of entrepreneurial capitalism has created and distributed more wealth than any system of government in human history. Entrepreneurs come from every walk of life, every race and ethnicity, and every conceivable background. The successes of entrepreneurs here prove that anyone can make it in the United States. That inconvenient fact debunks communists' and socialists' pet theories that pit "class" against "class" and argue for the need for government takeover of the economy. That's why "democratic socialists" like Mamdani put forth proposals that would cripple small business, and want to eliminate the assets single-family homes that so many aspiring entrepreneurs use to fund their startups. Mamdani's estate tax proposals are of a piece with his economic philosophies generally. One need only look at Cea Weaver, his director of the Office to Protect Tenants, who was caught on video declaring home ownership to be a tool of "white supremacy" (patently false and absurd nearly 50% of Black households in the U.S. own their homes) and arguing that the government should "seize" private property to "impoverish the white middle class." (Weaver, of course, is white, the child of wealthy parents, and a graduate of Bryn Mawr, a tony East Coast college that costs more than $90,000/year. Privilege for me but not for thee, suckers.) Mamdani and his fellow travelers also profess to be concerned for the welfare of immigrants, but socialist policies are just as destructive for newcomers to America as they are for the native-born. Immigrants have played a huge role in American entrepreneurship; half the nation's startups valued at a $1 billion or more were founded by immigrants. And every city is filled with convenience stores, bodegas, spas, restaurants and other modest-sized businesses launched by immigrants. The ability to come here, start a business and support your family was part of the American dream for many. Not if Democrats and "democratic socialists" have their way. As the fraud in deep-blue states like Minnesota, Washington and California proves, the Left's "business model" for today's immigrants is to import them by the millions, stick them on welfare and hand them billions in Americans' taxpayer dollars for ventures that don't really exist. That's not entrepreneurship; it's grift. It's not free-market capitalism; it's wealth redistribution. And it creates not economic growth and financial independence but a culture of theft and dependence upon government. Which is exactly the way the socialists like it. (COMMENT, BELOW) Laura Hollis is an attorney and academic. She resides in Indiana with her husband and their two children. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. The message appeared in English on Emanuel Fabian's 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 won't remember me anymore in a week." 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 didn't 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 who's ever thinking about threatening a journalist will maybe think twice." Fabian's 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 Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be ousted, citing a policy of not allowing bets on a person's 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. "I'd 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 didn't 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 aren't you updating this story from the 10th of March?'," he recounted. "I was so confused. Then I looked at the profiles, and I realized they're all Polymarket bettors. That's when it kind of clicked." By Sunday morning one person's 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 called themselves "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 didn't 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 Haim's demands. "I thought, 'Do I just change it? Because it doesn't really matter,'" he said. "But then I thought, 'You know, if I do this now, they're 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 he won't be the last and that other journalists might respond differently. Asked whether it's 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 it's not something he'd usually follow up on after a minor blast, given that it doesn't matter to most people unless they have money riding on the answer. Asked late Monday if they had any more information on the March 10 blast, an IDF spokesperson said they did not have any on hand but would 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 Polymarket's 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-Connecticut) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) are expected to introduce 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 Maduro's 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," Murphy's 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. Fabian's 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." Will Oremus is a technology reporter covering the collision of social media, AI and democracy. Previously: Trump's campaign against 'left-wing' media finds a new target: Apple News Trump is targeting 'woke AI.' Here's what that means Pro-Iran propaganda network gains traction with posts about Epstein (COMMENT, BELOW) Lebanese Website Launches New Digital Platform to Revive Assyrian Language Beirut -- As part of ongoing efforts to preserve the identity of younger generations and strengthen their connection to their cultural roots, renewed attention is being given to teaching the language of their ancestors -- the Syriac language. Syriac, a Semitic language, served for centuries as an official language in several states and carries within its script a rich heritage of manuscripts and scientific works that contributed to the transmission of knowledge and the development of civilizations. Today, artificial intelligence tools and modern technological advancements are being leveraged to help safeguard this language. Mario Dayba, publisher of the website "Christian Lebanon" -- considered a national civic movement aimed at organizing Lebanese Christians into a structured, transparent, and capable community -- has announced the development of a new online educational platform dedicated to teaching Syriac. The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with a select group of leading Syriac language instructors in Lebanon. In a statement posted on X, Dayba noted that the platform is currently in its final testing phase and is expected to be officially launched within the next few days. In previous opinion articles, Dayba emphasized: Every people is first defined by its language. Borders can shift. Parties can rise and fall. Institutions can be captured. But language is the deepest marker of continuity, because it carries the way a people names the world, prays, argues, remembers, and teaches its children. When a language retreats, a people does not disappear overnight. It dissolves quietly, one generation at a time, into the stronger cultural current around it. That is why Syriac is not a 'heritage project.' It is an identity project, and identity is not decoration. Identity is survival. He also stressed that Lebanese Christians need to return to their historical language, not through an abrupt transformation, but through a long-term and serious process of restoration. Language can gradually become part of everyday life if it is embraced beyond its traditional settings, Dabya said. He explained that the first step is moving it from a language associated primarily with clergy into one used within families, followed by a shift in which children come to see it as something normal rather than unfamiliar. Over time, he added, it can evolve into a shared point of reference across regions and communities. Dabya stressed that this is how identity is sustained -- not through rhetoric, but through daily practices, such as what people read, sing, display in public spaces, and pass on within their homes. Insight Outrage Hypocrisy: America's Accidental Tragedy vs. Iran's Deliberate Atrocities By Larry Elder Published March 19, 2026 SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. The recent U.S. Tomahawk missile strike in Iran, which reportedly killed 170 school children, has ignited a firestorm of outrage from anti-war critics. Former Clinton White House staffer Keith Boykin used the unintentional tragedy, under investigation by the Pentagon, to write off the three-week-old Iran war as "a disaster for the 170 school children" and "an unmitigated disaster for the world." Apart from the estimated 20,000 to 30,000 Iranian protesters killed early this year, consider Iran's intentional history of using its children during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War. To repel Saddam Hussein's invasion, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini mobilized child soldiers boys as young as 9 or 12 from poor families to serve as human minesweepers. Children were promised martyrdom and given "keys to paradise" to wear around their necks. Iranian commanders sent waves of them, often tied them together with ropes to prevent retreat. They marched onto minefields and detonated explosives with their bodies, clearing paths for tanks and adult troops. Estimates suggest as many as 500,000 children were used in this way, with tens of thousands blown to pieces or mowed down by Iraqi machine guns. Some sources suggest some 100,000 died to clear the field for tanks and soldiers. Survivors recount the horror bound together, facing withering fire, their small bodies exploding on mines. Iran's leaders glorified it as holy duty. The depravity is staggering. Iran treats its own children like disposable tools, exploiting their poverty and brainwashing them with visions of post-death paradise. What would Iran do with a nuclear bomb? Imagine the mullahs, who chant "Death to America" and fund proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, armed with nukes and missiles. They would not hesitate to threaten Israel, Saudi Arabia, Europe and America. Iran, since the state of this war, has launched strikes against over a dozen countries, including "neutral" gulf states. Their proxy wars have already killed thousands. A nuclear Iran could kill millions. The regime's history of terrorism from the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing to plots against dissidents abroad shows they're not rational actors. Preventing that nightmare is why this war, however messy, is necessary. Appeasement, as with former President Barack Obama's nuclear deal, only emboldened them. Let's not forget the civilian toll. During the Obama administration, drone strikes in places like Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, including children. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimate that between 300 and 800 civilians were killed in those covert operations (excluding active war zones like Syria and Afghanistan). The Obama administration itself acknowledged between 64 and 116 civilian deaths in non-battlefield strikes from 2009 to 2016, though critics argued the true number was far higher. As with the Tomahawk strike on the Iranian school, the strikes conducted under Obama were not a deliberate targeting of innocents. Those civilian deaths resulted from intelligence errors in remote, hard-to-verify areas. Where was the outrage from the anti-Iran war critics when Obama ordered the attacks that killed civilians and children? Where was the outrage over Iran's intentional mass killings of its own people, including the use of children and human detonators? According to the 2013 book "Double Down: Game Change 2012," Obama reportedly told senior aides, "Turns out I'm really good at killing people. Didn't know that was going to be a strong suit of mine." It's the kind of off-the-cuff remark that, if made by President Donald Trump, would be yet another addition of the ever-increasing list of "why I hate Trump." Yes, mourn the 170 children. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. But the fury should be directed to Tehran. That regime has been at war against America for 47 years, including attacks on U.S. bases; killing American soldiers with IEDs with Iran's fingerprints on them; nuclear saber-rattling; and lethal regional aggression through its terror proxies. This is the real villain. America fights with rules and restraint. We are civilized. We regret mistakes that cause civilian deaths and show genuine contrition. Iran fights with fanaticism. It uses its own kids as shields and mine detectors. Iran must be stopped. Standing against Iran's evil protects innocents everywhere. This includes Iran's own oppressed people, as well as Americans who hate Trump. (COMMENT, BELOW) This is the administration's second effort to reduce government misspending and overspending following Elon Musk's effort as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. As we approach another April 15 with a $38 trillion debt (and counting) addressing fraud is something that ought to be a bipartisan goal. The fact that it hasn't been a priority for politicians is largely because, I suspect, it isn't their money that is being wasted. It might also be said that those on the receiving end of ill-gotten gains are not about to relinquish their largesse. How bad is the problem? According to the disingenuously named Government Accountability Office (GAO), the federal government "loses between $233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud in improper payments." The GAO can't give an accurate figure and says it could be higher because not all losses are reported. If there was more accountability perhaps fraud would not be that big a problem. The GAO says 16 agencies reported a total loss of $162 billion in improper payments across 68 programs just in fiscal years 2024. It distinguishes between fraud and improper payments, but lost money is lost money no matter the process. It should come as no surprise, given past reports, that Medicare and Medicaid account for more than half (53 percent) of the fraudulent losses. Congress especially Republicans have failed to do anything to reform these entitlement programs for fear of being demagogued by the opposite party. Each of these government agencies have inspector generals, whose job it is to identify fraud and improper payments. Sometimes they do, but given the huge amount of lost money, it seems clear the crooks are running things like an old-fashioned Chicago crime syndicate. President Trump says that eliminating fraud will balance the budget. While it might help reduce the debt it wouldn't be enough to cancel it, not even close. Congress would need to step in to achieve a balanced budget like the deal worked out between President Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich way back in the 1990s. Fiscal responsibility seems to have gone the way of personal responsibility in our entitlement and no-fault culture. A White House fact sheet describing the president's executive order says that in addition to the reported $19 billion in fraud in Minnesota, "there is strong reason to believe similar vulnerabilities exist in California, Illinois, New York, Maine and Colorado, where insufficient safeguards and weak oversight increase the risk of large-scale fraud." Trump and Vance promise not only Democrat states will be investigated, but also Republican states, if there is evidence of fraud. It's a worthy goal and one taxpayers should favor, but eliminating fraud is something like eliminating sin, or Dracula's lust for blood. Once the initial announcement has been eclipsed by other events, let's hope the effort doesn't fade with it. There used to be something called the Puritan ethic in America where people and government were supposed to live within their means, avoid debt and especially be honest in their financial affairs. You have to go back a century to read about those values being generally accepted, if not always practiced. As half the country that pays taxes prepares to send more of the money we earn to Washington, which already takes in record amounts, one wishes the vice president more than luck in achieving his and the president's goals. It will take something we are unfamiliar with to achieve them. (COMMENT, BELOW) Cal Thomas, America's most-syndicated columnist, is the author of 10 books. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is fast becoming indispensable to modern medical practice. Whether they are using complex prognostic algorithms to model possible disease outcomes or they are upgrading medical bookkeeping applications, physicians employ various forms of AI to aid in daily tasks. And while these tools can produce unprecedented benefits, the increased incorporation of AI in medical practice also brings with it a number of key cybersecurity challenges. Medical information, naturally, is highly sensitive and confidential, and with the implementation of AI, the chances of such sensitive information falling into the wrong hands are ever increasing. For a medical practitioner, cyber threats and how they can be mitigated are now becoming an integral part of medical practice. The authors come at this problem from very different perspectives. One of us is a fourth-year medical student, digitally proficient and well-acquainted with the hidden dangers of ubiquitous technology. The other is a physician in his mid-60s, excited about potential uses of AI to improve medical practice but far less familiar with how to safeguard patient data in this new age. Both of us, however, agree that all physicians, no matter their age or comfort with new technologies, must be prepared to consider and address the challenges of using AI in health care. AI models often rely on training using vast datasets that include electronic health records, numerical data, imaging results, and demographic information. If this data is not properly protected and de-identified, it can become a target for cyber attacks. Several institutions have already experienced ransomware attacks that disrupt hospital operations and expose patient data, often resulting in legal consequences and extensive litigation. When AI systems are connected to external networks, they may create additional access points for attackers. Physicians who use AI tools should therefore be aware that accessing sensitive systems through unsecured devices or public networks create opportunities for cyber attacks. Another vulnerability is the integration of third-party AI platforms into clinical systems. Hospitals and clinics often depend on third-party providers for the delivery of AI services. Although these platforms can be convenient, they can also pose a weakness, especially if the vendors do not comply with robust cybersecurity standards. The physician may not always know where confidential information is being stored or how the AI platforms are processing the information. Patient data may also traverse the vendors unsecure systems before being processed by the actual AI model, creating a weak link in the cybersecurity chain. The patients information can sometimes be transmitted to cloud servers for processing. When the servers are breached, confidential patient information is at risk. Physicians should, therefore, thoroughly scrutinize AI platforms. Another way data privacy is compromised is when clinicians input easily identifiable patient data into AI models without adequate de-identification. There are some AI programs that store the input data from users or use it to enhance the model. Therefore, when patients data is input into an unsecure platform, the data may be stored or examined without proper oversight. A physician must avoid inputting protected health data into an AI program unless the program is specifically authorized and tested for clinical use. Additionally, a physician should avoid inputting large amounts of identifiable data whenever possible, as multiple demographic data points may allow malicious actors to identify a patient more easily. Therefore, only the necessary data should be entered, and where possible, approximate values can be used for numerical variables such as age, weight, and height to make it more difficult to identify a patient uniquely, a concept known as differential privacy. Secure training methods such as federated learning can also allow models to be trained locally at the point of use, without the need to externally transmit data. Threats to cybersecurity also extend to the actual processing and interpretation of the data. Malicious methods can be used to manipulate AI models themselves. Attackers might try to add tainted data to training datasets, which could lead to inaccurate results from the model. Malign actors can also modify input data in subtle ways, such as introducing minor perturbations to the individual pixels of an X-ray or CT scan, in such a way that leads the AI model to a misdiagnosis. This could result in incorrect clinical recommendations in diagnostic systems. Doctors should therefore keep in mind that AI results are not perfect and should always be cross-checked using clinical judgment. In summary, physicians can implement a number of useful initiatives to lower the risk of cyberattacks when it comes to AI. Clinicians should first be trained in responsible technology use and digital security. Many frequent cyber incidents can be avoided with a basic understanding of phishing emails, dubious links, and unreliable networks. In addition, doctors should adhere to institutional policies regarding device security and enable two-factor authentication when it is available to lessen the possibility that unauthorized actors will access health care systems. Before implementing new AI platforms, hospitals and clinics should also conduct rigorous cybersecurity evaluations. This entails confirming data storage procedures, encryption standards, and HIPAA compliance. Artificial intelligence has tremendous potential. On the other hand, AI also presents a complex cybersecurity landscape that must be navigated prudently. The physician has a key part to play in ensuring that the privacy of patients is not breached by ensuring that artificial intelligence technology is used in a responsible manner. This will help in ensuring that privacy breaches and cyber attacks are averted, thereby allowing the full benefits of technology and innovation in the delivery of medical services to be realized with minimal risks. Purab Patel is a medical student. Francisco M. Torres is an interventional physiatrist specializing in diagnosing and treating patients with spine-related pain syndromes. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Pain Medicine and can be reached at Florida Spine Institute and Wellness. Dr. Torres was born in Spain and grew up in Puerto Rico. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. Dr. Torres performed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Juan before completing a musculoskeletal fellowship at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans. He served three years as a clinical instructor of medicine and assistant professor at LSU before joining Florida Spine Institute in Clearwater, Florida, where he is the medical director of the Wellness Program. Dr. Torres is an interventional physiatrist specializing in diagnosing and treating patients with spine-related pain syndromes. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is a prolific writer and primarily interested in preventative medicine. He works with all of his patients to promote overall wellness. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Patient advocate Richard A. Lawhern discusses the article U.S. opioid policy history: How politics replaced science in pain care. Richard argues that for decades, public policy on pain treatment has been driven by sociopolitical factors rather than medical science. He traces the history from the business corruption phase of pill mills to the current political phase launched by the 2016 CDC guidelines. The conversation highlights how anti-opioid zealotry and legal fears have forced physicians to abandon effective pain care, leaving patients to suffer or turn to illicit markets. Richard also critiques the rising reliance on buprenorphine, suggesting it is popular not because of superior efficacy for pain, but because it offers a legal safe harbor for clinicians. Discover why Richard believes the confusion between physical dependence and addiction is driving a public health failure. 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. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome back Richard A. Lawhern. He is a patient advocate, and the KevinMD article we are talking about today that he co-authored is U.S. opioid policy history: how politics replaced science in pain care. Richard, welcome back to the show. Richard A. Lawhern: Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to be with you. Kevin Pho: All right, so tell us what led you and your co-author, I believe it is Stephen Nadeau, to write this article and share it on KevinMD. Richard A. Lawhern: Well, Dr. Nadeau and I have been longtime colleagues and co-advocates in a process of basically challenging what we believe is outright health care fraud on the part of major U.S. health care public policy agencies. From his clinical experience in behavioral neurology, he is presently a behavioral neurologist with the University of Florida Medical Center, and my experience as an advocate, we have carefully probed the literature on multiple subjects. If I might add a note of introduction for your readers, I personally have been active in this field for almost three decades. I am not a clinician myself. I am, however, a data analyst and health care educator with over 300 articles published, a good number of them with KevinMD, in this field. I focus particularly on the field of public policy with regard to the prescription of opioids. Dr. Nadeau has added to, helped to shape, and basically mentored me in the process of understanding how science and politics have influenced the development of health care policy concerning the treatment of pain and addiction. One thing that we are aware of is that public health policy has been controversial with regard to the prescription of opioids for something over 50 years. Dating all the way back to the Controlled Substances Act and the creation of the Drug Enforcement Agency, what we have seen is a steady erosion of clinician latitude or discretionary power in the practice of medicine that addresses pain management or addiction management. Dr. Nadeau and I are both convinced that current health care policy is clearly wrong on both scientific fact and ethics. It is wrong in ways that we believe the authors and reviewing officials of several of the opioid prescribing guidelines have known well before publication of their guidelines were simply not true. That is the basis for our accusations of fraud. In the current article, what we are witnessing is that drugs prescribed for addiction management are coming to be used widely on the basis of CDC and VA guidelines for the treatment of pain. However, the literature behind those treatments and behind that use reveals that these drugs are commonly understood to be basically very weak pain relief drugs. Their primary purpose is indeed in suppressing cravings or providing an alternative. Methadone, of course, also provides an alternative to people who are experiencing deep cravings for opioid drugs for a variety of reasons. In that regard, what patients tell doctors these days is that the drugs that are now being seen as sort of a safe haven for clinicians, where they anticipate that if they prescribe those drugs they are not going to be challenged by the DEA or by their state boards, really have very little useful application in pain management. Patients tell us that they might take the edge off, and that is a phrase I have heard often, but they dont really deal with it. In many cases, patients tell us that if one was to measure their pain on a scale of one to ten, a lot of their days are spent with pain at level twelve. For pain that is less than level ten, it is a little unusual for these drugs to reduce pain. For instance, buprenorphine reduces pain by no more than one or two levels on a scale of ten. Yet we are seeing those drugs, and the drugs commonly used to treat neuropathy, which is a very narrowly defined disorder, being proposed as substitutions for opioids. That is simply scientifically unsupported. So going back and looking at this history, and this is what we did for the article you mentioned, which is U.S. opioid policy history: how politics replaced science in pain care, from our combined experience of over 40 years in patient advocacy, pain management, and behavioral neurology, we are convinced that U.S. public perception and public policy on the treatment of pain have been driven almost entirely for close to 50 years by politics, not by science. They have very seldom in recent years been driven by science or even significantly influenced by it. For instance, in the late 1990s through about 2008, the U.S. enjoyed a very brief period of scientifically enlightened policy. A large number of patients almost certainly benefited from that policy. However, tragically, patients who were treated with opioids were very soon to become legacy patients. They were made prime targets for involuntary opioid tapering. Although university medical centers might have provided some scientifically based countervailing force to the various non-scientific influences, most of the time they simply flat out failed to do so. Beginning around the year 2000, corrupt physicians collaborated with corrupt pharmacies to create pill mills. In these organizations, a five-minute visit with a so-called clinician who was basically just a drug provider could net someone a prescription for a thousand pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone or OxyContin 30-milligram tablets, which would then be very promptly filled. The so-called patient would then disappear, often across state lines. Worse, the national drug distributors such as McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health strongly supported the pill mills. The pharmaceutical companies, particularly Mallinckrodt, provided volume discounts to the distributors. As a result, a tsunami of opioid goods flooded the country, and vulnerable populations began to evolve to become the heart of the modern phase of what we are now calling the opioid crisis. The decade from 2000 to 2010 was dominated by business corruption. In response, the DEA began prosecuting pill mills. The reason for that prosecution wasnt particularly transparent, and most pharmacists have since become fearful that dispensing opioids in any quantity would put them at risk. From 2008 to the present, there is a pharmacy shuffle that has emerged. By that we mean patients who had an opioid prescription issued by a clinician, even a clinician with excellent credentials, could not find a pharmacist who would fill that prescription. If the pharmacist was prescribing for any large number of patients, they might be absolutely put out of business by state attorneys general working with the DEA. We are now facing a panic phase of the opioid crisis, and well-intentioned pharmacists have revealed that they are after all human beings. They are afraid for their own livelihoods and they are refusing to fill legitimate prescriptions. Kevin Pho: So what I am hearing is that because of the DEA crackdown on opioid medications, a lot of these physicians, like you said earlier, are prescribing medications like buprenorphine and some of the medicines that are aimed for neuropathy like gabapentin, and they dont have the same efficacy as opioids. Under that setting where the DEA is cracking down on these pill mills and cracking down on opioid overprescribers, what is a path forward for physicians who do want to legitimately treat chronic pain? Richard A. Lawhern: This path forward is not going to be easy. Physicians are going to have to stand up and be counted, and they are going to have to do it in public forums, and they are going to have to do it in Congress. Basically, our congressional representatives do not really understand medicine and arent really interested in medicine because any subject that threatens their political contributions from hospital associations and from anti-opioid zealots simply doesnt get a hearing. A phrasing on this that I have used in some of my publications and in my podcasts has been that we are going to have to convince legislators at all levels and state boards of pharmacy and medicine at all levels that they must either reconsider their unjustified restrictions on opioid prescriptions or they are going to find themselves confronted with the need to avoid being prosecuted for negligent homicide. Now, this is not a conspiracy as such, and it is not a trivial consideration. But the reality is, and Congress must be convinced in both houses that it is, that present opioid policy that is promulgated by the CDC, the FDA, the Veterans Administration, and the DEA is profoundly destructive. It is overpoliticized and it is killing patients by the thousands by denying them pain care. What we are trying to do is to bring this subject to a head by repeatedly publishing the real science, which largely has not been acknowledged by the DEA, and by assisting doctors to defend themselves in adversarial proceedings. Those adversarial proceedings have literally thrown at least hundreds of clinicians into prison and they have forced thousands of clinicians out of pain management. That is not acceptable. The public realizes it is not acceptable. That is basically the purpose that Stephen Nadeau and I have undertaken along with a rather large network of other physicians who are also writing in this field. Kevin Pho: So let me ask, in terms of the current narrative of the opioid crisis where you have the addictive potential of opioids taking the forefront, how do you square that narrative of opioid addiction with appropriate chronic pain treatment sometimes needing opioids? Richard A. Lawhern: Squaring a circle in a sense is what we have done by analysis of the literature. We have demonstrated very conclusively and from multiple sources over the last 16 years that the addictive potential of opioids is far lower than has ever been acknowledged by the public health agencies. In fact, I will be giving a presentation in Virginia this coming March to a harm reduction conference called SYNC 2026, where I have been invited by the DC Department of Health and a harm reduction outfit called HealthHIV to present an indictment of the public health policies of our major agencies based on published data. That published data shows us, and this is really essential, that the so-called addictive potential of opioids affects fewer than one patient in 1,000 who are treated. We have multiple sources for that, and I can quote them for you. As a matter of fact, I have quoted several of them in the work that we have done together on KevinMD. The science simply does not support the position that is being taken by the agencies, and Congress has to fix that because the DEA and those agencies are never voluntarily going to let go of their distorted positions on this. The CDC has demonstrated this conclusively because they have published two guidelines, one in 2016 and the other in 2022. They flat out ignored the science and not only ignored it, they misrepresented the science. That is proven just by reading these documents. Anyone with an appropriate understanding of the medical science that surrounds this issue will tell you, and any doctor will tell you, that opioids are among the least toxic medications used in medical science. Let me give you an example if I may, and please interrupt me if you feel you need to. We know, for instance, that many people who are imprisoned with a history of drug use have acclimated to a dose level of opioids that you would measure not in milligrams of morphine, but in grams of morphine every day. That is like a 2,000 to 3,000 morphine milligram equivalent daily dose. It is only when they are weaned off of those opioids while in prison and then are discharged later that they overdose because they come back to the original dose levels that they experienced and were taken off of too rapidly. We can ask a question about this, and it is a serious question. This is not a trivial issue or a distortion. What other medications do we know that can be tapered to a level 50 times the recommended maximum dose without killing the patient? Opioids are one of those medications. The consequence of that is simply what we are recommending and what we have demonstrated in many of our published papers. One of the best that Stephen Nadeau and I were active in is called The two opioid crises. It is in Frontiers in Pain Medicine from about three years ago, and it is being very widely cited right now in the literature. One of the things that we have recognized is that the guidance that is being provided by the agencies flat out and fraudulently ignores the reality that there is an enormous range of tolerable dosages among people who are treated for pain using opioids. That range is at least 15 to one, and we know why it is 15 to one. The why is never once mentioned in CDC or FDA or DEA proceedings. It is never mentioned. Kevin Pho: Now, what is the motivation? What is their motivation for overstating, according to your data, the addictive potential of opioids? Money? Richard A. Lawhern: There is enormous money and it is traveling in very hard to trace circles. But basically money, professional dominance, and a certain degree of emotional denial are all operating in the policies of these agencies and in the activism of anti-opioid zealots. People who have lost a kid to opioid addiction or overdose want somebody to blame. Doctors who have staked their professional reputations on anti-opioid positions are quite willing to distort the science to defend themselves from basically being forced to retract what they have said up to now. Politicians dont give a rip one way or the other unless it generates campaign contributions. We all know that Congress certainly does not act on behalf of constituents until they are bludgeoned half to death. I realize I am being a little confrontational on that, but that is the way the system works. So the motivation here is that there is a lot of personal prestige and there is a lot of money from health care insurance companies. This is basically invested in the proposition that the more chronic pain patients we can kill off, the higher our profits will be. I know this is not an extreme position, and at least I encourage those who are seeing our podcast to realize this is not an extreme position. This is a position that is taken by tens of thousands of people on social media who are patients who have seen how this operates, and who are doctors and have been personally persecuted by a state board or by the DEA. One of the members of my speakers bureau in the national campaign to protect people in pain is a doctor who was successfully persecuted and imprisoned for seven years by the DEA and by its pet anti-opioid expert witnesses. If you basically review the proceedings, you realize that what really occurred was a kangaroo court. The judge himself was absolutely convinced that nothing that the defense had to say would make any difference at all, and he actively denied the defense any opportunity to challenge the qualifications of those who testified on behalf of the government. This is not unusual. I have seen it repeatedly and other doctors have seen it. Doctors more qualified than I have seen it in the court proceedings that have occurred against clinicians. To answer your question or reprise your question, money is the answer to this. The more patients the insurance companies can kill, the higher their profits. You know, we had an incident a year ago in New York when a health care insurance company executive was killed and the court proceedings have now been delayed for over a year. An effort is being made to move them out of the city of New York for a basic reason. The prosecutors are not convinced that they can get a conviction with any jury that has on it someone who has been mistreated by an insurance company. That is appalling. But runaway juries basically realize what is going on here. They realize that the corporate executives deliberately deny them care because the company doesnt want to pay. It is no more complicated than that. Kevin Pho: We are talking to Richard A. Lawhern, patient advocate. Todays KevinMD article is U.S. opioid policy history: how politics replaced science in pain care. Richard, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Richard A. Lawhern: OK, basic messages. One, I personally can be contacted at Lawhern. That is L-A-W-H-E-R-N at hotmail.com. I head up a national organization of over 1,500 patients and doctors. It is called the National Campaign to Protect People in Pain. We have an excellent website fresh out that you can come to, to amplify on these themes. Read the literature and understand where the factors are that you need to account for. It is called NCP3-advocates.org. We are here for you. We invite you to join as either patients or clinicians. We intend to force the retraction of all CDC and FDA guidelines on this subject in favor of doctors functioning with evidence-based practical medicine without the interference of state agencies. Our mission is a large one. Come join us and help us do it. Kevin Pho: Richard, thank you so much for sharing your insight. Thanks again for coming back on the show. Richard A. Lawhern: Thank you very much. I spent decades as a nurse, choosing a profession grounded in care, patience, science, and the belief that showing up for others matters, even on the hardest days. In 2017, that belief was shattered when I was physically assaulted at work. I survived, but I carry the scars of that day, both visible and unseen. I have worked hard to heal through therapy, reflection, and learning how to trust my body again. Even after the challenging road to recovery, what frightens me most is the aftermath for myself and the countless others: the subtle shift of blame, the lack of urgency to protect health care workers, the quiet suggestion that harm to a healer is simply an occupational hazard. Many days, I still struggle to take a full breath, not because of what happened then, but because of the world we live in now. A world that feels increasingly hostile, dismissive of suffering, and frighteningly comfortable with violence. Especially when that violence is directed at those who try to help. That fear surged again with the execution of Alex Pretti, RN. Like thousands of others, I watched the video of Alex Pretti being shot and killed on a street in Minnesota. Alex was a nurse. His final known act was attempting to care for and protect a woman who was being physically injured during an assault by ICE agents. Within hours, that old familiar narrative took hold: speculation about his character, justifications for the violence, assertions that his death was necessary. The machinery of authority moved quickly, not to mourn, but to explain. Something ancient woke in me that day. This retired dragon, tempered by years at the bedside and old trauma, rose again. My chest tightened. Breathing became difficult. The message was unmistakable: Even outside hospital walls, even when acting in pure alignment with who we are as nurses, we are still not safe. Violence against health care workers is rising. We are assaulted in patient rooms, hallways, parking lots, and now public streets. We are praised as heroes when it is convenient and left exposed when it is not. We are expected to absorb risk, pain, and trauma quietly, professionally, and without protest. The morning after Alex Pretti was killed, I woke heavy with grief, the emotional hangover that follows witnessing injustice layered on top of old wounds. Then I read Carleigh Berionts public statement titled simply, This Is Wrong. For the first time in a long while, I felt air in my lungs. Beriont spoke plainly. She refused euphemism. She rejected the reflexive dehumanization that so often follows state violence. In a political climate where silence is safer than clarity, her words felt like recognition, like someone finally naming the truth health care workers have been carrying for years. I reached out to Carleigh to have a heart-to-heart discussion about the impact of Alexs murder on the psyches of health care workers. Leaders, after all, need to listen to lead. I still carry fear. I still carry scars. But I also carry resolve. Dragons, after all, are not only creatures of fire, they are guardians. And we are done being silent. Carleigh Beriont: a call for action My sister works in health care, and I have friends who are nurses, doctors, and hospice chaplains. Beyond my own lived experiences, their stories and experiences shape how I think about our health care system. Junes story shapes how I think about the health care system. When assaults like the one June experienced are dismissed as part of the job, it comes at the expense of caretakers and patients. Violence against health care workers is NOT and cannot be acceptable. Not only do we need to support health care workers so they can be physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy, but we must also hold institutions that do not support their workers accountable. I can only imagine how many stories never get told. We agree we have to do a better job caring for people in this country, which starts with taking better care of the health care workers who shoulder the high, and too often hidden, costs. Clearly, caretakers need to play a greater role in discussions about health care reform so policies reflect their needs. This includes staffing and workload policies, as well as policies related to PPE and protocols to protect health care workers from family and patient violence and harassment. The well-being of caretakers, and by extension of the people they serve, depends on our willingness to act. We must find a way to replace silence and silencing with transparency, publishing assault statistics and protecting whistleblowers, as well as ensuring accountability at every level. It should be the responsibility of policymakers to ensure health care workers (nurses, EMTs, PAs, doctors) are not suffering in silence or told their experiences are simply part of the job. If Alex Prettis death also brought you to a dark place, you are not alone. I am a historian and an educator. This background allows me the privilege and grace to view the horror of what happened to Alex Pretti in not only a compassionate way but also to understand the more global impact of the event. His murder hits on many levels. It is both harrowing and horrifying. These thoughts and experiences converge at a single, urgent point: If we want a society that heals, we must protect the healers. It must be structural, enforceable, and led by people willing to say that violence is not policy and compassion is not weakness. Carleigh Beriont is a local government official. June Garen is a retired nurse and author. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! This article is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company. In this special sponsored episode from Eli Lilly and Company, I am joined by Dr. Lee James, senior vice president, oncology medical affairs at Lilly, to discuss the importance of lung cancer screenings, early diagnosis, and advancements in biomarker testing. Dr. James has an extensive academic background and patient experience in lung cancer, which drives his enthusiasm for his work, as he noted, I have been passionate about this space for 20 years. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women and is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., responsible for approximately one in five cancer deaths. Of the types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80 to 85 percent of all lung cancers and includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Understanding that basically anybody with lungs could potentially get lung cancer is an important reset. We have a lot of work to do to educate people about the prevalence of lung cancer and how it really can be a disease that affects anyone, Dr. James says. Screening and early diagnosis To best improve patient outcomes, lung cancer screening and early detection are critical. Finding and treating lung cancer early, before it has spread, markedly increases a persons chance of survival. Screening is associated with a 20 percent reduction in the risk of mortality from lung cancer, and one death is prevented for every 320 people who are screened for lung cancer. Unfortunately, screening adoption rates for eligible patients in the U.S. remain low (18 percent). Eligible patients include those who are ages 50 to 80 years, have a 20 pack-year smoking history or currently smoke cigarettes or quit within the past 15 years. Among those eligible, cited barriers to low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening adoption may include limited awareness, inconvenience, medical distrust, stigma, and perceived financial burden. A LDCT scan is a quick, non-invasive imaging procedure that uses significantly less radiation than a standard CT scan. These images are then processed by a computer to create a detailed view of your lungs. We find that only about 18 percent of eligible patients are actually getting lung cancer screening, as opposed to well over 50 or 60 percent for other tumors, Dr. James says. Increasing utilization of LDCT screening for NSCLC starts with closing knowledge gaps around eligibility of LDCT screenings and increasing awareness of screening as a treatment option. But early detection is only the first step in improving patient outcomes in NSCLC. Regardless of the stage at diagnosis, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) is equally vital and equips patients and care teams with important information to inform treatment decisions. Step one is finding the cancer as early as possible. The next step is not stopping with the diagnosis until you know exactly what the molecular profile of that cancer is, Dr. James says. The importance of comprehensive genomic profiling Cancer is a disease of the genome, and finding the appropriate treatment requires a full understanding of the genomic drivers of a persons specific cancer, which can help provide information about selecting the most effective therapies while ruling out treatments that may be unlikely to help. CGP is the most thorough type of biomarker testing that looks for alterations in the DNA of a patients tumor cells to better understand the genomic drivers of lung cancer and inform options for targeted treatments. This form of testing is used in the precision medicine approach, in which an individuals unique cancer profile is considered in diagnosis and treatment. It is very important that if you really want to understand the full picture of somebodys cancer, you understand the totality of it. That means comprehensive testing. It is one test, but it looks for many different things, Dr. James says. CGP in early-stage NSCLC allows for a better understanding of ones cancer diagnosis and an opportunity to receive care that is tailored to an individuals unique cancer profile earlier in the treatment journey. People with lung cancer who receive targeted therapy based on biomarker testing results have a higher five-year survival rate compared with those who receive non-targeted therapy. If you look at patients with a mutation discovered by comprehensive testing, get that diagnosis, and go on an appropriate treatment, their five-year survival could be over 80 percent, Dr. James says. Approximately 70 percent of people with NSCLC carry biomarkers that can inform treatment decisions, potentially opening doors to targeted therapies regardless of disease stage. This significant proportion underscores the critical role that pulmonologists, oncologists, and surgeons play in their patients care, specifically educating them about CGP and advocating for biomarker testing as a standard part of treatment planning. This science-driven approach offers patients more than just options; it offers perspective on potential treatment options. The message to patients is very clear: There is hope. A good part of that hope is based on the science being developed using their full genomic profile, says Dr. James. Lilly is committed to working with the lung cancer community to provide broader access to lung cancer screenings and genomic testing for patients. Lee James is a hematology-oncology certified physician and senior vice president of global oncology medical affairs at Eli Lilly and Company. VISIT SPONSOR https://www.lilly.com/conditions/cancer/lung-cancer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended > < 23:58 UAE minister in Delhi to discuss regional security External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets UAE minister Reem Al Hashimy, in New Delhi/Image Courtesy X UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy conducted a working visit to New Delhi, holding significant talks with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.The meeting on Thursday focused on strengthening the partnership between... Read more > 23:13 Odisha Tourism gets Guinness World Record for largest serving of 'Pakhala' Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the event./Image courtesy X Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday said the state Tourism department has set a Guinness World Record for the largest serving of 'Pakhala' (fermented rice) of 1,174 kg prepared and presented in a single vessel. The remarkable feat was achieved on the day the state observed... Read more > 23:01 CBI quizzes Anil Ambani for over 7 hrs in RCom loan 'fraud' case The CBI on Friday questioned industrialist Anil Ambani for seven hours in connection with a Rs 2,929-crore cheating case, registered against Reliance Communications Ltd and him on a complaint by the State Bank of India, officials said.The second consecutive day, Ambani arrived at the agency... Read more > 22:44 Gautam Singhania hurt in speedboat accident in Maldives Raymond Group CMD Gautam Hari Singhania (left)/ANI Photo Raymond Group chairman & managing director Gautam Hari Singhania has suffered minor injuries in a speedboat accident in the Maldives and is currently recovering in Mumbai, his spokesperson said on Friday. According to a report from the Maldives, a speedboat carrying tourists capsized... Read more > 22:25 Delhi police tightens security around Jama Masjid ahead of Eid The Delhi police on Friday strengthened the security measures in and around Jama Masjid in view of Eid al-Fitr. People also offered 'Alvida Namaz' in Delhi's Jama Masjid, ahead of Eid al-Fitr to be celebrated on Saturday.The market around Jama Masjid is in full fervour as people shop for... Read more > 22:12 Five engineering students drown in Godavari River in Andhra Five engineering students drowned in the Godavari river here in Eluru district on Friday, while two others survived, a police official said. While the bodies of three students were recovered, efforts are underway to trace the remaining two, he added. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief... Read more > 21:43 'Walker, Texas Ranger' actor Chuck Norris passes away at 86 Actor Chuck Norris/Reuters/ANI Photo Actor Chuck Norris, who is known for his roles in 'Walker Texas Ranger' and gained fame due to his martial arts, passed away at the age of 86 on Thursday. The family of the actor announced the news of the actor's demise through Norris's Instagram handle. It is with heavy hearts that our... Read more > 21:39 Delhi police seals news agency UNI's office The Delhi police on Friday sealed news agency UNI's office in New Delhi, citing a high court order, even as the media organisation termed the action an attack on press freedom. The news agency also alleged that their female staff members were manhandled by the police team. However,... Read more > 21:32 Trump labels NATO 'cowards' over Hormuz stand US President Donald Trump has issued a stinging rebuke to international partners, labelling American allies as cowards for failing to meet his demands for military assistance against Iran to secure the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping route.Expressing his frustration over the lack of support... Read more > 21:01 Modi speaks to Bahrain king; condemns attacks on West Asia energy infra Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and while discussing with him the current situation in West Asia, condemned attacks on the energy and civilian infrastructure in the region.During his telephonic conversation with the King of Bahrain, the... Read more > 20:52 RBI imposes penalty on HSBC The Reserve Bank on Friday said it has imposed a Rs 31.8 lakh penalty on Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation for non-compliance with certain directions on inoperative accounts and unclaimed deposits. In a statement, the Reserve Bank said a statutory inspection for supervisory... Read more > 20:38 BJP slams Hemant Soren over remarks on Hindu deities The Bharatiya Janata Party hit out at Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday over his purported remarks on Sanatan Dharma and Hindu deities made in the assembly, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments. The saffron party charged that it has become fashionable for Soren and... Read more > 20:07 Parks, tourist areas worldwide not safe for enemies: Iran Escalating the ongoing tension, Iran's military has issued a stark and sweeping warning, declaring that even parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations' around the world may no longer be safe for its enemies, according to an AP report. The threat, voiced on Friday by senior... Read more > 19:57 Illegal opium cultivation unearthed in Chhattisgarh, one detained Illegal cultivation of opium on around one acre of land was unearthed in a village in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district, marking the fourth such case in the state in the past 15 days, officials said on Friday. The illegal cultivation was found along a river in Amaghat village under the Tamnar... Read more > 19:48 Himachal to levy orphan and widow cess on petrol and diesel Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu./File image An orphan and widow cess is set to be levied on petrol and diesel in Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday introduced the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the legislative assembly under which an orphan and widow Cess will be levied on... Read more > 19:23 Rupee crashes 82 paise to settle at 93.71 against US dollar The rupee crashed 82 paise, or nearly 1 per cent, to settle at an all-time low of 93.71 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, weighed down by persistent foreign fund outflows and a steep rise in crude oil prices amid mounting geopolitical tensions. Forex traders said the Indian... Read more > 19:02 India-China trade via Lipulekh Pass to resume after 6 yrs File image Border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district is set to resume this year after a six-year hiatus. District magistrate Ashish Bhatgai said that following directives from the Union government, preparations have begun for the trade session,... Read more > 18:31 BJP accuses Mamata of poll code violation, demands EC action Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Friday alleged that Mamata Banerjee has violated the poll code by using the chief minister's letterhead for political correspondence and demanded immediate action by the Election Commission. He argued that once the Model... Read more > 18:13 Nitish Kumar files nomination for JD-U president post Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has filed his nomination for the post of Janata Dal-United president as he prepares to return to national politics with his election to the Rajya Sabha. JD-U national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha submitted Kumar's nomination at the party's central... Read more > 17:57 TMC makes 10 pledges in poll manifesto The Trinamool Congress released its manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly polls on Friday, making 10 pledges that encompass widening the ambit of existing welfare schemes, stronger healthcare outreach and infrastructure development. Unveiling the manifesto, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata... Read more > 17:44 Merchant navy captain dies at Hormuz Strait, family says... Captain Rakesh Ranjan died on board a merchant vessel carrying oil near the Strait of Hormuz, his family said on Friday, urging the Centre and the Jharkhand government to help bring back his body. Ranchi-based Ranjan (43) had joined the vessel, 'ASP Avana- RPSL-MUM-172', owned by a private... Read more > 17:05 Stock markets recover on buying in IT, PSU bank stocks quity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty gave up most of their intra-day gains to end nearly 0.5 per cent higher on Friday, following intense buying in PSU bank, IT and metal stocks amid concerns over a further spike in fuel-driven inflation. In another volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex... Read more > 17:01 LPG crunch continues but panic buying reduces LPG supply crunch continued for the third straight week on Friday, but there was some easing in bookings for refills, in signs of things slowly crawling towards normalcy.However, concerns persist as supply restrictions on commercial consumers, including hotels, remain in place due to ongoing... Read more > 17:00 LPG crunch continues but panic buying falls LPG supply crunch continued for the third straight week on Friday, but there was some easing in bookings for refills, in signs of things slowly crawling towards normalcy.However, concerns persist as supply restrictions on commercial consumers, including hotels, remain in place due to ongoing... Read more > 16:56 Air India's Vancouver-bound plane returned to Delhi After being airborne for over seven hours, an Air India plane from Delhi to Vancouver returned to the national capital on Thursday evening due to an operational issue. Without providing specific details, Air India, in a statement on Friday, said the aircraft landed safely at the Delhi airport.... Read more > 16:31 Himanta files nomination Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife and son, who accompanied him during the filing of his nomination papers from Jalukbari seat on Friday, said they were very happy to see a large number of people turn up to support him. His wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma described the occasion as a very... Read more > 16:26 Abusive commentary not journalism: Delhi HC slams Newslaundry Holding that freedom of speech does not extend to abusive or derogatory attacks, the Delhi High Court has observed that remarks such as shit standards, shit reporters and similar expressions used against TV Today Network cross the line from criticism into defamation and commercial... Read more > 16:24 May harm India-Israel ties: Oscar-nominated film delayed The India release of Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab, based on the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in 2024, is stuck in limbo as the distributor is still awaiting a censor certificate.The movie, which was nominated in the best international... Read more > 16:20 913 Indians flee Iran by crossing into Armenia, Azerbaijan More Indian nationals stranded in Iran have returned home through land routes via neighbouring countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday, adding that the evacuation process is continuing with the assistance of Indian missions.Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, MEA... Read more > 16:13 Iran war: 6 Indians dead, 1 missing, 3L passengers returned to India Six Indian nationals have lost their lives, and one remains missing in separate incidents across the Gulf region amidst the West Asia conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday, adding that Indian missions are coordinating with local authorities for assistance and... Read more > 16:02 Govt hikes price of premium petrol Premium petrol in India becomes costlier by up to Rs 2.35 from March 20, 2026.Prices of BPCL's Speed, HPCL's Power, and IOCL's XP95 increased by Rs 2.09 -- Rs 2.35 per litre. However, there is no change in the price of regular petrol at present. Read more > 15:25 Iran war: Russia demands immediate end to hostilities A damaged vehicle in Israel. Pic: Tomer Appelbaum/Reuters Expressing serious concern over the ongoing armed confrontation in the Persian Gulf, Russia has called for an immediate end to hostilities, characterising the situation as unprovoked aggression by the US and Israel against Iran. In a statement posted on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry... Read more > 15:11 HC quashes look-out circular against NDTV founders Prannoy, Radhika Roy The Delhi High Court on Friday quashed the look-out circular (LOC) issued against NDTV founders Prannoy and Radhika Roy following registration of cases against them by the CBI. Justice Sachin Datta, however, asked the couple to cooperate with the investigation. The impugned LOC are quashed... Read more > 14:43 Mojtaba Khamenei condoles killing of Iran intel chief Mojtaba Khamenei Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, offered condolences on the killing of Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib to President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian state media Press TV reported on Friday. Iran's Tasnim News further quoted a statement from Khamenei to the... Read more > 14:11 Iran hits Kuwaiti oil refinery Representational image A Kuwaiti oil refinery came under Iranian drone attack early Friday and sirens in Israel warned of incoming fire, while explosions boomed over Tehran from Israeli strikes as the country marked the Persian New Year. As the war that has rocked the global economy neared the end of its third... Read more > 13:55 Placed under house arrest, not allowed to offer Friday prayers: Mirwaiz Kashmir's chief priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday claimed he was put under house arrest and not allowed to offer the congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.'For the third consecutive Friday in Ramzan I have been put under arbitrary house arrest-never conveyed in writing, but... Read more > 13:23 Iran's Revolutionary Guard insists Tehran still building missiles An anti-Iran protest in New York. Pic: Adam Gray/Reuters Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard pushed back Friday against claims that the country can no longer build missiles, insisting its program remains active. The response came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested Iran had lost that capability. Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini... Read more > 13:12 14 people jailed for eating chicken biryani on Ganga A Varanasi court has sent 14 people, who had allegedly hosted an Iftar party and had eaten chicken biryani on a boat on the Ganga river, to judicial custody, an advocate in the case said on Friday. Additional Civil Judge (Sr.Div.)/ACJM Amit Kumar Yadav on Thursday sent all the accused to the... Read more > 13:02 Man gets stuck in lift in Kolkata hospital, dies Representational image A middle-aged man died allegedly after being stuck inside a lift of a state-run hospital in north Kolkata on Friday, an official said. The man, in his early 40s, was bleeding from his nose when taken to the emergency unit, the senior hospital official said. Family members of the deceased,... Read more > 12:53 Inside the Online Anti-Indian Hate Factory A study traces the explosion of anti-Indian rhetoric on social media, including 24,000 posts that were viewed over 300 million times. Read the report here. Read more > 12:37 LPG Crisis: HCLTech Chennai Employees Asked To Work From Home IT services major HCLTech allowed employees at its Chennai centre to work from home on March 12 and 13 after its canteens ran out of LPG cylinders, disrupting cooking operations, said people familiar with the matter.The company, India's third-largest IT services firm by revenue, however, has not... Read more > 12:28 Rupee weakens to historic low, breaches 93/USD The Indian rupee weakened further and breached the 93 mark against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, hitting a fresh historic low amid ongoing conflict in West Asia and continued foreign outflows. The rupee opened at a record low of 92.89 per dollar on Friday and soon depreciated further... Read more > 12:03 French naval officer's fitness app reveals ship's location Representational image A French naval officer's fitness app activity has exposed the real-time location of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean, in what has been described as a major security lapse amid rising tensions in the West Asia region, according to Le Monde. A French sailor's... Read more > 11:30 Targeting ships in international waterways wrong: India Indian High Commissioner to UK Vikram Doraiswamy has underlined India's commitment to the safety of all seafarers, freedom of navigation, maritime security and securing trade and energy supply chains. Addressing the 36th extraordinary session of the Council of the IMO held on Thursday in... Read more > 11:15 US destroying Iranian mine-laying vessels to clear Strait As the conflict in West Asia and the Gulf is in its third week, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon that the United States had destroyed 44 mine-laying Iranian vessels, thus deterring Iran's capabilities to mine the strait.Underlining how the US... Read more > 10:45 Israel hits Tehran with airstrikes on Persian New Year Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran on Friday as Iranians celebrated Nowruz, the Persian New Year, during a war that has rattled the global economy and raised fears of a wider regional conflict involving Arab neighbors. Witnesses and activists reported explosions around the Iranian capital.... Read more > 10:23 US allies ready to contribute to securing Strait of Hormuz Trump has accused NATO states of making a foolish mistake by not securing the Strait The leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada, issued a statement urging Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz, and expresses a readiness to contribute to appropriate... Read more > 10:18 Qatar LNG output reduced by 17%, India imports 47% gas from Qatar Missile attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City have significantly disrupted global energy supplies, reducing the country's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity by 17 per cent and raising concerns for import-dependent nations like India.In an official statement, QatarEnergy said the... Read more > 09:56 Iran claims world's first hit on US F-35 lightning 2 Iran on Thursday claimed to have become the first nation in the world to strike an US F-35 Lightning 2, one of the most valuable US aircraft and the backbone of the US's fifth-generation warfighting capabilities.Over 19 countries have already flown or are preparing to fly the Lightning 2, which... Read more > 09:49 Delhi court acquits 2 alleged ISIS-JK operatives Flagging gaps in the probe, a Delhi court has acquitted two men accused of pledging allegiance to banned terrorist organisation Islamic State, besides procuring arms and ammunition from Uttar Pradesh for the Islamic State Jammu & Kashmir (ISIS-JK) cadres for executing terrorist... Read more > 09:08 Iran launches five multi-warhead missiles Iranian state media Press TV said on Friday that the country launched its 66th wave of Operation True Promise 4, deploying 5 super-heavy and multi-warhead missiles.Meanwhile, reports have also emerged of drone and missile attacks and alerts in West Asia and the Gulf region.According to the IRGC... Read more > 08:53 Iran women's football team receives grand welcome in Tehran Iranian authorities accorded a hero's welcome to the national women's football team upon their return from Australia, where several members had briefly sought asylum before withdrawing their applications, Al Jazeera reported.Six players and one staff member had applied for asylum during the... Read more > 08:38 Iranian Prez warns the world amid fresh IRGC strikes Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its latest wave of strikes targeted areas in central and southern Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as US military bases across the region, Al Jazeera reported, citing the IRGC-linked Fars news agency.The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed... Read more > A group of Argentines have landed at the British colony of the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic and planted their nations flag. About 50 Argentines are reported to have arrived at Leith Harbour, on South Georgia, about 1,400 miles east of the Falklands archipelago off the Argentine coast. South Georgia is a dependency of the disputed Falklands Islands which Britain claimed in 1833. The British Antarctic survey team at Grytviken, on South Georgia, reported their arrival today. They are understood to have a commercial contract to remove scrap metal at Leith Harbour but there are reports they arrived aboard a ship chartered by the Argentine Government. The group has been asked to leave immediately and seek British permission to work on the island. There is no indication of what the groups motivation is or whether it has hostile intentions. The Foreign Office has not commented on the incident and it is not known if Britain will dispatch the Royal Navys patrol ship HMS Endurance, which is in the Falklands area, where about 40 marines are stationed at any one time. Todays events are seen as a provocative step in the on-going dispute between Britain and Argentina over the sovereignty of the islands. Argentina calls the Falkland Islands the Islas Malvinas and it has claimed sovereignty over it ever since the end of Spanish rule. Last month, talks in New York between the two countries broke down after Argentina declared it would break off negotiations with London to seek other means of solving the dispute more speedily. But Britain maintains the Falkland Islands. [] Courtesy BBC News In context The arrival of the Argentines on the island was not reported in Britain until two days later when the Foreign Office released a statement. Government sources said it was most likely sponsored by a commercial company and not the Argentine Government. But within days the situation escalated and on 2 April Argentine forces invaded the islands as the military Junta decided to use force instead of diplomacy to regain the territories. Many did not expect Britain to retaliate but on 5 April a British task force set sail and 655 Argentines died along with 255 British servicemen in the ensuing war. It ended on 14 June when the commander of the Argentine garrison at Port Stanley surrendered to British troops. Like this: Like Loading... DUSHANBE, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tajikistan has sent humanitarian aid to the people of Iran at the instruction of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, the presidential press service said Wednesday. Tajikistan's humanitarian aid totals 3,610 tonnes, including 45 tonnes of medicines, as well as large quantities of sanitary and hygiene products, children's clothing, food products, household items and other essential supplies, it said. According to the press service, a convoy of humanitarian aid, consisting of 110 large trucks, departed for Iran on Wednesday and is expected to arrive soon. China wont help the United States reopen the Strait of Hormuz as requested by President Donald Trump, but it is probably welcoming the delay in Trumps highly anticipated trip to Beijing as the U.S. risks getting bogged down in the Middle East, analysts say. The latest developments are unfolding as Trumps Iran war, in its third week, is faced with mounting pressure as oil has stopped moving through the strait and U.S. allies have refused to step up to secure the strait. That has produced concerns that China, the United States biggest geopolitical rival, could stand to benefit from a war that some say was ill-considered. President Trumps request to delay his long-awaited summit with President Xi Jinping underscores how significantly he underestimated the fallout from Operation Epic Fury, said Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy adviser for U.S.-China relations at the International Crisis Group. A show of U.S. force that was meant to intimidate Beijing has instead served to puncture the illusion of U.S. omnipotence: Unable to reopen the Strait of Hormuz alone, Washington now needs its principal strategic competitor to help it manage a crisis of its own making. The Chinese Foreign Ministry gave a nonanswer when asked if it would help reopen the strait but repeated its call for parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from further impacting the global economy. Beijing, which had never officially confirmed Trumps state visit, originally scheduled for March 31, has signaled willingness to work with the U.S. to reschedule the visit by stating that the two sides remain in communication. It even helped clarify that the postponement had nothing to do with Trumps request for China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Yesterday [Macau time], Trump said the Chinese were fine with the delay and claimed a very good working relationship with China. Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, said, I think the Iran request is now going to be less pressing for China to fulfill. At the same time, Chinese diplomats have been engaging with countries in the Middle East, pledging a constructive role in easing tensions and restoring peace. On Sunday, through the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, Beijing delivered to Iran an emergency humanitarian aid package of $200,000, earmarked for families of children and teachers killed in the bombing of the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building in Minab, Iran, with the Chinese ambassador to Iran condemning the school attack. State visit delayed A delay in the state visit is welcome by both the Trump administration and China, said Brett Fetterly, a managing principal in the China practice at The Asia Group, a Washington-based consultancy. I think the political environment is difficult for the United States to have the commander in chief travel abroad while managing military operations, Fetterly said. On the Chinese side, it doesnt hurt to play for more time, to better understand what exactly President Trump might want. A recent trade talk in Paris between the two governments appears to have yielded little agreement and suggested difficulties remain in addressing structural differences in trade, technology and economic security, Fetterly said. At the end of the day, both sides really needed some time to define what the range of deliverables are, he said. The U.S. business community has also expressed concern that preparations for the summit might not have been sufficient to produce substantive agreements. Pivot away from Asia Transfers of military assets from the Indo-Pacific region to the Middle East,, including a sizable portion of Marines deployed there as part of a rapid-response unit and an anti-missile defense system, have raised concerns that the U.S. could get distracted from its own stated priority to refocus on Asia. The longer this war continues, and the more forces that are shifted out of Asia, the more it will feed Asian allies concerns about U.S. distraction and resource constraints, said Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies U.S. strategy in Asia. A delay in the state visit could also mean a delay in any arms sales to the self-governing island of Taiwan to deter possible attacks from Beijing, he said. I believe that China is happy to delay the visit and reap the benefits as the United States once again gets bogged down in the Middle East, Cooper said. And Beijing probably doesnt need to do much, he added: I think most Chinese experts and officials believe that the United States is undermining itself, so they just need to get out of the way. DIDI TANG, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... With the toot of a horn, the ring of a bell and the hiss of air brakes, an unusual rail vehicle pulls out of a depot in Budapest to serve the Hungarian capitals public transit system, a job it has done for a century. The so-called freight trams, known as mukis, run on electricity provided by overhead wires and travel on Budapests vast tram rail network, one of the busiest in the world. But unlike the hundreds of iconic yellow trams in the passenger fleet, they dont carry commuters. Acquired by the city in 1926, the wood-sided trams were initially products of necessity: They brought goods and raw materials to and from Budapests factories after much of the local freight infrastructure had been destroyed during World War I. Engineers at the time designed an electric drive system mainly using parts from vehicles damaged in the war, as well as parts from vehicles that had already been designated for scrapping, said Adam Zadravecz, the head of tram vehicle development and technology at Budapests public transit company BKV. Their primary purpose was freight transport, but after World War II, these vehicles were also used for removal of the war ruins, he said. Over time, the mukis function changed as Hungary recovered. In the 1960s, some of the original 40 trams were equipped with a snowplow, enabling them to clear the citys tram tracks in winter, as they do today. They also perform nighttime maintenance runs, and transport broken-down trams into depots for repairs. Various parts on the trams were gradually replaced, resulting in a mishmash of components. By 2018, the mukis were due for a more comprehensive refurbishment. When they were manufactured in the 1920s, they were extremely simple, extremely puritanical devices, said Nandor Meixner, head of vehicle maintenance at Budapests Ferencvaros depot. During the refurbishment, we strove to make our colleagues work easier. That is why, for example, a seat was added to the vehicle, so that the driver can at least sit down. Another addition: The trams were equipped with heating in the cabin. Despite the changes over the last 100 years, Zadravecz said the trams overall nature remained the same. Their maintenance costs is almost zero because these trams are very easy to maintain. Compared to the complex electronics of todays vehicles, there is very little in them that can break down, he said. People say that it can be repaired with a hammer and a file, and thats absolutely true. Driving them requires special training, however, as well as what Meixner called a certain feel for the vehicle. It is not enough to just drive, to know the signs and instructions, you also need to know the vehicle itself. We used to say that the driver has to drive this vehicle with his butt, he said. Of the original fleet of 40 mukis, only six have survived the last 100 years in Budapest, with three in active use. The value of these vehicles lies precisely in their simplicity, in the pure fact that they exist and are available to us, Zadravecz said. JUSTIN SPIKE, BUDAPEST, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... The Chief Executive (CE), Sam Hou Fai, will be visiting Portugal and Spain between April 17 and 23, the Government Information Bureau confirmed. The visit will be Sam Hou Fais first as CE to a foreign country and was scheduled since he took office in December 2024. The visit to Portugal has been on the CEs agenda at least twice, the first almost one year ago, but was repeatedly postponed due to several matters, including the legislative and presidential elections in Portugal. The CE will, as usual, lead a delegation that will include several government members and a group of local businessmen organized by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute. This is the first time that a visit by a local CE to Portugal will also include Spain. Despite the full program not yet being disclosed, the visit will be divided into two parts, with the first two and a half days dedicated to touring Portugal and the last part to Spain before returning to Macau. Among the regular stops are meetings with the Chinese ambassadors in Portugal and Spain, as well as with top government officials in each country. RM Like this: Like Loading... Over a centurys worth of archives from Macaus firecracker industry was revealed at the opening ceremony of A Century of Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Radiance An Exhibition on the Resonant History and Aesthetic Memory of Macao Firecrackers. The exhibition at Sands Gallery at Four Seasons Macao features more than 400 exhibits, including original manuscripts, firecracker-making tools, and historic packaging labels. Structured into six thematic chapters, the exhibition traces the history of the firecracker industry, the craftsmanship of its artisans, and the design of packaging, alongside interactive and immersive elements. Curated by Ung Vai Meng, a professor at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) who has studied the industry for over 30 years, the exhibition is the result of a collaboration between Sands China, MUST, the Macao Museum, and the Archives of Macao. Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, Ung remarked, For many older residents, it represents a shared collective memory of the last century. In the 1950s and 1960s, Macau-produced firecrackers accounted for an estimated 30% to over half of global output, holding a pivotal position in the international market. In the centenary of Iec Long Firecracker Factory, I am delighted to collaborate with Sands China to present this exhibition, enabling todays residents and visitors to gain deeper insight into this history and to appreciate the artistry of firecracker packaging labels, he added. Meanwhile, according to MUSTs library researcher, piecing together over a century of Macaus firecracker industry was no easy feat. Library researcher Marjorie Meng told the Times on the sidelines about the main archival and research challenges in piecing together over a century of history for the exhibition. Meng stated, We faced many difficulties, and those were big challenges for me as the researcher because Macaus traditional manufacturing industry started a long time ago, almost 200 years ago. She added, Firecracker manufacturing in Macau started in 1863 and continued until 1997. So, for research spanning over 150 years, we divided it into four parts. The first and second parts were especially difficult to find information on the archives and sources. But we wanted to do this because we think its very significant. The researcher believes that most visitors to Macau are only aware of the casinos and tourist attractions and do not know much about the citys history. When people come to Macau, they only know the gambling casinos or attractions like the Ruins of St. Paul. They only see the attractions on the street, but they dont know much about the history. They wouldnt know that firecrackers, matches, and incense were some of Macaus most important manufactured goods, she explained. According to Meng, true research on the firecracker industry goes beyond the scarce information available online. If you want to know about real historical archives, theses, or doctoral research, there is not much. When we searched the Chinese research database, only 10 or 20 articles were found about this. Its not very deep. There is just a brief introduction to the environment or a firecracker label introduction. But theres almost nothing on the history itself, especially covering the past 140 years of the industry. She added, We organized face-to-face interviews to gather historical information and spoke with local people. One interviewee had worked in the industry as a child; he provided information and shared memories. Meng said her drive to dig into the firecracker industry came from the lack of online information for a significant part of Macaus history and culture. Thats our motivation for this research. At the very beginning, it was very hard to find information because there was barely anything online, she said. The MUST research team consisted of just three people: Meng herself, curator Ung, and PhD student Alex Huang. Also speaking on the sidelines, Huang told the Times how he deciphered the different writing styles and dates on the many invoices from the firecracker industry. There are four ways of calculating dates on the receipts: solar years, lunar years, and a special code the Suzhou code, a number-writing style from Suzhou, China. Businessmen in the past wrote using this code. Its only found on some samples, which we discovered in their writing. Meanwhile, Sands China and MUST will bring elements of the exhibition to the university campus. According to the integrated resort, the initiative includes an academic dialogue designed to help the public understand the impact of Macaus firecracker industry through packaging labels and oral histories. The exhibition will run until August 31. Like this: Like Loading... The Court of Second Instance (TSI) has delivered the sentence in the second stage of the trial involving Assistant Prosecutor-General Kong Chi. In the new sentence, the court found Kong Chi guilty of additional charges, increasing his jail time to a total of 24 years. The second-stage trial also found the defendant Ho Kam Meng guilty of additional charges, including co-leading a syndicate with Kong Chi in carrying out the unlawful activities. Ho was handed a 15-year prison sentence. In total, Kong Chi was found guilty of six counts of passive corruption for an unlawful act, each punishable by three years in prison; five counts of malfeasance, each punishable by two years; and one count of abuse of power, punishable by one year. In aggregate for the 12 crimes mentioned, TSI sentenced him to 12 years, which, when added to the prison sentence imposed during the first phase of the trial, results in a single term of 24 years. As for Ho, the court considered him guilty of one count of being a member of, or supporting, a secret association or society, resulting in a 10-year sentence; four counts of passive corruption, each punishable by two years and six months; and three counts of malfeasance, each punishable by one year and six months. In aggregate for the eight crimes mentioned, TSI sentenced Ho to a single 15-year term. Also found guilty of wrongdoing was the third defendant, Choi Sao Ieng, who received a three-year sentence for malfeasance, passive corruption, and abuse of power. Combined with the first-phase sentence, Chois total term is 16 years and nine months. Kuan Hoi Lon, the fourth defendant, was acquitted of all charges. Kong Chi was found guilty of interfering with criminal investigations, filing illegal cases, and retrieving seized property for personal gain. More than MOP14 million in assets, deemed of unknown origin, were confiscated. Like this: Like Loading... An education non-governmental organization has analyzed the final admission list for the 2026 joint recruitment of Macau students by mainland universities, revealing a strong interest among local students in pursuing engineering and technology studies, along with a growing enthusiasm for the development of the technology industry and new, high-quality productive forces. The Macau Youth Elite Association recently released an analysis of the results from the 2026 joint admission program for local students to mainland universities on its social media platform. The analysis evaluated the distribution and trends of majors, as well as the affiliation of institutions, drawing from the comprehensive list of admitted students published earlier this year by the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ). The association also utilized line charts to illustrate the distribution and trends of majors among students admitted through the direct admission program over the past three years. The data reveals a notable increase in admissions to engineering programs. Specifically, the charts indicate a rise in enrollments for related subjects such as information technology, engineering technology, and science -among students planning to study in mainland China. Admissions have grown from 224 in 2024 to 234 this year for information technology, from 47 to 142 for engineering technology, and from 60 to 74 for science. Macau students are increasingly demonstrating an interest in the development of the technology industry and innovative productive forces, the group stated on its official Facebook page. The charts indicate that while business, medicine, and information technology continue to be the three most popular majors, there has been a decline in the number of students admitted to fields like medicine and public health, dropping from nearly 300 in 2024 to just 236 in 2026. The education sector also experienced a decline, falling from 130 admissions in 2024 to fewer than 100 this year. The association suggests this trend may be linked to concerns about a saturated job market for teachers. The charts show that the number of students admitted to business and management programs increased to 242 in 2026, up from 205 in 2024. Additionally, the association systematically compiled data, ranking institutions from highest to lowest based on actual enrollment numbers and comparing these figures to each schools allocated quota for direct admission. It found that Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou admitted the most Macau students in this joint direct admission program, with enrollment figures reaching twice those of Wuhan University, which ranked second. Among the universities with the highest enrollment numbers, the 985 institutions a top-tier Chinese government initiative launched in May 1998 to build world-class universities, consisting of 39 elite institutions represented a significant portion, approximately half of the total admitted students. The association noted that many universities had filled their quotas, with actual enrollment figures at some institutions even exceeding their projected limits. Like this: Like Loading... A new trade pact between Indonesia and the United States has recast their economic ties, binding Jakartas resource wealth and energy future more closely to Washingtons strategic needs. Indonesia agreed to widen access for U.S. investors in critical minerals, boost its purchases of U.S. crude and liquefied petroleum gas, back the development of an American coal export corridor and cooperate on small modular nuclear reactors. In turn, the U.S. trimmed a threatened 32% tariff on Indonesian goods to 19% and granted broader access to the American market, including a zero-tariff entry policy for major products such as palm oil, coffee, cocoa, spices and rubber. Though the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling against President Donald Trumps tariffs may impact how it is implemented. The deal fits with longer term U.S. efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains, beef up its oil and gas exports and reduce dependence on China. Meanwhile other export-reliant Southeast Asian economies negotiating with the United States, including Vietnam, are closely watching the IndonesiaU. S. trade deal for clues about the tariff levels and concessions Washington may demand across the region. Indonesia, the worlds largest nickel producer, has vast mineral reserves needed for electric vehicles and clean energy systems. Its caught between the conflicting aims of the U.S. and China, a key source of foreign investment and market for Indonesian coal and nickel, analysts say. China is concentrating on electrification, renewables and dominance of battery supply chains, while the U.S. is pairing its push for mineral access with more fossil fuel exports. Haryo Limanseto of Indonesias Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, said the deals energy provisions balance foreign trade and meet domestic energy needs. The leadership of Indonesia is trying to tread a fine line between the West and China, said Putra Adhiguna of the Jakarta-based Energy Shift Institute, adding that Chinese influence is inescapable since it is Indonesias largest trading partner. US gains a new foothold to minerals Indonesia has pledged to promote U.S. investment across its mineral industry, from exploration and mining to refining, transport and export. In some cases, American investors will receive treatment no less favorable than domestic firms. Restrictions on exports of critical minerals to the U.S. will be relaxed to expedite development of Indonesias rare earths and critical minerals sector with U.S. partners, promising greater certainty for companies involved in extraction to help boost production, the agreement says. Indonesias critical mineral processing sector is currently dominated by China, which has firms operating or financing multiple nickel smelters and industrial parks. Indonesia is absolutely central to this competition because it combines resource endowment with political ambition, said Kevin Zongzhe Li, with the Center for China Analysis within the Asia Society Policy Institute, a New York-based think tank. Competition over critical minerals is heating up and the agreement opens the door for U.S. firms to have a real shot at modestly leveling a sector where Chinese industries established first mover advantage, he said. Indonesia to purchase more US energy Indonesia has agreed to cut red tape so that its companies can more easily purchase U.S. energy products. It plans to buy $15 billion worth of American energy commodities over an unspecified period, mainly fossil fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas, crude oil and gasoline. Trumps efforts to persuade Asian countries to buy more American LNG has gained momentum during trade talks, with energy purchases emerging as a way to narrow trade gaps. Its unclear if the turmoil in oil trading due to the war with Iran might impact that effort. Indonesia, one of the worlds top coal exporters, will also invest in developing an export corridor from the U.S. West Coast to help make American coal more competitive in global markets, the agreement says. Indonesia also pledged to work with the U.S. and Japan to deploy small modular nuclear reactors, starting with a potential project in West Kalimantan. Shift in energy transition policies The deal reflects changed U.S. energy priorities under the Trump administration, away from cooperation on reducing Indonesias climate change -causing emissions. In 2022, Indonesia joined the Just Energy Transition Partnership, a multi-billion deal where the U.S. and other wealthy nations pledged support for reducing coal use and expanding clean energy. The program was faltering even before Trump withdrew from it last year. Despite the U.S. withdrawal, Indonesian officials said the $21.4 billion partnership will continue. As of January, at least $3.4 billion, around 15%, of the funds had been received, according to Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesias minister for economic affairs. Adhiguna said the deals biggest impact may be political, with Jakarta emulating the U.S. emphasis on fossil fuel use. There is the risk that the political leadership of Indonesia is going to fall back into that hole, Adhiguna said. That will mean still slower progress in areas like solar energy. Over the past five years, tropical, sunny Indonesia has installed less than 1 gigawatt of solar energy compared with roughly 2 GW in Vietnam and nearly 60 GW in India. The International Energy Agency found that fossil fuels, like coal, oil and natural gas, made up nearly 78% of Indonesias energy mix in 2023. ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL, HANOI, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... The International School of Macao (TIS) has received awards in the STEAM and Early Childhood Center categories at the Greater Bay Area (GBA) School Awards. Held on March 12 during the 21st Century Learning Hong Kong Conference, the GBA School Awards highlight outstanding schools across the region. In a press release, the school stated, TISs recognition as a finalist and winner in these categories underscores our commitment to fostering a rich educational environment, as well as our robust curriculum with an emphasis on critical thinking, technological literacy, and a student-centered approach to learning, all essential components that prepare our students to excel in a rapidly evolving world. TIS head of School Lorne Schmidt said, We are absolutely delighted to be recognized again. This honor belongs to our teachers and staff, whose unwavering commitment to excellence and passion for innovation have created a culture of creativity across the school. These awards reaffirm not only the quality of our educational programs but also the effectiveness of our student-centered, interdisciplinary approach. The wins build on TISs strong performance last year, when all four entries reached the finals, securing the Student Agency Award and finalist nods in the Experiential Learning Program, Professional Learning and Staff Development, and STEAM categories. NS Like this: Like Loading... Cim Finance and SBI Mauritius Ltd launch Easypay and Easypay+ cardsCim Finance, in collaboration with SBI Mauritius Ltd, is pleased to announce the launch of two co-branded cards, Easypay and Easypay+, operating on the Mastercard network. This initiative reflects the shared objective of both institutions to broaden access to payment solutions while maintaining a structured and well-controlled framework. Meeting evolving customer expectations As digital payments and card-based transactions become increasingly integrated into everyday financial life, customers are looking for payment solutions that are convenient, secure and accessible, while remaining easy to manage. The Easypay and Easypay+ cards have been developed to respond to these expectations by offering reliable credit card options within a clear and disciplined framework. Developed through close collaboration between Cim Finance and SBI Mauritius Ltd, the two cards combine SBIs established banking presence and customer relationships with Cim Finances recognised expertise in credit card and consumer finance solutions. This partnership makes it possible to extend access to Mastercard payment services to a broader segment of customers, while ensuring the level of control and reliability expected from both institutions. At Cim Finance, our objective has always been to develop financial solutions that are both accessible and responsibly structured. The launch of Easypay and Easypay+, in partnership with SBI Mauritius Ltd, reflects this commitment. By combining our expertise in credit card and payment solutions with SBIs established banking presence, we are able to extend Mastercard payment access to a broader segment of customers while maintaining a disciplined and secure framework. This collaboration also reinforces our shared ambition to continue innovating and delivering practical solutions that respond to the evolving needs of customers in Mauritius, stated Ambrish Maharahaje, Group CEO of Cim Finance. Two cards designed to offer flexibility The Easypay and Easypay+ cards have been designed to provide customers with practical and rewarding payment solutions adapted to different spending habits. Accessible to a broad range of customers, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria, the cards can be applied for through SBI Mauritius Ltd via its network of 13 branches across the island, offering a convenient and established banking channel. Both cards offer 1% cashback on transactions made on Cim Finance POS terminals and provide preferential discounts ranging from 5% to 25% across a network of 81 partner merchants across the island, with new partners being added regularly. The Easypay+ card also includes a loyalty mechanism that rewards everyday spending. Cardholders earn one bonus point for every rupee spent, with points automatically converted into statement credit annually, subject to a minimum of 10,000 points. As an indication, 10,000 points correspond to Rs 30 credited to the card. The monthly fee is waived when spending reaches Rs 20,000 during the previous cycle, allowing frequent users to benefit even more from the card. The Easypay card is offered with an annual fee of Rs 500 + VAT, providing simple and affordable access to Mastercard payment services together with cashback and merchant discounts, while the Easypay+ card is available with a monthly fee of Rs 200 + VAT and offers additional rewards and benefits for customers who use their card more regularly. The launch of Easypay and Easypay+ reflects our vision of a future where payment solutions are accessible to a wider audience. Our partnership with SBI Mauritius Ltd demonstrates the strength of collaboration between our teams, combining expertise and innovation to deliver services adapted to a broader customer base, while maintaining a responsible and sustainable approach, explained Kaamil Nakhasi, Head of Cards and Payments at Cim Finance. A collaboration focused on customer value With the launch of Easypay and Easypay+, Cim Finance and SBI Mauritius Ltd reaffirm their shared commitment to providing payment solutions that are convenient, secure and adapted to the needs of a diverse customer base. The collaboration reflects the complementary strengths of both institutions and their common ambition to deliver innovative and responsible financial services in Mauritius. This collaboration with Cim Finance marks a significant milestone in the retail banking journey of SBI Mauritius Ltd. As customer expectations continue to evolve, there is a growing demand for payment solutions that are convenient, secure, and flexible. The launch of this co-branded credit card enables us to effectively meet these needs while further strengthening the value proposition we offer to our customers in Mauritius. We are confident that this partnership will deliver enhanced convenience, rewarding benefits, and a seamless payment experience for our customers, highlighted Kishore Kumar Poludasu, Chairperson of SBI Mauritius Ltd. The initiative represents an important step in the Banks continued commitment to strengthening its retail banking offerings in Mauritius and delivering greater value to its customers. As digital payments and card-based transactions become an integral part of everyday financial life, the partnership brings together SBIs strong banking relationships and growing customer base with Cim Finances proven expertise in credit card and consumer finance solutions, noted Prashant Kumar Babhale, MD & CEO of SBI Mauritius Ltd. The World Bank Group announced on Wednesday, March 18, a 21-month debarment, with conditional release, of PricewaterhouseCoopers Associates Africa Ltd., PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited, Kenya, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Rwanda Limited for collusive and fraudulent practices linked to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project in Ethiopia. The project, part of the First Phase of the Eastern Africa Power Integration Program, aimed to expand electricity supply in Kenya and generate revenue for Ethiopia through exports. Investigations found that the PwC firms improperly obtained confidential procurement information in 2019 to influence consultancy contract awards and misrepresented the qualifications and employment of key experts under the Ethiopian Electric Utility Fixed Asset Inventory and Revaluation (EEU FAIR) contract. As part of a settlement, the companies admitted to misconduct, cooperated with the Bank Group, and implemented voluntary remedial measures, including internal investigations, staff training, ceasing business with implicated subconsultants, and strengthening compliance programs. The debarment prohibits the firms and their affiliates from participating in Bank Group-financed projects and qualifies for cross-debarment under the 2010 Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions among multilateral development banks. The regional PwC oversight entity, PricewaterhouseCoopers Africa Limited, was not sanctioned, as it provides coordination and compliance oversight for member firms. Kevin Hart has branded a new waxwork replica of himself an "attack". Kevin Hart is unhappy with his waxwork The Get Hard actor wants the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to "redo" their tribute to him because he doesn't believe the figure - which is dressed in a leather jacket and gold chain - looks anything like him. Kevin took to Instagram to share a clip of the waxwork and captioned the video: "WTTTTFFFFF . What did I do to these people. This is an attack. Who in the f*** is this?????? At this point these museums are just trying to make me cry [tearful and cry laughing emojis] .. This s*** has to stop. I demand a redo damn it!!!!!!!(sic)" However, Kevin's friend and frequent co-star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was delighted by the waxwork. He commented: "Its PERFECT. Dont change a thing." But many others agreed with the 46-year-old actor's original assessment. Jameela Jamil wrote: "This is the worst one I've ever seen of anyone." Jenni 'JWOWW' Farley quipped: "I feel like @therock had something to do with this [cry laughing emojis] (sic)" And one fan posted: "When you order your wax figure off Temu.(sic)" The Rock himself has previously expressed his own unhappiness at his waxwork, taking issue with the skin colour of his replica statue at the Musee Grevin waxwork museum figure in Paris. In an Instagram post back in 2023, he wrote: "For the record, I'm going to have my team reach out to our friends at Grevin Musem, in Paris, France so we can work at 'updating' my wax figure with some important details and improvements starting with my skin colour. "And next time I'm in Paris, I'll stop and have a drink with myself." Fortunately, the museum vowed to "remedy" the waxwork as soon as possible. A spokesperson told Deadline: "Dwayne Johnson is right and we noticed it and will obviously remedy it as quickly as possible and send him new photos once completed. "We are waiting for him when he will come to Paris and the Grevin Wax Museum to celebrate that with a cup of champagne." The same year, Lil Wayne was also unimpressed by his sculpture at the Hollywood Wax Museum. He wrote on X: "Sorry, wax museum, but dat s*** ain't me! You tried tho and I appreciate the effort.(sic)" Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno convened an emergency security meeting following a deadly drone attack along the Chad-Sudan border and ordered the immediate and complete closure of the frontier. The attack reportedly resulted in several Chadian casualties, with local media indicating that at least 16 people were killed. In response, the President, on Wednesday, March 18, directed Prime Minister Allamaye Halina to lead a Government delegation to the affected area to assess the extent of human and material losses. He further instructed the National Army to respond decisively to any attacks originating from Sudan. The development unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Sudan since 2023, marked by clashes between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, exacerbating instability along the shared and porous border. Ghana recorded a modest economic expansion of 6 percent in 2025, slightly up from 5.8 percent in 2024, according to data released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) on Tuesday, March 17. Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu noted that the growth represents a 0.2 percentage point increase year-on-year. When petroleum is excluded, GDP growth rose more sharply to 7.6 percent, compared to 6.1 percent in 2024. The services sector remained the backbone of the economy, accounting for 45.9 percent of GDP and growing by 8.1 percent, driven by activities in information and communication, education, transport, and finance. Agriculture also showed notable improvement, expanding by 6.8 percent in 2025, up from 2.7 percent the previous year, and contributing 22.8 percent to GDP. However, the industry sector, which makes up 31.3 percent of the economy, contracted, recording a 2.3 percent decline in growth compared to a 7.2 percent expansion in 2024. Meanwhile, in December 2025, the International Monetary Fund approved a 385 million U.S. dollar disbursement to Ghana following positive assessments of the countrys reform programme. South Africas Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane, has unveiled a large-scale intervention to revive over 200 stalled housing projects as part of efforts to address prolonged delivery delays affecting thousands of households. Speaking in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, 17th March, Simelane disclosed that 212 blocked, abandoned or incomplete projectsvalued at approximately R37 billionhave been earmarked for unblocking in the 2025/2026 financial year. The Free State has emerged as the most affected province, with 154 projects requiring urgent intervention, largely due to contractor abandonment and poor workmanship. Other provinces impacted include Gauteng, where fewer but larger mega projects are stalled, alongside KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, and Western Cape. While the Eastern Cape has no officially stalled projects, it continues to grapple with delays linked to mud housing programmes. Simelane attributed project delays to a combination of legal disputes, infrastructure constraints, land availability challenges, administrative bottlenecks, and contractor non-compliance. Measures including payment suspensions and referrals to public works authorities are being implemented to enforce accountability. The Government is prioritising long-delayed developmentsparticularly those dating between 2006 and 2014and is strengthening provincial support through conditional grants, alongside interventions in disaster-affected and rural areas. In the 2024/2025 financial year, more than 200 projects were identified for intervention, resulting in the delivery of at least 815 housing units. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing all outstanding projects and ensuring that affected communities receive long-overdue housing support. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has urged swift and coordinated action to protect the countrys fuel security amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Speaking during an urgent meeting with the National Oil Marketing Association at State House in Lusaka on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Hichilema warned that the conflictlinked to military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israelposes significant uncertainty for Zambias energy sector. He emphasised the need for both immediate interventions and long-term strategies, noting that the duration of the conflict remains unclear. The meeting brought together Government officials and petroleum supply companies as concerns mount over volatility in global fuel markets. The President stressed the importance of collaboration to safeguard recent economic gains and mitigate the crisiss impact. He also cautioned oil marketing firms against hoarding fuel to exploit potential price increases, describing such actions as sabotage. Meanwhile, the associations vice-president, Pinchi Simukwai, reaffirmed the industrys commitment to maintaining stable fuel supplies, despite rising operational costs driven by increased freight and insurance expenses linked to the Middle East conflict. scorpio Does the car make the driver, or is it the other way round? Mumbai Police is putting this idea to a road test with its new fleet of swanky Scorpios and guess whos watching the proceedings closely? Commissioner Deven Bharti!The city police chief made this clear to his men at a crime conference last Saturday, sources told Mumbai Mirror, when he told them that unless the cars were maintained properly, they would be taken back. This diktat has left the personnel sweating despite the ice-cool car ACs in the drivers seats.The 633 new Scorpio N SUVs all of them deployed as patrol vehicles are part of a larger acquisition of 1,290 automobiles for the force that was announced in February and is aimed at sprucing up the image of Mumbai Police.In fact, the cars priced around Rs 17-20 lakh have become such a litmus test for the forces image that one of them given to Wadala Police Station was yanked off the streets and sent for refurbishment to the Motor Training department because of some humble pan stains. Another Scorpio that got into a minor accident in the Dindoshi area the rumour is that it was just a few scratches led to two constables being showcaused about a week back.I cant give you the details, but yes, an inquiry has been initiated against the two officers for mishandling the new car, said an Dindoshi Police officer from told Mumbai Mirror. Each police station has been allocated five to six new cars.In the spirit of the spit-and-polish routine, the number of drivers allotted to each police station has been doubled from the earlier count of five, with a clear instruction that only the properly trained drivers should be allowed behind the wheels of the new cars.Training or no, thats a load of extra pressure for the drivers especially if they are in the middle of a mad chase down the citys congested roads. How can we be held responsible for all mishaps? Mumbai is full of narrow lanes and driving on them can prove to be dangerous, said an officer on condition of anonymity.Another driver spoke of the stress hes facing now. We have to be extremely careful while driving the new cars, as weve been instructed to be vigilant, he said.Another officer admitted that some of the police drivers could be rash and negligent, which may explain the CPs stern directives. CP sir did say that that cars will be taken away if they were mishandled; he is right, as sometimes we can be reckless. We must treat these cars like they are our own, he added.The new cars are an upgrade for the force, which has been used to age-old Boleros and rusty Sumos for patrolling. In fact, the large-scale acquisition is the first time in a decade that the force is getting a fleet of new automobiles, which also includes two-wheelers. The older vehicles are slated to be auctioned off soon.However, the first hiccup with the new cars emerged with the pan stains that were detected in one of the cars at Wadala PS. We tried to clean up the spots, but they did not fade and the car had to be finally sent to the Motor Training department, an official said.Once there, it was found that the stains were there before the car reached Wadala. This is the conclusion we arrived at after checking all the parameters. The error has been corrected, and the car was handed over to a different police station, an officer said.Another officer said that some drivers lacked road sense because they were not from Mumbai and didnt know the citys traffic flow. Proper and adequate training has been given to the drivers, who are supposed to treat the new cars as their own, an officer said.These cool cars come with a real hot seat! ambedkar A Republic Day speech at a Mumbai government medical institution has spiralled into administrative scandal, raising questions about the thin line between legal obligation and public sentiment.Dr Jitendra Kashinath Deshmukh, Dean of GT Hospital, is under fire following a complaint alleging that he omitted references to key historical figures Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule during his address on January 26.The complaint was filed on February 2 by Borivali West resident Vijay Shankar Jadhav, who was present at the event. Jadhav has alleged the omission was deliberate, describing it as a serious lapse indicative of bias and raised concerns about the functioning of the deans office and sought immediate action.Acting on the complaint, the CMO issued a letter on March 18 directing action against Dr. Deshmukh. When contacted, he declined to comment.Complaint vs lawAt the heart of the controversy lies a critical distinction: while the complaint frames the omission as deliberate and offensive, there is no statutory requirement mandating the mention of any specific historical figures in Republic Day speeches.Senior officials in Mantralaya confirmed that no codified rule governs the content of such addresses. References to prominent leaders, they said, are guided by convention, not law.In official speeches, naming national icons is a matter of practice and administrative courtesy not enforceable protocol, a senior official said. Omission, by itself, does not constitute a violation. Yet, in Maharashtras socio-political landscape, figures like Ambedkar, Shivaji and Phule carry deep symbolic weight, and their absence even if unintentional often triggers strong reactions. Advocate Vedika Chaubey emphasised that speeches must be assessed in context. It is important to consider who is being referred to, the prevailing situation, and how the audience is engaged. The location of the speech also plays a role, she said.While Dr Ambedkar is frequently invoked due to his foundational role in drafting the Constitution, she clarified that there is no mandatory requirement to mention him on every occasion. A 2021 Madras High Court ruling offers a broader legal lens. The court held that patriotism cannot be judged through isolated acts or omissions, but must be assessed through intent. Even if allegations are taken at face value, the key question, it observed, is whether the act diminishes national pride or reinforces it.Despite the absence of legal compulsion, administrative action in this case appears to have been driven by perceived deviation from established convention. Officials acknowledge that speeches at government functions are expected to reflect historical and social context, but reiterate that there is no fixed template. Such issues escalate more due to public sentiment than any clear breach of rules, an official said. The complaint also questions whether the speech was internally vetted and whether institutional protocols exist for public communication during national events an area where guidelines remain largely undefined.A familiar patternThis is not an isolated episode. Maharashtra has seen similar controversies in recent years, where perceived omissions involving key historical figures have triggered protests and administrative responses.In 2023, a Constitution Day event in Marathwada drew criticism over the reported absence of references to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, prompting authorities to seek an explanation. In 2024, a civic function in western Maharashtra faced protests over the absence of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs portrait, leading to a clarification and apology from organisers.In Maharashtra, these figures are not just historical references; they are part of contemporary public identity. Any perceived omission tends to attract immediate scrutiny, said a Mumbai-based political observer. Sonora, CA State bond money is coming to Tuolumne County to help overhaul a portion of the former Tuolumne General Hospital campus into a peer respite site to help people with mental health and/or substance use challenges. The $9.5 million to Tuolumne County was announced by Governor Gavin Newsom and comes from the 2024 voter-approved Proposition 1, an overhaul of the states Behavioral Health System. The bond measure includes $6.4 billion in funding to create 6,800+ residential treatment beds across the state and other related projects. A primary goal is to address homelessness. The money approved for Tuolumne County is for a project called, The Foundry A Place Where Strength is Forged. Tuolumne County is one of 66 projects announced in the current round of funding ($1.18 billion). The Governors Office included a statement from Tuolumne County Supervisor Jaron Brandon in the announcement, who said, Drug and mental illness treatment without safe refuge means fewer successful recoveries, and particularly rural areas struggle with bedspace. This $9.5 million for peer respite housing supports those trying to get better in the safe place they need, and in this case, breathes life back into a formerly closed public facility. It is a win for California, for clients, and for Tuolumne County. The California Department of Health Care Services reports that the $9.5 million award was approved earlier this month, and the estimated project completion date is June 2030. The facility is at 101 Hospital Road in Sonora. The project was described in the Tuolumne County Behavioral Health 2026-2029, Three-year Integrated Plan, which is on the countys website. The description from the countys behavioral health plan is below: There is a clear need for the Peer Respite Site to improve the Housing Continuum within Tuolumne County, with these bond funds this improvement can be made. The Peer Respite Site would be located on the same campus as both the Behavioral Health Department Clinic and the Peer Run Drop-in Center. Having a Peer Respite Site on this campus could increase the ability for consumers to connect with community and socialization, resources, interim and supportive housing programs, and have access to the full scope of Behavioral Health Services without having to leave the site. The Peer Respite will address the urgent needs in the care continuum for people with mental health or substance use conditions, including unhoused people, veterans, and older adults in Tuolumne County. It will also increase options for those who are released from incarceration, who are experiencing homelessness, and decrease hospitalization. It will ensure that care can be provided in the least restrictive settings to support community integration, choice, and autonomy. The Department will also be able to leverage county and Medi-Cal investments to support ongoing stability of the site. This will all be done through the site being staffed 24/7 by the Behavioral Health Department. Consumers will have access to not only traditional Behavioral Health Services during business hours, but 24/7 Peer Respite Site staff which will include Peer Specialists and Case Managers. There will be 24/7 access to crisis support for all consumers. The site will focus on crisis stabilization, peer specialist services, housing navigation, and case management. Nicholas Hoults wife has responded to criticism of her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Nicholas Hoults wife has responded to criticism of her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party The 36-year-old actors partner Bryana Holly, 32, addressed comments about her outfit in a post on social media after the pair attended the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which saw her wear a black sequined gown by Lurelly featuring a plunging neckline. Following the event, Bryana shared a message on Instagram Stories after receiving comments about her body, saying: I am seeing the comments around my chest. This is the product of a breastfeeding mother who hasnt fed her babies in hours ok! If you know then you know. You are not owed an explanation. Bryana and Nicholas, who have been together since 2017, have a son, Joaquin, eight, and a younger child, four, born in late 2022. The couple have largely kept their family life private, with Nicholas previously referring to Bryana as his wife during an interview in November 2024. Nicholas, known for roles including Skins, has spoken previously about his experience of parenthood. In an interview with the Evening Standard, Nicholas said: The levels of tiredness are extreme. He added: No one warns you about it! But the level of love that comes with it outweighs everything. Its phenomenal. Im loving it. And it evolves all the time. (Children) change so much, every day is different. It fills you up as a human completely. Nicholas began his acting career as a child and gained early recognition for his role in About a Boy, in which he starred alongside Hugh Grant. He later rose to wider prominence with his portrayal of Tony Stonem in the television drama Skins, a role that established him as a leading young British actor. Nicholas went on to build a varied career across both independent and blockbuster films. He is widely known for playing Hank McCoy, also known as Beast, in the X-Men film series, and for his performance in Mad Max: Fury Road. Nicholas has also appeared in films such as The Favourite, Warm Bodies and The Menu, demonstrating range across genres including historical drama, action and dark comedy. Alongside his film work, Nicholas has continued to take on television roles, including leading parts in series such as The Great. Across his career, he has worked with a range of directors and co-stars, maintaining a consistent presence in both British and international productions. The Central Organization of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU-K) brushed aside a petition against its recent elections, labeling the allegations as meritless and legally hollow. The workers union issued this response following a lawsuit from Fazul Mohamed and the Institute for Democratic Governance. The suit aims to scrap the results of the March 14, 2026, polls held at Kisumus Tom Mboya Labour College. COTU-K Secretary General Francis Atwoli stood by the voting process, maintaining that the petitioner lacks any valid reason to contest the results. The petitioner is neither a member of any affiliate union of COTU (K), nor an official of any trade union, nor a participant in the electoral process, Atwoli said in a statement. He did not present himself for nomination for any position within COTU (K). Atwoli reiterated that the organization followed its constitution to the letter, pointing out the high turnout from member unions. The COTU (K) elections themselves were conducted with overwhelming participation from affiliated unions, with a quorum of 92 per cent of eligible delegates, which is above the constitutional requirement of 51 per cent, he said. COTU-K noted that, leading up to the vote, over 90% of its dues-paying members had finished their own local and national elections. This enabled their officially elected delegates to cast ballots in the Kisumu election. This high level of participation is a clear demonstration of the confidence that Kenyan workers and their unions have in the leadership and processes of COTU (K), Atwoli added. The group also tackled specific complaints in the petition about which unions participated. Atwoli explained that because the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) do not pay membership fees to COTU-K, they had no right to send voting delegates. With regard to the unions cited in the petition, COTU (K) wishes to clarify that KNUT and KUPPET are not paid-up affiliates and are, therefore, not entitled to have delegates in the election. They only participated as observers, Atwoli explained. Regarding the participation of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Atwoli stated that COTUs constitution allowed the union representation even though it had not finished its own elections. Considering KMPDU was yet to conduct their national elections, the constitution of COTU (K) allows them to have three delegates in the elections, which they did under the leadership of their general secretary, Dr Davji Atella, he noted. The petitioners, however, argue that the elections happened too early and broke the law, specifically ignoring the official timelines from the Registrar of Trade Unions. Court documents show they believe COTU-K held the polls before every member union finished its internal voting a step they claim the law requires. They also challenge the results that saw Atwoli reportedly return for a sixth term as secretary general without opposition, questioning the transparency and fairness of the process. A second contingent of Kenyan police officers touched down in Nairobi on Tuesday evening, marking the close of their deployment to Haiti under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission a Kenya-led peacekeeping operation that reshaped the security landscape in one of the Caribbeans most troubled nations. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, flanked by senior security officials, welcomed the returning officers at a reception in Nairobi. He praised their courage and professionalism under some of the most demanding conditions any officer could face. In a foreign land, under difficult and often dangerous conditions, alongside the Haitian National Police, they upheld the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and courage, flying the Kenyan flag with distinction, Omollo said. The occasion also carried a somber note. Officials paid tribute to three officers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the deployment. PS Omollo pledged that the government would stand by their families in the days ahead. The MSS mission launched in 2024 following a green light from the United Nations Security Council, with Kenya taking point in a coalition that included forces from Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Canada. Over the course of the operation, Kenya progressively deployed approximately 980 officers to Haiti, tasking them with dismantling the violent gangs that had seized control of Port-au-Prince and plunged the capital into chaos. The first batch of Kenyan officers returned home on December 9, 2025, after completing an 18-month tour. Tuesdays homecoming brings that chapter officially to a close. The UN Moves to a Stronger Force The return of Kenyan troops comes as the United Nations Security Council transitions from the MSS framework to a more robust structure the newly formed Gang Suppression Force (GSF). Unlike its predecessor, the GSF will deploy up to 5,500 personnel, combining both police and military assets, and will operate under an initial 12-month mandate. The United States, Panama, and a coalition of Caribbean and international member states have already thrown their weight behind the new mission. The GSF will work hand-in-hand with the Haitian National Police and the Haitian Armed Forces to dismantle gang networks, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches vulnerable communities across the country. Kenyas Commitment to Haiti Remains Firm Even as its officers come home, Kenya has made clear that its interest in Haitis stability does not end here. PS Omollo reaffirmed that Kenya remains committed to supporting the international communitys efforts to build lasting peace in the country. Kenya continues to stand with Haiti and the global community to preserve progress and foster lasting peace, he said. For the officers stepping off the plane Tuesday evening, it was a hard-won return. They leave behind a Haiti that, while still fragile, has seen real movement against the gang structures that once paralyzed it and they carry home the weight and the pride of a mission that put Kenya at the center of a major global peacekeeping effort. A new international report has exposed how weak oversight, poor coordination among watchdogs, and a lack of technology allow billions of shillings to leak from Kenyas public coffers through messy procurement. The study, titled Peer Reviews of Competition Law and Policy: Kenya, was published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. It describes a system that is easy prey for cartels, price gouging, and offenders who rarely face consequences. The report highlights that public procurement is one of the governments biggest spending avenues, meaning any waste hits taxpayers incredibly hard. Public procurement accounts for approximately 60 percent of the governments annual budget, the report reads in part. Weak enforcement sits at the heart of the problem. While Kenya has solid laws against collusion and bid-rigging, authorities rarely apply penalties. The review found that enforcement of these rules has been limited lately, despite the robust legal framework. The report warns that this gap between the law and reality creates the perfect environment for price-fixing cartels. These groups inflate costs while providing low-quality services. A major failure highlighted in the report is the poor teamwork between the agencies that police procurement and competition. The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) mostly work in isolation, even though their responsibilities overlap. The OECD suggests that these two agencies must collaborate much more closely and build shared tools to detect bid-rigging. Without this teamwork, suspicious bidding patterns continue to go unnoticed. To make matters worse, prosecution authorities play a limited role. The review notes that the CAK sometimes relies on other state bodies to enforce penalties, which slows down or even kills cases. When prosecution is weak, it becomes hard to collect fines, essentially protecting those who break the law. Transparency in procurement remains out of reach. Only a small number of public agencies use centralized electronic systems, meaning most tenders escape real-time oversight. The OECD has called on Kenya to expand digital tools that can automatically flag suspicious bidding or high-risk tenders before officials award any contracts. International experts use these systems to catch cartel activity early. Screening tools or audits of past tender procedures could identify markets prone to collusion, the report advises. Even when watchdogs catch wrongdoers, institutional gaps weaken enforcement. The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), the nations lead overseer, operates with far less money and staff than similar agencies around the world. In 2024, its total budget was roughly Ksh472 million, with only a fraction of that used for competition enforcement. The report warns that these budget cuts and staffing limits make it nearly impossible to dismantle complex procurement cartels that use sophisticated networks. Staffing shortages further worsen the problem. The authority has just over 30 people working on competition issues a number the OECD says falls far below what similar agencies in other countries have. The combined impact of poor coordination, weak enforcement, technological gaps, and under-funded regulators has created a procurement system that is far too easy to manipulate. When cartels inflate contracts, the government pays more but gets less, stripping away money meant for vital services like health, roads, and schools. The OECD warns that without quick reforms, Kenya could end up with a culture where collusion is the norm rather than the exception. Priority fixes include: Strengthening teamwork between different government agencies. Boosting funding and staff for enforcement teams. Increasing transparency by using more digital tools. Ensuring penalties are tough enough to actually scare off would-be offenders. In the end, the report argues that fixing how the government buys goods and services isnt just about good rules its an economic necessity. A fair and competitive system could save taxpayers billions, providing a massive boost to national development and public welfare. Until those protections are solid, however, the countrys biggest spending tap will likely remain its biggest leak. Safaricom is rolling out a significant privacy upgrade to M-Pesa on March 24, 2026, one that will change how your personal details appear every time you send money. The Central Bank of Kenya has already approved the new data minimization feature, and it is set to reshape the way millions of Kenyans experience mobile payments. At its core, the update masks portions of a senders phone number across Till, PayBill, and peer-to-peer transactions. From March 24, merchants and recipients will no longer see a senders full contact details in payment notifications a move Safaricom frames as a direct strike against fraud and digital privacy violations. What the New Feature Actually Does Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa broke down exactly how the masking works. The system will display only two names of the sender and hide the three middle digits of the phone number so a number like 0722000712 would appear as 0722***712, for example. We have an obligation to ensure maximum digital security for our customers. This feature is a major step in the right direction towards fighting against fraud, Ndegwa said. For situations where a recipient genuinely needs a senders full details, the system builds in a structured process. The recipient has a 24-hour window to submit a request. Once they do, the sender receives a prompt and can either approve or decline. If the sender does not respond within two hours, the request automatically expires keeping the data locked down by default. Privacy Has Been Years in the Making Safaricom says its push toward data minimization did not start recently. Ndegwa traced the companys privacy journey back to 2020, when the launch of Pochi la Biashara first limited the personal information merchants could see during transactions. A year later, Safaricom tightened its internal controls, restricting how much customer data front-line and support staff could access. By 2022, the telco had begun masking phone numbers on M-Pesa statements, extending privacy protections across all customer-facing touchpoints. The company took another leap in 2024, as Chief Financial Services Officer Esther Waititu explained. In 2024, we implemented API-level data minimization, ensuring partners only receive the minimum data required to complete a service, Waititu said. The March 24 update builds directly on that foundation. Waititu confirmed that from that date, recipients across all M-Pesa payment channels will see only two names and a partially masked number. This journey reflects our ongoing commitment to embedding privacy-by-design across our financial ecosystem, she said. Why This Matters for M-Pesas Millions of Users As mobile money use continues to surge across Kenya, the pressure on platforms like M-Pesa to handle personal data responsibly has grown in step. Ndegwa acknowledged that users are demanding more than just seamless transactions. Our customers want convenience, but they also need to feel that the information entrusted to us is handled with care, respect, and integrity, he said. The March 24 rollout puts that commitment into practice in the most visible way yet right at the point of every transaction. For everyday users, the change is simple: your phone number stays yours. For fraudsters who have exploited exposed contact details to target M-Pesa users, the window just got a lot smaller. Democracy for Citizens (DCP) Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has sharply criticized the ongoing Nairobi River regeneration project, accusing the government of selective justice in its demolition of structures along the riparian land. Speaking during an interview on Kameme TV on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the former deputy president argued that while the homes of the poor are being flattened, luxury hotels and high-end residences in affluent neighborhoods remain untouched. If you look at the Nairobi River, only those who do not have are the targets. If this demolition exercise is of honesty and truthfulness, why didnt they start from Lavington, then Kileleshwa, because there are homes and hotels built almost on the river by the mighty ones? Gachagua posed. Also Read Painful Decisions Must Be Made: Sakaja Deploys Bulldozers to Save Nairobi from Floods Gachagua has called for the government to be sincere by starting its enforcement in Lavington, arguing that the law should apply to the rich just as strictly as it does to the poor. He contends that targeting only low-income areas undermines the entire environmental goal of the project. But it is only those who are poor are being targeted. If this government of President William Ruto is sincere, let it begin from Lavington, Gachagua stated. To support his point, he pointed to the legacy of the late John Michuki, who famously led the first major cleanup of the Nairobi River in 2008. The late Michuki, who came from Kangema, made Michuki Park, cleaned the river, and made a garden where people go to rest up-to-date, Gachagua said. This local unrest follows a major protest at Gikomba Market on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Traders clashed with government officials after being issued relocation notices tied to the Nairobi River Restoration Project. The standoff began when a multi-agency team arrived to survey a proposed decanting site a temporary relocation area meant to house vendors while the riverbank is cleared and modern stalls are built. However, long-term vendors pushed back, claiming that the government has kept them in the dark throughout the process and shut them out of any meaningful planning discussions. Xi calls for strengthening cooperation with Turkmenistan in natural gas, trade, non-resource fields Xinhua) 08:04, March 19, 2026 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a goodwill visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China and Turkmenistan should expand the scale of cooperation in the natural gas sector, and elevate trade and investment levels, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi made the remarks when meeting with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, adding that the two sides should expand cooperation in non-resource fields, including connectivity, agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital economy and clean energy. China's "two sessions" were successfully held not long ago, during which the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development was approved, Xi said. He also stated that the implementation of this outline will lay a solid foundation for China towards basically achieving socialist modernization, which benefits countries around the world. Over the past 35 years since its independence, Turkmenistan has forged an independent development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said. At the beginning of the Year of the Horse, China stands ready to discuss cooperation and share development opportunities with Turkmenistan to promote the building of the China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future, he said. Stressing that mutual support is the core essence of the China-Turkmenistan comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said regardless of how the international situation evolves, China will always support Turkmenistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Moreover, China will always support Turkmenistan in pursuing a policy of permanent neutrality and will remain a trustworthy partner for Turkmenistan. Both sides should accelerate the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Turkmenistan's development strategy, he said, calling on both sides to accelerate the progress of establishing Luban Workshops, traditional Chinese medicine centers and cultural centers. China and Turkmenistan must resolutely combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism to foster a secure environment for the development of both countries, Xi said. As a myriad of global challenges keep emerging, China stands ready to work with Turkmenistan to firmly uphold the status and authority of the United Nations and practice genuine multilateralism. Xi called on both sides to adhere to a global governance philosophy that emphasizes extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and lead the transformation of global governance with the principles of fairness, justice, openness, and inclusiveness. For his part, Berdimuhamedov extended his congratulations on China's successful "two sessions," which makes important decisions and arrangements for the development of various initiatives. Noting that China's prosperity and development benefit the world, he said that Turkmenistan-China cooperation has become an important and positive factor in the economic and social development of the two countries and is in the long-term interests of the two peoples. Turkmenistan will, as always, abide by the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, expand practical cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity and other fields, and seek common development and prosperity, as well as promote security and stability, Berdimuhamedov said. He said that Turkmenistan thanked China for its support of Turkmenistan's permanent neutral status, spoke highly of the four global initiatives proposed by Xi, and appreciated China for upholding a fair stance in international affairs. Turkmenistan is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the China-Central Asia mechanism to jointly safeguard peace and stability of the region and the world at large, Berdimuhamedov said. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a goodwill visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Chinese President Xi Jinping takes a walk with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a goodwill visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2026. Xi met with Berdimuhamedov in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Uma Thurman doesn't "see the point" of being "nervous" about AI and thinks there are "great positives" to the technology. Uma Thurman isn't worried about AI The 55-year-old actress admitted she has been a "super-slow" adopter of artificial intelligence and while many in the movie industry have expressed their concerns about its impact, she believes human connection will always be more powerful. She told America's InStyle magazine: "I'm sure there are going to be great positives, and I'm sure there's going to be great cost, which is the case with most things. "I don't see the point in getting nervous. The whole idea of a 'new normal' is scheduled heartbreak. "Our challenge is to be fluid and dextrous and open-minded and positive. 'What else are we doing on this planet?" Meanwhile, Uma - who has Maya, 27, and Levon, 24, with ex-husband Ethan Hawke and Luna, 13, with former partner Arpad Busson - admitted she thinks she missed out by never living in Los Angeles full time, raising her family in New York instead,. She said: "I actually always wished I had moved to Los Angeles. I even got an apartment there at one point because I was working there really frequently, and as soon as I signed the lease, I got pregnant with my daughter within, like, six weeks. "I never did time in Los Angeles, and because of that, I kind of never integrated into the community of my own profession, and I think that's too bad. "I had more of a community with the other mothers at pick-up on 16th Street and Rutherford Place, and that's okay. But I wish I'd had that chapter. I think I really would have liked it." The Kill Bill actress' youngest daughter is preparing to start high school, and Uma acknowledged the move will mean a shift in her own daily life, which she is looking forward to. She said: "I will have a different time structure in my life that is quite exciting to imagine. "It's already very different to have one child [at home] versus three children in different schools. I am finding I have a lot of oxygen for more that is outside this house." After years of testimony, mountains of evidence, and a trial that has gripped Kenya since 2021, former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and two co-accused will finally learn their fate on May 29, 2026. Lady Justice Cecilia Githua set the date on Wednesday, March 18, scheduling the verdict for an open session at the Milimani High Court in Nairobi bringing one of Kenyas most high-profile murder cases one step closer to a conclusion. Obado faces the charge alongside his former personal aide Michael Oyamo and Casper Ojwang, in connection with the September 2018 killing of Sharon Otieno, a Rongo University student whose murder sent shockwaves across the country. Why the Court Needs More Time When the parties gathered to fix the judgment date, Justice Githua was direct about why May and not sooner. Given the many volumes of proceedings and the many exhibits in this matter as well as the latest submissions filed by the parties, the court will need sufficient time to prepare the judgment, and for that reason, I reserve the judgment for May 29, 2026, she stated. The judge has ordered all parties to appear physically at Milimani High Court at 10:30 am on that date. No virtual appearances everyone must be in the room when the verdict lands. What the Prosecution Argued In its closing submission, the Director of Public Prosecutions built its case around a theory of common design the argument that all three accused worked in coordination toward a single deadly outcome. The states position is that Obado was the ultimate beneficiary of the plot, the man with the motive. Oyamo and Ojwang, in the prosecutions framing, were the trusted operatives who got their hands dirty on his behalf. The DPP placed Oyamo and Ojwang at or near the Graca Hotel on the evening of September 3, 2018 the night Sharon Otieno and journalist Barrack Oduor were lured from that location and abducted. Oduor, then a Daily Nation reporter, serves as the prosecutions most important living witness. His account forms the backbone of the states timeline: he had gone to meet Oyamo to seek a comment on the governors affair, and the two were persuaded to move to a quieter venue. Once inside the vehicle a dark gray Toyota Fielder registered as KCL 481K two strangers jumped in and began strangling them. Oduor managed to throw himself from the moving car near Kendu Bay and survived. Sharon and her 28-week-old unborn baby were not so fortunate. The vehicle itself has become one of the most consequential details in the case. The Toyota Fielder is registered to the wife of Casper Ojwang, and the prosecution alleges it was driven by a man with longstanding ties to the governors inner circle. How Obado Defended Himself Obado has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and his final submissions lean heavily on what his legal team calls the absence of any direct link between the former governor and the crime itself. His defense rests on four pillars. First, he argues that the prosecutions entire case comes down to his relationship with Sharon specifically, that he fathered her child, something he described as an open secret. Being the father of her unborn child, his team argues, is not evidence of murder. Second, despite 42 prosecution witnesses taking the stand, not one testified to seeing Obado plan, fund, or instruct anyone to harm Sharon. His lawyers characterize the states case as purely circumstantial. Third, Obado points to his whereabouts on the night of the abduction: call data and travel records show he was in Nairobi, preparing to travel to Rwanda roughly 350 kilometers from where Sharon was taken. Fourth, and perhaps most pointedly, his defense argues the state never established that Obado even knew the four individuals alleged to have carried out the stabbing in Kodera Forest, where Sharons body was later found. Two Months, Two Competing Narratives With the defense having wrapped up its presentation in April 2025, Obado took the stand and maintained his innocence throughout. The court now carries the weight of reconciling two sharply different accounts of what happened that September night. On one side sits the prosecutions common design theory: a coordinated plan, a getaway car tied to the accused, a survivor who lived to testify, and a former governor who, the state argues, had everything to gain from Sharons silence. The other side sits a defense that says the evidence is thin, the witnesses stop short of the critical link, and a man 350 kilometers away cannot be held responsible for what happened in a forest he was never near. On May 29, Justice Githua will decide which version holds up. President William Ruto drew a firm line in the sand on Wednesday, telling critics and opposition leaders that political squabbles will claim no more than a sliver of his attention as he presses ahead with his development agenda for Kenya. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Busia Stadium on March 18, 2026, Ruto brushed aside a wave of opposition criticism that had dominated public discourse in the preceding days, making it plain that he has no intention of letting political noise slow down his administrations work. I will give you one percent of my time, Ruto said in a pointed message to his critics. A Week of Sharp Political Exchanges The Busia remarks did not come out of nowhere. Earlier in the week, while touring Western Kenya, Ruto took pointed jabs at opposition figures, mocking the physical fitness and what he called the cluelessness of DAP-Ks Eugene Wamalwa and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Those comments sparked a fresh round of heated exchanges between the government and opposition camps, keeping political tensions simmering across the country. Also Read Mimi Sikuli Kwa Bibi Yako: Matiangi Fires Back at Rutos Big Bellies Jab By Wednesday, however, the president struck a noticeably different chord pivoting from the sharp rhetoric of earlier days to a call for national solidarity. From Confrontation to Unity Standing before the Busia crowd, Ruto urged political leaders on all sides to step back from divisive language and direct their energy toward the countrys real challenges. His tone carried a deliberate shift less combative, more statesmanlike. Yesterday I told them to deter from spreading a culture that does not unite Kenyans. We are uniting Kenya, he said. The president went further, extending an olive branch across party lines and calling for a working alliance between the countrys major political formations. He specifically named ODM and UDA as formations that should be pulling in the same direction. We have said ODM, UDA, and Kenya Kwanza should unite against problems, tribalism, and discrimination and unite Kenyans, Ruto said. The Linda Mwananchi faction has issued a scathing rebuke of President William Ruto following a series of public outbursts in Western Kenya. During a press conference on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the group accused the president of breaching the constitutional dignity of his office. They specifically pointed to a culture of insults that they claim has characterized recent exchanges between the president and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. Babu Owino led the condemnation, questioning whether the countrys top office has been reduced to intimidation and verbal violence. What example are they trying to show those who are coming after them? Must leadership just be full of gunism, violence, and insults? As young leaders, we want to condemn the conduct and behaviour of the leaders, especially at the presidents level. We dont expect the president of the Republic of Kenya to behave in a way that he behaved yesterday, he said. The moment you get annoyed as a president, what decisions will you make? And those decisions, your guess is as good as mine, can lead to chaos, and therefore you must conduct yourself in a manner that is protecting the image of that office, because it is no longer you as an individual, but it is the office that you hold. Senator Godfrey Osotsi warned that President Rutos recent public conduct could provide legal grounds for his removal from office. Speaking alongside Babu Owino on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Osotsi reminded the president that his oath of office requires him to be a symbol of national unity a standard he claims has been violated by recent insulting rhetoric used during tours in Western Kenya. I want to remind President William Ruto that he took the oath to uphold the Constitution of Kenya, and some of the utterances that he has made for the past few days do not portray a leader who is supposed to be the president of Kenya. In fact, I want to remind President William Ruto that his utterances actually border on misconduct, which is a ground for impeachment of the president of Kenya, he said. We want a president that will unite this country, a president that respects the Constitution, and a president that respects alternative opinions so that we can have a strong country. Siaya Governor James Orengo also declared that President William Ruto is unfit for office and should be removed immediately rather than waiting for the 2027 general election. The senior counsel argued that the presidents incendiary remarks which he classified as hate speech and incitement violate the very Constitution he swore to protect. Orengo pointed out that while other leaders like Gachagua never took a constitutional oath, the president carries a sworn duty to protect and defend the law. He called on Kenyans to use every legal tool available to challenge what he described as a rogue presidency, insisting that they must act without delay. The message is that we have a president who is unfit to be in office, not in 2027, but unfit to be in office now. And if the Constitution provides means for his removal, the job should be done now, not in 2027. This is a call to action for all Kenyans to do everything possible to ensure that we dont have a rogue president and that we dont have a bandit government, he said. The law also says, if you are attacked in your house, you defend yourself before you go to see policemen. So this time, we are warning Kenyans that the time to deal with that rogue presidency is not 2027; it is actually now. Min Jin Lee is the author of the acclaimed novels Free Food for Millionaires and Pachinko a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist that was adapted into a streaming television series. Lee reflected on the theme Can Wisdom be Taught? over three evenings of lectures and conversation at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts March 1-3, as Emorys 2026 Richard Ellmann Lecturer in Modern Literature. She also took part in a Q&A for students at the Michael C. Carlos Museums Ackerman Hall following her second lecture. Emorys Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry houses the lectures. A video recording of Writers and the World, Lee's Creativity Conversation with Tayari Jones, Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing, is available to view online. Lee will return to Emory in spring 2027 to deliver the McDonald Lectures at Candler School of Theology. Photos by Becky Stein Photography. SIU welcomes everyone to the March 25 Holi celebration by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. Southern Illinois University Carbondale will be celebrating Holi, Indias traditional Hindu spring festival, on Wednesday, March 25 and everyone is welcome to attend. The celebration is set for 2 p.m. on the lawn of Morris Library. The Holi celebration offers a wonderful opportunity for the community to gather and share a special, fun cultural celebration, said Renada Greer, executive director of the Student Multicultural Resource Center. Although the festivals origin is with the Hindus, it is an inclusive event with unity as its theme. SIUs Indian Student Association helps organize this festival of colors and we encourage everyone to come support our students, faculty and staff from India. Colorful gathering The festival begins in the library near the Abraham Lincoln bust. Participants are invited to stop by the table for refreshments, music and to receive informational handouts and brochures about the celebration which takes place annually in India. Color powder will be handed out as well. Then, the event moves to the library lawn where all participants will be able to get packets of various brightly colored powders. When the signal sounds, everyone will throw the powders into the air. The wind will mix the myriad hues as they fall upon the crowd in a symbolic representation of love, unity, inclusion and happiness. Organizers remind those planning to attend that brightly colored powder will get on their clothes and whatever they are carrying. They should dress accordingly. The Student Multicultural Resource Center, the Vice Chancellor for Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and SIUs Indian Student Association are sponsoring the Holi celebration. Anything Goes cast members rehearse ahead of the March 26-29 performances in SIU Carbondales Shryock Auditorium. (Photo by Erasmus Tornye) SIUs Shryock Auditorium is where Anything Goes March 26-29 by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. A continuing search for young love and deception can reach no ends including the high seas as the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Theater and Dance and the School of Music prepare to take audiences aboard the S.S. American where Anything Goes. The tale of a young stockbroker seeking out his true love while stowing away on an ocean liner as it travels from New York to London boards the Shryock Auditorium stage starting Thursday, March 26. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 26-28 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29. Cole Porters satirical musical comedy, which premiered on Broadway in 1934, features singing sailors, humorous passengers and classic songs, including Anything Goes, I Get a Kick Out of You, Youre the Top and Easy to Love. Angela C. Shultz, director of musical theater and associate professor of practice in musical theater and voice, and Christopher Morehouse, professor and director of bands are collaborating. They collaborated previously in 2025s musical She Loves Me. More than an escapist musical The musical originally premiered during a tumultuous time in the nations history the ongoing Great Depression and just a few years prior to the start of World War II. There were many escapist musicals written around that time because people needed a diversion from ordinary life, Shultz said. However, Anything Goes is more than that. It's a social satire poking fun at celebrity, gangster culture, class wars and religion. The humor is witty and biting but is told through madcap comedy and a bunch of tap dancing. For Morehouse, the music is quintessential 1930s along with a testament to the lasting quality of Porters music. Cole Porter's music and lyrics will be instantly recognizable, many of the songs having become standards, he said. It is remarkable that almost 100 years later this musical and songs from the musical are still regularly performed. Large production Morehouse will conduct the 18-member pit orchestra, featuring the SIU Wind Ensemble. The orchestra includes 16 students and two guest artists. The musical cast includes 24 students and recent graduates. Rehearsals began in mid-January. Matthew Williams, an assistant professor in performance and movement, is the productions choreographer. Sawyer Richman, a senior in musical theater is stage manager, with third-year undergraduate theater students Phoenix McCoy and Biana Shults as assistant stage managers. Grace Rueter, a graduate masters student in the theater program oversees scenic design while Charlie Lockridge, a graduate masters student in theater, is technical director. M. Kamara, graduate masters in theater and Olivia Manning (who also plays Reno Sweeney), a fourth-year undergraduate student, are dramaturgs. The cast includes: Reno Sweeney Olivia Manning, senior, musical theater, Louisville, Kentucky. Billy Crocker Seth Worthington, junior, musical theater, Paris, Illinois. Hope Harcourt Amelia Warner, junior, musical theater, Indianapolis. Lord Evelyn Oakleigh Harrison Gilberti, second year master of music, vocal performance, Trumbull, Connecticut. Evangeline Harcourt Summer Sanders, junior, musical theater, Olney, Illinois. Elisha Whitney Damaurion Clark, junior, musical theater, Hazel Crest, Illinois. Moonface Martin Blake Zappa, May 2025 graduate, theater, Chester, Illinois. Erma Jadyn Samuels, junior, musical theater, Anna, Illinois. Captain Ameriah Lockett, junior, musical theater, Urbana, Illinois. Forging new ground The musical features a hit-parade of Porters songs from the 1930s. The opportunity to team with Morehouse and the Wind Ensemble again is exciting, Shultz said. It gives our students the amazing chance to integrate their acting, singing and dance skills in a high-energy show, she said. All of this together with bringing the show to Shryock Auditorium means we have the chance to forge new ground in collaboration, creativity and community. For many in the wind ensemble, this will be the first pit orchestra experience, Morehouse said. Students are called upon to play different styles throughout the show, from big band swing to art song accompaniment. Building these skills while in school is important for each student's overall training, he said. Ticket information Tickets are available online, by phone at 618-453-5741 and at the McLeod Theater Box Office. Individual tickets are $25 for adults 21 and older, $20 for senior citizens 55 and older, $10 for students age 13-21 and $8 for children 12 and younger. Tickets can also be purchased at Shryock Auditorium one hour before each performance. The McLeod Theater Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jason Bateman will direct Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson in a new crime thriller. Jason Bateman is directing a new Netflix crime thriller The 57-year-old star will be at the helm of The Cackling of the Dodos for Netflix, which is based on an original screenplay by Kingdomtide novelist Rye Curtis. As confirmed by the streaming giant's Dan Lin and Jinny Howe during a press event on Wednesday (18.03.26), Rockwell and Harrelson will join Bateman on the project. In a press release, Netflix teased: "Dodos centres on small-town farmer George, who has a truly terrible day when he discovers a corpse chilling out in a grain bin and is unwittingly forced into a chaotic, sloppy cover-up by his boss, Denny." The movie will be Bateman's latest collaboration with Netflix, having recently been nominated for an Actor Award for his work on Black Rabbit. He was also seen as a villain in 2024's airport thriller Carry-On, and appeared in Ozark while service as executive producer. In Carry-On, he plays a mysterious stranger who attempts to blackmail a TSA agent into allowing a dangerous package on a Christmas flight and he enjoyed having the chance to portray a complicated character. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "Im not some hardened criminal-looking kind of guy, so Im glad they didnt want me to play him like that. "They let me do it as just a guy and this is just his job. He wants to blow this plane up, move on to the next thing, and get home for the holidays too. Co-star Taron Egerton, who plays the TSA agent, believes Bateman's role is more menacing because the beloved comedic actor is playing against type. He explained: "Its unusual because he presents as someone quite safe but actually underneath it, hes awful. "Knowing Jason for all his film work and Arrested Development and Ozark, its surreal to be working with him. Last month, Bateman revealed how he almost walked away from Hollywood in his 20s. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "I wouldve bought a little coffee shop in some small town in Western Europe, learned the language and made local villager friends. "It sounds so stupid, but I wouldve walked around with a little apron on and sat at everyones table and just had a quaint, little life and I bet I would have loved it." Bateman's fortunes were transformed in the early 2000s, when he was cast in Arrested Development, and following a string of film and TV successes, he now believes that he's at the peak of his powers. He shared: "Were it not for some of that cliff-hanging earlier in my career, I dont know if Id be as good as I am at the caretaking of these opportunities. "But I have seen and felt what it is like to really not have a lot of prospects, and it keeps you hungry." I used to measure my life in global fashion strategies and conservation milestones. As a Wharton MBA shaping the direction of houses like Gucci and Benetton, and later as the "Tiger Lady" who founded the South China Tiger Project to rewild a critically endangered species, my world was one of high-stakes missions and 200kg predators. But then, the world as I knew it unravelled. Within a year, circumstances beyond my control forced my career and my sense of purpose to an abrupt end. My possessions were reduced to a few suitcases, and I found myself starting again in Treviso, a quiet provincial city in north-east Italy. My constant companion through the aftermath was a small tabby cat called Gigia. She had been born on the edge of a Trevisan vegetable patch, and in a period when everything else shifted, her steady expectation that dinner would arrive on time became the only anchor I had left. Gigia out on a winters day. Credit: Jasmine L. Quan Travel had always been central to who I was, and I was determined that neither circumstance, nor Gigia, would stop me. I had no interest in booking her into a catteryan idea that filled me with dread and her, I suspect, with silent contempt. So, I made a decision that was purely practical at the time: She came with me. Jasmine with Gigia at the Venice Carnival. Credit: Jasmine L. Quan. I realised then that if I could apply behavioural enrichment techniques to wild tigers, I could surely expand the world of one domestic cat. What I didnt expect was that Gigia would be the one to re-educate me. Our first outing was a short drive into the Prosecco hills of Valdobbiadene. I expected protest and panic. Instead, Gigia sat on my lap with the composure of a seasoned commuter. When we stepped into a small village cafe, the owner produced a bowl of water and scratched her chin without hesitation. Standing there with my espresso, I realized I had discovered "accoglienza"the deep, instinctive Italian hospitality that extends to everyone, including a cat. That moment altered how I saw Italy. It also turned me into a different kind of observer. Applying a Wharton-honed eye for detail to the winding streets of Lazio and the rugged coast of Abruzzo, I began to record our journeys. Jasmine L. Quan at Cathedral Chieti with Gigia. Credit: Jasmine L. Quan. Gigia, it turned out, was not just an expert acrobat of 13 tricks, but the ultimate travel critic. She has an almost scholarly interest in stone walls, shady doorways, and warm patches of 14th-century pavement. While tourists hurried past with guidebooks, we remained stationary while she conducted a detailed inspection of a medieval drainpipe. This is an excellent way to notice things. Through her eyes, I began to see faded frescoes, tiny shrines, and the authentic local life that unfolds when you stop rushing. Gigia at Saturnia, Toscany. Credit: Jasmine L. Quan. As we toured more than 100 villages, I dove into writing our first book, Gigia and Me!. I realized we were onto something when Gigia's Google Maps reviews started attracting thousands of views. We eventually built GigiaTravelCat.com to share our "Cats-Eye View" of Italy. Gigia quickly became a celebrity. In Lazio, we wandered through the near-deserted borgo of Celleno; in Abruzzo, she climbed to the highest point above the Sangro Valley with the composure of a mountaineer. Everywhere we went, people recognized her. Cafe owners remembered her name. She acquired the sort of following usually reserved for minor royalty or particularly talented Labradors. To my ongoing amusement, Gigia became a feline influencer in her own right, eventually presenting her book at seven flagship COIN Department Stores across Italy. Those quiet drives on weekends eventually became my new memoir, Gigias Italy: A Cats-Eye View.--Italy, I learned, is a country that understands that ospitalita isn't a policy; its a philosophy. At Gelivs in Oderzo, a Michelin-starred restaurant accommodated her with elegant calm. At Osteria al Forno di Agnese in Civita di Bagnoregio, we were given a table when they were fully bookeda decision I am convinced was based entirely on her presence. Plates of grilled tuna would arrive with the phrase, Per la principessa, and she accepted this tribute with regal, feline composure. :Gigia out on a winters day. Credit: Jasmine L.Quan. My method for judging a place became simple: If they liked Gigia, I liked them. It has yet to fail me. Everything Gigia taught me about traveling through Italy is available to you if you arrive from the UK this spring or summer with your own cat and a willingness to embrace mild absurdity. The practicalitiesthe pet passports and the car hireare straightforward. The real challenge is surrendering your schedule to a creature who refuses to be hurried. You dont need to live in Italy to experience this. You simply need the courage to abandon the idea that a successful holiday involves rushing from one famous sight to another. Italy rewards those who wander gently, and should you have a furry companion leading the way, you will discover that the best journeys are the ones that leave paw prints on your soul. Jasmine L. Quan with Hulooo, the first South China Tiger cub born outside of China. Credit: Jasmine L. Quan. Jasmine L. Quan is the author of Gigias Italy: A Cats-Eye View available now. Gigia provides travel tips to Italy at GigiaTravelCat.com The ongoing conflicts around the world are creating uncertainty for economies and energy security, and call for dialogue on a sustainable future, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday. "In the entire world, there is a kind of turmoil... there is so much war going on, and it is affecting economies and energy security," he said while addressing Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. Joshi said the current global environment has led to widespread concern among people about the future. "People are thinking what will be the future... people are bothered, people are tensed," he said, highlighting the impact of conflicts on both economies and public sentiment. He stressed that beyond immediate concerns, countries must focus on safeguarding long-term interests. "Not only tensed... our own future should be protected," he said, pointing to the need for resilience in policy and planning. Referring to the broader global situation, Joshi said geopolitical tensions across regions are contributing to instability. He cited countries such as Iran, Russia, China and Taiwan as examples where tensions are impacting global dynamics. He also drew attention to structural imbalances in energy resources. "Where there is oil, there itself there is no gas... where there is ample gas, there are problems," he said, underscoring challenges in global energy distribution and infrastructure. At the same time, Joshi emphasised that the transition towards renewable energy is essential but will take time. "The moment you decide renewable, it will take some time," he said, noting that conventional and renewable sources must coexist during the transition period. He highlighted progress in renewable energy, referring to multiple capacity additions across segments, while cautioning that conventional energy systems cannot be abruptly discontinued. Linking sustainability with broader cultural and national context, he extended greetings on Gudi Padwa, describing it as a symbol of renewal and new beginnings, and said the concept aligns with the shift towards renewable energy. Joshi also expressed confidence in India's long-term growth, stating that the 21st century is expected to belong to the country, provided it follows a sustainable development pathway guided by the vision of Narendra Modi. He underlined the importance of coordination among ministries, experts and stakeholders in navigating global uncertainties and ensuring a smooth energy transition. The minister also acknowledged the role of leadership and officials, including Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, in advancing discussions on the power sector. Emphasising cooperation, Joshi said dialogue remains key in addressing global challenges. "When tensions arise in the world, we should sit together and talk about a sustainable future," he said. The minister said that with ongoing conflicts shaping global markets and energy systems, countries must work collectively to ensure stability, strengthen energy security and build a resilient and sustainable future. (ANI) India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], March 19: The report highlights Gen Z's most desirable or "dream" companies across industries, shifting priorities among young professionals, including demand for transparent pay, faster growth opportunities, and flexible work models, while also examining internship trends and early career attrition. - Global giants Google, Microsoft and Amazon pip the usual suspects McKinsey, Unilever, etc. emerging as the most sought-after dream employers to work for. - Only 36% of HR leaders feel fully prepared to hire and manage Gen Z talent, revealing a growing readiness gap - Nearly 27% of candidates drop out of hiring processes due to a lack of pay transparency - 78% of organisations run internship programmes, but only 16% convert over 80% of interns into full-time hires - 90%+ Gen Z professionals are willing to accept slightly lower compensation if roles offer stronger learning opportunities, faster career progression India, 19 March 2026: Unstop, a leading platform connecting ~30 million students and early professionals with career opportunities, has released the Unstop Talent Report 2026, "Era of Human + AI: Decoding India's Talent Landscape." Based on insights from 37,000+ students and 500+ HR leaders, the report highlights how Gen Z professionals are redefining career expectations, preferred workplaces, and early career priorities. A key highlight of the report is the ranking of India's most desirable companies for Gen Z across industries, reflecting where young professionals aspire to build their careers. Most Desirable Employers for Gen Z in 2026 The report identifies the most desirable companies for Gen Z across industries. Among B-School students, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon take the top three spots, followed by McKinsey & Company, Hindustan Unilever Limited and Boston Consulting Group. Established names such as Bain & Company, Deloitte, Tata Group, and Goldman Sachs also feature prominently in the top 10. A similar trend is visible among E-School students, with Google, Microsoft, and Amazon continuing to dominate, in that order. They are followed by leading IT and technology employers including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Deloitte, Accenture, Flipkart, NVIDIA, and Apple Inc. (in that order) The global BFSI sector saw global financial institutions' continued hold, with Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Morgan Stanley leading the list. They are followed by major Indian players in the space such as HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and State Bank of India, along with global players like HSBC, American Express, and Citibank. The most sought-after employers in consulting are McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, and Boston Consulting Group, followed by Accenture Strategy, Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young, Kearney, KPMG, and Tata Consultancy Services. In the FMCG and FMCD category, Hindustan Unilever Limited leads the rankings, followed by Nestle and ITC Limited, both with equal preference. Other notable names include Procter & Gamble, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Marico, Britannia Industries, Dabur, and Mondelez International. Conglomerates dominate the General Management category, with Tata Administrative Services ranked highest, followed by Reliance Industries Limited, Aditya Birla Group, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Adani Group. Among New-Age recruiters, startups and tech-first companies are seeing rising preference, led by Eternal, followed by Swiggy, Meesho, Razorpay, and Zepto. In the Product companies category, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon continue to lead, followed by Adobe, Apple Inc., Flipkart, Meta, NVIDIA, Oracle, and Zoho, reflecting a strong tilt towards global and homegrown tech innovators. These preferences reflect deeper shifts in how Gen Z evaluates employers, with learning opportunities, transparency, and faster career progression emerging as the most important decision factors. Gen Z Priorities: Learning, Transparency, and Flexibility Beyond employer preferences, the report highlights how Gen Z professionals are redefining workplace expectations. When choosing their first job, learning opportunities emerge as the strongest motivator for Gen Z, with 60-65% of respondents prioritising learning and skill development. This is followed by salary considerations at 11-13%. The findings also show that transparent pay and clear career progression are critical expectations, with nearly 27% of candidates dropping out of hiring processes due to lack of salary transparency. Organisations Still Catching Up with Gen Z Expectations Despite the changing expectations of young professionals, organisations are still adapting to this shift. The report finds that only 36% of HR leaders feel fully prepared to hire and manage Gen Z talent, indicating a significant readiness gap. At the same time, 49-59% of early career employees leave organisations due to lack of growth opportunities, highlighting the importance of structured career pathways and mentorship. The report also highlights that 90%+ Gen Z professionals are willing to accept slightly lower compensation if roles offer stronger learning opportunities, faster career progression, and better work-life balance. Changing Campus Hiring Dynamics The report points to shifting trends in job discovery among students. Nearly 95% of students are open to off-campus opportunities if better roles are available, signalling a move beyond traditional campus placement pipelines. At the same time, significant disparities remain across institutions. Students at campuses where 150+ companies visit annually are nearly 2.9 times more likely to secure placements compared to campuses with fewer than 30 recruiters. Internships Becoming the New Hiring Gateway Internships are increasingly becoming the primary entry point into the workforce. According to the report, a whopping 78% of organisations run internship programmes. This moves into the zone where employers want proof of work and a skill variable ecosystem. Though only 16% of organisations convert more than 80% of interns into full-time hires, revealing a gap between internship exposure and long-term hiring outcomes. Students also expect internships to provide real work from day one, mentorship, and clear pathways to pre-placement offers (PPOs). Attrition Begins Early The report further highlights challenges around early career retention. HR leaders cite higher studies (38%), better pay (30%), job-role mismatch (23%), and better company brands (22%) as the leading reasons for early attrition. Additionally, around 26% of freshers remain on bench for 3-6 months before receiving meaningful work, increasing the likelihood of early job switches. Ankit Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Unstop, further emphasised: "Gen Z is entering the workforce with a very different set of expectations compared to previous generations. They value transparency, learning opportunities, and meaningful growth over traditional markers of employment. Through the Unstop Talent Report 2026, we aim to provide organisations with actionable insights that can help them better understand and engage the next generation of talent." "Companies that proactively align their hiring strategies with these expectations will be better positioned to attract, develop, and retain high-potential talent in an increasingly competitive workforce landscape." Research Methodology The Unstop Talent Report 2026 is based on insights gathered through a comprehensive survey conducted between January and February 2026, covering 37,000+ students and 500+ HR leaders across industries. The research examines hiring trends, Gen Z career expectations, internship pathways, and early career attrition patterns to decode emerging shifts in India's talent ecosystem. About Unstop Unstop is India's Largest Early Talent Community Engagement & Hiring Platform, connecting ~30 million students and early professionals with 35,000+ employers across domains. Incorporated in 2019, Unstop enables democratised access to opportunities through competitions, hackathons, assessments, learning programs, internships, and jobs. With 200,000+ engagements and 25 million+ assessments completed, Unstop powers iconic programs like Flipkart GRiD, Amazon ACE, HUL L.I.M.E, Tata Imagination Challenge, EY Techathon, and more. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Goyal held a series of interactions on Thursday. Responding to a post by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Goyal said he is looking forward to working closely towards a successful WTO Ministerial. "Thank you, Minister @EspenBarthEide, for the constructive exchange. India values its partnership with Norway and our shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, navigating evolving geopolitical developments, and advancing meaningful WTO reforms. Looking forward to working closely towards a successful WTO Ministerial," Goyal said. In his post Espen Barth Eide said he had fruitful discussion with Goyal. "I had a fruitful VTC with India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, @PiyushGoyal, yesterday. In my role as facilitator for @WTO reform, I consult with key member states ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon next week to seek progress at a critical juncture," he said. In another post, Goyal said he had a productive interaction with a delegation led by Brian Schimpf, Co-Founder & CEO of Anduril Technologies. "Discussed avenues to advance defence innovation and deepen technology partnerships, with a focus on expanding Anduril's footprint in India under the Make in India initiative," Goyal said. Goyal also met a delegation of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) led by their President Salvatore Anastasi. "We discussed advancing India's IP laws, fostering global alignment, promoting innovation, and enhancing ease of doing business to further strengthen India's global competitiveness," he said. Goyal met a delegation of UK MPs and held discussions to advance bilateral ties. "Met with a delegation of UK Members of Parliament, led by Rt. Hon. @LiamByrneMP,, Chair of the UK Parliamentary Business and Trade Select Committee. Held constructive discussions on advancing India-UK relations, with a focus on economic growth, sustainable development, and innovation. Confident that our win-win partnership will unlock new opportunities for both nations," he said ina post on X. (ANI) Kristin Cabot, the former Human Relations Executive who went viral at the Coldplay concert last year after being caught on the concert's kiss cam with her then-boss, Andy Byron, said that her estranged husband would not have been surprised if he saw her outside the office with Byron, reported People. In an exclusive clip from Cabot's sit-down for The Oprah Podcast, as reported by People, the former HR executive reflected back on the "kiss cam" controversy that upended her life and recalled how she and her spouse, Andrew, almost crossed paths when she was with Byron at the show in July 2025. "I was walking into the concert and my daughter messaged me and said, Oh it's so great that you and Andrew are both at Coldplay," Cabot (who has two kids from a prior marriage) told Oprah Winfrey in the interview as quoted by People. "So she let me know that my estranged husband was also at the concert and in my mind I thought, well--is this going to be weird if he sees me with Andy [Byron]? Like ... if I run into him 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," said Cabot at the Oprah Podcast as quoted by People. However, she maintained that her husband wouldn't have been fazed to see her bond with Byron. "He [my ex] knows how closely Andy and I worked together, he knows we socialised--like got lunches and got drinks. It was fine," said Cabot. She continued, "He knows the nature of my work and the way the relationships , I've shared desks with the CEOs I've worked with. Like it's just a very close relationship and so it didn't matter," as quoted by People. During the concert, Cabot was seen in Byron's arms as seen in the KissCam footage of the concert. The clip, filmed at Coldplay's show at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, went viral in no time and also drew global attention after the band's frontman, Chris Martin, jokingly suggested the pair might be having an "affair". Cabot's and Byron's careers were derailed. They left Astronomer, the tech company where he'd been CEO, and she was the chief people officer, reported People. The video, which crossed 100 million views within days, showed Byron with his arms around Cabot before both attempted to duck out of the camera's view. What followed, Cabot said, was months of harassment, threats and public shaming. She told the newspaper that she was labelled a "slut", a "homewrecker", and a "gold digger", and that her phone rang hundreds of times a day as strangers tracked her down, reported People. Cabot said the incident also had a severe impact on her children, who became afraid to be seen with her in public. She recalled a moment weeks later when a stranger recognised her at a petrol station and verbally abused her, an encounter she said marked the point when things "fell apart". Addressing speculation around her relationship with Byron, Cabot insisted that there was no affair and that the concert marked the first and only time they kissed according to an interview with The New York Times, quoted by People Magazine. (ANI) The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued summons to actors Nora Fatehi, Sanjay Dutt, Raqueeb Alam, producer Venkat K. Narayana, and director Kiran Kumar after taking the suo motu cognisance of reports alleging "obscenity" and "vulgarity" in the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke'. According to the statement from NCW, the commission stated that the song "appears to be sexually suggestive and objectionable," which leads to the violations of provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the IT Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. "The National Commission for Women, in exercise of its powers under the NCW Act, 1990, has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports alleging obscenity and vulgarity in the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke. Observing that the content prima facie appears to be sexually suggestive, objectionable, and violative of provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, IT Act, and POCSO Act, the Commission has taken serious note of the matter." The summons has been issued to the makers and actors Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt to appear before the commission on March 24 at 12:30 pm. "Summons have been issued to Actress Nora Fatehi, Raqueeb Alam, Actor Sanjay Dutt, Venkat K. Narayana (Producer, KVN Group), and Kiran Kumar (Director), directing them to appear before the Commission. They have been asked to appear on 24.03.2026 at 12:30 PM along with relevant documents. Failure to appear may invite appropriate action as per law," wrote NHRC in their statement. On Wednesday, the Union government confirmed that the song 'Sarke Chunari' has been banned following widespread criticism over its lyrics and visuals. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision in the Lok Sabha while responding to a question raised by Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadouria. Addressing the House, Vaishnaw said the government had already acted against the song and reiterated that freedom of speech in India is subject to constitutional limits. The minister emphasised that expression must operate within the framework of reasonable restrictions laid down by the Constitution. "The song has already been banned," Vaishnaw said during the parliamentary discussion, adding, "I would like to say this clearly that we should follow the reasonable restrictions imposed by the creators of the Constitution of India on freedom of speech." The minister referred to the provisions under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which allow restrictions on freedom of speech in the interest of public order, decency, morality, and other concerns. "Freedom of speech cannot be absolute. It has to be in the context of society and culture. We must follow the reasonable restrictions imposed by the creators of the Constitution," he said, adding, "And in that, very carefully, in the coming time, the way things are spreading rapidly today through digital means, in that, for the protection of the society, especially for the protection of children, for the protection of women, for the protection of the deprived groups of the society, whatever hard actions should be taken, the government is ready to take them." The controversy erupted soon after the release of the song, which featured actors Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt. Critics alleged that the track contained vulgar lyrics and visuals that objectified women. The backlash quickly escalated, with several individuals and organisations calling for action against the creators of the song. Complaints were filed demanding an FIR and removal of the track from circulation, intensifying public debate just days before the matter was raised in Parliament. (ANI) A fatwa has been issued against actor-performer Nora Fatehi over the controversial song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke.' The track, which also features Sanjay Dutt, is part of the upcoming Kannada film 'KD: The Devil.' The religious body, the Muslim Personal Darul Ifta in Aligarh, issued the fatwa against Nora after the song began receiving backlash online for its lyrics. According to the religious body, the track contains content that they consider objectionable and against Islamic teachings. Meanwhile, the Union government, on Wednesday, confirmed that the song has been banned following widespread criticism over its lyrics and visuals. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision in the Lok Sabha while responding to a question raised by Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadouria. The song has been facing backlash since its release earlier this week. Some organisations also demanded action against the people involved with the track. Critics alleged that the track contained "vulgar" lyrics and visuals that objectified women. The backlash quickly escalated, with several individuals and organisations calling for action against the creators of the song. Complaints were filed demanding an FIR and the removal of the track from circulation, intensifying public debate just days before the matter was raised in Parliament. On Wednesday, Nora in a detailed video that she shared on Instagram, claimed that she had no role in the Hindi version of the song. "When I shot this song three years ago, I said yes to it because it was a part of a big film, it was with a big icon, Sanjay Dutt, who would say no to working with him? He's such an icon. And it was a remake, at least that's what I thought, of 'Nayak Nahi Khalnayak Hoon Main', which is also a very iconic song," Nora said. She further claimed that when the makers explained the translation of the song to her at the time, nothing seemed "inappropriate" or "vulgar." However, she clarified that she does not understand Kannada and had relied entirely on what the team told her. Produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions and presented by the same banner, 'KD: The Devil' is a period action entertainer inspired by real events from 1970s Bangalore. The movie features Dhruva Sarja in the titular role alongside Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, and V Ravichandran. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 30 this year. (ANI) Pakistan's education system continues to grapple with deep-rooted inequalities, as nearly 28% of children aged 5-16 remain out of school, with girls disproportionately affected. Around 34% of girls are not enrolled compared to 22% of boys, highlighting a persistent gender gap that is even more severe in rural areas, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to The Express Tribune, while nearly two-thirds of Pakistanis aged 10 and above have attended school at some point, access to education remains uneven. The national literacy rate stands at 63%, with a sharp divide between male literacy at 73% and female literacy at just 52%. Urban areas continue to outperform rural regions, recording a literacy rate of 77% compared to 56% in the countryside. Enrolment trends further expose systemic challenges. Although 68% of children are enrolled at the primary level, participation declines sharply in higher grades. Only 40% of students reach middle school, and nearly 30% continue to matriculation. Experts point out that the transition from primary to middle school is a critical stage where many students drop out. Financial constraints, household responsibilities, and limited availability of secondary schools contribute to this trend. For girls, these barriers are compounded by cultural norms and early marriages, further restricting their educational opportunities. Provincial disparities also reflect the uneven distribution of educational resources. Punjab leads with a literacy rate of 66%, followed by Sindh at 61%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 55%, while Balochistan lags significantly at 43%. The situation in Balochistan remains particularly concerning due to poor infrastructure and limited access to schools, as cited by The Express Tribune. Despite some progress in boosting enrolment, the findings suggest that Pakistan's education crisis is far from resolved. Structural inequalities tied to gender, geography, and economic status continue to prevent millions of children from accessing quality education. Policymakers are now being urged to shift focus from enrolment alone to improving retention, ensuring gender parity, and addressing the systemic barriers that hinder educational access across the country, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI) Local footwear vendors in the Puranapul area of Hyderabad have witnessed a surge in sales as shoppers throng the market ahead of the upcoming Ramzan celebrations. Shaik Nayeem, Manager of a 50-year-old shop at Kolhapur corner, expresses how Peshawari footwear is flying off the shelves. "We have a range of traditional footwear, including Kolhapuri, Jalsa, and Rajwari styles. Peshawari is our bestseller, accounting for 95% of our sales," he told ANI. Nayeem's store has been sourcing Kolhapuri from Solapur and Rajwari from Rajasthan, with some products also coming from Delhi. Earlier on Wednesday, rain lashed in parts of the Hyderabad old city at midnight, which temporarily disrupted the tradition of all-night shopping during the holy month. From Charminar to Madina Building, the vibrant Ramadan festivities, usually alive until the early hours, were forced into a temporary standstill as people ran to find shelter. On Sunday, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy participated in the Dawat-e-Iftar at LB Stadium in Hyderabad. Telangana Minister Mohammad Azharuddin and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi were also present at the event. Participating in the Iftar party hosted by the State Government for Muslims, the CM observed that Ramzan is the holy month of spiritual purification, and it is a delightful moment that the government is hosting Iftar for the fasting Muslim brothers and sisters. "In this holy month, you pray five times a day, do good deeds, and read the Quran. We pray for the good of this country and the world. Because of your prayers, this world is being saved. Together, we are working to advance this country," Revanth Reddy said. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times as it is believed that the Quran came down to the earth from heaven for the very first time. The holy Quran is regarded as "a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction, and a means of salvation." For an entire month, Muslims follow a schedule of waking up early, which they call 'Sheheri', and by 4:45 am have food, then after fasting for the whole day, not even drinking a drop of water. They perform Namaz five times a day. The early morning prayer is known as Fazar followed by Zohar in second, Ashar in third, Maghrib in fourth and the final one- Isha. The day-long fast (Roza) ends after Magrit which usually falls after 6 pm or later in the evening. At the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr celebrates the breaking of the fast. Friends and families gather for festive meals and exchange gifts. Special gifts are also given to the poor. It is also believed that fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh expressed sharp criticism over the fire department's response following a massive blaze in Delhi's Palam area that claimed the lives of 9 individuals. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh, in a post on X, said, "This is not an accident; it is murder. Would you believe that in the national capital, Delhi, the fire brigade's ladder wouldn't open, and they didn't even have a net? Where the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and all the big leaders reside, 9 members of AAP leader Rajendra Kashyap ji's family burned to death in the fire--they kept screaming, kept shouting, the fire brigade vehicle arrived after 1 hour, and even when it did, their ladder wouldn't open, and they didn't even have a net. Right before people's eyes, 9 lives were extinguished in an instant. Rajendra bhai is a dedicated comrade of AAP; he oversees the party's work in Goa. This immense suffering has befallen him, for which there is no compensation. May God grant peace to the souls of his family members and give him the strength to bear this sorrow." On the other hand, State Minister Ashish Sood, while talking to the reporters, said, "This is very unfortunate. A family has suffered a huge loss. The Chief Minister has immediately made announcements for the injured and deceased persons. The government will investigate this seriously. The culprits in this case will not be spared. Investigation will be conducted within 24 hours, and action will be taken." Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the Palam fire incident, as the death toll rose to nine, with three others reported injured. Taking it to X, he wrote, "The loss of lives in the tragic fire accident in Palam, Delhi, is deeply painful. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased in the Palam residential building fire. Expressing his deepest condolences on the unfortunate incident, the PM announced Rs. 50,000 ex-gratia to the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The Delhi government also announced compensation for victims. According to the Chief Minister's Office, a compensation of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to the families of those who lost their lives, while Rs 5 lakh will be given in cases involving deceased children. Additionally, Rs 2 lakh compensation will be provided to those who sustained serious injuries in the fire. Nine people died in the fire that broke out in a residential building in the Sadh Nagar area of Palam, police said on Wednesday. Delhi Fire Services stated that around 30 fire brigades had arrived at the spot after receiving the information and were engaged in dousing the blaze. The fire broke out in a residential building in the Sadh Nagar area of Palam in the early hours of Wednesday, allegedly due to a short circuit. (ANI) Israel said on Wednesday it had killed Iran's intelligence minister, Esmaeil Khatib, in an overnight airstrike on Tehran, making him the third senior Iranian official assassinated by the Israeli military in less than 48 hours. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the killing during a briefing with senior military officials, though Tehran has not verified the claim. Iran has so far made no public comment on Khatib's reported death, Al Jazeera reported. Khatib's killing follows the confirmed deaths on Tuesday of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and widely regarded as the most powerful decision-maker in the country, and Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had granted the Israeli military standing authorisation to kill any senior Iranian official in its sights, without requiring case-by-case approval. 'Today, significant surprises are expected in all arenas that will escalate the war we are waging against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon; the intensity of attacks in Iran is increasing,' Katz said. ELIMINATED: Esmaeil Khatib, the Iranian terrorist regime Minister of Intelligence, in a targeted strike in Tehran. Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against pic.twitter.com/rPdDYaYZUg Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 18, 2026 Netanyahu Taunts Tehran With 'Punch Card' Video Crossing names off the list is good - doing it shoulder to shoulder with our American friends is even better. Good to see Ambassador @GovMikeHuckabee. Always a pleasure. pic.twitter.com/FZrZN03IZI Benjamin Netanyahu - (@netanyahu) March 17, 2026 Hours before Khatib's death was announced, Netanyahu posted a video on social media alongside US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. In the clip, the Israeli prime minister pulled a small card from his suit jacket. 'Today I erased two names on the punch card, and you see how many more to go on this batch,' Netanyahu said, referring to the killings of Larijani and Soleimani. The video also served to dismiss persistent online rumours that Netanyahu had been killed in Iranian retaliatory strikes. Netanyahu said Israeli forces were 'undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it' and pledged more operations to come. Iran Fires Retaliatory Missiles at Israel After Larijani Killing Iran responded to the assassinations with a fresh barrage of missiles aimed at central Israel in the early hours of Wednesday. The IRGC said the strikes were in direct retaliation for the death of Larijani. Two people were killed in the Ramat Gan area near Tel Aviv by missile shrapnel. Tel Aviv District Police Commander Haim Sargerof said the pair died 'just a few metres from the safe room.' One person was also injured in the nearby city of Bnei Brak. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the missiles fired included the Khorramshahr-4, a multiple-warhead system that experts say can carry up to 80 small bomblets designed to evade air defence systems. Multiple locations in Tel Aviv were struck by falling debris, with vehicles reported on fire in residential streets. Khatib Was a Trusted Ally of Iran's Late Supreme Leader Khatib, 65, had served as Iran's intelligence minister since August 2021. Born in Qaen, South Khorasan, he studied Islamic jurisprudence in Qom and spent much of his early career in the IRGC's intelligence branch before being appointed to lead the civilian intelligence ministry under former President Ebrahim Raisi. Israeli military analysts described Khatib as a trusted figure close to Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The elder Khamenei was killed alongside dozens of senior officials in the Israeli opening strike on 28 February that launched the current war, now in its 18th day. When Masoud Pezeshkian succeeded Raisi as president, he took the unusual step of retaining Khatib in the intelligence role. The decision was seen as a concession to hardliners, with Khatib serving as a check on Pezeshkian's more moderate positions. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview aired after Larijani's death was confirmed, said the United States and Israel had yet to grasp that Iran's political system does not depend on any single individual. Funerals for Larijani and Soleimani were scheduled for Wednesday. The joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began on 28 February, has now killed the former supreme leader, his top security chief, the Basij commander, and - if confirmed - the head of the country's intelligence apparatus. Originally published on IBTimes UK Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President and MLA KT Rama Rao launched a sharp attack on the Telangana government, alleging that the Chief Minister's recent address in the Assembly had no clarity and failed to mention the status of the 'six guarantees' promised to the people during elections. BRS Working President and MLA KT Rama Rao, while talking to the reporters on Wednesday, said, "The Chief Minister's speech had no content, no clarity, and no mention of the six guarantees; it was instead used for self-promotion. This government has no compassion. Instead of appreciation, it deserves condemnation for making the Governor deliver blatant falsehoods. Democratic values were bulldozed, with the government denying the opposition an opportunity to respond. The government claims to have borrowed over Rs 3.47 lakh crore, but has any of it reached the poor? Where are pensions, financial assistance to women, farmer support, or promises like gold for beneficiaries?..." Meanwhile, Chief Minister A Revnath Reddy slammed the former Chief Minister and leader of the opposition in the Assembly, K Chandrashekhar Rao, for not attending the budget session of the Telangana Assembly. According to a statement, the government also expected the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly would attend the unveiling ceremony of the 'Telangana Thalli' (Mother Telangana) statue in the Assembly precincts."The Chief Minister criticised the BRS leadership for not giving up their arrogance even after they lost power in the 2023 Assembly elections," according to a source. Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the house today, the CM strongly objected to the KCR's neglectful attitude towards respecting the legislative bodies and his absence from the house during the important debates, according to the statement. "We are still witnessing autocratic tendencies in some leaders, even though the autocratic rulers and kingdoms have vanished. The BRS leaders were still pursuing dictatorship and making a mockery of democracy", the CM said. CM Reddy observed that "in this modern democracy, the people themselves have become the sovereigns, electing their leaders through democratic processes. Some leaders, however, continue to perceive themselves as kings." "They are saying people committed mistakes by giving power to Congress. The BRS leaders displayed the very same arrogant attitude when they were in power," the Chief Minister alleged. According to official records, since December 1, 2023, the leader of the opposition has drawn a total of 1,06,56,674 as salary and allowances. CM Revanth Reddy asserted that a decision must be taken regarding the practice of drawing salaries and allowances without attending to official duties. (ANI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Wednesday, met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to discuss challenges faced by truck and bus body builders from Rajasthan. According to the All India Congress Committee, a delegation of small truck and bus body builders met Rahul Gandhi, expressing concerns over the government's new standards and fees. MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with the delegation, met Nitin Gadkari. Minister Gadkari assured them that the government would consider their concerns and work towards addressing the issues. Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to revise the applicable fee for the FASTag Annual Pass, increasing the rate from the current Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,075 for the 2026-27 Financial Year. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this new fee structure takes effect on April 1, 2026. The adjustment follows the regulatory framework established under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The revised rate applies specifically to eligible non-commercial vehicles equipped with a valid FASTag. This facility remains available at approximately 1,150 fee plazas across the network of National Highways and National Expressways. The Ministry noted that the adoption of the FASTag Annual Pass continues to grow among private vehicle owners, with the user base currently exceeding 56 lakh individuals. By opting for this annual pass, motorists eliminate the need for frequent recharges. The system operates on a one-time fee payment that grants validity for one full year or a total of 200 toll plaza crossings. The Ministry noted that the pass is applicable for all non-commercial vehicles, provided they maintain a valid FASTag. The activation process remains streamlined for the convenience of the commuters. Once the one-time fee is paid through the Rajmarg Yatra app or the official National Highways Authority of India website, the annual pass activates within two hours on the existing FASTag linked to the vehicle. This digital integration ensures that the transition to the new fee cycle remains seamless for the existing 56 lakh users. (ANI) Haryana Congress in charge and party leader BK Hariprasad on Wednesday said that during the recent state Rajya Sabha elections, several irregularities occurred within the party's voting. Out of 36 votes cast by Congress MLAs, five to six were declared invalid, and a few legislators cross-voted. He identified the MLAs involved as Shaily Chaudhary (Narayangarh), Mohammad Ilyas (Punhana), Mohammad Israil (Hathin), and Renu Bala (Sadhaura). "Out of our 36 votes, 5-6 were declared invalid and some of our MLAs cross-voted. They are Narayangarh-Shaily Chaudhary, Punhana - Mohammad Ilyas, Hathin - Mohammad Israel, Sadhaura-Renu Bala," said Hariprasad. The party is planning to take action against the leaders who cross voted, as Hariprasad added that, "The party's disciplinary committee will send its report to us, based on which AICC will act. An action will certainly be taken against the MLAs who cross-voted." Meanwhile, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda alleged that the BJP used pressure tactics during the elections. He claimed that five Congress MLAs cross-voted and described the situation as a "major conspiracy," accusing the ruling party of employing unethical methods and intimidation. "In the Rajya Sabha, 5 of our MLAs cross-voted... A very big conspiracy has been hatched. The BJP resorted to all unethical tactics... They are threatening people," said Deepinder Hooda. 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. While celebrations occured 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." (ANI) Devotees on Thursday gathered in large numbers at prominent shrines, including the Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur temples in Delhi and Mumba Devi in Mumbai, to offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. The air resonated with the sound of bells and hymns as the Aarti performed marked the commencement of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, while talking to the reporters, said, "I wish everyone a Happy Chaitra Navaratri. May the Goddess bring prosperity in everyone's life and may Her blessings stay on our country..." Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of the Nav Samvatsar and Chaitra Navratri. He described Chaitra Navratri as a festival dedicated to the worship of Shakti and said it marks a great tradition of Indian culture. According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office, Dhami said that the festival highlights the importance and strength of women in society, and that the ritual of Kanya Pujan performed during this period represents the significance of women's empowerment. The Chief Minister further said that Chaitra Navratri holds special significance in our ancient scriptures and is considered a foundation for self-purification and virtuous living. "Worshipping Goddess Durga during this time helps eliminate negative energy and promotes positive energy," he said. On the other hand, the district administration imposed a complete ban on the sale and purchase of meat, fish, and eggs across the Maihar Nagar Palika area during the upcoming Chaitra Navratri festival, citing the religious significance. Maihar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Divya Patel said that the restriction would be in place from March 19 to March 27, during which non-vegetarian items would be prohibited for sale across the municipal area. "Maihar is a religious city; therefore, in view of the Chaitra Navratri fair, a complete ban has been imposed on the sale of meat, fish, and eggs from March 19 to March 27. If anyone is found violating the order, legal action will be taken against them," SDM Patel told ANI. Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu new year and is one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga. Over nine days, devotees worship the nine forms of the goddess, observe fasts, and perform rituals seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being. The festival concludes with Ram Navami, which celebrates the birth of Lord Ram. Temples witness heavy footfall, and special prayers, jagrans, and cultural programs are organised across the nation. (ANI) Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday raised concerns over the lack of a formal farewell for former Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, nearly eight months after his sudden resignation. Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, wrote, "Today the Rajya Sabha had a farewell function for MPs retiring in the next three months. It lasted almost 6 hours, with the PM attending for about an hour. Sadly, even after 8 months, there has been no farewell function for the former Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Shri Jagdeep Dhankar, who was compulsorily retired on July 21, 2025." Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met with retiring and recently retired Members of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha during a gathering held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital. Lok Sabha Speaker in a post on X on Wednesday, said, "Lok Sabha Speaker Shri @ombirlakota met the retiring and recently retired Members of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Union Ministers and other Members of Parliament were also present." On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the retiring Rajya Sabha MPs for their contributions, wishing them well for their future political endeavours as he emphasised that there was "no full stop in politics". "Discussions take place on various issues in the House, and every member plays a unique role in them. In moments like these, a common sense of respect is generated, rising above party lines. To the leaders who are leaving the House after the end of their tenure, I want to say that there is no full stop in politics. The future is waiting for you. Your experience and contribution will always be remembered," the PM said. He further urged the newly elected MPs to learn from the veterans like HD Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, who he said have spent more than half of their lives in parliamentary work. "HD Deve Gowda ji, Mallikarjun Kharge ji, and Sharad Pawar ji are senior leaders who have spent more than half of their lives in parliamentary work. Newly elected MPs should learn from them," he said. Speaking about Ramdas Athawale, whose term is coming to an end, PM Modi said, "Sometimes we used to hear that there is a lot of opportunity for humour and satire in the House. These days, perhaps it is gradually decreasing. But our Athawale is evergreen. Athawale is leaving, but no one here will feel any shortcoming. I am fully confident that he will continue to serve satire and humour in abundance." Ramdas Athawale, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Tiruchi Siva, Amarendra Dhari Singh, and Abhishek Manu Singhvi are among the 37 retiring MPs. (ANI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Chaitra Shukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Cheti Chand, wishing for "strength, devotion and positivity." In his message, Birla said, "Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on the occasion of Nav Samvatsar, Chaitra Navratri, Cheti Chand, Gudi Padwa, and Ugadi! Today, these festivals are being celebrated across the country with faith, enthusiasm, and joy, showcasing our rich cultural diversity and unity. The New Year marks not just a new calendar beginning, but an opportunity to move forward with fresh ideas, resolutions, and renewed energy. I pray that Goddess Bhagwati's blessings fill our lives with strength, devotion, and positivity." Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu expressed greetings on the festivals marking the Hindu New Year and the arrival of the spring season. In a post on X, the President wished for "prosperity and new hopes" for all citizens on the occasion of Chaitra Shuklaadi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiroba. "On the sacred occasion of Chaitra Shuklaadi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiroba, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all my fellow citizens. These festivals, celebrated across various regions of the country to welcome the arrival of the new year, are vibrant symbols of India's rich cultural diversity. My fond hope is that these joyous occasions infuse prosperity and new hopes into everyone's lives," the post read. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasions of Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. "On the first day of Navratri, the ritual is to worship Devi Shailaputri, the first form of Maa Durga. May her blessings infuse discipline, peace, and positive energy into everyone's life--this is the heartfelt wish," the PM wrote in a post. In separate posts on X, the PM expressed wishes on the first day of Navratri, praying for discipline, peace and positive energy for everyone. The PM also extended best wishes on Cheti Chand, Ugadi and Gudi Padwa and hoped for a good year for all. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday expressed greetings on the festivals marking the Hindu New Year and the arrival of the spring season. In a post on X, the President wished for "prosperity and new hopes" for all citizens on the occasion of Chaitra Shuklaadi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiroba. "On the sacred occasion of Chaitra Shuklaadi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiroba, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all my fellow citizens. These festivals, celebrated across various regions of the country to welcome the arrival of the new year, are vibrant symbols of India's rich cultural diversity. My fond hope is that these joyous occasions infuse prosperity and new hopes into everyone's lives," the post read. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/2034454306968187288 Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasions of Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. In two separate posts on X, the PM expressed wishes on the first day of Navratri, praying for discipline, peace and positive energy for everyone. "On the first day of Navratri, the ritual is to worship Devi Shailaputri, the first form of Maa Durga. May her blessings infuse discipline, peace, and positive energy into everyone's life--this is the heartfelt wish," the PM wrote in a post. "I bow to the one who grants desired boons, with the crescent moon adorning her crest. Mounted on a bull, wielding a trident, the glorious Shailaputri. My salutations and obeisance at the feet of the Mother of the Universe, Maa Durga, on behalf of millions of my fellow countrymen! On the sacred occasion of Navratri, I beseech the Divine Mother to bestow her blessings of affection and compassion upon one and all. Jai Mata Di!" he wrote in another post. In other posts, the PM extended best wishes on Cheti Chand, Ugadi and Gudi Padwa and hoped for a good year for all. Meanwhile, devotees on Thursday gathered in large numbers at prominent shrines, including the Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur temples in Delhi and Mumba Devi in Mumbai, to offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. The air resonated with the sound of bells and hymns as the Aarti performed marked the commencement of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. (ANI) The Goripalayam Dargah in Madurai has been decorated with vibrant decorative lights, ahead of the Eid festival, illuminating the Shrine. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, earlier, participated in an Iftar programme organised by the DMK Minorities Wing in Chennai and conveyed his Ramadan greetings to the Muslim community. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the Iftar programme organised during the holy month of Ramadan was conducted successfully and appreciated the efforts of the party's minority wing. He also praised party functionary Subair Khan, stating that he was following in the footsteps of his father and was performing well by balancing both his profession as a doctor and his responsibilities in the DMK. Stalin extended his heartfelt Ramadan wishes to the Muslim community and congratulated the organisers for conducting the event in a grand manner. Highlighting the long-standing relationship between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Muslim community, Stalin said the bond between the DMK and Muslims has existed since the party was founded by CN Annadurai. He stated that this relationship has continued across generations and asserted that no one could separate the Muslim community from the DMK. The Chief Minister also stressed that the DMK government has consistently prioritised the welfare of minorities and women in the state. Referring to the upcoming elections, he said the unity displayed at the Ramadan gathering reflected the harmony among people and leaders who had come together on the occasion. Stalin further said that such unity was important not only for Tamil Nadu but also for the country. Criticising the BJP-led governments, Stalin alleged that minorities were facing discrimination in certain states. He specifically referred to recent developments in Assam and accused the government led by Assam CM of acting against minority communities. Taking a dig at AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, Stalin questioned whether EPS had ever raised issues concerning the welfare of minorities. He alleged that Palaniswami had not only mortgaged the AIADMK but had also compromised his self-respect. The Chief Minister reiterated that the DMK would continue to stand with minorities and work towards safeguarding their rights and welfare. (ANI) Indian Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib on Wednesday criticised BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over her 'tapori' remark against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing her of degrading the level of Parliament. Speaking with ANI, Chib said that the Youth Congress members will work harder in the Mandi constituency of Ranaut to ensure that "such parliamentarians" do not enter the House. He further questioned her "mental balance." "It is shameful to make such remarks about the country's LoP, and from today itself, the youth will work in the Mandi Lok Sabha so that such MPs who hold such thinking, who harbor anti-national sentiments and make such statements, do not even enter Parliament, and so that the level of Parliament does not fall, we ensure that such people whose mental balance is disturbed do not come to Parliament..," he said. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday defended Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi following controversial remarks by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, stating that personal or political disagreements do not justify such "wrong" allegations. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, while speaking to ANI, said, "There could be personal or political disagreements, but saying something like this for Rahul ji is wrong. I have seen Rahul ji's commitment towards the upliftment of women and respecting them. It is a bit funny to put such allegations on a person who comes from a family full of women leadership." The reaction stemmed after BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his alleged behaviour with other parliamentarians, accusing the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha of "heckling" those giving interviews. Speaking with ANI, Ranaut said, "We, the women, get very uncomfortable seeing the way he (Rahul Gandhi) conducts himself. He walks in like a 'tapori' and heckles those giving interviews. He should see the conduct and behaviour of his sister, which is very good. Rahul Gandhi himself is a shame." Ranaut's remarks come after 84 former bureaucrats, 116 veterans and four lawyers wrote an open letter, asking 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." (ANI) Devotees thronged temples across several cities on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, offering prayers and seeking blessings. In Gorakhpur, people visited Golghar Kali Mandir, while in Lucknow, devotees gathered at Maa Chandrika Devi Temple to offer prayers. Similar scenes were witnessed at Maa Amba Temple in Surat, where devotees arrived early to participate in rituals. In the national capital, worshippers queued up at Jhandewalan Temple to mark the beginning of the nine-day festival. In Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, devotees marked the Hindu New Year by chanting mantras, offering prayers to the Sun god and blowing conch shells on the banks of the Shipra River. Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasions of Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. In two separate posts on X, the PM expressed wishes on the first day of Navratri, praying for discipline, peace and positive energy for everyone. "On the first day of Navratri, the ritual is to worship Devi Shailaputri, the first form of Maa Durga. May her blessings infuse discipline, peace, and positive energy into everyone's life--this is the heartfelt wish," the PM wrote in a post. "I bow to the one who grants desired boons, with the crescent moon adorning her crest. Mounted on a bull, wielding a trident, the glorious Shailaputri. My salutations and obeisance at the feet of the Mother of the Universe, Maa Durga, on behalf of millions of my fellow countrymen! On the sacred occasion of Navratri, I beseech the Divine Mother to bestow her blessings of affection and compassion upon one and all. Jai Mata Di!" he wrote in another post. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended greetings on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, paying tribute to the goddess Shailputri, the first form of Goddess Durga worshipped during the festival. "Salutations to She who grants desired boons, with the crescent moon as her crown. Mounted on the bull, bearer of the trident, Shailputri, the glorious one. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the first day of the sacred Chaitra Navratri, dedicated to the worship of Mother Shailputri. May Mother Shailputri, the presiding deity of patience, unwavering resolve, and auspiciousness, bless your life to always be filled with happiness, prosperity, and joy," the Chief Minister wrote. (ANI) Microsoft is now stopping all the automatic installations of the Microsoft Copilot 365 app on Windows 11 PCs as the company decided not to have it by default on all computers that have M365 apps. Microsoft Stops Auto-Install of M365 Copilot App on Windows Microsoft has temporarily stopped the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on all Windows 11 PCs, which the company confirmed on its Microsoft 365 message center. The latest update said that the initial rollout that the company planned to take place by December 2025 is now "temporarily disabled." This means that users who do not have the app automatically installed by Microsoft on their Windows PCs will no longer get it. Those who have already seen the app automatically installed by Microsoft will not be affected by this, meaning that the app will not be uninstalled by the system or become unavailable to use. Users who want the app on their Windows PCs, however, still get the option to download and install the app at their own discretion. M365 Copilot App Auto-Install Only Temporarily Disabled The latest decision by Microsoft to stop the auto installations of the M365 Copilot app is only temporary, and the company has made it clear in their announcement on the message center. This update only applies for an unspecified timeline, and Microsoft may then opt to resume it to make the application available on Windows PCs worldwide. This is because Microsoft initially planned to install it by default on Windows PCs that have Microsoft 365 tools to serve as the central hub for all AI features, according to DigitalTrends. The M365 Copilot app will appear on the user's Start menu and is enabled automatically should it be downloaded on the PC. That said, users may choose to disable it and uninstall the app if they do not want it. Originally published on Tech Times President Droupadi Murmu is set to visit Ayodhya on Thursday, where she will offer prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Many workers who have worked, vendors and artisans are invited. The program is scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm. For this occasion, the entire city is decorated. Large banners and posters have been put up along main thoroughfares, intersections, and the routes leading to the Ram Temple, prominently featuring images of the President, Narendra Modi, and Yogi Adityanath. The streets have been adorned with saffron flags and decorative pennants, creating a religious and festive atmosphere throughout the city. The administration has also made special arrangements regarding security, sanitation, and traffic management. During the President's visit, special religious ceremonies will be organised at the Ram Temple, with a large number of devotees and saints expected to participate. The President will participate in special rituals and perform aarti before the idol of Ram, and will install the Ram Yantra. As a gesture of appreciation, she also honoured the construction workers whose dedicated efforts brought the grand temple to life. Security arrangements are in place at Maharshi Valmiki International Airport, ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. On Presiden visit, International President, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Alok Kumar said, "She is the first citizen of India. We welcome her, and her presence enhances her dignity. Lord Ram has a kingdom everywhere. It is natural for those whose sweat built the temple to be honoured by the President, or in her presence, we should express gratitude for the time and effort they gave to build such a beautiful temple." Anil Mishra, trustee of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, on the visit said, "Around six thousand people have been invited from all over Uttar Pradesh. Many workers who have worked in association with the Ram Mandir, vendors and artisans have all been invited. The program is scheduled to run from 11 am to 2 pm. She will install the Shri Ram Yantra. Then she will perform aarti." Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, also expressed his views. He said, "The President will visit and install the 'Ram Yantra'. After this, there will be a stage program, and she will also visit the seven temples that have been built. This moment is important for us because the complete construction and installation of the Ram Lalla temple are being completed today. It will be completely open not only to the entire Indian public but also to the devotees of Lord Ram from all over the country and abroad." Meanwhile, Secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, speaking to reporters, said, "Today, Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, is visiting the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex. She will install and worship the Ram Yantra in the sanctum sanctorum on the second floor of the temple. For this occasion, the revered Mata Amritanandamayi Amma from Kerala has also arrived in Ayodhya. She arrived by the afternoon of the 17th, accompanied by approximately 1,000 of her devotees." "She will be present and bestow her blessings during the ceremony. Approximately 6,000 individuals have contributed to the construction of this temple. At least 2,000 of them are expected to be present at the event. Additionally, workers from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand who have been actively involved in the Ram Janmabhoomi cause from 1984 to around 2000 will also be present. More than 3000 such brothers have come here. The event is expected to conclude by 2:30 pm, after which everyone will visit the temple for darshan of the deity and then depart for their respective destinations," he added. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Telangana Chief Minister o of "discriminating" against Hindus as he called the latter "Revanthuddin" for "opening government coffers" to distribute gifts for Eid. Lashing out at Revanth Reddy, Poonawalla questioned the Telangana government for not taking the same measures for Hindus on their festivals. Speaking with ANI, Poonawalla said, "Today, Revanth Reddy is sounding more like 'Revanthuddin'. He has said in the past that Congress means Muslims. But that does not mean that you open up the government coffers and give lakhs of Muslim families 'Eid ka Tohfa' (gift for Eid), but nothing similar is done for Hindu families." "Today is the Hindu New Year, Ugadi, Navroz, Gudi Padwa. There are many Hindu festivals. Why not to Hindus also? You are discriminating constantly," he added. Poonawalla alleged the state government of having a "discriminatory attitude," criticising them for Muslim reservation and early leave to Muslim workers during Ramzan. "You say the first right to resources belongs to Muslims. You ask for a Muslim reservation, which is against the Constitution. You are giving early leave to Muslim workers during Ramzan but not to Hindu workers for their festival. This shows that there is a discriminatory attitude. They talk about 'Samvidhan' (Constitution), but actually, they are Vote Bank ki Dukaan (shop of vote bank)," he said. Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which believers fast from dawn to dusk. On this day, people gather for special prayers at mosques, wear new clothes, and share festive meals with family and friends. Charity, known as Zakat al-Fitr, is given to help the less fortunate. The festival promotes values of gratitude, compassion, and unity. Sweets like seviyan are commonly prepared, and people greet each other with "Eid Mubarak," spreading joy, love, and blessings everywhere. (ANI) In a major setback for the Congress party, Margherita assembly constituency candidate Prateek Bordoloi has withdrawn his candidacy after his father, and former party MP Pradyut Bordoloi, joined the BJP. In a letter addressed to the All India Congress Committee President, Mallikarjun Kharge, Prateek said that his continued candidacy will create confusion among the people and the party regarding his commitment after his father resigned from the party. "With utmost respect and a deep sense of responsibility towards the party, I wish to convey my decision to withdraw my candidacy from the Margherita Assembly Constituency. In the present circumstances, following my father's decision to join another political party. I feel it would not be appropriate for me to continue as a candidate. I believe that the people of Margherita and the countless dedicated Congress workers deserve absolute clarity and confidence in the party's candidate. It would be unfair to them if any confusion or perception arises regarding my commitment or the party's position," the letter read. Stating that the decision remains purely respectful for the party, Prateek requested to continue working for the constituency in "whatever capacity the leadership deems appropriate." "My decision is guided purely by my respect for the organisation and my desire to uphold the values and discipline of the Congress party. However, I wish to reiterate that my faith in the ideals of the Congress remains unwavering. I will continue to work for the party and for the development of Margherita in whatever capacity the leadership deems appropriate," he wrote. Prateek highlighted his long-term association with the party and its role in shaping his political thinking. He recognised Congress as the platform he had been given to serve people and thanked the party leadership for their "trust and encouragement." "I have had the privilege of being associated with the Indian National Congress from a very young age, and the ideals of the party have always shaped my political thinking and commitment to public life. The Congress has given me the platform to serve people and to believe in a vision of inclusive development and secular democracy. I remain grateful to the party leadership for the trust and encouragement extended to me over the years," Prateek wrote in the letter. This comes after Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from his Lok Sabha seat after quitting the party and joined the BJP. He said that his decision was driven by persistent internal humiliation and a lack of support from the party leadership. He clarified that the resignation stemmed from "multiple issues" as opposed to a singular ticket allocation for the Assam Assembly elections. Referring to a specific Assam Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting, Pradyut Bordoloi said he felt hurt after Imran Masood dismissed his allegations against a candidate whom he accused of running a criminal nexus, as "fabricated". "For me, getting a ticket was not a question of life and death. There were multiple issues. What was important for me was to hold my head high. The Congress party has given me a lot," he told the media. Bordoloi's resignation comes a month after former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah joined the BJP, who served in the Congress for three decades. The developments come as Assam prepares for its Legislative Assembly elections. 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. (ANI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep grief over the death of six people from Kishanganj district who lost their lives in a fire incident in Indore and announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each to the dependents of the victims. A massive fire broke out in a three-storey house situated in the Brijeshwari Annexe residential locality in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district at around 4 AM on Wednesday, which claimed lives of eight people, including six from Bihar's Kisanganj. In an official statement, CM Nitish Kumar condoled over the death of six residents of Kishanganj district in a house fire caused by a short circuit at an electric car charging point in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and described the incident as deeply tragic. "The Chief Minister has directed that an ex-gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh each be provided to the bereaved families of the deceased from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. CM Kumar also instructed the Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, to coordinate with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and ensure proper arrangements to transport the mortal remains of the deceased to their native villages," the statement read. CM Nitish Kumar further prayed peace for the departed souls and strength for grieving families to bear this loss in this difficult hour. Earlier, Indore Commissioner of Police Santosh Kumar Singh informed about the chain of events that led to the incident. He said that it started from an EV charging point exploding while charging an electric vehicle, which was followed by explosions of "some" LGP cylinders. "As per initial investigations, an electric vehicle was being charged outside the house, and the charging point exploded. After that, the fire then spread to the house from the car. We found that there were electronic locks in the building, so it seems that after the explosion, power cuts may occur and doors may be locked. It was a three-storey building, and more than 10 gas cylinders were also stored inside the house, some of which exploded. We also witnessed cylinder explosions between the time period of 4 am and 4:30 am," the police commissioner said. He added that the fire tender team also checked the nearby houses and buildings as a precaution because too much heat was generated at the time of the blaze. (ANI) The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, has launched a nationwide 'VB-G Ram G Youth Digital Campaign' in collaboration with the 'MY Bharat' portal, aiming to encourage participation of rural youth in development activities. The initiative seeks to channel the energy and creativity of young people towards rural development, employment generation, and local livelihood initiatives. The campaign is designed to make youth active partners in nation-building by providing them with a digital platform to showcase progress and innovation in their villages. Through this initiative, participants can present stories of development work, grassroots-level changes, and local innovations through videos and creative designs. According to the announcement, all interested youth between the ages of 15 and 29 years can register online through the 'MY Bharat' or 'MyGov' portals. The last date for registration has been set as March 20, 2026. Several competitions have been organised under the campaign to encourage participation. In the Video Challenge (Reel Competition), participants are required to create a short video of 30 to 60 seconds highlighting development work or livelihood-related activities in their village. The video must be uploaded to the 'MY Bharat' portal. A Logo Design competition has been announced, where the winner will receive a cash prize of 50,000 along with recognition. The competition aims to identify a creative logo that reflects the objectives of the campaign. Additionally, an online Quiz has also been included as part of the campaign. Participants can earn a digital certificate by answering 20 questions based on 'Viksit Bharat - G Ram G Act. 2025' and various government welfare schemes. The campaign will not only provide a digital platform for youth but also help in giving a new identity to the progress of rural India. For further information, participants have been advised to contact the MGNREGA branch of the District Rural Development Agency. (ANI) Haryana Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, along with Congress Legislature Party (CLP) members, wrote a letter to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, alleging serious irregularities in the recently concluded Rajya Sabha elections in the state. In the letter, Congress leaders claimed that the election process was compromised and described it as a "mockery of democracy," alleging that free and fair electoral norms were undermined during the polling and counting process. The Congress stated that while the Haryana Assembly has 90 members, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party holding 48 seats and Congress 37, the second Rajya Sabha contest became controversial after BJP-backed independent candidate Satish Nandal entered the fray despite lacking the required numbers for victory. The opposition alleged that the ruling party resorted to political pressure, inducements, and misuse of government machinery to secure support for the independent candidate. The letter further claimed that horse-trading and undue influence were used during the election process. Congress also accused Returning Officer Pankaj Aggarwal of acting in a partisan manner. According to the letter, valid objections raised by Congress polling agents were ignored, and certain votes were allegedly handled in a way that favoured BJP and the independent candidate. The opposition leaders urged the Governor to take cognisance of what they described as undemocratic and unethical conduct and sought disciplinary action against the Returning Officer for his alleged role in the election. The letter has been signed by Hooda along with several Congress MLAs, escalating the political confrontation over the Rajya Sabha election outcome in Haryana. Earlier, Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the result of the Rajya Sabha from Haryana was a victory for democracy and a defeat for vote theft. Hooda said, "The issue of vote theft that was raised during the assembly elections has now been proven. From the beginning, it was being said that out of the two seats, one belonged to Congress according to the majority, and one to BJP. By fielding a third candidate, BJP made a full attempt at vote theft, but our MLAs foiled it. This victory is not just Congress's, but a victory of the trust of the people of the state." (ANI) Delhi CM Rekha Gupta offered prayers at Jhandewalan Temple in New Delhi on the first day of Chaitra Navaratri. She also extended her wishes on the occasion. Speaking to ANI, she said, "I extend my best wishes to the citizens of Delhi and the country on Navratri. I pray before Maa to bless our country in every circumstance so that we do not face any challenge and progress ahead, and Delhi emerges as a developed city." Meanwhile, devotees thronged temples across several cities on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, offering prayers and seeking blessings. In Gorakhpur, people visited Golghar Kali Mandir, while in Lucknow, devotees gathered at Maa Chandrika Devi Temple to offer prayers. Similar scenes were witnessed at Maa Amba Temple in Surat, where devotees arrived early to participate in rituals. In Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, devotees marked the Hindu New Year by chanting mantras, offering prayers to the Sun god and blowing conch shells on the banks of the Shipra River. In Uttar Pradesh, a large number of devotees gathered at the Shri Durgakund Temple in Varanasi from early morning on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. In Jammu and Kashmir, despite continuous rainfall, a large number of devotees thronged the temple in Katra early in the morning to begin their pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji on the auspicious occasion. Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasions of Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. In two separate posts on X, the PM expressed wishes on the first day of Navratri, praying for discipline, peace and positive energy for everyone. "On the first day of Navratri, the ritual is to worship Devi Shailaputri, the first form of Maa Durga. May her blessings infuse discipline, peace, and positive energy into everyone's life--this is the heartfelt wish," the PM wrote in a post. "I bow to the one who grants desired boons, with the crescent moon adorning her crest. Mounted on a bull, wielding a trident, the glorious Shailaputri. My salutations and obeisance at the feet of the Mother of the Universe, Maa Durga, on behalf of millions of my fellow countrymen! On the sacred occasion of Navratri, I beseech the Divine Mother to bestow her blessings of affection and compassion upon one and all. Jai Mata Di!" he wrote in another post. (ANI) BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday described the Congress party as the root cause of all national issues, especially highlighting the issue of alleged inflitration. In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Dubey said, "After reading books or seeing the politics of the country, I am personally convinced that all the problems that are visible in this country today, which the Opposition is fueling, at the root of it is the Nehru-Gandhi family or the Congress Party. On that basis, I started a series, 'Congress Ka Kala Adhyay'. It started on the 17th." He addressed the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators in the country and attributed an allegedly secret agreement between former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972, which gave free rein to Bangladeshi citizens to live in the country, opening the gates for infiltrators. "The biggest problem right now, the problem due to which we, the people of Bihar, the people of Jharkhand, the people of Bengal, the people of Assam, the people of Tripura and even the people of Mumbai, Delhi, and Gujarat are troubled, is the Bangladeshi infiltrators. Approximately, around 5-8 crore, maybe even 10 crore people came from Bangladesh... Our tribal population, which used to be 45% according to the census of 1951, today in Santhal Pargana it is 24%, and the Muslim population, which was 9%, is 25-26%," he said. "On 19 March 1972, Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a secret agreement in which the Congress gave a free hand to the Bangladeshi infiltrators and the citizens of Bangladesh to come here, and the Congress felt that if the Muslims came here, then it would be their vote bank... And when I posted that, many people reacted to it, saying that it is wrong... So today I made another tweet...," he added. Dubey further alleged that the Congress comprised with the country's sovereignty due to vote bank politics. Lauding the efforts of the BJP government, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have pledged to free the country of infiltrators. "The reason behind this was the vote bank politics of the Congress and the compromise it made in 1972... cannot be worse, unimaginable, unbelievable and any compromise that betrays the country. Today, the entire country is facing Bangladeshi infiltrators, for which the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have taken an oath that they will remove the Bangladeshi infiltrators under any circumstances...," he said. Earlier in December 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is committed to removing infiltrators from across the country, using the redevelopment of the historic Batadrava Than in Assam as a key example of the government's resolve against illegal encroachment. "The BJP resolves to remove all infiltrators from the entire country. Was it right that Bangladeshi infiltrators were there at this place of Sankardeva? Congress treated infiltrators - who threatened the people, culture and identity of Assam, as its vote bank," the Home Minister said. (ANI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the BJP of inciting communal violence over the Uttam Nagar incident and appealed to the residents of Delhi not to fall for "any provocation." Taking to X, Gandhi, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed concerns over the Uttam Nagar clash and said that the people paid a heavy price for the violence. "The people of Uttam Nagar have paid a heavy price for the violence - on one side, a young man, Tarun, lost his life, and on the other, an entire family is facing persecution. They don't want any more bloodshed. Bloodshed is what only the BJP and its ecosystem desire, which seizes every opportunity to bake the bread of violence on the griddle of hate," Gandhi wrote. Hitting out at the India-US trade deal, Gandhi said that the BJP is allegedly creating conditions of Hindu-Muslim violence as a distraction from the alleged handover of the country's "defence, energy security, food security, and strategic sovereignty" to America. "They want the country to remain entangled in Hindu-Muslim strife, so that people cannot ask why the Prime Minister is being forced to hand over the country's defence, energy security, food security, and strategic sovereignty to America - and that's why, in broad daylight, riot-like conditions are once again being created in the nation's capital," the post read. He further appealed to the people of Delhi to spread unity, brotherhood and love and not fall for alleged provocation. "An appeal to the residents of Delhi: Do not fall for any provocation - the strength of the country lies in our unity, brotherhood, and love. Connect, connect; unite India," Rahul Gandhi wrote. https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/2034545656552120485 Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has listed two matters seeking police security in the Uttam Nagar area ahead of Eid, amid apprehensions of possible violence following recent communal tensions. One Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and another petition have been filed, urging authorities to ensure law and order and prevent any untoward incidents during the festival. One of the petitioners submitted that a representation had already been made to the Delhi Police seeking preventive measures, but no action had been taken so far. The pleas have raised concerns over alleged threats of violence. Both matters are scheduled to be heard today. According to police officials, the incident occurred on March 4 after a dispute reportedly broke out over a balloon during Holi celebrations, which later escalated into a violent altercation. During the clash, Tarun was allegedly assaulted and later died due to the injuries. (ANI) A Delhi court recently granted 11 days of police custody to American national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke along with several Ukrainian citizens in a case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), noting serious concerns related to national security. The order was passed by the Patiala House Court, which observed that the matter involves allegations that go beyond routine legal violations and requires detailed investigation. The accused were produced before the court after their arrest in connection with a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The prosecution alleged that the individuals were part of a larger conspiracy involving illegal entry into restricted areas of India, followed by unauthorised cross-border movement into Myanmar. The court noted that such allegations, if established, have a direct bearing on India's security interests. During the hearing, the court noted that the FIR does not merely concern illegal travel but also refers to alleged links between the accused and certain ethnic armed groups. It further noted allegations that the accused may have supported banned insurgent organisations by facilitating weapons supply, providing training, and engaging in activities involving advanced technologies such as drones. These aspects, the court observed, raise significant national security concerns. As per the case details recorded in the order, the NIA has alleged that multiple Ukrainian nationals had entered India on separate visas, travelled to the Northeast, and later crossed into Myanmar without permission. The agency claims that these movements were part of a broader plan linked to extremist activities, including possible coordination with other individuals involved in armed operations. On the other hand, Counsel appearing for the accused, challenged the legality of the arrests. He argued that mandatory legal safeguards were not followed, including proper communication of grounds of arrest and compliance with provisions relating to consular access under international law. The defence further contended that the case primarily relates to alleged immigration violations and lacks substantive evidence beyond disclosure statements. The NIA, represented by Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi, opposed these arguments and submitted that all due procedures had been followed. The agency stated that the grounds of arrest were communicated to the accused in appropriate languages and that the Ministry of External Affairs had been informed. It was also submitted that steps had been taken to facilitate consular access through the Ukrainian Embassy. While considering the rival submissions, the court made it clear that an FIR cannot be treated as an exhaustive document and must be read as a whole. It observed that criminal conspiracies are often carried out in secrecy and require thorough investigation. The court further noted that the investigation is still at an early stage and there is a need to examine evidence, analyse digital material, and identify other possible associates. Taking these factors into account, the court held that custodial interrogation of the accused is necessary to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy. It found no reason to doubt the manner in which the FIR was registered or the investigation was being conducted at this stage. Accordingly, the court granted 11 days of police custody to the accused. It also directed that their medical examination be conducted every 48 hours and allowed them limited virtual interaction with their lawyers and family members. The accused have been directed to be produced before the court again on March 27, 2026, for further proceedings. (ANI) Donald Trump has sharply criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies after they turned down a US request to support operations in the Strait of Hormuz. The American head of state called the decision a 'very foolish mistake.' The US president said he was 'not exactly thrilled' by the refusal, even as he maintained Washington does not rely on outside help. His comments have brought back long-running doubts about whether the alliance would stand with the US in a moment of crisis. Beneath the blunt tone, there is a deeper unease. It is the kind that could ripple across Europe as leaders weigh the risks of being pulled into an escalating and widening conflict with Iran. A Test of Trust in a Time of Crisis Trump framed NATO's response as more than a one-off disagreement. To him, it signals something more fundamental about the alliance's reliability, even if the US remains capable of acting alone. 'I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake,' Trump said. He added that he has long questioned whether the alliance would 'ever be there for us,' according to reports from The Guardian. He described the moment as 'a great test,' saying that while the US does not need help, allies 'should have been there.' .@POTUS: "I was watching over the last couple of weeks, and all of our NATO allies were very much in favor of what we did...but they don't want to, despite the fact that we help them so much...they don't want to help us...I think NATO's making a very foolish mistake." https://t.co/6tUPZj9SEi pic.twitter.com/JPLrf4jKCC Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 17, 2026 The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most vital shipping routes. Any disruption in the strait threatens global energy supplies, which makes the US request especially sensitive. Even so, several NATO members held back, wary of being drawn further into tensions with Iran. Across Europe, there has been little appetite to turn the situation into a formal NATO mission. Governments are mindful of how quickly such involvement could escalate, and of the political cost and potential backlash at home if troops are sent into another Middle East conflict. Europe Draws a Line on Military Involvement UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out that position clearly during a press conference this week. He said the Iran war 'won't be and it's never been envisioned as a NATO mission,' CNN quoted. That stance reflects a broader hesitation among European leaders. While they continue to support US security aims, there is a clear reluctance to formalise NATO's role in what remains a volatile regional dispute. Trump, however, did not hold back in his criticism of the UK. He said the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom had been 'always the best' until Starmer came into the picture, BBC News reported. The president also argued that the US has consistently protected its NATO allies, pointing to the billions spent in supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion. On social media, he wrote that NATO allies 'will do nothing' for America, especially in a time of need. The disagreement is not only about military strategy. It is also about political risk. European governments face growing pressure at home to avoid another prolonged and costly military engagement in the Middle East. Officials within NATO have stressed that individual countries are still free to support US efforts on their own terms. Even so, the lack of a united NATO response has clearly frustrated Washington. Trump Signals Frustration But No Retaliation Despite his strong words, Trump stopped short of outlining any immediate consequences. He said he had 'nothing currently in mind' when it comes to retaliation, though he admitted he was 'not exactly thrilled.' Still, the tone of his remarks points to a deeper strain. By calling the situation 'unfair' to the US, Trump once again raised the issue of burden-sharing within NATO, something he has repeatedly criticised. Observers noted that his comments may also hint at a broader rethink of US commitments to the alliance. According to the reports, this is far from the first time Trump has challenged allies over defence responsibilities. For now, the White House insists the US can manage the situation alone. Even so, the political message has already landed in European capitals. A Fragile Moment for the Alliance The immediate fallout in Europe may be limited, but the wider implications are difficult to ignore. NATO has always relied on unity, particularly in times of crisis. This disagreement underscores a widening gap in how the US and Europe approach security threats. Washington appears more willing to act quickly, while its allies are taking a more cautious line. That difference could widen if tensions with Iran continue to build. A prolonged crisis may force NATO members to revisit their positions, which could deepen existing divisions. For European leaders, the challenge is to balance caution with credibility. For Trump, the issue reinforces a familiar argument that allies do not always carry their share of the burden. Originally published on IBTimes UK Karnataka Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Thursday said that he has no information about the ongoing rumours of a cabinet reshuffle. Addressing the media, the Minister said that a reshuffle is an internal issue for the Chief Minister and the party's high command to resolve, while adding that there is "nothing wrong" with MLAs asking for a ministerial post. "I have no information about it. The cabinet reshuffle is an issue left to the CM and the high command. We cannot say anything about it. All MLAs are ministerial aspirants; there is nothing wrong with that. There is nothing wrong with MLAs asking for a ministerial post," said Patil. The Congress government has been grappling with internal friction, particularly with supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar demanding to be appointed Chief Minister for the remaining 2.5 years of the government, citing the 2023 "power-sharing agreement". This leadership tussle has prompted repeated meetings between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to prevent escalation. Earlier in February, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the chief ministerial post was not discussed during his meeting with Congress leaders at the AICC. He added that senior leaders will decide when it will be suitable for the state. The leadership tussle within the Karnataka Congress began in November last year, when the government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term. Along with CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara is also in the fray for the top post. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met with family members of the Indore fire incident, which claimed the lives of eight people and offered his condolences. CM Yadav described the incident as "heart breaking" and said that they stand firmly with the bereaved family in their hour of grief. "The incident that occurred in the Pugaliya family in a colony located at Bangali Chauraha in Indore is heart-breaking. Today, I met the family members. We all share in the pain of the immense tragedy that has happened with the Pugaliya family. I pray to the Almighty to grant a place to the departed souls at His feet and give strength to the family to overcome this profound grief," the Chief Minister said in a post on X. The CM further emphasised that an investigation into the matter was underway and the state government would take necessary measures so that such incidents would not be repeated in the future. "An investigation into the incident is being conducted. Necessary steps will be taken after discussions with experts to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future," CM added in the post. On Wednesday early morning, a massive fire broke out in a three-storey house situated in the Brijeshwari Annexe residential locality in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district caused after an electric vehicle charging point expolded, spreading rapidly through the structure. Earlier, Indore Commissioner of Police Santosh Kumar Singh informed about the chain of events that led to the incident. He said that it started from an EV charging point exploding while charging an electric vehicle, which was followed by explosions of "some" LGP cylinders. "As per initial investigations, an electric vehicle was being charged outside the house, and the charging point exploded. After that, the fire then spread to the house from the car. We found that there were electronic locks in the building, so it seems that after the explosion, power cuts may occur and doors may be locked. It was a three-storey building, and more than 10 gas cylinders were also stored inside the house, some of which exploded. We also witnessed cylinder explosions between the time period of 4 am and 4:30 am," the police commissioner said. He added that the fire tender team also checked the nearby houses and buildings as a precaution because too much heat was generated at the time of the blaze. Additionally, following the incident, CM Yadav also appealed to the public to observe necessary precautions while using facilities such as digital locks and EV charging points. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday visited AIIMS Rishikesh to enquire about the health of state Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj and also took updates from the doctors regarding his condition. Updating on his health condition, AIIMS Rishikesh Medical Superintendent Satya Sree Balicha said that Maharaj, who was admitted to the ICU following a slight deterioration in his health, is now stable. Speaking to ANI, Balicha said, "He is admitted in the ICU, his health has deteriorated a little... but now he is fine, there is no problem... His vitals are normal and stable." Earlier in the day, CM Dhami performed a traditional havan and offered prayers at his residence on the occasion of the Hindu New Year and the first day of Chaitra Navratri. He also performed jalaabhishek to Lord Shiva and sought blessings for the state. During the rituals, Dhami prayed to Maa Adi Shakti Bhagwati and Lord Mahadev for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of all the people of the state, as well as for the continued progress and development of Uttarakhand. In a separate post on X, the Chief Minister extended greetings to residents. "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the Hindu New Year. This sacred occasion symbolises new energy, fresh resolutions, and positive change, inspiring us to move forward in harmony with our culture and values. May God bless this New Year with happiness, prosperity, peace, and success in all your lives. Let us all come together to strengthen our resolve towards harmony, service, and nation-building," he said. He also extended greetings to the people of the state on the Hindu New Year, Vikram Samvat 2083, wishing for prosperity, good health and renewed energy in their lives. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the Hindu New Year. May Vikram Samvat 2083 bring happiness, prosperity, good health, and new energy into the lives of all of you. I pray to God that this New Year establishes new dimensions of development, well-being, and prosperity for the state, and brings progress and joy to the lives of every family." (ANI) Tamil Nadu Congress President K Selvaperunthagai on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the AIADMK, alleging that the party is being controlled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to reporters, Selvaperunthagai said, "AIADMK is being ruled by the BJP. Only the BJP decides the future of AIADMK. This is the level AIADMK has gone down to." Targeting AIADMK-BJP alliance, he added, "It is not an AIADMK alliance; it is a BJP alliance, a Delhi alliance but ours is a Tamil Nadu alliance. The Delhi alliance is trying to snatch away the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu. The Delhi alliance seeks to make people bow their heads, whereas our alliance will make them hold their heads high. No matter how many times he (AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami) goes to Delhi, after the elections, he will become a branch aligned with the BJP," he said. Selvaperunthagai also spoke about the Congress party's internal election preparations, stating, "Tomorrow, our party's election committee will conduct a review. The screening committee will arrive this Sunday. A final decision will be made within two to three days." Tamil Nadu Congress President K Selvaperunthagai said that regardless of multi-cornered contests or strategies by PM Modi, the DMK-led alliance will focus on its five years of governance and welfare schemes, expressing confidence that the alliance will win over 210 seats in the state. "No matter how many multi-cornered contests arise, it is the welfare schemes and our governance over the past five years that will be discussed. No matter what tricks are attempted, even if Modi uses all his strategies, our alliance will win more than 210 seats in Tamil Nadu," he said. Earlier, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that Tamil Nadu would go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The Model Code of Conduct has come into effect immediately, with the initiation of the election process for the 234-member state assembly, whose current tenure ends on May 10. The main electoral contest is expected between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which includes DMK, Congress, and Other parties, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his political debut in this election with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) won with 133 seats. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) followed with 66 seats. Congress stood at 18 seats. The state saw a voter turnout of 76.6 per Cent. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued an interim order directing Tamil Media outlet Nakkheeran Media to remove defamatory videos and articles published against Isha Foundation and Sadhguru, as per the release. Welcoming the order, Isha Foundation stated that it will continue to pursue legal action against those spreading false and malicious content. The case stems from a series of videos published by Nakkheeran that contained defamatory, vulgar, and obscene content, attempting to harm the reputation of Isha Foundation and Sadhguru. In response, the Foundation filed a defamation suit before the Delhi High Court in 2024, seeking the removal of such content and an injunction against the publication of similar material in the future. Isha filed an interim application in the matter seeking immediate removal of the content mentioned in the suit, as well as those published during the transfer petition before the Supreme Court, and sought restraint on further publication of such materials. The application was heard in December 2025, during which the Delhi High Court had reserved orders after hearing arguments from both sides. The order was issued today, with the Court directing the removal of the impugned videos and articles published by Nakkheeran concerning Isha Foundation and Sadhguru. In its statement, the Isha Foundation said, "We wholeheartedly welcome this interim order of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court. It is unfortunate that certain media outlets and individuals continue to propagate false and defamatory allegations without any evidence, as part of a deliberate effort to mislead the public." "For over three decades, Isha Foundation has been deeply committed to large-scale social development and human well-being, work that has touched hundreds of millions of lives across the world. It is this very work that these coordinated attacks seek to disrupt. Isha will continue to pursue all appropriate legal action against those responsible. No amount of defamation or orchestrated misinformation will deter our efforts towards human well-being." In March 2025, the Delhi High Court had directed YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh to take down a defamatory video with false claims against Sadhguru and Isha Foundation. Following court orders, the misleading video was removed by the YouTuber. (ANI) The Left Front on Thursday released its second list of 32 candidates for the 294 seats West Bengal Assembly elections next month. The announcement comes two days after the alliance declared its first list comprising 192 candidates. The newly released second list includes notable names such as Pasang Sherpa, Basudeb Barman, and Anwarul Haque. The first list featured outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya and Communist Party of India (Marxist) central committee member Minakshi Mukherjee. The West Bengal Assembly election will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Counting of votes for both phases will be conducted on May 4. As per the ECI, the first phase covering 152 Assembly constituencies will begin with the issuance of the gazette notification on March 30. The last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9. Polling for the first phase will be held on April 23. For the second phase, which covers 142 Assembly constituencies, the gazette notification will be issued on April 2. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13. In West Bengal, the Legislative Assembly consists of 294 seats, with the primary contest expected to be between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The last assembly election in the state was held in eight phases in 2021 amid an intense contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress and Left Front drew blank in the last state polls. TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, has been in power in the state since 2011. (ANI) BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday accused Congress of giving a "free hand" for illegal immigrants from Bangladesh to enter India, alleging "vote bank" politics. Speaking to ANI, Dubey cited the 1972 India-Bangladesh Trade Agreement and accused Congress of allowing Bangladeshi "infiltrators" into the country. He called the trade agreement a "compromise." He said, "The biggest problem right now, the problem due to which we, the people of Bihar, Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam, Tripura and even the people of Mumbai, Delhi, and Gujarat are troubled, is the Bangladeshi infiltrators. Approximately, around 5-8 crore, maybe even 10 crore people came from Bangladesh. Our tribal population, which used to be 45 per cent according to the census of 1951, today in Santhal Pargana it is 24 per cent, and the Muslim population, which was 9 per cent, is 25-26 per cent." "On 19 March 1972, Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a secret agreement in which the Congress gave a free hand to the Bangladeshi infiltrators and the citizens of Bangladesh to come here, and the Congress felt that if the Muslims came here, then it would be their vote bank. And when I posted that, many people reacted to it, saying that it is wrong. So today I made another tweet," Dubey added. He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have taken an oath to remove illegal immigrants from the country. "Today, the entire country is facing Bangladeshi infiltrators, for which the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have taken an oath that they will remove the Bangladeshi infiltrators under any circumstances. The reason behind this was the vote bank politics of the Congress and the compromise it made in 1972. cannot be worse, unimaginable, unbelievable and any compromise that betrays the country," Dubey told ANI. According to the External Affairs Ministry, the bilateral trade agreement, allowed "the people living within a sixteen kilometre belt of border between West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram on the one hand and Bangladesh on the other, and with a view to providing facilities to these people to dispose of their goods, border trade shall be allowed in specified commodities in accordance with Schedule 'B' attached to this Agreement." Schedule B of the agreement allowed a person holding such a special permit to carry permitted goods and commodities across the border. In an X post, Dubey wrote, "For some so-called wise people, how Congress sneaked Bangladeshi infiltrators into India. As a result of the agreement between Indira Gandhi ji and Sheikh Mujibur, it was decided that free movement for trade up to 16 kilometres would be allowed in West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. This is the time of the national movement against Congress. Why are we distressed today?" Further, speaking to ANI, Nishikant Dubey slammed Congress and Trinamool Congress for opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in West Bengal. He also slammed the Opposition parties for bringing in an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. He said, "Congress has destroyed constitutional institutions. You must remember that MS Gill stepped down from the Election Commission. He solved Sonia Gandhi's citizenship issue. And the Election Commissioner became a Congress minister. TN Seshan, who became such a big name, contested the elections from Gandhinagar as a Congress candidate against the BJP. There are hundreds of such examples. But we never said anything against the Election Commissioner. We never brought an impeachment motion against him. About SIR, Rajiv Gandhi said that the Election Commission should do this work. We never raised any questions. We contested elections. SIR is not a new thing. I think Congress and Mamata oppose it only to make Bangladeshi voters citizens and to strengthen their vote bank. "Let SIR happen. In Bihar, to date, no one has said that I had voted at two places, and the duplicate voters were not removed. I am saying that my father was also removed there. So I think it changes the goalposts. The entire agenda of Soros is to break this country into pieces, to tear this country apart, to attack all the constitutional institutions of this country. There is no such constitutional institution on which Rahul Gandhi does not raise questions. And behind Rahul Gandhi raising the question, there is Soros' agenda, who wants to break India into pieces," he added. On March 13, Trinamool Congress MPs submitted notices in both Houses of Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This comes as West Bengal will hold assembly elections, with polling for two phases scheduled for April 23 and April 29. Counting of votes for both phases will be conducted on May 4. The election process is scheduled to be completed by May 6. (ANI) LAMITIYE, meaning 'Friendship' in Creole, reflects the deep-rooted defence partnership between India and Seychelles. The exercise witnessed integrated participation from the SDF's Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations Unit alongside Indian contingents, including the deployment of INS Trikand for maritime operations. During the exercise, both sides undertook extensive joint planning, coordination and execution of operations across land and sea domains. Key activities included the establishment of a Joint Operations Center and semi-urban counter-subversion drills involving cordon and search operations, along with precision assault missions demonstrating a high level of coordination and mutual trust. The maritime component featured advanced Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations carried out by Indian Navy MARCOS and the SDF Special Operations Unit, highlighting seamless integration and the ability to operate jointly in complex environments. The exercise culminated in a high-intensity 72-hour validation phase at Praslin Island, involving joint amphibious insertion, UAV-enabled reconnaissance, coordinated raids on hostile elements and integrated casualty evacuation drills. The successful execution validated key tactics, techniques and procedures, reinforced jointness and interoperability, and strengthened human-to-human connect between the forces. The successful execution of the exercise validated key tactics, techniques and procedures, reinforced jointness and interoperability, and strengthened human-to-human connect between the two forces. Exercise LAMITIYE 2026 stands as a testament to the growing India-Seychelles defence cooperation and their shared commitment to ensuring regional security, stability and operational excellence in the Indian Ocean Region. (ANI) The airline said in a statement that passengers were provided with hotel accommodation or surface transport options to continue their journey, in an effort to minimise inconvenience. "As a precaution, the aircraft is undergoing standard engineering checks. At Akasa Air, the safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority," the statement said. The Akasa Air flight QP 624 landed safely in Chennai. The statement said that lightning strikes are a known and manageable occurrence in aviation, and aircraft are designed and certified to safely withstand them. "Our teams are also well-trained to handle such situations with the highest standards of safety. Our pilots and crew handled the situation in accordance with established safety protocols," it said. (ANI) Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Friday launched a scathing attack on BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, accusing him of spreading misinformation after failing to secure a ministerial position in the government. Tagore alleged that the BJP leader has been tasked with promoting a false narrative to mislead the public. Manickam Tagore, while speaking to ANI, said, "We all know that Nishikant has not been made a minister. He is not able to get any position in the BJP organisation. He has been given the work to throw lies, spread misinformation, and be the Goebbels of the 21st century. The new Goebbels of Modi's party has started the work. These Goebbels will be rejected by the people of India. We all know that Congress' contribution to rebuilding a modern India continues. People know India's growth story. The resources of India have been handed over to a few corporates by Mr Modi and Amit Shah. Nishikant is a person who works for those corporates..." Meanwhile, on Thursday, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey described the Congress party as the root cause of all national issues, especially highlighting the issue of alleged infiltration. While speaking to ANI, Dubey said, "After reading books or seeing the politics of the country, I am personally convinced that all the problems that are visible in this country today, which the Opposition is fueling, at the root of it is the Nehru-Gandhi family or the Congress Party. On that basis, I started a series, 'Congress Ka Kala Adhyay'. It started on the 17th." He addressed the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators in the country and attributed an allegedly secret agreement between former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972, which gave free rein to Bangladeshi citizens to live in the country, opening the gates for infiltrators. "The biggest problem right now, the problem due to which we, the people of Bihar, the people of Jharkhand, the people of Bengal, the people of Assam, the people of Tripura and even the people of Mumbai, Delhi, and Gujarat are troubled, is the Bangladeshi infiltrators. Approximately, around 5-8 crore, maybe even 10 crore people came from Bangladesh... Our tribal population, which used to be 45% according to the census of 1951, today in Santhal Pargana it is 24%, and the Muslim population, which was 9%, is 25-26%," he said. "On 19 March 1972, Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a secret agreement in which the Congress gave a free hand to the Bangladeshi infiltrators and the citizens of Bangladesh to come here, and the Congress felt that if the Muslims came here, then it would be their vote bank... And when I posted that, many people reacted to it, saying that it is wrong... So today I made another tweet...," he added. Dubey further alleged that the Congress compromised the country's sovereignty due to vote bank politics. Lauding the efforts of the BJP government, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have pledged to free the country of infiltrators. (ANI) Actor Jung Il-woo is getting a lot of attention again after posting about his daily life in Japan. There are also rumors about him dating a business executive that are still going strong. Jung recently posted a cooking video on his YouTube channel that showed his fans what his life is like when he's living alone in another country. The content shows off his cooking skills and his honest updates about his life, which have gotten a lot of attention from viewers. According to MyDaily, the video "Super Simple Cooking for Singles, Pasta Recipe PASTA #UmeboshiPasta #LivingAlone #Cooking #SuperSimple #Umeboshi" shows Jung making a special vongole pasta with umeboshi. He talked about where he got the idea for the dish while looking natural. "Today, I'm going to try making vongole pasta using the umeboshi I bought when I went on a business trip to Hamamatsu," he said. READ MORE: Jung Il-woo's Shocking Confession Stuns Fans Ahead of 'Splendid Days' Premiere: 'I'm Risking My Life!' Jung confidently showed how to cook. As he started to prepare the ingredients, he said, "Vongole is so simple to make, so I'll get it done in no time," showing that he knew his way around the kitchen. Jung got a lot of attention while cooking because he used an unusual ingredient. He said, "I'm going to add Suntory whiskey again today," and then he added the liquor to the dish without measuring it. Naver coverage showed that Jung also talked about his current lifestyle in personal updates. He said, "I am currently living alone in Japan, so I'm making all sorts of things to eat to survive on my own." He added, "I usually eat umeboshi in dishes like ochazuke. For some reason, I thought it would go well with vongole pasta. So today is my first attempt." After finishing the dish, Jung said he was happy with how it turned out. He said, "It's done!" before tasting it and adding, "It's really delicious." He further described the flavor, stating, "It has a slightly sour taste, as if lemon was added, and the seafood aroma of the vongole comes through, really bringing the flavor to life." He also gave viewers tips on how to cook. He said, "You absolutely have to add Italian parsley here. It harmonizes well and goes well together," and added, "The recipe is very simple. I will post the recipe in the description box." Meanwhile, Jung has been the subject of dating rumors lately because he posted a picture that led to rumors about a CEO of a brand he models for. His agency said, "It is difficult to confirm as it concerns the actor's private life." READ MORE: K-Netz Excited as Jung Il Woo Takes Lead in Emotional New Drama 'Splendid Days' Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of appeasement in response to his remarks on the incident of violence in Delhi's Uttam Nagar, where Tarun Khatik was killed during Holi celebrations. He said Gandhi showed sympathy for the perpetrators instead of the victim's family, alleging that the Congress leader prioritises Dalit votes but insults the community when a Dalit is harmed. Speaking to ANI in Bikaner, Meghwal said on Thursday, "Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi crossed all limits of appeasement today. In Delhi's Uttam Nagar, Tarun Khatik was beaten to death by people of a particular community on Holi. But Rahul Gandhi didn't express his sympathies to the bereaved family. In his tweet, he seems to be sympathetic to the ones who killed him." "It means that Rahul Gandhi wants Dalit votes, but if someone from the Dalit community is killed by a particular community, Rahul Gandhi is seen standing with that community and insulting the Dalit community...Dalit community has understood you. In the time to come, you will have to pay a heavy price for this," he said. Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of inciting communal violence over the Uttam Nagar incident and appealed to the residents of Delhi not to fall for "any provocation." In a post on X, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha expressed concerns over the Uttam Nagar clash and said that the people paid a heavy price for the violence. "The people of Uttam Nagar have paid a heavy price for the violence - on one side, a young man, Tarun, lost his life, and on the other, an entire family is facing persecution. They don't want any more bloodshed. Bloodshed is what only the BJP and its ecosystem desire, which seizes every opportunity to bake the bread of violence on the griddle of hate," Gandhi wrote. Hitting out at the India-US trade deal, Gandhi said that the BJP is allegedly creating conditions of Hindu-Muslim violence as a distraction from the alleged handover of the country's "defence, energy security, food security, and strategic sovereignty" to America. "They want the country to remain entangled in Hindu-Muslim strife, so that people cannot ask why the Prime Minister is being forced to hand over the country's defence, energy security, food security, and strategic sovereignty to America - and that's why, in broad daylight, riot-like conditions are once again being created in the nation's capital," the post read. On March 4, a dispute reportedly broke out over a balloon, which later escalated into a violent altercation at Delhi's Uttam Nagar. During the altercation, a 26-year-old man, Tarun Khatik, was allegedly beaten to death during Holi. (ANI) The Israel Defense Forces announced that they killed Esmaeil Khatib, the Iranian Minister of Intelligence. The IDF said that Khatib operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022-2023). In a post on X, the IDF said on Wednesday, "ELIMINATED: Esmaeil Khatib, the Iranian terrorist regime Minister of Intelligence, in a targeted strike in Tehran. Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against Israelis & Americans around the world. Similarly, he operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022-2023). The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence possesses advanced intelligence capabilities, overseeing surveillance, espionage, and the execution of covert operations worldwide, particularly against Israeli and Iranian citizens." https://x.com/IDF/status/2034221005569175570?s=20 https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2034281081705283885?s=20 Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump departed for Dover Air Force Base, where he''ll attend the dignified transfer of six American heroes killed in the crash of a refueling aircraft as part of Operation Epic Fury. The US military''s combat command responsible for operations in the Middle East, also known as CENTCOM, shared an update on its war against Iran, saying it has struck more than 7,800 targets and damaged or destroyed more than 120 Iranian vessels. "CENTCOM forces are striking targets to dismantle the Iranian regime''s security apparatus, prioritising locations that pose an imminent threat," it said. Mojtaba Khamenei, the new leader of Iran, expressed condolences on the death of Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the Leader''s Representative in that Council. https://x.com/MKhamenei_ir/status/2034315671480189009?s=20 In a series of posts on X, he said, "With deep sorrow, I received the grievous news of the martyrdom of Dr. Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the Leader''s Representative in that Council, along with the martyrdom of his worthy son and several of his colleagues. He was a man of knowledge, foresight & wisdom. He was committed & possessed diverse experience in political, military, security, cultural & administrative fields. Nearly 5 decades of active service at different levels in the Islamic system had shaped him into an eminent figure. Without a doubt, the assassination of such a figure attests to his importance and the enmity harbored by the enemies of Islam toward him." (ANI) Qatar has declared the military and security attaches at the Iranian Embassy, along with their staff, "persona non grata" and has requested that they leave the country within 24 hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered an official note to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the State, stating that Qatar considers both the military attache and the security attache at the embassy, in addition to the staff of the two attache offices "persona non grata", and requests that they leave the country within a maximum period of (24) hours," an official statement from MFA Qatar read. The ministry delivered an official note to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran during a meeting between HE Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Yousif Fakhro and HE Ambassador of Iran to Qatar, Ali Salehabadi. The ministry explained that the decision was made "in response to repeated Iranian targeting and the blatant aggression against the State of Qatar, which violated its sovereignty and security, in a flagrant breach of the principles of international law, United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2817, and the principles of good neighbourliness." The ministry added, "The continuation of this hostile approach by the Iranian side will be met with additional measures by the State of Qatar, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security, and national interests." It also affirmed that "the State of Qatar reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security, in accordance with the provisions of international law." Meanwhile, key energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf came under attack on Wednesday night (local time), with fires reported at a major facility in Qatar and aerial threats intercepted over Saudi Arabia, following warnings from Iran''s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), CNN reported. Qatar''s Interior Ministry said Civil Defence teams were responding to a blaze at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical natural gas processing hub and cornerstone of the Qatari economy, "following an Iranian targeting," according to a post on X on Wednesday. QatarEnergy confirmed that Ras Laffan had been struck by missiles, causing "significant damage". The company added that emergency teams were immediately deployed to control the fires and that all personnel were safe, with no casualties reported. "QatarEnergy confirms that Ras Laffan Industrial City this evening has been the subject of missile attacks. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires, as extensive damage has been caused. All personnel have been accounted for and no casualties have been reported at this time," QatarEnergy wrote on X. The Qatari Foreign Ministry warned that such attacks constitute "dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of the State''s sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security and the stability of the region," CNN reported. (ANI) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed that Israel killed Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib in an overnight attack, marking the third assassination of a high-ranking Iranian official in two days, Al Jazeera reported. The announcement on Wednesday comes hours after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed the Iranian minister had been killed, as per Al Jazeera. Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force, were also killed in Israeli air strikes on Tuesday. Pezeshkian condemned the "cowardly assassination of my dear colleagues," saying they "left us heartbroken". In a post on X, he added that their "path will continue stronger than before", as per Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera''s Nida Ibrahim, reporting from the occupied West Bank, said Israeli military analysts regarded Khatib as a trusted figure close to Iran''s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Al Jazeera reported. "According to Israeli sources, they said they have been gathering intelligence that allowed them in the past 24 hours to declare the deaths of three senior Iranian officials," Ibrahim said, according to Al Jazeera. According to Al Jazeera, Katz also announced that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given the Israeli military standing authorisation to eliminate other senior Iranian officials in their sights without case-by-case approval. "This is seen as another success from the Israeli perspective in targeting the Iranian leadership," she said, Al Jazeera reported. Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera''s Mohamed Vall said, "In terms of his credentials, he ''ticked every box'' in Iran, having graduated from the influential seminary in Qom and previously studied under the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei," Al Jazeera reported. "So he was really one of the top clerics, and he even has the title, Proof of Islam, one of the highest titles in the country. He is really well placed, religiously, ideologically and with decades of experience in the circles of intelligence, particularly civilian intelligence," Vall added. "He''s a man whose killing, no doubt about it, will cause a dent to the remaining structure of the regime, the government. So that is what the Israelis are counting on," he concluded, Al Jazeera reported. As per Al Jazeera, the US Department of State offered a $10m reward on Friday for information about Iran''s new supreme leader and other top officials, including Khatib. A funeral ceremony for Larijani and Soleimani was held in Tehran on Wednesday, according to Press TV, as officials and mourners gathered to honour the two figures, Al Jazeera reported. Larijani had been one of Iran''s most influential political operators, having previously led its nuclear negotiations with the West and served as speaker of parliament, as per Al Jazeera. In an interview with Al Jazeera aired after the killing of Larijani was confirmed by Tehran on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the United States and Israel had yet to realise that Iran''s government does not rely on a single individual, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) The Habshan gas facilities in Abu Dhabi have been shut down following an incident caused by debris from recently intercepted missiles, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said. Authorities are also responding to incidents at the Bab oilfield and gas facilities, the office added. "Operations at the gas facilities have been suspended, and no injuries have been reported," the media office confirmed. https://x.com/ADMediaOffice/status/2034392167133937789 Meanwhile, Iranian armed forces, alongside regional resistance groups, are continuing retaliatory military operations targeting the United States and Israel, according to Press TV. On Wednesday, March 18, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple strikes under the banner of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched in response to an "unprovoked act of aggression" by the US-Israeli coalition against Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, Press TV reported. According to Press TV, since the operation began, Iranian forces have carried out 63 waves of missile and drone attacks using advanced weaponry, hitting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories as well as US bases and assets across the West Asia region. Regional allies have also intensified their efforts. The Lebanese Hezbollah movement has focused its operations on Israeli military targets, citing both the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and repeated ceasefire violations by Israel over the past year, Press TV reported. Meanwhile, Iraqi resistance groups have conducted daily attacks, primarily targeting American military installations in Iraq and other Arab nations, as per Press TV. Earlier, key energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf came under attack on Wednesday night (local time), with fires reported at a major facility in Qatar and aerial threats intercepted over Saudi Arabia, following warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), CNN reported. Qatar's Interior Ministry said Civil Defence teams were responding to a blaze at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a critical natural gas processing hub and cornerstone of the Qatari economy, "following an Iranian targeting," according to a post on X on Wednesday. QatarEnergy confirmed that Ras Laffan had been struck by missiles, causing "significant damage". The company added that emergency teams were immediately deployed to control the fires and that all personnel were safe, with no casualties reported. (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Thursday recorded the presence of 12 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around its territory. Sharing the details in a post on X, the MND said that 5 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern part ADIZ. It said that it has monitored the situation and responded. "12 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern part ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded", MND said. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2034434683786645569?s=20 Earlier, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of 36 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels and an official ship operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. Of the 36, 24 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. 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) Iranian state media Press TV reported on Thursday that suicide drones hit the US military base in Iraq, while explosions were reported at a US military base in Kuwait. Press TV shared the updates in a series of posts on X. It said, "Suicide drones reportedly hit a US military base in northern Iraq, causing multiple explosions in Erbil." https://x.com/PressTV/status/2034459603719598309?s=20 "Explosions were reported at a US military base in Kuwait." https://x.com/PressTV/status/2034468144580825438?s=20 Meanwhile, Al Jazeera Breaking said one person was killed while several others were wounded in an air attack on paramilitary base in Iraq https://x.com/AJENews/status/2034463738175127573?s=20 Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces also shared that missiles were launched from Iran towards the country and said that defence systems are operating to intercept the threat. https://x.com/idfonline/status/2034476287222276263?s=20 As tensions escalate in West Asia and the Gulf, the United Kingdom's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre said that it received a report of an incident 11 nautical miles east of Khawr Fakkan, UAE. As per the UKTOMO, a vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile which resulted in a fire onboard. It advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO as authorities continue to investigate. https://x.com/UK_MTO/status/2034415015327871091?s=20 It also reported another incident 4 nautical miles east of Ras Laffan, Qatar. UKMTO said that a vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile. While all crew are reported safe and well, it advised vessels to transit with caution. https://x.com/UK_MTO/status/2034476385993974164?s=20 The third week of the conflict in West Asia has seen critical expansion in the scale of attacks mounted by both US-Israel and Tehran. Earlier on Wednesday night (local time) the Iranians hit back after an Israel strike targeted the South Pars Gas field. On their target Gas fields in Qatar. Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second to take place in the last 12 hours at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MOI) informed that the massive fire that broke at Ras Laffen industrial area after a strike has been contained with no casualties being reported. In a post X, the MOI wrote, "Civil defence has fully contained all fires in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area without recording any injuries, with cooling and securing operations continuing at the sites, while the explosives unit affiliated with the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) carries out its tasks in dealing with any hazardous parts." Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second to take place in the last 12 hours at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. After the world's largest liquefaction facility located in Qatar was subjected to missile strikes by Iran, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said that Washington had no knowledge of the attack, claiming Israel for "acted out of anger", striking at Iran's South Pars Gas Field which resulted in retaliation from Tehran. In a sharply worded statement shared on Truth Social, the US President said, "Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit." He said the US and Qatar were not aware of the attacks and stated that Israel would not target the South Pars Field unless Iran decides to attack Qatar again. He said that Washington would not be afraid of authorising destruction and violence on Tehran if Qatar's energy facilities are targeted again. Meanwhile, Qatar has declared the military and security attaches at the Iranian Embassy, along with their staff, "persona non grata" and has requested that they leave the country within 24 hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. (ANI) The conference will be inaugurated by Sergey Lavrov and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, signalling the importance both nations attach to deepening bilateral ties. Key participants will include Igor Ivanov, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov and India's Charge d'Affaires in Russia Nikhilesh Giri, according to TV BRICS. Organised by the Russian International Affairs Council and the Embassy of India in Russia, the conference will focus on key thematic areas including the role of Russia and India in shaping a multipolar world, engagement with third countries and expanding economic cooperation, as reported by TV BRICS. Bilateral trade has witnessed significant growth, reaching a record 68.7 billion US dollars in the 2024-2025 financial year. Both sides have set an ambitious target of increasing trade to 100 billion US dollars by 2030, as agreed by Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi. Connectivity projects will also be a major focus, including the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route and the Northern Sea Route, all aimed at enhancing logistics and trade efficiency. The conference will further deliberate on cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, culture, education and labour mobility. Notably, the number of Indian students in Russia rose by 35 per cent in 2024, underlining growing people-to-people ties. Participants are also expected to discuss easing visa norms to boost tourism and workforce exchange. The conference will conclude with policy recommendations aimed at guiding future collaboration between the two nations. (ANI) Vikram Doraiswami, currently serving as the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to China, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Thursday. In an official statement, the MEA said, "Vikram K. Doraiswami (IFS:1992), presently High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the People's Republic of China.". He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Doraiswami joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992. Before that, he did journalism for a year. According to MEA, he received his master's degree in history from Delhi University. After completing his in-service training in New Delhi from 1992-1993, Doraiswami was appointed Third Secretary in the Indian Embassy in Hong Kong in May 1994. He completed a Diploma in the Chinese Language at New Asia Yale-in-Asia Language School, Chinese University of Hong Kong. In September 1996, he was appointed to the Indian Embassy in Beijing, where he served for about four years. On his return to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi in 2000, Doraiswami was appointed Deputy Chief of Protocol (Official). After two years he was promoted to the Prime Minister's office. Later he served as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of India. In 2006, Doraiswami took charge as the Political Counselor at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York and in October 2009 as the Consul General of India in Johannesburg, South Africa. In July 2011, Doraiswamy returned to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, where he headed the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Division. During this period he was also the coordinator of the Fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi in March 2012.From October 2012 to October 2014, Doraiswami was the Joint Secretary in the Americas Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. He became India's Ambassador to Uzbekistan in October 2014, before being appointed India's Ambassador to Korea in April 2015.After completing this duty, he returned to the headquarters in July 2018 and served as the head of the Bangladesh and Myanmar department. In April 2019, he was tasked with setting up a new department in the Ministry of External Affairs for the Indo-Pacific region. After promotion in December 2019, he was designated Additional Secretary for International Organizations and Summits. Prior to UK, he had assumed charge as Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh on October 05, 2020. Vikram Doraiswami is interested in reading, sports, fitness, travelling and Jazz music. He is fluent in Chinese, French and Korean. (ANI) At the Russian-Indian Forum titled "From The Volga to The Ganges" organised by the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Sergey Glazyev, State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, emphasised the strategic importance of strengthening economic and financial ties between India and Russia. Glazyev said, "India is a very important partner. Our economies supplement each other. We have resolved the trade between India and Russia. Free trade between India and Russia is being worked upon; the structure of the trade agreement is being carried out. We have common financial markets and we have no barriers. Currently, there's a problem of currency capital and this forum is perfect to solve the issue. I am very grateful to this." He added that global economics has entered a phase of complexity due to current geopolitical and market developments, highlighting the challenges posed by the United States in dominating capital markets. "Similar trade war as it was during World War and US is trying to dominate the capital market," Glazyev noted. He further pointed out India's growing influence, stating, "India is becoming a global leader, along with China, the world economy will shift to South East Asia. India is becoming a leader of innovation. On market capitalisation, India is leading the way. Leading in manufacturing. This problem of financial bubble will burst soon where US is trying to dominate." Glazyev also addressed regional concerns, including the Strait of Hormuz, emphasising strategic positioning. He highlighted initiatives to modernise financial systems, including pilot projects for a digital national currency and the introduction of the intergovernmental settlement digital currency, BRICScoin. "We are ready for it and make our integration cheaper. It will be a complicated challenge. We should work to solve it soon. We should not be in a situation where a country could use its hegemony. We should create an environment where a financial structure can be set up that will benefit all. For this, we should be open for financial integration," he said. The forum reflected a broader vision of strengthening India-Russia relations in trade, finance, and innovation, positioning both nations to play a pivotal role in reshaping global economic dynamics in the years ahead. (ANI) A "limited fire" broke out at Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery in Kuwait after a drone attack, reported Al Jazeera, citing the Kuwait News Agency. According to the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, there are no reports of any casualties, and the fire has been dealt with "according to the highest safety standards." Earlier, there were reports of a fire at Qatar's Ras Laffen industrial city, but no casualties were reported. Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MOI) informed that the massive fire that broke at Ras Laffen industrial area after a strike has been contained with no casualties being reported. In a post X, the MOI wrote, "Civil defence has fully contained all fires in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area without recording any injuries, with cooling and securing operations continuing at the sites, while the explosives unit affiliated with the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) carries out its tasks in dealing with any hazardous parts." Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second to take place in the last 12 hours at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. After the world's largest liquefaction facility located in Qatar was subjected to missile strikes by Iran, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said that Washington had no knowledge of the attack, claiming Israel for "acted out of anger", striking at Iran's South Pars Gas Field which resulted in retaliation from Tehran. (ANI) In the letter, Iravani also wrote that UNSC'S inaction has caused Israel to become stronger and bolder in targeting officials. Iravani also warned that the killings could spread to other countries if left unchecked. The US-Israel and Iran conflict is now in its third week with both sides showing no signs of stepping back. Earlier, Iravani formally notified the UN Secretary-General and Security Council that the UAE is "internationally responsible" for providing its territory to the US for attacks, reported state Media. According to Press TV, Iran is demanding full compensation for all damages from the UAE. Meanwhile, Iranian armed forces, alongside regional resistance groups, are continuing retaliatory military operations targeting the United States and Israel, according to Press TV. On Wednesday, March 18, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple strikes under the banner of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched in response to an "unprovoked act of aggression" by the US-Israeli coalition against Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, Press TV reported. According to Press TV, since the operation began, Iranian forces have carried out 63 waves of missile and drone attacks using advanced weaponry, hitting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories as well as US bases and assets across the West Asia region. This comes amid the backdrop of an Iranian attack targeting UAE's Habshan gas facility and the Bab field, which Abu Dhabi called a dangerous escalation and violation of international law. As the security situation evolves in the region, the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defence routinely continues to share the nation's military capabilities actively engaged in defensive operations. (ANI) Coinciding with the Spring Session of the Swiss Federal Assembly held from March 2 to 20, 2026, the Tibetan issue once again came into focus as the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet convened a meeting on March 16, according to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile. The meeting, chaired by Fabian Molina, saw participation from MPs Linda De Ventura and Leonore Porchet, along with Tibetan representatives including Thinlay Chukki, UN Advocacy Officer Phuntsok Tobgyal, and Secretary Thomas Bernhard Buchli. As per the CTA, the discussions prominently highlighted concerns over alleged human rights violations in Tibet, bringing renewed attention to the challenges faced by Tibetans. Members also raised alarm over threats to Tibetan culture and language, particularly in the context of China's "Ethnic Unity and Progress Law." The deliberations further underscored issues of China's transnational repression, while also touching upon the sensitive matter of the reincarnation of Dalai Lama, a subject of deep significance for the Tibetan community. The next meeting of the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet is scheduled for June 1, 2026. The Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet is an informal, cross-party group of members of the Swiss Parliament who focus on issues related to Tibet and its people. Although it is not an official government body, it plays an important role in raising awareness about human rights, cultural, and religious concerns in Tibet. The group engages in discussions within Parliament, interacts with Tibetan representatives, and encourages the Swiss government to take note of developments related to Tibet. The Tibetan issue refers to the political and human rights concerns surrounding Tibet after its incorporation into China in 1950. Many Tibetans, led by Dalai Lama, have raised concerns over cultural preservation, religious freedom, and autonomy. The exile government, based in Dharamshala, advocates for greater rights. China, however, considers Tibet an integral part of its territory, making the issue a sensitive international matter. (ANI) Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence said on Thursday that a drone crashed into an oil refinery and that damage assessment is underway. According to Al Jazeera, the drone crashed at Samref refinery. The developments follow as explosions were seen near a Saudi Aramco oil facility in Riyadh on Wednesday. Sharing the details in a post on X, the Saudi Defence Ministry said, "The official spokesperson for Ministry of Defence: A drone has fallen in the Samarra refinery and damage assessment is underway." https://x.com/modgovksa/status/2034546154902352232?s=20 https://x.com/AJENews/status/2034550035761738194?s=20 Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence also mentioned that a ballistic missile launched towards the port of Yanbu was intercepted and destroyed. https://x.com/modgovksa/status/2034545798956851477?s=20 Al Jazeera breaking reported that explosions were seen near a Saudi Aramco oil facility in Riyadh on Wednesday after Iran launched ballistic misiles at Saudi Arabia. Citing authorities, it said that four missiles were intercepted. https://x.com/AJENews/status/2034559122243260750?s=20 It also reported fire after a drone hit a second Kuwaiti oil refinery unit. https://x.com/AJENews/status/2034543820449182043?s=20 A "limited fire" broke out at Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery in Kuwait after a drone attack, reported Al Jazeera, citing the Kuwait News Agency.According to the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, there are no reports of any casualties, and the fire has been dealt with "according to the highest safety standards." Earlier, there were reports of a fire at Qatar's Ras Laffen industrial city, but no casualties were reported. Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MOI) informed that the massive fire that broke at Ras Laffen industrial area after a strike has been contained with no casualties being reported. As tensions continue to rise in West Asia and the Gulf amid the developing security situation, the Foreign Ministers of key Arab and Islamic countries held a consultative ministerial meeting in Riyadh regarding the Iranian attacks, as per a statement by Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry. According to the statement, the ministers stressed the need for Iran to abide by implementing the Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which called for an immediate halt to all attacks, and unconditional cessation of any provocative acts or threats against neighboring states, and the cessation of support, financing and arming its affiliated militias in Arab countries, which Iran is doing to serve its goals and against the interests of these countries. Furthermore, to refrain from any measures or threats aimed at closing or obstructing international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in Bab al-Mandab. The ministers discussed the Iranian attacks on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye, and they affirmed their condemnation and denunciation of these Iranian deliberate attacks with ballistic missiles and drones which targeted residential areas, civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic premises. The ministers further affirmed that such attacks could not be justified under any pretext or in any manner whatsoever. The ministers also stressed the right of states to defend themselves in accordance with Article (51) of the United Nations Charter, as per the statement. The ministers called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and affirmed the necessity of respecting international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of good neighborliness, as a first step toward ending the escalation, achieving security and stability in the region, and promoting diplomacy as a means to resolve the crisis and further emphasized that the future of relations with Iran depends on respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, as well as refraining from violating their sovereignty or their territories in any manner whatsoever, and not using or developing its military capabilities to threaten countries of the region. (ANI) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that around 280,000 people have returned to India from West Asia since February 28, amid evolving airspace restrictions and operational challenges in the region as the conflict in the region escalates. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, noted that despite disruptions in some countries, the overall flight situation is gradually improving. "While there have been operational closures in some countries, overall the flight situation continues to improve with additional flights operating. Since February 28, around 280,000 passengers have returned from the region to India," Mahajan said. He added that airlines are continuing to operate limited non-scheduled flights between the UAE and India, depending on operational feasibility and safety considerations. Mahajan stated that on March 18, around 75 flights operated between the two countries, while approximately 90 flights are expected to operate today, indicating an upward trend amid the conflict. "Flights continue to operate from Oman and Saudi Arabia to India. Qatar airspace remains partially open, with Qatar Airways operating non-scheduled commercial flights to India. Qatar Airways is operating nine flights to various destinations in India today," Mahajan said. He further informed that Kuwait's airspace has remained closed since February 28. In response, Kuwait's Jazeera Airways has announced special non-scheduled flights from Al Qaisumah International Airport in Saudi Arabia to India, with the first flight scheduled to Kochi on Friday. Similarly, Bahrain's airspace continues to remain closed, with Gulf Air operating special flights from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia to facilitate travel to India, and more such flights are expected in the coming days. "In view of the flight restrictions from Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq, we continue to facilitate transit of stranded Indian nationals and for emergency cases via Saudi Arabia," Mahajan added. 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, providing an update on the SAFESEA VISHNU incident, Mahajan stated that 15 Indian crew members who were rescued have safely left Iraq and are expected to return to India soon. He added that Indian missions are coordinating with Iraqi authorities to expedite the repatriation of the mortal remains of an Indian national who lost his life in the incident. "An update on SAFESEA VISHNU, 15 Indian crew members of MT SAFESEA VISHNU who were safely rescued, have left Iraq and are expected to return to India soon. Our mission is also in touch with them and with the concerned Iraqi authorities to expedite the repatriation of the mortal remains of the Indian national who, unfortunately, lost his life in the incident," the Joint Secretary stated. The oil tanker SAFESEA VISHNU was attacked off Khor Al Zubair port near Basra in Iraq on March 9 inside Iraq's territorial waters. The MEA reiterated that it remains closely engaged with regional authorities and airlines to ensure the safe and timely return of Indian nationals amid the ongoing situation. (ANI) World Uyghur Congress (WUC) Executive Committee chairwoman Rushan Abbas has accused the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of orchestrating a global campaign to silence Uyghur voices, using diplomatic channels to discredit activists abroad. In a strongly worded post, Abbas wrote on X, "Every time I speak in a new country, the Chinese embassy releases statements attempting to discredit my advocacy and label me and my sister as terrorists." She further added, "That is not diplomacy. That is transnational repression in real time." Highlighting her personal ordeal, Abbas drew attention to the detention of her sister, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, a retired doctor from Urumqi. In another earlier post, she said, "My sister was never political, She is just a mother and grandmother who loves her family." According to Abbas, her sister was detained days after she delivered a speech at the Hudson Institute in September 2018, where she spoke about alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs. "Five days later my sister disappeared," Abbas stated, adding that a secret trial in 2019 led to a 20-year sentence on what she described as fabricated charges. She also raised concerns about her sister's health, posting, "She has serious medical needs... I wake up with that every single day." The accusations add to growing criticism of China's policies in Xinjiang, where activists allege systemic repression. Abbas concluded her message with a firm call: "I will never stop. Free Gulshan Abbas." The persecution of Uyghurs in China is primarily linked to policies in the Xinjiang region under the Chinese Communist Party. Since around 2017, reports from rights groups and governments have alleged mass detention of Uyghurs in "re-education" camps, along with surveillance, forced labour, and restrictions on religion and culture. Beijing claims these measures combat extremism, but critics describe them as systemic repression targeting the Muslim minority population in the region. (ANI) "Yesterday, our Prime Minister spoke with the Crown Prince of Kuwait. The two leaders exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and shared their concerns over recent developments," he said. "Prime Minister reiterated India's condemnation of attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also underlined ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a priority for us," he added. Jaiswal said that both leaders agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for regional peace and stability. The Prime Minister also thanked the Crown Prince for his continued support for the safety and well-being of our community in Kuwait. He also conveyed his greetings for the upcoming festival of Eid to the Crown Prince. Meanwhile, C. Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, urged consumers to remain cautious about fraudulent messages circulating on social media related to LNG services. "I want to request all LNG consumers, please be aware of social media fraud because false messages pop up through various social media platforms, so please don't believe those messages. If you feel, please complain to the police," Rajan said. (ANI) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the recent US intelligence report, flagging Islamabad as a nuclear threat, highlights the risks posed by Pakistan due to the country's "clandestine history of nuke proliferation." Addressing a regular press briefing here, the official spokesperson of the MEA, Randir Jaiswal, stated that Pakistan has a history of clandestine nuclear proliferation, and such observations once again bring attention to concerns surrounding its track record. "As far as Pakistan is concerned, they have a history. They have a history of clandestine nuclear nonproliferation, and statements like this again make it clear what kind of threat they pose to the world because of their clandestine nuclear operations," Jaiswal said. On March 18, a report issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in the US classified Pakistan, along with major powers such as Russia and China, as posing a significant nuclear threat to the US. The US intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, presented the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) in which the US Intelligence Community (IC) has identified several critical areas concerning Pakistan's evolving military capabilities, its role in regional instability, and the persistent threat of terrorism. The report assesses that Pakistan is researching and developing a variety of advanced missile delivery systems. Crucially, the report, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, noted that Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development potentially could include Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) with a range capable of striking the US. "The US secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure safety in the Homeland against strategic threats. However, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that put our Homeland within range," Gabbard said in her opening remarks before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for the annual "Worldwide Threats" hearing. As per the report, Pakistan also remains a central concern in the global fight against Islamist militancy. The US, it said, continues to face a complex and evolving threat landscape with a geographically diverse set of Islamist terrorist actors seeking to propagate their ideology globally and harm Americans, even as al-Qaida and ISIS are significantly weaker than at their respective peaks during the early 2000s and mid-2010s. The report identifies ISIS-K (Islamic State - Khorasan Province) as a primary external plotting threat in South Asia. ISIS-K operatives are noted to be operating within the region, utilising ungoverned or poorly monitored areas for recruitment and planning, it said. "US military operations and collaboration with international partners in Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, and Syria during 2025 removed key terrorist leaders and operatives, degrading the capability of al-Qaida and ISIS to pursue terrorist attacks against the Homeland and US interests overseas," the report said. In his press briefing today MEA spokesperson Jaiswal also expressed concern over recent strikes carried out by Pakistan into Afghanistan, condemning the targeting of civilian infrastructure. "We have seen strikes from Pakistan into Afghanistan. We have condemned these strikes as they have targeted civilian infrastructure and caused significant hardship to the people. We unequivocally condemn these airstrikes," the MEA said. Earlier on Tuesday, India 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. As per a statement by the MEA, India urged the international community to hold the perpetrators of the criminal act accountable, extended condolences to the bereaved families and said that it stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan. The statement stated 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 read. It further called the heinous act of aggression by Pakistan a blatant assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability. "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 read. "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 added. According to Tolo News, over 400 people have been reported killed in the deadly airstrike carried out by Pakistan on an addiction treatment hospital in Kabul. (ANI) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it has received a request for consular access from Kyiv following the arrest of six Ukrainian citizens by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for allegedly supporting certain proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them. The accused were also supporting ethnic war groups in Myanmar by supplying weapons and training them. Addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said relevant government agencies are handling the matter in line with domestic laws and international obligations, while ensuring that legal processes are followed carefully. "We are aware of the case. This is a legal matter, and the relevant Government of India (GoI) agencies are currently investigating it. We have received a request for consular access, and this will be addressed in accordance with the legal requirements of the case," Jaiswal said. This came after the NIA on Friday arrested six Ukrainians and one US citizen for having link with ethnic armed groups, and supporting certain proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them. The accused also supported ethnic war groups in Myanmar by supplying weapons and training them. The foreign nationals arrested by the NIA have been identified as one US citizen Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and six Ukrainians as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi , Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor. Special NIA judge Prashant Sharma remanded all seven to 11-day NIA custody on Monday. Earlier today, the Embassy of Ukraine in India expressed serious concern over the detention of six Ukrainian citizens. In a press release, the embassy noted media reports indicating that the initiation of the proceedings may have been prompted by information provided by the Russian side, and called for an objective and transparent investigation. "Ukraine firmly rejects any insinuations regarding the possible involvement of the Ukrainian State in supporting terrorist activities. Ukraine faces the consequences of Russian terror daily and takes a principled and uncompromising stance in combating terrorism in all its forms," the statement read. The embassy emphasised that allegations related to terrorism must be assessed only based on verified facts, transparent procedures, and full intergovernmental cooperation and expressed readiness for active collaboration between the competent authorities of Ukraine and India, referencing the existing bilateral Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended greetings of Eid al-Fitr, also known as "Hari Raya Aidilfitri" in Malaysia, to Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "Spoke with my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, and conveyed warm greetings to him and the people of Malaysia on the occasion of the upcoming festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri." PM Modi further said that the discussions among the counterparts were along the "concerning situation" in West Asia, and also, according to the Prime Minister, there was a reaffirmation from both sides on the "shared commitment" to "de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy". "We also discussed the deeply concerning situation in West Asia and reaffirmed our shared commitment to de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi said. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi held a "productive conversation" with the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, during which the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in West Asia and emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in order to de-escalate the conflict. In a post on X, the Prime Minister stated that during the discussion, he conveyed advance Eid greetings to Tariq Al Said and the people of Oman and reaffirmed India's strong ties with the Gulf nation. "Had a productive conversation with my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and conveyed advance Eid greetings to the people of Oman. We agreed on the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability," the post read. He reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while appreciating the country's efforts in facilitating the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals, amid the ongoing regional tensions. The Prime Minister also underscored the shared commitment of both nations to ensuring secure maritime routes, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. "Reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated Oman's efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals. India and Oman stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," his post added. The remarks come amid the escalating tensions and 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. (ANI) The event focused on integrating experiential learning with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to promote equitable and inclusive education. Diplomats from the European Union, Portugal, India, Angola, and Sudan attended the session, engaging in discussions on leveraging technology to create fair learning opportunities globally. Students from the University of Oxford who are also representatives of the Akshar Foundation highlighted India's evolving education model and its integration with artificial intelligence (AI). Joy Naysa Chang highlighted the importance of adopting a human-centred approach to AI in education, particularly in rural India. She noted that discussions with global leaders focused not only on the ethical dimensions of AI but also on its potential to transform access to education for underserved communities. Chang emphasised that India's large youth population, coupled with policies prioritising literacy, numeracy, and equitable access, positions the country as an emerging global leader in education reform. Samuel Miguel Owen pointed to India's renewed emphasis on vocational training under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as a key differentiator from Western education systems. He observed that integrating vocational skills with digital learning equips students with practical, employable abilities while addressing socio-economic inequalities. According to Owen, this blended approach offers a more "context-specific solution" that could inspire reforms in Western education systems, where academic and vocational pathways often remain disconnected. Joshua James Kelly highlighted the resilience of students in Assam, where Akshar Foundation operates its flagship programmes. Despite challenges such as floods and economic hardship, students continue to attend school and actively engage in learning. Kelly praised the Foundation's model of combining education with community-based vocational training, enabling students to contribute to local development while building future livelihoods. (ANI) Islamabad [Pakistan] March 19 (ANI) Pakistan's rice export sector witnessed a steep contraction in February, with shipments falling sharply despite the government's financial incentives aimed at supporting exporters. The decline has raised serious questions about Islamabad's policy approach, with industry stakeholders arguing that the subsidy scheme has failed to strengthen Pakistan's position in international markets. Exporters say the programme has instead contributed to higher domestic prices, making Pakistani rice less competitive globally, as reported by Dawn. According to Dawn, official data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics indicates that total rice exports dropped by 35.38 per cent in February. The downturn occurred even after the government introduced a duty drawback scheme designed to offset local taxes and levies faced by exporters. The government allocated around PKR 15 billion under the programme, offering a 3 per cent rebate for coarse rice and a 9 per cent rebate for basmati rice exports. Despite these incentives, export performance continued to deteriorate. Figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics show that basmati rice exports declined by 19.21 per cent in value, while export volumes dropped 27.98 per cent during February. The situation was even worse for coarse rice, where export earnings fell 42.50 per cent, accompanied by a 32.94 per cent decline in quantity shipped abroad. Industry experts say the subsidy scheme has failed to tackle structural weaknesses within Pakistan's rice sector. A prominent exporter attributed the slump largely to soaring domestic prices and widespread stockpiling, both of which have undermined Pakistan's competitiveness in international markets. The exporter also pointed out that the country's rice trade has long remained focused on basic commodity exports rather than building globally competitive export businesses. Over the past four decades, many exporters have prioritised meeting targets under the Export Refinance Facility (ERF) instead of investing in efficiency, branding, and market expansion, as highlighted by Dawn. Another exporter stated that incentives offered at the export stage cannot compensate for weaknesses in agricultural production. Sustainable export growth, he argued, requires stronger farm productivity and reduced input costs for growers. He stated that improvements in seed quality, irrigation systems, fertiliser affordability, and energy costs are essential to boosting competitiveness, as reported by Dawn. (ANI) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed grave concern over the alleged illegal detention and reported abduction of former Member of the National Assembly Ali Wazir in Sukkur, raising serious questions about due process and personal liberty. In a post on X, the commission stated that plainclothes law enforcement personnel reportedly picked up Wazir shortly after his release on bail on March 16. Two days after the incident, his whereabouts remain unknown, intensifying fears regarding his safety and health. The HRCP has urged authorities to immediately produce him before a court, ensure his protection, and hold those responsible accountable under the law. The development has drawn strong criticism from rights activists and political observers, who have condemned what they describe as an unlawful re-arrest following his judicial release. According to a report by Dawn, Ali Wazir, a leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement, had recently been released from Sukkur prison after being granted bail by the Sindh High Court in a sedition case. The court's constitutional bench had approved his bail under Sections 123-A and 124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The case was initially registered at the Nawabshah Airport police station and later examined by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. Dawn reported that during proceedings, a federal law officer informed the court that no cybercrime-related evidence had been found against Wazir. The bench observed that the allegations did not fall within the scope of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and noted the absence of incriminating material. The court further ruled that his continued detention would amount to unlawful incarceration, as no investigation or trial was pending before any competent forum. Illegal detention remains a persistent human rights concern in Pakistan, with reports of individuals being held without due process or formal charges. Rights organisations, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, have frequently highlighted issues such as enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and lack of transparency in law enforcement practices. Such actions undermine the rule of law, weaken public trust in institutions, and raise serious concerns about the protection of fundamental rights and judicial oversight in the country. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings of Eid al-Fitr to King Abdullah II of Jordan and said attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia are "condemnable" and warned that such actions could trigger further escalation. In a post on X, PM Modi said he conveyed advance Eid greetings to the Jordanian monarch and discussed the evolving situatio in the region. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2034617540744495509 "Conveyed advance Eid wishes to my brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II, the King of Jordan, over phone," PM Modi said. The two leaders also exchanged views on the growing tensions in West Asia and underlined the need for diplomatic engagement to restore stability. "We expressed concern at the evolving situation in West Asia and highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister said both sides stressed the importance of maintaining uninterrupted trade and energy supply routes in the region. "Attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia are condemnable and can lead to avoidable escalation," he added. PM Modi also thanked Jordan for helping to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals who were stranded in the region amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. "Deeply appreciated Jordan's efforts in facilitating the safe return of Indians stranded in the region," he added. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings of Eid al-Fitr, also known as "Hari Raya Aidilfitri" in Malaysia, to Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "Spoke with my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, and conveyed warm greetings to him and the people of Malaysia on the occasion of the upcoming festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri." PM Modi further said that the discussions among the counterparts were along the "concerning situation" in West Asia, and also, according to the Prime Minister, there was a reaffirmation from both sides on the "shared commitment" to "de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy". "We also discussed the deeply concerning situation in West Asia and reaffirmed our shared commitment to de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi said. (ANI) The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Thursday said it carried out strikes targeting Iranian naval infrastructure in the Caspian Sea, hitting vessels and operational facilities used by the Iranian navy. In a post on X, the Israeli military said the attacks targeted several maritime assets and command facilities linked to Iranian naval operations. https://x.com/IDF/status/2034641269960393096 "IRANIAN NAVAL INFRASTRUCTURE STRUCK IN THE CASPIAN SEA," the IDF said. According to the Israeli military, the strikes hit multiple Iranian naval vessels operating in the region. "Targets included: Iranian Navy vessels, including missile ships, support vessels boats, & guard ships," the IDF said. The Israeli military also said it struck a command centre used by Iranian naval forces to coordinate activities at sea. "A port command center from which Iranian Navy forces controlled naval operations," the post added. In addition, the IDF said the infrastructure used for repairing and maintaining naval vessels was also targeted in the operation. " Central infrastructure used for vessel repair and maintenance," the Israeli military said. Earlier, Iran launched the 64th wave of operation True Promise 4 against Israel, reported the country's state media Press TV. Yesterday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple strikes under the banner of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched in response to an "unprovoked act of aggression" by the US-Israeli coalition against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, Press TV reported. According to the news outlet, since the operation began, Iranian forces have till Wednesday carried out 63 waves of missile and drone attacks using advanced weaponry, hitting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories as well as US bases and assets across the West Asia region. Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Forces said that its Air Force destroyed an Mi-17 helicopter of Iran at the Sananaj Airport.Noting that the action deepens the blow to the military capabilities of Iran, the IDF said that it continues to expand aerial superiority in western Iran. Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that the strike came on the basis of precise real-time intelligence. The IDF said, "The Air Force destroyed an Mi-17 helicopter at the Sanandaj Airport in Hamadan. The IDF continues to deepen the blow to the military capabilities of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force and to expand its aerial superiority in western Iran. Yesterday (Wednesday), based on precise real-time intelligence guidance, an Air Force aircraft identified and struck an "MI-17" helicopter at the Sanandaj Airport in Hamedan." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned recent strikes on energy infrastructure in Qatar by Iran, while expressing India's solidarity with the Gulf nation amid ongoing regional tensions. During a telephonic conversation with the Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, PM Modi also conveyed warm Eid greetings to the Amir and the people of Qatar and also expressed gratitude for the care and support extended to the Indian community in Qatar and voiced hope for peace and stability in the region. "Spoke with my brother, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, and conveyed warm Eid greetings to him and the people of Qatar. Reiterated that we stand in solidarity with Qatar and strongly condemn the attacks on the region's energy infrastructure," PM Modi stated in a post on X. The Prime Minister further underlined India's position on maritime security, stating that the country supports safe and free navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. "Expressed gratitude for the care and support provided to the Indian community and hoped for peace and stability to prevail in the region. We stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," his post added. The conversation comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with several countries in the region witnessing disruptions impacting energy infrastructure and global supply chains. Earlier, Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second-largest at the liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. This strike comes in retaliation from Iran after Israel struck the Islamic Republic's South Pars Gas field. The attack on Iran's Gas field and Qatar's LNG facilities has sent energy prices up further, with little sign of any resolution to the conflict soon. (ANI) The Ambassador of France to India, HE Thierry Mathou, conferred the insignia of "Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur" (Commander of the Legion of Honour) on Ambassador Jawed Ashraf during a special ceremony at the Embassy of France. According to an official release, the highest French civilian award comes in recognition of Ambassador Ashraf's contributions to strengthening the strategic partnership between France and India during his posting as the Ambassador of India to France and Monaco from July 2020 to December 2024. Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Thierry Mathou underscored the significance of the award, stating, "Ambassador Ashraf's remarkable career and personal dedication have been pivotal in accelerating and deepening the bilateral relations between our two nations. His tenure as India's Ambassador to France and Monaco saw landmark achievements, including the advancement of defence cooperation and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership in 2023. It was on this occasion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited as the guest of honour at the French National Day celebrations on July 14, 2023, which also marked the launch of the Horizon 2047 Roadmap - the blueprint guiding our partnership for the next two decades." Accepting the award, Ambassador Jawed Ashraf said, "I am honoured to be conferred the Insignia of the Commander of the Legion of Honour by the French Republic. It is particularly special to follow seven great luminaries of modern India, who have been earlier recipients of this honour. This is a reflection of the high importance and priority that France attaches to its relations with India and a testimony to the extraordinary progress in the India-France strategic partnership - strong, consistent and trusted - under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and HE President Emmanuel Macron, based on their shared belief in the immense value of this partnership for the two countries and for shaping a better future for our turbulent world. It was a privilege to have served in support of this vision. I thank Ambassador Thierry Mathou for conferring the Insignia on behalf of the French Government and his gracious hospitality." During the investiture ceremony, Ambassador Mathou also highlighted the recent elevation of France-India relations to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership" during the successful official visit of President Emmanuel Macron to India in February. Among others, the visit institutionalised annual consultations between the Foreign ministers of both countries, yielded over 20 deliverables, and marked the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation. Instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion d'Honneur (Legion of Honour) is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipients. The President of the French Republic is the Grand Master of the Order of the Legion of Honour, a release said. Ambassador Jawed Ashraf's distinguished career spans over three decades, with postings in India's diplomatic missions in Frankfurt, Berlin, Kathmandu, Washington DC, and Singapore, as well as senior roles in the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of External Affairs. He is the current Chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), a release added. (ANI) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said India should take a lead in trying to end the West Asia conflict, saying that the Gulf region is a major source of the country's energy supplies, including LPG and LNG, and the conflict is hurting people who have nothing to do with it. Tharoor, a former union minister, said that the continuation of conflict will create severe shortages and major world leaders should take responsible steps to try and stop the war. "I have publicly called for India to take a lead in trying to end this war (in West Asia). I think that we have every right to speak as a country that has already been deeply affected and with a lot of stake in the region," Tharoor told ANI. "I think we have every right to ask both countries to stop this because this kind of conflict going on is hurting the people who have nothing to do with the conflict...I think 60-80% of our LPG and LNG supply come from that side, through Strait of Hormuz. If we can't get them, that is going to create severe shortages...So. what major world leaders should be doing is taking responsible steps to try and stop it," he added. Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the situation in West Asia, he said a reduction in tensions will be good for the region. "I think it's very important that we take every step possible to de-escalate this war. If people of the stature of PM Modi and President Macron were to intervene with both sides of the conflict and try to get them to dial it down, it will be good for the region, for our country, for the world," he said. "India and France are supposed to have a special global strategic partnership, upgraded earlier this year. In that spirit, for them to talk about these things is very important. When you talk about the Strait of Hormuz, I don't think either country has any interest in trying to force passage through the Straits; that would be tantamount to declaring war and I don't think there is no appetite for that in either country," he added. PM Modi held a conversation with President Macron to discuss the situation in West Asia and urgent need for de-escalation and return to dialogue and diplomacy. The two leaders looked forward to continuing their close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond. India said on Thursday that the recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across the Gulf region are deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. In response to media queries regarding attacks against energy infrastructure in the Gulf region in the last few days, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that attacks against civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, are unacceptable and need to cease. "India had previously called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. Recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across this region are therefore deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. Such attacks are unacceptable and need to cease," he said. Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by ballistic missiles from Iran, resulting in extensive damage, as per the country's Ministry of Defence. The attack is the second at the largest liquefaction facility in the world. According to QatarEnergy, several of its LNG facilities were also subject to Iranian missile attacks after the attack on Ras Laffan. "In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties," it stated. Israel had earlier struck Iran's South Pars Gas field. The attack on Iran's Gas field and Qatar's LNG facilities has sent energy prices up further, with little sign of any resolution to the conflict soon. With energy supplies getting increasingly impacted due to West Asia conflict, India has also said that it is diversifying its supply sources to ensure that people's fuel needs are met. Answering queries during weekly media briefing here, Jaiswal said India is trying to buy LPG from everywhere and if it is available from Russia, the option would be exercised. He said India wants to have a wide range of options and is buying oil from various sources, including Russia. "We're trying to buy LPG from everywhere, wherever it's available. So if Russia is available, we'll go there too. Because the current situation is such that we have to ensure that our people's fuel needs are met... I can say that we want to have a wide range of options," Jaiswal said. He said India has continuously emphasised that one of its priorities has been the need to ensure unimpeded transit of goods and energy. "We have also called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. We believe that these are priorities of a large part of the global community since the impact of the conflict is being felt globally," he said. (ANI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (local time) said that Israel independently carried out a strike on Iran's Assaluyeh gas compound, while also noting that US President Donald Trump has asked Israel to refrain from further such attacks. Answering a reporter's query during a press conference, he answered, "Fact number one: Israel acted alone against the Assaluyeh gas compound. Fact number two: President Trump asked us to hold off on future attacks, and we're holding off." The clarification comes amid reports suggesting US involvement or prior knowledge of the strike on PSEEZ. On the situation within Iran, Netanyahu, while answering reporters' questions indicated that there are signs of internal strain in the Iranian regime but stopped short of predicting its collapse. "A lot of signs... I wish I could divulge all of them," he said, adding, "We're working to create the conditions for it to collapse. But it may survive, it may not." He asserted that even if the regime endures, it would emerge significantly weakened. "If it survives, it'll be a lot weaker... shorn of industries that it built over decades," he said, referring to Iran's military and industrial capabilities. Netanyahu also underscored Israel's coordination with the United States in broader strategic terms, particularly in intelligence and military cooperation. "In partnership with our American allies, we can do amazing things... It's the two most amazing air forces in the world... the two most amazing intelligence services in the world," he said. Framing the conflict in wider ideological terms, Netanyahu warned of the risks posed by Iran's leadership, describing it as a threat not only to Israel but also to the United States and global stability. "This is a danger for the entire world... not only fighting our fight, we're fighting their fight," he said. The Israeli Prime Minister also rejected claims that Israel had drawn the United States into the conflict. "It's been said that Israel somehow dragged the US into a conflict with Iran... that is another fake news," he said. Earlier, he said, "Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do? Come on. President Trump always makes his decisions on what he thinks is good for America." Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking Iran's South Pars Gas Field, amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region. On being asked if he had a conversation with Israeli PM about attacking the oil and gas fields, President Trump said, "Yeah, I did. I told him, don't do that. He won't do that." However, he later said, "We didn't discuss. We're independent. We get along great. It's coordinated. But on occasion, he'll do something. And if I don't like it, so we're not doing that anymore." The remarks come after Iran launched ballistic missile strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, targeting what the world's largest liquefaction facility is. The attacks reportedly caused extensive damage to QatarEnergy's LNG facilities and the Pearl GTL Gas-to-Liquids plant, prompting emergency response teams to contain fires with no reported casualties. (ANI) The relationship between Morocco and the European Union is undergoing a significant transformation moving away from a decade-long period of tension toward a more balanced and strategically mature partnership, explained Doha Lkasmi, Director General of NSI Maroc and a researcher affiliated with Sciences Po Pariss Center for International Research, in an analysis published by news outlet le360. The friction that marked recent years stemmed largely from rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning trade agreements covering the Sahara, as well as critical statements from the European Commission. However, Lkasmi argues that neither Rabat nor Brussels had a genuine interest in allowing those tensions to solidify. Reciprocal diplomatic efforts Moroccos more assertive and proactive outreach to EU institutions and member states, and Europes growing openness to integrating Moroccos core national interests have gradually restored mutual confidence. A turning point came at the January 2026 Association Council meeting in Brussels, where the EU welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted in October 2025, and acknowledged Moroccos 2007 autonomy plan as a serious and credible basis for a political settlement. This position is now shared by a growing number of EU member states including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Latvia reflecting a broader international convergence that also includes the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Lkasmi describes the current phase as simultaneously one of consolidation and recomposition. The 30-year-old Association Agreement, high-level political dialogue, deep trade ties the EU remains Moroccos largest investor and trading partner and security cooperation all form a solid foundation. But the more significant shift is qualitative: a move toward co-construction of priorities, where Morocco and the EU negotiate on equal footing rather than a top-down Brussels-to-Rabat model. Looking ahead, Lkasmi identifies three major cooperation axes: regional security and stability, the energy transition where Moroccos renewable energy leadership opens doors for major European investment and scientific and academic exchange, including joint research programs and researcher mobility across both shores of the Mediterranean. Former White House Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt has warned that the Iranbacked strategy of empowering nonstate armed groups is expanding into North Africa through alleged ties with the Polisario Front. In an opinion piece published by Semafor, Greenblatt argues that while global attention remains fixed on crises in the Middle East, another Iranian proxy is quietly extending its influence elsewhere. He likens the Polisarios trajectory to that of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, groups that, he says, began as small political movements but evolved into heavily armed organizations serving Tehrans regional ambitions. Greenblatt writes that Iran has long pursued a doctrine of cultivating armed nonstate actors far from its borders by providing ideological guidance, training, money and weapons. Such groups eventually destabilize governments, threaten regional security and advance Irans goals without requiring Tehran to engage directly. Iran recognized the selfproclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1980 and that ties with the Polisario have deepened since, he said. Morocco has cut ties with Tehran in 2018 due to Iran and Hezbollahs involvement in arming and training Polisario militias. Greenblatt frames the issue within the strategic partnership between the United States and Morocco, which he describes as one of Washingtons oldest and most reliable regional alliances. In 2020, the Trump administration recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. He argues that US policy toward the Polisario- still classified by Washington as a separatist armed movement rather than a terrorist organization- should be reassessed. A lack of formal designation, he warns, does not eliminate the strategic risk. Drawing parallels to Hezbollahs rise in Lebanon and the Houthis expansion in Yemen, Greenblatt cautions that ignoring early warning signs has historically led to devastating consequences. The world overlooked Irans proxy strategy before, he writes. It must not repeat the same mistake. Bills have been introduced in the Congress and the Senate to designate the Polisario as a terrorist group. Authorities in Libya have heightened maritime alert levels after a Russian liquefied natural gas tanker, identified as ARCTIC METAGAZ, was spotted drifting uncontrollably towards the countrys territorial waters. The Ports and Maritime Transport Authority reported on Wednesday, March 18, that the vessel is unmanned and unable to manoeuvre, leaving it vulnerable to prevailing winds and sea currents. Officials have cautioned nearby ships to maintain a safe distance due to potential hazards, including the risk of explosion, gas leakage, and structural instability. Offshore installations, including the Bouri and Al-Jurf oil fields, have been placed on high alert, with emergency response vessels on standby should the tanker approach critical infrastructure. Authorities indicated that the situation is under close surveillance in coordination with international partners, as efforts continue to mitigate potential environmental and security risks. The Sudan Doctors Network on Wednesday accused the Rapid Support Forces of killing 12 civilians, including six women, and injuring three others in the Shuraim Mima area, north of Bara in North Kordofan State. According to the group, the victims were allegedly targeted on suspicion of links to the Sudanese Armed Forces. The incident was described as a new massacre and a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Control of Barathe regions second-largest cityhas shifted repeatedly between the Army and RSF forces, with the paramilitary group reportedly taking control earlier this week. The network warned that escalating attacks on civilians in RSF-held areas signal a deepening humanitarian crisis, marked by rising displacement and deteriorating living conditions. It called on the international community to take urgent action to halt the violence, ensure accountability, and establish safe corridors for affected residents. The RSF has faced repeated allegations of abuses in North Kordofan, including killings, arbitrary detentions, sexual violence, abductions, and forced displacement in recent months. Moroccos February 2026 decision to ban sardine exports to the European Union has set off an industrial and diplomatic crisis in Spain, where the regional parliament of Galicia has passed a motion demanding urgent government action to negotiate the bans reversal with Rabat. Effective from February 1 and expected to remain in force for at least a year, the prohibition covers all forms of frozen sardine destined for EU member states. Morocco cited declining catches and the need to protect domestic supply as justification. The bans impact on Galicias canning sector has been immediate: Morocco supplies approximately 90% of the frozen sardine consumed by Galician canneries, with Spanish imports from Morocco reaching 27,400 tonnes between January and October 2025 alone representing between 64% and 94% of total Spanish imports of the product. The Galician parliament motion, introduced by the PPdeG and backed by the PSdeG, calls on Spains central government to open direct diplomatic talks with Rabat and to refer the matter to the European Commission to protect European processors under existing international agreements. The Galician Nationalist Bloc abstained, using the session to revive familiar anti-Morocco rhetoric tied to the October 2024 EU Court of Justice ruling a verdict widely criticized for granting standing to the Polisario Front despite its absence of recognized international legal personality, and one dismissed by Moroccos Foreign Ministry as irrelevant to bilateral relations. The diplomatic backdrop complicates Spains position. On January 29, 2026, all 27 EU member states adopted a unified position at the EU-Morocco Association Council in Brussels, supporting UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and recognizing meaningful autonomy as the most credible path forward for Western Sahara. Spains customs authority simultaneously extended full preferential treatment to products from Moroccos southern provinces under the updated 1996 Association Agreement anchoring a 21 billion bilateral trade relationship. The ban has also drawn scrutiny over timing: reports indicate that Morocco simultaneously opened its waters to Russian fishing fleets for sardine harvesting, a contradiction that industry groups and parliamentary members have flagged as commercially and politically significant. Marrakech-Menara Airport has received the award of the Best Regional Airport in Africa at the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards, the prestigious annual accolades often described as the Oscars of the aviation industry. The Moroccan airport has won the trophy during a ceremony held Wednesday in London on the occasion of the Passenger Terminal EXPO & Conference (PTE World), a major international event for the airport industry. The Marrakesh-Menara airport has been recognized as the best regional airport in Africa for the great travel experience it delivers to passengers. The terminal features a striking architectural blend of modern technology and traditional Moroccan design, characterized by a white concrete facade adorned with stylized Islamic geometric motifs. In 2025, the airport handled over 10 million passengers, representing 10 pc increase compared to previous year data. It is one of the busiest airports in Africa and the second-busiest airport in Morocco, accounting for 28% of the countrys total air traffic The Skytrax World Airport Awards assess airports across more than 550 hubs worldwide and are based entirely on global passenger voting through the worlds largest airport customer satisfaction survey. Travellers across the world rate airports on service quality and facilities. Testing, Testing A series where we methodologically and obsessively try new products to tell you if theyre worth it so you dont have to do all that work yourself. Read more reviews here. Photo: Brenley Goertzen Ive written about the athleisure brand Vouri before, and have tried out some of their pieces including the Dash running shorts, which were breezy with a comfortable wide elastic waistband, and a French-terry cardigan, which was just the right amount of oversized. I was impressed by the clean design and versatility of both pieces. Contributor Katie Stone had a similar experience: after thinking Vuori was just another activewear line, she tried several of the leggings and sports bras and says she did a full 180 on the brand. So when my editor spotted the launch of its first-ever denim collection, I was genuinely intrigued. The launch includes two styles: a vintage-inspired wide-leg jean and an oversized denim jacket in two washes (bone denim, a creamy, off-white shade, and light wash indigo denim, a faded, worn-in blue). I opted for the indigo wash. The first thing I noticed when the jeans arrived was that the denim felt especially soft, which makes sense since theyre made from a combination of cotton, soft Tencel lyocell, and a dash of stretchy elastane. When I tried them on, my initial impression was that they looked similar to true vintage denim, but that the stretch made them more comfortable than old Levis. The Vuori jeans also had a much nicer drape than my favorite wide-legs from Reformation, which are 100 percent cotton. They were sturdy with the perfect amount of give. After the initial fit check, I immediately packed them for a friends bachelorette weekend trip to Napa Valley. Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Vuori Vintage Wideleg Jean $198 $198 Buy at Vuori Buy Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Vuori Vintage Oversized Denim Jacket $188 $188 Buy at Vuori Buy After landing in San Francisco, I tried them on in front of my best friend, and she gushed over the fit. Those are Vuori? she asked. We went out for happy hour on Friday night, and the jeans were perfect for looking casual but still put-together. I hate the word jegging, but as I wore the jeans on the trip it did come to mind because the Tencel lyocell and elastane give the fabric a smooth and slightly slick finish. The Vuori jeans are by no means actual jeggings they are not close-fitting and have real pockets, loop holes, a zipper fly, and a button. But they have a similar comfort level. I can sit criss-cross applesauce no problem. They worked everywhere from a pizza night at home to dinner, when I easily dressed them up with kitten heels for a meal at a 19th-century mansion resort. I liked the jacket, too. It has a similar relaxed vintage feel its boxy and has drop shoulders with deep front pockets. I ordered a size small, which hit below the hip. I have Canadian parents, so a Canadian tuxedo is clearly in my repertoire and when I paired Vuoris denim jacket and jeans, it felt just right. Ill keep wearing my Vuori jeans and jacket together straight through spring, and now Im even considering placing an order for the cream-colored versions. get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Q : Can you explain the impact of the winter storms on same-store sales in Canada during the quarter and how this metric is trending currently? A : Harkirat Grover, CEO, noted that the winter storms significantly impacted same-store sales, particularly in the last 10 days of January and into February. Despite this, same-store sales were up 2% during the months leading to December 2025 and showed a slight increase in January. The market is slowing, but High Tide aims to outperform the industry, expecting sales from marginal players exiting the market to shift to them. The growth in new store openings is becoming more challenging due to increased competition and a slowdown in industry growth rates. The e-commerce segment has been a drag on consolidated adjusted EBITDA, although it showed signs of stabilization. The market slowdown in Canada is impacting sales growth, with the company noting a general slowdown in the industry. The company generated $2.9 million in free cash flow, a significant improvement from negative $1.9 million in the same quarter last year. Revenue for the quarter was $178.3 million, up 25% year-over-year, marking the fastest pace of growth in 10 quarters. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript . Story continues Q: What are High Tide's plans for entering the U.K. market, and how do you intend to fund such a deal? A: Harkirat Grover, CEO, stated that High Tide is exploring opportunities in the U.K., a rapidly growing market. They are in discussions with key players and aim to enter a transaction within the next 12 months. The company is not in a rush and is carefully evaluating potential partners and structures for the deal. Q: Regarding Germany, February sales were $12 million with a 20% gross margin. Is this growth sustainable, and what are the expected gross margins once Canadian sales enter the German market? A: Harkirat Grover, CEO, expressed optimism about Remexian's performance, noting that while February was a strong month, it may not be consistently repeatable due to ongoing supply chain issues. However, once Canadian biomass arrives, they expect gross margins to stabilize between 20% to 25%. Q: With the industry slowdown, does it still make sense to open 20 to 30 new stores in Canada this year? A: Harkirat Grover, CEO, acknowledged the challenges in finding suitable locations but remains committed to opening 20 to 30 stores, focusing on Ontario. The company is also exploring M&A opportunities to complement organic growth. Q: What changes have been implemented in the e-commerce platforms to drive recovery, and has this trend continued post-quarter? A: Harkirat Grover, CEO, highlighted the relaunch of several e-commerce platforms, leading to increased conversions and orders. The segment showed a 5% quarter-over-quarter increase, and this positive momentum has continued into the second fiscal quarter. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Despite China's growing support, the energy transition Cuba has outlined is estimated to require $8 billion to $10 billion in investment, a sum the country lacks, suggesting there are limits to China's generosity. China is significantly increasing its support for Cuba's energy transition, including a massive ramp-up in solar equipment exports and pledges to help build nearly 100 solar parks and the islands largest wind farm. Cuba finally reconnected its power supply on Tuesday after an extended blackout swept the island as the United States tried to choke off the islands energy supply. Blackouts lasted nearly 30 hours as Donald Trump engineered an oil blockade and publicly ruminated about whether he would have the honor of taking Cuba. But the move, rather than isolating Cuba, may have just deepened its ties with China. Cuba, which is already beleaguered with an obsolete and fragile power system, saw its grid collapse under the weight of the weekslong oil blockade. The Caribbean island nations energy system uses about 100,000 barrels of oil a day to power aging and decrepit thermal power plants that the country received from the former Soviet Union. Cuban leadership has not publicly stated what caused the islands power grid to go dark on Monday, but the issues are likely to persist as the United States aggression continues. Once energy was restored 29 hours later, President Miguel Diaz-Canel blasted Washingtons "almost daily public threats against Cuba." The Trump administration has been vocal about its desire to oust the communist leader. However, experts warn that this would merely topple the figurehead of a country teetering on the edge of humanitarian collapse without actually doing anything to dismantle its political system. On Tuesday, Diaz-Canel wrote on social media that United States officials intend to announce plans to take over the country, its resources, its properties, and even the very economy they seek to suffocate in order to force us to surrender. But while Cuba may be David to the United States Goliath, it has one very powerful ally. As the Trump administration steps back from U.S. climate commitments and reinvests in fossil fuels, China is flexing its dominance in renewable energy, using offers of equipment, expertise and financing as geopolitical levers, the Washington Post wrote in a Wednesday report. Related: The Invisible Metals Powering a Trillion-Dollar Economy This alliance could prove critical to rebuilding a stronger, more resilient, and more independent energy grid powered by domestically generated renewable energies rather than fossil fuel imports. Cuba has struggled to reach its own goals of renewable energy expansion and integration over the past decade, with renewables contributing just 9 percent of the national energy mix at present, but increased support from China could change that. China has been exporting solar equipment for years now, but their trade relationship has massively ramped up in recent years and is predicted to continue its growth trajectory. According to British energy think tank Ember, China shipped $5 million worth of solar equipment to Cuba in 2023. In 2025 the figure was $117 million a 2,240 percent increase. China has also pledged to help Cuba build nearly 100 solar parks by 2028, and many of these projects more than half, according to authorities have already come online. China is also backing the construction of the islands largest wind farm, La Herradura 1. But there may be limits to Chinas generosity, and those limits may fall far short of what Cuba needs to wean itself off of its imperilled import dependencies once and for all. Ricardo Torres, an energy economist at the American University in Washington, explained, The energy transition outlined by the government would require investments of around $8 billion to $10 billion over the next decade Cuba simply does not have that kind of money, and China will not pay for everything. However, Cuba provides a strategic alliance for China, which reportedly has installed spy stations on the island that is just 90 miles away from the United States at its closest point. In February, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said that Chinas energy cooperation with Cuba has achieved fruitful results and will continue going forward. We oppose unwarranted interference by external forces and reject any actions that deprive the Cuban people of their right to subsistence and development, spokesman Liu Pengyu told The Washington Post. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Mainland outlines measures to boost cross-Strait integration in next five years Xinhua) 08:10, March 19, 2026 BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday detailed steps to implement the Taiwan-related section of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), pledging to advance cross-Strait peaceful development and integration while expanding opportunities for Taiwan residents and businesses. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a regular press briefing that the 15th Five-Year Plan, newly approved by the National People's Congress, provides top-level design and strategic guidance for Taiwan-related work over the next five years. According to Chen, key measures will focus on boosting cross-Strait economic cooperation, including rolling out supportive policies for Taiwan-funded enterprises, encouraging industrial collaboration, and fostering a common market. The mainland will support the development of the Fujian cross-Strait integrated development demonstration zone, as well as cooperation hubs in Pingtan in east China's Fujian Province, Kunshan in east China's Jiangsu Province and Dongguan in south China's Guangdong Province. Qualified Taiwan-funded firms will be encouraged to list on mainland stock markets, alongside the development of multi-tiered financial markets, Chen said. The mainland will also deepen exchanges across the Strait by improving policies and mechanisms to facilitate economic and cultural cooperation, expanding people-to-people exchanges, and enhancing collaboration in areas such as education, healthcare and social services. Measures will aim to ensure equal treatment for Taiwan residents studying, working and living on the mainland, while promoting shared access to public resources. Special emphasis will be placed on youth and grassroots engagement, with expanded opportunities for young people from Taiwan to pursue careers and development on the mainland, Chen noted. In the course of the next five years, the mainland will introduce additional measures to facilitate cross-Strait travel, work to restore and expand tourism exchanges, and promote closer, deeper interactions between people on both sides, he said. Addressing opportunities arising from the mainland's emphasis on developing new quality productive forces, Chen said Taiwan enterprises can upgrade traditional industries through digital and intelligent transformation, expand into emerging sectors with new technologies and products, and tap into future industries by leveraging the mainland's innovation ecosystem. "The next five years, a significant stage for the mainland's development, will also be a period of great opportunities for Taiwan residents and enterprises," Chen said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A month ago, any analyst suggesting international oil prices could soar all the way to $200 per barrel would have been laughed out of the studio. Now, some are beginning to acknowledge that this is a real possibility, and with good reason. Oil and fuel exports from the Middle East stood at 25.13 million barrels daily in February, Reuters reported this month, citing data from Kpler. By mid-March, this had plummeted by close to two-thirds, to 9.71 million barrels a day. Vortexa has even more worrying figures, putting the February daily average at 26.1 million barrels of crude and fuels, and the midMarch average at just 7.5 million barrels daily. Yet even worse than daily shipments is the situation in production. Everyone in the Middle East is cutting oil productionand those wells take a while to restart. The reason they are cutting is that storage capacity is limitedand some of those export barrels are actually going on tankers for storage rather than shipment to clients. A fifth of global oil, in other words, is severely disrupted, and even if the bombs stop flying tomorrow, it will take a while for things to get back to normal. Related: Little-Known US Company Lands Important Pentagon Contract in Rare Earth Race Iraq has reportedly curbed oil production by some 2.9 million barrels daily, ING commodity strategists said in a note earlier today. In Saudi Arabia, the cuts are to the tune of between 2 million barrels daily and 2.5 million barrels daily. The UAE has reduced production by 1.5 million bpd, and Kuwait has slashed output by a reported 1.3 million barrels daily. That makes a total of over 7 million barrels daily gone. For context, the International Energy Agency had predicted the oil market would this year be in a surplus of around 3.7 million barrels daily. Not only is that now goneif it was ever here at allbut there is more supply frozen because of the crisis. Indeed, the IEA itself estimates shut-in production at 10 million barrels daily. What all this means is that there is no physical oil to respond to demand. And when physical supply is tight, prices fly high and take a while to go back down if the situation normalizes, even accounting for the destruction in demand that high oil prices would inevitably cause. Were very much in the $150 range but I dont think its ridiculous at all to [suggest] $200. It would be very fair given we are basically having a crisis-a-day right now equivalent to supply outages, Onyx Capital Group CEO Greg Newman told CNBC this week, noting that the Middle Eastern oil benchmark had already hit $150 per barrel amid the supply squeeze. I wouldnt be surprised if oil went to 200 bucks, or even 250, because commodity prices go parabolic when theres a shortage of supply, the chief market strategist of Longview Economics, Chris Watling, told the news outlet. Related: No Magnets, No Drones: How China Controls the Future of Warfare Not all analysts are this bullish, of course. In fact, many forecast a reversal of oils fortunes after the end of March, with Brent crude slipping below $100 and WTI falling below $90. These, however, are based on an assumption of a fast end to the hostilities, and there arent many signs that this is a real possibility at this point. And the longer exports out of the Persian Gulf remain constrained, the more production the Middle East would have to shut it and the longer it would take to restart it. Reuters Ron Bousso noted this in a column on the $200-per-barrel scenario, saying that even if the war ended, prices would come down, but they would not come down all the way to pre-war levels because of the physical oil shortage. Therefore, Bousso wrote, traders may want to think twice before betting that the return to normality Trump has promised is coming anytime soon. Restoring the suspended production could take months. Perhaps the main reason Brent has not yet hit $200 is, ironically, the amount of sanctioned Russian barrels that Washington de-sanctioned temporarily to help plug the growing gap between supply and demand. According to maritime transport trackers Windward, as of March 16 there were 197.8 million barrels of Russian crude in transit globally, reinforcing ongoing pressure on maritime logistics networks. These barrels, however, would only offer temporary relief, which is why China has banned fuel exports and ordered Sinopec to cut refining rates by 10%, even though it has the largest volumes of oil in storage in the world. The news that Iraq and Kurdistan had finally reached an agreement to restart oil exports via the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline also wont make much of a difference: it only has a capacity for up to 250,000 barrels daily. A scenario that only a month ago would be called insane is now a real possibility. That said, however, the possibility is still quite distant. Given the pain that $200 Brent would cause every single economy in the world, chances are, cool heads would eventually prevail. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Asian fuel oil imports from Russia are on course to reach an all-time high this month, shipping data from Kpler and LSEG has shown, as reported by Reuters. Total volumes are seen reaching over 3 million tons, or 614,500 barrels daily, according to the publication. The record high imports from Russia come as a replacement for lost fuel oil supply from the Middle East amid the escalating war between the United States, Israel, and Iran. More than half of those 3 million tons are going to Southeast Asia, at between 1.7 million and 1.9 million tons, the data also showed, with China taking in the rest, or an estimated 1.2 million to 1.5 million tons. The disruption in fuel oil flows has an outsized impact on HSFO supplies relative to low-sulphur fuel oil supplies, as the blockade has also curtailed medium- and heavy-sour crude flows out of the Strait of Hormuz, tightening the overall crude supply complex, Vortexa senior market analyst Xavier Tang commented, as quoted by Reuters. The Middle East energy exports disruption prompted the U.S. federal government to issue sanction waivers for Russian crude and petroleum products in floating storage in a bid to ease prices a bit. Asian energy importers have clearly rushed to take advantage of that. However, if the Middle East paralysis of exports extends, Russian fuel oil will fall short of meeting Asian demand, one LSEG analyst said. Shortages are on the cards for all fuels because of cuts in refinery run rates across the Middle East, following production shut-ins as producer countries run out of storage space. Theoretically, they could process that crude with nowhere to put it, but with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, those fuels would also need to be stored, hence the run rate reductions. The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and crude availability remains a concern, meaning the market should remain bullish overall in the coming weeks or months, Energy Aspects analyst Royston Huan said, as quoted by Reuters. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com More buyers could be pushed to seek and contract LNG supply from producers outside the Middle East, such as the U.S. and Canada, if a prolonged war continues to choke supply from the Gulf region, a senior executive at Japans biggest LNG buyer, Jera, told Reuters. With 90 million metric tons from the Middle East absent from the global LNG market, the longer this persists, the greater the impact, Ryosuke Tsugaru, Jeras Senior Managing Executive Officer, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. A month before the war erupted, Jera signed a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement with QatarEnergy to secure the supply of 3.0 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) for 27 years, with deliveries expected to commence in 2028. However, Jera expects the start of deliveries could be delayed if the war continues for months rather than weeks and stalls the expansion of Qatars LNG capacity, which is the worlds biggest LNG expansion project under way. Our exposure to the Middle East is not significant, Tsugaru told Reuters, adding that we are considering additional spot purchases to address certain cargo shortfalls. Related: The Invisible Metals Powering a Trillion-Dollar Economy So far, Jera has not received any emergency supply requests from any Japanese utility, the executive told Reuters. The war has already hit Qatars LNG exports. State firm QatarEnergy halted the Ras Laffan LNG complex, the worlds biggest, in the early hours of the war, mostly as a precaution following a drone attack near the site and because of the de facto closed Strait of Hormuz. But in the past few hours Iran followed through its threats to attack energy infrastructure in the region following a strike at its huge South Pars gas field on Wednesday. On Thursday, QatarEnergy confirmed damage from an attack, saying that several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil prices could soar to $150 per barrel or more if the Middle East war continues until the end of March, Kpler says, as the conflict escalates with Iran intensifying attacks on energy infrastructure in the region. With this huge outage of supply it is just a matter of time where prices really catch up with the fundamentals here and we just see how bad things are, Amena Bakr, Kplers Head of Middle East and OPEC+ Insights, told CNBC International. This is a supply shock not only of oil that hits the world, Bakr added, noting that despite the war, the OPEC+ alliance is likely to survive as-is, as OPEC did in previous conflicts between some of its members. Early on Thursday, Brent oil prices soared by 6% to above $114 per barrel as the Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern oil infrastructure continue while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to vessels other than Iranian cargoes. Wednesdays strike on Irans huge South Pars gas field has prompted Iran to retaliate by attacking energy infrastructure in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Iran hit Qatars Ras Laffan industrial complex, the worlds largest liquefied natural gas facility, with QatarEnergy confirming extensive damage on the site that has been halted since the beginning of the war. Related: A New U.S. Facility Could Break Chinas Grip on Critical Materials Separately, reports emerged that the Samref refinery at Yanbu on Saudi Arabias Red Sea coast has also been targeted, with a minor impact. The Iranian retaliation raises fears of a more prolonged disruption to Persian Gulf energy supplies, ING commodities strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey said on Thursday. Attacks on energy infrastructure eclipse the efforts of the U.S. Administration to contain the surge in oil prices and, especially amid retaliation, point to additional upside for prices, the strategists added. Analysts have been talking about $200 per barrel oil for more than a week, even before Iran warned of such price amid escalating attacks in the Middle East. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com QatarEnergy has reported more strikes on its LNG infrastructure in the early hours of Thursday, saying on X that several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. The company also said emergency response teams were on site to contain the damage. The latest escalation follows retaliatory strikes by Iran on Qatar and other neighbors after Israel launched missiles at Iranian gas processing infrastructure in the South Pars field, which Iran shares with Qatar. It is the biggest natural gas field in the world. The Wednesday exchange prompted President Trump to warn Iran not to retaliate further, saying Israel had lashed out but will not repeat the strikes if Iran stayed put. Saudi Arabia, which was among the legitimate retaliation targets announced by Iran on Wednesday, issued its own warning of possible retaliation. This pressure from Iran will backfire politically and morally, and certainly we reserve the right to take military actions, if deemed necessary, the kingdoms Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the media. Gas prices jumped higher on the Wednesday news and will likely continue climbing today following the latest strikes, after Europes TTF benchmark added 6% Wednesday, moving closer to 55 euros per megawatt-hour. U.S. gas prices are at $3.164 per mmBtu, up by over 3%. QatarEnergy earlier this month declared force majeure on its LNG exports following Iran strikes on gas infrastructure. The declaration effectively took a fifth of global LNG production capacity offline, tightening a market that analysts expected to flip into a surplus this year with new plants coming online in the United States later in the year. The latest developments in gas markets are particularly bad news for European countries, which source most of their gas from abroad and are currently facing depleted storage and the need to buy a lot more gas than last year to replenish that storage. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com President Trump has said Israel will not target Iranian gas infrastructure again, after lashing out and striking a processing facility at the worlds biggest natural gas field. If Iran retaliated again, however, Trump warned in a social media post, Israel could strike again, Reuters reported, citing the U.S. president. The Israelis hit the field that Iran calls South Pars and Qatar, which shares it, calls the North Field, earlier this week. In response, Iran told neighboring countries to evacuate a number of oil and gas facilities and then proceeded to deliver retaliatory strikes, including against QatarEnergys LNG hub, Ras Laffan. Qatar reported there was extensive damage done to the facility. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, reported it had intercepted four ballistic missiles shot at Riyadh. The UAE said it had suspended operations at a natural gas facility due to missile-related incidents and debris. As a result of the latest military exchange, oil and gas prices moved higher, with Brent crude trading at $112.34 per barrel at the time of writing, and West Texas Intermediate at $97.62 per barrel. Gas prices were up by over 3% in the United States, at $3.17 per mmBtu. Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran, President Trump posted on X. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatars LNG Gas facility. NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar, the U.S. president also wrote, proceeding then to threaten to massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Freedom Foundation Appeals Dismissal of Lawsuit Challenging Oregon Anti-Impersonation Law By Freedom Foundation, Eugene, OR The Freedom Foundation appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals after a district court judge last week dismissed its case challenging Oregon HB 3789, subjecting the organization to potentially millions of dollars in penalties for the crime of informing public employees about their constitutional rights. In Freedom Foundation v. Rayfield, et al., the organizations attorneys argued the statute is not a legitimate anti-fraud measure but an unconstitutional attempt to silence speech opposed by unions and their legislative allies. The Freedom Foundation will now take the fight to the 9th Circuit. Under the district courts reasoning, the organization cannot preemptively challenge the statute and must operate under the threat of ruinous financial penalties and can only raise constitutional challenges to the statute as a defense. We remain confident in the strength of our constitutional arguments, said Freedom Foundation Litigation Counsel Rebekah Schultheiss. HB 3789 uses undefined terms and severe financial penalties to stifle speech the unions dont like. The First Amendment doesnt allow that, she added, and we will continue fighting until this law is recognized for what it is. HB 3789, which took effect on Jan. 1, allows unions to sue the Freedom Foundation for impersonating a union. Key terms like misleading impression and intent to undermine, however, are deliberately left undefined, virtually guaranteeing a union-sympathetic judge could interpret them in ways that would damage the Freedom Foundation. More to the point, the vagueness of the statutes wording makes violations impossible to predict or effectively avoid, forcing the organization to scale back its outreach to workers. This chilling effect is exactly what the Oregon Legislature intended when it passed HB 3789. During floor debate over the measure, supporters almost exclusively labor officials were unable to cite a single instance in which the Freedom Foundation ever impersonated union representatives. Rather, the Oregon Legislature pointed to the groups informational materials as the reason to pass HB 3789, making little effort to disguise the reality that its intent is to impede the Freedom Foundations efforts to educate public-sector workers about their First Amendment right to decline union membership and dues without losing their job. This dismissal will not silence us, said Freedom Foundation CEO Aaron Withe. Whats at stake here is bigger than just our organization. Its whether the government can use vague laws and financial threats to silence speech it doesnt like. Workers have a constitutional right to know their options, and were taking this fight to the 9th Circuit to protect it. By Oregon Campaign Watch, March 12, 2026, a Washington Post poll showed that support for the Iran action has been growing. By Lars Larson NW and national radio host, The Northwest Nonsense Boy, has former Green Beret Joe Kent turned into a gigantic disappointment. In the last 60 minutes, I learned that Kent has resigned from his job as head of Americas National Counterterrorism Center. The reason Kent gives is his opposition to President Trumps military strikes against Iran. I supported Kents two unsuccessful runs for Congress, losing to Marie Perez. He would have been MY member of Congress in Washingtons 3rd district so I voted for him twice. When he got the job heading up Counter Terrorism I figured he was a perfect fit. Now, consider what Joe Kent just posted on social media in his resignation letter to President Trump Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation Excuse me! Iran has been planet earths biggest state sponsor of terrorism for 50 years. Theyve pursued nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Theyve funded terrorists like Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis that have killed Americans. Even if they never got the technology to deliver a nuke to the U.S., any nuclear armed Iran would threaten to set off an exchange that could bring in the whole world. Not only that, but Joe Kent decides to resign right after three Islam and Iran related domestic terrorist attacks on American soil in Texas, Michigan and at Old Dominion University. And hes resigned the Counterterrorism role even as the Democrat Party continues its Jihad against funding Homeland Security. Come to think of it, maybe were better off WITHOUT Joe in that job. Thats the Rose City Rap. Join me at noon on KXL for 4 hours of Honestly provocative talk. Im Lars Larson Kathmandu, Nepal, March 19, 2026: In a move providing significant relief to thousands of migrant workers, the Government of Nepal has officially reinstated re-entry labour permits for seven countries, primarily in the Gulf region. The Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security announced on Wednesday that Nepali workers currently on leave in Nepal can now return to their jobs in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and Turkey. The decision follows a formal recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which assessed that the security environment in these specific nations remains manageable despite broader regional volatility. The move comes as a response to growing pressure from migrant workers who were stranded in Nepal after a blanket suspension was implemented on March 1. That suspension, triggered by escalating regional tensions and attacks on energy infrastructure, had left many workers facing the imminent expiration of their visas and employment contracts. However, the government is maintaining a strict "Red Zone" policy for areas at the heart of the current military conflict. Re-entry permits remain indefinitely suspended for six countries, most notably Israel, Lebanon, and Iraq. Ministry officials stated that the intensity of airstrikes and missile exchanges in these zones makes civilian return unacceptably hazardous. The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) has clarified that while the situation in these high-risk areas is being monitored daily, the priority remains the safety of Nepali citizens. The DoFE has already instructed its offices to begin processing applications for the seven approved destinations immediately to clear the massive backlog. While the news has been welcomed by those employed in the Gulf, uncertainty remains for those whose livelihoods depend on the "Red Zone" countries. As global crude oil prices surge past $108 per barrel amid the ongoing "Energy War," the Nepal government continues to urge its citizens to verify their travel routes and maintain close contact with their employers regarding the stability of regional aviation corridors. Kathmandu, Nepal, March 19, 2026: Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has resigned from his post. Thapa, who suffered a defeat in the House of Representatives elections held on March 5 (Falgun 21), submitted his resignation to Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma on Wednesday. Thapa, who had been consistently elected from Kathmandu-4 in previous elections, contested from Sarlahi-4 this time. He was defeated by Dr. Amaresh Kumar Singh of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). While the RSP secured nearly a two-thirds majority, Nepali Congress finished second with only 38 seats18 through the first-past-the-post system and 20 via proportional representation. Although Thapa had been preparing to step down following the election results, leaders from various levels of the party had been advising and pressuring him not to resign. Thapa was elected unopposed as President during a special general convention held prior to the elections. The partys upcoming meeting will decide on his resignation; a Central Working Committee meeting has been called for Friday. The Central Working Committee meeting on Friday will be chaired by Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma. The agenda includes formalizing the notification of President Gagan Kumar Thapas resignation and presenting a preliminary report on the party's electoral defeat. Since final reports from lower party committees are still pending, Vice President Sharma will provide an initial briefing on the loss. The central office has issued a circular to all constituencies, requesting detailed explanations for both victories and defeats. According to party sources, the meeting will primarily focus on Thapas resignation. Vice President Sharma is reportedly preparing a proposal to reject the resignation, arguing that the defeat was not due to individual leadership but rather the challenge of a newly elected leadership heading into elections with very little preparation time. Evacuations not planned as authorities gain control of Bahia de Banderas forest wildfire Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit Nearly 200 pairs of boots are on the ground battling a wild forest fire in Bahia de Banderas. Authorities say the fire is approximately 60 percent contained and that there are no plans for evacuations. The forest fire that started March 15 in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit, is being fought by approximately 200 people. Crews are battling the fire by air and land. March 17, 2026. We currently have nearly 200 personnel working in conjunction with the National Guard, Army, Navy, COFONAY (National Forestry Commission), State Civil Protection, and Municipal Civil Protection. The command center is located in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mayor Hector Santana reported Tuesday. For now, all efforts are being handled by land, but at midday, we will reinforce with air support from the Navy. There is no need to evacuate families, however, we ask for the publics cooperation in not engaging in any illegal burning of trash or grasslands. To those traveling on the highway towards La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, we ask for patience and caution! There are many personnel working in the area. If it is not necessary, please do not travel. They continue working 24/7 until the fire is under control! he said. People are asked to travel the affected highway with caution, but preferably not at all. March 17, 2026. Aerial surveys were started Tuesday afternoon to combat the forest fires in Banderas Bay. Mayor Santana confirmed that reconnaissance flights were conducted to locate hotspots and water sources. The base of operations remains established in the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle area from where the brigades working directly on the hill are coordinated. Aerial photos show the size of the fire. March 16, 2026. As of 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, the fire is reported to be 60% contained with support from firefighters and an MI-17 helicopter from the Mexican Navy. Reinforcements from Conafor were expected Wednesday from Jalisco and the Western Regional Fire Management Center. Authorities from all levels of government are continuing their efforts to control the fire in the municipality of Bahia de Banderas. The fire is currently contained while specialized brigades continue working to fully extinguish it, the Gobierno de Bahia de Banderas reported. As part of the operation, ground patrols are being conducted to identify active fire points and sweeps with hand tools to eliminate any hotspots that could reignite and prevent the fire from spreading to other areas. Helicopters were used to locate wildfire hotspots Tuesday March 17, 2026. Civil Protection and Fire Department brigades from Bahia de Banderas are participating in these efforts in coordination with the Nayarit Forestry Commission (COFONAY), the Mexican Army and State Civil Protection, all of whom are working together in the affected area. Authorities said that although the fire remains contained, efforts will continue indefinitely until it is fully under control. State forestry brigades will join the firefighting efforts to reinforce the operation. According to Conafor (Comision Nacional Forestal), there are currently 32 active fires in 14 Mexican states. Cliniques Almost Lipstick in the shade Black Honey has enjoyed quite a renaissance in the past couple of years. Thanks to a newly found social media-fueled popularity, the cult-classic hue from the 70s keeps selling out, making it nearly impossible for anyone to secure a precious tube. Since then, the brand has reformulated the nostalgia into cheek and lip oils, liners and even its beloved High Impact mascara a lash-boosting product thats transforming sparse, thinning lashes into natural, defined beauties that are definitely something to write home about. If youre not already familiar, Black Honey is a berry-burgundy shade that many consider to be universally flattering. However, if youre someone who has never ventured beyond the traditional black or brown mascaras, you might be wondering why anyone would want a colored mascara at all. In October of last year, makeup artists told HuffPost that strategically selecting a colored mascara can make eyes appear brighter, enhance their natural color and bring focus to the upper half of the face. A shade like Black Honey in particular, can be flattering for green, hazel and blue eyes and doesnt have to be scary. Instead, it can look surprisingly subtle, yet impactful, once applied. I myself even have a similar burgundy-toned mascara that I actually prefer to my traditional blackest-black shades. Advertisement Advertisement First time buying mascara that was not pitch black and I was hesitant, one Amazon customer writes. It arrived and upon opening the bottle, it just looked brown. But OMG if you have green/hazel eyes.. this mascara color was made for you! Another color skeptic reviewer from Amazon also said: I have to admit that I am very impressed with this one and it looks amazing. I have green eyes and I love the way it looks with them. Aside from the magical potential of the color, the High Impact formula itself is winning people over left and right for a few different reasons. Fortified with glycerin and provitamin B5 two humectants that can condition and strengthen lashes, while also keeping them flexible this mascara is highly resistant to both clumping and flaking, even when you build up the pigment with multiple coats. I was amazed at the difference. It made my eyelashes look full without clumping, claimed one reviewer, though it should be noted that hundreds echoed similar sentiments. Advertisement Advertisement This easy-to-layer and smudge-free mascara uses a soft fiber brush to evenly coat lashes, create defined length and noticeable volume. And if youre someone who has found that other mascaras burn or irritate your eyes, the High Impact formula is ophthalmologist- and allergy-tested, and comes with tons of assurances that its safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Its so gentle, in fact, that one High Impact user claimed that this was the only mascara that didnt burn after a few hours of wearing, like nearly all other ones they had tried. Its also easy to remove with only a washcloth and warm water, so you dont have to tug and pull at the sensitive skin around your eyes. If youre still not convinced that Black Honey is the mascara shade for you, the High Impact also comes in classic black and black-brown to suit your preferences. And even still, if youre not persuaded, the Clinique High Impact mascara even comes in a travel-size, so you can try this classic formula before you commit to a full-size tube just like one reviewer claimed to do below. Promising reviews: After chemo, I lost many of my eyelashes. I have tried so many mascaras. Some clump, flake, or run. This mascara is the one for me. Goes on easily, does not flake, clump, and is easy to remove. The look is natural, not like I have fake lashes on. It is pricey, but so were the others I have tried. If not so expensive, it would be perfect! Stephania Makes green eyes POP! Great color for green eyes. I ordered the Black honey. Love the way the mascara goes on, buildable, not clumping. Clinique is great for my sensitive eyes. Treasure I have an issue with basically all mascaras burning my eyes after a few hours, as I have sensitive eyes and many allergies. I have tried too many mascaras to count, including more natural mascaras, and Im still allergic! So I ALWAYS come back to this mascara by Clinique, which is the ONLY one that does not burn my eyes. I also like that it can be easily removed with only a washcloth and water, as Im also allergic to all the eye makeup removers Ive tried. Anyway, this mascara also gives my lashes the impact I want in just one coat, and is a high quality at a reasonable price! So glad I can wear this without an allergic reaction. It really is a rare find. BeautyProductAddict Many mascaras have made the promise to lengthen, define, and add volume. This is the one mascara that Ive found that has lived up to the hype. As an over 50 woman whose lashes are thinning, I was looking for something to bring back that fuller look. After receiving a trial sample of this mascara, I was hooked. I purchased the full size and have been thrilled with the results. I think you will be, too! CFinSEA If you want to shop for more colored mascaras beyond the conventional black, take a look at some of these makeup artist-recommended options below: Sephora A conditioning mascara in deep brown Best for: all eye colors Advertisement Advertisement It's pretty common knowledge that brown mascara is widely complementary to nearly every eye color. This deep chocolate brown mascara by HuffPost editor-loved brand Saie could be a good color choice if you're afraid to venture too far away from the standard black. It can also be a more natural-looking alternative for those with light-colored eyelashes. This clean-certified formula claims to be great for achieving feathery lashes that are lengthened and lifted, without looking or feeling stiff or clumpy. It uses lash-coating beeswax to create length, lash-nourishing shea butter and a mineral complex that promises to be great for strengthening lashes. $26 at Amazon Advertisement Advertisement $26 at Sephora $26 at Saie Amazon An intense black mascara with a hint of blue Best for: all colors, especially green, brown and hazel eyes. As an option that's very close to a true black, this gentle-formula Covergirl mascara is an intense black shade with navy blue undertones, a perfect choice for almost any eye color and for anyone who wants something different from their everyday mascara without anything too distracting or vibrant. It's enhanced with aloe leaf extract, nourishing maracuja oil and ceramides, which are essential lipids capable of leaving lashes nourished and cared for. $10 at Amazon $13 at Target $14 at Ulta Advertisement Advertisement Ulta A volumizing drugstore mascara in deep violet Best for: green and blue eyes New York City-based celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney said that L'Oreal's Voluminous line of colored mascaras are a great option to experiment with, especially since they're at such a great price point. The Voluminous mascara also happens to be my mascara of choice and I can attest that the formula is a great budget-friendly option that doesn't flake and genuinely adds length and volume to my lashes, without feeling weighed down. I also really love this classic applicator brush because it's packed with tiny bristles that separate my lashes. According to Rivero, purple-hued mascaras such as this berry-violet shade really make blue eyes come to life. Advertisement Advertisement $11 at Target $12 at Ulta Related... HuffPost and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. CCTV: Its reported that Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani was killed in Israeli strikes. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he have authorized the Israel Defense Forces to kill any Iranian official without the need for additional authorization. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: China is shocked by that remark. China is always against the use of force in international relations. The killing of Iranian leaders and attacks on civilian targets are by no means acceptable. As the conflict rages on in the Middle East and tensions continue to escalate and spill over, the international community is widely calling for an early ceasefire and end to hostilities. China calls on parties to the conflict to immediately stop military operations and prevent plunging the region into chaos. Yonhap News Agency: In response to the ROK listing Taiwan as China (Taiwan) on its electronic arrival card system, the Taiwan authorities have said that they will change the designation of Korea to South Korea on some of its entry and exit documents. What is Chinas comment on this? Lin Jian: Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and a prevailing international consensus. We believe the ROK will continue to adhere to the one-China principle, which is clearly stated in the China-ROK joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations, and will handle the Taiwan question accordingly. EFE: According to reports, lately China has increased inspections of Panama-flagged vessels at several of its ports, a move believed to be linked to the Panamanian sides decision to strip a Chinese company of its terminal concessions. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: Im not familiar with what you mentioned and would refer you to competent authorities. Beijing Daily: On March 19, the House of Representatives elected Anutin Charnvirakul, the incumbent prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader, as the new prime minister of Thailand. Whats Chinas comment on the result and expectation for the China-Thailand relations? Lin Jian: China congratulates Prime Minister Anutin on his reelection. We believe that under his leadership, Thailand will make greater achievements in national development. China and Thailand are close friends and neighbors and have formed a community with a shared future. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Thailand relations have maintained sound momentum, and practical cooperation has produced fruitful results in various fields. China stands ready to work with Thailand to earnestly implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries, carry forward the traditional friendship and family-like relationship between the two countries, deepen and substantiate the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future and deliver more tangibly for the two peoples. Reuters: U.S. intelligence agencies in an annual report about global threats said China does not have plans currently to invade Taiwan next year in 2027, seeking instead to control the island without any use of force. What does China have to say about that report and this matter? Lin Jian: The Taiwan question is Chinas internal affair. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves that brooks no external interference. The U.S. needs to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques and act all the more prudently on the Taiwan question. Relevant U.S. agencies and personnel need to discard ideological bias and Cold-War and zero-sum mentality, form a correct perception of China, and stop peddling the China threat narrative. Xinhua News Agency: We noted that Zhai Jun, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, recently visited Middle East countries. Could you brief us on his visits? Lin Jian: As we speak, the conflict is still raging in the Middle East and tensions continue to escalate and spill over. To help calm the situation and bring about peace, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun visited several countries in the region over the past few days. He met with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt, as well as the Secretaries General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the League of Arab States, and had a phone conversation with Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar for in-depth exchanges of views on the regional situation. During the visit, Special Envoy Zhai Jun elaborated on Chinas position regarding the current situation, and stressed that a ceasefire and an end to the hostilities provide the fundamental solution, and urged parties to the conflict to immediately cease military operations and prevent the situation from becoming a complete chaos. He called for dialogue and negotiation and resolving differences through political and diplomatic means. He pointed out that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of GCC countries should be fully respected, non-military targets should not be attacked and the safety of shipping lanes should not be interrupted. All parties have commended Chinas just position and efforts in promoting peace, and looked to China to play a bigger role. Special Envoy Zhai Juns visit to the Middle East is part of Chinas intensive diplomatic mediation effort. China is a responsible major country and a sincere friend of countries in the region. To work for reconciliation and peace in the region is a cornerstone of Chinas Middle East policy. Our mediation effort will not cease as long as the conflict continues. China Daily: As the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan entered its third week, its reported that following calls by Islamic countriesSaudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiyethe two sides have agreed to a temporary ceasefire ahead of Eid al-Fitr and will halt hostilities from midnight March 18/19 to midnight March 23/24. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: China welcomes the temporary ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and hopes the two countries will exercise calm and restraint, resume peace talks as soon as possible, realize a full and lasting ceasefire at an early date, properly address differences and disputes through dialogue and jointly keep the two countries and the region peaceful and stable. China commends the effort made by relevant Islamic countries, has been mediating between the two sides via its own channels, and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role on this issue. Reuters: Following the question I had earlier about the report from U.S. intelligence agencies, they said that Japan has shown a significant shift from its previous rhetoric on Taiwan, and this is referring to Prime Minister Takaichis remarks about a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan. The Japanese government responded this morning, rejecting the U.S.s assessment, and said that its position on how it determines an existential threat has not changed. Would China have a comment about this, on the report as well as Japans response? Lin Jian: Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichis erroneous remarks on Taiwan blatantly interfered in Chinas internal affairs. The remarks signal Japans intention to attempt armed intervention on the Taiwan question, and constitute a threat of force against China. China has more than once made clear its serious position. The report you cited shows that the international community is increasingly aware of the egregious nature and impact of those remarks and remains vigilant against Japans dangerous provocations. Japans claim that it has not changed its position is hardly convincing. That kind of attitude will not possibly enable Japan to establish trust with its Asian neighbors and the international community. We urge Japan to reflect on its behavior and change course, act on the four political documents between China and Japan and Japans own commitments and abide by the pacifist clause of the Japanese Constitution. Time for Japan to stop going further down the wrong path. Reuters: This is about the Philippines. We read the news that the Philippine agriculture secretary said yesterday that China has assured the Philippines that it will not restrict fertilizer exports to the country. We also see news that Chinese ambassador in Manila has also met with the Philippine energy minister to talk about energy security. Could you share with us what was discussed? Was Manila interested in increasing its energy security through Chinas help? Was oil supply discussed? Would China be able to offer the same kind of reassurance about energy supply the way it did for fertilizers? Lin Jian: The situation in the Middle East dealt a heavy blow to global energy security. Relevant countries need to stop military operations at once and prevent regional turmoil from further impacting global growth. China stands ready to strengthen coordination and collaboration with Southeast Asian countries and jointly address energy security issues. On your question about fertilizers, China is a major producer and consumer of fertilizers and a key participant in global fertilizers trade. While ensuring that domestic demand is met, China exports some of its fertilizers to international markets. For anything specific, Id refer you to competent authorities. Reuters: Another following question on the related topic. On the related topic, we would also like to know if there have been similar discussions with other Southeast Asian countries? Have any Southeast Asian countries individually reached out to China to request for help with their energy security? Lin Jian: As I just said, China stands ready to strengthen coordination and collaboration with Southeast Asian countries and jointly address energy security issues. By H.E. Zhao Yong, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone and H.E. Jiang Feng, Chinese Ambassador to African Union Recently, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the situation in Iran has become a focus of high attention of the international community, also touching the concerns of both China and Africa. For African countries, a large number of Africans are employed in Gulf states, contributing to local economic development while providing valuable and stable remittance income to their home countries. The busy shipping lanes running through the Red Sea and the ports of the Gulf closely connect Africa with the rest of the world. Through this route, African agricultural products, minerals and manufactured goods reach the global market, while goods from around the world are steadily shipped to Africa. In addition, the Gulf region is a vital source of energy supply for many African countries. Oil and refined fuels provide critical support for Africas transportation, industrial production, and electricity generation. This is a war that should not have happened and does no one any good. As tensions in the Middle East escalate, the risk of spillover from the conflict continues to rise. Fluctuations in energy prices, disruptions to global supply chains, the deterioration of the regional security situation, and worsening humanitarian challenges have all been rapidly transmitted to Africa, placing new pressures on economic development and peoples livelihoods. It is therefore not surprising that the African Union and African countries have widely expressed concern over the current situation in the Middle East. Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission has issued three statements in succession, calling for resolving differences through peaceful means and preventing further escalation of the conflict. Since the very first day of the conflict, China has been actively working for peace and end of hostilities, advocating the settlement of disputes through dialogue and negotiation to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond. China promptly called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the situation in Iran. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt, engaging in in-depth exchanges of views on the regional situation. He emphasized the need to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the basic norms of international relations, opposed the arbitrary use of force, condemned indiscriminate attacks against civilians or non-military targets, called for an immediate ceasefire, end to hostilities, and a political settlement to prevent further escalation and the spread of the conflict. Chinas Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun is currently shuttling among countries in the region to conduct mediation efforts and actively work to deescalate tensions. Last week, at the press conference on the sidelines of Chinas Two Sessions (the concurrent annual meetings of the countrys two most important political bodies: the National Peoples Congress and the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference), Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward five principles for the proper settlement of issues related to Iran and the Middle East, providing a comprehensive and clear explanation of Chinas position: First, respecting national sovereignty. Sovereignty is the cornerstone of the current international order. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Iran and all countries in the Gulf region should be respected and must not be violated. Second, rejecting the abuse of force. Might does not make right. The law of the jungle must not return and rule the world. Wilful use of force does not prove ones strength. Civilians are innocent and should not be victimized. Third, noninterference in internal affairs. The people in the Middle East are the true master of this region. Middle Eastern affairs should be determined by regional countries independently. Plotting color revolution or seeking regime change will find no popular support. Fourth, promoting political settlement of hotspot issues. China always believes that peace is the most precious. All sides should return to the negotiating table as quickly as possible, resolve differences through equal dialogue, and make efforts for realizing common security. Fifth, major countries should play a constructive role and use their strengths in goodwill. Major countries should act in the spirit of justice and righteousness, and contribute more positive energy to peace and development of the Middle East. China has always been a firm supporter, defender, and promoter of world peace and development. China and Africa share a broad consensus on safeguarding peace, promoting development, and upholding multilateralism. China is willing to further strengthen communication and coordination with African countries to prevent the spillover of conflict risks and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. China also stands ready to continue working with the international community to implement the Global Security Initiative, promote dialogue and negotiation, push for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, play a constructive role in easing tensions, and contribute to building a safer, more stable, and more prosperous world. On March 18, 2026, Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping and the World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS, delivered written remarks to the virtual meeting of the WHO World TB Day 2026. Peng Liyuan said that the WHO and the international community have always adhered to the mission of safeguarding human health and the goal of ending TB epidemic, and have done a great deal of effective work, reversing the trend of continuous increase in the number of TB patients in recent years. It is of great significance that the WHO hosts the virtual meeting to encourage discussions on Led by countries, powered by people and to promote the international communitys joint response to the public health challenge of TB. Peng Liyuan said that the Chinese government has always placed great emphasis on TB prevention and treatment, coordinated multiple departments to implement prevention and treatment measures, and accelerated the development of TB prevention and treatment technologies through scientific and technological innovation, continuously elevating the level of prevention and treatment work. Chinas health service network, covering over 1.4 billion urban and rural residents, has effectively enhanced the accessibility of TB prevention and treatment, leading to a continuous decline in the TB incidence rate and Chinas entry into the ranks of countries with a medium-low TB prevalence. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the implementation of China's large-scale volunteer campaign to raise awareness for TB prevention and control. Over the past 15 years, more than 1 million volunteers in China have devoted themselves to the cause of TB prevention and treatment, carrying out over 80,000 volunteer service programs in total. She said that she has often joined volunteers in visiting communities, schools, and medical and health institutions, witnessing their compassion, dedication and contribution, as well as the development and progress of Chinas TB prevention and treatment efforts. Peng Liyuan said that ending TB and safeguarding health are our common pursuit and expectation. I call upon people from all countries and all sectors to take active action, support and participate in the global TB prevention and treatment efforts, convey warmth and care, build confidence and hope together, so that the achievements of TB prevention and treatment can benefit all humanity, and jointly build a community of health for all. How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do It, Jack, a 36-year-old man, and I, a 29-year-old woman, have been dating for about six months and are very deeply in love. Were both weird, introverted nerds who never dreamed wed find someone were so into whos so into us. He is actually my first ever serious relationship, and Im his second. Jack is still close friends with his ex, Robin, whom he dated in college. Let me be very clear, I am not jealous or afraid Jack will cheat with Robin. Not just because I trust him, but because Robin is not really able to have sex. Robin developed multiple chronic conditions in her mid-20s, which have left her severely disabled. She has very little mobility in any part of her body without terrible pain. She uses a walker/wheelchair and often needs help doing basic tasks. She rarely leaves her (wealthy) parents house. The exceptions are her vacations with Jack, which are typically once or twice a year and consist of cruises and trips to various Disney parks. Robin pays both of their ways in return for Jack caring for and assisting her throughout. If we were also independently wealthy and didnt have to take vacation days from work, I would be OK with this. But their next trip together is coming up, and Im thinking about how Im going to feel in the future if Jack continues to use up most or all of his vacation time going on trips with Robin, instead of me. I dont want to push to go with them, for several reasons: Robin is not someone I enjoy interacting with, and Im sure she feels the same about me. She is very blunt and critical, Im very sensitive, and we have zero common interests. I dont like cruises or theme parks, and the kind of vacations I would like, and Jack admits he would tooremote island getaways or walking through old European citieswould not be possible for Robin. Having to accommodate Robins pace and schedule, and having so much of Jack's time taken up with her, would make the trip less fun for me, regardless of the destination. I cant afford to pay my way on so many lavish trips, I wouldnt want Robin to, and Id prefer Jack save his money for other things. However, I feel horrible about wanting to ask him to dial these occasions back, because I know they are the highlight of Robins otherwise very depressing life. How and when can I begin to talk to Jack about this without sounding jealous, possessive, or like Im planning our whole life together too early in our relationship? Only Jealous of His Vacation Days Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get sex advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit Rich Juzwiak: I think that the letter writer has every right to voice concern or complaints about her boyfriends time being taken up so much, very specifically by somebody else. But at the same time, if Jack is 36, were talking about a potentially up to 15-year-long tradition versus the six-month relationship he has with the writer. Its a tough thing, but Jack is showing who he is this early in the relationship. Hes showing that if you want to be with him, this is one of the stipulations. Hes sometimes going to travel with Robin. I think its going to be really, really hard to make an impact or to not feel like youre infringing at this juncture by speaking up. Jessica Stoya: I think its interesting that the first mention of jealousy is through this classic cinematic interpretation of the physical and lust. Its followed by all of these physical reasons that Robin cannot act upon what is commonly considered sex. And then theres the I dont want to sound jealous. Many years ago, a woman who went by Her Dirty Little Heart on Tumblr wrote something for Feeld. It appears to have gotten lost, but it was about jealousy and how the feeling that we call jealousy can often point us to something we are missing. Does it become right to try to take what we want from someone else? No, but that emotion can be very important information that youre missing something. In this case, a partner who makes time to be on vacation with you. Advertisement Advertisement Rich: Yeah. Its a real pickle because this is his lifestyle. And at the same time, our writer, I think, has very reasonable expectations of ways to spend time with her boyfriend. Its her first boyfriend. This is a big deal for her. She never thought shed have this. Now she has it, and she cant go on vacation. Going on vacation isnt necessary with a partner, but its pretty fundamental. Thats something couples do together, and this is making it impossible. Advertisement But, at the same time, hes coming with a sign attached to him saying, Unless things change, this is impossible. So what do you do? I dont think that theres anything wrong with talking about this, but trying to change the situation, trying to really exert influence in there, is going to be tough. On top of it, hes doing something kind. Hes taking somebody on vacation who our writer assumes has a miserable life. I dont know if thats actually true, but certainly these trips are a highlight. If you like going on cruises and going to Disney, when you go once or twice a year, that is a highlight. I can tell you that as somebody who loves Disney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica: I have so many things that I am not on board with assuming, including that Robin actually likes cruises and Disney, because, for instance, I dated someone many years ago who had a parent who could not move around the world without their wheelchair. Visiting New York City was a nightmare because it became a question of, Were going to this place. Where is the nearest subway station that actually has a functional elevator? Because if they have an elevator, great. Is it currently working right now today? Or, Were going to take a taxi, but is it going to be a taxi that can accommodate the wheelchair? Also, are we going to be able to get one of those for the way back? Just logistics hell. I can absolutely see a world where Robins like, I dont even like cruises or Disney parks, but I dont get to go to Europe because its not very accessible. Truly, most of Europe is not accessible. But whether Robin actually enjoys the cruises and Disney parks is a question for me. Whether her life is entirely miserable outside of these trips with Jack is also a question because its really easy to overly empathize in a tragic fantasy way with various marginalized people. Rich: At a certain point, it becomes projection. Jessica: Yes. So one thing that I think would be really useful for the writer for herself, and especially to keep in mind as shes broaching any kind of conversations with Jack, is that she doesnt actually know a lot of things that might feel really reasonable and empathetic to fill in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rich: For sure. But what she does know is that her boyfriend is willingly doing this. This is part of who he is, and part of the early stages of a relationship is determining compatibility. You learn more about people the more time you spend with them, and that gives you the tools to say, yes, this will work or this will not work. It could come down to whether youre going to accept this or not be in the relationship, and then whats the trade-off? It doesnt seem to me, given the gushing first paragraph that we got, that its going to be worth abandoning this relationship because of this. Maybe this is a situation where you say, Well, as of now, given our time off allotment, we dont go on vacation together. Maybe we work toward getting more vacation time. But this might be a concession to make, and it might be one worth making because again, your boyfriend is, from what we can tell, given the description, doing a nice thing for somebody. Hes helping his disabled friend, with whom he has a past, and who he clearly cares about, have an enjoyable time. She needs assistance according to the letter, and hes providing that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If hes willingly going to Disneyand I am willing to believe that they both love it, just because I love it, so this is my Disney adult fantasybut its at least plausible that hes enjoying some part of this trip. It also sounds like a fair amount of work. Its really hard to tell somebody, Stop doing that nice thing for somebody. Now youre going to get his heart involved in it and make him torn. So I would say tread lightly when broaching this conversation. You could ask, Do you think well ever go on vacation together? Just given the logistics here, how do you see that actually happening? Maybe he has a hypothesis or a plan in his head. Maybe hell say, Oh yeah, were getting more serious. This Robin thing isnt sustainable. Instead of going on vacation with her twice in one year, Ill go on one with her and one with you. Just get him thinking about it, but be prepared to accept the answer you dont want to hear or to have to make hard decisions about this relationship that you hold so dear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica: First relationships, especially when people are doing that in their late 20s, can feel like this is the only person in the world that youre ever going to feel this way about. There can be a lot of internal pressure. So Im a little worried that our letter writer might be trying to game out a future while missing a lot of variables. You dont know whats going on with Robin. You dont know whats going on between Robin and Jack. You dont know where Jack is going to put his priorities. She might also be able to think about Robin a little differently, for example, Oh, Robins very blunt and critical, partially because thats how shes wired and partially because living in a world that is structurally not built for you makes people a little more sharp and short. So our writer might be able to say, You know what? Im just going to put everything through a Robin has good reason to be sharp filter. This might be able to help her grow beyond her sensitivity and meet in the middle. Also, you dont have zero common interests. You both care about and respect Jack. Rich: Great point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica: So theres a world and remote island getaway, and most old European cities, that are very much not set up for wheelchairs, but there is a whole internet full of people who have gone through Europe in wheelchairs. I was in Switzerland, and one of the people in the group was in a wheelchair. He got around perfectly fine. He made it work. He knew what he needed. So theres also a world where Robins like, Yeah, actually really tired of Disney, and if both of you are willing to help me with the accommodations that I know I need and any surprise accommodations, we can all go together. All that to say, there are lots of ways to make this work if everyone involved wants to. So, try not to dig into the position that this absolutely will not work at all without first discussing it with anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Rich: Exactly. I think the bigger picture, to circle back to your point about jealousy, is that Robin is an important person in this persons life. Its just not wise to come in and start asking that they make other decisionsnot after six months and not with something that isnt immediately problematic and toxic. So there is a certain amount of respecting your partners life that hes already built that I think needs to be front and center whenever you bring this up. And its OK to talk about this stuff. Advertisement Your partner is so into you and obviously an extremely compassionate person, so I cant imagine it going poorly. I think that youll be able to make some headway, or at least gain clarity, reassurance, or a nice prediction for the future about how things may shake out. But just dont expect to delete Robin from the picture with one conversation. I dont think that you should, in fact, try to do that at all. More Advice From Slate My husband and I have been together for 12 years and have maintained a loving relationship through the ups, like my coming out as a trans woman to my family and transitioning. As well as the downs, like his misunderstanding of boundaries and subsequent unauthorized group sex with a longtime friend. Weve always had open communication. This is how I know he used to have a crush on one of my best friends Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here. Dear Prudence, Im a middle-aged gay man. With the exception of a high school girlfriend, with whom I quickly broke up with before I figured out my true identity, Ive always had relationships with men. A few months ago, I met a woman and I fear Ive fallen in love with her. Shes smart, beautiful, and we have many things in common. I thought she was just a good friend but Ive found myself feeling attracted to her in a way Ive never felt attracted to a woman. And I think she is attracted to me too. Whats going on here? Maybe Im bi? That would be insane since Ive always been proud to be gay! I love men! Although apparently now I also love this woman. Am I just in the midst of a mid-life crisis? Its confusing. I dont know how to explain this to any of my friends for fear theyll laugh at me, but at the same time I feel she likes me and I like her, so why not give it a try? Then I think about how tackling my first serious relationship with a woman in my forties is crazy. I thought I had this all figured out over 20 years ago. Can you really change your mind about something as big as this? Blindsided Dear Blindsided, Youd be surprised at how many times I start a response with Were all going to die one day. Do what you want! and then delete it as I try to come up with something more specific to a letter-writers situation. This is one of the times that that thought entered my head. My strongest feeling about your dilemma is that mutual attraction and love are hard to find, and if youre lucky enough to be experiencing these things, it would be a shame to let overthinking what you should be doing (and what people will think about what youre doing) interfere. Dont talk and analyze yourself out of happiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To take it a step further, Im guessing that your love for men and your pride in your gay identity has at least something to do with the life-affirming feeling of following your own attraction even when it comes with challenges or isnt rewarded by society. Well. You may have another chance to do that now. That said, I dont want to minimize how destabilizing it must be to contemplate this big shift to your identity and maybe even your whole social world (though, of course, bisexuals are definitely a part of the LGBTQ+ community!). To take it down a notch and make it feel less overwhelming, what if you were to tell yourself a different story about whats happening? So, instead of I have to decide if Im bi! or Im changing my mind or I might be in a mid-life crisis, you might say, Im attracted to and interested in a woman and the jury is out on what that means for my future or how I label myself. After all, its only been a few months. And even if your feelings stand the test of time, its not as if you have to file official paperwork for a sexual orientation change. No one can stop you from throwing your hands up and saying (to yourself and others) Its surprising, isnt it! Life is crazy. Well have to see what happens. And no one can stop you from still thinking of yourself as a gay man who is having an experience he didnt expect, while making peace with the fact that in the minds of some people you are now bi. Advertisement Advertisement No one can deny that being gay has been a huge part of your life for decades and has shaped who you are. No one can predict who youll be drawn to in the future. And who knowsyour transparency about the whole thing might create some openness and understanding in a friend group that doesnt sound like its the most supportive. I was a little bothered by the idea that everyone would laugh at you if you admitted being attracted to a woman, and it suggests to me that there might be others in your circle who are holding things back because theyre afraid of being mocked or shamed. You could set an example that gives others permission to stop hiding the parts of themselves that they worry make them weird or threaten their sense of belonging. Advertisement Addendum: After writing all that, I re-read your letter and realized that while you are in love with this woman, youre not even 100 percent sure if shes attracted to you or at all interested. If she is, everything I just wrote stands. But I also want to add that when you approach her about your feelings and your desire to date, you should be super clear about your attraction to her but also your ambivalence about what it means for your identity. Falling in love with a man who doesnt really want to let go of being gay and has a lot of doubts and insecurities about what the relationship means could be pretty tough. And your current mindset means her future with you would be uncertain. Youre on a journey that is 100 percent allowed and nothing to be ashamed of, but she should get to decide whether she wants to go along for the ride. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Prudence, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Dear Prudence following up) Submit Dear Prudence, I have developed a huge crush on my best friends husband and I dont know how to deal with it. I would just try to avoid him, but we have developed a friendship over the years as well. We have a lot in common and get along really well, so its just natural that he frequently joins us when I have plans with my friend. She always asks me first, but at this point it would be weird if I started saying no. I would never dream of acting on these feelings and I dont think he has any kind of non-platonic feelings towards me whatsoever. I was hoping my crush would go away on its own in time, but its only getting stronger because hes such a great guy. How do I nip this in the bud for good? Crushed Advertisement Advertisement Dear Crushed, Normally Im pro-crush and anti-crush-shame. Thats because normally the actual feeling of a crush is pretty harmless, even when it wont or shouldnt lead to a real relationship. But yours makes me a little more nervous! I think its because even if you have absolutely no intention of trying to make anything happen with your friends husband, the crush itself feels like a violation of her trust. I know thats not fair because you cant help your feelings. And the important thing is that you arent going to act on it. I just worry about how she will feel if she gets even the tiniest inkling about whats going on from the way you involuntarily giggle a certain way or blush when he talks to you. After all, she knows you well and I assume is familiar with what youre like when youre infatuated with a guy. Advertisement Advertisement Because of thisand because I want you to avoid anything that could be perceived as flirtingI think you have to stay away from him. And its okay to lie a little bit to make that happen. Tell her something like, You know I love Jake and I generally dont mind at all when he hangs out with us, but I really need to talk to you privately about something embarrassing /Ive been feeling down about being single and think its better for me not to be around couples for a while /dating has been rough and I want to pretend men dont exist for a little bit. Commit to your excuse or excuses for as long as you can, and mix them up with inviting your friends to some activities that naturally exclude her husbanda spa-themed sleepover, bra shopping, whatever. During this time obviously avoid his social media accounts and by all means, never communicate with him one-on-one. This is key. Meaning even if you were thinking about throwing a surprise birthday party for your friend that would require strategizing with him, scrap the plan. Commit to this distance for a few months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of these suggestions are meant to create guardrails to prevent your crush from becoming obvious to your friend, to keep it from turning into actual flirting or an emotional affair, and to starve it of new input with the hope that it dies out, like most crushes eventually do. At the same time, you might do some journaling or just thinking about whats really behind your infatuation. Could it be that this guy is actually a great match for you and you have chemistry with him and would want to date him if you met him in the wild? Maybe. But Im sure hes not the only person you know who checks those boxes. So it could be that your feelings are telling you something about yourself. Jasmonae Joyriel, a licensed clinical psychologist, writes in a blog post on the topic that a crush may highlight a longing for novelty or spontaneity, a craving to be desired, admired, or seen, a reminder of playfulness or freedom [or] unmet emotional or physical needs. Maybe thinking of your feelings as primarily being about your personal growth rather than this one specific guy could help. When you approach a crush with curiosity, Joyriel advises, it can act like a mirror, reflecting your deeper desires even the ones you havent named yet. And of course, theres that deep desire that you are already aware of: Keeping your friendship intact. So make sure you spend more time thinking about how great she is and how good that relationship makes you feel than you do thinking about her husband. Advertisement Want more Prudie? Slate Plus members get an additional column each week. Sign up for Slate Plus now. Dear Prudence, Im an only child. I had difficulty making friends as a child, as a teen, and as a young adult, and now that Im in my 70s, Im STILL having trouble making friends. What do I do now? Friendless Advertisement Dear Friendless, I can imagine that having had this struggle for a long time might make you overthink every interaction and potentially get in your own way. Maybe you hold back out of fear or being rejected, or try so hard to connect with people that they end up feeling put off. Or maybe youre aiming for a version of friendship that the media has convinced you everyone else has, but instead of recreating the Golden Girls, you should just be looking for someone to have coffee with. If you manage your expectations, I believe there is hope, and that success will come from being really transparent and explicit about what you want. Advertisement Recently in my local NextDoor community, a woman shared that she was a new mom feeling isolated and was looking for people who would like to join her for walks at a particular park at a particular time of day. The response was overwhelming. Id suggest you do something similar. You dont have to say Im lonely and need friends, which I know feels very vulnerable, but you might try Looking to meet people who will join me for Zumba class at the senior center on Wednesdays / who would like to run errands together on Monday mornings / who are open to getting our dogs together for play dates on Saturdays / who would like to help me make jam with the fruit that grows in my yard. When these gatherings happen, follow the conventional wisdom about first dates: Dont talk excessively about yourself. People like it when you ask them a lot of questions. The psychoanalyst and relationship expert Esther Perel advises, A good question on a date is one that yields a lot of information and stories and associations, without putting people too much on the spot. If nothing comes up naturally, she says movies always make a good topic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If possibleand I know this is as tough when you really want friends as it is when youre searching for lovetry your best to focus on having fun in the moment instead of fretting about whether the person likes you back and where the relationship will go. Classic Prudie Im a woman in my 20s living with a roommate. Shes mostly a good roommate, but she doesnt have many friends, and seems to want me to fix that for her. Whenever I visit a friend or chat over Zoom, shell always hint that she wants to join. She also says I should invite her to more things so that she can meet people. The thing is, I do invite her to a few events each month and we hang out in our apartment, but otherwise I cant get any space from her. Good Job is Slates advice column on work. Have a workplace problem big or small? Send it to Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir here. (Its anonymous!) Dear Good Job, Earlier this year, after working for the same employer for almost 26 years, I quit. Not for one specific major reason but a bunch of small ones. We underwent a merger and were taken over by another company, and had to follow their best practices and policies. I was less than one year away from getting an extra week of vacation, but the new policy maxed out vacation time at 20 years, so I didnt get grandfathered in for the extra week. You could no longer take a break or lunch by your machine (manufacturing facility) and had to go to the loud and crowded breakroom. I clashed with my new supervisor on how he thinks things should work, but in reality they dont work, causing downtime for which I got blamed for, etc The latest policy was that you could not take the same week of vacation two years in a row to make it fair to other employees. Well, for the last 60 or so years, my family has rented cabins at a lake resort for the first full week after the 4th of July. You need to reserve the week a year in advance, so my already scheduled vacation was canceled. When I explained this scenario to my supervisor, then to human resources, and why I have taken this same week off (and need to) every year, the response I got was, Well, maybe somebody else wants this week off also, so its not fair if you get it every year. Other than the Christmas holiday and spring break season, I havent heard people say they cant take a vacation when they want to. My wife said that was BS and said I should just quit because of these policy changes (and my supervisor), and this was the final straw. I am 58 and planned on retiring in a few years anyway, and we are (thankfully) in a financial position to do so. Last week, I got a letter from a higher-up in corporate HR. The gist of the letter was that they are concerned when a long-term employee quits for something other than retirement. Basically, they asked what led to my decision and several other questions. It looks like a real hand-written signature, and the person is listed as the vice president of employee relations. A form with questions and a return envelope addressed to this person was included. Do you think I should fill it out? Is it worth explaining the multiple minor issues behind why I quit? Do you think they really care? Being an ex-employee, should I really care? HR VP Wants to Know Why I Quit Dear HR VP Wants to Know Why I Quit, Your story should be a required-reading case study for every manager involved in a merger. Taking employee benefits away, imposing new rules without understanding the workplace culture, and refusing to make reasonable exceptions are terrible for morale and staff retention. Im sorry you got stuck with lousy new ownership, but Im happy that you escaped and can go on vacation any time you want now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company, or at least this VP, must realize theyve botched the takeover as far as their employees are concerned. You dont owe them anything, but it could be satisfying to put in writing all the reasons you left this job years ahead of your anticipated retirement date. Assuming this VP is genuinely interested in improving employee experience, your answers may help them push back on some of the more annoying new rules. Sending in the form might (just might) help your former co-workers. Weigh these considerations against the reasons to ignore the letter, including that your responses wont be confidential in any meaningful way. This is the case for any correspondence with human resources: Whatever you say is likely to be shared with other people in leadership. If you decide to go back to work in this company or another one, anybody you irritate with your answers might retaliate. Its fine to ignore this letter, decompress from the stresses of your former job (after 25 decent years and one bad one, that might take a while), and enjoy retirement. Advertisement Get work advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Good Job, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Good Job following up) Submit Dear Good Job, I asked for my current position so that I could develop and progress in my career. I had taken on many of the responsibilities already, so it was a natural transition, and my boss agreed. This transition meant I moved to a new supervisor (I was an assistant to my first boss, so I didnt change offices, just supervisors). In the year since, my current supervisor has done little to train me or provide me with the tools to succeed. Advertisement This makes me feel worthless and not valued because I am not being invested in. Ive mentioned to my supervisor that I need to be given work and opportunities to grow and learn to feel valued in the workplace. I have lost confidence as a result. To offset my hurt, I make self-deprecating remarks. I realize I shouldnt do this, but it is like a relief valve. In turn, my boss has started a [names] worst nightmares jar, and any time I make a remark, I have to take a platitude from the jar and read it in front of everyone in the office. One platitude was: You believed in Santa Claus, you can believe in yourself. I find these humiliating, as I am the only person in the office who has to do this, and the overall boss will ask for a report of whether I need to reach into the jar. This does little for my confidence and absolves my supervisor from actually training and developing me. Am I overreacting? Do I address this and just play cool and laugh it off? It is really wearing me down and has become a subject of multiple sessions in therapy. Needs to Toughen Up Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Needs to Toughen Up, You are not overreacting. Your boss is humiliating you, in front of your colleagues, for a laugh. Its not unusual for people to make a joke out of something that makes them uncomfortable, in this case, a direct report who is seeking guidance that the boss doesnt know (or care to learn) how to give. But its terrible management. Laughing at yourself is a valuable workplace skill. Requiring someone to laugh at themselves, especially someone with less power, and especially when theyve expressed weakness, is cruel and bullying. You have two overlapping problems: a lack of guidance from your supervisor, and your supervisor making fun of your concerns. Lets start with the first one. If you dont already have a standing meeting with your supervisor, ask to put one on their calendar. When you meet one-on-one, review the work youre doing and ask for specific next assignments. If your boss is vague or doesnt know what you should do next, ask to establish a joint timeline for ramping up to new responsibilities. Suggest specific trainings or workshops youd like to attend, with your supervisors support. (Human resources might be able to suggest some.) Try to keep the discussion focused on work assignments and productivity, without mentioning your feelings of worthlessness that their management style has amplified. Its possible your supervisor is satisfied with your current work and has no other work for you. If so, look around for other ways you could improve your teams performance and suggest them in a future meeting. You may need to apply for other positions in this or another organization if you want more challenges. Advertisement Advertisement As for the mockery youre enduring, do you know your supervisors motivations? If theyre ham-handedly but genuinely trying to reduce your insecurities, a discussion should help. Tell your supervisor that you are trying to limit your self-deprecating remarks. Tell them you appreciate that theyre trying to help, but the platitude jar is awkward and disruptive, and youd like to end it. When you start to make a self-deprecating remark in front of your boss or co-workers, try to stop yourself, or follow it up with, and Im working on that. If your colleagues are worried about you, this will reassure them and help change the subject. Advertisement If your boss revels in other peoples weaknesses, youve got a much harder problem. We dont have enough information to know if your supervisor is a psychopath, sadist, or some sort of dark-triad boss from hell. In any case, dont trust them. Try not to take their mockery personally, because theyre always looking for victims and youre simply a convenient one. Fake self-confidence, act like their digs dont bother you, and avoid contact as much as possible. Talk to other co-workers who report to the same supervisor or have in the past. Youre probably not the only victim. Document all the inappropriate behavior you and others have witnessed, in preparation for possibly bringing it to human resources or your supervisors supervisor. Also, ask your former boss for advice. Assuming theyre not aware of the platitudes jar, they should be horrified to hear about it. (If they did know about it and thought it must all be in good fun, let your former boss know that its not, in fact, good fun.) They may be able to guide you through a complaint process or raise alarms themselves about your current boss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up now for Slate Plus to read all of our Good Job columns for the week. Dear Good Job, I would like advice on how to navigate applying for two jobs within my company at approximately the same time. Ive already applied for one, which would be a promotion within my current department. The screening process has just started, and Ill likely get at least a first interview. I recently learned about another interesting position opening up in a different department. It would be a lateral transfer. My dream situation would be interviewing for both jobs so I can get a better sense of their requirements and growth potential. But the second job wont be posted for a few weeks, so I might not get the chance. Advertisement I could ask the second jobs department head for more information before the description is posted to see whether I should even apply. We have a little rapport, and he might understand if I ask him to keep my interest in the job quiet for now. However, I expect my current boss, who is managing hiring for the first position, would be alerted as soon as I fill out the second application. We get along well, but Im not yet close enough to her to predict what shed think. Advertisement Advertisement Id appreciate some advice on how to talk about this with her, and when would be the right time to do that. Also, if I do get interviews for both jobs, how should I navigate the two timelines without making it seem like Im not interested in the promotion? I am, but this other job could be a great opportunity, too! Trying Not to Burn Bridges Dear Trying Not to Burn Bridges, Youre thinking about these job openings in the right way: You are ready to move to a new position, you want to maintain good relationships with people in both departments, and youre aware of complications of timing and loyalties. You say you dont know your current boss well enough to predict how shed respond. This is a good time to find out. Before you do, though, lets talk about the lateral move to another division. Why does it appeal to you? I assume you want to learn about a different part of the company and develop new skills. The risk of making a horizontal move is that it might slow your rise to a higher position, because companies typically wait a few years between promotions or transfers. If you think this position would advance your career anyway, talk to the hiring manager. Find out more about the position, and tell them that youre currently applying for a promotion in your own department. If they already have a candidate in mind for the job or think you wouldnt be competitive, this gives them an opportunity to gently discourage you from applying. And the conversation will help you understand whether you really want to apply for this job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre still interested in the lateral move after learning more, ask your current boss for a meeting to talk about your future at the organization. Tell her (if she doesnt know) that youre applying for the first position and are excited about contributing even more to your department. Then tell her that youve heard about another opening in the other department and would like her advice about whether to apply. Say explicitly that you want to be transparent about your interest in the other division, and youre not trying to rush her decision about the job within her department. Youre showing that youre honest, open, and trustworthy, and your boss should be pleased about that. Given her career stage, she has probably had to choose among jobs herself and shouldnt be shocked at your dilemma. Plus, good managers know that their best direct reports will eventually leave them for bigger jobs, either internally or externally. This conversation gives her a chance to share her knowledge about the company, and it should strengthen your relationship. If she is threatened by your interest in another department, on the other hand, thats a sign you should apply for the lateral move (or a job outside the company) to work with a better manager. Advertisement Dear Good Job, Is there a polite way to get out of handshakes? I have a very severe food allergy. If I touch my allergen, I am likely to go to the emergency room. This has led to a weird situation where whenever I shake someones hand, I go through the motion, while obviously trying to touch as little of their hand as possible, because I just cant stop thinking, What if they ate something 5 minutes ago and now Im going to have to go to the ER? Advertisement I know full well logically that it wouldnt matter how much of their hand I touchif my allergen is on it, Im screwed, so I might as well give a proper hearty handshake (which I do know how to do!), but I cant get over that anxiety. Is there a polite way to decline? I dont want to divulge my immune condition and make people uncomfortable, but I also dont want to seem standoffish by not explaining. No Handshakes of Death Please Advertisement Dear No Handshakes of Death Please, You absolutely do not have to shake hands. There are plenty of reasons why people dontimmune conditions, a sprained wrist, carpal tunnel, concerns about infectious diseases, and more. Most people of good intentions will realize this and not be offended if you resist an outstretched hand. You can greet them in other ways instead: Clasp your hands together and give a slight head bow. Hold one or both hands by your shoulders and wave. If youre in a group thats exchanging handshakes, linger toward the back, and make eye contact with each person in turn while you bob your head or wave. Practice your greeting in the mirror until it feels natural so you wont have to think about it in the moment. No matter what hand or head gestures you choose, accompany them with eye contact and a biiiiig smile, and say youre so happy to see the person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont have to explain your severe allergy, but if someone is sticking a hand out and the nod or wave isnt working, you could say regretfully that you cant shake hands. Maybe offer an elbow bump instead, which can be fun, informal, and hygienic. If youre at a high-stakes work event and you cant get out of shaking hands, wear gloves that you remove safely after all the germ- and allergen-exchanges are over. (A former leader at the National Institutes of Health used to do this when she had to shake a lot of hands.) If someone makes a snide comment or scowls at you and youre feeling devious, tell them you may have been exposed to norovirus, and watch them lurch away in terror. Laura Advertisement More Advice From Slate I work in the arts and have always lived on very little. While I think the arts should be more highly valued and offer some kind of job security, Ive made it work and been able to save for things that really matter to me. My husband and I tend to be aligned on how we prioritize spending: travel, food and experiences. He likes to occasionally splurge on material things that often improve life for both of us. Its worked well for us to maintain our incomes separately and pay into a joint account for rent, groceries and other shared essentials. My husband works in a much higher-paid industry; when we first met he earned slightly more than me and we each paid half our shared expenses. I chose work that Im passionate about, make my own schedule and am willing to sacrifice a higher salary for those benefits Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. At most pizza places, when it comes to the crust, the customer will be presented with a range of options that include thin, deep-dish, and gluten-free. But you never see bagel, for some reason, even as many of us grew up devouring pizza in this tiny, round form. Ordering the other night, I had to restrain myself from asking the pizza guy, Could I get that with extra cheese and served on 20 mini-bagels in a cardboard tray? Thanks! Its a shame he would have hung up on me, because the pizza bagel is one of the great original fusion foodsor a total dilution of two unique cultures, depending on how you look at it. But none of that think-piece crap remotely entered the mind of a generation of kids and stoned college students as they rushed home after school, slung a tray of Bagel Bites into the microwave (or oven, if they were an aristocrat), and watched the little mozzarella cubes melt until they overflowed off the bagel into crispy volcanic cheese bits below. All except the ones in the center, of course, which remained a tad undercooked. If the local bakery that offered pizza bagels was closed, a few of the more patient and diligent kids found some leftover jarred marinara and rubbery shredded cheese, heaped it atop a bagel (or even, in times of desperation, a stale English muffin), and made their own artisanal version. They all probably work for NASA now. But no matter how it was made, it was the quintessential food of leisure and convenience, a hybrid that long preceded other culinary crossovers, like the cronut and KFCs Chizza. In an era when it seems as if disparate cultural snacks are being jammed together in a parade of misfit creationssee pizzadillas, ramen burgers, and croissant wafflesits important to remember the OG mass-market fusion nosh. What is now a gimmick to gin up the next viral eat was once a leap of faith between two established foods willing to put egos aside and work together. Well, I mean, pizza bagels were a gimmick too, but they were one of the first, and they paved the way for the current glut of experimentation. Its quite a legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But where did the pizza bagel come from? What now may seem like a friendly unification between Jewish and Italian American culture actually began as a feud between the East and West coasts. Credit for invention depends whom you ask. Ask Katz Bagel Bakery in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and youll get a pretty convincing case. Nobody makes a pizza bagel like we do, says Richard Katz (pronounced Cates), son of Harry Katz, who opened the still-running bakery in 1938. His fathers concoction from around 1970 doesnt quite resemble the pizza bagels many of us grew up with, but theres a reason for that. Whereas most take an already-baked bagel and slather a dollop of sauce and cheese on it, Katz used holeless disc-shaped bagel dough as the base so the bagel bakes only once, ultimately retaining the moisture of one of the shops regular fresh bagels. Its a method his son Richard continues to use today. Advertisement It takes a roll machine, it takes a press, and it takes a kettle, says Katz. As he sees it, doing it the other reheated way produces a drier bagel base. You take a bagel and bake it for 20 minutes, you take it out of the oven, cut it in half, and put sauce and cheese on it and put it back in the oven, he says. What do you think that does to the pizza bagel? It makes it like a fucking rock. Advertisement For a time, the bakery even sold frozen versions at local grocery stores, like BJs. Katz insists his fathers single-bake method is the authentic version of the snack. Thats how pizza bagels got invented and some assholes in California said they invented it. That shot is likely a reference to Bruce Treitman, a current financial adviser and former employee of Western Bagel in California, whos been a regular thorn in the side of Katz by claiming that hes the one who actually invented pizza bagels. Its why he half-jokingly refers to Katzs version as an English-muffin pizza. Advertisement Advertisement Treitmans purported iteration was more traditional in nature, if a pizza bagel can be called traditional. As high schoolers in the early 70s, he and his friend Mark Silver were working at Western Bagel plenty of hours, and eating plenty of bagels. We tried to spice it up a little bit, he says. There was a supermarket right next door, so we got some pizza sauce and some mozzarella cheese, put it on the cooked bagels, and heated it up. Other workers liked them, and so we started selling them at 55 cents each. Advertisement Advertisement Soon, other locations of Western Bagel began selling them as well, and the rest is pizza bagel history, at least according to Treitman. It was my idea, executed by myself and Mark Silver. And thats how it started. While Treitman clearly enjoys trolling Katz, he does admit that its a good bakery; he just doesnt consider its version to be the first. I dont think its a pizza bagel, he says. It looks like a pizza, which is fine. Pizza is great. Some Western Bagel shops still sell pizza bagels today, but it isnt called the Treitman or anythingthough he says they give him credit (just not royalties, which hes fine with). Advertisement Other claims tend to get lost in the coastal hubbub between the above two parties, and that coast stretches all the way down to Miami. Old Miami News stories unearthed by journalist Doug Mack suggest that in the early 1950s Miami baker Artie Adler created a version of the pizza bagel, sometimes called the Bagelizza, a name that clearly didnt take off. And lets not forget the Midwest, where rumors persist that Ohio baker Anthony DeMauro, of Amsters Bagel Bakery, broke the pizza-bagel barrier in the late 1950s. Of course, it didnt help that he waited until 1970 to copyright the name Amster Pizza Bagel, Inc. Advertisement Advertisement Whoever did come up with it first, we do know that it wasnt Bagel Bites. The company merely swooped in on a burgeoning trend and pushed it into the zeitgeist. Created by caterers Stanley Garczynski and Bob Mosher in the early 80s, Bagel Bites were a quick hit, and the two sold the company a few years later to John Labatt Co., which later sold it to Heinz. In time, the little squishy pizzas reigned supreme as the definitive frozen after-school snack, hypnotizing a generation of kids with jingles like Pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening, pizza at suppertime! Advertisement All that said, applying forensics to the invention of a cultural-hybrid snack like the pizza bagel is something of a fools errand, because it wasnt created in the classical sense of a singular invention. Rather, its an inevitable amalgamation of two cultures living in proximity to each other, a sign of a gradual integration into the mainstream. It would be interesting to make a comparison between the pizza bagel and corned beef, which was kind of a Jewish-Irish mashup, and something that was popular in both communities, says Ted Merwin, the author of Pastrami on Rye, a history of Jewish delis. The Irish were eating corned beef and cabbage, and the Jews were eating corned beef sandwiches. So theres this example of different immigrant groups living cheek by jowl with one another and, as time goes on, participating in the same mass culture. Advertisement Advertisement To me, it seems totally natural for regional bakers on both coasts, and even between them, to have come up with their own spin on the pizza bagel, just as there are various claims on the invention of the bagel itself. And if that one hasnt been settled yet, theres no hope for this one. Moreover, pizza bagels are especially hard to trace because, while bagels are a fairly defined form, American pizza is more of a malleable concept. Advertisement Advertisement For decades, industrious hungry people have been slapping pizza fixings onto any available base, including English muffins, French bread, matzo, flatbread, pita, naan, you name it. If frozen pizza in any form isnt available, a desperate college kid will search his kitchen like the Terminator for any flat surface upon which to toss a little leftover marinara and mozzarella. It usually begins with lofty ideals like bagels and flatbread and ends with last-ditch pizza bases like saltine crackers and rice cakes. God, I need to get a job, he soon thinks. So, as pizza and bagels were proliferating in the American mid-century consciousness, one can imagine multiple bakers getting the idea to create a chimera of the two. Think of it like early physicists across the world looking at bombs and the atom and realizing that both could be combined into something pretty big. Except in this horrible analogy, the expanding nuclear mushroom cloud is the American waistline. Advertisement In our time, we can see a similar process taking place, with chefs tossing taco fixings into any available dough (like wontons and bao buns), and burgers and sushi taking on fillings from multiple cultures. New frontiers are being conquered every week. Its why we have sushi burritos, butter-chicken pizza, ramen burgers, and Korean tacos, among countless other dishes that initially cause me to say, Thats stupid! Im not eating it, before soon admitting that its delicious. And without even looking, I know that there are already multiple arguments about who came up with them first. Its our endless desire for snack novelty that fuels these creations, and in the margins between disparate popular things that seemingly have nothing to do with each other, theres always someone trying to strike gold and successfully unite them. Its why we have the clock radio, pickleball, key chains with bottle openers, and Branson, Missouri. Food-wise, the pizza bagel deserves early credit for showing us all whats possible. Like any good fusion snack, its tasty, annoying to the traditional cultures it bastardized, and probably not as good as having the originals separately. But its after work now, and Im tired. I gotta eat. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. As an exiled Burmese poet and advocate, returning home for me means walking straight into a prison cell, into torture at merciless hands, or possibly into a coffin. Burma has been in a brutal civil war, and for over seven decades, generations of refugees have been forced out, each fleeing their own harrowing chapter of persecution. My own family fled after the 2021 military coup when my mother was put on a wanted list for being a prominent dissident. Widespread repression, from indiscriminate killings to arbitrary detentions, marks daily life in the country. Recently, as the world becomes increasingly hostile to my community, I have been haunted by the feeling that every horizon is a wall. Last Thanksgiving, when the Trump administration terminated Temporary Protected Status for Burma, a temporary immigration pathway that over 3,000 Burmese immigrants are relying on, a friend of mine remarked that we fled a tyrant only to run into the arms of a worse one. And this captured what I felt when I learned about the death of 56-year-old, nearly blind Rohingya refugee Nurul Amin Shah Alam in Buffalo, New York, after he was abandoned by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Nurul Amin Shah Alam crossed the world to flee profound persecution. He arrived in New York in December 2024 as a legally admitted refugee. He and his family are Arakan Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Burma that the U.N. has described as the most persecuted minority in the world, subjected to what the U.S. government formally declared to be a genocide. Having first escaped to Malaysia, where he worked grueling jobs for a decade, Shah Alam was already a vulnerable man by the time he resettled in the U.S. He was nearly blind and used curtain rods as walking sticks for assistance. He spoke little English and could not read. Amid the white-out winters of New York, a man whose bones had never known the bite of cold found not a sanctuary but demise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Supreme Court Just Heeded One of Ketanji Brown Jacksons Sharpest Dissents Read More He had yet to acclimate to his new neighborhood when he was arrested last year in a misunderstanding with the police. He got lost and wandered onto private property. When the homeowner called the police, they came in heavy, commanding him to drop his weaponstwo curtain rodswhich Shah Alam could not understand. So they Tasered him, beat him, and almost shot him, and he consequently faced disproportionate charges. He was detained for a year, as his attorneys and family were hesitant to post bail, fearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention or deportation, a travesty already enough for one misstep. Advertisement The day he was released after reaching a plea deal, U.S. Border Patrol agents were waiting for him. Learning that he was not amenable to removal, the agents dropped him off at a coffee shop without informing his attorneys or family. It was nighttime, with below-freezing temperatures, and the coffee shop was closed. His family lives miles away on the other side of town. His body was found on Feb. 24 after a five-day search. Shah Alam spent his final days trying to find his way home, alone and stranded in the dead of winter. In fleeing the regime that wanted him dead, he found a familiar state violence that did not care if he lived. Advertisement Shah Alams death was a byproduct of gross negligence and inhumanity. It was preventable. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, the New York attorney general, and several U.S. representatives are calling for investigation and accountability, and rightly so. Yet no amount of investigation is going to bring back a loving husband and a hardworking father of five children. Advertisement Even more tragic is that Shah Alams profound story tells only a part of the bigger trend of a rising death toll due to U.S. immigration enforcement. The fatalities in detention centers alone are on track for this to be the deadliest year in two decades. Draconian policies and skyrocketing detainee populations coupled with lack of oversight and worsening conditions in the detention facilities are driving this surge, which seems set to continue. It was for good reasons that Shah Alams family preferred for him to be detained in county jail over ICE detention. Advertisement Just this week, the Supreme Court accepted review of the Trump administrations decisions to end TPS for those from Haiti and Syria, which could decide whether hundreds of thousands of people keep their protections from deportation. Burmese TPS holders are waiting anxiously to see how these rulings could impact TPS altogether. Advertisement Advertisement But hard-line immigration policies are not isolated to the United States. The U.K. recently enacted a policy banning student visas for four countries, including Burma, citing increasing asylum claims. In Thailand, where my family currently remains, the Thai authorities refer to Burmese refugees as walking ATMs from whom they can extort money with the threat of arrest and detention. For Rohingya refugees like Shah Alam, the journey is extremely dangerous. Hundreds die at sea before reaching countries like Malaysia, while also facing risks of human trafficking, detention, and police violence. At Shah Alams funeral, his family spokesperson said, We do not want his death to just go to waste. I hope his story can be remembered not because of its tragedy, but because it demanded a future where people deserving refuge are not thrown into peril. Major Megan pulled rank in Buffalo Raceway's $16,438 featured optional-claiming pace for the fillies and mares on Wednesday, March 18 as she easily dismissed the troops by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.3 over the sloppy track. At the start, Major Megan (Drew Monti) had a slight tussle with Bee Okay A (David McNeight III) for early supremacy but took over command to the quarter pole in :28.3. With splits of :58.2 and 1:28.2 registered, the first-over Maidsweet Ir (Joe Chindano Jr.) looked a threat with a quarter-mile to go but she quickly tossed in the towel. Turning for home, Major Megan was still in command and calling the shots. Just One Bite (Brett MacDonald) made a belated move but had no serious response to Major Megan, who pulled away for her first win of the year. Just One Bite finished second, and Bee Okay A was third. Owned by the Summer Wind Stable of New York Inc., the six-year-old Major Megan is trained by Ron Beback Jr. The victory was the first in six attempts this season for Major Megan, a daughter of Betterthancheddar-Sgt Molly Pitcher. She has won 22 times and earned $244,713 in 108 starts. The win price was $4.16. Trainer Angelo Nappo tripled on the 10-race program, winning with Bet Eightthirtyone ($7.32), Blazing Deo ($5.94) and Manclane ($3.52). The trio of victories improved Nappo's seasonal record to four-for-22. The conditioner is approaching the 1,000-win mark, needing 22 more tallies to reach that milestone. Kevin Cummings won three races on the card, leading the drivers, followed by Drew Monti with a double. Trainers Beback Jr. and David Russo also took two wins each. Racing will return to Buffalo on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a nine-race program slated. (With files from Buffalo Raceway) Sweet Beach Life was the fastest winner during a chilly 13-race qualifying session on Wednesday morning, March 18 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Sweet Beach Life recorded his second straight qualifying win at Pocono in preparation for this five-year-old season, winning in 1:52 flat -- the same time he posted winning an Open event at Yonkers Raceway in his last start back in October. Here Matt Kakaley sent the stakes-winning son of Sweet Lou to the lead in :28, yielded to his Travis Alexander stablemate Howlenthehills (Ridge Warren) but was back for the retake before the :56.1 half. Jackson Cooper (Fern Paquet Jr.) pressed the winner uncovered to three-quarters in 1:24.1, but Sweet Beach Life had enough in reserve to hold off an inside charge from millionaire Holwenthehills by 1-1/2 lengths, with the same margin back to third-place Jackson Cooper. On the trot, Jason Bartlett combined with five-year-old former Weiss Series winner Blackhawk Zette for one of this four winning drives as the son of Cantab Hall overcame the outside post eight and won by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:55.2, swiftest of the day for that gait. Trainer Bob Baggitt Jr. also sent out 1:56.2 qualifying winner Whats The Talk, driven by Ridge Warren. The other trainer to win twice during the morning's qualifying action was Anette Lorentzon, with the Barlett-driven three-year-old maidens Jewels Shadow AS in 1:54.4 and Captainforlife AS in 2:00.4. Many of the horses in the Pocono morning session were prepping for this season's Weiss Series for three-year-olds, starting in early April. Among these sophomores, the quickest mile was from the pacer American Cheese, an American Ideal filly who blitzed home in :55.4 with a :27 last quarter to win in 1:54.1 by 6-1/2 lengths for Bartlett and trainer Jared Bako. Braxten Boyd was right behind Bartlett on Wednesday with three victories, including with two Weiss eligibles: the unraced International Moni colt Dilly Hanover in 1:59.2 for trainer Emily Bost and the Greenshoe filly Shelooksgoodngreen from the Jenny Melander stable in a new mark of 1:58.2. The other Weiss eligible who won on Wednesday was the Always B Miki colt Twin B Thriller, who came from last at the half to win in 1:55.1 for driver George Napolitano Jr. and trainer Dennis Laterza. (With files from PHHA/Pocono) Winbak Farm has reported the passing of 23-year-old pacing broodmare Flibbertigibbet. Flibbertigibbet, p, 3, 1:54.4f; 1:49 ($199,688) was an 18-time winner and her victories included multiple Preferred races at Ontario tracks. Flibbertigibbet was a fast race mare and a wonderful producer, said Joe Thomson, Winbak Farm Owner. I loved that she had a record of 1:49 and her speed carried to her offspring. She produced fast and rich performers including eight winners of over $100,000. Flibbertigibbet, a daughter of Albert Albert out of Alba Girl, was the dam of 11 race winners including: New York Sire Stakes winners Town Gossip, p, 2, 1:56.1h; 3, 1:49.2f ($727,866) and Swift As A Shadow, p, 2, 1:56h; 3, Q1:52.4; 1:50.1f ($617,530), 39-time winner Rock N Row, p, 1:51f ($247,253), Maryland Race Fund division winner Valentina De Vie, p, 2, 1:54.3f; 3, 1:53.2f; 1:51.4f ($202,882), John Simpson Memorial Stakes division winner Chillin It De Vie, p, 2, 1:56.4f; 3, 1:51.3 ($141,897), Pennsylvania Stallion Series final winner Flash Move, p, 3, 1:50f; 1:49.4f ($167,790) and six-figure earner Victory Joe, p, 2, Q1:57.2; 3, 1:52.2f -'25 ($159,463). Flibbertigibbet was able to be bred to pretty much any stallion because she was an Albert Albert daughter and it made her a fantastic outcross, said Jack Burke, Winbak Farm General Manager. She consistently produced stakes winners that were also tough racehorses as they aged. As a matter of fact, she had two sons, Flash Move and Victory Joe, win on Monday. She is also the second dam of 2025 OBrien Award winner A Clean Deal, p, 2, 1:50s -'25 ($454,464), along with Bama Breeze, p, 2, 1:55.2f; 3, 1:53f; 1:50.2f -'25 ($177,075). Flibbertigibbet's legacy at Winbak Farm will continue with her daughter, Ideal Talker, the dam of OBrien Award winner A Clean Deal, said Burke. Flibbertigibbet may have had a modest pedigree, but she definitely improved it for generations to come. Flibbertigibbet's final foal, a 2026 Shadow Play colt, has been placed with another mare. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Flibbertigibbet. (With files from Winbak Farm) Moi nhat oc nhieu Voting patterns in the European Parliament suggest mainstream parties remain firmly supportive of Ukraine, but divisions over Russia are growing among the populist radical right. From LSE EUROPP. Four years into Russias war against Ukraine, the political debate in Europe increasingly revolves around one question: is support for Ukraine beginning to weaken? A changing geopolitical context, economic pressures, and political polarization have fueled warnings about war fatigue across the continent. Some observers argue that European governments may eventually struggle to sustain their current level of political and financial support for Kyiv, in part due to the withdrawal of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Yet evidence from European institutions tells a more complex story. Voting behavior in the European Parliament suggests that mainstream European parties remain remarkably consistent in their stance toward Russia. If anything, the most significant political shifts are occurring elsewhere within Europes populist radical right. Unity After the Invasion Following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, political actors across the continent largely aligned behind a common response. Some parties that had previously cultivated friendly relations with Moscow also recalibrated their positions, recognizing the political risks of appearing sympathetic to Russia, including some among the far right. However, political unity forged in crisis rarely lasts indefinitely. As wars become prolonged and their economic and political costs accumulate, opportunities for contestation tend to reemerge and parties can change their positions. The European Parliament offers a useful arena for examining this issue. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) regularly vote on resolutions addressing Russias invasion of Ukraine, including sanctions policy, military support for Kyiv, and broader issues related to Russia and its proxies or Ukraine. In a recent study, we examined 65 roll-call votes between 2019 and 2025 to track how party positions evolved before and after the full-scale invasion. To measure overall voting patterns, we constructed an Assertiveness Toward Russia Index (ATRI) by aggregating and averaging the selected votes. The index ranges from 0 to 1: votes in favor were coded as 1 (assertive toward Russia), while votes against, abstentions, and non-voting were coded as 0. Absent MEPs were excluded. We distinguish between votes cast before and after Russias full-scale invasion to capture possible shifts in actors behavior. We also separate the 9th and 10th European Parliament terms, which provides a useful benchmark for assessing recent developments and changes in the composition of political groups. Consistent Response The results, shown in Figure 1, reveal a clear pattern: mainstream party groups remain consistently supportive of a strong response to Russia, while the populist radical right shows far greater variation. Across Europes major centrist party families the center-right European Peoples Party (EPP), the center-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and the liberal Renew Europe group support for a firm stance toward Russia remains consistently high. Renew Europe has been the most assertive group, closely followed by the Greens/EFA and the EPP. Social democratic parties also display high levels of support, although some variation exists among national delegations. Figure 1: Assertiveness toward Russia in European Parliament groups Many parties from these groups hold government positions at the national level and played a central role in designing the EUs sanctions regime and support policies for Ukraine. Reversing course would therefore carry significant reputational and strategic costs. Among the groups that typically host far-right parties, we observe far greater heterogeneity. The ECRs mean scores are moderately high and relatively close to the mainstream groups. By contrast, Identity and Democracy (ID), which mainly featured Western populist, radical-right parties in the 9th parliament and evolved into Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations in the 10th term, records lower assertiveness and a sharp drop in the most recent period. Divided Radical Right Unlike mainstream party families, the far right has long been internally divided on Russia. Some parties, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, view Moscow as a direct security threat. Others have cultivated ideological or strategic ties with the Kremlin. These divisions are clearly visible in European Parliament voting, as shown in Figure 2. Several populist, radical-right parties remain consistently assertive toward Russia. Polands Law and Justice party, the Sweden Democrats, and the Finns Party all fall into this category. Latvias National Alliance and Fratelli dItalia also display high ATRI scores. Other parties, however, show far lower levels of assertiveness. Germanys Alternative for Germany (AfD), Austrias Freedom Party, and Hungarys Fidesz frequently oppose or abstain from resolutions critical of Russia. In some cases, such as Fidesz, its voting behavior aligns with Russian interests. Figure 2: Assertiveness toward Russia among populist, radical-right parties in the European Parliament Several far-right parties occupy a middle ground. This group includes several newer entrants to the 10th European Parliament, such as Portugals Chega, Frances Reconquete, and Romanias Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). Parties affiliated with the ECR group again show the most assertive stance toward Russia, while those in Patriots for Europe display much lower levels of assertiveness. These group-level patterns are mirrored in the behavior of individual parties that switched affiliation. The Sweden Democrats and the Finns Party had already adopted a more assertive stance after the invasion of Ukraine and later joined the ECR, where their position became even stronger, in parallel with their countries NATO accession. The opposite dynamic can also be observed. Hungarys Fidesz, despite its close ties with Polands PiS and its Central and Eastern European background, chose to join Patriots for Europe rather than the ECR. Spains Vox and ANO from the Czech Republic also joined Patriots for Europe, following which they started voting in a more Russia-friendly way. Fragile Consensus Taken together, these developments point to both resilience at the center and fragility at the margins of Europes political response to the war. Mainstream parties across the European Parliament continue to sustain a strong consensus against Russia. Voting behavior shows little indication that this position is weakening. Similar support is also shown in surveys with citizens. At the same time, divisions within the populist, radical right are becoming increasingly visible. Some parties attempt to mobilize war fatigue by criticizing sanctions or calling for negotiations with Russia, while others remain firmly embedded in the broader anti-Russian coalition. For now, these internal splits limit the ability of populist actors to mount a coherent challenge to Europes Ukraine policy at the EU level. But if the war drags on and domestic pressures intensify, the space for political contestation may grow. Whether Europes support for Ukraine remains robust may therefore depend not only on external developments but also on how effectively mainstream parties manage and politically exploit the divisions within the radical right. Adam Holesch is a research fellow at the Institut Barcelona dEstudis Internacionals (IBEI) and adjunct professor at Pompeu Fabra University. Piotr Zagorski is a research fellow at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Aron Buzogany is assistant professor in political science at BOKU University Vienna and a visiting professor at the Natolin Campus of the College of Europe. This article originally appeared in the London School of Economics EUROPP blog. Republished by permission. Heading out of Louisville's airport for spring break? Travelers across the country are encountering unusually long airport security lines as a partial federal government shutdown strains the Transportation Security Administration. The Department of Homeland Securitys previous funding agreement lapsed on Friday, Feb. 13, as Congress failed to reach a new funding agreement in time. The agency oversees TSA, and roughly 50,000 TSA officers are continuing to work without regular pay during the funding lapse, leading to staffing shortages and inflated wait times as spring break travel ramps up. Advertisement Advertisement According to USA TODAY, passengers have reported waiting hours to get through checkpoints at major airports, with some missing flights as security lines stretched into terminals and even parking areas. The TSA checkpoint at Muhammad Ali Louisville International Airpot is active on Wednesday morning, November 5, 2025 "Today, travelers are facing TSA lines of up to nearly 3 hours long at some major airports, causing missed flights and massive delays during peak travel," TSA told USA TODAY in a statement. "These frontline heroes received only partial paychecks earlier this month and now face their first full missed paycheck, leading to financial hardship, absences, and crippling staffing shortages." Here's what we know in Louisville as of Wednesday, March 18. About TSA wait times and staffing at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Natalie Chaudoin, Director of Public Relations at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, said on March 18 that security wait times in Louisville remain standard. Advertisement Advertisement TSA staffing at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport remains consistent at this time and screening operations continue to be normal," Chaudoin said. "Passengers are encouraged to arrive 1 to 2 hours before their scheduled departure time to allow for time to check-in, get through security and to their gate prior to the start of boarding. For travelers departing before 8:30 a.m., its strongly recommended to arrive two hours before their departure, she said. Are we in a government shutdown right now? Yes, but only a partial one. As of March 19, it is on its 34th day. The shutdown is affecting only the Department of Homeland Security, not every agency under its oversight. Is TSA still operating during the government shutdown? Yes. However, the roughly 50,000 TSA employees deemed essential have been working without full pay since the funding lapse began on Feb. 14. They did receive a partial paycheck on Friday, March 13. Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Aviation Administration is still fully funded during this partial shutdown. Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY. Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How long are TSA lines in Louisville during spring break, shutdown? As TSA lines get longer and the situation at U.S. airports becomes more uncertain, there's a method for flyers hoping to fast-pass security wait times. In addition to keeping tabs on TSA wait-time trackers, which are often available on individual airports' websites, air travelers can also enroll in the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program, a verification process that uses biometrics similar to Clear. The program's facial identification technology leads to "faster, more efficient identity verification," says TSA. At airports where it's currently in use, travelers are queued in separate Touchless ID lanes at security checkpoints, and they typically have the shortest of all waits. TSA says Touchless ID is currently available at 65 airports, but flyers must opt into the program through whichever airline they're using. To be eligible for enrollment, a flyer must already have TSA PreCheck and an active frequent flyer profile with an airline participating in Touchless ID. The flyer must also have uploaded valid passport information to that profile. Advertisement Advertisement Right now, five airlines are participating in the program: Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest and United. Each has a slightly different opt-in process. Here's how to sign up. Alaska People flying on Alaska Airlines who are interested in enrolling in Touchless ID must have an Atmost Rewards account, according to the airline. To enroll, they should follow these steps: Sign into their rewards account, and add a Known Traveler Number, or KTN, as well as valid passport information to their profile.Under a tab labeled "travel documents," they can click the option to "Add TSA PreCheck Touchless ID." They will be enrolled until choosing to opt out.American Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines flyers must also have a rewards account with the airline in order to opt into Touchless ID, the airline says. American requires flyers to opt in every year. To enroll, they should: Log into their AAadvantage account, and navigate to the "information and password section."Save their KTN and passport information to their rewards profile. Scroll through the section to the option for "TSA PreCheck Touchless ID," check the opt-in box, and save.Delta Delta allows flyers with SkyMiles accounts to opt into Touchless ID. To enroll in the program, the airline says passengers should: Store their passport information and KTN in their SkyMiles profile, either in the Fly Delta app or at delta.com.Choose the option within the rewards profile to opt into Touchless ID.Look for the green "Touchless" badge on signs at select airports, signaling dedicated security lines as well as bag drops.Southwest Advertisement Advertisement Travelers flying Southwest can opt into Touchless ID through their Rapid Rewards account, the airline says. They can enroll by: Logging into their Rapid Rewards account in the Southwest app and selecting "TSA PreCheck Touchless ID."Using their phone to scan their passport, adding their KTN into their profile and opting into the program.Flyers are advised to check their mobile boarding passes for the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID indicator once their opt-in selection has been saved.United United passengers interested in opting into Touchless ID must have a Mileage Plus account, according to the airline. They should follow these steps to enroll: Save their passport and KTN to their MileagePlus account in the United app. They can enter that information by navigating to their account and selecting the page for TSA PreCheck and travel documents.They can opt into Touchless ID on that same page. United says each traveler must enroll through their own account before checking in for flights on the app. Travelers are encouraged to read the airline's privacy policy and give United permission to use their facial scan as identification.Like Delta, United also offers a Touchless ID shortcut for bag drops in addition to security checkpoints at participating airports. Generally, airlines with a touchless bag drop option offer it at their hub airports.Which airports have Touchless ID? Advertisement Advertisement Touchless ID is available at 65 airports located across the United States. TSA shared a map with their locations to its website. / Credit: TSA Here is a table showing TSA wait times at major airports: TSA wait times at major U.S. airports (Table) Dogue, parody fashion magazine for dogs, sued by Vogue owner Conde Nast Tax filers face refund delays as IRS pushes to phase out paper checks Family of Afghan man who served with U.S. forces seeks answers about his death in ICE custody A partial government shutdown, combined with spring break, is bringing travel headaches to some people. The shutdown is impacting an estimated 50,000 Transportation Security Administration employees, who are now working without pay. Florida, so far, hasn't seen the TSA checkpoint delays reported at other airports in the U.S. However, travelers at major hubs, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, and Tampa, may experience slightly longer delays during peak travel periods. Advertisement Advertisement At HartsfieldJackson Atlanta and Houstons Hobby Airport, TSA checkpoint lines stretched past an hour, with some waits exceeding three hours last weekend. Why are there longer security lines at airports? Congress failed to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration, in midFebruary. On March 13, TSA officers missed their first full paycheck after receiving partial paychecks on Feb. 28. "Numerous employees have reported to me that their bank accounts are at zero or negative," Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE TSA Council 100 and a Dallas-based TSA worker, told USA TODAY. What is TSA wait time at Daytona International Airport, DAB? Security wait times at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) currently average 5 minutes, according to flightqueue.com Advertisement Advertisement Check-in typically takes 27 minutes, and immigration processing averages 9 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 3 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, VPS? Security wait times at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) currently average 4 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 25 minutes, and immigration processing averages 9 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 2 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, FLL? Security wait times at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) currently average 13 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 7 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Gainesville Regional Airport, GNV? Passengers moving through the security checkpoints at Gainesville Regional Airport should anticipate waiting on average of 4 minutes, according to TSAWaitTimes.com. What is TSA wait time at Jacksonville International Airport, JAX? Security wait times at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) currently average 9 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 29 minutes, and immigration processing averages 12 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Key West International Airport, EYW? Security wait times at Key West International Airport (EYW) currently average 2 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 23 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 1 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Melbourne Orlando International Airport, MLB? Security wait times at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) currently average 8 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 21 minutes, and immigration processing averages 8 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 4 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Miami International Airport, MIA? Security wait times at Miami International Airport (MIA) currently average 4 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 44 minutes, and immigration processing averages 59 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 2 minutes. You can also check the airport's website at miami-airport.com/tsa-waittimes.asp. What is TSA wait time at Naples Municipal Airport, APF? Security wait times at Naples Municipal Airport (APF) currently average 17 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Advertisement Advertisement Check-in typically takes 23 minutes, and immigration processing averages 10 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 9 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Northwest Florida Beaches International, ECP? Security wait times at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) currently average 6 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 19 minutes, and immigration processing averages 7 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 3 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Orlando International Airport, MCO? Security wait times at Orlando International Airport (MCO) currently average 10 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes. You can also check the airport's website at flymco.com/security/. What is TSA wait time at Orlando Sanford International Airport, SFB? Security wait times at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) currently average 1 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 41 minutes, and immigration processing averages 8 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 1 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Palm Beach International Airport, PBI? Security wait times at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) currently average 13 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 30 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 7 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Pensacola International Airport, PNS? Security wait times at Pensacola International Airport (PNS) currently average 11 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Advertisement Advertisement Check-in typically takes 23 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 6 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Punta Gorda Airport, PGD? Security wait times at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) currently average 10 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 31 minutes, and immigration processing averages 13 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, SRQ? Security wait times at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) currently average 7 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 26 minutes, and immigration processing averages 12 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 4 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Southwest Florida International Airport, RSW? Security wait times at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) currently average 2 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Advertisement Advertisement Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 1 minutes. What is TSA wait time at St. Augustine Airport, SGJ? Passengers moving through the security checkpoints at St. Augustine Airport should anticipate waiting on average of less than one minute, according to TSAWaitTimes.com. What is TSA wait time at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, PIE? Security wait times at St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) currently average 12 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 24 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 6 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Tallahassee International Airport, TLH? Security wait times at Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH) currently average 2 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Advertisement Advertisement Check-in typically takes 10 minutes, and immigration processing averages 7 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 1 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Tampa International Airport, TPA? Security wait times at Tampa International Airport (TPA) currently average 10 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes. What is TSA wait time at Vero Beach Regional Airport, VRB? Security wait times at Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB) currently average 10 minutes, according to flightqueue.com. Check-in typically takes 12 minutes, and immigration processing averages 10 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes. What are the current wait times at Florida airports? See the list As of Tuesday morning, here are the estimated security wait times for Florida airports according to the airports and TSA. Note TSA estimates may not be current due to the shutdown when the MyTSA app is not updated: Wait times will be shorter for travelers with TSA PreCheck, or for families or military members using dedicated lines, where available. How to check TSA wait times Need to know when to be at the airport? There are a few ways to monitor TSA lines in real time. Airport websites: Some airports post checkpoint wait updates so you can see how the day is going. Airport social media: Follow your airport's social media page. Often, when there are significant delays, the airport will post about it. The MyTSA mobile app: The TSA's free app provides estimated wait times for many U.S. airports based on TSA data and traveler reports, along with other TSA information. However, banners on both the TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection websites warn that, Due to the lapse in federal funding, this website will not be actively managed. Third-party sites: Several unofficial websites, such as airportinsightfind.com, fly.com, flightqueue.com or tsawaittimes.com, provide estimated wait times based on airport reports and traveler submissions. How much do TSA agents make in Florida, U.S.? TSA pay varies depending on location. For example, higher-cost metro areas pay more than smaller or rural markets. Pay varies further by experience and tenure, as government employees receive increases based on federal pay bands and step increases. Working overtime, night shifts and holidays also increases pay above base averages. Wage average for TSA officers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): United States (national averages) Average hourly wage: $24.54 per hour Average annual salary: $51,040 per year Median annual salary: $50,020 per year Florida (state averages) Average hourly wage: $21.09 per hour Average annual salary: $43,860 per year Contributors: Ashley Ferrer, Kim Luciani, C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Security wait times at Florida airports. See airport list for March 17 Are you traveling in or out of Florida? Travelers across the country continue to encounter unusually long airport security lines as a partial federal government shutdown strains the Transportation Security Administration. The Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) previous funding agreement lapsed on Friday, Feb. 13, as Congress failed to reach a new funding agreement in time. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees TSA. Roughly 50,000 TSA officers are continuing to work without regular pay during the funding lapse. Advertisement Advertisement Another contributing factor to long lines is that the partial shutdown is intersecting with spring break. According to USA TODAY, a record-breaking spring travel period is expected, with 171 million passengers expected to fly, up 4% over the same two-month period last year. "Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and other Transportation Security Administration (TSA) roles critical to national safety at our nations airports are going without pay for the third time in nearly six months," the Department of Homeland Security said in a release on March 17. "The undue financial pressure has resulted in increased callouts and agents leaving the force, leading Americans to face at some airports more than three-hour security lines and miss flights." Here are the current wait times for TSA at Florida's major airports, as of 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19. TSA wait times at Orlando International Airport , MCO MCO's website lists the following wait times for travelers: Advertisement Advertisement Gates 1 through 59: 0 - 2 min Gate 70 through 129: 0 - 2 min Gate C230 through C249: 21 - 275min TSA wait times at Miami International Airport, MIA MIA's website lists the following wait times for travelers: Checkpoint 1: General: N/A TSA-PRE: 19 minutes Checkpoint 2: General: 19 minutes Priority: 6 minutes TSA-PRE: Closed Checkpoint 3: General: 12 minutes Priority: 0 minutes Checkpoint 4: General: 3 minutes Priority: 0 minutes Checkpoint 5: General: 3 minutes Priority: Closed TSA-PRE: 3 minutes Clear: 3 minutes Checkpoint 6: General: 11 minutes Priority: 7 minutes Checkpoint 7: General: 4 minutes Priority: 3 minutes Checkpoint 8: General: 7 minutes Priority: 5 minutes TSA-PRE: 4 minutes Clear: 4 minutes Checkpoint 9: General: 6 minutes Priority: 5 minutes Clear: 5 minutes Checkpoint 10: General: 3 minutes Priority: Closed Checkpoint FIS: General: 4 minutes TSA-PRE: Closed TSA wait times at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, FLL According to Flight Queue, security wait times at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport currently average 16 minutes. Check-in typically takes 42 minutes, and immigration processing averages 10 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 8 minutes. All of its terminals are open, as of 4 a.m. To see hours, check here. TSA wait times at Tampa International Airport, TPA On its website, TPA features the current message, "While TPA is currently experiencing high passenger volume due to spring break, our TSA security checkpoints are not seeing any significant delays or backups. As always, passengers should arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours for international travel." Advertisement Advertisement According to Flight Queue, security wait times at Tampa International Airport currently average 5 minutes. Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 3 minutes. TSA wait times at Southwest Florida International Airport, RSW According to Flight Queue, security wait times at Southwest Florida International Airport currently average 1 minute. Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 1 minute. Missed your airport? Check this list of all Florida airports See list: How long are TSA wait times at Florida airports Thursday? Is TSA still operating during the government shutdown? Yes; however, the roughly 50,000 TSA employees deemed essential have been working without full pay since the funding lapse began on Feb. 14. They did receive a partial paycheck on Friday, March 13. Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Aviation Administration is still fully funded during this partial shutdown. Is there a way to see current TSA wait times? Find Florida airports' TSA wait times Although many airports across the U.S. are seeing hours-long lines at TSA checkpoints, Florida airports haven't been affected as much as those in other states. And wait times are shorter for travelers with TSA PreCheck and for families or military members using dedicated lines where available. Need to know when to be at the airport? Here are some ways to monitor TSA lines in real time: Airport websites: Many official airports post checkpoint updates so you can see how it's going today. The MyTSA mobile app: The TSA's free app provides estimated wait times for many U.S. airports based on TSA data and traveler reports, along with other TSA information. 3rd party sites: There are unofficial websites, such as fly.com, takeofftimer.com, flightqueue.com and tsawaittimes.com that provide estimated wait times, but you should double-check official sources for the most up-to-date information. Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters. Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: TSA lines long across country. See wait times at MCO, MIA, RSW Lawmakers failed to come to a funding agreement at the end of January, prompting a partial government shutdown that eliminated funding to the agency that runs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As a result, travelers across the country reported airport delays, as they stood in long lines waiting to get through security checkpoints. Now, with no end to the partial shutdown in sight, and many travelers trying to head out for their spring travel plans, people are searching for ways to get through TSA checkpoints faster so they can avoid missing their flights. And while there are some tricks people can use to make things move a little faster, many may find that their best best is avoiding traveling out of the airports that have the longest lines. So, which ones are those? Keep reading as we share what people are saying about their experiences right now. SIGN UP for Parades Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox Call Outs Are Causing Longer Lines Staffing issues appear to be at the forefront of the issue with TSA delays, with Business Insider reporting that callouts are one of the major reasons why certain airports are seeing longer lines. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared its latest figures with Business Insider, based on data gathered up to Mar. 16. According to them, 366 TSA agents have left their jobs between the beginning of the shutdown and Monday, which was just a few days after agents experienced their first missed paycheck. Advertisement Advertisement Not only are agents walking away from their posts, but some are also refusing to come in some days, and instead opting to callout sick instead. And while Monday was the day with the most callouts to date since the shutdown, DHS told the publication that they have been seeing high numbers of callouts across the board. According to them, the following airports have faced some of the highest average callout rates since the shutdown began: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, which has seen an average of 21.5 percent of its agents call out John F. Kennedy International, which has seen an average of 21.4 percent of its agents call out Houston Hobby, which has seen an average of 20.1 percent of its agents call out Louis Armstrong New Orleans International, which has seen an average of 16.5 percent of its agents call out Pittsburg International, which has seen an average of 13.8 percent of its agents call out Prior to the shutdown, the average call out rate was less than 2 percent, highlighting just how big of a jump there has been. Parade reached out to the TSA for comment on the checkpoint wait times, but they did not respond to our request prior to publication. Related: Travelers Warned of Longer TSA Lines Heres How to Check Wait Times Before You Fly Travelers Are Sharing Their Experiences According to Steve Griswold, owner of Pixie Vacations, passengers flying out of Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson Airport are seeing an average wait time of 90 minutes. "So you need to arrive at least two hours head of when you would normally arrive for your flight," he explained, adding that passengers may need to arrive as early as four hours prior to their flight to be safe. And Griswold says he's hearing the same things about the reason for the slowdown at these busy airports right now, explaining how the gate agents he has spoken with have also said that the bulk of the delays have been caused by TSA callouts. Advertisement Advertisement However, Lauren Leibowitz of New Jersey says that she was pleasantly surprised to see how fast things went during her Mar. 14 flight from Orlando International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. "There were about three people working security, and it went by quickly," she recalled, noting that she was pleasantly surprised by the speed, especially considering a lot of families were coming from Disney at the time. Meanwhile, a Pennsylvania man said he flew out of Newark that same day, and spent less than 30 minutes in line. However, arrived at 6:00 a.m., which could've played a part in how quickly he was able to get through the line. Related: Bride Goes Viral After Saying Airline Delays Ruined Her Honeymoon, and the Internet Is Divided Some Airports Have Faster Security Lines While I've personally seen horror stories from travelers who have been stuck in lines for hours on endincluding one newlywed who said a delay at Florida's Fort Lauderdale Airport saw her waiting in line for a shocking 12 hoursthere are some airports that seem to be having some good luck when it comes to wait times. According to On Air Parking, which keeps track of airport security lines around the country, there are some wait times that they consider "short," even in this current slowdown. Advertisement Advertisement There are even a few where the lines are listed as taking less than 10 minutes to get through, including: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Palm Springs International Airport Las Vegas McCarran International Airport Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Of course, all of this can change in an instant. If you're curious what the wait time will be at your local airport, download the MyTSA App, which gives passengers 24/7 access to the TSA wait times at participating airlines. Additionally, as time goes on, some airlines that previously saw bigger wait times could see those numbers go down as more passengers take advantage of options that allow them to clear security faster, like CLEAR, Global Entry, and PreCheck. This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). A self-drive safari can take many forms but at its heart is the irresistible idea that in being at the wheel in the midst of wildlife youre briefly part of the ecosystem around you. You have an agency and freedom that only intensifies the thrill. At its most basic level, a self-drive simply involves hiring a 4WD from a car rental outfit, packing your own camping gear and heading towards the horizon. At a more advanced level, it can mean hiring a vehicle complete with all manner of equipment, such as a rooftop tent, kitchen, satellite phone and spare fuel cans for long-distance drives. In some places youll be able to drive your vehicle independently within national parks and private game reserves, camping within their boundaries using the gear youve carried. In others, youll need to be escorted by a guide, or, in some cases, transferred to another accredited vehicle. Whichever option you choose, youre in for a life-changing adventure. 1. Namibia Start/end: Windhoek Adventure level: Medium Advertisement Advertisement Namibias northwestern coast is known to its Indigenous inhabitants as the land God made in anger. Set out on a road trip here, and you start to understand why. A narrow strip of tarmac uncoils through a landscape dominated by wind-blasted dunes, eerie monoliths and a desolate shore where seabirds shriek and shipwrecks rust. Somewhat counterintuitively, the region is also one of the continents most accessible self-drive safari destinations. The solitude of Namibia is all part of the appeal. Expect long stints at the wheel without passing human traffic, with big-game sightings against unexpected backdrops a far more realistic possibility. The desert elephants and rhinos of Damaraland roam a landscape strewn with rock art; the salt pans of Etosha National Park, meanwhile, see the Big Five roaming lunar wastes in search of water holes. Namibia Experience offers a 16-day itinerary staying in guesthouses and pre-pitched camps from US$2,886 (2,109) per person based on two sharing. Lions and elephants are constant companions on a safari tour between the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools national parks on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. Photograph by Julian Parsons, Getty Images Image caption override Photograph by Vicki Jauron, Getty Images 2. Zimbabwe & Zambia Start/end: Lusaka, Zambia Adventure level: Medium The Zambezi River is an epic setting for any journey flowing from Zambian marshes in the heart of Africa to the Indian Ocean in Mozambique. One of the best episodes comes midway as the river plots out the Zambia-Zimbabwe border and two national parks Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools face each other from opposite shores. Safari Drive offers an itinerary where you explore both banks. Zimbabwes Mana Pools National Park is famous for its elephants some of which rear up on their hind legs to feed on thorn trees while its Zambian neighbour has healthy lion and leopard populations. Accommodation is split between riverside lodges and remote campsites where Safari Drives own heavily customised 4WDs come into their own. A small kitchen materialises in the boot while a tent unfurls on the roof, allowing passengers to fall asleep to the hush of the river and the shuffling of unseen creatures beyond the canvas. A 12-night tour starts from 7,415 per person based on two sharing. 3. South Africa Start/end: Johannesburg Adventure level: Easy Advertisement Advertisement For many people, Kruger National Park represents their initiation into safari. The world-famous reserve is a place where wildlife enthusiasts expect to tick off the Big Five and where honeymooners look forward to bedding down at luxury resorts. But, at heart, this is still a wild and untamed landscape, something youre acutely conscious of when you set out into its more remote corners of which there are many, given it covers over 7,500sq miles. Tread Lite 4x4 Hire offers self-drive itineraries in Kruger departing from Johannesburg (as well as Pretoria), travelling in a 4WD laden with a tent, fridge, cooking apparatus and other essentials clattering away in the back. Days might be spent in search of animals such as African wild dogs and cheetahs, while nights are spent in basic spots like Maroela Satellite Camp, set on the banks of the Timbavati River. There may be few luxuries on offer in this little plot of land but the experience is raw and rewarding, the only lights at night coming from the stars above. Five-day packages cost from 6,150 ZAR (282) per person, based on two sharing, and exclude park entrance fees. 4. Uganda Start/end: Kampala Adventure level: Hard East Africa is the original homeland of safari the place where big-game viewing took off in the early 20th century. Nevertheless, Uganda has long been overshadowed by neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania as a wildlife destination. Take off on a self-drive journey into the north, however, and youll find an experience every bit as powerful as those offered by the more popular destinations next door. After departing from the capital Kampala, you come to Murchison Falls National Park where the Nile thunders through a narrow cleft of rock and Nubian giraffes stalk the savannah beyond. Wilder still are the mountain-fringed plains of Kidepo Valley National Park in Ugandas far north east a fine place to observe cheetahs. Roadtrip Africa offers a 14-day 4WD tour staying in lodges and pre-pitched camps from 1,490 (1,294) per person, based on two sharing. The shallow waters in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil allow for unobstructed views of jaguars and other native wildlife. Photograph by Uwe-Bergwitz, Getty Images 5. Brazil Start/end: Campo Grande Adventure level: Easy Advertisement Advertisement At the centre of South America is the Pantanal: the worlds largest tropical wetland a vast, biodiverse tract of seasonally submerged grasslands that sustains species including the jaguar, capybara, caiman and giant otter. Unlike the thickets of the Amazon further to the north, these Brazilian landscapes are open and largely unobstructed, making them the perfect places in which to spot wildlife. Responsible Travel offers a six-night self-drive itinerary in this waterworld with stops to go snorkelling in rivers and delve into sinkholes where macaws swoop about in the crags. The highlight is staying in a remote eco-tourism lodge set on an island in the Pantanal backwaters a base for wildlife-watching excursions by canoe, on foot, on horseback and in a 4WD vehicle. The trip costs from 2,117 per person. 6. Oman Start/end: Muscat Adventure level: Medium Oman may not be a classic big-game destination, yet this rocky southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula contains many of the classic ingredients for a safari. There are the wide-open landscapes, the remote campsites and, indeed, the wildlife from the elusive Arabian leopards that stalk the high mountains to the turtles that nest along the Indian Ocean shore. Most of all, this is a place for self-drive 4WD adventures. A particularly thrilling route leads through the Wadi Bani Awf canyon into the Hajar Mountains along a gravel track that might well have been a roller coaster in a previous life. From the historic mountain city of Nizwa, journey east to follow sandy tracks into the heart of the Sharqiya Sands a vast dunescape within which tented camps are pitched. Next, drive onwards to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve to watch tiny hatchlings shimmying towards the breaking waves. Audley Travel has a nine-day itinerary from 3,995 per person based on two sharing. Australia is home to at least five species of wallaby and four species of kangaroo. Photograph by Abstract Aerial Art, Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement 7. Australia Start/end: Darwin Adventure level: Easy The Northern Territorys Top End is where the rich reds of Australias interior segue into the emerald greens of the coast; where jungle foliage starts to intrude over puddle-strewn roads and the air becomes lively with birdsong. Safari isnt a word traditionally used in these parts, but it fits comfortably, with saltwater crocodiles lurking in the creeks, wallabies skipping over the bitumen and many of the countrys most magnificent national parks beckoning visitors. The self-drive adventure starts in Darwin before pressing on to Kakadu National Park, famed for its thundering waterfalls. Next comes Nitmiluk Gorge where the Katherine River slips through a sandstone canyon and finally Litchfield National Park, where termite mounds rise over the landscape. All across the region youll find a wealth of ancient Aboriginal rock art, with many works depicting the creatures that still slither and skip across the states soil. The Territory Collection offers a six-night self-drive itinerary in a compact SUV, staying in cabins and lodges from A$1,390 (724) per person, based on two sharing. Published in the April 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). The North Carolina woods are alive with sound around Shawn Verbrugghes forested retreat. In a valley on the outskirts of Old Fortabout 20 minutes from downtown Ashevillethe Detroit native is hammering through the final touches of another cabin at Wunderland Resort. A soft rain peppers a dense canopy of foliage above the creator cabin, a single bedroom retreat on the 35-acre property on the edge of the Pisgah National Forest. For three years, Verbrugghe has designed and built an outdoor retreat that feels conjured into this woodland valley from a spell book. The cabin is an homage to Verbrugghes filmmaker father. It comes complete with two pitsone for fire, another for conversation. And its part of an ever-expanding resort in the quiet community of Old Fort, about 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. Advertisement Advertisement Wunderland is Verbrugghes dream, a sort of playground for creatives that walks the line between glamp, wellness retreat and event space. Each forest villa comes complete with a theme: a fire element canvas tent with a well-appointed bed, mood lighting and fireplace; an Earth-themed geodesic dome where 180-degree view windows open up to a mountain stream; a marooned sailboat that Vebrugghe says will one day rest on its own Blue Ridge Mountain beach. The Creator Cabin at Wunderland Resort is nestled on the edge of the Pisgah National Forest about 20 minutes outside of Asheville. Fiasco Media As spring of 2026 begins, Wunderland Resort is about to enter its first full tourist season. From a birds eye view, the property looks much like those played out across other areas of the country in the 2010s and 2020s. Wunderland is filled with the kind of artfully-designed spaces that are ready-made for the photo carousels and short form videos of social media. The place looks prepped to be a runaway hit with photographers, writers, content creators, musicians and outdoor lovers who want to be within arms reach of Asheville but not too immersed in the city scene. A short, two mile drive down U.S. Highway 70 still carries travelers past the remains of the Old Fort Finishing Plant. Hollow and fading now, 1,000 workers once processed millions of yards of rayon fabrics every day here until 1984. Today, the factory is largely closed, and Old Fort is mostly known as a stop off for a cup of craft coffee at Seeker Coffee Co., a taste of one of North Carolinas best breakfast biscuits at the Davis Country Store & Cafe or a cold, draft beer at Hillman Beers creekside taproom. The vibe in Old Fort is part Mayberry and part budding mountain town. But only a year and a half ago, the future of Old Fort and Asheville itself were very much in doubt. The Hellscape of Hurricane Helene ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Heavy rains from hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend on Thursday night with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images) Getty Images On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene turned the Asheville area into a hellscape. The trickling trout stream burbling alongside beer taps at Hillmans Old Fort taproom turned into a raging torrent. Homes were ripped off of foundations. Forests tumbled roots up towards the bottom of hillsides. Vehicles lodged into the sides of muddy ravines. Advertisement Advertisement Catastrophic flooding caused by a storm generated off the coast of Honduras swelled the rivers of North Carolina over their banks. The Catawba River in Old Fort, the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers in Asheville became torrents of terror. Suddenly, a mountainous region of the United States previously thought to be buffered from the destruction of Caribbean hurricanes felt the terrible impact of climate change. Floods, mudslides and tornadoes engulfed western Appalachia. Power and cell service in much of western North Carolina, northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee were lost. In the aftermath, both military and private helicopters began rescue operations, spotlighting a national recovery effort that saw some 1,200 National Guard troops deployed to the region by the Biden administration. By the end of rescue operations, 107 people were declared dead. Some still remain unaccounted for. The North Carolina Department of Commerce estimated the economic damage to be nearly $60 billion. According to FEMA, less than one percent of households in the region held flood insurance policies. North Carolina governor Roy Cooper called the storm damage beyond belief. Before and After at the Biltmore Asheville, North Carolina, USA - July 10, 2025: Biltmore mansion on the Biltmore estate is surrounded by lush trees and vegetation with a lake in the foreground. getty Ashevilles most popular tourist attraction, the resplendent Biltmore Estate, typically welcomes around 1.3 million visitors each yearthats more than double the number of people who visit Elvis Presleys Graceland or The White House each year. As Helene ravaged the region, floodwaters reached nearly to the top of a 27-foot archway welcoming visitors to the 8,000-acre property. Trees surrounding the property were bent to the ground, though the estates signature structures escaped with little flood and wind damage. Advertisement Advertisement Just outside of the gates, however, another scene developed. In the mixed use area of Biltmore Village, railroad cars, semi truck trailers and a thick trail of mud and debris filled the streets. For months after Helene passed, storm damage remained evident throughout the area. About two miles away from Biltmore Village, 80% of the citys River Arts District art galleries, warehouses and studios were damaged. A Resurgent River Arts District Tyler Ramsey performs at AVL Fest 2024 in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Fiasco Media Advertisement Advertisement Signs of a resurrection were evident almost immediately. Six weeks after Helene, the River Arts District was staggering back onto its feet with RADFest, a two-day festival designed to send a signal flare of hope up to the region. Damaged galleries and studios moved their goods onto hastily cleaned streets. Food trucks powered up to feed patrons while DJs and bands filled the area with life. The inaugural RADFest was so successful that an enlarged version returned in November of 2025. In 2026, one of the citys largest festivals, AVL Fest, is set for a return as the rebranded and reformatted AVL Sounds Fest. Weeks prior to Helene, the 2024 version of the festival sold about 6,000 tickets. After taking a year off to focus on rebuilding the community, AVL Sounds Fest 2026 is scheduled for August 6-9 of this year. Music has always been one of the clearest reflections of Ashevilles spirit, says publicist Danielle Dror, president of Asheville-based Victory Lap. Dror manages publicity for musicians and tours across the United States, but has called Asheville home for most of her life. This community is unique in that it not only supports local artists at every level, but it also really punches above its weight in attracting so many national touring and recording artists for a city its size. Now that venues are operational again and people have returned to those musical gathering spaces, it feels like that ecosystem is back intact. To me that signals that we are well on our way not just to restoring what Asheville once had, but to building something even stronger. Music fans ride e-bikes to Asheville's AVL Fest in August of 2024, just a few weeks before Hurricane Helene hit the area. Fiasco Media The Call of the Wild Though architecture and artistry are main draws in Asheville, manmade attractions are only part of the citys charm. The city hosts around 90 miles of bike trails. And on the outskirts of town, the Appalachian Trail, Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah National Forest beckon outdoor lovers who come to mountain bike, bird and hike on Americas original frontier. Advertisement Advertisement From an outdoor adventure perspective, this musical southern city feels more akin to Bend, Oregon or Park City, Utah than Nashville. Its a hive of nature enthusiasts coming to detox and play in the forests, rivers and climbing crags scattered throughout small towns surrounding the city. Saluda, North Carolina, two men biking down street in business district. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Despite its small size (population 631), the small town of Saluda, North Carolina is a known destination for outdoor adventurers. Travelers come to the towns Green River Gorge to cycle the roads and mountain bike trails about 35 miles south of downtown Asheville. For decades, theyve also used the nearby Green Rivers system of Class 1-Class V rapids for whitewater rafting, kayaking and tubing. Filmmaker, artist and conservationist Scott Varn runs the non-profit, Preserving A Picturesque America from Saluda. In the hours before Helene hit, Varn placed sandbags around his historic cabin along Pearson Falls Road inside of the gorge. Then, he loaded up a four wheel drive Jeep and headed for higher ground. It was the best thing we could have done, says Varn. We thought we were leaving in case a few trees fell in the road and we couldnt get out. Instead, the entire road turned into the river. It was completely ripped apart. Trees were down everywhere. A tunnel near our house was filled with eight feet of water. There was loss of life. Houses were washed away. But our cabin survived because it is around 100-years-old and built on top of pillars of river rocks that allowed the water to flow under and around it. Landin Patton and Justine Wolf work to clear paths and search for bodies and survivors with their horses on the trail at Catawba Falls in Old Fort, North Carolina, October 4, 2024, (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Varn says cyclists were an everyday sight on the waterfall-lined road leading to his home. But three of the Green River Gorges most popular road and gravel biking roads were heavily damaged during the storm. On then water, the hurricane damaged Lake Summit Dam upstream and left the Green River unrecognizable to seasoned guides. Advertisement Advertisement For weeks after the storm, Varn joined a makeshift calvary of local residents with off-road vehicles delivering meals and banding together to help far-flung members of the community live without electricity, connection and cold food storage in the hollers of Western North Carolina. When you have a natural disasters, you really find out fast who the people of character are. As a community, we were all in there with people we did not know with shovels and chainsaws, just making things work. I think the barbecue joint across the street donated $20,000 worth of food to all of the food banks, because their freezer was toast and the food was going to go bad. At the time, Governor Josh Stein asked tourists to stay away from the area in the wake of the storm. But more than a year and a half after its impact, Varn says Western North Carolina is ready for travelers to return. Today, most of the outdoor spaces damaged by Hurricane Helene have been or are being repaired. Many biking and hiking trails have been cleared of debris or rerouted. River outfitters are adapting to changing waterways. Outdoor stores are stocked. Post-adventure watering holes are pouring lagers and ales once again. But in some cases, businesses reliant on tourism are operating at less than half of their pre-Helene numbers. For a region dependent on the outdoors, art and architecture to draw visitors, the recovery from one of the worst natural disasters in North Carolina history seems well underway. And as winter slowly gives way to warmer weather and the looming second anniversary of Hurricane Helene, the region is hopeful that traveler will take notice of their recovery. Guests enjoy the Creator Cabin at Wunderland Resort in Old Fort, North Carolina in the fall of 2025. Wunderland Resort Advertisement Advertisement Back at Wunderland Resort, hope is beginning to spring. Rooms are beginning to fill up. The newly-constructed pond is welcoming swimmers. Gossip is flowing around the conversation pit. Campfires are crackling to the sounds of laughter floating through the trees. And Shawn Verbrugghe is finally playing host to a steady stream of travelers. People are again finding their way back to Western North Carolina, though last seasons stream of leaf seekers was still below normal. This year, the Western North Carolina tourism industry is hopeful for more. And with a full-fledged revival of its music, outdoor and hospitality scene, the Asheville area. feels ready for its comeback. If youre flying out of Atlanta this weekend, be prepared to wait. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expects it to be one of its busiest so far this year. TSA projects that 350,000 travelers will go through the Atlanta airport Thursday through Sunday. Its part of the busy spring break travel period, which has already been off to a rocky start in Atlanta. Were working to find how the airport is responding LIVE on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4:00 p.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2 Action News has reported all week on TSA security wait times some as high as 122 minutes at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, airport officials confirmed that 34% of TSA agents in Atlanta called out sick. With the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, TSA workers did not receive a full paycheck last week. TSA leadership says nationwide nearly 400 agents have already resigned during this shutdown. Our TSA officers, as long as they dont get paid, theyre going continue to call out. They cant afford to come in and theyre going to quit altogether and thats a serious concern, said Adam Stahl, TSA acting deputy administrator. In addition to the TSA shortages, new traffic patterns for pickup and drop-off started on Wednesday and runs through March 31. The changes will remain in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week during this period. Advertisement Advertisement Hartsfield-Jackson officials are urging passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flight. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] National parks worldwide stand as essential refuges where national parks conservation efforts protect the world's most endangered species from habitat loss and human pressures. These areas combine strict boundaries, scientific monitoring, and community involvement to bolster endangered species protection for animals like rhinos, gorillas, and rare birds. National Parks as Biodiversity Strongholds National parks conservation focuses on preserving entire ecosystems rather than isolated species. Rangers patrol vast territories, scientists track populations with camera traps, and restoration projects rebuild degraded habitats. This approach has helped species like the gray wolf rebound in places like Yellowstone, where reintroduction in the 1990s restored balance to prey populations. Endangered species protection benefits from international funding and local partnerships, ensuring long-term survival amid global threats like deforestation and poaching. Parks in Africa and Asia often integrate villages into patrols, reducing conflicts and creating economic incentives for wildlife stewardship. These strategies turn parks into models for broader biodiversity efforts. Which Parks Protect the Most Endangered Species? Death Valley National Park (USA): Over 50 at-risk species like Devils Hole pupfish and kit foxes thrive in extreme desert ecosystems through water management and predator control. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (USA): Endemic birds such as nene goose persist amid lava flows and feral cats, with targeted invasive removal. Virunga National Park (DRC): Fewer than 1,000 mountain gorillas, the most endangered great ape, guarded by armed rangers against militias and poachers. Kaziranga National Park (India): Greater one-horned rhinoceros numbers climbed from 200 to over 4,000 thanks to electric fencing and river patrols. Galapagos National Park (Ecuador): Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and flightless cormorants protected via quarantine protocols blocking invasives. Chitwan National Park (Nepal): Bengal tigers and Asian elephants supported by anti-poaching drones and corridor links to adjacent forests. The National Parks Conservation Association notes how grants have amplified these efforts across dozens of sites. Threats and Successes in Endangered Species Protection National parks face persistent challenges, but targeted actions yield remarkable recoveries. Key Threats: Invasive species like feral pigs in Hawaii and cats in the Galapagos devour eggs and prey on natives, disrupting food chains. Climate change shifts rainfall and warms waters, stressing pupfish pools and bleaching corals in marine parks like the Great Barrier Reef. Poaching targets high-value animals such as gorillas in Virunga and rhinos in Kaziranga, driven by black-market demand. Habitat fragmentation from urban sprawl and illegal grazing isolates populations, limiting gene flow. Major Successes: California condor reintroductions lifted numbers from 22 in the 1980s to over 500, thanks to non-lead ammunition and cliffside nesting habitats in Grand Canyon and Pinnacles parks. Black-footed ferrets in Badlands National Park returned from the brink via prairie dog prey restoration and captive breeding releases. India's Project Tiger doubled populations in reserves like Kaziranga through core buffer zones and vigilant patrols. Amur leopards in Russia's Land of the Leopard park stabilized at fewer than 100 individuals, supported by cross-border habitat links. National Park Service programs track these trends across U.S. sites. These wins rely on tech like AI-driven trail cameras that spot poachers early. Visitor Role in National Parks Conservation Tourists help protect endangered species without realizing it. Entry fees bankroll 80% of ranger salaries in many parks, covering patrol fuel and veterinary care for injured wildlife. Eco-lodges in Virunga employ locals, cutting poaching incentives as families earn steady wages. Guidelines keep impacts low: stay on trails to avoid crushing rare plants, store food to deter bears, and skip off-road drives that fragment habitats. Low-impact choices matter. Binoculars beat close approaches for gorillas, reducing stress that weakens immune systems. Guided tours in Kaziranga teach rhino behaviors, fostering support back home. Donations to groups like the National Parks Conservation Association stretch funds further, as seen in their wildlife crossing projects that let deer and wolves roam safely under highways. Advances Shaping Global Wildlife Recovery National parks conservation evolves with tools like GPS collars that map migration routes, informing corridor designs. Drones scan vast areas for snares, while AI analyzes footage to count elusive saolas in Vietnam's Vu Quang reserve. Community programs in Nepal train villagers as guards, dropping tiger deaths by 50% in core zones. International pacts amplify impact. CITES bans trade in rhino horns, and enforcement occurs at park gates. Rewilding efforts, like Chile's new Cape Froward park, protect pumas and huemul deer in subantarctic wilds. U.S. parks lead with condor hacks on cliffs, mimicking natural nests. India's elephant corridors link fragmented forests, easing crop raids. Global Conservation highlights how ranger training in Venezuela and Belize fights "ecocide" from miners and loggers. These models scale up to target 30% ocean and land protection by 2030. Momentum builds as parks prove resilient havens, guiding policies worldwide. Why National Parks Lead Endangered Species Protection Parks blend science, enforcement, and education into frameworks that outlast single projects. Reintroduction pipelines for ferrets and condors show that captive breeding works when habitats are held. Anti-poaching nets in Africa save elephants, whose ivory funds rebel groups otherwise. Tech bridges gaps, from e-fences shocking intruders to apps reporting illegal camps. Communities thrive alongside wildlife, as in Chitwan, where homestays replace poaching income. U.S. examples like Death Valley's pupfish pools inspire desert restorations globally. Ongoing tweaks, like invasive culls in Galapagos, keep edges sharp. These layered defenses ensure endangered species protection endures, offering blueprints for unprotected lands facing the same pressures. Frequently Asked Questions Which national park protects the most endangered species? Death Valley National Park hosts over 50 at-risk species, including kit foxes and Devils Hole pupfish, due to its unique desert habitats. What is the most endangered animal in a national park? The black-footed ferret in Badlands National Park ranks among the rarest, revived through captive breeding after near-extinction. How do national parks help endangered species? Parks enforce anti-poaching patrols, restore habitats, and run reintroduction programs, as seen with condors in Pinnacles and Grand Canyon. Supervolcanoes stand out for their sheer power, capable of reshaping landscapes and climates in ways regular volcanoes cannot match. The Yellowstone supervolcano sits at the heart of this discussion, with its massive caldera drawing eyes worldwide over concerns about volcanic eruption risk. This active system in Wyoming fuels geysers and hot springs while sparking questions about what might come next. People often wonder if the ground could split open tomorrow. Scientists monitor every rumble closely, balancing the site's dramatic history against today's quiet signals. Understanding the Yellowstone supervolcano means digging into its past blasts and current stirrings. What Makes Yellowstone a Supervolcano? Supervolcanoes differ from familiar peaks like Mount Fuji or Vesuvius because they lack a classic cone shape. Instead, they form broad calderas after explosive events collapse the surface. Yellowstone's caldera stretches 30 miles by 45 miles, a scar from ancient fury. The Volcanic Explosivity Index, or VEI, rates eruptions by volume and height of ejecta. Anything hitting VEI 8 qualifies as super, blasting out over 1,000 cubic kilometers of material. Mount St. Helens in 1980 clocked VEI 5devastating, but a fraction of supervolcano scale. Beneath Yellowstone lies a vast magma chamber, partially molten at about 5-15% liquid. This mushy reservoir feeds the park's thermal features without building pressure for a big bang right now. Heat rises through rock cracks, powering Old Faithful's reliable shows. HowStuffWorks dives into scenarios where such systems wake up, painting vivid pictures of ash clouds towering miles high. That kind of event dwarfs modern disasters. Yellowstone Supervolcano Eruption History and Risks Yellowstone's resume includes three supereruptions over 2 million years. First came Huckleberry Ridge around 2.1 million years ago. It hurled 2,500 cubic kilometers of ash and pumice, coating much of North America. Layers of that fallout still mark soil profiles today. Next, about 1.3 million years ago, the Mesa Falls eruption carved a smaller footprint but still reshaped the region. Ash traveled far, preserving fossils in its wake. The Lava Creek blast 631,000 years ago defined the current caldera. It ejected 1,000 cubic kilometers, with fine ash reaching Pacific coasts and even traces in ocean sediments. Smaller lava flows followed until 70,000 years ago, filling parts of the basin. No supereruptions match human timelines. Native American tribes recorded oral histories of smaller events, but nothing caldera-scale. Geologists map these layers through drilling and satellite imagery. Monitoring networks blanket the park with seismometers, GPS, and gas sniffers. Over 3,000 quakes hit annually, mostly tiny swarms under 3.0 magnitude. Here's a breakdown of key risks: Supereruption (VEI 8): Extremely low probability, about 1 in 730,000 annually; no signs of imminent magma buildup for a cataclysmic blast. Extremely low probability, about 1 in 730,000 annually; no signs of imminent magma buildup for a cataclysmic blast. Lava flows: More likely than supereruptions, potentially every few thousand years; confined to park areas with non-explosive outpourings. More likely than supereruptions, potentially every few thousand years; confined to park areas with non-explosive outpourings. Hydrothermal explosions: Occasional events from steam pressure, like the 1989 Porkchop Geyser blast; localized danger with minor reach. Occasional events from steam pressure, like the 1989 Porkchop Geyser blast; localized danger with minor reach. Earthquake swarms: Routine, 1,500-3,000 quakes yearly, mostly below magnitude 3; monitored but rarely damaging. Routine, 1,500-3,000 quakes yearly, mostly below magnitude 3; monitored but rarely damaging. Pyroclastic flows or lahars: Hypothetical for major events; high-risk zones within 20-50 km of caldera, but no precursors present. Hypothetical for major events; high-risk zones within 20-50 km of caldera, but no precursors present. Ashfall: Primary regional threat from any eruption; could affect Midwest agriculture and aviation, diminishing with distance. "Is Yellowstone overdue?" misleads because volcanoes ignore calendars. Intervals between big events span 600,000 to 1.1 million years, with no fixed rhythm. USGSestimates supereruption odds at 1 in 730,000 per yearless likely than asteroid hits. Current Volcanic Eruption Risk and Future Outlook The magma body cools slowly, with upper parts solidifying. Deep injections keep it warm but dilute. No fresh hotspots signal trouble. Satellite InSAR maps surface changes down to millimeters. Public dashboards update real-time, letting visitors track without panic. Geologic odds say yes to future activity, someday. Building a supereruption demands rapid molten buildup, unseen for millennia. Warning signs ramp gradually: escalating quakes, rapid swelling, gas spikes. Weeks to months of alerts precede any climax. Proximity kills outrightwithin 100 km, pyroclastic flows incinerate everything. Ash piles feet-deep across Midwest states, collapsing roofs and halting roads. Air travel grounds for months; engines choke on grit. Farms suffocate under blankets, slashing yields for years. Sulfur aerosols cool Earth 3-5C, mimicking volcanic winters. National Geographic recently highlighted how Yellowstone's system might rev faster than thought, based on uplift patterns. Yet experts stress these signs stay far from critical thresholds. Vice covered fresh research easing doomsday fears, noting stable patterns despite buzz. Volcanic eruption risk comparison: Supereruption: Occurs 1 in 730,000 years with continental ash reach and global cooling severity. Occurs 1 in 730,000 years with continental ash reach and global cooling severity. Lava Flow: Every 1/10,000 years, local 100 km reach, property damage severity. Every 1/10,000 years, local 100 km reach, property damage severity. Earthquake Swarm: Yearly, park-wide reach, minor shakes severity. Yearly, park-wide reach, minor shakes severity. Hydrothermal Blast: Every few decades, site-specific reach, burns and ejecta severity. Yellowstone Supervolcano Facts and Volcanic Eruption Risk Today Millions trek through Yellowstone yearly, marveling at its restless beauty. The Yellowstone supervolcano hums beneath, monitored relentlessly to keep volcanic eruption risk in check. Data-driven vigilance ensures visitors grasp the oddslow for drama, high for wonder. Check USGS feeds for the latest ground truth on this living giant. Frequently Asked Questions 1. When was Yellowstone's last major eruption? The Lava Creek supereruption occurred 631,000 years ago, forming the current caldera. Smaller lava flows continued until about 70,000 years ago. 2. Is the Yellowstone supervolcano overdue for an eruption? Novolcanoes lack predictable schedules. Gaps between past events varied widely, and current monitoring shows no signs of buildup. Annual supereruption odds remain 1 in 730,000. 3. What causes volcanic eruption risk at Yellowstone? Risks stem from its active magma chamber, fueling geysers and quakes. Categories include supereruptions (low probability), lava flows, hydrothermal blasts, and ashfall. State representatives have previously approved, in a bipartisan fashion, several measures to put a memorial to Bolles in Wesley Bolin Plaza across the street from the Capitol. That's where there already are other memorials, ranging from veterans, pioneer women, the Ten Commandments and Jesuit missionary Father Kino. Bolles is a former Arizona Republic reporter who was killed in 1976 in a car-bombing when he went to the Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix to meet with a source, later identified as John Harvey Adamson, while investigating a shady land deal. Adamson, who never showed up, agreed to a plea deal to testify against Max Dunlap, who he said had ordered Bolles to be killed because of a story the reporter had written about a friend, liquor magnate Kemper Marley. All have since died. In each of multiple prior attempts to honor Bolles, when the measure was approved by the House, it was assigned by Senate President Warren Petersen to the Senate Government Committee, which Hoffman chairs. And Hoffman, in turn, repeatedly refused to provide a hearing for any of them, killing each measure. Now, however, Hoffman is willing to support honoring Bolles. "He was a defender of free speech,'' Hoffman told members of the House Government Committee when it heard the bill earlier this week. "And he was also exposing fraud.'' But Hoffman wants it done his way. Holt argued that an analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau finds several counties have voter registration rates that are "implausibly high,'' arguing that there could be up to 1.27 million registered voters who are deceased or no longer live in the state. Separately, Holt said more than 750,000 notices were sent out in Maricopa to voters to determine if they still live where they were registered. In the case of about 620,000, he said, there is no record of what happened or whether they were removed. That, Holt argued, means there are some 500,000 unaccounted-for registered voters remaining on the rolls primarily attributable to voters who voted or voters who failed to respond both methods which he said are supposed to be used to maintain and update the rolls. Holt acknowledged he did not have evidence of specific people who are on the rolls which are public who actually are dead or have moved. But he said that's not necessary for him to argue that Fontes is not doing what the federal law requires. That, said Holt, is proven by what he said is the disparity between the Census data and the voter rolls. "It's clear that the secretary doesn't have a process in place to do this,'' he said. Holt said that data was enough to get his clients their day in court. The appellate judges disagreed. They said anyone filing a lawsuit like this must, at a minimum, allege facts that demonstration an invasion of a legally protected interest which is both concrete and "actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical.'' I have not resigned: AFI | AACTA CEO departs Damian Trewhella pushes back against statement issued by the board. The Australian Film Institute, the governing body of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) today announced Damian Trewhella is leaving the role of CEO after 18 years with the organisation. Chair Jack Christian said, The Board thanks Damian for his many years of service and leadership as CEO of the Academy. Since 1958, the Australian Film Institute and now the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts have recognised and championed Australian screen excellence. Damian has played an important part in that work, and on behalf of the Board I thank him for his vision, tireless commitment and contributions. As we look ahead the Board will continue to sharpen our focus on world-class film and television excellence, and continue refining the Awards and Festival to meet the expectations of members, practitioners, audiences and partners. Once again we thank Damian for his service and wish him well in his next chapter. Updated: In a statement Damian Trewhella said: I have seen reports in the media. To be clear: I have not resigned, nor have I agreed to step down. I remain fully committed to returning to my role as CEO of AFI AACTA and to serving our members and the Australian Film and Television industries. This is now a legal matter, and I will be seeking advice on the Boards recent communications. AFI: The Australian Film Institute this afternoon reconfirmed that the role of CEO has been made redundant due to a senior management restructure of the organisation. Kevin Spacey settles UK sexual assault lawsuits Civil cases brought about by three men against disgraced actor were due go to UK's High Court. Kevin Spacey has agreed to an out-of-court settlement with three men who had sued him after accusing him of sexual assault. The BBC reports the civil cases had been due to go to trial at Britains High Court later this year, but those proceedings have now been frozen following an undisclosed settlement. The men alleged Spacey, 66, assaulted them between 2000 and 2013. One man, known only as LNP, alleged that Spacey deliberately assaulted him on about 12 occasions between 2000 and 2005. Another, referred to as GHI, says he met Spacey through a workshop at Londons Old Vic theatre and claimed he suffered psychiatric damage and financial loss as a result of an assault in 2008. A third man, Ruari Cannon, waived his right to anonymity. He was in Tennessee Williams play Sweet Bird of Youth at the Old Vic in 2013, and alleged that Spacey groped him at a party after the shows press night. Cannon took part in a Channel 4 documentary, Spacey Unmasked, in 2024. At a hearing earlier this month, the claimants lawyers said evidence from seven other witnesses alleging similar abusive behaviour should be heard when the case came to trial. Spcaey denies all allegations of wrongdoing and was separately cleared of nine sexual offence charges at a criminal trial in 2023. Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia. Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have agreed to concrete steps to further implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity (Corrects Spanish deputy prime minister's name in paragraph 18 to Jesus, not Jose) By Andreas Rinke, Ludwig Burger and John Irish BERLIN/PARIS, March 18 (Reuters) - For a self-described Transatlanticist like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the language has been unusually blunt. When President Donald Trump asked countries to join a global effort against Iran and deploy ships to prise open the Strait of Hormuz, whose near closure has held the global economy in a vice, he was rebuffed by some of America's closest allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz told German lawmakers on Wednesday he agreed Iran must not be allowed to pose a threat to its neighbours but expressed doubts about the rationale behind the U.S.-Israeli war. "To this day, there is no convincing plan for how this operation could succeed. Washington has not consulted us and did not say European assistance was necessary," he told lawmakers. "We would have advised against pursuing this course of action as it has been pursued. Therefore, we have declared that as long as the war continues, we will not participate in ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, for example, by military means." European leaders have rejected direct involvement in U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, wary of getting sucked into an unpredictable conflict whose aims they do not fully understand and is unpopular with their own citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In doing so, they are calculating that the benefits of staying on the sidelines outweigh the multiple risks to Transatlantic ties that are already under severe strain over anything from the war in Ukraine to tariff disputes. Merz's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius was just as direct as his boss on Monday: "This is not our war, we have not started it." Echoing Germany's stance, French President Emmanuel Macron also said "We are not party to the conflict". EUROPEANS AGAINST IRAN WAR Europeans have long been wary that angering Trump could mean he cuts them loose on Ukraine or tries to force Kyiv to accept a deal that favours Moscow. Even the very existence of the NATO alliance has come into question, with countries rattled by Trump's designs on taking Greenland from fellow NATO member Denmark at the start of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While giving no indication that he plans to punish NATO allies, Trump said they had made a "very foolish mistake" in failing to join the U.S. in its military operations in Iran. Trump reserved particular scorn for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who he said was "no Winston Churchill", Britain's leader during World War Two. But Starmer and others have public opinion on their side. A poll by YouGov suggested Britons opposed the attacks by 49% to 28%. That has forced Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK party and the opposition Conservatives to temper their initial support for the U.S. and Israeli strikes and even to offer some support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Im Keir Starmers biggest critic, but the war of words coming from the White House is childish," Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said. "I don't like to see our Prime Minister be berated by foreign leaders," Robert Jenrick from Reform UK said. In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was quick to denounce the attacks on Iran as reckless and illegal and brushed off threats from Trump to cut trade with Spain if it did not allow jointly operated bases to be used for the war. "We are certainly not going to be anybody's vassals, we won't tolerate any threats and we'll defend our values," Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero said earlier in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government's stance is widely shared by Spaniards, with 68% declaring in a poll by Spanish company 40db that they were opposed to the war. A survey by ARD DeutschlandTrend showed 58% of Germans oppose the war while 25% support it. Criticism has even come from the far-right Alternative for Germany, a party that has courted the Trump administration. "Donald Trump started out as a peace president - he will end up as a war president," its co-leader Tino Chrupalla said. EUROPEANS STRIVE TO MANAGE TRUMP'S UNPREDICTABILITY European governments say they do not want to enter a war on which they were given no say and where they cannot see the endgame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A European official, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivities involved, said American war aims were not defined or clear, and were probably different from Israel's war aims, notably on regime change. In another sign of the strains, Merz and others have criticised Trump for loosening oil sanctions on Russia in an attempt to cool soaring global prices, suggesting the U.S. had blindsided its allies. European powers have responded to the war in Iran but on their own terms. Starmer has said Britain was working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil is transported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France has sought to put together a coalition to secure the strait once the security situation stabilises - and without a U.S. role. Paris has been consulting European, Asian, including India, and Gulf Arab states over the past week over a plan that would eventually see warships escort tankers and commercial ships. Such a plan would involve political and technical talks, including with the maritime industry, insurers and others, said Macron: "This work will require discussions and de-escalation with Iran." In the end, European leaders have sought to project unity above all and learnt to manage what they see as Trump's erratic leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Reuters in an interview this week the bloc was "now more calm, because we are ... expecting unpredictable things to happen all the time and take it as it is, put some ice in our hats, and be calm and stay focused." (Reporting by Ludwig Burger, Andreas Rinke, Alexander Ratz, John Irish, Michel Rose, Victoria Waldersee, Angelo Amante, Andrew Gray, Elizabeth Piper, Olena Harmash, Barbara Erling; writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Jon Boyle) Investigators charged 74 individuals with fraudulent appropriation of property under Clause 4, Article 174 of the Penal Code; six with money laundering under Clause 3, Article 324; one with harbouring assets obtained through crime under Clause 4, Article 323; one with both money laundering and fraudulent appropriation of property; and one with money laundering and tax evasion under Clause 1, Article 200. Police temporarily seized 2.3 million USD in cash, 41 cars, seven motorbikes, and large quantities of precious metals, including 246 kg of gold bullion and 890 SJC gold taels, along with numerous luxury watches and jewellery items. Transactions involving 130 relevant real estates have been frozen. According to investigators, Nam became acquainted with Isik Uran, a 42-year-old Turkish national, in 2018. The pair allegedly agreed that Uran would create, manage and operate websites integrated with MT4 and MT5 apps, which are commonly used for forex and global equities trading. These sites used English names to imitate legitimate international brokers. Uran passed the details to Nam, who then instructed operatives to lure clients into opening accounts and depositing funds for supposed stock investments. The platforms were pre-configured without any linkage to actual global markets, effectively enabling investors to wager against the platform administrators, meaning any losses were pocketed by the operators. Uran is accused of guiding Nam how to run the scheme within Vietnam. The duo reportedly established 36 fraudulent websites posing as international trading venues. Nam instructed subordinates to set up 85 shell companies: four for recruitment purposes, two for signing server leasing contracts, and 57 for placing sales and customer support staff for the illicit operation. Nam is said to have recruited staff across key localities to run the scheme. Recruits required no formal qualifications or expertise in securities or trading. Upon hiring, they received rudimentary briefings and scripted dialogues designed to convince victims to wire funds into accounts controlled by the fake platforms. Victims who installed MT4 or MT5 apps, registered on the sites, and transferred capital for international stock or forex trading were initially permitted modest wins and limited withdrawals. Operators then encouraged additional deposits and repeated trades, either to extract hefty fees or to engineer deliberate losses and misappropriate the capital, according to police. Through this approach, Nam, Le Khac Ngo, and their accomplices allegedly perpetrated 41 documented fraud cases. In these cases, victims deposited a combined 59 billion VND (2.18 million USD), withdrew 3.2 billion VND, and sustained losses of 55.8 billion VND. Investigators also uncovered 697 more fraud cases involving Nam and his team using the same methods. In these cases, victims deposited over 1.362 trillion VND, withdrew 117 billion VND, and ended up losing 1.245 trillion VND. Nguyen Hoa Binh (Shark Binh) charged with money laundering According to Hanoi police investigators, Ngan Luong JSC, chaired by Nguyen Hoa Binh, also known as Shark Binh, received formal police inquiries in June 2020 to verify e-wallet transactions linked to clients investing via Nams forex platforms. Even though he knew Nams operations were illegal, Binh allegedly kept offering e-wallet services to the platforms to earn transaction fees. He reportedly told Nguyen Thi Nam and Tran Thi Thanh Tam to hide the real wallet details and create fake deposit and withdrawal records from another Ngan Luong wallet, said to be fictitious, to hand over to investigators. Between June 15, 2020 and September 23, 2022, 150 victims transferred more than 213.4 billion VND into Ngan Luong-linked accounts. The funds were then routed through various bank accounts in the name of Ngan Luong JSC at major banks before being funnelled into the forex platforms. Police stressed that only the Vietnam Stock Exchange (VNX) and its affiliates, including the Hanoi Stock Exchange and Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, are authorised to run securities trading markets in Vietnam. No other entities or individuals may establish or manage stock markets. Online investment in international equities and forex via MT4 and MT5 apps remains unlicensed and unrecognised under current Vietnamese law./. VNA Apple is positioning itself aggressively against Android and Windows competitors by launching lower-cost devices while maintaining stable pricing, even as component costs surge across the global electronics industry. In early March, the company introduced its first budget laptop, the MacBook Neo, priced at US$599. Earlier, it had launched the iPhone 17e at the same starting price, matching its predecessor. The pricing strategy surprised analysts, who had expected higher price points given the sharp rise in memory and storage costs. The move signals Apples intent to turn industry challenges into a competitive advantage, using pricing as a tool to capture market share from rivals struggling with rising input costs. Despite mounting pressure from increasing prices of memory chips and storage components - key elements in modern devices - Apple has chosen to absorb part of the cost burden. While this may compress profit margins, it is expected to impact competitors more severely, particularly manufacturers in the mid-range segment. Chinese smartphone brands, including Xiaomi, Oppo and Honor, are likely to face pricing pressure, potentially forcing them to raise prices. This could narrow the gap between their products and Apples offerings, giving consumers stronger incentives to switch to the iOS ecosystem. Apple is moving into attack mode. They see the memory crisis as an opportunity to gain share, said Francisco Jeronimo, Vice President at IDC. All other smartphones in this price range will have to increase prices, he added, noting that the shift could accelerate migration from Android to iOS, and from Chromebooks or traditional PCs to Mac devices. To offset thinner margins on entry-level products, Apple may adjust pricing on its premium lineup. Analysts suggest that future high-end models, including the anticipated iPhone 18 series expected later this year, could carry higher price tags, similar to recent increases seen in MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. In China, Apple is expected to leverage the iPhone 17e to compete directly with mid-range Android devices. Flexible installment programs, such as 24-month payment plans, could further enhance its appeal in this key market. Japan and the US are also seen as strong growth markets for the device, building on the success of earlier models. Apple has also doubled the base storage capacity of the iPhone 17e compared to its predecessor, adding value for consumers but further increasing cost pressures. According to IDC, the global smartphone market is expected to experience its steepest decline on record this year, with shipments projected to fall by 13% due to rising costs and memory shortages. The surge in demand for AI servers, which rely heavily on similar components, has driven up prices for both memory and storage chips. The impact is expected to be most severe in the low-end Android segment, where profit margins are already thin. PC and Chromebook markets face similar challenges, with shipments forecast to decline by 11%. Apple executives acknowledge that the company is not immune to these pressures. During its latest earnings call, CEO Tim Cook noted that memory prices in the market are increasing significantly, and warned that the financial impact would become more evident in the coming quarters. Bernstein Research estimates that production costs for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could rise by as much as 25%, driven by higher expenses for memory, storage and processing components. Even so, analysts believe Apple remains in a strong position to capitalize on the situation. Amid an unprecedented memory shortage, Apple has a unique opportunity to take share from lower-end Android manufacturers that cannot secure sufficient supply, wrote Bernstein analyst Mark Newman in a recent note to clients. Du Lam Specifically, the Belgian Government will help Vietnam scrub dioxin, a highly toxic leftover from wartime defoliants, out of contaminated hot spots. Vietnam endorsed a consortium made up of Haemers Technologies and the Aquitara Impact Fund to get the job done, with the goal of slowly healing the environment and giving struggling local communities a better shot at life. The partnership is being described as unprecedented, marking the first time a foreign investment fund has secured strong backing from the Vietnamese State for anything tied to war cleanup. Central to the project is Haemers Technologies' proprietary high-temperature thermal desorption process. Contaminated soil is subjected to heat reaching up to 1,200 degrees Celsius, vaporising dioxin molecules that are then fully destroyed through controlled combustion. Once its done, that soil is safe enough to grow crops on or build on again. Jan Haemers, founder and CEO of Haemers Technologies, said the project is a long-term undertaking that could span generations, with treatment costs for each site reaching hundreds of millions of EUR. But he insisted the payoff is huge: cleaned-up land could be turned into green eco-industrial zones, pumping jobs and long-term cash into areas that have been stuck in the past. The project also carries a strong humanitarian focus, with plans to establish 150 small firms for families of AO victims living in remote and underserved areas. The approach is intended to achieve a dual goal of restoring the environment while lifting up those whove suffered the most. Franc Bogovic, Co-founder and Partner of the Aquitara Impact Fund, said the project demonstrates how advanced technology, smart money moves and social responsibility can actually work together. By repurposing blighted land as an asset for development, he said, it charts a viable, long-term course that delivers value to communities and investors alike. The project builds on a 2023 resolution by Belgium's Chamber of Representatives formally acknowledging the suffering of Vietnamese AO victims, a key step that set the stage for real action between the two countries. With international backing and Vietnamese Governments full commitment, the project is set to slowly erase the scars of war and give the next generations something better to look forward to./. VNA From traditional weaving and bamboo craft, the Co Tu people in Bho Hoong village, Song Kon commune, Da Nang, are opening up new livelihood opportunities through community-based tourism - preserving cultural identity while gradually improving living standards. Traditional crafts enter tourism Deep in the Truong Son mountains, Bho Hoong village is undergoing a quiet transformation. Where livelihoods once depended largely on shifting cultivation, the village has now become a destination for community tourism. The rhythmic sounds of looms and bamboo weaving are no longer just part of daily life, but have become integral to the visitor experience. Inside a stilt house, Aral Thi Gay sits by her loom, carefully guiding each thread. Patterns in red, black and yellow gradually emerge - familiar motifs deeply rooted in Co Tu life. In the past, brocade products were mainly used in festivals or within households. Today, they are sought-after souvenirs for visitors. Before, we wove brocade just to wear. Now visitors come, watch and buy. I feel happy and proud. It brings extra income for my childrens education, but more importantly, they understand that our ancestors craft is still alive, Gay said. Alongside weaving, men in the village continue the tradition of bamboo craft. Bamboo and rattan are split and shaped into baskets, trays, plates and jewellery boxes. Each piece is handmade, requiring patience and precision. According to Aral Thi Muc, head of the villages bamboo craft group, 15 households are currently involved in producing bamboo products for tourism, while around 50 women engage in brocade weaving. During peak seasons, we can barely keep up with demand. Visitors enjoy watching the process and hearing the stories behind the patterns, she said. At local events, Bho Hoongs stalls consistently draw attention. Hundreds of handcrafted products, rich in Co Tu cultural identity, are displayed and sold. A handwoven loincloth is priced from VND800,000 to over VND1 million (US$33 to US$41); skirts range from VND500,000 to VND700,000 (US$21 to US$29); and a pair of shawls can reach VND1.2 million (US$49). Bamboo products are priced according to craftsmanship. These sales have helped many households secure more stable incomes, reducing reliance on traditional farming. Visitor Nguyen Van Dong from Xuan Ha ward said he was impressed by the craftsmanship. A basket may look simple, but when you learn about how the materials are selected and smoked to prevent mould, you realise how much effort goes into it. I bought one because it carries a strong cultural identity, unlike mass-produced souvenirs, he said. Beyond handicrafts, local women also participate in culinary and performance teams serving visitors. Guests can cook traditional dishes, listen to gong performances and watch the tung tung da da dance - often described as a dance offered to the heavens. Tourism, therefore, not only generates income but also revives cultural space. Elders preserve, youth innovate From looms inside stilt houses to baskets once used in daily farming, traditional crafts have now entered the market. Yet for the model to remain sustainable, the village depends on both cultural custodians and community connectors. In his seventies, respected village elder Bhling Bloo continues to sit beside piles of bamboo, carefully splitting each strip. The processed pieces are then placed above the kitchen fire to absorb smoke, preventing moisture and creating the characteristic brown tone. For him, bamboo weaving is more than a livelihood - it is a way to preserve the villages memory. He also runs free classes for young people. Many initially joined out of curiosity, but after seeing the popularity of the products, they chose to stay committed. This craft sustains us, but more importantly, it preserves the soul of the Co Tu people, he said. If Bloo represents continuity, Dinh Thi Thin, born in 1989 and former secretary of the village Party cell, represents change. After studying Vietnamese studies, she returned home in 2012 to develop community tourism. In the early days, she personally welcomed guests, provided tours and connected villagers to participate in accommodation and services. Believing that language is key, Thin organised free English classes for more than 30 local residents, enabling women and young people to communicate with international visitors. I hope tourism brings additional income, but more importantly, that young people understand and take pride in their culture. When you recognise its value, you wont abandon it, she said. Thin went on to establish ACu Homestay - the first private homestay in Bho Hoong. While preserving traditional architecture, it has been adapted to meet modern travel needs. Visitors can stay overnight, learn weaving and bamboo craft, prepare local dishes, listen to gongs and immerse themselves in Co Tu cultural life. Currently, Bho Hoong welcomes more than 100 visitors each month. While tourism has yet to generate significant revenue, it has created local jobs, allowing many young people to remain in their hometown rather than migrate for work. Artisans are motivated to pass on their skills, women gain additional income and traditional products have found more stable markets. From a village of nearly 700 people once reliant on subsistence farming, Bho Hoong is gradually diversifying its economy. Traditional crafts are no longer relics of the past, but have become the foundation for a new development path - one where culture is preserved and livelihoods are steadily improved in the heart of the Truong Son mountains. Ha Nam Two major reviews of business conditions in 2016 and 2018 by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) yielded positive results. Many unnecessary conditions stipulated in circulars were eliminated, while others were incorporated into decrees. In June 2016, an intriguing meeting revolved around a central question: should private enterprises be allowed to trade in military gear and equipment, and if so, how should they be managed? Many voiced concerns over security and social order. However, from an economic standpoint, the world-class capacity of Vietnams private garment enterprises was undeniable. Involving them in military gear production would lower costs and increase efficiency. The ultimate solution was to allow private participation accompanied by strict management of raw material origins and product control, alongside State oversight. Once the policy was enacted, private firms joined bidding packages for State military gear. Notably, military and police garment enterprises did not face elimination as predicted; instead, they were forced to innovate in technology and management to compete with the private sector. This is just one of many examples showing how the space for Vietnam's private economy is broadening. From once being prohibited, private enterprises have step-by-step entered fields such as banking, aviation, education, healthcare, notarization, auctions, testing, transport infrastructure, electricity, and soon, the North-South high-speed railway. The lesson is clear: manage instead of ban; competition instead of privilege. Subsequently, in 2018, the Ministry of Industry and Trade cut 50 percent of investment and business conditions, and the PM required other ministries to follow suit. Many ambiguous regulations were eliminated, though some conditions later resurfaced. Currently, significant new movements are emerging as the review process receives direct instruction from the highest levels. With a Working Group led by the Ministry of Justice and strong support from top leadership, those executing the reforms have gained the confidence to propose recommendations that were previously held back during ministry self-reviews. The most evident sign is the speed of legislative amendment. Law-making is also urgent, with each National Assembly session considering over 30 draft laws and resolutions, a pace that is unprecedented. The bottlenecks affecting the development of science and technology are being cleared to the maximum extent under the spirit of Resolution 57. Almost all recommendations regarding attracting scientists and tax invoicing related to new technology development and innovation have been approved. Regarding methodology, the composition of Steering Committee 66 shows a high priority for institutional perfection. The standing agency, the Ministry of Justice, has gathered a highly skilled, reform-minded team to collect feedback from the business community. A ministry leader noted that this is a fresh approach, as previous legal reviews were often conducted internally by state agencies, which rarely produced breakthrough reforms. Institutional regime for private sector growth Vietnam is a transition economy, but it has not opted for the mass privatization of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). This approach helps Vietnam avoid the "privatization trap," where public privileges are converted into private ones, distorting the market. Instead, Vietnam allows private enterprises to enter sectors traditionally held by SOEs, placing all in a shared competitive environment. SOEs are not eliminated but are "unbound" to compete more fairly. While slower, this approach yields more sustainable economic results than the mass privatization models once applied in parts of Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, the process has not always been smooth. There have been cases of private enterprises operating opportunistically, exploiting policy loopholes, or participating in BOT projects that caused social friction. However, Vietnam's response has not been to shut out the private sector but to perfect the institution. The birth of the PPP Law is a prime example. New spaces Discussions on the North-South high-speed railway project signal a major shift in mindset. From a default of public investment, the option of private sector participation has become a serious choice. With Resolution 68 and the draft documents for the 14th Party Congress, the space for the private economy will continue to expand. Many sectors and projects remain that the private sector can handle, provided the State possesses sufficient management capacity. Vietnam is entering a new era of development, aiming for high growth based on science, technology, the private economy, and modern institutions, amid a global shift from free trade to protectionism. This requires Vietnam to utilize more industrial policies, and private enterprises must proactively join the State in the policy design process. Nguyen Minh Duc London, UK (PANA) - The head of the UN maritime agency urged shipping companies on Wednesday to avoid transiting through the Strait of Hormuz in order to protect the lives of sailors in the context of the current war in the Middle East Thanks to resources from Project 6, the traditional cultural values of the Khmer people are being preserved and promoted Recent achievements have created momentum for the new year to begin with hope for a more prosperous and sustainable life. The roads leading into Khmer villages are clean and clear. On both sides of the roads are solidly built houses with neat fences. The lives of the Khmer people have improved significantly. Under the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2021-2025 (Program 1719), many essential infrastructure projects have been developed. The rural transport system has been concrete-paved, connecting hamlets and villages with the centers of communes and wards, creating convenience for travel and trade. Duong Thi Diep in Phu Thuan hamlet, Nhu Gia commune, Can Tho City, shared that the roads are now wide and spacious, making travel much more convenient; children go to school safely, and people going to the market or transporting agricultural products also find it less difficult. In Thuan Hoa commune, Can Tho City, where the Khmer people account for more than 75 percent of the population, there is a concrete road and Sa Bau canal bridge 3.5m wide and 2.5 km long, with a total construction cost of over VND5 billion. After more than two years of being put into use, the project has shown clear efficiency, helping trade and travel, especially for students going to school, become more convenient. Along with infrastructure changes, Program 1719 also supports livelihoods and housing for poor and near-poor households, helping people feel secure in work and production. La Hoang Dai, a poor household in Phuoc Quoi hamlet (Thuan Hoa commune), was supported to build a new house in 2025. He shared that with a solid home, the family can welcome the new year with serenity. Additionally, he received support of VND10 million to switch occupations, determined to strive for sustainable poverty escape. Dinh Xuan Tuoi, in Bung Chum hamlet, Ngoc To commune, Can Tho City, said that his family previously mainly grew crops, but now has been supported with breeding cows to develop a subsidiary economy, with the goal of increasing the herd to three cows, having more calves each year to gradually improve income. Can Tho currently has 411,000 Khmer people living there, accounting for nearly 9.8 percent of the population. In 2025, the city was allocated more than VND469 billion to implement Program 1719. Lam Hoang Mau, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion of Can Tho City - said the program has been closely following the characteristics and conditions of each locality, thus creating a clear spillover effect, contributing to improving their lives. National cultural identity Besides material changes, the spiritual life of the Khmer people has also seen many positive transitions. Project 6 on "Preserving and promoting the good traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development" under Program 1719 has been contributing to preserving and spreading cultural identity. Many tourism models associated with traditional craft villages have been formed and developed, such as making flattened rice (com dep), weaving, performing folk dances, and five-tone (nhac ngu am) musical instruments, attracting tourists from inside and outside the locality, especially during the spring season. These activities not only create more income but also help Khmer culture be vividly present in community life. Son Thi Dieu, Head of the Rom-vong Dance Club in Thuan Hoa commune, said that since its establishment, members have had the conditions to participate in performances at cultural events and traditional festivals inside and outside the city, as well as major national holidays. Each time they perform, everyone feels proud to contribute to preserving the national identity. At Khmer pagodas in Can Tho, the atmosphere in the days leading up to Tet was very bustling with the sound of drums and five-tone music resonates, blending with the rhythm of spring. Notable locations include Bang Kro Chap Thmay pagoda (Tan Thanh commune), Serey Techo Mahatup pagoda (Phu Loi), Chanh Tesophon Prek On Dok pagoda (Nhu Gia) became destinations attracting many Buddhists and tourists for sightseeing, praying for peace, and enjoying traditional art programs. According to monk Thach An, in charge of the dance and five-tone music team of Serey Techo Mahatup pagoda, during Tet and festivals, the pagoda often organizes performances to serve people and tourists, contributing to a joyful atmosphere and community cohesion. Tao Dat This was not only an economic diplomacy event but also marked a new chapter in cooperation between Vietnams riverine southwestern region and multicultural Malaysia. In the Mekong Deltas tourism marketing strategy, Malaysia has long been identified as one of the top priority markets. Recent statistics have validated this strategic vision. Speaking at the conference, Tran Viet Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association and Chairman of the Mekong Delta Tourism Association, stated that in 2025, Malaysia continued to maintain its position as a key international market. With nearly 574,000 arrivals to Vietnam, it ranked among the top source markets. Beyond impressive numbers, Malaysian tourists have earned the appreciation of Vietnams tourism sector for their behaviour. According to Phuong, they are highly regarded for their discipline, civility, politeness, friendliness, and mutual respect. These shared traits of hospitality and warmth have naturally strengthened the bond between the people of the two countries. The conference painted a vivid picture of the Mekong Delta, the southernmost region of Vietnam located at the lower reaches of the Mekong River. With its unique natural advantages, key tourism products were prominently introduced, including river-based lifestyle experiences, eco-tourism in orchards, cultural heritage exploration, and coastal and island resort travel. Phuong emphasised that this promotion is not only to showcase the regions image and distinctive destinations, highlighting safe, friendly, attractive, and high-quality locations, but also to exchange experience in tourism management, destination development, and human resource training to prepare for increased arrivals from Malaysia. Duong Hoang Sum, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vinh Long province, noted the special significance of the event amid the comprehensive development of VietnamMalaysia strategic cooperation. He stressed that the conference serves as a platform to strengthen connections and information sharing between management agencies and business communities of both sides. With similarities in culture, cuisine, and favourable geographical proximity, cooperation potential remains vast. Nornatasha Ahmad, a senior official of Tourism Malaysia, said the conference offers dual benefits for both countries. It provides Malaysian businesses with deeper insights into the Mekong Delta while giving Vietnam a closer look at the Malaysian market. She suggested that such promotional activities should be organised more frequently to strengthen ties, not only between Malaysia and Vietnam but also within ASEAN and globally. The event comes at a significant time as Malaysia is stepping up its Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, welcoming tourists from neighbouring countries, especially Vietnam. From a tour operators perspective, Nurul Ain Syazwi, Chief Operating Officer of TMTours & Travel, highlighted practical demands of Malaysian travelers. She noted that destinations such as Da Nang and Phu Quoc are currently trending among Malaysian tourists, while Da Lat and Sapa also rank among top choices. However, to truly attract Malaysian visitors, tourism services in the Mekong Delta must pay close attention to cuisine. She pointed out that Malaysian tourists, particularly Muslims, are highly concerned about the availability of Halal food. This is considered a key for Mekong Delta provinces to effectively welcome Muslim travellers. The event also witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between tourism businesses from the Mekong Delta and partners in Kuala Lumpur. The 2026 tourism promotion conference in Malaysia is expected to open new travel routes, attracting more Malaysian visitors to explore and experience the Mekong Delta in the near future./. VNA Chairing a meeting of standing Government members in Hanoi, the PM reviewed progress and urged faster implementation of a series of key railway projects, including the NorthSouth high-speed railway, the Lao CaiHanoiHai Phong line, planning for the HanoiLang Son and Hai PhongMong Cai routes, and urban railway systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Government leader acknowledged improved progress since the seventh meeting of the Steering Committee for key national railway projects, noting that tasks have been carried out more effectively and proactively, and with greater efficiency. He added that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have taken active and timely steps to advance their urban railway projects. However, he stressed that ministries and localities must make greater efforts, enhancing proactiveness, flexibility and efficiency while addressing obstacles in line with higher-level directions to accelerate the project progress. Looking ahead, the PM asked for urgent completion of railway standards, criteria and procedures based on international practices but tailored to Vietnams conditions, ensuring uniform and coordinated implementation nationwide. Projects must be carried out on schedule and in compliance with regulations, with quality improvements and adequate and well-controlled funding, he said, ordering strict inspection, supervision and auditing throughout implementation, with a firm stance against corruption, negative practices and vested interests. Local authorities were urged to speed up land clearance and resettlement, ensuring affected residents enjoy better living conditions, with improved infrastructure, environment and livelihoods. The Ministry of Construction and Vietnam Railways Corporation were tasked with developing detailed plans for workforce training to meet development requirements. The PM also emphasised the need to diversify funding sources, including public investment, private capital, public-private partnerships, loans and bonds, while avoiding waste. He ordered adopting the most advanced construction technologies to speed up progress and better the quality of projects. For the NorthSouth high-speed railway, the Ministry of Construction was asked to present clear recommendations on technology selection, develop standards and finalise the feasibility study as a basis for choosing investors, consultants and contractors. Regarding the Lao CaiHanoiHai Phong rail route, involved localities must expedite land clearance and complete the feasibility study in March while developing connecting infrastructure, the PM said. Relevant localities were urged to support planning work for the HanoiLang Son rail line. Meanwhile, for the Hai PhongHa LongMong Cai route, procedures must be finalised to assign a local authority as the projects managing agency, with support from the Ministries of Construction and Finance if needed. Regarding urban rail routes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, most obstacles have been addressed, but remaining issues must be removed promptly, with the Ministry of Finance assisting in handling challenges related to loan funding. The PM said Ho Chi Minh City must give top priority to projects linking Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat international airports with the city centre. He added that for the Ben ThanhCan Gio and HanoiQuang Ninh lines, which are privately invested, relevant agencies must conduct inspections and supervision, and proposing appropriate mechanisms and policies to competent authorities. The Ministry of Finance was assigned to expedite the restructuring plan for Vietnam Railways Corporation, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade was asked to finalise procedures for approval of a railway industry development scheme in March 2026 and continue proposing relevant policy mechanisms./. VNA The Ministry of Public Security has arrested Dao Huu Huyen, chairman of Duc Giang Chemicals Group, along with his son Dao Huu Duy Anh, as part of an ongoing investigation into serious alleged violations at the company. According to authorities, the Department of Police for Investigation of Corruption, Economic Crimes and Smuggling uncovered multiple signs of serious legal breaches linked to Duc Giang Chemicals Group during its monitoring of mineral resource extraction and chemical production activities. Initial findings point to a series of organised violations, including the illegal dumping of millions of tonnes of waste across dozens of hectares in the Tang Loong Industrial Park in Lao Cai province. The activity is believed to have caused severe environmental pollution, significantly affecting the lives of local residents. Investigators also allege the illegal extraction of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of apatite ore, with an estimated value of hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong, alongside off-the-books accounting practices designed to conceal revenue and cause substantial tax losses to the state, amounting to tens of billions of dong. Authorities said the violations had taken place over an extended period, sparking public concern and criticism. Based on investigative findings, on December 25, 2025 and March 14, authorities formally initiated criminal proceedings into charges including environmental pollution, violations of regulations on resource exploration and exploitation, and accounting violations causing serious consequences. A total of 14 defendants have been charged. Dao Huu Huyen, chairman of the board of Duc Giang Chemicals Group and chairman of Duc Giang Chemicals - Lao Cai Co., Ltd., has been charged with three offences: accounting violations causing serious consequences, violations of regulations on resource exploitation, and environmental pollution. Pham Van Hung, director of Duc Giang Chemicals - Lao Cai Co., Ltd., faces charges related to accounting violations and environmental pollution. Three other individuals - Trinh Quoc Khanh, An Van Bang and Nguyen Thi Huong - have been charged with violations of regulations on resource exploitation. Nine additional defendants, including Dao Huu Duy Anh, vice chairman of the board and former chief executive officer, along with several accounting and finance personnel across related entities, have been charged with accounting violations causing serious consequences. Authorities have imposed travel restrictions on seven defendants, while seven others, including Dao Huu Huyen and Dao Huu Duy Anh, have been placed in temporary detention. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence, expand the scope of the case and pursue related individuals and organisations. Measures are also being taken to identify, seize and recover assets for the state. Defendant Dao Huu Huyen. Photo: Ministry of Public Security Defendant Pham Van Hung. Photo: Ministry of Public Security Defendants (from left): Trinh Quoc Khanh, An Van Bang and Nguyen Thi Huong. Photo: Ministry of Public Security Dinh Hieu Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has sent a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi, proposing that Japan consider supporting Vietnam by providing crude oil from its national reserves, as part of efforts to safeguard energy security. The proposal was highlighted during a meeting on the morning of March 17 between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the ambassadors active contributions in strengthening Vietnam - Japan relations over the past two years. He reaffirmed that bilateral ties remain strong and unhindered, noting that 2026 marks an important milestone as both countries enter a new phase of development with breakthrough-oriented programs and plans. He emphasized the need to further deepen cooperation across key areas, including economy, trade, investment, defense, security, education and training, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. At the same time, both sides should expand collaboration into emerging fields such as science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, semiconductors and energy. Sharing concerns over increasingly complex security developments in the Middle East, particularly rising risks to transport routes through the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to crude oil supply chains to Asian markets, including Vietnam and Japan, the Prime Minister said he had formally requested Japan to consider appropriate support measures. These include direct assistance through the provision of crude oil from Japans reserves, or indirect support by allowing the Nghi Son Refinery to diversify its crude input sources from alternative partners. Such measures would help ensure Vietnams energy security while minimizing negative impacts on businesses from both countries involved in the project. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also called on the ambassador to advocate for the financial restructuring and operational optimization of the Nghi Son Refinery. Within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations, he further proposed that Japan facilitate Vietnams access, through appropriate mechanisms, to oil from a planned release of 80 million barrels from Japans reserves, aimed at easing pressure on global fuel prices caused by Middle East tensions. The Prime Minister also acknowledged Japans cooperation in the Block B gas project and the O Mon III thermal power plant. He urged Japanese enterprises participating in these projects to accelerate the progress of the O Mon II thermal power plant to ensure alignment with the expected gas flow from Block B once exploitation begins. Addressing challenges in securing aviation fuel supply, he called on Japan to support Vietnam in accessing aviation fuel from its reserves, reflecting the spirit of mutual assistance within the bilateral partnership. Vietnamese leadership expressed confidence that through continued cooperation and mutual support, both countries will not only overcome current challenges but also further strengthen their enduring partnership. Agreeing with the Prime Ministers assessment of the global economic impacts stemming from Middle East developments, Ambassador Ito Naoki said Japan is actively engaging with Vietnamese agencies on bilateral cooperation, including addressing Vietnams energy challenges. He affirmed that he would report the Prime Ministers proposals to the Japanese government and relevant authorities for consideration. Japan has already decided to release oil reserves and called on G7 countries to do the same in order to increase supply to the global market. The ambassador also noted that Japan is positively considering Vietnams proposals related to diversifying crude supply sources, restructuring the Nghi Son Refinery, advancing the Block B - O Mon gas-to-power chain, and supporting aviation fuel supply. In parallel, Japan is working to mobilize financing and resolve obstacles for LNG power projects in Vietnam under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, contributing to the countrys energy security. He also expressed strong interest in Vietnams recent reforms and long-term development strategy, particularly its goal of achieving double-digit economic growth, reaffirming Japans commitment to accompanying Vietnam in this process, especially in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and green transition. Earlier, on the afternoon of March 16, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a phone call with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco. During the call, he proposed that Angola further support Vietnam in securing crude oil and gas supplies, and coordinate to accelerate the implementation of a memorandum of understanding on oil and gas cooperation between the Vietnam Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Corporation (PVEP) and Angolas Sonangol E&P, as well as related activities involving Xuan Thien Group. Sharing Vietnams concerns over energy security, President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco agreed to strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries in line with the Prime Ministers proposals. Tran Thuong The Party Central Committee's Commission for Internal Affairs, which serves as the standing body of the Central Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Corruption and Negative Phenomena, held a press briefing on the afternoon of March 18 to share the results of its meeting held earlier that day. Reporting key results of the event chaired by Party General Secretary To Lam - head of the steering committee, Dang Van Dung, deputy head of the commission, said that since the beginning of the year, authorities have launched legal proceedings in 1,151 new cases involving 2,367 defendants. They have also filed indictments in 757 cases involving 1,847 defendants, and conducted first-instance trials in 604 cases involving 1,733 accused on corruption, economic and abuse-of-power charges. Dung added that the Party leader stressed 2026 the first year implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress requires continued resolute, persistent efforts to prevent and push back corruption, wastefulness, and misconduct with greater determination. At the briefing, Major General Nguyen Quoc Toan, Chief of the Office and spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, answered questions regarding the steering committees request to prioritise the investigation and final handling of several major cases. In connection with violations at the second facilities of Bach Mai and Viet Duc hospitals, the ministrys investigative police wrapped up its investigation on February 27, recommending the prosecution of 10 individuals on charges of breaching regulations on State assets, causing loss, bribery, and fraud. In the case involving the Viet Trung Metallurgy and Mineral Co. Ltd and related entities, investigators have so far launched criminal proceedings against eight defendants on charges of mismanagement of state assets causing losses, as well as bribery. Authorities have recovered 15 billion VND (570,125 USD) and seized one apartment, Toan said. Concerning the case at the National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and several local units, the Hanoi police investigation agency has prosecuted 65 defendants on a wide range of charges, including illegal storage, facilitating illegal drug use, giving bribes, brokering bribery, abuse of position while performing official duties, falsification of case files, and gambling. This case involves a particularly large number of suspects and offences. Authorities have confiscated more than 10 billion VND in cash, nearly 60,000 USD, as well as numerous real estate assets and other valuables./. VNA A scene from Romeo and Juliet. Founded in 1981, the Russian State Ballet is one of the most respected touring ballet companies, featuring artists who have collaborated with major theaters worldwide. Known for its strong grounding in the Russian classical ballet tradition, the company combines technical precision with expressive depth, captivating audiences in more than 40 countries with timeless works such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and Romeo and Juliet. During this return to Vietnam, audiences will have the opportunity to experience Romeo and Juliet, a ballet adaptation of William Shakespeares literary masterpiece, set to the dramatic score of Sergei Prokofiev. The work blends the enduring tragedy of love with powerful physical expression, where refined pas de deux intertwine with grand staging to fully convey the emotional intensity and romantic spirit of the story. Alongside it, The Nutcracker, the celebrated ballet set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, will be performed with live accompaniment by the Hanoi Symphony Orchestra. The production invites audiences into a vibrant fairy-tale world, where imagination comes alive through the signature movements of Russian classical ballet. With its structured choreography, elaborate costumes and refined technique, the piece stands as both a symbol of the festive season and a testament to the enduring beauty of classical ballet. Previously, in April 2025, the Russian State Ballet left a strong impression in Hanoi with its performance of Swan Lake, receiving enthusiastic responses from both audiences and critics. That success reaffirmed the lasting appeal of Russian ballet among Vietnamese audiences, while also strengthening cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries. This upcoming program offers Vietnamese audiences a rare opportunity to witness the refined artistry of Russian classical ballet within the elegant setting of Ho Guom Theatre. The three performances on March 25, 26 and 27 are expected to deliver a high-level aesthetic experience, enriching Hanois cultural life in the spring of 2026. The Dinh In Vietnam, new tax incentives effective from 2026 are expected to close the price gap with gasoline cars, making green mobility a more viable choice for locals. The year 2025 is considered a breakthrough period for new energy vehicles (NEV green cars) globally, as consumers and manufacturers shift toward fuel-saving and low-emission solutions. Among them, hybrid cars (gasoline-electric vehicles) have emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments. Many major automakers see hybrid technology as an effective transitional solution before fully switching to pure electric vehicles. Sales data from car manufacturers show that hybrid vehicle sales at many major brands increased significantly in 2025 compared with the previous year. Toyota, the Japanese automaker considered a pioneer in gasoline-electric hybrid technology, sold about 4.43 million hybrid vehicles globally in 2025, up about 7 percent compared with 2024. Hybrids accounted for the majority of nearly 5 million electrified vehicles sold by the company, including the Lexus brand. Honda announced that sales of NEVs exceeded 992,000 units in 2025, of which more than 90 percent were hybrid models such as the CR-V, HR-V, Civic and Accord. The figure rose nearly 10 percent compared with the previous year and marked a new record for the Japanese automaker. Major manufacturers such as Hyundai, KIA and Ford have also expanded their hybrid lineups to meet demand for fuel savings and emission reduction in large markets such as Europe, the US and Japan. Chinese car brands, which already have strengths in electrified vehicles, have also quickly gained market share. In 2025, BYD sold more than 4.6 million NEVs globally, up 8 percent from the previous year, maintaining its position as the worlds No.1 NEV manufacturer. More than half of these were hybrid vehicles. Omoda & Jaecoo (the global brand of the Chery Group) also marked an important milestone when annual sales exceeded 800,000 vehicles. Among them, NEVs including hybrid HEV, plug-in hybrid PHEV and pure electric EV reached more than 200,000 units, accounting for about one-quarter of total global sales, soaring more than 600 percent year on year. According to Precedence Research, the hybrid vehicle market size reached $292 billion in 2025 and is forecast to increase to $581 billion by 2034. For PHEV models alone, market size reached nearly $158.6 billion in 2025 and is expected to rise to more than $353 billion by 2034. These figures not only reflect strong demand in international markets but also lay the foundation for the expansion of hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles in many countries in the coming years, including Vietnam. PHEV in Vietnam In Vietnam, interest in green cars in 2025 has increased. Beside electric cars, hybrid vehicles are gradually taking the lead as a reasonable choice for urban users and families due to their clear fuel savings, low emissions, and stable operation in traffic environments. Experts point out that an important factor starting to have a clear impact on the consumption trends of Vietnamese car buyers is the preferential luxury tax policy for hybrid vehicles. Under the regulations effective from January 1, 2026, both self-charging hybrids (HEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV), if they meet fuel consumption criteria, will be subject to a special consumption tax rate equal to only 70 percent of that of gasoline vehicles of the same type. This is seen as a step to encourage people to switch to low-emission vehicles during the transition period before the market advances to full electrification. In fact, since the beginning of the year, many car manufacturers have adjusted the selling prices of hybrid models, with common reductions ranging from a few dozen million VND, and some models even decreasing by over 100 million VND. Thanks to this, the price gap between hybrid vehicles and traditional gasoline cars has been significantly narrowed. Beside the selling price, increasingly strict emission inspection regulations are also influencing users' vehicle choices. Amid the tightening of environmental standards, hybrid vehicles, like pure electric vehicles, are considered a safer choice compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, as they have fuel consumption and emission levels of only 30 to 60 percent compared to pure gasoline vehicles. Marketing expert Nguyen Van Phuong believes that PHEV vehicles will be a new trend, attracting the attention of consumers, especially young customers. Unlike traditional hybrids that mainly use electric motors to support gasoline engines, PHEVs can be charged and run on pure electricity for a relatively long distance, offering a flexible choice for long-distance travel realities. Hoang Hiep Five years earlier, Tais choice of major was driven by two reasons. First was the appeal of an interdisciplinary field combining chemistry, physics, mechanics, and engineering, opening pathways to core technologies such as energy storage, two-dimensional materials, and semiconductor devices. Second was the PFIEV program itself, which blends Vietnams disciplined foundation with Frances experimental training standards, emphasizing engineering thinking, self-directed learning, and early exposure to research. From a young age, Tai showed a strong curiosity for science, often dismantling toys to explore how they worked. Upon entering university, he realized it was the ideal environment to nurture that curiosity. From his first year, he volunteered to assist senior graduate students in the laboratory. Starting early helped him quickly build habits of self-study: reading original papers, iterating through trial and error in the lab, asking questions, and seeking answers independently before turning to instructors. Tai also observed strict study discipline, planning weekly schedules and allocating time across classes, lab work, self-study, and systematic note-taking for experiments and lectures. The combination of curiosity, initiative, and discipline enabled him to sustain top grades while pursuing in-depth research from the early years of university. Throughout five years of study and PhD preparation, Tai rarely gave up. He held a consistent view: if something is worth liking, it is worth seeing through. and every difficulty is not failure, but a sign that more effort is needed. An academic journey across eight countries From 2023 to 2025, Tai participated in academic and research programs across eight countries in Asia and Europe, including Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, South Korea, Italy, the Netherlands, and France. These activities ranged from project-based learning (PBL), international conferences, and semiconductorenergy summer schools to research internships and academic exchanges under Erasmus+. Among these, his internship at National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan marked a pivotal turning point. Tai worked closely with professors in energy materials, learning how to frame scientific questions, design experiments, and analyze data to international standards. Each technical discussion and lab measurement led to rigorous research thinking and a professional work style. Studying in multicultural environments posed challenges in language, work methods, and research standards. Yet adapting to these differences strengthened Tais independence, academic communication, and ability to sustain research effectiveness in international settings. Frequent movement across countries brought hurdles such as cultural differences, and high-discipline, fast-paced work styles. Each laboratory had distinct procedures, safety standards, and data management practices, requiring rapid adaptation to keep pace with research. Soft skills honed during his time at HCMC University of Technologyself-directed learning, teamwork, scientific communication, and independent researchproved essential anchors. Tai reviewed literature, formed hypotheses, designed experiments, and solved problems independently, while learning to ask clear questions, and communicate transparently with professors, with respect to cultural differences. As a result, his research productivity remained stable. After graduation, Tai secured a PhD study opportunity at the University of Bordeaux in France, a strong research environment for semiconductor materials, electrochemistry, and sustainable energy. His research focuses on metalorganic frameworks (MOFs) and semiconducting MOF derivatives. Tai is pursuing two main application directions: applying MOFs in wastewater treatment via electrochemistry and developing electrodes for green hydrogen production. The decision to skip the Master's level to directly pursue a PhD program is a step that requires confidence and thorough preparation. For Tai, the important foundation came from the PFIEV program, designed according to European standards and recognized as equivalent to the Diplome dIngenieur (BAC+5), which is equivalent to a Master's degree in the French education system. Additionally, there was a professional preparation process lasting many years, such as participating in research since the first year and conducting experiments at international laboratories in Taiwan, Italy, and France, plus accumulating independent research thinking, experimental design, and data processing skills. Having Q1 international publications, conference reports, and an academic network with many professors in the materials-energy field created a solid foundation for Tai to be recommended for the PhD program. For Le Thanh Tai, choosing to go straight to a PhD was not a risky move, but the result of a methodically prepared journey, from a high-quality engineering foundation and international research experience to the aspiration to pursue materials and energy science. Thuy Nga Leveraging synergies with global innovation ecosystems, particularly strategic partners in the US, will not only strengthen Vietnams technological self-reliance but also serve as a powerful driver in shaping the countrys firm position within the global economic architecture, according to Vo Xuan Hoai, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Centre (NIC). Hoai made the remarks at the VietnamUS Innovation and Investment Forum, jointly organised by NIC, the Global Electronics Association (GEA), and international partners. The event took place as part of the APEX EXPO 2026 - a premier event in the US for the electronics industry, marking a significant step in Vietnams deeper integration into global technology supply chains. Held at a pivotal stage in Vietnams development, as the country accelerates breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, the forum aimed to connect investment flows and establish substantive cooperation frameworks among financial institutions, universities, and leading technology and innovation enterprises from both countries. The event brought together over 100 leaders, experts, and industry pioneers, featuring participation from well-known organisations, corporations, and investment funds such as GEA, EXCEL Services Corporation, Viglacera, Sun Group, Prodezi, VNPost, Azurich, Saigontel, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Through in-depth discussions, participants examined shifts in global supply chains and Vietnams increasingly strategic role. They outlined pathways to attract investment to key sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), smart manufacturing, renewable energy, robotics, aerospace, and autonomous technologies. Speakers stressed that advancing Vietnams position in global value chains will depend on developing a highly skilled workforce, strengthening core technological infrastructure, ensuring sustainable energy systems, and fostering a transparent investment environment aligned with international standards. John W. Mitchell, President of GEA, noted that Vietnam is emerging as a critical link and a strategically significant destination within global technology supply chains. He highlighted that the Vietnamese Governments proactive and enabling policies, combined with a dynamic and ambitious young workforce, are acting as strong magnets for US investors. GEA, he added, remains committed to building robust bridges to help enterprises integrate more deeply into Vietnams promising innovation ecosystem and generate sustainable development value. James Voss, vice president of EXCEL Services Corporation, underscored the vast potential for bilateral cooperation in new-generation energy technologies. Expanding joint research and development, strengthening clean and stable energy infrastructure, and enhancing workforce training will lay the groundwork for large-scale flagship projects between the two countries in the coming era, he said. Several strategic cooperation agreements were announced at the forum, including partnerships between NIC and EXCEL Services Corporation, Azurich Investment Fund, and Viet Tri University of Industry, as well as an agreement between EXCEL and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Through the forum, NIC further reinforced its role as a driving force of Vietnams national innovation ecosystem, opening pathways for multinational corporations to establish long-term engagement in the Vietnamese market. The event also deepened the VietnamUS Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, translating political commitments into tangible economic and technological outcomes. The forum formed a key highlight of the Global Business and Innovation Connect (GBIC) programme held in the US from March 1217. As part of the programme, the Vietnamese delegation attended APEX EXPO 2026, joined innovation networking dialogues with Vietnamese experts in Silicon Valley, and engaged with leading global technology partners, including NVIDIA, Meta, OpenAI, Marvell, Stanford University, SEMI, and Anduril. The programme helped promote Vietnams innovation ecosystem and investment environment while strengthening cooperation among government agencies, enterprises, investment funds, and research institutions of both countries. GBIC also enabled participants to capture emerging technology trends, mobilise global knowledge resources, and further advance the VietnamUS Comprehensive Strategic Partnership./. VNA China-UK Economic and Trade Forum highlights shared commitment to deeper cooperation Xinhua) 08:14, March 19, 2026 LONDON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The 8th China-UK Economic and Trade Forum was held in London on Wednesday, bringing together around 350 representatives from government, business, finance and academia to explore new opportunities for bilateral cooperation amid a changing global landscape. Held at Merchant Taylors' Hall under the theme "United in Momentum, Deepening Collaboration for a Shared Future," the forum was hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK), with support from the Chinese Embassy in the UK and the UK Department for Business and Trade, alongside several leading British institutions. The event came against the backdrop of renewed high-level engagement between China and the UK, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China earlier this year, as well as fresh policy signals from China's "Two Sessions" and the rollout of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Opening the forum, Fang Wenjian, chairman of CCCUK, said the event has become a key platform for dialogue between the two countries' business communities, stressing the need to translate momentum into concrete cooperation. "We are bridges between the countries," he said. "It is our mission to ensure that this bridge remains solid and strong." In his keynote address, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang said business communities in both countries have long served as a driving force in advancing bilateral relations while calling for greater efforts to translate leaders' consensus into tangible outcomes. He said China's new development blueprint will bring fresh opportunities for global partners and inject new momentum into China-UK cooperation. "The rising turbulence of the world makes it all the more important for China and the UK to strengthen cooperation," he said. "We should not shy away from difficulty when doing the right thing, but instead charge ahead." Speaking on behalf of the UK government, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby stressed the importance of maintaining a stable and constructive economic relationship with China. She said China remains a key contributor to global growth and an important partner for the UK, adding that sustained dialogue helps provide greater certainty for businesses. She also highlighted the role of practical cooperation, particularly in areas such as financial services, in supporting growth, innovation and job creation in both countries. In her remarks, the Lady Mayor of the City of London, Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley, highlighted London's long-standing role as a global hub for trade and finance, noting that China-UK economic ties have deep historical roots and continue to evolve. "Strengthening cooperation between our two countries is not only beneficial to both sides, but also contributes to greater stability and resilience of the global economy," she said. The forum also featured two panel discussions focusing on new opportunities arising from China's development of "new quality productive forces" and on practical cooperation in areas such as advanced manufacturing, green transition and global market expansion. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) An estimated 4.9 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024, most from preventable causes that could have been avoided with better healthcare access and low-cost treatments, a new United Nations report released on Mar. 18, 2026, said. The report, titled "Levels and Trends in Child Mortality," was produced by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, which includes UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the UN Population Division. For the first time, the analysis fully integrates global estimates on causes of death among children. Among the most alarming findings, more than 100,000 children between the ages of one month and five years died directly from severe acute malnutrition in 2024. The highest numbers were recorded in Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan. Experts warn the true toll is likely higher, as malnutrition weakens immunity and increases vulnerability to common childhood diseases, according to YubaNet. Newborn deaths accounted for nearly half of all under-five deaths, with 2.3 million newborns dying in 2024. Complications from preterm birth made up 36 percent of neonatal deaths, followed by complications during labor and delivery at 21 percent. Infections, including neonatal sepsis, were also significant contributors. Beyond the first month of life, infectious diseases remained the dominant killers. Malaria was the single largest cause of death among children aged one to 59 months, responsible for 17 percent of deaths in that age group. Pneumonia and diarrhea also continued to claim many young lives. The burden is not evenly distributed. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 58 percent of all under-five deaths in 2024, while Southern Asia represented 25 percent. Children in fragile and conflict-affected countries are nearly three times more likely to die before age five than those elsewhere. Deaths remain concentrated in nations such as Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Nigeria, where conflict, climate disruptions, and weak health systems limit access to care, the WHO reported. While under-five deaths have fallen by more than half since 2000, the pace of improvement has slowed sharply. Since 2015, the rate of reduction in child mortality has dropped by more than 60 percent. At the current pace, an estimated 27.3 million children could die before their fifth birthday between 2025 and 2030. "No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent. But we see worrying signs that progress in child survival is slowing, and at a time when we're seeing further global budget cuts," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. The report calls on governments to prioritize child survival through renewed political commitment, sustained investment in primary healthcare, and stronger data systems to reach the most vulnerable populations, as per UN News. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang speaks at the regular press briefing. Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it is working closely with South African authorities to verify information regarding the reported arrest of Vietnamese national Chu Dang Khoa in connection with alleged rhino horn smuggling. Speaking at a regular press briefing on March 19, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said that immediately after receiving the information, the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa proactively contacted local authorities to clarify the case and implement appropriate consular protection measures. Following directives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy is continuing to coordinate closely with relevant South African agencies to handle the case in accordance with local laws and regulations. The response came after media reports on March 13 indicated that South African authorities had arrested a Vietnamese farm owner suspected of involvement in the illegal trade of rhino horns. Journalists at the briefing requested further clarification and asked about Vietnams measures to combat transnational wildlife trafficking. Pham Thu Hang reaffirmed that Vietnam, as a participant in international conventions on biodiversity and the prevention of transnational crime related to endangered wildlife trade, is committed to strictly fulfilling its obligations in protecting wildlife and combating illegal trafficking. To date, Vietnam has introduced a range of legal frameworks and enforcement measures aimed at managing, protecting and strictly penalizing violations involving illegal wildlife trade. Earlier, a statement published on March 12 on the website of South Africas Democratic Alliance cited legislator Andrew de Blocq, who reported the arrest of several individuals, including Vietnamese nationals, allegedly linked to rhino horn smuggling activities. According to the statement, in February, a suspect identified as Huy Bao Tran, 52, appeared before the Bellville Magistrates Court after being arrested while attempting to leave South Africa in connection with the theft and illegal export of 98 rhino horns from the Voi Game Lodge. Two Nigerian nationals, Tunji Olanrewaju Koyi, 35, and Koyode Adukunle Ongundele, 43, were also arrested for their alleged roles in transporting the contraband. In a related development, South Africas Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested Chu Dang Khoa, 44, also known as Michael Chu, who is believed to be the owner of the Voi Game Lodge. In 2011, he was fined and deported from South Africa for illegal possession of rhino horns. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that it will continue to monitor the situation closely while coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the rights and legitimate interests of Vietnamese citizens are protected in accordance with international law. Tran Thuong Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang held talks with his Chinese counterpart Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun in Quang Ninh province on March 18, within the framework of the 10th VietnamChina Border Defence Friendship Exchange. Giang underscored the special significance of this years exchange, which takes place shortly after the inaugural ministerial-level 3+3 strategic dialogue between the foreign affairs, defence and public security ministers of the two countries, reflecting the role of both defence ministries in implementing common perceptions reached the two countries' high-ranking leaders on defence cooperation and areas of collaboration agreed by the two defence ministries. Expressing confidence in the success of the exchange, Giang said the series of practical and meaningful activities will serve as a highlight in bilateral external relations in the early months of 2026, contributing to friendship and collaboration between the two Parties, States and militaries. Reviewing a decade of the exchange since its launch in 2014, the Vietnamese minister described the mechanism as a bright spot in bilateral defence relations, evolving steadily in both scope and substance. Initially focused on military-to-military activities, the programme has expanded to include local authorities and mass organisations, with regular initiatives such as free medical services for border residents and cultural exchanges among communities and students on both sides. Notably, this years edition marks the first time the two navies have conducted joint training activities. Giang emphasised that the mechanism has become an important channel for dialogue between the two defence ministries, helping to concretise cooperation directions and reinforce defence ties as a pillar of bilateral relations. It has also promoted people-to-people exchanges, enhanced coordination among border protection forces and improved the capacity to jointly address emerging issues in a timely manner. Looking ahead, the Vietnamese minister called for continued efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the exchange mechanism, ensuring it remains a substantive and influential platform. He also stressed the importance of strengthening communication efforts to amplify its impact and highlight messages of political trust and solidarity between the two countries. For his part, Dong expressed thanks to the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence for its thorough preparations and warm reception. He noted that both ministers had recently participated in the first 3+3 strategic dialogue, where defence cooperation was a key topic of discussion. Affirming that relations between the two countries and their militaries have continued to grow stronger, Dong emphasised the need to expand exchanges to contribute to regional and global stability. Since its inception in 2014, the border defence friendship exchange has fostered goodwill and driven forward bilateral ties, while playing an important role in maintaining border security, he assessed. He added that the mechanism has increasingly expanded into new areas and deepened in substance, not only strengthening state-level relations but also promoting ties among border communities and facilitating trilateral exchanges involving Vietnam, Laos and China. On this occasion, the Chinese minister extended an invitation to his Vietnamese counterpart to attend this years Xiangshan Forum. Later the same day, a farewell ceremony for the high-level Chinese defence delegation was held at the Mong Cai International Border Gate. The high-level Vietnamese defence delegation, led by General Giang, is scheduled to visit China on March 19 to continue exchange activities in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region./. VNA A recent report by Momentum Works shows that Southeast Asias modern tea and coffee market expanded to 9.9 billion USD in 2025, marking a 52% increase from 6.5 billion USD in 2021. The study highlights a shift in the industry, with beverage chains increasingly adopting industrial-scale operating models rather than competing primarily through products or brand recognition alone. Over the four-year period since 2021, the regional modern tea and beverage market has grown rapidly, with 11 brands surpassing the 1,000-outlet milestone. Notably, eight of these brands originated within Southeast Asia. In the coffee segment, Indonesia remains the regions largest modern coffee chain market, with its market value exceeding 1 billion USD in 2025. According to the report, strong growth reflects both rapid network expansion and consumers rising willingness to spend on branded coffee. Competitive advantage, however, is increasingly defined by operational capacity. Weihan Chen, head of market research at Momentum Works, noted that success now hinges less on having the best beverages or the largest store network, and more on building robust operational systems spanning supply chains, store management processes and digital infrastructure. As of February 2026, Southeast Asia counted seven coffee chains operating more than 1,000 outlets each. Regional giants Cafe Amazon and Starbucks run more than 4,400 and over 2,000 stores respectively across the region. Vietnam is represented by two brands, namely Milano Coffee and Highlands Coffee. Highlands Coffee, controlled by Jollibee Foods Corporation, operated approximately 928 outlets by the end of 2025, mainly in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Milano Coffee states on its official website that it has developed a nationwide network of more than 2,500 stores and points of sale, largely based on a franchise agency model./. Vietnamese exporters are actively monitoring market developments, adjusting shipping strategies, expanding into nearby markets, and strengthening negotiations with partners to minimise risks and maintain stable export amid global logistics disruptions. Volatility across international shipping routes has increased pressure on exporters as delivery times lengthen and logistics costs rise sharply. Instead of reacting passively, many businesses have developed contingency plans, flexibly make market adjustments and change transport methods to sustain trade flows. Businesses turn challenges into opportunities Geopolitical instability, particularly in the Middle East, continues to challenge global trade. However, Ha Quang Vu, a representative of the Ha Quang ImportExport Company Limited, said disruptions can also create opportunities for adaptable firms. He noted that despite the prolonged Russia Ukraine conflict, reconstruction demand, especially for wood products, has surged, enabling Vietnams wood sector to recover quickly and maintain growth amid strong global consumption. Similarly, the Red Sea tensions in 2024 raised concerns over supply chain disruptions, yet exports in several sectors continued to expand. Even after changes in some US trade and tax policies in 2025, Vietnams exports to this North American market still sustained positive growth, highlighting the resilience and competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises. Volatility presents difficulties, but for businesses that adapt quickly, it also promises new markets and more orders, Vu said, adding that Vietnams advantages include its strategic position along major shipping routes and an extensive network of free trade agreements spanning Europe, Asia and the Middle East, helping domestic goods access global markets more deeply. Vu forecast that import demand could rebound from mid-2026 following the current Middle East conflict cycle, particularly for consumer and reconstruction-related goods, offering export opportunities for well-prepared businesses. Positive signals are already emerging. Tran Binh Minh of the Dawnsky company said overseas demand for agricultural products has surged after recent geopolitical tensions, with export orders increasing roughly tenfold, especially from Middle Eastern and European markets. Logistics disruptions previously reduced agricultural supply to Gulf countries, pushing prices higher and prompting importers to increase purchases creating opportunities for new suppliers. Dawnsky now exports farm produce to about 16 countries, with Vietnamese coffee maintaining strong competitiveness internationally. Minh said Vietnam is emerging as a stable source of supply thanks to steady economic growth, abudant goods, and businesses' flexible order fulfilment capacity. He suggested businesses must actively promote products, maintain customer connections, and prepare supply chains in advance so contracts can be finalised quickly when logistics conditions improve. Strengthening logistics risk management As geopolitical tensions continue to affect global supply chains, exporters and logistics firms are urged to closely monitor market developments, build response plans, and strengthen risk management capacity. Nguyen Tuan Viet, CEO of trade consultancy VIETGO, said early preparation helps businesses minimise losses and sustain operational stability during market fluctuations. Conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping through the Suez Canal a key Asia Europe trade route, forcing many carriers to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly extending transit times. Shipments from Vietnam to Europe that once took about 25 days may now require nearly 50 days, while freight rates have doubled or tripled due to heightened risks and fuel costs. The situation is particularly challenging for fresh agricultural exports as longer transit times threaten product quality. Businesses may need to temporarily redirect certain goods to nearer markets such as Eastern Europe to reduce risks. Despite rising costs, Viet noted that some vessels remain underloaded due to declining cargo volumes, creating room for exporters to renegotiate freight rates. Freight rates do not always rise in one direction, he said, adding that proactive engagement with partners allows businesses to secure more suitable pricing./. VNA Vietnamese company Alterno outpaced nearly 500 applicants from 79 countries to crash the top 15 at the SET Award 2026 ceremony in Berlin on March 17, an annual recognition of leading startups driving the sustainable energy transition. The win is huge for Vietnam as for the first time in the award's 10-year run, a Vietnamese firm has actually made it to the finals. The ceremony was part of the SET Tech Festival 2026, coinciding with the festival's 10th anniversary as a pioneer in the field of energy transition. Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Dac Thanh, in his speech, said the Vietnamese Government is strongly committed to sustainable development, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, alongside accelerated energy transition, green growth and innovation across sectors. He pointed to the growing energy cooperation between Vietnam and Germany, exemplified by the Joint Declaration on Energy Partnership signed in July 2025. Platforms like the SET Tech Festival, he noted, facilitate knowledge sharing, investment flows, and new innovation ideas between the two nations. On the occasion, he expressed national pride in Alternos top-15 placement and offered congratulations to all participants in the SET Award 2026. A judging panel of leading global experts in energy, technology, and commerce selected five companies with the most groundbreaking solutions for the global energy transition, awarding honours across five categories: Buildings and Construction, Mobility and Transportation, Quality Energy Access, Industry, and Clean Energy and Storage. Alterno ranked among the top three of the Clean Energy and Storage category. Organisers described the companys sand battery technology as a safe, non-flammable storage system capable of delivering industrial process heat at 300600 degrees Celsius, with all components drawn from abundant natural materials that are fully recyclable. Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Dac Thanh (third from left), together with the two co-founders of Alterno, and the staff of the Vietnamese embassy (Photo: VNA) Co-founders Hai Ho and Nam Nguyen spotlighted a core competitive edge: the systems ability to store energy efficiently and at low cost, addressing affordability barriers that limit many alternative solutions. The battery core is made from inorganic materials such as ceramic, salt and nickel, making it super fire-resistant and safe to run. These attributes position the technology for wide adoption, particularly in data centres and factories where there is strong demand for stable, safe and eco-friendly energy storage. Before the ceremony, Thanh met and congratulated the co-founders at the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin. According to him, Germany places strong emphasis on energy transition and regularly hosts events and initiatives to spread green solutions. In such context, Alternos sand battery technology is poised to draw interest from firms, researchers and investors. He expressed confidence that Alterno would continue to grow, expand partnerships and achieve further success in the clean energy sector. Headquartered in Vietnam, Alterno specialises in sustainable and efficient battery solutions for enterprises in diverse sectors, including sustainable agriculture./.VNA News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. A Malta compliance deadline and Estonia's new gambling law are changing what tax-free play means for Finnish players - and the clock is running. HELSINKI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Finnish online casino players have less than three weeks to understand a regulatory deadline that will separate serious operators from the rest - and Kasinohai.com is today publishing an updated guide to tax-free online casinos to help them do exactly that. On April 9, 2026, every Malta Gaming Authority-licensed casino must submit a mandatory anti-money laundering self-assessment to Malta's financial intelligence authority, the FIAU. Miss the deadline and fines follow immediately. Repeat violations risk license termination. For Finnish players, the consequences are practical and immediate. Some operators will rise to meet the new bar. Others will quietly pull back from Finnish marketing rather than absorb the compliance costs. Knowing which is which has never mattered more. Bigger than a survey The April 9 requirement - known as REQ 2026 - is an annual self-assessment covering anti-money laundering controls, customer risk profiling, and transaction monitoring. But behind it sits a much larger shift: AMLA, the EU's newly established Anti-Money Laundering Authority, is harmonising financial crime standards across the entire European gambling sector. Malta's MGA has already told operators to align with AMLA's coming requirements - not just complete the annual form. The result: stricter identity checks, more frequent requests for income documentation, and tighter transaction monitoring. More secure - but more demanding. Estonia moved first - and went further than most noticed Estonia's overhaul is already done. President Alar Karis signed sweeping amendments to the Estonian Gambling Act in December 2025, entering into force on January 1, 2026 - the biggest update to the country's gambling framework in over 15 years. Cryptocurrencies are now formally recognised as official bets. The legal grey area is gone. But operators must use EEA-licensed crypto service providers, and every transaction must travel a fully traceable chain. Crypto is in - anonymity is out. Fines for violations have increased tenfold, from 3,200 to 32,000. Existing operators have until January 1, 2027 to comply fully. The tax-free clock is ticking This is where Finnish players need to pay close attention. The general principle that EU/EEA-licensed casinos mean tax-free winnings still holds today - but from July 2027, winnings from EU/EEA operators without a Finnish license will become subject to taxation. That is 16 months away. Mimmi Malmstrom, Kasinohai's co-founder and Certified Gaming Compliance Specialist: "What we're seeing in Malta and Estonia is the end of a long period where compliance was easy to fake. For Finnish players, that distinction is going to show up in the casinos that are still here in 2027 - and the ones that aren't. The July 2027 change is something players need to understand now - not when it is already too late." How to read the market right now For Finnish players, the practical advice is simple: choose casinos that hold current MGA or Estonian licenses, verify they actively serve the Finnish market, and check whether they will retain tax-free status beyond July 2027. Flashy bonuses are not a substitute for regulatory credibility. About Kasinohai.com: Finland's leading independent online casino comparison platform, with a focus on responsible gambling, licensing verification, and tax-free EU/EEA options. Find Kasinohai's media kit here. Contact: Mimmi Malmstrom ***@kasinohai.com Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13134056 SOURCE Kasinohai Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang Speaking at the meeting, Minister Thang said Vietnams ambition to achieve double-digit growth over the current term faced mounting external headwinds, with global conditions evolving rapidly and largely in an unfavourable direction. Despite this, he noted that the government remained firmly committed to its growth targets, calling for coordinated policy action and stronger contributions from across the system, particularly from state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The minister instructed state corporations and groups to reassess their 2026 business targets within the first quarter and adjust plans where necessary to aim for double-digit growth. A key priority, he noted, was the role of SOEs in advancing sci-tech. Echoing directives from senior leadership, Thang stressed that state firms must act as pioneers in developing and deploying strategic technologies and products. If Vietnam is to achieve sustainable, long-term double-digit growth, it cannot continue to rely on capital or land. Science, technology and innovation must be the core drivers, he said, adding that firms should seize unprecedented policy incentives and investment support currently being rolled out. At the same time, greater autonomy granted to SOEs under the new legal framework must go hand in hand with stricter accountability. Thang highlighted the need for a commercial mindset, urging business leaders to rigorously assess both financial and socioeconomic returns before approving investment projects. We must carefully evaluate project efficiency before making decisions, he said. According to a report presented by Vu Hong Phuong, director general of the Department for State-Owned Enterprise Development, SOEs maintained positive momentum in the first quarter despite global uncertainties. In 2025, total consolidated revenue reached VND1.6 quadrillion ($64 billion), exceeding the annual plan by 7.4 per cent, while pre-tax profit rose to $4.6 billion, surpassing targets by 19 per cent. This momentum continued into early 2026, with first-quarter revenue estimated at $16.3 billion, equivalent to 23 per cent of the full-year plan and up 9 per cent on-year. Pre-tax profit is projected at about $655 million, while budget contributions are estimated at $1.3 billion. Notably, no enterprise in the portfolio reported losses, supporting the preservation and growth of state capital. Strong gains were seen in energy, aviation and telecommunications. However, the report also highlighted mounting pressures from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have driven up fuel prices and input costs. Major firms such as Vietnam National Petroleum Group, Vinachem, and Vietnam Electricity are facing rising import costs and supply challenges. Institutional delays remain another concern. Delays in issuing guidance for the new Law No.68/2025/QH15 have created uncertainty for businesses, while obstacles in accessing investment capital, land procedures and divestment processes continue to slow major projects. To support the 2026 growth target, authorities are urging SOEs to update business scenarios and accelerate the development of five-year strategies aligned with national policy frameworks. One key initiative expected in the second quarter is a proposal to establish and operate a national investment fund, based on restructuring State Capital Investment Corporation. At the same time, agencies are calling for a comprehensive review of ongoing investment projects, particularly large-scale and strategic ones, to resolve obstructions and accelerate implementation. For delayed or underperforming projects, clear accountability must be assigned and decisive measures taken to avoid inefficiencies and losses of state capital. All investment decisions must be based on thorough analysis, with clear assessments of both economic and social returns, Phuong said. PM urges SOEs to pioneer digital shift Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference on April 15 in Hanoi with leaders of state-owned groups and corporations under the theme 'State-owned Enterprises Leading Digital Transformation and Driving Growth'. Draft law to boost SOE autonomy through decentralisation reforms The draft Law on Management and Investment of State Capital in Enterprises includes amendments to increase decentralisation and delegation, with a focus on enhancing the autonomy, accountability, and transparency of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The AI pilot will start from March 2026 at the three hospitals. Currently, these medical facilities are preparing the technological infrastructure and staff for implementation. According to Dr. Do Dinh Tung, director of Duc Giang General Hospital, AI is expected to be applied first in diagnostic imaging, supporting data analysis from techniques such as X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Illustration photo: baodautu.vn Tung shared that the AI system can support the early detection of many dangerous diseases such as cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and lung diseases. In the initial phase, the pilot programme will focus on the department of diagnostic imaging and related specialities to evaluate the practical effectiveness of this technology in assisting doctors in reading and analysing medical images before widespread application. Meanwhile, Hanoi Oncology Hospital plans to expand the application of AI in diagnostic imaging such as MRI and CT scans, and to support intelligent radiotherapy planning in the future. In addition, this technology can also assist in reading tissue samples, making the analysis process faster and reducing the risk of missing lesions. Beyond its specialised field, AI is aimed to be applied in managing medical records, monitoring professional regulations, and assisting in controlling issues related to health insurance and medical expense payments. The hospital is also developing an integrated AI chatbot application to provide information on medical treatment procedures, appointment schedules, service prices, treatment processes, and directions within the hospital. The chatbot system is currently in the testing phase and is expected to be put into use in the near future. Speaking about the importance of AI data in healthcare, Do Truong Duy, director of the National Centre for Health Information under the Ministry of Health, said that if, "AI was the brain, then data was the blood nourishing the nervous system of the digital healthcare industry. Because in healthcare, data not only serves treatment but also forecasting, management, and policy planning." We have a lot of medical data, but it is currently fragmented, lacking sufficient reliability for AI to learn and understand Vietnamese people and Vietnamese healthcare. The data is scattered, insecure, and there is a shortage of skilled IT personnel, Duy said. According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, president of FISU Vietnam, and chairman of Vietnam Informatics Association, the biggest challenge is not the accuracy of the AI model, but the availability, standardisation, and interoperability of healthcare data. To truly enable AI to create a modern and sustainable healthcare system, Prof. Nguyen Thanh Thuy proposed three strategic pillars. Firstly, standardising national healthcare data in line with international standards so that all AI applications can be scalable, objective, and effective. Secondly, training interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary human resources who understand pathology and are proficient in data science and AI. Thirdly, building a legal and ethical framework for AI, ensuring transparency, accountability. Nguyen Tri Thuc, Deputy Minister of Health emphasised that the legal framework must precede other initiatives. The Ministry of Health will closely coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology and other agencies and experts to develop a legal framework and ethical guidelines for the testing, deployment, and accountability of medical AI products, while creating conditions for innovation to develop safely. The solutions to success for generative AI in healthcare While AI is making increasing impacts on the healthcare sector, bringing more benefits to patients, some uncertainties still remain. Rowland Illing, director and chief marketing officer of Government Health at AWS, discussed with VIRs Bich Thuy what could be ahead. Ho Chi Minh City targets to engage four semiconductor projects this year. Photo: Le Toan This is part of the semiconductor industry development strategy and the human resource development programme for the Vietnamese semiconductor industry in Ho Chi Minh City, issued in early March by Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. It aims to effectively implement the semiconductor industry development strategy and the human resource development programme for the semiconductor industry and core digital technologies such as AI, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, Big Data, and Blockchain, making the city a leading centre in this industry. According to the plan, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on attracting at least four high-added-value foreign ventures in the semiconductor industry, with a focus on implementing cooperation with major technology corporations such as AMD, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm. Regarding human resources, the city aims to train and enrol a minimum of 3,000 undergraduates, 300 master's students, and 40 doctoral students, and to graduate a minimum of 1,400 undergraduates, 110 master's students, and six doctoral students. In addition, at least 300 workers will receive advanced skills training courses to meet the demand of semiconductor businesses. In the area of attracting experts and fostering research collaboration, the city aims to invite at least 10 experts and scientists from both within and outside the country to participate in teaching and research at R&D centres, universities, and research institutes in the city. The city also aims to support at least 10 startups in the semiconductor and digital technology sectors; sign at least two international cooperation memoranda of understanding; and implement at least two R&D projects with foreign partners. In 2026, it plans to organise four major events, including the Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Exhibition, the Autumn Economic Forum 2026, and international conferences at the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park and the Vietnam National University. To achieve these goals, Ho Chi Minh City will implement a comprehensive set of solutions, including the development of policies to support semiconductor businesses, investment incentives, equipment cost support, human resource development, and the promotion of innovative startups. Regarding infrastructure, it will build an internationally standardised research centre for digital transformation and green transformation in the high-tech park; invest in a microchip laboratory at Saigon University; and simultaneously build a national-level shared semiconductor laboratory at the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, the city will develop a high-performance computing centre at Quang Trung Software Park to serve chip design and AI applications. Simultaneously, the city aims to expand the high-tech park, forming a semiconductor technology complex, and implement the "Science and Technology City - North Ho Chi Minh City" project, covering approximately 1,000 ha in Binh Duong ward, creating an innovation hub for the key economic region. In human resource training and development, the city will study the establishment of a Microchip Design Human Resource Development Fund (worth $5 million) to provide scholarships and research support for postgraduate students. It will also operate a digital profile platform to connect online labour supply and demand between universities and businesses, helping to forecast future human resource needs in the city's semiconductor market. Funding must be activated for semiconductor success Amid a profound restructuring of the global semiconductor supply chain, driven by geopolitics, intensifying technological competition, and rising resilience requirements, Vietnam is increasingly being mentioned as a potential new destination. Talent boost vital for semiconductor chip industry Vietnam and Japan are deepening their relationship in developing personnel to support the formers burgeoning semiconductor industry. Prof. Usagawa Tsuyoshi, of the Vietnam-Japan University under the Vietnam National University in Hanoi, spoke with VIRs Thanh Thanh about the evolving partnership and what Vietnam must do to cultivate a world-class semiconductor workforce. Vietnam making the leap into AI and semiconductors Vietnam is increasingly focusing on AI and semiconductor-related activities as part of a broader recalibration of its industrial development model. Among European and international investors, this ambition is no longer seen as aspirational. It is increasingly seen as executable, underpinned by a clear national strategy and two decades of industrial upgrading. BBTech and ARKITEKT partner on global semiconductor infrastructure The companies formed an alliance to expand chip manufacturing facility development and equipment deployment across international markets. On March 18, at the Ministry of Health headquarters, Minister Lan received Dr. Andrew Otoo, Asia-Pacific president of global biopharmaceutical company MSD (known as Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States and Canada). Also attending were Katharina Geppert, managing director of MSD Vietnam, along with directors of relevant business units and departments of the company. The meeting was also joined by representatives from various departments, administrations, institutes, and hospitals under the Ministry, together with the chairman and CEO of the VNVC Immunisation Centre System and Tam Anh General Hospital Group. Central Committee Member and Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan Minister Lan welcomed the MSD delegation, stating, "The Ministry highly appreciates MSD's cooperation and contributions to the health sector over the past 30 years from prevention and treatment to communication work and initiatives aimed at healthcare equity. MSD has also provided many new-generation vaccines and medicines meeting US standards, improving access and prevention of dangerous diseases." One such collaboration is with the Central Health Education and Communication Centre to implement a national campaign in 2025 raising community awareness about HPV prevention, diseases caused by the HPV virus particularly cervical cancer in women and preventive measures. "This campaign was launched by the Ministry of Health in 2025 in Hanoi, attracting about 25,000 in-person exhibition visits and reaching over 23 million views on media platforms," Minister Lan said. Additionally, MSD has cooperated with the Bright Future Fund to distribute the immunotherapy for many years across 49 hospitals nationwide. The programme currently covers up to 75 per cent of total treatment costs. By the end of 2025, it had supported over 7,500 patients with total drug support of approximately $150 million. "I believe this is practical support for underprivileged patients with serious illnesses," said Lan. The 'MSD for Mothers' initiative has also been implementing for nearly a decade, currently in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The scheme invests in interventions to reduce maternal mortality in the ethnic minority areas of Bac Kan, Lai Chau, Son La, Dak Nong, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai. Dr. Andrew Otoo, Asia-Pacific president of MSD. Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Otoo expressed his pleasure at meeting the Minister for the first time and thanked her for the warm welcome extended to the MSD delegation. He congratulated Minister Lan and Vietnam's health sector on their achievements in protecting, caring for, and improving people's health, contributing to the effective implementation of green development goals by 2030. Otoo also expressed appreciation for Minister Lan's leadership and management, particularly in advising and developing landmark health institutional policies in 2025. These included a series of new, amended, and supplemented laws, as well as extensive and complex administrative procedure reforms, all while maintaining a people-centred approach and ensuring no one is left behind. The MSD Asia-Pacific president welcomed news that the Ministry of Health will include the HPV vaccine in the National Immunisation Programme. Through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance which negotiates tiered pricing to make vaccines more affordable for lower-income countries MSD has confirmed its commitment to continue supplying HPV vaccine to Vietnam under this mechanism through UNICEF until the end of 2027. "We continue to coordinate with UNFPA to support HPV implementation, especially in communication activities to raise community awareness and promote participation," Otoo said. He added that millions of patients in Vietnam have accessed MSD's treatment products. "Going forward, many innovative drugs, including orphan drugs, are expected to be introduced to Vietnam thanks to the Ministry's administrative procedure reform process in drug registration. Additionally, oncology remains one of MSD's core areas." MSD has decided to invest over $40 million in clinical research in Vietnam, including research in oncology and vaccines. "These investments enhance domestic research and development capacity while also contributing to shortening future access time for Vietnamese patients to advanced innovative therapies," Otoo said. Otoo outlined several key areas for cooperation, including enhancing community education on the burden of HPV and the role of prevention; collaborating with the Administration of Disease Prevention on a vaccination coverage monitoring project through upgrading the National Immunisation Information System; and surveying opportunities for future HPV vaccine production technology transfer in Vietnam. "Recently, we visited VNVC's production facility under construction and were very impressed with VNVC's strong commitment, long-term vision, and ambitious investment plans," said Otoo. He added that MSD is ready to continue patient support programmes for oncology and orphan drugs in Vietnam, while expressing hope that the Ministry of Health will soon issue the list of drugs covered by health insurance, expected to take effect from the second quarter. Minister Lan welcomed MSD's interest in technology transfer for HPV vaccine production in Vietnam. She requested that the company continue providing the vaccine under Gavi's tiered pricing mechanism beyond the end of 2027. Regarding MSD's proposal on the list of drugs covered by health insurance, Minister Lan informed that Ministry units are working to expedite the issuing Circular. "I have assured constituents that I am requesting relevant units, in coordination with the Health Insurance Department, to quickly complete and submit the document for Ministry leadership's consideration and approval," she said. MSD Vietnam managing director Katharina Geppert spoke of the honour felt by both the company and herself upon receiving a Certificate of Merit and the 'For the People's Health' Commemorative Medal from the Ministry, awarded on the occasion of MSD's 30th anniversary in Vietnam. "This is a particularly meaningful milestone," Geppert said. "It is not just an opportunity to reflect on our journey and report on our proud achievements, but also a chance to express our sincere gratitude to our partners who have accompanied us along the way. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to reaffirm our long-term commitment and confidence in MSD's sustainable growth in Vietnam." MSD brings hope to triple-negative breast cancer patients MSD (known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States and Canada) is collaborating with hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to hold a series of scientific seminars titled Updates on the Effectiveness of Immunotherapy for Early -Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. MSD ties with Ministry of Health on HPV projects On March 29, the Ministry of Health (MoH) officially launched the national communication campaign For a Vietnam Free from the Burdens of HPV to raise awareness and encourage the prevention of HPV-related diseases and cancers. In a conversation with VIR's Thanh Van, the leader taking the helm of NS BlueScope Vietnam shared insights into how the coated steel manufacturer with more than 30 years of presence in the Vietnamese market plans to navigate a landscape defined by new contexts, challenges, and opportunities. Dong Mai Lam, country president of NS BlueScope Vietnam since January 2026 How do you assess the current market landscape? Vietnams steel industry in general, and the coated steel segment in particular, is entering a period that offers both fresh opportunities and emerging challenges. Despite global uncertainties, Vietnam continues to maintain its reputation as a favourable destination for foreign investors. The Vietnam Steel Association forecasts that the steel sector could grow by around 810 per cent in 2026. Growth potential remains significant as public investment, commercial housing projects, and social housing programmes continue to expand. According to MBS Research, Vietnams construction industry is projected to grow by approximately 10 per cent in 2026, generating strong demand for green building materials for large-scale national projects. At the same time, coated steel manufacturers are facing mounting pressure. Global geopolitical tensions may increase the risk of supply chain disruptions and could drive up logistics costs, as well as the prices of key materials such as paint and coating metals. In addition, investors have become increasingly demanding. From export markets and multinational corporations to major domestic projects, stricter environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards are now being enforced. Investors are no longer focused solely on initial costs; instead, they increasingly evaluate total lifecycle costs, durability, corrosion resistance, and long-term performance stability. As a result, competition in the coated steel industry is no longer defined solely by scale or production volume. It increasingly hinges on product quality, core technology, and the ability to create added value for investors. What will be NS BlueScope Vietnams strategic priorities this year? At NS BlueScope Vietnam, we have identified two parallel strategic pillars. The first is strengthening our foundation for sustainable development. NS BlueScope Vietnam is the first steel manufacturer in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to receive the ResponsibleSteel site certification, the global standard for responsible steel production. This certification reflects a robust ESG framework that has been independently verified against international standards. In an industry traditionally associated with high emissions, achieving this certification is not only about compliance. It also contributes to raising the benchmark for responsible steel manufacturing across Vietnams business community. Moving forward, we will continue investing in technology, optimising operational efficiency, and integrating sustainability more deeply into both our supply chain and production activities. NS BlueScope Vietnam reaffirms the companys long-term commitment to the Vietnamese market The second pillar is maintaining our leadership in innovation within the coated steel industry. NS BlueScope Vietnam has consistently contributed to the industrys innovation journey. In 1993, we became the first company to introduce Aluminum-Zinc (AZ) coating technology to Vietnam. In 2019, we continued that innovation journey by introducing AM coating technology to the market under the ACTIVATE for the project segment (incorporating into COLORBOND steel and ZINCALUME steel), and INOK for the residential segment (incorporating into BlueScope Zacs steel). This technology incorporates a proprietary protective matrix coating backed by more than 20 global patents held by BlueScope Australia. It delivers superior corrosion resistance and is particularly well suited to Vietnams tropical monsoon climate. In addition, we provide steel solutions ( LYSAGHT) for a wide range of applicationsfrom agriculture and commercial buildings to large-scale industrial projects. Our products and solutions have been used in numerous landmark projects across Vietnam, contributing to elevating modern industrial architecture. Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen our research and development efforts to maintain our role as a trendsetter in Vietnams coated steel industry while delivering superior value to customers and the market. For NS BlueScope Vietnam, innovation is not limited to technology, it also extends to how we enhance customer experience. That is an interesting perspective. Could you elaborate? Todays market demands more than just durable steel sheets. Customers are looking for solutions that optimise long-term costs, improve construction efficiency, and reduce maintenance risks. In response, NS BlueScope Vietnam is leveraging our strengths to move to a higher level, shifting from a traditional material supplier to a comprehensive solutions and services provider. Integrating breakthrough technological features into our products, helping customers directly enhance productivity and investment efficiency, will remain a key priority for us. At the same time, as digital transformation accelerates, we will invest in digital platforms integrated with AI to build a more convenient, fast, and modern digital experience for customers. With more than 30 years of presence in Vietnam, we also understand the diverse climatic conditions and distinct construction needs across different regions. Combining 135 years of global technology standards with deep local market experience, we develop tailored solutions for each context and each customer. This is how BlueScope pursues enterprise-level solution personalisation. Vietnams steel industry still holds substantial growth potential, driven by urbanisation, infrastructure development, and industrial expansion. We see 2026 as an acceleration phase in NS BlueScope Vietnams development strategy. Built on a foundation of innovation and a customer-centric philosophy, we will continue to reinforce our pioneering role in the coated steel sector while delivering greater value to the market. To explore NS BlueScope Vietnams strategy, please click here! NS BlueScope Vietnam a torch-bearer of responsible steel production As the first steel company in Vietnam to receive the ResponsibleSteelTM certification, NS BlueScope Vietnam aims to become the torch-bearer for this global standard, spreading responsible steel throughout the domestic steel manufacturing community. Building Vietnams green industrial future: materials, mindset, and resource efficiency Industrial real estate is becoming a testing ground for sustainability. From low-carbon building materials and energy-efficient designs to smart water management, a comprehensive green ecosystem will define the country's next phase of industrial development, one built to last, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and minimise environmental impacts. On the sidelines of the Seafood Expo North America 2026 held in Boston, Massachusetts, representatives of the Vietnamese mission and trade office, together with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters (VASEP) and participating enterprises, held a working session with the US National Fisheries Institute (NFI). Discussions focused on US regulations for imported seafood, particularly the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The Seafood Expo, held from March 15 to 17, brought together numerous businesses, importers, distributors, and seafood industry organisations from around the world. Shrimp is a key export to the US market. The event provided an important platform for Vietnamese companies to strengthen trade connections, promote products, and engage with US partners on technical and policy issues related to seafood trade. Vietnamese representatives updated NFI on progress in implementing US requirements under the MMPA, with particular emphasis on the review process of comparability findings for Vietnamese fisheries. At present, several fisheries remain under domestic assessment, with further work needed to finalise documentation and data to meet US technical criteria. NFI experts commended Vietnams efforts to maintain direct dialogue with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), especially through technical meetings aimed at clarifying issues related to fisheries management systems, monitoring mechanisms, and measures to mitigate impacts on marine mammals. US businesses and seafood importers highly value Vietnams role in the global seafood supply chain. For several key seafood products, Vietnam is currently an important supplier to the US market, while also complementing domestic consumption and processing demand, an NFI representative said. One of Vietnams current challenges lies in the lack of long-term data on interactions between fishing activities and marine mammal species. As many management and monitoring programmes have only recently been introduced, there has not yet been sufficient time to build comprehensive datasets required for NOAA assessments. The NFI therefore recommended that Vietnam clarify measures being implemented to strengthen data collection, including fishers logbook systems, observer programmes, and bycatch mitigation measures. The institute also suggested establishing a clear commitment roadmap with NOAA, including periodic reporting milestones on the progress of monitoring and data collection initiatives. Both sides agreed to enhance coordination in preparation for further engagements with NOAA and other US agencies. The Vietnam Trade Office in the US and VASEP will also maintain dialogue with relevant US associations and businesses to promote cooperation, thereby helping to resolve technical obstacles and create more favourable conditions for Vietnams seafood exports to this market. In 2025, Vietnams seafood exports reached $11.3 billion, of which approximately $1.9 billion went to the United States. The US remains a key market not only for seafood but also for various agricultural and processed industrial goods. In the first two months of 2026, Vietnams seafood export turnover totalled $1.76 billion, up 23.3 per cent on-year. Favourable tariff outlook offers boost for Vietnamese exporters As Vietnam and the United States advance towards a reciprocal trade agreement, expectations are growing for tariff cuts that could strengthen key export sectors and improve prospects for Vietnamese stocks. Seafood exports to Japan surge towards new annual record Vietnams seafood exports to Japan have gained strong momentum, reaching nearly $1.6 billion since the start of the year and positioning the sector to set a new annual record. Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki The Programme Loan for Green Transformation towards Green Growth and Climate Resilience (GX-DPL) with help the country engage with its sustainability goals. Pursuing green growth and climate adaptation has become an essential global agenda as the world faces worsening environmental degradation, climate change and the depletion of finite resources. With a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Vietnam has been strengthening its legal and policy frameworks to turn this goal into reality. Japan, through coordinated efforts by multiple agencies, including the role of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Vietnam, continues to support the country on this path. Speaking at the opening, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki highlighted the GX-DPL programme loan as a strong demonstration of the Japanese governments commitment to supporting Vietnams green transition. The programme aims to help Vietnam achieve its nationally determined contributions while enhancing resilience to increasingly severe climate-related disasters. It also represents a flagship example of next-generation official development assistance (ODA), featuring streamlined preparation processes, faster disbursement and a strong focus on achieving development outcomes through effective policy design and resource mobilisation. Ambassador Ito said that under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam was advancing wide-ranging reforms towards a new era of development. The Japanese government and business community strongly support Vietnams reform agenda, particularly in digital transformation, building a data-driven society and modernising the economy through innovation. He stressed that the GX-DPL loan is not merely a traditional financial instrument, but the first initiative of its kind globally under Japans ODA framework. It is designed to implement projects tailored to Vietnams needs in green growth and disaster risk reduction, leveraging advanced Japanese technologies such as AI and satellite observation data. The signing of this programme loan is not the end, but the beginning of new initiatives and proactive efforts towards green growth and net-zero in Vietnam and the Asia Zero Emission Community, the ambassador said. Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong At the event, Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong noted that Vietnam was among the countries most vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. In recent years, the country has experienced increasingly frequent and severe storms and floods, causing significant socioeconomic losses. In response, the government has adopted the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030 and beyond The strategy aims to restructure the economy alongside transforming the growth model, delivering economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social equity, while contributing to global efforts to limit temperature rise. However, Vietnam faces substantial financial needs to achieve these goals. According to expert estimates, the total funding required for emission reduction measures across sectors by 2030 is approximately $68.75 billion. Of this, around 36 per cent is expected to come from domestic resources, while about 64 per cent will need to be mobilised from international partners. To secure these resources, Vietnam hopes that international partners, including Japan, will continue to provide support in finance, technology and human resources, Deputy Minister Phuong said. The Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has entered its third year since being upgraded in late 2023, with cooperation across all fields continuing to expand and deliver tangible results. Economic cooperation remains a central pillar of bilateral ties. During the visit to Vietnam by Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in April 2025, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation towards a new era, including revitalising Japans ODA flows and exploring collaboration in key areas such as green transition, digital transformation and innovation. Building on this shared understanding, in 2025, the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Japanese Embassy and JICA, developed a 50 billion programme titled Budget Support for Green Transition towards Green Growth and Climate Adaptation. The programme aims to support the implementation of Vietnams strategies and policies in these areas. Following close cooperation between both sides, the exchange of notes for the programme loan has now been approved by the two governments and is expected to be signed this month. This marks a significant step in translating high-level commitments into action, encouraging next-generation ODA characterised by more concessional terms, simplified procedures and greater flexibility. The programme will support one of Vietnams four priority areas, green transition and climate resilience, while strengthening bilateral relations. Japan has extensive experience and success in green transition and climate adaptation. I believe the successful implementation of this programme will open up new opportunities for cooperation between the two sides, starting from todays workshop, the deputy minister said. John W. Mitchell, chairman of the GEA Co-hosted by the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and the Global Electronics Association (GEA) on the sidelines of APEX EXPO 2026, the Vietnam-US Innovation and Investment Forum on March 17 gathered more than 100 executives, investors, and technology experts. The event brought fresh momentum to Vietnam's ambition of positioning itself within global electronics and technology networks. The forum took place as Vietnam enters a transformative phase aimed at realising national strategies on innovations in sci-tech and digital transformation. Serving as a dynamic platform for investment connectivity, the event facilitated capital flows and fostered substantive cooperation frameworks among financial institutions, universities, and leading technology enterprises from both countries. Bringing together over 100 distinguished leaders, experts, and innovators from the global technology and innovation landscape, the forum featured participation from prominent corporations, organisations, and investment funds, including GEA, EXCEL Services Corporation, Viglacera, Sun Group, Prodezi, VNPost, Azurich, Saigontel, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Through in-depth discussions, participants explored global supply chain realignments, Vietnams increasingly strategic role, and pathways to attract investment in key sectors such as semiconductors, AI, smart manufacturing, renewable energy, robotics, aerospace, and autonomous technologies. A shared consensus emerged from the forum: for Vietnam to ascend the global value chain, it is imperative to cultivate a highly skilled knowledge workforce, strengthen core technological infrastructure, ensure sustainable energy systems, and foster a transparent, internationally aligned investment environment. Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy director of the NIC, said, Vietnam is seizing opportunities arising from the new industrial revolution. Synergising with global innovation ecosystems, particularly strategic partners in the US, enhances our technological self-reliance while serving as a powerful impetus to solidify Vietnams position in the global economic architecture. Representing the international business community, John W. Mitchell, chairman of the GEA, said, "Vietnam is emerging as a pivotal link in the global technology supply chain. The government's proactive approach, combined with a dynamic workforce, acts as a powerful magnet for US investors. GEA is committed to building bridges that enable enterprises to deeply engage in Vietnam's innovation ecosystem, co-creating sustainable value." Echoing this perspective, James Voss, vice president of EXCEL Services Corporation, highlighted the vast potential for bilateral cooperation in next-generation energy technologies. He underscored, "Advancing collaboration in research and development, strengthening clean and reliable energy infrastructure, and developing high-quality human capital will lay the foundation for landmark projects between the two nations in the years ahead." Several strategic cooperation agreements were announced at the forum, including between NIC and EXCEL Services Corporation, Azurich Investment Fund, and Viet Tri University of Industry, as well as between EXCEL Services Corporation and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. The forum reaffirmed NIC's role as a central catalyst in Vietnam's innovation ecosystem, opening pathways for multinational corporations to establish a long-term presence in the Vietnamese market. More importantly, it contributed to strengthening the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by translating political commitments into concrete economic and technological value. The event was a key highlight of the Global Business and Innovation Connect (GBIC) 2026 programme, held from March 12-17 in the US. During the programme, the Vietnamese delegation participated in APEX EXPO 2026, attended a seminar on strengthening ties with Vietnam's innovation network in Silicon Valley, and engaged with leading global technology partners including NVIDIA, Meta, OpenAI, Marvell, Stanford University, SEMI, and Anduril. These engagements helped promote Vietnam's innovation ecosystem and investment environment while strengthening collaboration between government agencies, enterprises, investment funds, and research institutions from both countries. GBIC also served as a platform to capture emerging technology trends, mobilise global intellectual resources, and further deepen the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. ASML signals long-term commitment to Vietnam Vietnams finance minister has welcomed stronger engagement from ASML, as the Dutch semiconductor equipment giant explores deeper, long-term cooperation in the country. Viettel and Qualcomm to co-develop AI smartphones Viettel has signed an MoU with American multinational Qualcomm Technologies to establish a strategic partnership for AI-integrated smart mobile devices. CEO Hai Ho pitching the "Sand Battery" technology at the Grand Finale. Photo: Claudius Pflug On March 17 in Berlin, Alterno was honoured in the Clean Energy & Storage category at the 2026 Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Awards, selected from over 470 applicants across 79 countries. The recognition makes Alterno one of the first Vietnamese startups to reach the final stage of the internationally respected awards, co-organised by the German Energy Agency and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. This marks a significant breakthrough for Vietnam's green technology sector. It is the first time in the award's 10-year history that a Vietnamese startup has reached the top three of its most competitive category. By securing this position, Alterno has set a new benchmark for Vietnamese companies while standing out as a rare Southeast Asian representative to successfully compete in a field traditionally dominated by top-tier European deep tech startups. At the event, Alterno presented its proprietary sand-based thermal energy storage system, commonly referred to as a 'sand battery', designed to provide cost-effective and scalable industrial heat solutions. Unlike conventional chemical batteries, Alternos system uses abundant and low-cost materials such as sand to store high-temperature thermal energy. The solution has demonstrated the potential to reduce energy costs by up to 50 per cent in industrial heat applications, while supporting decarbonisation efforts. This year's ceremony was marked by a significant diplomatic gesture, with Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Dac Thanh personally attending to support the Alterno team. His presence at an event hosted by the German Energy Agency and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action served as invaluable encouragement for both Alterno and the wider Vietnamese innovation ecosystem, underscoring both governments' commitment to global sustainable energy transition. For Vietnam, Alterno's technology helps businesses reduce reliance on imported coal and supports national grid stability. For Germany and Europe, the storage ecosystem offers a strategic pathway to replace natural gas in heavy industry and efficiently store renewable energy a vital solution for diversifying energy supplies amid geopolitical shifts. The achievement opens a new chapter for Alterno in connecting with international strategic partners, advancing its mission to decarbonise and ensure energy security for the region and the world. Alterno raises Series A funding to scale sustainable heat technology Alterno, a climate-tech startup founded in 2023, announced on May 13 that it had closed a Series A funding round, led by UntroD Capital Asia, with ADB Ventures, the venture arm of the Asian Development Bank. Three startups receive $790,000 in funding at Net Zero Challenge The Net Zero Challenge 2025 concluded on November 21 with $790,000 in combined catalytic grants and investment prizes awarded to outstanding startups, which will pilot innovative climate technologies in Vietnam. Chubb Life Hong Kong returns as Official Show Partner of Art Basel Hong Kong for the third consecutive year. Thai artist Wit Pimkanchanapong debuts immersive installation, Life Chapters , exploring how every action defines legacy. exploring how every action defines legacy. The partnership with Art Basel enables Chubb Life Hong Kong to engage High-Net-Worth individuals (HNWIs) by integrating art assets into the broader conversation of wealth transfer and legacy planning. Hosted in the Chubb Life Hong Kong Lounge near the Hall 1D entrance at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Life Chapters invites visitors to reflect on how every action shapes the journeys and legacies they leave behind. The artwork leads visitors through shifting paths and walls that reveal changing perspectives, reflecting that each action taken defines a life journey. Each step highlights a central theme: securing what matters most allows individuals to honor their unique journeys and the legacies they leave behind. "As Chubb Life Hong Kong turns 50, beginning our anniversary year at Art Basel is a deliberate choice," said Belinda Au, President of Chubb Life Hong Kong and Head of North Asia. "Our clients entrust us with what is irreplaceable their families, their futures and their enduring legacy that reflects a lifetime of work. By bringing Life Chapters to Art Basel, we are highlighting a belief that runs through our 50th Anniversary campaign: every action is a legacy. Our role is to give customers the protection and clarity to take mindful actions with confidence." This commitment to safeguarding what matters most and recognizing the role of art in legacy planning is underpinned by Chubb's global reputation as a longstanding patron and insurer of the arts. With Hong Kong established as one of the world's leading art trading hubs, and research showing that high-net-worth individuals allocated an average of 20% of their wealth to art collections, art is also an increasingly important part of client portfolios and a key consideration in asset portfolio and legacy planning for high-net-worth individuals. The Art Basel installation marks the beginning of a year-long program celebrating Chubb Life Hong Kong's 50th Anniversary, including cultural partnerships, community initiatives and conversations on life, legacy and intergenerational planning. Across this year, these activities will honor five decades of helping people in Hong Kong protect their aspirations and live the lives they imagine. Appendix About Life Chapters At Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 (March 2729), Chubb Life Hong Kong will present Life Chapters (hosted in the Chubb Life Hong Kong Lounge near the Hall 1D entrance at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre), an immersive installation by Bangkok-based artist Wit Pimkanchanapong that explores life-defining moments that shape an individual's path. As patrons navigate the shifting, maze-like environment within Chubb Life's lounge, they'll encounter subtle cues objects, sounds, phrases that serve as portals for reflection, while shifting walls, semi-transparent surfaces, and changing sightlines will heighten visitors' awareness of one another and create a shared experience. Life Chapters leaves space for viewers to construct their own readings. Instead of guiding them toward a single conclusion, the installation encourages experimentation and responsiveness, rewarding those who explore its possibilities. The pathways visitors trace deliberate or intuitive suggest the fluidity with which life can pivot, open or be reimagined. In this sense, the work is completed by participation: each passage through the maze inscribes a new layer of meaning, making the audience an active contributor to the artwork's evolving form. The work embodies Chubb Life Hong Kong's belief that every action is a legacy that what we do, however small, reshapes the paths available to ourselves and others. About Wit Pimkanchanapong Wit Pimkanchanapong is a Bangkok-based artist. Born in 1976 in Bangkok, Pimkanchanapong graduated from the faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand in 1992 and received a MA in Visual Communication, Electronic Media & Time-Based Media, from Kent Institute of Art & Design, Maidstone, UK in 1994. Wit identifies the special qualities of particular spaces, materials and multimedia from an architectural viewpoint and causes them to reflect the uniqueness of the region or place, transforming these into spaces that bring awareness to the viewer. He also creates places where people can share artworks, via an idiosyncratic mechanism combining media technology and everyday items. Maze as a concept has become an important form in Pimkanchanapong's work since 2021. Its origins come from his encounter with a Buddhist maze ceremony on the northern border of Thailand, which opened a way for him to bring together art, architecture, design and technology. He sees the maze as a literal representation of life: it is not linear or predetermined, and it contains many entry points, shifting routes, and unexpected possibilities. Viewers of the work may move forward, reach a dead end, and then find a new path a rhythm the artist connects with the "rebirths" one can experience over a lifetime. Exhibitions and shows: Paraphernalia, Galerie du Haidouc, Bourges, France (2003) Have We Met?, Japan Foundation Forum, Tokyo, Japan (2004). Bangkok Bangkok, La Capella, Barcelona (2005) Politics of Fun, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin (2005) Yokohama Triennale, Yokohama, Japan (2005) Mairie de 6e, Paris, France (2006) Temporary Art Museum SoiSabai with Yoshitomo Nara, Silpakorn Universiity, Bangkok (2006) Some Proposals for the Next Future, Silpakorn University, Bangkok (2007) Sharjah Biennale, Sharjah, UAE; Animated Painting, San Diego Art Museum (2007) The 7th Asian Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT7), Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane (2009) Previous works: Mist . Installation view at Central Plaza, Chieng Rai, Thailand, 2011. Installation view at Central Plaza, Chieng Rai, Thailand, 2011. Myarab (Fawn). New World Mall, Banglamphu - Bangkok Design Week 2026, 29 Jan 8 Feb 2026 New World Mall, Banglamphu - Bangkok Design Week 2026, 29 Jan 8 Feb 2026 Baan Bardo: Wonderfruits, Pattaya, Thailand, Dec 2025 Thailand, Dec 2025 Not Quite a Total Eclipse - 100 Tonson Gallery, Bangkok, 2009 100 Tonson Gallery, Bangkok, 2009 Planetary Seed, 100 Tonson Gallery, Bangkok, 2024 100 Tonson Gallery, Bangkok, 2024 Octave Maze, Sonic Voyage: A Journey of Rhythmic Flair exhibition by One Bangkok Retail and Cat Radio The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Chubb Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. The company is defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb employs approximately 45,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Bank (NYSE: FHN or "First Horizon") is proud to celebrate 25 years as the "Official Bank of Bristol Motor Speedway". Since 2001, the Memphis-based bank has been one of Bristol Motor Speedway's longest active sponsorship partners. First Horizon and Bristol Motor Speedway logo "We take great pride in our 25-year relationship with the NASCAR racing legacy that is Bristol Motor Speedway," said Greg Perdue, Tri-Cities Market President for First Horizon. "Marking this key sponsorship milestone as the 'Official Bank of Bristol Motor Speedway' aligns with our commitment to investing in places that give people great experiences and serving our communities in unique ways that help grow our brand." "At Bristol, the best partnerships feel like family traditions and First Horizon has earned that place here," said Jerry Caldwell, President and General Manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. "This 25th anniversary is a big moment for two Tennessee brands, and our shared values keep us moving forward together with the same focus on growth, service and community." Race fans will notice the First Horizon brand is visible at strategic points around the Bristol Motor Speedway campus, including inside the world-famous oval in addition to designated exterior locations at the Entrance 3 Dragway marquee sign and on the Elevator E tower near Gates 6 and 7 at the oval. The bank also enhances the fan experience with a convenient ATM in the track's North Lot, at BMS Entrance #1 near the "It's Bristol, Baby" monument. About First Horizon First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $83.9 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states concentrated in the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com. About Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway, known as The Last Great Colosseum, sits in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line. The 0.533-mile concrete oval, with 28-degree banking, hosts two major NASCAR Cup Series weekends each year, the tradition-rich Food City 500 weekend in April and the crown jewel Bass Pro Shops Night Race Chase weekend in September. The venue has staged iconic moments such as the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech (NCAA-record 156,990 fans), the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds (MLB regular-season record crowd of 91,032), the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race, the rebirth of NASCAR Cup Series racing on dirt from 20212023 and sold-out concerts for Morgan Wallen and Kenny Chesney. Fans enjoy Colossus TV, the world's largest outdoor center-hung four-sided screen video board. The adjacent Bristol Dragway is the home to the NHRA Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals, and the dragway can transform into the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre for music concerts. Opened in 1961 and acquired by Speedway Motorsports in 1996, BMS remains one of America's most unique and versatile sports and entertainment destinations. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com. SOURCE First Horizon Bank The global science and industrial landscape is facing a defining challenge. As the world transitions toward molecular-level precision and high-performance materials, the Nanotechnology Market has become the critical frontier for medical breakthroughs, energy efficiency, and semiconductor innovation. Moving beyond "theoretical research," the modern enterprise is demanding scalable carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, and nano-composites. According to the latest strategic data from Evolve Business Intelligence, this market is on an explosive trajectory, valued at USD 75.84 Billion in 2023 and projected to reach USD 248.74 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.74%. For technology leaders, this shift represents a transformative opportunity. Navigating a sector defined by the transition to nano-biotechnology and AI-integrated molecular engineering requires more than lab equipment; it requires precision intelligence. Market Dynamics: The Leaders Dilemma Market leaders today face a unique set of "innovation-bred" problems. When breakthrough nanomaterials introduce new performance expectations, the primary challenge is no longer just discovery; it is manufacturing scalability and environmental safety. The Scalability Gap: While lab-grown nanomaterials offer superior strength and conductivity, the ability to maintain uniform structural integrity during mass production remains a global technical bottleneck for aerospace and electronics brands. While lab-grown nanomaterials offer superior strength and conductivity, the ability to maintain uniform structural integrity during mass production remains a global technical bottleneck for aerospace and electronics brands. Toxicity and Safety Friction: Moving toward widespread nano-integration in healthcare and consumer goods increases concerns regarding long-term biological impact. A leaders ability to demonstrate "absolute biocompatibility" and environmental safety is now as critical as the material's mechanical properties. Moving toward widespread nano-integration in healthcare and consumer goods increases concerns regarding long-term biological impact. A leaders ability to demonstrate "absolute biocompatibility" and environmental safety is now as critical as the material's mechanical properties. Regulatory and Standardization Volatility: With evolving national mandates regarding "nano-labeling" and strict safety standards for nanoparticle inhalation risks, the product pipeline is a high-sensitivity environment. Diversifying into certified "green" nanotechnology and sustainable synthesis is becoming a strategic necessity. Explore the full dataset and strategic forecast: Nanotechnology Market: Trends & Forecast to 2033 Strategic Solutions: The Blueprint for Sustained Dominance To navigate these challenges, leaders must look beyond standard R&D 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 Nano-Bio Pipeline While traditional nano-coatings provide stable revenue, the real value shift is in Targeted Drug Delivery and Nano-Sensors. Monitoring competitor investments in RNA-lipid nanoparticles ensures you stay ahead of the "biomedical" curve. Granular Research & Custom Insights: Identifying High-Need Verticals Generic data won't help you navigate the nuances between the high-conductivity needs of the Electronics sector and the high-durability requirements of the Automotive and Aerospace industries. Granular Research identifies specific "pain points"from the thermal management needs of high-speed processors to the lightweighting requirements of modern satellite structures. TAM Expansion Funnel: Finding Growth in Renewable Energy With the market expanding toward $248.74 Billion, the "Total Addressable Market" (TAM) is growing as industries integrate nano-catalysts for green hydrogen and high-capacity nano-batteries. The TAM Expansion Funnel helps leaders identify the "hidden" billions in the global transition toward sustainable energy storage. GTM (Go-To-Market) Strategy: Navigating Regional Tech Mandates Dominating the mature North American market requires a different playbook than penetrating the rapid industrialization and organized research boom of the Asia-Pacific region. We craft regionalized GTM Strategies that leverage local semiconductor incentives and regionalized safety frameworks. Regulatory Due Diligence: Mitigating Post-Market Compliance Risks As new mandates for hazardous substance control and "nano-safety" reach the market, Regulatory Due Diligence ensures your product roadmap aligns with evolving global mandates, protecting your brand equity. Supply Chain Intelligence: Securing Critical Raw Materials The transition to sophisticated nanotechnology increases vulnerability to shortages in high-purity precursors and rare-earth elements. Supply Chain Intelligence maps the global landscape for verified chemical providers and sustainable lab partners, ensuring your deployment remains synchronized and reliable. Regional Outlook: Where the Growth Lives North America: The Value Leader. Consistently holding a dominant position, this region remains the primary revenue engine for high-end medical and defense nanotechnology, driven by early technology adoption and a strong presence of key research institutions. Consistently holding a dominant position, this region remains the primary revenue engine for high-end medical and defense nanotechnology, driven by early technology adoption and a strong presence of key research institutions. Asia-Pacific: The Volume & Growth Driver. Witnessing rapid expansion, this region is fueled by massive electronics manufacturing and the quick adoption of nano-materials in the industrial sectors of China, Japan, and India. Witnessing rapid expansion, this region is fueled by massive electronics manufacturing and the quick adoption of nano-materials in the industrial sectors of China, Japan, and India. Europe: The Center for "Green Nano." Driven by strong environmental consciousness and a surge in the launch of innovative eco-friendly nanomaterials, the focus here is on harmonizing high-performance engineering with strict regional safety standards. The Path to 2033 The transition from managing simple material properties to securing a place in the global "molecular engineering ecosystem" is the defining technological trend of the decade. For current technology leaders, the path to 2033 is paved with the integration of AI-driven Material Discovery and Sustainable Nano-Manufacturing. Master the $248.74B 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 technological volatility dictate your growth. To turn complex scientific 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 ... Our 2026 global market reports are now updated with the latest data, delivering insights into key trends, segments, and growth drivers. The mainframe market is on track for notable expansion in the coming years, driven by evolving enterprise needs and technological advancements. As businesses increasingly rely on robust computing systems, the demand for mainframes is expected to surge, supported by new trends and innovations that enhance performance and security. Lets explore the markets growth trajectory, key factors behind its rise, important segments, emerging opportunities, regional dynamics, and leading players shaping its future. Mainframe Market Size and Growth Forecast from 2026 to 2030 The size of the mainframe market is projected to experience substantial growth over the forecast period, reaching $4.47 billion by 2030. This expansion corresponds to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. Several factors contribute to this upward trend, including wider adoption of hybrid cloud strategies, escalating demand for real-time analytics, heightened cybersecurity concerns targeting enterprise systems, growth in digital banking and fintech platforms, and the increasing requirement for high-availability computing environments. Key market trends expected to influence growth involve modernization and migration services for mainframes, broader integration of hybrid cloud models, rising use of high-performance transaction processing systems, enhanced security and compliance solutions, as well as greater investments in system integration and workload optimization. Download the Free Report Sample Now: https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=33588&type=smp&utm_source=Whatech&utm_medium=Paid&utm_campaign=Mar_PR Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Mainframe Market Expansion The accelerating pace of digital transformation is a central factor boosting the mainframe market. This process involves embedding digital technologies across all aspects of business operations to improve efficiency, deliver greater value, and foster innovation through agile, data-driven approaches. Businesses are embracing digital transformation to meet customer expectations for faster, more personalized, and seamless experiences, which is raising the demand for reliable computing platforms. Mainframes fulfill this need by offering secure, scalable, and highly dependable environments optimized for mission-critical workloads. Their capability to handle large transaction volumes with minimal downtime and integration complexity supports organizations in modernizing their operations while ensuring continuity. Supporting Evidence of Digital Transformation Investment For instance, in July 2024, the UKs Office for National Statistics reported that the digital infrastructure program received an investment of $535 million (434 million) by 2022, with an additional $907 million (736 million) allocated for 2023 to 2025. This substantial funding highlights the increasing government commitment to strengthening digital capabilities, which indirectly fuels the demand for mainframe systems capable of underpinning these advancements. Such investments underscore how the emphasis on digital transformation continues to drive growth in the mainframe industry. Download the Detailed Report Today: www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/ign=Mar_PR Key Segments Driving Growth Across the Mainframe Market This report segments the mainframe market based on several critical categories: - Offering: Hardware, Software, Services - Deployment Model: Cloud, On-Premise - Organization Size: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Large Enterprises - Application Areas: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Transaction Processing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Supply Chain Management, Other Applications - Industry Verticals: Banking and Financial Services, Government and Public Sector, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Manufacturing Further details on subsegments include: - Hardware: Processors, Memory Modules, Storage Subsystems, Networking Components, Security Modules - Software: Operating Systems, Middleware Platforms, System Management Tools, Virtualization Software, Mainframe-Optimized Applications - Services: Maintenance and Support, System Integration, Consulting, Modernization and Migration, Training and Implementation Innovations and Trends Accelerating Mainframe Market Opportunities Leading companies in the mainframe space are prioritizing the development of cutting-edge products, such as integrated artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators, to boost system efficiency, improve security, and accommodate contemporary enterprise workloads. Integrated AI accelerators are specialized hardware components embedded within mainframe processors, designed to perform AI inference tasks quickly and efficiently close to the data source. A prime example came in April 2025 when IBM introduced its z17 mainframe system. This advanced machine features the patented Telum II processor, which includes a second-generation on-chip AI accelerator capable of delivering response times as low as 1 millisecond, significantly cutting latency for real-time decision-making scenarios. The system incorporates the IBM Spyre Accelerator and provides native support for IBM Granite AI models, enabling seamless deployment of generative AI tools and agents directly on the platform without the need to transfer sensitive data. Additionally, it integrates quantum-safe cryptography and focuses on energy-efficient performance, reducing operational costs while enhancing security. Regional Markets Leading the Mainframe Industrys Growth In terms of geographic distribution, North America held the largest share of the mainframe market in 2025, reflecting the presence of major technology firms and enterprise demand. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to exhibit the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by expanding digital economies and increasing investments in IT infrastructure. The mainframe market analysis covers several key regions including Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. Prominent Companies Shaping the Mainframe Market Landscape The mainframe industry landscape features a group of dominant corporations, including Dell Technologies Inc., Hitachi Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Broadcom Inc., Tata Consultancy Services Limited, Fujitsu Limited, Capgemini SE, NEC Corporation, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, Infosys Limited, DXC Technology Company, HCL Technologies Limited, Atos SE, Wipro Limited, TietoEVRY Corporation, Unisys Corporation, UNICOM Global, IBA Group, CPT Global Limited, Advanced Software Products Group Inc., Fischer International Corporation, ABIS, 21CS Ltd., Black Hill Software Ltd., and DINO-Software Corporation. These companies continue to drive innovation and market expansion through a mix of product development, services, and strategic partnerships. Access This Detailed Market Report: https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/purchaseoptions.aspx?id=33588 Americas +1 310-496-7795 Europe +44 7882 955267 Asia & Others +44 7882 955267 & +91 8897263534 The Business Research Company - www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/?utm_so_page_test News From The Business Research Company ... Category: Industry Reports & Market Analysis Profile: The Business Research Company is a leading market research and consulting services provider. It offers over 9,500 market reports across 27 industries in 60+ geographies, providing detailed insights and forecasts. Its customised research solutions support companies in making critical decisions, while its continuous research service enhances organizational capabilities. The flagship Global Market Model database provides comprehensive market intelligence with 1,500,000 datasets covering 8,000+ mark ... The First Minister has told the Senedd that Wales wanted to extend the October 2020 firebreak lockdown but could not do so because the UK Government refused to guarantee the financial support. Eluned Morgan MS made the statement on Tuesday as she faced questions on the Welsh Governments formal response to the UK Covid-19 Inquirys report on core decision-making and political governance, published on Monday. I think its fair to say that there were times when we might have wanted to lock down for a bit longer. And the real problem we had was that we couldnt; we werent given the money by the UK Government, Ms Morgan told the Senedd. She added: They also recognised the firebreak was effective, actually. The problem with it was that it didnt go on for long enough. And we knew that. We had a discussion about it. I remember it very, very clearly. We wanted it to go on longer and we werent given the money, the assurances, because that was the money that had to come from the UK Government. Darren Millar MS (Conservative, Clwyd West) challenged Ms Morgan on the inquirys finding that scientific advisers had warned Wales two weeks before the firebreak that action was needed. He told the Senedd the inquiry report states the Welsh Government failed to learn from the experiences in the first lockdown, which then led to local restrictions being implemented too late and too loosely to control the spread of the virus. Mr Millar asked Ms Morgan whether the Welsh Governments hesitation had led to damaging consequences, even deaths, for people across Wales. I think it is important for us to recognise that its not true that we failed to learn lessons. We learned significant lessons all the way through the pandemic, she said. The session accompanied the publication of the Welsh Governments written response to the inquirys module 2 recommendations, which confirms the government is operating under a formal legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The agreement, entered into on 21 November 2025 under section 23 of the Equality Act 2006, relates to what the document describes as inconsistencies in how equality impact assessments are conducted and published. The Welsh Government has agreed to a two-year action plan of cultural reforms to the equality impact assessment process. The written response also sets out the Welsh Governments position that decisions on devolved matters must be taken by the Welsh Government from the outset, and not by COBR, and that devolved responsibilities cannot be delegated to any other body, even in an emergency. The document identifies the legal concordat underpinning co-operation between the Welsh Government and the UK Government on civil contingencies as out of date, saying it has not been reviewed for many years and does not reflect developments in civil contingencies and emergency response. The Welsh Government said it would press the UK Government to update it. Both Mr Millar and Mabon ap Gwynfor MS (Plaid Cymru, Dwyfor Meirionnydd) pressed the First Minister to commit to a Wales-specific Covid inquiry, arguing the UK-wide process had not fully examined the impact of decisions made in Wales. Mr ap Gwynfor said: Thats why we continue to call for a Wales-specific inquiry to ensure the openness, honesty and transparency that the people of Wales deserve. Mr Millar asked Ms Morgan: Dont you accept that the only way were really going to get to the bottom of these issues and to learn the lessons is to make sure that weve got a proper COVID inquiry for those people who lost their lives, and suffered harm as a result of this pandemic? Ms Morgan did not commit to a Wales-specific inquiry during the session. Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com North Wales Fire Service has been urged to engage with Wrexham Council after it was claimed it has not presented a report to the authority in person for 14 years. Members of Wrexhams Democratic Services Committee criticised North Wales Fire Service (NWFRS) which will again increase its precept charge to council tax payers this April for refusing requests to bring performance reports to the authority and face scrutiny in person. They argued that if NWFRS wished to charge residents more they should make themselves available for members to question as North Wales Police do through the community safety partnership. Wrexham Councils new Democratic Services Manager Dr Rebecca Wright said: I had a discussion with the relevant scrutiny officer about this issue. He told me the fire service have said that theres no capacity for them to be able to attend any meetings or supply a report. That claim drew the ire of committee members. Ive been on this council for 14 years now and Ive never once seen a report from North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority come in to our councillors, said Cllr Derek Wright. I just feel that all the fire service do each year is ask us for more money for their precept, but we dont actually have any input into it. With the police we do because they come to the community safety partnership. Couldnt a fire officer attend that meeting and then the lead member who takes responsibility for the police could then take over the responsibility for the fire authority as well? At least we would have an annual report on the fire service. In the meantime could we ask the politically-balanced representatives on the fire authority to get their heads together and give us a report after each meeting they attend? I think its silly. Theres no information as a councillor I can give to my constituents on whats happening within the fire authority. I dont think thats correct when we are paying a precept to them as a council. If we could have someone to come and give us an overview of what changes have happened since the cultural review but theyre just refusing to come to scrutiny. I feel thats wrong. Theyre part of public service within North Wales and therefore we as elected members should have at least an annual report if not a report after each meeting of the fire authority. Cllr Rondo Roberts, who is a member of the Fire and Rescue Authority, expressed surprise that no representative of NWFRS had been sent to speak to the council. Im amazed that theyre refusing to come, he said. The structure is that top heavy, I cant see how and why somebody cant attend or send a report at least. Theres a weekly bulletin goes out to members of the fire authority and the executive panel to keep communities up to date but I am astounded that they wont engage. Cllr Roberts pledged to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Fire and Rescue Authority on April 20. A spokesperson for NWFRS said: North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is accountable through the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, which is made up of elected members nominated by the six North Wales local authorities, including Wrexham County Borough Council. These members scrutinise the services performance, governance and financial planning through the authoritys formal meetings and committees. While the service does not routinely present reports directly to individual council committees, we do maintain regular communication with local authorities. Following each Fire and Rescue Authority meeting, a summary of key headlines and decisions is shared with the leaders of all six North Wales councils. We remain committed to constructive engagement with local authorities across North Wales and would welcome ongoing dialogue about how best to support democratic scrutiny and understanding of the services work. By Alec Doyle BBC Local Democracy Reporter Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com Students from the University of Kent who have returned home to north Wales are being advised to contact their GP straight away for preventative antibiotics following an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Canterbury that has killed two people. Public Health Wales is advising anyone who lived in campus accommodation at the University of Kent, or visited Club Chemistry nightclub between 5 and 7 March, and who has since returned to Wales to seek a prescription for antibiotics from their GP if they were not able to receive them before leaving Kent. Wendi Shepherd, Deputy Director of Health Protection at Public Health Wales, said: Our thoughts are with everyone involved with the meningitis outbreak in Kent, and we extend our sympathies to those affected. As students from the University of Kent return home, it is important that they access preventative antibiotics if eligible, both to protect themselves and to prevent any transmission to others. We are working with UKHSA to identify people who may be eligible for vaccination. The outbreak is caused by meningitis B, known as MenB. The MenB vaccine is offered to infants through the routine NHS immunisation programme in Wales, covering children born on or after 1 September 2015, but it is not routinely offered to teenagers. Most young people of university age born before 2015 will not have been vaccinated against this strain. A separate vaccine covering meningitis types A, C, W and Y is offered to teenagers at around age 13 or 14, with catch-up vaccination available up to age 25. Public Health Wales warns that vaccination does not protect against all strains of meningitis and that knowing the symptoms is essential, as the condition can worsen rapidly. Symptoms can include fever, severe headache, vomiting, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, confusion, being very sleepy or difficult to wake, and seizures. A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass is also a symptom, but Public Health Wales advises not to wait for a rash to appear before seeking help. Anyone with symptoms should call 999 immediately or go to the nearest accident and emergency department. NHS 111 can be contacted for advice if someone is unsure whether their symptoms are serious. GP surgeries in north Wales have been inundated with queries following the outbreak, according to the Local Democracy Reporter Service. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed on 18 March that nine laboratory cases have been confirmed and 11 further notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 20. Two people have died. Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com Reno Fire Department has been putting crews through a training program which is about to wrap up. This is specialized training to get firefighters ready to drive the engines along with operating the water pumps they need in case of larger fires. Around spring time is when, twelve firefighters go through this training each year, having to complete over a hundred hours through the academy. Firefighters tell us this is one of the most complex parts of their job, because they have different styles of fire engines and different types of malfunctions they need to recognize in order to think on their feet during an emergency. Reno Fire Safety and Training Division Chief Cory Whitlock said "when they come to the Fire Equipment Operator Academy, that we host every spring that they have the foundation to be challenged because not only are they learning how to pump and run the apparatus, drive the apparatus, negotiate the different components of it, but they have to learn a lot of math when it comes to, a lot of these water pressures, because they're not just turning on the engine." The Fire Department hosts this academy with larger areas in mind, like buildings downtown, hospitals, or certain types of houses. Those who want to participate in this training need to have three years of work under their belt before they're able to sign up. Chief Cory Whitlock said they have to be equipped with all these hoses, and they have to talk about friction loss, elevation change, how much water they're receiving, how much water they're pumping out, and how many, areas they're pumping out. So they're really maxing out not only the increased capability, but also math is, high functioning here, so they're really having to make a lot of decisions in a short amount of time." The Fire Department says its critical to have firefighters able to jump into these roles at a given moment. They did say one of their main focuses in the training is navigating through our hills. Chief Cory Whitlock said "we make sure that that is a cornerstone of our training here, that they understand the ins and outs had negotiated up these hills, how to pump and and drive at the same time and really protect structures, so I think that's one of the most critical aspects of this, this academy that we give to our community." After the three weeks, firefighters are able to test and qualify to drive the firetrucks to the scene instead of sitting in the back seat how they did before. WASHINGTON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Land Title Association (ALTA) Good Deeds Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by ALTA, the national trade association of the title insurance industry, today announced $126,000 in grants to 21 nonprofit organizations across the United States, supporting charities that work at the local level to expand housing opportunity and strengthen communities. Each organization will receive a $6,000 grant. The announcement was made during ALTA EDge, the American Land Title Association's spring conference in Frisco, Texas. The grants support nonprofit organizations nominated by ALTA members that are making meaningful differences in their local communities. "These grants reflect the deep commitment of the title insurance industry to the communities where we live and work," said Steve Day NTP, board chair of the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation and past president of ALTA. "Our members believe in giving back and supporting organizations that provide vital services, from housing support and food assistance to youth programs and community development. We are proud to help these organizations continue their important work." The following organizations will receive $6,000 grants: The Assistance Center of Colin County, Plano, Tex. Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties, Salem, Ore. Connect Community Village Inc., Somerset, Ky. Evening With The Stars, Vermillion, S.D. Fighting Children's Cancer Foundation, Fairfield, N.J. Food Pantry in Tool, Texas, Tool, Tex. Friends in Tents and Community Outreach, Akron, Ohio Haus of Codec, Providence, R.I. HAVEN Violence Prevention and Support Services, Portsmouth, N.H. Homes for Families, Woodland Hills, Calif. Kentucky Senior Games Inc., Lexington, Ky. MAMA's House of Hope, Marion, Wis. NeighborWorks Boise, Boise, Ida. Operation Love, Anderson, Ind. Rebuilding Together Greater Bismarck/Mandan, Mandan, N.D. Rural Resources Inc., Greeneville, Tenn. The Pearl Mae Foundation Inc., Jupiter, Fla. The Shepherd's Table Inc., Silver Spring, Md. Thrive With Autism Foundation, Magnolia, Tex. United Way of Delaware County Young Adult Transitional Living Program, Delaware, Ohio VFW National Home for Children, Eaton, Mich. "The ALTA Good Deeds Foundation showcases the generosity and civic spirit that runs throughout the title industry," said Chris Morton, CEO of ALTA. "Every day, title professionals work behind the scenes to help families achieve the dream of homeownership. Through the Foundation, our industry is also proud to support organizations that strengthen communities and improve lives across the country." About the Foundation Since its founding in 2020, the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation has awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in 47 states and the District of Columbia, supporting causes that strengthen families, promote housing stability, and enrich communities. For more information on the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation, including grant programs and how to support its mission, visit www.altagooddeeds.org. About ALTA The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, represents an industry comprised of more than 17,000 title insurance companies operating across the nation, with over 90% being small businesses. Contact: Alisa Mairone Direct Office Line: 202-261-0305 Email: [email protected] SOURCE American Land Title Association In Northern California, winter showers bring spring wildflowers. But they don't last long, so get outside and frolic through the blooms from the Peninsula to Point Reyes. Windy Hill Open Space Preserve There are lots of trails to follow down around Windy Hill, but the one you don't want to miss is the Anniversary Trail. Get up early to drive into the hills and park in the main lot, which opens 30 minutes before sunrise. This will leave you with enough time to make your way to the peak through the wildflower-scattered trails and watch the sunrise over the Bay. Insider tip: After your hike, get some much-deserved breakfast at Alice's Restaurant, a Skyline classic. // Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (Portola Valley), openspace.org Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (Courtesy of @aliceswoodside ) Feel like picking up the pace? Head to Russian Ridge down on the Peninsula for some trail running, where slightly less than four miles of trails will take you through forests and wildflowers and lead you to some spectacular views. There's only about 500 feet of elevation gain over the course of your run, so depending on your fitness level, it should only take you about an hour. Insider tip: Hungry after your run? Of course you are. Make a beeline for Alpine Inn in Portola Valley and order a beer, burgers, and fries. // Skyline Blvd. and Page Mill/Alpine Rd. (Redwood City), openspace.org Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve For some of the Bay Area's best wildflowers, head to Sunol in the south East Bay. Park at the Visitor's Center and pick up a trail map, which will lead you to the Canyon View Trail and a four mile roundtrip hike with spectacular views of oak-lined canyons and dramatic waterfalls. Make it a day hike or grab a permit and camp overnight. // 1895 Geary Rd. (Sunol), ebparks.org Abbott's Lagoon (Courtesy of @tuppyceramics ) On your hike to Abbott's Lagoon, you'll experience the best Point Reyes has to offerbeaches, headlands, marshes, tons of wildflowers, and stunning views of the Pacific. Come on a weekday to avoid the crowds, and take it slowly along the easy, 2.8 mile out-and-back trail to the beach. Insider tip: If it's a nice day, pick up picnic supplies in Point Reyes Station and take a mid-hike break on the beach. // Pierce Point Rd. (Inverness), nps.gov Its not your imagination: Getting older really does come with more aches, more checkups and, yes, more medical bills. More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults ages 40 to 64 are in medical debt, with most owing between $1,000 and $1,999 (22 percent) or $2,000 and $4,999 (23 percent), a 2024 an AARP survey published in June 2025 found. Members only Among adults 65 and older who report being behind on medical bills, the average balance is an estimated $13,800, a 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau analysis of Census Bureau data found. And not all of those bills are from expensive hospital stays and surgeries; a large share of older adults with medical debt attribute some of it to routine services such as lab fees and diagnostic tests, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy nonprofit. Even a healthy 65-year-old who retired in 2024 faces anywhere from $128,000 to $320,000 in lifetime out-of-pocket medical costs, according to research firm Milliman. But dont panic. There are steps you can take to cut through medical expenses without sacrificing the quality of your health care or dipping into your retirement savings to pay a sky-high bill. Here are 25 ways to save on prescriptions, negotiate hospital bills and clamp down on other medical expenses. 1. Dont miss out on free medical exams One often overlooked health care benefit: Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans offer a wide range of preventive services at no cost, such as annual wellness visits, cognitive screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density scans and recommended vaccines like flu and pneumonia. These visits go beyond check-the-box appointments, says journalist Dan Weissmann, creator of An Arm and a Leg, a podcast about the cost of health care. Theyre a chance to catch silent problems early, when treatment is simpler and much less expensive. Some Medicare Advantage plans even reward you for getting free medical exams and screenings by lowering your plans premiums. Yet millions leave these benefits on the table: In 2022, about 40 percent of eligible policyholders failed to take advantage of their free wellness visit, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2. Correct your hearing today so youre not paying for memory care tomorrow Theres a clear link between hearing loss and dementia, yet too many older people resist hearing aids, says Carolyn Rosenblatt, a registered nurse, elder law attorney and founder of AgingParents.com, a website that addresses legal and health care issues around aging in place. A 2023 study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins showed moderate to severe hearing loss raises dementia prevalence by 61 percent. Wearing hearing aids reduces that risk by a third. When shopping for hearing aids, consider Costco, Walmart, CVS and direct-to-consumer online outlets like Beltone, Miracle-Ear and FitHearing. These retailers typically undercut the national average prices for prescription devices currently around $3,300 per pair and often throw in service perks like free fittings. 3. On a high-deductible plan? Ask for a medical providers cash price first If you have a high-deductible health insurance plan and dont typically reach your annual out-of-pocket maximum, you could save money by paying for medical appointments and treatments with cash instead of going through insurance. The cash price for a medical procedure is [often] lower than the insurers price, says Bai. If youre never hitting the deductible, cash is often smarter. Her research team at Johns Hopkins analyzed 70 common services at hospitals countrywide and found that the self-pay price was lower than the negotiated insurance price nearly half the time. Thats because some hospitals offer steep discounts to patients who pay up front. Bais advice: Ask health care providers, Whats the price if I pay in full today, without going through insurance, versus the insurance price? 4. Get help from an unbiased expert when comparing Medicare plans With so many options and so many rules, choosing a Medicare plan can be overwhelming, which is why many people go through a broker. The trouble is, brokers often try to upsell clients because they work on commission, says Phil Moeller, author of Get Whats Yours for Medicare: Maximize Your Coverage, Minimize Your Costs. He recommends getting free advice from an independent Medicare expert instead of using a broker. Every state offers trained Medicare plan counselors through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). These experts can help you compare policies and determine the right plan for you at no cost. Their job is to give you the best possible information to make a smart choice, Moeller says. That could mean finding a cheaper plan, flagging Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help programs you didnt know you qualified for, or steering you away from options that cost more but offer less coverage. You can find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org or by calling 877-839-2675. Use AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini to simplify itemized bills into clear language and highlight any duplicate or erroneous charges. Jared Oriel 5. Use AI tools to check medical bills for errors Quick! Whats the difference between billing codes 99213 and J1885? Perplexed? Youre not alone. Up to 80 percent of medical bills contain errors, and many are buried in language thats difficult to decipher. Moreover, a 2024 federal audit of Medicare Advantage health plans revealed billions of dollars in overcharges and other payment errors. Older adults are especially vulnerable to medical billing errors. With more chronic conditions and more frequent medical care, they face a greater chance of incorrect charges, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But theres a secret weapon: Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini can translate itemized bills into plain English and flag duplicate or incorrect charges. Use your smartphone to take a picture of the bill (after blacking out your name, birth date, Social Security number and any other identifying details for security protection), upload it to one of the AI tools, and ask, Can you explain these charges? Do any of them look unusual or incorrect? If AI says something looks wrong, call the billing office and ask them to explain or correct it, says Ge Bai, a professor at Johns Hopkins who studies health policy and hospital billing. That can easily save you $50, $100 or much more. Emerging online tools like OpenHand use AI to catch billing errors and can even help patients negotiate with health care providers, so its worth watching where this technology leads. 6. Protect yourself when you check in for an appointment When you arrive at a hospital or doctors office, youre often handed a tablet and asked to sign lengthy consent forms. But what exactly are you agreeing to? Ask them to print out the paperwork, Weissmann says. Buried in those consent forms could be a waiver that authorizes the provider to bill you at full out-of-network rates even if the provider is in-network, bypassing your No Surprises Act protections. Watch out for language like, If you sign this form, you agree to give up your protections under the law. If you see that or anything mentioning that youre waiving rights or agreeing to out-of-network charges, dont sign, advises Weissmann. However, if you are set on visiting a specific doctor or hospital, he recommends a tactic from health care journalist Marshall Allen: Cross out the consent to treat waiver and write, I will pay as much as two times what Medicare would pay for this. Then, initial the change and keep a copy for your records. Most front-desk staff will shrug and accept it without question, Weissmann says, placing a cap on how much the provider can charge you. MOMBASA, Kenya, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In a display of international coordination, Atlas Free partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to host a regional anti-trafficking summit in Mombasa, Kenya. The event brought together leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States to confront the rapidly evolving trafficking crisis. Atlas Free and UNODC unite leaders in Kenya to strengthen cross-border efforts against human trafficking. Post this Leaders from seven countries across Eastern Africa gather for the Regional Forum on Trafficking in Persons in Eastern Africa. John Richmond, Atlas Frees Chief Impact Officer, Former U.S. Ambassador to Combat Trafficking, speaks at the Regional Forum on Trafficking in Persons in Eastern Africa. Government officials, survivor leaders, and nonprofit organizations gathered steps away from Fort Jesusa 16th-century coastal fortress once tied to the Arabian slave trade. The setting served as a stark reminder of the region's long history of exploitation and the urgency of today's fight against modern slavery. Over three days, participants worked to address the fragmented systems traffickers exploit and chart a more coordinated regional response focused on victim identification, survivor care, and cross-border cooperation. Addressing a Rapidly Evolving Crisis The summit focused on the accelerating complexity of trafficking operations across East Africa and beyond. Participants examined emerging threatsincluding forced criminality in cyber scam operations, domestic servitude, and digital recruitment tactics increasingly used to target sex trafficking victims. Leaders also addressed persistent gaps in victim identification and protection. Many trafficking victims remain misidentified as criminals, particularly in cases involving cyber-enabled trafficking, where traffickers force victims to participate in online scams or fraud under coercion. Across the discussions, participants highlighted several pressing challenges: Transnational trafficking enterprises outpacing legal systems. Criminal organizations operate across borders faster than current protection frameworks can respond. Victims frequently go unidentified. Limited training and screening procedures often result in survivors being detained or overlooked instead of protected. Criminal organizations operate across borders faster than current protection frameworks can respond. Limited training and screening procedures often result in survivors being detained or overlooked instead of protected. Trafficking methods are evolving rapidly. Digital recruitment, cyber scams, and overlapping crimes, including fraud , smuggling, and corruption, make cases harder to detect and prosecute. Digital recruitment, cyber scams, and overlapping crimes, including , smuggling, and corruption, make cases harder to detect and prosecute. Frontline responders remain under-resourced. Civil society groups and law enforcement often lack the funding and tools needed to reach victims and sustain reintegration programs. Throughout the summit, government officials and civil society leaders exchanged practical strategies for identifying victims sooner, improving trauma-informed recovery care, and strengthening cooperation across national borders. Building Pathways Home for Survivors One key focus of the summit was improving the cross-border referral process so survivors rescued in one country can safely return home and access long-term care. "The East African government representatives and NGO leaders also discussed how to streamline the referral process so sex trafficking survivors can return home for the best possible care," said John Richmond, Atlas Free's Chief Impact Officer, Former U.S. Ambassador to Combat Trafficking. "Many trafficking victims, if they are fortunate enough to find freedom, have no way home and limited access to services." Participants explored ways to strengthen partnerships between governments and nonprofit organizations to ensure survivors receive care, safe housing, and reintegration support. A New Level of Regional Collaboration "A fear in me has been taken away," said Flora, an Atlas Free Network Member who attended the gathering. "I will push this narrative for the people near me to understand this evil that is happening and how we can walk with those who have gone through traffickingwhether domestic or international. Something in me was awakened this week." Organizers say the summit strengthened relationships between governments, survivor leaders, and civil society organizationscreating a foundation for more coordinated anti-trafficking efforts across East Africa. According to Richmond, the partnership between UNODC and Atlas Free represents a powerful model for future impact. "UNODC's successful track record and Atlas Free's expansive network of service providers create a powerful combination," he said. "When international institutions and frontline organizations work together, we can build systems that actually outpace traffickers." As trafficking enterprises continue to expand across borders and into the digital world, leaders at the summit emphasized that sustained international collaboration will be essential to protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. The Mombasa summit represents an important step toward that goal: bringing together the people and partnerships needed to reshape how the region confronts human trafficking. About Atlas Free Atlas Free is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Seattle, WA, uniting a global network of over 140 frontline organizations to fight human trafficking and restore dignity and freedom to survivors. With operations in 67 countries around the world, Atlas Free provides safety, healing, and pathways to new futures for women, children, and families affected by trafficking. For Media Inquiries: Contact the Atlas Free Marketing Team at [email protected]. SOURCE Atlas Free Board Changes and Corporate Update Toronto, Mar 19, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. ( ASX:RAU ) ( CVE:RSM ) ( 8TX:FRA ) ( RSGOF:OTCMKTS ) announced the appointment of Simon Stilwell to its Board of Directors as Independent Non-Executive Chairman, effective 18 March 2026 (Canada). Mr Stilwell's appointment follows the announcement made on 16 February 2026 regarding his proposed appointment to the Board. In connection with Mr Stilwell's appointment, Christopher Eager will transition from Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Justin Clyne is stepping down as a Director of the Company effective today, consistent with the intention previously announced on 5 January 2026 and, accordingly, resolution 5 at the forthcoming AGM relating to Justin's election will be withdrawn. On the appointment of Mr Stilwell, Christopher Eager, CEO of Resouro, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Simon to the Board as Non-Executive Chairman. His deep experience in capital markets, governance, and strategic leadership will be invaluable as Resouro advances the development of the Tiros Rare Earths and Titanium Project and continues to strengthen its engagement with international investors." Mr Eager added: "On behalf of the Board and management team, I would also like to thank Justin for his contributions to the Company, particularly his role in achieving Resouro's secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. We wish him every success in his future endeavours." Mr Stilwell has more than 30 years of experience in capital markets, corporate governance, strategy execution, mergers and acquisitions, and the leadership of listed and unlisted businesses, particularly in regulated industries. He was CEO and Founding Director of London-based investment bank Liberum Capital, which developed a strong resources franchise from inception. He was also a founder, investor and a member of the investment committee of Laurium, its natural resources fund management business. Mr Stilwell also served as a long-standing Non-Executive Director at Gresham House Plc, an alternative asset manager, during a period of significant growth and value creation, where he chaired the remuneration committee and was a member of the audit, risk, investment and sustainability committees. Resouro also announces a change of local agent, address and responsible person for ASX communications. The Company has appointed Mr Dennis Wilkins as the local agent and the responsible person for ASX communication, effective today. The Company also advises of a change to the address of the appointed local agent as follows: DWCorporate Pty Ltd Suite 1.03, 17 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Australia Mr Wilkins is a highly experienced company secretary, who has been providing governance advice, compliance services and general corporate advisory assistance to internationally listed resource companies for 26 years. For the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 12.6, Mr Wilkins will be the person responsible for communications between the Company and the ASX. About Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. (ASX:RAU) (CVE:RSM) (OTCMKTS:RSGOF) (FRA:8TX) is a Canadian incorporated mineral exploration and development company, listed on the ASX, TSXV, OTC and FSE, focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in Brazil, including the Tiros Titanium-Rare Earths Project and the Novo Mundo Gold Project. The Tiros project has 28 mineral concessions totalling 497 km2 located in the state of Minas Gerais, one of the best infrastructurally developed states of Brazil, 350 km from the state capital of Belo Horizonte. Resouro's Mineral Resource Estimate for the Tiros Project contains 165 million tonne of titanium dioxide and 5.5 million tonne of total rare earths oxides within a Measured and Indicated Resource of 1.4 billion tonne at 12% titanium dioxide and 4,000 ppm of total rare earth oxides. Related Companies loading......... Brisbane, Mar 19, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Far East Gold Limited ( ASX:FEG ) ( FEGDF:OTCMKTS ) CEO Shane Menere speaks about the newly granted approval. 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. To Watch the Video, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/B7K8747W 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 Dave Grohl opens up about the loss of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, the grief that followed, and how music became both a crutch and a path forward. AceShowbiz - Dave Grohl, frontman of the Foo Fighters, has opened up about the profound impact of losing longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins in an interview with Mojo magazine. "Losing Taylor was never meant to be," Grohl told writer David Fricke. "That threw our world upside down and made me question everything about life, that it was so ... It was so unfair. I still have a hard time making sense of it." Over the past four years, Grohl had rarely spoken publicly about the emotional toll the tragedy took on the band. In the wake of Hawkins death, Grohl immersed himself in music as a way to cope. He admitted, "I think I was afraid of silence, afraid of having to feel. I could have used a bit more of the silence, a bit more of digging deeper. I never want to say music is a distraction, but I was definitely using it as a crutch for some broken limb." The Foo Fighters returned from a hiatus in May 2023 with drummer Josh Freese joining the band. However, the lineup shifted again two years later when Freese was replaced by Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin. Notably, Nine Inch Nails then replaced Rubin with Freese, a rare occurrence in rock history. Regarding Freeses departure, Grohl told Zane Lowe in February that the band never made an official announcement. "We didn't make a press release, tweet anything, or do interviews," he said. "Since then, there's been a lot of talk about it, but I think Josh said it best when he was like, you know, he didn't feel our music really resonated with him, and that's really important, right?" Freese himself told The New York Times in 2025 that the split was likely due to management issues and his personal disconnect with the band's music. As the Foo Fighters continue to evolve after a difficult period, Grohls reflections highlight the challenges of navigating loss and change within a band that has been central to rock music for decades. Afroman wins lawsuit against police officers who raided his home. Jury clears rapper of defamation & privacy invasion claims after viral videos. AceShowbiz - Afroman has been officially cleared of all claims in a lawsuit brought by seven Ohio police officers who alleged defamation and emotional distress caused by his mocking music videos. The jury delivered a verdict in favor of Afroman after a three-day trial, finding no liability for either defamation or invasion of privacy. The legal dispute originated from a 2022 incident when the Adams County Sheriff's Department raided Afromans home with guns drawn, executing a search warrant based on suspicions of drug trafficking and kidnapping. Despite the dramatic nature of the raid, authorities found no evidence to support the charges, returned seized cash and property, and filed no criminal charges. Following the raid, Afroman responded by releasing music videos and social media posts that harshly criticized and mocked the involved officers. The videos included footage from his own home surveillance system, portraying the law enforcement officers in an unflattering light. The plaintiffs claimed these videos were false and caused them severe emotional harm, leading them to file the lawsuit seeking damages. During the trial, Afroman defended his actions as protected free speech under the First Amendment, emphasizing that the officers had no grounds for the raid and that his criticism was a response to what he considered an unjustified intrusion. The courtroom proceedings featured highly charged moments, including emotional testimony from one of the deputies who was visibly upset by the videos, and exchanges that highlighted the adversarial nature of the case. After only a few hours of deliberation, the jury sided entirely with Afroman. Judge Jonathan Hein officially announced the verdict, stating the jury found in favor of the defendant under all circumstances. Afroman showed little reaction during the announcement, briefly bowing his head. The outcome marks a significant legal victory for Afroman, who faced the possibility of a $3.9 million damages award had he lost. Neither sides attorneys immediately issued public comments following the verdict. This case highlights the complex intersection between freedom of expression and law enforcements efforts to protect their reputations. While the officers argued that the videos were defamatory and damaging, the jury ultimately determined that the rappers right to critique and satirize public officials was paramount, especially in the context of a controversial police action that resulted in no charges. As public discourse around police accountability and the limits of artistic expression continues to evolve, this verdict may influence future cases where public figures and officials clash over critical commentary expressed through media and art. Will Encanto 2 ever happen? Director Byron Howard shares insights on a potential sequel to Disney's magical, record-breaking film about the Madrigal family. AceShowbiz - Encanto made a significant impact upon its release in November 2021, breaking records and securing its place in Disney history. Fans remain eager for a follow-up, hoping to revisit the magical world of the Madrigal family. The story centers on the Madrigals, a Colombian family living in a magical house known as the Encanto, where every child receives a unique giftexcept for Mirabel. As the familys magic begins to fade, Mirabel discovers that she could be the key to restoring their enchantment and reuniting her family, all while learning to appreciate her own worth. ScreenRants Tatiana Hullender recently spoke with Byron Howard, one of the directors of Encanto, during a press event marking the home release of Zootopia 2. Howard shared insights about the creative process behind the film and touched on the chances of a second installment. Byron Howard explained that animated films typically require about five years to complete. He noted the common overlap among creative teams working on different projects, pointing out that many of the people involved in Encanto also contributed to other recent Disney films. Its a matter of strategy, he said, how to overlap the projects as they get done. Howard described the making of Encanto as an amazing experience, with the cast and crew forming a strong bond akin to a family, which extended to their connection with Colombian culture. He emphasized the unique significance of creating a movie about closely connected family members during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many people experienced isolation. To be making a movie about a dozen people in a house together was incredible, Howard reflected. He expressed hope that an Encanto sequel could be released when audiences are no longer burdened by pandemic-related restrictions, allowing the magic to reach theaters under better circumstances. Although Howard acknowledged a deep affection for the film, discussions about a sequel have been ongoing for some time. In March 2025, voice actor John Leguizamo, who lent his voice to a character in the original film, told People magazine that producers were exploring ways to expand the magical world of the Madrigals. While no official announcement has been made, there have been reports about potential storylines. Stephanie Beatriz, who voices Mirabel, also weighed in on the status of Encanto 2 in 2023 during an interview with ScreenRant. She admitted she had not heard any concrete news about a sequel, joking that she hadnt heard jack s--t. Beatriz speculated that the directors busy schedules might be responsible for the delay, suggesting that progress could happen once their current commitments are completed. Beatriz expressed enthusiasm for working with the creative team again, praising their collaborative spirit and the incredible experience they shared. She also mentioned the ongoing curiosity from fans, noting that whenever she visits Disney parks, people often ask about the sequel. I know fans of the film are really, really eager to know if its going to get a sequel, she said. I would love to do that... I think theres a ton of story to be told and so many people who would love to see that. While concrete plans for a follow-up to Encanto remain unconfirmed, the combination of director comments, cast enthusiasm, and ongoing fan interest keeps hope alive for a future continuation of the Madrigal familys story. For now, audiences can revisit the original film, which is available to stream on Disney+. Tess Holliday denied life insurance due to weight. Her story exposes fatphobia in insurance & medical industries. AceShowbiz - Tess Holliday, the plus-size model, revealed on Wednesday that she was refused life insurance coverage because of her weight, sparking discussions about discrimination in the insurance and medical industries. In a candid TikTok video, Tess Holliday sarcastically expressed her disbelief, stating, "I'm sorry. Yes, I did think that I could get life insurance as a 40-year-old, non-smoking, non-drinking, non-health issue having human. That was honestly my bad." She highlighted that despite being 5-foot-3 and weighing over 300 pounds, she was deemed ineligible for life insurance. Tess Holliday emphasized that she maintains a daily workout routine, has no preexisting medical conditions, and does not take any medications, further underscoring the perplexing nature of the denial. The model criticized what she called the "medical industrial complex" as being "fatphobic," and asserted that the system itself is broken. "That's my bad, and that's on me," she added with sarcasm, "And, honestly, it won't happen again. Lesson learned." In the caption accompanying her post, she wrote, "AAA you did me dirty man," expressing disappointment toward the insurance provider. She later responded to a commenter saying she was "shook" by the experience. Fox News Digital has reached out to AAA for comment but has not yet received a response. Recently, Tess Holliday posted a video featuring herself in a green bikini with the word "fat" printed on it. The caption read, "POV: you lost weight but never made it your personality." In a separate caption, she challenged societal views by stating, "Imagine calling self-acceptance toxic. Couldn't be me." Tess Holliday also shared that she resurrected the "#effyourbeautystandards" movement she started 13 years ago, asserting that its message remains vital today. "Maybe now more than ever," she wrote, emphasizing the ongoing need for body positivity and acceptance. Last fall, Tess Holliday recounted a disturbing encounter on a United Airlines flight where a flight attendant suggested she should lose weight. She shared this incident with People magazine, revealing the emotional impact it had on her. The model was flying first class from Tampa, Florida, with her 9-year-old son when she accidentally pressed the flight attendant call button with her hip while in the bathroom. Upon exiting, the attendant reportedly approached her and began discussing weight loss, citing concerns about her health and mentioning his sister, who he described as "very, very large," presumably similar in size to Tess Holliday. According to Tess Holliday, the attendant mentioned that his sister had faced discrimination on a flight and claimed that the long-term effects of their size were detrimental to their health. "This went on for about 10 minutes, and I think I was just frozen," she said, explaining that she wanted to avoid a scene because her son was present but was left in a state of shock. The flight attendant reportedly told her that someone had filed a complaint against his sister due to her weight, and that United had contacted him with remarks that made him uncomfortable. Despite this, he agreed that his sister needed to lose weight. Tess Holliday recounted that the attendant then said, "because of my size, I am kidding myself if I think that I don't need to lose weight." She stressed that while some might interpret the comments as helpful, the issue was the inappropriateness of such remarks. "That's not the point," she said. "You don't say things like that to people." The conversation reportedly lasted too long, and she excused herself when another passenger needed to use the bathroom. Following the incident, Tess Holliday said she contacted United Airlines, who stated they would pass the complaint along and address the situation with the employee involved. She clarified that she did not want the flight attendant to lose his job but hoped the airline would consider sensitivity training to prevent similar incidents in the future. Afroman wins lawsuit as court dismisses police officers' defamation claims over satirical music videos made after a controversial raid. AceShowbiz - Joseph Edgar Foreman, known professionally as Afroman, secured a decisive legal victory after a lawsuit brought by seven Ohio police officers was rejected. The officers alleged that the rappers music videos and social media posts, which mocked law enforcement following a 2022 raid on his home, defamed them and caused emotional distress. However, the court found no grounds for liability, fully clearing Foreman of the claims. The controversy originated after the Adams County Sheriff's Department executed a guns-drawn raid on Foremans residence in 2022. The raid involved forcibly entering his home, seizing over $5,000 in cash and other property, and was based on suspicions of drug trafficking and kidnapping. Ultimately, no charges were filed, and the seized money was returned. In response, Foreman used footage from his own surveillance cameras to produce satirical music videos criticizing the officers conduct during the raid. The lawsuit alleged that these videos contained false statements and caused severe emotional harm to the officers involved. However, Foreman maintained that his actions were protected under the First Amendment as free speech, particularly given the circumstances of the raid. He argued that the police officers aggressive tactics were unjustified and that his creative responses were a legitimate form of expression. After deliberation, the court returned its verdict in favor of Foreman, rejecting all claims of defamation and invasion of privacy. The presiding judge confirmed the decision. This ruling represents a significant win for Joseph Edgar Foreman. Legal experts note that the verdict underscores the challenges public officials face when suing for defamation, especially when First Amendment protections of free speech and artistic expression are invoked. Neither the plaintiff officers nor Foremans legal representatives issued immediate public statements following the verdict. The case has sparked broader discussion about the balance between law enforcement accountability and the limits of satirical criticism, especially in an era of heightened social media expression. As this case shows, creative responses to contentious encounters with authorities continue to test legal boundaries and public perceptions. Major LGBTQ media company Equalpride lays off staff, including top editors at Out, The Advocate, and Pride.com. Industry upheaval continues. AceShowbiz - The media industry continues to face significant upheaval as Equalpride, the parent company behind prominent LGBTQ media outlets including Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, Health PLUS Wellness, and Advocate Originals, has recently laid off several staff members across both editorial and corporate divisions. According to an insider, the layoffs took place last Friday and affected a range of positions from editorial leadership to brand partnerships. High-profile departures have already been publicly confirmed through LinkedIn announcements by key staff such as The Advocate editor-in-chief Alex Cooper, Pride.com editor-in-chief Rachel Shatto, brand partnerships manager Erin Manley, community editor Marie-Adelina de la Ferriere, Out magazine staff writer Moises Mendez, and Out staff writer Bernardo Sim, who acknowledged his exit on Instagram. Alex Cooper, who had been with the company in various capacities since June 2021, described losing his role as a dream job and expressed gratitude to his team for the past four years, highlighting the honor of leading such an influential LGBTQ+ news outlet. Similarly, Rachel Shatto, who led Pride.com since June 2021, reflected on her time at the publication, emphasizing her commitment to connecting with and expanding the audience while fostering a joyful and uplifting editorial approach. The Hollywood Reporter obtained an internal memo from Mark Berryhill, CEO of Equalpride, addressing the staff about the companys current challenges. Berryhill candidly acknowledged the difficult decision to reduce headcount further, citing the unstable advertising market as a primary factor. He explained that many companies are cutting back on marketing expenditures due to economic uncertainties, which has led to cancellations of major ad campaigns and significantly impacted the companys revenue. In an effort to adapt, Berryhill outlined plans to consolidate departments and reassign remaining personnel to focus on new revenue streams not reliant on advertising. This strategic pivot aligns with broader media industry trends as companies grapple with the economic downturn and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Berryhill also announced that a town hall meeting will be held in the coming week to discuss the companys direction and answer employee questions. Despite the financial pressures, Berryhill emphasized the companys ongoing mission to uplift marginalized voices, stating, We can't let the economic and political climate overshadow our calling to amplify the voices that need to be heard as our queer community fights for inclusion and faces daily setbacks in human rights. The recent wave of layoffs follows a similar round last October, when six staffers were let go. Sources confirm that the media landscape is especially difficult for outlets serving marginalized communities, pointing to the broader political environment as a contributing factor. The insider noted, We're in a really tough time. The anti-DEI policies of this administration are really brutal, and it trickles down so much that we're seeing the impact of it. The source further stressed the importance of LGBTQ media, calling it essential for representation and storytelling. They explained that these platforms have survived and thrived for decades because they fulfill a vital role in telling the communitys stories, especially now when visibility and advocacy are more crucial than ever. As the media industry continues to navigate economic obstacles and political headwinds, the layoffs at Equalpride underscore the precarious position of niche media brands that serve critical social functions. The companys efforts to restructure and seek alternative revenue sources will be closely watched by observers concerned about the future of LGBTQ media representation. Explore the epic journey of Stargate: from the 1994 film to the iconic SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe series, and the unresolved future of this legendary sci-f... AceShowbiz - Stargate started as a groundbreaking 1994 sci-fi film directed by Roland Emmerich and produced by Dean Devlin, centered around an ancient alien portal linking Earth to distant worlds. This concept sparked an expansive franchise that thrived in television for nearly twenty years. The franchises first and most iconic TV adaptation, Stargate SG-1, aired from 1997 to 2007 and became the longest-running North American sci-fi series at that time with ten seasons. It was followed by two spinoffs: Stargate Atlantis, which explored a new galaxy region with a focus on adventure, and Stargate Universe, which took a darker, serialized approach, extending the franchises television presence to fifteen continuous years. However, the cancellation of Stargate Universe in 2011 concluded the TV saga unexpectedly, leaving storylines unresolved. Since then, the franchise has lacked a live-action series of similar scope. A minor web series, Stargate Origins, debuted in 2018 on MGM's now-defunct streaming service but failed to reignite widespread interest. That changed in November 2025 when Amazon MGM Studios announced a new untitled Stargate series for Prime Video, assembling a creative team with deep ties to every key era of the franchise. This development is the most significant in Stargates history since the debut of SG-1. 1) A Long Hiatus Has Built Strong Fan Anticipation After the end of Stargate Universe, fans were left with incomplete stories due to the series serialized nature and early cancellation. No major live-action follow-up has been produced in the fourteen years since, creating a yearning among the global fanbase for new material to engage with. The return of Stargate on Prime Video offers fans a chance to reconnect with the franchise and resolve lingering narrative threads. 2) Prime Videos Sci-Fi Credentials Ensure Quality Support Amazons streaming platform has established a strong reputation for supporting ambitious science fiction series. It famously rescued The Expanse from cancellation and guided it to a satisfying six-season run, showing dedication to complex genre storytelling. Additionally, Amazons 2024 adaptation of Fallout attracted 65 million viewers in just its first two weeks, proving the platforms capability to deliver high-profile sci-fi productions with cultural impact. This backing is crucial as Stargate requires a robust production budget and consistent support to maintain its expansive mythology over multiple seasons. 3) The New Series Will Continue the Existing Stargate Universe Unlike a reboot that discards previous continuity, the new Prime Video series will build on established Stargate lore. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the show will honor the franchises decades-long mythology while welcoming new viewers. This approach balances the needs of longtime fans, who benefit from thirty years of deep narrative history, and newcomers, who can enjoy the story without exhaustive prior knowledge. 4) Showrunner Martin Geros Unique Experience Bridges All Eras Martin Gero, who has been involved with all three prior live-action Stargate series as a writer, will serve as showrunner for the revival. His experience spans the tonal diversity of the franchise, from the adventurous spirit of SG-1 and Atlantis to the darker, serialized style of Universe. This makes him uniquely qualified to unify the franchises varied tones and direct the new series with deep understanding and respect for its legacy. His appointment highlights Prime Videos commitment to creative leadership that is intimately familiar with Stargates history rather than an outsider unfamiliar with the lore. 5) Veteran Producers Brad Wright and Joe Mallozzi Provide Essential Expertise Brad Wright, the co-creator of SG-1, and Joe Mallozzi, an executive producer across all the franchises TV series, return as contributing producers. Their combined experience covers over fifteen years of development, production, and storytelling within the Stargate universe. Their involvement ensures continuity and access to the franchises deep internal logic, including the complex rules governing the Stargate network, alien civilizations, and narrative consistency. Crucially, they support Geros vision without undermining his showrunner authority. 6) Original Film Creators Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich Rejoin as Executive Producers For the first time since the 1994 film, the original creators of the Stargate cinematic universe, director Roland Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin, will serve as executive producers on a Stargate production. Their return brings the foundational vision of the franchises origins back into a formal creative role, reconnecting the new series with the source material that launched the entire property. 7) Collaboration Between Film Creators and TV Veterans Is a First for Stargate The upcoming Prime Video series marks the first time that the original films creators and the longtime television stewards are working together within the same creative framework. Previous TV installments developed independently from the 1994 films originators, resulting in separate creative lineages. This reunion under one umbrella, supported by a platform with the financial resources and commitment to sustain ambitious sci-fi storytelling, offers a unique opportunity for the franchise. It promises a new series that honors every era of Stargate while charting a fresh course forward. This unprecedented collaboration, blending decades of institutional knowledge and original vision, represents the strongest foundation the franchise has ever had. It fuels genuine excitement for what the new Prime Video series can achieve in revitalizing and expanding the Stargate universe. As anticipation builds toward the series debut, fans and newcomers alike are invited to join the conversation and share which element of the creative lineup excites them most. The revival of Stargate is poised to be a landmark moment in science fiction television, combining legacy, innovation, and a world-class production platform to reinvigorate a beloved franchise. Amanda Seyfried reveals the surprising prosthetic detail used in her graphic nude scenes for 'The Testament of Ann Lee,' calling the experience liberating. AceShowbiz - Amanda Seyfried recently shared intriguing details about her role in the film The Testament of Ann Lee, revealing she wore a "prosthetic butthole" during filming. The actress discussed this on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, explaining that the movie required a highly graphic portrayal. The Oscar-nominated actress, 40, described the experience as both "cool" and "exciting." She recounted that while filming nude scenes, she was actually wearing a prosthetic device, which served as a precautionary measure. "I was pregnant and naked, but I wasnt naked at all," she said, highlighting the complexity of the scenes. In one of the films most striking moments, Amanda Seyfried appears standing in front of a burning building wearing only a merkin, an artificial hair covering. She expressed feeling incredibly liberated in this scene, despite the vulnerability it entailed. During the interview, Amanda Seyfried clarified that the prosthetic was present, but it was not visible on screen. When asked why the device was necessary if it wouldnt be seen, she responded with a lighthearted, "Just in case." Her playful attitude continued as she laughed about the unusual detail, joking that such facts might help draw audiences to theaters. The clip of her interview posted on the show's Instagram received enthusiastic responses from fans, with one calling her a "weirdo" in an affectionate way, and another suggesting her entire press tour should be made into a movie itself. Amanda Seyfried described the film as "f-king daunting" in a previous interview with Who What Wear. She shared her motivation for choosing challenging roles, saying she seeks projects that terrify her but also help her grow as an artist. "I need to sink my teeth into something that is really scary because I know I can do it, and I know I'll be better for it," she said. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2025 to critical acclaim, earning Amanda Seyfried a 15-minute standing ovation. For her performance, she has received both an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination, though she lost the latter to Rose Byrne. Her reaction to the Golden Globe result went viral, capturing a candid grimace at the outcome. As the 2026 Academy Awards approach, Amanda Seyfried remains humble about the possibility of winning. In a recent interview with The New Yorker, she questioned the necessity of taking home the Oscar, explaining, "I've gotten this far. ... Would [an Oscar] be great? Of course it would, for every reason. But it isn't necessary." Her candid reflections and commitment to challenging roles continue to make Amanda Seyfried an intriguing presence in Hollywood. The unique choice to wear a prosthetic for a graphic scene in The Testament of Ann Lee underscores her dedication to authenticity and artistic bravery. AVONDALE, La., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Avondale Global Gateway (AGG), in partnership with JEDCO, announced it has been selected as an inaugural recipient of an investment through Louisiana Economic Development's FastSites program, a statewide initiative that accelerates site readiness and positions Louisiana to compete for transformative industrial projects. AGG participated in the program's official launch in Baton Rouge, where CEO Adam Anderson was invited to speak alongside state leaders, highlighting the site's strategic importance to Louisiana's economy. Facilities at Avondale Global Gateway in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Photo courtesy of T. Parker Host. "Public investments that improve the readiness of maritime and logistics sites are critical to growing Louisiana's trade economy," said Port of New Orleans Board Chairman Mike Thomas. "Avondale Global Gateway is an important multimodal logistics hub within Port NOLA's jurisdiction, and infrastructure investments like this in Jefferson Parish strengthen our region's ability to drive economic opportunity." Since acquiring the former Avondale Shipyard, Avondale Global Gateway's parent company, T. Parker Host (Host), has transformed the 275-acre property into a premier multimodal logistics hub. What was once a distressed industrial complex with just six people on site now supports more than 600 workers across operations, tenants, and active construction. Four deepwater docks along the Mississippi River have been restored, critical infrastructure rebuilt, and environmental remediation completed to support new investment. AGG's rapid growth is driving demand for expanded infrastructure. With rail capacity nearing operational limits, the FastSites investment will fund a major rail expansion, including an expanded Union Pacific connection and more than 30,000 feet of new on-site track. Upon completion, annual rail capacity will increase from just over 7,000 cars to more than 16,500, allowing the site to handle more than 75 rail cars per day. The expansion more than doubles current throughput and supports over 1,300 jobs across tenants and operations. "Jefferson Parish is proud to support the state's FastSites investment in rail capacity expansion at Avondale Global Gateway, a project that will strengthen our transportation and freight network, attract new business, and create quality jobs for our residents while reinforcing the parish's role as a key gateway for global trade," said Jefferson Parish Councilman Deano Bonano. "Avondale Global Gateway is one of the most valuable physical assets in the region, serving as a significant link to the rest of the world. We are committed to the company's continued growth and success. JEDCO is proud to support the advancement of critical rail infrastructure improvements at Avondale Global Gateway through the FastSites program. This work will enhance the site's competitiveness and support new private investment and job creation in Jefferson Parish," said Jerry Bologna, President & CEO of JEDCO. AGG is now the fastest growing industrial hub in the Gulf and a cornerstone of Louisiana's industrial economy. Its robust roster of tenants and customers reflects a deliberate strategy to build a diversified and resilient economic engine for the region, highlighted by record-breaking breakbulk volumes, rapid job creation, and expanded multimodal connectivity. "Avondale's transformation proves that when infrastructure is ready, investment follows. The real story here is the caliber and diversity of businesses choosing to call Avondale home," said Adam Anderson, CEO of Host. "This FastSites investment is the infrastructure catching up to that demand. We are proud to partner with Governor Jeff Landry, Senate President Cameron Henry, House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, Senator Patrick Connick, Representative Kyle Green, Jefferson Parish Councilman Deano Bonano, Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken, Chairman Mike Thomas, and Jefferson Parish leaders to turn vision into reality." To learn more, visit www.tparkerhost.com About T. Parker Host T. Parker Host (Host) is a total solutions provider for the maritime industry, specializing in agency services, terminal operations, stevedoring and marine assets. Founded in 1923 and guided by its Core Principles, the company has developed a strong reputation for its expertise, transparency, and high standards of service. The entire Host team focuses on customer needs while adding value to every operation with increased efficiency and tenacity. In 2022, Host reopened the former Avondale Shipyard as Avondale Global Gateway, a center of multimodal commerce, employing hundreds of Louisianians. In 2023, recognizing the success and centrality of the Louisiana sites to Host's business, the company relocated its headquarters to Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Learn more at www.tparkerhost.com. About Avondale Global Gateway Avondale Global Gateway (AGG), a T. Parker Host company, is a multi-modal industrial and logistics hub located on the historic Avondale Shipyard site along the Lower Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The 275-acre site features deepwater docks, Class I rail connectivity, warehousing, and extensive cargo handling capabilities, supporting bulk, breakbulk, and general maritime trade. Since 2018, T. Parker Host has transformed a largely idle industrial property into a thriving gateway for commerce, creating more than 250 jobs and attracting regional and national industrial tenants. Through strategic investment, operational excellence, and public-private partnership, Avondale Global Gateway plays a central role in advancing economic development along the Mississippi River corridor. Learn more at www.avondaleglobalgateway.com. SOURCE Avondale Global Gateway NCIS's Timothy McGee is now the longest-serving cast member. A shocking episode reveals a secret 18-year-old romance, rewriting his personal history. AceShowbiz - Sean Murray's character Timothy McGee has been a staple of NCIS since its very first season in 2003, and now, more than two decades later, he stands as the longest-serving cast member in the 2025-2026 television cycle. Despite not being part of the original Leroy Jethro Gibbs MCRT team, McGees journey has been deeply intertwined with the series evolving storylines. However, the recent episode titled "In Too Deep" delivered a stunning twist that none of the shows fans saw coming. The episode unveiled a previously unmentioned chapter of McGees lifehis past relationship with Gloria, an abducted scientist central to the case at hand. What made this revelation so surprising was the fact that this connection had never been referenced before, quietly taking place 18 years prior to current events. This relationship existed between McGees known romances with Abby Sciuto and his wife, Delilah Fielding, adding a complex new layer to his personal history. More significantly, the case led to the revelation that McGee has a secret son named Matteo with Gloria. The episode ends with McGee expressing a strong desire to build a relationship with his newfound son, setting the stage for a compelling new narrative arc. In an exclusive interview with USA Today, Sean Murray opened up about this groundbreaking plot development and what viewers can expect moving forward. He made it clear that this storyline is not a one-off twist but a significant thread the writers intend to explore in depth. Murray explained, "McGee has already prided himself in being a good father, because his relationship with his own father was not wonderful. The idea that he has an 18-year-old son freaks him out at first, but he falls into the father role naturally." He also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding how Delilah will react to this life-changing news, adding, "So much remains to be seen, such as, how is Delilah going to react to this? We're not going to set this and forget it. We'll revisit this for sure." This statement confirms that McGees storyline will continue to develop with meaningful consequences on his personal and professional life. Prior to the episode's airing, fans speculated heavily about who from McGees past might appear. Theories ranged from his sister to his mother, but the introduction of Gloria, a character never previously mentioned, was a bold narrative choice by the show's creators. This surprising revelation has effectively shaken up McGees character, offering fresh material after years of his story feeling somewhat stagnant. While the concept of a main character discovering a long-lost son is not new to NCISas seen previously with Leroy Jethro GibbsMcGees situation is unique in that it is not a red herring but a concrete plotline with lasting implications. This development has the potential to add emotional depth and complexity to McGee, who has often played a more reserved role within the team. It is also worth noting that many plotlines in long-running procedural dramas like NCIS tend to be forgotten or sidelined due to the sheer volume of cases and story arcs. However, the shows producers have reassured audiences that McGees discovery of Matteo will not be swept under the rug. Fans can expect this storyline to be revisited and expanded upon in coming episodes. One lingering question remains as to when Matteo will physically appear on the show. Given recent dramatic developments involving Director Vance and the potential shutdown of the agency itself, it is uncertain how quickly the show will follow up on McGees son. The ongoing upheaval within the agency might delay or complicate this personal storyline, but it sets the stage for intriguing future plot twists. In related news, CBS recently announced the end of NCIS after an impressive 34-year run, which adds further weight to the significance of these current storylines. The revelation about the agency shutting down was a jaw-dropping moment in season 23, episode 12a time when McGee is also grappling with his newfound fatherhood. For years, McGees progression within the agency has been limited by the current structure of the MCRT team, with little room for upward mobility unless major organizational changes occur. The governments unstable situation could trigger such changes, but meanwhile, the introduction of Matteo offers McGee a new and compelling personal journey to explore. Ultimately, this storyline offers a fresh direction for Timothy McGee, whose character has been a fan favorite but whose personal arc had plateaued. With the revelation of a secret son and the promise of exploring the consequences of this discovery, NCIS is injecting renewed energy into the series through its longest-serving character. Fans will be watching closely to see how McGee navigates fatherhood, his marriage, and his career amid the agencys uncertain future. Val Kilmer returns via AI in a new Western. See his digital likeness as a priest in a role written for him, supported by his estate. AceShowbiz - The late Val Kilmer is set to appear once again on screen through the use of generative AI in the upcoming Western film As Deep as the Grave. Although Kilmer passed away in 2025, his digital likeness has been recreated with the full support of his family and estate, allowing the actors presence to be felt in a project that was deeply meaningful to him. Variety recently unveiled the first images of Kilmers AI-generated portrayal of Father Fintan, a priest whose story intriguingly mirrors Kilmers own health struggles. The films director and screenwriter, Coerte Voorhees, shared that Kilmer was the sole actor he envisioned for the role, which was crafted specifically with Kilmer in mind. Unfortunately, Kilmers battle with throat cancer prevented him from physically participating in the shoot before his death. He was the actor I wanted to play this role. It was very much designed around him, Voorhees explained. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest. The character of Father Fintan suffers from tuberculosis, a condition paralleling Kilmers real-life throat cancer, which affected his voice following a tracheal surgery. The director noted that while recasting might have been a simpler option, the films independent status and limited budget necessitated innovative solutions. Generative AI technology provided a way to honor Kilmers involvement authentically without compromising the productions financial constraints. We really figured out that this is a major missing element, Voorhees said. Normally we would just recast an actor... But we can't roll camera again. We don't have the budget. We're not a big studio film. So we had to think of innovative ways to do it. And we realized the technology is there for us. As Deep as the Grave received enthusiastic backing from Kilmers family, including his daughter Mercedes and son Jack, who were integral in approving the use of AI likeness for this project. Mercedes shared that her father always embraced emerging technologies as tools to expand storytelling possibilities, a spirit the family is committed to honoring through this film. He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling, Mercedes stated. This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part. The director acknowledged the controversy surrounding the use of generative AI to resurrect actors, but emphasized that this choice reflected Kilmers own wishes and the familys support. Voorhees said the familys encouragement gave him confidence to proceed with the innovative approach despite anticipated debates. Producer John Voorhees, Coertes brother, elaborated on the significance of digitally recreating Kilmers voice, affected by his medical treatment. The characters vocal condition serves as a poignant connection to Kilmers own health challenges, creating a unique emotional bridge within the storytelling. The character in the film also suffers from tuberculosis. Again, this historical character mirrored Val's actual condition when he was suffering from throat cancer, John Voorhees explained. When it comes to the voice this is a really unique opportunity for the character to reflect the condition that the actor was actually suffering from, thus creating a kind of a bridge. The project also complies with guidelines from the Screen Actors Guild, ensuring that Kilmers estate was compensated appropriately for the use of his AI likeness. This adherence to industry standards provides an ethical framework for the productions pioneering efforts. This is not the first time Kilmers voice has been recreated using AI technology; notably, the company Sonantic utilized AI to reproduce his voice for the film Top Gun: Maverick. The current project marks a further step into integrating AI technology to honor Kilmers legacy on screen. As Deep as the Grave features a strong cast alongside the AI representation of Kilmer, including Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Wes Studi, and Abigail Breslin. The story centers on two real-life archaeologists working on a dig in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, blending historical narrative with a contemporary archaeological mystery. While no official release date has been announced, anticipation for As Deep as the Grave is building, particularly due to the innovative approach taken to preserve Val Kilmers final role. The film promises to be a tribute both to Kilmers enduring influence as an actor and to technological advancements in filmmaking. Val Kilmers career spanned numerous iconic films including Batman Forever, The Prince of Egypt, Tombstone, and Top Gun. His involvement in As Deep as the Grave through AI technology offers a groundbreaking example of how emerging tools can extend an artists impact beyond their lifetime. In summary, As Deep as the Grave stands as a testament to Kilmers legacy, his familys dedication, and the filmmakers commitment to innovation. By harnessing generative AI, this Western not only tells a compelling story rooted in the American Southwest but also pioneers new frontiers in cinematic storytelling. Rebecca Ferguson reveals her bittersweet, one-scene role in Dune: Part Three. The actress discusses her limited screen time and FOMO on set. AceShowbiz - Dune: Part Three will feature only a brief appearance from Rebecca Ferguson, who revealed she has just one scene in the upcoming film. Ferguson plays Lady Jessica, the Bene Gesserit mother of Paul Atreides, and spoke candidly about her limited screen time in the sequel. In an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast released Tuesday, Ferguson explained, "I just dipped my toe in. I don't even think she was supposed to be in three. And then Denis was like, '[You] need to have one scene.' And I get one scene." She described the experience as bittersweet, saying, "That was a weird feeling, walking onto a set that you know so well and knowing you don't have a part of it. There's a lot of FOMO and the acceptance of this is just what it is. You just have to serve." Ferguson also praised the script, calling it "great" and expressing confidence that the film will be "fantastic." However, she acknowledged that her main journey in the saga concluded with the first two movies. The third installment adapts elements from Frank Herbert's second Dune novel, Dune Messiah, though Ferguson noted that her character actually has even less presence in the book than in the film adaptation. Director Denis Villeneuve has made significant changes to the source material, shaping the movie into a more action-driven thriller compared to the earlier, more contemplative films. Villeneuve recently described the movie as "a very different movie than the first ones." He explained, "If the first movie was contemplation, a boy exploring a new world, and the second one is a war movie, this one is a thriller. It is action-packed and tense. More muscular." The film focuses on Paul Atreides, played by Timothee Chalamet, grappling with the consequences of wielding immense power. The director emphasized that while the story involves attempts to overthrow Paul, "the heartbeat of the film is still the relationship between Paul and Chani," the latter portrayed by Zendaya. This relationship remains central to the emotional core of the movie. In addition to Ferguson, the film introduces Robert Pattinson as Scytale, a fan-favorite character who is complex and morally ambiguous. Pattinson shared with reporters, "I wouldn't say he's a conventional bad guy, as such. He might even be a good guy. Who knows! I will also find out, when I see the movie." Other returning cast members include Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh, and Anya Taylor-Joy, reprising their roles from the second film. Jason Momoa also returns despite his characters apparent death in the previous installment, thanks to the mysterious return of Duncan Idaho. Villeneuve has confirmed that Dune: Part Three will be his final entry in the series and clarified that he does not consider the three films a traditional trilogy. He explained in a Vanity Fair interview that the first two films were intended as a diptych adapting the first Dune novel, and the third will stand apart with its own identity. The previous films have collectively grossed $1.1 billion worldwide, demonstrating strong audience interest in the saga. Fans can expect Dune: Part Three to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026. Meanwhile, Ferguson continues to expand her profile with roles outside the Dune universe. She stars in Netflixs Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which premieres on the streaming service this Friday, and will appear in the upcoming third season of Apple TV+s Silo. With its tense, thriller-like approach and a cast that blends returning favorites with intriguing new faces, Dune: Part Three looks poised to conclude Denis Villeneuves adaptation with a fresh and intense chapter, even if Lady Jessicas presence is notably brief. Oscar winner Joachim Trier invokes James Baldwin in a political speech. His film "Sentimental Value" continues Cannes' dominance of the Best International Fe... AceShowbiz - In a ceremony noted for its political undertones, director Joachim Trier claimed the Oscar for Best International Feature Film for Sentimental Value. Accepting the award, Trier gave thanks to "the wonderful American writer James Baldwin," whose words he invoked to make a pointed statement. "He makes us remember that all adults are responsible for all children," Trier said from the stage, adding, "and let's not vote for politicians who don't take this seriously into account." Sentimental Value, a drama about a film director played by Stellan Skarsgard and his dysfunctional family, continued a notable trend for the Academy Awards. For the third consecutive year, the Best International Oscar has been awarded to a film that premiered in the Cannes Film Festival's main Competition. This follows Sean Baker's Anora last year and Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest the year before that. Trier's latest work had won the Grand Prix at Cannes, the festival's second-highest honor. The victory represents a reversal of fortune for the Norwegian filmmaker. His previously Oscar-shortlisted film, The Worst Person in the World, ultimately lost the International Feature category to another Cannes champion: the Palme d'Or-winning Drive My Car by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Furthermore, the 2025 Cannes outcome had suggested history might repeat itself, as the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, was awarded to Jafar Panahi's It Was an Accident, which beat out Sentimental Value for the big French prize. Despite Panahi's film being described as "one of the year's most ubiquitous art movies," it ultimately garnered "few trophies" in the major awards season, according to the source. This paved the way for Joachim Trier's cinematic family drama to secure the ultimate industry recognition at the Oscars. The win underscores the Academy's continued affinity for prestigious Cannes selections, solidifying the French festival's role as a crucial launchpad for awards success in this category. The political nature of Trier's acceptance speech aligned with the overall tone of the evening, which was characterized as "convivial but surprisingly political." By quoting James Baldwin and issuing a direct call about political responsibility, the director used his platform to extend the film's thematic concerns about legacy and accountability into the real world. The moment highlighted how international filmmakers often utilize the Oscars' global stage to comment on broader social and political issues, transcending mere artistic celebration. Kevin Spacey settles with three UK accusers, avoiding a civil trial. The actor denies all allegations and has not been criminally convicted. AceShowbiz - Kevin Spacey has reached a settlement with three of his accusers in the United Kingdom, avoiding a civil trial that was scheduled for this fall. According to a report from the BBC, the undisclosed agreement halts all further court proceedings in these matters. The accusers, two of whom reportedly met Kevin Spacey within the London theater scene between 2000 and 2013, had brought allegations against the actor. This development represents another legal resolution for Kevin Spacey, who has faced numerous allegations since 2017. The original article states that more than 50 men have accused the actor of sexual assault or harassment over the years. Kevin Spacey has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. To date, he has not been found guilty by a criminal court, having either reached settlements or been found not guilty in previous cases. The source notes that in at least one instance, an accuser died before a verdict could be reached. The settlement of these three UK civil cases means Kevin Spacey will not face a public courtroom battle this autumn. This clears his immediate schedule, allowing him to continue his professional activities abroad. The original article concludes by noting that with his fall now free, the actor can return to his one-man show, which he has been performing in locations such as Tel Aviv and Cyprus. BTS leaders plead for safety at massive Seoul comeback concert. 260,000 fans expected for free 'ARIRANG' album celebration. Read their urgent message. AceShowbiz - BTS leaders RM and Jin have issued direct pleas to their global fanbase, ARMY, to prioritize safety and order at the group's highly anticipated comeback concert in Seoul this weekend. The messages, posted on the fan platform Weverse on Thursday, March 19, 2026, come as the city escalates its terror alert in preparation for an expected crowd of up to 260,000 people. The free performance at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, March 21, marks the septet's first full-group concert since October 2022, serving as a celebratory event for their new album, ARIRANG. In his post, translated via Weverse's English service, RM expressed shared excitement for the reunion while emphasizing collective responsibility. "Everyone in ARMY! We are also very excited to meet you," he wrote. "As it is a gathering place for many people, please make sure that everyone can enjoy the performance safely and joyfully." He explicitly called for compliance with on-site officials, stating, "Please follow the guidance of the field staff and safety personnel on the day and show an orderly appearance. I think a better performance can be completed only when there is order and consideration made by each ARMY." RM extended gratitude to the police, fire department, and government agencies working on the massive security operation. Echoing this sentiment, member Jin wrote on his own page, "There's only one day left until our comeback." He thanked fans for their patience and understanding during the group's hiatus, adding, "It's been a long time since I've been able to greet you all together in a meaningful place, and I want to say thank you so much to those who helped and everyone who understood." He concluded with a similar safety-focused appeal: "We'll do our best to show great performances! If you're watching on the spot, please pay attention to your safety!" The urgency of these appeals is directly linked to official security measures. According to a report by The Guardian cited in the original article, Seoul raised its terror alert by one step on Wednesday, March 18, elevating it to the second-lowest level on a four-step scale. This procedural escalation is a direct response to the anticipated logistical challenge of managing a quarter-million fans in a dense urban center. The concert is not a ticketed stadium event but a free, open-air performance in a major public plaza, significantly complicating crowd control and safety protocols. As previously detailed by Billboard Korea, the city's mobilization for the event is unprecedented in scale for a musical performance. Authorities will position 6,500 police officers, 70 riot control units, and 5,400 pieces of specialized equipment on the scene on the day of the show. This deployment underscores the city's dual focus: facilitating a historic cultural moment for BTS and their fans while ensuring public order and preventing any potential incidents in a high-profile, soft-target environment. The coordination between private event organizers, the group's management, and multiple branches of city and national government highlights the concert's significance as a national event. This concert represents a monumental return for BTS, whose members recently completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. The group has not performed together as a full unit since October 2022, when they performed in Busan in support of South Korea's bid to host the World Expo 2030. Following that performance, the members began a staggered enlistment process, fulfilling their service obligations while intermittently releasing solo material. The Gwanghwamun Square concert is therefore framed not just as a comeback show, but as a symbolic return to public life and a gift to the ARMY that waited for them. Understanding the global demand, the event will be livestreamed on Netflix for fans unable to secure a spot in the immense Seoul crowd. This digital strategy ensures the group can connect with their international fanbase simultaneously, mitigating some of the pressure on the physical location while maximizing global viewership. The album itself, ARIRANG, is set for release on Friday, March 20, the day before the concert, meaning the performance will serve as the first live rendition of the new material for many attendees. Furthermore, the Seoul event is merely the opening act for a whirlwind international promotional blitz. Immediately following the comeback show, BTS will travel to New York City for a Spotify fan event on March 23, where they will perform and answer questions. Two days later, on March 25, the group will appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for their first late-night interview as a complete group since their military discharge. They are scheduled to perform songs from ARIRANG on back-to-back episodes of the program, guaranteeing sustained media exposure across multiple nights on a major network. The layered communication from RM and Jinmixing excitement, gratitude, and firm safety instructionsreflects the mature relationship between BTS and their fandom. It acknowledges the powerful enthusiasm of ARMY while explicitly directing that energy toward creating a secure environment. This proactive approach from the artists themselves is likely intended to complement official directives from security personnel, making the appeals more personal and persuasive for attendees. The situation presents a unique case study in modern fandom, civic management, and celebrity responsibility. The concert at Gwanghwamun Square is poised to be one of the largest single-artist gatherings in Seoul's history, testing infrastructure and planning models. The decision to make it a free event, while democratizing access, exponentially increases the planning complexity and safety risks. The pre-emptive terror alert increase, though described as a precautionary step, formally acknowledges these heightened risks and prepares response systems accordingly. Ultimately, the success of the event will be measured not only by the quality of the performance but by the safe and orderly conduct of the enormous crowd. The direct intervention by BTS members underscores their understanding of this dual metric. Their messages transform the concept of fan support from mere vocal enthusiasm to include active participation in crowd managementasking ARMY to literally help "complete" the performance through their orderliness. This concert weekend is therefore a pivotal moment for BTS: a celebration of their musical return, a test of their influence in mobilizing positive fan behavior, and a demonstration of their seamless reintegration into the global pop culture landscape after a necessary hiatus. The world will be watching, both on the ground in Seoul and via streams around the globe, to see how this historic chapter in the group's storied career unfolds. Halle Berry stars as a housewife who reinvents herself as a Parisian dominatrix in 'Fleur'. New cast announced. From acclaimed director Ellie Foumbi. AceShowbiz - The cast for Fleur, the upcoming dramatic feature starring and produced by Halle Berry, has grown with three significant additions. Matthias Schoenaerts, Makita Samba, and Marton Csokas have all joined the project, which has commenced filming on location in Paris. The film marks a compelling next step for director Ellie Foumbi, whose debut feature Our Father, The Devil was a breakout at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022. In Fleur, Berry plays a New York housewife who makes a radical escape from her life. She flees both her husband and America, landing in Paris where she reinvents herself as an elite escort and dominatrix operating under the name Fleur. Marton Csokas is set to portray the husband she leaves behind. This role promises a complex dynamic at the heart of the narrative, exploring themes of liberation, identity, and consequence. The production boasts a formidable team behind the camera. Christine Vachon is producing through her acclaimed Killer Films banner, a company renowned for its support of distinctive independent cinema. Berry produces alongside Holly Jeter for HalleHolly, and Gabriel Mayers of Plot Twist Pictures. The financing and co-production are being handled by Stuart Ford's AGC Studios, a major player in the international film market. On the executive production side, AGC's Ford, Miguel Palos, and Zach Garrett are involved. They are joined by Victor Hadida, whose Davis Films has acquired French rights and will distribute the film in France through Metropolitan Filmexport. Additionally, Killer Films' Pam Koffler and Lorelle Lynch are serving as executive producers. The sales strategy for Fleur is a coordinated effort, with AGC International handling international sales and co-representing U.S. rights with UTA Independent Film Group and WME Independent. The new cast members bring a wealth of talent and international appeal to the project. Matthias Schoenaerts, the Belgian star last seen in the Netflix feature The Old Guard 2, is a versatile actor known for his powerful performances. He is currently co-starring alongside Milly Alcock in Craig Gillespie's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and is also featured in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's French drama Violette. His involvement adds considerable dramatic heft to the ensemble. Makita Samba, a rising French actor, earned a Cesar Award Nomination for Most Promising Actor for his starring role in Jacques Audiard's Paris, 13th District in 2021. He recently headlined Alexe Poukine's Kika, which premiered in the Cannes Critics' Week sidebar last year. His casting suggests a deep connection to the Parisian setting of the film and adds a layer of authentic local presence. Marton Csokas is an actor with a formidable reputation for portraying compelling antagonists. He is recognized for his villainous roles in films like The Equalizer (2014), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), and Sleeping Dogs (2024). His next appearance will be in Mel Gibson's upcoming sequel The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection. His role as Berry's character's husband in Fleur is poised to be a pivotal and potentially complex part of the story's emotional architecture. The director, Ellie Foumbi, is building on the strong foundation of her first feature. Our Father, The Devil is a psychological thriller that revolves around a woman living a quiet life in a small French town who is forced to confront past traumas. This thematic throughline of a woman grappling with her history and seeking a new path appears to connect meaningfully with the premise of Fleur, suggesting Foumbi is continuing to explore nuanced female narratives within tense, dramatic frameworks. The combination of a high-concept story, an Oscar-winning star in Halle Berry both in front of and behind the camera, an acclaimed indie producer in Christine Vachon, and a director with a proven festival hit creates significant anticipation for the project. The strategic casting of internationally recognized actors like Schoenaerts and Csokas, alongside the French talent of Samba, positions Fleur for a robust global market presence. Shooting on location in Paris is a critical detail that will lend the film an authentic atmosphere. The city itself often functions as a character in stories about reinvention and romance, albeit here through a darker, more dramatic lens. The physical setting will undoubtedly contribute to the film's visual texture and the psychological journey of Berry's character as she builds a new life in a foreign metropolis. According to the original article, representation for the newly announced cast is as follows: Matthias Schoenaerts is repped by Rosalie Cimino, CAA, Agence Adequat, and Apex PR; Makita Samba is repped by Zelig; and Marton Csokas is repped by Independent Talent Group, Sue Barnett and Associates, and Mosaic. The deal negotiations on behalf of AGC Studios were handled by Anant Tamirisa. With production now underway, Fleur is firmly on the path to becoming one of the more intriguing adult-oriented dramas in development. The film represents a convergence of talent across continents, blending American star power with European cinematic sensibility. The project underscores Halle Berry's continued commitment to seeking out challenging, director-driven material and her evolution as a producer capable of assembling compelling packages. As filming progresses in the streets of Paris, the industry will be watching closely for first looks and further updates on this provocative story of escape and transformation. From the director of The Banshees of Inisherin. CIA agents on a 1973 mission to Easter Island confront past demons and deadly conspiracies. Starring Rockwell... AceShowbiz - The first trailer has arrived for Wild Horse Nine, the highly anticipated new film from Oscar-nominated writer-director Martin McDonagh. Released by Searchlight Pictures, the trailer offers a tense and darkly comedic look at the director's first feature film project since The Banshees of Inisherin, which garnered nine Academy Award nominations in 2023. Set against the volatile political backdrop just before the 1973 Chilean coup, the film stars Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich as CIA agents Lee and Chris. The veteran operatives are dispatched from Santiago to the remote Easter Island by their enigmatic bureau chief, MJ, played by Steve Buscemi. What begins as a mission soon spirals as the longtime partners grapple with the shadows of their past and dangerous present conspiracies. Complicating matters further, Chris forms an unexpected connection with a pair of rebellious students, portrayed by Mariana di Girolamo and Ailin Salas. This newfound bond threatens to derail the entire operation, sending the group's trip to the isolated paradise dangerously off course. The film is described as a dark comedic drama in the vein of McDonagh's previous work, blending sharp dialogue with high-stakes tension. Wild Horse Nine marks a significant reunion for McDonagh and Sam Rockwell. The two previously collaborated on Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, a film that received seven Oscar nominations and won two, including the Best Supporting Actor statue for Rockwell. This new project suggests another complex, character-driven role for the acclaimed actor within McDonagh's distinctive cinematic world. The supporting cast for the film adds considerable depth and intrigue. Alongside Buscemi, the film features iconic musician and actor Tom Waits and the versatile Parker Posey. Their specific roles remain under wraps, but their involvement promises the rich ensemble work for which McDonagh's films are celebrated. The production is shepherded by producers Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, McDonagh himself, and Anita Overland. With the trailer now public, anticipation is building for the film's narrative execution and award-season potential. Searchlight Pictures has already secured a prime release date for the picture, setting its theatrical debut for November 6, 2026. This positioning in the fall calendar is traditionally a strong indicator of a studio's confidence in a film's critical and awards prospects, much like the releases of The Banshees of Inisherin and Three Billboards before it. The trailer itself, available for viewing, showcases McDonagh's signature blend of bleak humor, moral ambiguity, and sudden violence. The stunning visuals of Easter Island provide a stark, beautiful contrast to the murky espionage plot unfolding among the ancient moai statues. The dynamic between Rockwell and Malkovich appears central, hinting at a partnership frayed by history and conflicting motives. For fans of sophisticated, adult-oriented cinema, Wild Horse Nine represents one of the most compelling projects on the horizon. It combines a masterful director returning to the forefront, a powerhouse cast led by Oscar winners and revered character actors, and a politically charged historical setting ripe for dramatic exploration. The film is poised to be a major talking point as its 2026 release date approaches, potentially following in the award-winning footsteps of Martin McDonagh's previous acclaimed works. Sofia Coppola shelved a reunion film with Kirsten Dunst, citing it felt "too sad." Explore the director's creative dilemma in dark times. AceShowbiz - In a candid revelation, acclaimed director Sofia Coppola has confirmed the shelving of a mysterious, highly-anticipated reunion film with her longtime collaborator and muse, Kirsten Dunst. The project, which was slated to shoot this year, has been halted because, as Coppola explained to Elle magazine, "It felt too sad." This decision underscores the filmmaker's current creative dilemma, navigating the desire to create meaningful art while considering the emotional tone of the current era. Sofia Coppola elaborated on her thought process, stating, "It's confusing in these dark times. I want to offer some hope and beauty in the world, but then you also don't want to do something shallow, because it feels like a time for deep things." This introspection highlights the delicate balance artists must strike, particularly in a period many perceive as fraught with global tension and uncertainty. The shelving of this project represents a conscious choice by Coppola to pause a venture that, while undoubtedly substantive, may not align with the kind of cinematic experience she wishes to contribute at this moment. Details about the film's plot or title were never publicly disclosed, making its cancellation all the more enigmatic. The only hint came from Kirsten Dunst herself in an August 2025 interview with Town & Country. In that conversation, Dunst mentioned plans to reunite with her longtime director for a new script targeting a production start in the current year. Interestingly, that same interview featured Dunst's playful wish to star in "Minecraft 2" to please her childrena wish that was confirmed to be coming true just this week. The contrast between a potential big-budget video game adaptation and a somber Coppola drama perfectly illustrates the diverse considerations actors navigate in their career choices. Dunst also voiced a pragmatic, if humorous, concern about her projects during that 2025 chat, saying, "Maybe I can just make a movie where I don't lose money?" This offhand comment, while lighthearted, touches on the very real financial pressures and artistic risks inherent in independent filmmaking, a realm where both Coppola and Dunst have often operated. The economic viability of a profoundly sad film in today's market may have been an unspoken factor in the difficult decision to pause development. This unmade film would have marked the fourth major cinematic partnership between the director and actress, a prolific and defining collaboration in both of their careers. Dunst first became Sofia Coppola's leading lady in 1999's haunting The Virgin Suicides, a debut that established Coppola's distinct visual and narrative style. They later reteamed for the opulent and controversial 2006 period piece Marie Antoinette and again for the tense 2017 Southern Gothic thriller The Beguiled. Dunst also made a cameo appearance as herself in Coppola's 2013 film The Bling Ring. Their collaborative history is one of mutual artistic growth and exploration of complex female characters. Notably, this shelved project would have been their first collaboration since Dunst achieved a new milestone in her career: an Academy Award nomination. She earned a Best Supporting Actress nod for her performance in Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog. In a remarkable personal and professional coincidence, her husband, actor Jesse Plemons, received his first Oscar nomination the very same day for the same film, in the Best Supporting Actor category. This elevated industry recognition for Dunst adds another layer of significance to the abandoned reunion, as it would have been a post-nomination partnership, potentially carrying different expectations and creative dynamics. With this mysterious project now on hold, Sofia Coppola finds her immediate narrative feature future uncertain. The filmmaker was, for a time, developing an adaptation of Edith Wharton's classic novel The Custom of the Country for Apple TV. However, that adaptation has now moved forward under different creative leadership, with director Josie Rourke at the helm and Sydney Sweeney set to star. Coppola expressed her specific vision for that project, telling Elle, "I really wanted Jennifer Lawrence to play that character. In my head, she's Undine. I think it required a big star and a big budget, so that iteration didn't happen." This admission reveals the practical hurdles that often sideline even the most passionate of directorial projects in the contemporary streaming landscape. While her next fictional film is unclear, Coppola did reveal another potential source of inspiration in her Elle interview. She stated she is "kind of obsessed" with pop icon Britney Spears and her memoir, The Woman in Me. When asked about the potential for a film adaptation, Coppola acknowledged, "Supposedly Jon Chu is doing it, but I hope - yeah, I would love to do that story." This passing comment opens a window into the director's current interests and the kinds of profound, personal stories about womanhood and fame that continue to attract her, even as one specific project with her most famous muse has been temporarily retired. The cancellation of the Dunst reunion film is more than a simple scheduling note; it is a statement of artistic intent from one of cinema's most distinctive voices. Sofia Coppola is consciously choosing not to add to what she perceives as a collective sadness, seeking instead a path that offers a different emotional resonance. This careful consideration reflects a mature phase in her career, where thematic impact is weighed as heavily as aesthetic beauty. For fans of their previous work, the news is undoubtedly a disappointment, but it also promises that any future collaboration will be undertaken with deliberate purpose and emotional clarity. Ultimately, the episode underscores the non-linear, often fragile nature of film development, where even projects between proven, successful partners can dissolve when the creative alignment isn't perfect. It also highlights the evolving perspectives of artists as they respond to the world around them. While the specific sad film that Kirsten Dunst and Sofia Coppola might have made remains a mystery, its shelving tells its own story about the challenges of creating art that is both deep and hopeful in complex times. The industry will now watch with keen interest to see what form Coppola's next narrative feature takes, and whether it will indeed carry the note of beauty and hope she currently feels compelled to offer. Ruling Gives Green Light for 504 Student Beds at 120 Suffolk Street in Birmingham City Centre LONDON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Landmark Properties, the largest developer of student accommodations in the United States, has been given the green light for a significant redevelopment at 120 Suffolk Street adjacent to the Mailbox, a prominent mixed-use destination for office, retail and leisure occupiers in Birmingham city centre. Landmark Properties received approval for a significant redevelopment at 120 Suffolk Street in Birmingham, England. (Credit Glancy Nicholls Architects) Birmingham City Council's Planning Committee has approved Landmark Properties' proposals to build 504 student beds. The purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) community will also include high quality communal and outdoor spaces. A short distance from New Street Station and the major regeneration opportunities at Goods Yard, Arena Central, and Paradise 120 Suffolk Street will enhance Birmingham's reputation as a global destination for innovation and academia. The approved plans respond to an identified undersupply of student accommodation in Birmingham, with recent studies showing a shortfall of 31,065 student beds across the city. The community is estimated to deliver in 2029 and reinforces Landmark Properties' plans to implement four to six PBSA and residential schemes per year. Student numbers are only expected to grow as the city's aspiration to create a world-class Birmingham Knowledge quarter evolves alongside the continued popularity of the University of Birmingham, Aston University, and Birmingham City University. Landmark Properties has over 74,000 student beds under active management across the world. The firm entered the UK market in 2024, completing its first land acquisition in 2025 -- a prime site on William Road in central London. 120 Suffolk Street is the firm's second UK scheme and first planning application to be approved in the UK. Landmark Properties will now work with Birmingham City Council and other partners to deliver the approved proposals. Tristram Taylor of Landmark Properties, said: "Birmingham is a young, diverse, and growing city with a vibrant student population. Our proposals for 120 Suffolk Street will deliver high-quality student accommodation in an important and highly visible location. "As our first planning application to be approved in the UK, we have recognised that Birmingham is a city which wants to drive investment and back opportunities for growth. We are looking forward to continuing to work positively with the Council as we accelerate towards delivery." About Landmark Properties Headquartered in Athens, Ga., with an office in Atlanta, Landmark Properties is a fully integrated real estate firm, specializing in the acquisition, development, and management of high-quality residential communities. With over $15 billion in AUM, Landmark's portfolio includes over 115 residential communities across the United States with 74,000 beds under management. Additionally, Landmark benefits from an active development pipeline with over 50 student and multifamily projects under construction or near-term start with an estimated value of over $10 billion. For more information, visit www.landmarkproperties.com Landmark Media Contacts: Great Ink Communications (212) 741-2977 Lindsay Church [email protected] Sara Williams [email protected] SOURCE Landmark Properties By Li Xinping, People's Daily As the last glimmers of sunlight faded across the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica entered its long polar winter. Against this stark backdrop of ice and snow, China's Qinling Station stood firm like a sturdy gray ark, already equipped with a microgrid system, hydrogen energy facilities, and a communications network. Qinling Station is China's fifth research station on the continent, filling the gap in the country's scientific presence in the Ross Sea region. At present, 32 construction personnel remain on site through the winter, carrying out interior outfitting and electromechanical installations while ensuring continuous operational maintenance. China's polar construction efforts date back to the early 1990s, when teams from China Railway Group, China Construction Technology Consulting Group, and other companies began making regular journeys south. Over the past three decades, they have traveled to Antarctica more than 20 times, steadily advancing China's scientific footprint at the Earth's southernmost frontier. Qinling Station is located on Inexpressible Island, where the average temperature hovers around minus 20 degrees Celsius and can plunge to minus 45 degrees. Fierce gales lash the island on more than 100 days each year. To meet these extreme conditions, the station adopted an innovative prefabricated, modular construction approach from the outset: steel structures and functional modules were manufactured in China, shipped south, and assembled on-site like building blocks, ready for immediate use upon assembly. Since welding is impossible in Antarctica, all steel structures had to be bolted together. "Even turning a screw here is a battle," recalled Xie Shuaishuai, a young assembler born after 2000. Wearing gloves to stave off frostbite, he found they quickly became damp with sweat, froze stiff in the wind, and stuck to his tools. "You have to warm your gloves, put them back on, and repeat the process again and again," he said. In the end, he tightened 11,000 screws in this way. The construction of Qinling Station officially began on December 16, 2023, during China's 40th Antarctic expedition. In less than 30 days, the steel structure of the main building was completed. Within 60 days, the main construction was in place. The project set five records in Antarctic station construction: the largest workforce deployed, the greatest volume of materials handled, the largest single building erected, the harshest conditions endured, and the fastest construction achieved. When the 41st Antarctic expedition departed on November 1, 2024, more than 100 builders from China Railway Group and China Construction Technology Consulting Group joined the mission. "Most had already taken part in the 40th expedition, and some had worked on more than 10 Antarctic projects," said team leader Luo Huangxun. Luo himself joined China's polar construction team in 2007. Over the past 18 years, he has completed 13 Antarctic projects, at times spending up to 17 consecutive months on the continent. After a grueling 29-day, 7,570-nautical-mile voyage through equatorial heat and the turbulent westerlies, the expedition reached Chinese research base Zhongshan Station on Nov. 30, 2024. There, a massive unloading operation began: cranes worked continuously as crew members formed human chains to transfer materials piece by piece. In less than five days, nearly 6,000 tons of cargo were brought ashore. Construction then moved into full swing. "This time, we introduced the most advanced building methods to Antarctica, integrating design, manufacturing, transportation, and on-site assembly," Luo said. A key innovation was the extensive use of digital simulation. "Antarctica is too remote, and transport capacity too limited. Any unexpected problem could derail the schedule," explained project manager Zheng Di of China Railway Construction Engineering Group. To address this problem, the team used building information modeling (BIM) to refine designs and simulate optimized construction plans. One example was the station's electromechanical system, which required more than 100,000 meters of pipelines. By breaking the system into modular units through digital simulation, the team reduced complexity and boosted efficiency by 72 percent. The energy system is now largely complete, comprising wind turbines, solar panels, battery storage, hydrogen production and storage, and hydrogen fuel power generation. "These renewable systems will provide Qinling Station with a sustainable and reliable energy supply," Zheng noted. Even during the long polar night, they can supply at least 14 days of continuous power at 30 kilowatts. When the summer construction season ended, more than 30 crew members remained behind to keep the station running through the Antarctic winter. "Spending the winter here is far more challenging than working during the summer season," said Luo, who has already endured two Antarctic winters. "We face 58 days of unbroken darkness. But whenever I see the station gradually taking shape through our efforts, I feel nothing but pride and accomplishment." Now 59, Luo is often asked whether he plans to return again. His answer remains firm: "As long as I'm needed, and as long as I'm fit, I'll be right here with the team in Antarctica." In every age, a nation reveals its true priorities not by what it proclaims, but by what it preserves. Today, as American education drifts further into abstractioninto identity, narrative, and self-constructionone domain remains stubbornly anchored to reality: the trades. Advertisement Here, in workshops and training yards, in welding bays and engine rooms, a different philosophy endures. It is older than the university, older than the credential, older even than the republic itself. It is the philosophy of makingof confronting the world not as an idea to be interpreted, but as a force to be engaged. The modern educational system has largely abandoned this philosophy. Over the past several decades, vocational training was quietly demoted, then stigmatized, and finally displaced. The message was clear: success lay not in building, but in credentialing; not in mastering a craft, but in acquiring a degree. High school shop classes disappeared. Apprenticeships faded. The transmission of practical knowledgeonce passed from hand to hand, from generation to generationwas broken. Advertisement In its place arose a new model of advancement: one centered not on competence, but on presentation. Students are now trained to curate themselvesto assemble identities, narratives, and affiliations that signal value within institutional frameworks. The question has shifted from What can you do? to How can you position yourself? But reality has not changed its terms. Advertisement Graphic: Photograph of a Workman on the Framework of the Empire State Building. National Archives and Records Administration. Public Domain. Advertisement Steel does not yield to narrative. Electricity does not respond to intention. A structure either stands or collapses, regardless of the builders identity or self-conception. In this domain, there is no substitute for competence, no bypass for mastery, no exemption from consequence. This is why the trades have become something more than a career path. They have become a refugea last institutional bastion where truth is still enforced by the material world itself. Advertisement In the trades, failure is immediate and undeniable. A poor weld cracks. A misaligned system fails. A careless measurement compounds into visible error. There is no committee to reinterpret the result, no framework to soften the outcome. The feedback loop is direct, unforgiving, and ultimately clarifying. It is precisely this confrontation with reality that produces the qualities once associated with American know-how: precision, discipline, resilience, and self-reliance. These are not abstract virtues. They are forged through repeated engagement with resistancethrough trial, correction, and eventual mastery. Advertisement Historically, this process was not confined to trade schools. It was embedded in the broader culture. Families passed down skills. Schools maintained workshops. Communities valued the builder as much as the thinker. The nations infrastructureits bridges, homes, factories, and machineswas the visible expression of this ethic. Today, much of that ecosystem has eroded. Regulatory complexity, economic consolidation, and cultural shifts have reduced the number of pathways through which practical knowledge can be transmitted. In many places, trade schools now serve as the primary remaining institutions where these skills are taught in a structured and accessible way. At the same time, the broader economy is beginning to reveal the consequences of their decline. Employers across multiple sectors report persistent shortages of skilled labor. Technical roles go unfilled. Projects are delayed. Costs risenot because demand has vanished, but because competence has become scarce. This scarcity is not accidental. It is the result of a system that has systematically deprioritized the development of real-world skills in favor of more easily measured and more easily signaled attributes. And yet, there are signs of reversal. A growing number of students are turning away from the traditional college path, not out of rejection of learning, but out of recognition that the promised return on credentialing has weakened. Rising tuition costs, coupled with uncertain job outcomes, have forced a reevaluation. Trade programs are experiencing renewed interest. Wages in skilled trades are rising. A new generation is rediscovering the dignity and utility of work that produces tangible results. This shift reflects more than economic calculation. It reflects a deeper correctiona reordering of priorities. In a culture increasingly oriented toward identity and narrative, the trades stand as a reminder that some domains remain governed by objective constraints. They reintroduce a simple but powerful standard: reality itself. This standard has implications beyond employment. It speaks to the health of society as a whole. A nation that loses its capacity to buildliterally and figurativelyloses more than productivity. It loses its grounding. It becomes dependent, fragile, and increasingly detached from the conditions that sustain it. Conversely, a nation that cultivates competence strengthens its resilience. It restores a connection between effort and outcome, between knowledge and function. This is not an argument against intellectual life, nor against the study of history, philosophy, or literature. The great texts that Allan Bloom sought to revive still matter. They illuminate the human condition, sharpen judgment, and provide a framework for understanding the world. But they cannot substitute for the ability to act within that world. The restoration of American education will not come from choosing between thought and skill, but from reintegrating themanchoring intellectual development in practical competence and grounding abstract reasoning in real-world application. The trades, in their current form, offer a model of that integration. They demand both understanding and execution. They reward not what is claimed, but what is demonstrated. They cultivate individuals who are accountable not to narrative, but to result. In this sense, they represent more than an educational pathway. They represent a philosophical corrective. They restore a hierarchy in which competence is not secondary, but foundational. In doing so, they preserve something essentialnot just for the workforce, but for the nation itself. Even the most celebrated figures of the digital age emerged not from the culture of credentialing, but from the culture of making. Bill Gates wrote code before institutions could define him. Mark Zuckerberg built systems that had to function or fail in real time. Elon Musk forced ideas through the discipline of physics, where rockets either launch or explode. None advanced through narrative. They advanced through reality. The tools have changedbut the law has not. The digital veneer of the branding age is thin, and the 'fiat identities' we have minted are already devaluing in the marketplace of reality. We cannot narrate our way out of a crumbling bridge or an unstable power grid. In the end, a civilization is not remembered for the stories it told about itself, but for the stone it laid and the steel it tempered. To restore the American mind, we must first restore the American hand. When we teach a child to build, we are not just giving them a career; we are giving them a tether to the truth. A nation that forgets how to build will eventually forget how to stand, but a nation that masters the material world secures its place in history. The tools change, but the law remains: we are what we create, not what we claim. The much-publicized resignation of MAGA favorite and now former Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, spotlighted again a growing theme of Trumps MAGA critics: that Trump is beholden to Israel and started the second aerial campaign against Iran in under a year at the direction of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Those of us who heard the young Trump in New York City in the 1990s know otherwise. Fear of nuclear proliferation was then, and has since been, a Trump theme for the last 40 years. So, lets set the record straight. Advertisement First, what did Kent say? Writing on the official letterhead of his former agency, Kent asserted: It is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. No subtlety there. Kent is charging Trump with being an Israeli puppet. Kent is wrong. So, lets recall Trumps long-time focus on the dangers of nuclear catastrophe. Advertisement In the 1980s, real-estate developer Donald Trump was widely followed in the NY press -- and courted that following -- on topics of national policy. He was not shy! During the first Reagan term, in the early 1980s, Trump audaciously proposed himself as lead U.S. negotiator on Arms Control. Here is the story from Dr. Bernard Lown, co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 along with Soviet Yevgeny Chazov, for campaigning for denuclearization: "[Trump] said to me, 'I hear you met with Gorbachev [then Soviet Premier], and you had a long interview with him, and you're a doctor, so you have a good assessment of who he is.' So, I asked, 'Why would you want to know?' And he responded, 'I intend to call my good friend Ronnie,' meaning Reagan, 'to make me a plenipotentiary ambassador for the United States with Gorbachev.' Those are the words he used. And he said he would go to Moscow, and he'd sit down with Gorbachev, and then he took his thumb and hit the desk and he said, 'And within one hour, the Cold War would be over!' I sat there dumbfounded. 'Who is this self-inflated individual? Is he sane or what?' Advertisement Back then, Reagans team passed on Trumps offer to head arms control negotiations and the Reagan (then Bush) team eventually negotiated the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 1987 and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in 1991 -- the first nuclear agreement to effectively reduce nuclear arsenals. But that did not diminish Trumps focus on nuclear risks. A few years later I attended a real estate powwow in New York where Trump was the speaker. At the time, he had been through some harrowing years with defaults at his New Jersey Casino and at his Plaza Hotel. But what did he talk about? First, how bad the New York JFK Airport was, with endless never-finished construction (Trump was right), but second, the awful risk of nuclear proliferation. All the other guys at the session were boasting about their latest property developments, but not Trump -- he was focused on the awesome dangers of nuclear weapons. Advertisement Donald Trump means what he says. There is no need to filter his comments. When Trump said last year that he bombed Iranian nuclear sites to prevent development of fearsome weapons, I guarantee you he meant just that. So, after that bombing, and thinking that he had solved the Iranian nuclear problem, Trump declined to follow Israel in further war. But now, nine months later, as it turns out that Iran was feverishly working to reconstitute its nuclear weapons program, Trump acted again to utterly destroy that plan of the mullahs. Was Israel eager to depose the mullahs? For sure. Has Trump teamed with Israel in the latest campaign? For sure. But Trump is no docile pawn of Jewish interests. Trump is the same Trump we all knew forty years ago. Trump has for decades feared nuclear disaster hitting America. Trump has not changed. Advertisement Will the current campaign against Iran work? I have no idea. But for Kent to say that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby is ignorant. Trump has a history, and his own mind. Trump does what Trump wants. And he wants to stop crazy mullahs from getting nuclear bombs. Ted Jorgensen is a lawyer in New York City. Democrats say they have more in common with radical Islamists than Trump supporters in a new video. Advertisement Think I'm joking? It's right there in some man-on-the-street interviews conducted by a citizen journalist, Kaitlyn Bennett at YouTube's Liberty Hangout, which can be viewed here. Are these people insane? Advertisement It's a 30-minute video, and while it was filmed at a St. Patrick's celebration in Tampa, Florida, with some people carrying drinks, they don't appear to be inebriated to the point where they have completely lost their senses, and does not appear to me to be AI. Having said all that, you will be floored by the video. Despite being edited for content, it features ordinary Democrats openly admitting they feel safer next to someone yelling 'Allahu Akbar' than a MAGA American, and claiming more in common with radical Islamists than MAGA Republicans. Advertisement What could have caused this wholesale insanity, and more importantly, how can we inform them about how wrong they are? Could the cause of this be what's known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Advertisement For the uninitiated, the Dunning-Kruger Effect is a type of cognitive bias in which people believe that they are smarter and more capable than they really are. The effect is named after researchers David Dunning and Justin Kruger, the two social psychologists who first described it. One of its contributing factors is that having a little bit of knowledge about something can lead you to believe you know all about it. I will start with this, simply because many in the video are either unaware of the facts or openly choose to espouse that which is contrary to logical reality. Advertisement For example, one woman says that she's gay in response to the question of whether she would get along with Trump supporters. Trump employs many gay people in administration. Sharia law, on the other hand, usually imposes a death penalty for gays. Advertisement And yet she says she would get along with radical Islamists better; it's hard to see how someone would be that uninformed to say that. In other parts of the video, people are asked the number of terror acts engaged in by 'MAGA' (with, of course, zero being the correct answer), with their responses ranging from they don't know to the ridiculous (1,000?). Most had no clue that radical Islamists had engaged in four terror attacks (as of this writing) over the past few days. We are all susceptible to the effect, and it's the reason to always check sources and facts. But when people are that far off, you have to wonder about where they are getting their information. Especially when it comes to radical Islam. In this case, we have people that you would presume to care about women, LGBTQ rights, as well as dogs, beer, bacon, and, of all things, toilet paper. But when people casually assert that they feel more in common with radicals who are violently against such vestiges of modern (i.e., post-12th-century) life in comparison to normal Americans who live in the same community, you have to question how much they actually know about the subject matter. Socialists think they're using Islamists to spread socialism. But in reality, Islamists are using them for Islamist expansion. Then there are those on the violent left who are tacitly trying to use the infiltration of radical Islamists as allies to gain power over the people. Each thinks that they are exploiting the other to gain power, and when this is attained, they will dispose of the other, as in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Then, of course, we have those who simply have Trump Derangement Syndrom, or, TDS, and this blinds them to any other facts. Unfortunately, those in this last category are probably beyond help. The question is figuring out why people have this attitude, to apply the proper remedy. What can be done about this? This, of course, depends upon what is causing the problem. For those who are blissfully unaware of the savagery of radical Islam, it should be a matter of simply informing them that they are woefully incompatible with our constitutional republic and our Bill of Rights. The truth shall set you free, as they say. Because it's hard to even contemplate how they would even consider themselves more in common with radical Islam in several key areas that are decidedly 'hot button' issues for the left: Women's rights this should be obvious to anyone with eyes that can see how women are treated under Sharia law. In several countries governed by Sharia law, the lives of women are marked by systemic oppression, restrictions on personal freedoms, and denial of basic human rights. While the interpretation and implementation of Sharia law may vary across nations, its impact on women remains predominantly negative in many regions. Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan represent stark examples of how Sharia law can be wielded to perpetuate gender inequality, with women enduring strict limitations on education, employment, healthcare, and personal autonomy. LGBTQ 'rights' This issue makes it mind-boggling that the openly gay woman in the video would admit to having common ground with radical Islam. One can only presume that this is out of ignorance of basic reality. The radical Islamic regime of Iran has also killed an estimated 30,000 protestors, and yet there are leftists who bizarrely find 'common ground' with them. Something doesn't add up. Now a bit more about dogs, beer, bacon, toilet paper, and other vestiges of Western culture. As I've detailed before, many on the left are also dog owners, and presumably avail themselves of these vestiges of modern life from time to time. They should know that these will go away with radical Islam. Again, it can only be presumed that they are unaware of these severe lifestyle restrictions, which are commonly associated with what they think they are. For those who are blissfully unaware, it should be a matter of informing them and illustrating the contrast with Western culture, where we value these things. For those who think that they can use the illegal Islamic invasion as a means to spread socialism, they need to be reminded of the events after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Radical Islamists are proven to be far more ruthless than the radical, violent Left. One can only hope that those riddled with TDS can see that, given the modern-day incongruities with radical Islam, and that we on the pro-freedom side of the aisle have figured out their scheme in teaming up with the Red/Green alliance. While the violent Left may think they are using Islamists to spread their socialist national agenda, the darker reality is that Islamists are using them for Islamic expansion. That's the reality. D. Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, former director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack. Image: Screenshot from YouTube video. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is complaining about a speck in the eyes of Americans but ignoring a plank in the eyes of the judiciary. Advertisement In a recent public appearance, Robert decried President Trump criticism of leftist judges acting as shadow presidents, though he certainly didnt complain about their usurpation of constitutional, presidential powers: U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said on Tuesday that hostility directed in personal terms at judges is "dangerous and it's got to stop," commenting just days after President Donald Trump's latest social media broadside against judges who have ruled against him and his administration. [skip] Advertisement "The problem sometimes is that the criticism can move from a focus on legal analysis to personalities, and you see ... that it's more directed in a personal way," Roberts said. "And that, frankly, can be quite dangerous." "Judges around the country work very hard to get it right. And if they don't, their opinions are subject to criticism," Roberts added. "But personally directed hostility is dangerous and it's got to stop." Advertisement Roberts apparently has forgotten the Biden years, when the Biden Administration refused to enforce a very specific federal law against the harassment of judges as leftist protestors picketing their homes at all hours made the lives of Supreme Court justices miserable for months. Fortunately, federal officers were able to intercept a lunatic bent on assassinating Associate Justice Brett Cavanaugh. Trump was plainly referring to activist leftist judges like James Boasberg who has repeatedly and blatantly usurped power he doesnt have. The Supreme Court has often overturned him, but he keeps crossing the boundaries of judicial power and mere sanity: Advertisement Graphic: X Post Washington, D.C. District Court Judge James Boasberg expressed concern that the Trump administration would not obey federal court rulings, revealing a predetermined judicial bias against the White House, the Federalist reported Wednesday. Advertisement In an exclusive memo obtained by the outlet, during a Judicial Conference in March, Boasberg told Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts that he and some of his fellow judges felt "the Administration would disregard rulings of federal courts leading to a constitutional crisis." The presumption by Boasberg disregards the presumption of "regularity," the outlet noted, a presumption that "requires a court to presume public officials properly discharged their official duties." Boasbergs Trump Derangement Syndrome-fueled fears have not come to pass. Despite a historic number of improper injunctions lodged against Trump policies, most of which have been promptly overturned, Trump and his administration have played it straight, obeying the law and relying on proper appeals to overturn political, malicious and unconstitutional usurpations of executive power. The memo also reveals a clear anti-Trump bias on the DC bench led by Boasberg. Advertisement When judges make it personal, they shouldn't be surpised when others don't limit themselves to legal analysis. Unfortunately, the only means for removing a federal judge is impeachment, which in the current political climate is impossible. Democrats would never allow it, and there are plenty of RINO Senators who would gladly join them in keeping shameless partisans on the federal bench. While no one should encourage violence against judges, or anyone else for that matter, judges are either elected or appointed officials. On the federal level, their appointments last a lifetime, and their reputations depend on their ethical probity. When judges, such as those hand-picked to try to put Donald Trump in prison for life are clearly leftist hacks, they invite and deserve condemnation. They are not holy beings beyond reproach. When federal district judges reveal themselves to be Democrat activists rather than fair arbiters of the rule or law, they too deserve the scorn of honest Americans. And what, exactly, is Justice Roberts doing to restore the legitimacy of the judiciary? He certainly isnt criticizing leftist judges whose decisions read like op-eds in the sleaziest of leftist rags. If judges want to make law or policy, left or right, they need to shed their robes and run for office. If not, they need to stay within their constitutionally narrow lanes. If theyre unwilling to be honest jurists, if they cant take the criticism their improper acts legitimately generate, they can reform themselves or retire. 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. In response to egregious cases of medical malpractice and to many hospitals failure to properly hold physicians accountable, as well as to claims by physicians that the peer review process was often weaponized for political or commercial purposes, Congress enacted the Health Care Quality Improvement Act (HCQIA) in 1986. The law was intended to protect patient safety and peer review members, and to prevent incompetent physicians from moving to new hospitals by monitoring all doctors through a national database that reports malpractice events. Advertisement Unfortunately, the HCQIA has been manipulated to shield unethical or incompetent doctors and to target good physicians who have acted as strong patient advocates on issues adverse to hospitals financial interests. The law has also been used to influence hospital human resource policies, which are well beyond the acts original intention. Nearly 40 years after its passage, the HCQIA desperately needs serious revision. The HCQIA provides peer review committee members and those who provide information to committees with qualified immunity from state and federal suit. This was intended to encourage self-policing by the medical profession by foreclosing retaliatory lawsuits against these members and witnesses. A second component of HCQIA, the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), was created to track adverse actions taken against physicians and malpractice payments, ensuring accountability. Advertisement However, profound changes in the nations health care system since the implementation of HCQIA have enabled this process to be abused in the opposite direction. Consolidation into ever larger hospital organizations under gargantuan governmental and private health insurance carriers and the increasing loss of physician independence have allowed some hospitals to use this shield for patients as a sword against whistleblowing physicians or medical competitors using sham peer review. As explained in a 2022 World Journal of Surgery and Surgical Research editorial entitled The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986: What Every Surgeon Needs to Know: Advertisement Peer Review committee members are no longer independent. Members are typically hospital-employed physicians that have signed an agreement to make decisions (including those about peer review) that comport with expectations, metrics and targets of the administration of the healthcare system. While the original intent of immunity was to protect the judgments of physician reviewers about the medical competency of their peers, it has now been also coopted to protect political decisions such as in terminating difficult physicians. Advertisement The potential harms of this shift were documented in a series of 2003 articles titled The Cost of Courage: How the tables turn on doctors: While its unknown exactly how often physicians are targeted for patient advocacy, a 1998 survey of 448 emergency physicians across the United States found that 23 percent had either lost a job, or were threatened with it, after theyd raised quality-of-care concerns. Advertisement The silencing of whistleblower physicians hasnt received the kind of intense publicity malpractice reform arguments have. ... The irony of this growing trend is that hospitals are silencing doctors by using a piece of federal legislation that was meant to protect patients. The Center for Peer Review Justice, Inc states, Advertisement Since the advent of managed health care in this country, physicians are now motivated by everything from the accumulation of vast numbers of patients to the formation of large medical groups whose sole purpose is to monopolize the health care market in a single geographic area. These large medical groups often possess a significant number of physicians who either dominate powerful committees or control the fate of economic competitors by using a hospital peer review system to deny other physicians medical staff privileges. ... As a result, a once well-intentioned principle of physicians monitoring other physicians has been transformed into a means of assassinating ones economic and political rival. The HCQIA is overdue for an overhaul. Overbroad immunity for peer review committees has harmed patient care and stymied medical professionals efforts to address poor management the exact opposite of the legislations laudable intentions. The HCQIA must be amended to improve effectiveness, including by better protecting physician and staff whistleblowers, holding peer review members legally accountable when the acts protections are abused, prohibiting the use of proceedings to silence doctors for allegedly disruptive behaviors, and ensuring protections of due process and other civil rights. Author and attorney John Klar raises grass-fed beef in Vermont. His Substack, Small Farm Republic, is based on his 2023 book Small Farm Republic. His latest book is called The Coming Food Crisis. John is a staff writer at Liberty Nation News and a contributor to The MAHA Report on Substack. Image via Pxfuel. A Colorado news site stated that there are multiple far right influencers and a murderer running for governor as Republicans, but Colorado is a blue state, so we will most likely have a new Democrat governor. Advertisement I got the impression that this writer was not impressed with Republicans but also doesnt have a clue as to how a state becomes and remains blue. Based on the first line of the article, the writer also has a different view of a governors role: Everybody wants to rule Colorado. Politicians often have trouble remembering they are public servants, but this makes Colorado a fiefdom. According to the stats, registered voters in Colorado are not that cut and dried: 25.29% are Democrats, 22.77% are Republican, Third Party/Other is 2.37%, and 49.57% are unaffiliated. It has been suggested that unaffiliated could mean uninterested, but out of the 4.1 million on the Colorado rolls, 3.1 million voted, so a portion of unaffiliateds did vote. Advertisement A gubernatorial election and the midterms are coming. Democrats continue to back the 20% side of the cultural divide. This might be the time to claw back some space for the GOP, even if just by working hard while Democrats rest on their laurels. Oh, wait...the Centennial State GOP is sinking under pressure. Advertisement A new GOP chair took over last March and has been working hard, but the coffers are bare because the previous chair was deposed, so he sued the new chair. The vice chairman just left because he couldnt get along with the new chair. Good grief. When a person gets booted, sues his own party, and leaves it with $150,000 in legal fees also, when someone gets miffed and runs out on his party in peak campaign season things are bad. Is there any MAGA in Colorado? What about just some conservative-adjacents? It appears Colorado has a shortage of dedicated Republicans. Advertisement On the flip side, the left continues to be as left as possible. There was an attempt to remove Trump from the federal ballot because he was labeled an insurrectionist. Apparently, it was Republican and unaffiliated voters who brought the suit. What kind of Republican doesnt support the Republican frontrunner on the ballot? Information about three of the Republicans is available. One voted for Obama, Biden, and Harris. Another quit the party for a year but came back. (Why?) The third was a known NeverTrumper but said she was going to vote for Trump. (Sure, she did...) Advertisement As for the safe and fair elections in Colorado, ask this question: Can illegals vote in Colorado? This page provides helpful information: How are voter registration processes different for undocumented immigrants in Colorado compared to citizens? Advertisement What are the specific challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in accessing polling locations in Colorado? What steps has Colorado taken to ensure the protection of undocumented immigrants voting rights? The State Regs text should be addressed by the secretary of state. Ambiguity is not a good look for safe, valid elections. Tina Peters is serving a nine-year sentence for an attempt to review problems with the 2020 election results. Tina provided data to outside auditors, who then published the data. The judge called Ms. Peters a liar and said, You are no hero ... and youre a charlatan who used, and is still using your prior position, to peddle a snake oil thats been proven to be junk time and time again. Considering that there are websites encouraging illegals to vote, its hard to classify election fraud as snake oil in this state. If the secretary had allowed the audit to proceed, to at least show respect for a whistleblower, she might have been able to show there was no fraud. Instead, she pounced on this woman. It seems Colorado systems are stacked with some help from obfuscation. Every single person who ran in the 2023 Denver mayoral race was listed as nonpartisan perhaps akin to unaffiliated. The nonpartisan who won the mayors office ran as a centrist, but he was able to line up endorsements from housing and reproductive health advocates, labor unions and progressive politicians. Not really a centrist, the mayor also protects illegals from ICE, so Denver has become a major hub for human-traffickers. What can we do when we live in a blue state? We have to live with the blue idea of election integrity. We pay for the fulfillment of blue wish lists. In Colorado, we also live with much of Colorado media trashing Republicans on a regular basis. The Colorado secretary of state doesnt hold back talking about the Trump administration: We are dealing with a bunch of election deniers who are suddenly in important positions. She also says Trumps people are not true professionals. Good grief. Yes, we can move, but we leave family members and friends. The other thing we can do is get involved on the local level. I have recently moved to a small mountain county outside Denver, population approximately 9,000. I decided to check out the political landscape, so I turned up to the Republican caucus meeting. There were ten people there. Good grief, again. Yes, they need money, but more of what they need is willing people. The room was so empty that I found my hand going up to be an election judge. It went up again to be a delegate. I guess I am going to put my time where my mouth is and jump into the fray. Please vote in the midterms, and bring family and friends! Image via Needpix. Independent team joins Cetera to enhance independence, service and long-term growth SAN DIEGO, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera has welcomed financial advisor Jonathan Cunningham, RFC and his Cunningham Financial Group team as they join the firm in support of their next phase of growth. Based near Birmingham, Alabama, Cunningham and his team oversee approximately $200 million in assets under administration.* The team joins Cetera through its unique Summit Financial Networks community**. Cunningham Financial Group is a collaborative financial services team providing investment management, financial planning and tax-aware guidance for individuals and families across a wide range of life stages. Cunningham works alongside financial advisors Brian Walsh, CFP and Josh Little, CPA, creating a multidisciplinary approach that integrates portfolio management, financial planning and tax insight in one firm. Cunningham said the decision to affiliate with Cetera was driven by the team's desire to maintain true independence while gaining access to the scale, service and growth support needed to build the business for the long term. "We were looking for a partner that allows us to stay fully independent while giving us the resources and support to grow," said Cunningham, managing partner of Cunningham Financial Group. "What stood out about Cetera and the Summit community was the balance of flexibility and hands-on support. It gives us the ability to continue doing things our way while having a team behind us that is focused on helping advisors succeed." Cunningham said the firm conducted a comprehensive search before choosing Cetera, evaluating broker-dealer platforms across the country with the help of an independent consulting firm. He said Cetera's advisor-first culture, service model and growth orientation ultimately set it apart. "We evaluated a number of options and wanted a partner that aligned with our long-term vision," Cunningham said. "Meeting the Summit Financial leadership team and seeing how focused they are on supporting advisors and helping them grow made the decision clear for us." Cunningham also noted that Cetera's resources will support the firm's plans for continued expansion as it pursues its goal of growing to more than $1 billion in AUM within the next five years. "Our team is relatively young, and we're building this practice for decades to come," Cunningham said. "We're committed to serving our existing clients with the same level of attention and care they expect, while also expanding thoughtfully through referrals and potential acquisitions of like-minded practices." The firm's model emphasizes personalized advice and flexibility for clients, allowing the team to work with individuals and families across varying levels of wealth rather than limiting services to a narrow segment of investors. "Our philosophy has always been to help people wherever they are in life," Cunningham said. "Independence allows us to tailor advice to each client rather than forcing them into a predetermined model." In welcoming Cunningham and his team, Marshall Leeds, Summit Financial Community Leader, said: "Jon and his team run a collaborative practice centered on delivering thoughtful, personalized guidance to clients. We're proud to welcome Cunningham Financial Group to Cetera and look forward to supporting them with the array of growth resources we have at Cetera." About Cetera Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, empowering independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions. Home to approximately 12,000 advisors and institutions, Cetera's multi-channel ecosystem enables financial professionals to grow, scale or transition their businesses on their own terms. Unlike traditional IBDs, Cetera offers true choice blending modern technology, integrated wealth solutions, and a community-driven culture. Cetera's five-channel model and commitment to long-term advisor value provide a scalable blueprint for consistent, repeatable growth. As of Dec. 31, 2025, Cetera firms manage approximately $640 billion in assets under administration and $294 billion in assets under management. Its award-winning Voice of the Customer program has captured more than 40,000 advisor reviews, with over 35,000 five-star ratings, giving Cetera a 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction score. Learn more at www.cetera.com and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X. Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is a network of independent retail firms, including those that are members of FINRA/SIPC: Cetera Advisors LLC; Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (formerly known as Cetera Advisor Networks); Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors); and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Entities registered as investment advisers with the Securities and Exchange Commission include Cetera Investment Management LLC and Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera's principal office is located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Avantax Planning Partners, Inc., is an SEC registered investment adviser within the Aretec Group, Inc. (dba Cetera Holdings, an affiliate of CFG). All the referenced entities are under common ownership. Cetera exclusively provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside businesses. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. *Value approximated based on information provided to Cetera for asset holdings as of Feb. 18, 2026. **Summit Financial Networks is a region of Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. SOURCE Cetera Financial Group MIAMI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ducktrap, a leader in premium smoked seafood, is turning up the heat with its boldest innovation yet: a brand-new Hot Honey flavor that's perfectly poised to wow consumers and retailers alike. Hot honeycelebrated for its irresistible blend of sweet warmth and gentle spicehas become one of the hottest flavor trends sweeping the food world, from wings to cocktails. Now, Ducktrap brings this crave-worthy sensation to its iconic smoked salmon lineup, proving that tradition and trend can come together deliciously. Ducktrap's Hot Honey Atlantic Salmon, now available in two smoked varieties: silky cold smoked and flaky smoke roasted. Hot Honey Smoke Roasted Atlantic Salmon proudly carries the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal, a trusted mark of quality that reflects its exceptional taste and craftsmanship. Introducing Hot Honey Cold Smoked Atlantic Salmon (4 oz) and Hot Honey Smoke Roasted Atlantic Salmon (6 oz) two distinct formats designed to satisfy every culinary craving. The silky, delicate texture of the cold smoked salmon pairs beautifully with the bold, flaky smoke-roasted portions, offering versatile options for everything from elegant appetizers to everyday meals. Both are carefully crafted with Ducktrap's signature four-wood smoking blendapple, cherry, maple, and oakcreating a complex, layered flavor profile that's elevated by the perfect balance of hot honey's sweet heat. "Hot honey is not just a passing fadit's a flavor revolution that's reshaping how people enjoy their food," said Diana Dumet, Senior Director of Marketing & Category at Mowi CP of Americas. "At Ducktrap, we couldn't resist jumping on this trend to create something truly special for our fans. These new Hot Honey smoked salmon options bring exciting, fresh energy to a beloved classic, offering convenience and incredible taste that consumers and chefs will love." Both products are fully cooked, portioned for easy use, and ready to inspire creativity in the kitchen. The Hot Honey Smoke Roasted Atlantic Salmon has even earned the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal, a mark of quality that assures consumers of its superior taste and craftsmanship. Retailers looking to tap into this hot new innovation and bring the perfect blend of sweet and spicy to their seafood offerings should act fastDucktrap's Hot Honey smoked salmon is ready to make waves. To help consumers make the most of this exciting new Hot Honey smoked salmon, Ducktrap has also launched a few recipe videos on YouTube. These easy-to-follow tutorials showcase creative ways to enjoy both the Cold Smoked and Smoke Roasted varietiesperfect for everything from quick snacks to impressive entertaining dishes. By providing delicious inspiration and practical ideas, Ducktrap is empowering home cooks and food enthusiasts to bring the bold, trendy flavor of Hot Honey into their kitchens with confidence and flair. Recipe 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxC02LMZiuA Recipe 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGY4T0ByOvU For more information on Ducktrap and its full range of smoked seafood products, visit the website and follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Notes to editors About Ducktrap Over 40 years, Ducktrap River of Maine has gone from two workers to 100+ employees. What started as a small trout farm selling to local businesses has blossomed into a full scale 125,000 sq. ft. smoked seafood campus. Today all four of our brands (Ducktrap, Kendall Brook, Winter Harbor, Spruce Point) are sold across the United States. https://ducktrap.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ducktrapriverofmaine/ https://www.instagram.com/ducktrapriverofmaine/ https://www.youtube.com/@ducktrap https://uk.pinterest.com/ducktrapsince1978/ About the Good Housekeeping Seal The Good Housekeeping Seal is a widely recognized emblem of quality assurance, backed by the rigorous testing of the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI). Products that earn the Seal have been evaluated for performance and reliability, offering consumers an extra layer of confidence in their purchases. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/ For media enquiries: Kathryn Hudson-Melians Trade Marketing Manager Mowi CP of Americas Phone: 305-794-5420 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Mowi USA President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu and King Charles during the state visit. During his speech, King Charles spoke of the need for religious tolerance and interfaith solidarity (PA Wire) Foreign aid arrangements with a religion-dependent focus risks fanning the flames of division, a senior Nigerian government minister has said Mohammed Idris, Nigerias minister for information and chief government spokesperson, spoke to The Independent to mark Nigerias first state visit to the UK in 37 years. In December, Nigeria was one of 14 countries that signed bilateral aid agreements with the US known as health compacts which included new stipulations about data sharing and restrictions on how the money should be spent. The $2.1 billion (1.6bn) agreement with Nigeria included significant dedicated funding to support Christian health care facilities, the US State Department said , and was negotiated in connection with reforms the Nigerian government has made to prioritise protecting Christian populations. The religious make-up of the Western African country, which is split around almost equally between Muslims and Christians, had been under scrutiny by Washington for a number of months now, with US President Donald Trump having warned on several occasions that Christians are being killed by radical Islamists . On Christmas day last year Trump attempted to bomb camps run by militants linked to Isis in the countrys northwest with mixed reports around the efficacy of the strikes. Mr Idris told The Independent that Nigeria would prefer if foreign interventions on aid had no such religious stipulations. If the aid is going to benefit people, thats good. But we don't want the classification of Nigeria along these religious lines. It's not very helpful. It risks creating more problems for us, he said, adding that Nigeria will accept the new deal out of pragmatism, but it would be preferable if the aid approach of foreign countries did not risk fanning the flames. We are a country of 230 million people of different religions and backgrounds, all tolerating each other, he continued. We really want to discourage any talk of Christians versus Muslims, as this is exactly what the terrorists want: they want to divide us along religious lines. Idriss comments came just two days after a suspected suicide blast in Maiduguri - the capital of Borno State, which is the northeastern region long-plagued by Islamic terror group Boko Haram - killed 23 people and injured more than 100 more. Victims of Monday's bomb blast at a market receives treatment at a hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria (AP) Mr Idris was in London as part of the delegation for Nigerian President Tinubus state visit, which has included meetings with politicians as well as several engagements with the royal family, including a State Banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. With UK-Nigeria trade now worth 8.1 billion, the state visit has also seen the signing of a number of major business deals, which will result in hundreds of jobs being created in both countries, according to the UK government. The visit comes after a period in which Nigeria - like many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa has has suffered significantly from foreign aid cuts, particularly from the US and its sudden closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) at the start of last year. But while he acknowledged that aid cuts have had an impact, particularly for the health sector, Mr Idris said that Nigeria was now looking towards new kinds of economic partnerships with Global North countries. Aid has many admirable and desirable goals, but ultimately it is not what we need for sustainable development of our country and society, he said. What we need now is more economic partnerships, and new types of cooperation. Speaking of the Nigerian-UK relationship, he added: Our relationship has had many faces, originating with colonialism, through to aid, which has been important in the past, to one that is now of partnership and trade. Nigeria's national flag flies above a factory on Ibadan expressway in Lagos (AFP) As well as developing new trade relationships, a key priority for Nigeria going forward is adapting to climate change, Mr Idris said. The climate crisis is up there with the major threats facing our country, acting as both a key driver of the serious food insecurity faced by many parts of the country, as well as the resource-based conflict between farmers and herders - which also tends to split across Muslim-Christian religious lines - in the countrys Middle Belt. Climate change is a major driver of our countrys problems, resulting in desertification in some areas, and increasing pressure on the land, Mr Idris said. We cannot live in denial. We need to accept the fact that it is happening, and work to mitigate its impact on our people. Going nowhere: Qatar Airways planes at Edinburgh airport, where they have been throughout March (Simon Calder) For decades the airports of the Gulf have offered good-value connections from those across Britain to destinations in Asia, Africa and Australasia. But since the US-Israeli attack on Iran began, triggering retaliation from Tehran against the infrastructure in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, airspace has been closed intermittently. Flights to Israel and Jordan have also been affected. Yet for people who need urgently to travel, options are opening up especially through the key UAE hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi but these locations remain on the Foreign Office no-go list, with important implications for travellers. These are the key questions and answers. Who are the key players? The Middle East 3 Emirates and Etihad of the UAE and Qatar Airways are by far the biggest in terms of scale. Gulf Air, based in Bahrain, and Kuwait Airways are smaller players but remain significant. To the west of the region, El Al of Israel and Royal Jordanian are the main airlines serving their respective territories. How much flying are these airlines doing? According to the latest figures by aviation analyst Cirium, the big three are flying these percentages of their normal service: Emirates: 55 Etihad: 25 Qatar Airways: 15 Kuwait Airways is in single figure percentages. Royal Jordanian is operating around three-quarters of its flights. El Al is operating at about a quarter of normal strength. Gulf Air has an interesting proposition: setting up a hub at Damman in Saudi Arabia, with road links to its main base, Bahrain. Flights are operating on a limited network, including from London Heathrow. Reports from Sri Lanka say that the government is discussing with Emirates and Qatar Airways the prospect of using Colombo airport as an alternative transit hub. Colombo is 2,040 miles from Dubai, and 200 miles more distant from Doha. What are the airlines saying about the near future? Etihad says it is currently operating a limited commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations. Passengers and members of the public should not travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad or hold a confirmed booking on one of these new flights. In a throwback to the Covid era, Etihad is offering free cancellation for bookings made for travel up to March 2027. Emirates says anyone booked up to 15 April 2026 can postpone their trip up to 31 May 2026, or obtain a full refund. We continue to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly, it adds. Please continue to check your flight status, even after you have checked in. Qatar Airways says: Plan your travels again with limited flights resuming. We want you to know that we are doing our utmost to support you with your journey, and to reunite you with your family and loved ones. We recognise this situation may be unsettling and are working to keep you moving while we prepare for the safe return of our usual operations. Your patience and understanding mean a great deal to us, and we are truly grateful for your continued support at this challenging time. Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe full reopening of Qatari airspace. Is it safe to fly? Yes, according to the Gulf airlines, airports and aviation authorities. Emirates says: The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority and will not be compromised. The pilots who are flying the aircraft in and out of Abu Dhabi and nearby Dubai evidently believe they can operate safely. That is what persuaded me to take the risk. What about transiting through the Gulf hubs? The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the UAE and Qatar because of the intermittent attacks on the country from Iran. While the FCDO has no direct influence on what this means for travel insurance, a standard term in such policies will say something like: If you choose to travel contrary to the FCDOs advice, we will only cover a claim if the cause is not linked to the reason for the advice. In other words: were you to be injured as a result of an event at the airport related to the Iran conflict, you would not be covered for medical expenses. However, in that extremely unlikely event, it is fair to assume that the UAE and Qatari authorities would want to care for anyone who was hurt free of charge. In contrast, were you to lose something or hurt yourself by tripping over at the airport, you would be covered by the normal terms of your policy. This partial withdrawal of insurance applies only when you are actually on the ground in the UAE. As soon as that plane takes off, it clicks back into full cover. Hanne travelled with her Norwegian-born mother but was still waiting for a British passport, which she had applied for before the trip. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images (Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images) A 16-year-old British schoolgirl has been left stranded in Denmark after she was not allowed to board a flight to London because of new UK border rules introduced on British dual nationals. Hanne*, from Sussex, was stopped from boarding a flight home on 8 March after a weekend seeing her British father, who is an academic on a short work stint at a university in Copenhagen. She had travelled with her Norwegian-born mother but was still waiting for a British passport, which she had applied for before the trip. Her Liberal Democrat MP, James MacCleary, called on Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood to intervene, saying a school child now faced a nail-biting wait overseas due to the governments mishandling of this situation. Like hundreds of others known to the Guardian, her parents did not know of the rule change brought in by the Home Office. Hanne, who is sitting her GCSEs in May, has now missed two weeks of school and is facing a potential six-week wait for a passport. The first the family knew about the new border rules was when they tried to check in for their return flights. We tried to check in on the app and it allowed me to check in but not Hanne, said her mother, Ingrid*. When we got to the airport and they wouldnt let her check in either. Related: Passport changes prevent British dual national from visiting dying mother The airline, Norwegian, rang the British embassy in Copenhagen but they could not help. One immigration lawyer said the Home Office could be breaching laws concerning the welfare of children. Obviously it is very stressful, Ingrid added. We are very worried about the GCSEs, she is missing school, missing her mother, her siblings and all the other things in her life. It will be a disaster if she cant come back soon. MacCleary said: The Governments hopeless planning and communication of its changes to entry requirements for dual nationals has caused an untold amount of chaos and stress. Too many dual nationals have found themselves stranded abroad in heartbreaking situations, missing funerals, weddings, or in the case of my constituent an absolutely crucial time in education. The home secretary needs to pull her finger out and urgently provide a low-cost and quick alternative for dual nationals stuck abroad. If she fails to act, the prime minister must step in to bring an end to the chaos, otherwise more children and families will pay the price. Hannes school has also written a letter to help her parents efforts with the Home Office. Hanne is effectively prevented from re-entering the UK despite being a British citizen and having a permanent home and school placement here, the headteacher wrote. She is currently missing taught lessons across all subjects and is at risk of missing important assessments, including GCSE exams. Hanne is the third child the Guardian knows of who has been refused board on a flight back to the UK since new rules came into force on 25 February requiring British dual nationals to present a British passport, new or expired, or a certificate of entitlement costing 589 in order to check in for a flight, ferry or train journey to Britain. While British citizens have a statutory right to enter the UK they must prove they are British, which Hanne is able to provide as she has her birth certificate with her. She was born in Sussex and has lived all her life in the UK. Zeena Luchowa, an immigration lawyer at Laura Devine Immigration said under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 the home secretary must have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children when exercising immigration functions. She added that there was a legitimate question as to whether sufficient regard has been given to the impact on children. Luchowa pointed out that British citizens have a statutory right to freely enter the UK and this case showed the disproportionate impact that a refusal to board can have. It was imperative that the UK authorities reconsider their guidance to carriers, to ensure a pragmatic and consistent approach is taken to allow certain individuals, particularly children, to be able to return to their home and livelihood in the UK, Luchowa said. After being refused board on the flight two weeks ago, Hannes mother had to fly back to Britain without her daughter, collect her school books and a laptop and bring them to Copenhagen where she can home school. In a further setback, officials at the Passport Office told her father they would cancel Hannes passport application made weeks ago because they now knew Hanne was overseas. She would have to start again with an application from outside the country that could take six weeks, they told him. In a statement, the Home Office said: Public information advising dual nationals to travel with a valid UK passport or certificate of entitlement has been available since October 2024, including official guidance on gov.uk. The Home Office recently said British nationals could use an expired passport but acceptance as proof of nationality was at the discretion of the airline. It also updated its guidance to state EU citizens with settled status could continue to use their EU passport. A Cesar Chavez mural in San Francisco. Photograph: Jeff Chiu/AP (Photograph: Jeff Chiu/AP) California quickly moved to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day in the wake of allegations the labor leader abused women and girls. Less than two weeks before the annual holiday celebrating Chavez, the California state assembly and state senate said they were introducing a bill to redesignate the day. Following shocking allegations that Chavez sexually abused girls and the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America union, Dolores Huerta, there have been calls to rename the many institutions, events and memorials across California and the US honoring Chavez. Celebrations for the civil rights leader in California, Texas and Arizona, where Chavez was born, have been canceled. And leaders across California, where Chavez helped galvanize a movement for farmworker rights, are also taking steps to rename the many public places that bear his name. San Diego officials said they are considering renaming Cesar Chavez Parkway, a major thoroughfare in the city, as well as nearly dozen parks and public buildings named after Chavez. San Francisco supervisor Jackie Fielder said her office will support community efforts to remove Cesar Chavezs name from institutions in the citys predominantly Latino Mission District. Related: Dolores Huerta says she was abused by Cesar Chavez: My silence ends here In Californias Central Valley, where the farmworker movement led by Chavez was born, the city of Bakersfield announced it will discontinue plans to rename H Street in honor of Chavez. The California Museum said it would remove Chavez from the states hall of fame something it has never done before. Dozens of schools, parks, buildings and streets are named for Chavez and it remains unclear how or when they might be renamed. An analysis by the California Newsroom found more than 65 locations named after Chavez across the state. The process of changing street names can take time, depending on a variety of local laws and ordinances. In San Diego, for example, street names can be changed with a petition with unanimous support from affected property owners and businesses, plus approval from the city. Local leaders are also considering how to rename locations, with some locals and activists suggesting that at least some places be renamed after Huerta, a labor rights leader who revealed this week she had been abused by Chavez. In an interview with Latino USA, Huerta said: Everything should be named for the martyrs of the Farm Workers Movement. Every street should be named after them. Huerta said she was raped by Chavez twice in the in the 1960s, leading to two pregnancies that she had kept secret. I am nearly 96 years old, and for the last 60 years have kept a secret because I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for, she said in a Wednesday statement. The New York Times first reported on Wednesday that Chavez groomed and sexually abused young girls who worked in the movement. Huerta, too, revealed to the newspaper that she was a victim of the abuse in her 30s. Born in Yuma, Arizona, Chavez grew up in a Mexican American family that traveled around California picking lettuce, grapes, cotton and other seasonal crops. Chavez is known nationally for his early organizing in the fields, a hunger strike, a grape boycott, and eventual victory in pushing growers to negotiate with farm workers for better wages and working conditions. Chavezs family said in a statement that they are devastated by the allegations. We wish peace and healing to the survivors and commend their courage to come forward. As a family steeped in the values of equity and justice, we honor the voices of those who feel unheard and who report sexual abuse, the family said. California was the first state, nearly 30 years ago, to designate Chavezs birthday, 31 March, as a day to honor him. In 2000, the state legislature passed a bill to make it an official paid day off for state employees, and require the state to start teaching students about his legacy and his involvement in the labor movement in California. Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder and Maga activist, was assassinated in September - Joe Raedle/Getty One of the last things Charlie Kirk urged Donald Trumps counter-terror chief was: Stop us from getting into a war with Iran. Joe Kent resigned as director of counter-terrorism on Tuesday, saying he cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war. Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA which advocates for conservative policies on college campuses, was a Maga activist and politically close to Mr Trump, who praised him for persuading younger Americans to vote and help return him to the White House. The 31-year-old was shot and killed at Utah Valley University in September last year in an assassination that shocked the country. The last time I saw Charlie Kirk on this earth was in June in the West Wing, Mr Kent said during an interview with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News anchor, published late on Wednesday. He looked me in the eye... and he said, Joe, stop us from getting into a war with Iran. Joe Kent resigned as counter-terror chief saying he cannot support the war in Iran - Jenny Kane/AP Mr Kent, who served in the US army for two decades, has been a vocal critic of the countrys forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people, he wrote in a letter to Mr Trump, which he shared on his X account on Tuesday. He said Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, contradicting Mr Trumps previous justifications for the strikes, and said the US had been drawn into the war by Israel. His resignation angered the president, who said its a good thing that hes out. The FBI is reportedly looking at whether Mr Kent leaked classified information, it emerged on Wednesday, though that investigation is said to have predated his resignation. Speaking on Carlsons show, he questioned the events surrounding Kirks death, saying his intelligence agents wanted to look into possible Israeli involvement but the investigation was stopped. There is no evidence that Israel was involved in Kirks assassination, a conspiracy theory Carlson has given weight to. The suspected gunman, Tyler Robinson, who is believed to have acted alone, is awaiting trial. Carlson once one of Mr Trumps confidants who has been accused of anti-Semitism in recent months has previously described the war with Iran as absolutely disgusting and evil. Harry Cobden is watching more Irish racing than he ever has, as he counts down the days before taking over as JP McManus retained rider in both England and Ireland next season. Cobden has only ever worked for Paul Nicholls since becoming a fully-fledged jockey, but in recent years has been picking up more and more outside rides, winning the Scottish Grand National last year for Willie Mullins on Captain Cody. His sole Cheltenham Festival victory last week was also for Mullins, on Kitzbuhel on the Brown Advisory Novices Chase. Ive not watched a whole heap of Irish racing before but Id say Im watching more now than I ever have, said Cobden. Its exciting, Im looking forward to the new job and Im looking forward to riding those horses and ultimately it is a new challenge. Ive only ever had one job in racing before and that was with Paul Nicholls. That lasted 10 years, but I feel Im ready for a new challenge and thankfully this opportunity came along at the right time. Heading into Cheltenham Cobdens great hope was No Drama This End for Nicholls in the Turners Novices Hurdle, but the favourite was never travelling at any stage. Id say the plan is Aintree as it would be a shame if we ended on that note. Hes obviously a very good horse, it was just one of those frustrating things, said Cobden, speaking to The Levy Board. The start, in my opinion, wasnt the only issue. I was lining up front line, I just wasnt quick enough over the first two and going past the stands I just felt like I couldnt really go. Yeah you can go 10 wide, but you never saw Ruby Walsh go 10 wide on good ground to try win a race at Cheltenham so I opted to stay down the inner. I got some criticism but it is what it is, its gone and we look forward to getting him back at Aintree. With Nicholls not set to be represented in the Grand National, Cobden may be required for one of his future employers runners with the likes of I Am Maximus, Spillanes Tower, Iroko, Jagwar and Johnnywho all potential starters for McManus Paul doesnt have a runner in the race, but Mr McManus has a nice few and Willie Mullins has a few. I havent heard anything so Im not going to count my chickens before they hatch, said Cobden. Im not going to be banning snowball fights, Zohran Mamdani said at a press conference after the Washington Square Park fight that led to officer injuries. Illustration: Guardian Design / Getty Images (Illustration: Guardian Design / Getty Images) A blizzard brought New York to a standstill on 23 February, with schools across the city closed. Restless young people without anywhere to go began to gather in Washington Square Park, summoned by Instagram chatshow Sidetalk, which wanted to stage an almighty snowball fight. A sea of young men in ski goggles gathered, armed with phones in one hand and balls of ice in the other. Cannonballs of snow flew across the sky. Others backflipped off snowmen or wrestled on the snow. The scene was of good-natured pandemonium. But it started getting chaotic once people were throwing gigantic blocks of ice. Thats when I left, says Gabriella Yankovich who stopped by on her lunchbreak. Boys being boys. Within an hour, there were 911 calls about teens climbing a park building and pelting those inside, and the New York police department increased its presence in the park. Related: Americans recount living through the deadly winter storm: There was ice in the toilets But the dozen or so officers received an icy reception. They were swarmed and pummeled with snowballs. Social media was later flooded with images of snow raining down on officers. They try shutting us down but were still out here, and were still lit, shouts one participant in Sidetalks highlights reel of the event. Shortly after, police released a statement that multiple officers had been injured and taken to hospital in a stable condition. The Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the largest New York police union, said the snowball fight was unacceptable and outrageous and called for arrests. All of our city leaders must speak up to condemn this despicable attack. Many did with a stonefaced seriousness that didnt match the playful tone of mostly school-aged children whose only weapon was ice. The police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, called the incident disgraceful and criminal. The governor, Kathy Hochul, said throwing anything at a police officer is unacceptable, while the city comptroller, Mark Levine, urged that the behavior absolutely cannot be normalized. But New Yorks mayor, Zohran Mamdani, sang a jollier tune. He dismissed the videos as kids throwing snowballs in an X post, before joking: If anyones catching a snowball, its me. What began as a viral stunt has snowballed into a larger, high-stakes clash between Mamdani and the NYPD that comes at a politically delicate moment. After winning the mayoral race in November, Mamdani announced he would be keeping Tisch as commissioner, despite her track record of increasing surveillance and shielding officers from discipline, at odds with the more progressive policies Mamdani promised. Political analysts said Mamdani kept Tisch on to assuage concerns that he would be soft on crime and against the police. As recently as 2020, Mamdani tweeted that the department is racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety and called for its defunding. While he backtracked on that position, his campaign promised reform, pitching public safety as a health issue. Do the mayor-elect and I agree on everything? No, we dont, Tisch wrote in an email to rank-and-file officers when she accepted the offer. The snowball spat foregrounds what may be the central tension of Mamdanis leadership: can a progressive mayor work with the famously reactionary NYPD? Charged over a snowball fight The day after the snowball fight, the NYPD began posting suspect photos of four young men, wanted for inflicting multiple injuries on two officers. But Mamdani maintained a relaxed disposition. From the videos that Ive seen, it looks like a snowball fight Im not going to be banning snowball fights, he said at a press conference. The PBA condemned the response as a complete failure of leadership. Nicholas Johnson and Salvatore Stallone, the injured officers in question, are the targets in most of the clips. One video appears to capture them being pelted from every direction, including a snowball thrown from out of shot, hitting the left side of Johnsons face, leaving him with an apparent red eye. [The NYPD] think its a slippery slope where a snowball today can turn into a rock tomorrow and then a gun later on Jeffrey Fagan Two men have since been arrested and charged by the Manhattan district attorney: Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, and Eric Wilson Jr, 18. Coulibaly was initially charged by the NYPD with a violent felony but the DA dropped the charge. Johnsons alleged injuries included redness, tenderness, and pain to the eye, as well as pain to the head and neck, according to the arraignment transcript, but there was insufficient evidence they were caused directly by the defendant. Wilson allegedly struck Stallone with several snowballs causing the victim to be annoyed, harassed and alarmed Stallone told the DA. Wilson has no criminal record and turned himself in. He has also been charged with harassment and obstruction. The complaints acknowledge a large crowd throwing numerous snowballs at the officers but it seems the reason the defendants were singled out is simply because they were captured on video. For Coulibaly, this wasnt coincidental: a content creator with more than 20,000 Instagram followers, he was identified by an officer due to a recent arrest for attempted robbery. His attorney has claimed it was simply a prank that went wrong: Coulibaly recorded himself telling a stranger to run your pockets and posted it online. The snowball fight reflects a broader schism over how the police should behave: as defenders of community spirit, working with local people to keep them safe and ensure their freedoms, or in opposition to the people they police. The whole episode was ridiculous. Ive been in snowball fights since I was 11 years old, you cant possibly suffer an injury serious enough to require you to go to the hospital, says Jeffrey Fagan, a Columbia law school professor. The NYPD are generally snowflakes about perceived disrespect, he adds, due to a perpetual belief they are under threat of assault. They think its a slippery slope where a snowball today can turn into a rock tomorrow and then a gun later on. In 2014, five young Bronx men the Snowball Five won $60,000 each after filing a lawsuit against the city after a police officer pulled a gun on them and arrested them, claiming they bombarded him with snowballs. The officer testified that he was outnumbered and wasnt taking any chances but footage showed that just one snowball hit him. Once the public shows lack of compliance, thats the end of law enforcement Maria Haberfeld Regarding the recent incident, Patrick Hendry, president of the PBA, has claimed the ice was packed with rocks, although there is no mention of this in the two complaints that were filed. Id love to know what actual injuries they supposedly suffered. Im assuming its redness and cold, says Jerome Greco, supervising attorney of the Legal Aid Societys digital forensics unit, which specializes in challenging police surveillance evidence. But Maria Haberfeld, professor of police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, insists that because officers are outnumbered by the public, they cannot enforce the law if their presence isnt automatically respected. This is not as benign as people want to portray. Once the public shows lack of compliance, thats the end of law enforcement, she says. Mamdanis stance on policing By siding with content creators over officers, Mamdani risks damaging his relationship with the NYPD early in his mayoralty. The mayor is not going to have our backs, Hendry told reporters outside the courthouse after Coulibalys arraignment. He later accused Mamdani of putting a bullseye on officers backs by failing to condemn the incident as an attack, speaking after Wilsons arraignment, which was attended by about a dozen police officers. The last mayor to have considerable friction with the NYPD was Bill de Blasio. Police unions accused him of undermining officers after he voiced support for the 2014 Ferguson protests, sparked by the police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, two unarmed Black men. Thousands of NYPD officers turned their backs on de Blasio during the funerals of slain officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. That dynamic is probably going to be mirrored with Mamdani, says Rafael A Mangual, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Given his long history of opposition to the NYPD as an institution, most rank-and-file officers are already expecting his administration to be unfriendly, he says. On a 2020 podcast, Mamdani argued that police officers can escalate certain situations such as domestic violence, mental health crises and homelessness, which could better be handled by specialized civilian responders as opposed to an individual with a gun who has received quite a limited amount of training. In a 2024 op-ed, he wrote that more policing and incarceration does little to prevent harm, but rather, dignified work, economic stability, and well-resourced neighborhoods can more effectively keep the public safe. His financial plan for his term, published last month, will scrap the hiring of 5,000 additional NYPD officers agreed to under the previous mayor, Eric Adams triggering fierce backlash among Staten Island officials, a borough with strong, multigenerational ties to the force. Republican city council member Frank Morano said that decision was led by an ideological desire to shrink the police force. As Mamdani governs, critics primed to see a lawless city are watching for any uptick in crime. He has kept Tisch at the helm of the police, for now, to steady the transition and mollify any officers that might feel antagonized by his previous statements. Appointed commissioner in 2024, Tisch is a billionaire heiress who champions data-driven, predictive policing, which critics argue perpetuates historical biases, and has been an active proponent of the NYPDs expansion of surveillance technology. When pressed on Mamdanis comments about the snowballs, Tisch warned: Dont mess with my cops. Neither the officers, the defendants, the mayors office or the NYPD responded to the Guardians requests for comment. Its unlikely that snowballs alone will break Mamdani and Tisch apart, but it is the first public fissure between the two. It might not be the last. Looking ahead, there will be some core, dealbreaker issues regarding reform, says Mangual. Among them: a 2024 bill that would abolish the NYPDs controversial gang database that Mamdani said he would sign if it reached his desk. Mamdani also said on the campaign trail that he wanted to give the states civilian complaint review board (CCRB), the independent agency charged with investigating misconduct, final say on officer discipline, shifting authority away from the commissioner. If he were to pull those levers, it would likely lead to the end of Tischs tenure under Mamdani, with either actions creating an untenable tension, says Mangual. Even without those changes, Tisch will have to reckon with Mamdanis agenda to shift many nonviolent responsibilities away from police, the centerpiece of which is a proposed civilian department of community safety (DCS) forecast to cost $1.1bn, according to a campaign white paper. Legislation to create the department is already progressing through the city council. While the DCS wouldnt cut officer headcount, it proposes a form of functional downsizing: diverting large swathes of 911 calls to civilian responders, shifting operational control and data flows away from the NYPD. Related: Mamdani faces first showdown with NYPD will he risk alienating police? Last month, Mamdani reiterated his vision for the DCS after police shot Jabez Chakraborty, a 22-year-old man in mental distress, after his family called 911 and he charged at officers with a knife. This situation underscores just how urgently we need a different and more effective mental health response system, Mamdani said of the events, and urged Queens prosecutors not to pursue charges against Chakraborty. But Haberfeld, the John Jay College professor, believes the DCS wont work in practice due to the pre-existing shortage of social workers and mental health responders. But should it secure the funding and legislative approval, Haberfeld expects Tisch will be forced to capitulate to Mamdanis vision or step down. Or he will remove her, she predicts. Next month, Coulibaly and Wilson will appear in court to make the case that the snowballs they allegedly threw were not the criminal kind. While unlikely, the maximum sentencing they face is 364 days in county jail. The ice from that day has now melted, but the tensions between Mamdanis agenda and the police will be harder to defrost. Ismaila Sarrs brace helped Crystal Palace beat Larnaca (REUTERS) Crystal Palaces Conference League quarter-final opponent has been revealed after they narrowly beat nine-man Larnaca in the quarter-final. The Eagles campaign was in some doubt after a turgid first-leg at Selhurst Park ended goalless, meaning they required a win away in Cyprus if they were to progress. They started well at the AEK Arena, with Ismaila Sarr breaking the deadlock just 13 minutes in, but extra-time was eventually required after Enric Saborit equalised just after the hour mark. The goalscorer soon left his side shorthanded, though, earning a red card just ten minutes later. Larnacas evening went from bad to worse as Sarr struck the winner in the 99th minute and Petros Ioannou was then sent off, leaving the hosts to finish their European campaign with nine men on the pitch. Crystal Palaces win has seen them set up an intriguing quarter-final tie, though: Oliver Glasners men will face Fiorentina for a place in the Conference League semi-finals. The first-leg will be played at Selhurst Park on April 9, with the reverse fixture at the Artemio Franchi Stadium taking place on April 16. The victor will then meet either Shakhtar Donetsk or AZ Alkmaar in the semi-final. Fiorentina, now managed by ex-Italy international Paolo Vanoli, are two-time runners-up in this competition, having lost to West Ham and Olympiacos in consecutive finals in 2023 and 2024. This year, though, they have had a very similar campaign to Palace. They finished just one point behind them in the league phase and were less than convincing as they beat Jagiellonia Bialystok 5-4 on aggregate in the play-off. A more comfortable last-16 tie saw them beat Rakow Czestochowa 4-2. And, much like Palace, Fiorentinas European conquests seem to have taken a toll on their league form. They sit just 16th in Serie A, four points above the drop zone, having won only six matches this season. China's top diplomat urges avoiding further casualties, losses regarding war in Middle East Xinhua) 08:48, March 19, 2026 BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Wednesday urged avoiding further casualties and losses regarding the war raging in the Middle East, and pledged China's mediation efforts to facilitate a ceasefire. Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks in talks with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, special envoy of the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to China, in Beijing. Conveying President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Wang said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-UAE relations have made considerable progress. Amid the once-in-a-century shifts evolving at a faster pace, the fluid and turbulent international situation and the unsettling war in the Middle East, China-UAE relations carry more prominent strategic significance. Timely strategic communication and the enhancement of strategic mutual trust between the two sides are increasingly important, as these elements contribute to the early realization of peace and stability in the Middle East, said Wang. He said China is willing to intensify high-level exchanges with the UAE, deepen the alignment of development strategies, and push the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak conveyed President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's sincere greetings to President Xi, noting that the UAE-China relations have reached an unprecedented high level. The UAE regards China as a dependable and trustworthy true friend, and is confident about China's future development, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak said. He said the UAE is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, deepen cooperation in education, culture, energy and economy, among others, as well as advance the development of bilateral relations. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak also briefed on the latest developments of the Middle East situation. Reiterating China's principled positions, Wang expressed gratitude to the UAE for its efforts in ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions, and emphasized that this war should never have occurred and there is no need for it to continue, calling for avoiding greater casualties and losses. China firmly supports the UAE in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, condemns attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and will continue efforts to mediate a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, so that peace and stability will be restored in the Middle East at an early date, Wang said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Emplifi, a leading social media marketing platform, today announced the winners of its annual Emplifi Excellence Awards, a global awards program recognizing top performers in the customer engagement and intelligence space. The Emplifi Excellence Awards feature multiple categories honoring brands, agencies, and individuals who demonstrate excellence in customer engagement, innovation, and operational performance using Emplifi's solutions. Winners were selected by a panel of judges composed of Emplifi executives and industry experts. "Social engagement and listening have evolved from bespoke strategies to an integrated approach including social care and service, making it a true growth driver," said Susan Ganeshan, CMO, Emplifi. "Research shows that organizations aligning their brand promise with the experiences they deliver across every touchpoint outperform peers in revenue growth and loyalty. At Emplifi, we see brands turning AI-powered insights, social intelligence, analytics, and unified care into measurable business results. The Emplifi Excellence Awards recognize the leaders redefining what it means to deliver a connected, customer-centric experience." According to Forrester's Global Total Experience Score Rankings, companies that align their brand promise with the experiences they deliver across every customer touchpoint are positioned to outperform competitors, unlock up to 3.5 revenue growth, and significantly boost customer loyalty and retention. This research highlights the importance of a unified experience strategy, one that integrates social media, eCommerce, and customer care as a key driver of business success. 2026 Emplifi Excellence Awards Winners The 2025 Emplifi Excellence Award winners represent customer obsessed organizations that understand the critical role technology plays in building a unified, high-performing customer engagement strategy. CX Super Hero Award The CX Super Hero Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to champion exceptional customer experiences within their organizations. These leaders leverage Emplifi solutions to drive cross-functional collaboration, improve customer journeys, and deliver measurable impact across marketing, commerce, and care. Winners: Kateryna Kuz, Social Media Governance Specialist, Stellantis Kelly Lewis, Global Social Media Manager, Hollister Crystal Clark, Acting Sergeant, Victoria Police Service Excellence Award The Service Excellence Award recognizes outstanding performance in digital customer care and support. This award honors leaders who use Emplifi solutions to streamline service operations, improve response times, and deliver empathetic, high-quality support that strengthens customer satisfaction and loyalty. Winner: Ashley Miller, Customer Service & Social Media Team Leader, ALDO AI in Action Award The AI in Action Award recognizes forward-thinking leaders who successfully leverage artificial intelligence to transform customer engagement strategies. This award celebrates innovative use of AI-powered insights, automation, and analytics within Emplifi's platform to enhance personalization, increase efficiency, and drive measurable business results. Winner: David Blundell, Global Social Media Manager, Syngenta Care Champion Award The Care Champion Award recognizes individuals and teams that elevate customer care into a strategic business advantage. These honorees demonstrate excellence in managing digital customer conversations, ensuring consistent, timely, and impactful engagement that builds trust and long-term brand advocacy. Winners: Hisense Naked Wines Social Listening Leader Award The Social Listening Leader Award recognizes organizations and individuals who excel at transforming real-time audience insights into actionable strategies used across the business. By leveraging Emplifi's social listening capabilities, these leaders proactively identify trends, manage brand reputation, and inform company-wide strategy through data-driven decision-making. Winners: Ogilvy Greece Heineken Wing Bank Best Use of Emplifi Analytics and Insights Award The Best Use of Emplifi Analytics and Insights Award recognizes organizations that strategically harness data to optimize performance and strengthen customer engagement strategies. This award honors those who leverage Emplifi's analytics tools to uncover meaningful insights, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement across social, commerce, and care initiatives. Winners: Crunch Fitness Accor Mazda Ogilvy Italy Fueling Your Growth Award The Fueling Your Growth Award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated significant business growth through strategic use of Emplifi solutions. This award celebrates brands and agencies that leverage customer engagement data, campaign insights, and operational efficiencies to accelerate revenue growth, expand market presence, and strengthen customer retention. Winners: National Bank of Kuwait Paris Saint-Germain ABA Bank CarParts.com Visiting Angels UZU Digital Best Social Media Campaign Award The Best Social Media Campaign Award recognizes outstanding creativity, execution, and measurable impact in social media marketing. This award honors brands and agencies that leverage Emplifi's solutions to develop innovative campaigns that resonate with audiences, drive engagement, and deliver tangible business results. Winners: Johnsonville BBC BRV7 Best Overall Agency Partner Award The Best Overall Agency Partner Award recognizes agencies that consistently deliver exceptional value to clients through strategic expertise and innovative use of Emplifi solutions. This award honors partners who drive measurable results, foster strong collaboration, and demonstrate excellence in customer engagement strategy and campaign execution. Winners: McCann Worldgroup Colombia VML APAC Impact BBDO Best Unified Customer Experience Award The Best Unified Customer Experience Award recognizes organizations that successfully deliver a seamless, end-to-end customer journey across social media, eCommerce, and customer care. This award celebrates brands that break down internal silos and leverage Emplifi's unified platform to create consistent, personalized experiences that drive loyalty and long-term business impact. Winner: EssilorLuxottica About Emplifi Emplifi is a leading AI-powered social media marketing platform by industry analysts like Forrester and MarTech, empowers brands to deliver a seamless customer experience across marketing, commerce, and care. Built from Socialbakers, Astute Technologies, Pixlee TurnTo, and customer feedback, Emplifi's AI-powered, unified platform yields increased revenue, expanded market awareness, and efficient consumer support. More than 20,000 brands use Emplifi to fuel social marketing, social care, influencer marketing, community, and market intelligence. Contact: Jordan Lukes Corporate Communications Director, Emplifi [email protected] SOURCE Emplifi Inc Pam Bondi speaks to reporters after a closed briefing in front of the House oversight committee in Washington DC, on Wednesday. Photograph: Nathan Posner/Shutterstock (Photograph: Nathan Posner/Shutterstock) Democrats on the House oversight committee walked out of a closed-door briefing from attorney general Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein files on Wednesday, leaving what California congressman Robert Garcia called an outrageous fake hearing after Bondi refused to commit to honoring a subpoena to testify under oath. The committee voted to subpoena Bondi earlier this month, with five Republicans joining Democrats to demand that the attorney general answer questions about the justice departments failure to properly release files from the federal investigations into Epstein. Bondi and Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, went to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to try to quell bipartisan frustration over the justice departments handling of millions of files related to Epsteins sex trafficking investigation. But less than an hour into the briefing, Democrats walked out in protest of the arrangement. Speaking outside the hearing room, Maxwell Alejandro Frost, the Florida congressman, said: We asked her multiple times, are you going to come and speak with us under oath? She would not say yes. Filibuster, filibuster, filibuster, would not say yes. Our Republican colleagues say: Is this not enough? Why dont you want to speak to her now? We want her under oath because we do not trust her. Why dont we trust her? Because shes a liar, Frost added. Look at how that judiciary committee went. She was spying on members of Congress when they were in the DoJ looking at the documents unredacted Look at what shes done, as far as not putting documents related to Donald Trump on the website. Summer Lee, a Pennsylvania congresswoman, said that when she asked how the committee would respond if Bondi refused to testify, the Republican chair of the committee, James Comer, insulted her by accusing her of bitching. Comer later confirmed the interaction in a social media post: I said Democrats were bitching and wasting everyones time because Democrats were bitching and wasting everyones time. Related: Pam Bondi subpoenaed over Epstein files release by House committee Justice department leaders had hoped the release of documents tied to the disgraced financier would put an end to a political saga that has dogged the presidents second term, but the agency remains consumed by questions and criticism over Epsteins case and its management of the files. Bondi has defended the departments handling of the files and has accused Democrats of using the furor over the documents to distract from the US presidents political successes, even though some of the most vocal criticism has come from members of Trumps own party. The department has also sought to assure lawmakers and the public that there has been no effort to shield Trump, who says he cut ties with Epstein years ago after an earlier friendship, or any other high-profile figures close to Epstein from potential embarrassment. The documents were disclosed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted after months of public and political pressure that requires the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidant and girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Criminal investigations into the financier have long animated online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and others who have suspected government cover-ups and clamored for a full accounting. The family of a Texas teenager who had three of her limbs amputated after catching the flu have shared her story in the hopes of raising awareness of the potential dangers of the illness which can be far more severe than people may think. [Its] devastating. Never in a million years did I think the flu B would lead to something like this, said Amanda Valdez, the mother of 13-year-old Kaydin Ruiz. Kaydin first started showing flu-like symptoms in January, including fevers, a cough and fatigue, according to her family. Eventually she was taken to the emergency room but was sent home to rest and hydrate. But her condition rapidly deteriorated. She went into respiratory distress, started turning blue, Valdez said, speaking to WTSP. She had strep, pneumonia and septic shock and multi-organ failure. Kaydin was rushed via airlift to a hospital in San Antonio, where she was diagnosed with a severe strep infection as well as the flu. She was put on a ventilator but her heart stopped beating momentarily, her mother said. Influenza is a very dangerous virus far more severe than many people realize, Dr Howard Pryor, of Texas Childrens Hospital, where Kaydin is now being treated, told WTSP. Strep is also a dangerous bacteria that requires close attention. The family of Texas teenager Kaydin Ruiz, who had three of her limbs amputated after catching the flu, have shared her story in the hopes of raising awareness to the potentially serious dangers of the illness (GoFundMe/ Amanda Valdez) Pryor added that toxins released by the bacteria can sometimes activate clotting in different parts of the body, which can lead to loss of limb function and organ failure. Doctors ultimately made the decision to amputate both of Kaydins legs and one of her arms. Its devastating. How do you tell your child that their whole world has changed? Valdez said. Now shes covered in scars. Her whole life has changed. Never in a million years did we expect this from the flu, she said. Valdez says she is sharing her daughters story to raise awareness of the severe risk of seemingly mild illnesses and the potentially devastating outcomes. Doctors say the best way to reduce risk of illness is vaccination. We wouldnt want parents to miss the opportunity, Pryor said. When flu vaccines are available, thats the best way to protect your child from part of this risk. A GoFundMe page set up to help Kaydins family with medical costs has raised almost $25,000. Our gorgeous baby girl is a fighter and she is doing better every day. Words cannot describe the feelings my family is feeling but we are strong and so is Kaydin, the pages description reads. Kaydin is such a loving, kind, strong, beautiful sweet girl. Shes a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and a friend to many. According to the page Kaydin loves anime, plays the French horn and her favorite food is ramen. Pete Hegseth defended Donald Trumps $200bn request, saying: It takes money to kill bad guys - Andrew Harnik/Getty Donald Trump will seek an extra $200bn (149.1bn) from Congress to fund his war against Iran. The figure, which is equal to one-fifth of the militarys $1tn budget for the entire year, has already faced opposition. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat senator, told Politico on Thursday he saw no path for approval of spending of that magnitude. Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, said earlier in the day that the cost was necessary. It takes money to kill bad guys, he said. Were going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure were properly funded for whats being done, for what we may have to do in the future, he said at a press conference at the Pentagon on Thursday. Asked by reporters in the White House why such a large sum was needed if, as he has said previously, the war would be over soon, Mr Trump suggested it could extend beyond the current conflict with Iran. Were asking for a lot of reasons, beyond even what were talking about in Iran, he said. Its a small price to pay to make sure we stay tippy top. Mr Trump said the extra spending could extend beyond the current conflict with Iran - Sharon Sztrozenberg/Reuters The US president is also reportedly mulling sending more troops to the region, according to Reuters. Mr Trump has refused to rule out putting boots on the ground in Iran, and administration officials have discussed sending troops to Kharg Island, the Iranian oil hub, Reuters reported on Thursday. There has been no decision to send ground troops at this time, but President Trump wisely keeps all options at his disposal, an unnamed White House official told the news agency. The US president added to confusion on the matter, telling reporters in the Oval Office that he was not putting boots on the ground, but then said: If I were, I certainly wouldnt tell you. The war has not only already cost the American taxpayer billions of dollars, it has pushed energy prices to their highest levels in years. The Strait of Hormuz the Gulf shipping channel through which 20 per cent of the worlds oil passes has been effectively closed since the start of the conflict in late February. The US Navy has so far considered it too dangerous to escort oil tankers through the strait. Mr Trump now faces the difficult task of reopening it with military force, which could mean deploying troops to Irans shoreline. As rising oil prices have sparked fears of a global recession, he has also called on US allies to help reopen the strait. On Thursday, he met with Sanae Takaichi, the Japanese prime minister, who tried to reaffirm her alliance with the US president, saying: I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world. Ahead of their meeting, Japan issued a joint statement with the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands which said they would contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. But the Oval Office meeting with Ms Takaichi quickly turned awkward when Mr Trump cracked a joke about Pearl Harbor. Asked by a Japanese reporter why the country had not been warned about US plans to strike Iran, Mr Trump said: We didnt tell anyone about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didnt you tell me about Pearl Harbor? Ms Takaichi, who spoke through a translator during the press conference, didnt comment on the remark but appeared visibly uncomfortable. A British journalist has claimed Israel tried to kill him after footage showed an airstrike narrowly missing the reporter and his cameraman in southern Lebanon. Steven Sweeney said he was reporting on the countrys forced displacement of 1 million people and Israels ethnic cleansing campaign in Lebanon when he says he was deliberately targeted by Israel. In the footage of the attack, the journalist is seen wearing a flak jacket with the word Press emblazoned on the front as he reports for the Russian state media outlet RT. Sweeney has disputed initial Israeli claims that they had warned civilians of the air strike, instead suggesting on social media that Israel was trying to silence journalists who document their war crimes. Sweeney later spoke on the phone to Lebanese information minister Paul Morcos, claiming the strike was a targeted attack on journalists. Asked if he thought the strike was deliberately targeted, he said: Almost certainly. One hundred per cent it was on purpose. They knew that we were on the bridge, they can see, they know everything that happens here in the south [of Lebanon]. They monitor every movement. They knew we were there. The Israel Defense Forces have denied targeting journalists or civilians in the region and said a warning had been issued to evacuate the area. The IDF defended the airstrike on social media, claiming they were targeting Litani River crossings used by Hezbollah. Israel has repeatedly denied accusations of war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon. Prior to the strikes, warnings were published to ensure that civilians distance themselves from the crossings, in order to reduce civilian harm. In footage released in the past few hours, a journalist is seen at the Qasmiya crossing. An explicit warning had been issued regarding this area, the force said. The crossing was struck after sufficient time had passed since warnings. The crossing was again targeted today at 12:30. The IDF calls on the residents of Lebanon to heed the warnings published on various platforms. The IDF added that it does not target civilians or journalists, a claim disputed by human rights groups and international organisations. Following the strike, several figures have also called out Israel for its actions. In the UK, independent MP Ayoub Khan claimed the strike was: Clearly attempt[ed] assassination! No other target except press! Wearing a blue press vest is probably not a good idea when it comes to the IDF! The journalists editor has also alleged the IDF fired on Mr Sweeneys car while he reported from the region. Our correspondent Steve Sweeney has been wounded by an Israeli strike in Lebanon, wrote Margarita Simonyan. He says an IDF plane fired upon the car carrying Steve and his cameraman, as they were crossing a bridge in the south of the country. Both men are conscious in hospital, doctors are diagnosing extent of shrapnel damage. War journalists are not legitimate targets. We pray for them. Nearly one million Lebanese civilians have been displaced from their homes in southern Lebanon by Israel as the IDF continues its offensive against Hezbollah. Israel, which has occupied parts of Lebanon in previous decades, has also been accused of targeting civilian infrastructure in Lebanons capital, Beirut. Hezbollah, a group formed in 1982 in response to Israels previous invasion of Lebanon and designated a terror organisation by the UK, has also repeatedly fired into Israeli territory. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 129 members of the press were killed in 2025, two-thirds of whom were killed by Israeli forces. Police officers hold drone busters, designed to neutralise the devices with radio waves, at Fort McNair in Washington DC last year - Sgt Zack Stine/US Army Unidentified drones were sighted over the homes of Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, two of Donald Trumps most senior cabinet members. Mr Rubio, the secretary of state, and Mr Hegseth, the defence secretary, both live at Fort McNair, a US army base in Washington, DC. Several drones appeared above the base at night, sources told the Washington Post, adding that the incident had taken place within the last 10 days. The sightings prompted officials to consider moving Mr Rubio and Mr Hegseth. Security measures at military bases across the country were raised after the US president launched strikes on Iran on Feb 28, over fears that Iran might retaliate in the US. A police officer aims a drone buster over Fort McNair in November last year - Sgt James Heffron/US Army It was not known where the drones had originated, but security was tightened still further nationally in response, and a White House meeting was held to discuss the risks. Fort McNair houses the National Defence University and some of the Pentagons most senior military officials. Although it has not usually been a home for political leaders, a number of Mr Trumps officials have moved there over security concerns, including Stephen Miller, his deputy chief of staff. In September, Katie Miller, the former White House adviser married to Mr Miller, saw an unknown woman outside her home who told her she was watching you. The incident prompted the family to move into military housing. Marco Rubio (right) and Pete Hegseth both moved to Fort McNair over security fears - Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock In response to the drone sightings, the US issued a global security alert for its overseas diplomats and locked down several domestic bases. In New Jersey, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst raised its protection level to Charlie which means that some form of attack is likely. The only higher alert is if an attack has happened or is anticipated. When asked about the drones, the Pentagons chief spokesman declined to comment. Sean Parnell told the Washington Post: The department cannot comment on the secretarys movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible. Military officials told CBS they were monitoring and investigating the situation, but that there was no credible threat to Fort McNair. Fort McNair army base in Washington DC had not previously been home to senior politicians - Spc Luciano Alcala MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, which is responsible for US military operations against Iran, also raised its protection to Charlie, with officials twice locking the base down. The base said in a statement that it had closed its visitor centre after the discovery of a suspicious package on Monday, and a threat had been made on Wednesday that had triggered a shelter-in-place order lasting for several hours. A US air force spokesman told the Washington Post: To ensure the safety and security of our people and the mission, commanders adjust their installations security posture in accordance with local threat assessments. An ex-police officer told the High Court he is not dishonest, as he made claims in relation to a private investigator he was accused of having a grudge against. Jerry Yanover gave evidence on behalf of the Duke of Sussex and a group of household names in the trial of claims of unlawful information gathering brought against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), which publishes the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday. The Duke of Sussex is among a group of household names in the trial of claims of unlawful information gathering brought against ANL at the High Court (Aaron Chown/PA) (Aaron Chown) The publisher strongly denies the allegations and is defending the case brought by Harry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Liz Hurley, Sadie Frost and Sir Simon Hughes. Mr Yanover told the court in London that private investigator Gavin Burrows, who has been described as central to the most serious allegations of unlawful information gathering made by the group, boasted to him about working for the Daily Mail. Previously known as Jeremy Young, the witness was jailed for 27 months in 2007 after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit misconduct in public office. On Thursday, the court heard he ran a detective agency called Active Investigations Services (AIS), which also carried out illegal work, while on long-term sick leave from the Metropolitan Police. In his witness statement, Mr Yanover said: At first, Burrows, as I will refer to him throughout the rest of my statement, gave us work to do, such as tasking AIS to carry out surveillance on targets connected to his cases. But later the roles reversed, and Burrows became a major subcontractor for AIS. He had a lot to do with the illegal side of AIS but also wider, too he supplied to lots of firms like ours. He added: He (Burrows) boasted about working for newspapers, including the Mail. He worked for all the papers, and the Mail was at the centre of that. He told me that. Mr Yanover also said he knew Mr Burrows was not trustworthy, and that he had no morals or ethics. He added that Mr Burrows had told him that his work for the press consisted of phone tapping, blagging, gathering bank statements and travel itineraries. Antony White KC, for ANL, put it to the witness that he was giving evidence because he had a grudge against Mr Burrows as he believed him to be an informant in connection with his arrest. Mr Yanover said: It is not something that I wanted to do because the past is the past. But I feel it is important to have everyone held accountable for things I have been accused of and convicted of. Referring to Mr Yanovers conviction, Mr White put it to him that he was a thoroughly dishonest man, to which he replied not at all. Mr White asked Mr Yanover: Does your pointing the finger at Gavin Burrows set any of what you did straight? He replied: I cannot explain why he was not arrested. He was the main protagonist in all of our illegal activities, so when I was asked to assist in this matter, yes, part of it was that I feel that he should be held to account. Mr White said: You have harboured a grudge against Mr Burrows for many years, havent you? Mr Yanover said: No, that is not the case. He later added: I have no grudge against Mr Burrows, he means nothing to me anymore. But I do believe people should be held to account, and as far as I am aware, he never has been. The trial before Mr Justice Nicklin is due to conclude on March 31, with a written judgment expected at a later date. The WillowWarm Gold Cup is a possibility for Final Demand, as connections eye one more run this term after the exciting novice chaser roared back to form at the Cheltenham Festival. Owned by Bryan Drew and Professor Caroline Tisdall and trained by Willie Mullins, he left behind a disappointing display at the Dublin Racing Festival to go down fighting in the Brown Advisory Novices Chase, beaten less than a length by stablemate Kitzbuhel. It was a performance that served as a reminder of his class and he is set to be given the chance to add to his Grade One haul when either dropping back in distance at Fairyhouse over the Easter period or heading to the Punchestown Festival. Drew said: I was very pleased with how Final Demand ran at Cheltenham as he jumped and travelled and just got outstayed in the final few strides by Kitzbuhel. They are two really nice horses and Id like to think we could reverse the form one day. He is in the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on April 5. Im not sure if he will or wont run but it might be a question of running him while the ground is safe rather than risk waiting for Punchestown. He will run at Fairyhouse or Punchestown I would say and then well look ahead to next year. As well as showing his true colours last week, Final Demand also reignited Gold Cup dreams for his Cheltenham-loving owners, who are very excited to see how much progression there is to come from a seven-year-old still in the infancy of his career. Drew added: I think hes the right profile of horse for a Gold Cup, a beautiful jumper and traveller. I do think next year is going to be exciting. I dont think hes been 100 per cent this season he was under the weather at Leopardstown and I think considering that he has run very well. I think with another summer on his back and a clear run you will see an even better horse next season. Hundreds of worshippers gathered in Trafalgar Square on Monday to mark the end of the Ramadan fast - Tolga Akmen/EPA/Shutterstock Nigel Farage has called for mass Muslim prayer to be banned in public after hundreds of worshippers gathered in Trafalgar Square. Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, was among thousands of people to attend the prayer event on Monday, which the Ramadan Tent Project organised to mark the end of fasting. Delivering a speech to his Scottish partys conference on Thursday, Mr Farage described the event as a provocative demonstration and a wake-up call and a warning to everybody. The Ramadan Tent Project has hosted 20 open iftar meals to mark the end of the Ramadan fast, with its stated aim to improve relations between communities. Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, addressed worshippers at the open iftar event - Tolga Akmen/EPA/Shutterstock During the conference in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, Mr Farage said: Weve always been open to those of different faiths, persuasions and beliefs, coming to our country and having their own private observance, but integrating public and, to be honest, the Jewish community is probably the best example I can think of that. But mass public praying, mass chanting of Islamic slogans in Trafalgar Square was a shock, until you learn that the same group, the Ramadan Tent Project, has done it in Coventry Cathedral. Theyve done it in Londons Guildhall. Theyve done it in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Folks, if it hasnt come to Scotland yet, it will come soon. This is an open, deliberate, wilful attempt, not at the private observance of a different religion, but the attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life, and it is funded by the taxpayer. 44m last year of taxpayers money went to fund projects like this. Now we are fair, reasonable, tolerant people, but we will not put up with this. Nigel Farage described public Muslim prayer events as provocative - Jane Barlow/PA Wire He said he would ban such events. Asked if that included Jewish or Catholic observances, he said: Ive never seen Jewish services taking place in places of historic Christian worship or anywhere else. We have to get this right. We cant stop individuals from praying, we wouldnt want to stop individuals praying, but mass prayer is banned, mass Muslim prayer is banned, in many Muslim countries in the Middle East itself. So yes, we have to stop this kind of mass demonstration, provocative demonstration, in historic British sites, because thats what it is. Nick Timothy, the Conservatives shadow justice secretary described the event as an act of domination and division. Mr Timothy faced criticism for his comments, but Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said he was speaking out for British values. On Friday, Lord Hermer challenged Mr Timothy over whether he would also take issue with Jews praying in public. The Attorney General, who is Jewish, told the Guardian: Nick Timothy has said mass prayer in public places is an act of domination. But when he and Kemi Badenoch were questioned about his appalling views, they seemed to only have an issue with Muslim events. Timothy and Badenochs comments beg the question would they have a problem if I, as a Jewish man, were praying in public? Or is it just Muslim prayer they find offensive and contrary to British values? The Conservative Party like Reform and Tommy Robinson is seeking to divide Britain. Instead, they should be celebrating our brilliantly welcoming and diverse country. More than 360 guests gathered at Windsor Castle for an open iftar event hosted by Ramadan Tent Project last year - Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 A spokesman for the Ramadan Tent Project said it invited people of all faiths and none to build bridges, spark conversations and create spaces of belonging which respect our differences and promote shared experiences. He added: Our award-winning Open Iftar events have been and will always continue to be a space of shared humanity, inclusion, and community, bringing people together and choosing connection over division and exclusion. The overwhelming positive public response, goodwill and warmth we have received show that Londoners and citizens across the UK value these moments of togetherness. Mr Farage also used the conference to unveil Reforms manifesto before the Holyrood election in May and predicted his party could take power from the ruling SNP. Farage was joined on stage by Reform superfan Gary Taggart, from Greenock, who has followed Reform around the country - Jane Barlow/PA Wire He said that housing asylum seekers could be a key issue for voters. Glasgow houses around 4,000 asylum seekers, more than any other local authority in the UK, with increasing numbers travelling there from other cities. SNP rules make it easier for asylum seekers to get housing in Scotland than England. This has been blamed for exacerbating the citys housing crisis. Mr Farage called Glasgow the asylum capital of the United Kingdom. Reform UKs Scotland manifesto pledged to restore a rule that would mean asylum seekers would need a local connection with a council area before applying for housing. Earlier in the day, Lord Offord of Garvel, Reform UKs Scottish leader, said police were overstretched to deal with a record number of strangers coming to Glasgow with different cultures and values to our own, making the city less safe for women and girls. Joe Kent, director of the US national counterterrorism center, speaks during a congressional debate at KATU studios 7 October, 2024, in Portland, Ore. Photograph: Jenny Kane/AP (Photograph: Jenny Kane/AP) The resignation of Joe Kent, a senior counter-terrorism official who spoke out against the US war in Iran, took a dramatic turn on Wednesday with a report that he is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over an alleged leak of classified information. The inquiry predates Kents departure on Tuesday from his post as director of the national counterterrorism center, where he had overseen the analysis of terrorist threats, according to Semafor and CBS News. The FBI declined to comment on the existence of any such investigation. The report came as Kent, the first senior member of the administration to quit over the war, gave his first media interview since stepping down. Speaking to the rightwing commentator Tucker Carlson, he claimed that dissenting voices were effectively frozen out of the decision-making process that led to US airstrikes on Iran on 28 February. A good deal of key decision makers were not allowed to come and express their opinion to the president, Kent said on The Tucker Carlson Show podcast. There wasnt a robust debate. Wearing a blue-checked shirt open at the collar, Kent, a staunch Donald Trump ally and conspiracy theorist, appeared at pains to not criticize the president directly. But he painted a picture of a White House in which Trump relied on a tight inner circle of advisers, sidelining officials who questioned both the intelligence and the strategic wisdom underpinning the strikes. Related: Trump counter-terrorism chief quits over Iran war, blaming Israel Kent insisted that there was no evidence that Iran was close to gaining a nuclear weapon or posed an imminent threat to the US. There was no intelligence that said, Hey, on whatever day it was, March 1, the Iranians are going to launch this big sneak attack theyre going to do some kind of a 9/11, Pearl Harbor, et cetera, they are going to attack one of our bases. There was none of that intelligence. Instead, Kent alleged, Trumps hand was effectively forced by Israel. The Israelis drove the decision to take this action, he said, claiming that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials lobbied the president with claims that did not align with established intelligence channels. Kent added: I know how this works. I know the Israeli officials some in intelligence, some in government will come to US government officials and they will say all kinds of things that we know from our intelligence just simply isnt true. Theyll say, Hey, Im giving you a preview, its not in intelligence channels yet, but heres whats gonna happen, and that doesnt usually come to fruition. Such remarks have drawn swift condemnation in some quarters, with critics arguing that references to an Israeli lobby veer into offensive tropes. Carlson has come under similar scrutiny, notably after previously interviewing the antisemitic activist Nick Fuentes. Kent, who did not specify who blocked his access to the president, also cited comments by Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, and Mike Johnson, the House speaker, as indicative of Israels influence over the timing of the strikes. But he noted that the US and Israel have divergent goals. Most folks right now at the Pentagon and the intelligence agencies, they would say, us and the Israelis actually have a different objective here. I dont believe that our objective has been clearly defined because were shying away from regime change. The Israelis are not shying from regime change. They want to knock out, lock, stock and barrel the current government. They dont seem to have a plan for what comes next. Kent told Carlson that he decided to resign after it became obvious that his concerns would be ignored. I know this path that were on, it doesnt work, he said. I cant be a part of this in good conscience. As a Green Beret, Kent saw combat in 11 deployments before retiring to join the CIA. He also endured tragedy: his wife, a navy cryptologist, was killed by a suicide bomber in 2019 in Syria, leaving him with two young sons. Kent, 45, has since remarried. Kents work at the national counterterrorism center was overseen by director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who on Wednesday said it was up to Trump and Trump alone to decide whether Iran posed a threat. Gabbard, a veteran and former congresswoman from Hawaii, previously criticized talk of military strikes in Iran. She has not said what she thinks of the current strikes and a spokesperson has declined to respond to questions. The White House pushed back forcefully when Kent resigned. Trump dismissed him as weak on security, insisting that Iran represented a tremendous threat and suggesting that those who disagreed lacked judgement. If somebody didnt think it was a threat, we dont want those people, he said. Joseph Duggar, who starred in the reality show 19 Kids and Counting, has been arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for alleged sexual activity with a 9-year-old girl in Florida. The Bay County Sheriffs Office announced on Wednesday that Duggar, 31, had been arrested after a police detective in Tonitown, Arkansas, contacted them about a report of sexual abuse. The 14-year-old victim participated in a forensic interview, where she disclosed several incidents involving Duggar that occurred during a family vacation in Panama City Beach when she was 9-years-old, the sheriffs office said. The victim reported that, in 2020, Duggar repeatedly requested that she sit on his lap and next to him on a couch, according to police. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victims underwear and grazed her genitals, officials said. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs. Joseph Duggar, a former reality TV star, was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for alleged sexual activity with a 9-year-old girl in Florida (@littleduggarfamily, Instagram) The girls father confronted the former television star on Tuesday, after which Duggar confessed his actions to detectives in Tontitown, the sheriffs office said. He was subsequently arrested out of state on a molestation charge and is now awaiting extradition to Bay County. The arrest comes five years after Duggars older brother, Josh Duggar, was convicted in federal court of receiving and possessing child sex abuse materials, resulting in a 12-year prison sentence. His conviction was upheld by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2023. The Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal in May 2025. Joseph Duggars older brother, Josh, was convicted in federal court of receiving and possessing child sex abuse materials, resulting in a 12-year prison sentence (Washington County Sheriffas Offi) The younger brothers case has brought fresh scrutiny to the Duggar family Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and their 19 children who were the focus of a TLC television show. The show, 19 Kids and Counting, which attracted millions of viewers, documented the Arkansas familys close-knit Christian lifestyle. It was canceled in 2015, after a police report showed that Josh Duggar had been investigated for molesting underage girls, including his sisters. After the allegations surfaced in 2015, Duggars parents said he had privately apologized for his behavior. The elder brother then publicly apologized for unspecified actions and resigned from his position at the Family Research Council, an Evangelical non-profit. A representative for the Duggar family did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. JOHANNESBURG, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GENIXGREEN, a global leader in energy storage, held its launch event, unveiling a comprehensive portfolio of high-voltage storage systems tailored to the region's unique energy challenges. South Africa's energy landscape is characterized by high electricity costs, grid instability, and frequent load shedding. According to the South African central bank, the six-stage power rationing in early 2025 could result in daily economic losses of up to 899 million rand (approximately US$49 million). GENIXGREEN's response is a range of scalable, reliable storage solutions designed to turn these challenges into opportunities. At the heart of the launch was the unveiling of the HV-BOX5-768 (stackable), a flexible 51.2V/314Ah system featuring smart BMS, 2A active balancing, and parallel expansion for up to six clusters. Complementing this is the Tower-HV series, engineered for MWh-scale projects with 768V and 1331V batteries, smart 3-level BMS, 1% precision monitoring. Ideal for mines, factories, and containerized storage. The product lineup also includes the Tower-X-HV for residential to large C&I applications, an outdoor all-in-one cabinet for medium commercial needs, and the fully integrated Magic series for outdoor use. GENIXGREEN's success in Africa is built on a powerful tripartite alliance with CNBM and Megarevo. CNBM's extensive local network ensures seamless logistics and after-sales support, while Megarevo's inverters are perfectly matched with GENIXGREEN batteries, creating a "golden combination" already trusted in over 650 projects globally. From carton factories to medical universities, real-world installations across the region validate the reliability and ROI of these solutions. To support its growing footprint, GENIXGREEN has established a robust local infrastructure, including 20+ overseas warehouses, 24/7 service, and a "2M+4S" service model (2-hour quick response, 24-hour on-site arrival). In 2026, the company will expand its local engineering teams, establish regional spare parts centers, and deepen partner training with CNBM. "We are not just selling productswe are delivering enduring power through proven partnerships," said Victor Zhou, CEO of GENIXGREEN. "Every customer, from South Africa to Madagascar, deserves the same high standard of products, service, and support. Together with CNBM and Megarevo, we are ready to light up the energy future of Southern and East Africa." Keywords: Oil/Energy; Computer/Electronics; Electrical Utilities; Utilities Contact: [email protected] Disabled people have been urged to share their views on the future of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), Britains most-claimed health and disability benefit, as the review into the payment continues. Chaired by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, the review was announced last year after elements of the Governments flagship welfare Bill which proposed to restrict eligibility to Pip were scrapped in the summer in the face of a major Commons rebellion. Any changes to Pip have been postponed until after the review takes place, ministers have promised. The benefit is designed to help with extra costs incurred by living with an illness or disability. The findings are anticipated to be presented to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden by autumn, with an interim update expected before then. Charities have previously voiced concerns, cautioning that the review cannot become about making cuts, and urging Sir Stephen to ensure disabled peoples views are meaningfully taken on board. Disability minister Sir Stephen Timms is chairing the review into Pip (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive) On Thursday, a call for evidence was launched, with disability minister Sir Stephen Timms who is leading the review saying it is vital that as many people as possible have the chance to contribute. He said: I encourage anyone with experience of the Pip system, including young people, or with relevant expertise, to submit their views. This is just the first step in our wider programme of engagement. I look forward to announcing more ways to get involved as our work continues. The call for evidence has been welcomed several disabled peoples organisations and charities. Charles Gillies, policy co-chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium and senior policy officer at the MS Society, says: For too long, PIP has been failing disabled people. For example, assessments often don't consider the fluctuating and invisible symptoms of conditions like MS. The Timms Review is an opportunity to finally address these issues, so were glad the call for evidence aims to hear from disabled people across the country. And we encourage everyone with experience of PIP to share their views. The steering group must also provide accessible ways to make sure even more people can take part, including in-person and online events." The number of people in England and Wales claiming Pip reached 3.93 million in January 2026 according to data published on Tuesday by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). The Timms Review findings are anticipated to be presented to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden by autumn, (PA) This is up by 233,080 (6 per cent) from 3.69 million a year earlier a new record high. 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. To inform their work, the review team is asking disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, organisations that represent them, carers, clinicians, experts and MPs to contribute to the call for evidence, which runs until May 28. Review co-chairwoman, Sharon Brennan, said: It is essential for the success of this review that we hear frank and honest views from as many disabled people, carers, advocates and others as wish to participate. Thats why this call for evidence is just the start of our engagement plans, which will be wide and varied to ensure people can offer their views in a way that works for them. Ms Brennan and fellow co-chairman Dr Clenton Farquharson both have lived experience of disability. Dr Farquharson said: This call for evidence is an important opportunity to listen directly to disabled people, carers, organisations and others with experience of the system. We want to hear honestly what is working, what is not and what a fairer and more human system should look like. BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James has said he is putting on a brave face as he cycles across the UK to raise money for Comic Relief while his father is in hospital recovering from a stroke. The broadcaster is on the penultimate day of his eight-day challenge, which has seen him tasked with travelling 1,000km on a tandem bike as he makes his way from Weymouth to Edinburgh. James, 40, is kicking off the seventh day of his challenge in Sunderland and will cross the finish line in the Scottish capital on Red Nose Day on Friday. Greg James said he has so little energy but a lot of love left (Ben Whitley/PA) (Ben Whitley) Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: I have so little energy but I have a lot of love, and I have a lot of strength left, I think, in my head at least. I am so depleted by this thing. I knew it would be difficult, but I did not think it would be this difficult. James said he has not yet processed parts of the challenge, including when he was joined by the Prince of Wales as he made his way through the South Yorkshire countryside. He added: What is amazing is that there seems to be some sort of the interest in it, Im so proud that we came up with this daft challenge and that people are interested in it, and thats leading people to donate. James also hailed Comic Relief as brilliant as it raises money for people who may not receive much support from their families, adding that he is very fortunate to have a close network. Earlier this month, the radio DJ posted on social media to reveal that his father had suffered from a stroke, but said that he would still be undergoing his Red Nose Day challenge. Greg James was joined by the Prince of Wales on his challenge (James Watkins/BBC) (James Watkins/BBC) He told BBC Breakfast: My dad is very ill, he fell ill a couple of weeks ago and is still in hospital. Im very fortunate that Im surrounded by I have an amazing wife, an amazing dog. My sister and my niece have come up here to Sunderland, thats my little safety net. I feel very fortunate about that, and its making me sad because Im also very, very sad, but Im having to brave face it a bit and be like, Yay, Comic Relief. But Im also remembering what it would be like for people who dont have that support, and thats whats really spurring me on. James continued: It actually makes me quite emotional when I see primary school kids coming out and waving and having flags and red noses and signs and stuff. Because I go, Thats what its all about everyone clubbing together and doing a nice thing. Barnes at his home in Dronfield, Derbyshire. He held the north east Derbyshire constituency for 18 years. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian (Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian) It was probably inevitable that the former Labour MP Harry Barnes, who has died aged 89 of cancer, would have very well delineated political views when he arrived in the House of Commons. He was already middle-aged, and had spent much of the previous three decades studying politics, first as a mature student and then working as an extramural lecturer on the subject, teaching others who were likewise seeking a second chance at education later in life. Barnes, who represented North East Derbyshire from 1987 until 2005, was a serious politician, a man of principle and conviction, but also someone who recognised the need for political flexibility in evolving circumstances. He was never constrained by ideology and was constantly in pursuit of what could be a possible new route to resolve existing problems, notably in Ireland. Always on the left of the Labour party, he was a serial rebel against his own frontbench, while simultaneously writing polite notes to the chief whip to explain his latest defiance. Yet if it did not suit his thinking he would not vote for the leftwing ticket either. The roots of his political stance lay in his membership of what is now the socialist pressure group the ILP (Independent Labour Publications), the successor organisation to what had once been the Independent Labour party, founded by Keir Hardie. Barnes immediately joined the new ILP when it returned to work within the Labour party in 1975. He had joined Labour in 1957 in his native Easington in County Durham, when the local MP Manny Shinwell also a member of the original ILP ran an essay competition, entry for which required party membership. Barnes came second, winning a 3 prize and, more significantly, thereafter becoming an election agent for Shinwell for the next three years. He was the only child of Joseph Barnes, one of seven brothers who were all miners, and his wife, Betsy (nee Gray), who worked as a household cleaner. Harry went to Easington Colliery primary school and passed the 11-plus to attend Ryhope grammar school, leaving at 16 to work as a railway clerk. He had left school in the wake of the 1951 Easington colliery explosion, one of the worst postwar pit disasters in Britain, which killed 81 miners and two rescue workers and devastated the community in which he was raised. Barnes went on to do his national service from 1954 to 1956, working on the Iraq state railway. He returned from Basra thereafter to his previous job, but now further politicised by the poverty and hardship he had seen in the Middle East, which would subsequently affect his future politics. In 1960 he won a place at Ruskin College, Oxford, to work on a diploma in economics and social sciences, and from 1962 to 1965 he studied at the University of Hull, gaining a BA in philosophy and political studies. He became a lecturer on graduation, first for a year at North Nottinghamshire College, Worksop, and subsequently at Sheffield University, from 1966 until his election as an MP in 1987. He became director of the mature students course and those he taught included four men Kevin Barron, Terry Patchett, Martin Redmond and Kevin Hughes who themselves would also go on to become Labour MPs. Barnes had been active in Labour and socialist politics since his own years as a student, and he later worked for the ILP newsletter Labour Leader from 1975 to 1985; for much of the same period he was on the organisations national administrative council. As an MP he was required to resign ILP membership and join an ILP friends group. During the miners strike in 1984-85, Barnes set up the Dronfield miners support group, near his own home in Dronfield, Derbyshire. He was privately critical of Arthur Scargills tactics as president of the National Union of Mineworkers, but was conscious that two of his day-release classes comprised Yorkshire miners and many other students were from the mining community. When selected as the Labour candidate for North East Derbyshire, he was chosen in preference to a candidate who was a miner, thus becoming the first ever Labour MP in 80 years elected for the seat who had not previously worked in the coal industry. Barnes was a busy MP. He belonged to a host of left-supporting socialist organisations, including both Campaign and Tribune in the Commons, as well as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Amnesty and the Institute for Workers Control, which promoted industrial democracy a key feature of ILP policy. He was soon within the top ranks of the most assiduous MPs, reaching 15th position in 1992, according to one assessment, while also clocking the award for the most rebellious Labour MP in 1993. According to his former parliamentary researcher Gary Kent: He was exercising his rights as a backbencher to use his judgment without fear or favour. Early in his parliamentary career, in 1988, he put forward a private members bill to improve miners safety through research and control into underground fires. In 1992 he proposed legislation to modernise the electoral register: this long-running concern later led to a scheme he devised for a rolling register that was later adopted by the Blair government. He was thoughtful and serious-minded, seeking a new way to secure peace in Ireland and co-operating with politicians across the spectrum. In 1990, with the Conservative MP Peter Bottomley, he set up New Consensus (later, New Dialogue) to pursue fresh thinking on Irish issues which in 1997, when Labour was elected to government, brought him on to the Northern Ireland affairs committee. Opposed to the Maastricht Treaty, he advocated instead a democratic social and federal Europe with the primary power invested in the European parliament. He consistently opposed the Gulf war, but broke with the Labour Against the War group when it later called for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, asserting that civil society in Iraq needed support at that time. He was an honorary member of Iraqi trade unions and was president of Labour Friends of Iraq. He was also an active supporter of the Kurds in Iraq. Barnes was fond of classic movies and would compare himself to the prolific actor Sam Kydd, who appeared in nearly 300 films and made more than a thousand TV appearances: being always there in the background, but never famous. He had a stroke, aged 61, in 1998 but returned to work. He stood down at the 2005 election, remaining active until afflicted by Alzheimers. While at Hull University he had met Ann Stephenson and they married in 1963; Ann worked in youth services before becoming his constituency secretary. She survives him along with their children, Stephen and Joanne. Harry (Harold) Barnes, politician and lecturer, born 22 July 1936; died 16 February 2026 Beach goers play beach volleyball at Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles, California, on 17 March. Photograph: Chris Torres/EPA (Photograph: Chris Torres/EPA) States across the US south-west recorded blistering temperatures at the tail end of winter, including some of the hottest March temperatures ever recorded in the US, with forecasts indicating hotter days are still to come. California, Nevada and Arizona were all under heat warnings on Thursday amid record-breaking temperatures. In California, the National Weather Service (NWS) said the Los Angeles area was facing extremely rare heat for March, warning residents of a high risk for heat illness. Palm Springs, about 100 miles (160km) east of Los Angeles, is expected to reach a high of 108F on Thursday. Heat alerts remain in effect through Sunday. Temperatures are 25-35 degrees above normal, the NWS Los Angeles heat advisory said, adding: Many daily records will be shattered. A day after a tiny desert community in southern California reached 108F (42.2C), tying the highest March temperature ever recorded in the US, forecasters warned on Thursday that the record-breaking winter heat will continue into the weekend. North Shore, California, on Wednesday tied a mark first set at Rio Grande City, Texas, in 1954. There was little relief after the sun went down. In Arizona, Phoenix set a record-high overnight low temperature for 19 March of 69F (20.5C), according to the NWS. Daytime highs that hit triple digits by midday were expected to top out at around 105F (40.5C), and it could be even hotter on Friday. For some perspective, the average first 105 day of the year normally occurs on May 22nd, reads a post from the NWS. The last time Phoenix temperatures climbed into the hundreds during March was almost 40 years ago. The NWSs Phoenix office said: Daily records will be broken each day through Sunday and by as much as 10 degrees, with a peak expected for Friday. Elsewhere on Thursday, Cathedral City, near the California desert destination of Palm Springs, reached 108F(42.2C). The aptly named town of Thermal, north-east of San Diego, was forecast to hit 110F (43.3C) on Friday. Downtown Los Angeles reached 94F (34.4C), beating its previous daily high for 18 March of 87F (30.5C) in 1997. Several daily heat records were already broken on Tuesday across more than a dozen areas in Los Angeles, the NWS posted on X. Though not as scorching, the heat has also reached northern California, with San Francisco facing a moderate heat risk two levels below extreme. Related: Half a million lose power as storm lashes US from midwest to east coast In Reno, Nevada, the week has brought record-setting warmth, with temperatures expected to peak on Friday. Las Vegas, meanwhile, already set a March record on Wednesday. Daily and monthly temperature records continue to be rewritten as this historic March heatwave persists into next week, the NWS Las Vegas said on Thursday. Temperatures are expected to cool next week, with Los Angeles dipping to about 80F. Some western national parks that were preparing for spring break crowds urged people to check the forecast before heading out. High temperatures at the White Sands national park in New Mexico could reach the mid-90sF (about 35C). The Grand Canyon national park in Arizona was under an extreme heat warning, with temperatures possibly hitting 104F in some places. Park officials warned hikers to avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, which they identify as 10am to 4pm. Hiking trails at the Lake Mead national recreation area were closed amid the heatwave, according to a notice from the National Park Service. The Associated Press contributed reporting Hit Channel 4 drama Its A Sin to be adapted for the stage by Russell T Davies Channel 4s award-winning drama Its A Sin is set to be adapted into a dance production, with legendary pop duo Pet Shop Boys involved in the project. Released in 2021, Russell T Daviess emotional five-part drama followed a group of gay men and their friends as they navigated life in London as the HIV and Aids crisis hit in the 1980s. Davies will serve as executive producer on the stage show, as will Sink The Pink founder Glyn Fussell and Pet Shop Boys, whose 1978 single gave the TV series its title. Composer Roman GianArthur will create the music, with the support of duo Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. The set and video design will be masterminded by Luke Halls Studio, who have previously worked on tours for the Pet Shop Boys, Adele, Dua Lipa and Take That. Rambert, the UKs leading contemporary dance company, is developing the "visceral theatre experience, with its artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer choreographing and directing. Russell T Davies and Benoit Swan Pouffer (Rambert) The production will premiere at the Aviva Studios in Manchester, with the cast and dates set to be announced later this year. Russell T Davies said in a statement: Its A Sin was such a special show for me, and it's one of the greatest honours of my life to have the show transformed by Rambert into something new and exciting. The original TV drama was a landmark series which compellingly presented the reality and tragedy of the Aids crisis to a mass audience, Tennant and Lowe added. Our song Its A Sin was contemporary with the crisis and we are proud to be involved as this poignant and important story is interpreted in a different medium. Its A Sin premiered to rave reviews on Channel 4 in 2021. The emotional drama followed a group of housemates living together in a London flat they named The Pink Palace. With a cast led by Olly Alexander as aspiring actor Ritchie Tozer, the five-part series followed the pals across the course of a decade and charted the devastating impact the HIV and Aids epidemic had on the gay community. Olly Alexander and Lydia West in Its a Sin (Channel 4) Ritchies best friend Jill Baxter, played by Lydia West, volunteered on an underground hotline offering support during the crisis and the character was inspired by one of Davies real-life friends, also named Jill. The screenwriter, who also created Queer as Folk and oversaw the BBCs mid-noughties revival of Doctor Who, previously revealed hed been encouraged to turn Its A Sin into a musical. Speaking to Radio Times, he said he had turned down the idea as he just wanted to move on. I didnt want to wallow, Davies explained. It was very strange, with its success it was very hard to celebrate, because it was this enormous success and yet such a tragic true story I just didnt want to stay there. Viktor Orbans last-minute blockade of a 90bn loan for Ukraine has infuriated other EU leaders. Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images) EU leaders fumed after Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, refused to drop his opposition to a vital 90bn (78bn) loan for Ukraine, accusing him of betrayal and acting in bad faith. German chancellor Friedrich Merz described Orbans U-turn on the loan Hungary had agreed to in December as a gross act of disloyalty adding: I am firmly convinced that it will leave deep marks. Speaking after an EU summit in Brussels, Merz said EU leaders had asked the European Commission to find ways to pay out the 90bn loan despite Hungarys opposition. The commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, did not elaborate on possible workarounds, telling reporters: The loan remains blocked because one leader is not honouring his word. But let me reiterate ... we will deliver one way or the other. In an unusual sign of public anger on Thursday, leaders made plain their frustrations with Orban, who refused to sign off on the loan agreed last year because of a dispute with Kyiv over a damaged oil pipeline. The European Council president Antonio Costa, who chaired the summit, told reporters European leaders took the floor to condemn Orbans attitude, adding: Nobody can blackmail the European institutions. Hours earlier, arriving at the summit, Kaja Kallas, the blocs foreign policy chief, said she was not optimistic about a solution before the Hungarian elections on 12 April, when Orban faces the most serious challenge to his 16-year rule. Hungary had agreed to the loan and was now taking [its] agreement back, Kallas said, adding that Orban was not acting in good faith, a foundational principle of the EU treaty. The question for us is how can we really force the implementation of the agreement we made in December? she said. Orban and his ally Robert Fico, Slovakias prime minister, refused to sign a European Council statement look[ing] forward to the release of funds for Ukraine. By the mid afternoon it was clear Orban was not going to budge. Two EU sources said they did not expect a shift from Hungary at the summit. Orban didnt move in the Ukraine session, said one. EU leaders agreed in December that 24 member states would take out a 90bn loan for urgently needed military aid and government support for Ukraine. Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic approved the idea with the crucial caveat that they did not have to contribute to the loan. It was a hard-fought plan B after an alternative option of tapping Russias frozen assets for the funding failed to win the required unanimity. Orbans reneging on his agreement has infuriated EU leaders because it undermines EU decision-making at a moment when Ukraine is running out of money. EU officials want the first tranches of cash to be available to Kyiv from early April. Petteri Orpo, Finlands prime minister, said Orban was using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaign, adding: I think that he betrayed us and we need to find a solution how to go forward. Bart De Wever, the prime minister of Belgium, who blocked the option to freeze Russias assets, played a central role in orchestrating the loan deal, including negotiating with Orban. He said: Its unacceptable to decide with the leaders and then after say: But Im not ready to execute what I decided. Antonio Costa, the European Council president, told leaders in Orbans presence that Hungarys behaviour was unacceptable, according to an EU official. Costa used the same word to describe comments by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, who, while speaking about Orban, said he would give this persons address to our armed forces. The remark prompted a rare rebuke from EU officials. Arriving at the summit, Orban showed no sign of compromise. He said: We would like to get the oil which is ours from the Ukrainians and which is blocked by the Ukrainians. I will never support any kind of decision here which is in favour of Ukraine [as long as] the Hungarians are not able to get the oil which belongs to us. The dispute centres on the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, which brings Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via Ukraine. Ukraine said the pipeline had been damaged in a Russian air attack, but Orban has accused Kyiv of stalling on repairs. Hungary and Slovakias Kremlin-friendly governments are also blocking the EUs 20th package of sanctions against Russia, which was meant to have been agreed by the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine last month. The EU statement, adopted by 25 member states on Thursday, calls for the swift adoption of that package and further pressure on Russia. This week Zelenskyy agreed to accept EU financial and technical support to repair the pipeline. But the decision does not appear to have swayed Orban, who is running an anti-Ukraine, anti-EU election campaign. It depicts his centre-right opponent, Peter Magyar, as an agent of Brussels and Kyiv, who wants to drag Hungary into the war in Ukraine. Arriving at his first EU summit as prime minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten said: It is obvious that Ukraine needs our full support to win this war against Russian aggression. There has been decision-making here on the European level so I expect everyone to respect that. Zelenskyy, who addressed the leaders via video link, said before the summit he hoped the EU would stand by its promise. We are really counting on the countries and the EU to find ways to resolve this issue, he said on Wednesday. The Ukrainian president told EU leaders this week that Ukraine was undertaking all possible efforts to repair the damage and restore operations to the pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia are the only two EU countries that benefit from Druzhba, having secured a temporary exemption from the EUs import ban on Russian oil, introduced after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The summit in Brussels was meant to be dedicated to fine-tuning a long-term agenda to revitalise Europes waning competitiveness against the US and China. But it has been overshadowed by the dispute with Hungary and the war in the Middle East, which has sent energy prices soaring and increased the strain on the transatlantic relationship. Igor Tudor left with mixed feelings after Tottenham exit despite his first win Igor Tudor was left with mixed emotions after Tottenham bowed out of the Champions League with a 7-5 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid but only after a spirited second-leg win. A brace by Xavi Simons after Randal Kolo Muanis 30th-minute opener helped Spurs clinch a first home victory since January 20, a first under Tudor, and end an eight-match winless streak. Tottenham had slipped from one crisis to another in 2026 and a shambolic 5-2 loss in Madrid last week left Tudor on the brink, but a battling 1-1 draw at Liverpool restored belief and more pride was clawed back with this morale-boosting 3-2 victory ahead of Sundays crunch Premier League fixture at home to Nottingham Forest. Tudor, with reference to Spurs being four goals down inside 22 minutes in last Tuesdays first leg, reflected: The sensation and feelings are mixed. Of course, we are out, but it was a sensation of one very good team on the pitch, one very good performance of the players. The energy was very nice. From the first moment, the fans recognised that the team will try to do everything they can do, so from the first moment until the last moment, they were with us, it was beautiful. After seeing today, there is even more questions about the first game. If it didnt happen, what happened, I believe we have a good chance to pass against Atletico Madrid. This display by Tottenham was one of their best of a sorry season and all the more impressive given Tudor was without 11 players due to a multitude of factors. Tudor also highlighted how fit-again substitutes Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall were only given the green light to play 20 minutes after recent injury problems, but hopes this much-needed first home victory since January 20 can lift spirits before Sundays meeting with relegation rivals Forest. Xavi Simons converts from the spot to put Tottenham Hotspur back in the lead on the night @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/4vl2RHGCch Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2026 I need to repeat that today we have again 11 (outfield) players and on the bench just one player. One player is (Kevin) Danso, Tudor explained. All three players Bergvall, Udogie and Conor (Gallagher) doctors say they can play at least maximum 20 minutes, 25 minutes. Imagine the situation, imagine the value of this victory here. The value of this performance is even bigger because of these things. It was nice in the end to at least take the victory. Its important also for the morale. Tudor did have a gripe with Atleticos first goal through Julian Alvarez after Spurs wanted a foul on Xavi in the build-up, but the hosts responded twice either side of David Hanckos 75th-minute leveller to extend their unbeaten home run in Europe to 25 matches. David Hancko made it 2-2 (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (Kin Cheung) Asked if Tudor expected Spurs to return to European competition again soon given they will not qualify this season, he insisted: Next year, no? The year after that can go again. Opposite number Diego Simeone was pleased to set up a last-eight tie with domestic rivals Barcelona, but felt Atletico warranted a draw in north London. The penalty comes at the end and we maybe deserved a draw, but it is a great performance by our players, Simeone insisted. Its a moment to be happy. It is a time to be happy as a club, as a team and the happiness of our fans at the end enjoying this qualification and getting through to the quarter-finals, its fantastic. A robber armed with a kitchen knife became trapped inside a shop he tried to steal from thanks to quick thinking from a staff member. Dressed all in black and with his face covered, Jordan Peebles arrived at a shop in Riley Square, Coventry, on 24 December 2025. He assaulted a member of staff and threatened them with the knife. Peebles, 32, then began filling his bag with items from behind the shops counter. Meanwhile, the shop worker he assaulted, who had left the premises, closed the shutter and trapped the thief inside. CCTV footage showed Peebles trying to force his way out, as he attempted to pull up the shutter, to no avail. Jordan Peebles was locked in a Coventry shop that he tried to steal from (West Midlands Police) When police officers arrived at the scene, Peebles pleaded to be let out and was arrested as soon as he stepped out of the door. Appearing at Warwick Crown Court last week, Peebles pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for four years and four months. West Midlands Police paid tribute to the bravery and quick thinking of the worker. Detective Sergeant Jay Aston from Coventry local CID, said: "This was a shocking knifepoint robbery which could have resulted in death or serious injury to the man Peebles assaulted. Jordan Peebles pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for four years and four months (West Midlands Police) "The man showed incredible bravery and quick thinking to defend himself, leave the shop and lower the shutters, trapping Peebles inside. "I hope Peebles will have time to reflect on his actions and choices while in prison and am proud of the work of all the officers involved, including the Response officers who were at the scene within minutes to arrest him." West Midlands Police said it encourages anyone who witnesses shoplifting to report it to them, as this enables the force to build an accurate picture of who is committing these offences, where and when. It added, call 101 or go online to report crime to us and always call 999 in an emergency. Japanese schools to be inspected for hidden cameras as voyeur teachers convicted Japan has revised its voyeurism regulations to curb sexual misconduct in schools, nearly a year after seven Tokyo teachers were arrested for filming and sharing videos of girls on social media. The education ministry has introduced new measures, including checks for hidden cameras and stricter staff conduct rules, as part of a wider campaign to crack down on sexual crime. The draft measures came as a court on Thursday sentenced two of the seven male teachers to three years in prison, suspended for five years, after finding them guilty of taking indecent images of students and circulating them on social media. This marks the first ruling involving the accused teachers whose arrest last year shocked Japan and raised concerns about the safety of schoolgirls. The Nagoya district court handed down the ruling for Daiki Sawada, a 34-year-old teacher at a public elementary school in Tokyo, and Keisuke Tsugeno, a former teacher at a public junior high school in Chitose, Hokkaido, Kyodo reported. Judge Megumi Murase said Sawadas actions were an obvious and malicious crime as he took advantage of his position as a teacher who was supposed to protect his students. The judge said Sawadas sentence was suspended after he agreed to compensate the victims parents and undergo therapy. The court was told that Tsugeno, 41, used his pen-shaped camera to film five female junior high school students while they were changing clothes. He broke into a girls restroom to take images of the underwear of a girl, then 14 years old. On Monday, the education ministry released a draft revision to the law preventing sexual misconduct against students. The revision will make it difficult to install hidden cameras, require regular inspections of classrooms, restrooms and changing rooms, and ensure teachers do not take pictures of students with their personal smartphones. The revision will also make dismissal of teachers who commit indecent acts against children mandatory and not optional. The new rules are expected to be formally adopted in the fiscal year 2026, which begins in April, following public feedback. In 2023, Japan introduced its first national law against the nonconsensual capture of sexually exploitative images or videos. The legislation, aimed at curbing what is commonly referred to as photo voyeurism, outlawed actions like upskirting and covert recordings of sexual activity. The law was introduced after multiple rape acquittals in 2019 caused outrage and outcry from rights groups who demanded a uniform law for the entire country. Before the law came, such offences could only be prosecuted under individual prefectural laws, which varied widely in terms of scope and enforcement. The legislation, part of wider reforms to the countrys sex crime statutes, including an expanded definition of rape, marked a significant shift. The King said that he had never seen the Seven Sisters view from land before - Chris Jackson/AFP The King teased cyclists for cheating by using e-bikes as he took a walk along a new coastal path named in his honour. Wearing a lounge suit and using a stick, he travelled the 2km route on foot to see the spectacular view over Seven Sisters from land for the first time. The King strolled along the new King Charles III England Coast Path, which was named to celebrate his love of nature. As he reached the clifftop to unveil a plaque, he surprised ramblers, joggers and dog-walkers and asked them about their outings. Have you got the latest bikes? he asked a small group of cyclists, who had stopped to see him. Told that they were e-bikes, he joked: Cheating. The King also visited the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve in East Sussex, one of 25 being created to mark his Coronation. The King old passers-by that he hoped he had not disturbed their peace and quiet - Chris Jackson/PA Wire A handful of members of the public walked, jogged or cycled past the King on his Thursday lunchtime stroll, pausing for a double-take and occasionally answering a question the King asked them about their plans for the day. Its not what you see every day, is it? said one passer-by. Another man, tattooed and topless, simply nodded at the King as his Yorkshire terrier sniffed at his feet. The new coastal path will eventually stretch 2,700 miles around the country making it the longest continuous, managed coastal walking route in the world. The ambition for it is to get people outside and into nature. The King needed no persuading. 1503 England Coast Path Under blue skies and over the sound of honking Canadian geese, he avoided small talk to get down to business, asking How well are the stiles maintained? and if there was proper catchment area management, nature recovery and about the extent of coastal erosion. He said the projects were marvellous, adding that the work people had been doing to get the nature reserves and coastal path finished was fantastic. He unveiled two plaques en route to mark the occasion, joking that the latter on a windy clifftop might have unveiled itself if the breeze continued to tug at the cloth covering. Despite his regular travel around the country, the 77-year-old King revealed that he had never seen the view across Seven Sisters from land before, only seeing the chalk cliffs from the sea during his time in the Navy. The King unveiled two plaques on the England Coast Path in East Sussex - Chris Jackson/Reuters As he walked, several members of the public who had been unaware that he was in the area gaped and asked is that actually the King? as he passed. The King? Are you serious? said one man in his 20s. Sharon Willmoore, 76, had been out walking with her friend. Amazing, she said. Not what we were expecting at all, just out for a nice walk and someone said the King was along there. The King joked with a group of cyclists that their e-bikes were cheating and told walkers he hoped he had not interrupted their peace and quiet. The outing marked the official inauguration of the King Charles III England Coast Path and opening of the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve. The walk, in which the King was joined by Emma Reynolds, the Environment Secretary, took place as a project to create 25 National Nature Reserves reached its halfway point. Before starting the route, the King arrived at a reception hosted by the South Downs National Park Authority at the Salt Marsh Cafe, coming straight from Windsor Castle following the Nigerian state visit. He spoke to organisations that had contributed to the project, including representatives from Natural England. Have you walked it before? he asked people, referring to the path. Tony Juniper, the chairman of Natural England, told the King it was wonderful youre here to see it, given it was one of the things closest to your heart. And the path will always be there? the King asked. Its the longest one anywhere? Mr Juniper said the path was the ultimate way of connecting with the coast, in response to which the King remarked on the opportunity for cold-water swimming, saying: Theyre all doing it! Referring to the sunny weather, he added: Weve come at the right time. After a cup of tea, the King was taken to the beginning of the country walk, which took around an hour with pauses to unveil the plaques. The Kings walk marked the inauguration of the King Charles III England Coast Path - Chris Jackson/PA Wire After the walk, Mr Juniper said: We dont do small talk with His Majesty, not when hes out looking at nature. Hes so interested in animals, plants, geology. He finds it fascinating and uplifting to see the work being done here, working together to bring this landscape and vision to life. The Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve is the 13th National Nature Reserve of the 25 planned by 2028. The King Charles III England Coast Path is designed to connect landmarks, unlock parts of Englands coastline for public access for the first time and encourage the public to spend more time in nature. Latest Experis Tech Talent Outlook shows sustained demand for specialized tech skills, with U.S. hiring plans stabilizing after recent moderation MILWAUKEE, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech hiring in the United States is stabilizing after a period of moderation, with employers reporting a Q2 2026 Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 41%, an eight-point increase from the prior quarter, according to the latest Tech Talent Outlook from Experis, part of the ManpowerGroup family of brands. The improvement suggests growing employer confidence as technology investments continue across industries, though the U.S. outlook remains five points below year-ago levels. Tech employers worldwide report a Q2 Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 45%, up four points from the previous quarter and nine points year-over-year, reflecting sustained demand for tech talent. The data for the second quarter was collected between January 1 and February 3, 2026, prior to geopolitical developments that began across the Middle East in late February. The findings reflect employer sentiment at the time of data collection and may not capture the potential impact of subsequent events. Globally, the picture is stronger. Tech employers worldwide report a Q2 NEO of 45%, up four points from the previous quarter and nine points year-over-year, reflecting sustained demand for tech talent. The U.S. outlook trails the global average, consistent with other mature tech economies where precision hiring has replaced broad-based expansion. At the same time, skills shortages remain a constraint on both sides of this picture. Seventy-three percent of tech employers globally report difficulty finding the skilled talent they need, a slight improvement from 76% a year ago, while 74% of U.S. employers report challenges filling tech roles. The most acute gaps are in artificial intelligence capabilities alongside core human skills such as professionalism and work ethic. "Across the global tech economy, demand for specialized talent remains high, but the nature of hiring has fundamentally changed," said Kye Mitchell, President of Experis U.S. "Employers are moving away from broad-based expansion and toward a more deliberate, skills-first approach. In the U.S., the quarter-over-quarter improvement suggests stabilization, while organizations continue focusing on securing specialized expertise, particularly in AI, and strengthening the human capabilities that support long-term business performance." To address ongoing talent scarcity, employers are adopting a mix of workforce strategies. Globally, the most common actions include: Upskilling and reskilling current employees (30%) Offering more work location flexibility (24%) Increasing wages (22%) Targeting new and underrepresented talent pools (22%) Offering more schedule flexibility (21%) U.S. employers report similar priorities: Upskilling and reskilling current employees (29%) Increasing wages (28%) Targeting new and underrepresented talent pools (28%) Offering more schedule flexibility (23%) AI or automation to reduce staffing needs (22%) Regional Highlights Tech hiring expectations vary significantly across geographies, with high-growth markets continuing to outpace more established tech economies. Asia Pacific leads global tech hiring confidence. India reports the strongest outlook worldwide at 69%, reflecting robust demand for AI and digital transformation talent. Vietnam, participating in the survey for the first time this quarter, reports an NEO of 49%. Australia (37%) reflects more moderate intentions within the region. leads global tech hiring confidence. The Americas show broad-based improvement. Brazil leads with an NEO of 63%, followed by Panama (61%) and Canada (45%). Colombia (13%) reflects more cautious employer sentiment, underscoring the uneven pace of tech hiring recovery across the region. show broad-based improvement. Europe and the Middle East presents a mixed picture. The United Arab Emirates leads the region at 69%, followed by Portugal (50%) and the Netherlands (48%). At the other end, Romania (3%) and Switzerland (8%) report the weakest outlooks globally, reflecting continued caution in parts of Central and Eastern Europe amid broader economic uncertainty. presents a mixed picture. For tech professionals with in-demand expertise, opportunities remain strong across markets. Employers are increasingly prioritizing candidates with specialized capabilities in AI, cloud and data, alongside the human skills needed to collaborate, adapt and deliver business impact in rapidly evolving digital environments. To view the full Q2 2026 Experis Tech Talent Outlook, including detailed global and U.S. findings, visit www.experis.com/en/tech-talent-outlook. The next report, covering Q3 2026 hiring expectations, will be released in June 2026. ABOUT THE SURVEY This research is based on results from the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey the longest running, most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key labor market indicator. ManpowerGroup interviewed 4,655 Tech & IT Services employers across 42 countries on hiring intentions for the second quarter of 2026. SURVEY METHODOLOGY Survey responses were collected from January 1 to February 3, 2026. Size of organization and sector are standardized across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons. ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 70 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2026 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 17th time all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent. For more information, visit www.manpowergroup.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook , and Bluesky. ABOUT EXPERIS Experis, a global leader in technology services, provides the experience and expertise to shorten the distance between innovation and business impact in a digital world. Experis is guided by the principle that only human ingenuity can unlock the true potential of advanced technologies like AI. For clients, Experis offers the right mix of talent and technology to accelerate progress and deliver real-world results. For individuals, Experis has the insight, size, and scale to help tech professionals expand their skills, increase their value, and find the right opportunities. By matching talent to technology in transformative ways, Experis creates brighter futures for everyone. Experis is part of the ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) family of brands, which also includes Manpower and Talent Solutions. For more information, visit www.experis.com or follow us on LinkedIn. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions, countries and industries, and economic uncertainty. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, whose information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law. SOURCE ManpowerGroup Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh has said that labelling the group as antisemitic means people water that term down. The group were interviewed by the Big Issue after it was ruled the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, will not face a terror trial after being accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig. O hAnnaidh told the magazine: When you start labelling bands and people who speak out against Israel as antisemitic, what you do is water that term down. We are not antisemitic. O hAnnaidh also said it was impossible to remember everything that happens during a performance. When youre playing a gig its impossible to be perfectly conscious all the time. I dont remember all and thats not just from drink, thats pure adrenaline, he told the Big Issue. Band member Moglai Bap said the group is from the north of Ireland. We know about f****** religious conflicts, people using religion as a way to murder, maim and all this stuff, he added. We are against any discrimination in any form. The alleged offence was said to have taken place at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, on November 21 2024. Kneecap on stage at Londons Finsbury Park last year (PA) (Jeff Moore) But the case was thrown out in September last year, with chief magistrate Paul Goldspring ruling the proceedings were instituted unlawfully. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) appealed against the decision at the High Court at a hearing in January, with the rapper opposing the challenge. In a judgment last week, two judges at the High Court upheld the decision and dismissed the CPS appeal. The full interview can be read in Mondays Big Issue, on sale from street vendors and online via bigissue.com. Graffiti artist 10Foot has created new artwork, which will feature on the cover of the magazine. He has also contributed an exclusive print, which will come free with each magazine sold. At least 12 people were killed by Israeli air strikes in central Beirut, with at least one high-rise apartment building suffering total collapse. Fisherman throw their lines into the Kirkpatrick Dam spillway (AP) Florida's ambitious version of the Panama Canal a proposed shortcut for boats to pass from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf was abandoned in 1971 due to environmental concerns, yet the aborted Cross Florida Barge Canal left a lasting impact. Since then, a dam and reservoir built for the aborted canal in northeast Florida have drowned a chunk of the Ocala National Forest, put 20 springs underwater and disrupted wildlife crossings, including some used by migrating manatees. Every few years, a temporary restoration occurs. When state workers empty the reservoir to clean out muck, the lost springs re-emerge, and cypress saplings grow on previously submerged land. For several months, the area briefly returns to its natural state. The latest drawdown of Rodman Reservoir, the first in six years, started in October and ended in early March. But environmentalists want to permanently open the 7,200-foot (2,200-meter) Kirkpatrick Dam and reunite the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers with Silver Springs, one of the largest spring systems in the U.S. The dead trunks of cypress trees, cabbage palms and other wetland plants briefly emerge during a drawdown of the Rodman Reservoir (AP) By removing the dam, we would reunite the waters, said Nina Bhattacharyya, executive director of Florida Defenders of the Environment. We would have springs reemerge. Wildlife would be able to move back and forth -- migratory fish, manatees and so much more. Removal of the dam would really fix a wrong that was created decades ago. A legislative setback, and vows to keep fighting The latest effort to make that happen, after decades of trying, failed last week when lawmakers didn't pass a bill before the legislative session ended that would have supported a $70 million project to restore the Ocklawaha River by opening up the dam over four years. Advocates for restoring the river said they plan to regroup and identify the best strategy for moving forward, but they remain optimistic given how close they came. The measure had passed the Florida House and was awaiting a Senate vote before the session ended last week. Nina Bhattacharyya, executive director of Florida Defenders of the Environment (AP) While the bill did not receive a final vote in the Senate this session, the strong bipartisan support it earned reflects growing momentum for restoration, Bhattacharyya said Monday. During the drawdowns, what used to be on the 9,500 acres (3,844 hectares) of submerged land becomes visible. Bear and deer tracks are spotted. Wild turkeys and sandhill cranes return to the dried-out land. Thousands of drowned and ghostlike cypress, palm and maple tree trunks reveal themselves as the water drops. It's haunting, like a graveyard, Karen Chadwick, a charter boat captain, said recently as she maneuvered her boat among decayed and graying tree trunks jutting from the water. There are also concerns about the safety of the dam, which is past its life expectancy. Advocates for opening the dam say a structural collapse could endanger hundreds of nearby homes. Something is going to happen, maybe next year, maybe in a couple of years, Republican state Sen. Jason Brodeur, the legislations sponsor, said last month during a committee hearing. Something has to be done. This system is a national treasure Nature filmmaker Mark Emery told Florida lawmakers recently that the Ocklawaha River was unique as it was historically fed by the extensive Silver Springs system. But huge schools of mullet and catfish have disappeared from Silver Springs since the dam choked the flow of the river and reduced the number of fish getting into the springs, he said. This system is a national treasure, Emery said. Hundreds of millions of gallons of fresh water feed and cool the river. Before the dam, you had a direct waterway to the ocean with small springs all along the way. The remains of a wetland forest are revealed during a drawdown of the Rodman Reservoir (AP) Some angling groups oppose anything that would permanently empty Rodman Reservoir, saying it has become a world-class fishing spot and supports a local economy of largemouth bass fishing, camping and birdwatching in rural Putnam County, which is among Florida's poorest counties. Supporters of emptying the reservoir say it will remain an outdoors haven, if not more so. Plus, the reservoir reduces nutrient levels in the water and could be used as an alternate water supply at a time when Florida's population is booming, Steve Miller, president of Save Rodman Reservoir, told lawmakers in February. There's a bigger picture than what is being shown, Miller said during a legislative hearing. Don't gamble away on speculative outcomes. Fixing misguided projects While the construction of the dam was a mistake, locals have made the best of the situation by creating businesses geared toward outdoorspeople, said Putnam County Commissioner Joshua Alexander. We have created chicken salad out of chicken, Alexander told lawmakers. We are not a rich economy, and I believe it would affect our economy. A guide leads kayakers on a tour of Silver Springs (AP) A restoration of the Ocklawaha River would be part of a long history in Florida of restoring a natural environment that was upset by a misguided public works project. The Everglades in South Florida had shrunk to half its size due to water supply and flood control projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before a multibillion-dollar effort was launched at the start of this century to restore the network of wetlands. Similarly, the corps dredged the Kissimmee River and installed canals in the 1960s to reduce flooding in the interior part of the state, but ended up upsetting the floodplain's ecosystem of birds and fish. Efforts to restore the river were launched two decades ago and completed in 2021. Nature is very resilient, Chadwick said, if you just get out of the way and let it do its thing. Bus workers could strike on the same days as London Underground drivers in the coming months, a union has warned. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) who work on the Tube are due to strike for two days in April, May and June in a dispute over hours. It comes after the Tube strike that was set to cause serious disruption to the London Underground next week was called off. About 1,800 Tube drivers who belong to the RMT union had been expected to walk out from midday on Tuesday for 24 hours, and again from midday on Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon, the RMT announced that its action had been suspended after progress in peace talks with Transport for London. File Image (Metroline) The strike had been called by the RMT in protest at proposals to introduce a four-day week for Tube drivers. Now, Unite has announced its members employed by TfL as bus station and network traffic controllers are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over rosters. The ballot closes on April 13, and any strike action could coincide with the RMT strikes, said Unite. General secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our hardworking members at TfL do an important role in keeping bus passengers safe and services running well, but they have been rewarded with rota changes that will severely impact their work/life balance and even leave them at risk of being disciplined for a situation not of their control. "This situation is unacceptable and TfL must change course or face a highly disruptive strike. Our members at TfL have the union's full unwavering support during this dispute." A TfL spokesperson said: "We continue to work with Unite on proposed changes to the rota and hope to reach a position which works for everybody." London set for travel disruption as bus workers and Tube drivers could strike on the same day London could face widespread travel disruption in the coming months as bus workers may strike on the same days as planned Tube walkouts, it was warned on Thursday. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are due to strike for two days in April, May, and June, in an ongoing dispute over working hours. Two strikes planned for next week were recently called off after progress was made in talks with London Underground. Separately, Unite announced that its members, employed by Transport for London (TfL) as bus station and network traffic controllers, are being balloted for industrial action over rosters. The ballot closes on 13 April, and Unite stated that any strike action could coincide with the RMT's planned dates. General secretary Sharon Graham called the situation unacceptable (REUREUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoTERS) General secretary Sharon Graham said: Our hardworking members at TfL do an important role in keeping bus passengers safe and services running well, but they have been rewarded with rota changes that will severely impact their work/life balance and even leave them at risk of being disciplined for a situation not of their control. This situation is unacceptable and TfL must change course or face a highly disruptive strike. Our members at TfL have the unions full unwavering support during this dispute. A TfL spokesperson said: We continue to work with Unite on proposed changes to the rota and hope to reach a position which works for everybody. Two 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers next week have been called off after progress in talks to try to resolve a dispute over working hours, the RMT union said. The Labour mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan described the breakthrough as positive news for Londoners, businesses and visitors. He added: Im glad talks have been constructive and both sides continue to work towards a resolution. It is not clear what led to the breakthrough, but previously Transport for London said the proposed four-day working week would be for train drivers on the Bakerloo line only, adding that the changes to working patterns would be voluntary, as it called on the union to cancel the proposed strikes. Nick Dent, director of customer operations for London Underground, said: We are pleased that RMT has suspended its planned industrial action between Tuesday 24 March and Friday 27 March. Marianne Faithfull is watching an old interview, in which Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham is asked about discovering her. Is it literally possible that you can go to a party and pick up someone with no evident talent and make a star of her? Oldham chortles. Er, yes. Maybe it was good for me, Faithfull says of her reaction upon first seeing that interview. Because maybe I thought Ill show you, you c***. Faithfull, who died in January 2025 at the age of 78, certainly did show Oldham, and the rest of the world. Her extraordinary life, much of which was lived out under the relentless glare of the media, was one of rebellion and resilience. Now, its the subject of a milestone docudrama, Broken English, that sets out to recalibrate a legacy that has, too often, been overshadowed by Faithfulls association with the Stones and Mick Jagger, her ex-boyfriend, as well as a crude and inaccurate story involving Faithfull, a chocolate bar, and a police raid of Keith Richardss home in 1967. Directed by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, the Bafta-nominated duo behind 2014s acclaimed Nick Cave docudrama, 20,000 Days on Earth, Broken English veers far from the formulaic music documentary tropes: the rags-to-riches story, the fame, the fortune, the drugs spiral, the phoenix rise from the ashes Tilda Swinton appears amid whirling tape machines and clicking typewriters as the head of a mysterious institution called The Ministry of Not Forgetting. Faithfull has been carefully chosen as its first subject her life and work archived through an extensive cache of interviews, archive footage, performances and conversation. Among its starry contributors are friends and collaborators, including Cave, Warren Ellis, Courtney Love and Jehnny Beth, while actors George MacKay, Zawe Ashton and Calvin Demba act as employees at the ministry, diligently working towards their end goal. Tilda Swinton as the head of the Ministry of Not Forgetting, in Broken English (Amelia Troubridge) When wed started the project, Marianne had recently arrived at Denville Hall [a retirement care home for the performing and creative industries], so this was an exciting opportunity for her to be creative again, to make art and perform and sing, producer Beth Earl tells me. I feel like that really gave her a new lease of life, and we got to have her on board, being the one to tell her story. They had to work quickly, knowing Faithfulls health was not good she was on oxygen, struggling to breathe after contracting Covid in 2020. During filming, though, something changed in her: Once those triggers were pushed, the muscles began to work again, and she could remember lots of detail about [recording albums], or teaching songwriting with Allen Ginsberg it all came back, Forsyth says. This wasnt exactly a surprise to the team working on Broken English. A lot of her life has been about showing people who underestimated her what shes actually capable of, Pollard points out. She was a force, Earl agrees. She was smart and funny and talented and quick and so dynamic. I feel like all of us really had to be on our feet every time we saw her, and like a few steps ahead. She definitely didnt slow down. Marianne Faithfull with George McKay in 'Broken English' (Joseph Lynn) They were keen not to sugarcoat anything, not least when Faithfull was feeling less cooperative. We wanted to let her be snappy, to expose that at some point, because if it was a male artist, wed perceive that behaviour differently, Pollard says. We would see it as a strength of character and a byproduct of genius. MacKay, known for roles in the war epic 1917 and the critically praised 2023 thriller Femme, plays an earnest researcher who shows Faithfull artefacts from her career. Her reactions vary. Sometimes she lights up, beaming, at the sight of an old friend (Ginsberg, or Bob Dylan). Others she bristles at, such as when MacKay pulls out a copy of The Evening News, with the front page screaming: Naked girl at Stones party. The odious legend goes that, at the notorious police raid on Richardss Redlands estate in February 1967, Faithfull was discovered wearing nothing but a fur rug and performing a sex act with a Mars Bar. The fur rug detail was true. The Mars bar was not. Oh gawd, Faithfull says at the sight of the front page. I dont care for it. No, Im not going there. You can put it away. Here is where a roundtable of women is introduced, including the presenter Edith Bowman, who agree that this moment was the start of Faithfull being perceived in the public eye as someone scandalous. Scandalous sisters: Faithfull with her friend, actor Anita Pallenberg, at Heathrow airport in 1967 (Getty Images) She was very clear at the beginning, says Earl. One thing she did say was that she never felt she was a victim. She never wanted that kind of label on her at all. And I think the way we move through the ministry allowed her not to be that and to have her voice, and if we felt like anything needed a little bit more careful consideration, thats where we brought in the [group]. It wasnt something that she really wanted to dwell in. I think she felt that shed gone through it and shed come out of it on top. She never felt she was a victim. She never wanted that kind of label on her at all Producer Beth Earl This doesnt mean that the film skirts around the genuine traumas that Faithfull went through. In the space of two years, she developed a drug addiction while playing Ophelia at the Roundhouse in 1969 and suffered a miscarriage while seven months pregnant with her and Jaggers child; their relationship ended (she was back on stage with the Stones two weeks later). Stones guitarist Brian Jones died, aged 27, and she lost custody of her son, Nicolas. She also had the song Sister Morphine taken off the shelves because it was deemed too controversial for a woman to have written such lyrics. It was quite a long time before I could sit down and write another song, which is a shame, she says. Hurts. It really hurts She tells MacKay that shes sorry when he asks about the song being taken away. Dont apologise, he replies, stricken. Well, I am, she says. Im sorry that I didnt [protest]. Faithfull in her Kensington flat, August 1965 (Getty) Theres a reclaiming of Faithfulls work throughout Broken English, both in her own recollections of her life and through interpretations of her songs by other artists. We witness a striking cover of 1983s Times Square by Courtney Love, and another from French rock musician Jehnny Beth, formerly of the band Savages, who dances to her take on Faithfulls caustic Broken English closer, Why Dya Do It?. Its themes of infidelity, jealousy and rage suit Beth perfectly: I was so flattered [to be asked to take part], Beth tells me. The film is incredible its very much a movie about Marianne in the present, in that moment, and its a movie about death. In Faithfull, she sees a kindred spirit when it comes to her songwriting. The way we approach love and relationships is not as evolved as we pretend it is, she says. Were still coding these possessive attitudes towards sexuality; jealousy is a condition of love, even a proof of love for some people. Faithfull, she points out, was fearless in her exploration of the human condition. Its a movie about Marianne in the present, in that moment: Jehnny Beth on Broken English (Johnny Hostile) Pollard and Forsyth wanted to end the documentary with one final performance. Faithfulls doctor advised her against it. But she returned a year after filming had concluded with her friend, the jeweller David Courts, whod convinced Earl and the team that she was ready. When we brought her in, we were prepared for every scenario, like if she doesnt want to sing, if she just wants to read poetry, Earl recalls. It is undoubtedly the most moving scene of the film, as Faithfull is accompanied by Nick Cave, who sings and plays the piano, and Warren Ellis on the violin. It was a beautiful thing, because in that time we knew Marianne, it was the most alive I ever experienced her, Earl says. It was like we were meeting a lifetimes worth of Marianne in that moment. Broken English is in UK cinemas from 20 March Actor Michael Sheen is fronting a new film for Red Nose Day that urges the public to help tackle the UKs food insecurity crisis. The Frost/Nixon actor, who is known for his political and social activism, will shine a light on the rising number of families struggling to put food on the table, and the organisations that work to support them. Sheen will appear during Fridays Red Nose Day appeal show, Comic Relief: Funny For Money, in a film that focuses on the realities of food insecurity. It will feature Jose, a delivery driver for City Harvest, a London-based food redistribution charity that receives funding from Sainsburys through Comic Relief. City Harvest tackles food insecurity and food waste by securing surplus food from farms, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers and delivering it to organisations supporting people in need. It delivers the food to more than 350 charities and community projects including homeless shelters, family centres and refugee services. Sheen said: Right now, there are millions of families in this country who dont have enough food to eat. Its hard to comprehend, and its ever harder not to be moved by it. I grew up in Port Talbot in South Wales, where people in the community looked out for each other. For some people, thats all they have, kindness from neighbours who understand what it means to go without, but others arent so fortunate. Ive seen how easy it is for people to fall into hardship and how being able to afford the very basics in life like food can suddenly just go out the window. Comic Relief and City Harvest are doing extraordinary work, but its only possible with the support of people at home. Donations not only put food on tables and keep families going, but they also remind people that they havent been forgotten. Jose, a delivery driver for London-based food distribution charity City Harvest (Comic Relief/PA) Jose, who was born in Brazil but moved to the UK nearly 40 years ago, has seen first-hand how food insecurity has intensified across London. Jose said: On a typical day, we do eight big drops to food banks. Each food bank will provide for 1,500 people a week. The food situation in London right now, and I believe the whole of the UK, is an emergency. I dont see it like a job. I feel so honoured to be here, knowing that Im part of something huge, helping people in need. And I see those faces out there, and that makes me keep going every time. Audiences can expect an evening of live performances, sketches and celebrity cameos on Friday, with stars including Catherine Tate, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed and Joel Dommett involved. Throughout the night, a series of appeal films will remind viewers of the purpose of Red Nose Day and how donations help support people in the UK and beyond. Comic Relief chief executive Samir Patel said: Across the UK, more than one in 10 households are facing hunger as the cost of living continues to put pressure on household budgets. This amounts to around six million adults and more than two million children which is simply unacceptable. Food, shelter and safety are essentials that everyone needs to survive. But for too many, these are increasingly out of reach. Through our partnership with Sainsburys, Comic Relief supports the work of brilliant organisations like City Harvest and its so important that we continue funding essential services like these so that food can reach the people who need it most. The Red Nose Day appeal show, Comic Relief: Funny For Money, will air live on BBC iPlayer and BBC One from 7pm on Friday, and for the first time will also be livestreamed on the official BBC YouTube channel. The Conservative leader has her eye on the East Midlands - Temilade Adelaja/Reuters The Conservative Party lives. The prospect of a comeback may have gone from fanciful to feasible. While Reform seems to be peaking, the Tory vote appears to have stabilised, with the party polling at 18-19 per cent. In a toxically divided country, the refreshingly vanilla Tory message that Britain needs not just radical but sensible government might just be starting to cut through. Kemi Badenoch has certainly brought an aura of competence and conviction to a party that had become dangerously deficient in both. But even the most optimistic of Tories dont think they have done anything near enough. Badenoch has proved a scathing dissector of Keir Starmers incompetence, but the party is still performing abysmally in the polls, down even on its appalling showing in the 2024 election. The Tory leaders strategy thus far has hinged around a somewhat swottish plan to fix Britain, and it can hardly be said to have captured the national conversation. But something might be changing outside Westminster, in the towns, suburbs and villages of provincial England that rarely enjoy the attention of the national media. MP Maggie Throup gave Rishi Sunak a warm welcome when he visited Erewash in 2024, but the East Midlands rarely make headlines When I paid a visit this week to the fraying East Midlands blue belt, from Erewash to Newark, Conservative activists were buoyant. The former stronghold seems an unlikely place to find optimism. Reform has taken control of Nottinghamshire county council, snatched seats and split the Right-wing vote, allowing Labour to seize chunks. The defections of Robert Jenrick and Lee Anderson from the Tories to Reform have left a charisma vacuum. Still, campaigners think they have cracked the formula for a comeback. As new Reform councillors flail, the Tories are holding them to account over a host of bungles from council tax hikes to splurging 75,000 on flags (a sum that would fix 1,000 potholes). They even have their sights set on a big Reform scalp: as the army of Tory volunteers in Jenricks Newark seat swells nine-fold amid local anger over his defection, campaigners are bullish they can oust him at the next election. The East Midlands battle plan has caught the eye of Tory HQ. After councillor Keith Girling won Newark West from Reform in a council by-election last year, Badenoch rang him asking for tips. He told me that his approach is simple: campaign relentlessly, be honest even when its uncomfortable, and make promises you can keep. A well-regarded councillor, even on rougher estates, he believes that the secret to winning over Red Wall voters is to be part of the community: he runs Sunday lunches for pensioners and founded a charity for veterans. Keith Girling (right), councillor for Newark West, knows the secret to winning over Red Wall voters East Midlands Tories reckon their patch has much to teach the national party. From free schools to the Northern Powerhouse, the last Tory governments were good at taking national things and making them local. Now they know weve got to do the opposite take local things and make it national, the Tory group leader on Nottinghamshire county council, Sam Smith, told me. Conservatives aim to chip away at Reforms support by relentlessly arguing that, if voters want to know what Farage really stands for, they should look at what his party is doing where it is in charge that, from increasing taxes to bungling adult social care, Reforms local failures are a harbinger of what will happen in the wider country. Councillors sense that a humbled Tory HQ is becoming more open to listening to the grassroots on policy, too. Such a bottom-up revolution is certainly needed. Badenoch has spent months holed up with her advisers and shadow front bench coming up a detailed programme. But her much-hyped Renewal 2030 programme has thus far failed to make a splash. Could the solution to that be found in places like the Erewash Valley? Charities such as Derventio the Erewash Valley are helping residents to build essential life skills Local Tories remain glum about the partys prospects for winning back working-class voters. A defeatist view that Red Wall voters are lost to Reform is setting in. But one thing would give the Tories a fighting chance: a realistic plan for post-industrial regeneration that goes beyond flashy infrastructure drives and planting pansies on high streets. In the former lace-making centre of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, I glimpsed how locals are coming up with innovative ways to get those from fourth-generation-unemployed families into work. The odds are against them. One job support worker has been threatened by the family members of those they are trying to get back into work they are angry at the prospect of losing benefits and having to pay full council tax. But there are some early positive signs. Local charity Derventio seems to be making headway in helping people build up the simple life skills needed to hold down a job. This includes mastering small talk to fend off panic attacks during interactions with colleagues. As I poked my head into the old lace factory where the charity hosts confidence-boosting bicycle-mending workshops, I couldnt help but think of Norman Tebbits entreaty to people in places like Ilkeston a generation ago to get on their bike and look for work. Maybe some need to help to fix the proverbial bike first. Lessons like these may hold the key to a conservative creed of individual striving that could appeal to lifelong Tories and Red Wall voters alike. The conviction that people thrive when they possess the rudimentary tools to make something of themselves, and are encouraged to stand on their own two feet, must surely underpin Conservative thinking. It probably isnt detailed policies that will save the Tories, though obviously they are necessary. Its by reviving an instinctive connection with actual conservative voters, and understanding the challenges they face in parts of the country that are generally overlooked. In short, the Conservatives have to listen, learn and be ferociously local. Party members in places like Erewash are hopeful that Kemi Badenoch gets it. A minister has rejected that UK plans to bring in new trade measures to boost domestic steel production are reminiscent of US President Donald Trumps tariffs. The Government wants up to 50% of steel used in the UK to be made in the country, up from 30%. From July, it will lower the tariff-free quota level for steel imports by 60% compared with current arrangements, and double import taxes on steel coming into the UK above these levels from 25% to 50%. Sir Chris Bryant said we need to have a sovereign capacity of steel in the UK (Jonathan Brady/PA) (Jonathan Brady) Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant told Sky News: Its not very Donald Trump. Its very, very specific. Look, I believe Im passionate about free trade, but it has to be fair trade. And if youve got artificially low prices, completely pricing us out of the market, pricing British steel out of the market, that is a problem for us, because we need to have a sovereign capacity of steel in the UK. The changes aim to ensure the UK steel sectors future in the face of global overcapacity and benefit thousands of steelworkers. The National Wealth Fund will be the main mechanism for providing up to 2.5 billion of financing for investment in the steel sector this Parliament. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle gave details of the strategy on a visit to Tata Steels plant in Port Talbot, South Wales, warning that without action, the UKs steelmaking capability faces real jeopardy, leaving the country reliant on overseas suppliers for materials essential to energy security, defence and transport infrastructure. Mr Kyle said: Making steel in the UK is vital for national security, critical infrastructure and the wider economy. Steelmaking is a cornerstone of our modern industrial policy that deliberately focuses support for key industries, technologies, and strategically important sectors. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle during his visit to Tata Steels Port Talbot plant (Ben Birchall/PA) (Ben Birchall) With this strategy we are closing the decades-long chapter of destructive deindustrialisation and committing instead to strengthening and sustaining Britain as a steel-making nation. The minister said the Governments ambition was to boost domestic production so that it can meet up to 50% of domestic demand for steel and secure the industrys role in supporting vital UK sectors such as infrastructure, defence and clean energy. The strategy confirms electric arc furnaces (EAF) as the future of British steelmaking, continuing the shift from blast furnaces to cleaner, EAF-based production using recycled scrap to support net zero. The shift has led to job losses in steel plants including Port Talbot. Community union general secretary Roy Rickhuss said: Since taking office in 2024, the Government has taken many decisive steps to support the steel industry and those who work within it. This strategy represents the culmination of these efforts. In particular, the urgent and necessary action taken to intervene in British Steel last spring and SSUK in the autumn has demonstrated the Governments unyielding commitment to protecting the sector and the thousands of jobs it provides in communities across the country. The trade measures outlined in this strategy represent a bold and significant step forward, strengthening our domestic industry and helping to ensure that local economies continue to benefit from a secure, resilient steel sector and the employment it provides. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle is interviewed during a visit to Port Talbot (Ben Birchall/PA) (Ben Birchall) Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel, said: This is a significant moment, and Government ministers deserve recognition for their leadership today. The Governments bravery in taking the required measures represents a real shift in the culture of Westminster from protecting the ideology of free trade at any cost, to defending critical industries and national security. Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: The UK Government is standing up for Welsh steelmaking and showing that we will do whatever it takes to boost domestic steel production and protect the thousands of steelmaking jobs in our communities. Welsh steel is expected to account for half of future UK steelmaking. It is not only a vital part of the South Wales economy, but also a crucial part of the UKs industrial strategy, infrastructure capabilities and national security. We said we would back our steelworkers and steel communities and we are delivering on that promise Welsh steelmaking now has a secure and bright future. Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB national secretary, said: GMB had been calling for a steel strategy for a long time, so its good we now have some kind of plan. This administration has done more for UK steel than any government for many, many years. First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan welcomed the announcement (Ben Birchall/PA) (Ben Birchall) But, as ever, the devil will be in the detail and key questions around ownership of Scunthorpe and the future technology mix will be key to our members and their livelihoods. First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan said: Steel has a long and proud history here in Wales, where the industry is the lifeblood of many communities. The publication of the UK Governments steel strategy is good news for our steel communities and the thousands of people across Wales who work in or around the industry, now and in the future. The commitment for 50% of steel used in the UK to be made here is important, not just for steelworkers but to the Welsh economy as a whole. The strategy also reaffirms the transition to electric arc steel production in the UK, where Port Talbot is leading the way, not just in the UK, but across Europe. It was great to be able to meet the Tata management and unions again and to see the progress that has been made in building the new electric arc steel plant. The degree, designed with the help of the UKs Royal College of Nursing, uses lectures recorded by international academics alongside practical training. Photograph: supplied (Photograph: supplied) It was a remarkable, but secretive, ceremony that took place earlier this week for a class of 21 students graduating with nursing degrees in Myanmar. Hidden away from the spy drones of the countrys military junta, and working around internet blackouts, the students had trained as part of an underground health system, which has been evolving in Myanmar since the coup in February 2021 crushed a pro-democracy uprising and ignited civil war. Safety is never guaranteed, says Khun Sue Reh, 23, who on Monday was among the group graduating with the specially designed three-year nursing qualification. Alongside the usual coursework and exams, the students face airstrikes on the hospitals where they are training, government spy drones overhead, roadblocks and internet blackouts. The UN estimates that since the coup, 18.6 million people in Myanmar have required humanitarian assistance, 3.2 million have been internally displaced, and more than 55,000 civilian buildings destroyed. More than 200,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, India and Thailand. A parallel secret health system has emerged, treating those who cannot risk government-controlled hospitals or who live in the vast areas of the country which are outside the regimes control. Khun and his colleague Rosetta were already students when the coup happened, and felt compelled to join the opposition Civil Defence Movement (CDM). They dont have clean water, they dont have shelter. Weve had bombs land right next to the classroom Marcus Wootton, RCN Khun says being part of the CDM allowed me to stand up for my beliefs, and participate in peaceful change and take responsibility for my countrys future. It was the right thing to do, says Rosetta. I could not continue working as usual when many people around me were facing so many difficulties. Being a nursing student, she went to community mobile clinics that were providing basic services to displaced people. Since the very beginning, nurses joined the movement including me, says April, a Burmese nurse educator. We started with peaceful demonstrations. Then, later on, the junta cracked down on those protesters. They beat them, they used guns, and there were casualties. So the nurses and doctors stepped up and set up secretive clinics in the community, so thats how we started providing services to those injured in the protests. Later on, it became worse and worse, so we could no longer work in the big cities, and we had to disperse across the country. April contacted colleagues in the UK, and together, nurses in Myanmar and Britain arranged video masterclasses on topics such as how to deal with protest injuries. When the junta started controlling internet access, and the price of data increased sharply, videos filmed in the UK were smuggled on memory sticks across the country. Access to even basic healthcare in Myanmar, from vaccination to medication for chronic diseases, has been heavily disrupted by war, with about 1,900 incidents of violence or obstruction recorded since 2021. Hospitals and clinics have been damaged or destroyed, and at least 170 workers killed and 909 arrested. About 70% of incidents are attributed to the Myanmar armed forces. April and her colleagues realised training videos already in circulation were not enough. What became very clear very quickly was that that wasnt going to work and what wed have to do instead was to record an entire undergraduate degree from start to finish, says Marcus Wootton, associate director of international nursing at the UKs Royal College of Nursing (RCN), who became involved in the project. Dozens of international academics recorded lectures for the 58 modules needed to cover Myanmars curriculum from newborn care to tropical diseases and the Phoenix Bachelor of Nursing Science qualification was born. April and colleagues set up a nursing school completely inside of the jungle. Facilitators in a basic classroom with Starlink internet take students through pre-recorded sessions, supplemented by practical activities. I hope people understand our lives here are not just about struggle. We have dreams, we have hopes, we have determination Khun Sue Reh, graduate They dont have clean water, they dont have shelter, the living conditions are really basic, Wootton says. They are at constant risk of drone attack. They are at constant risk of air attack. Weve had bombs land right next to the classroom. Weve had to move the students, weve had to move campuses, because of the risk of fighting. They are working in poorly resourced hospitals, says April. Even things like paracetamol are really difficult to get in bulk purchase because the junta block every route to get those resources into jungle hospitals. From the very basic necessities to big equipment like MRI scanners, even portable ultrasound is not very easily available. Khun says: During my clinical placement in the first semester of the final year, the hospital was directly attacked by an airstrike. He had to evacuate with patients. Rosetta said there had been times she was studying in temporary shelters, hiding from government drones. Internet connections are limited and heavily monitored, the students say, and study sessions need careful planning to avoid attracting unwanted attention. It is also the emotional stress, for me and many of us, says Khun. Many of us feel fear and worry not only for ourselves, but also our family, our friends and the community. Related: Myanmars lost generation: nations youth sacrificing futures for freedom He adds: I hope people outside Myanmar understand that our lives here are not just about struggle. We have dreams, we have hopes and we have determination, and we want to contribute to a better future. There is no compromise on quality. It is an international standard degree, says Wootton, who describes the new nurses achievement as extraordinary. There are five cohorts currently studying, and others on a one-year programme for diploma nurses who want to upgrade to degree level. In a letter of thanks to the RCN, one of the students wrote: The name Phoenix itself is powerful for us. It symbolises rising from the ashes of the destruction the coup has caused. Our cohort represents the reconstruction of Myanmars ethical healthcare system, built by students committed to compassion, democracy and professionalism. We are the living proof that education and hope cannot be extinguished by violence. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What should families know when a minor is charged with a crime? The HelloNation article "Juvenile Defense Basics" offers guidance from defense attorney Mitchell A. Stone, P.A., who serves clients in Jacksonville, Florida. The article explains how the juvenile court process differs from adult criminal proceedings, why rehabilitation often plays a central role, and how legal representation protects the future of young people. Mitchell A. Stone, Attorney Speed Speed The HelloNation article begins by clarifying that juvenile court functions differently than adult criminal court. The justice system recognizes that minors are still developing, so its focus often shifts away from punishment toward guidance. Judges in these cases consider not only the alleged offense but also the age, background, and needs of the child. Programs such as counseling, education, and treatment may be prioritized to help minors avoid future legal problems. Even though the system emphasizes rehabilitation, the HelloNation article points out that the consequences of juvenile cases can still be serious. Penalties may affect education, driving privileges, or long-term opportunities. In certain situations, prosecutors may seek to transfer cases to adult court, where harsher penalties apply and the emphasis on rehabilitation is greatly reduced. The procedures in juvenile court are also unique. According to the HelloNation article, minors do not receive jury trials. Instead, a judge hears the evidence and decides the outcome. While the hearings may seem less formal, the consequences are real. A finding of delinquency, which is the juvenile equivalent of a conviction, can create a permanent record that follows a young person into adulthood. The HelloNation article underscores the importance of acting quickly after charges are filed. Early involvement in the process provides families the opportunity to present positive information about the child, including education, community involvement, and personal character. These details may influence the judge's decision to recommend rehabilitation programs or alternative sentencing options. Waiting too long to respond may limit these opportunities. Legal rights are another key point covered in the HelloNation article. Minors are entitled to representation by a criminal defense lawyer, as well as constitutional protections against unlawful searches, coerced confessions, and unfair treatment. Having an attorney ensures that the child's rights are respected and that their best interests are presented throughout the juvenile court process. The HelloNation article also highlights that juvenile defense extends beyond the immediate charges. Decisions made during these proceedings can affect education, future employment, and personal development. Families who understand the stakes are better equipped to make informed choices that protect their child's future. Ultimately, the juvenile court process balances accountability with an opportunity for growth. The HelloNation article stresses that while the goals differ from adult court, the impact of the decisions can be just as significant. By understanding juvenile defense basics, and by working with a defense attorney like Mitchell A. Stone, P.A., families can help guide young people through challenges and toward better outcomes. The full HelloNation article, "Juvenile Defense Basics", provides detailed insights from defense attorney Mitchell A. Stone, P.A. about the juvenile court process and the protections available to minors charged with crimes. About HelloNation HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. SOURCE HelloNation Just when the US-Israeli war on Iran looked like it couldn't get any more awkward, even Donald Trump has been left dismayed by Benjamin Netanyahus targeting of Iranian gas fields. Why? Well, it is because Netanyahu, who is under indictment for crimes against humanity for his campaign in Gaza, has copied the tactics of Vladimir Putin, who himself is under indictment for alleged crimes against humanity in Ukraine. On 5 December last year the British government, along with 42 other countries, said Russia was deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in what may constitute war crimes. The unlawful targeting of civilians and civilian objects is a breach of international humanitarian law, in particular principle of distinction, enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, and may therefore constitute war crimes, Neil Holland, the UK representative to the OSCE said in Vienna. Russias deliberate missile and drone strikes against Ukraines civilian energy infrastructure constitute a clear pattern in its full-scale invasion that began in 2022 and has intensified in the fourth year of the war. Russia has carried out deliberate strikes across the country, leading to significant civilian casualties, massive damage to residential and energy infrastructure and causing emergency power outages across most regions of the country. Tens of thousands of civilians in major cities and population centres are left without proper access to essential services, he said. Smoke and fire rise near the South Pars gas field following an attack (Social media) Israel has done exactly the same to Iran. It is trying to provoke regime change by shattering the nations industrial capacity and breaking its energy infrastructure. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there reasonable grounds to believe that both Israel and Iran had committed a possible war crime through strikes on oil and gas facilities. Irans South Pars gas field provides at least 75 per cent of the countrys gas. Some 80 per cent of Irans electricity is generated by its natural gas supplies. On Wednesday, Israel bombed South Pars and set its tanks ablaze. Iran retaliated by hitting the Ras Laffan industrial city in Qatar, the worlds largest LNG export hub. South Pars, which is jointly owned by Iran and Qatar, is the largest gas field on earth. It is the source of Qatars wealth. Qatar hosts the US Al Udeid airbase, Americas largest in the Middle East from which attacks on Iran are coordinated and launched. Trump does not care about human rights and alleged war crimes. He consistently takes Putins side over Ukraine and has been a staunch, uncritical ally of Netanyahus far-right government during its campaign against Gaza and its ongoing annexation of Palestinian land on the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But he has to care deeply about the price of petrol in America and gas around the world. In Europe, natural gas prices surged by 20 per cent after the Iranian attack on Ras Laffan. The Ras Laffan gas plant in Qatar was attacked on Wednesday (Alamy/PA) Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, came close to apologising to Iran and admonishing Israel for the escalation. Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit, he wrote. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatars LNG Gas facility. NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL. He went on to warn that if Iran attacks the Qatari part of the gas field again, the US will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatars LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so, he added. Iran did attack again. Donald Trump claimed he did not know about Israels attack on the South Pars gas field (Reuters) The US was clearly not consulted about Israels initial attack on Irans gas supplies. Given that the Trump administration has no definition of what victory looks like in Iran and no plan for how to achieve it, this may not have made any difference, in the moment. But the effects on global fossil fuel prices will further threaten to hobble economies from Asia to the Americas and offer only Putin a lottery win of unplanned financial windfalls. Moscows oil sales have already generated up to $10bn (7.5bn) in extra revenues for his war in Ukraine, according to Volodymyr Zelensky. At todays prices, Russia will be enjoying an extra 2-4bn (1.7-3.5bn) in gas revenues annually from exports to the European Union alone. Globally, over a year, the figure could be an extra 8-16bn for the Kremlin, based on our analysis of figures from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Putins profits dont worry Trump. But they are yet another reason why Europeans have an incentive to keep out of Israel and Americas war of choice against Iran. Smoke and flames rise after an airstrike in Tehran (Getty) None have, so far, condemned Israels attacks on Irans energy systems, which are, by their own definition last December, possible war crimes. Their calculation is that the war itself is illegal. They will also be looking at the results of Putins alleged crimes of attacking Ukraines energy systems over the last four years and especially over last winter. Netanyahu does not appear to have noticed that Ukraines population did not rise against Zelensky but hardened its hatred of all things Russian. Russia is now on the back foot on the battlefields of the Donbas. There is no sign that bullying Ukrainians broke their spirit and there is no sign that Iranians will rise against the theocracy that has violently oppressed them while Israel is cutting the fuel for their daily lives. Ras Laffan is the worlds largest LNG hub and central to global energy supply chains - dpa picture alliance / Alamy Stock Photo There is a scenario that energy professionals and policymakers have quietly dreaded for years. Hormuz closed. Ras Laffan hit. The largest natural gas field on Earth, disrupted. This week, it stopped being a scenario. We have woken up and are living this nightmare today. The instinct of a British reader and I understand it is to see this as a Gulf story. Wealthy states, distant conflict, rising oil prices: unfortunate, but essentially someone elses problem. I want to explain, as precisely as I can, why that instinct is wrong why its ramifications really matter to the UK. The gas that heats millions of British homes begins its journey in Qatars North Field the largest natural gas reservoir on earth. It is liquefied, loaded onto tankers, shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, and eventually piped into British boilers thousands of miles away. I know that route well I was part of the team that developed the South Hook liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in South Wales, one of Europes largest import facilities, purpose-built to carry Qatari gas into British homes. It has operated without a single supply disruption since it opened. That reflects a relationship between two countries built on trust, long-term commitment, and shared interest. That relationship runs deeper than energy. Britain and Qatar have spent decades building ties across diplomacy, finance, education and culture. When Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in 2022, Qatar helped plug the gap. The diversification that insulated Britain from the worst of that shock was not an accident. It was the result of relationships and infrastructure built over years, sustained through a partnership unheralded until it matters enormously. Relying on Qatar was not a failure of imagination it was sound policy. Qatar is among the most dependable supply partners any country could have: a proven supplier, diplomatic and a long-term ally. The lesson of the Russia crisis wasnt to rely less on Qatar. It was to protect the conditions that guarantee reliability. Qatar was not party to this conflict. It specialises in diplomatic mediation, hosting negotiations and advocating de-escalation. Its people and tens of thousands of international workers who power its infrastructure didnt choose this. Neither did the family in Blackpool whose heating bill is about to rise, nor the Midlands manufacturer facing soaring energy costs. Thats the impact of an attack on critical infrastructure. Damage that began in the Gulf is reverberating across Britain. Gas is not a peripheral concern for the UK economy; it is structural. It accounts for 36pc of the UKs total primary energy supply and 64pc of household energy consumption. It heats the majority of British homes, powers industrial processes from ceramics to chemicals, and the sector supports 115,000 jobs across supply chains, terminals and offshore. When gas prices spike, the consequences arent abstract. Theyre a direct hit on family budgets, factory costs and business margins. The volatility Britain endured after 2022 was a preview of what global supply disruption looks like in practice. But this version is sharper, and heres what makes it acute. Britain holds just 10 to 16 days of gas in reserve. There is no significant buffer, no comforting margin for error. LNG isnt the only answer to Britains long-term energy needs. Transition to cleaner energy is essential, and Qatar understands this. It is investing in that future too by committing hundreds of millions of pounds to UK climate tech and nuclear energy. But transition takes decades, and LNG currently accounts for 20pc of UK gas supply. Lose access to flexible, reliable LNG, and you create a gap that no current alternative can fill at speed or scale. Families anxiously watching their thermostat and manufacturers absorbing rising costs didnt cause this crisis, but theyre enduring its consequences. Behind every bill, every order book and every stressful calculation, lies a chain of energy relationships that most people dont think about until crisis strikes. For Britain, Qatar is the linchpin of that chain and a partner thats never sought recognition. This precious relationship, built on trust not transaction, is manifested quietly in warm homes and humming factories rather than loud headlines. Qatar has stood by Britain before and will do so again. But this moment asks something of the rest of us. To understand that a partnership this deep and this significant deserves more than goodwill to preserve it. We have every right to expect concrete international frameworks and enforceable protections for the infrastructure on which our way of life depends. The relationship doesnt need defending. What it requires is a world that finally understands its importance and acts accordingly. Omran Al-Kuwari is a fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Centre and Honorary Senior research fellow at University College London (UCL) Bartlett School of Energy Environment and Resources Lord Mandelson posed a reputational risk to the Government, an ethics report concluded - Jamie Lorriman Britains Civil Service ethics chief twice offered to question Lord Mandelson over his links to Jeffrey Epstein but was rebuffed by Sir Keir Starmers team, The Telegraph can reveal. Darren Tierney, then head of the Cabinet Offices propriety and ethics team, approached senior No 10 staff in late 2024 and offered to conduct formal interviews before the peers appointment as US ambassador. A due diligence report, compiled by Mr Tierneys team in December 2024, warned that the peers association with Epstein posed a reputational risk to the Government. It also noted that the two men remained friends after the paedophiles conviction for soliciting child prostitution, and that Lord Mandelson had stayed in Epsteins home while he was in prison for that offence. The report referenced a Telegraph article from January 2024 detailing Lord Mandelsons extensive links to Epstein over two decades. Mr Tierney is understood to have twice contacted the private secretary of Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keirs then chief of staff, once before the report was completed, and once afterwards. In both cases, he offered to question Lord Mandelson about his friendship with Epstein and other potential ethics issues, including historical lobbying by his company, Global Counsel. Sources close to the process suggested that a Civil Service interview could have uncovered more information about the Epstein links. Sir Keir has said he would have never appointed Lord Mandelson had he known about the depth of their friendship at the time. Morgan McSweeney, pictured with Sir Keir, was given the task of talking to Lord Mandelson about his links with Jeffrey Epstein - Story Picture Agency However, because Mr McSweeneys office declined both of Mr Tierneys offers, that effectively shut out the Civil Service ethics team from the appointment process. Instead, Mr McSweeney, one of Lord Mandelsons political proteges, emailed the peer himself to ask questions about Epstein. They covered his contact with the financier after his conviction, reports that he stayed in the paedophiles home while he was in prison, and Lord Mandelsons association with a marine charity that Ghislaine Maxwell run. Lord Mandelson responded to Mr McSweeneys questions, but both emails have been withheld from the public release of the Mandelson Files at the request of the Metropolitan Police, which argued they could prejudice criminal proceedings. Downing Street sources did not dispute that Mr Tierney offered to interview Lord Mandelson prior to the due diligence process, but said he did not make a second offer. Interviews with candidates are not required by the Cabinet Offices due diligence process, but it is normal for civil servants to suggest them to gather further information. It is understood that Mr Tierney also offered to question George Osborne, the former Tory chancellor, who was under consideration for the US ambassador appointment around the same time. Alex Burghart, the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: This news confirms what many already suspected the Prime Minister, backed by his former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, chose to sideline the independent vetting process to push through Mandelsons appointment. Knowing Mandelsons inappropriate and ongoing relationship with Epstein, Starmer should have accepted the Ethics Chiefs offer, rather than kowtowing to Mandelsons proteges. This is a continuation of the Prime Ministers appalling judgment and inability to stand up to his peers. The Conservatives brought this scandal to light, and Kemi Badenoch left the Prime Minister not answering a single question on Wednesday. We will continue to hold Starmer to account until the full MandelsonEpstein files are released and proper accountability is delivered. Sir Keir has repeatedly said that Lord Mandelson lied in his responses, and that the appointment would not have gone ahead had he known about the depth of his Epstein links. On Wednesday, he told MPs that it was clear the appointment process wasnt strong enough and he pledged to strengthen the vetting process for future hires. The Mandelson Files the first batch of which were published last week showed that Lord Mandelsons responses to Mr McSweeneys questions were approved by Lord Doyle, then serving as No10s director of communications. Both Lord Doyle and Mr McSweeney considered Lord Mandelson a personal friend, which has led to the suggestion they were unable to assess impartially his links to Epstein before his appointment. In a document released in the Mandelson Files, Lord Doyle admitted he socialised with Lord Mandelson in December 2024, the month No 10 decided to appoint him as US ambassador. Lord Mandelson mentored Mr McSweeney in his early days in Labour politics, and worked with Lord Doyle in Downing Street during the New Labour years. Lord Doyle resigned from Downing Street for unrelated reasons three months after Lord Mandelsons appointment, and was nominated for a peerage by Sir Keir in December 2025. Lord Doyle was then stripped of the Labour whip in February over his friendship with a paedophile councillor, Sean Morton, who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children when the former campaigned for him in Scotland in 2016. Lord Doyle has apologised and said he had not believed the claims against his friend at the time. A government spokesman said: As set out by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, the process in place at the time for a political appointee was followed. The Prime Minister has taken steps to strengthen the process for political appointments going forward. Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (right) shakes hands with Omans foreign minister Badr Albusaidi, the diplomat who mediated the recent US-Iran talks - AFP via Getty Images Donald Trumps war with Iran was a grave miscalculation which has put the Gulf economies in harms way, the diplomat who mediated the recent US-Iran talks between the two countries said. Writing in The Economist on Wednesday, Badr Albusaidi, Omans foreign affairs minister, said: This is not Americas war, and there is no likely scenario in which both Israel and America will get what they want from it. Oman hosted the US-Iran talks in the weeks leading up to the start of the war, with Mr Albusaidi acting as a go-between for the two delegations, which included Mr Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, neither of whom have prior experience in diplomacy. Mr Albusaidi meets with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner in Geneva in February - Reuters Mr Trump and senior administration officials have repeatedly said that Irans nuclear programme posed an imminent threat to American lives, despite claims that it had been totally obliterated during US strikes last summer. But Mr Albusaidi said the recent talks had been on the verge of a real deal on the most difficult issue that divides them: Irans nuclear energy programme. So it was a shock but not a surprise when on February 28th just a few hours after the latest and most substantive talks Israel and America again launched an unlawful military strike against the peace that had briefly appeared really possible, he wrote. The US had been drawn into an unlawful war by Israel, Mr Albusaidi claimed - Avalon Mr Albusaidi said the instability in the Middle East caused by the conflict had endangered the economies of the Gulf states, which relied on global sport, tourism, aviation and technology. Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz has placed a chokehold on global energy supplies, driving up oil prices to record levels and prompting fears of a recession. Unlawful war If this had not been anticipated by the architects of this war, that was surely a grave miscalculation, Mr Albusaidi said. The US had been drawn into an unlawful war by Israel, he claimed. In the days after the first strikes on Iran in late February, Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, said that the US was prompted to act after learning of a planned Israeli attack, comments which he later tried to walk back. We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didnt pre-emptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties, Mr Rubio said on March 2. Calling on the USs allies to help extricate Mr Trump from the war, Mr Albusaidi said the chances of either country returning to the negotiating table now seemed slim. It will certainly be difficult for the Iranian leadership to return to dialogue with an administration that twice switched abruptly from talks to bombing and assassination. Midtjylland missed all three of their penalties in a decisive shoot-out as Nottingham Forest overcame a first-leg deficit to book their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals. Forest had trailed 1-0 heading into the second leg but registered a 2-1 away victory in Denmark before prevailing 3-0 on penalties. Goals have evaded Forest for the best part of a tough campaign but they made their quality count on a couple of occasions and then again from the spot to set up a quarter-final clash with either Stuttgart or Porto. A much-changed Forest side were looking to overturn their narrow deficit from the City Ground last week but Vitor Pereiras team selection made it seem like the focus was on Premier League survival rather than European qualification. Forest were dominant but were still unable to breach Elias Rafn Olafssons goal when Ryan Yates hit the crossbar and Philip Billing cleared one off the line. However, they managed to get their deserved opener towards the end of the first period courtesy of Nicolas Dominguezs header and they edged ahead in the tie through captain Yates rocket before Martin Erlics strike for the hosts sent the match to extra time. Lorenzo Lucca and Yates had goals ruled out through offside in extra time and, in the shootout, Midtjylland missed all three from the spot while Forest were perfect. The Danish team had won both of their previous two Europa League meetings with Forest coming into the match but it was the English side that prevailed when it mattered the most to continue their European adventure. Pereira seemingly prioritised their huge Premier League relegation clash with Tottenham on Sunday by making nine changes from the draw against Fulham last Sunday. Forest were excellent in the first half hour and Midtjyllands aggregate lead stayed intact thanks to the woodwork after James McAtees curling pass found Yates, who rattled the upright before Lucca forced Olafsson into a first save. Forest were hoping missed chances would not cost them for a second straight week and Midtjylland threatened when a knockdown appeared to be trickling in off Mads Bech but Billing was there to clear it off the line by the narrowest of margins. The Premier League side finally got their first goal of the tie before the break. Midtjylland were unable to tame the threat of Dilane Bakwa and he put in a cross to Nikola Milenkovics head. He then nodded back for Dominguez to loop a header over Olafsson and make it 1-0 on the night. Forest got themselves ahead on aggregate in the 52nd minute. McAtee showed good work to lay it off for Yates, who slammed a ferocious strike from 20 yards past the helpless Olafsson. The home side managed to level the tie up out of nowhere in the 69th minute when a cross into the box bounced nicely for Erlic to slam past Stefan Ortega. The goal stemmed the Forest tide but Pereira introduced the likes of Murillo, Ola Aina and Morgan Gibbs-White, who forced Olafsson into a another save. The hosts almost made them pay down the other end when Cho Gue-sung, looked like he was going to slot a one-on-one past Ortega, but the Forest keeper spread himself to take it into extra time. Forest had two goals ruled out through offside Lucca in the first minute of extra time and Yates header at the death as the tie went to penalties. In the shootout, Cho and Aral Simsir both struck the post before Edward Chilufyas slip forced him to miss with Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangare and Neco Williams all scoring to send Forest through. Products featured in this Yahoo article are selected by our shopping writers. We will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Omans foreign minister has said that the war in Iran is Donald Trumps greatest miscalculation and urged Washingtons allies to push him to end the conflict immediately. In the most scathing attack on Washingtons foreign policy yet by a Gulf state, Badr Albusaidi said this is not Americas war and criticised Mr Trump for supporting Israel. Writing in The Economist, he called on American allies to help extricate the country from the conflict, which has continued for a third week despite failing to achieve the US and Israels stated aim of instigating regime change in Tehran or stopping its nuclear programme. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at a meeting with Omans foreign minister Badr Albusaidi (Omani Foreign Ministry) Since the war began, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks across the Gulf, most recently targeting oil and gas facilities a development that shook global energy markets. Oman has been targeted on several occasions. Mr Albusaidi said being drawn into the war was the American administrations greatest miscalculation and implied that Israel didnt have the right intentions for Iran. This is not Americas war, and there is no likely scenario in which both Israel and America will get what they want from it, he wrote. Hopefully Americas commitment to regime change is just rhetorical, whereas Israel explicitly seeks the overthrow of the Islamic Republic and probably cares little about how the country is governed, or by whom, once this has been achieved. He said that Israel appeared to have persuaded Trump that Iran had been so weakened by sanctions, internal protests and the 12 Day War last year that an unconditional surrender would swiftly follow the initial assault and the assassination of the supreme leader. But it should now be clear that for Israel to achieve its stated objective will require a long military campaign to which America would have to commit troops on the ground, opening a new front in the forever wars, which President Donald Trump previously vowed to end. This is not what Americas government wants. Nor do its people, who certainly do not see this as their war. Albusaidi and US president Donald Trump (AFP/Getty) Mr Trump lashed out at Iran following a strike on Qatars Ras Laffan energy complex on Wednesday, which came in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its South Pars gas field. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US could massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars gas field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. In his article, Mr Albusaidi described Irans retaliation as an inevitable, if deeply regrettable and completely unacceptable, result of the conflict. Faced with what both Israel and America described as a war designed to terminate the Islamic Republic, this was probably the only rational option available to the Iranian leadership. His own country has fallen victim to Irans strikes, with two oil tankers, one off the coast of Muscat and another north of the Port of Khasab, hit by attacks. A separate drone strike targeted an industrial zone in Sohar. Germanys chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and Spains prime minister Pedro Sanchez (left) have refused involvement in the war (AP) Western leaders have proven unwilling to support Trump in the Iran War despite his call for help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil that has been blocked by Tehran since the war began last month. German chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out participating in any military activity, including efforts to reopen the strait. He 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. Sir Keir Starmer added that the UK would not be drawn into the wider war but agreed the strait would have to be reopened to ensure stability in the [oil] market. Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed a five-day ceasefire for Eid al-Fitr as Kabul held a mass funeral for people killed in an alleged Pakistani airstrike at a drug rehabilitation hospital. The truce for the Muslim festival of Eid, which will be celebrated over the weekend to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, has been brokered by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. Pakistans information minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that the pause in airstrikes on Afghanistan was set to end on Tuesday. But he warned that operations would resume in case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan. Pakistan offers this gesture in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms," Mr Tarar said in a statement. Afghan Red Crescent Society volunteers carry coffins of the victims of a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul (AFP/ Getty) Afghanistan government spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed the ceasefire but did not specify a timeframe for the pause on the Afghan side. He also warned that his country will respond courageously to any aggression in the event of a threat. The Afghan government earlier alleged the Pakistani strike on Monday had killed 408 people and injured 265. The United Nations put the death toll at 143. Pakistan denied attacking a drug rehabilitation centre and insisted that it had precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure. Bulldozers dig graves for victims of an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul (AP) The alleged airstrike on the 2,000-bed Omid hospital, where many patients were preparing to sleep or praying, marked the deadliest attack in over three weeks of fighting between the neighbours. Afghan authorities held a mass funeral for some of the victims on Wednesday, bringing in excavators to dig graves. Light rain fell as coffins were carried from ambulances by Afghan Red Crescent Society volunteers. Hundreds of Afghans, including family members of the victims, gathered to pay their final respects. Some bodies have been handed over after their identities were confirmed. However, a large number of bodies still remain with us, Najibullah Farooqi, head of the legal medicine directorate, said. Afghan men walk next to a drug rehabilitation hospital destroyed in an alleged Pakistani airstrike in Kabul (Reuters) Health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman said that the remains of more than 50 victims couldnt be identified and that some of the coffins contained the remains of more than one person. We came here looking for our patient, he is missing, Mazar, 50, who gave only one name, told Reuters. We came to find out whether he is well, alive, or what has happened to him. He said his relative was admitted to the rehab centre for the second time, and they were not able to find him after the strike. We checked the lists, but his name was not in the list of the living. Maybe he is injured or has been killed, he said. Another man who was not named said they were not allowed to enter the centre, now a mound of debris, and they had no information about their relative. We did not find his body, nor was he among the wounded, and his name is not on the list of survivors, he said. We have come again today for more information. People search for the names of their missing relatives on a list at the site of a drug rehabilitation hospital that was destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani strike in Kabul (Reuters) Afghan interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, attending the mass funeral, said these were innocent victims targeted by criminals. We will take revenge, he said. We are not weak and helpless. Youll see the consequences of your crimes. He added that Afghanistan did not want escalation and was trying to solve the problems through diplomacy. Sirajuddin Haqqani (centre) arrives to attend a mass funeral for victims of an alleged Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul (AFP/Getty) The Norwegian Refugee Council, which deployed teams on the ground, said Pakistani airstrikes had killed hundreds of people. The European Union and UN agencies condemned strikes on civilian and medical facilities and called for the immediate cessation of hostilities. A joint statement of aid groups said 115,000 civilians had reportedly been displaced, including many children, since the outbreak of hostilities between the two neighbours. There is a specific kind of energy a man gives off when he knows the thing he is saying is not quite working but has decided to say it louder. Pete Hegseth former Fox News host, current Secretary of WAR-NOT-DEFENSE had that energy this morning. Last week, he was angry. Today, he was desperate. Hegseth didnt open his briefing today with any real detail about casualties, strategic objectives or military priorities you know, all that fluff that people sometimes confuse with war. No, Pete focused on the real battleground: the American media landscape. Claiming to address the American people directly (because who among us isnt tuning into an 8 am Pentagon briefing on a Thursday morning?), he threw out a few lines about the meanie, biased, anti-Trump press and how theyre telling lies about forever wars. They cant be trusted, he added, because TDS [Trump Derangement Syndrome, presumably] is in their DNA. This has been the administrations line throughout the campaign in Iran: Americans should stop reading newspapers and only listen to state-approved communications, because journalists are liars and President Trump and this is another direct quote from the press conference this morning knows better. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth went from rage in his Pentagon press briefing last week to desperation in his press conference Thursday (AFP/Getty) Needless to say, that is a really great way to differentiate oneself from an evil regime that doesnt allow freedom of press, goes after protesters and refers to its head of state as the Supreme Leader. Not that any of it matters, because, as Hegseth informed us later, why we fight is not for democracy promotion but to crush direct threats to America. And anyway, no one can deliver perfection in wartime. This isnt new behavior, of course, but it is tonally new. Because War Daddy Pete is looking increasingly harried. His delivery has changed: he now clenches his fists as he tries to stop his hands flinging around defensively; his forceful sentences have started to sound more like pleas. Our ungrateful allies in Europe, even segments of our own press, should be saying one thing to President Trump: thank you, he implored, at one point. It was, bluntly, laughable. The conventional understanding of how words work is that if youre going to completely denounce one narrative, you should offer an alternative. But this strategy isnt for Pete Hegseth. Epic Fury is different, he said, when comparing it to other Middle East campaigns enacted under other presidents. Why? Well, thats classified: Were not going to tell people how many or how long or what were going to do or what were not going to do but its all very much going to plan. The only clarity that reporters at the briefing could get in the end was that, yes, more money will be poured into the spiraling war (As far as $200 billion, I think that number could move, obviously. It takes money to kill bad guys) and that we wouldnt want to set a definitive timeframe for anything, and that what President Trump refuses to do is sit in the status quo (something most of us have already gleaned.) Every Hegseth briefing contains both an unfunny, adolescent joke (today it was, Weve decided to share the ocean with Iran. Were giving them the bottom half) but today we were treated to a new addition: an extremely cringey, LinkedIn post-style anecdote. His 13-year-old son, he explained, had wandered into his office last night while he was editing his remarks for this mornings briefing. He asked something wonderfully convenient like: Daddy, why are the fallen American soldiers so special and why is their sacrifice worth it? And, looking up from his work, Pete Hegseth replied, probably with a single tear running down his cheek: "They died for you, son. So your generation doesn't have to live with a nuclear Iran." Never mind that Hegseths 13-year-old son doesnt have security clearance, and yet was apparently in the Secretary of Defense's office while he was editing classified war remarks. Never mind that no 13-year-old in the history of the western world has ever ambled in to ask such a convenient and respectful question about the importance of his fathers work just while he was paused, pen hovering, wondering what to write next. Because we have now entered the era of Heres what the war in Iran taught me about B2B sales. Click the like button, dammit! Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth follows President Donald Trump to board Air Force One Wednesday on way to dignified transfer of service members killed in Iran war (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The whole thing, of course, is insulting: insulting to the American public being told to only listen to state propaganda, insulting to the families who have lost their loved ones in the pursuit of an ever-changing military objective that everyone says is very clear but also cant ever be talked about, insulting to the people who voted for a better economy and no more pointless wars in the Middle East. The families of fallen soldiers were very briefly mentioned as a prelude to his tirade against the media the families who, we are supposed to believe, told him through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve.... Finish this. Honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done, a message that curiously none of them have confirmed, instead only asking repeatedly to be left alone in their grief, despite their supposed fervor might well wonder about the claims that nobody knows what theyre doing, that Israel is acting without American signoff, that there is vicious infighting between Hegseth, JD Vance, Tulsi Gabbard and co going on behind the scenes. But that doesnt matter because Iran has been at war with us, whether they acknowledged it or not, for 47 years." A fascinating construction: a war that one side didn't acknowledge; a war fought entirely in the mind of the other side. It makes total sense, of course, that we have always been at war with Eastasia. Even with the room packed out with pro-Trump media, there were a couple of awkward moments here for Hegseth. Thrown a softball question about which allies have been the most supportive, the Secretary of Not-Defense unhesitatingly talked about how incredible Israel has been, before immediately attempting to downplay what hed just said. And when pressed by another (sympathetic) reporter about whether it might look to some people like America was following Israels objectives rather than the other way around, he said: We hold the cards. We have objectives. Those objectives are clear, before adding, The president has made it clear, and, POTUS has made it clear. Very clear, all within seconds, and all without elaborating on what had been made clear or why. Hegseth then pivoted straight into something about how Iran shouldnt attack other Gulf states and promptly left the conference. He was simply ... gone. And so we are left with the smoldering ashes of a LinkedIn press conference, the clear drumbeat that always underpins uncertainty, and a lingering sense of panic. There the Secretary of War was, clenching his fists, using his son for a cheap little story, giving Iran the bottom half of the ocean. Weve breezed right on past anger and denial and into bargaining, and now even Pete seems to know most people arent buying what hes selling. He is going through the stages of grief, in public, on camera, at 8 am, for a nation that hes pretending is hanging on his every word. When he haltingly implored the American people to please pray for the military every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, his voice almost broke. And I really believed that he needs our prayers. The Prince of Wales posed for selfies with crowds as he welcomed an international delegation to Bournemouth, where they are observing the work of his charity dedicated to tackling youth homelessness. Prince William launched his Homewards project in 2023, an initiative designed to create a blueprint for eradicating homelessness in all its forms, with the stated aim of making it "rare, brief and unrepeated". Six locations were selected for the Homewards programme: Newport, Lambeth, Belfast, Aberdeen, Sheffield, and the three neighbouring Dorset towns of Poole, Bournemouth, and Christchurch (BCP). Each site focuses on delivering bespoke solutions to address local homelessness challenges. The BCP operation, in particular, is considered a flagship centre, drawing significant interest from abroad. Delegates from Australia, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Finland have travelled to the UK specifically to visit the BCP project. This campaign represents a major long-term focus for the prince, who has often spoken about how childhood visits to shelters with his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, left a deep and lasting impression, inspiring his current work. The Prince of Wales walks with Theo from Homewards' National Co-Production Group and Hazel Detsiny, executive director of Homewards, during a visit to see Homewards' ground-breaking youth homelessness work at Bournemouth Pier (Isabel Infantes/PA Wire) Prince William met the international representatives, who included figures from the third sector, education, and local government, at Bournemouth Pier, where they also engaged with leaders of local services. They then joined a session of the newly formed BCP Youth Homelessness Board to learn how different sectors are working together to prevent young people reaching crisis points. And they will look at how these can be scaled across the UK and to the delegates home countries. The Prince of Wales greets crowds after a visit to see Homewards groundbreaking youth homelessness work at Bournemouth Pier (PA) Melanie Redman, president of A Way Home Canada, said: We are here to learn about the success of other models and systems that are happening here in Bournemouth. For its fantastic to see the prince throw his support behind something so important because young people deserve better outcomes, they deserve to thrive, and to see the Royal Foundation so involved in this and at such a personal level is truly exciting and will hopefully ignite more efforts in Canada. Frances Beecher, chairwoman of the BCP Councils Youth Homelessness Board, said after meeting William: He is totally engaged. I think homelessness is very important to him and dear to his heart. What is really clear is he wants to do whatever he can to ensure the issue is centralised in all the different areas and people come together to solve youth homelessness. What the support means for Homewards is it gives us a way to bring all the different partners to the table and a way of creating systemic change, its about a system where young people do not fall through the gaps. William, Prince of Wales, poses for a selfie with people, during a Homewards visit on its prevention-focused approach to youth homelessness in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) (Reuters) Theo, a young member of Homewards National Co-Production Group who has used their own experience to help the charity focus its work, also met the prince and said: He is very engaged, he was very keen to hear how the project is going and saying how fundamental and key lived experience is and how he cant do the project by himself and how he needs all of our support and to work together. It was amazing, he was very easy to talk to and welcoming. As William left the pier, a large crowd had gathered to wave him off and the prince stopped briefly to take a selfie with a family of well-wishers. Sen. Markwayne Mullin received a chilly welcome from the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday as he began the first steps of seeking congressional approval to replace Kristi Noem as head of DHS. That was primarily due to his botched handling of bad blood between himself and the committees chairman, Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who often breaks with his own party along libertarian ideological lines. The two have publicly feuded ever since Mullin offered sympathetic remarks to a neighbor who savagely beat Paul at his home in 2017, causing serious injuries. Paul ripped into Mullin at the hearing Wednesday, accusing the Oklahoma senator of being a supporter of political violence who was unfit to lead the agency to which he was nominated and calling the former MMA fighter unwilling to grasp the consequences and implications of his own words. Addressing Mullin, Paul criticized the sheer lack of any kind of self-awareness that youre going to be leading thousands of men of women that are going to have the use of force...and you think a violent attack is just fine? "The fact he can't bring himself to say that we shouldn't settle political questions with violence, I think that would be a terrible example for ICE and Border Patrol, Paul told reporters afterwards. But even Mullins personal feud with the committees Republican chair may not be enough to derail his confirmation, thanks to the Republicans not-so-secret weapon: Sen. John Fetterman. Sen. John Fetterman reportedly told Sen. Markwayne Mullin that he would vote for him to serve as DHS secretary. (REUTERS) The Pennsylvania senator was, throughout 2025, the Democrat friendliest with the MAGA right and most willing to cross party lines on issues like immigration and foreign policy. On Wednesday, Fetterman signaled that he was willing to let bygones be bygones, even if Paul wasnt. "It's better to just let it all go and find a way forward, Fetterman advised both Paul and Mullin during his allotted question time, during which he also told the presidents nominee: "My experience with you has been constistent kindness and professionalism. While nothing is certain, it looked probable on Wednesday that Fetterman will once again cross party lines and be the deciding vote to push Mullins nomination through committee. The senators office didnt immediately respond to an inquiry from The Independent about whether Fetterman thought Mullin should apologize for his past remarks before being voted through. He repeatedly stressed at Wednesdays hearing that he would keep an open mind to Mullins potential confirmation. What the senator was interested in hearing from Mullin in order to make that decision, however, was wholly unclear. Strikingly, Fetterman didnt ask a single policy-related question of Mullin during his several minutes of allotted time the Democrat, known for wearing sweat suits nearly everywhere, asked a few expository questions confirming details of their past attendance on a bipartisan congressional delegation, and spoke about plans for Fetterman and his wife to have dinner with Mullins family. Sure, he also brought up the Democrats demands for reforms to ICE and immigration enforcement, but only as a means to clobber his own allies on the panel for voting against funding for the agency and to defend his own committment to pressing for reforms. Sen. Markwayne Mullin clashed with committee chairman Sen. Rand Paul during his DHS confirmation hearing on Wednesday (Reuters) Punchbowl and other outlets have reported that Fettermans support for Mullin is not in question at all. And, Fetterman has claimed Democratic leaders werent pushing him to oppose Mullins nomination. The love-fest was more akin to the reaction Mullin received from Republicans on the panel minus Paul. Besides Fetterman, Republicans on the panel happily shielded Mullin from tough questions and the furor of their colleague. Democrats, led by ranking member Sen. Gary Peters, pressed Mullin on the knee-jerk response he (and Noem) had to the shootings of two Americans in Minneapolis by ICE and immigration enforcement agents, which Mullin told the committee he regretted. Paul told Semafor after the hearing that he would bring Mullins nomination up for a committee vote on Thursday, but confirmed he wouldnt support him. I think hes unfit. I think his temperament is not suitable. I think his anger issues are a problem, yeah, and so I wont vote for him, but Ive promised to at least get an expeditious vote, the Kentucky Republican told Semafor. Theyve had to have known for weeks that I couldnt be real happy about a guy that wont apologize and thinks that my assault was perfectly understandable. Rand Paul said after the hearing that he would not support Mullins nomination but would not block it, either (Getty) With Paul in opposition to the senators confirmation, Fettermans vote will likely decide the fate of his colleague. Staff in the chairmans office told reporters on Wednesday that initial plans were for a vote to be held to advance Mullins nomination out of committee on Thursday. At home, Fetterman continues to get pummeled for his apparent heel turn. Conor Lamb, Fettermans former primary opponent who spent much of 2025 engaging in cautious probing of the senators weaknesses among the Democratic base, is now openly savaging him on social media every chance he gets. Even as the senator has repeatedly stressed that he wont switch parties, it seems like his voting base may have already at least partially made that decision for him. A Philly Inquirer poll publised last month found the senators approval rating among Democrats in his home state to be hopelessly languishing in the murky depths. Six in ten Pennsylvania Democrats say hes doing a poor job as senator, while two in ten support him. Hes hated by more Democrats than even Sen. Dave McCormick, his Republican colleague on the states congressional delegation. 2028 is still a long way away, however, and Democrats may have to come to terms with the fact that one of their own is often batting for the other team for now. The article outlines key factors homeowners should evaluate before hiring an HVAC contractor. MOUNT AIRY, N.C., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- How can homeowners choose the right HVAC company for their home's comfort and long-term reliability? HelloNation has published the answer in an article featuring insights from Jason Bare of Friendly Heating and Cooling, Inc. in Mount Airy, NC. Jason Bare - Owner & President, Friendly Heating and Cooling, Inc. Speed Speed The HelloNation article explains that selecting an HVAC company in Mount Airy affects more than just installation or repair. A reliable HVAC contractor provides guidance on maintenance, energy efficiency, and system upgrades over time. Careful evaluation helps homeowners avoid costly mistakes and ensure dependable service. Licensing and insurance are described as the first considerations. A licensed HVAC contractor in North Carolina has met state standards for training and safety. Hiring a licensed HVAC professional also protects homeowners by ensuring the work complies with regulations and industry practices. Insurance coverage is equally important when choosing an HVAC company. Proper coverage protects against accidental damage or injury during service visits. Working with a licensed HVAC provider reduces liability risks and offers peace of mind throughout the project. Customer reviews provide additional insight into a company's reliability. The article advises homeowners in Mount Airy to look beyond simple star ratings and focus on patterns in feedback. Consistent comments about communication, timeliness, and follow-through can indicate a dependable HVAC contractor. Local experience is another key factor. An HVAC company familiar with Mount Airy understands the area's hot summers and cold winters. This knowledge allows contractors to recommend systems and solutions suited to local climate conditions and municipal requirements. Emergency availability is also highlighted as an essential feature. HVAC systems often fail during extreme weather, when quick response is critical. Choosing an HVAC company with clear emergency availability policies helps ensure prompt service during unexpected breakdowns. The article encourages homeowners to ask about emergency availability before signing a contract. Understanding response times and after-hours procedures helps set realistic expectations. Reliable emergency availability can prevent extended discomfort and protect property from further damage. Experience with a range of systems and brands is another sign of a qualified HVAC contractor. A well-rounded HVAC company should be able to install and service central air systems, heat pumps, furnaces, and ductless units. Broader expertise supports accurate diagnostics and efficient repairs. Cost considerations should be balanced with value and transparency. The article notes that the lowest estimate is not always the best choice. A reputable HVAC company provides clear pricing, detailed estimates, and warranty information that helps homeowners make informed decisions. Communication and professionalism also matter when evaluating an HVAC contractor. Companies that respond promptly and explain options clearly demonstrate commitment to customer service. In Mount Airy, homeowners benefit from partnering with an HVAC company that supports long-term maintenance and future upgrades. The HelloNation article concludes that choosing the right HVAC company requires careful research. By confirming licensed HVAC credentials, evaluating emergency availability, reviewing customer feedback, and considering local expertise, homeowners in Mount Airy can secure reliable service for years to come. How to Choose the Right HVAC Company features insights from Jason Bare, HVAC Expert of Mount Airy, NC, in HelloNation. About HelloNation HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. SOURCE HelloNation Rescuing any animal can require time, money, and lots of work from everyone involved, but giving that animal a better life is more than worth it. No two rescue stories look the same, which is why it's so important that folks like the horse rescuers at @nwpa_equinesanctuary meet each animal where they're at. For Luna, that means lots of love and low-key moments of relaxation. After spending her entire life working hard on an Amish farm and being rescued from slaughter just in time, that's the least she deserves. On March 16, the rescue horse spent the afternoon lying in the grass with her new mama, but the sweetest moment occurred when she finally felt safe enough to truly relax. Her whinny of contentment is everything! It doesn't take an equine expert to feel Luna's relaxation. From the gentle way she lays her head down to that iconic whinny and sigh, every detail about this moment proves how safe she feels in her new home. I hope her mom takes this as the biggest compliment ever! Related: Gentle 'Seeing Eye Donkey' Uses His Voice to Guide His Blind Horse Friend Outside to Play "That was a thank you from deep within that sweet babys soul," commented @cupie333. I think this viewer is onto something! There's no question that Luna understands she's safe now, and she knows exactly who to thank for changing her life. When horses whinny, they may be expressing curiosity, calling for another horse, or introducing themselves. Every horse has a distinct whinny, and the social sound is most often used among friends or new acquaintances. Using this logic, there's no question Luna was trying to tell her mom something sweet! Commenter @jeantaylorjewelry agrees, writing, "It sounded like she released years of pain and heartache in that moment!" Every working horse like Luna should get this kind of special treatment, but it shouldn't take until the end of their life for them to experience true love and gentleness. Rescuing Work Horses Many viewers commiserated with the horse rescuer, especially those who have witnessed the poor conditions many work horses are in at the end of their careers. These majestic animals may be injured, underweight, and sold to slaughter in their advanced age, despite having many more years of love to give (and receive). As Luna proves, however, rescued and retired work horses are some of the most gentle and grateful animals a person could meet. They may be nervous or need time to trust someone new, but these resilient animals will still make the most of every day in their safe, loving homes. SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Cuba scrambled to restore power after a nationwide blackout this week, amid Trumps oil blockade Photograph: Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images) Hundreds of thousands of barrels of Russian oil are heading to Cuba, according to maritime tracking data, as the communist island suffers blackouts under a US economic blockade and Donald Trump threatens to take it over. The sanctioned Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin loaded 730,000 barrels of crude in the Russian port of Primorsk on 8 March, and on Wednesday at 1600 GMT was in the eastern Atlantic, bound for Cuba, maritime analytics firm Kpler said. Related: Trumps threats to take Cuba signal rising US pressure as island grapples with power crisis Its data showed the Russian-flagged vessel, owned by the Russian state shipping company Sovcomflot, was scheduled to unload at the Matanzas oil terminal on the north of the island about 23 March. Trump declared on Monday that he expects to have the honour of taking Cuba, claiming that he could do anything I want amid US negotiations with Havana over the countrys future. The US has sought to intensify pressure on Cuba, its longtime foe, since seizing Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in January. Trump has since cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened to impose tariffs on any country selling oil to the country, stating that Cuba would receive no more oil or money as a result of his actions. Another tanker, the Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse, loaded nearly 200,000 barrels of diesel in late January off Cyprus from another tanker, according to Kpler data. It exited the Mediterranean on 13 February and has since been sailing west across the Atlantic, slowing down between late February and early March and following an erratic course, the tracker indicated. At 1630 GMT on Wednesday it was in the northwestern Caribbean, about 1,500 km (932 miles) from the Cuban coast. The Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin is listed as coming under sanctions against Russia by the United States, European Union and UK. Cuba has imported no oil since 9 January, when Mexico delivered a shipment in the days after Maduros ouster. Mexico came under pressure from Trump to end such deliveries. With Agence France-Press American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar has said she was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love after announcing that the Buffy The Vampire Slayer reboot was axed. The 48-year old was due to return as Buffy Summers in a new Hulu show directed by Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao, however she claimed last week that the streamer decided not to move forward with the series. Gellar, who stars in the upcoming film Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, the sequel to the 2019 horror, said she was incredibly moved by the reaction to the news and that it reminded her of just how much the 90s series meant to people. Speaking to the Press Association, she said: Its been so overwhelming that it takes a second to take it in because youre dealing with your own thoughts and then to have this massive outpouring of love and to be reminded why Buffy means so much to everyone. Its why I wanted to do it in the first place. So Im incredibly moved. Im incredibly grateful. I see it, I feel it, its there. Well see what the future holds. Sarah Michelle Gellar arriving for a special screening of Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, at Cineworld Leicester Square in central London (Ian West/PA) (Ian West) Gellar addressed her 4.9 million followers on Instagram on Saturday with the news that Buffy The Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale would no longer go ahead. She thanked Zhao, who was due to direct the series, for reminding her of how much she loved the teenage drama which ran for seven seasons from 1997 until 2003. The series followed Buffy as she navigated through high school while also hunting and fighting vampires, demons and other creatures and also starred How I Met Your Mothers Alyson Hannigan, Charmed actress Charisma Carpenter and the late Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg. Sarah Michelle Gellar said she was incredibly moved (Ian West/PA) (Ian West) Hulu have been contacted for comment. Geller stars alongside Kathryn Newton, Elijah Wood and Samara Weaving in Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpins horror Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come. Cory Booker at the US Capitol in Washington DC on 4 March 2026. Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA (Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA) Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a measure that aimed to rein in Donald Trumps power to wage war against Iran without congressional authorization. The 53-47 vote against taking up the measure fell almost completely along party lines, with no movement from earlier this month when Republicans blocked Democrats bid to limit Trumps war-making power in the days after the joint US-Israeli strikes, known as Operation Epic Fury, began across Iran. We do not know Donald Trumps goals. We do not know Donald Trumps timeline. We do not know what victory even looks like in his eyes, Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, said before the vote, urging Republicans to support the effort to force a debate on the war. Enough is enough. Rand Paul, a senator of Kentucky, who has led several war-powers efforts, was the only Republican to vote in support of the measure, while John Fetterman, a senator of Pennsylvania, who has emerged as a staunch supporter of Israel, was the only Democrat to break with his party and vote against the resolution. If theres anything that is plain in that constitution, it is that a president does not have the power to unilaterally bring a nation and its treasure, to bring a nation and its men and women, into conflict without a say of Congress, Cory Booker, the senator who led the war-powers resolution, said in a floor speech before the vote. Booker acknowledged that he would not succeed, but vowed to continue to introduce measures that would force Congress to debate and authorize military action. He said: Me and my colleagues will bring up these resolutions again and again and again as more and more Americans on both sides of the aisle see this war for what it is: one presidents decision. Tom Cotton, the Republican senator who chairs the Senates intelligence committee, argued strongly against the measure, claiming Iran had been prepared to attack the US first and that the Trump administration had been obligated to act quickly in response. Given these facts on the ground, we were left with no choice, Cotton said on the Senate floor. Iran had already loaded and cocked the gun. What were you supposed to do? Wait till they pulled the trigger? Of course not. It was the second attempt by Democrats to force Congress to weigh in on the open-ended US-Israeli military campaign that began late last month. More than 1,300 Iranians have been killed, as have hundreds of civilians in Lebanon and 15 people in Israel. The cost of the war exceeded $11.3bn in its first week and scrambled global supply chains for oil, fertilizer and aluminum. Earlier this week, US allies rebuffed Trumps demand for help reopening the critical strait of Hormuz, insisting they would not join a war the US president started without their consultation. Earlier on Wednesday, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, testified that Irans nuclear program had been obliterated by the US strikes on the country last year and that Iran had made no effort to rebuild since. The president has repeatedly said the US needed to wage war against Iran to stave off what the administration has described as an imminent threat from Tehrans Islamic Republic. Pressed by lawmakers on whether Iran had posed an imminent nuclear threat before the strikes, Gabbard, who, as a presidential candidate in 2020 sold shirts that said No War With Iran, repeatedly deflected and said it was a conclusion for the president to draw. The vote comes a day after Joe Kent, who led the National Counterterrorism Center and was a top aide to Gabbard, resigned in protest against the war in Iran, underlining the fury corners of Trumps America First coalition are feeling over the vote. Sir Keir Starmer has issued a joint statement with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan condemning Iranian attacks on vessels and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The leaders expressed their deep concern about the escalating conflict, calling on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the strait to commercial shipping. It comes after UK defence secretary John Healey vowed to step up defensive support for Gulf states after Iran attacked energy sites across the region in a serious escalation of the war. The price of Brent crude oil was rising by about 7 per cent to cross $114 (85) a barrel on Thursday morning, meaning it was closing in on the highest level since the conflict escalated at the end of February, heightening fears about major disruption to global supplies. Keir Starmer has issued a joint statement with the leaders of five other countries (House of Commons/UK Parliament) In a statement, the six leaders said: We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces. We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council resolution 2817. Resolution 2817, approved on 11 March, condemned Irans attacks on its neighbours and called on Tehran to cease hostilities. The countries said the effects of Iranian actions will be felt in all parts of the world, especially by the most vulnerable people. We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning, they said. On Thursday, defence secretary John Healey warned that Tehrans attacks overnight threatened to further destabilise the region as he reiterated the governments call for de-escalation. Speaking on a visit to Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh, Mr Healey added: We will step up the defensive support that we can offer to those Gulf states. Defence secretary John Healey said the UK would step up and offer defensive support of Gulf nations in the region (PA) Following an Israeli strike on its main natural gas field, Iran hit multiple energy sites across the Gulf, including a Saudi oil refinery, Qatari gas facilities and two more oil refineries in Kuwait. British forces are already deployed to the Middle East, with RAF jets flying defensive sorties against Iranian drones across the Gulf and British air defence systems protecting critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. UK military planners have also joined the US Central Command to help formulate proposals for opening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route for the worlds oil and gas. Meanwhile, Sir Keir chaired a meeting of the governments emergency Cobra committee on Thursday morning in response to the attacks overnight. It is understood that officials discussed contingency planning, including working with airlines to ensure tickets remain fairly and appropriately priced, the PMs spokesperson said. Sir Keir also spoke to French president Emmanuel Macron and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte on Thursday, to discuss what he called the egregious Iranian strikes as well as the formulation of a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Government has announced an ambition for up to 50% of steel used in the UK to be made in this country. Ministers said the move, boosting production from 30%, would be coupled with reductions in steel import quotas as part of new trade measures to preserve steel production for critical national infrastructure and defence. From July, overall quota levels for steel imports will be reduced by 60% compared to current arrangements, and steel coming into the UK above these levels will be subject to a 50% tariff. Ministers said this would ensure the UK steel sectors future in the face of global overcapacity. UK steel producers and thousands of steelworkers will benefit from a new Steel Strategy aimed at protecting domestic steelmaking, said the Government. The National Wealth Fund will be the main mechanism for providing up to 2.5 billion of financing for investment in the steel sector this Parliament. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle gave details of the strategy on a visit to Tata Steels plant in Port Talbot, South Wales, warning that without action, the UKs steelmaking capability faces real jeopardy, leaving the country reliant on overseas suppliers for materials essential to energy security, defence and transport infrastructure. Mr Kyle said: Making steel in the UK is vital for national security, critical infrastructure and the wider economy. Steel-making is a cornerstone of our modern industrial policy that deliberately focuses support for key industries, technologies, and strategically important sectors. With this strategy we are closing the decades-long chapter of destructive de-industrialisation and committing instead to strengthening and sustaining Britain as a steel-making nation. Mr Kyle said the Governments ambition was to boost domestic production so that it can meet up to 50% of domestic demand for steel, and secure the industrys role in supporting vital UK sectors such as infrastructure, defence and clean energy. The strategy confirms electric arc furnaces (EAF) as the future of British steelmaking, continuing the shift from blast furnaces to cleaner, EAF-based production using recycled scrap to support net zero. The shift has led to job losses in steel plants including Port Talbot. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle during his visit to Tata Steels Port Talbot plant (Ben Birchall/PA) (Ben Birchall) The Governments strategy was criticised by the Conservative Party for being a multibillion-pound shot in the dark. Shadow business minister Dame Harriett Baldwin said it would lead to the end of primary steel-making in the UK. She told MPs on Thursday: This is a Government subsidising decline, reaching for protectionist tariffs and after the botched nationalisation of Scunthorpe we can see from this steel strategy that when Labour negotiates, the British taxpayer loses. Mr Kyle responded and said: All we have heard from the party opposite is dont do anything of the things were doing, with no alternative that makes any sense whatsoever. It is the do nothing party, and that is the worst of all worlds. He later sought to reassure MPs: All grades of steel that are needed by the British economy will be available post-transition. Community union general secretary Roy Rickhuss, said: Since taking office in 2024, the Government has taken many decisive steps to support the steel industry and those who work within it. This strategy represents the culmination of these efforts. In particular, the urgent and necessary action taken to intervene in British Steel last spring and SSUK in the autumn has demonstrated the Governments unyielding commitment to protecting the sector and the thousands of jobs it provides in communities across the country. The trade measures outlined in this strategy represent a bold and significant step forward, strengthening our domestic industry and helping to ensure that local economies continue to benefit from a secure, resilient steel sector and the employment it provides. Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel, said: This is a significant moment, and Government ministers deserve recognition for their leadership today. The Governments bravery in taking the required measures represents a real shift in the culture of Westminster from protecting the ideology of free trade at any cost, to defending critical industries and national security. Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: The UK Government is standing up for Welsh steelmaking and showing that we will do whatever it takes to boost domestic steel production and protect the thousands of steelmaking jobs in our communities. Welsh steel is expected to account for half of future UK steelmaking. It is not only a vital part of the South Wales economy, but also a crucial part of the UKs industrial strategy, infrastructure capabilities and national security. We said we would back our steelworkers and steel communities and we are delivering on that promise Welsh steelmaking now has a secure and bright future. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle is interviewed during a visit to Port Talbot (Ben Birchall/PA) (Ben Birchall) Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB national secretary, said: GMB had been calling for a steel strategy for a long time, so its good we now have some kind of plan. This administration has done more for UK steel than any government for many, many years. But, as ever, the devil will be in the detail and key questions around ownership of Scunthorpe and the future technology mix will be key to our members and their livelihoods. First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan said: Steel has a long and proud history here in Wales, where the industry is the lifeblood of many communities. The publication of the UK Governments Steel Strategy is good news for our steel communities and the thousands of people across Wales who work in or around the industry, now and in the future. The commitment for 50% of steel used in the UK to be made here is important, not just for steelworkers but to the Welsh economy as a whole. The strategy also reaffirms the transition to electric arc steel production in the UK, where Port Talbot is leading the way, not just in the UK, but across Europe. It was great to be able to meet the Tata management and unions again and to see the progress that has been made in building the new electric arc steel plant. A new study suggests that popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. The weight-loss jab Wegovy and type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic both share the same active ingredient, semaglutide a drug known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. An international team of researchers sought to assess whether taking these drugs was linked to an impact on mental health issues. Using data from Swedish health registries, they examined information on people with a diagnosis of anxiety or depression taking anti-diabetic medication from 2009 to 2022. They examined data from among more than 95,000 patients, including 22,480 people who used GLP-1s. Weight-loss drugs have been linked to lessening symptoms of anxiety and depression in a new major study into the active ingredient semaglutide (Alamy/PA) Writing in The Lancet Psychiatry, the authors said GLP-1 receptor agonists semaglutide and liraglutide, sold under the brand name Saxenda, were associated with lower risk of worsening mental illness compared to non-use of this type of drug. Semaglutide was specifically associated with a 44 per cent decreased risk of worsening depression and a 38 per cent decreased risk of worsening anxiety. It was also linked to a lower risk of substance abuse. Liraglutide was also linked to a lower risk of worsening depression. For anxiety and depression that co-occur with diabetes and obesity, semaglutide and, to a lesser extent, liraglutide might be useful dually effective therapeutic options, the authors from University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and Griffith University in Australia wrote. Research director Markku Lahteenvuo, from the University of Eastern Finland, said: Because this is a registry-based study, we cannot determine exactly why or how these medications affect mood symptoms, but the association was quite strong. It is possible that, in addition to factors such as reduced alcohol consumption, weight loss-related improvements in body image, or relief associated with better glycaemic control in diabetes, there may also be direct neurobiological mechanisms involved for example, through changes in the functioning of the brains reward system. It comes as a separate study examined accidental pregnancies among people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists during early pregnancy. Researchers from Denmark wanted to assess whether taking the drugs for diabetes or to reduce weight was linked to the risk of pre-term birth when a baby is born early, before the 37th week of pregnancy. Pre-term birth can pose risks to a baby. Academics looked at Danish health registries for 480,231 women, with a combined 756,636 pregnancies. Some 529 had accidentally taken GLP-1s liraglutide or semaglutide in early pregnancy. They found that exposure to GLP-1 receptor agonists was with increased pre-term birth risk when used for diabetes treatment, but not among those taking the treatment for weight management. Researchers said this suggested that the underlying diabetes rather than the medication may be the causal factor. At least 10 other people have died in ICE custody so far this year. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images) A teenager held at a US immigration detention facility in Florida died this week, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said on Thursday, the youngest person to die in ICE custody since Donald Trump took office last year. Royer Perez-Jimenez, 19, originally from Mexico, was found unconscious and unresponsive in his room on 16 March at the Glades county detention center in Moore Haven, Florida, according to the ICE press release. He died of a presumed suicide; however, the official cause of his death remains under investigation, reads the notification. Perez-Jimenez was arrested by authorities in Volusia county, Florida, on 22 January and was charged with felony fraud for impersonation and misdemeanor resisting an officer. He was placed under ICE custody on 21 February and moved to the detention center in Moore Haven five days later. At intake, Perez was evaluated by medical staff, reads the press release by ICE. He denied any behavioral health issues or concerns and answered no to all suicide screening questions. At least 10 other people have died in ICE custody so far this year: Victor Manuel Diaz, 36; Heber Sanchez Dominguez, 34; Luis Beltran YanezCruz, 68; Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, 42; Jairo Garcia-Hernandez, 27; Lorth Sim, 59; Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, 41; Emanuel Cleeford Damas, 56; Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi, 59; and Alberto Gutierrez Reyes, 48. Perez arrived in the United States on 19 February 2022, when he encountered the US border patrol and returned to Mexico to avoid an official removal. He later entered the US without formal approval. A report released in January by several advocacy groups, including the ACLU of Florida and the Detention Watch Network, found troubling conditions at the Glades county detention center from 2008 to 2022. Extensive testimony documents that detained people were sprayed with antimicrobial sprays at toxic concentrations, exposed to a disabling carbon monoxide leak, and pepper-sprayed as punishment for asking for necessities like water and toilet paper, said Emma Shaw Crane, lead author and assistant professor of anthropology at Stanford University. These hazards made the air inside the jail unbreathable and collectively punished detained people who could not breathe freely inside this facility. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In the UK, the youth suicide charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org, and in the UK and Ireland Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Even though some dogs may share similar physical characteristics, no two pups are truly the same. Dogs have personalities, routines, and preferences that are just as unique as a human's! Many four-legged friends also have surprising hidden talents, from cleaning up after themselves on walks to walking tightropes like circus acrobats. The proud parents of @bruno_parrett accidentally discovered their dog's secret skill while hyping him up during playtime. It's no secret that the Puerto Rican rescue dog loves to play, but they were stunned when he began wagging his tail vertically. Normally, dogs wag their tails from side to side, or even in a circle, but this is just as adorable! Look at him go! Bruno is already thrilled to show off his toy, but his tail wagged so hard that his entire body began to follow. He may just be a happy dog, but he looks like he's ready to go dancing at the club! "Ma'am, that dog is twerking," agreed @jennelsilva. After all, he is a Sato dog rescued from Puerto Rico, so he must have been born with a gift for rhythm. Related: Tiny Puppy's Wagging Tail Reaches Turbo Speed When Mom Showers Him in Kisses In all seriousness, why does Bruno wag his tail like this? I had the same question as @georgewashingchin, who asked, "Is this his default wag or just extra excited mode?" As if he couldn't get any cuter, this 'vertical wag' is his normal, joyful wag! Watching a dog wag their tail could put a smile on anyone's face, but there's something about a rescue dog feeling happy that's even more special. These dogs have faced all kinds of horrible challenges, and the least they deserve is a moment of pure joy. Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails? It's common knowledge that dogs wag their tails in response to feeling happy, but some studies suggest this behavior may have more to do with humans than with other dogs. Dogs may wag their tails to communicate their emotions to people! Hand-raised puppies grew up to wag their tails more frequently than wolf pups, though it's also possible that over centuries, humans selectively bred domestic dogs in favor of tail-wagging traits. Whatever is behind this adorable behavior, tail wagging can be both helpful and uplifting for everyone involved. Still, Bruno's vertical tail wagging is even cuter! SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Just over 83 years ago, President Franklin Roosevelt called the Imperial Japanese Navys December 7. 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor a date that will live in infamy as he urged Congress to declare war. On Thursday, President Donald Trump turned it into a punchline. Trump was finishing up a question-and-answer session with reporters during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi when a Japanese journalist asked why he did not inform key American allies such as Japan before the start of the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran on February 28. The president initially replied that the U.S. went in very hard and didnt tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. But Trumps response took an awkward turn moments later when he said: Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Trump made light of the attack that pulled the U.S. into the Second World War (AP) After some muted laughter from the U.S. officials whod joined him for the meeting, he turned to Sanae who was born two decades after the attack to ask her another question. Why didnt you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK? At that point, laughter turned to audible groans. The room went silent. Takaichi, who spent two years in Washington working on Capitol Hill during the Reagan administration and has a strong command of English, was clearly taken a back by the presidents attempt at humor. The smile shed had on her face disappeared and her eyes widened as she realized what Trump had just said. After an awkward pause, Trump returned to the topic hed been asked about, telling reporters, Hes asking me about surprise, and we did. And because of that surprise, we knocked out ... we probably knocked out 50 percent ... and much more than we anticipated doing. So if I go and tell everybody about it, there's no longer a surprise, he said. The surprise Pearl Harbor airstrike against the U.S. Pacific Fleet on Dec. 7, 1941 left more than 2,400 American service members dead and nearly 1,200 injured from bombs and shells that sunk four American battleships and left four more severely damaged. It was the deadliest attack on American soil until the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Seven of those ships were salvaged and returned to service, while the seventh the U.S.S. Arizona was left where it had settled just below the harbors surface after a Japanese bomb detonated inside a explosive powder magazine. U.S.S. Arizona is shown burning in this photograph taken just after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (Getty) The attack took place after months of failed negotiations between Tokyo and Washington over economic sanctions imposed by the U.S., the U.K., China and The Netherlands in an attempt to deny Japans military the raw materials it needed to prosecute wars in China and what is now Vietnam. Japan declared war on the U.S. on the day of the strikes, but the official declaration did not arrive in Washington until afterwards. The Pearl Harbor attack gave Roosevelt the leverage he needed to push for the U.S. to formally enter World War II allowing him to join ally Great Britain in fighting Adolf Hitlers march through Europe with the House and Senate approving declarations of war against Japan by margins of 388-1 and 82-0, respectively. The surprise attack gave then-President Franklin Roosevelt a reason to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Japan (AP) Less than four years later, Japan would accept Americas demand for unconditional surrender after the U.S. dropped the first two and thus far the only two nuclear weapons to be used in combat in separate strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese government has never formally apologized for the infamous sneak attack, though one of Takaichis predecessors the late Shinzo Abe delivered a speech expressing "sincere and everlasting condolences" to the American and Japanese personnel killed in the fighting that day during a 2016 visit to the Pearl Harbor memorial above the wreck of Arizona. Abe, who was assassinated in July 2022, said at the time that the U.S. and Japan must never repeat the horrors of war again. SAN DIEGO, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Why is emergency responder radio coverage crucial? According to a HelloNation article, it can determine whether firefighters stay connected or face dangerous communication failures during an emergency. The article features insights from Jeff Marcic of EB Life Safety in San Diego, who explains that clear and reliable communication is one of the most essential factors in effective emergency response. Without strong radio coverage, coordination becomes difficult, and the safety of both responders and building occupants can be compromised. Jeff Marcic - Principal - EB Life Safety Speed Speed Marcic notes that communication breakdowns often occur in areas where signals are blocked by thick walls or dense materials. Modern buildings that use reinforced concrete, metal framing, or energy-efficient glass can unintentionally create radio dead zones. These weak areas prevent firefighters from contacting one another or from reporting to command. In an emergency, that lack of communication can delay rescues or leave hazards unreported. Reliable emergency responder radio coverage eliminates these blind spots, helping firefighters stay connected throughout a building. Emergency responder radio coverage systems are designed to strengthen signals wherever they weaken. The HelloNation feature describes how these systems use distributed antennas, amplifiers, and cables to extend radio coverage into stairwells, basements, and other hard-to-reach spaces. The goal is to ensure that every message travels clearly and consistently. As Marcic explains, when a fire occurs, reliable communication can be the difference between a coordinated rescue and a chaotic response. California's building code requires emergency responder radio coverage systems to meet strict performance standards. Designers must prove that signal levels are strong enough to support clear two-way communication across all occupied areas. Engineers test systems floor by floor, measuring signal strength and voice clarity. If any weak spots are found, they adjust antenna placement or increase amplification. Each component must also have reliable backup power to ensure the system functions during an outage. The HelloNation article emphasizes that dependable communication is not just a technical goal but a safety necessity. Firefighters rely on their radios to coordinate search patterns, monitor fire progression, and report changing conditions. A dropped signal can create confusion, reduce efficiency, and put lives at risk. Reliable radio coverage keeps operations organized, even when conditions change rapidly. Marcic highlights the importance of annual testing to maintain communication reliability. Over time, building renovations, new walls, or mechanical system changes can interfere with signal pathways. Regular testing identifies these issues before they cause failure during an emergency. Trained technicians use calibrated equipment to verify signal strength and coverage consistency in both directions. Many California jurisdictions require official documentation of this testing as part of annual code compliance. Maintenance plays an equally important role. Dust buildup, cable deterioration, and environmental factors can degrade system performance. Maintenance teams must check antennas, amplifiers, and power sources to ensure they remain clean, secure, and functional. Backup power systems, such as batteries or generators, are also inspected to confirm they can keep the system running for several hours if the main power fails. Marcic explains that these precautions keep communication systems dependable when they are needed most. Coordination during design and installation is another key factor in ensuring effective radio coverage. Electrical engineers, communication specialists, and fire alarm contractors must work closely with architects and structural designers. The placement of antennas and amplifiers depends on wall materials, ceiling heights, and room layouts. If these details are not coordinated early, signal obstructions can occur, leading to expensive corrections later. The HelloNation article underscores that collaboration between all disciplines is critical for success. California's enforcement agencies take an active role in verifying system performance. Local fire departments often require a certification test before granting occupancy for new buildings. They may also mandate retesting when a building undergoes major renovations. This oversight helps maintain consistent communication quality across all facilities and ensures that firefighters can rely on their radios in any situation. Marcic also points out that modern emergency responder radio coverage systems increasingly integrate with other building safety systems. Some connect directly to fire alarm panels or building management systems. When a fire alarm activates, the radio coverage system can automatically switch to emergency mode. These integrations ensure that communication systems activate seamlessly without extra steps for responders. Training is another essential part of maintaining these systems. Firefighters must know how to use signal panels, test system readiness, and locate backup controls. Building staff should be trained to recognize alarm signals and report any communication issues promptly. The HelloNation article states that training helps ensure that both responders and facility teams are prepared to act effectively during emergencies. Ultimately, clear and dependable communication saves time, and in emergencies, time saves lives. Emergency responder radio coverage ensures that every firefighter can send and receive critical information, no matter where they are inside a building. Marcic emphasizes that these systems, though often unnoticed, are vital to life safety. They operate quietly until the moment they are needed, assuring that responders can communicate clearly even in the most challenging conditions. Why Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Is Crucial features insights from Jeff Marcic, Engineering Expert of San Diego, CA, in HelloNation. About HelloNation HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. SOURCE HelloNation The FBI has opened an investigation into Joe Kent, President Donald Trumps former counterterrorism chief, who resigned from his post over opposition to the war in Iran, according to multiple news reports. The bureaus probe into Kent, who served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, pertains to allegations that he mishandled classified information, four unnamed sources familiar with the matter told Semafor on Wednesday. The investigation began before he left the administration, sources said, with one characterizing it as having gone on for months. Its being handled by the bureaus Criminal Division, a source told CBS News. Taylor Budowich, a former deputy White House chief of staff, appeared to allude to the investigation shortly after Kent stepped down. He wrote on X that the ex-counterterrorism chief was often at the center of national security leaks. The FBI has opened an investigation into Joe Kent, Trumps former counterterrorism chief, over allegations that he improperly handled classified information, according to reports (AP) The Independent has attempted to reach Kent for comment. An FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. Kent, a 20-year Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, shared his resignation letter on X Tuesday morning, where it quickly went viral, amassing nearly 100 million views. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran, he wrote. 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. Podcast host Tucker Carlson released an interview with Kent on Wednesday evening, during which the former counterterrorism chief repeated his claim that the Israelis drove the decision to take this action and that Iran was nowhere close to developing a nuclear bomb. Israel strikes Irans South Pars Gas Field. Kent resigned this week, saying I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran (The Independent) The White House has dismissed Kents departure as inconsequential. Its been a while since the president has seen him here at the White House, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday. This was an individual who was not involved in any of the discussions pre-operation and throughout this operation. She also combatted claims that Tehran posed no threat to the U.S., writing on X that the 79-year-old president had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first. When asked about Kent on Tuesday, the president said, "I always thought he was weak on security." Recent polls show that more Americans oppose the conflict in Iran than support it. Pete Hegseth has blasted European allies as ungrateful as the US defense secretary addressed ongoing war efforts in the Middle East. The 45-year-old former TV personality told reporters at a press conference that the US had struck more than 7,000 targets, but they werent planning a forever war. During his speech, he also branded European allies ungrateful, suggesting Iran posed a threat to their freedom and security. Many experts have confirmed that Iran was not close to developing a nuclear weapon and did not pose a threat to the US before Trump launched his latest bloody campaign. "A regime like that refusing to abandon its nuclear ambitions is not just a regional problem, its a direct threat to America, to freedom and to civilisation in the world, the Middle East, our ungrateful allies in Europe, he told reporters. "We're winning, decisively and on our terms," he continued, adding: "To date, we've struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure. That is not incremental. At least 2,000 people have been killed across the Middle East after the US and Israel launched their war against Iran, which has quickly escalated into a regional conflict. Iran has essentially halted oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but despite Trumps demands that European allies help secure the strait, the response has been less enthusiastic. Earlier on Thursday, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan issued a joint statement on the Strait of Hormuz, condemning Irans attacks and calling for the vital waterway to be reopened. "We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces, the statement said. Later, it adds: "We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. Trump faces mounting pushback from the international community, with many leading officials suggesting the 79-year-old American president doesnt know what hes doing and is acting unlawfully. Smoke and fire rise near the South Pars gas field following an attack in Bushehr Province, Iran (via REUTERS) Sir Chris Bryant fired off a stinging attack earlier today after the US president said an angry Israel had violently lashed out and attacked Irans major gas field, a significant escalation in the conflict. The attack on the huge South Pars complex on Wednesday drove gas and oil prices higher and prompted a threat by Iran to attack energy targets across the Gulf, while it fired missiles at Qatar and Saudi Arabia. As the cost of oil spiralled higher, to around $113 (85) a barrel, fears were growing of the economic fall-out on the UK and other countries. Trump said he was unaware of the planned Israel attack on the oil field, a claim disputed by some diplomatic experts, and said Israel would not make further such airstrikes unless Iran retaliated. But he warned Tehran that if it targeted oil fields in Qatar, the US would massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field. Amid the chaos, trade minister Sir Chris slammed Trump over the war. If you are going to do anything you have got to have a plan, he told Sky News. It seem basic to me...I dont think there was a plan. Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire) Having spoken to trade ministers in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE, he added: One of my counterparts in the Gulf said to me yesterday I dont know what they are doing..I simply dont know what they are doing. Pressed if he knew what the Trump administration was doing, Sir Chris responded: No. Does he know? It seems very, very confusing. Asked if the US president went into the conflict with a plan, the minister added: One of the reasons that Keir Starmer was quite rightly, and showed exceptional leadership at this point, was saying we are not going to send British troops into a situation where they are not protected legally because there is no good legal argument for the war. Im glad we have not entered into this because, even Churchill said beware, beware, beware when you are going to go into a war you have got to be aware that it does not necessarily all go your way. Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer are at loggerheads over the Iran war (PA Wire) On Thursday, Iran again attacked Qatars gas facilities, and its missiles also targeted the Saudi capital Riyadh. QatarEnergy reported sizeable fires and extensive damage at several of its liquefied natural gas facilities hit by missile attacks early on Thursday. The state oil giant had reported extensive damage after Iranian missiles hit the Ras Laffan Industrial City that processes about a fifth of global gas supply. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday and an attempted drone attack on a gas facility in its east. Trump said the US did not have advance knowledge of Israels attack on the South Pars gas field and that Qatar had not been involved. The Wall Street Journal, however, reported that Trump had approved of Israels plan to attack Irans natural gas field. Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran, Trump posted on X on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatars LNG Gas facility. NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar. In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. South Pars is the Iranian sector of the worlds largest natural gas deposit, which Iran shares with Qatar, a close US ally and host of the United States biggest military base in the Gulf. Smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier 'Mayuree Naree' near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack (ROYAL THAI NAVY/AFP via Getty Im) With no sign of de-escalation, Trump is considering sending thousands more American troops to the Middle East, according to US sources, amid warnings that America could be dragged into a military quagmire. Those troops could be used to restore the safe passage of oil tankers through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for a fifth of the worlds oil trade. But Britain, Germany, France, Australia, Japan and other countries have refused to jump to the US presidents demand for them to send warships for a multi-national force to re-open the key strait. Tulsi Gabbard stuns senator by saying its not her job to determine what is ... an imminent threat to the US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard pointedly refused to say whether Iran presented an imminent nuclear threat to America before the U.S. launched its war, angering Democratic senators during an intelligence hearing on Wednesday. The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president, Gabbard said during questioning from Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia. The committee continued to press Gabbard over what the intelligence community concluded about Irans nuclear program before the war, given that a written version of her statement said Irans nuclear capabilities had been obliterated with no efforts since to rebuild after U.S. strikes last year. It is not the intelligence communitys responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat, Gabbard said. That is up to the president, based on the volume of information that he receives. Gabbards statements inspired a sharp response from Ossoff, who cut in and said, It is precisely your responsibility to determine what consists of a threat to the United States. He accused Gabbard of evading a question because to provide a candid response to the committee would contradict a statement from the White House. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to directly answer whether the U.S. intelligence community determined Iran was an imminent nuclear threat before the U.S. launched its war against the country (AP) In a White House statement announcing the beginning of the Iran campaign, the Trump administration said the attack was necessary to eliminate the imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime. Since then, however, officials have offered shifting explanations for the war, including comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the U.S. attacked Iran because Israel was planning an attack on the country, a strike that was sure to provoke Iranian attacks in response on U.S. interests. The back-and-forth in Congress comes amid larger scrutiny of the Iran war. Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced this week he was resigning, writing in an open letter that he could not in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran because Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation. During the Senate hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe challenged Kents conclusion. The intelligence reflects the contrary, Ratcliffe said. Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced this week he was resigning, writing in an open letter that he could not keep supporting the war because Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation (Getty) He added that any fair-minded assessment would show Iran posed a threat to the U.S. and called the intelligence leading up to the war flawless. Lawmakers also questioned Gabbard about what President Trump had been briefed about the potential of the war to trigger a shutdown of the vital Strait of Hormuz, which has since taken place. Gabbard told the panel there had long been an assessment of the IC [intelligence community] that Iran would likely hold the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, but declined to discuss specific conversations with Trump. Now that the war is ongoing, the Iranian regime appears to be intact but largely degraded, Gabbard said. Outside of the Capitol, the administration was also on the defensive, with Vice President JD Vance telling an audience in Michigan the war-driven spike in gas prices will only be temporary. During an event in Michigan on Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance told an audience the war will only drive a temporary spike in oil prices (Reuters) This is a temporary blip, he said. Under the Biden administration, the gas prices were high for four years. Gas prices are higher right now, and frankly, they're not even as high as they were in certain parts of the Biden administration, he added. Leading members of NATO have dismissed the Trump administrations demands for assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. It is not Natos war, said a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz this week. 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. Campaigners have condemned the UK government's decision to cut its international climate finance as "extremely short-sighted" and a "moral abdication," warning the move threatens national security, abandons communities on the frontlines of climate change, and leaves "windfall profits from fossil fuels untouched". Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told parliament that the UK's climate finance commitment would be cut to around 6 billion or three years roughly 2bn a year, down from 2.3bn annually under the previous five-year arrangement. The overall aid budget has been reduced from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of gross national income by 2027, with the government citing the need to fund increased defence spending. The previous 3bn earmark for nature and forest projects has also been scrapped. Ms Cooper said the government would "continue to invest in global health and climate action to transform lives," and described the reforms as a shift from being a donor to an investor, drawing on British institutions including the City of London to mobilise private finance for development. "With less investment we need to refocus to ensure it has the most impact," she said. Ms Cooper said climate aid spending will bolstered by an additional 6.7 billion in UK-backed climate and nature positive investments, but did not give details. Jenny Chapman, the minister for international development, said the government was "spending less on international development, but spending it better than ever." However, Campaigners from the Global South said the cuts represented a historic betrayal by one of the world's largest historical emitters. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (left) and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper arrive for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London (PA) "For the UK to retreat to a historic low of 0.3 per cent in aid is an act of climate colonialism, said Harjeet Singh, climate activist and founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation. We in the Global South are being forced to foot the bill for a catastrophe we did not cause, while the very nation that built its wealth on the carbon of the Industrial Revolution strips away the healthcare, clean water, and education that the world's most vulnerable need to survive it, he told The Independent. "You cannot claim to be a 'climate leader' while simultaneously withdrawing the lifelines required for our adaptation and survival," he added. Critics said the framing also obscured the scale of what was being lost, especially in terms of the threats it poses to the UKs long-term interests. "It is clear that climate finance has, to some extent, been protected as a priority within the overseas development assistance budget it is now a larger proportion of a shrinking overall pot," said Gareth Redmond-King, head of the international programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit think tank. "However, cutting that budget at a time of such intense global upheaval goes against the warnings from the government's own national security advisers and food experts, who all warn of the growing threats to our security and stability from the climate crisis." "We import two fifths of our food from overseas, and worsening climate change impacts hitting farmers at home and abroad are leading to shortages and higher prices on our supermarket shelves," he said. "Supporting the poorest nations' efforts to cut emissions and adapt to climate change is also an investment in UK national security." The government said 70 per cent of all geographic support would be allocated to the most fragile and conflict-affected states by 2028-29, with funding protected for Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Lebanon. Some women and girls programmes and current global health commitments including to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund were also protected. It was previously announced that commitments to both Gavi and the Global Fund will fall by 24 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. ActionAid UK said the women and girls pledge rang hollow without new funding to back it up. "We're pleased to see the Foreign Secretary acknowledge that women and girls disproportionately bear the brunt of poverty, violence and conflict by promising to make them a priority but without backing up this pledge with increased long-term funding, it rings hollow," said co-CEOs Hannah Bond and Taahra Ghazi. "The announcement that international climate finance will be reduced is a huge betrayal for women and girls on the frontline of the climate crisis and of this government's own manifesto commitments on climate and gender equality and comes at a time when urgent scaling up is needed as the frequency and scale of climate emergencies intensifies." The 3bn earmark for nature and forest projects has also been scrapped without an equivalent replacement. "The UK government has confirmed it has ditched the previous commitment to spending a third of this funding on nature," said Catherine Weller, global policy director at Fauna & Flora. "This is a short-sighted move at a time when the nature loss and climate crises are escalating dramatically. A nature-depleted world is a more turbulent world with higher disaster risk, greater poverty, deeper climate impacts, less food and water security and a weakened economy." Andreas Sieber, head of global political strategy at 350.org, told The Independent the cuts were a political choice rather than a fiscal necessity. "Cutting aid to the world's poorest is not belt-tightening, but moral abdication," he said. "The real absurdity: this is a phantom debate. While ministers pick pockets at the bottom, they leave windfall profits from fossil fuel giants untouched, even as those same companies cash in on the price fossil fuel shocks hammering households right now." Earlier this week, former international development minister Gareth Thomas, the Labour MP for Harrow West, also issued a warning to the government that it was leaving the door open for malign foreign powers such as China to fill the space left by the UK. He said: In an already unsafe world, cutting aid risks alienating key allies and will make improving childrens health and education in Commonwealth countries more difficult. We risk creating more opportunities for regimes who dont share our values. Our security depends not just on a stronger military but also on building soft power so that our soldiers arent needed. The price of UK natural gas has surged by almost a quarter following the latest attacks by Iran on a gas hub in Qatar, heightening fears about major disruption to global supplies. Natural gas futures - contracts for buying the commodity in the coming months - have been trading over the past few days at between 125 and 132 pence per Therm (a unit of heat energy), but slowly rose on Wednesday to close at around 140p. But as trading hours opening on Thursday, this rocketed to 174p - an increase of 24 per cent. It quickly tailed back slightly to 169p as of 8am GMT, but one industry expert warned the developments will be a major concern to bill payers across Britain. It came after Qatar said on Thursday that Iranian missile attacks had hit its liquified natural gas field Ras Laffan, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. This followed reports that Israel launched an attack against Irans South Pars gas field. (NTB/AFP/Getty) Britain imports a significant percentage of its natural gas and, following a cold winter, Europe is expected to have lower reserves than usual. Government data from 2024 shows natural gas made up a third (33 per cent) of the overall energy supply, though this may now be slightly lower as the level of renewables (then 42 per cent) in the mix continues to rise. While there is a domestic supply of gas from the North Sea, the UK also imports much from Norway and other areas of Europe. European gas prices also rose by more than 20 per cent into Thursday. Meanwhile, oil prices have spiked as attacks on energy facilities in the Middle East have stepped up. The price of Brent crude oil was rising by about 7 per cent to cross 114 US dollars a barrel on Thursday morning, meaning it was closing in on the highest level since the conflict escalated at the end of February. Discussing the surging cost in oil as a result of the conflict, Chris Bryant, the minister of state for trade, said the situation has developed into a really big moment for the UK economy and urged a continued push toward green energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and their volatile pricing. Mr Bryant said that chancellor Rachel Reeves will look at what we can do about the fuel duty cap and added that time would show decisions taken now to be right for the long term. The biggest message I take away from everything thats happening in the Gulf is, we need to make sure that we are not so dependent on oil and gas prices, he said. The key part of that is making sure that we transition the UK economy to renewables. In ten years time, I think people will say this was a really big moment for the UK economy and the UK Labour government got it right. The Common Wealth thinktank have released a report suggesting UK household energy bills could go down by 200 if gas was no longer used to set pricing in the way it is now and urged the government to remove the price setting function of gas from the electricity market. Jess Ralston, head of energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: This will be a major concern to bill payers, many of who are still carrying debt from the last gas crisis when Russia invaded Ukraine. That led to taxpayers having to step in essentially subsidising gas for millions of homes to the tune of tens of billions. And lets be clear: trying to squeeze more gas out of the North Sea has no real impact on the price households pay because its set by international markets and these kind of world events caused by foreign actors like Putin. Put simply, if you want to insulate yourself from these kind of price shocks, use less gas. British wind and solar farms lower our dependence on foreign gas, as do net zero technologies like electric heat pumps and this helps with bill stability. British wind power lowered wholesale prices by a third last year. These are permanent solutions, whereas the North Sea is a mature basin running out of oil and gas, quicker drilling means it runs out quicker. After the latest attacks, US President Donald Trump said he knew nothing of Israels strike and that he did not want to authorise this level of violence and destruction. But he also pledged to massively blow up the entirety of Irans South Pars gas field if the nation attacks Qatars facilities again. Qatars state-backed energy company Qatar Energy had halted production of liquefied natural gas at its sites at the beginning of the month because of attacks on its facilities. Additional reporting by PA The UK government is to slash aid spending to some of the poorest countries in the world, as part of moves to reduce spending by 40 per cent. Plans set out by the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, will see bilateral support for African countries fall from 1.3bn a year to 677m over the next three years a drop of 56 per cent while countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen and Myanmar will also face severe reductions. The government has also failed to fully protect funding for HIV, despite calls from The Independent, alongside MPs and charities, to maintain funding for HIV treatment up to 2030, amid concerns that progress in tackling the disease could be reversed as a result of the aid cuts, first announced last year. While funding for certain core areas has been protected or kept the same including to Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan funding for HIV has not been classified as such. Going forward, UK aid spend on HIV is set to be largely channelled through funding for the Global Fund which last December the UK confirmed would be cut by 150m and bilateral aid programmes to developing countries in Africa and beyond, which are also set to be significantly cut. Ms Cooper said that it is now planning to prioritise funding for multilateral institutions like the UN and World Bank as well as funding for countries classified as fragile and conflict-affected, such as Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine, and now Lebanon with aid sent to those countries increasing from 57 to 71 per cent. But even this represents an overall cut compared to the last few years. Aid spending will also be cut to G20 countries, including India, Indonesia and South Africa. It also means that funding for low-income countries not classified as fragile and conflict-affected is likely to lose out substantially, with aid cuts of up to 60 per cent, despite the fact that many of these countries continue to struggle to attract foreign capital beyond aid. Ms Cooper said: Allocating a reduced budget inevitably leads to hard choices and unavoidable trade-offs ... So were focusing aid on the people and places that need it most, and we will still be a major player, and expect to be the fifth biggest funder in the world. She added that the government has fully protected central programme spending on violence against women and girls, women peace and security, and preventing sexual violence in conflict. However, education programmes are likely to see cuts. Uganda and countries across Africa rely on the Global Fund and the UK for support (Getty) There will be a 56 per cent decline in support to Africa between 2026-27 and 2028-29, with cuts likely to hit bilateral aid to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mauritius, Senegal and Sierra Leone. The money that the UK spends on humanitarian crisis relief, such as for natural disasters, will also be reduced by 15 per cent to just under 300m a year. Ian Mitchell, senior fellow at the Center for Global Development think tank, agreed that the impacts on Africa looked set to be severe: Reducing the share of aid going to Africa, where most fragility, poverty, and future opportunity are concentrated, is difficult to justify and risks making talk of global partnerships ring hollow, he said. There remains strong public support for helping those most in need and for a government serious about tackling extreme poverty, that means a clear focus on Africa. Meanwhile, climate funding will fall from 11.6bn across the five years to 2026 to 6bn over the next three years, a drop of almost 15 per cent. Funding for key multilateral funds supporting global health, including the Pandemic Fund and Global Polio Eradication Initiative, will also be cut. The aid budget also funds the cost of housing asylum seekers in UK hotels roughly 2bn a year, about a fifth of the overseas aid budget though this is set to fall. Total spending was expected to fall from 10bn in 2026-27 to 8.9bn the following year before increasing slightly to 9.4bn in 2028-29. Despite the news that HIV funding would not be protected, development minister Jenny Chapman said that it remained a priority for the government, telling The Independent that the government remained as committed as ever to this agenda. Were really concerned about whats happening with HIV at the moment, and we think theres a risk that may begin to increase, particularly with younger girls, Baroness Chapman said in a briefing with members of the media, adding that the UK would fund 4m towards UNAIDs before the agency is shut down and its services are absorbed into other agencies. Tsara Crosfill Morton, senior policy and advocacy advisor for global child health at Unicef UK and a member of Action for Global Healths steering committee, said: Elements of the UK governments commitment to global health also remain unclear. The government has promised strong support to some critical multilaterals while stepping back from others ... the impact of cuts on other global health programming is [also] obscured. We urge the UK government to set out a clear and comprehensive strategic approach to global health and to ending the entirely preventable deaths of children. The aid announcements made on Thursday come a year after Sir Keir Starmer announced aid spending would be cut from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of gross national income (GNI), in a move that ministers said would help fund higher defence spending in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. In response to Ms Coopers statement, Sarah Champion, chair of the International Development Select Committee, warned that the UKs strategy of pursuing cuts to the aid budget to protect military spending was a false dichotomy. Development spend keeps people fed, safe and prosperous, she told MPs. We will see the consequences of the UK stepping away from the global stage to our reputation, to our influence, and also, people will be coming to our shores to seek sanctuary. These cuts do not aid our defence; they make the whole world more vulnerable. The focus on women and girls who are often the most vulnerable of the global poor is encouraging, Ms Champion said. I particularly welcome the target of at least 90 per cent of the departments aid programmes integrating gender equality by 2030. The capacity to enable this and to measure success will need to be safeguarded, and my committee will be scrutinising this promise closely. Monica Harding, the Liberal Democrat international development spokesperson, said that the cuts were a moral catastrophe, highlighting that they are likely to be more severe than the cuts made by Donald Trump in the US, as well as those made by the previous Conservative government. Dr Ellie Chowns, the Green Party spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: Cutting international aid is a false economy and one which puts Britains security at greater risk. The UKs defence does not exist in isolation from global security. You cannot make Britain safer by making the rest of the world more unstable. Catherine Pettengell, executive director of Climate Action Network UK, told The Independent that the cuts were really bad, given that UK climate finance had doubled every five years which would have resulted in 23.2bn over five years as the next package. In response to the cuts announcement, Adrian Lovett, UK executive director of the ONE Campaign, said: Todays figures lay bare the true scale of these cuts and the damage they will do. Slashing bilateral aid to Africa, where need is greatest, will have a devastating impact. These choices will leave millions without access to basic healthcare, education and urgent humanitarian support, and risk a resurgence of deadly diseases weve spent decades trying to fight. While FCDO officials have clearly worked to shield some priorities, they have been handed an impossible task. You simply cannot cut 40 per cent from the aid budget without devastating consequences, and that will now play out in the worlds poorest countries. This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project UK officials are preparing for a possible court case against Roman Abramovich after he missed a deadline to release 2.4bn he raised from selling Chelsea FC. The Russian billionaire failed to hand over the money by the deadline of 17 March, amid a dispute over how it will eventually be used. Government officials said they would now take steps to prepare for a potential court case so the money can be spent for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine. They have written to Abramovichs lawyers to warn them of this, Kiran Stacey writes. Spokespeople for Abramovich have been contacted for comment. US waters down assessment of Chinas threat to Taiwan ahead of Trump-Xi summit The US said China didnt plan to invade Taiwan in 2027, backpedalling on a previous intelligence assessment ahead of Donald Trumps planned summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing. In a new annual intelligence report, the US said: China, despite its threat to use force to compel unification if necessary and to counter what it sees as a US attempt to use Taiwan to undermine Chinas rise, prefers to achieve unification without the use of force, if possible. Chinese leaders do not currently plan to execute an invasion of Taiwan in 2027, nor do they have a fixed timeline for achieving unification, the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community report by the Director of National Intelligence read. The report, however, reiterated a previous assessment that the Peoples Liberation Army was making steady but uneven progress on capabilities it could use to capture the democratically governed island. China claims sovereignty over the island and seeks to reunite it with the mainland by force if necessary. Taiwan rejects Chinas sovereignty claims and maintains that only the island's people can decide its future. People walk out from a local subway station that is used as an air raid shelter in Taipei on 17 July 2025 (AFP via Getty) The intelligence assessment comes at a time when the US is preparing for a summit between Mr Trump and his Chinese counterpart. It is not yet clear if the summit will go ahead as planned given Mr Trump is prosecuting a US-Israeli war against Iran, embroiling the Middle East into a major conflict. On Monday, Mr Trump asked to delay his visit to China by about a month because of the war. The American president confirmed the White House had requested that we delay it a month or so. The latest assessment walks back some of the 2023 intelligence report quoting the Chinese leader as telling his military to be ready by 2027" to invade Taiwan. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth told allies in the Indo-Pacific last year that Washington would bolster its defences overseas as Chinas invasion of Taiwan appeared imminent. He said China was actively training every day to capture Taiwan and the PLA was rehearsing for the real deal. "We are not going to sugarcoat it the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent, he said at the Shangri-La dialogue. Mr Trump previously played down the risk of Chinese military action while he remained in office. As recently as late last year, the Pentagon said it believed China was preparing to be able to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027 and was refining options to take the island by brute force if needed. Chinese military activity in the Taiwan Strait since has strengthened that impression, according to experts monitoring a sudden dip in military flights around the island. Satellite image of Chinese fishing boats captured on 10 January 2026 (Planet Labs PBC) The weeklong dip in flights could be driven by a shift to the next phase in Chinas military training and modernisation, according to K Tristan Tang, Taipei-based non-resident fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research. Mr Xis military appears to be exploring a new model for joint training between its air force and navy and possibly its ground forces. Such exploratory activity would likely be conducted away from Taiwan to prevent other countries from monitoring it and that explained why fewer Chinese planes were in the area, Mr Tang said. In response to the new US intelligence assessment, Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington said Taipei would continue to monitor China's activities and "remain vigilant at all times. "China has never abandoned the use of force against Taiwan and its continued military intimidation and gray-zone operations pose serious threats not only to Taiwan but also to regional peace and stability," it said in a statement. Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far (PA) Sunny spells and warmer than average weather is set to continue into the weekend across the UK. Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far, with a temperature of 20.9C recorded in Gogerddan near Aberystwyth and 20.2C at Northolt, London. Although temperatures are not forecast to reach 20C again this weekend, warm weather in the mid to high teens is still expected. On Thursday temperatures are set to reach 17C in London and Manchester and drop slightly to highs of 15C on Friday, which is also the spring equinox. The Met Office has also forecast warm temperatures with highs of 16C in Manchester on Saturday and temperatures reaching highs of 14C across most of England on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to reach 15C on Friday, according to the met office (Met Office) The warm and sunny spells come after colder Arctic air pushed temperatures down over the last few days. Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said the higher temperatures are because of warm air being dragged up from further south in Europe. Manchester is forecast to see highs of 16C on Saturday (Met Office) Mr Madge said: We get this a lot at this time of year, we sometimes joke the warmest day of the year klaxon is going off every day. I think this will be the peak for a while today, we are not expecting any further records in the next week or so. He added: The values that have been reached today will probably be a high watermark for some little time to come. England will see warm temperatures on Sunday with highs of 14C (Met Office) Met Office weather forecast for the week Today: Cloudy and cool across parts of northern England and southern Scotland, with occasional light drizzle. Sunnier to the south across England and Wales, and fine with sunny spells elsewhere. Temperatures remain above average, though slightly lower than on Wednesday. Tonight: Cloudy for southeast Scotland and northeast England, especially near coasts and spreading inland overnight. Elsewhere, clear spells bring a chilly night with some mist and fog patches in prone spots. Friday: Early mist or fog clearing into a fine, warm day with light winds. Sunshine for most, though the far north and northwest turn cloudier and breezier later with patchy rain. Outlook for Saturday to Monday: The weekend starts mostly sunny and dry for many. Bands of rain move southeast from Scotland later, followed by colder, showery, windy conditions in the north into Monday. Economists have warned that if crude oil prices rise to around $138 a barrel and persist for 14 weeks, the chances that the U.S. will enter a recession would tip above 50 percent, according to a survey. Analysts are keeping a close eye on the developments in the Middle East amid President Donald Trumps war on Iran, and are paying particular attention to oil prices. The joint U.S.-Israeli military operation on Iran has disrupted oil supplies around the world and seen prices soar. The international benchmark for oil, Brent crude, briefly hit $119 a barrel Thursday morning but later dipped to $110. In February, before the bombing campaign began, it was trading at an average of $70 per barrel. In a survey carried out by The Wall Street Journal, 50 economists at banks, universities and consulting firms said that the probability of a recession in the next 12 months was 32 percent an increase from 27 percent in January. Economists were polled by the financial outlet on how high crude oil prices would need to rise in order to increase the probability of recession above 50 percent, and their responses ranged from $90 a barrel to $200. On average, the price point was $138. A survey of economists has found that if oil prices rise to $138 a barrel, and stay there for 14 weeks, the chances the US would enter a recession would tip above 50 percent (AFP via Getty Images) Some said that a recession became more likely if prices were at an elevated level for four weeks, while others said it would need to persist for 55 weeks. The average duration was 14 weeks, according to the WSJ. Economist Robert Fry of Robert Fry Economics told the newspaper that his probability of a downturn was at 40 percent, and $125 a barrel for eight weeks was his make-or-break point. My forecast is contingent on the assumption that the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open to tanker traffic by mid-April, Fry told the outlet. If it isnt, oil prices will go much higher, and I will put a recession in my forecast. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics, warned this week that recession was once again a serious threat. The economist said that even before the recent disconcerting events in the Middle East, the probability of recession had risen to 50-50, according to a model run by his firm. Analysts are keeping a close eye on the developments in the Middle East amid President Donald Trumps war on Iran, and are paying particular attention to oil prices. Americans have already seen their gas prices rise 90 cents (AP) Despite mounting evidence that the economy is struggling and recession risks are high, economists will be loath to utter the word 'recession, he added in a post on X. Many were sure a downturn was imminent in the wake of the Feds monetary tightening a couple of years ago, vocally said so, but were wrong. However, if oil prices remain elevated for much longer (weeks and not months), a recession will be difficult to avoid. Bob McNally, a former energy adviser in the George W. Bush administration, warned that the rising crude prices were a body blow to the economy. Oil companies are not thrilled with these sharply rising crude prices, McNally told The Washington Post. This is not a healthy, sustainable increase in prices and profits and investment opportunities for these companies. It is a body blow to the economy that will likely end up hurting demand for petroleum products. Bernard Baumohl of the Economic Outlook Group said the U.S. had so far been resilient in the face of surging oil prices, high tariffs, AI and the severe constraints on immigration. But we must not take this resilience for granted, Baumohl told the WSJ. The Trump administration has maintained that the rise in oil prices will be short-term disruptions" and is a small price to pay for global peace and safety. On Wednesday, the administration temporarily waived maritime shipping requirements under a more than century-old law known as the Jones Act to counter steep oil prices and cargo disruptions due to the war. The act required goods transported between US ports to be on American made and operated ships. Did you buy ORCL common stock between June 12, 2025, and December 16, 2025? Affected Oracle Corporation Investor Summary Who : Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) : Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) What: Securities fraud class action lawsuit filed Securities class action lawsuit filed Class Period: June 12, 2025, through December 16, 2025 June 12, 2025, through December 16, 2025 Deadline to Seek Lead Plaintiff Status: April 6, 2026 April 6, 2026 Key Lawsuit Allegations: Material misstatements and/or omissions concerning the company's data center capabilities for artificial intelligence infrastructure and capital expenditures. Material misstatements and/or omissions concerning the company's data center capabilities for artificial intelligence infrastructure and capital expenditures. Investor Action: Contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP ( www.ktmc.com ) for recovery options at no cost to investor RADNOR, Pa., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that the firm has filed a securities fraud class action lawsuit against Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) (Oracle) on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Oracle common stock between June 12, 2025, and December 16, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action, captioned Barrows v. Oracle Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:26-cv-00127-JLH, was filed on February 3, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and is pending before the Honorable Jennifer L. Hall. Important Deadline Reminder: Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Oracle common stock during the Class Period may, no later than April 6, 2026, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class. CONTACT KTMC TO DISCUSS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS: If you purchased or acquired Oracle common stock and lost money on your investment, you are encouraged to contact KTMC attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. at: (484) 270-1453 [email protected] https://www.ktmc.com/orcl-oracle-corporation-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR_Newswire&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=orcl&mktm=PR There is no cost or obligation to speak with an attorney. Learn more about Oracle Corporation on YouTube: ORACLE CORPORATION CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - COMPLAINT ALLEGATION SUMMARY: Oracle, a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices in Austin, Texas, is a technology company that provides, among other things, infrastructure for operating artificial intelligence (AI) programs. During the Class Period, Defendants misled investors by touting the Oracle's contracts to develop data center capabilities for AI infrastructure and falsely assuring investors that the Company's significant capital expenditures (CapEx) would quickly result in accelerated revenue growth. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about Oracle's business and operations. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Oracle's AI infrastructure strategy would result in massive increases in CapEx without equivalent, near-term growth in revenue; (2) Oracle's substantially increased spending created serious risks involving Oracle's debt and credit rating, free cash flow, and ability to fund its projects, among other concerns; and (3) as a result, Defendants' representations about Oracle's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. Why did Oracle's Stock Drop? The truth began to be revealed on September 24, 2025, when S&P Global Ratings warned that OpenAI "could account for more than a third of total Oracle revenues by fiscal 2028 and even a greater share by fiscal 2030," creating risks given that "OpenAI's ability to meet contractual obligations will be contingent on AI tailwinds continuing and its models being a market leader to continue to raise external financing." On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $5.37 per share, or nearly 2%, from a close of $313.83 per share on September 23, 2025, to close at $308.46 per share on September 24, 2025. Oracle's stock price continued to fall in response to multiple additional disclosures, the last of which was on December 17, 2025, when the Financial Times reported that Blue Owl Capital"the primary [financial] backer for Oracle's largest data centre projects in the US"had backed out of funding a $10 billion Oracle data center intended to serve OpenAI. According to the report, Blue Owl pulled out of the deal as a result of concerns about Oracle's spending commitments and rising debt levels. On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $10.19 per share, or approximately 5.4%, from a close of $188.65 per share on December 16, 2025, to close at $178.46 per share on December 17, 2025. WHAT ORCL INVESTORS CAN DO NOW: File to be lead plaintiff by April 6, 2026. Contact KTMC for a free case evaluation. Retain counsel of choice or take no action. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS FOR ORACLE CORPORATION INVESTORS: Oracle investors may, no later than April 6, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Oracle investors to contact the firm for more information. ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC): Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. KTMC has recovered over $25 billion for our clients and the classes they represent. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com. The complaint in this matter was filed by KTMC. CONTACT: Jonathan Naji, Esq. (484) 270-1453 280 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087 [email protected] May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP A beneficiary of UK aid in Nigeria. The most significant impact of the cuts will be felt across Africa, with bilateral overseas development aid set to fall from 818m in 2026 to 677m by 2029. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian (Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian) Some of the worlds poorest countries will lose out on UK aid that funds programmes such as schools and clinics, due to budget cuts set out by the foreign secretary. The UKs bilateral aid to African countries will be reduced by almost 900m by 2028-29 a 56% cut as part of more than 6bn in cuts which are funding an increase in defence spending. Aid agencies said the cuts would be the steepest in the G7, leaving the UKs reputation in tatters, and a poorer, more unequal and unstable world for us all. Labour MPs have privately expressed scepticism that the cuts have done much to achieve their desired intention to bolster UK military spending in an uncertain world because of the long delay in the defence investment plan and demands for billions more in spending from military chiefs in the wake of the Iran-US conflict. The 40% reduction in UK aid spending, which MPs voted to back last year, will mean all aid spending being cut to all G20 countries except Turkey, and the majority now focused on conflict zones, primarily Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine. Related: UK government axes flagship global health project Spending will be protected this year for Lebanon, a decision signed off by officials on Wednesday night, because of the intensity of the current offensive from Israel. The overhaul means 70% of all support will be allocated to the most fragile and conflict-affected states by 2029. Countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen will be among those facing cuts, though Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, said they would still receive funding from multinational aid agencies. Countries such as Mozambique and Pakistan will have almost all their development aid cut, replaced by partnerships for investment. The crisis reserve for humanitarian emergencies has also been cut, though by less than expected, from 85m to 75m. This for us is not an ideological step it is a difficult choice in the face of international threats, Cooper said. But Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs said: Africa and the Middle East, both home to some of the worlds least-developed countries, will be forced to pay the highest price because of the reduced budget. In its analysis of the impact assessment, Bond said the governments own data showed the cuts would leave children, people with disabilities and older people more vulnerable across Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia and that fewer girls and children with disabilities will be able to go to school in South Sudan. Cuts to programmes in Somalia, one of the worlds most unstable countries, are likely to heavily affect the access to health services for women and children. The most significant impact will be felt across Africa, with bilateral overseas development aid due to fall from 818m in 2026 to 677m by 2029, which the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said was part of a pivot to multilateral contributions through the World Bank and African Development Bank. The FCDO will also phase out all funding for bilateral programmes in G20 countries apart from a small allocation to refugee-hosting in Turkey. No direct aid will go to countries such as Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa. The development minister, Jenny Chapman, said some of the poorest African nations that would feel the brunt of the cuts, such as Malawi, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, had expressed a preference for expertise partnerships with the UK, building stable financial systems and clean energy, rather than traditional aid programmes. I think the concern that happened a year ago around the cuts was that people thought we were doing this because we lost faith in the agenda, we were turning our backs on the world that this was a values shift. Its absolutely not, she said. Weve undertaken this task in a very collaborative way with our global south partners. Weve been very open about it. Weve listened hard to what people have told us. Weve been present. Weve shown up just about everywhere we can, to have these conversations internationally. But some Labour MPs were critical, with Fleur Anderson, the MP for Putney, saying: The government has on one hand increased defence spending in response to a more dangerous world, but on the other cut the investment that helps build stability before crises emerge. A serious approach must place development spending at the heart of global resilience and security. Without this, we are not preventing crises; we are simply waiting for them. Admitting she was having to make hard choices on aid, Cooper said the UK still expected to be the fifth-biggest funder in the world, but in her statement she avoided spelling out the precise level of cuts, detail revealed only in the equality impact assessments. The FCDO has said the changes will prioritise geopolitical security and conflict as well as funding the bigger multinational agencies, such as the vaccine programme Gavi. Funding is also being protected for the British Council and the BBC World Service. The UK has ringfenced 240m a year until 2029, alongside billions in loan guarantees for Ukraine, as well as protecting allocations for Palestine and Lebanon at current levels, with the latter explicitly funded to reduce the drivers of irregular migration. The cuts will also end aid to some major funders, including polio eradication and the Pandemic Fund. The cost of housing asylum seekers in UK hotels running at roughly 2bn a year is taken from the aid budget. It means that by 2027-28, aid spending on overseas programmes is expected to reach its lowest since records began in 1970, at just 0.24% of gross national income. Chapman said it was a wholesale overhaul of the way aid spending would now operate, after the decision to cut the aid budget despite a 0.7% target being legally enshrined. Cooper said it was the governments intention to gradually return to the target when possible. Adrian Lovett, UK executive director of the ONE Campaign, said: Todays figures lay bare the true scale of these cuts and the damage they will do. Slashing bilateral aid to Africa, where need is greatest, will have a devastating impact. These choices will leave millions without access to basic healthcare, education and urgent humanitarian support, and risk a resurgence of deadly diseases weve spent decades trying to fight. Dylan Contreras, pictured with his mother Raiza Contreras, was released from detention on Wednesday after 10 months in detention. Photograph: Courtesy of family (Photograph: Courtesy of family) A New York high school student who was detained at an immigration courthouse in May last year, sparking national outrage, was released on Wednesday after 10 months in detention. Dylan Lopez Contreras, 21, of Venezuela was a freshman at Ellis Prep academy, a Bronx public school dedicated exclusively to students who have recently arrived in the US. It was the first widely known instance of a public school student being arrested by federal immigration agents. Contreras was released from the Moshannon Valley Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, and arrived home on Wednesday evening, according to his lawyers. It is both a relief and a blessing, his mother, Raiza Contreras, said. All glory and honor belong to God, who opened doors and made the impossible possible. Related: Trump administration is deporting parents without their children in violation of its own policies, report finds Contrerass arrest last year shocked his community, and previewed the Trump administrations indiscriminate approach to immigration enforcement. In an essay he wrote for the Guardian from Moshannon Valley, Contreras said that his life in detention was uncomfortable, stressful and monotonous. He missed his mothers food, he said, and he missed his friends. I would not know what to say is the hardest thing [about detention], but if I had to lean toward something, it would be the confiscation of my cellphone, which has left me cut off from my relationships, he said. Contreras was enrolled as a freshman at Ellis because his education had been interrupted when he immigrated from Venezuela to the US, his teachers said. His education was further derailed by his prolonged detention. Nothing can undo the injustice of denying Dylan even a modicum of due process, stealing his liberty and personal autonomy, and snatching away the precious time, education and experiences hes been forced to miss for nearly a year of his young life, said Kate Fetrow, associate supervising attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group and a member of Contrerass legal team. His release today is a momentous step in the right direction as we continue to fight to restore justice for Dylan and his family. Related: ICE has detained this high schooler for 10 months. Heres what he and his classmates want you to know Lawmakers, including New York senator and minority leader Chuck Schumer, had advocated for Contrerass release. Schumer had invited Contrerass mother to the State of the Union address in February. I am glad the administration has heeded my calls and righted this wrong, but there are many more families like Dylans that have been torn apart because of ICE, said Schumer. The chaos experienced by so many communities and families at the hands of ICE must end. In additional essays for the Guardian, several of Contrerass friends and classmates said they had been shaken by his detention. I worry that my other friends could be arrested, too, said Roger, one of his close friends. Its a constant fear I have and Im always worried when they go out and Im not there because I dont want anything bad to happen to them. The Department of Homeland Security said Contreras has been released with a GPS tracking device. If a judge finds he has no right to remain in the US, he will be swiftly removed, a spokesperson for the agency said. Claudio Latorre said that on the discovery of the Monte Verde site the idea of the population of the Americas going from north to south was chucked out of the window. Photograph: Instituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad (IEB), Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. (Photograph: Instituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad (IEB), Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.) A groundbreaking new study may have once again upended our understanding of human prehistory in the Americas. For years, the predominant theory of how humans arrived in the western hemisphere centred around the Clovis culture, which crossed the Beringia land bridge from Asia between 13,400 and 12,800 years ago, and spread south. That version was challenged in 1977 when a site in southern Chile was first excavated. Monte Verde, near the city of Puerto Montt, was found to be about 14,500 years old a true outlier that appeared to prove that there had been human populations in the far south of the hemisphere long before the arrival of the Clovis people. Now, the theory has changed again. A team of archaeologists have found that Monte Verde could actually be less than half the age previously thought, placing the north-to-south expansion theory back at the centre of a heated debate over the human history of the Americas. Dr Todd Surovell, from the department of anthropology at the University of Wyoming and the lead author of the study published on Thursday in Science, said: Monte Verde was the anchor for the idea that people were in South America before we see the appearance of the Clovis complex in North America and for the entirety of my career that has been the case. Surovell has harboured a fascination for the Monte Verde site since Tom Dillehay, who first excavated the site, spoke about his findings to his graduate class at the University of Wisconsin. Those findings were later verified by a multidisciplinary team. But as his career progressed, Surovell became sceptical of Monte Verde, the great anomaly that had shifted the paradigm on how and when human beings arrived in the Americas. The new research concludes that Monte Verde was misdated as the result of soil erosion which placed more recent archaeological evidence in older geological strata meaning that the site is in fact only between 6,000 and 8,000 years old. Dr Claudio Latorre, a paleoecologist at the Universidad Catolicas biological sciences faculty in Santiago, said: When it was discovered, Monte Verde turned the entire story of the population of the Americas on its head. All of a sudden you had a site in southern Chile thats 1,500 years older than the oldest sites in North America, and there was this huge gap in our knowledge the understanding that the population of the Americas would have come from north to south was basically chucked out of the window. Monte Verde was first excavated between 1977 and 1985 by Dillehay and his colleagues, who retained permits for the site. But now, after the first independent survey of the site since initial excavations, Surovell and his team, having secured permission to study it in a brief window when the original permits expired, believe they have quashed the Monte Verde anomaly. Other more recent pre-Clovis sites in the Americas have been discovered and excavated, from Mexico down to north-west Argentina and Uruguay, but none has yet been verified. Surovell said that these should be examined in order for our understanding of American prehistory to evolve. I want to have the second set of eyes on these sites, but I dont want to be the archaeological angel of death, he said. I much prefer to be in the business of knowledge production, which our work at Monte Verde does by erasing this one data point. Messaging during the pandemic could have led people to believe they must avoid burdening the NHS - Tolga Akmen/AFP The Governments stay at home and protect the NHS message during the Covid pandemic may have cost thousands of lives by making people think that the health service was closed, an inquiry has found. Baroness Hallett, the chairman of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry said ministers should consult healthcare professionals on public messaging in future pandemics to avoid unintended consequences. After publishing the findings of the third part of the multi-stage inquiry, examining the impact of the pandemic on British healthcare systems, she also said it had been a mistake to pause screening programmes for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, a decision that should not be repeated in future. She also criticised ministers such as Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, for downplaying the extent to which the NHS was being overwhelmed, summing up the pandemic response as: We coped, but only just. The Office for National Statistics has estimated that more than 17,000 excess deaths from non-Covid conditions were recorded at the height of the pandemic between 2020 and 2022. Lady Hallett left little doubt that the Governments message to protect the NHS had contributed to some of those deaths. The report said that the Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives message led some people to feel they must avoid burdening the NHS. It added that the message had created a perception that general practice and services for conditions other than Covid-19 were not available. Lady Hallett accused Matt Hancock of downplaying the extent to which the NHS was overwhelmed during the pandemic - Matt Dunham/Getty Images Europe Prof Sir Stephen Powis, the national medical director at NHS England from 2018 to 2025, said NHS leaders were worried that the messaging might have been interpreted as stay away from the NHS. Attempts were made to encourage people to seek help when needed, but Prof Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said that we didnt get it across well enough. Lady Hallett said: It is important that government communication campaigns do not deter those in need from accessing healthcare. In future, she said, health services should be involved in messaging, not just the Cabinet Office, to avoid unintended consequences. Excess deaths from heart attacks and cancer Lady Hallett added: The public messaging Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives may have inadvertently sent the message that healthcare was closed, contributing to a decline in attendances, even for life-threatening emergencies such as heart attacks. In 2020, there were around 4,725 fewer diagnoses of colorectal cancer across the UK than would have been expected. From March to December 2022, there were 1,630 excess deaths from colorectal and anal cancer. The true number of excess deaths will be unknown for years because data on five-year survival rates are not yet available. The number of deaths from heart attacks increased, and the condition of people who needed hip replacements deteriorated to the point that surgery was no longer an option. The delay in children and young peoples access to mental health services also led to a marked increase in the severity of their conditions. Lady Hallett said she agrees that the maintenance of cancer screening programmes is of the utmost importance and that planning must prioritise the continuation of these services as far as possible. However, she did not make any formal recommendations about messaging or the treatment of non-pandemic conditions. Lady Hallett has said on Thursday that people avoiding the health service may have contributed to excess deaths - PA Wire One study found that a general practice with 10,000 patients might have more than 400 undiagnosed long-term conditions that would have been diagnosed in normal times. Even during the peaks of the pandemic, there were at least twice as many patients in hospital receiving treatment for non-Covid conditions as for the virus, but non-urgent elective care was paused in the middle of March 2020. The report says: The decision had serious consequences for some patients, impacting the quality of life for many and sometimes leading to loss of life or mobility. During the pandemic, barriers to accessing healthcare for non-Covid-19 conditions and changes to the delivery of services led to marked declines in rate of diagnosis, referrals and specialist treatment. Lady Hallett also criticised Mr Hancock, who served as health secretary until 2021. In an introduction to the report, she wrote: Politicians, including the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, were reluctant to accept the healthcare systems were overwhelmed, as they chose this to mean total collapse. Ultimately, in my view, it is a question of semantics. Whatever word one chooses, healthcare systems were placed under intolerable strain. The report made 10 recommendations in preparation for a future pandemic, which included increasing capacity in urgent and emergency care, improving data collection on those most at risk, increasing support for healthcare workers and recording any deaths within the profession. Recommendations were also given for guidance on visiting restrictions. Lady Hallett said that measures should be the least restrictive possible following complaints that patients had died alone. The report also noted that while some dying patients and their loved ones had been reassured and comforted by seeing each other on a video call, this was not always available or suitable for those who had been particularly unwell. One bereaved family member had told the inquiry that they had to say goodbye to their loved one by text message, hoping that a nurse would read it out, the report said. The inquiry also examined reports of blanket do not resuscitate orders being issued during the pandemic, with some family members claiming they had not been properly consulted about such decisions. Lady Hallett wrote: During the course of the pandemic, there were reports of inappropriate and/or blanket DNACPR (do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation) notices being imposed on groups of people, such as those with learning disabilities or older people. A range of communications were issued to healthcare professionals to reiterate that DNACPR decisions should be based on the particular and individual circumstances of each patient and that it was unacceptable to apply DNACPR notices to particular groups of people. Nonetheless, concerns about the use of DNACPR notices were undoubtedly compounded by the often poor communication with patients and their families and loved ones. Sir Nick Clegg joins a list of distinguished former politicians to be depicted on canvas at the National Liberal Club A portrait of Sir Nick Clegg has been unveiled at a private members club in central London, but looks nothing like the ex-politician. The painting of the former Liberal Democrat leader was called deliberately simple after it was formally unveiled at the National Liberal Club on Wednesday. Sir Nick, who left Facebook owner Meta last year, has joined the likes of former prime ministers Lord Gladstone and David Lloyd George, who also feature in portraits at the club. The painting is the work of Frances Bell, the portrait artist, who has also depicted Dame Cressida Dick, the former Metropolitan Police commissioner, and Derek Jacobi, the actor. Frances Bell also painted the portrait of Dame Cressida Dick, the former Met Police commissioner This portrait of Sir Nick Clegg was unveiled this week at the National Liberal Club to celebrate Nicks time in politics, she said. Nicks portrait joins a fabulous host of others depicting liberal politicians dating back to Gladstone, in the remarkable surroundings at the club in central London. Huge thanks to Nick for being so generous with his time and feedback, to the club for continuing the tradition of portraiture as a legacy amplifier for their ethos, standard bearers and institution, and to the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, through which the commission emerged for me. Mark Wallace, the chief executive of Total Politics Group, said: What on earth has happened here? Sonia Sodha, the columnist, added: I think Id ask for my money back. Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, offered an equally disparaging: Remake of The Picture of Dorian Gray isnt great. The portrait was unveiled at a reception and three-course dinner in Sir Nicks honour at the National Liberal Club on Wednesday. Sir Nick sat for the artist at James Hayess studio in Barons Court, west London. Ms Bell said: This painting is deliberately simple so as to carry over a huge room from a height and, thanks to James, was painted under Victorian studio light of the same period as the clubs construction, which seems apt. The Environment Agency is to draw up a list of waste operators who have had their permits revoked or suspended, been prosecuted, or classed as poorly performing - Gareth Fuller/PA Fly-tippers are to be named and shamed so that householders and businesses can blacklist them. The Environment Agency is to draw up a list of waste operators who have had their permits revoked or suspended, have been prosecuted, or have been classed as poorly performing. Householders and companies will be able to view the list on the agencys waste hub so they can report any evidence of further illegal fly-tipping or unauthorised use of waste sites. The move is part of a crackdown on rogue waste operators by ministers who want the agency to impose more restriction notices, halt operations of suspect firms, and fine cowboy companies. A new intelligence unit will also be created within the agency to hunt down and prosecute waste criminals through aerial surveillance, and trawl through financial data to identify suspicious payments. Emma Reynolds, the Environment Secretary, said: Waste criminals are damaging our countryside, communities and economy. By handing out more Restriction Notices and enhancing enforcement tools, our teams will be more efficient in uncovering waste crime and stopping it in its tracks. Waste criminals are on notice and we are using every tool at our disposal to find them, shut down their operations and deliver justice. Philip Duffy, the agency chief executive, said: Waste crime scars our communities hard and robs the economy of 1bn every year that is simply unacceptable. Its now time for our approach to go up a gear, with faster action, hitting waste criminals in their pockets, and ensuring we identify problem sites earlier. There are an estimated 8,000 illegal waste sites containing approximately 13 million tons of rubbish across the country. Not only do they damage the environment and mean that criminals are dodging landfill taxes, but they may not observe the proper Government waste regulations to prevent fires and mitigate harm to air quality. In one case last year, three men were arrested after more than 30,000 tons of household and construction waste were dumped in Hoads Wood in Kent. Residents reported up to 30 trucks dumping illegal waste in the natural beauty spot every day for years and it eventually cost authorities 15m to clean up the rubbish pile, which measured more than 15ft high. Credit: Kent Wildlife Trust A Government survey last year found the waste industry estimated some 20 per cent of all waste in Britain was managed illegally. Just a quarter (27 per cent) of all waste crimes were reported, according to the survey. Officials said details of the named and shamed companies would put waste criminals in the spotlight so businesses and households could ensure waste is not put in the wrong hands. Under the new plans, waste companies which persistently perform poorly and fall into the lowest performance bands for two or more consecutive years will face having their permits suspended or revoked. A Government survey last year found the waste industry estimated some 20 per cent of all waste in the UK was managed illegally - Chris Radburn/PA A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: Routine checks at consistently well-performing sites will also be reduced, with efforts and inspections focused on where the risks are greatest. Ministers also want the Environment Agency to make greater use of restriction notices, which can force rogue companies to cease operating. Any breaches carry a maximum of up to a year in jail. They also want the agency to issue more fixed penalty notices of up to 1,000 on businesses mishandling waste. The centre of an ancient woodland in Kent has been used as an illegal dumping ground for processed waste for months - David Rose The new intelligence unit will work alongside the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, which comprises police, officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA), intelligence analysts and financial investigators. From July 2024 to the end of 2025, the Environment Agency secured 122 prosecutions, leading to 10 immediate custodial sentences, and shut down 1,205 illegal waste sites. Waste crime costs the economy 1bn every year, with the criminal networks behind this criminality becoming increasingly sophisticated and causing serious harm to communities and the environment. Alex Razas in hospital with meningitis. The student received treatment and was given the all-clear on Wednesday A University of Kent student spent four days in hospital battling meningitis after kissing a girl in the nightclub at the centre of the outbreak. Alex Razas, 19, had been to Club Chemistry in Canterbury, Kent, on Friday, March 13, after an evenings shift as a bartender. On Sunday morning, less than 48 hours later, the economics student said he had a really, really bad throat. He credits his friends for saving his life by insisting they take him to the hospital as his condition rapidly deteriorated. During one part of his treatment, his mother feared the worst when he took minutes to wake up in hospital. But after days of being pumped with antibiotics, he was given the all-clear and released on Wednesday evening. Mr Razas told The Telegraph: Throughout the whole day, I just started getting more and more symptoms. I started getting a really high fever. My muscles all over my body just started feeling really weak. Then my back started getting really sore and painful to the touch. Then my neck started getting really stiff and painful to the touch. And then I was feeling really bad. Alex Razas says he had a really bad throat after going to Club Chemistry - Lee Thomas His concerned friends, Alex Waights, 21, and Luisa Ivan, 19, took him to Canterbury Hospital, where they waited two hours to be seen. Mr Razas said that when his temperature was eventually taken, a doctor told him to go to the hospital in Ashford immediately because we dont have the equipment to treat you here. Mr Waights, who studies international business, drove the three of them to the William Harvey Hospital. He said the building was packed with students some of whom they recognised being treated for meningitis. Mr Waights said they were there for about four hours before doctors attend to Mr Razas. At that point, he was getting worse and worse and had no memory of Sunday evening. Club Chemistry is at the centre of the meningitis outbreak - Gareth Fuller/ 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved By then, Mr Waights and Ms Ivan had already seen news of the two infected students who had died over the weekend. Ms Ivan, who studies law, said: He was zoning in and out, not really talking much, slurred speech. I was trying to get him to stay awake, because I was really worried if [he] closed [his] eyes. Doctors eventually whisked Mr Razas away and started pumping antibiotics into his body, before telling him he had meningitis. On Monday morning, his stressed-out mother raced to his bedside from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, on being told the news. Felt like an outbreak out of a film He was told he had meningitis after a brain scan found a build-up of fluid on his brain. Describing the conditions in the hospital when visiting his friend on Tuesday, Mr Waights said: It was full of people, it felt like an outbreak out of a film. It was scary. Every single hallway had so many people that just looked half-dead. There were so many people in there with us. Every hospital, there was just students in there. A student receives the Meningitis B vaccine at the University of Kent - Dan Kitwood/2026 Getty Images For Mr Razas, the worst time in hospital was when he was so unresponsive that medics struggled to wake him up. According to my mum, the nurses were trying to wake me up for minutes, and I wasnt waking up, he said. The really unresponsive Mr Razas eventually came around after his panicked mother shook his shoulders. On Wednesday evening, doctors carried out a lumbar puncture, the initial results of which have now cleared him of meningitis. They told him the antibiotics would probably have treated the condition, before discharging him. Mr Razas said the meningitis was definitely from kissing at Club Chemistry, but said the woman had not been taken ill herself. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, warned earlier this week that it could spread through kissing or sharing vapes and drinks. Meningitis can be transmitted by asymptomatic carriers, infecting anyone of any age, but is most common in babies, children and young adults, particularly students of university age. The strain in question is meningitis B, or MenB, a serious type of bacterial infection. Mr Razas credits his friends for saving his life, particularly Ms Ivan, who first suggested they went to the hospital just to be sure. She said at one point he was not responding to his name. Mr Razas said: If it wasnt for them I would have gone back to my accommodation. I would have gone back to sleep and God knows what would have happened. They saved my life. Health officials said the number of cases rose from 20 on Wednesday to 27 on Thursday, including a student at a London animation college and students at four schools in Kent. The latest figure represents a 35 per cent jump in infections in one day. A close up of Carol Ann Moritz of Daytona Beach looking emotional as she talks about the devastating effects of being scammed out of her entire nest egg for retirement. Scammers are increasingly targeting older Americans, and a single convincing phone call can wipe out decades of savings. Carol Ann Moritz of Daytona Beach, Florida believed she was helping protect her bank account from fraud when she followed instructions from callers who claimed to be investigating suspicious activity. Instead, she ended up wiring more than $135,000 nearly all of her retirement savings to scammers posing as bank officials and federal agents. Must Read Im terrified. I cant eat. I cant sleep, Moritz told WFTV (1). That was my nest egg. Understanding how these scams work can help you avoid becoming the next victim. Heres what to watch for and how to stay protected. How the scam unfolded The ordeal began with a phone call from someone claiming to represent Fifth Third Bank. The caller warned Moritz that someone in Akron, Ohio, was attempting to access her account. At first, the conversation sounded routine. The caller asked Moritz to verify her identity. When she said she couldnt remember her password, the caller transferred her to a supposed supervisor. The supervisor claimed the bank was cooperating with a federal investigation involving employees who were stealing customer funds. Soon after, Moritz was connected to a third person who claimed to be an FBI agent. The scammers even sent official-looking messages describing the supposed investigation, further reinforcing the illusion that the situation was legitimate. Retired FBI special agent Keith Givens, now a cyber fraud consultant, says involving multiple people in a coordinated call is common in sophisticated scams. The more sophisticated teams will use multiple people, Givens said in the report. They feel if they use more than one person and put the victim on hold, it adds legitimacy. Believing she was helping investigators catch corrupt bank employees, Moritz was instructed to wire more than $135,000 to a Bank of America account in South Florida. The payment was disguised as a business purchase as part of the supposed sting operation. It wasnt until the next day, while travelling out of state, that Moritz realized something was wrong. By the time she contacted her bank, the money had already been moved, making recovery extremely difficult. I have enough to pay the bills, she said. But I dont have enough for a nice life anymore. Read More: Non-millionaires can now invest in this $1B private real estate fund starting at just $10 Read More: 5 essential money moves to make once youve saved $50,000 Why seniors are increasingly targeted Cases like Moritzs are becoming more common. Kris Edwards, head of fraud prevention at Fifth Third Bank, said impersonation scams targeting customers have surged dramatically in recent years. Advertisement According to the bank, the number of these scams tripled between 2024 and 2025, and the trend appears to be accelerating. FTC data shows that reports of impersonation scammers stealing tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars from older adults have increased more than fourfold. Combined losses amounted to $55 million in 2020 and $445 million in 2024 (2). Scammers often target retirees because they may have accumulated savings and are more likely to answer calls from institutions they trust, such as banks or government agencies (3). The one thing for people to be aware of is theyre always pushing the sense of urgency and that you have to take action, Edwards said. Warning signs and how to protect yourself Banks generally do not call customers and ask them to move money to a safe account, share security codes or withdraw funds to prevent fraud. Requests like these are strong indicators of a scam. If you receive an unsolicited call about suspicious activity, hang up and contact your bank directly using the number on the back of your debit or credit card. Consumers should also be cautious if: The caller claims to represent multiple organizations, such as a bank and the FBI. You are asked to wire money, buy gift cards or send cryptocurrency. The caller pressures you to act quickly or keep the situation secret. If fraud does occur, time matters. Victims should immediately report the incident to their bank, local law enforcement and the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center. For Moritz, that opportunity passed too quickly. Her case remains open, but recovering the funds appears unlikely a harsh reminder of how devastating modern fraud schemes can be. Every now and then I just break into tears, she said. Everything makes me afraid. 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. WFTV (1); FTC (2); Seniors Advocate (3) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. HIVE Digital Technologies has achieved a major milestone in its artificial intelligence strategy. The company officially announced that its BUZZ AI Cloud platform in Asuncion, Paraguay, is now operational. Currently, an academic research team from Columbia University in New York is using the platforms GPU compute nodes to power its latest studies. Related: Bitcoin mining company HIVE targets $200 million revenue with new AI expansion A bridge between New York and Paraguay This deployment is the first of its kind for HIVE in Paraguay. It uses a Tier-III data center provided by the nation's largest telecommunications provider. This facility was built specifically to handle AI model training and intense research. HIVE is using this partnership to create a "proof of concept" for high-speed cloud computing between New York and Asuncion. The Columbia researchers are using the BUZZ Cloud to train Large Language Models (LLMs). Their work includes training models that range from 0.2 billion parameters to over 8 billion parameters. They are currently developing special algorithms, known as Muon and MuonClip, which improve AI quality while lowering costs. Advertisement Early tests show these methods are 1.3 times more efficient than standard baselines. This provides HIVE with important real-world data on how to manage global AI workloads over long distances. Trending on TheStreet Roundtable: Paraguay as a high-tech frontier Paraguay is an ideal location for this technology because of its massive hydroelectric power and nationwide fiber-optic network. HIVE already has a 300-megawatt renewable energy base in the country, with another 100 megawatts currently being developed. Interestingly, the President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena, earned his Masters degree from Columbia University in 2003, creating a unique link between the school and the nation. The path to 2027 HIVEs leadership views this as a vital step in their long-term growth. Executive Chairman Frank Holmes described the move as a way to "beta test" before building a full-scale AI factory. "Before scaling an AI factory, it's prudent to beta test. This deployment marks our first live GPU compute workload in Asuncion and provides the real- world performance data we need to guide our Tier-III expansion roadmap," Holmes said. He noted that adding AI tools to their existing energy base is the next phase for the business. CEO Aydin Kilic added that having a world-class research team use the BUZZ Cloud is a powerful validation of the project. "We are taking a meaningful and impactful approach to developing a solution to being a leader of GPU AI compute and HPC in South America," Kilic added. The company plans to use the data gathered from this research to build a roadmap for large-scale computing capacity in Paraguay by the year 2027. Related: HIVE chairman bets on market math to drive record results This story was originally published by TheStreet on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Innovation section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here. LACI Secures Funding from Barclays, ConEd, and National Grid, Reinforcing LACI's Focus on Climate Innovation and Economic Mobility in NYC, including via Emerging Programming at BATWorks; New Support Also Strengthens the Climate Innovation Partnership Between the Nation's Two Largest Cities NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)which led the consortium that in May 2025 was announced by New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to lead the BATWorks climate innovation hub in Brooklyntoday announced a series of milestones that: Advanced zero emissions delivery in NYC. Through the City Climate Innovation Challenge to which NYC applied and was selected to be part of a 9-city cohort, LACI has provided a paid research fellow to advance the indirect source rule passed by City Council and funded $150k in related last-mile pilots including from PopWheels and Whizz. Through the City Climate Innovation Challenge to which NYC applied and was selected to be part of a 9-city cohort, LACI has provided a paid research fellow to advance the indirect source rule passed by City Council and funded $150k in related last-mile pilots including from PopWheels and Whizz. Increased access to capital for Brooklyn-based startups. Through the LACI Cleantech Debt Fund, LACI provided loans of $600,000, including Stax. Increasing capital across the ecosystem helps advance transportation electrification in the region. Through the LACI Cleantech Debt Fund, LACI provided loans of $600,000, including Stax. Increasing capital across the ecosystem helps advance transportation electrification in the region. Created new funding partnerships. Through new philanthropic and sponsorship commitments, LACI deepened partnerships in NYC with Barclays, ConEd, and National Grid to further accelerate climate innovation and economic mobility on the ground in Sunset Park and across the five boroughs. The funding also further strengthened the partnership on climate innovation between the two largest cities in America, NYC and LA. "Thanks to our new startup, fellow incubator, and corporate partners, LACI is excited to build on our partnership with the NYC Mayor's Office, DOT, DEP, and EDC to scale our work in NYC," said Matt Petersen, LACI President and CEO. "Building on the model we created with the City of LA, we are excited to lean in to accelerate equitable climate action and advance economic justice in NYC with other cities across America." In NYC, LACI's unique model of startup incubation, pilots along with public-private partnerships, and workforce training aims to deliver measurable emissions reductions and community benefits through the following: Advancing zero-emissions goods movement in NYC. Over the past year, LACI has deepened its work in New York City through the first cohort of the City Climate Innovation Challenge, focused on zero-emissions delivery. Working with cities representing more than 55 million Americans, LACI is helping scale climate solutions while supporting local implementation. In NYC, LACI provided technical expertise and stakeholder engagement to advance zero-emissions goods movement, including a fellow to support for the City's development of an Indirect Source Rule (ISR) to address pollution from trucks traveling to and from warehouses. LACI also helped scale NYC-based innovation beyond the city by partnering with the Washington, DC Department of Transportation to deploy startups Whizz and PopWheels in DC, supported by $150,000 in non-dilutive pilot funding from the Rockefeller Foundation. Increasing access to capital for Brooklyn-based startups. LACI is also expanding access to capital for climate tech founders in New York City's growing green economy. Through the LACI Cleantech Debt Fund, the organization has deployed $600,000 across three loansincluding to Brooklyn-based companieshelping startups scale solutions, grow their businesses, and create local jobs. LACI has also strengthened the regional startup ecosystem by adding two New Yorkarea incubator partners whose portfolio companies can access the Debt Fund: SecondMuse (Venture for ClimateTech and Scale for ClimateTech) and SOSV. Creating new partnerships and expanding on-the-ground impact. At the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park, LACI now manages the Pilots at BAT program, BATWorks' initiative providing climate tech companies with real-world infrastructure to test and scale solutions in New York City's urban environment. Under LACI's leadership, applications to the program have grown fourfold, expanding the pipeline of technologies with the potential to deliver environmental and economic benefits. New philanthropic and corporate partners are helping expand pilots, support a new K-12 climate education experience with local organizations such as the Center for Family Life, and plan future workforce programs through BATWorks and the Sunset Park Economic Mobility Network led by the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC). "This partnership is a testament to our steadfast commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and fostering innovation. By empowering startup businesses at the Brooklyn Army Terminal to accelerate the commercialization of climate technology, we are driving the growth of a vibrant cleantech ecosystem, creating jobs, reducing emissions, and positioning New York City as a leader in the transition to a sustainable future," said Katie Newcombe, New York Director of Economic Development, National Grid. "BATWorks is building real momentum and delivering early results that show what's possible when public, private, and community partners come together around a shared vision for an inclusive green economy," said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. "From new capital flowing to NYCbased climate companies to the launch of the Sunset Park Economic Mobility Network, we're proud to partner with LACI to accelerate green industrial growth and climate resilience along the South Brooklyn waterfrontwhile connecting Sunset Park residents to real economic opportunity through quality jobs and training." "We're pleased to support LACI's workforce development efforts in New York City," said Mark Thain, Head of Citizenship Americas at Barclays. "This work helps prepare and connect New Yorkers to careers in fastgrowing sectors, supporting economic mobility and access to quality jobs," "LACI's climate efforts at BATWorks are an important part of the constellation of investments supporting and growing the green economy on our industrial waterfront in South Brooklyn," said Miquela Craytor, Interim Executive Director of SBIDC. "SBIDC remains committed to integrating thoughtful workforce and business program design into LACI's efforts to support new entrepreneurs coming to our community and ensuring that existing legacy industrial businesses and their essential workers have access to the tools and connections to play a meaningful role in the green economy." "Events and partnerships that convene innovators to accelerate the deployment of new clean energy solutions are an essential part of New York State's energy transition," said Brandon Owens, Vice President of New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). "Together, partners across sectors are signaling support to meet the business needs of entrepreneurs, make investments to grow a strong supply chain, add jobs, and expand energy options for consumers." ABOUT LACI: The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is unlocking innovation by scaling cleantech startups, transforming markets through catalytic partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders, and enhancing communities through workforce training, pilots and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP) in 2011, LACI has helped 537 portfolio companies raise over $1.5 billion in funding, generated $477 million in revenue, and created 2,626 jobs throughout the Los Angeles region, with a long-term economic impact of more than $733 million. ABOUT BATWORKS: BATWorks is a cutting-edge climate innovation hub at the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT), providing the space, infrastructure, and support startups need to go from prototype to market-ready. BATWorks aligns local workforce training and community initiatives with climate innovation efforts to drive shared growth for Sunset Park and beyond. NYCEDC has appointed a consortium led by LACI and the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) to design and operate BATWorks, which will allow LACI to grow the unique partnerships and programs born in Los Angeles and grow national programs, to position New York City as a leader in the green economy. As the climate program operator, LACI will manage "Pilots at BAT" while advising NYCEDC on future climate programming at BATWorks. Additional BATWorks consortium partners include the City University of New York (CUNY) and New York University (NYU). Cameron Edinburgh [email protected] (213) 358-6500 Ext. 6623 SOURCE LACI Aguilar was wanted in connection with the murder of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio A leading figure in one of Ecuador's biggest drug-trafficking gangs has been arrested in Mexico City, officials say. Angel Esteban Aguilar Morales - better known as Lobo Menor, or Little Wolf - was wanted in connection with the murder of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023, Ecuador's interior minister John Reimberg said. He added that Aguilar had obtained papers using a fake Colombian identity. Mexico's security minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said the member of cartel Los Lobos had been the subject of an Interpol red notice and was "linked to drug trafficking, extortion, and homicide". Colombian President Gustavo Petro called him "one of the world's most notorious assassins". "This result represents a significant blow against transnational organised crime and confirms the effectiveness of trilateral co-operation between Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico in the fight against multi-crime networks," he said. Villavicencio, a member of the country's national assembly and a former journalist who had campaigned against corruption, was shot dead as he was leaving a rally in the capital, Quito, in August 2023. Five people linked to Los Lobos, including the leader of one of its cells, Carlos Edwin Angulo, were jailed for his murder a year later. Prosecutors alleged that Angulo - widely known as The Invisible - ordered the hit from the Quito prison in which he is detained, a claim he has denied. Advertisement Aguilar is one of several Los Lobos lieutenants under the group's ultimate leader, Wilmer "Pipo" Chavarria Barre, who faked his own death to escape prison before being captured in Spain in 2025. Aguilar was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2013 for the murder of the brother of Ecuador's former interior minister Jose Serrano. Prosecutors allege Aguilar was among the men who ordered the hit on Villavicencio but was able to flee after being granted parole, according to Mexican newspaper El Universal. At the time of his arrest, he had been identifying himself as Juan Carlos Montero Mestre, and was followed by Ecuadorean and Colombian police from the Colombian cities of Medellin and Itagui over a period of two months, Ecuadorean news site Primicias reports. Ecuador, one of the main conduits through which South American drugs are trafficked, has sought to align itself closer to the US under President Daniel Noboa, who has frequently used the military to crack down on crime. The Trump administration - which has often cited combatting drug trafficking as its justification for military action in and around Latin America - declared Los Lobos a Foreign Terrorist Organisation last year, accusing it of "terrorising and inflicting brutal violence on the Ecuadorean people". It is said to have deep connections to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Mexico. Ecuador's location - sandwiched between Colombia and Peru, the world's largest producers of cocaine - has turned it into a key transit country for the illicit drug. Around 70% of the cocaine produced in Colombia and Peru is estimated to be shipped through Ecuador. James Paul Gracey Facebook/Therese Marren Gracey A 20-year-old American college student has gone missing while visiting Spain during spring break. James Paul "Jimmy" Gracey, a resident of Elmhurst, Illinois, who is a junior at the University of Alabama, was last seen around 3 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, in Barcelona, at the beachfront Shoko nightclub in the Port Olimpic area. Local authorities, including Catalonias Mossos dEsquadra police, confirmed an open investigation into the disappearance. His cell phone has been recovered, but details regarding how it was found remain unclear. Gracey, an Honors Accounting student who was visiting friends studying abroad, reportedly stayed behind at the club when his friends left for the night. He never returned to his Airbnb, located near Ronda de Sant Pere, prompting an urgent search. Gracey is described as 6-foot-1, approximately 175 pounds, with curly dark hair. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants (likely joggers), and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross, his mother wrote on Facebook. Advertisement His parents have issued desperate pleas for help. His father has already arrived in Barcelona to assist with the search, while his mother is en route. My college-aged son is visiting friends who are studying abroad. They went to Shoko last night. The police have his phone, but he never made it back to his Airbnb, his mother, Therese Marren Gracey, wrote on Facebook. If anyone has seen this guy, please call me or message me. Please share. Back in Alabama, Theta Chi, Gracey's fraternity, is working with US Senate members and the White House to raise awareness and increase search efforts. The University of Alabama has confirmed that the student is enrolled at the school and stated they are in contact with his family to offer support. Check back with Daily Voice for updates. Lone wolf attackers inspired by extremist ideologies pose the most likely terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland, according to the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The 34-page document was released by Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard Wednesday. She testified at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats alongside other key military and Trump administration officials. The 2025 threat assessment similarly warned that terrorist threats to the U.S. increasingly come from individuals acting alone or in small groups. The new report says ISIS and al Qaeda remain intent on targeting the United States, but their ability to plan and execute complex attacks has been significantly degraded over time. Critical Swing State Candidates Reveal Where They Stand On Dhs Funding After Suspected Terror Attacks (From left to right) FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Lt. Gen. James Adams III, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Army Lt. Gen. William Hartman and CIA Director John Ratcliffe testify during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats at the Hart Senate Office Building March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images) Officials warn that individuals radicalized online are increasingly carrying out or attempting attacks with little direction, often using simple tactics and requiring minimal coordination. Read On The Fox News App "Jihadist narratives that address personal grievances may be attractive to individuals seeking validation of violent desires or moral clarity, even if they lack familiarity with Islam. Such content normalizes intolerance of other beliefs and persons and attracts followers to Islamism," the threat report states. "Anti-Western and anti-Semitic narratives probably influence Muslim youths facing integration challenges or who are disaffected by the Wests role abroad, including with the IsraelHAMAS conflict." Advertisement It notes that al Qaeda and ISIS have expanded in recent years primarily through local conflicts in Africa, where some of their largest and most violent affiliates are now based. Deadly Blasts At Market And Hospital Raise Fears Of Renewed Boko Haram Insurgency In Nigeria Soldiers of the Somalia National Army walk near the front lines in Sabiid, a town recaptured from the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militants in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region Nov. 11, 2025. The intelligence community is continuing to monitor developments in the Middle East, particularly how the terrorism landscape may evolve after Operation Epic Fury, according to the assessment. DNI Gabbard told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that stricter border enforcement has helped limit terrorist access to the U.S. and lowered the risk of potential attacks. Old Dominion University Rotc Cadets Disarm Isis Supporter Shouting Allahu Akbar During Shooting: Officials Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats at the Hart Senate Office Building March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Click Here To Download The Fox News App "Since January, U.S. officials have only had a handful of encounters at our borders with individuals associated with terrorist groups. This is a positive trend," she said. "However, our Interagency coordinated efforts to continue to identify, locate and remove known or suspected terrorists who may already be in the United States continues with vigilance. "In 2025, there were at least three Islamist terrorist attacks in the United States. Law enforcement disrupted at least 15 U.S.-based Islamist terrorist plotters. Roughly half of last year's disrupted plotters had some online contact with Islamist terrorists." Original article source: Lone wolf attackers pose most likely terror threat to US homeland, intelligence report reiterates NATO allies are declining to join a potential effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, frustrating President Donald Trump and prompting questions among some U.S. officials about the alliances reliability in a major global crisis. Trump has warned the Hormuz standoff with Iran could have serious consequences for NATO, arguing that allies benefit from global security without sharing the burden. "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 on Truth Social Tuesday. "We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," he said. Iran Holds World Energy Hostage With 'Nightmare' Strait Of Hormuz Sea Mines, Former Centcom Official Warns The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for the global economy, carrying about 20% of the worlds oil supply. Even limited disruption can send energy prices soaring and strain economies worldwide. Read On The Fox News App Though NATOs core mission is regional defense, allied involvement in securing the strait would demonstrate whether the alliance can project power beyond Europe or whether it relies primarily on the U.S. to safeguard global commerce. The frustration is spreading beyond the White House. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said the lack of allied support "makes me second guess the value of these alliances," warning the repercussions could be "wide and deep." Trump also has questioned the future 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," he told the Financial Times. Iran War Jeopardizes Trump Economic Boom Before Key Midterm Elections France has declined to participate in Iran combat operations, with President Emmanuel Macron saying any potential escort mission would only take place once the situation stabilizes. (Getty Images) European allies, however, have shown little willingness to join a U.S.-led military effort against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that serves as the primary transit route for roughly 20% of the worlds oil supply. The current standoff follows escalating U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, raising fears Tehran could retaliate by disrupting shipping through the strait using naval mines, drones or fast-attack vessels. Insurance companies have begun refusing to insure ships traversing the strait and a very limited number of ships have passed since the start of the U.S.-led mission against Iran known as Operation Epic Fury. The United Kingdom has ruled out sending warships into the Strait of Hormuz or nearby Iranian waters, signaling it will avoid direct involvement in combat operations. Instead, British officials have discussed more limited support, including the use of minesweeping drones unmanned systems designed to detect and help neutralize naval mines, which Iran historically has used as a low-cost way to threaten commercial shipping. While such systems can help keep sea lanes open, they are typically used after mines are deployed and do not deter attacks in real time. The U.K. has permitted the U.S. to use two of its military bases Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and Royal Air Force Fairford in England for "specific and limited" defensive actions against Iran. Diego Garcia has long served as a staging ground for U.S. long-range bomber operations and logistics in the Middle East, while RAF Fairford is one of the few European bases capable of hosting U.S. strategic bombers, including B-52 and B-2 aircraft, which can be used for strike missions or deterrence patrols. France similarly has declined to participate in combat operations, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying any potential escort mission would only take place once the situation stabilizes. Germany has taken an even firmer stance, ruling out involvement entirely and emphasizing that NATO is a defensive alliance not designed for intervention in conflicts like the current Iran crisis. While larger European allies have declined to participate, some smaller partners have signaled a willingness to contribute. Estonias foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said the country is prepared to discuss how it could assist if Washington makes a formal request. Ukraine also has moved to provide expertise and technology to counter Iranian drone attacks, including low-cost interceptor drones and battlefield-tested air defense tactics developed during its war with Russia. U.S. and Gulf partners already have requested Ukrainian assistance, with Kyiv signaling it is prepared to share both systems and personnel to help defend against Iranian aerial threats. "Estonia joined NATO barely 20 years ago, Ukraine isnt even a member, and they're both ready to roll," one European policy analyst said. "Meanwhile, the rest of Europe is still debating how to form a committee to form a working group to study the matter." The Strait of Hormuz a critical choke point for global energy supplies has seen shipping disrupted amid the escalating conflict, with tanker movements slowing or halting after repeated attacks and threats from Iran. The waterway carries roughly 20% of the worlds oil and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas, and the disruption has pushed crude prices above $100 per barrel. The Trump administration has said the U.S. could deploy naval escorts to protect commercial tankers, but so far has not done so as officials weigh the risks and resources required. Naval capability across Europe is uneven, with only a handful of countries particularly the United Kingdom and France able to deploy the kind of assets required for a high-risk mission in the region. Advertisement "Only England and France really have any type of naval power that could be helpful," said Harley Lippman, a geopolitical analyst who regularly engages with Gulf leaders, adding that other European navies are "too small and too weak." Securing the narrow waterway likely would require naval escorts, air and missile defense, and mine-clearing capabilities, all while operating within range of Iranian forces. A satellite image shows the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of the worlds oil and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas, and the disruption has pushed crude prices above $100 per barrel. (Getty Images) "There are significant operational considerations. It is not a simple operating environment," said Kristine Berzina, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, a Washington-based think tank focused on transatlantic relations. "But theres also an overarching political climate" shaping decisions about involvement. That broader context includes concerns about escalation, as well as differences over how the conflict began and how it should be handled. European officials were not involved in the initial decision-making around the current U.S.Iran military operation, and several governments have emphasized de-escalation and diplomatic engagement rather than direct participation. Some countries are pursuing alternative approaches, including diplomatic efforts to secure safe passage through the strait, while others are wary of entering a crowded and volatile operating environment where miscalculation could trigger a wider conflict. Domestic political pressures and competing priorities also play a role, as European governments remain focused on security challenges closer to home, particularly Russia and the war in Ukraine. Berzina said the situation also reflects the limits of the alliance itself. "NATO is a defensive alliance," she said. "Once you get to the Middle East, youre looking at the capabilities of individual allies." Lippman argued that Europes reliance on energy flows through the region makes the current reluctance difficult to justify. "They benefit from the oil coming out of the Strait of Hormuz more than we do," he said. The Trump administration has said the U.S. could deploy naval escorts to protect commercial tankers, but so far has not done so as officials weigh the risks and resources required. While U.S. consumers may feel more immediate price spikes, Europe is more exposed to longer-term disruptions due to its reliance on imported natural gas and limited ability to quickly replace supply. Hormuz Erupts: Attacks, Gps Jamming, Houthi Threats Rock Strait Amid Us-israeli Strikes Even if allies chose to participate, coordination would be a major hurdle. "Who controls under what rules of engagement is as important as whether participants have enough ships," she said. The tensions come amid broader questions about the strength and expectations of the transatlantic alliance. Eu Pushes For End Of Iran War In A Manner Where 'Everybody Saves Face' Trump long has been critical of NATO, repeatedly arguing that the United States bears a disproportionate share of the burden and questioning whether allies would come to Americas defense in a crisis. The U.S. has played a leading role in supporting Ukraine following Russias invasion a conflict with direct implications for European security while European allies have contributed significant aid and resources. But European governments are quick to note that after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, NATO invoked its collective defense clause for the first time in response to an attack on the United States. European allies also deployed forces to Afghanistan alongside U.S. troops and sustained significant casualties over the course of the war. Click Here To Download The Fox News App The current standoff may signal a broader shift in how the U.S. and Europe approach security cooperation. "This is a moment of recalibration," Berzina said. "Well see negotiations over the roles Europeans would be willing to consider." Trumps push to acquire Greenland, territory of NATO ally Denmark, has already exposed fault lines within the alliance, with European leaders pushing back forcefully and warning the move risked undermining unity at a time of rising global threats. Those tensions are now colliding with the crisis in the Middle East, as the U.S. looks for allied support in the Strait of Hormuz and finds limited appetite among key European partners. At the same time, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could hand a strategic advantage to Russia. Any sustained spike in global oil prices driven by threats to shipping through the waterway would boost Moscows energy revenues as it continues its war in Ukraine under Western sanctions. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" on the matter, "We're paying these countries billions of dollars, in our troops on their soil, (serving) as a deterrent for them. And the president wants the American taxpayer and our American military to be treated fairly. He feels sometimes with NATO, they are not." "And he's right to call that out, and he's right to call on them to step up and do more," she said. NATO could not immediately be reached for comment. Original article source: NATO heavyweights balk at Hormuz mission as Trump warns alliance at risk Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday replaced a longtime loyalist military official, as she continues to make changes to her cabinet amid relations with the Trump administration. General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, 65, will replace General Vladimir Padrino as defense minister, who held the position for more than a decade, Reuters reported. In a Telegram post, Rodriguez thanked Padrino for his service and said he would be given new responsibilities. Maduro's Son Gives 'Unconditional Support' To Newly Sworn In Interim Venezuela President Lopez, who is among several officials sanctioned by the United States and European Union for human rights violations and corruption, was appointed by Rodriguez in January as the head of the presidential guard and the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). Trump Issues Direct Warning To Venezuela's New Leader Delcy Rodriguez Following Maduro Capture Advertisement Read On The Fox News App He previously worked with Rodriguez as head of strategic affairs at PDVSA, the state-owned oil company, which she previously oversaw as energy minister. Padrino had also been sanctioned by the U.S. over alleged drug trafficking and his support for ousted President Nicolas Maduro. Despite the U.S. intervention, Venezuela's repressive apparatus remains intact, the United Nations said last week. The government has repeatedly denied allegations of human rights and political oppression. Then-Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, left, smiles at Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, as they take the route that the body of late President Hugo Chavez followed to his final resting place, during the activities marking the 10th anniversary of Chavez's death, in Caracas, Venezuela, March 15, 2023. (AP Images) Click Here To Download The Fox News App The United States recently restored diplomatic relations with the South American nation following years of heightened tensions between the two states. Original article source: Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez replaces sanctioned loyalist defense minister with military intel head FAIRFAX, Va., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What should homeowners consider when choosing between a licensed contractor and an unlicensed contractor? HelloNation has published a HelloNation article that provides clear guidance on how Virginia law supports homeowner protection and reduces construction risks. Nathan Rowitz, President Speed Speed The HelloNation article explains that Virginia law establishes strict requirements for becoming a licensed contractor. These requirements include education, testing, and state evaluation to confirm that contractors are qualified to perform work that affects structural safety. By meeting these standards, a licensed contractor demonstrates accountability and competence, providing an important layer of homeowner protection. The article describes how the risks of hiring an unlicensed contractor often become apparent when problems arise. Work performed outside of Virginia law can leave homeowners responsible for correcting errors or unfinished projects. The article notes that without proper licensing, homeowners may face financial strain and limited recovery options when construction issues arise. A key point discussed in the article is the Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund. This program is available only when a licensed contractor performs the work. The HelloNation article explains that the fund provides financial relief in cases involving fraud or improper actions. Homeowners who choose an unlicensed contractor lose access to this homeowner protection, which can be critical for resolving disputes. Payment structure is another factor highlighted in the article. A licensed contractor typically provides written agreements, clear timelines, and structured payment schedules tied to project progress. The article explains that requests for full payment upfront or reluctance to provide written terms may indicate that a contractor is unlicensed. These warning signs suggest increased risk and reduced accountability. Building permits are also central to the discussion. The HelloNation article explains that licensed contractors understand the importance of securing proper building permits in Fairfax Virginia. These permits ensure that work complies with safety codes and is documented for future property transactions. When a contractor dismisses the need for building permits without evaluation, the article notes that this may signal an unlicensed contractor attempting to avoid oversight. The article further explains that missing building permits can lead to complications during inspections or property sales. Homeowners may be required to correct undocumented work, resulting in additional expenses and delays. A licensed contractor helps prevent these issues by following established procedures that align with Virginia law. Insurance coverage is another major distinction outlined in the article. Licensed contractors carry insurance that protects against property damage or on-site injuries. The HelloNation article notes that without this coverage, homeowners may be held financially responsible for accidents. This reinforces why Virginia law requires licensing as a safeguard for both property owners and workers. Contracting Expert Nathan Rowitz is featured in the article, which emphasizes that choosing between a licensed contractor and an unlicensed contractor is not simply a cost decision. The article explains that homeowner protection depends on compliance with legal standards, proper documentation, and verified credentials. The HelloNation article concludes that verifying licensing status is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk. Homeowners who take time to confirm credentials gain access to protections such as the Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund and benefit from structured project management. This approach supports safer construction outcomes and long-term property value. Licensed Contractor or Risky Choice? features insights from Nathan Rowitz, Contracting Expert of Fairfax, Virginia, in HelloNation. About HelloNation HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content with storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. SOURCE HelloNation Australia-based customer experience (CX) consultancy Act XM is among a few companies to receive top accolades at Qualtrics first Partner of the Year awards. Handed out at the vendors X4 Summit 2026, the awards recognise partners that surpass technical deployment and move towards lasting transformation, unlocking advanced capabilities, and push the boundaries of whats possible in todays AI shaped world, according to Qualtrics. Our partners are at the heart of how customers experience the full power of Qualtrics. This inaugural class represents the best of our global ecosystem, and Im proud to celebrate them, said Qualtrics executive vice president of global sales and partnerships Sean Holcombe. Among the five categories and nine winners is the Sydney-based Act XM, which received the Partner of the Year award for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region. The vendor said it led the way with its launch of Partner Success Packages across Australia and New Zealand, consistently helping organisation act on employee and customer insights. This included the partners work in modernising employee listening for local government services in Australia to embedding real-time Qualtrics dashboards at a major Australian financial institution. Winning Partner of the Year is a meaningful moment for us it validates the work our team does every day with our clients and with Qualtrics and reinforces our belief that when the right technology is combined with expertise and practical execution, real impact follows, said Act XM managing director Antonia Calvo. The announcement was made in a message released today on the tenth anniversary of the promulgation of Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. The initiative calls for synodal discernment in light of what is being accomplished in local Churches. Let us learn to evoke the beauty of the vocation to marriage while acknowledging its fragility. Without families, the Church cannot become the salt of the earth. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Leo XIV released a message today, the day the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph, on the tenth anniversary of the promulgation of the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, the document on conjugal love written by Pope Francis at the end of the Synod of Bishops, which in 2014 and 2015 dedicated two sessions to the theme of the family. In it, the pontiff writes that, In light of the changes that continue to impact families, I have decided to convene the presidents of the Episcopal Conferences from around the world in October 2026, in an effort to proceed, in mutual listening, to a synodal discernment on the steps to be taken in order to proclaim the Gospel to families today, in light of Amoris Laetitia and taking into account what is currently being done in the local Churches. The 2015 apostolic exhortation is a long and detailed text on the vocation to marriage in today's society, centred on a reinterpretation of Saint Paul's Hymn to Charity (1 Cor 13) in the actual lives of spouses and childrens education. But Amoris Laetitia is also a document that sparked discussion within the Church due to Pope Francis's invitation to exercise "discernment" in the face of the individual situations of couples who find themselves in "irregular" situations after the failure of a previous marriage. This included an invitation to the Christian community not only to accompany them with respect and openness, but, in some cases (as suggested in a note to the text), also with access to the Sacraments to be considered not as a reward for the perfect, but a generous remedy and nourishment for the weak. Ten years later, Pope Leo calls on the faithful, first of all, to give thanks to the Lord for the stimulus that has encouraged reflection and pastoral conversion in the Church, and ask God for the courage to persevere on this path, always welcoming the Gospel anew in the joy of being able to proclaim it to all. The pontiff notes that Amoris Laetitia was the fruit of a journey of listening to families, heeding their joys and their hopes, their sorrows and their anguish, whom Francis wanted to personally involve in the synodal journey. Leo stresses his predecessor's call to develop new pastoral methods for the family and to strengthen children's education, while inviting the Church to "accompany, discern and integrate fragility," to overcome a reductive conception of the norm. For the pontiff, To serve the mission of proclaiming the Gospel of the family to younger generations, we must learn to evoke the beauty of the vocation to marriage precisely in the recognition of fragility, so as to reawaken trust in Gods grace and the Christian desire for holiness. To this end, We must also support families, especially those suffering from the many forms of poverty and violence present in contemporary society. The pope goes on to thank the pastors, pastoral workers, associations of the faithful, and ecclesial movements involved in family ministry. Our era, he tells them, is marked by rapid changes which make it necessary, even more than ten years ago, to give particular pastoral attention to families, to whom the Lord entrusts the task of participating in the Churchs mission of proclaiming and witnessing to the Gospel. There are, in fact, places and circumstances in which the Church can become the salt of the earth only through the lay faithful and, in particular, through families. For this reason, the Churchs commitment in this area must be renewed and deepened, so that those whom the Lord calls to marriage and family life can, in Christ, fully live out their conjugal love, and that young people may feel attracted, within the Church, to the beauty of the vocation to marriage. Hence, the pope is convening the new appointment next October, which he entrusts on today's feast to Saint Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family of Nazareth. by Sumon Corraya The Arab states in the Gulf region, which are home to millions of Asian workers, are the main targets of Iranian attacks. In Bangladesh some families are unable to contact their relatives, unable to leave because of flight cancellations, while Arab countries are trying to be flexible with visas and tax rules. Dhaka (AsiaNews) I cant contact my husband in Kuwait. There was a missile attack near their workplace on 5 March. A Bengali worker, Zahed Hossain, was killed. We are extremely worried, said Priyanti Rozario, a Catholic. Her words reflect the fear now shared by thousands of Bangladeshi families separated from their loved ones working in the Middle East. The Gulf Arab monarchies are home to large numbers of foreign workers, and continue to be the target of waves of attacks as a result of the widening war between Israel, the United States, and Iran. Iranian missiles and drones have struck bases and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq. Despite propaganda by Western influencers living in these countries, governments have asked people to stay home, while air travel has been reduced, leaving migrant workers and their families in a state of great uncertainty. For families like Priyanti Rozario's, every day without news increases the fear that their loved ones may never return home, casualties of this sudden war. With five million workers, Bangladesh has one of the world's largest migrant communities in the Gulf and the Middle East, employed primarily in construction, domestic work, transportation, and industry. According to official data, seven Bangladeshi migrants have lost their lives so far: one in Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, and Iraq, and three in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, for weeks, families back home have been living in anguish, waiting for a phone call that may never arrive. Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, traditionally a time of joy and reunion, is marred by anxiety this year. Currently, new workers are not allowed to enter the region, while those wishing to return home for Eid are unable to travel. The United Arab Emirates is proposing to maintain the tax regime unchanged for those who intend to leave the country for a longer period before they return. However, since 28 February, hundreds of flights have been cancelled. Nearly 40,000 workers are unable to reach their workplaces, jeopardising their contracts and visa requirements. About 67 per cent of Bangladeshi migrants work in Saudi Arabia. Data from Bangladeshs Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) confirms the country's dependence on the Gulf: in January alone, 95,092 people moved to the region, including 65,410 to Saudi Arabia, 5,912 to Qatar, and 2,610 to Kuwait. In February, the number dropped to 65,629, while in the first 17 days of March, it further decreased to 33,805. Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have extended expired entry visas by one month. Bangladesh's Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment issued instructions to workers with expired visas, encouraging them to contact their employers or apply for document renewals online, despite the highly volatile situation. According to Gulf states, work has not completely halted, although some construction sites and production facilities have been temporarily closed. Recruitment agencies have already reported significant economic losses, but some experts say that if the conflict were to continue, it would have serious consequences for the labour market. Even if a fraction say, a fifth of the more than five million migrants were forced to return, Bangladesh would face an unprecedented reintegration crisis. Coalition of Tipped Workers, Service Operators, Local Businesses and the Illinois Restaurant Association Applaud City Council for Supporting Tip Credit Freeze CHICAGO, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mayor Brandon Johnson is threatening to veto an ordinance that more than half of the City Council supported that would stop the damage being done to the vibrant restaurant industry in each of Chicago's 77 communities. The ordinance that passed 30-18 freezes the city's tip credit at 24 percent of Chicago's minimum wage, providing needed stability for restaurant workers and operators facing rising costs and economic uncertainty. A veto of the ordinance would further threaten jobs, reduce take-home pay for workers, raise prices for customers, and accelerate restaurant closures in neighborhoods across the city. "Every restaurant worker is already mandated by law to make the minimum wage in Chicago and across Illinois," said Sam Toia, President and CEO, Illinois Restaurant Association. "However, the continued phase-out of the tip credit will eliminate many of their jobs and cause irreparable damage to Chicago's world-renowned, independent, neighborhood restaurants. We need to freeze the tip credit and give a fighting chance to our restaurants and the dedicated workers they employ." In the first half of 2025 alone, 496 Chicago restaurants closed, and, as of December 2025, Chicago's full-service restaurants remain 7,800 jobs below their pre-pandemic employment levels. The original ordinance that passed in 2023 set Chicago's tip credit to be phased out over five years until the employer-paid tipped wage matches the city's minimum wage. Following the most recent increase on July 1, 2025, 98% of operators surveyed said they made changes to their restaurant operation. In a March 2026 survey, restaurant operators reported they expect to be forced to make even more dramatic changes to their business model if the minimum tipped wage continues to increase. Of 204 respondents: 99% are likely to increase menu prices. 95% are likely to cut employee hours. 90% are likely to reduce staffing levels. 86% are likely to postpone plans for new hiring. Additionally, a majority of operators would plan to postpone plans for expansion, add labor-saving equipment or technology, trim their hours of operation, and cut employee benefits. Currently, most restaurant operators in Chicago use the tip credit to pay employees. Under this compensation model, no tipped worker makes less than the city's full-mandated minimum wage. Restaurant owners pay a portion of the tipped employee's hourly minimum wage, with the rest made up by tips to equal at least the full city-mandated minimum wage. If employees do not make at least the hourly minimum wage with combined base wage and tips, restaurants are required by law to pay the difference to ensure that every tipped worker makes at least minimum wage, which is currently $16.60. A coalition of tipped workers, service operators, and local businesses applauded members of City Council for voting to pass an ordinance to freeze the scheduled phase-out of the tip credit. With the passage of today's ordinance, Chicago joins Washington D.C. and Michigan in rolling back efforts to eliminate the tip credit. A number of other states and municipalities have considered eliminating the tip credit since Chicago's original ordinance passed in 2023. In 2024, 17 states and 3 municipalities considered tip credit elimination. In 2025, 14 states considered eliminating the tip credit. It did not pass a single legislative house in any state in the country. "The Black restaurant owner is the one who bets on our neighborhoods, not outside special interest groups who come into our city, lobby, and leave. We are the ones hiring the returning citizen or the high school student working their first job. When we close, who's going to open in our place? No one," said Eric Williams, owner, Bronzeville Winery. "I've worked in the restaurant industry for 14 years. As a proud single mother, my career as a server has given me the agency to build a life on my own terms, and the ability to support my family and pursue my education. The tip credit system allows me to earn well above minimum wage, and being a tipped server fuels my future. I appreciate the City Council for protecting my job, my income, and my ability to support my family by voting to freeze the tip credit," said Monet Jackson, server, The Dearborn. "When costs go up, that money has to come from somewhere. Often, the back of house feels the impact first. Back of the house workers don't get tips, so we rely on stable wages, hours, and opportunities for raises. I've seen restaurants cut cooks and reduce kitchen staff, delay raises and reduce overtime to balance payroll. And some coworkers who used to work one job now need two or even three just to pay their bills. We want restaurants to succeed because our livelihoods depend on them, and the tip credit will help them do so," said Martin Arellano, back-of-house, Fifty/50 Group. SOURCE Illinois Restaurant Association 19 March 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Crude markets in the Mediterranean have become much tighter this month, with premiums on two of the most closely watched crude grades in the region surging well beyond the benchmark and suggesting that the shift in the way that European refiners procure their energy is here to stay. The cause of the situation is, of course, well known: the war in the Gulf. Azerbaijan's Azeri BTC and Kazakhstan's CPC Blend, two of the most popular crude grades with European refiners, have recorded sizeable increases in recent weeks, with traders pointing to a mix of geopolitical events, logistical disruption, and the structural shift in the way that European refiners procure their energy away from the Middle East. A supply glut triggered by the Iran conflict has, counterintuitively, pushed premiums higher relative to Brent, as refiners scramble for reliable and geographically accessible barrels. European oil and refined product prices have climbed steadily since the start of the month, driven by buyers seeking alternatives to Middle Eastern grades amid ongoing regional unrest. CPC Blend has undergone a particularly notable reversal. Having traded at discounts of up to five dollars per barrel in previous months, March and April cargoes were last week priced at premiums of one to two dollars per barrel over Brent, according to market participants. The turnaround reflects tightening availability driven by adverse weather, drone activity in the Black Sea, and operational issues at Kazakhstan's Tengiz field, one of the largest oil developments in the region. For now, the sharp rise in premiums signals the growing strategic relevance of the Caspian basin in an increasingly fragmented global energy system. Security concerns in the Black Sea have added a further layer of uncertainty to CPC supply chains. Over the weekend, a Greek-operated tanker bound for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal sustained minor damage after being struck by an unidentified object. While the incident did not significantly disrupt flows, it underscored the growing risks facing energy transport routes in the region. Rising insurance and freight costs linked to such incidents are capping the upside for CPC premiums, traders say, even as demand remains robust. Cargo availability has tightened further, as most April-loading shipments have already been sold, leaving only a limited number of late cargoes on offer. Volatility in cargo scheduling continues to weigh on trading dynamics despite improved export flows. In contrast to CPC Blend, Azeri BTC has benefited from relatively stable export flows, allowing it to command significantly higher premiums. April cargoes are currently trading at five to six dollars per barrel over Brent, with some deals reportedly concluded at levels as high as eight to nine dollars per barrel as buyers compete to secure supply. The Iraqi government has recently chosen to restart oil shipments through the pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan. The restart follows coordination between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, enabling crude to flow again through one of Iraqs main export routes. Operations at the Saralo pumping station have also resumed. Initial export capacity is set at 250,000 barrels per day, with authorities highlighting the move as both a technical and administrative achievement. Which means the supply will increase significantly. Perhaps, infrastructural risks remain, as the war in Iran continues, given the fact that we have seen several claims saying drones are trying to blow up this pipeline at the start of the war. The grade's appeal lies in its low sulphur content and compatibility with European refining systems, making it a preferred substitute as traditional supply channels from the Middle East face disruption. The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic has played a central role in maintaining steady export volumes through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which remains a critical artery linking Caspian resources to global markets. Recent developments in Kazakh oil transit further underscore Azerbaijan's growing role as a regional energy hub. Cooperation between SOCAR and Kazakhstan's KazMunayGaz has enabled the continued transportation of Kazakh crude via the Caspian corridor, with transit volumes reaching 4 million tonnes and reflecting a steady expansion of the Aktau-to-Ceyhan route. Kazakh oil shipments, primarily from the Tengiz field with smaller volumes from Kashagan, are transported across the Caspian Sea to the Sangachal terminal before being fed into the BTC pipeline and exported to international markets. Since its launch in 2006, the pipeline has transported approximately 619 million tonnes of crude oil, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of Eurasian energy infrastructure. The recent rise in premiums paid for Mediterranean crude oil is an example of the structural change in the European oil supply. As tensions in the traditional oil supply chain continue to rise, alternative sources closer to home are becoming an increasingly important part of the mix. Caspian oil is an important part of this emerging pattern, which would have been unimaginable prior to the period of sustained instability in the region. However, the situation is fluid and subject to change. Instability in the Black Sea region and the Middle East means that oil markets in the region are unlikely to be without their share of volatility in the near future. What is certain is that the Caspian oil basin has emerged as the focal point in the region, moving from the periphery to the center of the oil supply chain. 19 March 2026 16:53 (UTC+04:00) AzerNEWS Staff Read more Although the oil and gas sector continues to dominate Azerbaijans export structure, the countrys energy diversification agenda is advancing at a notable pace. A number of green energy projects are currently in the design and technical implementation stages, and their full realization is expected to position Azerbaijan as a net exporter of renewable energy. Strategic targets indicate that renewable energy capacity could reach 6-8 gigawatts by 2032, with a significant share allocated for export markets. This trajectory reflects a shift in the energy mix, as well as an emerging role for Azerbaijan within regional green energy corridors. The commissioning of one of the regions largest wind power plants, with a capacity of 240 megawatts, alongside a previously launched 230 megawatt solar power plant, underscores the growing momentum in this direction. These initiatives are already contributing to an increased share of renewables in the national energy balance and signal a gradual structural transformation. The application of green energy extends across multiple sectors, from traditional industries to high-growth areas such as communications, artificial intelligence, and data centers. This cross-sectoral relevance is particularly important, as digital infrastructure is inherently energy-intensive and increasingly central to economic development. In line with these priorities, both public institutions and private sector actors are intensifying efforts to integrate renewable energy solutions into their operations. Notably, the telecommunications sector has begun to adopt solar energy systems as part of its sustainability strategy. In this context, Aztelecom LLC, a company within AZCON Holding, has initiated a new phase aimed at enhancing the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure through alternative energy integration. For the first time, the company has deployed solar energy systems at GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) OLT (Optical Line Terminal) stations located in the villages of Garasaggal and Mollakend in the Kurdamir region. This development represents a practical step toward decarbonizing critical digital infrastructure while also addressing operational vulnerabilities related to energy supply. Within the scope of the project, 5 kW solar energy systems have been installed at both stations. The OLT station in Garasaggal is supported by solar panels integrated with two groups of 12V/100A AGM batteries, while the station in Mollakend utilizes a 5 kW solar system equipped with four 48V/50A lithium batteries. All stages of planning, construction, and commissioning have been successfully completed, indicating both technical feasibility and replicability. Further information obtained by AzerNEWS from Aztelecom LLC, a company under AZCON Holding, suggests that this pilot initiative is intended to be scaled. The successful implementation in the Kurdamir region has paved the way for expansion into other regions, with a particular focus on the liberated territories. This scaling strategy is analytically significant, as it demonstrates how pilot projects can serve as testing grounds for broader infrastructure transformation, reducing both financial and operational risks in subsequent phases. The company has emphasized that the deployment of alternative energy solutions is a strategic priority in the development of a modern and sustainable telecommunications network in these territories. Plans are underway to install similar solar systems in telecommunications facilities across the Karabakh region. This approach aligns infrastructure development with sustainability objectives from the outset, avoiding the need for costly retrofitting in the future. Importantly, the installed 5 kW solar systems are capable of fully meeting the energy demands of the OLT stations. To ensure operational continuity during power outages, battery storage systems have been integrated into the design. As a result, the stations can maintain stable operations for approximately 24 hours without external power supply. From an analytical perspective, this enhances network reliability, particularly in remote or underdeveloped areas where grid stability may be limited, thereby strengthening overall service resilience. The economic and environmental implications of these solutions are also noteworthy. Preliminary estimates indicate that the adoption of solar energy systems can reduce operating costs by approximately 30-40 percent and lower carbon emissions by 40-60 percent. These figures highlight a dual benefit: improved cost efficiency and a measurable contribution to climate objectives. In the broader context of the communications sector, such gains are particularly relevant, as energy expenditures constitute a significant share of operational costs. Overall, the transition to green energy in Azerbaijan represents a complex but necessary process. The implementation of pilot projects such as this demonstrates a pragmatic and phased approach to transformation. Given the countrys historical reliance on hydrocarbon resources, a systematic and sector-wide transition is essential to ensure long-term sustainability. At the same time, Azerbaijans favorable natural conditions for renewable energy generation provide a strong foundation for this shift. Effective utilization of these resources, combined with continued investment and policy support, will be critical in advancing toward a more sustainable and resilient economic model. 19 March 2026 13:00 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more In the rolling landscapes of Garabagh and East Zangazur, reconstruction is no longer an abstract promise. Now, we can proudly say that it is a lived reality. Across once-devastated districts, from Aghdam to Fuzuli, from Zangilan to Khojavend, new roads cut through valleys that were, until recently, scarred by war. Thanks to almighty Allah and the bravery of the martyred soldiers, and due to the visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, rows of newly built houses now stand where ruins once defined the horizon. Electricity, gas, and fibre-optic networks have been restored or laid anew, while schools, medical points, and public facilities are gradually returning to service. This is the architecture of Azerbaijans Great Return, which is a state-led project that blends infrastructure, demography, and political messaging into a single national narrative. The numbers alone are striking: tens of thousands have already resettled, with entire communities re-emerging after decades of displacement. However, beyond the statistics, what is unfolding is something more symbolic: the deliberate reconstruction of belonging. Nowhere is this more visible than in Khanoba village in the Khojavend district. Once reduced to a fragment of its former self, the village is now undergoing a careful, phased revival. Of its 153 homes, dozens have already been restored, with more nearing completion. The return of the first 25 families that are expected soon to be followed by over a hundred more signals not merely habitation but continuity. Infrastructure has been prioritised with a precision that reflects both urgency and intent. Transformer substations have been restored, electricity and gas lines reconnected, and new fibre-optic systems installed, ensuring that returning residents are not stepping back into the past but into a modernised rural environment. Water systems, too, have been rehabilitated, underscoring the emphasis on sustainability and habitability. It was against this backdrop that President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited Khanoba on March 18. Their presence was not merely ceremonial. In post-conflict regions, leadership visibility serves as both reassurance and assertion. To be more precise, reassurance to returning citizens and assertion of sovereignty to a broader audience. Their meeting with residents coincided with the approach of Novruz, the ancient festival marking renewal and rebirth. The symbolism was unmistakable. Standing alongside villagers, the President lit the traditional Novruz bonfire, which was a gesture that fused cultural ritual with political meaning. All conditions have been created in the villagefor living and working. Most importantly, you have returned to your native Garabagh land, he told the gathered residents. Such moments are carefully choreographed but not devoid of genuine resonance. For families returning after years, often decades, of displacement, the act of celebrating Novruz at home carries emotional weight that transcends politics. As President Aliyev put it, After a long break, you will now celebrate these holidays in your homeland. Yet the Presidents remarks also reveal the broader narrative framing the reconstruction effort. We have restored our national pride, ensured justice and territorial integrity, and driven the enemy out of our lands, he declared, linking physical reconstruction with political vindication. The ruins left behind - entire villages, settlements, and cities were destroyed - are invoked not only as evidence of past devastation but as justification for the scale and speed of current rebuilding. There is, undeniably, a duality at play. On the one hand, the reconstruction of Garabagh is a humanitarian and developmental necessity. On the other hand, it is a powerful instrument of statecraft. By rapidly rebuilding infrastructure and facilitating returns, Azerbaijan is consolidating control, reshaping demographics, and reinforcing its post-2020 and 2023 victories in tangible terms. The Azerbaijani President himself underscored the pace and ambition of the effort: In just five to six years, more than 80,000 people are already living, working, and studying in Garabagh and East Zangezur. The message is clear. This is not a tentative recovery but a determined transformation. Still, questions linger beneath the surface of progress. Can such rapid reconstruction sustain long-term economic viability? Will these newly revived settlements evolve into self-sufficient communities, or remain dependent on state support? And how will this ambitious project be perceived beyond Azerbaijans borders, where narratives of the conflict remain deeply contested? For now, however, the emphasis is firmly on momentum. The time has come to build and create, the President told residents, framing the present as a turning point from conflict to construction. His closing words - Now we will live forever on this native Garabagh land. We had to return - and we have returned as a victorious people - encapsulate both the triumphal tone and the enduring political significance of the project. In Khanoba, as in much of Garabagh, the bonfire lit for Novruz burns with layered meaning. It is a symbol of renewal, certainly and also of resolve. Whether this reconstruction becomes a lasting model of post-conflict recovery or remains a deeply national project shaped by geopolitics will depend on what follows the flames: sustained development, inclusive growth, and, perhaps one day, a broader regional reconciliation. For now, the message from Garabagh is unmistakable: the return has begun, and it is being built brick by brick, road by road, and story by story. 19 March 2026 16:12 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan National Art Museum has hosted a master class on traditional Uzbek embroidery as part of the exhibition "The Birth of Suzani: The Story of an Embroiderer", AzerNEWS reports. Suzani is a traditional textile, typically created as a decorative cover or wall hanging, crafted entirely by hand. Historically, these unique embroidered works served as household items, wedding gifts, or tokens for important family occasions. Each suzani carries not only artistic value but also cultural and symbolic significance: its patterns and motifs reflect local traditions, nature-inspired themes, and national symbols. During the master class, renowned Uzbek embroidery artist Madina Kasimbaeva shared insights into the history of this ancient craft, its key techniques, principles for designing motifs, and methods of execution. Special attention was given to the "yurma" technique, which produces dense, textured embroidery with characteristic geometric or floral compositions. The session attracted great interest from participants, who had the opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the intricacies of traditional decorative arts and to appreciate the rich heritage of suzani as a unique element of weaving and embroidery. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az. 19 March 2026 17:54 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A commemorative concert titled "The Voice of the Saz, the Breath of the Word" has taken place at the International Mugham Center, AzerNEWS reports. The event was jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Institute of Folklore of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) to mark the 80th anniversary of the birth of the distinguished folklorist and Honored Cultural Worker Elkhan Mammadli (1946-2025). Elkhan Mammadli is remembered as one of Azerbaijan's most prominent folklorists, whose lifelong dedication to the study, preservation, and promotion of national folklore left a lasting imprint on the countrys cultural heritage. His work bridged academic research and living tradition, as he immersed himself in folk environments, ashig gatherings, and field expeditions. Through his extensive collections and fundamental studies, Mammadli contributed significantly to safeguarding Azerbaijan's intangible cultural legacy. The event began with a short documentary produced by the Folklore Studio of the ANAS Institute of Folklore. The film highlighted Mammadli's life and scholarly journey, showcasing his research pursuits, the folklore materials he collected, his published works, and personal recollections. Speaking at the event, Director of the Institute of Folklore, Doctor of Philology Hikmat Guliyev, emphasized Mammadli's invaluable contributions to the study, collection, and promotion of folklore. He noted that the scholar held a unique place in Azerbaijani folkloristics not only as a researcher but also as a bearer of a national cultural mission: "Elkhan Mammadli approached folklore not merely as a memory of the past, but as a 'living system.' His research was grounded in materials gathered directly from vibrant folk environments, particularly during ashig assemblies and folklore expeditions," he said. Associate Professor Ilhama Gasabova, PhD in Philology, underlined Mammadli's exceptional role in nurturing young ashigs and fostering their love for the art form. On behalf of the family, his brother Eldar Mammadli expressed gratitude to the organizers for honoring his legacy. The event continued with an artistic program, celebrating the enduring spirit of Azerbaijani folklore through music and performance. A respected folklorist, researcher, and Honored Cultural Worker, he dedicated himself to preserving not just the memory of folklore, but its living, breathing presenceespecially within the art of the ashig. His professional career took shape in 1979 at the Institute of Literature named after Nizami, and he later continued his work at the Institute of Folklore of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Over time, he became head of the Ashig Art Department, where he focused on researching one of the core elements of Azerbaijan's cultural identity. What set Mammadli apart was his perspective. He did not treat folklore as something frozen in the past; instead, he saw it as something alive and evolving. He spent years in the field, attending ashig gatherings, joining folklore expeditions, and engaging directly with performers. This hands-on approach allowed him to understand folklore as it truly exists within communities. His research centered on the structure, genres, and artistic language of ashug poetry. Works dedicated to tanjis of Azerbaijani ashig art became important contributions to the field. Alongside his original research, he also compiled and edited more than ten collections of folklore, helping preserve voices that might otherwise have faded over time. Mammadli's influence extended beyond academia. For nearly four decades, he was a familiar presence on Azerbaijani radio and television, creating and hosting cultural programs such as "Bulaq," "Ustadname," and "Sazn-Sozun Sehrind." In 2008, his contributions were officially recognized when he was awarded the title of Honored Cultural Worker of Azerbaijan. Elkhan Mammadli passed away on March 21, 2025. He is remembered not only for his academic achievements, but also for his sincere commitment to folklore.